Elizabeth: May 1584

86. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 1.]

Requests him to be favourable to the bearer, William Cockburne, and other burgesses of Edinburgh, who sold certain wines to John Clerke, of London, for which he has not made payment. They have made suit before, and now the said William intends to renew it. These parties are very honest men, not able to abide that loss without their utter undoing. They have been commended to him by sundry ministers and other very well affected persons in Edinburgh. Berwick. Signed: Bobert Bowes.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

87. John Colvile to Walsingham. [May 2.]

By the inclosed he will perceive his opinion concerning the affairs of Scotland. Thanks him for his care of the distressed noblemen, and hopes in God that one day it shall be to his honour and contentment. Will deliver the Queen of England's mind to the said noblemen in as "favorabill" manner as he can, and will inform him truly of their meaning, "for nixt hir majeste your honour is my only lord quhom I will follow by all ye varld." Desires to know whether Mr. Davison shall go to Scotland or not. London. Signed: Jo. Colvile.

½ p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

88. Examination and Death of the Earl of Gowrie. [May 3.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 38.

"The manner and forme of the examinatione and death of umquill Williame erlle of Gaury, Lord Ruthen and Dirltoun, Great thessaurer of Scotland the 3 of May 1584."

"Being upone the Thursday brought frome Kinneill to Stirling he stayed before he was brought to judgment three days havynge conferance with soundry depute be his majestie to confer with him. Upone the Mouenday very erlie he was conveyed to the Lady Marrs housse, and after the repaire of the judg and nobliemen who were upon his asyse the clerk procedid to the proces in this maner: 'William, erll of Goury yow ar indyted of tresoune treteruslie comitted against his majestie, notwithstanding the innumerablie honorus yow have receved off his highnes, as be the augmentatione off your rent and also in challenging to be of his magistyes blood is manifest and lykways be the remissione off yowr former tresoune when ye deteaned his magisties persoun in your hous of Ruthene, yet notwithstanding of all this you have entred in more dangerus and deiper tresounes sensyne.'"

"The clerk having ended, he answered: 'Forsamiklie as be his majestie licience I was to depart out of this cuntrie, and resting to Dundie to depart I entered in ship as the balzeis and publik notars of Dundie cane record, but the vind being not in the vay I stayed. In the mean tyme was I assyted be a privat comissione procured be my adversarie vretin be his ouin hand, I having his majestie letter of pretectione under the great seall. But now to answere; as for the raid of Ruthene, I paid remissione for it, and God is my vitness it was never mened against his estait, persoune or atuoritie. As touching the honors that I have receved of his majestie, yow know what service I have done in his minoratie, as in chanaling to be of blood, treulie albeit I be not a Steward nor a discever of this countrie, bringing nother the King nor his comonevell in hazerd, yet am I als neir in sibnes and hath doune better and ofter service them he who thrists for my blood be this couerdlik revenge. Would to God this wer to be debated betuix me and my malicious adverssar bodie for bodie.'"

"Be patient sayeth the Judge. The erll sayd; 'My lord I speak not this of my malice, but of my intent to defend my inocent lyf which is unjustlie sought fore.'"

"My lord, sayeth the judge, you sall heir the rest of the accusatione, answere shortlie and directlie whome will your lordship have protector for yow?"

"The erll replied; 'I se none heir except the advocat, who will excus him self for he is to accuse me. It [is] very hard for me not being accquented with the feir of the law to despute my lyf with ane experemented and practysed adwocat, the tyme being so short and so suillen. Yet Justice Clerk I protest be this instrument, thought yow be under the bound and yoke of the curt, that my answeres be wreatin all atenticlie, and yf they be informall extem it rather to have proceidit from the laik of experience and practyse of the law then from the waiknes of my cauie.' "

'Then I say I shuld not bene accused this day, because whosoever is to be accused of any cryme is to be sommondet, yff for tresune, upone fourtie days, yf for any uther cryme upone fyfteine. But it is so with me that first I was apreheneit and now accused before ever I was sommonded.'

"The advocat replyed that the answere was not revelant; for a thief stelling rid hand and actu ipso may be taken without sommondes. Meikill mair he in tresonne when he is with rid hand of the cryme. The questione was refarred to the Judg, Mr. Jhone Gryme, and his assessionares the Master of Livynstoun, the Lard of Lochinwar, the Laird of Arith: who said it was not sufficient which my lord hade answered. Then they proceidit. 'Ye are to be accused for the intercoming with Mr. David Home and Mr. James Eskin, servantes to the Erll of Angus, and mate under nyght, whe_e ye devysed for the better bringing your tresones to pass. It was most necessare that ather the toune of Sanct Jhonstoune or S_erling should be takene or both.' "

"My lord said, 'I ame to be accused for these thinges which I rewelled upone houpe of my lyf and for the Kings majesties promeis, for ye my lords of Montroes, Doun, Sir Jhone Maitland, Sir Robert Melvin, the Colnell [Stewart], and the captane of Dunbartane came to me very oft and urget me with the declaratione of the truth in this maner. My answere was to yow that I was not so baislye as to paue my awin accusatione, nather would I.' Ye replyed that be this meane the King shall be of ended and have the just cause of wrath against me. But for that tyme other ways ye could not persaud me to doe. At last yow come unto me shewing me that I stood not with his majestes honor to capitulat with me his subject be writ. Ye left me and thene came agane and suere unto me that the Kings majeste suare unto yow that he had granted me my lyfe yf I wold disclose the truth of these thinges wheirof I was to be demandet off. I yeilded unto the condession and wert all these pointes wherof I see my selffe now accused. Therefore this mater shuld not be laid to my charg in the respect of the promeis."

"The advocat said it was not in the noblie mens pouar to promes lyf. 'Yea,' said he, 'the King promised unto them, which they awoued unto me be ther oath.' "

" 'Ask them,' sayes the advocat. He inquired of theme. They denyed that such promeis mas maid be the King to them or by them to his lordship. 'What my lordes ye will not say, so ye maid fayth to me be your honoris, otherways I reface to your oth and conferance I ame asurred ye will not denyed.' They sure it was not so. 'This is a strang mater,' say my lord, 'that nather promise nor lawe awaill; yit my lords I derect my spech unto yow all. I pray yow to the Kyngs to knewe his mynd towardes me.' Wichich they refused after consultatione. Then he prest every on ceverallie and the Erll of Aron him self. He could not prewaill. Thene the clerk proceidet accusing him that he [had] conferance with the Erll of Angus,' servant the 7 of Apryll, whome he sent lyk ways his speciall depender Mr. Patrik Whytlaw. The end and some was to troblie the cuntrie. 'I deny it. Yea I desuadit him, for I saie I knew they would bring no moe thene they would doe at the first instant. And yet why is it not lawfull that the noblie men may asemblie themselfs whene they seing ther lyf and landes put at by them who ar gredie of both as well as the burgasis? They ar in no wus cace then they.' "

"The accused him to have keipt his hous in most feirfull and wairfull manner for thrie houres after the sight of the Kinges commissione. My lord said it he thocht that particular wretting procured and writtin by my eneme was not of sufficient fors to deragat to the letter of protectione and the Kings great seall, and yet I obeyed. I hade bene long away before yf I hade not bene stayed be the King who directed one over to cause the skipper sonne svertyes under pane of ten thousand ll. that he shuld not land ather in England, Irland or Scotland, wichich he could not doe, so when the wind wes fare I was stayed. And when I could not mak sale I was aprehendit.' "

"The clerk proceiding to the fyft point, accusyng him for conceling the tresonable conspiraci, as he confesed himself, devysed against the Kings majestie and the quene his most darest mother for the distructione of theme both. His answere was, 'with this distinctione, the concealing of it is no tresonne, but the revealing a benifeit, and it concernes no noblie man nor uther persone in this countre.'"

Item, yow ar accused for with craft in conferring with sorrsoreres. His answer was that he thought they mened not to mew with him, and schawin lyk wyse that it was well knowen how he served his God. 'This is no just accusatione but a malitious slander and I knew be whome devysed, I will tell yow the truth. There come a tenand of myne duellyng by Dunkell who speak with a womane asking him how I did. He answered. Well no sayes sche ther is some ill fallen to him that he knews not. The Kings fawor is withedrawen frome him and yet the may be remaid for it yff my lord list, which I refused. Iff the woman was heir I would be content sche wer brocht, and I would be the first would confes to it. Yff ther be any witchcraft used I thynk it be more neir the court.' The sys beyng called and ther names read, sicas the erll of Hwntlie whome he excepted because he was under xxv yeares, Ardgyall, Crafourd, Arran, Montroes, Eglintone, Glancarne, Marchall, Doun, Saltoun, Ogilvye,— Mr. of Alphnystoun, and the Lard of Tillieberne. He disyred them to purg them selfs by oth that they gave no particulare advyce or confermation to the King's advocat to accuse him. Every one suure severallie they did not. So then it befell the Erll of Arran to speak. 'Though your lordship think the name of a Sudert [Stewart] infamous yet I think it great glorie to have bene on. I confes mair ye have been a good frend to my fatheres hous but in particular frendschip I have bene as gratfull as ye have bene. I speak in presence of the gryt God I loved yow as well as my awin saill, and ye knew when ye to doe againset the Lord Oliphant how I conterfited the Kinges handwreit for the adwancement of yowr cause. As for the wreating off that commissione to aprehend yow, I will not deny it. It was doune be my maisters disyr. For his majestie estemyng mor of me then of them of the commone sort and reposyng more fidelitie in me nor in them, he imployed me in that point, and hou thinkes that I have done more thene my duetie? In this I am to mantaine the contrary both be deides of handes and word.' So after the purging himself he informid not or gave consell to the King's advocat, in his contrare he was admited to go on his asysse. Yet before he arose to go to the innerchamer Tith the rest of the jurie the erll spak, the erll of Arran dysyryng he woulde remember the good deid was done to him the last year in his house. The uther answered it was not lawfull, 'for my lord yow ar acused for tresonne and I was no tretour, besydes my lyf was saif.' The other syled and called for a drink at the syse departeur, wheir I hard him, being behend him, request a gentill man cause his frendes conceall his death frome his wyff till sche were of more strengh, being weikned through thyr last delyverie. The jurie reentring convicted him of four pointes, to the 2, 3, 4, and fift. Passyng frome the first and last his answere was with a smylling continance, 'my lordes I am willing to lesse my lyf to bring the King contentment, as I often before did hestored [hazard] to do him service. But the noble men who were upone my syse in condemging he [sic] hasard ther awen saills and God that my blood be not upone the Kinges heid the longer that I live I seuld bene involvidd in the great care and wreiped in the more miseryes, and now fred from the firre forryes of the court, wherof I would acquyted myself longsyne. Yf I could I remit my adversars and commit my reveng to God. My lord judg the pointes whereof I am condemned ar but small oversightes, and so it will be knowin afterward. I pray yow to mak not the mater so haynous as to punshet by penaltie of forfaltrie—my sones ar in my landes, the secound is confirmed in all his rightes be the Kings majestie.' The Judg excusing him self because he was condemned of tresonne, so it behuived him to pronounce the ordinarie pinchment, which beyng pronounced, he said, 'I pray God that my blood satiat and astinguish the yre of the courteoues and set this countrie at quyetnes." So kissing his hand to these that were about him and recommending him to them all, called for the minister and want to his privat prayers, after to the scafold and place of executione, which was cowered with lynnyng cloth, then sand, nixt cloth, then scarlet. After a litill pausing he speak in this maner. 'Bretherin, this spectaclie is mor commone then plesant unto yow. I ame condemned to die, and God is my vitnes I never ofendet his majestie nather do I ask Godes merci for any ofence that ever I did aigainst him, and the Lord condemne me yf I was not mor cairfull of his welfare thene I was of my owin wyf and childrine.' Then after his prayers he adrest him to the pepill saying that he forgot som thing to speik to them, quhilk was that they wer many bruites spred of him that he shuld be the accuser of many noblie men. He prayed them not to belave such fabs. He accused none? None, he knew of none, but such as hiede takene the fault upone theme. So bade the pepill fairwell and lowsed his butones, kint with his ouin handes the handkurscher about his eyes. He disyred sir Robert Melvill to content the hangman for his clothes, and gave them to his page. So smylinglie put his head under the aix, and his body and blood keiped in the scarlet was put in the chist and convyed to his ludging. His head therafter set to his shulderes he was buryed besyde my Lord Glames in Sterling, borne be the Secretarie sir Robert Melling, the Justice Clerk and sir Robert Stewart of Traquhair the third day after his executione to his tourcell."

3¾ pp. In the hand of Roger Aston. Indorsed: "Earle of Gowrie condemned."

89. Examination and Death of the Earl of Gowrie. [May 3.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 34 b.

"The manner and forme of examination and death of William, Earl of Gowrie and Lord Ruthven and Derleton. Great Thesorier of Scottland, the 3 day of May and after eyght howers at night, 1584."

[A document similar to No. 88.]

5¾ pp. Copy.

90. Lord John Hamilton to Mr. William Davison. [May 4.]

"I am sorie that I culd noct have the commoditie to speik you as you pas by this way, for I wald have beyne glaid to have knawin if you have any commissioun to deall for our releve. And wer not I am treist and sum part in under phisik I wald have cum to Bervik to you, and therfoir I have send this berrar to speik you for that effect, and will hertley pray you to let me knaw by him safar as you shall think guid theranent as you will do me plesure, quhilk you shall ever find me willing to requyte" Woddryngtoun. Signed: Jhone Hammilton.

⅓ p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

91. Instructions for Robert Beale, Esquire. [May 4.] C.P., vol. XIII.

"Instruciones geven to our trustie and welbeloved servant Robert Beale, esquier, one of the Clerkes of our Privie Counsell being sent to the Queen of Scottes the iiij of Maye, from our Mannor of Grenwiche in the xxvj^th yere of our raigne, 1584."

Having well weighed the offers made to Mr. Wade by the Queen of Scots, and seeing them to be such as are not to be neglected, she finds it expedient to send him to her to know whether she persists in the same mind and disposition she delivered to Wade, and if she shall give her promise for the due performance thereof, then he is to signify to her that the treaty shall proceed; for which purpose she means to send Sir Walter Mildmay to her out of hand. And if, upon this overture, she shall object that by reason of the late alteration in Scotland—the noblemen noted to be affected to her crown [of England] having entered into open action against the King—she shall not be able to work that good effect for the reconciliation that she might have done before, making the matter of the recovery of the King's favour towards them either desperate or not to be performed with such good conditions as before it might, he is, as of himself, to lay before her the inconvenience and danger that may grow to her son and herself in case she shall show herself any way unwilling to employ her credit and authority with her son for the performance of the said offers, and that the noblemen who retired to England are known to be of the chief houses in Scotland, and that their cause is generally favoured by the most part of that realm, it being very well known that they had no meaning or intent any way to have attempted anything to the peril of the King's person, and that their only intent was to remove such from about him as through their violent counsels have [carried], and do carry the King into such a hard course of proceeding as well towards them as other his best affected subjects as has wrought a general mislike of the present government in Scotland. Who, it is thought, upon this late alteration—the most part of the noblemen of whom they before stood in awe being withdrawn forth of the realm—will carry themselves more insolently than before, and thereby render the said government more odious; which being well weighed will be found very perilous for the King, whereof she, in her own person, and sundry progenitors of hers have found most hard and unfortunate events.

Is also to let her understand, that in case she shall now refuse to perform the offer made in that behalf, she shall give her cause ever hereafter to forbear from entering into any further treaty with her touching her liberty, as also to take some course for her own safety that both she and her son shall have no cause to like. not being ignorant of the practices that were entertained betwixt her son and the house of Guise, tending to the trouble and disquiet of her State, wherewith she knows she has been lately made acquainted, and her assent thereto demanded. And although she does not doubt to prevent their designs and attempts, yet if she were persuaded that she had yielded her assent thereto, no persuasion should then induce her to have any further dealing or treaty with her hereafter. And considering the late protestations she has made to her of her great love and affection towards her, she cannot expect that she should in confident sort make her acquainted how far forth she has been dealt with in that behalf. On the other side, if she shall forbear to make any such objection, or having made any such, she shall rest satisfied with such reasons as he shall have laid before her, and shall yield to the performance of her said offer, and thereupon shall declare to him that she shall not be able to do any good therein unless she may be permitted to send some minister of her own with one of hers to her son, he is then to let her understand that she can be content to yield therein, in hope that her said minister shall not, under the colour of doing good, practise some such matter as may be offensive to her, which, if it shall so fall out, could not but breed in her so hard a conceit towards her that all means of mediation in time to come should be utterly taken away. Thinks meet also that he let her understand that the French ambassador, tendering the safety of her son and the repose of that realm, foreseeing the great danger he shall be thrown into unless some good accord be made betwixt him and his subjects, has made suit to her, in the behalf of the King his master—being so authorised and commanded by him—that he might be permitted to repair to the said King, together with some minister of hers [Elizabeth's], to the effect above specified, whereunto she is disposed to yield upon hearing from him [Beale] of her contentation.

3¼ pp. Copy. Indorsed: "Maye 4, 1584. Instructions geven to Mr. Beale being sent to the Q. of Scotts, from the Courte at Grenwiche."

Another copy of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 41.

Another copy of the same.

92. Elizabeth to Mary. [May 4.] C.P., vol. XIII.

Right excellent, etc. The late report made by our servant Waade of the deep and earnest protestations you delivered to him of the sincerity of your proceeding in the last treaty between us—though we have many reasons to lead us to rest doubtful thereof, as we have heretofore signified to you—how greatly you desire we should conceive well of your affection towards us, and of certain offers you make tending to the surety of the King your son, and the removing of the doubtful opinion we have heretofore held of you in respect of your minister's dealings towards us beyond the seas, has wrought that effect in us—in hope that your deeds shall hereafter confirm your words—that we have thought good to send this bearer to you to know whether you continue your former resolution delivered to our said servant; wherein, if he shall you to persist, then have we directed him to impart such further matter to you that you shall have reason to rest satisfied withal, to whom we pray you to give credit.

²/3 p. Copy. Indorsed: "4 May, 1584. M[inute] letter from her majesty to the Scottish Queen by Mr Beale."

93. Elizabeth to Shrewsbury. [May 4.] C.P., vol. XIII.

Being made acquainted by our servant Waade, now at his return from the Queen being in your charge, with the said Queen's solemn protestations of her plain and sincere meaning in the last treaty between us, and earnest desire we should be persuaded to conceive how much she depends upon our favour and friendship before all other Princes, as also with certain offers of hers which she required him to impart to us, wherewith you are already acquainted, being, as we suppose, uttered in your presence, and conceiving that these so earnest and solemn protestations being delivered in such effectual sort, as we are informed, cannot but proceed, as we hope, from some earnest desire the said Queen may have indeed to win our good opinion and favour to her,—we have therefore thought good to despatch our servant Beale to her to make further trial of these her offers and protestations, to the end, if she shall persevere in the same still, and we may find any good probability and likelihood of her sound and plain meaning therein, the late begun treaty may then proceed according to the first course and resolution taken in that behalf, as this bearer shall more at large declare unto you by showing to you his instructions; wherein we require you to employ your advice and furthering. And upon answer to be received from you how you shall find her inclined in this behalf, we mean presently to take order for further proceeding therein.

1⅓ pp. Draft. Corrections in Burghley's hand. Indorsed: "M[inute] to the Earl of Shrewsbury, May 4th, 1584."

94. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May 4.]

Since his departure the Queen of England has grown uncertain and doubtful by reason of the late accident happened in Scotland in what sort to employ his service.

The French ambassador renews his former request in the King's his master's name to be suffered to repair to Scotland in company with some minister of the Queen of England to mediate an accord between the King and his subjects, whereunto her majesty, finding her credit greatly decayed in Scotland, is content to yield. But whether he [Davison], shall be directed to accompany him or any other sent with him, is not yet resolved on. He seems desirous to have Mr. Randolph before any other. Greenwich. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

95. Mr. William Davison to Burghley. [May 4.]

Since the receipt of some letters from Mr. Bowes imparting the ill success of the late enterprise at Stirling and the flight of Angus, Mar, and others, has made less speed in his journey, in order that he might hear further of the Queen of England's pleasure before his entry or sending into Scotland. Received Mr. Secretary's letter of the 29th ult. Awaits her majesty's further order, and in the meantime has "thought it not amisse to pretend some indisposition in my health," to take away the jealousy that might grow by his "slackness" of sending. Requests instructions. Has received the 1000l. of Sir John Foster in double pistolets at his own house at Alnwick. Will keep it untouched till her majesty shall signify her further order for the employment thereof. Requests him to mediate with her majesty in his behalf, that the care of his present estate and debts be no hindrance to her public service. Berwick.

1 p. Copy. Indorsed by Davison.

96. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 4.]

Received letters from Mr. Bowes at Ferybrigg acquainting him with the success of the late enterprise at Stirling (etc. as in No. 95).

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed (by Burghley's clerk).

Copy of the same.

