Elizabeth: July 1578

359. James VI. to Elizabeth. [July 1.]

"Right excellente, right highe and mightie Princes our deerest sister and cossen, in our hartiest maner wee commende us unto you." By your friendly and comfortable letter of the 28th of May, delivered to us by your servant Mr. Robert Bowes, your ambassador here resident, we understand the continuance of your great care and natural love towards us, and the grief which you conceive at any of our troubles happened through the controversies amongst some of the principals of our nobility and Councillors; for all which we render you our right hearty thanks, intending, as you have friendly advised us, to see the occasions of their differences compounded and taken away, we have already called the Earl of Morton and made him to be joined with the rest of our Councillors, hoping to find the same fidelity and devotion in him towards us as you write of, according to the proof given by him of the same in our young age, which will not pass out of our favourable remembrance, the rather for your good opinion conceived of him.

We have at sundry times had conference with your said ambassador, whose abiding here is acceptable to us, as we find his travail indeed serving to good purpose. We intend now very shortly to let you know our mind and goodwill more specially by one of our Council, having thought meet in the mean season thus to certify you by this bearer, Captain Cockburn, whose desire having been this long time to visit you, and, as commodity may serve, to travail for his living in France, we thought expedient thus to write. Stirling Castle.

1 p. Copy.

360. Lords John and Claud Hamilton to Elizabeth. [July 7.]

It has pleased her in extending her goodness to their banished father to show him great relief and pleasure in England, binding him thereby and all his posterity to render her most humble thanks. She has not spared this her accustomed bounty even to them, his children, for which they humbly thank her. It is no small part of her goodwill that they have enjoyed the benefit of the pacification which it has pleased her to set amongst the inhabitants of Scotland, which has been a ready means to continue peace amongst them. She may remember what heads were reserved to her further deliberation, the resoultion whereof they doubt not shall be according to her wonted clemency. Yet seeing the whisperings of certain particulars now present about the King their sovereign, which may withdraw his affection from them. and acknowledging how much available her letters shall be to keep them in his majesty's favour, they implore her favour in this behalf, that they may obtain her favourable declaration of the aforesaid heads, as also her letter to his Council to continue his goodwill towards them, who will not spare their lives to do his majesty faithful and obedient service. If it pleases her to grant this at present, she shall bind them to do her all lawful service whensoever it shall please her to employ them. Have informed the bearer of their mind, which he is to declare to her at more length. Hamilton Castle.

1¼ pp. Copy.

361. Morton to Walsingham. [July 9.]

Nothing grieved me more at the despatch of my Lord Dunfermline than to understand you [were] absent from Court, and that he should be destitute of your goodwill and favour to his expedition at this time; but Mr. Bowes, her majesty's ambassador here resident, in our conference relieved me greatly of that doubt, letting me understand your carefulness for the same purpose in advising our ambassador to address himself to Mr. Vice-Chamberlain (fn. 1) for the better knowledge of her highness' mind, and obtaining of the more speedy despatch of his legation, for the which most heartily I thank you; and as I have followed herein your good advice, so wish I of God that your own return may be speedy, to the weal and furtherance of her highness' service and your own contentment. I need neither to recommend the present messenger nor his message more specially, but commit them to your accustomed favour. Stirling Castle. Signed; Mortoun.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

362. Mary to the Bishop of Ross. [July 10.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 131, b.

It increases my fear when I consider that the difference is great between the desperate attempts of those men who as exiles from their country and deprived of all their goods were the authors and inciters to some daring effort, and the attempts of most potent Princes who as much for the sake of avenging their own private wrongs as for the public cause of religion, will easily allow 300,000 or 400,000 crowns to be endangered, for they will suffer nothing worse.

¼ p. Latin. Extract.

363. The King's Council and Lords of Articles. [July 16.]

"Names of the King's ordenarie Counsell established by Acte of Parlament."

