Border Papers volume 1: February 1588

587. Hunsdon to Walsingham. [Feb. 2.]

At the commissioners' meeting at Foulden on 25^th ultimo, they settled certain articles, and agreed to come to this town on Monday the 29^th; which they did, and arranged how to proceed to the finishing of these great causes—to which we set our hands, as you will see by the enclosed copy. There is no doubt of these matters being settled, if Lord Scrope do not hinder it, though the greatness of the bills put in against those of his wardenry, which are "monsterous," some being for 1000l. and two or three of 4000l., "to make them showe great and odious—but whan yt comes to the swearing, their thowsands will skant come to skoares! And they are to be deliverid to such of Scotlande, as they are so linckt in marriadge and freudshipp withall, as if they be deliverid one the one daie they wilbe sent hoame the next! For the greatest bills are against the Greames." But I hope Lorde Scrope will have regard to the quieting of the Borders, and saving to her Majesty, and not hinder the conclusion of this great business. I have written at large to him, and beg you to procure a council lettre to him also, for you will see by the last article that all this sitting is to be void, unless Lord Scrope agrees at once. If this matter be not settled now, it were a pity, for the chance will not happen again. I have found the Commissioners far readier than I expected, to yield as much as I could desire, and so forward, that the Tuesday after they came hither they filed 12 of our largest bills, and we as many of theirs, and we have respectively sent to arrest those complained of, to be here next Monday, when we shall fall to the rest of the East and Middle March bills, with those of the West March, if Lord Scrope agrees, as I hope he will. On the 10^th instant, the pledges mentioned in the articles are to be here, and delivered interchangeably to the wardens, who shall then appoint days to make delivery for the 80 bills—going through the Marches in order from East to West. Justice was never done for Liddesdale till now.

The commission for which I wrote to you lately, I had rather should be directed to them, than to myself to nominate, and if not yet sent, it should be at once.

"Uppon Satterdaie laste the 27^th of the laste, their conveind at Lithco the Laird Hamblton and his brother Clawde, thErle Huntley, thErles of Glynkarne, Montros, Craford, Rothos, Catnes, Orrole and Sowtherland, who ment to have gotten the King into their hands. My lord Harrys and the Lard of Jonstone with 7 or 800 horse, cam within three myle of Eddenborrowe, thinking to have mett the rest of the lordes, but fyndiug them not their according to appointment, returned their forces and rode them selves with a fewe with them to Lithco to the lordes.

The King heering of the assemblie of theis lordes, sent one Pattrick Murrey unto them to knowe the cause of their assemblies, and to commaunde them uppon payne of treason, to depart to their howses—and sent specially to Huntley to knowe whither hee woulde obeye and performe that comaundement which the king had sent unto him or noe? Which was, that hee shoulde put from him those Jessewites which resorted unto him, and that hee should come to Eddinborrowe and bring the Larde of Giche with him who kilde thErle of Marches kinsman, to aunser the lawe. Who aunserd, that if hee might bring his frinds and forces with him, hee would bring the lairde of Giche to underlaye the lawe—otherwise not. Heruppon the King sent Sir John Seaton to comaund the Lord Huntley uppon payne of treason, to make his present repaire to the king; who denyed flatlie so to doe ! Hee also comaunded the Lord Harrys to enter into warde wher the king appointed him, to aunser his raysing of the kinges subjectes without his aucthoretie; who also hathe denyed the same and ys rydden his waye ! So as presently bothe Huntley and Harrys ys to be put to the horne, for the King shewes him selfe to be greatly offended herewith.

ThErle of Montros cam presently to the corte, thinking to have had acces to the king—but the king heering of his coming, comaunded hee should not come into his presens. Who stayed 4 or 5 owers, and at laste by some sut, the king was content hee should come to him. At whose coming the King used many hard and sharpe speeches unto him, and comaunded him to goe to his lodging, untill hee should knowe further of his pleasur afterward.

