A DISCOVERY OF THE UNNATURAL AND Traitorous conspiracy of Scottish Papists, against God, his Church, their native Country, the King's majesties person and estate: Set down, as it was confessed and subscribed by Master George Ker, yet remaining in prison, and David Grahame of Fentrie, justly executed for his treason in Edinburgh, the 15. of February. 1592. Whereunto are annexed, certain intercepted Letters, written by some of that faction to the same purpose. First Printed and published in Scotland, at the special commandment of the King's Majesty. LONDON Printed by R. F. for john Norton. 1593. TO THE READER. MAny and dangerous points (good Reader) of unnatural and treasonable practices of Scottish Papists, or (as they will needs be styled) Catholic Romans, against God▪ his church, their native country, and the King's majesties estate and person, being discovered by God's great and merciful providence, partly by the depositions & confessions of some of the practisers themselves, & namely, Master George Ker, who for that cause is imprisoned: and David Grahame of Fentrie justly executed for the same, in Edinburgh, the 15. of February. 1592. and partly by divers letters of sundry of the practisers intercepted at divers times. It is thought good by the King's Majesty and his honourable Counsel, that the most substantial points of the said depositions, should be faithfully taken out of the originals, which were deposed and confessed by the said M. George, and David Grahame of Fentrie, before the honourable persons deputed by the kings Majesty and his highness Counsel to that effect, and subscribed with their own hands, & for the greater ease of the memory of the Reader, should be summarily gathered into this form following, which otherwise were scattered here & there in their depositions, according to the occasion of the diverse demands at diverse times: for the readier taking up whereof, the times of the depositions and persons deposed, severally and conjunctly as the matter craveth, should be set down in marginal quotations: As also, that some of the most remarkable Letters of the practisers, should be joined hereunto word by word, which were intercepted with Master George Ker, and the rest deciphered and translated as after shall appear, and so the whole together to be imprinted, and set forth unto the view of the world, to the glory of God's Majesty (the only revealer of these secrets) to the comfort & edification of his Church, & the perpetual detection & shame of the unnatural enemy. All which things are so faithfully done in this volume following, that no man how impudent soever he be, can justly challenge it with any falsifying, forging, or changing one thing for another, to the wresting of the original depositions in any the least substantial parts thereof, as by conferring this extract with the first records, which are in the clerks hands, most evidently shall appear, if any list to look upon them. Thou art therefore (good Reader) greatly to consider the goodness of our God in this case, so watchful over his church, for the good and safety thereof, by discovering such deep & dangerous practices of the deadly enemy, even them, when as we thinking nothing less, are ready to be surprised by their close courses so cunningly & craftily conveyed, as we may well say with the Prophet, our soul is escaped, even as a bird out of the snare of the Fowlers, etc. As also, thou art to be wakened up, to the earnest consideration of the diligence, force and cruelty of our enemies (which yet is nothing abated, but more eager presently than ever heretofore, to achieve their devilish intent) & no ways to trust them or be secure, as though they were sleeping, & minding no danger to us, while in the mean time, so deeply and deadly they conspire within & without, with so great force & craft against our religion, lands and lives, that they dare be bold in their pride, to assure the Spaniard of no resistance here to their cr●●● enterprise, as by their own bragging words hereafter in their letters evidently shall appear: yea all kindly native Scottish men, & true lovers of the Christian religion, ought speedily & substantially to concur, to the withstanding & overthrowing of this our common enemy, within our own bowels, whose unnaturalness, barbarism & high attempt, can be matched with no example domestic or foreign, that we read of, whether we consider the cruel barbarousness of the Spaniard, to whom they have sold their country, K. and people (whereof let the monument written by one of their own Friars against the Spanish cruelty, beside experience where they be masters, bear witness) or whether we consider their most deceitful dealing, covering their most bloody purposes with cloak of most tender friendship, which most closely they have counterfeited by subscription to the true religion, by hearing of the word preached, and common profession thereof with us, and participation of the Sacraments, by bands finally, affinities, oaths, and all attestations & laws sacred and human that might seem to procure credit amongst men, and many other things to be enlarged in time and place, as men's callings in Church and policy craves. Consider, and consider again (good Reader) what should be the estate of all honest and godly men, their wives and daughters, the estate of Church, Common weal & Prince, yea and of the miserable wretches themselves, if their purpose to make the Spaniard our master (for no man's servant nor fellow will that proud beast be) should take effect: O misery, misery, misery unspeakable, especially to themselves, if their woeful purpose succeed to their mind and far proceeded practices. Wherefore yet again, it is high time and more, that all good men, and lovers of their native country be wakened up to true repentance to the Lord, who so heavily threateneth, and in a part already striketh: and to a diligent and substantial concurring every one according to his calling and place, both in land and Burrow, to withstand these desperate attempts before they pass remedy, and timely to prevent the farther danger, by assisting the execution of justice upon the rest of the detected traitors without respect of persons, that so we labouring to take evil out of Israel, the Lord who hath so notably begun the work, may bring it to an happy end, to his glory & our comforts, through Christ our Lord. Amen. A DISCOVERY OF THE unnatural and traitorous practices of the Scottish Papists, against God, his Church, their native country, and the King's majesties person and estate. BY the confessions and depositions of master George Ker, Deposed by master George Ker 3.5. and 6. of Febr. 1592. and David Grahame of Fentrie, it is discovered, That in March 1591. Master William Creichtoun (who hath remained these two years passed in Spain) sent to master james Gordoun jesuite, brother on the father's side to George now earl of huntley, a Gentleman called master William Gordoun, son unto the Lord of Abiryeldie with letters, to let the Catholics here understand what travel master William Creichtoun had taken with the king of Spain since his coming thither: and that the said king had opened unto him that he had been deceived by English men, and would