Earls of Morton, Argyll, Lennox, Rothes, Eglinton, Glencairn, Buchan. Lords Ruthven, Cathcart, Ochiltree. Abbots.—Dryburgh and Cambuskenneth.

Officers of the ordinary Council, when they be present.—Atholl, Lord Chancellor; Ruthven, Lord Treasurer; Tullibardine, Comptroller; Dunfermline, Secretary; Mr. George Buchanan, Privy Seal; Mr. Bellindine, Justice Clerk; Mr. James Macgill, Clerk Register.

"The nomber to attende dailie and to subscribe with the King, with like orders requisite to be established not resolved."

"Names of the Lords of the Articles in the parlamente at Strivlinge, 16 July, 1578."

Bishops and prelates.—The bishops of St. Andrews, Glasgow. Aberdeen, and Murray; the Abbots of Dryburgh, Cambuskenneth, Culross, (fn. 2) and "Glenleisse" [Glenluce].

The Earls of Morton, Angus, Lennox, and Eglinton.

Lords Ruthven, Treasurer, Boyd, and Ochiltree.

Commissioners for boroughs.—Edinburgh, Dundee, St. Johnstone, Glasgow, Stirling, Aberdeen, and Kirkcudbright.

1 p. Copy.

364. Request by Mary for Passports. [July 22]. C.P., vol. XI.

Memorial of the servants and officers for whom the Queen of Queen of Scots, Dowager of France, requests the Queen of England, her good sister and cousin, to grant her passports.

First:—That it may be permitted to the deputy of her treasurer Dolu or another of her officers in France that she will send, or to the brother of the Sieur du Verger, her chancellor, to bring her hither the two thousand crowns that they have agreed to send her every year for her expense, and the wages of her officers who actually serve her in this captivity, her majesty and all her house, being in such necessity that they have not wherewith to furnish, at the least common expense as is fitting for them to do here.

That without augmenting the old number of the said servants and officers, she may summon new ones in place of those she has set free, and is constrained in part to allow some [to go], by their great age, long and continual maladies, and the bad treatment that they receive in this prison.

In the place of the Sieur du Castil, physician to her majesty, aged 80 years, and very weakly, who desires to retire to France to provide for his affairs, such other of the same profession as he shall be advised.

A serving gentleman, who, with Mr. Andrew Melvil, or in his default, as may happen by illness or otherwise, can honourably serve her majesty.

In the place of Mademoiselle de Raley,—aged 70 years, or more, much troubled by a great catarrh which has kept her in bed since Easter, and for this reason, although to her great regret. she has decided to retire—the daughter of the Laird of Farnyhurst, aged only 13 or 14 years, so that as much by her age as her sex they cannot have any suspicion of her, and the said Queen of England could by this courtesy and gratification oblige the said Laird of Fairnyherst and those who belong to him.

An officer of the kitchen in exchange for the squire of her majesty's kitchen, who has asked for his leave, and in place of his wife and daughter a chamber maid; her majesty has only two, who are at present ill, and she cannot do without them, as may easily be judged, without extreme discomfort.

That Alexander Scot, groom of the pantry, being at present in Scotland by the permission of Mr. Walsingham, may return to the service of her majesty as has been promised, and in default of him that her said majesty may have another "officer of the pantry" which she has lacked for more than a year.

The departure of the abovesaid altogether, and the voyage of those who will come in their place, is not of so great importance and suspicion to the Queen of England and the gentlemen of her Council as if they departed one after the other, forasmuch as it would necessitate five or six consecutive voyages in place of one which will suffice now, if the above is agreed to; of which her majesty cannot omit, nor delay to make instant request and pursuit. Made at the manor of Sheffield.

1½ pp. French. Indorsed: "A memoriall of the Q. of Scottes requeste for pasport to be graunted to certen of her servantes and officers."

