Elizabeth: May 1586

379. Walsingham to Thomas Phelippes. [May 3.] C.P., vol. XVII.

The Queen of England has signed a bill for his [Phelippes's] pension of 100 marks. He will not believe in what good sort the Queen of England accepts his services. Some warning is to be given to "G." Foxley is expecting an answer. Signed: Fra. Walsyngham.

¾ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

380. Mary to Walsingham. [May 3.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Monsieur de Walsyngham, I had given to De Cherelles, departing hence, express charge to call to your mind the passport of the new servants whom you procured for me last year, in order that you might speedily do me the kindness to send it to them; awaiting nothing else to set forward hither, as they have been ready to do since the commencement of last winter. But besides that I have until this present received no answer thereto, a new occasion has arisen which obliges me to importune and urge you more thereanent. A contagious fever has broken out in this house, whereof divers of my servants have fallen ill, as I have no doubt you will hear more particularly by the Sieur Paulet, which makes me not only lack the service of the said sick persons, but also of the chief ones who are around me, and who, the less they are themselves served and relieved, the less will they be able to bear the assiduous and constant work which is necessary to me in the present state of my health. My physician deems this infection very dangerous, and more likely to spread soon to the rest of the house, as it is doing from day to day, than to cease. I pray you to add to that which I now write thereof to the Queen Madame my good sister your own remonstrances and good offices, so that provision may be made therein with all requisite diligence; delivering, if you please, the passport of my said servants to the Sieur de Chasteauneuf, to whom referring myself to communicate to you more fully that which I am informing him on this subject I will pray God that He have you, Monsieur de Walsyngham, in His holy and worthy keeping. Chartelay, 3 May. Signed: Marie R.

1 p. French. Holograph, also addressed. Indorsed.

381. Sir Francis Englefield to Monsieur Nau. [May 3.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Has not written for thirteen months, his last letter being dated in March 1585. If her majesty is offended he craves pardon and will explain the reason of his silence.

The chief reason was that he was deprived of his only means of sending, since Don Bernardino returned from England.

Also the last letter from him [Nau] being dated October 1584, was doubtful how his own former letter of eight months ago came to his [Nau's] hand. Therefore he thought it both difficult and dangerous to send. Moreover there was little news, and it was useless to risk peril for matters of small moment. Was lately asked by Charles Paget to renew the intercourse, therefore if this is received safely, will know that the wonted means of communication is sure.

The principal affair in this court is not yet revived nor renewed as he would like to see it. Concerning the 12,000 ducats, promised so long ago, it is not well that either Don Bernardino from England, nor Taxis from France, answered in the same form to the several orders given them.

Has followed the matter with as much importunity as the King's absence in Aragon would permit.

Has found it more difficult to obtain a new order for the same than he did in obtaining the first grant. Yet now at length an order has gone to deliver 4000 ducats to her majesty, and the rest is promised to follow.

It is necessary to be careful that it does not come to wrong hands, nor is disposed of otherwise.

Has been often questioned concerning the King of Scotland's religion. Considering his education and the malice and might of the Queen of England, he [the King] has shown more hope than could be expected.

The capture of St. Domingo by Drake will be no new thing when these letters arrive. What effect this will have time will show. Preparations are being made for its recovery and also for the conduct of the new fleets from the Indies.

Has not heard from Monsieur Fontenay since his departure into Scotland, but has heard from Paris of his safe return.

Lord Paget, Charles Arundel and Thomas Throgmorton are here soliciting their private provisions.

1½ pp. Indorsed.

Another copy. [With No. 411.]

382. Sir Francis Englefield to Monsieur Nau. [May 3.] C.P., vol. XVII.

I have not written in thirteen months now complete, my last being dated in March eighty five: which if her majesty impute as a crime or fault, I will rather in most humble wise crave pardon than plead ought in my defence, other than briefly lay before your good consideration the causes which have hitherto stayed my pen. Of which the chief hath been for that by some trouble I was deprived of the only mean I had to send since Don Bernardino's return from England. Another, that the last I had from you being of October eighty four, I remained (as yet I do) doubtful how my former of eight months before did come to your hand; whereby I probably conceived that you wanted liberty of writing, and means of sending was either wholly restrained or so much interrupted that it was become both difficult and dangerous. And lastly, finding little matter here that might give you comfort or contentment to understand, I thought it not consonant nor common policy nor my private duty to adventure things perilous for matters of small moment.

Yet being now "a late" invited as it were by Monsieur Charles Paget to renew this intercourse, I sent this partly to make proof and trial of the way, because it may be that hereafter I may have somewhat of more comfort and contentment to send than yet appeareth, if by the good "Recapito" of this I may understand that by the increase of your restraint you be not deprived of your wonted mean to read it, nor the way of sending to be closed.

Of your principal affair in this court I did by my former letters iterate more oft than once all that I could find here of the reasons and causes that cooled and quailed the former fervour and hope given thereof, which yet I find not so certainly revived nor renewed as I wish. As also of the matching of the King of Scotland with any of these Infantes I advised at large.

Of the 12,000 ducats promised so long since it happened ill that neither Don Bernardino from England nor Tassis from France did answer the same, conform to the several orders given them. The causes whereof I suppose you have heard or can conjecture them. And being long before I understood the transposing of that money to other uses by Tassis at his removing and change of place, I have since followed the matter with such importunity as the King's absence in Aragon would permit me, and have found more difficulty to procure a new order for the same to Don Bernardino than I did in obtaining the first grant. Yet now at length order is gone to him for part thereof, to wit, 4,000 ducats to be by him conveyed to her Majesty, and the rest is promised to follow by like parts, as new occasions serve of sending other money to him. But by conjecture for the many questions that have been proponed and asked me of the sure means we have to send it that it come not to wrong hands nor be disposed otherwise, I have been oft demanded of late what hope there is of the King of Scot's religion. Whereunto I have answered as of my own conjecture—having no commission nor instructions what thereto to say—that respecting his education the importune solicitation of England, the malice and might of that Queen, and the small comfort and assistance given him by any Catholic prince, he hath yet showed more hope of his inclination to the best than by common probability could be expected.

The surprising of the island of St. Domingo by Drake can be no new thing to you when these arrive. What effect this brings forth, more time must show, this nation resolving nothing hastily nor executing anything speedily. Preparation yet they make as well for the recovery thereof as also for the conduct of their new fleets from the Indies, God grant it be sufficient and ready in time. 3 May '86. At my wonted habitation. Signed in cipher.

From Monsieur Fontenay I have not heard since his going into Scotland, although from Paris I understand his good return long since. The Lord Pagett, Charles Arundell and Thomas Throgmorton be here soliciting their private provisions, and be all devout servants to the Queen's Majesty of Scotland and her service.

1½ pp. Copy. Indorsed: "S^r Frances Englefeld to M. Nau. Decifred per Phelippes."

383. Petition of Certain Mariners of King's Lynn. [May.]

To the right worshipful Mr. John [sic] Randolph, esquire, her majesty's ambassador in Scotland. Shews John Buckshawes, late master of the ship Joseph of King's Lynn, Norfolk, 90 tons, who with 26 sailors set out in April last for Ireland, in the said ship, being furnished by the owners Jeoffrey Pell, George Farely and Robert Asshfeilde, of King's Lynn, with flour, cast pieces, anchors, cables, tackers, apparel, fishing boats, 20 wey of salt, and victuals, to the value of 600l.

The ship perished on the rocks of an island called Northlandsey, near Brides Ness, in Orkney, in Lord Robert Stewart's country, but they saved all the cast pieces, and other things, to the value of 260l., which they brought to land. The goods so saved were immediately taken from them by the servants of Lord Robert Stewart, who refuse to restore anything thereof.

Having already complained to the King, who promised redress, nothing as yet having been done, they now request he will be a mean either to the King or his grace's commissioners, how at their coming, that order may be taken that the poor merchants have again the remainder of the things preserved, now in the hands of the said Lord Robert Stewart, which may be some poor help towards their great loss already sustained.

1 p. Indorsed: "The supplication of Jeffray Pell, George Fairly and Robert Asshfealde of Lynn, merchants owners of a ship lately called the Joseph, of Lynn, spoiled in Orkney, in Scotland, 2 May, 1586."

384. Master of Gray to Walsingham. [May 5.]

Received his last letter from Thomas Tyrie a fortnight ago. Has deferred answer till he should know Mr. Archibald Douglas's affairs, which so far have succeeded very well.

Procured a warrant of the King on his [Douglas's] arrival in Scotland at Berwick, that he might repair to the ambassador's house there to remain at his majesty's pleasure. This he did till yesterday, his majesty having been a little evil disposed at Dalkeith.

Prayed the King to sup at his house, which he did. Brought thither Mr. Archibald Douglas, who so had above two hours' conference with the King.

His majesty was well satisfied in all points. Remits the particulars of the conference, and of the estate of the country, to Mr. Archibald Douglas.

Received a letter from the Earl of Leicester, whereof he also will have received a copy by Mr. Milles, concerning the Low Countries.

Desires he will signify to him [the Earl] the resolution of these three points, proposed to him by Mr. Archibald Douglas. 1. That the King should make offer of them. The King will resolve on this point tomorrow, when the ambassador is to have an audience, but he thinks now that he has delayed so long with the offer, that the Queen should demand them of him. 2. Touching the exchange of money from merchants, remits what is meetest to be done to his judgment, that no time may be lost. 3. As for the number, assures him he is able to raise 6,000 of the best of the realm, to be commanded by old commanders and captains, in six weeks or a month.

The King is "at very good point in disposition" touching her majesty. Prays God he have good councillors always about him, but thinks the King himself will prove very constant when once embarked.

The French ambassador received news from France yesterday, and keeps very secret that he is to crave audience to-morrow. What follows he shall know by his next letter.

Understands that some captains whom he had chosen are "calumniat." Prays he will believe nothing. No man shall be brought but such as be well affectionate to himself. Prays he will signify this to his next letter to the Earl of Leicester.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 275.

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

Summary of the last part of the same.

385. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. [May 5.] C.P., vol. XVII.

The news contained in your last letters was very acceptable, for the matter was full of honour and profit. I was not a little comforted to hear of the good success in our domestic causes, and that her majesty had yielded to grant a "warrant dormant."

Although the profit thereof shall redound to her majesty, yet knowing the slander and discredit which attaches to this house through want of money, I consider myself beholden to you.

It is very true that I was informed by a gentleman belonging to a nobleman and counsellor that he himself and many others above him had been credibly informed that I enjoyed Lord Paget's demesne grounds and parks here to my own profit; he prayed to excuse his fault which was done out of ignorance.

I say unto you before God that I never received a penny from anything belonging to Lord Paget; and I prayed Mr. Darell to inform you in case you had conceived a wrong opinion of me.

I was advised by a friend better acquainted with the state of the country than myself to request the stewardship of Lord Paget's lands in this shire in order to keep the tenants in better control. This post was given me by the Lord Treasurer with a fee of 40s. a year, of which I have as yet received nothing.

Five or six of this Queen's retinue are sick at present, of which number Curll's servant is one.

So being destitute of man or woman he has prayed me to lay his case before you; for he despaired to receive any good answer through Cherelles, unless by my mediation.

I told him that if Cherelles moved in the matter he was certain shortly to receive answer from the French ambassador. I asked where he would find this maid servant; he referred himself to my choice; or said he would be content with a young woman in Tutbury, god-daughter to the Queen, if she was pleased with this.

I cannot see any harm in admitting this one servant; especially if she can be persuaded to attend our prayers, and not their idolatrous services.

The illness of the servants is nothing worse than ague, which can be accounted for by their lack of exercise.

Following the directions of her majesty's Council, signified by your letters dated the 26th of last month, touching the confessions sent unto you from Lichfield, I failed not immediately to have the houses of the parties mentioned searched; and with Mr. Richard Bagot's assistance took the examinations of John Godwyn, Robert Taylor and Bryan Bold. Richard Ensor had departed to London before your letters came to my hands, so I will forbear to send the examinations to you until his return.

By this search it was discovered that Richard Taylor's servant was married to Richard Ensor at a mass six years ago, and that since that time he had not been to Communion.

Richard Ensor's study was full of all kinds of popish books, of which thirteen were confiscated and brought here.

Nothing else contained in the action is yet proved.

The priest who married Robert Taylor is called Barlow, and has been committed to gaol by the justice of this shire.

I found nothing in this Queen's last packet worthy of mention except the dark sentence mentioned in the bill inclosed [in the margin "wanting"]. Also that Cordaillot wrote to Nau that the French King was determined to crush out all other religion except the Romish in his dominions, and for that purpose had seven armies in the field.

I have kept all news from the Queen, good or bad, since I was blamed for the advertisement I gave of the alterations in Scotland.

The Queen pretends to be grieved that she cannot hear how matters are going; but I believe that she has secret means of discovering the same.

Yesterday Nau and Curle came to me from their mistress requesting me to provide two women in place of two laundresses who were sick. I promised to do my best, and with the help of Mr. Bagot to provide women who will be harmless.

Nau delivered to me the packet sent herein, which he said contained letters from this Queen to her majesty and to you.

Chartley. Signed: A. Poulet.

Postscript.—I am even now advertised from Curll's wife that she does not like this god-daughter of the Queen, dwelling at Tutbury. She desires a country-woman of greater years and strength. I told her she would do well not to think of it until a maidservant was granted to her.

3¾ pp. No flyleaf or indorsement.

386. Thomas Milles to Walsingham. [May 6.]

Thought it good to inform him of his safe arrival here yesterday after dinner, and of his intention to set out towards Edinburgh this morning at 4 o'clock, having received the despatch sent after him. Has delivered his charge into the keeping of Sir Henry Woddryngton until he hear further from the ambassador the King's mind for satisfying her majesty in the matter of Lord Russell's death.

Takes that to be the special point to urge before the money be delivered, as his proceedings therein will both satisfy her majesty better, and make him more worthy of it.

After the King has caused them to be apprehended and received her majesty's signature of the articles, and sent his own away, will be the best time to come hither for the same, seeing Arran is not so hardly to be stood on.

There was a rumour on the Borders that the King had slipped from the lords to Arran. He knows the cause and manner thereof by the last, with which he himself received the inclosed.

Sir John Foster greatly commends the Laird of Cessford for his concurrency in justice, and says there will be not much remaining unredressed for the commissioners to dwell upon at their meeting, saving matters of blood.

Prays he will think of the jewel from her majesty for the Master's daughter. Berwick. Signed: Tho. Milles.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed, many times, with the date and time of arrival of the bearer at stages on his journey from Berwick to London.

387. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 6.]

"Pleis your honour since my last unto you it hath plesit his majestie my soverayn who was in the partis of Fife at my arryvall to Edinburgh to appoynct the Master of Gray his lodging thayr for admission of me to his presens, which was upon the fearde of May, wheare the nobilite and suche of the consall as was present ressavit the banket.

Before the King come in the house, the Secretayr had sum conference wyth me, in ane pryvat chambre whear he affirmit the lordis onderstodde I was lodgit to theyr greif, for that thay wer not mayde acquaynted wythe my returning in Scotland, bot that the saim was don only be the King, and thayrfor they suspected that I had sum secreit cours wyth him that mycht end to thayr hurt.

I assurit him that I ment harm to no Scottisman, bot my cumming heir tendit to this end that I mycht be disburdenit of the heavy sclander wharwythe I had beyn chargit and for this effect I wolde sutte boythe his lordship and thayr favorable assistance when eny occasion suld be offerit.

Eftir sum uthir propose of complement, he prayit that thayr mycht be playne dealing betuixt him and me: upon knawledge thayrof he wold assure me of his frendschippe in all materris that mycht towche me.

I promisit honest and playne dealing so he wold assure me of the lik, quhen as we was yit spekand adwertisment was mayde that the King was cumming, and commandit that no man suld remayn in the chambre.

Eftir whose entrey sum speachis beand utterit be me in commendationis of his humanite that so far has humblit himself as to cum whear one of the meanest of his subjectis was prisonnar, I deliverit hir majesteis letter, whiche beand redde, he utterit thes or the ylike speachis. 'At your departure I was your enemy, and now at your returning I am your friend. You are not ignorant of the laws of the realm, and what may best be done for your surety. Her majesty's request in your favour is honourable, and your desire to have trial is honest. I myself believe you are innocent of my father's murder, except infore knowledge and concealing a fault, so common in those days, that no man could misknow; but so perilous to reveal, in respect of the actors of the tragedy, that no man could utter any speech thereof, without extreme danger.' Therefore I desire you advise my secretary what may be most agreeable to my honour and your surety in trial, and it shall be performed."

Eftir that I had given thankis to his majestie I culd not forbear to lat his hynes onderstand that it did appeir to me that whatsoevir shuld be don in my favour wer best to be don at hir majesteis request, to the whiche he yealdit.

Thaireftir he sayd to me "You have now been long in England, and have known her majesty's meaning towards the title I pretend to that crown, when it shall please God to leave that place vacant. I desire you to deliver to me what inclination you find in her and her council, in this matter."

My ansser was that it was verray trew that I had beyn long in Inglond, and thairfor necessayr it wold be for me, if I shuld treuly ansser to his majesteis question, to mak devision of the tym of my aboade, and to lat his majestie onderstand what opinion was had at every season or tym that mutation in governement had occurrit in his auin realm, whiche was evir consavit in opinion according to the natureor qualite of the mutation that happenit to fall owte.

It plesit his majestie to use sum interruption er he herd eny fordar, and sayde "I know what you mean. I am slandered for other men's dealings, but when matters are examined my meaning will always be found constant towards her majesty. You yourself may record my inward mind towards her majesty ever since I directed the Master of Gray to her. Ever since his returning he has assured me that I was met with a like mind. If it is true you are able to let me understand it."

I ansserit that I will onderstode that the Master of Gray had dune the deuty offe ane trusty servant, and had dune many gud offecis thair, specialle in removing of many dowbtis that had ressavit deipe inpressionis als weill in hir majesteis mynd as in the myndis of the best sort of that realm, whiche dowbtis wer growing upon sum ill proceadingis and wrong information gevin owt to his hynes desadvantage. Who war the reperturis I know not, bot the reportis war gevin owt in all partis.

He sayde he did weill onderstand that he was calumniat be seditious men, that he had mayde defection in religion, that he was blood thirsty, that he inconstant in freyndschipp and untrew in keping of promesses. Bot he tuk God to his witnes how untrewly he was sclanderit, in these poynctis, be his indiscret preacheris and unnaturell subjectis, that he belevit ne prince wald allow of, and specially hir majestie, beand ane prince subject to the ylik sclandir hirself, if sche shuld permit unbrydelit subjectis to speik thayr pleassour off thayr naturell prince.

My ansser [was] that hir majestie was not a litill grevit to heir that eny subject durst presume to speik ony mater of thayr prince, and often tymis had beyn movit bessidis modesty, in gevin command that insolence in speaking aganis whatsoevir prince shuld be restrenit, bot specially had gevin derection that ne immodest minister suld be tollerated to preache, least thay micht have usit sum undecent speach whiche she wald nowis haif left unpunisshit gif it had beyn agains his majestie, bot of layte all materris war reducit in suche state, that mycht concerne his majestie in that realme, that ne man durst utter eny suche speache as heirafter had beyn spokin of, and if any shuld be so folishe, they wald not fayl wythout delay to ressave punishment.