from thenceforth, embrace the advise and way which the said master William would show him, both for invading of England, and alteration of religion within this realm. And for that purpose the said master William craved by this Gentleman, to be sent to him so many blanks and procurations, as could be had of Noblemen here, for the assurance of his traffic. Upon the sight and receipt of the which blanks, Deposed by master George Ker the 3.5. & 6 of Febr. 1592. sent with some other discreet gentlemen, having the noblemen's commission, to be filled up with such conditions as should be capitulated and agreed upon, betwixt the king of Spain, & master William Creichtoun, And deposed by Dau. Grahame of Fentrie, the 13. of Feb. 1592. which should have served as pledges and sureties for the subscribers part, at the landing here of the Spanish army. It was concluded that there should have been sent out of Spain about the latter end of the spring, in this present year 1592. an army of thirty thousand men, Deposed by master George Ker the 3. of Febr. 1592. to have landed either at Kirkcudbricht, or at the mouth of Clyde, according to the opportunity of the wind, where they should have entrenched and fortified themselves for the assurance of them and their ships. Deposed by master George Ker the 3. of Febr. 1592. And by Fentrie the 14. of Feb. 1592. And first of all, money should have been sent to the Catholics here, for raising of forces to supply the said army, whereof, four or five thousand should have remained within this country, who with the fortification and assistance of the Noble men Catholics, their friends, and such other forces as the spanish money would raise, should have immediately after their landing, begun to alter the religion now professed within this realm, Deposed by Fentrie the 13 of Feb. 1592. or at least procured liberty of conscience, and Papistry to have been erected here: Deposed by M. George Ker 3. of Feb. 1592. and the rest of the army should have passed toward England the nearest way from their landing to the border. Deposed by Fentrie 13 of Feb. 1592. These letters sent from master William Creichtoun, being given in credit by master james Gordoun to master Robert Abrecrumby, were shown by him to David Grahame of Fentrie, at Abirnethie, in April 1592. And for effecting of this matter, it was once thought most convenient that sir james Chesholme, Deposed by Da. Grahame of Fentrie the 13 of Feb. 1592. who was then one of his majesties chief servants, should have gone to Spain with this commission, in respect, he was otherwise to pass towards his Uncle master William Chesholme (called Bishop of Dumblane) for sir james had the first credit of this errand with the Noblemen, as he declared to David Grahame of Fentrie, that he had dealt with the Earls of huntley and Errol, and conferred with master George Ker about this matter, about the time of the last Parliament holden in Edinburgh in june 1592. as also communed again in his own house with the same master George Ker, in October 1592. touching the whole heads of this dispatch: but sir james not being able to be so soon ready, and master George Ker being bound off the country, it was thought best, Deposed by Fenrtie 13. of February. 15●●▪ that the same Commission should be given to him, and that he should undertake the carrying of the said Letters: And so he was employed in that errand, the rather, because both his grandmothers were Creichtouns. Afterward, master George being bound to this journey, and ready to make sail out of Fairly Roade at the West sea bank, upon the 27. of December. 1592. Then (by God's providence) the said master George was apprehended in the isle of Cumray, and with him there was intercepted sundry missive Letters directed to this purpose. Amongst which, there was eight blanks, whereof one is subscribed. De vostre majesty tres humble & tresobeisant seruiteur, Guilliame count de Anguss. another blank is subscribed. De vostre Majesty, tres humble & tresobeisant seruiteur, Francoys count de Erroll. And these two blanks were both procured of them, Deposed by Master George Ker. 3. of Feb. 1592. by Sir james Chesholme, in their own lodgings in Edinburgh, at the time of the last Parliament in june. 1592. another blank is subscribed. Guilielmus Angusi comes. another blank is subscribed. Franciscus Errolli Comes. Which were both procured of them by master Robert Abircrumby, who was the chiefest traveler in that matter, Deposed by Fentrie 13. of February. 1592. Deposed by master George Ker 3. of Febr. 1592. in October. 1592. Another blank is subscribed. Georgius Comes de huntley. And another is subscribed. Georgius Comes de huntley. Which were both with the whole blanks proposed, first to the Earl of Hunlie, by master George Ker in Strathbogy, Deposed by master George Ker, 3. of February. 1592. at his passing there. Deposed by master George Ker 3. of Febr. 1592. and by Fentrie, 14. of Fe. 1592. Which six several blanks before specified, should have been all filled with missive Letters, by the advise of master William Creichtoun. And the other two blanks, making out the number of eight, were both subscribed in the midst of two open sheets of paper in this manner. Guillielmus Angussie Comes. Georgius comes de huntley. Franciscus' Errollie Comes. Patricius Gordoun de Auchindoun Miles. Deposed by M. George Ker, 3. of Febr. 1592. Which two last blanks, were first subscribed by the Earl of huntley, and Patrick Gordoun in October 1592. And after being sent with master Robert Abircrumby, to the Earls of Angus, and Erroll, were subscribed by them in the same month of October 1592. And these two blanks should have been filled up with procurations, and whatsoever should have been thought meet, by the said master William Creichtoun, for the avouching of that which master George Ker had in direction and credit of the subscribers, Deposed by M. George Ker. 5. of Feb. 1592. which credit he received from the Earl of huntley, by the report of master james Gordoun, and from the Earls of Angus and Erroll, by themselves in Edinburgh, in the beginning of October. 1592. And the sum of this his credit, was an assurance, that these Noble men should raise a power of horsemen, & meet the Spanish Army at their landing, and reciprocally to assist, accompany, and convoy them in their passing to England, Deposed by M. George Ker the 5. and 6. of February. 