Elizabeth: October 1561

1024. Mary to Elizabeth. [Oct. 4.]

Inclosing the supplication of certain of her subjects of Leith against M^r Holstok, &c., for wrongfully taking and detaining their ship, goods, &c. Requests that they, the ship and goods, may be set at liberty. Under her signet. Palace of Holyroodhouse, "ferd" of October, 19^th of her reign. Signed: Your gud sister and cusigne Marie R.

Broad sheet. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk): "Primo (sic) Octobris 1561," &c.

1025. Argyll to Cecill. [Oct. 5.]

Having lately written to your honour to be a mean for the Queen's gracious pardon to Cormok Oconochar, gentleman of Ireland: whereto I was moved not so much by his earnest suit, as by the good opinion I had and have of his true and unfeigned repentance, and disposition "to ane quyetnes and anefald service" to the Queen—his expectation is that I may not only obtain the same, but also a reasonable life in his native country for the poor gentleman, "now vereyt and irkytt of lang troubillis and banisshement." Wherefore I am bold to burden your honour as my special friend, to move the Queen's Majesty for her mind therein, taking my homeliness in good part. Edinburgh. Signed: Ar^d. Ergyll.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk). Stained by damp.

1026. Mary to Elizabeth. [Oct. 7.]

Heartily thanking her for purposely sending Sir Peter Mewetas to congratulate her on safely arriving in her own realm—who has so wisely and discreetly expressed the sincerity of his mistress's affection toward her, that he is a fit messenger to convey her answer, whereby her desire for continuance of tender amity and affection shall appear. Under her signet. Palace of Holyrood House, 19^th of her reign. Signed: Your gud sister and cusign, Marie R.

Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

1027. Lord James to Lord Robert Dudley. [Oct. 7.] Egerton, 1818, fol. 13.

I have received your letter from the Laird of Lethington, whereby I was not a little comforted, seeing you to bear in "fresch memour" those things in my judgment most necessary for both realms, "which I communicated with your lordship at our last discoursing in Greinwich." And further to see you so earnest to further the same, wherein I am bold to exhort you, seeing the credit you occupy with your sovereign. I let you understand by Lethington "sic ouvertur" as my judgment presented to me to further the amity of these two realms. You have well considered "that the signification of good successe of the treu religion, meanyt be our souveranis proceidingis heir, doyth minister good hope in this mater. I truist in God from tym to tym the same salbe augmented to the full contentement of sic as with oupryght hartis do seik the advancement of the treutht of God, quhilk is the doctrin of peace to all that treuly dois imbrace the same. Peace is the fruict of Christian luif, the suir mark of all treu disciplis of our Salveour Christ, quhome it becummeyth abowe all utheris to seik." It is our duty to our sovereigns, every one according to his power and place, to further peace, as I for my part shall do, looking for the same of you. Holyrood House. Signed: James Stewart.

1½ pp. Addressed: "To my verray good lord, my lord Robert Dudley, maister of the Qaenis Majesties horses." Indorsed.

1028. Lord James to Cecill. [Oct. 7.]

It appears by your letter sent by Lethington, what earnest affection your honour bears to advancement of true religion in this "wholle Ille," and the perfect amity of our sovereigns. I mean to continue as I have begun, in furtherance of both, following your most godly advice, and do what I can with all lenity and gentle demonstrations, to induce my sovereign to consider the matter aright, according to her duty to God, having received at his hand such high honours and pre-eminence, with other good gifts innumerable. And am of good hope that the faithful subjection and good obedience of her subjects "professouris of the treu religion" here, as her highness shall from time to time perceive, shall occasion her "to allow the doctrin of the Evangell quhilk we professe, and hartly to imbrace the same."

Touching the matter motioned by Lethington, it is not unknown to your honour, that before my sovereign's arrival, I moved it by letters to the "Quenes Majestie," moved by necessity as the only way to assure love and intelligence betwixt these two realms. I leave it to your honour, "whom I take to se als far thairin as ony other in the whole III"! I presented (as you desired) your commendations to my sovereign, who received them in as good part as I could wish. I must, according to my accustomed homeliness, burden you to present my humble service to the Queen your sovereign. Holyrood House. Signed: James Stewart.