365. Robert Bowes to Leicester. [July 23.] Cott. Calig., C.III., fol. 559.

Received his letters of the 11th instant on the 21st at 7 o'clock in the afternoon, together with another from the Countess of Shrewsbury. Before the receipt hereof, and after the decease of the Countess of Lennox, the King with the advice of the late Council had revoked his former grant made of the earldom of Lennox and lordship of Darnley to the Lord Charles, his uncle, and the heirs of his body, and promised the same to the bishop of Caithness and the heirs males of his body. Since that time the King by his letters patent has granted the said earldom and lordship to the said bishop and his heirs males of his body; and on Wednesday last the bishop was created Earl of Lennox in the parliament house. The next day the Lords of the Articles resolved to confirm the King's grant made to the bishop. According to his lordship's direction, has put the King in memory of his former grant to Lord Charles and the confirmation of the same by Act of Parliament made in the Earl of Morton's regency, approving this earldom and lordship to be descended to the Lady Arbell, right earnestly praying, therefore, that the infant, being so nigh in blood to the Queen of England and to his grace, and inheritable by his own grant and Act of Parliament, may enjoy the inheritance thus lawfully granted and established in her father, without any revocation in his minority. etc.

Has likewise moved the Earl of Morton and the Council to persuade the King, and also dealt with them and the Lords of Articles to stay the Act of Parliament for confirmation of the King's grant to the bishop.

It was answered, that notwithstanding the King's several grants and Acts of Parliament executed in the King's minority, he may by the laws of Scotland revoke both the first and second graHt, and lawfully retain in his own hands or otherwise dispose these possessions as best pleases him. But is referred to the further consideration of this parliament and of the King and Council for more resolute answer, which he attends, and will diligently solicit to the best effect he can, doubting very much by the sight of the dispositions appearing, and of the matter thus far proceeded, that the success will not be to his lordship's liking or to the great benefit of the young lady. Wherein he will further do what it shall please his lordship for the pursuit hereof or for other recompense to be demanded for the same—which he thinks may be the more easily obtained.

Has written in this behalf to the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. Begs him to impart his doings to the Secretaries. Whereas the Laird of Drumquhassel, receiver of the revenues of the earldom of Lennox, is presently charged to render account for all the rents and profits since the death of the Earl of Lennox, lately deceased, the greatest portion whereof appertains to the executors of the Countess of Lennox, has, therefore, called for the same, finding such way opened to him therein that he trusts, on his lordship's letter to the King or the Earl of Morton, a good part of the same may be obtained for that lady, as a duty belonging to the said executors, or to the lady in right of her father.

Yesterday morning the Earl of Montrose, commanded by the King to keep his lodging, departed towards his own house without licence, giving occasion of great suspicion of hasty troubles to ensue thereon, which he trusts shall, nevertheless, be turned for a time to no such effect as is generally expected.

Lord Lindsay, remaining still at commandment, was this day with the King, and will be shortly remitted with his favour.

The King having written to the Earl of Argyll signifying that of especial liking he had chosen him to be one of his Secret Council, and therefore has willed him to repair to his grace, the Earl, giving due thanks, agreed to accept the place. Nevertheless, he neither came nor showed any certainty of the time of coming. Therefore, has written to the Earl to haste him hither, trusting that he will not long defer the same, which will readily break the confederacy and quench the fire of sudden sedition greatly doubted to arise hastily in Scotland.

The Earls of Atholl and Caithness, as it is said, are passed over the water, so that it is likely that the dark cloud threatening a stormy shower is dissolving gently into small drops, promising a calm. Which, notwithstanding, falling for a season to some dissembled quietness, may, without timely providence, burst into a greater rage than it could at this present. But this wise Council established, and the watching eye of him who most narrowly is touched with the danger, will, he trusts, prevent the danger. Stirling. Signed: Robert Bowes.

2½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

366. Demands of the Commendator of Dunfermline. [July 30.]

"The demand of the Commendatour of Dunfermling, ambassadour from the Kynge of Scottes."