At this instant, the Lord Hume cam also to the corte, who thought verely to have met with Huntley their, for hee is become a papiste, and houlds his lands of Huntley. So Montros and hee went upp to Eddenborrowe, but when they cam to the gate, they would not be sufferd to come in untill they sent backe to procuer the kinges token for their going in—which when they had gotten, the townsmen would not suffer them to come in with above vj a peece, for so sonne as they of Eddenborrowe hard of the lords being at Lithco, presently shutt their gates, and put their men in reddynes, with a resolucion to suffer none of those lordes to come within the towne, and so keepes their gates very strongly. What will become herof, God knowes, but some great matters are lookt for very shortly—and shewerly the King himselfe is greatly perplexte; which I knowe verie certainly—for hee hathe not wher withall either to mayntaine him selfe, or to doe any thing to withstand the practizes of the papists lordes. And therfore if the Queenes Majestie will deale anything kindly with him, it is thought verelie by some that are verie inward with him, that hee maye be yet recoverd to her Majestie, which I would hee might, thoughe her Majestie paye deerly for him, wherof shee can better consider than I can advise her.

I wrote in my laste lettres unto you, of Archiball Dugglas creditt here. I dare nowe afferme unto ye, that hee is neither accompted the Kinges ambassatour, nor hathe any dealing betwene her Majestie and the King, nor hathe not had of longe tyme. Which M^r George Younge who is clarke of the Councell their, beinge askt the question, dothe afferme. And forsuch aunser as he recevid from her Majestie towching the kinges demaundes, and such aunser as he recevide from my lord Chauncelour and my lord Treaserour by her Majesties comaundement, hee never advertized the King therof to this ower! So as if her Majestie do accept of him as the kinges ambassadour, or looke to understand any thing by him from the king or the state here, her Majestie will finde her selfe greatly abused and disceaved therin—wherof having nowe the certaintie, I have thought yt my dutie to advertise you therof, to the ende her Majestie maye knowe the same.

Nowe somewhat towching suche advertizmentes as I have recevid yesterdaie and this daie of forren cawses. Their arryved here uppon Mondaie in a shipp from London, certaine Scotishe marchantes, wherof certaine of them cam owte of Fraunce, and one of them frome Donckark. One of them who is knowne to be a verie honnest man, dwelling in Eddenborrowe, fownd in this towne a neighbour of his of Eddenborrowe, who is a verie honnest and zealous man in religion, tolde him that coming from Burdux, hee had occassion to touche at Conquett, (fn. 1) where hee landed aboute some affaires hee had their; who being their, Corronell Symppell who cam presentlie owt of Spaine, heering of this marchantes being their, cam to his lodginge, and being famylierly acquainted with him, understanding that hee was to pase hitherward, requierd him that hee might pase with him in his shippe, with suche as wer with him being not paste 5 or 6, which hee was verie willing to doe. And so coming thorrowe the narrowe seaes, requiered hee might be landed at Callis, which hee was accordingly. In his passadge, Symppell tolde this marchant, that hee was come presently owt of Spaine, and had brought a packett with him from the King of Spaine unto the Scotishe king, which hee showed him, which was a good bige packett and the coveringe of gilt paper, and written uppon yt with gilt letters. Which packett presently uppon his landing, hee cawsed to be sent awaye to the Bisshoppe of Rose, and to be convoyed by him to the Scotishe king. Symppell toulde him also, that hee was presentlie him selfe to goe to the Duke of Parma, and to come verie shortlie into Scotland and to bring with him from the Duke of Parma a verie great man of Spaine, who should bring with him to the Scotishe kinge 200,000 duckettes—and to conferme his going to the Duke of Parma, a nother of the saide marchantmen who going owt of Scotland in a hoye barke under 40 tonne, laden with coale, sammon, and some other fishe, was presentlie uppon his arryvale at Douckark, stayed and arrested, but had libertie to sell his goods, but could by no meanes gett his hoye barke discharged. And so was fayne after 6 or 7 weekes remayning their, to goe to Callis by lande, and so cam from thens into Englande. Hee dothe tell me for certaine, that the saide Corronell Symppell cam to Donckark whilste hee was their, whome hee sawe and spoke withall, who made no aboade their, but presentlie so sonne as hee could gett horsses, went his wayes to Bridges, (fn. 2) thoughe the gates wer shutt er hee went; yet had hee that favour to be lett owte. Hee saithe their was one with him of some good accompt, who they of the toune sayde yt was thErle of Westmerland, who had bene with the King of Spaine, and is returned againe, and meanes to be in Scotland very shortly. So as where wee thought that it was Corronell Stwarde that had bene the dooers of theis matters, it is Corronell Symppell that hathe bene the dooer with the King of Spaine in all theis matters…I do also send you herwith a certaine booke lately brought owt of Fraunce by a marchant of Newcastell, and presentlie sent to me." Barwick. Initialled: H. H.

