Elizabeth: September 1564

Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 2, 1563-69. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1900.

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'Elizabeth: September 1564', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 2, 1563-69, (London, 1900) pp. 70-79. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol2/pp70-79 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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In this section

90. Maitland to Cecil. [Sept. 18.]

By "my man Grahame" I received your letter from Cambridge the 8th of August—which pray excuse me not answering—we were then nigh the farthest parts of this realm in Ross, and I purposely delayed writing till our return; for though in your letter to me "nothing did appeare but all calme," yet in the other to my lord of Murray, which you willed him to communicate to me, "there apeared some cloudes and no obscure demonstration off foule weather." Another letter I have received within these 5 days from a house in Bedfordshire the 4th of this month. Both being almost to one purpose, I will answer them at once—first rendering you hearty thanks for your plain writing and frank dealing, finding fault where you see cause—but when you have weighed what I am able to say for myself, I doubt not you shall be well satisfied. Now to your letters: in your former, you say the less you meddle in so great matters, the less is your danger. To that I agree—for if we had respect only to our own quietness and security, we would never adventure to manage public affairs and be "tossed to and fro as a balle." All things are uncertain, and however well directed men's actions, little thanks is often the reward of labour. This, and many times worse, has been the recompense of chief ministers in common wealths, as by the histories of all ages clearly appears, yet is more to be feared in all other kinds of government than in monarchies, "for that the popular estate is a greate deale more ingrate than princes be. Mary! the peple be alwayes lyke onto them selffes to misconstrue mens actions, be theyr dealing never so oupryght." Neither of us lacks this experience in our own person—but serving two such mistresses so different in judgment from the common sort, "I think all this part ought to be contemned," and if we approve our counsels and actions first to God, next to them, and are able to answer all charges by the testimony of an upright conscience, what others think is little to be regarded. I like well your conclusion that for love of your country you will set aside your own peril, and so not forbear to deal with me "so far as yow ar provyded with mater." This has always been my resolution, and I never forbore, but when your silence or "dark wryting" gave me cause. The rest of your former writing tends to this. You marvel that a matter so far to our commodity as that propounded by Mr Randolphe, is so lightly weighed and coldly dealt in upon our part! For answer I do no less marvel you should so think, which you would not if you remember in what order those matters have passed—first, no man knows better than yourself how earnest I was when last at your court, both with the Queen herself, and also with you many times, "to have her Majesty to fall specially upon that kynd off communication with me, and to have utered frankly her meaning therin onto me: promissing on the other syde that she shold fynd the lyke franknes on the Quene my maistres part. Wherin I think I cold have done as moche as hath bene utered to any man at any tyme sence. For I know her Majesty hath ever mislyked that betuix two so deare frendis as they be and must be, ther shold be any kynd off obscure dealing; but that every one off them shold be made prevey to the others conceptions. Yow know I cold never obteyn at her majesties handes to comme to any speciall reasoning off those caases, and yet did I ernestly move her majesty, that in her own presens the mater myght be debated with yow or soche others off her counsall as she thought fit for the propos, how the sure knot off perpetuall amity myght be knyt up betuix them and theyr countreyes for ever." I confess I found generally great demonstration of goodwill and many tokens of love—"and yet did I not dissemble what lack I fand off specialityes, and what more I requyred, If her majesty will reduce to memory what passed privately betuixt ws, she will well remember that at the same tyme I toke my leave, I planely declared onto her majesty that eyther her wordis were so obscure, or my wyt so dull, alwayes some lack there wes on some part that I cold not fully conceave her majesties intent, whearby I myght report onto my maistres clearely her conception—and therupon that I wes not able to cary her message, oneles I had some memoriall theroff in wryting for my better instruction." Since that time Mr Randolphe has brought two messages from her majesty at "severall" times, which have been answered as directly as the matter permits—so if you conferr the propositions and answers, you will see "it resteth now upon your part." For you know the matters are not so small, that "they can be resolved to or fro upon the sodeyn"; many things require special answer, many doubts must be cleared, and circumstances considered before farther deliberation. "So wayghty maters cannot be rawly passed owyr, nor yet were it convenient in maters which last for tearme off lyfe, and whear the consequence may endure a greate deale longar, at the veary first word, to comme to Yea or No without farther examination what myght ensew"! In answer to his last proposition, an overture was made that for better digestion of all these cases, secret commission might be given to my lord of Bedford, "or some other" to confer at Berwick or elsewhere, with some of this side, fully instructed with both sovereigns' minds, to draw the matter to conclusion. Whether you like this or not, does not yet appear, and so we rest—it is your part to propound a more convenient way.

