Elizabeth: May 1574

767. Shrewsbury to Walsingham. [May 9.] C. P., Vol. IX.

"Good M^r sekretere"; having received your letter of the 28th of April, I perceived you received mine of the 16th and 19th of the same, and made her majesty acquainted with the contents of them. It comforts me greatly that her majesty hath that credit in me your letter purports. I will never live to give occasion of other opinion, and thereof her majesty may be most assured. I delivered the French ambassador's letter with the bag to this Queen, and she has sent to me a bag with letters, wherein is one packet sealed and directed to the ambassador; the rest open letters from her people, which I have not perused, but set my seal to it. Yesterday she desired to have certain of her work sent up to the ambassador that he might present it from her to the Queen's majesty. I thought good to so do it by my carrier that you might peruse and consider of it, and to know her majesty's pleasure therein. So I end, wishing to you as my dear friend. Sheffield. Signed: G. Shrewsbury.

Postscript.—I thought good to let you know that there are sundry in my house infected with the measles; therefore wish it may be considered if it be not dangerous for the Queen's majesty to receive before it be very well aired anything from hence. God long preserve her, she is a priceless jewel to all good men.

¾ p. Holograph, also address.

768. The Regent Morton to Burghley. [May 9.]

The continual expectation of "Maister" Killigrew's returning into this country has "stayit" me from writing to your lordship all this "quhile" past, but now finding no certainty of his coming, I have presently written to your lordship, although having no present matter saving to give you most hearty thanks for your continual care declared for the interest of this good amity, and avoiding the dangerous practices of such as mean mischievously to disturb the present happy quietness of both the realms. Our State, praised be God, is quiet, so that I will not trouble your lordship with the discourse in writing of any our particular matters. Some things specially in that behalf I have written to Mr. Killigrew, that so far thereof as is meet your lordship may be informed of, and will not make tedious repetition of anything before written by me, abiding her majesty's pleasure and resolution thereanent, when she shall think time. This I may affirm, that the Borders generally were never in better nor more quiet state, and as good redress at the East and Middle March as can be wished. Marry, at the West [March] some impediment remains, the blame whereof I cannot yet impute to any "inlaik" of my Lord Scrope's goodwill, but rather to the malicious nature and proudness of the thieves under his charge, "that hardlie wilbe brocht to mak redresse, without sum uther persoun of auctoritie or credite be directit and adjoynit to see maters at that hand put to poynt, without the quhilk further meting at that hand will serve to na great purpois." Howbeit, on the part of this realm there shall be no delay nor inlaik of justice and present redress, as shall well appear to such as "beis appointit to see the procedingis." Which matter I recommend to your lordship's good remembrance. Dalkeith. Signed: James Regent.

Postscript.—Some present direction should be sent to the West March for eschewing of further inconveniences, that the true men may be relieved and thieves duly punished; otherwise their boldness will so far increase that it will be far more "difficill" to order them thereafter.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Burghley's clerk).

769. Sir William Livingston of Kilsyth to Walsingham. [May.]

My lord, I have received your lordship's letter, at Berwick, the 9th of this instant, whereby I understand that which I was thoroughly persuaded of before, that was your lordship to be my great friend, for by this and other matters I have the proof of the same, for the friendship of a friend may be better known in absence than in presence. For if I had been present myself, I could have given the Queen's majesty and Council to understand that I bear her majesty and country as goodwill, and would be as sorry to wish or know any harm or scaith to either of them as whosoever he be that has made that report of me to put me in jealousy with her majesty. For, as to my passing to "Telmowcht," as God knoweth my mind, I had no meaning but only that some honest men of the town of Newcastle desired me to pass the time in hunting, and they can bear witness of my part. I pray God that all her majesty's subjects bore her no worse will than I do. "I vill wryt no forder in this porpos," but refer to my other writings sent before, whereto your lordship may give trust. Further;—I thought good to let your lordship understand that I am secretly advertised from Scotland, that since my staying here my own friends have been very busy seeking all means to put me in jealousy with the Regent's grace, and have laboured and persuaded some "deboyschit" people to avow some tales of me wherethrough I may be troubled. This I suspected before I "schowld so be wishit"; the which was the occasion of my long tarrying in England. I am informed further than I will as yet credit. I have "porschit" licence of my Lord Treasurer to send a servant into Scotland to my friends to try out the malice better; for, since my being here, my Lord Regent's grace would not suffer my wife, friend or servant to come and speak with me, as I wrote to your lordship before. If these particulars be sought out against me I will crave this favour at your lordship's hands, to purchase me licence to remain in such place that I may live without suspicion till the time that his grace be better persuaded of my good behaviour, for otherwise I will be content to put myself in Edinburgh before his grace and Council. Provided that I may be once sure in my own house "that be qwyat practiese be my own frendis I gait no skaycht"; and to the same effect I shall make my friends give their band for me to suffer the trial of all matters [which] may be laid to my charge, and that without pardon or ransom in anything I have committed against the King's majesty, my country, or against his grace. After the "bakcomeing" of my servant I shall advertise your lordship as I proceed. Signed: "Your II. waray asswrit frend to my powar, Villam Leuington of Kylsycht, knycht."

