Elizabeth: July 1566

404. Christofer Rokeby to Killigrew. [July 2.]

I am a poor gentleman of England in some adversity. Though but little acquainted with your worship, I would have done my duty to you, but stayed, to avoid suspicion. I send you a letter received this day, which after perusing, return to me. I send also my answer which you may peruse, "scelle," and send it at your pleasure. Please use me with secrecy as to these, and if you talk with the Queen here, say nothing of me. Signed: Christofer Rokeby.

Inclose M^r Secretary's letter in yours and if you think good, I would gladly speak with you before going.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

405. Kyllygrew to Cecil. [July 4.]

Yesterday I had audience, and yet cannot see my discharge hence for 3 or 4 days: for "this prynces lakyth, me thinkes, apte mynesters"; therefore I wrote somewhat before my coming. I cannot find that Shane Oneill is or shall be aided from hence, or that Rokeby being here is dangerous to us. The wardens are sent for to receive strait charge for justice, and councillors appointed to oversee the affairs of Clerk and Bigges. Melvin arrived here after my audience, and put this Queen in great joy that his news was so grateful to her majesty. After my audience, I was carried again to see the prince, who is in good health. This Queen is advertised that since the "shipping" of Morton, he is back in England: and will complain earnestly. Thus matters are too openly handled, as their letters to their friends come daily. I see no end yet of their troubles, though many are like to venture all for their relief. Argyll holds his purpose to depart the realm: his men and Shane's have not agreed. Edinburgh, in hast. Signed: H. Kyllygrew.

M. de Croc is looked for this day. Thornton arrived late yesternight late.

Murray and his friends instantly desire that if possible my lord of Leicester and you might be sent hither—which would do much good to religion and our Sovereign's wellwillers.

1½ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

406. Kyllygrew to Cecil. Elizabeth. [July 4. 1566.]

Since this packet was made up, I hear that Rooksby is taken with all his papers, among them I fear your letter—and since, two arrived from England to him. I saw by the Queen, when I spoke of him, that she misliked him before, rather I think for the letter my lord of Northumberland opened, from whose brother she said Rooksby came to her, and had letters from her. Edinburgh. Signed: H. Kyllygrew.

¾ p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

407. William Rogeres to Cecil. [July 5.]

As I have travelled for four years from country to country, by occasion of my "yle desarvynge" in offending her majesty's laws, "wyche I hame moste sourye for": it happened me of late to be in Scotland, and learned that on 16^th June, Harry, that was Yaxley's [Huacslys] man that was drowned, brought from Flanders to the Queen of Scotland "a barrynge clothe fore the prynces, wythe othere bancketynge dysshyse of sugare and marmelade," also letters from the "kynges mother" in the Tower, and one from "Mester Poule" also there, which Poule has given all his right to the crown of England to the King and Queen of Scotland—which is thought there "very mouche"—and if he can get out of the Tower, he is looked for in Scotland before Christmas next. Also he brought letters from "one Mester Poule" that has been at sea before, which Poule and divers gentlemen in his company are looked for shortly in Scotland, offering to serve the King at their own charges. The King said this before 20 gentlemen, that he was not so ill beloved in England, but that 40 gentlemen there would so serve him, and more soon after conveyance of my lady's letters, brought every fortnight to him by a gentlewoman "wyche coumes oute of Loundone to here." One Marten Dare "wyche hathe byne a captayne at Sylly," keeps Poule company. Harry also brought 2000 crowns that a "nynlys (fn. 1) marchante" sent the King, and that when he wanted more he should not "lake." There are in the north, that practise with him to take Scarborough, and have all the north at his command. Gentlemen of the west country have sent him "the plote forme of Syly (fn. 2) wyche ys an ylande in the see," and the King looking at it saw some ordnance in it, and said he took possession of his own: and naming a place of his father's, said he would have them thither. One Moune comes from the west country gentlemen every month to the King by Carlisle, "lyke a northerene mane, wythe gacke and skoule and spere." Certain barks also bring salt from Scotland to London, and take letters back, and have taken upon them to convey the King's brother to Scotland. I have learned all this at the Standens' hands, who knowing I am an offender of the laws, professed great friendship: and I rode always with the King hawking or hunting in their company, and was taken to be his man. If it pleased her majesty to allow me a merchant ship, I would get the 2 Standens and also one "Mester Rouxbe [Rokesby] wyche ys so devoute that he wyll here ij masses evere daye." A messenger of Shan O'Neill [Shananeles] came to the King for aid: the King made much of him, gave him a reward, and sent 200 crowns to Shan to buy aquavitæ [acavyte]. If your honor desires any service, I beseech you send to my mother who knows where I am; and if I must confess that my deserts deserve no credit, I may have leave to go to some country till the Queen has pity on me. Oxford. Signed: Wyllyam Rogeres.

