Elizabeth: February 1587

254. Warrant for the Execution of the Queen of Scots. [Feb. 1.] Harl. MSS. 290, fol. 203.

Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc., to our trusty and well beloved cousins George, Earl of Shrewsbury, Earl Marshal of England, Henry, Earl of Kent, Henry, Earl of Derby, George, Earl of Cumberland, Henry, Earl of Pembroke, greeting. Whereas since sentence given by you and others of our Council, nobility and judges against the Queen of Scots, by the name of Mary, the daughter of James the Fifth, late King of Scots, commonly called the Queen of Scots, and Dowager of France, as to you is well known, all the Estates in the last Parliament assembled did not only deliberately by great advice allow and approve the same sentence as just and honourable, but also with all humbleness and trustiness possible sundry times require, solicit and press us to proceed to the publishing of the same, and thereupon direct such further execution against her person as they did adjudge her to have duly deserved, adding thereunto that the forbearing thereof was and would be daily a certain and undoubted danger not only to our own life but to themselves, their posterity and the public estate of this realm, as well for the cause of the Gospel and true religion of Christ as for the peace of the whole realm. Whereunto We did (though the same were with some delay of time) publish the same sentence by our Proclamation, and yet hitherto have forborne to give direction for the further satisfaction of the foresaid most earnest request made by our said Etates of Parliament, whereby We do daily understand by all sorts of our loving subjects both of our nobility and Council, and also of the wisest, greatest and best devoted of all our subjects of inferior degrees, how greatly and deeply from the bottom of their hearts they are grieved daily and afflicted hourly with fear of our life, and thereby, consequently, with a dreadful doubt and expectation of the ruin of this present godly and happy Estate of this realm if We shall forbear the further final execution, as it is deserved, and neglect their general and continual requests, prayers, counsels and advices; and thereupon contrary to our natural disposition in such a case, being overcome with their evident weight, their counsel and daily intercessions, importing further necessities, as appeareth, directly tending to the safety not only of our life but also of the weal of our whole realm, We have considered to suffer justice to take place, and for the execution thereof upon the special trust, experience and confidence which We have in your loyalties, faithfulness and love both towards our person and the safety thereof and also to your natural country, whereof you are most noble and principal members, We do will and by warrant hereof do direct and advertise you, so soon as you shall have time convenient, to repair to our castle of Fotheringhay where the said Queen of Scots is in custody of our right trusty servant and counsellor Sir Amyas Paulet, knight, and then taking her into your charge to cause by your commandment execution to be had upon her person in the presence of your selves and the aforesaid Sir Amyas Paulet and of such other officers of justice as you shall command to attend upon you for that purpose; and the same to be done in such manner and form and at such time and place there and by such persons as to you, five, four, three or two of you shall be thought by your discretions convenient, notwithstanding any law, statute or ordinance to the contrary. And these our letters patents sealed with our great seal of England shall be to you and every of you and to all persons that shall be present or that shall be by you commanded to do any thing pertaining to the aforesaid execution a full sufficient warrant and discharge for ever. And further We are also pleased and contented and by these presents We do will, command and authorise our Chancellor of England, at the request of you all and every of you, to cause the duplicates of these our letters patents to be to all purposes duly made, dated, and sealed with our great seal of England as these presents are. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to made patents [sic] at Greenwich 1° Februarii anno xxix° of our reign.

2½ pp. Copy. Indorsed.

Facsimile, Tytler, Vol. III.

Harl. MSS. 4663, vol. II., fol. 84b.

Copy of the same.

255. An Intelligencer in France to Walsingham. [Feb. 1.] Harl. MSS. 290, fol. 213.

Many Romanists laugh at the report of the Scottish Queen's escape, but the French ambassador never thought her dead till now, supposing the rumour to be spread by policy. "Yf she yet lyve, she lyveth two longe, and threatneth losse."

If she be dead the thing must be handled with severity, with show of grievous offence towards those who had charge of her, and search throughout the realm "as never a mylke mayde—esspecyally in Northampton shire—must be lefte unexamyned, lest otherwise the subtyle enemy discouver the drawght."

The French ambassador rejoices at the revolt of Stanley and York, presuming that great matters will follow in the Low Countries or Ireland. "I once wrote unto you that a right papist is a rancke traytour: I am sorye you fynde yt true."

"Theare is one Jaques that longe tyme followed Standley and was secundus ipse. Yf he may be gotten, yt weare good rather to hange hym upp till the next wynter then to suffer hym mannage any martiall matters this somer; for beleve me he is woursse then badde, and highly favored of dangerous Catholiques." Signature in cipher.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

256. Privy Council to Shrewsbury. [Feb. 3.] Lansd. 982, fol. 78b.

This bearer, Mr. Robert Beale, whom your lordship knoweth to be honest, wise and trusty, cometh to you with a commission under her majesty's hand and seal, having been directed to show it to the earl of Kent, because his abode is in his way, and he is second in the commission, and your lordship the principal. And that Sir Amias Paulet may be acquainted therewith, the bearer is to come by him, and after to confer with your lordship how Mr. Paulet may know your mind to repair to you if his health allow. So also the earl of Kent shall be ready to attend you at your convenience. Greenwich. 3 Feb. 1586–7."

2½ pp. Copy. Indorsed: "Brought by Mr. Beale with the commission the 6^th of February 1586 at Orton Longueville; with him came Sir Drew Drury, and the 7^th day went to Fotheringhay, and the 8^th of February executed the Scots Queen according to my commission. Mr. Andrews the sheriff of Northamptonshire I sent to bring her down to execution, and so I charged him with her body living, and with her dead corps."

257. Privy Council to the Earl of Kent. [Feb. 3.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 204.

After our very hearty commendations to your lordship. Whereas her majesty has presently directed her commission under her hand and great seal of England to our good lord of Shrewsbury, your lordship, and others for her special service, tending to the safety of her royal person and the universal quietness of her whole realm, as by the said commission shall appear to your lordship, we have thought good to send the same by this bearer, Mr. Robert Beale, a person of great trust and experience, first to be shown to your lordship, and afterwards to be carried by him to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from whom we doubt not but your lordship shall also very speedily hear at what time his lordship and you may most conveniently meet together for the execution of the said commission. And in the meantime your lordship shall understand by this bearer how needful it is to have the proceeding herein to be kept very secret, and upon what occasion no more of the lords in commission are at this time used herein. Referring your lordship therefore to his sufficiency for the rest, we heartily bid your lordship farewell. At the Court at Greenwich.

½ p. Indorsed: "Copie of a letter from the lords etc. of her majestie's counsaile to the Erle of Kent, touching the execution of the Scottish Queene."

258. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Mr. William Davison. [Feb. 3.]

"Pleis your honour, yesternycht I ressawed ane pacquett from Scotland efter ten of the clock, whearin is contened ane letter to her majeste. I wold be glayde to knaw when hir majeste may be pleased that I may present the samin wyth such derection as I have ressaved. And so awayting upon ansser, I tak my leave this 3 of Februar. Your honoris alwayis to be commanded. A. Douglas."

⅓ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

259. [Laird of Poury Ogilvie] to Walsingham. [Feb. 6.]

"My guid lord, having found the commoditie of this scorte spaece of tyme, I haif taen the harties to visit zowir lordship wit thir few lyns, not sua mekill for aeny guid or fecfull purpois I can comit to paepeir for the present, as to rander zowir lordship maist haertlie thanks for the great undesserwit cwrtesie it plesit zowir lordship to bestow on me at my first and last ranconter wit zowir honour, quhilk sall be maeit according to my simpill and mein aestaeit if ane trew hert and ane faithfull mynd to do zowir lordship's serwice maey in ony wayss conterpoiss the saminge, bot in speciall for zowir lordship's tokine, quhilk I will keipt in perpetwall memorie of zowir lordship's freindchipe and affectione towards me, qwhairof I mak moir accownte than aether of gowld or jwellis, and that in respect of zowir lordship's infiniet wertewss and singwlar repwtatione blowine abroict throche owt all pairts, assuring zowir lordship that thaer sall be no les simpathie and correspondens betwixt zowir lordship present and my natwrall than the gentillman berar simit to reqwoire in zowir lordship's naem and behalf."

"Ass occacione is offerit I will wreit unto zowir lordship owte of Scotland, and sall mak zowir lordship forcein of all forrein cowrssis and attempis that may aether prejuge the religione we haif imbraesit or zeit disquoyet the aesteit of the twa contreis. Ass I am villing to do qwhait gwid officis in me lyis for the preserwatione of hir majeste royall persone and aesteit—as within schort spaece sall be knawine in effect—sua dowt I not bot the same will be considerit, accordine to hir majeste benewolens and my merit, and that he zowir lordship's discretione, to the quhilk I will refar all things, beseikine zowir lordship to lat me haif zowir lordship instructions of thir twrns in wreit sua sone ass maey be possibill, for I will take sik ordwre that I maey remaen still one Cowrt for that occasione, and God willing sall spaer no trawel nor paens in maekine zowir lordship frequent advertisments, and sall resolwe zowir lordship in all it sall pleiss zowir honour till inqwoyr of."

"I will pray zowir lordship till appardone this my rwict letter, in respect of the schortness of tym and the impeschement I haed, being trwblit in sum aeffaers of my lord imbassadwrs, for in ye rest of my letters I will chaenge my forme of wretine accordine to zowir lordship's directione. Sua howpine for zowir lordship's ansueir remittis the rest till the nixt advertisment wit my affectionat commendations of service unto zowir lordship's self, committis zowir lordship in God's Holy protectione. From Berweik. Signed: "Zowir lordship's awine to be commendit wit service." Signed: 8764.

Postscript—"It will pleis zowir lordship understande that thir fowre figwirs and charecteirs sall be sufficient to signifie my naem unto zowir lordship at this present and in all tymes to cume."

1 p. Holograph, also address: "To my werrie gwid lord Sir Francis Walsinghame, Secretarie to hir Majestie of Inglande." Indorsed by Thomas Phelippes: "From Poury Ogilvye."

260. John Cranston to Mr. Archibald Douglas. [Feb. 7.] C.P., vol. XXI.

A letter was brought to the King, subscribed by Huntly, Crawford, and Montrose, desiring that he would put hand to his own delivery out of the bondage he was in, and they would take arms with the rest of his loyal subjects to that effect, otherwise they would attempt it by themselves of their own duty. The Secretary uttered it to the rest of the fellowship that came in at Stirling, and moved his majesty to believe that they presaged it, wherefore it was meetest he should declare it himself to them, which he did. And thereafter, as it appeared to all that are about him, he repents himself of that dealing, so at this present the Secretary leans only to the faction of Stirling, and esteems Archibald [an] irreconcilable friend, and has almost undone the laird of Johnston from his master's cause, but that the King "holpe" his affairs by Bothwell, etc. William Keith has put Archibald in evil opinion with the King. The other two have spoken little to his praise.

½ p. In Thomas Phelippes' hand. [With No. 304.]

261. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Burghley. [Feb. 7.]

"Pleis your lordship, albeit I was myndit to haif maid small accompt of this indignatione used against me in breking uppe and saesing of my ludgeing evin the verrye tyme when I was at Courte onder cullour of ane decreit of the chancellarie, the strenthe wherof I am not disposed, as appering curiosus in aliena republica; to querrell, thocht when the mater shalbe examinat to muche wilbe founde that may be said against the valeditie of the samin. Yit the indignitie of the fact that I feir shalbe reported in the worst forme to my Soverane be ane nombre of Scottish gentilmen and capitanis attending upone me, that did sea and heir the unworthye dealing wsed, togither wit sclanderous reportis that hathe risin and may fordar aryse anent the using of his ministeris that the multitude doeth think hathe committed the ylik offens as did the ambassadour of France, hathe constranit me to lay the mater and proceading oppin onto your lordship, and to pray that suche considerane may be prowided as may remowe theis enconveniencis, at the leist so far as may be done, laufull ordour being observed."

"Beand landit at the Tour Wherfe the servandis of the house, evin suche as did service me, did complayne that thai war violentlie put owt of thair chalmeris, thair durris brokkin wppe, the silver platt that did service me with the naprye that was destinat for my service and silver prowydit for the prowisione of my house was intrometted with be the secundarye of the counter and his officeris to the nomber of four persons that presentlie did possesse the hous. The capitanis wold haif remedeit this mater be way of actione, bot forseing the inconvenience that micht haif ensewit, I went to Sir Francis Walsinghame and exponit the case, who as ane grawe counsallour and cairfull of her majesteis honour that he thocht heirbye to be interessit, send for the Shereff of Londone, and gawe suche ordour that the mater wes reparit be woyding of the saidis intrusit personis and restitutione of the housis, whiche I think shall not be able to tak away the sclander that is lyk to follow upone the occasionis forsaidis oneles sum fordour shalbe done that may declair hir majesteis miscontentment agains so indisorderit personis that so inordourlie did proceid agains the hous of one that is placeit in office that is estemed to be sacred during thair charge."

"Fordar it may pleis your lordship that becaus Mallerie the lawer, who is counsallour to Sebastian Hervie, and that did dewise the grounde of the indentouris to Sir James Herwie wherupone this present contentione doeth grow, can not be moved to come to your lordship for your informatione in this caus oneles he shalbe commanded, be ressone it is against his broder, I haif send onto your lordship the berare, freind to the said Sebastian, who, althocht he be na lawer, yit the parteis persuadis thame selffis is able to satesfie your lordship of the veretie in this cause."

"And so leawing to truble your lordship wit forder letter, I humblye tak my leawe. From Londone. Signed: "Your lordship's alwayis to be commandit at power, A. Douglas."

1½ pp. Addressed: "To my veray gude lord my Lord Burleigh, Lord Heighe Tresaurare of Inglande." Indorsed.

262. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Mr. William Davison. [Feb. 7.]

[As in the first part of No. 261, concerning the breaking up of his house.]

"I can not forbeire to mak your honour acquaynted that I think it shalbe the casten away of Rodgeir Aschetone, and his wtter discrediting at his maisteris hand, wherbye he shalbe unhable to do her majestie service heir efter if he shall carye onye letter to the King his master in this perrellus tyme, beand ane strangeair subject to onderlye the opinione of the ill dewoted, suche as it shall pleis thame to mak constructione of."

"I think it shalbe weill done to reserve him to sum better tyme within the compasse of eight dayis heirefter. In this middle tyme I shall caus the letter gevin to him be conveyed be one of my companie, if so shall be her majesteis pleaser, that shall procure the anser thairof to be returned to hir hienes. Awating to knaw hir majesteis directione in theis materis I humblye take my leiff. From Londene." Signed: "Your honouris at all powar, A. Douglas."

1½ pp. Addressed: "To the richt honorable Mr. Wm. Davisone, Secretare to her majestie and of the previe counsall." Indorsed.

263. Monsieur de Châteauneuf to Monsieur de Courcelles. [Feb. 7.] Cott. Calig., D. I., fol. 126.

Mr. de Gray, Melvin and Keith are returning to seek the King their master, and I think that you will know through them what they have negotiated here on account of the matter of the Queen of Scotland; wherein I will tell you that they have all three done their duty very well, following the command of the King their master, as I have heard from them and by the common talk of the town; for for the last three weeks I have been as it were a prisoner, for they have produced against me two men who say that I dealt with them to kill the Queen; and he who says it is that young Stafford, a man of the quality that you know, with one named Moudes who also belongs to Stafford the ambassador. Thereupon they took one who belongs to me named Des Trappes, whom they assert to have communicated with the said Mouds, and they are keeping him in prison at court, without my knowing what he has said or deposed or having means to speak to him. Moreover I cannot have audience of the Queen, who has sent Vuade to the King to complain of me and demand justice: and meanwhile the passages have been closed for a fortnight without my having been permitted to write to the King to advertise him of this calumny, which has been set up expressly to ruin the Queen of Scotland, in order to prevent my speaking to the Queen, who was disturbed by the words of M. de Bellièvre, who was not yet at Canturbery when Des Trappes was taken at Rochester, going to seek the said Sieur de Bellièvre in order to pass the Channel with him: and yet they will prevent my being able to advertise the said Sieur de Bellièvre of this matter, before whom they could verify the whole. These gentlemen the ambassadors well know the truth of the matter and who is the author of it; a thing which they have promised me to testify as soon as they shall arrive in Scotland. I am awaiting news from France today or tomorrow, believing that the King will wish to hear me about this matter, the which I have related to these gentlemen as it happened in truth, but you know well enough the artifices of this country: God is he who will judge thereof. London.

1 p. French. Copy.

264. Sir Amias Powlet, Sir Drew Drury and Robert Beale to Mr. William Davison. [Feb. 8.] C.P., vol. XXI.

Sir, it may please you to let me know from you what shall become of the families of this castle and Chartley, and in what sort, and for what places, passports shall be made for the Scottish train when they shall be discharged, thinking that, considering the nearness of London, both the French and Scottish will desire to pass that way, which was so appointed long since by Mr. Secretary Walsingham for those remaining at Chartley, and their passports made to that effect and left with Mr. Richard Bagot, because it was then intended that they should have been discharged within four or five days after the removing of this lady from thence.

It seems meet that some watch and ward be kept about this house during the continuance here of the Scottish company, which may be supplied by my 30 soldiers if you shall like it, and the 40 soldiers taken out of Huntingdonshire may be discharged.

Although Mr. Darell, master of her majesty's household here, has been destitute of money of late, yet I have forborne, upon consideration of the uncertainty of our abode here, to trouble my Lord Treasurer therewith, and having no ready mean to bring money from London, I have supplied the want out of Nau's money remaining in my hands, which may be repaid hereafter at London, as shall be appointed by the lords of her majesty's Council. I trust I shall not need to put you in remembrance for order to be given touching her majesty's plate and other household stuff here, as likewise for the coffers and trunks belonging to Nau and Curll.

Sir Dru Drury, with his hearty due commendations to you, prays your favourable mean for his revocation, which he would not desire—notwithstanding his great and urgent occasions—if the cause of his abode were not, through the mercy and favour of our good God, clearly removed, to the great comfort of himself and all other faithful Christian subjects. I will say nothing of his careful service in this place, because his zeal to religion, duty to his sovereign, and love to his country are very well known to you.

The children of God have daily experience of His mercy and favour towards such as can be content to depend on His merciful providence, Who does not see as man sees, but His times and seasons are always just and perfectly good. The same God make us all thankful for His late singular favours. And thus I leave to trouble you, wishing you all felicity in Our Lord Jesus. Fotheringay. Signed: A. Powlet.

Postscript—We may not forbear to signify to you that these two Earls have showed a very singular and faithful affection to her majesty's service in this action, as you shall be informed more particularly by me Robert Beale at my return to the Court, which shall be shortly, by the grace of God. Signed: A. Powlet. D. Drury. Robert Beale.

2pp. Addressed. Indorsed by Burghley.

265. Sir Amias Powlet to Mr. William Davison. [Feb. 8.] C.P., vol. XXI.

Sir, the rule of charity commands to bear with the impatience of the afflicted, which Christian lesson you have learned, as I find by experience, to my great contentment, in that you have been content to bear with my "malapertnes," wherein you bind me more and more to love you and to honour you, which I will do with all honest faithfulness.

If I should say that I have burned the papers you wrote of, I cannot tell if everybody would believe me, and therefore I reserve them to be delivered to your own hands at my coming to London. God bless you and prosper all your actions to His glory. Fotheringay. Signed: A. Powlet.

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

266. Earl of Kent, Robert Beale, Sir Amyas Powlet and Sir Drew Drury to [The Council]. [Feb. 8.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 214.

On Saturday the 4th instant Robert Beale came to the house of me, the Earl of Kent, in the county of Bedford, to whom your lordships' letter and message was delivered and her majesty's commission shown. Whereupon I sent precepts for staying such hues and cries as had troubled the country, and all persons who should bring any such warrants without names as before had been done, and to bring them to the next justice of peace, that upon their examination the causes of such seditious bruits might be known.