4 pp. Indorsed: "The coppie of Mr Secretaris lettre," and in another hand, "L. Chamberlaine to M^r Secretary."

588. Hunsdon to Burghley. [Feb. 3.]

"I recevyd your pakkett of the 29 of the laste, the seconde of thys, with the coppy of hyr Majestis letter and the ansers too Archbald Duglas proposycyons, which I had byfor.

Havynge pereusyd the coppy of hyr Majestis letter, I fynde yt so harde, as I had rather kepe ytt secrete then shew ytt, for yt ys nott yn season too wryght thys too hym at thys tyme—for yt wyll butt veryfy theyr saynges that wold have hym runn another cowrse, that hyr Majesti ys all yn wordes, but whan ytt cumes too the performance, he shall fynde nothynge, and as Archbald Duglas letter was, she ys styll att generallytys, yf he want or yf he shall have occasyon too euse hyr frendshype. Thes be no wayse nor meanes too wyn a prynce that ys so far alyenatyd from hyr as he ys, and hathe so many yle instrumentes about hym as he hathe, and havynge so lyttell as he hathe, I doo nott fynde yu hyr ausers too Duglase that she yeldes too any of hys requestes—for wher he demandes 5000li. she offers 4000, and they allege that M^r Wotton promest 5000. What ys a thowsande powude a yere too hyr? The sodyars now apon the Bordars have hade 1000 li, and yf she howlde one with thes generallytys, I feare yt wyll coste hyr 10,000 li. er yt be Mychelmas! Hyr Majasti chargythe hym with the dealynge with forren pryncys, and sundry uther matters, which yf he have dune, then hathe she the more cawse to seke too wyn hym from hym [them?] whyche muste be with lyberallyte and present mouy too be offerd and sent hym, too helpe hym yu hys dystres, which yf he accepte, thane hathe she sume howlde of hym—yf he refuse ytt, then may she know what too looke for att hys handes. But my lord, yf hyr Majesti thynk that thys dealynge wyll doo any goode, she ys greatly decevyd, and she wyll be sorry for ytt whan ytt wyll be too late. He ys wondyd, thohe hyr Majesti innocent therof, yett hyr innocensy ys no satysfactyon too hym, nor wordes wyll go for no payment, where deedes muste supply wantes, and he muste have yt eyther of hyr Majesti or sum uther prinse, for utherwyse he shall nott be able to reule hys nobyllyte, but they wyll overrule hym, as you may see by theyr late accyou. I assure your lordship that yf hyr Majesti deale nott more effectually heryn, and that owte of hande, she wyll fynde the lake of ytt, for he wyll be gone! I assure your lordship that the marchaude mane that tooke yn Collonell Sympell att Conquett and landyd hym at Calles, assurde a very frende of hys that happend too be yn thys towne, a marchante of Edenburgh—that Sympyll towlde hym, of hys credytt and honor, he was too brynge too the Kyng owte of hande, 200,000 dukkates, and thys busshope of Dunblayne hathe bystowde 20,000 crownes amonge the northerne lordes, which ys moste serten; so as nothynge wyll be dune heere without mony. I may be blamyd for wrytynge thys playnly, but consyderynge the grete danger that dependes heron, bothe too hyr Majesti and the state, as yf I showlde be sylent heryu I showlde deserve farr gretar blame—and therfor I hope hyr Majesti wyll accepte yt yn goode parte, beynge dune yn dyscharg of my dewty.