(1) That, seeing the dangers of the present time and the pretences of the Pope and his favourers, under pretext of the feigned anthority usurped by him over all Princes and monarchs for abolishing of that true religion which the same Princes and monarchs have embraced and by law approved within their kingdoms, and in respect of the tyranny intended by execution of the decrees of the bloody Council of Trent against the professors of God's true religion over all Christendom, it were most requisite that the Queen of England and the King of Scots, being Princes nearest to each other by blood and habitation, possessing the two kingdoms in this island, she should take heed to the remedies granted by God for the continuing of this his blessing to her posterity, and for the tranquillity of her own estate and her subjects.

(2) There is no more sure conjunction in league than amongst them that profess one religion, and the present occasion in that respect not to be omitted.

(3) The scope of the league they would not should "intend" to the hurt or offence of any, but that the confederates and professors of the true religion be not oppressed by the wrongful violence of the Pope of Rome and his favourers for the said cause.

The answer of the Queen's majesty by the advice of her Council.

To the first, second, and third.—The contents thereof are very reasonable, and her majesty will be careful on her part, as she trusts the King on his part, with the advice of his Council, will be to foresee the withstanding of the dangers therein mentioned.

(4) To that effect, in case any force of strangers happens to arrive in Scotland, that her majesty being required by the King of Scots shall send force into Scotland to resist them at her charges; so that, the danger being resisted in the beginning, her dominions may be in surety from all pursuit at that hand.

[Answer]. Her majesty has heretofore, to her great charges and hazard of her people, many times yielded such help as is required in this article, and upon assured hope to find "gratuitie" in the King and States of that country, will, upon such like cases of invasion, do the like for the preservation of the King and his country.

(5) That her majesty shall never transact nor enter into any contract or league with any foreign Prince wherein the state of true religion, the King of Scotland, his realm, nobility, and subjects shall not be comprehended; and the like for his part shall be accorded to.

[Answer]. In any contract that her majesty shall make with any foreign Prince she will always comprehend the King and his realm.

(6) For which causes he shall support her majesty's force coming into Scotland for his relief and comfort against whatsoever strangers or his own disloyal subjects, if any shall happen to be their partakers, with horsemen, footmen, and victuals, by sea and land, and so shall continue with the forces of his good subjects in case of foreign pursuit and insurrection within his realm, or with fewer number, as shall be thought requisite, to accompany her forces and munition at the assieging of any strength, or to resist other foreign or Scottish power that might pretend to rescue the strengths assieged by her forces.

[Answer]. Her majesty likes well of the contents of this article to be assured of the King's forces to assist her power that shall come into Scotland for defence thereof, thinking it reasonable that the forces on the King's part should also continue in their assistance of the English power as long as the English power shall have cause to abide there for defence or aid of the King, and that there be always some convenient hostages delivered into England, to continue there during the abode of the English power for the more comfort of the English that shall enter into Scotland.

(7) The King of Scots shall be enemy to all such foreign people or his own disloyal subjects as shall any ways show themselves enemies against the Queen of England or her dominions for the cause of religion.

[Answer]. Her majesty accepts the offer in good part.

(8) In case England shall at any time be invaded, the King of Scots shall furnish such number of men as his realm may forbear to pass at the Queen of England's charges to any part of England for defence of the same; and in case the invasion shall be at the north "ewestit"¹ Borders of Scotland the King shall convene his whole forces at his own charges to join with the power of England for the defence thereof; which shall continue on the fields in that quarrel as long as they were wont to do for defence of his realm at the command of his progenitors in any times bygone. The same contract to endure during the lifetime of both their majesties.

[Answer]. The Queen of England accepts this offer in yielding such power as Scotland may forbear to serve in any part of England in case of invasion; yielding to them from the time of their entry such wages as she shall allow to her own men of war being of like condition. And for the aid to be given in case of invasion in the north upon the charges of Scotland, her majesty accepts it also, though upon aid to be given on her part, she sees all the charge is to be borne by herself, which she doubts not but the King will and has cause to accept for the greatest benefit that "worldlye" can be given him.

