Elizabeth: April 1587

332. Monsieur Pinart to Monsieur de Courcelles. Elizabeth. [April 3. 1587.]

I often received letters from you when I was down in Poitou on the journey that I made thither with the Queen, the King's mother, which [letters] you wrote to me or to Monsieur d'Esneval. The latter has gone a tour as far as his own house, whence I hope he will return in two or three days. Meanwhile, a despatch being sent into England, and having heard that you have written hither as Monsieur Brulart has told me, I was fain to send you this short letter, which the King writes you, awaiting the return into Scotland of Monsieur Desneval, who has a very great desire to be helpful to you; and you may also believe that I will employ myself for you very willingly and with all my heart. Monsieur d'Esneval has told me that he has provided for money to be sent to you, and that he will attend to it again at Rouen. Paris. 13 April 1587. Signed: Pinart.

1 p. French. Addressed. Indorsed.

333. [Burghley] to Sir Robert Cary. [April 3.]

My very good lord, I am sure that you will think it a long time to have had no answer from hence by me of your letters sent with the copies of the Scottish King's letters, and certain articles sent from him to you in answer of your former letters, brought by Carmichael; but my excuse shall be sufficient for your satisfaction in this sort following:—

I myself at the receipt of your letters, being unable by some infirmity to deliver them to her majesty's own hands, presently sent them sealed up as they came to me, and so within one or two days I sent to know her majesty's pleasure, what answer I should make to you. But I perceived by her majesty's answer that she had so considered of the strange course held by the King in most of his articles, contrary to her expectation, as she thought it but a vain thing to answer the King upon the points of the articles, further than she had already done. For, as she said, she had done enough to satisfy him, or else she must think him not disposed to hear the truth from her, her innocency being both by herself avowed, and by many arguments sufficiently proved.

Yet, nevertheless, after some more days past I renewed the matter, only to have some answer to your lordship, in this manner following:—That your lordship, if you perceived that there was any expectation of answer from you, should then let it be notified by Carmichael, or otherwise as you should have occasion, that her majesty found by the articles sent in the King's name such strange kind of speeches delivered, and so repugnant from the former usage of the amity between the King and her, as she had no mind by her answer to fall into altercation for words, but to pass over the same until the King might by some better deliberation change this course unto that which before time has been pleasing and profitable unto them both.

And yet because the King should not think that he is by lack of some kind of answer neglected, her majesty's pleasure is that when you shall perceive that he will look for some answer, you shall hold this course following:—You shall let him understand that her majesty looked to have received some kind offer of renovation of his former amity, a thing good for them both to be recontinued, without giving to their common enemies occasion of doubt thereof. But instead thereof she finds by his articles a disposition to suspend his former manner of intelligence until he may be better satisfied of her majesty's innocency, wherein he uses many words for trial and clearing, as though it were for decision of a cause litigious before him as a judge, whereupon her majesty might gather absurd senses unmeet to be applied to her, being a Queen and a Prince sovereign, answerable to none for her actions, otherwise than she shall be disposed of her own free will, but the Almighty God alone.

And yet to leave questions of words, and to answer that which is material and sufficient for the King's satisfaction, she answers and so has she written with her own hand, and always avows that she was innocent and ignorant of the fact done or to be done, which the King calls a wrong done to him: and she was altogether ignorant of the deed either to be done, or as it was done, until a good time after the same was done and published by common fame. And though this were sufficient for her justification to avow the same both by her word and writing as a Christian Prince uttered with a free conscience in the sight of God, Who is the only searcher of hearts, yet for further maintenance thereof, besides her own avow, she thought that many good proofs of her innocency had been made known to the King, not only by private advertisement from his minister Archibald Douglas who had manifestly understood the same, but also by public report of many public arguments that proceeded both before and after the act done.

And because your lordship is not ignorant of many things tending to this purpose, for maintenance of her majesty's innocency, which are meeter to be uttered by others than by herself in her own name, her pleasure is that, if you find the King not to be satisfied with that which has been written and avowed by herself, wherewith she thinks he ought to be contented, as she would in like case be satisfied from him, being so seriously avowed, you shall then for further proof declare certain things hereafter following, being notoriously true and direct for maintenance of her majesty's innocency.

First, you shall declare that after the judgment given for condemnation of the party by commissioners specially delegated, the same was newly examined by the three estates of the realm in Parliament, and by them all in their several places of session confirmed, and by them afterwards urged to be executed without delay, for the which they came sundry times to her majesty's presence with public requests and prayers. But yet, so much did her majesty's mind repugn to assent to their desire, as after sundry repulses made to them, being the three estates of parliament, they departed with no small grief of mind for her refusal.

In like sort it is well known how after the parliament ended both her private councillors, and the councillors of the realm, continued their former solicitations for her assent to justice, but yet they were dismissed all unsatisfied, with no other reason but that it was a natural disposition in her, utterly repugnant to her mind. And of these arguments before the fact done, to prove her manifest unwillingness and repugnancy, the times, places, and persons were so many that there is nothing more notorious in the court or the country, as yourself can particularly declare. And so she still continued her mind constantly, to the great grief of all that loved her.

Now, for the present time and manner of the fact done, she was utterly ignorant, and so all such of her Council that had any knowledge thereof confessed that otherwise than by a report of one of her secretaries, whose office was in all great affairs to deliver to them knowledge of her majesty's liking or misliking, they never knew by any speech of her majesty of her assent or knowledge of the thing to be done. But yet such was the universal desire of all persons to have justice done, as none of them had any disposition to doubt of the reports.

