Border Papers volume 1: February 1585

279. Scrope to Walsingham. [Feb. 1.]

I send those "impacqueted from a verie good freind of myne," who desired them to be conveyed to you. Whatever answer you please to return him, I shall cause to be safely delivered. I thank you for the warrants which came in good season. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

280. Scrope to Walsingham. [Feb. 3.]

Signifying that on receipt of the Council's special letters of 20^th December, he had made proclamation forbidding all incursions, and sent copies both to the Lairds of Johnston and Farnehirst, to which the former had made a friendly reply, but Farnehirst had said nothing. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

281. Scrope to Johnston. [Feb. 6.]

Acknowledging his letter dated yesterday, by the Laird of Tynwald and Thomas Scott his clerk, and agreeing to a meeting and March day at "Greatno kirk on Thursday next coming xx^tie dayes," the 4^th of March, but unless principal offenders are delivered on both sides, it will be to small purpose—desiring him to advertise the King if he thinks fit. Carlisle the sext of Februar 1584.

1 p. Contemporary copy.

Inclosed in same:—

Clause from the treaty by commissioners at Carlisle and Dumfries in September 1563, as to redress, value for value.

¼ p. Copy in same writing.

282. Forster to Walsingham. [Feb. 6.]

I had a meeting with Pharnyhirste on the 4^th instant, but he could make no redress for any offences committed before his taking office—so we delivered for bills only since he entered. According to the Council's letter, I have spoken with the chief of the Elwetts and Armestrongs in the late assurance, and find them desirous that it should be continued till Easter next. I have discharged the garrison of foot which lay at Harbottle and other places since 2^d November last, and their pay till 25 January, "juste three monethes," is 322l., of which I enclose a note.

"There was a greate conspiracie wroghte of late against the Kinge of Scotlande by certen parsons who thowght to have slaine him, as I ame enformed by the Lard of Pharnyherste at our last meitinge, who delyvered me a tickett of the names of such as were the practisers thereof, which I send unto your honour here inclosed; and that the matter was opened by certen lettres which were intercepted upon certen of the noblemens servants of Scotlande now remayninge at Newcastle—as the said Larde of Pharnihyrste enformeth me, and that there is greate vengance like to arrise amonge them." I have paid the noblemen of Scotland at Newcastle 300l., according to your letter, and have spoken with the man who is to bring letters to me from time to time, and will not fail to convey them with speed to you, but as yet none have come from him. At my house nigh Alnwick. Signed: John Forster.

1 ½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the above:—

(1) Note of the garrison at Harbottle, &c., from 2^d November 1584 to 25^th January therafter when discharged.

Captain at 4s. per diem, lieutenant at 2s., ensign at 12d., two "sargents" at 12d. each, the "drom" at 12d., the 100 soldiers at 8d. a piece. Total, 322l. Signed: John Forster.

(2) (Farnehirst's "tickett.")

"The Larde of Drumquhassils, the Larde of Buchannane, the Laird of Duntraith, the Laird of Knokhill, Hary Schaw of Cammismor, Johnne Hoppringill of the Morhous."

In a Scottish writing.

283. Scrope to Johnston. [Feb. 11.]

Sending Richard Bell his servant to receive a note of the number of bills to be fyled and delivered at their meeting, and as to the mode of proceeding. Carlisle. H. Scrope.

½ p. Contemporary copy. Indorsed.

284. Scrope to Walsingham. [Feb. 11.]

Recommending to his favour the bearer his "verie freind Henrie Leighe esquier," who has certain affairs at Court. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

¼ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

285. Forster to Walsingham. [Feb. 16.]

I hear "that there is ane imbassadour appointed to goo unto the Queynes Majestie forthe of Scotlande, to demaunde the banished men, both the old banished and the Hewmes, and those which are last fledd for suspect of the conspiracie; ether to have them delyvered or put frome the Borders, and yt is suspected that manie mo shall not be put to deathe till the retorne of the said embassadour." The Justice Clerk is to be sent. I enclose the names of some of the last conspiracy already apprehended—their number is thought to be about 50. The Hewmes last fled are lying with Sir John Selbie at Twisell. I send two packets inclosed—one directed to you, and the other for the Larde Dowgles, which came to my hands this day about 2 o'clock P.M., they were sent to me from the man that you wrote about. Bamburgh. Signed: John Forster.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

286. Woddryngton to Walsingham. [Feb. 17.]

"Sir Lewes Bellenden, embassadour from the King of Scotland to her Majesty, arryved in this towne the xvij^th of Februarij at v of the clook in the afternonne and passd forth of the same towne the next day at viij in the morninge being the xviij^th of the same instant. . . . Ther is noe arraynment of any of the rest of the gentelmen who wear committed to the castell of Edenbrough as yet, but it is thought there wilbe, so sonne as these lairdes are apprehended—as the Laird of Cars-Monteth, who is not yet taken, the Laird of Duniparsse caled Leveston, the Abbott of Enchaffray, and the Laird of Glenlion, caled Camell. But it is sayd ther be many that flyes dayly forth of the country, every way wher they can gett receayt. The Prior of Collingame came over the watter the xj^th of this instant with ix^en or x^en horse, into the East March, remaninge at a place called Cornell, and ther aboutes. . . The Laird of Duntreth who was condempned with Drumquassell and the Laird of Maines (who was thought to be a furtherer of ther deaths) hath lost his wittes, and fallene made in the castell of Edenbrough." Berwick. Signed: Henry Woddryngton.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed: "Sir John Forster."

287. Forster to Walsingham. [Feb. 22.]

I send enclosed certain news of their dealings in Scotland, which seem very strange, and as I am informed are true. If you examine the Justice Clerk now ambassador at London, "I thinke he will not denie them, and as farre as I canne lerne by the utterance of his speaches, he is one that misliks of the goverment of Scotlande." At my house nigh Alnwick. Signed: John Forster.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

288. Forster to Walsingham. [Feb. 25.]

Sending him "a pacquet directed unto your honour," which he had received that day. At my house nigh Alnwick. Signed: John Forster.

¼ p. Addressed. Indorsed.