1592. by all the forces they could procure upon the King of Spain's charges: And these Noble men subscribers, took the burden on them, and interposed their bands, for the concurring of the whole Catholics of Scotland in this cause, & thought it meet amongst themselves for the better secrecy, that none other should be craved to bind for this errand, but they three. With these eight blanks subscribed, as is said, there was intercepted stamps in wax, of the Earl of Angus seal of Arms six; of the Earl of Huntley's seal of Arms four; and of the Earl of Errolles' seal of Arms three. David Grahame of Fentrie deposed, Deposed by Fentrie 13. of Febr. 1492. that he met sundry times since this purpose was in hand, with master Robert Abircrumby, as namely, that the first knowledge he had of this purpose was by the said master Robert in Dunfermling: and afterward in the Castle of Striuiling, before master George Ker his preparation to his journey, where M. Robert showed him, Deposed by Fentrie 14 of Febr. 1592. that this Commission was to be given to the said master George, to cause the blanks to be filled with master William Creichtouns advise, and that he was to deliver the same blanks, with the other Letters to him, who was to departed and carry with him all this message. Like as the said blanks and Letters, which were procuréd for that errand, were all delivered by master james Gourdoun, and master Abircrumby, to master George Ker, to be carried by him to master William Creichtoun jesuit: And to be filled up at the discretion and direction of the said master William, and of master james Tyrie, who was best acquainted with the affairs there. For the understanding of the borrowed & counterfeited names, that occur in the Letters following, (good Reader) thou shalt find them interpreted on the margin, where they are pointed out by this Mark, * which interpretations are contained in the original depositions of the practisers, and in some of their intercepted Letters. A Letter directed from an English jesuit, and intercepted with M. George Ker, the 27. of December, 1592. Good father, the enclosed to my Lord, I pray you read, and take it as written to yourself: what I writ to him, I writ to you; what I crave of him, I crave of you; what I hope of him, I hope of you, as of my Patron & Pedagogue in spiritualibus; as of a man, whose discretion and moderation I have well experimented, in all cases, and at all times. If I had so far overlashed, & gone beyond my compass, as some good fellows would imagine, yet I wonder that some good men, both in their own conceits, and other spiritual means, will admit no excuse, no satisfaction, no purgation: when S. Paul to the Galathians, in most evident terms setteth down this rule amongst the perfect and spiritual: Fratres & si praeoccupatus fuerit homo in aliquo delicto, vos qui spirituales estis hujusmodi instruite in spiritu lenitatis, considerans teipsum, ne & tu tenteris. If I had spoken with you at my last being in Italy, as I well hoped, I had perhaps made a better conclusion of my business there, than I did to my own content and all my friends satisfaction, which hope, for all these storms, I will never give over, and when I leave by your means to be under the good habering, I will write to you of that subject. The Lord Seytoun, in whose house I sojourn sometimes salutes you. Of the affairs of the Catholics here, I leave it to them to write and relate, by whose means these letters shall be conveyed. My Lord Seytoun hath a haven of his own, which may be hereafter very commodious for our purpose. Commend me I pray you to F. Barth. Pere etc. master Dudley jipher knight, and john Thules, which upon some sudden bushes of persecution, have made their repair hither, are in health and salute you. And master Syall a priest died here lately in Edinburgh. Love me and pray for me I beseech you all, solito. And if you send any into these parts, let them come furnished with as ample faculties as you may. Let them inquire for one master jonas, which will be a token betwixt us. Our Lord bless us and send us to meet once ere we die. Seytoun this 2, of October 1592. Yours ever most assured, joan Cecilio. Blank on the back. A letter directed from the Earl of Angus, all written and subscribed with his own hand, intercepted with master George Ker, the 27. of December, 1592. MY most affectionate commendations premitted, this present is only to know of your welfare and friends, and of the estate of matters where you remain, and to show a testimony of my good affection towards you. For God be praised if you were in this country, I could do you greater pleasure than I was able to do before, albeit good will lacked not at any time, as you know. The M. George Ker. bearer hereof can inform you of such things as occur with us: for we are here daily subject to alteration. You may credit him as myself, for so his virtues do deserve. It is not needful that I trouble you with his recommendation, seeing he is to you that he is, you know his honesty and good intention, and the causes of his departing, to whose sufficiency referring the rest, my hearty salutations, and my bedfellows with all our company young and old, remembered unto you and your good company: commits you with them to the protection of God. Edinburgh the tenth of October after our count, 1592., Yours ever to his power, Anguss. To M. William Creichtoun. Blank on the back. A Letter directed from master james Gordoun to master William Creichtoun, intercepted with master George Ker, the 17. of December, 1592. Trusty friend, after most hearty commendations, your friends that are here, have directed this present bearer M. George Ker. to you, for full resolution of all your affairs in these quarters, we have delayed over long I grant, but he will show you the cause of all. The best is first ye use all expedition in time coming, against the next summer, otherwise you will lose credit here with your factors. If ye come, ye will find more friends than ever ye had, but otherwise ye will find fewer: because the next summer many are bound to other countries, and will not abide on you no longer. Hast home hither some word to your friends, that we may put them in good hope of you, and they will tarry the longer. The bearer is an honest man, and very sufficient, ye may credit him as myself. I should have come with him myself, were it not I was persuaded that you would remain satisfied with our answer, and because I had a let out of Flaunders. As the bearer can show you, ye have gotten all that ye desired, Relation to the blanks. therefore make haste. The bearer is come unto you on his own charge, therefore ye must have respect to him. The last bearer that ye sent, came behind hand here, and hath gotten no satisfaction as yet, because nothing could be gotten here, and we could find no man but this, that would pass on his own charge, and I fear, that if he had not come on his own expenses, ye should not have received answer so soon, therefore ye should entreat him the better. We look for yourself here shortly, and I would you brought the rest of your friends with you that are beyond the sea: The Spanish army. for if your purpose pass forward, they must be also present, otherwise we must come and visit you. All other affairs of this country, I will commit to the bearer, who is faithful. Your wife and your children The Catholic Romans and their confederates. commend them unto you, and look to see you shortly. If I or Sandesoun M. Robert Abircrumby. your friend receive any silver from the bearer, you shall be advertised by an other ticket, how much it is, and subscribed with both our hands. The rest I will refer to the bearer. God preserve you ever from all evil. At Dundie the 20 of November, 1592. Your most affectioned to his power, I. Christesoun. M. james Gordoun. Directed on the back. To his assured friend George Craufurd. M. William Creichtoun. A Letter directed from master Robert Abircrumby to master William Creichtoun, intercepted with master George Ker, the 27 of December. 