|
| March 1. |
723. Thomas Randolph to Cecil. |
|
1. Has sent five letters since coming to Berwick. Finds never
an honest man in his posts. Lethington is presently at Seton
to "air" himself before this convention. His wits are sharp
and his will good, but he is fearful to take matters in hand
as he doubts some thunderclap out of the south, which if it
fall in this country wrecks himself and his friends. Lethington has now only his heart whole and stomach good, an honest
mind somewhat more given to policy than to Mr. Knox's
preaching; his legs are clean gone, his body weak, and inward
parts feeble. To this the blessed joy of a young wife has
brought him unto.—Edinburgh, 1 March 1569. |
|
2. It is oft cast in his teeth that peace is made with France,
and soldiers ready to be sent over. This day was hanged
forth in the street an ensign of black satin, in which was
painted the King lying under the tree as he was found dead,
and the Regent in his bed with his wound open, and the King
on his knees crying, Judge and revenge my cause, O Lord!
Sends the Regent's epitaph of eight Latin verses by Buchanan
who never rejoiced since his death. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 2½. |
| March 1. |
724. War in Grenada. |
|
Confession of a Moor taken in Calahorra, 1 March 1570,
touching the numbers, equipment, and condition of his
countrymen. |
|
Span. P. 1. |
| March 1. |
725. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil. |
|
Warns him again of the great danger the Queen is in through
the machinations of the Cardinal of Lorraine. Thinks it were
better for the Queen's preservation that the Queen of Scots
were further out of the realm, as she being there the Cardinal
daily devises some mischief here to be practised by the Papists
there. In a tourney between the Duke of Anjou and Marshal
Schomberg, both went to the ground, and Monsieur has his
shoulder out of joint, and Schomberg has his face very ill
broken. They of the religion have won two other towns.
The Secretary of the French ambassador complains that his
money was taken from him by the searchers of Dover and
Sandwich, which he prays may be restored, otherwise none of
his servants shall return hither without the like usage.—
Angers, 1 March 1569. Signed, partly in cipher. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| March 1. |
726. The Cardinal of Chatillon to Cecil. |
|
Desires a license for Nicholas Boulangier, an exile for religion, to import from Flanders and retail in England a
thousand weight of white salt.—Sheen, 1 March 1570.
Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Fr. P. ½. |
| March 3. |
727. Lord Hunsdon to the Privy Council. |
|
The Thursday after the overthrow of Leonard Dacre, the
Earl of Westmoreland, Leonard and Edward Dacres, the
Nortons, and others assembled at Jedburgh in consultation,
and since then have been at Home, and Lord Home is determined to maintain them. They look daily for and out of
Flanders. Sends a letter which Drury has received from
Rowland Forster. Has placed 100 footmen and 100 horsemen
in the town of Wark. The castle is not guardable. Rather
doubts Newcastle than Wark. Sends a copy of Ferniehurst's
letter to the Laird of Grange. Has received 200 horsemen
out of Yorkshire, and thinks that they cannot find in all the
shire 200 so ill horses again. The footmen are as evil or
worse.—Berwick, 3 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 2¼. |
| Feb. 24. |
728. Rowland Forster to Drury. |
|
Is credibly informed the Ferniehursts and the Earl of Westmoreland intend to make proof of the town and castle of
Wark, and that they have made ladders for the scaling of the
same. Desires assistance, as he will not take in hand to
defend it with the numbers which he has.—Wark, 24 Feb.
Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 2/3. Enclosure. |
| Feb. 24. |
729. The Laird of Fernihurst to Kirkcaldy of Grange. |
|
Where he would have him forbear to ride in England, he
assures him that he has suffered thrice as much damage as he
has done. Will, however, do so if they can make him sure
that England will not invade or ride upon him or his friends.
