Elizabeth: January 1563

1158. Maitland to Cecill. [ Jan. 3. 1562–63.]

"Schir, I can not think it to be without some hyd mistery, that thentrecours off lettres (which were wont to go frequently as well betuix the two Quenes as ws theyr ministers), is thus ceased on your part; and I am sure yow have not broken off without some grave and weighty considerations." I take myself as fully answered, in your not answering my letters sent to you at our return from the north, and conceive of no answer a full resolution; "whearupon I trust I shall do yow pleasour to quiet myselff without troubling yow any farther with those maters—which I meane to do (oneles yow be off the contrary opinion) and content me with the Italian proverbe— Quello che è da esser non puo mancar."

The Queen's Majesty my mistress has presently written to yours, desiring reformation of the lack of justice and great disorders on the West Border—long continued and of late increasing—and commanded me to send you the special heads of the "Maister Maxwell his complayntes," enclosed. I pray you give order that justice never cease—vinculum societatis humane. Your officers I trust "will beare ws record" that on this side such order has been taken as never seen in any age before. Her Majesty has also written in favour of my man Grahame, whose matter I once more recommend to you, as unless earnest commandment be given to the commission to see him satisfied, "he shalbe alluterly frustrat," being in such poverty with drift of time and charges, as he is scarce able to follow his suit. This country is quiet, no alteration in outward apearance or "inward affections" of persons. "For foreiyn maters, seing (as apearethe to me) they be off verey purpose kept so close frome ws as may be, I will not be curious any more to inquire off them; knowing that with tyme I shall know "ynough and perchanse more then I wolde! Quia nihil tam occultum quod non revelabitur. God confound the counselles off his ennemyes and off all those whose meaning is not true and oupryght." I pray to be heartily recommended to my lord of Penbroke and all other my good lords. Edinburgh. Signed: W. Maitland.

2 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.

1159. Mary to Elizabeth. [Jan. 5.]

The Master of Maxwell warden of our West March, has often complained that he can by no means obtain justice from Lord Dacre your warden for attemptates continually committed these 3 or 4 years past, whereby offenders are encouraged in their wicked life, and we have divers times required M^r Randolphe to signify the same to you for redress, without effect. We earnestly desire you to take speedy order for the rule of that march, and have commanded Lethington our secretary to send to yours the heads of our warden's complaints. We also wrote before in favour of our subject named Grahame, who by your command obtained a commission to Lord Grey, Sir Thomas Dacres, Sir John Foster, and the Treasurer of Berwick, to make him full restitution of goods spoiled from him and his colleagues by the inhabitants of Northumberland, conform to the decreet in his favour by your Court of Admiralty, wherein as yet there is nothing done, and the poor merchant is reduced to extreme poverty and almost out of hope—praying you earnestly to command them to proceed with all speed and see him satisfied. Under our signet. Palace of Holyrood house, 21^st of our reign. Signed: Your richt gud sister and cusignes, Marie R.

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

1160. Randolphe to Cecill. [Jan. 5.]

I received your letters, &c. at two several times, and bestowed the news on such as I thought worthiest. We thought ourselves happy till we heard of the Prince's taking, but despair not "as longe as the Admirall kepethe the feeldes."

The letters I had of Captain Cokburne [Colborne] I thought fittest to give to his wife to deliver to this Queen, who was not content till she spoke with myself. I then told her what I had heard, but gave her as little comfort of any good like to ensue to her uncles, as I could. "She hathe weapte her fyll, and yet she knowethe not herself (as she sayethe) whye she is sadde." We live in hope of better news. A greater sorrow, I am sure, there was not of long time amongst "those that feare God" here, than to hear the Prince was taken; always we think ourselves much bound to you, "that howe so mever the state of thynges be, that we have some intelligence."

