Edward VI: September 1547

39. Lennox and Wharton to Somerset. [Sept. 1. 1547.]

We send the enclosed letter from the Laird of Closburn to me the Earl. As we wrote before, the men of war prepared to watch for our victuallers, have done notable damage in the Isle of Man. The nobles and gentlemen of the West Marches are under "moost dradfull commaundmentes" to join the Governor, and yet intend leaving the countrymen at home for defence. Huntly can bring no great power, and Argyll though very earnest, can bring no more. Carlisle. Signed: Mathow Lewenax, Thomas Whartton.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

40. Laird of Ormistown to Somerset. [Sept. 2. 1547.]

Albeit I have written divers times in the late King's reign and since, to the Captain of Norham, for your grace's information of our affairs, to forward your godly wish for union of the realms and "puplyk weill": yet though unknown to you, I now write without any "medyator," to show my good mind. The Queen and the Governor have been ten days in Edinburgh setting out proclamations, "bot cumpanyt with few lordis, by (fn. 1) ane certan of schurll preistis, quha hes dewyset the fyer crois to pais throwcht the realme, als sowine as yowr graice army taikis Scottis grownd." They summoned all men to meet on Fallo muir the last day of this past month, but they did not convene. This "Fursday" (fn. 2) the Governor left Edinburgh, and was all night in Newbottle, intending to haste his army to the "Peyhtis" [Peaths] to stand there. Leith is empty, and the people ordered to keep Edinburgh, but "soberly" prepared to resist: the Nether Port is rampired with "faill," and one or two pieces of ordnance. On the Castlehill they have cut a "fowse" (fn. 3) and set "gabyonys" and ordnance. The Governor fears your delay, for he cannot keep our army together if once convened. Huntly and Argyll come "als sterk as thai may." Whatever your grace advertises me, I will use it as you direct. Signed: Ormystown.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

41. Lennox and Wharton to Somerset. [Sept. 6. 1547.]

We enclose two letters received this day from the Earl of Glencarne, one to Thomas Bischop. We hear of great division among the noblemen and no great power assembled. Only the gentlemen and 100 men of the West Marches went, and they say will return. John Maxwell is looked for at Dumfries this night. Carlisle. Signed: Mathow Lewenax, Thomas Whartton.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in same:—

(Glencairn to Lennox and Wharton.)

I received your writings this 3^d of September—that you intend coming in at these west parts, and that I make trial what friends will assist in furth putting the word of God and marriage, and concur with you the Earl: I could not go outside my bounds, for the watch kept on me by the Governor, but have spoken with and sent your proclamations to Kyle and "Lowdeane," who promise to do their "devoir," and my lord of Lennox will be assured of Kyle, Cunninghame, his and my part of the barony of Renfrew, and his own earldom, except the Laird of Buchanan—and Glasgow and Dunbarton are determined to live and die with him. He is not so ignorant but he has other friends in Scotland, and I would he wrote to them to concur and advise with me for his affairs. The Governor summoned all men between 16 and 60 to muster on Fala Moor this Wednesday the last of August with 20 days' victual, but I hear few are come yet. I trust my lord Protector and his army will be in no danger, for the Governor fears his own folk more than yours, and if all keep promise, I believe he shall have cause.

Edw. VI. 1547.

As you wrote to me that at my parting I should not be suspicious but write plainly: I marvel that your wisdoms should think, that I being but a single baron, with no aid or help but my own poor friends, "may ganestand the haill body of the realme"! Therefore I think best to keep all secret both for my own sake, and to come better at my purpose.

I have written a little "tykat" to my friend Master Bischope to show you. "Ye wait quhay."

1½ pp. Addressed: "To his good and special lordes." Indorsed: (From the Earl of Glencairn.)

42. Lennox and Wharton to Somerset. [Sept. 16.]

As your grace commanded me Lord Wharton at Newcastle, we proclaimed on the West Marches that all men should attend us with 20 days' victuals on the 8^th instant to invade Scotland, but divers of the gentlemen and officers not being ready, we on Friday morning the 9^th invaded and encamped in Scotland with 2000 foot and 500 horse, 200 of them Scots in the King's service. On Saturday we marched to Castlemilk, 16 miles, and summoned the captain "Jamys Stewerd" to surrender, who answered "that if he might see therll of Lynouxe faice" he would deliver "the hold" to him, and requested he would send him his gloves "in a token that he was there"; on sight whereof he came forth and delivered the "kies" to me the Earl. We encamped there that night and then put in one Fergus Grame with 20 foot (12 of them hagbutters) to keep it. His pay as captain being 2s. and the men "sex pens the day," and I Lord Wharton have given them a month "aforhand" and some provisions.