97. James VI. to Elizabeth. [May 4.]

"The restles myndes and lurking malice of our present rebellious subjectes, covered this tyme past, is at last maid manifest, and his evidentlie kythed, (fn. 1) thay being now fled in zour realme, efter thair attempting of sa disperat ane interprise, as sum of thame returning in our realme furth of Irland without our permissioun or knawlege, and sum uthers quietlie enjoying thair levingis and guidis at hame, hes notwithstanding laitlie conspired and concurred in taking and seasing of thame selffes in our toun and castell of Striveling, making prisoners of all our gude subjectes quhome yai micht apprehend, threatening sum with present deathe, contemptuusly dispising our proclamationes and charges, quhairby yai war commandit to have departit, taking our herawldes and officiares of armes sent to execute our charges with our letters, and violentlie stopping the same to be proclamit or execute, and in place thairof making thair awin seditious proclamationes. Quhilkes inordinat dealingis be na likly haide culd have bene so presumptuously attemptit be thame in sa few nowmer without pretens of sum mair heich and dangerous interprise intendit to be execute be thame aganes our persoun, croun and estate. Bot the same God be quhais help we have now repressit thair rebellioun and insolence, recovering our said toun and castell, apprehending the persones of sum of our rebelles and conspiratoures, and banissing sum uthers furth of our realme, hes releved ws of there sa appearing perillous interprises at this tyme. Madame, to repete thair names we think was neadles and superflew, being sa weill knawin and sa publictly enterit in zour cuntrie. Alwayes we traist ze sall weill considder that thair late attemptate hes bene taken on hand without ony just occasioun ministrat be ws, respecting that we recentlie forgave tham frelie thair former offenses, cheiflie at your earnest request and desire, letting thame enjoy thair honouris, levinges and guides, and only wisheing sum of thair persones to be furth of our realme for a short space till our estate had bene better setled, and permitting others quietlie remane at thair housses without note of our displesur aganes thame for ony thair bipast offenses. Specialie the Erll of Angus, for quhais pease zour ambassadoures Sir George Carey and Robert Bowes in zour name sa earnistlie insistit with ws, as for zour sake we not onlie callit the said Erll hame agane, and his dependers and servauntes that wer in England with him, bot sufferit thame remane in our realme as onie uthers our gude subjectes, permitting thame to enjoy thair levingis, guides, and possessiones. Zea not fourtene dayes before he shew him selff a leidar and partiner in this lait conspiracye we wrait unto him assuring him of our favour, and promissing unto him betuix and a day not lang to cum, that he and all his sould be restored be our parliament to there levingis, guidis and possessiones, quhairof thay presentlie enjoyed the maist part, assuring him alsua be our foirsaid lettre, that althogh we sould have na other occasioun, zit for his onlie caus our parliament suld hald betuix and the day that we prefixt unto him. Then seing he and our uthers rebellious subjectes, contempring our clemency and favour, and sa heichley attempting of late aganes ws, not only safer as in tham lay to perell our honour, persoun, croun and estate, bot be the same meanys preassing at thair pouer to stayne zour honour, that had sae arnestlie insistit with ws for thame. We can not tharefore bot effectuuslie require zow, dearest suster, sen thay have ministrat na les occasioun of offence to zow then to our selff, that according to the treateis of peax standing betuix ws and oure cuntreis, ze will rander and deliver out saides rebelles to ws to be punissed according to thair just desertes; quhairin ze sall oblise ws to acquite zou with the like promptitude and guidwill as the occasioun sa offer. Quhair gif ze did it not—as we assure our selff ze will—it mycht constraine ws for the avoiding and resisting of the fhrther perrillous interprises of our saides rebelles to crave the assistence and support of foreyn princes, quhilk we doubt not to obtene. Quhairunto gif we suld be compellit it mycht diminishe or perrell the breake of the amytie so long continewit betuix ws. To the quhilk (except as be not constrenit) we salbe and is maist laith, as plainly appeares be making our first chois to seke and embrace zour amytie. Thus not doubting of zour gude acceptatioun of this our earnest desire safer tending to the honoures of ws baith, and praying zou to send ws zour resolute and gude anser be this present berair quhat we sall assuredlie lippin unto in this behalf, richt excellent, richt heich and michtie Princes out dearest suster and cousine we commit zou to the protectioun of Almichtie God." Stirling. Signed: "Youre maist loving and affectiounatt brother and cousin, James R."

²/3 p. Broadsheet. Addressed. Indorsed.

98. James VI. to the Marshal of Berwick. [May.]

Requests him to grant to the bearer, his servant, favourable and ready passage, and commission to be supplied with post horses, etc., to the Queen of England with his letters for matters of special importance and requiring good expedition. Stirling.

⅓ p. Copy. Indorsed.

99. John Butterweke to Mr. William Davison. [May 5.]

"Sir, lest I shold seame unmindful of my promise, I have tooke occacion to wryte these fewe lynes, wherin at the lest I shall satisfy som part of my duty by diligence in wrytinge, though no part of your expectacion through want of matter to wright of. For since your departure with us—I meane wheare I am—there are no newez sturring. Only the Thursday after you tooke your journey, being the last of Aprill, yt was reportyd that the Earle of Anguisshe, and of Mar and their accomplices were fled at Barwycke. Synce that tyme, notwithstanding, we hard you were gon thorough. On Sonday following, the third of May, Mr. Colvyll tooke his journey towardes Barwycke leaving word behind him that he was going home. It is certaynly knowen that Mr. Dowglas wyll away. Som speaches ther ar of the taking of the Lord of Lyndsey and other lordes. Som geaves out that Rogers, being sent by som of the Kinges favorytes to procure their lyking in thys Court, slackyth not hys busynes. These ar Scottishmen's reportes, and although you know the truth of thes affayres best, yet I wold not you shold be ignorant what I heare. They have all better lyking of you for your modesty and wisdom, then of Mr. R[andolph] for his boldnes, or of Mr. B[owes] for his bownty, and yett they expect no good successe or event of your legacion or ambassage, standing th'affaires of that country on those termes that they doe. And as touching the comparison between those gentlemen and you, for my part I suspend my judgment. They ar men men unknowen to me, but I only send you their opynions, and yet I must confesse they report veary honowrably of them both. Som Papistes in Ingland have a great opynion that the King of Scottes wyl become an apostat in religion. I wold they were well satisfied of the contrary, to the King's honour, our comffort, and their disgrace. Som muttering they make of forraigne power to be expected outt of France, of mony and mariage to be practized in Spayne, a poore helpe to be lookyd for out of Ierland from Oenealle, as though we were of no force to resist. It hath ben reportyd—although I se no lykelyhood—that the French ambassador shold be sent shortely into Scotland. I am perswaded you have no leysure to reade these fables, neyther do they becom me to wryte them, but duty movyd me to wryte, and goodwyll made me tedious." Signed: John Butterweke.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

100. Walsingham to Angus and Mar. [May 5.]

Has made the Queen of England acquainted with the contents of their letter, who has willed him to let them understand that, as she has always carried a very honourable conceit and opinion of them in respect of their dutiful disposition to the King their sovereign, so is she glad to understand that their departure does not proceed from any other cause than to avoid the danger that they feared to be thrown into by the indirect practices of some ill instruments enjoying their sovereign's ear. She will have a princely care both to provide for their safety during the time of their abode in England, as also to use the best means and offices she can for the restoring of them to his former good opinion and favour, the rather in respect of the zeal and good affection she has ever noted to be carried by them to the crown of England.

1 p. Copy. Indorsed.

101. [Mr. William Davison] to Walsingham. [May 6.]

Some of the servants of the lords who departed from Scotland have been executed, and they hear that Gowrie lost his life at Stirling on Monday last. (fn. 2)

However the cause, in outward appearance, may seem under foot, by the miscarriage of this last attempt, yet the general discontentment with the present Court is such, and the courage, forces, and will of the favourers of the action—which, for aught he can find, had made a great party if things had been well conducted—so little abated by the taking away of Gowrie and the violent pursuit of the rest, that it much rather exasperates men's minds and increases their discontentment and resolution to hazard their uttermost fortunes in the redress of this course, so dangerous to religion, the state of the commonwealth, and amity with their best neighbours. But because he is yet a stranger to these proceedings and has hitherto forborne to communicate with their lordships, he leaves the particular report of these things to others better instructed than himself.

Thinks it his duty to say that albeit the present estate of these poor lords may in some degree seem rather to be pitied than condemned, yet he could wish the Queen of England should give them what favour and countenance in honour she might. First, because they are men whom she has always found affected to her service and continuance of the amity between both realms. Secondly, because the action wherein they are embarked tends only to the King's preservation, the surety of religion, and quiet of both countries, all which are endangered by the present course. Thirdly, because this action is yet so far from quailing by the ill success of this last attempt that the party is not disposed to give it over. Her majesty's countenance or discountenance given to these lords would breed no little courage or discomfort to the whole party and action at home; so that in the persons of these men and their usage the rest may see what to hope or trust to either in general or their own particular.

Lindsay, Cowdenknowes, Wedderburn, etc., are like to run the fortune of Gowrie—especially Lindsay, for the old grudge borne him by the Queen of Scots, who intends, as she may, to glean out all those whom she either hates or fears being obstacles to her purposes.

1 p. Draft in Davison's hand. Indorsed.

102. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 6.]

Upon the receipt of a letter sent to me by my Lord Treasurer I have advised the Earls of Angus and Mar and the Master of Glamis to signify by their letter to her majesty their arrival in this realm, and the causes thereof, and of their late actions, expressing the same with such circumstances as may stand with the duty of good subjects to their sovereigns, and move her majesty to entreat the King for his grace and favour towards them, as to persons who had no purpose to offend him. Wherein I find them very willing to yield to my persuasion, letting me know that they had already written to yourself in these behalfs, and [they] promised to send the further particularities of all their doings and intentions, purposing to have set forth the same with the advice of Mr. John Colvile, who they thought should have been with them before this; and being defeated of their expectation of his coming they had chosen, and thought to have sent up, the Master of Glamis.

But I have so dissuaded his personal repair at this time—according to the said direction given me—that they are contented to stay the same, and had thereon agreed to frame and send their declaration, agreeable to my advice. Nevertheless, they find so many defaults in the drafts drawn by such writers as are here among them, that they think it needful to accompany their letters with a meet messenger to supply the imperfection of the writing, and at large to inform her majesty in all their causes. Wherefore they have resolved to write to yourself again to signify the cause of their delay in sending up their letter promised, and to pray her majesty's license to be granted to them to employ, and send to her a sufficient messenger of their own to present the declaration and do all other offices requisite for them and their relief. Which letter they have delivered to me with request that it be conveyed to you, and which I send inclosed.

Of their doings herein I have advertised my Lord Treasurer, according to my duty, leaving the rest of this matter to the view of their letter addressed to you.

Because the Master of Glamis is well acquainted with, and can best report the whole course and circumstances of these causes, therefore they intend, and desire—I perceive—to employ and send him to her majesty, trusting that he shall well satisfy her highness and do best offices for them.

They are preparing to depart from this town to Newcastle within a day or two at the farthest, according to the advice given them by Mr. Marshall upon the receipt of your letter; and there they look to receive return and advertisement of her majesty's pleasure in the contents of their letter to you—upon which they now wholly depend.

The King still continues at Stirling to order and dispose matters there by the advice of his Council, who be greatly troubled in the distribution of the escheats and forfeitures. He purposes to return to Holyrood House on Friday next.

Execution is done at Stirling on two Douglasses, one Lyon, and one Forbes, late servants of Angus, Mar, and Glamis. And it is thought that Gowrie's life is ended, or shall be very shortly.

Because I have warned my friends in Scotland to forbear to hazard themselves in sending any intelligence to me in this dangerous time, and heard opinion of the Court towards myself, I therefore commend the report of all the affairs in Scotland to the advertisement of others. And having long waited for leave to go into the country and to London as well for my own particular causes as also to render my account to her majesty, which are presently in readiness, and whereof I desire to be disburdened in convenient time and manner, according to my duty and charge, I therefore humbly pray that I may have her majesty's license in this behalf. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

1²/3 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

103. Angus, Mar, and the Master of Glamis to Walsingham. [May 6.]

"Rycht honorable, pleaseth it zour guid lordship, where by our former lettre to zour lordship we have certefeit in sum generall sort the caus off our cummyng into yis realme of England, and off our enterynge into yis actioun in our awin cuntrey, purposinge to have sent ane meit messinger to have opened and declared at lenth the trew groundes and causes of our said actioun and of all wther circumstances meit to be knawein to hir majestie, with our humbill petitiones to be presented to hir highnes. Synce quhilk tym we have found yat our boldnes in this part myght schew sum lacke off dewe consyderatioun of our awin dewtyes to presume to send wp ony sik messynger befoir we should fyrst obteyne hir majesties guid licence theirin. Theirfoir we hewe thocht guid to stay ony sik messinger untill we recawe her majesties leawe for the sam. And forasmekle as it is werey necessary yat we sould noctwithstanding present to her majestie in dew and conwenient tym ye particulariteis of all ther causes, to be signifyed in wryting in sik perfit forme as the weight of sa grit causes requyre, and as all ye parteis in the sam do expect at our handes; theirfoir we had thought to have drawen and framyd them. Bot becaus off the schortnes of tym, and that our declaratioun quhilk we publesett in Scotland is noct presentley heir—quhilk contines the causes qat mowit ws to tak yis actioun in hand—we culd noct at yes present put them in sik sufficient order as mycht not hurt the caus. We do theirfoir thynk it neidfull to pray her majesteis fawour and leave to mak chose and send to hir majestie ane maist sufficient persoun amangis ws to present her majeste our declaratioun in yir behalffes, and to informe her majestie at sufficient lenth the trew and full effectes off all our actionis, intentionis, and desyres, to the intent her majestie, weill knawyng the sam, may be rather mowed to schew her gratius guidnes towardes ws as schall pleis hir majestie. In consideratioun hereof we effectualley pray zour lordship to present this our sutt and requeste to her majestie for leawe to send wp our said messinger, and yat it may pleis zour lordship to gywe ws spedy advertisment of her majesteis guid plesur in the sam, to be sent to ws at Newcastle, quherwnto we prepar our selffes to passe werey schortley and to remane at her majesteis guid will and plesur and zour lordship's advertisement." Berwick. Signed: Angus. Mar. Tho. Mr. Glammis.

1p. In the hand of the Master of Glamis. Addressed in the same hand. Indorsed by Walsingham.

104. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 6.]

Because the Master of Glamis can very sufficiently inform her majesty of the causes moving them to enter into this action, and of the impediments hindering the success thereof, together with the true estate as well of their cause as it presently stands, and of the remedy for the recovery thereof, as also of all affairs in Scotland, therefore these lords are very desirous to obtain leave to send him [the Master of Glamis] to the Queen of England, trusting that he shall thereby do good offices to her, and for the relief of the cause and themselves. Nevertheless, they think that if her majesty shall return him without comfort it shall much discourage their friends in Scotland, and prejudice the cause. Yet they choose rather to encounter the peril of this, than to lose the benefits that may haply ensue on his travail with her majesty and others, who will vouchsafe rightly to examine and try the information and intelligence that he shall give. And therefore they pray her majesty's licence for his repair to the Court.

Thinks he will give good proof of all such things as he shall affirm, and also make it evidently appear that sundry things in that estate are not rightly conceived by them [the English] at this time. He will also let them know the reasons of the hope remaining to redress the defaults past. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

105. Robert Bowes to Burghley. [May 6.]

Received his letter of April 30th on the 4th instant, and, according to the same, advised the Earls of Angus and Mar and the Master of Glamis to send to the Queen of England their writing signifying their arrival in England, together with the causes thereof and of their late actions, wishing the same to be expressed with such convenient circumstances as may stand with the duties of good subjects to their sovereign, that thereby her majesty may be moved to entreat the King for his grace and favour towards them, as to persons who had no purpose to offend him.

Found them very ready to yield to his persuasion in this, letting him know that since their arrival at this town they had written to Mr. Secretary, and given notice of their arrival and of the general causes drawing them into that action. They also promised to send further declaration in writing of the particularities of those matters. The draft of this declaration and the solicitation thereof, etc., they meant to have committed to the travail of Mr. John Colvile, and being disappointed of his arrival, and wanting another fit secretary, they therefore thought of sending the Master of Glamis to inform her majesty in all these causes, but he has so dissuaded his personal repair at this time that they are well contented to stay the same. And whereas they had agreed, and were in hand to have framed and sent their declaration in writing, they have now found so many defaults in the draft thereof— drawn by such writers as be amongst them—that they think it very requisite for them and their cause to accompany their writing with such meet messenger as may supply the imperfections of the draft and give sufficient information of their actions, and do all other convenient offices to her majesty for them and their relief as they have thought expedient. For this consideration they have thought it well for them to write again to Mr. Secretary showing thereby the cause of their delay in sending the declaration promised, and pray that they may be licensed by her to send up a fit messenger to present the same and to inform her in all things. Incloses their letter addressed to Mr. Secretary. They prepare to depart to Newcastle within one or two days with all their company, being about twenty persons. Requests leave to repair to London, because he has all his accounts in readiness. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

2¼ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Burghley's clerk).

106. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 7.]

This day Thomas Livingston, pensioner of the Queen of Scots, lately in France with Lennox, and a great Papist, arrived here to pass in post with the King of Scots' letters to the Queen of England with as liberal offers as before have been made. He left Stirling on Monday last, (fn. 3) and reports that provision was made that day for the assize for the arraignment of Gowrie, and for his execution, which he suffered on that day.

Mr. Andrew Hay, Mr. James Lowson, and Mr. Walter Belcanquyall, ministers, are charged to appear before the King and his Council to-morrow. Advice is given by their friends to beware of presenting themselves during this present rage in Court; but they will not hearken to that counsel. The ministers of St. Johnstone and Haddington have been sought for by the King's guard, but they cannot be found.

The Earl Marishal arrived at Dundee on his journey towards the Court, upon the King's letter, but was counselled by his especial friend, being a person of good quality then in court, to stay his journey. Some of the courtiers persuade that he and sundry other noblemen in the north should be "put at"; so they are like to sustain some trouble. It is bruited that Lindsay had sought to have escaped out of Tantallon the other day, but the same is given out rather by his enemies to draw him into greater displeasure, than upon any matter of truth. This suspicion, chiefy sprung upon sight of a fisher boat that was sent to bring hither some apparel for Angus, which was taken on her return hitherwards.

It is reported that Seton arrived at Leith on Tuesday last with four ships. Yet a friend arrived here this day, who was in Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon, affirms that he heard that bruit. Nevertheless, he knows he had not arrived when he left Edinburgh.

It is expected that many others of the ministers and good burgesses of sundry boroughs shall be greatly troubled. The fear of persecution is so great that many thought to have dealt little in any matters withdraw themselves to escape this fury, which they think to be so violent that it will be soon ended in some degree. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

1¼ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

107. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 8.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 45.

Is credibly advertised this morning by a friend from Stirling— adventuring to send to him—that Gowrie was executed on Monday last. Small, or no advantage is given to his adversaries by anything that he has confessed. His wife and his daughter Lelias—and not his son, who has been in great danger—are dead also with sorrow. His lands and possessions were disposed before his death. Argyll refusing to be of his assize was charged upon pain of treason to appear and proceed therein. The same day Archibald Douglas, the Constable, and Mr. John Forbes were hanged at Stirling. And whereas it was reported in Edinburgh that Mr. John Forbes suffered with others there named in his letter on Saturday last, is now newly advertised that Mr. John Rosse, servant to Mar, was one of those four then executed, and that Lyon, kinsman to Glamis, was on the scaffold, and yet saved; in whose place the under-cannoneer of the castle of Stirling was put down.

Lindsay was drawn towards Stirling, but is returned to Edinburgh with Mr. William Leslie and George Afflecke to be there executed on the return of the King to Holyrood House. Nevertheless, some think that this rage will be stayed. But yet seeing the King's mother and Sir John Maitland—one of the six knights made at Stirling—have especial grudge at him, [it is thought] that therefore he shall lose his life.

The Master of Lindsay has been sought for, but he has withdrawn, "lowse and lyringe." Crawford travailed earnestly for Lindsay, but it is thought that he shall not prevail. The Master of Cassillis coming boldly to Stirling is apprehended; but Barganny, a man of great valour and power, with the rest of the barons of the west, escaped and be in safety.

The King and his Council are busy occupied for the taking as well of these barons escaped, as also of the lords and barons in the north, wherein it is resolved to pursue all the parties with all expedition and violence. And thereon it is advised to begin with the parties in the north, and first to go against the friends of Glamis; next to proceed against the Forbeses, Oliphant, Leslies, and others thereabout; after to turn to the west, and so to the south parts.

Marishal has come to Stirling on the word and promise of Argyll, notwithstanding the advice before given him. His brother, being a person of great courage and spirit, keeps himself safe. Whereupon it is thought that the earl's life shall be in the more surety. The Master of Rothes had been sent for, and cannot be found, yet the earl his father continued in Court and favour.

Many ministers, barons, and burgesses of sundry of the chiefest boroughs in Scotland look daily to be charged and severally dealt withal, and many noblemen and others were holden deeply suspected; the fear whereof spreads so generally through the whole realm that thereby many—especially such as find themselves in evil grace with the King or his mother, or have any particular with any courtiers— provide for themselves by the best means they can to avoid the present fury begun in blood, and looked to proceed in more extreme manner.

Has often prayed her majesty's leave to go to the country and to London to give in his accounts and follow his own poor affairs, which surely are perished by his long absence. Trusts now to be disburdened of these charges. Berwick.

1²/3 pp. Copy.

108. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 8.]

Sundry noblemen and great barons, parties in this action, have thereby come into trouble, and many not yet touched or named were acquainted therewith, and still retain the same minds that they had before. By this it will appear that the party was great and might have brought together great forces, not withstanding whatsoever be said to the contrary. But, by the evil handling of matters and the unfortunate accidents, the success has been thus froward and given such advantage to all the adversaries. This success may, no doubt, by better handling be redressed, as he thinks may be made manifest by sufficient reasons to be shown to him. These he will signify to him on his arrival. Wishes that in the meantime good consideration may be had not only of the sufficiency of the said party, but also of the danger of suffering the best sort thereof to be rooted out and destroyed, and the residue to be joined in the cause with those who are thus wholly devoted to the King's mother and foreign princes. Trusts it will be well weighed what standing surety can be found in the present courtiers or any of them, who are entangled with such affections and particularities as are known to all who understand the present plot intended to be in them. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

109. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 9.]