And so it appeared manifestly that her majesty was ignorant, and the report made of her assent untrue, as afterwards it was confessed and proved. For upon knowledge brought to her of the deed done, rather by common fame than by any direct signification, she fell into such deep grief of mind, accompanied with daily unfeigned weeping as the like had never been seen in her for any accident in all her life, and joining to her sorrow her offence, she charged all her councillors which were privy thereunto, most bitterly. And though they affirmed that they thought she had assented to the matter, being both just and necessary for herself and her realm, as they were informed only by the Secretary, yet she not only commanded the Secretary to the Tower, who had confessed his abuse in the report, but also commanded the greater part of his principal councillors to depart from her presence, notwithstanding the great need she had of their services at the same time.

In this manner they continued a long time banished, and she herself a long time also in sorrow. And for further declaration of her displeasure and offence against them, she sent for divers of her judges and men learned in the law, declaring how she had been abused and charging them straightly to examine not only her secretary of the grounds of his action, and how many were privy to the same, but also the more part of the Privy Councillors.

To that end she gave a large commission to a number of the noblemen of the best estates of the realm, and to two archbishops, and all other her chief judges of the realm, to proceed to the inquisition of as many as might be found culpable herein. And after several examinations had of divers of her greatest councillors, to their no small disgrace in the sight of the world, and after such inquisition used, finding no direct matter of offence in any but in the Secretary, they publicly proceeded against him by open sentence, adjudging him to imprisonment in the Tower of London, and to the fine of 20 marks, notwithstanding his presence for his fault that he had done the same as moved in conscience to do that which he misreported, for the safety of her majesty's person, the performance of justice and the contentation of the whole realm.

Of this proceeding and sentence there remains a very solemn and public act in the highest court of the realm next to the parliament, by the which also is declared as well by the voluntary confession of the Secretary, as by many other good proofs, the ignorance of her majesty, and her unwillingness to have the deed done.

Of all these things your lordship has as much knowledge as any other of the fame of the proceeding. And yet because your lordship may more directly affirm the just ground of this sentence in clearing of her majesty, I send unto you the copy of the act and sentence in the Star Chamber, with the names of the persons that were judges there at that time, whereby your lordship may more particularly maintain the verity thereof. In like manner, because your lordship was privy to the notable suits made to her majesty by the parliament, and of her refusal and unwillingness to assent to their desires, for your particular remembrance of the things there passed, I send also unto you the report of the same as immediate after the parliament ended the same was written and printed, directed to my Lord of Leicester—a thing confessed by all persons to be very truly reported.

Now, my lord, her majesty having the testimony of her conscience clear, and so many full proofs of her innocency, she cannot but think it very hard to be moved by the King to have further trial, and for that she knew the King's ambassador Archibald Douglas was privy to all these things, though now it be alleged by the King that he did not allow him as his ambassador, which was a thing utterly unknown to her, yet she cannot think that he omitted to notify the same to the King, either directly by his own letters, or otherwise by messengers, having had the use of very many, all this last year past, of good report and credit.

And as to certain articles delivered by him to the Queen's majesty on behalf of the King, and answered by her majesty very friendly and kindly, whereof the King alleges ignorance, her majesty is very sorry to have been so abused, for that she persuaded herself that her answer, being declared to the King, ought in reason to have satisfied him. And for his further contentation she thought also that your lordship had heretofore made Carmichael acquainted with the same, for that upon some signification from your lordship of the doubt of the sending of those answers by Archibald Douglas, I sent to your lordships a copy of the substance thereof, which, if you did not heretofore show to Carmichael, you may now impart the contents thereof to him, adding that if after the consideration thereof by the King he shall acquaint her majesty wherein he will require her majesty's further performance of anything therein promised, she will be ready to perform it.

6½ pp. Draft. Alterations in Burghley's hand. Indorsed by him: "Rob. Cary."

Copy of the same. Indorsed: "3 Aprilis. Touching the Queen's ignorance about the execution of the Q. of Sc."

334. Monsieur D'Esneval to Monsieur de Courcelles. [April 3.]

I have been for the last fortnight at Gazeran to set in order some affairs that I had there, whence having returned to-day to this town, I have found a despatch which his majesty sends you ready to start, with which I have been fain to put this note, to tell you that this little journey which I made to Gazeran aforesaid has caused some delay in your affairs, not having been so warmly solicited in my absence as if I had been here present. But now that I have returned and am assisted by the presence of Monsieur Pinart, I hope that we shall have better justice than we have been able to obtain in the past; and chiefly on account of a warrant for five hundred crowns which I have lately caused to be granted to you, wherewith you will very soon be succoured, awaiting other better commodity and my return thither. I have often written to you all this time past, whereunto I await reply from you with great eagerness, being very desirous to be able to hear that all is going well there. As to news of these parts I will reserve myself to acquaint you more fully therewith an other time, confining myself, for this occasion, to that which you will learn thereof by the said despatch from his majesty, and what the said Sieur Pinart may also write to you thereof. Paris. 13 April 1587. Signed: Desneval.

¾ p. French. Addressed. Indorsed.

335. Proposition concerning the Administration of Laws in Scotland. [April.] Cott. Calig., D. I, fol. 215.

". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … of this commonweal efter ryp advyse … … … … the glory of God and uniformitie of religion, abolishing … and ressaving of the treuth."