The wall is 9 feet thick, the roofs in decay. It stands in a country fit for fortifying, albeit we had no means therefor—3 miles from Lochmaben, and 8 from Dumfries. Being informed that the Governor had sent one James Lyone with 7 gunners to the "steple of Anande," and charged the town to help him, with promise to relieve them in 4 hours after our army was there, we marched on Sunday to Anande, and encamped so near the steeple as we could, and same night summoned the captain to render it, who refused as his master the Governor had ordered him. "And we having in ordenaunce but a facon, a faconett, and foure quarter facons, for that ther is no baterie peice at Carlisle, divised that night howe we shulde maik warr agaynst the house on the morowe. At viij^th of the clok in the mornying, we laid those sex peices to beit the battailling, and appoyntid certane archers and hagbutters to maik warre also untill a paveis of tymbre might be drawn to the sidde of the steplee, under whiche sexe pyoners might work to have undermyened the sam; and in putting these to effectes, they in the house maid sharpe warre, and slewe foure of our men and hurt divers others. And with grett stones from the steple toppe, brooke the paveis after it was sett, and being in that extrymytie, lakking ordenaunce for that purpose, we caused certane pyoners cutt the walle of the east end of the quere, overthuart abone the earthe, and caused the hooll ende to falle, wherwith the rooff and tymbre falling inward, slewe vij Scotesmen. And after that we caused the peices be laid to shoot at the doore of the steplee which was a house hight, and that house hight rampered with earthe, and caused them further to myen." And then the captain about 4 p.m. took down his "pensall of defyaunce" and he and his men "cried for marcie." But we said they should all be hanged. So they surrendered without conditions, and the captain "a tall gentleman," with his 57 men came out and delivered the "kies." We consulted, and resolved "to contynewe thar liefes" and keep them prisoners. On Tuesday morning we "cutt and raiced down the churche wallis and steplee, and brent the towne, not leving any thing therin unbrent; which was the best town in Anerdaill." We also sent to England 7 fisher boats lying on the river. We marched that night to Dronok, encamping 5 nights in Scotland, and harried and burned the country where resistance was made, sparing all others. On Wednesday night the 14^th, we came to Carlisle with 80 prisoners, the ordnance and munition in the steeple, and 12 principal hostages for the service of the others to the King. We think the whole of Annandale will shortly serve the King, and that the castles of Lochmaben and Carlaverok shall hardly get victuals. These countrymen will serve under your grace anywhere in Scotland, and assuredly the gentlemen of this West March have honestly served and merit your favour. It is to our singular comfort to hear of the "godlie and honorable victorie" that your grace and the King's army hath in that realm, wherefor we have come to give Almighty God thanks. "And even so they in that realme have no lese cause to gif thankis accordinglie, yf they hadd grace so to receve it." With credence for the bearer John Dudley servant to me Lord Wharton. Carlisle. Signed: Mathow Lewenax, Thomas Whartton.

4½ pp. Addressed: "To . . . my lord of Somersett his grace lord protectour of the Kingis Majesties domynyons and governour of his highnes most royall persone." Indorsed (by Thynne).

43. Wharton to the Privy Council. [Sept. 16.]

To similar effect.

4½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Petre).

44. Wharton to Somerset. [Sept. 16.]

I was sorry at the want of victual, ordnance &c. on our late rode, without which no more could be done. If it please you to have Dumfries, Lochmaben, and others thereabout burned, I am in hope to get the assured countrymen to do it. I wait your grace's instructions on this and the garrison of Castlemylk. Some of the men of my March think they should not invade Scotland but by a "Wardanes roode, which is to goo and cum in a day ande a night," except they get wages "for further invacion." I shall obey your grace's commands herein.

One Davy Irwyn a spy of mine was hanged at Edinburgh by the Governor's order. He also kept the Goodman of Granton there on suspicion. Carlisle. Signed: Thomas Whartton.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Thynne).

45. Articles for delivery of Hume Castle, &c. [Sept. 23. 1547.]

Under five heads:—

(1) The gentlemen shall deliver Hume castle to my lord protector, and (except bearing armour against their countrymen) shall do what is in them to deliver the young Queen to his hands.

(2) They shall bear no armour against Englishmen.

(3) They shall victual his garrisons in Scotland for ready money.

(4) As pledges they shall deliver their sons and heirs, or failing these "their next enheritours," and

(5) They shall enjoy their lands and goods (Hume castle excepted) as before.

1 p. In Thynne's hand. Indorsed.

(1) Another copy of same.

