Elizabeth: November 1574

59. Assignation for the King of Scots' House. [Nov. 1.] Harl. MSS. 4637c., fol. 106.

"The assignatioun maid for furnessing of the Kingis Majesties House, to begin the first day of November 1573 and to continew quhill the first day of November 1574, and sua for a compleit zeir."

The mails of the lordships of Stirlingshire and Strathern, the mails of the earldom of Fife, out of the third of the bishopric of St. Andrews, 700l. [and other lands.]

An assignation made by the Kirk in January, 1571–2.

An assignation made in February, 1571–2.

[Marginal note].—"Remember the assignatioun out of Dunfermling for this zeir to Johnne Knox wyff." This appears under the heading, "22 December 1573, was assignit," etc.

7¾ pp. Copy.

60. Monsieur de la Mothe Fénélon to Leicester. [Nov. 7.] Cott. MSS., Calig., E. VI., fol. 298.

Offers a small present sent by the Queen of Scotland to be presented to her majesty. London. Signed: De La Mothe Fénélon.

1 p. French. Addressed. Indorsed. Injured by fire.

61. [Sir Francis Englefield] to [the Duchess of Feria.] [Nov. 12.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 513.

Divers write out of England, but not to him, that there is great likelihood and very pregnant hope that there will be a provision passed by Parliament or otherwise this winter to tolerate the Catholics to use their religion, and certain it is that the Lord Treasurer has lately given many arguments, and shows as though he were won and persuaded to consent thereto and to further the same.

From Rome likewise it is written by two priests of the English nation—though not to him—and by several posts, that the Spanish ambassador there earnestly solicits the revocation of the excommunication, and has made such overtures on the behalf of the Queen [of Scots] that the matter has been disputed by the Jesuits there by the Pope's order.

½ p. Indorsed: "1574. Extract of a Chiffre don the xij of Novemb. It seemith to comme from Sir F. Inglefeld in Fland. to the Duchesse of Feria in Spayne, intercepted."

62. Letter procutorial by Lady Maitland. [Nov. 16.] Add. MSS., 35125, fol. 19.

"Be it kend to all men be yir present lettres me Marie Flemyng ye relict of umquhile Williame Maitland, zounger of Lethingtoun to have maid constitute and ordanit and be ye tenour heirof makis, constitutis and ordanis my weilbelovittis Alexander Zoung [ ] and ilkone of yame conjunctlie and severalie my verrie lauchfull, undouttit and irrevocabill procuratouris, actouris, factouris and speciall erand beraris, selland, grantand and quittand unto yame and everie ane of yame conjunctlie and severallie my full, fre, plane power generall and speciall, command, expres bidding and charge for me in my name and upone my behalfe to pass to ye personall presens or duelling place of Robert Hepburne sone to Patrik Hepburne of Wauchtoun and yair to intime, schaw and declair to ye said Robert ane lettir of tak purchest and obtenit be me fra Williame Dowglas of Lochlevin, takkisman, of ye teyndschaves of ye parsonage of Hadyngtoun, off all and haill ye teyndschaves of ye landis of Stevinstoun presentlie occupyit be ye said Robert with yair pertinencis," lying in the sheriffdom of Edinburgh and constabulary of Haddington, for five years next following the feast of "Lambes," 1574. So that the said Robert, in respect he is occupier of the said lands, and that the yearly duty used and wont to be payed for the said "teyndis" is as yet "restand" in his hands, and may pretend no ignorance of the "tak and assidation" set to me, but may make payment to me of this year's victuals as yet "on taneupe" out of his hands, whereby I may come to the possession of the said "teyndis" conformable to the said "tak" set to me thereof, etc. In witness of which thing I have subscribed this present procuratory with my own hand, at Edinburgh, before these witnesses; "Maister" Thomas Flemyng, burgess of Edinburgh; Robert Sinclar James Saidlar, my servants. Signed: Marie Flemyng.

1 p. Broadsheet. Indorsed.

63. Bishop of Ross to Mary. [Nov. 26.] Cott. Calig., C.IV., fol. 322.

The King of France is very grave, and wise as any [of his] age can be. He uses little hunting or hawking,—sometimes the "paille maille" for exercise. He delights for the most part in … affairs —sometimes with the Council. He often visits religious places. At the hour of his dinner and supper he suffers no man uncalled on to trouble his ears with affairs, as the custom has been with his predecessors, albeit the Queen mother still keeps her old manner to lend her ear to all suitors at that time. The King sits in his chair after his dinner, and the Duke, his brother, who commonly dines with him, departs, and none remain but Monsieur de Losse, captain, and the guards, who stand in rank about him. The suppliants are then received, get their answers and depart. He has all suits made to himself, and writes the reason of the refusal with his own hand. He has appointed a superintendent of his finances. On holy days he waits on the preaching and evensong. The answers he makes are given forth by one of the four secretaries.