"… … onelie for the observing of the precept that man sould love his nyctbour … that it sould not be leseum to thevis or rubbers to have place in the land … lauborars of the grund and uthers the Kingis liegis for the suppressing of uthe … he bene justiciars and guardians instatute quha never have abusit the office … as this day that declaris thame selfis favorars and intertenears of thevis, opp … …, raisers of fyre and murtherers, quha may be callit conforme to the act of parliament to underly the lawis, and puneist in thair bodie and guddis for resset of theft … murtherers. The tenor of thei tway articlis being weill ponderat, it sall eselie be sene quha is the wilful breker of the prencis law, and the cheritabill law that hes ordaynit to mankynd and to put the same in execution by way of act."

"Regles pour le Roy et son pays."

"Becaus the people of the land ar subject to divers emotions mair depen … of will nor reason, and that certane it is that the Spanish King quha is maist liklie to subdew and subject the previlegis of the Law Cuntreis in Flanders and … tyrannicall governement to thrall the consciences of gude Christiens ther red … be that moyen to send his forces in this realme to do the lyk as in Portugal and uthers places, unto the quhilk attempt the nobles of Scotland addictit to Papistrie have conspyrit indeid, and the inferior sort not … … that practik in thair hairtis, reddie to employ thameselfis quhilk undouttitlie is preiudiciall to the King and estait, to alter baith cevill and ecclesiasticall policie, subvert the Kingis royall dignitie, to mak him subject to Roman and imperiall powar altogether usurpit."

"It is necessair that thir interprisis be prevenit be the best way that possiblie may be devysit. First that uniformitie of profession may be estableist amang the subjects conforme to the law, for eschewing of forayne tyrannie quhilk is gret and cev … discension quhilk is mair odious and hurtfull to the countrie becaus in that belyf nather Prence nor commonweal is respectit. And gif parteis having discension not eselie to be reconcelit will not subject thame selfis to reasonable arbitration, bayth the cheif be incarcerat and thair fameleis and kynnisfolk commaundit to obey the chargeis of tua newtrall persones for the preservation of the … … the 'manveindor' foresaid and defence of the Prence in his inequitie of … with the estableist constitutions of his parliement … …"

"Secundlie that everie nobill subject geve attestation of his obedience writ under his subscription manuall, that he may conferme his association with his Prence be that moyen as inviolable with this condition that everie … … cum in the contrar ather wilfulle or be … of his nyctbour, he sall forfett his heretage for ever to be applyit to the use of his Prence and anexit to the croun alsmoche for crymes of lese majeste and betraying his … The association sall contene ther heiddis … ence to the Prence in a … actionis and caussis, that it sall nott be lesum to the subjectis to reclame from his jurisdiction for quhatsoever respect and to defend and mentene … and … bayth in word and dead aganis his rebellious subjectis gif ony sall appeir to … and speciallie aganis tyrannicall strayngeris professing another forme or religioun than that at the present estableist in thir realme."

1 p. In a Scottish hand. No indorsement.

336. [Burghley] to Hunsdon. [April 6.]

My very good lord, though you will think it long since you sent hither such articles as Carmichael brought to you from the King of Scots, having had no answer thereto, yet besides the let of my sickness, whereby I could not have opportunity to solicit her majesty, which has been some cause of delay, in very truth I understand that her majesty upon the reading of the said articles, found such cause of misliking of sundry parts thereof as she was not well disposed to make any answer thereto.

But yet at length because neither the King shall think himself neglected for want of answer, nor yet her majesty willingly suffer him to take so strange course as he does in his form of answer without a friendly and plain admonition, her majesty has commanded that you shall let him know both the causes of her misliking, and her opinion also for redress thereof, in this sort following:—

First, where he pretends that he could do no less than suspend such form of intelligence as had been between them until he might have a full trial of her innocency, neither could he, notwithstanding her majesty's declaration made to him by her letter and message, do no less than suspend his judgment till further trial was made.

In this strange manner of speeches, with some other following, as though her majesty had given no proofs of her innocency, the King offers to her majesty great cause of offence, for not only hereby he seems to have a hard and doubtful opinion of her innocency, but in a strange manner to require a trial thereof.

For the first, considering how she has by her own letters and message clearly, and as she would answer before God, ascertained the King of her clearness for knowledge, assent, or allowance of the fact, and afterwards by public proceeding in the face of the world and in place of the highest judgment of her realm made it manifest by good proofs how that fact was committed not only without her knowledge but against her will, and in what sort her name and authority was abused by a secretary of hers, being for the same, upon his own confession beside others proofs, openly condemned and punished, her majesty, knowing herself innocent as she does, must think herself very hardly used to have the same, after such evident proofs, brought into doubt and question.

She would never do the like against any person in a cause so evidently proved, much less against a Christian Prince of birth and state. But more strange it is that the King also by his words seems to exact a further trial for his satisfaction, wherein her majesty marvels what kind of further trial he would have, other than has been. For if neither her own word and writing as a Christian Prince, with the testimony of her conscience, nor unfeigned sorrows for the fact without her knowledge committed, nor her grievous offences and indignations against such as were privy to the matter, and concealed it from her, nor yet the earnest and severe proceeding to try out the offenders, nor the judgment in public place given him that was the principal and the only offender, shall serve for a trial to clear her majesty, it must necessarily follow that such as will not therewith be satisfied, are to be thought either peremptorily or unnaturally disposed to reject all truth and reason, and howsoever they may seem to use the words 'to have trial,' yet indeed to allow of none.

And therefore, because the circumstances of the proofs may better appear, your lordship shall declare how earnest, before the fact done, the demands of the parliament were, by sundry long declarations and persuasions used to her majesty, to have had her assented, and yet how always her majesty refused and with a natural repugnance of her mind denied it, to the offence of all her people, at which actions yourself was present.

