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April 3.
Carlisle. |
6. Thomas Lord Wharton to Lord Protector Somerset and the
Council. I forward you a letter received from my spy named
Maitland. I am informed that some powder has been landed on the
west coast of Scotland, sent by the French King, and that Thompson their messenger, despatched with instructions to their ambassador, had them altered after arrival of the ships. John Maxwell,
Lord Maxwell's brother, has written me, requesting licence to send
up a priest to his brother. Let me know what answer to give.
[¾ page.] Encloses, |
6. i. John Maxwell to Lord Wharton. I want a passport for
John Bute, a chaplain, to pass to my brother, to know his
pleasure about certain lands vacant for non-entry, and
in the Queen's hands. The former chaplain for whom I
asked it cannot go, having a suit at law. I desire you to
take entries for return of the prisoners who broke out at
Annan, when I call for them. [2/3 page.]
Carlaverock, 31 Mar. 1547. |
April 5.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. |
7. Hugh Boyvile to Lord Protector Somerset. Hum. Wilson,
master of the Clement of London, laden with eight lasts of superfine
powder and other munitions of the King's, for Newcastle, mistaking
a church steeple five miles from Tynemouth, ran aground; but the
weather being fair, by the diligence of the country, the greater part
of the munition has been saved, only some powder is wet, and half
a last lost. If you will send some sulphur and saltpetre, and a man
that understands it, it can be made to serve. |
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Other two ships, the Mary of Odyan and Nicholas of Calais, have
arrived, but their cargoes are damaged by rats and moisture through
long lying. |
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We want makers of collars and traces, and to amend these and such
stuff of that kind as remains at Berwick. You left in my custody
100 harness for demi-lances, which are now not clean and fit for
service. Say what I shall do with them. [2 pages, damaged.] |
April 6.
Berwick. |
8. William Lord Protector and Council. Since
the receipt of your letter concerning the abstinence, I and my deputies met the wardens of Teviotdale, &c. and redress was done on
both sides, whereby this East March has been kept in quietness.
The most grievous thing committed since the abstinence was by seven
or eight Scots of Teviotdale, who came to Newton in Glendale, and
took away six or seven horses. The English rose and followed six or
seven miles into Scotland, but the Scots turned and took three or four
of their horses. I sent to the warden, who came and redressed it. As
the west borders of Liddesdale are broken, and men upon the Middle
March, and the outer part of this East March lies open, I have
caused watches to be kept night and day. If any offenders of
Scotland are apprehended in England, or any English commit March
treasons that ought to be punished by the border laws, I have no
authority to do it. I beg a renewal of my patent for sitting and
exercising authority according to justice. [1 page.] |
| April 7. |
9. The Council to Lord Eure. Devising regulations for tithes,
fishing, and other things in controversy between you and the captain
of the castle of Berwick, we have resolved as follows:—For division of the tithes, pasture, and meadows of the castle, you are to
use such order as was accustomed between you and Sir Cuthbert
Ratcliffe; and for better furnishing the captain, he is to have, at the
rent you pay, such parts of the castle as you do not yourself occupy,
as those tithes. meadows, and pastures were allotted for maintenance
of your household only. The lease of the fishing in the Tweed is
only to be granted by you both, to your joint commodities, and the
better furniture of your household. |
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The five castle watchmen now receive their watchword from you,
which breeds confusion and uncertainty; they are therefore to
receive it henceforth from the captain, being men of his retinue. |
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We hear that ships with gunpowder and ordnance have lately
arrived in Scotland from France, and proclamation was made at
Edinburgh for all men to be ready at 24 hours' warning, with
20 days' victual. Therefore we return you the captain of the
castle speedily, to have an eye to his charge, and require you to see
that your neighbours take no advantage of you, for lack of foresight and diligence. [Draft, 4½ pages.] |
April 7.
