Elizabeth: May 1578

341. Articles to be Preferred to James VI. [May.]

"A coppie of the Articles delivered by the Earles of Argile, Atholl and other Lords at Edenburghe to be preferred to the King by the Lord Lindsey."

To desire the King that the Parliament may be holden in the town, and not in the Castle, which is a novelty, and done since our departing from his majesty by our advice. To speak to his majesty touching the proclamation last made, and to reason with him upon the form thereof, and upon the meaning of the same. To declare to his majesty concerning the fortifying of the Lady Mary's house, the steeple, and the town, which is dangerous to noblemen coming there. Request that all such fortifying of the town may be discharged, and that the Parliament may be holden in freedom and liberty, in the Tolbooth of the town, like as they looked for at their departure from his majesty, and as they think most honourable for his majesty and profitable for his subjects; which being done they will address themselves in all obedience to the setting forth of his majesty's service. Touching the King's letter to the Master of Mar for his jewels, sword, crown, and sceptre, they think the like discharge should be given to him and his cautioners as was given to the Earl of Morton, and that any of the nobility who be cautioners for the Earl of Morton may also be relieved.

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342. Answer by James VI. to Articles. [May 12.]

"Answers to the headdes propounded to us by owre trustie cossen the L. Lindsey; at Strivilinge Castel the xij of Maie 1578."

Thinks there is no place more meet for holding of his Parliament than the great hall within his Castle of Stirling—the present state being considered—seeing he is yet of tender years and has sundry enemies, the Tolbooth of Stirling being ruinous, and that it is not meet to commit himself in such dangerous time. Cannot alter the place appointed. This is not meant to induce a preparative that his Parliament shall be hereafter holden in castles. All noblemen and others having vote in Parliament shall have free access to him; there shall be no fortification of the town or other parts, except only the appointing of certain numbers of townsmen and others to be guard, that all things be in good order, as has been used in times past; so that they may be assured he will be as careful as he can that they and all other his subjects coming thither shall be in surety under his protection. The Lady Mary's house shall be no more hurtful to any now than it has been in times past. They shall find him as careful of their sureties as of his own.

Concerning the proclamation.—Truly, if they had been with him he would have been glad of their advice; but, lest the simple people might be moved suddenly to give credit, he could not do less, with the advice of his Council and nobility present, than to direct out the same in such form as it is, which he doubts not they like well enough, seeing it is only meant for envious persons, raisers of bruits tending to sedition, whom he is assured they mislike as far as he does, as the coming to him will the better testify.

Concerning the jewels.—He wrote to the Master of Mar before, showing that he was desirous to see them, that he might use so many for the ornament of his person, at his Parliament, as should be thought good, and if he retained them, sufficient discharge to be made in Parliament. Thinks strange that such discharge should be sought before security be found. the Act not being yet returned to be regranted, and therefore in refusal he finds himself evil handled.

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343. Elizabeth to the Earl of Morton. [May 20.] S.P. Dom., Eliz., vol. XLV., p. 45.

As nothing that has lately happened in the government of Scotland has been more displeasant to her than the appearance of the discord between him and others of the nobility, because from such a root no good could have sprung either to the King, the realm, or themselves who were parties, so has not one thing fallen out more to her contentation than the opinion of a reconciliation among such as already pretend to deserve that good liking that she has settled towards them, among whom she must confess he has made hitherto the best experience, who, the time of his public government, has showed all friendly affection to herself, and has not omitted any good office to maintain the amity between the King of Scots and her, whereof now this benefit grows, that the ceasing of his authority neither determines nor lessens her assured friendship towards him, which she sees cause daily to increase by such reports as have been made to her by her servant at his return, confirmed also by letters daily received from her servant Bowes; by whom, and by other circumstances, she notes the constant continuance of his friendly devotion to her. It rests, therefore, that she show herself friend to his person, and not to his fortune, the increase or decay whereof can work no alteration in her towards him. Nevertheless, she cannot but remind him how great a wrong he will offer to the King, the realm, and his majesty's well affected friends if he shall make himself more private than shall stand with his highness' pleasure, to whom she has written in his favour, and, indeed, hopes that he will not yield to be "unfurnished" of a Councillor of so great experience, se well devoted to himself, and so able to do good for the public benifit of that realm; in regare whereof she will employ all good means to his majesty and the nobility for the using of his service, wherein she doubts not but he will discharge his duty to God and to his majesty with his accustomed fidelity and sufficiency.

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344. Elizabeth to James VI. [May 20.] S.P. Dom. Eliz., vol. XLV., fol. 50.