Has written twice to him since his arrival here, and has these five or six days attended her majesty's further direction, without signifying anything into Scotland in the meanwhile, where he doubts not they have the news of his being here, and find from his stay matter enough to suspect and discourse at large. If, therefore, her majesty intends his entry, it were fit he was in time supplied with knowledge of her good pleasure, to avoid by his long abode here the increase of that jealousy and suspicion which may prejudge both himself and his service.

Has thought it best to leave the report of the doings in Scotland since this late alteration to such particular advice as he [Walsingham] has daily from Mr. Bowes. Can neither hear nor observe anything since his coming hither that does not manifestly detect the resolution of that Court to run the course of the King's mother, with the manifest peril of religion and hazard of the common peace and amity between both crowns, as he does not doubt to make more plain to him by many clear and invincible arguments upon his entry into Scotland, and more particular observation of the doings and proceeding there. They proceed roundly to the cutting off of all such as of old they know, or anew suspect to be principal favourers either of religion or of the amity with England, of the nobility, gentlemen, ministers, and principal burgesses of the burghs and towns. The end whereof appears to be this, that having so stripped her majesty of her party and friends among the greatest, removed or taken away the principals of the ministers who have special credit in the boroughs and interest in their people, purged the country and towns of such gentlemen and burgesses as they suspect, fortified and assured the principal strengths of the country, and made all safe at home, they may with the more hope and facility go on to the execution of the rest; which no man of any discourse, judgment or acquaintance with the matters of Scotland does not see into.

For the coming down of Mauvissière at this time under pretence of travail to reconcile the King and his subjects—but rather to bind up and fortify the reconcilement between the mother and son—he sees not what it can effect but an increase of danger to the common cause of religion, her majesty's friends there, and her own surety at home, if they consider either the time or state of things, the person chosen for the service, the office he has always done, and the inward privity and knowledge he specially has of the counsel, secret, and party of the Queen [of Scots]; the opinion of whose strength and friends with them [the English] has been a principal reason used by her instruments to decline the young King from the respect of the Queen of England, and bring him to an expectation of his greatness by his mother. Gowrie has played his part in this tragedy. Fears Lindsay's part will be next—a man no less hated by the Queen mother. Marishal, come in upon the word of Argyll, is not clear of the danger, if the respect of Argyll and doubt of his friends at home do not restrain them. Albeit the Queen [of Scots] has no old action against him, who was in her time a child, and his grandfather then living—no meddler in the cause for or against her.

Forbes and Oliphant, withdrawn to their countries in the north, are like to be first prosecuted with open force, and in the meantime advice [is] taken how to proceed with the west and south, where men either give place to the fury or stand on their guard. But if this violent course holds on it may haply kindle a new fire not so easily to be quenched as the last. For, besides that the nobleman, gentlemen, and others who have been parties—and are not so mean a number as they are taken to be—can find no "outgate," as the term is, or surety for themselves and their friends but in a change, though hatred and fear of the present course are so general that it were a miracle in the nature of that state and people long to suffer or endure it in the terms it is. They have yet only entered into the blood of Gowrie and the servants of Angus and Mar, Crawford, being the mean to save a kinsman and other servants of the Master of Glamis to qualify the fear he has against him for the slaughter of Lord Glamis his brother.

Cowdenknowes, who is a prisoner in Blackness, Wedderburn at Down in Menteith, the Master of Cassillis, Mr. William Leslie, and George Fleck are like to run the fortune of Gowrie and the rest.

The Masters of Lindsay and Rothes have both withdrawn; also Bargany and the other barons of the west, whom it was sought to apprehend. Bothwell and Cesford are not yet in, nor is it certain what course the King will take with them. Berwick.

1¾ pp. Copy. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 44.

Original of the same.

110. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May 10.]

The Queen of England finding her credit to be of late so impaired in Scotland that she shall not of herself be able to prevail in her intended of mediation for the noblemen now in England, has therefore thought meet to yield to the French ambassador's request to repair there to travail between the King of Scots and his subjects for the quieting of all things between them. And because the Queen of Scots pretends to have great credit with him, and that he will be altogether ruled and advised by her in his actions, she also means to allow a minister of the Queen of Scots to accompany the ambassador thither. She will also appoint two of her own ministers to join in the negotiation, viz., himself [Davison] and, he thinks, Beale. Her majesty's pleasure is that he should remain at Berwick till he receives further declaration. The Court. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

111. Walsingham to [Burghley]. [May 10.] Lansd. MSS., No. 40, fol. 154.

Has again moved her majesty in this gentleman's suit, who answered that for her part she no cause but that the same might well pass, provided there be a clause added in the grant that if the suit shall hereafter be found inconvenient it may then be revoked. Requests him, when he has thoroughly considered the suit and like of it, that he will signify so much to him. The Court. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

Postscript.—The gentleman desires that if a clause be added for the revocation of the grant that it may be with a year's warning, to take order for the charges he shall be at in the new repairing of his salt-pans and erecting of the trade of salt making.

1 p. Indorsed.

Inclosure with the same.

(Suit for making salt.)

"Thanswere to Mr. Andersons suite for makinge of salte."

I find no law in Edw. IV.'s time about making of salt either in Scotland or England; but 22 Edw. IV., cap. 8, I find all merchandise brought out of Scotland and the isles of the same into England, Ireland or Wales shall be first brought to Berwick or Carlisle and the ports or creeks pertaining to the West Marches; by which "belike" he would have all Scottish salt, being merchandise, brought to Berwick or to Carlisle, and so would overthrow the Scottish salt by making better salt near Berwick, as he and his ancestors have done.

It were most beneficial for England if Scottish salt might be banished, not only to encourage many to set up pans, "and makinge salt apon salt," but it would make them able to maintain and continue the setting up of their salt-pans.

The Scottish salt being lighter and cheaper, and made with less charge, and "not hable to goe soe farr as Englishe salt dothe," is bought up at London and the coast towns of England by the retailers of "salt apon salt" made in England to mingle the Scottish salt with it, to "afforde" their mingled salt cheaper than "salt apon salt" can be brought from beyond sea or made in England.

Since making of "salt apon salt" in England by license given to Yarmouth by your lordship's means, and set up at Ipswich and Harwich without license, at their own charges, the country "mercers" and retailers of white salt everywhere on the coast side so pull down the price of good salt made in England or brought from beyond sea, that making of "salt apon salt" for fishing, and "whiteware" of Suffolk, decays, and in time will be clean overthrown.

¾ p. Indorsed.

112. [Walsingham] to Angus and Mar. [May 11.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 45 b.

Has informed the Queen of England of their resolution to send one of their company hither to her to acquaint her more particularly with the whole circumstances of their cause than can well be done by writing. She thinks the charge should light on Mr. Colvile. She has a care for them, and means to leave nothing undone that she may think will be for their comfort and the relief of their present afflicted state, as may lie in her power and stand with her honour. They shall receive such answer from Mr. Colvile at his return as they shall have reason to rest satisfied with.

½ p. Copy.

113. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 11.]

This day the Master of Glamis repaired to him from the lords to let him know in what strait their friends at home stand, and what determination is taken for the charge of Edinburgh—to which the King has called a "running" parliament, which is to begin to-morrow because the castellan, who received it by order of the State, has made difficulty to give it up except by order of parliament, which he is now pressed to. But doubt fell what to determine, and thereupon [the custodee] sent a gentleman hither yesternight secretly to signify this much to the lords and to pray their advice. They have been much troubled what answer to return to him. They are loth to persuade the keeping of it unless they saw that he might be sufficiently backed—a thing they cannot absolutely promise, having neither sounded the particular affections of their friends at home since this late alteration nor understood what to expect of her majesty's help. They would be loth to counsel the yielding up thereof, seeing the course so obstinately begun followed to the manifest peril of religion, the common peace, and ruin of themselves and their best friends. And considering how much the assurance of this piece might interrupt the course of all these intended mischiefs, and haply stay their fury and violence in the pursuit of such as they have in hand, they think it were the next way to ruin themselves and their cause, and therefore have at length advised him by their answer "to hold good" till they hear further from them, not doubting but they shall find sufficient means to back and relieve him—at the least that they will not fail therein to hazard their own persons, friends, and uttermost fortunes, whatsoever part other men take. And in the meantime they have prayed him [Davison] to signify thus much to the Queen of England, of whose favour and countenance they would be glad to know what to presume, and what comfort they may in general give to their friends, not pressing her to particulars till things shall be grown to some better terms. Wherein, notwithstanding they pretend to be unwilling to trouble her majesty with demands unequal or unreasonable, but such as she shall find to stand with her honour and the profit, surety, and necessity as well of her own estate as theirs, this only in particular they insist on for the present, that if the captain may be brought to assure that strength, and that he shall stand in need of any present supply of men, munition, etc., for the better guard thereof, her majesty would be pleased to advance such money for his help as the necessity of the place and time shall require, which they think cannot exceed 300l. sterling. Wherein they crave speedy answer by the gentleman sent to them.

It appears this piece is the thing the King would first assure ere he proceeds to the rest, both in respect that the whole munition and artillery of their country, save four cannons and the furniture delivered out for the late pretended siege of Stirling, and some few small pieces in Dumbarton, are there in store, and that the place itself, for the strength thereof and commandment over the town and country round about, and keeping in awe and subjection the rest of the boroughs, on whose affection stands a great part of the strength of this cause, is the only piece of advantage and importance in the upholding or "periling" of the whole enterprise.

As for particularities of the doings in Scotland, they have not much since his last letter. There is some bruit that Lindsay should be transported to Edinburgh yesterday, which is yet unconfirmed. Crawford travails earnestly for him, but his credit is thought insufficient to countervail hers who affects revenge for old feud against him, though in justice they have nothing material to charge him with, if this hasty Parliament does not hastily supply a defect in their laws.

Argyll has withdrawn from Court to his house in Murray discontented, being forced to sit on.Gowrie's assize; wherein, notwithstanding, he refused either to vote or preside as judge. The office was, by special commission, executed by Colonel Stewart without form of law or example. Marishal, commanded upon pain of treason to be on the assize, likewise refused to vote. The like is also said of Huntly, "and yet found they (as we heare) lesse matter in justice then nomber to condempne him, yf men's particulers agaynst him had not furthered his deathe."

The King returned to Edinburgh on Thursday night last. Rothes refusing to be on the assize of Gowrie, and finding what was intended against his son the Master, departed before from the Court with offence. Marishal remains at Court. We hear that Huntly has the gift of some part of Mar's lands. The young Duke [of Lennox] has the gift of Paisley, [and] Hume the Lordship of Copperspeth, near his house, belonging to the Earl of Angus, and is a suitor for Duleton, in Lothian, which was the Earl of Gowrie's. It is thought that Arran aspires to the earldom itself, and will be content to render up what he now usurps to the Hamiltons, and withal be a means for their restoring in case he may find a friendship and standing by them. Upon which point something is to be advised in this Parliament, and some offers to be made to them and others to see if, abandoning all other parties, "intending" especially the Queen of England, they will be content to run the fortune of the present Court, and take their restoring by the mediation and favour of her who by her instruments presently guides and rules the storm of that shaken government.

Maitland, for his good service in her behalf, is to be restored by this Parliament to the priory of Coldingham, which Bothwell pretends to, and Hume of Maunderston's eldest son, enjoys.

Bothwell abides still well affected, and Cesford is indisposed to hazard himself in Court, where he finds no surety.

The two earls [Angus and Mar] are to depart hence to-morrow to Newcastle, but Glamis determines to stay some days here to hear and entertain the better intelligence from and with his friends at home, wherewith he has promised to acquaint him [Davison] from time to time. He requests in the meantime that those material things that shall concern this cause may be used with special care and caution, because, as they think, a great part of the ill success of the last enterprise grew from some ill measure they received from the English Court, which they wish to be met with in time to come. Longs to hear what her majesty shall resolve in his service.

2¼ pp. Copy in Davison's hand. Indorsed: "Minute to Sir Frauncis Walsingham. Berwith the xjth Maye, 1584."

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 46.

Original of the same.

114. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [May 12.]

Received his letters of the 4th and 5th, to his great comfort, for by the same he understands as well the continuance of the Queen of England's good opinion and liking towards himself and his services done, notwithstanding the froward success lately coming thereon, as also her good pleasure in granting him leave to go to the country for his own affairs, and to the Court. Trusts to be at London about the beginning of next month. Leaves the advertisement of Scottish occurents to the good report of Mr. Davison. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

115. Mr. John Colvile to Walsingham. [May 12.]

"Pleis your honour, the ix of yis instant I cam to Widdringtoun quhair I spak wyth ye two brethring, quhom I find mervelus honest and constant and fully resolvit never to resaif condition from ye King bot be sic moyen as hir majeste sall think most fett for hir honour and comfort of ye nobill men distressit. Thai are at point to inter in suir and fast amitie wyth ye said distressit bot thinkis it necessar yat ye ending yarof haif ye presence and contenance of one directit from hir majeste to yat effect in quiet maneir. Nether think thai it resonabill to conclud in that or ony other purpose, seim it never so laufull, wythout hir majestes privacy and allowance. The x of this instant I came to Bervik, quhair I fand ye nobill men thair in ye self same opinion concerning ye two brethring, for quhilk cause yai haif directit ye Maister of Glammis and me to Widdrintoun yat we may persuad thame to remane constant and noct to resaif ony offer from Scotland wythout thair knawleg, lyik as thai sall resaif none bot be hir majestes and thaire good lyiking.

"The xj ye lordis removit towart Newcastell. I haif bein werey inquisityve to knaw ye estait of thaire caus and suirty. I can noct find ye same so desperat as men belevis. The occasion of yis lait overthraw quhiche thai haif sustenit hes procedit from Gowry, quho (allace) hes perissit in his cairles securite, for ye said Gowry wes ye traveller wyth all yat promisit to joyin in ye caus, because Mar and Glammis wes then in Irland and Angus far northe in ye cuntre. So Gowry being takin it wes incertane to ye rest, quho had promisit to him, and for yat caus suche as he had delt wythall being discouragit throuche his apprehension abstenit thair self. Zit noctwythstanding of all this the nobell men heir assuris me of thair honour and treuthe that gif thai had only convenit thair awin freindis thai had bein sufficient party to haif rencontrit ye King and all his cumpany, bot thai thai [sic] thocht it to muche wythout concurrance of other nobill men for thame allone to tak so gret ane work in hand. To ye effect hir majeste may be ye better informit of ye estait of this caus, of ye good apperance yerof and moyen to preserve ye same, thai haif thocht good yat ye said Master of Glammis and I suld be directit to Court."

"Indeed I must confes that I se ane greter lycht be thair exile nor I culd ever se befor, quhiche at our cumming salbe manifestit to your lordship. Let hir majeste be assurit all ye hoill number heir ar as far at hir devotion as I am, and ar noct desparit, wyth Goddis grace, to find releif howsoever matteris go. And tharfor thai ar noct to be cast of. Gif I culd persaif ony apperance of crafty deling in thame or ellis suche infirmite as men thinkis zour honour suld assuritly knaw boyth the one and the other, lyik as I haif dedicat my self to be wholly addictit and devotit to hir majeste by all other levand. I humlie pray zour honour lett this be communicat wyth my speciall good lord Lord Lechester, wyth my most humill commendation of service to his lordship." Berwick. Signed: Jo. Colvile.

Postscript.—"Mr. Levistoun quho wes last employit is ane obstinat and ignorant papist, pensioner to ye Quein of Scotland, and principall servitour to ye young duik."

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 47 b.

Copy of the same.

116. Thomas Randolph to Mr. William Davison. [May 13.]

I humbly thank you for your letter dated at Berwick the 9th instant, which reached this town, as the other packet to Mr. Secretary did, on the 12th. If my posts hereafter make no worse speed I trust that you will not complain hereafter upon their master, but I pray you do not trouble them oftener than your urgent causes force you. Mr. Smyth, whom Mr. Killigrew and I visited yesterday, is in good health. We all pity your case, but have no means to do you good.

Livingston arrived here on Monday night. Mr. Beale went that day towards the Scottish Queen. Mauvissière has leave to go to Scotland. Mr. Archibald [Douglas] is received again into grace with her majesty here. St. Peter's Hill. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

Postscript.—The heavy fortune befallen upon so many of the nobility of Scotland greatly grieves the best among us here. Nothing yet resolved what course to take. "Deus misereatur nostri." No man has seen your letter but Sir Walter [Mildmay] and Mr. Killigrew.

2 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

117. Principal Points in the French Ambassador's Letter to the Queen of England. [May 13.]

"The principall pointes conteynid in the French ambassadors lettre of the xiij^th of May 1584."

The King his master offers that he will never have more strait league and friendship with any Prince than with the Queen of England.

The said King wishes that the matters of Scotland may grow to some reasonable and accord, himself taking the like course in his own government. The King adds nothing to the former instructions sent him to repair into Scotland withal. Saving only that upon the earnest recommendation of the Lord Seton, the Bishop of Glasgow, and the Queen of Scots, and like request made to him by the young King to send to comfort her, and to recommend her case to the Queen of England and desire her to take some order now for her deliverance out of this long captivity, the King [of France] has again given him in charge to visit the Queen [of Scots] from him with his and the Queen mother's letters, advising her to give good counsel to her son to her majesty's best liking and contentment.

His own earnest desire to see the three crowns united together in perfect friendship.

That the Scottish man of the King's guards may have a passport for four geldings for the King his master.

²/3 p. Indorsed. Notes on the back.

118. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 14.]

Since his last, of the 11th instant, they hear that the Parliament, by reason of the absence of many of the lords, is put off till Saturday next. (fn. 4) Morton, Atholl, and Bothwell in the meantime have come to the Court, the last having made his agreement with Arran and produced the letter written to him by Angus and Mar. But because in his answer credit was referred to the bearer, who still affirms the same to be none other than to give up friendship with them, the King pretends herewith to be satisfied and has granted the liberty of his servant. Argyll, [who has] departed to Murray, is not looked for at this meeting. Marishal is yet in Court, but untouched. Rothes, it is thought, will make difficulty to come in, whose sons the masters of Lindsay and Rothes [sic] yet keep themselves aside.

Montrose is named to succeed Gowrie in the treasurership, wherein he has the Laird of Caprington, uncle to Arran, and Sir Robert Melville for competitors. The prisoners at Lindsay, the Master of Cassillis, the Lairds of Cowdenknowes and Wedderburn, the bishop of Murray, Mr. William Leslie, and George Fleck are sent for. Huntly travails earnestly for the bishop, and Crawford for Lindsay, but Montrose and Maitland having already intermeddled with their livings, there appears the less hope of their lives. The Lady Johnstone is likewise a suitor for Mr. William Leslie, taken by her servants, but with as little comfort as the rest.

The Countess of Cassillis, wife to Lord John Hamilton, and the old Countess of Mar, with divers others, are summoned; the last like to find hard treatment, notwithstanding all her old services to the King. The gifts and signatures passed during this journey at Stirling—at which time the King subscribed every man's bill presented to him— are since his returns to Edinburgh revoked, and order [is] given to the Clerk Register, the Treasurer, Mr. John Maitland, and the Laird of Doun to control them all and to see who justly may be rewarded, and who not, notwithstanding his [Davison's] former promise obtained of him.

On Sunday (fn. 5) the King of Scots sent for some of the ministers of Edinburgh, charged some of their brethren with practising in this last action with the lords, let them know what cause he had to pursue their persons, which he would not have taken as an argument of his declined affection to the cause of religion, prayed them to be means to bring forth the persons of such as were charged, and promised them favour notwithstanding their fault. But the favour they look for in this equal government is such as neither themselves nor their friends are willing they should make trial of.

Has made means to recover the whole form of Gowrie's process, which he looks for daily, and will send him as soon as it comes to his hands. Requests answer to his letter of the 11th instant, and knowledge of her majesty's determined pleasure touching his service. Berwick. Signed: W. Davison.

1 p. Copy in Davison's hand. Indorsed: "14 May 1584. M[inute] to Sir Fraunces Walsingham from Berwick."

Copy of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 47 b.

Another copy of the same.

119. Nobility and others of Scotland Distressed. [May.]

"The names of soche of the nobilitie and others of Scotland as are presentlie distressed, of which some are without the realme some are within the same."

Without the realm. Some are banished or fled, as—the lords the brethren of Hamilton, the Earls of Angus and Mar, the Master of Glamis, the Abbots of Dryburgh and Paisley, the Lairds of Buchan, Carmichael, and Carnot, George Douglas of Parkhead, Ministers.—Mr. Andrew Melvile and Mr. James Carmichael.

Some are licensed to remain abroad, but in effect banished, as—the Lord Boyd, the Lairds of Lochleven, Wemys, and Cleish, the Prior of Pluscardin and his brother, base sons of the Earl of Morton, the Abbot of Cambuskenneth, the Constable of Dundee.

Of those who are distressed within the realm some are captive, as— the Lord Lindsay, the bishop of Murray, the Master of Cassillis, the Lairds of Cowdenknowes and Wedderburn, Mr. William Leslie, etc.

Some newly summoned, as—the Countesses of Cassillis and Mar, the eldest, and sundry others. Some have withdrawn for fear of apprehension, as—the Lord Drumond, the Lord Cathcart, the Masters of Oliphant, Forbes, Lindsay, and Rothes, the Abbot of Inchaffray, the Master of Boyd, the Laird of Badinheith, Ministers.—Andrew Hay, Andrew Pollart, Patrick Galloway, and John Clappton.

1 p. Addressed to Walsingham. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 49.

Copy of the same.

120. [ ] to Robert Bowes. [May.]

The cause of my long silence happened through my being with the King on his journey, but now on my return, minding to amend this negligence, in writing, I will not "spaire," though not without hazard, to advertise you as long as I stay here.