And greit expostulation was had thayr offe of layte that he wold not alter the course that he had begun, nather extend the bowelis of resson for eny man his pleasour. Eftir sum speache of my lord tresoreir and your honour, in asking of your opinion of himself, and that I had fully satisffeit him thayranent, he enterit in sum speach of the layte chancellour, and of Colonel Stewart, alledging him to be ane simple body, so he termit him, and was reddy to depart owte of this realme, and the uthir was alreddy departed ather in Irland or sum uthir plaice, so that he had left nothing undone that had beyn cravit of him, excepting anent sum certayn rebellious Inglismen that had beyn heirtofor requirit, and the satisfaction of her hyenes in honour towartis the murther, whiche he with all his hart lamented, of Sir Francis Russell.

Anent the Jesuistis he did term the "bellicose," as God shuld be his judge he knew not presently whear thay war, bot he wald expelle thaym his realm, and wald mak certification to all such as had kepit thaym, if they wer found to be in the realm, he would deliver thaym, and to such as war suspecte of that lamentable murthour, he wald leif nothing undone that mycht satisfy hir majestie, so that the saim mycht not bryng him in desgrace of his subjectis, which he belevit hir majestie nowise desseirs.

And if any contravenaris of his intention schuld be fownd wythin his realm he was myndit to invade thaym, and wold or now haif performit the saim if his awin realm had beyn reducit to ane quiet stat whiche he wold schortly see performit, if hir majestie wald assist him.

I did ansser that I fermly belevit that hir majestie wold leif nothing undone that culd be requirit in frendschippe, providing that he maid hir acquaynted wyth his prosedingis, and fowndit his dessir upon resson.

Bessidis this, I thocht hir majestie wold be offendit if sche schuld not be mayd acquaynted that he stode in neyd of eny hir assistance for the veill of his realm.

It plesit his majestie to ansser that he had mayd no creature acquaynted wyth his meaning in this mater, bot he spak it onto me be way of descourse which some day he thocht to perform, to gif testimony of his gud meaning.

Finding him in so gud termes I sayd that thayr was dyvers of his freyndis that mervelit he beand ane prince of so gret expectation, and in the age wherein courage was customably knawin rather to be action than spekin, that he mayd not offir to hir majestie of sending of his subjectis in the Low Country, and thocht also that it was not decent for his auin to be ydle when as hir majestie and remenence war in armis.

Upon this he enterit in ane long discours that I persavit had beyn put into his heid, off the defference betuixt offending and defending, to whiche boyth he confessit him self to be bownd in dyveris degris, and to offend alanerly suche as wolde offend hir majesteis person or state. And for his auin part, albeit he had dyvers tymis inquirit if hir majestie did esteym the King of Spayn hir ennemie, he culd never ressave derect ansser their upon, and notwythestanding thayrof, if he culd be assurit hir majestie wold esteym that worthy of thankis, he wold mak offir of forcis, in proportion les or moir as he shuld knaw to be expedient for the service, and wold excuse him self that he had so long delayit the doing thairof.

This is the sum of all materris that had passit be his majestie at that tyme, when as the Master of Gray come to the chambre, and schew the King that the lordis wer inquiring what was become of him.

Quhaireftir the King sayde to me, "Pray tarye no longur at this tyme. Of this farre assure your self that I will do all that may serve to your contentement anent your pryvate seurlye, and wythin few dayis shall speik fordar vyth yow. In this mydd tyme you may assure suche of your freyndis as ar in Ingland of the sincerite of my meaning and of the performance of suche matter as heirtofore I haif promissit to her majesteis ambassadour."

Immediatly eftir the King was retirit, Secretayr Maitland returnit whear I was, and sayde he knew the King was put in gret expectation that I wold satisfy his mynd in dyveris matteris.

He remanit dowbtefull for his awin part. He wold be most glayde that I mycht so do, bot he belevit be resson the tym so schort that I was wyth the King, that thayr did remayn sumwhat moir to be spokin onto his majestie whiche he wold be glayde to onderstand, and wold endeivour himself to do all the gud officis he culd boyth in my pryvat stat and in eny mater that mycht tend to the welfayr of boyth the crownis.

Eftir the gevin of thankis, I schew him that I had nothing wherin to deale wyth the King, onto suche tym as I had ressavit my triall, and for the obtening thayrof, I prayit his frendschippe.

He mayd ansser that he culd be freynd for him self, bot he belevit that the lordis that was of layte cummit owte of Inglond had consavit sum suspicion of my cumming home, which movit thaym to think that I had sum dealing wythe the King, that mycht be to thayr prejudice.

I ansserit that my present state was suche that I culd not go onto thaym nather openly abroade, onto suche tymis as I had ressavit my triall, that my freyndis mycht accumpanye me whear thay wer, at which tym I wold satisfy thayre lordships in all respectis. In this mydde tyme, I wold move sum freyndis deale wythe for removing of that errour. Of that nombre I prayit his lordship mycht be one.

Quhaireftir he enterit in ane large discourse of the King his prosedingis, that had so unadvisedly gone fordwart in the subscryving of this league whearin no reciproque dealing had beyn usit—so he termit it —as mycht appeir be certayn nottis in form of artikillis that he had deliverit to hir majesteis ambassadour, and that the King had prosedit so far in his absens and wythowt the advise of his nobilite, that wold nowise aggre to suche kind of dealing and for his awin part he culd not in conscence forebear to gif his majestie his best adwise, alsweill how to repayr that mater, as to abstein to go fordwart, if the instrument promisit suld be refusit.

I ansserit that his lordship beand wyse mycht weill consider that such kynd of dealing mycht procur hatreit onto him, specially of hir majestie if he shuld essay to call back that whiche was alreddy concludit.

Bessidis, in the litill speach that I had wyth his majestie, it did appear to me that he had holly dedicate him self to be at hir majesteis devotion. And if eny shuld essay to devert him thayrfrom, just occasion of ill dealing wold be consavit agains thaym be him self, that mycht produce verray hard effectis, and I thocht it was verray perrellus for his state to entir in that course.

His ansser was, if the King and his nobilite agreis thayr was no daynger for him in that mater. Quhaireftir he confessit to me that he was enterit in league wyth that part of the nobilite that wer cummit home of layte, as to the remanent thay wold thank him and assist him. And as for the bond, thayr was nothing contenit thayrin bot that thay joynit thaym selffis for advancement of the King his service, and thairfor he was the more curious if I had eny dealing or was myndit to deale wyth the King, for drawin of him to the Queen's Majesty of Ingland, her devotion, wythout thayr adwis.

Towartis my awin part I fully satisfeit him in that poynct, and did geve sufficient ressonis that thayr was no suche meaning ather in hir majestie ather in eny of hir consalouris, albeit boyth resson and the want its self mycht haif ledd him to haif belevit my speache, yit my rethorik was not so sufficient as to fully satisfy him in this poynct.

The ressonis that movit him in the contrar wer that he onderstode ne nobleman in Scotland was dealt wythall in this mater of the league, albeit in the powar gevin onto the King mentone was mayde that the saim shuld be concludit be the adwise of such of his consail as he shuld think metast to mak choice of.

Bessidis that, it was not the custom, as he allegit, of this realm that the nobilite wold geve thayr assent in ony mater of so grit weycht whear thay had not beyn dealt wythall of befor. And thairfor he thocht that none of the nobilite, at leist verray few of thaym, wold yeald thayr consent. And if that wer not done he thocht the King wyth tym mycht be movit to consider of his sudden proceadure, which he thocht mycht sum day be reputed ane errour.

He proponit dyvers uthir argumentis, sum of thaym longa petita.

To all these I ansserit that I culd not be persuadit that this course which he did propone culd any wis aggre wyth thayr awin seurty, which of necessite behovit to depend from hir majesteis credit wyth the King, and if thay shuld impeid the course of frendschipp betuixt the princes, thay shuld in lyk maner cut of thayr awin seurty. Besidis, I fearit if hir majestie shuld be informit of eny part of thayr meaning, it wald move hir majestie to consent to go fordar wyth the King.

In pryvate frendschipp thay mycht veill aggre or stand wyth thayr weilfair. Thairfor since bondis of frendschipp were knytt upp amongis thaym, I prayed him adwisedly to proceid for his and thayr seurty, which I thocht culd ne wise subsist bot be frendschipp betuist these princes, wherby it was necessair that the King shuld be bownd be all meanis to the obsserving of quietnes, and the moir straictly that he shuld fynd him self obligit to hir majestie, the gretar wold be thayr seurty.

This speach, as appereth, rather did move him than satisfy him, and this was the summe of all that did passe amongis us, the particularis wherof I am constranit to lay oppen onto your honour,—albeit I shall thayrby obteyn ne bettir reputation than to descours as William Erll—to the end your honour may better judge upon the present state than I able to declayr any sownd opinion, whiche notwythstanding, I will not forbear, according to my present knauledge, to sett down onto your honour.

So farre as I can onderstand be speking wyth the King, thayr is not in all his realmis ane gentill man of whatsoever estate moyr at hir majesteis devotion than the King himself, and so wold continew be all apparence, if he shalbe sufferit to go fordwart wyth his awin inclination and love towartis hir majestie.

One the uthir part, it may veill be onderstand be confederacies and uthir proceadingis amongis suche as ar associat, that thayr meaning is to alter his mynd and to bring him to another course. If not at this present, wyth tym they mynd to perform it, as be dyvers plattis, which sum of thaym hath proponit onto the King, the summe whearof hir majesteis ambassadour, who can verray sufficiently discharge that office, will moir largely mak to your honour knawin; as also of the propre ramiedis that he hath usit and will use for ramedying of suche inconveniencis as uthervaise mycht suddanly fall owt.

Sir, to conclude this unformall lettir, I am constrenit to lay uppen of befor your honour the unquiet stat of the Master of Gray, who having fowndit his dessir to do hir majesteis service upon this argument, that the King his master culd nevir be mayde seur to hir majestie and that realm—specially having consideration to those that wer about him—oneles he shuld be imbarkit be action in eny thing that mycht concern hir majestie or be to the benefit off hir state, did conclude that he wold crave to be imployit for the leading of men in the low cuntrey. To which his dessir the Secretary and those associattis did oppone thaym selffis, wherupon ne small emulation hath growen amongis thaym, which is not removit throw eny outward aggreance, bot rather dayly incressis, in such sort as such men as luffis him faris ne bettir for his cause.

And albeit the King sayde onto myself that he wold mak offer of his peple to serve in that cuntry, and mak excus that he had beyn so long in doing thayrof, yit the party adwerse hathe since that tym so alterit his mynd that he now sayis he can not permitt any to go in that jorney oneles the Queen's majestie shall declayr onto him that the King of Spayn is hir ennemy.

And the Secretayre hath sayde to myself that the marchantis of Scotland that now fyndis sum benefit be traffique in Spain and ne favour in Inglond hath mayde sute to the King that he shuld not wythowt cause losse the favour of that cuntry.

In this midd tym that the Master hath remanit in hoip to be imployit in that service, so many Colonellis, captaynis that hath servit in the warris of befor, gentill men and knythis of gud calling hath adjoynit thaym selffis onto him, in hoip to go in that service, that his ordinar nombre of that kind of peple is verray gret, and dayly do incress.

The names of the most part of thaym pleis your honour ressave wyth pryvat notte upon sum of thaym.

Throw thayr awaiting upon him, his chargis dayly is insupportable for him to beir owt, and that which is vorst, he knoueth not how to be redde of thaym wyth favour oneles he shall satisffye thayr expectation be imploying of thaym. Bessidis this it doeth appeir that if he shall not be imployit, his credit wyth his maister the King be meanis of his unfreyndis shalbe shakin, and ane consequence he unable to do hir majestie service according to his intendit meaning.

Pitye it war that ane personnage so velle devoted to hir majesteis service and of so gud deserving shuld be in dayngeir to perish.

I will pray your honour to considre heirof, and to move my lord Tresoreir, upon whose judgement he affermeth to depend, to send him your best adwisis what shalbe metast for him to do in this mater that towchis him so neir.

The names of the Colonellis that your honour may persave to be markit hath beyn nottit wyth sum suspicious service and dowbtefull. And yit thay do afferm that thay ar able to clear thaym selffis. Two of thaym specially, Hatherston and Pawton, ar of hyh humoris, tending rather to to much than to litill, specially Pawton, that inclynis sumpart towartis mutyny.

I haif had sum speach wyth thaym all, but most specially wyth Colonell Boyd, who apperis to be of gud natur. I haif had conference wyth him upon his service that hathe beyn passit, whearin I thocht he mycht be touchit gretly in honesty, and oneles he mycht mak him to be knauin honest. In that mater I gaif him consaill that he shuld not offir him self in the present service.

He ansserit that he was weill able to mak his honesty to appeir, and wald not faill for performing thayrof to go in that cuntry, albeit it shuld be wythowt charg, wuth ane harquebus on his shulderis.

For trying thayrof in the end it was concludit that so shuld be your pleasour he wold com to yourself in Inglond, and mak his hoill cause knauin to your honour, and wold in present maner lat yow onderstand that he wold be weill able to perform sum secreit service that mycht put his honesty and reputation to be voyde of all question.

It may pleis your honour to lat me onderstand if yow rest satesffeit wythe his cumming to your honour. He myndis to departe frome thence to the Low Cuntry for performing of the service wherwyt he will mak your honour acquaynted.

I haif beyn so veryit these dayes passit wyth the ressaving of velcome from my freyndis that I culd not get lesare to vryt of eny grevar mater. Most humbly I crave your honouris favour that this lettir may mak my excus to my singular gud lord, my lord Tresoreir, whose honour I mynd to trowble wyt the reading of ill wryting, when occasion shalbe offerit of eny moir grate subject. And so craving pardon for my boldnes to trowble you wythe so long lettir, I humbly tak my leif. "From my lord ambassadouris lodging at Edinburgh." Signed: A. Douglas.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 275.

12½ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

Summary of part of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 302.

Copy of the same.

388. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 7.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 302.

In my last I wrote to your honour that the King was come from Falkland and gone to Dalkeith to pass his time two or three days. The second night after his coming thither he fell into a great looseness of his body, and withal had a very great vomit. He continued thus sick for the space of 24 hours, and after that beginning to mend the next morning found himself very well, and so he continues.

On Wednesday he came again to this town. He supped at the Master of Gray's house, to the end that he might more conveniently and secretly speak with Mr. Archibald Douglas, than at the Court. Of his departure so suddenly to Falkland—which indeed was but to see the deer that her majesty sent him taken out of the carts and put into the park—the speech was common that he was gone to the lords of the other faction, and that all the countenance and show of favour to the other noblemen was but disguised and feigned. This being found false, and his disease ensuing, the bruit was incontinent that he was poisoned, though indeed it was but a passion after some disorder of some meat eaten, or excessive travel, whereof indeed he takes too much.

He being now fully and wholly recovered I spoke with him to-day. With reverence I prayed him to forbear those excessive travels and exercises of his body, but he would rather impute the cause of his sickness to any other thing than to that. Falling into talk of the amity and league I find him remain constant in that mind that he was of at the first, and that he determined wholly to depend upon her majesty and to "roone" her fortune against the whole world.

The danger of the late conspiracy against the noblemen now in credit is "clean cut of" in all appearance. Captain James Stewart is now in Ireland with James Macconnell, as the King is surely advertised, his wife commanded to repair within 8 days to Lovat, to her own country, and not to come again till she is sent for, or to "enterwarde into the blacknesse." Colonel Stewart has his letters drawn with licence and favour of the King to travel for a space where he will, and in the same letters he is recommended to all Princes for their favour.

If now the ministers and Bishop of St. Andrews agree at this assembly, I hear of no great matter likely to trouble this State except it be fatal to the nation never to remain long quiet. I have been earnest for the expelling of the Jesuits, and specially to have Hoult delivered, which is assured to me shall be if he or any other remain in this country. The Lords Maxwell and Johnstone are likely to agree, as also the Master of Glammis and the Earl of Crawford. Lord Maxwell comes as often to the sermons as any of the lords do. He will be in a short time comparable in wisdom with the wisest nobleman in Scotland.

The Master of Glammis and the Secretary have got from the King the wardship and marriage of the Earl of Montgomery's son, being but two years of age, which in the time of his nonage is thought will be worth 10,000l. sterling to them. Whatsoever men get from him I find that little comes to his own purse, and this I see he must do, or have no life among them. What has passed between the King and Mr. Archibald, himself can best report. Only this I can say that by the King's report to me he stands bound to her majesty, in whose name no demand can here be refused, not so much as the request in favour of the poor woman that is mother already to 41 children and now again with child with one or two more.

Now that her majesty has furnished this King with deer sufficient to make him "passetute" for this summer, he has prayed me that by your honour, her majesty may be moved to lend him for the space of two months, a couple of her majesty's yeoman prickers and a couple of the grooms of the "leese" He prayed me also to put your honour in remembrance of some horses and geldings. There came lately to Leith two small barques besides those that I last wrote of, the one from Calais, the other from Boulogne. That of Calais brought letters to this ambassador. Their pretence is for salt, what other errand soever they have had hither.

Yesterday the ambassador had audience. I know nothing as yet of his business at this time. Courcelles has been very sick a good while, and is not yet well. Now having no further to trouble your honour I take my leave. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

2½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

389. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 9.]

Despatches this letter sooner than he would to advertise him of a matter of weight wherein his help above all men's is required, else no good can be done.

Never knew a more careful gentleman to bring things that her majesty desires done to a good end than the Master of Gray. This was shown by his actions in England, and is confirmed by his doings here with the King in those causes that he [Randolph] has to deal in.

His [the Master's] desire to serve in the Low Countries is for love of her majesty and good will he bears those that have undertaken so noble an enterprise. He cannot but he greatly grieved to have received no definite answer as to what account was made of his offer. He takes it more to heart, because, having been put in hope to be employed, he has entered into great charges, not only for his own provision, but also for the entertainment and keeping together of such captains and men of good service, already tried, as the like are not to be found elsewhere. He thought to have received such sums as would serve for their transporting and some "prest" money towards their furniture, but receiving no determined answer, has sent the bearer, Mr. Tirre, his servant, to pray his advice as what he may best do.

Although there was no commission from her majesty to deal with the Master in this cause, yet seeing the likelihood of good to be done through their service, was glad to find such forwardness in the Master to undertake such an enterprise.

Seeing also that the King is now willing he should go and take with him such as are willing to follow, leaves it to his wisdom to think how expedient it were that this opportunity were not omitted. He promises to be in readiness to the number of 3000 to embark within three weeks, and is the more troubled because he was lately assured by Mr. Archibald [Douglas] that he should at once have provision made, for as many as would serve that turn. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

2½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

390. Demands of Thomas Randolph, with the Scottish Secretary's Answers. [May 9.]

"Requests of Tho. [Randolph] ambassador for the Queen's majesty of England, to which he desireth to receive answer by his majesty's Secretary."

1. The delivery of such persons named by her majesty and suspected to be privy to the murder of Lord Russell.

His majesty will do according to his letter and answer thereon.

2. The taking of orders for punishing such Jesuits as lurk in this realm, and for their banishment. Order is given and shall be executed therein.

3. His persuasion of his majesty not to move any passion in him for anything written by her majesty, but rather to make the best of the same, so that good persuasion may get what would never be got by sharp words.