In your letter of 4th instant, you find fault, first, for intermitting my "familiar wryting." It was for no lack of good will, but first for lack of leisure "during our progress," and that since the coming of my man Grahame we were resolved at our return to direct "this gentleman Mr Mailvyn that way"—occasioned by the postscript of your first letter, "that one halff houris frank communication by mouth were more worth for those proposses than xx whole dayes wryting." In the place I occupy, I cannot be spared for voyages, nor do I like it, (for it lacks not peril) unless to some good end—"and off treuth her majestie fand some fault with me the last voyage I made that way, for my long remayning." I have wished myself with you not half an hour, but a whole day—but as wishing will not obtain this, I have chosen one whom I trust as myself, and will undertake he is honest and discreet, and what you say to him "shall be spocken to my selff." The next fault you find "is for the answer sent to the mocion made by the Quenes majesty in the mater off the erl off Lennox." As the Queen my mistress has commanded the bearer to declare her meaning at large to yours, I forbear to write. What cause my lord of Murray and I had "to wryte roundly," you can judge, for it touched our honour. Seeing what trust our mistress has in our fidelity, our credit with her, and that she took our opinion before according the Earl of Lennox' request, "what spot off infamy" had it been in us to have secretly moved another prince to impede it? Where you write that "the informars which came from hence do stand fast to it, and will as they say avow it to ws: I trust none will say that ever he conferred with me one jote to or fro in that mater—at least I remember not as God is my judge, that ever any entred in question with me thairupon; and if they did, I am sure I dissembled not what I thought in in it." And my lord of Murray has written both to you and Mr Randolph his part therein, as I have also before. Where you write "that my lettres to yow instead off thankis to the Quenes majesty, conteyned sondry spechees both of hyd and apparant reprehensions," as I shall see on reading the copies: in good faith I kept no copy of them, at least cannot find it—and confess my negligence in seldom keeping copies of what "I privately write my selff." The fault is mine, and I intend to amend it—and trust I have not been so "ondiscrete" as to use any such phrases of any prince, "specially her majesty, whome for many respectes I have good cause to honour—and if I have so far overshot myselff, I have bene farthar transported than I am accustomed to be. I will not deny but the first sieht off your lettre did styr me to some cholere—bearing no les in effect than that the stay off therl off Lennox by the Quenes majesty wes for our contemplation and at our request—and if so had bene, our maistres myght have thought ws good and trusty servandis in dede! . . . and in that sam passion wrote I my lettre. Mary! that I wes so far distempred I can not beleave. I pray yow let this bearer peruse my lettre and declare onto him what yow mislyke in it, and I trust he shalbe able to say somwhat in my defence." I am glad you say "that those cloudes shall not darken nor trouble the cleare and sincere amity of our soveraygnes"—there is no cause why it should be otherwise, and no just occasion to the contrary shall ever be given from hence. What you say nigh the end of your letter, of my remiss dealing causing you to suspect me of some other design, I do not understand, for I am sure I have been always earnest to bring these matters betwixt our sovereigns to conclusion, and have many times frankly written my mind both to my lord Robert and yourself. "I know how necessary England is for Scotland, and even so Scotland for England. I preferre in my opinion the Quene off Englandes sure amity to the frendship off any foreyn prince. I trust my maistres will follow as moche off her frendly advys in her mariage and her other wayghty affaires, as off any frend she hath in the world besydes, and so wold I advise her to do—this alwayes provyded (which I have many tymes touched in my lettres) that respect be had to honour and surety." These two points considered, I am sure if we fall roundly to work, a good end shall soon ensue. The general proposition made by Mr Randolph was not only well taken, but as gently and directly answered as could be—the special overture was propounded "so nakedly," as I trust you will think her grace had reason to know more before answering it. Where you ask some "ynkling" from me whether to forbear or continue that intention "shall content ws"? I am perplexed what to say. "I lyke not to deale obscurely with yow as yow do oftentymes with me," and I am unable to give you any "lycht" in that matter. I dare not meddle with her majesty for any special person—"to forbeare this person or that person in one countrey or other, I may (craving perdon) speake to her majesty my opinion, and use persuasions as the mater bryngeth forth, in consideration of the circomstances and respectes to honour, commodity, or the contrary; but I must se eyther some shewe off contentacion and lyking in her selff or els an evident and assured grandeur to her selff, and commodity to her and her countrey, to ensew infallibly by the mache, before I enter to the naming off any speciall person to her majesty—for otherwyse I myght perhaps soone speke that I shold not shortly amend, and spill more in one halff hour than I were able to repayre in all my lyfe." So not being privy to her mind, I can say nothing in it. "It were curteously and frendly done—if the Quenes majesty your maistres wold have myne for her pleasour, to forbeare the maching with one two or thre greate howsses whear most apparant grandeur is—to lat her see evidently that she shold be no losar by the bargayne: and to remit the choyse off those few persons that remayne behind, fit for her majesty, to her owne option. In which doing I trust she both wold inquire your soveraygnes jugement, and follow a good part off her advys therin—and in caas she wold recommend any, more than others, to do it in soche ordre and good sort as it myght well apeare she had a speciall care off her honour and advancement as off her suster, and that she wold not wisshe her to abashe her selff under the degre off him she had before, but for her owne greate commodity." Now I have written as largely and plainly as I can—if you do the like, we would soon come to some conclusion—but if you require more than I have touched on here, the bearer can satisfy you, whom credit as myself. In all things I may privately do to your pleasure, "your sone wilbe no readyar to obey yow." Edinburgh. Signed: W. Maitland.