1592. AFter my due and humble salutations and offer of service, I grieve and lament heavily the sloth and negligence your merchands have used in answering of your last suit you proposed to them. For apparently, if they had made answer in due time, our wares had been here in due time, with our great profit and consolation. The stay and stop of the matter apparently, was lack of expenses, that no man would of his own charges take that voyage in hand: yea, some craved a thousand crowns for his expenses. So the matter was once wholly given over and almost clean forgot, until it pleased God of his divine providence to stir up this bearer, to take the matter in hand on his own expenses: as he hath been ever bend in that cause, not only to spend his goods, but also the thing which is more dear to him that is, his life: therefore I think he should be the more acceptable: as also for the affinity of blood, ●or both his grandmothers were Creichtones And as for wit & ability, in treating of those affairs, he is not inferior to any of your merchands which you desired, as ye will perceive by experience God willing. And albeit that he of his courageous liberality and zeal to the cause, hath taken the matter in hand on his own charges, yet all your friends in these quarters think it very reasonable, that all should be repaid to him again, cum usurs, with promotion till any other accident should fall out, for the weal and furtherance of this cause, etc. But now I will say one word of him, and so come to some other purpose of our own: If I had a thousand tongues, The hyperbolical and ridiculous commendation of M. George Ker. with so many mouths, with C●ceroes eloquence, I could not be worthy enough to commend this Gentleman, to you and all your company, as I shall let you understand, God willing, if ever we do chance to meet face to face: and therefore whensoever ye may, prevent him with any benefit, either by yourself or any other, abide not till he crave it of you, for he is the worst asker in his own cause, that ever ye conversed with, Sed nunc ad alia. If you be well remembered, at your departing out of this country, you gave master james Makcartnay a procuratory to intermeddle with master Alexander Homes little living he hath here in East Lowthiane, the which he pleaded and obtained in law, and took up the yearly rents thereof to his own behoof, & gives his none of it. In the mean time there falls out such encumbrances touching that land, that we are like to lose the whole. The said master Alexander's nearest friends and heirs, have in judgement proved him to be dead, and so enter as heirs to him. In the mean time, the Land of Spot his chief lord is forfeited, and so the land wairds, so that we are like to lose all if remedy be not found. Wherefore, falling in consultation with master Alexander King, he thought best to sell the land unto him, and we to use the silver in a more sure manner, of the which ye shall receive some writings * These writings intercepted with the rest, are a charter and obligation to be passed by M. Alexander Home of Palywell to M. Alexander King his heirs and assigns of four team lands in the Lordship of Spot, with a missive letter directed by him to that effect. from this bearer, the which ye will understand better than I. Only I think if some means be not used, we shall lose all, & better it is to have some thing, nor lose all. As for the price set ye it down, for he hath mentioned none as yet; but he will give as much as any other, because as he says, he hath some land lying near to it. I pray you answer us with speed. I doubt not but ye have heard, how the young man, whose father was slain by the Laird of Ruthvenis slew him again, whose Lady is married to one james Reid. Camnay is come into the Constable's hands; and your Nephew is privy of it, and that by the mean I trow, of Abraham your brother: but your Maich is little better than beggred. Drumkilbo is dead, and Thomas Tyrie is Tutor. I pray you advertise me by what manner, master Stephen Wilsoun came by my Lord Levingstons' Obligation, the which you had of the forty Crowns his L. owed you: For master Stephen hath gotten the forty Crowns, rendering the Obligation which ye had: I durst never make mention of the hundredth Crowns from the father, and forty Crowns from the son, which ye left me authority to ask, etc. My Lord Levingstone, is departed out of this world. Ye heard before, that David Forester David Grahame of Fentrie. had one son, and now hath an other borne in the Castle of Striueling, where he is in ward, hardly handled. There is but one of our Nobility here, which hath of the King of Spain any pension well paid of twelve hundredth Crowns. The which apparently are evil bestowed: For he nor none of his as yet, hath ever done any kind of good in the promotion of the King's matters: wherefore such pensions were better bestowed on others, who travel daily and hourly, putting in hazard both their goods & lives, Envy amongst the Papists themselves. as this bearer hath done and daily doth: and others, as he can show you, etc. Because I have no other thing to write, and have been long enough, I commend me to your prayers, and you to God. At Scotland the 15. of December. 1592. Yours at his power Robert Sandesoun. * M. Robert Abircrumby. Directed on the back. To his trusty friend George Cranfurd. * M. William Creichtoun. A Letter directed to the King of Spain, by three Noble men of Scotland, whereof, two have since returned to the profession and defence of the truth, by their oaths and subscriptions, wherefore their names are suppressed, the third his name expressed (to wit, the Earl of Huntly) because he continueth as yet in his former wicked course. This Letter written by them in the name of the Catholic Noblemen of Scotland, cyphered in French, was intercepted in januarie, 1589. lately before the time of the Road of the Bridge of Die, afterward was deciphered word by word, and translated into Scottish as followeth. They are sorry that the Spanish fleet passed by, without landing in Scotland. SIR, we cannot sufficiently express by speech, the great grief we have conceived, being frustrate of the hope we have so long had to see this year past, the desired effects fall out which we attended of your majesties preparations. And our displeasures have been so much the greater, that your naval armies should have passed by so near us, unuisiting us, who expected the same with sufficient forces for the peaceable receipt and assisting thereof, against all enemies, in such sort, that it should have had no resistance in this Country, and with our support should have given enough to do to England. At least, if it had come here to refresh it, it had preserved a number of vessels and men, which we know have perished near our Isles, and upon the coast of Ireland. And had discovered an incredible number of friends, The Spaniard should have had great assistance in Scotland. in full readiness to have run the same fortune with it, in such sort, as we dare well affirm, it should not have found half so many in England, for all that is spoken by the English Catholics refuged there, who by emulation, or rather by an unchristian envy extenuate over far our