And for the abusing of her by her secretary in making a false report of her majesty, to procure the execution directly contrary to her will, and without her knowledge, your lordship shall have the form of the process against him, and his own confession in place of judgment, and the sentence given by persons of the greatest estate and the principal judges of the realm against him, which was not done in any private place, or in private form, but in the highest court of the realm.

And after you shall have declared these proceedings, with their circumstances, you shall say that her majesty cannot imagine what other course she might take further to content him, except he should propound to her majesty some of these three projects that follow:—

First, to have her majesty to proceed otherwise than she has done, to show her displeasure against such of her Council as was privy thereto, but yet altogether deserved by the secretary affirming to them that she had assented, which indeed they seemed to be glad of in respect of the surety and general quietness of the realm that might grow thereby.

Secondly, to demand the blood of the secretary to be shed without warrant of law, and generally to the abhorring of the people of the realm, whose good wills her majesty thinks the King would be very loth so to lose.

Lastly, to have the said secretary sent to him, by whom he may be duly and clearly informed how innocent her majesty was for this fact, and how culpable only he was himself for the sin. But yet it may also be doubted if this latter will smally avail otherwise than to have malice extended against him without profit.

Finally, you shall conclude that if it shall please the King like a Christian Prince to think of her majesty as a Prince that would not offend God in avowing of an untruth, and as one that if she had been assenting to the fact she might have avowed as just by the law of God and man, and so she would not have feared to have done, and thereupon will change this his late course showed by his answer, and return to the form of their former intelligences and exercise of kindness and amity, he shall find her majesty as ready to show trial offices of firm friendship not only in words but also in deeds as he shall or can reasonably require.

4 pp. In Burghley's hand. Many corrections. Indorsed: "6 Aprilis. 1587. The last draught."

Copy of the same. Corrections in Burghley's hand. Indorsed by him: "To ye L. of Hunsdon for ye K. of Scottis."

337. Elizabeth's Answer to certain Propositions. [April 7.]

"Her majesty's answere to certaine propositions made by the ambassador of Scotland."

First, touching the yielding of some honourable satisfaction for the execution of the King's mother, her majesty says that she doubts not but where the ambassador shall have made true report both of her particular grief—whereof he himself has been an eyewitness—and her severe proceeding against the principal actors therein, as she assures herself he will, the said King his master will, as in reason he ought, rest satisfied withal.

Secondly, touching the doubt conceived that the sentence given against the said King's mother may work some prejudice by corruption of blood, to his pretended title after her majesty's decease, her majesty offers in case the said King shall not rest satisfied with the opinion of the judges delivered by speech in the presence of the said ambassador and his colleague Mr. Keith, as also in the presence of certain her privy councillors she can be content for his further satisfaction, that divers of the principal commissioners, together with the judges, shall testify under their hands, that the said sentence does in no sort prejudice any pretence he may make to the said crown.

Thirdly, touching the inheritance belonging to the late Lord Darnley, her majesty prays the King to consider that she cannot yield therein in course of justice without first examining the title, in respect of the pretence made to the said inheritance by the young Lady Darnley, by opening and unfolding thereof there might fall out some such matter as would not be to the King's best liking: for the avoiding whereof—in respect of the good will she bears unto him—she has thought it meet to sequester the land without regard of any particular benefit to herself, being otherwise disposed—as already she has made it appear to the King—to extend a far greater benefit upon him than the said inheritance can in any sort yield.

Lastly, touching the griefs of the subjects, her majesty has given order to certain special commissioners, as your ambassador knows, to see satisfaction yielded, agreeable with justice, to such of the King's subjects as shall be found by good proof to have been damnified by any of her highness' subjects.

4½ pp. Draft. Corrections in Walsingham's hand. Indorsed.

338. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [April 8.]

"Pleis your honour, upon Thursday last it was her majesteis pleaser to promes that yow shuld informe me before Saturday of what solyde course her hyenes wold be pleased to go throw wyth the King my maister. In this mydd tyme it pleased her to command me to absteyn from wryting theyther. Albeit be letteris that I ressawed this morning be sea, berand dayt 11° Aprilis, and be wtheris that I ressawed from your self of the dayt 1° Aprilis, it may be considered that the present state of that cuntrey requires that gud adwise shuld be send to his hyenes my maister, zet must I obey her majesteis command, and thairfor must tak the boldnes to pray yow to put her majestie in rememberance of her sayde promesse, to the end that I may perform my deuty to my sayde maister."

"And so awayting upon your anser, I tak my leave, this 8 of April. Your honouris alwayis to be commandit, A. Douglas."

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

339. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [April 9.]

"Sir, I have onderstande be the reporte ressaved from your honour of her majesties meaninge anent that matter it pleased her heighnes to speake to me upone Thursday last such diwersitie in meaninge from that I consawed that I cannot tell what to write therof to my master, nather what to thinke thairupone with my selff."

"It did appeare to me that her majestie wold have had me fullie to have satisfied the King my master anent the contentis of the first article, concerning the decreit gevin aganis his mother, whiche be your honouris reporte I persawe to be limitat."

"Item, in lyke maner it did appeare to me, albeit her majestie did alledge that the title of the landis whiche did appertene to single the Earle of Lennox was doubtfull to whome it shuld appertene, that she rather inclynit to mak gift therof to my maister than to suffer him to come to the successione therof be forme of law, wherwith incertan what to do she twik herselff to adwisit, and now be your report it wold appeir that she wold mak Ladie Arbella competitour to him as haveing enteres to the saidis landis or appering right thairunto."