46. Clynton, &c., to Somerset. [Sept. 24. 1547.]

On Tuesday last at 4 p.m. we reached Broughty "Crak," and sent Sir Andrew Dudley and D^r Derham in the Galley Suttell, "something before the navye." They shot off 3 pieces at the Castle, which was at once rendered as your grace told me. Next day I landed early, and as devised by the Italian your grace sent with me, we have near finished a trench "thwart" the land. We have rampired the walls and made a platform of earth, and laid in ordnance and munition yesterday. To-day we shall victual it for 6 weeks, but cannot make it strong in the short time your grace gave us. For lack of victual, chiefly drink, we must leave this day. Instead of it standing on a rock and only one way to it, as your grace was told, three parts are on a low rock, and to the land, where the trench is, is but "pepill" stone and sand, and most men here think will be filled up by the sea, the ground is so loose that the wind blowing "at a spring," east-south-east and south east, will stop up the east part of the trench—and the westnorth-west winds the other end. For above the pebble stones cast up by the sea, there is but a thin crust of sandy earth. And from half ebb to half flood, men can come round about, and all times on two parts. The walls on land side not above 14 feet high, and seaward not above 9, and 4 feet thick. We will rampire it higher, and meanwhile for surety, I shall by advice of M^r Woodhouse, M^r Clere, M^r Legge &c. leave 100 men in it, besides the Mary Hamborough—the Bark Eger and Phenix, whose crews shall help in the work. They are victualled for a month and will be a protection. Since my coming, the chief burgesses of Dundee &c. have come in, and but for fear of the great men and priests, would submit. They have supplied us with fresh victuals, and the men of two villages by the river side, fishermen and pilots, are to fish for us. Sir Andrew Dudley begs your grace's further instructions. To-morrow, if wind serve, we depart towards England. Broughty Castle. Signed: E. Clynton, Andrew Duddeley, W. Woodhous, Robert Legge.

7½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Thynne).

47. Lennox to Somerset. [Sept. 27.]

I received by Lord Wharton's servant your grace's letters written at Roxburgh, to my great comfort, in accepting my doings in the King's service, and licensing me to join my wife. I doubt not, since your success over the King's enemies, many shall now treat with you. Praying your remembrance at fit time, of my damages done by my adversaries, "the appoyntment whereof" shall redound more to the King's commodity than to mine. Carlisle. Signed: Mathow Lewenax.

¾ p. Written by Bischop. Addressed. Indorsed (by Thynne). Armorial wafer signet (Lennox).

48. Lennox and Wharton to Somerset. [Sept. 29.]

We ask your grace's favour for the bearer M^r Roughe a Scotsman, who was in the castle of S^t Andrews, but at the very instant of the siege, chanced to be abroad in the country, and could not return; and by help of friends, fled hither to save his life, where he has since remained. He is well known to many in Scotland for preaching and instruction of the Scriptures according to his learning. It seems he is well given to set forth the word of God. Carlisle. Signed: Mathow Lewenax, Thomas Whartton.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Thynne).

49. John earl of Warwick to Somerset. [Sept. 30. 1547.]

The Laird of Langton has been with me for his master the Earl, (fn. 4) and said if your grace would help him to a wife in England, he would deliver the Armytage. He named the wife of the late Duke of Suffolk for one, but other two he was "lothe to name." I saw he meant my Lady Mary or my Lady Elizabeth. The Duchess I said would take your advice, I made no answer as to the others. He asked your safe conduct to come to see them and return; and if you would allow him 100 "wagers" at the King's cost, he would deliver his house, and become the King's servant. I think he wanted the men more than leave to see the ladies. Huntly would fain stay here till the commissioners arrive, saying he could find out their secrets by the vicechancellor his servant; but I would not seem to understand, and to-day he sends his wife hence, and to-morrow shall depart for London. Berwick. Signed: Warwyck.

2 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet: a gem.

50. Instructions for Norroy. [Sept. . 1547.]

To declare to the Queen Dowager and Council of Scotland the causes that moved his grace the Protector to enter their country with an army. That God had shown his power in giving his grace the late victory over those "that withstode principally God and this godly purpose." To enjoin the Queen and Council to deliver the young Queen to the Protector to be suitably nourished and brought up with her husband, as a Queen of England—as he promises to do on his honour, failing which, that he will use all means to bring it about by force.

6½ pp. Indorsed: "Copie Norreys instruccions to the Quene and Counsaile of Scoteland."

51. Bishop of Durham to Somerset. [Sept. 30. 1547.]

Most of my carriage being departed to Durham to provide for your grace's dinner there to-morrow, when ye will be as I understand with Sir George Conyers—I received your letter from Alnwick, and in answer send you draught of commission to my lord of Warwick, &c., much like the King's late commission to me and the Warden of the Middle Marches to treat with the Scots; leaving your grace to supply the styles of the King and others. I also send your grace copies of the treaties of peace and marriage concluded with the Scots by the late King, and the article comprehending them in the French treaty. And I now follow my carriage to Durham to await your grace. Newcastle. Signed: Cuth. Duresme.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

52. Lord Grey of Wilton to Somerset. [Oct. 1. 1547.]

I have declared your grace's pleasure to my lord lieutenant, and send Lord Clynton's letter to your grace with 13 Scottish standards, whereof it may please you (in my behalf) to present two, viz., the Queen's and the priests', to the King. Berwick. Signed: Wyllyam Grey.

Pardon my boldness in this desire.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Thynne).