2½ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil and his clerk).

408. Questions to Bishopp and others. [July 6.]

Let Bishopp write the cause why he was in the place where taken—his conference with the others—what letters he has written or received from Scotland—from whom—their contents?

Lassells:—To do the like—also how often he has spoken with the Queen of Scots' servants or messengers?

The "person":—Let the "prest" write the like.

1 p. In Cecil's hand. Indorsed (by his clerk).

409. William Seres to Cecil. [July.]

I pray it may please your honour to take pity on me "for that I am utterlye consumed with inward maladies." God is my witness I never offended the Queen's majesty "in thowght word nor deed": and whosoever informed you and the Council to cast me in prison "have nocht doone wyslye;" for if my credit increase with my sovereign lady, it could not have been hurtful to the Queen's majesty. If it pleased your honour to give me liberty, and speak with you, I will pleasure her majesty all I can, and satisfy you what I may do more largely in words than "in paper." Also being deprived of all Christian comfort, I beseech you my wife may be with me in the day time, to help me in sickness, and that I may take order with her for necessaries, having "nother hoose, dubled nor shertt to save me from cold." Signed: Your lordships daylie oratour, William Seres.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): "July 1566. Wm. Sheres, Scott."

410. Murray to Cecil. [July 11.]

I received your "gude" letter from James Melville and your contentation of my reconcilation to the Queen my sovereign's favour, "quhilk now (I thank God) standis in gude cace." Howsoever I be, my study shall ever be to preserve the amity betwixt her majesty and the Queen your mistress, to whom, next my own Sovereign, I am "cheiflie devinct." I have on your motion, communicated with Argyll as to aiding Oneill, and find no cause of any evil opinion of him: "sen (as he affirmis) his intelligence with Oneill (quhilk is not mekle to be estemit) is now na gretar nor the use hes bene betuix there houssis of auld, beinge neir nychtbowris": and in the late troubles my lord had to entertain friendship as he best might, but without meaning to assist your sovereign's rebels. Edinburgh. Signed: James Stewart.

If Leicester would repair hither, it would greatly further amity, whereto pray set your "guidwill."

1p. In Hay's writing. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

411. Murray to Elizabeth. Elizabeth. [July 11. 1566.]

By the return of the bearer M^r Kyllegrewe, I could not omit to render to your majesty most humble thanks for your "greit benevolence and large favour bestowed on me": which (my allegiance reserved) I shall ever acknowledge "as the worthynes of thame weill deservis."

I have long sued both within and without your realm, for the liberty of Lord Keyth, my brother-in-law—as my Sovereign has also lately craved of your majesty: and as the matter has been delayed "far beyond the accustomat usage," I am compelled anew to importune your majesty therein. Edinburgh. Signed: James Stewart.

1 p. In Hay's writing, and address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

412. Leicester to Cecil. [July 11.]

I have showed the letters your servant Allington delivered me, that came from Sir John Foster, to her majesty, who thinks good that Sir John forthwith stay George Douglas from going into Scotland, and put him under guard: as she cannot longer forbear satisfying the Queen of Scots' earnest request for one who has so grievously offended her. Also to warn Morton of his dealing "so undyscretly," and either convey him self to some secret place or else absent him self "in dede some other whear." This is as near as I remember her majesty's pleasure, and you are to signify the same to Sir John with all speed. Signature lost.

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk):". . . From the Erle of Leycestre."

413. Thomas Wright to Cecil. [July 13.]

Please your honour to learn that one M^r Rookebye was taken prisoner (with myself) suddenly after the return of James Mylvyne, with all his writings and a letter from you. Next day I was carried to the castle, straitly examined about him, having been night and day with him since "Pentychost last"; and offered by our examiners (the Bishops of Ross and Galloway, Lord Fleming and Justice clerk) fair promises of living: but they got no knowledge by me. As for him, though already committed to the Bishop of Murray in the North, he thinks the Queen will put him at liberty in two or three months. I am commanded on pain of death, to depart Scotland, but am suing to serve the King, and thus serve my own prince and native country. I was clerk to one M^r Sayer deputy steward of Richmondshire liberties under my lord of Northumberland, steward to her majesty, and by a little affray between me and a gentleman M^r Sayer's cousin, and some misusage, I left, minding to sue for service with my Lord Bedford at Berwick: but he being in London, I came to Scotland, hoping for service with the King, and meantime have been daily with Rokeby to the danger of my life. Edinburgh. Signed: Thomas Wright.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

414. The King and Queen of Scots to Pius V. [July 21. 1566.] Royal MSS., 18 B. vi. fol. 242.

Recommending earnestly to his Holiness Alexander Campbell, clerk of S^t Andrews Diocese, for his purity of blood and singular learning, joined to his integrity of life, as bishop of Brechin, vacant by the death of John Sinclair. Edinburgh. "Sanctitatis vestre divotissime filius et filia."