—Ferniehurst, 24 Feb. |
|
Copy. Endd. P. 1. Enclosure. |
| March 3. |
730. Simon Musgrove to Lord Hunsdon. |
|
Since the overthrow of Leonard Dacres this country has
become very ill, for the very next day after the Borderers
wholly with Scotchmen have not letted to spoil as well the
good subjects as the rebels with such force, as the Lord
Warden was not able to deal with them. The Lords Home,
Herries, and Maxwell, and all the Lords of the West Borders
of Scotland will be aiders of Leonard Dacre, and he fears
greatly that the Douglases will also take his part. The
readiest way to overthrow these rebellious doings is to send
such a force as shall not only be able to save the Borders from
spoiling, but also to daunt those of Scotland who have received
the rebels, and to burn and waste their lands.—Carlisle, 3
March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| March 5. |
731. The French Ambassador to Cecil. |
|
Understands by his letter that the Queen is angry with the
detention of her courier at Amiens, and the publication of
certain writings at Paris. Does not offer any excuse, but
assures him of the wish of his master not to offend Her
Majesty.—London, 5 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. 1. |
| March 5. |
732. The Queen to Lord Scrope. |
|
Perceives by his letter the evil state of the Borders, and
orders him to levy such number of horsemen and foot soldiers
as he shall deem sufficient for their defence until the arrival
of the Earl of Sussex with her army. |
|
Draft in Cecil's writing. Endd. Pp. 12/3. |
|
733. The Queen to Lord Scrope. |
|
Understanding that the great multitude of her subjects
were incited to resort to the traitor Leonard Dacre, under
pretence of withstanding the invasion of the Scots and English rebels, she is content in such sort to extend her mercy as
by a proclamation herewith sent may appear. Means to except from the proclamation all constables, gentlemen having
inheritance in possession or reversion, and all such as have
any farms of her lands and are her tenants. |
|
Draft in Cecil's writing. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 6. |
734. Thomas Randolph to Sir John Forster. |
|
1. Desires that the Laird of Cessford may be well used, and
that Martin Elliott (who is laboured unto by Ferniehurst)
may be made sure. |
|
2. P.S.—"I pray you that the first good horse that any
man of yours doth steal let me be partner with him."—Edinburgh, 6 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
| March 7. |
735. Lord Hunsdon to Cecil. |
|
The Earl of Westmoreland has been at Linlithgow with the
Hamiltons. Lord Home has so far discovered himself to take
part with the Hamiltons, as his best friends in the Merse
have refused him. Has written oftentimes what succour the
Earl of Westmoreland has out of the bishopric, and many
times both Cuthbert and Christopher Nevil lie lurking thereabouts. The country is in a great hatred with Sir George
Bowes, so as he dare scant remain there. The country has
no man of credit to resort to between York and Berwick,
which makes many of the honest sort ready to fly the country.
Desires that he may have leave to lie sometimes at Bransby
[Brancepeth] and sometime at Newcastle, as he shall see
cause.—Berwick, 7 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 8. |
736. Robert Hogan to the Earl of Leicester. |
|
Craves his favour in his suits. It is a busy world here,
for there never wants one mischief coming on another's
neck. The taking of Tunis troubles the King very much, for
he may in no case suffer the King of Algiers to nestle there,
unless he will lose Sicily. There is news that the Turk arms
this summer 200 galleys and fifty ships. The King makes
great preparation of men to defend the coasts. There are four
camps to encompass the Moriscos, who be a great number of
stout and desperate men who will sell their lives dearly.
Signor Luis Quexada is dead of the harquebus shot which he
had. The Pope has given 600,000 ducats, and the Duke of
Florence 200,000 ducats in aid of the Catholics of England,
and order is sent to the Duke of Alva for the making of the
men and the paying the money. Commends the bearer, Hugh
Tipton, who has been long consul of the English nation here,
to him.—Cordova, 18 March. Signature partly obliterated. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
| March 8. |
737. The Queen to Lord Hunsdon. |
|
Is in hand to send the Earl of Sussex with an army levied
in the South not only to defend the Borders, but to avenge
the injuries done by maintaining her rebels and invading her
country. Would think him worthy of great praise if he could
take Fast Castle, where her rebels are fostered. Commends
the towardness of his son, the bearer, in his readiness to serve
her. |
|
Draft in Cecil's writing. Endd. Pp. 1¾. |
| March 8. |
738. Lord Scrope to Cecil. |
|
Has caused Livingstone, a boy brother to John Livingstone,
the Queen of Scots' servant, who minded to pass into Scotland,
to be searched for letters, but has found none. Has detained
him until he can know Cecil's pleasure.—Carlisle, 8 March
1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
| March 8. |
739. Reply of Charles IX. to the Deputies of the Queen
of Navarre. |
|
Copy of the reply made on 3 Feb. 1570 at Angers by the
French King to the deputies sent by the Queen of Navarre to
settle conditions for a peace, with notes of objections to each
separate clause, chiefly on the ground of want of security
for the fulfilment of the King's promises. |
|
Endd. by Cecil. Fr. Pp. 5⅓. |
| March 9. |
740. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil. |
|
Is informed by one whose advertisements he has always
found true, that the Ambassador of Scotland's secretary has
been sent into Scotland, to declare the King's intent of aiding
them, and further to require the Duke of Alva to be ready
to execute the enterprise already intended whereof Chapin
