Elizabeth: June 1559

Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 1, 1547-63. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1898.

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'Elizabeth: June 1559', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 1, 1547-63, (London, 1898) pp. 215-219. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol1/pp215-219 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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In this section

463. Northumberland to Cecill. Elizabeth. [June 5. 1559.]

The business between the Dowager and her commons is now pacified; the latter have gone home, and she enters St Johnston in 2 or 3 days. They rest quiet till Parliament determines the establishment of religion.

We met the Scots at Ladykirk on 31 May, perused each other's commissions, and met next day. They stick much for Scotsmen passing through England without safe conducts, which we will nowise yield; and to have a cattle dyke in the Bounds pulled down, which any one may ride over. The first day we would have met in mid stream, but they made so much ado about customs &c., that unless we had gone over the water, they would not have met us; which my lord of Durham and other old borderers think wrong; but we will treat of it before we "sundre," which it is thought will not be for 14 days yet. Berwick. Signed: Northumberland.

pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

464. Croft to Cecill. [June 5.]

The Regent sent the Duke to St Johnston, where Knox, &c. preached, and Glencairn and others had manned it for defence. On coming near, Argyle the Duke's nephew, came out to commune with him, and I hear they ended thus:—The assembly there, as also the preachers, are licensed to go home without any charge against them, and all things to be determined at a parliament shortly to be called. Berwick. Signed: Jamys Croft.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

465. Croft to Sir Thomas Parry. [June 14.]

I have written twice to the Council and once to Mr Secretary, of the "sture" in Scotland, which seems to me to import much, as well for setting forth God's word, as "for pollycy." When our next neighbours are in such case, our home matters must be "temporysyd" accordingly; and yet having no instructions from the Council I write again. The nobility (few excepted) are all joined, and are now in council at St Andrews how to proceed to set forth God's word, wherein if "lettyd," they intend to resist, and from what I hear, they will likely seek her Majesty's assistance. It is not doubted but the Duke will join them, and they are devising how to get his son home from France. Some think he is already at Geneva. "He is verey well bent in relygyon," and next his father, the only hope of the realm. They are like to motion a marriage "you knowe where." These matters seem worthy of deep consideration among you, and if hearkened to, some man able to handle them is necessary here. Meantime I desire instruction, if any thing is moved to me, or secret assistance asked. Berwick. Signed: Jamys Croft.

pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

466. Croft to Sir Thomas Parry. [June 14.] Cott. Calig. B. x. 15.

The nobility join in the cause of religion; many are at St Andrews holding council how to proceed, intending to resist if "letted," looking for the Queen of England's aid. They doubt not the Duke will be of their faction, and to make it stronger, are devising how to get his son home— "the only hop in the realme." They intend to "motion" a marriage with our Queen.

1/8 p. Contemporary note of a letter.

467. Proclamation of peace. [June 16.]

The English commissioners command all the Queen's lieges to observe and keep the treaties of Cambray and Upsettlington. Norham church.

1 p. Contemporary copy. Indorsed.

468. Northumberland, &c. to the Queen. [June 18.]

Reporting their proceedings under her commission, and sending the treaty concluded with the Scots,—to see the beginning whereof, they remain till Thursday next, (fn. 1) meeting on Monday (fn. 2) to see the wardens put it in execution. Norham. Signed: Northumberland, Cuth. Duresme, Will'm Dacre, Jamys Croft.

pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

469. Northumberland to Cecill. [June 18.]

I send by my servant the treaty of peace, which you will deliver to the Queen. I hear the business between the Dowager of Scotland and the subjects, is not pacified; for Argyll and the Prior of St Andrews have plucked down the images in divers churches, changed the monks' coats to other apparel, and are presently going to spoil one of the richest churches. She is greatly offended with them, but they say she broke promise in putting men of war into St Johnston, whence they went out quietly. My servant will declare the occasion for my desire to come up. Alnwick. Signed: Northumberland.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

470. Francis and Mary to Elizabeth. [June 18.]

Requesting safe conduct for John Hart "induellar in the Cannogait besyde Edinburgh," his 2 factors, &c. to trade by sea or land in England and foreign parts, for a year. Subscribed by the Queen "Dowriar" Regent, and under their signet. Edinburgh, 1st and 17th of their reigns. Signed: Your gud sestar and allya, Marie R.

1 p. Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet: France in chief, Scotland in base, impaling Scotland: a close crown above.

471. Kirkcaldy of Grange to Cecill. [June 23.]

Love of my native realm compels me to write. Open defiance is now given to all who maintain idolatry. Twice the professors of God's word have shown face in defence of their brethren's blood, sought for the cause of religion, and they are now in the field to deliver St Johnston, illegally garrisoned by the Queen, whose craft is to bring in the French. If you suffer this, you will prepare a way for your own destruction. It will be well that your Queen's marriage be not hasty. I beg speedy answer, for if this occasion is lost, ye may thirst for, yet not find another. The Grange. Signed: W. Kyrkcaldy.

pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil).

472. The Queen to her commissioners. [June 24.]

That she looks daily for advertisement of their conclusion with the Scots. That the rasing of Aymouth must be a clean overthrow of the building, and the wall levelled with the ground; using her express commandment if they see cause.

1 p. Draft by Cecill. Indorsed: "M. to therle of Northumberland," &c.

473. The Queen of Scots to Elizabeth. [June 28.]

Requesting safe conduct for Andro Lambe "induellar" in Leith, his 2 factors, &c., to trade in England or beyond seas, for a year. Subscribed by her mother the Queen Dowager and Regent, and under her signet. Edinburgh. Signed: Your gud sester and allya, Marie R.

1 p. Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed.