To be added.—Considering her majesty has at all times of necessity aided the King and his realm wholly at her own great charges, and is contented hereafter upon any like accident to do the like, she thinks it very reasonable that the King and his three Estates now, during the King's minority, should give her good assurance not to treat with any foreign Prince either concerning the King's marriage or his removal out of the kingdom, or for making or renewing of any treaty or league without her majesty be thereof made privy, and as the person that is the King's dearest friend, cousin, and next neighbour, to give her assent thereto, wherein her majesty will always have regard to advise, and allow of that which shall be most beneficial for the King, his realm, and continuance of peace and concord betwixt her majesty and him, and their countries.

2½ pp. Indorsed. "xxx July 1578. The demands of the Lord of Dunfermling, and hir majesty's answere."

Add. MSS., 33,531, fol. 173.

Copy of the same.

367. Answer by Elizabeth. [July 30.]

Copy of the answers by the Queen of England to the demands in No. 366.

368. Answer to the Scottish Ambassador. [July 30.]

"Answer to suche partes of a writinge entituled the somme of that whilke the ambassadors hathe declared as ar requisite."

Lord Scrope shall be commanded to punish such as did anything contrary to the peace in the late quarrel in Annandale.

Item:—Sir John Foster also is warned to govern himself on the Middle Marches, so that if on the part of Scotland redress be made to England for the late spoils there committed, there shall be no occasion offered by him or any within his rule to renew any offence against Scotland; and if things shall not be there compounded before the coming of Lord Hunsdon to Berwick, his lordship shall have authority to treat thereof with such as shall be authorised by the King.

Item:—the complaints made against pirates have been heard and prosecuted to have redress as far forth as the time could suffer; and after her majesty's return from the progress, when her Council may be near London, and her Court of the Admiralty shall have opportunity to expedite the same, all manner of favour shall be showed for relief of the complainants, as if they were her majesty's own subjects. Her majesty has done justice upon all offenders, saving only one named Callice, whom her majesty meant very earnestly also to have had executed by death; but the Earl of Morton when he was Regent made earnest suit for his pardon, which only at his instance was granted, and yet the friends of the offender sought means to give to one of Scotland, a complainant, 500l. sterling.

Item:—for the matter concerning the lands of the late Countess of Lennox, her majesty has forborne to yield to the suit of the friends of the young lady named Arbella, the only daughter and heir of the late Earl of Lennox, who allege that by the laws of England the said Lord Charles was next heir to his mother, and so his daughter now heir to him; which she has done upon regard had to the King of Scots, "for that without satisfying him on pretence that on his behalf might be made to be the next heir to that land," and to that end her majesty has sequestered the profits of those lands into the charge of the Treasurer of England, Master of the Wards, to be hereafter answered as he shall upon further inquisition find the same ought to come by the order of the laws of England, by which all lands belonging to any subject ought to be ordered. And for the evidence pertaining to those lands, there is none but two letters patent, the one from King Henry VIII., and the other from Queen Mary, by which the lands were given to Matthew, Earl of Lennox, and his wife, and the heirs of their two bodies; which are extant of record in the Chancery at London. And for her testament, though she made one, and appointed her executors, yet she died in so great debt, and her goods so far unable to answer the same, that the Queen's majesty of natural favour, pity, and honour to her cousin, bestowed the charges of all her funerals, which were as honourably done as could belong to her degree, to the intent that her goods might serve to pay her debts, which her majesty is informed cannot be performed; and therefore suit is made as well to relieve the creditors, who are many, as to be a help to the young lady that such goods as were due in Scotland to Matthew, late Earl of Lennox, and to his wife, in respect of the profits of the said earldom remaining in the hands of divers in Scotland, there might be a princely regard had by the King and his Council that the same might be duly called for and answered to the use of the will and testament. Her majesty finds it very strange that any disposition should be intended of the earldom to any other to the prejudice of the young lady, only daughter and heir of Charles, late Earl of Lennox, who had that estate assured to him and his heirs of his body generally; whereof it is great reason, for justice sake, that the King be made privy, that by ignorance he be not counselled to do any open wrong to an infant, a lady, and one of his next cousins in blood.

