Elizabeth: August 1576

Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 5, 1574-81. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1907.

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'Elizabeth: August 1576', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 5, 1574-81, (London, 1907) pp. 219-222. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol5/pp219-222 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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In this section

234. John Hamilton to [ ]. [Aug. 1.] Cott. Calig., C.V., fol. 84.

"My hertly commendations being remembrit." I received a letter of yours from this bearer, and another "of befoir" from Mr. Pye, wherein you make mention of another letter you sent to me "of befoir," the which I never received. Captain Halkeston has written to me from Paris of his proceedings concerning your business and our purpose. He finds no appearance to obtain any assurance of your demands, for such reasons as the ambassador of Scotland showed him, and as I have also showed this bearer in Captain Halkeston's letter. Notwithstanding, our ambassador finds the enterprise very good, and will do all that lies in him for the advancement of it. The captain goes down towards Normandy at the ambassador's command, and "speikis" Monsieur De La Millerie, vice-admiral, Monsieur Surlabos, governor of the New Haven,† and Monsieur Cicognes, governor of Dieppe, who will do all that the ambassador will desire them. So, being in Dieppe, the captain will suit by all means to "heiss" a good ship and "marinellis." He will "heiss ane at me" incontinent with his resolution of his affairs there. "Alwayis" I am minded to send to him the fourth day of this instant to know how he has done, and also for some particular affairs of my own. In the meantime I pray you be in good courage, for I hope in the Lord all "sell cum weill." There is nothing "uneble" to good stout hearts. Brussels. Signed: Jhone Hammylton.

¾ p. No flyleaf or address. Underlined in parts.

235. The Regent Morton to Burghley. [Aug. 18.]

This old gentleman, Captain Cockburn, well known to your lordship, being "deliberat" to pass into France, and to visit the Court there by the way, I have thought good to send your lordship by him in these few lines my most hearty commendations. Presently "I am not to trouble" your lordship with any particular matter of my own, and for the state of the country here, remit it to the bearer's sufficiency to be declared unto your lordship. Dalkeith. Signed: James Regent.

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

236. The Regent Morton to Walsingham. [Aug. 18.]

This bearer, not unknown to you, has taken purpose to pass into France at this present, and albeit I trust his old acquaintance with you is able to procure your favour towards his passage, yet I may not omit to recommend him to you, and therewithal render you thanks for the many and sundry pleasures that from time to time I receive at your hands in making me participant of the foreign affairs, for by you is all my intelligenee; and although I cannot acquit you with the like, yet shall I continue a goodwill to show you pleasure whenever I may see the occasion. The state of matters here I refer to the bearer's sufficiency. Dalkeith. Signed: James Regent.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

237. Gregory XIII. to Mary. [Aug. 18.] Cott. Calig., C.V., fol. 85.

Never ceases to think how he can render aid to her, her son, and Scotland, nor does he despair that the divine mercy will point out a way for her, having removed all the present difficulties, which are very great, and will not longer bear so great indignity.

¼ p. Latin. Extract.

238. Complaints against Sir John Foster. [Aug.] Add. MSS., 33,531, fol. 157.

"The causs quhairfor Sir John Foster, Wardane of the Middill Marche of England deserves to be depryvit from his charge."

"The maner of Sir Johnne Forresteris strayte and undeutifull procedingis in the office of wardanrie of ye Middle Marche, and quhat hinder it wer to justice and danger to the peace and amytie betuix the realmes, gif he suld langer be continewed thairin."

