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THE

STATE PAPERS

AND

LETTERS

OF

SIR RALPH SADLER.

Engraved, by R-faoper.

THOMAS CtOMFlIt.liM OF ESSEX.
From- am- Original Tainting fry Holbein, in the-
Towe&rion t?f ThoTMOtr Clifford, E#qT of Ti&all.

riMM££1;y4rA?Cinttabk,XJinbayh,r<b>l80S.

THE

STATE PAPERS

LETTERS

OF

SIR RALPH SADLER,
KNIGHT-BANNERET.
EDITED BT
- ARTHUR CLIFFORD, ESQ.
IN TWO VOLUMES.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A MEMOIR OF
THE LIFE OF SIR RALPH SADLER,
WITH
HISTORICAL NOTES,
BY
WALTER SCOTT, ESQ.

VOL. I.

EDINBURGH :
PRINTED FOR ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO. EDINBURGH
AND FOR
T. CADELL AND W. DA VIES, WILLIAM MILLER,
AND JOHN MURRAY, LONDON.

1809.

TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
CHARLES WILLIAM BURY,
EARL OF CHARLEVILLE, VISCOUNT ICHARLEVILLE,
BARON TULLAMORE, F. R. S.
&;c. &;c. &;c.
ONE OF THE LORDS OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT OF THE
UNITED KINGDOM,
THESE
Curious ann Slnteresting iaemain0
OF
THEIR COMMON ANCESTOE,
ARE,
WITH KIND PERMISSION, AND WITH THE HIGHEST RESPECT
FOR HIS LORDSHIP'S VIRTUES AND TALENTS,
MOST GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED
BY
HIS lordship's
MOST OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT,
ARTHUR CLIFFORD.

ADVERTISEMENT.

On the marriage ofthe Honourable Thomas Clifford, third son of Hugh, third
Lord Clifford, with the Honourable Barbara Aston, second daughter and coheiress
of James, fifth Lord Aston, Standon Lordship, the seat of Sir Ralph Sadler, was
sold along with the estate : but the papers, pictures, fyc were remo-aed to Tixall Hall
in Staffordshire, the ancient seat of the Astons. Here these papers remained un
disturbed till a few years ago, when they were faithfully copied by the Reverend
John Kirk qf Litchfield. From this c£fy, accurately compared with the originals,
this work is now printed. The originals, in four volumes, are in the library of
Thomas Clifford, Esq. of Tixall. The transcript, from which the first part ofthe
work is now reprinted, is in the Library of the Honourable Faculty of Advocates
in Edinburgh, but the originals, of which it is a copy, appear to be lost.
In Mr Walter Scott's name, and my own, I have to return most sincere and
grateful thanks to
The Right Honourable the Earl o/'Charleville.
¦  — = —  Lord Aston.
Thomas SADLiERjEsg1. of Sea Park, county of Tipperary, Ireland.
Robert Vernon Sadler, Esq. of Southampton.
William Hayley, Esq. Author of" The Triumphs of Temper," fyc.
Thomas Sharp, Esq, of Coventry.
James Brown, Esq. of St Albans.
The Reverend Henry White of Litchfield.
All of whom have liberally contributed papers or information concerning the work.
In particular, I have to acknowledge the infinite obligations which I owe to my
very learned and amiable friend, the Reverend John Kirk qf Litchfield, without
whose kindness, zeal, and ability, in copying the original papers, this work would
most probably have never seen the light.
S, North Castle Street, Edinburgh, > ARTHUR CLIFFORD.
1st May, 1809. 5

CONTENTS OF VOLUME EIRST.

I. Biographical Memoir of Sir Ralph Sadler, - - Page i
II. Embassy to Scotland, in 1539-40, 1
III. Embassy to Scotland, in 1543, - - - - 57
IV, Letters during the Embassy to Scotland, in 1543, 65
V. Fitted Accompt ofthe Expenses of Somerset's Expedition, lmo, Ed
ward VI, - 353
VI. Letters during the Reign of Queen Mary, - 365
VII. Letters during the War ©f the Scottish Reformation, 1559-60, S7S

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR

OF

SIR RALPH SADLER.

The birth of this able and celebrated statesman was neither
obscure and ignoble, nor so much exalted above the middling
rank of society, as to contribute in any material degree to
wards the splendid success of his career in life.
Ralph Sadler was the eldest son of Henry Sadleir,* or Sadleyer,
Esquire, through whom he was heir, according to Fuller, to a fair
inheritance. He was born in the year 1507, at Hackney, in
Middlesex, where his family had been for some time settled,
and had a younger brother, John Sadler, who commanded a
company at the siege of Boulogne, in the year 1544. The cir
cumstances of Henry Sadleir, their father, were not such as to
exempt him from professional labour, and even from personal
* Sir Ralph seems to have dropped the i in spelling his name. But the or
thography of proper names in this period was far from uniform. We have adopt
ed that which he used most frequently.
vol. i. a

11 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF

dependence. Indeed the chain of feudal connection was still
so entire, that the lesser gentry of the period sought not only
emolument but protection, and even honour, by occupying,
in the domestic establishments of the nobles, those situations,
which the nobility themselves contended for in the royal
household. The pride of solitary and isolated independence
was unknown in a period when the force of the laws was un
equal to protect those who enjoyed it, and the closer the for
tunes of a private individual were linked with those of some
chieftain of rank and power, the greater was the probability of
ty
his escaping all mischances, save those flowing from the fall of
his patron. It does, not, therefore, contradict what has been
handed down to us concerning Henry Sadlier's rank and estates
that he seems to have acted in some domestic capacity, pro
bably as steward or surveyor to a nobleman, 'proprietor of a
manor called Cillney, near Great Hadham, in Essex.
His office, whatever it was, consisted in keeping accounts
and receiving money; so that his son had an early i example of
accurate habits of 'business, not very common in that rude
military age, which proved not only the foundation of ! his
fortune, but continued to be the means of his raising it to the
highest elevation. Ralph Sadler was fortunate enough to -gain
a situation in the family of Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex'
who rose in the favour of the capricious Henry VIII. by facili
tating his divorce from Queen Catharine, and who fell by pro
curing his union with Anne of Cleves. While he was yet in the
ascent of his favour, Sadler acquired so much interest with
him, as to be able to solicit a place under the crown for his fa
ther, whose noble patron had become unable to support the
10

SIR RALPH SADLER. Ill
expence of a feudal household. These minute particulars we
learn from a letter which the^elder Sadler writes to his son. *
* " Henry Sadleyer to his son Ralph, living with Mr Cromwell, concerning
some demands and private concents. Original from Cilney. Titus, B. 1. No.
48. page 153.
" Son Raff, I hartely recomaund me unto you, and send you Godd's blessing
and myne. I praye you send me woord whether ye have spokyn to hym ; yf ye
have, I praye you, that I may have knowledge in writynge from you of his an-*
swer to you made. I trust he will knowlege, that I doe owe to the kynges grace
bHt'iiiiuand odde money. Yf it please hym to looke upon my booke which re-
mayneth in his handes, .therein he shall feynde a labelJ that shall showe the
truths, (desyre hym to be good to me.) Son Raff, whereas I shoulde have had
of my lorde, now at this_ audits, above xx markes, I can gett never a peny but
fayre wordes, with whyche I cannot lyve. My lorde hathe putt away many of his
yemen at this audite, and dothe intende after Christmas to putt many moe awey,
and both 'his lordeshippe and myladyewil tothe court after Christaiasji and kepe
asmajle house; wherefore I praye you JLhat I may^be recornandedto your good
rnaister, and desyr hym by your humble sute, to gett me the, office in the Towre
as in others} so that I shall be nigh London. Good son, doe the best you can
for me. I truste to be at the next terme by Godd's grace. I assure you bothe
my lord and my lady shall be very lothe to depart with- me, but with them I can
have noe -livinge- ; if I had, I wold not depart from them. I pray you send e for
your mother, and rede this letter to her; aqdfarder, my lorde dothe intende to lye
at Cilney all this Christmas, and there to kepe a smalle Christmas, though your
mother my mate as yet is not come to Cilney ; whereof I marvel], for diverse
cartts of Great Hadham hath byn at London diverse tymes syns I came from
hbme. I can noe more at this tyme, but the holy Trenylye cummfurt us all to
.... pleasure. : Written at Cilney, the xvi* day of December; in hast,, as ap-
jperyth. Your.fajther,
Henry Sadleyer.
" To Raff Sadleyer, dwelling, with Master Crumwell, be thes gevin.
" I thynke Richard Crumwell ... to London now at this tyme, and will be at
Cilney before ; then ye maye send your lettres by hym ; if he be not, Mr Antony
wil be at Cilney before Christmas ; the lettres ye send to me close them surely
for openying."

IV BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF M:
;W
Ralph Sadler's favour with Lord Cromwell, and the trust which
he reposed in him, soon brought him under the eye of Henry
VIII. It was emphatically said of that monarch, that Henry
loved a man ; by which we are to understand, that the objects
of his favour were distinguished by external strength, figure*
and personal accomplishments, as well as by their temper and
talents. In both respects Sadler was fortunate; for, though
of a middling or rather low stature, he was' well skilled in all
exercises, and remarkable both for strength and activity ;
nor was his address in public business inferior to his feats of
horsemanship, hunting, and chivalry. It was probably before
he attracted the king's notice, that Mr Sadler became the hus
band of the widow of one Ralph Barrow, who does not seem
to have been a person of high rank, although no good grounds
have been discovered for the scandal with which Sanders and
other Catholic writers have stigmatized this union. That she
was a woman of credit and character, must be admitted ;
since Lord Cromwell, to whom she was related, not only
countenanced their marriage, but was godfather to, two of
their children, the first of whom died in infancy. *
According to the inscription on Sadler's tomb, he entered
the king's service in or about the 10th year of his reign, that
is in 1518 ; and there are letters in the Museum which prove
that he was at court before Wolsey's. fall, under whose patron-
* " R. Sadler to Sec. Cromwell. Titus, B. 1. p. 343. Original.
" Syr, after myn humble comendacions, with like request, that it may plese you
to gyve me leve to trouble you, amongst your weightie affaires, with these tryf*
fels: it is so, that my wyfe, after long travaile, and as payneful labour as any wo
man could have,,hathe at the last brought furth a fayre boy; beseching you to,

¦i SIR RALPH SADLER. V
age his master Cromwell had risen to eminence. In one of
these Sadler mentions to Cromwell, that " My Lord, his Grace,"
(the Cardinal, do'ubtless) had been slandered to the king, and
exclaims against the ingratitude of the secretary. In ano
ther letter he seems to write to Cromwell by order of the king,
about certain issues of money and prizes taken at sea.
As Sadler daily advanced in the king's favour^ he became,
though at what time I cannot say, clerk of the hamper, one
vouchsafe ones agayne to be gossip unto so poore a man as I am, and that he
may bear your name. Trusting ye shall have more rejoyse of him then ye had
of the other; and yet ther is no cause But ofgret rejoyse in the other, fbr he
dyed an innocent, and enjoyeth the joyes of heven. 1 wold also be right glad
to- have Mr Richard's wyf, or my Lady Weston, to be the godmother. Ther is
a certain supersticious opinion and usage amongst women, which is, that in case a
woman go with childe, she may christen no other man's childe as long as she is
in that case. And therfor, not knowing whether Mr Richard's wyf be with child
ornot, I do name my Lady Weston. I desyre to have one of them, because
they do lye so near Hackney; tomorrow in tbe after none shall be the tyme,.
and that the holie Trinyte preserve you in long lyf and good helth, with much
honour. At Hackney, this Saturday, at iii of the clocke at after none, with the.
rude and hastie hand of
Your most assured- and faithful servante duringe his lyf,
Rafe Sadleiu
To the right honourable and his singuler good Mr,
Maister Secretarye, be thes geven."
Some of the minute intelligenge, so dear to modern antiquaries^may be gained
ftom this gossiping business ; as, 1st, that Sadler had a former son who died an
infant ; 2dly, we may conclude Lady Weston was either a widow or an old wo
man ; 3dly, we may observe Sadler's simplicity in plainly tellingus, that,heknew
not whether Mr Richard's wyf were with child or not; lastly, that Mr Sadler.
had not very well determined at what hour to christen his child, for he had first
written morning and afterwards afternoon. But in addition to all this valuable
information;, the letter shews his connection with Cromwell, and the superstition.1
which it commemorates is a singular one.

VI BIOGRAPHICAL- MEMOJR 0,F
ofathe gentlemen of the privy chamber, and received the
honour of: knighthood.* And in the, 30th year of Henry's
reign, he was created one of his principal secretaries of state.
Sir .-Ralph Sadler seems to have been active in the grea]t work
of dissolving the religious .-.houses, npr did. he miss his share ofthe
spoil. It may be supposed, that his conversion to the Protestant
faiths was gradual, at least that his avowal of the reformed tenets
did not precede the death of Henry VIII., who wished to die a
catholic, although he seized the supremacy, and plundered the
monasteries. A charter of Edward VI., to be hereafter quoted,
acquaints us, that Sir Ralph Sadler acquired the advowson of
the rectory . and church of Kemsey, in Worcestershire ; that of >
the rectory and church of St Martins, in London, with the
manors of Bromley, in Middlesex ; Hdslengefield, in Cam
bridgeshire; Walthamstow Tohg, in Essex; Astern, Tinatt, and
North Merton, in Berkshire; with various portions p£ tythes
in -Gloucestershire. These grants, extensive as they were, do ,
not seem to comprehend all the lands bestowed on Sadler by
the liberality of Henry VIII.
In 1537? Sadler cprnmenced a long course of diplomatic
services, by an embassy to Scotland, whose monarch, James V.
was then absent in France, where he had j ust married adaugh-
ter of Francis I. The envoy was to greet the dowager queen
Margaret, widow of James IV., to strengthen the English in
terest in the councils of regency which governed Scotland, and
to discover. the probable consequences of the intimate union
between France and Scotland. This was an object of greater .-¦
* He is designed Sir Ralph Sadler, knight, in the will of Henry VIII. The
honour conferred- pn him in the field pf battle at Pinkie, consisted in his Jbejng .:
elevated to the order of a Banneret.

'SIR RALPH SADLER. Vll
importance, as, 'in passing through the northern counties of
-England, Sadler^ found them in an unusual state of turbulence,
from the consequence of the rebellion, called the Pilgrimage of
Grace. The dissatisfaction at the innovations in religion was so
general, that the town of Newcastle had nearly broken outvinto
open revolt. At no time had peace with Scotland been more
essential to the English interest. But the Scottish court was as
much divided by aristocratic faction, as England by popular
discontent. The clergy, and such of the more powerful nobles
as France had thought worthy attaching to her cause, were zea
lous for war with England; the lesser barons and common peo
ple had already become attached to the Reformation ; the queen-
dowager was utterly without power; and the continuance of
the peace depended upon the resolutions to be adopted by
James on his return from France. With this intelligence, Sad
ler returned to England in the beginning of February, 1537.
Of Sir Ralph Sadler's subsequent embassy in 1539-40, the
following collection furnishes us with a particular account. —
The ostensible purpose was that of maintaining, in general, a
good correspondence between the Crowns. But the private
instructions of the envoy were, if possible, to separate James
from the councils of Beaton, an ambitious prelate, the head
of the faction which was favourable to France. For this pur-
*pose he was instructed to state^ that Henry had discovered,
among certain letters thrown into his hands by the shipwreck
of a vessel near Bamborough, a dangerous plan, by which
Beaton desigfaed, under colour of the king's favour, to
usurp the whole government of Scotland, and to throw it
under the absolute controul of the Pope. In short, the in
structions seem to infer, that Beaton was attempting the same

VH1 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
enterprise in Scotland, which Wolsey had almost effected in
Henry's own realm ; and there can be little doubt, that,
in describing the danger of entrusting power to such a cha
racter, Henry had the memory of his fallen favourite brought
freshly to his recollection. Sadler was further instructed to
remonstrate with James on the ceconomy with whichhe ma
naged his crown lands, by stocking them with flocks of sheep,
and to hold out to him a worthier and more kingly source of
revenue in the overgrown possessions of the church, which lay
at his mercy. And, on the whole, he was directed to persuade
the Scottish monarch, if possible, to imitate his uncle's con
duct towards the see of Rome, and to make common cause
with England against France.
; James received Sadler with marks of distinction and kind
ness ; but the reasoning of his uncle made but slight impression
on his mind. His high spirit revolted at the dictatorial mode
in which these counsels were conveyed ; he weighed the pro
fuse liberality of Francis I. against the niggard present of a
set of horses with which Sadler presented him in the name of
his sovereign ; he respected the talents and learning of the
catholic clergy, who alone of his subjects had the education
necessary to assist his councils ; he preferred deriving from
the churches voluntary donation, such subsidies as his affairs
might require, to the odium of seizing upon her possessions,
and he resolved to adhere to the faith of his forefathers. It
was in vain that Sadler enlarged upon the corruptions of the
clergy in manners and doctrine ; the king mildly replied,
" God forbid, if a few be not good, for them all Jthe rest be
destroyed!" James disdained any intention of joining France

, SIR RALPH SADLER. IX
in a league against England, but turned a deaf ear to the charge
of treachery, which Sadler, according to his masters command,
preferred against his minister. A meeting with Henry was
warmly pressed by Sadler, and politely evaded by the Scottish
monarch, who was well aware, that a sovereign ought not to
meet his superior in power, unless he was prepared to subscribe
to whatever should be required of him ; and Sir Ralph left
the Scottish court without material success in any part of his
mission. In the course of this year, his patron Cromwell was
disgraced and beheaded ; but his fall was attended by no ill
consequences to Sadler, whose interest now rested on his in
dividual merit.
In 1541, Sadler was sent upon another embassy to Scot
land, concerning which we have less distinct information.
Its general scope was to detach James from the Pope and ca
tholic clergy, whose practices Henry pronounced to be so won
derous, that " one might be lightly led by the nose and bear
their yoke, yet, for blindness, not know what he doth." He was
instructed again to press upon James the propriety of a perso
nal meeting, to which the Scottish king gave a dubious con
sent. * The good sense and moderation which James exhibit
ed during discussions of so delicate a nature, rendered him wor
thy of a more enlightened. age, and of a better fate.
In 1542, the fatal battle, or rather rout of Sol way, took
place, in which a housand Scottish prisoners, comprehend*
ing Glencairn, Cassilis, Maxwell, Somerville, and other nobles
of the highest rank, fell into the hands of a small band of Eng-
* Pinkerton's History, vol. i, p. 374.
VOL. I. b

X BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
lish Borderers, who had approached the Scottish host, rather to
observe their motions, than with any purpose of assault. By
this disgraceful event, the heart of James V. was literally
broken, and he died, leaving the crown to his daughter Mary,
a new-born infant, whose misfortunes began in her cradle,
and accompanied her, with little intermission, to her grave.
In this crisis Henry formed a plan, equally moderate and saga
cious, of uniting the two kingdoms by alliance, rather than
conquest. For this purpose, he treated with kindness and
liberality the Scottish prisoners, whom the success at Solway
had placed in his power, and heaped favours upon the earl of
Angus, the head of the house of Douglas, who, with his kins
men, had long found refuge in England from the wrath of James
V., and was now about to return to Scotland in consequence
of his death. To these nobles, the captives, as well as the
Douglasses, the English monarch entrusted a scheme of a
marriage to be contracted between the infant queen of Scot
land and the youthful Edward, his son and heir. Henry ap
pears to have received from all the strongest assurances, that
they would support, with their utmost power, this proposition,
so soon as it should be made to the Scottish parliament. Not
satisfied with these protestations, he took from the captives
pledges and hostages for their returning to captivity upon his
summons; and dismissed them much in the situation, though
unanimated by the spirit, of the Roman Regulus. With
them the earl of Angus and the Douglasses returned to Scot
land, after an exile of fifteen years.
With them, also, Sir Ralph Sadler came to Scotland, in the
character of ambassador of England, for achieving this im-

SIR-RALPH SADLEfi. XI
portant match. The prudence and art with which he con
ducted the negociation, as well as the real advantages which
it held forth to Scotland, might, in any other country and cir
cumstances, have secured its success. But he had to contend
with the prejudices which centuries of war had engraved in the
bosom of the Scottish nation ; prejudices so deep and uncon
querable, that one of their most enlightened statesmen* used to
Sadler these strong expressions of the national abhorrence of an
English match: " Our nation, being a stout nation, will never
agree to have an Englishman to be king of Scotland; and though
the whole nobility of the realm would consent to it, the com
mon people, the women with their distaffs, and the very stones in
the street, would rise up and rebel against it." The impatient,
haughty, and furious temper of king Henry, added to the ob
stacles which the ambassador had to encounter. His parsi
mony gave still further embarrassment. It is easy to perceive,
that Henry reckoned almost solely upon the gratitude of the
prisoners to whom he had given temporary freedom, and of
the Douglasses whom he had protected in banishment ; and
that he disrelished the idea, suggested by Sadler, of refreshing,
by new acts of generosity, their recollection of former fayours.
Threats, expostulation, and upbraiding, were arguments which
Henry held to be cheaper and more efficacious, than working
by gifts and promises upon the poverty and avarice of the
Scottish nobility. By this course, which Sadler vainly depre
cated, the party which he had formed among that body be
came daily more doubtful, and the stern remonstrances of the
* Sir Adam Otterburn. See vol. ii. p. 559.

Xii ¦ BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
English monarch only tended still farther to alienate them from
his interest. On the other hand, the address of Sadler was
counterbalanced by that of cardinal Beaton, who availed him
self of every obstacle which the prejudices of the Scots, the
imbecillity of the regent, the impatience of Henry, and the
liberality of France, afforded against the English treaty. Yet*
under all these disadvantages, a hollow league was agreed to,
by which the Scots agreed to send their sovereign into England,
so soon as she should attain the age of ten years ; and in the
mean while, six hostages, of the first rank, were to be delivered
to the English monarch, as pledges for the fulfilment ofthe
treaty. This alliance was hardly ratified, ere it became ob
vious that it could never be carried into effect. The earls of
Huntley, Argyle, Lennox, and Bothwell, Lord Home, and
the Laird of Buccleuch, took up arms openly against the gor
vernor. The imprudent detention of some Scottish vessels in the
ports of England, excited the irritable multitude of Edinburgh
to fury against their new ally. Sadler's situation became at
once embarrassing and dangerous, and he narrowly escaped
assassination, a musquet being discharged at him while walk
ing in his garden. The governor secretly meditated a revolt
from the party of England, and used many devices to prevail
on the ambassador to retire from Scotland. It was in vain
that Sadler made him the most flattering offers, even so far as
to propose that the regent should marry one of Henry's daugh
ters, and become king of all Scotland beyond the Forth.
From the regent's reply to this extravagant proposal,, it seems
plain, that a gratuity of a thousand pounds would have been
much more acceptable than the vague hopes which it im-

SIR RALPH SADLER. XHl
plied. But this Sadler durst not promise. To the Doug
lasses, and to that diminished part of the Solway captives,
who still pretended adherence to England, Sadler offered an
auxiliary army of English. But they replied, that the name
of England was so utterly detested by their countrymen*,
that their own friends and followers would to a man desert
them, were they to accept of such odious aid. In fine, the
regent, who had on the 25th of August, 1543, ratified the
treaty with England, did, upon the 3d of September follow
ing, altogether renounce that alliance, and unite himself to
the cardinal, and those nobles who were in arms, to oppose it.
Even the patience of Sadler gave way, when be beheld
the party who had so strongly vowed to maintain the interest
of England melt away like a snowball ; and he expresses his
cordial wish and expectation that his majesty would shortly
correct the untruth and folly of the Scottish, and prayed that
he might either be recalled, or permitted to take refuge in
some strong-hold belonging to the Douglasses, who still main
tained their friendship with England. This permission being
at length obtained, he left Edinburgh and retired to Tantallon,
a strong castle in East Lothian, belonging to the earl of Angus;
Here he abode for several weeks,, better pleased with his
lodging for its strength and security, than, in point of accora^
modation; and returned to England about the beginning of
December 1543, the precursor of a Scottish war, in which
the destruction of Leith by the earl of Hartford-, and a de
solating succession of incursions on the frontiers by Evers and
Latoun, avenged the perfidy of the regent.
Although Sadler had totally failed, in the object of his em>-

XiV BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
bassy, the skill and patience with which he had conducted
the negociation, maintained, and even raised him in the esteem
of his sovereign. Upon the death of Henry VIII., in 1547,
it was found that he had bequeathed the care of his son and
of the realm to sixteen of his nobility and counsellors, to
whom he nominated a privy council of twelve persons. In
this last number Sadler was included by the title of Sir Ralph
Sadleyr, knight, and he was further distinguished by a legacy
of 2001. As the last instructions of the king to his council
contained a warm recommendation to prosecute the Scottish
match; there can be little doubt that Sadler was recommend
ed to this high trust and honour, as well by his intimate ac
quaintance with the affairs of Scotland, as by the other qualities
which had acquired Henry's confidence. It would seem he
was present with the executors when the will was opened and
read, and an oath taken faithfully to discharge the trust which
it imposed. But a great innovation was almost immediately
made upon the form of government, so solemnly ratified, by
the elevation of the earl of Hartford, afterwards duke of
Somerset, to be Protector of the realm. In order to reconcile
the rest of the king's executors to this pre-eminence, wealth
and honours were conferred on them with no sparing hand ;
they were named counsellors to the protector, and a commis
sion was issued under the great seal, to warrant this new form
of government, in which, however, the privy counsellors were rai
sed to the same rank with the executors ; and power was granted
to the protector to assume any other commissioners whom he
should think fit. The special gratification destined for Sir
Ralph Sadler upon these changes, seems to have been a con-

SIR RALPH SADLER. XV
firmation ofthe large grants of church lands forrherly assigned
to him by Henry, with splendid additions. There is said to be
an illuminated deed in existence, in which Sadler is painted
on his knees, receiving from Henry and Edward a grant of all
the church lands, on which the town of Clifton, near Bristol,
now* stands, and extending down to the Severn. It would seem
from the indenture below quoted, that various exchanges were
made between the crown and Sir Ralph Sadler, all doubtless
to the advantage of the grantee. *
* " Whereas, our dear father, king Henry VIII., by indenture under the great
seal of Court of Augmentation, dated Westminster, 10th March, 31st year, grant
ed to Anthony Southwell, of his household gentlemen, inter aSa/Allesborough,
Grange, and certain other lands, containing 279 acres in the whole, being the
demeasne lands of late monastery of Pershore, in Worcestershire, and lying with
in parishes of Pershore; and also 197 acres of pasture and meadow land, lying
in Pershore and Flodbury, part of possessions of said monastery for 21 years,.
paying annually for same and scite of said late monastery, 271. 18s. 7fd.
And said king, by another indenture dated 15th April, 32d year, granted to
Richard Randall of London, inter alia, the sheepcote of Cotesden, county Glou
cester, late reserved and occupied by abbot and convent of Wynchelcombe, in
said county ; together with manor of Rowell, and the tythes of said sheepcote,
Rowell, and Hailing, in said county for 21 years, paying annually 301. 6s. 8d.
And said king, by another indenture dated 10th October, 31st year, granted
to Michael Cameswell, gentleman, Whitmore Grange, with houses, lands, &c.
within said Grange, containing 181 acres, and four acres in Whitmore Park,
lately belonging to the dissolved monastery of the blessed Mary in Coventry, for
21 years, paying annually 151. 8s. 4d.
And said king, by another indenture dated 12th April, S2d year, granted to
Anthony Denny, Esq. the manor of Nasing or Nasingbury, in Essex, belonging to
late monastery of Waltham Holy-cross, in said county, certain lands there also,
and the rectory of Nasing for 21 years, paying annually 311. 18s.
And said king, in consideration of 661. 13s. 4d. paid into the Augmentation

XVI BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
The war with Scotland had been rather suspended than
closed by a short peace, and hostilities with France being
now ended, the protector and his council, resolving to resume
the subject of the Scottish match, dispatched a solemn
summons, requiring the fulfilment of the treaty formerly con
cluded under the conduct of Sir Ralpli Sadler. Upon a blunt
Court, by aforesaid Anthony Denny, granted to him by his patent, dated" 28th
September, 36th year, the reversion of said manor and rectory of Nasing before
demised, for 35 years more, paying as before.
Know ye, &c. that in consideration of the rectory and church of Kemsey, in
county of Worcester, with, the advowson of same granted " by our faithful servant,
Ralph Sadleyr, knight, one of the gentlemen of our Privy Chamber, to our most
dear father," sealed with his seal, and dated 19th September, 38th Henry
VIII. and the advowson of rectory and church of St Martin in London, in like
manner given by said R. S. to our said father, dated 1st January, 38th year ; and
in consideration ofthe manors of Bromeley, in Middlesex, Haslingefeld, in Cam
bridgeshire, Walthamstow Tong, in Essex, Aston- Tinall and North Morton, in
Berkshire, diverse portions of tythes in Gloucestershire, and all other messuages,
lands, tenements, &c. to us by said R. S. granted by indenture, dated 10th June,
1st year, " and for the performance and fulfilment ofthe testament and last will
of our said father," and for 500 merks paid to our said father by R. S., and for
18371. Is. 8d. paid by said R. S. into our Augmentation Court to our use ; we
have given and granted to R. S. the reversion and reversions of all the said pre
mises in aforesaid indentures expressed, together with all the profits, &c. therein
reserved. We give also the manor of Stoke Episcopi, or Bishopstoke, in county
Gloucester, late part of possessions of Bishop of Worcester, the manor of Hein-
bury Salt Marsh, in said county, the hundred, liberties and franchises of Hein-
bury, late part of possessions of Bishop of Worcester, Sned Park and Pen Park
in said county, late belonging to Bit^c-p of Worcester, with all rights, deer war
rens, &c. and the advowson of vicarage of Heinbury, with all manner of rights
and privileges to said above grants in any wise appertaining, [enumerated through
About 50 lines of .original.]
We give also the manor of Swynnyng, in county Gloucester, late appertaining
.10

SIR RALPH SADLER. XVII
and unqualified refusal, the protector prepared to invade Scot
land at the head of an army of between 12,000 and 13,000 in
fantry, 1300 men at arms, and 2800 light horsemen, all ex-
to monastery of Wynchelcombe, together with certain lands, a grove and wood,
late to same monastery belonging, with the great and small tythes, within said
manor. Also, the lordship and manor of Allesborough, in county Worcester,
late belonging to Pershore monastery, with all hamlets, lands, tythes, &c. there
in, save certain exceptions. Also, the manor of Olveston, in county Gloucester,
late possession of Priory of Bath.
And certain lands in Waltham aforesaid, parcel of the possessions of late Mar
quis of Exeter, and Gertrude, his wife, lately attainted of high treason. Also,
certain lands called Cussoners, in Waltham, the scite, &c. of the quire of the
Carmelites Church, in -Coventry, and the church-yard of Carmelites Church, in
Fleet-Street, London, with the rectory of Welford, in county Gloucester.
•[Now follows a particular enumeration of all the grants before recited, both in
the indentures and otherwise, with much additional minutiae, and various ampli
fications, and in at least 150 lines is. granted in the fullest manner, all manner of
rights and privileges, in any ways appertaining thereto enjoyed by former pos
sessors.] Which same lordships or manors.jif Bishopstoke and Heinbury, and premises
thereunto belonging, are now extended at the clear annual value of 1191.1 4s. l*d.
the 10s. not deducted.
Mansion in Stroude, &c. 101. Manor Twynnying and Upham, 7ll. 2s. 7dt
Manor of Attesborough, and other premises in Attesborough, Streynsham, Flad-
bury, and Pershore, 79l. 12s. 2d. Attesborqugh Grange and demeasne lands of
Pershore, 101. 7s. ll|d. Manor of Olueston, 211. 12s. 5|d. Manor of Rowell,
&c. 29l. 6s. 8d. Whitmore Grange, 8cc. 121. 8s. 4d. Messuage lands and tene
ments in Slackstede, late monastery of Hyde, in county Southampton, 9l. 9s. 5|d.
Manor or Farm of Woodredon, late monastery of Waltham Cross, 81. Manor
of Sewardston, &c. 271. 4s. lOd. Manor and rectory of Nasing, 311. 18s. Lands
in Waltham, late Marquis of Exeter, and Gertrude, his wife, 61. Cussoners
Lands, 351. Soil, scite, &c. of church of Carmelites in Coventry, 6s. 8d. and
Church-yard Carmelites in London, 201.
VOL. I. C

XV111 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
cellently appointed, and perfectly disciplined. Sir Ralph Sad
ler held the important post of treasurer to this gallant army ;
and from his accounts, which the reader will find in page 355,
it appears, that the expenses of maintaining and paying the
forces from the first of August till the 20th of November, 1547,
amounted to 45,9121. 12s. sterling.
It was at the head of this army that Somerset gained the
bloody and decisive battle of Pinkie, over the numerous, but
To have, hold, &c. in capite by service of twentieth part of a knight's fee, and
to render annually to us, and our successors, as follows, viz. For Bishopstoke,
111. 19s. 5d. Twynnyng, 71. 2s 3£d. Attesborough, 71. 19s. 3d. Attesborough
Grange, ll. Os. 91d. Olveston, 2l. 3s. 3d. Slackstede, 18s llfd. Whitmore
ll. 4s. lOd. Woodredon, 16s. Seweardson, 2l. 14s. 5£d. Nasing, Si. 3s. 9£d. and
the Messuage in Stroude, and scites of two Carmelite churches or church-yards
in Burgage.
[Then follow sundry exceptions and reservations for corrodies, pensions, col
lectors of rents, wardens charges, &c. — the latter are specified, and amount to
101. 13s. 8d.] Witness ourselves at Westminster, SOth June, (1st year.)
This is first found in the amplified grant of Bishopstoke, Heinbury, &c. late
possessions of Bishop of Worcester, in following words : " And also all that ca
pital messuage or mansion, with the appurtenences, situate and being in the pa
rish of Stroude, near London, late parcel of the possessions of said Bishop of
Worcester, and all and singular lands, tenements, edifices, stables, gardens, or
chards, 8tc. and also all and singular other messuages, &c. &c. lying and being
in Stroude aforesaid, late parcel of the possessions of said Bishop of Worcester."
The original instrument occupies 25 sheets. For this abstract of its contents, I am
indebted to Thomas Sharpe, Esq. of Coventry. Other grants to Sir Ralph Sad
ler are mentioned in Dugdale's " Warwickshire," Dr Thomas's edition, pages 186
300, 487, 526. All tending to shew, how deeply he participated in the spoils
acquired by the sweeping work of reformation.

SIR RALPH SADLER. XIX
ill disciplined, feudal array of Scotland. In this battle, Sir
Ralph Sadler distinguished himself both for his conduct and
gallantry, in so much, that he was raised to the degree of
Knight Banneret, on the field of battle. The particular ser
vices which procured him this honourable distinction, appear
to have been, the activity which he displayed in rallying the
English cavalry, when repulsed by the Scottish spearmen at
the beginning of the conflict, * and, according to tradition, his
seizing, with his own hand, the royal standard of Scotland.
A tall standard pole, plated with iron as high as a horse
man's sword could reach, long remained beside his tomb. It
was believed to have been the staff from which the Scottish
banner was displayed, and was appealed to for the truth of
the tradition, -j-
The rank to which Sir Ralph Sadler was thus raised from
the degree of Knight Bachelor, may be called the very
pinnacle of chivalry. Knight Bannerets could only be cre
ated by the king himself, or, which was very rare, by a gene
ral vested with such powers as to represent his person. They
were dubbed before or after" a battle, in which the royal
standard was displayed ; and the person so to be honoured be
ing brought before the king, led by two distinguished knights
* " In the battle of Muscleborow, he ordered to be brought up our scattered
troops, next degree to a route, inviting them to fight by his own example." Ful
ler's Worthies, p. 183.
¦f I do not find that Patten, the minute historian of Somerset's expedition,
mentions this exploit of Sir Ralph Sadler, nor indeed the capture of the royal
standard of Scotland. Neither does he commemorate his being created knight
banneret ; of which, however, there can be no doubt, as it is mentioned in king
Edward's own Journal. 12

XX BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
or nobles, presented to the sovereign his pennon, having an in
denture like a swallow's tail at the extremity. * The king then
cut off the forked extremity, rendering the banner square, in
* The shape of the banner originally determined, the number, of followers,
whom the leader commanded ; and a bannefet was expected to lead into the
field ten vassals, each properly attended. The most lively description of the
creation of a banneret occurs in Froissart's Account of the Battle of Najara,
fought by the Black Prince against Henry of Castile. " When the sun was ri
sen, it was a beautiful sight to view these battalions, with their brilliant armour
glittering with its beams. In this manner,, they nearly, approached to each other.
The prince, with a few attendants, mounted a small hill, and saw very clearly the
enemy marching straight towards them. Upon descending this hill, he extend
ed his line of battle in the plain, and then halted.
" The Spaniards seeing the English had halted, did the same, in order of bat
tle : then each man tightened his armour, and made ready as for instant com
bat. " Sir John Chandos advanced in front ofthe battalions, with his banner unca
sed in his hand. He presented it to the prince, saying : '• My lord, here is my
banner : I present it to you, that I may display it in whatever manner shall be
most agreeable to you; for, thanks'to God, I have now sufficient lands that will
enable me so to do, and maintain the rank which it ought to hold.'
" The prince Don Pedro being present, took the banner in his hands, which
was blazoned with a sharp stake gules on a field argent: after having cut off the
tail to make it square, he displayed it, and, returning it to him by the handle,
said : f Sir John, I return you your banner. God give you strength and honor
to preserve it.'
" Upon this, sir John left the prince, went back with the banner in his hand
and said to them i ' Gentlemen, behold my banner and yours : you will there
fore guard it as becomes you.' His companions, taking the banner, replied with
much cheerfulness, that ' if it pleased God and St George, they would defend it
well, and act worthily of it, to the utmost of their abilities.'
" The banner was put into the hands of a worthy English squire, called Wil
liam Allestry, who bore it with honor that day, and loyally acquitted himself in
the service." Johnes's Froissart, I. 731.

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXI
shape similar to that of a baron, which, thereafter, the knight
banneret might display in every pitched field, in that mpre
noble form. If created by the king, the banneret took prece
dence of all other knights; but if by a general, only of knights
of the Bath and knights Bachelors. Sir Francis Brian, com
mander of the light horsemen, and Sir Ralph Vane, lieutenant
of the men at arms, received this honour with our Sir Ralph
Sadler on the field of Pinkie. But he survived his companions,
and is said to have been the last knight banneret of England.
I have discovered no trace of Sir Ralph Sadler's being em
ployed in public affairs during the rest of Edward's short
reign. He unquestionably retained his place in the coun
cil ; and in a grant dated 4th Edward VI. and quoted by
Dugdale, in his " Warwickshire," he is termed " then master
of the great wardrobe." His prudence, probably, prevented
him from attaching himself zealously to any of the factions,
whose strife and mutual hatred disturbed the quiet of their
amiable sovereign, excited rebellion among his people, and
lost all the advantage his arms had gained in the battle of
Pinkie. In the reign of Philip and Mary, it would seem that Sir
Ralph Sadler retired to his estate near Hackney. A courtier,
who had risen under the auspices of Cromwell, and partici
pated so largely in the spoils of the church of Rome, must
have been no favourite with the existing government. Ac
cordingly, he resigned his office of clerk of the Hamper to
propitiate Archbishop Heath, then chancellor, * and per-
* Vol. I, p. 370. 1

Xxii BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
haps made other concessions, of the nature and extent of
which we are now ignorant. Yet we have positive evidence,
that Sir Ralph Sadler was so far from being in absolute
disgrace, that he was, in some degree, trusted by the sove
reign, even during this reign. For there are two letters from
Mary, printed in the following collection, empowering and
commanding Sir Ralph Sadler to arm and equip as many able
men as he could maintain, and to keep them ready upon an
hour's notice, for the suppression of popular tumults. It is
probable that, notwithstanding this proof of confidence, Sir
Ralph Sadler did not think his prosperity secure till the acces
sion of queen Elizabeth.
So soon as this event took place, he was called to the privy
council of his new sovereign, and, until the day of his death,
retained a great portion of her regard and esteem ; no man
being more frequently employed by Elizabeth in services of
the highest trust and importance. He was a member of
her first parliament, and continued to be a representative of
the people in most, if not all, the sessions of her reign. _ At
the end of this work, there are several notes of his speeches in
the House of Commons, and at the Council Board, full of en
ergy and good sense ; and although usually on the side of the
court, yet expressed with becoming independence. The first
diplomatic office in which he was engaged, during this reign,
was of great consequence, and its success paved the way for
the absolute influence which Elizabeth afterwards obtained
in the affairs of Scotland ; an influence which all the blood
and treasure expended by her ancestors to conquer that king-

SIR RALPH SADLER. XX111
dom had utterly failed to acquire. The Reformation had
now made such progress in that kingdom, that a league of
Protestant nobles took arms, to secure the liberty of con
science, under the title of Lords of the Congregation. Mary
of Lorraine, queen dowager, and now regent, endeavour
ed, by the assistance of French forces and French money,
to suppress this insurrection. Both parties became embitter
ed against each other, and it was obvious, that a final and de
cisive conflict was not far distant. In this, the sagacity of
Cecil saw that the queen regent, armed with legal authority,
supported by disciplined forces, and furnished from France
with means of paying them, must ultimately prevail over a
league who had only religious zeal, and the tumultuary assem
blage of their feudal retainers, to oppose against such advan
tages. But Scotland, if reduced to the situation of a French
province, and ruled by a catholic queen, who boasted some
pretensions to the throne of Elizabeth, must have been a most
inauspicious neighbour to England. * It was therefore re
solved to support the protestant nobility in their struggle with
the queen regent; but with such secrecy, as neither to bring
upon the Lords of the Congregation the odium of being the
friends and pensioners of England, nor to engage Elizabeth
in an open, war with her sister and rival.
To manage the intrigues necessary for the successful execu
tion of this plan, it was necessary an accredited agent should
* See Cecil's reasoning on this subject, as extracted by Bishop Keith, from
Crawford of Drumsoy's Memorials, Vol. I. p. 168.

XXIV BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
be sent to the frontier. With this view, a commission wag
granted to the earl of Northumberland, Sir Ralph Sadler, and
Sir James Crofts, to settle certain disputes concerning Border
matters, with commissioners, to be named by the queen-regent
of Scotland, and to direct the repairs proposed to be made
on the fortifications of Berwick, and other Border fortresses.
But the object was only to furnish ostensible reasons for Sad
ler making a Jong stay in the town of Berwick, whence he
could most easily correspond with the Lords of the Congrega
tion. By his private instructions in Cecil's hand-writing, he
was empowered to treat with any manner of person in Scot
land, to distribute money as he should think proper to the
extent of L. 3000, always with such discretion and secrecy, as
not to impair the peace lately concluded with Scotland. The
use ofthe earl of Northumberland's name in the general com
mission was merely ostensible. As that nobleman professed the
Catholic religion, he would have been in every respect an im
proper agent in behalf of the Lords of the Congregation.
But Sadler appears to have reposed unlimited confidence in
Sir James Crofts, the other commissioner.
Sadler opened and carried on the negotiation with his usual
ability, of which the numerous letters now offered to the pub
lic afford an interesting proof. But notwithstanding repeated
supplies of money, it became gradually more and more ob
vious, that the aid of England must appear in the decided
shape of auxiliary forces, if the Lords of the Congregation
were to be saved from destruction. For this purpose, the duke
of Norfolk was sent to Berwick to conclude an open and avow-

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXV
ed treaty with the Scottish protestants. But although the de
putation of a person of such high rank gave a higher degree
of solemnity to the negotiation, it continued chiefly to be ma
naged by Sir Ralph Sadler, whose name, as well as that of the
duke, appears in most of the letters to the council. Indeed,
the duke, in his instructions, was repeatedly enjoined to use the
council of Sir Ralph Sadler rather than of any military man,
as the queen still entertained hopes that hostilities might be
prevented. * When the auxiliary army under Lord Gray had
entered Scotland, and besieged the French troops ofthe queen-
regent in the town of Leith, Elizabeth directed the duke of
Norfolk to send Sir Ralph Sadler to the camp, in hopes that
he might be able to treat with the regent, and at the same
time to remove from the mind of the protestants all suspicion,
that their interest would be sacrificed to obtain peace, -f Ac
cordingly, in April 1560, Sadler appears to have joined the
army before Leith. On the 5th day of May, the earl of Arran,
then a leader of the Congregation, writes to Cecil, that the ar
rival of Sir Ralph Sadler had restored their spirits. J He wit
nessed the disastrous consequences of a rash assault made up
on Leith by the English, in which they lost many men.
Above all, he had probably a principal share in the treaty of
Leith, so highly honourable to Elizabeth, by which she stipu
lated for her Scottish allies the security of their religion, liber
ty, and possessions ; and for herself, a full acknowledgment of
her right to the crown of England. The garrison of Leith
* None of these letters have been reprinted in this collection, as they are
already to be found in that of Murdin and Haynes.
f Murdin, Vol. I. p. 286. % Ibid. p. 303.
VOL. I. d

XXVI BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
was surrendered, and the French governor regaled the leaders
ofthe besiegers with a feast of fifty dishes composed out of
one dead horse ; a circumstance which marks national manners,
as well as the extremity to which the place was reduced.
It does not appear how Sir Ralph Sadler was employed du
ring the five succeeding years, or whether he had any duty to
discharge besides that of a privy counsellor'. But there can be
no doubt that he continued to maintain his place in Eliza
beth's opinion, since, in the 10th year of her reign, he was cre
ated chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, vacant by the
death of Sir Ambrose Cave, and was employed in matters of
even higher delicacy and weight, than had been yet intrusted
to his care.
In 1568, when Elizabeth had determined to treat a fugitive
princess, who had fled to her for protection, as an accused cri
minal, and had named commissioners to hear the cause of queen
Mary pleaded at York, Sir Ralph Sadler was conjoined with
the duke of Norfolk and earl of Sussex, in order to compose
that extraordinary tribunal. Indeed, of the three, he seems to
have been most trusted ; for so soon as the mode in which the
enquiry was conducted gave reason to believe that Norfolk
meant to discountenance the accusation, Sadler was ordered
to court to give an account of their proceedings. He was also
a member ofthe new commission which sat at Westminster for
the same purpose.
Meanwhile, the effects of Norfolk's intrigues began to be
apparent. The earls of Westmoreland and Northumberland,
relying upon the co-operation of the duke, and of the an
cient nobility, openly took arms for the deliverance of queen
Mary, and the restoration of the catholic religion. An army

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXVII

was speedily levied against them, under the command of the
earl of Sussex, and Sir Ralph Sadler again occupied the situa
tion of treasurer, or paymaster-general. It is not improbable,
that his presence was considered as a check upon Sussex, who,
besides his rivalry with the favourite Leicester, lay under a cer
tain degree of suspicion from his alliance with Norfolk. But
the letters of Sadler, whose intelligence was doubtless relied
upon by Elizabeth and her ministers, were in the highest de
gree favourable to Sussex. After suppression of the rebellion,
the insurgent earls, with some of their principal followers, re
treated into Scotland. Northumberland fell into the power
of the regent Murray ; but Westmoreland being sheltered by
the laird of Ferniherst, Sadler employed a person named Ro
bert Constable, a relation of the unfortunate fugitive, to se
duce him to come back to England, under the promise of pro
tection, and then to deliver him up to the severity of the law.
The person to whom this negociation was entrusted was by
birth a gentleman, although his family was then stained by
treason, as afterwards by regicide * But his quality did not
prevent him from undertaking this treacherous commission, as
the thirst of lucre could not, on the other hand, altogether
subdue his own sense ofthe infamy of his conduct. And be
tween avarice, hypocrisy, and remorse, his letters to Sadler
form a most extraordinary picture of guilt contending with
shame. The answers of Sir Ralph are remarkable, as disdain
ing to qualify the infamy of the task otherwise than by in
creasing the bribe. He treats Constable as the traitor he had
* See Volume II. p. 67. note.

XXVlli BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
made himself; and, appealing only to his avarice, makes no
capitulation with his feelings whatsoever. But fortunately for
Westmoreland, the negociation was unsuccessful.
After the northern army was disbanded, we find Sir Ralph
Sadler, in 1672, employed as one of the commissioners for exa
mining the Duke of Norfolk, lately his coadjutor in trusts of
a similar nature. The issue of the enquiry was the trial and
execution of the unfortunate nobleman.
In 1578, James of Scotland, who had now taken the reins
of government into his own hands, desirous to propitiate a
counsellor, whose assistance had been so often used in affairs
concerning his kingdom, honoured Sir Ralph Sadler with a let
ter, in which he thanks him for the care he had always exhi
bited, to maintain a good understanding between England and
Scotland, and recommends to his good offices, an ambassador,
whom he had dispatched to his dearest sister, queen Elizabeth.
Meanwhile, James's dearest mother was drawing out a miser
able existence in exile and imprisonment, under the custody
of George Earl of Shrewsbury, whose castle was converted
into a prison, his servants into guards, his porter into a turn
key, his wife into a spy, and himself into a jailor, to gratify the
ever-waking jealousy of queen Elizabeth. It was a hard part
of this nobleman's fate, that the most assiduous attention to
his charge, joined to all these personal sacrifices, were insuffi
cient to procure him the favour of the sovereign, who had con
demned him to this odious task. Elizabeth seems to have ¦
involuntarily attributed such fascination to her rival, that she
suspected the fidelity of all who came within the reach of her
attraction. The queen of England had also the attribute of
13

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXIX
many proud spirits, who hate those who possess the power of
injuring them, even when they display no inclination to use it;
and to her no danger could have been so alarming as the treach
ery of Mary's guardians. * To make assurance yet more sure,
she repeatedly dispatched different counsellors to her captive,
as well to watch the demeanour of Shrewsbury himself, and the
order of his household, as to try, under some plausible pretext
of treaty, what secrets could be extracted from the unfortunate
Mary. Sir Ralph Sadler was thus employed more than once.
In 1580, after repeated intreaties to be relieved of a trust,
so hateful in itself, and which subjected him to constant sus
picion, Shrewsbury was permitted to come to court, and recei-
* See Lodge's Illustrations, in- many places, but particularly, vol. 2. p. 24.4..
where the ingenious editor supplies the following note :
" Anxious for his fidelity, and dreading the escape of his wretched prisoner
as the greatest misfortune that could befall her, we might reasonably suppose
that she would have loaded him with her bounty; that his very wishes would
have been anticipated, and no means neglected to attach him more firmly to
her interest : but he experienced a treatment directly contrary. The queen
not only suspected him, but was continually imparting her suspicions to him
self; refused him the comfort of seeing his own children ; made herself a party
against him in a dispute between him and the Countess, which had given him
great uneasiness ; espoused the cause of his factious tenants at the council board;
denied him access to her presence ; and, to complete his inconveniencies, at
last diminished an allowance granted to defray the necessary charges attend
ing his trust, though the sum was originally so scanty, as to require an addir
tion from his own purse. This little narrative would appear absolutely incre
dible, were it not supported, in every circumstance, by the evidence of these
papers. What Elizabeth's motives were for so strange, and apparently so im
politic a conduct, is a question that defies all conjecture ; Shrewsbury's obe
dience, however, could have been dictated only by those enthusiastic senti
ments of loyalty, which were, not unfrequent in the days of absolute monarchy."

XXX BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF

ved from Elizabeth a promise, that the custody of Mary should
be intrusted to some other person. During his absence, Sk
Ralph Sadler, and Sir Henry Mildmay, were appointed her
temporary guardians. Ashby de la Zouche, the castle of the
Earl of Huntingdon, and Milbourne castle, were alternately
named as the place of her residence, to which she was to be
conducted with secrecy, avoiding market towns, or any place
of public resort, and travelling by other ways than the common
high road . The commissioners were also empowered to seize u p-
on all Mary's letters and correspondence, if necessary, by break
ing open her cabinets, and other places where they might be
found. But this branch ofthe " good and honourable service in
trusted to them," was not performed till long after. Neither did
the proposed change of captivity take place, Shrewsbury con
tinuing to have the custody of Queen Mary till the year 1584.
He was then again permitted to come to court, and by the
Queen and council formally declared free from all suspicion,
and of unblemished fidelity in his charge. Meanwhile Sir Ralph
Sadler supplied his place, as governor of the garrison of sol
diers, whom the Earl was forced to maintain, to keep watch
and ward in his castle of Wingfield, though he could hardly
extort from Elizabeth money to pay their wages. The unfor
tunate prisoner expressed herself gratified, that the custody of
her person had devolved upon an ancient counsellor, formerly
of her acquaintance ; and in her communications with him
urged every argument to obtain, either liberty, or at least
some relaxation of her imprisonment. Among others of similar
tendency, the following singular conversation is reported by
Sadler to have passed between them.

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXXI
" Here falling into other talk, she asked me whether I thought
she would escape from hence or no, if she might. I answer
ed plainly, I believed she would ; for it is natural for every
thing to seek liberty, that is kept in strait subjection. No, by
my trothe, quod she, ye are deceived in me ; for my heart is so
great, that 1 had rather die in this sort with honour than run
away with shame. I said I would be sorry to see the trial.
Then she asked me, if she were at liberty with the queen's ma
jesty's favour, whither I thought she would go. I think, quod
I, madam, you would, go to your own in Scotland, as it is good
reason, and command there. It is true, quod she, I would go
thither indeed, but only to see my son, and to give him good
counsel. But unless her majesty would give her countenance
and some maintenance in England, would go into France, and
live there among her friends with that little portion she hath
there, and never trouble herself with government again, nor
dispose herself to marry any more, seeing she had a son that is
a man; but said she would never stay long there, nor would
, govern where she hath received so many evil treatments : for
her heart could not abide to look upon those folk that had
done her that evil, being her subjects ; whereof there are yet
many remaining ; for I had told, her that they were almost all
dead. Ever in her talk beseeching her majesty to make a trial
of her, that with some honourable end she may live the rest of
her days out of this captivity, as she termeth it/'
This conversation seems to have made such impression on
Sadler, that in a subsequent letter, after observing that he saw
no end to the matter, but by thelady's death, which was not
to be looked for, for many years, or by her being set at liber-

XXXII BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
ty on treaty, he ventures obliquely to recommend the lat
ter alternative. The possibility of anticipating the course of
nature, never seems to have occurrred to him. *
The letters of Sir Ralph frequently conclude with allusions
to his old age, and the severity of the season, which he repeat
edly urges as reasons for relieving him of his charge ; until
Elizabeth honoured him with a letter under her own hand,
promising speedily to grant his request, but in the mean while
enjoining " old trust, with new diligence." -j- To add to his
distresses, about the middle of December the castle of Wing
field, the abode of a captive queen, and of this aged counsel
lor her guardian, esteemed the richest commoner in England,
was threatened with nothing less than a famine. Sadler writes,
that besides lack of victuals and drink, there was no wood to
burn, and no litter or forage to be had for his horses. This
seems to have been in some degree an artificial scarcity, raised
or increased by the Earl of Shrewsbury's retainers, by the pri
vate instructions of their master, who longed to see his castle
delivered of these unwelcome guests, and judiciously thought,
that famine and cold were the most likely means to hasten
their change of residence. In the midst of January, 1584-5,
Mary was removed to the castle of Tutbury, then empty of
furniture, a want afterwards supplied with such scandalous and
beggarly parsimony, as to draw down a rebuke, even from the
economical Elizabeth. Two circumstances happened, one in
the course of the journey,' and the other while Mary abode at
Tutbury, illustrative of the jealous care with which even Sir
* Vol. II. p. 416. f Ibid. p. 460.

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXX111
Ralph Sadler's guardianship of Mary was watched by the spies
of Elizabeth. In their lodgings at Derby, where Mary halted
for a night, the Scottish queen went courteously up to the mis
tress of the house, and saluted her, saying, she was come to give
her inconvenience, but, as they were both widows, they would
agree well enough, having no husbands to trouble them. For
permitting this intercourse of ordinary civility, and for ha
ving used the common high-road in their journey to Tut
bury, Sir Ralph's conduct was so reported at court, as to
render it necessary that he should justify himself.* A more hea
vy complaint against him, was afterwards grounded on his ha
ving permitted Mary to accompany him at some distance from
the castle of Tutbury, to enjoy the sport of hawking. This last
instance of suspicion and cruelty, seems to have driven Sadler
to the extremity of his patience, as it produced rather an ex
postulation than an apology. He admitted, he had sent for his
hawks and falconers to divert " the miserable life" which
he, passed at Tutbury, and that he had been unable to re
sist the solicitation ,of the prisoner, to permit her to see a
sport in .which she greatly delighted. But he adds, that this
was under the strictest precautions for security of her person.
And he declares to the secretary, that rather than continue a
charge which subjected him to such misconstruction, were it
not more for fear of offending the queen than dread of the
punishment, he would abandon his present charge on . condi
tion of surrendering himself prisoner to the Tower for all the
days of his life ; and concludes, that he is so weary of this life,
* Vol. IL p. 504.
vol. i. e

XXXIV BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
that death itself would make him most happy. To Walsing-
ham he used yet stronger obtestations. " I could not omit to
write, only to render mine humble thanks unto your lordship
for your careful solicitation of my deliverance from this charge,
wherein I beseech your lordship down in the bowels of our
Lord Jesus Christ, to continue your goodness towards me, be
ing now overwhelmed with. care, sorrow,* and grief, whereunto
your lordship knoweth that wayward age is always subject,
being restrained from the liberty ^accustomed, trusting that
her majesty will have pity and compassion upon me, and now,
in respect of my years, will deliver me, according to her most
gracious promise." The queen was, at length, pleased to lis
ten to the supplications of her aged servant, and Mary was
committed to the custody of her last and sternest keepers,
Drurie and Pauletf.
In 1587, the talents of Sadler were, for the last time, em
ployed in the public service, for he was in that year dispatch
ed to Scotland. As it was about the period of Queen Mary's
execution, Elizabeth probably trusted to his sagacity and well
known acquaintance with Scottish affairs, to assist in dissua
ding James from taking any measures to avenge his mother's
death. The counsels of Sadler, we may presume, joined with
the letters of Hunsden, Leicester, and Walsingham, soothed
the ambition, and wrought on the pusillanimity of James, un
til all thoughts of vengeance were lost in the prospect of the
English succession.
It was during Sadler's last embassy in Scotland, according
to Fuller, that a magnificent structure was erected for his re
sidence upon the manor of Standon, in Hertfordshire. But

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXXV
when Sir Ralph returned, he thought his steward had exceeded
his wishes in the size and extent of the building, and never
took much pleasure in it. * The period of his labours, as well
as of his splendour, was now approaching ; for he died soon after
his return from Scotland, in the year of God 1607, and the
eightieth of a life, spent in conducting transactions of the
highest national importance. He was buried under a splen
did monument in Standon church, of which the reader will
find an engraving in this work, and some description in the
Appendix. Sir Ralph Sadler died rich both in possessions and lineage.
A genealogical account of his descendants will be found in
the Appendix. The extent of his lands obtained him the cha
racter of the richest commoner of England, and, although
Queen Elizabeth was as parsimonious in bestowing titles of
nobility, as her successor was profuse, it is probable that Sir
Ralph Sadler might have, gained that rank, had he been de
sirous of aspiring to it. But from various minute circumstan
ces in the following volumes, as well as from the uniform fa
vour which he enjoyed during so many reigns, we are enabled
to: collect, that the prudence of this statesman was greater
than his ambition. In his negotiations, nothing is more re
markable than the accuracy with which he calculates the
* This house is now in ruins. On the marriage of the first Lord Aston with
the grand-daughter of Sir Ralph, it became the family seat of the Astons, and
continued so for many generations, till the middle of the last century, when it
was sold along with the manor and estate ; and being deserted and neglected,
it fell into decay, and is now almost completely demolished. A view ofit in its
entire state may be seen in Chauncy's History qf Hertfordshire.
12

XXXVI BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
means to be used, in relation to the end to be obtained ; and
in pursuit of his fortune he seems no less needfully to have
proportioned his object to his capacity of gaining it with ho
nour and safety. The story of the manor house at Stahdon,
shews that his moderation accompanied him to the grave; as
his high employments during the very year of his death, prove
that his talents remained unclouded to the last. The follow
ing papers, relating almost entirely to public transactions, do
not enable us to draw an accurate picture of the individual,
although they display in the highest degree the talents of the
statesman. But this deficiency is in some measure supplied
by the industry of Lloyd, who has left the following charac
ter of Sir Ralph Sadler among his State Worthies.
" King Henry understood two things : 1. A man : 2. A dish
of meat; and was seldom deceived in either: For a man, none
more complete than Sir Ralph [Sadler,] who was at once a most
exquisite writer, and a most valiant and experienced soldier ;,
qualifications that seldom meet, (so great is the distance be
tween the sword and the pen, the coat of mail and the;gown,)
yet divided this man and his time ; his night being devoted
to contemplation, and his days to action. Little, was his bo
dy, but great his soul; the more vigorous, the more contract
ed. Quick and clear were his thoughts, speedy and resolute
his performances. It was he that could not endure the spend
ing of that time in designing one action, which might perform
two ; or that delay in performing two, that might have design
ed twenty. A great estate he got honestly, and spent nobly ;
knowing that princes honour them most, that have most ; and
the people them only that employ most : A prince hath more

SIR RALPH SADLER. XXXvii
reason to fear money that is spent, than that which is horded ;
for it is easier for subjects to oppose a prince by applause than
by armies. Reward (said Sir Ralph when he was offered a sum of
money) should not empty the king's coffers ; neither should riches
be the pay of worth, which are merely the wages of labour : He
that gives it, embaseth a man ; he that takes it vilifieth him
self: who is so most rewarded is least. Since honour hath lost
the value of a reward, men have lost the merit of virtue, and
both become mercenary ; men lusting rather after the wealth
that buyeth, than after the qualities that deserve it.
" Two things, he observed, broke treaties; jealousy, when
princes are successful ; and fear, when they are unfortunate.
Power, that hath need of none, makes all confederacies, either
when it is felt, or when it is feared, or when it is envied.
" Three things Cato repented of; 1. That he went by water
when he might go by land ; 2. That he trusted a woman with
a secret; 3. That he lost time. Two things Sir Ralph re
lented for: 1. That he had communicated a secret to two.
2. That he had lost any hour of ; the morning between four a
clock and ten.:
" He learned in king Henry the Eighth's time, as Cromwell's
instrulrient, what he must advise (in point of religion) in Queen
Elizabeth's time, as an eminent counsellour : His maxim be
ing this, that zeal was the duty ofa private breast, and modera
tion the interest of a publick state. The Protestants, Sir Ralph's
conscience would have in the commencement of Queen Eliza
beth, kept in hope ; the Papists,' his prudence would not have
cast into despair. It was a. maxim at that time, in another

XXXV111 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF
case, that France should not presume, nor Spain be despe
rate. " He saw the interest of this state altered six times, and
died an honest man : the crown put upon four heads, yet
he continued a faithful subject : religion changed, as to the
publick constitution of it, five times, yet he kept the faith.
" A Spartan one day boastecl, that his countrymen had been
often buried in Athens ; the Athenian replied ; but we are most
of us buried at home. So great was Sir Ralph's success in the
Northern wars, that many a Scotchman found his grave in
England; so exact his conduct and wariness, that few Eng
lishmen had theirs in Scotland ; the same ground giving them
their coffin, that did their cradle ; and their birth, that did their
death.. Our knight's two incomparable qualities, were disci
pline and intelligence ; the last discovered him all the enemies
advantages, and the first gave them none.
" His two main designs were, 1. An interest in his prince,
by service; 2. An alliance with the nobility by marriage: up
on which two bottoms he raised himself to that pitch of ho
nour and estate, that time could not wear out, nor any altera
tions embezzle ; he bequeathing to his worshipful posterity the
blessing of heaven upon his integrity ; the love of mankind for
his worth ; and f as Mr Fuller saith) a pardon granted him when
he attended my lord Cromwell at Rome, for the sins of his fa
mily for three immediate generations, (expiring in R. Sadler,
Esquire, lately dead.) His last negotiation was that in Scot
land, during the troubles there about Queen Mary : So search
ing and pearcing he was, that no letter or adviso passed, where
of he had not a copy ; so civil and obliging, that there was no

8IR RALPH SADLER. XXXIX
party that had not a kindness for him ; so grave and solid, that
he was present at all counsels; so closeand unseen, that his
hand, though unseen, was in every motion of that state : and
so successful^ that he left the nobility so divided, that they
could not design any thing upon the king ; and the king so
weak,jhat he could not cast off the queen; and all so totter
ing, that they must depend on Queen Elizabeth.
" Three things he bequeathed such as may the honour to
succeed him, 1. All letters that concerned him since of years,
filed; 2. All Occurrences, since he was capable of observation,
registred ; 3. All expenses, since he lived of himself, booked.
Epaminondas was the first Grecian, and Sir Ralph Sadler was
one ofthe last Englishmen."* Lloyd's State Worthies, p. 95.
* Of the first of these legacies bequeathed by Sir Ralph Sadler, the public
now enjoys the benefit by means of this publication ; the loss of the second is
matter of deep regret.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND

IST

1539-40.

VOL. I. A

Henry VIII. being desirous qf cultivating a good understanding with his Nephew
James V. of Scotland, dispatched Sir Ralph Sadler to the Scottish court in 1 539-40.
His ostensible commission related to matters qf compliment and courtesy ; but, by
his private instructions, he was directed to instill into James suspicions against Car
dinal Bethune, then his prime-minister. This leading point being gained, the Eng
lish monarch seems to have hoped that James might be induced to imitate his un
cle's conduct, and to seize upon the lands and property qf the church. It was ob
viously qf the highest consequence to England that the Reformation qf Britain
should be general, since Scotland, while Catholic, was both a troublesome and dan
gerous neighbour*

LETTERS AND NEGOTIATIONS

OF

SIR RALPH SADLER, &c.

Instructions given by the Kings Highness to his trusty and well beloved
Servant Ralph Sadler, one of the Gentlemen of his Graces Privy-
Chamber, whom his Majesty sendeth at this Time into Scotland, for
the Purposes ensuing.
Henry Rex.
First, his majesty's pleasure is, That the said Ralph Sadler, taking
with him all such letters, instructions, and writings, as be prepared for
his dispatch, shall, with convenient diligence, address himself to the
king of Scots, wheresoever the same shall chance to be within his
realm or dominions of Scotland ; and, at his access to the presence of
the same, he shall deliver unto him the king's majesty's letters of cre
dence, with his most hearty commendations : and for his credence he
shall say, That the king's majesty perceiving, as well by his sundry let
ters lately sent unto his highness, as by the reports and advertisements
of his grace's deputy-wardens and officers upon his borders foreanent
Scotland, that the said king of Scots is very well disposed towards jus-

4 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
tice, and earnestly bent to the conservation of the amity betwixt them,
hath thought convenient to signify unto him, that as his highness
doth not a little rejoyce thereat, both in respect of the good sequels
which must needs follow of the same, and also for that nature cannot
but be glad to see such a personage, so nearly in blood conjoyned un
to him, bend himself to that good and virtuous trade, which, in fine,
shall redound to his great honour : so his majesty hath sent the said
Ralph Sadler unto him, not only to express and declare this his high-
ness's most hearty acceptation of these his good proceedings ; but also,
that his highness is of full mind and purpose, both with his good ad
vice and counsel, and by all other means friendly that he can devise or
excogitate, so to advance his said well-doings, and to concur with him
in the same, that he shall well perceive that vertue is to be had in prize
for herself; and thataio friendly and natural behaviour to his majes
ty shall, or can, on his behalf, be pretermitted or forgotten. And
forasmuch as his majesty hath perceived of late, that he delighteth
much in English geldings, his grace at this time sendeth unto him for
a token  geldings, * which he desireth him to take in good part,
heartily praying him friendly and boldly to desire, from time to time,
either horses, or any other commodity of this realm, which may be to
bis pleasure and contentation. And this shall be the sum of that which
the said Ralph Sadler shall at his first brunj; of his first access utter,
saving that when the said king of Scots shall have made his answer,
which, by all likelyhood, shall be dulce and gentle, he shall in the
end of this conference secretly say further unto him, That he hath
some other things of importance to be opened secretly unto him-
* This gift, though trifling in value, was chosen with some attention to the taste and ha
bits of the Scottish monarch. James was himself a good horseman, and Lindsay, in his
-" Complaynt," describes the courtiers as striving to amuse him by their feats of horseman
ship upon the sands of Leith. In 1542, Charles Murray was gratified by a grant of the
lands of Kingsmuir, in Fife, for his service in procuring great war-horses from abroad; and
in the Royal Letters the same sutyect often occurs. — Pinkerton's History, Vol. II. p. 372.
But, in sending geldings, Henry rather studied the personal pleasure of his nephew, than his
.patriotic views of improving the Scottish breed of horses. The number sent was only six.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. , 5
self, if it shall please him then to hear them, or rather to give unto him
a secret audience at some other time for the utterance of the same.
And whether he shall then will him to utter his whole credence, ov
appoint him another time for that purpose, before the said Ralph Sad
ler shall utter the same, he shall say, that the things be of such na
ture, and in such wise touch his own honour and surety, that the king's
majesty hath commanded him, before he should open the same, to re
quire a promise in honour of him, that it may like him to keep the
same secret, and not to disclose them to any person, otherwise nor ac
cording to the friendly devise of the same. And if the said King of
Scots will not make such promise to him ; but shall nevertheless say
that he would not gladly be so bound by his promise, but that he
might open his whole mind to his council, requiring therefore, that the
opening of things may be left to his arbitry ; the said Ralph shall there
unto reply, That some of the secrets of this commission doth percase
touch some of the same council : and what an absurdity and inconve
nience might ensue by the declaration thereof to the same party, his
wisdom can well enough consider. Nevertheless, if all these perswa-
sions' notwithstanding, he will still continue in terms for his liberty of
the opening of it ; the said Ralph shall then desire him, (if he will
needs use the matter so,) that it may like him to permit but one or
two of his said council to be privy unto it, and that the cardinal be
none of them, nor any other which be more affectionate to him than
reason would percase require. And being this last point thus at the
least obtained, he shall then for the rest of his credence open unto him
the other three points ensuing.
The first thing, which the said Ralph Sadler shall declare unto the
said king of Scots in this secrecy, (which he shall eftsoons require him
to keep very close, unless he shall determine and promise to proceed
thereupon to the punishment of them which shall be detected accord
ing to his laws,) is, that it fortuned that a certain subject of his, servitor
to the cardinal there, as it was reported, was by tempest driven a-land
in the north parts of England, like to be drowned, leaving by chance cer-

6 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
tain private letters and copies behind him, which he never repeted ; the
same were by the king's majesty's officers sent unto him. In the peru
sing of them, his grace found so strange matter, that he could not
otherwise think but that God had sent them into his hands, for the
surety and commodity ofthe said king of Scots. For it appeareth un
to the king's majesty, by a letter of the cardinal's own hand, who, in
the world, is reputed his chief counsellor, that, under the colour of
serving the king, his master and sovereign lord, he laboureth not only
to bring into his own hand the whole spiritual jurisdiction of his realm,
but, under the colour of it also, the temporal, taking for cloak the bi
shop of Rome's usurped power, which may serve him for a sword, if he
may be so suffered to enjoy the same : so that the just power and au
thority given to the said king of Scots by God, should thereby, in few
years, be little or nothing at all. And, for a plain declaration of his in
tent therein, he sheweth himself friend and favourer to his majesty's
traitors, devising how to compass himself, by a crafty mean, under the
colour of the bishop of Rome's usurped power, to be their judge, to the
intent he might deliver them : and all for that he would seem to be
a good workman for his chief captain the bishop of Rome. And sure
ly, being of that sort, he is only meet for his service, which meaneth
only to usurp princes powers, and diminish the same. And as this
matter may well shew and declare unto him the crafty and untrue deal-
, ing of those prelates ; so, by the opening of the same, the said king of
Scots may perceive* that the king's, majesty doth both love and trust
him : for otherwise his majesty knowing to what ruin they labour to
bring the state of kings, that they may be rulers of all, and keep them
in their own realms as their ministers and deputies, or else by most de
testable and impudent boldness vindicate the deposing of them, and
making of new at their pleasure, might have silenced this matter, and
suffered it to have grown to a greater inconvenience. But his love to
wards his nephew could not permit it, but rather enforce him to give
him this monition, whereby he may prudently obstare principiis; aud
with time, leisure, and good advice* work his own remedy, to bis

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND TN 1539-40. 7
great honour, and to the great good of his people and countries. And
if the said king of Scots do receive this matter thankfully, and shew
himself desirous, either now or hereafter, to take advantage of the
said cardinal by it ; then shall the said Ralph Sadler deliver unto him
the very original letter of ;the said cardinal, whieh he shall cawy with
hini. If he shall seem not much to pass upon it, when he bath heard
it read, the said Ralph shall pretend that he hath no commission to de
liver it into his own hands, but only to read it unto him, and instruct
him ofthe purpose thereof, and so to return it again to the king's ma
jesty. The second thing whereof his highness thought meet to advertise
his good nephew, is, that by some it is bruited, that he should gather
into his hands numbers of sheep, and such other vile and mean things,
in respect Of his estate, being the livings of the poor men, therewith
to adV^nce his revenue. Of the whilk thing the said Ralph shall say.
unto him, that the- king's majesty hath somewhat advised himself; and
considering how, that though the things may be profitable, yet as the
kind of profit cannot stand well with the honour of his estate; so it
might be a mean in time to cause his subjects to mutter and mutiny,
and to conceive that their livings should be by the great personages
there taken from them, when they may therein be bom by the like
precedent and example of their prince and sovereign ; whereof might
ensue some inconveniences. Wherefore his majesty would wish and
desire, that his good nephew, seeing the untruth and beastly living of
those monks, and such other of that kind, as occupy a great part of his
realm to the maintenance of their voluptie, and the continual decay of
his estate and honour, would rather apply himself by good and politick
means to increase his revenue, by taking of some such of 'their bouses and
possessions in his hands, as might best be spared, and such of the. rest
as be most notable, to alter, as his majesty hath done here, and convert
into better uses; whereby he should well see, that one house so altered
should tend more to the honour of God, and to the good order of hi?
realm, than a number of them now doth : and with the same he might

8 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
easily establish his estate in such wise as he should be able to live like
a king, and yet meddle not with sheep, and those mean things, which
be matter whereupon to occupy the meanest of his people. And if he
will hereafter, in this point, work any thing to his commodity, giving
us knowledge of his mind therein, we shall not only give unto him our
best advice and counsel, but also therein to aid and help him, to bring
his good determination to a perfect end and conclusion. But, if ever
he will do any thing this way, he must keep it Af-ery close and secret ;
for, if any of his clergy may smell it, they will not fail, either by sug
gesting him to the wars, or by procuring some other prince or poten
tate to make war upon him, or by provoking of inward rebellion and
treason, or by one false and untrue mean or other, to keep him in bu
siness and extreme need, or else utterly to destroy him. And there
fore he must in this case (if ever in his life he intend to take any just
advantage of that kind) keep it close in his own heart, making very
few, and these tried and trusty, of his council, (fbr eschewing of the'
danger, which else thereby might come to. his person), to be foreseen
therewith, lest if they should savour it, he live not (as the king's ma
jesty trusteth he shall) till he have an hoary head.
, A third thing that his majesty having upon this his most fervent
love and zeal to his nephew the said king of Scots, revolved in his. re
membrance, is the general state and proceeding of Christendom, which
his highness, being an king, hath well observed these thirty years and
more, and doth by the same perceive and perfectly see, what difference
there is between the honest and politick keeping, using, and living
within an man's own limits, with the just consideration of his own
quiet and commodity, and the following and satisfying of other mens'
fantasies, to their advantages and his damage ; of which conclusion
the king of Scots is not ignorant, knowing what displeasure happened
to his father, making himself an other man's instrument, to annoy his
own friend and ally in his absence. Wherefore being this amity be
tween his majesty and the said king of Scots so like to increase and
grow, as well by the mutual affection on both parties, as by the proxi*

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40. 9
mity of blood in the same, which can by no mean be taken away in
such sort, but nature will have her instinct and operation, where too
niuch ingratitude shall not utterly corrupt the same: His highness
having his promise of silence, and the friendly hearing and containing
of his friendly advices, cannot but plainly open his heart and stomach
unto him, trusting that he will no less thankfully accept his good
affection therein, than deeply ponder his said good advices and
counsels proceeding from the same, and to descend with him
frankly to the utterance of his grace's said affection; his majesty
doth wish and desire, and even most heartily require him to weigh and
ponder, what prince or potentate in Christendom may stand him in
best stead, and at whose hand he may receive greatest comfort, quiet,
and benefit. To speak of the emperor, or the French king, which be
nearest to us, what can he look for at either, or at both their hands,
but fair words and entertainment for a time, as their instrument with
his own danger to serve their purposes ? Again, what stay can he think
to have, or that either of them would or could stand him in, if at either
of their contemplations he should bring himself to be in need of friend
ship and help, by attempting any thing at their desires ? Now let him
turn over the leaf, and consider, what commodity he may attain by
the favour of the king's majesty, if he continue thus loving towards
him, and shew himself from time to time desirous further by his deeds
to express the same. First, By the continuance of his amity with
his highness, he shall be sure to live in rest and quiet, without danger
of trouble or business. Again, He can reasonably desire nothing of
his majesty to his pleasure, honour, and commodity, but he may easily
obtain it. Thirdly, His majesty would have him consider, and put in
his mind, that he is his grace's nephew, and thereby must have such
place in his highness's estimation, (dealing like a nephew towards him,)
as if God should call out of this life my lord the prince's grace, (which
his mercy forbid,) and that his highness should leave none other child
of the queen that now is, or any other lawful wife which he might
have hereafter ; his majesty is, by the consent of the whole realm, put
VOL. I. B

10 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539*40.
in such trust for the provision of his successor, as he might of any sort
or nation, without exception, at his .pleasure name and appoint the
same, being thereby in his free-will and power, whether he would in
that case name any of his two daughters, his said nephew, or any other,
that for his quality, activity, and kindness to the realm, should be
thought expedient. And though his majesty may and shall, by God's
grace, have some better store of issue, yet his highness being now well
stricken in years, he would not have his good nephew to forget, what
nature might and peradventure would work in that case, being himself
;of so good a disposition towards him as he is ; and so that his majesty
may perceive, on his. part, again such evident arguments of sincere love
and amity, as ought to be for due correspondence ; shewing such kind*
ness unto his majesty, and also to his people, as should move them to
increase, and augment their affection towards him, which, by reason of
the ancient enmity heretofore, can hardly be pulled out of their stomachs,
unless an perfect and open declaration be .by him and his shewed now
daily from henceforth to the contrary; which if it be effectually ex
ecuted, his majesty doiibteth not, but verily trusteth, that those old
faults shall be neglected and put in oblivion. And this is one point,
which. only for a perfect declaration of his most intire love and affec
tion, his majesty hath thought meet to -open unto himself, to be by
him wisely perpended, and throughly digested, and not to be open
ed to any other of -his council, till some effect thereof may ensue.
To the help and sooner setting forth whereof, his majesty thinketh
such a meeting, as in a manner was almost at a pok*t between
them, should greatly help and further. And willeth the said king
of Scots to think that these things be opened unto him, only for the
perfect love and affection which he beareth unto him ; and not be
cause his .grace thinketh either the French king, or the emperor, will
move him to any such attempt, as should utterly banish him for ever
out of the favour of his majesty and the realm, thinking assuredly they
will never do, it; but that he may by this both the better take heed
to it, if they or any of them should so move him, and also know the
8

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 11
affection of his majesty, better than ever he did, and thereupon so deal
and make answer unto his majesty as shall be most meet- for his own
honour, quiet, commodity, and benefit.
In the declaration of which, things, the said Ralph Sadler shall most
diligently noteand observe his countenance, gesture, and fashion, with the
very words of his answers as near as he can, and the manner of the speak
ing of the same ; that at his return he may the better express the same to
the king's .majesty, using in his declaration of those secret things a good
attemperance, and pithily inculking the king's majesty's affection to
wards him, with the points of his advice which do touch his honour
and profit, as before is declared. And if the said king of Scots shall
chance, by any occasion, to speak of the king's majesty's fortifications,
the said Ralph Sadler shall recount unto him how the same be not
only done in those parts, but much more in sundry other parts of the
realm, in such sort as England was never the third part so strong, all
things considered, as it is afthis present.
And as for those done, upon the frontiers foreanents Scotland, they
be done not upon any doubt of his good-will, albeit that both in Flan
ders, France, and otherwhere, it hath been bruited, that, look what the
French king or emperor did against us, he would do the same; yet his
majesty rather believed a bruit made upon the horders, which was, that
his good-brother should say, that neither for the French king nor em
peror would he break' his amity with the king's majesty his uncle; but
rather considering he is an mortal man, and at God's will and disposi
tion, as well as he that is much elder, and that yet God had sent him
no issue which might corroborate the amity ; his majesty, minding to
provide in all events, could not leave that part unlooked on ; and if it
should so please God, that (as it is aforesaid) he or his posterity should
hereafter, by their kind and natural doings, enjoy by our means, for
want of issue, (of the preservation whereof we doubt not but he would
be most glad,) the crown of this realm, percase he should have cause to
pray for his parent that had done so much for him, which his majesty
doubteth not but his wisdom will consider accordingly.

12 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
Finally, The said Ralph shall desire the said king of Scots, .that he
may, on the king's majesty's behalf/ salute the queen his wife, to whom
at his access he shall do his majesty's most hearty commendations ; de
claring his commission to visit her, and to congratulate the good, vir
tuous, and honourable life, which his majesty heareth to be between
her and his good nephew her husband ; pf the continuance whereof
his grace shall be most glad and joyful, as the proximity of blood be
tween his majesty and the king her husband, with the perfect amity
between the same, shall require. And in like manner the said Ralph
Sadler shall visit the old queen, the king's majesty's sister, and make to
her his highness's most hearty and effectual recommendations ; and
shall say to her, his majesty is most desirous to hear of her good health
and prosperity, having given unto him a special charge, to bring him
perfect advertisement of the same ; and shall shew her how that it is
also a part of bis charge to learn and know how she is used, and how
all things go there, which he shall also endeavour himself to learn and
know by all other means ind ways to him possible, that he may there
of the more certainly advertise the king's majesty; and 'being these
things thus declared, and full answers had to the same, the said Ralph
shall take his leave of the king and both queens, and return to his ma
jesty accordingly.
And where one Dr Hilliard, * late chaplain to the bishop of Dur
ham, hath traiterously withdrawn himself, and fled out of this realm
into Scotland, and (as it is said) is abiding with the said Scottish car
dinal ; the said Ralph Sadler, after he has declared the premisses, and
perceived therein the king of Scots inclination, shall take his opportu
nity to declare unto him, how the said Hilliard is the king's majesty's
fugitive and rebel, and how he hath laboured to sow in this realm much
sedition : Wherefore he shall, on his majesty's behalf, require him to
cause him be delivered, according to the treaty, into his hands, that
he may bring him home with him : And if he can by any means obtain
* A Roman Catholic divine, who had actively opposed the Reformation.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 13
him, he shall bring him with hmij having special watch for the sure
conveyance of him ; and specially noting in his return, who shall be
desirous to talk with him. And if he cannot obtain him, nevertheless
he shall with good words soUicit, that he may be delivered to one of
the deputy-wardens, as the amity between the king's majesty and the
said king of Scots doth require.
[Here follow the intercepted letters of Cardinal Bethune.]

A LETTERjTrow Cardinal Bethune to Mr Andrew Oliphant, Vicar
ofFoulis and Inriertig, his agent at Rome, \6th November, 1539.
Well-beloved clerk, we greet you well. We wrote to you at length
penultimo et ultimo Octobris praiteriti, and also in primo hujus mensis
instantis Novembris, our mind and direction in every behalf: And sen-
syne came home Thomas Hutcheson, cousin to Sir John Duncan, and
brought to us a brief from the pope's holiness, and also an writing from
the cardinal of Ghinciis, both to one effect, to help and maintain him
to the restitution of the possession of the vicarage of Dummany, of
the whilk he alledged him spoiled ; and to the same effect brought
an brief to the king's grace, and brought with him sundry other
writings and directions from the said Duncan, to be used and execute
within this realm ; and the king's grace hearing hereof, that the said
Hutcheson had come from Duncan, who is rebel to the kings grace,
and had assisted to him, was so commoved, that his grace caused to
put the said Hutcheson in the castle of Edinburgh, wherelie is presently,
and Alexander Harvy with him as participant of the same crime ; and
therefore, if Duncan would make any wrong report or relation hereof
to the pope's holiness, or to the said cardinal of Ghinciis, ye shall shew
both to the pope's holiness and the said cardinal, and all others, as the
time requires, not to give credence to the said Duncan in this behalf,
and shew the great enormities and attemptates he has done and com-

14 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
mitted against the king's grace, his priviledges, and lieges, thir many
N.
years bygone, and yet ceases not from the same, through the whilk
he is denounced rebel and trai tour to the king's grace; and because
thir men, Hutcheson and Harvy, are participant with him irt his said
attemptates, they are holden as said is. And therefore, that ye sollicit
that nothing be granted at Duncan's inopportune sbllicitation, that
may any ways irritate the king's majesty incontrare the liberty of the
holy kirk, considering the time is perillous, and regard must be had
wisely thereto, and that ye fail not, but that ye be vigilant, and dili
gent hereanent, and advertise us again what bees done in thir behalfs.
And ye shall in likewise shew, that we are labouring at our power to
have them freed and put to liberty, pro conservatione libertatis Eccle
siastical, and to be delivered to us as judge ordinary; and if any men
will accuse them, to be accused before us ; andwe believe within short
time, to have them freed in this sort, for the conservation of the liber
ty of holy kirk; and shew this writing to Mr James Salmond, that he
may concur with you in thir premisses. Attour, Ye shall incontinent
get us an brief, that we, as primate of the realm, may bear our cross
before us, per totum regnum Scotice, et in Diocesi et provincia Glascuensi,
et aliis locis qualitercunque exemptis, absque tamen praijudieto exceptionum
earundem. And that this be expede with all diligence, and that this
brief be well extended, and committed, certis judicibus in partibus, viz.
Episcopo et sub-,decano Rossensi, ac decano de Restalrig, cum assistentia
in eventum, if any of thir exeemed diocesses or persons would alledg'e,
That we should not bear our cross within them, cum derogatione excep
tionum earundem ad effectum deferendi crucem duntaxat, et non alias, et
absque exceptionum earundem prcejudicio, &c. And remember all other
matters committed to you in our last writings, and be diligent in the
same. And God keep you. David Cardinalis Sti Andreas.
At Kelso, 10th November, 1539.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40. 15
And since the writing hereof, we have received an great writing of
yours, ex urbe, 20 Octob. in Edinbur. 7 hujus Decembris instant is ; and
have considered the same at length in every behalf; and, by the same,
understand perfectly your .good labour and diligence in every behalf
in our matters, conform to the quality of the short time ye have been
in court since your arriving there. We have received in like wise our
instrument of possession of our title, sub Stephano in Ccelio monte: And
in like wise have received our 'bull of provision thereto, sent to us late
ly by Mr James Salmond ; and. have received all other letters and mis
sives ye make mention of in your said letters. As to the matter of le
gation, we desire, and that the king's grace desires to be granted to
us; we understand perfectly your diligence with the pope's holiness,
and the cardinal of Ghinciis, in that behalf; and how some of our own
countrymen have done, and do that they may, by their private infor
mations and persuasions, for their own particular weal, and money that
they get in thir parts by particular commissions, in conductionibus et
bcationibus in emphyteosin ; and not having any regard to the common
weal of the king's grace, his realm, and subjects, to stop and make im
pediments that the said legation be not granted to us. And therefore,
in this matter touching the said legation, ye shall have yourself secret
from all Scotsmen, and labour thereintil by yourself and others, our
friends, viz. by the cardinal of Ghinciis, to whom the king's grace and
we write presently in that behalf, of the whilk ye shall receive the
copy cum pr-cesmtibus. * And also have written to Monsieur Lymoges
Langtak, ambassador there presently for the king of France ; and in
like wise to Latinus de Juvenalibus, our good friends, to do for the king's
grace effectuous desire in this matter, to have the said legation granted
to us. And we assure you, the king's grace has this matter right high
in , head and mind, for the common weal of this realm and subjects ;
and thinks, considering the great parts he keeps to the siege aposto-
lick, and obedience thereof, and maintenance of the faith catholick in
this his realm, now in this most perillous time, that his grace should
not be denied of his just and reasonable desires, whilks tend all utterly

16" EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40.
to the auctorization of the holy siege apostolick, and obedience of the
pope's holiness, as head of the kirk catholic. And hereafter, with the
first ships, his grace will write of new to the pope's holiness hereupon,
that it may be understand perfectly that this legation is desired by his
grace specially, and not principally by us. Therefore, do diligence
hereintil, as we doubt not but ye will, as ye have begun, and write re
solutely to us hereupon in your first writings. Item, As we wrote of
before to you, fail not but ye get perfect knowledge what this our
title, sub Stephano, will be in redditibus to us and our use, conventu et
loco sustentatis, and advertise us thereof cum primis. As to the ex
emption of Glasgow, we have received from Mr James Salmond the
copy of the supplication thereof; and therefore speed the bulls there
upon, conform to the supplication and mandate we and the archbishop
of Glasgow consented to, to the whilk ye were one of the notars ; and
see that the said exemption be conform thereto, and send the same to
vis cum primis, together with the bull super preeinserta et nova reforma
tion penes collegium novum, . whilk ye write ye shall make sikker and
knit fast. And so we pray you fail not to do the same, and stand aw
of no man to your devoir in that behalf ; for it is our determined mind
to put the said erection to profit, and receive execution, and we are
doing fast thereupon in cedifciis presently.
Item, Anent the personage of Esse ; ye know we have given the
same by writing of our indult to our cousin Mr Andrew Bethune, per
obitum Joannis Sanquhar ; and we have understand, by an writing of
Mr James Salmond's, that the same was resigned, and put in tuto ante
obitum Joannis Sanquhar, pro quodam magistro Jacobo Sanquhar. If so
be, . fail not to have the writ thereof, and see if the. same resignation
was admitted ante 2. diem.Julii proxime prceteriti, qudd eodem 2. Julii
obiit dictus Joannes Sanquhar in partibus, et fuit paroeho not arius * &c
As anent all our peaceable matters, do your diligence thereinto • for
ye know the same, and estate thereof, better nor we do ; and therefore
* Perhaps it should be Protonotarius.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539*40. 17
be vigilant thereanent, and advertise us thereof cum primis, and there
after we shall write our determined mind to you thereintil.
Item, We pray you tail not to remember particulariter all our other
letters sent to you since our arriving in Scotland, and the contents
thereof singulariter et in singulis, and to speed to us the same, as we
have written of before, whilks, with thir presents, all will come to you
together, because the winds have been ever contrarious to pass in
France since the writing thereof: And, therefore, take good regard
and attendance thereto, and do diligence anent the expedition of all
our desires contained in the same; and make the best and most ho
nourable persuasions ye can, or may, to the pope's holiness, to induce-'
his holiness to the granting of the said legation. And albeit his holi
ness would make us legate juxta dispositionem juris communis, ut patet
de officio legati ; that can do little good iu this country to the king's
subjects, without we have a special faculty, and as ample and better
than our predecessors, as Bishop Andrew Forman had, whilk was an
good faculty for this realm and the king's subjects and lieges, and did
sober skaith to the court of Rome, or none worthy to be spoken of:
And, further, ye shall commend us to Doctor Wauchop, whom, we
understand by your writings, is our good friend. We write presently
to him, to do for us and you as ye please to charge him in our name.
Remember all other our writings preceding, and this among the lave :
And God keep you. David,. Cardinalis Sti Andres.
Edinburgh, 10th December, 1539.

A Letter from Ralph Sadler to the King's Majesty of England,
containing the Answer of his Instructions, Sec.
Please it, &c. that I arrived here on Tuesday, the  day of
February ; and the next day after, in the morning, the king of Scots
sent Rothesay, one of his heraulds, unto me, to congratulate, in the
vol. i. c

IU EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40.
king's name, my coming from your majesty, and to learn of me the
good state of your grace's health ; and also, to declare unto me, that
the king willed him to say, that he minded not to use me as a stran
ger, but as one of his familiars, as he would do all those that apper
tained to the king's majesty, his good uncle : and whensoever I would
come to the court, I should be welcome, and have gentle audience at
length. I gave thanks accordingly, and answered, that I would that
afternoon repair to the court to see the king, and to salute him from
-your majesty, if it might stand with his pleasure. " Well," quoth the
herauld, " I will go first to the court, and bring you word again by
and by, whether it shall be best for you to come thither to-day or not;
for," quoth he, " I doubt if the king shall be at leisure." I required
him to do so, which he did accordingly ; and within an hour after he
came to me again, and said, " That the king's grace, his sovereign,
.considered -my long journey, and tendred so much my travel in the
same, that he thought it convenient for me to repose one day after my
arrival, and the next day, afore noon, his grace would send for me to
.come to his presence." I answered, "That whatsoever was his grace's
.pleasure in that behalf, I was right well content therewith ; neverthe
less, if it had pleased him to have had mine access that day, the travel
ofmy long journey should be no impediment thereof ; but yet I thank
ed his grace humbly, that it pleased him so much to tender mine ease."
" Marry," quoth the herauld, " I assure you ye are right dear unto
him, and so be all that come from the king's grace his uncle : and,"
•quoth he, " his grace hath given an express commandment to the pro
vost of this £own, to see you furnished in all things meet and conve
nient for you. Wherefore," quoth he, " call for every thing that ye
want, as boldly as ye would do if ye were in England ; for so is the
king's pleasure." I answered, " That I was much bound to the king
for his gentle remembrance of me ; and that I would not fail to make
report of the same to your majesty at my return." So we departed.;
and the next day, being Thursday, at nine of the clock before noon,

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 19
Sir William Ogilvy,* Captain Borthwick, who is lieutenant of the
French king's guard, David Lindesay, chief herauld to the king of
Scots, t and Rothesay, came to my lodging ; and, assoon as I heard of
them, I sent to require them to take the pain to come to me, which
they did. And, after salutations and friendly embracings, Sir Walter
Ogilvy said, " That the king's grace, his sovereign, had sent him and
Captain Borthwick to accompany me to the court to the king's pre
sence ; to whom," he said, " I should be right heartily welcome." I
thanked humbly the king's grace, and them also of their pains taking,
declaring, that I was ready to give mine attendance upon his grace's
leisure. They answered, " That the time was convenient, and that
they were purposely come for me." Whereupon we went forthwith
all together to the court ; and, when we arrived there, they brought
me into the chappel, where the king was at mass, and the chappel full
as well of noblemen and gentlemen, as bishops, monks, priests, and
other. The king kneeled under a cloath of estate without any travel ;
and about him kneeled the cardinal, divers bishops, and some noble
men. At mine entry into the chappel, place was made for me through
the press, and so was I convoyed up, and placed in a pire, J or seat,
even behind the king as he kneeled at mass. When the mass was
done, the king arose, and turned him towards me ; and, so soon as he
saw me, he came from under his cloath of estate, and full gently em
braced me, and welcomed me. I said, that your majesty commanded
me to make your grace's most hearty commendations, and therewith
presented unto him your majesty's letters. " Now, I pray you," quoth

* He is afterwards more correctly named Sir Walter. He was the third baron of the
family of Boyne. Captain Borthwick was perhaps Borthwick of Nenthorn, brother to the
Lord Borthwick.'
t The celebrated Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, who, according to the conjecture of
his biographer, Mr Chalmers, was appointed to that office about April 1531. He is well
known as a poet and satirist; and, from his bias to the tenets df the reformers, was proba
bly peculiarly acceptable to Sadler.
X I cannot assign any derivation to this uncommon word. Ducange interprets Piretwn
to be a cell containing a fire-place.

20 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
he, "how deth his good grace ?" I answered, " That your grace (thank
ed be God) was healthful, and merry." " By my , truth," quoth he, " I
am right heartily glad thereof;" and so he began to open your grace's
letters, and read them himself; which, when he had read, he said to
me, "The king's grace, mine uncle, refers all to you ; and when ye
will ye shall have audience at all times." I answered, "That I would
willingly attend his grace's best leisure ; nevertheless, I thought it
convenient to proceed with him to the congratulation of his toward-
ness in the execution of justice upon the Borders, according to the
first part of my instructions, the time and place serving so well as it
did, and so began in this wise : " Sir," quoth I, " tbe king's majesty,
my sovereign lord, your grace's uncle, hath perceived of late your good
inclination to justice, and the good mind and zeal that your grace hath
to the conservation and continuance ofthe amity between both .realms
of England and Scotland j and considering what good success and se
quel must needs follow of the same, hath commanded me to say unto
your grace on his behalf, tbat as bis highness doth greatly rejoice to
see so noble a prince, so near of bis blood, bend yourself to so good
and virtuous a trade, which, in fine, shall redound greatly to your ho
nour; so his majesty hath sent me to your grace, not only to express
unto you his most thankful acceptation of the same, but also to assure
your grace, that, for his part, he will so concur and join with you in
all things that may tend to the weal of peace, and the conservation
of the amity and present unity betwixt his majesty and you, your
realms and subjects, in such sort as your grace shall well perceive that
he mindeth the same no less than your grace doth ; and whatsoever
kindness, or natural behaviour, shall be used towards his majesty on
your part, ye may be assured, that the same shall not, on his majesty's
behalf, .be pretermitted nor forgotten. " Now, hy my truth," quoth
he, " and whatsoever I can do in the world, as a prince may do with
his honour, to please his grace, and for the keeping of the peace and
amity between us, I shall ay be sure to do it to the uttermost of my
power; and, for no man alive shall I do that thing that may tend to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 21
the break of my word and promise made to his grace ; but, whilst I
live, I will surely bide by the same ; and," quoth he, " I trust his grace
will do the like." " Sir," quoth I, " your grace knoweth, that the
king's majesty, your uncle, is a prince of honour, and hath great expe
rience of the world, and hath entred in many covenants with sundry
great princes ; and yet, I am sure, your grace never heard that ever he
gave occasion of break of covenant or treaty with any prince, and so,
your grace may be assured, he will not begin at you." " No, on my
soul," quoth he, " I never doubted it ; and whilst I live I shall not fail
to him ; and whatsoever pleasure I can do for his grace, no man alive
shall be glader nor I to do it, and thereof his grace may be sure."
Which words, I assure your majesty, he expressed in such loving and
hearty manner, as to me appeared he thought no less in his heart than
he spake with his mouth.
Furthermore, I told him, that for as mikle as your grace had percei
ved that he had some pleasure and delight in English geldings, your
majesty did therefore send him for a token six horses and geldings,
which your grace prayed him to take in good part, and friendly and
boldly to require either horses or any other commodity of your majes
ty's realm, that might be to his pleasure and contentation. Whereunr
to he answered full gently, " That he did most heartily thank your
grace ; and that if there were any thing within his realm that might
do your grace pleasure, your grace should command it as ye might do
within your own realm." At that time yourgrace's horses were not
arrived ; and so I told the king that they came leisurely after me, and
that I looked for them within a day or two at, the farthest ; " and,"
quoth I to him, "when they shall arrive here, upon knowledge of
your pleasure, I shall bring them to your presence." " Well," quoth
he, " when you please ye shall be heartily welcome to me at all times."
" Sir," quoth I, " I have other matters of importance to be declared
jSecretly to yourself, but the time, and place serveth not now thereto ;
wherefore, if it might please your grace to appoint me a more secret
audience, I shall most gladly therein attend your best leisure." " Mar-

22 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
ry," quoth he, " if it please you to-morrow afore noon I will send for
" you ;" and so made me a countenance, and committed me to those
that were appointed to keep me company, and so went to bis chamber,
as they said, to dine. " Then," quoth Captain Borthwick to me, " if
ye will tarry here in the chappel any season, ye shall see the queen
come to mass." " By my truth," quoth I, " and I have in charge to
make the king's majesty my master's hearty commendations to both
the queens here, but I have forgotten to ask licence of the king to vi
sit and see them ; and therefore I will not tarry now, but shall take
another time for the same." " Marry," quoth Captain Borthwick, " I
will go tell the king that ye desire that licence, and come to you again
immediately with his grace's pleasure therein." And so he went, and
came again without long tarrying, and said, " That the queen, was
something erased, and came not abroad ; and that the king thought it
best that I should the next day, or at any other time when I would,
visit and see both the queens." Whereupon I departed from the court
towards my lodging, accompanied with the said Sir Walter Ogilvy,
Captain Borthwick, Lindesay, and' Rothesay, who brought me to my
lodging, being in the town, and dined there with me.
¦ The next day, being Friday, between nine and ten afore noon, they
came all to me again, and said, " that the king had sent them for me to
come to his grace." According whereto I addressed myself with them
to the court, and there they brought me again to the chappel, where
the queen, the king's wife, was hearing a sermon in French, accompa
nied with a number of ladies and gentlewomen. The king was not
there ;' but, as I perceived, 1 was brought there of purpose to see the
queen, and to salute her from your grace. I was placed in the same
seat that I had the day before ; and when the sermon was done, Cap
tain Borthwick told me, " That the king's pleasure was I should speak
with the queen." And therewith the chief herauld, Lindesay, went to
the queen, and spoke to her what I know not, and then came to me,
and said, " That the king had appointed me then to salute the queen,
according to my request the day before." Whereupon I repaired to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 23
her, and said, " That your majesty had given me in charge to make
unto her your grace's most hearty commendations, and to congratu
late the good, virtuous, and honourable life between her and her hus
band ; of the continuance whereof your grace would be most joyful and
glad, as the proximity of blood between your grace and your nephew
her husband, with the perfect amity between the same, did require."
She answered, " That she was much bound to your good grace, that
it pleased your majesty to remember her with your grace's recommen
dations, and that she did right humbly thank your grace therefore ;
and what she could do to the interest of the amity betwixt the king
her husband and your majesty, she would not fail to set forth the same
from time to time with all power." I said, " The amity was so per
fect and assured betwixt your majesty and the king her husband, that,
with the grace of God, it should remain for ever untouched, and such
furtherers thereof as she was, might do great good therein on both
parties." She prayed me to make her right humble commendations to
your grace again, with assurance, that her good-will to the continu
ance of the amity should not fail by God's graee : and so she dismis
sed me. And immediately after came Rothesay to me, saying, " That
the king had sent for me ;" and so I was forthwith brought to the
king's presence in his privy- chamber, where bis grace took me apart
in a window, shewing to me right pleasant countenance and cheer,
making semblance that he was willing to hear whatsoever I had to
say. Whereupon I began to make a brief repetition of that I had
spoke to his grace the day before, as well touching his just proceedings
on the Borders, (whereto, in effect, he answered- as before ;) as also
touching your horses, which even then were arrived in Scotland. I
told his grace, they would be that night at Leith, within a mile of
Edinburgh ; and if it pleased him to appoint the time when he would
see them, I would cause them to be brought to his presence. He remit
ted that to my discretion. I said, " that they had an long journey, and
therefore if it might stand with his pleasure to respite the sight of them
for two or three days, that they might have some rest after their tra-

24 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
vel, I doubted not but his grace. would like them well, when he should
see them." He was well content therewith, and said, " He was most
beholden to your grace of all men alive, and such pleasure as he could
do your grace, he was bound to do it." I told him, " That using him
self to your majesty, like a loving and kind nephew, he needed not to
want anything wherein your grace might stand him instead." " And
by my truth," quoth he, " shall I never do him that fault, whereby he
shall justly have occasion to waite me of unkindness whilst I live/'
" Well," quoth I, " I have some matters to be declared to yourself,
which be of importance, and they do so nearly touch your own ho
nour and surety, that the king's majesty, your uncle, hath commanded
me, afore I should open the same to your grace, to require a promise
of your honour, that it may like you to keep the same secret, and not
to disclose them to any person, otherwise nor according to the friend
ly device of the same." " Whatsoever," quoth he, " ye shall tell me
on the king mine uncle's part, which his grace will have secret, if ever
he hear that it pass my mouth again, let me have the blame; for,"
quoth he, " I thank God I am not so liberal of my tongue, but I can
keep silence as is meet." " Sir," quoth I, " the things touch chiefly
your own honour and surety, and therefore it shall behove your grace
to look well to it ; and if it may please your grace to make me that
promise on your honour, not to disclose them, but in such wise as the
king's majesty your uncle doth friendly advise you, I shall open the
same unto you." " Yea, by my truth," quoth he, " I make you that
promise with right good will ; and I shall warrand you, ye shall hear
no more thereof, for shall I never be found foul of my word or pro
mise to no man while God giveth me grace, which, I trust, shall never
fail me."
" The first thing," quoth I, " that I have to declare unto your grace,
my sovereign lord and master the king's majesty, your uncle, requireth
you to keep it secret, unless ye shall determine and promise to proceed
thereupon, to the punishment of those persons which shall be detected,
according to your laws ; and if your grace shall so determine, when

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 25
ye have heard the matter, then the king's majesty, your uncle, is con
tent to leave the opening thereof to your arbitry ; but otherwise his
majesty would be loath to seem author of any such thing, if your
grace should not weigh it and take it in heart, as he doth ; for be ye
assured," quoth I, "whatsoever toucheth your grace, or your honour,
his majesty weigheth it as his own." Here he seemed to be very de
sirous to know the matter, and said, " I pray you, what is it? for I as
sure you whatsoever be be that doth offend us, or our laws, he shall
well know that we stand not in awe to see him punished." " Sir," quoth
I, " this is the matter : It fortuned late that a subject of yours being
servant, as isjeported, to your cardinal here, was, by the rage and tem
pest of the sea, driven a-land in the north parts of England, very like
to have been drowned." " Yea," quoth he, " that was Brunstoun, he
is now newly come home." " Yes, sir," quoth I, " the king's majesty,
my master, had advertised you of the matter afore this time ; but he
respited the same until the return of the man, because your grace
should both be sure of the parties, and be advertised of the matter
all at once. This Brunstoun," quoth I, " when he was thus on land,
by chance left certain private letters and copies behind him." " No,"
quoth he,/' the letters were taken from him, by the king mine uncle's
officers." " Indeed, sir," quoth I, " the letters were found by the king
my master's officers, and sent up to his majesty." " Well," quoth he,
" it is no force."* Now, and it please your highness, as I past by
Bamburgh, I met with John Horseley, captain of the same, who in
communication told me, that he had taken a packet of letters from
"certain Scottish men, which were driven a-land there by tempest, and
named the said Brunstoun to be one of them ; and therefore knowing
the same by that mean, when the king of Scots told me that the said
letters were taken away from the said Brunstoun, I would not wide
too far in the defence thereof, but thought to pass it over, and proceed
* i. e. " It is no matter."
VOL. I. D

26 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
to the matter as I did, and so said unto his grace, that when the let
ters came unto. your majesty's hands, and that your grace had perused
them, there appeared such strange matter in them, that your majesty
could no otherwise think, but that God had sent them to your hands
for the surety and commodity of his grace ; "for," quoth I, " it appeared
unto the king's majesty, your uncle, by a letter subscribed with your
cardinal's own hand here, that under colour to serve your grace, being
his sovereign lord, he laboureth to bring into his own hands, not only
the whole spiritual jurisdiction of your realm, but under colour of it
also the temporal, taking for cloak the bishop of Rome's usurped
power, which may serve him for a sword, if he be suffered to enjoy
the same ; so that the just power and authority given you by God, as
to a king, should thereby in few years be little or nothing at all. And,
sir, for a plain declaration of his. intent herein, he sheweth himself to
be a friend and fautor of your grace's traitours, devising how to com
pass himself by a crafty mean, under the colour of the bishop of
Rome's power, to be their judge, to the intent he might deliver them."
" Which traitours, I pray you," quoth he? " Matry, sir," quoth I, " as
I conceive by the cardinal's said letters, your grace committed to
ward one Hutcheson, and one Harvy, for their treasons and offences
committed against your grace, and to these your cardinal seemeth to
be a great friend ; and as it shall evidently appear to your grace
by his letter, he deviseth t© make himself their judge, to the
intent he would deliver them, and all for that - he would seem
to be a good work-man for his chief captain the bishop of Rome,
for whose service he is only meet ; which meaneth nothing else,
than to usurp princes powers, and to diminish the same. And,"
quoth I, " as this matter may declare unto you the crafty dealing of
those prelates ; so by the opening thereof, your grace may well perceive
that the king's majesty, your uncle, doth both love and trust you, and
wisheth to God that your grace knew so well as he doth, to what
ruin those prelates do labour to bring the state of kings, that they may

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40. 27
be rulers of all, and keep princes in their own realms as their ministers
and deputies, or else by most detestable and impudent boldness vindi
cate the deposing of them, and making of new at their pleasure." In
the declaration hereof, I observed well his countenance, and perceived
that he gave me an attentive ear ; and somewhile looked very steadily
on me, and with grave countenance ; somewhile he bit the lip, and
bowed his head ; and when I had said, and awaited what he would say,
he answered those words ; " By my truth," quoth he, " there are two
laws, the spiritual law, and the temporal: The cure ofthe one pertain-
eth to the pope's holiness and the spirituality; the other to kings,
princes, and the temporality ; and, for my part, I trust I shall do my
duty to God in the discharge of such things as pertain to the temporal
power, within my office and rule within this realm. But as for the
spiritual law, in good faith we take no regard thereof, but commit that
to the pope's holiness, and other ordinary ministers of the kirk within
our realm." " Sir," quoth I, " it may please your grace to consider,
that God hath called you to be a king, and hath not only committed
unto your charge to see his laws executed within your office and realm,
as supreme head thereof ; but also hath put the sword into your hands,
for the punishment and reformation of the transgressours of the same.
And thinks your grace, that if the ministers of the spiritual laws with
in your realm, for that they know your grace_ taketh no regard thereof,
shall not do their duty, so that your people in their default shall perish
for lack of justice, and run headlong in blindness and ignorance of
God's word, for lack of doctrine and due preaching of the same b}'
your prelates and clergy of your realm ; think you," quoth I, " that in
that case, if your grace do not your kingly office to redress the, same,
and appoint every man to serve in his vocation, that ye shall not yield
a just reckoning thereof unto God?" "Marry," quoth' he, "I trust
- God shall give me grace to do my duty to him ; and whatsoever he be
in Scotland, that we may know doth not his duty, both in the execu
tion of God's laws above all, and also in the ministration of indifferent

28 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
justice to our lieges ; by God," quoth he, " if we may know him, we
shall not lett to punish him, be he spiritual or temporal, in such ways
as appertains; and that (ye shall trow me,) they know all full well.
But by my truth," quoth he, "I thank God, Scotland was never in
better love and obedience to no king of the same, vthan they are unto
me; and I dare say, that there is no man in Scotland, high nor low,
but will do willingly and gladly, whatsoever is my will and command
ment. For," quoth he, " they do both love and dread me. And for
this matter, which the king, mine uncle, hath advertised me of touching
this cardinal, ye shall well know, that if he hath, or shall in any ways
offend our laws, we shall not stand awe of any man to punish him as
he merits. But," quoth he, " I know not, but that he wrote to Rome
to his agent there, for the procuring of a legation; which, in good
faith, should be a benefit to our subjects, and we also did write to the
pope's holiness in the same." " Sir," quoth I, " the king's majesty, my
master, hath sent with me the original letter of the said cardinal, to
the intent I should read the same to your grace, whereby ye shall per
ceive all his crafty pretence. And," quoth I, " if your grace will see
the letter, I have it here ready, and will myself read it unto you."
" No," quoth he, " keep the letter still, we will take another time for
it ;" and that he spake to me very softly, which I think he did, be
cause the cardinal was present in the chamber. And again he said,
" Let this matter pass at this time, we shall talk more ofit at our next
meeting." Then thought I it best to enter with him in another matter,
being the second part of my instructions ; and according thereto I told
his grace, That like as your majesty could hear of nothing that should
touch his honour, jesteeming the same as your own, so your grace
could not contain such things as your majesty had heard bruited of
him, wherein very love and affection forced your highness friendly to
counsel and advise. " By my truth," quoth he, " it is great pleasure
and quiet to me, to understand that his grace bears me so good mind;

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539*40. 29
and whatsoever his grace says to me, I am sure he speaks it for my
good, and I sliall follow his advice in all things that may be to God's
honour, and the increase of the love and peace betwixt him and me;
and I am sure," quoth he; " his grace will advise me to nothing that
shall be against mine honour." " No, sir," quoth I, " ye may be as
sured his majesty will advise you nothing but that, that shall stand
greatly with your honour, and also with your profit; His majesty,"
quoth I, " hath heard it bruited, that ye should gather into your
hands numbers of sheep, and such other mean things in respect of
your estate, therewith to increase your estate and revenue. And,"
quoth I,' " his grace having advised himself thereof, commanded me
to tell you, that though the things may be somewhat profitable, yet as
that kind of profit cannot stand with the honour of a king's estate,
nor yet so profitable as may any ways extend towards the mainte
nance of a ^king's estate ; so the king's majesty, your uncle," quoth I,
" doubteth lest it may give occasion to your people to mutter and
mutiny, fearing lest their living should be taken from them by your
nobility and gentlemen of your realm, when they may be born by
your precedent and example, and so percase might grow farther in
conveniencies. Wherefore," 'quoth I, " the king's majesty, your uncle,
wisheth that ye would rather apply yourself by good and politic means
to increase your revenue, by taking of some of those religious houses
(such as may be best spared) into your hands, which do occupy and
possess a great part of the possessions of your realm, to the mainte
nance of their volupty and idle life, and the continual decay of your
estate; and the rest of them, which be most notable, to alter into
colleges or cathedral churches, and alms-houses, as the king's majesty,
your uncle, hath done; whereby ye shall well perceive, that one house
so altered shall tend more to the glory of God, than a number of them
now doth ; and yet shall ye establish your revenue thereby, in such.
sort, as ye shall be able to live like a king, and yet not meddle with
sheep, nor such mean things, being matter whereupon to occupy the

30 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40.
meanest of your people and subjects."* " In good faith," quoth he,
" I have no sheep, nor -occupy no such things. But," quoth he, "such
as have tacks and farms of me, peradventure have such numbers of
sheep and cattle, as ye speak of, going upon my lands,, which I have
no regard to. But for my part," quoth he, " by my truth I never
knew what I had of mine own, nor yet do. I thank God," quoth he,
I am able to live well enough of that which I have, and I have friends
that will not see me mister. There is a good old man in France, my
good-father the king of France (I must needs call him so," quoth he, " for
lam sure he is like a father to me,) that will not see me want any thing,
that lies in him to help me with. Nevertheless," quoth he, " I shall seek
¦nothing of any man but love and friendship; and for my part I shall hold
my word and behechtf with all princes, and for no man living shall I stain
mine honour for any worldly good, with the grace of Jesu. And most
heartily I thank the king's grace, mine uncle, for his advice ; but in
•good faith I cannot do so ; for methinks it against reason and God's
law to put down thir J abbeys and religious houses, which have,"
quoth he, " stand thir many years, and God's service maintained and
keeped in the same. And," quoth he, " what need I to take them
to increase my lively hood, when I may have any thing that I can re
quire of them? T am sure," quoth he, " there is not an abbey in
Scotland at this hour, but if we mister any thing, we may have of
them whatsoever we will desire that they have; and so what needs us
to spoil them ?" " Sir," quoth I, " they are a kind of unprofitable peo
ple, that live idly upon the sweat and labours of the poor, and their
first foundations founded upon popery and man's constitutions; and
,yet doth none of them observe the ground and rules of their ,profes-
* This coarse and impolitic censure ofthe king's osconomy, seems to have inducedhim
to deny the use to which he very wisely put his crown lands in Ettricke Forest, where, ac
cording to Pitscottie, he had ten thousand sheep going as securely, and as well accounted
for, by Andrew Bell, the<king's. shepherd, as if they had- been in the bounds pf the more
civilized province of Fife. P. 237. folio edit.
f That which I have behight, or promised.
% These.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40. 31
sions ; for in their first entries to religion, they profess chastity, wilful
poverty, and obedience. And," quoth I, " if it please your grace, as
to the first, that is, chastity; I dare be bold to say, that unless your
monks be more holy in Scotland than ours are in England, there
reigneth nowhere more carnality, incontinency, buggery, sodomy, with
leachery, and other abominations, than is used in cloysters among
monks, chanons, nuns, and friers, which could never appear, so long
as the king's majesty, your uncle, committed his trust to the bishops
and clergy of his realm, for their visitations, as your grace now doth;
for those visiters always cloaked their vices and abuses, because they
would not have their own to appear; but when his majesty began
more diligently to look to his cure and kingly office, as well in those
spiritual affairs, as he did before in the temporal, then tried he out all
their abominations and abuses, and so, conform to God's laws, hath
eradicated and weed them out of his realm; and most of them which
were notable houses, his majesty hath committed to better and more
godly uses. Now, Sir," quoth I, " to the second part of their pro
fession, which is wilful poverty: I am sure," quoth I, "your grace
will bear me record, that they might be called rather wilfully richj
than wilfully poor ; for every of them is provided of a rich and quiet
life ; they labour not for their living, but are rather fed by the labours
of the poor. And as for obedience, I think surely they are obedient
in heart to their chief captain, the bishop of Rome ; but I trow they
be not without bulls under-lead, whereby they will claim to be exeeni-
ed from your obedience; so that I cannot see that they do in any
point observe any part of their professions." " Oh," quoth the king,
'' God forbid that if a few be not good, for them all the rest should be
destroyed. Though some be not," quoth he, " there be a great
many good ; and the good may be suffered, and the evil must be re
formed; as ye shall hear," quoth he, "that I shall help to see it redres
sed in Scotland, by God's grace, if I brook life." " Sir," quoth I, " ye
must do as Christ saith, Omnis plantatio, quam non plantavit pater meus
ccelestis, eradicabitur. And so," quoth I, "by my truth, ye must

32 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40.
weed them up by the root, as the king's grace, your uncle,* hath done,
or else ye shall never redress them." " No,", quoth he, " I am sure
mine undle will not desire me to do iotherwise nor my conscience
serveth me." " No, Sir," quoth I, " the king s majesty, your uncle,
doth advise you of those things; both for your honour and profit, and
proceeding of an entire zeal, love, and affection, that his grace beareth
towards you : And now, since your grace hath heard v the same, ye
may work therein as shall stand with your pleasure." " Yea," quoth
he, " I trust the king, mine uncle, will not be discontented with me;
. though I do therein according to my conscience ; for, by my soul,"
quoth he, " I will do nothing by my will that will displease him ; and
whatsoever tales or leasings have been told his grace, or shall be here
after of me, his grace shall find me ay constant of my word and pro*
mise made to him."
Here I thought to take occasion to speak of the bruit of the words
that should be spoken by him, which was, That, look what the em
peror or French king would do against your grace, he would do the
same. And so I said unto him, "Sir, because your grace speaketh of
tales and leasings, I will tell you of a tale or leasing that was bruited
both in France and Flanders, and elsewhere of late when the rumour
was of the wars." " Wars !" quoth he, " what wars ?" " Marry, Sir,"
quoth I, " I am sure ye know what a rumour and saying there was
lately, that the emperor, the French king, and the bishop of Rome,
would invade England." "Yea, yea," quoth he, and laughed, " but
they were not over hasty : be ye sikker," quoth he, " that they will be
well advised thereof. By God," quoth he, " they consider, that they
should have over-much to do. I warrand you," quoth he, " they will
never seek you." " Marry, Sir," quoth I, " it was said that your grace
should say, That, look whatsoever the emperor or French king should
do against the king's majesty, your uncle, ye would do the same."
" That I should say so !" quoth he. " Yes, Sir," quoth I, " such a
' bruit there was both in France and Flanders, and elsewhere." " Now,"
quoth he, " I pray God I never have part of the bliss of heaven, if I
10

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 33
ever spake any such word, or such like to that effect." " By my
faith, Sir,". quoth I, "the king's majesty, your uncle, believed them
not." "Now, as I shall answer to God," quoth he, "I never spake it,
nor thought it." " Marry, Sir," quoth I, " his majesty believed rather
another' bruit-made on the Borders, which was, that ye should say, That
for emperor or French king, ye would not break with the king, your
uncle." " By God," quoth he, " whether I said so or not, he. shall ay
find so. No, no," quoth -he, " I shall attend mine own matters ; I have
not to do with others ; let others do what they list, but I shall never
stain mine honour, nor break my promise. For," quoth he, " I am no
-bairn, neither emperor nor French king can draw me to do what they
list. . And as for my good-father,* the French king, good prince, I
dare say for him, that he never thought any evil to the king, mine
uncle, nor intended not to break with him. Marry," quoth be, " what
the emperor intended I .cannot tell ; but, for the king of France, me-
thinks I durst swear for him ; for, by my truth, I never perceived in
him,, but that he did always bear his heart and good love to the king,
mine uncle."
" Well, Sir," quoth I, " your grace knoweth, that the king's majes
ty, your uncle, is a prince of great experience, and being a king these
thirty years and more, hath observed the state and general proceedings
of Christendom ; whereby," quoth I, " his grace hath well perceived
how much better it is for a prince to live within his own proper limits,
with a just consideration of his own quiet and commodity." Even
there suddenly he interrupted me, and said, " By God," quoth he,
".even so will I do ; I will live on my own, and attend mine own, and
•by .my will shall offend no man, but hold my word and behecht with
all princes, and study with all my good heart to live in unity and con
cord with all the world, and specially with my good uncle." " Sir,"
quoth I, " ye are in an good mind ; and (as I was about to tell your
grace) the king's majesty, your uncle, perceiveth, by long experience,
* Father-in-law.
VOL. I, E y-

34 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
the difference betwixt the honest and politic living within a man's
own proper limits, with a just consideration of his own quiet and com
modity, and the satisfying and following of other men's fantasies to
their advantage, and the danger of his damage. Of the which conclu
sion," quoth I, "your grace cannot be ignorant, knowing what chance
happened to the king, your father, by making of himself another man's
instrument to annoy his friend and allya in his absence. ' But," quoth
I, " this amity being now so like to increase and grow betwixt the
king's majesty your uncle and you, as well by the mutual affection of
both parties, as by the proximity of blood betwixt you, which cannot
be so taken away, but that nature will have her instinct and opera
tion, where too much unkindness shall not corrupt it." Here he inter
rupted me again, and said, " By my truth," quoth he, " there shall be
no such unkindness shewed on my part, with the grace of God." " The
king's majesty, your uncle, "quoth I, " hath therefore determined to open
his heart and stomach unto you; trusting, that ye will no less thankfully
accept his good affection therein, than deeply ponder his good advices
and counsels. And," quoth I, " to descend frankly with you to the
utterance of the same, his majesty requireth, and heartily prayeth you
to weigh and ponder with yourself, what prince or potentate in Chris
tendom may stand you in best stead, and at whose hands ye may re
ceive greatest comfort, commodity, and benefit." " Oh !" quoth he,
"join he and I fastly together; be you sikker, there is no prince in
the world that can or will seek to do us any skaith." * " Sir," quoth
I, " to speak ofthe emperor, orFreneh king, that be nearest, what can
ye look for at either, or at both their hands, but fair words and enter
tainment for a time, as their instrument to, serve their purposes, to
your own danger and damage ? Again," quoth I, " what stay can ye
think to have, or look ye that either or both of them could or would
stand you in, if, at auy of their contemplations, ye should bring your
self to be in case of need of friendship and help, by attempting of any
* Harm.
1

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND TN 1539-40. 35
thing at their desires?" " No, no," quoth he, " I am no bairn ; they
cannot draw me to do any thing against my word, and the honour of
a prince." " Now, then, Sir," quoth I, " consider what commodity
ye may attain by the love and favour of the king's majesty, your uncle.
First, By the continuance of his amity, ye may be sure to live in rest
and quietness, without danger of trouble or business. Again, What
can ye reasonably desire of his majesty that may be to your honourand
commodity, but ye may easily obtain it? Thirdly, His majesty would
have you consider, and print in your mind, that ye are his nephew ;
and therefore, dealing like a nephew towards him, ye must needs have
such place and estimation in his heart, that if God should call his son,
my lord prince's grace, out of this life, (which his mercy forbid !) and
that his highness should leave no other child of the queen that now is,
or any other lawful wife his grace may have hereafter, his majesty is,
by consent of the whole realm, put in such trust for provision of his
successor, as his grace might, of any sort or nation, without excep
tion, name and appoint the same; being thereby, in his free-will and
power, whether he would name any of bis two daughters. Yea,"
quoth I, "or whether bis majesty would name your grace, being his
nephew ; or any other, that, for bis qualities, activity, or kindness to
the realm, should seem to him expedient. Wherefore," quoth I, " al
beit, with the grace of God, -his majesty may\ have some better store
of issue than he yet hath ; yet his .highness being well strioken in
years, he would not have you to forget what nature would in that case
work, being himself of so good a-disposition towards you as heis ; and
so that he may .perceive, on your part again, -such evident .arguments
of sincere love and affection, as may answer and be correspondent;
shewing also, on your part, isuch kindness to his realm .and subjects, as
ye may the gather ;by tbe same attain their good affections, which,"
quoth I, " by reason <ef the ancient enmity, can hardly be obtained,
unless a perfect and open declaration of love and amity be from hence
forth daily shewed and extended to them byyou and yours." " Well,"
quoth he, " I have 'heard you leisurely, and do perceive mine uncle's

36" EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539"40.
-good mind towards me, , for which I do most heartily thank 'his grace.
But," quoth he, " I will not use many words with you : ye shall tell
his grace on my behalf, as a gentleman may say to his master on the
word of a prince, that I shall never fail him for no man alive, nor. for
no worldly goods in word nor deed, contrary to my covenant and treaty
made with his grace ; but rather shall I apply myself by all the good
means to me possible, to preserve and maintain the love and peace ber
tween us. And by my truth," quoth he, " what pleasure or kindness
I can or may do to his grace, or any of his realm, I shall be as glad to
do it as. any man alive;" " Sir," quoth I, " it is much to my comfort,
that I may. be bold to tell the same to the king's majesty my sovereign
lord and master of your mouth, as on the word of a prince, which I
shall not fail to do. . And on the other side," quoth I, " I know the
affection of. his majesty towards your grace to be such, as dealing like
a kind nephew towards him, ye may be sure to have both a father and
an uncle of his grace." "By my truth," quoth he, " shall I rather be
dead, than be found foul of my word and promise with him. while I
live." " Well, Sir," quoth I, " all those things the king's majesty, your
uncle, for a. more perfect declaration of his.intire love and affection for
wards you, hath thought meet to be opened to yourself, to be by you
wisely considered and thoroughly digested, and not to he declared to
any of your council, till some good effect may.ensue of the, same."
" By my faith," quoth he, " and God will, ye shall never hear that I
shall be a babbler of any thing that ye have opened to me from my
uncle, which his pleasure is to have kept secret." " And, Sir," quoth
I, "the king's majesty, your uncle, willed me to. say unto you, that, for
the better and sooner attaining to some good effect in those things,
such a meeting, as was once almost at a point, between you, should
greatly avail to the setting forth of all good purposes betwixt you."
" Such a meeting," quoth he, " as my Lord William treated of.* I
* Henry, by his ambassador Lord William Howard, had, in 1535, proposed to his ne
phew of Scotland a friendly conference, or meeting, at York; trusting, doubtless, that his

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 37
promise you," quoth he, " my Lord William reported me untruly in
that to the king's grace, mine uncle ; for he said, that I did fully agree
to that meeting ;. as by my truth," quoth he, " for my part, I was con
tent with it ; but I told my Lord William, that the lords ofmy realm
would not agree to it. And," quoth he, " he made an untrue report of
it to the king, mine uncle, and brought him. in displeasure with me
therefore." " Sir," quoth I, " in my poor opinion, whosoever letted
that meeting, loved neither the king's majesty your uncle, nor yet
your grace, nor the wealth of your realms : And," quoth I, " such a
meeting now might redouble all ; and it should be a great comfort
both to the king's majesty your uncle and your grace, the one of you
to see the other ; and such a good increase of hearty love and affec
tion might grow thereby to your people and subjects on both parts, as
should for ever establish a perfect unity and kindness among them."
" By my truth," quoth he, " I would be glad to see the king, mine
uncle, but I would wish that \he French king might be at it, that we
three might meet and join together in one." " Sir," quoth I, "I have
no commission to speak thereof; but to say to, your grace what I
think I am sure the king's majesty, my master, would be right glad
thereof: howbeit," quoth I, " to say my opinion, I cannot see how
such a meeting could.be brought to pass betwixt you all three, being.
so great princes, without a great, painful, and dangerous journey, to
two or one of you at, the least. For," quoth I, " either the French
king must pass over on this side the sea, or else the king's majesty
your uncle and your grace must both pass over on the other side of
the sea." " Marry, quoth he, " I should be sure of the longest and
most painful journey, which I would not pass upon for so good a pur
pose." " Well, Sir," quoth I, " to be plain with your grace ; as I
think, I would first wish, that this, meeting, between the king's ma-

eloquence would induce James to follow, ih church affairs, the example which he had
given in England. But the Scottish king started difficulties, and evaded the request, as he
again does with, much polite ingenuity upon the present occasion.

38 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
jesty your uncle, and you, might take effect, which might be easily
brought to pass, without any danger to either of both your persons ;
for," quoth I, " there is no dangerous passage or any sea, or other wa
ters, between you, but such as ye may easily pass over on horseback.
And," quoth I, " the king's majesty your uncle and the French king
have seen one another at meetings and entreatings afore this time, ap
pointed for that purpose, but he never saw you, nor ye him : And
therefore, to say mine own fantasy to yottr grace, I would that so
good a purpose should be no longer delayed betwixt you." Hereat he
smiled, and said, " Well, I shall advise somewhat hereupon, and, or ye
depart hence, we shall talk further of the same, and make you such
answer to all your credence, as, I trust,. shall be to the pleasure and
contentation of the king, mine uncle."
Thus he seemed content to dismiss me for that time ; which per
ceiving, I told him, that I had done j'our majesty's commendations to
the queen's grace as part ofmy charge so to do; and that if it pleased
his grace so to licence me, I would likewise visit the queen's grace,
his mother. " Marry," quoth he, "I pray you at your pleasure; ye
needed not tb ask my licence for that, but ye may boldly see and visit
her at all titties." I thanked humbly his grace, and so went straight
tb the queen, your majesty's sister. And as I was brought to her
lodging in the court, to whom I made your grace's hearty commenda
tions, and declared that your highness (thanks be to God,) was health
ful attd merry, aftd had given me special charge to visit and see her,
and also to knbw hbto She was used, and how all things went there.
She answered, " That -she was glad to bear that your grace was in
good health," ahd also asked me df the state and health of the queen's
grace, my mispress ; whereto 1 answered accordingly. But she took
it the most unkindly that might be, that she had no letter from your
highness, saying, " That she perceived your grace set not much by
her ; But," quoth she, " though I be forgot in England, shall I never
forget England. It had been but a small matter," quoth .she, "to
have spent a little paper and ink upon me, and much it had been to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 39
my comfort ; and were it perceived," quoth she, " that the king's
grace, my brother, did regard me, I should be the better regarded of
all parties here." I excused all things as well as I could, and satisfied
her gvace right well or I departed. We had no communication of
any great matters worthy the writing to your majesty, saving, that
she assured me, that the king, her son, was never better inclined to
the peace, and continuance of love and amity, betwixt your majesty
and him. She told me also of her own affairs, how she was well treat
ed, and much made of, of the new queen, with such other things of
light importance.
The next day after, which was Saturday the ^— day of February,
came to me Rothesay the herauld, and said, " That the king would be
glad if I thought it meet, that the horses which your majesty had sent
him, should be brought to him the morrow after, being Sunday, in the
forenoon, betwixt nine and ten, to the intent his lords, which then
should be assembled, might see the fair present that your majesty had
sent him." I answered, " That they had rested but two days after
their long journey, and that it required a time to trim them, as they
might be delivered in such sort as appertained." " By God/ quoth
Rothesay, " the king would fain have them to morrow; and," quoth
he, " his grace would have you to be with him by nine of the clock in
the morning, and the horses to come within half an hour after."
" Well," quoth I, " I will know whether they be ready, and in case
to be brought to the king's presence, to be delivered to morrow to his
grace, and then I shall make you answer." So called I to me Chris
topher Erington, who was appointed to come with your grace's horses,
and to see the guiding of them, and asked him whether they were in
good case to be delivered or not ? And he told me, " That they were
ready to be delivered forthwith, if I would." Whereupon I answered
Rothesay, "That, according to the king's pleasure, I wpuld wait on his
grace in the morning, and make delivery of your majesty's present
accordingly." The same night came Rothesay to me again, and
brought me wine from the king, both white and claret, and said,

40 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
"That the king was well content to see and receive your grace's
present the next morning ; specially, he said, because the lords should ,
see your majesty did not forget him." The next morning being-
Sunday, afore nine of the clock, came Sir Walter Ogilvy, Sir John
Campbel, David Lindesay the "chief herauld, and Rothesay, to my
lodging, to accompany me to the court ; and so I took order" that
your majesty's horses were brought thither, within half an hour after
me. At my coming to the court, I was brought again to the chap
pel, where I found the queen again at a sermon. By the time the
sermon was done, your majesty's horses were come ; and I was
forthwith brought to the king's presence, to whom I declared that
I had brought to his grace such a present of horses as your ma
jesty had sent to him ; and if it might please him to see them,
they were ready in the court. " I thank the king's grace, mine
uncle," quoth be, " with all mine heart; come ye on with me, we
will go see them." And so went he into another chamber, where
out of a window he looked into a fair court, and thither were the
horses brought, which the king liked exceeding well, and praised
Wondrously. Christopher Erington did ride them one after another
afore him, and handled them very well. I did set them well forth both
for their kinds and ages. He praised much the Barbary horse, and the
Jennet; " and," quoth he, " I like them the better, because they be
of mine uncle's own brood: If the Barbary horse," quoth he, " were
bigger, he were worth to much good; but by my truth," quoth he,.
" he is a bonny beast, and so be they all." " Sir," quoth I, " your
grace may be sure that the king's majesty, your uncle, would not send
them to you, unless he thought them a meet present for you." " By
my soul," quoth he, " I thank much his grace ; and I assure you,"
quoth he, " his gentle remembrance and kindness is more pleasure and
comfort to me, than all the gifts and goods in the world. And I
beseech you," quoth he, " do but mind me what things his grace de-
lighteth or taketh pleasure in ; for," quoth he, " may I ken it, if [
can get it betwixt this and the farthest part of Turkey, I shall. want

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.' 41
of my will, but I shall have -it for him. And," quoth he, " be they
any commodity into, my realm, that may stand to his pleasure, it shall
be at his commandment." And so turned him to the lords, and began
to praise the horses'; and every man praised them much. Immediate
ly after came in the master-houshold, and told the king, " that his din
ner was on the board." Wherewith his grace went forth to his dining-
chamber, washed, and sat down, and so bade the lords take me with
them to dinner. The cardinal took me by the arm, and had me to a
chamber where the lords used to dine. They made me sit at the high
est place of the table, and entertained me very gently. There sat the
cardinal, the bishop of Glasgow, who is chancellor, the earl of Huntley,
the earl of Errol, the earl of Cassills, the earl of Athole, the bishop of
Aberdeen, the lord Areskin, sir Walter Ogilvy, sir John Campbel, and
two or three gentlemen more. After dinner they brought me again to
the king in his privy-chamber, who, as soon as I came, took me apart
into the window. I gave humble thanks to his grace for the enter
tainment, it pleased him to use to such a poor man as I. "Oh!"
quoth he, "I will not use you as a stranger, nor none that cometh from
the king, mine uncle. And," quoth he, " I know that ye are a good
servant to his grace ; I would all that had come betwixt him and me,
would report the truth always, as I know ye have done. For, by
God," quoth he, "I know that untrue reports of me to mine uncle
have caused him to think unkindness in me, where I was without
fault or blame." " By my truth, sir," quoth I, ¦" tbe king's majesty,
your uncle, *shall have tales brought to him of you, and likewise your
grace of hinij which always shall not be true ; but so long as the love
and aittity between you is such, as neither of you will give credence to
light rumours, all shall be well enough. But such as would no good
to neither of you, will ever be devising evil tales to stir some unkind
ness betwixt you. For," quoth I, " I think there be some that would
not have you over great friends." " Marry," quoth he, " I beshrew
their hearts, whatsoever they be ; but by God," quoth he, " he is not
VOL. I. p

42 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
in Scotland that dare bring me an evil tale of mine uncle, nor say any
thing against his honour ; for," quoth he, " may I ken * any such
within my realm, of what degree soever he be, he shall have no less
punishment, than if he faulted to us ; for," quoth he, " we shall ever
take his cause as our^own." " Sir," quoth I, " I shall, God willing,
report your words to the king's majesty, your uncle, and I dare be bold
to say, that his grace finding your deeds agreeable to your words, will
not only shew himself a kind uncle to you, but also a father, and a
great friend." " By my truth," quoth he, " and I had need, I would
trust to have friendship of him ; and God send me no longer life, than
my deeds and my words shall agree." Quoth I, " your grace may
well perceive, by the advertisements that he hath now sent you by me,
and also by his friendly advices and counsels, that his grace doth both
love and trust you." " By my soul," quoth he, " I have advised me
of the matter his grace hath advertised me of by you at this time,
touching the cardinal here; and," quoth he, " I can find no default in
him. For when his letters were taken and holden in England, we
heard of it, and asked him thereof; and, by God," quoth he, " he had
the doubles and copies of them, and shewed them all to us ; and we
remember not that any thing was amiss in them." " Sir," quoth I,
¦" did your grace see the double of a letter that he wrote to his clerk
and agent at Rome." " Yea, marry," quoth he, " to one that is all
bis doer there." " Well, sir," quoth I, " if your grace do see the very
original, then shall ye perceive, if the double and it agree." Quoth
he, " Have ye the original here upon you ?" " Yea," quoth I, " that I
have." " Take it out privily," quoth he, " as though it were some
other paper, and let me see it." (The cardinal was in the chamber,
and therefore, think I, he bade me take it out secretly.) I took it
forth of my bosom ; and he took it and Vead it softly, every word from
the beginning to the end. And in one place of the letter, the cardinal
biddeth his agent " soUicit that nothing be done, that might in any
* Know.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 43
wise irritate the king's grace, and his council, against theliberties of the
holy kirk, considering the time is perillous." When the king did read
those words ; " By God," quoth he, " they dread me." " Sir," quoth
I, " they know their own abuses, and they fear lest your grace should
find them." " By my truth," quoth he, " if they do not well, ye shall
ken that I will redress them." When he had read the whole letter,
he took it me again; " And," quoth he, " in good faith, I have seen
the double of it, word by word. But I have good cause to thank the
king, mine uncle; for I see well," quoth he, "if his grace see any thing
that should be to my displeasure or dishonour, he would advertise me
ofit; and by God," quoth he, " I shall do sicklike to him." " Sir,"
quoth I, " doth not your grace perceive by this letter the crafty pre
tences ofthe cardinal?" "Why?" quoth he, "wherein?" "Marry,"
quoth I, " he sheweth himself to be a great friend to your rebels and
traitors, and deviseth to be their judge, because he would deliver
them ; and so your grace may easily see, how he laboureth to bring
into his own hands, both the spiritual, and also the temporal jurisdic
tion of your realm." " No, no," quoth he, " I warrand you, we shall
use him and all his fellows well enough, if they do not their duties.
I may tell you," quoth he, " they dread me. And as for those men,
Hutcheson and Harvy, which ye name traitors to us, in good faith,"
quoth he, " they are but simple men, and it was but a small matter;
and we ourself made the cardinal the minister, both to commit them
to the castle, and also to deliver them." " Sir," quoth I, " the matter
is as ye please to take it ; but it seemed so strange to the king's ma
jesty, your uncle, and in such wise to touch your honour and surety,
that he could not but advertise your grace thereof. And if your
grace," quoth I, " think ye may justly take any advantage thereof, ye
may at your pleasure. If not, the king's majesty prayeth you to
compress it, and keep it secret to yourself." " Yes," quoth he, " I
warrand you, his grace shall hear no more of the same." I assure
your majesty, he excused the cardinal in every thing, and seemed

44 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
wondrous loath to hear of any thing, that should sound as an untruth
in him, but rather give him great praise.
Wherefore, I thought good to leave that matter, and to iterate some
part of the communication, which I had with him before, touching the
alteration of the religious houses in Scotland. And I had ready in my
bosom the device made of the alteration of Christ's church in Canter
bury, which your majesty commanded me to take with me. * I took
the same out ofmy bosom, and said to him, " Sir," quoth I, " your
grace shall see here what a godly alteration the king's majesty, your
uncle, hath made in England, ofthe religious houses there, which be
fore nourished a sort of unprofitable and idle people ;" and so I read
the same alteration to him of the said Christ's church, which, he said,
" Sure was both godly and charitable." " In this sort," quoth I,
" his majesty hath transposed the most notable abbeys in his realm.
And," quoth I, " would your igrace do the like, and take some of
them into your own hands, to the augmentation and increase of your
revenue, surely it should stand much with your honour and great
profit ; and one house so altered, should tend more to the glory of
God than they all now do." " By my truth," quoth he, " I thank
God I have enough to live on, and if we mister f any thing that they
have, we may have it at our pleasure." I began to reprehend their
idle life, their vices, and abuses, wherein he interrupted me, and laugh
ed, saying, " By God," quoth he, " they that be naught, ye shall hear
that I shall redress them, and make them live like religious men, ac
cording to their professions." " Sir," quoth I, " it will be hard to do.'
" Well, " quoth he, " you shall hear tell." And so began he to break
off, as though he had no will to talk more thereof. Which perceiving, I
* Christ Church in Canterbury, which contained the shrine of St Thomas a Becket, was
supposed to be one of the richest monasteries in Europe. It was dissolved by a commission
dated at Westminster, March 20, anno 3 1 Henrici Oclavi, and modelled, under the superin-
tendance of Cranmer, into a collegiate church, containing eight prebendaries, ten petty
canons, nine scholars, and two choristers.— See Steven's Monasticon, Vol. I. p. 385, 386,.
f Need.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 45
thought it not best to press him too far, but rather thought to enter in
some other matter. And after a little pausing, " well, sir," quoth I, " at
my last conference with you, I made a certain motion to your grace
on the king's majesty's behalf, touching such a meeting as was once
devised." " Yea," quoth he, " we shall talk more of that or ye go, and
ye shall have such answer to that, and all your credence, as I trust
shall be to the pleasure of the king, mine uncle, and that," quoth he,
" with good expedition." And so he gave me a gentle countenance,
with his cap in his hand, and bade sir Walter Ogilvy, and sir John Camp
bel to accompany me to my lodging. This is the whole circumstances
of my proceedings and conferences since mine arrival here, whereof I
thought to advertise your majesty, beseeching the same, if I have in
any. part not proceeded directly to your grace's pleasure, to impute
the same to default of knowledge and experience in princes affairs,
and not to any lack or default of good-will, which never shall be
found in me. The next advertisement of my farther proceedings
here, I think I shall bring to your majesty myself: For, as I un
derstand, the king here intendeth to dispatch me away shortly, be
cause he would go abroad in his realm about his pastime ; where
unto, they say, he is marvellously given, and specially to hawking,
both to the heron and the river ; and (as they say) he is a great
toiler and labourer at the same. It is told me that he lieth here pur
posely till I be dispatched, because I should not follow him no far
ther into his realm ; so that, as I perceive, I shall have all expedition
that may be ; which had and obtained, with full answers to my charge
committed to me by your majesty, I shall address myself to the same
with all convenient diligence. Thus the Holy Trinity preserve your
royal majesty with long life and good health, in much joy and felicity,
for ever to endure.

46" EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.