It was also resolved that I should on the Monday following come to Lifford to Mr. Elmes, to be the nearer to confer with my lord of Shrewsbury.

Sunday at night I, Robert Beale, came to Fotheringhay, "where after the communycatinge of the commyssion, etc., unto us Sir Amice Pawlett and Sir Dru Drurie, by reason that I, Sir Amice Pawlett, was butt late recovered and not able to repayre to the Earle of Shrewesburie, beinge then at Orton sixe myles of, yt was thought good that wee Sir Dru Drurie and Robert Beale should goe unto him, which wee dyd on morninge [sic]."

With her majesty's commission and your lordships' letter we imparted to him what the Earl of Kent and we thought meet to be done, praying his lordship hither the day following to confer with me, the said earl, which he promised.

"And for the better coulouringe of the matter I, the Earle of Shrewesburie, sent for Mr. Beuill, a justice of peace of the countye of Huntingdon;" to whom I communicated your lordships' warrant to Robert Beale for staying hues and cries, requiring him to give notice thereof to the town of Peterborough and the justices of peace of Huntingdonshire, and to cause the bringers of such warrants to be brought to the justices of peace, and to bring us word to Fotheringay Castle on Wednesday morning what he had done, and what he should learn of the authors of such bruits. Which order I, Sir Amice Pawlett, had taken on Monday morning in this town and places adjoining.

The same night the sheriff of Northampton, upon receipt of your lordships' letter, came to Owndell, and letters were sent to me, the Earl of Kent, of the Earl of Shrewsbury's meeting here on Tuesday by noon, and letters were sent with their assent to Sir Edward Montagu, Sir Richard Knightley, Mr. Thomas Brudenell, etc., to be here on Wednesday by 8 a.m., "at which tyme yt was thought meete that the execucion should be."

"So uppon Tewesdaye wee the Earles came hether, where the shrieffe mett us, and uppon conference betweene us yt was resolved that the care for the sendinge for the surgeons and other necessarye provision should be commytted unto him agaynst the tyme."

"And wee forthwith repayred unto her, and first in the presence of her selfe and her folkes, to the intent they might see and report hereafter that shee was nott otherwise proceeded with then accordinge to lawe and the forme of the statute made in the xxvijth yere of her majestes raigne, yt was thought convenyent that her majestes commyssion should be redd unto her, and afterwardes shee was by soundrye speaches wylled to prepare her selfe agaynst the next morninge."

"Shee was allso putt in remembraunce of her faulte, the honorable manner of proceadinge with her, and the necessytye that was ymposed uppon her majestie to proceede to execucion, for that otherwyse was founde [sic] that they could nott both stande together; and how even sythence the Lord of Buckhurst his beinge here newe conspiracyes were attempted, and so would be styll."

"Wherefore synce shee had now a good whyle since warninge by the sayd Lord and Robert Beale to thinke uppon and prepare her selfe to dye, wee doubted nott butt shee was before this settled, and therefore would accept this message in good parte."

"And to the intent that noe Chrystyan dewtye might be sayd to be omytted that might be for her comfort, and tend to the salvatyon both of her bodye and soule in the world to come, wee offered unto her that yf yt would please her to conferr with the bysshopp or deane of Peterboroughe shee might, which deane for that purpose wee had appoynted to be lodged within one myle of that place."

"Hereto shee replyed, crossinge her selfe in the name of the Father, the Sonne and the Hollye Ghost, sayinge that shee was readye to dye in the Catholycke Romayne faythe which her auncestours had professed, from which shee would nott be removed."

"And albeyt wee used manye perswasyons to the contrarye, yett we prevayled nothinge; and therefore when shee demaunded the admyttaunce of her pryest we utterlye denyed yt unto her."

"Hereuppon shee demaunded to understande what aunswere wee had touchinge her former petitions to her majestie concerninge her papers of accomptes and the bestowinge of her bodye."

"To the first wee had none other aunswere to make butt that wee thought if they were nott sent before the same might be in Mr. Wade's custodye, whoe was now in Fraunce; and seeinge her papers could nott anye waye pleasure her majestie, wee doubted nott butt that the same should be delivered unto such as shee should appoynte. For for our partes wee undoubtedlie thought that her majestie would nott make anye proffytt of her thinges, and therefore—in our opynyons—shee might sett downe what shee would have done and the same should be ymparted unto her majestie, of whome both shee and others might expect all courtesye."

"Touchinge her bodye wee knewe nott her majestes pleasure, and therefore could neyther saye that her petition should be denyed nor graunted."

"For the practise of Babingeton, shee utterlye denyed yt, and would have inferred that her death was for her religion, whereunto yt was eftsoones by us replyed that for manye yeeres shee was nott touched for religion, nor should have byn now, butt that this proceedinge agaynst her was for treason, in that shee was culpable of that horryble conspiracye for destroyinge of her majestes person; which shee agayne denyed, addinge further that albeyt shee for her selfe forgave them that were the procurers of her death, yett shee doubted nott butt God would take vengeaunce thereof; and beinge chardged with the deposityons of Nawe and Curle to prove yt agavnst her, shee replyed that shee accused none, butt sayd that hereafter when shee shalbe dead and they remayne alyve yt would appeare how indifferentlye shee had byn dealt with and what measure had byn used unto her: and asked whether yt had byn heard before this that servauntes had byn practysed to accuse their mistress: and hereuppon allso required what was become of them and where they remayned."

"Uppon our departure from her, for that yt seamed by the commyssion that the chardge of her was in the disposytyon of us the Earles, we required Sir Amice Pawlett and Sir Dru Drurie to receave for that night the chardge which they had before, and to cause the wholle nomber of soldyers to watche that night, and that her folkes should be shutt upp, and tooke order that onelye fowre of them should be at the execucion, remayninge aloof of, and guarded with certayne persons, so as they should nott be suffered to come neare unto her; which were Melvile her stewarde, the phisition, surgeon and apothecarie."

"Wednesdaye morninge after that wee the earles were repayred unto the castle, and the shrieffe had prepared all thinges in the hall for the execucion, he was commaunded to goe upp into her chamber, and to bringe her downe to the place where were presente wee which have signed this letter, Mr. Henrye Talbott, esquier, Sir Edward Mountegewe, knight, his sonne and heire apparant and William Mountegewe his brother, Sir Richard Knightley, knight, Mr. Thomas Brudenell, Mr. Bevill, Mr. Robert and John Wingefield, Mr. Forrest, and Raynor, Benjamyn Piggott, Mr. Deane of Peterboroughe and others."

"At the stayre foote shee pawsed to speake to Melvile in our hearinge, which was to this effect: 'Melvile, as thou hast byn an honest servaunt unto me, so I praye thee to contynue to my sonne, and commend me unto him. I have nott impugned his religion nor the religion of others, but wyshe him well. And as I forgive all that have offended me in Scotland, so I would he should allso, and beseache God that he would send him his Hollye Spirytt and yllumynate him.' Melvill's aunswere was that he would so doe, and at that instant he would beseache God to assist him with his Spirytt."

"Then she demaunded to speake with her priest, which was denyed unto her, the rather for that shee came with a superstityous payre of beades and a crucifix. Shee then desired to have her women to helpe her, and uppon her earnest request, and sayinge that when other gentlewomen were executed shee had redd in cronycles that they had women allowed unto them, yt was permytted that shee should have twoe named by her selfe, which were Mistris Curle and Kennedie."

"After shee came to the scaffolde, first in the presence of them all her majestes commyssyon was openlye redd. And afterwardes Mr. Deane of Peterboroughe, accordinge to a directyon which he had receaved the night before from us the earles, would have made a godlye admonityon to her to repent and dye well in the feare of God and charytye to the worlde. Butt at the first entrye shee utterlye refused yt, sayinge that shee was a Catholicke, and that yt were a follye to move her beinge so resolutelye mynded, and that our prayers would lytle avayle her."

"Whereuppon, to the intent yt might appeare that wee and the wholle assemblye had a Chrystian desire to have her dye well, a godlie prayer conceaved by Mr. Deane was redd and pronounced by us all, that yt would please Allmightie God to send her his Hollye Spiritt and grace, and allso yf yt were his wyll to pardon all her offences, and of his mercye to receave her into his heavenlye and everlastinge kingdome; and finallye to blesse her majestie and confounde all her enemyes. Whereof Mr. Deane myndinge to repayre upp shortelye can shewe your lordships a coppye."

"This done shee pronounced a prayer uppon her knees to this effect. To beseache God to send her his Hollye Spirytt, and that shee trusted to receave her salvatyon in his bloud, and of his grace to be receaved into his kingdome; besought God to forgive her enemyes as shee forgave them and to tourne His wrath from this lande. To blesse the Queenes majestie that shee might searve him; lykewyse to be mercyfull unto her sonne; to have compassyon of his churche; and allthoughe shee was nott worthie to be heard, yett shee had a confidence in his mercye, and prayed all the saintes to praye unto her Savyour to receave her."

"After this—tourninge towardes her servauntes—shee desyred them to praye for her, that her Saviour would receave her."

"Then uppon petytyon made by the executioners, she pardoned them, and sayd shee was glad that the end of all her sorrowes was so neare. Then shee mysliked the whininge and weepinge of her women, sayinge that they rather ought to thanke God for her resolutenes, and kyssinge them willed them to departe from the scaffold, and fare-well."

"And so resolutelye kneeled downe, and havinge a kerchief banded about her eyes layed downe her necke, wheruppon the execucion proceeded."

"Her servauntes were incontynentlye removed, and order taken that none should approache unto her corps, butt that yt should be embalmed by the surgeon appoynted. And further her crosse, apparell and other thinges are retayned here and nott yelded unto the executyoner, for inconvenientes that might followe: butt he is remytted to be rewarded by such as sent him hether."

This hath been the manner of our dealings in this service, whereof we have advertised your lordships as particularly as we could for the time; and for avoiding all slanderous reports have caused a note thereof to be conceived to the same effect in writing, "which wee the sayd earles have subscribed with the handes of such other the knightes and gentlemen abovenamed that were presente at thactyon." Fotheringhay Castle.

5 pp. Copy.

267. Account of the Queen of Scots' Death. [Feb. 8.] C. P., vol. XXI.

"A true report of the death of that rare and princely martyr, Mary Stuarde, late Queen of Sckottlande, executed for her conscience at Fothringhey Castell, in Northamptonshire, the 8 of Februarii 1586."

First, in the hall of the said castle was a stage raised of 7 foot square every way, and about 5 foot of height upon the same; at the two upper corners were two stools set, one for the Earl of Shrewsbury, another for the Earl of Kent. Directly between the said stools was placed a block of one foot in height, covered with black, and before it stood a little cushion stool for the Queen to sit on while her apparel was taken off. Round about the stage stood the high sheriff of that shire with divers others appointed for the purpose.

About 9 oclock in the morning came that sweet saint and martyr, led like a lamb to the butchery, attired in a gown of black satin embroidered with a French kind of embroidery of black velvet, her hair seemly trussed up with a veil of white lawn, which covered her head and all her other apparel down to the foot. Being come into the hall she stayed, and with a smiling countenance asked Shrewsbury why none of her own servants were suffered to be present at her death. He answered that the Queen his mistress had so commanded.

"Alas!" quoth she, "Far meaner persons than myself have not been denied so small a favour, and I hope the Queen's majesty will not deal so hardly with me." "Madam," quoth Shrewsbury, "it is so appointed to avoid two inconveniences, the one for that it is likely your people will shriek and make some fearful noise in the time of your execution, and so both trouble you and us, or else press with some disorder to get of your blood, and keep it for a relic, and minister offence that way." "My lord," answered she, "I pray you, for my better quietness of mind, let me have some of my servants about me, and I will give you my word that they shall not offend in any sort."

Upon which promise two of her women and five of her men were sent for, who, coming in to the hall and seeing the place of execution prepared, and their sovereign mistress expecting death, they began to cry out in most woeful and pitiful sort, wherewith she held up her hand, willing them for her sake to forbear and be silent. "For," quoth she, "I have passed my word to these lords that you shall be quiet and not offend them." And presently there appeared in them a wonderful show of subjection and loyal obedience to their natural Prince, whom even at the instant of death they honoured with all reverence and duty. For though their breasts were seen to rise and swell as if their wounded hearts would have burst in sunder, yet did they, to their double grief, forbear their outward plaints to accomplish her pleasure.

As soon as she was on the stage there came to her a heretic, called Doctor Fletcher, now Dean of Peterborough, and told her a long "circumstance" how the Queen his sovereign lady, moved with an unspeakable care of her soul, had sent him to instruct and comfort her in the true word of God; at which speeches she somewhat turned her face towards him, saying "Mr. Doctor, I will have nothing to do with you nor your doctrine," and forthwith kneeled down before the block and began her meditations in most godly manner.

Then the doctor entered also into a form of new-fashioned prayers; but, the better to prevent the hearing of him, she raised her voice and prayed so loud that he could not be understood. The Earl of Shrewsbury then spoke to her, and told her that he would pray with her and for her. "My lord," quoth she, "if you will pray for me, I thank you, but in so doing pray secretly by yourself, for we will not pray together."

Her meditations ended, she rose up and kissed her two gentlewomen, and bowed her body towards her men and charged them to commend her to her sweet son, to whom she sent her blessing, with promise to pray for him in heaven, and lastly to salute her friends whomsoever, and so took her last farewell of her poor servants.

Then came one Bull, the common hangman of London, with his bloody and unseemly varlet attending upon him, and began after their rough and rude manner to disrobe her. And while they were so doing the Queen looked upon the noblemen and smilingly said "Now truly, my lords, I never had two such grooms waiting on me before." Thus being ready to the block, one of her women took forth a handkerchief of cambric all wrought over with gold needlework, and tied it about her face, which done, Mr. Doctor willed her to die in the true faith of Christ.

Quoth she, "I believe firmly to be saved by the passion and blood of Jesus Christ, and therein also I believe according to the faith of the ancient Catholic Church of Rome. And therefore I shed my blood."

Then the bloody butcher struck at her neck and lit upon the knot of the handkerchief, and scant pierced her sacred skin, after which stroke she spoke these words, "Lord Jesus receive my soul." At the second time he struck not her head quite off, and so giving the third blow, she finished her happy and blessed martyrdom, to the comfort of all true Catholics, and to the shame and confusion of all heretics.

2 pp. Indorsed: "A papist's report of the maner of the Scot. Q. death."

Another copy of the same.

Harl. MSS. 290, fol. 196.

Another copy of the same.

268. Commission to Proceed to Mary's Execution. [Feb.] C. P., vol. XXI.

See No. 254.

2 pp. Copy. Indorsed.

[Printed in Cobbett's State Trials, Vol. I., p. 1212.]

Another copy of the same. [In the hand of Thomas Phelippes.]

Another copy of the same.

269. [Laird of Poury Ogilvie] to [Burghley]. [Feb.]

After Restalrig's [Lescarrick's] homecoming, his majesty was desperate of his mother's life, and all the country most willing to take arms for revenge of her execution, especially Lord Hamilton and Claude, who offered to make 5000 men of their own friends. If his majesty would furnish as many, they would offer to burn to the Newcastle and to fight England if need were.

Since John Nasmyth's being at his majesty's he is of better courage, but persists still of one opinion to divide them presently, if aught but good come to his mother.

Some of his [Burghley's] colleagues have written hardly of him. The King dislikes Sir Alexander Stewart's dealing and is highly offended with him. The Master of Gray is in suspense what course to take him to. If France will not believe him quickly he is minded to go the English course, which he has granted to be the most expedient course for his majesty. He assured him [Poury Ogilvie] that if France neglected him so far as not to accept him in haste, he should decipher such secrets as should import them no less than their standing and cutting them off from all kind of regress to do any harm to her majesty of England.

Desires to be advertised in writing what he and Walsingham will have him do in that matter, with any other thing they think expedient, with the next messenger, and it shall be obeyed.

Presents hearty commendations of service to Walsingham, and prays excuse for his rude letter writing in haste because of the sudden departure of the bearer.

¾ p. Copy. In Thomas Phelippes' hand. Indorsed: "From Poury Ogilbye."

270. Account of Mary's Execution by Robert Wise. [Feb 8.] Lansd. 51, fol. 99.

"A reporte of the manner of the execucion of the Scottish Queen, performed the viij^th of February Anno 1586 in the great hall of Fotheringhay; with relacion of speeches uttered and accions happening in the said execucion, from the delivery of the said Scottish Queen to Mr. Thomas Androwes Esquire, sherife of the county of Northampton, unto the end of the said execucion."

"First, the said Scottish Queen being caryed by two of Sir Amias Paulett's gentlemen, and the sherife going before her, cam most willingly out of her chamber into an entry next the hall. At which place the Earle of Shrewsbury and the Earle of Kente, comissioners for the execucion, with the two gouvernors of her person, and divers knightes and gentlemen did meete her, where they found one of the Scottish Queen's servauntes named Melville kneeling on his knees, who uttered these wordes with teares to the Queen of Scots his mistress: 'Madam, it wilbe the sorrowfullest messuage that ever I caryed when I shall report that my Queene and deare mistress is dead.' Then the Queen of Scots shedding teares aunswered him: 'You ought to rejoyce rather then weepe, for that the end of Mary Steward's troubles is now come. Thou knowest, Melville, that all this worlde is but vanity and full of troubles and sorowes. Cary this messuage from me and tell my frendes that I die a true woman to my religion, and like a true Scottish woman and a true French woman. But God forgive them that have long desired my ende, and He that is the true judge of all secrett thoughtes knoweth my mynde, how that ever it hath been my desire to have Scotlande and Englande united together. Comend me to my sonne and tell him that I have not doun any thinge that my prejudice his kingdome of Scotlande. And so good Melvin farewell.' And kissing him she badd him pray for her."

"Then she turned her to the lordes and told them that she had certayne requestes to make unto them. One was for a somme of mony, which she said Sir Amias Paulett knewe of, to be paide to one Curle her servaunte; next that all her poore servauntes might enjoy that quietly which by her will and testamente she had given unto them. And lastly that they might be all well intreated, and sent home safely and honestly into their contryes. 'And this I doe conjure you my lordes to doe.' Aunswer was made by Sir Amias Paulett, 'I doe well remember the mony your grace speaketh of, and your grace neede not to make any doubte of the not performance of your requestes, for I doe surely thinke they shalbe graunted.'"

"'I have,' said she, 'one other request to make unto you my lordes; that you will suffer my poore servauntes to be present about me at my death, that they may reporte when they come into their countryes how I dyed a true woman to my religion.' Then the Earle of Kente one of the commissioners aunswered, 'Madam, it cannot welbe graunted, for that it is feared least some of them wold with speeches both trouble and greive your grace and disquiett the company, of which we have had allready some experience; or seeke to wipe their napkins in some of your bloode, which were not convenient.' 'My lord,' said the Queen of Scots, 'I will give my word and promise for them that they shall not doe any such thinge as your lordship hath named. Alas, poore sowles! it wold doe them good to bidd me farewell. And I hope your mistress, being a mayden Queene, in regard of womanhood will suffer me to have some of my owne people aboute me at my death. And I know she hath not given you so straight a comission but that you may graunt me more then this if I were a farr meaner woman then I am.' And then (seeming to be greeved) with some teares uttered thes wordes: 'You know that I am cosen to your Queene and discended from the bloode of Henry the seventh, a maryed Queene of Fraunce and the anoynted Queene of Scotland.' Whereupon after some consultacion they graunted that she might have some of her servauntes accordinge to her grace's request, and therefore desired to make her choice of halfe a dosen of her men and women. Who presently said that of her men she wold have Melville, her poticary, her surgeon, and one other old man besides; and of her women those two that did use to lye in her chamber."