means to aid you, to magnify their own only, and make themselves to be esteemed able to do all, to advance themselves thereby, in credit with your Majesty, & such as are about you: but the experience of this their passage, hath sufficiently testified, they have not shown themselves in such number to assist your forces as we have done. And therefore your Majesty, as most wise, as ye are, shall if it please you, make such account of the one, as ye neglect not the other, and so serve you with them both, to the end ye pretend, without hazarding your forces for the particular of the one or the other. They have informed the K. of Spain's subjects wracked here, of the means to do good by landing in Scotland. We remit to the declaration of some of your own subjects that have been here, the commodities and advantages of landing in these parts, where the expenses bestowed upon the equippage of one galliass, shall bring more fruit to your service, than ye may have of ten upon the Sea. And we may assure your Majesty, that having once six thousand men here of your own with money, ye may levy here forces of this Country, as freely as in Spain, who will serve you no less faithfully than your own natural subjects. And albeit we cannot without blame of presumption, give your Majesty advise in your affairs there: Always in that, Advise to the king of Spain how to assault this Island hereafter. that may concern your service here, we may speak more freely, as being upon the place, and knowing by ordinary experience many things unknown to any of yours that are not here. The over late arrival of your Army in our waters, took from it the commodity, to retire itself in such safety, as it might have done coming sooner, by reason of the great winds that are ordinary here in harvest: as also lack of Pilots experimented upon the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, appeareth to have bred great harm to the said Army, whhich we could have remedied concerning Scotland, to have sent Pilots from this if it had liked your Majesty to have served yourself with them. Likewise (saving better advise) it seems to us altogether unprofitable to fetch the Army by sea, it may be eschewed for many causes: And amongst others, because such as shall have fought by sea, shall be unable, being weary to fight again by land against new forces: so the best should be, to shift by one way or other, for sparing of your men and vessels, and so the English forces staying upon the sea unfought with, shallbe disappointed and shall not come in time, to assist them that shallbe assailed by land. Advise to the king of Spain, how to assault this Island hereafter. After, sending hither a part of your forces, before the other which should go the right way to England, and that secretly by the back of Ireland: Your Majesty should compel the enemy to divide their forces, & it may be, should cause them send the greatest part hither, where ye might make them believe the greatest part of your forces were arrived, at least should cause them disgarnish as much of England, and draw a great part of their forces, which would resist your landing and invasion on that coast. And we may well promise, that having here six thousand of your men, With 6000. men sent from Spain, & money to levy a power in Scotland, they will in six weeks be far in Englad. Bruce is the mouth of these Lords, to the King of Spain and Duke of Parme. and money to aid others here, we should within six weeks after their arrival, be a good way within England, to approach and assist the forces which your Majesty should cause to enter there. The knight William Sempill colonel, can show your Majesty the whole to whom we leave it. Also, we have caused to write both before and since his departure, our many such advises, by master Robert Bruce, and caused to address the same to my Lord Duke of Parme, to whom your Majesty remitted us from the beginning in these affairs. And seeing we hope your Majesty is duly advertised and informed, we will end the present, kissing most humbly your majesties hand. Praying God with all our affection, to grant you full accomplishment of all your holy enterprises. From Edinburgh this 24. of januarie. 1589. Your majesties most humble and affectioned servitors. G. Earl huntley, etc. In name of the other Lords Catholics in Scotland. A Letter directed from the Earl of Huntly, to the Duke of Parme, intercepted in januarie, etc. MY Lord, I have received from john Chesholme, Letters received from the D. of Parme by john Chesholme. Support of 10000 crowns from the Duke of Parme. the Letters it pleased your Highness to write, the 13. of October, full of most Christian affection to the welfare of our cause: for the which, I give your highness most humble thanks. The support of ten thousand crowns sent to that end, is received by M. Robert Bruce, which shall not be employed but for help of the most urgent necessity of the said cause, as it hath pleased your highness to direct. After the departure of Colonel Sempil, I have found myself so beset on all hands, and pressed in such sort by our King, that it behoved me to yield to the extreme difficulty of time, and subscribe with his Majesty, not with my heart, the confession of their faith, He dissembles his religion for fear and policy. or otherwise I had been forced immediately to have departed the country, or to have taken the fields for resisting his forces, and such as he might have drawn out of England to his aid, which I could not have done, specially then, when by the returning of your army into Spain, all hope of help was taken from us, but if on the one part I have faulted, by the apprehension of dangers that threatened my ruin, I shall on the other part endeavour myself to amend my fault (whereof I repent me with all my heart) by some effect, tending to the weal & advancement of the cause of God, who hath put me in such credit with his Majesty, that since my coming to the Court, he hath broken his former Guards, and caused me to establish others about his person of my men, by the means of whom and their captains, who are also mine, I may ever be master of his person, He hath established guards about the king at his own devotion, to be master of his person, when occasion shall offer. and your support being arrived, spoil the heretic of his authority, to fortify and assure our enterprises: whereupon I beseech your Highness to send me your advise, & to assure yourself of my unchangeable affections in my former resolutions, albeit the outward actions be forced to conform themselves, sometime to necessity of occasions, as M. Robert Bruce will more amply write unto your Highness, to whom I remit me farther. Praying God after I have most humbly kissed your highness hand, to give you accomplishment of your holy enterprises. From Edinburgh the 24 of januarie, 1592. Your highness most humble and affectionate servitor, G. Earl of huntley. A Letter from the Earl of Erroll, to the Duke of Parme, intercepted in januarie, etc. MY Lord, since God of late by the clear light of his holy Catholic faith, hath chased from my understanding the darkness of ignorance and error, wherein I have been heretofore nourished: I have been as soon persuaded