If yt stay nott yn my lord Scroope (as I hope yt wyll nott), we shall ende all these Bordar cawsys by the 12 of thys monthe, and then havynge fynysht that I was sent downe for, I hope hyr Majesti wyll lycense me too returne. And so I commytt your lordship too thAlmyghty, who lyghten hyr Majestis eyse to looke deplyar yntoo thys matter of Skottlaude then yett she doothe. Att Barwyke… " Signed: H. Hunsdon.

"If hyr Majesti bystowe anythynge apon A. Duglas, he ytt never so lyttell, yt ys caste away—for he neyther hathe nor never wyll deserve ytt! 2 or 300 li., wolde be better imployde apon sum about the Kynge who bothe cane and wolde deserve ytt."

1½ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Burghley.

589. Hunsdon to Burghley. [Feb. 6.]

"I perceve by your lordshypes letter of the laste of January, which my sunne Robarte browght me yesternyght, that apon sum advertysmentes sent by my Lord Scroope, hathe cawsyd hyr Majesti too enter yntoo sume consyderacyon of hyr estate, whyche ynded she hade grete nede too doo! I wrott latly too your lordshyp and M^r Secretary therof, and therfor wyll nott troble your lordshyp agayne with the nedles repetycyon therof, only too lett your lordeshyp understand that wheras amonge the uther lordes, I namyd thErles Craforde and Rothos, neyther of them wer there, butt ynded Rothos eldyste sunne was ther, who ys a rashe younge mane and a grete papyste; and where my Lord Scroope wryghtes of Bothwell and Marshall, Bothwell was with the Kynge att Hallyroodhowse, and thohe he be so fykkell as noman trustes hyme, yett he wyll runn no uther cowrse but the kynges. And for thErle Marshall, he ys the only nobell mane that ys too be accowntyd of too stande faste for matters of relygyon, and hathe delte very honorably with the kynge bothe for the relygyon, and hathe declaryd whatt imnynent perryles and dangers, and most manyfeste myschyfes wyll inseu bothe too hym and hys realme, yf he suffer any strangers too enter hys realme.

Thys mornynge Carmychell desyerd too speke with me, at whose cummynge, fallynge yn talke of thys late assembly of thes lordes, desyeryuge too knowe the cawse therof and theyr intencyon, he towlde me that yt was too putt away the Chauselar and the Justyce Clarke from the kynge and too alter the relygyon thurowte the realme, and too brynge yn strangers, and too breke the amyte with Inglande: and made thys metynge the sunar bycawse they wolde breke of our dooynges heare for Border cawsys. I askt hym whatt the Kynges parte wolde be yn those matters? He anserd me, that yf he myght have any supporte from hyr Majesti, he wolde presently breke the neke of ytt and make all the lordes glade too rune hys cowrse, and so kepe owt all strangers, and overthrow all papystry and put away all the Jesuytes—but without sum present supporte from hyr Majesti he saw nott how the kynge showlde be able too doo thys. Wherapon I sowght to know what supporte the kynge wolde reqyer at hyr Majestis handes; for fyrste, too thynke too be made the seconde parsone, was the vaynyste matter yn the worlde! For I was assuryd that yf all hyr whole realme wolde persuade hyr untoo ytt, hyr Majesti wolde never yelde too ytt. Then he towlde me by the way of talke, nott havynge any commyssyon too deale yn ytt, that he thowght the kynge wolde persyste apon Mr Wottones offer of 5000 li. a yere; he thowght also that the kynge showlde have nede of sum present supporte of sum mony, too brynge thes matters too effecte, and too have 50 horsmen too be aboute hym as a garde, for sum short tyme.

Now my lorde, yf thes matters wyll recover hym, then lett hyr Majesti enter yntoo consyderacyon of what importanse yt ys of too our state, for yt ys nott onleke but rather serten, that yt wyll alter the Kynge of Spaynes and the Duke of Parmas cowrse, yf they have any meanynge hetherwarde, as I thynke noman dowghtes of ytt, yt wyll save the sendynge of an army hether, wheras all the northe ys too attende hytherwarde by thys meanes, yf Spayne showlde land yn any uther parte neare the northe, all the northe may be imployde also, and yf yt be fownde nedfull and for hyr Majestys safty and the quyett of our state the amyte and frendshype of thys kynge, then lett hyr Majesti deale rowndly with hym and take tyme whyle tyme ys, for yf tyme be now paste over yt wyll never be recoveryd agayne. I am nott yet serten whyther he wyll accepte herof, or of anythynge els that ys reasonable and honorable for hyr Majesti too grante, lett ytt nott be stuke att, thohe hyr Majesti doo save yt sum uther wayse. I shall know withyn 3 or 4 dayse what he wyll be att, yf he may be inducyd to accepte and yelde too take anythynge at hyr Majestis handes, ther ys no feare of hys goynge thuro with the amyty betwene hyr Majesti and hym, too the which all the goode and honest men aboute hym and yn hys realme wyll pryk hym forwarde too performe." Berwick. Signed. H. Hunsdon.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Burghley.