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

1029. Randolphe to Elizabeth. [Oct. 8.]

Though your ambassador Sir Peter Mewtes, is better able to report of things since his arrival, yet in discharge of my duty as to your Majesty's letters, the self same day that it pleased the Queen to give audience to your ambassador, after she had "fynysshed" such purposes as his "legation" required, I presented to her grace your Majesty's letters. On receiving them, she said to me, before opening them—'I am beholdinge unto the Quene my dere syster, that she hathe sent hyther to viset me, so good and anciente a 'gentleman; he tawlkethe wyselye in all purposes, and by hym I understonde farre other wyse of the reportes of thynges, then theie are brought unto my eares. I am glade to here of her good wyll towardes us, and good [incly]nation to peace and amytie, and I truste that all those thynges whear in before thys tyme we dyscordyd for, shall in shorte tyme be brought unto a good ende.' "Unto thys I sayde, that I knewe your Majestie desyered nothynge more, then to lyve in the feare of God, amytie and peace with all godlye and vertuus princes of the earthe, and that I was glade to se her graces good inclination therunto; of your Majestie, experience hathe byne had sence the begynnynge of your hyghnes raigne, and so I dowted not but sholde contynnue. 'Yt is fetter for none' saythe she, 'to lyve in peace then for women: and for my parte, I praye you thynke that I desyer yt with all my harte.'" The other "purposes" are too long to trouble your Majesty with: they tend only to this,—that what she may do with honour, fit for a princess occupying her place, shall be performed to the uttermost.

After she had read the letters, she said 'My syster your mestres wrytethe unto me that you maye contynue here for the mayntaynance of amytie and intelligence betwene her and me. I am glade therof with all my harte, and you shalbe welcome to me when somever you have occasioun; and yf you be molested anye waye by anye of my subjectes, yf I maye knowe yt, I wylbe evle contented, and fynde yt remedyede.' I had no further communication till after the next coming of the ambassador: when she said to me, You shall have lettres unto the Quene your mestres, and shall yourself be welcome at all tymes when you come, howe ofte so ever yt be.' I reminded her of a letter that before the ambassador came, I had given to her from Sir John Forster warden of the Middle March, for redress of attemptates—wherein she referred me to her Council. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1⅓ pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

1030. Lord James to Cecill. [Oct. 8.]

I wrote yesterday to your honour by Maister Randolphe, and now am a suitor for pardon—'not that I do lyik sic swyttis for thaym selves, but is moved thairto through compassion." It has been moved most heavily to me by one Thomas Nycolson "marchant tailleour" of London, a banished man, who says he is known well by his neighbours as an honest quiet and sober man, and has there an honest woman his wife, destitute of all comfort, "and to cunlie to speik, ane vidow," with 8 young children, now fatherless through his "exyill." He says on "thortour" of words, strife arose between him and one Roger Tempeste; they "chanced to meddell," and Roger gave the first stroke, hurting him on the head, and he wounded Roger on the body, whereby death ensued. The first inquest impanelled by the coroner, found it was "chance medley"; but Roger's friends laboured a new inquest most secretly and deceitfully, which found that Thomas had killed Roger through "malice pretentit." These are the circumstances, wherein "of pietye" I have been induced to ask your honour to cause the poor man's case be examined, and if it stand so, to move the Queen's Majesty for a pardon conform to this herein inclosed, and grant his wife access to you, to instruct inquiry. I like not such suits "in sic crymis," but this particular case has obtained thus much of me. Holyrood House. Signed: James Stewart.

1¼ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

1031. Mary to Elizabeth. [Oct. 12.]

Requesting a passport for Maister William Cranstoun and 12 companions to pass through England to France, and back—to endure for a year. Under her signet. Palace of Holyrood house, 19^th of her reign. Signed: Your gud sister and cusign, Marie R.

Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed.

1032. Maitland to Randolphe. [Oct. 13.]

The Queen's Majesty my "maistres" has written certain letters to "Monsieur la (sic) Grand Priour and Monsieur Danville," commanding me in her name to desire you to send the pacquet with expedition to M^r Secretary to be delivered to them at coming to Court. Edinburgh. Signed: W. Maitland.

½ p. Holograph; also address: "To the rycht worshipfull M^r Thomas Randolph, the Quenes highnes off England agent in Scotland." Indorsed.

