Elizabeth: December 1566

449. Bedford to Cecil. [Dec. 3.]

This bearer Alexander Bogge is recommended to me by Monsieur de Crocq's letter, and dispatched from him and M. le Conte de Brienne to France. As Captain Reade whom I sent to the Queen of Scots, is not yet returned, I know not when the ceremony shall be—but hear from friends there it is to be the 12^th of this present, whether the ambassador of Savoy come or not. I trust the Queen's majesty's pleasure for the naming of the child, be on the way to me, as I am looking to be called to come to "that Queene." Berwick. Signed: F. Bedford.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

450. Bedford to Cecil. Elizabeth. [Dec. 5. 1566.]

I pray your lawful favour for these two gentlemen, Alexander Mure and George Wysharte, Scotsmen, archers of the French King's Guard, commended to me by Lethington, as they have showed great favour to our countrymen in places where they have been. Their tarrying will be so long on the way, I need not write now, for my later letters will be with you before them. This letter was written before my other to you of this date. Berwick. Signed: F. Bedford.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

451. Bedford to Cecil. [Dec. 5.]

Captain Reade is returned with the enclosed letter from the Queen of Scots, that she would have me enter Scots ground on Sunday next the 8^th—which I do not like, the christening not being till the 15^th: and if I can deal with my neighbour Lord Hume, to meet me at the Bound road on Monday, I should be very glad—otherwise I shall do as the Queen wills, who has sent her safe conduct for me and my train, though she said I needed it not.

I trust her majesty's pleasure on the naming of the child, is well on the way, with any further instructions.

Coming hither with wearied horses, I desired my lord warden to hold a truce day with Cesford last Tuesday, (fn. 1) where it chanced that a Scot delivered by the Warden of Scotland to Rychard Ryveley a gentleman of my lord of Northumberland, bailiff of his town of Chatton, refused to go with him, and in struggling they fell, the Scot above, who drew his dagger and struck Ryveley under the short ribs, who lies in great danger. The offender was conveyed away by his friends. The Borders were never so far out of order, since the Queen was lately near them. The Warden is gone home, not well at ease, and I must leave M^r Treasurer in charge here. I had hoped for M^r Marshall before now, and pray you hasten him. The Queen is not altogether recovered, but takes "purgacions" etc. to fit her for the christening, which is looked to be very sumptuously done. Berwick. Signed: F. Bedford.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

452. Bedford to Cecil. [Dec. 9.]

This day "with Godes grace" I enter Scotland with all the gentlemen that came here. I look to be met by Lord Hume and great company at the Bound road, and hear that at Dunbar the Earl of Sutherland and Justice Clerk meet me, and at Edinburgh the Earl of Murray and another. I trust I shall do all matters committed to me as appertains. Since leaving Garadon, I have only heard once from you at Lord Wharton's, by Zowche, whence I wrote (and "sythens") and hope that the Queen's pleasure on the child's name will be with me before I require it. Berwick. Signed: F. Bedford.

I hear from Scotland the Queen there understood of M^r Randolphe's death 4 days at least before it came hither.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

453. Bedford To Cecil. [Dec. 9.]

After writing my other letter, I received yours as to the "nominacion" of the young prince, and am fully satisfied. It was six days coming—the posts use no diligence. I am sorry for your lack of health, and that your leg is the cause. I am now going towards Scotland, and bid you as myself, farewell. Berwick. Signed: F. Bedford.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

454. Archibald Grahame to [Cecil]. [Dec. 10.]

Begs excuse for his "baldnes" in writing to him, but prays him to sue the Queen to make an end of his "lang swyt," either by granting him the licence he asked before, or giving him 150l. "in present money"; after which his honour shall hear no more of his case. Begs his answer. Signed: Archebald Grahame.

½ p. Holograph. No address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

455. Robert Melvill to Cecil. [Dec. [10?]]

I received letters yesterday from you—one from my Sovereign with her mislike of the "buk prynted in France," another from my brother, written at her command "moire amplie," which I here enclose to your Sovereign to certify her highness of my mistress's own mind. Please to read both first, and then convey them to her majesty. I enclose this other letter from myself to her highness; and pray you I may have the others again after her "grace hes perwsit" them. Please be a mean that "Mester Grhame" have some order taken with him, and as "I ame so nere my dispatche," that the Council give answer therein. Excuse my troubling you with the other letter from my Sovereign to their "honors." [London.] Signed: Robert Melvill.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

456. Elizabeth to Mary. [Dec. 11.]

Seeing Melvill's great desire to return, I think good to say these few words. (1) My sorrow at seeing a book "si scandaleux pour vous, si injurieux a moy, si fol en soy" published, and (2) as you wish reparation for some words touching yourself, that you will announce to the world your detestation. You know Madame, nothing can touch my honour more, than there should be another Queen of England than myself. For as Alexander said, Carthage cannot endure two kings. As to the "probacion du Testament," I will do what I can, and having seen the same book in print, which you sent in writing, I will cause enquiry for the authors and printers, and punish them. Westminster "ce 11 jour de Decembre."

1 p. French. Official copy. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk). . . . By R. Melvill."

457. Maitland to Cecil. [Dec. 20.]

By this bearer M^r Wynkfyeld you will understand the order of the prince's baptism—wherein, though all such ceremonies have not been used "anent the forniture off the chapell and chalmers for my lady Argyle, being the Quenes majestys deputye," as he required: yet I must testify his diligence that no "inlaik wes theroff in his defalt"; for he earnestly craved the like order observed for the deputy, as her majesty is accustomed to use at home. Partly by the narrowness of the lodging in this place, and that no offence should be taken by the Conte of Brienne as representing the King of France "his person," all equality was observed between him and her majesty's deputy. I am most sorry to hear you are sick, wishing you as much prosperity as for myself. Stirling. Signed: W. Maitland.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

458. Bedford to Cecil. [Dec. 30.]

I understand by your letter of 20^th your disease of "the gowte," for which I am sorry. I have been 6 or 8 days at S^t. Andrews and other places in Fife, where Murray and his friends have used me with much honour: so now I "drawe" homeward as fast as I can. The Queen has granted to Morton, Ruthven and Lindsay their "relaxacion and dresse," wherein Murray has done very friendly for them to the Queen, as I have, by your advice. Bothwell, Atholl etc. helped therein, or it would not so soon have been got. George Douglas and Andrew Carre are specially excepted. The Queen promises me good answer. Robert Melvyn at his return has made very good report of his usage by the Queen our mistress. I understand from my wife there is new matter attempted by my lord Rutland and his counsel for the "fynding" of his office after his father's death. I pray it may be respited till I and my counsel "and my wyves" be present and answer. The Halleyardes in Fife. Signed: F. Bedford.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).