It is well known both in England and Scotland that with the murder of the Earl of Murray, Regent, the "brek" of the peace was attempted, Farnyhurst and his accomplices riding with fire and sword within England. Which being repressed by the Earl of Sussex, Sir John entered into privy condition with Farnyhurst, who, continuing his rebellion and murdering the subjects of Jedburgh, because they refused to accompany him in his enterprise and conquest intended in England, was not only by law declared traitor in Parliament, but he and his fellows expelled trom Scotland by force. Sir John Foster not only received Farnyhurst and his accomplices, but avowed and maintained them in their wicked murders and attempts daily committed against the subjects of Scotland. This was not only done in the time of the public troubles in Scotland, but after he [Morton] had taken pains to establish the Warden and ordinary justice in the Middle March, and a Keeper in Liddisdale. Whereupon the matter was "meanit" to Sir John, and "complenit on" otherwise to the Queen of England and Council, till at last Farnyhurst himself was conveyed into France, leaving his accomplices in the Middle March of England. On his [Morton's] passing to the north country in August, 1574, he thought it convenient for the better rule of Liddisdale "to receve in suirtie" certain of the inhabitants thereof "maist bissy and troublus." Whereupon some "effrayed" escaped and were fugitive, raising fire in Scotland and commiting other "hanous attemptattis"; the authors whereof being first received within the west wardenry of England, on his motion to Lord Scrope and the Keeper of Bewcastle, meeting was "kepit" betwixt them and John Carmichael, deputy Keeper of Liddisdale, whereby their [the Scottish] fugitives of Liddisdaill were not only expelled the west wardenry, but such form of justice was agreed to and kept betwixt them as has not been for a long time. Being thus expelled the west wardenry, they were received and maintained within Sir John's charge, in the Middle March of England, and albeit he was earnestly desired for delivery of them and to agree to the pursuit of the rebels of both the realms, yet nothing followed all last winter. Which unwillingness in him to do justice and to keep meetings gave the fugitives boldness in March last to make incursion on the water of Rowe, and to break the house of James Turnbull of the "toure," and to take prisoners, who, with the horses and goods taken, were received in Tindale. Having written to Sir John, he promised presently to take order not only for setting of the Scottish men at liberty with horses and gear, but that he would bring them to be answerable at the day of "trew," and that he would make present proclamation that none of the fugitives should be received in his office. In April last he sent him a letter with certain articles by his servant, William Douglas, offering that if he would take on hand to apprehend the fugitive thieves of Scotland remaining in his charge, and deliver them to him, he would "caus tak" the fugitive thieves of England remaining in the Middle March of Scotland, and deliver them to him; or if he would banish the Scottish thieves and "enter their resetters," he would cause him to be answered in like manner. In his answer he omits the point anent the fugitives, and, being urged by a new letter, wrote as "misknawing" the matter, desiring their names and the order of laws and treaties of peace to be observed. Renewed his offer to him, by John Carmichael, at the meeting at Halterburn in May. At which time he made a distinction betwixt the fugitives of Liddisdale who followed Farnyhurst and those of Liddisdale. But when Carmichael replied, that if he would make present delivery of those of Liddisdale or their "ressetteris," travail should be taken to make him [Morton] overlook the others for a while. Sir John appeared to like well of it, and having received the names of the Scottish fugitives, appointed a meeting to be kept betwixt his deputy, Sir George Heron, and Carmichael on the 26th of May last. Which meeting being kept, the receivers of the fugitives of both parties were delivered, namely, John Robsoun of Stonehouse, Englishman, and "Thome" Armstrong of the Manys, Scottish man. They also agreed to "speir, file and deliver" the receivers of the fugitives; and although Carmichael was content to have used the like order there touching the persons delivered for the said receipt as with Lord Scrope, yet Stonehouse and his fellows did not receive the condition. When Sir George Heron understood this he wrote to Carmichael that he was content he used them as pleased him, and that his band and his sums were discharged. After this Sir John travailed earnestly for release of Stonehouse on his band, offering to pay the bill, and said he had "avoidet" the fugitives who were on the head of Tyne. "He mettis him self on the vij of July at the Redswyre, haveing of befoir dischargeit Sir George Heroun for his sa furthwart proceding in the deliverie of Stanehous, quhome he rebuked thairfoir tantingly and displesantlie." He found fault with Mr. Fenwick of Wallingtoun for the plain answer given about the receipt of David Elliot, called "the carlinge," and offer of redress for his offences. He altered the form agreed on and that day practised betwixt them, refusing to make delivery for George Turnbull's, of Nowleyis, bill filed "on" young Harry Robsoun of the Fawstane. Shortly before the said meeting John Schaw and another of Farnyhurst's servants, who were partners in the murders of the King's good subjects, arriving at some port in the north parts of England from France, were received and entertained by Sir John Foster's order in Harbottle Castle. Of late Farnyhurst's wife and some of his servants have not only been received by Sir John within his charge, but are also conveyed by ship to France, the other rebels still remaining within his charge, notwithstanding the promises made to that effect.

3 pp. In Morton's hand. Indorsed: "The caussis quhy Sir Johnne Forester deservis to be deprivit from his charge."

Footnotes

  • 1. Havre.