590. Pay of Forces on the Border. [Feb. 13.]

"Monney paied and left to be paied by John Clopton by vertue of warraunt from the L. High Threasorer, for the payment of the souldiars lyinge upon the Borders."

For which he desires warrant "to strike talyes."

1 p. Indorsed.

591. Pay of Captains on the Border. [Feb. 13.]

½ p. Indorsed.

592. The Receiver's Account of Pay. [Feb. 20.]

"A brefe note of such somes of monny as John Clopton receivour of Northumbrelande hath received for the paye of the five hundred soldiars lyinge upon the Borders of Englande towardes Scotlande."

1 p. Indorsed.

593. The Commissioners' proceedings. [Jan. 18–Feb. 24.]

Resolutions of the Commissioners of both kingdoms, and rules and regulations laid down for the government of the Borders at their various sittings in January and February, with their commissions and full powers. Fouldeu and Berwick.

18 pp. Official copy. See Laws of Marches (Vol. II., fol. 73). Three copies of parts of above, one annotated by Burghley.

Note in one.—"The Larde Kirkconell beinge one honest and undefamed jentilman" unlawfully made prisoner on the West March, is forthwith to be liberated by Lord Scrope.

594. Proclamation by the Commissioners. [Feb. 24.]

At Berwick 24 February 1587. The Lords Commissioners of both realms having perfected their present Treaty, ordain that all bills on either side "seuce Haldenrigg," shall be forthwith enrolled and redressed by the wardens according to the laws of the Marches, and the doers of all future attempts held as open enemies, and punished according to law. The Commissioners of England order this proclamation to be made at Berwick, Alnwick, Morpeth, Hexham, Carlisle, and Branton, and other needful places.

1½ pp. On a broad sheet. Written by Hunsdon's clerk. Indorsed: "1587. Proclamacion of the Commissioners for the houlding of the dayes of trew and punishing of attemptes heerafter to be done upon the Borders."

595. Liddesdale offences. c. [Feb. 24. 1587–88.]

The bills filed by the Commissioners at Berwick and the King's pledge delivered, but yet unredressed.

William Maughen and Thomas Hynde for 43 persons her Majestys tenants of Haddingbriggs and Rattenrawe, complain uppon the Laird of Mangerton, the young Laird of Whithaugh and Jokkie Armestronge of Kynmett with other 600 men for burning 15 houses, taking 24 prisoners—one had his hand cut off—reaving their chattels and insight gear, worth 900l. sterling—on 6 October 1587.

Alexander Featherston of Featherstonehaughe and his tenants, complain uppon William Ellott of Harkescarth, called "Robyns Will," Arche Ellott of Clyntwood called "Martins Arche," and other 160 men, who ran a day foray, took away chattels and insight worth 300l. sterling, burned 23 houses and barns in Readpeth and Wyden, and took three prisoners—30^th August 1587. On which night "and at one drifte," complain the Laird of Bellister and his tenants uppon Andro Armestrong and Frauncis, sons to the Laird of Whithaughe, and Syme of Whitthaughe their brother, Arche Armestronge called "Alexanders Arche," servant to Syme of Whithaughe, Ekkye Armestronge of Tweden, Thom Ellot of Copshawe, William Ellott of Goddamburie and others who burned 25 houses and more, and carried off chattels and insight goods worth 1000l. sterling.