"After this, she being supported by Sir Amias' two gentlemen aforesaid, and Melville carying up her trayne, and also accompanied with the lordes, knightes and gentlemen aforenamed, the sherife going before her, she passed out of the entry into the great hall with her countenaunce carelesse, importing thereby rather mirth than mornefull cheare; and so she willingly stepped up to the scaffold which was prepared for her in the hall, being two foote high and twelve foote broade, with rayles round aboute hangd and couvered with blacke, with a lowe stoole, long cushion and blocke couvered with blacke also."

"Then having the stoole brought her, she satt her downe. By her on the right hand satt the Erle of Shrewsbury and the Erle of Kent, and on the left hand stoode the sherife, and before her the two executioners. Round about the rayles stood knightes, gentlemen and others."

"Then, silence being made, the Queene's majesties comission for the execucion of the Queene of Scots was openly redd by Mr. Beale, clarke of the council, and thes wordes pronounced by the assembly, 'God save the Queene." During the reading of which comission the Queene of Scots was silent, listening unto it with as smale regarde as if it had not concerned her at all, and with as cherefull a countenaunce as if it had been a pardon from her majestie for her life, using asmuch straungenes in worde and deede as if she had never knowne any of the assembly, or had been ignorant of the English language."

"Then mr. docter Fletcher, Dean of Peterborowe, standing directly before her without the rayle, bending his body with great reverence, began to utter this exhortacion following. 'Madame, the Queen's most excellent majestie,' etc., and iterating theis wordes three or fowre tymes, she told him, 'Mr. Dean, I am settled in the auncient catholique romayne religion, and mynd to spend my bloode in defence of it.' Then Mr. Dean said, 'Madame, chaung your opinion and repent you of your former wickednes and settle your'" . . . .

2 pp. Unfinished.

271. James Hudson to Walsingham. [Feb. 8.]

Arrived at Court the 7th of this instant. Found his majesty and all estates here very desirous to hear some news of contentment. Because their answer bore no certainty of his majesty's mother's life, he is little contented therewith. He shall be advertised of this at more length hereafter, as good occasion offers.

There has been a little jar between his majesty and a young minister called John Cowper for refusing to pray for Queen Mary's conversion and deliverance. Mr. Punt and other wise men of the ministers pray, and with such discretion, that both his majestie is contented therewith, and their conscience nowise hurt. There has been much ado here about this, and Cowper is warded in the "Blak Ness" for it, but all is well pacified now. His majesty has often received wrong by them that wise men would never have offered.

The King is now busied with the quieting of his country, and takes great pains thereupon. He has somewhat left his extreme following of his pastime.

There are good men here, well affected to the standing of the amity, who will do all good offices they can to that end. His majesty, who is best of all, carries that same mind, and merits most thanks for what is past. Hopes he will continue so.

Thought good to write this much because divers reports will pass hereupon, but this is the very truth for the present. At the Court. Signed: J. Hudson.

1²/3 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

272. James Hudson to Walsingham. [Feb. 9.]

Sees that matters are likely to go very hard both with his majesty and all others if the execution go forwards. The King thinks, and many others also, that the offers made in disabling his mother of all titles and dignities whatsoever, with such other reasons as were propounded, to be so reasonable that her majesty and wise Council should not refuse his request of her life only. Prays God this "gear" may come to some better end than appears for the present.

As the Master [of Gray] and Sir Robert [Melvill] received each of them a token from the French ambassador, so was there one prepared for Mr. Keith, who told him. Because he knew he was under the slander of a dishonourable practice, he made extraordinary haste out of the town to eschew that gift, and was gone before he [Hudson] returned. Perceives him to be very sorry for this coldness that may grow by these matters, for he is of an honest mind and good conscience.

The King has contented the people and ministry by his own mouth greatly at the High Church of Edinburgh the 8th of this month. As occasion presents will write to him, and requests him to keep his letters from Mr. Archibald [Douglas]. From the Court.

1½ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

273. Directions for Sir Amias Powlet. [Feb.] C. P., vol. XXI.

A note of things to be resolved on for the direction of Sir Amias Powlet.

(1) Whether any of the Scottish Queen's train shall be discharged, if not whether it were not then convenient they should be reduced all to one place.

Thought meet that none shall be discharged for the space of one month, and that they shall all be reduced to Fotheringay.

(2) Whether it shall be needful to continue the soldiers to keep the house where they shall remain, and how many were fit to be continued.

There is no need to continue the soldiers, neither those of the west nor of Huntingdonshire.

(3) How he shall be supplied of money.

Out of Nau's money.

(4) What order shall be taken with her majesty's plate and other household stuff.

The plate to be sent up together with his own stuff, and the rest of her majesty's stuff to be laid up in some convenient place within the Castle under the custody of Mr. Cruys.

(5) The revocation of Sir Dru Drury.

Sir Dru to be revoked.

(6) Whether it shall be necessary to continue Sir Amias Powlet there, or whether he may not repair hither, committing the charge of the household to Mr. Darell and some discreet gentleman to be chosen out of that country.

Sir Amias may repair to London after the things abovementioned shall be performed, and may join Mr. Cruys with Mr. Darell to assist him until further order shall be taken.

(7) What order shall be taken with the Queen of Scots' jewels and goods, and whether it shall not be necessary to take an inventory of the same and to commit them to the custody of some of her principal gentlemen.

It shall be necessary that an inventory be taken of the said jewels and goods, and afterwards to be committed to the custody of some of the said Queen's trustiest servants there.

(8) What shall be done with the Scottish Queen's body.

It shall be convenient that her body being well embalmed, the same be covered with lead and continued in the house, until further order shall be taken by her Majesty, in some honourable place.

1 p. Resolutions written in the margin, in Walsingham's hand.

274. Alexander Morison to John Nasmyth. [Feb. 10.]

"Brother, efter my verie hartlie commendationis, be reasoun ze ar thair far frome this, I could not of my bound deutie pretermit to write to yow ther few lynis, beseiking yow thairby in quhatsumever your adois thair to use your selff—as I doubt not ze can—discreitlie, and tak tent to all thingis weill as ze may, for thair is great danger quhair ze ar, and mekill gevin to your credite. Ze wait weill yneugh quhat I mein."

"William Keith, be reasoun of the heastie dispetche of this pacquet, and becaus he could not have mater to write to yow, desyrit me to write to yow that ze will not faill to have him appardonit at Mr. Duncan Andersoun minister at Aldersgait his handis, for that he spak not with him or he went as he promesit, for he wes in heast. And gang to Roger and get the dageris and beltis he hes of Wm. Keythis, and bring thame with yow."

"As also he prayit yow to speik the Earll of Leycestar if he will write any thing, or have any word to him, commending his service to the said earll. This far for Wm. Keyth."

"About the Kingis mother. Thair hes bene a litill contentioun betuix him and the ministeris for the prying for her, quhilk thei refused first and now hes promesit, and so pryis for her. My lord our master and Sir Ro[bert Melvill] with William Keyth his bene verie weill receavit and hes gottin absoluition eisterday befoir the consall. I pray you be diligent and circumspect in all thingis. So commending me to Tho. Geddes and all our houshould quhair we remanit, and to Francis Hayis, nosti cetera, I committ yow to God. From Halyerudhous, this 10 of Feb. 1586." Signed: "Your loving freind and brother to the uttermaist, Alexander Morisone."

Postscript—"Your trunk and basket I causit transport haill and sound in your chalmer, and for recompens causit Barron muff me. God be your good gyed."

1 p. Addressed: "To his loving brother John Nasmyth, chirurgen to his majestie." Indorsed: "Feall not to remember on William my l. brother."

275. Confession of John Allen. [Feb. 11.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Having understanding that during the time I had the custody and keeping of Nau committed to me it is informed that I have not duly behaved myself, but have entertained intelligence between him and others in matters of state, and have delivered letters and messages to and from him and others, and also am suspected to have some reward by or from him or by his means In the name of God and by his assistance, so far as I can possibly call to my remembrance, I will hereby declare and set down the most heinous and weighty faults that during that time I have committed, most humbly beseeching my honourable good master to interpret the same to the best, and to know that, if I have thereby committed a fault, it will please his honour to expound it according to the simplicity of my wit and meaning, protesting before my Lord God that I did and do think that I made no fault, either to my sovereign or to the state, to my master or to the commonwealth.

First, as concerning intelligence to be given or received by or from others concerning any matter of state, I never used any such thing during the time of my being with him, except this may be called a matter of state. He would oftentimes acknowledge the great love he bore to Mistress Elizabeth Pierpoint, and that he had contracted himself with her and she with him, upon condition in the same contract mentioned, and that he would be glad to know if she continued in the same mind still, or no.

Upon a time I repaired home to my house, and there I found a servant of Mr. Pierpoint, then lately come up to London, and he said that Mistress Elizabeth Pierpoint was come home to her father's house in Nottinghamshire. And I jestingly said that there was great love between her and one Mr. Nau, but the fellow little knowing of that matter, as it seemed, there was no more then spoken thereof.

Afterwards, walking in the city, it was my chance to meet with Mr. Fowler, who talking with me about a lease of his house in Aldersgate Street, adjoining to my house there, prayed me that I would help him away with it, because he meant no more to remain there, inasmuch as Mr. Pierpoint and his wife—who always lodged with them—would from thenceforth abide in the country. Thereupon I told him that I perceived there was great love between Mr. Nau and Mistress Elizabeth Pierpoint. And he said that he heard so, and because he was a friend and well-wisher to her father and mother, he wished that Mr. Nau had never known her. But inasmuch as he heard that there was a contract between them, he could not see how they could release one another, if he should be at liberty again; whereupon I said that I had heard him confess the contract, and that for his part, if he shall receive grace at her majesty's hands, he will not fail to perform his part therein, and hopes that she would do the like, because of the great good opinion he conceived of her virtues and behaviour. Some such-like talk I had with Mr. Fowler.

I perceive I have been too bold in speaking of that matter, thinking it to be no matter of state, and that is all the intelligence that I have dealt in, God is my witness.

As concerning any letters to be written by him, I verily think it in my conscience he never wrote any, but only such as came to my master's own hands. And as cooncerning any letters written to him, I take God to my record that I never saw or heard of any during my being with him.

As concerning any messages to be brought to him or carried from him, for my part I am assured there was never any special message concerning any matter of state ever once mentioned, otherwise than touching the love betwixt him and the gentlewoman.

He would sundry times ask me what I thought should become of him, and how long he should remain, and I answered him as it came in my mind, for in truth I was never made privy thereto, neither could I inform him anything therein. But always, so near as I could, I would hold him in a good vein, making him believe that I thought assuredly he should have favour and be very shortly released and "happely" sent home again into his own country. And this I did purposely to "avoid" from his mind any escape, but I did not use those speeches by way of intelligence, therefore always at my conclusion I told him I spoke these things according to my own opinion, and not otherwise.

Upon a time my master sending me to Mr. Archibald Douglas, he asked me how Nau did, and of the love betwixt Mistress Elizabeth Pierpoint and him. I told him that I thought he loved her well, but now he had other matters to think upon concerning his own life, and that he would be very glad to know what should become of him. And Mr. Archibald said that he deserved no friendship at his hands, and therefore let him be as he may, he cared not.

As concerning any money or reward given me by him, I think it may easily be proved that I never received any, for he had none to give, and that is well known. There is a bill of charges laid out for him, amounting to the sum of 151l. odd money, whereof Mr. Mylls laid out about 16l. and the rest was defrayed during my being there, and as I take it, I have the bills almost of all, except 13l. odd money laid out for a gown for Mr. Milles, all which shall be very well proved by the bills of the apothecaries and others, and by the men attending upon him. But as concerning anything given to me by him or by his means, God is my witness I never received one penny, nor any others for me. He always said that he would reward such as took pains with him if God should send him liberty. This he would and did protest both to myself and others.

These are all the faults that I committed during the keeping of Nau, so far as I can remember, and if any other matter be objected or informed against, I most humbly crave that I may understand the same, for I thank God I committed no such offence as I need to deny. Therefore in most humble wise I beseech my honourable good master not to give credit to my accusers before my just answer be received. By me, John Aleyn.

3 pp. Indorsed by Thomas Phelippes: "John Alleyn's justification of himselfe in the keping of Nau, the Q. of Sc. secretary."

276. Execution of Mary. [Feb. 11.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 637.

"A true narracion of the execution of Mary, late Queene of Scotland, within the Castle of Fotheringhaie, the eight of Februarie, anno Domini one thowsand five hundred eighty sixe, and directed to the right honourable Sir William Cecill, knight, Lord Burleigh, Lord Highe Treasurer of England. By R[oger] W[ingfield]. The epistle dedicatorie."

Advertised him of the manner of the execution of the Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay 8th February 1587, and the proceedings concerning the same after the delivery of the said Queen to the high sheriff of the county to the end of the execution, that she was certified that she was to prepare herself to die, 6th February, of her lack of fear then, of her personal appearance and attire on the day of execution, her last words with some of her servants, her last request that her servants might be present at her death, the Dean of Peterborough's exhortation, her prayers at the end, etc.

21 pp. Printed, Ellis. Original Letters, Series ii., p. 113.

277. Master of Gray to Walsingham. [Feb. 12.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 194.

"Sir, I have sent this gentleman, my servant, to my lord of Leicester to knou his mynd if he wil crave that men be leviat furthe of this country for his service thair. I wrot of befor to your honouris self, bot than I intendit only to have maid voyage withe sum of my auin privat freindis and serandis or a feu utheris. Bot nou I understand by a letter wrottin from my lord of Leicester to my lord embassadour for hir Majestie, that he is desyrous for sum troupes in quantitie, so that I did tak deliberation to knou resolutly quhat numbre his lordship wil crave for, ether feu or many. I am aible to fournis them in verie schort tym, bot meitest it is sum speciall man of his auin be send in this country for that effect, or than that Mr Randolph resave the chairge thairof. For my particulair, I recommend to you and his lordshipis self, vithe assurance of honourable dealing, and this I wil promeis, no man shall serve under him that cariethe a better mynd to hir majesteis estet."

"Bot I have committit credit in this and all uther thingis quharin he hes to negotiat to the berar, quhom your honour may credit as myself. I pray your honour give him your advyse in this affair. [All] maiters heir goethe verie weil, and the league is to tak effect, albeit sum ingrat stayers thair haithe bein sed remunerabuntur tandem mercede eorum. The embassadour and Mr. Myllis wil informe your honour so lairgly of all thingis that I wil hould my peace, bot I shall assur you in grace of God, in despyt of the devil, and all wisching the contrar thingis shall not go wrong."

"Bot of this Mr. Myllis and the berar wil informe your honour at gryter lenthe, quhom I recommende to your accoustumat courtaisie scheuit to me and all myn. We do not a litle mervaill at Mr. Archibald's stay. The King is nou in better disposition touardis him than of leat."

"So resting to pray your honour present to hir Majestie my humble service, I leave you in the protection of God Almychtie." Holyrood. Signed: Master of Gray.

1½ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

278. Thomas Randolph to Burghley. Elizabeth. [Feb. 12. 1586–7.]

It may please your good lordship, Captain Haggerston with some other of that company has been with me again this day. They continue of that mind that they were of, to depart home to their country so soon as conveniently they may, and rather by sea than by land. And finding that Mr. Richard Douglas, nephew to the Scottish ambassador, went not to the Court for their passport, as was promised, they have desired me to procure the same so soon as I may, and have delivered unto me their names and number that depart, which herewith I send your honour, and pray that the same may be despatched and send to me with as much speed as may be, seeing they are so desirous to be gone. I beseech your honour let their passport be the more favourable, that the country may be rid of them. And so the Lord have your honour in his keeping. At St. Peter's Hill. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed by Randolph: "Poste of London sende this with all possible speede. London 12 of the clocke. Tho. Randolph."

279. Lord Scrope to [Walsingham]. [Feb. 14.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 218.

Received his letter of the 10th instant last night. Understands thereby that the Scottish Queen was executed on the 8th instant. Is glad that the Lord has supplanted so dangerous a root, and wishes that the branches of so great a peril may wither with her. Concerning his good advice in the said letter, by putting him in mind of Mr. Davison's letter for strengthening the Borders, and wishing him to stand upon good guard for the better defence of that frontier until it appear what will issue from Scotland upon this execution, albeit he has forborne the gathering together of the 50 horsemen until Monday next, for such causes as appear in his late letters to Mr. Davison—in respect of the said execution and in regard both of the dangerous rumours here abroad and of the great brags given out here by their neighbours of Scotland, is resolved to enter the said 50 horsemen into wages on the morrow, and bestow them in the places he thinks meetest to defend the frontier and as far as may be repel and meet any sudden incursion that may be attempted by the opposite borderers.

Whereas he requires to know how the matter of the Scottish Queen will be taken in Scotland, advising him to procure some Scotchman to give him intelligence therein, and to inform him of the progress of the same, has already addressed one to Dumfries to listen and learn their purposes there. Intends to send another to Edinburgh to hearken what will be resolved in that place. On the return of these messengers he shall be acquainted forthwith with such things as come to his hands.

Assures him he shall from time to time hear from him of all proceedings in these parts as often as need shall require, and matter of worth be administered. Is informed that the King has sent Maxwell and many of the chief borderers upon this frontier of Scotland. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

1 p. No address.

280. Elizabeth to James VI. Elizabeth. [Feb. 14. 1586–7.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 212.

My dear brother, I would you knew, though felt not, the extreme dolour that overwhelms my mind for that miserable accident which, far contrary to my meaning, has befallen. I have now sent this kinsman of mine, whom ere now it has pleased you to favour, to instruct you truly of that which it is too "yercksom" for my pen to tell you. I beseech you that as God and many more know how innocent I am in this case, so you will believe me that if I had "bid" aught I would have "bid" by it. I am not so base minded that fear of any living creature or prince should make me afraid to do what is just, or [that] done, to deny the same. I am not of so base an image nor do I carry so vile a mind as to disguise "fith most a King," so will I never dissemble my actions but cause them to show even as I meant them.

Thus assure yourself of me that, as I know this was deserved, yet if I had meant it I would never lay it on others' shoulders, no more will I damnify myself, who thought it not. The circumstance it may please you to have of this bearer, and for your part think you have not in the world a more loving kinswoman nor a dearer friend than myself, nor any that will watch more carefully to preserve you and your estate. Whoever shall otherwise persuade you, judge them more partial to others than to yourself. Thus in haste I leave troubling you, beseeching God to send you a long reign.

1 p. Copy in Thomas Milles' hand. Indorsed by Thomas Randolph: "A minute of a letter from her majesty to the King of Scotes, 14 Feb. 1586, disavowing her privity to the execution of his mother."

281. Monsieur D'Esneval to Monsieur de Courcelles. [Feb. 15.]

I have lately received two letters from you, which were in a packet that you addressed to your brother; one is of the 26th of November last, and the other of the 28th of December following. I think I replied to you sufficiently to both by my last of the 10th of this present, for which reason I will say no more to you thereof by this letter, which is only to give you advice yet once more, how Monsieur Pinart had always wished to defer and put off the proposal of your appointment to the council, in the hope that he had of returning very soon to the court, and that being there he would be able to favour you much on such an occasion. Howbeit, seeing that this consideration, good as it was, drew to too great length and might cause you inconvenience, I have today induced Monsieur Brullard to promise that he will soon cause the said appointment to be ordained for you: whereof I much wished to advertise you, and at the same time to assure you that so soon as that shall be determined and executed you shall have news of me, and I will do all that shall be possible to me to support and help you in your need. Meanwhile, hold on yet a little longer, and continue to keep his majesty well advertised of all occurrences over there concerning his service; as also to impart them to me as you are wont, and in so doing you will do me much pleasure. We have no other news here fresher or more worthy of Scotland than that which is told of the ten thousand English who were in Deventer, a town of Flanders, who have surrendered to the Spaniard, whereat it is thought that the Queen of England is in desperate vexation. As to our France, they are still after this treaty of peace there, which has advanced so little that it is yet very difficult to judge what success it will please God to give us therein; his majesty is ever in this town, in very good health, thank God. Paris. 25 Feb. 1587. (fn. 1) Signed: Desneual.

1 p. French. Addressed. Indorsed.