1033. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 17.]

This day it was debated in Council by what ready means the border thieves throughout the Scottish wardenries might be suppressed: and thought good that certain days be appointed in each for inquisition of offenders, that punishment ensue. So commissioners and certain days were appointed; but as execution can not follow unless their reset in England is prevented, the Queen herself and her Council desired me to write to the English wardens to that effect— as the inclosed copy of my letter to Sir John Foster shows. As it may be doubted whether these wardens will act on their own authority, the Council asked me to write to the Lord President of York to command them to that effect, seeing it tends only to the end of peace. I advertise your honour hereof that further be done, or all omitted as you think best; and as expedition is required, it may please you to advertise the wardens, that speedy answer may be returned hither.

This day the Master of Maxwell, Lord Dacre's opposite warden, confirmed by the Queen's grace here, tells me he can get no justice of him, and warned me he will declare it to the Council. Other things remain as when I last wrote, saving that Lord James is nominated Treasurer—which is "the proffytable" office in Scotland. The Queen has spoken good words of the honourable receiving of "her uncle" and M. Danville at Berwick. I gave "as good agayne," attributing it to the noblemen's worthiness.

For news—I presented to her grace the "Oration of Theodore Beza," which I received from Sir Nicolas Throckmorton; "yt ys nowe in hande to be translated. I made her previe, thoughe not "verie merrie, of the happie procedinge of matters of religion in France. God sende us here well to retayne that that we have, for farther liklyhoode (fn. 1) we have not." I send you a letter which I received from M^r Willock, and hear of the like otherwise. The man I suppose, is not unknown to you; he lacks no will to work more mischief than his wits serve. Understanding he has a safe conduct, I know not what mischief he may do, and purpose to write to the wardens, that he may be seen to, and convey no horses out of the country. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

2 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

1034. Mary to Elizabeth. [Oct. 24.]

Certain of our merchants of Edinburgh "being of lang tyme haldyn in pley" before your Admiral, for recovery of their ship the Bonaventure and goods, "spuilyeit" by one Thomas Clavering and others of Northumberland, have at last obtained the admiral's "decrete" at great charges. But Clavering and his colleagues having no defence, appealed to the Keeper of your seal, before whom it has long depended. We pray you command the cause of our subjects may be looked into, and order taken with expedition. Under our signet. Palace of Holyrood House, 19^th of our reign. Signed: Your gud sister and cusign, Marie R.

Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet: Scotland (as before).

1035. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 24.] Cotton. Calig., B. x. fol. 188.

I trust your honour understands by Sir Peter Mewtes the success of his journey: when I left him I would have written more, but for his sufficiency. Since my return here I wrote as required by the Queen's grace here, to your honour, the Lord President at York and the wardens, for proclamation against fugitives from this side: answer is looked for with speed.

Two days past Knox desired me to write for the Queen's passport to 2 merchants of this town into Flaunders: by whom you shall be informed "by mouthe" from him, what is judged like to issue of the doings here. I commended them to you as my friends: and they can report the occasion of the change of the Provost and "bayles" here (having part therein) better than I can write. On 21^st instant I received your letters of 13^th, also those of the Council: to which last I have made answer of the Queen's "wordes," also as to the Lord Dacre. There are some points in your own letter, as also the "purposes" between the Queen and me, which I cannot pass over in silence. On receipt of your letter I advertised Lord James—my purpose being to see and know from him, if the Queen would take it ill, if I presented to her grace (when before her Council on Lord Hume's slackness, &c. as appointed) "the accorde at the Assemblee at Poysy in the controversie upon the Cene"? (fn. 2) He assured me she would accept it well: saying that she had read to the end, the Oration of Beza which I gave her. Lest I should seem to "tempte" her and exceed my commission, and so "dashe my credyt at the fyrst," I thought best to give him the copy. After supper that night, he presented it to her: "she dowted fyrste of the sinceritie therof," I was said to have received it from your honour. I hear many disputes arose upon it: the Queen said "she coulde not reason, but she knewe what she ought to beleve." The Marquis affirmed that he "never thought Chryste to be otherwyse in the Sacrament, then as was ther wrytten, but yet dowtethe not but the masse is good." Against this much was said, but little good done.