His majesty of his own accord has given effectual promise of his continued devotion towards the Queen, and how he intends to deal with her.

4. That his majesty will be pleased to name one earl, one baron, and one gentleman of good calling, as his commissioners, to "win" with the like, nominated by her majesty.

Commissioners shall be appointed as desired.

5. The appointment of someone to accompany Thomas Milles to Berwick to receive the money sent by her majesty for the King.

Already done.

1 p. Answers written by Thomas Milles. Indorsed by Thomas Randolph.

Cott. Calig., C. IX fol. 207 b. Lansd., 49 fol. 163.

Copy of the same.

Another copy of the same.

Another copy of the same. Lansd., 49, fol 163.

391. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 10.]

"Sir, beand occupyit wyth writting to Skotland, I can not gudly repayr towartes your honour befor the ambassadour shall depart, and thayrfor must trouble your honour wyth these few lynes of remembrance.

It may pleass your honour to writ to Sir Jhon Selby, to advyse wyth the Justice Clerk how his letteris may be seurly conveyit to your honour, and if so be your pleassour, the order of sending of thaym to Sir Jhon Forestar salbe surest.

It may pleis your honour to writ to the Bischopp of Durham and to Lord Jhon Hamilton, if it be no alreddy don, to meit the Justice Clerk at Durham or Newcastell upon the 13 of May. It may pleis your honour to lat the Justice Clerk onderstand if the writting send be hir Majestie to the King for takin ordour of this forgit copy presentit be the Lard of Jhonston be alreddy send away, or if he shall cary it; and in lyk maner to deliver onto him all uthir letteris to his majestie or to the Erll of Arrayn, befor his returning from court, wher he presently is, for his leif takin of my lordis tresoreir and Hundesdon.

I am in the gretar payn to writ at lenth to the Maister of Gray, be resson I persave be hir majesteis spekin that it hath beyn hir plessour to wryt the sam mater to him that sche communicat to the Justice Clerk, which is expresse contrary to formar determination, that I most neadis persuade to be performit.

All uthir mater concerning the said ambassadouris depesch I must leif to your honouris better memory." Signed: A. Douglas.

1¼ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

392. James VI. to Elizabeth. [May 10.]

Has received her last letter from her ambassador, and doubts not she will accept in good part his plain sincerity in answering.

Surely if he was not fully resolved to continue and augment his great goodwill towards her he would never have entered so far in this course. Yet she had exhorted him to perform his professed goodwill as if he were still in doubt what course to run.

Since nearness of blood, vicinity of realms, conformity of language and religion have moved him to enter into such inward amity, she may rest assured that his affection, built on such godly grounds, cannot fall.

Since she mislikes the sending of the instrument to be subscribed by her, blames her other weighty affairs that have made her forget how first by Wotton, and then by Randolph, she desired him to form a letter tending to the same effect as the instrument sent by him does. The word "pretended" was to be added to the word "title" and any alteration of his course was to render the letter of no avail.

Looked therefore to his letter corrected rather than rejected, and complains to herself, appealing "a regina male consulta ad reginam bene consultam."

Prays that hereafter she will use him mutually as by William Keith she desired him to use her.

Protests that his rude plainness proceeds neither from pride nor malice, but from mere love and affection, and prays she will ever account him her most steadfast and devoted friend.

Postscript.—The deliverance of the men for the repair of her honour shall be accomplished with all possible diligence according to her ambassador's information.

1½ pp. Copy. Indorsed by Randolph's clerk, "In the postscript is promised the delivery of the Carrs."

Another copy of the same.

393. Archbishop of Glasgow to Mary. [May 10.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Since my letters of the last of March I had an audience of the Most Christian King on the 24th of April upon three points, concerning one of which I wrote to you in an open letter. One of the two others is only to sue for the liberty of Master Morgan, and the other to entreat his majesty to order that justice be done upon a false, impudent impostor who has been taken prisoner in this town at the instance of Mr. Paget, who thought to cozen him of a thousand crowns by false tokens and forged letters from Throgmorton; who had also presented himself about two years ago to the late Pope Gregory as bastard brother of the King your son, with counterfeit letters as from his hand, and some instructions also signed by his hand; all well signed, and sealed with his seal, also counterfeit. He was placed by the late Holy Father in the castle of St. Angé, and some time afterwards, through the practices of some cardinals who were supposed to have intelligence in England, was removed, and sent to the inquisition and to the Holy Father, and is now released: or at the least that it would please his majesty to cause your ambassador in Scotland to be informed, in order to know the will and intention of the King of Scotland. On this subject I was referred by his majesty to Pinart, and the next day answer was made to me by him that as to Morgan his majesty had told him that he might content himself, as he had saved his life; and as to the impostor provision would be made; and he has not yet been able to obtain anything else. It is true that the inferior civil judge, in whose hands the said impostor is, told me that Monsieur de Villeroy had ordered him on his majesty's behalf not to proceed to the trial of the said impostor without express commandment from his said majesty: and told me moreover that he has discovered that he is a spy of the Queen of England and of Mr. Walsingham. He is a good Catholic with the Catholics, witness his deliverance from the inquisition; speaking well Latin, Italian, Spanish, German and English; and a Huguenot with the Huguenots, very cunning, and wicked beyond expression. I do not know what will become of him. I have had no audience of the Queen mother, because she was suffering from the gout.

As to what I told you in my last about the army which was being prepared in Savoy, all that has gone off in smoke, because they were not able to obtain the consent of the Most Christian King. And now the army of Spain is advancing rapidly, and the Spanish ambassador has told me that this should be the finest army by sea there has been in our age: that the design of the king his master is to attack England openly, and that he has been much irritated by the actions of Drake, who has ravaged Hispaniola, burnt half the town of St. Domingo, forced the inhabitants to ransom the other half by ready money; and it is believed that he has taken booty in the said island of more than two millions of gold in ready money and jewels, and has since retired to Aubala where he intends managing his affairs no less ill. It is a pity the Spaniards are so dilatory, for they very often let almost all be lost before they are sensible of it. He told me moreover that his master had communicated his design of the enterprise of England to his Holiness, from whom he could obtain no reply, and that he was in a great rage. It is expedient—if your majesty approves to advise me in few words meanwhile how I am to conduct myself. For the rest, your majesty shall at this time receive the 12,000 crowns; as you will see by the annexed papers there are already 4,000 in hand. He is hourly expecting the rest, but intends to retain the whole until he knows your will, and what your majesty shall ordain will be obeyed and executed with all diligence.

La Rue has been sent to Rome by his Catholic Majesty, and we have not had any letters from him since his departure. He escaped finely by going to Spain, and has twice been in the hands of his enemies.

The affairs of Scotland are—as I understand by the last letters I received from Scotland, which are of the 12th of March—in like state as I told you by my last, without any change, except that the [ ] is out of the castle of Edinburgh, having the town and two miles round for prison. The Master of Gray out of all credit with the King, and then endeavouring to levy 3,000 or 4,000 men in order to make his way to the Low Countries to the service of the Earl of Leicester.

The Earl of Arran has been commanded to leave Scotland, and Fentray tells me that his majesty had ordered him to write to me to favour him in all that might be in my power, for his majesty heard that he was to make the journey hither, and had recommended him to the Most Christian King and to Monsieur de Guise your cousin; and that his majesty continued more than ever his wonted affection to the lords, the Earls of Huntly, Crawford and Montrose, and others of that faction, and that he was preparing to go to Falkland after the feast of Easter, where, in the opinion of some, some change might be made. He bears a very ill countenance towards Angus and Mar.

The Hamiltons are very welcome, and particularly my lord Claude. The said Fentray tells me also that [ ] had told him that the King your son was after finding some means of restoring himself to your good grace, and that if means were not found in those parts he had decided to send hither John Cheisholme with letters to your majesty to be sent to you by my means.

I am still troubled whether my last have reached your majesty, which were put into the hands of Master Paget, and were the first in cipher that I have yet sent by way of Monsieur de Chasteauneuf. If the method succeeds as I desire I will not fail to let your majesty know very often and fully all that shall happen here: and at present nothing is talked of but that peace is to be made. The ambassadors of Denmark who came hither for this purpose have returned somewhat ill pleased: those of the Protestant princes of Germany and of the Swiss are expected, and I believe they will fare no better, for the King is resolved to do nothing at the desire of another, even of his neighbours; and as he told the said ambassadors of Denmark, he did not meddle at all with the state of the King their master, and therefore he begged him to let him do as he pleased in his own state. The Huguenots were never so low as they are now. Monsieur de Laval and his three brothers and his sister, and some say his son aged eighteen months or thereabouts, are all dead since Easter, as also Monsieur de Rohan, and there remain as leaders only the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condé and the Viscount of Turenne. The said King of Navarre has abandoned Guienne and is at present at St. Jean d'Angely and in the environs in the houses of Monsieur de la Trimouille, who lately gave his sister in marriage to the said Prince of Condé.

The 20th of May 1586, my lord of Guise departed yesterday from this town, but ill content that since his arrival at this court he has done nothing to his advantage, but has lost many of his adherents, such as D'Entragues, the elder Do., St. Luc and others, who have singly made their reconciliation with the king. The marriage of the princess of Lorraine is postponed to All Saints, the King having assured the mother and also the son that he could not do it sooner on account of the occupations of the war. The greater part are of opinion that it will not take place so soon, and even, however good a face he may put upon it to this one and that, that he has no desire that this marriage should take place. The army of Guienne has lain idle these two months past on account of the illness of Mylord of Mayenne, and for want of money; but now that the said lord begins to recover it is thought that he will attack Montauban, having already cleared all the river Garonne. And for conclusion of this present letter, there is nothing in this court for any man living except for the two brothers of the King, and yet all that can be seized is not sufficient to satisfy them. One of the two, Monsieur Joyeuse, makes great preparations by sea; it is suspected that it is in order to join with the forces of England to hinder the army of Spain in its design against England. Nevertheless the said lord of Guise told me that the Queen of England had offered to the Most Christian King half of the booty that Drake should have taken in the Indies, and half of the whole conquest that should be thereafter made, provided that his majesty would join with her; which his said majesty had quite flatly refused. But I fear that all that is in hand has not been communicated to my said lord, and for the rest that he was not at the commencement of the said league.

3 pp. French. Indorsed: "The Archb. of Glasco to the Scottish Q. Decifred per Phelippes."

394. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 11.]

The King has accepted her majesty's offers and accorded to all her demands.

Sent Thomas Milles to-day, to Berwick, to deliver the money to such as were appointed by the King, who has received the league subscribed by her majesty, and prays him to send his part, subscribed by him, to her.

The persons demanded for her majesty's satisfaction for Lord Russell's murder are written for to appear before the King and his Council, and to enter themselves as prisoners in Carlisle to Lord Scrope, upon pain of forfeiture of lands and life.

The noblemen to meet her majesty's commissioners are either the Earl Rothes or Marshall, Lord Boyd, and some other gentlemen of credit, not yet named.

Sends this short note of all their proceedings, minding to send a full discourse of all their doings, which though now brought to a good pass, were done with great difficulty. The fault however was not in the King. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

395. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 12.]

Since my last letter the Secretary came to me twice at my lord ambassador's lodgings, at the King's direction, he said.

He complained of the King's sudden proceedings towards the league, and declared that her majesty's hard dealing, and not keeping of promises, offered just occasion for the King to refuse to go any further. With the particular breaches he had acquainted the ambassador by commandment from his master.

He said also that the King desired to speak with me upon this matter, and appointed Sir Robert Melville's lodging for that affair. He prayed me to give him my best advice in the matter. For his own part he could not consider that it was fit for him to lose all his friends abroad, and not to be sure of her majesty.

I answered that so far as I could understand the King was so far proceeded in that matter that it could not be called back, but I would be glad to hear his own inclination therein, and in what terms he stood to other princes. He answered that so long as the King was dealing with her majesty, no other prince would deal or meddle with him, but if he should leave off dealing with her majesty he might receive such matters as would be to his full contentment from other princes.

I demanded if the King was inclined thereto by himself. He confessed that it was hard to make him find any fault with this dealing, or with not keeping the points they alleged were not performed, but this far they had dealt with him, that he would hear me reason upon the matter. Thereafter they have good hope that he will go forward in some good course for his own good.

My lord ambassador, being acquainted with their desires, prevented the "time," and dealt so wisely with the King that he has disappointed their whole intention. Nevertheless I was sent for to meet his majesty, at the place before mentioned, where I was first dealt with by the Secretary, Sir Robert Melville, and others.

I said I would speak with the King in the presence of whom he pleased, and they whom he chose should hear my speech with his majesty. The Secretary, notwithstanding the conclusion reached before, wherewith the ambassador had instructed the King, spoke much in the way he spoke to me the day before, and he alone remained in the house with the King.

His majesty, after he had made some small complaints of the Queen's spare dealing with him, which had made him think he was not esteemed worthy of what had heretofore been promised, asked my opinion how these matters might be helped.

I answered that it would be necessary for her majesty to know how far he had gone forward with her ambassador, hitherto. The Secretary interrupted and alleged that there were many matters that had been promised and not performed that would give the King just occasion to leave off dealing, if he did not see the performance thereof.

I answered that I could hardly believe this of the Queen of England who had been so careful of him from his cradle, and that no prince could complain she had broken promise. The King was beholden to her, who had dealt so carefully for his welfare, and I prayed he would declare his own inclination in this matter.

He declared, in the presence of the Secretary, that he was never minded to offend her majesty, and that it was not so much for good fortune as love that he was minded to keep her friendship.

After I had heard the King with no small affection, I confirmed him in all his speeches with all the arguments I could—seeing how dangerous it would be to let their dealings with the French ambassador proceed—if he should keep that course. He appeared well satisfied, and said to the Secretary that all my speech was true, and that he could only do what he had concluded with her majesty's ambassador.

The Secretary finding himself disappointed of what he looked for, drew the King to the end of the room, and after some speech between them, whereof I know not, his highness came to me and asked if it would be to his welfare if I went to her majesty, and returned before the meeting of the commissioners, to let her understand his meaning in these matters, and that his realm misliked that he should go forward in this matter without some special commodity to themselves, especially in the matter of the merchants.

I answered that I was ready to serve him in any part of the world, but I could not see how that commission could agree with his princely honour that the day before had concluded the contrary. Her majesty's ambassador had already made certification thereof to her highness.

Besides I said I had returned into his majesty's realm to be cleared of certain crimes wherewith I was charged, and would be sorry to go to her majesty or any of dignity unless I were cleared.

His majesty desired me to think of his speech and advertise him of my determination, and departed as if he would not be offended if I refused such a commission.

The Secretary has since sent me message that if I do not accept the charge the King will think I bear no good mind to his service, and that my trial, in that case would not be so easy as I supposed.

I have answered that, if I could be so well rid of him as of the King, I would not be greatly "inpeschit" therewith, but that if he thought to make me accept any commission whereby I might receive disgrace in any other realm as it seemed he would make me receive in Scotland, he would be disappointed, and if it came to the worst, I knew the way from whence I came.

The King is now hunting, and is to remain three days. At his return we are likely to have more, whereof your honour shall have advertisement. Edinburgh. Signed: A. Douglas.

4 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

Summary of part of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 285.

Copy of the same, dated May 11.

396. Thomas Milles to Walsingham. [May 12.]

Leaves the discourse of the difficulty with which things have been effectuated since his coming to the ambassador.

Now takes occasion to let him know that the money was delivered to-day to such as the King sent for the same; viz., Roger Ashton, and William Hume, brother of Sir James Hume of Cowdenknowes, the lieutenant of his guard. This being done returns to Edinburgh in the morning.

Will find how it fares with Mr. Archibald Douglas from his own letter sent herewith.

The only matter awry here is the Master of Gray. Found him so ready at his coming that he expected money by him to pay his people, but he will understand more hereof by Mr. Archibald Douglas's letter, and by Thomas Tiry, who should be with him in a few days.

The general assembly began on Tuesday last. The King called it from the "tolbuith" in the afternoon down to the Abbey, where he cleared himself, by a long speech, of the ill reports made of him touching religion, and offered to yield a confession of his faith if they stood in doubt of him, greatly to the comfort of the hearers.

The King himself nominated Mr. David Lindsay to be Moderator, the rest agreeing thereto. The archbishop was not at that time there. Berwick. Signed: Tho. Milles.

[Written on the back.]—Received by me Roger Ashton gentleman, servant to the King's majesty of Scotland, of the right honourable Thomas Randolph, esquire, ambassador for the Queen's majesty of England with the said King, by the hands of Mr. Thomas Milles, within the town of Berwick, for and to the use of the said King.

1 p. Addressed. "To the right honourable Sir Francis Walsingham, knight, her majesty's principal secretary." Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 286.

Copy of the same.

397. James VI.'s Speech to the States concerning the League in Religion with England. [May.]

Has been moved by two causes to send for them, to ask their advice at this time.

1. Among the benefits bestowed by God upon His elect and Church are the trial and sifting out of the good chosen from the bad hypocrites. What greater trial to the faithful can there be than the confederating together of all bastard Christians—the Papists who are termed holy, though most unholy in very truth—for the subversion of true religion in all realms? The matter is manifest to them all by the report of the smallest merchant who travels.

Their leaguers are Frenchmen and Spaniards, assisted by the King of Spain and the Pope's money. Their performance is to be resisted for three causes—to wit—conscience, honour, and love of themselves. If they attain their purpose they will destroy them and whatsoever they possess, unless they renounce Christ Jesus.

The love of themselves and their honour cannot permit the first, and their consciences cannot permit the latter course, therefore craves their advices what is meetest to be done for the remedies hereof.

His own opinion is that a counter-league be made for joining together all Christian princes, to defend themselves in case of the other's invasion. Such would be harmful to none, profitable to themselves, acceptable to God, and wise in the sight of the world.

The Queen of England, being not only a true Christian but nearest to them in neighbourhood, consanguinity, and goodwill, thinks it meetest a league first and most straightly be made with her.

Has therefore, made a form of act to be subscribed by them, wherein they promise to ratify in parliament whatsoever articles he or any in his name should conclude with her.

For their more ample information the Act shall be publicly read in their hearing.

2 pp. No flyleaf or address.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 296.

Copy of the same.

Another copy of the same. Indorsed.

Another copy of the same, the title in Thomas Randolph's hand.

398. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 12.]

"I haif so laytely vrittin onto you concerning the Maister [of Gray] his sut that I neyd not to trowble you any fordar in that mater, onely this excepted, that becaus he ressavit no derect ansser nather was put in confort be Mr. Millis of this voiage in the Law Cuntrey which he be all meanis pressis to haisten fordwart, he hath thocht it the most expedient way for the advancing thayrof to send this berar Thomas Tyrye—to your honour knauin—to procure sum assurit ansser thayrof at your handis.

How farr it doeth import him I must leif to your honouris moir grave consideration, as also the state of my auin cause which it may ples your honour moir playnly to onderstand be my next letter, which shall com in my lord ambassadour his pacquitt."Edinburgh. Signed: A. Douglas.

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

399. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. [May 12.] C.P., vol. XVII.

By his [Walsingham's] directions John Magalay, a Frenchman, has been permitted to have speech with one Camille du Preau, whom in his letters he terms "valet de chambre." The truth is that the said Camille is the massing priest about whom he had advertised him before.