⅓ p. Latin. Contemporary copy.

415. Morton to Sir John Forster. [July]

Being advertised by our friends in Scotland that the King and Bothwell were like to obtain a remission to George Douglas at our Sovereign's hand, and the King had said that George had promised "at his hamecuming, to declair that the Erle of Murray, the Secretar, and sum utheris quhome the quenis grace knew not of, war the devysaris and purpos makaris of the slauchter of Davye": and Bothwell sending his servant to you for licence to send to Newcastle to pay "silver" where none was owing, made me suspect it true, I wrote to you my opinion to stay George for a while. I now find that the King and Bothwell are not likely "to speid" as was written, for the Queen likes nothing their desire. And though the King promised in George Douglas's name, as before written, it is thought to be his own invention, either from hatred of Murray and the Secretary, "or ellis to draw the suspicioun of himself that he was not the devysar of that mater: quhilk he will nevir be able to do, for George Douglas will plainly testifie in his presence that the king was the devysar of the slauchter, the place quhair it suld be done, and the maner of the doing thairof; and causit him parswaid my lord Ruthven that deid is, to assist and tak part with the king in that actioun." I have travelled with George myself, who utterly denies all that the King has said of him. I trust you will make my lord Secretary understand this, and that George be not troubled. My lord of Argyll has license out of Scotland for 3 years, but sent me word he will not depart till he sees how matters proceed both with the religion and us, though the Queen gives him many fair words. It were well your sovereign directed a special commission to him, with the first she sends to Scotland, specially touching Ireland. [No place.] Signed: Mortoun.

I forgot to say that the King of France has written to the Queen our mistress so effectually, that it seems to her we had been at the "dyting" of it. We know not why this is, and had rather our relief came some other way than the King of France.

2½ pp. Addressed (to Forster as lord Warden). Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

416. Chatelherault to Elizabeth. [July 24.]

Being in purpose to send my second son John commendator of Arbroath and my cousin Gawan commendator of Kilwinning, by post to Scotland: I humbly beseech your highness's passport for them and 8 companions. Dieppe. Signed: Your majestes mayst hwmyll and obediant serwitor James Hammylton.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed: (by Cecil's clerk).

417. Chatelherault to Cecil. [July 24.]

I enclose this other letter to the Queen's majesty desiring her licence for my second son John and the commendator of Kilwinning to Scotland. As I cannot obtain my Sovereign's supplication to her majesty, I pray you heartily to further the same and expeid this bearer. "For and it had pleisit God her hienes imbassaldour in thir partis had remanit on lyf (quhais deyth I forthink werray sair) I wald nocht haif soucht ony sik thing quhill thair awin cummyng to the Court." And I pray you "appardoun" me thus troubling you.—Dieppe. Signed: Your assuret louffing frend, James Hammyltoun.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

418. Examination of Thomas Wright. [July 26.]

"Thexamynacion of Thomas Wrighte made and delivered under his hande to the righte honorable Therle of Bedforde, Lord Governor of Barwicke, the xxvj^th daye of July, 1566—as followeth"—

[Under 12 heads not numbered.] Relates how he and John Turnour dealt by means of one of the Kings' pages named Stevenson, to get into the Kings' service—the latter's "vayne promyse"—also with Rokeby, Turnour's former master—the arrest of all three on Wednesday night, 3^rd July, their imprisonment, successive examinations in the castle, abbey, &c.—Rokeby's committal to the Bishop of Murray's lodging in the Cowgate, and thence to Spyny castle in Murray—and lastly, that Turnour and himself had 20l. Scots given them by command of the Bishop of Ross with orders to depart the realm at once, in case of worse. Praying humbly her majesty's pardon. Signed: Thomas Wright.

4 pp. Official hand, closely written. Indorsed: "Wrightes confession . . . at Barwick."

419. Maitland to Cecil. [July 28.]

Urging him earnestly for favour towards the bearer his man M^r Grahame, who after many long suits before the Admiralty &c., and weary delays and voyages—"the charges wheroff and expenses off the pley have far surmounted the principall somme": for though he remitted a good part in hope of payment at a "short day," yet most part rests "to be performed"—and to move her majesty for him. The Ballocht. (fn. 3) Signed: W. Maitland.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . For Arch. Greham."

420. Robert Melvill to Cecil. Elizabeth. [July 31. 1566.]

Not having fullie "conceavit" her majesty's answer touching "Cyres," I will request your honour to move her for his "present delyverie," seeing I mind to declare to my Sovereign that all "suspect" persons have been freed on my suit in her name. The truth is, he is unworthy your Sovereign should think "ather gud or evill" of him. I bear him small goodwill for the many evil reports I have heard of him. Stamford. Signed: R. Melvill.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . For the liberty of Seres the Scott."