Elizabeth: October 1560

910. Arran to Cecill. [Oct. 1.]

Albeit I wrote to you from Edinburgh with Lethington, yet having occasion now being in the west, to meet with my lord of Glencairn, "I thocht good to desir yow to except me said lord as my aswrid freind, to quhom I haiwe bein alwais addettit for his gowd will, boyth in tymes past and now." Glasgow, "in haist." Signed: James Hammyltoun.

1 p. Holograph; also address: "To Maistir Ciscills principell secretary to the Quenis Majeste of Ingland." Indorsed.

911. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 7.]

Since my lord of S^t Johns departed, by whom you would be advertised of all things, there has been no great matter to report. The ambassadors in 2 or 3 days will leave this town towards you; they stayed a few days longer, for advertisement they had from Sir Francis Leke, and also the uncertain bruit of the fall of English money, of which they had made their chief provision, and paid very dear at the merchants' hands to have it. They have written their determination to Sir Francis, who I am sure will speedily advertise you, as will Lethington, in the matters that your honour wrote to him of: wherein he and many others will show their desire to continue the amity. The contract is yet in my hands; 30 of the estates have subscribed it, there lack yet 3, whose seals I doubt not to get when they come to this town. I am advised to have the copy of the Act of Parliament confirming it, subscribed by the clerk of the register's hand, and beg your pleasure thereon.

To show your honor in how good part Argyll did accept the Queen's letters, I send you his own, testifying the receipt of them and his devotion to her highness' service. Of the "self same" band and league is "my lord of S^t James," (fn. 1) of whose handwriting I can testify no less. Others there are, no less bound than these, of whome I have no fewer promisses bothe by worde and wryting, then I have of the other." You shall hear soon of these matters by those coming up.

I trust you shall shortly hear the Castle Sempill matter is agreed: my lord Arran wrote to me from Glasgow that he had sent two gentlemen to require the Master of Sempill to deliver the castle; who answered that as his father had put him there, he would be loth to do anything contrary to his command—but if Arran pleased, he would come himself to him and remain, sending his brother to Dunbar to know what his father would agree to. The son is returned, but I know not yet his father's answer: it is told me the father is returned to the Duke and his son, to take such composition as he can. You shall know in my next. In the same letter Arran writes that the bishop of S^t Andrews is like to become a good protestant—has already given over his Mass, and received the common prayers. "This (?) good token (as the larde of Graynge wrytethe unto me) he hathe geven of repentance and amendement of his lyf; for at what tyme he offered most largly, the ladie his love the lord Symple dawghter was in howse with hym at Parslaye [Paisley]. My lord of Arrane is not so hastie in beleve, that he wyll credyt myche before he see some token of hartier repentance than I cane thynke wyll proceade owte of so dyssembled a harte! As myche as the Duke possessed of hys, wich was Parslaye only, he (fn. 2) hathe in possession agayne; what so ever my lord of Arran had, he kepethe stylle in hys handes. The hatred of men increasethe dayly agaynst the bysshope, his fawltes are oftayne tymes tawlked of bothe in the pulpet and owte."

Lord James is not yet returned from the north. I doubt whether Argyll be gone to meet the Deputy of Ireland—for he was so purposed, as I understood by Glencairne. The Master of Maxwell was again written to, to see if Wharton and he could be agreed on reasonable conditions. Lady Fleming takes journey hence to-morrow for France: having promised to me "of her honour," that none are in her company but the ordinary attendants of her son and her self. Robert Lyslay (of whom I wrote) sues a passport for himself and 9 others; he will hardly find favour here. Lord Erskine I hear has given the keeping of Edinburgh Castle to his brother Alexander, "a worce papyste then hym self and more malicius then a man of good judgement owght to be. As ther was never good to be loked for at hys (fn. 3) handes, so ys ther no hurte to be dowted." If it pleased your honour to procure my return, without suspicion of alienation of the Queen's favour to this country, I should be bound to you for ever. Edinburgh. Signed: Thomas Randolphe.

2½ pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the same:—

(Argyli to Randolph.)

I received your writing with letters from the Queen and "Master Sisyll," and for her Majesty's "gowd lettir" shall be ever ready to do her acceptable service. I shall do diligence as M^r Cecil directs, but I have received "na word from the Erll of Swsex depwty of Irland, qwharof I marwall, for Mastir Sisyll belyfes that I haif rasawit from hym." Therefore certify him. Dunoon, 30 (fn. 4) September 1560. Signed: Ar^d. Ergyll.

¾ p. Holograph; also address: "To the richt worschepfwll Tomas Randolf." Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

912. Mary Queen of Scots to Lord Gray. [Oct. 8. Egerton, 1818, fol. 12.]

"Cousing . . . Notwithstanding of the gude report maid to ws of yow, yet we ar blyith to se be your lettres the intire affection ye have evir had to our umquhile modir the Quene regentis service and ouris." And we know the good will she had to yow; trusting you will continue it during these troubles, and keep your friends to their duty and obedience "awcht to ws," and to give no favour or consent to "na thing" but what is conform to our mind; whereof ye shall ever be advertised, as matters succeed in these parts, and we pray your advice. S^t Germanis. Signed: Your gud freinde, Marie.