282. Burghley to Elizabeth. [Feb. 17.] Lansd. 115, fol. 89.

Although to my great grief I cannot understand that your majesty's offence against me is diminished, notwithstanding my humble submission to endure anything that might pacify the same, yet finding my mind continually oppressed with biting grief for your displeasure, and mine old body and lame limbs vexed day and night with pains, I have no remedy but by continuation of my humble intercession to your majesty either to receive my submission to abide your censure, or rather first to hear me answer anything wherewith you charge me.

Though for this late fact which so deeply offends your majesty I am no more to be charged than others, yet I find by report that you do more bitterly condemn me than others, because you have not yet heard me as you have others. Through my lameness and infirmity I am not able to come to you, yet am I most willing to endure any pain, "to be layd uppon the floore neare your majestes fete," and that there "I shall fynd some dropps of your mercy to quynch my sorrowfull pantyng hart." 17 Feb. 1586.

1 p. Corrected draft, holograph. Indorsed:—"My second letter to hir majesty. Sent by Mr. Wolley."

283. Governor of Dieppe to Monsieur de Courcelles. [Feb. 17.]

Six or seven days ago Monsieur Desneual sent me this packet to send to you, which I have not been able to do till now, having only found a fitting and safe opportunity by the Sieur Alexandre, archer of the King's guard, who returning to his majesty has promised me to give the said packet into the hands of a faithful man for you, to give it before leaving this town; in whom I have confidence. And I will tell you that since this despatch has been in my hands I have learnt nothing worthy to be told to you except that a rumour has been lately started of a new movement of the league, which has since been quieted by the conference of my lord De Mayne with his said majesty. We are expecting either war in good earnest against the Huguenots, or peace by means of the negociation which the queen-mother has made with the King of Navarre at Fontene where they still are; it is not known how it will be. Dieppe 27 February 1587. Signed: A. de Cusson.

1 p. French. Addressed. Indorsed.

284. Discourse by Mr. William Davison. Elizabeth. [Feb. 20. 1586–7.] Harl. MSS. 290, fol. 218.

"A discourse sent by Secretory Davisone, beinge then prisonere in the Towere of London, unto Secretarye Walsyngham, contaynynge a somary reporte of that which passed between hir majestie and him in the case of the Skotyshe Queene, from the signynge of the warrante to the tyme of his restrainte."

"Aftere that the sentance of the Skottyshe Queene was passede and subscribed by the lordes and otheres the comyssyoneres appoynted to hir tryall, and that hir majestie had notefyed the same to the world by hir proclemation accordinge to the statute, theare remayned nothinge but hir warrante undere the greate sealle of England for performynge and accompleshinge of hir executyone, which aftere some instance, as well of the lordes and comones of the whole parleamente then assembled as others of hir Counsell and beste affected subjectes, it pleased hir majestie at lengthe to yeld unto; and theruppon gave ordere unto my Lord Tresorere to projecte the same, which he accordingly performed, and with hir majestes privety left in my handes to procure hir signeture."

"But by reasone of the presence of the Frenche and Scotyshe ambassadores, then suitores for hir lyfe, she forbare the sygnynge thearof tyll the firste of February, which was some fewe dayes after their departure home, at what tyme hir majestie, uppon some confferens with my lorde Admyralle of the great daunger she contynually lyved in, and moved by his lordshipe to have some moare regard to the suertye of hir selfe and state then shee seemed to take, resolved to deffere the sayd execusyone no longer, and thearuppon gave his lordshipe ordere to send for me to brynge the warrante unto hir to be sygned, which he foarwith did by a messenger of the chamber, who found me in the parke, whether I was but newly gone to take the eayre."

"Wearuppon returnynge backe ymedyatlye with him, I went directelye uppe into the Privie Chambere, whear his lordshipe attendinge my comynge discoursed unto mee what speeches had passed that mornynge between hir majestie and him touchinge the justyce agaynste the sayd Scottyshe Queen, and fynally tould me howe she was nowe fully resolved to proceede to the accompleshinge thearof, and had comaunded him to send expresly for me to bringe the warrante unto hir to be sygned, that it myghte be foartwith dispatched and deferred no longer."

"Accordinge to which directyone I wente imedyatly to my chamber to fetche the sayd warrante and other thinges touchinge hir service, and returning upe agayene sent in Mrs. Brook to sygnefy my beinge theare unto hir majestie, who presentely called for me."

"Att my comynge in hir highenes first demaunding of me whether I had byne abroade that fayere mornynge, advisyng me to use it oftenere and reprehendinge me for the neglecte thearof, with other lyke gratyous speeches arguinge a care of my helthe, fynally asked of me what I had in my handes."

"I answered, divers warrantes and other thinges to be sygnede that concerned hir service."

"She enquired whether my Lord Admyrall had not geven me order to brynge uppe the warrante for the Skottyshe Queenes executyone."

"I answered, 'Yes.' And thearuppon askynge me for it, I delyvered it in to hir handes."

"After the readinge whearof she called for pene and inke, sygned it, and layeing it from hir demaunded of me wheather I wear not hartelye sorye to see it done."

"My answer was that I was so farre from takynge pleasure in the calametye or falle of anye, or otherwise from thirstinge in any soarte after the bloude of this unhappy lady in partyculere, as I could not but be hartely greeved to thinke that one of hir place and quallety, and otherwise so neare unto hir majestie, should geeve so greate cause as she had done to take this resolusyon; but seeinge the lyfe of that Queene threatened hir majestes deathe, and thearfore this acte of hirs in all menes opynyon of that justyce and necessety that she could not defferre it without the manyfeste wrounge and daungere of hir selfe and the wholle realme, I could not be sory to see hir take an honorable and juste course of securinge the one and other, as he that preferred the deathe of the guilty befor the innoscente."

"Which answer hir highenes approvinge, with a smylynge countenance, passed from that mattere to aske me what else I had to sygne; and thearuppon offrynge unto hir some other warrantes and instructyones touchinge hir service, yt pleased hir with the beste disposytone and willingnes that myghte be to dispche [sic] them all."

"After this she comaunded me to cary it to the sealle, and to geve my Lord Chancelore spessyall ordere from hir to use it as secretly as myghte be, leste the devulgyng thearof befoare the executyon myghte, as she pretended, encrease hir daunger."

"And in my waye to my Lord Chauncelores hir pleasure also was that I should vissete Mr. Secretary Walsingham, beinge then sycke at his house in London, and comunycate the matter with him, because the greefe thearof would—as she merely sayd—kyll him oute righte. Whear takynge occassyone to repeate unto me some reasones whie she had defferred the matter so longe, as namly for hir honore sake, that the world myghte see that she had not byne vyolently or malytyously draune thearto, she concludid that she was never so ill advised as not to see and apprehend hir owne daunger and the necessetye she had to proceede to this executyone."

"And thearuppon—aftere some intermyngled speeche to and fro—told me that she would have it done as secretly as myghte be, appoyntynge the halle whear she was for the place of executyon, and myslykynge the courte or greene of the castle for dyveres respectes she alledged, with other speeches to lyke effecte."

"Howebeite as I was redy to departe she fell into some complaynte of Sir Amyas Paulet and others that myghte have eased hir of this burdene, wishinge that Mr. Secretary and I would yet wryte unto bothe him and Sir Drue Drurye to sound their disposytyon in that behalfe."

"And albeit I hade before excused my selfe from medlyng thearin uppon sondry hir majestes former motyones, as a matter I utterly prejudged, assuryng hir that it should be so muche labor loste, knowinge the wisdome and integretye of the gentlmen, whome I thoughte would not doe so unlawfull an acte for any respecte in the world, yet fynding hir desyrouse to have the matter attempted I promysed for hir satysfaction to sygnefy this hir pleasure to Mr. Secretorye."

"And so for that tyme leaving hir, wente downe directly to my Lord Tresorores, to whom I did comunicate the same warrante signed, together with suche other partyculeres as had passed at that tyme betwixte hir highenes and me."

"The same aftere noone I wayted one my Lord Chancellor for the sealynge of the sayd warrante, accordinge to hir majestes directyone, which was done betwene the houres of iiij and v.; from whence I returnede backe unto Mr. Secretarye Walsyngham, whom I had viseted by the waye and acquinted with hir pleasure touchinge letteres that wear to be written to the sayd Sir Amyous Pauled and Sir Drue Drurye, which at my returne I found redy to be sente awaye."

"The nexte mornynge aboute tene of the clocke, beinge at Londone, Mr. William Kyllegrewe came unto mee from hir majestie with this message; that if I had not byne with my Lord Chanselore I should forbeare to goe to him tylle I had spoken agayne with hir selfe. But that mesuage comynge out of seasone I returned him backe with this generall answere, that I would be at the courte assoone as himselfe and geve hir majestie an accompte what I had done."

"At my comynge to hir shee demaunded of me whether the warrante were passed the sealle. I tould her, 'Yes.' She asked, 'What need that haste?' I answered that I had thearin mad no moare haste then her selfe comaunded and my duty in a case of that momente required, which as I tooke it was not to be dallyed with."

" 'But methinkethe,' saithe she, 'that it myghte have byne otherwise handled for the forme,' namynge unto me some that weare of that oppynyone, whos judgemente she comended. I answered that I tooke the honorable and juste waye to be the safeste and beste waye, yf she mente to have it done at all. Wherunto her majestie replyed nothinge for that tyme, left me and wente to dynner."

"From hir I wente downe to Mr. Viz Chamberlane, with whom I did comunycate the sayd warrante and other partyculeres that had passed betweexte hir highenes and mee touchinge the dispatche thearof; where fallynge into a rehersall of some doubtefull speches of hirs bewrayenge a disposytyone to throwe the burden from hir selfe yf by any meanes she myghte, and remembringe unto him the example of her dealynge in the case of the Duke of Norfolke his executyon, which shee had layde hevelye uppon my Lord Tresorore for a longe tyme aftere, and howe muche hir disavouynge of this justyce was moare to be feared, consyderynge the tymerousnes of hir sexe and nature, the quallety of the person who it concerned and respecte of hir frendes, with manye other cercomstances that myghte further and inclyne hir therunto, I fynally tould him that I was for my owne parte fully resolved, notwithstandinge the directyones that I had receaved, to doe nothinge that myghte geve hir any advantage to caste a burthen of so great weighte uppon my syngle and weake shoulderes, and thearfore havinge done asmuche as belonged to my parte would leave to him and otheres as deeply interessed in the suertye of hir majestie and the state as my selfe to advise nowe what course shoulde now be takene for the accompleshinge of the reste."

"Who as neare as I remembere gave me this answere that as he was hartelye glade the matter was broughte thus farre, so did he for his parte wishe him hanged that would not joyne with me in the furtherance thearof, beinge a cause so muche importynge the common saftye and tranquilety of hir majestie and the whole realme."

"And so after some lytle other speeches resolved to goe to gether to my Lord Tresorore to confer thearof with his lordshipe, as wee imedyatly did, and theare agreede for the bettere and moare honourable proceedinges thearin to breake the matter with the lordes and otheres of hir majestes Counsell, beinge as deeply interessed in this care and dutye as our selves. And in the meantyme his lordshipe tooke upon him the charge to projecte the letteres that should be written to the earles and otheres to whom the affoarsayd warrante was directed."

"The nexte mornynge havinge made a draughte of them, sente for Mr. Vicechamberlene and me to imparte the same unto us: uppon the readinge whearof Mr. Vicechamberlene, fyndynge them very partyculer and suche as in truthe the warrante could not beare, shewed his myslyke of them as he that seemed to doubte moare then he discovered. Whearupon his lordshipe offeringe to projecte others mor generall agaynste the afternoone, it was resolved in the meane tyme to warne the reste of the Counsell, who within an howere after mette at his lordshipes chambre."

"Whear him selfe enteringe into the partyculeres of the sayd Skottyshe Queenes offence, the daunger of hir majestye and the state, and necessety of this execusyone, and acquintynge them with hir highenes resolusyon in that behalfe, for their better satysfyenge whearin he red the sayd warrante it selfe unto them, he fiynally tould the cause of their meetynge at that presente was cheefly to advise of som suche meanes as myghte be moste honorable and expedyente for the dispatche thearof, seeinge hir majestie had for hir parte performed as muche as in any honour, lawe or resone was to be required at hir handes."

"And after some other lytle speeches of hir doubted inclynation to derive this burden yf it myghte be from hir selfe, and every one willingly offered to beare his parte in a matter somuche importynge the publycke saftye of the whole state, bothe of relygeon and commonewelth, they fynally resolved to proceede to the sendinge doune thearof without trublying hir highenes any further withall, aswell in regard of hir charge geven unto my selfe to lett hir heare no more thearof tyll it was done, havinge otherwise performed as muche as in any reasone or lawe would be required of hir, as is before remembred, as the daungerous consequence mighte else have growne thearof, in case hir majestie uppon suche a needlese motyone should have falne in to any newe concepte of interuptynge and stayeing the course of justyce, concideringe the mallyce of hir enemyes and disposytyone of the tyme and state of thinges then bothe abroad and at hom which they in no dutye could neglecte."

"And so resolved generally uppon Mr. Bealle as the fytteste persone they could advise of to whom they myghte comyte that charge, and who beinge sent for the same mornynge was then presente; and approovinge the letters projected by my Lord Tresoror appoynted them to be writtene out faire agaynste that afternoone; in the mean tyme wente to dynnere, and betweene one and two of the clocke returned backe to signe the sayd letteres addressed with the warrante to the lordes and otheres the comyssyoneres appoynted in that cause, which in their presence weare delyvered unto the sayd Mr. Bealle, with earneste requeste and motyone to use the uttermoste dilligence and care he could in the expedityone thearof: and so agayne departed."

"The nexte mornynge hir majestie, beinge in some speeche with Mr. Rauley in the Privie Chamber, seeinge me come in, calede me unto hir, and—as yf she had understood nothinge of theis proceedinges—smylynge tould me howe she had byne trubled that nyghte uppon a dreame she had that the Skottyshe Queene was executed, pretendinge to have byne so greatly moved with the newse againste my selfe as in that passyone she could have done I wotte not what."

"But this beinge delyvered in a pleasante and smylynge mannor, I aunswered hir majestie that it was good for me I was not neare hir so longe as that humor lasted: but withall takynge hould of hir speeche asked hir in greate earnest what it meante, and whether having proceeded thus farre she had not a full and resolute meanynge to goe throughe with the sayd execusyon accordinge to hir warrante."

"Hir answere was 'Yes,' confyrmed with a solempe oathe in some vehemency; this onlye she thoughte, that it myghte have receaved a bettere foarme, because this threwe the whole burden uppon hir selfe."

"Wherto I replyed that the forme prescribed by the warrante was suche as the lawe required and could not welbe altered with any honor, justyce or suertye of thos that weare comyssyoneres thearin, nether did I knowe who could sustayne this burthen yf she tooke it not uppon her, beinge soveraigne majestrat to whom the swoard was comytted by God for the puneshement of the wicked and defence of the good, and without whose authoretye the lyfe or member of the pooreste wretche in hir kyngdom could not be touched."

"She answered that theare weare wysere mene then my selfe of other opynyone. I tould hir that I could not answer for other men, yet this I was sure of, that I had never yet herd any man geve a sound reason to prove it ether honorable or safe for hir majestie to take any other course then that which standethe with lawe and justyce: and so without further replycation or speeche for that tyme wee parted."

"The same afternoone—as I take it—she asked whether I had hard from Sir Amyas Pawlete. I tould her 'Noe'; but within an houre or twoe after goinge in to London I mette with letteres from him in answear to thos that weare written unto him some fewe dayes befoare, uppon hir comaundement."

"The nexte mornynge havinge accesse unto hir majestie uppon some other occasyone, I tould hir of the recepte of them, which hir highenes desyrous to see tooke and rede, but fyndynge thearby that he was greeved with the motyon made unto him, offeringe his lyfe and all he had to be disposed at hir pleasure, but absolutly refusynge to be an instrumente in any suche actyone as was not warranted in honor and justyce, hir majestie fallynge into termes of offence, complaynynge of the deintynes and—as she termed it—perjurye of him and otheres, who contrary to their oathe of assocyatyone did caste the burden uppon hir selfe, she rose up, and after a turne or two wente into the gallory, whether I followed hir; and theare renewinge hir formor speeche blamed the nicenes of thos precis fellowes—as she termed them—who in wordes would doe greate thinges for her suertye but indeed performe nothinge; concluded that she could have it well enoughe done without them, and hear entrynge into partycularetyes named unto me—as I remembere—one Wingfeelde who she assured me would with some otheres undertake it."

"Which gave me occasyon to shewe unto hir majestie howe dishonorable—in my poore oppynyone—any suche course would be, and howe farre from preventynge the mallyce and daunger which she somuche soughte to avoyde: and so fallynge into the partyculere cause of Sir Amyas Pawlete and Sir Drue Drurye, discoursed unto hir the greate extremety she would have exposed thos poore gentlmen to; for yf in a tender care of hir suertye they should have done that she desyred, she muste ether allowe their acte or disallowe it; yf shee allowed it, she tooke the matter uppon hir selfe with hir infynyte perille and dishonore; yf she disallowed it, she should not onely over throwe the gentlmen themselves, who had alwayes trulye and faithefully honored and served hir, but also their whole estate and posterytyes, besydes the dishonor and injustyce of suche a course, which I hombly besoughte her majestie to consyder of."

"And so aftere some lytle degressyone and speeche of Mr. Secretary and others towching some thinges passed hear to foare, her majestie understandinge it was tyme to goe to the clossete, rose upe and lefte me."

"Att my nexte accesse unto hir—which, as I take it, was the Twesdaye befoare my cominge from courte—havinge occasyon to wayte uppon hir highenes with certene letteres that weare to be signed towching some dyfference betweene the Lorde Deputy of Ierlande and Mr. Fenton his scecretary theare, she entered of hir selfe into some earneste discourse of the daungere she dayly lyved in, and howe it was moare then tyme this mattere weare dispatched, sweringe a greate oathe that it was a shame for us all that it was not allredy done, consyderinge she had for hir parte done all that lawe or reason could require of hir: and ther uppon mad some mention to have letters written to Sir Amyas Pawlete for the hastynge thearof, because the longer it was deffered the moare hir daunger increased."

"Wheare unto—knowinge what ordere had byne taken by my lordes in sendinge the comyssyon to the Earles, which I presumed she could not be ignorante of amongeste so many as weare parteneres thearin—I answered that that needed not—as I conceaved—the warrante beinge so generall and suffycyente as it was."

"To which hir majestie replyed lytle else but that she thought Sir Amyas Paulete would looke for it; and so brake of our speeche at that tyme, which was the laste I had with hir majestie of this or any other mattere whatsoevere to my remembrance."

"The nexte Thursdaye mornynge early, being as I take it the daye befoare my comynge from courte, my Lord Tresorore sent for me and acquinted me with the newse he had receaved by Mr. Henry Talbot of the sayd Scottyshe Queenes executyon, which—uppon some conference had thearof with Mr. Vicechamberlene and otheres—he thoughte it not fytte to breake soddenly to hir majestie, and thearfore concealed it from hir all that daye; which beinge neverthelese brought unto hir that evenynge by other meanes she would not at the fyrste seeme to take knolledge of it, but the nexte mornynge fallynge into some heate and passyon about it sente for Mr. Vicechamberlene, to whom she disavoued the sayd executyon as a thinge she nevere comaunded or intended, castynge the burden generally uppon them all, but cheefly uppon my showlderes, because—as she protested—I had, in sufferinge it to goe out of my handes, abused the truste she reposed in me."

"Whearuppon my lordes beinge that mornynge assembled at my Lord Tresorores chamber, I was sente for unto them and acquinted with hir majestes sayd offence and charge bothe agaynste them and me: but havinge myne owne consyence and them selves to witenes of myn innocencye and integretie in that behalfe did not at the firste muche apprehend it."