The Parliament shall be on Tuesday next. (fn. 6) The lords are sent for. Morton arrived yesternight, and Atholl will be here this night. The King at his being in Stirling, minding for policy's sake to deny no man any request, subscribed all men's "signateries" for the time. But here he revokes ["revoultes"] all again, and has ordained the Clerk of Register, the Treasurer, Mr. John Maitland, and the Laird of Doun to control them all and to see who justly may be rewarded or who justly may be denied.

"The warderers," such as they are, the Lord Lindsay, the Master of Cassillis, his sister the Lady Arbroath, taken by the Laird of Bargany lately, the Laird of Wedderburn, the bishop of Murray, George Fleck, and William Leslie are sent for. The Lady Johnstone comes in this night to beg his life, but he has heard the King say he will not give it.

The Earl of Huntly labours for the bishop, [and] the Earl of Crawford for Lindsay, yet because the Earl of Montrose and Mr. John Maitland have intromitted with their places it is suspected they will pass to assize, which will irritate the two aforesaid earls.

Those whom you have with you are extremely hated and shall perish. Montrose is to be made treasurer. Bothwell is constrained to agree with Arran two days since. He has produced the letter which Angus and Mar wrote to him; but because credit in the answer was referred to the bearer, the bearer says it was to give up friendship with them, and his servant who was taken shall be delivered.

The King on Sunday spoke with the ministers of this town in his cabinet, fully declaring that he "was to put at" some of their brethren for practising with the lords in this last uproar, viz. Mr. Andrew Hay, Mr. James Carmichael, and Mr. Patrick Galloway ["Galley"]. He wished the ministers not to think that he was [going] to persecute the religion "thoughe he persecute them," yea to travail that they should come into his majesty, and he would be more merciful to them than he was to his nobility. I was at the process of the Earl of Gowrie and took so diligent heed thereto that I can, and will pen from my memory his whole accusation with his answer from the first word to the last, which your worship shall receive by the next bearer.

¾ p. Copy. Indorsed: "1584. Edinburgh. May. Copie to Mr. Bowes."

121. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May 15.]

I have thought good to let you understand that the purpose of Livingston's coming hither was to demand the delivery of the noblemen who have withdrawn themselves into this realm, according to the treaties between both realms. Whereunto her majesty has returned him with answer that she would send her answer therein to the King by a servant of her own, meant to be yourself, the substance whereof shall be that she does not take them to be traitors, howsoever he interprets their actions, which she is in conscience persuaded tended to his honour, safety, and service, and the common benefit of the whole realm, and therefore cannot in honour yield to his request for the delivery of them as traitors or rebels.

We are now greatly occupied here in devising what reasons and arguments are fitted to be used for the maintaining and fortifying of this her majesty's allegation, as also about other points concerning the affairs of that State that require necessary consultation.

I am not unmindful of your suit, but by reason her majesty is presently so disquieted with the ill success of these affairs of Scotland, I could therefore find no apt time to move her yet therein. Barn Elms. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

122. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May 15.]

In answer to yours of the 11th instant, you shall understand that having made her majesty acquainted with the contents thereof, she has willed me to signify to you that you shall let the Master of Glamis know that, touching the advice demanded by the Constable of Edinburgh, her highness seeing the hard event their late enterprise took, can by no means allow that the Constable should forbear the delivery of the Castle in case it shall be ordered by Parliament to be yielded into the hands of such as the King shall appoint to receive the same.

Her majesty conceives that their party is now, through the ill success of the enterprise, so discouraged that there is no hope of relieving the said Constable in case he should be reduced to any extremity for lack of victuals. The only way for the relief of their distressed cause, as her majesty conceives, is mediation; wherein she will omit nothing that shall be found expedient to bring the same to good effect. For which purpose there is now choice made of certain especial commissioners to take such way of counsel as may best bring the same to pass.

This I write by her majesty's order, not doubting but that you will accompany this resolution—which to them may seem hard—with as many arguments of comfort as you can. The Court. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

123. Shrewsbury and Robert Beale to Walsingham. [May 16.] C.P., vol. XIII.

It may please your honour to signify to the Queen's majesty how that I, Robert Beale, arrived at Sheffield Castle on Wednesday the 13th of this present [month], at night, and the earl having then communicated to me her majesty's instructions, we signified to this Lady that we were desirous to speak with her; which was deferred until the afternoon of the next day by reason of her indisposition, as it was said, having by the space of eight days been troubled with a looseness, and kept her chamber.

Upon our coming to her, after delivery of her majesty's letter for our credence, we told her, that whereas her majesty had been made acquainted by Mr. Waade with such great protestations as she lately made at his being here, of her sincerity in the treaty begun last year, and that she would be altogether at her majesty's devotion and depend only upon her friendship, if her highness would accept thereof. And besides—so that the said treaty begun last year might proceed, [she] willed him to impart to her majesty two other offers, whereof one was that she would work with the King her son in such sort that she doubted not but that he would be advised to deal more favourably with such noblemen of Scotland as were noted to be affected to the amity of this realm. The other offer was that she would give order that her ministers in France should themselves forbear to deal in any practices that might any ways tend to the disquieting of her majesty's estate, and also not deal with any rebels, fugitives or other persons departed out of this realm without her majesty's licence or good liking. Her majesty hereupon trusting that she will truly and sincerely perform both her said former offers made at such time as Sir Walter Mildmay was here, and also the two others made to Mr. Waade, had sent me, Robert Beale, hither, and given charge to us both to understand from her whether she persists in the same mind and disposition truly and effectually to perform the said offers, and upon knowledge thereof she should understand her majesty's further pleasure, according to the credence which we had, and [which] was contained in her majesty's letter to her.

At first she seemed to "make" it somewhat strange that she should make to Mr. Waade either any offer for the performance of such things as she had promised when Sir Walter Mildmay was here, or make any new offers, seeing he had told her that he had no commission to treat with her, and it were a folly for her to make offers still, not knowing what would be performed towards her. And therefore she said that to Mr. Waade she used but general speeches, viz., that she [would have] proceeded in the treaty—if it had been then acepted —sincerely, and that she would only depend upon her majesty's friendship, if she might be assured of it, and do anything to her contentment.

And for the performance of the former offers made at the time of Sir Walter Mildmay's being here, she said that then she was able to perform the same, but now things were changed, and therefore knows not how much she may prevail: and for that cause desired her majesty then that the treaty might proceed with some speed before such mischiefs happened, and whilst she might do good. For she had referred all power to her friends in France to do as they should see cause, and knew not how far they had proceeded, and whether their doings might be revoked or not. And touching the noblemen of Scotland, she knew not with what particular offences towards her son they were to be charged, by reason that she had not heard from him: and, besides, she had found that the pardoning of such had been the cause of all her trouble.

Concerning the other point, of her ministers in France, she said that she remembered no such particular offer, but only general speeches, that she was ready to do anything to win her majesty's favour. And hereupon Nau, standing by, took upon him [to say] that he had delivered some speeches to that effect to Mr. Waade after he had departed from her, viz., that seeing her majesty laid great fault upon his mistress's officers in France, he assured himself that she would give such order as we desired, to them, so that it would please her majesty to deal favourably with her.

Hereunto we replied that it imported not much whether she used either general or particular speeches to Mr. Waade or not; for if they were not uttered by her so particularly as they were conceived by him and reported to her majesty, yet she might now make them as particular as we had propounded them, if she listed, and therefore desired her to signify to us her disposition in the performance both of the former and later offers; for we saw no cause to the contrary but that she might do it as well now as heretofore, in respect of the association between her and her son, and her credit with him. And touching that which she had alleged, that the treaty did not then go forward, we told her that the cause was partly in her son and partly in herself; for he would never give his assent to any such association, "but to be treated with as only absolute Kings without peere or collegue," adding that none more "oppugned" the treaty with her and her said son jointly than Colonel Steward did at his being in England, who now runs a course to the contrary. Besides, if it be considered in what sort one Holt, a Jesuit or seminary priest sent from hence to practise somewhat to the disturbance of this estate, was, contrary to the King's promise, released out of the Castle of Edinburgh, with what instructions the Lord Seton was sent over into France, how little Mr. Secretary's embassage prevailed, these and such like accidents might show the little regard the King her son had for her majesty's friendship.

Further, we told her that her highness was not ignorant of a certain practice entertained between her said son and the house of Guise, tending to the disquieting of her majesty's estate, wherewith her highness knew she had been made acquainted. And seeing her majesty understood this and such other their intents, and was able to withstand the same, yet if she but thought that she had yielded her assent thereto, she would never be induced to enter into any treaty. But considering her late protestations of sincerity, her highness desired her, as she would be believed and credited in this action, plainly to declare how far forth she had dealt therein, so that thereby her highness might have some proof and token of her sincere dealing.

Touching Stewart, she answered that she foretold of him as the truth of things fell out. He was procured by others to come out of Flanders to serve their turns, and not hers. And as for Holt, she pretended to be ignorant of his dealings in Scotland. And for the practice between her son and the house of Guise, she said that she never was herself a dealer in it, and could not tell what others had done, understanding so little from them as she did. Nevertheless, the next day being—according to our instructions and her majesty's commandment delivered to me, Robert Beale, by word of mouth— pressed to some more particular answer to this point, she said that for herself she had been no dealer in any such practice against her majesty or her realm, but she was not bound to discover what she had heard from others. She was no subject, nor [was she] bound to disclose it, and so must use the same protestation that she did when the now Lord Chancellor, Lord Delawarr, and others were sent to her to charge her with such matters. By courtesy she might be brought to tell what she knows, but not of duty, and therefore it may suffice that she has not dealt in anything herself, but had hindered some such practices, and so would do if she may be favourably dealt with.

In the end we prayed her to give us a resolute answer to the rest of those things which we had propounded, and told her that if she could be contented to perform the offers made to Sir Walter Mildmay and Mr. Waade, then her majesty meant to send him back again to proceed in the said treaty; and further, according to her request made last year, her majesty would not deny to her the sending of one of her servants together with one from her majesty into Scotland, so that he do not intermeddle in the practice of anything offensive to her majesty. Besides, we told her how that the French ambassador, in the name of the King his master, had also desired to have liberty with some other from her majesty to repair into Scotland to do some office in the said King's his master's behalf for the reconciling of her son and his nobility: whereto her majesty was well disposed to yield her assent, so that she might receive some good contentation from her. Wherefore we desired her to consider of the matter, how beneficial it would be for herself and her son, and to avoid the inconveniences that otherwise were like to ensue, viz., that some other course would be taken with her touching her liberty; and seeing their practices were well enough known, we told her that her majesty had means to meet with them well enough, and sufficiently to provide for her own safety. She desired respite until the next day, and so for that time we departed. On Friday morning about 8 o'clock Nau desired to walk down into the garden with me, Robert Beale, where he began to tell me how the Queen his mistress had considered of that which I had propounded to her, and further said that in generality the offers reported by Mr. Waade, whereupon this negotiation seemed to be founded, were true, but added that the Queen his mistress did not then enter into any particularity either concerning the performance of the offers made to Sir Walter Mildmay or otherwise to himself, but in general terms offered to do anything that might please the Queen's majesty, so [long] as she might be assured of her favour. For he said there was no cause, for that Mr. Waade denied having any commission to treat with her. Besides, things were since changed, as the King was in liberty out of his enemies' hands, yea had a great advantage of them; the association, which was required to be published with her majesty's good liking and mediation, was past, and no cause to offer so largely as she did then. Nevertheless, he said his mistress would do anything to please her majesty, so [long] as she might be once assured of her favour; and therefore desired to understand from me what assurance I could give her thereof. "For," said he, "she had cause to doubt that it would never be had, for that it had ben tolde her that her majestie neyther loved nor could love eyther her or her sonne; and, besides, such treatyes as had ben heretofore attempted were onlye to bringe her to deliver some offers from her, and to assure her of nothinge on thother side." To this I answered, that they who had so reported of her majesty had done very evil offices; his mistress should do well to remove all such suspicions, and not credit such reports, seeing her majesty had sent me, Robert Beale, hither, and promised to send Sir Walter Mildmay, and was contented, upon satisfaction from her, to yield to the going of some of her ministers into Scotland with one from her majesty, and likewise of the French ambassador. He might well perceive her majesty's goodwill towards his mistress if she should give no cause to the contrary. And touching the surcease of the treaty, I told him the fault was on the Scottish King and his mistress's side, repeating the reasons as I had done to her the day before.

"Well," said he then, "if at the comminge of Sir Walter Mildmaye she may be assured of her majesty's good will towardes her and her sonne, then I doe thincke she will not onlye performe th'offers made when he was here, but also the other two, notwithstandinge that they were spoken but in generalitie to Mr. Waade."

Hereupon we entered somewhat into the particularities of the offers made at Sir Walter Mildmay's being here, and he told me that he thought, in substance, his mistress would go from nothing, but doubted whether for her liberty she would restrain herself so much as she then did, for that her son then was a prisoner, and she would have done anything for him, and therefore he thought that she would require a more absolute liberty, as to go into Scotland and be with her son, as he thought—for he spoke it of himself—or else some larger scope if she should remain in this realm. I answered him that he should do well to advise her not to vary in any point from that which she then assented unto last year, for it might breed a mistrust that she did not mean so sincerely as she pretended.

Touching the noblemen, albeit they were driven out of Scotland, as they had understood from the French ambassador, yet he thought she might easily be brought to intercede for some of them, and named Angus, Mar, [and] Bothwell, who were like to be carried away by youth and simplicity; but of some others she must have better trial. And this her dealing for them must, as he said, be after the treaty with Sir Walter Mildmay and assurance received from her majesty, and not before. And so likewise was it requisite that the going of the French ambassador thither should be, and also his mistress's sending to her son, to the intent they might deal upon some ground of matter first agreed and concluded here, for otherwise their going would do no good any more than that of others sent thither has done heretofore; and so far he thought she would condescend. I advised him to counsel his mistress not to neglect the present opportunity for her majesty's contentment, lest her highness might be offended and never enter into the like treaty again touching her liberty, but both restrain her from the liberty which she now enjoys and take another course for the "meeting with of their practises," whereof she had better understanding than they, perhaps, thought she had, and was able to provide for her own safety well enough.

He promised that he would deal with his mistress, who meant to talk with us, and give us an answer in the afternoon. At which time, coming to her, we repeated to her in brief the substance of the matter which we had before propounded to her, and thereupon besought her to signify to us whether she would perform as much as was contained in the offers made to Sir Walter Mildmay and Mr. Waade. Here she demanded what assurance we had to make to her of her majesty's goodwill towards her and accomplishment of the treaty on her majesty's for she perceived as yet no hope thereof, and so seemed to take in unkind part the words before the subscription of her majesty's name, viz., "one that by desertes you might have had affectionated unto you," or such like; as though, said she, her majesty retained still a diffidence of her, and therefore did not give her any hope that by good deserts she might recover her favour again. We told her she might therein rest satisfied both by her majesty's letter to herself and also that which we had before delivered to her, for that we took it her majesty would not have proceeded so far to send me, Robert Beale, thither, and to promise upon the understanding from thence that she persisted in the same good mind to perform the offers made by her, to send Sir Walter Mildmay also back to proceed in the said treaty, unless she meant to show some favour to her, and therefore it was in her now either to procure it or to give cause to the contrary.

To this she answered that it was not the first time that she had letters for promising of things which after were not gone through with, and took no effect, as at one time by Mr. Middlemore, at another by me the Earl [of Shrewsbury], and the third by Sir Walter Mildmay in this cause. Therefore, she said, she would be loth to offer or assure anything upon hope of a treaty, and then to have no treaty go forward, as had happened hitherto. After some words used to and fro, we imputing the fault to her, and she removing it from her and complaining how much her honour had been of late touched, these were her words: "In case it shall please the Quene my good sister to sende Sir Walter Mildmaye hither with authority not onlye to treate, but to conclude with me touching the offers made by me the last yere, when he was here, wherby some good effecte maye followe—albeit my speaches to Mr. Waade were but in generall termes, to offer myself to doe what I coulde to please the Quene my good sister, as allwayes I shalbe readie to doe for my parte: yet uppon anye such agrement to be made betwene her and me, I wilbe contented to performe so much as eyther I promised to Sir Walter Mildmaye, or hathe ben reported by Mr. Waade: for his two offers are nothinge els but accessoryes and depended uppon the said former offers." Wherefore she said that her desire was, that the said treaty may proceed with speed, and that the said Sir Walter Mildmay, who told her the other year that he had but authority to treat, but not to conclude—might have authority to do both; for he knows the principal points whereupon the treaty will consist: "els," said she, "shall I thincke that the lyke delayes wilbe used as have ben heretofore: and so were it better that it never should be begon, but left as it is. But if we shall agree, I will not onlye most sincerely and exactly accomplishe that which I offred before unto him, but doe what I can to reconcyle the noblemen of Scotlande unto my sonne, wherin I hope that he will respecte and followe mine advise more then of anye other, and will besides geve order unto my officers in Fraunce to forbeare to entermedle in anye practise against her majesties estate, and noot to deale with rebells and fugitives, to the prejudice of her majestie." Otherwise, she said she would be loth to be taken to have made, or to make any offers, or to enter into any treaty at all, but is minded to commit the success to God, and to abide, for her own person, that which He should send.

Hereupon we asked whether her meaning was to alter any of the things then treated of, or to demand any more than was then spoken of. Whereto she answered, that now there were not the like causes for her to enter into treaty as was the last year. For, said she, her son, for whom she would have done anything, was then in his enemy's hand, but now at liberty. And besides, whereas it was one of her petitions the last year to her majesty to use her mediation for the publication of the association between her and her son in Scotland, now, seeing that needed not, her majesty should not be troubled with it. And therefore, seeing she was now to demand and receive less at her majesty's hands than was at that time required, it was reason that now more favour should be showed to her: and yet there should be no variance in the material and substantial points, but only she would desire a more larger scope of liberty, which was "eyther uppon this treatye to be suffred to retyre out of this realme, or to have more libertie if she should remayne in this realme, then she then restrayned her self unto in respecte of her sonnes estate, as then, for whose deliverance she would have ben contented to have don anye thinge, but now he neaded it not." We desired her neither to alter nor add anything, but to content herself with that which was then done, but could get no precise promise from her, but that the more courteously the Queen's majesty dealt with her and her son, who were one, the more she should assure them to her. And upon talking hereabout afterwards with Nau, he [said he] thought that this proceeded upon a Councillor's speech to the French ambassador—as within a twelvemonth he had written hither— that if the Queen his mistress had not dealt as she did, the Queen's majesty was minded to have sent her into Scotland, whereby she conceives that her majesty has an intention to send her thither. But if it shall be agreed upon that she shall remain still here, the difference, as he said, would not be "much materiall, as from twelve myles of libertie mentioned in her petitions the last yere to demaunde now twenty and some other such lyke thinges."

This day he told us that she might demand liberty to repair to her son, and to have free liberty to send to him and receive from him, which things he thought might be compounded upon conference in the treaty.

Touching the French ambassador's going into Scotland, she said that she had received letters from him a good while since touching the King his master's intention, "and merveylethe why it was not permitted unto him before now, unles it were that it might not be granted as longe as there was a partie in Scotlande, and now seinge the contrary, both she and he, who before was forbidden to deale in anye her causes, and was accused to the Kinge his master, must become mediatours, whereas there is no remedie." Nevertheless, seeing he retains as yet the King's and Queen mother's letters to her concerning that cause, if he be suffered to go into Scotland she is desirous that he may be suffered to come to her and to take her advice with him. For otherwise, perhaps, he shall not be so welcome or do so much good as otherwise he might. And further she doubts whether she can assure that person whom he minds to take with him thither—who was Archibald Douglas.

This is as much as we have treated with her in two days, and having reduced the same into writing to the intent we might not mistake nor misreport her words, we read her answer to Nau as the same is heretofore set down, who did not mislike thereof, so [long] as her majesty, upon the knowledge of as much as we can yet attain to, may thereupon take such further order as shall seem good to her, which we pray your honour to further with as much expedition as you conveniently may. Nau declared then to us that if it would please her majesty to write a letter to her with her own hand, with some good words that she would upon good deserts forget that which is past and show her favour, the same would do very much good and bring her the better to trust those who should deal with her, and to do anything that might be to her majesty's contentment. Sheffield Castle. Signed: G. Shrewsbury. Robert Beale.

11 pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Notes in the margin.

124. Robert Beale to Walsingham. [May 17.] C.P., vol. XIII.

You shall perceive by our other letter what my Lord [Shrewsbury] and I have done with this Lady. We cannot by all the cunning that we have bring her to make any absolute promise for the performance of the offers made to Sir Walter Mildmay and Mr. Waade unless she may be first assured of her majesty's favour and the accomplishment of the treaty, and this done she says that she is minded to do as much as she has offered and may be required of her majesty with her honour. The breaking off in the like treaties heretofore upon her offers cause her to be more circumspect now how she entangles herself again. She seems to be marvellous glad of the late success in Scotland, and especially that her son had a heart to go into the field himself. And nevertheless, upon such reasons as have been alleged to her why she should procure some reconciliation in respect of her son's own safety, I perceive that she can be easily induced to deal for some of them— as Angus, Mar, Bothwell. But she seems to retain another mind towards Gowrie and Lindsay, upon some ancient quarrel of Lochleven's. In the points which concern her majesty, the submitting of her right to Parliament, the not troubling of this state under colour of religion or otherwise, she seems to be no otherwise minded than she was last year. I know not whence her desire comes [to] go out of the realm, and especially to return to Scotland, for last year she seemed not to like of it. Nau says that the French ambassador wrote to them that your honour should use some speeches to him as though her majesty had been minded to have sent her thither if she had not done certain [things] whereat her highness took offence; so that he takes it to be a thing that will be agreeable to the Queen's majesty there. I remit the judgment thereof to others, and for my own part think that if a good treaty may be concluded her remaining there will be less dangerous than here.