A Letter/tow? Ralph Sadler to one of the Privy Council qf England,
touching the matter preceding.
My duty remembred unto your good lordship : It may please you
to understand, that I arrived here on Tuesday the  day of Fe
bruary. I did so appoint my journey, that the king's horses might be
in Edinburgh within three or four days after mine arrival ; and afore
mine entry into Scotland, I sent the herauld Berwick, and one of mine
own folks, to prepare and appoint me a convenient lodging. They re
sorted to the provost of the town, who was appointed to lodge me ;
and so he shewed unto them a mean lodging, in a poor merchant's
house, which my folks liked not, and required a better. The provost
answered, " That the king's council, and many noblemen, were lodged
in the town, so that he could not appoint any better. But," quoth he
to Berwick, "ye are well acquainted here; if it like you tb seek abroad
in the town, look where you may find any honest house that is meet
for your purpose, and if it be possible to have it ye shall." And so, in
seeking for my lodging, Berwick met with one of the queen the king's
majesty's sister's servants, and told him, " that he could get no lodg
ing for me." " Marry," quoth the queen's servant, "the king hath ap
pointed the provost to see him lodged." Quoth Berwick, " he will ap
point none that is meet." The queen's servant went forthwith, and
told her the same ; whereof she advertised the king, who immediately
sent express commandment to the provost, to lodge me in a reasonable
fair house in the town, which his grace named. Answer was made,
" that the bishop of Ross lodged there." " I say," quoth the king,
" in the foul evil, dislodge the bishop, and see that the house be fairly
furnished against the ambassador's coming." The bishop was forth
with dislodged, and the lodging honestly appointed for me, both with
beds and hanging of coarse tapestry, and all other things necessary. I
assure your lordship, I am right well entertained here, specially of the

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 47
king. And surely it appeareth that I am very welcome to him, and
to the most part of the noblemen and gentlemen here, that be well
given to the verity of Christ's word and doctrine, whereof be a great
number, but the noblemen be young. And, to be plain with you,
though they be well-minded, and diverse other also that be of the
council, and about the king, yet I see none amongst them that hath
any such agility of wit, gravity, learning, or experience, to set forth
the same, or to take in hand the direction of things. So that the king, as
far as I can perceive, is of force driven to use the bishops and his clergy,
as his only ministers for the direction of his realm. They be the men
of wit and policy that I see here ; they be never out of the king's ear.
And if they smell any thing that in the least point may touch them,
or that the king seem to be content with any such thing, straight they
inculk to him, how catholic a prince his father was, and feed him both
with fair words and many, in such wise as by those policies they lead
him (having also the whole governance of his affairs) as they will ; the
prince being given, as he is, to much pleasure and pastime, giving
small cure to his own affairs, but only committing his whole trust to
them. But surely if he had one counsellor well given, that were a
man of a good stomach, and had wit, knowledge, and learning, to go
through with the matter, the king himself is of a right good inclina
tion, and so is a great part of the nobility and commonality of this
realm. I assure your lordship, since my coming hither, I have wished
an hundred times in my heart, that tbe king's grace of Scots had one
such servant and counsellor as the king's majesty hath of you; and, .J
dare say, so would many thousands in Scotland ; for some of the ho
nest men of the court here, and well esteemed, have wished the same
before me since my coming hither. I have no good-will here of the
bishops, and priests, nor any of their band, which is yet too strong fbr
the other side, as far as I can see. They raised a bruit here, " That I
and all my folks did eat flesh here as hereticks and Jews ;" and there
upon open proclamation was made by the commandment of the cardi
nal, in aU- the churches within. his dioceses, " That, whosoever should

48 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
buy an egg, or eat an egg, within those dioceses, should forfeit no
less than his body to the fire, to be burnt as an heretick, and all his
goods confiscate to the king.* And because they* bruited that I and
my folks did eat flesh, (wherein they falsly belied me ; whereupon, as
I gather, the said proclamation was made,) I seemed not to be content
withal], and complained thereof in honest sort to such gentlemen of
the court as resorted to me : insomuch, that the king had knowledge;
thereof, and, incontinently, he sent Rothesay, the herauld, to me, de
claring, " That whatsoever publications were made, the king's pleasure
was, I should eat what I would, and that victuals should be appointed
for me of what I would eat." I thanked humbly his grace, and an
swered, " that I was belied, and. untruly said of. For," quoth I, "I
eat no flesh, nor none of my folks ; nor," quoth I, " is it permitted in
England in the Lent. Marry," quoth I, " I confess that I eat eggs
and white meats, because I am an evil fishman, and I think it none of
fence. For if it were," quoth I, " I would be as loath to eat it as the
holiest of your priests, that thus have belied me." Oh !" quoth he,
" know ye not our priests ? A mischief on them all ! I trust," quoth
he, " the world will amend here once." Thus I had liberty to eat'
what I would. Another bruit they made, " That all my men were
monks, and that I had them out of the abbeys in England, and now
they were serving men." I gave a Greek word on my men's coat-
sleeves, which is, Mbya.txvax.Ti Ivxiva ; the Latin whereof is, Soli regi ser-
vio; a rege tantum pendeo ; ex regis ministerio unus; and such other
may be interpreted of the same. Now, the bishops here have inter
preted my word to be, as they called it, Monachulus, which, as they
say, is in English, " a little monk," as a diminutive of Monachus ; and
thus they affirmed for a verity. Whereupon they bruited that all my
men were monks; but it appeareth they are no good Grecians. And

* I cannot but suspect, that this pretended proclamation must have been misunderstood,
or exaggerated, by Sadler. Pinkerton, however, receives it as authentic.-«-if«fcwy of Scot
land, Vol. H. p. 359.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40- 49
now the effect of my words is known, and they be well laughed at for
their learned interpretation. Thus I trouble your lordship with trifles,
to recreat you withall among your great affairs ; and forasmuch as
I have written at length to the king's majestie of all my conferences
and proceedings here since mine arrival, to the which your lordship
shall' be privie, I therefore omit any thing thereof in these my letters,,
trusting to bring the next advertisement myself. — And thus,. &c.

vol. r.-

50

[In 1541, Sadler was again dispatched to Scotland by Henry VIII. We have no notices of
the progress of his negotiation, but the foUowing voluminous and curious instructions show
to what objects they were directed. James lent a deaf ear to all Henry's arguments on the
subject qf religion ; but it would seem that Sadler wrung from him a dubious consent to
meet his uncle at York, or elsewhere, in the north of England. His breach of this engage
ment filed Henry with deep indignation, and was a principal cause ofthe war which broke
out between England and Scotland in the following year.']

COTT. MSS. Caligula, B. I. f. 52.

INSTRUCTIONS, by the King's Majestie, geven unto his trusty and welbi-
loved servent, Rafe Sadelee, one of the gentilmen of his graces privie
chamber, sent at this tyme unto the King of Scotts.

Wheras the kings majestie hath appointed his trusty and welbiloved servent,
Rafe Sadeler, to resort at this tyme to Scotland, his graces pleasor is that, taking
with him lettres of credence, and such writings as be prepared for him, he shall,
with all convenyent celeritie and diligence, reasorte thither, and addresse him
self to such persones as he shall knowe moost mete to obtayne his accesse to
the king of Scottes. The which, and audyence obteyned, with moost hartie
and affectuouse comendations to him from the kings majestie, his uncle, he
shall delyver his lettres of credence, and therwith saye, that his hieghnes hath
comanded him to visite his grace ; ffor his hieghnes, for the good and specyall
love he beareth unto him, wold be very glad to understande that his saide ne
phew contynueth styll in good helth and prosperitie, and for the singuler affec-
cion and amitie his majestie beareth to his saied nephieu, hath at this time
willed to make, and sende unto him, by the saied Sadlier, a small present and
token of suche comodities as be in this reaulme, thought at this tyme moost mete
for him, requiring him to accepte the same in good parte, considering the good
hert and will, rather than the smallenes of the thing; and so forth with honest
comunicacion and entretenement of word es, to be spoken as thoccasion shalls erve.
The said Sadleyer shall require the king's said nephieu, that forasmoch as his
majestie hath comitted unto him certayne thinges to be declared, that his graces
pleasor may be, at that tyme, or at any tyme shortly hereafter, to appoint him

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 51
favorable audience for to heare his credaunce, to be declared unto himself, on
the king's majesties bihaulf. The said audience obteyned, Mr Sadleyer shall
expounde unto him, That the kings majestie having founde his grace, like a
kinde nephieu, of a veray good disposicion and inclination towards his majestie,
and by sondrie reaports and relations, brought to his hieghnes from dyvers par
ties, hath willed to open his mynde, and propose unto him further than he hath
doon at any tyme ; and, first, to thin lent that his said nephieu might perchaunce
conceave upon sondrie reaports and suggestion, that maye be made unto him
some suspicion or doubte of sinceritie on his uncles bihaulf, by reason of cer
tain apparate fortifications, preparacions, and provisions of warre lately begon to
be made by his majestie within his graces realme and dominions of England, as a
thing that shoulde tende to offende his said nephieu or his ffrendes, his maiestie
hath willed, therefor, the saied Sadleyer to affirme, and for certain tie declare, un
to his good nephieu, that assuredly, and without doubte, his graces saied pre
parations be onely made for his defence, and for the suretie and savegarde of
his good subjectes and realme, uppon certayn eonspiracions practised against his
noble majestie and realme, by the bishopp of Rome, and certayn his adherents
and allies, intending his graces destruction by hoke or by croke, by phas or ne-
phas, and the subversion of his hole comonwealth ; ffor advoydaunce whereof,
and for the defence of the hole, his majestie hath caused suche preparacions to
be made, as he trusteth, with the helpe of God, (whose cawse he taketh and de-
fendeth,) shalbe hable to withstande all the malice and conspiracie of the said
bishopp, his adherents, and consorts; and whatsoever evail they shall take to of
fende his majestie and realme, his hieghnes doubteth not, but they shall find his
hieghnes and all his subjects so ready to defend themself, and so to withstand
their violence, that after his saied enemyes shall have ones tasted therof, and
taken thair assaye, his grace trusteth, with the healpe of God, they shall have
little lust to go any further in thair attemptats. For this purpose doith his
majestie prepare and provide, and for noon other; for to defende,, and not to
offende; onles th'offence shalbe in his defence; and therfore his hieghnes
praieth his good nephieu, that whatsoever reaporte shalbe made unto him, that
might engendre any suspicion, or cawse any diminution of thair amitie, that he
woide geve no eare, herkenyng, nor bileave therunto ; ffor assuredly his majestie
entendeth, not onely to kepe and observe the hole tenor of the treaties of peax
and alliaunce betwen them, but also, fyndyng him his good and gratefull ne
phieu, as his majestie, by the reaporte of his herault Lancaster, lately retorned
from thens, and also sondrie other wayes, is advertised his highnes woll studye
to encreace thair amitie, aud bring the same to such perfeccion as maie be to
the greatest comforte of both thair reaulmes that ever was; and therfor his
majestie praieth him also, that, like a gentle kynd nephieu, and a prudent and a
wise prince, he wolbe and cpntynewe of like mutuell disposicion, whatsoever
might be reaported or affirmed to him to the contrary ; ffor assuredly shall he

52 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
fynde thad his majestie shall shewe his good. purpose and this amyable declaration
to be true in dede. Oneles he shulde be letted therof, as God forbidd, by the
in disposicion of his saied nephieu, and by unkyndnes be dryven and constrayned
therto, as his grace trusteth it shall never be seen; and further, to thintent his
good nephieu be not deceaved, under the color of leligion, and persuasion of
uutrue and fayued tales, that might, by the crafte of his uncle's enemyes, be set
forth as thingfs of moost excellent pitie and holynes, albeyt his majestie, know
ing- that his said nephieu. (by his siniplicitie, truly meanyng and- persuaded not
to attribute to himself any lernyng or knowleage in maters of, religion, but to
leave the judgement and determination thereof to his clergie,) contynueth still
in his persuasion of the bishopp of Romes, (his cardynalls, adherents, and cler
gie of that sort,) holynesses, and that he is vicar of Christ in erth ; whereupon
seing the difficultie his highnes thinketh it shulde be to dissuade a thing alredy
so persuaded and beaten into his sayd nephew's heed, therfor is veray loth to
move any thing concernyng the said bishopp that shulde. offende his said ne
phew, yet neverlheles, both bicaus of the glorye of God, and that the mater towch-
eth tlie hieghnesses of both kings, the uncle, and nephieu, and: is of good im
portance to them both, his majestie is in maner compelled and constrayned, so
that (for to warne his good nephieu) he cannot but somewhet towch and open
the crafte, illusion, and deee-iptful practises of the said bishopp, to both thair
greate disavantage, if the said bishopp could conipasse his purpose to the evil
ende that is by him intended; wherby, for the causes aforsaid, his majestie
praieth his good nephieu, that contynuyng in such good simplicitie (as he
•doith) not attributing to modi to his wyt, knowleage, or. learning, but sub
mitting the same utterly to the worde and doctrine of God, he woll never-
thelesjoyne to that simplicitie, as Christ commanded his disciples, the prudence
of a serpent; that is, not to thinke himself, as perchaunce sondrye of his clergie
woolde have him to be, as brute as a stocke; or to. mistrust, that his wytts
which he hath receaved of God, be not hable to perceave Christ's worde, which
-his grace hath left to us common to be understanden by all Christen men, as
well by such as be learned in the Laten tongue,. and heythen authors, and scrip
tures, as also bythe unlearned, as thapostles were; not doubting but his good
nephieu, endewed with such reason and wilt, may as well understande theffect
ofthe true doctrine, and knowe the trowth of thinges, as the moost ofthe cler
gie, comonly-ledd by ihaffeccion they have to thair maintenance owt of, thair
princes hand, and of theirauctoritie in pompe and pride.
Seconde, The king's majestie, his uncle,i requireth his good nephieu, that for
his bettie and moost assured knowledge, as well of the bishopp of Rome and
his clergie as of other, he woll no lesse marke andigeve credaunce to thair
workes and dedes, than to thair fayer paynted wordes, the which maye be onely
judged fayvred or unfavred by workes and deds; and observyng the same, his

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 53
hieghnes doubteth not but he shall fynde moche ease and perfeccion of know
ledge of the veray truelh by the same, for that shall induce him to leane unto
the pure worde of God, and to passe light uppon dreams of men, abused by
supersticion, to blynde princes and other persons of moch simplicitie.
Third, His highnes prayeth his good nephiew, that like as he hath doon hereto
fore, he woll have regard that thorough the bishopp of Rome and his adherents,
like false and leyenge reaports as they have made to sondry princes of Chris
tendom, upon his uncle depraving all his good intencious, purposes, and dcedes,
he shal notconceave any evill opinion of his good uncle, nor be persuaded to
thinke of him otherwise than of every christen, fidei, and catholique, as he is in
dede the contrary whereof, nevertheles his enemyes by (wresting of his doings
to a perverse sense and interpretacion, as different from the veray true meanying
of his highnes, as the night is from the daye,) do sklaundre his grace ; and
the said bishopp sendeth about some of his misties of the principall sorte to
evill reaporte, backbyte and sklaundre his majestie to the princes of Christen
dom and suborneth raonkes, freers, and preachers, to diffame his grace to the
common sort and people of Christendom, moved so do whatsoever he pretendeth
under other colors, onely bicause his hieghnes, sticking to the word of God;
hath abolished not onely certain thair Komayn abuses and supersticions in his
realme; and taken upon him to exercise that power and autoritie upon his
chuvch -of England, and the clergie thereof, that the bishopp of Rome many
yeares craftly and deceiptfully had usurped from his majestie, as he doith usurpe
upon his good nephieu, aud other kings and princes of Christendom, to thair
greater detriment, then doubtles they be ware of, and albeyt his majestie trust
eth his good nephiews circumspection and prudence to be such as he wold not
prynt'in his hert and mynd any evyll opinion or sinistre rhocion against him ;
yett forasmoch as his majestie knoweth, the said bishop and his adherents for
the mayritenaunce of their auctoritie, pride, and pompouse lyvyng, woll do
thair uttermost to bring all the world in an evill opinion of his majestie, and
move, irritate, and styrre them to endammage his hieghnes and subjects, if it
canne be in his power, although his grace mistrusteth not the Wysdorn of kin^s
and princes, to be such as being allied with his highnes, they woil not serve to
the sayd byshops lusts and unlawfull desires, as his mistres now be lightly mov
ed to beleave of his highnes thair frend and allie, any sinistre reaporte or
sklaundre, but rather rejecte that sorte of nuncios and sklaundrous orator, as
themperor affirmeth to have latetly doon by the Cardinall Pole, the kings re
bell, who wanderith about to publishe a bull of the said bishops against his
hieghnes, so distaunt, and farre different and wide from all equitie, humanitie,
and reason, as hell is from heavyn, nor- unworthie to be compared unto hell, as
a veray synke of all wyckednes, crueltye, and tyranye; cloked, nevertheles,
with a cloke of religion, t' abuse the simple unprudent therewith. His grace

54 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
trusteth that the French king, his good brother, whiche sheweth no lesse amitie
unto him than ever he did, woll eyther not admitte the saied Poole, or reject
him as themperor hath doon, yet, nevertheles, forasmoch, as his majestie
doubteth not, but such evill angelis and tentators shal be sent unto his saied
nephieu to seduce him if they canne, his hieghnes hath thought to warne and
advertise his good brother and nephieu, eftsones to geve no light credaunce to
thair tales ; and to beware to becom mynystre of the sayd bishopp, suffering the
cruaultie of his bull, qgnteyning his uncles diffamations, to be published, nor
any effect thereof to be executed, thinking the sayd bull to be noon other than
a veray ravenyng wolf under a sheps skynne. And in cace his good nephieu
shuld be in any thing concerning his good uncles procedings, in doubte or half
persuaded by them, that yett he woll suspende the full persuasion, untill such tyme
as he maye be better enformed of the trueth from those parties. Assuring him,
that like as by his dealings to the contrary, and obeying to the bishopp of
Romes, and to his satellits, charmes, and incantacions, he shulde do against
thonor, not onely of his said uncle, but also of all other kings and princes of like
estate and degree, whose sklander redoundeth to the hole ordre. So at the last,
the same shuld torne to his dishonor and greate detriment ; and perchaunce,
upon a veray light cace, the said bishopp might take occasion for the favor of
the clergie, if he shuld go about to redresse or reforme any of thair misde
meanors in Scotland, to serve him a like as he wold serve the king's hieghnes.
The practises of prelats and clerks be wondrouse, and thair juglyng so craftye,
as oneles a man be ware therof, and as oculate as Argus, he maye be lightly ledd
by the nose, and beare the yoke, yea and (yett for blyndenes) not to knowe
what he doith. They have alredy prepared such false interpretations of scrip
ture, and layed such snares in the waye of princes to deceave them, that prin
ces ought consideratly to thinke upon, or ells be deceyved. These persuasions
the king's majestie (havyng passed the daungier of such thinges, and had ex
perience of the matters,) is more constant to require of his good nephewe, de*
siring him now affectuously to waye and consider the same ; and never to be-
leave any such absurd reaports of any prince, till he hath herd the saying of the
partie sklaundred, ffor no judgement shuld be geven partie inaudita. The said
Sadler shall as of himself affirme to the king of Scotts, that being he of his
uncles privye chambre, and of long season accoynted with his procedinges, he
knoweth the king his masters true meanyng, upright dealing, and procedinges
to be of such reason, truth, and innocencie, as he wisheth all the world might
know the ground and veray secrecies therof. And that the kings hieghnes
doubteth not, but to his greate prayse,all the world wold allowe his doyngs. If
they wold heare the groundes, reasons, and circumstances therof, yea, and fur
ther, his majestie shuld accept for a very kind parte yf his nephew, or any other
prince that were perchaunce sinistrely enformed therof, shuld desire his hiegh-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40. 55
nes, by waye of frendlye amitie, to enforme them of his veray true meanyng,
reason, and grounde of suche his procedinges, as be sklaundred abrode to the
perverse sense bifore his said nephieu, or they shuld persuade themselfs therto.
And that assuredly his majestie tenderith so-moch, that his good brother and
nephieu shuld conceave no evill opinion of him ; that he wold not sticke for
that purpose, and entreteng of thair amitie and alliaunce, and increase of love,
not onely to sende unto the king his nephew, secretly some good, honest, and
true lerned man, to enforme him therof, if he were disposed to geve unto them,
(he himself, without the presence of his clergie, or thair partiall fau tors,) favo
rable audience and permission so to do, but also in his majesties own person,
take payne to approche nerer those parties in som commodiouse place, and
take a tyme with his own mouth, and very worde to declare himself, and other
many thinges to the king his nephew, if his grace receaving good and sufficient
hostages, (if nede were, or if he mistrusted any thing,) wold vouchsafe to mete
and assemble in any commodiouse'parte northwarde, nere unto thair borders, with
his majestie ; not doubtiage, but his said nephiew shuld afterwarde thinke the
same so commodiouse unto him as he wold for no good have forborne it. The
costs and charges were not great for both parties ; intending his majestie as he
is advised for this somer, to take his progresse northward, and his good nephiew
not farr distaunt from the same, might take his progresse thiderward, yet,
nevertheles, he remitteth the same to his nephews discrecion, perceaving that
by the meanes of his clergie, by all likelihode he shall be (as he was sometyme
afore,) dissuaded of the same, and persuaded to the contrary.
Finally, The kings hieghnes hearing, by true intellygences ancL-advertise-
ments, that the bishopp of Rome, and his faccion of cardynalls, and adherents,
have conspired in any wyse to compasse his majesties and true subjects destruc-
cions, (as with Godd's grace, it shall never be in thair powers, and assuredly his
hieghnes doubteth not thereof,,) and for to bring thair mischevouse purpose,
that they do intende to irritate and seduce both themperor and the French
king, and his said nephew also, against his uncles majestie ; and as som of his
graces intelligences do support the sayd bishopp, intend eth under fayer wordes
to allure the king of Scotts, by the meane of other princes, if he canne get them
•(as his majestie trusteth be shall not, and that they be to wyse and circumspect
to condescende to such, his cruell and tyrannik purposes,) to make his sayd ne
phew, bicause his realme adjoyneth unto England, and as a prince and a king,
on whose perill and daunger they have not moch regard, but only for thair own
purpose, to be a ringleader and chief setter-forth of hostilitie against his uncle,
not caryng whither both uncle and nephiew shuld consume ech other, so that
the holy father and his apostells of Rome (God knoweth how far unlike to
Christ and his apostells,) might have thair purpose. Therfor, his majestie re-
quireth his sayd nephew to waye what fayer wordes, promises, and amities, be at

56 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1539-40.
this day emongs many men, who for the moost parte do love for thair own pro-
fite, assuredly his sayd nephewe maye be assured that sondrye his frends called,
have not (to saye the trowthe) loved him, but loved onely the , commoditie and
profit which they myght take of hym, and fedd him for thair own purpose, to
his greate losse; disquiet, and damage, and for a reward procured his destrucciou.
And to the contrary, (if lie knowe well the trouthe,) such as he toke for his ad
versaries, meaned well towards him and his preservaeion. Lett him remember,
that no prince hath so gfeate instinct of nature to love him as the king's hiegh
nes, being so nere of his kinne and blud, and as his good uncle beareth no lesse
affeccion to him than a father to his own child, as he hath often tymes shewed.
If evill reaporters, which were about his sayd nephew,, wold have suffered, the
same to be so taken, and to have knowen and tried the trowth, his majestie. re-
quireth him to considre what amitie and love hath been between sondrye of
thair predecessors toguether, more than ever was beitween any other princes,
as lately with his noble predecessor King Henry the Fifth, who. was with his
predecessors power assisting to his conquest of .Fraunce, and after his decesse,
the bodye aeompanyed tu London. And latelyer, the greate favor and love his
majesties father King Henry VHth. of noble memorye, bare unto King James,
whom God absolve, whieh amities were never broken of the English partie, but
ever by the instigacion of other, under colour of sincere amitie, which was no
thing so, but rather fayned, the breache hath been begon on that partie, how
moch to thair detriment his highf.es is sorye to thenke upon. Wherfor, his
majestie adviseth him, as a veray uncle shuld, his loving nepheiew to consider and
waye well what the amities of sondrye princes to him be, and have been, why, and
wherfor, and to forsee what might chaunce. If he shuld fortune for other meyns
pleasor attempte any entre prise, specially where the matier that his hieghnes de-
fendeth isGodds, and his words own cawse, and the conservacion ofthe ryghtof
kings and princes, usurped by the sayd bishopp. The king's majestie exhorteth
not his nephewe to departe from his amytie tbat be hath with Fraunce and ells-
where, (for they be his majesties frends also,) rather willing to conciliate amytie
betwen them, if there were any enemitie ; but his meaning is, that his nephiewe
shalbe ware what entreprises he taketh for any other princes pleasor; and to
have regard that, in such thinges (that sort of circumspection bt had) as crassa:
iguorantia, vvhiehe excuscth not the conscience, maye be avoyded.
il

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND

IN

1543.

VOL. J. H

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND in 1543.

The ruin and disgrace which fell upon the Scottish arms by the rout at Solway
Moss broke the heart of James V. ; and his daughter, born a few days before his death,
succeeded to a crown which was seldom a blessing to its owners. Henry VIII. con
ceived the natural and rational purpose qf uniting the two kingdoms by a contract of
marriage betwixt Edward his son and the infant lieiress qf Scotland. The prisoners
taken at Solway Moss were treated with kindness, and finally dismissed upon their pa-
vole, and solemn promise to aid this project qf the English monarch. Among these
were the earls qf Cassilis and of Glencairn, the lords Maxwell, Somerville, Oliphant,
and Gray. They were sent down to Scotland, that they, might assist with their influ
ence in a parliament called by the earl of Arran, now regent of Scotland. Our Sir
Ralph Sadler was dispatched by Henry as his plenipotentiary on this important occa
sion, with instructions, it would seem, to keep the liberated captives steady to their en
gagements, to extend and strengthen the English influence in the Scottish parliament,
and to labour for compleating the contract upon the terms most advantageous for
England. But, before his arrival, the Scottish parliament had adopted a set qf arti
cles upon this important subject, which the reader will find subjoined. The principal
provision respected the custody qf the infant princess; the parliament demanded that
she should reside in Scotland until she was £en years old complete, hostages being offer
ed to Henry for her delivery at that period. The English monarch was desirous that
she should be immediately put into his power.

ACT APPOINTING AMBASSADORS TO BE SENT TO ENGLAND.
March the riiijaj vc and xlii.
The quhilk day anentis ye artiklis proponit be my lord chanceler, tuiching the
depesche of thair imbassadoris nemmit in the conduct send be the king of Ing-
land to pass towart him, to trete, commoun, contract, and conclude uponne the
peis beluix the realmes, lang or schort, or larig as may be gottin, be land and
5

6*0 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
se ; and sicklik, to commoun, trete, conclude, and contract uponne mariage be*
tuix the quene our souerane, and Edward prince of Valis, and'apperand here-
tour of Ingland, and in his behalf with the ryght excellent prence Henry king
of Ingland his fader. The Jordis of artiklis eftir that thai had hard my lord
governours mynd in that behalf, haif and consideration of the aduersite of
tyme bigane, and of the dangerous apperand of stait of the tyme instant, and
sicklik to cum, hes concludit that ane ample commissioun be maid, and send
with the imbassadoris that ar to depart to the said king of Ingland, for taking,
treting, and concluding of ane pece, perpetual-lie, or for lang tyme or schort ;
and sicklik ane uthyr commissioun to be maid to the saidis imbassadoris, to
commoun, trete, conclude, and contract the said mariage ; with sic restrictions
and condittions as sal be gevin to thaim be my lord governour, with avise ofthe
lordis to be chosin be him thareto, and as thai devise, to produce the samin
agane before the lordis of artiklis, that thai may consult thereupon ; of tbe
quhilkis the tenor followk.
The Instructions to tlie Imbassatouris to be send to the King qf Ingland, for contract
ing of Peice and Mariage, ^c. to be extendit at large.
In the first, the arrange to be maid at lenth ansuerand to the king of Ing
landis first writtingis, and all utheiis in schort and brief send sensfiie as sal be
devisit. < ^
Item, The commissioun for contracting of the said mariage beand amply con-
sauit and red to the king of Ingland, or his commissaris, it is supponit thai will
desyre certain oqyntis and securite for keeping of the said contract, to the
quhilks it sal be ansuerit be the saidis imbassatouris., and sal be desirit be thaim
for the part of Scotland, as efter followis :
And first, Geve it be askit on the king of Inglandis behalf, that the quenis
grace our souerane lady be deliverit .to him, or in Ingland, to be kepit quhill the
completeing ofthe said mariage ; it is to be ansuerit, that it is an ryte hie and
ryte grete inconvenient to the realme of Scotland to grant thairto, for sic resons
and causis as the imbassadouris hes hard declarit be the counsale of Scotland,
and as thai can schew particulate be thaimselfis, not belevand that the king of
Inglandis majestie is of sic hie wisdome that he will nevir desyre the samin.
Tharefor, it cannot be grantit be resoun, bot that hir grace may remane and be
kepit in this realme quhill sche may be abill to complete mariage.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 61
Item, As for the keping of our said souerane ladyis personne within the realme
of Scotland, it is devisit and ordainit be the thre estatis of this realme in parlia
ment, that hir personne be kepit and nurist principallie be hir moder, and four
lordis of the realme that ar lest suspect, and chosen thareto.
Item, In caiss it be desirit for the part of the king of Ingland, that sum Ing-
lismen, or Inglis ladyis be present with our souerane lady, &c. To that it is to
be ansuerit, that it sal be leful to put honourable knyts of Ingland, ane or twa,
with als mony ladyis of honour, witli thair servandis, men and women, to re
mane for the mair suir keping of our said souerane ladyis personne, and to re
mane uponne the king of Inglandis expenses; and in caiss that our said souerane
ladyis moder deceis, or depart furth ofthe realme of Scotland, there sal be cho-
sin sum of the maist nobill and vertuis ladyis of that realme to remane with hir
grace. Item, Gif ft be desirit for the part of Ingland, that secu rite be maid for de
livering of our said souerane lady within Ingland at her pertite aige, abill of the
law to be maryit, and for' fulfilling of the said contract in all pointis ; and first
gif thai desyre our said souerane ladyis personne, it sal be ansuerit as is afor
writtin. And gif thai desire ony strenthis of the realme in pledge and securite,
or uthir pledges, sic as baronis or nobillmen of the realme, it sal be ansuerit
to that artikle, lik as for the delivering of the quenis persoun, and be sic resons
as the saidis imbassatouris can schew.
Item, In caiss the contract of mariage pass fordwart, and beis concordit with,
sic condesions as is before writtin, it is to be desirit for the part of Scotland,
that the realrne stand in the awin liberte and fredomes, as it is now and has bene
in all tymes bigane, to be gidit and gouernit be my lord governour that now is,
quhill our said souerane ladyis perfite aige, bot ony stope or impediment lo be
maid to him be the king Ingland or his successouris, and that the said lord go
vernour sal tak up and intromet with all, and sundry the rentis, profittis, and emo-
kimentis, baith of properte, and casualite, to be disponit be his grace as he sail
think expedient, without ony compt to be maid be him or his successouris there-
uponne, als wele in tymes bigane sen he was declarit governour, as in tyme to
cum. Item, The quenis grace being of perfit aige, and mareit in Ingland, it is te. be
prbvidit for the state, rycht, and liberte of the realme, and how all sould stand
and be gydit at all tymes tharefter, quhidder our said souerane lady haif succes-
sioun of hir pers'oune or nane ; tharefore, it sal be desirit as efter followis, that is
to say, that this realme sal evir haif and beir the name of Scotland, and to broke

62 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.'
the auld liberte, privileges, and fiedomes, in all estatis, as it hes bene in all tymes
bigane, and sal be gidit and governit under ane governour, borne of the realme
self, and sal be gidit be the awin lawis, and sal haife ane continuale and perpe-
tuale sete and college of justice, sitand in the tolbuith of Edinburgh, sicklike as
it is statute and ordainit be the kingis grace, quom God assolzie, and salfhaif all
sheriffis, stewartis, and utheris ofReiaris sicklik as thai ar now at this tyme,. with
out ©ny appellation, reclamation, or seking ony remeid of law upon the court
forth of the realme of Scotland.
Item, That oiir souerane lady induring hir liftyme, nor hir successouris, kingis
or quenis of Ingland, sail not call or summond ony of the realme of Scotland ta
ony the parliaments or courtis, except to the parliaments or courtis to be haldin
within the realme self.
Item, That in caiss the quenis grace our souerane lady cummis to perfite aige,
and passis forth of the realme, it is to be desirit, that my lord governour that now
is, remane governour of thys realme for all the dayis of his lif, and efter his de-
ceiss, that the narrest lauchful of his blude, abill to succede, and to exerce the
said office, sal be maid governour of the realme be our said souerane lady and hit
successouris succedand tothe crone of Ingland, be large and ample commission,
of the quhilk the forme is to be devisite.
Item, Gif it happens our said souerane lady to be maryit, as said is, with the
prince of Ingland, it is to be desirit, that in caiss it sail happen the said prince
deceis before hir grace, without ony airis lawful to be gottin betuix thaim, our
said souerane lady sal be deliuerit agane be the king of Ingland and his succes
souris in the realme of Scotland for unmareit to ony other man, or of ony other
band, baith of hir personne and of hir realme.
Item, In caiss it sail happin our said souerane lady to haif airis and succes
souris lawfullie to be gottin of hir body betuix hir and. the" said Prince Eduart,
gif it happins thame, or thair lawful successioun linealie descendand of thaim to
falze in ony maner of wayis, than and in that caiss the narrest and lawful air to
our said souerane lady and hir airis and successouris forsaidis into this realme be
the lawis of the samin, sal haif full rycht and regress to the crone and realme,
and sail broike and joiss the samin, with rycht, and liberteis, and fredomes,siclik>
as it has bene in tymes bigane without ony impediment, clame, or rycht, that
may tuich ony properte or possessioun in ony maner of wayis in all or part? to be
askit thareto be the king of Ingland, or the successouris to our said souerane
lady.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 63
Memorand. To ask landis to be gevin to our said souerane lady in dowre, ex
tending be zeir to X. M. Li. Striueling fre of all charges, and lyand nixt the
boundis of Scotland.
Item, Gif it happins the said contraict of mariage to be complitit, and our
said souerane lady deliuerit in Ingland, notwithstanding all the strenthis of Scot
land sail remane in the handis of the nobill men of the realme, as sail pleiss my
lord governour, ay and tjuhile there be lawful succession gottin betuix the saidis
Prince Eduart and our said souerane lady apperand to succede to the crone of
Scotland and Ingland.

The Instructions ofthe Peice and Artiklis of new to be eikit thareto.
Item, It is thocht expedient, that the peice perpetualie be contractit betuix
realmes efter the forme of the auld peice, levand proviso.
Item, That it be providit in the peice anent the debatable landis to be devi-
<dit, swa that ilk realme may ken their awin part, and punish the inhabitants
thareof for their demerits, providing alwayis that Canybe fall hale to Scotland.
Item, That the debatable ground betuix Tiviotdale and Ingland be markil and
marchit, sua that every realme knaw thair awin pairt, and utheris partis of the
marchis quhare ony -question of pley is.

The parliamentary commissioners appointed to carry these articles to England, were,
Sir James Learmonth qf Balcomy, Sir William Hamilton qf Sanquhar, and Henry
Balnavis qf Hall-hill, secretary qf state. In the course qf the negociation, the earl qf
Glencairn and Sir George Douglas were dispatched to their assistance with some mo
dification qfthe terms.

LETTERS

DURING

THE EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND
in 1543.

A TuB.WE&from Sir Ralph Sadler to the King's Majesty qf England,
the 9,0th of March, 1543*
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that upon Sunday, at af
ternoon, I arrived here at Edinburgh ; and, the day before, they had
prorogate their parliament, till upon a new summons, which, as I un
derstand, they intend to call in April or May, if the cause shall so re
quire. Upon my arrival I repaired forthwith to the governour,* whom
I found in a garden at the palace of Holyrood-house, and delivered un-
Vo him your majesty's letters, with your majesty's hearty commendations,
according to my instructions. And after he had demanded of your ma
jesty's health, and welcomed me, which he did in very gentle sort, he read
your grace's letters : And that done, took me a little a-part, and again
paying, " That I was very heartily welcome •" with further, " That he per-
* James Hamilton, earl of Arran, next heir to the crown, and governor of Scotland.
VOL. I. 1

J)6 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
ceived I had credence unto him, he would, with right good will, hear the
same." Whereupon I thought to enter with him, and so declared my
credence committed unto me by your majesty, in such manner and form
in effect as my instructions do purport. He answered me, " That your
majesty had his heart above all princes; and that your grace should
have him at command in all things reasonable, saving his duty of al
legiance to his sovereign lady and this realm." Thus he qualified his
affection, and said, " That the ambassadors were dispatched, and ready
to take their journey towards your majesty, with such things as, he
trusted, should content your majesty." There was a great company of
noblemen and gentlemen about him, which pressed so near him, as it
seemed to me, that either he would fain have had me in some other
place, where he might have secretly communed with me, or else in
tended to take counsel afore he entred farther with me. For so he
knit up his talk, (as indeed he is a man of no long communication or
great discourse,) saying, " He would the next day speak with me more
at length, and thought it nieet for me to go rest myself for th&l tiSri©,
because I had so travelled." Whereunto I said, " That I was indeed
weary of riding, and would therefore follow his advice, and wait upon
him again at his pleasure." He bade Sir George Douglas* convoy me
to my lodging, which he did. Whilst the said governour was reading
your grace's letters, the noblemen about him, with the chancellor, be
ing the bishop of Glasgow, f the earls of Angus, ;f Huntley, Glencairii,
* Sir George Douglas of Pittendriech, brother to Archibald, seventh earl of Angus. He
was a man of spirit and talents ; shared with his brother in the power which he possessed
during the minority of James V.; was banished with him, and almost all ,tlje name of
Douglas, into England, where they remained till the death of the king ; and were then
sent by Henry back to their native country, along with the Solway prisoners, in order t6
strengthen the English party iu Scotland. In the subsequent part ofthe letter,, Sir George
is styled only Mr Douglas. This is not a solitary instance of a knight being distinguished
by this inferior title. Sir Walter Raleigh was knighted in 1584-5, yet in a letter, quoted
by Dr Birch, in his Memoirs of Elizabeth, Vol. I. p. 55, he is ealled Mr Raleigh ; and our
-Sir Ralph Sadler is, in some correspondence of this time, called Mr Sadler.
t Gavin Dunbar, archbishop of Glasgow, had been chancellor for fourteen years during
"the reign of James V., and was continued in office on Arran's becoming regent.
j Archibald Douglas, the seventh earl of Angus. He had married the queen-dowager

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 67
Cassils, Marishal, with others divers that were there, did embrace and
welcome me in gentle sort. And so being accompanied to my lodg
ing, with the said Sir George Douglas, and divers other gentlemen
about him, by the way we talked of their parliament at large ; in
which talk the said Sir George told me, "That they had agreed all
well together ; and though in the beginning one began to grin at an
other, yet was there none that would bite, nor they would not fall out
amongst themselves, whereby they might the rather make themselves
a prey to their enemies." And with this talk of the manner of the
holding of their parliament, whereat they wished I had been to see
the same, in general words we passed the way to my lodging ; and
being entred into my chamber, I told Mr Douglas that I longed to
speak with him, and had much matter to commune with him from
your majesty. He desired no less to speak with me, as he said ; and
so we drew a-part by ourselves. I began with him in this sort: " That
your majesty had commanded me to use his advice in all things as his
trusty servant ; and therefore I prayed him first to declare unto me
the state of all things here, as your majesty trusted he would do sin
cerely." " Marry," quoth he, " I have laboured with all my power to
do the king's majesty service, and will do while I live, wherein I have
always pretended outwardly the commonwealth of Scotland, and spake
not much of England, because I would not be suspected. And I am
sure," quoth he, " I have so bent my wits thereunto, as I trust I have
deserved thanks of his majesty. I slept not," quoth he, " three hours
in one night thir six weeks. For," quoth he, " we have had much
business with many noblemen, and of the greatest sort, as the earls of
Huntley, Argyle,* Bothwel, and Murray, which would have made a
of Scotland, relict of James IV., and possessed great power during James V's. minority.
But the king, upon assuming the regal authority, banished Angus, his family, and favourers,
and they remained in England until his death. They had just returned to Scotland, and
been restored by parliament.
* Archibald, fourth earl of Argyle. He died 1558.

$8 EMBASSY- TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
party against us, if they could, with almost the whole clergy, and de
termined to have holden another parliament in St Johnston ; but,"
quoth he, " I have prevented them, and got the town before them, so
that they could not settle there ; and then the governour, by mine ad
vice, sent them an express commandment, under pain of treason, to
come to the parliament, and to attend on him at the same, for the com
mon weal of the realm : which," quoth he, " they (perceiving them
selves not able to make a party) were fain to do, save the earl of Ar
gyle, who sent his procurator, being himself very sick. And now,"
quoth he, " all is well, and we have kept our parliament honourably,
agreeing well together, and have concluded, by open parliament, that
the king's majesty shall have the marriage of our young mistress, and
that we shall be assured friends to England for ever, as," quoth he, " I
wrote to my Lord William* lately. By the which (if he send my letters
to the king's majesty, as I hope, he will) his highness shall perceive the
whole plot of our doings here in our parliament. And now," quoth
he, " our ambassadors be ready to go to his majesty, with full power
to conclude and contract the marriage : Which being done, there is no
doubt but, by little aud little, his majesty shall have his whole desire.*
And this," quoth he, " is the state of those affairs." " Mr Douglas,"
quoth I, " the king's majesty hath a trust and confidence in you, and
my lord, your brother, whom he taketh for his' faithful servants; and
his majesty," quoth I, " forgetteth not the large promises and offices.
of your said brother, and the other noblemen which lately were with
him, of the good success whereof his majesty is daily in expectation,
and yet since the beginning he hath had but cold advertisements from
you: Wherefore, I pray you," quoth I, " how be the noblemen affected
to his majesty ? which be assured of his majesty's party ? and why have
ye not written more frankly from time to time ?" " By my truth," quoth
he, " for my part and my brbther's, we have written from time to time as
things have gone here ; but for the offices and promises of the lords ye
* i. e. Lord. William Howard.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 6<J
speak of, I told you," quoth he, " at Newcastle, they were never, nor yet
be able to perform them, though the most of them be well affected, as
the earls of Glencairn and Cassils, the lords Maxwel, Soniervail, and
Gray : The rest," quoth he, " are mean men, and the others that be of any
power are slipt and gone ; so that there is no hold of them, specially
the Earl Bothwel is the worst that may be. But," quoth he, " my
brother and I have many friends come to us ; so that we, with those
noblemen aforementioned, which have been assured to the king's ma
jesty, are too strong a party for the rest, so long as we keep the gover
nour that he start not from us ; for by him we must work all things
for the king's purpose, unless we should go to it by force, whereunto,"
quoth he, " the time serveth not." " Well," quoth I, " Mr Douglas,
the king's majesty hath had large offers, as ye know, both for the go
vernment of the realm, and to have the child brought into his hands,
with also the strong holds, according to your promises ; and if your
ambassadors should now come with mean things, not agreeable to his
highness, you are a wise man, ye know what may ensue thereof."
" Why," quoth he, " his majesty shall have the marriage offered to be
contracted, and they have authority to conclude it ; and having that
first, the rest of his desires may follow in time. But for my part,"
quoth he, " I made no such promise as ye speak of; and they that
made such promises, are not able to perform them. For surely," quoth
he, " the noblemen will not agree to have her out of the realm, be
cause she is their mistress ; but they are content, that the king's ma
jesty shall appoint some gentlemen of England, and some English la
dies, to be here about her person, for her better tuition, at his majesty's
pleasure ; and this entry at the first may bring her wholly into his
hands in short time ; but I tell you," quoth he, " all things cannot be
done at once. And this I have done," quoth he, "by my policy since
I came hither. First, I have so insinuate myself with the governour,
that I am in chief credit with him ; I have caused him pull down the
cardinal, who was, and would have been, chief enemy to the king's

70 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
purposes ; * I have brought the said governour also wholly to the
king's majesty's devotion; so that he esteemeth his majesty above
all other princes, and clean have I altered him from France, so that he
and all this realm shall be wholly dedicate to his majesty. And now,"
quoth he, " the marriage being concluded, and a knight or a noble
man of England, with such English ladies as shall please the king to
set about the person of this young lady, being once appointed, the
league and band of France being also refused and annulled here, where
at," quoth he, " there will be no sticking ; the subjects of both the
realms having liberty to have intercourse, and to resort one with other
without safe conduct, which shall engender a love and familiarity be
twixt them ; and the noblemen and young gentlemen here, repairing
from time to time to the court of England, being well and gently en
tertained there, as the king's majesty, of his gentle nature, can well
entreat them ; yea," quoth he, " and the governour himself also co
ming to his majesty, as he hath promised. These things," quoth he,
" in time shall bring the nobility of this realm so far in love with his
majesty, that he shall have the whole direction and obedience of the
same at his pleasure. And again," quoth he, " of the other party ; if
there be any motion now to take the governour from his state, and to
bring the government of this realm to the king of England, I assure
you, it is impossible to be done at this time. For," quoth he, " there is
not so little a boy but he will hurl stones against it, and the wives will
handle their distaffs, and the commons universally will rather die in
it, yea, and many noblemen and all the clergy be fully against it ; so
that," quoth he, " this must needs follow of it : The cardinal shall be
set at liberty, who hath been much sued for, and yet we have keeped
him in maugre their hearts ; ambassadors shall be sent into France ; the
French army, if it do arrive here, as it is thought, which we do intend
* Cardinal Bethune, who, as a Roman Catholic prelate, was totally averse to the English
match, was at present imprisoned by the governor in the castle of Dalkeith. He was
transferred to Blackness, and from thence he prevailed on the governor to let him go to his
own castle of St Andrews, under the guard of Lord Seton.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 71
to resist and to fight with them, if they come, shall be accepted ; all
the preparations that may be, shall be made for defence against you,
and the governour wholly fall to the devotion of France : so that the
king's majesty shall then be driven to use his force, and what pain and
charge it will be to win this realm so, it is easily to be considered :
whereas now his majesty may win it wholly to his devotion with fair
means in time, as is aforesaid, without any trouble or expences. And
this," quoth he, " is my opinion, which I would express to the king's
majesty himself, if I were afore him." " Mr Douglas," quoth I, " ye
have said well; but yet being so many wise men in this realm as -there
be, I cannot think, that, rather than they would agree to things rea
sonable and beneficial for both the realms, as the king's majesty desi-
reth none other, they would so soon determine to be at utterance of
the wars with his majesty, specially as things do stand amongst you-
For," quoth I, " methinks, though ye have agreed well this parliament,
yet there be parties among you, as indeed the earls of Argyle and Glen
cairn be at great distance; and," quoth I, " your brother and you,
With the other lords which ye have told me, be assured on the king's
party^ standing firmly with his majesty, which shall make the strongest
party within this realm, joyning thereto the king's power ; what can
the rest of this realm prevail against the same, though France and
them ?" " I grant," quoth he, " the king's majesty is like to have the
upper hand, God being with him ; and yet," quoth he, " I dare sav
we here shall be a small party ; for, in this case, all our friends will leave
us, whatsoever they do now. And I dare say to y ou," quoth he, " if
those thmgs be now mentioned, it would grow to a jarr. Wherefore,'
quoth he, " I give you mine advice, in case ye have any instruction
to treat with the governour of this matter, touching the government
of this realm, ye shall forbear the same; fbr if ye enter with him of
that point, whereof he may take or conceive any suspicion in the
king's majesty, surely it will follow as I tell you. Well," quoth he>
" ye shall see me handle the governour well enough." I asked him
then, " how I might speak with his brother?" He said, " he would
4

72 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
appoint with him, that we should meet together the next morning at
the Black-Friars, in this town, at mass."
After supper, came to me to my lodging my lord Somervail, * and
told me, " That things had not succeeded in all points as he thought,
and would they had ; but yet there was no doubt but all should well
be." I prayed him to tell me how, and iu what sort, he, with the rest
of the lords and others that were with your majesty, had proceeded
since their home coming. He told me, " That they were not all of
one sort ; for the earl Bothwel was slipt from them, and calleth them
the English pensioners, and the lord Fleming not all the best ; but
the earl of Angus, though he he too much, led and directed by his
brother George, f was perfect good and assured, with also the earls of
Cassils and Glencairn, the lords Maxwel and Gray. The rest," he said,
" were but mean personages ; and before they came home," he said,
" there was a governour chosen, which somewhat changed their case.
Nevertheless, they delivered your majesty's letters ; and as the over
tures and promises made by them to your majesty were referred to
their credence by your majesty's said letters, to be proponed by them ;
so they proponed the marriage, and left speaking of the government
of the realm, because there was a governour already chosen, thinking
that the .marriage once agreed, whereby your majesty should have an
interest in the heretrix of the realm, the rest should also succeed in
time by little and little. And then, because they thought the cardinal
would be an enemy to all- your majesty's purposes, and draw the go-
* Our historians say> that Hugh, the sixth lord Somerville, was made prisoner at Solway
Moss. But in a MS. history of the family, in possession of my noble friend who now re
presents it, it is- said, that not lord Somerville, but his son James, Master of Somerville,
who did not succeed to the title till his father's death, in 1550, was so made prisoner.
Yet from Rymer's Foedera, these letters,, and other authorities,, it would seem, that lord
Hugh was the person.
f Godscroft, the historian ofthe family, says, that Angus was much guided by sir
George Douglas's opinion, as being more learned; and of greater eloquence than himself j
insomuch, that his common answer to any suit was, " We shall advise with our brother." 
History ofthe House of Douglas, Vol. II. p. 132.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 73
vetnour and the realm to the devotion of France, they got matter
against him, and laid hands on him, wherewith many were sore of
fended. Nevertheless, they stuck so well to it, that they prevailed
against the rest that were of the other side. And now," he said,
" the ambassadors were dispatched to go to your majesty with ample
power to conclude the marriage and the peace ; which done, all shall
be well." I asked him whether they had also concluded, that the
child should be brought into your majesty's hands? He answered,
" That he and they which stand on your majesty's part, would fain have
had it so, but the rest of the great lords (which were a great number)
would 'not agree to it; but he trusted that some mean would be de
vised therein for the time to please your majesty, and the rest would
also succeed in time." I asked him how they would conclude a peace
with your majesty, that might ever stand valeable to both their realms,
when by their league with France they are bound to the contrary,
without reservation or exception of France ? Quoth he, " We will ut
terly leave them, and go with you against France, which we may do
without offence of the league ; for they have broken with us many
times, as we be able to prove. And," quoth he, "I would wish to
God that the marriage were once contracted, fbr that shall bring all
the rest of the king's purposes to pass, which cannot otherwise be ac
complished without great cumber; and," he said, "all the lords of your
majesty's part were of the same opinion." This was our communica
tion in effect.
The next morning I met with my lord of Angus, in the Black-
Friars here, by appointment, where I found also the earl of Glencairn;
and first, I discoursed with the great earl of Angus at length, there
after with the earl of Glencairn, f and then with both together. I
found them both assured to your majesty in my poor opinion ; but
fWilliam, fourth earl of Glencairn. He had been lord high treasurer of Scotland during
the minority of James V., was a prisoner at Solway, and on his return was one of the
commissioners for bringing about the English match. He died in 1547.
VOL. I. K

7"4 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 154S.
they excused the not proponing of the matter fbr the government for
your majesty, because " there was a governour chosen before, which,"
they say, "did change the case." I remembred them of their large
promises made to your majesty, M'hich they confessed ; and, as I
smelled them, indeed they were not well able to perform them. For
my lord of Angus told me plainly, " That his friends came not into
him at the first." But I found them both of one opinion, both together
and apart, that they had proponed the marriage for an introduction
to the whole ; and they said, " There was no doubt but your majesty
once having the interest in the young queen, all the rest of your
grace's desires should follow." I entred with them for the custody of
her, how she should be brought to your majesty's hands. They told
me, " That could not yet be obtained ; for the lords were very stiff in
it, and would not have her out of the realm, but were content your
majesty should appoint some knight or gentleman of England, with
such English ladies, as should please your majesty to be here about
her, " as sir George Douglas had told me. And further, they said,
" when the marriage was once contracted, and both the realms knit in
perfect friendship and familiarity, there was no doubt but the whole
realm would, in a little time, fall into your majesty's devotion, and
France they would utterly abandon, and might justly so do without
offence of the league; and they would not only refuse and annul!
all their leagues with France, but also they would go with you against
France. Hereof," they said, " was no doubt ; for all the lords were
well inclined in that part, and the whole realm would agree to it, the
marriage once accepted of your majesty. And for my part," quoth the
earl of Glencairn, " I have but little silver ; but if the king's majesty
have to do with France, I will go in person, and 5000 good fellows
with me, to serve his majesty against France." The earl of Angus
affirmed, " that he would do the like, with all the power he could
make ; and therefore," quoth they, " the marriage must make up all
•the other purposes." And here they instanced me much, " that I
5

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 75
would give gentle and comfortable words on your majesty's behalf to
the governour, who," as they say, " is altogether affected to your ma
jesty ; and by him," they say, " they doubt not to work all your ma
jesty's desires in time, by little and little, praying me to bring in no
new matters that might alter him from the good trade he was in to
wards your majesty." I asked them, how they could work all your
majesty's desires by him ? They said, " he was a very gentle creature,
and a simple man, easy to be ruled ; so, as when the marriage is
agreed, and that your majesty hath that interest, and things here bet
ter settled, which yet be not in frame, there is no doubt to have of
him what they list. But yet," quoth the earl of Angus, " I am not
fully established here ; I am but newly restored to my possessions,
trusting to be every day more and more able to serve his majesty, as
I shall ever be a true Englishman, and faithfully serve the king's ma
jesty, while I live, to the uttermost of my power." I asked them
what they had provided for the resistance of the earl of Lennox * and
the Frenchmen ? They said, " they would resist their landing if they
might, and though they got landing at Dumbarton, they should be
fbughten, and made no doubt but they should put them back, and
manfully withstand their malice." I asked them in what case the
strong holds were ? They said, " Edinburgh and Dunbar, were at
the governours commandment, and Temptallon is in my hands,"
quoth the earl of Angus. " St Andrews and Dumbarton f be yet
withholden, but no doubt they will be at the governours command
ment shortly." After all this discourse, they pressed me again, " That
when I came to the governour and the whole council, which," they

* Matthew, fourth earl of Lennox. Heh ad been bred in the armies of France, and was
attached to her cause. Yet he afterwards espoused that of Henry, and finally fted into
England, where the king bestowed lady Margaret Douglas upon him in marriage. He
was the father of Henry lord Darnley. The circumstances, which occasioned his change
from the French to the English faction, are detailed in this correspondence.
f The castle of St Andrews was held by the retainers of cardinal Bethune, and the go
vernor of Dumbarton was attached to the earl of Lennox.

76 , EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543-
told me, , " was appointed the same day at afternoon, that I would
not innovate any new matter, but that their ambassadors might
speedily depart to your majesty, for the treaty of those matters, which-
they had in charge by the whole authority ofthe parliament" And I
prayed them to consider their promises made to your majesty, and
thereupon to foresee, that the ambassadors should go fully instructed
in all things to your majesty's contentation ; and so we departed.
And at afternoon tlie earl of Glencairn came to me, to accompany me
to the governour, and he began to iterate some part of the premisses,
whereof we had talked before, wishing that he were with your majes
ty to declare bis opinion in those matters, which he doubted hot your
majesty would accept. I advised him to put the same in writing, and
I would not fail to address it to your majesty with diligence, which he
said he would do. " But," quoth he, " I pray you let it not be known
to any man," whereof I assured lrini. And so be hath made a memo
rial of his mind and opinion in paper; besides that he told me by
mouth ; which being written with his own hand, arid not being legi
ble, he prayed me to write out again, as I have done, and herewith I
send both to your highness accordingly. At afternoon I repaired to
the governour, with the earl of Glencairn, and at mine access unto>
him, he used me very gently, and told me, " That he had communis
cated to the whole council the cause of my repair hither, and prayed*
me that I would also declare the same unto them, with such farther
credence as I had." Which I answered, "T would gladly do." And
then I entred with him farther in declaration of your majesty's good
mind towards him, and the great zeal and desire that your highness-
hath to the advancement of such good purposes, as may tend to the
weal of this realm, and chiefly to the preservation of your majesty's
pronepte ; wherein if he, for his part, would shew himself conforma
ble, the same could not but redound much to his honour and singular
benefit. He said, "he was wholly your majesty's "in all things he
might lawfully do, and would be while he lived at your grace's com
mandment, not offending his duty of allegiance." I prayed him that

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 77
such ambassadors as were now ready to go, might be amply instructed
in all things to your majesty's contentation ; so that your highness
might perceive, that all their deeds were correspondent and, agreeable to
those fair words. " Marry, I pray you," quoth he, " tell unto the
council your credence." And therewith he brake out of that matter,
and told me, " That he was informed your majesty would send to
him, and be a mean for the delivery of the cardinal." I told him that
I was assured your majesty would not go about to do him and the realm
so much harm and displeasure. " For were he at liberty," quoth I,
" he would be governour himself, and not only seek your destruction,
but also be the occasion of the universal ruin of this realm, for the
love and affection he hath to France. For surely," quoth I, " he is
better French than Scottish." " By God," quoth he, " he shall never
come out of prison whilst I may have mine own will, except it be to
his farther mischief." I allowed the same well, and said, " it were
pity but he should receive such reward as his merits did require.
Whereto he answered nothing, but pausing a little (as indeed he useth
not much talk,) he said, " He would go to the council," and called the
earl of Cassils * to keep me company, with- whom (being one of the
number of those I had to talk with,) I discoursed also ef all things*;
according to mine instructions, arid found him well dedicate to youK
majesty; and of the same mind and opinion that the rest were, which
I had communed with before. I shall omit the particulars of the
same, which would but lengthen this letter, and was no more in effect
than the very same that passed between my lord Somervail and me.
As we were talking, sir George Douglas came and told me, "That
the governour and the council desired me to take the pain to come
* Gilbert Kennedy, third earl of Cassilis. He had been one of the Solway captives,
and was therefore to be reminded of his engagements to Henry. He was made lord high
treasurer in 1554, and was one ofthe commissioners, who went to France, to accomplish
the match between Mary and the Dauphin. The earl of Cassilis died at Dieppe on his
return, and as bishop Reed, another of the commissioners died on the same night, there
were strong suspicions of poison.

78 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
to them." He brought me in to the council-chamber, where I found
a great number of noblemen and others at a long board, and divers
standing, but not one bishop nor priest among them. At the upper
end of the board sat the governour, and caused me to sit down by
him on the bench, in the first place of all the counsellors there next to
himself. And then after a little silence, the earl of Huntley * declared
unto me, in fair words, " That the governour there had received by me
the king's majesty's letters, wherein was referred unto me some cre
dence, which they desired; if it so liked me, to declare unto them, and
the governour himself also desired the same." I answered, " that I
would gladly do it, and told them that your majesty had sundry ad
vertisements of the good inclination and conformity, as well of the
said governour, as of a great many of them, towards the accomplish
ment of such purposes, as had been set forth and declared unto them
in your majesty's behalf, by such of them as were lately with your ma
jesty, and that thereupon they were now minded to send ambassadors
authorised by parliament, to conclude such things as should be to* the
weal of both the realms, and your majesty's contentation. Wherefore,
likeas your majesty no less tendred the surety and preservation of
your pronepte, than your own child, and also their particular honours
and advancements, with the universal benefit of this realm ; so your
majesty had sent me hither to reside among them, as your majesty's
commissioner and counsellor, and had commanded me to be ready at
all times, and specially now at the dispatch of their ambassadors, to
assist them with my poor advice, td the intent they might be dis
patched with such ample power and instruction, conceived in such
certain and plain terms, as may be correspondent to their fair words,
and your highness's expectation ; and therefore, if it should like them

* George Gordon, the fourth earl of Huntley. He was at present one of the privy coun
cil, and at heart unfavourable to the English match. In 1546, he became lord high chan
cellor, and in 1562, was killed iu the battle of Corrichie, fighting against the earl of Mur
ray, afterwards regent.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 7V
to tell me the specials of such charge as they had given to the said
ambassadors, I would accomplish my commission with my poor ad
vice, in such sort as became a good minister, that minded well the
perfection of all things tending to the weal of both realms." Whereat,
they paused a little, and desired they might consult together, to make
me answer. I departed for a while, and was soon called again ; and
being set down, the said earl of Huntley said, " That they had consi
dered my credence ; and whereas your majesty had sent before your
letters to the estates of this realm, not knowing then that they had
chosen them a governour, with certain purposes procured at that time,
by such noblemen as be your majesty's prisoners, they considering the
importance of those things, desiring by all means to satisfy your ma
jesty in reasonable sort, had called a parliament, wherein they had
used all the haste that might be, for the better and more speedy satis
faction of your majesty ; and by the same had authorized their ambas
sadors to repair to your presence, with ample power to conclude the
marriage, and a perpetual peace ; and their ambassadors were ready to
depart." I answered, " That, like wise men, they had well determin
ed for their own wealth ; for nothing could be more honourable nor
beneficial unto them than the marriage, with the peace. And I doubt
ed not, but as they had told me the same generally, so they had also
specially considered the circumstances belonging to those two points,
the marriage, and the peace ; wherein being wise men, I was sure
they would weigh with whom they had to do, and would the rather
instruct their ambassadors in all points, to satisfy your majesty in
reason, wherein if they would use my poor advice in declaring of the
specials, I should be ready to execute my commission." They said,
" Their ambassadors were fully instructed in all things, and had a
large commission to conclude such things, as they trusted should
please your majesty, which they were all glad and willing to do ;
and if I had not come on the Sunday, their ambassadors should
have been gone this Munday, but they should now make no delay."
Whereupon, considering they had no list, as I perceived, to commu-

SO EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. *
nicate the same to me, but were resolved to send away their ambassa
dors to your majesty ; and, again, considering as well the desires and
opinions of such as I had the same day before talked with, in such
form as is aforesaid, with their requests, that I should press no new
matter, as also that the parliament was done here ; so that if I should
have entred or begun, as I thought to have motioned them for the
custody of the child,- we should percase have fallen into a frivolous ar
gument, and the matter nothing helped by me for your majesty's pur
pose, because 1 knew they were not minded, nor would agree at this
time to the custody of her out of this realm. , I thought, therefore, to
pass it over in general sort, the rather for that the ambassadors had re
ceived their charge, and were ready to depart towards your majesty;
and chiefly, because indeed I have no commission to entreat with the
governour and council here upon any special point or matter, other
wise than as they should require mine advice. And so declaring unto
them, that I doubted not but they had instructed their ambassadors in
special and plain terms, as well for the custody of the child after the
contract, (which I touched, even to hear what they would say there
unto,) as also in all other circumstances depending upon the said two
points generally reported to me. I gave them mine advice, that un
less they would communicate with me the specials of their ambassa
dors charge, whereupon I might confer with them, and say mine opi
nion, they should detain no longer their said ambassadors, thinking
that else your majesty might note but delay and slackness in them.
Whereunto they answered, " That they had used all the diligence in
them possible, and would dispatch their ambassadors out of hand,
which shall depart this town to-morrow towards your majesty." And
so they arose from the board, and I departed from them to my lod
ging, and began the dispatch of those my letters for signification
of all those proceedings accordingly. And within night came the
earl Bothwel* unto me, saying, " That he came to visit me, and to
* Patrick Hepburn, the fourth earl of Bothwell, father of James the infamous Bothwell.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 81
offer unto me all the pleasure he could do for me here for your majes
ty's sake, as," he said, " he was bound, and ought his service only un
to your majesty." I gave him thanks accordingly, in as good sort as
I could, and thought, seeing he was so come unto me, that I would
hear what he would say, as well of his own as of all the others pro
ceedings towards your majesty, and so entred with him a long dis
course of the whole. He told me, " That if all men had been as wil
ling when they came home, as they pretended in England, your ma
jesty might have had your purpose ere this time ; but he thinketh,
that they will work the same more easily, as indeed he saith it must
come to good pass in time. When they were in England," he said,
" they were minded, as they outwardly declared, to do many things ;
but when they came home, they fell in with the governour, and were
clean changed : and for my part," quoth he, " when I saw that, I fell
out with the governour for a particular of mine own, and went away,
and came no more to them, neither would I have come now to the
parliament, but for my lord of Angus's sake, because I promised to him
to give him my vote on his great day.* I would not," quoth he, " have
come to the governour, who is more meet to be governed than to be a
governour, as he is indeed governed by mean personages. And it will
be wrong with this realm," quoth he, " if we have not shortly a mas
ter or governour, that is able to do for us and direct us; wherein, for
my part," quoth he, "I owe my service to the king's majesty of Eng
land, and shall not fail to keep all promises that I have made unto
him, as much as in me is, which his grace shall assuredly find true, if
it come to service." He told me farther, " How that, when I was with
the governour and council here, after I had declared unto them my
credence, and drew apart, as is aforesaid, some of them were of opi
nion, that I should have been made participant to the ambassadors in
structions particularly, but the rest would not so, but would have all
referred to your majesty." I asked him, " if I might be so bold to
* i. e. When he was restored against the forfeiture pronounced by James V..
VOL. I. L

82 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
know who they were that would not have me made privy to them ?"
He said, " Surely the greater number, as the voices always take place
in their councils ; he would name no man," he said ; " but," quoth he,
**' I pray God the king's riiajestymay like our ambassadors instructions
well, when they shall come unto him ; for I promise you," quoth he,
" unless they have some private commission other than I know of, (as
indeed," quoth he, " they make me not much of counsel, nor I come
not oft amongst them,) they have no authority to conclude with the
king's majesty for deliverance of the child into his hands. But,"
quoth he, " with time there will be no doubt, I think, but his majesty
may have her and the whole realm at his pleasure and devotion." This
he told me, which I thought to advertise unto your majesty, who can,
' by your wisdom, judge his meaning in this behalf. Always he is no
ted here to be of the adversary party to your majesty, and surely he
loveth not the governour. When he was gone, came to me again the
earl of Glencairn, and brought me the memorial afore mentioned. In
the reading whereof, he said, " That, touching the point of having the
child into your majesty's hands, though the same would not now be
attained, yet being agreed, that your majesty shall appoint certain
English and certain Scottish lords to be « about her person here, if it
please your majesty to appoint him for one, with such another Scottish
lord, as is also assured to your majesty," he saith, " your majesty shall
be sure to have her into your hands by one way or other, either by
consent of the whole realm, or else against their wills ; for he will not
fail, for his part, to do at all times all that in him lies, to accomplish
his promise to your majesty, which, he doubteth not, shall be done in
time after your majesty's own desire." This he prayed me to signify
unto your majesty. Furthermore, he hath written to your majesty to
have his son home, entring other pledges for him ; " of whom," he
saith, " he hath great lack ; specially now, that the earl of Argyle is
at distance with him, his said son having the rule of that country un
der him ; and if he were at home, he should stand him in great stead."
I assure your majesty I think he feigneth not; for such a man as his
4

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 83
son is, may not well be spared out of so wild a country. I have talked
with the man^* being with the earl of Westmoreland ; he is called the
lord of Kilmawrs and the master of Glencairn ; and, in my poor opi
nion, they be few such Scottish in Scotland, both for his wisdom and
learning, and well dedicate to the truth of Christ's word and doctrine.
So that, I think, if he were at home, he should not only stand his fa
ther in good stead, but also do much good here in the country, where
now the gospel is set forth in English, and open proclamations made,
" That it shall be lefull to all -men to read the Bible and Testament in
the mother- tongue," and special charge, " that no man preach to the
contrary, upon pain of death, "f The lords Maxwell and Fleming were
gone hence before my coining, so soon as the parliament was done ;
neither be any other of your majesty's prisoners here, as far as I can
perceive, but such as I have spoken with, as before. The queen-dowa
ger % is at Linlithgow, twelve miles hence, so that yet I have not spo
ken with her, but I intend to-morrow to ride unto her with your ma
jesty's letters, and execute that part of mine instructions ; and how I
shall find her, I will not fail to advertise your majesty with all dili
gence. The ambassadors that do repair unto your majesty, are, Sir
James Learmonth, Sir William Hamilton, and Mr Henry Balnaves, the
secretary § here, which, departing this town to-morrow, do intend to
make all the diligence they can to your majesty, &c.
* Alexander, Lord Kilmauers, was at present a hostage for the sincerity of his father.
The acute Sadler discerned the germ of those qualities which afterwards made this noble
man the great promoter of the Reformatioq, and in consequence a steady adherent of the
English interest.
t This privilege was granted to the community of Scotland upon the proposition of
Lord Maxwell, late prisoner in England, who probably took this step in compliance with .
the engagements he had come under to Henry. The proclamation was dated 19th March,
1543. % Mary of Lorrain, widow of James V., afterwards queen-regent.
§ Sir James Learmont of Darsie, Sir William Hamilton of Sanquhar, and Henry Bai- •
naves of Hall-hill, the Scottish secretary of state. These were all men of talents and con- ,
sequence, whose names frequently occur in the, political transactions of the period.

8& EMBASSY TP SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the King's Majesty, 23 March, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that yesterday I had ac
cess to the queen-dowager of Scotland, to whom I delivered your ma
jesty's letters, with your highness's hearty commendations, and decla
red also my credence unto her, according to mine instructions. I
found her most willing and conformable in appearance to your majes
ty's purpose, for the marriage of her daughter to my lord prince's
grace ; and also, that your majesty should have her delivered forth
with into your hands and custody, which she confesseth to be for her
chief surety, and wisheth with all her heart that it were so. She ac-
counteth herself most bound to your majesty, that it hath pleased the
same to determine such honour and advancement to her said daugh
ter. And discoursing with her thereof, the rather to settle her in that
part, she said, " The world might justly note her to be the most un
natural and unwise woman that lived, if she should not heartily desire
and rejoice of tlie same ; for greater honour and benefit could not be
offered unto her, nor she knoweth not throughout the world such a
marriage could be found so proper, so beneficial, and so honourable, as
this is ;" saying, " that she cannot otherwise think but it is the work
and ordinance of God, for the conjunction and union of both those
realms in one ; for she hath had none before but sons, and now it is her
chance to bring forth a daughter, for the best purpose she trusteth." *

* Here the subtle Frenchwoman dissembled to Sadler ; for was it possible that Mary of
Guise should wish her daughter delivered up to Henry, the enemy of France, and rebel to
the faith of Rome ? Probably, she wished to draw Sadler into some plot for carrying off
the young princess, which, on discovery, a circumstance always in the queen's power,
would have excited general popular indignation, and indeed the determined hatred of the
whole kingdom. Her insincerity is, in some degree, developed by her anxiety for the car
dinal's liberty, and her wish to sow dissension between Sadler and the governor. Mary's
professions, as reported by the ambassador, seem, notwithstanding, to have imposed upon
Henry and his council. See their letter, dated 27th March.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 85
And when she had thus declared her affection in that behalf, with
assurance that she would be advised by your majesty in all things, and
would walk plainly on a right sort with your majesty, as she said it
became her not to dissemble with so noble a prince; and so bade me
advertise your majesty, " That the governour, whatsoever pretence or
fair weather he made unto your majesty, minded nothing less, than
that her daughter should marry into England, and so had himself told
her, with this much more, that, for to please your majesty, they would
offer unto the same, that there should be a contract made of the mar
riage, but they would have the custody of the child till she should be
of lawful age ; by which time, God might dispose his pleasure of your
majesty, being already well grown in years ; and then they would han
dle it so, as that contract should serve to no purpose. This," she said,
" the governour told her himself, and this was the secret thing that she
desired for to have one of your trusty servants to come to her, to the
intent she might, by the same, advertise your majesty thereof, because
she durst not commit the same neither to French nor Scot." But here
she made great instance unto me, " That this might be most secret;
for else being in their hands here, as she is straitly looked unto, inso
much that she hath none about her of her own servants, nor one that
she may trust, it might be to her great danger." And, to verify the
same, she saith, " That the governour and council have determined in
their parliament, that jour majesty shall not have the child delivered
into your hands, for sundry considerations alledged amongst them.
One was, that, because she is queen of the realm, it were not meet to
have her out of the same, by whose authority and name the governour
should use his office, and all things executed for the common wealth
of this realm. Another is, that, if she were delivered unto England,
she should never die ; but if God should call her, they would ever be
sure in England to have another to succeed her. And, again, if God
should dispose his pleasure of my lord prince's grace, the child being
in England, might be married there to some other, contrary to the
weal and good of this realm ; so that if they should deliver her out of

86 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
their hands, your majesty, howsoever the game should go, would dis
pose the inheritance and crown of this realm at your pleasure :" with
many other considerations, as she saith, she -gat information.. She
saith, " Assuredly the governour mindeth to marry her daughter to
his son; wherefore," she saith, " if your majesty stand not fast upon
that point, to have her delivered into your hands, the marriage will
never take effect." Arid here, she said, " The cardinal, if he were at
liberty, might do much good in the same." I told her, I thought the
cardinal would rather do hurt, for he had no affection towards England.
She said, " He was a wise man, and could better consider the benefit
of the realm than all the rest." And ever in her discourse she incul-
ked, " That your majesty should see, they would not deliver the child,
nor yet pledges for performance ofthe marriage." She told me, " That
she was sure the governour would now, knowing that I had been with
her, come shortly to see her, the rather to know what had passed be
twixt her and me. And," quoth she, " when he cometh, I shall (as my
custom is) make as though I were not well willing to this marriage ;
and then," quoth she, " as he is but a simple man, he will tell me his
whole intent in that part : and if I should not do so," quoth she, " he
would keep himself the more covert and close, and tell me nothing.
And what I shall farther perceive by him, how he is disposed in the
matter, now upon your coming, if I can find any mean," quoth she,
" to speak with you, or send to you, ye shall have knowledge ofit." I
told her, that knowing the least part of her mind in that behalf, I
would make some errand again to see her ; which she also desired.
And then she told me, " That the governour shewed her, that your
majesty had written unto him, how there had been a contract betwixt
the earl of Lennox and her." Whereunto she answered, " That the
contrary thereof was true ; and that now, since she had been a king's
wife, her heart was too high to look any lower." I told her, I was
sure your majesty had written no such matter tothe governour; " but,"
quoth I, " I remember that such a saying was, that your grace should
marry with the earl of Lennox." " By my truth," quoth she, " it is

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN'1543. 87
utterly untrue; for I never minded it. And so," quoth she, " it was
a saying, that my father should come here with an army, which like
wise is untrue. It may be," quoth she, " that the earl of Lennox
came hither, with what power I cannot tell ; but sure I am," quoth
she, " my father is in Champagne, to prepare the French king's army
there against the emperour, as a Frenchman told her, that arrived here
lately by sea." After we had discoursed a good while of those things,
(in which talk she asked me, " How it stood between your majesty
and the French king? and wished, tbat there should ensue no war nor
dissention betwixt you:" wherein I told her, that I knew not but all
was well,) I descended to that part of mine instructions, touching the
strange demeanour of her servant whom she lately sent unto your ma
jesty, and declared the same unto her in such sort as is contained in
my said instructions. She besought your majesty " to conceive no
suspicion of her for sending her said servant in such manner into
France; whom," she saith, " she commanded to tell your highness of
his journey, and humbly to supply unto your majesty for his passport,
both to go and return by your majesty ; alledging, she was right sorry
your majesty should have any cause of suspicion, whereof she protest
ed there was no cause." I told her, your majesty had information of
her virtue, wisdom, and experience, to be such, as your highness could
not therefore suspect her, but rather doubted not she would apply to
that which should be to her honour, and the most surety and benefit
of her daughter; which, if she weighed well, she might perceive did
chiefly rest in j'our majesty, and without the same might be in great
danger. She confessed the same, and wished to God that she were in
your majesty's hands; " for," quoth she, " it hath been seldom seen,
that the heir of a realm should be in the custody of him that claimeth
the. succession of the same, as the governour is now established by par
liament the second person of this realm, and, if her daughter fail, look
eth to be king of the same. And," quoth she, " he said, that the child
was not like to live; but you shall see," quoth she, " whether he saith
true or not ;" and therewith she caused me to go with her to the cham-

88 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
ber where the child was, and ihewed her unto me, and also caused the
nurse to unwrap her out of her clothes, that I might see her naked. I
assure your majesty, it is as goodly a child as I have seen of her age,
and as like to live, with the grace of God.
Thus, when I had seen the child, and conferred with the said dowa
ger as is aforesaid, I took my leave, and returned hither to Edinburgh
this day ; where, as yet, is neither the governour, nor none of the no
blemen of Scotland, but are all dispersed, every man at his own house
abroad in the country. It is said the governour and many of them
will be here this feast. I will do what I can to decipher their mean
ings towards your majesty; for if it be true that the said dowager
saith, surely there is great dissimulation amongst them, specially in the.
governour, who is also governed chiefly by Sir George Douglas. This
same Sir George was appointed to accompany me in this journey to
wards Linlithgow, with other gentlemen ; 'and after I had spoken with
the said dowager, and coming from her, she called the said Sir George
unto her ; who told me afterwards, " That she had demanded of him,
whether the child should be delivered into England or not? praying
him to help to the contrary, because sl\e was too young to be carried
so far." And so he began to persuade me, " That she was nothing
willing, nor conformable, to your majesty's purpose in that behalf."
Thus your majesty may perceive, that some juggling there is ; which,
with the grace of God, a little time shall reveal unto your majesty.
And, for my part, if my wit and experience would serve as well as my
good will, I should the sooner decipher the same ; wherein I shall
nevertheless travel as well as I can, according to my most bounden
duty. Before the dispatch of my other letters ofthe 20th of this month,
Sir George Douglas told me, " That the governour and he were about
a purpose to remove the cardinal, by his own consent, from the Black
ness to his castle of St Andrews, because the same castle, where all the
cardinal's goods and money are, is kept from the governour, thinking,'
by this mean, to have the castle into his hands, and the goods also, and

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. $9
yet the cardinal to be as surely kept, as he was before at the Black
ness ; and also the same castle standing on the water-side, they might
easily, after he had been there a while, and the house once in their
hands, convoy him thence again by water to Temptallon or Dumbar, *
which they intended to do. And this purpose," he said, " he would
go about forthwith." I advised him to consider the matter well, and
debated with him, as I thought, what might follow if he should be set
at liberty, thinking that a great bruit and hope thereof would arise, if
he should now be restored to his own house. He warranted me, it
should be handled well enough, and whatsoever should be hoped for or
bruited, he should never be nearer his liberty. And so he went to the
cardinal about that purpose ; who, at his return, told me, " That he
was a wily carle, and would not consent to the matter." So as the said
Sir George told" me, he had failed of his purpose, and therefore I wrote
nothing to your majesty thereof in mine other letters. But sithence,
even yesterday at morning, it was told me, " That the cardinal was at li
berty in his own house at St Andrews." The said Sir George being then
with me, he and I both being ready to ride to Linlithgow, I asked
him, whether those news were true? He answered, " By his faith he
could not tell ; but," he said, " he would soon know :" And told me,
" That he had left word with my lord Seton, who hath the guard of
the- said cardinal, that in case he would agree to the said purpose, he
should convoy him to the said castle of St Andrews :" Where indeed
he is, and was convoyed thither on Wednesday, in the night. And
the said Sir George telleth me, " That he is in as sure prison there, as
in any place of Scotland. And yet," he saith, " he shall not tarry thi
ther long ; but, assoon as they have the house and goods in their hands,
(which now," he saith, " they shall have,) he shall be convoyed to
Temptallon." Thus he telleth me. But if the cardinal shall have his
liberty, I shall never trust him nor the governour, who said to me,
" That, whilst he lived, the cardinal should never have liberty, nor
* Both which fortresses were in possession ofthe earl of Angus,
VOL. I. M

90 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
come out of prison, unless it were to his farther mischief;" as I wrote
in my said letters to your majesty.
The ambassadors have lingred here those two days longer than they
were commanded, because (as I am informed) they would here sumere-
eucharistiam before their going ; and this day they departed, intending
to ly this night at Dumbar, and, as they say, will make as much dili
gence to your majesty as they may conveniently. Thus Almighty
God preserve your royal majesty in long and prosperous estate of health,
most feliciously to endure.
Edinburgh, 23d March, at night.

To the King's Majesty, %7th March, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that since the arrival
here of Mr Drummond, I took mine opportunity to speak with the go
vernour, for the room and office of the secretaryship here, to be em
ployed upon the said Drummond, who, for that purpose, had before
delivered your majesty's letters unto the said governour, and the Earl
of Angus. And, when I had made request in that behalf, according to
my instructions to the said governour, he made me answer, " That he
had received your majesty's kind letters for that intent, and was right
sony he might not accomplish the tenor and purport of the same, for
that he had already bestowed the said office upon Mr Henry Balnaves,
whom he had now sent in ambassage to your majesty, and had given
the same for term of his life ; so that he could not revoke that grant,
nor take it from him so long as he lived, unless he failed in his duty ;
assuring me, if the office had been ungiven, he would have preferred
your majesty's request afore all others." I commended much the wis
dom and qualities ofthe said Drummond; but considering that the of
fice was gone, (which I knew well enough before the arrival here of
the said Drummond,) I thought it not best to press the matter over
much, when it could not be conveniently obtained. And so the go-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. <H
vernour and I entred other matter, which he began himself, and asked
me, " How I liked the old queen, and the young queen ?" I said, I
liked them both well, and praised the young princess, which I said was
a very goodly child, and like to live. — (I added that, " that she was
like to live," to hear what he would say; because I had heard before,
both by the queen-dowager and otherwise, that he was of a contrary
opinion.) — He affirmed my saying ; and asked me, " How I found the
queen disposed towards the marriage ?" I said, I had no commission to
feel her mind in that part; but, generally, having commandment to
visit her, being a noble personage, dowager of the realm, and to make
your majesty's most hearty commendations unto her, for the which
purpose I brought her your majesty's letters only of commendations ;
and, as far as I could perceive, I thought she would be well enough
content with the marriage, which, I said, if she tendred her own ho
nour, with the advancement and benefit of her daughter, she could not
but effectually desire and embrace. He answered, " That, irideed; if
she sousht the world, she could not find so meet and so honourable a
marriage; and that, unless she were unnatural to her daughter, she
must needs be content with it; but, being a French woman, he thought
she could not be best inclined towards England."
Here I thought to enter somewhat with him in this matter, and
said thus unto him : " My lord," quoth I, " 1 doubt not but ye know
and consider, that ye have to do with a noble, wise, and grave prince,
that hath great experience of the affairs of the world ; and therefore
I would wish that ye should proceed with his majesty so sincerely, as
he might well perceive ye minded effectually the accomplishment of
such things as ye shall now propone, and set forth by your ambassa
dors ; as," quoth I, " ye have now sent them unto his majesty with
ample commission, ye say, to conclude the marriage and the peace.
But," quoth I, " if ye have not given them instructions also to con
clude such things as depend upon those two points, in such sort as it
jnay appear, you do indeed intend both to perform the marriage, and
to establish such a peace as might be available to both realms; his ma-

92 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
jesty is a prudent and wise prince, and shall right facilely decipher
your intent, which not being, so perfect as you pretend, might percase
justly so irritate his majesty, as great inconvenience may follow. He
answered me, " That as he did nothing alone, so the ambassadors had
their commission given unto them by the three estates of the realm in
parliament, for the conclusion of the said two points, which, for his
part, he had earnestly set forth maugre the wills of divers such,'1 he
said, " as favoured neither God's word nor your majesty, and be whol
ly addicted to France. And," quoth he, " if I had not earnestly mirid-
-ed, th^t the king's majesty should have the marriage of our young
queen, I could have had a contract betwixt her and my son passed and
established by this parliament ; wherein I am sure," quoth he, " no
man would have been against me ; trusting," quoth he, " that the
king's majesty will the rather be friendly to me, for I. have had mickle
cumber among the kirk-men for his sake." I assured him, "if he pro
ceeded plainly with your msyesty, he should perceive, that your majes
ty would so consider it as should be to his singular commodity." And
eftsoons I pressed him, if, as he saidi he minded earnestly the mar
riage, that he would so offer and propone it, as it might so appear to
your majesty ; for," quoth I, " the offer of a bare contract, without
other circumstances, is not sufficient." He said, " That when the am
bassadors should be with your majesty, if the same should demand
other things of them, than they might conclude, they would advertise
hither of the same with diligence ; and, upon knowledge of your ma
jesty's pleasure, order should be taken here for the accomplishment of
all your majesty's reasonable demands." I said, " this would spend
much time." Whereunto he said, " the matters were of so great im
portance as required time ; and," quoth he, "¦ within twenty days we
shall hear from these our ambassadors ; and thereupon, God willing,"
quoth he, " we shall soon be at a good, point." And then he fell out
of this matter, and asked me, " How your majesty did with France r"
I said, " all was well, as far as I knew; and that, as I heard, there was,
an ambassador newly come to your majesty from the French king}

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. §3
which, I thought, argued they intended not to displease your majesty,
when they sent ambassadors to treat." " Well," quoth he, " so we
agree ; I care not what ye do with France : And for my part," quoth
he, "I am noted in France to be a good Englishman ; and since the
king died, I neither wrote nor sent good word nor bad to the court of
France." I told him, " if we joyned firmly together, they must aban
don their leagues with France." " If we agree," quoth he, " for my
part, I pass little of France ; but we must advise well," quoth he, " be
fore we break our leagues with them." I told him, " I thought their
leagues with France were not so beneficial for them, as they needed
to advise much upon the break of them : And unless they should an
nul those leagues, I saw not how there could be a perfect peace esta
blished betwixt us." He confessed, " they had never gain nor benefit
by France, but great cumber, loss, and slaughter, for their sakes :
wherefore, as for his part, he was no good Frenchman, so he would
agree to reason in all things your majesty should require, with the ad
vice of the estates of the realm." And here he told me, " That so
long as the cardinal, being the best Frenchman in Scotland, was in
hold, there was the less doubt that France should have any great ado
here, or they with France." I said it was a common saying, " That
the cardinal should have his whole liberty, and was already restored to
a great piece of the same, being at large in his own house." He assu
red me, " That he was in as sure prison in his own house, and as strait-
ly looked unto as he was before ; and that he had removed him thither
only for a policy to get the possession of the castle, which now he
hath by mean thereof;" assuring me, " that he should be prisoner
still whilst he lived : for," quoth he, " were he at liberty, if he might
have his purpose, I should surely go to the fire, as, when the king
lived," quoth he, " he told him, I was the greatest heretick in the
world." I asked him, " if he intended to keep him still prisoner in his
own house ?" He said, " Yes ; for he could not put him in a stronger
place in all Scotland." I told him, " I thought so long as he was in
his own house, the people would still hope for his delivery; and there-

94 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543-
fore, to take away that hope, he should do best, in my poor opinion,
to remove him to Dumbar or Temptallon." " No, no," quoth he, " he
is well enough; and, let them hope as they list, I shall be sure he
shall never be the nearer his liberty." And then he told me, " That a
number of noblemen and gentlemen the late king had got written in a
roll, which were all accused of heresy; of the which," he said, " le
was the first, and the earl of Cassils, the earl of Glencairn and his
son, the earl Marishal, and a great many gentlemen, to the number of
eighteen score, because they were all well minded to God's word,
which then they durst not avow; but now," quoth he, " I shall do
mine endeavour to set forth the glory of God with the assistance of
the king's majesty."* Herein I did not only allow his intent, but also
did animate and provoke him forward in the same as much as I could
devise ; which, as far as I could perceive, was very acceptable unto
him. And, in the same communication, we had up the bishop of
Rome, " whom," he said, " for these five years and; days he never took
to be any more than a bishop, and that a very evil bishop." Assuring
your majesty, I perceive so much by him, that if he could tell how to
bring it to pass, he would be well content that this realm left clearly
the obedience and devotion pf Rome ; but he lacketh here good mi
nisters for that purpose ; and I see not how the kirk-men ;here will be
ruled for him, which, in my poor opinion, would be loath that those
two realms should agree, and both privately work, and will do all they
can to empeche the same.
After this communication finished betwixt the governour and me,
I took the earl of Angus apart, and entred with him in such sort, as is
prescribed unto me by letters from your majesty's council of the 20th
of March ; to know of him, how he can make the establishment of
the governour here by parliament, and his with the others large pro
mises to your majesty stand together ; wherewith I assure your ma-
* This story of the roll is told by most of our historians. James rejected the accusation
with abhorrence.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 05
jesty, he was much perplexed, and could almost say nothing to it,
saving that the same should be nothing prejudicial to your majesty's
purpose in time; for with him, and by him, being well dedicate
to your majesty, they would work all to your highness's satisfac
tion by little and little. As first, If it might please your majesty to
accept the contract, then they would devise to bring the child into
your majesty's hands, whereof he doubteth not; and having her, it
must needs follow, that your majesty must also, for her, and in her
right, see the tealm governed and directed in such sort, as to your
majesty should seem most expedient for her surety and profit. Where
in he made a like discburse with me in effect, as I have already signi
fied unto your majesty in my letters of the 20th of this present. And
to serve your majesty against all nations, he offereth his body and
and whole power to the uttermost he can do ; wherein, if I should say
my poor opinion, he dissembleth not with your majesty. And where
things have not hitherto succeeded according to his promise, I think
the default thereof to have bpo">- aiat either he lacked power to bring
it to pass, or else was advised by his brother to stay upon such consi
derations, as have been alledged in that part ; that is, " That all your
majesty's purposes might be wrought in time without rigour." I ask
ed him, if he thought the governour minded earnestly the marriage or
not ? which he assured me he did. I told him, " I wondred much
that he being established second person in the realm, having title to
the succession of the same, should have the custody of the child,
which hath never been seen afore." To that he answered me, " That
the three estates of the realm had at this parliament ordained, that
eight noblemen and gentlemen of this realm, should have the tuition
of her, whereof two should ever be with her, and the governour should
take no cure thereof." I communed also at the same instant with sir
George Douglas, touching that point of the establishment of the go
vernour by parliament, which I told him in form aforesaid, could not
stand with the said promises, and he, for his part, denieth any such

96 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
promise to be made by him, alledging, that they which made such
promises were not able to perform them. And discoursing with him
of the likelyhood of the success of all those matters, wherein I told
him plainly, that I think your majesty will assuredly stick to have the
child delivered into your hands : He saith, " That if your majesty
stick upon that, or any . other point, upon advertisement thereof,
hither by their ambassadors, he thinketh he shall be addressed to your
majesty. Which journey he will gladly take upon him, if he see that
his message shall be such as shall be acceptable to your highness, or
else," he saith, " he will not come ; for," quoth he, " I will not go to
my master with an unpleasant message."
This communication ended betwixt us, I departed from the court to
my lodging, and had with me the earl of Cassils, and the lord Somer
vail, with whom I discoursed of the foresaid establishment of the go
vernour, according as I was instructed by the said letters from your
majesty's council ; which he confessed, " might not, very well stand
with their promises. " And yet they said, " That their promises ex
tend no further, than to charge them with the uttermost of their
power, which they have done, and will do, but it lay not in their
power to let that establishment." And the lord Somervail for his part
said, " He knew not of it till the very time it was proponed in the
parliament. And then," he said, " he might have done hurt, but no
good ; for he might have said nay to it, and so have been suspect, and
yet his voice could have taken no place, being so many voices on the
other side," which the earl of Cassils affirmed. We entred then into
the matter of the marriage, which they all make their foundation,
whereby to accomplish all your majesty's purposes in time. I asked
them, " if they thought the governour minded earnestly the marriage
with your majesty ?" And they said, " Yea, undoubtedly." " Why
then," quoth" I, " if ye mind it, should ye not also agree to deliver
the child into the king's majesty's hands ?" " Marry," quoth they, we
would fain have it so ; and we have told them plainly, that unless

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 1)7
his majesty have her delivered unto him, he will never enter, nor con
clude the contract, nor yet the peace. And for my part," quoth the
earl of Cassils, " I have said plainly, that if they stick to deliver her
to his majesty, we must fight in the quarrel with those that we love
well." "And surely," quoth he, " there be. many noblemen here which
now stick much at it ; but if they knew his majesty as well as we do,
they would never stand against him. But for our part," quoth tbey,
" we be resolved to meet here altogether at such time as we think
we shall hear word again from the ambassadors. And then, if we
shall perceive that the king's majesty stands upon any reasonable point,
that we have promised, we shall do that lies in our powers to satisfy
his majesty, and let him be reproved that shall fail his promise." This,
I assure your majesty, the earl of Cassils spake very frankly, and the
lord Somervail affirmed the same. I take them both to be very plain
and true gentlemen to your majesty ; but I fear their power, as far as I
can perceive, accordeth not with their good wills. Once they will
serve your majesty to the uttermost they can against all nations, as
they have affirmed unto me. And the lord Somervail, as he was going
from me, told me in mine ear, " That if your majesty did stand fast
upon your purpose, there was no doubt ye should obtain it, for they
were not able to maintain the wars against your majesty." There be
no more of the lords here, with whom I should communicate this
matter ; for the earl of Glencairn is gone hence, who dwelleth 60
miles hence. And the lords Maxwel and Fleming, were not here
since my coming into the country ; sd that as yet I spake not with
them, nor know not how to speak with them, till they come hither ;
for the one dwelleth above 50 miles hence one way, and the other 40
miles another way. I shewed the earl of Angus, and sir George
Douglas, what the sheriff of Air said, touching the earl of Lennox
his repairing hither, whom-, they say, " they will withstand, and wish
that he may be met withall on the sea, by some of your majesty's
ships, which," they say, " would be very acceptable to the gover
nour." I have communed also with the earls of Huntley and Murray;
VOL. i. N

98 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
but as to the earl of Argyle, he came not here since mine arrival. I
find them both of perfect inclination towards the marriage, and esta
blishment of a perpetual peace ; but entring with them of myself by
way of communication, to feel what conditions they would offer for the
conclusion of those two points, they told me, " Your majesty should
have a contract offered to be made betwixt my lord prince's grace
your son, and their princess, which/' they said, " should be an easy
conquest of this realm to your majesty ; and such a conquest, as be
ing so had by a rightful mean and title, shall be acceptable to the
whole realm." I told them, " if they minded earnestly the accomplish
ment of the marriage, they would offer it in such sort, as their earnest
intent iu that matter might appear to your majesty." They said,
" Your majesty should perceive they minded it effectually ; for as it
became them not to dissemble with your majesty ; so knowing your
majesty's wisdom and experience,'' they say, " your highness could
soon perceive them, which could not be but to their great lack and
dishonour. And look what reasonable conditions your majesty would
demand for the security of their offers, they would for their part ac
complish the same." I said I feared nothing, but they would take
nothing for reasonable, but that which they thought reason. And
here I perswaded them by such good means, as my poor wit could
devise, to apply to such good purposes as your majesty intended to
set forth, for the weal and benefit of both realms. " Whereto," they
said, " they would be conformable in all reason." But I cannot see,
that they will hastily condescend to the delivery of the child out of
the realm. They say, " There may be indifferent devices to satisfy
your majesty." And as for their leagues with France, I perceive by
them, that the marriage once agreed upon, they will not stick in that
matter : wherein I found the earl of Huntley, who is a jolly young
man, and of a right good wit, far more frank than the earl of Murray ;
*for he is a great beads-man, and noted here to be a good Papist, whol
ly given to the old ceremonies and traditions of Rome. Nevertheless,
he said, " That the marriage agreed, they would not pass much upon

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543, 0.0.
France." But the earl of Huntley said plainly, " That those things
being once well established between those realms, he would serve your
majesty in the wars against France ; and his intent is, that peace and
unity succeeding, to see your majesty before Christmass, which," he
said, " he longed most for." And also I have communed with the
earl Marishal, * who is a goodly young gentleman, well given to your
majesty, as I take him ; but yet I find him not well willing to have
the child delivered out of the realm, till she be of lawful age ; where
in, as I do perceive, they have all one opinion, " That if she were
once in your majesty's hands, howsoever the game should go, your
highness," they say, " would dispose the crown of this realm ;'' the
title and freedom whereof methinks they be wholly bent to maintain,
not willing to have the same subject to England, till, by the consumma
tion of the marriage, God shall unite and conjoin both realms in one
dominion. But for France,. the said earl Marishal told me, "That the
earl Cassils and he had given hands, the one to the other, to go to
gether in your majesty's service against France, if your highness would
command them..
Thus have I signified unto your royal majesty such discourses and
communications as I havehad with those noblemen here ; wherein if I
have not used such dexterity and circumspection as were requisite, I
most humbly beseech your majesty, of your clemency and most benign
nature, to bear with mine insufficiency in that behalf. And as I am
most bound, I shall daily; pray for the preservation of your most noble
and royal person in prosperous estate of health to live, and most felici-
ously to reign over us the years of Nestor. .
Edinburgh,, the 27th March.
*"Williana, fourth earl Marischal. He succeeded to his grandfather about 1531, and was
friendly to the Reformation. He stood neuter during the civil wars of Xiueen Mary; and
having shut -himself up in his castle of Dunnotar, .obtained the name of William irr the
Tower. He died about- 1581.

IOO EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To Sir Ralph Sadler, 2?*A March, 1543. *
Ma Sadler,
After our right hearty commendations, ye shall understand, that the
king's majesty considering your last advertisements of your discourse
with the queen, noteth in you much diligence, wisdom, and discretion,
in your proceedings and service there, and giveth unto you his hearty
thanks therefore. In the queen, considering the circumstances of her
reasons, fashions, and behaviour to you, with the manner of her enter
tainment, the king's majesty judgeth to be a frank and plain manner
of proceeding, such as motherly love to the surety of her child should
of reason easily perswade her. In the rest, the king's majesty is in a
marvellous perplexity what to say of them, being their deeds so re
pugnant to that the queen saith, with the strange fashion of removing
of the cardinal, so denied at one time, doubted of afterward, and then
granted by sir George Douglas, as ye wrote; which knowledge of
their proceedings, the king's majesty will use to his benefit as much
as may be, and requireth you to repair eftsoons to the queen, and re
newing your discourse with her, of the conveyance of her daughter
hither, and shewing yourself desirous to be a minister in the same, to
know of her what lords of Scotland she thinketh would be well willing,
aidant, and assisting, to bring that purpose to pass, to the intent, upon
knowledge of them, you may take opportunity to speak and commune
with them thereof, and so feel their minds in that behalf. And as ye
shall get knowledge of the queen what those personages be, the
king's majesty's pleasure is, ye shall use your dexterity and wisdom to
break the matter unto those lords, or so many of them as may of like-
lyhood be trusted in that matter, alluring them with promises and re-
* The violence and impatience of Henry's temper, may be clearly traced in the two
letters which follow.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 101
wards to the king's majesty's purpose, as you shall think requisite ; and
what ye shall do therein to signify with diligence. Advertising in
the mean time sir George Douglas, and such of that band as shall re
pair unto you, that the king's majesty (which is also most true) causeth
such preparations of force and power to be made on the borders, as in
case these promises, gentle handling, and reasonable communication,
take not effect, the king's majesty may use his own princely power
and strength. And this, ye may say, is written unto you, which as it
is true, so may you shew it unto them written, if they require it.

From the King's Majesty qf England to Sir Ralph Sadler, 30th
March, 1543.
Trusty and right well beloved, we greet you well : Letting you wit,
' that we have received your letters, and well considered the contents of
the same. For answer whereunto, ye shall understand our pleasure
and commandment is, that upon the sight hereof, ye shall take your
opportunity to* speak with the earls of Angus and Glencairn, the lord
Maxwell and sir George Douglas : And to those four ye shall declare,
that we have given you in commandment to signify unto them, that
considering with ourself the estate of their things there, with the par
ticular proceedings of them, and of all the rest, which be obliged to do
us service ; we find so great difference between words and deeds, as
enforceth us to conceive and think, that they little or nothing regard
the advancement of our purpose, .nor the goodness which we have ex
tended towards them ; which hath so plainly appeared unto us, since
their entry into Scotland by all their proceedings, as unless it be very
shortly and substantially redoubled with deeds, and not with words ;
we purpose no longer to be deceived with fair words, and vain hope of
things to come at length, but presently to follow our entei prize as to
our honour appertaineth : And to the intent they may the better
know that we forget not what they have promised, and how contrary

102 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
their doings be to the same, you shall remember unto them, that, First,
Where they promised to give unto us due and faithful advertisements,
from time to time, of all their proceedings in Scotland, and what they
should, from time to time, find themselves able to do ; who were sure
to their party for our purpose, and who were letts to the same, with
their advices what should be expedient to be done, from time to time,
for the advancement of our enterprize, and for removing of all the im
pediments and obstacles against it ; they never gave us any manner of
advertisement of any effect, till now of late, that they were by our
admiral, and by you at your coming, provoked and pricked unto it ;
and how their advertisements answer to the points of their promises,
they know best themselves.
Secondly, Where they promised, to work nothing without our ad
vice and counsel, ye may declare unto them, that we, esteeming them
our good servants, have given them our advice in sundry things and
occurrences, which we judged might in any wise touch them ; but as
fbr their part, they have been so strange unto us, that we never recei
ved a letter from any of them, expressing any particular of the things
done, or like to be done, whereupon- we might give them our advice
in any time convenient. But when things have been determined af
ter their fantasy, then we hear a little of them covertly, rather as it
were to make fair weather with us, thari indeed to satisfy any piece of
that which they had promised, or that might in any wise advance our
purpose. Andi to touch one thing specially, we could never yet hear
from them, what special things they had to lay against the cardinal
when they took him ; whom, albeit the governour himself, and some of
them, have written and said many times precisely, " That he should
never be delivered, but to his farther displeasure ;" yet, as we hear, he
is now at home in his own house, and at liberty.
Thirdly,. Ye shall tell them, that we marvel most of all at their pro
ceedings in their parliament; wherein they seem to have provided by a
special . law, that we shall not have our purpose in the government of
that realm, having established him governour and second person of

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 103
the realm by the said parliament whom some of them have reputed so
unmeet to have government ; as they know themselves best how
largely they have spoken in that behalf, and whether this doth agree
with their promises or no, let themselves consider. Once this it impor-
teth certainly, that they cared not what they granted, nor what they
omitted, so that they might serve their own purpose. Wherefore, ye
shall, on our behalf, advise them, as men whom we would be loath to
lose, if by any good mean we can retain them, to weigh those matters
as they ought to do : And if their ambassadors be not instructed to
the purpose, let them procure that it may be out of hand supplied that
wanteth. For you may say, and assure them, that we will no longer
tolerate the matter, but, either by one way or other, bring it to some
better conclusion. And you may say, though none of them have pro
ceeded so frankly with us as appertaineth, yet we know somewhat of
the manner of all the doings of Scotland ; what combination was made
by oath by the earls of Argyle, Huntley, Bothwel, and Murray, with
diverse bishops, both for the delivery of the cardinal by force, if it
ooiild not otherwise have been compassed, and for the destruction of
the governour, the earl of Angus, and some other, which they yet pur
pose, though the earl of Huntley go now about to make a colour of
alliance betwixt him and the governour by marriage, thereby to insi
nuate himself that he may know their counsels ; which matter is of no
small importance, and not to be lightly disclosed, but secretly search
ed for, and prevented by wisdom. And here you may remember them,
how much they owe, and be bound to us, all the premisses notwith
standing, that it pleaseth us thus frankly to give them monition and
warning of such extreme dangers as be towards them, advising them
again even frankly, and like true gentlemen, without any farther tract
of time, to do that thing that may be to our satisfaction : And what
they shall answer and determine to do hereupon, and how they shall
indeed proceed, ye shall advertise us with diligence,* &c.
* The violent expostulations here enjoined must have had the natural effect of disgust-
j ng those of the noble captives who remained attached to Henry's cause, and alienating
such as were wavering. Sadler, accordingly, hesitates at delivering these reproaches.

104 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the Lords, and others qf kis Majesty's Privy Council, 3\st March,
1543.*
It may like your good lordships to understand, that on Thursday-
night late I received your letters ofthe 20th of this month, touching,
among other things, the removing of the cardinal here from the Black
ness to the castle of St Andrews, which, as appeareth by your lord
ships said letters, the king's majesty would have by some mean im
peached : and albeit (as I doubt not his majesty hath by letters or this
time perceived) the said cardinal is already removed to his said castle,
so as your said letters came too late for the stay or impeachment of
the said purpose, yet I thought it not amiss to talk somewhat of the
matter with sir George Douglas, whom I sent for to come and* speak
with me, as he did accordingly. And then discoursing with him there
of, according to the king's majesty's pleasure, expressed in your said
letters, with further allegation of mine own part, that I heard credibly
reported, " that the said cardinal was at liberty," (as indeed all the
town here bruited the same,) and a chaplain of the same cardinal's
came to a priest, that keepeth the house where I ly here; and told him,
" that he had a message to me from the cardinal ;¦' which, because for
fear of suspicion he durst not himself cpme to me, he prayed the said
priest to declare, being in effect, " that the cardinal had him very
heartily commended to me, and had now obtained his liberty; where-'
fore he' would be glad to welcome me into the country, offering his
lawful service unto the king's majesty ; and whatsoever stead or plea
sure he might do me in those parts, he was ready and most willing to
accomplish the same." Whereby I told the said sir George, " that not
a little to my marvel, considering how largely the governour had said

* This letter seems to relate to some dark intrigue for securing the person of the cardi
nal in some fortress of the Douglasses, or perhaps for conveying him to England.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. ]05
to me in that part, I perceived the cardinal was now at liberty." The
said sir George, seeming to be in a great heat, told me, " that the go
vernour was the most wavering and unstable person in the world, and
the soonest would be altered and changed with every man's flattery
and fair speech ; as," quoth he, " the earl of Huntley, who is the fal
sest and wiliest young man in the world, hath found the means to get
such credit with the governour, as he had not only perswaded him to
remove the queen and the princess to Stirling, but also, that the cardi
nal should have more liberty now in' his own house than he had before
at Blackness ; that he might go abroad to the church, and elsewhere
about his house, at his pleasure ; intending," quoth he, " to set him
clearly at liberty, and, in fine, to work the governour's overthrow and
utter confusion. But," quoth he, " I have changed the whole pur
pose; and have said my mind at large to the said earl, with whom I
have fallen out so far, that now there is great sute and mean made
by him to make us friends again." And here he chafed much against
him, reproving greatly his wiliness (as he called it) and subtilty. I
advised him to have sure regard to the said earl, and such other as
were of his party ; and told him, how the king's majesty commanded
me, on his highness's behalf, to advise to look well to them, lest per
case they might take their opportunity to lift him out of favour and
authority, which he should not be able to recover again. He most
humbly thanked the king's majesty for that advice, and said, " that he
would provide well enough for that matter." I asked him, " in what
case the cardinal was ?" He said, " he was prisoner in his own house,
but he was in 'doubt whether he was as straitly kept as before ; for,"
quoth he, "the letters were made ready to be signed by the governour
for his enlargement, in such sort as is aforesaid, which I did tear in
pieces, and went to the governour, with one of the pieces in my hands,
to whom," quoth he, " I declared my mind plainly, and put him in re
membrance how largely he had spoken to you touching the sure cus
tody and imprisonment of the said cardinal ; which, if he should now*
so soon digress and vary from, I told him," quoth he, " that you being

106 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
here a wise man, would soon perceive him, and would advertise the
king your master of it, who would note much untruth and lightness
in him : and with such like words," quoth he, " I changed him again
clearly from that purpose. And now," quoth he, " I will go to -him,
and tell him what the king's majesty hath written to you in that be
half, trusting to bring you good answer. But," quoth he, " it shall
not be best to speak any word of the convoying of the said cardinal
into England ; for I know," quoth he, " that the governour will not
fevour it, and it shall but engender suspicion in him." I told him,
" there could be no cause of suspicion to be conceived in that part."
He said, " the governour was so suspicious, as where no cause is at all,
yet he will suspect." So that I could not persuade him that it was
good to make any motion thereof. Wherein, nevertheless, I shall not
fail myself to essay the governour at my next speaking with him. I
asked also the said sir George, " whether the purpose of the dowager
and the young queen's removing to Stirling was stayed ?" " Which,"
he said, " he had stayed, with the good contentation ofthe governour
and the whole council." And forasmuch as I had received a letter
from the said dowager, (which ye shall receive here inclosed,) contain
ing only credence to be given to the bearer ; which credence was,
" That having certain matter to communicate with me, which she
would not commit to writing, she desired me to take some opportuni
ty to come to Linlithgow and speak with her ; and if I could conve
niently, I should not bring with me such persons as did accompany
me thither the last time of my being with her ; which were, the lord
Methven, the lord Ochiltrie, sir George Douglas, and James Stewart,
appointed thereto by the governour. Whereupon I resolved and sent
her answer, that I would not fail to accomplish the same assoon as I
might conveniently. I thought best, therefore, to require the said sir
George (whom, nevertheless, I would not make privy to the matter,
nor to her said desire) to tell the governour, that, by his licence, I
would eftsoons go see the said dowager, with whom I had a little mat
ter to confer of, which I had omitted at my last being with her. He

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 107
told me, " it would like the governour well enough, and though he
would conceive some suspicion thereof, nevertheless he would move
him of it, and bring me answer again, as well of that as of the rest
touching the cardinal."
At night he came to me, and told me, " That if the governour had
known the king's pleasure in time, the cardinal should not have been
removed, nevertheless he shall be kept surely where he is ; and the
Lord Seton * is bound to him in life and lands for the sure custody of
the said cardinal: But as for the removing of him from St Andrews,
now since he is there, he thinketh it not meet to be hastily done, in
tending to send thither this day the laird of Grange, f treasurer here,
to see how the said cardinal is kept, and to take order for his sure
guard and custody; so that," as the said Sir George telleth me, " he
shall be in as sure and strong prison, and as straitly kept in his own
house, as if he were in any other strong hold within Scotland,
and hereafter may be removed to Dumbar or Temptallon, as the case
shall require." And touching my desire to go to the queen-dowager
here at Linlithgow, he told me, " That the governour had appointed
to send this day to her the earl of Huntley, and the said sir George,
to the intent, that the same earl who had been the procurer, and had
also obtained that she should remove with her daughter to Stirling,
should now himself, on the behalf of the governour and council here,
declare to her the reason and cause of the stay and impeachment of
the same; and the said Sir George specially appointed to go with him,
to hear that, he do his message justly in that behalf. Wherefore the
governour desired me to put off my journey till their return, at which
time I should know when she would appoint me to come to her pre
sence, which I might accomplish at my pleasure accordingly." Also
the said sir George told me, " That the said earl of Huntley and he
* George, fifth Lord Seton, who died in 154-5. He had assented to the English match;
but, being a rigid Catholic, was probably disposed to retract as soon as possible.
t Sir William Kirkaldy, the gallant laird of Grange, a friend to the English interest,
and an enemy to the cardinal, in whose death he was an accomplice.

108 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
were made friends again, and that the said earl had made him large
promises of friendship." Whereupon he and I entring farther in com
munication of the state of things here, and of the likelyhood of the
success of the king's majesty's purposes, he told me, " That he per
ceived the noblemen here hoped there should be some business between
the king's majesty and France, which, they thought, would be a mean
to cause his majesty agree with them upon the more easy conditions."
And, therefore, the said sir George prayed me to signify, " That his
poor advice was, that it may please the king's majesty to keep in with
France, until his highness be at a full point and conclusion with those
men; whereby," he saith, " his grace shall make his bargain much the
easier." Finally, he told me, " That the governour was very sorry that
I had no better cheer nor entertainment here, trusting I would ascribe
the same to their business ; and that the said governour desired me
heartily' ta take the pain to dine with him to-morrow;" which I have
promised to do. And then will I take mine opportunity with him, to
feel him throughly touching the cardinal, and see how he can be con
tent to accomplish the king's majesty's desire, for convoying the said
cardinal into England, whereof I shall advertise with such diligence as,
appertaineth. And thus, &c.

To the Lords qf his Majesty's Privy Council, 1st April, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this day I dined
with the governour, who made me great cheer and good countenance,
and all dinner- while held purpose with me against the abuses of the
church, the reformation whereof he most earnestly pretendeth^ and
desired me to write into England for some books ofthe New Testament
and Bible in English, and also the statutes and injunctions made by the
king'* majesty for the reformation of the clergy, and extirpation of the
bishop, of Rome, which I promised him I would do : And if it may
please your lordships to take order for the accomplishment of his de-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 109
sire in that part, surely it shall be very acceptable unto him. After
dinner I thought to feel him throughly, what he intended towards the
cardinal, as I wrote to your lordships in my last letters ; and entring
with him in that behalf, I told him, that the king's majesty hearing
afore the cardinal's removing, that he should be removed from the
Blackness to the castle of St Andrews, only of intent thereby to get
entry into the same castle, had commanded me to solicit with him the
impeachment of that purpose, thinking that where they mean that way
to win the said castle, it is the most ready way that can be devised
both to lose the castle and him also, being the same is set in such a..
place, as they be not able to keep it, if his friends will the contrary ;
and, being there, he might have the better opportunity, with the aid
of France, and clergy of Scotland depending upon him, to work, (as he
will to his possible power,) to overthrow all their purposes, specially
the state of his government, and matters of reformation of the clergy,
which I told the said governour should be more than necessary for him
to foresee. And therefore I told him, albeit the cardinal was thus re
moved, before I received the said commandment from the king's ma
jesty ; yet it was my duty to declare unto him his majesty's opinion in
that part, whereby he might perceive his highness's good affection to
wards him, and the advancement of his honour and surety, giving him
my poor advice, not to suffer the said cardinal to remain at St An
drews. He answered me, " That if he had known the king's pleasure
in time, he would have been ruled by his advice ; and yet he said it
was the nearest way for him to come by the castle, which now he hath
in hands, and the cardinal there, in the custody of the lord Seton, as
straitly kept as he was before ; for the which the same lord Seton was
bound in his life and inheritance.'* And much he thanked the king's
majesty, " That it pleased the same so to tender his estate, as to give
him such advice and monition of the said cardinal's intent, who," he
said, " he was sure would work him no les* cumber, than I told him
on the king's behalf, if he were at liberty;" assuring me, " that' he
should never come out of prison whilst he lived," as he hath done sun-

1 10 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
dry times before. I told him, that as long as he was in his own castle,
such as depended upon him, (which, I thought, were a great number,)
being win unto him by money and rewards, besides the whole clergy,
would ever hope for his delivery, and do depend and stay thereupon,
who, if that hope were taken away, would quietly conform themselves
to reason. He said, " If the peace were once established, he doubted
not to bring all this realm to good quietness, and was sure there was
no man in Scotland thatdepended so much upon the cardinal, as would
offend him, or refuse quietly to agree to reason; and let them hope
what they would, he should have sure regard to the keeping of the
cardinal." I advised him yet to consider, how much the more easily
such as do hope for his delivery, and depend upon him, would be in
duced to reason and -conformity, if that hope were once taken away.
And therefore I said, he could do no better than to send the said car
dinal into England, where he should be in such surety, as he should
not need to doubt his practices, and thereby all hope of his delivery
should be avoided. Hereat he laughed, and said, " The cardinal had
lever go into hell. And," quoth he, " it would be thought strange if
I should send him into England, as who should say," quoth he, " we
were not able to punish his fault here. But I assure you," quoth he,
" he shall be as surely kept here, as if he were in England." I told
him, I thought it not convenient he should remain where he was, for
the considerations afore rehearsed. Nevertheless, whatsoever I alled-
ged in that part, I could not remove him from that opinion, but that
he was, and should be as surely kept, and to as good purpose, where
he was at St Andrews, as in any other place ; assuring your lordships,
that unless he be the greatest dissembler that ever was, he mindeth to
hold surely the cardinal in prison. And I have learned since his re
moving to St Andrews, that the cause thereof was not only to have
the castle into the governour's hands, but also that indeed it should be
noted and bruited he was at liberty, to the intent the priests through
out this realm, which before were at such a stay, as they would neither
minister sacraments nor say mass, might hereupon the rather now at

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. Ill
this feast of Easter, in quiet manner be induced to execute and do the
same accordingly ; which the governour hath also confessed unto
me. After the governour and I had talked of this matter, I told' him that
I intended, by his licence, to go visit the queen-dowager, as I had be
fore sent him word by sir George Douglas. Whereto he answered me,,
" That I should find her in end (whatsoever she pretendeth) a right
French woman." And then he told me, " That Mr Drummond had
shewed him, on the king's majesty's behalf, how that she had sent word
to his majesty by one of her servants, that he intended to marry the
young queen here to his son ;" wherein he sware a great oath, no less
than by the wounds of God, " that she belied him, and that she had
advertised his majesty so, only to bring him in suspicion with his ma
jesty. For," quoth he, " if I were so minded, I could easily work it;
as I am sure," quoth he, " not a nobleman in Scotland could nor would
be against me in it. And, indeed," quoth he, " before the marriage
was proponed for the prince of England, I thought no less than to have
married her to my son, and communed with the queen here in that be
half, and found her both willing and conformable: But," quoth he,
" after the home-coming of the prisoners, who proponed the marriage
for England, I did consider it to be so beneficial tothe common-wealth
of the realm, that I did not only agree to it, but with all my power
advance and set it forth ; and so God help me, as I do effectually mind
it." Here, as I have done' at other times afore, I pressed him so to
proceed with the king's majesty, as it might appear he did earnestly
mind it; " which," he said,< " he would do." And still he shewed him
self to be moved with the queen, for the cause aforesaid, saying, " She
studied nothing more than to. set the king's, majesty and him at pick;
and so to keep both realms from unity and agreement,, the rather be
cause this realm should still adhere and depend upon France. This,"
he saith, " is her only device; which," quoth he, " as she is both sub
tile and wily, so she hath a vengeable engine and wit to work her pur-

112 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
pose. And still she laboureth," quoth he, " by all 'means she can, to
have the cardinal at liberty ; by whom, being as good a French-man as
she is a French-woman, she might the rather compass her intent."
Thus the governour told me, almost word by word as I write it to
your lordships, so that I cannot tell which of them to trust, but refer
the same to your wisdoms; and by the ambassador's proceedings with
you, ye shall perceive the whole, which a little time shall reveal : for
my part, as much as I can, I will bend my poor wit, and spare no la
bour to decipher them, and from time to time, whilst I am here, shall
write and advertise what I see and hear worth writing.
Assoon as I was departed from the governour, I received your lord
ships letters of the 27th of March; whereby I do perceive how the
king's majesty judgeth in the queen a frank and plain mariner of pro
ceeding, wherein also I was fully perswaded upon my last conference
with her ; and yet think it can be no otherwise, intending to-morrow
to repair unto her, wherein she is at Linlithgow, (the governour being
well content that I should so do) ; and, at mine access unto her, when
I have heard what she will say unto me first, because she hath sent for
me, I shall then so accomplish my charge, committed unto me by your
said letters, as she shall have nothing of me, whereby she may take
any advantage, if she be not so sincerely minded towards the king's
majesty as she pretendeth ; and as I proceed with her, with such mat*-
ter as she shall declare unto me, and how I find her, I shall not fail to
advertise your lordships with all diligence. The rest of your said let
ters, touching the king's majesty's preparations on the borders, I shall
declare likewise to sir George Douglas, and such of that band (where
of there is no more here, at this time, but he and the earl of Angus, his
brother) as shall repair unto me accordingly. And thus, &c.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 113

To the Lords qfhis Majesty's Privy CouncU, 2,d April, 1543.
. It may like your good lordships to understand, that as I wrote yester
day to your lordships, that I intended this day to ride to Linlithgow, so
have I been there with the queen, whom I find in the sariie terms I left her
at my first being with her. She told me, " that she sent for me, to declare
unto me, how the governour had been with her, and what he said unto
her, and also to know of me, how I found the said governour and all the
lords inclined to the king's majesty, and the accomplishment of the mar
riage betwixt my lord prince's grace and her daughter : And first," she
said," she could perceive none other in the governour, but that he
minded not. the . said marriage, intending rather to take this time to
marry her to his son ; assuring me, that he said unto her at his last be
ing with her, that he. would rather die than deliver the child into the
king's hands ; and that he would nevertheless give: good words, and
make fair weather to get peace by that means, till better opportunity
should serve to the execution of his purpose : as," she saith, " also he
prayed her to give me good words, saying, I was ari haughty fellow;"
wherein I trust I should have testimony, if need were, that he mista-
keth hie. And then she required me to tell her, how I found him
and the lords inclined ? I said, " I found them well given and affec
tionate to tlie marriage, and much; desirous of the peace." " Yea,"
quoth she, " but I am sure ye see not in them that they will, or in
tend, tp deliver, the child into the king's hands." I told her, I could
not .tell what they would do, but they give good words, and say,
" they doubted not to satisfy his majesty in that behalf with reason."
" Yea," quoth she, " peradventure the governour will offer one of his
sons in pledge for performance ofthe marriage, as," quoth she, "I have
heard partly of it ; but that is not sufficient, for he hath moe sons nor
one, and it is like enough that, for a kingdom, he will be content to
lose one of them. 'Beside that," quoth she, "" I hear say, they can be
vol. i. p

114 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
content that the king's majesty shall appoint a certain number of Eng
lishmen and ladies to be here about the person of the young queen for
her better safeguard and surety. But what is that to the purpose?"
quoth she, " the king shall never the sooner recover her into his hands,
if they here list to vary from their covenants. And therefore," quoth
she, " I doubt not but his majesty, being a wise prince, hath had such
experience. of practices in the world, and of fair words, that he will
not trust to Avoids. At the least," quoth she, " if they will not deliver
the child into his Imnds, I would wish he should take sufficient pledges
for the performance of the marriage, and also establish such a guard of
English personages about her person, as would look well to her sure
ty ;" for else," quoth she, " whatsoever they say or promise, they will
never observe nor perform the marriage." I assured her, that the
king's majesty, proceeded plainly, and directed all his purposes to the
preservation of her daughter and the wealth of this realm ; and in case
they here should go about to abuse his clemency in that part, they
might be sure, that as his majesty used them gently, and went about
to win them in that sort to his devotion and godly purpose, tending
chiefly to their benefit ; so his majesty was always ready to use his
force and princely power to bring them to reason, and would not fail,
in that case, to execute the same. She told me, " that she thought
assuredly all, or the most part, of the noblemen could be contented
that the marriage with my lord prince's grace should take effect, but
undoubtedly the governour did rather mind it to his own son. And
greatly," she said, " she feared the surety of the child ; for she heard
so many tales, that the governour would convoy her to a strong house
of his own, where she should be altogether in his hands, or into the
isles." So that (as I perceive) she is in fear of her destruction, and I
therefore wished her in England, which the queen also wished for her
part, saying, " she should be then in her friends hands, out of all dan
ger."* * The reader will probably be of opinion, that the wily dowager wished to push the
English monarch upon insisting for the instant custody of the infant queen's person; to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 1 15
And here I thought to take occasion to enter with her, according to
the contents of your lordships 'last letters, and told her, " that the
king's majesty, upon my advertisement of such conference as I had
with her, had conceived a good opinion of her, and that she used to
wards his majesty a frank and plain manner of proceeding, such as
motherly love to the surety of her child should of reason persuade
her : And therefore," quoth I, " if ye will provide for her surety, it-
shall be well done, that ye devise some means to bring her to his ma
jesty's hands." And then I asked her, " whether she thought not her
self assured of some noblemen of this realm which minded effectually
this marriage, and could be as well contented as she to deliver the
child into his majesty's hands?" She told me, "she knew none of their
minds in that behalf; but if any would be conformable to the same,
she thought the lord Maxwel was chiefly to be trusted, and also she
supposed the lord Fleming was good ; but she knew neither of their
affections in that behalf assuredly." The cardinal she much commend
ed, " who," she said, " would have been a good minister to the king's
majesty in the perfection of this matter ;" which, I told her, could
not enter into my creed. She still affirmed it, saying " that if he
were at liberty, she thought he would go into England to offer his ser
vice to the king's inajesty, and that he had so sent her word." I ask
ed her, what she thought of the earl of Glencairn and Cassils ? " By
my truth," quoth she, " I know not what they will do ; but surely,"
quoth she, "both they, and a great many moe, had lever the king's ma
jesty had the governrnent of this realm, than he that is governour ;
who," quoth she, " is assuredly a simple arid the most inconstant man
in the world; for whatsoever he determineth to-day, he changeth to
morrow." I demanded also of her, what she thought in that part of
the earl of Angus^r She answered, " he was, as she took him, assured
to the kingjs majesty, in whatsoever his highness should commit unto

which condition, she was well aware, the Scottish governor and his counsellors, however
desirous to oblige Henry in other respects, neither would nor durst consent.

116 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
him ; but she thought him of no policy or engine, (as she called it,)
and that he was altogether directed by his brother sir George, who,"
she said, " was as wily and crafty a man as any was in all Scotland."
Finally, I could not perceive by her, that she knew so much any of
the lords affections here, that she might plainly affirm which of them
minded earnestly the delivery. of the child into the king's majesty's
hands ; so that I canuot see with whom I might practise that matter,1
according to your. said letters; but when I shall speak with the lord
Maxwel, who, they say, will be here to-morrow, I shall afar off essay
him how he is minded in that behalf. Other communication of ef
fect I had not with the queen; but, at my departing from her, she de
sired me, "to give good ear, and hearken if any thing- were devised by
the governour, that should not. tend to the surety of her daughter and
the advancement of the marriage, that I would speedily advertise the
king's majesty of it ; and if she heard or perceived any thing that were
meet to be signified to his majesty, she would send for me to come and
speak with her, to the intent to make me privy to the same;, requiring
me to take the pain to come to her, when she should- send for me;"
which I promised to do, and so departed. ( > ( <•
Now your lordships have heard what opinion she hath ofthe gover
nour, who, she saith, dissembleth altogether with the king s majesty ;
and, on the other side, your lordships have likewise perceived by my
last letters what he saith ofher ; so that I canriot certainly, judge whe-'j
ther of them is best to be trusted ; and yet it may be that they mean
well enough on both-sides towards the accomplishment of the riiarriage.
Forthe governour denieth not.but that he once minded the same for his
own, son; "from the which," he saith, " in respect of the common
wealth, he is now clearly; removed." And the queen, not only suppo
sing that he is still of that mind, Tbut also, as I take her, earnestly de
siring the marriage of her said daughter to my lord prince's grace, dotb
so much inveigh against the said governour, the rather to move the
king's majesty effectually to work with him, and to stand fast upon »
such conditions as may serve to the sure and perfect accomplishment

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 11/
of the said marriage, which else percase she feareth should take no ef
fect. This is my conjecture, as I love to judge the best ; but I will
have better experience of the fidelity and truth of Frenchmen and Scot
tish than I have had yet, before I will presume to give any certain
judgment of their intent. Your lordships shall now see the plat of
those mens purposes at the arrival of their ambassadors ; and, as I shall
perceive here, I will advertise with such diligence as the cause shall re
quire. I had forgotten in my last letters to signify unto you, that the go
vernour desired me to write to the king's majesty, that it might please
the same to send home the abbot of Paisley,. being his .bastard-brother,
who, he saith, "might stand him in great stead here;" and some think
he will make him bishop of St Andrews ; which it may like your good
lordships to declare unto his majesty accordingly. And thus,&c.

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 4>th April, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that yesterday, in the
morning, came hither to me in my lodging the lord Maxwel, * whom
I had not seen afore since my coming hither ; and, after we had used
accustomed words of salutation, I began to enter with him frankly,
that rnethought things had not succeeded in such sort as he and others
had largely promised, at their being with the king's majesty. He an
swered me even frankly again, " That he saw not but all might suc
ceed as his majesty would, if it might please him to prosecute the same,
in case by fair and gentle means (which nevertheless," he said, " was
the best and most godly way) the same could not be obtained. And
for his part," he said, " he was driven to a narrow point; for both he
. * Herbert, fifth lord Maxwell, a nobleman of great influence on the western marches.
He was taken at the battle of Solway; which, indeed, was lost chiefly owing to the confu
sion occasioned in the Scottish army, by hearing Oliver Sinclair proclaimed general instead
ofMaxwelL He died in 1546.

118 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
was suspected here, and yet he had done the king's majesty no service,
which grieved him most. But," quoth he, " if the king's majesty do
prosecute his purpose, I will do him service according to my promise,
or else let me be reproved." I told him, it was every nobleman's part
to perform and keep promise; " and yet," quoth I, " my lord,~to be
plain with you, I cannot perceive that either ye, or any of you all "that
were with the king's majesty, have hitherto had such regard to the ob
servation of your words and promises as appertained to men of your
sort. For," quoth I, " neither have ye, since your coming out of Eng
land, advertised the king's majesty of any part of your proceedings,
nor yet have ye, as far as I see," quoth I, " gone about seriously in
your said promise to accomplish the same, but rather, directly contrary
thereto, ye made and established here a governour by parliament,
which, if ye weigh it well, standeth not with your promise. And how,"
quoth I, " ye have sent ambassadors instructed, as I understand, to
conclude a bare contract of a marriage betwixt my lord prince's grace
and your young queen here, with also a general peace : But I assure
you," quoth I, " if they be not amply instructed with such things as
may satisfy the king's majesty, they might as well have tarried here at
home." " By the mass," quoth he, " I trow ye say. truth. But,"
quoth he, " his majesty shall have the marriage of our queen for his
son, and both those realms knit in perfect friendship and perpetual
peace. And," quoth he, "when the marriage shall be consummate,
then both to be under one dominion. Think ye," quoth he, " that this
will not satisfy your master the! king's majesty ?" " I cannot tell,"
quoth I, " what will satisfy him ; but ye know what ye have promised
to him, which I think his majesty looketh for. And be you assured,"
quoth I, " that he will stand upon the delivery ofthe child into his
hand." " By God's body," quoth he, " if his majesty will prosecute it,
there is no doubt but he shall obtain it ; for the realm is not able to
withstand his power, nor to make defence: And all we," quoth he,
" that be his prisoners, be of one mind to assist his majesty to our
power, according to our promise. The earl of Angus also," quoth he,

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 119
" and his brother, 'be true gentlemeri ; and," quoth he, " the earl should
have my daughter in marriage, *, but the governour doth all that he
may to impeach it; for," quoth he," he will have no alliance betwixt
us." " What think you ?" quoth I ; " will not the governour and the
rest ofthe noblemen condescend to deliver the child into his majesty's
hands, as well as to offer him a contract of the marriage? which,"
quoth I, " if they mind to perform, why, should they not also consent
to deliver her?" " I think," quoth he, " they will not consent to de
liver her; for they be of opinion," quoth he, " that, if she were in the
king's majesty's hands, she should never die ; and whatsoever became
of her, his majesty would dispose the crown of this realm. And there
fore," quoth he, " unless the fear of the war move them to deliver her,
surely they will never consent to it: In which case, there is no other
way to his majesty to come by his purpose," quoth he, " but to use his
force ; unless," ¦ quoth he, " it shall please his majesty to take some
mean and indifferent way, either to take pledges, for her delivery, when
she shall be of- lawful age to be married, or to appoint English men
and women to be here about her, or both, which," quoth he,, "I think
the governour and all the noblemen here will be brought unto. And
if this will not serve," quoth he, "by my truth, then must his majes
ty, as far as I see, go to it by force; which if it come so to pass, his
majesty shall find me ready to perform and keep my promise, to the
uttermost of my power. And then," quoth he, " the time shall be
come, that shall reveal who will keep promise; as, by my truth,"
quoth he, " I dare say, there is not one of us, his majesty's prisoners,
but is firmly determined upon the same." " How happened it," quoth
I, " being so well minded to keep your promise, that, contrary to the
same, ye have established a governour here by parliament ?" " By the
mass, I cannot tell," quoth he : " We thought the king's majesty had
been content that he should be governour ; for," quoth he, " his ma
jesty wrote many kind letters to him, and accepted him well. And if
* Margaret Maxwell was accordingly married to the earl ot Angus.

J 20 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
I durst," quoth he, " I would charge his majesty with one thing, which
is, that he promised to send no safe-conduct, except some of us, his
majesty's prisoners, were named in it, to come to his majesty for the
conclusion of all matters to his grace's satisfaction; Wherefore,"
quoth he, " fbr my part, when I saw that his majesty, at the gover
nor's suite, had sent a safe-conduct to such only as he named, I
thought his majesty had well taken and reputed him for governour."
" No, by St Mary 1" quoth I, " it was far beside his majesty's expecta
tion; and you may be sure," quoth I, " his majesty doth;not yet re
pute him for governour, as, if ye noted such letters as his highness
wrote unto him, ye may perceive," quoth I, " by the directions ofthe
same, where his majesty calleth him only, The earl qf Arran, occupying
the place qf governour. But surely," quoth I, " there Was some default
amongst you, that ye wrote not, nor advertised the king's majesty from
time to time of your proceedings, whereby ye might. have had knpWr
ledge again from his majesty of his grace's pleasure, and advice how to
have prevented such things." " I have written divers times," quoth
he, " and never heard word again ; and great suite have I made,"
quoth he, " for my son,* who hath great charge on the borders, which,
because I am prisorier, I cannot myself execute. , And I promise you,"
quoth he, " the chief cause why I do desire. him at home is, for that I
might be able to keep promise with the king's majesty in the deliver
ance of the strong-holds being in my keeping, which," quoth he, "I
am not trusted withall, because I am prisoner; and therefore am fain
to ly myself in England, to the intent my son may be at. home to take '
the charge of mine offices : For if any other man should be put into /
the holds, I were ' not able," quoth he, " to keep my promise in that
behalf with the king's majesty, if his grace do prosecute his purpose by
force/which I durst not write," quoth he, "for it touched me too near;
* Sir Thomas Wharton, afterwards lord Wharton, was deputy-warden of the west
marches, and commanded the English at the memorable battle of Solway. The pledge
whom Maxwell proposes to put into his hands, was his second son, sir John Maxwell of
Terreagles, who afterwards became seventh lord Maxwell upon his brother's death without
issue. * II

.EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 121
ifeut I tell it to you," quoth he, " desiring that ye will write it to the
king's majesty, and solicit effectually, that it may please his majesty to
^end commandment in that behalf to sir Thomas Wharton, to take
mine other son pledge, who is as good a pledge as mine eldest son. *
And," quoth he, " I will remain myself at Carlile till that time, as I
am now going thither for that purpose; For," quoth he, " my son
must needs be at home for the cause aforesaid." In this discourse and
communication, I asked him also, whether they intended to abandon
France ? Whereuiito he said, " There would be no doubt nor sticking
in that part, if the rest do well succeed." And eftsoons finally he
prayed me, " To write fbr him, that he might have home his son,
which he chiefly desired, as he said, for respect of his said promise to
the king's majesty, and that I would write in such sort as he might
have shortly answer thereof at Carlile, where," he saith, " he will re
main till that time." I promised him that I would write, as it may
please your lordships to signify the same unto the king's majesty. And
so my lord Maxwel took his leave of me, and returned home again ;
for, as he told me, he came hither but only of purpose to speak with
me, ,&c, Postscript.
I received the king's majesty's letters of the 30th of March, giving
me charge to declare unto the earls of Angus and Glencairn, the lord
Maxwel and sir George Douglas, on his majesty's behalf, such things
as be contained in his highness's said letters, which I know not how
to accomplish, for ^t this present there is not one of them here, nor
yet any other of that baud. The earl of Angus and sir George Dou
glas, I think, will be here to-night, with whom I shall take mine op?
portHritiy, according to his majesty's commandment: But as to the
earl of Glencairn, arid the lord MsKwel, I know not when I shall see
them; for the earl is sixty miles hegce in the Highland here, as they
* Robert, afterwards sixth lord Mw«N-
VOL. I. Q,

122 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
call it, towards the isles, and the lord Maxwel went yesterday from
hence towards Carlile, which it may please your good lordships to de^
clare unto his highness accordingly. And if I should say my poor
opinion, I think his majesty shall without force have his purpose here,
both for pledges to be delivered unto him for the performance ofthe
marriage, (I will not say for the delivery ofthe child at such time as
percase his majesty shall appoint, but when she shall be of lawful age ;
for till then, I think, they will stick to have her here;) and also for the
abandoning and renunciation of France. This I conjecture by such
discourses and communications as I have had here amongst them ; but
I am not able certainly to judge thereof; not doubting but before
these my letters shall arrive with you, or shortly thereupon, your lord
ships have, or shall know" the truth thereof by their ambassadors. Thus
Almighty God, &c.

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy-Council, 8. April, 1543.
it may like your good lordships to understand, that yesterday I re
ceived your letters of the third of April ; at which time were with me
at dinner, in my lodging, the earls of Cassils and Glencairn, being
newly come hither. Wherefore I thought.it not amiss to participate
unto them that part of your said letters, touching special regard to be
had to the surety of the. queen's person ; wherein I told them, the
king's majesty thought, as it was most likely to be truth, that the
cardinal being now at liberty, and the earl of Lennox, who began to
assemble and gather a power, with their complices, would do the best
they could to surprize and get into their hands the said young queen ;
advising them therefore to devise and consult with their goverrrbur
and others of their party, to get her removed to the castle of Edin
burgh, where they might be sure of her. They answered, '-' It was
very like that the earl of Lennox, and the cardinal also, if it lay in
their power, would surely go about such a purpose, but being the

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 123
young queen where she is well kept and guarded, it was not possible
¦for them to bring their desire to pass in that behalf, unless the gover
nour should start from them to that party, which they thought he
would not do." And as for the earl of Lennox, they assured me,
" He had no gathering nor assembly; nevertheless, they thought it
not amiss to make all sure, if they might," saying, " they would go
down to the court to speak both the governour, the earl of Angus,
and Sir George Douglas, and see what they could work in that mat
ter;" which I advised them to do. And afterwards I sent for sir
Kzeorge Douglas, to whom I declared the contents of your lordships said
letters. He said, " He liked very well the king's majesty's advice and
counsel in that behalf ;" and as he and I had, before the receipt of
your said letters, communed of like matter in effect, touching the
queen's person to be had into such place and surety, as, though the
earl of Lennox, or any other of that party, should go about to sur
prize her, tbey should not now prevail in that part ; so he told me,
" he had been in hand with the governour to remove her to the castle of
Edinburgh, where the late king, her father, was also nourished ; but
the governour," he said, " as he perceived, had no good will thereunto,
because it was so near England, saying, there was an untrue informa
tion put into his head, that the king's majesty would not admit their
ambassadors to his presence, but referred them to your lordships of his
council ; and that a great number of soldiers, Which he called White-
coats, were come to the Borders, which put him in great fear and sus
picion." And therefore he told me, " That the said governour was
afraid that the king's majesty minded some enterprize to be done for
the convoying of the said queen into England ; thinking it best, that,
at mine access, I should not only satisfy him in that behalf, but also
that I should not speak of the removing of the said queen to the castle
of Edinburgh, lest he should thereby conceive farther suspicion, and
in the mean season he would work the best he could in that behalf."
This day I repaired myself to the governour, and told him, " That
the king's majesty perceiving, not only how he had been deceived in

124 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543;
the matter of the cardinal, but also how the earl of Lennox began 'to*
gather some force and assembly, which his majesty thought to be for
some great purpose, either to surprise the young queen, with the ad
vice and consent of the cardinal and his complices, which was most
likely, or else to do some notable displeasure to him, and such as were
¦of his party, had therefore commanded me to give him warning there
of, with adviee, on his majesty's behalf, to remove the person of the
queen to some other place of strength, where he might be sure of her,
so that she be not gotten out of his hands or he be aware of it ; pro*
viding surely,, that he be not served therein as he was in the matter of
the said cardinal." Whereunto he answered,, '*- That indeed never man.
was worse served nor he was in that matter ; and if the king's majes
ty's advice in that part had come in time, he would surely have fol
lowed it; as now he thanked his majesty most humbly for his advice
touching regard to the sure custody of the queen;" which I prayed;
him then, to follow with effect. And he assured me, " there was no
danger of it ; for the earl of Lennox," he said, " did make none as
sembly at all, but would have come to him or this time, saving that he
was afraid ofthe earl of Angus ; and now," he saith, "he will be here
on Sunday next, for which purpose he hath already sent to take up
his lodging ; and the cardinal," he said, " remained still at St Andrews,
feigning himself sick, saying, that as soon as he is whole, he will come
hither to Edinburgh." And, besides that, he told me, " that the said
young queen was in his chief strength at Linlithgow, and such about
her as he trusted, so that he thought he could, not be deceived." I put
him in remembrance how the lord Seton had handled him,* being his
near kinsman ; and also, that the house of Linlithgow was an house of no
great strength. •{• Wherefore, seeing the king's majesty hath given him

* In setting the cardinal at liberty.
t Linlithgow palace had been the favourite residence of James- V. ; queen Mary was
born there,, and it was still, it seems, the place of her residence. Although strongly situated
upon the banks of a lake, magnificence has been more the object of the architect than de
fence ; arcircumstance not very common in Scottish palaces.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 125
this advice and warning, I wished he should embrace and follow the
same. He said,. " he would use no prince's advice in the world afore
his majesty's. And for removing the person of the young queen to
some other place of strength, he said "he could be well content to do
it; but it was appointed by parliament, that she should be kept no
where but at Linlithgow or Stirling, without consent, as well of the
dowager and him as also the other estates- of the realm ; in which
case," he said, " he was content, for? his part, that she should be remo
ved to the castle of Edinburgh, where," he said, " her father was fos
tered and nourished ; and he doubted not but the rest of the lords
would also agree to it ; but what the dowager would do he doubted;
for the which purpose he would nevertheless send unto her to know
her inclination in that behalf." When I heard him thus conformable
to bring her to the castle of Edinburgh, (whereof, although I minded
earnestly the same, I had forborn, by the advice of sir George Dou
glas, for the consideration foresaid, to make special mention to the
governour,) I then pressed him thereunto by all the good means I
.could, which he hath promised me, as much as in him lieth, to set
forth and accomplish accordingly. I told him then, " that I perceived
by your lordships said letters, that their ambassadors had presence and
access unto the king's majesty, and were well entreated of the same,
as I doubted not he should shortly, hear from them ;" whereof he seem
ed to be very glad, " and wished all things might come to good pass."
Here I took occasion to enter some discourse with him of the per
plexed state of this realm ; how he stood himself in the contempt of
the clergy here, who, with their adherents, knowing his affection to
the truth of God's word, would not fail to take their time, as it should
serve them, to devise his ruin and destruction. Wherefore, I advised
him to< consider, what hondur had been offered him by the king's ma
jesty, whereby he might well perceive his highness's zeal and affection
towards him, and how great a stay his majjssty should be unto him, as
well in the maintenance and upholding of his authority, and state of
this government, as also in the execution of . all his godly purposes,

426 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND 1TNF 1543.
both to bring this realm to due obedience, and in the advancement of
God's glory in setting forth' of his true word and doctrine, which I
thought of congruence should move him freely and frankly to proceed
with the king's majesty in all things, without sticking in any such
matter, as they which percase would his ruin, shall or may persuade
him to stay in, the rather to hold and keep him from the king's ma
jesty, to the intent they might the better work their will upon hira
hereafter to his overthrow and utter destruction ; Mrhich I assured him
they would do as their time might serve them. He confessed all the
same, saying, " it was true ; and that if the king's majesty and this
realm were once at a good peace and unity, they would all be afraid of
him, where now both divers lords and all the clergy seem to be at ut
terance with him ; wherefore his trust is, that the king's majesty will
be a p-ood lord to him : And as he desired nothing more than to do all
that might be to his satisfaction with honour and reason ; so he
trusted the king's majesty would require nothing but that he and the
estates of the realm might well embrace, wherein for his part he
would be most willing and conformable." And thus we discoursed of
those things generally; wherein I did as much as I could to cause him
smell the danger which must needs ensue to him, if he should relent
and fall from the devotion of the king,!s majesty to the other party,
wliich himself hath told me be of the cast of France ; assuring him,
that the bishops and clergy being of that party, knowing his disposi
tion and opinion in Christian religion, would, when he thought him
self most assured among them, work his destruction, as is aforesaid.
He confessed the same, and has promised, "¦ that he will in all things
shew and declare himself most addicted to the king's majesty, and
most willing to satisfy all his lawful desires, not offending the liberty
and freedom of this realm."
As I was going to the said governour, I received the king's majes
ty's letters of the 4th of this present, proporting the whole progress
with the ambassadors there, which, after I had perused, T resolved with
myself not to enter, at this time, so far with the governour as to sig-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. T%7
nify unto him the special points of his majesty's resolution, until he
shall have advertisement of the same from the ambassadors, which is
not yet arrived. And, in the mean season, I shall commune with the
earls of Angus, Cassils, and Glencairn, and sir Geoige Douglas, which
be now here, and also with the lords Maxwel and Somervail when
they come, of and upon the contents of the king's majesty's said let
ters, both to ripe them the better in the points resolved by his majes
ty with the said ambassadors, and also to devise with them how they
may best work aud frame the governour and the other lords of this
realm to agree to the same, which I shall ensue in such sort as is pre
scribed unto me by the king's majesty's said letters accordingly. Here
with, your lordships shall receive a letter from the dowager here to
the king's majesty, which she writeth upon knowledge that she hath
of the detaining of her servant. . She sent the same letter to me by
one of her servants, and desired me " to convoy it to the king's majes
ty, and also to solicit a good answer thereunto with as much diligence
as might be conveniently." And. thus, &c.