Next day I was sent for to the Council chamber, where she herself ordinarily sits most part of the time, "sowinge some worke or other." She said to me: 'These thre dayes I have done nothynge els but devised with my Consell howe to dantin the theeves and revers upon the borders: I have charged the Lord Hume to do your countrye men justice—yf he do otherwyse I wylbe evle contented therwith, and se yt reformed. You knowe' saythe she, 'that I am nowe in hande to sende the Lord James and some other lordes unto the borders for that purpose; whearfore I praye you, reporte well of my mynde, and fynde the meanes that proclamation maye be made as I spake to you, that no theeves be receaved within England, for otherwyse yt wylbe in vayne what somever I purpose agaynste them. You have also the byll of complaynte of the Master of Maxwell which I praye you procure to be answered.' Then the Council being dissolved, and her grace departing, I offered myself to speak to her. 'I wyll,' saythe she, 'tawlke with you aparte in the gardayne.' When there, she said, 'Howe lyke you thys countrye? You have byne in yt a good space and knowe yt well inoughe.' I said the country was good and by policy might be made much better. 'Thabsence' saythe she, 'of a prince hathe cawsed yt to be worce, but yet is yt not lyke unto Englande.' I said there were many in the world worse than her grace's [country ?] that were thought right good, but I thought few better than England, which I trusted "som tyme her grace sholde wytnes." 'I wolde be content therwith' saythe she, 'yf my syster your mestres so lyke.' I said it was what many of her grace's subjects desired, and I trusted would well content my mistress. Thus we long talked, she saying many "honorable" words of the Queen's Majesty in entertaining "all noble states"—of her mother's passage through England, and the good "recuelle" her uncle the Grand Prior and M. Danville had at Berwick. Speaking of the stay of her horses, she was assured it proceeded not from the Queen's Majesty, but the warden did it to avoid blame, as they had no passport. 'And thoughe' saythe she, 'yt ys daylie tolde me that the Quene my syster intendethe not to deale with me but under coleur, yet I assure you I beleve yt not, nor gyve no thankes unto them for their reportes.' I asked her to think of the Queen my mistress, as she had ever showed herself in word and deed to her grace as all others, and she says these reports shall never make her think the contrary. This "fell in" on the report of Liveston master of her horses, who said Sir John Forster would not deliver them unless the Grand Prior and Danville were bound for them corps et biens—which I think a false report—also that 3000 soldiers were coming to Berwick out of hand.

I durst not for fear of disclosing my "autour," say what I thought; my heart burned to leave it unspoken. I said she should have store of such reports, and the more she believed them, the more trouble and grief to herself to find so many flatterers about her. I hear Huntly "tycklethe her in the eare with some untrothes."

She asked then my news from France; I confirmed what Lord James showed her of the "accorde"; whereof she has no great liking. In long talk hereof she said she trusts the Queen her sister will not "tayke the worce" with her, that she is "not resolved in conscience in those matters that are in controversie, seinge yt is nether of wyll nor obstinacie agaynste God and his worde." I said I was glad to hear it, and trusted to see both Queens in one mind and accord "in that" as all other matters. I guessed she spoke on this occasion— "some have of late reasoned whether a prince that professethe Chryste, maye entre in league with one of the contrary beleve and religion" —only my conjecture.