Magalay had conference with Preau in his [Powlet's] presence for the space of thirty minutes. The chief cause of his coming was a matter of debt, in which Camille behaved very liberally.

They resemble each other so much that he thinks they are brothers.

The Lord Treasurer wishes to know immediately how the expenses of the Queen of Scots' household can be lessened.

It is not his place to give orders, but to obey.

It may please him to have these letters delivered to Mr. Darell by one of his servants, for it is necessary for him to have them to satisfy the Lord Treasurer. Chartley. Signed: A. Powlet.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

400. Earl of Leicester to the Master of Gray. [May 12.]

"My good sone, I wreat yat lettre by an other twa dayis pas which suld have goun by this messinger, thinking he had bene gon, for yat I did mak him stay somquhat long and was removed wit my camp to this place. Now he is come and thocht he com late yet is ye fault myne, and I do refer yow to my former lettre which he suld have careit and I dispassched by a messinger of Colonell Balfordis, by quhome also I wreat in your lettres to ye Queen's majestie brefely. If those lettres quaill this yis ye effect yat I desyre, yat I desyre greatlie to speik wit yow, if it may be possibile for ye service of his majeste, being of great importance, or wit some werray trustie and discreit gentileman yat ye s'all commend to me: quairupon I assure myself thair will folow greit occasione to sett yow on work here, and perhappis your maister, but ye most use great expeditione, the occasion is but newlie offered, and yit mus be spedelie and werray spedelie presenttit, so fair ye weill. In all haist this 11 of May at Arhame (Arnheim] your loving fordar.

½ p. Copy. Indorsed: "My lord of Leicester to the Master of Gray."

401. Thomas Randolph to Burghley. [May 13.]

Matters of late have gone so far awry, the noblemen being discontented that the King yielded to so great a matter as in granting the league by himself without them, that for a time his travail seemed in vain. It fell out otherwise, by a former short letter signified to the Secretary, which he is doubtless already made privy to.

They remain discontented with their King, and, so far as they dare speak, with her majesty that they are so meanly thought of that a cause which binds both themselves and posterity should be ended without their advice.

However they think or take it, it is now concluded, and all her majesty's demands are agreed unto by the King under the hope that the first sum of 20,000 crowns granted—as they say—shall be yielded to by her majesty. By it he shall be assured she will suffer nothing prejudicial to be done to his pretended right during her highness's life.

The King seems specially grieved with some words in her majesty's letter as not tending to that good acceptance of his doings that he looked for; and also that she should think him ill-advised—as her majesty writes—by his brave councillors.

Excuses all the best he can, and has brought him [the King] rather content to bury it in silence than to deal further in a matter past and remedyless.

Defers him for all other matters touching his negotiation to his letter to the Secretary.

Has a copy of the King's letter to her majesty, but cannot come by hers to him. Sends the former to him, and will if possible send the other hereafter. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

1²/3 pp. Addressed. Indorsed: "Mr. Randolph to my L …, (fn. 1) from Edinburgh."

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 286 b. Lansd. 49, fol. 164.

Copy of the same.

Draft of the same.

402. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. [May.] C.P., vol. XVII.

The meeting last week was postponed and a new day and place appointed by the "honest man." This was kept. At this time trusted that at last some good success would follow, though he had been in great doubt ever since he received a letter in cipher from Curll to his [Walsingham's] friend. By this it appeared that his mistress, finding herself pressed to make speedy answer, forbore, when she had formerly resolved to write.

Does not mistrust the fidelity of his friend, but he fears that his youth and want of experience have not been answerable to his good will, and for want of judgment he has made a mistake in writing to the Queen.

Can easily judge from his [the friend's] letters that he is lacking in that discretion necessary for dealing with such subtle matters. His service was very acceptable to these people in the beginning, and with temperance his credit towards them would have increased daily. It may be that everything will turn out well, and that he [Powlet] has no cause to write thus to him, but his suspicions are so strong that it is his duty to impart them to him.

At yesterday's meeting the "honest man" told the "substitute" that as yet he could get no despatch from this Queen, since she had deferred it until Whitsunday [in the margin, May 22]. Thereupon a new meeting is appointed for Tuesday in Whitsun week.

The "substitute" was vexed that he had lingered here in vain for three weeks, and his cousin expected him in London before this time.

The "honest man" prayed him cheerfully to have patience, saying that this Queen had sent him word that she could not send him as good news now as she hoped to do within three weeks. This clause seems to have some other meaning.

The "substitute" concluded that he or his cousin would not fail to keep the appointed time of meeting. The packet for this Queen received yesterday from Mr. Phelippes shall be carried by the "substitute" to the "honest man's" house, having no other means to deliver the same with such speed as is required. It may be that this new packet will give new credit to the "substitute." Unsigned.

2 pp. In Sir Amias Powlet's hand. Indorsed: "A secret note from Sir Amias Powlet."

403. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. [May.] C.P., vol. XVII.

The packet sent for this Queen was delivered to the "honest man" at his house on the 7th of this month by the "substitute," who could not by any means persuade him to deliver the same here before the 14th, excusing himself by the reason that his constant going and coming might rouse suspicion.

Whereas by his last letter he signified to him that the "honest man" had appointed the Tuesday in Whitsun week for his next meeting with the "substitute," he has now shortened the time and agreed to meet him on the 17th of this month. So there is good hope of better success than his last letters imported. The "substitute" finds the "honest man" very well satisfied and altogether void of suspicion. Unsigned.

½ p. In Sir Amias Powlet's hand. Indorsed.

404. An Extract of Sundry Arguments of The French King's Good Inclination to the Amity of England out of the Intercepted Letters to and from the Scottish Queen. [May.]

Whereas the King of Spain hath of long time of malice or ambition intended an enterprise against England, under colour of procuring liberty to the Scottish Queen and re-establishing the Catholic religion within this isle, and for that purpose hath practised with the Pope and the house of Guise in France, who promised their assistance therein; and the preparations have been sundry times in great forwardness, as her Majesty hath in former times discovered and now by these intercepted letters doth plainly understand; she further findeth that the chief stay and impediment of the said Spanish King's proceedings hath been the resolution which he and his ministers have found in the King of France at all times not to suffer the said Spanish King to attempt anything to the prejudice of her majesty and this realm.

Insomuch as the Bishop of Glasgow for answer of the Scottish Queen's letters of the 31st of January last, touching that point whereby she desired to know what the Pope and the King of Spain did now pretend for the said enterprise, writeth in his letters unto her of the last of March 1586: "His Holiness makes semblance of being very affectionate to you." [See Bishop of Glasgow to Mary, 31 March 1586.]

½ p. Extract.

Another copy of the same, with slight differences.

405. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 13.]

In his last letter sent a note of that whereof he promised to write more at large, leaving all matters concerning Mr. Archibald Douglas to himself to write. Knows he has dealt honestly concerning her majesty since his coming, and doubts not but he will so continue.

Was sent for by the King soon after he heard of Milles' return. The first question was of her majesty's health, and what news Milles had brought.

Told him the effect of her majesty's letter sent to him. Was assured that he would continue to embrace her majesty's friendship above all other, and to maintain his religion in this country.

Touching Captain Stewart, Colonel Stewart and the Jesuits, the Captain is already out of the country, the Colonel departs shortly, and he promises that he will not suffer a Jesuit to remain in his realm, and there is not one now in, to his knowledge.

Told him he would be better informed touching the instrument by her majesty's own letter to him. He constantly affirms that Mr. Wotton offered 20,000 crowns yearly in her majesty's name, and considers himself as worthy of the whole sum this year as he was the last, for that he had discontented some of his noblemen and councillors already, and must discontent more greater than himself, meaning the Kings of France and Spain. But he would leave it to her majesty's will.

Concerning the choice of commissioners, he will confer with his Council.

Touching the delivery of the persons charged to be guilty of Lord Russell's death to Lord Scrope, he says it shall be performed as soon as conveniently might be.

Having received these answers, delivered unto him her majesty's letter in her own hand, which in the reading caused him divers times to change colour. In the end he said that having testified his love for her majesty by his letters, and confirmed the same by his actions, he found it strange to receive such a letter. He called his Secretary, and willed him to keep it.

Essayed to find out the offence. Could get no more at that time, but that he would speak with him again next morning, so took his leave.

The Secretary came in the afternoon, sent by the King. He discoursed on how the King was brought to yield to the league, whereunto some had consented, but a number had no liking thereunto. He had subscribed the same without the consent of many for love of her majesty. Having lost all other princes' affection and put himself in her majesty's hands, he finds that what was promised is not performed, and no account made of his good will.

He declared his majesty had Mr. Wotton's writing besides his word for promise of 20,000 crowns, and affirmed that the instrument to be subscribed was promised both by Mr. Wotton and himself [Randolph].

He concluded with how much his majesty was grieved, and the discontent of the nobility that so great a matter as the league should pass, and not one of them made of council to it. He added the benefits enjoyed in France since the making of the league that were already lost or likely to follow, and that he was in suspicion of the nobleman, as the only adviser of the King to do as he had done.

Said he knew not what sum Mr. Wotton had offered, but for himself no man could say he had promised any certain sum, for in his instructions a void place was left for the sum.

Told him that he misliked the instrument sent to her majesty, at the first sight, and noted the places of his misliking particularly, in the margin. Denied some of his speeches, excused some, and of some made the best, but departed from him, neither being satisfied.

In speech with the King was desirous of hearing the words and cause of unkindness in her majesty's letter. He said hereafter he would take better advice in his doings, but for her majesty's sake no man should see her letter except his Secretary and the Master of Gray.

Had long speech with him on this matter, but nothing eased his sorrow till he had taken resolution to write again to her majesty. Then offered to his majesty the league subscribed by the Queen, but was begged to keep it for a time.

Desired to know who should be the commissioners, and was told he had not thought upon them. Touching the murderers of Lord Russell, it should be performed, for in justice, said he, he was bound to do it.

Prayed to know whether he would receive the money sent by her majesty, and was told it required no haste. Not liking these speeches, told him his majesty's answers seemed to tend either to a refusal of the league and breach of kindness, or to such a delay as perchance [it] might not be in his power to perform it when he would. It cannot, said he, at this time be otherwise.

Finding him in this tune for three days, advised him otherwise, and put him in remembrance of benefits heretofore received, and not to be forgotten too hastily, where great benefits might ensue. So ended their talk, neither of them being well pleased.

Roger Ashton came to him the same day with assurances from the King that the league should take effect, and willing him to be with his majesty the next day. Did so, the Secretary being present soon after.

The points debated were the diminishing of the sum promised, and non-performance of that which was offered.

Touching the instrument the King questioned whether it were better to leave all matters till her majesty was written to, and answer received, or to proceed with the league, and trust to her courtesy to have that obtained hereafter that was now in suspense. The Secretary was all "in" delay. Insisted on the contrary, and affirmed more money was sent than was promised—for all payments were commonly made half yearly, and her majesty had sent so much as was due for one year, lacking only 1,000l., if the uttermost of their demands were just.

The King would no longer stand in this matter. Said therefore her majesty had satisfied her promise made by him, which was to assure him either by instrument or letter, and she had done so by her letter. Desired the sight of it, which could not be obtained.

The King said that nothing should make unkindness between her majesty and himself, and he would continue as he had begun.

Was prayed by him to write thus to her majesty, and to endeavour to persuade the having of the whole sum promised, and some assurance that nothing be done against the right he pretends. He then took the league, delivered the same to the Secretary, accepted a note of demands, and willed the Secretary to see them answered.

Took leave of his majesty, being told by the King himself that there should be no more dispute in the matter, and that he would send next day to Berwick for the money.

The King's letter to her majesty was brought the same night to him by Roger [Aston], who informed him it was rather an opening of his grief than any unkindness.

What cunning working there has been with Mr. Archibald Douglas is already written by him. Whereas the Queen in her letter desires he will inform the King that she understands the French ambassador was here secretly to treat with him about his marriage, wherein he promised he would use her majesty's advice, is assured by his majesty to the contrary.

The embassy into Denmark is now unspoken of, but still intended.

Mr. Archibald Douglas is so well liked by some of these men that he hopes to be employed in that way or some other, rather than be near the King himself. He is not yet restored nor tried for his innocence, therefore meant to have had him accept the embassy to her majesty. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

6 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

406. Sir John Maitland to [Walsingham]. [May 16.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 300.

Sir, whereas the King my sovereign by good desert merited most kindly dealing, and justly expected a full satisfaction in such things as in reason cannot be denied, chiefly a security promised that his title to the succession in that crown should nowise be prejudiced, he received a letter all written with the Queen's own hand, but uttering more diffidence in him and reproach to his Councillors than containing good security of the indemnity of his title. As his majesty has no great occasion to rest well satisfied therewith, so must I confess for my own part, I received no small grief, finding—with some notes of disdain—so small correspondence to my master's good hope and deserving.

The time, full of perils, and the estate of both the Princes requires a mutual amity and inward friendship void of all miscontentment and jealousies, and such reciprocal kindness as may permit no defect on either part, wherein I am fully persuaded you will bear record that the King my master has carried himself with such sincerity that he may abide the trial of the most rigorous censors of true amity, having omitted no part of a well devoted friend.

If you have heard or may conceive otherwise of his actions or procedure, I beseech you to let me know it, as I on the other part may be bold somewhat to expostulate with you, not for anything done amiss by you, or any intention I have to retard the course of the good intelligence between these two Crowns, which I have always done my best endeavour to nourish and increase so far as my small power and credit might serve, but partly for the duty I owe to my sovereign, and the careful zeal I am bound to carry in his service, and partly being overcharged with so weighty a burden as without good aid I may not well sustain.

Seeing—as I doubt not—you have heard the estates of this realm devolved their whole power concerning the league in his majesty and such of his Council as he liked to choose, whereof it pleased him to employ or use the advice of no other but of me alone, it will be commonly thought their so great confidence in yielding this whole action of so great moment in his hands required in him the greater discretion and more provident care over them, and in me—to whom only he imparted his proceedings—the more watchful eye and greater solicitude, on whom the blame of all that shall be judged disadvantageous in the treaty will be rejected.

If his majesty by his earnest affection towards the Queen your sovereign has been induced to neglect his security and "indent" with more slender caution than his estates can allow, whereby they may be moved either to refuse to yield their assent and concurrences at all, or with contrary disposition unwillingly to obey, I believe you will esteem it more honourable for the Queen to requite his frank dealing and friendly mind with the greater courtesy and better condition, that the world may see he has obtained more by trusting so confidently to her kindness than could have been required by straight contract or common capitulation.

I doubt not when her majesty shall advisedly perpend what so friendly a consideration, proceeding of her own accord, may avail her both in honour and other ways, she shall make no great difficulty to grant further than has been either craved or promised, as well towards the security of the King's title and yearly gratuity, as also towards such articles as are not yet fully agreed upon in the league, which indeed are more meet for the most part to be freely yielded unto than remitted to commissioners.

If you will use your wit and credit in this behalf, which I most earnestly beseech you to do, you shall greatly oblige the King my sovereign, and vindicate myself from some peril. Besides that, the treaty shall proceed with the firm good will of both the states, and have such issue and effect as all good men wish.

Let not, I pray you, my round dealing in this subject or my request offend you, taking consideration the necessity of the cause, my master's will and my own danger, which has enforced me hereto. I have conferred more amply with Mr. Randolph, who I doubt not will communicate all to you. So after my heartiest commendations I commit you to God's holy protection. From the Court at Holyrood House. Signed: Jo. Maitland.

1½ pp. No address or indorsement.

407. Dr. Fletcher to [Walsingham]. [May 17.]

Knowing his good care for the Church of God, has noted what has passed hitherto in the General Assembly begun on the 10th instant.

The ambassador at his last writing conferred with him about his [Fletcher's] abode in this country, after his own return, for such service as should be thought meet.

Has advised well upon it pro et contra, and referred himself to him again, that he might mention thereof to him [Walsingham], who can best judge whether he is meet for that service, or that for him.

Is not desirous to follow any ambitious course, yet having striven with the world to attain to somewhat wherewith to set himself forward, and being yet destitute of means, would be glad to be employed by him, to whom he has vowed his service.

Refers himself both in this and whatsoever may be commanded to his pleasure. Edinburgh. Signed: G. Fletcher.

½ p. Indorsed, "from Doctor Fletcher."

408. Master of Gray to Walsingham. [May 17.]

Being advertised by her majesty's ambassador of a despatch, has taken occasion to write to the Earl of Leicester, and as before prays that Thomas Tyrie may have his despatch. Is harmed both in mind and substance by the long delay in the matter.

Mr. Archibald Douglas is shortly to be put to a trial, for the King, since his last, has condescended to all things. They who before opposed themselves are now content.

Although the matter is not great, yet if the 1,000l. can be had, let it be. Had enough to do to cause the King to receive it, and some directly opposed themselves, and were glad to have occasion. Her majesty need not know so much. From Court. Signed: Master of Gray.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

409. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 18.]

Has received his letter of 9th May willing him to make enquiry for one Peter French, servant to a Spaniard of Dunkirk, speaking English, and suspected of dealing with the French ambassador, Papists, Jesuits, and others.

Finds it to be true. He comes as a merchant, is factor for divers, convoys Papists and their goods—which are said to be to the value of 40,000l.—from the Low Countries and other parts, to be sent from here to Spain. He is the principal conveyer of such traffic, brings and carries whatever passes between the Guises and the Spanish ambassador, and is looked to as the man upon whose return depends the hope to win the King.

This is the cause that labour has been made to stay the league only for a month or forty days. Writes this now, but will make him privy to other matters touching this traffic when he shall be better informed.

The King desires the commissioners be not so long put off as the beginning of July, knowing what danger comes by delay. If this were done he would go to Stirling, Dundee, and St. Johnstone, and return before August to hunt—as he calls them—the Queen's bucks. He therefore desires that the commissioners meet and perform all solemnities on 19th June, being his birthday, and that it be speedily resolved.

Some here are still in hand with him to send an ambassador to her majesty, thinking by that way that he shall be satisfied in his desires contained in the instrument before the meeting of the commissioners.

All men now forbear to make further suit the King concerning the league.

Doubts of many, and would wish they were eased, qualified or rectified with some drachm of "aurum potabile" that the devil choke them. They will do nothing but for money, of which sort, from one will presently send a letter.

Is willed by his majesty to put him in remembrance of a "plackart" from her majesty to buy horses, if her majesty be not pleased to bestow half a dozen upon him, as also for leave for a couple of the yeomen prickers, and two yeomen of the line, to be here with him a month to teach him to hunt. He hopes those requests will be granted, as he will be ready to do for her majesty what he may.

The men suspected of Lord Russell's slaughter shall shortly be delivered to Lord Scrope, as the King wrote to her majesty with his own hand. They are to be in this town on Friday before the King and Council to hear their charge.

Thinks the man who slew him will be found, but dare write nothing.

The money was paid at Berwick. Now sends an acquittance for the same. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 292.

Copy of the same.

410. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 18.]

On the 13th instant, the day before the King's return, came the Provost of Lincluden and Sir Robert Melville, directed from the Secretary, to let me understand that the said Secretary received in very evil part that I should conceive any opinion that he had moved the King to press me to accept any unpleasant message upon me, and that before the receiving of my trial, whereof he could be contented to let his own part be known in presence of them two, and of the Justice Clerk—equal friends, as they alleged, to both.