"Howbeite beinge advised by them all to absente my selfe for a daye or twoe, and otherwise compelled thearto by an unhappy accydente befalne unto me the daye befoare, together with some indisposytyon of my helthe at that tyme, I returned home, wheare the nexte newse I herde was that hir majestie resolved to comytte me to the Towere; which at the firste seemed a matter very strange unto mee, and suche as I could by no meanes beleeve tyll my Lord of Buckhurste came with ordere from hir majestie to execute this hir pleasure; which by reasone of my sycknes was defferred for ij or three dayes, and afterwardes one the xiiijth of this monthe accomplyshed."

"And this—as neeare as I can possybly remember—is the substance of all that that passed betwixt hir majestie, hir Counsell and my selfe concerninge this cause. In all which, as myn owne consyence and harte dothe cleere me not onely of comyttynge but also of intendinge any the leaste thinge what so evere that myghte not stande with the duty of a moste honeste and faithefull servante to hir majestie and my contrey, so doe I not see what I can be charged with that maye in any justyce, equetye or truthe argue the contrary."

"Howbeit seeinge it is pretended that hir majestie gave me a specyall comaundement not onely not to imparte the sayd warrante with any of hir Counsell, but also to staye the same in my handes tylle some greater necessety should infoarce hir to proceede therin, as a thinge she mente not otherwise to pute in execusyone, upon the breache of which supposed comaundemente all my truble is grownded, it shall not be impertynente by the waye to answer this objectyone as shortely as I cane."

"And fyrste towchinge hir majestes comaundement to conceall the sygninge of the sayd warrante from the reste of her Counsell; as it is a thinge cane never be prooved, so muste I in all dutye and humyllety under hir highenes gratyous favore absolutly deny the same: whearin for the better cleeringe the truthe I truste hir majestie in hir princely and honorable natur will not gainsaye but that she bothe sente for me by my Lord Admyrall to brynge the warrante unto hir to be sygned, gave me express ordere to carye it foarthe with to the sealle, with a mesuage to my Lord Chanselore, and also by the waye to imparte it with Mr. Secretary Walsyngham, which provethe that theis theer weare made privie unto it with hir owne good lykynge; and seeinge my Lord Tresorore was formerly acquinted thearwith by my Lord Admyralle and Lord of Lestere ymedyatly after the sygninge of the warrante by hir majestes selfe, as lykewise Mr. Vicechamberlene the same daye in generall termes, as they did all severally sygnefy unto me, what reason could I have to detayne or concealle it frome them, beinge so princepall counselores as they are, spessyally imployed as all mene knowe in the formor tryall and proceedynge agaynste the sayd Queene, and otherwise as deeply interessed in this cause as my self?"

"Nether can I conceave what maye be excepted to this privetye of theirs, unlese hir majestie had a meanynge that Mr. Secretarye and I should have delte alone in sendinge doune thearof to the sayd comyssyoneres, which for myn owne parte I confesse I never lyked or intended, aswell in respecte of hir porpos oftene uttered to my selfe to remove asmuche of the burthen as she myghte from hir owne shoulders, as for the dishonore and daunger myghte otherwise have growne thearby bothe publykely to the whole cause and privatly to our selves yf wee should have yealded thearunto."

"And therfor seeinge the ende of signynge and sealynge the warrante in all reasonable constructyon was to goe forwarde, withall that the dellaye thearof did infynitely increase the perrylle of hir majestes lyfe and state, that it was imparted so soone by hir highness owne ordere and no possebyllytye—beinge sealed—to keepe it from the reste consyderynge howe manye weare alredy made privey their unto, I truste I shall appeare suffycyently warranted in all duty, reason and necessety to doe that I did; and contrary wise myn offence, yf by myn neclecte thearof thear should have happened any thinge amyse to hir majestie in the meane tyme, not onely inexcusable but allso—in myne owne sensure—worthie of a thousand deathes."

"And as for the second poynte of detaynynge thearof in my handes after it was resolved that it was nether fytte nor convenyente to truble hir majestie any furthere thearwithall, consyderynge she had done all that lawe required at hir handes and that shee had bothe to my selfe and otheres sygnefyed at other tymes hir indisposytyon to be acquinted with the tyme, place and other circomstances, as thinges unfyttynge to hir honore and disposytyon, and that to detayne the warrante in expectacion of any further directyon from hir selfe was bothe needles and dangerous, in regard of the howerly hassard hir highenes lyved in, and fynally that my lordes, knowinge hir majestes unwillingnes to beare all the burden allone, weare contente bothe resolutly and dutyfully to ease hir as muche as they myghte, I doe not see under what collore of reasone or duty I could ether have refusede to joyne with them or otherwise taken uppon me to detayne it from them."

"For howe so evere hir majestes commaundemente be pretended hearin to keepe it by me as a thinge she mente not to put in executyon, I truste the world dothe not hould one so undutyfulle to hir majestie, or ill advised for my pertyculere, consyderinge the reasones alledged, as to take suche a charge uppon me, to the evidente perill of hir highenes lyffe, subversyone of the estate, and myne owne utter overthrowe."

"Nether is theare any reason in the worlde—I speke it in all reverence and under hir majestes gratyous favore and pardon—that maye argue any suche resolutyon of hirs not to proceede any further in the sayd executyon—as is afforsayd—consyderinge howe fare she had allredy wadede in the tryall of that ladyes facte, found hir gylty by a moste honorable jury of hir nobyllytye, assembled hir parleamente onely for that purpos, gratiously herd their petycones for justyce and dismyssed them with so greate hope, publeshed afterwardes the proclemacion for hir disablemente, rejected the suites bothe of the Frenche and Skottyshe Kynges for hir lyfe, and returned their ambassadors hopeles, confyrmed that impressyon by hir owne letteres to bothe princes, some of which it pleased hir to comunycate with my selfe, protested many tymes hir necessetye and resolutyone to goe throughe withall—albeit for sondry good respectes she had so longe deferred it—geven me hir comaundemente many dayes befoare to brynge uppe the warrante unto hir, and then voluntarely sente for it by my Lord Admyralle, signynge it as soone as I broughte it, and directed me thearwith to the sealle."

"Addinge hearunto hir partyculer and verball directyone delyvered to my selfe at the same tyme, bothe appoyntynge the executyone to be done in the halle, myslykynge the greene or courte of the castelle for some respectes she alledged, to gether with hir staye of my Lord of Shrewsbury in thos partes by letteres writtene from my Lord Tresorore uppon hir comaundemente for sume spessyall service she had to imploy him in theare: which could importe no other thinge then the sayd executyone, whearin he was a cheefe comyssyonere."

"All which, with a nomber of other forgoinge and followinge circonstances too longe to rehearse, maye suffycyently testefy hir majestes resolute disposytyone to have it proceeded in accordinge to hir directyon and warrante afforsayd, what soever be nowe pretended to the contrarye."

7¾ pp. Indorsed.

Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 196.

Copy of the same.

285. Relation by Mr. William Davison. Elizabeth. [Feb. 20. 1586–7.] Harl. MSS. 290, fol. 222.

"A true relation of that which passed betwixt her majestie and me in the cause of the late Scottish Queene, from the tyme of my first receyving the minute of the warraunt concerning her execution, etc., to the daie of my committment to the Tower."

"After that the meeting at Fotheringhaie about the cause of the late Scottish Queen was dissolved, the commissioners returned their sentence revisited and signed, approved in parliament and notified to the world by proclamation."

"Her majestie being moved with the earnest suites and petitions of her subjects in the said parliament assembled to proceed against the said Queene according to the sentence, did at length give order to the Lord Treasurer to drawe the warrant for her execution. Which having performed and imparted to her majestie his lordship the next morning sent for me to his chamber in court then at Richmond, and in the presence of Mr. Treasurer Knollys—whome I found with him—acquainted me therewith and told me that him self being to go presently to London, her highnes pleasure was that he should leave the same with me to cause it to be engrossed and brought unto her to signe; and so delivered it into my handes."

"Some few daies after, the warrant being ready, I acquainted her majestie withall, and desired to knowe her pleasure therein: who at that tyme thought good to forbeare the signing thereof, because the French and Scottish ambassadors were here intercessours for the said Queens life: willing me to reserve it to a fitter season; which by that occasion I reteyned in my handes unpresented for the space of some 5 or 6 weekes at the least; for the which I was one daie sharply reproved by my Lord of Leicester in her majestes owne presence; as the Lord Treasurer, who was by, could witnesse."

"Not long after the returne of the said ambassadors, her majestie being one morning private with the Lord Admirall,—which, as I take it, was on Wednesday the 1 of February—much moved with the rumours then raised and spred abroad throughout the realme that the said Scottish Queen was escaped, the realme invaded by strangers, London sacked and burnt, her majestie dead; with other like seditious bruites tending in all apparaunce to tumult and rebellion; and falling into consideration of the howerly danger wherein she lived by delaying the said Queens execution, as the principall ground and cause thereof, she finally resolved—as his lordship immediatly after told me—to deferre the same no longer: and therefore willed him to send presentlie for me to bring the warrant unto her to signe; which he accordingly did."

"At my coming up I found his lordship in the privy chamber, where he discoursed unto me what had passed that morning betweene her majestie and him concerning the said Queen, and how she was now fully resolved to proceed to her execution: and to that end had commaunded him to send expressly for me to bring the warrant unto her, that she might forthwith signe and dispatch it."

"Upon which her majestes direction delivered me by his lordship, I went downe to my chamber for that and other thinges I had to be signed, and returning up againe entreated Mris. Brooke to give her majestie knowledge of my being there: who presently called for me."

"Upon my coming in, her majestie discerning some papers in my hand enquired what I had there. I answered, they were thinges to be signed that concerned her service. She then demaunded whether I had not mett with the Lord Admirall, and whether he had said nothing to mee touching the warrant for the Scottish Queen. My answer was that I had spoken with his lordship in the privy chamber, and understood by him that it was her highness pleasure I should bring the same unto her to signe. Whereupon she asking me for it, I delivered it into her handes, who callinge presently for pen and inke, signed it, and laied it downe by her upon the mattes."

"And after som litle speach, showing the reasons why she had so long deferred it, as namely that the world might see she had not bene violently caried thereunto by anie humour of malice or revenge against her, howsoever provoked by her offence, and how loth she was to take this course if she had seene anie other waie to secure her owne person and state rebus sic stantibus, she finally willed me to take up the said warrant and to cary it immediatly to the great seale, comaunding me expressely to dispatch and send it awaie unto the commissioners with all the expedicion I might: appointing the hall of Fotheringhay for the place of execution, mislykyng the court-yard for dyvers respectes she alleadged."

"And in conclusion absolutely forbade me to trouble her anie further or let her heare any more thereof till it was done, seeing that [for] her part she had now performed all that either in lawe or reason could be required."

"And so calling for the rest of the thinges I had to be signed, dispatched them with . . . (fn. 2)."

"This done she entred into some speech with me of Mr. Secretarie Walsingham, delivering me a message to be imparted unto him, and willing me withall to shew him her warrant in my waie to the seale—he being then sick at his house in London—yeilding merily this reason, that she thought the sight therof would kill him outright."

"And as I was ready to depart from her, she gave me some caution to use it secretly at the seale, in respect of the jealousie she seemed to conceyve of some about the Lord Chancellour, and doubt least the divulging thereof might be an occasion to encrease her owne danger."

"From her majestie I went directly downe to the Lord Treasurer's chamber, where I found my Lord of Leicester and him together, to whome I shewed her majestes warrant signed, and faithfully related what directions she had given me for carying it to the great seale and sending it downe unto the commissioners, with the other circumstances before remembred. And for that I alleadged some necessity of my staie at courte that afternoone aboute the causes of the Low Countries, whose deputies were appointed to be there imediatly after dinner, they both intreated me, but especially the Lord Treasurer, to leave the care of that busines unto him, and to attend this, which was of far more importance; whereto I yeilded."

"After dinner I repaired to the Lord Chancellor according to my direction, having first visited Mr. Secretarie Walsingham in my waie and acquainted him with those thinges her majestie had given me in charge, and betwene 3 and 4 of the clock that afternoone passed the said warrant under seale; which done I went home to my owne house, where I staied all that night."

"The next morning about x. of the clock, being almost 24 howers after my departure from her majestie—when she could with no reason imagine it to be unsealed, considering what comandement she had given me to make all the speed I could therein—Mr. Killegrew came to me with this message from her, that if I had not allready bene with the Lord Chancellour I should forbeare all till I understood her further pleasure; whome I returned with answer that I would be at the court as soone as himself, and give her an accompt what I had done."

"Imediatly upon my coming thither I went up into the privy chamber, where I found her majestie; who presently calling me to her, asked me whether the warrant were sealed. I answered that it was dispatched the evening before, and showed the same unto her. 'But,' said she, 'what needed that hast?' I replied that I had made no more hast then both her self comaunded me and my duty in such a case required."

"And thereupon taking occasion to aske her majestie whether she continued her purpose to proceed therein according to her former direccions or no, she answered shee did; albeit she thought it might have bene better handled, because this course threw the whole burden upon her self."

"Whereunto I replying that I sawe not who elles could beare it, seeing her lawes made it murther in anie man to take the life of the meanest subject in her kingdome but by her warrant, she entred (fn. 3) into a great comendacion of Archibald Douglasse, wishing that she had but two such counsellours: and in the end perceyving that I tooke litle tast of that discourse, rose up, and walking a turne or two in the chamber, one of the ladies enterteyning her with some other speach, I left her for that tyme."

"From thence I went downe to Mr. Vice-chamberlane, to whome I shewed her said warrant, and communicated all that had passed betwixt her highnes and me concerning the same, adding what I feared of her inclination to throwe this burden from her self if she mighte finde anie just pretext, remembring unto him, amongst other reasons, how thinges had passed heretofore in the cause of the Duke of Norfolk, the imputation of whose death she laied heavily upon my Lord Treasurer for dyvers yeares together; and therefore told him plainely that whatsoever direction she had given me for sending it awaie unto the commissioners—which happily she thought I wold adventure to do for her safety and service—I was absolutely resolved not to medle in it alone."

"Whereupon, after some litle other speach betwene him and me, we agreed to go over unto the Lord Treasurer, and to advise with him what course was fittest to be held therein. Who finding both by Mr Vicechamberlane and my self what my resolution was, approved the same, and thereupon resolved to breake the matter the next day with the rest of the Counsell and to take their opinions. And in the meane time his lordship, having some use of the warrant, praied me to leave it with him, which in presence of Mr. Vicechamberlen I delivered into his lordships owne handes; who from thenceforth kept it till it was sent away."

"The next morning his lordship assembled the Councell in his owne chamber, to whome he declared the cause of their meeting, shewed and read the warrant, rehersed how matters had passed betwixt her majestie and me, and namely what directions she had given me for sending it downe unto the commissioners, etc., as also my refusall to medle therein alone and reasons for the same."

"That for his part he sawe not why they being all alike interessed in the cause shold not make it their generall and common acte, knowing how much it imported both them selves in duty and her majestie and the whole realme in honour and safety."

"His advice therfore was that, seeing they had so cleare a testimonie of her majestes pleasure as her owne warrant under her hand and great seale of England imperted, they shold joyne together in sending it downe unto the commissioners according to that direction, without troubling her majestie anie further in that behalf, she having done all that in lawe or reason cold be required of her."

"Whereunto they all agreeing, his lordship tooke upon him to project the letters that shold be sent downe therwith unto the said commissioners, and to send for Mr. Beale, whom they thought the fittest messenger for that purpose. And the next daie, the letters being readie, met againe in the same place for the signing of them. Which done, his lordship delivered them, together with the warrant and the rest of that dispatch, unto Mr. Beale, in presence of all the other Counsellours, with his owne handes."

"Some 2 or 3 daies after, having speciall occasion to attend her majestie, and finding her in her gallery at Greenwich all alone, she entred into some speach with me of a course that had bene propounded unto her underhand by one of great place concerning that Queen; asked me what I thought thereof, which being in truth very unsutable to the rest of her publick (fn. 4) proceding I utterly misliked, delivering my reasons, wherewith she seemed to rest fully satisfied, without any showe of allowing this new course or altering her former resolution in any pointe."

"The next daie, as I remember, I had occasion to cary up a letter for her majestie to signe, in favour of Mr. Fenton her secretary in Ireland; after the dispatch whereof she fell of her into some earnest expostulacion with me about the execution of her said warrant, complayning greatly of my self and the rest of her Counsell as men careles of her safety and our owne duties in that it was not alredy done, comaunding me to write a sharp letter to Sir Amias Paulet to that effect."

"But being somewhat jealous of her majesties drifte, I answered that it shold be needles, seeing it was her majestes owne commission under the great seale of England, and not anie private letter from me, that must be his direction and warrant in that behalf. Whereunto she replied litle, but that she thought he wold looke for it. And with this, one of the ladies coming in to understand her pleasure for her dinner, she brake of, this being the last time of my accesse unto her."

"The daie following, to my best remembrance, Mr. Henrie Talbot brought letters from my lord his father and the rest of the commissioners unto the Lord Treasurer, importing the newes of the said Queens death, which his lordship communicating with dyvers of the Counsell did not thinke fit to breke suddenly to her majestie, who neverthelesse by other meanes understood thereof that night without shewe of anie alteration at all."

"But my self being then at London, and returning the nexte morning to the court, I found dyvers of the Counsell together in my Lord Treasurers chamber, who presently told me how thinges stood, and that her majestie seemed to be greatly offended against them all about this action, disavouing that she had either comaunded or intended any such proceeding therein; which at the first I did not much marvell at, considering what I had before observed of her desire to cast it from her self, though I saw not what just ground she shold take for the same."

"But having after some litle stay with them speciall occasion to returne back to London, and beinge otherwise very ill, I was inforced to tary at my owne house all that night."

"The next newes I heard was that her majestie threatned to committ me to the Tower, which out of the innocence of mine owne hearte I cold not possibly beleive, till she sent my Lord of Buckhurst unto me to that end. Who, finding me sick in bed, after some conference with me returned back to the court to acquaint her majestie with mine estate, and so deferred it for that tyme; . . . . (fn. 5) likewise did some daie or two after for the same reasons; which neverthelesse on . . . . of February by her majesties expresse warrant he performed."

"And this in substance—as neare as I can possibly remember—is the truth of all that passed betwixt her majestie and me concerning this cause, from the first hower of my receyving the minute of her said warrant from the Lord Treasurer to the daie of my restrainte."

3 pp. Indorsed.

286. Lord Scrope to [Walsingham]. [Feb. 21.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 217.

According to his last, addressed a Scotchman to Edinburgh for the understanding of the acceptance of the death of the Queen of Scots with the King and that nation. Perceives that when the King understood Roger Ashton's message—he returned to him about Monday last—that his mother was in truth put to death, he not only took that news very grievously and offensively, but also gave out in secret speeches that he could not digest the same or leave it unrevenged, as should appear by such good deeds as they [the English] should receive at his hands.

Although the King and some others are highly offended with them for this execution, yet is advertised that some of the noblemen—though they seem malcontents—would not have that tragedy to play again. Likewise is advertised by good credit that the King intends to depart secretly out of that realm, but does not know for what he prepares himself. Leaves the certainty of these matters to his next, and to his own better advertisement from other places.

A general convention of all the noblemen and states of that realm is looked for, but the certain day of their assembly is not known. The King has written to Maxwell that either he or some one of good credit and authority from him repair to the Court, for he intends to appoint Maxwell warden of the West Marches of Scotland, thinking him the meetest man to have the government thereof, and to execute such service as he shall enjoin him, and the present state of matters shall require. It is thought that Maxwell will enter on his journey to the King on Monday next, or that day send one authorised from him to accept that office, and bring him his patent for the same.

William Carr of Ancrum, one in the murder of the late Lord Russell, and young Fernihurst gave out that they would be with the King on Friday last. All matters on the frontiers rest in quiet as yet. As anything to the contrary falls out, or any other news comes to his knowledge, he shall be advertised thereof, from time to time. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

1 p. No address.