Her grace learns by Cokburn's letters, that Rowlet her secretary is coming, and desires he may have good expedition, for as Chartillier Monsieur D'Anvil's man reported he was stayed 8 days, she fears the like for the other. Her mind, she bears me in hand, remains always "one" to the Queen's Majesty. I send you her letters and the articles containing the disagreement between Dacre and Maxwell, which she desires to be considered for amity and the relief of her subjects. You shall at length hear from Lethington. I told him he was "in greate collour" when he wrote. It is suspected there will be "somewhat wraughte thys parliment amongeste you, that we shall tayke lyttle pleasure of—for the brute is all reddie here that some thynge shalbe done at thys tyme for the establyshement of the crowne." It proceeds I suspect, rather from the Queen's self than any other. We are now greatly given to policy, frugality, and good government. We have made laws that no victuals saving fish, nor hides, skins, nor wool, shall be carried out of the country: no wine sold above 6l. the "tunne." Laws are also made against "great hose" and costly apparel. The most difficulty will be to put order to the beggars; the ground I believe will not bear many other. The necessity next year must be very great, all kind of victuals are already grown so dear. Of this parliament I yet hear nothing. "Our ministers" have been there 6 days past in consultation what articles they may give in then for establishment of religion. I know not what will be the success. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

2 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

1161. Bothwell to Northumberland. [Jan. 7.]

While on my way to the Queen my sovereign's uncles in France, I was driven by storm in at the island beside Berwick, in which town I am kept by Sir Thomas Dacre knight the Queen's officer there. Having some little acquaintance with your lordship, and fearing lest my "onfrendes" in the Court of Scotland may labour to get me delivered there to my utter ruin, I pray you solicit the Queen's highness your mistress in my name, to retain me under her protection, and I would "rathest" by your "moyen" have the commodity to offer her my humble service personally. Excuse my namely writing. Berwick. Signed: Your lordshipis luffing frend leffully, Boithvill.

1 p. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.

1162. Mary to Elizabeth. [Jan. 22.]

Requesting safe conduct to Scotland for Adriane Maucheare relict of Patrick Kirkcaldy, Marie Ros relict of Gilbert Logane, her subjects, and James Logane, with the rest of their bairns, families, &c. 12 persons in all,—who on their voyage homewards were driven by storm into Lowestoff [Lasto] and left behind there by their ship. Under her signet. Palace of Holyrood house, 21^st of her reign. Signed: Your richt gud sister and cusignes, Marie R.

Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed: ". . . certen Scottes persons driven to lande at Leistof."

1163. Randolphe to Cecill. [Jan. 22.]

It was no small comfort to us to hear the true state of things of late in France, by your two letters, one of 16^th December received at Stirling, the other of 11^th instant. I proceed first to answer some points, in special concerning James MacConnel, whom thinking to find at Castle Cammell at S^t Colme's marriage to Argyll's sister, I passed thither with the Queen's grace. There I understood that a new controversy risen between MacLane and him, kept him at home. I understood by my lord of Argyll that James is well affectioned to my sovereign's service, the more as he heard that the Lord Deputy earnestly pursues M^r Bruerton for the murder "of James two kynsemen." Nothing he says can please James better than to be enemy to O'Neill, who married his daughter and within these 2 years sent her home again; so he thinks it an easy matter to persuade him to anything. The Earl himself will be "used therin" as my sovereign commands. He and James will shortly be here, if not I purpose writing to James for his mind.

This Queen is much contented that nothing shall be done this parliament to her discontentment; and is now angry with herself I hear, that she was so suspicious, and glad she shall shortly hear from the Queen's Majesty. I made her privy to the Provost of Paris' evil purpose against the Italian: she disallows as well as him the Spanish ambassador. Severity in punishment of that may give good example to other princes, especially here who now imitate many of your manners in government, though we cannot yet heartily confess or afford in our hearts to acknowledge whence we take it! I am required by Lethington to ask your honour for a copy of any statute containing all cases of a premunire; it is meant for the weal of the prelates. It is said M^r Elmer (fn. 1) made answer to the "Terrible Blaste of the Trompet"; Lethington heartily desires to have it.