I told her of the late kindness showed by her uncles the Duke and Cardinal to the Queen: she was glad to hear and very "inquisityve" of what was said. Then she asked if Sir Peter Mewtes was returned at the writing of the letters I had received? I said he was not. 'Nexte' saythe she 'unto the Kynge their soveraigne and master, I wolde that my uncles sholde beare good wyll unto the Quene your mestres: you knowe howe sybbe (fn. 3) we are, and our kyndenes muste be increaced.' I gave her such good words hereto as came to my mind: it were too long to trouble your honor with all that passed in a "large howers tawlke," I have done my duty in noting the chief points. Her grace at all times gives me good words, and those nearest about her, as Lord James and Lethington, say they are "ment as theie ar spoken." These two are above all in credit, some complain they yield too much to her "appetyde," which yet I see not. Lord James deals after his nature, "rudelye, homelye, and bluntlye." —Lethington "more delicatlye and fynelye," yet in effect swerves not from the other. She is "patient to here, and bearethe myche." The Earl Marshall is "warie," but sometimes speaks to good purpose; his daughter is late come to this town, we look shortly what shall come of the "longe love." Lord John of Coldingham has not least favour with his "leppynge and dansinge," and is like to marry Bothwell's sister. Lord Robert "consumethe" with love for Cassillis' sister. Earl Bothwell "hathe geven unto hym olde landes of his fathers in Tivedall, and the Abbaye of Murosse. Some saye that he is nere sybbe unto her grace." The Duke is at Kinniel [Kenele] and will not come near Court, unless sent for. I hear of nothing purposed against him, it is thought he may be well enough spared. Arran passed yesterday to Dunfermline and will from thence to S^t Andrews: he purposes not to be at Court, so long as the mass remains. Few come "at yt, but herself, her uncle, and trayne." There are three causes for Arran's absence—(1) the mass; (2) the presence of his enemy; and (3) "lacke whearwith to mayntayne a port." By the 1^st he maintains his credit with the "precyse" protestants: the 2^d argueth less courage in him than many thought, that his enemy yet lives to have that place he is unworthy of. "The thyrde manifestethe unto the worlde the beastlynes of his father, that more then monye hathe nether faythe nor God!" The lords now return to Court; the bishops flock "apace." The metropolitan of S^t Andrews arrived on Monday last with a train of 80 horse; and to be seen, he rode half a mile out of his way, through the "whole Hye streate of Edeubourge"! We do not know what mischief he comes for; he had only 2 Hamiltons with him. The Abbot of Kilwinning met him here the first night, but came not with him. I have given the book you sent me to have "moo prented"; the "Accorde" of the sacrament is also translated and copies given to divers. The Queen herself saw that you sent me, and read it walking in the garden in sight of many. She said it was a French hand, and I affirmed it came from thence to your honour, to give it more authority. She asked if her uncle the Cardinal's Oration was printed? I said I looked daily for it. She required me to give her news when I had any; I promised this as you think good. I have troubled you long, but can hardly end: S^t Colme's departure to France is more uncertain, it is said an ambassador from thence comes hither. Villemont late controller, leaves soon for France through England. The Marquis has his table allowed 50s. sterling daily; he offends many by his liberal talk. His horse was sent to the Queen and so delivered to him, without "ether thankes or fayer looke." M^r Knox cannot be persuaded "but maynie men ar dysceaved in thys woman; he fearethe yet that posteriora erunt pejora primis. His severitie kepethe us in mervileus order; I commende better the succes of his doynges and preachynges then the maner therof, thoughe I acknowledge his doctryne to be sounde. Hys prayer is dayly for her, that God wyll torne her obstinate harte agaynst God and his trothe, or yf his holly wylbe (fn. 4) otherwyse, to strenthen the harte and hand of his chosen and electe, stowtly to with stonde the rage of al tyrantes, &c., in wordes terrible inoughe." [Edinburgh.] Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

I trust my letters by Lindsay the herald came to your hands. I pray you honour remember me to the Treasurer for the Queen's warrant.

7 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill).

1036. Elizabeth to Mary. [Oct.] Lansd. iv. 132.

Signifying that one Alexander Dowglas a Scotsman retained in the service of Reynold Lee, her servant, having robbed his master of 400l. "and odd money," is fled to Scotland. Hearing that Mary, on the motion of Thomas Randolphe, has been pleased to order his speedy apprehension, commends her zeal to justice, offering the like when necessary. Desires credit for Randolphe in the matter. Under her signet. Manor of S^t James, [ ] October, 3^d of her reign.

Broad sheet. Corrected draft. Indorsed (by Randolphe): "Coppie of a lettre to the Quene of Scottes," &c.