"Right highe and mightie Prince, our dearest brother and cosin"; the great care which we always have had for the preservation of your person makes us often very inqusitive of your health and safety, wherein we were not only fully satisfied by our servant Randolph at his return from Scotland, but received also singular contentment by the report he made to us of your rare towardliness and show of princely virtues above the expectation of your tender years; to the which our servant Bowes has lately added his knowledge as well of your love and brotherly affection to our person as of your inclination to maintain the well continued amity between us, our realms, and people. These reports both increase our love and confirm it in such sort that we weigh the success of your affairs as our own, being grieved when we hear any likelihood of your troubles, and glad again when they be wisely prevented and suppressed, as, namely, in these late controversies between so great personages, your highness' subjects, we are glad of the hope conceived of a sound composition, and shall be better satisfied when we hear that the mediators have finished that good wook that is of so great importance and consequence to your majesty and your State; in conclusion whereof we cannot better express our care over you than by way of advice, to wish that you would call the Earl of Morton to be joined with the rest of your well chosen Councillors, as one that for his great experience in government and his former care of your person, and for the preservation of that realm in quiet, has made good demonstration of his fidelity and devotion towards you. The consideration hereof and of greater matters may be committed to your majesty's judgment, notwithstanding your tender years, which promises a hope of further perfection hereafter, whereof none can reap more cententation than we, who for the nearness of affinity and vicinity are to be daily partaker of those well grounded virtues which we pray God to increase and multiply in you, to whom we commit your majesty, etc., —not doubting but if you shall like to use his service in place fit for his calling, you shall find such fruit by proof thereof as shall give you just cause hereafter to thank us for this our advice and motion, the same proceeding chiefly of the love we bear you and desire we have for your well doing. And so praying you from time to time to credit that which this bearer, our servant, shall say to you from us, whom we mean shall reside there with you for the better entertaining of good amity between our two realms, we commit you to God's good protection.

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345. Elizabeth to Argyll. [May 20.] S.P. Dom. Eliz., vol. XLV., fol. 51.

Has been advertised from her servant Bowes how well he is devoted to the maintenance of the amity between the King and her, which she accepts in so thankful part that she finds herself bound in honour to show him the contentment she receives thereby.

Whereas, to her great grief, she has found that among personages of the best estate in Scotland, and best able to serve the King, and no less well affected to the amity between their two crowns, there has been cause of difference and contention, which by mediation of persons of quality are growing to some friendly composition—especially between the Earl of Morton and him—she therefore prays him, foreseeing the evident mischief that is likely to ensue by the continuance of the disagreement between persons of their quality, in the nonage of the young Prince, that if anything offensive either remains or may be revived between him and the earl, or other of the nobility, they will use her minister in Scotland as a mediator to take away all causes of further unkindness, and for confirmation of a perfect reconciliation, which she has good hope will take good effect, she could wish him to be a mean to the King and the rest of the nobility for the calling of the Earl of Morton about him as a Councillor; wherein, besides that he shall discharge that office of a Christian nobleman by yielding the fruits of true reconcilement, he shall by furtherance thereof greatly advance the King's service, he being a man so sufficient for government as he is, whereof he has made sufficient trial. Prays him to give credit to her servant Bowes in such things as he shall deliver to him touching such slanderous bruits as have lately come to her ears, whereunto she gives no credit.

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346. Elizabeth to the Earl of Mar. [May 20.] S.P Dom. Eliz., vol. XLV., fol. 51.

In such advertisements as have lately come from her servant Bowes, now resident in Scotland, she has been informed that he has many ways discovered his good affection towards her, to the strengthening and maintenance of the amity between the King and her, in requital whereof she has thought good to let him know her thankful acceptation of her goodwill in that behalf. It was not strange to her to hear the report thereof, because in this and other good offices of constant friendship he but follows or begins where the good earl his father left, who in his life deserved well of her, and thereby planted in her an honourable opinion of his dealing which she is ready to translate to himself with a willing mind effectually to requite it as occasion may serve; only this one thing she must remind him of, that, since the custody of the person of the King is now committed to him, he be jealous over him and have a especial respect for his safety, whereof he shall make best proof if he foresee to call to his assistance in that charge none but such as be free from faction, and be soundly affected in religion, for under such a guard he may be assured to yield an honourable reckoning both of his life and manners. This is sufficient to declare her tender care of his majesty's person, and her thankful account of his lordship's well intended friendship. The rest he shall learn hereafter from Bowes, to whom she prays him to give credit.

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347. Walsingham to Shrewsbury. [May 30.] S.P. Dom. Eliz., vol. XLV., p. 22.