287. Monsieur Nau to Walsingham. [Feb. 21.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Upon Mr. Treasurer having given me to understand that it had pleased you to permit me to write into France and to send thither a gift of some seignorial rights which he rendered to me last week, I have made a little packet for my brother in law, which I beg you to command may be sent by the first safe opportunity which shall present itself, the delay of this expedition for the said seignorial rights meaning no less to me than the entire loss thereof, by reason that the officers of the King will not fail now to seize upon all that which the Queen of Scotland enjoyed in France. From your house in London. Signed: Nau.

½ p. French. Addressed. Indorsed.

288. [ ] to [Thomas Phelippes]. [Feb. 22.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Passing through Derbyshire, met with certain persons of the Scottish train going to Fotheringay Castle, conducted by a servant of Sir Amias Paulet. Happened to talk in secret with a gentlewoman called Mistress "Curley," daughter to the laird of Barnbogle, surnamed Mowbray. She declared a large circumstance of her husband's troubles and present imprisonment in England, for whom she proposes to be an earnest suitor to him [Phelippes]. Her opinion is that the young King cannot be so graceless and monstrous in nature as to leave his mother's death unavenged, but that if he would, other Princes, her allies, will cry quittance.

Builds but little upon her speeches, which carry but womanish presumptions. Trusts shortly to discover the heart of their hope, if any such vital be left. Has a token of creance to her father, who, he is assured, is a sound Catholic and will further him in all possible manner. Doubts not but that after he is lodged in Scotland he will miss ready means for the speedy delivery of occurrences, by reason that there will be some difficulty in sending safely to the sheriff of Northumberland, except he appoint him some special instrument in Berwick.

Has a direction to visit one Ralph Lawson at Cattrick Brigge in Richmondshire, a man greatly affected to the Scottish Queen and very inward with the State there.

The manner of the Scottish Queen's death and her patient receiving of the same is highly commended by no small numbers, both Protestants and Papists. Would not willingly write much till his letter is delivered in Northumberland. Mansfield in Sherwood.

1 p. Indorsed in Thomas Phelippes' hand: "From Catlin."

289. Extracts of Letters intercepted. [Feb.]

John Hamilton of Euuerton to Lord Hamilton.

As for novelties in these parts, there is like to be great troubles this summer. The King and the "leige" agree not well together. Th King has "garte" all the great army of the strangers to render themselves with "Cord au col." The Lord Morton is come to the town in good health the 25th of January stylo novo. What his intention is I know not, but he is to send to your lordship, etc.

Francis Mowbray to his lord and master the Earl of Crauford.

I have learnt since my coming hither that for certain there is some offers made to the King's majesty of Scotland of the part of the King's majesty of Spain and the Pope.

To the laird of Vasthall, last of January, stylo novo.

The King's majesty came from the fields and arrived here in Paris the 23rd of December, and it is supposed that he shall remain here while March, and then make to the fields with his whole forces. The "roisters" for truth are forth of France, and very many have been slain. It is said that they are to come again with greater force in the spring. It is of truth that Monsieur de Joyeux is slain, with many of the nobles of France.

To Sir William Keith.

I have heard that the King's majesty of Scotland shall have no assistance of foreign Princes resolutely, without he be Catholic. I know, my lord, you have credit at his majesty's hands. If it would please your lordship to be a well-willer to that effect, I mean to help and further his majesty to take counsel for his own weal of foreign Princes. After I know your mind—if it please you by your first advertisement—of your assured good will and satisfaction of this purpose, I will let you understand in effect your commodity and advancement.

To David Dundas of Didestowne.

I pray you learn the estate of the cadet who governs, in special, and what it is likely to turn to, for I know there are some high matters come forth of this country that are presently in hand among them.

In another—The King goes to the wars in Poitou in person to have the King of Navarre in April.

Forbois to his brother, not naming him.

I write no news because of the time as it occurs. I am sorry to hear of the variable state of Scotland. You are busy men to seek your own wrack and ruin. This I may say by the way, you have many busy men here to learn to speak Espagnol.

1 p. Indorsed: "Extract of letters intercepted. Scotland."

290. Requests of Mary's Servants. [Feb.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Upon conference with the French and Scottish servants, they answer as follows:—Mr. Melvin now remaining with Mr. Bagot prays to take London in his way towards Scotland.

I have not spoken with the priest remaining with Mr. Gresley, but I find by a message received from him of late that he is willing to go directly into France.

Bastian and his wife with their two daughters and one son are desirous to go to London, and from thence into France.

Balthazar will go into France.

Curll's servant is desirous to wait on his mistress.

Nau's servant once served Mr. Pierrepoint, and prays to return to him.

The "cocher" and the grooms of the stables are of Sheffield, in Derbyshire, and of the parts adjoining, and pray to return thither.

Curll's wife prays to go to London.

The three laundresses are of Derbyshire and desire to return thither.

²/3 p. Indorsed: "The requests of ye Scottish Q. servauntes."

291. Monsieur Nau to Monsieur Proby. [Feb.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Memorial to Mr. Proby.

Seeing the importance of the calumnies and impostures put forward against Nau among other of the servants of the late Queen of Scotland his mistress, touching even the honour of two of the principal councillors of the Queen of England, that he may be permitted, before the said servants pass into France, to explain the whole with them; and to this effect that they may have access to him.

That the said servants may likewise be commanded to restore to him his books and other articles which they detain from him, many among them being able to testify that they belong to him; and until then that they may be forbidden to proceed to the sale or transport of anything here.

For the delivery by parcels of the moveables of the said Nau, newly arrived here in coffers sealed with the seal of Sir Amyas Paulet, may it please the said Sir Paulet to send his secretary or some other of his people with the inventories made hereupon, and all other goods that the said Sir Paulet may yet have in his keeping belonging to Nau.

½ p. French. Indorsed.

292. Sir Amias Powlet to Walsingham. Elizabeth. [Feb. 25. 1586–7.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Following the direction of the lords of her majesty's Council signified by his letters of the 15th instant, has brought hither the Scottish household from Chartley and discharged the soldiers, except one porter and four soldiers who have charge of the gate.

Sends herewith the inventory of her majesty's plate, hangings, and other household stuff lately used in this castle, whereof the plate, the greater part of the hangings, and all the best stuff was removed yesterday under the conduct of some of his servants. Prays he will signify to his servant, Robert Hackshaw, remaining in London, where the said plate and other stuff shall be discharged.

Mr. Darell prays for the better clearing of his account, and thinks it meet for her majesty's better service that the said plate and other stuff be not removed from the place where it shall be unladen until his coming to London. One of the conductors of these carts is commanded to be at London four or five hours before the carts to learn of Hackshaw where the said carts shall be unladen.

The jewels, plate and other goods belonging to the late Queen of Scots were already divided into many parts before receipt of his letters, as may appear by the inventory thereof inclosed herein, the whole company saving Kenethy [Kennedy] and Curll's sister, two of her gentlewomen, affirming that they have nothing to show for these things from their mistress in writing, and that all the smaller things were delivered by her own hands. According to his direction, committed the custody of the said jewels, plate, and other stuff to Mr. Melvin, the physician, and Mistress Kenethye, one of the gentlewomen.

The care of the embalming of the late Queen was committed to the high sheriff of the county, who, no doubt, was very willing to have it well done, and used the advice of a physician dwelling at Stamford, with the help of two surgeons. Upon order given—according to his direction—for the body to be covered with lead, the physician thought good to add somewhat to his former doings, and now takes upon him that it may continue for some reasonable time.

Purposes to depart towards London on Monday next, the 27th instant. Fotheringay. Signed: A. Poulet.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed: "Lettres from Sir Amias Paulett, Mr. Somers, and Francis Mills, employed about the busines with the Scottish Queene."

Inclosure with the same:—

(Inventory of the Queen of Scots' jewels, etc.)

"An Inventarye of the jewells, plate, money, and other goodes found in the custodye of the severall servauntes of the late Quene of Scottes, as followethe:—

In the custody of Androwe Melvin, gent. Furniture for a bed wrought with needle woorke of silke, silver and gold, with divers devices and armes, not througlye finished. A peece of an unicornes horne with a little pendant of gold. A clothe of estate garnished with armes. Certen pictures of the sayd late Quene's auncestors. To be delivered by hym to the Kinge of Scottes.

Jewells."

293. Sir John Foster to Walsingham. Elizabeth. [Feb. 26. 1586–7.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 206.

Has received his letter of the 18th instant. According to the contents thereof has given general warning now and also before to all gentlemen in his wardenry to provide for armour and weapons, and be in readiness with their tenants and servants upon an hour's warning, to withstand any sudden invasions that might happen to be offered by the inhabitants of the opposite realm.

By reason that Mr. Carey, her majesty's ambassador, is stayed at Berwick, and cannot have licence to pass into Scotland, which gives great encouragement to divers noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland and to the evilly disposed people dwelling on the Borders of the same to make great brags, can do no less for his discharge than to certify him accordingly, whereby, etc.

At the writing hereof was credibly informed that one of the principal men of Liddesdale was with the King, who commanded him and his company to take all that could be got out of England. Alnwick.

½ p. Copy.

294. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [Feb. 28.]

"Sir, be such credible information as I hawe ressavit from Scotland, I do persave that the Maister of Grey his credit is not so greit at this present thayr, as the onely buylding upon it is able to put by this storme wythowt sum inconvenience."

"If I be rychtly informed, resolution was takin thayr upon the letteris that I wrot xj Februarii, makand mention of this layt accident, that no Inglismen shuld be permitted to com in Scotland bot upon the sycht of the letteris that I wrot be Robert Carvell, makand mention off Mr. Robert Cary his derection off the dayt xiii eiusdem. I can not lerne quhat hath fallin owt, nather can I learn if thay be delivered."

"But publict speach is gevin owt thayr that the warris ar openlye proclamed betuixt this cuntrey and France. And no small nombre wold move the King to leave the course wyth her majestie. As zit thay haif no fordar prevaled than as sayd is. Commandement is gevin be him nevertheles that the Bordouris shall remayn in quietnes quhill fordar of his pleaser shalbe knauin. Owr secretarye is the onely man that gydis, and non but he."

"If this kynd of dealing shalbe suffered to proceid, ill humouris may so invalesce that may bring the hoile bodye to corruption, and that schortely. For remedying of these inconvenientis so farre as may lye in me, I think it shalbe best don, that I shuld derect ane gentill man that is nephew to me and nephew to our secretayr to the King my maister wyth such derection as your honour shalbe mayde acquaynted wyth before his departure, wyche may serve best, to assay what gud offeris may be performed in that realme, and to see such letteris as I haif vrytin to freyndis saiflye delivered, to know how the vorld goes and is lyk to contynew thayr."

"I wold be glayd to knaw if my lord chamberlane hathe heard ony confirmation of this which I ressaved, and what fordar, wyth your awin opinion when it shalbe metast to conferre upon this mater that apperis to crave sum haist if your lesare mycht spayr it. And so I tak my leave, this xxviij of Februarii." Signed: "Your honouris alwayis, A. Douglas."

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

295. Burghley to Hunsdon. [Feb. 30.]

(fn. 6) "Recitall of the good success of the border matters, wishyng the contynuance therof, as an occasion to renew the former amyty betwixt her Majesty and the Kyng, wherof he knew that on the Queen's part ther was never meaning to gyve cause of intermission; and though some occasion as it semeth hath bene taken on the Kinges part to shew some intermission of such frendly offices as befor tyme had passed betwixt them, thet if the Kyng had bene contented this last yer to have hard hir answer for hir own actions which was committed to his soun to have bene declared, she dowteth not but the Kyng wold have contynued his former courss in exercise of mutuall love with her majesty."

"And for prooff of hir majesties innocency in that which was imputed wrongfully to hir, Mr. Archebald Douglas the Kinges own minister hath had good prooff manny wayes, to mak the same apparant to the Kyng."

"And therfor hir majesty, restying hir self in very truth uppon hir innocency for any thyng by hir willyngly doone to do any wrong or to offend the Kyng, she remayneth quiet in hir own mynd and conscience, with expectation to understand from the Kyng what he shall intend to do, and accordyngly to answer the same with such offices of frendshipp or of neighborhod as shall be offred to hir."

"And this you may saye you know to be hir majesties mynd, and therfor your self wold be most glad to be an instrument to procure such intelligence of mutuall loove betwixt ther majesties as war good for both ther persons, ther estates and contryes; and therwith to wish that nether of them shuld by practise, conning or sinister counsell, suffer them selves to be abused by ther common ennemy, in perswasion of any contrary relligion to be used or tollerated in ther dominions. For the which, as both the realmes had good laws to withstand the same, so nothyng cold preserve the commen quiett of them both better than direct execution of the same."

1 p. Draft in Burghley's hand, corrected, and indorsed by him: "A note wherof my lord of Hunsdon shuld wryt to the Kyng of Scottes."

Cott. Calig., D. I., fol. 130b.

Copy of the same.

296. Instructions for a Person going to Scotland. [Feb.]

That he shall presently make repair into Scotland, addressing himself to such persons as are known or suspected to be enemies to this state.

That he shall carefully inform himself what practices are nourished there to disturb the present quiet of this realm.

That he shall principally observe what alteration the death of the King's mother works either in the said King or in any person of quality within that realm.

To learn how the boroughs stand affected which heretofore have been noted to be enemies to the said Queen.

To inform him what noblemen stand ill affected to this state, and who well affected.

To seek by all means he may to so get credit with Courcelles and the laird of Fentry, as also with one Pury Ogilvie, an instrument used between the Jesuits and the Master of Gray.

To seek very carefully what English Catholics resort into that realm, by whom and for whom they are sent, and to whom they repair, and what is the end of their employment.

To learn how the King stands affected to the religion, and whether he be disposed to harken either to Spain or to France.

To seek out who be the harbourers of such instruments as are employed by the Catholics between the two realms of Scotland and England. To advertise weekly what he can learn touching the particularities above mentioned, or any other matter fit to be advertised.

That he address his servant to Mr. Anderson, sheriff of Northumberland, to whom he shall have letters of credit, with order to send up his letters hither in post.

That he shall in no sort discover himself to Mr. Anderson, but shall only send his man unto him with my letter.

His servant a passport. A letter to Mr. Anderson. To procure letters of credit from the Catholics here. To enquire what is become [sic]. Beware of David Inglebye.

1 p. In Thomas Phelippes' hand. Indorsed: "Febr. 1586. Dispatche for [cipher]. Instruccions of on sent into Scotl."

297. J[ ] Wolley to the Earl of Leicester. [Feb.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 220.

Right honourable and my most especial good lord, it pleased her majesty yesterday night to call the lords and others of her Council before her into her withdrawing chamber, where she rebuked us all exceedingly for our concealing from her our proceeding in the Queen of Scots' case. But her indignation particularly lighted upon my lord Treasurer and Mr. Davison who called us together and declared the commission, for she protests she gave express commandment to the contrary, and therefore has taken order for the committing of Mr. Davison to the Tower, if she continue this morning in the mind she was of last night, albeit we all knelt on our knees to pray her to the contrary. I think your lordship happy to be absent from these broils and thought it my duty to let you understand them. And so in haste I humbly take my leave. At the Court. Signed: J. Wolley.

Postscript—I have oftentimes sent unto [you] from your old servant, Mr. Bould, to pray humbly your lordship's order for the ending of his case. He has been long in prison and desires your lordship's order for the hearing of his case, which it may please your lordship to impart to me.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

298. Arraignment of Mary. [Feb.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 469.

"The order of the proceedings at the arraignement of the late unfortunat Lady Mary Queen of Scottes, at Fotheringhaye, in the countie of Northampton, the 12th of October 1586."

Three hours after the lords had arrived the commission from her majesty was read to the lords commissioners for the great cause grounded upon the statute of 27 Elizabeth, authorising them to examine such persons as stood suspected for any pretence or practice against the Queen's majesty, the tenor whereof is easily known in the book of statutes. In the commission all men's voices are free and of equal power.

This read and the sermon, which was made by the Dean of Peterborough, ended, they went to Council in the Council-chamber of the same house, where it was thought convenient in consultation by them all to send the Queen's majesty's letters of credit to the Queen of Scotland whereby might appear the cause of their coming, their authority, and intention to call her before them. The messengers who were appointed to summon her were Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer and her guardian Sir Amias Paulet, attended by Barker the civilian, whose office was to conceive the answer to them upon the delivery of the letters, and to return her answer simply, without any treaty or conference. The answer was thus delivered verbatim as I can remember:—

"It is no small grief for me to think how hardly the Queen deals with me after my long misery of imprisonment and indisposition of body as to stand suspected of my integrity," etc. [Abstract of Mary's first speech, in No. 54.] She further desired to see the protestation she made to those who were sent to her in the 14th year. "I mean," said she, "the Lord Chancellor who is now here, Wilson, and others."

This has been the forenoon's work. After dinner they go to counsel what there is to be done. On Thursday they went to her lodging and remained with her for two hours, signifying to her that if she would not come forth before the commissioners they would proceed against her according to the commission. That day was spent in consultation and speaking with her.

The names of the commissioners sent by her majesty, at Fotheringay Castle, co. Northampton. Sir Thomas Bromley, Lord Chancellor; Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer; Edmund Vere, Earl of Oxford; Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury; Henry Gray, Earl of Kent; Edward Herbert, Earl of Pembroke; Henry Clinton, Earl of Lincoln; Anthony Browne, Viscount Montague; Lord Abergavenny; Lord Zouche; Lord Morley; Lord Stafford; Lord Gray; Lord Lumley; Lord Sturton; Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby; Edward Manners, Earl of Rutland; Edward Somerset, Earl of Worcester; George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland; Ambrose Sutton, Earl of Warwick; Sir Walter Mildmay; Sir Ralph Sadler; Sir Christopher Hatton; Sir Francis Walsingham; Sir James Crofte; Sir Christopher Wray, Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench; Sir Ed. Anderson, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; Sir [Roger] Manwood, Lord Chief, C.B.; Sir Thomas Gawdy; Lord Sandes; Lord Wentworth; Lord Mordannt; Lord St. John of Bletsoe; Lord Cromptoun; Lord Cheyney; Justice Peryan; Mr. Attorney Popham; Mr. Egerton the Queen's solicitor; Mr. Puckering the Queen's serjeant; Mr. Gawdy; Mr. Doctor Dale; Mr. Doctor Forde; Barker and Wheeler, notaries.

On Wednesday, 12th October, the lords aforesaid and the other commissioners came to Fotheringay Castle at 9 o'clock in the morning, where first, in the chapel, they had a sermon, and afterwards the same day was spent, and the next also, in deliberation and sending to the Queen of Scots ofttimes to know whether she would appear or not.

On Friday morning next she resolved to appear, and about 9 o'clock she came forth into the chamber of presence and was placed in a chair somewhat below the cloth of state, and on the right side the earls, the barons on the left side. The chamber was prepared and hung with the cloth of state in the upper part, and down along both sides forms or benches covered with green for the earls and lords of the commission. Somewhat below the midst of the chamber there was a bar, and within the bar a form, a chair, a cushion, and a foot-carpet for the Queen of Scotland. Directly against the "state" below in the midst of the chamber was a table, whereat sat the Queen's attorney, the Queen's solicitor, the Clerk of the Crown, and the two notaries. Directly about the table, in the midst of the chamber, were two benches whereon sat on the right side the Lord Chief Baron, Doctor Dale, and Doctor Forde, over against the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Justice Peryan, and before the bar such gentlemen as came to see the action.