1037. Maitland to Cecill. [Oct. 25.]

I understand by your letter to M^r Randolph that the Duke of Guise has broken with Sir Nicolas Throckmorton the matter motioned by me to the Queen's Majesty. I wish it may be so received by you, that both realms may enjoy the fruit of so godly an accord. I would be glad to know her Majesty's determination, since she understands by Sir Peter Mewatas the Queen my mistress's disposition to join with her in tender amity. If by means of "ws two" such a conjunction can be procured, we shall be esteemed happy instruments. I know how unwilling you be to enter on matters of such consequence, yet when you consider what surety, quietness, and commodity this motion imports to your Queen and country, I suppose you will utter your opinion frankly in it. "God hath by tymes offred many meanes off a godly conjunction—by what providence it hath chansed that none hath taken effect as yet, I cannot tell!" This has most likelihood, as grounded on equity, and neither party can think "hymselff gryefed." Surely, if overthrown as others heretofore, "it may be juged that God is not pleased with ws, and will that one off ws shall ever be a plague to the other"! Let us do our duty and commit the success to Him. I pray you in your next to write amply your opinion. The Queen my mistress behaves herself so gently in every behalf as reasonably we can require; if anything be amiss the fault is rather in ourselves. "Yow know the vehemeucy off M^r Knox spreit, which cannot be brydled, and yet doth sometymes uter soche sentences as can not easely be dygested by a weake stomach. I wold wishe he shold deale with her more gently, being a yong princess onpersuaded. For this am I accompted to be to politik; but suerly in her comporting with him, she doth declare a wisdome far exceading her age! God grant her the assistance off his spreit. Suerly I se in her a good towardnes, and think that the Quene your soveraygne shall be able to do moche with her in religion, if they ones entre in a good familiarity." Commend me heartily to my lord of Penbroke. I pray you show the bearer, who solicits the poor merchants' suit, your accustomed favour. Edinburgh. Signed: W. Maitland.

1½ pp. Holograph: also address. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

1038. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 27.]

If I knew in what better sort to inform you of the state of things here, than I do, I would willingly employ myself thus; but as I protested when first commanded to serve here, that I had nothing but good will to commend my service with, so I can find no augmentation either in wisdom or knowledge, to give better assurance of my doings. I see daily that more occasions increase to exercise my wits, than when I was first charged to this "rowme"; for those of this country with whom I then had to do, either by long continuance with them, or by my instructions from others how to use them and govern myself among them, made me think some effect might issue of my travail. "This trade is nowe cleane cut of from me; I have to trafique nowe with other kynde of marchantes then before. Theie knowe the value of their ware, and in all places howe the marquet goethe; and yet yt semethe wonder unto maynie that the whole state of thys realme sholde be altered by one heade or two, by a woman and one man, (fn. 5) of whose excellente wysedomes ther was never yet ether great opinion or fame! Theie that thus thynk, fare begylde them selves; theie lyttle remember whear these barnes had their bringynge up, what pedagoges theie have daylie followinge them at their feete—what lessons theie have be roote, and howe well thaye knowe, when anye matter is to be executed or commethe in deliberations, whear to fynde their resolutions! I saye therfor, that theie but abuse them selves, for what so mever pollice is in all the cheaf and beste practysede heades in France, what so mever crafte, falced, or deceayte ys in all the suttle braynes of Scotlande, is ether freshe in thys onlie womans memorie, or she cane fette yt with a wette fynger!" How my simple wit can counterpoise the wisdom of these long "beaten" in weighty affairs, or answer the craft of such as daily lay "baytes" for me, either to discredit myself, or deal falsely with those I am bound uprightly to serve—I refer to your wisdom (seeing I was never in place to learn, or always so craftily occupied, "that I cane incontinent dyscover the fynesse that is nowe used amonge these schylfull sorte of men)." What was meant, when within these six days "yt was saide to me by one (whoe thynkethe hym self in no smale credyt with me) that my mestres was good unto all Scottyshmen, and whye myght not I honestlye inoughe tayke a quiete pencion of thys Quene, as Lidingeton dothe yerlye of my mestres?" I am sure he meant little good to one of us. 'Yf you lyke' saythe he, to marrie, ther are here, yea in the Court self, with whome a man myght have a good lyf.' I discourage no man who likes to talk with me. It has also been devised what fit minister might be found about our sovereign, on whom "a good torne" might be bestowed. I know not if the French ambassador has been moved herein, by some one or other gone from hence of late. If it were in me that men thought, that neither fair words, large offers, "allurementes" what so ever, torments of the worst sort ("yf yt came to that)" could move me from my duty, I could think myself a happy man. But as men's opinions differ, it is sufficient that I mean to serve faithfully here, or where it please the Queen's Majesty to employ me. But I would that for her Majesty's better service, either that some "well experimented men" occupied this place, or that I might have "in store," besides those with whom I have to do, whereto to resort by letter "or privat instruction," when any unwonted matter comes up.