To the Kings Majesty, gth April, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that yesterday I received*
your majesty's letters of the 4th of April, containing the special points',
which your majesty's pleasure is I should communicate with the go
vernour here, in such sort as is expressed in your highness's said let
ters. The first, touching the setting forth of the scripture; the se
cond, for the extirpation of the monks and friers, with the abolition
ofthe bishop of Rome's usurped authority ; and the third, concerning
your majesty's determination for the marriage of your highness's daugh
ter, the lady Elizabeth, to the said . govern our's son In which three-
points I have conferred this day at . good length with the said gover
nour, according, to the, very purport and contents of your majesty's
said letters, as near as I could, and in such order as is prescribed unto

128 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
me by the same. In the first point, I find him in such terms as your
anajesty would have him, for the setting forth of the scripture ; where
in he saith, " he hath taken such direction for the admonishing of his
people to read it sincerely and quietly to themselves fbr their own
knowledge, without taking upon them any sinister or rash interpreta
tion of the same, as by act of parliament made here in that behalf, he
told me is fully set forth, with the banishment of all other English
books, saving the mere scripture, being also of the best and truest
translation^ and when your majesty shall have perfected such books,
as I told him your highness intended to set forth by publick authori
ty, containing such a certain doctrine, as is maintainable by the mere
truth ; if it may like your majesty to send him the same," he saith,
" he will not fail to publish it here, desiring, with all his heart, that
these two realms may concur, not only in unity of the true under
standing of God's word, but also, by all other good means, to be knit
and assured one to another in perfect amity."
To the second point, he. told me, " That he desired no less the re
formation of the abuses of the church, and the extirpation of the estate
of monks and friers, with the abolition of the bishop of Rome's
.usurped authority, than your majesty doth ; but that," saith he, " will
be an hard matter to bring to pass ; for there be so many great men
here, that be such Papists and Pharisees, (as he called them,) that un
less the sin of covetice bring them unto it, (that is, the desire of ha
ving the lands of the abbeys,) he knoweth none other mean to win
them to his purpose in that behalf." And here he told me, " that he
thought all monasteries, and houses of religion, were first founded to
pray for the souls being in the pains of purgatory : and," quoth he,
" if there be no purgatory, (as I am clearly of that opinion,) these
foundations," quoth he, " be in vain and frustrate. And methinketh,"
quoth he, " it is a good ground whereupon to proceed to the extirpa
tion of these sects ye speak of, of monks and friers, and to convert
and employ the same to such better uses, as," quoth he, " ye have de--
clared unto me on the king's behalf." I told him, " he should find
7

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. V2$:
causes and grounds enough to proceed thereunto, if he would once go
about it." Whereunto he answered, " That were the peace once con
cluded, and all things well established betwixt your majesty and this
realm, he would as well in that, as in all other things, proceed by your
advice and counsel afore all other princes living."
Then went I to the thud point, touching the marriage to be had
betwixt your majesty's said daughter and the governour's son,* which
matter I handled with him as seriously as my poor wit could serve me,
and as near as I could, omitted no point of the charge which your ma
jesty gave me in that part by your said letters. The governour under
standing the great honour your majesty did offer unto him in that be
half, put off his cap, and said, " he was most bound of all men unto
your majesty, in that it pleased the same, being a prince of so great re
putation in the world, to offer such alliance and marriage with so poor
a man as he is, for the which he should bear his heart and service to
your majesty next unto his sovereign lady during his life. He con
fessed both what honour the same should be unto him, and what ad
vancement of his blood in the reputation of the world ; what benefit,
honour, and surety, it should be to himself and all his posterity ; and
also what stay and assistance he might thereby have of your majesty,
as well in the quiet use and continuance of his place, office, and autho
rity of this government without interruption ; as also in and for the
better execution of all his good purposes, tending to the setting forth
of God's word, and the advancement of God's glory, in the extirpation
of hypocrisy, and the usurped power of the bishop of Rome." But
yet he would not confess, nor believeth, that any such combination
should be contrived against him by the lords and bishops, who would
not come to him at the first, as is comprised in your majesty's said let
ters ;. alledging, " That jf the peace were once established, he could
* This- bait which was held out to the earl of Arran, perhaps- without any great sinceri
ty, does uot seem to have attracted him so much as one would have expected from so weak.
and vain a man. Elizabeth, afterwards queen of England, was the princess whom Henry.
proposed to bestow on. the son of the Scottish governor..
VOL. L It

130 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. '
and would rule them,. he doubted not, at his own pleasure and devo
tion. And as for their parliament matters," he said, " they were whol
ly and solemnly agreed upon .by all the states of the realm, none ab
sent but the earl of Argyle, who, being himself sick, sent his procura
tor." But, touching the cardinal, he said, " He was as evil served in
that matter as ever was man ; for he had committed him to the keep
ing of the lord Seton, who standeth 'bound an his life. and inheritance
for his sure keeping : And yet, nevertheless," »quoth he, " the cardinal
is master of -his own house, where he is, and has his liberty as well as
you or I." I told him then, he might perceive his majesty's opinion
was true, in that your majesty did advertise him, " that where he re
moved the cardinal to his own house, to get thereby an entry into the
castle, it was the next way to lose both him and the said castle;"
which he sware was true; and that the lord Seton, whom he trusted
chiefly, had deceived him, saying, " that he had thereby forfeited both
his life and his lands, if he list to put him to that extremity." I ask
ed him, what he minded to do in that behalf? He told me, " he was
at his wits end in the matter; but he would devise with the council
thereupon, and see what they would determine." I returned then to
the matter we were in before, and asked him, what I should write to
your majesty of his answer to that overture of marriage which your
highness hath in such sort made, as I had declared unto him ?" He
put off his cap again, and prayed me, " to write unto your majesty,
that he most humbly thanked the same .a thousand times for the s'reat
honour it pleased your highness to offer unto so poor a man as he was,
and that he would communicate the same to his most secret and trus-,
ty friends, as to his brother and sir George Douglas, and -not many
moe : Whereupon, or it were long, your majesty should know his
whole mind and resolution in that behalf." And finally, he prayed me,
on his behalf, "to render most humble thanks to your majesty for the
great goodness and clemency you did shew to his said brother and tbe
other gentlemen, which were lately with your majesty ;" which I told
him I would do accordingly, and so we departed. I intend diligently

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 131
to solicit his further answer to this overture of marriage, which had, I
shall advertise with such diligence as appertaineth.
Furthermore, it may like your majesty to understand, that sir George
Douglas hath told me, " That he went purposely on Saturday last, as
sent by the governour, to St Andrews, only to see how and in what
sort the cardinal was kept by the lord Seton ;" where he hath been in*
deed. And he telleth me, " That the cardinal is at liberty, and mas
ter of his own castle, which he may well keep and defend, if he will :"
wherein he said, "the lord Seton had failed of his duty;" and much
he depraved him for the same. He told me also, that the cardinal said
unto him, " That he was, and would be, at the governour's command
ment; and notwithstanding that he was, and might take his liberty at
his pleasure, he would nevertheless offer his body to the trial of his in-
nocency ; and if it may please the governour to use his service, he
would most willingly serve him in the affairs of the realm : And though
he were noted to^e a good French-man, yet as he could not deny but
he had some cause to favour France, for such living as he had there; *
so," he said, " he was nevertheless a true Scotsman, and bare not any
such affection to France, as should, in any point; move him to neglect
the wealth and commodity of this realm. And no man knoweth better
how necessary your majesty's amity was for the same, and what wealth
and benefit should ensue to them by the conjunction of those two
realms in perfect friendship and alliance; wherein, without regard of
France, if he were at liberty, in the governour's favour he would travel
to satisfy your majesty as much as any man in the realm of Scotland;
saving the freedom and liberty of the same." This the said sir George
told me, that the cardinal said unto him. And I- asked the same sir
George, " what they intended tb do in that matter ?'' He said, " He
could not tell what to say to it;" — swearing a great oath, — " That the
cardinal's money and substance had corrupted the lord Seton, and a
great many moe of the noblemen here." And then he told me, "That
* The cardinal was bishop of Mirepoix in France, and held other benefices there..

132 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
the earl of Huntley, who had asked licence of the governour to go
home into his country, was with the cardinal in St Andrews, and went
not home at all." And also he said, " That the earl of Lennox began
to gather a company together, and that the earl of Argyle was with
him, and the lord Areskine, with certain bishops about Stirling; in so
much, as he thought they would make a party about Stirling if they
could. And loath he would be," he said, " that the cardinal should
join with them ; for he should be able, with his money and friends, to
do more hurt than all the rest : wherefore it was more than requisite
for them, to debate and consider well this matter," saying, "¦ that he
thought it expedient, seeing the cardinal was now in such case, as he
might put himself abroad and at liberty when he would, to hold him
in good hope, and to allure him to come out of the castle to the go
vernour, by means whereof they might eftsoons get him into their
hands, and so make him sure, rather than to put him into any despe
ration, whereby he might revolt to the other party," I told him, their
matters were so perplexed, that I knew not what advice to give unto
him ; but I said, it behoved the governour, his brother the earl of
Angus, and him, specially to look well to it, for it touched them chief
ly ; arid they might be sure, if the other party might prevail, to smart
for it. He told me, " If it come to that part, they were strong enough
for any party that could be made in Scotland against them ; and, in
case they needed, they would sue and ask aid of your majesty." I ad
vised him to consider and consult well upon all those things, so that
such remedy might be provided in time, for those mischiefs which
seemed to be towards, as they were not prevented, nor taken suddenly
or unawares ; which he said he would do ; assuring me, " that there
could be no party so soon assembled, as should be able suddenly to dis
tress them." The governour in all discourses told me nothing of any
such practice or assembly made by the earl of Lennox, nor would be
acknown of any such division ; whereof I assure your majesty there is
great appearance.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 133
Since my last writing to your majesty, the cardinal sent a chaplain
of his unto me, with the self same message and tale, that he told to
the said sir George Douglas, as is before expressed ; and offered unto
me, all the gratuity and pleasure he could, with commendation of his
service unto your majesty. Whereunto I answered, that forasmuch as
I knew not in what case I stood, hearing tell that he was committed
upon sundry great crimes, it became me not, nor I would not require
any gratuity or pleasure at his hand ; but if he were his own man, and
in such case as I might lawfully commune or treat with him, I would
be the rather glad to use his advice, if I thought he would play the
part of a good minister, for the good perfection of such things as might
tend to the benefit and wealth of both these realms. The said chap
lain told me then, " That his master, the cardinal, bade him say unto
me, that where he understood your majesty was informed, how that he
should have been the impediment and lett, that the late king of Scots
came not to your majesty, he was able to prove that he was unjustly
reported to your highness in that part ; And whatsoever information
was made unto your majesty, he had always as great a regard and de
sire to the increase of amity betwixt these two realms as any man li
ving ; wherein, when it shall be his chance to speak with your majesty,
he shall declare himself by pregnant reasons." Also, since the dispatch
of my said last letters, here hath been with me the lord Fleming ; *
who, in discoursing with me of the state and success of his promise,
amongst others made unto your majesty, told me, " That if your high
ness had not all your desire and purpose, the Douglasses were most to
blame therefore; for they had established a governour here, most un
meet to bear the name, and occupy the place of such an office and es
tate, whom they only did support, and with whom also they might do
* Malcolm, third lord Flemiag, was married to Janet Stewart, sister to king James V.,
and was lord chamberlain of Scotland. Being made prisoner at Solway, he embraced the
English party, which he shortly afterwards deserted. He was killed at the battle of Pinky.
It may be observed, that he takes the part of the queen-dowager in the following discus
sion with Sadler, and was probably already engaged in her interest.

134 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
what they would, and specially sir George Douglas ; so as if they did
not work with him all your majesty's affairs in such sort as they pro
mised, your great liberality bestowed upon them was evil employed."
And he said, " If sir George Douglas had not taken upon him to work
all things, as he did, after his own fantasy and appetite, your majesty
might have had your whole purpose or this time." I understand there
is some dissention betwixt them and the said lord Fleming, for an of
fice of sheriffship here within this realm, and that percase moved him
to speak the more against them: Nevertheless I heard him quietly;
and then began he to dispraise the said governour, saying, "That he
was the greatest dissembler, and the most inconstant man in the
world; and therefore for bis part he meddled not with him, nor came
not to him, who, he thought, minded nothing less than the marriage
ofthe young queen here to my lord prince's grace;" assuring me, " that
after he came from your majesty, the said governour said unto him, that
he would rather take the said young queen, and carry her with him in
to the isles, and go dwell there, than he would consent to marry her
into England. Whereunto," he saith, " he answered, that if he so did;
your majesty, for the value of 101. Scots, could have one of the Irish
cettericks* there to bring you his head." And, further, he told me;
"That unless your majesty had the child delivered into your hands,
which would not here be granted, or else sufficient pledges for the per
formance of the marriage, he thought assuredly the same should never
take effect. And as for pledges," he said, " if the governour were well
content, and minded to grant the same, it lieth not in his power to
perform it with good pledges; for he should never get a nobleman in
the realm that would lay pledge in England for the matter." Siclike^
he told rhe, " That he came even then from the queen-dowager, who
bade him make her recommendations unto me, and therewith to tell
me, that the governour had been with her since my last being there,
and had demanded, of her, whether your majesty did make unta
* Banditti.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 135
her any office of marriage? and whether she intended to go dwell
in England ? Whereunto she answered, that if your majesty, being
one of the noblest princes, of the greatest reputation this day in
the world, should mind or offer unto her such honour, she could not
but account herself most bound to your highness for the same. And
the governour said again, that your majesty dissembled altogether with
her, in whatsoever I said unto her on your behalf; and that whatso
ever she said or signified unto your majesty, your grace did again ad
vertise him of the same." This the lord Fleming told me from the
queen; " whom," he saith, " your .majesty sliall find a true and plain
gentlewoman in all her proceedings, and singularly well affected to all
your majesty's desires." Finally, he told me, " That he had written a
letter to, my lord privy-seal, whereby he had declared some part of his
mind ; and shortly," he told me, " he would afore his day go to his en
try, and repair unto your majesty for the farther declaration of his in
tent; and, for his. part, he was fully determined to serve your majesty
to the uttermost of his power, according to his promise, as (if these
matters proceeded to force) your highness should well perceive." Thus
I write unto your royal majesty every man's tale in such sort as I hear
them ; whereby your grace may perceive the perplexed state of those
things and affairs here, and thereupon judge the better by your most
excellent wisdom, what is most expedient to be done for the accom
plishment of your most noble and vertuous desires : And as I shall get
further knowledge of things worthy your majesty's knowledge, I shall
advertise the same from time to time with diligence. This day the
earl of Angus hath married the lord Maxwel's daughter, * which hi
therto hath been protracted by the governour, and now at last accom
plished with his good-will and consent. Thus Ahnighty, &c.
* Margaret Maxwell. She survived the earl, and married Baillie of Lamington.
4

136 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543-

To the King's Majesty, \2th April, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that this day the govci*
nour sent for me at afternoon, and at my coming unto him, said, " He
had sent for me, both to declare himself concerning the liberty of the
cardinal, who," he said, " had now gotten himself free with his mo
ney ; and also to give me further answer, touching such great honour
as your majesty had minded towards him, in the overture of the mar
riage betwixt your majesty's daughter and his son. And first, for the
cardinal, he would begin with that matter, because it touched him
near : wherein," quoth he, "I have spoken so largely to you, that I
am afraid the king's majesty shall take displeasure with me, and con
ceive some suspicion that the said cardinal hath gotten liberty with
my will and consent." And here he sware many great oaths, as
wounds and sides,, that he was no more privy nor consenting to the set
ting of him at large *
and laid hand on his sword, offering to stick himself to the heart,, if
he knew of it till he was at liberty, praying me most effectually, hold
ing up his hands, " That I would write to your majesty with all dili
gence for his declaration in that part." I prayed him to tell me tlie
manner how the said cardinal got his liberty, to the intent I might al
so write the same unto- your majesty. He said, " That the lord Seton,
who is his near kinsman, (which he rued, for," quoth he, " he hath
shamed all his blood,) was bound to him in his life and inheritance for
the sure keeping of the said cardinal, as a prisoner : And now," he said,
" it was appointed, when the said cardinal should remove from the
Blackness to St Andrews, that the said lord Seton should first have had
the castle of St Andrews delivered unto him, and all the cardinal's
folks to have been put out of it, and then he to have been brought
* Here the copy wes rottin and consumed. — Marginal note on MS. in Advocates' Library.
11

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 137
thither, and so to have remained there prisoner in as sure custody as
before : Nevertheless," quoth he, " the lord Seton being corrupt by the
cardinal with great sums of money and other gifts, brought the cardi
nal into his own strength, in the said castle of St Andrews. And
whereas the lord Seton," quoth he, " hath not twelve pr sixteen men
within the castle, the cardinal hath three hundred ; so that he is plain
ly at his own liberty, and is master of the castle, in such sort," he
said, "as he might go where he would, being as he was amongst his
friends." I told him, he had been very evil served, and that the lord
Seton had a great matter to answer unto. Whereunto he said, " That
he should answer unto it; and were those matters once at a good
point with your majesty, he would pursue him according to the laws."
This he spake in a great heat, as, I assure your majesty, he seemed to
be much moved with the matter, and laboured^with great oaths and
constant asseverations to purge his innocency in the matter ; still
praying me, " to write to your majesty as effectually as I could in and
for his declaration, trusting that your majesty would believe him : for,"
quoth he, " I am a Christian man, and if I should swear to you as I
do, and ly, I were worse than a Jew." I promised that I would write
unto your majesty in that behalf with diligence. " But now," quoth
I, " since the cardinal is at his liberty, what intend you to do in that
matter ?" " Marry," quoth he, " I have, by tbe advice of the council,
sent my brother, the abbot of Paisley, unto him, to look if he can in
duce him to come hither : and," quoth he, " since he had his Uberty,
he said he would serve me ; and that, leaving utterly the cast of
France, he would be wholly, as I am," quoth he, " given to the cast
of England ; which, if he will do, the rather I shall be content to ex
tend favour and mercy unto him. But," quoth he, " I think verily he
will not come to me, fearing lest I should eftsoons lay hand on him :
And it is told me," quoth he, " that he will go further northwards, to
Arbroth, among his friends, where he thmketh," quoth he, " to be in
surety ; but by God's blood," quoth he, " if he do so, I will follow and
pursue him so near, that I will either have him into my hands again,
VOL. i. s

138 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
or else," quoth he, " I will dy upon him." And, sir," quoth I, " do
ye intend, in case he come hither, to remit him?" " I pray you,"
quoth he, " what is your advice in that part ?" " My lord," quoth I,
" I am not able to give you advice ; but if it may please you to tell
me what ye have to charge him withal, and for what cause he was ap
prehended, I will tell you," quoth I, " mine opinion." " Marry,"
quoth he, " the principal matter whereupon he was taken, was upon
knowledge that we had by a letter from my lord warden, my lord
Lyle,"* quoth he, " that the cardinal had procured the duke of Guise
to come hither with an army to subdue this realm, and to take the go
vernment of the same ; whereof now," quoth he, " we have no proof,
nor we perceive not," quoth he, " that the same was true. Neverthe
less," quoth he, " we have other matters to charge him with ; for he
did counterfeit," quoth he, " the late king's testament ; and when the
king was even almost dead," quoth he, " he took his hand in his, and
so caused him to subscribe a blank paper; and besides that," quoth he,
" since he was prisoner, he hath given special and secret command to
his men to keep his hold and castle of St Andrews against us ; which,"
quoth he, " is a plain disobedience and rebellion." I engrieved these
crimes as much as I could, and told him, that 1 heard say, " he had
forgiven and pardoned the cardinal of that crime in forging of the
king's testament ;" as indeed communing yesterday with the lord So
mervail in that matter, he told me it was so. Nevertheless, the gover
nour assured me, that he never gave the cardinal remission for the
same. Whereupon I told him, that my poor opiniori was, though the
cardinal come hither at his sending for, he should never admit him to
his presence; nor yet so hastily remit his offences, Avhich being so great,
he could not, with his honour, pardon in such sort, specially consider
ing the said cardinal had so heaped one fault upon another, as besides
his great crimes which he was committed upon, he had as it were by
a mean broken prison; wherefore, if he should thereupon clearly re-
* John, the fourth and last lord Lyle.
io

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. J 3<J
lease him, it should not only much impair his estimation, but also be
a great courage to all offenders to double their offences, thinking there
by the rather to obtain remission and pardon. Wherefore, I said it
was best, in my poor opinion, that if the cardinal come hither, he
should be committed to the custody of some noblemen here in the
town, and not go abroad, nor come in the governour's presence, nor
yet be restored to liberty, until he had your majesty's advice in the
same, which I said I doubted not should be shortly. " And seeing,"
quoth I, " you ask mine advice, I have now told you the same."
Whereupon he paused a little, and said, he thought it not amiss, and
would devise farther in that behalf with the council, praying me, in
the mean season, to advertise your majesty of the whole matter, and
to make his declaration in the same. And then leaving that matter,
he told me, that he had communed with his secret friends, touching
the marriage betwixt your majesty's daughter and his son ; and they
not only thought him, as he also thought himself, most bounden unto
your majesty for the great honour was offered unto him in that behalf,
but also had determined, that it was an overture most meet and requi
site for him most willingly to accept and embrace. And," quoth he,
" I am bound to creep on my knees to do his majesty service, for his
great clemency and goodness extended towards me therein. Where
fore," quoth he, "forasmuch as I remember well you told me, that the
king's majesty, in case I should go thrtiUgh with him in all other mat
ters, had resolved upon this marriage, if I should desire the same j
therefore it is meet," quoth he, il that I should desire it : So when all
those other matters be concluded, or at a good point, which," quoth
he, "there is no doubt but we shall easily agree upon, unless the king's
majesty go about to take away the liberty and freedom of this realm,
and to bring the same to his obedience and subjection ; I shall then,"
quoth he, ''send to his majesty to desire the said marriage for my son."
Here I repeated unto him, the great honour and manifold commodities
that should grow unto him by the same, in such sort as I was instruct
ed by your majesty's last letters, which he affirmed. And ever, ac-

140 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
cording to the contents of your highness's said letters, I bound upon him
for the sending of his son, in case this marriage should take effect, to
be nourished and educate in your majesty's court ; wherein I found
him most willing and conformable. In this discourse, also, he-told me,
that if the peace were concluded, he would not be long from your ma
jesty. And again, he prayed me, to write immediately unto your ma
jesty, both for his. declaration in the cardinal's liberty ; and also, on his
behalf, most humbly to thank your majesty for the great honour and
advancement minded towards him by your highness,, for the which
your majesty should be assured of his heart and service for ever.
Which, I assure your majesty, he spake as heartily, and with greater
affection, in appearance, than I can devise to express it. I promised
him then, that I would forthwith write unto your majesty, according
to his desire, and so departed from him.
The earl of Lennox came not yet to the governour, but remaineth
still in the west parts; some say he will come, and some say he will
not. The governour himself told me, that the said earl had sent him
word, that he had both letters and credence * to the lords and states
of the realm from the French king; wherefore, if there might be in
different place appointed^ at St Johnston, or, Stirling, where the lords
would assemble, he would come to declare his credence ; for the go
vernour told me, he had no will to come hither to Edinburgh, for fear
ofthe earl of Angus. He was answered by the governour, "that if he
had any credence or commission from the French king, if he would
come hither and declare it, in case it should then seem to be of such
importance as required a convention and assembly of the lords, the go
vernour would then send for them as. the case should require, or else
he thought it not meet to; trouble any of them in that behalf :" so that>
he saith, "the said earl will come hither, though," quoth he, "he maketh
no great haste." I told him, that I heard say, the earl of Argyle was
* Credence, like creance in French, is used for the effect or substance of an embassy ot,
mission referred to the envoy's own report.— See Howell's French and English Dictionary),,
voce. Creance.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543s 141
with him, and diverse other lords, intending to make a party ; but the
governour assured me, that it was not so. And in this communication
of the earl of Lennox, I put him in remembrance of the conditions of
abstinence, which are such, as I told him, he might not treat with any
other prince or potentate, upon any amity, conjunction, or alliance,
without break of the said abstinence ; which, he answered me, he
knew well enough, and assured me, he would justly. observe the con
ditions of the same.
I communed also this day with the earls of Angus and Cassils, the
lords Maxwel and Somervail, where we dined all together with the
earl of Arigus. They be all much offended with the lord Seton for the
liberty of the cardinal, and do all excuse the governour of the same.
They protest unto me veiy seriously, that neither the governour, to
their knowledge; nor any of them, were consenting to it, but they
suspect much the earl of Huntley. And now, since the cardinal is at
liberty, the lord Maxwel said, betwixt earnest and game, " that it was
not amiss (if he would leave France, and be of their affection towards
England, which he thought assuredly he. would do,) to send him. in
embassage to your majesty, to knit up all those matters." Finally, dis
coursing with them of the state of all things here, I do find them, in
outward appearance, most assured and willing to serve your majesty,
and to. satisfy the same in all points, according to their promise; by
fair means, if they can ; if not, otherwise, if it shall so please your ma
jesty to extend your, force. " Marry," they say, " if it might so
stand with your grace's pleasure, to leave your purpose of the govern
ment of this realm, and not only to suffer this man that is governour
to use the place and office, but also to be content, that in case the
young queen die before the consummation of the marriage, he may be
sure to succeed in the crown of this realm, as he is now established
second person of the same ; there is no doubt, but in all other things
which your majesty could require, your grace should be satisfied." I told
them, I knew not what would please ; but they knew well enough,
« and so did I, what they had promised, which, most seriously they as.-

J42 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
sured me, they would 'perform, or else die in the field for the same.
And so they prayed me to write unto your majesty, as I promised
them I would do accordingly. And now there be letters sent out to
all the lords that be absent, to assemble here against such time as they
think to hear from their ambassadors being with your majesty, which
they look for shortly, to the intent they may, upon knowledge What
your highness shall stick upon, devise for your satisfaction, as they
say, in all things reasonable ; whereunto these men seem to be very
earnestly affected and inclined.
This is the sum of such communication as I have had this day with
the governour and the other noblemen afore named ; wherein, though
I have not used such dexterity as were expedient, it may nevertheless
please your majesty, of your accustomed clemency, to bear with me,
and not to impute the same to any default of good-will, but to the
lack of wit and experience ; as knoweth God, &c. Thus, &c.

The former part of this Letter following, to the King's Majesty r, of the
18th of April, 1543, was lost, so that there is but a part of it here
written, in manner following.
********* so great benefit, f And I knew well
enough that (his brother except) no man had made larger promises
than he, having heretofore bound himself without condition to remain
ever your majesty's true subject. And as I heard credibly, that even
at his last repair northwards, speaking with your majesty in the lodge,
iri the park of Windsor, he did both repeat his band and promise in
that behalf; and also said many other things touching the crown of
Scotland, with such like things, being of such importance, as I was
sure he could not so soon forget ; wherefore he could not say, that he
hath not so largely promised as the rest, for indeed his promises be far
t Sadler seems to speak: of an interview with sir Gedrge Douglas.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 143
larger ; and therefore I required him to leave his so saying, and to ap
ply himself to accomplish that he had promised, whilst time served.
Whereunto he answered, " That indeed he ought his service unto your
majesty, and would serve, and hath served the same since his coming
hither, as well and better than any of the rest, who had made largest
promise; but for promise he had made none so large as the others:
And he doubted not but your majesty remembred, that when his bro
ther- covenanted and bound himself, and also took oath to serve your
majesty, which band and oath was," he saith, " taken at Abingdon in
the Park, at your majesty's being there, he, for his part, refused to be
sworn as his brother was, saying, that he had never taken oath but
once to his wife, which he had broken, * and therefore would no more
be sworn ; offering nevertheless his service to your majesty, which,"
he saith, " it pleased you at that time to accept, and take in good part.
And at his last departure from your majesty, he remembreth that there
passed but very few words betwixt your majesty and him, and that
was when he came into the said park into the lodge, as your majesty
came forth to go on shooting, he offered himself to take his leave, and
desired to know your majesty's pleasure, how his brother and he should
behave themselves when they came to the borders, because," saith he,
" it was then in doubt, whether there should be any wars or not; and
your majesty answered, that, because there were many folks by, he
should take no leave, but go his way, and from time to time he should
know your majesty's pleasure by your council. These," he saith, "were
all the words whieh passed; then betwixt your majesty and him : Ne
vertheless," he- said, " he was your servant, aud would have no other
master Whilst he lived:" And here he wished, "your majesty knew
his heart, and also knew perfectly ^ what service he hath done, and.in-
i *. Sir George Dbuglas!s; lady was [Elisabeth, daughter and heiress of David Douglas of
Pittendrieoh, by whom . he* became possessor of that estate. He appears to have been a ,
nian of intrigue ; as, besides his family by his wife, he left a natural son, George Douglas
of Parkheadj and1 a daughter by' Lady 'Dundas, borrt dunn'g- her husband's lifetime. See
fZedscroft. . r.:(, ; >.'.;•, ; ity -.. : ¦ \o _,r.J-,,ri.<rr ;¦¦_•-

144 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
tendeth to your majesty since his arrival here. And if all things suc
ceeded not to your majesty's satisfaction, according to his intent and
desire, but shall percase proceed to force and utterance ; as he hath
bent all his wits to frame your majesty's purposes in peaceable and
quiet manner, which he feareth he is not so happy to bring to pass
So your majesty shall well perceive that he will likewise apply himself
to serve otherwise, in all things, as your majesty shall command him, to
the uttermost of his power, as readily and willingly as any of the rest,
who have made 'largest promises."
And as we were thus talking, being together in a garden at the
Black-friers, came to us, by appointment before had among us, the
earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, with whom, and also with the
said sir George, I entred further, according to the Contents of your
majesty's said letters; and surely I found them in words and appear
ance as firmly bent, as any men can be, to serve your majesty in the
perfection and accomplishment of their promise, if this matter come to
force. And the earl of Glencairn earnestly perswaded £he rest; out of
hand to joyn with him in the solicitation of the governour, to get the
young queen in the castle of Edinburgh; wherein I told them what
the said governour had promised me, as I also wrote in my last letters
to your majesty?s council. They said, it was time to go about it; for
else percase, considering that the cardinal, the earls -of Lennox, Hunt
ley, and Argyle, keep* themselves abroad from the court, it was like
enough that they would assemble and go about to surprise the child if
they might ; wherein the earls tof Glencairn and Cassils were very ear
nest, and seemed a little moved with the earl of Angus and sir George,
because they made themselves more sure of the child where she was,
than indeed they can be: wherein nevertheless ; they resolved all to
work what they could to remove her to Edinburgh. Touching the
strong-holds, methinks they be out of hope to recover them, though I
perceive they would gladly. As for Stifling and Dumbarton,' they say,
they will not be had; and, yet they say,, they will advise the gover
nour to demand Dumbarton of the earl of Lennox in the queen's name*

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 145
and they wish all that the earl of Glencairn had it. As likewise they
would be glad lo have the rest, saying, they were madmen, if they
so would not, but they knew not how to come by them. Stirling, they
say, is the queen-dowager's jointure, and is in the keeping of the lord
Areskine, who is not their friend, and will surely keep it : Edinburgh
and Dumbar be at the governour's commandment; and my lord of
Angus saith, he will surely keep Temptallon. And further, touching
the inconstancy of the governour, which they all affirm, they say, "they
have and do use all the perswasions they can, to entertain him on their
part, and have, as much as in them is, advised him of such dangers and
inconveniencies, as might or must needs ensue unto him by the con
trary ; but they much fear that he will at last work his own confusion.
And ever since his brother, the abbot of Paisley,* came home, he hath
been chiefly ruled and counselled by him, who, they assure me, is alto
gether at the cast of France, and the cardinal's great friend ; and what
soever they do mind with the governour to-day, the abbot of Paisley
changeth him in the same or to-morrow; nevertheless they will take
as good heed to him as they can."
Then left we these matters, and I entred with them of the ambassa
dor's proceedings with your majesty, and partly discoursed with them
of such conferences as they had with your majesty's council; finally
declaring unto them your highness's resolution in that behalf, whereof,
I told them, the governour and they should hear very shortly from
tlieir said ambassadors. And here I inculked unto them how reason
ably and plainly your majesty proceeded, assuring them, that, for my
part, I thought that your majesty would not have so much relented,
as to have given place, or yielded to any piece of that which was pro-
* The abbot of Pafsley was John Hamilton, natural brother to the governor. In this
year. 154,3, he was made keeper ofthe privy-seal, and afterwards lord- treasurer. Being a
man of talents, and devoted to the interests ofthe church of Rome, he contributed much to de
tach his brother from the English faction. He was afterwards made bishop of Dunkeld, and
finally primate of St Andrews. Iu the civil wars he espoused the cause of queen Mary with
such ardour, that he was accused of treason by the opposite faction; and falling into their
hands, at the surprise -of Dun barton, he was publicly hanged at Stirling, 1st April, 1570.
VOL. I. T

146 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
mised ; wherefore I prayed them to consider it accordingly, and now
to shew themselves true gentlemen in the furtherance and setting forth
of those your majesty's most reasonable desires, tending so much to the
benefit of this realm ; whereby, I told them, they might redouble all
other their defaults in those matters. The earl of Glencairn answered,
" That he could not tell what they should be able to do in the treaty
of marriage, wherein he and the rest also, he doubted not, would bend
their wits to the uttermost, to satisfy your majesty as much as in them
is ; but if it come to stroaks, as he saw it was very like to do, they
would shew themselves true gentlemen unto your majesty :" Which
they all affirmed; and they agreed all in one opinion, that as they
thought assuredly it would never be granted without stroaks, that the
child should go out of the realm, till she were of lawful age to consum
mate the matrimony. And as for pledges, they would your majesty
had such as were chief of this realm. But, as far as I perceive by them,
they be in doubt, though the governour would agree to it, how he
shall be able to get you such pledges, as they perceive your majesty
would accept. For the peace perpetual, in such sort as your majesty
requireth the same, they think surely that will be obtained. And thus,
after we had discoursed a good while, they seeming to be in great de
spair for accomplishment of those things without force, resolved (for
as much as on Sunday next all the great lords are appointed to assem
ble here for those matters) to send for the lord Maxwell, and also for
their folks and servants to be here with them in the town, intending
to make Drumlanrig, being their assured friend, provost of the town,
whereby to have the strength of the same, so that whatsoever chance
they will be masters of the town; and, in the mean season, they will
work to have the young queen removed to the castle of Edinburgh, if
it were possible, which, they say, they will forthwith go about. And
even as we were departing, came a messenger from the governour to
the earl of Angus and his brother, also to the rest which were so with
me, saying, " That the governour had sent for them to come to coun
cil, for the herauld was newly arrived with letters from their ambassa-
3,

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 147
dors out of England." Which when they heard, they feared lest the
same news, which the herauld bringeth, should alter the governour, so
as they should not come by their purpose touching the queen's remo
ving, wherein nevertheless they would use all the possible means unto
them. And so desiring them now to stir and apply these things, in
such sort as your majesty might be satisfied, wherein I told them, they
might have a goodly opportunity with the governour, before the rest
of the lords of the adverse party assemble here ; and also praying them
that I might hear of their proceedings, whicli the earl of Glencairn
and sir George Douglas promised me : I left them going to the court,
where the governour and they, with the rest of the council here, have
sit all this day very busily upon these matters.
And this evening came to me the said earl of Glencairn, who shew
ed me, " that the governour was much altered, and utterly determined
to abide the extremity of the war, rather than condescend to the ac
complishment of your majesty's desires, in such sort as is contained in
the schedule delivered to their ambassadors, which they have sent hi
ther." And also a great number of the council being now here were
of the same opinion, none standing with your majesty's desires but
your majesty's prisoners, and such as they have drawn to their devo
tion, as the earl Marishal and the lord Ruthven. And as for sir George
Douglas, he hath no voice in 'council ; so as when all the lords and bi
shops shall assemble, unto which time they have put off the further
consultation of this matter, that is to say, till Sunday or Munday next ;
the said earl of Glencairn assureth me, "there will be six voices against
your majesty till their one. Wherefore," he saith, " if your majesty
be resolved to stand upon those points, it shall be requisite to prepare
your force and army both by land and sea, and in time to declare your
high pleasure how your majesty will resolve for them which be here
your prisoners ; whether they shall make them ready to enter at their
day into England, or remain here together to put themselves in force,
able to keep a party in this country till your majesty's army come to=
them ; and what shall be your majesty's pleasure in that part, they will

148 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND TN 1543.
undoubtedly follow the same to the uttermost of their powers." I told
him, it should be most requisite for them in time to look to the surety
of the person of the young queen, and to get her into their hands, if
it was possible. And he said, " the governour would nowise remove
her now to the castle of Edinburgh, but they would have sure regard
that he should not take her away to any other place without resistance
to their possibility, and will do what they can to be sure of her." Be
sides that, I told him, it were more than necessary for them to get
some of the strong-holds into their hands, according to your majesty's
former advice. Whereunto he answered, " that your majesty should
be sure of Temptallon, and such other strong-holds as were in hands
of the lord Maxwell ; the rest," he said, " were hard to come by, but
he believed they should be able to keep and hold this town maugre
the governour and all his partakers, and trusted also to keep him here
with them, either with or against his will, while your majesty's army
should arrive : Praying me to advertise your majesty with all speed
thereof, to the intent they may the sooner know what your gracious
pleasure is to have them do'; for the execution whereof they will
put themselves in readiness accordingly." I said, it was much to my
marvel, why the governour, or any good Scotsman, should refuse your
majesty's said desires, considering they were so reasonable and so be
neficial for them, and prayed him to tell me upon what point they
stuck so fast ? He answered, " that in nowise would they agree to the
delivery of the child within two years." I asked him, what time they
would require for her delivery ? He said, " they would have her eleven
years old first ; but in that point, for the certain time, they were not
yet resolved, but had put it off to the assembly of the whole council ;
and for pledges," he thought, " they would come to it hardly. And
likewise, for the perpetual peace, he trusted, that a great many would
be of .their opinion, to grant it in such sort as your majesty required
it ; but for the delivery of the child Within two years, he saw perfect
ly they would never grant it. And also the governour," he saith,
" doth much mislike the appointment by your majesty of his govern-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 14$
ment, with such conditions and qualifications as in the said schedule is
expressed, which he will in no wise accept. These things," he saith,
" they stick upon, wliich, for his part, he thinketh nevertheless reason
able," and saith, "he told so the governour ; advising him to look
well upon them, and to bear off the inconveniences which might follow
the refusal of the same." And also he saith, " he told the said gover
nour that he might be sure of the war, if he should not herein apply
to reason, which it should be more than necessary for him to consider
and foresee how they might be able to resist it ; which, if he weighed
well, he should soon perceive a great lack and diffurniture." Where
unto he saith, the goVernour answered quickly, " That this realm had
defended itself hitherto, and God would help them in their right; and
as for him, he told him, he spake only for his own part, and such as
were your majesty's prisoners, which, though they were all tied in fet
ters in England, he should nevertheless cause their friends and kins
men serve in their places." And the earl of Glencairn saith, he told
him plainly again, " that if they were all tied in fetters in England,
he might be sure, that never a friend nor kinsman of theirs would
serve him till they were loose ; and that he spake not so much for his
own part, because he was your majesty's prisoner, but of his very duty
and special zeal he hath to the preservation of the young queen and
benefit of this realm ; which, he telleth me, that he and all the rest of
your majesty's servants and friends here will make their quarrel, and
stand fast to your majesty in the same, according to their promise, if
this matter grow to such extremity, as is now very like. Iri which
case," he saith, " both he and the lord Maxwell shall have great lack
of their eldest sons remaining pledges for them in England." And
' here, again, he prayed me to remember your majesty thereof; and also,
that it might please the same shortly to signify unto him and the rest
of that party your grace's pleasure in the premisses ; how they shall
proceed, either to put themselves in readiness to repair to your majes
ty at their day of entry, or remain for putting themselves in force, to
keep some part of this realm in their power, to joyn with your majes-

150 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
ty's army, when it shall please your highness to send the same ; and,
upon knowledge of your majesty's pleasure in that behalf, they will
not fail to execute the same to their uttermost power, which I promi
sed that I would write to your highness accordingly. And thus we
ended our communication for the time, which I thought meet to sig
nify unto your majesty undelayedly ; and to-morrow I intend to speak
with the governour, whom I shall press to the satisfaction of your ma
jesty, in such sort as your grace hath prescribed Unto me by your most
gracious letters : And as I shall find him, and all other which I shall
essay in that behalf, and also what I shall perceive is to be looked for
at their hands, I shall not fail, from time to time, to advertise the
same, according to my most bound duty. The Holy Trinity preserve
your most excellent majesty, &c.
To my Lord Suffolk,* 20th April, 1543.
Please it your grace to understand, that this morning came to me
the earl of Angus, and prayed me, " Now, since my lord Lyle is gone
from the borders, to write unto your grace for his wages, payable," as
he saith, " on Thursday next. " And, moreover, he told me, " that
the cardinal, the earls of Lennox, Huntley, Argyle, and Murray, do
come hither very strongly to this assembly, being now set and ap
pointed for conclusion of these matters between these realms, as he is
informed ; and that the governour being now somewhat altered from
the king's majesty, and greatly miscontent with his majesty's demands,
has secretly given advice and monition to the said cardinal and the
others above named, being of the adverse party to the king's majesty,

* Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, son of sir William Brandon, who bore the standard
of Henry VII. in the field of Bosworth. He married four wives, the third of whom was
Mary, queen-dowager of France. The duke was renowned for his address in tournamentj
and for gaining early, and retaining to the last, the favour of his capricious sovereign. He
died at Guilford, in Surrey, 24th August, 1 545.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 151
to come hither as starkly as they can." Whereby the said earl of An
gus gathereth, that they mind not well to him, his brother, the earls
of Glencairn and Cassils, and the others being of his highness's party ;
wherefore, he hath, presently made out letters to his friends and ser
vants to repair unto him ; so that he doubteth not to be in and about
this town, at the least, to the number of six or seven thousand men.
And also the rest of the said earls and lords of his party do likewise
provide to make themselves strong ; assuring me, " that if those things
come to any utterance here among themselves, they will be strong
enough for their adversaries, as he trusteth. The gathering of this
force," he saith, " is very chargeable unto him ; and though, where
the king's majesty alloweth him 1001. a month, he spendeth 3001. on
ly in retaining gentlemen and others, his friends and servants, about
him ; yet," he saith, " he is ashamed to put the king's majesty to such
cost and charge as he doth ; trusting, rievertheless, his majesty shall
see such fruit of his service, if those matters proceed to force, as his
highness shall have caUse to think his cost well employed." And,
therefore, he prayed me, " that I would write presently to your grace,
not only for his oidinary wages, now due, but also, that it might please
you to advance unto him 1001. more for his relief in those charges at
this time :" which, in my poor opinion, shall be well done to accom
plish ; for if the rest be well bestowed, the same is not lost ; and it is
no great matter. Assuring your grace, that if there be any truth in
man, he shall shew himself a true gentleman to the king's majesty, and
so shall also the earls of Glencairn and Cassils ; whereof I see notable
appearance. At the writing hereof, I received the letters from the council to the
said earl of Angus, which I have sent to him. And as to the contents
ofthe same, there has been as much said and devised in that behalf,
as is now written by the said council. And for the surety of the child,
they will do so much, and have taken order, as they say, " to keep her
sure, that she shall not be stoln away from Linlithgow, where she is;
and by force," they say, " she shall not be taken away without battle :.

1^2 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
but to remove her to any other strong-hold, they cannot yet bring it
to pass." And as to the governour, he is even now ready to revolt to
the other party, notwithstanding of all such perswasions as has been
unto him ; whose stay, nevertheless, they do procure by all the good
means they can. And, for my part, I have said as much unto him as
I could devise by my poor wit;, to cause him savour the dangers he
should put himself into, by giving ear, trust, or credit, to the clergy,
and those which be of that party ; and the great benefit, honour, and
surety, that he should receive by his conformity to the king's majes
ty's desires. But, I fear me, all will not help : which it may please
you signify unto my said lords of the council accordingly. And thus,
&c.

To the King's Majesty, 20th April, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that this day I have had
access to the governour ; and at our meeting, I told him, that I under
stood he had received letters from his ambassadors ; by the which, I
doubted not, he did well perceive how reasonably and plainly your
majesty proceeded, and how much your highness tendred the surety
and preservation of your pronepte, and the universal benefit of this
realm : trusting that, for his part, he would shew himself again in such
terms towards your majesty, and so conformable in that behalf, as it
should not appear to the world, that he alone neglected the opportu
nity and occasion offered of God, and by your majesty embraced, for
the conjunction of both these realms in perfect unity and perpetual
peace. He wished, " that your majesty would proceed reasonably ;
for he thought your demands very sharp, and such as he wasjyire the
states of the realm would not agree unto : and, for his part, he could
not be induced, nor perswaded to condescend unto the same." I told
him, that I had received letters from your majesty, by the which I
could not perceive but that your desires were such as no man of rea-
6

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 153
son could judge unreasonable, to the intent I might (if it would be)
satisfy him with reason. He said, "First, your majesty would have the
child delivered, and brought into your realm within two years, and
pledges in the mean season for the same, which he thought to be
against all reason : for having her in England, if it should please God
to call the prince to his mercy, he said your majesty might marry her
to whom pleased you within your own realm, against the will and
consent of this realm ; besides other inconveniences, which might
grow of her being out of her own realm." Secondly, He said, " your
majesty would have them friends to friends, and enemies to enemies,
by mean whereof they should lose their old friends, as France and
Denmark. But, to the third part, which," he said, " touched himself
for the place of governour here, he passed not thereupon ; for he re
garded not so much the authority of the place, as he tendred his duty
to his sovereign lady, and the wealth and benefit of the realm."
- I prayed him to give me leave to answer him in these three points,
which indeed, I said, contained the substance of your demands. And
to the first, I told him, that I doubted not all men of reason would
grant, that your majesty, having once the interest and marriage of her
person, was most meet to have the guard and custody of her, for her
chief surety and preservation. And I was sure, that the prince's grace
of England was a marriage to be sued for and desired for the daughter
of any king in Christendom, whose marriage I thought your majesty
would not put in suspence upon a bare contract made in words or wri
tings ; nor yet was it meet that he should be matched with one that
had no knowledge of the fashion and nourriture of England. And
however it should please God to determine of him, yet was she to no
man so tender as to your majesty, being, as she is, your near kinswo
man ; nor could be in any hands or custody more to her surety, nor
that would provide and look better for her honour and advancement,
than your majesty, as the instinct of nature requireth.
To the second, touching the amity and peace, I wondred much
that he should not most willingly embrace that in such sort as your
vol. i. u

154 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
majesty required, considering there was no amity so proper for them
as the amity of England, nor so beneficial and necessary. Which be
ing concluded upon so just and honest cause as this is, no friend they
had could or ought be offended therewith ; neither France, I said, nor
Denmark, which (they being at enmity with us) were and should be
ever farthest from them when they should be nearest their harm. And
by this league, I said, they should not seem specially to covenant
against France nor Denmark. And here I remembred him also of such
communication as he and I had since my coming hither of this mat
ter, touching the benefit they had always gotten by France ; wherein I
told him, I thought by that I had heard him say before in that part, he
had been fully perswaded what small stead the amity of France stood
them in, and what they had suffered for France ; so that I thought he
had not been so much dedicate to France, as that for France he would
seem to neglect or pretermit this amity, that was so beneficial for
them. Here he interrupted me, and said, " Tbat he desired more the
amity of your majesty than of all France and all the princes of the
world;" and said, " that he thought the lords would stick but sober
ly at that matter for the conclusion of the peace, if the marriage were
contracted ; but for the deliverance of the child out of the realm till
she should be at the state and age of marriage, he thought it so sharp
and unreasonable, that he could not agree to it." Whereunto I pressed
him by all the good means and perswasioris I could, insomuch as I
drave him to say, " he could not answer me, and that he would not
reason the matter with me, but refer it to the states and council of the
realm, without whom he did nothing ; and if they would agree to it,
he would not be against it." Here I advised him to beware of the
counsel and flattery of such as would his ruin, whatsoever countenance
they make him, and take time whilst it serveth like a wise man, where
in he should do special good office to his country, and avoid the ex
tremities which will else undoubtedly ensue, of their refusal to come
to reason in these matters. Hereupon, musing a little, he said, "he
could not see what cause your majesty had to make war upon them,

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 155
being their sovereign lady an innocent, that never offended you." I
answered, your majesty minded no war against her, but rather sought
her surety, wealth, and preservation, with the union of those two
realms, the opportunity and occasion whereof is offered unto you of
God, which, they may be sure, your majesty will not pretermit; and
therefore, if they shall neglect her surety and honour, and the benefit
of her realm, with also their own wealths, your majesty will direct
your proceedings to the war in her quarrel for her surety and defence,
and for the wealth of her realm against them, who, without considera
tion, do seem thus to contemn and neglect the same. He asked me,
if I called it her benefit to destroy her realm ? Whereunto I said, that
I called it her benefit and great honour to be made a queen of two
realms by a just and rightful title, where she had now scarce a good
title to one. He wished to God that every man had his right, and
that they were quite of our cumber. And then I pressed him again
to apply himself to reason, in the satisfaction of your just and reason
able demands, whereby he, might be sure to quite both these realms of
cumber for ever. He said, " he would do as the rest of the noblemen
ofthe realm would, who would assemble all here within a day or two;
and then they would consult and devise upon such answer as should
be made to their ambassadors, which they would determine and send
with as much diligence as might be." I put him in mind how the time
passed. And finally I came to the third point, touching his government here,
and told him, he might well perceive, by the overture your majesty
made last unto him, that your grace favoured him in such sort, as
shewing himself conformable, he must needs have great honour and
benefit at your majesty's hands ; which he confessed, and acknowled
ged himself much bound to your highness for the same, in such sort
as he has done at other times before this. But surely I think he will
never consent to the deliverance ofthe child within two years. And
I perceive, that if it go by voices, as the fashion of their council is, it
will not be" granted; for the bishops and their adherents make the

156 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
number in the council, which I think will grant nothmg willingly,.
that should tend to the conjunction and amity of these two realms, but
desire rather utter enmity ; and, as I understand, wish for the war, ra
ther than any good agreement. After I departed from the governour,
I spake with the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, and declared
unto them partly, how I found the governour ; and they assured me,
M That he was nothing minded to your majesty's purpose; and therefore,
as they would procure as many noblemeri of the council as they could
to give their voices with them, to prevail that way if they can ; so
they will make themselves strong, to be master of this town if they
can at this assembly, and will work what they may, by all means, to
bring all things to pass after your majesty's desires ; which if they will
not be obtained but by extremity, they will serve your majesty to the
uttermost of their powers, according to their promises." The earl of
Cassils said, " He lacked nothing but silver, to wage bis men whichhe
keeped about him ;" as they all said, " they must be at charge to keep
so many men together, which they would nevertheless bear? to their
powers, knowing they served a good master that could consider it;"
which I affirmed with such words as I thought convenient. The earl
of Glencairn went from the court with me towards, my lodging, and
by the way we communed of those matters, if they should grow to the
wars, what service he would do : whereia he saith, " He will take it
upon him to convoy your majesty's army from Carlile to Glasgow
without stroak, being almost an hundred miles ; and if your majesty
make proclamation, whilst your army is. in Scotland, to preserve and
accept such as will come in to your majesty, be thinketh your high
ness shall so win a great part of this realm without stroak ; specially if
your majesty's army do use no burning nor spoiling iri the country,
but take up such corn, and cattle, and all other victuals as they find,
to be preserved for such, garrisons as must remain within the realm in
winter, for the guard of such parts of the same, and of such fortresses
as your majesty shall conquer in the summer; for else, if the country
be all wasted, burned, and spoiled, the garrisons shall not be able to re-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 157
main for lack of victual." This he prayed me to write to your majes
ty as his opinion : And then falling into communication of the gover
nour, the earl of Glencairn told me, " that he was neither wise, con
stant, nor politick, and had no title to the crown of this realm ; for he
was a bastard undoubtedly." * Whereunto I said, that I marvelled
then, what moved them to make him governour, and specially to esta
blish him second person of the realm. He answered, " That, for his
part, he had neither given his voice to it, his hand, nor his seal, nor yet
was sworn to it as the rest were, and he took that establishment to be
of none effect ;" for he said, " that a parliament could not give away
the right of a kingdom from the true inheritor of the crown of the
same. It was," he said, " a special cast above all other, wherein the
parliament had none authority." Thus have I signified unto your ma
jesty the estate of those things, as far as I can yet learn ; but what is
to be hoped certainly ofthe success ofthe same, I cannot tell. It is
thought that it will be condescended, that your majesty shall have ba
rons of this realm pledges for the delivery of the child, when she shall
be of lawful age to be married, or peradventure at eight or nine years
of age; and also that the perpetual peace shall be agreed, in such sort
as your majesty desireth : But for her deliverance within those two
years, it is thought assuredly, it will not be granted without extremi
ty. At this assembly it shall appear what will be granted, which I
shall diligently observe, and advertise from time- to time, as the case
shall require. And also, according to my most bounden duty, shall
use all the ways and means I can, to the uttermost of my poor wit, for
the conducing of those matters to such end as your majesty desireth,
as knoweth our Lord; to whom I. shall daUy pray for the preservation
* James Hamilton, first earl of Arran, father of the governor, was thrice married ; first,
o Beatrix Drummond, by whom he had a daughter ; second, to Janet, sister of Alexander
earl of Home, from whom he was divorced ; third, Janet, daughter of sir David Bethune,
by whom he had the governor. Now as this son was born during the lifetime ofthe di-
orced countess, his legitimacy depended on the validity ofthe divorce, which Glencairn,
seems to have disputed.

158 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
of your most royal person, in long life and prosperous estate of health
most feliciously to endure.

To the King's Majesty, 2Qd April, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that very early this morn
ing came to me sir George Douglas, and shewed me, that the gover
nour was clearly altered from your majesty, and will surely revolt to
the cardinal, the earls of Lennox, Huntley, Argyle, and Murray, and
the clergy, to his own utter confusion. In which part the said sir
George telleth me, " he hath been very plain with the governour, and
shewed him the dangers thereof, but all will not help ; in so much as
the said governour hath not only put away his friers preachers, which
he hath all this while defended, and kept about him to preach the word
of God, but also hath secretly sent to the said cardinal and earls, be
ing of the adverse party, and wholly at the cast of France, which will
be here all to-night or to-morrow, to come hither very strongly." So
that the said sir George saith, " It is time for his brother and him,
with the rest that be assured to your majesty, to look to themselves, as
he doubteth not they will be strong enough with the grace of God."
And here he seemed to be somewhat moved with the lord Maxwell that
he is not yet come, notwithstanding that he hath sent oft for him. He
told me, " I should see such a meeting, as was never seen at parliament
or council; fbr every man was preparing jacks and spears, and if they
fight not or they depart, it shall be a great wonder ; wishing that I
were at home, for my being here was to little purpose, as the case
standeth." Nevertheless, he warranted me, " that your majesty's ser
vants and friends here shall defend me from harm, as long as they
might prevail; and, though they were overthrown, yet the others
could not for shame but preserve me." I told him, it should be good
they handled me well, for I served a master that was able to" revenge
my quarrel, and as they used me, their ambassadors, being in England,

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 15g
should be used in the same sort. And he advised me indeed to write
to your majesty, that their ambassadors might not depart out of Eng
land, till your majesty were sure of me ; " for,'' he saith, " they labour
to come home, and have written plainly, that they be out of hope of
agreement." And also he advised me, to write all such letters as I
should write from henceforth in cypher; for the governour findeth
fault with my servants posting in and out to Berwick, and therefore it
is good to prevent the danger of the interruption of my letters.
Then we began somewhat to discourse of the estate of these affairs ;
wherein he told me, " that he had laboured all this while to bring all
things to good pass in quiet and peaceable manner ; but seeing it will
not be, whereof he is most sorry, he will serve your majesty like a true
gentleman, according to his bounden duty, in so much as if your ma
jesty will extend your force, sending your royal army, and stick to
your poor servants and friends here, which else shall be undone, he
doubteth not but his brother and he, the earls of Glencairn and Cas
sils, and the lord Maxwell, with their friends, shall deliver into your
majesty's hands all the country on this side the water of Forth this
summer. In which case," he said, " your majesty must preserve and
defend the country from burning and spoiling, and come in as a
conquerour, making proclamations to defend all such as will submit
themselves ; whereby your majesty," he saith, " shall not only win the
people's hearts, by preserving them from spoil, but also have the better
commodity of victuals for such garrisons as must remain here in the
winter, for the guard of such conquest as your majesty shall make this
summer. And here," he said, " he trusted to have occasion to repair
now to your majesty, for at this assembly they would determine to
make an answer to your majesty. And if it be such as may be accept
able, he will go most gladly; if not, yet if they will have him go, he
will not refuse it, because he may thereby have the commodity to de
clare unto your majesty the estate of all this country, with his poor
mind and opinion how your majesty shall provide for the conquest of
the same ;" whereof, I told him, I would advertise your majesty. And

16"0 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 1
then I asked him, whether he thought not that the governour would
grow to any reasonable point in the satisfaction of your majesty's de
mands ?, Whereunto he answered me, " that the governour was so far
gone, so fickle and inconstant, that he durst promise nothing of him,
for now revolting to the other party, which be all French, he will sure
ly be of the same cast, and then undoubtedly will agree to nothing
that may be against France." Again, he saith, " they will not surely
agree to the deliverance of the child till she be of lawful age. And as
for pledges in the mean season, he is in great doubt that the same will
be granted ; for he thinketh, that such pledges as were meet to be ac
cepted of your majesty, will not ly out of the realm for any such pur
pose ; so that he is far out of hope that your majesty shall be answer
ed to your satisfaction. The abbot of Paisley," he saith, " hath been
the only cause of the governour's alteration ; which abbot is all for
France, and the cardinal's great friend ; and, since his coming home,
the governour hath been altogether ruled by him."
This is the effect of the discourse had this morning betwixt the said
sir George and me, which I thought meet to signify unto your inajesr
ty ; as from time to time, whilst I am here, I shall not fail to advertise
how all things proceed, as I shall get knowledge accordingly. And
thus, &c.

To the King's Majesty, 2,6th April, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that since my last letters
addressed to the same, here hath been much ado, and great controver
sy made by those great lords of the adverse party to your majesty to
come to this town, because they might not be suffered to bring with
them such force and company as they had assembled, which was for-
fended unto them, and proclamations made to the contrary by com
mandment of the governour ; who, albeit he was almost altered from
your majesty, and ready to revolt to the other party, hath been so

EMBASSY TQ. SCOTLAND IN 1543. It)!
stayed arid perswaded, both with fair means and also some threaten
ings by the earls of Angus,' Glencairn, and: Cassils, the lords Maxwell
and Somervail, and sir George Douglas, that he is now, as they tell
me, well determined to remain with them at the cast of England,! as
they call it ; in which case, their trust is, that your majesty will relent
4n some part of your demands ; that is to say, in the hasty delivery of
the child, which, they say, will not be granted tillishe be of lawful
-age; ior within a year or two of the same, but pledges, in the. mean
season, your majesty shall havefor, the security of her deliverance , at
that time. : And now the earls of Lennox and Argyle be come, hither,
and an outward agreement taken betwixt the earl of Angus and the
said earl of Lennox, and all things treated among them in- peaceable
and quiet manner ; so that, hitherto, they agree: well on all parts, not
withstanding there was a while great appearance to the contrary. The
earl of Huntley is still at home in the north parts of this realm, where
he hath much ado with my lord Forbes, who hath slain many of the
said earl's men.* The difference betwixt them is for land, which the
late king here took from.the said lord Forbes, and gave it to the said
earl of Huntley, and others of his sirname, called the Gordons. And
now the said lord Forbes intendeth, if he can, to recover his land again
with the sword ; for other law or justice here hath little place, as far
as I see. The earl of Murray is here ; and it appeareth unto, me that
he is well dedicate unto your majesty ; and also the earls of Glencairn
and Cassils, and the lord Somervail (who, have well wrought the said
earl of Murray to that purpose) do tell me, " that he will surely leave
the cast of France, and is agreeable to a good part of your majesty's
demands." This day, in the morning, the governour sent for me, being the earl
c-f Lennox also appointed to come at the same instant to the court,
* An ancient hereditary feud, between the families of Gordon and Forbes, had been ag
gravated by the catastrophe of John, master of Forbes, who, in 1537, was accused of high
treason by the earl of Huntley, condemned, and executed. The grants of land to which
Sadler alludes, probably followed from this trial. There was, however, no confiscation of
the estate of lord Forbes, who was released soon after the execution of his son.
VOL. I. X

1&2 EMBASSY -'-TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
both to make his agreement with the earl of Angus, .andi also to dev
clare such commission and credenceas he hath from the French king.
And at my coming tO' the court, the governour told me, "'that he had
jsent for me, to pray me to write to your majesty his excuse in this
long delay of the answer to your majesty's demands ; 'the carise where
of was the slow coming in of the lords; which, he doubted not, I per
ceived well enough, and what difficulty they made to come;. biit'now,"
he said,' "they were all come, saving the cardinal and the .'eari of Hunt
ley.- And' for the earl of Huntley they would not tarry, nor yet for
the cardinal, who;" he said, " durst not come, for fear he. should be
eftsoons apprehended : yet, whether he would come or not, he. could
mot tell ; but to-riiorrow they would go about their consultation, and
devise such an ariswer tp your majesty's demands, as, he trusted, (if
your grace were not too sharp or unreasonable,) should content you." I
prayed God they might devise an answer to. your majesty's satisfac
tion, which I thought would not be, if they should' refuse to accom
plish your highness's desires, which, I doubted not, he had now so
well digested, as he perceived them to be bdth very reasonable, as also
most necessary and beneficial for this realm. He sware a great oath,
." that he thought them most unreasonable, and so sharp, as, he assu
red me, there was not one person in Scotland, neither man; Woman,
nor child, that had any reason, but they had all lever die in one day
than they would grant the same. Nevertheless, your majesty should
have such reason offered urito you, as, he trusted, your highness would
not refuse;1 and, within two or three days at the farthest, he would
dispatch their answer." With this came the earl of Lennox, whom the
governour welcomed, and I also saluted him with an embracing after
the French form. Arid then the governour told me apart, " that he
was come to deelare his credence from the French king, wliich he
would advertise me of as soon as he knew what it was, saying, that he
,and the rest of the lords would first go make agreement betwixt the
earl of Angus and the said earl of Lennox, and then they would go to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND I.N 1543. 163
the council together to hear his credehce; praying me eftsoons to write
to your majesty the. excuse of this delay of their answer, which," he
said, " I might perceive was not feigned ; and at afternoon he would
not fail to send; me word of the earl of Lennox credence ;" and so I de
parted, leaving them going together about the said agreement, which,
I think, will not long endure.
At afternoon, the governour sent unto me David Panter, who was
lately with your majesty ; and he told me from the said governour,
" that the earl of Lennox had declared his said credence, which was,
in effect, that the French king required the estates of the realm to
consider their old leagues1 with France, and to observe the same for
their part as he would do for his ; and ' in case your majesty should in
vade them, he would give them aid, with men, money, and munition,
in such sort as they would reasonably desire ; and, at the least, if they
should agree with your majesty, that then they would comprehend
him in such league and treaty as they should make with your high
ness : And this," he said, "was the effect of all his credence,, which
the governour willed him to declare unto me ;" and also I have other
intelligence that the same is true.
I have had, since my last letters addressed to your majesty, sundry
conferences with the earls of Cassils and Glencairn, the lords Maxwell
and Somervail, who have declared unto me, " as well how much ado
they have had with the governour to stay him from revolt to the other
party ; as also how they have wrought him, so as he is now in a good
towardness ; trusting, that if your majesty will somewhat relent in
your demands, all shall be well. And this," they say, "the governour is
come to for his part, that your majesty shall have pledges for the deli
verance of the child when she shall be of lawful age, or within a year
or two of the same, which," theythink, "is to be accepted of your ma
jesty, having such pledges arid security for her deliverance at that
time, whereby the marriage may take effect." Touching the peace,
they say, " the whole realm murmureth, that they had rather die than
break their old leagues with France," as indeed there goeth a great ru-

164 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND m 1543*
mour for the same; " but they will so join in amity with ybur majesty,
as France shall have no stead nor benefit by them ; and they trust to
bring it to such pass, as every man here that list shall be at liberty to
serve your majesty for your money against France : and all others:
Which two things, if your majesty will take now for the first entry,
they think assuredly, that within a while there should grow such amity
within these'two realms, as your majesty should have your whole pur
pose." And touching the governour, who your majesty is content
should use the place during the minority of the young queen, if he
continue such devotion and inclination to your majesty and the wealth
of both those realms, as he seemeth now to have ; foreseeing also, that
he use the advice and counsel of such persons as your majesty shall
think best for the wealth of both realms. To that they say, "that
the governour and the other lords here do interpret by the same, that
your majesty mindeth to establish an English council here to rule and
direct them, which they will not admit. But they think, that if your
majesty minded thereby none other, but that the governour should be
advised by the counsel of certain of the nobility and wise counsellors
of this realm only, that surely should be most acceptable to all the
lords- and' noblemen here. To this point," they say, " these matters
will come as they trust; and also," they think, " that sir GeorgCDou*
glas, or some other wise gentleman,' shall repair to your majesty ir*
post, with such resolution and answer as they shall now make : Arid
if thereupon it shall appear that your majesty will agree with them,
they will send some noble personages to knit up ail those matters, as
the importance ofthe same requireth." ;
I bear them still in hand, that your majesty will not relent in any
part' of your desires, the same being so reasonable as they ought not to
be refused here* "In which case," they say, " your majesty must
then win the same by force, for otherwise it will not be granted ; and,
if it cpme to that point, they will serve your majesty as they have pro
mised." But here they complained much of the lack of silver to bear
their charges withall; saying, " that the entertainment of such compa-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 105
»
nies, as they keep here about them, is so chargeable to them, as, with
out your majesty's help, they be not able to sustain it ; and yet," say
they, " if they had not' had such force and strength here with them,
as whereby they might be able to.be too strong a party for the other
side, it was very like that the governour would have left them, and
also percase would have devised to have betrapped some of them." I
told them, they might be sure their service could not be lost ; for your
majesty was a prince of such honour, as both could and would consi
der every man's service, and reward the same accordingly ; — which he
confessed. And the lord Maxwell told me apart, " That indeed he
lacked silver, and had no way of relief but to your majesty ;" which he
prayed me to signify unto the same. I asked him, what would relieve
him? and he said 3001.; " for the which," he said, " as your majesty
seemed, when he was with your grace, to have him in more trust and
credit than the rest of your majesty's prisoners, so he trusted to do you
as good service as any of them ; and amongst them they will do you
such service, as, if the war succeed, ye shall make an easy conquest of
this realm ; as for his part, he shall deliver into your hands, at the en
try of your army, the keys of the same on the west marches, being all
the strong-holds there in his custody." I offered him presently to write
to my lord of Suffolk for 100 1. for him, if he would; but he said, " he
would stay till he heard again from your majesty in that behalf." Also
the earl of Glencairn, and the said lord Maxwell, asked me, "Whe
ther I had answer from your majesty for the changing of their pledges ?"
saying, " they had a marvellous great lack of their eldest sons." I
told them, I had no word thereof. And then the lord Maxwell sware
a great oath, " that he thought your majesty had them in some sus
picion ; and yet, for all that, they would be true men to-your majesty."
The earl of Glencairn prayed me " to write to your majesty, and to
beseech the same for the passion of God, to encourage them so much,
as to give them trust, for they were already commonly hated here for
'your majesty's sake, and throughout the realm called the English,
lords; and such ballads and songs made of them, how the English:

166 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543,
angels had corrupted them, as have not been heard ; so, as they have
almost lost the hearts of the common people of this realm, and be also
suspected of the governour and nobility of the same ; and jf your ma
jesty should also mistrust them, they were in a hard case : Wherefore,
seeing they were minded, as indeed they would serve your majesty
with their bodies, goods, and all their power, according. to their band
and promise, from which they will never vary nor digress, they, be
seech your majesty to give them trust and credit, which, if they may
perceive, shall be most to their comfort;'' wherein I did as much as I
could to satisfy them. And, to say my poor opinion of them to your
majesty, surely, if men may be trusted by their words and promises,
by constant asseverations and oaths, they will shew and prove them
selves true gentlemen to your majesty ; for it is not possible for men
to declare themselves in appearance more earnest, nor better deter
mined in that part, than they do ; though they labour nevertheless for
the satisfaction of your majesty in quiet manner, if by any good means
it may be brought to pass. And I see not but the earls of Angus, of
Glencairn, and Cassils, the lords Maxwell and Somervail, and sir
George Douglas, do adhere firmly together, and draw all by one line,
who undoubtedly had a great band of gentlemen, and others their
friends, tenants, and servants belonging unto them, in a manner the
whole strength of this country on this side the water of Forthr
The sheriff of Ayr, * and the laird of Brunstoun, have been sundry
times with me since they came home, which greatly pretend their ser
vice unto your majesty. And the earl of Glencairn telleth me, " that
the sheriff (who is a man of good power) is wholly bent and deter
mined to take such part as he doth with your majesty." Wherefore
he much desireth, " that it might please your majesty to write a let
ter to the earl of Cassils, that likeas he hath given truce to the said
sheriff till Lammas, at your majesty's request, so he will be contented
also to commit the matters in question betwixt them to the hearing
* Sir Hugh Campbell of Loudoun, sheriff of Ayr.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 167
and determination of friends here, to be indifferently chosen forthe
same; to the intent that they being made at one, may the better joyn
as friends together in your majesty's service ; which," the said earl of
Glencairn saith, " the earl of Cassils would gladly do, if your majesty
would write him such a letter for that purpose." Surely the sheriff
seemeth to be much dedicate to your majesty ; and that will the rather
move the earl of Cassils to agree with him, as the same earl himself
hath said to me; and for his part he commit.teth the whole matter to
your majesty, to be ordained and determined, as it shall please your
highness to appoint.
Finally, the bishop of Orkney* came to me this afternoon, and told
me, " that as he came now hither out of his country, he came by the
cardinal, who" desireth much to speak with me ; and if he do come
hither, whereof he is in doubt, fearing eftsoons to be entrapped, he
would not fail to speak with me ; but if he come not hither, if then I
would vouchsafe to make an errand to St Andrew's, and speak with
him, I should have good cause, he trusted, to think my journey well
bestowed." I answered in effect, as I did lately answer the cardinal's
chaplain, to wit, that it was not meet for me to resort to speak with
him, not knowing in what terms or estate he standeth. And then the
bishop prayed me to advise thereupon, and began to persuade me,
" That the cardinal was much addicted to your majesty, and was the
sorrowfullest man alive to hear that your majesty was displeased with
him, which he protested was without cause, as he was able to prove,
whatsoever information was made to your grace against him : And if
he might come frankly to this council without danger, to say his opi
nion in those great matters, for the common weal of this realm, he
* Robert .Reid, bishop of Orkney, a dignity which he attained in 1540. He is said by
Keith to have been a man of learning, and an admirable politician. He was one of the
commissioners who witnessed the marriage of Queen Mary with the Dauphin of France,
I 558, and died at Dieppe on his return. As the earl of Cassilis, often mentioned in these
dispatches, who was also of the commission, expired on the same night, they were sup
posed to have been poisoned for expressing reluctance to confer the crown matrimonial on
the bridegroom.

168 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
would declare himself of good zeal to bring all your reasonable desires
to good pass, and labour as well, and as effectually in the same, as any
man alive." This the said bishop of Orkney told me, whereof I
thought meet to advertise your majesty ; but unless your grace shall
command me, I intend not to speak with the cardinal, except he come
hither to the court, so as I cannot avoid him. As yet I cannot learn
any certainty of those matters ; but within these two days it will appear
what is to be trusted to and looked for at their hands ; which knowing,
I shall not fail, with God's grace, to advertise'the same to your majesty
with all possible diligence.
And where I understand by my friend Mr Wriothesley, * that your
majesty hath determined to alleviate and disburden me of the office of
secretary;- for the which, as I am most unmeet and unworthy, so most
insufficient to supply the charge and authority of such place ; and also
that, in recompence of such profits and livings as I shall forego in that
part, it hath likewise pleased your majesty, of your clemency and
goodness, to determine towards me the office which the lord Windsor
lately had, in your majesty's great gardrobe : I do therefore, upon my
knees, and prostrate at the feet of your most royal majesty, render un
to the same my most humble and lowly thanks ; and, according to my
most bounden duty, shall daily pray, to Almighty God for the preser
vation of your most noble person, in long life, and prosperous estate of
health, most feliciously and victoriously to reign the years of Nestor,
&c.

To the King's Majesty, 1st May, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that yesterday I received
your most gracious letters of the 25th of April ; at the receipt where-

* Thomas Wriothesley, created lord Wriothesley of Tichbourn, and afterwards eari of
-jSouthampton. He was educated to the law, became chancellor in 1544, and died ia 1550.

EMBASSY T0> SCOTLAND IN 1543. l6Q
of, the governour, and the rest of the nobility here assembled, were at
the point of the conclusion of their answer to your majesty's demands ;
for the conducing whereof to such end as your majesty desireth, I
have done as much as ray poor wit would serve me, though it lieth
not in me to bring it fully to that point. And I have in that behalf
communed apart with the earls of Murray and Argyle, who were no*
ted all for France, and also with the earl marishal, who hath ever borne-
a singular good affection to your majesty. Which three, if I could,
have won to those that be already assured toyour majesty, all the rest,
save the kirkmen, I think Would have gone the same way. I pro
mised them largely on your majesty's behalf, in general terms ; but yet
I could not frame them to my purpose. The earls of Murray and Ar
gyle were at the first directly against the delivery of the child, or
pledges ; but with pledges, they be now well content, and say expressly,
" That they mind nothing more than that the marriage should take
effect, which they wish for with all their hearts, as the thing that
righteously," they say, "' shall knit both these realms in one domi
nion ; but until the same shall be so united, by consummation of the-
marriage, they will preserve the liberty and freedom of this realm to the
uttermost of their power; wherein they will employ and spend their
lives :" — thinking " that your majesty, having the child once delivered
into your hands, had also forthwith the obedience and subjection of.
the realm •" Reciting all such other inconveniences which might hap
pen upon her being out of her, own realm, as I have heretofore written;
unto your majesty. And notwithstanding all the perswasions and
promises I could make unto them, I could not remove them from that
mind and opinion. They protest unto me, " That they covet and de
sire no prince's amity in the world so much as your majesty's; and.
that they will do. what stead and- service they, can to your highness,
not offending their duty of allegiance unto their sovereign lady, and
the liberty and freedom of the realm. As for France, they might not
declare themselves enemy to France, but they would take no part with
them, nor no other prince or. potentate in the world against your ma^
VOL. I. Y-

170 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1545.
jesty." And this was all I could get of them, notwithstanding all the
perswasions I could use unto them. And yet the earl of Cassils hath
travelled much with the said earl of Murray, to bring him to this per
fection, to grant pledges, which he was very far from at the first.
The earl Marishal was more frank with me, and said, " If your ma
jesty accept the contract of marriage in such sort as it shall be offer
ed," that is to say, " with pledges for the performance of the same,
and deliverance of the child about her lawful age, he will surely serve
your highness against France." Also the said earl of Murray said unto
me, " That if it might please your grace to accept and embrace these
things at the first, in such sort as they might perceive, your majesty
went about to win them by love and kindness, there was no doubt
but, as time did alter many things, so by time that the noblemen of
this realm had acquaintance of your majesty, your grace might by
dulce and gentle means come by your whole purpose, which by the
wars your majesty should find very difficile to be obtained ; notwith
standing," he said, " that the prisoners had promised you very largely
such things as he knew they were not able to perform."
The governour himself is now wholly on your majesty's party ; and
yesterday, at four of the clock in the afternoon, he sent for me, and
told me, " That never man had so much ado as he had ta bring the
nobility of this realm to any reasonable point or conformity, for the
satisfaction of your majesty's desires ; and the traitor bishops," he said,
" would grant to no part of the same, but the earls of Murray and Ar
gyle were now good and reasonable gentlemen. As for the earl of
Bothwell," he said, " your majesty had ill bestowed your liberality up
on him, for he was directly against all your majesty's demands ; alled-
ging, that he would forsake Scotland, France, and England, for ever,
rather than he would consent to lay pledges for the performance of the
marriage :" which undoubtedly he said openly before all the council,
as both the earls of Angus and Cassils to me. Nevertheless the said
governour said, " That with much difficulty he had won all the noble
men, and brought them to such point, that they had resolved, it was
6

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 171
better to lay pledges than to have the Avar; whereupon," he said, " they
had agreed, that your majesty should have good pledges, as earls and
lords of this realm, for the perfection of this marriage, and deliverance
of the young queen within a year or two of her lawful age. And for
the peace," he said, " they stuck so hard upon the observation of their
leagues with France, that he could not induce them to such conclusion
with your majesty, as to be friend to friend, and enemy to enemy ; but
whensoever your majesty had to do with France, they would neverthe
less be assured friends to your majesty, and take no part against you,
nor yet receipt, comfort, or maintain any of your grace's enemies ; and
this," he said, " was all he could bring them to, if his life lay upon it.
tAnd yet," he said, " he had laid reason unto them, that it were even
as good for them to covenant expressly against France, as to promise
to your majesty, that they will take no part with France; in which
case they shall be sure to lose their friendship and estimation with
France for ever, and thereby percase so move, and give occasion of war
to France agamst them, . that they shall be enforced thereby to seek
aid of your majesty, which if they refuse now to be friend to friend,
and enemy to enemy, your highness is not bound to give unto them.
And," quoth he, " if France or Denmark work us any cumber, there is
no doubt but we must, come then on our knees, and beseech his ma
jesty, that we may be friend to friend, and enemy to enemy. This
reason," he said, " with ali the perswasions he could alledge, he used
with them, which nevertheless they would not favour." I told him, I
thought they would be content to do as he would have them : But he
sware a great oath, " He could not perswade them to it, for all that he
could do; as," he doubted not, " the earl of Angus, my lord Maxwell,
and others, which were," he said, " assured to your majesty, could tell
me what he had done in that behalf." Wherefore he prayed me, with
his cap in his hand, as instantly as he could, " to write his good mind
to your majesty, and that he desired nothing in this world so much, as
to have your majesty his good aud gracious lord ; most humbly be
seeching the same to accept and embrace these offers now at the first

172 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
entry, and though they be not so fully to your satisfaction as your
majesty desireth ;" yet he sware a great oath, " that whilst he is. go
vernour, your highness being his good lord, and supporting him, he
will not fail, as time shall serve, to satisfy your majesty in all the rest
-of your demands, which cannot now be obtained, with all the stead and
service, that shall ly in the uttermost of his power. And out of hand,"
he told me, " he would send the lord Maxwell and sir George Doug
las to your majesty, both with those offers, and also to desire the mar
riage of your highness's daughter for his son, whom he would also send
to your majesty upon knowledge of your highness's pleasure, to be
brought up and educate in your court for that purpose ; wherein," he
said, " your majesty had offered him such honour, as, whilst he lived,
ohow soever things come to pass, he must needs bear you his heart and
service." Assuring me also, ¦*' That if those matters were at a good
point, he would H0, lett to post to London, without a safe-conduct, to
see your majesty, and to render his most humble thanks unto your
•highness, with heart and service for the same during his life." And
here again he prayed me, " To write with diligence unto your majes
ty, and to express his good mind to please the same, as effectually as
I could devise." Which, I assure your majesty, I cannot set forth with
the pen more earnestly, than he declared it to me by his word and
countenance, and with great oaths also bound the same. And ever he
inculked unto me, (which I was wont to perswade him,) " That those
kirk-men loved him -not, and did all they could to impeach this agree
ment betwixt your majesty and him, and also to set all the noblemen
of this realm against it ; so that by their engine and policy they had so
wrought those things, as it was not possible for him to satisfy your
majesty's desires at this time; but," he said, " his trust was, that youx
highness would embrace that which now might be had, being sufficient
for your purpose ; for you should have good pledges for the perform
ance of the marriage, and have them of this realm to be your assured
friends for ever, and also your majesty should have his son and heir in
your court, who, by succession, is inheritable to the crown of this

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. f73
lealm; which things he trusted your majesty would not refuse." And
then he said, " those things being agreed upon, he doubted not, by
your majesty's aid and good support, to be master of them, which now
be almost masters of all this srealm, and to bring the same to such due
"obedience as appertaineth ; and, whilst he is governour, your majesty
shall be assured to have of him Avhatsoever he can or may do, to the
satisfaction of all your grace's desires." These words he uttered to me
•very effectually. And as to the kirk-men, I assure your majesty they
seek the war by all the means they can, and do daily entertain the no-
'blemen with money and reAvards to sustain the wars, rather than there
should be any agreement with your majesty ; thinking, verily, that if
peace and unity succeed, that they shall be reformed, and lose their
glory, which they had rather die, and put all this realm in hazard, than
they would forego. The earl of Lennox also procureth here all that
he can for France, offering himself to remain prisoner, and to lose his
life, if the French king do not accomplish such things as he hath of
fered ; that is to say, money, men, munition, ships, and all that they
will desire, to resist therewithall their ancient enemies of England.
This morning, at five of the clock, came to me sir George Douglas,
and told me, " That the kirk-men (who had lever all the Avorld should
sink, than they lose their pomp and glory) had wrought those matters in
such sort, as it was not possible to satisfy your grace's demands at this
time, albeit the governour were now as well minded to your majesty
as could be desired ; but Avith such conclusions, as the greatest num
ber of the noblemen of the temporality had resolved, the governour
and nobility of this realm," he said, "were determined to send the lord
Maxwell and him to your majesty indelayedly. Wherefore he came to
me to know mine opinion, and to ask my counsel, whether I thought
it best for him to go or not ? alledging, that if I had any hope that the
conclusions here taken should please your majesty, he Avould then
come to the same with as glad a heart as any man alive. And two
things," he said, "moved him the rather to be content to go; one was,
that your majesty, besides good pledges for the deliverance of the

174 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
young queen within two years of her lawful age, should have the go
vernour's son (who, if the said young queen fail, shall be prince of this
land) mto your court for your majesty's daughter, which," he thinketh,
" is the best pledge your grace can devise to have, for the better at
taining of all your whole purpose in time. And though your majesty
have not presently all your demands satisfied, yet having security for
•performance ofthe marriage, with also the governour's son as is afore
said, and such English-men and Scottish-men about the person of the
young queen here as your highness shall appoint, being the governour
also so well minded to your majesty as he is, there is no doubt but very
shortly you shall have all your desires at your own pleasure, whereof
he seeth great likelyhood-: For the governour, being the peace once
agreed, and those matters brought to some good point, must be. en
forced to depend upon your majesty, or else shall he never be able,
without your support, to occupy his place. And sure it is, that the
earl of Lennox and the clergy, with divers other noblemen, their adhe
rents and complices, will make a party, and will not fail to put at him
what they can ; so that he must of force come so far within your ma
jesty's danger, for your aid and supportation, as ye shall have occasion
to work him at your will. Which things being well inculked to your
majesty, he thinketh might move the same the rather to embrace that
is now offered, being almost impossible to get any more at this time,
as the clergy, and present offers of France, with a great number ofthe
greatest men of this realm, being now present at this consultation, hath
wrought their purpose. The second cause why he is the rather con
tent to go, is, that in case your majesty shall refuse these offers, he
may nevertheless confer with your highness upon the estate of this
country, and say his poor mind how the same is to be conquered by
force :" And therefore he told me, " He had lever have the earl of
Glencairn with him than the lord Maxwell, because the said earl is a
man of deep judgment, and could," he thought, " better satisfy your
majesty with reason, both in the one part and in the other ; that is to
say, either for peace or war, whichsoever shall please your highness to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 175
embrace." Herein he prayed mine advice; and as I considered the es
tate of these matters how they stood, so I thought it not amiss that
they should repair to your majesty for the said purposes, whereby I
thought your majesty could lose no time, supposing, that though the
Avars succeed, your grace cannot conveniently send an army before Ju
ly ; and in the mean season preparing all things, as I understand your
majesty doth for the furniture thereof, your highness shall rather win
advantage of those men than lose time, for here they make no prepa
ration for defence. Wherefore I advised the said sir George to repair
to your majesty, and also thought it best, that the earl of Glencairn
should go with him, for the causes expressed ; as indeed I know, that
the said earl of Glencairn and sir George be very great, and they be
both wise men to confer with your majesty upon these matters ; and
if they be not true men, and assured to your majesty, then is there no
Scottish-man to be trusted.
The earl of Glencairn of late commended much the said sir George's
wit, and told me, " that though the same sir George were assured to
your majesty, and would undoubtedly do as his brother and the rest
which were bound by promise would do ; yet he thought not amiss,
that your majesty should cause the said sir George to subscribe, and
set his hand to such writings as they had done, to the intent, being all
of one mind to serve your majesty, they might likeAvise be all under
one bond and promise." Wherein your majesty, at his now repair un-
, to you, may taste him, if the case so require, as to your high wisdom
shall be thought convenient. I have foreborn to charge him at this
time Avith his promises to your majesty, according to the continue of
your highness's said letters, fearing I should thereby have too much
discouraged him ; specially now that he is to repair to your majesty,
assuring the same, that at this time the governour, being ready to re
volt to the other party, hath been in effect only stayed by the said sir
George.* And it is not possible (as I am informed) for a man to do
• Hume of Godscr-oft says, that sir George told the Scottish nobles the apologue of the
physician, who, to escape the wrath of a tyrannical sultan, undertook to teach an ass to

Vt& EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
more with wit than he hath done, to bring your majesty's desires te*
pass, if it would have been.; and he alone, against all the clergy in
open council; hath reasoned and disputed so much for the advance
ment of the same, as the kirk-men would give 1 0,000 L to have hint
destroyed, whereof I am credibly informed: as indeed he hath lately
escaped a hazard at St Andrews ; and the laird of Craigy. (who is now
fled into England for fear) should have been the executer ; not with-
• out the consent of the cardinal, as is supposed. Surely I know the
whole clergy do hate him deadly ; and, undoubtedly, he never denied'
unto me, that he had promised unto your* majesty his service and sub
jection ; but when his brother was sworn, he saith " he took none
oath, but promised his service without oath ; which he will bear to
your highness as assuredly as he that is ten times sworn." And to say.
how I have found him, surely I never could perceive but that he lar
boured always to bring those matters to pass like a wise man, as one-
that would most gladly have satisfied your majesty, and also have
pleased this realm, if it would have been ; but if it should come to ex
tremity, I never saw but he intended to.be as forward to serve your
majesty as any of the rest. And surely, even now at this busy time,..
he hath shewed himself, in my poor opinion, most ready and willing
to do all that was possible to be done for your highness's satisfaction ;..
and all the rest of your highness's party here do use him, and take him
as one of their band most assured to your majesty : And therefore I.
thought it not best to propone any displeasing matter unto him, where
by he might conceive any discourage, specially when he looketh ra-

speak within the course of ten years; and justified the.-hopeless undertaking to his friends,
by saying, that he had gained a space, within, which either-the king or the ass, or he him
self, might die, in any of which events he escaped final punishment, and meantime lived'
in good estate and favour. " Even, so," said Douglas, " we being unprovided for war, gain.
by this treaty ten years of peace ; during which, king Henry or his son, or the queen, may
die, or the parties coming of age may refuse each other, or matters may so stand that the,
match may be concluded on more equal terms."-— Godscroft; Vol. II. p. 113. edit. 1743.—-
Sir George, in boasting of the effects of his eloquence, probably did not pique, himself 'to
Sadler upon the, nature of his arguments and illustration. 1-.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 177
ther for thanks of your majesty, wherein, at his noAv repair to your
highness, your majesty may in such sort use and entertain him, after
your accustomed benignity, as your grace shall think most meet and
requisite. This day I have also spoken with the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and
Cassils, and with the lords Maxwell and Somervail, according to the
continue of your majesty's said letters. And albeit since mine adver
tisements, whereupon your majesty wrote your said letters, things
have changed and altered here, as your majesty now perceiveth ; ne
vertheless, I thought it not amiss to confer with the said earls and
lords upon the points of the said letters. And considering that their
demeure here is most necessary, till these matters be at some conclu
sion, which cannot be afore their day of entry being at hand, I decla
red unto them, that your majesty had prolonged their day until mid
summer; and also the considerations whereupon your highness had" de
termined the same, wliich they thought to serve to special good pur
pose. And besides that, knowing that they had been now at great
charge with abiding in this town, and also Avith retaining of good
numbers of men about them, which here is chargeable, I thought it
good to tell them, that your majesty, of your own mere motion and
benignity, hath sent every of them a remembrance for their costs and
charges now sustained : assuring them, that God giving Unto your, ma
jesty the accomplishment of your good purpose, they and their poste
rity should have cause to confess that they served a most gracious
master ; Avhich they took in marvellous good part, and most humbly
thanked your majesty for the same. And though the case be changed,
and all things now in so good quietness, as they need not to be at such
charge in -retaining of force presently, as was thought if the governour
had revolted ; yet because they ha\^e been at charge, and had com
plained to me for lack of silver, as indeed I know they be but poor
men, and none rich here to speak of but kirk-men ; I therefore thought
it best, for the better encouraging of them to serve, to bestow your
highness's liberality upon them, as proceeding of your majesty's own
vol. i. z

178 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
mere remembrance. And so I told every of them apart, what your
highness had determined in that behalf; that is to say, to every ofthe
two earls of Cassils and Glencairn three hundred merks ; and your
majesty having committed the rest to my discretion, because the lord
MaxAvell had required a relief of 3001. as in my last letters to your
majesty appeareth ; I thought best to tell him, that your highness had
now of himself remembred him Avith three hundred merks, which
coming in such sort unasked was better than 3001., and yet if he would
tarry till he should hear again from your majesty, I would write Avhat
he desired. He ansAvered me, "that he esteemed that 2001. so sent of
your own remembrance, better than 10001. otherwise bestowed upon
him, arid prayed me to speak nothing of his further demand." Also, I
told the lord Somervail, that your majesty had sent him two hundred
merks. And thus I have bestowed so much of your majesty's liberali
ty, in such sort as none of them knoweth by me Avhat another hath.
And I think 1001. were not amiss bestowed on the earl Marishal ; for
surely I think, if those matters come to force, he will take such part
as the earl of Angus doth ; and so it is told me secretly : * wherefore,
knowing your majesty's pleasure in that behalf, I shall ensue the same
accordingly. And my lord of Cassils telleth me, that money will also
tempt the earl of Murray,* who is no rich man; but that must be with
a greater sum than any of the rest have ; for the Avhich, it is thought,
he might be easily induced to enter himself for one of the pledges for
the performance of the marriage. Furthermore, I entred with the said
earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, and the lords Maxwell and So
mervail, touching their advice, where your majesty's army should en
ter by sea and land, with declaration of your majesty's pleasure unto
them for the secrecy ofthe same, and also how your majesty intended
therein to use them as your principal counsellors. Whereupon they
debated, " wishing, that if the Avar succeeded, your majesty do so look
* James Stuart, earl of Murray, was natural son of James IV. He died at his castle oi
Tarnoway in 1544, and tbe earldom reverted to the crown, where, notwithstanding some
claims of .the bouse of Gordon, it remained until it was conferred on the celebrated Prior of
St Andrews, afterwards regent. 8

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 179
afore hand to the furniture of your army with victual, and all things
necessary, as the same may be able to remain and continue within this
realm for the accomplishment of your majesty's purpose. And it was
their part," they said, " to devise for the surety of that army, and your
majesty's prosperity in your enterprize ; for if it should quail, it should
be their undoing." And they thought best, "that your majesty should
enter both at the east and west marches ; and also your navy by sea,
to come into the Firth to land at Leith, both to victual the army, and
to do further exploits, as the case shall require." Whereupon they
said, " they would debate further, and advertise your majesty of their
opinions at length. And in the mean season," they said, " that such
of them as now should repair to your majesty with sir George Dou
glas, should confer with your majesty in that behalf; and for present
aid, as the case is now changed, they shall need none at this time."
Then was I in hand both with the earl of Glencairn and the lord
Maxwell touching their pledges, wherein they be both satisfied ; but
the lord MaxAvell swaie a great oath, " that he Avould send up his son
to your highness to declare himself; and whatsoever Avas said to your
majesty, he bade me assure the same, that his son would do whatso
ever he would have him." Furthermore, Avhereas your majesty hath
granted a prorogation of the entry of all the lords, and such as I shall
perceive be assured for your part, I have, as is aforesaid, declared the
same to the lords afore specified, and devised Avith them for the entry
of such as were requisite in that case. But when Ave had considered it,
we thought best to enter none till they should go altogether ; for the
lords remaining, there is none of the other that can do good or harm ;
and if some should enter and some remain, it might engender suspi
cion toAVards those that so should have liberty to remain here; where
fore we have resolved to enter none till they go altogether, unless your
majesty shall command the contrary.
This afternoon the governour sent for me again, and at mine access
unto him, told me, " that the council had sitten this day about an an-

180 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543;
swer to the earl of Lennox, Avho had brought him only a letter of cre
dence, with general overtures and good words, containing large offers
in generality, but nothing in special. And albeit the kirk-men," he
said, " had spoken as much to-day for France as they spake yesterday
against England, yet as the said earl of Lennox had brought good
words and general matter, offering for the performance thereof his life
and heritage, which," he said, " Avas not Avorth 10,0001. Scottish to be
sold ; so he had given him good words again, and a general answer^
little to his satisfaction, and would not condescend to enter any treaty,
or farther communication of any other general or special matters with
him, notwithstanding the kirk-men much pressed the same, and Avould
most willingly have had him break the conditions of the abstinence in
that behalf, which he assured me he would not do, though this were
the last day of the said abstinence ; and that he knew your majesty
Avould invade this realm with as great an army as the power of Eng
land were able to make." And here he began to declare again his af
fection to your majesty, " hoAV much he desired to have you his o-ood
lord, and what he had done to get the noblemen of this realm to grant
that pledges should be laid for performance of the marriage ;" where
with he took a paper out of his bosom, Avhich he shewed, subscribed
Avith the names of a great many noblemen of this realm for that pur*
pose, to the number of twenty, or thereabout ; " and also what he
had done and said to get it agreed, that the peace should be concluded
as your majesty desired, that is to sa}', to be friend to friend, and ene
my to enemy, which nevertheless he could not obtain." And hereof
he took record of my lord of Angus and sir George Douglas, Avhom
he called to him, and repeated the same again afore them, which they
confessed. And sir. George said even plainly to him afore me, " that
indeed he shewed himself noAv most addict to your majesty, which
should be his own honour, surety, and great benefit ; and if he mind
ed not the same so sincerely in his heart, as with his mouth he did
speak, he was surely the most dissembling gentleman in the Avorld."
Whereunto the governour answered, with a great oath, (as indeed he

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 181
is a good swearer,) " that he minded no less to please your majesty,
than he intended his own salvation :" And sware again, " that though
it could not be agreed among them at this time to have the peace
agreed, friend to friend, and enemy to enemy ; yet as long as he Avas
governour of this realm, he Avould be enemy to whosoever Avas not
your majesty's friend ; and what should ly in him to do, for the fur
ther satisfaction of your majesty from time to time, he would surely
do it." And then he fell to talk of sir George Douglas's repair noAv
to your majesty, Avhom he prayed to set forth his good mind to your
grace ; and in the mean season praying me to write it to your majes
ty, asking me; "whether I thought best to send the earl of Glencairn,
or the lord Maxwell, with the said sir George, and which of them
should be most acceptable unto your majesty r" I said, they were both
very acceptable to your highness. And he said to me, " they were
both certainly dedicate unto your grace; but because the earl of Glen
cairn was the man of greater reputation, and also of better experience
and judgment than the lord Maxwell, (who,, nevertheless, Avas surely a
good wise gentleman,) he intended, therefore, to send the said earl of
Glencairn and sir George Douglas out of hand as fast as they can
make them ready to depart ;" which I allowed : " And when all those
things shall be knit up, as he trusted in God," holding up his hands,
" your majesty would embrace those offers, he would then send some
noblemen of this realm for the solemn conclusion of the same;" wherer
unto he named the earls of Angus and Murray, (for Huntley is not
here,) " and such other," he said, " as your, majesty Avould have to
come to you for that purpose," Hereupon I' told him, that your mar
jesty had prolonged the day of the prisoners entry* till midsummer,
which, I said, your highness had done chiefly, for that ye would not
disfurnish him of his most faithful friends, being most meet to be
about him, till all things were better settled here than they yet seem

* i. e. The day on which they were bound to surrender themselves 'into England" for
satisfaction of their ransom.

182 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
to be. He was singularly well content therewith, saying, " that if he
durst have been so bold, he would have sued to your majesty for the
same ; for if they should go from him till those matters were finished,
he should have great lack of them." And then he prayed me " to
speak the earl of Cassils, the lords MaxAvell and Somervail, to abide
with him, and to tell it was your majesty's pleasure they should so do;
and as for the earls of Angus and Marishal, they would not go from
him." Thus Ave ended our communication, and departed forthe time.
And as soon as I was come to my lodging, came to me from the go
vernour a gentleman of his chamber, saying, " that my lord governour
prayed me to Avrite on his behalf to your majesty, that it might please
the same to change the lord Maxwell's pledge, to the intent he might
remain on the borders to keep good rule there ; and my lord Maxwell
to be here about the governour ; wherein your majesty should do him
singular pleasure." I promised him to write according to his desire ;
but this I know to proceed of the lord MaxAvell's suit, upon occasion
of the governour's request made to the lord Maxwell to abide here, who
came to me this evening to take his leave of me, because he goeth now
to Carlile to relieve his son. And he assured me, " that Avhatsoever
had been told your majesty of his son, he will do as he Avould have
him, or else," he sware all the oaths of God, " he would hang him
on a tree ; and though he were of other mind and disposition to your
majesty than he Avas,' yet could he do nothing otherwise nor he should
appoint ;" whereof he assured me ; and therefore besought your majes
ty " to give no credit to such informations, but to let him ha\Te him
home, which he desired for your better service, for he could not else
attend here upon the governour, nor look to his charge and offices,
Avherein he must serve your majesty, if the case so require ;" praying
me, " to Avrite as my lord governour had required me in that behalf;"
which I promised, because the said governour had so required me to
do. Also, my lord Somervail nfaketh special suit to have his son
home, who is very sick of the stone, and ofTereth to lay as good or

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 183
better pledges for him till he be whole ; assuring me, " that if he may
not come home for help to be cut of the stone, (Avhich disease he hath
by kind,) he is like to be in great peril of death ;" wherefore he most
humbly beseecheth your majesty " to have pity upon him, and to let
him be relieved for a season." t
Thus have I discoursed to your majesty the present state of those
things, and how the same ha\Te been wrought, whereby your highness
may perceive, that the earl of Glencairn and sir George Douglas shall
now, Avith convenient diligence, repair unto your majesty, for the
more ample declaration of the same, and better framing of all things
to good purpose, Avhich I beseech our Lord to conduct to such end as
your majesty desireth. Once it standeth upon the governour to ad
here firmly to your majesty, for otherwise he could not long enjoy his
place, being only supported by the earl of Angus, and such as be assu
red on your party, who do maintain and uphold him, of intent to bring
your purpose to the better effect by him, having the place and autho
rity of the realm. The band that is against him is great, but their
power is on the other side of the water ; so that they prevail more in
council than they may do with any force in this part of the realm.
And surely it was not possible, at this convention and assembly, to do
more for the perfection of your highness's desires,, than hath been done
by all those which be assured to your majesty, and by the governour
himself also, who offered, if any of the noblemen would take his of
fice, to go ly himself pledge in England for the performance of the
marriage, whereby the most part of the nobility were induced to grant
pledges ; but the earl of Bothwell is expressly against it, and diverse
others, with the Avhole rabble of the kirk-men, as your majesty shall
perceive all things at good length by the said earl of Glencairn and sir
George Douglas, at their arrival with your majesty, whose repair to
the same, in my poor opinion, shall serve to good purpose ; for that
your highness shall now have the opportunity to confer with them,
both for the better attaining of your godly purpose, either by peace
or war, as to your high wisdom shall seem most expedient. But the

184 EJTBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
impeachment of their journey hath been practised by all means the
clergy could devise, since they knew of the same, fearing them to be
so acceptable to your majesty j as the rather, by their good means you
should now embrace these offers, which they most heartily wish your
majesty should refuse; for they Avould rather the utter Avars than any
agreement. As even now; since this, convention, they haA'e devised to
leavy a tax off the clergy for the maintenance of the wars, which they
have offered to the governour and nobility here ; and to go themselves
in person to the battle,* rather than your majesty should have so much
of your desires as is now at this assembly granted. This is the charity
of those holy prelates and pastors, whom God amend. And thus, &c.

To my Lord Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 5th May, 1543.
My duty remembred unto your good lordships. I received yester
day your letters of the 2d of May ; and upon the contents of the same
I have conferred with the governour, who forthwith hath addressed
strait commandments, both to the earl of Bothwell and all other war
dens, to keep their days of truce, and to meet at the places appointed
and accustomed, for making and taking redress, and also to keep good
rule on the borders, according to the abstinence : Assuring your good
lordships, that if any default be in that behalf on this part for Scot
land, it is much against the mind and will of the governour. But as
to the earl of Bothwell, who, as ye know, hath the rule qf Lidders-
dale, f I think him the most vain and insolent man in the world, full
* In fact, when the war broke out between the two nations, the bishop of Dunkeld, the
abbot ol Dunfermline, and other churchmen of rank, actually took up" arms, regarding"
resistance to the English heretics as a sort of holy warfare. At the battle of Pinkie, there
was, it is said, a whole band of Scottish priests and monks ; their banner, of white sars-
net, bearing a female, with dishevelled hair, kneeling to a crucifix, and the motto, Afflicta
sponsx ne obliviscarie, made part of Somerset's trophies.— See Patten's account in Dalyell's
Fragments, p. 72, 73.
t He was lord of Liddesdale, and keeper of the royal castle of Hermitage, in that disor
derly district.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 185
of pride and folly, and here, I assure you, nothing at all esteemed ;
wherefore the governour prayeth you to weigh his answer according
ly. And in my poor opinion, I think it not amiss, that if you my
lord Parr do come to the Borders, ye do quickly call upon the said
earl of Bothwell to meet at the_ places accustomed for Liddersdale, and
to make redress for the same, as heretofore in time of peace hath been
used ; which if he shall refuse to do, or if the Liddersdalers make any
attempts or incursions within England, I would wish it should be
truly payed home again, as I doubt not your lordships will take such
order therefore as appertaineth.
Yesterday the governour rode out of this town towards his house of
Hamilton, and with him the earls of Angus and Cassils, and the earl
Marishal, with also the lord Somervail, who be all ofthe king's majesty's
party. And at my being with him yesterday before his going, he told
me, " how the earl of Lennox had served him, who," he said, " whilst
he was in this town, did promise' to set his hand and seal to the act
made for the establishment of him, in the place of governour, and se
cond person of the realm ; and nevertheless is departed the town very
suddenly, without the accomplishment of the same." Wherefore the
governor told me, " That within those eight days, either I should
hear that the said earl of Lennox should confess his just title, and
subscribe to the said act, or else he would put at him indelayedly, and
lay hands on him, if he could, or drive him out of the realm ; and or it
were long he trusted to get from him the castle of Dumbarton."*
Surely it is very like, that if the governour hold on his purpose, that
he shall either distress the said Lennox, or chase him again into
France ; for he is not able to make any party against the governour
and the earl of Angus : And if the said Lennox go to the sea again, as
it is like he will do very shortly, for that he shall not be able to abide
here, if that the governour do prosecute him, I would wish that some
* The earl of Lennox combated the governor's claim to the regency, on account of his
having been born during the life of Janet Home, the divorced wife of the earl of Arran,
his father.
VOL. I. 2 A

186 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
of the king's ships might meet with him in his return, if it would be,
which the governour also much desireth. He hath but tAvo ships here,
whereof one, that he came in himself, is a ship of , well ap
pointed for the wars, that lieth ready for him at Dumbarton, to slip
into at his pleasure ; and the other is but a small boat, Avhich the ab
bot of Paisley hired to bring in and convoy his baggage and coffers
out of France; Avhich boat, as it is thought, returneth not again. Once
the governour is much offended with him, and saith, " He is minded
to send the laird of Brunstoun to the French king, to declare unto him
the misbehaviour of the said Lennox since his arrival here, as well in
that he remained here, at the least three weeks, within less than for
ty miles of the court, without declaration of his charge and commis
sion from the said French king; as also for that he hath done as much
as in him is, since his coming hither, to kstir sedition, strife, and rebel
lion within this realm ; and thereupon to know whether the French
king sent him hither for any such purpose : In which case," the gover
nour saith, " if he do send the said Brunstoun, he will also send the
king's majesty word thereof, with the effect of all his charge and com
mission in that behalf."
There be four or five merchant ships here in Leith preparing to set
forth to the sea within these six days ; and also here is a Frenchman,
which lately came in with wines; and, as far as I can perceive,, they
intend to go altogether to the seas, and have furnished, themselves
with men and artillery as strongly as they can, both to defend them
selves and annoy their enemies, as the case shall require : Whereof I
thought good to advertise your lordships, to the intent Woodhouse
and his fellows may have warning to look upon them, if ye think so
convenient. On Munday next, the earl of Glencairn and sir George Douglas
take their journey towards the king's majesty; afore which time they
cannot be ready, intending then to make as great diligence as they
can make in journey without post. They say, " they will ride it in
eight days ;" whereof, with such other matter in this letter contained,
8

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 187
as ye think good, it may please your lordships to advertise the court
in the mean season accordingly. And thus, &c.

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 6th May, 15 A3.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that yesterday I re
ceived your letters, of the 1st of May; before the receipt whereof the
assembly and convention of the estates of this realm was dissolved, and
every man departed into his country. And afore their departure, the
earl of Glencairn and sir George Douglas, by the consents of the
greatest part of the nobility, were dispatched with such answer in ef
fect to the king's majesty's demands, as I have written to the same in
my last letters, wherewith they will depart to-morrow towards his ma
jesty, intending to be there within those ten or twelve days at the far
thest ; assuring your lordships, that more than hath been done, both
by the governour himself, and also all others here ofthe king's majes
ty's party, for his highness's satisfaction, was impossible to be done at
this time. But the governour being so well minded as he is, if it may
please the king's majesty to embrace and accept that which now may
be obtained without force, I see great likelyhood and appearance, that
within a little time his majesty shall be able to work what he will in
this realm at his grace's pleasure, and may, in my poor opinion, by gen
tle means, have all the nobility of the same induced to his own will
and devotion ; as I doubt not, but upon the arrival there of the earl of
Glencairn and the said sir George, his majesty and your lordships, con
ferring with them upon the points and circumstances of all these af
fairs, shall more amply perceive, and thereupon resolve upon such de
terminations, as shall be most for his highness's honour, and the ad
vancement of his most gracious and godly purpose. In the mean sea
son, I see not what can be done here further in that behalf; the nobili
ty of the realm being scattered and gone home, as is afore said, with
whom the matter should be debated and resolved. And also the go-

188 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
vernour himself is gone to his own house of Hamilton, and with him
the earls of Angus, Cassils, and Marishal. The lord Somervail is gone
home to his own house ; " and," as he told me, " would also follow the
governour, if there were any cause." The lord Maxwell is either at
Carlile, or at Lochmaben ; so that I see not how it is possible for me
to confer with them upon the contents of your lordships said letters ;
whereof also I see no great cause or necessity, considering in what
terms all things do stand. And ye shall noAv have, good opportunity,
upon the arrival there of the said earl of Glencairn and sir George, to
confer and communicate Avith them at length upon the same. And
yesterday when your letters arrived, the said earl and sir George being
at dinner with me, who came to take their leave of me, we have never
theless conferred upon the effect of your said letters in all points, ac
cording to the king's majesty's pleasure signified unto me in that be
half; whereupon they intend to make the more haste to his majesty,
and be in good hope that his highness shall be satisfied. And albeit
at this assembly it could not be obtained, that the peace should be
granted in such sort as the king's majesty requireth, that is to say, to
be friend to friend, and enemy to enemy, yet I dare assure you, that
the governour would fain have had it so, and saith, " That if there be
such a league betwixt his majesty and the French king, if he might
have the copy of the same to be sheAved here, he doubteth not but
thereby all the nobility of this realm would the rather be induced to
condescend to the making of a like league with the king's majesty."
And I think that the said sir George hath some further commission
from the governour to the king's majesty, as Avell in that part, as also
touching the marriage betwixt his majesty's daughter and the said go
vernour's son, than the earl of Glencairn doth knoAv of; for, as I per
ceive, he is not privy to the whole circumstances of that matter of
marriage. Touching the earl of Lennox, the governour (as he told me on Fri
day last at his departure hence) is resolved to command him, in the
queen's name, to deliver the castle of Dumbarton, and also will have

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 18$
him subscribe, and set his seal to the act for the establishment of the
said governour, as second person of the realm ; or else if he refuse so
to do, (as undoubtedly it is thought he will,) the said governour saith,
" He will prosecute him so, as he will either get him into his hands, or
chase him out of the realm ; and if he flee to the sea, to pass again in
to France, in that case the governour wisheth that some of the king's
ships might chance to meet with him." And also he told me, " That
he intended to send the laird of Brunstoun into France," for such pur
pose as I did lately advertise unto my lord of Suffolk, who, I doubt
not, hath signified the same unto your lordships accordingly.
Finally, whereas I do perceive, that the king's pleasure is, I should
repair to St Andrews to speak with. the cardinal; I intend to forbear
the same, till I shall hear again from your lordships of his majesty's
pleasure in that part, for certain considerations ; whereof one is, for
that the said cardinal, and the bishops here of this realm, have even
now called a convention and assembly of the clergy at St Andrews,
which will endure these seven or eight days, wherein no doubt they
will devise some mischief,, and do all they can to impeach any good
agreement betwixt these two realms; during which assembly I think
it not convenient for me to come there. Another is, for that the go
vernour is now as far out with the cardinal as ever he was, and would
fain have him in hands again, if he wist how : Wherefore seeing he
standeth in such terms Avith the governour, if I should repair to. St
Andrews to speak with him, without licence or consent of the said go
vernour, (who is not here now to grant me the same,) I am in. great
doubt what suspicion he might have in that behalf; and besides, that
this country is not very free for English-men to travel in without some
conduct, specially now that there is like to grow some garboil betwixt
the governour and the earl of Lennox. Which considerations move
me to forbear my going to St Andrews, as is aforesaid ; wherein I shall
nevertheless do, as it shall please the king's majesty upon knowledge
hereof to determine, whereof (if it so stand with his majesty's pleasure)
I may be advertised before the said convocation shall dissolve ; during

190 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
which time I think it not convenient for me to repair unto the said
cardinal, as is aforesaid, though there were none other consideration to
impeach the same. Assoon as conveniently may be therefore, I pray
you let me be advertised of the king's majesty's pleasure, in that behalf,
which I shall accomplish according to my most bounden duty. And
thus the Holy Trinity preserve your good lordships in long life, health,
and honour. From Edinburgh, 6th May, &c.

Credence ofthe Laird of Drumlanrig* shewed unto John Thomson, De
puty-customer and Servant to my Lord Warden of the West March
es at Dumfries, sent to my said Lord Warden, the 5th of May, as
followeth : Written at- Carlile ihe 6th qf May, as followeth :
At the entring of the communication with the said Dnumlanrig, the
said John Thomson said to him, " That my; lord, warden not a little
marvelled that he advertised him of no news of long time, trustihghe
had forgotten him." Whereunto the said laird answered, and said,
" That there was so much falshood and inconstancy amongst the lords,
that such agreement as they determined and made one day, they would
break the same the next day ; so that by reason of their' imagined
falshood and inconstancy; so oft determining and changing their pur
pose, he would not take upon him to write any news to my lord war
den, trusting that if he had written any news, and the: same not proved
true, my lord warden would have taken the same to be made of his
own device. «
Also the said laird said, "That at their late convention it was agreed
by the lords1, that they would perform the marriage of their queen, and
all other covenants, Which they made and promised to the king's ma-
* Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig, who was about this time made warden of the west
marches ; a trust tor which this letter shows him to have been particularly unfit. In Hayne's
State Papers there is an order for paying him L. 100, for services done, and to be done, to
the English cause. — Vol. I. p. 9. Drarnlanrig died about 1578, at a very advanced age.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 191
jesty, and send to his highness for a safe-conduct to an ambassador of
theirs, to make suit for peace, and for the accomplishing of all such
covenants as were made to the king's majesty. This determination
Was made one day, and broken on the next. The occasion of break
ing whereof was studied and devised by the dowager and cardinal,
who considered, that if the marriage of the queen and peace were ta
ken with the king's majesty, it should not only put them out of credit
and estimation witfy the Freuch king, but also take a great commodi
ty and authority from them, as well in the realm of France as Scotland:
And upon that consideration they laboured and perswaded the gover
nour, the; earls of Argyle and Huntley, and their adherents, to consent
to sue for no peace, nor perform no covenants to thei king's majesty,
putting the governour in comfort that his son shall marry the : queen ;
and likewise putting the earl of Argyle in comfort that his son shall
marry the queen. And upon those subtile perswasions, the governour,
dowager, cardinal, the earls of Huntley and Argyle, with their adhe
rents, had determined to sue for no peace, nor keep any covenants to
the king's majesty, but utterly to follow the French king's device and
purpose in every behalf." !
Also the said laird said, " That at the departing of the lords from
their convention, they appointed no day certain to meet again, but
upon a new warning, which should be at the arrival: of the French
king's army into their realm, which they looked for daily."
Also the said laird said, " That the cardinal and dowager have de
vised, that the French king_ shall send Lorgy Montgomery, * and a
power with him, to remain and aid the realm ; and after his arrival
there, Avithin a short time, the dowager and queen shall be convoyed
and sent to France, if in any wise the same may be done."
Also he said, " That, at the making of the earl of Angus lieutenant,
the governour, by consent of the lords, promised him the next vacation
* Montgomery Seigneur de L'Orge, renowned in the civil wars of France. Henry II.
was killed by a splinter of his lance, when encountering him at a tournament.

192 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
of any benefice that should chance first to fall ; and, at the death of
the bishop of Aberdeen, the earl of Angus made suit to the governour
for that benefice, according to his promise ; which the governour de
nied to him. The earls of Argyle and Huntley made like suit to the
governour for the said benefice, whereof he made neither of them any
grant, but keepeth the same benefice in his own hand, not granted to
any as yet. The earl of Angus is out of trust with the governour and
his adherents, and much suspected that he beareth favour tp the king's
majesty's affairs, and sets forth the same as far as he may," as the said
laird saith.
The said laird further said, " That the assurance between the earl
of Argyle, and the earl of the Isles, went forth on May-day, * and that
the earl of Argyle hath laboured all his friends, to take part and go
with him to war on the earl of the Isles, among which he laboured the
sheriff of Ayr and Drumlanrig. The sheriff of Ayr hath promised to
take his part; Drumlanrig said, " He was a Borderer, and could not
leave the Borders, so he might not go with him."
" The governour, dowager, cardinal, and their adherents, much en
vy the earl of Cassils, and had determined to have taken and commit
ted him to ward, if he had not wisely convoyed himself betimes out of
Edinburgh, at this late convention," as the laird saith.
The said laird farther said, " That he will be always a man to my
lord warden, and do for him any pleasure or service that lyeth in him
to do, and set forth the king's majesty's affairs as far as he may in every
behalf, when opportunity of time shall serve ; and his advertisements
he desires to be kept secret.
* That is, expired on May- day. It is difficult to guess whom Sadler calls earl of the Isles.
The earls of Ross, and lords of the Isles, were once almost independent princes ; but their
power was broken, their family extinct, and their principality annexed to the crown, about
the beginning of the sixteenth century. But the Macleans had in some degree succeeded
to their power, and certainly to their enmity against Argyle and his clan. Sadler used in
accurately a well-known and distinguished name. 11

EMBASSY TOf SCOTLAND IN 1543. \§$>
¦ ¦' ¦' '• >' ¦¦ ttdJ h-iiJ . : _
COMMUNICATIOM had,; betwixt Robert Maxavell and the said
John Thomson, the place and day aforesaid.
¦ \ )\. jfic."-. . '. 'j . ..• ¦ , '¦ ; )\
The said. Robert Maxwell, ! among all his talks, said, "they looked
daily; for : the coming of Lorgy Montgomery, who bringeth with him
twb'thcnusand .Frenchmen, and as much money as will wage five thou
sand! Scotti&bmen .for five .months, ; to remain and defend their realm
against the king's majesty's army, if the same should invade their
realm :" Drumlanrig told the same.
He says also, " that the French king sends a great army by water
to invade the king's majesty's: realm ; Avhich army will not come into
Scotland, but land in England, without any aid of Scotland."
j i He saith also, . " that he would do any thing that might relieve his
father, if he might know what the same were." ,,To which Avords, the
said Thomson- answered, and said, " that he supposed my lord of Len
nox and my lord warden had written to him, ' that if he would deli
ver to the king's majesty's hands such castles and houses of strength
as he had in his keeping, it would be a mean to relieve his father.' He
answered1, that he had received such Avriting from my lord of Lennox
and my lord warden ; albeit such writing came to him, having the
said castles and strengths in his keeping, he would deliver the same to
none but to his father. And if his father were at liberty, he would de
liver all the said castles and strengths to him ; and if he would deliver
the same to the king's majesty, or to his highness's officers, he would,
for his part, be well contented therewith."
,, , Walter Bell,* servant to Robert Maxwell, (who came out of Edin
burgh on Saturday the 2d of May,) told the said John Thomson, that

* This may have been the Wattie Bell, chief Servant to John Maxwell, son of the lord
Maxwell, who was slain at a skirmish in Cumberland in 1547. — See lord Wharton's Letters
in Introduction to Nicholson's Histoiy of Cumberland, p. lvii. lix.
VOL. I. 2 B

194 EMBASSY TO ¦SCSfiAtf D f 81 1543.
it was openly bruited in Edinburgh, that the earl of the Isles would
take plain part with the earl of Lennox against all Scottishmen his
enemies ; and that great preparrfiiota for war is made between* Mmf.and
the earls of Argyle and Huntly. a -, \ o, -.. , -:oi .-.
The laird of Drumlanrig and other Scottishmen, shew the same John
Thomson, that the west part of Scotland, and especially Nithsdale and
Galloway, Was the most poor countries, net able to victual themselves.
And as for Annandale, the said John Thomson, in his .passing and re*
passing, saw the same to be in :a great poverty, without corn fox them*
selves,

To my Lords ojf Suffolk, Parr,* awrf Durham, f 8th May, 1543^
My very good lords, my duty remembred unto your lordships. ' It
may like the same to understand, that this morning I received your
letters of the 5th of May ; by the which I do perceive, as well the
earl Bothwell's refusal to meet at the places' accustomed on the Bor
ders, and his will in the appointing of the same, where no true man
will come to demand redress : J As also, what attemptates have lately
been done in England, both by the Armstrangs of Liddisdale, and
others also in the east marches ; whereof your lordships do require me
* William Parr, son and heir of sir Thomas. Parr of Kendal, and brother to Catherine
Parr, whom Henry VIII. raised to the perilous honours of the royal bed. He was created;
on this event, baron Parr of Kendal, and earl of Essex, having married the heiress of the
ancient family of Bourchier, which had long enjoyed the latter title. He was attainted in
the days of queen Mary, but restored to his own aud additional, honours and employments.
by Elizabeth, aud he died iu 1571.
f Cuthbert Tunstall, bishop of Durham. He had been T>ishop of -London, and lord-privy
seal. He was deprived of his see by Edward VI. on account of. his attachment to popery,
was restored by queen Mary, and a second time deprived by queen Elizabeth for the same
reason. He died at Lambeth in 1559.
\ These incursions on the English border, and the refusal of redress, were employed by
the lords of the French faction, as the readiest means to produce such reprisals as might be.
the means of breaking off the matrimonial treaty with England. Henry and his council
fell into the snare.
I

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 154S. IQ$
to advertise the governour, who is now at his house at Hamilton, and,
as I lately Avrote unto you,' gave, before his departure hence, strait
charge and commandment to the said earl, I and all other wardens on
the Borders, to keep their days of truce and meeting at the places ac
customed ; Avhich, I think, they will observe ; at the least, I dare say
the governour would have it so for his part. And if they Avill needs
be doing, without regard , of commandment or justice, like as I have
before given you my poor advice in that part; so I doubt not but your
lordships will devise to pay them truly again with siklike. Yester-
night came hither the earl of Angus, and this morning he toJd me,
" that the governour and he had been at Linlithgow, where they had
taken order for the sure keeping of the young queen's person, whom
the dowager would fain have removed to Stirling ; but seeing she can
not have the same granted unto her, she is content, against her will,
to abide at Linlithgow. And now," he saith, " the governour and he,
having.thus taken order for the sure keeping of the young queen's
person, will prepare to go upon the earl of Lennox, in case he shall re
fuse to deliver the castle cf Dumbarton, and to seal and subscribe to
the act made for the establishment of the governour as second person
of the realm ; for the which purpose," he saith, " he came now hither
to assemble his friends, intending to be on Wednesday's night at Ha?
milton Avith the governour, and a good band of men Avith him : So
that if the earl of Lennox do not yield to their desires," he saith, " I
shall hear that he shall be sore put at and pursued." And I put him
in remembrance of the king's majesty's pleasure, that in any wise, if
they get the castle, they should commit the same to sure hands for the
earl of Glencairn, or at least to take himself the charge of it in the
same earl's absence, wherein he hath promised me to do the best he
can.', And then I told him,, how the earl of Bothwell useth himself on
the Borders ; and also of the said attemptates done, as is contained in
your said letters, the whole contents whereof I made him privy to.
And he hath promised me to declare the same to the governour, say
ing, " there shall be no good rule in Liddisdale till the said earl Both-

196! EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
well be shut up in a castle, and some honest man appointed to his
charge, that will 'better look to the same."* .
I have likewise told the said earl of An^us the cause ofthe stay of
his cart-horses, and advised him in that behalf, as your lordships re
quired me ; wherein he prayed me1 to advertise you, " that he hatha
licence of the king's majesty in that behalf under his broad seal, as his
brother sir George shall declare unto your lordships at his arrival with
you. And besides that," he saith, " he is the king's majesty's subject
and his servant, and Will 'be during his life, or else he would not have
been so bold as to have sent for horses to England*" In which part
your grace may use your discretion, considering my lord of Angus is not
eVery man. And finally, he prayed me, " to write to your grace; that
it might please the same to send so much money to Berwick to Mr
Shelley, to be paid by mine appointment, as should be sufficient to
pay his Wages and his brother's; for that, he thinketh, it would be
noted,, if he should send bis servant so far within England as to Darling
ton for money, whereof might grow some bruit and suspicion, which
he would be glad to avoid." And also, he desireth, "- that it might
please the king's majesty to double his wages for a little time, till
these things here were in better frame ; because he must needs be now
at charge to maintain a force against the earl of Lennox, which he
trusteth his service shall deserve; or else he will render the same, with
all that he hath, unto the king's majesty." Wherein it may please your
grace, to advertise me, by your next letters, what you think expedient
to be answered. It is but 100 1. more,. Avhich you have authority to
help by your grace's discretion. And thus-the Holy Trinity preserve
your good lordships, in health and honour, &c
* From these expressions, it was evident; that Bothwell, in his capacity of; keeper ef
Liddisdale, had connived at, or perhaps encouraged, the incursions of the Armstrongs and
other Borderers inhabiting that disorderly district, in order to embroil the negociation. b«.--
ityseen England. aud Scotland.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. }()7

To my Lord of Suffolk, 15th May, 1543.
Please it your grace to understand, that I have received your letters
of the 1 1 th of May ; by the which, I do perceive that your grace hath
licensed the earl of Angus^s cart-horses and their keeper to repair hither
into Scotland ; and also, that ye have directed a warrand to Mr Win-
dale for 1001. to be paid to the said earl, over and above his month's
wages, whieh shall be due on this day come seven-night; whereof I
shall advertise him, not doubting but he will send for the same, with
also his wages, to be due at the said day. He. departed hence to Hat-
miltori upon Wednesday last to the governour, who is now at Paisley,
not far from Dumbarton ; and (as I lately wrote unto you) sent a he
rauld to the earl of Lennox, with charge to deliver the castle of Dumr
barton within forty-eight hours, upon pain of treasons In which part
(as I am credibly informed) the said earl of Lennox, pretendeth and
sheweth himself willing, that the said castle should be delivered, and
that he will not meddle with the withholding of the same : But he
that is captain of the said castle, named
doth clearly refuse the deliverance thereof, alledging, that he hath a
tack and assedation, as they call it; that is, a lease or grant of the
keeping ofthe said castle for seven years to come; "which," he saith,
" was given him by the late king here that dead is," But this is
thought to be a practice devised between the earl of Lennox and the
said captain, who taketh upon him the keeping of the said castle by
such title as is aforesaid, refusing to deliver the same out of his hands,
and thereof would make innocent the said earl of Lennox ; notwith
standing that the same earl is within the. castle ; and,, for the better
colouring of the matter, (as is supposed,) layeth the Avhole burden of
the default to the said captain, by practice and agreement betwixt
them. WTherefore, the governour intendeth (as I am also informed)
to prosecute the said, earl of Lennox, by the order of the law first, to

19* EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
summon and appeach him of treason for the said refusal, and after to
put him to the horn, as they call it here, that is to say, to proclaim
him a traitour, and so to enter upon his lands ; and if he can appre
hend him, to proceed to his execution, or drive him out of the realm.
This I understand the governour Avill do, as soon as is possible by good
advisement; but what will be the end thereof I cannot tell. As
soon as I shall hear any certainty of the same, I will advertise your
grace accordingly.
Furthermore, you shall understand, that the said governour hath
now addressed a special charge and commandment to he declared to
the earl Bothwell, touching his office in Liddisdale, commanding him
to make redress for the same ; and to meet for that purpose at such
day and place as shall be appointed betwixt the two wardens of the
middle marches of England and Scotland ; the copy of which charge
and commandment the governour sent hither nnto me yesterday,
which your grace shall receive herein inclosed; and (as I understand
by credible means) the said governour remaineth ever the longer the
, better minded towards the king's majesty.
Finally, your grace shall receive herewith a letter from the earl of
Cassils to my lord of Glencairn and sir George Douglas ; with also
my letters to my friends at London, Avhich it may please your grace,
at your next dispatch to the court, to send in your packet. And this,
&c.

Tb tke Earls of Angus and Cassils, 15th May, 1543.
My Lords,
After my very hearty commendations yesterday, I received your let
ters, with also a letter to me from my lord governour, and the copy of
the charge directed to the earl Bothwell, to make due redress for
Liddisdale ; for your good remembrance whereof, and for the rest of
your advertisements contained in your said letters, I do most heartily

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 199
thank your lordships. And this day I have received certain letters
from my lord of Glencairn and sir George Douglas, with others which
I have 'sent your lordships inclosed in this packet; praying you to
cause them be delivered, according to the directions and indorsements
of the same. As for occurrences out of England, I have had none since
your departure hence of any importance ; but as soon as I shall have
any worthy the Avriting, I shall not fail to make you participant of them
as the case shall require. Praying your good lordships, at your next op
portunity, !to let me know, as well how all things proceed against the
earl of Lennox, with such other occurrences as in the mean season shall
occur amongst you ; as also Avhat hath been done at the late conven
tion of the clergy at St Andrews, to the intent I may advertise his-
majesty ofthe truth ofthe same. And thus Almighty God have your
good lordships in his holy tuition, &c.

To the Lords qfhis Majesty's Privy Council, 20th May, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that upon the receipt
of your letters, bearing date on Whitsunday at night, Avhich I recei
ved on the Thursday after, I repaired forthwith unto the governour,
whom I found in the west parts of this realm at Glasgow, being forty
miles from Edinburgh, and declared unto him fully the king's majes
ty's advice and counsel, touching the legate that is to repair hither,
called Mark German, the cardinal here, and the earl of Lennox, with
their adherents, how and in what wise the king's majesty would have
him to proceed against them, in such sort as is expressed in your lord
ships said letters : which the said governour took in marvellous good
part, " accounting himself most bound unto the king's majesty, that it
pleased the same so much to tender him, as in such wise both to ad
monish him of dangers like to ensue towards him; and also to advise
and counsel him how he might best avoid and eschew the same;
whose counsel and advice," he said, " he would follow afore all the

200 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
princes of the world. And to the matter," he said, " if the French.
king would do them no more harm, than procure, the sending of a le
gate to curse them, he cared little for the; same ; for he Avould so pro
vide for the legate, as if he arrived here to make any garboil in this
realm, with his fulminations of cursing, or to advance and set.forth
such things as might stir any division or inquietation here, he should
surely never go home again ; but glad he would be, according to his
majesty's advice, to work so as the said legate's journey hither should
be impeached and broken. And only," he. said, ". he suspended all his
proceedings here in the affairs of this realm, upon knowledge whether
he should have peace or war Avith the king's majesty ; for if all things
were established, and the peace concluded betwixt these two realms,
which he most heartily wished and desired, he would not doubt with
the king's majesty's good advice and counsel, to order and govern this
realm in such sort, as the same should be reduced very shortly to as
good obedience as ever it Avas ; and he Avould reform the abuses of the
church, and advance God's word and doctrine, maugre the legate, the
cardinal, the bishops and priests of this realm, Avith all their partakers,
which he doubted not to subdue and rule at his will, if he were once
at a good point Avith his majesty." I told him, I Avas in good hope
that the conclusion of the peace would not be long a doing ; " which
he again most heartily wished for ; and prayed me, that I would play
the part of a good minister to help the furtherance and perfection of
the same ; for the doing whereof," he said, " he would account himself
most bound unto me while he lived, and would be always ready to do
me all the pleasure he could ; repeating unto me, how greatly he de
sired to satisfy and please the king's majesty ; and that for his life he
could do no more nor he had done to the accomplishment of his ma
jesty's demands. And if the peace were once concluded, he would
forthwith set upon the cardinal within his castle of St Andrews, Whom
he doubted not shortly to have into his hands ; for he was the man,"
he said, " whom (God forgive him !) he did only hate in all the world,
not without just cause. For the cardinal," he said, " did speak as fair
2

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 201
words, and write as humble letters to him, with desire of his remission
and favour, as Avas possible for any man to do ; and yet privily he
wrought all that he could, to set division and distance betwixt me and
the noblemen of the realm ; wherefore, if the peace were concluded, I
would soon be revenged thereof; but, till he- knew how all things
should succeed betwixt these two realms, he would be loth to stir any
garboil within the realm."
And touching the earl of Lennox, he told me, " That since his
coming into those Avest parts, he had sent an herauld to him, and com
manded him, in the queen's name, to deliver the castle of Dumbarton,
which the said earl shewed himself willing (as much as in him was) to
accomplish ; but the captain, named Stirling, who claimed an interest
in the keeping of the said castle for seven years yet to come, by force
of a grant he had thereof of the late king, utterly refuseth the delivery
ofthe same, and keepeth it perforce; which," the governour saith, " is
only done by the earl of Lennox's, drift and procurement; who, not
withstanding that he maketh semblance of the contrary, hath put
100 men into the castle, and keepeth himself abroad in the toAvn of
Dumbarton, where he gathereth his friends about him to the number
of 1200 men." Whereupon the governour determining to break the
assembly, took purpose to repair to Dumbarton, being with him the
earls of AnguS and Cassils, the lord Somervail, and the sheriff .of Ayr,
with diverse gentlemen, and a good band of men, to the number of
4000: Which, when the said earl of Lennox heard of, he wrote by and
by a very kind letter to the earl of Angus, desiring to speak with him
upon trust, offering to be ruled by him in all things which the gover
nour would desire of him. Whereupon it was ordained, that both the
said earls should speak together upon trust, according to the same earl
of Lennox's request; as indeed upon Wednesday last they spake toge
ther ; at which time the said earl of Lennox, promised the earl of An
gus, " That he would the next day come and submit himself to the
governour, and not only render the castle of Dumbarton, but also
confess him to be goAernour and second person of the realm, and sub-
VOL. I* 3 c

£02 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
scribe to the same, as other noblemen had done ;" Avhich Avas thought
assuredly he Avould have done. Nevertheless he accomplished no part
of the same ; but the next day, afore the governour should come to
Dumbarton, the said earl of Lennox, with a few with him, fled into the
Highland, and hid himself in the rocks and mountains, where it is
not possible hastily to come by him, or apprehend him ; and all his
company skaled * and broke : And all the gentlemen being of that
company offered themselves to the governour at his coming to Dum
barton, to do him service, supposing that the earl of Lennox had been
a true gentleman, and would have done the same. " The governour,"
saith he, " took their offer in good part, alledging that he Avould
charge them as the case should require in that behalf." The captain
ofthe said castle of Dumbarton very proudly set out banners and flags
upon the tower of the said castle, immediately upon the governour's
entry into the town, and prepared for defence, if the same should have
been assaulted, and Avould in no wise render nor deliver it : " Which,"
the governour telleth me, " is so strongly situate upon a great high
rock or craig of stone, that it is impregnable otherwise than by fa
mine; whereupon he caused proclamations to be made in the queen's
name in the town of Dumbarton, and all the country thereabout, that,
upon pain of death, they should net aid nor support the said captain with
victual, nor othenvise : And so finding the country obedient, none re*-
belling but the said castle, which he saw impregnable by any assault;
he returned hither to Glasgow, intending within these five or six days
to repair towards Edinburgh, and to take deliberate advice how to pro
ceed against the said earl of Lennox, who,'' he saith, " is only set out
and procured by the cardinal to do as he doth." For the governour
saith, " he is credibly informed, that after the said earl of Lennox had,
upon Wednesday last, made the said promise to the earl of Angus, the
same night came one to the said earl of Lennox, with a letter and
message from the cardinal, which clearly changed his purpose, and
* Dispersed.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 203
caused him the next morning to withdraw himself privily out of the
town of Dumbarton, and so flee into the Highland among the hills
and mountains, where he hideth himself, so that no man knoweth
Avhere he is become.''
Thus far the governour told me he had already proceeded against
the earl of Lennox, " Avho, he assured me, durst not abide him, nor
Avas he able to make any party in Scotland against him." And told
me further, " That if the peace Avere concluded, he would not fail to
pursue both the cardinal and the said earl of Lennox, and doubted not
right soon to have them into his hands : But of force he must suspend
and stay his proceedings in that behalf, till he see how all things shall
stand, between these two realms; till Avhich time he may not conve
niently make any great stir Avithin this realm." I advised him so to
suspend his proceedings in that part, as his enemies took no courage
by his stay, nor might have time and opportunity to practise their mis
chievous intent against him for his destruction, which they so much
desired. But he made nothing thereof, saying, " that they neither
could nor Avould enterprize to make any party towards him ; and he
had such watches, as they could make no gathering nor assembly but
he should soon have warning thereof, and within tAventy-four hours
he might be able to make a party to repress their malice: And, for the
earl of Lennox, he had so wrought, that if he should happen to repair
out of the Highlands to his own country of Lennox, or shew himself
abroad, he should escape very hardly, but he Avould be taken. And,
having. the peace once concluded," which string he always harped on,
" he would soon bring this realm to perfect obedience ; wherein, and in
all his proceedings, he Avould use wholly the king's majesty's advice
and council ; giving again his most humble thanks unto his majesty
for such advice as his highness gave now unto him. And touching
the ca&t.le of Stirling,, albeit he desired much to have the same into his
hands, and would (according, to the king's majesty's advice) do Avhat.
he could to get it from the lord Areskine,* which he thought would be
* John, twelfth lord Erskine, was, by a grant dated 15th May, 1525, made heritable
captain and constable of the castle of Stirling. He had the custody of queen Mary's per
son from the year 1542 till 1548, when she was sent to France.

204 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
somewhat difficile, because it is the queen's jointure; yet nevertheless,"
he said, " though he had it not, he could be master of the bridge at
his pleasure: For he, and the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils,
had as many and moe friends on the other side of the water than any
of their adversaries had, so that they could be masters of the bridge
on both the sides of the Avater at their own will ; and in the castle
there was no ordinance nor artillery to keep the bridge with ; neverthe
less he would practise to get it into his hands, which," he saith, " be
hath had in purpose afore this, and trusteth to obtain the same, with
the good contentation both of the queen and the lord Areskine."
Also, touching the last convocation at St AndreAvs by the clergy,
he saith, " The same was not without his licence and authority, but
by him granted," to the intent they should agree and determine upon
such a mass and sum of money as they would give for the sustentation
of the war, if the same should ensue." And he saith, " There have as
sembled together at St Andrews a great many of the bishops, but
not all : Wherefore/' because many were absent, they dissolved their
convention the sooner, and prorogate the same to the 1st of June; at
Avhich time, the "whole clergy intend to meet for the said purpose.
And, in the mean season, they have resolved, though the mass and
sum be not yet determined, that they will, for the maintenance of the
war, give all the money they have, and also their OAvn plate, and their
churches plate, — as chalices, crosses, censers, and all, leaving nothing
unspent in that quarrel, and fight themselves, if need require." But
the governour saith, " If the peace succeed, he will stop their next
convention and meeting, which shall be the said ist of June."
Furthermore, as to the ship, which the earl of Lennox came in
hither, she is now within these six days departed towards France; and
one Stewart, a Scottish man, in her, whom the said earl of Lennox hath
dispatched to the French king, Avith such answer as he hath received
here, and to declare by all likelyhood the estate of this realm. It
Avere happy if some of the king's majesty's ships might meet with her,
for thereby percase might surely be known what practices the said

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 205
earl of Lennox hath here to do for France; which nevertlieless may be
easily conjectured. The governour saith, " That he purposed to have
taken and stayed the said ship whilst she was here ; but it was not
possible to come by her, for she kept always aloof in the seas, and
came not near the land ; so that, being well furnished with ordinance
and artillery, it Avas not possible to approach her. And very sudden
ly," he said, " the said Stewart departed Avith her, and is yet scantly
off from the coast of this realm ; for since his departure, the wind has
not served him ; but as the Avind shall serve, he will not fail lo make
all the sail he can into France.'' In the end of my communication
with the governour, I told him of myself, according to your lordships
said letters, that I trusted, when this peace shall be concluded, (which
I Avas in good hope would not be long a-doing) he would make forth
some ships for the keeping of the seas ; so that the legate, if he pass
not in the mean season, should not escape them, though the French
king do what 'he can to the contrary. Whereunto he answered me,
" That he Avould not fail for that purpose to send as many ships a,sr
he could furnish out of all Scotland, with all his heart, to join with
the king's ships as soon as he could by any means possible, after the
peace once agreed upon."
Finally, I have participated the whole effect of your lordships said
letters, according to the continue of the same, to the earls of Angus
and Cassils,* and to the lord Somervail. As to the lord Maxwell, he is
not here, but remaineth, as I understand, upon the Borders. And with
them I have communicate upon the premisses at length, which in ef
fect agree with the saying of the governour. They seem to fear no
peril or danger, neither of the coming of the legate, nor of any party
that can be made here by their adversaries ; but say, " that if the
peace succeed," whereupon only the governour suspendeth all matters,
" they will so"On repress the malice of all their enemies." And the
earl of Angus, Avhose power the earl of Lennox only feareth and flieth
from, is of a jolly courage to win the castle of Dumbarton by assault;
" which," he saith, " if he had had, at this time of their being there,

206 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
any ordinance and artillery, he would surely have assayed ; and doubt
eth not, but that when the governour is resolved, by the deliberation
and advice of the council, how to proceed farther against the earl of
Lennox, if the castle be not rendred, he shall surely win it :" Which
nevertheless is thought by most. men to be impossible, the situation of
the place is so strongly formed by nature.. The said earls of Angus
and Cassils, and lord Somervail, do assure me, " the govrernour re-
maineth most assured unto the king's majesty, and desireth nothing
more than the perfection of this peace, and the favour of his majesty."
Which I assure your lordships, I do well perceive to be true: And now
..at my coming hither unto him, he made me such chear and entertain
ment, as I might well perceive that I was heartily welcome unto him.
.And this day he hath appointed certain gentlemen to accompany me
!to Stirling, being twenty-four miles hence, not much out ofmy way to
Edinburgh, to the intent I should see the castle of Stirling, and the
country in the west parts. And he himself departeth this day also to
wards his own house of Hamilton, where he remaineth three or four
days, and then will draw towards Edinburgh, against such time as he
thinketh to hear from the earl of Glencairn and sir George Douglas.
In the mean season, I have thought good to signify all those things to
your good lordships, Avhereof it may please the same to advertise the
Jung's majesty accordingly. And thus, &c.
POSTSCRIPT.
The governour told me, that the cardinal had sent him a message
by the laird of Brunstoun, Avhich was in this effect: " That forasmuch
as the said cardinal thought, that the king's majesty (whom he never
offended) was so much displeased Avith him, that percase his demeure
and abiding in this realm might be some lett and impediment to such
good purposes, as might be set forth to the unity of these two realms ;
and again, because he perceived the governour favoured him not, nor
Avould use his service, Avhich most willingly and obediently he offered to
do at all times to the said governour : He therefore humbly desired and

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. £07
prayed the same, that he Avould license him to go into France, where
he might remain quietly, and would be ready to serve the governour,
as well there as in all places, at his commandment ; and also would re
turn to serve him, here, whensoever it should please him to call upon him
for that purpose :. Desiring also, that it might please the goA'ernour to
be so good a lord unto him, as to let him have into France his yearly
profits of his bishoprick, and other his revenues within this realm, from
time to time, as the same shall be due unto him." Wherein the said
governour told me, " he would use only mine advice, praying me to
tell him my mind in that behalf" I told him, that I thought I should
give him evil council, jn case I should advise him to license the cardi
nal to go into France, Avhere he might freely work ali the mischief he
could devise against this realm. And hereupon I made him an ex
ample of our cardinal Pool, the marquis of Exeter, and the lord Mont-
acute, Avith the circumstances of that matter; and therefore advised
him rather so to proceed against the said cardinal, as he might be sure
to keep him from such liberty, as whereby he might the rather have
any opportunity to work him such displeasure, as I knew. he intended ;
towards him. Whereupon he is resolved that the cardinal shall not
depart, but saith, " He will proceed against him, and all the rest, in ;
such sort as the king's majesty shall give him counsel: And if the
peace were agreed on to-day, he would not fail to-morrow to go upon
the cardinal, and pull him out of his castle of St Andrews by the;
head; which castle," he saith, " is of no strength."