If her majesty's pleasure be that Sir Walter Mildmay come down he might come with authority to conclude, and not to treat only, for otherwise she says plainly she will take it for a refusal and delay, and not deal at all, whatsoever shall become of her.

I have since my coming hither dealt with this Earl touching the lord his son, and find him well affected towards him, save that he says that he is ruled by his wife, who is directed from her mother, and here, by reason he takes that the late slanders and other informations made to her majesty have proceeded from her, I see such an evil will or hatred conceived that I think it will hardly be appeased. He says that he requires only obedience as to a father, and will not be taught by any to rule his child. Touching the Lady Arbella, he has received a letter from "H" [stating] how, after my departure, upon his being with her majesty, she had referred the matter wholly to him, and was sorry for the letter that she had willed you to write; and therefore he has given order to deliver her to her grandmother, the rather for that he says she had sent up to the contrary, and had given out in this country that her credit in Court was better than his, and so would stay her there. I have advised my Lord Talbot to yield until his father may be better persuaded. I will not omit to do the best offices that I can. Sheffield. Signed: R. Beale.

3 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

125. Memoranda from Shrewsbury for Elizabeth. [May]. C.P., vol. XIII.

Desires to repair to her presence. Considering his years, the state of his body, how all the winter season he is so troubled with the gout that he cannot well stir abroad, and that the disease increases yearly, he desires her to take some present order therein. He has somewhat to declare to her by word of mouth, which he will not commit to writing nor impart to any Councillor or other person whatever, but reserves it until such time as he may come to her presence.

Touching the Queen of Scots, he thinks that she is of opinion that her son's estate in Scotland is such that he is like to match himself to the Queen of England's misliking, and to do what he can for the bringing in of foreign forces for his assurance; and if this should happen she fears that she shall not be able so easily to remove them, and so may be in danger of her life here. For the avoiding whereof he thinks that she is the more desirous to have some order taken in time by treating with her [the Queen of England] before any such thing happens, and whilst she is able to do good, lest, seeing she has granted her full power already to her cousins of Guise, it would be too late for her to do it afterwards, and so her estate be in more danger. Desires her to have consideration of this.

Beseeches her not to credit any false reports or bruits that may have been spread tending to his dishonour and discredit, but that it would please her to retain one ear still for him, as she promised him when he received this charge at her own hands; for he doubts not but to make good that he has performed the part of a true and loyal subject towards her, and so shall continue still.

1¼ pp. Indorsed: "My L. of Shrewsbury. A remembrance of certaine thinges which the Erle of Shrewsbury willed Robert Beale to deliver unto her Majesty."

126. Scottish Noblemen in England. [May 17.]

"Reasons to shewe that it were nether meet nor honnorable to make delivery of the noblemen according to the King's request."

Suppose the said noblemen were rebels, as the King by information of such as for particular respects are parties against them conceives, yet considering that amongst Princes in these days common use shows that the execution of treaties in that point of delivery of rebels is not put in practice, as the Queen of England has found by her own experience in like requests propounded to the King of Spain, the French King, and the governor of Scotland in the time of the King's minority, notwithstanding their devotion borne to this crown, her majesty sees no reason but she may follow therein the example of other Princes.

Notwithstanding that, so great is her mislike of those who are justly to be charged with attempting anything against Princes, if her majesty were persuaded that the said noblemen had any intent or meaning to have attempted anything unnaturally or disloyally against the King's own person, she would then not only make no difficulty in the delivery of them without regard had to the example of other Princes, but also assist the King in the execution of them and their favourers.

Her majesty conceives that the said noblemen are free from all disloyal and ill meaning touching the King's own person, being led so to think by the reasons following:

(1) It is notoriously known that the said noblemen and their progenitors have, not without danger of exposing their persons and goods, stood always to the maintenance of the King's government, and namely the house of Mar.

(2) The experience itself after the surprise at Ruthven, the noblemen being then possessed of the King's person, shows most manifestly that they carried no disloyal or undutiful meaning towards him.

(3) It is apparent that the cause of the unquietness and alteration within the said realm proceeds from the factions which reign between the noblemen and principal persons within his realm; and from the mislike conceived of the attempt at Ruthven by the parties removed from about the King, which, if the King had sought to have compounded with the assistance and advice of his Parliament, as he was counselled by the Queen of England, the inconveniences now broken out had not then ensued.

(4) Her majesty is not ignorant how those who have wrought the alienation of the King's favour from the said noblemen by most wicked, false, and slanderous reports have not "spared" to touch her in honour by giving the King secretly to understand that she entertained some practice for the making away of his own person, but of late, to make the effects of their malice more apparent, have, upon a pretended letter written by Gowrie to the King—as Livingston himself reports—that a plot was laid that both he and the Queen his mother should about one time be made away, sought thereby to breed a suspicion of her majesty's actions, the said Queen [of Scots] remaining as she does under guard within this realm—a matter that so greatly touches her in honour that her majesty cannot but require that the forgers of these most horrible untruths may receive that punishment which appertains. And therefore her majesty by this malicious dealing of theirs against herself thereby the better discerns their wicked and indirect dealing towards his own subjects.

Lastly, her majesty weighing, together with the reasons above alleged, the protestations made by the said noblemen since their repair into this realm of their innocency touching the heinous matters they are now charged with, being known to be both religious and honourable, her highness cannot but esteem them innocent of that they are charged with, and therefore should, by assenting to deliver them, wound both her honour and conscience; wherein her majesty has the less cause to yield for that Holt and certain other Jesuits, retired into that realm, seek the disturbance of the common quiet of both kingdoms, being demanded, and the delivery of them promised, were notwithstanding not delivered. Howbeit her majesty, notwithstanding these unfriendly dealings, will give order that the noblemen shall during their abode here deal in nothing that shall any way tend to the disquieting of his estate.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 49 b.

2 pp. Indorsed.

Copy of the same.

127. Elizabeth to James VI. [May 19.]

According to our promise contained in our late letter, we have appointed this bearer, our servant Davison, to deliver to you our answer touching the request for the delivery of certain noblemen of yours retired into this realm contained in your said letters, wherewith we cannot but both hope and look that you shall rest satisfied, the same being grounded both on reason and honour. And if our advice given to you for the removing of the cause that has bred these evil effects within your realms had been followed, the dangerous divorce and alienation of your subjects' goodwill from you had not then bred the disorder and "distemperature" that have now fallen out within the said realm. But, by experience, it is daily found that advice proceeding from such as are held suspected—the same being never so sound—always becomes unprofitable and fruitless, and therefore we do not marvel when we consider what strange conceits some about you daily most maliciously seek to breed in you touching our unfriendly and unchristian meaning towards you, if the advice we have heretofore given you has been accompanied with so little effect as it has. Time, perhaps, with too dear experience, when the eyes of your own judgment shall "learne" you to discern how perilous it is for Princes to have such dangerous and wicked instruments about them, will then lead you to see your own error in neglecting the counsel of those who have had more care of your well doing and safety than others, perhaps, who pretend to bear most love and affection towards you.

1⅓ pp. Copy. Indorsed: "M[inute] to the King of Scotes, May 1584; by Mr. Davison."

Copy of the same.

128. Thomas Randolph to Mr. William Davison. [May 19.]

I send you this inclosed, and that is all that at this time I have either to say or write, saving a word or two that the Cardinal of Lorraine came to speak. He misliked of Scottish dealings. "Non est mihi negotium cum rebus Scotices." As I am myself far enough from it, so I trust never to have more to do in it, but pray to God to send you good luck and a safe return. St. Peters. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

¾ p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed. Signed on the back by Randolph.

129. Mr. William Davison to [Henry] Killigrew. [May].

Complains of the want of one to ease him in writing. Incloses an abstract of "our" last Act of Parliament, which may give him a reasonable taste of the present proceedings. Arran being now master of the principal strengths at Dumbarton, Sterling, Blackness, and Edinburgh, his wife and he having usurped the stewardship without account of the jewels, wardrobe, movables, munition, ordnance, etc., of the realm, and having taken to himself the authority and style of Chancellor, and being now appointed to sit in the King's place, the next Parliament to be holden next month to make new laws and proceed in the forfeiture of such as he and his well qualified lady my good "commere" have thrust into the summons, whether "jure necne" is not in question—he, who is so well acquainted with this government and State, can guess what all this may aim unto.

²/3 p. Draft in Davison's hand. Indorsed.

130. Angus, Mar, and the Master of Glamis to Walsingham. [May 19.]

"Pleis your honour, according to hir majesties desyir expressit in your last letter, we haif directit our trusty and weilbelovit freind Mr. Colvile to expone our caus in particular to hir majeste, quhom we half specially desyrit to communicat wyth your honour ye hoill secreit of our mynd as to our most speciall and most assurit freind. Most hartly praying your honour noct to be aschamit to deill for ws in loving maneir as ze haif done heirtofor, becaus we ar hir majestes assurit freindis and distressit for our affection born to hir estait. For gif we had bein as familiar wyth La Mot and Mainvile as we wes wyth Mr. Robert Bowes and Mr. Davesone we had noct bein persecutit this day. Bot we firmly belief yat we haif renderit our self to ane gratius Princesse quho will noct suffer to se ws smart, namly in ane caus quhairin hir majeste hes so gret intres, and tending so muche to ye inquietnes of hir estait gif ye samin sall haif hard succes. Bot ye particular declaration of yis matter we refer to ye sufficiency of yis berar, quho pleis your lordship trust as ourself." Newcastle. Signed: Angus. J. Mar. Tho. Mr. Glammis.

1 p. In Glamis's hand. Addressed. Indorsed.

131. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May 20.]

I now send you herewith her majesty's instructions for the answer that you are in her name to make to the King's demand for the delivery of his rebels, as he terms them; wherewith her majesty has also willed me to let you understand, that forasmuch as you are well and particularly acquainted with the course and circumstances of those affairs, she refers it to your own discretion to add such further reasons and arguments to hers as you shall think may be pertinently delivered for the purpose.

The intended journey of the French ambassador to Scotland accompanied with a minister of the Queen of Scots is now broken off, for that the said Queen stands upon very proud terms, refusing to mediate the restitution of the distressed noblemen unless her majesty will grant her liberty and ratify the late treaty between the Earl of Shrewsbury, Sir Walter Mildmay, Mr. Beale, and her. So that now I do not see what means her majesty can use to procure their relief, but fear greatly they will be left to seek their own peace, which cannot but breed to us a war. [In Walsingham's hand.] "This I praye you reserve to your selfe for that we maye alter owre purpose."

I have moved her majesty touching your suit, whom in general I find very graciously disposed towards you, but yet can in particular draw no resolute answer from her in the matter, the issue whereof I have cause to doubt by the example of the success that Sir Henry Cobham has had in his suit, who having at first her promise for 100l. in fee farm, reduced afterwards to a lease of 200 marks for sixty years, is now driven to content himself with a lease of the value of 100 marks only for forty years, and therefore you shall do well by your own letter to call upon her majesty to have consideration of you, laying before her the necessity of your decayed estate, and letting her understand how loth you are of yourself to trouble her with your own particular cause if great extremity did not urge you thereto, which is such that you should not have been able to have set forth from London if I had not put your creditors in hope, being brought by you to me for that purpose at the time of your departure, that her majesty would relieve and make you able to satisfy them; whereupon I will take occasion to deal with her earnestly again on your behalf. Greenwich. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

Postscript.—Because Livingston gave out here that a letter was written by the King to Gowrie to advertise him of the pretended plot, as is contained in your instructions, for the making away of him and his mother, which touches her majesty greatly in honour, for that no such thing could be attempted without her privity, her pleasure therefore is you shall be very earnest in presenting that point, though in your instructions it is but slightly touched, [she] having willed me to give you special direction so to do.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

132. Instructions Given to Mr. John Colvile by the Distressed Lords. [May 21.]

Let the Queen of England be informed that our present action is the self same that the Earls of Murray and Morton with the rest of that society enterprised about seventeen years ago for maintenance of true religion, preservation of the King, and continuance of the amity betwixt the two crowns, and therefore our cause ought to be esteemed in quality as just and honest as it was at the beginning, and if any difference be, it is in the persons altered by time, and not in the cause; for the residue of the self same men who were leaders of our sovereign's mother to persecute religion under the pretence of civil causes, to marry the murderer of her husband, and to forget the benefits bestowed on her country by the Queen of England, are now creeping in about the King, moving him to persecute religion. In the self same sort, under pretext of civil causes, to revenge the wrath of his mother on such as delivered him forth of the hands of the murderer of his father, and to deal more inwardly with other nations than with her majesty, who has established religion within his country and preserved his life and crown.

We will not presume to be curious in her majesty's affairs, but with all dutiful humility we desire you to declare to her highness from us that the hardness of our fortune and prosperity of our enemies can import no tranquility to her majesty's estate.

That our cause is not so desperate as is believed, and that there never were so many "malcontentit" in Scotland at one time nor more ready to join together when occasion can be presented, and that the hard success "procedit" from the apprehension of the Earl of Gowrie.

After her majesty is persuaded that our cause is no new cause, but the self same enterprised about seventeen years ago by the noblemen aforesaid, and a cause lawful and honest, and such as her majesty has at sundry times assisted by her forces and favour, and not prejudicial to her tranquility, then humbly " appeill" her assistance at this time in such form as is prescribed to you, or else in some other form more agreeable to her majesty's honour and her comfort; and to persuade her thereunto use the reasons following:—

That the chief cause of our distress is for our unfeigned affection to her estate, which we could not but prefer to all foreign estates, by reason that by her majesty's assistance religion was planted within our native country, and our sovereign's life preserved; and therefore when opportunity might serve we entreated his majesty to deal more lovingly with her, "hie" than with any other foreign Prince. "Be qwiche doing we wer notit to be addicted wnto hir, and for yat caus the moir hatit be ye present abusaris of his majeste quho ar conjurit and manifest enemeis to hir estait." That if we had been as familiar with La Mothe and Maineville as we were with her majesty's ambassadors, Mr. Robert Bowes and Mr. Davison, we had not been distressed this day.

That the present abusers of his majesty seek to be made great by her majesty's destruction, and our happiness depends only upon her felicity, seeing we have no dealing with any other foreign Prince.

If by the persuasions aforesaid her majesty cannot be moved either to aid us in such form as we desire, "nor to lett ws understand delay to be profitabill to hir majestie nor to ws," then humbly request (1) that we may have liberty to seek our fortune in some other country as men destitute of all worldly comfort, to repose ourselves upon the favour of our eternal God and the equity of our cause. (2) So long as we remain in England we humbly desire to have liberty to remain where we think ourselves most contented and [have] "best eis," the rather because it is reported in sundry parts appointed for us that we are not received as friends, but as rebels and such as are worthy to be "confynit in certane placis." (3) And for the Laird of Carmichael, we humbly desire that letters may be directed to the Lord Scrope, Sir John Foster, and the "remanent" wardens, to the Knight of Wallington, and such others as shall be given "in catelogue," and according to our information, that no injury be offered to him within their wardenries, or by any of the aforesaid persons or their friends. (4) That our meaning towards the Lords of Hamilton be "exponit."

2²/3 pp. In John Colvile's hand. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 56.

Copy of the same.

133. Thomas, Master of Glamis to Mr. William Davison. [May 22.]

"Sir, et may pleis zou, I thocht to hewe cum to zou to Berwyk and thirefore I stayet yis tym onwreting off our procedings. Bot seing yir zoung nobill hes noct will to spare me ony tym quhill the resave sum advertisement from Mr. John Colwill quhom the hewe sent to the quenes majestie, I hewe thocht guid to lett zow knaw be letter quhat we hewe doun sen my cummyng, and quhat ar Mr. Colwill instructionis. For seing the gryt guid quhilk our selwes alradey ze hewe declarit in this caus and also off ye freindschip quhilk our selwes hes resavit at zour handis, I culd noct without oursycht off my awin dewetie mak zou foirsein off our desyr and supplicatioun to be presentit be word to hir majestie, quhairoff ze pleis resave ye particuler in writ from this berair, quhilk pleis zou to keep to zour selff, for nane assuritley nather in curt nor Ingland hes ye sam. For ye lack off tym we culd noct place in so guid ane forme as necesser was, bot yir will reduce ze te rememberance off sic thingis as I sum tymes hewe bein confusley declaring unto ze, and suirley I perrell yat Mr. Colwill quha hes noct bein in the werey prewetey off yis mater in all pointis upoun sa schort information as he hes hed off ws can noct sa weill as ye necessetie requyres satisfie all dutes yat perewentour in the ewent—althocht noct in the substance— off our caus may and wilbe mowit. And theirfoir I man maist humilie crewe yis at your handis, that it may pleis ze quhansoever your laser permittis ze to writ wnto my Lord Thesaurair quhou I wys maist to be satisfeit, that it may pleis hes lordship, althocht this berair satisfie noct hes lordship in all hedes, zit yat it may pleis hes lordship to suspend his jugment wnto sic tym as ather it may be lesum to sum off yir nobillmen quha onderstandis the mater best to resort to curt, or yan yat ze may onderstand the difficultie yat we all being heir presentley with ze may satisfie his lordship be ze in the sam. For yis mekle ze may maist esteme yat we nather heff sic affectioun to our cuntrey nor landes and freindis at home, bot gyff there be ony imminent danger be ye help to hir majesteis estait or hurt to ye caus be haistey remeid bot we will continew ye sam, so yat we may persave it noct to be done to ye disawantaige of ws, for than necessetie will compell ws, althocht aganis our awin hartis, to draw to ony wyer cuntrey quhair our remanyng wilbe les anger to ye King's majestie quhill we try our selff clein. We luik within aucht dayes for word from Mr. Colwill, and than I think, God willing, to wisit ze with diligence." Newcastle. Signed: Tho. Mr. Glammis.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

134. Instructions for Mr. William Davison by Elizabeth. [May.]

Whereas the King of Scots has lately sent William Livingston with his letters to her to demand the delivery of his rebels, as he terms them, who have withdrawn into England, letting her also understand that in case of refusal he shall be constrained to crave the assistance and support of foreign Princes, which he does not doubt to obtain, for resisting the further perilous enterprises of his said rebels, a kind of request that seems very strange to her, who has therefore thought meet to answer the same rather by a servant of her own than by the said Livingston, and has made special choice of him. After Livingston has passed into Scotland he is to send to the opposite warden of the East March for a passport or safe conduct to pass to the King of Scots, as sent from her. Is to declare to him in her name, that, supposing the said noblemen were rebels, as by information of such as for particular respects are parties against them, he conceives, yet considering that among Princes in these days common use shows that the execution of treaties in that point of the delivery of rebels is not put in practice, as she has found by her own experience in like requests propounded to the King of Spain, the French King, and the Governor of Scotland in the time of his minority, notwithstanding their devotion borne to the crown of England, she sees no reason but that she may therein follow the example of other Princes. Yet notwithstanding that so great is her mislike of those who are justly to be charged with attempting anything against their Prince, that if she were persuaded that the said noblemen had any intent or meaning to have attempted anything unnaturally or disloyally against the King's own person, she would then not only make no difficulty in the delivery of them— without regard had to the example of other Princes in these days in like case—but also assist him in the prosecution of them and their favourers. But she conceives he may say to the King that the said noblemen are free from all disloyal and ill meaning touching his own person, being led so to think by the reasons following:

[Recapitulates the reasons set out in No. 126.]

When he has delivered these reasons and "maintained" to him in that sort that it may appear to him they are such as she may in honour yield, and himself has cause to rest satisfied with, he shall then advertise her with all speed of the manner of his acceptance of the same, and in the meanwhile continue still in Scotland until he shall receive other direction from her.

And whereas the mustering of her forces at present as well in Yorkshire as on her Borders may minister occasion to some to give out bruits that she means to attempt somewhat against that realm, he may in her name assure the King that, whatsoever may be said to him in that behalf, she carries for her part no such intent or purpose, unless hereafter there shall be cause ministered by him otherwise to provoke her justly thereto.

6¹/8 pp. Draft. Indorsed by Walsingham.

135. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May 22.]

The staying of the French ambassador's journey to Scotland, accompanied with a minister of the Queen of Scots, is now fully resolved on by reason of the unthankful acceptation and construction that her majesty understands the Queen of Scots makes of her good meaning therein. Wishes there might be some other good way and remedy found to stay the King's violent proceeding against these distressed noblemen and gentlemen. Lord Hunsdon has conceived some good hope that Arran may be won to serve for a fit instrument in that behalf, whereof he has thought good to give him knowledge, to the end he may accordingly use himself towards him, and avoid all he can giving him any occasion of offence by opposing himself against him or otherwise. Yet he cannot advise him to enter into any dealings with him in this matter unless he shall receive special direction from hence for that purpose.

Greenwich. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

Postscript.—If Arran shall any way seek of him he shall do well to use him with all favour and curtesy, and to promise him, in case he shall seem to be desirous of her majesty's good opinion, that he will employ himself to his uttermost in the procuring thereof.

¾ p. Postscript in Walsingham's hand. Addressed. Indorsed.

Copy of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 50 b.

Another copy of the same.

136. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 22.]

Sir, I send on to zow heirin inclosit the tuo letteris that your honour perusit zisternycht partlye corrected in vordis bot nothing in substance, together vyth vthir tuo letteris quhairin is contenit the sum of the answer gevin zistserday as will appeir be thayr severall copyis quhilkis I thocht necessarye to be send onto zour honour together vyth the copye of ane tickate send be my self in companye of the first. All these letteris ar contenit in this pacquett quhilk the ambassadour prayis may be send vyth speid to the quen mother to the King of Scotland. Quhat zour honour vill think conwenient to be done heirin I most leif to zour better consideration. Alwayis most humblye I request that I may knaw quhat answer to gif heiranent." London. Signed: A. Douglas.