"Item, that her majestie is altogether myndit to insist in her excuse and justifie her innocencie of this late fact agains the Quene, mother to the King of Scotlande."

"Trewlie, sir, gif ather her majestie or your honour shuld stand in doubt of my upright meaning for the helpinge to repair suche mater as is owt of France in that realme, I ressaved at your handis therbye grit injurie, whiche I lwike not for, wherupone I do presentlye tak the gretar boldnes to unfolde onto your honour my opinione in these materis, wherwithe I wold be content her majestie may be acquented."

"As to the first article, albeit it be a matter of no grit importance gif that whiche the judges affermis to be law be trew, yit the forme therof as it was spokin in presens of my lord tresorare being performed wold carye some appearance of outwart satisfactione to my maister and to his subiectis, at the leist furneis grounde wherupone I might founde argumentis to mowe my maister and his said subiectis to think that ressone is offered onto them, whiche is the gretast effect which I think this first article can wirk."

"As concerning her majesteis purgation of this lait fact, trewlie, so far as I can imagine therbye, her highnes offerris to my maister gretar adwantage than weill can stand with her honour. The fact is knowne to be done within her realme, and be her proceadingis it will appeir that she ackawledgis the unjustice therof, and yet offerris na satisfaction therfore."

"Besydis this, one of the gretest sclander [sic] that boythe my maister and uther Princis consaiveis of this proceadure hathe bene that she, being ane sacred Prince, is judged be the voice subjectis, whiche faut is not takin away nether dewydit from her owne doinge be onye matter contenit in her excuse that hathe beyn offered. When I shew this mater to her majestie, it was her pleasour to anser that she might hawe done all that was done upone suche ressone as it was her pleasour to utter at that tyme."

"And gif those ressonis be trew, wherupone I mynd not to move any argument, the hole proces and all that followit is more able to be justified be those ressonis, and hathe gretar appearance of princelie dealinge, then to introduce suche matter as may bring her majesteis plane dealinge that hitherto had bene esteamed voide of all questione in so doubtfull termes that men shall not knaw what to belewe in onye tyme heirefter."

"So far as may concerne her majesteis meaning to mak the Ladie Arbella competitor to the King my maister in the landis that did apperten to the late Earle of Lennox, and his awis, trewlie, sir, I can not persuade my selff utherwise bot when her majestie shall considder that therby she oppinnis a vindow to my maister to forme ane requeist be himselff, and to mowe all uther Princis to requeist with him that the right of that lande may be devydit be her parliament, but it will than pleis her highnes to thinke that therbye gretar matteris may be brocht in questione than her majestie shuld be contented to be decydit upone there. For my owne part, I was ever of this opinione that a more solide and quiet course might have bene takin with that young Prince, wherby all these curious questionis might hawe bene bwried."

"I twik upone me this jurney to this realme for this effect, that such ordour might have bene takin heir that he shall have bene induced to have belewed that his owne cuntrey culd not have bene quietlie governit at home without her majesteis assistance, which might have bene perfourmed gif her majestie wold have cummed or yet wold come to any finell resolutione. Bot it doeth appeare that the Almightie God who governis the hartis of all Princis will not suffer that gude worke to go fordwart be anye suche meanes as men dewises."

"My maister is lyke at this tyme be uther meanes then herris to be maister ower his realme, wherof I am glaid, bot wold hawe bene moir glade that it might hawe proceaded from any grounde careinge apperance to haif cumme from her."

"In all this it hathe bene your pleaser to informe me of be derectione from her majestie, ther doeth appeare nather assured grounde nather gude forme wherupone I can mak depeshe to mowe my master to tak anye assured course in her effaires with hir heighnes. Therfore I hawe thocht it best, leist abstening from wrytinge might do harme, to mak ane short depeshe towartis him rather to retene materis in suspence than to incourage him to anye certaine resolutione onto suche tyme as her majestie shalbe pleased to more fullye and assuredlie utter her meaning to him what course she myndis to tak with him: in what kynd or degree it shall seame best to her heighnes to do it, I must leawe it to her more gravear consideratione."

"Becaus I hawe rwined my selff throw longe awaitting heir, onder hoipe to hawe done gude service to boythe there majesteis and ther realmes, I must pray your honour to mowe onto her majestie suche mater as doeth concerne the Master of Gray."

"The jewellis layde in pande, for the whiche I hawe gewin my worde, will be worthe the sowme of 1100l. to her, gif thai shalbe lowsed, and gif not, thay will pereish and I condemned in the sowme of 600l. more then the principall sowme, throw forfaltour of my bande, gevin for no uther respect bot for her majesteis service. If it shall pleis her majestie to helpe me owt of this trouble wherin I am fallin for gude meaning, I shall not fall in the ylike for that man, oneles he shall better deserve it than hitherto it hathe appeared."

"I wolde be glade to know her majesteis pleasour in this mater, to the end that I might prowyde for my releiff the best maner I may before my departure. And so praying your honour to excuse my boldnes in these premissis, I tak my leawe. From London, this ix of Aprile, 1587. Your honouris alwayes to be commandit, A. Douglas."

3¼ pp. Indorsed by Thomas Philippes: "From Mr. Archibald Douglas to Mr. Secretary Walsingham. Towching the Q. satisfaccion of the K. of Sc. after his mother's death."

340. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Thomas Phelippes. [April 10.]

"I hawe sene the extrait of my lettre, wherof I do lyke verie weill, be reasone it is consawed according to the meaning therof. I hawe added two or thrie wordis upone the occasione of some adverteisment whiche I ressaved sen the writing of the said letter, whiche ye will persawe be the reding of the said extrait that I do returne to yow with this berare."