To my Lord of Suffolk, 23d May, 1543.*'
Please it your grace to understand, that I have received your letters
of the 20th of May, with the king's majesty's letters to the earl of Cas-
* This letter seems to refer to the English made prisoners at the battle of Haddenrig, in
1542. According to the usage between the countries, they ought to have paid their ran
som, or surrendered up their persons, to their captors, according to their respective bonds. ,

208 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
sils, and such others as Avere addressed to me Avith the same: Percei
ving right Avell, by your grace's said letters, and sir William Evers,
Avith the copy of a Scottish letter contained in the same, how certain
of the takers of the English prisoners do demand the 'forfeiture of the
bonds made for their entry at Whitsunday. In Avhich matter I have
already done this much now at my late being Avith the governour in
the west parts of this realm, from whence I came yesternight to this
town, having the letter with me Avhich was sent by the taker of Tho
mas Eglinsby, called Alexander Macdoual, to the captain of Berwick;
being a like letter in effect to the same sent by the taker of Richard
Bowes : which Macdoual's letter the said captain had before sent un
to me. I have moved the governour in that behalf, who has ta
ken upon him to stand between all the English prisoners and their
harms for that matter, notwithstanding any suit or demand made by
any of their takers for the forfeiture of their bonds. And, as I do per
ceive, by the abbot of Paisley, the cause why the said Macdoual and
John Dickson, taker of Richard Bowes, had no commandment from
the governour not to call upon the entry of their persons till midsum
mer, nor to ask or pursue any forfeiture of the bond for non-entry at
Whitsunday, was, for that the said abbot of Paisley, and the rest of
the council about the governour, had not present knowledge of all the
names of the takers of the said English' prisoners ; for they addressed
commandments to all such of the takers as they could remember in
that behalf. As now, upon my relation, there is a like commandment
addressed unto the said Alexander Macdoual, and, as soon as I can, I
shall procure the semblable to the said Dickson, the taker of Richard
Bowes, which cannot well be done till the governour (who is now at
his own house at Hamilton) do come hither. Once the governour
hath assured me, " that none of the English prisoners, nor their sure
ties, shall incur any danger of forfeiture for non-entry at Whitsunday;
The governor, in this instance, seems to have suspended the forfeiture of these engage
ments till midsummer. Henry complained, in his manifesto, that the Scots refused to ran
som these prisoners. The subject is resumed iu a subsequent letter.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 209
and that his promise of the prorogation of the day of entry till mid
summer shall be sufficient for their discharge in that behalf. And this,
&c.

To the Governour, 2Sth May, 1543.
Please it your grace to understand, that this morning, among others,
I received two letters to your grace from your ambassadors in Eng
land, which I thought meet to dispatch immediately to your grace.
And forasmuch as it seemeth unto me by such advertisements as I
have at this time, that the same letters now addressed to your grace
be specially dispatched for the prorogation of the truce to the first of
July, and to signify the repair hither of sir George Douglas with dili
gence ; * if it may please your grace to advertise me what day you
will cause the said prorogation to be proclaimed, I shall signify the
same to the duke's grace of Suffolk, the king's majesty my sovereign
lord's lieutenant on the borders, to the intent he may make like pro
clamations on our part accordingly. And thus, &c,

To my Lords of Suffolk and Durham, 3d June, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that albeit I have no
great matters whereof to write unto your lordships, yet because ye re
quired me in your last letters to advertise you as soon as I could, what
towardness or untowardne§s I should perceive in those matters now
last brought hither by sir George Douglas ; I have, therefore, thought
* Sir George Douglas, as we have seen, had gone to London with the earl of Glencairn ;
but came back again to Scotland, in order to remove some obstacles which had occurred in
settling the treaty. The chief point of discussion seems to be the age at which the young
queen was to be sent to England ; Henry's council insisted it should not be later than ten
years.
VOL. I. 2d

210 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
good to signify unto you, that since the arrival here of the said sir
George, I have been sundry, times with the governour; as I have taken
occasion to go to him, both for the speedy sending forth of the pro
clamations to prorogate the abstinence till the 1st of July, and also
to present and commend unto him sir Robert Richardson, priest, whom,
for the king's majesty's sake, he hath well accepted, and hath heard.
him preach ; and also hath promised him living and entertainment for
the king's sake, whereof it may please you to advertise his majesty.
And being for those causes with the said goA'ernour, I have taken oc-
a sion to feel his inclination towards the end and conclusion of those
articles last devised and brought hither by the said sir George ; where^
in I find him most willing and conformable to pass the same without
difficulty. As for his part, he saith, " he seeth nothing therein to
be sticked at ; nevertheless, it hath been thought best to him, and
such of the council as be about him, to call the lords of the realm un
to it, such as will come, because they shall, not say hereafter that he
concluded the same privily by himself, without calling them to coun
cil in that behalf; and therefore he sent forth letters, immediately up
on the arrival here of the said sir George, to sundry lords and noble*
men of the realm, to be here to-morrow for that purpose, thinking
that many of them will come ; and he supposeth that none of them
will stick at any of the said articles, unless it be at the delivery ofthe
daughter of Scotland at ten years old, Avhich, nevertheless, he trusteth
easily to bring them unto : And in case the said lords and noblemen
come not to-morrow, or the next day, seeing," as he saith, " he hath.
given them warning, so that, they shall not be able to say hereafter
that they were not called to it ; he will then, with the advice of such
noblemen, and others of the council as be here, proceed' to the conclu
sion of these matters, and dispatch away the said sir George with the
same to the king's highness accordingly." This is as much as I can
yet learn of his towardness in those matters ; wherein I have also talk
ed with the- earls of Angus and Cassils, and with the lord Somervail'
and sir George Douglas, which also seem to make no great difficulty

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 211
-at the conclusion of those things in such sort as the articles do pro-
port. And they thought it best also, that the lords should be sent
for, because the greater the number is of the nobility that shall be
present at the same conclusion, the more honourable and the greater
shall be the authority of the same.
The governour told me also, " that where the clergy prorogated
tlieir last convention to the 4th of June, and were determined to have
kept their day, he hath now broken and put off the same, so that they
shall not conveen according to their appointment." And also he said
to me, " that if he Avere once sure of the peace, he would prosecute
the cardinal forthwith." Whereunto I answered him, that he might
now perceive how to be sure of the peace, which was in his own
hands, performing such things as were now required by the king's ma
jesty ; which I doubted not the said sir George had declared unto him
at length : And upon. their conclusion and agreement of the same, he
might direct his proceedings against the cardinal, and such as were
not his friends, accordingly. " Which," he said, " he would advise
upon, and do further, as by the noblemen and others of the council here
should be thought most expedient ; and, for his own part, he was ful
ly agreed to all those things contained in those last articles ; trusting,
that all the lords, which he now looketh for to assemble here to-mor
row, will likewise agree to the same." These things I have thought
meet to signify unto your lordships, which it may please you in the
mean season to advertise unto the court. And also, with your next
dispatch thither, it may please you to send such my letters inclo
sed in this packet, as I now write to Mr Wriothesley, and other my
friends, containing nothing else but mine own private affairs. And
this, &c.

215 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the King's Majesty, 7'th June, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that since the arrival
here of sir George Douglas, upon the declaration here of his charge to
the governour, letters were addressed forth unto all the noblemen of
this realm to assemble here for their advice and consultation upon
these matters and articles now last devised and brought hither by the
said sir George. And on Tuesday last arrived sundry of the lords
that were sent for, viz. the earls of Montrose and Caithness, the lords
Areskine, Fleming, Seton, Oliphant, and divers other lords and barons,
besides those which were here with the governour before, as the earls
of Angus and Cassils, the lord Somervail, and divers others of the
meaner sort, which be of the council, to a great number. All which
being assembled here together, did yesterday all day sit very busily
upon the said matters, and great sticking was among them at the de
livery of the daughter of Scotland at ten years old, unless that pledges
¦should be laid and delivered by your majesty into Scotland, before her
deliverance out of the realm, that she should be married to my lord
prince's grace at her age of twelve years at the farthest. Nevertheless,
With much difficulty, it is now agreed,
Fi¥st> That she shall be delivered to your majesty, or to my said
lord prince's grace, at her said age of ten years ; providing that the
marriage between my lord prince's grace and her shall be, afore her
going out of this realm, contracted by procurators per verba defutUro ;
and six earls or barons, or their heirs, such as your grace shall have
reasonable cause to be content withall, shall be laid into your majesty
as pledges and hostages for her delivery at the years above specified.
And touching the custody of her person, in the mean time of her de-
meure in Scotland, it is agreed upon in such sort as is contained in the
said articles.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN- 1543. 213
Secondly, Touching the peace, it is agreed upon in all things accord
ing to the said articles, saving that there is a little alteration touching
their accustomed traffic or intercourse of merchandize with the subjects
of such com prehensed, as in case expressed in the said articles, shall lose
the benefit of his comprehension ; without the which intercourse and
traffic, they say, their merchands here cannot live. They are content
and agreed, that the peace shall be passed according to the articles of
the last peace, and the exception of France to be pretermitted and left
out ; Avith provision also, that whomsoever your majesty, or the party
of Scotland, shall comprehend generally, it shall be added, that if the
same comprehensed, detain, or withhold any land, possession, or pen
sion, from your majesty, or the party of Scotland, the same compre
hensed shall not enjoy the benefit of that comprehension, nor shall be
aided, assisted, or favoured in any thing prejudicial to either party :
Reserving also liberty, by special covenant, to aid and assist each other
for the wages of the requirent against those persons so comprehen
sed. And so be these articles qualified touching the marriage and the
peace. Thirdly, They have added a new article, that if it shall please God
to call my lord prince's grace to his mercy, without issue had of the
Said daughter, that then she shall return again into this realm unmar
ried, at her liberty, if she list or desire so to do. All the rest of the said
articles be here agreed upon, in such sort as your majesty requireth,
with little or no alteration in effect, as far as I can perceive. But they
desire much, that this treaty of the marriage and peace being passed
and agreed upon by your majesty, the prisoners may be made free by
ransom or otherwise, at your majesty's pleasure, afore they lay in their
hostages for the delivery of the said daughter at the time afore speci
fied ; for they would lay some of the said prisoners as hostages and
pledges for that purpose, now at the first time, because, as I under
stand, they know not, without great difficulty, how to supply and fur
nish otherwise the whole number of six now for the first entry. The
earls of Huntley, Argyle, and Murray, were not at this convention1;

2l4 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
the cause whereof is, for that the earl of Murray is sick of his old dis
ease, and some think he will not recover. The earl of Argyle hath
much ado in the Highland Avith the Irishmen, who rebell against him;
and the earl of Huntley is likewise occupied in the north parts of this
realm.* They be all three far hence ; and, as I perceive by the go
vernour, he is glad they come not here, specially the earls of Murray
and Huntley; saying, " that their presence would have done more
hurt than good to those affairs betwixt your majesty and this realm."
For the governour's part, I assure your majesty, he is wholly given and
dedicate unto your highness, and, as far as I can see, his affection dai
ly increaseth in that part; and if he had not even now sticked fast to
those matters, with the earls of Angus and Cassils, the lord Somervail
and sir George Douglas, surely there would have been a great altera
tion ; and with great difficulty they have brought the said articles to
such frame as is before expressed ; wherewith the said sir George Dou
glas shall be this day folly dispatched, and to-morrow, or the next
day, taketh his journey in post towards your majesty. The earl of
Lennox is returned into his own country of Lennox, being in the west
parts of this realm, and joining near to the Highland ; where (as I
hear) he gathereth force to him as he may ; which cannot be great,
for he hath no substance nor money to maintain therewith any great
power ; but, as I hear, he looketh both for men and money out of
France, whereupon he dependeth. And the governour stayeth his
proceedings against the said earl and the cardinal upon the determina
tion and conclusion of this peace betwixt these two realms. The car
dinal maketh great suit and means to the governour for his favour, or
else that he may have licence to pass into France ; but the said gover
nour is so far displeased with him, that as yet he will hear none of his
suits in that behalf. And whereas the clergy should now have kept
* The earl "of Huntley, and his allies the clans of Grant and Fraser, were engaged in a
feudal war with the Camerons, Macphersons, and other Highland clans. About this time
there was fought a most desperate battle between, the Frasers and Camerons, in which tra
dition says the former werenearly extirpated.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND rN 1543. 215
their convention at St Andrews, which (as I Avrote before) they proro
gated before Whitsunday till the 4th of June, the governour hath now
stayed and put off the said convention, so as they hold not the same
according to their appointment. Finally, the prisoners desire to know
your majesty's pleasure, whether they shall keep their day of entry at
midsummer or not ;: wherein, they say, they will accomplish your ma
jesty's commandment. And thus have I thought good to signify un
to' your- royal majesty the state of all those affairs, to the intent your
majesty should know as much of the same as I can get knoAvledge of,
before the arrival Avith your grace of the said sir George : Which it
may please your highness, of your gracious clemency and accustomed
benignity, to accept in good part ; beseeching Almighty God to pre
serve your royal, majesty,. &c-

To my Lord Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 9th June, 1543*.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this morning I
received your letters of the 7th of June, with also the news sent from
sir Thomas Wharton, which, though it be possible that they may be
true, yet I think them vain and utterly untrue- And as to the gover
nour himself, if he be a Christian man, and have any spot of honourj
, honesty, or truth in him, he is wholly dedicate to the king's majesty,
and the most desirous man that ever I saw, in appearance, to have the
king's majesty his good and gracious lord, and. most willing he hath
shewed himself, both at the council and convention of the lords here,
at the time of the dispatch of the earl of Glencairn and sir George
Douglas, and also now at this last convention, for to have accomplish
ed all the king's majesty's desires, in form as they were required.
" Which though, for his own part, he would most gladly do," as him
self hath told me seriously ; " yet," he saith, " if he should do any
thing of his own head and. authority, without the whole consent of the
great part of all. the nobility and council of the realm, they Avouldi'

216 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
take a just occasion thereof to set the whole realm against him, and to
deprive him, if they might ; and all the disobedience that is used ta
him in this realm, and all the malice and hatred that is borne him, ia
only for God's cause and the king's majesty." As indeed they mur
mur here universally against him in all parts of this realm, saying
plainly, " that he is an heretick, and a good Englishman, and nath
sold this realm to the king's majesty." And they say, " he must needs
be a good Englishman, for his ancestors were Englishmen :" As indeed
the governour himself hath told me divers times, that his ancestors
came out of England, and that he is come of the house of the Hamp^
tons in England ; and also he saith, that he is the king's majesty's poor
kinsman. Surely, my lord, I cannot think, that if the lords, mentioned in the
said sir Thomas Wharton's news, should make such party as is expres
sed, that the governour would take any part with them ; and it is
very unlike that they can be able to make any party against him. Ne
vertheless, the state of this realm is so perplexed, that it is hard to
judge any certainty what will follow ; for all this while the fear of our
wars hath made them sit still and agree together ; but when the peace
shall be concluded, it is not unlike that the war will begin here among
themselves, the realm being divided as it is in sundry parties. There
is one party which be called hereticks, and the English lords, which is
the governour and his partakers. Another party there is, which be
called Scribes and Pharisees, which is the clergy and their partakers :
And then is there a third party, which seemeth to be neuter, and will
(as it is thought) be always ready to take the better and the stronger
party, if there come any business among them. Thus is this realm di
vided and perplexed, so that it is hard to judge what may follow ; but
unless it may please God and the king's majesty to help to stay them,
it is very like that great inconvenience will fall upon them. Touching
James de la Hile, I have communed with the governour for him, who.
promised assuredly, " that he should be gotten, and delivered to the
king's majesty, if it were possible ;" and thereupon very instantly
10

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 217
wrote tp the earl of Argyle forthwith ; Avhereof, as yet, he hath none
answer. But yesterday the said governour told me, " that he had
privily enquired of the said James de la Hile, and he is done to wit for
a certainty, that the same James is dead ;" whereof, as I shall hear
further, I will advertise you ; and shall not fail, if he be alive, to travel
for his apprehension accordingly. To-morrow, at night, sir George
Douglas will be at Benvick, in his journey towards the king's majesty.
Finally, I wonder not a little, that your lordships have not heard of the
proclamations of the truce on the Borders in this realm ; for I am sure
that the governour dispatched his letters, with the proclamations made
for that purpose, nine days ago : And they tell me here that the same
be proclaimed, and marvel much that your . lordships hear not -of the
same. Thus the Holy Trinity, &c.
To the King's Majesty, 13th June, 1543.
IP-lease it your royal majesty to understand, that since the arriva.
here of sir Robert Richardson, priest, I haAre, according to your high
commandment and pleasure, oontained in your most gracious letters
to me, .addressed by the said sir Robert, commended him, on your ma
jesty's behalf to the governour here, who did very thankfully receive
him, md, for your majesty's sake, hath well entreated him, heard him
preach, and also hath promised him convenient living and entertain-
anent ; which I trust he will perform. And, with the said governour's
licence and .-consent, the said sir Robert Richardson hath been Avith the
cardinal at St Andrews, with whom he hath had conference and com
munication of such matters as be oontained in his letters ; which I
caused him now to write unto your, majesty for the better declaration
of the same, as your highness shall perceive by his letters inclosed in
this packet. And also, according to your majesty's other letters, which
were brought hither unto me by Mr John Spencer, I. have, on your
majesty's behalf, put him to the governour's service, who likewise, at
vol. i. 2 E

218 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. I
your majesty's contemplation, was heartily content to- accept and re
ceive him ; and, for your majesty's sake, hath promised to put him in
an honest place of service about him ; whereof I thought meet to ad
vertise your highness accordingly. And thus, &c.

To my Lord Parr, 13th June, 15 A3.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
After my most hearty commendations, I have received your letters
of the 11th of June ; by the which I do perceive Avhat matter stand-
eth partly between sir Robert Bowes and his taker ; wherein your
lordship desireth to know, whether he may proceed in that behalf with
his said taker to his ransoming and deliverance, without offending
any promise, or other act done by me here, that might be an impeach
ment to the same. For answer whereunto, your lordship shall under
stand, that, for my part, I have not promised nor taken any thing up
on me, either for Mr Bowes's entry, or of any other of the English
prisoners ; only I sued for the prorogation of their entry till midsum
mer ; which was here granted, without condition, bond, or promise,
on my part, that they should enter at that day, saving that their old
bonds should stand in the same strength they stood in before ; so that
for any thing that I have done, Mr Bowes, and all the rest which were
prisoners with him, may make their bargains as well as they can. But
as far as I understand, all their takers be bound to the governour and
the council here, that they shall not compone with the said prisoners
for their ransoms, nor acquit them of their captivity without the li
cence of the said governour and council, who do intend (as far as I
can perceive) to use Mr BoAves, and the rest of our English prisoners,
in such sort as the king's majesty shall use the Scottish prisoners ; that
is to say, either to ransom them, or to set them free without ransom.,
And, as I think, if the peace succeed, Avhereof I see no great difficul
ty, the king's majesty will set free without ransom, either all or the
2

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND TN 1543. 219
most part of the Scottish prisoners. So that it is like that the gover
nour here will do the semblable with Mr Bowes and his fellows ac
cordingly. And it may be, that their takers, having some knowledge
thereof, and fearing lest they shall be driven to compone with the go
vernour for the ransoms of our said prisoners, (in which case, perad
venture, they shall not have so much as they look for,) would be glad
to get afore-hand as much as they might, in making their own bar
gains with our said prisoners ; Avhich, in my poor opinion, it shall be
well done to Mr Bowes and the rest to consider as appertaineth. And
thus, &c.

To my Lords qf Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 19th June, 15 A3.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this day I recei
ved your letters of the 17th of June, declaring the king's majesty's
pleasure both for the entry of the Scottish and also the English pri
soners, which I shall ensue and accomplish with all the diligence I can
possible ; though I think it cannot Avell be brought to pass that the
Scottish prisoners may keep their just day of entry now at midsum
mer ; for the governour lieth sick at his house at Hamilton, which is
thirty English miles hence ; and the lords, mentioned in your said let
ters, be not together, but are scattered abroad for a little time ; so that
it will be three or four days or we can meet for the determination of
the matter. If the governour had not been sick, I had been with him
or this at Hamilton, for the matter touching the cardinal and the earl
of Lennox ; but his sickness hath been the impediment thereof. This
night I shall know when I may have access unto him ; and, for my
part, I shall not fail to use all the diligence to me possible for the ac
complishment of those things, according to the continue of your said
letters ; but I think the time so short, that it will be after midsummer
or the Scottish prisoners can enter; whereof I thought meet to adver-

220 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
tise your grace in the mean season. And Oliver Sinclair* (whom, ye
say, the king's majesty will specially have to enter) is fourteen score
miles hence northwards ; so that I see not how he can keep his day of
entry. And to say mine opinion of him, whatsoever he saith he can
declare unto his majesty touching his honour and the wealth and sure*
ty of the governour, as your grace writeth to me, I assure you I; could
never perceive in him, since mine arrival here, that he was either well
dedicate to the king's majesty, or to the advancement of any his
highness's godly purposes*, or yet to the wealth and surety oi the go*
vernour. The cardinal on Saturday last rode with a good company of men, as
it were with a garrison about him, to Arbroath, twenty-four miles
northAvards from St Andrews, where he now is. I doubt whether he
had license of the governour to ride thither or not ; but, as far as I can
perceive, the governour hath been so laboured by the friends of the
said cardinal, and ofthe earl of Lennox, that he now waxeth somewhat
eold in the prosecution of them : wherein I shall do what I can- to feel
his inclination at mine access unto: him ; and: shall not -fatly by all the
good, means I. can, to excite and quicken him in that behalfe The
success whereof; and all: other things worthy the; writing to 'the kingis
majesty, I shall advertise unto his highness as I can get knowledge, of
tlie same accordingly. And thus the Holy Trinity; &c.
* Oliver Sinclair was a cadet of the family of RosHn,> raised into temporary-! eminence
by the undeserved favour of James V. He was taken at Solway ; indeed the loss of that
battle was owing to the mutiny which broke out among the Scottish soldiers, when he an
nounced his commission as their leader. The importance of Sinclair ended with the life
of. James -T but when Sadler is at Tantallon, we find the favourite playing the part- of a
freebooter, and lying in wait for him and his retinue. Henry seems to have attached an
importance to him more suitable to his former than his present condition.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 221

To the Lords of his Majesty s Privy- Council, 21st June, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that having received
a letter from you, my lord privy-seal, Mr Brown, * and Mr Paget, f
written from S. Sithes in Essex> the lath of June, making mention;
that, the' king's majesty's pleasure was, that I should eftsoons induce
the governour here to the apprehension of the cardinal, the earl of
Lennox, and their adherents, by all means I could possibly ; the pro*
secution whereof he hath all this while deferred, until the conclusion
of those matters betwixt the king's majesty and him; which cause of
delay is now removed, and the: peace in a manner fully determined and
concluded, as your said letter proporteth. I did thereupon require to
have access unto the said governour, who then was, and yet is, sick at
his own house of Hamilton, almost thirty English miles from hence;
and upon my reqnestand desire of access unto him, he wrote me this
letter here inclosed, and sent to me therewith one David Pan ter, J his
secretary and chief counsellor, to know the cause of my desire to speak"
with him. Whereupon I entred with the said David Panter in that
matter, touching the said cardinal and earl of Lennox, according, to
the contents of your said letter, and prayed him to signify the same
unto tlie governour, putting him in remembrance of such communica
tion as heretofore hath passed betwixt the said governour and me, in
that; behalf ;' and of his alledgeance ofthe cause ofthe stay of his pro-
* Sir Anthony Brown, knight of the- garter, and master of the horse. He was named by
Henry one of the executors of his will. Sir Anthony died 6th May 1548.
f Sir William afterwards lord Paget, joint-secretary with sir William Petre. He died
9th June, 1563.
X David Pander, or Panter, an excellent classical scholar, and about this time commen-
dator of Cambuskenneth. He was much employed in foreign negociation, and was finally
made bishop of Rffss. He died in 155&. The Royal Epistles; compiled by him and his
uncle Patrick Panter, are monuments of their skill in the Latin tongue. Panter, as a church
man and retainer of the cardinal, was unfriendly to the English match,, and is severely
.censured by Buchanan, for his share in breaking it oif.

222 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
ceedings against the said cardinal and earl : which cause, I told him,
was now removed, as is aforesaid. And the said David Panter pro
mised me, " That he would signify the same unto the said governour."
And in discourse with him of the premisses, he seemed to assure me,
" that the governour remained still in great choler and displeasure
against the said cardinal, and specially against the earl of Lennox, with
a vehement desire to be revenged of them ; which," he said, " there
was no doubt but as soon as the governour should know that the peace
were concluded, he would put in execution, if God should send him
health^' Yet, I am privily advertised, that the cardinal hath made
such earnest labour by friends unto the said governour for his favour,
that he hath been thereby induced to forget and mitigate a great piece
of his displeasure towards him : But what he will do in that behalf it
shall shortly appear ; and as I shall see the success thereof, I shall not
fail to advertise of the same accordingly.
Semblably, having received letters from my lord of Suffolk ; by the
which I do perceive the king's majesty's pleasure touching the entry
of the prisoners now at midsummer, and the respite of those which
his majesty, for consideration, hath respited till Lammas, I have like
wise signified the same to the said governour by the said David Pan
ter ; who hath promised me, " that order shall be taken immediately
for the accomplishment thereof, according to the king's majesty's plea
sure in all points." But it is not possible for those that shall enter to
/keep their just day now at midsummer, the time is so short : As short
ly after as is possible they shall enter. And by the next I shall adver
tise your lordships of the names of those which shall enter, and also
of the names of those which shall remain till Lammas, according to
the king's majesty's appointment. Finally, I received yesternight your
lordships letters of the 17th of June from Pirgooth, mentioning, that
certain sail of Frenchmen, to the number of sixteen or seventeen,
Avere seen betwixt Dover and Calais, and supposed to draw towards
those parts ; whereof the king's majesty's pleasure is, I should enquire
diligently whether the same were coming towards the Firth, or to any

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 223
place of Scotland, and thereof to advertise with all diligence. Accord
ing whereunto I have made search, and enquired, and thereupon have
learned, that there is a Frenchman come into the haven here of Leith,
laden with wines, who saith, he came in company with the said six
teen sail from Diep; and left them, six days ago, between Humber and
Flamburgh, had in a chase, after six sail, either of Englishmen or Fle
mings. He saith, they be all Frenchmen, come out of Diep, at their
own charge and adventure to . scour the seas, and think to meet our
Iseland fleet in those parts as they come homewards. I caused my
lord of Angus, being now here, to send one aboard the said French
man that is come into this haven; and also I used all such other means
as I could to 'know the truth, what should be the intent and purpose
of the said sixteen sail of Frenchmen ; but more than is aforesaid I
cannot yet learn. They be not yet come into the Firth, nor, as far as
I can perceive, purpose to draAV tb any place of Scotland ; but I have
spoken to my said lord of Angus to lay watch on the coasts of this
realm, and to have regard Avhere they shall be come, which he hath
promised me to do. Some say, they should meet with certain ships
and hulks of the king of Denmark, to the number of twenty or thir
ty sail, hereabout those coasts, and should join altogether to keep the
seas against the emperour and the king's majesty ; and some say, they
will land all here in Scotland, to take part with the cardinal and the
earl of Lennox against the governour. These seem to be flying tales ^
for the said Frenchman, that is come hither into this haven, saith as
suredly, they be but rovers, come forth to the seas out of Diep at their
own adventure, as is aforesaid, and never a gentle nor honest man that
is captain among them. Nevertheless, I have signified the same to the-
governour here of myself, by the said David Panter, and advised him
to look into it, which may percase the more excite and stir him against
the said cardinal and earl of Lennox ; and as I shall hear further
what shall, become of the said sixteen sail of Frenchmen, whereunto I
will have good regard, and also how all other things shall succeed

224 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
here, I shall not fail to .advertise Avith all diligence accordingly. And
thus, &c.

To my Lords of Suffolk and Durham, 25^ June, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this morning I
received your letters of 23d of June, with also the Scottish ambas
sador's letters to the governour, which I have addressed unto him pre
sently : And yesternight. he sent me word, that, heing now recovered
of his late sickness, he intendeth to be here to-morrow in Edinburgh,
and then will commune with me of those matters, which I lately ad
vertised him of by David Panter, touching the prosecution' ofthe car
dinal and the earl of Lennox; and also that, touching the entry :©f
the prisoners, he had already sent forth letters to warn every man to
his enfry ; but he would not resolve who shall remain here, and be re
spited to Lammas, untill he come hither and speak with me in that
behalf. For the English prisoners likewise, which /the king's majesty
would have respited till the said time of Lammas, whose names be
contained in asohedule here inclosed, the governour advertised me that
he hath already written his letters to their takers for their said respite.
And as soon as he cometh hither, which, as he saith, will be to-mor
row, I shall, -with God's grace, be in hand with him, both for the or*
dering and perfection of that matter of the prisoners' ientry, and also
for the proclamation ofthe truce established to the first of August.
Touching the French nayy, 1 can hear no more than I have written;
but now, upon your writing,! shall eftsoons cause the Frenchman, that
is come into this haven of Leith, to be communed withall, and by all
tlie ways and means that I can use, I will cause him to be groped and
ensearched of as much as he knoweth, or at least will confess of the
said French fleet. Indeed he saith, they bejall ships of Diep, come
out at their OAvn charge and ¦¦ adventure, well appointed for the wars;
and that they look for to meet with certain ships and hulks of the
4

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 225
king of Denmark, at the least twenty sail, and so to join Avith them
for to keep the seas against the king's majesty and the erhperour." Thus
he saith ; but what the truth is God knoweth, and as I can learn
thereof, I shall advertise from time to time ; and, in the mean season,
as I have already, shall again warn the governour here, and all the rest
of such as be addicted to the king's majesty, to look well unto it for
their OAvn indemnity, which I think it standeth them upon to do, as I
suppose they will do accordingly. And thus, &c.

Tothe Lords qf his Majesty's Privy Council, 30th June, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this morning the
governour here hath had news from Aberdeen, that the sixteen sail of
Frenchmen, lying on the coast there, have landed a few of their com
pany both at Aberdeen and other places thereabouts, and have convoy
ed certain writings to the queen-dowager, the cardinal, and the earl of
Lennox. And albeit the captain, and such of the Frenchmen as came
on land at Aberdeen, do say, that they remain and keep on that coast
for to encounter a certain fleet of Flemings ; yet it is thought, that
they are come thither for some other great purpose ; and the gover
nour is advertised, that they have at the least two thousand men of
war aboard, which keep themselves very close and secret with their
ships. And also it is thought, that they have brought with them the
money and munition, whereof I wrote in my last letters, that is to say,
50,000, crowns, 10,000 pikes, 2000 hagbuts, and certain pieces of ar
tillery. Whereupon the governour is resolved to go forthwith to Lin
lithgow, and to take order for the sure keeping of the young queen's
person, whom I have advised him to remove here to the castle of Edin
burgh. He assureth me, that he will be sure of her person, and saith,
" that, having the king's majesty's order and assistance, he esteemeth
not much the power of his adversaries, nor yet for all the aid that
France can give them." But, for all that I could say afore or adver-
vol. i. 2 F

226 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
tise, both unto himself and also to my lord of Angus, Icould not make
them savour nor believe that the Frenchmen would come into those
parts for such purpose as now beginneth to appear ; but noAv they be
gin to smell it, and to stir a little towards the resistance of such incon
venience as else might ensue. And as I shall see and hear further, I
Avill advertise. And presently the governour hath written letters to
his ambassadors there touching this matter, which he prayeth me to
convoy in my packet, as your lordships shall herewith receive the same
accordingly, &c. '

To tke Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 11th July, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this morning I
received your letters ofthe 28th of June, with the articles containing
the words and sayings of Drummond, touching such communication
as passed betwixt him and his father-in-law of the governour, and the
unsurety and danger of the young queen's person ; and also touching
such communication as was passed betwixt him and the sheriff of Ayr
at GlasgOAv. And, to the First, Indeed, afore his departure hence, he
declared in effect like matter unto me, which I took to be of such im
portance, as I thought it more than necessary to be tryed ; insomuch,
that I was so plain with the said Drummond, that I told him, I would
not take him to be so good a servant to the king's majesty as he pre
tended, unless he would cause me to have assured knowledge of the
truth of it. And besides that, I told him plainly, that if the gover
nour had moved any such matter to his father-in-law, the same had
not done his duty to his princess, nor to the realm, to conceal it. And
when the said Drummond saw that I took it for so earnest a matter,
he seemed to be somewhat abashed therewith, and prayed me to be
good to him, and he would, for his discharge, cause me to speak with
his good-father, of whom he had learned it : Which though I required
him most instantly to do, yet he accomplished not ; but, very soon af-
4

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 227
ter, departed hence to London. Wherefore, because he hath, since my
coming hither, told some light and untrue tales, it made me the rather
to believe that this also Avas no gospel. Nevertheless, I determined
Avith myself to try out the truth thereof, and have made sundry means
to speak with the said laird of Calder ; which yet I could not do, by
reason he cometh uot to the court, but keepeth always at home in his
own house. And noAv I shall not fail to devise some means to speak
Avith him, and try the truth, if I can. And rather than it fail, I will
take some occasion to ride to his house to him, (which is not past
twelve miles hence,) if otherwise I cannot speak with him. And as I
shall further learn thereof, I shall not fail to advertise accordingly. To
the second, The sheriff of Ayr is now at Ayr, in the west parts of this
realm, so that I cannot presently speak, with him ; but as soon as I
may conveniently speak Avith him, I shall not fail to accomplish the
contents of your letters in that behalf. And for the matter touching
the earl of Lennox, your lordships shall understand, that the earl of
Angus hath told me lately, " that the earl of Lennox would gladly
make an alliance Avith him, and marry his daughter the lady Margaret
Douglas, whose marriage," the said earl of Angus saith, " he referreth
wholly to the king's majesty." * Touching the earl of Argyle, he is
far hence dAvelling in the Highland ; so that I cannot speak nor com
mune with him myself, for to win him to the king's majesty's devo
tion ; but such other ways and means,, as may be devised therefore, I
shall observe and accomplish to the uttermost of my poor wit. And
to say mine opinion of him, for that I have perceived of him, in such
communications and conferences as I have had with him, at his once
being here since my coming hither ; I think him to be a good and.
reasonable gentleman, well minded to the increase of the amity be
tween those two realms, and to the uniting and conjunction of them
both in one, by this marriage now in treaty between my lord prince's
* Lady Margaret Douglas was the daughter ofthe earl of Angus by the queen-dowager
of James IV. and was therefore the niece of the English monarch, at whose court she now-
resided. The proposed match was afterwards concluded.

228 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
grace and the daughter of Scotland. And the governour hath a spe
cial trust and credit in him ; Avho hath promised the said governour,
" that if he will prosecute the earl of Lennox, he will undertake
either to take him, or put him out of the Highland," as the governour
told me himself: so that he is esteemed and taken to be wholly on
the governour's party ; and yet I know that he is much addicted to
the cardinal. Furthermore, I have delivered this day the ambassador's
letters to the governour, who taketh in marvellous good part the king's
majesty's sending of the six ships to ly in the mouth of the river of
Clyde for the apprehension of the five ships of Diep, mentioned in
your said letters ; and hath promised me, that he will forthwith take
order for the victualling of them as appertaineth. Finally, the French
navy, which I lately advertised you did ly before Aberdeen, are noAv
before Arbroath, where the cardinal is ; but what they purpose, we
cannot yet learn the certainty. It is said, that one Monsieur de Rohan,
of Bretanny, is among them ; and that there be 4000 men of Avar at
the least in the ships, whereof is 1000 hagbuteers. They keep still the
seas along the coasts, and ly now afore Arbroath, as is aforesaid, Avith
out pressing to land any number ; and say themselves, that they ly on
that coast to meet Avith the Flemings : but surely it is thought they
come to convoy aAvay the young queen, and also the old, if they can
work their purpose to effect. Whereunto the governour assureth me,
that he will have such regard t as they shall fail of their intent; and
hath laid sure guard and good await about the house of LinlithgoAV
where the said queens are, and intendeth himself to go ly there in the
town, and my lord of Angus and other noblemen with him, till the
whole purpose of this French navy shall be discovered. For he telleth
me, that the young queen cannot be conveniently removed, because
she is a little troubled Avith the breeding of teeth. And Avhere the
said Drummond saith, that the governour should mind her destruc
tion ; by my truth I cannot see but he tendreth as much her health,
preservation, and surety, as if she were his own natural child. What
shall further become ofthe French navy, and also how all other things

t EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 229
shall go here Avorthy advertisement, I shall not fail, God willing, to
signify the same with ali speed accordingly. And thus, &c.

To the Kings Majesty, 13th July, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that I have received
your most gracious letters of the 7th of July, with the copies of the
treaties, both of the peace and also of the marriage, and your majes
ty's commission to demand the ratification of the same, with such
other copies and writings as it pleased your majesty to address unto
me at that time.* And, with the grace of God, I shall not fail, to the
uttermost of my poor wit and power, to accomplish the contents of
your majesty's said letters, in such sort as is to me prescribed by the
same according to my most bounden duty: and also ofthe success of
the same, and of all other things worthy advertisement, I shall adver
tise with such diligence as the case shall require. And whereas (being
now covenanted by the said treaty, that your majesty should have cer
tain persons resident here about the young queen's person, for the
causes and considerations expressed in the said treaty) it hath pleased
your majesty to appoint me and my wife for to supply and furnish that
part of the said treaty : And, for that purpose, your majesty's pleasure
is, I should take order for the convoyance of my wife hither as soon
as I can conveniently. I have thought it my bounden duty to render
unto your royal majesty mine humble and lowly thanks upon my
knees, for that it hath pleased your majesty to conceive such an opi
nion of us, as to think us meet to serve your highness in a place of
such trust and credit. And as I am bounden, so shall I not fail (my
life enduring) to serve most willingly, either here or wheresoever, and

* The treaty of peace and marriage was to be affirmed on the part of Henry by his sub
scription seal and oath, and in that of Scotland by a confirmation and oath in name of the
three estates of parliament, and by the governour's subscription and the queen's great seal.

230 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
in what sort it shall please your majesty to command me,, to the utter
most of my Avit and power ; assuring also for my poor Avife, that she
hath as good will to serve, according to your majesty's appointment,
as any woman on life. But as she is most unmeet to serve for such a
purpose, as your majesty hath now appointed, having never been
brought up at court, nor knowing what appertaineth thereto ; so that,
for lack of wit, and convenient experience in all behalfs, she is un
doubtedly not able to supply the place to your majesty's honour ; so,
also, though she Avere meet therefore, yet is she now in such case (be
ing great Avith child) as she is not able to take such a long journey up
on her, nor is it possible for me to convoy her hither this summer ;
and when winter cometh, the journey is such, so long, foul, and tedi
ous, as no Avoman can well travel or endure. So that, besides that she
is most unmeet for the purpose, for the causes before expressed, I know
her also to have such impediments as she cannot continue to supply
the same, nor yet, though she were meet, can I conveniently have her
convoyed hither afore the next summer ; which I have thought my
bounden duty to signify unto your majesty, lest your highness should
be frustrated and deceived of your expectation in that behalf. For
mine own part, it shall, be great comfort and pleasure to me to remain
here, or elsewhere, where I may have occasion to serve your majesty,
so long as shall stand with your most gracious pleasure. And, in my
poor opinion, it were the more necessary, that she, whom your majes
ty Avould have lo be resident about the young queen's person here,
were a grave and discreet woman, of good years and experience ; and
the better if she were a widow, as I think the lady Edongcomb were a
meet woman for such purpose, and many others, whereof I doubt not
your majesty hath choice enough ; most humbly beseeching your ma
jesty to pardon this my presumption and bold writing, which I do in
respect of my duty ; and for that I think it convenient that your ma
jesty should be served with such as be meet, and can serve to your ma
jesty's honour and contentation.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 231
The estate of this realm is so perplexed, that I see neither order nor
obedience in the same ; and now there is appointed a convention of the
lords and great men, to be present for the ratification of this treaty,
and also for to devise upon some good ways, to bring the realm to a
better order and perfection : but it is thought that many and of the
greatest lords, as Huntley, Argyle, Bothwell, Murray, and others, will
not appear. The French navy is now no more spoken of here, nor we
cannot learn where they are become. Some say, they are gone to meet
Avith the navy of Denmark, Avhich should join with them ; but they
were not seen near the coasts of this realm this seven-night. As I shall
hear and perceive thereof, I will advertise from time to time, as the
case shall require. I have to-day spoken with the sheriff of Ayr touch
ing such matter as John Drummond declared unto your majesty of the
earl of Lennox ; and the said sheriff saith, " That, indeed, there was
such communication betwixt him and the said Drummond towards
that effect, but not in such sort as it might be taken thereby, that he
was in hope that the said Lennox might be induced or reconciled from
France to your majesty's devotion. For he thinketh assuredly, that if
France will support the said Lennox, as he daily looketh to have mo
ney and munition from thence ; for the which, he sent one Stewart in
to France since his coming hither, and yet hath received no answer
since his going hence from him : in that case, that if this aid of money
and munition do come, the said Lennox will not surely be won from
France, but Avill cause much trouble, as is thought, in this realm : and
many great men being also well given to France, by the procurement
of the cardinal, do also abide out from the governour upon that pur
pose ; which the sheriff thinketh, if this aid come not out of France,
will be easily reduced to good conformity ; and till they be brought to
due obedience unto the governour here, which must be by fair means
or foul, there will be no time that can serve to practise with the earl of
Lennox, or any of the others, that be not well dedicate to your majes
ty, to Avin or reconcile them to your majesty's devotion; for if any
means should be used in that behalf, without the knowledge of the go-

232 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
vernour, it might be a means to bring him into a great suspicion of
your majesty. And though he thinketh that the said Lennox would
be content to marry the said lady Margaret Douglas, yet whether he
would haye her so, as for her he would leave France, and adhere firm
ly to your majesty, he is in great doubt ; but he thinketh surely if the
governour and the said Lennox were good friends, and that Lennox
Avould obey and acknowledge the governour, as the parliament hath
admitted, in that case the said Lennox might be the more facily in
duced both to the marriage, to leave France, and also to be reconciled
to your majesty." This is the said sheriff's mind and opinion in that
part, which he prayed me to signify unto your majesty.
Finally, where it hath pleased your royal majesty of late, to bestow
on me the office of your great gardrobe, which the lord Windsor lately
had ; considering it is an office of charge, and that your majesty's plea
sure is, to have me to remain here ; so that I neither knowing the es
tate of the office, nor yet how I shall discharge my duty towards your
majesty in the same, I must needs, upon my knees, humbly beseech
your majesty to be my good lord in that behalf: it may therefore please
the same, to appoint my very good friend Mr Wriothesley to help to
discharge me in the said office during mine absence. And to the in
tent he may the better look to it, I shall most humbly beseech your
highness, to make him joint patentee with me; in which case, I doubt
not, he is so much my friend, as he will not take any part of the fee
from me, nor yet meddle with the office when I am in England, other-
Avise than as he and I shall agree. Eftsoons beseeching your majesty
most humbly to pardon me, that I thus presume to trouble your high
ness with mine own private causes, and of your accustomed, most no
ble and gentle nature and benignity, to take my boldness therein in
good part ; for I have no refuge but only your majesty, whom, and
none other,, I do and will depend upon, as I am most bounden. And
thus, &c. n

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 233

To the King's Majesty, 16th July, 15 A3.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that likeas in my last let
ters I signified unto your highness, that a convention of the lords was
appointed here at Edinburgh, both for the ratification of the treaty
now passed, and also to devise some good ways for the establishment
of this realm ; where it was thought, that sundry of the greatest lords
would not appear: so now the governour telleth me, " That the car
dinal, the earls of Huntley, Argyle, Lennox, and Bothwell, do make
great assemblies and gatherings of men to very great numbers, intend
ing to meet at Stirling the 20th of this month, and so to come to Lin
lithgow to surprise the young queen, and afterwards (if they can) to
depose and put him down, which," he saith, " is their full intent and
purpose. And all this," he saith, " doth proceed by the procurement
of the cardinal, who also hath procured the lord Home, * the laird of
Balcleuch, f and the Kers, to stir all the mischief and trouble they can
on the Borders, and to make rodes and incursions into England, only
to break the peace, and breed contention betwjxt both the realms;
which he prayeth your majesty to consider, and weigh whence it pro
ceedeth, and to bear somewhat with the same, not imputing the fault
thereof unto him ; which yet, as the case standeth, he cannot remedy."
The earl of Murray, as the governour telleth me, is coming towards
him, with his own family only, in quiet manner, and is none ofthe said
conventicle. But the earl of Argyle, he saith, hath greatly deceived
him ; for, besides that he is his near kinsman, he hath made him many
fair promises, and is sworn to him, which now he seemeth to have
clearly forgotten, and is knit and joined against him, Avith the said
cardinal and earl of Lennox. Nevertheless he telleth me, that he had
made out letters to all his friends and servants, and hath warned the
* George, fourth lord Home. f Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch.
VOL. I. 2 G

234 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
country, in the queen's name, upon pain of death, to be ready forth
with to resist this rebellion. So that, he assureth, that" within those
three or four days, here will be 20,000 men ; and, with the grace of
God, he saitb, if the said cardinal and earls, of the adverse party do
eome forward and keep their appointment, he will surely meet them
in the field ; and in case they retire, he will seek them, and spend his
life upon them. This, he saith, is his utter determination, not to de
sist till he be revenged of the cardinal and his partakers, whatsoever
cumber or travel he endure for the same. And the chief cause of this
rebellion against him, is for God's cause and your majesty's; for they
make their pretence of this commotion and insurrection to be for the
defence of the faith and holy church, and also for the preservation of
the liberty and freedom of the realm, which, they say, he hath sold to
you, calling him an heretic, and an good English-man ; wherewith the
people be so incensed, that they arise full and whole in the north parts,
as the bruit goeth. Wherefore, the governour saith, that his trust is
in your majesty, and that you will aid and support him in such wise, as
he may be the better able to stay the realm, and punish the offenders
after their demerits." I asked him, Avhat kind of aid he would demand
of your majesty ? He said, " That he had men enough, and would not,
for his part, bring in no English-men into the realm, unless his adverse
party brought in any French-men to take their part, in which case he
would apply to your majesty for the aid of English-men. But, in the
mean season, if it might like your majesty to give him some furniture
and help of money, he would employ it in God's cause and yours :
And notwithstanding that his enemies make him all this cumber, only
upon intent to impeach him, so that he shall not be able to observe his
part and promise now made with your majesty; he saith, he. will spend
his life in that quarrel, and hold and keep all promises with your ma
jesty, or else die in the field for the same : and to-morrow," he saith,
" he will ride to Linlithgow, and ly there about the queen, till his
whole force shall assemble ; and in case he shall hear that his enemies
come forwards, he will remove the queen to the Blackness, and put

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 235
sure folks about her there ; Avhich," he saith, " is a place of such
strength, as it is impregnable; and then will he go towards his adver
saries, and, with God's grace, he will over the water at Stirling to meet
them in the field. Hereof he prayed me to advertise your majesty with
diligence, trusting that your highness will now consider his estate, and
the rather help to support him against those who be contrary to God,
your majesty, and the common weal of their own country." The bruit
is very great of this rebellion and commotion, and ofthe great gather
ing of men made by the cardinal and earls aforenamed ; but the gover
nour and the earl of Angus seem to be of good courage, and put no
doubt to subdue and repress them. What will follow, God knoweth ;
for undoubtedly there is great appearance of mischief. It is also said,
that eleven of the French ships, Avhich have kept off and about the
coast here of this realm, do now ly behind an isle, called the May,
within the Firth, whereof four of them be great ships of four tops, and
seven of a less sort: but for what purpose they ly there, it is unknown.
The governour hath knowledge and advertisement of their lying there,
and saith, he will have regard to the same.
The Scottish ambassadors be not yet come out of England, and
when they shall come, considering what trouble and business is to
ward, I see not how there shall be any quiet convention of the three
estates of the realm, for to pass the ratification of the treaty ; nor yet
how the hostages shall be laid within the time limited by the treaty,
for the performance of the conditions of the marriage. The estate of
things' here is so perplexed, and such malicious and despiteful people,
I think, live not in the world, as is the common people of this realm,
specially toAvards English-men, as I have well found and proved since
my coining hither. As all things shall succeed; I shall not fail to ad
vertise with such diligence as the case shall require. And thus, &c.

236 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the King's Majesty, 17th July, 15 A3.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that likeas I wrote in
my last letters, that eleven sail of the French ships lay behind the
May, within the Firth, so this day are come into Leith here and into
Bruntisland, Avithin the said Firth ; seven sail of them so well beaten,
that they are not able to keep the seas until they be repaired, and
many of their men sore hurt. They say, and so it appeareth, that they
met with English-men afore Lastoffe at Erfordness, which have so
dressed them ; and they curse the cardinal here, for this, say they,
they have gotten for his sake, because the English-men supposed that
the queen and the said cardinal had been aship-board with them.
They want six or seven sail of their company, and know not whether
they be taken or escaped ; but those that be here be so well beaten,
that it is thought they Avill not be meet to go to the seas again this
fourtnight, specially the greatest ship among them, which they call
the Sacker of Diep ; and in her, they say, there be some English-men,
which leapt into her when she was boarded, and so remain prisoners
with the French-men : But what English-men they be, or how many
they be, or whether it be true or not, I cannot yet learn the certainty ;
but as soon as I shall know further in that behalf, I shall not fail to
advertise the same indelayedly. This evening, the earl of Angus and
the lord Maxwell, who came this day to this town, were Avith me, and
told me, that the cardinal, the earl of Huntley, Argyle, Lennox, and
Bothwell, and the lords Home aud Balcleuch, with all their partakers,
made great preparation and assemblies against the governour and his
adherents, and gathered great force ; the cardinal and Huntley in the
north parts, Argyle and Lennox in the west parts, and Bothwell,
Home, and Balcleuch, in the east parts upon the marches ; so that the
governour is yet in doubt which way to direct his journey first,
and surely there is great appearance of much trouble and inconve-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 237
nience. Wherefore, they told me, that the governour sent them to
me to devise Avith me for my removing to Temptallon,* because, when
he is goiie out of this town, he doubteth (the country being all in such
a stir and commotion) how I should be entreated. And so, before they
depart this town, I have resolved with them to go to Temptallon afore
said, not without cause, for the governour being here, I have not been
used in friendly sort ; and if he Avere away, I find the malice of the
people here such towards all English-men, that they would not lett to
execute the same to the destruction both of rne and mine. For the
governour being in the town, as I walked here in a garden, and
some of my folks with me, on the backside of my lodging, one (but I
cannot tell Avho) shot an half-hag amongst us, and missed not one of
my men, I dare say, four inches ; besides other despiteous parts which
they have played me since I came hither, whereby they have largely
declared their malice, and yet the offender can never be known; The
said earl of Angus hath subscribed the articles of the device, which
your majesty sent unto me with your last letters ; and the lord Max
well telleth me, " that as soon as he received the like articles from.
your majesty by his son, he forthwith subscribed the same, and sent, it
to your majesty." The rest I have not yet spoken with, because they
be not here ; but as soon as I can possibly, I shall hot fail to accom
plish that part, according to your gracious commandment, I call and
cry still upon the governour, and other your majesty's friends here, to
look to the surety of the young queenVperson, which, they say, they
Avill do; but the governour will not be induced to remove her hither
to the castle of Edinburgh, saying, " that he will so provide for that
part, as he will be sure enough of her ;" Avhich way they be not yet
certainly resolved. As they shall resolve in Jhat behalf, and as all other
things shall. go here, I shall advertise your majesty from time to time,;
as I may get knowledge accordingly. And thus, &c.
* A castle belonging to the earl of Angus. The governour, who was now almost deter-;
mined to join the French faction, was desirous to get rid of Sadler.

238 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

A Letter from the King's Majesty to Sir Ralph Sadleb, 22d July,
1543.
Trusty and right well beloved, Ave greet you well, and by your let
ters of the lf5th of this present, we have at length perceived the per
plexed state of the affairs there, with the determination of the gover
nour touching the same. And to the intent he may now, in this time
of trouble, receive some comfort at our hands ; likeas we have already
written to our cousin of Suffolk to send unto you 1000 pounds to be
delivered unto him by way of a present, or token from us ; so we have
now written unto him such letters as you shall perceive by the copy
sent herewith unto you, willing you for your credence to declare unto
him as followeth.
First, You shall declare unto him, that where Ave perceive by your
advertisement, how the cardinal, with his complices and partakers, la
bour to make a revolt and rebellion against him : we be right glad
(standing things between us as they do) to understand how prudently
he prepareth both to withstand and refell the same, and also to put in
surety the person of the young queen, which is the mark they shoot
at; thinking, that if they might once get her into their hands, they
should thereby make such a party, as they should be able to dispose
of the government of the realm as to them should seem most expe
dient. Secondly, Where he seemed, in his last conference with you, to de
sire some aid of money of us for his supply in this trouble, ye shall
tell him, that, over and beside the token which we have sent him, if
the case so require, giving us Avarning in time, we shall so help him,
and consider his case, as he shall have good cause to say, Ave be an as
sured friend towards him and the commonwealth of that realm, as our
amity now requireth. But ye shall tell him, that, seeing all the nobles
of Scotland have chosen him to be their governour by a common con-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 239
sent, and have subscribed to the same ; our opinion is, that he should
not only make their doings therein manifest to the whole world, where
by their inconstancy and disloyalty may appear ; but also, being noAv
well learned by the example and experience of the cardinal and others,
what it is to give scope and liberty to such as be bent and determined
against him, in case any of them come in his hands, he should be
stow them where they should do him nor the realm no hurt ; and, in
the mean season, upon their open attempt, proclaim and use such of
them, as he shall think good, as rebels and traitors to the queen and
the realmaccordingly.
Thirdly, Where it appeareth, that he mindeth to meet the rebels on
the other side of the water, and so to give them battle, if they will
abide it ; you shall say, Ave think it not meet that he should pass the
said water, nor put himself in hazard at his enemies call ; but Ave think
it most expedient and necessary for him to take Stirling in his own
hands, whereby he may be master of the passage ; and then, as he
may be sure to be master of all that is on this side the said water, so
he may take advantage of his enemies, and fight Avith them, or leave
them, as shall be most for his own commodity.
Fourthly, Where he desireth us to take in good part for a time,
though the Borderers do not as becometh them ; you shall to that tell
him, that if he will be so content, we shall so chastise those Borderers,
as, with our advice, he may plant others in their places ; for which pur
pose, we have written to our cousin of Suffolk, and to the lord wardea
of our marches, to put all our borders in order for the same, willing
you to advertise our lieutenant and warden of his determination in this
behalf. Fifthly, Where it appeareth by your letters, that eleven of the
French ships, which have kept that coast this long season, ly now irt
the May ; you shall understand, that being lately the whole number
of sixteen, in their return towards France, there encountered Avith
them six of our ships, which took two of them, and had undoubtedly
taken the admiral, and moe of the best of them, if they durst have

-40 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
tarried it ; but perceiving themselves at the last too weak, after a sore
fight betwixt them, they share off, and these eleven plyed again to
wards Scotland, though there we cannot yet certainly hear what is be
come of them. And if the governour think it good, we will send our
navy to the May, where they be, to take them, which shall be a great
surety to Scotland, and a great discourage to all that depend upon
France. But, in that case, the governour must permit our ships to
take them, though they should fly into Leith for succour, and also help
them with victuals and necessaries, if they shall need the same; wil
ling you to know his mind therein, and to signify the same unto us
with all diligence, doing what ye can to cause him to stay them till
our ships come ; and if that will not be granted, then we would ye
should have a diligent eye upon them, that you may advertise us a
seven-night at the least before they shall be ready to depart, that we
may provide and lay for them, in such place for the taking of them by
the way as shall be most convenient.
Sixthly, You shall understand, that a sirname, on the west Borders,
•called the Davidsons, whereof many belong to the earl of Angus and
his brother, have lately made sundry incurses into our realm ; where
fore our pleasure is, that ye sliall declare the same unto the said earl
and sir George, advising them to have regard whom they trust and
take for their friends ; for if these which be towards them should be
the first breakers and offenders of the peace, it might give men occa
sion to think, that either themselves be not so sincere as they be in
deed towards us, or else that they foresee not so well Avhom they trust
as appertaineth. And you shall also press the governour as much as
you may in the points before specified touching the Borders ; the pu
nishment of whom, that is to say of such as be against him, and pro
cure those incurses, shall be a mean to make them also retire home,
and percase to leave the party they now take, when the partakers shall
have most need of them.
Seventhly, Our pleasure is, that if this matter grow to such a gar-
hoil and extremity, as the young queen shall be removed from Linlith-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 241
gow, you shall do what you can, by all good means and perswasion,
both with the governour, the earl of Angus, and sir George Douglas,
to get her removed to Temptallon ; but whether that shall be granted
or no, you shall travel, that the old queen may be secluded from her,
and left at Linlithgow, or where it shall please her. Which the gover
nour may, and has good cause to do, seeing this conspiracy for her sur
prize * could not be made but by her consent ; the like whereof she
Avill undoubtedly attempt hereafter by all means, so as the young queen
cannot be sure in her company ; foreseeing that he put most trusty
and sure folks about her, both for her sure keeping and preservation of
her health accordingly.
Eighthly, Our pleasure is, that you shall also advise the governour,
the earl of Angus, and our sure friends there, before they shall join
with their enemies, to put all the strong holds in such sure hands and
custody, as, Avhatsoever should chance, they may be preserved and
kept against the conspirators, and to the benefit of the party which be
obedient, and have concluded Avith us upon this peace. And if it shall
come to the fight, you shall require the governour on our behalf, that
albeit it be their manner to light all on foot when they join in battle,
yet he will, at our desire, preserve one thousand good men, with a
good captain, still on horseback, so as tbe same may stand still in a
wing, or stale, till the forces be joined, and then to enter freely upon
the rebels ; Avhich, if he follow it, shall be much to his benefit, and to
the great discomfit of his enemies. -Given under our signet, at our
manour of Oatland, the 22d of July, the 35th year of our reign, &c

* He means the enterprize of the cardinal and the[ndbles~ assembled at Stirling, to possess
themselves of the young queen's person.

VOL. U 2 H

242 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the King's Majesty, 31st July, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that this day the gover
nour sent for me, and told me, "that the lord Fleming, and the bishop
of Orkney," which be both knit and joined with the cardinal and that
party against the governour, " had been with him, as sent from the
cardinal and his complices ; and, on their behalf, proponed, that if the
governour would not hold this convention at Stirling, but needs would
have them come hither to Edinburgh ; in that they desired for their
security, first, to have pledges for them, that they should come and go
safe ; the earl of Cassils, the abbot of Paisley, sir George Dpuglas, the
earl of Glencairn's son and heir, and the lord Maxwell's son and heir :
2. That the castle of Edinburgh should be delivered out of the gover
nour's hands to the provost of the town here ; and that all the pikes,
guns, and such weapons as were now in this ruffle taken out of the
same, should be forthwith laid in again : 3. That all such footmen as
the governour had waged, being about seven hundred, should be dis
charged : 4. That the town of Leith (who be noted all to be 'good
Christians)* should have commandment not to stir from home, nor to
come to this town during the time of this convention :. 5. That their
councils should be kept in the town, in their judicial house, called the
Tolbooth : 6. That the governour should have no halberts nor weapons
borne about him. Those," the governour told me, " be their desires ;
which be so unreasonable, as he neither hath, nor will grant them. But
because they shall have no just cause of dread of life, or bodily harm, he
hath now sent unto them the earl Marishal, the abbot of Paisley, and sir
James Lermonth, to charge them, by his authority in the queen's name,
to come hither to this convention, in quiet manner for the conclusion

* Reformers. The citizens of Leith have, dowu to the present day, been eager Calvin
ists. U

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 243
and ratification of the treaties now concluded with your majesty ; and
further, to devise upon such things as may tend to the quietation of
this realm, and for the commonweal of the same ; and if they, or any
of them, be afraid of bodily hurt, he is content to lay his own son in
pledge, that they shall come and go safe. And also, if any of them be
afraid of sir George Douglas, he shall in likewise lay his son, the mas
ter of Morton;* or if they be afraid of any that is here about the go
vernour, whosoever they be afraid of shall lay them in a pledge." This,
the governour saith, he hath offered them ; which I told him was too
much. But he thinketh assuredly, that for all that they will not come
here ; and that they mind nothing less, than that the treaties now ta
ken with your majesty should take effect ; " for the bishop of Ork
ney," he saith, "did privately practise with him in such sort as the earl
of Huntley did afore, for the conclusion of a marriage between the
young queen and his son, and made him large promises in that part on
the behalf of the said cardinal and his complices." But the governour
remaineth firm towards your majesty, and, as he saith, will rather be
torn in pieces, than swerve from his promise made to your highness.
And also, he told me, " that the said cardinal and his fellows, notwith
standing that they now make a face and pretence of convention, for
quietness and agreement to be had among them, yet they mind no
thing less; for while they noAv dissemble and be a treating of the
same, he is credibly informed, that they do secretly practise of new to
assemble and gather their folk, intending to come suddenly upon him,
and to put him down, if they can. For Avhat with that he hath thus suf
fered them, and again with the hope they have of aid of money and
munition out of France, (which is much bruited here to be coming,)
with nineteen or twenty sail of great ships, and ambassadors from the
French king and the bishop of Rome, whereof one should be the duke
of Guise's son, or the duke himself, (as a Frenchman that is here arri
ved, whom I wrote of in my last letters, doth plainly declare and af-
* Afterward earl of Morton, and regent of Scotland.

244 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
firm,) those rebels do therewith grow into such a pride, that he think
eth surely they will never be daunted but by force and battle, for the
which he maketh him ready. And here he complained much of
lack of money, saying, " that he neither had money, nor yet could get
his plate coined in time to do him service ;" Avherefore his only refuge
was to your majesty, praying me to take some way and order with my
lord Suffolk for his present relief* till your majesty might eftsoons be
advertised of his necessity. In which case, his trust is, your majesty
will help him, both with men and money, in such wise as he may be
able to repress his enemies ; the honour and benefit whereof, he say-
eth, shall be your majesty's : For in case he be so impeached by his
enemies, either by convoying away the young queen, or otherwise, that
he shall not be able to keep and perform the treaties now passed with
your majesty, he assureth me, that he will, in that case, with your ma
jesty's assured friends here, make you such an entry into Scotland,.
that all shall be your majesty's on this side the water of Forth ; alled-
ging, that aU the strong-holds in the same, which he rehearsed to me
by name, should be at your majesty's will and commandment. , This.
he spake very constantly unto me ; Avherefore, considering his present
necessity, with his good determination towards your majesty, I thought
it best, both to put him in comfort, and also to continue him in that
good mind and purpose, to offer him, on your majesty's behalf, the one
thousand pounds which your majesty before sent him ; being hitherto
by me stayed at Berwick, as I lately -wrote unto your majesty. Which
offer he took in very good part, and most humbly thanked your high
ness for the same ; praying me, nevertheless, eftsoons to dispatch a
post to your majesty, to advertise the same of his estate, trusting, that
your grace would thereupon take order for his further relief, both of
money and men, to the number of four or five thousand, whereof one
or two thousand to be good archers, which he would most gladly have
to be put in readiness to help him, as the case shall require. Thus he
prayed me to write unto your majesty, Avhich I promised him to do;
beseeching your majesty to pardon my presumption and boldness in
5

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 245
bestowing of your said 1000 1. in this sort ; which I have done for the
best, and for the better advancement of your majesty's affairs. And,
to say my poor opinion, if those matters grow to extremity, I see not
but your majesty, in and for the attaining of your purpose here, must
needs be at further charge to sustain the governour, and such as be as
sured to your majesty, who have no money to maintain the quarrel
withal. For the other party w il I do what they can for France, from
whence they look assuredly for aid ; which maketh them so high, that
now they seem nothing to esteem or weigh the governour. I have al
so communed this day Avith the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils,
and the lords Maxwell and Somervail ; by Avhom I can perceive none
other, but that, notwithstanding the late appointment with the cardi
nal and his complices, they think, nevertheless, this matter will grow
to a bargain, which they call a battle : For they tell me plainly, that
the said cardinal and his folks do secretly gather and assemble their
force again ; Avherefore they desire much the aid of Englishmen, and
specially a good number of good archers, Avhich they Avould fain put
in a readiness forthwith in all events.
The queen's person, they tell me, is indifferently well kept ; and
though the cardinal and all his complices do ly now at Stirling, where
she is, yet they say, that the barons which keep her,* will not suffer
past one or two of them at once, and but one man with him, to come
within the gates. And where the old queen desired to have the car
dinal lodged within the castle, the said barons would in no Avise suffer
it ; so that, as they say, whatsoever trouble be Avithin the realm, the
young queen's person will be surely preserved for to be delivered into
England at the time appointed.
Thus have I declared unto your majesty how things go here at this
time ; and to-morrow, I think, it will appear, at the return of the earl
Marishal, the abbot of Paisley, and sir James Lermont, where the car-

* Lord Erskine, governor of Stirling castle ; to whom were associated, for the charge of
the infant queen's person, the lords Livingstone, Fleming, and Ruthven,

246* EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
dinal and his complices will come into the governour upon such secu
rity as he hath offered thein, which, if they refuse, it is facile and
easy to be judged that they mind not well towards him, nor yet that
the treaties now passed with your majesty should take good effect. As
I shall see further hereof, I shall not fail to advertise with diligence.
And thus, &c.

A Letter from the King's Majesty to Ralph Sadler, Ath August,
1543.
Trusty and right well-beloved, we greet you well, and have received
your letters of the last of July: By the contents whereof, we perceive
such conference as you had lately with the governour, the earls of
Angus and Glencairn, the lords Maxwell and Somervail, touching the
overtures made by the bishop of Orkney and the lord Fleming on the
behalf of the cardinal and his complices, being the said lord Fleming and
bishop of that party ; and also, concerning such aid as the said gover
nour, and the rest before named, do desire of us for their defence and
surety, with a repetition of their offers unto us, in case the governour
shall not be able so to daunt the cardinal and his partakers, as they shall
agree to the ratification of the treaties passed betwixt us, or that the
queen shall be convoyed away, whereby they shall not be able to de
liver her at the time by the treaties appointed and prescribed. For an
swer whereunto, our pleasure is, that immediately upon the receipt
hereof, you shall make your repair to the governour, and making unto
him our hearty commendations, with condign thanks for his honour
able proceedings and friendly offers made unto us, you shall declare
unto him, that we be of such mind and determination towards him
again, as, he may be Avell assured, that neither now, nor hereafter, shall
we suffer him to receive any such damage or dishonour, as he shall not
have good cause in the end to say, that he hath had a most constant
and faithful friend of us. And for his present relief at this time, we

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 24£
have, according to his desire, appointed our lieutenant in those parts,,
to put in order five thousand men, to be addressed unto him, Avhen he^
and you together shall by your letters desire the same. Which five
thousand men shall enter in two parts ; the one from the west marches,
in the conduct of sir Thomas Wharton, till he shall arrive with the
lord Maxwell ; and then the said lord Maxwell to be chief captain of
that number. The other by the east and middle marches, in the con
duct of sir Ralph Evres, knight, Brian Leighton,* Robert Collingwood,.
and Robert Horsley, esquires, till they shall arrive with the earl of An
gus ; and then the said earl to be their chief captain ; accounting the
said earl and lord Maxwell, with all the rest of our friends there, which
adhere surely to him, to be of such honour and truths as. we dare well
commit the leading of our people to them. Providing, that the said
earl of Angus and the lord Maxwell do send some trusty men of ho
nour and estimation to receive the said sir Thomas Wharton and sir
Ralph Evres, with such as come with them at the said Borders, to help
to conduct them and victual them, till they shall join with their other
forces ; and shall also, after they be joined, use the advice and counsel
of the said sir Thomas, and sir Ralph, Brian Leighton, Robert Coling-
wood, and Robert Horsley, which shall have the conduct of them in
to Scotland, in all things touching any enterprize and. exploit to be
done, and likewise for the victualling and placing of the same accord
ingly. And Avhere the gove'rnour desireth to have such as we shall
send for his aid, bring some victual with them ; we have, for his satis
faction herein, not only taken order that they shall bring as much
victual with them as can conveniently be prepared in the short time of
their .assembly, but also, that plenty of corn shall be sent into the
Firth, both from Newcastle and from Berwick ; not doubting* but the
governour, with the rest of the earls and others our friends, and spe*
daily those which shall have the chief charge of our subjects, -will

* Sir Ralph Evers and sir Brian Leighton, or Laytoun, were both distinguished warriors, .
and were killed at, the battle of Ancram-moor, 1445.

24S EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
take order, that when it shall arrive, it may be employed for the
victualling of the same, as appertaineth. And our further pleasure is, that
you shall also declare to the said governour, and the rest of the lords
our friends there, that in case the number now sent shall not so daunt
the said cardinal, as he and his complices shall be glad and fain to con
sent to the ratification of the treaties, the laying pledges and all other
things convenient, or that the said cardinal shall convoy away the
young queen's person, we will prepare a greater furniture to repress
their malice ; not doubting but the governour will (in case of that ne
cessity) deliver unto us the holds which he hath promised todeliver;
assuring the said governour, that in case they take aAvay the person of
the young queen, and dispose her marriage otherwise than by his own
consent, we will, by force of our title and superiority, make him king
of the rest of Scotland beyond the Firth, aiding him with our power
by sea and by land to recover the same, so as he go through with the
overture of marriage betwixt his son and our daughter the lady Eliza
beth, which is of such sort, and shall be such honour and establish
ment to his son after him, as he could not recover the like party in
Christendom. And being noAv in such terms with the governour and
the rest of our friends there, that we must account our affairs all one ;
Ave can do no less but to remember unto him, hoAV they have been
heretofore abused by the cardinal and his partakers, and Avhat inconve
niences have ensued of the same, to the intent they may hereafter be
ware of the craft and falshood of him and his angels, and utterly stop
their ears to any thing that can be said on his behalf. Wherefore you
shall desire and pray both the governour and the rest of the said lords
our friends, and specially the earl of Glencairn and the lord Maxwell,,
to weigh their affairs more deeply, and to consider how they have been
now twice deluded by the crafty means of the said cardinal ; once at
his deliverance, and now again at the deliverance of tlie young queen ;
requiring them, at the contemplation of our advice and counsel, and
also in respect of their own honours and estimation, which shall be
much defaced in the world, if he should eftsoons deceive them the

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND TN 1513. 24<?
third time, to beware of him, and utterly to close their ears, as is afore
said, against him and his complices. Which advice and counsel if
they folloAv not, but percase shall tolerate many things in hope of bet
ter, whereby he shall get the upper-hand and victory of them, what
scruple soever they have of an honest zeal, which would be loath to
have any slaughter in their native country; they may be assured in
that case that he will spare none of them, but dispatch them, either to
gether, or one after another, as he shall have his most opportunity.
And therefore, seeing the said cardinal is noAv at Stirling, and travel-
leth secretly to assemble again his army, to the intent he may both de
pose the governour, and of all the rest dispose at his pleasure ; consi
dering his force, being so lately disparkled, will not soon or easily be
brought again together, our advice and counsel is, that the governour
shall secretly and suddenly, in any Avise, send a good band of his men
to Stirling, and either there to take him and bring him to the castle of
Edinburgh, or at the least to drive him over the water, and then to set
such an assured order for the safe keeping of the bridge, as neither the
queen shall be convoyed away, though the barons having the keeping
of her would consent thereto at the said cardinal's request and desire,
nor that the cardinal, or any of his complices, be permitted to pass the
bridge, or that any of them on this side do resort to him, but at the
governour's will and pleasure. Given under our signet, &c.
To the King's Majesty, 10th August, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to be advertised, that Avhereas I wrote
in my last letters that the queen-dowager had sent for me, so have I
now been with her at Stirling; and, at mine access unto her, she told
me, " That she had sent for me, not only that I should knoAV that she
was now the same woman that I left her at my last being with her,
both for her good mind and zeal to accomplish all things which might
be to your highness's good contentation, and specially to the perfec-
vol. i. 2 I

250 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
tion of the marriage betwixt my lord prince's grace and her daughter ;
which," she said, " she was noAv in better hope than ever she was
should take good effect, the rather, for that the noblemen of the realm
had now delivered her out of the governour's hands, and bestoAved her
in a good place, in the custody of such barons as were appointed by
the parliament. But also to declare unto me, on the behalf of the said
noblemen, (as, she said, they had desired her to do,) that they were all
Avell-minded and dedicate to the performance and accomplishment of
all things contained in the treaties of peace and marriage, lately passed
with your majesty ; and for that purpose were appointed to conveen
with the governour, the 20th of this month, for the ratification of the
same. And for her OAvn part," she said, " that as nothing could be
more honourable for her and her daughter than' this marriage, so she
desired the perfection thereof Avith all her heart, Avhich she noAv was in
good hope should take effect, the rather for the cause afore expressed,'
and also for that your majesty had so Avisely provided to have good
pledges for the delivery of her daughter into England, at her age of ten
years., But in the mean season she Avould so look to her surety, now
that she was in so good a place and sure guard, that, Avith the grace of
God, she should be in good plight to be delivered at the said time."
And Avhen she had all said, I (first remembring her of Avhat determina
tion and mind she shewed herself to me at my first cc-ming to the
country) told her, that I was glad to perceive by her words, that she
remained still the sameAVoman towards your majesty, trusting that her
deeds should also declare the same: But much I marvelled, that the
noblemen she spoke of should rise, as. they lately did, and rebell against
him Avhom they had chosen to be their governour, and Avere SAVorn un
to him ; Avhereby, if the said governour had been as desirous of re
venge, and as malicious as they, and had not rather used great attem-
perance, wisdom, and policy, to mitigate and appease the same, no
doubt but great effusion of blood must needs have ensued. Where
fore, as for my part I thought they could not honourably maintain
their so doing ; so I feared the Avhole world would note their untruth
5

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 251
in that behalf. Hereunto she answered as earnestly as might be, " That
they had good cause so to do, for their quarrel Avas both for the surety
and health of their sovereign lady and mistress, and also for the com
mon Aveal of the realm ; for where the whole body of the realm had
appointed by parliament, that her daughter should be kept in the realm
by certain barons named for that purpose, the governour would never
permit the same to be put in execution, but held her still in his own
custody, and put such about her as him listed, in such wise, as both
she and her daughter Avere holden as it were in a prison, whereof she
had many times complained, and could find no remedy. And ever,"
she said, " Avhen she complained, they would bear her in hand, that
she minded to transport her daughter out of the realm : And this,"
she said, " was one cause why the noblemen assembled in this sort,
with their power, to relieve their queen and mistress, and to put her in
sure custody, such as was ordained and decreed by parliament. Ano
ther cause," she said, " was, for that the governour used, in the direc
tion of the great affairs of this realm, and specially of those weighty
matters lately treated on with your majesty, only the advice and coun
sel of certain private persons, Avithout calling thereunto the great and
notable personages of this realm, wherewith they were not contented,
and would be right glad that your majesty should understand, that
they, for their parts, would at all times be as ready and willing to agree
to all things as should be to your majesty's reasonable contentation,
and the weal of this realm, as the governour, or any others within the
same : And that whatsoever Avas done in such sort by private persons,
without their consent and agreement, could not be available, nor they
that had so privately passed the same, could be able to perform their
promise in that behalf."
In those two points I ansAvered her, that, for the first, whatsoever
pretence they made, they all, or at least some of their party, as the earl
of Montrose,* the lords Erskine and Fleming, did perfectly know, that
* William Graham, second earl of Montrose.

252 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
there was a special article in the treaty of marriage, that the young
queen's person should be in the custody of such barons as were appoint
ed by parliament, which should have been accomplished, though they
had made no insurrection for the same. And in the great matters be
twixt your majesty and this realm, I told her, I could well excuse the
governour, for that- he used no private counsel therein, but the whole
advice of as many of the nobles of the realm, as would come to give
him their counsel; as at the dispatch of the first ambassadors into
England, whieh were dispatched by the three estates of the realm in
parliament: And likewise at the second time, the earl of Glencairn and
sir George Douglas, the parliament yet continuing, Avere dispatched by
them all, none absent but the cardinal and the earl of Huntley : And,
third, when sir George Douglas returned, he was again dispatched
(the parliament still continuing) by the av hole body ofthe same; be
ing as many of the nobility of the realm present at the same dispatch
as Avould, upon the governour's letters sent unto them, repair to him
for that purpose ; and, therefore, I thought, that such as came not at
the governour's sending for, ought rather to answer to their disobe
dience in that part, than that they have any just cause to say, that the
governour used private counsel in those matters, wherein they would
not come to give him their advice, according to their duties. And
sure I was, that the earl of Montrose, the lords, Erskine and Fleming,
were present both at the first, second, and last dispatches, and consent
ed to all things concluded in the same, which were so honourable and
beneficial to Scotland, as I thought no man of reason would disagree
to any thing now passed by the said treaties; being assured that no
thing is, passed by the same, but it was first agreed here by the body
of the realm, in form afore expressed : so that, I told her, they could
not justly, say, that those matters were so privately handled as they al-
ledged ; nor yet had they any just cause whereupon to ground their
quarrel, and to make such a stir and commotion in the realm, as where
by, if wisdom and temperance had not ruled the governour, must needs
have followed great mischief and inconvenience. Wherefore I though*

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 253
they had some other purpose in their heads, and nevertheless made this
the ground and foundation of their quarrel, to the intent the same
might have some honest appearance to the world.
She laboured much to excuse them, and to maintain their action ;
but she had little reason whereby to justify or approAre the same. Once
she is very glad, that she is at Stirling, and much she praised there
about the house, and told me, " That her daughter did grow apace ;
and soon," she said, " she would be a woman, if she took of her mo
ther;" who, indeed, is of the largest stature of women. And there*
Avith she caused also the child to be brought to me, to the intent I
might see her, assuring your majesty, that she is a right fair and good
ly child, as any that I have seen, for her age. And then after a little
time passed in the beholding of the child, she took me again apart,
and making me a short repetition ofthe cause why she sent for me, as
is afore expressed, she prayed me to signify the same to your majesty,
Avhich I promised, and so departed from her.
:- At my return to this town, arrived here your majesty's letters, con
taining your highness's pleasure to be declared by me to the governour,
and others the earls and lords your majesty's friends here, touching the
aid of 5000 men, Avhich your highness hath appointed to be sent hi
ther, and the preparation of a greater number, in case of a more neces
sity ; in which case your majesty doubteth not, but the governour will
deliver the strong-holds : And also concerning your majesty's promise,
in case the person of the young queen be convoyed aAvay, to make him
king of the rest of Scotland beyond the Firth, so as he go through
with the marriage between your majesty^ daughter and his son. And
finally, touching the cardinal and his partakers, as in your majesty's
said letters is at length expressed. Whereupon I made my repair to
the governour ; and first (because I Avould know of him, how things
had passed whilst I had been at Stirling) I asked him, whether all mat
ters stood still in good terms? Whereunto he answered me, " That he
thought when all Avas done, that, notwithstanding the fair words of
the cardinal and his partakers, they would, or it be long, make him a

254 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
new business ; for he Avas certainly informed, that the earls of Hunt
ley, Argyle, and Lennox, did make great preparations, and have, since
their arrival at home, given secret charge to all their friends, tenants,
and servants, to be ready, Avith fifteen days victuals, to set forwards
with them, against the 20th day of this instant ; whereupon he- hath
resolved here, in council, to send home forthwith the earls of Angus,
Cassils, and Glencairn, the lords Maxwell and Somervail, the sheriff of
Ayr, and other lords, and others of reputation here, assured of his par
ty, every man unto his own country, to prepare their forces to assem
ble here and at LinlithgoAV against the said 20tl> day. So that,1' he
saith, " he will be ready, or rather afore-hand Avith his adversaries, in
such wise as they shall not suddenly prevent him, as they did at their
last commotion." And for this purpose, the earl of Glencairn and the
lord Somervail are already gone home yesterday, before I received
your majesty's said letters, and the rest go this day, or to-morrow.
The governour told me, " That undoubtedly the cardinal and all his
complices did altogether dissemble with him, depending only upon the
aid of France, which," he saith, "is without all fail coming hither by the
west seas, Avith one Stewart, * whom the cardinal and earl of Lennox
sent purposely for the same ; whereof," he saith, " he hath credible ad
vertisement, by letters arrived here of new yesterday, addressed to An
drew Barton." t And further, he saith, " That where the cardinal
made suit and means to him for his favour, and desired that he might
safely come and speak Avith him in some indifferent place, which the
governour hath offered him, yet he putteth off the same, and trifleth
with him'; pretending that he dare not come for fear of his life, or bo
dily hurt; whereby," the governour saith, " that he perceiveth well all
his fair words and pretences, with likewise all his partakers, are no-
* Captain James Stewart of Cardonnock.
f The Bartons were a family celebrated for their skill in naval affairs even in the reign
of James III. — See Pitscottie, p. 95. folio edit. The person here mentioned, was perhaps
the son of the famous sir Andrew Barton, whose defeat and death by the earl of Surrey led
to the breach between James IV. and Henry VIII., and to the fatal battle of Flodden.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 255
thing else but craft and dissimulation; for the which he will provide
accordingly." Whereupon I entred with him in the declaration of the
contents of your majesty's said letters, in such sort as is prescribed un
to me by the same ; which he heard at good length, and after made
me this ansAver: First, " He thanked your majesty most humbly for
your great clemency and goodness towards him." And touching the
aid of English-men, he said, " That he, and other your majesty's friends
here had Avell debated that matter in council, and with good advertise
ment they had found, that if it come so to pass that they must seek
for aid of English-men, it would not then be the number of 5000 that
would help them; for the bringing in of 5000 English-men should
cause 20,000 Scots-men forsake them, and run to their enemies; as
suring me, that Avhensoever they brought in English-men, all their
own friends and tenants, or at least the greatest number of them, will
utterly leave them. And therefore, in case things do grow to such
extremity, as they shall be enforced to have aid of your majesty's sub
jects, it must be such an army, as Avith them, and such of their friends
as will abide Avith them, may be able to work their feat without any
great number of Scots-men." Nevertheless he prayed me, to write un
to your majesty, and to beseech the same, " That not only the men
may remain still in a readiness for him, in case he, with' other your
friends here, shall see that they may be brought in to some good purpose,
but also that it may please your majesty to advance unto him the sum
of L. 5000, for the which (if your majesty will so require him) he will
give to your highness his bond and obligation- for the repayment of
the same ; assuring me that the late ruffle and business cost him 20,000
merks Scots ; Avhich sum of 5000 1. sterling, if it may please your ma
jesty, he desireth to have within these ten days, with the which he
trusteth to wage so good a number of men of this nation, that, with,
the help of your majesty and his friends here, and their forces, he shall
be able to daunt the cardinal and his complices, in such sort, as they
shall be glad and fain to consent to the ratification of the treaties, the
laying in of the hostages and pledges, and performing of all other

256 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
things according to the said treaties. And in case they shall convoy
aAvay the queen's person, or so impeach him that he shall not be able
to keep promise with your majesty according to the treaties,, he will
then make his refuge to your majesty, and be ordered and advised by
the same, as Avell in the delivery of the strong-holds, as in the accom
plishment of all such other things as your majesty will require him to
do, whatsoever it be, to the uttermost of his power." And here he
prayed me to report unto him the point that touched your majesty's
offer, to make him king of all Scotland beyond the Firth; which I did
in such sort, as is contained in your majesty's said letters. Whereunto
he answered, " That your majesty had devised such honour for him and
his posterity, as for ever he is obliged to your highness for the same.
Marry," he said, " all his lands and living lay on this side the Firth,
which he would not gladly change for any living beyond the Firth."
Wherein I told him, he might be sure that your majesty would so deal
with him, as he should have good cause to say, that he had met with
a great friend. And then he swore the wounds of Christ, " That if
those matters grew to such extremity, he Avould do whatsoever your
majesty would have him to do ; but he trusted, that if it would please
your majesty to advance unto him this 50001. he should be able to
daunt the cardinal and his complices, in such sort, as they should be
glad to leave the cast of France, and join with him in the cast of Eng
land." And for the aid of English-men, he desired, " that the said
number of 5000 may be in readiness," as is aforesaid. " But surely,"
he thinketh, " he shall not need them ; for if he be driven to have the
aid of Englishmen," he saith, " your majesty must furnish him such
an army, as wherewith he, and others your majesty's and his assured
friends here, may be able to do you service, though their OAvn country
men forsake them," as is aforesaid. " In which case he doubteth not
but your majesty shall right soon have this Avhole realm at your will
and pleasure." This he prayed me to write unto your majesty with all
diligence, to the intent he might the sooner receive your majesty's an-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 257
swer in the premisses : Avhich I promised him, and so departed accord
ingly. After this, I spake immediately with the earls of Angus and Cassils,
the lord MaxAvel and sir George Douglas, and communed with them
of all the premisses, finding them in all things agreeable with the
mind and opinion of the governour ; assuring me, that haAang well
debated the bringing in of English-men, they find, that the same shall
do more hurt than good, and shall put both themselves and the Eng
lish-men (unless it were a main army) in danger of destruction. So
that, they say, a present furniture of money shall be most beneficial
for the governour at this time. And if it shall come to that point,
that they shall have need of English-mens aid, in that case, they say,
it shall be requisite for your majesty to send such a power, as by the
same, with the help of the governour and others, which be here at
your majesty's commandment, they may go through with the con
quest of this realm, wherein they will serve your majesty as they have
promised ; trusting, though in that case a great many of their friends
here will peradventure forsake them, that yet some will abide with
them, to such a good number, as Avherewith they doubt not they shall
be able to do your majesty good service. And the said earls of Angus
and Cassils, and the lord Maxwell, told me, that they Avere even now
ready to go home to see what force they were able to make, where
with they would repair to this toAvn and to Linlithgow, on this side
the 20th of this month ; for the which purpose they be already de
parted. Whilst I was now at Stirling, by the means of a gentleman of a
good house in this country, being also of honest credit and reputation,
whom I do use for my purpose here in many things for the better ser
vice of your majesty, I came by a secret bond and confederacy made
by the cardinal and his complices, at their late being together at Lin
lithgow ; the copy whereof I have sent to your majesty herewith :
And till I shewed the governour of the same bond this day, he had no
manner of knowledge thereof, which hath now the more exasperate
VOL. I. 2 K

258 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
and stirred him against the cardinal, Avhose only act and device it is.
The. lord Fleming, Avho, I assure your grace, is as ill, or rather Avofse,
than the earl Bothwel, hath subscribed the same amongst others, as
your highness shall perceive by the said copy ; and also the laird of
Craigy, for whom your majesty Avrote to the governour, hath likewise
subscribed it, and is plain of that party. And as for the lord Fleming,
he hath said plainly, that he will never go again into England, what
soever become of his son that lieth pledge for him ; his ransom he will
pay to redeem home his pledge, as it was taxed by the late ambassa
dors, but he will never enter into England. Of this I am credibly in
formed by such as heard him speak it. And at my now being at Stir
ling, I saw him there with the queen, but he was not the man that
would bid me once welcome, and yet I thought to. have spoken with
him, had he not suddenly departed ; which, I think, he did of purpose.
Finally, touching the French ships here in the Firth, they now be all
afloat, sailing about here in the Firth, ready to depart, abiding only for
the wind, as I am informed ; and yet they have promised the gover
nour to tarry those three days, for such letters and other things as he
maketh them believe he will dispatch with them into France. But it
is thought, that as soon as the wind serveth they will away ; and, as
far as I can learn, they intend to hover a while about this coast north
wards, to meet with the Iseland fleet, if they can. And if they go
homewards, they will surely keep aloof in the seas, as far as they can
from the coast of England. I will do the best I can to know what
course they keep, and where they become, and will advertise thereof
to my lord of Suffolk, to the intent (if it be possible) he may give
knowledge thereof to your majesty's navy from time to time as the
case shall require. And' thus, &c.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 259

To my- Lords of Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 13^ August, 15 A3.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I received your
letters of the 4th of August : for answer whereunto, first, touching
the victualling of such English aid as the governour and others his
majesty's friends here lately desired ; if I had perceived, that they had
continued still in that determination to have the said aid, I would or
this time have advertised your lordships what order they Avould have
taken for the victualling of the same ; but surely I see not that they
will bring in any English-men at this time. Wherein, if I should say
mine opinion, they have wisely resolved j for if they should, both all
their own friends would forsake them, and also our English-men should
be in no little danger, unless they Avere such a company as might be
able to be a party to all Scotland. And there is aheady a bruit and
saying here, that the governour will bring in English-men into the
realm ; for the whicli he is so universally hated, that he scant dare
trust his own servants ; assuring your lordships, that this nation is of
such malicious nature toAvards English-men, that they cannot abide,
nor suffer to hear, that English-men should have any manner of supe
riority or dominion over them. And therefore, when the king's majes
ty shall send hither any force, I Avould wish the same to be such a
power as might be able to Avork their feat, without the aid or assist
ance of any Scottish-man, in whom I would put no great trust in that
behalf. Nevertheless, forasmuch as the governour desireth, that the
aid, which the king's majesty hath appointed, may remain still in readi
ness for him in all events ; I have, therefore, desired him to tell me,
how he will furnish them with victual, in case he shall see cause to
bring in the same. In Avhich case, his desire is, that they shall bring
with them as much victual for themselves as they may conveniently.
And also he will, as he saith, send both to Newcastle and to Berwick
for grain; and will cause the same to be baked and browen here, and

26"0 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
so to be uttered to the English-men for their money, according to
your device. This order, he saith, he will observe in case aforesaid.
Secondly, Touching the navy that (as your lordships wrote) Avas
seen afore Holy Island on Friday last. If there Avere seen to the num
ber of fifty sail, as your letters proport, I wonder what they Avere. But
true it is, that the French ships, which have been here so long in the
Firth, being nine sail, were amongst them, which took the two Crayers
English-men, mentioned in your said letters, and have sent them into
the haven here of Leith ; and, as I understand, the said French-men
doly still afore the coast of Bambuigh and Holy Island, and certain
Scots merchants with them, which went all together out of the Firth
here on Thursday last in the night. And if the king's majesty's navy,
which (as you know) were appointed to come hither for to take the
said French ships here in the Firth do come forwards, it is very like
that they shall meet together. But I can hardly believe that there
were seen to the number of fifty sail ; whereof it may please your good
lordships to make better enquiry ; and if it was so, then, if it be pos
sible to know what they were, to the intent I may advertise the go
vernour here, who. is much desirous to have true knoAvledge of the
same. Finally, Whether those men here shall agree or no there is no cer
tainty, but either party so much mistrusteth other, that they prepare
their forces on both sides. The governour, methinketh, is out of heart
and courage ; the only cause Avhereof, I assure you, is lack of money ;
for, undoubtedly, he hath little or none at all ; and the other party, as
I am also informed, hath no more than they occupy. And now the
cardinal hath made special instance to speak with sir George Douglas,
who, having the lord Seton laid here in pledge for him to the gover
nour, doth, to-morrow, repair over the water to speak with the said
cardinal. At his retour I shall know how they agree, and shall not
fail to advertise the same accordingly.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 26'1

To my Lords o/*Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 14^A August, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this bearer, Mr
Poyntz's servant, arrived here yesternight with me, and brought me
such letters as you shall receive herein inclosed ; by the which ye may
perceive in what case he standeth for money and victuals. He hath
already received' two hundred angels upon my credit, of the earl of
Cassils, which, as I perceive by this bearer, is already spent ; and there
fore I have now made shift for one hundred pounds more for him,
whicli I Avill find some means to convoy safely unto him with all dili
gence. But, considering how chargeable this matter will grow, if the
said Mr Poyntz do remain long with the king's ships in these west
seas, Avhich, after twenty pounds a day, as he maketh his rate, will
amount to five hundred and sixty pounds a month. It is not only re
quisite to know the king's majesty's pleasure in that part, for the which
purpose this said bearer repaireth now to the court to my lord admi
ral ; but also, that it may please your lordships, to take such order as
he may be furnished with money for the time accordingly ; for with
out your help I shall not be able to supply the same. Wherefore it
may please your lordships to send me, with convenient diligence, so
much as will repay the money which I have already borroAved for to
help him withall, being two hundred angels and one hundred pounds,
as is aforesaid, which amounteth in the whole to the sum of one hun
dred and seventy-five pounds ; and also such a convenient sum of mo
ney besides, as your lordships, by your discretion, shall think meet to
serve him, untill such time as the king's majesty's further pleasure may,
be known in that behalf. Thus, &c,
POSTSCRIPT;
Whereas I do perceive by your lordships last letters, which I received
yesternight, with also the king's majesty's letters to me, addressed with :

162 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
the same, that six of the king's ships passed by you on Sunday morn
ing at eight of the clock, to arrive here in the Firth, whom ye would
have me to advertise of the number of the French ships being on the
sea ; ye shall understand, that none of the said six ships is arrived
here as yet, nor I know not Avhat they should do here ; for the French
men that have lain here so long are gone, and departed hence to the
seas on Thursday last, as I wrote to you in my last letters ; and, since
their departure, have taken the two English Crayers which you wrote
of, and have sent them hither, as I also did advertise you by my said
last letters. But where the said French-men are now become, I can
learn no certainty. Some say, they be about the coast afore Bam-
burgh and Holy Island, and some say they are plied homeward aloof
in the seas from the coast of England ; and others say they are gone
northwards to abide the Iseland fleet ; but certainty I can get none
what course they keep, &c

To my Lords of Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 17th August, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
here of late your several letters, and have forborn to write again, be
cause I would have been glad to have some certain matter to write of
if it would be ; but that, I trow, will never be had amongst those men
here, their proceedings are so uncertain. And now, Avhat appearance
there is how things shall succeed, you shall perceive by such letters as
I write presently herewith to the king's majesty; but what Avill fol
low, God knoweth ; for I think never man had to do with such people.
And Avhere, in another of your before-written letters, ye write, ye fear
the bottom of their purpose and agreement will jiot appear till they
shall have the king's money in their purses ; I have also thought be
fore of that matter, and, by mine advice, if the king's majesty shall re
solve upon my last letters to send hither any money, according tothe
governour's desire, there shall be some stay made of his highness's li-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.' 263
berality in that behalf, till we see cause hoAV it may be employed to
good purpose ; wherein it may please your lordships to give me your
advice as the case shall require. Furthermore, amongst your said let
ters, I have .received the special advertisements which it liked you to
send me, Avhereof I shall make the best enquiry I can. Part thereof
hath some appearance of truth, and part I know to be untrue. But, as
I have sundry times written, it is hard to judge the end of those per
plexed affairs till time reveal the same. For my part, I shall be as vi
gilant as I can. And though plainness and truth be oft times abused
with subtilty and falshood, yet in the end alway truth triumpheth,
when falshood shall take reproach, and bear the burden of the same.
Finally, Avhere it appeareth by your said letters, that ye understand
the young queen should be very sick ; neither the governour nor any
man here knoweth thereof. Indeed she was sick of the small pox, but
she is perfectly recovered of the same more than ten days passed. And
also perceiving by your said letters, that ye likewise understand that
the said young queen should be wholly under the government of the
cardinal and his complices, and under their strength ; and that the
lords Livingston* and Lindsay, f favouring the governour, seeing they
bear no stroke, would have come aAvay, and the old queen stopped
their baggage that they could not depart ; as your said letters do make
mention. To say mine opinion, I think surely that she is in such cus
tody as the cardinal and his complices may dispone of her at his plea
sure. For the dowager, the earl of Montrose, and the lord Erskine,
be of that party ; and the castle is the dowager's, whereof also the
lord Erskine is constable and keeper, and hath the keys of all the pos
terns and back gates ; so that, if they list to convoy her, it cannot ly
in the power of the lords Livingston and Lindsay to impeach it;
wherefore, they might indeed as well be away as there : But yet they
neither desired to go hence, nor did the dowager stop their baggage,
* Alexander, fifth lord Livingston. He had an office about the person of the infant
queen. He died 1550.
t John, sixth lord Lindesay of the Byres. He died 1563.

264 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
as your said letters proport. Nevertheless, the earls of Glencairn and
Cassils, and also the lords Maxwell and Somervail, to whom I have
heretofore declared mine' opinion in that part, have assured me upon
their honours, that the earl of Montrose and lord Erskine will safely
keep and preserve her for the time that the child shall be in their hands,
for the which they be bound on their lives and heritages. Whatsoever
trouble be within the realm, they say, her said keepers be men of
such honour, as will undoubtedly discharge their loyalty in that be
half, and preserve her to be married in England, as was decreed by the
parliament. This they say, but how it will prove, God knoweth, Avho,
&c.

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 17 tk August, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
your several letters of the 10th and 12th of this month, with your let
ters to sir Nachas Poyntz, which I have sent unto him ; and also, I
have received the copy of captain Polyne's letter, addressed to the go
vernour of Thuryne ; which matter I have, and shall, as opportunity
may serve me, set forth according to the contents of your lordships
said letters. And such as I have already declared the same unto, as the
governour himself, and some others, seem greatly to detest the French
king and the bishop of Rome, no less than their doings in that part do
justly require. Furthermore, touching the contents of your lordships
said letters, I have partly answered the same, by such letters as I write
herewith to the king's majesty, and shall observe the execution of the
rest as the case shall require. And whereas, it appeareth by your said
letters of the 12th of this present, amongst other things, that the
king's pleasure is, I should advertise hoAV his majesty's books of reli
gion be liked here, and whether the governour desireth to have any
moe of them. Surely, to signify the plain truth, I see not that the
same is much liked of any party here, nor yet the governour desireth
5

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 265
to have any moe of them ; for such as pretend to favour God's Avoid,
do like chiefly that part which confuteth the primacy of the bishop of
Rome ; and such as they call here Pharisees and Papists, do so much
mislike that part, as they give almost no credit to the rest : But they
be well pleased with the restraint of the scripture made in England,
from certain degrees of the people, and yet would have liked it much
betterj if it had been generally restrained from all sorts ; though such
as do pretend, as is aforesaid, to be professors of God's word, be much
offended with the same. And if I had found the said book of religion
well liked here, I Avould or this time have advertised the same, and al
so sent for moe books. Such* as your lordships sent hither, I disposed
as I was commanded accordingly. Thus, &c.

To my Lords qf Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 19th August, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
your letters of the 17th of August, with also the bill of your news,
which are no news here. And if the cardinal and his complices do
mind or intend any such things, as is comprised in the said bill, they
keep no counsel of the same, for a man might have learned all these
news in the Fish-market here, with many moe tending to like purpose,
at the least fourteen days ago. And at my last being with the queen
at Stirling, she found herself someAvhat grieved with part of those
bruits, both touching the marriage that (as commonly was spoken here
abroad) should be betwixt her daughter and the earl of Argyle's son ;
and also, the contention and strife which should be betwixt the earls
of Lennox and Bothwel for her love.* She told me, " she was little

* It was a common belief at the time, that these two noblemen, who were rivals in
splendour and courtly accomplishments, hoped for the marriage of Mary of Lorrain. The
continuation of Pitscottie and Buchanan, both mention this report; and that the earl of Len
nox being trained in the wars and tournaments of France, surpassed the other in dexterity
as well as strength. " He was," says the former historian, " of a strong body, well pro-
VOL. I. - 2 TL

266 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
beholden to the people of this nation, that raised such tales to the
slander of her and her daughter." But I wrote nothing of these things,
because the same was here in common bruit. And if I should write
all such tales, as be common here in many mouths, and sowen in the
market place, I could every day fill your ears with a number of them.
Nevertheless, I assure your lordships, I am of opinion, that the cardi
nal and his fellows would be right glad to accomplish all those things
contained in the said bill, and it may be that they do intend the same.
But the governour is sufficiently warned thereof by the common bruit
of the people ; and also, I shall not fail, on your lordships behalf, to
advise him to beweigh the same, in such sort as ye require me by your
said letters. And touching the force and power, which is contained
in the said bill, the earl of Argyle should now raise and assemble ; it
is true, that every man on both parties hath been preparing all the
force they can make, Avhich, nevertheless, is now staid, upon the late
communication and agreement betwixt the cardinal aud sir George
Douglas ; and yet in such sort, as every man may have his power, ready
within twenty-four hours Avaining, as I wrote in my last letters. But the
earl of Argyle, as I understand, shall be able to do little hurt at this
time to the governour, though things do proceed here to extremity.
For whereas certain Irishmen* have been long prisoners in the castle
of Edinburgh and Dunbar, for stirring and breaking of the Irish
countries ; the governour hath now let them loose, and sent them
home, only of policy to ,hold the said earl of Argyle occupied, So
that, as the governour and others here tell me, the earl of Argyle shall
have his hands so full at home, that he shall have no leisure to look
hitherwards. As indeed the said Irish-men have already begun Avith

portioned, of a sweet and manly visage, straight in stature, and pleasant in behaviour.
Bothwell was fair and whitely, somewhat hanging shouldered, and going forward, but of a
gentle and humane countenance. These two being fed with fair words for a time, at length
the earl Bothwell having spent very much^jwas forced to retire." Pitscottie, folio edition,
p. 182. * i. c. Highlanders, so called from speaking the Irish, or Gaelic.
11

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 267
him ; and even now, upon their new coming home, assembled toge
ther about eighteen hundred men, and have slain a great many of his
servants, and taken a good booty of his and his friends goods and
cattle ; and yet the said governour took bonds of the said Irish-men
when he put them' to liberty, that they shall not make any stir or
breach in their country, but at such time as he shall appoint them.
But how they will observe those bonds, now since they be at liberty,
it is hard to say ; for they be noted such perillous persons, as it is thought
it shall not ly in the earl of Argyle's power to daunt them, nor yet in
the governour's, to set that country in a stay and quietness a great
while. But once the earl of Argyle shall by this means be so match
ed at home, as he shall not dare nor be able to go from home, he shall
have so much ado to keep his own ; and this is done of policy, as is
aforesaid.* I have herewith sent your lordships the names of the Scottish pri
soners, with the value of their substance in lands and goods, as near
as I can get knowledge, to the intent ye may the better devise upon
the taxation of the ransom, against such time as the commissioners
for this party of Scotland shall come to you for the composition ofthe
saids ransoms and deliverance of the hostages, which, the governour
telleth me, " he will dispatch with as much speed as he can possibly.
And, for the more ease and commodity of you, my lord of Suffolk,"
he saith, " he will send his said commissioners unto you to Newcastle
forthe said purpose;" whereof I think the earl of Angus, .because he
is the greatest man here, shall be principal commissioner. As I shall
know further thereof, and of all other circumstances, I shall not fail

* The tumultuary chieftains thus let loose to embroil the Highlands, and deter Argyle
from joining the cardinal and queen-mother, were the leaders of the clans of Macleod, Mac-
donald, Maclean, Mackenzie, and many others, who, having been seized as hostages by James
the Fifth, in the voyage which he made round Scotland in 1540, had been ever since de
tained in the Lowland fortresses. Huntly and Argyle were commissioned by the governor
to restrain their excesses, which they did not achieve without much labour and blood
shed.

268 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
to advertise your lordships in good time, with the grace of God, who
ever preserve your lordships in long life and health, Avith increase of
honour, &c.

To my Lords of Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 2Atk August, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this morn
ing I received your letters, touching the entry of the prisoners, for
making of their bonds, and promise for the payment of their ran
soms, according to the proport of the indenture made betwixt the
king's majesty's commissioners and the ambassadors of Scotland in
that behalf. In which matter, I had, before the receipt of your said
letters, communed with the governour, who told me, that all the
prisoners should be warned to their entry for that purpose. But it is
thought that divers of them will not enter, as the lord Fleming, the
lord Oliphant,* the lord Erskine's son, the laird of Waughton's son,
and also Oliver Sinclair, who is so far hence, that he cannot be warn
ed in time ; " and therefore," the governour saith, "that he will make
no bond nor promise for those that will not enter, and so little regard
their, own faith and honour; but rather, it is thought best, to let
them remain still captive, and the rest of the noblemen that be bound
for them, (as they be all bound one for another.) the governour saith,
shall have his authority to ride upon them, to baffie them, and to put
them to such dishonour and reproof, as in that case appertaineth. And,
on the other side, it is thought, that the earls of Cassils and Glencairn,
the lords Maxwell, Gray, and Somervail, though they be right Avilling
to enter, cannot well be spared from the governour, seeing there is
yet no perfect agreement betwixt him and his adverse party ; for if
they were from him, his. enemies might have too great advantage. And
specially, the earl of Glencairn saith, " he cannot be four days from
* Laurence, third lord Oliphant. His ransom was fixed at 800 merks..

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 269
home, unless he should be in danger to lose all that he hath, because the
earl of Argyle and he be at utterance." Wherefore, I cannot perceive,
that any of them likeAvise can enter ; and, it is thought here, that it
shall be sufficient to send commissioners to deliver the hostages, and to
compone for the ransoms of such as the governour will be bound for ;
delivering to you their bonds and obligations for payment of the same,
containing their own promise in writing to yield themselves prisoners,
if they break their days of payment, with the governour's writing also
according to the said indenture. And the rest of the prisoners, which
the governour will not be bound for, to remain still captive, and their
pledges also to be kept in England, till they shall enter and be made
free by the king's majesty. Nevertheless, I make the means I can to
have all the prisoners enter, and have and will declare as much in that
part as your lordships have written. But what they Avill do, I cannot
tell : for though they have sit here in council those two days upon
that matter, and also to devise for to get pledges to be laid for the per
formance of the treaty of marriage, they be not yet resolved upon the
same, and hardly, I think, they shall get their pledges, unless the pri
soners, or the more part of them, may be accepted at this time. On
Sunday next they have appointed to ratify the treaties, whereat nei
ther the cardinal, nor any of his complices, will be present, as far as I
can see. I moved the governour to demand their hand-writing, ac
cording to your lordships advice. But he said, " they had all agreed
openly to the treaties already, whereof there were witnesses enough ;
and their hand- writing," he said, " they cared not ; for he had that to
show in that they swore also Avhen be was admitted governour, and
yet they lett not to do directly both against their promise and hand
writing. And also," he said, " that he had the earl of Argyle's hand
writing to show, that he promised to lay a pledge into England for the
performance of the marriage, wliich, nevertheless, he would not do. So
that there is no truth," he saith, " to their hand- writing, and therefore
thinketh it but folly to demand the same." Nevertheless, I told him it
could do no hurt to prove them, whereby he should decipher them the

270 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
better, so that what he Avill do I cannot tell ; and he is now in a man-
jouring to ride over the water to Fife and Angus, and so to make an
errand to his own house at St Andrews, to see if the cardinal will come
to him according to his promise, wherein he is not yet fully resolved ;
but as the same, and all other things here, shall succeed, I shall adver
tise accordingly. POSTSCRIPT.
Here be certain Scottish ships arrived, which came directly out of
Denmark ; and they say, that the king of Denmark, by the sollicitation
of the French king, is setting forth a strong navy to the sea, of huge
and great ships, of five and six tops, to the number of eighteen or
tAventy sail, to do all the annoyance they can, both to the emperour
in Flanders, and also to the king's majesty and his subjects ; which
navy, they say, was ready to set forth afore they came out of Den
mark ; and that the said Scottish ships have been a great while de
tained thcre, and not suffered to depart, because they should make no
bruit abroad ofthe setting forth of the said navy," &c.

To the King's Majesty, 25th August, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that this day the treaties
were ratified and confirmed here in Edinburgh, and the governour, in
my presence, hath renounced and sworn according to the proport of
the same, which Avas solemnly done at the high mass, solemnly sung
with shalms and sackbuts in the Abbey-church of the Holyroodhouse.
And although the cardinal and his complices were absent, yet the
thing was done by their consent, and in the name and by the authp-
rity of the queen and three estates of the realm, in presence of the
greatest part of the nobility of the same, and notaries also present,
which have made their instruments thereupon, as shall appear to your
majesty by the said treaties; wherewith the governour sendeth pre-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 271
sently in post a gentleman to your majesty, named the laird of Fyvie,
who is a right honest gentleman, and Avell affected to your highness :
And he is sent to be present at the ratification and oath to be made
by your majesty of and upon the said treaties accordingly. And also
he hath commission, to entreat your majesty to be content to retain
and keep still the lord Fleming's heir, and the lord Oliphant's heir, and
also the lord Erskine's son's brother, which do noAv ly pledges in Eng
land, to remain with your majesty for three of the pledges for perform
ance of the treaty of marriage now for the first time : For the go
vernour would be loath to lay in pledge any other of the prisoners that
be his friends, whereby his power should be the more Aveakened :
" And needs," he saith, " that the more part of the prisoners must be
laid at this time, for he shall not be able to get any others sufficient
for that purpose. And if it may please your majesty to accept the
three before specified, he will enter bonds for the payment of their
ransoms, to make them free of their captivity." In which case, he
writeth himself presently to your majesty ; and as soon as it shall be
possible for him, he will send his commissioner to my lord of Suffolk,
both to deliver unto him the hostages, and to compone for the priso
ners ransoms ; for the which purpose also, the prisoners are Avarned to
enter to deliver their bonds, and to make their promises to perform the
same, with also the governour's bond and promise in write, according
to the indenture in that behalf, made betwixt your commissioners and
the Scottish ambassadors at their late being in England ; which, he
trusteth, shall be performed within fourteen or fifteen days at the far
thest, or sooner, if by any possibility, he can accomplish the same ;
saying, " he will presume upon your majesty's goodness in that part ;
upon trust, that your highness will be content to grant him that re
spite, notwithstanding the time limited in the treaties." Touching the
five thousand pounds, which he desired lately to have in loan of your
majesty, perceiving that there is some towardness of agreement be-
tAvixt him and the cardinal and his complices, he hath said nothing to
me thereof till this day, and likewise passed it over Avith silence, till

£72 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 154S>
he began Avith me this day. After the treaties were ratified, and we
had dined, (as he caused me to dine with him,) he required of me,
whether I had received any answer from your majesty touching his
said request ? I told him, I had received such an answer, as might ap
pear thereby proceeded from a grave and wise prince, that had expe
rience of the Avorld, with such respect to the common affairs of both
the realms, as he could not but well accept the same ; which was, that
your majesty, so long as he remained constant in his word aud pro1
mise, Avould declare yourself so great a friend unto him, as the amity
noAv requireth, and would not suffer him to be repressed with his ener
mies. And for the money which he desired, I prayed him to consider
on your majesty's behalf, that, first, he required an aid of men, which
your highness had put in readiness to your grace's no little charge.
And now, seeing the cardinal and his complices had already consented
to the treaties, (though it is to be thought that he, and some of his adr
herents, will never be drawn from their affections to France, unless
they were subdued and brought into captivity, or driven out of the
realm,) your highness saw not to what good purpose the said five
thousand pounds might be employed, either for his benefit or your ma
jesty's : and therefore would be loath to defray such a sum, unless you
might be assured what commodity should ensue thereby to your
grace's affairs. And as for the cardinal and his complices, I told him,
your majesty knew they were not able to make any party to him; but
that, if he would go roundly to work, he and his friends might easily
repress them. Whereunto he answered, " that he doubted not your
majesty Avould be a good lord to him, if he should have mister ; and till
he had mister, he would not incumber your majesty with any suit for
aid of men or money ; but that oath that he hath taken this day, in the
name of the whole realm, if all the rest of the realm should be against
it, he alone would shed his blood, and spend his life in the obsen>a-
tion thereof to your majesty. In which case, if he shall be put at, or
pursued by the cardinal and his complices, (which, no doubt," he saith,
" with the aid of money, which the Avhole church will advance unto

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 273
him, besides the aid they look for out of France, shall be able to be a
great party unto him,) he must needs make his refuge to your majesty,
without whose help and aid in that case, he shall not be able to with
stand their malice : but his trust is, that all shall be well. And the
cardinal, he thinketh, will declare and prove himself the most honest
man of all the rest to your majesty and him also. And this afternoon,"
he said, " he would go over the water," as indeed he is gone to St
Johnstoun and Dundee, " to see and visit the country, where he hath
not been since he Avas governour, and so to make an errand to his own
house at St Andrews, where the cardinal," he saith, " will come and
speak with him ; so that he hopeth to compone all matters and con
troversies here, in such sort as good peace, quietness, and agreement,
shall ensue amongst them." I wished it might be so ; but I told him,
I hardly believed that the cardinal would declare himself so honest a
man as he said. Nevertheless, he assured me, that the cardinal prin
cipally desired your majesty's favour ; which, I said, your princely cle
mency and benign nature was such as he might easily .obtain, if he
Would use and behave himself as became him, towards the advance-
ment of such things as do tend to the benefit and common weal of his
own country. And thus, with general terms, Ave passed over that
matter. And touching the two points, for delivery of the strong-holds
in gage for the five thousand pounds, or delivery, of the young, queen
into your majesty's hands, I moved not to the governour thereof in this
conference, the rather because he seemed not now to press or desire
the money: And besides that, I. know the one part thereof he can
not perform, though he would, which is the delivery of the queen;
for she is in such custody as he cannot come by her : And the strong
holds, I am sure, he will not deliver, unless his enemies grow so strong
upon him as he shall not be able to resist them. In which case, he
must needs be enforced to do whatsoever your majesty will require ;
but if he shall eftsoons make any ¦further request for money, I shall es
say him in these two points, according to the proport of your most
gracious letters addressed to me in that behalf.
VOL. 1. 2 M

274 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN' 1543.
Finally, I told him also ofthe stay ofthe Scottish ships going into France
with victuals ; and also declared unto him the effect of your majesty's
pleasure in that part, both touching that the treaties will not bear it, and
also touching the goA'ernour's safe conduct to be given to his friends that
pass out of this realm, in such sort as is contained in your highness's said
letters ; which, the governour saith, he will observe accordingly. But in
case the cardinal and he, with the rest, do fall to agreement, whereof there
is good likelyhood, then his desire is, that all ships of this realm may
pass without stay, though they have not his safe conduct ; for if the
ships should be staid by your majesty, now that the peace is concluded
and ratified, he saith it should be a mean to cause the whole realm to
exclaim upon him, which he would gladly avoid, for they love him ill
enough already for your majesty's sake, and then would love him
much worse, and also judge evil of the peace, and take it to be but a
feigned matter betwixt your majesty and him, to cause them put their
ships and goods in adventure ; the stay only whereof should be a great
hinderance to the merchants. And as to the victuals which they car
ry hence into France, he saith it can be no great matter, for there is
no abundance here of victuals to be spared. Peradventure, he saith,-
they may carry fish thither, and yet no great store, which they have
used commonly to carry into France for other merchandizes, and hard
it will be for him to cause them leave that trade with the same.
Wherefore, considering it can be no great matter, he beseecheth your
majesty to bear with it, and he will do the best he can to cause them
use their traffick into England, or at least to convoy no kind of victual
into France.*
The earl of Argyle is much incumbered with certain Irish, which

* This passage alludes to certain Scottish vessels bound for France, and detained in the
English ports. They were probably laden with salmon, then a great article of exportatioa
from Scotland.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 275
have been long in ward, and lately put to liberty by the governour,
and sent home only of policy to keep the said earl occupied at home,
to the intent he should have the less opportunity to execute his malice
against the governour; wherefore, the said earl knoAving the same to
have proceeded of the counsel and advice of the earl of Glencairn,
hath pretended to burn and destroy his country, some part whereof is
nigh adjacent to the Highland ; and also, the said Argyle hath like
wise threatned the earl of Cassils and the sheriff of Ayr, whose coun
tries also be not far from him ; so that there is like to groAV some
business amongst them ; and already he hath begun with the earl of
Glencairn, because he is next him. What shall follow, and as all other
things shall succeed here worthy advertisement, I shall not fail to sig
nify the same unto your highness from time to time, as the case shall
require. And thus, &c.

To my Lords of Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 26th August, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand:, that I have received
from you the king's majesty's letters, dated at the More, the 24th of
this present, and have with myself considered the contents of the
same. But forasmuch as the governour is noAv on the other side of
the water with the cardinal, I can take no good occasion or opportu
nity to repair unto him till he shall return hither, which I think will
be within those three or four days ; and if the cardinal and he do
agree, as it is thought they shall, then shall it be to none effect, in my
poor opinion, to go about to perswade the governour to proceed
iigainst him and his complices, in such sort as is contained in the
king's majesty's . said letters. But if they agree not, I shall not only
have a goodly occasion thereunto, but also I think the governour Avill
right easily be perswaded unto the same, if lack of money stay him
not. For the other party, as I understand, is aided by the church,

276 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
which doth contribute, and have gathered great sums of money
amongst them to maintain their evil quarrel against the governour and
his party, if they fall not to agreement. As for the peace and mar
riage, concluded with the king's majesty, they make no1> that their
quarrel ; but though they do allow the same, and have consented in
Avoid, that the governour should proceed to the ratification of the
same, as he hath now done, and to lay hostages accordingly ; yet it is
supposed, that they do mind only the rupture of tlie same ; as un
doubtedly they work as much as they may secretly, that the governour
should get no hostages to be laid for the accomplishment of the con
ditions of the treaty of marriage ; so that, beside such as be prisoners,
he cannot indeed, as far as I can perceive, get past two or three at the
most. And the cause why he delayeth the sending of his commission
ers, with the hostages to your lordships, is, for that he would get as
many other hostages than the prisoners as he could ; and much he
trusteth upon a respite of fifteen days, after the time limited in the
treaty, to be granted by the king's majesty, whereby he may the bet
ter accomplish the same. Nevertheless, the earl of Cassils, Avho is tar
ried here behind the governour, told me yesterday, " that when he
went, he resolved Avith him, that in case he had no word shortly from
the king's majesty of the said respite, rather than he would adventure
the breach of the treaties, he would take order, that such hostages as
he could get, should be entred within England afore Friday next co
ming, to be delivered unto your lordships." Whether he will do so or
not, I cannot tell. But, at his departure, he prayed me to send him
word as soon as the king's highness's answer should arrive touching
the said respite, Avhich being now of such sort as ye know, shall by me
be passed over in silence. The. laird of Fyvie will make all the haste
he can to the king's majesty, to the intent the said treaties may be ra
tified by his highness within- the time limited by the same : Which
laird of Fyvie is a man of eighteen score merks land Scottish, almost
five hundred merks Scottish, a great living in this country ; and be-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 2/7
sides that, I assure you, he is a very good gentleman, and singularly
Avell affected unto the king's majesty.
I have also received your letters of the 24th of this present, where
by I perceive that ye have already advertised the king's majesty of the
ships-take, so that I need not enquire thereof. And as for the French
ships, the same that was chased into Dundee, I understand was but a
small vessel, where she yet remaineth ; and another called the Falcon,
I hear say, Avas chased into Montrose, a haven on this side Aberdeen ;
which Falcon, they say, is a fair ship, and is also still at Montrose, as
far as I can learn : But I cannot understand that any of the king's
ships folloAved them into the said haven ; but belike lost them in the
chase, and they slipped into the havens. The Sacker and the rest, I
cannot hear where they be become, but am glad that your lordships can
make so good account of six of them, whereof be five men of war, and
one merchant, as I perceived by your said letters. There were not
past three or four moe of that consort at the most. Touching the
ships of Denmark, I can write no more than I did by mine other let
ters ; but such Scottish ships and others, as now be come home from
thence, do affirm, that it is true that the king of Denmark hath in
deed set forth such a navy as I Avrote of to your lordships. Whereof,
as I shall hear further, I shall not fail to advertise ; and as soon as the
governour shall return hither from beyond the Avater, I will be in hand
with him for the safe conduct that you, my lord of Suffolk, do write
of for grain, and shall signify unto you his answer accordingly, &c.

To the King's Majesty, 28th August, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that as I wrote in my
last letters to your highness, that the governour made an errand over
the water of Forth to St Andrews, to speak with the cardinal ; so
now he hath been there, supposing that the said cardinal would, ac
cording to his fair words and promise, have humbled himself so much

278 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
as to have met him on the way, and done his duty accordingly ; but
it appeareth now more plainly than ever it did, that all his fair be-
hechts are but practices ; for he neither would meet the governour,
nor yet see nor speak Avith him when he came to St Andrews, but
kept his castle, and desired that sir George Douglas might come to
him into the castle, Avho having sir John Campbel of Calder, the earl
of Argyle's brother, laid to the governour as a pledge, Avent into the
castle to the cardinal, and perswaded him to come into the town, and
to Avait upon the governour, according to his promise; which he ex
cused, saying, he durst not for fear of his life. In which case, pledges
were offered to be laid into the castle, such as himself would desire. But,
finally he would not, for no perswasion nor condition that could be of
fered unto him ; insomuch as the governour caused his treason and
untruth to be openly proclaimed there in the town of St Andrews, and
therewith pardoned all such of the tOAvn and others, that had before
in any wise aided and assisted him, so as from henceforth they do
leave him, and adhering to the governour, having the regiment and
authority of the realm, would, by all means, annoy the said cardinal
and all his complices and partakers. Which proclamation, as I under
stand, was so well taken amongst the people, that the cardinal hath
lost thereby a great many of the hearts of such as before were on his
party ; so that it is thought the same shall work good effect. After
this proclamation made, the governour returned hither yesternight
late, and is now devising to gather his force, and to make like procla
mations in all parts of this realm, not only against the cardinal, but
also against all the other great men his complices, whereby they shall
be declared manifest rebels and traitours. And this morning I repair
ed to the said governour, Avho told me all the premisses, assuring your
majesty, that I found him so much incensed against the cardinal and
his complices, as I needed not to prick him forwards in that behalf;
which nevertheless I did by all the means I could, and discoursed with
him at length the contents of your majesty's last letters of the 24th of
August, and also of such other letters of the same date as I received

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 275
from my lords of your majesty's council. For the one part Avhereof,
in that your majesty Avould have him stirred against the cardinal and
his complices, the same is sufficiently accomplished, if he will do as he
saith. And presently all the noblemen here, as the earls of Angus,
Cassils, Glencairn, and Marishal, the lords Maxwell, Gray, and Somer
vail, and the sheriff of Ayr, and others of reputation on this party, do
depart to levy and gather their forces. In which case their adverse
party have a great advantage upon them, Avhich be already gathered,.
and ready to set forward, intending to be at Stirling on Friday next,
as it is said. For albeit upon the communication lately had betwixt
sir George Douglas and the said cardinal, it Avas agreed, as I have be
fore Avritten in mine other letters, that all gatherings and assemblies
on both parties should cease, yet to be so ordered as their forces might
be always ready to assemble upon tAventy-four hours warning. Where
upon the governour, meaning good faith indeed, ceased according to
the said agreement; nevertheless, the cardinal and his complices,
meaning only falshood and practice, did continue their musters and
assemblies, whereby they have such advantage, that they be ready to
come forwards ; and the governour, so deceived by the cardinal's said
practice with sir George Douglas, whereto he gave credit, that he can
not be so soon ready to meet them as were requisite. For the other
part of your majesty's said letters, touching the accomplishment ofthe
treaties, and deliA'ery of the strong-holds, Avherein I have essayed the
governour, according to your majesty's pleasure; he saith plainly,
" That he is not able to perform the treaties within the time limited
in the same. And also, if he should deliver the strong-holds to your
majesty, it shall behove him to fly the realm ; for in that case his own
friends will detest and forsake him ; so that unless your majesty should
send in a main army to make a conquest, with the which he and others,
your highness's friends here, might join, and so serve your majesty
without giving trust to any further aid of Scottish-men, he seeth not
hoAV he can deliver the holds without his utter destruction." I remem
bred him of his large promises, and advised him to write the same to,

2S0 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
your majesty, to the intent your highness might thereby see his good
will to the same, which hitherto had no otherwise appeared to your
majesty, but by my relation and advertisement. He answered, " that
no prince alive had, nor should have, his heart and service but your
majesty only ; alledging plainly, that of force he must adhere to your
majesty ; for he had lost all other friends in the world besides, and
without your majesty's aid and supportance," he said, "he was in great
danger of overthrow and destruction ; wherefore, he had resolved to
send away in post a gentleman to your majesty, called the laird of
Brunstoun, to declare his state and condition, and to make your high
ness such offers, as Avhereby your majesty should well perceive his
good heart and service towards the same ; trusting that, of your prince
ly goodness, you Avill not suffer him to be overtrodden and repressed
with those, which, if they have the over- hand of him, will not only
destroy all your friends here, but also Avork the whole realm (being al
ready almost wholly inclined thereto) to the devotion and cast, of
France, which should," he saith, " be a great hinderance to your ma
jesty's purposes." I advised him, that if he would so dispatch a gen
tleman to your majesty, that, remembring what he had before promi
sed, in case of none performance of the treaty, he should make such
expedition to your majesty in that behalf, as your grace might' per
ceive evidently, that he went hot about to seek aid and relief at your
majesty's hands, without such a reciprocal commodity to be ministred
again on Jiis party, as might justly require your highness's benevolence
towards him : For I told him, if he went otherwise to work, your ma
jesty (being a wise prince, that hath experience of the world in such
cases, and knoweth the practices of the same) would soon perceive it.
He thanked me for mine advice, saying, " that by such offers as he
Avould make to your majesty, he would so declare his affection, that
your highness should AveU perceive the same to be unfeigned ; where
unto, before the dispatch of the said laird of Brunstoun, he would
send for me again, and make me participant ; and having so many
things ado," he said merrily, "he would talk no longer with me at this

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 281
time :" And so we departed. As soon as I shall know Avhat dispatch
the said Brunstoun (who is well affected to your majesty) shall have
here of the governour, I shall- not fail to advertise with diligence. I
have also communed with the earls of" Angus, Cassils, Glencairn, the-
lord Maxwell, and sir Geoige Douglas, and find' them all now very
hot upon their enemies here ; but- they be of opinion, that your majes
ty must support the governour with money to daunt- the- cardinal and
his complices, or else send a main army to conquest the realm, where
with they Avill join, and serve your majesty according to their pro
mise : for the sending of a small number of English-mCn, or the deli
very of the holds and strengths into your majesty's hands, shall be a
mean, to cause all their country-men to forsake them, and to put all
your majesty's friends and servants here in danger of destruction. And
I was plain with them, as of myself, that I knew your majesty was a
prince of such wisdom,* as- would' not' lay out your money, except your
highness, saw good appearance of some benefit and commodity to en
sue thereby to your grace's affairs ; wherewith I remembred unto them
what benefit both the governour and they had received already at your
majesty's hands ;-. for the which they had yet done utterly nothing to
wards the recompence of the same ; but rather with good words and
fair semblances of things to ensue to your highness's great commodi
ty, hadhindred such enterprizes as your majesty had intended, and
might, or this time, have brought to good purpose. Wherefore, I ad
vised and prayed them to consider the same-; and now, that the go
vernour was in mind to dispatch a gentleman to your majesty, that
they would. procure such expedition as might be tbankfull and accept
able to your majesty.; which, they say, they will do-; and seem now
to be sorry that ever; they counselled r or. procured , your majesty to
- peace, but rather wish that your majesty had sent hither your army,
according to your first determination. They think the governour will
now offer his son. unto your majesty, to be sent and delivered to the
same upon your gracious appointment : but sure they be. not thereof,
nor what offers shall be made ; wherein, they say, they will travel that
vol. r. 2 N

282 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
the same be such as may please your highness, and minister gopd oc
casion unto the same to extend your aid and benevolence to the go
vernour. And, to say my poor opinion, I cannot perceive, but that,
without your majesty's aid, they shall be put to great lack and dan
ger : for money they have none, and the church beareth all they can
make Avith the other party. Once every man is preparing to force .and
arms, so that if ever they fight it will be noAV ; for the governour saith
he will no more be deluded Avith fair heghts and promises. And those
things do so occupy him, that I see none opportunity as yet to com
mune with him of your majesty's book of religion, in such sort as your
majesty commanded me by your said most gracious letters. Neither
see I that I can have any opportunity to speak with the cardinal, or
that it is requisite I should so do as the case now standeth. Wherefore
I shall omit the same, till I know further of your majesty's pleasure in
that behalf. And thus, &c.

To the King's Majesty, 5th September, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that I have received two
letters from my lords of your majesty's council, one of the last of Au
gust, and the other the first of September : but there is now such a
wonderfull change here, that the contents of the same cannot be put
in execution ; for the governour being left here alone, saving only the
abbot of Paisley and David Panter, which are suspect to be of the
cardinal's faction, is now revolted unto the said cardinal and his com
plices..* And on Munday last, after that sir John -Campbel of Lundy
and the abbot of PittenAveem had been here with the governour with

» Nothing can more strongly point out the vacillating and mutable temper of this feeble
regent, than that on the 25th August he ratified the treaty with England, and proclaimed
cardinal Bethune a traitor; and on the 3d of September held a private meeting with the
same prelate, renounced the alliance of England, and attached himself to the French fac
tion;

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 283
letters from the cardinal, the said gOA'ernour, the same day towards
night, departed hence suddenly, with not past three or four with him,
alledging, that he would go to the Blackness to his wife, who, as he
said, laboured of child. And yesterday he rode to my lord Living
ston's house, * Avhieh is betwixt Linlithgow and Stirling, where the
cardinal and the earl of Murray met with the said governour, and
very friendby embracings were betwixt them, with also a good long
communication. And then they departed from thence all together to
Stirling, where they now be ; which I am most certainly advertised of
by a gentleman that saw it, and was present at the same. And the ab
bot of Paisley and David Panter were addressed and sent back again
to Linlithgow by the governour ; the said cardinal and the earl of
Murray, of intent (as is supposed) to dispatch forth letters to the noble
men which be abroad, and went to gather their forces to serve the go
vernour, to cease their gatherings, and to be at this- town- on Munday
next, where, it is thought, shall be a convention of all parties, and all
matters and divisions so determined and agreed as all shall be well.
This last is only supposed to be, but no certainty is thereof. The gen
tleman that told me the same, saith, " That when he perceived the go
vernour Avould needs go to Stirling with the cardinal, he prayed him to
consider well what he did,, and if he would needs put himself into his
enemies hands, which would surely destroy him at length, though they
made him fair Aveather at the first, he, for his part, Avould leave him,
and serve him no longer." Whereunto the governour answered, even
shortly, "that his going to Stirling should be for the best, fop he
should make all well." But Avhat shall follow of the same it is uncer
tain; for some think that indeed they shall now concur all together,
and observe the treaties in all points, if your majesty will accept the
same, and dispense with the time which they have already emitted ;
and others think, that the noblemen, which all this while adhered to
the governour, will not trust him now, nor the cardinal and his com-
* Callander-house, near Falkirk.

oog€4 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
plices, so much as to come to any convention as shall be by them ap
pointed : so that what shall hap God knoweth, and as all things shall
succeed, I will advertise with diligence.
Finally, when I had first some inkling and knowledge of the said
governour's revolt, I did advertise ofthe same by my letter to sir
George Douglas, lying at Coldingham, within six miles of Berwick,
who wrote unto me again this letter, Avhich I have sent unto your ma
jesty here inclosed. And thus, &c.

From the Cardinal and his Faction to the Earl of Angus,
6th September, 1543.
My lord, we commend us heartily to your lordship. It will please
the samen to understand, that we being here consulted' and reasoned
many ways for the common weal and honour of this realm, and for
peace and concord to be had amongst all the lords and noblemen of
the samen, for forth-setting of our sovereign lady's authority, and for
justice and policy to be had universal amongst the lieges thereof, and
for stenching great and enorme displeasures, breaks, and inconvenien
cies, that are else, begun, and would grow far greater if rem eid AA'ere
not put thereto in time; Avhereupon we sent certain articles to my lord
governour, and received fra him certain others, condescending all glad
ly to his grace's desires, and subscribed the same, with the wbilks his
grace being content, came to certain meeting with -my lord-cardinal
and earl of Murray, and agreed so well, that his grace came to this
town, and has spoken with us all, and knows our heartly mind to all
good ways, (whilks are and shall be ay without colour or dissimulation,)
to bring all discords and dissentions to good friendship and amity, sua
that we may concur to help and supply the common weal of this realm,
and, as we believe, my lord-governout has written more largely to you :
Exhortand herefore, and right effectuously praying your lordship to be
lieve, no other thing of us ; and all scruple of displeasure being set^aside,

EMBASSY TO SCOTtAND IN 1543. 285
that ye would come and concur with my lord-governour and us, and
consult on all manner of things concerning the common weal, and
other points foresaid: And because the coronation of our sovereign
lady is 'deferred while Sunday the gth of September instant, that ye
would be here betwixt this and the said Sunday,, where ye shall find
nothing but all heartliness, and us appliable to you as to ourselves, and
to make us all in one body. And Almighty God conserve your lord
ship. At Stirling, the 6th of September foresaid.
Cardinal of Scotland,
The Chancellour,
P. -Bishop of Murray,
George Earl of Huntley,
Earl of Argyle.

To my Lordof Suffolk, 6th September, 1543.
It may like your grace to understand, that I have received yo«r let
ters of the 3d of September, the effects whereof I would be glad to put
in execution ; but the noblemen with whom I should practise the same,
as the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, with the rest ofthe king's
majesty's friends, are abroad in their own countries, forty and fifty
miles one from another. And, as I think, (now that the governour is
thus revolted from them,) they will keep "themselves in their own
strengths at home, out of his danger, fearing least he and the cardinal,
being (as they now be) agreed and joined "together, should conspire
any displeasure against any of them ; so that I know not by what
means to get any conference or communication Avith them, for the ac
complishment of your device; for I arruin such case here, as I dare not
go, nor almost send out of my doors, and much less might I ride or
travel abroad in the country to seek the said noblemen, the king's ma
jesty's friends, without suspicion and danger; not doubting but your

286 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543-
Avisdom can well consider, as the case standeth, Avhat I am able to do
in that behalf: And whether the said earls, and others the king's majes
ty's friends, will perform and keep such promises as they have made
unto his highness, or not, I cannot tell ; but if they do not, and, not
withstanding the governour's revolt, if they remain not firm and conr
stant to the king's majesty, and do whatsoever his majesty will have
them, to the uttermost of their powers, I will say, as all the world may
say, that they be the falsest men on earth. Assuring you, that their
power is not such, as to daunt the rest of Scotland is possible to them,
without aid of the king's majesty's force and power ; but I think
them well able to defend themselves from the malice of their enemies
all this winter, till the time and season of the year may serve the king's.
majesty to send in a main power for the accomplishment of such enter-
terprizes as his majesty hath intended ; wherein, if they be true men,
they will join and serve accordingly.
Yesternight arrived here the abbot of Paisley ; and, this afternoon, he
came hither to my lodging to me, and told me, " That the governour
hearing tell of the stir and commotion in this town, had directed him
hither principally, because he understood that I Avas inquieted here
through the lewdness pf the people; Avhich he prayed me to take in<
good part, and to ascribe the same to the rudeness, ignorance, and;
beastliness of the common people, which knew not what they did ; as
suring me, that the governour. and noblemen of the realm would have
such respect to me, as I should be without danger." I thanked him,
and passing over this matter generally with him, I began to discourse-
ofthe governour, his sudden revolt, which he by all means excused, al-
ledging, " That the same undoubtedly should be for the best; for now,
he trusted,. the cardinal, and the other noblemen of that party, would,
concur with the governour and his partakers, in and for the accomplish
ment of the treaties in all points and conditions ; and for that purpose,
he thought; a convention should be forthwith appointed at this town,
of all the noblemen of this realm ; and so, he doubted not, but good .
agreement and quietness should follow on all parts." Thus he told me:

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 287
Wherefore I would be glad to know, in case it shall so come to pass
that they will thus concur together, and accomplish the treaties, whe
ther the king's majesty (considering they have already broken the said
treaties, for none laying in of the hostages within the time limited)
would now accept the same or not. And if his majesty intend not to
accept it, then would I also be glad to know Avhat his gracious pleasure
is to have practised Avith his friends here in that behalf; to the intent,
if such a convention shall be as is specified, I may the better work the
same according to his most gracious pleasure. Which, as my most
bounden duty is, I shall ensue and follow to the uttermost of my
power. Finally, the governour, and the cardinal, with his complices, be all
together at Stirling ; and having dispersed all their force and power,
saving their houshold'-serVants, do sit there in councils; and, on Sun
day next do intend (as I hear) to croAvn the young queen. Whereof,
and of all other things, as the same shall succeed, I will advertise with
diligence, &c.

To the King's Majesty, 11th September, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that since the gover
nour's revolt, because I would not only feel his inclination towards
your majesty, and the accomplishment of his oath and promise, in and
for the performance of the treaties, or whether the cardinal and his
complices have any thing altered or changed him in that behalf; but
also, that I might the better know somewhat of their proceedings at
Stirling, I sent thither purposely your majesty's servant Henry Ray,
pursevant of Benvick, with such letters to the governour, as whereof I
send your majesty the copy here inclosed ; and such answer as the said
governour made thereunto, it may please your majesty to receive the
same hereAvith. And, by mouth; he bade the said Henry tell me, " That
he would do as much as in him was to observe the treaties, and more

£88 EMBASSY TO SCOTLANf) IN 1543.
than, he might he could not do." Whereby, and by such other things
as I do hear, I do perceive that the cardinal and his com plicCs both
!have and will do all they can to interrupt the peace, and to Avin the
goverrtour to their devotion, which is very facile" and easy to ;do now
that he is amongst them. And yet I am inform ed,. that he Would
gladly slip from them if he mighty and that they have a special; watch
upon him that he should not so do ; but if he do come to Edinburgh
shortly, as his said answer proporteth, I shall then know farther of his
intention, whereof I shall not fail to advertise your highness accord
ingly. Once the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, the lords Max
well and Somervail, and sir George Douglas, with divers othernoble-
men and gentlemen, their friends, as the lords Ogilvy, Gray, and
Glammis, &c. notwithstanding the governour's special letters, and also
the cardinal's and his complices letters, containing many fair words
and requests to them to come to Stirling to the coronation of the young
queen, would not come there, nor. do intend, as they say, to join or
agree Avith the governour, the cardinal, or his complices, unless they
•shall conform themselves to the accomplishment ofthe said "treaties.
And since the governour's revolt, the earl of Angus hath assembled
with him, at.his house of Douglas, the earls of Glencairn and Cassils,
the lords Maxwell and Somervail, the sheriff of Ayr, and laird Drum
lanrig, and have subscribed a. bond to abide firmly together, the, one to
take the others, part against .all men that will pur-sue or put at any of
them; which bond they have sent to divers other noblemen and gen
tlemen, their friends, to be likewise subscribed by them. And yester
day came hither to me the said lord Maxwell and Drumlanrig, from
the said earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, and lord Somervail, to
declare unto me the making of the said bond, and therewith to jequire
me to signify on their behalf to , your majesty, " That, notwithstanding
the governour's revolt, they Avere determined to. stick together firmly
to. your majesty, in such sort as either your highness should have the
treaties performed, or else they will be ready to serve your majesty,
according to. their promise, to the uttermost of their powers; wherein

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 289
their trust is, that your highness will assist them, without the which
they shall not be able to bear the malice of their enemies." And here
of the said lord Maxwell and Drumlanrig prayed me to advertise your
majesty on the behalf of all your highness's said friends, and to beseech
your grace to advertise them of your gracious pleasure, Avhat they shall
do that may be most agreeable to your highness, which, they say, they
will be ready to accomplish to the uttermost of their powers; and in
the mean season, they will keep themselves from the malice and dan
ger of all such as shall go about to annoy them by any means. This
they prayed me to advertise your majesty ou their behalfs, whereof they
desire your majesty's answer to all points, as soon as shall please your
highness. And as I do hear, the said earl of Angus, who is much
moved with the governour's revolt, doth keep a great company and as
sembly of noblemen and gentlemen about him at Douglas, and is as
suredly determined to remain and adhere firmly to your majesty to the
uttermost of his power, in such sort as he hath written unto me, whose
letters I have sent to your highness here inclosed, with also such other
letters as I received with the same from him and the ^aid earls of Cas
sils and Glencairn jointly together.
Finally, the young queen was crowned on Sunday last at Stirling,
with such solemnity as they do use in this country, which is not very
costly : And, as I do undestand, they have been about to chuse a coun
cil of the noblemen and clergy now assembled at Stirling, whereof to
be eight spiritual men, and eight temporal ; but they are not yet agreed
upon the same. Whereof, and all other things worthy your majesty's
knowledge, I shall not fail to advertise with all diligence, according to
my most bounden duty, &c.
vol. i. So

&)© EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 15th September, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I received your
tetters of the 9th of September, with the copies of such letters as the
king's majesty hath written to my lord of Suffolk, and to the lords and
others here, whom his majesty taketh to be Avell-minded to his high
ness, and the observation of the treaties. Which letters, addressed to
the saids lords here, I understand Avere delivered to the hands of sir
George Douglas, at Berwick, on Wednesday last, who, I think, will
see them convoyed accordingly: And, for my part, I shall not fail to
set forth the contents of the same, as I can, b}r any possible means,
have opportunity thereunto, according to the king's majesty's pleasure
and commandment, and to advertise your lordships how things go here
at this present.
The old queen-dowager of Scotland, the governour, the cardinal, the
earls of Huntley, Murray, Lennox, Argyle, and Bothwell, with others
their complices, do intend to be here at this town on Munday next, Of
Tuesday at thfe farthest ; and whilst they have been at Stirling, they
have chosen a council, by Avhom the goVernour shall be directed and
ordered in all the great affairs of this realm ; of which council the said
dowager shall be reputed as principal ; the rest are named to be the car
dinal, the archbishop of Glasgow, Avho is chancellour, the bishops of
Murray, Orkney, Galloway, and Dumblane, and the abbots of Paisley
and Cowper, of the spiritual sort; and of the temporality are named
the earls of Angus, Huntley, Argyle, Murray, Glencairn, Lennox,
Bothwell, and Marishal, whose counsel the governour is sworn to use,
and to be ordered by, in all the matters of the realm. And yesterday
the lord Fleming, and abbot of Paisley, were addressed to the earl of
Angus, from the said dowager, the governour, the cardinal, and their
complices, both to declare to him how he is chosen as one ofthe prin
cipal of the said council, and also to persAvade him and the rest ofthe
10

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 291
lords of his party, to conveen here at this town on Wednesday next,
as well for the componing of all contentions and variances within the
realm, as also for ordering of all matters with the king's majesty. But
Avhether the said earl of Angus and his partakers will come or not, un
less they may be assured that the treaties shall be fulfilled, it is uncer
tain ; and yet it is thought that he Avill not stick to come to this
town, because he may be here strong enough for the adverse party, if
they should conspire any displeasure towards him, or any the king's
majesty's friends, which, as far as I can learn, be determined to remain
firmly at the performance and observation of the treaties as much as
in them is. The lord Maxwell (being of opinion, that the cardinal
and whole nobility of this realm, will condescend to the accomplish
ment of the treaties in all points, rather than abide the extremities of
the wars) doth labour and desire this convention to be now had at
this town on Wednesday next, and will do as much as in him is to
bring it to pass ; the rather because, as is aforesaid, the said earl of
Angus and he, and others their partakers, may safely conveen with
their adverse party at this town without danger, and the sooner feel
their utter minds and inclinations towards the performance of the said
treaties, whereunto the- said lord Maxwell thinketh, by fair means and
perswasions, the whole nobility will be induced. This I knoAv most
certainly, that the lord MaxAvell laboureth as one that would most
gladly bring to pass that the treaties should be performed in quiet
manner, with the universal consent of the whole, realm ; and yet, if
the same cannot be brought to pass, he will remain himself, as far as I
can perceive, firmly with the rest of the king's majesty's friends here,
ready to serve his majesty, according to his promise.
If this convention take effect, which is laboured by all means that
may be, it will certainly appear within this seven-night, whether they
intend to perform the treaties or not : And if the cardinal and his
complices will not permit the same to be observed, I think, that then
the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, the lords Maxwell and So
mervail, with such other their friends as they can draw unto them,

292 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543."
willdisseATr themselves from the rest that shall be against the treaties,
and, like true gentlemen, will be ready to serve his majesty, according
to their promise, to the uttermost of their poAvers. But, to say mine
opinion, I see not how they be able (without the king's majesty's force
and power) to repress the malice of the adverse party, specially when
in this quarrel they shall not be sure of their own forces. Wherefore,
if in case of none-performance of the treaties, (whereof I have no
great hope,) the king's majesty shall be driven to extend his force, I
Avould wish that his majesty should send no less poAver to repress and
daunt the untruth of this nation, than as if his majesty had no friends
here at all, for there is none assurance to be made of their assistance ;
which I doubt not but his majesty and your lordships will weigh and
consider far otherwise and more deeply than my wit can arreach. And
to declare unto your lordships, why I have not hope of the perform
ance of the treaties, I have credible information, that neither the car
dinal, nor sundry other of his complices, as Huntley, Lennox, Argyle,
and Bothwell, and specially the holy kirk-men, can in no ways agree
that pledges should be laid in for performance ofthe marriage, nor yet
that the young queen should pass out of the realm before she attain
her lawfull age of marriage : Wherefore, it is thought, that if this con
vention do now take effect, they will make new practices and treaties
with the king's majesty, and to essay if they can induce his highness
to relent in any of the saids two points, or at least in one of them :
but within these six or seven days it will appear what they will do ;
and, in the. mean season, I will use all the means that possibly I can,
both to know mens affections here, and also sollicit an answer to such
letters as the king's majesty hath lately written to the earls of Angus,
Glencairn, and Cassils, with others his majesty's friends here, which I
cannot do so well as I would; because I know not how to get any op
portunity to speak with them, unless they come to this town : Where
in I shall, nevertheless, use all the good means I can.
Finally, I have received the king's majesty's letters, addressed to the
provost of this town, and also his highness's other letters to the pro-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 293
vost and all the inhabitants of the same ; by the copies of which, and
also by your lordship's said letters, I do perceive how much his majes
ty tendereth my surety, being one of the poorest and most simple of
his majesty's servants ; which his highness's princely clemency and
goodness ought, of reason and congruence, besides duty, to encourage
all men to serve. As for my part, I shall endeavour myself, without
regard of life, or other respect, to serve here, or elseAvhere, according to
my most bounden duty. The said letters I caused forthwith to be de
livered to the provost, who, as soon as he and his brethren had read
them, sent them to Stirling to the governour and the other lords there.
And yesterday the provost, and four of the chief of this town, came
hither to me, and offered me all the service and humanity they could
do for me, and prayed me to take all things past in good part, which,
from henceforth, they doubted not, I should perceive to be amended.
And the provost himself gave me thanks apart for the good report I
had given him to the king's majesty, and seemed to be very glad that
it pleased his majesty to remember him with his gracious letters of
thanks, Avhich, he said, he had not deserved. So that it seemeth to
me his highness's said letters have wrought some good effect in them ;
though, I assure your lordships, the common people of this town are
much offended with the sharpness of the same. Nevertheless, I trust
now, that (though for no love, yet for fear) they will let me be in
more quietness from henceforth, for the time it shall be the king's ma
jesty's pleasure to have me remain here ; and much the better, if they
might have their ships restored ; for the Avhich some of the most ho
nest sort do now require me to write-. * And in case I should tarry
any longer here, I would indeed be a most humble suitor to the king's
majesty, and you, my lords, for their delivery ; for else undoubtedly I
shall be sure, if I abide amongst them, to have displeasure and unquiet-
* Henry having apparently given up all hope of the treaty being accomplished, had*
with his usual impetuosity, seized and detained some Scottish trading ships, under pretence
of their being bound for France. This impolitic step furnished the subsequent Scottish,
parliament with a pretext for annulling the English treaty.