For that effect they thought we should meet in the Justice Clerk's house that night after "sowpar." I yielded to their desire, desiring them to put the Secretary in remembrance that he, being "advena in terra Ægiptie," it would be better that his proceeding at this time, being "in suo regno," should appear agreeable to the rules of charity in the Scriptures, rather than of these in the court.

At the time appointed he declared that the occasion of his coming was agreeable to charity, which was to let me understand the King's mind towards me, to reason upon the hardness of my cause with myself, but first he would begin at this journey into England that the King desired I should have accepted.

He confessed it proceeded from himself, and upon that reason he moved him there … (fn. 2)

In the first he perceived that the nobility were afraid that they and their posterity at all times should be held as if bond slaves to England. Next, that they would lose all the benefits they might look for in France, which had been liberally extended in times past to the second brethren that were of houses, and thirdly, that the state of merchants would lose their whole privileges there.

And that which was worst of all "he culd not persave be this league that ather the one or the uthir wold be ragardit in that realm of Ingland. This he was bold to oppen unto me as to ane gud compatriott favourar to boyt the son and mother. And yit he remanit of that opinion if he culd procur the King to derect me or any uther towartis hir majestie to declayr these inconveniencis, it wold releve him and mak him desburdennit of that sclander that he now beris, alsweill of the noblemen, as of the sayde stat of merchantis, for the suspicion thay had consavit agains him that he was the onely movar of him to go fordwart be himself wytheowt thayr adwise."

"For these respectis he alledgit he shuld be yit pardonnit if he shuld furdar insist to move his majestie to this end, whiche he wold not beleve that I wold interpret to his disadvantage nather think ill of him for the doing thayrof, seing the end of his intention was no uthir bot to bring materis in termis of ressoning betuixt the King, his nobilite, and statis.

I mayde ansser that I did gritly mervell that he, who was ane wise man, shuld not haif considerit of these materris befor thay wer brocht in suche termes that culd not be calde back agayn, princely honour salveit.

Eftir sum uthir ressonings, he sayde to me that in respect of hir majesteis breach of promise to his maister—so he termit the procedinis passit—gud occasion was offerit to call materis in dowbt, whearupon an assembly of the nobilite mycht be convenit, and of the burgessis, that mycht declayr onto the King thayr misliking in that mater of his suddane procedine; which he wold procur mycht be per formit, if the King him self culd be contented that all materris mycht stay onto such tym as ansser war returnit, of that which he had imparted onto hir majesteis ambassadour.

I ansserit playnly, that I culd nowise persave eny suche inclination in the King hys mind, and besidis that, I schaw him that in the layt speach I had wyth his majestie I had thus farr satisfeit him that he thocht it shuld be best to deal wyth the Queen's majestie of Ingland be hir awin ambassadour at his returning, who mycht then open this mater, and be suche as he send to ressave hir majesteis oth, wyth doute for the obtening of ony mater for the King his weill, alsweill then as now, seing that nothing culd be callit in question at this tyme, bot it wuld hyhly prejudg him in honour.

Eftir sum moyr speach of this mater, to litill purpose, he did proceid forder, and schew me that the King wold haif me to remember the benefice of Glesgow in favouris of the Priour of Blantyr befor he wold schaw me ony favour. 2. The nobilite of the consale wald not aggre to subescryve the lettir I desserit of the King for the removing of the decretis passit aganis me in parliament, oneles thay shuld be mayde assurit that I shuld not deale wyth the King in thayr prejudice. 3. That thayr was ane statute of parliament standing agains me which culd not be removit bot be ane uthir statute of parliament. 4. That the depositionis of suche as had beyn examinit in my absens wald now prove aganis me evin when the jure—which we term the assise— suld be convenit.

To the first I anserrit that I had alreddy satisfeit the King towartis his dessir in favouris of the Priour [of] Blantyr, he yealding thayronto.

To the 2nd, that I onderstude the nobilite burr me no evill will. I had causit sum fryndis speik to thaym, and thay had declarit— specially such as he wer fryndschippe wyth—that, albeit sum had beyn dealing with thaym to be aganis me, thay wold nowise consent thayronto. I desserit that he mycht do the qlik.

To the 3rd, that I onderstode sum part of the lawis of the realm, and that na statute mayde to serve for ane law culd not be takin away bot be ane uther statute, derogatour of the first, but that ane statute introducit in the King his favour—as this was aganis me, beand absent—the King him self mycht remit the sam when he plesit, utherwayis he shuld remayn in worse condition than the meanaste of his subjectis, "quia licitum erat unicuique renunciare juri suo."

As to the last, I tuk the King his meaning towartis thaym to assist in this manner, that he wold be contented that I shuld go fordwart to my triall in suche maner as if no proces nather deposition had beyn led aganis me of before. If he knew ony fordar of the King his mynd in the contrare thayrof, I desserit that I mycht onderstand it of him, as proceading from the King be derection.

These that war assistantis usit sum speach towartis the takin uppe of all materris amongs us, and did allegde that all his ressoning tendit to no uthir end bot to lat me onderstand the worst of my awin cause, which he wald study to sea amendit, in case he culd be mayde assurit that I wald runn ane course wyth him that mycht be knawin to be for the advancement of the King his service, this beand affirmit be him self.

I did assur him that if he estemit the present course that his majestie was in to was for his weill, I wold be contented to go so far furth thayrin as he culd dessire me; if utherwais, I wold be constrenit to heir fordar ressoning befor I culd geve ansser.

He sayd he culd be contented presently to declayr his opinion, and affermit that he belevit thayr was no man bot wold confesse, if the King war weill usit towartis his titill, and in profit and honour according to promes, bot thay wold esteym this course wyth her majestie best for his weill.

And albeit the nobilite and marchantis wer interessit thayrthrow, he belevit thay culd be mayde to remayn satisfeit, so that thay culd persave honour and liberall dealing to be on the part of hir majestie, which for his awin part he culd not luk for in respect of this harde begyning.

I ansserit that he knew that none of his realm culd pretend titill, the King him self onely excepted, and if he did remayn satisfeit, who culd speik in the contrar thayrof? He sayd that which one man wold not do, many convenit together wold perform, and schaw theyr greif how thay and thayr posterite war bownd to that realm wytheowt any apparent cause fowndit upon ressone.

Eftir sum speache that I thocht it was not sour for him to press at ony suche mater, it was desserit be the assistance that we mycht remayn fryndis in our pryvat and particular materris amongis our selffis, and every one of us to haif gud opinion of utheris, which hath beyn promisit be us boyth.

I haif beyn constrenit to trowble your honour wyth the reding of the particulariteis of this my pryvat action to the end that you may the bettir judg of the disposition of such as ar abowt the King, which for the most part ar inclinit eftir me, and to leif the rest to the declaration of hir majesteis ambassadour who is so weill able to descharge his deuty and to inform your honour.

What hath beyn the stat of materris heir of layt, that I neyd not trowble you wyth fordar, bot to lat you onderstand that thair is motion mayde be him to the King that I mycht ressave my triall. He is contented thayrwyth, so that I luk to ressave the saim aboute the 24 of this instant.

Albeit that I am in possibilite to ressave honour in this cuntrey, my proffit is not lyk to be grit schortly, which makis me so hardy as to put your honour in rememberance that it plesit hir majestie to lat me onderstand that you war cayrles in materris of money that did concern your self, that you wist not the way how to thryve, and in this dayngeir you ar lik to fall into for my cause, that you shalbe condemnit in 15 hundreth pounds as seurty for me, if it shal not be hir majesteis plessour to passe that gift which it plesit hir hyenes to bestow on me befor the first of June nixt.

Thayrfor I most request your honour to tak heid to your self for your awin releif." Edinburgh. Signed: A Douglas.

5 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 290.

Copy of the same.

411. Charles Paget to Mary. [May 19.] C.P., vol XVII.

May it please your majesty, the physicians have advised me to go to the Spanish baths for my health, so I am going thither within seven days to tarry for six weeks. If it had not been for the urgency of my disease I would have asked your leave first. But I trust your majesty will pardon my offence.

I have instructed Morgan to decipher my letters, and give directions in my absence.

The King of France has given leave that his friends may have free access to him, and so he may receive and send out at his pleasure.

I am driven to take this course because there is no one so faithful to your majesty.

No man at his own will and pleasure is to intrude in matters of state either in England or Scotland—your majesty in right and reason being Queen of them both—without your commission and direction.

My opinion is that in Spain, France, the Low Countries, Scotland and Rome, you should appoint someone to have especial charge of your majesty's affairs. And if others notwithstanding will busy themselves in your affairs, it will be without your majesty's consent, and those that have authority from you will be able to deal with them. Thus your affairs will be managed far more secretly and expeditiously than before.

The Duke of Guise did what he could to procure Morgan's liberty either openly or by breaking prison.

The King of France begs him to have patience, but I fear he will wait long while the King serves the Queen of England's humour.

At the best Morgan will have to leave this country.

Since writing my last letter to your majesty there came hither from England a priest called Ballard.

He is very honest and discreet, and acquainted with all the best Catholics in England and some in Scotland.

He told me that he was sent to declare that they were ready to take arms so long as they might be assured of foreign help.

I brought him to the Spanish ambassador, and he declared in general how many of the principal noblemen in the north, in Lancashire in the west, and in other shires, were willing to take arms.

The people were discontented with the oppression caused by the wars in the Low Countries, and it was a good time to give them release.

The Spanish ambassador heard him very well, and made him write down how many men armed and unarmed they could provide.

Likewise he gave information concerning the ports.

The ambassador gave him instructions to proceed in more detail, and not with such a general resolution.

The part best to land in will, I think, be Newcastle, Hartlepool, or Scarborough or some port town in the north. The Queen of England will not dream of that course, but thinks that whatsoever is intended will be performed from Spain.

Ballard will be here immediately on my return from Spain, and I will then acquaint your majesty with what has happened.

The Spanish ambassador has informed the King of Spain in general terms the reason why Ballard came here.

He asked me not to write to your majesty until matters were more certain, but in this I thought well to disobey him.

The Spanish ambassador tells me he has warrant to deliver 4,000 crowns to you, and the rest of the 12,000 crowns shall come after.

He has also made your ambassador privy thereof, and has delivered him a letter to your majesty in which he declares that he will not part with the money without your commands.

But because I know your ambassador is dull in giving you advertisements, I thought good to make your majesty acquainted with the matter in order that you might give your instructions at once.

I have given Ballard sixty crowns towards his expenses, because he is in service for your good, though my estate is so hard that I can ill spare the money.

I send your majesty here inclosed one letter from the Lord Paget and another from Sir Francis Englefield.

Lord Paget was received coldly in Rome; I pray that he may speed better in Spain.

The Duke of Guise has gone from this court to Chalons; he is discontented because he is in great poverty; and it is said that a peace is to be concluded, for the King of Navarre is turning Catholic.

The King of France seeks cunningly to ruin the Duke of Guise, though outwardly he deals fairly with him.

The King of Spain is preparing for sea, principally to meet with Drake who was in St. Domingo and has taken great treasures.

I have told the Spanish ambassador that if his master does not do something against England this year it will be too late. Paris.

Postscript to Curll.—I pray you tell the Queen that the prayer book sent to her by the French ambassador is sent as a fit present from me. Let me hear of the receipt thereof, I pray you.

3 pp. Deciphcred copy, in the hand of Mr. Phelippes; indorsed by him.

Another copy of the same. [With No. 381.]

412. Don Bernardino de Mendoza to Mary. [May 19.] C.P., vol. XVII.

A short time ago I wrote to your majesty by way of Charles Paget, who assured me he had the means to deliver the same into your majesty's hands; and God knows that I desire to see some from your majesty to certify me as to your majesty's health; please God it be as good as your most affectionate servants desire. When I was in Spain I made request to the King my lord about the twenty-four thousand crowns which both your majesty and the Prince of Scotland desire should be lent to him; the King my lord grants them at a low price; and so he will send the said twenty-four thousand crowns to Juan Batista de Tassis that he may convey twelve thousand to the ambassador of your majesty to be sent into Scotland. In the same manner he has sent new orders to the said Juan Batista de Tassis to retain the twelve thousand, which are to be given to your majesty; and the departure of the said Juan Batista from this realm happening at this time, on which account, and the order which he has received, he answers for the said twelve thousand crowns; the which I believed had been given, until the ambassador of your majesty signified the contrary to me. I did such offices as I could hereupon. I wrote to the King my master, giving him an account of the case, and owing to the occupations of the assembly of Aragon, and others, he has not replied to me until now, when he commands that there be given to whomsoever your majesty shall be pleased to ordain, four thousand crowns pistolet out of the twelve thousand, that the rest they will provide to remove the suspicion that it may give of great credit coming to me at this time. Your majesty will decide to whom it will please you to command me that I deliver these four thousand crowns pistolet, which is so ready that for the rest I shall do the office that the desire to serve your majesty obliges me. It will not be necessary to tell you that which occurs in this realm, since the ambassador of your majesty, by whose means I send this, has written it particularly. It only remains for me to say that this King and his mother continue every day to carry on close intercourse with the Queen of England, she again speaking with him as to Drake having sacked two towns in the island of San Domingo, otherwise called the island of Hispaniola, in the Indies; to prepare armaments for three parts thereof; and to avoid the ill effects which may result therefrom, the King my master has ordered that a very powerful fleet be put to sea, which shall be the greatest that has ever been seen; which is now a-preparing in great haste. God grant that opportunity may occur to be able to employ it in the reduction of this realm, and that I may see your majesty in the state that your most affectionate servants desire. Paris.

1 p. Spanish. Copy. Indorsed: "Don Bernardino de Mendosa to the Q. of Scottes."

Another copy of the same with slight differences.

413. Gilbert Curll to [ ]. [May 20.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Her majesty likes the order of the convoy; and according to his desire will have his security regarded carefully. Desires to know if he shall send an alphabet to his brother in case this is not common between them. The packet inclosed is for the French ambassador.

Prays to be excused for his brevity, but the bearers were departing sooner than was appointed. Chartley.

¼ p. In cipher, deciphered by Mr. Phelippes. No flyleaf or address.

414. Mary to Doctor Allen. [May 20.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Her last letter to him was written in October 1584, since which time she had no means of receiving any more until the 25th of last month, when she received his letter dated the 5th February 1585.

Cannot give any advice, because she is ignorant of the course of events abroad.

Is glad that the instructions are given to so few people; but the King of Spain and his ministers have let slip many good opportunities.

If he had not recommended Liggons, would not have employed him in the charge of dealing with the Prince of Parma.

Will accept the Prince's offer. Chartley.

½ p. Copy. Indorsed.

415. Mary to Sir Francis Englefield. [May 20.] C.P., vol. XVII.

His letters dated the 15th of December 1584 and the 12th of January 1585, with the copies of "relations" mentioned in them, only came to her hands last month.

Since the 20th of December 1584 had received no letters or any intelligence of matters abroad.

Has been kept very strictly in her captivity for a long time, and has no idea how even her own affairs have progressed.

Would not have been able to advertise him of this much if it had not been for Morgan, the chief director of her intercourse for many years past.

Thanks him for his care, and wishes she could acknowledge the same in effect. Desires the continuation of his offices for Morgan. Chartley.

¾ p. Copy. Indorsed. In Mr. Phelippes' hand.

416. Mary to Don Bernardino de Mendoza. [May 20.] C.P., vol. XVII.

By your last of the tenth of February and twenty-sixth of July 1585, which were only delivered to me on the 20th of April last, I have been very glad to hear the good choice that the King your master my good brother has made of you to reside in France, according to the request that I had formerly made to him. I have been so straitly guarded these last eighteen months that I was lacking in all secret intelligence until last Lent, when Morgan obtained for me this single one that I have to this day. Not knowing whether progress has been made towards the advancement of our previous designs, I find myself very troubled as to what course affairs here will take. Charles Paget has charge from me to communicate to you some overtures on my behalf, upon which I pray you to impart to him freely that which you think may be thereby obtained from the said sieur the King your master, in order that he may not be importuned if you judge that they are not likely to succeed. There is another point depending thereupon which I have reserved to be written to you alone, that you may impart it on my behalf to the said sieur the King, without any other than himself, if it be possible, having knowledge thereof. It is that, considering the so great obstinacy of my son in heresy (which I assure you I have wept and lamented day and night more than my own calamity) and foreseeing hereupon the great harm which must ensue to the Catholic Church upon his coming to the succession of this kingdom, I have taken my resolution, in case my said son shall not submit himself to the Catholic religion before my death (as I must tell you I have little hope thereof so long as he shall remain in Scotland) to yield and give my right to the succession of this crown by testament to the said sieur the King your master, praying him on this account to take henceforth into his entire protection both the state and the affairs of this country, the which, for the discharge of my conscience, I think I could not put into the hands of any prince more zealous for our religion, and capable in all respects of re-establishing it in these parts, as it imports to all the rest of Christendom; feeling myself more bound therein to respect the universal good of the church. Let this be kept secret, forasmuch as if it came to be revealed, it would mean in France the loss of my dower, in Scotland a complete rupture with my son, and in this country my total ruin and destruction. May it please you to thank on my behalf the said lord the King my good brother for his favours and liberality towards my lord Pagett and his brother, the which I pray him very affectionately to continue, and for my sake to gratify poor Morgan with some pension, who has endured so much not only for me but for the common cause, being able, upon the experience that I have had of him, to assure you of his entire fidelity and sincere conduct of an honest man in all that has been given into his charge until now. I likewise recommend to you Fuljambe, whom you know, to have some supply provided for him beyond the pension that I have assigned to him according to my small means. Chartley. 20 May 1586.

1 p. French. Copy. Indorsed: "The Scottish Q. to the Spanish Embassador in France. Decifred per Phelippes."

Another copy of part of the same.

417. Mary to Charles Paget. [May 20.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Among a number of other letters in cipher I received five of yours dated the 14th of January, the 16th of May, the 24th and 31st of July 1585, and the 4th of February 1586, but because of their late arrival I have not been able to see them all deciphered.

Since my departure from Wingfield I have been so entirely without news of foreign affairs that it is difficult for me to find any certain course for re-establishing the same.

I see no other means except the King of Spain, who, angered by the attempts made on Holland and the course of Drake, should take revenge on the Queen of England; while France, occupied as it is, cannot help her.

I desire that you should try to discover either through Lord Paget during his stay in Spain, or by the Spanish ambassador, whether the King of Spain intends to set on England.

He now finds himself forced to turn to the remedies which were propounded to him in the time of Don John of Austria.

It would have been better if he had acted then, when I had France well disposed to help him, and Scotland, to help the Catholic party in this realm, had the principal force, which since it has lost.

I remember well that Don John was always of the opinion that the only way to set up his brother's affairs again was to establish this realm under a friendly Prince, for he foresaw that the Queen of England would not hesitate to break from him and deal the first blow.

Now, in case he is thinking of attacking England, esteeming it most necessary that he assures himself of Scotland either to act with him in the enterprise or to remain passive, I have thought good that you lay before the Spanish ambassador the following overtures.

Namely, that I shall try by all means to make my son join in the enterprise; and if he cannot be persuaded, that I shall form a secret league of the principal Catholic lords of that country and their adherents to be joined with the King of Spain.

My son should be delivered into the hands of the King of Spain or of the Pope for better security; but with the promise to set him at liberty whenever I shall desire it.