Postscript.—" Sen the writting heirof the ambassadour hes dessirit that zour honour may be movit that his bedfellow (quho is extremilye seik) may haif the borrowing of zour asine that scho may haif the use of hir mylk for ane certayne schort spaice."

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

137. Elizabeth to Shrewsbury. [May 22.] C.P., vol. XIII.

Upon perusal of his late letters does not find that disposition in the Queen of Scots for further proceeding in the treaty begun last year, in such sort as was then propounded, that she conceived upon the report made to her by Mr. Waade touching certain offers to be communicated to her, which, as she now declares, were more particularly delivered by him to her, than he received them from her—yet she does not deny but that she delivered some speech in generality, tending to some such end, though not in such particular sort as was reported by him—alleging now that time has wrought some alteration in the cause, and that it lies not in her power to perform that which then was promised. Besides, as she gathers upon view of his said letters, she seems to conceive, touching the overture made for the French ambassador's going into Scotland with a servant of hers, that she is now forced by necessity to assent thereto as void of all other remedy. Has therefore thought good, upon knowledge of this strange and unlooked for construction made of her meaning and intent touching the two points, the one for proceeding in the treaty, the other for sending into Scotland, that he shall let her understand, for the first, that seeing her message, as she alleges, was mistaken by Waade, as not so particular as was reported by him, whereupon she grounded her sending to her for the renewing of the said treaty, and time has now wrought such a change in the cause, that it does not lie in her to perform things formerly promised, she can be content to forbear further proceeding therein until time shall lead her to conceive otherwise of the matter than presently she finds she does.

Touching her assenting to the French ambassador's repair to Scotland in company with a minister of hers, which she interprets to proceed from the necessity of the time in respect of the late alteration in Scotland, he is to let her know that she had well hoped that the care she had of her son's safety, being the only cause of yielding her assent thereto, should not have been subject to so hard and unfriendly a construction. For although she, of necessity, was moved—as she herself confesses—last year to make so large offers to her upon consideration of the hard estate her son stood in at that time, as she conceived, which she [Elizabeth], at the time of the first overture, in friendly sort supposed to proceed only from the desire she had for the recovery of her good opinion and favour—though not long after she judged the contrary—yet, thanks be to God, she does not see why she may not live without either party or friendship with Scotland, and has as little cause to dread their malice, in case they should have will to attempt anything against her, as any other of her progenitors. And therefore in both these points she concludes that, for her part, she can be content to forbear any further proceeding until she shall see her otherwise disposed in the one and the other than presently she finds she is. Her pleasure is that Beale repair to her. Greenwich.

1²/3 pp. Indorsed: "1584, May 23. M[inute] to the E[arl] of Shrewsb[ury]—not sent."

138. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 23.]

This Parliament which began to sit on Monday last (fn. 7) has hitherto done little save to choose the Lords of the Articles and to take order for the summons of the fugitive earls and others of their party, that after sixty days they may proceed to their forfeiture.

On Tuesday the King went to the Tolbooth, the young Duke [of Lennox] carrying the crown before him, Huntly the sceptre, and [ ] the sword, the rest of the lords following in their several ranks, where he made a solemn speech declaring the cause moving him to call the Parliament, which was to acquaint his good subjects with the late rebellious attempt against his person, estate, and crown, the intent he had, with their good advice, to see the fact punished and his laws duly executed against the offenders, and to provide for the better asssuring and establishing the peace and quiet of his estate in time to come, with some other generalities and reference of the rest of that he had to say to the more particular relation of Arran, who, occupying the place of Chancellor in the absence of Argyll, omitted nothing that he thought might make the case of these fugitive lords and their party odious, or to justify their own contrary proceedings.

At the King's first coming into the Tolbooth, the Earl Marishal seeing Colonel Stewart enter the place with the King's guard, against the orders of the house, and with injury of his office of High Marshal, found himself much grieved with that innovation, and entered into some offence with the colonel about it, who maintained his act by a pretended warrant and commandment of the King's. The Marshal was compelled to give place, but with protestation against it as an act that should not prejudice his right.

The Lord Lindsay and the rest of the prisoners are not yet removed from their several wards, nor will anything be attempted against them till they can find more matter in justice to charge them with. Their friends in the meantime are fed with some hope, but neither their liberty nor lives [are] yet out of question. Crawford continues an earnest suitor for Lindsay; Bothwell for Cowdenknowes, and Huntly for the bishop [of Murray].

Sir Andrew Keith, who, with his colleague William Stewart, has departed to Sweden carrying with them the King's free remission for the slaughter of the Scots committed in Sweden about eight or nine years since to make themselves more grateful, was sued before his departure as an instrument to sound and persuade the Earl Marishal to confess his foreknowledge of the enterprise at Stirling and to take remission for it, but neither can they certainly hear that he has charged himself with the one or determined to demand or accept of the other.

The Countess of Cassillis is taken in the west by the means of the Laird of Bargany, who, being charged as a favourer and party in this last action, seems to have made his own peace with her peril. She is charged to have some special interest in the late pretended conspiracy, and is like to find very hard measure in Court if there fall out any proof against her.

Sundry of the friends of the Master of Glamis, her brother, are commanded to free ward in Dundee, and the constable of that place— whom the Court suspects—is licensed to depart the country.

At Daus and other market towns on the Borders they have this last week made proclamation inhibiting any Scottish man to intercommon with any English without special license from the Court, or any Englishman to enter into Scotland but by license of the warden or his deputy. And about the same time they published another proclamation of summons against divers of the gentlemen fled with these earls, to make their appearance within sixty days following. Doubts not but he has heard from the Lord Warden what the loose men of Tividale and Liddisdale have since attempted on the Middle March.

Since the return of Bothwell to the Court he has laboured the King to retract the gift of Cockburnspeth, belonging to the Earl of Angus, and promised it to Hume, which has bred some quarrel between them, like to go further if it be followed with the same heat it is begun.

Bothwell is fed with a promise to be lieutenant general for the King in the south parts, as Huntly is in the north, and seems now to bear a great sway in Court.

Some doubt there is—confirmed by divers speeches and vaunts of the bishop of St. Andrews since his return—that in this Parliament they will attempt the suppressing of the presbyteries of the ministry and restrain the power of the General Assemblies, because they see not how their corruptions may easily creep into that Church so long as that discipline and government stand, whereas in these twenty-five years past there has not been found so much as one detected heretic either amongst themselves or the laity, nor till of late dare any one man among their greatest openly avow papistry.

The like is said to be intended for suppressing the new founded College of theology at St. Andrews, a principal seminary and nursery for the Church of Scotland, and to reduce it to the old foundation and profession of philosophy; the scope of all which is not hard to guess.

William Ruthven, youngest brother to Gowrie, is, as we hear, newly apprehended, and Mr. David Lindsay, minister of Leith, taken forth of his bed on Thursday last at midnight and brought to the Court, where he is as yet detained, upon what pretence he has not heard.

Mr. Andrew Hay came to Edinburgh the same day on the assurance of the Clerk Register, and the day before Mr. William Leslie [was] brought in by the laird of Johnstone's brother, his friends and mediators having little hope to obtain any pardon or grace in his behalf.

Maxwell and Johnstone are, as they hear, sent to the frontiers under a pretence of the late raid made upon that March by the English West Borders. What will succeed of all these things will appear more clearly ere long. Berwick. Signed: William Davison.

Postscript.—The Parliament ended on Friday the 22nd. The King's journey to Stirling [takes place] about Tuesday or Wednesday next.

2½ pp. Copy. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 53.

Original of the same.

139. Mary to Monsieur De Mauvissière. [May 23.] Harl. MSS., 1582, fol. 315.

Conference with Mr. Waade. They seek to divert the amity of France from her. Goodwill of the Queen mother to her. Happy success of her son. Charges for Thomas Livingston. Jealousy between the Earl of Arran and Colonel Stewart. Summary of what Mr. Beale negotiated. His journey to Scotland. Message to Archibald Douglas. Warns him to take 'care of Walsingham. Judgment on De La Tour. Her fear of changing her guard. Her resolution to put herself and her son in sure liberty. Nau to be ready to accompany him to Scotland. Sheffield.

5 pp. French. Copy.

140. Elizabeth to Shrewsbury. [May 23.] C.P., vol. XIII.

Perceives by a late letter sent from him to her Secretary [Walsingham] that the Queen of Scots is entered into another kind of conceit of the cause of her sending than she [Elizabeth] looked for, and therefore she is very loth that she should long dwell in that error. For, as she gathers by the report of her answers in the course of his [Shrewsbury's] proceeding with her, she conceives that the cause of her present sending grew from the alteration lately happened in Scotland, as though the same so greatly imported her, that without her aid she was not able to repair the inconveniences that might ensue to her thereby; therefore she is to be told that whereas she takes exceptions to Waade's mistaking of her message,' whereupon the cause of her [Elizabeth's] sending was grounded, as otherwise delivered than received from her—in seeking to prove that the effects by him reported were delivered in particular terms, and not in general, as by her is alleged, her meaning is not to enter into any process for the matter. For, be they general, or be they particular, seeing she [Mary] is no better disposed to proceed in the treaty than she perceives she is, unless she can be content to yield to such advantage as she is persuaded that time has wrought for her purpose, she sees no cause, until she shall by better "advisement" put on another manner of opinion of her meaning than presently she does, by acknowledging that the said treaty was only to work her benefit, why she should proceed any further therein. For howsoever she imagines that she may now play upon the advantage of the time in respect of the said alteration, she does not see that it has wrought any such breach in her estate that cannot be repaired without her, and therefore she greatly mistakes the matter in that she conceives that the cause of her assenting to the ambassador's request for his repair to Scotland proceeded from any other cause than for the care she had of the King her son's safety; for she hopes she shall never live to see those days that the crown of England shall depend on the crown of Scotland. And therefore if she would leave those vain, unnecessary and groundless conceits aside, and look substantially into the matter, she would then see that she had cause to make a more kind and friendly construction thereof than presently she sees she does; for she cannot be ignorant what dolorous events have happened to such Princes her progenitors of that realm as have proceeded in so violent a kind of government as her son is now entered into; and therefore, seeing like causes are accompanied with like effects, there is no reason, if the matter be rightly weighed, to hope that he should be otherwise privileged or free from peril other than his predecessors have been, who have run like course and trod like steps that he is now entered into; for violence carries no perpetuity, whether it be in private or public courses. And as none should be more sorry than herself if any such unfortunate event should fall out, so will it appear to the world that there has lacked in her no goodwill to do her best endeavour for the impeaching of the same, and so concluding that that cannot stand with her honour, considering the hard construction that has been made of her sincere and honourable meaning in that behalf to proceed either in the one or the other, until she shall find she shall be pleased to gather some better sense out of the text than revenge thereof, as she does,—her pleasure is that her servant Beale shall make his present repair to her.

3 pp. Draft. Indorsed: "1584, May 23. M[inute] to the E[arl] of Shrewsb[ury]."

141. Mr. William Davison to [Walsingham]. [May 23.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 52.

I have received your honour's two several letters of the 15th instant, the one in answer to the motion propounded to me by the Master of Glamis touching the Castle of Edinburgh, the other concerning the message of Livingston.

For the first, because the Master departed hence on Monday towards Newcastle, and I have not since heard anything from him—which makes me doubt whether the lords have entreated him to make a journey towards our Court for her majesty's particular information in the true causes and circumstances of their late action—I have forborne to signify anything by letter to him or them of the answer returned me by your honour in that behalf, the rather because in the meanwhile I had not heard out of Scotland by such as the Master [of Glamis] expected from the Captain [of Edinburgh Castle], till yesternight that Mr. Colvile left here on purpose to receive the answer and to communicate the same to me, met with the gentleman he looked for on the "bound rode." Whose commission at this time in substance was none other but to signify to the earl his nephew, etc., the great kindness and favours he has lately received of the King, and the liberal promises and assurances he has made to continue him in the place, notwithstanding any suit or counsel to the contrary. Which—albeit no greater than was used to Morton the same day he was apprehended, to Dunfermline when he was committed this last year to Lochleven, and to others who have no great cause to boast thereof—he seems to conceive some good hope and opinion of. But in case it be otherwise, and that he find himself pressed at this time to yield it up, he thinks he has some advantage of the word and promise of the King, if after the end of this Session he has the same excuse and subterfuge he had before. However it be, within a day or two after the determining of this Session he promised to signify to them what he should find and resolve in that behalf; which is all I can advertise your honour touching that point.

As for the message of Livingston, who returned thither yesternight and has departed early this morning towards Edinburgh, I doubt not but her majesty will therein take such resolution as shall stand with her own honour and the equity of the cause, although he has here given out that before it be long they shall either be delivered or else so discountenanced, that they shall have little comfort or cause to stay here. The like is reported from the mouth of Arran, who restrained his limitation to so short a term as the end of this session of Parliament. What shall be done with such as they have in hand and [the] pursuit of the rest, will appear upon the return of this messenger with the answer of their Delphic oracle, from whence, as I credibly hear, they have every ten days directions how to carry themselves in the following on of this course, which, for anything I can learn or judge, tends directly to the troubling of our peace in Church and commonwealth, whereto all these confusions at home are but the preparatives.

The gentleman sent hither to the Master [of Glamis] could report the late commandment given to Archibald Douglas to depart out of England, and that he is now restored again to her majesty's grace that he might have the better commodity to do his old mistress service; wherein they say his part is well known in this Court, whatsoever he pretends in others. This I have thought it my duty to impart to your honour, with this special and humble suit, that if it be so—although I doubt not but your honour knows him thoroughly and can use him in his kind—it would yet please you to give that caution to others whom haply he might "creepe into" or circumvent, that my letters or the contents general or special, may by no means come to his view or knowledge, being so generally distrusted and condemned as he is, and myself having some special grounds and causes of jealousy and mislike against him, besides the respect of her majesty's present service, which I know may receive no little prejudice by his and others' ill offices. Wherein, if I find no better measure than was meted to your honour and others who have gone before me, I do not know how it shall be possible for me to do her majesty that service that in duty I ought, and desire I would, with her contentment and my own surety. And for the same cause also could I wish that I were restrained by her majesty's special commandment from writing to any but yourself, in case I be commanded to go forward, not so much in respect of any ease to myself as for the surety of her majesty's service, if my honourable friends in Court may be so satisfied and contented. Amongst whom I must beseech your honour to make my special excuse to my good Lord of Leicester, whom I forbear to trouble with my letters till my entry into Scotland, that I may more clearly judge and more certainly report what course they run, and what her majesty is to hope for. Berwick. Signed: W. Davison.

Postscript.—I have presently received your honour's letters of the 20th instant with my instructions and direction for my going forward. To-morrow I purpose to write to the deputy warden, and with his safe conduct to send in a servant of my own.

1²/3 pp. Holograph. No addresss, etc.

142. Lord Scrope to [Walsingham]. [May 24.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 54.

Great quietness has grown to the Queen of England's subjects by the taking of the Laird of Mangerton, which he was directed to do by the Lords of the Council. The state of the Borders of Scotland, by some ill meaning of the King, has grown into disorder. Is persuaded that the Laird's being in his own country upon sure bond for his "entrie" at all times when he shall be called for by him, may be not only a means to keep all under him in better order, but also be a help to bring and procure others to the same order. Desires to know their pleasure. Requests their lordships to consider, that forasmuch as the taking of him in his own country in Scotland, upon urgent occasion of the disquiet that was then here in hand, was a little beside the laws, and more than might well be done, it were good something to favour his cause, so long as by his means there may grow to any good purpose to the quiet of her majesty's subjects, which, for his own part and all whom he may rule, he has good hope of, as he himself has promised.

Was credibly advertised from Edinburgh that the Earl of Morton, in the excuse of himself and the Lord Herries with their companies not going forth to the King for the prosecution of the noblemen now forfeited, informed him that they understood that he [Scrope] was at that time ready and determined with the forces of this wardenry to overrun and spoil all the country, and the town of Dumfries also, to prevent which was the cause of their stay at home. Wherefore the King rests in that behalf satisfied with them. This Border was never in better quiet than at this time, considering the "tickle" state of Scotland, saving with regard to such things as before he wrote of Bewcastle.

Is advertised that the Laird of Johnstone is shortly to repair home with one Captain Bruce and 100 shot with him; whom he [Johnstone] means to plant at Aimaide or thereabout on the Borders. With whom, if he [Scrope] shall find good neighbourhood, he will use the like. Otherwise he trusts always to come even with them. In this "tickle" time their [the English] Borderers "have ben doing." But, if it shall be her majesty's pleasure that justice shall be ministered, there is no doubt but he will be well able to answer in all respects for the discharge of her majesty for those under him, provided he may receive the like generally for Scotland, as well Liddesdale as the March opposite him; without which he trusts her majesty and the Council will not think it convenient that he shall proceed in justice with the Laird of Johnstone. Has received her majesty's gracious letter and the Order of the Garter. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

2 pp. Holograph. Address torn off. Indorsed.

143. Mr. John Colvile to Walsingham. [May 25.]

"This Mononday I am arryvit wyth lettres from ye nobill men distressit wnto hir majeste, and am commandit be thame to use all possibill diligence, and tharfor I most ernistlie desyir your honour that hir majeste may be acquentit wyth my cuming, that gif it pleis hir hienes I may haif andience The hoill substance of my commission consistis in theis few heidis: that thair caus is ye self same good caus interprysit and begun about sevintein yeris ago be the erllis Murray, Mortoun, Mar, Glenkarn, Gowry wyth ye remanent of yat societie: that be ye good or bad succes of ye said caus sall insew quietnes or inquietnes to hir majestes estait: that yair wes never in Scotland this twenty zeres ane greter number joynit togidder in our caus, nether is thair ony caus of despair provyding it may pleis hir majeste assist thame so far furthe as scho may in honour, and for persuading hir majeste to yis effect thai haif furnesit me wyth sundry resonis as also willit me declair thair opinion how to remeid ye matter, qwche wyth the rest committit wnto me your honour sall se to morrow, lyik as I am commandit be thame so to do and to follow zour honour's adoys in all thingis." London. Signed: Jo. Colvile.

1 p. Holograph, also address.

144. Mr. William Davison to Mr. Alexander Hume of Huton Hall. [May 24.]

Being despatched by the Queen my sovereign to the King your master to do some good offices tending to his particular satisfaction and preservation of the common peace and amity between their persons and crowns, I have thought good to give you knowledge therof to the end you may signify so much to his majesty and procure me such passport and safe conduct for my passing forwards towards his highness's presence as in such cases has been accustomed. Berwick. Signed: W. Davidson.

⅓ p. Copy. Indorsed: "xxiiij May 1584. M[inute] to Mr. Alex. Hume of Huton Hall, deputy warden of th'est March of Scotland over anenst England."

145. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 26.]

I humbly beseech your honour to pardon me if I seem too troublesome to you in my own particular, the cause I have to complain being so great, and the help or comfort I find so little, that I scarce know what to hope or whither else to address myself. This is not the first time by many that I have laid my estate before your honour, and acquainted you simply and truly both with the greatness of my debts, the daily increase of them by that consuming canker of interest and exchange which eats me to the bones, and the little, or rather impossible, means I have to clear and unwrap myself out of this snare without her majesty's gracious help and relief. I have been the more importunate with yourself and other of my honourable friends to entreat this for me, because it is her highness's service only which has reduced my estate to these hard and unhappy terms, which before my last journey to Flanders was not to be charged with a debt of 10l. in the whole world, whereas since my return home I sold both a house in London, for which I took 800l., and my plate and divers other things amounting to as much more, and employed the same, as far as it would stretch, in answering of my debts. The rest whereof yet owing is so much that the uttermost profit of that poor suit I have made to her majesty can hardly set me clear. Now, what time I have spent in her majesty's service, how studious and careful I have been at all times to discharge my duty towards her without respect of my own estate, how slenderly I have been heretofore allowed in all my service, and how little otherwise relieved or considered, who to this day have never obtained the gift of one denier of France towards the help of my estate, your honour best knows. And what comfort I may take of hard success after five years continual suit in a cause so honest and favourable, and that with my infinite charge and loss of time, I leave to your consideration. And therefore as I would be loth herein to prejudge her majesty's bounty and favour, which being so graciously extended towards others her servants of my sort and condition, seem so straightened in my behalf, the cause whereof I can by no means ascribe to her highness's self, so must I beseech you to give me leave to importune and trouble you still with these my griefs till by her majesty's bounty and your mediation, together with other my honourable friends', the cause be removed. Wherein, if it shall please you to lay the particulars of my hard estate before her highness, I do not doubt but I shall, to my comfort, after many discomforts, find her no less gracious lady to me than she has been to others of as mean desert as myself, the rather because her majesty has found in her own experience that I have been hitherto more willing to deserve than ready to crave, and should not, I protest before God, trouble either her highness or your honour as I do at this time, did not my necessity and extreme hard condition force and compel me to it against both my nature and will. And therefore most humbly beseech your honour still to embrace it with that care, and recommend it with that affection which you shall find it in equity to deserve. And in the meantime, as by your honourable favour and means I have had some little breathing time given me by some of my creditors—with whom the suddenness of my departure and "unprovision" otherwise would not suffer me to take such order as I would—so finding myself followed hither by letters urging a discharge of some other debts which I thought would have been prolonged, and finding it greatly to import both my estate and credit, I am driven to be most bold, where I am already most bound, and humbly to beseech your honour that I may at this present dispose of your honourable favour and credit for 200l., which will suffice to answer my present necessity, forbearing to urge your honour any further in the rest till I be further pressed, which I fear me will be sooner than I would. For your indemnity wherein I have appointed this bearer to deliver your honour, together with my own bond, such further caution as I can presently make, and will, I trust, satisfy till by her majesty's grace and favour I may ye able to unburden your honour both of this and the rest, being in the meantime both grieved and ashamed that after [being] so long apprenticed in her majesty's service, I am driven to be burdensome to others whose estate I know may ill bear it, and whom I am as loth to charge had I any other present remedy. Beseeching your honour therefore to pardon and excuse me, and to think your favour herein bestowed upon a man who has both conscience and care to see your honour thankfully and well discharged I for this time end. Berwick. Signed: W. Davison.