294 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
ness. Which it may please your good lordships to consider accordingly,.
&c.

This Letter folloioing is imperfect, the beginning thereof being lost; but
by that which remains of it, and by the Letters preceding and fol
lowing, it is clear that it should be placed immediately after the Let
ter last preceding.
######*### -pjjg p0Sj. was taken, as is aforesaid : I told
them, that the man that hath taken him, whose name is Patrick Hume,
hath not only put as many irons upon him as he is able to bear, as
though he were a strong thief and murderer, but also hath threatned
to hang him, with his letters about his neck, which I engrieved unto
them no less than indeed the nature and quality of the fault requireth;
which they prayed me to comport withall, and ascribe the same to the
disorder of the Borders, which, they said, did proceed of the rades, in,-
cursions, burnings, and spoils, daily made in Scotland by English-men.
But here I notified unto them again the like attempts done by the
Scottish in England, which I bade them persAvade themselves that
English-men would not sit still and behold unrevenged ; and if good
peace and quietness were not observed on the Borders, I told them the
difficulty thereof was in themselves. The cardinal prayed me to make
him understand how the default should be in them, Avhich I said I
would do, and so declared unto them, in order, their proceedings with
your majesty, since the decease of their late king ; and how that your
majesty thereupon, of your princely clemency, staid your sword, being
in open hostility with this realm, for most just and IaAvfull causes ; but
also, upon special zeal to the commonweal of both realms, was content
to commune and treat with them upon a peace and marriage, which they
have now concluded with your majesty, and for their part have ratified the
same, and also sworn to observe and perform the conditions, their none-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. %95
performance Avhereof, within the time limited by the treaties, I told them,
was the only cause of disorder in the Borders. The cardinal said again,
"That I knew the realm was divided, and that the greatest part ofthe
nobility of the same Avas not present, nor consenting to the conclusion
ofthe treaties, as they have been passed by private means, and by pri
vate councils not authorised by parliament ; not doubting but your
majesty Avas a prince of such wisdom and experience, as would rather
seek such direct means in the conclusion and perfection of the treaties,
as might be authentick and honourable to all intents and construc
tions, than by any private Avays, which could not stand nor be avail
able. And those noblemen, which be here present, minded no less to
satisfy and please your majesty, than the others Avhich had privately
treated and concluded with your highness in all things reasonable,
Standing with the honour and surety of their sovereign lady, and the
honour, liberty, and commonwealth of her realm." I answered, that
what private causes of variance and division they had among them
selves I could not tell ; but sure I was, they could not say with truth
and honour, that your majesty had treated privately with them ; for
they should not be able to, deny justly, but that their ambassadors
were addressed to your highness from time to time, fully instructed by
the Jhree estates of the realm in parliament ; and, by the same autho
rity, not only treated and concluded with your majesty, but also in
end, by the same authority, the treaties have been ratified ; and so
lemnly the governour, representing the state of the realm, in name
thereof, hath sworn to observe the same in all points, as by the books
thereof made and sealed with the great seal, and instruments thereup
on made by notars in authentick form, more plainly may appear to the
whole world ; Avhich, if they would perform and observe, should re
dound chiefly to their own wealth and benefit ; and if they listed to
vary or digress from the same, the dishonour should be theirs, beside
the inconvenience that would follow; and sure they might be not to,
obtain the like conditions again at your majesty's hand. The cardinal
replied, saying, " That he doubted not your majesty was a prince of

$96 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
such honour, as would press them to nothing that was contrary to the
wealth, honour, and liberty of the realm, and what they might do,
not repugnant to the same, to satisfy and please your majesty, they
Avould gladly do it. And in case for not granting to that Avhich can
not stand with the honour and liberty of this realm, your majesty
should prosecute your own kinswoman, being an infant, and spoil her
country and dominion, it could not stand with your honour." I told
him, he should not be judge of your majesty's honour; and bade him
assure himself, that as your highness had friendly proceeded Avith them
in such things as do undoubtedly tend to the advancement of the weal,
honour, and surety, of your majesty's pronept, and the commonweal
of her realm ; so your highness Avould not fail to prosecute" the in
terrupters of the same as her enemies, not regarding her honour, nor
the common wealth of her subjects. And in case they minded, to be
gin any new communication or treaty with your majesty, they shottfd
best declare themselves ; for they might be assured, that your majesty
Avould not relent in any point of those things which Avere passed
and concluded. And I told them, that Avhen I came hither, I durst
have laid my right hand, that your majesty would not have come, nor
condescended to such conditions, as now your highness, upon special
zeal to the rest and quietness of both realms, hath concluded. Where
fore, I advised them to consider the same like wise men, and either to
conform themselves out of hand to accomplish the treaties, or else to
declare plainly their utter minds in that behalf. The cardinal said
again, " That they did not send for me at this time upon purpose to
have talked any thing with me of this matter, saving that the same
came thus in question by way of communication. The occasion of
sending for me, was," he said, " the two causes aforesaid. And for
this great matter," he said, " that all the lords were not yet come, but
would be here very shortly ; and then, when they were assembled,
they would advise further upon the same, and do what should become
them towards your majesty, not offending the honour and liberty of
the realm." Which words of qualification they used always ; but what

EMBASSY TO'SCOTLAND IN 1543. J97
exposition they will make of the same I cannot tell. After this the
governour arose, and took me apart, and told me, " That those men
were very stiff against the treaties, but, for his part, he remained still
the man that he was, and, as much as lay in him, he would do for the
performance of the said treaties ; praying me to write, and to beseech
your majesty, not to conceive any evil opinion of him ; for he would
do all that he could, to the uttermost of his power, to please your ma
jesty." I told him, I was sure your majesty had once a very good opi
nion of him ; but I was uncertain what your highness had now con
ceived of him, upon his sudden revolt and departure from such noble
men as had all this while adhered unto him ; with whom, if he had
tarried, he might have wrought and enforced those men at his OAvn
will and pleasure. And, touching the treaties, he could not with his
honour digress from them, considering how largely he had said and
promised to your highness in that behalf. He assured me, " that it
lay not in him to perform the same ; but when the other lords should
come in, he would plainly declare his affection and good will in that
part, which was and should be of such sort as he had promised." And
here came the earl of Murray, and interrupted our communication ; so
that, as it seemed, they were loath that I should have over-long talk
with him, as indeed they do (now since they have him) use him like a
man of his wit ; and yet, as I perceive, be afraid that he should revolt
irom them. Thus I was forced to leave communication with him, and
so departed. Furthermore, likeas I wrote in my letters to the lords of
your majesty's council, that the lord Fleming and the abbot of Paisley
were sent to the earls of Angus, Cassils, and Glencairn, to perswade
them to a convention and meeting at this town ; so the said earls and
the lord Somervail have sent me word by James Douglas of Park-
hedge, not only that they have answered the said lord Fleming and
Abbot ; that, before they can grant to any such convention, it beho-
veth them to advise with other noblemen their friends, which dwell
on the other side of the Firth, in the North, and that done, will make
a resolute answer ; but also, that to-morrow the said earls of Angus,
vol. i. 2 P

298 .EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN I543i
Glencairn, Cassils, and the lords Maxwell and Somervail,- do intend to
meet all together at Douglas, my lord Angus's castle, where they will
first make answer to your majesty's letters lately written to- them;, and
also are determined, as. they have sent me word, to answer resolutely
to those lords Avhich be here, that they will come to no convention-,
nor commune with them, unless they will concur all together, in and
for the performance ofthe treaties, as your majesty shall perceive by a
letter here inclosed, Avhich the said lord Somervail wrote unto me;
whereby your highness shall also perceive his suit for his son, who mar
keth special labour to come home for a time upon.other pledges. The
lord Maxwell, nevertheless, laboureth.to have my lord Angus and the
other lords to come to this convention, upon a certain hope and trust
that he hath conceived, that if .they once meet all together, they shaH
agree to the performance of the treaties ; whereof. I can perceive no
likelyhood, and therefore I know not what he meaneth by his sollici
tation in that behalf. And this day he came to this town, and spoke
with the lords which be here, and departed hastily again without
speaking with me ; but sent me word, " that if I did well, I should
not be against the coming hither of the said earl of, Angus, and" the
other lords his partakers-;. for he trusted verily, that the same. should
be a mean to and for, the perfection ofthe treaties, Avhich, though they
should not be performed, yet the convention of all the lords, together
could do no hurt, for by the same it should appear who were, with .or
who against the. treaties,; and such as were against tbe same, the rest
might declare themselves their enemies : And there was no doubt but
that my lord of Angus and friends might be here in as good surety
and strength as in his own castle of Douglas." Thus the said lord
Maxwell sent me word ; so that whether this assembly and conven
tion, which he laboureth after,. this sort, shall take effect or not, I canr
not write the certainty ; but, asiaras I can perceive, there, is none of
my lord of Angus's party Avilling to it, but only the lord MaxwelL
What shall succeed thereof, and of all other things worthy your majesi
tg's knowledge, I will advertise with all diligence. Finally, it may

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 29$
please your majesty to receive herewith the letters of the provost and
burgesses of this town, answering as your grace lately wrote to them,
who now begin to use me more courteously ; and since they received
your majesty's letters, have made me a small present of wine, and in
words offered me great humanity, which I trust they will continue.
And thus, &c. POSTSCRIPT.
The earl of Huntley is arrived here ; so that where it was thought
that he was revolted from this party to the earl of Angus, the same
appeareth now to be untrue. But touching the earl of Lennox; as I
was closing up this letter, came to me one of his servants, and brought
me two letters from my lord of Glencairn, to be addressed, one to my
lady Margaret Douglas, and the other to myself; which two letters it
may please your majesty to receive here inclosed. And for credence,
he told me, " that the earl of Lennox, his master, had left the gover
nour and cardinal's party, and being hitherto noted a good French-man,
is noAv become a good English-man, and will bear his heart and ser
vice to your majesty ; and very shortly intendeth to dispatch a servant
of his to your highness, ' and to the said lady Margaret, with his full
mind in all behalf's." This was all his credence, whiGh I have also
thought meet to signify unto your .majesty, &c;*

* As soon as .the governor united himself to the cardinal, the latter, having no farther
use for the earl of Lennox, whose claims he had hitherto set in opposition to those of Ar
ran, began to treat that nobleman with such coldness and "neglect, that he, in resentment,
changed sides also ; and from being chief of the French faction, became almost the only
faithful adherent to that of England. There is in Hayne's State Papers, Vol.1, p. 18, a
letter from king Henry to Lennox, assuring him of his protection and friendship.

30Q EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 154S.

To the King's Majesty, Mth Septemher, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that yesterday, at three
of the clock afternoon, the queen-dowager of this realm, the gover
nour, the cardinal, and the other lords of that party which be here, as
the earls of Huntley, Murray, Argyle, Bothwell, and Montrose, the
lord Fleming, and others of that council, besides the bishops of Glas
gow, Murray, Orkney, &c. sent for me ; and at mine access, the cardi
nal, on the behalf of the rest, declared unto me, " that whereas there
hath now been passed, by treaty betwixt your majesty and the gover
nour, and other lords of this realm, a peace and contract of marriage,
in such sort as appeareth by the books and Avritings thereof made, and
also ratified and confirmed by the said governour ; which peace was
also proclaimed in both the realms, so as the merchants, subjects of
this realm, taking the same for good and perfect, did thereupon ad
venture their ships and goods to the sea, as they have been accustom
ed in time of peace. Nevertheless, contrary to the tenor and purport
of the said treaties, not only the ships and goods are taken in Eng
land, but also divers incurses, burnings, and spulzies, have been made
into Scotland, on the Borders, since the said peace proclaimed, as in
time of open war and hostility, to the great hurt and impoverishing
of the subjects : wherefore, supposing that I knew the cause of the
said ships, they desired me to declare the same, and also to put tb my
good will and helping hand for the restitution of them to the poor
merchants." I answered, that, touching the stay of the said ships, my
lord governour knew as much as I did of the cause thereof, which I
sheAved him immediately after they were staid ; and, as far as I knew,
they were staid for two causes ; one for that they were loaden with
victuals into France ; which, I told them, was contrary to the treaties,
for that the same would not bear that they should minister any kind
of aid to your majesty's enemies. And the other cause was, for that

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. SOI
such as were within the said ships did speak very slanderous, shame-
full, and despiteous words of the governour and other noblemen of the
realm. Which two causes, I told them, as far as I knew, were the first
occasion of the stay of the said ships. And touching the discord on
the Borders, I told them, the same proceeded on their party, and that
your majesty's subjects were first provoked by the manifold incurses
and attemptates done by their Borderers in England ; which I delated
in such sort as they could not well deny it. But for the stay of the
ships, the cardinal said, " the causes thereof by me declared were not
sufficient ; for as to the loading with victual, he understood perfectly
that they had no such loading, except it were fish, which," he said,
" is their common merchandize ; and he could not perceive by the
treaties, but that the merchants, being subjects of both realms, might
use their accustomed traffique Avith such merchandize as they have
been in use to transport to other countries. And as to the unseemly
words spoken of the governour, the punition thereof appertained to
him, and no cause why your majesty should stay the said ships and
goods." I answered, that if they well weighed and considered the
said treaties, they should facily perceive, that without offence of the
same, they might not transport victuals, nor minister any kind of aid
to such as were your majesty's enemies : And fish, I told them, could
not be denied, was victuals, and laden, as themselves confessed, in the
said ships to be transported into France, being in open hostility with
your majesty, which cannot be avoided, is a certain kind of aid mi-
nistred to your majesty's enemies, and therefore a lawfull and just cause
to stay the said ships ; requiring them to persuade themselves, that
your majesty would not have done the same, but upon such grounds
as your highness is able to justify and maintain. The cardinal praying
me to help to the restitution of the said ships and goods, left that mat
ter, and proceeded to another, saying, " That whereas the governour
for his part had ratified the treaties, and made his oath in my presence
to observe the same ; which treaties, so ratified and sealed with the

302 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
great seal of Scotland, were delivered unto me by force of my commisr
sion, and by me delivered again to the laird of Fyvie,* who took upon
him to convoy and deliver the same to your, majesty, and was purposely
¦sent to be present when your highness should ratify the said treaties,
and make your oath according to the proport ofthe same, your majes7
ty had not, nevertheless, for your part, ratified the said treaties, nor
(taken your oath as the same required." I answered, it was true, and
prayed them to weigh one thing Avith another. For the laird of Fyvie,
as the, governour, being present, knew, well enough, Avas not only sent
to receive your majesty's oath. and ratification, but,.also to sue, on the
governour's behalf, for a longer time and respite to be granted for the
performance of the conditions of the treaties ; whereunto your majes
ty had answered, that you would appoint no time certain, but percei
ving them to proceed faithfully, would be content to bear with them
for a small time. ,
And touching the ratification, forasmuch as the hostages were not
laid, which was the principal knot of the treaties, your majesty deferred
4t only upon that consideration. The cardinal then demanded of me,
" Whether, in case they should wholly conform themselves to the lay
ing ofthe hostages and accomplishment of the treaties, I were able to
promise on your majesty's behalf, that your majesty would accept the
same, and not only restore tlie said ships and goods, but also cause all
attemptates done on the Borders, since the time of the abstinence ta
ken, to be redressed: as for their part, they would do the semblable ;
for unless your majesty would so do, it Avere in vain," they said, " for
them to devise upon the perfection and accomplishment of the trea
ties." Whereunto I answered, that considering the time was past,
within the which they should have performed certain conditions of the
treaties, the first breach whereof hath proceeded of their party, and
» Sir George Meldrum of Fyvie was the deputy sent with the Scottish ratification of the
treaty of marriage and alliance to the court of England, and he was to have received that
cf Henry in exchange. But Henry, as the. cardinal here- complains, dismissed Fyvie' with*
out the counter-ratification.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. " 303
your highness thereby at liberty; and again considering what altera*
:tiou arises daily, among them ; I was not able to assure them on your
majesty's behalf, that your- highness would restore the said ships and
goods, or cause the said redress of all attemptates on the Borders to be
made, or yet accept their offer, if they would now conform themselves
to the accomplishment of the treaties; but knowing your majesty to
be specially affected to the weal of this realm,, and to the rest and trai>
quillity of both the realms, I supposed, that if your majesty might per
ceive them to proceed faithfully and honourably to the effectual exe
cution of the said treaties, according to the proport of the same, your
princely clemency Avas such, as I thought your highness would not on
ly accept the same, but also use toward them all such favour and gra
tuity, from time to • time, as the amity required; and semblably, I
thought, ¦ would' restore • the ships, and cause redress the attemptates
done on the Borders, they doing the like. This* I told them, was my
supposal, though I were not able, nor would, take upon me, to promise
the -same. The cardinal then required me, on the behalf of the rest, to
write unto your majesty, to know your gracious pleasure in that part.
I said I AVould, with good will, write at their desire; and therewith I
told them, they should do best to declare their utter minds, whether, in
case your majesty will grant it, they will indeed, concur all together, ,
and perform the treaties, to the intent I might also write the same un
to your majesty, which were a frank and plain manner of proceeding,
and the shortest way, in my poor opinion. They told me, " That the
matters were weighty, and they must needs have time to devise upon
the. same." But I answered; that I doubted not they had sufficiently
and Avith good deliberation devised thereupon, and, as I thought, it
could not be but that they were resolved what they would do in that
behalf. Nevertheless.! Gould get no more of them, but that they de
sired me to write unto your majesty, in. the, case afore expressed, and in
the mean season they would advise upon the matter, and declare their
resolution upon knowledge of your majesty's pleasure ; and so we broke
off communication ;, wherein also there was some question of.the.vahV-

304 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
dity of the treaties, which they alledged to be passed privately, and
not by public authority; and I replied to the contrary as my poor wit
would serve me, being assured, that before indifferent judges; I am
able to confute them in that behalf.
On Saturday last, at night, arrived here the lord Somervail, the she
riff of Ayr, and the laird of Drumlanrig, addressed hither from the earls
of Angus, Cassils, and Glencairn, the lord Maxwell, and sir George
Douglas, with letters and credence from them to the governour, cardi
nal, and others that be here, which contained in effect, that unless they
Would concur together, and perform the treaties concluded with your
majesty, the saids earls of Angus, Cassils, &c. would in no wise come
to any convention or communication with them, but would, for their
parts, stand to the accomplishment of the said treaties, as much as in
them was, as to the thing that the governour and three estates of the
realm had promised and concluded, which they took to be for the ho
nour and common weal of the same. And yesterday, after many high
words used on the part of the governour and cardinal, with their com
plices here, towards the earl of Angus and his partakers, as the said
lord Somervail hath declared unto me, the said governour and cardinal
have given ansAver, " That if the said earl of Angus and his partakers
will perform the conditions of the said treaties, and lay the first hos
tages of themselves and the prisoners, they will concur with them in
the rest accordingly ;" so, as the said lord Somervail telleth me, " If
your majesty Avill accept the most part, or the one half of your prison
ers for pledges at this time, there is no doubt," he saith, " but the trea
ties will be performed." I told him, that I was sure your majesty
would not accept any of the prisoners for pledges. In which case he
assured me again, " That then there is no other way but force to bring
them to it, and then your majesty must needs prepare for the wars,
which in that case Avould undoubtedly follow." And, furthermore, he
told me, " That the said earl of Angus, and other lords, your majesty's
friends here, had made answer unto your majesty's letters, lately ad
dressed unto them, which they intended to convoy unto your majesty

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 305
by the west Borders Avith all diligence." And, as far as I can perceive,
if trust may be given to their words and Avritings, they be determined,
for their parts, to keep their promises made to your majesty, and to ad
venture their lives in the maintenance and defence ofthe same.
Finally, when I was yesterday with the said dowager, the governour,
and the other lords here, I demanded the delivery of my post that was
taken, and my letters, according to their promise; which, notwith
standing that I had sundry times sent for unto them, they had not per
formed. And they answered me, " That the post was a soldier of Ber-
Avick, and one of them that had harried and stoln the goods of Patrick
Home, who therefore had taken him for a lawful prisoner ;" which I
defended, alledging, that though he were one of the garrison of Ber-
Avick, yet was he an ordinary post appointed to serve your majesty at
this time, and repairing to me with your grace's letters, ought not to
be in such Avays interrupted. As for my letters, they said, " they
should be forthwith sent unto me;" as, indeed, within an hour after,
they did send the same to me to my lodging; but Avhether I shall have
the post delivered or not I cannot tell. The letters being in a packet,
they had opened, and, as I have credible information, they have had
them in this town: these two or three days, which being in cypher, they
had kept the longer to prove their cunning in the decyphering of them,
which (as I credibly am informed) they could do. The packet con
tained nothing else, but a letter to me from my lord of Suffolk and my
lord Durham, [This that followeth should be in cypher.] with also a co
py of a letter addressed from your majesty to the earl of Angus, the
effect whereof I shall set forth to my possible power, as the case shall
require, with all the rest of your highness's affairs here, according to,
my most bounden duty, as knoweth our Lord, &c.
vol, i* So,

306 .EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1-543.

To my Lords ©/"Suffolk and Durham, 27th September, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
tAvo letters from you in cypher, one of the 22d, the other of the 23d of
September, which were brought unto me by Scottish-men ; not doubt
ing but ye have likewise received such letters as I lately Avrote to the
king's majesty ; by the which ye may perceive hoAV things go here./
which do remain still in such terms, as if the king's majesty will ac
cept four or three of such as be his highness's prisoners for hostages at
this time, and also will restore the ships and goods, and cause redress
to be made of the attemptates on the Borders; it is thought, that all
the nobility of the "realm will, in that ease, concur in the accomplish
ment of the treaties. Nevertheless the earl of Angus, and other lords
of his party, do still keep themselves at home, and will not convene
Avith those lords here, but intend, as I am informed, to be at this town
this day seven-night, with such a company and power, as if those lords
here will not be agreeable to perform the treaties, they shall of force
be compelled thereunto. Thus I am informed, and as it shall succeed
I will advertise accordingly. And whereas I lately wrote unto your
lordships, that I feared lest the letter had been intercepted which the
king's majesty wrote to the earl of Angus, whereof ye sent me the co
py in cypher; I am now certainly advertised, by letters from sir
George Douglas, that the same was safely delivered unto him untouch
ed at Coldingham, and by himself convoyed to the earl of Angus, to
his house of Douglas, who also hath already made answer of the same
to the king's majesty ; which answer sir George Douglas hath to con
voy by post, and Avill, as he hath Avritten to me, ride himself therewith
to Berwick, because he dare trust no other man to carry it. And also, as
far as I can perceive by his letters, he intendeth shortly to be with
your lordships ; for he hath prayed me to excuse him, that he came
not to you so soon as he would, the cause whereof was his late being

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 3Q7
in the west-land with the earl of Angus, and as yet he cannot ride^
for that he is somewhat accrazed as he hath written to me.
Finally, the cardinal hath made sundry means to me, to speak with
me at length, since he came hither, in so much as yesterday I spake
with him at the Black-friers in this town ; and, at our meeting, he
made me a long discourse altogether tending to his excuse and purga
tion in such things as he thought the king's majesty Avas offended with
him for ; " wherein/' he said, " he Avould justify that he had been mis-
reported, alledging, that there was no prince in the world whose fa
vour he desired so much as the king's majesty's, and no man in Scot
land should more willingly than he set forth all things to his majesty's
pleasure and contentation, not offending his duty of allegiance." And
promised to do as much as in him was, to bring the whole, nobility and
clergy of the realm to condescend and concur together, in and for the
performance of the treaties : Assuring your lordships, that in words he
shewed himself most desirous ofthe king's majesty's favours; but how
his deeds shall declare him hereafter, I cannot tell, &c.
POSTSCRIPT.
I received your letters of the 24th of September, with also a letter in'
cypher from the lords of the council, which appointeth unto me a very.
strange commission ; assuring your lordships, that it' cannot be but
very hard and dangerous for me, and all that be with me, to abide
here in a strange country amongst our enemies in time of open war
and hostility, where I can do no manner of service after the sort that I
am here : Wherefore I have now written again to my said lords of the
privy-council in that part, beseeching your lordships to cause my let
ters be convoyed to them with all diligence, &c

308 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the Lords qf his Majesty's Privy Council, 27th September, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that yesterday I re
ceived your letters of the 22d of September, by the which I do per
ceive, that the king's majesty minding suddenly to correct the folly
and untruth of those Scottish, f would be loth that I should be in any'
danger thereby ; and therefore would I should convoy myself to Temp
tallon, or some other place of strength belonging to his majesty's
friends here, wherein I might be sure from their malice, and advertise
his highness from time to time of as much knoAvledge as I can get.
Albeit no man alive shall with better will adventure himself than I
shall, Avithout respect of life, to serve his majesty; yet I beseech your
lordships to consider my estate here, and what service I shall be able
to do in time of open Avar and hostility, after the sort that I am here ;
assuring your lordships, I know not how it is possible for me to con
voy myself and my folks out of this town either to Temptallon or any
other place of strength : For I am secretly informed, that the inhabi
tants of this town will not suffer me to depart till they have their ships ;
and nightly there is a watch about mine house here, which I am made
believe is for my surety ; but it is told me secretly, that it is purpose
ly appointed to watch me, that I should not steal away in the night;
and yet if I might steal aAvay, being here reputed the king's ambassa
dor, whether it should be his highness's honour or not, your lordships
can much better weigh and consider than I. Surely, my lords, I have
been as ill treated here as ever was man, and in no little danger of my
life, although in time of peace.; and, therefore, ye may facilely conjec
ture, if I abide here, how I shall be handled in time of war: Not
doubting but, if it please the king's majesty to revoke me, in case the
t Henry was now preparing the fleet and army, which, under the earl of Hertford, burn
ed Leith and Edinburgh in the following spring.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 309
wars succeed, the nobility here, for their own honours, will see me
safely convoyed out of the realm, as, in such cases, ambassadors have
been used.
Finally, if I should honestly convoy myself to Temptallon, which is
almost thirty miles within Scotland, yet I assure your lordships, I see
not hoAv I could do any service to the king's majesty ; for, being so
shut up in a castle, neither could I get any manner of advertisement,
nor, though I might, could I have opportunity of messengers to con
voy the same through the country, the king's majesty having an army
in Scotland. Wherefore eftsoons I beseech your lordships to weigh my
poor condition, and consider what I am able to do after this sort, so as
I. may know certainly, by the next post, what the king's majesty's
pleasure is I should do, in case war or peace succeed, which I shall fol
low to the uttermost of my power. And thus, &c.

To my Lords qf Suffolk, and Durham, 30th September, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to'understand, that on Friday last,
the dowager, the cardinal, the earls of Huntley, Argyle, and Bothwel,
departed this tOAvn, over the Avater towards St Andrews ; and yesterday
the said Huntley and Argyle took their way homeward, viz. Huntley to
the north, and Argyle westwards ; the said dowager, cardinal, and the
earl Bothwel, remaining still at St Andrews. The earl of Murray went
not out of this town, but abideth still here. The governour, seeming
somewhat accrazed, abode here also, promising the cardinal assuredly
to come after to St Andrews : But some think he feigned himself sick,
because he Avould not go with them. And yesterday he passed to a
castle, four miles hence, called Dalkeith, where sir George Douglas
lieth, with whom he went purposely to commune; and this day the
said sir George sent me word, " That the governour would now, for
keeping of his promise, pass to St Andrews, and Avould not fail to re
turn hither on Wednesday or Thursday next ; and in case he could in-

310 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
duce the cardinal and his complices to come with him, to make an end
with the king's majesty in laying of the hostages and performance of
the treaties, he Avould bring them with him ; and if they would not,
he would leave them and come himself, to join with the earl of Angus
and rest of that party, which intend all to be here on Thursday next."
This the said sir George sent me word of, but he doubteth much if it
shall be performed. And this night the governour is at Linlithgow,
intending to-morrow to go over the water to the cardinal, Avho, at his
departing on Friday last, sent Rothesay, the Scottish herauld, to make
his hearty commendations to me, with gentle offers of his service to
his majesty, and all the pleasure he could do to me, and therewith also
to tell me, that he would be here again within four or five days. But
some men think, that, get he once into his castle of St Andrews, he
will not come here a good while.
Thus be all the great men now dispersed^ and when they shall be
together again I know not ; but the earl of Angus and his company
will be here, they say, on Thursday next, and the earl of Lennox with
them ; who, as I am informed, is noAV wholly at the devotion of my
lord of Angus ; which maketh me to think that the governour will not
be here; for Lennox and he, as I suppose, will, not be both of one
party. Other things I have not to advertise at this present, but would
be glad to hear some news from your lordships. And thus, &c.

To my Lords o/'Suffolk:, Parr, and Durham, 5th October, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
your letters ofthe 1st of October; upon the contents, whereof, according
to your lordships advertisement, I have communed with sir George
Douglas, who first touching the safe custody of the young queen of
Scotland, hath answered me, " That she is kept in the castle of Stir
ling by such noblemen as Avere appointed thereunto by the parliament,
and such as having the castle well furnished Avith ordinance and artil-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 311
leiy, will defend the same, and keep her so as he thinketh." The king's
majesty's friends here are not able to get the said young queen out of
the castle ; for they have no great pieces of ordinance Avherewith to be
siege the same. And besides that," he saith, " that if the barons,
W"hich have the custody of her, do perceive themselves unable to keep
and defend her in the said castle ; and if they shall perceive that any
man should go about to have her out of their hands, (Avhich could not
be so secretly wrought but they must needs have knoAvledge of it,
they being charged with her custody upon their lives and lands,)
might easily convoy her person out of the castle into the Highland,
Avhich is not far from Stirling, where it is not possible to come by her ;
and therefore he thinketh it vain to go about by force to remove her
out of the custody she is in. And yet," he told me, " that there was
a communication amongst such as were the king's majesty's friends
here about such a purpose ; which was, that if the king's majesty
would advance such a convenient sum of money unto them, where
with they might wage certain soldiers, they would besiege the cardi
nal in his castle of St Andrews, and also the castle of Stirling, to see
if they could get the cardinal into their hands, and also the possession
and custody ofthe young queen ; which purpose," he said, " they had
not resolved ; but now, at this assembly, Avhen all the lords of their
party are come hither, which be not yet arrived, he thought they
would commune further of the same. And as touching the strong
holds," he said, " it would be hard to come by them ; for such as
were in the hands of the adverse party, as Stirling, Edinburgh, and
Dunbar, were very strong, but what might be done with money and
reward, he could not tell ; for the captain of the castle of Edinburgh
is one of the Hamiltons, which," he said, " be all false and inconstant
of nature ; and therefore, he doubteth not, Avhat might be wrought
and practised with him for money," Avhicli he hath promised to essay
and prove as soon as he may conveniently. For the rest, I see not that
he hath any hope to attain them. This is the answer of the said sir
George to the points of your lordships said letters, which I have
n

312 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
thought meet to signify unto you ; and therewith also advertise yotr,
that yesternight arrived here the earl of Angus, the lords Maxwell and
Somervail, Avith whom, and also with the said sir George, I have this
day conferred upon the contents of the king's majesty's last letters,
which I received yesterday, containing his majesty's pleasure, not to
accept the treaties as they be now passed ; to have the governour and
cardinal delivered into his majesty's hands, or deprived ; to have a
council of twelve noble personages of this realm estabhshed, and also
eight others, to be authorised and appointed to have the custody of
the young queen, and those to be removed Avhich now be about her.
Upon which things, in such sort as is prescribed unto me by the king's
majesty's said letters, I have discoursed with the said earl of Angus,
lords MaxAvell and Somervail, and sir George Douglas,- Avhich seem
unto me not to mislike the king's majesty's advice in that part : but
they say, the governour, as they believe, Avill come unto them this
night or to-morrow, which if he do, they may not with their honours
lay hands upon him, but rather entertain him amongst them ; because
he hath yet the place and authority of the realm, though they intend
not to give any credit to whatsoever he saith. And, besides that, con
sidering that he is established governour by a parliament, and also
such as now have the custody of the young queen, appointed there •
unto by authority of the same ; neither may the governour be depri
ved, nor they discharged of that custody, but by a parliament again,
which, they say, will take a long time both for the summonance ofit,
and for such other things as thereunto be requisite. And as for the
cardinal, they wish that he were in the king's majesty's hands, so as
he might never more trouble this realm ; but now that he is in his
castle of St Andrews, which he hath made very strong, they think it
will be hard for them to come by him. And also, touching the alter
ation of the custody of the young queen, they seem to make it very
difficile ; and, in effect, did cast the same doubts therein which sir
George Douglas moA-ed unto me, as is afore expressed. Nevertheless,
they said, they would commune further of the same, and also of the-

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 313
other premisses, at the arrival here of the earls of Cassils and Glen
cairn, which be not yet arrived ; but, as is supposed, will be here this
night or to-morrow. Upon Avhose arrival they have promised me to
¦make their resolute answer to the king's majesty in that behalf, which
I shall not fail to advertise with diligence.
Finally, I see not that those lords which be already arrived here, nor
^ those which be to come, as the earls of Lennox, Cassils, Glencairn,
Rothes, and Marishal, the lords Gray, Glammis, and Ogilvy, who be
all the earl of Angus's friends and kinsmen, do bring any force or
number of men with them, but only their houshold servants ; as I
think they need not, for here is no man to resist them, the adverse
party being scattered, as I Avrote to you in my last letters ; and the go
vernour again, as I understand, will revolt to this party ; only the old
queen, the cardinal, and earl Bothwell, remain in the castle of St An
drews, whereof the people speak largely enough, because in the late
king his time, he had her in some jealousy for the overmuch familia
rity betwixt her and the cardinal. And thus, &c.

To my Lords of Suffolk, Parr, and Durham, 6th October, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that all the lords of the
earl of Angus's party are now arrived here ; and even now came to me
the lord Somervail, and told me, " That the earl of Lennox had recei
ved letters here this morning from Dumbarton, making mention, that
six French ships are landed there ; in the Avhich is a legate come from
the bishop of Rome, and an ambassador from the French king, with mo
ney, munition, and powder; * and James Stewart, who was heretofore
* These were, according to Lesly, Francis Contarini, patriarch of Venice, and legate of
pope Paul III., and from the French king, the Sieurs de la Broche, Menager, and Anerat,
who brought with them a large sum to be delivered to the earl of Lennox, whose apostacy
from the cause of France and Rome was not yet known to those powers. But Sadler else
where calls the legate Mark German ; and the earl of Arran, in a letter to the pope, calls him
Marcus Grymanus, patriarch of Aquileia.— Bishop Keith's History, p. 40.
A'OL. I. 2 R

314 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
sent by the said earl of Lennox into France for the said money and
munition, is now also arrived in the said ships, and wrote hither the
said letters, requiring the said earl of Lennox either to come himself,
or send his folks to Dumbarton/for to convoy the said legate and am
bassador to Glasgow. Whereupon the said earls of Lennox and Glen
cairn are both departed suddenly in all haste to the west seas, to get
into their hands the saids ships, money, and munition, to the intent to
keep the same from the possession of the adverse party." And the
said lord Somervail telleth me, " that the earl of Lennox will justly
excuse the same, and hath his mind so set on the marriage of the lady
Margaret Douglas, that he will not slip now from the party of the king's
majesty's friends here, notwithstanding the arrival of the said aid out
of France;" Avhich I can hardly believe. But what shall succeed there
of, I will advertise with diligence. POSTSCRIPT.
The earl of Cassils came to me, and told me, " that the said French
ships were not landed, and, as he thought, would not land their mo
ney and munition, till they should perceive and see how the same
might be employed for the purpose and benefit of France ; wherefore
he wished, if the king's majesty had any ships on the sea, that some
of them might repair with speed to the west seas, where they might
be sure to find the said French ships afore Dumbarton. Nevertheless,"
he saith, " the said earls of Lennox and Glencairn will do as much as
they can to cause the French-men land their money and munition at
Dumbarton, or some other place thereabout, within the strength of
the said earl of Lennox, Avho, the said earl of Cassils thinketh verily,
Avill keep promise with the earl of Angus, and hold a true part towards
the king's majesty ; Avhich he hath promised to do, and to spend all
the French gold, if he can get it into his hands, in such quarrel as the
said earl of Angus shall take in hand. This he saith ; but what he
Avill do, knoweth God. It is very like, that the coming of those
French ships will make a great change here ; and the said earl of Cas-
n

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 315
sils telleth me, " That the governour and cardinal had a secret informai
tion, that the king's majesty was preparing an army to invade Scot
land, which they do greatly suspect ; and" therefore they were once in
purpose to have addressed forth letters in all the parts of this realm, to
charge all men to be in readiness, and to repair to the Borders for de
fence against the 14th of this instant month." But the said earl of
Cassils telleth me, " that he heareth not that any such letters be yet
gone forth.'; Whereof, as I shall hear further, I will ad\rertise accord
ingly, &c.

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, lAtk October, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
from my lord of Suffolk and others, the king's majesty's council at Dar
lington, a copy of your lordships letters, addressed unto me the 6th of
October, the original whereof is, by all likelyhood, not Avritten in cy
pher, Avhich my said lords do keep, and have sent a copy of the same
in cypher for fear of interception, whereunto indeed it is very necessa
ry to have regard, for it is much ado to convoy letters safely in this
country. Upon the contents of your said letters, I have communed
with the earl of Angus and others, his majesty's friends here, in such
sort as is appointed unto me by your said letters ; and they say, they
Avill have regard to the execution of the same as they may to the ut
termost of their power. And, touching the governour's being at Dal
keith with sir George Douglas, the said sir George saith, " That the
governour came thither unto him upon trust ; so that unless he should
have betrayed him, he might not have stayed him. And likewise," he
said, "that the said governour hath sithence that time been upon trust
at this town with the earl of Angus and the other lords here, who
might have laid hands on him and kept him, if they would dishonour
themselves, which he trusteth the king's majesty will not require of
them." Also, I have spoken with the provost, and others of the most

316 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
substantious inhabitants of this town, both touching such English
ships and goods as be stayed here, notwithstanding their safe conduct,
and touching the restitution of their ships stayed in England, upon
the condition expressed in your said letters. For answer unto the
which tAvo points, they said, they would take advisement, and when
they had resolved, Avould repair again to me with their answers; Avhich,
as it shall be, I shall advertise unto your lordships. He that was late
provost, hath left the office at Michaelmass last; and sir Adam Otter-
burn, who hath been heretofore ambassador in England, is now cho
sen provost, who is noted to be of the cardinal's faction, and a great
enemy to the king's majesty's purposes ; and yet to me always he pre-
tendeth the contrary, alledging, " that such trouble as he had in the
late king's time here was for England's sake, because he was sus
pected to be over-good an English-man."
Finally, as touching the Falcon, and the other French ships of Diep,
specified in your said letters, which Avere chased into Montrose and
Dundee, here in Scotland, by the king's majesty's navy, I cannot hear
where they are become ; for in those parts they are not. The Falcon
Avas convoyed away out of the haven of Montrose three weeks ago, as
I am informed by the master of the ship, with the mariners and sol
diers, and departed to the seas, leaving- their captain behind them,
AA'ho is here in this town, affirming the same to be true ; and that he
knoweth not Avhere the said Falcon is become ; but I shall do the best
I can to learn the truth thereof; and, as I shall get knowledge of the
same, as also where her fellows are become, which were but. two small
-boats, I shall advertise accordingly. And thus, &c..

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 16th October, 15 A3.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
a copy, in cypher, of your letters of the 1 1th of October, containing
the king's majesty's pleasure how I should eftsoons confer Avith tte

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 317
earl of Angus, and the other lords of that party, upon such points as
I have heretofore communed Avith them. But forasmuch as the said
lords are noAv departed from this toAvn westwards, as I wrote in my
last letters to the king's majesty, it is not possible for me to have any
conference with them upon the same till they return ; for it behoveth
not me to ride abroad in this country, the wars being open, and so
many attemptates and great damages done to the Scots, as are daily
done on the Borders, Avhich doth so stir and incense the people here
against me and mine, that it is like enough, if the same form continue,
that I cannot remain here Avithout great danger. And therefore, if the
earl of Angus and sir George Douglas keep touch to me, I shall be con
voyed to Temptallon within those three or four days, unless the town
here Avill detain me perforce, which indeed be very loath I should de
part, because, as long as I am here, they be in hope to have their ships
restored. But I intend to make an experiment, whether they will de
tain me or not, as it is secretly informed me that indeed they will.
And now to the points of your lordships said letters, to be conferred
eftsoons Avith the said lords : First, Touching the obtaining of the
young queen into their hands ; they have told me plainly, at my last
conference Avith them, before the receipt of your said letters, that it is
not possible for them to get her perforce out of the castle of Stirling,
And, to say my poor opinion, whereas it is expressed in your lordships
said letters, that they might by policy accomplish the same, as by way
of licence to visit her in the said castle, in such sort as your said let
ters do purport. I cannot see how they can prevail that way; for her
guardiars, being all undoubtedly of the- adverse party, which do also
suspect and fear, that the earl of Angus, and other his majesty's friends,
intend to convoy her from them into England, will not suffer any of
that party to have entry into the castle, but in such sort as they may
themselves be masters ; nor they use not to suffer any of the nobles of
the realm to enter, but with one or two servants with him at the most,
saving only the dowager, who, by the parliament, is admitted to be
continually resident about her said daughter, Avith a certain number art

SIS EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
her pleasure ; so as I cannot perceive how they may win her into their
hands by any such policy.
Secondly, touching the strong-holds,- they said plainly, " That they
know not how to come by them ; for if they might," they say, " they
were mad men, if they would not take them into their hands, which is
one of the things they most principally desire ; and, so long as they
Avere here in this town, the captain of the castle here kept himself con
tinually within it, and Avas determined, if they had made any procla
mations, or put any thing in execution to the derogation of the gover
nour's authority, (which was suspected,) to have beaten them all out of
the town with shot of ordinance from the castle ; for the which pur
pose he had mounted and charged all the pieces within the same," as
the lords themselves told me. The castle of Dunbar is holden by a
stout man, who beareth none affection to England, and I think surely
he will not deliver it out of his hands, neither to the governour him
self, nor to no man else. And the said lords told me plainly, " They
were out of all hope to come by it." For Dumbarton, to say mine opi
nion, the earl of Lennox had as leif part Avith his right hand as with
it ; and I think if the same should be moved now unto him, it were
the next Avay to make him revolt to the adverse party, with the French
money and munition which he hath now gotten into his possession at
Dumbarton, within the said castle ; j" and, therefore, it were not amiss,
in my poor mind, not to be over hasty with him in that matter for a
while, till the king's majesty see whether the said earl of Lennox will
himself repair to his highness, or what they will further do towards
his majesty, according to their last writings.
Thirdly, touching the sending of any of the king's majesty's ships
for apprehension of the French ships at Dumbarton, now that the mo
ney and munition is landed, Avith also the legate and French ambassa
dor, and the ships brought into the haven, whereby that purpose is
f The money was delivered to Lennox by the French agent, who was ignorant of the
revolution which had transferred his allegiance to the English faction.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 319
disappointed, I need not therefore to have any treaty with the earl of
Cassils in that behalf.
And finally, touching the said legate, I see not that they intend to
detain him, or the French ambassador, or any of their train, as prison
ers, but rather to use them as ambassadors, with as much demeanour
and good entertainment as they can. And now that they have the
said money and munition in their hands, laid up into the castle of
Dumbarton, they Avill convoy the said ambassador to Glasgow, Avhere
they may use him with better entertainment than at Dumbarton. And
I am informed, the doAvager, governour, and cardinal, have sent strait
commandment to the earl of Lennox, to convoy the said legate and
ambassador to Stirling, with also the -money and munition ; but he
hath yet refused to accomplish the same: howbeit, it may be he Avill
send the legate and ambassador to Stirling; but for the money and
munition, it will be hard to get the same out of his hands, which I
think surely he will not so soon part withall. What shall succeed
hereof, I will not fail to advertise accordingly, &c.

To my Lords of Suffolk,. Parr, and Durham, 18th October, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that the French am
bassador, who lately arrived at Dumbarton, came on Tuesday night last
to Stirling, and the legate came thither afore them on Munday last;
whereby ye may perceive that the king's majesty's advice to the earl of
Glencairn to take the legate prisoner came too late ; for he was then,
and now is, sure among his friends at Stirling, where the dowager, go
vernour, and cardinal, and earl of Huntley, are all four lodged together
in the castle; because, as I am informed, they dare not ly in the town,
for fear of the earl of Angus and that party. Yesterday the said
French ambassador had access to the dowager and governour, but Avhat
is their legation I can get no certainty, although the same may be
right easily conjectured. But once the French money, which they

320 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
brought, is in the possession of the earl of Lennox, Avithin the castle of
Dumbarton, and also as much of the munition as could be gotten a
land in so short time. And the earls of Angus, Lennox, Glencairn, and
Cassils, with others of that party, be all at Glasgow, saving sir George
Douglas, who lieth very sick at a place called Pinky, within four miles
of this town : But what they have done since their meeting and as
sembly at GlasgoAv, or what they will do, I cannot tell ; for, since their
departure of this town, I have had no advertisement from them. And
since the revolt of the governour, I have lost a great commodity of
such espials as I had, which were ready to do me pleasure so long as
the governour was on our party. But now they dare not show them?
selves, but are slipt from me with their captain. More I cannot ad
vertise you at this time ; but, as I shall have any further matter wor
thy the writing, I shall not fail to signify the same Avith such diligence
as appertaineth. And thus, &c.

To the Lords of his Majesty s Privy Council, 25th October, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
your letters of the 19th of this present, by the Avhich I do perceive,
that the king's majesty doth not only someAvhat marvel that I would
put myself in such hazard, as to abide here behind the earl of Angus,
and the other lords of his majesty's party, when they departed out of
this toAvn westwards ; but also that his highness's pleasure is, consider
ing I can reside no where in more surety, nor where I may better serve
for his majesty's affairs, nor where the said lords do remain, that I
should therefore (if I might safely) repair unto the said earl, and signi
fy unto him, that the king's majesty hath commanded me to resort to
him, and therefore to require him to take order for my safe convey
ance accordingly. For answer whereunto, I assure your lordships, it
was much against my will to abide here behind the saids lords : For at
their being here, I prayed them most heartily, that either I might go

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 821
with them Avestwards, or else that it would please my lord of Angus
to lend me his house of Temptallon to ly in, and that I might be con
voyed thither, afore their departure out of this toAvn ; but they thought
it in no Avise convenient for me to go with them. Arid though, as I
could perceive, the earl of Angus had no great good will to let me ly
in his house of Temptallon, because the same is unfurnished, and al
most all the lodgings taken down to be new builded ; yet at the last,
rather than to take me with them westwards, he was content to lend
me Temptallon. But he said, " I might not remove thither, while
within five or six days after their departure out of this town; for the
house could no sooner be ready for me." And I pressed them that I
might go out of hand, Avhich they bade me then keep secret; for there
Was a certain muttering in the town, that I should not depart till they
had their ships restored. And they told me plainly, " That if the town
would detain me, they were not able perforce, with the small company
they had, to convoy me away but by stealth ; whereupon," they said,
" they Avould devise, and bade me keep secret."
As for my part, I kept it secret enough ; but what secrecy they used
I cannot tell ; for the next day the provost, and a great many of the
town, came to me, and said, " They understood I was afraid to tarry
here behind the lords, which they were sorry to hear, and it should cost
a thousand mens lives, or I, or any of mine, should suffer any displea
sure ;" Avith large offers of much humanity and gentleness ; whereof I
thanked them, and perswaded them to think, that it was for no fear
that I desired to be out of this town, but for mine own recreation^
But thus your lordships may perceive, that neither the lords, as I con
jecture, nor yet the town, were Avilling that I should depart. Never
theless my lord of Angus hath promised .me, that his house of Temp
tallon should be made ready for me, and that his brother George, with
in four or five days, should come to me, to convoy me thither; where
of I heard nothing since their departure. But I sent a servant of mine
to Temptallon, who brought me word, that the house Was. clearly un
furnished, both of bedding and all manner of houshold-stuff, and none
vol. i. 2 s +

322 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543-
to be bought nor hired, nor no manner of provision to be made there
of; nor of any kind of victual nearer than this town, which is twenty
miles off; so that I AVas fain to tarry here against my will : And yet
if I had not fallen sick of a fever Avhereof I am not yet recovered, I
had made such shift, as, unless the town here would have stopped me,
I had been at Temptallon or. this time. And as soon as I am able to
ride, I shall, with the grace of God, prepare myself thitherwards.
Yesternight the lord Maxwell, having been with the governour at
Linlithgow for private causes of his own, came hither to me, to whom
I declared; according to the continue of your said letters, that the
king's majesty's pleasure was, to have me reside Avhere the earl of An
gus and they of his party Avere abiding^ and therefore I prayed him
to convoy me thither. He answered me, " That the earl of Angus lay
at his castle of Douglas, and he and the rest of his majesty's friends
lay every man at his own house, twenty, thirty, and forty miles one
from • another, and the country was so broken, and so much robbing
and reaving, that he knew not where I might" ly in surety, to be ho
nestly furnished as appertained," except I might be lodged with the
earl of Angus in his castle of Douglas ; Avhich, he thought, Avas not so
well furnished as to lodge us both."* As indeed, formy part, I think
he would'be lCath to be impesched with me and 'my folks, -where he is
scantly furnished for himself, his wife, and family. Nevertheless the
said lord Maxwell hath promised to devise with the said earl of Angus,
because Temptallon is out of the way, to lodge me where I shall be
both in surety, and 'near to his majesty's friends; and this being de
termined, to convoy me thither accordingly.
The said lord Max av ell told -me further, " That since the earl of An
gus, the eari 'of Cassils, and the lord Somervail, parted out of this
town, they, with the earls of Lennox and Glencairn, had been toge
ther at Glasgow, and had communed of some things, but concluded
* It may be recollected, as some apology for the res angusta domi which is here intimated,
thai; Angus had but just returned from a long exile, during which his lands had been con
fiscated. 7.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 323
nothing. And the earl of Lennox," he saith, " desireth the marriage
of the earl of Angus's daughter, and government of this realm ; but he
will not be induced," as the lord Maxwell saith, " to repair towards his
majesty, till he shall know his highness's good mind towards him in
the said marriage and government; for, if he should repair to the
king's majesty," he saith, " he were sure to lose the French king, and
all his benefits in France, which he will not do, till he may see what
commodity or benefit he may receive at the king's majesty's hands.
And therefore," the said lord Maxwell told me, "that they concluded
upon nothing at their said convention at Glasgow, but are to meet
again at Douglas castle with my lord of Angus at this day, where they
will commune further upon all things ; and," as he thinketh, " they
will send the sheriff of Ayr, and the laird of Drumlanrig, to the king's
majesty, with their minds, and to know his grace's pleasure in all
things accordingly." Thus the lord Maxwell told me, adding further,
" That he hath no great confidence in the earl of Lennox ; for since
their being together at Glasgow," he saith, " the same Lennox hath
had sundry letters and messages from the dowager, cardinal, and Mon
sieur de la Brochey, the French ambassador, who remaineth with the
queen at Stirling ; and also the said Lennox hath been with them there
himself; but it is thought that they agreed not all the best." What
they should do, it is uncertain. And it is supposed, that the earl of
Lennox Avill hold in on both sides, till he may assuredly know and
perceive the king's majesty's good mind towards him in such things as
he desireth. The French money (which at the most, for all their brags,
is not past 30,000 crowns, as I am credibly informed) was addressed
hither to the old queen and the cardinal, to be divided by their discre
tion amongst the noblemen of this realm. And notwithstanding that
the earl of Lennox hath the money within the castle of Dumbarton,
yet the French ambassador hath his bond and obligation, as the said
lord Maxwell told me, for the delivery thereof to such as the said
queen and cardinal shall appoint.

324 . EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543/
Also, I understand the said La Brochey hath commission to bestOAV
yearly pensions amongst the noblemen here of the French king's libe
rality, and to make straiter and augment the amity and old leagues
between France, and Scotland, or to qualify the same, as for the chief
commodity of this realm shall be thought most expedient. The le
gate, as far as I can hear, cometh here with bulls, faculties, and par
dons, to get money. And some say, that, finding the people and coun
try here so wild, he wisheth himself at home again ; but now* as I am
informed, the cardinal and he both are departed from Stirling, and be
together within the castle of St Andrews. The governour lieth at Lin
lithgow, and, as it is thought, will be here in this town within these
three or four days.
Finally, The towns-men here, nor their provost, have, as yet, made
me no answer, touching the condition whereupon I promised them the
restitution of their ships, according to the proport of your lordships
said letters of the 6th of this present, nor they come never to me si-
thence; but, as I am informed, they be greatly offended with that
condition, and say, they will not only lose their ships and goods, with
out making any further suit of the same ; but also they will lose their
lives rather than grant that condition, and become traitors to their
own country. This, I am secretly informed, they murmur among
themselves ; but, notwithstanding they promised to make me an aa-
swer Avhat they would do in that behalf, they have hitherto made
me none, nor I have not thought meet to press them to the same. And
thus, &c. POSTSCRIPT.
John a Barton is not yet gone to the seas ; but, it is told me, that
as soon as the wind serveth, he will go with the Mary Willoughby,
and nine sail more, half merchants and half men of war, as well fur-
nisned of men and artillery as any ships that Avent from Scotland those
many years ; being determined, as I am informed, to accomplish their
voyage intended to Bourdeaux, or else to die rather than they will be
3

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 325
taken. And some say, that the said John a Barton will not go to the
seas at all, unless he have the king's majesty's safe conduct ; for ob
taining whereof he hath lately made some means unto me, and like
wise some other merchants here have made suit to me for safe-con
ducts ; assuring your lordships, that this town needeth none other
wrack, than to have their traffique thus taken from them by keeping
of the seas. So that if the king's majesty will appoint some of his
ships of Avar to ly upon those coasts to hold in the Scots that they sail
not out, within a little while it shall utterly beggar this town ; for
what Avith the loss of their ships and goods lately sustained, and again
with the keeping of the seas with men of war, so that they dare not,.
make any adventure, they do already complain exceedingly, &c.

To the Lords qf his Majesty's Privy Council, 30th October, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that since my last
letters addressed to your lordships, I have had no matter worthy the
writing to advertise. But noAv be arrived at this town the lord Max
well and the sheriff of Ayr, which have been with me, and told me,
that they, with the earls of Angus, Glencairn, and Cassils, the lord So
mervail and sir George Douglas, had. been together, and kept their
convention and meeting at Douglas-castle on Thursday last, according
to their appointment ; but the earl of Lennox broke his promise in
that part, and came not there, Avhich moved the said earls and lords to
have no great trust nor confidence in him ; for he hath been at Stir
ling with the queen, the cardinal, and French ambassador, and also he
is in commission with them, appointed by the French king, for distri
bution of the French money and munition amongst the noblemen of
this realm, and also to limit and bestow yearly pensions among them
by their discretions. Howbeit the said Lennox sent to the earl of An
gus, and others of that party, at their being together at- Douglas, to
excuse his absence, and to assure them, that he would perform' all that

326 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
he had promised. But what he will do they cannot tell. Wherefore
they have ordained the lord Somervail to repair in post to the king's
majesty Avith their minds, and to know his majesty's mind again in all
things accordingly. For Avhieh purpose, I think he will depart Avith
all diligence, as your lordships will better perceive by such letters' as
he wrote unto me, which I send you here inclosed. The French am
bassador, who remaineth still with the queen at Stirling, practiseth and
laboureth by all the means he can, to interrupt the marriage between
the young queen of Scotland and my lord prince's grace, and to won
all noblemen here to the devotion of France, and to -make division and
extreme Avars between those two realms ; for the maintenance where
of, is promised by the said ambassador, on the French king's behalfj
whatsoever aid they will require against the next year, besides great
rewards and yearly pensions, as is aforesaid ; which things the said
dowager and cardinal do advance and set forth by all the means they
can ; and also they labour to set an unity and agreement between the
governour and earl of Lennox, the rather to join them together on
the French party. Assuring your lordships, that, as far as I can see,
the whole body of the realm is inclined to France ; for they do consi
der and say, that France requireth nothing of them but friendship, and
would they should continue and maintain the honour and liberty of
their realm, which of themselves they naturally do coA'et and desire;
France, they say, hath always aided them with money and munition,
as now they have promised more largely by that which they have
¦brought. Whereas, on the other side, England, they say, seeketh no
thing else but to bring them to subjection, and to have superiority and
•dominion over them ; which universally they do so detest and abhor,
.as, in my poor opinion, they will never be brought into it but by force.
And though such noblemen as pretend to be the king's majesty's friends
here, could be contented, as they say, that his majesty had the supe
riority of this realm ; yet, I assure your lordships, to say as I think,
there is not one of them that hath two servants or friends that is of
Abe same mind, or that would take their parts in that behalf Marry

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 327
I think, Avlien they shall perceive themselves unable to resist the king's
majesty's power, very fear (which I call force) shall enforce them to
yield to that thing, which they will never do; if they shall find them
selves able to' make their part good.
Thus I have thought good to signify unto your lordships what I do
now by continuance here perceive of the affection of this nation;
Avhich your lordships can much better weigh and consider than I, and,
with the grace of God, thereafter provide for it. Finally, The provost,
and* sundry other merchants of this town, yesterday came unto me,
and said, they understood that the lord Somervail Avas now appointed
to depart towards the king's majesty, Avherefore they intended also to
send some honest personage to his grace to sue on their behalfs for the
restitution of their ships, praying me to write in their favours. And I
put them in remembrance Avhat I had said to them before on the king's
majesty 's*behalf, and upon what condition his majesty will restore unto
them their saids ships and goods; Avhereunto,T told them, they had pro
mised to make me answer, which, I said, I daily looked for. They told
me, that the man, Avhom they Avould now dispatch to the king's ma
jesty Avith their letters and requests-, should have also credit and com
mission from them to declare unto his highness their mind and reso
lution in that behalf ; and they desired of me that I would Avrite fa
vourably for them. I said, I would be glad to do them all the plea
sure I could, as noAV I beseech your lordships to be good unto them in
their reasonable suits ; the rather for that I have found much gratuity
at their hands ever since his majesty wrote unto them, which it may
please you to consider accordingly.
Sir George Douglas being at Leith, sent to me, and desired me to
take mine horse and ride out of this town into the fields to speak with
him, which I did ;- and at our meeting, he told me as much in effect
touching the earl of Lennox and the French practices, as is before spe
cified, and also ofthe dispatch of the lord Somervail- to the king's ma
jesty, saying, " that he will accompany the said lord Somervail to Dar
lington, because himself will speak with my lord of Suffolk^ botho

328 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
touching such things as the said lord Somervail hath in charge, as al
so for the Border matters, Avherein he complaineth much of the da
mage done daily to such as," he saith, " be the king's majesty's
friends.''* He told me also, " that the dowager and cardinal intend
ed to send the Lyon, being one of the late king of Scots ships, into
France, with a special dispatch thither ; for she is noAV a rigging for
that purpose, but will not yet be ready to depart. And," he saith, " he
Will advertise me assuredly Avhen she shall depart, to the intent I may
give knoAvledge thereof in time, if it shall please the king's majesty to
take order for her apprehension." And also, he said, " that the French
ships which brought hither this money and munition, might easily be
apprehended, if his majesty Avould send some of his ships for that pur
pose into the Avest seas here. The said French ships," he telleth me,
" do ly upon the coast afore Dumbarton, two or three miles into the
seas. They be in number seven, and the greatest of thern^ not past
nine score, or two hundred, which, notwithstanding they have landed
the legate and the ambassador with the money and munition, yet,"
he saith, " the ships, men, and artillery, that is in them, Avere a good
booty ; and he thinketh, if the king's majesty would send his own
navy into the west seas here unto Dumbarton for the apprehension of
them, he might surely have them."
Furthermore, the said sir George Douglas told me, " That his bro
ther the earl of Angus and he had devised upon my removing out of
this town, and could find no place so meet and proper for me as Temp
tallon ; for in the Avest parts of this realm I could be no Avhere lodged
but in an open town, Avhere I might not remain in surety, the country
being so broken as it is, and yet I should be twenty miles from my
lord of Angus, and as far, or farther, from the rest of his majesty's
friends. And at Temptallon," he saith, " I shall be in surety, and
* In the correspondence between the council and sir Ealph Evers, which may be found
jn Hayne's State Papers, strict orders are given not to spare the friends of sir George Dou
glas in the incursions on the middle and east marches, as it was suspected that he only
meant .to strengthen and secure himself without affording effectual assistance to England,

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 32Q
within twelve miles of him where he lieth ; and also, in forty-eight
hours, I may always send, and have Avoid again from my lord of An
gus ; and as the case shall require," he saith, " Ave may meet and com
mune together from time to time, by appointment, upon such things
as shall occur." So that he hath resolved with me, that I shall go to
Temptallon as soon as the house can be furnished and made ready for
me ; Avhich I shall do with the grace of God, who preserve your lord
ships, &c.

To the Lords of his Majesty s Privy Council, 6th November, 15 A3, from
Temptallon. *
It may like your good lordships to understand, that yesterday, as I
was to depart out of Edinburgh to this house of Temptallon, arrived
with me one Sanford, a kinsman of Mr Wharton's, and brought me
your letters of the 27th of October, with also a copy of your letters to
Mr Wharton. Upon the contents whereof the said Sanford told me,
" that he, and one Appleby, being sent by Mr Wharton, had, accord
ing to their instructions, not finding me with the earl of Angus, con
ferred with the said earl only, because none of the other lords were
with him, and such answer as the said earl made unto him, he would
dispatch forthwith by the said Appleby, not doubting but your lord-

* Tantallon, or Temptallon castle, a place of'proverBial strength, is situated about two
miles from North Berwick, in East Lothian, on a cliff overhanging the sea. Its ruins shew its
extent and consequence. When Tantallon was built is uncertain ; but it seems always to have
been a strong-hold of the Douglas family. When James V. expelled from his kingdom the
earl of Angus and his friends, Tantallon held out against his arms for some time ; and was
not reduced till Angus, who had fled into England, was only admitted there upon. condi
tion of that castle being rendered. Upon the return of Angus, and the recal of his forfei
ture, Tantallon was again occupied by his retainers, and now served for a place of refuge
tq Sadler, after his joyful release from his precarious situation in Edinburgh. The circum
stances of Angus, so lately an exile and fugitive, must make some apology forthe miserable
accommodation afforded to- the English ambassador.
VOL. I. 2 T

330 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
ships shall receive the same before the arrival of those my letters. And
Avhat the said earl of Angus, and other the king s majesty's friends,
will do, upon the apprehension of the lords Maxwell and Somervail,
Avhich ought to move and stir them (if they be able) to revenge it, I
cannot tell. But afore, they told me plainly, that they were not able
to do such things as the king's majesty required of them, neither to
apprehend the governour nor the cardinal, nor yet to get the young
queen into their hands. Assuring your lordships, that, as far as I can
perceive now, they have enough ado to save themselves out of the
danger of their enemies, and much less be they able to seek their ad
verse party within their bounds and strengths, as also I think the ad
verse party unable to seek them within their bounds and strengths :
and in the field ye may be sure they will never meet ; at least, for my
part, I think they may well discord and chide, but I will never believe
that they will fight, till I see it, what brags soever they make upon
the same. And surely, my lords, to say mine opinion, if it shall please
God to send his majesty the accomplishment of his gracious. and god
ly purposes here, it must proceed, first, with the Avill and pleasure of
God, and then Avith the king's majesty's own force and poAver ; for. here
there is none aid of these men wherein I would wish his majesty
should trust : For though the earl of Angus, and the rest of that side,
be all well dedicate to the king's majesty, as they pretend ; yet, consi
dering the malice of this nation towards England, which they would
in no wise should have any superiority or dominion over them ; I see
not, that the said earls, and others of that side, can be sure almost of
their own servants in that quarrel.* So that, I think, it must be the
fear ofthe king's majesty's force which must make them yield to that,
which they Avould never do, if they could find themselves able to re
sist it. This I have touched afore to your lordships, and now write it

* This was probably the reason of their extreme reluctance to allow sir Ralph to go
with them to the western counties, where they purposed to collect their followers. His pre
sence would have been odious even to their own retainers.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 331
again ; because whosoever had continued here in my place so long as
I have been here, though hejiad but half an eye, might easily see it.
The lord Somervail is removed out of the castle of Edinburgh to the
.Blackness, and the lord Maxwell remaineth still, who, some men think,
was taken by his own consent ; which, if it be true, declareth him a
most unfaithfull man ; and though it be not true, yet both he and So
mervail used much folly to put themselves in such danger, as to come
so slenderly furnished Avithin the bounds and strength of their ene
mies. For the castle of Edinburgh is in the governour's hands, and
the tOAvn also, say what they will, is wholly at the cardinal's devotion.
Whether the earl of Angus, and others of that party, will send any
other to the king's majesty in place of the lord Somervail or not, I can
not tell. But sir George Douglas hath sent me word, " that he will
forthwith repair to Darlington to my lord of Suffolk, to advertise him
of all such things as the said lord Somervail had in charge, to the in
tent he may signify the same to the king's highness accordingly." The
parliament is appointed at Edinburgh by the governour and that side,
to begin in the beginning of December, which the earl of Angus and
his side mindeth to impeach, as they say, by all the means they can ;
and, as far as I can perceive, the earl of Lennox is revolted from the
earl of Angus, by the great persAvasions of the dowager and the cardi
nal, who do labour by all the means they can to make him and the
governour friends. And it is said, to please them both, the governour
shall continue Still in that place, and the earl of Lennox shall be made
lieutenant-general throughout the whole realm ; Avhich, it is thought,
shall be established at their parliament. But what shall follow, God
knoweth. As I shall perceive things to occur worthy advertisement,
I shall not fail to signify the same with such diligence as the case shall
require. The captain of this castle of Temptallon, who being yesterday with
me at Edinburgh, and tarried there behind me for certain business,
came hither this morning, and told me, that the governour, cardinal,
and earl BbthAvell, came yesternight to Edinburgh ; as indeed the go-

332 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
vernour hath been coming thither those ten or twelve days; and, as I
was informed credibly, deferred and put ff his coming because I was
in the toAvn, as now it appeareth to be true : For as soon as I Avas de
parted yesterday from thence, their officers came thither to make pro
vision for them.
Finally, whereas I perceive that the-king's majesty Avould have me
resident where the earl of Angus and other lords of that party be ; it
is told me, that it is not possible for me to be among them ; for in
their houses I cannot be, the same being so evil furnished as scarcely
doth serve themselves, and no toAvn is near them where I may either
be in surety, or have any honest kind of furniture. Wherefore, I am
desired to remain here at Temptallon ; which, though it be but easily
furnished, and slender lodging in it, yet I assure you it is of such
strength, as I need not fear the malice of mine enemies; and therefore
do think myself now to be out of danger.

To my Lords qf Suffolk and Durham, 7th November, 15A3.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that this morning I
received a letter from the laird of Brunstoun, the copy whereof I have
sent you in cypher here inclosed ; by the which ye may perceive what
game is now like to begin in this country, and what is to be looked
for at our enemies hands. And, to verify the said Brunstoun's letter,
I have also this morning credible advertisement, that the governour
hath this night taken the castle of Dalkeith, belonging to the earl of
Morton, Avho is a Douglas ; and sir George Douglas's son, who is heir_
to the earl of Morton, being in the castle, got himself into a dungeon
of the same castle, Avhere he yet is, and keepeth the same dungeon
against the governour.* But without rescues he cannot long hold it ;
* This is the first exploit ofthe famous earl of Morton, aftenvards regent. It seems not
to have been known to his biographer Godscroft. Dalkeith castle, into the donjon, or prin
cipal tower of which, he now retreated, afterwards, from being his chief residence, was
called the Lion's Den.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 333
for he is unfurnished both of victuals and artillery. And also, I am in
formed, that the cardinal hafch said plainly, that it shall cost him life,
but he will drive all the Douglasses, with their friends and partakers,
out of this realm, or destroy them. It is also told me, that the go
vernour and cardinal have devised to beset and stop all the Avays and
passages to and from the house of Temptallon, because no letters or
messengers shall come or go from me unsearched ; aud therefore I
doubt much, whether this letter, or any other that I shall write, shall
be safely convoyed. I shall, nevertheless, adventure the intercep
tion of my letters, Avhich, being in Cypher, can give them little ad
vantage. And as I may have matter worth the writing, and com
modity of Scottish bearers, I will Avrite from time to time accordingly
&c. POSTSCRIPT.
Oliver Sinclair * lieth at a little house, within two miles here of Temp
tallon, with threescore horsemen, as I am informed, to ly in Avait to catch
up me or some of my servants, if we stray too far out of the bounds of
this castle ; which, if he should do, he thinketh he should be the bet
ter able to redeem his pledge, and pay his ransom to the king's majes
ty ; whereof I am credibly informed by honest gentlemen, being my
lord of Angus's kinsmen and servants, which dwell hereabouts, and
came purposely to me to give me warning of the same, praying me that I
would not walk, nor Suffer none of mine to go too far out of the bounds
of the castle.

* When the earl of Angus, his friends, and followers, were banished by James V. Oliver
-Sinclair was placed as governor in Temptallon castle.

334 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

m
To my Lords of Suffolk and Durham, 8th November, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that I have received
your letters of the 4th of November; by the which ye require' me to
advertise you Avhat succeedeth of the taking of the lords Maxwell and
.Somervail, and also where sir George Douglas is, not doubting but by
such letters as I have lately written, since my coming hither, to the
lords of the council above, of the 6th of November, and also by such
as I have written to your lordships of the 7th of the same, ye do per
ceive as much as I can yet advertise of those affairs. And, as I am ad
vertised, sir George Douglas was at Berwick on Tuesday last ; and
therefore I think, or this time, he is with your lordships. Also, this
morning I am credibly advertised, that the governour sent a good
number of men to besiege a house of sir George Douglas's, called
Pinky ; and as yet, as far as I can hear, the said sir George Douglas's
son holdeth the dungeon of the castle of Dalkeith against the gover
nour.* And it is said, that James Douglas ofthe Parkhedge., and Alex
ander Drummond, whicli be two hardy gentlemen belonging to the
earl of Angus and sir George Douglas, be also within the said dun
geon. Assuring your lordships, that if they were furnished with artil
lery, they would soon beat their enemies from the siege, or if they
have victual, it is thought they will defend the said dungeon till they
may have reseue of their friends : but still they are besieged, and daily
the country about resorteth to the siege by the governour's command-

f Sir George Douglas of Pittendriech had two sons; David, who succeeded his uncle as
eighth earl of Angus, and James, who became earl of Morton and regent of Scotland. Da
vid was inactive in his habits, and sickly in his person ; but James had all the ambition and
talent of the great family whence he sprung. It was he that defended the donjon, or great
tower, of Dalkeith against the governor. In the next letter he is called master of Morton ;
a title given him in right of his wife, who was daughter of the earl of Morton-
James Douglas of Parkhedge (Parkhead), mentioned a little lower, was an illegitimate
son of sir George Douglas, and a brother consequently of Morton.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 335
ment. I can yet hear nothing what the earl of Angus intendeth to
do, saving that he, with the earl of Cassils and Glencairn, and the she
riff of Ayr, were assembled to devise how to proceed to the revenge of
these injuries done to their friends. And Avhat shall succeed thereof,
and all other things here, as I can get knowledge, I will advertise ac
cordingly, &c.

To my Lords of Suffolk and Durham, 10^A JSlovember, 1543.
It may like your good lordships to understand, that yesterday, in
the morning, came hither to Temptallon the master of Morton, sir
George Douglas's son, who told me, " That he had rendred the castle
of Dalkeith to the governour by appointment, conditionally that he
and all his friends within the house might remove and depart, Avith all
their goods and baggage safely untouched; which," he saith, " he was
of force constrained to do, because he was utterly unfurnished both of
victuals and artillery wherewith to defend the castle. And after he
had rendred it," he saith, " he had communication with the governour,
who wished that the earl of Angus and his brother would be true
Scottish-men, and leave their affection to England, in Avhich case he
would do for them, and esteem them above all the rest ofthe noble
men in Scotland." And the said master of Morton answering, " That
he knew well they had never failed in their duty of allegiance to their
sovereign lady; and so long as they did nothing prejudicial to the
realm, nor against the weal of the same, he thought they could not be
enemies to England, having received such benefit as they had done at
the king's majesty's hands." The governour replied, " That he would
all the world were enemies to England, for he knew well he was the
man the king's majesty loved worst of all men alive." Whereunto the
master of Morton saith he answered, " That if so was, he was himself
the cause thereof; for of late he knew that the king's majesty loved
and esteemed him as well as he did any nobleman in Scotland ; and if

336 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. ,
he had observed his faith and promise to the king s majesty, he m ight
have been sure to have had both his favour, and also great honour by
the same." The governour replied again, and said, " the king's majes
ty had broken Avith them first, in taking of their merchant ships and
goods in the time of peace, and therefore he might justly break with
him again." Then he told the said master of Morton, '' h6w the
earls of Angus, Cassils, and Glencairn, the lord Maxwell, sir George
Douglas, and the sheriff of Ayr, had dispatched the lord Somervail
with letters and writings to the king's majesty ; which letters, he said,
were intercepted with the said lord Somervail, being about him Avhen
he was taken, and do contain no less than high treason ; for that by
the same it may appear, that the said earls and lords intended to prac
tise Avith the king's majesty to the great mischief and confusion of this
realm. And besides that," he said, "there was certain credence in the
said letters committed to the lord Somervail, which he Avould gladly
know ; but he could in no Avise cause the said lord Somervail Confess
the same." This communication, in effect, the said master of Morton
told me that he had with the governour;- " Avho," he saith, '.'is, by the
perswasions of the cardinal, earnestly bent against England, and will,
if he can, destroy and put down all such noblemen and others Avithin
the realm as do favour the same." Also, I am informed, that they have
taken sir George Douglas's house of Pinky, and the abbot of Dunferm-
ling hath the possession ofthe same.
I hear nothing yet Avhat the earl of Angus and his partakers will do ;
nor yet can I learn certainly what part the earl of Lennox Avilladhere
unto: but there is a saying, that -the governour and he will not be
both of one party; and yet much labour is made to make them friends.
And it is said, that the cardinal hath devised to divorce the governour
from his Avife, to the intent to make a marriage betwixt him and the
dowager, and then also to make a contract betwixt the young queen
and the earl of Lennox, who '.shall be made lieutenant-general of Scot
land, and use the authority ; and the governour shall bear only the
name of that office,; and have a Certain yearly stipend for the same j
11

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 337
and so they shall be friends, and join together on one party with
France against England. Such sayings I hear, which whether they be
true or not I cannot tell ; but sure I am, that the cardinal and the
doAvager would gladly make the said governour and Lennox friends,
and also procure as many friends as they can to adhere to the French
party. Whereof as I shall hear further, and what shall succeed of all
this business, I will advertise as I may have commodity of bearers.
Finally, the laird of Brunstoun sent me word, " that he Avould glad
ly have come hither to me, but he durst not for fear of suspicion."
And also he sent me word, " that he thought, if it might please the
king's majesty, to extend a piece of his liberality to the sheriff , of Ayr,
who may and will do his majesty good service, it should not be amiss
bestowed." And he prayed me to remember the same when I wrote
next to court, &c.

To the Earl of Arran, 11 th November, 15 A3.
MY LORD,
I have received your letters of the 1 Oth of November, perceiving by
the same, that ye understand I daily receive and direct writings pri
vately to and from sundry great and small men within this realm, and
send thereupon advertisement to the king's majesty, being both very
suspicious and hurtfull to the commonwealth of the same, now stand
ing the Avars between both realms, and is of such weight and import
ance as may not be permitted. Wherefore, your desire is, if my com
mission do continue, that I address me unto you, to declare my charge,
and receive my answer thereupon ; or else if the same be expired, ye
say, ye are constrained, by my strange behaviour and practices, to pray
and also charge me to depart forth of this realm with diligence. For
ansAver Avhereunto, it may like you to be advertised, that whatsoever
ye understand of my strange behaviour and practices, the truth is, I
know the same to be such as from no part of mine of-
vol. i. 2 u

338 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
fice, nor yet have I received or Avritten any otlier letters to or from
any great or small men within this realm, than I would your lordship
and whole realm were privy unto. And touching my commission, the
same endureth till it shall please the king's majesty to revoke me. And
also, standing such division in this realm, and such changes and alter
ations as I daily see chancing amongst you, I know not to whom I
may repair, either to declare the king's majesty's mind, or to receive.
mine answer upon the same, till I shall know his majesty's pleasure ;
Avhich known, I shall not fail to address myself for the execution there
of accordingly. And thus the Lord have you in his keeping. From
Temptallon, the 11th of November. Your-lordship's,
Ralph Sadler...

To the Lords of his Majesty's Privy Council, 1 3th November, 1543*
It may like' your good lordships to understand, that yesterday the
laird of Brunstoun came hither to me, and told me, " that the gover
nour, by the procurement and instigation of the cardinal, is utterly
determined to have the wars in England ; for the maintenance where
of is promised unto them by La Brochey, the French ambassador here,
that they shall have six thousand soldiers out of Denmark, in the
French king's wages, whieh shalt be set on land in England or Scotland,
as the said governour and cardinal shall appoint; and also, that they;
shall have money of the said French king to wage, ten thousand Scot
tishmen, with all the aid and help both by sea and land that they will
desire ; which maketh them so high and soproud, that," as the said Brun
stoun told me, "the cardinal said unto him, that the king's majesty.
should not have that honour to begin the wars with them, for they
would begin the same to his hands* And all such as were his majes
ty's friends here, as the earl of Angus and all the Douglasses, the earls
of Glencairn and Cassils, the sheriff of Ayr, and the laird of Drumlan-
7„

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 339
rig, with all their partakers, the said governour and cardinal said to
Brunstoun, they should either be chased out of this' realm into Eng
land, or put into holds, or else they should fight for it or it be long."
Also, the said Brunstoun told ^me, " That the governour was very
extreme against the lord Somervail, because he would not confess what
credence he had to the king's majesty from the earl of Angus and
other lords of that party, now Avhen he Avas appointed by them to go
into England, insomuch," as the said Brunstoun thinketh, "they will
put the said lord Somervail unto tortures to make him confess his said
credence." And because here Avas a saying, that the. lord Maxwell
should be taken with his own will and consent, the said Brunstoun
telleth me, " that he enquired the same at the governour, who affirm
ed and sware that it was not so ; and that ihe said lord Maxwell was
undoubtedly taken against his will, and had no knowledge before of
the same, as he trusted to have more of them ere it were long."
Furthermore, the said Brunstoun told me, " that since the sheriff df
Ayr sticketh so fast to his majesty's party here, and ean do good ser
vice, it should be-Avell done for me to write in his favours, for he want-
eth money ;" as, I think, so do all the rest of his highness's friends
here, or else I trow they would not sit so still, being their friends daily
pursued by the adverse party. Likewise, he prayed me to advertise,
that John a Barton, who is esteemed a principal man of the town of
Leith, is much dedicate to the king's majesty, and having certain goods
in France, he was minded to have gone thither with five or six ships,
whereof he thinketh the Mary Willoughby is one, which he hath had
long in readiness for that purpose. But the said Brunstoun told me,
that by his advice and counsel the said John a Barton tarrieth himself
at home, and hath sent forth the said ships to pass into France for his
said goods, which, if he once had at home, the said Brunstoun saith,
he would no more use any trade that way, but altogether into Eng
land. Finally, the said Brunstoun told me, that he would write himself
to the king's majesty both in that behalf, and also of such news and

340 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
occurrents as be here, and also dispatch an messenger to his highness'
Avith the same by post.
The governour and cardinal are now gone over the, Avater of Forth
into Fife and Angus, as it is thought, to do some exploit on the north-
land lords, as the earl of Rothes, the lords Gray, Ogilvy, and Glammis ;
and if they can, either by force or policy, to win and reconcile the said
lords from the devotion of the earl of Angus, which some men think
will be hard to do ; and yet men do marvel much that the earl of An
gus doth sit so still and suffer, which is a mean to encourage his ene
mies, and cause his friends fall from him. Assuring your lordships,
that the cause of his still sitting Avith the rest of his majesty's friends,
as far as I can see, is only lack of money ; Avho, if they had money,
'might wage men enough to take their parts in their own private quar
rels. Wherefore, I would wish the king's majesty, having been already
at some charges Avith them, to bestow a little more amongst them ;
and if they may be forced to try the matter, and debate it by the
sword among themselves, they shall be the more easy for us to deal
withall the next year, which I doubt not your lordships will consider
as appertained^ &c. POSTSCRIPT.
Whereas the governour hath lately given me charge, either to repair
unto him to receive mine answer, or else to depart this realm with di
ligence, as by his letters, which I sent unto the king's majesty, may
appear; I have thought good to remember your lordships, that if it
shall please his majesty thereupon to appoint me any charge or com
mission Avherewith to repair to the governour, your lordships may be
sure, that Avhen I shall be once within his bounds, he will not suffer
me to return again to this castle of Temptallon, but rather Avill dis
patch me the next way into England. Wherefore, if the king's majes
ty shall have dispatched any other commission to me in that behalf,
before these letters arrive Avith your lordships, I intend to forbear the
execution of the same till I shall have further answer. Assuring your

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 341
lordships, that the said governour is much offended with my being
here ; aud undoubtedly the earl of Angus hath lost many hearts in this
realm for the same ; and it is universally spoken, that he hath rendred
his house to the English-men, for the which they do much detest
him. Such is the malice of this nation towards English-men. Never
theless, I may remain here in this house in surety, maugre the gover
nour and all his partakers, as long as shall please the king's majesty.
And though the passage by land be stopped, his highness may send
hither by sea, maugre all Scotland, the earl of Angus being our friend,
as undoubtedly I think him to be, &c...

To my Lord of An gus, 15th November, 1543.
h MY VERY GOOD LORD, .
After my most hearty commendations, I have received your writings
by your servant John Douglas, and do right well perceive by the same
your intent and towardness to show yourself like a man of honour in
this busy time, not doubting but God Avill give you the upper hand of
your adverse party. And before the receipt of your said letters, I had
written to the king's majesty as much in effect as your lordship desi
red, and noAv have written again, looking for answer shortly, accord
ing to your own request. Signifying further unto your lordship, that
the governour, on Sunday last, sent an herauld unto me with letters,
charging me either to repair to him to receive mine answer, or else to
depart this realm. Whereby ye may perceive, that he would fain have
me at home, and yet not so fain as I Avould myself, if it so please the
king's majesty. But so long as it is his highness's pleasure to have me
remain in this country, your lordship being my good lord, I may well ,
sit and abide an charge more of the governour, having so good a house
over my head as this is, where I think neither he nor the cardinal will
seek me to do me any great displeasure for disobeying of their charge
And thus, &c-

342 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

From theLairdqf Brunstoun* toSir Ralph Sadler, 16th November,
15 A3.
MY LORD,
After my most hearty commendations, this present shall be to ex
cuse me to your lordship, that I have been so long un writing to your
lordship ; for the time is so dangerous, that I may not at all times as I
would. Wherefore, I pray your lordship in like case,, that I may be
excused to the king's majesty, and to thank his highness, on my be
half, of his gentle letter, which it hath pleased his highness to send to
me ; the contents whereof I shall not fail to fulfil so far as God will
give me grace. Howbeit, as your lordship knows, I cannot get letters
carried so oft as I would ; nevertheless your lordshjp shall perceive, that
I shall lack no good will. With such conclusions, as, are made in this
parliament, I shall write his grace an answer of his.grace's letter. And
as concerning John a Barton, as I shew your .lordship, I have caused
him remain at home, as I. have written already to his highness : I will
answer upon mine honour, that there -shall .be no man in.Scot.land more
desirous to further his majesty's godly purpose than he shall be. His
ships have been divers times on the sea, and by contrary winds are ay
returned, and as yet are in readiness to depart. And. to the effect that
none of his ships stir ofthe king's lieges in their way, I cause this ser
vant of mine, bearer. hereof, to pass with them. Wherefore it will
please your lordship to be so good lord to him, as to let him have, a
letter of your lordship, that in case he go a-land; in any part, for, re
freshing of victuals, that no man do him harm, and that they be used
as the king's majesty's friends and servants. There is no novels here

* Crjchton, laird of Brunstoun, was a keen reformer, and consequently a friend to the Eng
lish interest. He is mentioned frequently in Knox's history, particularly as narrowly escap-
ving from the cardinal's soldiers, when the famous -George Wishart was made prisoner.

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND rN 1543. 343
to write to your lordship for the present, but such as I have given this
bearer in charge to shew to your lordship. It is believed that my lord
of Angus will come in to the parliament, and sends the sheriff of Ayr
and laird of Drumlanrig (which are looked for this Saturday) to dress
his way. The earl Bothwell and the bishop of Murray have been this
Friday in the castle, and hath spoken with the lord Maxwell, and I
am afraid that, by his means, they draw in my lord of Angus, by
George : Wherefore, I think good it were, that ye advertised George,
and in like case that he take better heed to himself than he doth where
he is now ; for they will do him displeasure, if they can, through the
lord Home. I wot your lordship knoweth how they intend to sum
mon him for treason, which I suppose shall be a great part of it that
shall be done at this parliament, if they make not four regents as was
before. I will not trouble your lordship with a longer letter : The
bearer Avill shew your lordship all other things at more length, to
whom it will please your lordship to give credence. If there be
any pleasure or service your lordship would I did, let me know, and
it shall be done at the uttermost of my poAver, as knoweth God,
who mot haA'e your lordship in his keeping. From Musselburgh,
this Saturday in the morning, by your lordship's assured friend and
servant. POSTSCRIPT.
Praying your lordship, if ye have any novels of late, tb let me know
some of them by this bearer, and to have me heartily recommended to
Mr Aevery, Good it is that your lordship be circumspect in sending
of letters, for the ways are straitly keeped. When your lordship hath
seen these other letters, close them within another letter, and send me.
them again.

3-44 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.

To the King's Majesty, 16th November, 1 543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that where it pleased the
same to commend this bearer, Mr Richardson, unto the governour
here, who, before his revolt from your majesty, the rather for your ma
jesty's commendatipn, was content to accept and receive him, and also
maintained him and others in the setting forth and true preaching of
the word of God, which the said Mr Richardson hath done very ho
nestly and diligently according to his vocation, so long as he might be
permitted and suffered to do the same. Forasmuch now as the said
governour, who was before a supporter of good preachers, and seemed
desirous to advance the true doctrine of Christ, is now (through the
counsel and perswasion of the cardinal, for whom he hath forsaken
both God and man) become a persecutor of the same ; * the said Mr
Richardson is therefore forced to fly this country for fear of persecu
tion ; the cardinal's malice, which hoav reigneth, being such towards
him, (not only for his preaching, but also for his zeal and affection to-
England,) as the poor man is not able to abide the same here without
danger of his life. Wherefore he hath required me to commend him,
again unto your majesty, which I could not refuse, the rather for that
I know him to be sincerely addict to your majesty, and most willing
to serve the same, as in some things I have proved him here; and
surely have found him both faithfull and diligent, and most desirous,

* When the governour reconciled himself with the cardinal, he abjured the doctrines of
the Reformation, and banished the preachers whom he had formerly countenanced and
maintained near his person. This Richardson seems to be the person formerly called sir
Robert Richardson : this title given to priests was renounced by such of them as became
reformers. Mill, a Scottish priest, who was converted to the reformed doctrines, at his trial
for heresy, refused the title of sir Walter, saying, he had been one of the pope's knights
over long. 11

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 345
after his poAver, to do whatsoever might tend to the pleasure and con
tentation of your majesty. ' And thus, &e.

To (Sir Ralph Sadler, 18th November, 1543.
Right honourable and my very good lord, after my most hearty
commendations, please it your lordship, I am stopped in my purpose
in my coming to Edinburgh at this time, by my great friends advice,
the which we will supersede as yet for further reasons, as I am coun
selled to ; and hereafter, as shortly as I may, ye shall know all my
whole purpose and mind in all our proceedings : not doubting but ye
know my brother's whole mind and purpose in all affairs, as knoweth
God, who have you in his keeping. At Douglas, the 1 8th of Novem
ber, by your assured friend, Archibald, Earl of Angus*

To the King's Majesty, 26ih November, 1543.
Please it your royal majesty to understand, that I have received cer>-
tain advertisements from the laird of Brunstoun, who sheweth himself
most desirous to do such service as might be acceptable to your majes*-
ty ; and, except there be no truth in Scottishmen, undoubtedly mind-
eth the same in his heart to the uttermost of his power. Which said ¦
advertisement I send unto your majesty in cypher, here inclosed, as
the said laird of Brunstoun required me to do, to the intent your high
ness might thereby perceive both his good will and diligence to adver
tise your majesty of the occurrents here ; and also, how the governour
and cardinal do proceed against your majesty's friends here, wherein
now they triumph, and let not to take their opportunity as the time
serveth them, in such sort as your majesty shall perceive by the said
vol. i. 2 x

346 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1549.
laird of Brunstoun's advertisements. And whatsoever it shall please
your majesty to command me thereupon, I shall most willingly accom
plish the same according to my most bounden duty, as knoweth the
Lord, who, &c.

To my Lord of Suffolk, 29th November, 1543.
Please it your grace to understand, that yesternight I received a let
ter from Berwick, from my servant Walter Brage, whom I lately sent
unto your grajce for money. By the which letter, I perceive that ye
willed him to declare unto roe, that the king's majesty's pleasure is, I
should forthwith repair to my lord of Angus, and the rest of the lords
his highness's, friends, wheresoever they do ly, to. the intent to remain
always where they be, for the better service of the king's majesty. For
answer whereunto, I assure your grace, there is no man living that
shall Avith better Avill do that thing, whereby his grace may be best
served, than I shall, whereunto I am most bounden ; but this country
standing in such terms as it doth, I am not able to do his majesty the
service here- that, my poor heart would. And as to repair forthwith to
my lord of Angus, and the other lords the king's majesty's friends, and
to remain with them wheresoever they ly ^ it is not possible for me to
be with them: all, for they are not all together, but twenty and thirty
miles sundry one from another., And as the country is broken, I can
not travel through the same towards them in surety, and forthwith I
cannot go for lack of conduct : assuring your grace, that being this
country in sjach garboil as it is,. I would be loath to adventure to go to
my lord of Angus, with any conduct that he Avould appoint me, unless
the king's pleasure be that I shall so do. And furthermore, I am cre
dibly advertised, that there is no place for me to ly in near the earl of
Angus, or any of the rest oi hia majesty's friends, by sixteen or twen
ty miles ; and yet the same must be in an open town, where I must be
amongst such a malicious sort of people, to my no little danger, as, so
n

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 347
God help me, I had lever be among the Turks ; for in my lord of An
gus's house, where he is, I cannot be, being the same (as I am credibly
informed) in such ruin, as he hath there scant one chamber for himself
and my lady his wife. And likewise my lords of Cassils and Glencairn,
Avhich dwell twenty miles asunder, and almost thirty miles from my
lord of Angus, be not so Avell housed as they can spare me any lod
ging. Finally, if my said lord of Angus, and the other lords his majesty's
friends should, as it is thought they will shortly repair to Edinburgh
or to Leith, now at the parliament time, then should I be nearer unto
them here at Temptallon than where they now be, unless I should be
a rider Avith them up and down the country, like a man of Avar, as they
do ; Avhich, for my part, I could be well content to do ; but, in my
poor opinion, it Avere not expedient; for I assure your grace, if I should
so do, it should not only be dangerous to me but also to them ; for it
would make the whole realm to detest them, and cause their whole
friends to leave and forsake them, as undoubtedly many of their friends
do already slip from them, only because they be noted good English
men. And my lord of Angus is principally hated, because I do ly here
in his castle of Temptallon : So that, as far as I can perceive yet, for
any thing that they do hitherto, both my lord of Angus and the rest
of his majesty's friends, shall have enough ado to keep themselves out
of the danger of their enemies, which daily do catch up some of them,
as they may come by them.
Thus have I thought good to signify unto your grace, which it may
please you, if ye so think good, to advertise unto the court, to be there
considered. And Avhatsoever shall be the king's majesty's pleasure that
I shall do thereupon, I shall not fail to accomplish the same to the ut
termost of my power, according to my most bounden duty. And thus,
&c

648 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
POSTSCRIPT.
I have received a letter from the earl of Angus, the copy whereof I
have sent you in cypher, here inclosed. And I would wish, that if the
said earl will, like a man, step in time to the revenge of the injuries
which the governour, by the instigation and procurement of the cardi
nal, hath now done to the said earl and his friends, that in that case
he should not lack the king's majesty's aid and assistance to the same;
without the which, surely he, with the rest of his majesty's friends,
shall scant be able to resist the malice of the adverse party ; for the
governour hath three hundred men in wages, found unto him by the
kirk men, besides his OAvn band ; and all the great men of that party
ready to assist him at all times with their powers, wherewithall ye may
be sure the clergy will bear also to the uttermost of their poAvers. And
the hope which they have of the aid that is promised by the French
ambassador here, to come unto them out of France, hath made them
so high, that they seem little to esteem the force of the king's majes
ty. And, first, they have begun with his majesty's friends here, in
tending, if they can, to destroy them ; as surely I think, without the
king's majesty's help, they will be put to a great afterdale.
And, touching my lord Somervail's son and heir, a second son of the
same lord Somervail hath been with me since his father was taken, and
desired, that I would find the means to get home his brother to revenge
his father's apprehension, &c.

To my Lord of Suffolk, 12th December, 15A3,from Berwick.
Please it your grace to understand, that on Saturday night last I re
ceived your grace's letters containing my revocation, and such other
letters and copies in cypher as your grace addressed unto me with the
same. And also I received at the same instant a letter from Mr Dou-
¦*

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 349
glas, making mention, that whatsoever day I Avould appoint him, he
would come to me to Temptallon, and convoy me surely to this town
of Berwick; as indeed, according to mine appointment, he came yes
terday to me, Avith an honest company of gentlemen and their trains,
to the number of four hundred horses or thereabouts, and hath very
friendly, this day, brought me hither in safety.
Likewise, came yesterday to me James Douglas of the Parkhedge
from my lords of Angus, Cassils, and Glencairn, Ai-ith letters of cre
dence from them, both to the said sir George and also to me. And,
for his credence, he declared unto us, " that the saids earls of Angus,
Cassils, and Glencairn, the master of MaxAvell, the sheriff of Ayr, and
the laird of Drumlanrig, were now once again assembled together at
Douglas, and have devised among themselves how to proceed against
their enemies, to do them all the annoyance they can devise : where
in," the said James declareth, " that the earl of Lennox will assuredly
join with them. And also," he saith, " that the earls of Argyle and
Murray have partly promised to join with them ; for both the same
earls, and also some other barons of the realm, seem to be greatly of
fended with the governour and cardinal, for the apprehension and de
taining in ward of such ancient barons as they have lately taken; with
out calling them to their trial ; and specially because they were taken
only by the advice and procurement of the cardinal, without the coun
sel and consent of the noblemen ofthe realm." So that it is thought
that they agree not all the best at this parliament, the assembly and
number whereof consisteth chiefly in the kirk-men ; and, as is afore
said, the said James Douglas declareth, " that the said earls of Angus,
Glencairn, and Cassils, do believe verily, that the said earls of Argyle
and Murray will fall from the governour, and adhere to them." For
the which purpose, there was an appointment of a meeting yesterday
betwixt the same earls of Argyle and Murray, and the earl of Cassils
and sheriff of Ayr, but how they have agreed I cannot tell : And in
case they do agree and join all together, they have determined, as the

350 EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543.
said James saith, to extend their power to the deprivation of tlie go
vernour, and putting down of the cardinal, and will chuse the earls
of Angus, Lennox, Huntley, and Argyle, to be four regents of the
realm. And in case the said earls of Argyle and Murray will not be
induced to their devotion, they will nevertheless use forthwith all their
force and poAver to the annoyance of their enemies ; intending to take
into their hands, for the beginning, the abbot of Paisley, and to burn
the governour's toAvn of Hamilton ; and to seek all other ways and
means they can to be revenged upon such injuries as the governour
and cardinal hath lately done unto them and their friends, trusting to
assemble such force and power as they shall be able to be masters of
the fields. For the execution whereof, they say, they want nothing
but money, which is the chief instrument they must work Avithall ;
and therefore, they have sent the said James Douglas to the said sir
George for the money which Avas sent to this town for that purpose ;
and also they have written a letter to your grace, which I send inclo-i
sed in this packet. Wherefore the said sir George Douglas desireth
your grace to advertise your pleasure, whether the money shall be sent
to them, and how the same shall be distributed, which requireth speed ;
for till they have money, they can do little or nothing but defend
themselves. And if they Avill do as they say and promise, I would wish
they should Avant no aid of the king's majesty. And, finally, the said
James Douglas told me, " that the said earls of Angus, Glencairn, and
Cassils, thought my being at Temptallon to be to small purpose ; and
wished that the king's majesty would revoke me, and command me to
ly at Carlile, where, they say, that I should be nearer unto them by
twelve or sixteen miles than I Avas at Temptallon ; and all the country
betwixt Carlile and Douglas is theirs and their friends ; so that they
might ahvays send and write to me without danger, to make me parti
cipant of all their proceedings, and know the king's majesty's, pleasure
again upon the same." If my revocation may stand them in any stead,,
they are now satisfied in that behalf; and for the rest, I am ready to

EMBASSY TO SCOTLAND IN 1543. 351
do whatsoever pleaseth the king's majesty, according to my most bound
en duty.
These things I have thought meet to signify unto your grace by
post, specially because of the money-matter, and I shall not fail to wait
upon your grace myself on Saturday night, Avith the grace of God, Avho
preserve, &c.

FITTED ACCOMPT

Of THE

EXPENCES OF SOMERSETS EXPEDITION,
Imo EDWARD VI.

VOL. t. 2 tf

The death of Henry did not, as is well known, abate the indignation ofthe English for
breaking off the match which he had devised between his son and the heiress qf Scot
land. King Henry had bequeathed his eagerness for the marriage, and his resent
ment against those who opposed it, as a legacy to the councils qf his son. Accord
ingly, the war between the nations was prosecuted with vigour by the lord protector
Somerset, who, in 1547, invaded Scotland at the head qf a gallant army, routed the
Scottish forces in the bloody and decisive battle of Pinky, conquered all the eastern
parts of Scotland on the south qf Forth, excepting the castle of Edinburgh, and re
tired into England, having hardly lost an hundred men.
In this memorable expedition, sir Ralph Sadler was treasurer-general to the army, and
the following abstract of his accounts is given from the original as matter qf interest
and historical curiosity.

FITTED ACCOMPT, #c..

The Kinges Maiesties moost Royall Army against Scotland, undre the
ledinge qf the Right Highe and Mightie Prince ihe Duke of So
merset, Lord-Protector, in anno regni regis Edwardi vjtU primo.
The declaracion of the accompte of sir Rauffe Sadler, knight, whome
our most dread sovereigne lorde kinge Edwarde the Sixte, by the advise
of the lorde protector's grace and others of his maiesties moost hono
rable counsaille, in the first yere of his highnes reigne, did name and
appointe to be high-treasoror of his maiesties armye foragainst Scot
land, under the leadinge of the right highe and mightie prince Ed
warde, duke of Somersett, governor of the kinges maiesties moost roiall
personne, and protector of all his realmes, domynions, and subiects :
That is to saie, as well of all suche sqmmes of the kinges maiesties trea
sure, by hym or any his deputies recevid towardes the furniture ofthe
kinges said army, as also of the deburcing and payment of the same
treasure diverse waies, aboute the chardges ofthe kinges maiesties said.
armye, from the first daie of August untill the xxth daie of Novembre,
in the yere aforesaide, as appereth by diverse warrants signed by the
saide lorde protector, and by dyverse other warrantes and lettres, sign
ed by the right honorable the erle of Warwick, lieutenant to the same
lorde protector, whiche have ben perused and examyned by vertue of a
commyssion undre the greate seale of Englande, directed to certayne
4.

356 FITTED ACCOMPT OF THE EXPENCES
commissioners for the havinge and determynacion of the said accompte.
The tenor wherof hereafter ensueth : Edwarde the Sixte, by the grace
of God kinge of England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith,
and in earth of the church of England, and also of Irelande the supreme
hedd ; To our right trustie and wel beloved counsailler the lorde Seint
John, knight of our order, and grete master of our housholde, and to
our trustie and wel beloved counsailler sir Thomas Moile, and sir Wal
ter Mildemay, generall survewors of our court of augmentacions and re-
veneAves of our crowne, gretinge; where we heretofore, of greate trust
and confidence, did make, constitute, and ordeyne, our trustie and
right wel beloved counsaillor sir Rauffe Sadler, knight, master of our
great Avarderobe, and one of the gentilmen of our prevee-chambef, to
be our highe treasorer of our wanes ageynst Scotland, who, by reason
thereof, recevid and paid manye greate sommes of monye for our pro-
vicions,' expences, and chardges in that behalf; Forasmuche as the said
6ir Rauffo Sadler, for his dischardge and indempnitie in the exercisinge
of the said rome, hath made his humble sute unto us to conimande,
name, and appointe, certeyne of our commyssion.ers to viewe, peruse,
examyne, cast, and trie, all his books, bills of receipte, aud paymentes,
concerninge his chardge and dischardge in that behalf; we, therefore,
havinge Special! trust and confidence in your approvid' fidelities, wis*
domes, and circumspeccions,; auctorice you, and by these presentes do
give unto you, or ii of you, full power and auctorite not onlie to viewe,
trie, cast, and examyne, and determyn the reconnyngs, accomptes, pay
ments, and receiptes, by the said sir Rauffe recevid and paied, and
hym to chardge and dischardge by the warrantes of us, or of our dear
est uncle the duke of Somerset, governor of our personne, and protec
tor of our realmes and domynions, or of the lieutenant in the north-
parties,' or by warrantes from our counsell, or otherwise, as justlie shall
apperteyne; but also upon the said accomptes, views, reconinges, re
ceiptes, and payments, by you, or ii of you, viewed, tried, cast, and
examyned, trulie made and determyned by vertue hereof, to acquire
and dischardge the said sir Rauffe, his heires, executors, and assignes,

of somerset's EXPEDITION. 357
by your acquittances, subscribed and sealed with the handes and seales
of ii of you at the lest ; promisinge and bindinge ourself, our heires
and successors, by these presentes, that all and everie suche acquit
tances and dischardges made by you, or ii of you, our said commis
sioners, shal be unto our said counsaillor sir Rauffe Sadler, knight, a
good, lawfull, and sufficient acquittance, exoneracion, and -full dis
chardge, against us, our heires and executors, as thoughe the same
were made by us under our grete scale of Englande. Provided alwaies
and forsene, that all suche sommes of money, as upon the saide ac
comptes ofthe said sir Rauffe shall growe and be due unto us, be unto
us well and tmelie satisfied, contented, and paied, as apperteyneth, and
by your appointment delivered to such of our treasoro rs as to your dis-
crecions shal be thought moost mete and convenient ; and if upon the
declaracion, viewe, triall, and examynacion of his said accomptes and re-
coninge, it shall appere unto you our said commyssioners, or unto ii of
you, that the said sir Rauffe be or shall be in superplusage of or for
any somme or sommes of money by hym laied owte, or in anywise de
livered to any personne or personnes more then, he hath recevid ; then
we avoII, and by these presentes doe geve full power and auctoritie un
to you our said commyssioners, or unto ii of you, to make preceptes,
commaundementes, and warrauntes, to our treasoror of our court of
augmentacions and revenewes of our crowne for the tyme being, to
content and paie, or cause to be contented and paid, unto our said
counsaillor, all and everie suche sommes of money, as upon the said de
claracion, vieAve, triall, examynacion, and determynacion, of his said ac-
compte and reconinge, shal be unto hym adiudged and determyned to
be due or owinge ; and that the same your preceptes, so to be made as
is above said, shal be an immediate and sufficient warrant and dis
charge unto the saide treasoror of the said court of augmentacions and
revenewes of our crowne for the tyme being, for the payment and pay-
mentes of the same against us, our heires and successors for ever ; and
further, we woll you, and everie of you our said commyssioners, to at-
tendeand execute the premysses, as our special! tiust is in you. In

358 FITTED ACCOMPT OF -THE EXPENCES
witness wherof, we have caused these our lettres to be made patentes ;
witness ourself, at Westm. the sixte daie of December, in the first
yere of our reigne. By force of whiche commyssion, the said sir Rauffe
Sadler hath yelded to the kinges maiesties use a perfecte accompte
of the premysses before the said commyssioners. The declaracion
wherof hereafter ensueth; that is to saie, the said sir Rauffe Sadler is.
charged with, Ready Money by him received qf
Sir Edmonde Peckhin, knight, highe treasoror of the
kinges maiesties mintes, (That is to saie,) the viijth
of Julie, in the first yere of the reigne of our sove
reigne lorde kinge Edwarde the sixte, owte of the
Tower of London, Vanli (,£.5000.) The xxvth of
Julie, eodem anno, note of the said Tower, xxanli
(£. 20,000). The xxiiij of August, in the same yere,
from the said Tower, sent from thence by John Bushe,
and recevid at the handes of John Unedall, xanli
(£. 10,000). The xjth of September, the same yere,
sent from the said Tower, and'received at the handes
of Gregorie Riulton, one of the clerkes of the sig
net, va°li {£.5000). In all, as by certificate therof,
from the said treasoror, it appereth, - - XL. an*. Ii. (£.40,000)
John Unedall, treasoror for the payment of the kinges
maiesties garrisons on the Borders, in the north
partyes. The xxviijth of September, in the yere
aforesaid, recevid by the said Unedall, from the
minte at York, iiijanli (£.4000). The viijth of Octo
ber, the same yere, an'ccli (£.1200). In all, as by
bills indented of the same Unedall,, it doth appere V. an' cc li. (£.5200)
Treasoror of the ordenaunce in the kinges said armye,
of suche money as the said John Man recevid in
the campe, of diverse souldiers, for weapons and
other municione to them sold, the iiijth daie of Oc
tober, in the yere aforesaid, the somme of - Cclix li. (£. 259)
Xlv.cccclix (£.45,469)

OF SOMERSETS EXPEDITION. 35Q
Cotes and Conducts owtwardes.
Wherof the said accomptant is allowed for, First paid
by the said Sir Rauf Sadleir, knight, treasoror of
the kinges maiesties armye in Scotland, within the
tyme of this accompte, by vertue of sondrie war-
rauntes to hym directed, to sondrie capitaynes,
peticapitaynes, souldiowrs, and gonners, retayned to
serve the kinges maiestie in the said voiage, for the
cootes of the same capitaynes, peticapitaynes, and
their retinews, after diverse rates, and for the con-
ducte owtwardes of diverse and sondrie lords,
knightes, gentilmen, capitaynes, peticapitaynes,
souldiers, and gonnors, from sondrie places within
this realme, to the borders and fronters of Scotland,
aftre the rate of vijd of a mile for a lorde, iiijd a
mile for a capitayne, ijd a mile for a peticapitayne,
ob (|) a mile for everie souldier a fote ; viijd a mile
for a capitayne of horsemen, iiijd a mile for his peti
capitayne, jd a mile for everie souldier, as by the
said warrauntes, signed as is aforesaid, declaring the
• nomber of men, the distance of their dwelling places,
and the several rates before mencionid upon this
declaracion, sene, examynid, tried, cast, and pro
ved, bythe auditor of this accompte, it maie appere t ]• j
amounting to the somme of - Vij.iiij.Lxviij. xij. x. ob
(£.7468 12 10)
Conducte homewarde.
Also paid the same treasoror, by vertue of like seve-
rall warrauntes to hym directed, to diverse and
sondrie lordes, knightes, and gentilmen, captaynes,
peticaptaynes, souldiers, and gonners, for their con
ducte homewarde to their dwellinge places, of son- ¦
drie distances, as by the saide warrantes, signed as
is aforesaide, declaringe the nomber of men, the
distance of their dwellinge places, and the severall
rates before mentioned, herupon examyned and t j; g ^
paid, is conteynjed, -.-.-_ Vj.Lxv. xiiij. iiij.
(£.6065 14 4)
Xiij.D.xxxiiij. vij. ij. ob
(£. 13,534 7 21)

360 FITTED ACCOMPT OF THE, EXPENCES
Redy Money by hym paid and dabusred for Wages qfWatre.
Also paid by the said accomptant, within the tyme of
this accompte, that is to say, first, for the diettes
of the right honorable the erle of Warwicke, lieute
nant to the lorde protector's grace of the kinges
maiesties said armye, paid by vertue of a warrant
undre the kinges previe signet, aftre iiij. Ii (£.4) the
daie ; and for the wages of diverse and sondrie
lordes, barons, knightes (esquires), gentilmen, capi
taynes, peticapitaynes, and souldiers, retayned to
serve the kinges maiestie in the voiage, at diverse
and sondrie rates, by the daie, and paid by this ac
comptant, at sondrie daies, and in sondrie pay-
mentes, as to hym was appointed by diverse and
sondrie warrantes, signed as in the hedde of this
accompte is specified, declaringe the nombre and
severall wages of the same, undrewritten by the ca
pitaynes of the said armye, testefienge the rece,ipte
therof, at the handes ofthe said treasoror,. in likewise
upon the declaracion by the said auditor, perused,
cast, and examined, it shall appere amountinge to t V a
the some of - Xxvj.cciiij. xix. vij. j.

Rewards.
Also paid at sondrie tymes, by vertue of diverse and
sondrie warrantes, signed by the right honorable
the erle of Warwicke, lieutenant to the lorde pro
tector's grace, that is to saie, in rewarde to capitayne
Padley, Hispanierd, xij" xs (£. 12 10). To three of
the lorde grace his servauntes, being hurte, lxs. To
sondrie spiolls, xxxv£ viijd. To Sir Thomas Chal-
loner, to be paid over to certayne Frenchmen, xxv"
(£.25). To Sandie Pringell, cs. (100s). To x guides,
xxxiiij". (£.34). To Sandie Whitlawe, c8. (100s.).
To a Scottishe herraulde, c8. To Thomas^Alen, x".
To Doctor Durham* towardes his settinge forth,, x\

(£.26,299 7 1>

OF SOMERSETS EXPEDITION.

361

To Kunyon Cockeburne, being sent from Burthie
' Cragge to speke with my lorde protectors grace, iiij".
To Laurence Kendall, cs. To Sur Fraunces Brian,
for the conductinge of the erle of Huntlowe from
Barwicke to London, xl11. (£.40). To capitayne
Burthicke, xxv". In all, -

xx li s d
Ciiijv. vj. viij.
(£.185 6 8)

Delivered, by xvaye of prest, to diverse captaynes, upon their owne ways
and their retynue.
The lorde grace of Wilton - D1! (£. 500)

The lorde Clinton

lxxvju

Sir Peter Gambou

ixcxxvu (£.925)

To William Berde

x"

Captayne Rheny -

xv11

Roberte Crouche

XX11

Sir John Luttrell

cc"

Edwarde Dudley

- c"

John Basinge, captayne of the Phanx,

lo be de-

livered to Sir Andrewe Dudley

cB

To Araane Arcanye

iiij"

an' Dccccl.li (£. 1950)

To diverse Personnes, to be imploied aboutes the
Kinges Affaires.
Roberte Legge, treasoror of the kinges
marin, causes - an* li (£. 1000)
Frauncis Flemynge, lieutenante of the or-
dinaunce in the said army
John Man, treasoror of the ordenaunce
for the said army - - -
George Stonehouse, surveior of the kinges i;
maiesties victualls in the said army ccij.

Dclxx"

D"

s d
x. viij.

an' c li s d
ij.iij.lxxij. x. viij.
iiij.iij.xxij. x. viij.

VOL. I.

2 z

362 FITTED ACCOMPT OF THE EXPENCES
I
Allouances touahinge the Treasoror and his Accompte; his own Dietts,
and Wages of his Clerks and Sirvantes.
Also allowed to the said treasoror, by vertue of the
kinges lettres patent, undre the greate seale of Eng-
lande, bearinge date at Westminster, the xxvjth of
Julie, in the first yere of kinge Edwarde the sixte,
auctorisinge the said sur Rauf Sadler, knight, to be
highe treasoror of the kinges maiesties said army
roiall against Scotlande, gavinge hym the allou-
ance followinge ; that is to saie, first, for his owne
dietts, from the first daie of August, in the yere
aforesaid, untill th xxth of November next ensuinge,
by the space of cxij. daies, aftre the rate of xxvj*
viij* by the daie ; cxlix" vj' viijd for the wages of
xxx men, by all the said tyme, aftre viijd the daie
apece ; cxij" for iiij clerkes for like tyme, aftre ij*
the daie apece; xliiijlixvjs one purcevant during the 1; »
same tyme, at xijd the daie, cxij'- In all - Cccxj. xiiij. viij.
Necessarie Chardges and Allowances.
Also allowed to the said treasoror, for mony by him
expended, as well for the provicion of cartes (carte
horses), the wages of diverse carters, and for diverse
other chardges in the convewaunce of the kinges
maiesties treasure, clxvij11 xvj3 jd ob. ; also for a
tent to kepe the same treasure, vju xiij8 iiijd, and
for parchement, paper, books, quilles, dust, counters,
sand boxes, and' canvas bagges, vj" xiij' iiijd; iiij
yardes of grene cloth, xxjs iiijd ; a tellinge table,
xxiij' iiijd ; trussinge coffers, xl9 ; for cariage of the
kinges maiesties tentes owt of Scotland upwards to
London, as by warraunt from the lorde lieutenant,
appereth, xx" viij5, and for the expences of hymself
and his clerks attendinge at London, for the ingrosse-
ment of the particulars of this accompte, and for
the examynacion of the same, with the auditors ther-
1

OF SOMERSET'S EXPEDITION. 363

li s d
Cccxj. xiiij. viij.
unto appointed, in like sorte as he was allowed upon
this last accompte for the warres against Scotland,
xxvj11 xiij" iiijd. And also for the travaile and
chardges of the auditors, assigned by the commis
sioners aforesaid, for the perusinge of the bookes and
particular warraunts of this accompte, and for the
makinge and writinge of this declaracion, in like
sorte as was allowed in the said last accompte of
this accomptant, for the wanes against Scotland, jj s d
xxvj" xiijj5 iiijd. In the hole, - Cclviij. xiiij. ix. ob.
Dlxx. ix. v. ob
(£.570 9 5f)
Sum Totall qf the Money paid and delivered by the said Accomptant, for
the Chardges of tke said Army. That is to say,
ant c li s d "\
Cotes and conducte owtwardes vij.iiij.lxviij. xij. x. ob. f ant n » d
ant li s d rXiij.Dxxxiiij.vij.ij.ob.
Conducte homewardes - - vj.lxv. xiiij. iiij. j ant xx li « d
Wages of warre .___„_ Xxvj.cciiij.xix. vij. j.
xx li s d
Rewardes ._-___ Ciiijv. vj. viij.
In prest to diverse captaynes, upon ? c H "\
their wages - - - $an'ix-l- / ant c li s d
In prest to be imployed about the ¦> ant c li s d L
kinges affaires - - Jij.iij.lxxij. x. viij.)
The dietts of the treasoror, and the ~t c n s d -j
wagesofhisclerkesandservauntes5 UJ,XJ* XU1J' 'vnl' s Dlxx' ix v ob
Necessarie chardges and allouances cclviij . xiiij . ix. ob. * ant li s
Xliiij.Dccccxij. xiij.
And so remayneth in the handes of the said treasoror, ]j s d
upon the determynacion of this accompte, - Dxlvj. xviij. xj.
Which somme of Dxlvju xviij5 xjd is paid to the handes
of sir John Williams, knight, treasoror of the kinges

36A FITTED ACCOMPT, &C.
maiesties court of augmentacions and revenues to his
highnes use, as by the acquittance of the same trea
soror remayninge with the auditor of this accompte
it doth appere. And so the said sur Rauff Sadler is
from his said accompte clerelie dischardged, and
QUYTE.
W. Seint John. Thomas Mayle. Wa. Mildmat.
The Kinges Maiesties Armye Roiell against Scotland.
Sur Raufe Sadler, knight, beinge highe treasoror of the kinges maiestie*
armye against Scotland, undre the leadinge of the right highe and mightie
prince Edwarde, duke of Somerset; governour of the kinges maiesties most
voiall personne, and protector of all his realmes, domynions, and subiectes, hathe
made and yelded his accompte and reconinges before us, auctorised therunto
by the kinges maiesties comyssion, undre the grate seale of Englande, beringe
date at Westminster, the vjth daie of December, in, the first yere of the reyne
of our sovereigne lorde Edwarde the sixte, by the grace of God kinge of Eng
lande, Fraunce, and Irelande, defendour of the faith and of the churche of Eng
lande, and also of Irelande, in earthe the supreme hedde, (That is to saie,)> as
well of the somme of xlv*ncccclixh, by hym, or any his deputies, received and
had of the kinges maiesties money, by the handes of diverse personnes, for the
payment of the said armye ; as allso of the somme of xliiijanixcxiju xiij' by the
said sur Rauf Sadler, defraied and paid for the kinges maiesties said armye,
from the first of August untill the xxtb of November, in the yere aforesaid, upon
the ende or determynacion of which his accompte, or reckoninge, the said ac
comptant is found to be indebted to the kinges maiestie, in the somme of
Dxlvj" xiii8 xjd, which somme, so by him due, the said accomptant hathe, by
our appoyntment, contented and paid to the kinges highnes use, the xxst daie
of December, in the first yere of our said souvreigne lorde, to sir John Williams,
knight, treasoror to the kinges maiesties court of augmentacions and revenues,
as by a declaracion of- the said accompte, before examyned, it doth appere.
And so the said sir Rauffe Sadler is from his said accompte clerelie dischardged
and j,
QUYTE.
W. Seint John. Thomas Mayle. Wa. Mildmay.

LETTERS

DURING THE

REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.

LETTERST

DURING THE

REIGN OF QUEEN MARY.

Queen Mary to Sir Ralph Sadler* — By the Quenc.
MARYE, THE QUENE.
Trustie and AVelbeloved we grete you well. And whereas we have
appoynted our right trustie, and welbeloved, the lorde Clynton, to
remayne here aboute our citie of London, with a good number of
horsmen and fotemen under his charge, for the better staye and quiet
of our lovinge subiects, and the repressing of those that woide, in our
absence, attempt disorders and tumults amongs the same : For his bet
ter service wherin like, as we have gyven him power and auctorite to
call unto hym the forces of our counties of Essex, Hertforde, and
others, within xxv myles of our saide citie, Avhensoever, and as often
as he shall thinke mete and necessarie. So, knowinge your fidelitie
towards us, your good zele to the commen quiet, and rede good- will to
serve us, we have thought good not onely to advertise you herof, but
* Sir Ralph Sadler's zeal for the reformation of religion, had probably been a little
cooled by the death of Edward VI. since we find that Queen Mary thought him worthy
of some countenance. He seems to have been living in retirement, at his country seat in
Hertfordshire, when this and the following letter were addressed to him.

568 LETTERS DURING THE REIGN
also to will and requier you to put forthwith in a redynes of your
owne servaunts, tenants, and other your frends about you, as many
hable men, as well on horsbacke as on foote, as ye ar hable to make in
suche sorte, as upon advertisment to be gyven unto you, from the
said lorde Clynton, they maye be redy to attende upon hym, to be
employed as he shall see cause. In which case our pleasure is, you
shall, from tyme to tyme, folowe his order and appoynctement : Re-
quiringe you, neArer the lesse, to have your force in suche redynes, as
you maye with the same be hable to represse any other tumult that
maye fortune to springe, or arrise, in any other parte of that our coun-
tie where you dAvell ; and besyds, to contynewe your accustomed dili
gence towards the conservation of the quiet and good order of those
places about you, as moche as in you maye lye. Wherof faile you not,
as our speciall trust is in you, and as you will answer forthe contrarye.
And thies our lettres shal be your sufficient warraunte in this behalf.
Given under our signet, at our manour of St James, the ixth of Maye,
the firste yere of our reigne. (1554.)
To our trustie and welbeloved Sir Rauff Sadleyr, Knight, Hertf.
Post of Ware, se this lettre delyvered.

To our trustye and wellbeloved Sir Raffe Sadler, Knight. Hertford
shire.- - By the Kinge and Quene,
(N. B. On the back of this Letter is written " consyderable papers.")
PH1LLIPP AND MARYE THE QUENE.
Trustie and welbeloved, we grete you well. And albeit we have
of late, by suche our lettres and instructions, as we have addressed
furthe unto the sheriffe and justices of peace of everye shire, prescri
bed suche ordre, as the same beinge well executed, shall, by the helpe
of almightye God, be sufficient to kepe all partyes of our realme in
good order and quietness. Yet consideringe that the tyme of the'

OF QUEEN MARY. 369
yere drawethe fast on, Avherein stirres and tumults have of late yeres
comonlye byn wonte to breake furthe, we have thought good, for
preventinge of the worst, to prepare to have some powre in a redines,
to mete Avith any soden attempte that might be offered. Wherefore,
knowinge your fidelitye and good will to serve us, and the zeale you
bere to the common tranquilitie and quietnes of your cuntrye, we
have specially appoynted, and by theis presents doo appoynte and au
thorise you, to muster, levie, and prepare forthwith, all your owne ser
vants, tenants, and others under your rules and offices, and of the same
so mustred to choyse out, appoyncte, and put in full readines, as
many hable men, bothe on horsebacke and on foote, as you maye well
cause to be furnished with armore, weapons, and other necessaryes,
givinge suche ordre, as uppon an howres warninge theye may be readye
to be employed for repression of any soden tumulte, stirre, or rebellion
within our realme, or for resistinge of anye forren. invasion, or other-
wyse for our service, as by us, or our privie counsell attendinge aboute
us, you shalbe required from tyme to tyme. For the doing wherof,
like as theis our lettres shalbe your sufficient discharge. So doo we re
quire you to use your accostomed good diligence bothe in the prepa-
ringe your said men, and also inadvertisinge our said counsaile what
nombers and Avhat sortes you shall have redye, to thentente, uppon
knowlaidge therof, Ave maye dispose of their service as occasion shall
require ; Avhereof we praye you not to fayle, as we specially trust you.
Geven under our signet, at our honour of Hampton Courte, the xxth
daye of Aprill, the first and seconde yeres of our reignes.
vol, i. 3 a

370 LETTEUS DURING THE REIGN

No. III.
Dr Nicholas Heath,* Archbishop of York and Chancellor qf England,
to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After our right hartie commendations, this bearer Frauncys Kempe,
our servaunte, by our advyse makith his repay re unto youe at this pre
sent, intending at his comminge to commyne with you touching thof-
fice of the clerkeship of the. Hamper $ wheareinhe sekith toobtene your
good will, by agrement with you for the having of the same at your
hands. And forasmuche as for certaine good considerations us mo-
vinge, we do ernestlie desire his preferrement unto the saide office, and
mynde in all that we can to make any lawful meanes that may be for
his furtheraunce in that behalfe, beinge never a whyt ignorant in what
state the saide office nowe standeth, and knowing also right well Avhat
communicacion hath ben latelie had with you concerning the same,
we have thought good, by these our letters, hastelie to desire and pray
you, not onlie favourablie to treat with hym in this matter at his be
ing with you, but also so to extend your freendship towardes hym
herein, as he maye go thorough with you in this his suyte. Your be-
nefite Wherein towardes hym, and pleasure to us, (for that you shall do
it at our request,) shalbe so muche the greater, and so considered of all
partes as you shall shewe your selfe to be more willinge in doinge of
it. And though it raayseeme that we do overmuche burden you with
our freendship, in seking, for freendship's sake, to have youe forgoe
this thinge, being a parte of your livinge ; yet considering both in
* Dr Nicholas Heath was formerly bishop of Rochester, and was imprisoned in 1547 for
opposing the Reformation under Edward VI. In Queen Mary's reign he became arch
bishop of York, and chancellor of England. Upon her death, he moved in council, that
Elizabeth should be proclaimed ; but he refused to be present at her coronation, and was
deprived of his see. He lived long in religious privacy at his manor of Cobham in Surry j
and, being a Catholic, was notwithstanding in such esteem with the queen, that she fre
quently honoured him with her visits. Camden ad ann. 1559.

OP QUEEN MARY. 371
what sorte the same is required, and also how not longe agoo you were
contented to suffer Hales to enjoye the hole profit thereof, and have
not sithens byn any whyt charged Avith the redeminge of it (as farre as
we. knoAve) yf there weare no further question to be made of the mat
ter as ye well understande there hath byn of late, yt cannot be, we
doubt not, thought either unreasonable or unworthie of our frendship,
yf in his behalfe, whome Ave do this earnestlie studie to preferre, we
require this thinge of youe, whiche shalbe by hym reasonablie consi-
sidered, and by our freendship supplied wheare the same may in any
case stand you in steade. We woulde use moe Avoordes of perswasion
unto youe, asAvell for your owne commoditie, as for thadvauncement
of hym in whose case we write, yf we did either mistrust your confor-
mitie, or did think that this that we have alreadie written weare not
sufficient to move you. But to conclude, thus muche Ave saye, that ye
can do nothing that we will accepte in more thankfull parte, or glad-
lier consider towardes you then this ; wherefore, eftsones praing you
that it maye take effecte accordinglie, we bid you right hartelie well
to fare. From the courte, the xxiiijth of Februarye, 1556".
Your lovinge freende,
(Signed,) Nico. Ebor. Canc.
To our lovinge freende Syr Raffe Sadler, Knight.

LETTERS
DURING THE WAR
OP
THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION,
1559-60.

LETTERS, &c.
The following letters were written during the crisis ofthe Reformation in Scotland.
At that momentous period Elizabeth, well aware of the important advantages to be
derived by cherishing and supporting the reformers, who were now in arms under the
title of Lords ofthe Congregation, employed the tried abilities of Sir Ralph Sadler in
negociating with them. Sadler was sent to Berwick under an ostensible commission,
granted to him, to Sir James Croft, and to the earl qf 'Northumberland, to settle with
Scottish commissioners certain disputes which had occurred on the Borders, and to
oversee the fortifications of Berwick. But the more important task qf supplying the
wants, and animating the courage of the Scottish insurgents, was reposed in Sadler
alone, with power to him to use the advice of the others in so far as he thought it pru
dent or necessaiy. It appears that he distrusted the earl of Northumberland, and as
sumed the assistance of Sir James Croft alone in his private negociation.
As an introduction to the intrigues of Sadler and of Croft, the reader may peruse ,
the following curious memorial, presented to Queen Elizabeth by Cecil, upon the af
fairs of Scotland.

Memorial qf certain Points meet for the restoring ofthe Realm qf Scotland to the
ancient Weale, written by my Lord Treasurer (i. e. Cecil) with his own hand.
5 August, 1559.
Imprimis, It is to be noted, that the best worldly felicity that Scotland can
have, is either to continue in a perpetual peace with the kingdom of England,
or to be made one monarchy with England, as they both make but one isle,
divided from the rest of the world.
If the first be sought, that is, to be in perpetual peace with England; then
must it necessarily be provided, that Scotland be not so subject to the appoint
ments of France as it is presently ; which, being an ancient enemy to England,

376 LETTERS DURING THE AVAR OF
seeketh always to make Scotland an instrument to exercise thereby their malice
upon England, and to make a footstool thereof to look over England as they
may. Therefore, when Scotland shall come to the hands of a mere Scotsman in
blood, then may there be hope of some such accord ; but as long as it is at the
command of the French, there is no hope to have accord long betwixt these
two realms. '
Therefore, seeing it is at the French king's commandment, by reason of his
wife, it is to be considered for the weale of Scotland, that, until she have chil
dren, and during her absence out of the realm, the next heirs to the crown,
being the house of the Hamiltons, shou'd have regard thereto, and to see that
neither the crown be impair'd nor wasted : And, on the other side, the nobility
and commonalty ought to foresee, that the laws and old customs of the realm
be not alter'd, neither that the country be impoverish'd by taxes, imprest, or
new imposts, after tbe manner of France ; for provision whereof, both by the
law of God and man, the French king and his wife may be mov'd to reform
their misgovernance of the realm.
And for this purpose, it were good that the nobility and commons join'd with
the next heir of the crown, to seek due reformation of such great abuses as tend
to the ruin of their country ; which must be done before the French grow too
strong and insolent.
First, That it may be provided, by consent of the three estates of the land,
that the land may be free from all idolatry, like as England is; for justification
whereof, if any free general council may Tae had where the pope of Rome has
not the seat of judgment, they may offer to shew their cause to be most agree
able to Christ's religion.
Next, To provide that Scotland might be governed, in all rules and offices,
by the ancient blood of the realm, without either captains, lieutenants, or sol
diers, as all cither princes govern their countries ; and especially, that the forts
might be in the hands of mere Scotsmen.
Thirdly, That they might vnever be occasion'd to enter into wars against Eng
land, except England shou'd give the cause to Scotland.
Fourthly, that no more noblemen of Scotland should receive pension of
France, except it were whilst he did service in France ; for dtherewise, thereby
the French wou'd shortly corrupt many to betray thek own country.
Fifthly, That no office, abbey, living, or commodity, to be given to any but
mere Scotsmen, by the assent of the three estates of the realm.
10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-6*0. 377
Sixthly, That there be a council in Scotland, appointed in the queen's absence
to govern the whole realm, and in those causes not to be directed by the French.
Seventhly, That it be by the said tliree estates appointed how the revenue of
the crown shall be expended, how much the queen shall have for her portion
and estate during her absence, how many shall be limited to the governance and
defence of the realm, and how many shall be yearly appointed to be kept in the
treasury. In these and such like points, if the French king and the queen be found un
willing, and will withstand this provision for the weale of the land ; then hath the
three estates of the realm authority forthwith to intimate to the said king and
queen their humble requests ; and if the same be not effectually granted, then
humbly they may commit the governance thereof to the next heir ofthe crown,
binding the same also to observe the laws and ancient rights of the realm.
Finally, If the queen shall be unwilling to this, as it is likely she will, in respect
of the greedy and tyrannous affliction of France ; then is it apparent that Al
mighty God is pleased to transfer from her the rule of the kingdom forthe weale
of it : And in this time great circumspection is to be used, to avoid the deceits
and trumperies of the French.
And then may the realm of Scotland consider, being once made free, what
means may be devised through God's goodness to accord the two realms, to
endure for time to come at the pleasure of Almighty God, in whose hands the
hearts of all princes be.

A short Discussion of the weighty Matter qf Scotland. August, 1559.
Question, Whether it be meet that England should help the nobility and
Protestants of Scotland to expell the French ; or no ?
That no.
1. It is against God's law, to aid any subjects against tlieir natural princes or
their ministers.
2. It is dangerous to do it ; for if the aid shall be no other than may be kept
in ssecrecy, it can't be great, and so consequently it shall not suffice; if it shall
be open, it will procure wars, and the end thereof is uncertain.
VOL. I. 3 B

378 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
3. It may be doubted, that when aid shall be given, and money spent, the
French may compound with the Scots, and pardon that error, to join both in
force against England ; which is more easy to be believed, because they had
rather make a shameful composition with Scotland, than suffer it to be rejoined
and united with the crown of England.
4. It may be doubted, that to stay the progress of religion against the see of
Rome, the emperor, the king catholique, the pope and potentates in Italy, the
duke of Savoy, will rather conspire with the French king, than to suffer these
two monarchies to be joined in one manner of religion ; and in this part may
be doubted, that many, as well Scots as English, that can like very well to have
these two kingdoms perfectly knit in amity, will not allow them to be knit in a
like religion. That yea.
1. It is agreeable, both to the law of God and nature, that every prince and
publick state shou'd defend it self, not only from perils presently seen/ but from
dangers that be probably seen to come shortly after.
2. Nature and reason teacheth every person, politick or other, to use the same
manner of defence that the adversary useth in offence.
Upon these two principles agreed, will evidently follow, that England both
may and ought to aid Scotland to keep out the French.
The crown of England hath a just and unfeigned title, of longer continuance
than the friendship betwixt Scotland and France, unto the superiority 6f Scot
land ; and for the right thereof, it is as good, and in some respect better, than
the right of the French queen to the realm of Scotland, as hereafter shall ap
pear. To prove the antiquity and continuance of the right of this superiority,
remain good, ancient, and abundant stories ; and which is the best proof, the
authentick and manifest writings under the seals of Scotland, declaring, from
age to age, from king to king, from parliament to parliament, the homages done
to the kings of England by the kings of Scots ; coming sometimes to York,
sometime to London, sometime to Lincoln, sometime to Canterbury. By which
title of superiority, the crown of England hath upon differences decided the con
troversies, and appointed the crown of Scotland as to it was thought fit. And
by this title and dignity doth the French queen, as queen of Scots, owe homage

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 3JQ
lo the crown of England ; and so consequently ought the crown of England to
defend the liberties, the laws, the baronage, and people of Scotland, from oppres
sion, and that in honour and conscience, no less than the emperor ought to de
fend the state of Milan, or the kingdom of Bohemia, being vassals to the empire :
And therefore, if it may appear that the French king, by pretence of the mar
riage of an heir of Scotland, will alter the laws, liberties, and customs of Scot
land, and will subvert the lawful heirs of the Scottish blood to the crown, and
deprive the barons and states of the realm of their inheritance, whereby the
French nation and blood may possess that land ; then the crown of England is
bound in honour and conscience to defend and protect the realm of Scotland
against the French. And so doth the first question alter in the most principal
point; for then is not the case betwixt subjects and a natural prince, but be
twixt a superior king and a realm of the one part, and an inferior king alone
joining with strangers on the other part.
But beside this former reason, which resteth but upon a right and honour, it
followeth to consider how England ought, even for the protection of it self from
perpetual ruin and subversion, see, and that with good speed, that the French be
not suffered, by pretence of this particular disorder, to bring their armies into
Scotland. And in this part, both God and nature doth not only allow, but also
move the realm of England to look to this in time; for in these cases, when it
concerneth kingdoms, hand putarem cometh too late.
To prove this, that England is in evident danger, if Providence be not used,
are to be considered these things following.
First, The disposition of the French to conquer, and be masters of England, I
think is unknown neither to Englishmen, nor to any of the Christian nations
that knoweth one nation from another. No man is so simple, that hath read or
>. remembered any stories, to think that that nation hath any conscience in keep
ing or breaking of peace with England.
Next to this, It is too evident that they mean it, and of necessity they must
both mean it and follow it.
At the making of this last peace, it was manifest how they laboured to have
had the Burgundians conclude a peace without England ; and how insolent
reasons they used in that point, shew'd what ground they meant to work. They
cou'd most falsely say at that time, that they knew not how to conclude a peace
with the queen's majesty, nor to whom they shou'd deliver Calais, but to the
dolphin's wife, whom they took for queen of England.

380 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Before that, in the time of queen Mary, what practices had they in many
places, both abroad and here in England, to deprive the queen's majesty's title
that now is, and to set forth their own ? insomuch, as, if God had not conferred
this crown to the queen's majesty with a notable concord of all states of the
realm, it was well seen in France how they meant to have set abroad their de
vice. And too many things there be to prove their burning desire to further
this their doings at Rome, in procuring the last pope's bull to declare the queen's
majesty illegitimate ; their practices in Almain to set forth Eckin's works against
the queen's mother; their usurpation of the arms of England, first, in their open
justs, when the king was killed, and then consequently using the same in plate,
and to despite the queen's majesty's servants in the same plate, wherein her
ambassadors were served, now also sent into Scotland ; the^ consultation also had
upon the king's death, how this French king shou'd be proclaimed king of Eng
land ; which was stayed by the wisdom of the constable.
Yet nevertheless followed the ingraving of the same stile in the great seal sent
into Scotland, and in the treaty confirmed with the king catholique: This that
they forbare to do by proclamation, they do by paintings, gravings, writings,
and workings; so as it appeareth manifest what they would, and what they
covet. Beside this, how lightly they esteem the queen's majesty appeareth by
their keeping of their treaty, being bound and demanded to send a fourth hos
tage, they have neglected it ; and how dishonourably one of them hath pass'd
here with the killing of one of the queen's majesty's subjects, doth appear too
plain ; and yet they have seemed cunningly to be complainers, that is, to bite
and to whin like dogs or Frenchmen.
What good disposition the French queen herself is of, doth well appear by
her own disdainful speech to diverse persons, and amongst others to some of the
queen's majesty's own * gentlewomen being in France.
Hitherto may appear sufficient arguments of the earnest minds ofthe French
towards this kingdom ; which how maliciously it hath been set, former years
have always declared, when they made no pretence to this crown ; and now how
this their malice is augmented and taken root, by their false pretended title,
may easily appear to be such as the same will never be stayed in them as long
as the French queen liveth, or as long as any issue shall come of her body : So
* Elizabeth Sands.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 15.59-60. 381
that this quarrel now begun, is undoubtedly like to be a perpetual incumbrance
of this kingdom.'
And to manifest that it shall now in this time be put most in ure, it is to be
considered at this present, the cardinal of Lorrain, and the whole house of Guise,
have the chief governance, who only depend upon the queen their niece, and
have nothing so much at heart as to advance her titles ; wherein they have long
flattered themselves, that to augment the crown of France with England by the
same woman their cousin, by whom they have gotten Scotland, shall be an im
mortal fame to their house, and an establishment of the same.
Beside this, at this present the French king hath no quarrel towards any other
parts, being in peace with the king catholique, and having married his sister to
him, who also is too strong for him ; and having also married with the duke of
Savoy, and delivered to him his five towns, whereby also the entring of the
French king into Italy is utterly cut off: And therefore now resteth no place
for the French to bend wars upon, but upon Scotland and England qr Ireland;
in which point, is to be also remembred the practices which they presently en
tertain by means of George Paris, who is very lately gone into Fiance with
intelligence from certain lords of Ireland, wherein the Dowager of Scotland is a
party, and from her the said Paris went last into France.
It followelh, to consider how near these dangers be at hand, and whether they
be so far off as the same may be deferred without present remedy.
True it is and likely, that as long as the nobility of Scotland shall be of greater
power than the French, so long will the French forbear the open invasion of
England ; but as soon as Scotland shall either yield of it self, or be compelled
for lack of power and ability to yield to the French, forthwith will the French
employ both their own strength and the power of Scotland against England.
And to understand how long it is likely for the Scots to keep the upper hand,
is easily judged, if it be remembred that the Scots of themselves, when they had
a king of their own to aid them, never came into the field with more than fifteen
days victual, neither could abide longer together, but were forced to return and
change their numbers : So as the way to overcome them, is to prolong time, and
not to fight with them, but stand at defence ; and therefore, without relief of
money to pay them wages, they can't endure long in the field, or in strength.
So that it is most evident, that without some relief it will he no long time ere the
Scots shall be forced to leave off, whose end of necessity must be the beginning
of England ; and so the sooner the one endeth, the sooner the other shall begin.

382 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Then followeth- another, though no difficult question, Whether it be meeter
or more profitable for England to continue the Scots in their strength and de
fence, than to leave them, and be at the charges of our own defence ? In conti
nuance of the Scots, our people is spared, and our country in peace ; only some
treasure is to be spent : In our defence, our people must be spent, our country
spoiled and wasted ; and as to expence of treasure, ten times more to be spent
that way than the other. The easiest way to stand upon defence must be, to
put into Barwick (which now holdeth but 2000) 3 or 4000 more ; and if it
shou'd come to a siege, 10000 will scantly suffice.
Beside this, the whole three borders must be planted with garrisons, which
will not be done under 4 or 5000 men ; and if the enemy shall approach with
an army, which of necessity he will do, having it transported into Scotland, and
so employ it to some profit ; then must also an army of like force be levied, and
kept there, if not to invade, yet to defend. And what the charges thereof will
be, if it last but three months, is soon conjectured to be such as it will weary both
the realm and the crown. Furthermore, how at this present England shall be
able to furnish an army, is pitiful to understand ; how void it is of such generals
as either the old dukes of Norfolk, Suffolk, and the last duke of Northumber
land, is soon perceived ; how much people is of late years wasted by death, is
well understood. Again, what manner of army the French mean to have, is
already understood ; the Rhingrave is appointed already to levy 5000 Almains ;
what the duke of Saxe shall do, is unknown : And for transportation of them
means is already made with the king of Denmark, whose friendship is sought
with such a bait as therewith he will soon be taken, that is, with release of the
title that Lorrain pretendeth to Denmark. It may be said, that England may
also have Almains : 'Tis true, but some chance may happen that they shall come
too late ; and whensoever they come, they be unreasonably charg'eful. The
French have a great advantage at this present; for they pretend outwardly to
keep peace with us, and yet they, under the pretence of this matter of Scotland,
do daily levy, prest, and send soldiers into Scotland : And England, upon colour
of peace, doth not so much as talk how to be defended ; and if it forbear until
the French be in the field, then is it easily perceived how late it will be to send
for succours out of Almain.
These things being but words, of peace, of war, of levying of men, of arming,
of victualling, of money, of munition, and such like, move but as words may ;
but when time shall come, (which Almighty Goel prolong,) then will it move and
10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 383
stir all good English bloods, some to fear, some to anger, some to be at their
wits end. *
Sir William Cecil was the author of this Discussion, (as he calls it,) and it is
all written in his own hand.
At the beginning of this paper, there is a short note in Sir Robert Cotton's
hand, as follows :
"Notwithstanding that this month of August, 1559, the treaty of Upsatling-
ton, between the queen of England, and Mary and Francis of Scotland, was
made and confirmed ; -f yet did she, as appears by this consultation in the hand
of Sir William Cecil her secretary, continue her purpose of aid and support to
the faction in Scotland by Murray."
* There is a very wide difference betwixt this discussion, as contained in Mr Crawford of Drum-
soy's Collections MS. Lawyers Library, taken by that gentleman from the originals in the Cotton
Library, and that copy of it as published by bishop Burnet, Hist. Reform. Vol. III. p. 283. Append.
Numb. 54. Whence this disagreement should arise, I cannot divine ; but perhaps I may afterwards .
be enabled to satisfy my readers herein.
t This peace was made in the month of May, and confirmed in August. Ftedera Anglia.

LETTERS

DURING THE WAR
OF
THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION.
1559-60.