in acknowledging of so great an effect of his divine grace towards me, that I am chiefly obliged to procure, sith I know the enterprises of his Catholic Majesty and your highness tend principally to that end, The causes of the Papists are inseparable, for the king of Spain's service. as also to the advancement of some civil cause which hath very great affinity & conjunction with ours here. That I may testify by this present, the affection that I have to the weal of the one and the other, having ever before my conversion been one of the number of your friends and servitors for the respect of the last, to the which, the first of religion, which is the greatest & most important that is in the world, being joined thereto, I am also become altogether yours, which I most humbly beseech your highness cause to be signified to his Catholic Majesty, and to promise him in my behalf, that he hath not in this country, a more affectionate servant than I, neither yet your highness, as ye shall understand more amply of my intention in particular, by him by whom your highness shall receive this present. To whom, after I have most humbly kissed your hand, I beseech the Creator to give you the accomplishment of your holy desires. From Edinburgh, this 24 of januarie 1589. Your highness most humble and most affectioned seruitant, Francis earl of Erroll. A Letter from Robert Bruce to Monsieur Francisce Aguirre Spaniard, etc. intercepted in januarie, 1589, written in French, and translated into Scottish, as followeth. MOnsieur de Aguirre, I have received your Letter, dated the ninth of November, written from And werpe, whereby I was glad to understand of your arrival there and health, and that you have guided yourself so wisely in the execution of all that I committed to you. Your master, who at my request hath given you entertainment, hath given me the like testimony of your behaviour, and hath promised me by his letters to have you in the favourable commendation I desired, and to employ you in good occasions. If he send you hither again into these parts cause yourself to be set on land near Seytoun, where I pray you to enter secretly, and there you shall be kept while I may come and find you, etc. The rest of this missive being set down in obscure terms, is to be seen in the original. A Letter from Robert Bruce to the Duke of Parme, intercepted in january 1589. Lately before the Road of the bridge of Die, ciphered in French, deciphered afterward, and translated into Scottish as followeth. MY Lord, Monsieur Chesholme arrived in this country five days after his departing from thence, and with requisite diligence came to the Earl of huntley in his own house in Dunfermeling, Letters sent by john Chesholme from the Duke of Parme to the Harle of huntley, and received by him at Dunfermeling. where having presented to him your highness letters, of the 13 of October, be declared amply unto him the credit given him in charge, conformable to the tenor of the letters from your highness, wherein they perceived your highness great humanity and affection, to the advancement of the glory of God in this country, with other consolations most convenient, to moderate the dolour & displeasure conceived by the hearts of the Catholics, by reason of the success of your army, against their hope and expectation. Also some days afterward, 10000 Crowns received from the Duke of Parma by Bruce, to be employed for the king of Spain his service in Scotland. as the commodity offered to me to receive the money, the said Chesholme delivered to me six thousand two hundred three score & twelve crowns of the Sun, & three thousand seven hundred Spanish Pistolets, and likewise hath carried himself in all his actions since very wisely, and as becomes a man of God: chiefly then, when upon the suspicion conceived of his so sudden returning, the king sent to take him. I shall behave myself by the grace of God, in the keeping and distribution of the money last sent and of that which resteth yet of the first sum, according to your highness prescription, and as I ought to answer to God in conscience, and to your highness in credit, and to the whole world in the reputation of an honest man, and will manage it in such sort, that by the grace of God there shall be fruit drawn thereof pleasant to your highness. The money is to be distributed among the Catholic Nobility of Scotland. It is true that I find (as all others would do, that would enterprise such a charge here) myself involved in great difficulties: for on the one part I am in great danger of the heretics, & of them of the faction of England, by reason of the open profession that I make of the Catholic religion, and of the suspicion that the last hath of my secret practices and dealing against them. On the other part, I have much ado to moderate the appetite that some Catholic lords have, to have the money presently, for the hope which they give of some pretended occasions, which will never fall out as they promise. The Earl of huntley made instance to have the third part of the sum which was sent hither as soon as it was delivered to me, The Earl of huntley would have a third part to himself. but he hath not touched, nor shall not touch hereafter a half penny but upon good tokens. I have paid him in the mean time with inexpugnable reasons, wherewith in the end he is contented. I beseech your highness, by the first letter it shall please you to write into their parts, to the Catholic Lords, to remove one error from three, who have written there in name of the residue, that moves them to think, by reason they were the first that made offer of their service to the King Catholic, that all the money that comes hither, should be parted in three, and immediately after the arrival thereof deliver it to them, without giving part to others, which beside them are in great number to the King Catholics service, and yours; and also deliberate to hazard after their power for the advancement of this cause, as they are; of whom the others will not depend in any sort, in the accepting of the means that comes from your liberality, both acknowledge them as coming directly from your Highness, to whom only they will be bound and obliged, and not to the other three. Of the which, the Earl of Mortoun, hath hitherto contented himself with reason: As also the Earl of huntley, hath never shown himself subject to money, but since he hath been induced by the third, to wit, my Lord Claud Hammiltoun What ever this Noble man hath been, at this time it is not to be objected to him now after his faith and subscription given to the contrary. his uncle, who is somewhat covetous of gain, and thought under such pretext to make his profit. The said Earl of huntley, is constrained to remain at Court; he is fallen from his constancy in his outward profession of the Catholic Religion, partly, for having lost all hope of your support before the returning of the said Chesholme, because of his long stay there, partly by the persuasion of some politics, partly to eschew the perils imminent to all them that call themselves Catholics, partly to keep himself in the favour of his King, The Earl of Huntly, dissembles his Religion first, for fear and policy, after to