Postscript.—I am like, as your honour may see, to find a "tickle" and busy service at this time in Scotland, wherein I would be loth to be clogged with my particular cares, which may breed some hindrance to my public charge, and therefore beseech you to take the more care of me in procuring her majesty's timely and gracious despatch of my poor cause, that I may do her that service I shall be able with the more freedom and comfort.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

146. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 27.]

Has received some particulars of the Acts concluded in this Session of Parliament, which tended chiefly to the confounding and supplanting of the present state and government of that Church. Wherein the King has assumed to himself an absolute jurisdiction, discharging all the Assemblies General, provincial, and presbyteries to convene or meddle in any sort with the discipline of the Church, and devolving the whole spiritual jurisdiction thereof into the hands of the bishops, men either in lief [or] learning or both justly to be challenged. [He] restored Montgomery to the archbishopric of Glasgow and freed him by Parliament from the sentence of excommunication; authorised the bishop of St. Andrews to reform the universities within his diocese, and, under that pretext, specially to supplant, as it feared, the college of theology founded in St. Andrews as a principal nursery for that church; discharged all ministers from bearing office in the Session; appointed the ministers to take their stipends from the general collector, and for that effect to wait upon the Exchequer: taxed all abbacies and priories to pay as many pensions to the King's guard as they had monks living in the year 1560, the collection whereof to begin at Martinmas next, and all benefices above 1000l. value to pay the King 200l. yearly; annulled all provisions of benefices made to any successors, and gave to the King the first year's fruits of every benefice that shall become void, whereto no new provision shall be made or be of force till the said fruits or the value be delivered to the treasurer, comptroller or their officers, with many other "holsome" Acts, as to reform the Session and College of Justice. Power is given to Arran, Montrose, Maitland, and Robert Melville, with others, to deprive such as they think unworthy, and to modify all actions of great weight after they be decreed by the Session; to revoke in special, amongst many other things, the provision made to Gowrie's children, with all other provisions made by any of the lords or others in exile; that no gift of forfeiture, escheat, or anything else shall pass till it be subscribed by the Treasurer, Comptroller, and Secretary; to restore Mr. David Chambers, forfeited for the murder of the King's father, Lethington's and Balfour's children convicted of the same crime, and all others forfeited for the action of the Queen's mother, the Hamiltons only excepted; and finally to command all such as have the history and book "De jure regné" of Mr. George Buchanan to bring them in to the Secretary by the [ ] of July next to be revised and reformed by him under pain of imprisonment and forfeiture of 200l. Scots. In the concluding whereof the Lords of the Articles every time they sat were solemnly sworn to reveal nothing that should be treated for fear of opposition by the ministers, passing them without reasoning or contradiction in their public voting, except by some particular Abbots in that Act which concerned the monks' pensions appointed to the King's guard.

Amongst those appointed Lords of the Articles were the bishops of St. Andrews, Dunkeld, Brechin, and the Isles, the Earls of Huntly, Montrose, Crawford, Arran, the Abbots of Balmerino, Lindores, and St. Combe, and for the burgesses, the Provost of Edinburgh and commissioners of Dundee and Perth. After the Parliament ended commission was given to the Provost, bailiff, and council of Edinburgh to apprehend and commit to strait ward all such ministers as should convene to their presbyteries or publicly in their sermons inveigh against these Acts aforesaid. Notwithstanding, the Sunday following, the ministers of Edinburgh, by authority of the Scriptures, freely impugned whatsoever was in this said Parliament concluded contrary to that Word, with public protestation of their disallowance thereof. And the next day, the Acts being proclaimed at the market cross, Mr. Walter Belquanquall and Mr. Robert Punt protested there openly in the name of the rest against them as repugnant to the Word of God, and recording their protestation by public notary; and finding little surety by remaining longer in Edinburgh, the said Mr. Walter and James Lowson, his fellow minister, were advised to withdraw themselves, and are this morning, at the opening of the gates, come to this town for their refuge, divers of the guard being sent after to apprehend them.

Mr. Andrew Hay is yet in Edinburgh under caution. Mr. David Lindsay [is] still detained and hardly entreated; whom, as he hears, Arran reports to be the greatest practiser with England, and so "enemy to the King's estate of anie of his Courte in Scotland."

Mr. John Clappton, minister of Galstreame on this Border, was sent for on Sunday last by certain of the guard, and [is] since committed, the cause yet unknown, though they want no pretext against such.

Montrose is made Treasurer and Sheriff of Perth, and named to be Provost of St. Johnstone's, and has since entered upon the houses of Ruthven and St. Johnstone's that were Gowrie's, whose wife and children find little favour. He is newly entered into band with Arran, who is made vice-chancellor, and Maitland secretary.

Argyll continues in Murray, and in some disgrace. Marishal, who lay sick during the Parliament, has since departed home, being first compelled for his surety to take remission for the foreknowledge of the act of Stirling. The King was appointed this day to remove thither, and from thence to Falkland to pass the time between this and the next Session.

The Countess of Cassillis, [was] notwithstanding her sickness, brought to Edinburgh by Bargany, and no appearance of favour or liberty to any of the rest captive. Berwick.

Postscript.—The deputy warden, to whom he sent on Sunday, being departed to Edinburgh, he thought good to send one Walker of this town after him for his safe conduct, whom they have committed, and detain the cause, proceeding from some lewd information given by some bad instrument from hence, having occasion to send him in for her majesty's service some few days before. At which time both Arran and Stewart make great search for him in Edinburgh and Leith. How they will deal with him, he knows not yet. In the meantime his honour may see what good offices are done here, and how well disposed some men are to advance her majesty's service. Hopes that such parties may be in some degree rewarded according to their merit.

Sends him herewith the history of the dealing of Arran and R. Melville with Gowrie to take him in his own snare, wanting other matter sufficient to condemn him, which is delivered as a true narration of what passed betwixt them by a gentleman present at his death.

1¾ pp. Copy. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 62.

Copy of the same.

Inclosure with the same.

(Practices against Gowrie.)

"The forme of certaine devises used by Arren and Sir Robert Melvyll against Gowrie." Gowrie being detained in Edinburgh as a prisoner, Arran, accompanied with Sir Robert Melville, came to the chamber where he lay, and—after they had used divers "words of office" to him at the first entry, with protestations that they both tendered his standing and the welfare of his person as entirely as any of his best affectionate well willers or favourers could ever do—they began to let him understand the great evil will the King had conceived against him, especially because his highness took him to be the principal deviser of the Duke of Lennox's banishment, which extreme dealing his highness could hardly be moved to pardon. And therefore, considering the King was so evil affected to him—which they affirmed to be of verity—they advised his lordship to employ his credit with some of his special friends in Court to labour at his majesty's hands to accept him again into his favour, or else their opinion was that he would find himself in a great strait and in peril of his life.

Gowrie answered, that anent the exiling of Lennox his part was no deeper than the rest of the Council for the time; nevertheless he would fain do what in him lay to "conquer" the King's favour. To which effect he could find out none meeter to be suitors for him than they two were. First, because he was a prisoner, and therefore not able to solicit any other to deal for him unless they by fortune came in to visit him. And next, for that he knew none in Court that he durst better "lyppin into" than them, both in respect of the great familiarity and friendship he had especially with them above all others, and in consideration of divers other obligations [by] which he trusted they acknowledged themselves to be bound to him in the time of his credit.

"We would gladlie," said they, "do anie thinge for you we could: but to deale dyrrectlie in that cause it should procure unto our selves the Kinges displeasure." "Well then," quoth Gowrie, "if you will not do for me, let me have your good counsell whom other you thincke meetest that I shall have recourse to." "Certainelie," said they, "the onlie moyen that we thincke is best to your lordship whereby you maie have respect to the preservation of your lief and insinuate your self againe in his majestes good grace is this, to write a generall letter unto his highnes shewinge that you have ben of the privie counsell of some conspiracies intended against his majestes owne person, and if it might please his majestie to suffer you to have accesse to speake with his highnes you should open uppe the specialities of the matter unto him." "Nay," said Gowrie, "that will I never do, for so I should promise the thinge which I could not discharge myself of. I should confesse an untrueth and put my self in a farre worse case then I am in. I will rather trust in the symplicitie of myn honest cause and upright meaninge, and take my hazard as it shall please God to dispone uppon me."

"Your lordship," said they, "maie do as your harte best serves you, but in our opinion the generallnes of the letter would make the Kinge curiouse to knowe further of the speciall, and to that effect it appeares his majestie would send for you to be better informed in it. Nowe ye havinge a place to take in privie with the King might open uppe the simple truth unto him, that he had devised the pollicie of the letter, onlie to have accesse to tell your owne tale unto his highnes, and that in verie deede you knowe nothinge of such thinges as were mentioned therein. So havinge made your excuse—which we doubt not his majesties clemencie and good inclynation will take in good parte—you maie laie open your owne inocencie, in the which the King is jealous over you and your sincere meaninge at all tymes to his majesties estate and person, and by that meanes conquere againe to your self that place in his majesties favour which you have over unprovisedlie lost."

"That pollicie is verie perrilous," said Gowrie, "for wher I knowe my self so cleare of all crymes against his highnes, I should by that meanes make myn owne dyttie, and not beinge sure of my lief nor how the Kinge will accept myn excuse, incurre the danger of forefaltrie for confessinge treason, to the tynsell of my lief, and the defamacion and utter ruyne of my house."

"Notwithstandinge all these dangers," said Arran, "which ye seame to fall into by that confession, thus farre I will certifie you that whether such thinges be or noe, you must confesse the foreknoweledge of them or ells it is concluded you shall dye."

"Goes it so hard with me?" said Gowrie. "If there be no remedie in case I had an assured promise of my lief, I would not sticke to prove the devyce of the letter." "I will then," said Arran, "uppon myn honour faythfullie promise you that your lief shalbe in no danger if ye will so doe." Gowrie, persuaded by their dissembled friendship, but chiefly by this solemn promise, in the end condescended to the persuasions, and upon the forementioned pretences he wrote a letter to his highness to the very same effect as they had devised. The letter was sent to the King. Nevertheless Gowrie abode still unsent for till he was conveyed to Stirling. There his assize "elected and sett downe, and the dittay red," the assisors could find nothing whereof upon equity and good conscience he might be deprived of his life. When Arran perceived this he said, "my lords I can verifie that this man here confessed him self to have ben on the counsell of som conspyracies intended against his majesties owne person"; and therewith produced the before mentioned letter in presence of the whole lords assisors.

Then it was doubted lest the letter might have been forged by some of Gowrie's "unfreindes" and his handwriting counterfeited. In order to resolve them of this Arran desired Gowrie to be called in. Who said he would not deny the same to be his own handwriting, and reported the whole progress of the speeches between Arran, Sir Robert Melville, and himself. He told them how they two enticed him to write it, upon what pretence it was written, and how Arran promised to him in so doing that upon his honour he should warrant to him his life. Hereat Arran stormed and gave him the lie. Gowrie answered that he knew in what case he was that he durst use him with such terms, and that he would maintain the verity of that which he had spoken against him or any other while he was able to stand.

This contention was pacified. Gowrie was removed; and upon his own confession of the writing to be his, and reconciling of the confessed conspiracy he was condemned to death, according to the "preparatife" practised against the Earl of Morton.

At last, being on the scaffold ready to suffer before the whole people, he repeated over the discourse of the before specified conference in the self same words, and he took upon his soul and conscience at his latter hour that—howbeit the promise of his life moved him to direct that letter to his majesty—his meaning thereby was none other than to have had speech with his highness by that mean, and that he never was privy [to] nor knew of any conspiracy against his majesty's person, and therefore could accuse no manner of man thereupon.

3²/3 pp. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 33.

Copy of the same.

147. Declarations by Mary. [May 26, 27, and 28.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 57.

26. May. "Uppon the receipt of her majesties lettre unto the Erle of Shrewsbury in a packet sent from Mr. Secretary and receaved this daye, after the declaration of the contentes of the same unto the Scotish Quene."

First, she declared to us that she could not at this present but say to us as she had done before, viz., that her words were but in general terms, which she spoke to Mr. Waade without any intention to make any particular offers to him, who had no commission to treat with her. Nevertheless, albeit last year she had vowed that, the time being expired, she would not of herself seek the said treaty again, etc., yet if this be the cause why the treaty does not now go forward, she said she would not stand upon that point, but seek the same at her majesty's hands, and defer all such honour and priority to her as to her eldest sister, and as she would have her son do to herself.

She was not so foolish as to take any advantage of any alteration lately happened in Scotland, as it is thought; for albeit she took her son's estate not to be sure in his enemy's hands, yet by the experience of her own time, and of other Prince's, she well knew how little assurance could be grounded upon such accidents, neither did she well understand what had happened; but that the French ambassador had written to her that certain of the noblemen had taken Stirling Castle, and that it was taken again by the King, which she knew might be easily done; and so some of them were come into England. Whereupon, perhaps, the said ambassador's going into Scotland might be granted, and this treaty renewed. But she feared that some other course was now in hand, as, perhaps, that the French ambassador might be employed; but she thought that he would little prevail; for the well compounding of those things and reconciling of the noblemen, her help was as requisite as any others, as experience of time would declare. She complained that she could see no hope or certainty of resolution whereon to trust; for if there was certainty then could she frame herself accordingly. She protested to have dealt sincerely, and that in the treaty last year she had gone further than she had thanks either from her son or friends in France; and added that as the treaty was to be profitable to herself and her son, so she thought also it would not be unprofitable for her majesty. It might be that her majesty was persuaded that by keeping her in prison she might at all times make what peace she would. But perhaps her highness might be deceived, for she was a silly woman, and might die, and she had already put all power from her to the Duke of Guise to do what he should think best for the weal of her son and Scotland; which, on Lord Seton's last going to France, was confirmed by her son, and he addressed to the Duke for the despatch of his business.

Touching the point about the enterprise between her son and the Duke of Guise, she said she could but answer as she had done before. She had not any knowledge what had been done. Nevertheless, if she knew anything [she] would not discover it without assurance from her majesty whereon to trust at her hands; using this similitude, that having two doors open it was not good to shut any of them without assurance of the other. For then she should be judged a fool to lose all other friends and not be assured of her majesty. The only way to impeach such practices was by a good agreement and treaty between them, and if afterwards she offended, then might she be justly blamed.

Hereupon she told them that at another time, upon treaty with her at Chatsworth, as she remembered, the Queen's majesty was informed that she had passed her right to this crown [of England] to the French King who now is, then Monsieur, and thereupon she was required to certify her majesty of the truth; which she did, not only of herself, but also procured the King's and Queen mother's letters to her majesty that there was no such thing. Nevertheless, hereupon the treaty did not go forward, and said so, perhaps, it would not now. She said that she was to be bound either by nature or by obligation. If it would please her majesty to take her and her son as her next kinsfolk, then would she subject herself and perform the duties of such a one towards her, and bring in a manner Scotland under England; but so long as her majesty shall hold her for a free Queen and a stranger, she cannot deal otherwise. Wherefore being assured neither by nature nor obligation of her majesty's goodwill towards her, it were folly to lose her other friends for nothing; for she had been blamed for going as far as she had done in the treaty.

She was ready to perform all that might be required of her with her honour, saying that Queen Mary—as appeared by the "Booke of Monumentes "—never required so much of her majesty, albeit she was a subject, as she would gladly perform towards her highness, or the French King [required] of the King of Navarre and other his subjects who had been in arms against him, and offended more than she has been charged with. Or if it would please her to do as the French King has done when any unkindness has fallen out between him and his brother, to send for him and pacify the same between themselves, she doubted not but that she should satisfy her, etc., and that she shall do as much or more than the said Duke has done towards the King of France.

27 May.—A packet from Mr. Secretary directed to the Earl of Shrewsbury, without any letter to him, which contained only letters from the French ambassador to the Scottish Queen and Mons. Nau touching that which he had understood in Court touching these matters, which his lordship opened.

Afterwards having access to the Scottish Queen, she told them that whereas she understood by letters lately received from the French ambassador that three points of her answer were misliked, viz., her desire that the treaty should be first concluded here before any sending into Scotland; secondly, that the ambassador should not go without first speaking with her; and the third touching the "ampliation" of the articles propounded last year concerning her liberty.

(1) As she would not stand on those points, who should seek the treaty, but would do it herself, and defer all honour to her majesty, so also would she not stand upon this point of sending first into Scotland, she thought that it would have been well taken that the treaty should have been begun here, to the intent it might appear whereupon the parties who were to be sent into Scotland should proceed, to both the Princes' contentment. But if it shall please her majesty to have it otherwise, viz., that some be first sent into Scotland, she is well contented to yield thereto. And if her majesty will permit her to send any thither she will do her best to procure that her son shall join with her in seeking this treaty at her majesty's hands, provided she may be assured that thereupon the said treaty shall go forward, and that the sending shall not be in vain.

She will also use the best means and persuasion that she can to compound all such unkindnesses as may have grown between her majesty and her son. And having told them of a bruit mentioned in the ambassador's letter to be raised against her majesty touching her son and herself, she added that for her own part she was contented to forgive and forget all that was past, provided she might be assured of her majesty's favour and her son's safety.

Touching the noblemen, if they shall be contented to submit themselves and become dutiful subjects to the King her son, she will do what she can to reconcile and restore them again, provided that if they shall hereafter behave themselves undutifully towards him, her majesty will give them no countenance, but assist her son in the punishing of them.

Albeit the French King has acknowledged her ambassador ordinary and the Lord Seton sent from her son as ambassadors jointly from Princes of equal power and associated, and so the association has been there allowed of and published, yet if it will please her majesty she shall have the honour of the publishing of the same in Scotland, and so shall her highness make them beholden to her: which thing she offered long since, and was desirous to have it done by her majesty's mediation before any other.

Touching her request to have the French ambassador to speak to her before he goes to Scotland: it was not to frustrate the King her brother's intent, but was upon this respect, that seeing the association was made by his advice, and he had of late received her ambassador and Lord Seton as ambassadors of Princes associated, and so allowed of the joint association of them both, in case the French ambassador shall go to Scotland to deal with the King her son only, it would be to her prejudice, and also contrary to the King's own fact, as though she were not associated with him, and so the King would disjoin that which before he had united. Besides, she said that she understood that the said ambassador's direction was to speak with them both, and therefore thought that the King his master would not like if he repaired to the King her son alone. And therefore in respect of her prejudice to the association she could not like of his going to Scotland without speaking with her.

Touching the "ampliation" of her liberty, she thought the difference from the articles propounded last year would not be so material, as that the breach of the treaty would depend thereon.

Finally, she said that she made these offers voluntarily, and meant to perform them sincerely if they may be accepted from her good heart.

As for the threats with which she had been "boasted" —as appeared by the said ambassador's letter—well might things by fair means be gotten from her, but she would never be brought by "boasting" or constraint to yield to anything that might touch her honour or the safety of her son.

28 May.—(1) She prayed license of her majesty to go to the baths of Buxton when the Earl of Leicester shall depart, seeing the Earl of Shrewsbury shall have his staff there. If her majesty grants her liberty to go thither, the Earl of Shrewsbury desires that it may be immediately after the Earl of Leicester's departure, in respect of the ease of the country.

(2) To have license to send away one of her servants, a Frenchman, who is sick, and has an issue in his leg.

(3) That Sir Charles Cavendish may be called before the Council and the French ambassador, and if he denies that he has been the author of the slanderous bruits raised of her, "to have an act of his refusall for her purgation."

6¾ pp. Notes in the margin. Parts underlined.

148. Sir Henry Widdrington to [Burghley]. [May 28.] Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 60.

It is bruited that the King is presently to remove to Stirling, and no appearance of any liberty either for the Lord Lindsay or any of the other gentlemen who are in prison. It is likewise reported that the Laird of Burwhany's brother, one Mr. William Leslie, is to be executed for the last action, for that he was in arms in the field against the King.

There are sundry of the ministers and preachers of Edinburgh, Leith, and other places committed this last week, as Mr. Davy Lindsey, preacher of Leith, Mr. Clapperton of Coldstream in the Merse. Mr. Andrew Hay, preacher of Edinburgh, was examined and committed; who is thought to be the accuser of Mr. Davy Lindsey and the others lastly committed, and he himself now discharged and set at liberty.

There came to this town on the 27th instant Mr. James Lowson, superintendent of the ministry, and one Mr. Walter Mackankoll, with one Storye, the minister of Chirnsyde. The cause of whose coming forth of the realm is for that they inveigh and deny the Acts set down at this last Parliament against the privilege of the Church; which are as follows:

It is concluded that all Assemblies, both general and sinodal, public and private, shall be discharged, except at such time as it shall please the King that they convene. Certain bishops are appointed judges to the ministry, having power to control their doctrine and deprive from their function such as they think good, the Archbishop of St. Andrews [Patrick Adamson] being one of the censors. The bishop of Glasgow, Montgomery, is relaxed and made free from the sentence of excommunication, and that by Act of Parliament, having found, after their manner, the process to have been wrongly laid against him. He is thought to be another of the judges of the ministry. The whole ministers are appointed to crave their stipends from the general collector, and for that effect to wait upon the Exchequer. All ministers are discharged from bearing of office in the Session, and ordained to wait upon their flock and function. The King is instituted supreme head of the Church.