Vitelli is appointed to be the chief conductor. Moreover, there
is a gentleman of credit to be dispatched within four days,
with two ships, wherein are thirty or forty Spanish and
Turkish horses, and to land as near as possible where the
Queen of Scots is, and at such time as she shall ride hunting,
the said horses to be laid at the relay and she by force taken
away; which enterprise has been once already attempted but
failed, yet not then discovered. There are at two houses of
Martigues 4,000 corslets and 6,000 harquebusses, with other
armour to be sent to Dumbarton, for the furnishing of the
country. Also there is a man who has but one eye and a cut
over the face, the one part whereof burnt with gunpowder,
who is sent to work treason to Her Highness. The advertiser
of her proceedings is an Italian, whose name he has not been
able to attain unto. For her preservation it were expedient
to rid the Queen of Scots out of her country in such sort as
shall be thought most expedient. The Duke of Chatelherault
is dissembling in order to gain the friendship of both Protestants and Papists, whereunto Lethington persuades him what
he may.—Angers, 9 March 1569. Signed, part in cipher. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¾. |
| March 9. |
741. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil. |
|
Sends his letter to the Queen to him unsealed to use as he
thinks most expedient. The gentleman who will be dispatched
within four days he thinks is Strozzi. The marked man is
thought to be called Villenus, who has been in prison at
Rochelle for conspiring to kill the Prince of Condé, out of
which he and one Badcheko broke. Badcheko is a great
familiar of Baptistis of the Queen's privy chamber. Urges
him again to rid the Queen of Scots out of England.—
Angers, 9 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Part in cipher. Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1. |
| March 9. |
742. The Cardinal of Chatillon to Cecil. |
|
Has already informed him of the overtures for peace which
the Papists in France have made. Assures him that the
Queen of Navarre and the other Protestant leaders are
resolved never to agree to any unless the free exercise of their
religion is granted and the Queen of England and the princes
of the empire appointed guardians of the treaty. Declares
the goodwill that the Protestant party bears to England, and
the importance that this war should have a favourable issue
for them. The bearer can inform him of their plans for continuing the war.—Sheen, 9 March 1570. |
|
Fr. Pp. 2¾. |
| March 10. |
743. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil. |
|
Desires that the bearer, a French merchant, may have
restitution of his ship and goods seized by John Mitchell, near
Falmouth. Thinks he meant to arrive at Dumbarton with the
powder and harquebusses.—Angers, 10 March. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. P. ½. |
| March 10. |
744. The French King's Answer to the Queen of Navarre's Articles. |
|
A short discourse on the French King's answer to the
articles of the Queen of Navarre and Princes of Navarre and
Condé, acknowledging the King as their rightful sovereign, and
pointing out that considering they were driven to take up
arms in self-defence on account of the bad faith with which
the former treaty of pacification was kept, it is reasonable
that they should now require the assurances which are necessary for them, and which he ought not to deny. |
|
Endd. by Cecil.: 10 March 1569. Fr. Pp. 2. |
|
745. Translation of the above.
Endd. Pp. 2. |
| March 10. |
746. Lord Hunsdon to Cecil. |
|
Assures him that Burford and Calverly have used him so
ill that he and they will not serve in one place. Desires that
some further supply of money may be sent. Informs him
of the arrival of a great number of the Scottish noblemen at
Edinburgh. The overthrow of Dacres has disappointed all
the purposes of the Hamiltons. Is yet "St. Thomas of Ind"
touching the delivery of the rebels. The comfortable words
that Her Majesty wrote put him in great hope of some relief,
but reminds him that whilst the grass grows the steed
starves. Craves his furtherance for his coming up to Court.
Bestowed the keeping of certain of the rebels and their goods
upon some who served in that journey, the best of them not
being worth 20l., desire that the Queen will confirm the same,
as it will be some credit to him and some relief to the poor
men. Desires also to know her pleasure for the stewardship
of Middleham.—Berwick, 10 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 1¾. |
| March 11. |
747. Lord Hunsdon to the Privy Council. |
|
Has received their letters of the 3rd and 5th inst. As for
Burford and Calverly, he discharged them for two causes, the
one that having passports for six weeks, they have been away
since August and April; the other because he could not suffer
so great an injury as to have those who had their entertainment under him, to seek to serve under any other, he being in
the field; therefore he desires them to bear with him if he
denies their request in this case. Has sent Sir John Forster
some money, and requires that a greater proportion than 2,000l.
should be forwarded to him.—Berwick, 11 March. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 11. |
748. Instructions for the Earl of Sussex. |
|
Orders him to levy 3,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 horsemen
with whom he is to proceed to the Borders and do his best
for the apprehension of her rebels, who have fled into Scotland, and the punishment of those who have assisted them.—
11 March. |
|
Draft corrected by Cecil. Endd. Pp. 6¼. |
| March 11. |
749. Martin Elliott to Sir John Forster. |
|
Will come at any time, when he can make him sicker to come
and gang, for he has many unfriends. Where Forster desired
him to bind himself to no man he is still of that same mind.