1²/3 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed: "From the Laird of Kilsith."

Copy of the same.

770. Sir William Livingston of Kilsyth to Walsingham. [May 22.]

My lord, "it will plis yowr lordship" that I have received your writing, at Berwick, the 22nd of May, and "hais consavit" thereof. I thank your lordship most heartily for your good and faithful counsel, and, by the grace of God, shall follow your lordship's advice in all points, as your lordship shall know by my next writings. If righteous dealing may satisfy my lord's grace, he shall have no "gowst" occasion to have any jealousy of me. I have been so "ewsset" by the Regent since my stay here, that he will not suffer my wife or servants to come and speak with me, the which moves me to judge to be the hardlier handled by him. "Alwayis the trowcht will try the selff at the end," so I take the less thought. Otherwise, if his grace uses me otherwise than according to justice and the laws of our country—which I look not for—the best in Scotland will think no good of it, and I doubt not but your lordship shall stand my good friend; for only on your lordship's counsel have I gone into Scotland, for, if I had pleased, I needed not, for I have two years longer to remain out of the country, in what place I please, from the month of July. If matters fall out so that by the persuasion of my enemies I be evil handled, I pray your lordship that you write to the Treasurer of this town that I may, by his motion, have "acses" to write to your lordship of my estate and proceedings; for, since he knew your lordship's mind towards me, I can find no fault with him. Whereas your lordship writes that some are apt to judge that my removing here is rather to practise evil than good, I have taken little pleasure in my "heir byding"; but I pray God that no man may practise any worse than I have done since my coming into England, and perhaps you would live long quietly, and serve the Queen's majesty the better. But I cannot stop evil judgers from judging wickedly. It will be no end to desire me to haste out of this country, for I would be as glad "to awoyd me" as they would have me. I pray God to take away the occasion of this supposition, for the beginning of it comes of corrupted stomachs. I am not the first that has received this evil reward, "I jougeng for trew menyng." I will say no more, but the end will try all. I will request your lordship to have me "excuissit" that I have been so unthankful in paying your lordship the money I owe you, for of truth it was not in my default, nor yet in default of remembrance. For if I had credit of one body to have come to me, your lordship should not want it so long, but so soon as I shall come home I shall "maik" your lordship to be paid; and think not that he lives that shall be of greater desire to do your lordship pleasure than I shall prove, when you will, "and to no less nor my pressens may exstend"; for, since my first acquaintance with your lordship, I have found you faithful and such a one as I take to fear God, without hypocrisy. But, alas! I "fear saie" that too many professing Christ with their mouths, when the trial comes shall deny Him with their hearts, and I doubt not but the trial of the same is nearer than some look for. I would be glad to understand of the Count of Montgomery's estate. I exhort your lordship to advertise me by the next that comes. Berwick. Signed: "Villam" Leuington of Kylsycht, knight.

1⅓ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.

771. Instructions to Henry Killigrew sent into Scot land. [May 22.]

"Instructions gyven to our trustie and welbeloved servant Henrie Killigree, esquier, beinge presently sent into Scotland the xxij^th of Maye 1574 in the sixtenth yeare of our raigne."

Immediately upon your arrival in Scotland our pleasure is, that you shall diligently search out what alteration has happened since your last being there, as particularly, whether the Regent continues constant in his affection towards us, how his manner of proceeding in his government is liked, what party the Scottish Queen has there, whether such of quality as you know to be devoted to the present government continue constantly affected; and if they be aliened, who they be, by what practice and means, whether there hath not been any lately sent out of France to practise underhand any alteration in that State, especially to have the young King delivered into their hands; or whether they look for any shortly to repair thither from thence, and to what end. Of which particularities, and of any such other like, when you shall be thoroughly informed, we would have you to advertise us with all convenient speed. And for that we judge the Regent looks to receive answer from us touching certain points of a memorial he delivered you at your last departure thence, whereof some remain as yet unanswered, for his satisfaction in that behalf, you shall proceed in directing your speech as follows:—

First;—touching the ordnance taken in Hume Castle pertaining to the King, as he alleges, you shall say to him that we mean to give order that so much thereof as shall be proved to appertain to the said King shall be re-delivered. And as for the rest, that appertains to the Lord Hume, we cannot, without injuring our good cousin the Earl of Sussex, to whom by law martial it appertains, restore it; nor may Lord Hume, being the enemy, demand it; and we would that it were not forgotten how willingly and dangerously our said cousin of Sussex made that enterprise, so that it is not meet that he should be abridged of what is due to him for that service.