6 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil): " . . . the L. of Ledyngton to W. Cecill."

91. Mary to Elizabeth. [Sept. 18.]

Requesting safe conduct for Master John Sinclair, dean of Restalrig, with 8 companions, to return from France to Scotland through her realm—for a year. Palace of Holyrood House. Signed: Your richt gud sister and cusignes Marie R.

Broadsheet. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet (Scotland).

92. Murray to Cecil. [Sept. 19.]

Till now I have not answered your letter from Cambridge of 8th August brought by Grahame—for it was then devised to send "this gentleman"—and finding him ready, I can reply on all points. The states of our sovereigns, their people and countries, require for their conservation mutual care of us their ministers, wherein I have been always "hiddertillis" glad to travail, and will continue to do so God willing. I, and many more of this country, have good cause to acknowledge your Queen's care of our estate, and acquit (if possible) by all good offices of friendship, your own earnest mind to increase good intelligence among us. "In deid it grevis me mekle that the Quene my maistres lettre send to your soverane, as alsua my awin to your self, ar be you thoght sa strange—for assuritlie na thing wes thairin mentionat or menyt, cheiflie in my awin quhilk I do best knaw, bot simple trewth and uprichtnes—and afoir God, affirme it quha sa lykit, that the erle of Lenox cuming hither wes principallie aganis my will, the reportar thairof followit his awin passioun, for na sic thing wes evir menyt be me," as I wrote to you before, and now repeat. For had I thought that, I could have found a more honest way to stay him, than privily to signify "thair" that it misliked me, and so procure it. Your sovereign's sincere meaning to my mistress and her realm did well appear in her letters, "and grete caus is to rander hir majestie all thankes for notifying of the mater. Bot quhair as hir hienes, as thinkand hir self mystakin, takis greif thairof, and ye in your lettre declaris, that to ansuer sic plane meanyngis ye did not luke for sic strange writingis, it makis me maist sory," knowing nothing was written to displease her majesty, but rather the contrary. I thank you for your plain writing, for even as you, so would I not have things "rwn out of the hie way"—and yet when men mean and write truly, I would wish it taken in good part, and not thought strange. Farther of my mind, the gentleman bearer hereof will declare, whom credit as myself. Edinburgh. Signed: James Stewart.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil): . . . "the Erle of Muirray."