474. Sir Henry Percy to Parry and Cecill. [June 28.]

To-day I met the Scots for truce, and received these letters enclosed for your consideration. The messenger had great credit from Lethington his master; and Argyll, Ryven and others now in camp against the Dowager, consented to the letter, and he demands instant answer. This Kirkcaldy spoke last Thursday in secret with Argyll, &c., and they mind to come on to Edinburgh, which is "suspectious" to us borderers, though I think there is no cause. Have a good eye to France, and if they provide shipping; for he is a mighty prince, though I hear credibly he and his country are much impoverished. I am so toiled with the affairs of the wardenry, that I cannot advertise from hence, having no place to see espials or receive others. Another thing lets me much, as my servant Ralph Lorraunce will declare to you. Norham. Signed: Henry Percy.

1 p. Addressed: "To the right honorables Sir Thomas Parry knight threasourer of the Quene's majesties houshold, and to Syr William Cicell knight secreatory to her highnes." Indorsed (by Cecil):"... Sir Henry Percy with other lettres."

Inclosed in the same:—

(Kirkcaldy to Percy.)

I cannot wonder enough I have never received answer from you, therefore let me know your mind and also look upon this other letter, then close and send it to Mr Cecil, "whome of ye shall requyre answer with all dilligens." There is gone to take St Johnston, the earls of Argyll, Glencairne, Rothes, "Monteytht," and the prior of St Andrews, lords "Reven," "Owchghiltre," "Boyed," "Drommond," and "Ogylvie, &c., and will be 10,000 on the field. Many who stir not at present, "bot how sounne they sall have neid," they wilbe all at them." The bearer has my mind. The Queen will not resist, but her purpose is to keep Edinburgh with the French; which I trust she shall not do. She is like to grant the other party all their desire, and has offered partly already. The Grange, 25th June. Signed: Youris to the deathe, W. Kyrkcaldy.

1 p.Holograph. Addressed.

475. John Knox to Cecill. [June 28.]

"The perpetuall encreasce of the Holie Ghost."—

This is the 4th letter I have written to you since I left Geneva; two direct from Dieppe, one for licence to pass through England to my native country, another from St Andrews for licence to Newcastle or Durham—not for my own profit, but I think to tell some secret man of solid judgment, things I would not commit to paper and ink. I hear from many I am so odious to the Queen and Council, that my name is unpleasing in their ears: but I will not cease offering my self, requiring you in God's name to present to her grace this my letter, "smelling nothing of flattery" and therefore more acceptable. Why her grace or the faithful in her realm should repute me as enemy, I know no just cause. One thing I know, that England to this day hath received no hurt by me: "yea it hath receaved by the power of God wirking in me, that benefitt which yit to non in England is knowen, neyther yit list I to boast of the sam—onlie this will I saye, that when England and the usurped authoritie therof was enemye to me, yit was I freind to it, and the fruit of my freindschip sauvd the bordouris in thare greatest necessitie." I have long looked for concord between these realms, and the occasion is now most present, if God move your hearts to seek it. "For humilitie of Christ Jesus crucified now begun heir to be preached," may join the hearts of those whom "Sathan" by pride has dissevered: wherefore I would have licence to come to you. God move your heart to consider the state of both realms, in more danger than many do espy. Common bruit has doubtless carried to you our troubles in religion. Many of the nobility, most of the barons and gentlemen, many towns and "on cietie," have put to their hands to remove idolatry, &c. "The reformation is somwhat violent, becaus the adversaries be stubburn." No one who professes Christ Jesus usurps authority, nor intends to do, unless strangers are brought in to subdue our liberties. If such be espied, "I am uncertane what shall follow" —advertise me of the Queen's pleasure for my repairing to you. St Johnston. Signed: John Knox.

I had no time to write the Queen's letter for continual travail, and the sudden departure of the messenger. "On thing yit in Goddes name I will requyr of you, in my name to say to the Quens grace, "that willinglie I never offended hir grace, and therfor sche owght not reput me an ennemye."

2 pp. Holograph. Indorsed: "To ... Schyr William Cycill knycht secretary to the Quens majesteis most honorable prevy counsell," &c. Indorsed. The date, signature and postscript are hurriedly written in fainter ink than the body of the letter.

476. The Queen to her commissioners. [June 28.]

Has received the treaty lately passed between them and the Scots, and thanks them for their labours. Begs them to see that the wardens put it in execution. Considering the discord of that country, requires Northumberland to defer his coming up till her farther pleasure.

pp. Draft corrected by Cecill. Indorsed.

477. The Queen Dowager of Scots to the Queen. [June 29.]

Requesting her to appoint commissioners to meet others of Scotland, at a short day, to treat for ransom of prisoners in the late wars. Edinburgh. Signed: Your gud sester and allya, Marie R.

1 p. Broad sheet. Addressed. Indorsed.

478. The Bishop of Durham to the Queen. [June 30.]

After concluding the late treaty, whereof my lord of Northumberland and we the others, certified your grace on the 18th—we exchanged finally at Norham, yet were compelled to stay 8 days longer to reform attempts during our meetings; for men brought up in "raven" loath to live in peace. As there is much not in writing, that it were meet your highness should know, I humbly beseech your licence for me to declare in presence, the state of these two realms, and likewise do my duty to see your majesty "ones in my dayes, this somer season," the best time for me to travel, for I look not to live long, and shall repair with such speed "as myne old carcas will suffer me, unto your grace." Auckland. Signed: Cuth. Duresme.

pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

479. The Bishop of Durham to Cecill. [June 30.]

Having written to the Queen for leave to come to her presence, desires him to forward his suit, as the summer season is best for his "olde carcas."

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wafer signet: oral (indistinet).

Footnotes