Elizabeth: May 1563

6. Randolph to Cecil. [May 1.]

There has been little to write of these 20 days—the Queen has continually remained here sine Easter, looking daily for news from Lethington: and these 4 days past has kept her chamber, not "sycke nor dyseased," but took physic for the time of year. Yesterday I received your letters to her grace from Lethington, who wrote that it passes his capacity to understand what shall become of the accord: he mislikes all their doings, but most of all those of the Prince. (fn. 1) The Queen mother will not let him depart, before answer come out of England, from the gentleman sent to the Queen's majesty: whereby I conjecture, that according as she likes it, she will frame her requests hither. He writes nothing else of effect. Her grace desires these her letters to be sent to him by next convenient messenger, with one from Murray. Some now doubt parliament holding: it greatly depends on Lethington's return. She doubts also to be then "sore pressed for matters of religion"; it should begin on 20th instant.

At Easter 5 or 6 priests were apprehended in the West country saying mass and ministering to the people, "some in secret howses, some in barnes, other in woodes and hylles," and are all in prison.

I send a letter I received from James MacConnel since his return from Ireland. If he purpose to do as he writes, his service may stand my Sovereign in good stead: Argyll puts me in good hope of him. The Queen will take journey this year into Argyll, and provision is already taken for her. I hear nothing now of her journey to England, and speak as little of it myself. One Chaloner came to Edinburgh from Ireland; I cannot yet learn his affairs here, and from the troubles there, I am doubtful of all men coming from thence. I enclose his letter to me. O'Donel's [Adonel] father is dead: "I meane the olde man whome his sone keapte presoner." The Earl of Sutherland that was in the conspiracy with Huntly, has been at a friend's house here in Fife and has spoken with Murray, and is content to put himself in the Queen's will. Lady Huntly has been here a suitor to the Queen, but could get no presence. She spoke with Murray, but receives little comfort, and is this day gone to Edinburgh. St. Andrews. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

Please have my humble suit in remembrance.

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed. Wafer signet as before.

Inclosed in the same:—

(James MacConnel to Randolph.)

I have seen your letter and "thankis you gretlie of your novellis." As you required me to advertise what end I made with with Captain Pers: I have spoken with him and seen his commission from my Lord lieutenant. "We haif intreatit of divers articlis intercommonit of heirtofoir amangis ws, and hes concludit thairon." I have the double of the said articles subscribed by the captain, and have sent the other part by him to the lord lieutenant. And if they abide for their part, I trust they shall have no occasion to allege "only break on my side." I will be "sa hamelie" as desire you to send me "ane fyne bow" with the bearer my servant, whom credit. "Off Kintire the xvj day of Aprile 1563." Signed: Jaiams M'Onall off Dunavag.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil) "xvj Aprilis 1563. James M^cOnell to Mr. Randulph from Cantyre." Small wafer signet: a shield, with an open right hand in fesse, holding a cross in pale. "I.M.K." round shield.

7. Randolph to Cecil. [May 15.]

Before M. la Croc's coming, I had nothing to write, for we had so little to think on, that we passed our time in feasts, banqueting, masking, and running at the ring, and such like. He brought such a number of letters and abundance of news, that for three days we gave ourselves to nothing but reading writings and hearing tales: "maynie so trewlie reported that theie myghte be compared to anye that ever Luciane dyd wryte de veris narrationibus." Among those I send you as "an undowted trothe," that the Cardinal of Lorraine at his being with the Emperor, moved a marriage between his youngest son the Duke of Austria [Austruche] and this Queen, which is already come to this point, that if she find it good, the Duke will out of hand send hither his ambassador, and proceed to the consummation hereof with all convenient speed. And to know her mind better, La Croc is sent with this message from the Cardinal, who has promised the Emperor to have word before the end of May; and so La Croc is ready for his dispatch, "and his lettres wrytinge bothe daye and nyghte." This Queen being before advertised of this "towardenes," hath in many ways sought "farre of" to know Murray's mind, but would never so plainly deal with him, that he could learn her meaning or how she is bent. She uses no man's counsel but this man last arrived; and assuredly till Lethington's return, she will keep it as secret as she can: and as resolution in his absence cannot be taken, she will return La Croc with request to have longer time to devise, and then with all speed advertise the Cardinal of her mind. Of this matter Lethington is made privy, I know not whether before his departure or since his arrival in France: but in divers letters between her grace and him, what was of little import was told some, the rest in cipher was kept to themselves. Whether Lethington conferred with the Spanish ambassador with you, I leave your honour to get knowledge, being loath to guess or surmise in so grave matters. It is certain the Emperor has offered with his son for the Queen's "douare," the country of "Tiroll" said to be worth 30,000 francs a year. The Rhinegrave also wrote to this Queen from France hereon, not long since.

I received your writings by the Scotsman that last came here, who brought also letters from Lethington to the Queen, of old date with news of France only. I see that Newe haven is "sorre bosted"; but I know so much of their nature, that "theie will saye as myche as theie dare do. I will not saye as the proverbe dothe, Canis timidus fortius latrat." From hence, I assure them, whatever means they make, or however pitiful their moan, they are like to receive small comfort "for all their longe allie." We stand in doubt what friendship we shall need ourselves, unless we put better order to our "mysruled" papists than we do, or how to be void of them. To-morrow the 16^th the Queen departs for Edinburgh. If my "happe" be good, you shall shortly hear some merry tidings of the Bishop of St. Andrews. On Wednesday next, he shall be arraigned with 5 other priests for their "massinge" at Easter last. St. Andrews. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

My lord of Murray has a humour fallen into his arms which has troubled him very sore.

2½pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

8. Randolph to Cecil. [May 20.]

As M. Crock the bearer is commanded to report to your honour both the occasion of his coming hither, and the state of things, I will not trouble you with a long letter. He has made honest report of his entertainment at all times with our Sovereign and her subjects. He wishes such an amity as that between her majesty and this Queen might be concluded by our Sovereign with France.

You will wonder to hear that the Archbishop of St. Andrews had yesterday 12 new godfathers; his best shift was to put himself in the Queen's will, and to-day he is entered to the castle of Edinburgh. There are also condemned the prior of Whythorne, a notable "archipapyste," and 5 other priests as wicked as he. The abbot of Corserogall was summoned, and for his absence shall be put to the horn. This marvellous plague is lately fallen on our clergy that they know not where to hide their heads: and many of them are "cropen" into England, as you shall shortly know, with the whole discourse of this strange tragedy, to see the Bishop "late kynge of Scotlande," committed to prison for papistry in the time of a Queen of his own religion! and I trust shall be example to many other bishops of the world, either to know God better, or come to the like end that is looked for of him. The Queen, to declare it was her will, came to a house not far from where the lords sat in judgment, supped, and remained there till all was ended, near 8 o'clock p.m. I received that night, because my lodging was near the place, the honour to have the whole nobles to such a supper as I could make to them "upon the suddayne." Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed: ". . . by Mons^r le Crocq." Wafer signet (as before).