The King of Spain shall not attempt or pretend anything to my prejudice or my son's—if he is a Catholic—in the succession of this crown.

This is the best hostage that I and the said lords of Scotland can give to the king of Spain for performance of that which may depend on them in the said enterprise.

There must be a Regent established in Scotland with commission and power from me and my son to govern the country in his absence.

There is none so fit for this post as the Lord Claud Hamilton, both on account of his rank and wisdom.

To prevent jealousy he must have a Council appointed of the principal lords, without whom he shall not be allowed to ordain anything of importance.

I should feel myself much beholden to the King of Spain if he would receive my son and teach him the Catholic religion. I fear that as long as he shall remain where he is I shall not be able to bring him to the right way again, and if I die to leave behind me a tyrant and a persecutor of the Catholic Church.

If the ambassador puts you in hope of a good answer, I desire then in the meantime you should write to the Lord Claud. Let him understand that the King of Spain is about to attack this country and desires to have the assistance of the Scotch Catholics, or at least to stop them helping England; also how many men and how much money they would require from the King of Spain in order to hold Scotland.

Moreover, let him declare particularly unto you the names of those who are to enter into this band, and what forces they can bring together.

I am not of the opinion that you should discover yourself unto Lord Claud until you have received an answer from the King of Spain. To assure himself of my son, and to the end that things may be done under his authority, it will be needful to seize his person, in case he cannot willingly be brought to this enterprise.

To persuade Lord Claud it will be necessary for you to make him forget the proceedings of his brother the Laird of Arbroath. Also lead him to believe that I shall make him lawful heir to the crown of Scotland if children are not born to my son. I shall make the Catholic Princes of Christendom maintain him in that respect.

I can write nothing now to the Lord Claud for want of an alphabet between us, which now I send you inclosed without any mark on the back, in order that you may send it to him.

This matter should be kept very secret and disclosed to no one. I have written to the Spanish ambassador in favour of your brother Lord Paget and yourself. I grieve most sincerely that I am not able to help you myself, but must need have resource to others.

I thank you for what you have done for Morgan my good and faithful servant, and I pray you also to thank anyone who has been good to him in his adversity.

I have heard that there were 12,000 crowns appointed for my son last year.

Advise the Spanish ambassador to arrest them and reserve them for the negotiation of this enterprise, for the money delivered before was badly dispersed and employed.

I have heard neither good nor evil concerning Poley or Blunt. Commend me to the Lord Paget, and let me know as soon as possible of the state of that side.

Your letters dated the 10th of April I received of late, but have no leisure to answer them on account of the hasty departure of the messenger.

I promise to send you an alphabet for the Lord Claud, for I am even now in hopes of a means of convoy directly from here to Scotland.

Postscript from Gilbert Curll.—Monsieur Nau and myself present to you our most affectionate commendations. He gave your thanks to his brother Monsieur Fontenay, with advice from himself to secure you all he can.

I will ever do you the service my poor power can reach unto.

Her majesty is in indifferent good health.

5 pp. Copy. In the hand of Mr. Phelippes; deciphered and indorsed by him.

Extract from the preceeding letter.

Copy of the same.

418. Mary to Thomas Morgan. [May 20.] C.P., vol. XVII.

His troubles have much affected her. The first letters that she had from him since December 1584 were dated the 15th of October 1585, and answered immediately after the receipt of the same the 27th of January next following.

Since the month of April has received eight more of his dated the 7th of December 1584, the 17th of January, the 20th of February, the 9th of April, the 20th of July and the 28th of July 1585, and the 28th of January 1586.

Has only been able to have the last three deciphered.

So many changes have taken place in affairs abroad that she can form no certain judgment as to what course to take until the receipt of more recent information.

His friend the bearer—for whom she thanks him most heartily, and whose name in future between them shall be Pietro—has promised her that intercourse shall be renewed.

At her removal at the end of the summer fears that all communications may fail her.

Has taken the best order that she can for him in whatsoever place or country he may be.

Courcelles received his reward long ago, therefore begs him to crave his own from him.

Has heard nothing from Lord Lumley, Blunt or Poley.

In her next despatch will send two brevets for prebends, and his man shall be set upon her estate among her pensioners. Chartley.

Postscript.—As her majesty was about to despatch the bearer, she received his letters dated the 31st of March, the 8th and 9th of April, together with another touching Babington dated the 6th of July. States the impossibility of answering them until the next despatch, owing to their great length. Herewith is a letter marked "T" for Charles Paget, one marked "S" for the bishop of Ross, one with a "B" for Dr. Allen, one marked "E" for Mendoza, "M" for Sir Francis Englefield, [ ] (fn. 3) for Liggons, [ ] (fn. 3) for the bishop of Glasgow, [ ] (fn. 3) for Mr. Foljambe, and one little packet for De Ruisseau.

"Upon notes of the Queenes Majestie my maistress written by me Gilbert Curll 5th October 1586."

Postscript—[Curll to Thomas Morgan]. Monsieur Nau having seen his letters of the 28th January has done all in his power for the furtherance of his desires.

If Fontenay had not already disposed of his prebend in St. Quentin he would have given it to him.

Bids him be of good courage, and will employ all his power to serve him. Prays for the accomplishment of all his desires.

1 p. In Curll's hand, with many corrections. Indorsed, "To T. Morgan the 20th May 1586, from the Queen of Scottes."

Another copy in Phelippes' hand. [C.P. xvii. No. 86.]

419. Master of Gray to Walsingham. [May 21.]

"Sir, this 20 of May I resaveit a lettre from my Lord of Leicester, quharof resave the copie. Be it I persave haid Tho. Tyrie gone over the first tym or now I haid resaveit resolution.

Bot it shalbe weil in my opinion—if resolution be not already come from my lord—yat he yit go over, bot if your honour can resolve him thair ye shall retourne him withe speid, and I shall tak ordour to send sum uther gentleman by sea to my lord for to be resolvit in all particulariteis.

As I wrot befor, the long stey of it dois me gryt herme many wayis, so I am the more earnestfull withe you yat I may schortly have ansuer 'pro or contra,' seing no fault I find to be in my lord his self, as ye may percave by his lettrez both to my lord embassadour and my self.

All maiters of ye estait heir I remit to uthers and leavis you in Godis protection. From our court at Edinburgh." Signed: Master of Gray.

Postscript.—"Sir, my Lord Leicester sendis sundry heir withe commissions to list men, and sum yat be not worthy, bot I wil suffer non to pairt without my pasport tilI have ansuer, for so I have pouar of the King my maister. I pray you forget not to send his lordship a not tuiching on Captaine Patoun, of quhom I wrot to you of leat."

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

420. Thomas Randolph to Lord Scrope. [May 21.]

The lords whose names he sends appear today before the King and his council to receive their charge to enter themselves prisoners to him at Carlisle, there to remain prisoners at their majesties' pleasure. If he has received no knowledge thereof from her majesty's Council or from Walsingham as to what shall be done with them, prays he will advertise the lords or the Secretary [Walsingham] with all possible speed to know their pleasures, and with his letter send a copy of this. Edinburgh.

The names of such as were at the slaughter and were thought to be guilty of the death of Lord Russell, and required by her majesty to be delivered.

Sir Thomas Carr of Farnyhurst, knight. [Note, added by Burghley.] I think this man is dead.

William Carr of Ancrum.

James Carr of Lintloe.

Robert Carr, brother to the said William Carr.

Andrew Carr, laird of Greenhead.

John Rutherford of Hunthill.

David Muscroppe, deputy provost of Jedworth.

[ ] (fn. 4) Kirkton, warden serjeant.

James Carr.

1 p. Copy. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 292 b.

Copy of the same.

421. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 21.]

Hoping that all matters of grief and unkindness between her majesty and the King are so well compounded, and finding some of the chiefest mislikers of the league relent, and the King so constant to have it go forward, trusts there shall be no more delay to stay the performance of that which is agreed upon.

The King desires the commissioners' meeting at Berwick to be on 19th June next, his birthday, and requires to have knowledge of the solemnities to be used, beforehand.

Prays that Mr. Somerset will set down in writing what is to be done upon both parts, that no alteration fall out when the time comes.

Sends the articles subscribed by the King, forgotten in his last.

Finds no more to be done, so in 6 or 8 days, about which time the King departs from this town, minds to repair to Berwick to attend the commissioners, and perform what further service her majesty shall command.

Received his letter of March 15 last, about the Scottishmen that complained to have been spoiled by Englishmen upon the sea. Required therefore, and the King gave commandment, that all as could justly complain to have been robbed by Englishmen should send a note to him of their losses. Since then no man has brought one bill to him. Therefore supposes there were not so many spoiled as complained.

The parties with Robin Scott, who indeed lost some goods by Englishmen, value their losses at 1250l. Has found by evident proof that the losses among them all came not unto above 200l. Informs him that her majesty's subjects sustain no small losses by sea through pirates of this country, and sends a note of 3 ships lately spoiled, the parties suing here, but never likely to recover anything.

The French ambassador made great complaint also of loss himself sustained by Englishmen upon the sea, but being desired to give a note thereof, no more was heard of the matter. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

Postscript.—Order will be taken today for those suspected of Lord Russell's death to be delivered to Lord Scrope.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. XI., fol. 292.

Copy of the same.

422. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. [May 22.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Boullenger, servant to Monsieur Nau's brother, arrived here on the evening of the 17th of this month. Sent him to the next village accompanied by two of his soldiers. On his return next morning according to his [Walsingham's] directions Boullenger had a conference with Nau in his presence for the space of about an hour.

The time was spent partly in friendly congratulations, partly in delivering the circumstances of his brother's marriage.

Amongst other things Boullenger told Nau that one Monsieur Jardin, brother to his sister-in-law, was now here with the French ambassador, intending to pass into Scotland very shortly, for no other cause, he said, than to see the country. Thought good to advertise him [Walsingham] of this.

At last Nau took his leave of him asking him to salute Glases and Ruisseau his brother-in-law particularly from him.

Nau also asked him to tell them—speaking with some passion—that the Queen his mistress was not afflicted with cancer in her leg, neither was she sick unto death as had been given out by some who probably wished the same, but that she increased in health and strength daily, and he hoped shortly to see her perfectly recovered.

Remembers that in some French letters last summer it was reported that this Queen was subject to the dropsy; but that she has a cancer in her leg is a new secret advertisement.

Nau in his speech with him [Powlet] after Boullenger's departure asked him if he had received the French ambassador's letters dated the 7th of this month.

Answered to the contrary, when Nau prayed him to remind him [Walsingham] of them.

Told Nau that the French ambassador's letters mentioned another packet dated the 14th of last month, but Nau said that he did not remember.

It is to be feared that this packet has been received by some secret means, because Nau takes no pleasure in hearing about it.

If it is so, the French ambassador has forgotten to mention this packet in his open letters.

This Queen's packet sent by Boullenger contained no other matter worthy of advertisement except what appears by this short abstract inclosed, and that the French ambassador writes to this Queen that he can say no more touching her majesty's answer to the new supply of servants than has been already advertised by his former letters of the 14th of last month and the 7th of this month, whereunto he refers the Queen.

He says that he has sent directions herein accordingly to her officers in France, and given order that their names may be sent forthwith.

Has received none of these letters; and therefore can say nothing to this pretended resolution.

The ambassador's wife also writes to this Queen that she will not fail to solicit her majesty concerning Pierrepoint, and will follow the matter with all diligence.

Cordaillot in his letters to Nau excuses the slowness of their proceedings in this Queen's cause on account of the late arrival of the King of Denmark's ambassador; by reason whereof he says his master's audience has been somewhat deferred.

Sends him herewith a packet from Nau, and also another packet of letters from the priest here to the Frenchman lately sent hither by him, to be given to the French ambassador.

Has been prayed by a friend of his to convey to him the packet inclosed. Chartley. Signed: A. Poulet.

1¾ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

423. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. About [May 23.] C.P., vol. XVII.

The "substitute" was at the place appointed on the 22nd of this month, where he remained from morning until night, but the "honest man" did not appear. The next morning early the "substitute" sought the "honest man" at his house at Burton, from whence he had departed to buy malt as his wife affirmed.

The "honest man" had declared before to the "substitute" that if at any time he failed in his promise the "substitute" should repair to his house, where in his absence his wife could give all particulars.

She told the "substitute" that her husband had heard from the Queen that her letters could not be ready until the end of this week. If he returned in four days he would find her husband at home, and he would arrange with him the time and place of their next meeting.

She told him that her husband had great credit with the Queen and also with him [Powlet].

She said that the Queen had dealt liberally with her husband, and that she was bountiful to all such as deserved well of her. In all her speech she called the Queen her husband's mistress. Unsigned.

1 p. [In Powlet's hand.] Indorsed.

424. Walsingham to Thomas Randolph. [May 24.]

Is sorry that the intended employment of the Master of Gray in the Low Countries goes not forward both for the good will he particularly bears to the Master, who has deserved so well, and in the cause whereof this change proceeds.

It is, in effect, that her majesty has taken another resolution since the departure of Mr. Archibald Douglas by the practice and persuasion of such as are addicted to Spain, and unfriendly to Lord Leicester. He by such means being without that authority had to redress the confusion of government and dispose of the contributions for the maintenance of the war, has just cause not to draw a gentleman of the Master of Gray's desert to that service, where he should not be able to yield him that satisfaction that appertains. It would sound greatly to his own dishonour and purchase for the Master the ill will of as many as he should carry with him when they should find themselves in misery and void of all comfort.

He [Leicester] finds himself so crossed and disgraced in the service that he sues earnestly to be called home. How far he is from doing the Master that wrong to encourage him to join him in so unseasonable a time, the copy of his own letter, sent for his [Randolph's] satisfaction, that he may the better answer the Master, will show.

The Master may be shown as much as is meet of that letter that he may the more plainly perceive the truth of these allegations.

Her majesty perceives from his letters and also from the King's own that he is not fully satisfied touching the sum of the pension and the instrument.

Touching the money matter, her majesty yet stands very hard to it, though both the Treasurer and himself have dealt very earnestly with her in the cause, though with no hope that she will yield.

For the other point, her majesty conceived her own letter would have sufficed, yet thinks she will not stick to yield the King satisfaction by signing some such instrument.

Her majesty rests well satisfied with his successful proceeding touching the delivery of the Carrs, and those charged with the murder of Lord Russell.

Thinks the choice of the Earl of Rutland, Lord Eure and himself as commissioners, and the appointment of July 1st will stand.

Has moved her majesty for the yeomen prickers and grooms of the "leasse," as for horses and geldings for the King, but can yet draw no resolution from her in it. She is as hard to be had even in these trifles, as in matters of greatest importance.

3½ pp. Copy. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 293 b.

Copy of the same.

425. Walsingham to the Master of Gray. [May 24.]

A change has fallen out in her majesty's resolution touching the manner in which she will use the Earl of Leicester's service in the Low Countries, whereupon the matter of his employment depends.

She now, through the secret workings of some who favour the Spanish proceedings, has altered her purpose in that behalf, whereby the earl is forced to change his determination to call him into his company. He cannot now yield him that entertainment and satisfaction that may be his desert and liking. For, where before his authority reached to the redressing of the confusion in government and orderly disposing of the contributions to the use of the due paying of the men, by means whereof he might have been able to have provided for him, that authority ceasing, and the States here likely to convert the most part of those contributions to their own commodity, his lordship must want means to give him that entertainment that he might in reason look for.

It would be both to the dishonour of his lordship, and his discredit with such gentlemen, captains, and soldiers who should attend upon him, who seeing themselves frustrated of their expedition would doubtless wish they had never seen him.

Doubts not he would rather choose to sustain, at the first, some little touch that their breaking off may be to his reputation than put himself in hazard of a further disgrace. For the Earl of Leicester finds himself so far thwarted in the service that he is now a humble suitor for his revocation, as may be perceived by the copy of his letter, with which Mr. Randolph will acquaint him for his better satisfaction.

Finds by Mr. Randolph that the King's dislike that neither the sum promised was performed, nor the instrument of security sent in such sort as was to his liking, was through his earnest travail, qualified in such sort that he was content to accept the sum sent, and that the treaty should proceed to his full conclusion.

Those good offices done by him to the mutual benefit of both crowns shall not be forgotten on their part.

Will not fail to do his best endeavour to procure that satisfaction may be yielded to the King in both points. His princely manner of dealing in this cause has wrought a very good conceit in all good men's hearts, who before had but a jealous opinion of him.

Assures him that as there are divers that mislike of the proceedings of this treaty, so there do not lack here men apt to hinder so good a work, who have sought to revive formerly conceived jealousies. It therefore behoves well-affected men, both here and there, to carry a watchful eye in preventing the malice of such malignant spirits.

4½ pp. Draft, partly in Walsingham's hand. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 293.

Copy of the same.

426. Walsingham to Mr. Archibald Douglas. [May 24.]

Is glad to understand by his letters that the King is so well satisfied after his first access to him that he may attain to a higher degree of his good opinion and favour.

Concerning the Master of Gray's employment in the Low Countries, there is a change in her majesty's resolution that the Earl of Leicester should retain his authority in the government, which must consequently alter the purpose of the employment of the Master.

The Earl will not now be so well able to provide for him and his company, which would work to the Earl's dishonour and the Master's disgrace. Rather than to abide the hazard thereof, it were better to "put up at first this little touch" that the breaking off will be.

Assures him no one is more sorry for it than himself. Has written herein more particularly to Mr. Randolph, and sent him a copy of the Earl of Leicester's letter, in which he has become a suitor for his revocation, so greatly is he discomforted in that service.

For the matter of his employment here, he has done very advisedly not to accept the charges, for albeit they may be brought to good pass by the travail of those that wish well to the cause, yet is loth, for his own sake, if the success were otherwise than good, that by being used as an instrument therein, he should bear any part of the mislike that must necessarily accompany the same. Therefore it were well to refuse still the said employment.

How hardly they are drawn here to yield to disbursements, he knows, especially at this time when there are new occasions of charges ministered.

Touching the instrument desired by the King, hopes there will be something done to his contentment.

2½ pp. Draft, partly in Walsingham's hand. Indorsed.

427. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. [May 25.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Has written to him before that the "honest man" is dealing wickedly with these people, preferring his own profit before their service. He knows that he can satisfy them with words, and they cannot control anything that he says.

The house where he lives is only ten miles from here, yet does not remember that he has ever delivered a packet to the Queen until six or seven days after the receipt thereof. He appoints places of meeting at his own pleasure, and does not allow work for this cause to interfere with his own particular business.

He appointed the last meeting-place a mile from his own house, intending to lodge there that night; however, late in the evening he sent a boy to tell the "substitute" that his business would not permit him to be there that night, praying him to have patience until next day at ten o'clock.

At this time he came indeed and brought with him the last packet which you received from here. He told the "substitute" that he could not have the packet until that morning, whereas in truthis he was dispatched from here on the morning of the day before. The displeasure which was likely to grow hereof was this: that the said boy whom he used for his messenger was son to the ordinary carrier of the "honest man." This carrier is a near neighbour to the "substitute," so the boy knew him as soon as he saw him.

The "substitute" very discreetly dealt so roughly with the "honest man" for sending him a messenger in this manner, that he rested satisfied and looked no further into the matter. Indeed if he only considers it, in betraying the "substitute" he is betraying himself.

