Elizabeth: January 1567

459. Mary to Elizabeth. [Jan. 3. 1566–67.]

Acknowledging her letter received from the Earl of Bedford, and his messages, whom she trusts she has answered to his satisfaction, and refers to his report thereof. Her own proceeding in the matter of succession is best known to her "dearest suster," and she is assured of her friendship therein, both by her ambassador's declaration and that of Robert Malvile her own servant. Thanks her for the opinion she has of the equity of her cause, and for examining the will "supposed maid be the king your fader, quhilk some wald lay as a bar in our way," as she has promised to do in her letter sent by Robert Malvile, and "maid to him in direct termis"—as he reported: also that she would proceed therein, before her nobility (now assembled) left for their own houses. Will send some of her Council to treat and confer with Elizabeth and her Council in these matters. Under her signet. Stirling. 25^th of reign. Signed: Your richt gud sister and cusignes Marie R.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . by R. Melvill."

460. Murray to Cecil. [Jan. 5.]

I thank you most heartily for your letter to Sir Henry Percy in favour of the "lord of Keyth" my brother in law, and your offer by M^r Melville to "cum souuertye" for him: which is an "eik" (fn. 1) to all your benefits to me. And having seen and considered your late letter to M^r Melville, desiring me not to forget, as you will not leave, the fruit of our mutual friendship, but continue the same to the glory of God and amity of our Sovereigns and their realms: I heartily desire you to assure yourself thereof, and never doubt me to be "sic ane chayngleing." My Sovereign has also seen and considered the foresaid letter, "in sic sort as I hoip in God thair sall fruict proceid thairof to boyth our contentementis." To return to my friend Sir Henry Percy, and his usage of my brother in law now his prisoner 7 or 8 years "long": I trust the like has never been heard of by any living man in either realm! For he not only enhances the ransom beyond all reason or custom, but besides doth so "aggrege (fn. 2) ane few moneythes charges, as the sowme thairof may justly be callit ane uther ranson—as it is in werray deid! Who ewir hard of such dealing?" I cannot but marvel how any man should be so used after so many complaints to her majesty and her honorable Council, of that "unreasonable and hard dealing of Schir Hary"! I heartily desire you will look on it—the rather as it touches me so near. Edinburgh. Signed: James Stewart.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . Sent by my L. of Bedf."

461. Bedford to Cecil. [Jan. 9.]

I am now returned, having been well used in "the Fyeff" by divers: and then took leave of the Queen, whose letters to her majesty I bring myself, "and also her hande" to that agreed on for the matters I proponed to her. She says she will send some express messenger of honour and credit. I have long letters to you from the Secretary, and shall set out within these few days, as fast as I can on my own horses. The agreement between the Queen and her husband "nothing amended . . . The King is nowe at Glasco with his father, and there lyeth full of the small pockes, to whome the Queene hathe sent her phisicion." The "jurisdiction in dyvers cases according to the canon lawes." lately obtained from the Queen by the bishop of S^t Andrews, who meant to erect his court in Edinburgh, being found contrary to religion and not liked of the townsmen: has been revoked by her at the suit of Murray. M^r Marshall who has been away half a year, though he promised me to return in 6 weeks, must come down to take charge here. This Queen gave me "a verie proper chayne sett with perles and some diamantes and rubyes," and used me with all honour. Morton having obtained his "dresse," is much beholden to you. Though some "lett" it all they could, his friends "stoocke" to it and prevailed: wherein Bothwell "like a very frende," joined Murray, as did Atholl and others. Berwick. Signed: F. Bedford.

2¼pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

462. Morton to Cecil. [Jan. 10.]

As he "suted" his friendship when entering England and found it, he cannot depart without giving him hearty thanks therefor; as also (by him) to the lord warden of the Middle Marches, who he knows by Cecil's desire showed him friendship. Prays that he will employ him if he has anything to do hereafter in Scotland or elsewhere. Berwick. Signed: Your honour's good frend, Mortoun.

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

463. Remembrances for Bedford. [c. Jan.]

By the Queen of Scots:—

(1.) That the will of Henry VIII. be examined, and a record made ad perpetuam rei memorium.

(2.) Dalton to be punished for his words in parliament.

(3.) Her approval that Archduke Charles marry the Queen's majesty.

(4.) Lord Keith to be put to reasonable ransom.

(5.) The merchants of Dundee to have their ship etc. restored, taken at Harwich by one William Smith of Woodbridge in 1563.

(6.) For Andrew Brechin's suit against one Anthony Courtney.

(7.) For Archibald Grahame.

¾ p. Copy by Cecil's clerk. Indorsed.

464. Examination of William Rogers. [Jan. 16.]

[Much to the same effect as his letter to Cecil 5 July previous, No. 407. The elder Standen is styled Darnley's "Master of the Horse." Moon is said to be "alias Cleyton." Sir Richard Cholmeley and his son Francis are named among Darnley's friends in the North, who offered to deliver Scarborough castle to him, and Lady Lennox's letters were conveyed viâ Flanders to Scotland by one Mompesson who got them from her ancient gentlewoman.]

2½ pp. Official hand. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk). ". . . Thexamination of William Rogers who was lately in Scotland etc."

465. Mary to [The Marshal of Berwick]. Elizabeth. [Jan. 17. 1566–67.]

Praying him to send advertisement by post, and apprehend an Italian named Joseph, her domestic servant, who has lately left his charge and fraudulently taken the goods and money of divers friends and companions, and keep him in safe custody. Edinburgh. Marie R.

On same page is a certificate in French by the Queen of Scots that as Joseph Lutyni a gentleman of her house goes to France on her affairs, she prays the officers of the King of France and Queen of England to aid his journey. Stirling. 6^th January 1567 (sic). Marie.

1 p. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . Copy of the Q. of Scottes lettre for the staye of Joseph an Italian."

466. Joseph Riccio to Joseph [Lutyni]. [Jan. [19].]

Has told the Queen and "Thimoteo" that he had taken away the writer's money, and that he said so when others accused him, to avoid suspicion. The Queen had suddenly asked him for her "braccialetti," and he said they were in Lutyni's "borsa": whereon she commanded "Ledinton" to write for his arrest on the road. M. de Moretta arrived, and said the writer caused Lutyni's voyage, by the latter's account, who will bring about Riccio's ruin if he says otherwise. Begs him to say he took the money as he might need it for the journey and intended to restore it. As the Queen is very angry, begs him earnestly to adhere to this story, if he would not be the cause of his death. "De Lilemburgh, questa Domenica." Signed: Vestro come buon fratello, Joseph Riccio. Prays him to burn [brugiar] the letter after reading it.

3 pp. Italian. Holograph. Indorsed (by Cecil): "Joseph Riccio the Q. of Scottes Servant."

467. Captain Cockburn to Cecil. [Jan. 23.]

Where as you write "to hald hand to your inbassitor [ambassador]: that I pray you to excuse me, for I can nocht tell as yet qhat ralegion he is of: and quhan I try [?] the varete at he troues the Papes . . . (fn. 3) will be bot on bost, and the Pap hes no persons in porgatore, I will asege him moir fredes [?], bot as to me to mell with him it can nocht nodar profit him nor me." I have this day desired "Barnabe" and his "inbassitor to cum on Seterday" in the morning, and I shall let him see one thing he will not believe. Paris.

(fn. 4) It will please your honor to close my letter to the Queen's grace of Scotland and send it "trou." I believe ye have "tint" my stamp to close it, but I shall send another. Signed: Cokburn.

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