The lords being thus set, and all things ready, the Queen came forth with a company waiting on her with halberds. She was in a black gown with a white veil of lawn, a very tall and big woman, being lame, and supported by one arm by one of her gentlemen, named Melvin, and by her other arm by her physician. One of her maids carried her train and there attended on her. One of her servants brought a chair covered with crimson velvet, and another a cushion of the same, and after silence the Lord Chancellor stood up and spoke to this effect:—

"Madam, the Queen's majesty being strongly informed of sundry practices made by you against her has caused this assembly here at this time, as it has been signified against you. You have received the Queen's letters certifying the same, and I must say this much to you, Madam, from her majesty's mouth, that having borne so many things at your hands she cannot forbear any longer to proceed against you—not for the peril which might befall herself, for God, who has ever defended her from all her enemies, she trusts will still deliver her from them. But there depends more upon it. She sees that you are made a foundation of all practices against her, and if she should neglect so great a danger she should forget the cause of God and bear the sword in vain. It is not malice, Madam, nor regard of her person that causes her to do it, and she might do otherwise and proceed against you. Yet she has dealt in honour towards you that you should be heard and speak for yourself."

The Lord Treasurer said:—"Madam, now you have heard the cause of our assembly, it is meet that you hear the commission, that you may see we have authority to proceed against you." Then Mr. Pole read the commission grounded upon the statute of 27 Elizabeth. The commission read, the Queen said "I protest that this law is insufficient, and therefore I cannot submit myself to it." The Lord Treasurer avouched and justified the law to proceed against her; whereupon she replied that the law was made against her.

The Lord Treasurer said, "Madam, we have commission to proceed against you, and if your grace will not hear and answer we will proceed therein." Then she said, "I will hear and answer," but first she spoke by way of protestation to this effect—that she was a free Prince and a Queen anointed, not subject to any but God only, to whom she must give account, and therefore she required that her appearing might not be prejudicial to other Kings and Princes her allies, nor to her son, for which cause she desired it to be enacted, and required all her own servants to bear witness of it.

The Lord Chancellor protested again against that protestation, that it should in nowise be prejudicial to the Queen's majesty nor to the crown of England, and that they all in that behalf of her majesty required to be enacted.

Then Serjeant Gawdy arose and declared first the branches of the statute, and inferred that the Queen of Scots, there present, had offended against both the branches thereof, viz., she had been both privy to the killing of her majesty and also herself practised it and compassed it, and ripped up the whole complete from Ballard's coming into England. When he said that the Queen was both a mover and a compasser she bowed herself and smiled. Her first letter which she wrote to Babington to renew her intelligence was read. Then Serjeant Puckering pursued the rest of Babington's letters to her and her answer again to him.

The Scottish Queen answered that she had never seen Babington, nor never had speech with him, nor never received any letter from him, and that she could "stope" no man to go beyond the seas, but let any man in England come and say that she ever did anything against the Queen's life. Then Sandes, the clerk of the Crown, read Babington's confession again, and Serjeant Puckering opened the points.

The Scottish Queen said that being kept from all intelligence of all her friends and of her son, it may be that she desired intelligence, but if any other men have done and practised anything, it were no matter to this purpose. There were many that sent her letters, and she knew not them nor where they came from. The Clerk of the Crown read Babington's confession again, which proved her to be a practiser. The Scottish Queen said she never "wote" of any such letter.

Then was read her letter to Babington; to which she said that if Anthony Babington and all the world said it they lied. She would see her own handwriting, and concerning Babington's letter to her, she said that she never saw that letter nor heard of it. The Lord Treasurer proved the receipt of Babington's letters written in cipher, and also an answer from the Scottish Queen to Babington's letters, the same ciphers sent by a serving man in a blue coat, and so proved all the points of these said letters.

When mention therein was made of the Earl of Arundel she wept and "blubered," saying, "woe is me that that house has suffered so much for my sake," and after "blubering" a time she said, "If ever I made any such device against the Queen my sister, I pray God I never see the face of God. I have written I confess about my deliverance, as a Prince kept captive, as I am sure you would do, but never against the Queen. I confess for the Catholics' delivery from her persecution I have sought and will work, and if I could save them with my blood from destruction I would. And if so I pray lay it upon me." And therewith she wept.

The Lord Treasurer said, "Madam, I must forbear to speak as a commissioner, and tell you as a Councillor that the Queen puts none to death for their consciences, but they may enjoy the liberty thereof if they live as dutiful subjects, and therefore, Madam, reform your opinon therein."

The Scottish Queen said she had read it in a book. The Lord Treasurer answered that they that wrote so, wrote also that the Queen of England is no queen. Then she picked a quarrel with Mr. Secretary that he had been her great enemy and her son's, and had practised with certain persons against them. "But Mr. Walsingham," said she, "I think you are an honest man, and I pray you say in the word of an honest man whether you have done so or not."

Mr. Secretary rose up and came to the one side of the table, standing in the midst before his seat and said, "Madam, I stand charged by you to have practised something against you and against the King your son. I call God and all the world to witness I have not done anything privately unworthy of an honest man, or publicly unworthy of my calling. I protest before God as a man careful of my mistress, I have been curious, and if Ballard had offered me his service I would have rewarded him, but if I practised with him, why did he not plead it for his life?"

Here again she wept and protested that she would not make shipwreck of her soul in conspiring against her good sister, and that those whom Mr. Secretary had set as spies over her were spies for her against him, and likewise told her things of him.

Then Mr. Attorney and Mr. Solicitor opened the points of the conspiracy and proved by divers confessions and letters that the Queen there present was not only privy to the conspiracy, but also had set down in her letters the manner for doing it, as that there should be four stout men upon courageous horses, to the end that when one of them had done it, the other might post towards her that she might know it before her governor, and that then there should be certain houses set on fire to draw the people out of the house whereby she might the more easily be taken away.

The Queen's attorney proved that the Queen of Scotland was privy to the conspiracy and gave the instructions to her secretaries to write, confessed by her secretaries without compulsion, not being constrained or imprisoned, as also upon their oaths, by the original, some written in cipher and some translated by her direction into English by Jaques Nau and Gilbert Curll, secretaries.

The Solicitor proved both the points of the statute with the points of the commission. First, she was privy to the conspiracy. She received Babington's letters wherein the conspiracy was contained to kill the Queen. She gave answer to it deposed by her secretaries, who besides their oaths and voluntary confessions set down according to their memories the minutes and points of Babington's letters to their Queen, and her letter to him, wherein effectually they remember the points of the conspiracy particularly by Babington before he was apprehended, and at large when he thought to have executed it, and to have been advanced for it. He showed his letters and her answers to Ballard, Savage and Tichborne, and they confessed it.

Secondly, he proved that she herself conspired the Queen's death; for, besides the approving of Babington's plot, she added in her own letters the manner for the execution of the design. The secretaries at the view of her letters write thus:—Par l'expresse commandement de la Royne ma maistresse, and Curll, Secretary.

This confession was shown the Queen, and she was asked whether she knew their hands, whereunto she answered, "I know it well to be their hands," and as for Nau, he has been secretary to the French King and to the Cardinal de Lorraine, and therefore she could not tell what practice he might make against her. "I know Curll to be an honest man, but I will not be judged by them, for I know not how they may be drawn either for hope of reward or for fear of torment, which may make them confess against me, and I protest before God and before you all that I was never any dealer in that conspiracy against my sister. Neither did I ever know Babington or Ballard."

The Lord Treasurer said, "Madam, you know neither of them! I will tell you whom you know. You know Morgan, who hired Parry to kill the Queen, and after you knew it you gave him a pension. You give pensions, Madam, to murderers!" The Queen answered that Morgan had lost all for her sake, and therefore she thought it belonged to her honour to relieve him, and it was not unknown to her that pensions were given to her enemies in Scotland, and she named one, and the King also.

The Lord Treasurer said, "Because, Madam, the crown of Scotland was diminished the Queen's majesty has given a benevolence to the King your son, being her kinsman, and no pension." So they ended for that day.

The next day, as follows:—

At her first coming in she renewed her protestation, saying, "I am a sacred and anointed Queen and ought not to be judged by the law. I am a free Prince and owe no more to any Prince than they do to me. I come hither for the justification of my honour and that which is laid to my charge against my sister." Her oration was very long here, and of many things. She said the Queen was so dealt withal when the matter of Wyatt was laid to her charge, and yet she was not guilty of it. "I like not to take this course, though I desire to have the Catholics delivered from their persecution. I would rather play the part of Hester than of Judith, to pray for my people than to take away any, and to deliver my people God forbid that I should deserve to be denied of Jesus Christ before his Father. They gave it out that I was of no religion, for there was a time when I tendered myself. But they cared not for my soul. But my lords, when you have done all that you can, and have put me from what I should have, yet shall you not obtain your purpose, for Mary Stuart—" and she wept and "blubered." They could not conceive her speech.

She desired another assembly to be called, where she might have her counsel. She appealed to God first, who is the just Judge and to Princes her allies, etc.

The Lord Treasurer said, "Madam, we have set down your protestation under a notary's hand, and again we have protested that protestation be not prejudicial to the Crown of England. Therefore it rests to proceed according to our commission if you will not answer. The Queen said, "Indeed, my lords, you take no commission but that which may serve your own turns. You have done the worst you can. I have often offered that if I might be set at liberty I would do what lay in me to quench all troubles that be made, but I could not be heard. I was promised I should be set at liberty. I promised as hostage for my security, my own son and my cousin Guise's son."

The Lord Treasurer said, "It is true, Madam, the Queen was content, and so was the Council. You offered hostages as you say, and it is as true that the lords of Scotland would not consent that the King should come." The Queen said, "But I told you if I might be at liberty I would effect it." "Madam," quoth my Lord Treasurer, "the Queen shall set you at liberty, and you shall seek her destruction, for all this practice was of your enlargement, nothing else but a plot against the Queen, for even when it was adoing, your man Morgan hired Parry to kill the Queen."

"My lord," said she, "you are my enemy!" "No," said my Lord Treasurer, I am enemy to the Queen's enemy." "Was it not," said the Queen of Scots, "that the Queen should never be free from practices until I were set at liberty, and therefore desired the occasion might be taken away."

Then a letter was read, sent to Mendoza the Spanish ambassador, wherein she promised to give the King of Spain the kingdoms of England and Scotland if her son would not be reclaimed from that heresy wherein he was misled as she said. Also a letter [was read] to Doctor Allen, wherein she called him reverend father in God, and dealt with him about invasion, and his letter to her the night before. Likewise were read her letters to Lord Paget and to Sir Francis Englefield, wherein she says she has direction to the Catholics on this side for speedy despatch.

Here, she being pierced with the truth of the conspiracy because her own men had deposed and sworn it, she said that she thought that they made no conscience of an oath sworn to her, whereat the whole house was in a murmur. Concerning the giving away of the kingdoms of England and Scotland to the King of Spain, written to Mendoza, she advised him thus,—"Let not this be known, for if it should, it would be in France the less of my dowry, in Scotland the breach with my son, and in England my total and utter overthrow."

Here the Solicitor reminded the lords that if a foreigner had the kingdom as she would have assigned it, what should become of the States? "Madam," said the Lord Treasurer, "the succession of the crown, whosoever shall have it, may not be given to a strange Prince, it must go by the laws of this realm. When enemies in Scotland threatened to kill you, the Queen said she would avenge it, and so your life was saved."

At his rising she talked with my Lord Treasurer long, coming to his seat, and after with divers of the commissioners, excusing herself marvellously subtlely, and with very fair speeches she said to the Earl of Warwick that she had heard he was an honourable gentleman, desiring him not to believe all things he had heard of her, and to commend her to my lord Leicester, saying that she wished him good success in his affairs. To the lawyers she held up her hand saying "God bless me from you, for you have sore hands over them that are under you."

So the lords broke up the sitting on Saturday at one o'clock, and adjourned their commission to the Star Chamber.

11 pp. Copy. No indorsement.

299. Epitaph for Mary. [Feb.][1586–7.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 626.

"D. O. M."

"Bonæ memoriæ et spei æternæ"

"Mariæ Stuartæ Scotorum Reginæ, Franciæ dotariæ, Jacobi Quinti Scotorum Regis filiæ et hæredis unicæ, Henrici Angliæ Regis ex Margareta majori natu filia Jacobo Quarto Regi Scotorum matrimonio copulata proneptis, Edwardi Quarti Angliæ Regis ex Elizabetha filiarum suarum natu maxima abneptis, Francisci Secundi Gallorum Regis conjugis, Coronæ Angliæ—dum vixit—certæ et indubitatæ hæredis, et Jacobi Magnæ Britanniæ Monarchæ potentissimi matris."

"Stirpe vere regia et antiquissima prognata, maximis totius Europæ Principibus agnatione et cognatione conjuncta, et exquisitissimis animi et corporis dotibus et ornamentis cumulatissima. Verum ut sunt variæ rerum humanarum vices, postquam annos plus minus viginti in custodia detenta fortiter et strenue—sed frustra—cum malevolorum obtrectationibus timidorum suspicionibus et inimicorum capitalium insidijs conflictata esset, tandem inaudito et infesto regibus exemplo securi percutitur."

"A contempto mundo, devicta morte, lassato carnifice, Christo servatori animæ salutem, Jacobo filio spem regni et posteritatis, et universis cædis infaustæ spectatoribus exemplum patientiæ commendans, pie, patienter, intrepide cervicem regiam securi maledictæ subjecit, et vitæ caducæ sortem cum cælestis regni perennitate commutavit 6^to Idus Februarii Anno Domini 1577 [sic]. Ætatis 46.

Si generis splendor, raræ si gratia formæ, probri nescia mens, inviolata fides;

Pectoris invicti robur, sapientia, candor, nixaque solantis spes pietate Dei;

Si morum probitas, duri patientia fræni, majestas, bonitas pura, benigna manus,

Pallida fortunæ possent vitare tonantis fulmina, quæ montes, templaque sancta petunt,

Non præmatura fatorum sorte perisset, nec fieret mæstis tristis imago genis.

Jure Scotos, thalamo Francos, spe possidet Anglos, triplice sic triplex jure corona beat.

Fælix, heu nimium fælix, si turbine pulsa vicinam sero conciliasset opem.

Sed cadit, ut terram teneat, nunc morte triumphat, fructibus ut sua stirps pullulet inde novis.

Vincta nequit vinci, nec carcere clausa teneri, non occisa mori, sed neque capta capi.

Sic vitis succisa gemit [sic] fæcundior uvis, sculptaque purpureo gemma decore micat.

"Obruta frugifera sensim sic cespite surgunt semina, per multos quæ latuere dies.

Sanguine sancivit fædus cum plebe Jehova, sanguine pacabant numina sancto patres,

Sanguine conspersi quos præterit ira Penates, sanguine signata est quæ modo cedit humus."

"Parce Deus, satis est, infandos siste dolores, inter funestos pervolet illa dies.

Sit reges mactare nefas, ut sanguine post hac, purpureo nunquam terra Britanna fluat.

Exemplum pereat cæse [sic] cum vulnere Christæ [sic] inque malum præceps author et actor eat.

Sic meliore sui post mortem parte triumphat, carnifices sileant, tormina, claustra, cruces.

Quem dederant cursum superi Regina peregit, tempora læta Deus, tempora dura dedit.

Edidit eximium, fato prosperante, Jacobum quem Pallas, Musæ, Delia, fata colunt.

Magno viro, major natu, sed maxima partu, conditur hic regum filia, sponsa, parens.

Det Deus ut proles, et qui nascentur ab illa, æternos videant hinc sine nube dies."

"Finis. H. N. gemens."

2²/3 pp. Indorsed: "Inscriptions upon the Queene of Scotts tombe."

300. Account of Mary's Death. [Feb.] [1586–7.] Cott. Julius, F. VI., fol. 256.

"On Wednesday the 8 of Februarye 1586 there assembled at the castle of Fothering . . . . (fn. 7) the Earles of Shrowsburye and Kent, with diverse knightes and gentlemen justice . . . . (fn. 7) peace in those countryes."

"About viij of the clocke the earles and sherifs of . . . . (fn. 7) went up to the Scottish Queene, whome they founde prayinge on hir knee . . . . (fn. 7) gentleweomen, and the sherife remembringe hir the tyme was at hand . . . . (fn. 7) and sayd she was readye."

"Then she was ledd by the armes from hir cham . . . . (fn. 7) the chamber of presence, where with many exhortacions to hir people to fea . . . . (fn. 7) and to live in obedience, kissinge hir weomen she gave hir hand to hir men . . . . (fn. 7) prayinge them all not to sorrowe, but rejoyce, and pray for hir."

"She . . . . (fn. 8) downe the stayres by two souldiers, then beinge belowe she stayed and look . . . . (fn. 8) shee sayd shee was evill attended of, and besought the lordes that she might . . . . (fn. 8) weomanhead sake have two of hir weomen to wayte upon hir, they sayd . . . . (fn. 8) only witheld for that yt was feared by theyre passionate cryinge they would disquiet hir spirite and disturbe the execution. She sayde, 'I will promis they shall not doe soe.' Then two whome shee willed were brought un . . . . (fn. 8) "

"Then shee did speake much to Melvin hir man, and charged him as he . . . . (fn. 8) answeare before God to deliver hir speeches and messages to hir sonne . . . . (fn. 8) sorte as shee did speake them, all which tended to will him to governe in the feare of God, to take heede to whome he betoke his chiefest trust . . . . (fn. 8) any occasion to be evill thought of by the Queen of England hir . . . . (fn. 8) "

"To certifye him shee dyed a true Scott, a true French, and a true . . . . (fn. 8) "

"Aboute x of the clocke shee was brought into the great hall wh . . . . (fn. 8) the middest of the house agaynst the chimney, in which was a great . . . . (fn. 8) a scaffolde sett up of two foote highe and xij foote broade, havinge a stepp . . . . (fn. 8) up. About the scaffold went a rayle half a yearde highe, rounde c . . . . (fn. 8) boute, with blacke cotten, soe was hir stoole, the boordes and the blocke, and . . . . (fn. 8) for the kneele upon."

"There did sitte on the scaffold the two earles, the . . . . (fn. 8) and the two executioners."

"When they were sett, Mr. Beale, clarke of . . . . (fn. 8) did reade hir majesties commission for the execution under the broade . . . . (fn. 8) which the Deane of Peterborowe by direction from the lordes . . . . (fn. 8) vided to speake un . . . . (fn. 8) for hir beter preparation to dye a penitent . . . . (fn. 8) the true fay . . . . (fn. 8) reste, began at the motion of the Earle of . . . . (fn. 8) his exhorta . . . . (fn. 8) As soone as hee had began, shee sayd with . . . . (fn. 8) then he sayde, 'Madame, . . . . (fn. 8) hir majesties counsayle to doe this dutye; I will say nothinge but that I will justifye before the majestie of the Most Highest.'"

"So proceedinge shee cryed alowde agayne, Peace, Mr. Deane, you have nothinge to doe with me, nor I with you.' Then was he wylled to silence for any farther molestinge her mynde. She sayd, 'So yt ys best, for I am fullye settled and resolved to dye in the Catholike Romishe fayth.' Which when the lordes harde ye Earle of Kent sayd; 'Albeit, Madame, you refuse to hear the offered mercyes of the Highest, yet we will offer our prayers to God for you, hopinge he will heare us, and yf yt may stande with his goode will, he would vouchsaf to open your eys and to lighten your harte with the true knowledge of his will, and to dye therin.' She sayd, 'Doe, and I will praye."

"Then the Deane, kneelinge downe, pronounced a prayer, which the standers bye followed. All which while shee havinge a crucifix betwixt hir handes prayed much lowder in the Lattine."

"The prayer beinge donne, she kneeled downe and prayed to this effecte: for Christes afflicted churche, and for an end of theyr troubles; for hir sonne, that he might trulye and uprightly be converted to the Catholike Romishe Churche; shee prayed that the Queenes majestie might longe and peacyfullye prosper and serve God; shee confessed that shee hoped only to be saved by the bloude of Jesus Christ, at the foote of whose picture presented on the crucifix she would willingly shed hir bloude; she prayed to all the sayntes of heaven to praye for hir, and that the God of heaven would of his goodnes advert [sic] his plagues from this sillye ileand; that God would give hir lif and forgive hir sinnes, and that he would receave hir soule into his heavenly handes."