2 pp. Indorsed: "30 Julie 1578. The answer to the summe of that which was declared to her majestie by the Scottishe Ambassador."

Copy of the same.

369. Negotiation of the Abbot of Dunfermline. [July 30.]

On Friday, the 25th of July, 1578, had audience, first of the Queen's majesty, and then of the Council, at Sir Ralph Sadleir's house; and first, after putting the King's letter to her, declared to her and the Council the matters committed to him, That day he took his leave and passed to his lodging, at Ware. On the 26th was certified of the Queen's removing that day to Audley End [Inne], in Essex, and that he should be provided with lodging near the Court; whereunto he addressed himself the same day, and lay that night at Saffron Walden. On Sunday he had some intelligence that the Queen and Council said that the matters propounded by him were somewhat general, and therefore was advised to give the same in writing if he looked to be answered in writing and specially; and even as he had desire to have a good and speedy despatch, so, to be plain and let her majesty understand that it was not so much for any suit of Lord and Lady Lennex's lands that he was directed to her highness, as to signify the good affection of the King of Scots toward her majesty, and to be in assured and firm amity with her.

On the 28th, in the morning, having drawn up the sum of that which he had declared and had to say to her majesty and the Council, the rather to obtain thereupon some answer in writing, he sent the same to some of the Council whom he esteemed most friendly; the effect whereof follow:—

"The somme of that which I have declared and have to saie unto your majestie and your honorable Counsell on the behalf of your deerest cossen my sovereigne Lord consisteth of these heades."

First;—has presented to her majesty most hearty thanks for the great favour, care, and goodwill which his highness finds and understands that her majesty has always borne to his person since his birth and coronation, moved thereto principally, he doubts not, by Almighty God, through that union which is between their two majesties in the profession of the true religion, acknowledging for his part what amity and conjunction the same ought to work, and daily works among such as fear God, besides the proximity of their blood and nearness of their habitations, joined and placed together by His divine providence in this island, and subject, for the said respect of the same true religion and their present amity, to the malice of such as disdain and envy this godly union voluntarily continued by God's goodness for his true religion's cause since the beginning of her majesty's reign, which none of her ancestors were able so long to preserve unshaken and cast in doubt.

Is authorised to treat upon the ratification and confirmation of the peace and amity contracted in the first year of her reign betwixt her commissioners and the commissioners of the Queen, the King's mother, then reigning and being joined in marriage with Francis II., then King of France, in such form as has passed between her progenitors before. In respect that the same peace has not been ratified since the King's coronation, and that now he has accepted the government of his realm in his own person, and such ratification presently appears necessary, as well for the terror of the disordered subjects inhabiting the Borders as that the foreign adversary whatsoever. seeing the continutnce of their amity, may find no place to dissever them. There has been hearty goodwill by the King to entertain this good peace and amity in causing justice to be executed and redress made at the Borders, and the good occurrence of her majesty's wardens in preserving the public peace and keeping the disordered people in obedience is acceptable to his highness. Has been commanded to pray her that Lord Hunsdon and Lord Scrope may receive her special thanks, and that Lord Scrope might be commanded to punish such of her subjects within his charge as in April last entered into action of blood and hostility with certain of the King of Scots' subjects in Annandale; also, that by some good order all misliking between the subjects on both parts, at the Middle Marches, might be friendly accorded by commandment from her majesty to such as have best will, ability, and skill to deal in such matters, with whom the King of Scots, will cause others of like quality to concur and join, wherethrough means of following the trade in recovery of true men's goods may be used without fear of deadly feud, and that there may be public meetings kept, as before the accident at the "Tridswire."