The Laird of Preudicke and Henrie Collingewood of Ryle and their tenants of Ingram and Reavelie complain uppon John Armestronge called "the Lairds Jocke," Andro Armestronge of Whithaugh, Ecktor Armestrong of the Hilhouse, Jock Armestronge of Kyumoth, Georg Armestronge of Arcleton, John Bateson called "John of the Score," and other 500 men, who ran a day foray and carried off 600 kye and oxen, 600 sheep, 35 prisoners and insight worth 40l. sterling, on 23 June 1587.

Jenkyn Huntter, Bartie Milburne of the Keam, Jarrie Huntter, Mychaell Milburne and Lante Milburne of Tersett in Tyndaile, complain uppon Davye Ellot called "the Carlinge," Cleme Croser called "Nebles (fn. 3) Cleme," Thome Armestronge called "Symes Thom," Will Armestronge called "Kynmothe," Ecktor Armestronge of the Hilhouse, and other 300 men, who ran a day foray, and took away forty score kye and oxen, three score horses and meares, 500 sheep, burned 60 houses, and spoiling the same to the value of 2000l. sterling and slaying 10 men—at Michaelmas 1584.

A bill of Sir John Forsters filed and sworn 22 June 1585, uppon Hobb Ellott of the Burneheade called "Fydlers Hob," Hob Ellot of the Ramsgyll, Arche Ellott of the Hill, Arche Ellot "Wills Arche," George Ellott called "James Geordie," "Reade" Martyn Ellott of the Hewghouse, John Ellott of the same, "Wilcox" Gawen Ellott, Hob Ellot of the Bohomes, John Ellott of Bohomes, Arche Ellott of the Shawes called "Fye the breas," Riche Ellott, "Bessies wifes Riche," Jame of Milbourne home, "Scotts Hobs" Jocke, Arche Croser "Gibs Arche," for 100 kye and oxen, 2 horses and meares 200 sheep, and insight worth 20l. sterling.

Tristram Fenwicke and Sandie Hall, complain uppon old Thom Armestronge of the Gyngles, younge Thom Armestronge of the same, Eckie his brother, Alie his brother, Syme Armestronge of Whythaughe, Hobb Armestronge of the same, Thomas Armestronge called "Rowyes Thom" of Mangerton, Adie Ellott of the Shawes, and others for running a day foray, and taking sixteen score kye and oxen, 21 horses and meares, spoiling 30 "sheiles," and ransoming 10 prisoners at the Slyme "the Satterdaie after S^t Elen daie 1584."

Thomas Dod of Thorneborne, John Dod of the same, and Lyell Dod of the Blacklawe, complain uppon William Armestronge of Kynmothe, Syme Armestronge younge Lard of Whithaughe, Rynione and Eckie Armestronge of Tweden, and other 400 men, who ran a day foray, took 40 score kye and oxen, a thousand sheep and "gate," and slew Uswold Dode, about Midsummer 1579.

3 pp. Written by Foster's clerk. No indorsement.

596. Hunsdon to Burghley. [Feb. 25.]

As I wrote to you before, the Commissioners met here again on the 20^th, and have filed the 80 bills on each side—all very great, and the last committed—and for delivery on the side of Scotland, they brought with them four gentlemen, one a near kinsman to the King, to remain in England till the bills are delivered for. First, this East March and the "Marshe" are to deliver, "which will not be a matter of 3 owers work," on the 24^th, their pledges returning home—then the 26^th and 27^th, this East March and the Middle March of Scotland meet and make delivery, their pledges returning. "Than the meeting for the Middell Marche of England, and the Middell Marche of Scotland, ys fayne to be put of untill aboute the mydste of Marche, by reason of the Kinges jorney to Domfreese, who is fully resolved to hould on that jorney, notwithstanding the Lord Harrys comming into him with submission, who as the comissioners enforme me, is comitted to warde. ThErle Huntley hathe also submitted him selfe, and is come into the King, whom for some respectes the king hathe forborne to comit him to warde, but hathe comaunded him uppon paine of treason, not to departe owte of Eddenbrugh, but by his speciall licens. It semes that all their convencion at S^t Jhonstons and their assemblie at Lithco will prove to nothing.