93. Kirkcaldy of Grange to Randolph. [Sept. 19.]

Understanding you are to hold a parliament, we thought it necessary to send this gentleman to let you "understand our gud mynd, in adventure (fn. 1) ye proceid in sum materes that may be to our hurt." First, if ye perform "in deid" what ye have offered, we will marry where ye please, so it stands with our honour. "As to me Lord Robert D[udley] albeit we lyke his vertues and honestye, yit becaus he is not cum, as we understand, of ane gret auld hows, and that his blude hes bene anes spotted, I feare for thir respectis we sall not accept hym." Therefore look on the next, either among you or us; for if you drive time, I fear necessity may compel us to marry where we may. "For I assure yow brother, tho scho wald very fane have a man, and for the samin sum laubouris are maid be France, and lykwys be the moyen of the Duches of Dascot (fn. 2) and your awne Angillo the convoye thairof: yit in my oppinion, gyf ye will earnystlye pres it, ye may caus us tak the Lord Derleye—utherwayis it will not be."

Our nobility are sent for, all except my lord Duke, who is presently in Arran, and minds not to "vesye" the Court, unless sent for, "and sum thynkis scantlye than."

At this convention my lord of Murray gets his commission of "lewtennendrye," who begins to take the burden of the Queen's affairs; for when any comes to present a supplication, she bids them "gang to her brother of Murray." If she continue in this mind, ye and we shall live in friendship. "Farther I suspect scho sall tailye the croune to the Stewartis and for that effect will sett ane parlement efter Paice. (fn. 3) Thus ye may se quhat is ment towardes the pure Duk. Albeit this be schaipin, I feare it salbe evill sewit, for me lord of Argyll (quhay purposses to be a contenewar in court) and me lord of Murray, hes concludit that the Duk sall suffre na wrang be ony particullare partye.

"I dout not bot ye understand or now that our secretaree (fn. 4) wyf is dead—and he a suter to M. Flemyng, quha is als meit for hym as I am to be paipe! Sum foleis of me lord of Hallyrudhous and of Cappitaine Stewart I remit to the berrar." Now to end—"Ye sall wit your brother William is commandit be the quenis awne moutht to be a contenewall waitter." I would ye were to be here with us again, for you could do your country good service. As our queen has determined to lean on Murray, things should be handled to your contentment. "Fareweill in the Lord." Edinburgh. Signed: Your brother ever at power. "I trow Lethington repentis the writin of his crabit lettre."

pp. Holograph of Kirkcaldy, also address: "A mon frere Monsieur Randolphe." Indorsed: ". . . A Scottishmans lettre to Mr Randolphe." Wafer signet (Bedford's quartered shield with Garter).