After I had knowledge that the ship wherein Bothwell departed, was at Holy Island, by advice of Murray and Lethington I wrote to the Queen's officers to stay him till her grace's will was known. The same morning she was ready to journey to "Cammell" to the marriage, word was brought me how he was found; and by the way I told her that it was done of good will, he being known an offender to her grace. I stood long in doubt (to be plain with your honour) "whether she dyd cunne me anye thanke for my newes or not," at last getting this answer, that she would advise with her Council and then talk further. I "slipped" many days, but heard no more and meanwhile conferred with Murray, Argyll, Lethington and Patarrowe, what was best to be done. They suspecting her mind to be more favourable to him than there was good cause, thought best to have him out of the country, rather than brought back (even to prison) in store to be employed in any mischief that the Queen or their enemies may move, and have resolved with me that whatever the Queen request, your honour will be a mean that he never return.

I stood long with them, thinking they had more authority with the Queen, and seeing his great offences, could dispose of him as they would. They say the Queen is persuaded that what they say against him "is rather for hate of hys person then and [anye?] love that theye beare otherwyse (meaninge to the Duke) then that he hathe deserved." So in no way should he return but be disposed of as her Majesty pleases, either dismissed or kept prisoner as they think he justly may be.

At [Castle] Cammell, Murray fell sick of a "fluxe," next day her grace removed to Stirling, with whom he went, but finding his disease increase, asked leave to remain there and me with him. After some rest, he got well and we repair to Edinburgh; I saw her that night and next day came to Court again, thinking to know her mind to Bothwell. After some advice taken she spoke thus—'I tayke yt in good part that the Quene my good systers officers for good wyll towardes me, have apprehended the Lorde Bothewell who hathe over greatlye fayled towardes me, wherfore I praye yow wryte unto the Quene your mestres that I do desyer that he maye be sent hyther agayne into Scotlande, so shall the pleasure be great and I wyll with gladde wyll requite the same.' I answered I would do as she requested, and sought occasion to talk of other things, and took leave. So your honour knows both her grace's desire and the lords'. One thing I must not omit—"I knowe hym as mortall an ennemie to our whole nation as anye man alyve, dyspytefull owte of measure, falce and untrewe as a divle; yf hys power had byne to the wyll he hath, nether the Quenes Majestie had stonde in so good termes of amytie with thys Quene as she dothe, nor menester lefte a lyve that sholde be a travailer betwene their Majesties for the contynuance of the same. Yf I had made anye accompte of hys threatnynges, or coulde have dowted hys malice, your honour had harde before thys tyme what juste occation I have had, not onlye to esteme hym as here I reporte hym to be, but also to seeke that revenge that justlye I owght to seeke of ane ennemie to my countrie, a blasphemeus and an unreverent speaker bothe of hys owne soveregne and the Quenes Majestie my mestres, and one that the godlye of thys whole nation hathe a cawse to curce for ever, that by that unhonourable and (not to offende your honours eares) thevyshe acte that he commytted agaynste the larde of Ormeston, adventured the losse of the cheif nobilitie of thys realme." You will pardon me "thus angerlye" to write, it is much less than I think or have good cause, or he should find if my power were to that mind I bear to all of his sort.