Desires to know what he would have him to do, and for that
purpose would have him and some special servant to meet
him.—At the Reidheut, Saturday. Signed. |
|
Add. P. 1. |
| March 14. |
750. The Earl of Mar to Queen Elizabeth. |
|
Has understood from Randolph of her comfortable direction towards the preservation of the King's innocent person,
which animates him with greater boldness to employ his
care, travail, and attendance thereto.—Edinburgh, 14 March
1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. ½. |
| March 14. |
751. Extraordinary Charges in the North. |
|
Wages of 300 horsemen and 200 footmen and their captains,
amounting to 1,781l. 6s. |
|
Endd. P. 2/3. |
| March. |
752. Rate of Pay for the Earl of Sussex's Army. |
|
The Lord Lieutenant has 5l. per diem with 20s. allowance
of 30 halberdiers. Every captain of 100 horsemen, 6s.; every
captain of 100 footmen, 4s.; demi-lancers, 1s. 6d.; light
horsemen, 1s. 4d.; harquebussiers, 8d., and armed pikemen,
8d. It is not meant that the wages should continue longer
than the army continues. Armour and weapons to be had
out of the Queen's store for ready money, which will be repaid
when they are returned to the stores unspoiled. |
|
Draft chiefly in Cecil's writing. Endd. Pp. 2⅓. |
| March 9. |
753. A Memorial of the Earl of Sussex. |
|
A miscellaneous list of things required by the Earl for his
expedition, such as commissions, instructions, and warrants,
money, powder, provisions, and munitions. |
|
Notes in Cecil's writing. Endd. P. 2/3. |
| March 14. |
754. The Queen of Navarre to the Queen of England. |
|
Understanding that Captain Launay, who holds her commission to cruize against her enemies, has been detained in
England, she begs that he may be released.—La Rochelle,
14 March 1750. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Fr. P. 1½. |
| March 15. |
755. Transport of Munition into the North. |
|
Charge for the carriage of certain munitions to Newcastle
in carts, at 4d. the mile for 240 miles, amounting to 102l.;
242 tons, at 8s. the ton, are to be conveyed by sea, amounting
to 96l. 16s. |
|
Endd. P. 1. |
| [March.] |
756. Office of the Ordnance in the North. |
|
Note of such things as are necessary for the repair of Her
Majesty's ordnance at Berwick and other places in the north,
together with an estimate of the cost of the repair of the
Friar's Church called the Queen's manor at Newcastle, wherein
the ordnance and munitions are stored. |
|
Rough notes. Endd. Pp. 3½. |
| [March.] |
757. Office of the Ordnance in the North. |
|
Note of the numbers of pieces of ordnance at Berwick and
other strong places in the North, whose carriages require
repairing. |
|
Endd. Pp. 1¼. |
| March 16. |
758. Sir John Forster to Cecil. |
|
Sends a copy of Martin Elliott's letter, and desires to know
the Queen's pleasure as to how he shall deal with him.—
Alnwick, 16 March 1569. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 2/3. |
| March 6. |
759. Randolph to Sir John Foster. |
|
Martin Elliott is laboured unto by Ferniehurst to take his
part with his friends. If Forster thinks him to be used he
prays him to make him as sure as he can.—Edinburgh, 6
March 1569. |
|
Copy. P. ⅓. Enclosure. |
| March 11. |
760. Copy of Martin Elliott's letter to Forster of the 11th
inst. |
|
P. 2/3. Enclosure. |
| March 16. |
761. Sir Henry Norris to Cecil. |
|
Thinks that these moved in conscience with such and so
many injuries done to Her Majesty by the Queen of Scots can
neither reply thereto nor justly make any request in her behalf, having made so small an answer to her Highness's letter.
Wishes that it were printed for the satisfaction of those who
are in opinion that the Queen of Scots is unjustly dealt with.