It seems that the "honest man" is persuaded that he [Powlet] cannot spare his services, having lately made an unreasonable request for an increase in pay. He thinks his new mistress and her liberal rewards make him weary of all other service. Unsigned.

1½ pp. In Powlet's hand. Indorsed by Phelippes: "A secrett note from Sir Amias Poulett."

428. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [May 27.] Cott. Calig., C.IX., fol. 298.

"Since my last, wherin I mayd mention of sum frendschippe promesit to haif followit betuixt the Secretayr and me, I haif fownd so unhonest and untrew dealing with him, that I mynd to geve him no moyr trust, and to use the ylike cunning as he hath done so far as my habilite vill permit. The maner of his proseading hath beyn so untrew that he mayde the noblemen to belewe that my cumming in Scotland was in thayr prejudice. And to move the King to run ane course wyth hir majestie wytheowt thayr adwise, which he alledgit wold be thayr ruyn in the end. As he wold haif untrewly persuadit thaym that this was my course so did he ernestly presse me to remove this opinion from owte of thayr myndis, be offering my bonde of freyndschippe unto thaym. Uthervaise he did assure me that my dealing vythe the King for my triale wold be in vayn. In this same tyme under hoipe that I had beyn so blynd as to folloe his adwise, he went to the King and declarit that I had gevin my bond to the lordis contrarye to his expectation that luked for service of me wythowt thayr privatie or assestances, meaning heirby to haif procurit the Kingis indignation and the lordis ill mynd agains me wythe tymis. Bot the mater hath fallin owt uthervaise and his majestie hathe beyn informed of sum part of this dealing whiche did move him constantly to hald hand unto the furthering of my triale, whiche I did publickly ressauve upon the 26 of this instant, to his greit greif, and my no smal reputation as be the haill processe your honour vill more largely onderstand, whiche I mynd wythin two or thre dayis to send to Sir Walter Myldmay accordynge to my promes mayde to his honour. As the Secretayr Maytland intendit to haif abused me, so dooth he abuse his maister. In ane mater of sum moment he maketh him to beleve that the remaning of the French ambassadour in this realme will move hir majestie to cum to better conditionis wythe him. And to the French ambassadour he hath geven owt wyth full assurance that at the first assembly of the hoile noblemen, all his erand shalbe granted,—whiche I am assurit he can novise performis. Bot to lat him haif sum taist thayrof he hath caused an act of consale to be mayde that nather men nor vittallis shall passe ather to the Rochell or Low Cuntrey owt of this realme."

"The Maister of Gray hath notwythestanding thairof, and since the making of the acte obtenit licence of his Majestie that all suche cumpanyes as he hath, or can be able to haif in redines shall passe forwarte to Holland, so that no drum shalbe sowndit for levying of thaym, whiche the King vill not permit to be publickly don quhill ather hir majestie or my lord of Leycester weyt for that effect."

"The sayde Master hath villit me to assure your honour that wythin fifteyn dayis eftir the dayte heirof, if wynd and weather shall permitt, vythe the helpe of God, thayr shalbe 15 hunderit of his men landit in Holand. He doeth use the moir spede in these materis be resson of sum letteris he did ressave of layte from my lord of Leycester, of the dayt 6 April. His moyen is note grete to go threw wythe so weychty effayris, bot his mynd is verray gud, whiche I wyshe at God, mycht be in habillit. And so far as shall lye in my powar, it shalbe helpit. Tomorrow he myndis to derect Captain Hatherstone towartis my lord of Leycester wyt sum cumpanyis, and to deale wythe his lordship for provision of armour, and that commissairis may be appoyncted for ressaving of men as thay shall arryve, and to appoyncte whear thay shall lye."

"He ernistly prayis that derection may come ather from hir majestie, or letteris from my sayd lord of Leycester to the King for expedying of his commission that he may wythe the moyr diligens depart avay, vythe his hoile cumpanyes. As for the state of this cuntrey, I must leif the declaration thayrof to hir majesteisambasadour, who can veill lay yt oppen before your honour. So far as I can be informit, the King remanis constant, the nobilitie indifferente, in this course wyth hir majestie. Bot in my opinion the Secretayr shall nevir be mayde honest, and yit ordour may be takin for him verray easily if thayr shalbe eny apparence that he mychte in schorte tym do eny grit harm."

"And so attending what your honour vil fordar command, I humbly tak my leif, from Edinburgh, this 27 of May." Signed: A. Douglas.

3 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

429. Mary to the Archbishop of Glasgow. [May 28.] C.P., vol. XVII.

You will have heard by my last letters of the 20th of February of the recovery of this way, by which I expected to have received news of you before this time. Meanwhile there have been delivered to me all together your letters of 24th [ ] and last day but one of [ ]'84, and 2nd February, 26th March and 2nd [ ] '85, as to which it will suffice me for this time to reply to the points touched upon here below, inasmuch as for the rest there contained the opportunities of treating have now passed; and having no true and certain information of the present state of affairs of Christendom, nor of the intentions of the Catholic princes, it is totally impossible for me to form any resolve or renew any certain course with them as to my estate here.

Labour by all means that you may to discover truly the depths of the design of the King of Spain to avenge himself against this queen, and specially whether he is for an enterprise in this country, or only for counteracting the attempt of the Earl of Leicester in Flanders, and of Drake towards the Indies, forasmuch as upon that depends wholly the resolution that I and all the Catholics here have to take on our part.

Thank the King of Spain very affectionately by his ambassador Don Bernardino for the twelve thousand crowns which he had granted to my son at my request. But it is not my intention that you send him one sou thereof until you know that he better recognises his duty towards me, nor that you make over there more remonstrance about his pension, still less of the arrears in his favour; nor that you employ yourself in anything for him without my command. For I do not wish to furnish him wherewith to fortify against myself my rebels whom he has about him, which happened with the last six thousand crowns you sent him, which only served for Gray's journey hither, coming to betray me, the Duke of Guise and all those who had trusted him. Do not, then, touch the said twelve thousand crowns until I let you know my will about it more particularly. As to the other like sum for which I had made request for myself, if I had received it at Wingfield with the overtures which were then made to me for my escape, I think that I could have effected it during the absence of the Earl of Shrewsbury, much more liberty than was usual being given me by my other wardens. But now I am quite otherwise guarded and watched, and cannot possibly gain any of this house, and hence I would no more insist upon the said sum were it not that you yourself, declaring privately to the said Bernardino the present necessity of my affairs in France, and the great charges it behoves me to support in that country to entertain my friends there, and now to recover such fresh intelligence, may sound him as to whether his master would help and aid me with such a sum, the which also remaining with me would always be for me an assured fund, to employ upon any such good occasion as might suddenly present itself, and which for want of means I might be constrained to allow to be lost. I commit this pursuit to your own judgment as to the facility there may be of obtaining it or not, for I would not be importunate.

I am very glad of the success which has attended the enterprise of my kinsmen, and of the good and firm resolution which I lately heard by Monsieur de Chateauneuf that the King of France had taken and reiterated once more, no longer to suffer any religion but his own in his realm. I have been counselled to request to be admitted and received into their league, but I see not what advantage I could gain from it to outweigh my risk here if it came to be discovered, and therefore my intention is not to enter into any league unless it is a general one with the Pope, the King of Spain and the other Catholic princes, and that by them all together I may have good promises and assurances for the re-establishment of the affairs of religion over here. Nevertheless if you can induce his Holiness and all the principal Catholic Kings and princes to confer together in order to unanimously demand my liberty from this Queen, I conceive that it would serve me, at least to make me more respected and better treated here.

I find your advice very good, to labour to bring back my son to the religion: but alas! I believe him to be further off than ever, and greatly fear that those who are about him, entirely at the devotion of this Queen, will never allow him to listen to anything tending that way, founding his imaginary greatness and their ambition for themselves upon the maintenance of heresy in this island and his alienation from me. And what is worse, some have been found of my own people who, instead of augmenting and upholding my maternal authority towards him, have exerted themselves to discredit and traverse my dealings with him, in which they may well have a care for the future. For if it were not for me and for my sake, I think that they themselves would hardly find credit there or elsewhere. You have seen how this wretched traitor Gray has abused me, and I hope that it will be to his ruin, charging you as expressly as I may to labour on your part by all means that you may to overthrow him before my son, and to make him known in all places thereabouts for such as he has shown himself towards me, of which you shall have more enlightenment by the discourse of the whole of Nau's negotiation, which I intend to send you by the next opportunity. And meanwhile I will tell you briefly that the journey of the said Nau was of great importance to me, in order to break a design made among the Puritans of this realm to get me condemned and declared incapable of the succession of this crown by the parliament then assembled, the chief of whom they had factiously caused to be chosen by the provinces and boroughs of this realm; as also to draw from them a most wretched and detestable association for my death, or rather a proscription made among them under the name of this Queen and under pretext of her safety, which has been annulled. You will also see by this negotiation about my liberty what has been done to delay my going forth from the hands of the Earl of Shrewsbury, awaiting the issue he shall have against his unhappy wife, whom Nau finally forced, in the presence of the said Queen and her council, to give the lie to all the bruits which she had falsely sown against my honour, and today she is reduced to such a point as to seek me out to confess her fault and ingratitude and to ask pardon for it. He likewise obtained a public prohibition of the history of Buchanan. As to my estate, treatment and ordinary conveniences here, I must confess that except for being deprived of all privacy, I and mine have every occasion to be content therewith, nor is any one of them ever refused at the gate to go and walk as far as they will, though always accompanied by a soldier; and the principal ones have the same liberty on horse-back. But for the rest they are closely watched in all that they may have to do by certain English without and within this house, whom I have so far not known to establish any other way than this; and this again has been owing to the address of poor Morgan, of whom I have already written to you, that you might assist him in the pursuit of his deliverance, and again I recommend to you with all the affection that I may, to continue the good offices which he tells me he has already received from you, not being able without very great ingratitude to fail him in the misery he is now in solely on my account. For I know that his prison was procured for him by the Earl of Leicester upon an opinion which he conceived, and which he disclosed fully in London to Nau, that the said Morgan had, with you and my lord Paget, composed the book which was made about two years ago against him, whereby he was extremely enraged against all of them.

I am informed on good authority that Pinart is ill affectioned towards me and my kindred, and therefore I desire less than ever that you should put in writing any affair of state of which you shall treat with the King of France and that you shall judge might harm me, coming to be revealed, being a manner quite extraordinary, and to which I think any of your companions would hardly adhere and agree.

I have seen the letter of the late Cardinal Boromeo, for which you will thank Dr. Lewes in the meanwhile, until I have cause to write to him. In the place of the late Cardinal Sermonet I leave it to you to make choice either of Cardinal de Pelleuse, if he will accept this protection, or of Cardinal de Montdevis, and in default of them tell me what other you shall judge most fitting.

Cause the pension which I gave to Fuljambe and his brother-in-law to be continued, and recommend them well to the ambassador of Spain, to obtain some pension for him from the King his master, to whom my small means oblige me to have recourse in that matter.

By my general condition you will have seen how I have employed both his secret pensions and the seminary [ ], in order that he may without any difficulty be satisfied therein. I hear that the thirty crowns which you caused to be delivered to a man named Poley have been returned to you. Write to me often, and fully, to inform me in time of the course and state of affairs as well in Scotland as in France, and of all which shall concern my service in those parts. Chartley, 28 May 1586.

Since this present was written I have received yours of the last of March, with that of La Rue, which he dates the 24th [ ]; the haste of this despatch not permitting me to make reply to either of them, I will only tell you that I am advertised that my son has again a close league with this Queen. If this is so, labour in those parts in order to break it, or at least to get the Scotch who are disposed to the alliance with France to quit it, that all traffic from Scotland to France may be forbidden, and all Scotch ships arrested, under pretext of having broken the alliance with France. This is the most swift and sure expedient to bring them to repentance.

Entreat earnestly on my behalf my cousin the Duke of Guise that in God's name he beware vigilantly of the ambushes and secret practices of his enemies at court, and trust not to any promise or show of goodwill whatsoever that may be made to him. For under hand they cease not to treat with those over here against all designs and good intentions. 28 May.

3½ pp. French. Indorsed: The Q. of Scottes to the B. of Glasco. Decifred per Phelippes.

Other copies of parts of the same.

430. Mary to The Bishop of Ross. [May 28.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Received his letters dated the 17th of July no sooner than the 20th of last month.

Has received no certain intelligence of affairs abroad from any other since December 1584, on account of the strictness of her captivity.

Thanks him for his efforts with Lord Claud Hamilton; and prays him to continue as he has done in favouring Fontenay.

Thanks him for his kindness to Morgan and begs him to persevere to obtain his liberty.

Has taken what order she can concerning his pension.

Fontenay satisfied his last desire touching his man Abel. Chartley.

Postscript. [Curll to the Bishop of Ross.] "May it please your good lordship, as you desired, I have employed the poor credit I have about her majesty concerning your pension, wherein Monsieur Nau has shown his friendship, as by my open despatch in March last you may more amply perceive.

I hope if it be not prejudicial unto you—as I think it cannot be but rather good—Monsieur de Ruisseaue by her majesty's commandments shall take some order for the Treasurer's man, his mother, partaking of one of your year's pension.

And thus resting ready to serve your lordship humbly in all I can I commit the same to God his protection. Curll."

1 p. Copy in Phelippes' hand. Indorsed.

431. Mary to Liggons. [May 28.] C. P., vol. XVII.

On the 20th of last month I received your two letters dated the 2nd of September and the 14th of December 1584.

This is since my departure from Wingfield out of the Earl of Shrewsbury's custody.

Until the arrival of your letters I had no certain intelligence of foreign affairs.

I think it vain to write or give any directions to you, since my letters may reach you as slowly as yours reached me, owing to the extreme difficulty in finding sure and willing messengers. Moreover without knowledge I cannot tell what course to take in the affairs of the world.

Nevertheless I thank you for all the trouble that you have undergone in my service, and I will remember the advice you give.

If it had not been for Morgan, in spite of his imprisonment, I could not have received your letters, and might have been without intelligence these years past. He has always been entirely faithful to my service, and I pray you not to reject his friendship.

The Countess of Shrewsbury has been tried and found guilty in her attempt against me.

At the request of Nau, the said lady in the presence of the Queen of England and some of the principals of her court denied, on her knees, the shameful reports she herself spread abroad about me.

As to the matter of Lady Hungerford I did not inform myself particularly. It was first sought out by the Earl of Shrewsbury without my knowledge. I did my best to suppress the matter, for my innocency became clearer day by day. Moreover, I had once been acquainted with the lady, whose good sister I still dearly love.

If this reach you, I pray you to let me hear quickly of the state of the country. Chartley.

1¼ pp. Copy. In Phelippes' hand. Indorsed.

432. Master of Gray to Walsingham. [May 28.]

"Sir, becaus that Mr. Archibald now is quyt of all crym qubarwithe of befor he wes bourdenit, I thocht good by theis feu lynes to acquent yow withe it, bot shall remit the proces and proceidingis to him selfe withe all difficulteis that hes intevenit. Many ennemeis he hes, and yit I thank God in spyt of them all is tournit to his honour and the contentment of thois quho hes delt for him, so yat heirefter I hoype he shalbe the more aible to do bothe hir soaveraine and yours the more agreable service.

It is hard to men to judge quhou thingis shall fall furthe in this realme, the proceidingis of men ar so contrarius one to ane uther, and so litle appeirence quhat weil digestit dissing sume hes in head. For me, I conjectur the worst, and thinkis yat the negligence of sum shalbe thair auin ruin.

Sir William Stewart, brother to Arran, is heir a most familiar withe your banisit lordis, and maid him ennemie in schau to his said brother, bot the contrairie is treu, for yesterday he hes obtenit to his said brother a supesedere for to remaine in the country two monethes. Not the les, sum could verie weil aggre to caus him compeir withe protestatiouns agenst Mr. Archibald Douglas, bot he gainit nothing of that, and I think he repentis him or nou, and yet, or it be long, shall have more cause.

It is thocht, and not altogither without appeirance, that Arraneis retourne and the privat conventiouns of sum his fellouschippe shall tourne to sum alteration of the estet, witche in my opinion shalbe verie treu. Bot I speak in my conscience. I beleve the King him self shall remaine honest in the course. If it be so I put no doubt to reduce maiters, quhen ever presently it alter, to a better and more permanent ground than I see presently, as in grace of God I shall lat you understand verie cleirly or it be long. Bot I protest befor God, I wische no alteration, bot I see it is a certaine fataletie that must neidis be.

All uther thingis cóncerning estet I remit to the embassadour or Mr. Archibald.

Since the recept of my Lord Leicesters last the quharof ye resaveit a copie, I have dun all the diligence I can for to send over men, and sume alredy ar gone, uthers going, and within a tuentye dayis I hoype to have at his lordship a fyfteine hundrethe footmen. So sir, I pray you cause send hither sum moyens, for the long delay hes spendit a gryt deall to me.

I have alredy wrotten to my Lord Leicester, and now hes send to his lordship Captaine Hakerstoun, a gentleman quhom in I repose me verie mutche, albeit I have hard he wes evil reportit of in England, and to yourself in speciall.

Bot trust me. If I be honest all wer leis, and cheifly quhar he wes alledgit for to be a trafiquer, for he hes bein with none of the hous of Guise thir twentie yeirs, and in Scotland he dependis nor hes dependit on no man bot my self, for he scarsly knouis any man, he hes ben so long absent.

He is a gentleman borne cousin germaine to this Lord Houme. For the Queen, he hes bein by hir verie evil usit, and brocht be hir express dealing and commaund to the schauffald in France. So yat I see no cause in the world quhy he should be suspectid, and I pray you sir, advertis for my cause my lord in favouris of the gentleman.

I have send him from Yeland to France bothe for provision of armes, if my lord can not fournis my troupes, as also for sum fyne horsis for my self. Bot his companiez gois weil forduard heir. His dependence in France wes one the grand prieur. I beleve he shall content my lord verie weil.

Thair is ane uther gentleman in my companie quho is evil sclanderit for ye revolt of Brugez. I wil nether purge him nor condeme him, bot he craveis no commandement til he manifest his auin cause, and for yis effect I shall bring him withe me throu England quhar ye shall sie him, and yairefter he shalbe tryit befor my Lord Leicester.

I hoyp that Mr. Archibald shalbe one of the commissioners, and yairefter imployit in yat realme.

Restis only to pray you yat my man Thomas Tyrie be retournit withe diligence. I commit you to Godis holy protection. At Edinburgh." Signed: Master of Gray.

3 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

433. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 28.]

Received the inclosed letter and pieces of money from the King with his request that her majesty's privy councillors be informed how prejudicial it is to his realm to have his money counterfeited. He requests also that the party accused be examined and the offenders receive due punishment. The like was done by an Italian called Lawrence, a goldsmith in Berwick, who was delivered and executed in this town in the Earl of Morton's time.

Leaves to his consideration what shall be done in this case, but is desired that the truth may be known with some expedition that justice may proceed accordingly.

Those men whose names were given to be demanded to be delivered into England have been divers days before the council. The King's pleasure was declared to them, and they excuse and say what they can, and want not of the council that speak in their defence. Notwithstanding, the King commanded his secretary that a day be appointed for their entry to Lord Scrope, her majesty's warden at Carlisle.