work his matters the better. who pressed him greatly to subscribe to the confession of the heretics, and to be at league with England. But for all this, his heart is no whit alienated from our cause: for he hath the soul ever good, albeit he have not such vigour to persevere and execute so as is requisite in so great an enterprise: but they may help the defects, joining with him a man of credit, resolute to assist him, as we have advised to do, since the Baron of Fentrie is put in ward by the King, in the Town of Dundie: So that he durst not go out of the gates thereof, under the pain of a great sum, until occasion may be offered to departed the Country, within the time limited. And I by the King's Commandment, am forbidden to come near the said Earl: because they have attributed to the said Laird of Fentrie and me, his constancy in the Catholic Religion, and his absence from Court against the Kings will: His warding hath somewhat hindered our course, and permits me not to move him, as it hath pleased you to command me, and as I desire to dispense the money conjunctly with me: so that for supplying of the default of him, I have associated to the same end, a very honest man, & very wise called father William Creichtoun jesuit, who was detained some years in the City of London, after he was taken upon the sea, coming hitherwards from France. Likewise, I shall help myself by the prudence of Sir james Chesholme, Sir james Chesholme, brother to john Chesholme a confederate. The money is in my L. Levingstones' chief house, and at Edinburgh, to serve the Catholic Noble men's turns that are shortly to assemble. More money promised by the Duke of Parme. eldest brother to the said john, who brought the money from your Highness: For he is a man confident, wise, one on our part, and very little suspect. In the mean time, the one part of the money, is in the principal house of my Lord Levingstoun, a very Catholic Lord, the other here in Edinburgh, in surety enough, to help as it shall need the Lords catholics, who will come very soon hither to resist, to the purposes of them of the faction of England, who in the same time, are purposed to remain at Court, with forces to range all things at their fantasy. As for the like sum or greater, which your Highness will is to cause follow the last sent hither: it is good in all events, it were very soon sent hither, secretly to help the necessity that may fall out, & to cause things incline to our side, when they are in balance, as there is great appearance they will be, by the occasion aforesaid: And in case that necessity requires no distribution, the said sum shall be kept, and reserved to better occasions, or till the arrival of your forces in this isle. It is meant that Spanish forces should arrive in this Island. There is suspicion, as also arguments probable enough, that Thomas Tyrie, who hath brought hither your highness Letters to our King hath not behaved himself according to his duty: For he hath accommodat himself in his behaviour, more after the affection of our chancellor (who is of the faction of England, and abuseth the credit he hath with the King) then according to the instructions given him there. He hath not presented nor made mention to the King of Colonel Sempills Letter, whereof I have caused the copy to be presented to his Majesty by the Earl Bouthwell, as if it had been sent to him with another of the said Colonels to himself, which he received from Thomas Tyrie at his arrival, who hath reported to the said chancellor all that Seigneur don Bernardino spoke to him in Paris, to the disadvantage of the said chancellor. Also, he hath reported to the King, that my L. Bishop of Dumblane, being returned thither, spoke to your Highness, and to others many things, to the great prejudice of his Highness: And it is believed also, that he is the cause of the suspicion which is conceived of the coming of the said john Chesholm, newly to the said Bishop. How ever it be, They count our King amongst the heretics. the other reports aforesaid, which he hath made, have not served to conciliat, but to alienate the affection of the King, of the chancellor, and many others Heretics, from the said Siegneur don Bernardino, the said Bishop, and Catholics here, that have had to do with them. As for me, albeit I speak not willingly to the disadvantage of any whatsoever, chief of them whom I have recommended, as I did the said Thomas Tyrie, to the said Don Bernardino, yet I will prefer the love of the truth to men, and would not in concealing thereof, bring prejudice to the public weal, nor to the fidelity that the one oweth to the other; and specially to that we own all to the King of Spain, and your highness, to whom I am presently servant, particularly addicted by the Obligation of five hundredth crowns of fee, and forty for monthly entertainment, which it hath pleased your highness, to give me freely in name of the King of Spain, not being required for my part, Bruce servant to the King of Spain, and to the D. of Parme, hath one pension of 40. crowns in the month, and 500 crowns of ferill. nor other thing for my particular to this present: by reason whereof, I am the more bound to give your highness most humble thanks, & to endeavour myself to deserve by my most humble and faithful services, as well the said entertainment, as the recompense it hath pleased your highness to promise me of your grace & favour. The said gift of your liberality, came well for my purpose, seeing by reason of the danger of my person, it behoved me to augment my ordinary train for my greater surety, which I was not able longer to have borne out without help. For from all the Lords of Scotland, Bruce hath negotiated in Spain with the K. and in the low countries with the D. of Parme. A have not retained but a part only of the money, which I spent traveling, for the weal of this cause in Spain with his Catholic Majesty, and with your highness in the low countries. As for the four hundredth crowns, employed for the deliverance of Colonel Sempill out of prison, I have put it in count with the residue which I disbursed of the first sum, according as it hath pleased your Highness to command me. The Earl of Mourtoun Whatsoever this Noble man hath been, at this time it is not to be objected to him, now after his oath and subscription given to the contrary, if he remain constant. to whom I have given consolation by writing in prison, hath instantly prayed me also by writing, to remember his most affectioned service to your highness. Finding himself greatly honoured, by the care it pleased you to have of him. By the grace of God, he is no more in danger of his life by way of justice; It not being possible to his enemies to prove against him any thing which they had supposed in his accusation: As also the King's affection not so far alienate from him, as it hath been heretofore: And in case they would noy him, or that it were presently requisite for the weal of our cause to deliver him, we have ever means to get him out of prison, and attend in the mean time, but the Kings will toward his liberty, only to avoid all pursuit that they would make, if we deliver him extraordinarily. When they offered him in the King's