Thinks the King and Monsieur are now satisfied, to whom he
finds a great part of the Queen of Scots' dealing was utterly
unknown. Seeing that since the keeping of the Queen of
Scots Her Majesty has not been void of danger, both abroad
and at home, and weighing the dishonour that would arise of
her escape, which she so often hath and does attempt, he
thinks it were better that by her departure some commodious
composition might be made. Thinks that thereby the redelivery of the transgressors might be attained. Has been
lately advertised by the Spanish Ambassador that his master
has gained a great victory over the Moors at Galera. These
being subdued, it is doubted whether he will divert his forces
hither or send them into Scotland. These here also cease
not to make great offers of peace. It is agreed between the
Kings of France and Spain that one of them shall not invade
England without making the other privy thereunto, and
within these two days has one been dispatched into Spain
with great speed and another into Scotland. Nothing causes
him more to fear false dealing than this unaccustomed smooth
speech, used to Her Majesty, denying that they sent any
forces into Scotland, when two ships landed at Dumbarton
with men and munitions from hence. When they are charged
with it they will say that the Cardinal of Lorraine did it, they
not knowing thereof.—Angers, 16 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 1½. |
| March 17. |
762. Sir Henry Norris to the Queen. |
|
Had audience on the 12th inst., when he declared at length
what was given to him in charge by her letter of the 23rd
February, the King, the Queen Mother, and Mons. Anjou
being present. Passing the first part wherein was mentioned
the Scottish Queen's usage of Her Majesty in his father's and
brother's time, and her fresher dealings no less ungrateful
than the former. The King suddenly required him to stay
and demanded why Her Majesty would not permit his servant
Monluc to go into Scotland. As this question was unawares
Norris answered that he had no particular instructions in this
behalf, but doubted not that her Highness would sufficiently
satisfy him. He then declared how well the Queen had
entertained the Queen of Scots, and the great care she had
rather to hide her faults, whereunto the King replied that for
all these commodities he wished she had free liberty to go
where she would, and the Queen Mother added that it would
not only be a great honour to Her Majesty, but also a firm
and faithful uniting of amity between them, and also that
the Queen of Scots had advertised them that she needed not
to have escaped into England had it not been for the confidence
which she had in Her Majesty. Touching the other parts of
his discourse of her ingratitude, her secret dealing of marriage with the Duke of Norfolk, and her intelligence with
the Queen of England's rebels; these points were wrapped
up in silence, but the summary and effect of their whole talk
tended to procure the Queen of Scots' liberty, with her reestablishment by Her Majesty's help into her realm and
country. Made further relation according to his instructions
touching the aid and munitions said to have been conveyed
to Rochelle, and denied that she made any levy in Germany,
though she had such friendship with sundry princes there that
she could be speedily furnished thereof. He further declared
the Queen's intention to prepare force both by sea and
land, and required the King not to conceive any jealousy
thereof, and further said that the Queen thought it an honourable act for the King to make a general pacification, and that
she would be glad to employ her credit with them of the
religion, so that she might see how they could be assured.
The King, as well to this as to the premises, said that he
would write to Her Majesty by his ambassador resident ere
long. Was sent for again on the 14th and early on the 15th.
Was brought to the Queen Mother walking in a garden, who
declared that he was sent for upon receipt of letters from
their ambassador, by whom they are advertised of the doubt
which the Queen conceived of the King's conveying forces
into Scotland, which he neither had done nor was to be persuaded thereunto, although there might be some solicitation
used to that end. She also counselled the Queen as a mother,
that in order to end her late began troubles she should set the
Queen of Scots at liberty, and herself take a husband for the
general satisfying of her subjects. Norris said that these
matters were of so great importance that he dared not enter
into talk of them. The Queen Mother earnestly desiring him
to advertise Her Majesty on these two points, he took his
leave and went to the King, who said he was much beholden
to Her Majesty for making him privy to all her proceedings
with the Queen of Scots, and assured him that he never
meant to make any preparations into Scotland, and wished
that the Queen would credit nothing but what she heard
through her ambassador.—Angers, 17 March. Signed. |
|
Endd. Pp. 3¼. |
| March 17. |
763. The Cardinal of Chatillon to Cecil. |
|
Has written to Rye and Dover to have that performed of
which Cecil gave him to understand yesterday discreetly and
without noise.—Sheen, 17 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. Fr. P. ½. |
| March 17. |
764. Lord Hunsdon to Cecil. |
|
1. The Lords at Edinburgh are broken up, and Huntley
and that faction returned home, they will not consent to any
certainty of government. |
|
2. The Earls of Morton, Mar, and their side are resolved to
remain in Edinburgh, by turns to keep the stake for all events.