I cannot yet understand the secrecy of Corronell Stwards comming, but hee cam by Denmark awaye, and as it as given owt, that hee seekes to be a dealer in the matter for the marriadg, but keepes him selfe verie quiett, and makes nor meddells with any thing openlie."

This long and tedious work is now finished, which no man here or in Scotland thought possible—and is greatly to her Majesty's honour, and benefit of her subjects.

"I assner your lordship I coulde not have wanted Syr John Foster in theis matters, whose longe experiens and perfettnes in Border cawses, did bringe matters of controversy to such perfection as to the comissioners for Scotland could not but yeld unto. . . And nowe having fynishte that I cam for, I maye saye Ita missa easte, for I have nothing ells to doo but to sett theis towe marches in some better order, by keeping of a warden corte, which I meane to houlde at Anwick the 6^th or 7^th of the next moneth—and than if her Majestie have no other matters to imploye me in here, I maye have leave to returne and do her Majestie some servis their."

The 400 soldiers here are paid, and those on the West March till the 20^th, and are no longer needed—so I pray you to take her Majesty's pleasure therein.

I enclose the names of the pledges, and for this East and Middle March I am to deliver a brother of Sir Thomas Gray's and a son of Sir Cuthbert Collingwood's and two other gentlemen,—to remain at Hutton hall till Lord Scrope delivers a "cuppell" to the opposite warden of the West March—one to answer for the West March, the other to Lord Bothwell for Liddesdale.

"Sens the writing of thus muche, Carmighell tells me that the Lorde Harrys hathe pute in sufficiente bonde to the King to bring in Sir Robert Maxwell brother to the Lord Maxwell, and his owne brother Robert Maxwell, who wer the principall spoylers of the provost of Clancludens howse, wherof I have written before, and so licenced to goe hoame for a tyme. But I perceave that the King dothe meane to make Carmighell warden of the West Marches, if hee will take it uppon him.

ThErle Huntley is likewise licenced to goe hoame, with a straight commandement not to goe any wither further than the King hathe prescribed him."

Now these things are finished, I pray you move her Majesty to consider this Middle March, which it hath pleased her to commit to me, and if she have no further need of my service than I know of, that she may give me leave to return. "And my lord, if I should appoint a deputie, their is suche discension and disagrement among the gentilmen of that wardenry, and so many faxcions among them, as uppon my credit, I knowe not any one their fitt to be my deputie, or will take yt uppon him—and so did they all confes unto me being with me at Newcastell, but told me that if I would appoint any of my sonnes to be my deputie, they would willingly obey him and be directed howsoever hee would appoint them.

Nowe having no sonne of myne fitt for that place, and thoughe I had, being no place for him to remayne in but in this towne, hee should be able to do no servis in that marche—for my selfe being here and not able to dischardg that office neither to her Majesties servis nor to my nowne honnour and creditt, for it is a pittifull case for poore folkes that hathe greate cawses to be redreste, to be forste to come hither, some 50, some 60 myle hens, as a great many hathe done sens my comming hither, to my greate greefe. For whosoever shall have that chardg, must either him selfe or his sufficient deputie dwell and remayne among them, or ells hee shall neither doe her Majestie good servis nor the coutrie any good, nor gett him selfe any creditt. For I assure your lordshipp they are at this daie from the highest to the lowest, the frowards and the untowards people to be governed that is this daie within the realme of England!

Sir John Foster was but seaquistred from it for a tyme by her Majesties letter unto him, untill hee had sufficientlie aunserid such artickells as I was to chardg him withall. Who I assuer your lordshyp uppon my honnour and creditt, hathe so sufficiently aunserid them, as his accusers maye be greatly asshamed of their malicious and untrew charging of him—as I am shewer your lordshyp will confes whan your lordshyp shall here the matter thorrowly. And therfore in my sympell oppyuion, her Majestie maye do graciously, considering Sir John Fosters long servis in this place, and the cawses being no greater against him than they be, to admitt him unto yt againe, untill her Majestie maye thinke of some fitt officer for the same—at which tyme I am shewer he wilbe verie willing to surrender yt, and would willingly so have don, a good whill sens, so it might have bene with her Majesties favour and liking. And I do assuer your lordshipp uppon my creditt, that neither hee nor anie frend of his ever spake to me herin, but having considerid of the matter, I find him the fittest man for the tyme." I enclose copies both of their commission and the whole proceedings therein. Berwick. Signed: H. Hunsdon.