"I hawe made ane depeshe for Scotlande. I wold be glade Sir Francis might see it before it war sent away. Gif his lasare can not serwe I shall declare the contentis yarof to his honour at meting."

"As to that matter that doeth concerne the Master of Gray, I am content it shall rest accordinge to his owne dessire, and so I commit yow to the protectione of the Almightie. From Londone, this x of Apprile, 1587. Youris at powar to be commandit, A. Douglas."

½ p. Addressed: "To his speciall gude freind Thomas Philipps, for the pnt. at Courte, be these deliverit." Indorsed.

341. King of France to Monsieur de Courcelles. [April 13.] Cott. Calig. D. I., fol. 213.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February and eighth … … details of the affairs of Scotland; and even by the last … of the grief and displeasure [wherewith] the King of Scotland my nephew has heard of the execution of the Queen his mother my sister-in-law.

Which for my part I received with so much … … for the honour that she had had of having in her first marriage espoused the late French King my [brother] that I cannot put away from myself the remembrance of the great wrong that those have done who have caused so tragic and extraordinary an execution. I await news hereupon from my said nephew [the King] of Scotland, and the ambassador whom you say he wishes to send to me.

In the meanwhile, if he [speaks] to you, you can assure him that I shall never fail him in all good offices … … the friendship so long ago contracted between my predecessors and his and our kingdoms: [although] I have just occasion to complain, as I have already done, that he has so lightly … … himself with the Queen of England without communicating anything thereof to me or to the Sieur d'Esneval [my] ambassador there, who was then there, and without calling him thither, or paying regard to the … … which he made him thereupon. All which you will, however, keep to yourself.

But while awaiting the return of the said Sieur d'Esneval, which will be as soon as the passage shall be a little more …, you will still entertain in him the good affection which you write me that he has towards me, as he ought; and moreover he may well consider that my friendship and alliance [are] more useful and necessary than any other that he can desire, as his p[redecessors] have found by experience of mine; which you can enlarge upon by all [good] words and offers of friendship and benevolence towards him; whereof he ought to await the effects, according as I shall see his demeanour towards me.

[For the rest] I desire that you continue to keep me advertised often and very fully of all occurrences there, and that you address and send me your despatches by way of the Sieur de C[hasteauneuf], my councillor and ambassador in England, to whom you will make the first …, and address thereof, as you have been wont to do, unless some other [safer] opportunity by sea should offer itself, as sometimes happens.

Meanwhile I [may tell] you that I am about to proceed to justice against those who in these last days tried to surprise Soissons, who are of the new [opinion], come from Sedan, as is said, in order to do this. I will also tell you that I am sending … … against those who have taken possession of Dourlans and of Rotoy in Picardy to do justice [upon them]. Although I could much wish, while overlooking such faults, however great and heavy they may be, that those who have seized it might give it up, as likewise those who perhaps may have induced them to do it might bear themselves … … As also on the other side I could much wish that the King of Navarre … … … well to do the contrary, for they are preparing themselves to … … … foreigners into my realm. Which is the reason that I am about to … … make ready a strong and powerful army in which I intend to go in p[erson] … … anything which may be done for the honour of God, the welfare and repose of this kingdom [and the] relief of my subjects. Paris. 13 April 1587. Signed: Henry: Pinart.

1¼ pp. French. Addressed. Edges burnt.

342. [ ] to Walsingham. [April 26.] Harl. MSS. 292, fol. 56.

"I wrate unto your lordshippe in my last letters some purpose concerning the Master of Gray, wherof I have gotten no answer as yett, and therfore will suspende my judgement of that matter till I here your honor's opinion in particular."

"Alwayes—ut candide cum amicis agam—true it is that he is become a verye great enemye to yowr Quenes majestye, your contrye and all your procedings, and thinke [sic] hereafter til follow forth his first cowrse by all meanes possible, and so to give no occasion to the Catholikes to mistrust him, who as yett have no soch confidence in him as is requisite to effectuate any good turne."

"For the whilke cawse, after mature deliberation, esteming his standing to consiste in some notable turne to the advancement of the Catholike religion or alteration of the present estate, he accompanyed me with his letters of creditt to the Erle of Huntley, who being a precise Catholike mislikes also of the present state and government, and hath the whole nobilitye of this contrye banded together to assist and defende with him, and he with them in all his and theyr adoes, sike as Crauforde, Montrosse, Marshall, Ogilvye, Cathnesse, Sutherlande, Saltoune, Elphinston, Forbes, Graye, with the greatest part of owr hyelandes, and all the barons and contrye men."

"He offred in his letter and by me to lay a platt—having his assistance—to gett our Kinge owt of theyr men's handes, and so not onlye to move his majestye to take armes agaynst Englande, wheruppon libertye of conscience shold necessarylye followe, but also to persuade him to take jornye to France, that therbye all thinges might attayne to theyr desired effects."

"I travelled with my Lord Huntley in this purpose, who was more then willing therto and verye curious to know the forme of this plott in particular, promising all kinde of assistance to the furthering of the same that colde be required. For whilke cawse not having that in commission, he wrate backe with me letters full of creditt to the Master of Gray, having promised that one of his maist specialles, Capitayne Kar, who is a vehement Catholike, sholde have followed me with expedition, that he and I might have spoken with the Master at lenght in that purpose."