No. I.
The Moustre oftholde Garrisons qf Berwick.
{First occur the names ofthe individuals, 204 in all: qf these, 123 had
Ad. a-day, the others 2d. Then comes the following letter:)
I require you to paie unto the persouns abovenamed, beying soul-
diours and others of thold guarison of Berwik, for one hundreth
twentie at iiiid. per diem the pece, for lxxvj daies, begynnyng the
first of February, and ending the xvijth of Aprell ; and for iij at like
waigs, for xxij daies, begynnyng the xxvijth of March, and ending as
before; and for lxxxi at iid. per diem the pece, for lxxvi daies, begyn
nyng the said first of February, and ending as before ; and this shalbe
your sufficient warrant in that behalf. Geven at Berwik, the iid of
Maii, annis regnorum Phi. et Marie, regis and regine, quarto et quin-
to. To Sir William Ingleby; Knight,
Treasorer qf Berwik, and Paymaster qf the Gaurrisons
in the North Parts.
vol. I. 3 c

386

LETTERS DURING THE WAR OB

The Debts owyng by the Quenis Majestie to all the Gaurrisons in the North
Parts, as well ordinarie as extraordinarie, the 22d qf August, 1559-
That is to saye,

To the Extraordynarie.

£
221

s. d.
0 0

2270 17
2239 3
2976

To Sir James Crofte, knight,
To the Marshall, -
To Sir Richarde Lee,
To Thomas Gower, -
To Capten Somerset,
To Capten Drewrye,
To Capten Vaughan,
To Captain Rede,
To Capten Markam,
To Capten Sutton,
To Capten Ingleby,
To Capten Twety,
To Pykemen and Pregle, captens, 1126 19 4
To Browne and Dethicke, captens, 461 1 4
To Carrile and Woode, captains, 792 6 8
To the gonners of the great ordenance, 693 13 4
To the Hollye and Feme islands,
The gonners of Warke,
The gonners at Carlislye, - 92 0 0
The benevolence, «¦ - 925 16 0

ccxxi

900 7 4 ix vij
133 6 8 cxxxiij. vj
9 6 8 ix vj
2119 10 10 an. an. cxix x

d.
i'U
viij viij
x

4 an. an. cclxx xvij iiij
8 an. an. ccxxxix iij viij

0 0 an. an. ixlxxvj XX
1386 9 4" an. ccciiijvj ix iiij
2045 11 8 an. an. xiv xj viij
c
911 14 2 ixxj xiiij ij
108 5 4 cviij v iiij
an. cxxvj xix iiij

iiijlxj C XX
vijiiijxij C XX
vjiiijxiij xiij iiij

xvj
vj viij

363 2 2
40 15 8

iijlxiij xl XX
iiijxij

l) 'J
xv viij

1XXXV xvj
an. c ib. «.
xix viijxvij vij

d.
vj

To the Ordinarie.

Garrysone of Berwick,

Somme of all the debts, -
Imprested to the said captens towards the debts afor-
said, ....
So the quenis majestie is yet indebted to her said gar
risons the xxij of August aforesaide, »
The works to be consydered.
The Lord Wardeyn's fee. IS

an. D
an. lb. s.
xxicccxvij vij

d.
vj

an. an. an. nlxxij
an. c lb. s. d.
xvijvijxlv vij vj

£ s.
19817 7

d. 6

1500 0 0
21317 7 6
3072 0 0
17745 7 C

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 387

No. II.
Instructions given by the Quenes Majestie to her right trustie and right
welbeloved cousyne therk of Northumberlande, * and to her trustie and
welbeloved Sir Raphe Sadler, and Sir James Crqfts,-\ Knights.
Elizabeth R.
The very cause of their commission is, because it appereth by sun-
drie letters of the saide erles, aswell to her majesty as to her counsell,
that notwithstanding the laste conclusions made by the commyssioners
of bothe the reallmes, neither the frequent sollicitacion of the saide
erle to thopposite wardens of Scotlande, there hathe ben no redresse '
of diverse attempts there committed. Therfore, lest the same might
tende to so great enormitie as, in processe of tyme, the greatness therof
woide be remedyles, her majesty hathe thought necessarye to provoke
the quene regent, her goode sister, to appointe some of her ministers of
like qualities to mete with the said erle, and the saide sir Raphe and
sir James, to determyne some better ordre in suche causes, according to
the laste treatie there concluded.
And for this purpose, they shall sende one with her majesties lettres
to the saide quene regent, and to move her, that herin some expedi-
cion might be used, and consequently the saide commissioners shall

* Thomas Percy, seventh earl of Northumberland, son of sir' Thomas Percy, brother of
Henry, the sixth earl. He was restored in blood by Queen Mary; his father having been
attainted for his share in Aske's rebellion, called the Pilgrimage of Grace. The earl him
self engaged afterwards in an unfortunate insurrection, in favour of the Catholic religion,
concerning which there are some documents in this collection. He fled into Scotland ; and
being delivered up to Queen Elizabeth by the regent Morton, was beheaded at York, 22d
August, 1572.
f Sir James Croft, or Crofts, had a good military reputation ; having governed Ireland,
and defended Haddington against the French and Scotch. He was attainted by Queen
.Mary, but restored by Queen Elizabeth, and made governor of Berwick; an office which
he enjoyed at the date of these letters. He was afterwards comptroller of the household,
and one of the commissioners at the treaty of Bourbourg, and died in 159,6.

388 LETTERS DURING THE war of
(as they see cause) employe themselves, with the ministers of Scot-
lande, to the mutuall redresse of disordres upon bothe parts. And fur
ther shall, accordinge to thauthorite of their commission, conclude
and determyne eny other thinge, that maye tende to commen quiet of
those frontyers, and for the raunsomynge of prisoners on both© parts, tbe
saide commissioners shall doo their endevour, foreseinge that without
her majesties advise, the lord Grey nor therle Marshall's sone, whiche
be prisoners of great value, be not acquyte nor prised, but contrary wise,
if it shall appere necessarye, that they bothe be revoked into the
reallme. The same shall so doo, as they see cause.
{August 1559.) Cecill.

No. III.
(On the back of this is written, "Papers worthy."}
Instructions given bythe Quenes Majestie to Sir Rafe Sadleyr, KntgM,
being sent presently to Berwykefor the purpos hereafter folotving. Au-
gusti, A0. 1559-
Elizabeth R.
In primis, He shall by the waye, if therle of Shrewsbury * be either
at York, or nere the highwaye, or els not, repayre unto him, and dely-
ver unto him the quenes majesties lettres, and confer with him, how
* Francis, fifth earl of Shrewsbury, whose correspondence and memorials with those of
his descendants, during the period of thirty years, have been published by Edmund Lodge,
esquire, under tlie title of " Illustrations of English Histoiy, Biography i and Manners.'^
In 1557 the earl of Shrewsbury was lord-lieutenant of the counties of York, Lancaster,
Chester, Derby, Stafford, Salop, and Nottingham ; in the next year, justice-general of the
forests north of the Trent ; and, upon queen Mary's accession, he became lord-president of
the North. Elizabeth continued to admit Shrewsbury to the royal councils, although he-
was not only a strict catholic, but even opposed the revocation of the acknowledgment of
papal authority. He died 21st September, 156a

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 389
such money as is due to bepayd to her Majestie for the subsidye at
this present, may be with spede levyed and collected, so as it may be
paid to the treasorer of Berwyke, ' according to such warraunt as the
cheif collectours shall receve from the court of thexchequer. And
in this point it is ment, that such discretion be used as to the cause
doth apperteyn. Herin the saide Sir Rafe Sadleyr shall, before his de
parture out of London, confer with the lord treasorer, and shall also
take with him such further instructions to be imperted to the sayd
erle, for the spedy levying of such debts and arrerages, as be due to
her Majestie in those parts, ' And if the said erle be not nigh the
waye, then the sayd Sir Rafe shall impart the Contents thereof by his
writting- < -.>>
Item, In his waye to Berwyke, he shall conferre with therle of
Northumberlande, and declare unto him the causes of his sendyng
downe to be principally tosee the state ofthe works at Berwyke, and
thoccasion of the great wasts of treasure there. And next to joyne
in commission with the said erle, for communication with the Scot-
tishe ministers, for better reformation [of the disorders there uppon.
the frontiers, whereof her Majestie, by the said erles lettres, perce-
veth there is great lack, and many disappointments on the part of
Scotland; and therefore the sayd erle shall precede according to the
commun instructions sent for that purpos.
Item, From thens he shall go to Berwyke, * and there take a vieu;
of the fortifications and works, and procure at sir Richard Lees hands,
and the treasorers or otherwise, if it may there conveniently be done,
the total charge, though it be but in an estimate of the fortification of
* The fortifications of Berwick, were now undergoing various alterations under the in
spection of sir Richard Lee, who, in the reign of Edward VI., had been employed in a
similar commission at Tynemouth and at Norham, (Lodge's Illustrations, pages 80. 101.
Vol. I.) and was afterwards deputed to survey Leith, Edinburgh, and Inchkeith. Haynes,
p. 296, 297, 307. The works, when completed, rendered Berwick, in the opinion of Caih-
den, the best fortified town of all Britain. But, while they were going on, military men
appear frequently to have blamed particulars 'of: the plan,. and the council frequently com
plain of the enormous expence.

390 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
the new pere and fort that was begon in king Edwards time, and
since relinquished ; and next to that, he shall by like meanes procure
a declaracion of theyerly charges sjisteynid during the reigne of quene
Mary about the new fortifications and walling of the towne, and coftr
sequently of the charges susteynid sence the begynnyng of the reign of
her majestie now ruling. Which done, he; shall cause a comparison to
be made of the rest of the town that is not, and yet ought to be forti-
'iyed, with that quantite which is finished, and theruppon, by sum col
lection or jugement, cause, to be made an estimate of the charges to
cum for the performaunce of the fortifications ment and purposed :
wherin her majestie. meaneth not to burthen any of them withmis-
compting or misjudging, but requireth only an estimate as nigh as
they may. <„-[ -< ,¦ .-. ,. : ¦¦ ;,-r ...[
Item, He shall confer with, sir Richard Lee, and understand the
mater wherof he wrote, to her majestie in July last, and for which
purpos he, desired to have sum singuler trusty persoune sent thither,
as now her majestie sendeth the sayde sir Rafe Sadleyr for that pur
pos. *
Item, He shall understand privatly and apart the complaints of the
treasorer, and of Abington, touching the care of victailling, wherein
the souldyours find great lack, for that their victaill is nother season
able, nor of reasonnable price ; and the victailler also complaineth, that
he cannot have his money retourned at the treasorers hands. Herin
the sayd sir Rafe shall employe sum care to sett those maters in better
order. Item, He shall also consyder with therje of Northumberland, and
with such others as he shall think meet, for the order of the castel of
Warke, | what is best to be done therewith. And before his depar-
* This short intimation comprehends the principal object of Sadler's commission ; his
powers, namely, to treat with the Scottish insurgents.
f Situated on the southern bank of the Tweed, two miles west of Cornhill : its rains, oc
cupy a high, and apparently an artificial mount, at the end of the village, and overhang
the river. It belonged to sir Ralph Gray, to whose family it had been restored by queen
Mary, upon an indenture for duly keeping and defending it.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 391
ture from London, he shall require of the lord treasorer the copie or
the brief of thindentures betwene the late quene Mary and Mr Gray
for that purpos.
Item, He shall, if he see cause, deliver a lettie to the lady Carna-
by, * for the lendyng of the hous at Hexam, which she hath there,
to the keaper of Tyndale, accordyng as the lord wardeyn thinketh it
necessary. .Finally, He shall, in all his doings, use conference with whom he
thinketh meet in the premisses, and shall use his wisdom to cause
things there at Berwyke to be better governid for her Majesties weall
and commodite ; and shall at such tyme as he thinketh meet, take the
musters of the garrisons there, and see how the olde garrison of the
towne is in Order of service, for that it is doubted whither by pre
tence of the new, the old be decayed.
Cecill.

No. IV.
To our trustie and welbeloved Sir Rafe Sadleyr, Knight, f
Elizabeth R.
Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. Lyke as we have uppon
greate trust conceaved in you, conferred for certen speciall service to
be doone by you uppon our frontiers towards Scotlande, so doo we au
thorise you to conferr, treate, or practise, with any maner of person of
Scotland, ether in Scotland or England, for those purposees, and for
* The widow of sir Raynold, or Reginald Carnabie, who, in 1534, was one ofthe earl
of Northumberland's gentlemen of the bed-chamber, and lieutenant of the marches in 1 537
jointly with his father, William Carnabie. The lady not chusing to surrender her house
to sir Francis Slingsby, keeper of Tynedale, occasioned much dispute between sir Ralph
Sadler and the earl of Northumberland, as appears from letters which follow.
f This letter contains sir Ralph Sadler's private powers,

392 LETTERS DURING THE WAR ©F
the furderahee of our service, and of any other %ng that may tend
to make a perpetuall concord betwixt the nation of Scotland and ours,
We doo also authorise you to reward any manner of person of Scot
land, with such somes of mony as ye shall thynk mete to be taken, of
the some of three thousand pounds, which we have ordred shuld be
delyvered unto you in gold. Wherin such discretion and secrecy is to
be used, as no parte of your doings maye empayre the treatyes of
peace lately concluded betwixt us and Scotland. And for enlarge
ment of our furder meaning in this, we referr you to consider a me-
moryall of certen articles to be delyvered to you by our secretory;
whereunto ye shall not nede to have furder respect than the oportu-
nite of the tyme will requyre. Gyven under our signett. the 8th of
August, at Nonsuch, 1559, the first yere of our reigne. *

No. V.
To our very hving Frends, Sir Rafe Sadler, Knight, Sir James Crofts,
Knight, Capten ofthe Town and Castle of Barwik, and Sir William
Englebt, Knight, Treaswrer there, if
After our very harty commendacions. Where we understande, that
emongst others, that by ordre from hence were of late discharged of
theyr intertaynement there in the north, one John Wylding and John
Stoddert Were allso cassedesmongst the rest. Forasmuche as webeen-
formed, aswell by out very good lorde therle of Northumberlande, as
otherwayse, not onely that these men have byn of very long Contynuance
in service there, but allso that they ar honnest persounes, and very ne
cessarie men-tobfe'Contynued still in intertaynement: we'have thought
mete to require you, in caase it shall appere unto you, uppon enquirie
'* The' hand-writing is^secretary' Cecill's.
t This letter is endorsed, Pdp&soflgteeictyncerne. 7

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 393
of the matter, that the sayd personnes have remayned any long while
in service in those partes, and that they ar suche necessarie men as is
reported, to take ordre that they be agayne restored to theyr former
places, with suche entretaynement as they have heretofore, in tymes
of peace, byn accustomed to have. And farther, where in the tyme of
Quene Mary, one John Fleming was, with fyfty gonners, suche as came
from Guysnes, sent unto Berwyk to serve there ; lyke as this matter
was fyrst devised of intent to relief the poore men, being then withowt
other succour ; so for that it was not therby ment to have the charges
of that nombre contynued any longer then during the lyves onely of
those L personnes that came from Guysnes; and considering herewith-
all, that it is not lyke but that many of the sayd gonners that were
fyrst placed there, ar either by death, or by absenting them sellfs
from thence, decayed by this tyme ; we have thought good, aswell
in respect hereof, as for that allso Ave understande the sayd voyde
romes have byn supplyed by other men, contrary to the fyrst mean
ing, to pray you to cause this matter to be substancially examined,
and not onely to cause such as have newely byn brought into the sayd
rome, and were not of the nombre of the said gonners that came from
Guysnes, to, be all cassed, onelesse they, or any of them, shall appere un
to you to be suche .men, as for theyr skyll and qualities ar fyt to
be contynued in service ; but allso to take ordre, that from henceforth,
as any of the sayd fyfty gonners, that were fyrst placed in the sayd
rome, shall, by death or otherwyse, fayle, none other be suffred to come
in to his place, but that the roome may dye with the personne, accord
ing to the fyrst intent. And bycause it was lately ordred from hence,
that the sayd John Fleming, having, at the fyrst entrie into the charge
ofthe sayd men, had the intertaynement of iiijs by the day, sholde be
abated of ijs thereof by the day, and remayne onely with the wagis of
ijs per diem: we think it no reason but that thother officers under hym
sholde be, in lyke manner, abated ofthe fyrst wagis that was appointed
unto them, and therefore where the sayd Flemings mate hath hitherto
had ij5 by the day, and iiij quarter-masters xvjd eche of them by the
vol. i. 3d

39* LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
day, it is thought here convenient that the sayd Flemings mates inter
taynement be brought to xvjd by the day, and the iiij quarter masters
to xijd by the day the peece, from henceforwards. We therefore require
you to take ordre forthwith therein, according to this determinacion.
And so we byd you hartely well to fare. From Hampton courte, the
xv,h of August, 1559- Your loving frends,
W. Northt.' E. Rogers,4
Arundell,* F. Knollys;7
E. Clynton,3 W. Cecill,8
W. Howard,4 R. Sackeville,9
Tho. Parry,s N. Wotton.10

1 William Par, Marquis of Northampton.
* Henry Fitz-Alen, 10th earl of Arundel. He had been governor of Calais, and lord
chamberlain under the reign of Henry VIII. and was steward of the household to queen
Elizabeth. Arundel nourished the preposterous ambition of marrying this princess, who,
though she had no objection to her subjects being her lovers, did not think ol chusing any
one of them for a husband. He died in 1579-80.
3 Edward lord Clinton, lord high admiral, afterwards earl of Lincoln.
4 William, first lord Howard of Effingham, son of the second duke of Norfolk, by a
second marriage. He died 12th January, 1572.
s Sir Thomas Parry, or Ap Harry, alias Vaughan, a distant relation of Cecil, by whom
^ie was probably introduced to the queen's notice. He was comptroller of the household,
and master ofthe court of wards and livery, and died 15th December, 1559.
6 Sir Edward Rogers, of Cannington, in Somersetshire. He was a steady reformer, and
fled into France from the fires of -persecution, in the reign of Queen Mary. Sir Edward
was sworn a privy counsellor on queen Elizabeth's succession, and was afterwards comp
troller of the household. He died in 1582.
7 Sir Francis Knollys, son of Robert Knollys, gentleman of the bedchamber to Henry
VIII. He was a brave soldier, a zealous reformer, and even supposed to be attached to
the tenets of the puritans. In queen Elizabeth's reign he obtained the garter, was vice-
chamberlain, captain of her guard, and treasurer of her chamber. He was also one of the
instruments of persecution whom Elizabeth employed against the unfortunate Mary. In
1596 he died, treasurer ofthe queen's household.
* Sir William Cecil, principal secretary, afterwards lord Burleigh, and lord high trea
surer. 9 Sir Richard Sackville, chancellor of the court of augmentations, and under treasurer
of the exchequer. He w as, says Camden, a person of a wise foresight, and the queen's
kinsman, by his mother, who was a Boleyn. At his death, in 1556, he was succeeded in
10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 395

No. VI.
Coppie qf a Lettre sente to the Dowager of Scotlande by therle qf
North umber land.
May it please your grace to be advertised, that accordinge to your
graces lettres, sendinge the contenue ofthe same unto the Queanes Ma
jestie and hir councell, before the arryvall whereof her Majestie was
determinede, and had maide comission to such as hir highnes pleasure
is, shall commune of those affaires, who, as I perceive, are sir Raufe
Sadler, Mr Croftes, capteine of Barwyk, and my selfe, as by hir Ma
jesties letres, herewith, all sent unto your grace, I trust will appeare
and be declared. And further, I ame enformede that Mr Sadler wilbe
heare on Fridaie next, so as if it may so staunde with your graces plea
sure, it shall be verie good for losse of tyme that your graces. comis-
sioners, and all suche tbinges as are requisite for that purpose, shalbe
in aredines ; whereupon beinge ascertainede, your grace shall have with
all speade advertisment of tyme and place accordinglie. Furthermore,
the deputies and officers of that your realme have bene at Alnwyke
accordinge to the laite appointment, where I suppose they have bene
in all maters aunswered accordinge to justice, as I trust them selfes will
testifie; and for that they were not in suche forWardnes to aunswer
our complaintes as they thought conveniente, they desired further daie
then was appointed, which is agread unto, not dowbtinge but that your
grace will geve order that the lyke procedinges shalbe used, towardes
the lieges and subiects of this realme, by your graces officers for the
mantenance of good rule on the borders, and repressinge of offenders,
the queen's favour by his son,, Thomas Sackville, who- was created lorji Buckhurst, and,
fqunded the ducal family of Dorset.
19 Nicholas Wotton, clean of Canterbury and York. He was much employed in foreign
negociations, during the reigns of Henry VIII. and his successor, and died in 1566, after.
having served in nine embassies to the several states of Europe.,

396 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
theaves, and true breakers, for the which (as I have diverse times
heretofore done) I shall most humblfe beseache your grace to have
suche consideracion therin as to justice, with honor and quietnes of
bothe realmes, shall apperteigne. And so I committ your grace to
Almightie God. From Warkworth, the xvj01 of August, 1559-

No. VII.
The Erie of Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadler. *
After my right hartie comendacions unto you. And forasmuche as
the instructions declare, that we shall sende one with the quenes. ma
jesties letres to the quene regent of Scotlande; and to move that expe-
dicione might be used in the causes of our conlissione, I have therefore
made a letre in the name of yourselfe, Mr Croftes, and me, which you
shall receyve hereinclosed, together with the quenes highnes letres to
the said regent, which yf you do not myslike, then may you and Mr
Croftes seigne it, and send it awaie by Henry Ray the pursyvant (of)
Berwike, or other, as shall please you. And if you do not thinke it
to passe in that sorte, that it will please you to devise the maner
thereof, and ether to send it from yourselfes, Or to retorne it hether ; and
as you shall determyne, it shalbe used. But for conveyaunce, althoughe,
accordinge to my sayinge unto you, I have wrytten to Thomas Clave-
ringe f to be in aredynes for the purpose upon your comandement, if
it shuld chaunce the pursyvaunt not to be there, or that ye wold have
* Endorsed, To my assured loving frend sir Rauff Sadler, knight, at Barwick, geve this in
hast, hast, post hast, for thie lief, lief, lief. Delivered at Warkworth the xixth of August, at
3 of the clok in the afternoone. Rassaved at Alnewike after vth of cloke in the afternone.
Rassaved at Belfourd the xix da off August at ix off the cloke at night.
f Who, as elsewhere appears, was farmer of the demesnes at Norham, by a lease from
sir Henry Percy, brother to the earl. Clavering, perhaps as being a dependant on the Percy
family, seems to have been held in great suspicion by Sadler, who repeatedly expresses an
anxious wish that he should be removed from his situation at Norham.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 397
the said Claveringe to travell therein, yet for diverse causes, and spe
cially for the metinge at Jedworth for thanswere of oure bills, he
may presentlie be verie evell forborne, which I shall require you to
consider accordinglie. And so byd you most haretelie farwell. Frome
Warkworth, the xix* of August, 1559. Your assured loving fiend,
Northumberland.
postscript.
Ye shall receyve also here inclosed a copie of my last lettres to the
quene dowager and regent of Scotland, accordinge to suche letres as I
receyved from my lordes of the councell and Mr Cecill, of the which
as yet I have had none answere. I have wrytten to Thomas Clavering
that yf any answere thereof be come unto his handes, or do come, that
they shalbe brought unto you, which I pray you to brek up and pe
ruse, and therebie ye shall the better understand what is to be wryt
ten or saide by this message.

No. VIII.
Copie qf a Lettrefrom the Dotvagier qf Scotland to therle qf Northum
berland.
After our hartie commendations. We have receyved a letre from
the quene your soverain, and an other of your owne, declaring the
commission given to you, sir Rafe Sadleir, and sir James Croft, and
reparing of the saide sir Rafe towardes the borders to that effect, de-
siering that our commissioners, and all suche things as shalbe requi
site for that purpose, maye be in a readiness. For satisfieng of the
whiche desier, we shall immediatelie give commaundement to expede
the commission for the parte of this realme, and make advertisement to

398 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
therle Boithuile and his colleags to put themselfes in a readines, and
therafter give you warning what daye they maye kepe for meting, and
appointe summe convenient place for the same. Thus referring the
residue to their advertisement, we committ you to the tuicion of Al-
mightie God. At Edinburgh, the xix daye of August, 1559-
La toute vostre,
Marie R.
To therle of Northumberland,
Lieuttenant of the North Parts of England
foreanents Scotland.

No. IX.
To therle qf Northumberland, Warden qfthest and middle marches of
England, Sir Rafe Sadleir, and Sir James Croft, Knights.
After our hartie commendations. We have receyved your letre of
Warkworth, the 19 of this instant, purporting in effect, that ye have
receyved commission from the quene your soverain to mete suche
persons of this realme as shall please us to appoynt, to determyne and
conclude uppon the matiers therby committed unto you, desiering that
you may understand by this berer, aswell our commissioners for that
purpose appointed, as also their mynds of the tyme and place of meting;
this shalbe to signefie unto you, that for the present the persons we
thinke convenient to ioyne with yoa beyng absent, and summe of
them occupied in the same border affaires, we have sent for them to be
with us shortelie for receving of their commission and instructions,
unto whose comming we cannot give you resolute aunsvver ; but they
shall cause you be certefied by their letres of the poyntes ye nowe
requyer of us, wherin ye shall well perceive suche diligence, as we
shalbe lothe to see our tyme driven, or so good a purpose put in der

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 399
laye. Thus we committ you unto Almightie God. At Edinburgh,
the 23d of August, 1559.
La toute vostre,
Marie R.

No. X.
Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
It may like you to understonde, that upon tharryvall here of me
sir Rafe Sadler, we have conferred togither upon this secrete affayree,
which it hathe pleased the quenes majestie to committe unto us ; and
considering the state and perplexite therof, albeit we cannot iudge
what is to be hoped for certenty at their hands whom we have to do
withall, * yet we thinke it good polycie, that if they may be by any
meanes incouraged and comforted to folowe their enterprises, the same
be not neglected on our parts. And therfore, thinking it not amisse
that they might understonde of tharryvall of me the saide Sir Rafe ;
forasmoch as at my commyng hither here was a secret messenger sent
from Knox, 1 sir James Crofts have by him signefied the same by my
lettres unto the said Knox, wishing that Mr Henry Balnaves, f or som
other discrete and trustie man, might repayre in such secret maner, and
to such a place, as I have apoynted here, to thintent we might con-
ferre with him touching their affayrees, supposing that shortly we shall
receyve som answer in that parte, wherof we shall advertise you with
such spede as the case shall require.
And uppon further consideracion of this matier, it semeth unto us,
that nothing might more advaunce the same, then the presence of therle
* At the hands of the Scottish nobles associated for the cause of religion, under title of
the Lords of the Congregation.
f Mr Henry Balnaves of Hallhill, who figures among the favourers of the Scottish
Reformation.

400 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
of Arrayn in Scotland, who shoulde have more estymacion there
then his father,* and shoulde be well hable to take the matier in hande
if his father woide refuse : wherfore it were no evill polycie to haste
him thither. For albeit the duke hath withdrawen himself from the
regents partie, yet is he not so fully inclyned to thothers devocion as
they desire. Albeit they have good hope Df the same.
It seemeth they make litle or none accompt of the French power
which is loked for out of France, wishing that the same shoulde rather
com then not; for as the nomber can not be greate, so thinke they,
that the same shoulde so stirre and irritate the herts of all Scottish
men, as they woide holly and firmely adhere and sticke together,
wherby their power shoulde so increase, as they shoulde be well able
both to expell the French out of Scotlande, and also the better achieve
the rest of their hole purpose. In which case, as I sir James Crofts
understonde by Knox, they woll require ayde of the quene's maiestie,
for thenterteynemente and wagis of xv' (1500) arquebusiers, and iije
(300) horsemen, which, if they may have, then Fraunce (as Knox
sayeth) shall sone understonde theyre mynds. And if any such ayde
shalbe required, albeit we thinke it not good, we intende not to answer
them, so as they shalbe without hope thereof, yet woide we be glad
to understonde the quenes maiesties pleasure in that parte, wishing,
if it may be loked for that any good effect shall folow, that her maies
tie shoulde not, for the spending of a grete dele more then the charge
of their demande amounteth unto, pretermitte such an oportuny te.
And to say our poure mynds unto you, we see not but her highnes
must be at some charge with them, for of bare words onely, though
they may be comfortable, yet can they recey ve no comforte. The be
stowing of ij or iijm (2 or 3000) crownes to relieve them, which have
, susteyned grete losses, and spent, as we understonde, in maner all they
^ had in this matier ; now to incourage them to do samwhat, and if
* The feeble and vacillating disposition ofthe duke of Chatelherault, of which he shew
ed so many instances when governor, had rendered him contemptible, in spite of his high
rank and relation to the crown.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 401
the same be well spent, a grete dele more cannot but be well employ
ed ;' and if such effect do not folow thereof as we desire, her highnes
must accompte that she hathe cast so moche into the see, the losse
whereof may be easily born and recovered, and eyther must her ma-
iesty adventure the losse of money amongst them, or ells leave them j
to themselfs, for we see not that the meane can serve the turne in this t
parte. Thus be we bolde to expresse our poure mynds, as men desirous to
do our dueties in thys service, which we shall attende to thuttermost of
our witts and power : beseching you to let us be often advertised and
instructed from tyme to tyme, of the quenes maiesties pleasure. And
that we may also understonde, as the case shall require, of such adver
tisements as ye shall have out of Fraunce, from tyme to tyme, wherupon
we may the better direct and frame our doings here in this service.
August 20, anno 1559*

No. XI.
Sir James Crofts to John Knox.*
I have receyved your lettres, with others addressed to Mr Cecil,
which I have depeched unto him. Assbne as any answer of the same
shalbe retourned, you shall understonde it. And forasmoche as before
tharryvall of your messenger here, I understode that sir Rafe Sadler
was specially directed hither from the courte for these affayres, I
thought good to stay your saide messenger untill his arryvall ; for that
I thought to have som good matier whereof to advertise you. And
now the saide sir Rafe is here presently, who, and 1 also, woide be
glad to have som conference eyther with Mr Henry Balnaves, or som
other discrete and trusty man, for the better expedicion of this grete
* The hand-writing is sir Ralph Sadler's.
VOL. I. 3 E

402

LETTERS DURING THE WAR OB

and weightie busyness, which you have in hande; wheruppdn you shall
understonde how moche your cause is tendered, and also, I trust, re-
ceyve such comforte as shalbe to your good contentacion. And if
Mr Balnaves, gr whosoever shall com, it shalbe best that he com by
sea to Holy Ilande, there to remayne quyetly with, capitayn Rede,
till I maybe advertised of his any vail' there, and thereuppon I shall
take order for his conveyance hither, in suche secret maner as the case
doth requyre.* August 20, 1559.

No. XII.
Secretary CECiLLf to Sir Ralph Sadler.
This daye I have xeceaved your lettre dated the 20th of this moneth.
For answer of the substance wherof the quenes maiestie hath wrytten
to you, Mr Sadler, at this present. It is thought that a paye of ij
moneths wold well serve at this present, the yere being so farr spent
as it is, and so might a thousand harquebusiers be mayntened ij moneths
with less than ij thowsand pownds, and iijc horsemen, for the lyke
space, with vijc-'- It is required that the Mr of Maxwell might be al
lured with some gentle lettres, but of what argument, and to what end,
it is not known. In your conferences, me thinketh, the protestants
there should be thus perswaded, that considering we be in peace with

* The first copy was worded asjbllows, but is now crossed out. " To be addressed hither by
see to Holy Island, from the lords, with som instructions from the lords of the congregation
•of their mynds, and intents, how they intende to procede, with whom we niay conferre
what is to be don in this greate and weightie busyness, which they have in hande, where-
uppon they shall understonde by the saide sir Rafe and me, how ernestly this quenes ma
iestie, my saide sovereign, doth tender their cause, and also shall receyve such comforte at
her hands, as thereby they shall well percey ve that she doth no lesse tender their cause
then they themselfs do, and woll do as moche for the furtheraunce of the same godly action
as she well may with her honour, and as the equyte of their cause requireth."
t In Cecill's own hand-writing. 12

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 403
there enemyes, and may not conveniently breake without great iniurye
offered unto us, or evident commoditee therby ensuing, that therfore
they shuld devise such wayes wherby they might be helped, by us, and
yet we to remayne in peace as we do. As for any iniurye offered, it
is so farr of, as now presently beyond expectation and custome also ±
the French make many shews of great goodwill towardes us ; wherin,
notwithstanding, we be tough t not to be deceaved. As for any evi
dent commodite herby insuing, it is rather apparently dowtfull than
certeyn, and so wilbe, except they shall make more spede hereafter than
they have done. I will procure the young man* to come thyther in
hast, assone as he commeth hyther, which I thynk wilbe x or xij dayes
hence. I wish Ballnavuss there with you.
Out of France we have not many newes, and yet ye shall have them
as they be. The 13 hereof the old king was buryed, the new pro-
clamed, and no more but with the accustomed style, although they
have a seale ingraving for the affayres of Scotland, with the armes and
style of England and Ireland. What will succede I know not. I The
xv of this moneth the King of Navarr was not at the courte, but looked
for on the 17th. He is offended that so great hast is made with the
sacre ofthe new King, which shalbe the 10 ofthe next. All the car-
dinalls of France, saving Lorrayne, is gone to Roome to the deth ofthe
old, or creation of a new pope. The King of Spayne is not yet past
by. The French were embarked the xxth of this moneth, being in
nomber 14 sayles, but as yet I have no knoledg certen of there passing
by. There is 1000 pykes, and 1000 harquebusiers. One Octavian,

* The earl of Arran.
f He alludes to the succession of Francis IT. and Mary of Scotland to the French
crown. It seems to have been expected, that they would have assumed, among their titles,
that of King and Queen of England, in consequence of the illegitimacy imputed to Eliza
beth by the catholics. It is well known, that Queen Mary's quartering the arms of Eng
land with those of France and Scotland, was the mortal offence which Elizabeth never
forgave.

404 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OB1
an old Millenor* of this court, hath cheff chardge. La Bross, and the
hishop of Amyens, followeth the bishop as a legate from Roome.
The quenes maiestie is half hoole half in dout of an agew. God send
her as good helth as she hath a hart. I pray you send this lettre in
cluded, as ye maye saftly to the duke, and so I end. If Mr Lee be
not come, tell hym that he shall have his lettre of lycens at my house,
by Stamford. I trust you, Mr Sadler, knowe his meaning. God be
with you, and us also. From Hampton court, the 24th of August.
Yours, assured,
W. Cecill.

No. XIII.
The Copie of Mr Secretary Cecill's Lettre to the Duke qf Chastel-
herault, in Scotland.
Maye it please your grace, after myne humble and lefull commeu-
dacions. I have receved your lettre of thankes, given to me for my
good will shewed towards your sonne,f who, indede, for his reaported
qualities deserveth more than I can shewe, and therfore whatsoever I
have doone I acknowledge it due to him, and so therby I am indebted
to your grace for your thankes. I beseche your grace at this present,
neglect not suche oportunitie of dooyng good to your countrey, as tie
lyke was never offred this 100 yeres, nor percase shall not many other
100 happen, if this tyme be omytted. Repentance doothe most harme
where no remedie remaineth. But I will not molest your grace with
my writing; this one thing I covet, to have this isle well united in
* i. e. A natiye of Milan. This same captain Octavian shortly afterwards arrived at
Leith, with a regiment of French soldiers.
f The aforesaid earl of Arran being driven to take refuge in England, it would seem
that his father had bespoke for him the protection of Cecil.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 405
concord, and then coulde I be content to leave my lief and the ioye
therof to our posterite. I doo send herincluded a lettre from your
graces sonnes servaunt, to whom I have given the best advice that I
coulde, for the accomplishing of his errand, wherof I trust in God to
heare within theis lSdayes. And so 1 take my leave, prayeng Almightie
God to make you the instrument of his true honor, against Antichrist,
the perpetuall enemye of his deare sonne, our Saviour Christ. From
Hampton courte, the 24th of August, 1559.
Your gracis, at command, W. Cecill.
Supscription,
To the Duke qf Chastellherault, in Scotland,

No. XIV.
To our trusty and welbeloved Counsellor Sir Raff Sadler, Knight, at
Barwyk.
Elizabeth R.
Trusty and welbeloved, we greate you well. We have sene your
lettres and sir James Crofts to our secretary, dated the 20th of this
moneth, and uppon consideration aswell thereof, as uppon certen let
tres sent from others there, whereof sir James Crofts was privee, and
sent them to our sayd secretory, we thynk it convenient that ye shall
imparte such monny as was committed to you at your departure, or so
much thereof as ye shall thynk mete, in the secretest manner that ye
can, to such persons, and to such intents, as maye most effectually
furder and avance that manner of service, that hath bene specially
recommended unto you. And therin we do recommend the maner
and circumstancees hereof to your discretion, using therein at your
choise ether the counsell ofthe sayd sir James, or sir Henry Percy, or

406- tETTERS DURING THE WAR OP-
any other our trusty, servants there. Gyven under our signett the 24
of August, 1559.

No. XV.
To the Quenes Majestie, from Sir Rape Sadleir and Sir James
Croet.
Please it your highness to understonde, that, forasmoche as sirRafes
secretarie, now repayring to your majestie, can well declare the
state of the fortifications here, Ave shall referre the same to his re-
porte. And nevertheles have thought it our parte to signefie unto
your majestie, that, in our poure opynyons, it were mete, considering
your highnes charges here be grete, that som of the nobilite and of your
gracis consaile might repayre hither before the spring of the next
yere to view the same,* not doubting but whosoever do com woll thinke
his travaile well bestowed ; for surely the works are wourthie the seing,
and, as we thinke, be both fayre, and lykelye to be made very strong,
wherein grete expedition hathe ben used hitherto, wishingthat it may
please your majesty to be content that the same may befolowed to the
ende, with all the hast that may be; for as it is our duties to let yom*
highnes understande the trowtb, so we must neds say, Ijhat albeit your
majestie 'hathe ben at grete charge, and as moch don for the same as
coulde be in so shorte tyme> yet we see not that the towne is of any
more strength then it was before the works began; but as it was of
litle or no strength before, so is it at this present of such wekenes, as
if thenemye knew thadvantage thereof, it were easily surprised, which
uppon the view of the place may well 'be perceyved* We referre the
better explanation thereof to the said sir Rafes' secretarie, who can
better expresse the same to your majestie then we can write it. For
* The duke of Norfolk was sent accordingly. '

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 407
the help whereof, we wish that it may please your majestie this next
yere to bestowe asmoche uppon these .fortifications as hathe ben spent
here these ij yeres before, wherewith we thinke your highnes towne
wilbe closed, and put in such strength as the enemye can not have
that advantage. In the meane season, we see not but your majestie
must be at charge, with the greter garrisons of men, which after the
towne is in strengthe may be abated, as to your highnes shalbe thought
convenient. Aug. 28, 1559.

No. XVI.
A Copie of the Scottishe Commissioners Commission.
Franciscus et. Maria, Dei gratia rex et regina Ffdncorum ac Scoto~
¦ rum, 8$c. Universis et singulis ad quorum notitias presentes littere perve-
nerint salutem. Cum superior i bello quod inter Scqtos et Anglo? gestuvt
¦est riiulti utrinque eapti sunt, quorum alii nulla, habit a ratione federisab
eo tempore initi etiamnum cdptivi delineantur earceribus ificlusi ; alii non
prius ut ad suos remearent impetrare potuerunt quam eaUtibne interposita
aut saltern fde data deredditu cavisseht, quo ft ut. perpetuam servitutem
perpetiantur semperque in metu vivant.incerti qua hora in dominorum po-
testatem redire cogantur. ' .Accedit ad hec quod in conventibus publicis,
que adjutriusque regni limites per gardidnos ut jus reddant, haberi solent,
inde etiam proveniat litiumodii, et inimicitiarum seges uberima.cum alii
alios prescriptis, \ verbis, et solemni quodam ritu publice notant', quod f dem
fefellerint, cui mah mederi volentes atque id genus captivorum calamita-
.tem miserati, utqm.hoc belli seminarium, priusquam altiores agat radices,
funditus tollatur, commissarios ad id deligere stdtuimus, qui cum Anglis
super ea redeliberent. Itaque de probitatefindustria, et ergo nostra man-
data fide delecti consanguinei nostri Jacobi comitis Boithuilf domini Haillis,
* This was the infamous James earl of Bothwel, the original cause of all Mary's sufferings.

408 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
et Creichtoni, admiralli nostri ; dilecti et fidi .consiliarii nostri Richardi
Maitland de Lethingtoun, militis ;f et dilecti nostri Walteri Ker de Ces-
surd,% militis gardiani mediarum marchiarum nostri regni versus Angliam,
plurimum cortfidentes, eos et eorum duos fecimus, constituimus, creavimus,
et ordinavimus, ac per prcesentes facimus, constituimus, creamus, et ordi-
namus. Dandis concedentis et commit tentis eisdem vel eorum duobus nos-
tram plenam potestatem ac mandatum speciale cum serenissime regine
Anglie^ sororis nostre commissariis sufficientem potestatem ad id habenti-
bus, quibuscumque diebus et locis eis visum fuerit, conveniendi deliberandi-
que ef concludendi non modo super redemptione captvoorum, protioque liber-
tatis, quo quisque soluto liberabitur, verumetiam super sarciendis- injuriis
que utrinque ab inito pads federe aut indutiis sunt illate ; utque pre-
missa commodius fieri valeant sexenissime regine Anglie commissarios et
oratores antedictos eorumq. famulitia comitatus et sequelas in regno nos-
tro sub fide publica toties quoties opusfuerit introducendi et humaniter
tractandi indeq. salvos reducendi et generaUter alia omnia et singula fa-
ciendi exercendique que in premissis, et circa ea necessaria aut aliquo modo
oportuna fuerint, tametsi mandatum magis speciale quam presentibus est
expressum, requirant, promittentes bona fide in verbo regio nos firma at
que stabilid habituros omnia et singula quecunque in premissis aut aliquo
eorum per nostros pr edict os commissarios vel duos eorum contigerint fieri
conveniri ac concludi, nee unquam contraventuros, sed observaturos eodem
inviokibiliter. In quorum fidem omnium et singulorum testimonium mag
num sigillum nostrum presentibus manu charissime matris nostre Marie
regine dotarie et regentis, nostri regni subscriptis apponi fecimus apud
Edinburgh vicesimo octavo die mensis Augusti, anno Domini millesimo

t Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington and Thirlestane, the father of the celebrated se
cretary of queen Mary, and the up less able chancellor of king James-Vl. Sir Richard
Maitland himself was a man. of great talent, and a respectable poet. See his Poems, edi
ted by Pinkerton in 178i3. This venerable statesman and poet died in 1586, aged ninety
years. J; Sir Walter Kerr of Cessford and Aldtonburn, ancestor of the dukes of Roxburgh. He-.
was an active warrior and a powerful border baron, and died very old about 1584..
1

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 409
quingentesimo quinquagesimo nono, et regnorum nostrorum annis primo
et decima septimo.

No. XVII.
Sir Rafe Sadler to Secretary Cecill,
Sir,
I do perceyve by the quenes majesties lettres to me lastly addressed,
that her highnes pleasure is I shoulde in this secret affayre use the
courisaile and advise of sir James Croft, sir H. Percy, * or ariy other
her majesties trustie servaunts here, at my choise. But in mynn opy-
nyon, the fewer be pryvy to it the better. Onely I have hitherto
joyned with sir James Croft in this matier, and so I intpnde to do
still ; praying you that such lettres as it shall please the quenes ma
jestie, you, or the lords of the counsell to write hither in this matier,
may be addressed and directed to him and me ioyntfy, so that he may
perceyve that we be ioyned together in this commission. Surely this
busynes shalbe the better accomplished ; for besyds that he is best ac-
quaynted with the matier, so is he a wise man, secret and diligent,
both in this and all other things tending to the advauncement of the
quenes majesties service. As for sir H. Percy, I saw him not yet ; for
he hathe not ben nere the fronteirs syns I cam hither, nor a good
while before ; nor do I judge him a man of such integryte as in any
wise may be comparable to sir James Croft. And therle his brother,
* Sir Henry Percy, second son of sir Thomas Percy, who was executed in 1537 on ac
count of Aske's rebellion, and brother of Thomas, seventh earl of Northumberland. Having
remained attached to the queen, and even taken arms against the insurgents, in the great
northern rebellion, headed by his brother and Westmoreland, he escaped one great peril,
and succeeded tothe family titles and domains upon his brother's execution, in 1572. But
having engaged in lord Paget's enterprize for .setting queen Mary at liberty, and being
imprisoned, he shot himself through the heart to prevent the attainder and forfeiture which
must have attended a conviction for treason.
VOL. I. 3 F

410 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
I assure you, a very unmete man for that charge, which is comytted
unto him here. I can not be close mouthed in such things, specyally
when it standeth uppon thadvancement or hinderaunce of the quenes
majesties service, trusting you woll take it in good parte, and iudge of
me that I speke it for none other respect, but for my dueties sake
to the quenes majestie, whose officirs and mynisters, specyally uppon
this frontier, I wishe to be such as were most mete and hable to go-
verne such a charge.
The direction of your paquet was, me thought, fondely wry tten by
the clerke that wrote it, wherein he maketh me tlie quenes ambassa-
dour resydent uppon the frontiers of Scotlande. * I thought to tell
you of it, because it may be amended from henceforth. 29 August,
1559.

No. XVIII.
Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft to Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
We have receyved your lettres of the xxiiij'" of August; and as the
matier and tyme woll serve, we shall not faile taccomplishe our comis-
sion in that parte with no lesse good will and diligence, then our boun
den duetie requireth. But hitherto syns tharryval here of me, sir
Rafe Sadler ; we have harde nothing from the protestants, the cause
whereof we iudge to be for that they be so farre of, or ells they are
waxen very colde in their busynes ; yet we understande that they have
had soundry Conventions aud meetings, both at Glasco and Sterling,
though we know not certenly to what ende; but as we here from
them, which we howrly loke for, so we shall procede with them, and
advertise you thereof with diligence.
* Such a direction was inconsistent with th secrecy to be observed in the negociation
with the reformers. 12

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 411
The French are newly arryved in the Fryth, which, as some say, be
iiij or v enseignes; but the certen nombre is yet unknowen to us.* We
thinke the sone will stirre up, and exasperate the protestants ; orells if
they suffer still, and forflowe their tyme, it is lyke er it be long they
woll repent it, when they shall have litle remedie.
The lettres addressed to the duke of Chastellherault, I sir James
Croft woll take. ordre to sende unto him, I trust, in safetie, with as much
spede as I can. Uppon tharryvall here of me the saide sir Rafe, we sent
the quenes majesties lettres to the regent of Scotlande, by the pursy-
vaunt of this towne, and also therle of Northumberland ; and we
wrote to her to know her pleasure, both for her eomissioners and our
meting for the border matiers ; and such answer as she hath made unto
us in that part, you shall perceyve by the copie of her lettre which yon
shall receyve herewith. Thus we leave to trouble you till we have
other matier to wryte of; and so comytte you to the tuycion of Al
mightie God, &c 29 Aug. 1559-
Postscripta. I sir James Croft receyved this lettre hereinclosed from
Knox, answering somwhat to that I wrote to him of tharryval here of
me the saide sir Rafe, and of our desyre to speke with Mr Henry Bal
naves, or som other trustie man to be sent hither from them, as we
wrote to you in our last lettres. You shall not muse that he calleth
himself John Sinclear, for so his name is chaunged in all lettres, that
passe betwixt me, the saide sir James and him, by both our agrements.

* This reinforcement of the queen-dowager's French forces, consisting of a thousand men,
commanded by the Italian leader Octavian, were a part of a much larger reinforcement ;
but a tempest had dispersed the convoy, and driven many transports upon the coast. With,
this force the queen-regent immediately began to fortify Leith.

412 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
XIX.
Therle of Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After my verie hartie comendacions unto you. I receyved lettres from
my brother Slingisbie * fom Berwicke, before his going to Jedbrughe,
to the daie of Trewes, that you declared unto hym, that ye had certen
instructions from the quenes majestes, concernynge the house of the
ladie Carnabie at Hexham, wherein she denyed the keaper of Tindale
to have any easement of I'odgeing ; and that you willed hym to advise
me not to precede with auy-fUrther intermedling in that matter, till
suche tyme as I 6huld here from you. Whereupon I have all this
while staied lokinge for your direction, and as yet have receyved none
advertisement from you in that behalf. Nowe foras moche as the
usage of that matter by the said ladie and her frendes hathe bene and
is suche evell example of disobedience to thauctoritie, that thereupon
undoubtedly may, and will ensue more incoriveniente then is sufferable,
as partlie by experience is proved ; 1 shall therefore desire you, that I
may knowe the quenes majestes pleasure, and your dyrection therein.
So that I may thereupon dischardg myself of my duetie as shall ap-
perteigne, and as to your wisedome shall seame good. And thus I
bid you most hartlie fare well. From Warkworthe, the xxixtb of Au
gust, 1559. Your assured loving frend, Northumberland.
Superscription. — To my verie lovinge frende sir Rauf
Sadler, knight at Berwick, geve this in hast, hast, post
hast, with all possible diligence, hast, hast. Delivered
at Warkworthe, the xxix111 of August, at eleven qf the
chk before noone.
* Sir Francis Slingsby of Scriven and Redhouse, in Yorkshire. This gentleman married'
Mary, sister of the earl of Northumberland, and was the ancestor ofthe present sir Thomas

¦

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 413

No. XX.
Therle of Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After my verie hartie comendacions unto you. Having receyved
lettres from my lordes of the councell directed unto you and me, co
pies whereof do sende you herein closed. And upon your advertise
ment and opinion in that behalf, I shalbe redie ^mediately thereupon
to dischaidge the footmen at Warke. And so I byd you hartlie fare
well. From Warkworth the XXXth of August, 1559.
Your assured loving frend, Northumberland.*
To my verie loving frend sir Rauff Sadler, knight,
at Berwicke. Geve this in hatf, hast, post hast, with all
diligence possible. Delivered at Warkeworth the xxx"*
of August, at nyne of the cloke before none.
Copy qf Lettre from Lords qf the Privy Council.
After our very hartie comendacions to your good lordships. Where
we have bene moved by lettres from sir James Crofts, that fiftye sol-
diours of captain Reads f bande remayninge at Warke, mighte be re
moved to Berwicke, and joyned to the rest ofthe said captain Reads bande-
servinge there. For so muche as we do not certynlie knowe the presente
stait of that peice, and what nbmbers are requisit to remayne there, we
have thoughte good, bothe to referre the consideracion unto you of that

Turner Slingsby, Bart. He appears, from a subsequent letter of Sir Ralph to Cecill, to have
been keeper, of Tynedale; and it was therefore his convenience, which the earl consulted in
his anxious desire to possess him, of the lady Carnabies' house in Hexham.
• Seal, a lion rampant- Esperance en Dieu.
•t This captain Read is mentioned by Hollinshed, as having distinguished himself in the
. war which was concluded in 1550.

414 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
shalbe fit to be done, for the sawfgard of the "said peice, not ddubtinge
withall but you will have that reguarde to the defence and sawfgard
of Barwicke as the same, being the quenes principall piece, and of
greatest moment there, doth require. And also we praye you to call
before you sir Raphe Greye, f to whome thinheritance of Warke ap
perteyneth, and to chardge hym both to make his repaire to that
castell, and to follow also such ordre for the suretie therof,. as beinge
agreable to his covenants, whan he was restored to the Same, shalbe
by you prescribed unto hym. And then (in case you shall think it
so convenient) you maye cause the said fiftie soldyours presentlie ser
ving there to be removed to Berwicke to ioyne with the rest of there
company, according to the said motion. And thus we bid your lord
ship right hartelie farewell. From Hampton Court, the xxv. of Au
gust, 1559, Your good assured and loving fiends,
Arrundall. Tho. Pary»
E. Rogers. W. Cecill.
To oure verie good lorde the erle qf Northumberland,
warden qf thest and mydell marches for anempst Scot
land ; and ta our verie loving frend sir Raujf Sadler,
knight.

No. XXI.
Therle Bothvill and his Colleags, Commissioners qf Scotland, to therle
of Northumberland and his Colleags, Commissioners qf England.
After oure hartlie commendations. Quhare as it hes plesit the quenis
grace to gif comissioun unto us to meit with you, for treating of sic af-
t Sir Ralph Grey, lord of the castle, manor, and villa of Wark, which he derived from
a long line of ancestors, was high-sheriff of Northumberland in the 5th of queen Eliza
beth, and died seized of. these and other extensive possessions in the tenth year of hei

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 415
faires as hes bene thought necessary for thiritertenyment of the peax,
alsweill be the quenis maiestie your soverane, as the quenis hienes our
maisteres, conforme to the lettres past betuix yame. This present salbe
to gyf you advertisment, that, according to our said maisteres com
mandment, we salbe reddy to meit you at our Lady Kirk the V day of
September nixt, to cum for that effect, desiring you to send us warnyng
with this berar, gif ye will keipe tryste that day. At quhilk tyme, God
willing, ye sail weill persave in us ane gude inclinationn to iustice and
combination of amyte betuix thirrealmes. Thus we commit you to
the protection of God. At Edinburgh ye penult day of August, 1559.
Your loving freyndis in lefull maner,
Boithwill.
Richart Maitland.
Walter Ker of Cessurd.

No. XXII.
A Mynute of a Lettre to the Lords ofthe Congregation in Scotland, ment
to have been sent to them, but afterwards upon other Causes stayed.*
After due commendations unto your good lordships. We be most
hertelie sorie to understonde, that your godly enterprise, tending prin-
cipallie to the advauncement of Goddes glorie, and next to the safe
garde and defence of your naturall countrey from the conquest of the
French nacion, is thus infortunately stayed and interrupted, which we
reign.  See Wains' Northumberland, Vol. II. p. 464. It would seem there had been some
interruption in the possession of this fortress, by the hereditary Castellan, which was re
stored to him by queen Mary, and was- to be held by the border tenure of watch and ward.
* This seems to have been the " comfortable letter," which, in conformity to Cecil's
advice, was to have been dispatched to -the reformed nobles: perhaps it was stopped in
consequence of the arrival of Arran, by means of whom the necessary encouragement
might be orally transmitted to the congregation, with less chance, of committing queen
Elizabeth, as a fomenter of the Scottish insurrection.

416 letters during the war of
assure you greveth us no lesse then if the case were our owne ; and
therefore we cann no lesse do, then give you our poure advises not to
shrynke from ?that ye have enterprised, neither yelding to feare nor
vayn persuasions, but stoutly and honourablye to ioyne and knytte your-
selfs fast and firmely togither, and specially to have good regarde that
ye be not, thorough false practises or otherwise, attrapped or betrayed
into your enemyes hands, and to use all good meanes to allure and
persuade the hole nobilite of the realme, or as many as you can, to
take parte with you ; whereunto their naturall love to their countrey
ought to induce them, rather than to suffer the violent conquest of
the French, which undoubtedly do meane to subverte and extinct the
native blood of Scotlande, inheritable to the same if the French quene,
your soveraign, should dye without yssue, and to annexe that realme
perpetually to the crowne of Fraunce, which we thinke all trew Scottish
men shoulde naturally detest and abhorre, and, whills tyme serveth,
ought to prevent and forsee the same. And for your helpe and de
fence in that behalf, be ye most assured that ye shall not lacke ayde,
both of money and otherwise, out of Englande, more then hitherto
hath bene mencyoned or promised ; for ye may assure your selfs, that
if ye will nobly and stoutly debate your owne cause, and pursue your
enterprise as to men of honour and good courage aperteyneth, as ye
shall lacke no such helpe and ayde of us to that effect, as ye can reso-
nably requyre, so, rather then the French shoulde have their willes
over you, and bring you to subjection, you may be sure that Englande
woll shew her self your frende, and an open ennemye to your adverse
partie. This we write not to you without good commission, and ther
fore it may please you to give firme credence to the same, and to sende
50 m trustie man hither to conferr with us in this matier, by whom we
may understonde your lordships determynate mynde and pleasure ther
in, with as moche spede as you may convenyently,. *
* It seems tp be the joint work, of sir Ralph Sadler and sir James Crofts. The writing
gir Ralp h's.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 417'
No. XXIII.
Mr Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Crofts.
Sir,
Sence your lejtres of the 20 of this moneth, we never hard from you,
which tyme we have thought very long.
To morrowe shall pass hence in post the erle of Arrein, * and with
him cometh maister Randall, f Wherfore it is thought very necessary
that the duke be advertised, to the end at his coming he maye not be
knowen ; for in dede there dependeth much matter theruppon. He
is very desirous to speke with you Mr Sadler. Wheruppon I have
willed Randall to wry te by post from Borrobridg, that Mr Raylton J
or suche lyke might mete hym abowt Anwyke, to impart furder of your
mynd unto hym.
I have wrytten this lettie in Mr Crofts ciphre ; but for better suerty
and more ease to both partes hereafter, I will send you an other ciphre
by the next post; and for this tyme bidd you well to fare.
La Bross and the B. of Amyens be passed by the west seas with
iiij" (80) horsees and 200 footemen. The quenis majestie is clere of
hir agew. I am sorry to advertise -you of the deth of sir John Brend
in Norfolk, and sir Tho. Carden here at Horsley. Ingressi sunt

* Decyphered.
f Thomas Randal of Randolph, often called by the assumed name of Bamabie, was an
able and intelligent agent of queen Elizabeth, well fitted to conduct the secret intrigue
with the associated barons. He appears to have accompanied Arran to Berwick, and after
some short time, to have followed him into Scotland upon that nobleman's request. He
may be therefore considered as the resident envoy of Elizabeth to the congregation. Ran
dolph occasionally corresponded directly with the queen's council, (See Haynes, Vol. I.
p. 236. 241.) but chiefly through the medium of sir Ralph Sadler and sir James Crofts.
j Raylton seems to have been a sort of private secretary or decypherer.
VOL. I. 3 G

418 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
viam universe carnis. From Hampton Court, the 31 of August,
1559- Your assured frend to command, W. Cecill.
To myn honourable fiends, sir Raff Sadler and
sir James Crofts, knights, at Barwyk.

No. XXIV.
Mr Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Sir,
By my lettres of the 3 1 sent by the ordynary post, I sent you word
of his comming, * that with this sendeth his owne lettre to advertise
you where he is at the wryting, and by what tyme he shall come nigh
you, and consequently that ye maye send some one to mete and con
ferr with hym touchyng his passage. I beseche you take some care
hereof, that it may be dooue suerly and secretly. Wheruppon much
good maye ensue. From Hampton Court, the 31 of August, 1559.
Yours to command, W. Cecil.
To sir Raff Sadler, the quenes majesties embas
sador uppon the frontiers, or at Barwyk.
For the quenes affayres. Hast, hast, hast,
post.f W. Cecill.
* i. e, Of Arran's coming, to which we see so much consequence attached.
f Both letter and direction are in Cecill's own hand-writing. 2

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 419
No. XXV.
Sir Ralph Sadler to thearl of Northumberland.
I have receyved your lordships lettres of the xxix"1 of this present,
by which I understonde, that Mr Slingsbie hath signefied unto your
lordship, that I declared unto him that I had certen instructions
from the quenes majestie concerning the lady Carnabies house at Hex
ham, and that I willed him to advise you not to procede with any
further intermedling in that matier untill you shoulde here from me.
For answer whereunto, trew it is, I shewed Mr Slingsbie that I had
commission for the purpose aforesaide, and therefore prayed him to
shew your lordship, that my desire was it might please you to stay
therein untill I might conferre and speke with you meself. Supposing
that because the matier requireth no haste, I shoulde have tyme
ynough before my going out of the countrey so to order the matier
uppon my conference with your lordship, as might best advance the
quenes majesties service in that behalf, without any iniurie or inius-
tice offred or don to any partie. In dede, I have the quenes majesties
lettres to the saide lady Carnabie, conteyning no commandement, but
a gentill request unto her for the lending of her house at Hexham to
the keper of Tyndale ; and yet it pleased the quenes majestie to com-
mitte the matier to my discression, ether to delyver or not to delyver
her highnes lettres to the saide lady Carnabie, as I should see cause.
Wherein, to say my pour mynde unto your lordship, lyke as I do not
thinke my lady Carnabies house at Hexham to be so propire and mete
a place for good service to be don by the keeper of Tyndale, as dy vers
other places are, so it were to grete an iniurie to wrest the same from
her without her consent and good will ; specially considering that she
being a poure widowe, and a nother gentilwoman, * also a poure wi-
.* Her daughter, as we afterwards learn.

420 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
dow, being there with her, and their famelie have none other place to.
bestowe themselfs in. And well I know it is not the quenes majesties
pleasure that any such extremyte, or iniustice, shoulde be mynistered
to any of her highnes subiects. Besides that, I assure your lordship,
whosoever being keper of Tyndale shall desyre to lye in Hexham for
the better execution of that office, I can not iudge otherwise of him,
but that he rather seketh thereby his own ease and commodyte, then
the service of the quenes majestie, or the stay and quyetnes of the
countrey. And where your lordship writeth of the disobedience of
the lady Carnabie and her frends in this parte to be such towards
thauctoryte, as may brede more inconvenyence then is sufferable, it is
mete, if any such1 matier be proved against them, that they be called
to answer thereunto, and to be ordered for the same as equite and ius-
tice shall require. But this I must neds say, that if thauthoryte do
commande or require any thing that is uniust, or contrary to law and
equite, I can the lesse blame the partie that doth refuse or denye the
same; for no mans auctoryte extendeth so farre as to do any wrong
or iniustice ; but he that so doth, rather abuseth thauctoryte commit
ted unto him, then shew himself indifferent in the due execution of
his office. And if any man giveth your lordship advise or counsaile
otherwise, eyther he hath small consideracion and respect to your ho
nour, orells for lacke of knowledge doth that in him is not a litle to
touch and empaire the same. Beseching your good lordship to bere
with my playnes, wherein I meane not to offend you, but I assure you
do love and esteme your honour a grete dele more then they, whatso
ever they be, which by their undiscrete advise do rather go about to
dishonour you, and to deface your auctoryte, then in any wise to
mayntene and preserve the same; as when I may speke with your
lordship, I shall more at length shew you my poure mynde in that
behalf. Fynally, I have receyved your other lettres of the xxx of this pre
sent, with also the copie of the lettres addressed to your lordship and
me from the lords and others of the quenes majesties privy counsaile,

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 421
touching the remove of capitayne Reads souldiours from Warke to this
towne of Berwiek.u*>And for that matier, because the same may be
don at all tymes as we shall see cause, and agayn for that we have to
conferre with sir Rauf Grey according to the purporte of the saide
lettres, I thinke it best, if your lordship thinke so good, to stay the
remove of the said souldiours untill you may have som occasion to re-
payre hither, at which tyme the said sir Rafe Grey may be called afore
you, and commanded to bring with him the counterpayn of thinden-
tures made betwixt our late sovereign lady quene Mary and him when
he was restored to his inheritance, and then we shall take order in
that matier accordingly. If my business in this towne were not such
as I cannot yet go hens without offence of my duetie, I wold ells
waite uppon your lordship in any other place where you shoulde ap-
poynte for that purpose. Thus, &c. Aug. 31, 1559.

No. XXVI.
A Pasportefor Mr Barnyby and Mons. de Beaufort. *
Elizabeth R.
Whereas this bearer, Thomas Barnaby, gent, appoynted tp accom
pany one monsr. de Beaufort, a gentilman of our good brother the
French kingis, sent in to Scotland to our good sister the quene dow-
agier, there do at this present passe with our good favour and licence
thorough this our realme into Scotland ; we will and commande you,
not only to suffer the saide monsr. de Beauforte and Thomas Barnaby
quietly to passe by you with their baggs, baggage, and necessaries,
without any your serche, let, or trouble, bothe going and commyng,
but also to see them favorably used by the way, and furnisshed of
. * These are the fictitious names assumed by Thomas Randall and the earl of Arran in
their secret journey to Scotland.

422 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OE
there hable post horses, and of all other thingis that they shall nede
for their reasonable money, whereof we require you not to faile as you
tender our pleasure, and will aunswere for the contrary at your perills.
And thies our lettres shalbe your sufficient warraunt in this behalf.
Geven under our signet, at our honour of Hampton Courte, the last of
August, the first yere of our reign.
To all mdyours, sherieffs, Hailiffs, constables, customers,
comptrollers, and serchours, to our wardens and under
wardens of our marches for anempst Scotlande, and
to all other our officers, ministers, and subiects, to
whom in this case shall apperteyn. Cecill.

No. XXVII.
To all Ballyves, Constables, Hedborrozves, and to all the Quenes Majesties
Posts.
Although it nedeth not to requyre any more favor for the furderance
of theis gentillmen, having the quenis majesties especiall passport, yet,
because I knowe there iorney requireth expedition, I doo recommend
them to you, praying you to lett them perceve that my commendation
do them plesure in there jornay. From Hampton Court, the 31 of
August, 1559. W. Cecill.

No. XXVIII.
Therle qf Northumberland to Sir R. Sadler and Sir James Croft.
After my right hartie comendacions unto you. Hereinclosed ye
shall receyve a lettre sent to you and me from the commissioners of

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 423
Scotland touchinge the daie of oure metinge, whiche for that adaie of
trewes speciall for delivery of all suche bills as are fyled in the mydle
marches, is appointed on Thursdaie next at Hexpethe Gaitehead, wher-
upon dependethe moche of the furtheraunce or utter delaie of redresse;
and that in this commyssion is named bothe therl Bothvile, and the
lard of Cessorde, who shuld make the said deliverance. I doubt yf
oure meting be the same daie by them appointed, that it will frustrate
and delaie the other appointed day, which I wold not, because that
delivery, if it shall procede, must be for the benefyt of Englande; and
yf they shall delay it, or not performe there appointment therein, there
meanyngs shall the better appere unto us. And also we may at our
metinge with commysioners therebie the better understande what is
to be treated on in that behalfe. I have therefore thought it good to
make thanswere to there lettre inclosed, if the same shall seame good
unto you, and that ye will signe the same, and let it passe in that
sorte ; or yf for any other considerations ye shall thinke other answere
more convenient, what soever ye shall devyse therin and answere unto
them shall well content me, and upon your advertisement I shalbe
redie to attende the metinge according to youre appointment, wherein
you may advertise them, that for as moche as I did not understonde
howe your busines wold spare you to kepe the daie and place, that
thanswere of there lettre was therefore referred unto you. And so I
comit you to Almightie God. From Warkworth, the iijd of Septem
ber, 1559- Your assured loving frende,
Northumberland.
Post script. Yf ye thinke this answere to passe in this sorte, re
member to put in such daie as ye shall think good, and advertise me
thereof.

424 LETTERS during the war of.,
No. XXIX.
Therle of Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadleir.
After my right hartie commendations unto you. I have receyved
your lettre of the last of August. Amongest other conteynynge than
swere of myne owne lettres unto you, touchinge the ladie Carnabies
house, at Hexhame, wherebie it seameth unto me, that your mynde is
not that the keper of Tindale shulde have any ease of lodgirige in the
same. But moche to the contrarie, ye thinke the place not so propre
and mete as other places are for that purpose; and that it is to great
an injurye to wrest the same from hir without hir good will, being two
wedowes withowt any other house to bestowe themselfes in : and that
the keper of Tindale is desirouse to be there, seketh rather;bis owne
ease, then the advancement of the quenes maiesties service, and quiet
nes of the countrie. And that where I thought the disobedience used
in that case, might brede more inconvenience then is well suffrabell.
You seame to thinke that I have so moche abused my auctorite therein!
that the denyall and ganesaying thereof is none offence in the parties,
and that suche as have advised me therein, either lack good considera
tion and knowledg, or els have small respect to the maintenance and
preservacione of thauctorite and honour of the same; in whiche
thinges, as I do knowe your experience and consideracione to be sin
gular good and perfite, even so do I well perceyve that all thies con-
iectures came not thereof, but upon such report and informacione, as
wold rather have the matter of itself by you misconceyved, than well
accepted. For as for the place, whether it be most mete and propice,
it hathe bene considered not of any rashe or sodeyne determynacione,
but with suche deliberat advise, of those as shulde best knowe, and
have also most just cause to wishe the good governement of that
countrie, as with reason cannot be advoyded, oneles other houses then
be nowe present, were buylded, or repared for the purpose. And

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 425
whether the same hath been sought at hir handes, to have with hir
good will, by asmoch gentle meanes as could be devysed, hir self can
reporte. And seing that othere officers have before this tyme had
there lyinges there, it is great marvell that no we, at my desire, she
cannot spare so moche as to serve hym; where indede half, or a great
deale lesse, then hath been occupied by other men, wold suffice : and
yet at no tyme before, she was not harde to compleane for hir self nor
hir famylie, nor to lack any easement of lodginge, nor yet neded at all
for any thinge that shuld have bene taken from hir, or hir doughter,
for this purpose, yf other thinges that I knowe did not meave hir to
this obstinacie. In that you do thinke the keper in this case to seke
his ease, rather then discharge of. his dewtie in thoffice, I must therein
be plaine with you, that he that is keper myndeth not, nor hath- not
in tyme of his exercise thereof sought his ease, nor yet so spared
thexecution of his charge in any behalf; but that I have good cause
to seke his placeinge in the most convenient sorte. And, therefore,
that informacione, who so ever made unto you, is grounded upon suche
malice and untreuthe, as I could wishe well to be perceyved. And for
the abusinge myne auctoritie in that behalf, and the usinge of evell
advice therein, after all gentle perswasions by them wilfully and obsti-
natlie reiected, I have used but onelie suche gentle requestes and com-
mandementes, as hath bene in the like cases, and as officers must do
in the semblabell. I am well assured, whiche thinge happelie shalbe
as moche herme in other mens handes to be suffered, as the present
greaff can be unto me; and for the advice, if any suche were, I tak it
as it is to be imputed, not to the gever, but to hym that can not de-
serne the good from the other. And yet as moche advice as was had
in that matter, was not by fewe persons, nor in secrete. And fynally,
where in your saide lettres ye do saie, that ye knowe it is not the
quenes maiesties pleasure that eny extremytie, or injustice, shuld be
mynystered to eny of hir highnes subiectes, as I am assured, that no
«uche hath bene offred by me to any maner of person of malice or pur
pose ; and sorie I am that you or other shuld concey ve other openyon
VOL. I. 3 H

A%6 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
of me; even so in this case I mynde not to beare the contempte and
despite offred unto me, and that, as I take Godd to witnes, for none
other cause speciall, but that thauctorite shall not, in my hande, be so
moche defaced. And yf the quenes maiestie, and hir highnes coun
cell, wold thinke that I shuld so beare it, (whiche I suppose verelie
they will not,) I shuld take my selfe therein for the litell service and
paines taken in this office, (whiche I must confesse to be little worthie,).
Verey evell rewarded, wherein as I do make full accompt of your
assured frendshipe, in maters of more ymportaunce, yf I shall have
sede ; even so in this I shall desire your indeferent favour, withowt
affectione to any partie, as occasione and oportunytie may serve : as
you shalbe well assured to have any pleasure that I shalbe abell to do
you. And thus I comit you to Almyghtie God. From Warkworth,
the third of September, 1559. Your assured loving frend,
Northumberland.

No. XXX.
Secretary Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Sir,
I have no other thyug presently to wryte, but that I am departyng
from this court for 10 or 12 days to Stamford,* wheje I will lye in
wayte for all your lettres, and forstall them, as the quene hath licensed
me ; because, if the maters require my presence at the court, I maye
repayre with them to the court, if not to abyde out my tyme.
I send you herincluded a ciphre for Mr Crofts, and presently for
you. I thynke ye can, of your old experience, fynd it out. The
* Near which was his house of Burleigh, from which he took a title so well known in-
English history.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 427
quenes maiestie is clere from hir suspected ague. We here that the
lord Sheffield is drowned in Staffordshyre. 5th September, in hast.
Yours, assured, W. Cecill.
The gret pacquett is the French Embassadours, which I praye you
Send as sone as it may conveniently.
To the risht honorable Sir Raphe Sadler, knight,
the quenes maiesties embassadour toward Scot
land.

No. XXXI.
Sir Rafe Sadler to therle of Northumberland.
These shalbe to signefie unto your lordship, that uppon the receipt
of your lettres forthe 3d of September, with thothers from the commis
sioners for Scotlande, sir James Croft and I did ymedyately dispece
the Scottish heraull with the lettres signed by your lordship, where
unto the saide sir James and 1 did also subscribe, and appoynted our
day of meting to be on Monday next, requyring the saide heraull
that he woide, in our name, desyre the saide commissioners to adver
tise us before that tyme, whether they woide observe and kepe that
day, or appoint any other, whereof I thinke they woll advertise your
lordship, praying you that if they so do, it may please you to let Mr
Croft and me understonde the same, by the post; and if they sende
any advertisement thereof hither unto us, we shall in lyke wise signe
fie the same to your lordship undelayedly ; trusting that you woll take
the payne to be here a day or ii before the day of meting, to thintent
we may consider our commission and instructions, and conferre together
uppon such matier as we shall treate of.
As concerning my lord Carnebies house, I am sory to understonde
that your lordship is so ernest in that matier, without any grounde or

428 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
cause reasonable. And where as your lordship taketh it, that all that
I wrote to your lordship therein, proceedethe uppon conjectures and
informations, surely you are moche deceyved ; for albeit I know not
the state of this country so well as many others do, yet I am not so
ignorant but that I know which plaeis be most apt and mete for the
service ofthe keper of Tyndale; and who so ever sayeth that Hexham
is a convenyent place for it, I say he understondeth not what aper-
tayneth to that service.* Mary, as I wrote to your lordship, so I saye
agayn, that if the keper of Tyndale woll rather seke his ease and co-
modyte than the well executing of his office, then, indede, Hexham is
a mete place for his purpose; and this I wryte not uppon any informa
tion made to me, groundedu ppon malice and untrouth, but for that I
do know, and have knowen every day this xx yeres, as well as Mr
Slingsby doth, what placis be most mete for the service of the keper of
Tyndale, or for any other service to be done in this country, for the
stay and quyetnes of the same. Nevertheles, because your lordship is
so ernest in the matier, I woll contende no further with you by wryt
ing, but shall referre the same till I may speke with your lordship my
self, trusting that you will give me leave to execute my commission
in that matier, as I have receyved it from the quenes majesty. And so
I comytte your lordship to the tuycione of Almighte God, &c. Sep
tember 5tb, 1559.
* When lord Wharton proposed that there should be a lord-warden- general for trans.
acting all border affairs, he also proposed he should reside at Hexham : but, though a centrical
spot, considered with reference to the borders at large, it was less so when viewed witfe
respect to Tynedale alone.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 429a
No. XXXII.
Tho. Randolph, alias Barnabie, to Sir R. Sadler.
Yt may please your honour tunderstand, that the gentleman * and I
are this morninge here arrived at Anwicke, dissyeringe that we may
knowe your pleasure at the nexte post, where we intende to attende
the same. Most humbly I tayke my leave. From Antwicke this pre
sent Wensdaye, at ix ofthe clocke, beying the 6th of September, 1559*
Your honours, to command,
Tho. Randolph, alias Barnaby.
To sir Raf Sadler, the quenes maiesties embassadour
upon the frontiers, or at Barwicke.
For the quenes affairs, hast, hast, post hast, hast
for thie lyf, hast..
No. XXXIII.
The Commissioners for Scotland to Therle qf Northumberland, and his
Collegis, Commissioners qf England.
Eftir oure maist hartlie comendations unto your lordship. We have
ressavit your writtings of the dart at Berwik, the ferd of this instant,
makand mention that ye michtnot keip the first day appunctit be us to
meit at oure Lady Kirk, for certane affaris and besynes alreddv ordanit
be you afore oure writting, and uthair causses contenit in your last
lettir, quhilk ansuer we accept in . gude parte; howbeit we ar sunv
parte disappuntit of oure first meting; nochttheles we sail, God
willing, meit yow at oure Lady Kirk, upon Mounday nixt, the xj of
* The earl of Arran.

439 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
this instant of September, at x hourris afore none, or thairby ; and thair
sail june with yow in all mataris conforme to our commissionis^ to the
rest and quietnes i of baith the realms, and liegis thairof. And thus we
committ yow to Almyghty God. From Milross, the vij of September,
1559. Your loving freyndes in lefull maner,
BoRTHUELL.
Rechart Maitland.
Walter Ker, of Cesfurd.
iFo the richt honorable erle qf Northumberland,
and his collegia, comissionaris qf Ingland, #e.

No. XXXIV.
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
We doubt not but ye have ben in som expectation to here from us, and
we have thought it as long to have som what whereof to advertise you.
Now at the last Mr Balnaves arryved here on Wednesday last, at mid
night, from the lords of the congregation, and yesterday, in the morn
ing, we communid with him at good length, who, because he had never
before conferred with me, sir Ralph Sadler, in that matier, made me a
hole discourse, at my request, of all their procedings from the begyn-
ning, agreable in all poynts with such advertisements as you have had
heretofore. And now he sayeth that they intende to revive the ma
tier, for that the regent hathe not observed tharticles of their last agree
ment,* but hath infringed the same, aswell in that she hath set up
* In the armistice agreed upon at the Links of Leith, 24th July, 1559, by which it was
covenanted, on the part of the reformers, 1. That the town of Edinburgh should use what
-religion they pleased : 2. That no one should be prosecuted for their religious tenets : 3.
That no garrison should be placed in Edinburgh : A cause of dispute occurred, concern-
•

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 431
the masse again in thabbey of Holy Rodehouse, which they had before
suppressed ; as also iu that the French men do remayn still, and a more
nombre sithens arryved, wherewith he sayeth all Scotland is moch
moved. And also a new matier they have to burden her with for her
misgovernement, in that she abased the congregacion, without consent
of the counsaile, to the gref and impoverishment of their comon
welth. For these matiers he sayeth they wol begyn agayn, and woide
have don at this tyme, but sondry causes, he sayeth, they had to pro
tract the tyme in pursuing hereof, whereby they have rather grete ad-
vauntage than hinderaunce. One for that the regent, by her policie,
devised to stirre James McDonell, and others of the Scottish Irishrie,
agenst therle of Argyle, to thintent the same erle might be. so occupied
at home in defence of his country, as he shoulde have no tyme tattende
this matier; wherefore it behoved him to go home for the stay thereof,
which he hathe now so well ordered, as the regent shalbe clerely frus
trate and deceyved of her expectation in that behalf. A nother cause
is, for that harvest is late with them this yere, and if they shoulde
have assembled any power in the felds, it coulde not otherwise be but
that a grete distruction must have ensued of the fruts of the erth,
which woide have gretiy moved the people agenst them.
Agayn during this meane tyme they have had their prechers abrode
in the realme, which, by their preching and doctrine, have so woonne
and allured the people to their devocion, as he sayeth their power is
now double that it was, in the cause of religon ; and such as yet be
not fully persuaded therto, here, nevertheles, such hatred to the French
men, as he thinketh in maner the hole realme ifavoureth their partie.
And also he sayeth, that in this protract of tyme, practises have ben
used, and conferences had both with the duke, therle of Huntley, and
others. And the duke persuaded so farre, that he hathe promised to
coom no more at the regent, ne to take any parte with her; the rest he
ing the possession of the High Church of St Giles, which the queen desired to retain fqr ¦¦
the exercise of the Catholic worship.

432 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
woll referre to the coomyng home of his soon, who, he sayeth, may
take the matier in hande, if he himself list, to be sicke or lame, and to
wynke at the matier. And here the saide Balnaves semed to be
gretely desyrous of the comyng home of the saide dukes son, who in
dede was nerer him then he was ware of. The lyke promise, he sayeth,
they have obtayned of therle of Huntley, and be in good hope that he
\voll manyfest himself on their syde ; others also they haVe woonne, as
he sayeth, to their partie, which be the best borderers of the Marche
and Twydale, which in dede have their prechers amongst them ; and
though som of tholder sorte do draw backe, yet havifig^young and
lustie gentilmen to their soones, they are content to let them follow
their purpose, and dissemble the matier themselfs with the regent."
These advauntages, sayeth Belnaves, have they gotten by this protract
of tyme: and now assone as their harvest is at good poynt, they woll
assemble all the power they can make ; for which purpose the lords of
the congregation do mete and convene, as he sayeth',' the Xth or xijth of
this moneth at Striveling; where, he sayeth, they be in good hope to
here of som good ayde and comforte at the quenes majesties handes,
fbr the which purpose they had now sent him unto us. When be had
sayde that he woide, we tolde him, that they might assure themselfs
that the quenes majestie, and all the lords of her highnes consaile,
did so moch tender their cause, as they woide be no lesse sory then
they themselfs, if the same shoulde not take good effect; and such
ayde and comforte as her highnes might minister unto them, without
touche of her honour, and breach of the peax, which she now hath
both with Fraunce and Scotlande, they might be sure to have it at her
gratis hands. Marry, we tolde him they were wise men, and coulde
consyder, aswell as we, what might be don by her highnes in that be
half, considering that albeit their cause was grounded uppon a good
and godly foundation, to extirpe idolatry, and to advaunce Cristes
trew religion ; and also for the preservation of the freedom of their
eountrey, and to delyver the same from foreyn governement, as in con
science they are bounde to do; yet the worlde can make nae other
12

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 433
t
exposycion of it, but that they be as it were a- faction gathered togi-
ther, contending agenst thauctoryte : and how the quenes maiestie
may seame to maynteyne them in such a case, we doubted not but he,
being a wise man, coulde wey the same as depely as we did. He con
fessed all that we sayed to be trew, and wished that the quenes ma
jestie shoulde remayn still in peax, which he sayed shoulde also serve
better for their purpose, than if we were in the warres; for that if we
were in the wane, they coulde then fynde no faults with the comying
of the French men into Scotlande, which might say they cam to de-
fende our countrey ; but now, being in peax, all Scotlande may, and
doth well perceyve, that they com rather to make a conquest of them
than for any other cause. And in theyr conferences, he sayeth, they
have considered asmoeh as we sayed unto them. And therefore what
soever pretence they make, the principall marke they shote at, is, he
sayeth, to make an alteration of the state and auctoryte, to thintent
the same being established as they desyre,. they may then enter intoi
open treate with, her majestie, as the case shall requyre. This, he
sayeth, is very secret, and if the duke woll take it uppon him, they
meane to bestowe it there; or if he refuse, his son is as mete, -or rather,
more mete for the purpose. In the meane season he sayed they trust
ed, and the lords of the congregacion were in good expectation, that
her highnes woide comforte them with som secret ayde of money ; and
because they had spent a grete dele of theyr substaunce in maynteyn-
ing and keping all this while, certen bands- of souldiours, for their.
more strength and suretie, to their no litle impoverishing; if they
might now have such reliefe at her majesties hands, as woide kepe to
gether m. (1000) harquebusiers, and iijc (300) horsemen, for ij or iij
monethes, besydes such power as they trust to make at their own charge,
they woll eyther achieve their enterprise, or spende their lyves in the
pursute thereof.
Uppon this we resolved with him, that in dede there was none other
way for the quenes majestie to relieve or comforte them, but with;
vol. r- 3. I

434 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
money; which, if it might be don with such secresie as the case.doth
requyre, we sayed we doubted not but her majestie so moch tendereth
theyr case and godly action, as they might and shoulde taste of her li-
beralyte and goodnes in that parte. And here I, sir Ralph Sadler, put
him in remembraunce how liberall the king, her majesties father, had
bene afore tyme to the nobilite of Scotlande, as he knew, and how
litle they considered it;* and also, that they used therein no secresie
at all. He confessed it to be trew ; but he sayed the case is now moch
otherwise than it was then, for then we sought of them, and now they
seke of us ; and, quoth he, we be so farre alredy entered into this ma
tier, that though we have no ayde at all at your hands, we must neds,
for owre suretie, eyther go through with it, or lose our lyves ; and so
we be fully bent and purposed to do. And, quoth he, for the secresie
of the matier, it it please the quenes majestie to ayde us according to
I our desyre, it shalbe so secret, that none, except a few which be ofthe
1 privie counsaile, amongst us shall know any other but that the force
Sis levied of the benevolence of the hole congregation.
To com to thende of this long talke, the rehersall of the hole where
of were superfluous, we sayed that the yere was so farre spent, that we
thought one moneths wagis for thenterteynment of such souldiours as
they desyred woide suffice, which amounted to the poynt of xv'li.
(15001.). He answered, that the tyme was nothing at all spent for
their purpose, for the wynter is best for them, and worst for the French
men ; but within ij moneths he trusted the matier woide be tryed.
And so fynally we graunted them m.m.li. (2000 1.), which we sayed
we woide spare them of the pay our souldiours here shoulde receyve at
this tyme ; and doubted not but the quenes majestie, if she shoulde
perceyve the same to be so employed by them, as theyr cause may be
well advaunced, and her honour untouched, she woide in that case
shew herself more liberall unto them, wherein we pray you helpe, that
* Alluding to the negociations concerning the Scottish match, conducted by Sadler
himself. 11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 435
we may kepe promise, if the case so require. With thys the saide
Balnaves was well satisfied, seming to take it in very thankefull parte ;
and we be resolved, that within these vj dayes they shall sende hither
for the same by sea, and shall recey ve it at Holy Hande, wherein shalbe
used as moch secrecie as is possible.
Thus have we adventured so moch ofthe quenes money, and surely
by all likelihods and coniectures that we can conceyve, the same can
not but be employed to good purpose. Others there be, as Kyrkauldy,*
Ormeston f and Whitlaw, which, having spent moche for thi* matier,
whereof they be ernest prosecutors, and for the same have bein capi
taynes of bands in Scotland, have lost a xv or xvj monethes pay,
which they shoulde now have had out of Fraunce, do loke for som re-
liefe, whereof, as we understonde, they have ben put in some hope ;
but because we have ben now so liberall of the quenes- purse, albeit it
pleased her majesty to comytte the same to the discression of me, the
saide sir Rafe, yet we woide be glad to know how her highnes lyketh
or mislyketh that we have don, before we do any more.
Now, sir, all this while of our talke with Mr Balnaves, was therle
of Arrayn here in the castell^ the one of them not knowing of thother^
for Balnaves came on Wenesday last at midnight ; and therle, for
whose secret conveyance hither we had taken order according to your
lettres, cam in to the castell on Thursday morning before day, within.
three howres after Balnaves. We told first therle that Balnaves was
here, and devised with him whether he woide talke with him or not.
After som consideracion whereof, because he woide understonde the
state of things in Scotlande, knowing Balnaves to be his assured frende,.
he resolved to speke with him, and so we brought them together.
And Mr Balnaves, we assure you, semed to reioyce very moch of his.
commyng, and discoursed with him of the state of theyr countrey at
good length ; and in thende ordered that Balnaves shall kepe it secret,.
* The renowned sir James Kirkaldy, laird of Grange.
t John Cockburn. of Ormeston,. much trusted by the reformers.

436 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
till therle shall disclose himself. And this last night the saide Bal
naves departed hens-secretely, as he cam, to Holy Islande; * and assone
as the tyde will serve, goeth his way with such resolution as is before
declared. We are now devising for the secrete and sure conveying. of
therle, trusting to put him into Scotland by Tevydale, from whens he
shalbe both secretely and safely conveyed to his father's house at Ha-
mylton. We have no lesse care thereof, assure your self, then our
dueties doth requyre, and woll do what we can therein for our lyves.
Not doubting but ye shall shortly here that the same is well accom
plished. Thus have we troubled you with many words, and lytle matier, to
your payn in the redyng, and ours in the wryting ; praying you never
theless, though we lacke witte, to do that we desyre, you woll helpe
that the quenes majestie may accepte and take our good willes and
well meaning in good parte, which shalbe our comforte. 8 of Sept.
1559.

No. XXXV.
Therle qf Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After my right hartie commendations. Having presentlie receyved
lettres from the lordes commissioners of Scotland, I sende you the same
hereinclosed ; and according to the contentes thereof I shall not faill,
God willing, to be at Barwicke upon Sondaie by two of the cloke in
the after none, of intent to advice with you in suche thinges as shall
concerne the same meting. And so I bid you most hartlie fare well.
From Warkworth, the ixth of Sept. 1559.
;Your assured loving frefid,
Northumberland.
* He probably came and returned by sea, from some part of the Fife coast.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 437
No. XXXVI.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft.
After my harty commendations. This xjth I have receaved yours
of the viij*, and have, as by appoyntment it was ordered by the quenis
majestie, redd the same here at my house nere Stamford, and sent the
same to hir majestie, with my opinion that ye deserve commendation
for your wise preceding, and thanks also. I cam hyther on Frydaye
last, and must depart on Saturdaye next, and meane to be at the court
on Sondaye at night with Gods leave. I wold be gladd to here of the
sure entry of Monsr. de Beaufort ; * ye knowe what erle I meane. I
have wrytten to the court that lord Ormeston, Kircaldy, and Whytlaw,
might have some releffie. Ye wryte nothing to me of the recept of a
new -ciphre, which I lately sent to you, wherein this I wryte. Therle
of Arrayri borrowed of me at his being at London 200 crowns, f which
he .promised should be payed to you Mr Sadler for me. After some
tyme passed, I praye you aske it of hym, and I will send you by some
thorow post, his bill. I thynk to be at the courte or your next
lettres will come hence. And so I leave you, being my self now lyke
a byrd out ofthe cadge. My lord admyrall and I meane to retorne by
Standemon Sondaye at dynner. xjth Sept. 1559.
Yours most assured, W. Cecill,
Endorsed, To the right honourable sir Raff Sadler and
sir James Crofts, knights, at Berwick. For the quenes ma
jesties affayres, from sir Wm. Cecill, her majesties secretary,
hast, hast, hustfor liffe,for liffe. Rec. at Newcastle the xiiij
of Sept. at xj of the cloke before noone.
* The feigned name used in the earl of Arran's passport.
f The sum is in cypher, but appears from a subsequent letter (No. XLVIL).

438 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
No. XXXVIL
My Lord Clynton to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Aftar my most harty commeudacyons unto you. Wher this berar
is a seutar to syr Jamys Crofte, to be plasid captein of a band in Bar
wyk, wherin he hath sarvyd a good tyme, and very onestly, and hath
obtaynyd lettars in his faver to Mr Crofte from som of the cownesell,
I have thought good, for that you ar in thos parts, to 1 equyer you to
speke to Mr Crofte in the furdrance of this yong gentyllman, whom I
wold gladly do pleasure unto ; wherin if it plese you to travell, I
shall geve you my harty thanks at oure metyng, wych I wyshe to be
shortly ; and if ther be any thing wher in I may do you plesure, ther
is no man whome you shall fynd more redy to do it then I, and so I
pray you to think of me. And thus I wyshe you as well to do as I
wold my nowne sellff. From Semperyngham, the xjth of Sept. 1559-
Your assured lovyng frend, E. Clynton.*
No. XXXVIII.
Mr Secretarie Cecil to Sir Rafe Sadler, f
Sir,.
Yesterday I wrote to you from this place, mentioning the receipt of
your lettre of the viijth of this, wherin I perceyved the comming thi
ther of Balnaves and of therle qf Arreyn. This night I remembered
that ye wer advised by my former lettres from the cowrte to lende the
* Seal, a star and garter; motto, Honi soit, &c.
f The words in italics, are written in a cipher;, but are deciphered by another hand..

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. A39
protestants money as of your selve,, taking secret lie the bonds of them to
rendre the same, so as the quene shuld not be a partie therto. Never
theles I referr my judgment to that which ye see there metest. I
praye you by your lettres send to Hughes, the lord tresorors man at
York, to hasten his collection of the mony that must come to Bar
wyk for the soldiers there. Sir Richard Lee hath missed me here by
the waye, because he diverted f here to St Albon's directly. And so
I take my leave/ wishyng the contynuance of good newes thence. I
wold gladly ye sought to understand what becometh of the French
men that went by the west seas, which was the B. of Amyens and La
Brosse, with iiij" (80) horsmen ; if they come savely to the rest, it
shall much proffitt them. My lord admyrall departe with Gods leave
hence on Friday e in the after noone. The xija> of Sept. 1559-
Your assured frend,
W. Cecill. %
To the right honorable sir Raff Sadler, knight, embassad.
for the quenes majestie uppon the front, of Scotland, at Ber-
wyk. Hast, hast, hast, hast, for lieff,for liff,for lyff. W.
Cecill.
R. at Newcastell the xv of Sept. at x of the cloke before
noone. Rassaved at Borford at xij off the cloke at neghet,
Rec. by sir Ralph' 15 Sept. at midnight.

No. XXXIX.
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Crofts to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
This shalbe to signefie unto you, that on Sonday, about ij of the
clocke in the morning, therle of Arreyn was safely delyvered in Tevi-
t A Latinism for " turned aside."
% All in Cecih's hand writing.

440 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
dale, unto such one of his fiends hands, as hathe undertaken both se--
cretelye, and surely, to convey him to his father; where in we doubt
nothing the performaunce of his promise. Assone as we shall under
stonde of his safe arryvall there, we shall advertise you of the same.
We be infourmed that dy vers merchaunts of Scotland have sued to
the regent there for her lettres to the quenes majestie, whereby they
might obteyne safeconduct to traffike into England with their mer
chandises, as in such case hath ben accustomed, which the saide regent
woll in no wise graunte to them, because, as it is supposed, she woide
have no resorte of Scotts mto Englande at this tyme. Wherefore it
hath ben requyred of us, both by Mr Balnaves and Alexander Whit-
law, that we woide sue to the quenes majestie fbr such a safeconduct,
and also for a lycence to bye x geldings for the lord's of the congrega
tion, as you shall perceyve by a memoriall delyvered unto us by the
saide Whitlaw, which we sende you hereinclosed. '
Yesterday therle of Northumberland and we, mette with the Scot
tish commissioners here uppon the frontiers, and using thaccustomed
maner, we perused their commission, and they lykewise ours. And
uppon consideration of the same, they founde faulte with ours, be
cause there was none auctoryte given us by speciall words to treate
uppon the raunson and d'ely verie of prisoners ; wherein nevertheles the
generall words of our commyssion do auctorise us sufficiently, besids
our speciall instructions for that purpose, as we declared unto them ;
and so we offred to treate with them in that matier, which they re
fused not. We also founde fault with their commission, because it
extendeth no further then to treate specyally uppon- the ransom of"
prisoners, and redresse of attemptats committed syns the last conclu
sion of the peax, as you shall perceyve by the copie of their commis
sion, which we sende you herewith ; so that they have no such aucto
ryte therby as we have by our commission, to make and establishe
such other lawes and ordenaunces, as on both sides we shoulde thinke
mete for the better order and common quiet of thes frontiers. Ne
vertheles we agreed, because we woide lose no tyme, to enter into.
7,

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 441
treatye with them uppon these ii speciall poyntes, untill they might
obteyne a larger commission. This day we shall mete agayn for that
purpose ; and of our further proceedings therein we shall advertise, as
the case shall require. If it lyke you to sende us a larger commission,
With speciall woords to treate upon the ransom and delyvery of pri
soners, &c.
Not touching the attemptats and disorders of the west marches,
which they refuse to meddle with, xij Sept. 1559.

No. XL.
Sir Ralph Sadler to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
Amongst my lettres and instructions which I receyved from you by
Mr Raylton after my departure from the courte, there was one lettre
addressed from the quenes majestie to the lady Carnabie, and by myn
instructions I perceyved that it was to borowe her house at Hexham
for the keper of Tyndale, and that I might use my discression therein
as 1 shoulde see cause. If I had then conferred with you uppon the same,
I coulde have declared unto you, that Hexham is no apte, ne mete
place for the service of the keper of Tyndale. Nor in my tyme I am
sure there never lay any such in Hexham, saving onely sir Reynolde
Carnaby,* who had lever lye in his owne house, though it were not
the metest place for the service, then seke any others. But undoubt
edly the most apte and convenyent placis for that purpose on all the
frontiers are Gangston, Langley, or Chipehace, f in one of which iij
r
* Husband of the widow lady Carnaby, whose house was now wanted for the keeper.
+ Belonging to the family of Heron. " A pretty town and castle," says Leland, " hard
on the east part of the arm of North Tyne, the which divideth Tyndale from Northum
berland. For Tynedale, though it be as a part of Northumberland, yet it is as a part pri
vileged within itself." — Itin. Vol. VII. p. 63. Hence it came to have a keeper, indepen
dent of the usual deputy-wardens.
VOL. I. 3 K

442 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
placis men of service have alwayes ben placed, and specially for the
well executing of that office of Tyndale. Nevertheles, I have lerned
syns my comyng hither, that Mr Slingsbie, brother to my lord of
Northumberland by maryage of his sister, being keper of Tyndale,
and by all lykelihood seking rather his own ease and commodyte then
the service of the quenes majestie, and the stay and quyetnes of the
contrey, hath a gret 'desyre to lye in Hexham, wher indede he hath
lyen for the most parte this xij moneth, ever syns he had thoffice, in a
house, which, if he woll neds lye in Hexham, may serve him aswell
now as it hathe don before ; and if he be wery of that house, yet is
there in Hexham ij towers of the quenes majesties, which, as 1 am cre
dibly informed, with thexpens of xx"* to make a litle reparation,
woll serve as good a man as Mr Slyngsbie is ; but for his more ease
and comodyte, he must neds have my lady Carnabies house, because
it is the fayrest house in the towne ; and well he can be content that
she being a poure wydowe, and her daughter also a poure wydow,
and one of the heyres of the house, * having none other place to be-
stowe themselffs in and theyr famylye, shoulde seke a new dwelling
to give place to him, his wyf, and his famylie, as you know it is rea
son, and all uppon pretence that it is for the better service of the
quenes majestie, which I assure you is mere contrary. Iu this matier
my lord of Northumberland is very ernest for his saide brother, and
hath wrytten therein to my lady Carnabye in suche sorte, as when I
compare the quenes majesties lettres and his togither, being bothe
wrytten to the said lady for one matier, I fynde a grete difference be
twixt them ; thone conteyning a gentill request to her, that she woll
condescende to let the keper of Tyndale have the use of her house for
the better discharge of his office, the same being thought mete for the
purpose ; thother conteyning an imperious commandement and straight
* Sir Reginald Carnaby left his estate to three daughters co-heiresses, viz. first, Cathe
rine, wife of Cuthbert lord Ogle; second, Ursula, wife of Edward Widderington, esq;
third,. Mabel, wife of George Lawson, esq. '3

tfHE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 443
charge, uppon payn of Contempt and disobedyence, that she woll suffer
the saide keper to be placed in her house for the better service as is
aforesaide. As though his auctoryte -did extende so farre as he may
do wrong to whom he lysteth. I speke not this uppon informacion ;
for I have his lettres to shew, the lyke whereof I have not sene wryt
ten iii such a case by any subiect. The poure gentilwoman, that can
not spare her house because she hath no mo, hath had moch a do to
kepe it from my lordf and his brother. And therefore, when I had
well understode the matier, I wrote my poure mynde to my lord there
on, and in the same declared to him what commission I had, with
also myn opynyon, toching thaptenes of the place, and desyred that
it might please his lord to stay in it till I might speke with him.
Whereuppon, he perceyving that I lyked not his proceedings therein,
and that I semed to be against his opynyon for the convenyence of
the place, he wrote to me very ernestly agayn, amongst other things,
that he woide not bere such contempt and dispite as was offered unto
him in that parte by the lady Carnaby and her frends, whills the auc-
torytie was in his hande, with other fonde matier, which is not worth
the rehersall. And now I here say that he intendeth to sende up his
saide brother Slingsbie, or som other, eyther to complayne, wherein I
thinke he woll make some untrew suggestion, or ells to make meanes
and sute to the lords of the counsaile to disturbe the poure gentilwo
man in her house, I assure you, without any good grounde or cause
reasonable. Wherefore I have thought mete to advertise you of that
I know therein. And if any such complaynt or sute be made there
by the said Slingsby, or any other, if it may please you to retourne the
matier hither by commission, or lettres directed to therle of Northum
berland, sir James Croft, and me, or such others as you shall thinke
mete, giving charge unto them to examyn the circumstances of it, and
to call before them the most experte and wise gent, of the countrey,
and by them to lerne which be the most mete placis for the service of
f The earl of Northumberland, and sir Francis Slingsby.

444 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF - ¦ ~
the keper of Tyndale ; then shall you know whether the saide keper
seke my lady Carnabyes house for his own commodyte, or for the well
executing of his office. At the leest, I make a certen accompte that
you woll not give credite to thone partie till you have harde thother.
It is more than xx yeres ago syns I had som understanding of this
frontier, and yet dyd I never know it in such disorder ; for now the
officer spoyleth the thefe,* without bringing forth his person to tryall
by the law ; and the thefe robbeth the trew man, and the trew men
take assuraunce of the theves that they shall not robbe them, and
give them yerely rent and tribute for the same, f And in these last
warres I here, which I never harde bf before, that English borderers
were assured by the Scottes from burning and spoyle, and for the
same in lyke wise payed the Scottes certen rent and tribute. All which
procedeth of the lacke of stoute and wise officers. Wherefore, if you
woll have the frontiers well ordered, you must appoynt such officers as
can governe better, which, in my pour opynion, might be so chosen,
as the quenes majestie shoulde by them be a gret dele better served
then she is now, and with lesse charge, as at my retourne, if I may
have the hering, I shalbe able to declare unto you.ij:
I trust you woll concey ve that I write nothing herein eyther of any
malice or fond ignorance, but onely in respect of my duetie to the
quenes majestie, and for thadvancement of her highnes service, which
is as mete, and more mete, to be considered and loked to on this flon-
tyer, then in any place of Englande. Sept. 12. 155g.

* i. e. takes his goods.
•J: Called in Scotland black-mail.
% All these complaints seem levelled against the earl of Northumberland and his de
puties,.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 445
No. XLI.
Sir Wm. Ingleby* to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Righte worshipfull, it maye please yowe to understande, thatt the or
der of the receipt haith bene suche here, by whose necligence I can
nott saie, thatt to this presente theire is not received the somme of five
thowsande pownds ; which thinge, bycause itt is contrarie thexpeeta-
ciouns ofthe quenes highnes moste honorable councell, and gretlie pre-
iudiciall to the soldiours so longe unpaied, I thoughte good to signefie
unto yowe, thatt theire mighte some remedie be had therein. Yf more
spede be not maide hereafter by the collectours, theire is so manie de-
laies and excuses maide, thatt I doubte much the somme of fivetene
thowsande apointed to Barwicke will not be had in theis partes,
whiche thinge so sone as I can have prove of, as I nowe but suspecte
the same, yowe shall not faille to be certefied. Thus I ceasse to truble
yowe. Frome Riplaie, this xiij,h of Sept. 1559.
Yours to commaunde,
Wyllam Inglyry.
To the righte worshipfull
sir Raphe Sadler, knighte, give this at Berwicke.

No. XLII.
The Queen to Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft.
Elizabeth R. By the Quene.
Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And let you wit, we
have sene your lettres conteyning the discourse and communication
* This gentleman appears to have commanded a company of soldiers, and also to have
been treasurer or paymaster of the garrison at Berwick.

446 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
you have had with BalneVes, wherein lyke as we well perceyve you
have used your sellfs with no lesse wysdome and circumspection, then
we allwayes looked for at your handes, so doo we take your doings
therein in very good parte, and gyve you by these our hasty thanks
for the same ; assuring you, that as we nothing doubt of the contyn-
nuance of your good and diligent service in this or any other thing
that we shall have occasion to employe you in, so shall you well per
ceyve, that we will be glad, as commoditie may serve, to consider the
same in suche sorte, as you shall have Cause to think us your good and
gracious lady, and your travayle and paynes not to be forgotten. Geven
under our signet at our honnour of Hampton courte, the xiij"1 of Sept.
the fyrst yere of our reigne.
Post script. We will within fewe dayes more fully and particiilarly
advertise you of our further pleasure touching the content of your sayd
lettres.

No. XLIII.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
After my harty commendations. The quenes majestie sent theis
lettres included to be sent to you, and hath by hir private lettres,
willed me to assure you as soone as I come to the court, to gyve you
knoledg for the releving of * Kirkaldy, Ormeston, Sec. I trust uppon
the arryvall of this post ye shall have herd summe certenty of Iherle of
Arrein being with his father. The quenes majestie wold have you have
good regard to whome ye delyver the money, both for honor of the
persons and secretie. I was willed, if I thought mete, to addresse this
beror, being the post of the court, through to you with these lettres;
* This and the other words in italics are written in a cypher, bat are decyphered.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 447
which I have doone for suerty, aswell of hir majesties lettres, as also
for the retorne of that which he shall bryng from you.
I send you included a specialtye for 200 crowns, as ye maye see;
wherof if ye here any thyng, I pray you receave the monny, and de-
lyvir the bill. * I wold not wish more hast therin than you see con
venient, although it is of my owne purse, God be with you both,
and with all your affayres. From my poore howse at Burlegh, the 14th
of Sept. 1559. Yours assuredly, W. Cecill.

No. XLIV.
Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir, '
We have receyved your lettres ofthe xj*5* of this present. And to satis-
fie your desire to here of f the sure entrance of Mons. de Beaufort,^ lyke
as we did advertise you by our lettres of the xiij'11 that he was sqfelye
delyvered in Tevydale to one qf his f rends hands, that undertake to convey
him surelie and secretelye to his father, so you shall understonde, that
we have now certen advertisement that he is safely in the castell qf Ha
milton with his father, who rejoysed not a litle of his commyng thither;
and hitherto he remaineth there so secret, that at the Wryting hereof
it was not known in Scotland that he is arryved there. He hath sent
hither for Randall, whom we woll sende unto him by the same man
that conveyed hym before, with asmoch spede as we may conve-
nyently.

* This is the bill for the money lent by Cecil to Arran, as mentioned in p. 437.
t All the words in italics seem to have been written in a cypher.
J The earl of Arran, concerning whose safe arrival Cecil had so often expressed anxiety.

44$ LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
The Scottish commissioners, with whom we have had sondry con
ferences and metings for these border matiers, have ben very quesitif
bf the passage of Scottish men thorough England, and chiefely the olde
larde of Lethington, * who, being the wisest man of them, tolde us
that the regent of Scotland willed him to declare unto us in gentil!
^and pleasant maner, as he sayed, that she understode, that without her
licence or knowlege, dyvers Scottish men passed thorough Englande
into Scotlande, and lykewise out of Scotland into Englande, and had
not onely passeporte and safeconduct, but also licence to passe in post
at their pleasure, which she sayed is contrary to the treatie ; for that in
the same it is capitulated, that no subiect of eyther prynce shall have
safeconduct to passe in that sorte, without consent and lycence of the
princis of both realmes ; trusting that the quene our sovereign woide
have such consideracion of the same as apteyned. We answered, that
in dede of late sondrye Scottis men and French men also cam out of
Fraunce into Englande to passe into Scotland, which were permytted,
without ony stay, to passe frelye, as frendshypp and good neighbour
hood doth require in tyme of peax ; and I sir James Croft toke the
faulte uppon me, saying, that if it were a faulte, I was asmoche to be
blamed for it as any other; for that if eyther Scottish man or Frensh
man repayred to this towne to passe into Scotland, I suffered him to
passe, and stayed no man, thinking thereby to deserve thanks, rather
then that any defaulte shoulde have ben founde with the same. Where?
with they passed over the matier ; but, as we coniecture, all is for that
they mistrust the commyng of therle qf Array n thorough England.
And as we can understonde, they have gotten som knowlege that a
French man shoulde secretely passe thorough Alnewyk ; and because
they can not lerne where he is becom, therefore they be so quesitif.
Hereof we thought mete to advertise you, to thintent you may con
sider what the treatie purporteth in that behalf, and also advertise us
f Sir Richard Maitland ; his son, the secretary of queen Mary, is usually called young
Lethington.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, I559-60- 449-
what we shall answere; if they fynde any more defaulte with the
same. The English borderers on the west marches, called the Gray mes, *
have made sondry incursions into Scotland uppon the lord Maxwell,
and have slayne his cosen the parson of Amade, and also chased the
saide lorde Maxwell, who hardly escaped them. And still they ryde
and spoyle his countrey as we understonde, so that he is so occupied
there to defende the same, that he hath yet no leysour to bke.thother
waye.-\ This matier seatneth very strange unto us, considering that in
tyme of warre, when they shoulde and ought to have don service,
they stired not, nor ever set fote into Scotland to annoy theneraye, and
now, in tyme of peax, do all they can to distourbe the same. Whether
it be a practise or no, we woll not judge ; but this we perceyve, that
the Scottish commissioners here fynde no fault with it ; and where as
we offred to treate with them for redresse of attemptats don on the
the west marches, they refused it, as we wrote to you in our last
lettres. We woll do what we can to lerne how it cometh to passe
that the Graymes be so busye, and have alredy made meanes therefore.
The lord DacresJ; lyeth at Carlisle, and eyther suffereth it, orells can
not or woll not amende it. What polycie it is to commytte rule and
auctoryte to such men as your wardens here be, with their other faults
not unknOiven to you, § you can iudge and consider better then we can;
but we, as our dueties do requyre, wishe that suche shoulde have the
rule of these frontierrs, as favour the quenes maiesties procedings, and.
be most mete and hable to governe so gret a charge.

* A fierce and untractable clan of borderers inhabiting the Debateable Land on the
western march. There was an ancient feud between them and the lord Maxwell, who had
plundered and forayed their lands about the year 1550.
t This is explained by a passage in a subsequent letter, from Balnaves to Sadler and
Crofts, in which he complains, that the outrages of the Graemes prevented Maxwell from
bringing his men to the rendezvous of the lords of the congregation..
j Thomas lord Dacre of the north. He died in the 8th year bf queen Elizabeth's reign.
§ To which was added, ." being indeed rank papists;" but these words are deleted.
VOL. I. 3 L

450 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Post scripta. I sir Ralph Sadler receyved your other lettres directed -
to me of the xij,b of this, mencioning, amongst other things, that by
your former lettres from the courte, I was advised to lende the protes
tants money as of myself, taking secretely bands qf them io render the
same, s~o as the quenes majestie shoulde not be a partie therto. In dede I
do remember, that when I was with you at the courte before my dis-
patche, such maner of talke passed betwixt you and me ; but syns that
tyme, if you wrote to me any lettres of such effect, surely they are
imbesiled, for they never cam fo my hands. The money is alredy de
lyvered to Balnaves, who, by reason of contrary wynde, was forced to
tary vj dayes in Holy Islande ; and therefore, to advoyde further tra-
vaile in sending backe agayn for it, having Alex. Whitlawe in his
companye, he desyred that they might have the money with them,
wherein we thought good to satisfie his desyre ; and on Wenesday last,
afore none, they sayled homewards with a very good wynde, trusting to
here shortely of their safe arryvall.
Touching the B. of Amyens and La Brosse, we here not of them,
but that they be loked for in Scotland. Marry, it is thought there that
they woll not passe by the 'west seas, because if they com that way,
they must neds fall in the danger of the protestants. * Assone as we
shall lerne any certentie of them, you shall be advertised accordinglye.
We had worde even now that therle qf Arrayn hath discovered him
self in Scotland, and hether he hath sent your cc crowns, (SOO) though
the same were not requyred of him by any of us. You shall do well
therfore to sende him his bill, f And lykewise I sir James Croft re
ceyved commendation this morning from the young larde of Lethington,
secretarie to the regent, desiering me to have no lesse good opinion
then heretofore I have conceaved of him, offering also his service to
the quenes majestie in any thing that he can doo, And further, sent
* Whose principal strength lay in the western counties.
t What follows, and the termination of the next letter, appears to be written by sir
James Croft.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 451
me woorde, that he attended uppon the regent in her courte no longer
then till he might have a good occasion to revoke unto the protestants.
These commendations he sent me by one Melvin, a Scottsman, and ser-
vaunt to the constable of Fraunce, who is now passing hence towards his
master. * Thus we ende, and committ you to the tuition of Almightie
God. From Berwick, the 16th of Sept. 1559.

No. XLV„
Sir Rate Sadler and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill.
We have no specyal matier to write of the protestant procedings,
because we harde nothing from them sithens the departure of Balnaves,
and therefore because your post, this berer, is very disyrous to retourne
to his charge, we have thought good to depeche him with such matier
as we here reported by the common brute of Scottishmen, that is, that
gretely they reioyse in Scotland of the comying home of therle of Ar-
rayn, and moch devising there is which way he cam, suspecting the
same to have ben thorough England. The regent is in gret melancolie
and displeasure with the same: and also they say that the congrega
tion begynneth to assemble, and woll ryse agayn, and the French men
devise for their defence,, loking daylie for the marques Dalbeuf> and
* This was' the amiable and'accomplished sir James Melville of Hallhill, author of the
Memoirs which bear his name. He went to France to be page of honour to queen Mary,
and by her allowance entered into the service of the constable Montmorency, where he
remained for nine years; He had, been dispatched- by Henry II. into Scotland, to recom
mend mild and temporizing measures to the queen-dowager, such as might secure the tem
poral obedience of the reformers, " leaving Scottishmen's souls to God, as he had difficulty
enough to rule the consciences of Frenchmen ;" and with amicable proposals to the pro
testant lords. Melville had chiefly addressed himself to the prior of St Andrews, better
known as the regent Murray, and was returning to France through England with his an
swer to the French king's message, when he passed through Berwick, as mentioned in the
text. The death of Henry 11., and the violent counsels of the Guises, broke off these
communings, and with them all hopes of reviving the French interest in Scotland.

452 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
with him more ayde out of Fraunce, which, if they were arryved, they
think themselfs strong ynough for the protestants. This is the com
mon brute, but we trust to here shortly som certentie of their pro
cedings, and then we shall advertise the same with diligence.
The incursions and attemptats into the west marches of Scotland, by
the Graymes and other surnames of Englande do contynew, or rather
increase ; and as we wrote that we had made som meanes to know how
it cam to passe, that they were now so busie in tyme of pCax, and in
the tyme of warre so quyet, so have we lerned, by information, that
the lord Dacres, who might stay it if he woide, lyeth at Carlisle, and
wynketh at the matier; and as we be informed should say, that he
had no commandement from the quenes majestie, neyther to stay them,
nor to bidde them ryde, and therefore they might do as they listed.
We woll not say this is trew, but we must neds thinke that it procedeth
eyther by his will or by his necligence.* And also we understonde,
that he sent to the regent of Scotland ij of his trustie servaunts, which
retourned from her on Thursday last ; and as themselfs say, they went
to her to desyre that she woide appoynte a warden on her west marches,
to thentent the lord Dacres might mete and conferre with him, for to
make redresse of attemptats don, and for the keping of good rule on
those borders. But why my lord Dacres shoulde sende to her to de
sire redresse we see not, for thenglishmen have now don so gret hurt
to Scotland, that, as we be infourmed, they be not hable to make re
dresse for it, and the Scotts, which woide fayne be quyet, have don
nothing to Englande. And therefore my lord Dacres hath no cause
to complayn, ne to seke for any redresse. What the cause is whie he
shoulde sende to her we know not, but what he is you know ; and to
* The inference seems to be, that by connivance at the inroads of these borderers, Lord
Dacres was bringing on a breach between England and Scotland, and a revival of the an
cient national antipathy, which could not be otherwise than destructive to Elizabeth's plan
of forming a Scottish party in the interest of England. Besides, Lord Maxwell was a zea
lous reformer, and these aggressions effectually kept him from joining the lords of the con
gregation. See No. LIL

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 453
say our opynyons to you, we thinke he woide be very loth that the
protestants in Scotland, yee or in Englande, shoulde prosper, if he
might lett it. And even of the same sorte is your warden of the est
and myddell marches here; and then iudge you how mete they be to
governe such a charge, that requyreth men of wisedom, trust, stoutnes,
and good governement : such officers we wishe to be in their placis :
the consideracion whereof we referre to the high powers. In the meane
season, under your reformation, we thinke it mete that, at the least'
straight charge and commandement, by lettres from thens, be addres
sed to the saide lord Dacre, to stay the saide incursions, and to kepe
better rule on the frontiers under his charge. The rest we referre to
your wisedom. And so, &c. * We suspect that therle qf Northumber
land is advertised, from tyme to tyme, by Alen, the clerke of the counsail
there, of all secret matiers, whatsoever they be, that concernith him, or any
other, xix September, 1559.

No. XLVL
The Maior of Newcastell to therle of Northumberland, and the other
Comissioners.
Yt maye please you to understande, that I have received your ho
norable lettres of the xviij01 of September, touchinge the enteraunce of
James Hume, Skotisheman, sonne of the lorde of Coldingknowes, and
his retourne agayn unto you.f So it is that the said James, makinge
his entraunce unto sir Robert Brandlinge, to thuse of my lorde Whar
ton, agreable to his bonde. I have not the les, accordinge to your
» In cypher (in the margin).
f James Home, son of John Home, laird of Coldingknowes, a near relation of the earl
of Home, appears to have been taken at a skirmish before the gates of Berwick. Lord
Wharton writes several letters claiming the ransom of this prisoner, for one of his re
tainers.

454 letters during the war of
honorable lettres, sent and rejourned the said James Hume unto your
lordship by thes berers ; not doubtefng but that your honour woll take
suche order with the said James Hume, as that I may be discharged
and acquyted from all manner of encumberaunces, touchinge his dely-
verie from hens, if my lorde Wharton, at any tyme herafter, shall call
for him at my hands. As knoweth our Lorde God, whome I beseche
to have your honours and woorshipes in his blessed* tuycions. At
Newcastle, this xxi of September, anno 1659-
Your lorde and wourships most humble at commandment,
The maiour of Newcastle, Oswold Chapman.

No. XLVII. *
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft,, to tke Lords and others qf
the Lords Privie Counsel.
It may like your lordships to understande, that perceyving by your
lettres of the xv of August, that John Flemyng, with 50 goonners, such
as cam from Guysnes, was in the tyme of quene Mary sent hither, to
serve here in this towne, onely of intent to relieve them, being then
without other succour, and that it was none otherwise meant at that
tyme, but that the charges of that nomber shoulde contynew no longer
then during the lyves onely of those 50 persons that cam from Gys-
nes; in consideracion whereof your lordships pleasure is, not onely
that if any of them be ded, or their rowmes otherwise becom voyde,
and supplied agayn by others, contrary to the first meaning, we shoulde,
in that case, cause such as have newly ben brought in to the saide
crue to be cassed, onles they, or any of them, shall appere unto us to
be such men as, for their skill and qualities, are fytte to be contynew-
ed in service, but also that we shoulde take ordefthat from hensfourth,
as any of the said 50 gooners shall by death or otherwise fayle, none

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 455
other be admitted to his place, but that the rowme may die with the
person, according to the fyrst intent. We have thought good to sig
nefie unto your lordships, that uppon consideration of the matier, as
we fynde that of the saide nombre of 50, that cam hither from Guys-,
nes, 5 or 6 at the most have lefte their rowmes here, som of them by
deth, and som otherwise; so hathe it ben thought mete, by such as for
the tyme had the charge here, to supplie their placis with others, for
the better furnyture and more suretie of this towne. And' when the
fortifications here shalbe fynished, it is thought that the same woll oc-
cupie no lesse nombre of goonners than one hundreth at the leest, for
the greate ordenaunce. Wherefore we thinke it mete that the saide
nomber of 50 be contynewed, and as any of them shall fayle, to be
still supplied, if it may so stande with your lordships pleasure; where
unto, nevertheles, we do referre the same, as aperteyneth. 21 Septem
ber, 1559-

No. XLVIII.
Copy of John Sinclear's (i. e. John Knox's*) Lettre to Sir James
Croft.
Right Woorshipfull,
These are to advertise you, that upon Monday the 17 of September,
the lords of the congregation departed from Sterling, where they had
remayned certain dayes before, in consultacion upon thies present af
faires. Therle of Arrane bging in their companye, they departed alto
gether, I saye, to Hamilton, to my lord duke, for reconsiliacion to be
made betwixt him and summe lords and other gentlemen, whome, be
fore, he and his freends having authoritie, had offended. In that com-
* This celebrated'reformer, in his passage from Geneva to Scotland, had had an inter
view with Cecil, and was well acquainted with his views. He arrived in Scotland 2d May,
1559.

456 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
panye departed bothe the men who last wer with you, togither with
the larde of Graunge : God unite their harts in perfett love. Before
I wrote unto you and unto Mr Secretary, that onles summe supporte
were made unto particuler men, andespeciallie to those whome I did
notefie in writing, that impossible it ware unto them to serve in this
action. For albeit that money, by the adversarie partie, largelie offred,
coulde not corrupt them, yet shulde extreame povertie compell them
to remayne at home; for they are so superexpended alreadie, that they
are not hable to. beare oute their trayne, and the same thing I write
unto you again, requyering you to signefie the same to suche as tendre
the furtheraunce of this cause. If any persuade you that they wooll,
or maye serve withoute supporte, they doo but deceyve you. If I did
not perfetlie understand their necessitie, I woolde not write so precise-
lie : for I nothing doubte to obteyne of them, by the authoritie of Gods
woord, what lyeth in their power; yea, if they coulde have money
uppon their lands, I shulde never solicitt for them ; but the knowledge
of their povertie, and the desier which I have that the cause prosper,
makith me bolde to speake my Judgement. If we lacke those, sir,
whome in my former lettres I expressed, our power will be weaker
then men beleve. Fraunce seakith all meanes to make them freends,
and to diminish our nombre. Ye are not ignorant what povertie on
the one parte, and money largelie offred upon the other parte, is hable
to persuade. Be advertised, and advertise you others, as you favour
the successe ofthe cause. I have doon what in me lyeth, that corrup
tion entre not amongst them ;. and at my last departing from them, I
verilie beleve that they were of one mynde, to promote the cause en-
terprisecL but the power of summe is suche as before I have expressed.
j One thing must I suite of you, to witt, that either by yourselfe, or
' ells by sir Rafe Sadleyr, to whome I could not write, because no ac-
quayntaunce hathe been betwixt us, you woolde procure a licence for
my mother, Elizabeth Bowis,* to visitt me, and to remayne with me
* I do not know that the name of our reformer's mother is to be found elsewhere. His
father resided at Gifford, in East Lothian, and was, as it would seem from a passage in
Knox's History, a retainer ofthe earl of Bothwell. See Hist. Edit. 1732, p. 306.
11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. A57
for a season ; the comfort of her conscience, whiche cannot be quyett
without Gods woorde, trulie preached, and his sacraments rightelie
ministred, is the cause of her request, and of my care.
The castell of Edinburghe hathe narowlie eskaped betrayeng, but
nowe, I hope, it be in better assurance, because the quene and her
Frenche counsaile are disapoyntid of their purpose in that bihalfe. They
have began to fortefie Leyht. Their souldiors supplie the place of pio-
ners, for augmentation of their wagis. As other things occurrith, ye
shall be advertised. And thus I commit you to the protection of the
Omnipotent. From St Androwes, the xxj of September, 1559.
Yours to his power,
John Sinclear.

No. XLIX.
At the Kirke qf oure Lady qf Upsatlingtoun* the xxij of September,
1559-
Ar'ticulis and Ordinances aggreit upoun and maid be the Lordis Com-
missionaris qf baith the Realmes, for . the bettir or dour of redresse,
and reformation of all attempt atis. done, and to be done upon - the
Borders.^
First. It is be the saidis commissionaris ordanit, that all billis allreddy
fylit, salbe duelie and fully deliverit.be the wardane and wardanis of
ather realmes, viz. in the myddill marcheis, on Tewisday the xxviij day of
September instant : and for the est marcheis, on Mounday the secund
of October. Ane bill for ane uthair on every marche safer, as baith
* Now called Lady Kirk, situated on the north bank of the Tweed, near Norham.. Lady
Kirk was built by James IV. in the bounds of the ancient parish of Upsetlington.
f See the confirmation of this treaty by Francis and Mary, in Rymer's Fiedera, Vol,
XV. p. 539.
VOL. I. 3 M

458 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
the realmes have like nomber of billis fylit. And yf ather realme
chances to have maa billis fylit nor the other sal have, sic billis to
be deliverit without fallow. And the like ordour to be obseivit for all
billis to be fylit hereftir. And ordenis the wardanis to keip thair con
ditions, to uthairis aheddy maid for spering, fyling, and delivering
according to the said covvenant.
Item. That the wardanis of athir realme sail appoynt and keip thair
conventions and diettes, at townes and places accustimat for every
marche, and thair to here and rassaif all complayntis of athir realme,
and gif detfull ansuere, without ony delay, to all billis, for every
attemptat committit be the liegis of athir realme, according to the
lawis and custume ofthe borderours. And that the said wardanis sail
appoynt thair assysours, according to the anchient use to that effect.
Item. For sic attemptatis hes bene committit be athir ofthe realmes
sen the conventioun of the saidis commissionaris, upoun complaynt
geven to the wardanis of athir realme, thair names being alwayis con
tenit in the complaynt, the saidis wardanis sail spere, fyle, and deliver,
according to the custume of the bordour, upoun thair honours, alwayis
the opposit wardane taking, upoun his honour, that sic gude wantit
within that tyme, and fylit that marche.
Item. It is aggreit be the lordis foresaidis, that all presonaris of
athir realmes, sail enter to thair takaris, or pay thair severale bandis,
of quhat kynd so evir thai be, under writting sympill or conditionalie,
or be promisse, without writting; and in defalt thairof, to forefalt the
soumes of money contenit, or promissit, in the said bandis.
Item. Gif any controversy happin to be for forefalting of bandis,
that the parties grevit, of athir realme, sail complene to the wardane
ofthe opposit marche, and for Berwik to the capitane thairof; all thir
contraverses salbe decidit be the said wardanis ; and the said capitane
of Berwik, for thois under his reule, viz. sic assistente as thai sail tak
unto thame ; and in like maner all contraversys to be decidit in maner
abonewrittin, of presonaris. 2

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 459
Item. Gif any presonar of athir realme be lattin hame, be his takar,
upoun promes of re-entre, quhidder the sam be maid be word or writ-.
ting, and na penaltee maid for non entre, it is ordanit be the said com-
missionaris, that every sic presonaris salbe compellit to enter be the
wardanis of that realme, quhair the presonar is sortit, and siclike the
capitane of Berwik within his auttorite.
Item. It is menit to the saidis commissionaris, that thair is divers
presonaris in athir realme, sum put in irnes and fetters, or castin in
horrible pittes or vyld places, aganis the order of cherrite amangis cris-
tiane men, quharefore the saidis lordis ordanis, that all presonars be
honestlie treittit, and cheretablie demanit in tyme cuming.
BOITHUELLE, R. SADLER,
Rechart Maitland, Cesfurd. James Croft.

No. L.
Sir William Inglyby to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After my humble commendations. Theis maye be to signefie unto
yowe, that accordinge to suche advise as I received from yowe and
Mr Crofte, in your last lettres, I shall certefie the quenes highnes
councell the lacke of suche money as will not be levied in theis parts ;
and shall in the meane time, so spedelie procure the receipte of that is
here to be had, as within shorte time I hope to arryve withe the same
at Barwicke. Thatt I have received is so small a somme, as the send-
inge thereof shulde be doble chargis to the quenes majestie, and the
soldiourlitleholpentherebie; but so sone as a competente porcionn shall
come to my hands, I shall, accordinge to your opynyons, yf more will
not be levied, bringe the same withe spede. Thus wyshinge your
healthe, I ceasse further to troble yowe. From Ryplaye, this xxijd
of September, 1559- Yours humblie to commande, Wyllam Inglybt.

460 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Sir, I have, accordifige to your request for hownds, sente yowe two
couple of hownds, suche as shall content yowe, as I trust.*

No. LI.
Secretary Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Sir,
I sent you a bill for 200 crownes, which I praye you delyver where
it ought to be. I praye you send me word, in ciphre, what your opi
nion is for the fchangyng qf the wardens qf thest, west, and middle
marches; for it is here sene, as the tyme requireth, very necessary. The
warden qf thest and middle marches hath made Suy te to repayre up to the
courte, and so he shall have leave, after that he hathe ended his com
mission. I wold gladly have some good matter against the warden qf
the west marches at his coming upp. And so I end. From Hampton
Court, the 23 of September, 1559. Yours assuredly, W. Cecill.
Endorsed, To the Rt. Hon. sir Ralph, <Sfc.
Haste, haste, poste haste, haste, haste.
Delyvered at Hampton Court at ix of the clocke
aforenoone. Rec. at Newcastle, the xxvij of
September, at ix of the chcke at night.

* These were probably blood-hounds, or sluith-hounds, used on the Borders for tracing
delinquents; although doubtless Sadler may have sent for grey-hounds, for his own pas
time. ¦f This proposed change of the wardens, seems to be in consequence of Sadler's letters,
No. XLVIII. and XLIX. The earl of Northumberland held the wardenry of the east and
middle marches ; lord Dacre that of the west. They were both catholics.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 461
No. LH.
Copie of Mr Balnaves' Letter to Sir R. Sadler and Sir J!. Croftis.
Right Worshipfull,
After most hartie commendation. Having occasion by oportunitie
of this bringar Mr Whitlaw, I thought it good to advertise you of the
procedings here since myn arriving and departing from you. The
16 of this instant I cam to Striviling, where I founde the lords, togi-
ther with my lorde of Arrane. The matiers I had in hand, as secretlie
as it was possible, I communicate to a fewe nombre, and purpose was
taken with suche diligent spede as might to gett our men togither ;
no daye prefixit, but that all countreis shulde be warned to be in a rea-
dines upon the space of 4 dayes warning, and then to have the certain-
tie of my lorde dukes mynde in this cause. We past to Hamilton the
19 of this instant, and there, after all our purpose was opened up to
him, he gladlie subscribed all the bonds we had made, bothe towards
religion and other affaires of the commenweale. And he, togither
with the rest of the lords, wrote to therle of Huntley, * that he shulde
ioyne him to them, and com forwards with all his freends. It is be-
leved he shall be on this side. Nowe we beyng in Hamilton, woorde
cam to us, the Frenchmen ware entred to the fortefyeng of Leitht,
whiche thing displeaseth not a littell the lords, who incontinent wrote
to the quene regent, f to cause them desist from the saide entreprise,
or ells the hole nobilitie and commonalltie of the realme woolde pro
vide remedie. There was no aunswer brought again of their lettre at
* George Gordon, earl of Huntley, was a man of great power and considerable abilities;
he had little reason to love the regent, who had, upon a former occasion, imprisoned him
in Edinburgh castle, and deprived him of many of his honours, particularly the earldom of
Murray. Yet he adhered to her faction during the war of reformation, though not without
occasionally coquetting with the lords of the congregation.
f Their letter, or rather manifesto, may be found in Knox's History : it bears date at
Hamilton, 19 September, 1559.

462 letters during the war of ^
this tyme. Notwithstanding finall conclusion is taken by the lords*
to convene with all the force and strenght they maye, the 15 of this
next moneth, and not to depaurte a sounder, till the accomplishe the
change of this authoritie, and have their intent of the Frenshe men,
ether by one meanes or other. And bicause we feare the fortefyeng
of Leicht in this meane tyme, if it be possible, with suche nombre as
maye be gathered of our men, we make to take Edinburgh, to theffect
the Frenchmen maye be impeded of their intreprise ; and bicause we
woolde be sure ofthe castell of Edinburgh to freende, there is lettres
sent to my lorde of Erskyn * with secret credit. I trust he shall mete
my lorde prior this next Soundaye, to common upon this matier. As
suche matier takith effect, I shall advertise you tyme by tyme ; but
the passage is verie difficill. My lorde of Arrane is verie desierous to
have Mr Randall to common with; and to that effect, hathe sent this
bringar with his owne direction, who can open all these maters at
lenght to your M. as he shall be requyered. Moreover, if we shall
not have the lyke thing I brought with me, sped hither with dili
gence, aboute the latter end of this next moneth, it is not possible to
kepe otir men any long tyme togither. Therefore I praye your M.
have respect therto, and advertise with this bringar me, what tyme
the same maye be lippened j- to be received, that I maye appoint
summe secret man to that effect. For it is not possible to my selfe
to be absent from the lords of counsaile, while these maters take
summe staye. This entreprise of Leitht hathe inflamed the harts of
our people to a woonderfull hatred and despite of Fraunce, wher-
through I thinke there shall folowe a playne defection from Fraunce
* John, thirteenth lord Erskine, and sixth earl of Mar. He was at this time governor of
the castle of Edinburgh, and observed a neutrality between the contending parties, re
fusing particularly to admit either English or French soldiers into the fortress which he
commanded. When James VI. was born, the custody of his person was committed to this
nobleman ; and upon the death of the earl of Lennox at the surprize of Stirling, the earl
of Mar was chosen regent in his room. But he did not long enjoy this high office, as he
died in November 1572, not without symptoms, or at least suspicion, of poison.
t i. e. trusted.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 463
for ever. Thus, not molesting your M. with longer lettre, I committ
you to the tuition of Almightie God. From Striveling in hast, the
23 of Sept. 1559. By your M. assured freend at power,
Henry Balnaves of Halhill.
There hathe chaunced latelie slaughter betweene the Grames of
Eske and the Mr. of Maxwell, who is our freende,* and if the same
shall not be stayed by summe meanes of your warden of your west
marches, it shall make the saide Mr. of Maxwell to be so impeded,
that he maye not bring fourthe his men to us in our necessitie. Good
it were, if you maye, that summe remedie were provided herin, by the
meanes wherof we maye have without lett, the force and strenght the
saide Mr. of Maxwell maye make to us,

No. LIII.
Ir
Secretary Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Sir,
Sence the lettres brought by Jhon Bynks, I never herd from you ;
but I doo daylye looke for some intelligence presently. I here, wherof
I doo muche muse, that the French have sent a great seale into Scot
land, graven with tharmes of Fraunce, England, and Scotland, and
with a stile for the French king and quene, naming them K. and Q.
of Fraunce, England, Scotland. Wherof I beseche you to inquire as
circumspectly as ye may possibly ; for the manner of those proceed
ings be to sharpe to be long indured.

* This throws further light on the conduct of lord Dacres, in conniving at these disor
ders.

464 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
1 cannot tell from whom these lettres doo come; but as ye maye;
when ye have redd them, seal them and see them sent It is advertised
for certenty that the marquis Dalboeff is departed into Scotland, which
wold be inquired, and there considered. Thus I take my leave. From
Hampton Court. To morrow the quenis majestie removeth to West
minster. 27 Sept. 1559- Yours, as ye knowe, ¦ W. Cecill.
Hast, hast, hast, post. W. Cbcili.^

No. LIV.
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Crofts to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
Albeit we have had no maner of advertisemerrt^from Balnaves syns
his departure hens, which is xiiij dayes ago, ne yet from Randall, alias
Barnaby, whom we depeehed x dayes ago to therle qf Array n, being
sent for by the sayde erle, as by our former lettres we did advertise ;
yet we have thought good, leest we shoulde be noted necligent, to
write somewhat of such things as we here by good and credible ad
vertisement, which is, that the Irensh men do builde and fortefie at
Legh, intending, as it semeth, to kepe themselfs within that strength,
and so to be maisters of the chief porte and entrie into that parte of
Scotland. There be iij sayles arryved at Legh forsaide within this iij
dayes passed, wherein is the bisshopof Amyeris and iijc souldiours; as
it is sayed; but we here no certentie of La Brosse." This morning is
past by here a grete ship, wherein it is supposed that he is ; as we
shall here more certentie thereof, so we shall advertise.
Of the protestants proceedings, we here that they mete often, and
that the duke hath ben in consultacion with them, and have now given

THE SCOTTISH reformation, 1559-60. 465
in commission to therle of Glencarn* andthe larde of Donn,f to sup-
presse thabbey qf Paslowe, whereof the bishop qf Saynt Andrezves, the
dukis brother, is commendatour. £ The duke also sent woorde to the
regent, that it was moch mislyked that the French did fortifie at Legh,
requiring her to stay it, orells she must be sure that the nobilitie qf
Scotlande woide not suffer ne indure it. Wherunto she answered, that
it was as mete and lawfull for her daughter to fortefie where pleased
her in her owne realme, as it was for him to buylde at Hamyltoun, and
that she woide not stay it oneless she were by force impeched. This
matier is ill taken on both sides ; and now it is thought and sayed that
the duke woll take playn parte with the protestants, and that they make
gret preparation to levie power, and woll, as it is sayed, ryse and com
forwarde very shortely. But it semeth to us that they be long a doing,
and lose moch tyme; howbeit, when Balnaves was here with us, he
tolde us, that he thought it woide be in the begynning of October be
fore they coulde assemble their hcle power. We loke daylie for som
advertisement from him, and also from Randall, to whom at his depar
ture from us we gave a ciphre, to thentent he might write the more
safely. When we have any thing worthie your knowlege, you may
assure yourself that we woll not be slowthfull in wryting. In the
mean season, we pray you take this in good parte;
At the wryting hereof, we harde that the lords qf the congregacion
have broken up their diet and consultation, and are gon to levie such
power as they can make ; and so to assemble and mete togither agayn,
to com forwards with asmoche spede as they can. We here also that
the regent did sende for therle qf Huntley, who refused to com to her ;
and that his son, the lord Gordon, is with the lords qf the congregacion.
* Alexander, fifth earl of Glencairn, who figures in the negociation 1548, under the
title of lord Kilmaurs. '
t John Erskine, laird of Dun, a great champion of the Reformation.
- X This is an inaccurate statement. The archbishop of St Andrews, on attaining that
dignity in 1553, resigned the abbey of Paisley to his nephew lord Claud Hamilton, third
son of the governor, and ancestor of the noble family of Abercorn. This resignation was
qualified, however, by a reservation, of the fruits. See Keith's Account qf' the Religious
Houses in Scotland.
VOL. I. 3 N

4,66 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
We trust, or it be long, to here more certeynte of all these things,
whereof we woll advertise with diligence.
Fynally, Touching our proceedings with the Scottish commissioners
for the frontier matiers, you shall understonde, that we have had son-
dry metings, and in thende having devised and agreed uppon certen
orders, not onely for the wardens proceedings at their days of trew for
making ridresse of attemptats commytted on both sides, but also for
hentrie of prisoners, and keping of their bands and promises to their
takers, without any thing concluding for the raunsoming of them, or
any of them. We are very frendely departed, the rather for that the
sayde Scottish commissioners did moche accelerate and hast thende of
this treatie ; for that by all likelihod they have other busynes to do,
as in dede they did not lett to tell us that they were lyke to have
moche comber amongst themselffs at home, and therefore coulde no
longer attend this matier. 27 Sept. 1559.

No. LV.
Sir Ralph Sadler to therle qf Arrayn.
My duetie remembered unto your good lordshippe. I have re
ceyved your lettres of the xxj of this present, and harde the reporte of
this berer of such newes as have occured in those parts syns your lord
ships arryvall there, rendering unto your lordship myn humble thanks
for that it pleased you to reporte the same unto me. And presently
I have dispeched your lettres to Mr Secretary. I do mervaile moche
that Randall is not arryved with your lordship, for he departed hens
towards you more then xij dayes ago, trusting that he is with your
lordship before this tyme, orells it is not well with him. If I maye do
your lordship any service here or ellswhere, I praye you commande
me. And so I leave to trouble your lordship with any longer lettres
at this tyme, and shall praj* unto the living Lorde to assiste your good
II

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 467
lordship in all your noble and godlye enterprises, tending to thad-
vauncement of his glorye, and the weale of your countrey, and that
the same may take effect according to your herts desyre. 28th of Sept.
1559.

No. LVI.
Sir Ralph Sadler to tke Duke ©/"Chastle Herault. '
Myne humble duetie remembred unto your grace. I have re^
ceyved your lettres of the xxj of this present, wherin it hath pleased
you to give me mo thanks for my lord your sone, then I have de
served. Assuring your grace, that if it might or may lie in so poure
a man as I am to do your grace or his lordship any service, ye shall
fynde me most willing and redye therto, to the uttermost of my power
at all tymes. I have harde this berers reporte of your gracis and tho-
ther lords proceedings, wisshing that the same may take such effect as
your noble hert desyreth; for the which I shall pray to the living God,
who mak you his instrument to advaunce his glorie, and defende your
countrey from foreyn governement, and give you grace not to preter-
mitte such good opportunyte as he of his goodnes hath now sent you
for the same. 28 of Sept. 1559.. No. LVII.
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill.
It may like you to understonde, that this morning arryved here
Alexander Whitlaw,* by see, who brought lettres to you from therle
* Alexander Whitlaw was a friend of the Reformation, and a pensioner in England so
early as in Edward the Sixth's time, for which the earl of Huntly caused forfeit his lands.

468 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
of Arrayn, and lettres to us from the duke, the said erle, Balnaves, and
Knox, all which lettres we send you herewith. By the same you shall
understonde their intents and procedings; and therefore we shall not
nede, at this tyme, to make you a long lettre. The saide Whitlaw
told us, that the regent of Scotland hathe sent the lettres into Fraunce,
which the duke and the other lords of the congregacion wrote unto
her, for the stay of the fortification of Legh ; and also he tolde us, that
the saide lords determyned to take and kepe Bortycrag.* He tolde us
also, that they had suppressed the abbeyes of Passlow, Kylwynyng,
and Donfermelyng, and burned all the ymages, ydolls, and popish
stuff in the same; and that they intende to go thorough with all theyr
matiers, without making any appoyntment with the Freneh, except it
be such as shall sattisfie them in all poynts ; and that albeit they have
appoynted theyr day the xv of the next to mete and assemble togither
With all their force and power, and then to go thorough with their en
terprise, which to do they coulde appoynt no shorter day, as Whitelaw
sayeth, because their harvest, by reason of foule wether, is farre be-
hynde, and not a quarter don, yet they have taken order and resolved
to be togither uppon iiij dayes warning, in case uppon any occasion
ministeied by the adverse partie, it shalbe nedefull for them to assem
ble any soner ; and for that purpose, because they wolbe sure of the pas
sage, they have a thousande fotemen in wagis, which shall lye at Strive
ling, both to kepe the passage for them, and also for their strength and
better relief uppon any sodeyn.
in Scotland. Throgmorton calls him " a very honest, sober, and godly man, and the "most
truly affectionate to England of any Scotsman." Accordingly, he gave him a letter of re
commendation to Elizabeth's council, and, as he was very religious, he counsels them to let
him see as little sin in England as possible. From England he came to Scotland with John
Knox. See Forbes' State Papers, p. 137. 147. After the treaty of the Links of Leith, he
remained in Lothian, where it would seem he was obliged to lie concealed, being sought
after by the lord Seton, who favoured the regent's cause. Knox calls him a man who had
often hazarded himself, aud all he had, for the cause of God. He appears on other occa
sions to have acted as an agent, or confidential messenger for Knox. Hist, of Reform.
p. 212.
* Broughty Craig. A castle at the mouth of the river Tay.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 469
Now, sir, it may like you to consider how they shalbe able to go
thorough with these things, without relief and helpe of the quenes
majestie ; for surely although they have good will, and be so farre en
tered, that they must neds goo thorough orells perishe, yet be they
very poure, and what poverte may enforce them to do you can wey
and consider moch better then we can. You shall perceyve by Bal
naves lettres to us, that about the later ende of the next moneth they
loke for more ayde of money, orells, he sayeth, they shall not be able
to kepe their men togither. And also Knox, as you shall perceyve by
his lettres, sueth for relief of certen, whiche, though he name them
not, he meaneth to be therle of Glencarn, who in dede is a poure
man, the lards of Donn, Ormeston, and Grange, which is Kirkaldye,
and the saide Alexander Whitelaw ; the consideracion whereof we re
ferre to your wisdom. And yet to say our poure opynyons, if you
mean to. have this enterprise effectually folowed, it were good that a
more somme of money were sent hither for that purpose, before the
later ende of the next moneth, by which tyme you shall see what frute
and effecte is like to folowe of that is bestowed uppon them alredy,
and if that shall then appere to be well spent, the rest can not be
amisse employed. Surely, we thinke, that the spending of iiij or v
m11. (4 or 50001.) in this matier, shall save the quenes highnes a grete
deale another way ; for how nere it might touch us if the Frensh shoulde
now wynne the upper hande in Scotlande, we referre to the iudgement
and wisedom of her maiestie, and to the discret and wise hedds of her
highnes counsaile ; assuring that if any thing cause the protestants to
faynt, it will be very poverte and lacke of money. You shall perceyve
also by Balnaves lettres, what he wryteth of the attemptats commytted
by the Graymes, and others of the west marches of Englande, agenst
the lorde Maxwell ; whereon if you have not alredy wrytten to the
lorde Dacres, it shalbe good it be remembred undelayedly;* for Whit
law tolde us, that the protestants thinke it to be the practise of the
* Referring to Cecil's expression in No. LI. " I wold gladly have some good matter
against the warden of the west marches." See more in the next letter.