3 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

597. Hunsdon to Burghley. [Feb. 25.]

"I have thowght fytt too acquayute your lorshype how gretly I have byn pressyd by Carmychs[ll] syns hys laste cummynge hether, and as he affyrmes, by the Kynges expresce commandemende, too procure me to wryght too the kynge; and assuryd me that yf I wolde wryght too the kynge, the Kynge wolde answer my letter with sum contentacyon too me. Herapon we hade sundry dyscowrsys; yn fyne I towlde hym, that as I was a servante, so neyther ytt became me nor I durste nott without hyr Majestis pryvyte and lycens. Secondly, I hade no grownde too wryght apon too the kynge, onles I showlde wryght of thes unkynessys betwene hyr Majesti and the Kynge, wheryn I myght perhapes offend the kynge. He anserde me that he was seure I showlde nott offende the Kynge, yn towchynge those matters, and wyshete me withall too lett hym understaude hyr Majestis goode favor and affectyon towardes the kynge and how farr the kynge myght looke for hyr Majestis favor towardes hym, as also too gyve hym sum good advyse towchynge the papystes. Att hys goynge away yesterday, he was agayne ernestly inhand with me too wryght, and he wolde tarry all nyght for ytt—whane I auserde hym playuly, that I myght uott withowte knowynge hyr Majestis plesure. He askte me, what anser he showlde make the kynge? For he feryd leste the kynge wolde conseve that seyuge he requyars me too wryght too hym by cawse he wolde take sum occasyou too anser the same and therby too procede with sum farther dealyng with me, that seynge I refewse ytt he myght thynke I thowght skorne too wryght too hym! I towlde hym that I doo hope that hys Majesti wolde nott so conceve of me, but rather wolde conceave a dentyfulnes yn me towardes my soveren, nott too presume too wryght too any prynce withowte hyr Majestis lycense, for I was seure hyr Majesti wolde nott take ytt well that any of hys cownsell or nobyllyte showlde wryght too the Quenes Majesti withowte hys knowlege and lycense. So I dyd hope the Kynge wolde rather allow and leke of thys my refusall, then too take ytt yn yll parte, but I wolde send too hyr Majesti, and yf yt pleasyd hyr Majesti so too lycens me, I wolde apon hys Majestis lycens wryght untoo hym. He anserde me, that the tyme wolde be very long, and he fearyd, lest seynge I wolde nott wryght when the kynge ys so wyllynge too receve ytt, that whan I wolde wryght, he wolde skante receve ytt; butt yett he wolde declare my reasonable refusall, and wolde doo hys beste too cawse the kynge too accepte myn anser yn goode parte. But he wolde fayne a hade me a wrytten, and dyd assure me that he knowse, that besydes the anserynge of the contentes of my letter, whyche perhapes showlde be wrytten by the secretary, the Kynge wolde wryght too me with hys owne hande, that none of hys cownsell showlde know. Thus my lorde, I reste now too know hyr Majestis plesur heryn, whethar I shall wryght or no, or what I shall wryght. If the Kynge howlde one hys jorney too Dumfryse, as they thynke he wyll, which he hathe appoyntyd too be the fyrste of Marche, I muste sende my letter thether too Carmychell, and he wyll delyver ytt too the kynge. But I thynk thys grete storme of snow and froste, which ys very grete that way, wyll stay hym. Carmychell also requestyd me from the kynge, that I wolde procure a placard from hyr Majesti for the buynge of halfe a dosen horsys or geldynges for hys owne saddell for huntynge, for he hathe over huntyd all hys horsys. I pray your lordshyp move hyr Majesti heryn, or els he may thynke my credytt as smale as A. Duglas makes ytt! … At Barwyk thys 25 of September (fn. 4) 1587." Signed: H. Hunsdon.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed by Hunsdon. Indorsed by Burghley: "25 Febru. 1587. The L. of Hunsdon. Carmych. for letters to the Sc. kyng."