The Earl of Argyle refused to come to the convention, and
finds himself much aggrieved with the burning of the house
at Linlithgow. Lethington comes within a day or two to
Fast Castle. His head governs Argyle and Huntly and all
that gang. Having certain intelligence that Egremont Ratcliffe, Jenye, the Patriarch, and other rebels, have prepared
a ship to pass into Flanders, he has fitted out a small bark
to intercept them off the Fern Islands. Mr. Randolph has
practised with the master of the ship, so he is in great hopes
to meet with them. Desires that a pinnace may be sent
hither and another to the river of Dumbarton. There is
nothing done at the Court, or resolved on amongst the Council
that they are ignorant of in Scotland. Expresses his goodwill towards the Earl of Sussex, but declares that neither he
nor any of the town will stir without special commission to
himself. |
|
3. When any number of men have been sent to the Borders
the governor of this town has always had a band of horsemen
and another of footmen during the time. |
|
4. Complains that he is here with less reputation and credit
than any who have had the charge heretofore. |
|
5. P.S.—There is in this town but 1,200 weight of corn
powder and 500 at Newcastle, which will scant serve one day
of service.—Berwick, 17 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Pp. 22/3. |
| March 18. |
765. William Douglas, of Lochleven, to Queen Elizabeth. |
|
As she was so good and favourable a mistress and friend to
the late Regent, and he so faithful and true a servant to her,
he craves that she will seek by all means the just revenge of
his innocent murder.—Edinburgh, 18 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 2/3. |
| March. |
766. William Douglas, of Lochleven, to the Lords of
Convention. |
|
Begs that they will revenge the murder of his late brother,
the Regent, which was committed by James Hamilton of
Bothwelhaugh at the instigation of the Duke of Chatelherault and the rest of the Hamilton's. |
|
Endd. P. 1. |
| March 18. |
767. The Queen to Randolph. |
|
Orders him to let that part of the nobility of Scotland who
are friendly to her know that she has appointed an army
under the Earl of Sussex to punish those who were maintainers
of her rebels, who at the same time are their enemies and
favourers of the murder of the late Regent. He is to ask them
to join hereto their goodwill and forces. Though it is not
expressed by words that her army shall come to maintain the
King, yet the maintenance of his estate must needs follow
when his enemies are weakened and suppressed. He may, if
he sees cause, say to some of the wisest that the Queen forbears any express profession of maintenance of the young
King lest she should be thought to have taken upon her to
have pronounced the lawfulness of the whole cause as it has
passed between the Queen of Scots, her son, and them. He
is to warm them against letting any French or Spanish
soldiers land at Dumbarton. |
|
Draft in Cecil's writing. Endd.: 18 March 1569. Pp. 4. |
| March 19. |
768. Proclamation by the Warden of the Middle
Marches. |
|
Orders that all those who have any complaints against any
of Tynedale or Reedsdale shall send in the names of the
offenders within ten days to the keeper of Harbottle.—19
March 1570. |
|
Written on a strip of paper. |
| March 18. |
769. The Earl of Sussex to Cecil. |
|
It is like that all the Borderers of Scotland hearing of this
force coming will use all their friends to procure assurance,
and do what they can to cover their faults, so he thinks it
not amiss to have good assurance of them beforehand, lest
otherwise they break hereafter at their best advantage.—
Exton, 18 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 22. |
770. The Vidame of Chartres to Cecil. |
|
Expresses his goodwill towards Cecil and desire for his
friendship.—22 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Lat. P. 1. |
| March 22. |
771. Frederic II. to Queen Elizabeth. |
|
Requests license for Simon Surbeg to export 300 cloths for
his private use.—Copenhagen, 22 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Lat. P. 1. |
| March 23. |
772. Queen Elizabeth to the Queen of Navarre. |
|
Complains of the seizure by Captain Sores within her jurisdiction of certain Venetian ships, which she desires may be
given up.—Hampton Court, 23 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Copy. Add. French Royal Letter. |
| March 24. |
773. The Earl of Sussex to Cecil. |
|
Has written to every of the warders to advertise him of
the state of their charges and of the borders opposite, and
other information, and required them to have good espial
of all intentions and actions in Scotland. Has written to
Randolph giving him to understand of his lieutenancy, and
sent him a cipher and required him to advertise the particular
disposition of every man of the Scottish nobility. There are
few gentlemen of any credit in this country who have not
offered to serve with him in this journey as private soldiers
in his band, which for their service at home he has forborne
to accept.—York, 24 March 1569. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. P. 1. |
| March 25. |
774. War in Grenada. |
|
Relation in Spanish of the progress of the war against the
Moriscos in Grenada. |
|
Endd. by Cecil. P. 1. |
| March 26. |
775. The Earl of Sussex to Cecil. |
|
Has intelligence that the Earl of Rothes is returned out of
France with assurances of aid from that country. It is also
bruited that force is already prepared and coming from the
Duke of Alva either to land in Scotland or England. One of
the Hamiltons and a "Rome runner" from the Pope has been
of late with Lord Home and the English rebels, who make
show of great contentation and comfort. |
|
P.S. on separate slip of paper. Desires him write to Randolph of the charge committed to him.—York, 26 March 1570.
Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. ⅓. |
| March 27. |
776. Thomas Randolph to Maitland of Lethington. |
|
Complains that he has not heard from him for a long time.
Laments the troubles and disorders in Scotland, and that the
remedy offered by the Queen of England is so little accepted,
which if they let slip they will make the gap open for their
own Queen to come home again or to let in foreigners.