"Alwayes at my back cumming matters was altered and men putt to theyr dyett, partelye by his majesties riding uppon my Lorde Maxwell and partlye by the Master's disgrace, who hes not bene at cowrt since, and yett he assures me that his disgrace is nothing else but pollycye to please the Secretarye, his ennemye, and theyr Lordes Angus and Mar who hes alredye conceaved a jelousye agaynst him."

"The plott was that the Kinge shold have bene drawne to Dunfermelinge, accompaned with sike of his owne domestikes as were for the purpose and so to have perswaded his majesty to have written for my Lord of Huntley, who shold have bene with all his forces alredye coming forwarde for that effect; so that the King shold never have knowen the veritye of that enterprise till the turne had bene done, and matters settled with owt any hazard or danger of his majestyes awne person; whilke but dowte compelles him to temporise further with thir lordes that are abowt him then otherwise he walde doe; for having discovered sike attemptes of the Erle of Huntley and others meist his majesty forcen of and that as is supponed [rether] (fn. 1) by fayre facilitye of crafte they thinke it not nedefull that his majesty be in any wise forcen of his proceding, being assured to have his favor and good will whensoever theyr conspiracyes shalbe effectuated."

"My Lord of Huntley at his going to the cowrte the 20th of Aprill was stayed by a charge from the Kinges majesty, and yett came forwarde uppon the assurance of a letter from his majesty privilye convayed to him, whirby he was animated (fn. 2) by the way in Dumfermeling with the Master of Gray, and shold be there at his lordshippes backcuming, at what time full resolution will be taken of all purposes before specified."

"Uppon your resolution I shall not fayle to advertise yowr lordshippe in hast, to gether with any other thinge of importance shall occurre."

"In this meane time there is great apparance of an alteration at this present, and that in respect of the great miscontement together that his majesty is uppon the poynt to passe his yeares of revocation; whatsoever the Kinge hes done as yett with France, the Catholikes here hes no hope of it."

"The Secretarye puttes the Lorde of Fentrye in a great opinion that he shall move the Kinge to go the Frenche cowrse. By the whilke assurance Fentrye did what he colde to renew the frendshippe betwixt them, which was not effectuated. Fentrye writt into France in the sayd Secretaryes favor to the Bishop of Glasgo and others, but his letters were intercepted and [he] (fn. 3) had in the lesse estimation in respect of his overgreat simplicitye."

2²/3 pp. Copy.

Harl. MSS. 292, fol. 54.

Original of the same, partly in cipher, deciphered.

343. Laird of Poury Ogilvie to Walsingham. [April 26.]

I send you this bearer quite expressly to recall myself to your good graces, and seeing that I have been for a long time absent from the court also to learn good news of you and of your prosperity, and to let me know when you expect to be in the land of Fyff, that we may take our journey among the "sauvages" to see that country, their manner of hunting the deer, and other things wherein we shall there find pleasure and controversy, and according to your advertisement I will hold myself in readiness to bear you company both there and elsewhere. From your house of Ogilwy, 26 April 1587.

Postscript. As to the money which I received as a loan from your lordship, it will be in readiness against your coming into this country. Signed: P. Ogilwy.

½ p. French. (P.S. Latin.) Addressed.

344. Mr. Archibald Douglas to Walsingham. [April 29.]

Was of mind not to have dealt with her majesty in any serious matter during the time of her progress. Yet on receipt of his letters that it pleased him to send yesterday, wherein is some matter necessary to be known to her highness, has taken occasion by letter to the Lord Chamberlain to pray him to know when her majesty may be pleased that he should repair to her for that effect. Has thought it expedient to make him acquainted therewith, that he, upon knowledge of his diet in remaining at Court or elsewhere, may thereafter repair towards him, who in this suspicious time is so difficult to be found or talked with. London. Signed: A. Douglas.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

345. Reasons for Preferring Amity with England. [April.]

That it can be no way for the good of the King of Scots to harken to the advice of such as shall go about to persuade him, either for revenge of his mother's death or assurance of his interest in the succession of this crown, to join with the French and Spaniard, but every way to depend upon her majesty's favour and to seek to hold the amity of England.

First, it is not safe for any Prince to repose his trust and strength in those to whose desires and designs his greatness and good success may prove an impediment. Neither French nor Spaniard can simply wish him good. His religion is odious to them; and it is not likely they will be ready to do any great matter in favour of his continuing Protestant, considering it was the special obstacle which his mother's agents found in pursuit of the enterprise intended against England, 1584, when they treated of their association. Mendoza affirmed that it stood not with sense that the Pope, the King of Spain, or any other Catholic potentate, should employ themselves for advancement of such a one, who was likely to be more prejudicial to them and the Catholic cause than the Queen, being a woman, and commanding over part of the island only.

The conceit had that his mother's authority being at liberty should have altered his humour, caused them not to stand upon that difficulty, but hereupon his mother was moved to proceed after that manner in the enterprise now lastly, without any consideration of him, promising to make the King of Spain her heir in case her son became not Catholic.

It is merely repugnant to the policy of France, were it but in respect of the ancient claim England makes both to the crown of France itself and severally to the principal dominions thereof, in any case to suffer the uniting of this island under one Prince. So the French will but use him as an instrument—by all appearance—to hold the Queen of England occupied and in fear, as some of his predecessors have been, and if it be possible, to transport the war raised by the Guisards out of his own realm into this island, for the present, not caring what become of him and his title in the end, but wishing rather he should for the reason abovesaid run upon his own ruin and destruction.