That night after I left the Queen, Roulet the secretary arrived by sea—"the house soundethe incontinente for assured newes" that the Rhinegrave had defeated 5000 of our sovereign's soldiers, and that the whole world was their own! At 9 p.m. either for courtesy sake or to please me well, it pleased her grace to send me a writing, whereof I send you the copy, and would speak with me next day, having more to say. If I had not before conceived opinion that I would never believe at first all I heard spoken by a French mouth, or written by a French hand, I dare say for very spite it was sent me in such haste, I had cast myself into a fever. I promised to wait on her grace next day, but desired her by the messenger not to believe hastily all that was written, that I had heard as lately from England as her grace's servant came from France, that the wind had been contrary, and he had been long at sea. Next morning happily the Berwick post arrives with your letters of 11^th to me, to Lethington, &c. that I thought should be to good purpose. After dinner I "mayke me to the Courte," but found the Queen kept her bed. After talking with Murray and Lethington, I return to my lodging. Next day her grace being evil disposed, took physic, and this day also keeps her chamber. This morning she sends to me by Lethington's servant this letter to her uncle—that for as much as she heard Sir Nicolas Throkmorton was taken prisoner, she would (in respect he is her good sister's servant and worthy of favour) write to the Duke her uncle for his deliverance to her. Both Murray and Lethington assure me of their honours that it came of herself without motion of any person, "and before God, I knewe yt not before I sawe the lettre and harde the message."

To requite M. Roulet for his news, there is a good fellow or two in this town that cause it to be reported, and show writing for it, as sent from trusted friends at Antwerp, by a Flanders ship that reached this yesternight, that Monsieur Mongommerie is in Dieppe with 3000 Englishmen, and that Caen [Canne] is like to come into their hands; that Baron des Adrets [Desadresse] has joined the Prince at Orleans with 7000 horse and foot, "and the whole Protestantes in as great courrage as ever theie were." Though some part of this be true, "and more perchance of thother then wyllinglye we wolde," may it please you to favour us as you think convenient with what "we maye moste assure our selves of, ether to our comforte, or to praye to Good for the better, as his hollye wyll is that governethe the whole."

I find no alteration here; the Queen's good will remains "one" to our sovereign, she says it oft. The nobles and people are content to live with us in peace, and doubt more their old allies than their old enemies! The Duke is here with his 3 sons, but cannot get the 4^th out of prison; he assures me "he is all waye one man," and I commend to him constancy as a "great vertu in a nobleman." Your honour will take it a great wonder when I write "that M^r Knox shall marrie a verie nere kynsewoman of the Dukes, a lordes daughter, a yonge lasse not above xvj yeres of age"! I rather think you will laugh at my madness to write so unlikely a matter, than believe it true. "One Paule Meffane a preacher brought up under M^r Coverdall, whoe maried an Engleshe woman, menester of Gedbroughe, is convicted of manifeste advouterie"! He escaped to England, or some say drowned in a boat going over the water thither. The Earl of Morton is created Lord Chancellor; I doubt not now we shall have justice. The Master of Maxwell has been here 8 days, and showed me a letter from Sir Thomas Dacres, Lord Dacre's son, that he was so cumbered with the Grehams since his father's departure to London, he could do no justice for agreed on bills. In answer to me, the Master said there was no such difficulty, but it was either for lack of good will or to get aid from the Queen's Majesty. Whatever I report of the Master's words, do not conceive worse of any nobleman my mistress's subject.

Though some fear Bothwell's taking cause Tividale men to ride faster on us, I know they will be more afraid, so long as they know him to be where he is. The continual bruits of wars, are not meant on this side, for "we have not wheare with." The bruit that this Queen means to fortify "Aiemouthe," came out of the "walled towne" of Berwick, who fear their garrison reduced. The "venerable" prelate of S^t Andrews has been here; I thought to have heard of his committal to the castle for saying and hearing mass, and refusing to pay the third of his benefice for maintenance of the ministers and poor. He is dismissed in hope of amendment, "and for suche faultes with us are sildome puneshed." Of Fettiplace and Johnston the pirates, I have written to my lord Admiral. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

7¼ pp. Holograph. No address or flyleaf.