94. Murray to Frederic Elector Palatine. [Sept. 23.]

Signifies that Melville has done well in saluting him in his name, for his exalted virtues and zeal for the Christian religion. Expresses regret for not having written before; but being almost beyond the limits of the human race, they are content with the silent witness of conscience, as much out of the way of censure as of fame. They rejoice that some report of their affairs has reached the Elector, desiring only the glory of God, and pleased to know the approval of good men, and that the evangel penetrates the ends of the earth. As to the Elector's writing for a friendly league, he believes there is a secret perpetual bond of nature between all good men: Christians above all; as members of Christ the head. Though this union is immortal, yet lest the weakness of mortality cause it to languish without frequent refreshment, he willingly embraces the offer of closer intercourse, and will be ready to aid if occasion presents itself, trusting it will redound to the glory of Christ. "Vale. Edinburgi iæ. Cal. Octobris anno M. Dlxiiij." Signed: "Jacobus comes Morawie."

pp. Latin. Addressed: "Illustrissimo ac nobilissimo principi Domino Friderico electori palatino etc. amico nostro dilecto." Indorsed: "1564 Sept. 22. Thearle of Murray to the Count Palatyne." Fragment of round signet.

95. Elizabeth to Cecil. [Sept. 23.]

I am in such a labyrinth that I do not know how to answer the Queen of Scotland after so long delay. Therefore find something good that I may put in Randoll's instructions, and indicate your opinion to me.

½ p. Latin. Holograph. Indorsed (by Cecil): "23 Sept. 1564, at St James. The Q. wrytyng to me being sick. Scotland."

96. Mary to Elizabeth. [Sept. 26.]

Requesting safe conduct for a year for her servitor Maister Adam Hwme, going between Scotland and France on her affairs and "bissines." Holyrood House. 22nd of her reign. Signed: Your richt gud sister and cusignes Marie R.

Broadsheet. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet (Scotland).

97. The Scottish Parliament. [Sept. 28.]

21st. Convened at Edinburgh by the Queen's command. Earls:—Argyle, Murray, Morton, Errol, Glencairn, Atholl, Caithness, and Cassillis.

Lords:—Erskine, Seton (Cethen), Fleming, Endermath, Ruthven (Ryvynne).

The Duke and rest of the nobility was neither desired nor charged.

22nd. The Council convened, and (1) made discreet chastisement of great disorders between Cassillis and his surname, and the Laird of Lochinvar (Gordon) and his; (2) the Crawfords and Fargosons of great name, for small disorders, the principals of both "sett fast in the Ynche." (3) The Karres for contentions are like to lose Kelso, the Queen "to take the bone they stryve for."

23rd. The Council while treating of things dangerous to the commonwealth—as wine, silk, "ryott of apparrell," and monopoly of merchants—were summoned to her grace's presence to receive Lennox, then "new lighted" at Lord Robert's of Holyroodhouse. Immediately the Earl was "debowted," his servants yet in their boots, he came in presence of our sovereign, and the above named nobility. Her Grace welcomed him, and every one of the nobility embraced him, and he departed to his lodgings that was well arrayed with hangings and costly beds of the Queen's. The people here think it presages some great thing.

"Sonday" the 24th.—Many rumours among the people—the papists bragged the Earl would go to mass with the Queen. The protestants only lamented that the Queen of England should be "so overseyne to send from her suche slaunder." That day the Earl kept his house in quiet, and at night banquetted "our foure Maryes and some other dillicate dames."

Monday 25th. The Queen's grace harangued her Council "veray commely" thus:—'Ye nobles of our realme hes showne your selves so discreete, prudent, and wyse counsellours with love and faithfull obedyence to us and our realme, that we cannot doute to have the lyke at all tymes, and of all, most at commendacion of our good sister the Quene of England, the restitucion of therle of Lennox our nere cosyn; in consideracion wherof we have assembled you of the nobilite our counsell.' His restoration was easily agreed to in the Queen's humour. Argyle musing a little, said it was good to restore him, but those at contention with Lennox should be put in surety to prevent strife hereafter. So it was devised to send a gentle letter to the Duke, putting in his "opcion" to come, or send his wise friends on his behalf, instructed for concord. Our wise here think it "incomponable."