The Queen here is determined to have one to serve her in England: there has been some privy mention of M^r Henry "Balvanis" or David Forreste. "I knowe not what credyt those men cane have to serve her in that rowme; I knowe she lovethe nether of them bothe." I know no other here to the effect she desires; but whoever he be, I trust to find means to make him known to you "for the fyrste." Thus much I thought to write, besides that I wrote yesterday: I have troubled your honor long enough herein, yet am forced to be so bold as to open in as few words as I can my own poor estate, not here (where I have found her Majesty's liberality "abundantlye") but for all the time I have lived, I have no assurance how to live, when some other, "or none at all," shall occupy this place. Though the remembrance of this has often times made me think, and "serche maynie corners which waye I maye deserve"; yet it never came so near my heart as within these 20 days, that I had word of my father's "departeur to God." By him, so long as I professed a scholar's life, I had sufficient for that estate—when I "travayled," I found him somewhat more liberal. Since I came here, I had his fatherly good will and favour, for he knew well enough from whence it came whereon I live—and it was some comfort to him to see me thus employed. "Nowe he hathe lefte me, as my brother Edwarde wrytethe unto me, the wyde worlde." The inheritance is great for him that could get it in quiet possession. My brother's meaning is, that either he has left me nothing, or that all is too little for himself. I wish as heartily that my brother should have enough, as I would be loth myself to lack. I have also a "ferme" in Kent, the house where I was born—procured without my father's charge, whereof he had the lease in keeping. It has been often sought at my hands, and now perchance may be had against my will. My mother is old, my brother is near her, his wife "tender to her owne," and I far from the place where "I myght do for my self." I have also a suit depending between Sir John Zuche and me for a pension that his father my uncle gave to me of 10l. by year. I am also co-executor with another, of a friend's testament, where I hoped for some profit. My absence thus casts me "sore behynde hande"; yet loss of the whole is nothing to the remembrance that for 8 years I never had two days together to enjoy the sight of father and mother, and now God has taken one, and I little hope to see the other, unless I be spared a few days without hindrance to the Queen's service here.

I have another grief as great as any of the rest. In the beginning of your honour's last letter, you thought much of my long stay in writing, and judged it was to inform you all at once by Sir Peter Mewtas. I may be negligent enough, but never so forgetful of duty that way. This letter from M^r Hedeley makes me think that true, that once before I had cause to suspect, that either my letters come not to you with such diligence as they should, or that by the way others have made "proffyt" of them. What else moves this man my friend so to write? or what makes Lethington more careful of his letters, when sent away with mine, than by any other man? and sooner in England when I think them safest, than in Scotland, where I ever imagine some misfortune, and cast most doubts!

I remember how I was dealt with and your honour deceived, and the Queen offended, that no speedier advertisement came from hence of this Queen's arrival: where I wrote the "self same" day, by two divers ways, one letter to your honour, the other with "credyt of mouthe" to the Treasurer. This is the way as your honour knows, greatly to hinder the Queen's service, and as further inconvenience may arise, I write presently. I thought good to say thus much for your honour's consideration: for my part esteeming not so much the praise or commendation, though I would be "lothe to lees of that," so much as her Majesty and you think me worthy of—as I do to have my sovereign and mistress served to her contentation. I am required to commend the bearer to your honour. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

5 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

1039. Randolphe to Cecill. [Oct. 31.]

Hearing of the Lord Governor's return, and knowing the necessity for the Queen's service that I should confer with him, especially at some day of truce, where I might witness and report to this Queen what inclination or good will I find in Lord Hume to fulfil her commands for justice and amity on the Border, as in my hearing I heard her grace expressly charge him—I came hither with little hope thereof. But I return with as little comfort that any good will ever be had from him. How uncourteously he behaved himself the day of meeting towards the Lord Governor, I doubt not your honour shall understand by his letters. Of what I have to report at my return, I assure your honour nothing shall be left unspoken—the more for the assurance I now have of the Queen's Majesty's letter, which I received here from my Lord Governor. Yesterday I arrived here, and to-morrow I return with more speed, to be there before S^t Colme's departure, who attends my return. Berwick. Signed: Tho. Raudolphe.

1 p. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).