In case our former letters were "tynt," we give this credit by Lord Seton as from ourself to thank you for assistance.

½ p. Addressed: "To our trast cousing the Lord Graye."

913. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 11.]

Since I last wrote to you with the Earl of Argyll's letter, I have received another from him written "in Insche Dryniche" (fn. 5) the 3^d of this present, desiring me to tell your honour that then he had heard nothing of my lord deputy of Ireland, as he had hoped and would have been glad of. I also received the letter from the Master of Maxwell which I inclose for your judgment. The occasion of my writing was to signify to him the Queen's continued good will to this country. He writes another letter to Lethington, almost to the same effect, save in the end he answers a former letter from him as to appointing with Lord Wharton in these words—'And wher ye desyer [me] to wryte my mynde towardes the lord Wharton, this is my answer: I love the lord Dacres howse beste of any one mans in England, and love the Lord Whartons worste, and yet nether love I thone so well, nor thother so evle, but I love the amitie betwexte the realmes better then them bothe; and whome somever yt shall please the Quenes majestie and councell of England to put in office here, I am well contented so that I may have justice, but I am sure ther is no man within the realme of Englande may do the Quenes majestie suche service upon the West Marches, as my lord Dacre may; nor for my parte no man that I wolde so wyllingly receave yt of. But whoe somever yt wyll please the Quenes majestie tappoynt, so I may have justice lyke as I shall do, I shalbe well satysfied, and withowt justice I wyll never be satysfied, and so I assure you.' These are his own words to Lethington which I desired your honour should know.

Lethington on arrival will let you know more of this and other matters. His care is in all points to set forth the Queen's honour and weal of both countries. There are others of whom no less "compte" is to be made, ready for any attempt by force, policy, or wisdom to achieve her pleasure. Lord James is not yet returned from the north. Argyll and other nobles are written for to be here, as a resident council for affairs. The Duke is at Hamilton, Arran at Castle Sempill. The Lord himself is so wilful, there is no reason to be had at his hands; "hys sonnes breede of the father, and so are determyned to make a symple ende." The last letters from one Alexander Clerke in France to my lord Arran and lord James, have greatly encouraged them to persevere stoutly against the French, as they both have told me. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

2 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the same:—

(Maxwell to Randolphe.)

"Gude Maister Randulpfe." I received your writing and believed not you were in this country, or I would have written to you. I perceive ye have seen my letter to young Lethington, desiring him to show M^r Secretary my heavy complaint on Lord Dacre for lack of redress. "Of veritie I have nocht gottin redres of ane grote sen the conclusioun of the peax, quhilk is ane yeir and almaist thre quarteris," though I offered full redress and passed to England myself, "quhilk is by the accustome," (fn. 6) seeking delivery. Besides my offers, I delivered to him "ane rycht notable offendar that was in all Scotland aganis Ingland, and tuke bot ane sobir fallowe quhilk was justyfite. (fn. 7) " His excuse is that the Grahames the principal offenders, "is nocht obedient." I offered to concur with him in ordering them or any others "that wald leip out, in syk sort as himself could devise"; and be bound to give them no maintenance or reset here. "I mon desyre yow my loving freynde," to take the pains at Court to show my complaint to M^r Secretary, that the Queen and her Council may take such order that peace may be kept "in baitht thir realmes: quhilk for my part I pray Almychtie God gif this word 'baytht' mycht be put away!"

Whether I shall "wyt (fn. 8) " Lord Dacre for goodwill to their evil doings, or that he be "inhibit" from riding on them, I know not. I can "wyt" no man but him, being in office; but whoever is in "wyt," unless reformation is made of these great "attemptyvis," which are above 6000 or 7000 merks sterling, besides slaughter of 40 or 50 men, ye know the great inconvenience which will follow. For the subjects will be forced to seek relief where they may have it, of these daily incursions from the English side. Dumfries, 7^th October 1560. Signed: Jhone Maxwell.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

914. Morton, Glencairn, &c., to Cecill. [Oct. 15.]

For our necessary affairs we have directed this bearer Robert Melville before us, among other things to receive some money from the persons appointed, conform to the Treasurer's warrant here which he brings. We pray you to see the same delivered. Referring all other things to his credit. Berwick. Signed: Mortoun, Glencarn, W. Maitland.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk): "xj^th (sic) October," &c.

915. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 21.]

