Mary: February 1556

410. Instructions to Sir Thomas Challoner. Philip and Mary. [Feb. . 1555–56.]

"Instructions for Sir Thomas Challoner sent to the Dowager of Scotland in Februarie 1555":—

First.—To declare the Queen's forbearance of the disorders committed by Scots in her realm of Ireland, as she considered they were done without her good sister's knowledge, and her hope that she will redress them in time.

Item.—That of late Calloughe Odonell a subject of England, has rebelled, and meaning unnaturally to depose his father Odonell from his estate, and usurp it, has married the Earl of Argyll's daughter, which earl has sent his own son with many of his men, and money to help him, while James MacConnel and his brethren with a strong force of men, vessels, and brass ordnance, are in the north of Ireland. These rebels and Scots have not only sieged and taken our castles of "Lough Foile, Lyffer, Fynne Doungall," &c., but have burned and spoiled 60 miles compass, and slain many loving subjects, taking besides others the said Calloughe's father, whose unnatural son keeps him prisoner, the Scots keeping the others and the castles.

The said Sir Thomas, on receiving answer, shall return to Lord Wharton, advertise him thereof, and report to us his whole proceedings. While in Scotland, he shall make diligent inquiry in all ways at his discretion, as to their feelings towards peace, practices with France, and especially in Ireland, what their meaning is, who are the principal doers, &c., and advising thereon with Lord Wharton, whose experience, we know, shall much further his charge, report to us.

2 pp. Closely written. Contemporary copy.

411. Notes of Scottish Parliaments. [1556.]

Anno 1010.—At a parliament at Scone, Malcolm king of Scotland partitioned the realm into baronies, the wardship till 21 being confirmed to him and his successors.

Anno 1320.—At a parliament at Perth, Robert Bruce king of Scotland, required the lords to show by what charters they held their lands? Who pulling out their swords, said, they held by no other evidence. Whereon a conspiracy ensued against him by indenture, which was sent by a counterfeit pilgrim to the King of England, but being intercepted, a parliament was called to cut off this conspiracy—called the 'Black Parliament.'

Anno 1398.—At a parliament at Perth, Robert the 2^d created David his eldest son Duke of Rothsay, then 18 years of age (the first duke in Scotland). "This Rothsay being parcell of the Western Isles, was inhabited by one Rothsay, who governed the Scots in Ireland, and so he named it after his own name."

Anno 1424.—At a parliament at Edinburgh, a general tax was granted to James 1^st, viz., 12d. the pound for land, and 4d. for every cow, ox and horse,—for 2 years. It was levied the first year without trouble, but the second year from some tumult among the commons, the residue was remitted. The King demanded no more taxes till he married his daughter with the Dolphin of France.

Anno 1556.—At a parliament at Edinburgh, Mary the Queen Dowager demanded a perpetual yearly tax, requiring every man's "estate and substance" to be inventoried, but the Lords of Scotland withstood this, "affirming that they meant not to putt their goodes in inventory, as if they were to make their last willes and testamentes. This was called the 'Running Parliament.' Hec verò Comitia nomen a vulgo acceperunt vt currentia dicerentur."

1½ pp. Official contemporary hand. Indorsed.