The King of Scots' good mind is to cause all her subjects complaining for injuries received at the hands of any of his lieges to have redress. Assures her that in respect of justice there shall be no difference between her subjects and his own, and earnestly craves, therefore, that the like may be showed to his people having their suits depending in England, and prosecuting for a long time past by Adam Fulerton for the merchandise spoiled in general, and particularly by Mr. John Pervande, John Ashsonn of Eder, Thomas Browne of Irwinge, David Endeanch of Aberdeen and others of Scotland for the spoil of their goods and other outrages sustained at the hands of her majesty's subjects exercising piracy, to the great hazard and undoing of sundry honest men, earnest lovers of the amity betwixt the two nations. His petition is that their longsome suits and the execution of a decree obtained long since by Archibald Graham of Edinburgh against some in Northumberland may now receive such direct answer and end as may be to the comfort and satisfaction of his subjects, and that some sure and substantial order might be provided that they shall not be further spoiled by Englishmen in time coming, as of late this same year sundry Scotsmen and "Easterlinges" repairing to Scotland have been spoiled and made prey of at the mouth of the Firth, and, in effect, within the King's own waters by certain English pirates. Requests that the King of Scots may have the lands and living in England sometime appertaining to the Earl of Lennox and the Lady Margaret, his wife, now falling to his highness by just title of order and lawful suecessson. Requests that he may have inspection of the principal evidences and writings pertaining to the Earl and Countess of Lennox, or of the records and registers wherein the same are contained, and that he may also know the state of her will and testament, etc.

Being sent for on the said 28th day of July he passed to the Court and dined, and in the afternoon had long conference with the Queen of England and sundry of the Council; and because she made difficulty to grant to the King of Scots the land and living in England sometime appertaining to his grandfather and grandmother, the Earl and Countess of Lennox, seeming to remit his suit to the decision of the laws of England, by which some meant to debar him from his right, through occasion of his birth in Scotland, he showed that, as his highness undoubtedly looked for more friendly dealing at the hands of the Queen, to whom he is so dear, although his right and interest were far more slender than they are, so he [the King] doubts not but whatsoever default and lack by rigour of law might appear through the place of his birth, her majesty of her special favour towards his highness, in consideration of the nearness of their blood, by her amity, will supply it, enabling him to succeed, the pretence of his foreign birth notwithstanding, seeing her majesty is ofttimes accustomed, as her ancestors have likewise been, to grant that favour not only to some of her own subjects born in the parts beyond the sea, but to some mere strangers, and that the King his master is not the first born in Scotland nor the first Scottish King who has succeeded to lands in England, as by the English and Scottish histories might well appear, "respecting" that this objection of foreign birth could have no place against the Countess of Lennox, his grandmother, nor the King's father, her son, both born in England, if they were alive. Wherefore his highness would never think that her majesty —who otherwise has been so careful and favourable a mother to him—will in this point suffer him to be frustrate of his right by the rigour of any such law, wherein, although there were default, yet might she very well supply that which seems to lack in him, by her special favour and royal authority. But because this persuasion availed nothing, and that she still made difficulty to suffer the King to have his right presently by ordinary succession, alleging, besides other reasons, the lands to be now in ward, and that her favour showed in this case might touch others whom it were not meet to offend at this time.

In the end he came to this, that it should appear that the King did not suit her in anything tending to her offence, that he could be content, in his majesty's name (but without prejudice of his right) that the rents and profits of the same lands be sequestered till the King might have commodity to prosecute his right by order of law, the person into whose hands the same should be sequestered being of the King's nomination, to whom he trusts her majesty, in the meantime, will give private warrant and direction to answer him for the same rents and profits during the time of the sequestration, to be employed for a guard to wait on his person, which also may serve to repress the disordered people inhabiting the Borders, for the better rule thereof. Showed to the Queen and Council at sundry times by conference and writing the causes that should move her to be beneficial to the King.