"And then shee arose up, and was by two of hir weomen and the two executioners disrobed into her petticote: then she sayed shee was never wonte to be undressed before such a number, nor bye such groomes."

"Then shee kissed hir weomen, and the one beganne to crye; shee sayed, 'Peace, crye not; I have promised the contrarye. Crye not for me, but rejoyce': and lifted up her handes and blessed them. So likewise hir men kneelinge downe not farre of."

"Then sodaynlye shee kneeled downe most resolutelye, and with the least token of the feare of death that might bee; and after one of her weomen had knitt a kercher about her eyes, she spake aloude this psalme in Lattine; 'In te Domine confido ne confundar in æternum."

"And then lay she downe verye quietlye, streching out hir bodye, and layinge out hir necke over the blocke cryed, 'In manus tuas Domine,' etc."

"One of the executioners held downe hir handes, and the other did at 2 strokes with an axe cutt of hir head, which falinge out of hir attyer appeared very graye, and neare pouled. So holdinge yt up the people cryed, 'God save the Queene, and so perish all the enimyes of the gospell.'"

"[All thinges] . . . . (fn. 9) and belonginge to hir were taken . . . . (fn. 9) the executioners, and not suf . . . . (fn. 9) so much as to have theyr aprons . . . . (fn. 9) they . . . . (fn. 9) the blood . . . . (fn. 9) the blocke, and whatsoever else . . . . (fn. 9) "

2 pp.

301. Money Due to Mary. [Feb.] C. P., vol. XXI.

Statement of many accounts and sums of money which were due by the King to the late Queen of Scotland, dowager of France, at the day of her death, which was the 18th day of February 1587, as also by reason of the non-enjoyment of many members and portions of her domain, according to the verification which has been made thereof in the chamber of accounts by the commissaries hereunto deputed by virtue of the letters patent of his majesty of the 16th of August 1586.

Firstly,

Accounts verified in the chamber of accounts by the said commissaries as it appears by their verbal process.

Before entering into the detailed declaration of the said accounts, it is fitting to note that the said lady having been dispossessed of the duchy of Touraine, which she enjoyed as part of the assignment of her dower, in order to deliver it to my lord the late Duke of Anjou, brother of the King, his Majesty had delivered and released to that lady, in recompense of the said duchy of Touraine, the earldoms and bailiwicks of Vermandoys, Victry and Sens, which she had only begun to enjoy on St. John the Baptist's day 1577, although from the month of May 1576 she had been dispossessed of the said duchy of Touraine, and my said lord the Duke had entered into the enjoyment thereof: which is an intermediate year due to the said lady, the which year will be hereafter set down, and the others following, to follow the order of the verbal process.

Of the domain of the provostship, land and lordship of Fymes, dependant upon the ordinary receipt of Victry, valued by the said commissaries at the sum of 428 ^li. 2 ^s. 8 ^d. tournois, equal to 142 ^cr. 42 ^s. 8 ^d. tournois. The said lady has only enjoyed it from the first day of January 1585, forasmuch as wishing to take possession thereof, it was found that Captain Faurian had the gift of it from the King, verified in the court of parliament and chamber of accounts; who enjoyed it from the day of the Magdalen 1576 to the first of January 1585, which are eight years and a half due to the said lady, from which deduction will be made of the said intermediate year ended on St. John's day 1577, being hereafter set down, according to the said verbal process. There remains for the seven years and a half the sum of one thousand and seventy crowns twenty shillings tournois, thus: 1070 ^cr. 20 ^s. tournois.

Of the sum of five hundred pounds tournois, equal to 166 ^cr. 20 ^s. tournois, due every year upon the inhabitants of Verdun at the receipt of the said Victry, delivered in domain without any charges to the said lady, that lady has in no wise enjoyed it, nor her receivers and farmers, but the Sieur de Tavannes, formerly governor of the said Verdun, who has always taken and received it from the said inhibitants by letters of gift and grant from his majesty. Hence there is due to that lady for ten years, expired at the Magdalen's day 1586, the sum of sixteen hundred and sixty six crowns two thirds; from which, deduction being made of the sum of 166 ^li. two thirds for the said intermediate year ended at the Magdalen's day 1577, there remains due for the nine years the sum of fifteen hundred crowns, thus: 1500 ^cr.

Of the farms of the actions, defaults and fines 60 ^s. tournois and more, as well in the bailiwick as provostship of the said Victry, and other fines of the enclosure and bounds of the said place, delivered in receipt to the said lady without any charges, and valued by the said commissaries at the sum of six score and sixteen crowns forty eight shillings tournois, that lady has in like manner not enjoyed any part thereof since the said Magdalen's day 1576, but the inhabitants of the said Victry, who have taken and received the moneys thereof, by means of the gift which was made them by his majesty for the paving of their town. Hence there is due to the said lady for the said ten years ending at the Magdalen's day 1586 the sum of fifteen hundred and sixty eight crowns, from which deduction being made of the said intermediate year, there remains for the nine years the sum of fourteen hundred and ten crowns twelve shillings tournois, thus: 1410 ^cr. 12 ^s. tournois.

Of the office of appeals of the courts of justice of Laon, delivered in to the receipt of the said lady, and valued without any charges thereupon at 132 ^li. Parisian, equalling every year 55 ^cr.; that lady has likewise not enjoyed this, forasmuch as on wishing to enter into the enjoyment thereof, it was found to have been erected into a title of office and bestowed upon one called Monsieur Jehan le Febure from the last day of April 1575. Hence there are due to the said lady ten years, expired on St. John the Baptist's day 1586, amounting to the said rate of 132 ^li. Parisian by the year to the sum of 1320 ^li. Parisian, from which deducting the intermediate year expired on St. John the Baptist's day 1577, there remains for the nine years the sum of fourteen hundred four score and five pounds tournois, equal to four hundred four score and fifteen crowns, thus: 495 ^cr.

Of the office of the provostship royal of Noyon, likewise given in domain to the said lady, and valued without any charges thereupon at the sum of two hundred and twenty four pounds Parisian by the year, equal to 93 ^cr. one third, neither the said lady nor her receivers and farmers have in any wise enjoyed it, forasmuch as on wishing to enter into the said enjoyment it was found to be pledged to Monsieur Francois Lalemant. Hence there would be due to the said lady, not including the intermediate year, the sum of two thousand and sixteen pounds Parisian, equal to 840 ^cr. for the said nine years expired on the said St. John the Baptist's day 1586: therefore thus: 840 ^cr.

Of the offices of the provostship and government of Montdidier, which had already been erected into an office before the release made to the said lady of the said domain, since reunited thereunto and demised to farm, from which, the charges thereupon being first paid and acquitted, the surplus equalled the sum of 111 ^cr. 58 ^s. 9 ^d. tournois, to wit, upon that of the said provostship 58 ^cr. 56 ^s. 3 ^d. tournois, and upon that of the said government 53 ^cr. 7 ^s. 6 ^d.; the which sum of 111 ^cr. 58 ^s. 9 ^d. should have been delivered into the receipt and domain of the said lady, which she has nevertheless in no wise enjoyed, having found the said offices severed from the said domain, and erected anew into an office, which Monsieur Claude Dumortier was enjoying as he has done ever since, without that the said lady or her farmers have received any emolument thereof. Hence there is due to her, without including the said intermediate year ending at St. John's day 1577, at the said rate of 111 ^cr. 58 ^s. 9 ^d. tournois by the year, for the said nine years expired at St. John's day 1586 the sum of 1700 ^cr. [sic, rectius 1007] 48 ^s. 9 ^d. tournois, thus: 1700 ^cr. [sic] 48 ^s. 9 ^d.

And although by the valuation which was made to the said lady of the said domain of Victry, there are delivered into her charge the wages of the King's proctor of the said place, amounting only to 91 ^li. in three parts, to wit, 16 ^li. in the bailiwick, 15 ^li. in the provostship and 50 ^li. to [sic] the waters and forests, nevertheless he has caused his said wages to be doubly paid, amounting each year to the like sum of four score and eleven pounds, whereof the said lady would be overcharged. Hence there should be due to her the sum of 273 ^cr. for the nine years beginning on the day of the Magdalen 1577, when she began to enjoy the said domain, and ending on the same day 1586, whereof she ought to be reimbursed; and as to the year ending 1577 she asks nothing for the said wages, having defrayed the said charges: therefore thus the said sum of 273 ^cr.

And although the earldom and bailiwick of Senlis should have been delivered and released to the said lady as part of her recompense of the said duchy of Touraine for the sum of three thousand six hundred and five pounds seven shillings tournois, and she ought to have enjoyed it like other lands of her said recompense, to commence from the said day of St. John the Baptist 1576, nevertheless she had only enjoyed it from the like day 1577 until December 1578, when she was dispossessed thereof by means of the valuation which was made thereof to Madame de Montpensier, who enjoyed it until St. John's day 1587. And even since then the Queen of Navarre has entered into the enjoyment of the said earldom, which she holds even now, without the said lady the Queen of Scotland having had any recompense or substitute for it. Thus there would be due to her for the year ending on St. John the Baptist's day 1578, and for seven years and a half beginning in January 1579 and ending on St. John's day 1586, when she was not enjoying the said earldom, the sum of 30,006 crowns. 45 ^li. 9 ^s. 6 ^d. tournois; from which deducting the intermediate year ending on St. John the Baptist's day 1577, which will be hereafter employed, there remains due to the said lady for the said seven years and a half the sum of nine thousand and thirteen crowns, twenty two shillings and six pence tournois, thus: 9013 ^cr. 22 ^s. 6 ^d.

Of the mills and ponds of Wassy and Victry le Comte, delivered and comprised in the valuation made to the said lady of the domain of Chaumont, and the revenue of them valued by the said commissaries, charges being deducted, at the sum of 141 ^li. by the year, the said lady had only enjoyed them since the Magdalen's day 1568, because having been leased and demised to farm by the treasurers general of France, the moneys issuing thence had been received by the receiver ordinary of the said Chaumont, who has accounted or ought to have accounted for them to the profit of the King. Hence there is due to the said lady for 18 years from the Magdalen's day 1568 and ending at the like day 1586, at the said rate of 141 ^li. by the year, the sum of two thousand five hundred and thirty eight pounds, reduced to eight hundred and forty six crowns: therefore thus: 846 ^cr.

Of the sum of eight score pounds tournois which is paid every year at the ordinary reiceipt of the said earldom of Chaumont, for recompense of the diminution of the revenue of the fines and office of the bailiwick of the said Chaumont, and other particular jurisdictions of the bailiwick, befallen by reason of the erection of the principality of Jouinville, verified in the year 1558, which are two years after the ten upon which the valuation of the said domain was made to the said lady, the which recompense she ought to have enjoyed since she suffered the loss and diminution. Howbeit the receiver of the said domain has always received the said sum, and accounted or ought to have accounted for it to the profit of the King. And hence there are due to the said lady the arrears since the Magdalen's day 1561 when she entered into the enjoyment of the said earldom until the like day 1586, which are 25 years, amounting at the said rate of 160 ^li. by the year to the sum of thirteen hundred and thirty three crowns one third, thus: 1333 ^cr. ⅓.

The said lady having been dispossessed as is said of the said duchy of Touraine, which had been valued to her at the sum of 7843 ^li. 11 ^s. 1 ^d. tournois, the said earldoms and bailiwicks of Vermandois, Victry and Senlis were to have been delivered to her in recompense for the sum of 7402 ^li. 12 ^s. 3 ^d. tournois, which would be less every year by the sum of 440 ^li. 18 ^s. 10 ^d. Hence there are due to her the arrears of the said sum since the time of her dispossession, which was on St. John's day 1576, until the like day 1586, which are ten years, amounting to the sum of 4409 ^li. 8 ^s. 3 ^d. tournois, equal to 1469 ^li. 48 ^s. 4 ^d. tournois; thus: 1469 ^cr. 48 ^s. 4 ^d.

More, there is due to her for the intermediate year of the nonenjoyment of the lands which were delivered to her in recompense of the said duchy of Touraine, which amounts according to the valuation to the sum of 7402 ^li. 12 ^s. 3 ^d. tournois, equal to two thousand four hundred and sixty seven crowns thirty two shillings and three pence tournois, thus: 2467 ^cr. 32 ^s. 3 ^d.

All the which accounts above declared are verified by the verbal process of the said commissaries, beyond which there are also due to the said lady by reason hereof the arrears and sums of money hereafter declared, since the said days of St. John the Baptist and the Magdalen 1586 until the said 18th February 1587, the day of the decease of the said lady; to wit:

Of the arrears of 500 pounds due by the inhabitants of Verdun for half a year ending the last of December 1586; and for one month 18 days beginning the first day of January 1587 and ending the 18th of February following, the sum of 105 ^cr. 33 ^s. 3 ^d.

Of the farms, of actions, defaults and fines of Victry for the said time, the sum of 99 ^cr. 18 ^s. 4 ^d.

Of the office of appeals of the courts of justice of Laon for the said time at the rate of 165 ^li. by the year the sum of 33 ^cr. 50 ^s. tournois.

Of the office of the provostship of Noyon at the rate of 280 ^li. tournois by the year, the sum of 59 ^cr. 6 ^s. 6 ^d.

Of the office of the provostship and government of Montdidier at the rate of 111 ^li. 58 ^s. 9 ^d. tournois for the two by the year, the sum of 70 ^cr. 55 ^s. tournois.

Of the wages of the King's proctor at Victry for the time aforesaid at the rate of 91 ^li. by the year, the sum of 17 ^cr. 51 ^s. 8 ^d.

Of the earldom of Senlis for the said time at the rate of 3605 ^li. 7 ^s. tournois by the year according to the valuation, the sum of 761 ^cr. 7 ^s. tournois.

Of the mills and ponds of Vassy for the said time at the rate of 141 ^li. by the year, the sum of 29 ^cr. 46 ^s.

Of the eight score pounds by the year on account of the principality of Joinville for the said time, the sum of 33 ^cr. 46 ^s. 7 ^d.

Of the 440 ^li. 18 ^s. 10 ^d. tournois by the year for the supplement of the recompense of the duchy of Touraine, which amounted to so much more than the lands of the said recompense according to the valuations. Thus for the time aforesaid the sum of 93 ^cr. 5 ^s. tournois.

Sum of the said accounts according to the said verbal process 23,030 ^cr. 48 ^s. 4 ^d. tournois.

Other accounts and sums of money due by the King to the said lady at the day of her decease.

The said lady did not enjoy the office of Poictiers during the first year of her dower, on account of the alienation which had been made thereof to the Sieur de Grandmont, the said year amounting to 4000 pounds, equal to thirteen hundred and sixty six crowns two thirds, which had been assigned to the said lady upon Monsieur Boulant, receiver general of Paris; having been unable to be paid it by reason that the said Boulant remained in great debt to the King. Hence the said sum is still due to the said lady; therefore thus: 1366 ^{cr. 2}/3.

The aids of Poictiers from which her majesty was wont to receive fourteen thousand francs, she has been wanting for the year '86 in twelve hundred crowns.

Item upon the receipt of Champagne there had been assigned to her one thousand nine hundred and odd crowns; the assignment has been cancelled, she has had nothing, and has not been paid any of it.

During the intermediate year of the non-enjoyment of the bailiwicks and lands delivered to the said lady in recompense for the duchy of Touraine many offices in the said bailiwicks became vacant, the funds whereof the King took, amounting to 9585 pounds, equal to 3195 ^cr., as it appears by the certificates of the treasurers of the sale of offices of the said sum, the said lady ought to be reimbursed: therefore 3195 ^cr.

The said lord has also provided for the office of lieutenant general of Poictou, vacant by the death of the late Monsieur Jehan de la Haye, and has received for it the sum of 20,000 ^li., equal to 6666 ^{cr. 2}/3, which ought to belong to the said lady; therefore 6666 ^{cr. 2}/3.

In like manner, albeit the offices and notaryships of Espernay are comprised in the valuation of the domain of the said Espernay delivered to the said lady for part of the assignment of her dower, and she enjoyed it peaceably until the beginning of the year 1584, yet nevertheless the commissaries deputed for the execution of the edits and ordinances of the King made upon the reunion for the sale and resale of the offices and notaryships, being the property of my said lord the King's brother, had sold and resold the said offices and notaryships, and thereof dispossessed the said lady, and those to whom they were adjudged have been in full possession and enjoyment thereof since the beginning of the year 1584. Hence there is due to the said lady the sum of 1671 ^cr. 6 ^s. 7 ^d., whereunto the sum of the said offices and notaryships amounts for three years, one month, 18 days, beginning the first day of January 1584 and ending the 18th of February 1587, at the rate of 533 ^cr. . . . . . by the year, according to the lease which was made thereof for the years 1583 and 1584; therefore thus the said sum of 1671 ^cr. 6 ^s. 7 ^d.

More there is due to the said lady the sum of 133,333 ^cr. ⅓ for arrears of the pension of 20,000 ^li. which it pleased the King to grant to her, as has ever been done by his predecessors to the Kings and queen of Scotland, in consideration of the treaties between the two kingdoms and confederation thereof: and this for twenty years beginning in the year 1567 and ending in December 1586: therefore 133,333 ^cr. ⅓.

Sum of the said accounts of this chapter 146,232 ^cr. 46 ^s. 7 ^d. tournois.

Sum total of the accounts of this present statement 169,263 ^cr. 34 ^s. 11 ^d. tournois.

7¼ pp. French. Indorsed.

302. Reasons for Elizabeth Signing the Warrant for the Execution of the Queen of Scots. Elizabeth. [ [Feb.]1586–7.] Cott. Calig., C. IX., fol. 650.

"The causes moving her majestie to signe the warrant for the Scottish Queen's execution are sett down in the information to be these":—

1. The sundry new and most dangerous "brutes," plots, and conspiracies which were devised and undertaken for the destruction of her majesty's person and estate of the whole realm, and the advancement of that Queen.

2. The many seditious rumours generally spread abroad by the accomplices and favourers of the Scottish Queen of purpose to have stirred the people to rebellion, and for the better compassing of her delivery.

3. The daily refreshing to her memory what suits and petitions had been made to her for justice.

4. Her own experience that her leniency and long tolerance had prevailed nothing to stay these wicked and traitorous courses. Her end in signing thereof was:—

1. To have it in readiness that upon any invasion, uproar or other imminent danger it might at her pleasure be executed.

2. To continue, nevertheless, her wonted course of clemency in sparing the said Queen's life so long as with the safety of her self and preservation of the tranquillity of the state she possibly might.

The end of her committing it to Mr. Davison was a threefold commandment:—1. To carry it to the great seal. 2. To keep it carefully and use it secretly. 3. Licensing him to show it to Walsingham only. Mr. Davison's offence consisted especially in four points:—1. In showing and delivering the said warrant to certain of the lords of her Council without her commandment, privity or pleasure being known.

2. In affirming—untruly—to them that it was her pleasure to proceed therein, and that she would be no further troubled withal.

3. That the said lords thereupon without her knowledge sent down the said warrant to those to whom it was directed, who upon the receipt and sight thereof proceeded to the executing of the same. Four causes moving them thereto are set down, as:—(1) The faithful and dutiful affection towards her majesty. (2) The desire of her safety and peservation. (3) The over-great confidence they reposed in the said Davison. (4) Their not doubting that her majesty's pleasure was such as he delivered.

4. That he, knowing her majesty's purpose to make some further stay thereof, notwithstanding forbore to make any mention to her what was done therein, whereby she was kept ingnorant thereof till a day or two after the execution was past. The former part of this assertion, touching his knowledge of her purpose to make stay thereof is argued by her sending Mr. Killigrew to stay it from the seal, by her reprehending his haste therein, and by her speech with him in the gallery of another course.

The quality of the offence is set down to be—1. A great indignity, misprision and contempt against her majesty. 2. A great abuse offered to her Council.

1½ pp. Indorsed: "The substance of the information against Mr. Davison, taken out of the records."