470 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
regent for the disturbaunce of the saide lorde Maxwell, for that he
shoulde not bring his power from the borders.
Also we perceyve that Randall, alias Barnabj, was not arryved with
therle of Arrayn, when the saide Whitlaw cam from him, whereof we
do not a little mervaile, trusting, nevertheles, that he is with him afore
this tyme, for the which we shall make serch out of hande.
We have ben so bolde to give the saide Whitlaw L. crownes, as it
were for his costs, and not for his rewarde, who surely hath taken
moch payne and travaile. La Brosse and the bishop of Amyens are
arryved at Legh, with no gret company, besyds their housholde men,
as farr as we can lerne. And the bishop, as they say, cometh to curse,
and also to dispute with the protestants, and to reconcile them, if it
wolbe, &c. 29 September, 1559.

No. LVIII.
Sir Ralph Sadler to Mr Secretary Cecill. *
Sir, $;
As touching your desyre to have mynn opynyon for the changing of
the wardens qf thest, west, and myddell marches here, I woide I coulde
say aswell therin as I do meane ; but I must neds say, that mete and
necessary it is to have them changed, for more unmete then these be you
can not lightly put in theyr placis. I never knew this frontier better
ruled, nor the prynce better served, then it was in the tyme of our late
sovereign lorde of famous memorye king Henry viij, when there were iij
wardens, which were sir W. Evre for thest, sir R. Evre for the middle,
and sir T. Wharton, now lord Wharton,^ for the west;- but now the chqyse
* Written mostly in a cipher.
t Thomas, first lord Wharton, who so gallantly defeated the Scots at the battle of Sol
way Moss. He did great services on the border, where he held in 154-2 the office of
warden of the west march; in 1556 the same office on the middle marches; and in 15S7,
that of warden-general of all the marches, and governor of Berwick.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 471
is such, as I can not tell where to fynde such iij as I wold wiske for the
purpose, oneles sir James Croft coulde dispose himself to dwell here, which
I see he can not well agree unto, both for that he complaynith qf povertie,
and chieflie for that he cannot have his helth in this countrey ; and yet to
say the trouth of him, I fynde him as diligent and willing as any man can
be to serve at all times when there is or shalbe any necessite or nede qf his
service. He is surely the metest man that I do knowe, both to have the
charge of this towne, as he now hathe, and also to be warden qf thest
marches, as the saide sir Wm. Evre, and others before him, alwayes have
had the charge qf both; which, in myn opynyon is right necessary, as well
for that Berwyk is a mete and apte place for the warden qf thest marche to
lye in, for the better executing qf that office, as also for that having both
under his rule, he may alwayes draw qf the power of the countrey into the
towne for the more surety and defence of the same, and lykewise relieve the
countrey with the garrysons here, as nede shall requyre uppon every sodeyn.
And if the saide sir J. Crofte woide take uppon him that charge, I beleve
you can not fynde a meter man in Englande. And for the middle marche,
I know none in Northumberland so mete as sir J. Forster * is, whom for
tke better executing qf that office I woide have to lye at Harbottel, which,
with a little reparation, woide make a convenient lodging for a wardeyn ;
and surely it is the metest place for that service, and also very mete for
the order and governement qf the unruly countreyes of Tynedale and Rid-
desdale, the charge whereof is mete also to be commytted to him that shalbe
warden qf the rhyddel marches. Then for the west marches, I know none
so mete as the lord Wharton, and next him sir Thomas Dacre ;f for
they have had both greate experience of that marche a long tyme. Now
if you thinke not this the best way, or if sir J. Croft can not lyke to
* He had been one of the deputy-wardens under lord Wharton, and was, while in vigour
of body, a gallant border warrior. Sir John Forster was afterwards warden of the middle
marches, and commanded the English borderers at the skirmish of the Red Swair.
t Sir Thomas Dacre of Lanercost, called the Bastard Dacre, being an illegitimate son
of lord Dacre of the north. The abbey of lanercost was bestowed upon this warrior by
Edward VI. at the dissolution. See some letters of lord Wharton, concerning him and his
son, a little further down.

472 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
dwell here, then I thinke that my lord Grey, * who also hath had som ex
perience qf this frontier, having the hed officers of this towne, as the tre-
sourer and the marshall, well chosen, to be as counsailors with Mm, were
in myn opynyon right hable to take the charge of this toune, and also of
both wardenryes of these est and myddell marches, so alwayes as he have a
sufficient deputie warden for the myddell marches to lye at Harbottell, as
is aforesaide ; for the which I thinke you shall fynde none so mete here as
the sayde sir J. Forster, and the same deputie warden to have the hole
enterteynment accustomed for that charge, orells he shall not be hable to
do such service in the same as aperteyneth. And in Hew thereof, because
the lord Grey, if he be employed here, shoulde not lacke good entertayne-
ment, I woide wishe that he shoulde have also thoffice of Norham. And
so having thenterteinment accustomed for this towne, and for the warden-
rye of thest marches, with the said office qf Norham, I thinke he shoulde
be well hable to mayntene an honourable poste here, and to do greate ser
vice. But now for the present you may well commytte the wardenrie qf thest
marche unto the saide sir Ja. Croft, which, with also tffe charge of this
towne, he can and may well use for a tyme, untill you may further delibe
rate and devise for the placing here qf the saide lord Grey, if it shalbe so
thought convenyent ; and likewise may the wardenrie qf the middle marche
be committed to the said sir Jo. Forster, who I dare be bounde, shall suffi
ciently discharge the same. As for the west marche, I am not so well
acquaynted there as I am with these here; but as farre as I know or can
leme, there is none so mete for to have the rule there as the lorde Whar-
ton, orells sir Thomas Dacre, as aforesaide.
Warke castell also is not to be forgotten ; for the which of late I
receyved a lettre from the lords, you and others of the counsaile, di
rected to my lord of Northumberland and me,( to remove L. soldiours
of capteyn Reads band from thens hither to Berwyk, and to delyver
* William lord Grey de Wilton, a gallant warrior, who surprised and took Haddington
in the year 1548.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 473
the house to sir Rafe Grey, to be by him garded according to his
covenaunts made at the tyme of his late restitution ; whereuppon we
have delyvered unto him the charge of the said house; but if it
should be no better garded then he is ordered by his covenants to kepe -
it, as indede he is scant hable to do so moche, it were an easye thing
to surprise and stele it uppon every sodeyn; and therfore, with the
consent of sir J. Croft, we have appoynted iiij goonners, wherof sir
Rafe Grey is. charged with ij and xx harquebusiers, to remayn stilt
at Warke with the saide sir Rafe Grey for the more suretie of the pece,
wherewith the quenes majestie is no more charged then before. And
thother xxx souldiours are removed hither accordingly,
Warke surely it is the metest place on all the frontier for a man of
service to lye in, both for the better ruling of the countrey in tyme of
peak, and for thannoyance of thenemye in the tyme of warr, and
therefore most mete to be in the quenes majesties hands, as I woide
wishe it to be, the saide sir Rafe Grey* being recompenced for the
same in suche sorte as were convenyent. But then I woide wishe also-
that her highnes woide be at som charge in the fortefying both of the
towne and the castell, which is in gret decay, and so shoulde you have
here a strong frontier.
Thus have I sayed my poure opynyon^ and if there were no Vvyser men
then I, the revenewes of the bishoprick of Dureham shoulde bere the
gretest parte of all the saide charges ; but now I have sayed, I woll
yelde, and give place to men of more knowlege and deper iudgement,
and yet when they have all sayed, I do meane aswell as the best, and
so, &c. 30th of September, 1559-

* Who was the feudal lord of the castle, as has been repeatedly noticed, and died
seazed of it.

VOL. I. 3 O

474 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. LIX.
Thomas Randall to Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft.*
I doo nott dowte but your honors woonder where I am becom. My
waye was so evill prepared for me at Ferniherst,t that I was fayne to
tary there fyve dayes, and he, himselfe brought me a greate patite of
the waye. At my arrivall here, therle of Arrayne was at St Androwes,
with the protestants, and-will nott be here before Sondaye next. The
duke giveth you bothe greate thankes for his sonne; he kepith me
prisoner. The duke is unwilling that I shoulde retourne before the
lords of the congregacion be assembled, whiche will be the XVth of the,
next moneth. The regent hathe writen to the duke, reproving him
for ioynyng with the lords of the congregacion, and charging him that
the saide lords of the congregacion did practise with the queries ma
jestie. Besids the letter, the berer had credite to talke of agreament :
the conditions were, to leve their fortefying ; libertie fbr all men to
use their conscience, and the French to departe by a daye. His answer
was, that he coulde doo nothing withoute the lords of the congrega^
eion. The 28th he received a lettre gentlie writen from le Brosse and
the bishop of Amyens, J requyering him, in the kyng and quene of
* It is decyphered.
f A castle belonging to that noble family of Ker which is now represented by the Mar
quis of Lothian : It lies about two miles above Jedburgh. The representative of the family
at this time was sir John Ker, who was knighted by the duke of Chatelherault when regent,,
and may be supposed attached to his interest : for it will be remembered, that Randolph
was upon a secret expedition to Hamilton, to rejoin the earl of Arran.
X Spottiswoode thus announces tlie arrival of this warrior and prelate : " Mons. Pelleuce,
bishop of Amiens, (he was afterwards archbishop of Sens, and created cardinal,) arrived
about this time at Leith, accompanied with three doctors of the Sorbonne, Dr Furmer, Dr
Brocket, and Dr Feretier. Mons. La Brosse, a French knight, gave them the convoy
with two thousand foot. The doctors gave out, that they were come to dispute with the
preachers of the congregation : the other two pretend a legation, and sent to some of the
nobility at that time resident in Edinburgh, to demand a hearing." Hist, ofthe Church of
Scotland, p. 133-4. 11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 475
Scotlands names, to be at Edinburgh the 6 of Octobre, which he
hathe refused. The archbishop of St. Androwes, and thabbot- of Kil-
wynyng,* have taken their leave of the regent, and are bothe here :
but verie angrie with the duke. The papists mistrust themselfes;
they are not above iij m. (3000). The shipp that le Brosse and the
bishop of Amyens cam in is broken all thone side. The lorde Erskin
hathe promised to kepe the castell of Edinburgh. This is all I have
to write besids my humble commendacions, trusting to heare from you
again by this berer. Lett us have your advise howe to send unto you.
We woolde be glad to heare what newis ye have of the king of Swe
den. The duke thinketh himselfe bounde to your honors. At Hamil
ton, the last of September, 1559*

No. LX.
Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
We have receyved your severall lettres of the 22 and 23 of this pre
sent, which were not conveyed hither with such spede as Bynks posted
to you with ours from hens ; for yours were vj dayes a commyng
hither. And therefore when we wryte, we indorse our lettres for lyef,
though the matier requyre not so much hast; and so must you do,
orells the posts woll make no spede at all.
But now for answer to your saide lettres, where amongst other
things you wryte that the quenes majesties pleasure is, f that the Mr
qf Maxwell shoulde secretely be advertised that it is altogether without
* Gavin Hamilton was the last commendatory abbot of Kilwinning. He was a great
enemy to the reformers in general, and to John Knox personally; and was killed at the
Water-gate of Edinburgh, 28 June, 1571, in a skirmish between the king and queen's fac
tion. t Probably written with a cypher;

476 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
her majesties will that such crueltie shoulde be shewed towards him a&
hath ben qf late by the Graymes, 8$c. We have declared the same to
Alexander Whitlaw at his now being here, who woll advertise the saide
Mr of Maxwell thereof And also give him advise, that if he be
further molested, he shall complayn qf the same to us, being now com
missioners here for border matiers, to thintent we may devise som way
for his quyetnes and redresse, as aperteyneth. As for the devise to
favour him secretly in Irland, we thinke it not mete to make him that
offer, because we see not that he is in any such distresse, but thai he is
well able to abyde in his countrey maugre his enemyes ; and if it please
you to take order that he be not interrupted by thincursions of the saide
Graymes, and others theyr complices, he shalbe able at his pleasure to re-
paire to the protestants with his power, at such tyme as they shall requyre
the same.
It shall not be amysse, in our opynyons, to call the lord Dacres to the
courte, so he have straight charge to take order before his departure from
the borders, that non attemptats nor incursions be made, neyther by the
Graymes ne other Englishmen, but that good peax and amyte may be ob
served and contynued under his rule according to the treatie, as he woll an
swer to the contrary. What good matier you may have agenst him at Jiis,
comyng up, we cannot tell you more then we have already wrytten ;
but it semeth to us that he may well be charged with great necligence,
that in the tyme qf warre woide sytte still, and do nothing to thannoyance
of thenemye; and now, in the tyme qf peax, when he shoulde studie to nu-
ryshe and increase amyte, to suffer such attemptats and incursions to
be made to the disturbance, breche, and violation of the same, which,
as we thinke, he might have stayed it if he had listed. The presump
tions surely be grete that it shoulde be a practise, wherwith we neyther
can, ne woll charge him ; but if there were no other matier, Ms sicknes
is a sufficient cause to remove him from that charge ; for he that is so
troubled with such an infirmyte as he hathe, and was this last somer in
very ill case withall, is not mete for such a charge, though there were non
other impedyment. The consyderacion whereof we referre to your

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 477
wisedom. And so, giving you our herty thanks for your newes, we
commytte you, &c. The last of Sept. 1559.

No. LXI.
Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft to the Lords qf ihe Privie
Counsail.
% It may like your good lordships to understonde, that whereas our
late sovereigne lady quene Mary in her tyme addressed her lettres to
therle of Westmorland, then her highnes lieutenant here, that he
shoulde take order for the allowance of ijlb* of corne pouder every
moneth, to be given to every harquebutier in these bandes, of her gratis
liberalite and rewarde, to thintent they might by the use and exercise
of their pecis lerne to be the more profite in that feate ; whereuppon
the saide lord lieutenant wrote his lettres to Mr Gower, then master
of the ordynance in these north parts, willing him to make the saide
allowance by the warraunt of sir John Brende, then muster master here,
from tyme to tyme, which was perfourmed accordingly untill the first
of May last past; sithens which tyme the saide Gower hath had no
further warraunt: notwithstanding that, ever sithens unto this pre
sent, the souldeours have had their powder as they had before of the
quenes majesties store, thinking to enjoye still their forsaide allow
ance. There is now a question rysen therof betwixt the saide Gower
and the capteyns and souldeours here of the saide bands, for that the
saide Gower requireth to stoppe so moche money in the tresourers
hands of their pay as woll satisfie for the powder which they have had
of him sithens the saide first of May ; and on thother side the saide
capitaynes and souldeours do allege, that they knew none other but
that they shoulde still enioye their saide allowance, because they had
no sufficient warning of the contrary, orells the poure souldeours woide
not have spent so moche powder as they have done, which if they

478 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
shoulde now be compelled to pay for, shoulde be to theyr gret hin-
deraunce. The saide Gower sayeth he gave them warning thereof,
and they denye it; so that hereof arriseth the controversie. Where
fore we are become humble suters to your lordships, that it may please
you to have som consideracion ofthe same; and though we thinke that
it had ben moch better to have relieved the souldeours som other way,
because we lyke not the president, yet sithens it is past, and that
therby tharquebutiers here are becom so perfite in their feate, that for
so many we thinke there be no better of no nacyon, we humblye be
seche your good lordships, that it may please you to direct your lettres
unto the saide Gower for his better warraunt to make the saide allow
ance till this present, and that from hencefourth it may cease, whereby
though the quenes majestie be the loser, yet the controversie wolbe
ended, and the capitaynes and souldeours here well contented. The
second of October, 1559-

No. LXII.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft.
Sir,
Yours lettres of the 29 of September cam hither the 3 of October,
with all others inclosed therin. Slowe begynnings some tyme make
good ends, but not in all things. The quenes majestie is well pleased
that ye shall, of the remayne in your hands, use your discretion to re
warde such of the protestants as ye shall think mete; I meane such as
the lords of Ormeston, Kircaldy, and Balnaves, and Whitelaw. For more
money, ye shall have shortly three thousand pounds sent thither. The
request of Scottishmen, which sue for liberty for trafficquyng, can not
be granted without request from the quene of Scottes, in which poynt
the French embassador hath bene of late very ernest ; and yet if the
captayn of Barwick can helpe the matter, he shall have authorite from

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 479
hence therfore. I cannot here of any that sueth for Mrs Bowes * ly-
cense, or to whom I might here delyver it, if it were obtayned. And
thus, being fully occupyed with busyness, I leave you to your busy
ness, meaning to wryte more at large shortly, and lykewise to here
from you. From Westminster. This berer can informe you of all our
comen newes. 3 October at night, 1559-
Yours assuredly, W. Cecill.

No. LXIII.1
Sir R. Sadler, Sir James Croft, and John Abingdon, to the Lords
of the Privie Counsail.
It may like your good lordships to understonde, that wheras we do
perceyve by the remayne of victualls heare at this presente, and the
daylie expences of the same, that the provicion nowe in store will not
serve untill the ende of Marche next ; we have therfore thought good
to put your lordships in remembraunce of the same, to thintent that
ordre might be taken for a newe provicion ageynest the next yeare.
And forasmoche as all the moneye that is dewe to the quenes majestie
for victualls delyvered to the souldiours and laborers here, besids that
which the treasourer shall now recey ve in Yorkshire, wolbe litle ynough,
and as we feare to lytle, for the furnyture of the next paye, we do not
see that any provicion can be made heare for wante of moneye. Wher-
fore it behoveth, that your lordships do either appoynt porveyours there,
and prest them with moneye to make a newe provicion, or ells give
leave to me John Abington (leavinge my chardge here in order with
suche as dothe serve under me, to come to London,) and there to de
vise with your good lordships how the saide new provision may best
* Elizabeth Bowes, mother of John Knox.

480 letters during the war of
be made in London, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and so a longest the
coasts, which I may do verye well in my way retorning hither, and I
trust shalbe well able to do it as profitably for the quenes highnes as
anye other. And for that the tyme is nowe best for the makinge of
the same provicion, we desyer that it may please your lordships to
make us your speadye aunswere-herein. The iiij01 of October, 1559.

No. LXIV.
Tlie Queen to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Elizabeth R.
Trusty and welbeloved, we greete you well. And where yt appeir-
eth by your lettres, and sondry advertisements, how needefull yt is that
you shuld not lacke som convenient relief of money for the porposes
heretofore committed unto you by us, we have thought convenient to
send unto you by this bearer the somme of three thousand pounds in
golde, to remayne there with you untill, upon your furder advertise
ment before the end of this moneth, we may parceive what shall be
convenient furder to doe herin, and in what manner this portion shall
be defrayed. And therfore we praye you not to neglecte (as hitherto
ye have not) to advertise us from tyme to tyme of the proceedings
there. And as touching the remayne of the former somme which ye
had delyvered unto you at your departure hence, we are pleased that
ye shall bestow such parte therof as ye shall thinke mete for thad-
vancement of our service upon suoh particular parsons as heretofore ye
have mentioned, and that have expended of theire owne to the furde-
rance of our comon service and theirs. And in these your doings we
shall accepte your faythfull and paynefull service as the same well de-
serveth. Gy ven under our signet, at our palace of Westminster, the
fyfte of October, the fyrst yere of our raigne, 1559,*
* To our righte trusty and welbeloved counsailour sir Ralphe Sadler, knight, one of our
commissioners upon the borders foraaempst Scotland.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 431
No. LXV.
The Lords ofthe Counsail to Sir Rafe Sadler.
After our verie hartie comendacions. For that we wold gladly un
derstande the present state of thaccompt of sir William Engleby, thre-
sourer of Barwicke, we pray you to appointe sum suche trustie and
skilfull man there, as you thinke meate for this purpose, to take the
declaracion thereof of the said thresourer, to whom we have presently
written for this matter; and thereupon to send the same unto us with
speade. And thus we bid you right hartely fare well. From West
minster, the xj,h of October, 1559.
Your assured loving frends,
W. NORTHT. ARRUNDELL,
E. Clynton, W. Howard,
Tho. Parry, F. Knollys,
Ab. Cave,* W. Cecill.
E. Rogers, No. LXVI.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After my very harty comendations. To morrow, in the morning,
Overton, the clerk of the musters, shall depart hence, and shall hryng
with hym three thousand pounds, as at his comming shall appere. He
knowith not how much he bringeth withe hym. Ye maye be bold with
that which ye have, as yee see cause, to defray part thereof. Ye shall
* Sir Ambrose Cave, knight, privy counsellor and chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster.
He died 2d April, 1568.
VOL. I. 3 P

482 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
perceyve by the included complaynt of the French embassador, how
hard it will be to gyve salveconducts for Scotts, not warranted by there
quene. The lettres from you and Mr Crofts cam this day to my
hands, touching the unnaturall preceding of old Mr Crofts, wherin I
will have as good regard as possible may be. I thank you for your
lettres of your opinion for order of those wardenryes. God send good
spede there, wherin the principall goodness resteth, I meane, in spede,
and good spede; for if now advantage be not gotten, tyme will never
retorne it; and so I end. This daye Math. Arundell is marryed to
Mrs Willoghby. The French ar making gretar preparations than be
fore, and trust for the tyme uppon the fortification of Lethe. From
Westminster, the 5 of October, 1559.
Yours, assuredly, W. Cecill.
Postscript. When Mr Raylton wryteth in ciphre, lett hym wryte no
more than nedeth, whiche I wryte in favor of my other labors.

No. LXVII.
Memoire de ce qu'en la derniere audience Monsieure lAmbassadeur de
France, proposa a la Ro^ne, et a aulcuns de Messieurs du Conseil,
pour ye estre pourveu selon la Raison et traicte.
Et premierement de ce que les Ecossoys passent en Angleterre, et les
Anglois en Escosse, sans lettres et cohg6 requis par les dits traictes. Comme
entre aultres il est advenu €un nomme" le Sr. de Granges Escossoys, qui
fust jusques a Norham, ou pour lors estoit le conte de Northumberland
et son frer'e, y estant conduiet par ung leur scrviteur Angloys, appelle
Refflaurens* lequelaussy entrd dans le ditRoyaulme d Escosse sans aulcun
* Ralph Lawrence, probably.
11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 483
passeport. Et depuis quelque temps en ca un aultre Escossoys serviteur
du conte dArrhan, appellS For has, est par plusieurs foys en poste ou au-
trement passS et repassS de Vun en V aultre Royaulme sans aulcun congS ny
lettres, et auquel encores a est6 permis d'achapter ckevaulx a Barwick. sen
retournant dernierement audit paye d' Escosse, qui sent trop grandes fa-
veurs et toller ances en saison si suspect e des dits Escossois, et contre les
dits traictes et bonne intelligence qui doivt estre entre ces deulx Roy-
aulmes, et dont le dit Sr. ambassadeur a requis que pour V entretenement
d!icelle, et de famine" commune, ladite dame voulust pour Vadvenir faire
cesser tels deporiements, et que du passe" il en fust j diet telle, raison et jus
tice que Importance et grande consequence du cas le requist.

No. LXVIII.
Lord Wharton to Sir Rafe Sadler.
After my moost harty commendations unto you. Wheras a servaunt
of myne dyd tayk the yong lard of Coldingknows, Scotyshman, pri
soner, as sondre of my servaunts dyd tayk others that day, when the
disordred scrymishe was called Norham Chaice,* which prisoner I
dyd let to suertyes, npon bound, to entre agayne upon warnyng, the
same I did at that tyme, especially for the relef of Roland Forster, then
prisoner, and kept in Edynburgh. At the dowegeis commandement, I
cawsed warnyng be geven to the suertyes, for the lard of Colding
knows entre to be at Neucastell, accordyng to the bound in wryting,
which I have. I am advertised from my frend sir Robert Brandlyng,
* This appears to have been the skirmish mentioned by Hollinshed, as having taken
place on Haliden-hill, near Berwick, when a party of the garrison of that fortress were
surprised by a body of Scots and French from Eyemouth, while engaged in collecting
forage. The skirmish continued, with various success, from one till four in the afternoon ;
but sir James Croft advaucing with a reinforcement from Berwick, the English remained
masters of the field. It was called Morham Chase, from a small hamlet of that name near
the summit of Haliden-hill. There may, however, have been a skirmish of the same kind
near Norliam,

484 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OE
that the prisoner was with hym; and before his entre mayd, the mayor
there did taik the prisoner upon therle of Northumberlands lettres,
yours, and sir James Crofts. What is don with hym I know not.
Sir, I shall hartely desyer you that I may have the sayd prisoner to
the use of my sayd servaunt, as to the law of amies requyereth. Yf yt
be sayd to you that he is an other mans prisoner, and so tryed before
the marshall of Barwyk, trewth yt is that my servaunt brought that
prisoner, whom he tok upon Halladon hylls, in at the postron of the
castell of Barwyk, before my lord of Northumberland, sir James Crofts,
and me. And if anny tryall have passed for his taykyn before the mar
shall, I trust your wysdome wyll consyder that things done in the
tyme of my charge, as capiteyne of the towne and castell of Barwyk,
that the marshall now shold not suffer to be tryed before hym such a
caice, and nather the capiteyne nor the tayker within his offyce at
anny tyme. The same, and many others doings, rather deface th offy-
cers of trust, after there being in offyce of great charge, then can
seme to be agreable with- honour, justice, commen welth, or good
serves. I desyer you that I may know your pleasure herupon, with
my servaunt this berrer, to whom yt may please you to geve credence;
Yf therbe anny pleasure I can doo for you in thes northe parties, I
hartely pray you to comand the same. And so woide I rest as your
poore frend and old acquayntaunce. And I doo wyshe unto you as
good healthe and succes, as your owne hart can desyer. At my howse
of Wharton, the vth of October, 1559.
Your assured frend, Thomas Whartton.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 485
No. LXIX.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Sir,
I send you, in a port manteau, three thousand pownds, wherin I was
troobled in eschangyng the same out of silver, and. other English gold,
into French crownes. I have bene bold to reteyne ije crownes in lieu
of those which ye- receaved there.* The party knoweth not but the
money is for your self, and is in sylver, conteyning about iiijc,lb* in
sylver. I send you the key sealed upp with the signett, and so have
I willed the beror to delyver it saftly unto you. I have gy ven the
beror for his labor vj1, vij3" viijd- for payment for his horse hyare, &c.
By the quenes majesties lettre ye shall understand hir furder plesure.
I can not here convert so much into French gold as I wold, but thus
ye shall fynd it in the port manteau :
The Accompt. 1. C. XX. I. s.
In French crowns, with odd silver - - - m.vij.iij.xix xv
, I. c. - s. d.

In ryalls -----------
In crowns English --------
In French crownes of myne in your hands
Total,
£. s. d.
1779 15 0
1101 8 4
55 10 0 From Westmr, the vj of October, 1559-

m. J. 1.
Iv

XXV11J 111]
E.
X

I.
lxiij

s. d.
vj viij

m.l.

63 6 8

3000 0 0

Yours, most assured,' W. Cecill.

* The money was sent in French coin, forthe obvious puroose of concealing the quarter
whence it came. The 200 crowns mentioned, were those repaid by Arran to sir Ealph-;
Sadler, on account of his bill granted to Cecil.

486 letters during the war of
No. LXX.
Lord Wharton to Sir Ralph Sadler.
After my most hartie commendations unto you. I have receyved a
lettre from my cousen, sir Thomas Dacre, of Lanercost, knyght, and
also have a copye of a recognisance, wherin my cousen, his sone, Chrys-
tofor Dacre,* and others ar bound, as may appeare unto you by the
same copie, which, with the lettre, I do send unto you herin en
closed. Sir, I most hartely desyer you to extend your favour to thos two
gentlemen. The father haith served this realme many years worthely:
and on the marches, at all tymes where I had charge, his sone is to
ward, as may appere unto you thes serves consydered. And being
bothe my kynsmen, I eftsones hartely desyer you to shew your favor
able help to them bothe, as shall seme to your wysdome to be reason
able and convenyent: and therby you may have them at your com-
mandement, and have me as T am accordingly. Yt may please you
to gyve further credence to my sayd cousen Christofore Dacre, this
berer. And so woll I comyt you to the governaunce of Almyghtye
God. At Harteley, the vijth of October, 1559-
Your assured frend,
Thomas Whartton.

* Sir Thomas Dacre, of Lanercost, had by his wife, a daughter of Denton, two sons,
Christopher and John. The first who is here mentioned survived him, and carried on the
line of his family. He appears, as is further explained in No. LXXIX. to have been im
prisoned by lord Dacres, on account of a trespass in hunting, and only liberated upon a
recognizance to appear before him where summoned, within twenty days.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 487
No. LXXI.
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft, to Tho. Randall.
We have receyved your lettres by this berer, and glad we be. to un
derstonde that you are safelie arryved there, where we think good that
you do remayne, so long as the dukes grace, and therle his soon, shall
think convenyent ; prayeng you to make our humble commendations,
with offer of our service unto them, and to shew them that we wishe
and desyre them to be circumspect and diligent in this greate and
weightie busynes, which they have jn hande ; for we be advertised
that the marques Dalboef is depeched out of Fraunce, and woll very
shortely arryve in Scotland ; and also that there is a bande of Almaynes
prepared to com thither, with asmoche spede as is possible. Wherefore
it behoveth the lords of the congregacion to loke unto it, and to take
their tyme whills it serveth, for as, in our opynyons, they have lost
moch tyme, and therby suffered the French to fortifie at Legh, which
at the begynyng might well have ben impeched ; so if the saide mar
ques, and the saide straunge and forreyn powr may safely arryve and
set fote on lande, to joyne with tbe French at Legh, it must neds be
very dangerous to the lords of the congregacion, which it is most ex
pedient for them well to foresee in such sorte, as they may both
stoutely and prudentlye prevent the malice of their ennemyes in
tyme. The newes we have of the king of Suecia are, that he hath sent a
greate ambassadour to the quenes majestie, with grete and liberall
offers, which you may be sure woll take no place. We pray you be
diligent in writing to us as you shall have occasion ; and for the con
veying of your lettres, we think that the duke, if it please his grace,
may devise to make the way by his frends bytwin this and Hamylton
so playne and open, that bis messengers may safely passe without dan
ger; for we knowe that a grete many gentlemen, both iu the marches

488 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
andTevydale, woide be glad to do him pleasure and service; wherefore
we mervaile that he doth not use good meanes to practise with them,
and to labour therin to that effect, which might stonde him in greate
staide for sondrye purposes, as we have instructed Alex. Whitlaw at
his last being here. At Barwyk, 8 October.

No. LXXII.
Therle qf Northumberland to Sir Rafe Sadler.
After my verie hartie commendations. I sende you hereinclosed a
eopie of a lettre directed unto you and me frome my lordes of the
eouncell, and for that it behoveth the same spedelie to be answered, I
have therefore thought good to advertise you, that I mynde to be at
Hexham upon Wednisday at night, about the consideration of an
swere to the said lettres, and wold be glade to have you present there,
to joyne with you in the same. And what you mynde herein I shall
requier you advertise me, so as I may receyve youre answere therein
before my departure from Harbotell, on Wednisdaie in the mornyng.
And so I comit you to Almightie God. From Warkworth, the viijtk
of October, 1559. Your assured loving fiend,
Nokthumberland.
You shall receyve hereinclosed a lettre directed to you, which was
inclosed in my packquet

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 489

No. LXXIII.
Tlie Lordes qftheCounsdil to therle o/Northumberland andSirRx^E
Sadler.*
After our very hartie commendations to your good lordshipe. We
have resavyd your letters of the fourte of this present, and hard suche
instructions as you sent by Mr Slingsbie, your brotherinlawe, for an
swere wherunto you shall understand as followith : First, wher your
lordship wry teth that the lady Carnabie haith refused the livyng of hyr
house at Hexham to the keper of Tyndale, notwithstanding the quenis
majesties letters addressyd unto hyr, and your lordships perswasyons,
we havyng sythens consydered both how farre hyr house is from
thenymie, and the frountiers, and therby the more unmete to serve for
thys purpose ; and also that she, beyng a wedow, and havyng hyr daugh
ter also a wedowe with hyr, can not convenyently, for sundrye re-
spectes, spareany parte of hyr howse, do wysshe that your lordship had
fownd owte some more fytter place for the sayd offycer, consydering
that the same myght have bene done withowte offence or hurt to others,
and serve to as good or better purpose then we persave the howse of
the lady Carnabie can do; and yett, nevertheles, for that your lordship
hay th already en terryd into thys matter, and therfor your credyt, as
well inrespecte of your owne estate, as of thaucthoryte of your offycer
under the quenis majestie, is to be maynteynd, we have thought good
that your lordships former resolucyon for the placyng of the keper of
Tyndale ther; shall take effecte in thys sorte; That he shall remayne
ther xiiij or xx dayes at the most, exceptyd the sayd lady Carnabie
can be enduced to agre to hys abode ther for longer tyme ; and at
thend of the sayd. xiiij or xx dayes, yf she shall not otherwyse agre,
¦. , * In this letter the council follow the plan suggested by Sadler, in a former letter (No.
XXV.), for. settlingthe dispute concerning the la,cjy Carnaby's house.
VOL. I, 3 Q,

490 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
to be removed from thens to some other place, and that to be done
with your behalf, or your sayd brothers, in a kynde of gratyfiend the
sayd lady. And because the sayd offycer of Tyndale shuld not in thys
sorte contynew destytute of a convenyent place of abode, nor the
quenis majestie thus drevyn for theyr servyse, to borow the howses of
others, we pray your lordship, and you Mr Sadler, that takyng the
adVysses of some discrete persones of that country ye wyll consyder
whether therbe any fytte place of the quenis maiesties ther, that may;
with some cost, be mayd mete for that purpose, or yf any others have
ther any such howses, as hyr maiestie may compownde with them for
the same, either by purchase or exchange, And here we have thought
mete to put you in remembrance of Tarsett hall, belonging to the
lord Bowrows, and Hawgston, belonging to sir John Wetheryngton,
beyng thought mete places to serve thys tome, whyche we pray you
to consyder, and to syngnifie your opynions unto us touchyng the
same, or touchyng any other that shalbe thought more mete, either by
your letters, or at the comyng up of you therle.
For answere to your lordships request, touching the inhabitants of
Tyndale beyng offenders, your lordship shall understande, that we
thymke you shall do very well to cause the cheyff leders and heads of
them to he apprehendyd and commytted to warde ; and some of them
most faultye, to be, to the terror and example of others, executed, ae-
cordyng to their demerytes and the qualyteis of theyr fautes, and so
offer to the rest of the meanest sorte, that have lesse offendyd, favor
and pardon, so as they wylbe hensforth good subjects, and do also all
that in them lyeth to apprehend and bryng to justice the rest of the
cheyftaynes of the disordres ther. When you, Mr Sadler, hadd,
amongst other thyngs, instnuctyons to eOnsyder the state of Warke,
we have thought good to put you eftsones in remembrans- herof ; and
pray your lordship, ' and you, Mr Sadler, to caU sir Raff Gray before
you, and to consydre such covenaunts as passed betwen the late quene
and hym, for the defence of the same, and thefwitkdl: to consydre
what shalbe metyst to be done in that behalf, for the servyse of hyr

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 491
maiestie. And where your lordship wryteth that certeyn gentylmen of
that countrye do absent them selfs from ther dwellyng howses nye the
borders, wher they myght at all events do best servyse, we pray your
lordship to sygnyfie unto us ther names, together with ther dwellyng
places, and the causes that moveth them to be absent ; wherin we
nothyng doubte but to understand that from your lordship, wherwith
we may justly chardge them in reason ; for as we be fully bent to de
fend your lordships aucthoryte and credyte, so wold we be loth to have
any matter sertefyed, that shuld not at thend be justifiable, and such
in ded as we might, with good reason, chardge them with all. And
thus we bid your good lordship right hartly fare well. From Hamp
ton court, thexxv01 of September, 1559.

No. LXXIV.
Sir Rafe Sadler and Mr Croft to Tho'. Randall.
We have receyved both your lettres ; and to the first we answered
you by him that brought the same unto us, trustyng that or this tyme
he is arryved with you. And- as we did then, so we do now agayn,
sende unto you our poure advise to move the dukes grace to have re
spect unto this tyme, which, if it be now pretermitted, can never be
recovered ; for we be advertised from Mr Secreterie, that in Fraunce
greate preparacions are made of ayde to be sent from thens into Scot
lande, and that the marques Dalboef is comyng thither with the same.
For that they trust that the French shalbe able to kepe Legh untill the
saide power may arryve there. Wherefore it is most expedient for the
lords of the congregacion to take their tyme whylls they have it, and
therby to prevent the malice of their enemyes, which they may well
do if they can take Legh, and expell the French before any more aide
com unto them ; and as you write that the lords ofthe congregacion in
tende not to fall to any composition or treatie, so do we thinke it most

492 LETTERS during the war of
expedient for them to beware thereof; for they may be sure that
whatsoever is promyssed, nothing wolbe performed. We do well al
low the cause alledged by you of your being there, praying you so to
use your self as no suspicion be gathered that you remayne there for
any manner of practise, and the fewer do knowe of your being there
the better it shalbe, in our opynyons. And perceyving by your last
lettres, that the lord of Lidington and you wolbe here within ten
dayes, we pray you advertise us assone as you can possiblie for what
purpose he commeth, and whether hys dyrection shalbe to the quenis
majestie, orells no ferther then to this towne to conferr with us. So
praying you to make our humble commendations to the duke and
therle of Arrayn, to whom we wishe as good successe and prosperyte
in this their enterprises as their noble herts desyreth, we bid you well
to fare, &c. 9a of Oct. 1559- We have sent the copye of your let
tres to Mr Secretarye, with therle of Arraynes hertie commendations
according to his desyre.

No. LXXV.
The Lords and others qf the Privie Counsail to Sir Rafe Sadler,
Sir James Croft, and John Abington. *
After our very hartie commendations. We have receved your letT
tres of the iiij"1 of this present, and perceving by the same that you
thinke requisite that a new supplie of victualls be provided to remayne
in store there, we like the same your opynyons verie well, and thinke
yt reasonable that you John Abington do repaire hither for that pur-
poose, leving before your departure from thence your charge with
suche oon as bothe can and will iustelye use and answer the same ¦
and that you also make perfect declaration before your coming away
* This was the purveyor of provisions for the garrison of Berwick.

the Scottish reformation, 1559:60. 493
to you Mr Sadler and Mr Croftes, of the hole remaine of victualls that
you shall leve there in store. And because we wold gladly understande
the perfect state of that your office, and a certain declaracion of your
accompte, we requier you tohring with you all suche bokes and rec-
bnings as may serve to make us perfectly understande the same; and
also at your coming up, either to repair by the way to Mounford,
Waters, sir Tho. Woodhouse, and suche others, with whom you have
bargained for any provicions for that your charge, to thende you may
receve of them a certaine declaration of such reconyngs as have passed
betwehe you ; orells to write earnestlye unto them for this purpose, so
as at your coming hither there be no delaye or excuse, for want of any
thing that may make us thrughly understande your said accompte,
and the present state thereof. Whereof we require you not to faile.
And so we bid you hartely farewell. From Westminster, the xjth of
Oct. 1559. Your loving frends,
r ' W. Northt.* Arundell. E. Clynton,
W.Howard, Tho. Parry, E.Rogers,
F. Knollys, Ab. Cave, W. Cecill.'

No. LXXVI.
Sir Rafe Sadler to Mr Secretarie Cecill, touching Mr Christo
pher Dacre.
Sir,
I most hertely beseche you to be good unto this gentleman Mr Chris*
lopher Dacre, son to sir Thomas Dacre, knight, in such his reasonable
suts as he hathe Unto my lords, you and others of the counsell; for
surely both his father, who hathe served right worthely on thes frontiers
l... * William Par, marquis of Northampton,

494 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
thes many yeres, and he also, are verye extremely delt withall. by the
lord Dacre, and have suffered grete iniurye at his hands these vj yeres
and more, which, as I am infourmed, the hole countrey woll testifie.
And even now, for that the saide Mr Christopher Dacre did use his
passetyme hunting in his fathers grounde, as he sayeth, of an out dere
nere unto a parke of the saide lord Dacres, the same lord Dacre com-
mytted him to warde, and woide not delyver him untill he and certen
gentilmen, as sureties for him, were bound by recognisance for his
entree to the saide lord Dacre uppon xx dayes warning, as though he
were his prisoner; as shall appere unto you by the copie of the saide
recognisance hereinclqsed : wherein me thinketh the saide lord Dacre,
for so small a matier, hath shewed some malice and greate extremyte,
and more then law and reason woide, in that he semeth in his own
cause to be both judge and partie. For the helpe whereof, and for
release of the saide bonde, this young gentilman now repayreth to the
courte, to be an humble suter to my saide lords, you and others of the
counsell, and also to sue for redresse of the gret wrongs don both to
his father and him, wherein, sir, I eftesones beseche you to let them
have your favour and assistance, as the equyte of theyr casis shall re
quyre. Oct. xj. 1559.

No. LXXVII.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft.
The tyme wilL come shortly, that ye shall see what fruct will arrise
of the purposed labors. All men thynk the slacknes, will cause the
whole matter (to) quayle. The duke d'Aumale is appoynted to come
into Scotland. There be ij C men of armes comme downe towards
Newhaven, (Nieuport, in French Flander6,) and the shippes ar almost
reddy for there conveyance. One Leviston, a Scott, that passed lately
into France from thence, carryed intelligence, that the erle of Arrayne

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 495
lacked no favor, from England. I thynk he ment to saye somewhat
to crave thanks.
The bishopp of Argyle, * base brother to the duke there, is come to
London, without leave, from France, and yet the quenis majestie may
not license him specially with her own hand ; but for favor of his lig-
nage, he shall depart in company or conduct of some English man.
Hither is come one Mons1. Carrouge, (Carnegy) now of the French
kingis ehambre, and before master of the horse, or such lyke, with the
duke of Guise. His pretence is to bryng the names of 4 new hosta-
gees; but his camming in dede is to consult here with thainbassador
what good ,advise may be sent to the dowager ; and to that ende this
daye cometh in post one Anthony Guery als protestant, a curror, with
lettres. God send hym small spede. I trust Overton be nigh unto
you by this tyme with monney, viz. 30001. in gold. Ye must make
shyft to change the ryalls into crownes, for I cold not do it for hast.
In France it is sayd the erles of Huntley and Morton remayn from the
protestants. Your matter, Mr Crofts, is stayed here touchyng the fyne
levied by your father. From Westminster, the 12 of October, 1559.
Yours assuredly,
W. Cecill.

No. LXXVIII.
Tke Lords and others of the Quenes Majesties Privie Counsdil to Sir
Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft.
After our harty commendations. The bearer herof, Ninian Men-
vile, gent, cummith to those parts in company with the bishop of Ar-
* James Hamilton, natural brother to the duke of Chatelherault, was first intended to
succeed his brother in the see of'Dunkeld, and afterwards postulated to that of Glasgow;
but neither promotion took place. In 1558 he obtained the bishoprick of Argyle; but,
according to Keith, there is no certainty that he was ever consecrated. In 1560 he em
braced the reformed religion. Keith's Catalogue of Scottish Bishops, p. 173.

496 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
gile,- who desyreth to retourne in to his countreye. And for that the
quenes majestie hath not gyven him any speciall saveconduct, bicaus
of his hast, we have thought meet to requyre you to shew him such
freendship as that he may passe in to his countrey without molestation
or delaye, and yet in such discrete sort, as no favour shewed unto him
may be evil interpreted, neither may appere outwardly, any further
then shalbe very nedefull; for better accomplishement whereof, we
think it best that he might be directed by Norham or Wark, father
then by Barwyk e, if ye shall not thinke any better waye. And so we
bidde you hartly well to fare. From Westminster, the xiij11' of Oct.
1559- Your loving freends,
F. Clynton, W. Howard,
Tho. Parry, E. Rogers,
• ,r ¦ , W. Cecill.

No. LXXIX.
.. Therle ^Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadler.
It was agreed, as I do remembre, at our last sytting with the co-
myssoners of Scotland, that all attemptates alredie fyled shuld be as
well delivered, as also to go throughe with theight bills, and toprocead
to the covenantes and promysses of spering, fyling, and deliveringe of
all attemptates commytted before the secound of Aprile, and for such as
was done within the tyme of our sitting in comyssion shuld be spered,
fyled, and delivered, so fare as may be done convenientlie, and is
possible. Yet, notwithstanding, therll Bothwell utterlie denyethe the
promise of spering, fyling, and deliveringe of the attemptates done
before the secound of Aprile, and ever called for shewinge of such wri-
tinges as beareth mention of the same, that was agreed upon at our
last syttinge, whiche I was not abell to shewe, but charge hym by

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 497
wordes, which he littell regarded, and ever called what I could charge
hym by wryting, for that Ihad not the articles that was written and
agreed upon at our departing, whiche shuld have bene assigned of us
all, to thentent thofficerS of bothe realmes shuld procead therin accord
inglie, whiche, as I am enformed, was assigned by you and them, and
never *as yet sent unto me ; which is not a lytell marvale to me, con
sidering the most parte of the same articles shuld have bene put in
execution by me. It seamyth the quenes majesties pore subiects is
rather further dreven of for the having of justice by our last sytting in
comyssion, tJaen if suche comyssion had never ben sytt on. There
fore I wold wish, and do think it most convenient, you shuld take in
hand to procede for the help and relieve of this pore countrie, as ye
were put in trust when ye cam in comyssion for that purpose. For I
¦I am sure ye are not amynded that I shuld do any good, when ye
kepe from me the original! that I shuld be directed by. This berer,
Thomas Clavering, can declare unto you oure hole procedinges at this
¦daie of trewce. And so comits you to Almighty God. From Warfc-
worthe, the xij of Oct. 1559. Your assured loving frend,
Northumberland.

No. LXXX.
Tho. Randall to Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft.*
It may please your honours to understand, that the last of Sept. I
sent a man unto you with a lettre writen in this sorte, of whome for
that we have not hard before, we doo not a littell woondre. I adver
tised you at that tyme of all the newes that then I coulde, and desyred
to knowe your advises how to convey my lettres. It maye please you
* This letter is written in a cypher.
VOL. I. 3 R

498 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
nowe to knowe, that all thyngs have had marvelous good successe.
The duke is very earnest and constant. Therle hath mo freends then
he looked for ; all menes hope of him is verie greate, and myne nothing
diminished. His entreteynement hath been greate in all places where
he hathe been, and more than any subiect ever had, though sore against
his will, as Kircaldie told me, who is in good credite both with the
father and the son, and is restored to his lands by the duke. The rea-
sorte hither of gentelmen is greate, and lettres dailie full of faire pro
mises, wherof I have the copie of as many as will serve to any purpose,
which I will bring with me at my comyng, which I think will be
within tenne dayes, and bring with me the larde of Lydington * se-
cretlie in post. Upon Saterday, the duke and his, departe hence towards
Edinburgh. There preparacions is greate, and hope no lesse. It is
saide that the Frenche steale myghtlie awaye in greate nombres. The
lord of Erskin wool kepe the castell of Edynburgh. The archbishop
of St Andrewes f was here, and went yesterday to bid the regent fare
well. The duke hathe forbid him his house, and forbid all men to paye
him any rents. The discord hath been greater then I can write in few
woords. Thabbot of Kylwynnyng is as false a karle as his cousin
tharchbishop. The lord Maxwell takith this parte. This day departed
hence therle of Eglinton,J who is the dukes soon in law. There is
greate hope of therle of Huntley, whose eldest soon hathe been with '
therle of Arrain, and promiseth faire. He wrote lettres to the duke,
with credit, whiche was to knowe what the quenes majestie woolde
doo in this cause. Thanswer was, that as yet there was nothing re-
quyered at her hands, and that he woolde use his advise therin, with
many other good waordeSy which I thinke will please him well. The
* L e. The younger Lethington* secretary of state, who was deprived of that office by
the queen-dowager upon his embracing the party of the congregation.
t He was the abbot of Paisley during Sadler's former negociation ; being natural bro
ther to the duke, he swayed him to the faction of the queen-mother. At present; how
ever, his influence was diminished.
X Hugh, second earl of Eglinton, married to Jady Jane Hamilton, fourth daughter of
Ijie'duke of Chatelherault. He died 1585. L

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 499
lord Somerville * cam from the regent to the duke with grevous com-
playnts of hir. unkyndness, with many mo woords to that effect. His
owne counsail was not to credit her, and promised the duke his owne
service. The lord of Mintof was this daye with the duke, and tolde
him that the regent was in hand with him to go to therle of Lenox,
to move him to take parte against him ; this and suche lyke tales are
caried on both partes. Your wisedoms know howe such matiers ought
to be wayed. The regent hath set fourthe a proclamacion against the
lords of the congregation, with many sore woords of the duke and
therle of Arrain, not beleving what soever is said, but the queues ma
jestie will observe the league, though in her private talke and letters it
is farre otherwise, as by a lettre to the priour of St Andrewes, % whiche
I have, it shall appeare. The lords of the congregacion have also set
fourthe there proclamacion, as vehement on the other side, with full
determination to fall to no composition. It is thought that there forte
is of no greate force, and the eompasse so great, that eight M. (8000)
men can not defend it. Summe thinke the regent Will departe secretlie.
Summe that she will to Ynehkeith, § for that three shippes are a pre
paring. Summe saye tbat she is verie sicke. Summe saye the devill
cannot kill her. The prior of St Andrewes sent a lettre to therle of Ar
rain that he receyved out of Fraunce, conteyning manye newes of the
preparaeion against Scotland, with advise to seke ayde of England,
which I gesse to savor to muche of Knox stile to come from Fraunce,
though it will serve to good purpose. Kircaldie and Alex. Whitlawe

* This was probably John, the sixth lord Somerville, son of lord Hugh, who is frequently
mentioned in the negociation of 1548. He died in 1570.
f Stewart.
X Lord James Stewart, natural son of James V., afterwards earl of Murray, and regent
of Scotland. | An island in the firth of Forth, about three miles from Leith. Here the queen-dow
ager built a fortress, the remains of which were lately used in constructing a light-house.
The French soldiers, whom she quartered there, finding the nativ* name a little barba
rous, called the island I.sleJ)ipu, and sometimes Isle des Chevaux.

500 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
have told me that the' prior of St Androwes woide speake with me of
summe mater of importance. Kircaldye , and Alexander Whitlawe
have eche of them but L. horsemen,, so was it thoughtbest to spare
money, Thus muche have I writen of suche things as have passed
synce the departure of the man I sent unto your honours,: and heare
not yet of him. Now it may please you that we maye have of your
advise. It maye please you to credit me, I never sawe greater oportu-
nitie to doo good upon people then presentlie. The quenes majestie
may have them at her owne devotion. Wherfore your wisedomes
maye consider what is best to be doon herin. God, I trust, will pros
per the same. The papists stand in greate feare. I am requyred to
make the dukes and therles very hartie commendations to you bothe^
with many thankes. There desier is, that it will please .Mr Secretarie
to write to thimbassadour that is in Fraunce, that he lett therle of Ar-
raynes lieutenant* undrestand, that he must leave Fraunce as soon as
he can. Since Nesbot went from hence, tbe duke never. harde oute of
Fraunce, nor newes of his soon the lord David, f To suche as are cu
rious to know the cause of my beyng here, it is saide that I dare not
retourne into England for the- quenes majesties displeasure, beyng
known that I have byn in company with therle of Arrain. : Tharch-
bishop of St Andrews castell shalbe this daye taken be the protestants.
The bishop of Glascos -J coffers were yesterday serched, hut no money
founde. To morrowe an abbey of tharchbishop shall be visited. The
lord Sem pies daughter, whome he hathe, loved so long, sueth to marie
him. She is presentlie here. Her father will not promes what parte
he will take. Thus, with my most humble commendations, I take
my leave, desiering no lesse pleasure to Mr Railton in decifering his
* That is, the lieutenant who commanded the French king's Scottish guard under the
earl of Arran,. their captain.
f Lord David Hamilton, fourth son of the duke of Chatelherault, who died without issue.
X James. Bethune, the last catholic bishop of Glasgow.. He was probably at present
with the queen-dowager ; and if so, never returned to his diocese, but left Scotland when
the French forces evacuated Leith, in 1560, and transported the records of his church t»
Paris, where he deposited them in the Scottish college. He died at Paris in 1603.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 501
©wne new invented ortographie then I have had in writing of it.
Writen at Hamilton, the xijth of Oct. 1559-
Yours to commaunde,
Thomas Barnaby, i. e. Randolph,
Therle of Arrain desiereth you to send this lettre, or the copie therof,
to Mr Secretarie, with his hartie commendations.
Mr Railton, I praye you travail with sir Rafe Sadleir to be a meane
to sir James Croft for him that was his constable, whome I heare to
be in displeasure. Vive et vale. T. B.

No. LXXXI.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill*
Sir,
We do perceyve by your lettres of the vth of this present, that
Overton is depeched thens with iij m. (L. 3000,) being right glad
to understande that the matter is so well considered there. We have
thought mete to advertise you of such intelligence as we have. The
regent hathe written to the duke, reproving him for ioyning with the
lords of the congregacion, and charging them with practises made
with the quenes majestie. And yet the messenger which went with
her lettres had credit to talke of agrement, and to offer the stay of the
fortifieng at Legh, libertie for all men to use their conscience frely in
religion, and the French to departe by a day. Wherunto the duke
answered, that he coulde do nothing without the lords of the congre
gation ; and so, as we here, he dismissed the messenger without any
hope that they intended to herken to any new eondycions of agre
ment, for that tholde have ben afore so sclenderly perfourmed.
La Brosse and the bishop .of Amyens wrote also a gentill lettre to
'the sajde duke, requiring him, in the king and quenes name of Scot-

502 letters during the war of
lande, to be at Edinburgh the vjth of October, which he hath refused.
And likewise the rest of the lords of the congregacion have ben som-
oned by the regent to be there the same day, to here the commission
of the saide bishop and La Brosse; wherof they made none accompt
at all, but answered, that so long as any French souldeours remayned
in Scotland in garrison, they woide not hasarde themselfs in her cre-
dite ; and that bneles she woide desist from the fortification of Legh,
and sende awaye her French men, they woide not take her for a mo
ther of theyr commonwelth. The lord Erskyn, we understonde, hathe
promised to kepe the castell of Edynburgh, and as it is thought woll
remayn as neuter for a tyme. We cannot here that the protestants
woll come forwards soner then was appoynted, although for our parts
we have used all the meanes and persuasions we coulde to procure
and hasten them thereunto. For in our opynyons they have lost
moch tyme, and the French therby have taken advantage in the for-
tefeing of Legh, which at the begyning might well have ben im-
peched. But, as we understonde, there hath ben very extreme and
foule wether in the west and north parts of Scotland, by reason whereof
they be farre behynde with their harvest, which is the cause of their
delay. The brute is gret, nevertheles, of their assemblies in greate
nombres, and now they be undoubtedly comyng forwards to mete al
together at their day appoynted, and moch talke there is of the good
courage and forwardness in this matier of therle of Arrayn, who, as
they say, rydeth to and from Hamylton, Stirling, and Saint Andrewes,
with vij or viij* horse, whereof they say be iijc of the name of the Ha-
myltons. The regent sayd of late to a gentilman, from whom we understonde
it, that the congregacion at the first did ryse for matier of religion,
but now she seeth they shote at a nother marke, and that the duke
and his soon meane to usurpe the crowne of Scotlande, wherein she
wool defende her daughters right as she may ; and therefore she sayed,
that having no power to take the felde, she, for the safetie of the
poure Frenchmen which be with her, doth fortefie Legh, intending

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 503
to remayne there, and doubtith not to kepe it till more ayde do com
to her, which she loketh for out of Fraunce. She sayeth it is well
victualled, and made very strong, which were strange, to be don in so
shorte a tyme as they have ben about it. But in dede she hathe con
veyed all that she hathe out of Holy Rodehouse into Legh, and the
French lykewise ; and when the protestants com nerer, she myndeth
to repayre thither, and from thens, if nede requyre, to Inchkyth. She
is surely in grete perplexite, and also is very weake and sickely, so
that as som thinke she can not long contynew. We be certeynly ad
vertised that Randall is safely arryved at Hamylton, from whom we
loke howerly for som advertisements. As we shall have any wourthie
your knowledge, you shall have them with diligence. And so we
wishe aswell to you as to ourselfs. From Berwyk, &c. Oct. xij.
1559.

No. LXXXII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
We have receyved a lettre in cipher from Randall, alias Barnabe,*
which we have dessiphered, and the copie thereof do sende unto you
herewith. By the same you shall perceyve amongst other things,
that within x dayes the larde of Lydington and he will repayre hither
secretly in post, but for what purpose, or whither he shalbe dyrected
to the quenes majestie with any lettres or commission from the duke,
and other the lords of the congregacion, we can not tell. Thus, &c.
14 Oct. 1559-
* See the Letter, p.. 49?.

504 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. LXXXIII.
My Lord Wharton to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
After my most harty comendacions unto you. I have resaved your
two several letters, for the wych I gyff unto you my most harty
thanks. My servant taker of the .young lay rd off Coldyngknowes is
not presently with me, and therfore I have sent this berer, my servant,
to know your plesur anempst the prisoner: my servant shall obey your
order therin. I hertely thanke you for your favor shewed to my co-
syns, sir Thomas Dacre, and to his son, wo cam by me in'his jorney
towards the court. I am credible informed that the lord Dacre ayth
appoynted to take hes jorney towerds the quens magestie from Rarlesle
this day, about his  therupon in thes partes, that his
lordship wylle leve his offece, and hyt his sade that I make sut to
have the sam, thevroff his trustie servants we thinke speketh. And
as I dow desyer in my hert to serve the quenes hyhgnes, and in
her magesties serves to spend my lyfe, evenso dow I trust that you
wyll be on off my wyttnesses, to say that I never did make sut ther
fore. I know myn awn debelite mane wayes to be suche, as I am hot
able to serve worthely in so grete a charge, and presently his greter
then ever hyt was wythin the inemore of any person levyng. Watt
grete charge offenders on marches ar, your wysdom can well juge; and
I have just cause, upon expereance, to remembre the cayrfull travell and
payns that aught to be takyn iri the pry nces serves there. I dow here
by wyse mens reports, that the west marches hath not byn in suche
dysorder mane yers. Hyt his sayde to me, that there hath beyn more
attemptayts down by Yngles men sythpns the taking of thebstenence,
then was down by anowence agaynst thenimes duryng the tym of the
leist war. Hyt is also sade, that thos subjekts are not abyll to make
redresse, according to the custom of the marches in peax, and that
sondre of them wyll rather flee the realm' then to be compelled to dow

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 505
that wyche the princes by there treteys ar bounden to dow. The suf
ferance of thes wyll requier a good auctorete, wyth power, and wyth a
more charge, to compell these subjektes to obedience. I have
seyne dow good serves. I dow wyshe my sellf wyth you two days, bot
my bode, after long sekeness and sum descomford, his not able as yett
to take muche trawell. Yf there be any thyng I have or may dow to
plesur you, I hartely desyer that you wyll command the sam, wyche
shall be rede. And so wyll I comytte you to the gowernance of Al-
royghty God. Att my powre hows of Whartton, the xvj of Octobre.
Sir, I desyer you to gyff credence to this berer my serwant, and that
you wyll take payn to rede this mine ewell wrytting and trubulus let
ter. Wyth the hand of yoitr hold acquantance, and
frend to my power, assuredly, Thomas Whartton.

No. LXXXIV.
Mr Gower to Sir James Croft.
Pleasethe it you, sir, to be advertyshed, that thes berers, John Wyld-
eng and John Stodart, mester Boyar and mester Fletcher, of thorns of
the ordynans in the northe, who hathe longe sarved the sayd
and as you, sir, knowythe, tbat when I had dischardge of artyfecers, and
my sarvandes, the last of June, they were in the same dischardge, where-
oppon they did travyll to my lords of the consell for ther relefe, whose
honars hathe wryten to you and sir Raufe Sadlar in ther favor, witche
lettar I delyvered unto hem and you, besetching you, sir, to shew your
favor in the helpe of them, who be bothe honest and perfecte in ther sy-
ence, and well to be lyked for ther behavor, of ther trouthe in usyng the
sayd chardge, they ar made to understond that they shall have allowans
for no wadgis butt as they sarve or worke, wytche wyll not be sof-
xol. i. 3 s

306 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
feshent for them to leve on, and I trest your consyderashon wyll pre-
sentely be better, for that of this syde London is none that can sarve that
lyke them, if nede should stand sodenly att any tyme. Also here is
come agane a pore man who sarvydhere tyll the sayd dischardge, as
master colarmakar, and is nott yett stayd, if it plesyd you to helpe hem
with som stay if ther be no alowans in thoffis, I theynk it were well
done, for that here is none to be had of that syens. I can not butt
wryte for my ould fellowys, and so take my leve from Newcastell, this
xviijtb of October, 1559- Yours ever att comandment, C Gower.

No. LXXXV.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadler and Sir James Croft.
Your last lettres come to my hand wer dated the xiiij01, so as by
the next I trust to understand more certenly of thyngs there enter-
prised sence the xv,h. All men of judgment thynk suerly that the
quene dowager shall utterly weary hir ennemyes, who having no grete
ordynance, shall in vayne besege Lyth. And suerly if they obteyne
not there wills shortly, the ayde that is in comming shalbe hable to
mete with them in the felde. It is most certeyn that there be in redy
nes iiijm* (4000) soldiers, wherof the chieff conductor shalbe Damp
Martyn, a man of grete knoledge, whose brothern was slayne at Pe-
rone. The shippes in Newhaven* be reddy for there embarquyng.
There be good disposed people in that towne, that gyve knoledg to
the quene there that yow, sir James Croft, shuld helpe to conduct out
of that towne the erle of Arrayne, wherof, when the embassador made
complaint to hir majesty, it was easely answered by hir majesty, first)
* Newport. 10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 507
that she thought certenly this tale was invented by some seditiose
persone; next, she marvelled that such a matter cold be thought of a
man of your knoledg, who, if ye wer disposed to have ayded the erle
into his contrey, yet wold ye not have committed such a folly, as to
have manifested your owne person in such a case, and therfore hir ma
jesty required the embassador to have better consideration than to cre-
ditt these fond tales grownded of jelosy.
Here is the duke of Fynland,* who, on his brothers behalf, sheweth
hym self very politique to furder the suyte. He is very curteose, and
yet princely liberall, and yet in thyngs necessary. Well spoken in the
Latten tonge. How he shall spede God knoweth, and not I.
We here that the archduke of Austria is one the waye hitherward,
not with any pompe, but rather as he maye seme by post in stelth.
The king of Spayne is ernest for hym. What maye come tyme will
shortly shewe. I wold to God hir majesty had one, and the rest ho
norably satisfyed.f The conte Mansfeld, which came from the duke
of Saxe, is become the quenes majesties pentioner, and shall have 2000
crowns pension. He is bound to bryng 4000 footemen, and 500 hors
men uppon occasion. It appereth by $ Randall's lettres, that the larde
of Ledington meaneth to come secretly, but whyther I perceyve not;
if it be hyther, there must be greate secreacie used, for suerly here is to
good spyall for the French. Of late ij French soldyors and a Scott
were taken abowt Trekford, suspitiosly, without passport. One ofthe
French had a packett of the French embassadors, and beside had uppon
hym certen crystal! beads, and other trynketts, which he had stollen
here in London, as it fell out uppon his own confession. They be all

* John, duke of Finland, brother to Eric, king of Sweden. He came on his brother's
behalf, to solicit the hand of queen Elizabeth. He was received at court, according to
Stowe, on 5trrOctober, and returned homewards a little before Easter.
t The king of Spain having himself resigned thoughts of queen Elizabeth's hand, in
stigated his uncle the emperor Ferdinand to offer one of his sons to her in marriage.
% Written in a cypher.

508 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
apprehended; but I thynk the other ij shal be suffred to depart, and
the French theeffe shalbe kept in prison. Thus I end, From West
minster, the 20 of October. I am desirous to here of Overtons saffe
arryvall thither.
I pray you add to your ciphre these thyngs following ^—New-
haven, navy, west seas, est seas, lord of, Mr of, Dunbarr, Inskeyth.
Yours assuredly, W. Cecill.

No. LXXXVI.
Sir R. Sadler and Sir J. Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
Albeit we have had none advertisement from Randall sithens we last
dispached the copie of his lettres unto you of the xij,h of this present,
ne yet from Balnaves, ne otherwise from the lords of the congregacion,
whereof we marvaile ; yet because we iudge that you be now in conty-
nuall expectation to here how thes matiers here do speede, we have
thought it but the post's labour to convey this unto you, onely to let
you understande, that we have intelligence by our espiells for ceretyn,
that the duke and his soon, with dy vers other of the lords of the con
gregation, on Wenisdaye at night last, arryved at Edynburgh, their
hole power not being yet altogether assembled there, and the regent
with the Frensh all retired from Holyrode house and the suburbs of
Edingburgh into Legh, which being fortefyed as you have harde, they
thinke to kepe and defende till they shall have more ayde. We here
that the lords of the congregacion do call a parliament, and have so-
moud all the gentilmen in the Mersh and Tevydale here uppon the
* Characters to design added,
i

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 509
frontiers to com to Edinburgh fourthwith, uppon payn of their alle
giance. What woll be thende hereof is uncerteyn; but assone as we
have any certen advertisements, we shall dispeche the same unto yoa
with all diligence.
Overton arrived here with the 3000 lb. the 15 of this present.
It maye lyke you to be a suter to the quenes majestie for Mres Eli*-
zabeth Bowis, * the widowes licence to repaire into Scotland, and the
same obteyned, to send downe hither to us by post, and we shall see.
it delivered to here accordingly. October the 20, 1559.

No. LXXXVII.
Ranball to Sir R. Sadler and Sir James Croft, f
I have received bothe your lettres, and doon according to your com-
mandements, It maye please you to knowe, that I am yet uncertain
when I shall com, or who in my company e. For Lidington is gon with
the regent to Lythe, advised therunto for summe good purpose, as it
is sayed. It was intended that he shulde have gon to the quenes
majestie, which purpose doothe yet remayne. His message shall be to
offer the quenes majestie the will and desier of the nobles, to ioyne
with her majestie in amitie, with request also of her ayde. Before any
may com, you shall have knowledge if I can possible; Of commen
matters I write nothing, for that this berer can not be so ignorant, but
he can reaporte what he hathe seene. I leave therfore suche things to
his reaporte. I have seen the platt of Lythe, and vieued the same
myselfe, as neare as I durst. Assure your honors it is very strong,
bothe by arte and situation, well victualled by reaporte, but sklender-
lie manned for so large a place. They shew themselfes stowte ynoughe,
* The mother of John Knox. ,
t, The whole of this letter is written in a cypher. r

510 letters during the war op
what soever they thinke. The other, for theyr knowledge and abi-
litie, doo what they can. They have chosen a counsell, by whose
authorise all things are doon. I see all men so bent against her, that
I see many must be undoon to save summe.
Therle of Arrayn and therle of Argile desier to be dooyng. The lord
Maxwell hathe no small credit among them. I have spoken with
therles of Argyle, Glencarne, and the prior of St Androwes; the effect
was no other but to recommend their service to the quenes majestie,
with other discourse of these present affaires.
Because the regent had caused a proclamacion to be set fourthe,
and many men beleve that she sought more than the pretended
cause, the duke and the lords of the congregacion upon Wennisdaye
last made proclamacion to the contrarie; the copie wherof, and of all
things ells, I woll bring at my commyng. They have chosen a coun
sell of these men following for all matters of pollicie : — The duke,
therle of Arrayne, therle of Argile, the prior of St Androwes, therle of
Glencarn, the lord Ruthen, * lord Boid, f the lorde Maxwell, lord
Dune, lorde of Patarrow, J Balnaves, Kircaldie, the provost of Don-
die. For matters of religion, the bishopp of Galloway, § Knox, Mr
Goodman of England, for whose name it maye please you to use this
(a ciphre), for that I shall have occasion to write of him. Therle of Arran
brought him unto me, and spake of him verie muche in the name of
* Patrick, third lord Ruthven, the same who was so active in the murder of Rizzio, or,
to use John Knox's phrase, " who prudently gave counsel to take justice on that knave
Davie ; a stout man," adds the reformer, " and discreet in the cause of God." Being ba
nished with the other perpetrators of that brutal assassination, he died at Berwick.
¦f Robert, fourth lord Boyd.
X Wisheart of Pittarow, the chief of that name, and a great favourer of the Reformation.
§ Alexander Gordon, formerly bishop of the Isles. He was second son to John, master
of Huntley, by a natural daughter of king James IV. The pope had previously conferred
on him the. title of archbishop of Athens, which he retained even after he embraced the
reformed doctrine. He was translated to the see of Galloway upon the death of bishop
Durie, in September 1558. He sided with the queen's faction, and was suspended by the
General Assembly ; notwithstanding which he retained his benefice, and formally bequeath
ed it to his son on his death-bed, in 1576.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 511
the lords of the congregacion, tending to this effect, that the quenes
majestie shulde not be offended with the favor that he shall receyve
here. He himselfe is readie to doo what service he can. The fourthe
in this matier is Ullock. Thies 3 last preached before the lords of the
congregacion in Edinburgh, and so continew from daye to daye ex
horting the peple to folowe the doctrine of Christ, and to seke ami-
tie with suche as arre most faithfull.
This daye beyng the si, after the sermone Mr Balnaves cam and re-
queyered me to write unto your honors as here fofoweth. The 1 8 of
Oct. we cam to Edinburgh withoute impedement, and the 19 wrote a
lettre to the regent, who went the daye before to Lythe : the substance
of the lettre was, that she shoulde cause incontinent the Frenche de
parte from Lythe. And because she woolde presently give no answer
by the bearer, but sought to protract tyme, the xx of this instant wee
sent a trumpett to requyer answer withoute further delaye. And for-
asmuche as in all her dooyngs she seketh nothing but to protract
tyme, we intend shortlie to proclayme her enemye to the commen
wealthe for suche causes as shall be alledged ; and that the governement
shall be used by the counsell alreadie chosen, wherof the duke and
therle of Arrain are principall. Item, To mayntayne this matter, we
cannot kepe our companyes together, howbeit the nobles remayne.
Therfore we thinke no fewer than 3000 footemen, and 300 horsemen,
necessarie to be kept for 3 monethes, to recover Lythe again ; wher-
fore it woolde please our freends, with all possible diligence, to hast
hither money for the payment of these souldiers for the saide tyme, or
at the least for 2 monethes ; and if this be not spedilie aunswered, it
shall repent us and our freends bothe, for good will is in us, but our
power is not to furnisshe accordingly. And assure their honors in my
name, the lyttell money I brought with me hathe servid more to these
effects then if they had bestowed themselfes five thousand pounds, as
the dede hathe shewed from the begynnyng. Item, It is concluded
the xxj of this present, with the consent of the lords of the congrega
tion, nobles and barons assembled, that the regent shall be deposed,

512 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OE
and this to be proclaymed upon Mondaye, which is the 23. The hope
of all concord this daye is taken awaye, by reason that blood is drawen
largely, on every side. Thus muche have I charge of Mr Balnaves to
write. This daye it was concluded in counsell, that there should be levied
three thousand men more, and every nobleman to contribute to his
habilitie, and to give any adventure they can to expell the Frenche,
wherunto I see them so inclyned, that I thinke it not possible , for
them long to remayne.
Kircaldie in hast cam unto me, to requyer me, from the lords of the
congregacion, to dispatche this berer with suche credit as he hathe
to saye, desiering you to lend them summe powder oute of hand. The
rest I referre for lack of tyme, most humblie taking my leave. 22 Oct.
an0. 59. Hora tercia.

No. LXXXVIII.
Tke Lords ofthe Congregacion to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J a*. Croft.*
It may please your honors, 1 have receyved commandement of the
lords of the congregacion here present,, to put in writing these lynes
following. This Mondaye, the 22 of October, was the douagier de
prived from her authoritie by commen consent of all lords and barons
here present. Her deprivation we openlie proclaymed, her officers
inhibited to exequute any thing in her name. She, her Frenche, and
assistance, were further denounced enemyes to this commen wealthe.
A counsell is erected, wherof the duke and therle of Arrain are chief
hed. These things, togither with our further request, we have thought
good to signefie to the quenes majestie ; but bicause we woolde doo
nothing withoute your honors advises, we have sent this berer for
* This letter is written in a cypher.

THE SCOTTISH reformation, 1559-60. 5 IS
knowledge of your mynds, counsell, and opinions, requyering your
aunswer with expedicion possible. Farther, of necessitie we must have
mo souldiars, to the nombre of twoo or three thousand, for the assault
of Lythe. We are presentlie taking upp of them, but we lacke mo
ney, which we must at this tyme as it were crave of your favors
present relief. Farther, we stande in nede of powder, as well for cul-
verons as harquebuts ; for the sending wherof, we hartelie praye you
to take ordre with expedicion. Pleasith your honors to hasten this
berer, for we have neade of counsell and support. The lords of the
congregacion, 24 Oct. an". 1559.
Thus muche have I writen by the commandement of the lords,
wherof they desier a favorable aunswer, and so did therle of Arrayn
will me to wryte.

No. LXXXIX.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir Ja\ Croft to Mr Secretarie Cecill.
Sir,
We woide be loth to be noted necligent or slouthfull in writing,
and therefore, having none advertisement at all, neyther by Raudall
ne any others, from the protestants, nor of their intents and proceed
ings syns their arryvall at Edinburgh, whereof we do not a litle marvail,
we have nevertheless ^thought it not amisse to occupie the posts with
such matier as we can getthy espiells and otherwise hy commen brute;
that is, that as we wrote in our last lettres, the duke and his soon,
with sondry other lords, as the priour of St Andrews, therles of Glen-
earn, and Cassells, Mounteth, * Eglinton, &c. the lord Rithvan, the lord
Maxwell, &c. with vm. (5000) horse, as they say, arryved at Edynburgh
* William Graham, fifth earl of Menteith.
vol. i. St

514 letters during the war of
on Wenesday the xviij,h of this present, and as it is said, after them came
jiiim. (4000) fotemen, which they have in wages, with a gret nombre
besids, bruted in the hole to be above xm. (10000). And also they
say, that on Saterday last therle of Argile arryved there with v m.
(5000). This we here ; but we woll not wryte it for gospell that their
power is so grete, albeit it is comenly sayed that they be aboute xv or
xvj thousand men, which is lyke ynough .to be trew. We here no
thing of therle of Huntley more then you know alredy ; but som say,
that his eldest son, the lord Gorden, * te at Edynburgh with the pro
testants, and therle of Morton also. We have it confirmed by sondry
reports, that sythens the protestants arryvall at Edynburgh, there have
ben dyvers hote skyrmyshes betwixt them and the French, and many
hurte and slayn on both sydes, | and that Kyrkaldye is evill hurte
with the shotte of tharkebuss thorough the left shoulder, and a Frensh
captayn of good reputation slayn. So that now the fray is begon,
and being thus farre entered in bloodde on both parts, we think it can
not be sone staunched. The quenes majestie hath more for her ii mlb.
(2000 1.) then her highness father could obteyn for vj m. (6"000).
Whether they woll assaulte the town of Legh or not, we tan not tell;
but you know the Scotts can clyme no walles. We trust within a
day or two to advertise you of their doings more certenly. And be
cause Randall writeth not, we iudge that he wolbe the first messenger
himself. 24 Oct. 1559.

* George lord Gordon, afterwards fifth earl of Huntley, and. a keen partizan of queen
Mary. The report concerning him seems to have proved apocryphal.
t Knox says, that "defy ance given, there was skirmishing without great slaughter."
Hist. edit. 1732, p. 187.' 12

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 515
No. XC.
Randall to Sir R. Sadler and Sir James Croft.*
The absence of the lorde Lydinton hath caused thes lordes to be
very uncerteyn whom they may sende in this matier. Som thought Bal
naves fittest. Kyrcaldie stayed that uppon my mocyon. f Now they
ar resolved to sende the lorde of Patarrow. They desyre herein greate
hast, and woolde have had him departe oute of hand, for they saye, that
if it were knowen that England woold take parte, the hole countrey
woolde folowe. I assure your honors, hitherto they have had good
successe. It is thought that the douagier will to-morrow to Inchkeith.
Many of the Frenche daylie steale awaye, and 4 or 5 hanged that wer
taken goyng. They are at their diet, £ which we heare is verie spare,
and her freends werie few. What men shall iudge of therle of Huntly,
it is uncertain, yet his promes is fayre, and he looked for here very
shortlie. The lordes here wishe hartelie for summe of your souldiars.
You maye doo the erle of Arrain a greate pleasure to send him a ter-
gett. We hoped to have sent you the proclamacion, which, for lacke
of tyme, is diferred ; suche as we have present, we have sent, trusting,
that when I com myselfe, to bring with me in writing a full discourse
of all that hathe been doon syns my arrivall. Your honors shall re
ceyve a lettre from Knox, who made me privie to the same. I spared
not to open unto him the estate of our countrey, which I thought rea
son to waye as ther owne, and so to deale with us, that in the begyn
nyng there be no mislykyng in their request. § Their hope is greate,
* The whole is written in cipher.
¦f The objection of queen Elizabeth's agents seems to have been to the Calvinistical, and,
possibly, republican principles of Balnaves.
+ i. e. reduced to an allowance of food.
§ This seems to imply, that he warned Knox so to couch the request of the lords of the
congregation, that the granting of the succours prayed for, should not appear contrary to the
articles ofthe peace in 1548.

516 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
and their neade of good souldiars no lesse then they have written.
Most humblie I take my leave. From Edinburgh, 25. Oct. an0 59.
It may please your honors, to cause theis inclosed to be sent to the
quenes majestie. I maye be bolde to lett your honors- knower that they
are to open in all their dooyngs...

No. XCI.
SirR. Sadler and Sir James Crqft, to Randall alias Barnabie.-
Your lettres ofthe 22. of this present, cam to our hands the xxv'1 of"
the same, whereby you may perceyve that the messenger made no
grete haste. We have fourthwith dispached your saide lettres to the
court, and such answer as we shall receyve from thens, touching the
money you write of, and the rest, we shall signefie unto you as sone as
we can. But now to say our poure mynds and opynyons unto youj
surely all men of judgement thinke that the regent shall utterly wearye
the lords ofthe congregacion, and that if they obtayn not their willes,
and expell the French out of Legh very shortely, the ayde that is com-
myngvto the saide regent out of Fraunce, shalbe able to mete them in
the folds ; for it is most certen that there be iiij m. (4000) souldiours,
whereof the chief conductour is Damp Marten, a man of grete know
lege, whose brother was slayn at Perone, which were the xx of this
moneth redy to embarke at Newhaven, [Nieuport] and woll arryve at
Legh with such spede as wynde and wether will serve them, which we
pray you to declare unto the duke, and such others as you shall thinke
good ; for surely the matier is not to be neglected, but to be weyed and
depely considered by them, as we doubt not but they woll have such
regard thereto as aperteyneth. And we cannot thinke that Legh can
be made so strong in so shorte a tyme as the French have ben about it,
as it can be able tabyde any sharpe assault. Wherfore we wishe that
tyme be not pretermitted whills it serveth ; for if Legh be not taken,,-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 517
and the French expelled, before the new ayde shall arryve there, surely
it wolbe to late afterwards to go about it. We pray you make our
humble comendacions to the duke and his son, to whom we wishe
as good successe in this matier as themselfs can desyre. You may tell
Balnaves that we have had no lettres from him but one, syns he was
here with us, and yet he promised us to write from tyme to tyme.
Fynally, we pray you, wryte as often as you may, and lett us know
what is the part of therles of Huntley and Morton in this gret matier,
with such other occurrents as you shall thinke mete. 25. Oct. 1559.

No. XCIL
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretarie Cecill.
It may like you to understond, that your lettres of the xx we re
ceyved the xxv"1 of this present, and the same day we receyved lettres
in cipher from Randall, which we have dissiphered, and sende the
copie thereof herewith unto you, praying you to let us understonde the
quenes majesties pleasure as shortely as may be what we shall answer
touching their request for more ayde of money, wherein it seemeth we
shalbe ernestly pressed. For other occurrents, we understonde by the
messenger that brought the saide lettres, that like as we wrote to you,
there have bene dyvers skyrmisshes betwixt the protestants and the
Frensh, which daylie do contynew, with also nightly alarmes given to
the French at Legh, and dyvers hurt and slayn on both sides ; but Kyr-
kaldy hath no such hurt as we wrote of, which arrose of a nother Scot-
tishman that was in dede hurte in the same sorte as we did wryte, and
before that Kyrkaldy slew a French man, whereby the protestants had
the first bloodde, which they do take for good lucke. Therle of Hunt
ley remayneth at home in his countrey ; but his soon, as they say, is
comming to the protestants with iiijc (4000) horse, and James Macconell,
whom the regent heretofore stirred against therle of Argile,„ is also

518 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
commyng to them with vijc (700) fotemen. Therle Morton lyeth
at his house of Dalketh, within iij myles of Edynburgh, and somtyme
repayreth thither, of whom the protestants make a certen accompt to
be. theyrs. We intende, because we woll understonde their doings
more certenly, to sende Mr Drury secretely to Edynburgh, to som
trustie man, by whose meanes he shall understonde and see what they
do. We have also given him instructions to view Legh, and as he
shall see occasion, to give advice to our secret fiends how they may
at best advantage assaulte the towne, wherein we suppose him to
have good understanding. We have presently written to Randall
requyring him to declare to the lords of the congregacion what ayde
is now commyng out of France with Dampmarten, and so have we
not letted sondry tymes heretofore by such meanes as we coulde,
and also by speciall lettres to Randall, to admonishe them of such power
as, from tyme to tyme, we harde was comying agenst them, both with
the marques Delboof, and also the duke Daumaile, and advised them
to consider what hurte they might receyve by theyr protracte of tyme.
And if they woide have folowed our advise, they shoulde not have
suffred Legh to be fortified, but or this should have well accomplished
their enterprise, which, nevertheles, as it semeth, they have moch ne
glected, orells have had such impedyment as they coulde no soner as
semble theyr power.
And* "where it appereth in your lettres of the xxth of this present,
that som good disposed people of this toune, have given knowlege to
the regent, that I sir James Croft, shoulde helpe to conduct therle of
Arrayn out of this towne, whereof we percyve the French ambassadour
there hath complayned; I have thought good to let you understonde,
that for trewth, neyther did the saide erle com within this toune, ne yet
did I set one fote out of dores with him to conduct him into his coun
trey ; and as it chanced about the same tyme, did the duke, his father,
sende to me a messenger, requiring me that 1 woide shew my favour to
* What follows is also sir R. Sadler's, though in the name of sir J. Croft.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 519
his son, and that if he shoulde happen to arryve here, I woide adverr
tise hum thereof, to thintent he might provide for his safe conveyaunce
into Scotland ; whereunto because I woide the better colour the matier,
I answered, thatl neyther knew of the commyng of his son, ne yet
if he did com, woide I have to do with him, and therefore required him
not to trust me in that behalf; which answer, nevertheles, therle of
Arrayn was pryvey utito. But, touching his conveyance, the trewth is,
that I caused him to be secretely put out ofthe castell, over the water in
the night, where a gentleman by our appoyntement receyved him, and
so rode with him over the waste grounde, and under the hills of Che
viot, into Tivydale, and there delyvered him about i or ij o' clock in
the morning to a Scottish gentilman, being a dere frende of the saide
erles, who from thens conveyed him to Hamylton. The matier we
dare say, was so secretly handled, that hitherto none of the saide
ij gentilmen are either knowen or suspected to have had the doing of
the same. Ne yet can any of them all, which be most suspicious of
this matier, tell certainly which way, ne how, the saide erle cam into
Scotland. Mary, we have one man vehemently suspected, and, may be, that he
hath given the saide regent such knowlege as she hath of this matier,
and that is one Thomas Claveryng, fermour of the demaines of Nor
ham, dwelling in the castell there; for this we know, that he hath ben
very quesitif, as secretly as he coulde, (and yet not so secretly but that
we do understande it,) how and which way the saide erle passed, inso-
moche as he got knowlege of his passing thorough Alnewy ck. Som thinke
he is, and hath ben, a gud spie for the regent, wherewith we cannot
charge him, and yet Ave write it, not without some cause of suspicion;
and, besides that, we cannot praise his honestie in other things ; but
whether he be a spie or not, it were not amysse that he dwelt further
from the border ; and an honest man in his place at Norham, which is
now made a ferme-holde, employed all to profite, and not used, as we
have knowen it heretofore, lyke a fortresse.* Such disorder is not onely
* Thomas Clavering held the fortress and demesnes of Norham in farm, from sir Henry.
Percy, br other to the earl of Northumberland.

5-20 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
therein, but in many other things, in this countrey, for lacke of good
government, whereof we wishe a good reformation. 25. Oct. 1559-

No. XCIII.
Sir R. Sadler and Sir J. Croft, to Randall.
We have receyved your lettres of the 24 and 25 of this present, with
such other lettres and writings as you sent with the same by this berer,
which we have dispached to the courte with all spede, trusting, right
shortly, to receyve from thens som good answer. And, in the meane tyme,
forasmoche as the lords of the congregacion desyre to have our ad
vises in thes their greate and weightie affaires, you may say unto them,
that as we be no lesse desirous then they ar themselfs of their good spede
and happie successe in the same, so because we understonde not thorough-
lie their state and condycion, ne of what force and power they be to ac
complishe theyr intended enterprise, we cannot give them so good ad
vise as we desyre, but their honourable, stoute, and wise procedings
syns their arryvall at Edynburgh, we must neds comende and allowe ;
onely we feare, that their protract of tyme may be very daungerous
unto them, if the ayde which the regent howerly loketh for out of
Fraunce do arryve with her before they can recover Legh, and expell
the French, which now possesse the same ; and therefore it is most ex-
pedyent for them to wey and consider, whether it be best for them to
assayle their enemyes whills they be weake, and as we think their for-
tresse not strong, or ells to abyde the daungier that may insue when
thenemye shalbe reenforced with a greter power. * And what cou
rage their enemyes may receyve when their power shalbe increased,
* In these repeated exhortations to attack Leith by storm, the English officers seem to
have both forgotten the rude and undisciplined nature of a feudal militia, who, as they
themselves said, p. 514, could climb no walls, and (what they afterwards learned by expe
rience) the strength pf a fortified town defended by veteran soldiers,

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 521
and how moche it woll discourage the partie of the congregacion, and
make their power fall from them, to their no litle daungier, we doubt
not but they can consider, and we do wyshe that they may well forsee
the same. Nevertheless, for that we knowe not so ¦well as they them
selfs what they be able to do, we must referre it to their own deter-
mynation and iudgement.
Forthermore, whereas we do understonde, that dyvers of the French
soldeours in Legh do stele away, and many mo woide, if they might
passe safely ; we thinke it were no evill polycie by som meanes to let
them understonde, that as many as woide departe shoulde have free pas
sage, without hurt or dangier, which percase might be a good meane
tb weaken their power.
Fynally, touching the lords requests for money and powder, we
trust they woll consider what we may do therein, and if we may helpe
and relieve their want in such secret maner as were expedient both for
them and us;, you may assure them of all that we can do in that be
half, but we see not how we may sende' them powder without an
open shew and manyfestacion of ourselfs to be as enemyes to the
French, being now in amyte with us. ' And yet, if they can devise
which way the same might be secretley conveyed unto them, in such
sorte as it coulde not be knowen to com from us, we Goulde be well
content they had so moche as may be spared from hens convenyently.
And lykewise for money, we be in good hope to have such answer
from the courte or it be long, as we trust shalbe to satisfie som parte
of their desyre in that behalf, so they woll use such secresie therein as
the importaunce of the matier doth require ; praying you to advise
them on our behalf to be more close and secret in their doings, and
specially of theyr conferences with us than we understonde they are,
or ells it may turne to their losse and detriment. *
* Hitherto the letter is written by Sir Ralph; what follows by Sir James.
vol. i. v3n

522 LETTERS DURING THE WAR FO
Tell the erle of Arrain, that I, the capteyn of Barwick, have for him
in a readines a fayre morian and a targett, which I woolde he had, but
he must provide one to convey the same unto him secretlie, and lyke
wise for all other things which they requyer of us. 27 Oct. 1559.

No. XCIV-
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft, to Mr Secretarie Cecill.
Yesternight we receyved lettres in cipher from Randall, with others
from therle of Arrayn, alias Beaufort, to the quenes •majestie, to you
and to us, and also certen other writings which we sende you herein-
closed, prayeng you, that upon consideracion of the same, we may be
dyrected from thens with spede, how we shall answer their desyres in
such sorte as to your wisedomes there shalbe thought convenient ; for
now you may see gret likelihood what this matier well g-rowe unto.
We have, in the meane season, thought good to put them in som
hope of suche relief as witb honour and secresie may be ministred unto
them ; and also have given them such advise as we have thought best
for thassault and surprise of Legh, before theyr enemyes be reenfor
ced with tbe new ayde and powr which is loked for to arryve with
Damp Marten ; but surely we thinke if they be not relieved and sup
ported by the quenes majestie, their poure being such as it is, they
must be forced to desist, and leave of their enterprise to their owne con
fusion, and by her highnes ayde they may achieve the same yet in the
ende. As farre as we can see, her highnes must either open and many
fest herself on that syde, or ells they shall not be hable to wra'stle and
stryve against the power of Fraunce, wherein we be bolde to say our
poure mynds as men which, from the bottom of our herts, do wyshe
and desyre the stablishment of thes ij realmes in perpetuall unyte aud
concorde; the lyke oportunyte whereof that is now offered, we thinke
we shall not lyve to see if this be pretermitted. The consideracion

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 523
whereof we do referre to the wisedom and depe iudgement of those to
whom it chiefely aperteyneth, which can more depely wey it, and de-
cerne and see further in the same then our poure witts can arreche.
Youshall receyve, amongst the rest, a lettre from Knox to MrRayleton,
who before wrote to him to get som knowledge of the Scottish greate
seale, which you lately wrote of unto us shoulde be sent out Fraunce;
and now you shall perceyve what the saide Knox writeth of the same,
which, as he termeth it in his lettres, he calleth a Jewell, and by the
things ingraved in the staf he writeth of, sent to the regent from her
son and daughter of Fraunce, he, meaneth the armes of England,
Fraunce, and Scotlande. 27 Oct. 1559.

No. XCV.
Sir James Croft to Knox. *
I have receyved your lettres of the 25, for answer whereunto, albeit,
for myn own part, I coulde be well content to satisfie your hole re
quests with as good will as you seme to desyre it ; yet can I not but
mervaile, that you, being a wise man, woll require of us such present
ayde of men, money, and amunycion, as we cannot minister unto
you without an open shew and manifestacion of our selfs to be as open
enemyes, where as you know by leag and treatie we be bounde to be
frends; prayeng you to consider how we may, without touche of ho
nour and hurte of our commenwealth, being now in good peax and
amytie, enter sodenly into open warre and hostylite, being no cause of
breche, no manyfest injury offred unto us. And how I, being but a
servaunt and mynister here, may presume to do that you desyre,
tending to a playne breche of amyte betwen so greate princes whom it
toucheth, I referre to your discression ; for fas to your devises how to
* Tbe hand writing is Sir Rafe Sadler's.

524 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
colour our doings in that parte, you must thinke that the wprlde is
not so blynde, but that it woll sone espie the same. And surely we
can not bonafronte so colour and excuse the matier, but that it woll be
expounded to a playn breche of our leage and treatie, whereby the ho
nour ofthe prynce can not be a litle touched; wherefore I pray you
requyre that of us which we may do with honour and safetie, and you
shall not fynde us unwilling.
And touching the supporte of such as you have often written for,
I coulde fynde the meanes that they might have some relief at theyr
fiends hands here, if I knew how the same might be conveyed unto
them in such secret and close maner, as none others have notice and
knowlege of the same. But, to be playn with you, ye are so open in
your doings, as you make men half affray ed to deale with you, which
is- more than wisedom and polycie doth requyre.
Fynally, where you wryte that Fraunce laboureth to make us* utter
ly refuse you, and that the queen douagier there hath playnely spoken,
that she knoweth the meanes how to frustrate your expectation of
our supporte by delyveraunce of Calice, I dare boldely say, that there
is no such matier in treatie, ne yet in question ; for you may be sure
that Calice can not make us to neglect or refuse the establishment of
this island in perpetuell unyte and concorde, wishing to lyve no long
er then to see the same, and so to leave the ioye thereof to our poste-
ryte. For the rest, I referre you to such lettres as we send at this
tyme by this berer. 27 Oct. 1559.

No. XCVI.
The Lorde Wharton to Sir Raee Sadleir.
After moost hartie comendacions. I have sent unto you my servaunt
Wylliam Storye, to receyve your order anempst the taykyng of James

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 525
Horn * presoner. His father, an old good servaunt of myne, was de-
syrous to come with his sone. Yt is straunge for me to hear what
haith ben sayd before you and my frend sir James Crofts in that mat
ter. My servaunt brought home into the castell of Barwyk fyrst pri
soner that was knowen to be tayken that day as my lord of Northum
berland ; Mr Crofts, now capiteyn ther, and other gentlemen, did see
withowt anny other clame for his taykynge. And how Bradrick got
the prisoners dagger, after he was tayken ther, ar good wytnesses. I
wold the serves that day had ben don as I gave my poor advyse to the
same before I wold suffer the bridge gayt to be oppened. My servaunt
was arrested, when my verey good lord Dacre was capiteyn. I had
cause to think ungentlenes ; and the more that a tryall shold be tay
ken in the Marshall's court, he nather having offyce the tyme of the
prisoners tayken, nor the partie under his ruell, when the tryall was
mayd. My servaunt, Langcaster, haith told me, that Denton should
saye before you and maister capiteyn, that he asked me leave to arrest
Storye. I woolde he shold more advisedly have used his words, for I
had no charge in thes parties when my servant was arrested, nor Den
ton never mayd me prevey to the same before the arrest nor after.
Wrong reports of that serves, and others, haith bene some trbble,
charge, and disquyet uuto me, after my long serves done to this
realme, which and others haith geven me cause to think my self hap
py to leyve now in myne old years from such great charges ; and, for
my tyme passed, I doo, and wyll yeve thanks to Almyghty God, unto
whos governaunce I do eomyt you. At Harteley, the xxviij of Octo
ber, 1559.
Post script. Sir, I do understand that you ar good maister to a frend
of myne, Mr Pretie ; I hartely thank you therfor, and do desyer
your contynewance unto hym. I can noles but comend that man,
* Young Coldingknowes.

526 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
wher I may do any thing to his comodyte for the good serves he dyd
under me in the layt tyme I served in thes parts.
Your frend to comand,
Thomas Whartton.

No. XCVII.
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Your lettres of the 25 of this moneth cam not without long tarrieng,
specially being so long loked for ; they came this 30 at night ; it is
marvelled that Randoll wryteth no more particularities nor circumstan-
cees. This cittie is full of talk from thence ; and therefore it shuld
content us „|nuch to have more certentyes. And so I praye you pro
cure; (as the proclamations uppon both parties). At this present ye shall
perceive hir majesties contentation, and as that shall prove well ex
pended, so wer it necessary to bestowe more ; to which purpose it wer
requisite that you Mr Sadler, if ye thynk it not unmete, shuld wryte
hither. For here be many more lettres than ye wold thynk. Some
not lyking the progress of relligion ; some not so angry with French
good fortunes as I am, some douting other successies, as in marriadg,
and such lyke, if prosperite shuld follow there ; and so with some
more difficulte ayde is granted then semeth convenient. In any wise,
hasten them as ye have done, for so shall they fynd there worke easyer.
Where I wrote of Dammartyn's coming, I now understand the mista
king, for it is Mosr Martygress, one of the heyres to the duke De-
stemps. The gentillman whom you have sent to Edynburgh, is
thought here not mete to be made privee to thyngs there. Ye knowe
his brother here, and he is much addicted to such here as blame much
the proceedings there. This I scrible in hast, but to-morrow I will

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 52/
*
wryte more. I bidd you good night both. 30 Octob. at midnight,
1559. Yours ever, W. Cecill.

No. XCVIII.
The Quenes Majestie to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Elizabeth R.
Trusty and righte welbeloved, we greete you well. Wheras our
cousin the erle of Northumberland having perfourmed certain things
committed unto him for our service in those parties (suche as for the
tyme did necessarily require a furder staye then was looked for, upon
our licence heretofore graunted him) dothe now make his repayre to our
presence for the better perfourmance of his causes here, lyke as we
thinke it convenient that the place he hathe as warden of our marches
anempst Scotland shuld be for the tyme of his absence supplied by som
fytt and hable personage; so consydering your present abode in those
parties for other our affaires, and your good acquayntance, credit, and
estymation, by your so longe experience and travaile in service of those
countries, we have therfore resolved to commit that charge unto you,
as one whome we willingly can be contente to burden with a charge
of speciall trust and auctoritie, bothe for the respects aforesayde, and
for the good opynion we have of your uprightnes and integritie in pro
ceeding : Requiring you, for satisfaction of this our choyse, to accepte
the exercise of the sayde office of our warden for the tyme of our sayde
cousins absence, joyntly with your other travayle there for us ; wherin
we assure you, you shall doo a thing muche to our contentacion. And
these our lettres shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in this
behalfe. Yeoven under our signet at our pallace of Westminster the
xxxth of October, the fyrst yere of our raigne.

528 LETTERS during the war of
No. XCIX.
'Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Tho*. Randall.*
We have receyved your lettres of the xxix of this present, and also
Balnaves lettres by the lorde of Ormeston ; by whom We do perceyve,
that he was addressed hither for money, which, as yet, we have not in
arredynes, but, as we wrote unto you in our last lettres, we do loke
every day to have som good answer from the courte touching the
same, And assone as it shall arryve, we -shall give you knowlege
thereof, praying you to declare the same to the duke, therle of Arrayn,,
the lord priour of St Andrewes, and such others as you thinke mete ;
and that we trust very shortely to satisfie their desyres, which we woide
gladly have don at this present, if it had ben possible. And, neverthe
les, because we understonde that theyr necessite is greate, which we
woide fayne relieve as moche as lyeth in us, we have therfore made
all the shifte we can for them, and of our owne money have sent them
one thousand pounds sterling in French crownes, every crowne being
valued at vi" iiijd a pece, which we have presently delyvered to the
saide lorde of Ormeston to be secretely conveyed unto them, and we
be in good hope to sende them more very shortely. Praying you to
desire them to kepe it very secret, and to make as few pryvey toit as
may be, or ells it wolbe a meane to cause the quenes majestie with
draw her liberalyte in that behalf. Ult. Oct. 1559.
On an annexed piece is added — In this bag be iij m' clvij French
crownes, every crowne being valued at vjs iiijd, and one crowne of vs
and viijd, in silver, which maketh in the hole m!b.
* The copy is thus endorsed— This was to me by the L. of Ormeston, token lie was taken ty
therle bolhvu.il.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 529

No. C.
Sir R. Sadlier and Sir J. Croft to the Lords and others ofthe Quenes
Majesties Privie Council.
Our humble dueties remembred unto your good lordships. We have
thought good to put the same in remembrance, that the garrisons here
have ben so long unpaied, that, for want of money, the poure souldi
ours are not hable to buy them selfs clothes, whereof now that wyn-
ter is com, they seeme moch to complayn ; the  day of Julye last
was owing to them xvmIb. (15>000l.;) for the receipt whereof, sir W.
Ingleby, treasourer here, hath ben in Yorkeshire thes ij° monethes, and
is not yet retourned ; ne, as farre as we can lerne, neither hathe ne
can receyve so moche there by a gret deale as was appointed ; and
now ther is owing to the saide garrisons for iij monethes more;
wherefore, we hake thought good humbly to beseche your good lord
ships to have consideracion of the same ; and forasmoch as at this pre
sent the quenes majesties receyvOurs and officers be occupied aboute
the receipt of her majesties rents and revenues in Yorkshire, Chesshire,
and Lancasshire, and others nere adiacent to these north parts, in our
poure opynyons, it were best, under your lordships corrections, that
order were taken, that so moche of the same as woide suffice for the
payment of the garrisons here might be stayed at this tyme, and ly-
myted to the receipt of the sayde tresourer for that purpose ; for to
cary the same out of the saide shires to London, and then from thens
to retourne it hither agayn, must nedes be a double charge to the quenes
majestie, besides the long delay of the payment of the saide garrisons ;
whereof, if it may please you to have consyderacion, the poure soul
deours shall have the more cause, to pray for your good lordships. Last
of Oct. 1559-
vol. i. 3 x

530 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

No. CI.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill,
Yesternight arryved here the lorde of Ormeston with thes lettres
which we sende you here inclosed. He was specially dispeched hither
for money, and declared unto us, that oneles they might be presently
holpen and relieved with the same, they coulde not kepe their power
any longer together, but that their souldeours, which they had in wa
ges, were redy to departe from them for lacke. of payment; whereup
pon, because we thought it not good utterly to discourage them, we
have presumed to sende them one thousande pounds, which we decla
red unto him we shyfted for out of our owne money, and such as we
coulde borow of our frends for the tyme ; and so we have now wryt
ten unto Randall, requiring him to declare the same to such of the
lords there as he thinketh good, and to advertise them that we be in
good hope to sende them more very shortely ; praying them to kepe
it secret, and to make as few pry vey to it as is possible ; whereof, like
wise, we required the saide Ormeston, to whom also we have given cc
crounes for his owne relief, which he toke in very thankfull parte, and
so we retourned him this day with spede to Edinburgh with good
words, and good hope of more relief assone as maybe.
Furthermore, lyke as we wrote unto you, that we woide sende this
berer Mr Drury to Edinburgh, to thintent we might the better un
derstonde by him of their doings there, so being dyrected from me, sir
James Croft, to the prior of St Andrewes, he hathe ben there amongst
them syns Thursday last, and is now retourned unto us in the compa
ny of the said lord of Ormeston ; he hath viewed the towne of Legh
yery nere within the shott of the harquebush.* And what he iudgeth
* What follows is crossed out. " Yet he iudgeth it to be to strong for the protestants,
for that they neyther have any sufficient power of men to besiege it, ne yet any gret or-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 531
of the same, and all the rest that he hathe sene and harde there, he
can better, and more at length, declare unto you then we can wryte.
He is honest, wise, and secrete ; and therefore we have thought good
to dispech him presently herewith ; praying you to credite him in that
he shall declare unto you on our behalf. What wolbe the ende of this
matier we cannot tell; but surely without the quenes majesties ayde,
either by takyng open and playn parte with them, or ells secretely to
be at charges with them, as her highnes hath ben, for a tyme, we see
not ; their poverte being such as it is, as this saide berer can tell you,
that they shalbe able of themselfs to kepe any power long togither,
but of force must be fayne to scale and departe, to their no little daun
gier, and to the utter overthrowe of the hole intended purpose. And
what may ensue thereof, we referre to be considered there by suche
as can more deeply wey and iudge of the same then we can ; and, for
our parts, we shalbe redy to do as we shalbe comanded according to
our duties. Last of Oct. 1 559.

No. CIL
Tke Quenes Majestie to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft.
Elizabeth R.
Trustye and welbeloved, we grete yow well: And where theie was
brought to you thither, about the xx,h of this moneth, three thousand
pounds ;f our pleasure is, that ye shall, in most secret maner, see the same,
or such parte therof, as ye shall think nedeful to be delyvered to the
protestants qf Scotland]; having regard to that which, in such case, is,
dehance to make any battrie unto it ; and further, he sayeth, that well he perceyveth
them to be men of good will, specialy the nobilite, and chiefly therle of Arrayn and the
prior of St Andrewes,. on whose shoulders the hole burden both of charge and all the rest
dependeth." t What is in' italics is written in cypher. The directions are by secretary Cecill.
18

532 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
for many respects, very nedefull to be well- forseen,- and therin we re
quire yow to take good hede, according to your approved good wise-
dome, whom you trust. You shall do well to certifie the protestants, that
if they doo not with spede take Lythe, we shall have occasion to doubt of
the ende. Of certen other things our secretary wryteth presently unto
yow by our commaundment. Gyven und er our signett at our palace
of Westminster, the xxx"1 of October, 1559.
To our trusty Sir Raff Sadler and Sir
James Crofts, knights.

No. cm. !
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir R. Sadlier and Sir James Croft.
Your lettres ofthe 27, with a pacquett of dyvers others from Mess*
Beaufort and Barnab)', cam this afternoone to me, and being notefyed
to hir majesty, they remayne unresolved, being in dede very weighty.
In these matters, her majesty maketh privie but few, the earl of P6br.
(Pembroke), the lord admyrall, Mr Tresoror, and fewe other. I assure
yow, I feare much the lack of the protestants. I meane not onely in
substance of power, but also of understanding. Of all others, Knoxees
name, if it be not Goodmans, is most odiose here ; and therefore, I
wish no mention of hym hither.* If Balnavess shuld come, it wold
prove dangeroose ; and therefore it is thought better that he be for
borne untill the matter be better on foote. I can not lyke Huntleys
absence ; and yet, if he were present, I wold feare his dooblyng^ The
erle Morton's absence is to be mislyked. I wold gladly knowe what
Scottes be with the quene, and how money Frenchmen. Ye must for-
bere to use hym, whom ye ment to send to Edynburgh ; for his bro-
* On account of their Geneva discipline, 'and particularly from Knox's republican te
nets.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 533
ther here is thought an inward man with themperor's embassador.
Yesterday I sent you lettres, to authorise you for defraying of the
mony which ye have. How ye doo for French crownes, I am in
dowt. If no good be doone ageynst Lethe before the 20 of Novem
ber, I feare, with succors, the French wilbe hable to issue owt of Lethe ;
within a few dayes, ye shall here more from us, and we from you.
My lord of Northumberland is desyroose to know to whom he shall
leave his charge at his coming upp : And it is wrytten to sir H. Percy,
if he be in the contrye, if not, to you sir R. Sadler ; and in dede this
evening Mr Percy is here arryved, so as I see no remedy for a season;
Concerning Clayering, at Norham, I praye yow lett me knowe who he
might be removed; and how the same might be better ordred as a
forte, wherin the quenes majesty, now in the vacation, hath authorite
to intermeddle, which hir majesty is disposed to doo if it might be un
derstand how. So fare ye well. Allweise in hast. From the court,
the last of Oct. 1559- Your assured ever frend,
W. Cecill.

No. CIV.
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir R. Sadler and Sir Jas. Croft.
After my harty commendations. Uppon the consideration of your
neighbors causees there, it is here sene by such to whom it hath bene
secretly committed, that the end of this there matter is certenly the
begynning of ours, be it well or woo ; and therfore I see it will fol
low necessarely, that we must have good regard that they quayle not.
To help them is thought expedient, but how the same shalbe is dout-
full ; by counsell and by money they may have succor without oppen
warr, so as wisedome be used ; but by men it can not be without op-
pen breach ; as for counsell, the best is as yow have gyven, that is in.

534 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
anywise to make spede to recover Lethe before new succors come; for
trewly yf the succors' come before the quene be forced to leave Lethe,
it will prove to hard a matter ; yea, I feare an unpossible. As for mo
ney, ye have authorite alredy to depart with that which Overton
brought. And if ye will signifye unto me, in what sorte they make
there payes, and how they fynd 100 footemen by the moneth, and
how 100 horsemen, we might coniecture what wer a convenient sup
port. Wherin also, we praye you, to wryte your opinion. I see the
matter shall not be left for defalt of money ; but what shalbe nedefull
wold be understand from you. As for powder, and such munition as
they lack, it is granted that ye therin shall use your discretions, both
what quantite ye maye spare, and how it maye be secretly conveyed.
They wold be advised to procure their merchants of Dondee or such
other placees, to procure some from Camphyre, or elsewhere. It is
thought they might have some sent thence in a night to St Androos ;
nevertheles, the matter is wholy left to your discretions.
As for men, saving capteyns and leadors, it is thought they shuld
not lack, so as they had money to intertyne them ; and as for capteyns,
it is thought, if they had such nede thereof, that v or vj of such as cam
out of France hither of late, and be not yet fully restored to the grace
of the quene, might as of themselves aventure to come thyther, and
steal from thence with apparance of displesure for lack of interteyn-
ment. Nevertheles, in this poynt we will follow your advise and opi
nion. Ye must make them assured, that no practise of the French
shall dissever us from them ; and" therefore it is requisite that they
geve no creditt to any bruyte. - v
Marry soddenly to enter into any warr, is a thyng can not be for di
vers great respects, and so lett them thynk it reasonable. And now,
for the obteyning of Lethe ; if they will forthwith rayse a sufficient
_ power and aventure it, the chargees shalbe borne. Which being done,
if the French shall make any army by sea to invade that contrey, as
sure them, they shalbe impeched, if it maye appere greter than the
power of the Protestants can withstand. These thy ngs I am willed

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 535
to wryte unto you, to the which I pray you to make me answer with
spede, as the casees do require.
1 I mervell that the erle Huntly is no more assured, neither that the
lord of Arskyn is not ofthe counsell/- It appereth they have not the
castell of Edynburgh ; wherin, I think, there shuld be both ordynance
and powder in the same. I mislyke that the erle Morton lyeth a looffe.
I feare practisees will do them as much hurt as force ; and therefore
the best counsell is to make hast ; for length of tyme will weary e
some, and brede emulation and mislyking in other some, and gyve
occasion of practisees, by the which doutless the French will travell
untill power come.
I am sorry that Randall hath thus manifested hymself ; for now he
maye not retorne to this realme a good season ; and so I leave. From
the court, 3° November, 1559. Yours assuredly, W. Cecil.
Send me your opinion, whyther, it be of necessite to send you any
mony in French crownes. Theybe hard to come by here, and in
what coyne you wold have it ; or how otherwise ye might be helped,
because carriadge is dangerouse if it be secrett, and otherwise being
assured it wilbe to much knowen.
Suerly I lyke not Knoxees audacite, which also was well tamed in
your answer. His writings doo no good here ; and therefore I doo ra
ther suppress them^ and yet I meane not but that ye shuld contynue
in sending of them.
t Here is a dout risen, if we shuld ayde the Protestants, and helpe
them to be delyvered of the French, what assuraunce might be had
of them towards this realme. Of which matter I make no greate
dowfte ; for I see they must be forced to seeke amyte of this realme to
save them harmless from the French. Nevertheles I beseche you wryte
your opinion therin, for so it is required.
W. Cecill.

536 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OK

No. CV.

The Copie qf Tho. Randall's Lettre to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir Jas.
Croft, deciphered.
I thinke it is not unknowen unto your honors by this tyme what is
happened to Ormeston, whose misfortune is no lesse to be lamented
then the money at this tyme myght be spared, wherof I knowe they
have greate nede, and nowe are determined to coyne their plate. They
are sorie also, that it shalbe nowe knowen from whens this money cam,
and feare verie muche, least they shall leese the quenes majesties fa
vour and aide in tyme to com, which therle of Arrain and the lord
James have lamented unto me verie sore, and desier your honors favor-
ablie to waye their case, and stand their freends, as hitherto you have.
I have founde in these twoo more honor, stoutenes, and courage, then
in all the rest. They are determined to bring their entreprise to good
effect, or to ende their liefs. I am also requyered by the duke to make
his hartie commendations unto you bothe, and to desier you, notwith-
stonding this mishapp of Ormeston, you will remayne his good freends,
and so favorablie reaporte the same unto the quenes majestie, as maye
stand with your honors ; trusting, that after this evill fortune, summe
good lucke will folowe. Immediately after worde cam to us, that Or
meston was hurte, and the money lost, therle of Arrain, and the lorde
James, went with 200 horsemen and 100 footemen, and 2 peces of ar-
tillerie, to the lord Bothwells howse, trusting to have founde him
there; howbeit they cam to late, onlie by a quarter of an hower. They
have, notwithstanding, taken his howse ; and onles he render the mo
ney oute of hand, this daye his howse shall be sett a fyer, and his
goods reserved, in recompence of the money, and he to be taken as an
enemye to the whole lords of the congregacion. There was left in his
howse forboys, with sufficient nomber to kepe the same, as this berer
A. *

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 537
can reaporte, who was there present ; and can reaporte also what
alarme our neighbours of Lythe gave us the same daye, which, for the
space of 2 howers, gave us greater, feare then we had occasion, if we
had had but 100 of good souldiars. The lord Erskin shott that daye
twise oute ofthe castell, and hathe declared himselfe open enemye un
to the douagier, whiche hathe greatlie comforted the people of this
towne, and grevith the douagier verie sore. Balnaves fyndeth him
selfe greaved, and Knox not verie well pleased ; and I know not how
to deale with them, for that I have received neither commandment nor
instruction how to have to doo with them. Onlie in private talke I
have saide unto them my fantasie, desiering them to crave no more of
the quenes majestie then she maye with her honor graunte, or she maye
commodiouslie spare. Where Balnaves nameth me in his lettre, aboute
the levyeng of certain horsemen, where they were determined to have
levied 300, I was caused to write unto him that 100 was sufficient,
and that Kircaldie and Alex. Whitelawe * shulde have the charge of
them, which I knowe doo more good service then 300 of the rest
they have. I am desiered to lett you undrestand, that there is no
cause for men to be discouraged ; and so maye I boldelie saye, if halfe
their men were good soldiors. The erle of Huntley is looked for daily.
The duke hopeth well of him, the rest trust him but a littell. No
man thinketh well of therle of Morton, f for that he hathe broken
promes with the lords of the congregacion, that he is not here before
* Whitlaw was an old ally of England, as appears from the terms of his forfeiture.—
" 5th July, 1549. Alexander Whytlaw, liferenter of New Greenrig, fbr the treasonable
helping, and favouring, and assisting, to the old enemies of England, against our soveragne
and leiges thereof, in burning of divers lands within the bounds of Angus, in
slaying divers our soveraigne ladies leiges thereuntill, and passing with the saids enemies in
ship to England, and holding treasonable communicacion and conversatione with English
men in Brochtoune, helping, favouring, and assisting to them of the dilapidation and bren-
ning of the burrowes of Dundie and Forfar." — Sir Lewis Stuart's MS. Collections in Advo
cates' Library, p. 23.
t Afterwards the regent of Scotland,' and the most devoted servant of Elizabeth. Through
all this war, although a member of the congregation, Morton observed a kind of neutrali-~
ty between them and the regent.
vol. i. 3 v

538 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

this tyme. Bothe Lydingtob and I hope shortelie to be with you
verie secretlie, and not to take post horsse, untill we be pastDuresme.
*y my next lettres you shall have certain knowledge. The lettre you
sent by Ormeston he rent When he was in daungier. Most humblie I
take my leave. At Edynburgh, the 3 ofNovembre, 1559- Therle of
Arrain hathe receyved the targett and morian, and thanketh hartelie
the sender. ¦¦

No. CVI.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Randall.
You shall understonde, that, on Tewsday last, we sent thither, by
the lord of Ormeston, one thousande pounds for the present relief of
the lords of the congregacion ; and also, Ave then wrote unto you, that
we loked daylie to have such good answer from the courte, as, we trust
ed, to relieve them with a more somme very shortely. And now we
have presently receyved lettres from the courte ; by the which we have
comission to supporte them with a more somme, as we shall see cause
wherfore, because you be there present with them, where you may
see and understonde their doings, and thereby may better iudge then
we can, what hope or likelihood there is of good successe in their en^-
terprise. We pray you spedely to advertise us of your opynyon in
,that behalf, tothe intent the quenes majestie being in dede graciously
inclyned to advance their cause, do not employe her good will and
treasure in vayne. Prayeng you to write to us of all their doings at
more length then you have done ; and you may declare secretely to
such of them as you shall thinke good, that we have money here red$:
for them, requiring them to take order for the sure and secret convey
ance of the same, and to make as few pryvey to it as may be. Also,
vou may tell them, that we be still advertised of the- commyng of
more ayde of Frenchmen to Legh. And where as we wrote afore of

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 539
Damp Martyn, we understonde now that his name was mistaken, for
it is Monsr Martyguess, one of the heyres to the duke Destampest?
who woll shortely arryve at Legh with the saide power. Wherfore,
if they do not with spede take Legh before the comyng of the saide
power, it is moch to be doubted that their hole purpose wolbe frus
trate, and what thende may be thereof, God knoweth. Fynally, we
have sent you herewith certain devises to be put in execution there,
for the better order of their affares, if they shall thinke so good.
After the writing hereof, we harde evill newes of the lord of Ormes
ton, and that the money sent by him shoulde be surprised by therle
Bothwell. Prayeng you tadvertise us of the trewth. 4 of Novembre/
1559-

No. CVII.

Orders for the maintenance and governyng ofthe Garrisons qf Horsemen
», and Footemen.
* First, A generall contribucion and benevolence of all noble men,
gentlemen, and borough townes, and a taxation uppon the kirke lands,
and also thole profetts of suche kirkmen as be against the congrega
cion, to be levied.
Item, Of this a perfett booke to be made, and severall men to be
appoynted in everie countrey for the collection of the same; oute of
which certain money to be allotted for the charges of the collectors.
Item, That sume be speciallie appointed to have the receipt of all
the treasurie, and to make payment over to the garrisons, or otherwise,
for munition, and other necessaries for the comen action, as shalbe ap
pointed by warraunt, signed by the lords having governaunce, or 3 of
them at the least, wherof the duke, therle of Arrain, or the prior of St
Androwes, to be one.

540 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Item, It is thought mete that Knox be a counsail, with the receipt*
and payments ; and to see that the same maye be employed to the co-
men action, and not otherwise to any private use.
Item, That the treasure be kept secret ; and that all such money as
they shall spende in this comune action, may seme to growe and be le
vied onely by the meanes abovesaide. *-•
Item; That there be one appoynted to have the chief chardge of all
the horsemen, andione other of the fotemen.
Item, A marshall to be chosen, to take ordre for the, watche and
stourage, and to give the watche- woorde to suche as shall watch and
stoure for the tyme, and to give nightlie the watche-woorde unto the
lords goyerners.
This marshall woolde be a man of greate care and diligence, and to
have an undremarshall for the ease of his travaile.
The saide marshall, or, in his absence, the under marshall, shall call
before them all matiers in variance and plea amongst the garrisons, and,
with the assistance of summe of the counsail, ende the same.
For the better observation of ordre amongst the garrisons, certain ar
ticles woide be sett fourthe by proclamacion, with penalties for not ob
serving the same; as, for not keping of watche and warde, disobeying
of capteynes and officers, for makers of frayes, commen drunckards,
spoylers of victuallers, and such others.

No. CVIII.
Therle of Northumberland to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
I was of late an humble suter unto my lordes of the councell by my
lettres, to be disburdyned of this office, and that it wold please there
lordships to appoint some one convenient and meit for that chardge,
weyinge my unablenes for the same- It hathe pleased the quenes ma-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60» 541
jlgstie to send hir lettres unto you, whiche I send hereinclosed, to take
the chardge in my absence, seing my brother f is so farr in his waie
towardes London, that I cannot convenientlie call him back for the
servying of that torne. I have, therefore, thought good to let you
understand,; that I entend, God willinge, to set forwardes of my jor
ney to morowe sevenight at the furthest ; willing you to take suche
order, aswell for the staye andjiquietnes of Tindale and Riddisdale, as of
the hole countrie besides ; and to appoint your, officers as you shall
thinke good. And thus I bid you farewell. From Warkworthe, the
vtU of Novembre, 1559. Your loving frend,
Northumberland.
I have appointed Thomas Clavering and John Hall to delyver the
rowels, J touching th^dayes of trewce, when you wyll call for them.
To my -verie lovinge frend sir Rauffe Sadler,
knight, at Barwicke. Yeve this in hast,
hast, post hast, for thie lief, lief, lief. De
livered at Warkworth, the vth of Novem
bre, at faure ofthe clok in the afternone.

No. CIX.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
Lyke as in our last lettres, sent by Mr Drury, we did advertise, that
we had presumed to delyver one m1 to the lord of Ormeston for the re-
T Sir Henry Percy."-
X Rolls, which contained the names of malefactors, and other particulars necessary to be
examined at the Border meetings of the wardens.

542 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
lief of the greate necessite and lacke of the protestants, so shall you
now perceyve by such lettres as we have receyved from Balnaves and
Randall, which we sende you herewith, what mishap hath chaunced
to the saide Ormeston, to our no litle grief and displeasure.* Surely
we durst aswell have com my tted our lyves as the money to his hands,
and wold have thought the same to be in no daungier^ as he himself
did warrant us most assuredly. But yo^f may see that such mishap
doth chaunce when it is leest loked for ; which, we assure you, doth
moch inquyet and trouble us. And yet is there ho fault in us ; trust
ing, that the quenes majestie will rather impute the same tosuch mis
hap as many tymes doth chaunce in things most assured, then to any
lacke of goodw ill and diligence in us to do our dueties.
We can not perceyve that the protestants ar of power to besiege
Legh, therfore we iudge that they woll remayn in garrison at Edin
burgh, so long as they be able to entertayn any nombre of men, which
they can not contynew for any long tyme, onles they may have sup
porte and ayde of money at the quenes majesties hands. On thother
syde, we here that the Frensh also be in som djstresse, both for want of
fewell and other things, and also for that their victuall, as they say,
doth consume ; so that it is thought that onles they have ayde shortly
out of Fraunce, they lykewise can not abyde long in Legh ; and thus
they be in som extremy te on both sydes ; what thende wolbe, God
knoweth. The protestants woll sende to us for more money out of hande,
which we thinke the rather, because we wrote to Randall before we
understode of Ormestons mishap, that the same was here redy for
them ; but now, because of this evill chaunce, we woide gladly knowe
the quenes majesties pleasure before we adventure the rest. And yet
we be in doubte, whether it be good or not, for this sory mischaunce,
so to discourage them, as now to leave them destitute of helpe when
* He was way-laid and seized by the earl of Bothwell, who stripped him of the trea
sure which had been committed to his charge.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 15.59-60. 543
they have most nede ; and therefore, if they shall presse us sore there-.
in, before we have answer agayn from you, we see not how we can de-
nye it unto them, if it may be safelye and secretely conveyed, where
unto we woll have such regarde as apperteyneth ; for we do consider,
that the more they be supported, the longer we shall contynew and
norishe their faction, and also the greater shall thenemyte growe and
increase betwixt them and the Frensh. And now, that by reason of
this mishap, it is to be feared that our practise wolbe discovered;
where upon, nevertheles, you must sett as good a color as you can.
You maybe sure, that if Fraunce list to breke with you, they woll take
occasion so to do aswell for that is don alredy, as for any thing that
we shall do more in this matier; which, considering how many we
have had to deale withall, cannot be kept so secret as we desire, but
must nedes breke out at one tyme or other, which we alwayes feared.
And therfore,, if any advauntage maybe taken now, or, at the least,
if, by the spending of a litle money, this ennemytie, thus begon be
twixt the protestants and the French, may be contynewed, in our opy
nyons it is not to be neglected, for we thinke it had ben better never
to have had to do with them then now to leave them ; wherein we
beseche you to advertise us of the quenes majesties pleasure assone as,
is possible.
Touching your desire, tb know what Scottes be with the quene dou
agier, and how many Frenshmen ; asfare as we can lerne, there be no
Scottes of any name with her in Legh, but the lord Seton* and the
lord Bortick, f with thinhabitants of the town ; for the rest, as therle
Bothewell, who is on her syde, and such others as seme to favour her
partie, do remayne at home byber consent until she shall requyre their
»
* George, sixth lord Seton, afterwards a zealous partizan of queen Mary during all her
troubles. He was also a favourite of James VI., and his ambassador extraordinary at the
court of France in 15830. Lord Seton died 1584.
f John, fifth lord Borthwick, who succeeded to his father in 1543. Queen Mary high
ly favoured this nobleman, and was feasting with Bothwell in his castle of Borthwick when
the fatal insurrection broke out against her authority in 1567. This nobleman suffered
many hardships in her cause, and died about 1572.

S4A LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
ayde. It is sayed, that there be in Legh about iij m (3000) of Scotts
and French men ia wages, v"1 of Nov. 1559-

No. CX.
Mr Sadleir to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sib,
After that Mr Croft and I had written our other lettres to you, sent
herewith, arryved here your lettres of the last of Octob. ; by the which,
amongst other things, it semeth, that it is ordered there, that the erle
of Northumberland shall, at his going up, leave his charge to me ;
which is very straunge, considering that you Jknowe well how sclender-
ly I am furnished all maner of wayes for such a charge, ^wanting both
knowlege and experience how to use it, specially the countrey here be
ing now so farre out of order ; and also wanting, as I do, almaner of
furnyture otherwise to reside uppon the same ; for, as you knowe, I
cam hither in post, with half a score with me, farre unlyke and unmete
to take in hande an office of such charge, which, I trust, wolbe better
considered there then to burden me with such weight as I am not able
to bere. I wrote to you of a good meane, which was, to commy tte the
charge of the est marches to sir J. Croft, and of the myddel to sir J.
JForster, which can bothwell use and sufficiently discharge the same,
or ells, for the tyme, you may commy tte the rule of both to Mr Croft,
untill you may determyn otherwise in that behalf; beseching you to
helpe as a frende, that I be not charged therewith, which, I assure
you, I refuse not for any want of good will to serve, wherein I shall
never be found undutiefull as fare as my poure witte and power woll
extende. As touching Claveryng, *. I can not tell what to say for his
removing ; but sir H. Percy being there, who is capitayn of Norham,
may be comoned within that parte, for he hathe lette the office and
* Farmer of the demesnes at Norham, often before mentioned.
12

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 545
the proffitts thereof to the saide Claveryng uppon a rent, as I under
stonde, and Clavering bounde to discharge him in the same, being an
unmete man to supplie such a charge, and so he useth it thereafter.
vth ofNovembre, 1559.

No. CX.

The Maiorjind Aldremen of Newcastell to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J.
¦^ Croft.

Please it your woorshipes to understande, that we have received
your lettres by Mr Pretie; wherby you require us, that for the provi
cion and advauncement of the wobrkes at Barwick, we woide let him
have upon credyt suche convenyent proportion of coles as maye at
this tyme serve for the present necessitie ; and alsq, that we woide
take order for the fraught and cariage of the same to Barwick by see ;
for that you looking dailly for the treasor, you woold see us contented
upon the repaire of the same. Woorshipfull, as for the coles, Mr Pre
tie maye have his furnyture therin whan he thinketh convenyent. Al
beit, for the paiement of the fraught of those coles, he requireth to
have bf us the lone of clb (100 1.) But right sorie we are, that we canne
not presently aide his want in that byhalf; consydering, that forso-
mooche as aboote Julye last, upon like request for thaffaiere of Bar
wicke, we lent unto Mr Treasorer there ccIb to have bene repaied unto
us at the first paie that than next sholde comme. Howbeit, as yet we
have none intelligence or knowledge whan or howe to be paied.
Which monnye so being owte of our hands, and also our monnye that
we are hable to make at this present disbursed for suche commodities
wherof our trades and ly vings dooth depende ; the said monnye ther
fore cannot be well gotten amonge us. And as we understand here is
twoo hundred pounds in the towne left by the customere to be paied to
Mr Treasorer for the queynes majesties use, upon warrant if Mr Pretie
vol. i. 3 z

546 letters during the war of
and Mr Cocks may have c Ib of that monnye to suche tyme as the
treasorer maye be spoken with. We woold be glad to helpe therin
that we canne, and to spair as mooche of our monnye, alredy disbursed,
untill the tyme that Mr Leis furnyture or paye shall corame. Wherby
we thinke the queynes majestie, in that behalf, shalbe served, and we
eased. Wherin, we beseche you, that we maye have your lawfull
favours. So fare your masterships most hartely well. At Newcastell,
this vth of Novembre, an° 1559. Yours mastershipes at commaunde-
ment, The Maior & Al-
ROBERT ELLYSSON, CuTHBERT ElLYSON, DERMENOfNeW-
Robert Brandlyng, Rychard Godfrey, castell upon Tyne.
Robert Lewen, Chrystofer Metford.
Oswold Chapman.

No. CXI.
Sir Robt. Brandling to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Right woorshipful. After hartie commendations. Wheras you late-
lye wrote unto me too provide for you twoo hoggeshedes of wyne, one
whight, thother claret, you beeng enformed-there was good store in the
towne ; and as I wrote unto you here was no store, but whight wyne
of Brytaign, which was all in pipes. And nowe sithens here is ar
rived atTynmoothe thre Scotish shippes commed with wyne from Bur-
deux, goeng toward Scotlande, and I have bought for you one hogges-
hed of dared wyne of theym, and shipped it in a ship of this towne,
caHed :the Goddesgrace, which you shall receive, by the grace of God,
by the first wynde, Yf she woide have taken in another hoggeshed,
I had sent it unto, youe, but she was too sore loden, nowe in wynter we
ther- Yt cost xlb besides the impost, wherof youe are discharged. And
at the eommeng home of ower owne ships, or of any other repairenge
hither, what you woll have more I shall sende it youe. Here is also

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 547
arrived at Tynmoothe, beeng driven by distres (as the said Scots were)
thre small shippes of Brytayn, laden with wheat, rie, salt, and wyne,
and, as thei saie, xvi moo shippes in the see, repaireng towards Leithe,
for the furnyture orvictualeng ofthe Frenchemen. And if here be any
thinge wherin I maye doo your mastership any pleasure, I praye you call
of me for the same, and I shalbe redy to doo it in the best wise I canne.
As knoweth Almightie God, whome I beseche to sende you good
helthe and longe life to his pleasure. At Newcastle, this fifth of No-
vembre, a0 1559. Your masterships owne at all' tymes,
Robert Brandlyng.

No. CXII.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft to Tho. Randall.
We be most sorye, for many respects, to here of the lord of Orme-
stons mishap, whereof now the best is to be made ; and if there do ar-
rise thereuppon any brute or sayeng, that the money was sent from
hens, the lords of the congregation must say eyther that it was Ormes-
tons, or som of theyrs, delyvered to him for som purpose, or ells must
devise to colour the matier otherwise. And they shall do well to lerne,
if they can, how it cam to passe, that therle Bothwell lay in awaite for
Ormestons passing that way ; for it semeth to be a set course, and a
speciall purpose, made and devised aforehande, to betray him, which
were good to be known. We have now advertised the quenes majes
tie of the saide mishap in as good sorte as we can ; trusting, that her
highnes woll take it in such parte as the case requireth ; and, notwith-
stonding the same, woll not leave them destitute of such ayde as her
highnes may, with honour, mynister unto them in their necessitie ;
whereunto they may be sure, that we woll helpe as moche as we can ;
which you may persuade and declare unto them on our behalffe.

548 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
And whereas we perceyve by Balnaves* lettres, that he laboureth to
excuse himself of such things ashe supposeth us to charge him with
all, which, as we take it, he gathereth of such communicacion and
talke as we had with Ormeston, you shall declare unto him, on our
behalf, that the care which we have of their commen accyon, mo
ved us to say our mynds frankly to the saide Ormeston, wherein we
mynded nothing lesse then to offende Balnaves; and therfore pray him
to thinke of us whatsoever we say, that we be no les carefull of their
well doing then he is ; and that we do npt onely take all his doings in
good parte, but also rest his assured frends to our power, v of Novem.
1559,

No. CXIII.
Therle qf Northumberland to Sir Ralph Sadler.
Whereas there chaunced of late two shippes to be ronne of the
grounde betwixt Berwick and Bambroughe, as I think the same is not
unknowen unto you ; I have, therefore, thought good to sende unto
you thes gentlemen, the berers hereof, to the intent they might joyne
with suche as you shall sende about the ordering and usinge, as well
for the punyshment of the countrie men, that be offendors, as in doing
justice to the parties ; and for all other thinges that shall apperteyne for
me to do in this behalf, as well in the vewing and seing of all the said
stuff, and taking inventories of the same, if it so requier : And also,
and speciallie in the sharpe punyshment of such lewde persons as have
made spoyle of any parte of thies goods. I have appointed the said
berers, by your advice, for the executinge of the same. And when ye

* Balnaves and Knox, as appears from various passages in these letters, do not appear to
have been highly in the confidence of Sadler at this moment, probably owing to their re
publican tenets.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 549
thinke it convenient to advertise upon the state of those matters, yf you
will send the lettres inclosed to me, assigned with your hande, I shall
assigne the same also. And thus I bid you most hartlie fare well. From
Warkworthe, the vjth ofNovembre, 1559-
Your loving frend,
Northumberland.

No. CXIV.
Mr Drurie to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft.
Yt may please you that myne ill sukcesse in opteynynge poste horsys
by the waye, and the risynge of the waters together, did so prolonge
my travell, as I cowld not arive here before yester nyght, beyng Son-
day ; and imediatly uppon my comyng, I awaytyd on Mr Secretary,
and dely veryd my credense from you. Yn a longe dyscowrse betwen
hym and me, who favorably hard yt, and dyd allowe your prosedynges
and your oppynyons. Thys mornynge I was broght unto the qwenes
preserise, who revieyd the matter agayne, and alowyet yt yn lyke
sorte to have suche consyderatyon, as your selves woold, which wythe
spede shall appere; and thus havynge aryved here weete and wery, and
glad that I am now ryde of your companyes, I am, and wylbe, here
at your commandementes. From the cowrte, thys vj of November.
Yours to use,
William Dryry.

550 letters during the war of
No. CXV.
The Lord Clinton to Sir R. Sadleir.
After my herty comendacions unto you ; where I am advertysed
that their hath hapenyd, neare unto Barwyke, a shippwrake abowt the
begenyng of this monyth. I have sent my servaunt, this berrer, the
sergeant of thadmyraltie, to take order for the goods that are savid, to
be gatherid together to my use, as insedent to my offyce of thadmeral-
tie ; beseching you, to shew your frendshipp so moche unto me, as to
assiste my said servaunt in these things which dothe appertaigne to
my said offyce ; wherin you shall doo me moche plesure, and bynde
me to doo you any pleasure that I may to requyte your frendshipp
herein. And thus I wyshe you as well to doo as I would my selff.
From the courte at Westminster, the vijth of November, a0 1559.
Your assurid lovyng frend, F. Clynton.
No. CXVI.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
After our most hertye commendations. Your lettres of the 3 of this
.present, we receyved the vijth of the same ; and the day before we re
ceyved such lettres, as we sende you herewith, from the Pt. (protes
tants) ; whereunto we answered then, that we are redy to satisfie their
request, if it may be surely and secretely accomplyshed, but because
the messenger, called James Baxter, semed to thinke it as daungerous
by see as by lande, besides, that it woolde be long adoing by the see ;

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 551
he is therfore retourned to them, to devise better for the suretie and
secresie of the matier. And now, uppon the receipt of your saide let
tres, we have wrytten to them agayn, to comforte them with such
good matier as in your saide lettres is conteyned ; being of your opy
nyon, that it is most requisite to encourage them to folowe their en-
treprise, and speciallie to haste the recoverie and taking of Legh, with
such spede as the matier in dede requireth.
Now, to answer to the poynts of your saide lettres, according to
your desyre, fyrst, touching the meanes and wayes how to ayde them,
we must nedes agree with your opynyon there, that by money and coun
sell, is the onely way till tyme and occasion shall percase inforce you
to do more. And therfore, because we have now, uppon your saide
advertisement, promised them, that they shall lacke no money ; it may
please you to take order, that the same may be sent hither with all di
ligence ; for long delay of the sending thereof may be an hinderaunce ;
and when it is here, in our opynyons, it may stonde the quenes majes
tie in as good stede as if it were in her highnes coffres ; for if the ma
tiers so fall out, as we shall not nede to employe it to such purpose as
it is sent for, yet it shalbe redy to be diffraid upon the charges of the
fortyficaeions and garrisons here, or otherwise, as shall please her high
nes ; how moche woll suffice, and how they make their payes, there is
mention made of the same in Balnaves lettres, which we lastly sent
unto you ; wherby you may coniecture what wolbe a convenyent sup
port, and if you sende more then ynough, the overplus woll serve for
the purposes aforesaide. It must be in French crownes ; for if it be
in any English coyne, when it shall come abrode in Scotland, it wolbe
the soner suspected from whens they have it. We have here alredy
xij cl (12001.) of English golde, which we dare not sende for the cause
aforesaide, and here is no shifte to be made for the chaunging of the
same. There is no helpe to be had in these parts for so moch money
as woll serve this turne, and therefore it must nedes com from thens ;
and right necessary it is that you sende it surely; for Overton tolde

552 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
us, that if he had not hired men by the way to ryde the stronger, per-
ceyving himself to be dogged by false varletts, he had ben robbed of
that he brought. SecOndely, Touching your devise, for sending hither
of capitaynes and leaders, whereof in dede the Pts. have gret lack; we
thinke it not amysse, that iiij or v of those mentioned in your saide
lettres be suffered to com secretly hither, to do as ye have there devi
sed, if at their comyng we see no cause that shall require the contra
ry- Thirdely, As we have alwayes hasted them, to prevente the malice
of their enemyes, by the takyng of Legh, so have we now agayn, ac
cording to your advise, wrytten unto them, that if they woll fourth-
with raise a sufficient power, and adventure it, the charges shalbe born ;
and besides that, have advertised them of the daungier that may fo
lowe, if they forslowe the tyme.
Fourthlie, Touching therles of Huntley and Morton; thone is wylie,
and thother is simple and ferefull.* Huntley is loked for contynually
at Edyrigburgh ; and, as it was tolde us to-day, arryved there yester
night; which we have not of certentie, but, wheresoever he he, we
have the same opynyon of him that you have ; that is, that he woll
use both partes as may best serve his owne purpose ; and howsoever
the game go, he wolbe sure to save one. As for Morton, albeit he
-hathe, by his hande writing, bounde himself to take parte with the
-Pts. yet he lyeth a loofe ; som think he doth it partely fering which
partie shall prevaile ; and partely in respect to the grete benefite that
he hath heretofore receyved at the douager's bands, by whose meanes
he obteyned therldom of Angush, though another hath a better tytle
to the same, f and yet we thinke him to favour the partie of the Pts.
more than thother partie.
* The earl of Huntley was justly esteemed one of the most politic and crafty, as well as
the most powerful among the northern barons. Hitherto he had so managed, that each
great, convulsion of the state had added to his own exorbitant power. But after events
shewed how far Sadler was mistaken, in ascribing simplicity and forgetful easiness of tem
per to the celebrated Morton.
t Morton did not obtain the earldom of Angus for himself, but as tutor or guardian to

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 55$
And touching the lord Erskyn : though he seame to be neuter,
¦and kepe the castell indifferent as his speciall charge, yet did he de
clare himself on the Pts. partie, at the last alarm given to Edynburgh
when the lords were out of the towne, as you have harde,* and sithens
hath he bene in treatie and counsell with them sondry tymes, as we
be informed; but surely, as you wryte, it is to be feared, that prac
tices hath don them moch hurte, whereof they have ben sufficiently
warned. Fynally, Touching the doubt arrysen there, if we shoulde ayde the
Pts. and helpe them to be delyvered of the French, what assurance
might be had of them towards this realme, wherein ye require us to
write our opynyon, we thinke assuredly, that we nede not to make
any gret doubt of that matier ; for, knowing themselffs to be utterly
out of credite with Fraunce, we nede not to feare theyr revolt thither,
if the lacke of our ayde enforce them not, and therfore of force they
must adhere to us, and seke the amytie of England, or ells they can
not be able to indure the malice of Fraunce. And surely, we thinke,
that if the quenes majestie woide manyfest herself ou their syde, and
take playn parte with them, her highnes coulde not require that assu-
raunce of them, being in their power to accomplyshe that they woide
refuse. Post scripta. As we were inclosing of this, we had such certen ad
vertisement by our espiells, as we lyke not, that on Monday last, the

Archibald the ninth earl, whose title was not unquestionable. For lady Margaret Dou
glas, wife of Matthew, earl of Lennox, being the only child of George, the eighth earl
was the lawful inheretrix of Angus, in preference to her father's nephew. But as she was
an exile and an alien, residing constantly in England, her claims were past over by the
queen-dowager and Scottish parliament, and Archibald, as nearest heir-male, preferred to
the honours of that ancient house.
* He alludes to a skirmish fought between the Scots and French, in which the former
lost their leader, the provost of Dundee, and were driven back into Edinburgh, through
the narrow street called the Canongate, where the disorder of their retreat was such, as,
says Knox, " we list not to express with multiplication of words." — " The captain of the
castel," adds the reformer, " that day shot a shot at the French, thereby declaring himself
friend to us, and enemy to them, but he suddenly repented of well doing."
VOL. I. 4 A

554 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
Frensh issued out of Legh to the nomber of mm. (2000), intendyng
to distresse certen victuells for their relief, which were commyng to
Edynburgh ; whereuppon also, certen of the bands of the congrega
tion issued out of Edynburgh, and being in the feldes there, folowed
betwixt them a greate skyrmyshe,* wherein the partie of the congrega
cion was put to the worst, and xxx of them or more slayn, and xl ta
ken, and the rest dry ven into the towne of Edynburgh, and the French
then retyred into Legh ; uppon this the lords of the congregacion toke
them to consultacion ; and, first, as we be informed, did resolve to
sende ij or iij of the lords, as therle of Glencarn, the lord Ruthen, and
the Mr of Maxwell, into their countfeys, to levie mo menn, and to re
tourne with them in spede. But, fynally, uppon further advise, per-
ceyving that the greatest parte of their power, which were of the
commons, that were not able to abyde uppon theyr owne charges, were
all departed from them, they also retyred, by comen assent in consell,
all out of Edynburgh yesterday, bytwen one and ij a clocke in the
mornyng, to Lythco, xij myles, of where, as we understonde, they do
remayn in counsell,/f devising what is best for them to do. And the
quene douagier and her French be now in Edynburgh in gret tryumphe,
the most parte of the substantial men of the same being fled out of
the towne with their hole famylies. What woll folowe hereof is to be
doubted ; but we thinke the Pts. can not leave it so ; for now they be
in such extremyte, as they must studie to defende themselfs, or ells to
lose theyr lyves and lands, and theyr houses and posteryte, to decaye
for ever. Wherfore, under your correction, we thinke it not amysse
to provyde for their relief and mayntenaunce, and that money be sent
* This skirmish was fought at Restalrig, on the 6th November. The Scots were com
manded by Arran and the prior of St Andrews, who ordered matters with so little pru
dence, that their followers were surrounded in the marshes, and nearly excluded from a
retreat to the city.
'¦]¦ In fact, according to Knox, they did not stay their flight till they came to Stirling,
where they had the satisfaction to hear the conclusion of a sermon from him on the lxxxth
Psalm, the beginning of which had been delivered at Edinburgh. By this discourse he
says, " the lords were much erected."

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60,, 555
hither for that purpose, which, though it be here redy, nede not to
be employed that way, but, as you shall see cause, necessarylie requi
ring the same. For, though they be thus retyred, we see not but that
they may reinforce themselfs, and begyn agayn, or, at the best, we
thinke them so strong in theyr countreys, that if they have any helpe
or mayntenaunce, they may remayne as long as they list at pike with
the French ; and the longer the enemyte may be contynued betwixt
them, the lesse oportunyte shall the French have to loke towards us.
This is but our poure opynyon, which we referre to better con^ydera-
cion.