Secondly;—whereas he desires to enter into contract with us and our crown for the maintenance of the common cause of religion, as a thing most necessary in this time in respect of certain secret leagues made for the impugning and overthrowing of the same, you shall signify to him that we, seeing how necessary it is that not only that crown should join with us, but also all the other Princes professing one religion with us, have not been unmindful thereof. Whereof you can give good account, for that you were made somewhat acquainted with the negotiation of the Count Palatine's servant who was last here.

Thirdly;—whereas he thinks it necessary to have a league between our two realms for mutual defence against foreign invasion, you may tell him that the former general league proceeding, the latter shall not be greatly necessary, for none can pretend any quarrel to invade the two realms unless it be for religion. And if, notwithstanding this answer, he shall insist to think a particular league necessary, you shall tell him, as of yourself, that you did not think it necessary to press us much in that behalf, for that you have always seen us ready to yield our assistance when any necessity hath required the same, as much as any league could bind us; as also for that you see that the general league proceeding for defence of religion, there will be no necessity of the particular.

Fourthly;—whereas he has desired some support from us for himself in respect of the excessive charges he pretends to sustain, and further thought it necessary that we bestowed somewhat in yearly pensions on some of the nobility there, our pleasure is you touch neither of these two points. But if you shall be very much pressed by him, then you may say you will write to us in that behalf to know our resolution.

Last of all, our pleasure is that in all others matters wherein now you receive no instructions in writing, you do according to that we have already by mouth declared to you, or as you shall hereafter by our letters be directed.

2 pp. Indorsed: "1574. M^r Henry Kellegrew his negotiation in Scotland."

Cott. Calig., C. IV., fol. 254.

Copy of the same.

772. The Regent Morton to Henry Killigrew. [May 23.]

Of late has understood that the King his sovereign's coin has been counterfeited in a part of Galloway called Lochmabarke in great quantity, and taking diligent inquisition thereanent, found the workers had come from England; but before he had perfectly tried the matter, they had returned thither. The principal of them, as he learned, was a stranger, Italian born, and "indweller" of Berwick, goldsmith by occupation, and who there sundry years past had been a servant and dependant upon the Marshal of Berwick. Knowing him to be there, and seeing he could not apprehend him in Scotland, he made the means to cause one of the men who was partner with him in that unlawful trade, during his resort to Scotland, to pass to Berwick and carry a letter of his to the treasurer for the stay and apprehension of the Italian till the Queen of England's pleasure should be known. According to his direction the man found the other in Berwick, and delivered his letter to the treasurer, who made direction for apprehension of the Italian, which—through what occasion he knows not—failed for that time. Cannot think but the treasurer has done his duty since. This before-named stranger, calling himself Lawrence, has used this unlawful trade in sundry places of a long continuance, namely, in Tindale, in the house of one Charlburn, thereafter with Fergus Grahame of the Mote of Liddell, in the West March, and lastly came to Scotland. He is reckoned to be skilful in that doing, and it may well be, though he has not always continued it in counterfeiting Scottish money, but has assayed her majesty's coin also. Wherefore, being thus so pernicious an instrument to both the countries, he has written to his good Lords [the Privy Council] that by their means her majesty's commandment may be procured to the Treasurer of Berwick to deliver the said Italian into his [the Regent's] hands, to be examined and used as he has deserved, seeing he is not her majesty's subject, and has done so great a mischief in the country: or if this shall not be thought good, that at least he may be stayed and surely kept at Berwick, to be examined concerning his partners and "fautors," according to the information that is had of him, and used as there shall be found cause. Prays him to "expeid" the said commandment.