"Causes that should move the Queen's majestie to bee beneficiall to the King my soveraigne."

Trusts her majesty is sufficiently informed of the King's estate and his rents. It is certain the King's revenues are not well able to sustain his estate. He has accepted the government of the realm in his own person, and will shortly be abroad; before which time the state of his household must be erected, and it will also be most requisite that he have a guard continually to wait on his person, chosen from able, men affectionate to his preservation and service, seeing that there remain in the realm men who have dipped in the blood of his parents and dearest kinsfolk, who by his lack have great hope of worldly commodity, and other factious persons in whose hands it were right perilous for him to fall, being slenderly accompanied; and of necessity he must have that which will sustain this charge by friendly support, which he cannot have such occasion to sue from any other Prince as from her majesty. The more favourable her majesty shows herself at this time to the King of Scots the more shall she procure his kindly affection and grateful mind towards her, she will thereby acquire the continuance of the goodwill of all his faithful subjects, and put silence to the adversaries, who cease not to persuade that her highness bears him only goodwill in words, and would make it appear that there was more advantage for him to seek other maintenance and friendship; which practices would, therefore, be prevented now whilst he of himself is so well affected towards her, and before he goes abroad, where the evil willers shall have indifferent access and opportunity to persuade him otherwise, as easily they may do, finding him then in need, and the mean to help the matter then cut off from such as have always loved the amity, in case her highness defers the showing of her favour towads him at this time.

It is to be regarded that the charges lie now in his own person, and he hasentered into the government empty-handed; the daily disbursing is great and the importance small by reason of the troubles and divided minds as well on the Borders as in some place in the country; seditions and practices will be moved to disturb this amity, and charges must be bestowed to repress the same. There is also provision to be made of plate and movables for the King's house, and his house must be repaired. But the chief cause to move her majesty to this support is to sustain his guard for the better preservation of his own person and suppressing the insolence of borderers and others.

All this being heard, the Queen and Council thought to be advised with. Falling into talk with him upon the ratification of the peace, which he propounded amongst the rest, it was thought by them as a thing that needed not, seeing the peace stood in force and was well enough observed. Was still urged to declare what further he had to say, alleging what he spoke to be general, and of no consequence, and that there was nothing propounded to the Queen by him equivalent to that favour and goodwill that she had shown to the King and realm of Scotland, seeing that in his defence she had not only spent her treasure, but the blood of her subjects; for the which he gave her majesty hearty thanks on his majesty's behalf. Being advertised that he should neither get answer in any other purpose, nor despatch, till it might appear whereunto he would come in this point of further amity, he showed her majesty the King's goodwill to acquit her former favour and goodwill if either she or her realm should have the like occasion by foreign invasion or repressing of domestic forces for religion's cause, and that he would be no less ready to join and concur in so good a cause, and therefore it might please her to cause to be given him the heads and conditions of such league and contract as she should wish to pass between their majesties, upon consideration of the same he would accordingly answer it. Whereupon, spending some time in speech, because he saw her dealings tending to some delay, and that they appeared not to be resolute, to the effect that he might know what indeed might be listened to, he gave a note of the form and conditions of the league and further amity, according to his instructions, in form following. [Copy of the demands contained in No. 366.]

Which overtures were advised upon all day on Tuesday, and on Wednesday he was willed to be at the Court after dinner to receive his despatch and take his leave of her majesty: where he first had conference with the Council, and then with the Queen herself, and his answer given him by speech, in this form:—

"Answere to such partes of a writing intituled the somme of that which thambassador had declared as are requisite. [Copy of No. 366. Then follows a copy of the answers to No. 368.]

13½ pp. Indorsed: "The Abbot of Dunfermling's negotiation, anno 1578." Stained and torn.

Copy of part of the same.

Another copy of the same in a later hand.

Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 118.

Another copy of the same.