Though he knows he is unwilling to this, yet he assures him
that he bears the burden with a great number who lament
his doings, and wish that he would employ his wisdom to
serve his country. Tells him not to be doubtful or suspicious
of Mr. Secretary. Advises him to cut off all particularities
and apply his mind to serve his country and his King wherein
already he has failed, seeing that Randolph being come to
serve his country he cannot have that advice of him as aforetime he had.—Edinburgh, 27 March 1570. |
|
Draft. Endd. Pp. 3½. |
| March 27. |
777. M. De Lumbres to Cecil. |
|
In behalf of Charles Vasques, a gentleman of the Low
Countries, who was arrested on Change at the suit of John
Beemand, a mariner of Norwich, for a false debt of 250l.
The said John being employed by Vasques to carry 160l. in
his vessel to Norwich, alleged that he was robbed of the same
but was sentenced by law to pay it, and now hopes by this arrest
to retard the execution.—London, 27 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. Fr. P. ¾. |
| March 27. |
778. Information against M. De Monluc. |
|
Charges him with having agreed to deliver over the province of Guienne to the King of Spain. The Seneschal of
Quercy, his alleged accuser, denies that he had ever made any
charge against him. Monluc has issued a cartel against all
his adversaries, saying that all who maintain that he holds
intelligence with the King of Spain are liars. |
|
Endd. Fr. Pp. 1⅓. |
| March 28. |
779. Robert Hogan to Sir Henry Norris. |
|
1. Has received his letters and whereas he desires to know
of the wild "rogge's" proceedings here, as yet it stays for the
time does not serve, and the matter is remitted to the Governor
in the Low Countries to provide what shall be necessary
therein, the King here having so many irons in the fire.
These wars of Grenada will shortly grow to an end. The
King has four camps wherein are in all about 38,000 footmen
and 4,200 horsemen, with which he intends to encompass the
Moors. Since they lost Galera, wherein were put to the
sword about 3,000 Moriscos, they never durst abide to keep
any town but render themselves to mercy. All the rest ask
mercy at the King's hands. They offer to build up the
churches which they destroyed, and to make fortifications
at any part which the King may appoint. Heard that the
Turk would come to the relief of the Moriscoes, also that the
Venetians had broken with him. The French have come
down towards Perpignan and Narbonne. The Duke of Florence is made Grand Duke of Tuscany and crowned by
the Pope, whereat the other Italian Dukes are not a little
offended. |
|
2. In Almaine the King makes 8,000 men. Into Flanders
shall be sent 5,000 more. The Cortes in this town have
granted the King 1,450,000 ducats. There is great preparation of victuals for the sea sent down to the coast of Galicia.
At Rome they go about to elect an English Cardinal, some
say the Lord Prior Sir Richard Shelly and Dr. Harding
are in the election. The Pope has granted 600,000 ducats
towards the aid of the Catholics in England, and the Duke of
Florence 200,000, the bestowing of which money the Duke of
Alva shall have. They have sent hither for aid long since,
and there has been a gentleman from them, and some say a
Scotchman about the Queen of Scots' liberty, about which
there will be great trouble and so much the sooner as the
Governor of Scotland is killed, and although the Catholics be
down they shall be set up sooner than all men think. There
shall want no practices or aid.—Cordova, 28 March. Signature cut off. |
|
Add. Endd., with seal. Pp. 3. |
| March 29. |
780. Lethington to the Earl of Leicester. |
|
In order to make him sensible of the sincerity of his meaning he will lay before him the "platt" of this country, which
is divided into two factions, the one for the maintenance of
the King's reign, and the other alleging the Queen to have
been unjustly deprived of her estate. The former is composed
of a good number of the nobility, gentlemen, and principal
burghs of the realm, and has the Queen of England's allowand protection. The other has some of the principal nobility
and a good number of the inferior sort throughout the whole
realm. There is fallen out another division accidentally by
the Regent's death grounded upon the regiment of the realm,
it not being thought tolerable that three or four of the meanest
sort of Earls should rule over the whole realm by reason of the
Queen's commission granted at the time of her demission of
the crown. This division has besides the Queen's faction a
great number who have hitherto preferred the King's obedience. If the Queen of England sends an army into Scotland
to overthrow this faction, it will move them to sue for the
maintenance of some foreign prince. There is arrived at
Dumbarton a galleon with a messenger from the King of
France to the nobility that favour the Queen to learn what
support they lack. It will not prove commodious for the
Queen to gain the friendship of the lesser faction and to lose
that of the greater. Recommends that she should by way of
treaty go about to pacify the whole, and so give them all
occasion to think well of her doings. If the Queen for the
pleasure of a few sends forces to suppress the many, men are
not so faint hearted but that they have courage to provide
for their own safety. Protests that he desires never to see
strangers set foot in Scotland, yet knows not to what point
necessity may drive men to. Force will bring forth no good
fruit for Her Majesty. It must be by some way of treaty
wherein Leicester already knows what is his judgment.—
29 March 1570. |
|
Copy. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 3. |
| March 29. |
781. The Earl of Sussex to Cecil. |
|
A Frenchman has lately landed at Dumbarton who is very
welcome to the Hamiltons and that faction. The Treasurer
only brings 4,000l., which is a scant proportion for 4,000 men
to invade foreign parts, which he beseeches him to declare to
the Queen. Some bands of the Southern men are already
come, but it will be the 4th proximo before many of the
horsemen come.—York, 29 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 30. |
782. Count John of Emden to the Queen. |
|
Begs that a vessel laden with salt, of which three of his
subjects, fugitives from the Netherlands on account of religion,
have been deprived may be restored to them. |
|
Ex arce Berhumana prid. Cal. Aprilis 1570.—Signed.