Immediately on the lords' ambassadors' departing from Edinburgh, I repaired to my lords of Arran at Castle Symple, who after long "comber and myche adoe," had it delivered to him, after beating down the chiefest tower of defence. He was at it 10 days, 7 of them so evil, that neither approach could be made nor artillery planted. The Master and his brother with the chiefest, yielded to my lord, and are presently with him in this town; of the others, above 60 dismissed, besides 18 slain and divers hurt. The custody of the house is committed to Captain Forbes with 10 soldiers to be used at the lords' will. The little fort that Lord Symple built in the "loughe," is to be overthrown, "rather for the name sake then that yt anye thynge importethe. As symple was his devise to name yt, 'Defendour of the Faythe,' as he hathe byne symple in all his other doynges." Arran requires no reward but the disposal thereof. Lord Sempill himself and the laird of Blanerne, as it is written to Arran, have left Dunbar for France. The Lords intend very shortly to assemble at Edinburgh, to put order to things "amys": Arran shall lie at Melrose [Muros] for a space to put order to the borders. It is reported to the Duke that 8 score of the English Grahames and Fosters are broken out, and ride at liberty: to whom it were a happy thing if some order might be put. Hamilton. Signed: Thomas Randolphe.

1 p. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.

916. Randolphe to Maitland. [Oct. 21.]

The day after your departure, I took my journey towards Castle Sempill: "I vesyted by the waye the larde of Hauton, (fn. 9) the larde of Cawder, and the Lorde of S^t Johns wyf; from thens to Hamilton, and so to my lorde of Arrane," whose success and honorable doings are worthy to be commended. For 7 days after he came to the castle, the weather was so "extreame" that neither could the pioneers work to effect, nor the artillery be placed for battery. But his ardent desire and his servants' good will was such, "that the viij daye in the mornynge, the artillerie was placed so nyghe that yt astunysshed "bothe his ennemyes and was to be wondered at of all men that behylde yt." That night after "maynie sutes," there was appearance of good effect: and about 3 p.m. next day, the gate house tower fell one half from the other, giving entry to the soldiers, who held it almost 2 hours—so long that they feared the other half would fall on them,—so by my lord's command, retired with loss of only 2 men, and James Baxter hurt in the thigh. The enemy thus discomforted, and "the cheffeste corner" overthrown, early next morning hung out "a whyte bannarde," and my lord sent the Lairds of Graynge and Stanehouse and Captain Forbes, to whom the Master of Sempill and others in charge, said they acted by the Lord Sempill's command rather than of their own will, and would submit unconditionally; which my lord accepted, and has the Master and his brother here at Hamilton. The castle, and house "in the lough" are committed to Captain Forbes with 10 men: the things in the house reserved unspoiled, not worth 40 crowns, besides the artillery and victuals, whereof they had good store. The soldiers all dismissed and well pleased-the one side happy to escape with their lives, the other well rewarded above their wages—the country round well delivered of such "combersome" neighbours, and think this a good example to others. To rehearse our incommodities by rain and wind, "were to good a pastyme for you to knowe!" Never was camp better victualled, saving lack of houseroom and fire. My lord and his nearest friends lodged in a barn, "wher I was my self the leaste of vj that lay in one bedde!" Lords Boyd and Somerville with their friends were daily in my company, also Glencairne's brother and many of his friends, with whom assurance is taken "at my lordes requeste," till 20 November.

The castle was delivered on 19^th, and the 20^th "at the wrytinge herof," we were all merry in Hamilton, intending to be at Edinburgh on 22^d, where many of the lords are to meet. Grange of any man in the earth, is furthest in credit with the Duke, for this service to his son. "God sende you to deserve to be as well beloved." He (fn. 10) is now gone "over the water" to repose till his next voyage, which he believes will be against the thieves on the borders; whereto the father is willing enough, and the son desires no better life. By Grange's report of his doings before I came, and what I saw since, he deserves great praise, and is notably commended by all the country about. It is written from Edinburgh by Alexander Guthrye that Lord Symple and the laird of Blaneherne are shipped at Dunbar for France. (fn. 11) I cannot write more till I come to Edinburgh. "Scribbled in hast and wrytten in my bed." Hamilton, 21^st of October "rathe in the morning." Signed: Vostro Tho. Rand.

My humble commendations to the Earls of Morton and Glencairne "with the leave of my fellowes." My lord has sent you "pres la croce of France (?) wich retorne agayne."

3 pp. Holograph: also address: "To . . . My lorde Lidingeton lorde embassadour," &c. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

917. Randolphe to Henry Killegrew. [Oct. 21.]

"Incontinent" after the ambassadors' departure, I went to Castle Symple, where my lord Arran had been 5 days before my arrival. The 10^th day after he came it was rendered, after their chief strength had been beaten down over their heads. The principal of them are here at his will. Lord Semple himself is gone to France, and with him one named the Laird of Blanerne, "as craftie, falce, and suttle man as anie in Scotlande." This is he for whom Sir James was suspected: he has practised secretly for Huntly, and is thought to have some matter of his in hand now. "Lett my lord Sir Nicolas be advertysed of them bothe." Hamilton. Signed: Vostro, Tho. Randolph.

½ p. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.