Shrove Thursday night, Carlisle. |
10. Thomas Lord Wharton to the Lord Protector and Council. I
have received your instructions how to treat the Scotsmen of Annandale who proferred service to the King. Sundry of the Irwins have
offered to serve, and to compel all the dwellers from the King's
possessions to Dumfries, except the Laird of Johnston and John Maxwell, to serve, if they, being poor, might have entertainment. Johnston repaired from the Governor to his house at Lochwood, 2 April;
called the principal men, and told them he had heard of their
suit to me; said that the Governor would give them great rewards
for their hurts, and that he and all the power of the realm would
be at Langholm before Low Sunday, so that they need not to make
suit to me. Divers inclined to him, and others continued their
suit. As Johnston made an overture to serve the late King and then
refused, I wanted to entrap him, and sent 40 light horsemen of
Langholm to burn a town called Wamphray, half a mile from his
house of Lochwood, and the captain and the rest of the garrison to
lie in ambush to relieve them, thinking the laird would come out
and pursue them. This he did, and took divers of the garrison,
but my son Henry Wharton and John Musgrave, with 300 men,
being in a second ambush, overthrew the Scots, and have taken prisoners the Laird Johnston, the Abbot of Salsyde, his brother, and
140 others; eight Scots were slain and many hurt. Of Englishmen,
four were hurt, but none slain or taken. The prisoners were taken
14 miles within Scotland from Langholm. Archibald Armstrong,
young laird of Mangerton of Liddesdale took Johnston. How am
I to order my prisoners? The King now has prisoners the Maxwells and Johnstons, who have borne great rule in the West of
Scotland. |
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I ordered the officers of Burgh and Gillesland to bring their best
horsemen to wait on my son, but none came. Pray put order for
their services to be more dutiful. If I punished a number, I know
not how it would set forth the service. |
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On your letter of 5 Sept. about the wife of John Benthrop, two
years prisoner in Scotland, I found an Englishman of that name
prisoner in Dysart, beyond the Forth, and hired two Scots to get
him away, but he had not spirit for it, and says he will be discharged
on paying 10l. ransom. |
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P.S.—The Laird of Johnston had three spears broken on him, and
is hurt with one. [2¾ pages.] |
April 9.
Easter Eve. Carlisle. |
11. Thomas Lord Wharton to the Lord Protector and Council.
I have had intelligence out of Scotland, that the Governor, with the
whole power of that realm, should have been at Langholm on Monday
after Palm Sunday, but the Earl of Huntley said he could not bring
his train into those parts at that time of the year, so it was deferred.
On the late proclamation in Edinburgh for all men to be ready with
provisions, they have appointed a general wapenshaw or assembly of
the whole force of the realm, on Monday the morrow after Low
Sunday; the Governor and power beyond Forth to be at Rosley
moor; Earl of Angus on Lanark moor; the countrymen of Carrick,
Kyle, Cunningham, &c. to assemble, and all to march to Langholm,
and against the King's possessions in the West Marches. Great provision of victual is making. I think this intelligence is true. [1 page.] |
April 9.
Berwick-upon-Tweed. |
12. William Lord Eure to the Lord Protector and Council.
Several of my espials have arrived from Scotland, and show that
proclamation was made in the Queen and Governor's name, for a
muster of all the inhabitants in the Merse and Lammermoor between
60 and 16, for 3 May, on Gresley Moor, and as many as can to get
white hats, alias great sallets. Also that last Monday the Governor
was in Edinburgh, and removed next day to Linlithgow. It is said
the assembly is either to attack Lord Grey, because he was bound
that those in St. Andrew's should keep their covenant with Scotland,
or to assault the Langholm. [1 page.] |
April 14.
Carlisle. |
13. Lord Wharton to the Lord Protector and Council. Not hearing again from the Earl of Glencairn about the advertisement be
gave me and Thos. Bishop in February, to know his resolution, I
caused Thos. Bishop and Patrick Crughorne to write to him to the
same effect. I enclose his replies. He has communicated his device
for coming, and asked my aid, which will be ready. I hear from
Scotland that great difference has arisen between the Governor, the
Earl of Angus, and George Douglas. It is said to be by means of
the Earl of Huntley, who favours Beaton to have the abbey of
Abroath. [¾ page.] |
April 16.
Carlisle. |
14. Lord Wharton to the Lord Protector and Council. I have
received a letter from James Steward, endorsed to me and Thos.
Bishop, which I send enclosed. [¼ page.] |
April 17.
Carlisle. |
15. Lord Wharton to the Lord Protector and Council. I send a
letter received from espial Maitland. I have other intelligence
from Scotland that there is great preparation made in that realm
for levying an army. [½ page.] |