Anent benefices.

The first year's fruits of all benefices are appointed for the King's use whensoever any shall be vacant; and in case the just value be not delivered to the treasurer, comptroller or their officers, the gift to be to no effect.

All abbacies and priories are ordained to pay forth to the sustentation of the King's guard as many portions as they had monks living "in the lx. yeare of God." All benefices that are worth above 1000l. by year must pay 200l. for the King's costs yearly.

These articles were published at the Cross of Edinburgh on the 23rd instant, where Mr. Robert Pont, a preacher, and Mr. Walter Mackankell, preacher, and ministers "tuke instrument" in the behalf of the rest of their brethren that they "desassented" to the same. The reason was, because they would prove them to be expressly contrary and repugnant to the Word of God. The King has pronounced that although he seeks the reformation of the Church, he is not to alter the religion.

Whereas these preachers are in this town as yet, and require to occupy the pulpit, I require to know your lordship's pleasure and direction therein.

And whereas I signified in my last advertisement to your lordship that the Scots did forbear and not frequent the market as they had done with victuals, the cause thereof was for that the common sort did mistake the proclamation, which extended no further than that no Englishman should pass into Scotland without license of the Lord Hume or his deputy, and no Scottish man to come into this realm or intercommon with any Englishman without special license of the King and his Council. And now the market is fully furnished with victuals and all other things as before it was.

My lord ambassador [Davison] sent Mr. Walker on Monday last to Mr. Alexander Hume of Huton Hall for his license, who was not at home, and therefore [he] passed to Edinburgh to him, where at his coming he was apprehended and stayed, and [he] returned a Scottish man to give me knowledge thereof on Wednesday last. So that my lord ambassador stays for a day or two before he will send in again. Berwick. Signed: Henry Woddryngton.

3½ pp. Holograph. No address, etc.

149. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 28.]

By my general letter your honour may see what plain banner is now displayed against the Church, and how much this first breach made into the discipline—by which the doctrine has hitherto remained in purity amongst them—gives entry to an utter overthrow and subversion of the whole. Whereat all this aims is not hard to judge if we list to look into the alteration of the whole magistracy in every particular borough as a preparative to what has followed, and changing of their Session, with the rest of their proceedings against the nobility, barons, etc., especially favouring religion and the standing amity between both realms, the last being alleged against the ministry and themselves as a principal objection and efficient cause of their hard usage. Yet must we be "borne in hand" that neither is that King carried in his mother's course, which every blind man there can see into, nor the Queen our sovereign and her estate at home, or religion and our friends abroad thereby in any peril. For myself I dare not be rash to give any censure or judgment of my own, and therefore leave your honours to the conference and examination of such circumstances as I think may suffice in the proof and demonstration thereof. Amongst which, besides the old building upon the ground-plot laid before the entry of Lennox, as specially in the death of Morton and concluded association between the King and his mother before his [Lennox's] departure out of Scotland—which La Mothe's congratulation might suffice to prove—the present state and course of things well observed will make that question clear enough if men list to shake off their affections and look into the naked truth of things.

To me and others who have had some particular cause to look into it, and means to observe somewhat, it seems an axiom necessarily gathered that the Queen his mother sits at the stern of that government, though elsewhere in person, and disposes of him and his estate as she lists by her own credit and labour of her instruments, who only have credit and place about him, and therefore would be glad to see how this can breed either surety to religion or the favourer thereof—to both which, in both kindgoms, she has always declared herself an enemy—or how this course may hold on with the Queen my mistress's safety, against whom she has showed so many tokens of hatred and revenge. Whose place she aspires to, and makes account of no gain but by her loss. I am loth to enter into the particulars, because it is a discourse fitter for others than myself, who may with more authority conclude, and with more judgment discern the want, if any be. This much only I wish, that whilst others go on with effect, we be not rocked asleep by the bare words and faithless protestations of such as have made shipwreck of faith, honour, conscience, and honesty, and in the meantime suffer the earth to be taken away from about the root of our peace and surety till our adversaries be ready with open force to attempt the tree itself. Berwick. Signed: W. Davison.

Postscript.—In expectation of the true copies of the Acts themselves passed in this Session, whereof I had some promise, and which I looked to have received this morning, I thought good to stay my general letter till now. But hearing nothing of them yet, or of the release of him I sent in, I thought best to suspend my despatch no longer.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

Copy of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. VIII., fol. 56 b.

Another copy of the same.

150. Alexander Hume of Huton Hall to Mr. William Davison. [May 28.]

"I resavit your letter upon ye xxv. of yis moneth at viij houris at nycht be ye berar with quhome ze directit ye same, and yerefter presentit to sum of ye counsell of quhom I resavit ane gud answer. And becaus I had occasioun to cum hestelie owt of the town I cold not resaif it my self, bot hes left ane servand of myne to attend upon ye same, quho I luk salbe at me this nycht with ane answer to zour contentment. As to ze man he is ne wayis miswsit, as I understand, bot weill intertenit till ye consall tack sum tryall of sum thingis quhairof he wes suspect befoir. And if my man cum not hame yis nycht I sall not faill to send ane away to morn to haif ane finall answer of ze last letter, eftir ye resset of ye quhilk ze salbe advertiset." Huton Hall. Signed: Alex^r. Hwme of Hutoun Hall.

¾ p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

151. Mr. William Davison to Alexander Hume. [May 28.]

Having occasion to send in a man to you on Monday last with a few lines—who, hearing of your being at Edinburgh, followed you thither by my appointment to give you knowledge of my being here and direction to repair from the Queen my sovereign in her special service to the King your master—to the end it might please you to procure me safe conduct for my entry and passage forwards towards his highness's presence. I since hear that the same man, upon some untrue information or suggestion given or conceived against him for being in Edinburgh about some particular business of his own some few days before, is now committed to ward by commandment of his majesty or some of his Council, and detained as a prisoner, and in the meantime no cause or circumstance thereof signified to me, or answer returned to the letter I sent you. Which form of dealing I cannot for many respects but marvel at much, yet I conceive so reverently of the justice and equity of your government that I cannot forbear either lightly to judge or rashly to report thereof till I hear further of the cause and circumstances; for which purpose I have addressed this bearer to you as the next ordinary officer to whom it appertains, and to whom I had before, as has always been accustomed, directed the other [messenger], praying you to let me know what his majesty's pleasure is touching the one, and what cause they have to deal so straitly with the other. I do not doubt but his majesty and his Council will take order that neither the Queen my sovereign shall receive that dishonour nor myself that disgrace, without cause, of having my messenger in so ordinary a case extraordinarily dealt with. I therefore pray to hear thereof from yourself with answer to my former [letter]. Berwick.

²/3 p. Draft in Davison's hand. Indorsed.

152. Mr. William Davison to Walsingham. [May 29.]

Received the King's safe conduct this evening for his entry into Scotland. The man he sent has been released. Purposes to set forwards to Edinburgh to-morrow, and to follow the King to Falkland, whither he repaired yesterday. Berwick. Signed: W. Davison.

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

Copy of the same.

153. Thomas, Master of Glamis, to Mr. William Davison. [May 29.]

"Sir, I resavit zour letter and yerby onderstandis that yis parlament in Edinburgh hes doun mekle in declaring yer intentioun towart ye peice in religioun and commoun weill off boith yir realmes, quhairoff we thank God; quhilk we dout noct day by day ze will see and persave, being present amangis them. As towart ye last part off ye instructionis send be Mr. Colwill tueching the remeding of yir materes, the support quhilk we crewe is conditionall if we latt hir majestie and my lord Thesaurair and sic as we esteme and knawes to be weill affectit in yis guid caus of hir majesteis Prewey counsell and zow being presentley yer, ane sufficient numer off nobill and wyris to joyn with zow afoir ze depart furth of zour awin cuntrey, and also lett ze see how ye mater may be wyn and preserwet yeirefter—so far as man may juge off materes—thay seing yat nather the quha ar in Scotland off nobill nor gentillmen nor our awin particular freindis nor zit our selff can puit ony men togydder without yer knawleige, quhilk will do ws ane gryt skeyth, for in celeretie consistis oft ye wynnyng off Scottes materes. We crewe sum numer noct as hir majesteis men bot wyerwayes as ye schaw wilbe guid aneucht to conwoy ws to our appointit place off all our weil wellaris of all estatis, that we be noct compellit to withdraw our selff afoir our forces cum wnto ws. Bot yis I crewe yat it may pleis zow to lett me onderstand in quhat part of yis mater ze find the difficultie, that I may resolwe heirin safar as I can, and advertes ze theiroff. Wyth this assurance—for ye gryt guidwill declarit be ze in yis caus, quhairoff we have felt sum part alradey, quhilk with my small powar I never sell want guidwill, althocht I laik powar to acquit—that their sell na thing be doun in yis caus quhairwithall ze sell noct be maist familiarley acquentit noct only quhan we hewe tein our deliberatioun, bot afoir the sam with ye causes theiroff be zour awyis for to be wsett. As towart our answer from Edinburgh, I dout noct bot William Colwill hes declarit the sam wnto [you]. Bot thes mekle we wald wys—their is in the castell of Edinburgh ane gentilman callit Jhone Reid quhais awyis ye captain off ye castell wses by all wyeris in all materes. This gentilman is ane werey discreit and wys gentilman and such on as they all yat ar heir trustes as them selff, being my lord off Maris neir causing and off quhoum we hewe hed gryt pruiff. We wald wys yerfore at zour cummyng to Edinburgh to send ony trustey man wnto him and will him to cum quyetley wnto ze quhan zour wysdoum thocht guid, and to deill with him as now we suld hewe delt, for we onderstand their was money prewey to yis deling quhilk ye thocht noct guid to knaw all materes. And he wilbe plane with ze, for gyff he resave any thinge and his maister assuir zour selff—as my Lords of Mar and Angus willes me to writ on yer credite—they ar suir and remanes constant. This is ane discreit man quha will—as I belewe—gett sum intelligence, bot yat zour wysdoum will lerne efter ze hewe spokein with him. I wald wyis to God ze war in Scotland, for yeir I trust ze suld sie gryt abuis in Curt tending to ye wraik off religioun and hurt of his majesteis persoun togydder with ye disqueting of ye peice of boith yir nationis, and ane gryter desyr in ye haill cuntrey boith in the nobiletie and broches to sie yir materes amendit nor I can writ. As towart ye intelligence to be hed from ws, it may pleis ze—becaus I think no Inglisman may mak oft passaige without suspitioun betuix ze and ws —it may pleis may pleis [sic] ze to lett me hewe ony secreit word that I may writ yat ane cognoscens yat ze may trust the berair ather to writ to spek, and I sell gett such ane Scottis man to carey the sam as I sell answer to ze for his treuth and honestey and wses in Edinburgh, and ewerey weik repares within fower or fywe myll to Berwyk, hawing his dwelling their. Alwayes quhansoever ony other cumes to ze yat we may knaw is trustey or zit cumes from zour selff, as zour wysdoum thinkis expedient, it is meit to writ with them. Bot quhatsoever ather ze writ or zit yat I will writ heirefter wnto ze, I wald think—remitting to zour awin wysdoum—meit to be wreting only with aill, and howsoun soever it is dry it wilbe bot only quyt paper, and also soun as it beis perfytley heit at ye fyer it wilbe werey perfytley red as if it war ink. And quhaever bringis ye sam away lett him bring bot glowes or pointis or ony such litill geir. Place yat quyt paper abowit them as if it war to keip yem clein. Alwayes if zour wysdoum thinkis ony wyer way more meit, I pray zour wysdoum lett me onderstand the sam. I am to remane tua or thre dayes with yir nobill men heir quhill we resave sum generall advertisment from Mr. Colwill, and yerefter intendes—be Goddis grace—to cum to Berwyk. Bot for yat I onderstand ze wilbe absent—on quhoum I only yeir repois—and we war desyrit noct to remane their, as ze knaw, I wald crewe yat it mycht be permittit to me to remane in Berwyk or in ony wyer part of hir majesteis Bordouris, and yis to be signefeit ather wnto ye governor of Berwyk or wnto ye warden of ye Est Merch or his deputie, quha is onderstand will find falt with my returnyng, if it be noct be licence. And yis I wald crewe quhan as ze send to Curt yat I mycht hewe yis licence or declaratioun meid wnto yem noct to find falt with my remanyng and traweling, for wyerwayes it wilbe langsam and onable to ws to gett trustey deling with our freindis at home." Newcastle. Signed: Tho. Mr. Glammis.

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

154. Mary to Monsieur de Mauvissière. [May 31.] Harl. MSS., 1582, fol. 404.

Beale has departed. Malicious reports concerning the negotiations with him. Walsingham has falsified the text. Promise to be given by her to Archibald Douglas. Recommendation in favour of Monsieur De La Tour. Sheffield.

1 p. French. Copy. (Printed, Lobanoff, vol. iii. p. 475.)

155. Mr. John Colvile to Walsingham. [May 31.]

"Efter my departing from your honour I fand myself sunquhat evill at eis, qwiche hes maid me send Mr. Hoodsone to your honour. I haif skribbillit out ane melancolius letter to ye desolat nobill men so neir ye answer delyverit be your honour wnto me as I culd remember; qwiche pleis your honour peruse and yerefter to send avay gif it be to your honour's contentment, for thai will long muche to heir from me. The other lettres inclosit in my paquett ar partly to my Lord Angus concerning yat qwiche he hes ado with the Lord Hundsden partly concerning my awin particular effaris, qwiche all I vald humlie haif desyrit your honour to haif perusit gif ony matter of effect had bein continit yerin." Signed: Jo. Colvile.

²/3 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

156. Walsingham to Mr. William Davison. [May.]

The Queen of England learning of the raids, spoils, and other disorders that have of late been committed by the Borderers of both realms, but especially by those of the Middle March, one upon another, has willed him to direct him to lay before the King [of Scotts] the inconveniences that may in time follow from these disorders, to the open breach of the mutual peace and amity between the crowns unless speedy redress follows, and therefore require him to take some order how justice may be ministered to her subjects, and his stayed from committing the like outrages and insolences hereafter, which she thinks cannot well be done unless there be a special officer appointed to the charge of Liddisdale, as for her own part she means also to take the like order with her subjects if she finds him disposed to concur with her in that good cause.

½ p. Copy. Indorsed.

157. Address by Mr. James Lowson to the Provost and Bailies of Edinburgh. [May.]

"The spirit of the Lord Jhesus Christ comfort and assist you for ever."

It hath pleased God in his justice, dear brethren, according to the manifold and oft threatenings, which ye with your ears have heard, and we as God's messengers have pronounced, to bring that heavy cross upon us which our eyes do behold and our sorrowful hearts do consider. Our sins have deserved greater punishments, if any greater can be. And now because we are assured that many calumnies are set out against us, so that we have absented ourselves from you our own flock, which ever we loved more than our lives, we have thought good to write to you the cause of the same and necessity which lay upon us, albeit we know you yourselves cannot be ignorant of this matter.

It is known to you how that for resisting the course which the rulers of Court had in hand—so dangerous to the Kirk of God, which appears this day, and will yet draw with it greater misery and "thraldome" in conscience if the Lord put not to His merciful hand to help in this desperate estate—we have sustained the burden of the great indignation of the greatest, and the continual reproaches of the rulers of Court, which made us most assured that they were bent against us, and would travail to be avenged upon us when they might see convenient time. In the meantime sundry Acts of Parliament are made, directly repugnant to the Word of God and doctrine which we for a long time past have taught; and especially concerning the policy ecclesiastical; and, to speak it in few words, our whole form of spiritual government, grounded on the Word of God—whereunto the cursed bishops subscribed themselves, as their handwriting will testify — which was growing and increasing in God's mercy amongst us, and did grow and increase until it came to a reasonable perfection, at this Parliament is almost cast down. That which was received as of God that was in use amongst us, followed out to the great comfort and edification of our Kirks, must be cast down, without recovery, by the earnest labours of ours and God's very enemies almost within the space of twenty-four hours, no reasoning being had of the weightiness of the articles by those who are called the Lords of the Articles, none of the ministry being heard nor permitted to come near them, yea they of the Articles sworn ofttimes to reveal nothing, lest, peradventure, this strange dealing coming to the ears of the ministry they should have "withstand in pulpit," according to the Word of God, their dangerous and wicked attempt. And that which is greatest of all, when we send down to Court Mr. David Lindsay our brother, a wise and learned man, desiring we might be heard, he is cast into ward, where he remains yet. What all these things tend unto, they who are of God and have the spirit of righteous judgment may easily espy. Our bishops, of whom some are great libertines and "bellygodes," whose infamies are seen and "groped" by you all; some sacrilegious and dilapidators of their whole benefices; some disturbers of the estate of the pure Kirk; all wanting warrant in conscience of their calling, yea all bearing testimony of an evil conscience in that they now condemn that which they before subscribed as undoubted truth; some suspended from their ministry; some deprived; some excommunicated— these men must be the only and whole rulers now in the spiritual government, and the same government must flow, not from Christ Jesus, but from the corrupt affection of those who call their unworthy souls to such high promotion. Besides, these articles were made, proponed and presented to some ministers to subscribe, submitting themselves to that tyrannical regiment, which, if any will refuse to do, he must be a traitor.

The consideration of these things and many others moved us in our sermons to affirm we would stick to the form of government grounded upon the Word of God; we would "oppone" ourselves against this new and sudden confusion—as in very deed was done by us. In token whereof protestation was made from the pulpit and from the "verie crose." Wherefore our enemies, yea yours and God's own enemies— as experience has begun to teach, and assuredly will teach more hardly hereafter except the Lord provide speedy remedy—having the occasion offered, "purchest" a charge to the Provost and Baillies of Edinburgh, thinking to make our own flock—above whose souls so carefully we have watched—to be "burrdois" to us, to take and apprehend ministers who "convenit to the eldership," which before was almost the only bridle to vice—and held them in sure and fast prison. And "such like," whosoever spake either in private places or in pulpit in their sermons against any of their acts or this their unhappy course, be taken immediately by them, cast into prison, and handled as should be thought most meet. In the meantime wanton words were given out, that if we followed our course—which surely is of God—though our heads were as great as haystacks, we should want them. We saw also a good brother of the ministry apprehended, of whom we were assured they had not so great misliking as of us.

Of all these things our hard battle arose, and grievous temptation, which, how great it was, He knows who searches the hearts. To stay from our course we could not, for then should we be traitors to God who has been so good to us. To continue therein was counted treason to the King and hurtful to our flock, who got the charge to take us in case [of] our proceeding in our office, which is to condemn all acts made by men repugnant to the direction of the living God. "Thus wraslinge betwixt the tentacions and tossed heavelie betwixt wind and waw," in the end we resolved to travail to reserve ourselves to a better time. And of a truth this resolution was taken in the bitterness of our hearts and in many tears, especially remembering you our dear flock. This was done after many prayers, and after we were assured it was the will of the Lord—as we are assured the godly think. So it is indeed, and we further persuade ourselves that the Lord once shall let the world understand he had his great work in it to his glory. Let no good man, therefore, think that this is against the law of God or good conscience. Far be it from us that wilfully we should so offend, seeing we have walked in uprightness of conscience amongst you, and trust in God's grace so to do to [the] end.

We have many things to write to you which we dare not commit to paper or ink for your cause. In these dangers the Lord give you grace to stand, remembering and following the things which ye have heard and embraced. We fear wolves will intrude themselves upon you—as we hear some already have done—which is a sore wound to us. Besides, we are plucked away from you. We told you when we were with [you] that the contempt of the truth would bring on the plague of foolish pastors who sought themselves, and not Christ Jesus the great Pastor of the flock. This little burden of the Cross laid upon us by the merciful hand of our God we trust we shall sustain and bear in patience. We trust also we shall not be idle, but be profitable for the Kirk, even there in helping you with some of our labours which were begun amongst us, and could not be perfected by reason of our manifold occupations. We are in good hope the Lord shall unite us again. His good will always be done. "We cannot werie to speake to to you by letter, seinge we may not by corporall presence." The Lord forgive the authors of this separation, and make them once know they have lifted themselves up in their pride against Him, who shall humble them. Thus we cease to trouble you or wound your hearts further by "remembringe upon us" and upon the liberty lost for a time, which our God did give unto us, and so commit you to the protection of Him who is most high. The Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you forever. Yours to be remembered in the Lord with many tears.

2 pp. Copy. Indorsed: "Copy. Mr. James Lowsonnes lettre to the provost, baillifs, etc., of Edinburgh." [Conway Papers.]

158. James VI. to Sir John Maitland. [May.] Add. MSS., 23, 241, fol. 5.

"Secretaire—Johne Andro hes informit me quhat the Session of the Kirke in Edinbrouch hes mineid at and sensyne revokit in a pairt. Thaire spyte in this hes maire offendit me then ever I was sen God creatid me at that unworthie sort of people, nother have ye done youre deutie in this matter, for youre deutie had it been to have dischargit thaire communion and also thaire session quhill I hadd taikin farder order for the repressing of that proude contempt, and thairfore to teache yow that quhen ye count without youre hoste in thay maitteris ye man count tuyse. I have directid a proclamation quhilk ye man cause solemnetlie to be publishit, and sen thay have kendlit up 'sopitos cineres,' I sueare thay sall never faill on my syde quhill I find anis als great pruif of thaire obedience as I have ever hadd of thaire contemptuouse rebellion. I wrett shairpelie, for quhen my proper actionis are callid in question 'tunc mea res agitur.' I have gevin Johne Andro his dispatche as his lettir uill informe you." Fairueill. In haist. Signed: James R.

1 p. Holograph. Indorsed: "To our Secretarye."