1164. Randolphe to Cecill. [Jan. 31. 1562–63.]

I received your letter of 14^th instant with one from the Queen's Majesty to this Queen, which I presented immediately on her recovery from sickness, which we conjecture was nothing but "a will" to keep her bed for 5 or 6 days after her evil journey at Castle "Cammell." She took it in good part, "and redde yt quite over twyse in my syghte"; requiring me to excuse her to the Queen's Majesty for a few days, as she minds to send her servant shortly to her Majesty. If the matter be important, Lethington is "lykeste" to go. I have written to her Majesty what I know—not of assurance, for her grace may alter her purpose, or things "hastelye come into heade may slowlye inoughe be put in execution."

Things otherwise as I wrote, in quietness. I took occasion to commune with the Queen on the state of France: she seems much to lament it, and I believe fears now her uncles' success more than ever. I declared her Majesty's proceedings there from the beginning —her pains and care by ambassadors, letters, messages, &c. to quiet the country and accord the Prince and the Duke, wherein seeing she could not prevail, she used the next mean viz. "to defende her owne right, and further to do as all godlie princes ought, in defence of Godes cawse and hys worde." Her answer was—"that yf her uncles coulde persuade themselves that that which the Prince and his accomplices have taken in hande to defende, were ether the pure worde of God, or that their were not a better religion then that which the Protestantes do professe, theie wolde as willinglye adventure their boddies for that as theie do nowe for thother; but for my sovereigns parte therin, she thought that some other respectes myght move her to do as she dyd, and wysshed that she had her contentement, and therunto wolde willinglye travaile yf she knewe the meane"; with more to like effect. I commended her grace's good mind, doubting not her Majesty felt the same. Yesterday the 30^th, a servant of her grace's departed for France through Flanders; not yet gone for contrary wind. Herself required me to give him a testimony under my hand, that he was her servant, in case he touched in England. She took it unkindly that her letters found upon the Bishop of Ross's servant were sent to Court; that they contained no matter of importance, but as the bishop lies sick like to die of the stone, and sent to France for a "chirurgian," much time is lost and his life in danger. She thinks it rather the fault of the Queen's Majesty's ministers, than any suspicion in herself. I tempered it with good words, and think her grace well pleased. It is well known here where Bothwell is, but over much feared by some that he shall receive at the Queen's Majesty's hands, either by good treatment there, or by suit made for him, more favour than such an enemy to her deserves. I shall write more, after conferring with those whom it chiefly concerns here.

Touching James MacConnel: I can write with more assurance than before, after conference with himself here. He is well affected to her Majesty's service, and against no man "sonner then Shan Onel." He is greatly grieved with the slaughter of his two kinsmen Alester Macrannalde Boye and Gelaspicke his brother. He hears that the Lord Deputy is determined to see it punished, and that M^r Bruerton will take to sea. As Argyll will be here in a day or two, he desires we may commune again; so I shall be better satisfied. There arrived here on Saturday Angilo Manello an Italian, and in his company a servant of my lord of Arundel's. I shall write as I see occasion.

Many lusty and able gentlemen ashamed to lie still knowing "what ther is adoe in France," sue to me daily for entertainment at her Majesty's hands; and I cannot answer them. Many are known men of service specially on horseback. I pray for your advice; it can be secretly and well enough handled. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

3 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed.

1165. Randolphe to Cecill. [Jan. 31.]

There arrived here on Tuesday last (fn. 2) this bearer William Pertrige with letters from her Majesty to this Queen in favour of his suit for his ship taken in Danish waters. These I presented next day, and her grace recalled somewhat, I informing her of the rest. She is willing to justice, and referred me to the Council: who gave the same answer as formerly to Sir Henry Sydney, viz. that if Pertrige began his suit at law before the Lords of Session, he should receive justice and all favour: if not, it should be his own default. But Pertridge dissatisfied, prefers to return, requiring me to signify the answer he has received, as I do to your honour. I have advised him as I would in my own case, rather to pursue it here before the Session, than lose the whole, unless he has some better means to come by it than I see. I wish some other were conjoined with him, that has more experience in suit of causes; her grace and Council are willing the poor man should get justice. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1¼pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed:". . . M^r Partriches case."