Add. Endd. Lat. Pp. 1⅓. |
| March 31. |
783. The Earl of Sussex to Cecil. |
|
Refers him to his letter to the Queen for information. Has
also written to Her Majesty for money, as this country is so
poor, and been so sore charged this year with service and
spoiled by the rebels, that there is little hope of money from
hence. Would be glad to hear of Sir Ralph Sadler's going
into Scotland. There has been some device to trap him by
the way, but will see him delivered safely into Morton's rule.
It will be time for the Queen to proceed speedily in her causes
for he fears that her adversaries sleep not.—York, 31 March
1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. P. 1. |
| March 31. |
784. The Earl of Sussex to the Queen. |
|
Upon his arrival he wrote to all the wardens to advertise
him of the present state of the Borders. Has received several
answers wherein they all concur that the English Borders be
greatly wasted and impoverished, and those opposite greatly
enriched. The people, for the most part, in the west and
middle marches not to be trusted, and the whole Borders of
Scotland joined together for the defence and maintenance of
her rebels. It is therefore conceived by the Borderers that
when her forces shall enter Scotland and remain 48 hours the
Scots will make a show of 5,000 or 6,000 horsemen, besides
footmen, and the wardens of the west and middle marches,
which be strongest of horsemen, cannot assure her of 800
trusty horsemen. The Hamiltons, Argyle, and many others
of the nobility of Scotland, animate them in all their doings,
and be joined in faction with them. Has written to Randolph
and sent him a cipher. Randolph confirms the coming of the
Frenchman to Dumbarton, and further that a Scot came from
France through England, who brought letters from the Queen
of Scots to the most part of the nobility to confirm them in
obedience to her, whatsoever Mr. Randolph may persuade to
the contrary in behalf of her son. Recommends that straiter
order be used for the staying such messengers. The wastes
and fells upon the Borders are such that if they once reach
those parts it will be hard to help the matter. The 4,000l.
delivered to the Treasurer will not stretch to pay the army
for twenty days. Reminds her of his petition at departing
that he might not be so scanted of money and other necessaries, as thereby her service should of necessity be slacked;
he bear the burden and shame, and she in the end feel the
lack.—York, 31 March 1570. Signed. |
|
Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 3. |
| [March.] |
785. Intelligence from Spain. |
|
1. The matters of Ireland are remitted to the Duke in the
Low Countries. The nobles of the West of Ireland have sent
hither a messenger. There is gone from hence an Irish bishop
to Ireland, who came from Rome with dispatches; he has
with him a page of the Marquis of Ser Alva, who is twentytwo years of age and an Irishman. There have been 6,000
men in readiness these five months, and although they say for
Flanders they are for Ireland, for there is arrived a great hulk
out of Flanders laden with armour. The Pope's Holiness commended the Lords of the North, and requested the King to
aid them, and he would assist them with money. They have
sent hither for aid, and the Duke of Alva has commission to
assist them. |
|
2. It was written to him by Sir Francis Englefield that
Lord Montague and the Earl of Southampton should have
been long since with the Duke of Alva, and also the Earl of
Cumberland's son and heir. The wars of Grenada will not be
made an end to this year. The King has above 60,000 men in
camp. There was never so much coin in Spain as at this day.
There came of late an English gentleman to the King. The
King is very angry with the Queen's Grace, who shall send to
him before he send thither again, and will be revenged of her.
News of the winning of Tunis by the Moors. On the 28th
Feb. came news that Don John of Austria going to view
Seron with 2,000 soldiers fell into an ambush, and had a
harquebuss shot in his head but for his morion. Don Luis
Quixada was shot in the arm and leg, and many of the gentlemen and soldiers slain. |
|
Pp. 1½. |