The parties are in fear, not that they find themselves guilty of the murder, but that their adversaries there might have them at better advantage than if they were at home and at liberty. Therefore some desire to be rather at Wark, at Mr. Thomas Gray's, brother to Sir James Gray, and some with Sir John Foster.

Insists that they all go together to Carlisle, and assures them that Lord Scrope will do all in his power that no such thing be done, so long as they remain dutiful prisoners.

Their other suit is for a speedy trial.

These points being moved by the Secretary, told him he himself could only deal for their delivery. But if they would discover the offender among themselves, and declare what moved them on a truce day, in warlike manner, with ensigns displayed, and by what council it was done, he would be friend to them, and do them what favour he might.

The French Ambassador had audience of the King on Tuesday last, and complained that sundry gentlemen of this country were determined to levy men against his master, and to save his enemies. He desired that proclamation might be made to forbid them. The King answered that he knew of none so minded, nor heard of any enemy the King [of France] had except the King of Navarre, with whom he was sorry the French King had dealt so far against his promise as to break his Edict of Pacification, in which stood the safety of those that profess the true religion.

The French King has a party here, and the King's mother wants not favourers. Of their number he who bears him [Randolph] best countenance is the man that works the most mischief.

This might have been remedied with a little liberality from him, and believes hereafter it will cost him dearer. The King only remains constant to her majesty.

James Melville is appointed as third commissioner. Would rather others judged of his fitness than himself.

Hopes that his abode here draws to an end, and that he will be succeeded by such a one as the place requires, "Non ex omni ligno fit Mercurius," and he had need of a long spoon that feeds with the devil.

Mr. Archibald [Douglas] shall write for himself. He is tried by a jury of twelve men, and free of the crime he stood charged with. His assize was on the 26th of this month.

Has given thanks to the King on his behalf, because her majesty wrote for him in his favour. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

2½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 296.

Copy of the same.

434. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [May 28.]

Since closing his other letter has received this letter from the King to be sent to her majesty.

Thinks it concerns those who are to be delivered into England and come by the Secretary's advice, for he is great friends with divers of them, and is thought to know who it was that slew Lord Russell.

Is of opinion neither favour nor courtesy should be shown to them in trial. Has the King's own word that when they are in her majesty's will he will speak for none except for such as her majesty finds neither doer nor counsellor of the fact.

The Secretary's meaning is to have them tried by the commissioners. Thinks himself that means should be found to deliver one or two of the company that they may accuse him, who is surely among themselves, and all of them know who it was.

Leaves it to her majesty's consideration and the wisdom of her council, but thinks neither mercy nor pity is to be shewn to any of them. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

435. Monsieur Pasquier to Monsieur Courcelles. [May 28.]

You have wished to anticipate me with two kinds of courtesy, for you have not been content to make me partaker of your news if it were not accompanied by a present from the country where you are. For which I thank you humbly and shall keep it carefully for love of you, from whom I have been very glad to hear the news.

They would have us believe here that Mons. Desneval will return soon and that we shall have the happiness and contentment to see you again. If it is a matter you wish, all your friends desire it also.

You knew of the marriage of M. Pinart the younger with the daughter of the Count de Maulerrier and the windfall to the estate of his father which the King has granted him. They say his majesty has done the like grace to M. Brulart for his eldest son. But I understand that the children will not be able to exercise them conjointly with their fathers nor in their absence; but that when their fathers shall be tired of working they shall be received in their place, and it is no small matter to have this assurance.

We have here the ambassadors of the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland, who ought to have audience within two days. It is said they have come to counsel the King to make peace. God grant it! For the poor people is so ruined and we have so little money it is almost impossible we can continue the war.

We judge that the town of Mont Segur, which Mons. du Mayne besieged last, ought to be rendered by now: at least the 15th of this month those within were asking a like composition to St. Bazille. If I knew when this present letter would reach you I would tell you more about it. I am addressing it to the secretary of M. de Chateauneuf to hand it to you. Paris.

1 p. Holograph.

436. Mary to Godfrey Foljambe. [May 29.] C.P., vol. XVII.

My good friend, your letters dated the 31st of October 1584 and the 14th of March 1585 came safely to my hands last month.

This is all that I have received of yours since my departure from Wingfield, having all this time been kept most strictly. If Morgan had not found out this I should still have been destitute.

I thank you most heartily for your good advice and also for your care of my affairs as well in Scotland as where you are, lamenting that it is not in my power to recognize the same better than I have done.

I have recommended you especially to Don Bernardino in order that he may procure you an honest pension from the King of Spain. I am sure that Don Bernardino will do his best to bring you comfort therein, having always found him ready to employ himself for me.

I am also writing to my ambassador for the payment of as little as my small means have allowed me to impart unto you and your brother.

The persons serving in this house of whom you write to me are not to be won over; and therefore you will do me good service by recovering some other intelligence.

For all you may have heard against Morgan during his adversity, believe the experience that I have had of his entire fidelity.

If there is anything to be found fault with, it is that he has been overzealous.

Commend me to your brother, and may God keep you both under His protection. The inclosed marked [ (fn. 5) ] is for Father Parsons. Chartley.

1¼ pp. Copy in Phelippes' hand. Indorsed.

Inclosure with the same:—

(Mary to Robert Parsons.)

My good friend, your letters of [ ] 1584 and of February 1585 came no sooner to my hands than the 25th of last month.

Not knowing how things stand it is impossible to give any substantial direction or answer. Nevertheless if I had received your letters when I was at Wingfield, and if I had had the money I required, I think I could have brought to pass that which you propose.

The said house was very fit therefore, being surrounded with wood and at that time in the winter season as you desired.

Besides, my new keepers give me a great deal more liberty than I was wont to have.

But now both myself and my people are kept so close, that it has not been in my power to practise anything within this house except through him who leads this intercourse.

Without being assisted by some of my keeper's servants, it is now altogether impossible for me to escape from these gates, for no window or passage is left night or day without a sentinel. Do not cease labouring for the re-establishment of things in this country.

Give my thanks to my cousin the Prince of Parma for the honourable testimony I have had by his letter of the goodwill he bears me.

I pray you to let him understand that as it has pleased the King of Spain to choose him for the care and management of the enterprise for the re-establishing of this state, so I will concur in all things with a Prince so meet for the effecting of the same.

I beg you also to thank him for the diligence with which he has tried to recover the 12,000 crowns for which I had asked.

I do not wish any further suit to be made unless there is a great facility for recovering the money, in respect of the great charges that I have been forced to bear during this while, for all my means of communication have failed, and I am not able to recover others without money.

I am forced to let slip opportunities for want of ready and sufficient means.

You know how I am used in France and how my dowry has diminished during these wars; notwithstanding I would in no way importune the King of Spain or the Prince of Parma.

As I cannot write to Mr. Owen more than the aforesaid, I refer to you to impart the same unto him, and to witness the account I make of his goodwill towards me. Chartley.

1¾ pp. Copy in Phelippes' hand. Indorsed.

437. Colonels, etc., Going with the Master of Gray. [May 29.]

"The names of ye cheif gentillmen, colonellis, capitanis and commanderis of ye troupis."

Sir Jhone Murray of Tullybardin, knight; Laird of Wemys; Constable of Dundie; Sir John Carmichaell, knight; Laird of Restalrig; Sir Alexander Jardane of Apilgirt, knight; Sir Robert Maxwell, knight; Master of Forbes; Master of Glencarne; Laird of Geicht; Laird of Lethindie, Forbes; Laird of Balfour; Laird of Powrie Ogilvie; Laird of Quhittinghame; Mr. William Leslie, esquire to his master William Colvill; James Forrett; John Ker of Greneheid; William Home of Cowdonknowis; Robert Gray, uncle to my lord; thre of my lordis brediris; Laird of Ruthvene, besyd mony uyiers.

Colonellis and capitanis quho haith all borne charge of capitanis of cheif.

Colonel Boyid; Captain Ker; Captain Halkertsoun; Andrew Gray, uncle to my lord; Captains Hugh Lawdir; Murray, eldir; Murray, younger; Boistwell; Rentoun; Pantoun; Gordoun, eldir; Gordoun, younger; Doloquhie; Maistirtoun; Dawidsoun; Forrester; Boyid; Kintone; Woddell; Cant; Arthur Stewart; Rattaray; William Scrymgeour; John Scrymgeour; James Bruce; Patrick Bruce; Tyrie; Sinclair; Montgomerie, eldir; Montgomerie, younger; Colvill; Mivre; Forbes, sone to my lord Forbes; Wapenschaw; Ewing; Burrowman; Oliphant; Monypenny; Ramsay; Transoun; Belye; four capitanes Maxwellis. Besyd ane infinit nomer of gentillmen and capitanis.

1 p. No flyleaf. Indorsed: "The names of the captains and leaders that do offer to follow the Master of Gray into the Low Countries."

438. Monsieur Nau to Monsieur Fontenay. [May.] C.P., vol. XVII.

Her majesty has not up to this time been able to obtain from the gentleman near Wingfield the three last despatches in cipher sent by you from Scotland. There are about [ ] which she received all together among some old packets remaining in the hands of Mauvissière, two despatches from you, one of the month of [ ] '84, the other a fortnight later. By the same means came also yours of the [ ], and I have since received those of the [ ] last, of which I have not yet been able to get the complete decipherment. The negotiations, procedures and dealings in Scotland were very agreeable to her majesty, having had many good and very advantageous reports thereof. Continue to write to her, to maintain your credit with her. I approve of the request that you make not to be charged for some time with [ ] of [ ], and according I will look to it that you be not engaged therein; by this very despatch I have saved you from three or four commissions for Scotland. Remember, I beg you, how I warned you before to use all the fair and good speech you can about the King, without confiding what you otherwise think about him to any one whatsoever. For the factions and divisions are so great over there that for your own good I counsel you to commit yourself to neither faction, but to keep yourself as retired and as private as you can. Refrain yourself a little with the Archbishop of Glasgow, however just a resentment you may have and nourish for his dealings towards you, and time will ripen your judgment of him. What I have [ ] to you about not charging yourself with recommendations in favour of another was for your own good, knowing that the archbishop of Glasgo expressly sends you those who have business here, even his own dependants, in order afterwards to have cause to proclaim that nothing can well be done or obtained but by our means. Therefore when you shall have some matter destined for the service of her majesty, let me know it by this secret way, reserving to it the secret designs, and not committing them to the common way, subject to too many hands. Tell my brother the treasurer that I received the three letters with which he charged Monsieur de Cherelles, and that after having very maturely considered all, I regret no less than he that we are fallen into such garboils, and desire no less than he to get out of them by a perfect reconciliation. But I cannot on my conscience help throwing the blame upon him, having first established himself and ever afterwards remained—as I still see by his said letters—upon pure formalities. As to the accounts, I would have one simple and full acknowledgment in truth of all that has passed between us: it must by no means be so loose as "let him have," or "if he owes"; it must be by bond, receipt or acquittance—for I have never required any assurance of him therein, and refused it when he offered it to me. He cannot allege that I approved the employment of my money upon the community of the malicious or of our late brother—for then he came not there—certainly he did not order it, nor does it so appear in any manner whatsoever by the sentence that he obtained against the debtors; and at the commencement, when I demanded an account of him, he himself said that he had left my said money at [ ], without profiting —not thinking or not remembering that he had written the contrary to me; that he does not at all say that I deny the receipt and the payment. I will avow all, to the last penny, and that which I shall deny, in truth, weighs upon my heart. The whole rests upon this point, the arrest of his receipt in his principal debt, and I assure myself that he will not dispute that; he assigned to me five hundred crowns of rent in the town of Lyons, or at least so much of profit. He avows it to-day; it only remains to verify in what place, with what persons and in what manner he made use of it, upon which I desire to have the judgment of the arbitrators in brief by your good diligence and pursuit, awaiting in that a proof of the duty which you profess towards me. Let our said brother not trouble himself about the reports made against him to her majesty, I having myself long since provided against them, his honour being my own. As to Monsieur de Ruisseau, be assured, both of you, that he has never done any ill office against us, and that no one soever shall ever [ ] on my part against so near a kinsman. If your marriage succeeds, do not fail [ ] some pretty and rare wedding gift of the value of about thirty pounds, but have a care that it be something estimable rather for rarity or design than for price. Chartley. May 1586. I will have a pension assigned to Anthony Rolston.

1²/3 pp. French. Indorsed: "Naw to Fontenay. May 1586. Decifred per Phelippes."

439. Mary's Household. [May 30.] C.P., vol. XVII.

"The Scottishe Queenes householde people."

The Queen; Andrew Melvill, master of her house (Scotch); George, his servant (English); Mr. Wawr, secretary (French); Henry, his servant (English); Mr. Curll, secretary (Scotch); Laurence, his servant (Scotch); Mr. Burgoyne, physician (French); Ralph, his servant (English); Du Preau, priest (French); Gervaise, surgeon (French); Nico de la Warre, apothecary (French); Bastian's pages (French); Hannibal, Pasquier (French), grooms of the chamber; Symon, page of the chamber (French); Balthazar (French), Morton (English), taylors of the wardrobe; Charles Plonnart, embroiderer (French); Dedier, pantler (French); John Lauder, butler (Scotch); Martin, master cook (French); Nicholas, pasteler (French); Hamilton, undercook (Scotch); Percy (English), Silvester (French), boys in the kitchen; Thomas Welch, turncocks (English); Young Hamilton (English); Roger Sharpe, coachman (English); Laurence Barlowe, John Jackson, Robet (English), grooms of the stable; Elizabeth Pierrepoint (English); Barbara Curll, wife to Curll (Scotch), Jane Beauregard (French), Jane Kenethy (Scotch), Elizabeth Curll (Scotch), gentlewomen of her chamber; Mistress Mowbray, her maid (Scotch), entertained this year by license; Elizabeth Bray, Catherine Bray (English), sisters serving the Queen and gentlewomen; Bastian's wife and three children (Scotch), whereof the youngest is twelve years old; Elizabeth Butler, Alse Sharpe, Alse Foster (English), laundresses.

Sum of men, women and children beside the Queen, forty-seven.

William Black, page of the Queen's chamber, is dead since my coming hither.

Also Pierondre, his wife, his wife's sister, and five children, have been discharged since my coming hither.

The whole company, besides one gentlewoman who died at Tutbury before my coming thither, and Mistress Mowbray and her maid, admitted since, came of my Lord of Shrewsbury's house,

Bastian's wife gave birth to a child about Easter, and Mistress Curll expects to be the same shortly after midsummer.

2 pp. Indorsed.

440. Mary to Monsieur de l'Aubespine. [May 31.] C.P., vol. XVII.

It not having been in my power to have the whole decipherment of your letters of the 9th of April before the departure of him who brought them to me, so sudden was it, I was constrained to postpone the answer to them until now, your others of the last of the same month having since been delivered to me.

I have received all the old packets delivered by you to the gentleman who acquitted himself of them faithfully and carefully. But there are yet others in the hands of some who were wont to serve me before my change to Tutbury, which I will give order to be taken to you, that they may be sent to me by this road: the which I will not commit or hazard to any but yourself and those who now direct it.

I should find it only fitting to remove the covers from secret packets to reduce them to a smaller space, as you have lately done, were it not that in so doing I very often could not know the ways and addresses by which they shall be sent to me, and to whom I ought to send the answer to them. Which you can judge is of import to the safety of those who write to me, some being to be committed to the fidelity of him who would not let it be known to any other that they have intelligence with me.

I should much like to know whether you have yet recovered any means of writing secretly to Scotland, in order that I may establish some correspondence with you there for the King of France your master and for myself, as occasion may hereafter arise.

As to the business of the Countess of Shrewsbury, I believe it to be merely an artifice to discover indirectly whether you have secret intelligence with me, whether you would take upon you to send me the said message, which they may well think you would not impart to me by way of Mr. Walsingham, or whether you would render another reply on my behalf which they shall likewise clearly see you have not had by the ordinary way. And therefore I am of opinion that if any further request is made to you about this reconciliation, you should merely answer that such great and serious occasions of enmity having passed between the said Countess and myself, you willed not to undertake to bear me word of reconciliation without a very solid and most express assurance and proof of the repentance of the said Countess. Whereupon you will desire that she enter into details, and will endeavour to know from her as much as ever you can, only promising her to let me know of the whole by the first means you shall be able to obtain, and to employ yourself as much as shall be in you for the purpose of this reconciliation. But I tell you plainly that her extreme ingratitude and the terms she has employed against me do not permit me with my honour (which I have more sought than all the greatness in the world) ever to have anything to do with so wicked a woman.

I thank you for sending me your news, and beg you to continue to impart it as fully as your convenience will allow, the knowledge of foreign affairs serving me much in providing for my own over here.

The packet here inclosed is to be sent to Morgan by the way that he agreed with you. The last day of May.

That which follows is an addition by the hand of the Queen. Monsieur ambassador, I earnestly beg you that this young lady may be kindly withdrawn from me by her father and mother. For this purpose deal with them as soon as you can, making them understand my intention in this regard, which is to have provided her well for their contentment. And to speak more freely to you, I desire to be rid of her on many accounts, chiefly by reason of her grandmother.

1⅓ pp. French. Copy. Indorsed: The Scottish Q. to the French Embassadour. Decifred per Phelippes.

Other copies of the same.

441. [ ] To [ ]. [May.]

"Pleis your honour resawe the copie of this lig quhilk is to be maid betuix thais cuntreis quhilk is ane thing of litell effect, for it will en no wayis be kepit. I nether can lerne nec utherwayis percaif any thing bot the imbassadour is blindit in all his doingis with the King and counsall, and altogither ignorant of the estait of our countrie. For thair is no thing trewlie menit to him be onie thair bot onlie to serf thair awin turne for the present, as your lordship will percaif heireftir.

For the wairding of James Stewart was a dewyse of his awin, dewysit betuix the King and him, and to plesour the imbassadour for the tyme, for he is releivit of his ward, and na uther bot he the onlie gwyder of all thingis thair.

Fairneheirst hes bene send for sundre tymes be the Kyng and Ewir hes bene stayit of James Stewartis adverteismentis till sic tyme as he may haif ane lettir fra the King to be his warrand for all thingis bypast. Utherwayis he will nocht gang at all to the Court, bot is preparing himself and is makand all the diligence he can, to pass his way to France, finding himself as it is thocht to be giltie of this nobill manis death. For so far as I can lerne it is ather ane neir freind of the Laird of Fairneheirstis awin, or ellis ane of his awin howshold men quha is the schooter of my Lord Russell, and that nicht befoir the meiting, thair come to Fairneheirst a lettir fra James Stewart— Arrane—to caus him keip that day of meiting with my lord. And eftir the recait of that lettir immediatlie he send incontenent to Jedburgh with all diligence possibill to the bailyeis to mak all the haist they culd to haif the handsenzie maid up againe fyve of the clok of ye morrow, and in lyk maner, ane charge to all the haill men of the town, to wayt that day on the handsenezie, till accumpane the wardane to Cokillaw.

442. John Colvile to William Davison. [May.]

After perusing the inclosed, prays he will return the same, and, as good opportunity may serve, that he will remember to speak with her majesty and the Treasurer on such heads as were conferred upon at their last meeting. Edinburgh. Signed: Jo. Colvile.

½ p. Indorsed, "To the right worshipful Mr. William Davesone, esquire, late ambassador for her majesty in the Low Countries."