Tuesday 26th. The Council broke up and my lord Secretary was sent to confer with Lennox, I being sent by Murray to desire the former to "feele" if Lennox would go to sermon on the morrow with the Lords. "Yt was easy to swade in respect the Quene was of counsell he shuld goo."

Wednesday 27th. "Afore noone the lordes yede to the sermon" and Lennox with them. The council convened in the afternoon before the Queen. Bedford's letter to the secretary being "resoned" at length, Cesford was called and asked why he refused like conditions to Bedford as he kept to Forster on the Middle march for years? He would have answered somewhat, but the Secretary did it so discreetly that he was soon "dashed," and handled matters so well he deserves the Earl's thanks and to be better handled in the next letter. But the Queen herself burst out saying to the Warden, that of all Englishmen she would have Bedford best handled, knowing his desire for the amity and welfare of both realms. It was determined that the Clerk Register should attend next truce day to see Cesford enter into amity anew with the Earl. They then brake up, and my lord of Murray though sick was not idle but sent 24 of his servants at supper time to seize certain pirates convened at a banquet in a house at Leith ready to embark on their wicked purpose.

Thursday 28th. Nothing but banquetting my lord of Lennox and "the dames," and dispatching Mr Colwich—that night after supper I was commanded to go next day to the castle to speak with the Earl of Arran, give him many good words, "but no good dede." I have not yet been there. Sitting at supper alone with my lord of Murray who is sick, he said to me that Lennox had heard from the West that the Duke had his friends "amassed to comme so starke to Courte that he feered the matter sore. Yt was answered the Quene was starke enoughe to be his warrand."

Friday 29th, is to he treated the calling back all the "thirdes" of the spiritual lands the Queen has too liberally granted—extending to 35,600l. Scots—too much to be spared, "the tyme is so nedy"—then Murray's commission of lieutenancy to be treated, and this convention breaks up.

pp. Contemporary hand. No flyleaf or address.

98. Mary to Elizabeth. [Sept. 28.]

By your letters "gevin at Northamptoun" the first instant and delivered to "oure handes" by the Earl of Lennox, we perceive how entirely you tender the causes of him, and our right well beloved cousin his wife: and that it may appear, not only to your self, but to all others in both realms, what regard we have to your recommendation, "we have not onlie at the veray first given him sum taist of oure gudewill in the favorable receaving of him, and hearing of his peticionis, bot alsua meane to procede further to the full restitucion of him, quhairby he salbe able to enjoy the privilegis of a subject, the liberteis of his native cuntre, and his auld titles." And we also intend to deal so favourably in all their reasonable suits, that they shall feel bound to you for all the benefits to be received at our hands, chiefly at your recommendation. Palace of Holyrood House. Signed: Your richt gud sister and cusignes Marie R.

Broadsheet. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer Signet (Scotland).

99. Lennox to Elizabeth. [Sept. 30.]

I have delivered your Majesty's letter to the Queen, who not only imparted your goodness to me "(in wordes)" but has showed me such graciousness, that I am more bound to you than ever. Humbly beseeching your Majesty to extend the like favour to my wife "your poore kinswoman," who has no refuge in my absence but you only. The Court at "Hollyroodos." Signed: Mathow Levenax.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

100. Lennox to Cecil. [Sept. 30.]

"Good Mr Secreatory," the Queen here having showed me much goodness for the Queens majesty's sake, upon her gracious letter in my favour, duty binds me to write my most humble thanks, and I could not but also remember you with these few lines, for your pains and friendliness, praying you to continue the same in my absence, to me and mine. The Court at Edinburgh. Signed: Mathow Levenax.

1 p. Addressed: (to Cecil as Chief Secretary and Master of Wards etc.) Indorsed.

Footnotes

  • 1. i.e., in case.
  • 2. D'Archot.
  • 3. Easter.
  • 4. Maitland.