Whereas he perceives by his letter of the 22nd instant that the Queen of Scots' embroiderer's wife has repaired to Sheffield with her child, desiring to have access to her, and that his lordship has forborne to yield thereto before he might know her majesty's pleasure,—this is to signify to him that, notwithstanding any earnestness the embroiderer's wife could use towards her majesty for obtaining her consent thereto, or by procuring the French ambassador to solicit also in like sort for the same, her majesty will not be drawn to condescend to her request in any respect, but thinks it a matter very strange she should be so much importuned therewith. Wherefore his lordship shall do very well not to permit her to have any speech with the said Queen, but to return her hither with as convenient speed as he may. Greenwich.

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348. Malcontents in Scotland. [May.]

"The malecontentes in Scotlande at this presente."

The Earl of Atholl, who is said to seek leave to go to the Spa for his health, because his business, though he be Chancellor, at home goes not well. This Earls' Court is very great, and all by Papists who wholly follow him, as also the malcontents and such as wear iron shoes. The Earls of Argyll, Montrose, Caithness, Huntly (who is dead), his brother and friends, and Menteith—whose right name is Grimme. The Hamilton's, Lords Ogilvy, Gray, Livingston, and Lindsay—who is become colonel of the malcontents. Mr. George Buchanan, in respect of Morton coming again into the King's favour. Mr. James Macgill, Clerk of the Register, who is wise, and can be sick at all conventions; but can, notwithstanding, give stark counsel to have it furthered and be himself partaker thereof. The bishop of Orkney, who is also Abbot of Holyrood House. Lord Herries. The Abbot of Newbottle. The bishop of Caithness, who is Prior of St. Andrews, and shall at this next Parliament be made Earl of Lennox and marry the Earl of Atholl's daughter, a very fair young widow, called the Lady Lovat, not above 24 years; howbeit he is past three score. The Carrs, with many other barons adjoining to them. The Master of Mar, and the Laird of Drumwhasell.

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349. Biencontents In Scotland. [May.]

"The biencontentes at this presente in Scotlande."

The Earl of Morton, Lord Ruthven, the Abbots of Cambuskenneth and Dunfermline, the Earls of Angus, Mar, Rothes, Glenclairn, Bothwell, Eglinton, Lords Boyd, Elphinstone, Sinclair, and Tullibardine, and the Abbot of Dryburgh.

The Parliament begins the 15th of July in Edinburgh town, and after to be continued at Stirling Castle, where the King is; whither the malcontents say they will not go, and the King says they shall, etc., or else, etc.

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350. Forces in Scotland. [May.]

"Articles uppon the dissolvinge of the forces in Scotlande."

That all forces dissolve immediately after the King's proclamation, the men of war with their ensigns folded and undisplayed. The forces being dissolved, the Earl of Angus shall immediately give up his lieutenancy, which lasts but for the King's will only. The gentlemen of the Earl of Argyll's company to the number of 30 or 40 shall have access to his majesty's presence. The Earl of Atholl's company may safely pass home by Stirling bridge, but none to come within the town saving 30 or 40 gentlemen, who may also have access to see the King. None in their returning shall do injury to the country folks, or take any of their cattle or goods but with their goodwill, and that for ready payment; for whom their lords and masters shall be answerable. All prisoners, horse and armour taken shall be set at liberty and restored. If the Laird of Cesford's servant's horse was taken in the "Barrow More" by any that served in this action for the King, the horse shall be restored; otherwise let the restitution be suited by order of law. "The Provost of Edenboroughe warde shalbe discharged that hee maie returne home."

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351. The Earl of Morton. [May.]

"Votes with the Erle of Morton to be of the King's Counsell."

Bishops.—St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Murray. Earls. —Angus, Mar, Glencairn, and Rothes. Abbots.—Dunfermline, Dryburgh, Cambuskenneth, Kilwining, Inchaffray [Inchechafferne], Crossraguel ["Corrons"]. Lords.—Oliphant, Ruthven, Sinclair, Ochiltree, and Cathcart. Boroughs.—Dundee, St. Johnstone, Glasgow, and Ayr. Tullibardine, Comptroller; Master of Forbes. 25.

"Votes against the Erle of Moorton."

Bishops.—Caithness, Dunkeld, Orkney, Brechin. Earls.—Argyll, Atholl, Montrose, Caithness. Abbots.—Newbottle, St. Combe. Lords. —Lindsay, Seton, Herries, Maxwell, Ogilvy, Innermeath, Gray. Boroughs.—Edinburgh, Stirling, St. Andrews, Montrose, Aberdeen. Mr. George Buchanan, Privy Seal. 23.

1 p. Copy.

Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 557.

Another copy of the same.