1⅓ pp. Indorsed: "An extract of a lettre of the Bishoppe of Rosse unto the Scottishe Queen dated the xxvj^th of November 1574, declaryng the maner of the French King's government." Edge decayed.

64. The Regent Morton to Huntingdon. [Nov. 27.]

Of late Lord Scrope, Lord Warden of the West March of Scotland, has kept meetings and days of "trew" with their officers at the West March and for Liddisdale, and has not only offered to proceed in justice, but has done the same in deed, as well in redress of attempts as in the delivery of the receivers of their fugitives within his charge, wherein he shall not find his goodwill unacquitted, but readily answered with all good offices. The like affection has not at this time appeared in Sir John Foster for the Middle March under his charge, wherein their fugitives are not only received and maintained, but the last meeting appointed with him for redress and justice in that and other matters failed, in his default, so that the same is not to be looked for shortly, to the great encouraging of the wicked and disordered people, and the increase of "stelth" and other mischief's without some speedy remedy. Is loth to complain on Sir John either to the Queen or any of the Council. But, for the good and favourable affection he knows he bears to that which is right and equitable, he cannot conceal from him that he wishes Sir John may have his admonition to proceed in justice with greater forwardness and dexterity, and to remove this occasion of complaint. Has presently written some letters to his friends at Court, directed in a packet to Mr. Secretary Walsingham. Dalkeith. Signed: James Regent.

²/3 p. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

65. The Regent Morton to Sir [sic] Francis Walsingham. [Nov. 27.]

The default of his not receiving answer to so many letters has proceeded of this, that by his own letters he was put in hope of some personage to have been directed to Scotland from the Queen of England, by whom he thought to have been more amply certified, when his meaning was to have answered him fully and specially, but fearing that he should esteem him forgetful, he has now deliberated no longer to delay writing. Earnestly prays him that he may know, as far as he has intelligence, "the name, Newcastell, of that Scottish man that spake the French ambassador in England in the matters written by you … in chistre," and whether he past through to Lions or returned to Scotland. As to the matters spoken, the same may be by direction of the reporter's own head to acquire credit and benevolence. For his own opinion there may be both such directions and messengers. The minds of all the noblemen are difficult to know, but they make no such show in action as is reported, nor shall have cause given by him to alter from their promised faith, and obedience to the King. Takes the gentleman who has his highness' custody to be sure and honest …, and they have kept great friendship and inward familiarity together a long time, so cannot well conceive any doubt of the same. The marriage he cannot think to be in hand betwixt Hekord Darkey (fn. 1) and the Earl of Huntly's sister or daughter; but rather thinks that the reporter has meant betwixt the King of Spain and Queen of Spain's daughter [sic]; amongst whom, indeed, there is a contract of old. Yet he hears no present travail of the consummation of the marriage, although he will take heed of all those matters as the weight of them imports; and as he [Walsingham] gets further knowledge in these or the like things, he prays him to certify him thereof. As concerning the letters and message that are to be sent here by the French ambassador in the name of the King his master, if he [Walsingham] shall yet have time and occasion to reason with him whether his message be meet to come forward or not, he [Morton] wishes he were terrified of the danger of the plague wherewith their chief towns and parts thereunto adjacent are now visited, and that the spring were more convenient. Howbeit (God be praised), the infection is not great, but likely in short space to take end. But if he insists that one of his shall come, he sees not how he can well be stayed. At his coming will take heed to his dealings, that, he trusts, his advantage in practice shall not be great. Wishes that such as the Queen of England sends were here some time before or, at least, as soon as the other, to behold his travails and usage. Would presently write to Mr Killigrew if he knew him to be at Court, but seeing that he has never heard from him since his departing from Scotland, judges that he is either out of the country or not so well as he wishes him to be. Dalkeith. Signed: James Regent.

1½ pp. Partly in cipher. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham. The parts in cipher are given in italics.

Decipher of the parts in cipher.

Cott. Calig., C.IV., fol.311.

Copy of the same.