Border Papers volume 1: December 1579

39. Agreement as to Border Matters. [Dec. 31.]

For meeting between the Wardens of the East Marches for justice. The bill against Cuthbert Cranston to be omitted, according to the Queen's answer by James Murray on 29 July last.

Also between the Wardens of the Middle March of Scotland and the East March of England, when answer shall be made for the slaughter of Thomas Trotter Scottishman or others. The Queen's answer to be awaited regarding the "nottes" delivered by Nicholas Eringtoun.

Farther meetings appointed. Dunfarmlinge.

1 p. Contemporary copy. Indorsed.

40. Answer by Lord Hunsdon. [December.]

Copy of Lord Hunsdon's answer to the complaint from Scotland on Border matters in October last.

He accuses the Earl of Morton of hindering justice by the Scottish warden. That though he has written often to the Lord Ruthven, lieutenant on the Scottish border, he gets frivolous answers. Complains of unredressed murders and outrages by the Yonges, Burnes and Pringles, for which only a notorious malefactor was delivered, a miserable wretch of no account, whom they might have executed themselves. Sir John Forster has had no redress for Liddesdale for 5 years.

2 pp. Contemporary copy.

41. Memorandum on the Borders.

Causes of decay on the English Marches, especially in Northumberland.

(1) Private quarrels between the Herons and Carres, involving other houses, who would rather overthrow each other than face the enemy.

(2) Spoils by the Scots in the late Queen Mary's time, during these.

(3) The long peace, and neglect of horses and furniture of war.

(4) The castles and forts are in the hands of unfit keepers.

(5) The Queen's possessions and those of her subjects are demised to persons not resident on the Border.

1 p. Contemporary. Indorsed.

2. Another copy of the same.