name his liberty, if he would subscribe the Confession of the heretics Faith, he answered, he would not do it for the King's Crown, nor for a hundredth thousand lives, if he had them to lose; And hath offered to confound the Ministers by public disputation. I shall solicit the Lords his friends to procure of the King, his liberty very soon: For he imports more the weal of our cause, than any of the rest, by reason of his forces which are near England, and the principal Town of Scotland, and the ordinary residence of our King; As also he is a Lord the most resolute, constant, and of greatest execution of any of the Catholics. It is no small marvel considering the means the heretics have to hurt us, and their worldly wits so far passing ours, and their evil will and intention against us, that we subsist. Truly, we cannot but attribute the effect thereof to God, who (then when the certain news of the returning of the Army of Spain by the back of Ireland, were dispersed through this country, & the heretics of the faction of England triumphed, and the constancy in the outward profession of the Earl of huntley and others was altered) caused the Earl of Angus to die, who was chief of the English faction, & the self same time grew some dissension amongst the heretics, by reason of some offices that some pretended to usurp above others at Court, and by the instant prayers and holy persuasions of two fathers jesuits, converted to our holy faith, two heretic Earls of the chiefest authority amongst them, the one whereof is called the earl of Erroll, Constable of Scotland, converted by father Edmund Hay, the other called the Earl of Craufurd, converted by the said father William Creichtoun. They are both able and wise young Lords, and most desirous to advance the Catholic faith and your enterprises in this isle, which they are determined to testify to his Catholic Majesty & your highness by their own letters, which by the grace of God I will send by the first opportunity. The king of Spain & duke of Parma have enterprises to be executed in Scotland. In the mean time they have required me to make you offer of their most humble and most affectioned service, promising to follow whatsoever the same jesuits and I shall think good to be done, for the conservation of the Catholics, and to dispose and facilitat the execution of your enterprises here, The jesuits and Priests do great hurt in Scotland. which they may do more easily than they that are known to be Catholics, whose actions are ever suspicious to the heretics for their religion, whereof these two Earls have not yet made outward profession: but in that as in the rest, they submit themselves to our will, Hereby it is evident that the declining of papistry draws with it defectió from our native king's obedience. to the service of the king of Spain and D. of Parme. and to that we think most expedient. The said Fathers of that company do profit very much in Scotland, and so soon as any Lord or other person of importance is converted by them, they dispose and incline in the very mean time their affection to the service of the king of Spain and your highness, as a thing inseparable conjoined with the advancement of the true Religion in this country. If I had commandment from your highness, I would give them some little alms in your name to help them & eight others, whereof four are also jesuits, and the other four are seminary priests of Pontawmoussone in Lorraine, which are all the Eccleisastics that produceth so great spiritual fruit in Scotland, and acquires to you here such augmentation of your friends and servants. After the parting of Colonel Sempill from hence, the Lords sent letters with the said father Creichtoun and other Gentlemen after the army of Spain, The Popish Lords did send by Chreichtoun to move the Spanish fleet to land in Scotland. to cause it land in this country, but it had taken the way to Spain few days before their arrival at the islands, where it had refreshed itself, so that it was not possible for them to attend on it. They of this country that are of the faction of England, were in a marvelous fear during the incertainty of the landing of the said army, and confessed plainly, if it had landed here they had been utterly overcome. The Earl Boithwell, who is Admiral of Scotland, and as gallant a Lord as any is in the country, albeit he make profession of the new religion, yet is he extremely desirous to assist you against England, having waged and entertained all this summer (under pretence to go daunt the Isles) some troops of men of war, which together with his ordinary forces, should have joined with yours if they had come hither. He suffers himself to be peaceably guided by me, notwithstanding the diversity of our religion, and hath often times said, that if the Catholics would give him surety to possess, after the restitution of the Catholics religion, two Abbeys which he hath, that he would even presently be altogether one of yours. He intends to send the Colonel Halkerstoun, to accompany certain Captains and gentlemen to Spain, and almost four hundred soldiers, all safe from the Naufrage in our Iles. And because they are in great necessitte, he is purposed to furnish them with ships, victuals, and other things necessary, to testify thereby to the king of Spain the affection he hath to do him most humble and affectionate service. And if we think it good, hath offered himself to go out of the country, and to go offer himself to your highness in the low Countries, and by your advise afterward, do the like to his Catholic Majesty in Spain. But here upon we will advise what is most expedient. If we may always be assured of him, he will be as profitable for the weal of our cause, as any Lord in Scotland, for he hath great dependence about this town, which is the principal of Scotland, as also upon the frontiers of England. He hath offered to maintain and defend me against all that would attempt any thing against me. We have chosen for every Catholic Lord, A counsel of chosen men, for every Catholic Lord are erected by Bruce, for the execution of Catholic enterprises. a gentleman of the wisest and faithfullest Catholics, and best beloved of their friends, to serve them in counsel, and to meet at all occasions, to resolve upon the most expedientest courses that may concern the weal of our cause, according to the will and intention of their Lords, who have obliged themselves to approve and execute their resolutions, and in no wise to contradict the same: and by that means we hope to proceed with greater security and effect than we have done heretofore. Always they shall know nothing of our intelligences there, nor our final intentions, but according to the exigence of the affairs which shall be in hand, and that superficially, and without discovering ourselves over far. Your highness shall understand by the particular letters of the Lords that which resteth to be said to you by these presents: by reason whereof I will make an end most humbly kissing your highness hands, and praying God to give you all the good hope and felicity you desire. From Edinburgh, the 24 of januarie, 1589. Your highness most humble and most affectioned servitor, Robert Bruce.