The assistance of the Spaniard cannot but be most dangerous, considering every way his ambition, his practices, his power, his colour of right. For it is well known how they have figured themselves an empire over all this part of the world, what plots they have laid for compassing thereof, and specially the subversion of the liberty of the Low Countries and the conquest of the islands. They began to lay the foundation in Queen Mary's time. The Queen dying without issue, and her majesty that now is refusing his marriage, it was debated and concluded in Council to make a conquest of this land under colour of religion, by the Pope's authority, as appears by his courses at that time, clearly discovered since by the Prince of Orange, who was then of the Privy Council. He presently pretends to be, as he was a long time before the late Queen Mary's death, the next Catholic Prince of the blood of England, being heir of the Duchy of Lancaster, as may appear by the pedigrees and books published by his favourers, whereof the Bishop of Ross is one, among others.

It was practised during the Scottish Queen's life, by the Jesuits and a number of gentlemen, to have preferred his title to her prejudice by the way of election, as being the meetest manner to maintain the Catholic cause in Europe. It may be easily judged how far he would prevail of the donations made by the late Queen of Scots in her letters, whereof Don Bernardino de Mendoza, his ambassador in France, has already vaunted, openly blowing abroad his master's immediate right to the crown of England, as well by right of succession as by virtue of the Scottish Queen's gift, promised to be confirmed by her last will and testament.

Lastly, being the strongest, he would pay himself his hire, and dispose all at his pleasure, which should want no warrant so long as the Popes may be of his only and own making.

That the King of Scots, by change of his religion—if God spoil him so far of his—shall be able to mend the matter, and better his conditions in this behalf, is very improbable considering the same private respects shall remain on all sides. And the Spaniard has given an evident proof that his ambition cannot be restrained by any bonds of religion, honour, and justice, in the usurpation of the kingdom of Portugal. And what simple assistance may be expected of a King of France in such a case, so things may stand notwithstanding it imported his own estate, Don Antonio will testify.

Contrariwise, the King of Scots' revolt from his religion will be his utter overthrow, and be judged a want rather than a change of religion, lose him his natural and faithful subjects and well willers, and win him hollow-hearted friends. For what assurance can they have of his constancy when he has deceived their expectation who brought him up? He may not look at an instant to be inheritor of his mother's credit that way.

If he were assured that the French and Spaniard would without fraud second all his desires and enterprises, it were notwithstanding uncertain whether they should be able to prevail against the resistance and efforts of England, which, having a long time foreseen the danger of foreign invasion by his mother's practices, has provided for the same accordingly, the realm being thoroughly furnished with arms and munition, the freeholders and such as have to lose, trained in all counties, the Queen having many secret leagues and pensioners in all places to serve her turn upon an extremity, the riches of the realm and treasure not to be spared if such an occasion happen.

It were a madness then for the King of Scots, things thus standing, to hazard the loss of that which he is certain of, and depend upon an uncertainty.

Neither does the present state of the French and Spaniard permit them to assist the said King, as were requisite in such a resolution, France being entangled with an irreconcilable civil war which it lies with the Queen of England to nourish at her pleasure, and the affairs of Spain wonderfully disordered by the wars of the Low Countries, where the Queen has means to annoy him far otherwise, if he give her cause, by the cutting off his treasure from the Indies, which require a great part of his care and forces to repair what Drake has done, and to prevent the like hereafter, by the doubtful expectation of Don Antonio, whom the Queen may be provoked to set again in his kingdom.

Now this conjunction with Spain or France must needs quite alienate the English hearts from him, and will give the Queen occasion, where presently all other competitors are of no view in comparison of him, to raise up some of them to his prejudice, and perhaps such a one as may draw part of his foreign assistance from him. He cannot be ignorant what might be wrought even with the marriage of his cousin Arabella.

It lies in his own power to remove the offence that may have been taken already by the people of this land in respect that, contrary to their pursuit of the contrary, he has mediated for his mother's life so earnestly, if he leave when it is time, as he persisted while there was hope. He has sufficiently served his honour and reputation in mediating for his mother so long as there was hope, she being alive. But seeing she is dead, and that the justness and necessity of her execution was such, it shall be more for his honour to suffer himself now to be directed by reason in his proceedings than by passion or affection.

3 pp. In Thomas Phelippes' hand. Indorsed.

Copy of the same.

346. Household Charges at Fotheringay. [April.] C.P., vol. XXI.

An estimate of the household charges like to be at Fotheringay Castle after the departure thence of Sir Amias Powlet. By the week.

The charges of 33 persons of the Scottish Queen's train.

The diet of the Scottish train being 33 persons with all incidents belonging to it will amount unto by estimation—15l. 6s.

The charges of 6 horses allowed hitherto—28s.

And the wages of 2 laundresses for their sheets and napery, hitherto also defrayed by her majesty—16s.

Sum—17l. 10s.

The charge of 13 persons left of her majesty's household.

The diet of 13 persons to be left of her majesty's household, viz., Marmaduke Darell and his two men, five soldiers, a butler, a cook, a turnbroche, a labourer for carriage of wood and coals, and a purveyor, will be by estimation—118s.

The charges of 2 horses allowed to Mr. Darell—9s. 4d.

And the weekly wages of the said five soldiers and five household officers by estimation—24s. 8d.

Sum—7l. 12s.

For the service of both the families.

For falling, dressing, making and carriage of wood and coals, whereof Mr. Houghton the surveyor has the charge—66s. 8d.

And for divers necessaries, as rushes, brooms, carriage of water, cooperage of casks, and such like—16s. 8d.

Sum—4l. 3s. 4d.

Sum total—29l. 5s. 4d.

Signed: Mar: Darell.

¾ p. Indorsed: "An estimate of the weeklye expences of the howshold at Fotheringhay, April, 1587."