Whereas in one of his letters long since received he [Killigrew] gave him warning of the direction home into Scotland of George Douglas, brother to Lochlevin, it is true that he has come home, and he [the Regent] has been jealous of his doings, and has already conferred with him, trusting so to handle the matter "as in the same thinges wherein he was employed by others to have served agaynst us, wee shall make him to serve our turne agaynst them," as more specially by his next letters, in case he cannot come hither himself, he shall know and understand. In some proof hereof he gave him [the Regent] knowledge of a boy lately come to him from the Queen of Scots out of England, who was directed to him [George Douglas] and Lord Seton to receive from them such writings or directions as they had to send. "The same boy passing throughe this towne to Nudey [Niddrie], the Lord Seyton's howse, he unknowynge of my former intelligence directed backe this boy with a servant of his owne to me, immediately after he came to him," and followed on the morrow himself, giving declaration of his good meaning. Finds him and his sons very conformable, not only to pleasure him, but they have also made their humiliation, joined to the profession of the religion, and are absolved from the excommunication laid against them. The boy being examined confesses that being in England, serving not far from Sheffield, one Mr. Alexander Hamilton, Scotsman, teacher of the Earl of Shrewsbury's children, sent word to him to Fleightburghe to meet him at Doncaster to receive such directions as he had to send with him into Scotland to Lord Seton and George Douglas; whither the boy came and talked two or three hours with this Mr. Alexander, whose directions were that the boy should address himself to the house of James Curll, in Edinburgh, and none other, except Bastian's good mother, to know what letters or other message Lord Seton or George Douglas had to send to the Queen of Scots appointing the boy to meet him again at Doncaster at the "Red Bull" with such letters as he could get from them to the said Mr. Alexander or to the Queen; and failing that he were not found there, to send word to one Thomas Burlie, glover, in Sheffield town, who would not fail to advertise the said Mr. Alexander to come or send for the letters or directions. He declares further that there is a man of the Laird of Buccleuch's, of reasonable good stature, having a little round black beard, a blue jerkin, white hose, and a black bonnet, without a cloak, who has been a long traveller with letters betwixt the Queen [of Scots] and Lady Livingston. Likewise a woman called "Jonet," high of stature, and yellow hair, for whom inquiry is to be made at "black" James Symson's wife's in Edinburgh. Moreover, he met one called Robert Liddell, before servant to George Douglas, passing up, as he understands, with letters and message, as he came through England. There came a bastard son of James Lander, who was with the Queen, to this boy, and desired him to leave his master and meet Mr. Alexander Hamilton at Doncaster, as is before written. Has thought good to let him understand thus far on the first information, whereby the better heed may be given to the practisers and entertainers of this intelligence, and that direction may be sent to apprehend and examine them before they shall know of the apprehension of this boy. Holyrood House.

Postscript.—The persons named here among them to be partners of this dealing shall be so ordered that their practices shall be stopped. Prays him to return answer as soon as may be.

2 pp. Indorsed: "Copie of y^e L. Regent's lettre to M^r H. Killigree, dated y^e 23 of Maye 1574. Alexander Hamilton, practiser."

773. The Regent Morton to Burghley. [May 23.]

"In twa materis laitlie heir occurrit I mon require zour lordship's favour and furtherance, being thingis that I truist zour self sall think meitt to be considerit and taken heade of." The circumstances would specially be written, but considering the same would be over tedious for your lordship—still occupied, I doubt not, in weighty affairs of that State—I have thought better rather briefly to touch the effect of my demands, than to make a letter of the full narration, "having informed the same sumquhat mair specialie to my gude freind M^r Henry Kyllegrew to be communicat to zow at zour lasur." "In summe," I pray your lordship to further her majesty's and the Council's commandment to be sent to the Treasurer of Berwick for the staying and making sure of a stranger, [an] Italian, remaining there, as I am informed; who, as he has plainly counterfeited the King my sovereign's money, so may it well be thought that he has semblably dealt with her highness' coin. And next, that some good heed may be taken to some persons remaining near the Queen, mother to my master, who leave not off to entertain practice and intelligence here, as partly I have already discovered, and when I get further knowledge shall make your lordship participant of the same, remitting the more special information hereof to Mr. Killigrew. Holyrood House. Signed: James Regent.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Burghley's clerk).

774. Elizabeth to [the Regent Morton]. [May.]

This bearer, Henry Killegree [Killigrew], esquire, will give him to understand wherefore the long stay in sending him to him has grown, which she hopes he will find to be such as he shall have no cause to conceive that the same proceeded from lack of goodwill towards him, whose zeal and affection towards her she has found always to be such that she had good cause to make great and especial account of the same, and therefore would be as loth to give him any ground to suspect that she does not make that value of him that his honourable dealing and proceeding towards her has always merited, as on the other side, she would be glad to make known to the world by her deeds, that she is not unthankful to one that deserves so well at her hands as he does, which shall well appear whensoever any just occasion shall be offered to make show of the same. Hampton Court.

¾ p. Copy.

Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 506.

Copy of the same.