Elizabeth: July 1561

992. The Queen to Randolphe. [July 1.]

Sending him her letters to the Three Estates of Scotland, whereof he shall receive a copy, to the intent that before delivering it, he may take advice of her assured friends. The "argument" is founded on the answer made of late by the Scottish Queen to the English ambassador, whereof a copy is sent for him to show to those he thinks meet. As the Queen's return will alter many things for the worse, specially religion and devotion to England, it were well if it could be delayed, or things so settled that she cannot alter them. And if "hollow" friends were forced to declare themselves, the Estates might either press their Queen to ratify the treaty before returning, or her own Council in France seeing this, might therefore protract her departure. "And because they which be secrett, and be suer both in relligion and in frendshipp" to the Queen of England, should not take any strange conceit of her letter to the Estates, Randolph shall privately assure them she means not to "taxe or note" them but only to provoke the backward either to show themselves as they are, or amend and join the better sort. He is to advise with the "wise" and though it were only 2 or 3, let her have some answer before Doysel comes. Sends also a letter to Chatelherault, whom as also Arran, he is to assure of her friendship, advising them to see that they and their house suffer not in their right and title, failing the Queen and her issue. She only promises this conditionally, so long as they promote religion—not otherwise.

She writes also to Lord James, of whom she has as good and sound opinion as of any man in Scotland, and will always support him in the cause of religion. Refers Randolphe to her secretary's letter.

3 pp. Draft by Cecill. Indorsed.

993. Elizabeth to the Estates of Scotland. [July 1.]

We doubt not but as our meaning "is and hath bene allweise sythence our reign, in the sight of Almighty God streight and direct towardes the avancement of his honor and truth in relligion," and thus for peace and concord betwixt these two realms, "so also our owtward actes" have declared the same to the world and you our neighbours, who have tasted and proved our good will more we think than any of your ancestors, yea more than many of yourselves could have hoped for! Though at the beginning of your troubles, the jealousy and malice of divers both there and abroad, suspected us of meaning to surprise the realm and deprive your Queen of her crown, or to make the monarchy a common wealth, yet the end showed our meaning was to establish our cousin and sister in her state, then in the hands of strangers; and though no words could satisfy the malicious, yet our deeds declare nothing was sought but restitution to "the ancient liberty," as the solemn treaty at Edinburgh last year by our and your Queen's commissioners testifies. Yet your sovereign, either not knowing her own felicity or seduced by perverse counsel, forbears, though sundry times required by us, to ratify the same, and makes dilatory answers, and would have us delay till she returns to her country. We must plainly let you all understand that this manner of answer without fruit, cannot long content us. Our meaning to your sovereign has been good, we stayed her realm from danger, and have kept peace hitherto, as we promised. We think it strange she has no better advice, and require you all the Estates of the realm, to consider the matter deeply, and make answer whereto we may trust. If you support her breach of solemn promise, we shall accept your answer, and doubt not but by the grace of God, you shall repent it. If you will have it kept, we promise you the like, and all shall go well with your Queen, yourselves and posterities. Advertise us of your mind, specially if it is for peace, and if you forbear any long time to advertise us "ye shall gyve to us some occasion of dowt, wherof more hurt may grow than good."

6 pp. Draft by Cecill, much corrected. Indorsed: "1561, primo Julij. Minute from the Quenes Majestie to the States of Scotland."

994. Instructions to M. Doysel. [July 11.]

By the Queen of Scotland, Dowager of France:—

(1) To procure from her sister and cousin of England, a passport for herself and retinue, with power to land at any English port, and continue her journey by land to Scotland.

(2) Another for 100 hackneys, mules, carriage and cart horses, &c., belonging to herself and suite, with grooms, &c.

(3) Another safe conduct and commission for 15 post horses for himself to pass through England to Scotland and back to France, with 35 or 40 horses from Scotland.

1 p. French. Indorsed (by Cecill): "xj° Julij, Mons^r Doysell, 1561."

995. The English to the Scottish privy council. [July 13.]

Perceiving by your letters to Lord Dacre, warden of the West Marches, that on complaint by the Master of Maxwell the opposite warden, ye find some lack in Lord Dacre's dealing, we think fit to let you understand the very truth. The Greames, being the greatest number of those charged by Maxwell, mistrusting the impartiality of Lord Dacre, sent some of their chiefs hither, with petition that the Queen would commit the hearing to indifferent persons. Though we doubt not the upright administration of Lord Dacre, yet for justice sake, we gave ear to these men's request, whereby this delay arose. We find them willing to answer for all charges before September last, according to the old custom of the West March; and for all matters proved against them since, according to the present order on these borders. And as our sovereign lady has committed the consideration of these men's causes to certain special persons, presently sent on her highness's other affairs, who shall take due order, we pray your lordships meanwhile to take order with the Master of Maxwell, to suspend his complaints; with assurance that the Queen means to leave nothing undone for the quiet of the borders, as he will understand at the commissioners' arrival. London. Signed: N. Bacon C. S., Winchester, W. Northt, Edward Derby, Penbroke, E. Clynton, W. Howard, E. Rogers, F. Knollys, W. Cecill, Amb. Cave, Ry. Sakevyle.

2 pp. Addressed: "To . . . the Duke of Chastellherault and other the lordes of the privie counsell of Scotlande," &c.

996. [Throckmorton] to Elizabeth. [July 13.]

In my last despatch to your Majesty "of the xiij of this present," I said that a poor merchant your subject was come to complain to the Queen of Scotland of a depredation done on him and his consorts in "Island" within the King of Denmark's dominion: and so soon as the Queen answered, I would advertise your Majesty. This afternoon, after my servant left with my despatch, the Queen sent him (fn. 1) a letter "to my Lord James," to see justice duly done, as the copy herewith will show your Majesty; which (as I take it) is very favourable from her to your subject, and as much as she can do, having no knowledge or power in the matter here. He comes to beseech your recommendation to Lord James; whereto it may please your Majesty to incline. "13 Julij 1561."

Postscript.—The Queen of Scotland has sent me word she minds to send her "escuerye" through England, and required my favourable letter for their usage at landing; and for their passport to Scotland. As I have not yet heard touching her own safe conduct, I know not what to say on this point, and humbly beseech your Majesty's pleasure.

1¼ pp. Holograph (?), or fair copy. Indorsed: ". . . To the Quenes Majestie by W. Pertrydge merchant of Wodbridge in Suffolk in his awne behalf."

997. Elizabeth to Mary. [July 15.]

We have received your letters by the hands of your "chevalier d'honneur le Sieur Doysell," whom we send back to you, for the reasons and considerations which we doubt not he will faithfully report; which also we have charged our ambassador at the Court of France to communicate: whom credit as ourself.

Broad sheet. French: fair copy. Indorsed (by Cecill).

Another copy of same.

1 p. French: copy in a foreign (?) hand. Addressed: "To the Scottish Quene." Indorsed.

998. The Queen's Answer to Doysel. [July 15.]

"The substance" of the same is—That the Queen finding no answer from the Queen of Scotland, but delay—requires the ratification of their late treaty, which if performed, she will gratify any reasonable request for passing through her realm, and if it like "the sayd Scottish Quene," will give order for a friendly meeting between them for corroboration of their amity.

For his passing into Scotland: she thinks he should rather return and signify thus much to his mistress, and for this, shall have her passport and letters to the French King, Queen, and Queen of Scots. And if he has any letters or messages for Scotland of importance, he shall have a passport to send them safely.

2 pp. Draft by Cecil.