Border Papers volume 1: April 1586

421. Forster to Walsingham. [April 18.]

Upon the King of Scotland's letter and strait commandment to his warden to appoint days of truce, which the warden sent to me by his clerk, we agreed to meet at convenient towns, and after casting lots which of us should come to the other, the lot fell on me to go first to Scotland. "So we mett at the Staweforde the vj^th of this instante Aprill, and rode to Kelso, where I gott verye good enterteignment at the opposite wardens handes, and greater justice then ever I dyd see in my life in so short tyme, other by wardens or commissioners, far above myne expectacion." We remained at Kelso from the 6^th to the 9^th and went through all the rolls of England both for this warden and Pharnihyrst's time, that any Englishman was to prosecute by the law and custom of the Border, so that the whole rolls of the Middle March are discharged except Liddesdale, of which the King has appointed Lord Bothwell keeper, at whose hands I look for redress shortly. On the 13^th, the opposite warden came to Alnwick and stayed there till the 16^th, calling and proceeding with the rolls of Scotland both in this warden and Pharnihyrst's tyme, that any Scotsman was "plainteous of," and would prosecute according to the use and custom of the Border; so that now the state of the Borders is as quiet as ever I knew, and they are preparing to go to the "hielandes" to summer their cattle.

I heard from her Majestys ambassador when passing through Alnwick to Scotland, that great complaints have been made to her highness and her Council against me, which is "the greatest discoridgement that ever came to me," who have served her highness as truly as any of my degree—and I trust her highness will suspend her judgement till I come to answer for myself—praying you will procure licence for me to come up and answer for the same, when I trust it "shall redounde small to their credit which have beine the enformers therof. Pharnihyrst is dead, wherof I am sorie that he and some betters had not beine hanged." At my house nigh Alnwick. Signed: John Forster.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed: "17^th (sic) Aprill 1586."

422. Woddryngton to Walsingham. [April 27.]

M^r Archbald Douglas came here on the 21^st, when I presently "returned" advertisement of it to M^r Randolphe, from whom on the 24^th, I received letters to M^r Douglas. "One was his protection from the King under his hand and seale very lardge and ample—who was directed by his grace that at his commyng into Scotland, he should repayre to the embassadors lodginge and remain with him, and the King wold have conference with him at the Master Greys lodging, before he showde him self in court." The cause why M^r Douglas has not written to you is, he could not write with certainty till he was in Scotland. He left this on the 27^th and rode through that day to Edinburgh. The lords very lately moved the King to dismiss from court and his presence, Collonell Steward, Sir William Steward, Arran's brother, and some others, whom he suffered to frequent court; alleging it was "very hard for them to suffer yt. . . . At the which the King seamed not to be pleased, but rather discontented. And upon the xxiij^th of this instant, the lordes hearinge the King was to ryde, and they not made acqueynted with yt, thErles Bothwell and Marre came unto the King and told him they herd he was to ryde, and therfore offred them selves to attend upon his grace, and withall requyred that as his grace had occasion of any journey, yt wold please him to let theme knowe yt, who wold be ready to waite upon him—for they lookt for so much at his graces handes. The King refused that they should goe with him, and with sharpe wordes said he was not to be directed by theim, and he wold they shold well knowe he wolde be no slave, for he wold ryde when yt pleased him, and take with him whome he list him selfe. And the same day being Satterday last, tooke but twoe of his chamber with him, and road his waye over the water to Faukland." Berwick. Signed: Henry Woddryngton.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.