No. CXVII.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Tho. Randall. *
We have receyved lettres from the courte ; by the which we have
commission to assure the lords of the congregacion, that' if they woll
with good courage, pursue and folowe their enterprise, they shall lacke
no money wherewith to accomplishe the same, as we have now wrytten
to theyr lordshippes. Also, we perceyve by the saide lettres, that the
quenes majestie and the counsaile be sory that you have manyfested
yourself there ; and therfore they thinke mete that you remayn there
still, and not retourne into Englande for a tyme. We praye you learne
how they make their payments there, and what the charges of a 1000
horsemen, and lykewise of a 1000 footemen, will be monethlie there ;
and to advertise us thereof; and also,, whether our Englishe golde, as
our new royalls of x8 a pece, or our crownes of vs, maye be convenient-
He sent thither, because we have many here, and cannot convert them
into Frenche crownes. 8 of Nov. 1559. «*.
* Theis were retourned, and not delivered.— Original note,
7

556 letters during the war of

'¦" No. CXVIII.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft to the Duke o/'Chastellherault,
Therle qf Arrain, the Lorde James, and Balnaves.
It maye like your good lordshipes to understonde, that whereas by
your lettres of the vj,h of this instant, sent unto us by James Baxter ;
ye requierd us to sende you one thousande pounds by see, and also cer
ten powder, for the which your lordshipes promised to sende a bote ;
whereof, as yet, we here not. We have thought good to signefie unto your
lordshipes, as we did then advertise you by the saide Baxter, that if you
can devise how to have the saide somme, and also the pouder, surely
and secretely conveyed unto you, ye shall have it here redy at all
tymes. And furthermore, because we tender your case no lesse then
if it were our owne, we can not but give your lordshipe our poure ad
vise, to loke well unto it, and to consider what advantage ye may have
if you can recover Legh, and expell the French, before any new suc
cours shall com unto them ; and agayn, how harde and daungerous it
wolbe unto you, if they shalbe reenforced with a greter power out of
Fraunce ; for the which, we assure your lordshipes, there is grete pre
paration made, as we be advertised from the courte. Wherefore, if,
for the recover and obteyning of Legh, ye will fourthwith raise a suf
ficient power and adventure it, the charges shalbe born, having afore
sufficient wamyng from your lordshipes for the provision of the same;
assuring your lordshipes, that if money will helpe you to accomplishe
your enterprise, we shall so provide for you, that you shall not lacke
reasonable furniture therof; prayeng you to let us understonde from
you what woll suffice ; and also, how the same may be safely and se
cretely conveyed unta you. Also, you may assure yourselfs, that no

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 557
practise of the Frensh can dissever us from you ; and therfore, if you
here any brute to the contrary, give no credite therto ; but when you
have recovered Legh, if the French shall make any armye by see to
recover it agayn from you, or to invade any parte of your realme, be
you sure you shall have ayde to have the sam impeched, if it shall ap
pere to be greater then your power shalbe able to withstonde. Of
these things have we now good commission to make you warrauntie,
and woide be glad to conferre with som trustie man from you in that.
behalf, if it were possible. The 8th of Nov. 1559.

NO. CXIX. -' ¦¦ ff-. ;¦;:
¦ >.''¦ SirR. Sadleir to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
It may like you to understonde, that syns my last writing unto you},
I have received the quenes majesties lettres, sent unto me by my lord:
of Northumberland; by the which I understonde her majesties plea
sure is, I shoulde supplie the office of the wardenrie of these marches
in his absence ; wherein, T assure you, me thinketh, if I may speke it'
without offence, I have grete wrong, considering how I cam hither in
post, utterly unfurnished of all things necessary for him that shoulde use
such an office of such trust and auctoryte. I have here neyther menne,
horse, nor money. And now I must be enforced to give enterteigne-
ment to som gentlemen of this countrey, that shall have to do for meo
in this service, as others have don afore me ; the rather for that the
wylde countreys of Tyndale and Ryddesdale, and the hole countrey
besydes, are farre out of order ; which can not be stayed and reformed
without grete charge and travaile. And as for the theves of Tyndale and
Ryddesdale, being at this day not better than very rebells and out-
iawes. There is no way to bring them to order, but eyther with force,

558 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
whereunto is required the charge of a garrison, or elise a generall par
don for all that is past ; and so percase they may be contynued in
good, rule for a tyme, by the helpe and polycie of good officers. Ne
vertheles, though I be unfurnished of all things, save good will, for
this service, I woll yet do the best I can, trusting, that where witte
and power faileth, good will shalbe accepted. But how I am able to
bere these charges, I pray you consider ; for, as you knowe, I have no
lands nor rents in this countrey, nor I haue no tenaunts here to call
uppon to kepe on horsback with me at all tymes, but must hire and
enterteyn men for that purpose ; besydes such enterteynement as I must
give to som gentilmen, whom I must use for the better execucyon of
my charge, as is aforesaide. Trusting, that the quenes majestie woll
have som consideracion there of, the rather by your good helpe ; for
you may be sure, that syns the charge is committed unto me, 1 woll
for the tyme that I shall use it, which I can not long indure, so em
ploy my poure witte diligence and travaile therein, as I hope to put
thyngs here in a better order than they are, though I sell my lande to
bere the charges of the same. And whether because, as I take it, I
am appoynted onely to supplie the place of the said erle in his absence,
so as he semeth nevertheles to be still warden, I may therfore chaunge
any of the officers which serve under him in these marches or not, I
woide fayne knower; for Claveryng of Northam, whom sir J. Croft
and I wrote of unto you, is his chef officer and deputie in the est
marches here; a man of such corruption and avarice, besides his other
faults, as I woide be loth shoulde serve under me. Of this, and the
rest of the premesses, I beseche you that I may be advertised by the
jaext. November ye viij, 1559.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. SS9
No. CXX.
Sir R. Sadleir and Sir J. Croft, to Mr Forster.5?
Mr ForsTer,
After my most hertie commendations. Whereas sir James Croft and
I lately wrote unto you for your repairee hither ; at which tyme, I as
sure you, we thought we shoulde have had occasion to use you in a
specyall matier concerning the quenes majesties affaires ; although it
hathe happened so syns we wrote unto you, that you might well
ynough be spared, yet now that matier is agayn in hande, for thaccom-
plishment whereof, and for certen other things, wherein I am very de
sirous to speke with you, I do most hertelie pray you to take the payne
to com hither with as moch spede as you may convenyently. Whereof,
I pray you, faile not ; for although, at your departure hens, I tolde you
meryly, that if you cam not agayn shortly, I woide send a post for
you ; yet be you sure that I woide not trouble you, except there were
a speciall cause that doth require the same. And so fare you well.
From Berwyck, the v,b of November, 1559.
No. CXXI.
- James Ormeston f to Sir John Forster, Thomas Forster, and Ro
land Forster.
Worshipfull Sirs,
Eftar my maist hartie commendationes in lefull maner. My caus
of wryting tozourma8- (maistershipps) at this tyme,js to desyre zou, as
* Sir John Forster, whom he proposes to employ in the charge ofthe Middle Marches.
t James Ormeston of that ilk, must not be confounded with Cockburn of Ormeston the

560 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
my werray undowttit and assurit freyndes, for to gife to me zour cown-
sell, on quhatt maner I war best to behave my selfe in, be ressone that
it is schawyng to ws that the force of England is cumand in Scotland to
ayde the congregation of Scotland, and to inwade wpou the quenis
grace, and my lord Bothwell and yarres parties, the quhilk yare is na
man in this contre that dependis on thame bott I allannarlie, be ressone
I have of my lorde Bothwell, and is baize (baily) to all his landes ly-
and in thir partes. And farther, it is no unknawyng to zour mas#
that the gentilmen that is my neghbowrres, and is pryncipales ofthe con
tre, hes me at inwy and malice, and will mayk all the misraport that
thai may to caus me and myne pwyr men to be heryit if thay cann
now zour ma'1 may haid me pardonit of my hamlie wrytyng to zou,
but it is becaus that my haill traist and belewe is in zou, and if thare
be anye stayment or harme to cum to zou, or onye of zours, or onye
steyd or plesour, that I, or onye of myne, may or can do, ze sail be
swir to be advertisit, and to hawe it done at zour desyre ; and if yare
be onie man that desyres, or wald draw ane drawht to herye me or my
pwir tennanddes bot ze wilbe sa gwid as to haid it of quhill, that ze
may gif to me lawfull advertysyng, that I may put my gwides by the
way; for I will byde by my lord my maister that causis me to tayk
syk ane feir, and to desyre zour eownsell and advertisement, as my for-
said freynddes, if thare be syk perrell or not, or if I sail thresh my
come, and put away my gwides in haist or no. And this I desyre
yow, as my assurit and traist freynddes, to advertiss me, as my traist
is in zou, and credence to the berare, that will schaw to zou the maner
at mair lenth. Nocht elles as now, hot sa fair ze wyll hastley. At the

reformer. The former was, as appears from this letter, a bailiff and retainer of the earl of
Bothwell, and is apparently afraid of the vengeance of the English, who were now threaten
ing to advance into Scotland. I suspect this was the very laird of Black Ormiston, whom
Bothwell employed in the murder of Henry Darnley, for which treason he was executed,
December 1573. See his Confession in Laing's "Dissertation on Darnley's Murder," Vol.
II. p. 29 1 . The writer of this letter may, however, have been the father of the assassin.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 561
Moss Towr, the viij,b day of November. Be zours at command le-
fulle. JabJIis Ormeston of yatllk.
To my werray assurit freyndes and worship-
full men, Thomas Forster of Langedd-
stone,sir John Forster, in Alnwik Abbey,
Knyght; Rol land Forster, capytane of
Werkcastell, brether.

No. CXXII.
Bond qf Lord Kythe and David Strange.
Be knawynn to all men by thes presentes : we, Wilzam* lord Kythe
and David Strang, Scottsmen, bundis, and obleges ws, and ether of
ws iointly and severly, our hares, executors, and asseignes, to the rytht
honorable erle of Northummerland, lord-warden of the est and myddell
marshes off England for anenst Scotland, in the sowm of a hondred
pownds sterling, upon condition fowllowing, that one George Hopper,
Scottishman, or the said David Strang, personally, appeir and enter
within the qwenes majesties castell of Tynemouth, on
and befor the fest of the pwrefecacion of our Lady, called Candellmes
day, next following the dait herof, and thar to bring with tham, or
ether of tham, suffysyant writyng under record, and saill that the said
David Strang was trewe and fathefull factour and atturney for the said
George Hopper then this donne this present bond to be vooid and of
none effect, wtherwais to stand in his full strenthe and vertue. In wit-
nes hereof, we haff set our sales, and swbscrybed our names thairat,
at Warkworthe, the viij of November, 1559.
* This letter, or bond, seems to be the form of security given for the surrender, or en
try, as it was called, of a prisoner.
VOL. I. 4 B

5.62 .' LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. CXXIII.
The Lord J ames* to the Capitane of Barwick.
Eftir hartlie commendation ; sory I am advertesit, that thair brak
ane Frenche schip at Bervick within this xx dayis ; in the quhilk
schip thair wos ane coffer full of clothis of ane gentillman that maryit
my sister, quha decessit in Franche, f an(l tne said coffer wos ballit
and markit upon the ane end ; quhilk mark, with tbe namis of the
principall clothis that wos within the, said coffer, ar contenit in this
memorand ; quhilk memorand I causit ane gentill man that is serwand
to me, and broder to the said gentill man that is decessit,, put in wrett,
becauss the coffer, and the clothis therin, pertenis to my said servand,
broder to him that is decessit. Quhairfor, I desyr zow, that ze yald
mak diligence, and get the said coffer, and geif it beis gottin or this
berar depart, to deliver it to hym, seizeing, that it be not gottin or
he. depart, tb adverteiss me quher it is gottin, howsowne ze may; this
ze pleis do for my request, as my trest is in zqw, and God preserwe
zou. At Striuiling, the ix day. of November.
Be zouris, Ja. Comendatour of Sanctandre.
^Arms—a lion rampant.]
To schir Jamis Croftis, capitane of Barwick.
* Lord James Stewart, prior of St Andrews, afterwards regent.
t The prior of St Andrews was the natural son of James V. by the lady Margaret Er
skine, who became afterwards the' wife of sir Robert Douglas of Loch-Ley en, and had by
him three sons and three daughters. It is to one of these his sisters uterine, that the passage
must refer. The husband of the eldest was the celebrated lord Lindsay of the Byres, and
he was then alive ; the passage, therefore, must apply to Margaret, wife of sir James Col-
ville of Easter Wemyss, or C*harine, wife of the laird of Durie.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 563
No. CXXIV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill,
Sir,
We have intelligence, that the protestants do remayn still at Lithco
in consultation ; and that they do not onely reteyn their souldionrs
still in wages, but also go about to levie mo menu, intending to seke
a revenge uppori the French ; hereof we be advertised* but we cann
not wryte it for certen ; but in case it be trew, it is like they woll
sende to us for supporte of money, which we thinke not good to de-
nye them, and yet woide be glad to knowe of the quenes majesties
pleasure in that behalf. Whereof; if it please you to use spede, you
may answer ns before they comm, as we thinke levie their force for
that purpose. The 10th of Nov. 1559-
No. CXXV.
Tho. Randall to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.*
I fynde so muche incertaintie in mens dooyngs, that I am incertain
what to write, nor know uot how to reaporte that, that within this v
dayes I have hard and seen, I have founde the woorst successe in a
matier that I hoped so well of, that ever I shall see. Syns the taking
of the money, and the commyng of the Frenchmen to the gates of
Edynburgh, T have founde the most parte of our nobles and others,
such as I knowe not whome woorthelie to commende. The nombre of
men hathe so decayed synce that tyme, that the rest were forced to
* The letter is writ in a cypher.

564 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
leave the towne upon Mondaye last ; * also, our menn had a very hott
skirmishe. There were slayne, hurte, and taken, of both sides, 30 or
40 ; oone capitain of ours slayne, f and no man ells of any name ; not
withstanding the multitude wer so discouraged, and shewed suche
open tokens therof, that the best counsell they coulde fynde was to
leave the towne with spede, and go to summe place, the hole counsail
togither, where they might quyetlie take new advise in their affaires.
They concluded the saide Mondaye, at 4 of the clocke, to departe that
nyght at midnight towards Sterling, where presentlie we are. Against
this purpose of theirs thare were onlie therle of Arrain, the lorde James,
and the lorde Maxwell, who offred to remayne in the towne, if they
might have but one thowsand menn, and to be assured of the castell,
wherof they now stoode in doubte agayne, J because therle of Mor
ton and the lorde Jirskin had consulted togither to ende the matter
by composition ; wherfore, the lords of the congregacion thought it
better to departe then trust to their gentlenes, beyng now bothe to
gither in the castell, and speciallie therle of Morton, who beyng of the
congregation, and promising dailie to com unto them, stale secretlie
into the castell, whether he cam the daye before we departed, and was
there when we went our waye. One Blaketer, || your neighbour, is
thought to have wrought muche mischief in this cause, and betrayed
Ormeston. Trew it is, that he hathe been the douagiers freende, and
persuadeth the lorde Erskin against the lords of the congregacion.
Summe there be that suspecteth the lord Ruthen, who is one of this
* 5th November.
T Captain Alexander Haliburton ; " a man that feared God," saith Knox, who gives his
dying words. '
X Knox mentions the offer of these noblemen to remain for defence of the city, if any
reasonable company would abide with them. But lord Erskine told them plainly, they
must expect no favour at his hand, since he must declare himself friendly to those who
could best support him. And this answer, given to his nephew lord James, utterly discou
raged the lords ofthe congregation. — Hist, ofthe Reformation, p. 192.
|| Home of Blackadder in the Merse, whose place of residence was within a few miles of
Berwick, and who, consequently, was conveniently situated for spying out the private in
tercourse between the reformers and Elizabeth's agents.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 565
congregation and counsaill, greate freende to therles of Huntley and
Morton. The lords of the congregacion have remayned here at Ster
ling 2 dayes, consulting of their affaires ; having determined rather to
dye, then thus to leave their entreprise, but only for a tyme to retyre
themselves, and, in the meane season, to annoye the douagier or her
freends as they maye. The greatest thing that greavith them, as they
saye, is the feare they have that the quenes majestie will have an evill
opinion of their dooyngs ; but they trust her majestie will favourablie
waye their case, and accept such offers of service as shortlie shall be
presented unto her by the lard of Lydington,* who hathe received his
dispatche ; and, I trust, we shall be with you within viij dayes at the
furthest ; not very certain yet what waye we shall take, beying not
very sure neither by sea nor land. I see not how I can write again
unto your honours before my departure, having at this tyme, where I
am, muche a doo to fynde a convenient messenger. I received upon
Mondaye last, within one hower, bothe your lettres and instructions. I
made as many partakers of them as I thought might stond with your
pleasures, and the matter did chieflie concern. They have promised
herafter greater silence, and more circumspection in their dooyngs ;
trusting not to lacke your good advises, as hitherto they have had.
What they shall determyne heare yet, I knowe not throughly, but
intend to bring certain knowledge therof at my cummyng. To write
at large, your honors knowith it is not possible in this kynde of wri
ting. . I have not had also at all tymes, and as I woolde, convenient
meanes to send, which had been very necessary in this tyme ; notwith-
stonding, I trust, it shall appeare, that neither I have been ydle, nor
omytted any occasion where I might doo any service. Upon Thurs-
daye last, therle of Arrain received a cartell of defiance from therle
Bothwell, requyering of him the combate ; f the copie wherof, and
* The well-known secretary Maitland, who deserted the cause of the queen-dowager,
and joined the lords of the congregation while they were lying at Edinburgh.
t This was upon a charge of treason ; for the earl of Bothwell had caused Arran to be
proclaimed a traitor by sound of trumpet.

566 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
aunswer to the same, I will bring with me. The same daye, the lords
of the congregacion sent to take the bishop of Dunblene, * being an
open adversarie to their proceedings, and intend to make him paye
well, for that he is ritche. This present daye, xj Novembre, we, de
parte from Sterling towards St Androwes, where we shall take shipp,
either to arrive at Barwick or Holy Island, where, I trust, we shall be
very shortelie. The douagier commith not to Edynburgh before to-
morowe. Therle of Morton is retourned to his. howse, and hathe not
spoken with the quene. The lorde Erskin is determined to kepe the
castell from her. The lorde Robert, comendatour of Holyrude Howse, f
hathe been with the douagier, and shamfullie submitted himselfe. I
heare of no man ells that hathe been with her. Of all theis things at
my commyng I shall better reaporte, then for lacke of tyme I am ha
ble to write, wherfore, most humblie, I take my leave. From Sterling,
xj° Novembre, 1559-

No. CXXVL
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
We are pleased that ye shall write as followethe, being therto ad
vised by our privie counsell. Elizabeth.

* William Chisholme, bishop of Dumblain, was preferred to that see in 1527. He was
so great an enemy to the Reformation,, that he alienated the patrimony of the church in a
degree uncommon even at that period. He left three natural children, whom, as we'd as
his nephew sir James Chisholm of Cromlix, he enriched at the expence of his see. Bishop
Chisholme died 1564. . : , ..- ;
t Afterwards earl of Orkney. He was a natural son of James V.and had distinguished
himself by his gallantry in the skirmishes before Edinburgh.
X " The coppy of this lettre I doo reteyne, signed with the quenes majesties hand; and
to this be present erl Pembroke, lord admyrall, lord chamberleyn, master tresoror, William,
Cecill, Mr Petre, Mr Wotton." .
The above note is in the hand-writing of Mr Sec. Cecil.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 567
After my harty commendacons. Upon consideration of dyvers
matters here by the quenes majestie, with her privie counsell, yt
dothe appeere so manifestly, that the Frenche have a full determination
to breake peace with this realme* as soone as they may recover theyr
purpose in Scotlande. The arguments and proffes wherof, beside all
common coniecture, be so many and so certayne, as the same is not to
be tryfled withall, but seriously wayed and forsdene to be remedyed.
This principle is true, that whensoever they shall make an ende with
Scotlande, they will begin withe Inglande ; and therfore it seemeth a
juste and sownd counsell for our oune safegarde, to protracte the mat
ter of Scotlande against them. And with this onely meaning dothe
her majestie consent, moved naturally for her owne defense and her
realme, to furder the nobilitie of Scotland from ruine and conquest ;
for which purposes, by her majesties commaundement, I doo presently
write as followeth :
Yt is thought meete, that the Scottes shulde be ayded both with mon-
ny and counsell. And therfore her majestie meanethe, that ye shall
shortly have som portion sent unto you ; trusting, that the former,
which was sent to you by Overton, be employed to good purpose. As
for counsell, ye there may best devise what is meetest for them. Here
we thinke none more necessary than to use expedition, and to spend
no tym ; for therby they shall waste, and the enemy increase. Of this
matter I have often written to you, and you also to them ; and I have
seene theyr aunswers therto, excusing themselfes chiefly for lacke of
monny, which both is and must be remedied; and so may you put
them in comforte ; adding, nevertheless, that yf the matter shulde be
negligently protracted, neyther monny from hense, nor theyr power,
will help the matter. Yt is understand hy Mr Druries reporte, that
there is lacke of captaines amongest them, to gyve advise as to the
case of seeging dothe appertayhe ; ane} likewise of munition and pow
der ; the ayde wherof can not, as we thinke here, be given to them,
without notoriouse cause of breache, which is ment to be forborne as
long as possible may be. Neverthelesse, yf you two judge that the
lacke therof shulde so prolonge the matter, as ye shall perceave that

568 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
the same therby woide be in daunger, the quenes majestie is advised,
and so pleased, that ye shall, with all the secrecye that ye can devise,
and to the best of your wisdom, sorte out iij or iiij skilfull, secret, and
trusty men out of that garrison hable to be captaines, and to gyve ad
vise ; and order them secretly to steale from thence, chaunging theyr
names, and disguising them selfes as muche as they may not to be
knowen, and to be secretly recommended to suche bf the nobilitie as
ye shall thinke meete, to be entretayned and employed in service ; or
dering them also to seeme that they be departed of theyr owne co-
radge, as men desyrous to be exercised in the warres, rather then to
lye idely in that towne. They may carry with them, if ye thinke meete,
som powder and small shott, as I remembre once Haddington was re
lieved with powder so sent by horsbacke from Barwicke. Thus, though
I write, and be so thought here best, yet yf ye there shall see it not
meete to be don, it is referred to your discretions to stay or to al
ter the manner of the devise as ye shall thinke best; which autori-
tie is graunted to you in all other advises that shall com hence. As
for munition and powder, ye shall understand, that it is a thing muCh
desyred for them to have, so as the manner of conveyance therof might
be wisely devised and secretly executed. Yt hathe bene thought herej
fyrst, that by some merchant shipp, passing from Barwicke to som ap
pointed creeke, as Aberlady, or such other, they might have som pow
der, but the devise semeth not f°r any ordinaunce and munition. And
therfore, secondly, hath bene devised, that ye shulde make a pretenCe
to sende certaine superfluous ordenance that may be spared from thence
by som ship there, ether to Newcastell, or hither to the towne of Lon
don, to be eyther chaunged or. molten, and being shipped, to be direct
ed to make the course into Scotlande to som place accorded upon
with the protestants. Thus, ye see, yf I knew any other devises, I
woide remembre them. This is ment by her majestie, that yf neces
sitie require yt, ye shuld there devise how to help them as ye may.
The conveyance wherof is thought meetestto be left to your owne con-
syderacions, that may muche better there consider circumstances than

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 569
they can be here thought of. Ther is, beside this, an other grete mat
ter to be committed to your handling. Yt is thought very meete, for
divers respects, that the nobilitie of Scotland shulde in this their dis-
fcresse conceive and directe theyr sute to the quenes majestie upon
these articles following, the enlarging wherof is to be left to. theyr j
i
consy derations.* Fyrst, to declare to her majestie, in the name of i
themselves and the hole estates of that realme, that crueltie and ty
ranny of long tyme exercised by the Frenche, -that is to saye, by
the lieutenants, captaines, and souldiours upon, that realme. And,
herin to enlarge all the enormities and oppressions made upon them
by the Frenche, using therin such ordre of tyme and suche truethe, as
the same weare don and comitted.
Sej^mdly/ To declare theyr- long sufferance, theyr frequent con>
plaints to the dowager, and the lacke of remedy therof, by her not
onely following, but further owtrages and enormities by her selfe, abu
sing her commission, and bending her selfe and her powre, bothe with
fraude, corruption, and force, to the subversion of that nation, and. to
make a conquest therof to the croune of Fraunce.
Thirdly, To shew how of necessitie for saving of that kingdom in
state foraely very of the hole nation from conquest, especially for pre-;
serving not onely the families of suche noble men, as by law be nexte
"inheritours after the Frenche queene having no issue to the croune,
but also all the rest of the nobilitie favoring the contynuaunce of the
saide kingdom in the naturall blud of Scotland, they weare forced,
with the lamentation of the hole nation, to assemble themselfes to
gether, as the noble men, gentlemen, and burgesses of that realme, to
consulte, as humble subiects, to make suite that this violence and op
pression of the .Frenche might be removed ; wherin they wear so abu
sed by promises, and dishonorable breaking therof, that yf God had not
.* This proposed supplication, was to contain the ostensible grpunds upon which queen,
Elizabethmight be justified in supporting the reformers, should she think fit to do so; and,
they, are chosen with Cecil's usual address.
VOL. I. 4 G

570 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
' assisted them with good courage, they had bene, under pretence of fay re
woords, utterly ruinated and destroyed, and the hole countrie bereaved
of all theire auncient trewe barons, and men of service, and the croune
conquered, and united to the croune of Fraunce. For eschewing
wherof they have openly declared them selves ready to aventure theyr
lyves, lands, and goods, to defend the crowne of that realme from
subversion of the same out of the native blood of Scotland, and ther
fore remayning in harte true subiects to theyr natural! soverain lady,
,now, to the grete misfortune of that kingdom, maried to the French
king,, they be fully determyned to expell all suche as have laboured
with the olde quene to conquere that realme.
And to thintent the quenes majestie of Ingland may certainly un
derstand this theyr complainte to be trew, besyde divers particularities
of the Frenche proceedings, tending to the conquest of that land,
they doo lett the quenes majestie to understand, that most trew it is,
that this practice of the Frenche is not attempted , onely against the
kingdom of Scotland, but also against the croune and kingdoms of
Ingland and Ireland. In which pointe may be sett fourthe as things
knowen to them, that the Frenche haue devised to spred abrbde,
though most falsely, that theyr queene is right heire to Ingland and
Ireland, and to notifie the same to the worlde, haue in paintings,
at publik justes in Fraunce, and other places this yere, caused the
armes of Inglande, contrary to all right, to be borne quarterly with
the arrnes of Scotland ; meaning nothing lesse than any augmenta
tion to Scotland, but to annexe them bothe perpetually to the croune
of Fraunce. And to declare playnly their meanings in this conionc-
tion of the armes of England and Scotland, they haue, in writings in
waxe, and in publik seales, written,. engraven, and adioyned the stile
of Ingland and Ireland to the stile of Fraunce, naming the French
king husband to the Scottish quene, king of Fraunce, Scotland, Ing
land, and Ireland, &c, Wherin, also, they have furder proceded, and
secretly sent into Scotland, a seale to be used for the quene with the
same stile ; and, in a manner of a despite to the croupe of Inglande,

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 571
they have to the dowager of Scotland a staffe for her to rest upon,
having graven in the topp the saide usurped armes.*
Therunto may be added such other matters like to theys that be
knowen to the Scotts, being in like manner devised by the French to
the preiudice of Ingland. AU which matters they may saye, althoughe
therby the honour and right of the quenes majestie is not abas-
sed; yet therby is it manifest, that the scope and determinacion of
the French is against the croune pf Ingland, wherof they may saye, as
men warned by their owne danger, they can not but gyve her majes
tie som notice.
Last, to conclude, they may saye, that, considering their sove^
raigne lady is maried to the French king, and not onely her name, by
certain prowde and insolent ministers sent out of Fraunce, is abused,
but, by the newe authoritie of the house of Guise, her selfe led and'
perswaded to be content that the realme of Scotlande shulde be per
petually knitt to her husband's croune of Fraunce, (wherunto they
thinke surely of her owne proper nature she cannot be disposed,) and
so the blood royall of Scotland shulde be extincted, the realme con*
quered, the lawes and liberties of the land altered, the people brought
in captivitie, and made, as it weare, bridgees of blood and by warre to
envade England, and to pursue theyr thyrsty and ambitious desyres
against that kingdom. They doo most humbly beseche her majestie,
0
as the nexte prince to them, and one of whome they have hard most
noble and virtuous reporte, that she her selfe wold not be abused by
the daily and frequent perswasions of the Frenche haunting her courte,

* The arms of Francis and Mary, as described by Strype, were thus quartered. In the
uppep- half of the shield the arms of France ; in the lower half those of Mary, containing
those, of Scotland and England, placed quarterly. Over all, half an escutcheon ; the other
half being obscured, perhaps to imply, that another was in possession of the English crown.
Underneath, these lines : The arms of Mary, queen-dolpli iness of France, .
The noblest lady on earth for till advance ;
Of Scotland queen, and of '¦ ngland, also
Of France, as God has provided it so...

572 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
and daily passing and repassing her realme, to thinke that this theyr
assemblee in force hathe growen upon any other occasions but for the
naturall defence of the realme from conquest. Neither that they doo
heerby withdrawe theyr harts and dueties to theyr soveraigne lady, to
whom they wish all honour and felicitie, and for the weale of the
kingdom of Scotlande, to which she was borne, to be made free from
all Frenche counsellours, and to be onely addicte to the advise of her
naturall borne subgects in all cases touching the regiment of the realme
of Scotlande ; wherby, they be perswaded, she shulde be advised to
owe her love and duety to her husband, being her hed and lord of' her
body: but as for her kingdom to permit it to be ruled by the naturall
borne people of the realme. And furder also, they thinke by such
she shulde be perswaded not to delyte in this manner of iniust and
dishonorable usurpation of the armes, styles, and titles of other king
doms than her owne, wherby must needs followe unkyndnes, yea, such
as shall in consequence breede mortall warres. Next to this, they
moste humbly beseche her majestie, that she will not onely conceave
this trew opinion her selfe, but also, as occasion shall serve, procure
that bothe other princes of Chrestendom may understand the truethe
herof, and also her owne nobilitie and people of Ingland, and not to
condemne them in their naturall and most just defence.
Last of all : They bothe beseche her majestie for theyr preservation,
and as they may doo gyve advise to her majestie for the consequent
preservation of her selfe and her kingdom, (the conquest wherof uti'
doubtedly the Frenche have long sought, and now doo certainly de
termyne,) that yt will please her of her most noble and princely na
ture, as the prince planted by God nexte to them, and within one
land and sea to receave them, and the auncient liberties and rights of
that kingdom, with the hole nation and people of that realme into her
most gracious protection from the furious persecution, and the intend
ed conquest of the Frenche, allowing to them all ways theyr naturall
dueties and obeisance to theyr soveraigne lady and queene in all things
that shall tend to the honour of God, the weale of the realme, and to

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 573
the preservation of her person from the treasons of the Frenche against I
her naturall countreye. Wherin they trust, her majestie shall please '
Almighty God, not offend the right of the Scottish queene, but pro
cure perpetuall love betwext©- the people of this realme ; a thing
muche desyred of all Christians, saving Frenche onely. And in the
end preserve her owne kingdoms, and acquire an immortal fame
amongest all princes.
\JVhat follows is the handwriting qf Mr Cecil.]
• And thus you see what is ment ; the order wherof and the altera
tion is to be remitted to the Scottes. Nevertheless, ye must compass
this matter indirectly by practise, that it maye seme, as in dede it is,
the best way for them to be honorably defended or succored^ The al
lowance of there duetyes to ther quene is here thought necessary, both
for contentation of the world, and for the honor of the quenes ma
jestie ; and therfore, what so ever the Scotts may be compelled to doo
hereafter in that behalf, this semeth very probable for the present.
> As yet I have not manifested to the xjuenes majestie the loss of the
money* by Ormeston, but only to certen counsellors, nevertheless hir
majesty shall knowe of it to morrow, though it wilbe to sone. I trust
to here of some better fortune. From Westminster, the xjj,,l~of No
vember, 1559. Your assured frend, W. Cecill.

' * This-is-a very characteristic trait both of Cecil and Elizabeth. The statesman was
afraid that the parsimony of his mistress would be alarmed, at hearing of the loss of the
treasure, and that she might be deterred from entering upon the great scheme which lier
counsellors had chalked out.

574 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OP
. No. CXXVII.
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Aftir my harty commendations your postscript of your lettres, da
ted the viij,b of this moneth, hath much amased me, and at this present
¦ the quenes majestie being in consultation what is to be done touchyng
this matter of Scotland, that is to saye, whytherayde shalbe gy ven to
the Scottes in secret or oppenly, and if oppenly, whyther we shall be
forced to enter into warres or no,„ which, I much feare, wilbe the
end. I am, for certen respects, moved to stey the declaration therof
to thfe whole counsell untill sone at night ; and yet I have thought
mete not to differr this that I see necessary, that is, that ye send tq
the protestants, and encoradge them not thus to shrynk, but to stand
fast, nother yelding to feare nor to perswasions, and they shall shortly
here of more ayde than hitherto hath bene mentioned. In dede, I
suppose, the case being well considered, the counsaile here wilbe in-
forced, though it be to all our discontentation to advise the quenes
majestie to begyn in tyme rather than to late ; ij dayes consultation
here will utter what is to be done. In the meane season, for God's
sake ! comefort them to stand fast, and follow such part of another
lettre, which I send herewith, that was wrytten yesternight, and now
depeched. I pray you advertise what manner of ayde wold serve the
purpose, and advertise from tyme to tyme what succors pass to the
French out of France, which by you especialls maye be best under
stand. I haue no lesure to wryte any other thyng. I thynk Mr Ran-*
dall shall be sent downe thyther shortly. From Westminster, the xijtU
of November, 1559. Yours assuredly, W: Cecill. ,
is

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 575
The other grete lettie, here included, may be considered as ye see
cause, considering this alteration of there proceedings, or rather re-
cedings, disorder much of that counsell.

No. CXXVIII.
Tkerle (/Northumberland to Sir R. Sadleir.
I have apointed my deputies, Thomas Claveringe, John Hall, and
Marmaduke Slingesbie,* to be with you on Wednisdaie next, to let
you perfectlie understande ofthe staite of everie of their chardges, and
to deliver you the rowles and writings, so many as apperteinethe to
thoffice, aswell theim touchinge the daie of trewes, as the covenants
and promises in writinge of the officers againste me, with tharticles
laitlie assignede by us in comission;, the counterparte of all which
writings, I pray you, that I mighte have delivered unto Thomas Cla
veringe at your leasure, so that it maie be within viij daies at the fur-
theste ; for that I have apointed the said Thomas Claveringe to send
me theim upp to London. Tindale is presentlie destitute of ane officer,
because my brother Slingesbie haithe refused the saime, for that I am
not able to give him suche interteignement as dothe apperteyne to that
office, to have it well executede. Yet thinke I it convenient (bicause
that wild countrie shall not taike any advaintage to do evill, ether by
reason of the chainge of thofficer, or any tyme to be cleane withoute)
that the said Marmaduke Slingesbie, for that respecte, shall remaine
in the saime chardge till Thursdaye next ; dowbtinge not but you
will then, appointe some one conveniente officer for that purpose. And
that I mynde (God willing) to set forwards towards London this daie.
I do therfore, from the same tyme, committe unto you the hole
* Brother; of sir Henry Slingsby, who had married the earl's sister, and who had the
controversy with lady Carnabie about possessing her house at Hexham. Sir Henry seems
to have resigned his office of keeper of Tynedale upon being disappointed about that house.

576. letters during the war of -
chardge. And so comitt you to God. From Warkworth, the xiij"1
of November, 1559. Your assured loving frend,
NoRTHUMBERLA ND.

No. CXXIX.
The Lords and others of the Quenes Majesties Privie Counsail to Sir
Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
After, our hertie commendations. We see that tyme maketh sueh
alterations^ as it semeth most necessary to forsee things to come be
fore they shall happen, and therfore we be presently occupied in day-
lye consultations what shalbe mete for the quenes majestie to doo>
concerning this matter ofthe French proceedings to! the apparant con
quest of Scotland. " And although we be not come to a perfect reso
lution, yet, uppon your last advertisement, gyven by the postscript of
your lettre of the viii"1 of this monethe, mentioning the retyre: of the
protestants from Edenburgh to Lythkoo, we be forced to depeche
forthwith this berer, Mr Randall, a gentillman of trust and knoledge,
unto yow, by whom also the quenes majestie sendeth. a somme of
mony, to be used as occasion shall requyre. And further, we here
think it most nedefull, that he be secretly sent into Scotland to the
protestants to comefort them, and to encorage them riot to shryn-k in
any wise, but, as he shall see the occasion, to gyve them counsell how
to procede, and how to order themselves; and lykewise, to animate
them with an assurance, that if they e shall, in any honorable sorte, re
quyre ayde of the quenes majestie, they shall not lack that that in rea
son maye be graunted. For demostracion whereof, he maye also in-
forme them, that the quenes majestie is in preparation of a navye to
the seas, and meaneth to cause more power of men of warr to be le-
vyed in the north parte of the realme, and to be sent to Barwyke and

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 577
the frontiers. And forder also, hir majestie meaneth to addi esse the!
duke of Norfolk to be lieutenant generall of the north partyes. So as he
maye therby assure them, that if it maye appere that theye will doo
there partes lyke wise and stowte men, there enemye shall shortly see
such power of England in a redyness, as both shall abate there pryde,
and increase the harts of the sayd Scottes. Our meaning is forder,
that Mr Randall shall endevor hymselfe to understand all the strenght
of the Scottes, and also there lacks ; and lykewise the state of the
French, both for there power and there lacks. So as thereuppon, we
being spedely advertised from yow with some parte of your opinions,
maye better considere what is forder necessarye to be expedited. Theis
things we here think necessarye, and yet do we remitt the execution
of them ether for the hole or parte, or for addyng thereunto any other
devise, as to your discretions there shall seme most expedient; for in
dede alterations and chaungings of things that maye happ there, maye
gyve to you there other occasion of proceedings than presently we can
here determyne.
We think convenient that ye gyve orders to Abbyngton* to use all
the spede that he can to make a grete masse of victell, and to omitt
no houre therein.
We also think it mete, that ye suffer none of your capteynes there
to departe from there charge, but, to all intents and purposes, pre
serve your strenght uppon that frontyer, and devise uppon all prepa
rations, that maye tend to the mayntenanee of a furder power when
so ever occasion shalbe gyven to send the same unto you ; and
so, generally, we recommend to your wisedomes all other things ap-
pertening to this grete matter, and byd you well to fare, and wish
* Purveyor of victual, or as we would now say, commissary of stores for the town of
Berwick.
VOL. I. 4 D

578

LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

so to here from yow. From Westminster, the xiiij"1 of November,
1659. Your loving frerids,
Ry. Sakevyle,
W. Northt.
F. Clynton,
E. Rogers, •
F. Knollys,.

Winchester,Penbroke,
Tho. Parry,
Ab. Cave,
N. Wotton.

William Petriss,
Arundell, W. Howard,
W. Cecill,
John Masone.
[Cecill' & Arms^

To our loving frendes sir Raffe Sadler and
sir Jarnes CroftsA knights, at Berwyke*.

No. CXXX.

The Quenes Majestie to Mr Sadleir.

Elizabeth R.
Trustye and welbeloved, we grete yow well. Where our counsel
wryteth to yow at this present by this berer, our will and pleasure is,
that ye shall considre- aswell the contents of there lettre, as such
other creditt as is committed to the berer, and to furder that which
shalbe thought mete for our service, and the sanetye of that parte of
our realme ; and because ye shuld not want any monnye to be em
ployed upon any necessite requyring the same, we doo presently send
unto you the somme of three thowsand pounds ; which our contenta
tion is ye shall bestowe as ye see occasion, requyring the same to our
most commodite, wherin we shall uppon the trust concyved in yow
allowe your doings. Gyven under our signett, at our palace of West^
minster, the xiiijth of November, 1559.
To our trusty and welbeloved servant, sir
Raff Sadler, knight, at Barwyk —{Di
rection by Cecill.]

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 579

No. CXXXI.
The Lords and others ofthe Quenes Majesties Privie Counsail to the
Erie of Northumberland. -
After our right hartie commendations unto your lordship. We have
received your lettres of the ixlh of this present, touching the two Scot-
tishe ships of late dry ven on lande there, of the chaunce wherof we
harde before the recepte of your lettres ; and therupon my lord admi-
rall,* unto whom the chief care of these matters belongeth, hath sent
down a servant of hisf instructed for that matter as to the case ap
perteyneth, wherin he is willed to use thadvise of sir Raff Sadler and
sir James Crofts, for that it is nere to Barwike. And therfore we
pray your lordship to helpe to further the direction and Order that
shalbe taken by the said messinger sent from hens accordingly. And
so we byd your lordship right hartely farewell. From Westminster,
the xiiijth of November, 1559-
Your lordships assured loving frendes,
Winchester, W. Northt. Ry. Sakevyle,
F. Clynton, W. Howard, Penbroke,
Ab. Cave, W. Cecill. Tho. Parry,

E. Rogers.

To our very good lord therle of Northum
berland, lord warden of the est and tnidle
marches for anempst Scotlande.

* Lord Clinton. f Probably Randall.

580 • LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. CXXXII.
The Douagier qf Scotland to the Erie of Northumberland.
After our hertlie commendations. This is to advertise you, that it
is havelie meinnt unto us, how that; upon the ferdj of this instant
November* aneiJbune Hendersonn, Scotisman, maister of ane ship of
Leith, callit the Marie, pertenyng to Thomas Lindesay, induellar
thairof, in his returning forth of the toum of: Dieppe, in Normandy,
fra quhilk he was frauchtit be certane subiects of this realme, mer-
chandis of Edinburgh, and Glasgoo, wesj be contrarius wyudis and
tempest of wedder, constraint, for liffe and deid, to ryn the said ship
qn land, ntir ane toun of, that realme namytRoss, in Bamburgsbire, or
tharby, htiongand ; to schir Rauf Gray, quhair scho, remanyt; with hir
haill lading ticht axuiunbrokin, quhijli the watter ehbit; belevand na
trouble of ony Inglisrhan, hot that thay michthave saiflie departit
at the nixt full sey, and cum in Scotland*, In themeyntyme come
the watter-ballie pf Rpss, and utheris his complices, and tuke the skip-
par hCi the hande in maner of ane> presbner, assuring him, that he suld
keip the schip and haill guides, as offieiar to the said sir Rauf, fra in-
quietatjoun or, trouble of all utheris Jriglissmen, and suld answer thair-
fore according to iustice. Nochtheles, the said bailie. and his assista-
ris hes nocht onlie intromettit with the haill lading .and guj.dis of the
foirsaid schip, quhairof ane part being in cofferis andbarrellispertenis
to^ monsieur Doysell, lieutenent in thir partis for the maist Cristin
king, and the rest to. merchandis of Edinburgh and Glasgoo ; bot alswa
withaldis the samyn schip and guidis contrair the treateis of peax.
Quhairfore, we pray zou hertlie sen this spuilze and wrang, as committit
within the boundis quharof, as we understand ze have jurisdiction arid
charge, that ze will write your lettres to the said sir Rauf Gray, his
bailie of Ross, and sic utheris as be sey or land beris reull in thai par-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 581
tis in favour of thir beraris, awynaris, and sutaris of the said schip and
guidis, to caus thame be restorit thai rto without delay, conforme to
the treateis of peax. Assuring zou, that in doing thairof ze will gratefy
ws mekle ; and we sail nocht faill to recompence zou with semblable
plesure, quhen it salhappin the like chance to occur within this realme
to ony subiect of that realme accordinglie. Thus we commit zou to
God. At Edinburgh, the xv day of November, 1559.
En toute vere,
Marie R.

No. CXXXIII.
The Lords and others of tke Quenes Majesties Privie Counsail to sir
Rafe Sadlier and sir James Croft.
After our hartie commendations. You shall understand, that, con
sidering the stirres in Scotland betwixt the Frenche and Scotts, bothe
being prepared, as farre as their powers can extended to hostilitie and
warre ; it is thought necessary forthwith, to see well to that pece, lest
the events of things happen otherwise than we woold wishe. And .
therfore, we be of opinion, that the nomber of iiij m (4000) men of
wane more than ye presently have wer necessary to be levied and
sent to that town and frontier ; but for that we be in doubte of the
victualing oof them at this present, except further provision and warn
ing had byn. We have determined presently to sende but ij m (2000)
which shall come thither with as moche spede as the same may ; and
therfore, we thought mete to give you knowlege therof before hand ;
praying, you, with all spede, to see that nothing be omitted, specially
in provision of victuell, that may seme to tende to this purposes And
as ye shall thinke of this, so to write your opinions with all spede pos
sible. And, furder, to advertise us what your chief laekes be, or wilbe/
either for defense of that town, or for suche furder service as the

582 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
quenes majestie shalbe constrayned to advaunce upon those frontiers for
the savetie of her realme from the evill purposes ment by any that
shall prove to be comme her enuemies.
We woolde also understande in what estate the treasourer there
standeth ; what money he hath received towards the debt in July last ;
and what the debte is sence, and what money he hath receaved for
that, and suche further matter as therto belongeth necessary to be ad
vertised. From Westminster, the xv,h of November, 1559-
Your loving frends,
Winchester, W. Howard, E. Rogers,
F. Clynton, Ab. Cave, F. Knollys,
Tho. Parry, Penbroke, W. Cecill.
W. Northt. E. Rogers, Ry. Sakevyle,
*Post script. It is ordered, that the lord tresoror, ioyning with hym
Mr Cave and Mr, Sackfeld, haue the principall care committed to them
for the provision of victglls, as well for the navye as for the towne of
Barwyk, and such other. thyngs : and therfore lett Abyngdon, in any
wise, receave such directions as shall come from my lord tresoror and
Mr Cave and Mr Sackvile, and foliowe the same.

No. CXXXIY.
Mohsiur Doyselle^ to therle of Northumberland.
My Lord,
Eftir my hertlie comendationis in lefull maner. I traist zour lordship
hes hard er now, of ane Scotis ship, quhilk, throu vehement tempest
of wedder, in hir returning forth of France, wes drevin on land in
* What follows by Cecil!.
t Ambassador extraordinary from France to Scotland. He was a gallant soldier and an
artful politician; but these qualities were stained by the petulance aud presumption to»
common to his countrymen.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. * 583'
Bamburghschire, ner ane town callit Ross, quhair scho remaint hale,
tycht, and unbrokin, quhill the watter bailie of the said toun, under sir
Rauf Gray, wranguslie and iniustlie intromettit with the schip and hale
guides being thairin ; quhairof ane part perteint to myself, as maie am-
plie zour lordship will considder by ane lettre bf the quenis grace,
dowarrier and regent pf this realme, direct unto zou in favouris of the
awnnaris of the samyn. Quharfoir, I pray zour lordship to write to
the said sir Rauf Gray, his bailie and utheris, bering reull in thai par
tis, requiring tham to mak restitution of the said schip and guidis to
the beraris heriof ; quhairin zour lordship sail nocht onlie do me thank-
full plesure, bot will alsua oblisse me to recompence zou with the sem-
blable, quhen ze have occasioun to charge me with ony thing I may do
for zour lordship owther in France or Scotland. Thus I commit zour
lordship to the prbtectioun of Almichtie God. At Edinburgh, the xv
day of November, 1559. our lordships gude freind,
v - Mentin...

t N0i CXXXV.
The Douagier of Scotland to Sir James Croft:
Eftir our hertlie comendationis. Thir beraris having of lait ane-
sehip, ladyn with certane guidis and merchandice, cumand forth of
France to this realme, wes be the way, throu tempest of weddir, dre-
vin on land in Bamburghschire, nere ane toun callit Ross. And under
standing that the bailie thairof hes intromettit with the said schip and
guidis, the beraris ar to repair thair to pbteine restitutioun of the same.
Praying zou to permit and suffir thame have passage at that toun of
Berwik to mak sute for thair schip and guides; as ze will do ws thank-

584 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
full plesure in that behalf. Thus fair ze wele. At Edinburgh, the xv
day of November. En bien vere, Marie R.

No. CXXXVI.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
After my most hertie commendacions. My lord of Northumberland
departed out of this contrey towards you on Monday last ; and, be
fore his departure, made proclamation in Alnewyck, and there proclaim
ed me his deputie warden in these marcheis, so as he taketh him self
to be still warden ; and if he may so remayn, and receyve thenter-
teignment and profite of the office, and I to have all the travaile and
charge, then shall it be easie and profitable to him, whatsoever it shal
be to rae. Nevertheles, syns it hathe pleased the quenes majestie to
commy te the charge to me for the tyme, although I be most unmete
and un worthie therof to all respects, yet I shall endeavour meself to
sattisfie her highnes expectacion therin to the uttermost of my witte
and power ; trusting, that her highnes woll have such Consideracion
of my charges, as I be not hyndered ne impoverished by the same.
For, as I wrote unto you, I must, of force, give enterteignement to
som gentilmen here, whose ayde and helpe I must nedes have, as
others have had in lyke case heretofore for the better execution of this
office ; and also, I am now dry ven to bye horses for my men, aud be-
sydes must enterteyn at the lest xx horsemen to attende uppon me as
weU at dayes of trewce as when I travail abrode in this countrey ; in
tending, God willing, to visite all places along these frontiers within
the lymyts of my charge, to thintent I may the better understonde
and declare the same at my retourne. And if it may stonde with your

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 585
good plesure, I woide gladly understonde from you who shall succede,
and take this charge at my hande, and how long it woll be or I shalbe
discharged of the same ; having firme trust and assured hope, that
your frendeship towards me is such, as you woll helpe me to be shorte
ly dispeched out of this unpleasant countrey, wherein, I assure you,
you shall do me the greatest pleasure in the worlde, and bynde me to
pray for you. If I shoulde say myn opynyon to you, I thinke ney
ther the saide erle nor his brother so mete to have the rule of any of
thes marches, as I woide wishe them to be, for sondry causes,, which
I coulde well declare unto you, if I were present there. The 15 of No
vember, 1559.

No. CXXXVII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretarie Cecill.
Sir,
It may like you to understonde, that sithens the departure of the
protestants from Edinburgh, we never harde worde dyrectly from
them, ne yet can here certenly where they are become, but, as some
say, they reteyn still their souldeours in wages, and remayn at Sterling ;
and some others Say, that they are all separate, and departed home to
their houses and countreys.
Yesternight arryved here monsieur Ruberye, master of the requests
ordynary with the French kyng; being dyrected to the quenes majes
tie from the quene douagier of Scotlande, as by her lettres heren clo
sed, addressed to me, sir James Crofte, you shall perceyve with him ar
ryved here Rosse, the Scottish heraulde, who reported, that young
Lydington, and Mr Henry Balnaves be com into Englande, and also
David Forrest cam hither iij dayes past, who departed out of Eng
lande in the begynnyng of the reigne of quene Mary for cause of reli
gion, and now retourneth agayn because of these troubles in Scotlande,
vol. 1. 4 e

586 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
as he sayeth. He tolde us, that the saide Lydington was commyng
into Englonde from the protestauts, but whether this way, or by the
west marches, it is uncerten.
The saide Ruberye is this day departed hens towards you, making,
as we perceyve, no grete journeys.
The quene douagier, as we here, useth no extremyte, ne persueth any
mann that hathe shewed, himself ayenst her at this tyme, but hath
made proclamation, and given pardon to all the burgesses and inhabi
tants of Edinburgh, wishing such as are fled thens to retourne andt
make their habitations;,, and do their lawfull busines there as they have
donn, which she hathe promised them they shall do without persute or
dangier. And the saide Scottish heraulde also reported here,- that he
thought she woide receyve the duke and the lords to her grace and
favour, l if they woide put away from them Balnaves, young Lyding
ton, and Ormeston, and such others, by whom, 'she sayeth, the saide
lords be ledde and abused. The 15th of November, 1559.

No. CXXXVIII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to tke Lords and others of
the Quenes Majesties Privie Counsail.
Please it your good lordships to understonde, that wher- as of late
pereeyving how necessary and requisite it was to have a new supplie
of victualls provided to remayne. in store here, we were so bolde as to
put your lordships in remembrance thereof by our lettres,, and by the
same were humble suters, that this berer Jo.. Abyngton might repayre
to you for that purpose, which your lordship at that tyme thought to
be convenyent ; the sayde Jo. Abyngton having now lefte his charge
with such a one as, we trust, will honestlie use and supplie the same
in his absence ; and also haying delyvered unto us a declaracion of
the hole remayn of victualls now remayning here in store, accordyng
13

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559" 60. 587
to your lordships order and dyrection ; the copie of which declara
cion we sende herewith subscribed with our hands, doth at this pre
sent repaire unto your lordships for the purpose aforesaide, beseching
your good lordships, that, considering the sklender provision that is
here in store, to serve the souldiours and workemen here present, and
such a nomber also of workemen and labourers as we suppose shalbe
here this next somer for the works here, it may please you to direct
and employe the sayde Abyngton in and abouts the makyng and four-
nyture of such new provision and supplie of victualls to be sent hether,
as by your wysedoms shalbe thought convenyent. Not doubting, but-
the saide Abyngton woll, by your lordships good dyrections, do that
to his duetie aperteyneth in that behalf. He hathe also requyred us
to commende his humble sute, which he hath to make unto your good
lordships, to be restored to suche preferrements in the courte as he
hathe lost by reason of his service here, wherein he supposeth himself
to have susteyned som iniurye ; and yet trusteth, that his employment
in service in these parts shall not be any occasion whereby he shoulde
lose such droits and in courte, as he sayeth of right
aperteyneth unto him, which he himself woll declare more fully, re
ferring the same to your lordships consideration. The 16 of Novem
ber, 1559.

No. CXXXIX.
Sir James Croft and Sir R. Sadleir to Mr' Secretary Cecill.
Yesternight we receyved lettres in cipher from Randall, which being
here deciphered, we sende you hereinclosed; and because in one parte
of the same he maketh mencionn of ij lettres receyued from us, with
certen instructions, which we wrote and sent to him before the lords
departure from Edinburgh, thence being sent before we knew certen
ly of the defeate of Ormeston, and thother ymedyately after ; we

588 LETTERS during the war of
have thought it not amisse to sende you herewith the copies of the
same, to thintent you may know what we wrote, if you please to lose
so moche labour as to peruse the same.
We wrote also other lettres to him syns that tyme ; wherein, be
cause he hathe so discovered himself, that his being there is well
knowen to the quene douagier and all Scotland, we advised him, ther
fore, to remayn there still for a season, untill he shoulde have license
of the quenes majestie to retourne ; but the messenger, whom we sent
with the same, durst not adventure to passe Edinburgh, the lords be
ing departed thens, but retourned our lettres to us agayn, so as Ran
dall hathe no notice of your advertisement in that behalf. And now,
you may perceyve, that he and Lydingtbn are commyng hither, for
whose secret conveyance to you, we shall, uppon theyr arryvall, de
vise the best we cann.
Post scripta. We haue receyved your lettres of the xij,h of this pre
sent, wishing, that the matier conteyned in the same had ben as well
resolved there a moneth ago as it is now, for we thinke this busyness
of Scotland had framed moch better then it doth. Nevertheles, we
be in good hope, that the same may well ynough be revived, although
there be now such an alteration as we see Hot but things must rest a
while till you shall here what Lydington bringeth. And, in the meane
season, we shall conforte and incourage them, according to your ad
vertisement ; and yet the way and passage is so difficile, that we knowe
not how to convey any lettres unto them, for we have not omy tted
to wryte to them alredy to that effect syns their defeate, but the mes
sengers, by whom we sent the same, being xxx myles and more on
their way, have retourned to us agayn with our lettres, because the
passages were so stopped as they durst not adventure to go through.
Nevertheles, we shall assay ones agayn to sende lettres unto them to
comforte them ; and also, we thinke it not amisse to offer them som
money for thenterteynment of som garrison to remaynn with them in
wages for their more suretie and strength, untill tyme shall serve them

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 589
to com to the felde agayn, which we perceyve they stay uppori till
Lydyngton's credence shalbe answered by you. When he cometh hi
ther, we shall addresse him to you as secretely and as spedylie as may
be. The xvij,h of November, 1559-

No. CXL.
Sir John Forster to Sir Rafe Sadleir,
Right Worshipfull Sir,
Whereas this berrer, Mr Counstable, my verye frende, haithe requie-
rede me to write unto your mastershippe, to be so frendlye unto him,
the rather at this my humble requiste, so as he maye have your fa-
verable lettres for the furtherance of such his honeste sutes as he haithe
to do nowe presently at the courte, as you shall perceve by the same
his billis redye to be shewed. Thus I am moste bolde to troble your
mastershippe herewithe, for that he is bothe a serviceable gentellman,
and one that maie do you as moche plesure as eny suche in this coun
try, as knoweth Almyghtie Gode, who have you in his most blesed kep-
pinge. At my house, negh Alnewycke, this xixth of November instant,
1559- ' Your own most assured at comandment,
John Forster.
\_Arms~i-A Horn.']
To the right worshipful sir Rayfe Sadie};
knight, warden of theste and medell
marches of Englande anempst Scot
lande.

590 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. CXLI.
Sir John Forster to Sir Rauf Sadler.
Right Worshipfull Sir,
My deutie remembrede. Maie it please your mastershippe to under-r
stande I have recevide your lettre, datit at Barwycke the xviiith daie
of this instant; wherebye I understande that your plesour is, that I
shall repaire to Hexam upon Wenesdaie next for the recept of that
office. This present night Mr Herren* came to my house, withe whom
I have confarde, and founde him verye confearmeable in all causes;
so that, Gode willinge, I shall not faille to kepe the prefexet daie, ac
cordinge to your commandment. And so put thengs in order, bothe
to the advancement of the quenes majesties service, and the descharge
of your honestie in that behalfe : as knowethe Almyghtie God, who
have you in his moste blessed tewission. From my house negbe Alne-
wycke, the xixth of November, 1559.
Yours moste assured at commanderiient, John Forster.
Postscriptum. Sir,: — For your Wyne, unles the wether mend, there
is no carriges cane passe; so that for wante thereof you muste be con
tent to dren'ke beare. f
* George Heron, of Chipchace. He was slain at the raid of the Reidswire. The cir
cumstance in which he is described as being conformable, was probably his consenting to
accommodate the keeper of Tynedale ; an office now to be held by Forster, with the use of
his castle of Chipchace.
f Camden quotes iEneas Silvius about the scarcity of wine in Northumberland being so
great, that big-bellied women craved to taste it as a rarity ; and adds generally, that their
manners were still the same. Here, the transporting a hogshead of wine to Hexham- proves
a thing of such difficulty, that sir Ralph Sadler must be contented with the home-brewed
beverage of the country. But, in bishop Gibson's days, a roundlet of good claret was as
frequently to be met with in Northumberland as in Middlesex.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 591
No. CXLII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
I cann no lesse do thenn commende the sute of this gentilman,
Mr Robert Constable, who is a mann of good service on this frontier,
unto you. His sute he can himself better declare then I can write ;
and if it be as he sayeth, it semeth to me that he susteyneth som in
iurie. Beseching you, therfore, so to shew your lawfull favour unto
him, if his cause be iust and reasonable; as he may understonde, that
mynn intercession for him doth stande him in som stede; whereby,
and such like, I shalbe the better able to do the quenes majestie such
service here as my duetie requireth. I have presumed to write som
particularyte of his sute, as, uppon his reporte, I understonde it, to my
lord of the counsell, which, thorough your good helpe, wolbe consi
dered according to custom. 21 of November, 1559.
No. CXLIII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
We received presentlie thes lettres, which we sende you herewith,
from the lord James, commendatour of St Andrewes, and Randall,
alias Barnabie ; by the which it shall appere unto you, that the lord
of Lydington, aud the saide Barnaby, wolbe here as sone as the wynde
and wether woll 'serve them.*.; The messenger which brought the
* The younger Lethington was dispatched to London, to lay the distressed state of the
reformed nobles before queen Elizabeth and her council. Randolph, whose assumed name
©f Barnabie has puzzled some historians, accompanied the secretary in this journey.

592 LETTERS DURING THE WAR >F
saide lettres cam by land, being one of therle of Arrayne's servaunts,
and is appoynted to tarry here the commyng of the lord of Lyding
ton, and to go with him to the courte. . He sheweth us, that the
duke is at his house of Hamylton ; and, as he thinketh, therle of
Argile and the master of Maxwell with hym. Therle of Arrayn, and
the priour of St Andrewes, at St Andrewes, and the lord Ruthen at
St Johnstons ; and that they do reteyn still their bands of fotemen in
wages for their more strength ; what they determyn, you shall not
know certenly till tharryvall of the saide Liddyngton ; the brute go
eth, that the quene douagier is departed this lyfe ; but we thinke the
newes to good to be trew; and yet most trew it is, that she is in
greate extremyte of syckeries, such as most men thinke she can not
escape, which, if it folowe, woll make a greate alteracion of this ma
tier ; as we shall here more therof, and of all other things, you shalbe
advertised as the case shall requyre.
This morning, also, arryved here Mr Capteyn Randall, with the
quenes majesties lettres, and the lords of the counsells, and m.m.m.
(3000 1.) ; which lettres we have considered, and also harde his credence,
but the alteracions and change of things here being such as, you know,
we can not tell yet what to determyn till we here what Lydington
bringeth, whom we loke for howerly. And uppon his arryvall, if we
see cause, we intende to sende the saide Mr Randall to the protes
tants in the same bote that the saide Lydyngton shall arryve in here,
both to comforte them in Such sorte as in the sayde lords of the coun-
saills lettres is appoynted to us ; and also, to carry with him som mo
ney for the payment of the wages of their garrisons, whereof we know
they have nede, to the intent they may remayn in the more strength,
and conceyve therby the better courage to folowe their intended en
terprize, which we woll eyther do, or forbere to do, as we shall, uppon
Lydington's arryval here, see cause necessarily requyring the same.
Abington is on his way towards you, &c. 21 of November, 1559.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 59$

No. CXLIV.
Tho. Barnabie, alias Randall, to Sir Rave Sadleir and Sir James
Croft, with the summe qf my Lord James Lettres sent to them at
that tyme.
Maye it please your honors to understand, that the larde Lydington
and I had bynn with you before this tyme, had it not bynn for the
sicknes of therle of Arrain, who, for four dayes, was very sore troubled,
and nowe very well recovered. We trust to see you as sone, or short
ly after this berer, desyering your honours somewhat to doo concern-
yng the lorde James lettre sent by this berer. 19 November.
Barnabie.
From St Andrewes. [Seal— An Oak Tree.]
*Received the same day a lettre from the commendatour of St An
drew to sir R. S. and sir J. C requyring them to impeche and defeate
such monsieur de Rubayes purposes and practises with the quenes ma
jestie as he is directed withall from the douagier.

• No. CXLV.
Sir Rafe Graye to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Right Worshipfull,
Wheras, I have receyved letters from Munser Dovse, by a servant of
his, for the restitution of certen goods, which was wethered even into
Rosse, by a sheppe lattle wraked ther, as the same letters herin enclo-
* What follows is written by sir R. Sadler.
VOL. J.' 4 F

594 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
sed purperteth. At my last beinge at Berwyk with your worship, I
declared, that the same goods was gone of my grownd by the same
Frenchmen, which was (as they seyd) factors therof; and allso the lord
of Ulchester confessed the recept therof, as I have declared unto the
saide Munser Dovses servant, which, notwithstanding I owe no auen-
suer unto him -therin, yet I thowght good to advertise your worshipe
therof by this berer, my servant, who is bayleffe ofthe same grOwnd;
for that yf the same Frenchmen be ther, maybe called befor your wor
shipe, that the same bayleffe maye declare that same which he can
seye therin, Seing the same servant hath mad wrong enformaeion unto
Manser Dovse, the goods yet to remayne upon my grownd, which is
not so, as knowethe blessed Trinite. Frdm Shillingham, this xxij of
November, 1559- '
Your most assured to command, Rauffe Gray.

No. CXLVI.
Lord Hume to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Rycht Honorabell,
Efter my werray hartlie comendacions in leffull manner, it will pleis
zow to be advertist, yat Thomas Clavering contynnevit the daytrevce
upone Monynday was viij dayes to yis last Monynday, and nowe hes
contynevit ye same without writing, or ye appointin of any new day,
throuthe quhilk occasion, as I do tak, hes gewin the theffis incuris-
ment to comit mony attemptits, and speciallie theis yat is under the said
Thomas Claverings rewll tua servands of his, callit Thome Smytht
and Damsany, duelland in Norhame, come to Katchebraw, and yair
staull ane certane scheip ; and ye attemptit is sua manyfest, that
he sayes he hes ane Inglisman to awowe it to zour lordship, nocht
douting bot zour lordship will pout rameid yair into as appertenis, as
11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 595
I salbe redye to do ye symmyable. Forder, it will pleis zow to ap
point ane newe mating, quhen ze may conwenyentle keip it, (for I
am informit that zour lordship is maid' wardane ;) nocht forzeting zour
lordships gentilines of ye ramembring of me, and sending me tua
kippill of hounds, quharof I hartlie thanke zour lordship ; all uyer
thingis I raffer to zour lordships answer. And thus committis zour
lordship to ye keiping of Almychty God. Of Home, the xxij day of
Nowymber, 1559. Zour lordships lowing freind lefullie,
1 Alex. Hume.

No. CX-LVIL.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Tho. Randall.
Syns the writing of your lettres from Striueling, we have ben in
contynuall expectation of the lord of Lydington's and your arryvall
here; and therfore have forborn to write any thing till we might
have spoken with you; but because this berer hathe som what pressed
us to have an answer, we do therfore signefie unto you in few words,
that as we be most sorye that the lords of the congregacion are for a
tyme defeated, and interrupted of their intended enterprise, so we
trust, that they woll, nevertheles, have such reg^rde to themselffs, as
their enemyes do take no further, advantage ayenst them ; and when
soever they shall prepare themselffs to , seke the revenge, they shalbe
assured to have such ayde" and helpe at our hands as, God willing, they
Shalbe able to accomplish theyr hole desyre and purpose ; as when the
saide lord of Lydington and you shall arryve here, you shall knowe at
more length. ' 22 of November, 1559-

596 letters during the war of
No. CXLVIII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
»
Sir,
. After our most hertie comendacions. Lyke as we perceyve -by the
lettres, addressed unto us from the lords, you and others of the quenes
majesties pry vey counsell, what preparacions are intended there hither^
wards both by see and lande, so we have thought good to signefie un
to you, that, in our pour opynyons, it shall not be amisse to stay some
what your determynacions in that parte, till you shall here more of the
protestants intents and purposes, which you shall shortely understonde
by the lord of Lydington, whom we howrly loke for ; for by him, as
we thinke, you shall gather such matier, as may eyther staye or acce
lerate your saide preparacions, and so may you tyme your proceedings,
as you put the quenes majestie to no further charge then shalbe nede-
full. The brute contyneweth still ofthe queen douagiers deth, and
yet we can not lern the certentie therof, but we judge that to be the
cause of Lydingtons so long taryeng hens ; for the wynde hathe served
so well, that he might have ben here or this, if there had not ben som
cause to stay him. 23 of November, 1559.
No. CXLIX.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir J. Croft to the Lords and others of the
Quene Majesties Privie Counsaile.
It may like your good lordships to understande, that your lettres of
the xvtb of this present we receyved the xxij of the same. And
where as we do perceyve by your lordships saide lettres, that, consi-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 597
dering the stirres in Scotlande betwext the French and the Scotts,
your lordships being therfore of opynyon, that, for the more suretie of
this pece, the nombre of iiij m. men of warre, more then be here pre
sently, were necessary to be levyed, and sent to this towne and fron
tiers, have nevertheles, because your lordships are in doubt how they
shoulde be victualled here without a more convenyent warning, resolved
to sende hither, but m. m. (2000) for the purpose aforsaid ; requiring
us, therfore, to see that nothing be omitted, specially in provision of
victuall, that may serve to tende to that purpose ; and as we shall
thinke thereof, so to write our opynyons with all spede ; and, further,
to advertise of such lack as is here, eyther for defence of this towne,
or for such further service as the quenes majestie shalbe constreyned
to advaunce uppon these frontiers for the safetie of her realme, from
the evill purposes ment by any that shall prove to become her ene
myes. It may please your lordships tonderstand, that as, in our poure
opynyons, the charges of the levieng, and sending hither of the saide
nomber of men, and keping of them here, specyally at this tyme of
the yere, may seme to be smperfluouSj if the same be ment to none
other purpose then for the suretie and defence of this towne. So we
thinke nevertheles, that albeit the stirres in Scotlande be now a litle
quyeted, yet the same may percast be so revived, and the matiers may so
fall out there, that the sending hither ofthe saide nomber of men may
serve to very good purpose, if ye ineane to employe them in any fur
ther servyce then to the defence of this towne and frontier; but we
see not, that for the onely defence and suretie of this pece, or of this
countrey, the quenes majestie shall nede to be at any further charge
then her highnes is at alredy before the next spring of the yere, onles
there be any preparation made in Fraunce of any grete ayde and power
of men of wane to be sent from thens into Scotland then is there at
this present; wherin, nevertheless, we yelde to your lordships wise de-
termynacion and iudgement. And for the better victualling of them,
we thinke we must be fayn to lodge and bestowe them abrode here
in the countrey ; for, as your lordships shall perceyve by Abington,

598 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OE1
who is on his way towards the courte, there is not sufficient in this
towne to serve for the souldiours and workemen, which be here alredy
for iij monethes ; for the supplye whereof we doubt not but, your
lordships, uppon the sayde Abington's arryval there, woll take such
order as shalbe convenyent. And further, where as your lordships
woide understande in what state the treasourer here standeth, it may
like you to witte, that he is still in Yorkshire, where he hathe re-
mayned, almost thes iij monethes for the recite of money for the pay
ment of the garrisons here, so that we can not advertise your good
lordships of the state of his office untill his retourne ; but as farre as
we can, lerne, he bathe not yet receyved somoche as, with the somme
of iij m1. to be defalked for victualls, &c. to the souldiours here, woll
fornishe the debt due in July last, and syns that time the debt is in
creased for iij monethes and more ; the monethly charge amounting,
as we can esteme it, to xxvij, or therabouts.
Fynally, Touching such other lacks as we have here necessary to be
supplied and sent hither for such purposes as be mencyoned in your
saide lettres, it may please you to wite, that I sir James Croft lately
sent up a boke, conteyning a perfite declaracion of all such kyndsof
armour weapon and amunycion, and of the store of powder remain
ing, as well in this towne as at Newcastell, and other places here
in these north parts; not doubting but your lordships, uppon the
view, of the same, can sone make an estymate what is necessary to be
added and supplied for the purposes aforsaide ; and as? one as we can,
we shall, uppon som consideracion to be had in that parte, sende your
lordships an estymate what we thinke mete to be supplied, both in
case of defence of this towne and frontier, and also for the furnyture
of an armye, if the case shall so require. 23 of November, 1559.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. x 599

m; ' '

No. CL.
The Lord Hume to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Rycht Honorabill,
Eftir my hartlie commendations in lefull maner. Thes salbe to
call unto zour remembrance, that I have writtin to zou for ane ap
poyntment of meting betuix us for the further setling of justice to
the observationn of the godlie amite, and peax-standing betuix thir
realmis, and as zit hes gettin na answer. Quharfore, I require zou, in
my maist hartlie maner, to sende to me zour resolut answer thairunto
in writ with this berar, that I may perfitlie understand quhat I may
lyppin. For all uther thing referris to zour advertisement. And thus
committis zou to the governance of Almyty God. Fra Home, the xxv
day of November, 1559- Zour loving frend lefully,
Alex. Hume.

No. CLI.
Patrick Whitlaw to Sir James Croft.
Rycht Honorable Sir,
Efter lefull commehdationis. Pleis zow to be rememberit, yat I
spak with zow anens the vanting of my oxin and ane meir and an foil,
quhilk ves stown fra me, as ze knaw, desyrand zour M. to be my gud
freind yair intill and siclyk, desyrand yat ze vill speik vith maister
Sadlier to be gud intill it. Mair owr ye queyn is lewand, and hes bein
varra sick, and is not zit veill convalessit. The stelars of my oxin is

600 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Ade Achesoun, alias Pasar, Scottisman, J one Zounger, Inglisman, dwel-
land in Itall. Thir are the resettars of my oxin : Roben Vadderat,
dwelland vithin Anwick Park, ane of the fostaris of ye vod, hes fowr
of yem ; Roben Bakars, in Branxtoun, hes thre of yem, and the foil of
the meir ; the quhilk I sail gar Inglismen,, testifie yat yae saw yem in
in yair plewis, and cwm and tell zowr M. and zowr answer vith this
berar, quhat ze vill intill it. And God keip zow. At Cowburspethe,
ye xxiiij day of November. v Be zowr lefull freind,
Patri k Quhitlaw,
off yat Ilk.

No. CLII.
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
After my harty commendations. With long lookyng for some good
thyng thence, I have of late forboren to wryte. At this present mon
sieur Ruby is here, and hath spoken with the quenes majestye this
daye.. His errand, I thynk, be to goo into Fraunce, and, by the waye
here, to expostulate uppon certen greeffs in that quenes name. He
telleth many tales, and wold very fayne have the quenes majestye be
leve that he sayth truth. He sayth, that the Scottes report they have
had vjm1. (6000 1.) in ayde from England; and if that had. not bene,
the matter had bene quited. He sayth, that Barnaby accompaneth
the erle Arrayn, of whom the French speke very dishonorably for
his revolt from Fraunce. He sayth, the quene there knew of Druries
being there to view the towne of Lethe, and what counsell he gave
for the asayling thereof; and that Somersett also was there, and ij
or iij moo capteyns, and offred them ayde. Of Ormeston, he sayth,
that with the 1 m1. (10001.) was also taken a bill, wrytten by one in

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 601
Berwyk, entitlyng the dy versitees of the coyne, viz. pf royalls, Eng
lish crowns, angelis, and French crownes. He sayth, that Ledyngton
is coming with offers hither. Well, the quenes majestie hath answer
ed them as was mete ; that there tales have manny parts, and require
'proves, which, if they bryng, hir majestie will gyve order to punish
this falte in any subiect that she hath. As for Ormeston, he can best
tell where he had the monny ; and thus, ye must thynk, theis talks
have served the French much tyme to delate.
He also, from the dowager, maketh request, that a proclamation
might be made, that no Scottish man shuld come into this realme
without hir passport. The French embassador * also, in his master's
name, requyreth, that order might be gyven to our havens, that if any
of his. masters shippes, now passing into Scotland, shuld arryve by
tempest in any our havens, they might be well and frendly used. Theis
ij requests ar worth delaye in answer, and so ij or iij dayes hence they
shall have answer. Ruby, notwithstanding, departeth to morrow ;
and Ross stayeth for answer to Scotland. He hath brought lettres
from the quene, to demand restitution for the ij shippes lately dryven
on land nigh yow. I see not but in iustyce the quenes majestie must
permitt restitution, if it be not for the armure. If Ledyngton be not
come, in any wise take order with hym that more secretnes be used
both in his iorneye and arryvall than hath bene used. Of all other,
these Scottes be the oppenest men that be. Of Abyngton I here yet
nothyng ; but my lord tresorour, Mr Cave, and Mr Sackvile, have
chardge of victelling that towne.
" Lettres be gone to send thither ij m. (2000) men, under the leading
of men of good worshipp ; out of Yorkshyre 300, Lancashyre 300,
Nottingham 1200, Derbyshyre 300, Cheshyre 300, Salopshyre 300,
* Michael Leury, the ambassador in ordinary from the court of France.
VOL; I. 4 G

602 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Stafford 200, &c. And so I take my leaVe ; wishyng to here some cer-
tenty ofthe rest of your next quene. 25 November, 1559-
Yours most assured, W. Cecill,
[The direction by Cecill.]
To sir Raff Sadler and sir James Crofts,
Knights, at Barwyk.— W. Cecill.-^-
For liff, liff, liff. 25 Nov. at Westm.
Received at Styellton the xxvij daye qf No
vember, at syx qf cloke at nite.
Received at Neuerke the xxviij day of No
vember, at ix qf the clok in the mornyng.
Received at the xxviij day of Novem
ber, at ij qf the cloke at afternoon.
Received at Newcastell, the fyrst of Decem
ber, at xj of the cloke before noone*

No. CLIII.

Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.

Sir,
It may like you tunderstonde, that on Thursday last arryved at Ho
ly Islonde the lord of Lethington and Thomas Barnaby, and when the
night com, I sir James Croft received them into the castell here •se
cretely; they brought us lettres from therle of Arrayn, the lord James,
commendatour of St Andrewes, and Mr Balnaves, which we sende you
herewith; and yesterday we had conference togither at good length;
and do perceyve that the lords of the congregacion do stonde fast, and
be as ernestly, or rather more ernestly, bent and dctermyned to folowe
their enterprises, and seke revenge uppon the Frensh, then ever they
were. And from them the saide lord of Lethington is now specially*
ii

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 603
depeched to the quenes majestie with lettres and instructions, to seke
and sue for ayde at her highnes hands ; without the which we see not,
as we have al waies sayed, that they be able to achieve their desyres, we
have practised with him, having, besides his instructibns, speciall cre
dence committed unto him to frame their sute to the quenes majestie
in such forme, and according to such articles as you sent unto us,
which we had written out for him, as though the same had (ben devi
sed by us to shew our good wills and grete desire to further their
cause ; the substance whereof he liked very well, and wished" that he
had ben so well instructed before his comming from the saide lords, to
thintent he might have brought the same under their hands, which,
he sayeth, is to be obteyned at all tymes ; and now, at his being here,
he hathe written therof unto the saide lords, and also hathe advertised
them of such other comfortable matier as he hath receyved here at
our hands, according to your late advertisements. This morning, be
fore day, he and Barnaby are departed hens towards you, and intend
ing to make all the spede they can ; anddf you thinke it mete to have
them bestowed anywhere aboute the court secretly, it were not amisse
that you sent som man to mete them at Ware or Waltham, to con
vey them to the place which you shall thinke mete for that purpose.
We have forborn to sende capitayn Randall to the saide lords at
this tyme, for that we se no cause thereof; considering that they in
tende not, ne yet can, as farre as we perceyve, prepare themselffes to
the folds very shortely in this ded tyme of the wynter. But as we
have lerned by the saide lord of Lethington and Barnaby, they have
divided themselfs, and do lye at Glasco and St Andrewes to kepe
themselffes in strength, to stay those counlreys, and by all such good
meanes and practises as they can use to make mo frends, as well of
the nobilite as others, to take parte with them in this their commen
cause ; and so they have resolved to repose and rest awhile untill the
retourne of the said lord of Lethington from the quenes majestie ; in
tending, nevertheles, as he sayeth, if they see any advauntage to be

604 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
taken ayenst their enemies in the mean se'asoun, not to pretermitte
the same. The rest we referre to the declaracion of the saide lord and
Barnaby, by whom you shall understonde all things touching this af-
fayre more perfitely, and at more length, than we can expresse in wry
ting. The nomber ofthe French now in Scotland excedeth not xxv c.
(2500,) so that if there com no greter powr out of France, the matier
wolbe the more easie ; but if there shalbe sent more ayde and powr
out of Fraunce, the same must be empeched by your navie there, or
ells it wolbe the more difficile. And therfore it behoveth, that ye
herken well, and have good espiell uppon their, doings in Fraunce, to
the intent ye may the better mete with the same as the case shall re
quire, which, in our poure opynyons, is not to be neglected. 25 of No
vember, 1559.

No. CLIV.
Instructions for tke Lorde of Lidington, how to conceyve and directe the
isute and complaynte qf us the Nobles, Gentlemen, and Burgesses qf
Scotlande in this our distresse, to the Quenes Majestie of Englande.
Ffyrst, He shall declare unto her majestie, in the name of us, the no-
bilite, and the hole estates of the realme of Scotlande, the crueltie
and tyrrannye of long tyme exercised by the Frenche ; that is to say,
by the lieutenaunts, capitaynes, and, souldeours, uppon the saide realme.
And herein the saide lorde of Lidington shall declare and enlarge all
such enormities and oppressions made uppon the subiects of our na-
cionn of Scotlande by the French as he can call to his remembraunce,
using therein such order of tyme and such treuth as the same were
don and commytted.
Secondely, To declare our long sufferaunce, and frequent complaynt,
to the douagier, and the lacke of remedie thereof, by her not onely fo-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 605
lowing, but further oultrages and enormyties by herself abusing her
commission, and bending herself and her power both with fraude, cor
ruption, and force, to the subversion of our nacioun, and to make a
conquest therof to the crowne of Fraunce.
Thirdely, To show how of necessite for saving of the realme of
Scotlande in state, for dely veraunce of our hole nacioun from conquest,
and specyallye for preserving not onely the families of such noble
men as by bloode be next inheritors after the Frenshe quene our so
vereign, having no yssue to the crowne, but also all the rest of the
nobilite favouring the contynuance of the kingdom of Scotlande in
the naturall bloode of the same, we were forced, with the lamenta-
cioun of our hole nacyon, to assemble our selffs togither, as the noble
men, gentilmen, and burgesses of Scotlande, to consulte, and as hum
ble subiects to make sute, that this violence and oppression of the
French- might be removed ; wherein we were so abused by promises,
and dishonorable breking thereof, that if God had not assisted us with
good courage, we had ben, under pretence of fayre woords, utterly
ruynated and distroyed, and the hole countrey bereaved of all our
auncyent trew barons and men of service, and the crowne conquered
and unyted to the crowne of Fraunce : For eschewing whereof, we
have openly declared our selffs redy to aventure our lyves, lands, and
goods, to defende the crowue from subversion of the same out of the
native bloode of Scotlande, and therfore remayning in harte trew sub
iects to our naturall sovereigne lady, now (to the greate misfortune of
the realme of Scotland) maryed to the Frensh king, we be fully de-
termyned to expell all such as have laboured with the old quene to
conquere this realme.
Fourthely, To thintent the quenes majestie of Englande may cer
tenly understonde this our complaynt to be trew, besides dyvers parti
cularitees of the Frenche procedings, tending to the conquest of Scot
lande, we do let her majestie to understonde, that most trew it is, that/
this practise of the freneh is not attempted onely ayenst this kingV
dom of Scotlande, but also agaynst the crowne and kirigdsmes of Ing£

606 « LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
lande and Irelande ; for we knowe most certenly, that the French have
devised to sprede abrode, (though most falsely,) that our quene is right
heire to Inglande and Irelande ; and, to notefie the same to the worlde,
have, in payntings, at publique justes in Fraunce, and other places
this yere, caused the armes of Englande, contrary to all right, to be
borne quarterly with tharmes of Scotlande ; meaning nothing lesse
then any augmentacioun to Scotlande, but to annexe them both per
petually to the crowne of Fraunce. And, to declare playnely their
meanings in this coniunction of tharmes of Inglande and Scotlande,
they have, in writings in waxe, and in publique seales, written, engra
ven, and adioyned the stile of Inglande and Irelande to the stile of
Fraunce, naming the French king, husbonde to our quene and sove
reigne, king of Fraunce, Scotland, Inglande, and Irelande, &c. Where-
I in, also, they have further proceded, and secretely sent into this realme
I of Scotlande, a scale, to be used for the quene, with the same stile ; and,
in maner of dispite to the crowne of Inglande, they, have sent to the
douagier of Scotlande a staffe for her to rest uppon, having graven
in the toppe the said usurped armes. And hereunto the saide lorde of
Lidington may adde such other matiers as be in lyke maner devised
by the French to the preiudice of Inglande ; whereby, although jthe
honour and right of the quenes majestie of Inglande is not abassed,
yet by the same it is manyfest what the scope and determynacion of
the Frensh is agaynst the crowne of Inglande ; whereof, as men
warned by our owne daungier, we can not but give her majestie som
notice. Fyvethelie, Considering our sovereigne lady is maryed to the French
king, and not onlie her name, by certeyn prowde and insolent minis
ters sent out of Fraunce, is abused, but also, by the new auctorytee of
the house of Guise, herself ledde and persuaded to be content that the
realme of Scotlande shoulde be perpetually knytte to her husbonds
crowne of Fraunce, (whereunto we thinke surely of her own propre
nature she can not be disposed,) and so the bloode royall of Scotlande
should be extincted, the realme conquered, the lawes and libertees of

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 607
the lande altered, the people brought in captivite, and made as it were
bridges of bludde by warre to invade Ingland, and to pursue their
thirstie and ambicious desires against that kingdom. We, therfore,
do most humblie beseche the quenes majestie of Ingland, as the next
prince to us, and one of whom we have harde most noble and vertu- ,
ous reporte, that she for herself woll not be abused by the daylie and
frequent persuasions of the French haunting her courte, and daylie
passing and repassing her realme, to thinke that this our assemblee in
force hath growen uppon any other occasions but for the naturall de
fence of this realme from conquest. Neyther that we do hereby with-
drawe our harts and dueties to our sovereign ladie, to whom we wyshe
all honour and felicitie, and for the weale of the kingdom of Scotland,
to which she was borne, to be made free from all French counsailours,?''
and to be only addict to the advise of her naturall borne subiects, in
all cases touching the regiment of the realme of Scotland. WherebyA
we be persuaded, she shoulde be advised to owe her love and duetiel
to her husbonde, being her hed and lorde of her bodie ; but as for her j
kingdom, to permitte it to be ruled by the naturall born people of the '
same. And furder, also, we thinke by such she shoulde be persuaded not
to delite in this maner of iniuste and dishonorable usurpacioun of the
armes, stile, and titles of other kingdomes than her owne ; whereby
must nedes folowe unkyndnes, yea, such as shall in consequence brede
mortall warres. Also, we most humbly beseche the quenes majestie of
Inglande, that she woll not onely conceyve this trew opynyon herself,
but also, as occasion shall serve, procure that both other princes of
Christendom may understonde the trewth hereof, and also her owne
nobilitee and people of Inglande, and not to condempne us in our na
turall and most iust defence.
Fynally, We beseche her majestie, both for our preservacion, and, as
we may, do give advise to her majestie for the consequent preservacion
of herself and her kingdom, (the conquest whereof undoubtedly the
French have long sought,; and now do certeynly determyn,) that it

6*08 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
will please her, of her most noble and pryncelie nature, as the prince>
planted by God next to us, and within one lande and sea, tp receyve
us and the auncient libertees and rights of this kingdom of Scot-knd,
with the hole nacyoun and people of the same into her most gracious
protection from the furious persecutionn and the intended conquest of
the French ; allowing to us alwayes our naturall dueties and obeisaunce
to our sovereigne lady and quene in all things that shall tende to the
honour of God, the weale of her realme, and to the preservacion of her
person from the treasons of the French agaynst her naturall countrey ;
wherein, we trust, her majestie shall please Almightie God, not of
fende the right bf the quene our sovereigne, but procure perpetuell
love betwixt the people of thes realmes ; a thing moche desired of all
hristiens, saving the French onely, and ih the ende preserve her owne
kingdomes, and acquire an immortall fame amongst alk* princes. 24 of
November, 1559.

No. CLV.
The Lorde Clinton to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Aftar my harty comendacyons unto you. Wher as my lord of
Northomberland hath lately advertised my lords of the counsell of a
ship lately cast a land ; wherin his lordship requyerd the lords of the
counsells plesure what shold be don with the sayd goods ; wych mat-
tar being insedent to my offyce, ther lordships hath wrytyn to my lord,
that the same goods shold be delyverd to my offycers, * to aunsar the
same to soch as it shall apertayne, in case it be no wrak nor goods
forfet ; if it be, then is it myne, by vertew of my pfyce ; wherin I
have thought mete to requyer your favar, that my offesars ther may
have your assystance in soch causis as aperteyne to sayd my office,

* Lord Clinton was lord admiral.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 609
wych I shall most gladly requyte, if it lye in me. Thus praying you,
that the letters herwith sent you may be delyvered accordyng to the
derecsyon. I wysh you long lyff in helth. From the corte at West-
menster, the xxvth of November, 1559. Your assurid lovyng frend,
F. Clynton.
To my lovyng and very assurid frends syr
James Croft and syr Raffe Sadlyer,
Knights, at Bam>yk.

# No. CLVI.
N ynyan Menvell to Sir R. Sadleir and Sir JaMes Croft.
Right Honorable, **
My dewtye to your honores consideryd. It is not paste your re-
membrans the maner of my comyng doune frome London with derec-
cyons to your honores, and for the conveyance of the hushope of Har-
gylle* into Scotlande; whyche matter being endyt by your wys-
domes, I was more ernest than by cam me for a hastye delyverans at
your hands ; whyche, throwghte your gentleries, I eslye optenyd, and
so I trustyd to have hade lyke expedyssyon at the hands of my lorde
of Northethumberlande, for the matter betwen Fetherstonhawghte j"
and me for my cheynne of golde in his hands, to the value of xxix1.
(29 1.) to gydther with fyve pounds of money, in whyche matters this
was my spede. I optenyd manye letters of my lorde of Northethum
berlande for his apperans, but fyhallye he apperyd not ; and I sus
ten id greate troble and coste with the convayans of the saide letters,
"* See page 495.
t The very ancient family of Featherstonhaugh of Featherstonhaugh, in Northumber
land, was at this time represented by sir Albany Featherstonhaugh, who was high sheriff of
Northumberland in the 2d of queen Elizabeth.
VOL. I. 4 H

610 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
and also losse tyme in my other bussynes ; but pryncypallyel-preter-
myttyd my dewtye, and' hay the not ben as yet at London with your ho
norable letter. Notwithstanding the matter, as I beleve, requyrythe
no suche hayste, but that yt may tarrye to my comyng to London,
whyche, Iohave appoincted, and maide my excusse to Master Secretor-
rye assuring my being there, whyche I have appoincted to be the xvtb
daye of the next monthe". In the meanne tyme, I humble requyer your
honores to derect your letters to Halpyeny Fetherstonhalf of Fetherston-
halfe, to appere affore your honores at Barwicke, or in eny other place
of Northethumberland, of Mondaye, or of Twesdaye, whyche shalbe
the iiijth or the vth daye of the next monthe. And also that it will
-please your honores to sende your letters by poste td'*the saide Fether-
stonhalfe, to gydther with a letter to me, who is remanyng in New
castle for othfer bussyness; and humble dessyers that I maye knowe
your pleassures, and I shall make my repaire to your honors to resaue
justice in the premisses. I *know yt is for frome my dewtye this that
1 have donnen to wryte so pefeashe to your honors. But the wisdome
and gentlenes of your honors will beare with my weaknes, to gydther
with justyces, wherof I have benl longe defraudet. And, fynallye, I
dowte not brit my lorde Robert Dudley, my lorde, my master,* will
shew:, lyke frendshype to your honors when occacyon shall serve.
And I,. for my parte, am bounden servafide to- your honors to the ut-
termoste of my poure, as knowithe the leving Gode, who increasse you
with myche honore. From Newcastle, the xxviijth of this instante
monthe. ¦ '-'•*
Your honors at commandement, Nynyan
Menvelle.
postscriptum.
And it pleasse your honors to wryte to Fetherstonhalf, I wold wyshe
* Afterwards earl of Leicester, the celebrated favourite of queen Elizabeth.
11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 6l 1
that your letters wher not disobeyd and lawghte to scorne, as was the
letters of therlle of Northethumberlande ; and for awnswere of your
pleassures what I shall do, I requyer so mcyhe gentlenes at your hands,
that I maye have the same at Newcastle off Thursdaye next, the last
of this instante, at the Poste housse, whyche is my logeyng.
To the ryghf honorable sir Raufe Sadler,
knyght, one of the quenes majesties pre-
vy counsell, and to the ryght honorable
sir James Crofte, kn.yghte, capten of
the castle and town qf Barwicke. —
Haste, poste haste; haste, with all pos-
sable dely gens ; haste, haste.

No. CLVII.
Sir John Forster to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Right Worshipful Sir,
Accordinge to your commandement I have bene at Hexam, and re
cevid the office of Tendall of Marmaducke Slyngsbye. At my comynge
thether, I thought to have perfitelye knowen by him the holle staite of
that office. I requirede to have hade of him a booke of all the offen-
dours with in that office; wherebv I might throughelie understand and
knowe the nomber of the obydent subiects from the rebelles. I re-
quierd to knowe what warnynge he hede geven the bandesmen* of
Tendall for there apperaunce that daie ? His answer was, that my
lord hade discharged him of that office the xviij"1 daie of this instant,
and that he was no officer but by your commandement. Notwith
standing he had written a lettre unto the baill eves of Tendall warde,
to warne certen of the bandesmen of the contrye to be at Hexham, as
* That is, such Borderers as had given bond to the warden, or keeper, to appear when
called upon, to answer for offences charged against them.

612 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
you shall persaive by his lettre herein closed ; but for all that, there
was no apperance. Then I demandyd to have such delyvered in to
my handes, as ware nomynate in the sedull that you sent me in your.
last lettre ; of the which nombere, I have receyved in the preson of
Hexam ix presoners. Ande'Jarrye Charleton, of the same hill, whiche
appereth by the saide sedolle to have bene at the Newcastill, he is de
livered home upon bande. The coppie'of the whiche bande I have sent
you herein closed, albeit thaie knowe not that I have thatcoppie.
And for the rest of the baudes, thaie ware in the coustodie of his bro
ther,* so that he could delyver ne more. Thus rawlie levinge the
office, he departid ; and then I sent warnyng throughe out all Ten
dall, that thaie shulde met me at Chepchase upon Sondaie last, and
such as came not, I shulde oppenlye proclame them rebelles. The
saide daie the most parte of all the holle countrye came unto me with
out eny such assurance, as thaie have bene accoustomed to have of other
there kepperes heretofore ; whereof many of them ware such as haive
bene rebelles theise towe yeres by past, and never came nether to my
lord nor Mr Slengsbye. There was great sut mayde to me by certen
there frendes, that there might com me and goo sayfelye to speke with
me ; but that I utterlye denyed, unles thaie woide comme and submet
them selves as duttifull subiects • unto the quenes majestie. Thus
inthend thaie did com in, and put themselves in here highnes mercie.
I have maide a boocke of all there names, and delyverd the charge of
fhat evell country unto Mr Herron, till your plesour be further knowen
in that behalf. For the staie whereof, dubte you not the same to be
in better case then it haithe bene of long tyme heretofore. The next
neght after Mr Slengsbie's parture thence to welcome me to the of
fice, there was certen sheppe stolen within a myle of Hexham (and as
I thenke purposely don for despyte of me.) I handelyd the matter
so, that On the morowe after the pore man was restored to his goods,
and the offenders apprehendyd and hade to the gaole of Newcastill,
* Sir Henry Slingsby, often already mentioned.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 6l3
with the reste of the presoners, which I receVyd of Slengsbye. On
Sondaie. On Sondaie last I rode to church Welpington, where I ap
prehendyd towe notable theves, beinge gentelmen, called Fenwyckes,
and have sent them lickewise to the gaole of Newcastell. I have sent
John Halle in to Redesdell, to staie the same the best he cane. There
is grete meseorder, and desobedience there, which requiers a spedie
reformation ; wherefore, if the charge of this countrey do remayn in
your hands, I woide there ware no tyme tracted for the putting of the
same in good order. Your plesour knowen therein, I shalbe redy, from
tyme to tyme, to accomplishe the same to thuttermost of my power, as
knowethe Gode, who have you in his most holly teuission. At my
house, neghe Alnewycke, this xxixth daye of November, 1559.
Yours most humble at commandement, John Forster.
To the right worshipfull sir Rafe Sadler,
. . knight, lord warden of tliest and med-
dell marches of England for anempst
Scotland. Hast, post hast, with all-
possible delygence; hast.

No. CLVIII.
Mr Slyngsbye's Letter to the Balyves qf Tyndale.
For as moche as sir Rauff Sadler, knight, havinge nowe the charge
and rule of thes marches, hath appoynted on Thursdaye next, which
shalbe the xxiij of this instant November, at Hexham, to name and
assygne a keeper for that countrey of Tyndall. And for the know
lege therof, and the direction to be- taken, hathe commanded me to
send for suche men of the countrey as ar requysyte to be called for
that purpose. These shalbe therfore to requyr you to be there your
selfs ; and also to gyve warnynge to all the persones undernamed to

614

LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

be there with you, at Hexham, the said daie be ix of the cloke before
noone, for thes causes, as you and they tende your dewtyes of obe
dience, and the welth of your countrey, at your and their perills. And
thus fare ye well. At Newcastell, the xixth of November, 1559.

Charlton, of Haselesyde,
Jaspar Charlton, of Hawrose,
John Charlton, of the Blacklave,
or his son,
Edward Charlton, of Hall hill,
Hector Charlton, ofthe Boure,
William Charlton, of Lee hall,
Edward Charlton, of Lordnerburne,-
Wylliam Charlton, of Belly ngham,
Charlton, of Dunterley,
Symont Robson, of Langhaughe,
Andrewe Robson, ofthe Bellynge,

Hobb Robson, of the Fawstone,
John Mylborne, of Roesbowre,
Edwarde Mylburne, of Dunsterde,
MychellDodde, of theYerehaughe,
Dodde, his sone,
Jamy Dodde, of Roughsyde,
Hunter,
Hunter,
Cristopher Hogge,
Willie Hogge,
Mathewe Nyxson,
Your lovyng frend,
Marmaduke Slyngsbye.
[Seal — a lion passant.]

To my lovyng frendes, John Wylkynson
and Wylle Jamson, balyves of Tyn
dale, geve theys and your selfes
that same day.
MEMORANDUM.*
That Jone Hall of Otterborne, Launcelot Tysley of Gosforthe,
William Charleton of the Leye Hall, Jhone Hall of Brayneshaghe,
William Charletone of Bellingham, and Clement Hall of Burdcheppe,
is joynttelye and severallye bounde to the right honourable thearle of
Northumberland, and Fraunces Slengsbye, keper of Tendall, in c and
xl11. (1401.) for the personall apperance of Jarret Charletone of the
Hawe Halle, at Newcastell, the xv"" of Jarinevary next comynge. The

* This memorandum is in the hand-writing of Sir John Forster.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 615
band is taken to the quenes use. Daited the viij of November. His
apperaunce is in Robrt Youngs house, in the Newcastell.

No. CLIX.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to Mr Secretary Cecill.
Sir,
It may like you to understande, that my lord of Northumberlond,
at his departing hens, because I shoulde have som what- the more
ado in this office of wardenrie, lefte the unruly countre of Tyndale
voyde and destitute of a keper, for that his brother in law, Fraunces
Slingsbye, woide neds leave the same without any honest regarde or
GOnsyderacion of his duetie to the quenes majestie, how or in what
order he lefte it. My saide lord wrote unto me, even uppon his depar
ture hens, that the saide Slingsbye had given it up, because he was not
able to give him such enterteynement as was mete to have it well ex
ecuted," and therfore willed me to provide a new officer. And also,
assone as my lord was gonn, cam to me Marmaduke Slingsbie, brother
to the saide Frauncis, who supplied the saide office alwayes under his
brother, and declared unto me, that his saide brother being discharged
of the saide office by my lord of Northumberland, was gon with him
into Yorkeshire, requiring me to appoynt whom I thought good to take
the charge. I tolde him, the warnyng was very short and sodeyn ;
and, considering that it was not mete that the place shoulde be unfur
nished, I required and intreated the sayde Marmaduke to remayn up
pon the charge, as he had don for a tyme, till I might provide som
mete man to receyve it at his hand ; but the more I intreated him, the
lesse regarde he had to his duetie in that parte; so that I was fayn to
leave intreatie, and to charge him, as he woide answer to the contrary,
to con tynue uppon his charge, till he might be orderly discharged;
which, with moch ado, he was content with all, and so retourned to

.61 6 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
Hexhani, where he used before to reside for thexecucion of thoffice ; a
place nothing mete for that service. Within v dayes after/ 1 required
my frende, sir Jo, Forster, to repaire to Hexham to dyscharge the saide
Marmaduke, and to commytte the charge to George Heron of Chip-
chase, who is mete, and also dwelleth very aptly for the same. And
what is don therein by the saide sir Jo, Forster, yon shall perceyve, by
the copie* of his lettre, wrytten to me, whiche I sende you herewith;
by the same you may understonde that good officers woide sone bring
this countrey unto som order. I have had somewhat to do to gett the
saide G. Heron take upon him to be kepCr of Tyndale ; which, ne
vertheles, he is content with for a tyme, more for my sake then for
any profite or commodyte I have prbmysed him, to have consyderacion
of his payn and travaile in that behalf, which I must and woll per-
forme. I doubt not, sir, but you do consider, that by occasion of this
office, I must nedes be at a grete dele more charge than I was before.
And because you shall the better understonde it, I have thought good
here to wryte it. I have more for frendeshippes sake then for any
thing ells, gotten sir Jo. Forster to execute under me in the wardenrye
of the middell marches, who, I assure you, is more sufficient for the
same then I am ; and I have promised him xiijs. iiijd. (13s. 4d.) by
the day, towards his charges for the tyme I shall have to do with it.
Likewise, I have promised x\ (10s.) a day to sir Rafe Cxrey for the est
marches ; and to the saide G. Heron, I must give at the leest v5. (5 s.)
a day. My lord of Northumberland tolde me, that he gave Slingsbye
xiij'. iiij''. (13s. 4d.) a day. Such as have ben wardens here afore this
tyme, willing to have the office well executed, have given asmoche or
more enterteynement to gentilmen of this countrey for the lyke pur
poses. And besydes this, I have enterteyned xx horsemen to attende
uppon me, and give them xx s. a day. I never knew any southerne
mann appoynted to this office with lesse enterteynement then v marks,

* Several erasures were made in the original letter of sir J. F. and some additions made
by sir R. Sadler in the copyhe sent.

THE, SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 617
or iiij1. (4l.) a day, and c (100) horsemen wages, and yet they were
more able to bere the burden of it than lam; and therfore my trust
is, that it wolbe so consydered there, that as I desyre not to gaigne by
such kynde of service, so you woll helpe that I shalbe no loser by the
same ; wherein,, if it might please you, to make me som answer to that
I have sondry tymes wrytten in this part, it woll moch content me.
And so, &c. The last of November, 1559.

No. CLX.
The Copie of John Wood's Lettre to Tho. Randall, decipkred.
I wishe you increace of all grace with you : That the 1 8 of Novem
bre their was come in Dunde 2 lettres of the douagiers to therle of
Huntley and Marshall ; wherin, after the narration of the siege of
Lythe, she concluded at their sight to accept all good wayes, notwith
standing any thing past, to stop the warke of God betwixt us, no
doubte ; and for that same cause, directed open proclamations to all
borpughes, that, notwithstanding their assistance to the congregacion,
she willed not their distruction, but requyered them to send in 2 prin
cipalis of to obteyn pardon, readie for the asking. These were tane
in St Johnston by my lorde Ruthen, and we contrar lettres proclaim
ed by him, the officer permitting, with 8 more, to execute lettres in
her name, was dimitted; the lyke was .doon to the duke in Glasco.
Sone after the douager fell in a grevous sicknes, and was disparit of all
men, but is partly convalest, but esperance of long lief, as is rehersit.
An daye or twoo after her convalesing, tallking with on her familiar,
saide, she marveled of the stiffeness of the lords of the congregation^
bothe in speciall of my lord James, who never did take rest to wyrke
in her contrar, though uthers toke summe repose : when tyme serveth,
she woold be myndfull therupon. The 22 daye of November, therle of
vol. i. 4 I

618 letters During the War of
Arrain caused the baron of PittefroWte* pas to therle of Huntley attd
the ferle of Marshall, f to persuade them to trust him in Aberdyne, if
they shulde not be persuaded to ePm to Brechin or Montrose ; and,
upon their ai!ins#er, is detertttteed to speake them, 'the *24 daye of
the same, convehid thetfe of Arrain, the lorde James, my lords Rdtlwes,
Ruthen, master of -Lffidsay, provost of Dunde, in St Androwes, -ac
cording the ordenaunce made at while you wer there J and, first, resol-
vit to sett fourthe the of the counsail established by them,
and, to the same effect to my lord duke and the rest of the lords ofthe
congregacion in Glasco, to be earnest in the same, as I doubt not but
they shall. The same daye there yed a certain Freucheman, with the
erle of Bothvife and lorde Seton, to Litheo ; but when they cam
nere the towne, hard the commen bell and tabbern, and withal reteirit
so fflerslie as man persuybg,'. while they lost 'summe weapins by ^he
Waye. Thef25 daye, lettres were 'giver* oute td arrest all gudels appet*
teyayftg to the duke, sil- James Hamylton, the lorde James, the forde
Ruthen, the baron of Dundas £, Btumston, Ormeston, Braird, f with
rome left' for others, and to make mventarie thetof, forbidding buyeng
a^d seeing w>ith these' persoftSyfor trahison committed, as she all'edi
geth. I was 'seCfietlie advertised' my lorde 3ifoth vile spafcej with Ov^b<-
ston, and fe mtint they are appointed. I have made diHg&rtct! to trye
the master, but lokes as yet for 'aimswer. I cannot ;d'Pub%e of Otfme'S'-
t&h his Constance; The post com from the 'castell 'of Edynburgh tc-
the lorde Jafrfes the 24 of 'November/' and syRiyke upon the' 129 ofthe
saine.1 ' The leJrde Jarites h'fs kwhe serv'ahd, whom' he had placed therto
!. . . i ?.'\ -i . ' '¦ '
* Sir George. Wis hart.
f William' l&jitb, foSirtV etffl War shal/who, from keeping qui^ in ihe fortress of Dunno-
iar during all the civif wflrs df'tbfe period, obtained the swnamfe >of WjIKafti in the Tower.
X George Dundas ¦ of Dundas, who wa3 served, heir to his father in :L554, and died in
1589.' He held out his castle of Dundas, oh the king's side, during the civil Wars of queen
Mary. Bannatyne 'gk& an ^dtont of ah attempt to Surprise it by the Mdwbrays of Barn-
bugle. , , - , . , .
|| The laird of Braid was a zealous i eformer. See an account of, and attack upon bis
house of Braid, in Bannatyne's Journal, page f72. The family name was Fairlie.
10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 619
bye for the uHP»ce,; direct from tbe . capten , of the same, sheward the
dquagier had :d(§ftijerfed the howse, and to persuade was first, send the
clerk of the register; tp whome he aunswered, as he had recey vjt the
sa^ne by parliament, sd woolde he not deliver it: withoute the same.
She-,, not contented , herwith, utterit she woide have it : then cam the
s^pqftcj ambassade, the denes of Glasco and Rejstaliy ; and while they
were speaking the capten, summe of his freendes arrived, whome he,
fearing the siege, .Jjad sent for, and who, at his desier, had brought
with them an < Pisftigfie, and experimented cannoner; these entering
by the low postren, and espyett by Frenchmen, wer first gentlie desie-
red the cannonyer shulde go to Charletons, and refusing, was forced by
them. The castell perceving, issued, and with strakes from the block
howse to the butter trone, releved him, and summe Frenches hurte.
The ambassadors were glad to, escape the fume of the capten, retourned
but aunswer. The capten of the saide castell desiered the lorde James,
and the others of the lordes of the congregacion, to drawe with these
gentlemen of Sterling, and. have their commons in readines. Adver
tisement is gqn in all parts hy proclamation, wherof receive copie.
The : lorde James hathe writen to the lords of the congregation at
Glasco to spare them ; and, sykelyke to the saide capten^ permitting
secpurs baldly als well '.on your side as our side ; he provin the honest
man, as we hope he shall. This compelleth therle of Arrain and the
lord James tp,seod to< Barwicke for ijm'.^oOQl.) to sir Rafe Sadler
and. sir James 'Croft, for succoring of the present necessitie. Alex.
Whitlaw e was readie to departe for tiie same the first of December.
You please make Lithingtori to know the same. The last of Novem
ber their was one of tbe. douagiers vietallers taken cummyng up the
Fyrth by the lorde James botpa, bf Pittenwym, laden with wheate. I
am now advertist surely biy a freende, that Orrtieston hathe put of
therle Bothvile with faife woords, but any promes, arid so driven tyme
honestly. Take in good parte, I praye you, this my first warke, whilke,
God willing, shall be amended with tyme. Ye please, make my
humble commendations to Lythington, whome I not in my ciphre

620 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
thus $, and yourself thus, J ; sir Wm. Cecill thus, % : whome, assured
ly, I long, so my good lorde willith me, to make his hartie commenda
tions ; to whome lete % have this other ciphre, that he maye knowe I
am most willing to doo him service therwith, when ever he list com-
mande me; but, above all, in this cause of coniunction, quilk the Eter-
nall mought prosper. From the last of November, your owne in
God. John Wood,
whom I note thus J.

No. CLXI.
Therle qf Arrain and the Lord James to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir
James Croft.*
•
After our hartie commendacions. Traist freends, we thanke you
maist hartlie. Your kyndnes shewn towards us and our cause, and for
the poudre we have receved. Albeit it was not our mynde to have
charged you for an lang tyme with any support of money, yet the pre
sent necessite compelleth us, since the castell of Edynburgh standeth,
as the berer will shew you, in suche daungier. In consideration wher
of, most earnestlie desyers you to delyver to the berer, Alex. Whit-
lawe, twoo thowsand pounds ; for, besides the other secours and furnish
ing, I, the lorde James, promised to him, asl was desiered by capten
Drury, in Edynburgh, because we were desiered by Lethington's wri
ting, to kepe it secret ; we have not opened the same to the lords at
Glasco ; for experience hathe learned us, that, passing 3 or 4 persons,
it is no secrecie. The rest referring to the berer, Alex. Whitlaw, to
whome give credence. From St Androwes, the last of November.
Therle of Arrain,
The L. James.
X Different ciphers are marked in the original wherever this sign occurs.
* This is written in cypher.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60-

621

No.CLXII.
The Names qf certain of the Quenes Majesties Debtors, which are to be
warned to appeare before Mr Rone, her Highnes Auditor, the xiijth of
December, 1559, at Barwick, to aunswer to their several Debttes.

Wydowe Orde,
Launcelot Crambleton,
John Cooke, '-.
Vicar of Hartborne,
Vicar of Wooller,
John Preston,
Engram Sankeld,
. Robert Sclater,
Reveley,
The heires of Henrie Hagerston,
Robert Wytherington,
Rowland Forster,
John Denton,
Rafe Ferror,
Luke Ogle,
Thomas Carlisle,
John Beverley,
Roger Strouther,
Sergeants of thest marches.
Ant. Frenche, of Langton,
Ric. Ferrer, of Tylmouth,

The Ladie Carnabie,
Cuthbert Carnabie,
Reignold Forster,
Edward Bednell,
Arthure Shasto,
Richard Clerkson,
The executors of John Lilbourn,
Rouland Bradforth,
Jn. Gallond,
Sir Thomas Graye^
Sir Rafe Graye,
Martin Fenwick,
John Lawson, of Calcbts,
The wyef of Rafe Fenwick,
The heires of Rafe Wytherington,
George Fenwick, of Brinckborn,
George Clerkeson. Of the middle marches.
John Heron, of Hall- Barn,
Wymand Wylkenson, of Arrington.

Anthony Ratclif, one ofthe undre shriefs of Northumberland.

62% LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

No. CLXIII.
Sir Raf? Sadlier and sir James, Croft, to the Lords and others of
,, o . P\th&^Qu£fafsXMqj%stmPmiie Counsail, y
-%\VV>U ' ¦¦:¦, i.iTJ*. Yvsuis irt '\W8V,\\\y, <¦:% .-Vo'.-si ;'.;, ':•¦• ¦'_••",
It may please your good lordships to understonde, that lyke as in
our last lettres we wrote <th#fti£ej\fr©lde sende unto your lordships a de
claracion of such Wants qf .(Ocdehance, shotte, pouder, arrnbur, aradl
munycioun, as we thought! mete: tb be supplied, as well for the furny
ture of this towne, as also for an armye, if the case shoulde so require;
so we have now accprdickglyosent herewith unto your lordships a boke>
conteyning all kynds of such ordenance and munycion as remayneth
presently in this towne, and also of such wants as we thinke mete to be
supplied from thens, both for the full furnyture of this towne, and also to
furnish the nomber of iiij or v m. (4 or 5000) men to the felde whenso
ever the case shall so requyre. Referring the better consideracion
thereof to your good) lordships, either to augment or dymynysshe: the
same, as to your wisedomes shalbe/" thought convenyent; Theifirst of
December, 1559.) Io ,:

No. CLXIV.
The Quenes Majestie to Sir Rafe Sadleir, Sir James Croft, and Sir
Wm. Inplyby, J&nyghts, and to Roland Johnson, Surveiour ofthe
Works at Berwick. , j <->'*
, ¦'• ¦ . . io i_fic ¦¦ :¦)'': : <¦¦ ¦ iii ¦'•'!';'!' ¦¦¦¦"'!. lo , ' • ¦ ¦
Elizabeth R. by the quene.
Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And whereas it is ne
cessarie, as we understand, that certaine howses, standinge towardes
the water syde there, within that our towne of Barwicke, where our
new fortifications must be made, shalbe taken awaye ; we let yow wit,

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 623
that, mynding that- thowners of tbase1 howses be satisfied with a due
recompence for them ; our will and pleasure is, that, by vertue of
thies our lettres, as our said- workes shall require the taking awaie of
anie of the said howses, ye do, in our nam ef, call unto you the owners
of them, and agre with them for the same* foras reasonable a price as
yoii Can hringe thern unto, and as other pwners of houses there have
been used and delte withall in the like case heretofore. And accord
ing to suche price as you shall thus agree and bargaine with1 them, our
further pleasure is, that you, sir1 William Ifigolby, of suche our trea
sure as is or shall come to your hands, you coriterit and satisfy them
accordingly. And thies our lettres' shalbe sufficient warrante arid dis
charge to you and every of y dil> for the 'doinge bf the premisses. Yeven
undre our signet1 at our' p^naee; of Westmynster,'1 the third day of De
cember, the seconde yele of otor reigntel* :W' ; '¦'¦ : - - '"•¦
T'"1 - ;?'; -/- -," ¦"! >! .,; j i \[}Ai'n&'ofEftgla,n&, and iWrarke.
, i i : , , ' - ' . . , . < '¦ Jnsgriptiow of the seal, Eliza-
j.: .. betli regina A. F. H]
To otir trusty and Metbtlovid sir Rafe Sad
leyr, sir James Croftes, and sir Willihh, ¦¦ ?/'¦¦¦*¦-
Ingolby, 'kHights'-, und Roze/ande Johnson,
surveyor qf mir works • at Bemiek.

No. CLXV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.

/'il':'
'» '. iii

Yesterday arryved here Alexander Whitlaw by see from St An
drewes, with lettres from therle, of Arrayn. and the lorde James, to
you, the; lorde of Lethington, and us. Som of them be in such ciphre
as we be not acquaynted with ; and therfore, as they cam to our
hands, so we have depeched them unto you herewith. They wrote tp
us for m.m1. (gOOOl.) as you shall perceyve by their lettres-; the cause
* See a letter from the duke of Norfolk, upon the proper mode of executing this com
mission. Haynes, I. p. £28.

624 letters during the war of
whye we thinke is at length, dilated in the, lettres in cipher to you and
the saide lorde of Lethington. And as we perceyve by the saide Alex
ander Whitlaw, they intende fourth with to assemble at Sterling, and
there devise to levie som power for the relief and succour of the castell of
Edynburgh ; for that the lorde Erskyn having the charge and custodie
thereof, hathe, by the douagier, and the French, ben attempted alma
ner of wayes, aswell with large offers and promisses of rewarde, as
otherwise by menaces and, thretenyngs,* forthe dely verie thereof into
thands of the French, which, as we understonde, he hath utterly refu
sed ; and answered, that as it was delyvered and com my tted to his
charge and custodie by the hole consent of .the, realme in parliament,
so he will kepe it till he be 'discharged therof by like auctoryte in
parliament. With which answer the French being nothing pleased*
have made som small attempts, and so farr fourth as their small power
woll suffer, have made som countenance to besiege it, and som bicker
ing hathe ben between them of the castell and the French, wherein a
French man was slayn, and ij or iij hurt, as it is told us. Whereuppon
the saide lorde Erskyn hathe sent to the lords of the congregacion for
ayde, and hath required them to draw nerer Edynburgh, and to kepe
their assemble and counsells at Sterling, to thintent he may the better
have succours at their hands as he shall nede the same. He requireth
also of the saide lords, as we perceyve by the saide Alexander Whit
law, som relef of money, wherewith he may reteynn a convenyent
nomber of men, and furnishe the castell with victuall sufficient'; which
having money he may, with the frendeship that he hath of the towne
and countrey, take into the castell at all tymes maugre the French.
And the sayde lords have hereunto answered and promised him ayde,
both of money and the rest, according to his desyre. For the which cause
chiefely, and also tb reteyne som nombre of soldiers in wages for their
* Knox says, that the French actually made gabions, and other preparations, for besie
ging the castle. But that the Lord wrought so potently with the captain, that neither the
queen, by flattery, nor the French by treason, were able to prevail.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 625
more strength, they have required the saide m.m'. (20001.) which we
have thought good to sende unto them by the saide Alex. Whitlaw,
who hathe here a bote netely well appoynted for the conveyance of the
same by sea.
The keping ofthe saide castell is, in our opynyons, a matier of gret
importance ; for if the French had it, then woide they be masters both
of Edynburgh and Legh, and rule at their' pleasure the hole or the
most parte of all the realme on thisside the Fryth ; and therfore we
have advised the saide lords by the saide Alex. Whitlaw, to loke well
to it, and not onely to ayde the lord Erskyn, according to his desyre,
but also to promise him largely to render it unto them, or, at the least,
to kepe it out of the French power ; and whatsoever they shall pro-
myse him for the same, within the lymyts of reason, we have offred
shalbe performed. And as we perceyve they be in good hope that he
woll kep it, and honorably discharge himself towards them in that
behalf. The saide quene douagier languisheth still in grete sicknes ; and, as
we be credibly informed, her phesicions, and all others, out of hope of
her recoverie, and thirike that she can not long conteynew. Other
things worthie of advertisement, we have not at this tyme. And, &c.
the v"1 of December, 1559. POSTSCRIPTUM.*
We be infourmed that therle of Northumberland hath letten home
therle Marshalls soon f upon band, wherunto we be not privie, but you
maye inquyer. the truthe of the saide erle ; and if it be so, it were
good that the band were sent unto us, to thintent we might call him
to his entrie^as we. see cause; and lykewise for the lorde Graye, whose
bande also we thinke to be in the saide erles custodie. Furthermore,

* The postscript is written by sir James Croft.
f Lord Keith, whose bond may be seen a little higher, p. 561. He had been taken pri
soner at the battle of Pinky, and as an exorbitant ransom (20001.) was demanded for his
liberty, he seems to have been a prisoner ever since.
VOL. I. 4 K

6%6 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
because we understand that it woll be harde to victall the Frenche in
Scotland; withoute greate furniture and provision oute of Fraunce, we
thinke therfore,' if you woolde devise 'there howe the same from tyme
to tyme might be empeched by the seas, it woolde serve muche to
thadvantage of this affaire, wherof we doubte not you have suche con
sideration as the case doothe requyer. >

No. CLXVI.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to therle of Arrain and the
Lorde James.
It may like your good lordships to understonde, that we have recey
ved your lettre^ of the last of November, addressed to us, and your
other letters we have depeched to^ the cojirte by the post. And also,
according to your requests, we have sentyouby this berer, Alex. Whit
law, m.m1. (20001.) to be employid in the furtheraunce and advaunce-
ment of your commen cause ; whereunto we doubt nbt your lordships
woll have such regarde as aperteneth; and specially at this tyme it
shalbe mete to use all your industrie and good polycie to preserve arid
kepe the castell of Edynburgh out of thands and possession of the
French ; or ells you may be sure if they gette it, ye shall lose all your
countrey on thisside the Frith, and so consequently your hole realme
shalbe in daungier of conquest ; wherfore, you rhust ernestly persuade
the lord Erskyn to kepe it out of the hands of .the quene douagier
and the Frenche, which, if he be a trew Scottish man, and woll mayn-
tene to defende the fredom and libertie of his native countrey, he can
not refuse to do-; and, to that effect, let him lacke no assistence of
money, men, and victualls, and such other things as shalbe nedeful.
Furthermore, we doubt not but your lordships woll use all the good
meanes and wayes ye can, to allure and Wynne to your partie therles
of Huntley, Marshall, and Morton, and the rest ofthe nobilitie, which
11

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 627
have not shewed themselfs open enemyes to your cause at this tyme.
Assuring your lordships, that, for our parts, we mervaile why they
shoulde refuse to ioyne with you ; for if the French do prevaile ayenst
you, which in dede intende to make a playne conquest of your realme,
and to unyte the' same to the crowne of Fraunce, which every man
that woll see may perceyve they goo abput; bpth by that they begyn
to plante themselfs there and fortefie, and also by their seking now
of the castell of Edynburgh, having Donbar alredy. He hathe no
iudgement that seeth not afore hande the utter ruyn of your hole na
tion, and that the same shalbe brought into perpetuell servitude and
bondage; which, if the hole nobilitie of Scotland woide take one
parte, and ioyne together in the defence of the liberte and fredom of
their naturall countrey, a& by the law of God and nature they are
bound to do, might, easely.be so prevented, as the malyce of the French
shoulde never be able to prevaile ayenst you ; wherin also, ye may as
sure yourselfs of our ayde and assistance, both now and at all tymes
as nede shall require. And what those* noble men do meane, which
in this case do sitte still and withdraw themselfs from your partie,
surely we cannot hut mervaile ; for if they meane therby to save them
selfs, thinking to please the French, in that they do not shew them
selfs as open enemyes ayenst them ; in our opynyons, they take the
onely way to distfoye themselfs : for this is most certeyn, that what
soever face or outwarde countenance the Frenche doth shew towards
them, they neyther have, ne yet ever woll have, any trust or confi
dence in any- one of your nacioun. And if they may atchieve their
saide intended conquest, doubt ye not but he that now sitteth still as
neuter, yee or taketh playnn parte with them ayenst you, shalbe in as
ill case, and have as litle curtesie and trust at theyr hands, as you and
such other as shew themselfs their open enemyes at this tyme. Where
fore, your lordships shall do well to persuade this matier substancyally
to the hole nobilite of Scotland ; and with .such other good reasons as
ye can devise, to induce them to loke Better to their owne suretie, and.
to ioyne with you for the preservationn of themselfs and theyr coun-

628 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
trey, which we doubt.not your lordships can devise moch better then
we can advise you.
Fynally, Understanding that your lordships have conceyved som
ielosie and suspicion of the lord Ruthen,* that he is not of that syn-
cerite and zele towards the persute of your commen cause as reason
woide, whereof we woide be sorye. We have thought good to signefie
unto your lordships, that as it is not mete ye shoulde commyte unto
him over moch trust'and credite, if there be vehement cause why ye
shoulde suspect him : so, nevertheles, we thinke it not goode that ye
shoulde seme to mistrust him, but rather bere with him, and do what
you can to recover and wynne him holly to your devotion. For Sure
ly as the tyme and case requireth, it is expedient that no good meane
or occasion be pretermytted that may helpe tb allure and draw any
noble man or gentilman to your partie in this grete busynes, being in
dede the commen cause of your hole realme, which, we doubt not,
your lordships woll consyder as aperteyneth. And now to ende, as we
have herein shewed you our opynyons as men of good will, and zelous
to the furtheraunce and advauncement of your saide cause, so do we
wishe unto your lordships such good successe and prosperyte in the
same as your noble herts can desyre. The vjth of December, 1559.

No. CLXVII.
Tke Larde of Lethington to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James
Croft.
Efter my harty recommendations. I haiff presently, by apoynte-
ment of the quenis maieste, and hir maist honorabill counsail, direct
* Perhaps from his suffering the queen-dowager's proclamation to be published in Perth ;
though there is some intimation of their suspecting the fidelity of this nobleman at an ear
lier period.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 629
in Scotland, yis berar, Robert Mailville,* to understand ye mynd and
resolution off ye lords in sum poynts, quharoff hir highnes is in doute
and I am not specially iristructit : quhais diligence and spedy passage
wilbe ane gret furtherance to our commen caus. Quharfore I pray zow,
yat it will pleis zow, sasone as he cummis to Berwik to further him
with hofs and guyde, upon his expensis, sa far as wilbe requisete for
his suir conveyance. Quharin, as ze sail further ye caus, and do my
lords plesour, sa sail ze more and more oblis me onto zow, quham I
commit to ye protection off God.., At London, ye ixday of Decem
ber, 1559. Zours assuritly to command,
William Maitland.
postscript.
He is named in ye pasport David Heiburne, to disguise ye mater.
[Seal— A serpent entwined round, a cross, placed
vpon a scull, between the letters R. P.]

No. CLXVIII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to Sir Walter Carre, f
After my right hertie commendations. You shall understonde, that
yesternight, after our meting dyvers Scottishmen, to the nomber of
xxx, or there abouts, earn into Englande, and brake up the house of
this berer, Antone Frenche, hurt him and his wyf, and toke from him
xxx kyen and oxen, as he himself can better declare the circumstances
of the matier unto you then I can write ; wherefore, my trust is, that,
considering the same is so notable a robjberye, and committed within
* Brother to the laird of Raith, and to sir James Melville, author of the " Memoirs;" a
confidential agent of the congregation.
t Sir Walter Kerr, of Gessford, warden of the east marches. <

630 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
the tyme of thassurance graunted on both parts uppon our last meting,
your zele to the advancement of iustice is such, that you woll take
such ordre as the same may be redressed and . dely vered for out of
hande without falow as aperteyneth ; least otherwise it may growe to
suche inconvenience^ as it woolde be over harde and difficil for the
wardens of bothe parts to staye the lyke offences. And so doing, you
shalbe sure at all tymes to have the lyke at my hands whills I have
any thing to do in this office, with any other pleasure that I can or
may do for you to the utterest of my power. The xth of December,
1559-

No. CLXIX.
The Copie of Alex. Whitlawes Lettre to Sir Rafe Sadleir and
Sir James Croft.
The night after my departing I arrived safelie, thanks be to God !
and fynding the lords in Cowpar at a convention, with the barons and
gentilmen of Fife, I imparted suche things as your M. hathe decla
red unto me ; wherupon they have writen their mynds to the coun
sail in Glascow, willing them to, convene the gentilmen in the west,
that order may be taken how soone they shall assemble. Our gentilmen
are verie willing to be at the feelds against their enemyes, but it is
thought good to staye till your further advertisement. The suspended
regent* is nothing amended of her disease. "Woorde is sent to the
castell, but not retourned with aunswer; yet we looke for frendship
on that parte. Other things 1 referre to the lords lettre. My lord
dukes grace, and the rest of the lords in the west, are gon to take the
lord Simples howse. f Our' ships being. at Burdeaux and Rochel for
* The lords of the congregation had pronounced against the queen-dowager a solemn
sentence, deposing her from her office of regent. ,
f Castle-Semple, in Renfrewshire. The proprietor at this time was Robert, third lord

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 631
wyne, commandemerit cam from courte to staye men and shippes ; so
they have stayed the masters which were on the shore ; but the ma
riners that was on bourde getting knowledge that the masters were
taken, hathe brought awaye the shippes. We have taken a shipp of
the douagiers, full of wyne. The lords are to passe in Angus to con
vene the gentilmen. Thus I committ you to thalmightie. From the
castell of St Andrew, the vth pf December. Yours to commande, Alex. Whitlawe.
postscript.
After that the lords was departed to Dundee and their lettres direct
ed, the lord Erskins aunswer cam to my hands, which I thought good
tadvertise, which is, that he shall doo that becometh an honest man
for the weale of his countrey. " As fbr the castell, he woll; not parte
with it, but byothe order he received it, which was by parliament.
Further, the lords desiered him to send a secret man to them, to corn-
men upon certain hedds that' the woolde not write ; which he hathe
promised to. doo within 4 dayes. The hedes are the directions I recei
ved of you. As other occurrCs, ye shalbe advertised. Thus muche
upon my departure to Dundee after the lords. ; -o
There is summe victallers com in of Frenchmen ; and we be adver
tised, that there is 2 enseignes of men com in them ; but I Cannot
write it for certain. There is powder, bullets, and other munition,
wheate and wyne com in. The nombre of the shippes are 7. -

Semple, a man of some talents. He remained attached to queen Mary until Darnley's mur
der, when he joined the king's faction, and was enriched by the spoils and confiscations of
the Hamiltons.

632 LETTERS DURING THE WAR QF

No.CLXX.

The Copie qf therle of Arrayne's andthe Lorde James Lettre to Sir,
Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
.Trustie freends. After, our most hartie commendation. We have
received your. aunswer by Mr Whytlaw, and thanks you most hartelie
oi his depeche. We have also understand his credit, and taken order
to perfourme the same. And, first, hathe talked with the barons of
the countrey, who, for the expulsion of these strangers, are most wil
ling to bestowe their substance and their liefs. We have given charge
to the captens to lyst a m. (1000) footemen, and ij c. (200) horsemen,
and hathe promised them mousters the xth of January. In the meane
tyme, the barons are ever in a readines to list upPn 48jiowers warn
ing. How soone we maye have all things in a readines we shall make
you knowe, as we desier you to to doo the same to us. We have, of all
poynts necessarie, asserteyned the counsail in Glascow, and shortelie
lookes for aunswer. The castell of Edynburgh is at good poynte, as
we understand, and looks for advertisement therfro shortelie. It is rea—
ported here, there shoulde be 800 Franchis in readines; wherof we
doubte not but you knowe the truthe ; and if it so be, it shulde be a
greate furtherance to our affaires to have them cutt of. We are tra
veling to have summe shippes to the sea assoone as we maye. Refer
ring the rest to your advertisement. And so bidds you most hartelie
farewell. At St Andrews, the xj'h of December, 1 559.
By yours assured in God,
James Hamilton,
James Stewart.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 633

No. CLXXI.
The Lords and others of the Quenes Majesties Privie Counsail to Sir
Rafe Sadleir.
After our verie hartie commendations. Where as, capten Randall
with others, were, of late, sent to that towne of Barwicke to be em
ployed in the quenes majesties service there ; Thiese be, to require you
to give order to the thresourer there, that they may have suche conve
nient entertainement untill they may be Otherwise provided for, as you
shall thinke mete for men of their haveour. And at the comriiing thi
ther of the iiijm. (4000) men, being presentlye appointed to be sent,
you shall do well, if any of the captaines, that. shall have the conduct
of the said nombers, do fall sicke, or be Otherwise desirous to leve the
•charge- committed unto them, to appointe capten Randall and the reste
to some of those, charges ; geving unto them, in meane tyme, suche
good woordes tp encourage them to service, as maye move them to
conceve that there is care had- of them; and to returne backe the
others that shall be discharged in suche good sorte as may be to their
contentation. And thus we bid you right hartely fare well. From
Westminster, the xijth of December, 1559.
POSTSCRIPT.*
We thynk mete, that Mr Randall be otherwise considered than to
have chardge but of ij or iij c. (2 or 300) men, 'consyderyng the place
of service which he hath occupy ed, and therfore better for hym to re-
meyn in a particular interteynment.
Bacon, C. S. F.,Bedford, W. Howard,
F. Clynton, Penbroke, W. Cecill.
'* ,. . /-,!.„ [Motto of the arms—Pulchr. pro patria pati.l
Jo our very lovinge jrende sir Raphe
Sadler, knight. Hast, hast; post ,'-.-'•''' '
hast ; hast, with all diligence. * In Cecil's handwriting.
VOL. I. 4 L

63b LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. CLXXII.
The Quenes Majestie to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James. Croft.
Elizabeth R. by the quene.
Trusty and welbiloved, we grete you well. By your lettres, sent in
hast to our secretarye,' bering date the ixth of this moneth, we perceve
that ye be advertised of three hundred Frenchmen cam to Aymouthe,
and of vc. (500) moo cummyng the daye of your writting, to thin
tent. to fortifye there ; which is so directly both against the treatye,
and the surete of that our town of Berwike, that although we have
hitherto borne with diverse misordres at the French, yet can we not
forbeare to impech this violation of the peax. And therefore,, our
pleasure and commaundement is, that ye shall consyder this mater in
this sort ; that if it shalbe true that they becum thither, and do forti
fye, or put any part of the sayd grounde in strength for their defence,
that ye shall use your wisedoms therin. And if ye may fynde that,
except they be quickely empeched therof, they shall growe to more
strerigth, then our pleasure is, ye shall devise the best wayes ye can
to expell them ; having good regard to the defence of that towne up
pon your issuying of any force from thence. And if ye shall iudge
the matter of more importaance, then may conveniently be done by
your force presently there with the safetye of our towne ; our pleasure
is, that you, sir Rafe Sadleyr, having the charge of our frontiers there,
do assemble such further succours as may tende to the removing of
the sayd Frenchmen ; and with all spede advertise us of your purposes.
Gyven under our signett, at our palkce of Westminster, the xiij day
of Decembre, the second yere of our reigne.
[Arms of France and England.]
To our trusty and welbeloved sir Rafe
Sadleyr and sir James Crofts, knyghts,
at Berwyke.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 635
No. CLXXIII.
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
The tyme tarrieth not, as ye see. This daye, your advertisement of
the matter of Aymouth* maketh us styrr. The truthe is,- we here
ment before, that my lord of Norfolk shuld be at Newcastell before
the end of this moneth ; and my lord Graye there at Berwyk, to suc-
cede my lord of Northumberland in the est wardenry. Our shippes
being xij men of warr, well appoynted, with viij or x victellers, and
viij others, with munition, armure, powder, wer appoynted to depart
by the 20 hereof. And now, this daye also, we understand, that 40
sayles be past from France with men and victell. So as ours be lyke
to come to late, and yet they shall awey, and a reenforce follow. The
matter is to weighty to be triffled ; and so we all now, at the last, doo
iudge ; wherin I wold to God some had bene of some more spedy for-
sight. Yow shall perceyve, by the quenes majesties lettre, that because
it is a violation of the treaty to fortefy at Aymouth,f ye may be the
bolder to be doing with the French : if ye see that they doo not forte
fy, then are they to be forboren untill the matter may be more er
nestly followed. For els ii wer daungeroose to begyn the matter, and
not to follow it with effect; and, on the other syde, if there fortefyeng
shall seme a matter of difficulte for us hereafter to expell them, it wer
better to begyn in tyme with them. I thynk one whom Ledyngton
hath sent by yow, wilbe there before this lettre iij dayes. Barnaby de-
* iyOysel had before fortified Eymouth, a village on the coast of Berwickshire, and the
garrison had proved troublesome neighbours to those of Berwick, from whom they were but
six- miles distant. At this time apprehensions seem to have been entertained that this place
was again to be resorted to. Camden tells an improbable story, that D'Oysel assembled
the Scotch nobles at Eymouth, and proposed to them (during the heat of their own civil
dissensions) the immediate invasion and conquest of England.
f It was among the places appointed to be dismantled by the treaty in 1550.
1

636 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
J
parteth this night by Carlile awey.- And so I end. From the court,
ye xiij of December, 1559. Yours most assured,
W. Cecill.
Ye shall do well, to seme to the French, that the force ye shew to
expell the French from Aymouth, cometh not of any publick authori
te. For in dede the order of the treaty is, that the prince offended
shuld furst require redress by word.
To the right worshipfull and my very loving
frends sir Raff" Sadler and sir James Croftes,
knights, at Barwicke, and to either of them.

No. CLXXIV.
George Heron ofChipchase to Sir John Forster.
After my very harty comendacyons. I shall desir yow to remember
my lady your bedfallo, and all other frends. And to certefye you for
the trew stayt of the contrye off Tendayll, the trewthe ys, the great
nomber is in order obedyens, and, I trust to God, so to use them, that
thay shall not be otherwais. And when I perceive any other that ar
not dewtyfull as subiects, for suche as I most nedes your cpnsell or as-
sistans in, I will certefye yow as necessite requerythe. And because I
do perseawe, and am credabilly informyd, that the contre of Ledeis-
dayll* ys myndyt to mayk messorder, and to do the evell that thay
can in thes qwarters, I knaw thay can not do yt withowt the hellp of
som both off Tendailt and Redsdayll, as thay have had even now this
last Fryday, at nyght when thay dyd tayk up Smethop. ¦ For on part

* This disorderly district of Roxburghshire being under the immediate government of
Bothwell, was probably instigated by him to commence the incursions alluded to.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 637
of them went away thorow Tendall with the prysoners, and an other
torow Redsdayll with the nowt and theves of Tendayll, that wais go-
yng astellyng into Scotland, fownd the Scots with the nowt lyeng in
the shells at Uttenshop in Reddisdayll at fyers, and had getten meat
bothe for horse and men at sorn off Reddisdayll. And when the theves
of Tendayll perciewed that the Scotts was at rest, thay stayll the nowt
from the Scots ; and in the mornyng, when the Scots mest the nowt,
thay dyd com into Reddisdayll again to boro a dog to folio ; and then
thay gat knawlege wheche of Tendayll had the nowt. Ye mayk serche
wheche Reddisdayll ys offenders. And yff the offecer wull uot bothe
mayk them to be knawen to you, and get som of them* to be punysh-
ed, he mens not to hellp yow to do that iustice requerythe. I percewe
that thayr ys som men in thes quartters that bothe ye and I have gewen
credens to, that they wolld have serwyd iustlly that me thenk ys very
slaw with me, as this berer can shew yow, whom I pray yow credit; and
cause that som of Tynhed ys offendours in this last mater at Smethop-
for recet off the Scots, I wolld desyr yow, yf ned be, that som ayd'
may be had, and that ye will shew your mynd to this berer thayrin.
And thus I comyt yow in the kepyng of Allmyghthy God. From-
Chepches, the xv of Desember, by your lowyng brother in law,
George Heron..
To the right worshipfull my lowyng brother •.£,¦¦ ;-
m law sir John Foster, knyght.
No. CLXXV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill-
Sir,
* We sende you herewith suche; lettres as we have receyved of Arrayn^
and the lord James, commendatour of St Androwes, and from Alexan
der Whitlaw ; by the which you shall perceyve, ariiongst other things,

638 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
that he is safely arryved in Scotland with the m. m1. (2000 L) which
he lately receyved here ; and also, because you shall perceyve what
we wrote afore unto the saide lords, when we sent them the saide
money by Whitlaw, we sende you herewith the copie of our lettres.
Robert Meilville being dispeched thens from Lethington, arryved
here on Wenesday night, who taryed not here past iij howers, but
was spedely conveyed from hens into Scotland to Whittengeam, as he
desyred. From whens he hath written to me, sir J. Croft, of his safe
arryvall there, as you shall perceyve by his lettres sent herewith. We
have advertisements from dyvers of the gentilmen, which are by let
tres from thens, appoynted to repayre hither with the m.m. (2000)
men, that they are comyng hitherwards. Whereof we have thought
good to put you in mynde ; for that we must be fayne, for lacke of
victuajls here, to lodge them abrode in the countrey when they com ;
where, also, they can not have mete and drynke uppon credite, but
must pay redy money; and, therfore, it were expedyent, that the
tresorer here were furnished with money for the payment of their
wages ; for lacke wherof they shall have cause of complaynt or excla
mation, or ells of necessyte be forced to retourn* The xv of Decem
ber, 1559.

No. CLXXVI.
The Quenes Majestie to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Elizabeth R.
Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And, considering the
place and importance of your service there, we have thought mete to
imparte unto you, not only what we. have don, but also what we fur
der meane; and tberupon shall ye better understand, bothe how to
give us your advise, and how to direct your doings there. We have

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 639
geven order for the levieng of foure thousand fotemen, beside the
nomber in that town ; wherof two thousand, we trust, be in some re
dynes, and on the way towards those partes. The other two thousand
be now commaunded to be levied with all spede. And bicause you
shall understand from whence they come, we sende you herewith a
scedule, noting the places ; and, for their cotes and conduct money,
order is geven to be satisfied in the sheres. As for their armure ; be
cause we understande that ther is great want in the sheres, and not
conveniently to be had for money, we have determined, and so signi
fied to the sheres, that ther shall come a masse of armure and wea
pons thither now with all spede, to be distributed for reasonable prices,
like as herafter ye shall understand our pleasure.
Thies nombers, our pleasure is, shalbe layed in such places, part in
Barwike, and part upon those frontiers, as shall be sene most conve
nient unto you. Order is given also for victuell to be sent thither with
all spede. As to the use of thies men, ye shall understand, that like
as we dyd in the begynning see it riedefull, that, upon this great hosr
tilitie in Scotland, our town and frontier shuld be replenished with
men, and well reenforced ; so the French proceedings, with so great
preparations, move us to devise furder how their great attempts might
be made frustrate in the begynning, lest by suffrance they take to
greate a roote there to the daunger of our countrey. And, therfore,
we have caused conference to be had with the lord of Leddington, to
understand what the Scottes can of themselfs do herin, and how
they might be enhabled therto. Whereupon, he having not full aucto-
ritie to make to certayn partes a full resolution, hath sent into Scot
land one who, we thinke, passed by you there ; and so we rest in ex
pectation therof. And yet, in the meane tyme, we have appoynted to
sende the lord Gray thither, to be our warden there, and to have the
charge of these extraordinary bands of fotemen for such service as
shall be appoynted to him. And we also meane to provide, that a cer
tayn nomber of horsemen may be levied to ioyne with the said fote-

640 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF "
men. We have also determined to sende our cosyn of Norfolke* with
all spede to be our lieutenaunt generall of all the north, from Trent
northward, . We do also forthwith sende xiiij ships of wane, well
armed, under1 the charge of William Wynter,f with a nomberof good
captaynes, to conducte a masse of victuaill and munition to those partes
in diverse-other vessells, who shall departe this Saterday at the furdest
to the seas. And bycause some other profit may arrise of that iourney,
we have ordered that he shall follow the advise of you, and so entre
into the Fryth, principally to impeche the entrie of any more succours
out of Fraunce, and consequently, if occasion may be well taken, to
make any notoriouse defeate upon the Frenche, to enterprise the same
as of himself, without any demonstration of publike hostilitie.
And although we trust he shall be upon that cost shortly, we thought
mete at this present to require you to consider ofit before hande, how
he may commodiously take some notorious advantage upon the Frenche ;
and' how he may have some advise given by you when he shall come
afore Holy Hand, before he shall entre into the Fryth with our navie;
the manner wherof, bicause it shall not be convenient for hym to
come on lande, woold otherwise be devised there, as shall seme best
to you. We have also caused to be sent a grete quantitie of armure ;
wherwith ther is one of our armory specially charged to see the same
there savely delivered. And bicause Benet, the master of our ordinaunce
there, shalbe so occupied with the office of our ordinaunce and artille
ry, that he shall not well attende to our said armure; our pleasure
is, that ye shall appoynte some one of our garrison there, being of
such skill and trust as therto is requisite, to joyne herin with the said
Benet, and to take charge therof ; and to deliver suche nombers of the
said armure from tyme to tyme, as by our lieutenant at his commyng,
or by you in the meane season, shalbe thought mete to be delivered to
any captayns or souldiours for redy' money, or money to be defalked
* Thomas Howard, fourth duke of Norfolk, whose tragical history is well known. He
was beheaded in 1572.
f Master of the naval stores, and a seaman of bravery and experience.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 641
upon reasonable tyme so as we may be duly aunswered for the same,
according to the prices herewith sent in a scedule. And thus, we pray
you, consider of thies matters; and not only direct all your doings and
labours there to concurre and furder these same," but also to return to
us- your opinions and advises : which the soner ye do, may be here by
our counsell the better considered. And therin we woold not have you
forbeare for any doubte of construction therof, for our meaning is, to
accepte of suche as we trust all advises in good parte, without pre-
iudice of any for uttering their myndes. Yeven under our signet, at
our pallace of Westminster, the vvjth of December, the seconde yere of
our reigne.
[Arms of France and England.]
To our trusty and welbeloved sir Raff Sadler
and sir James Crofts, knights, presently at
Barwicke.

No. CLXXVIL
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Ye shall perseve, by the quenes majesties lettres, herewith sent unto
yow, of our procedings here. The French preparations be so great, as
we se not how they may be withstand when they be at the full,, except
they be impeched in the begynning. The first meane therein, is, to ob
teyne the Fryth into our possession for the stay of any gretar succor ;
the uext is, if the Scotts will playe there part, to enter by land with
iiij m. (4000) footemen and ij m. (2000) horsmen, and recover Lethe.
Which thyng how it will sound faisible in your eares, I wold gladly
knowe ; and herin, I besech yow, impart your opinions, in some sort,
unto me ; for I wold thereuppon consider the matter percase other wise
than now I doo. It is ment that my lord Gray shuld doo this exploict,
and have, beside the footemen, vj c. (600) horsmen, with lancees and
vol. r. 4 m

6*42 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
pistoletts, arid xiiij or xvc. (14 or 1500) light horsmen, and v or vj
good brass pecees for battery. This night Wynter is departed to the
seas, and wilbe with the shipps to morrow uppon the seas with xiiij
strong vessels, such as will make small accompt of all the French navy
in Scotland. I am advertised, God send it to prove trew ! that viij en
seignes of the French ar perished uppon the cost of Holland. I shall
understand the truthe by to morrow, if the passadge permitt any to
come out of Flanders. My lord of Norfolk is almost reddy to come
awey. God send us good spede. From the court, the xvjth of Decem
ber, 1559- Yours assuredly,
W. Cecill.
[His own arms.]
No. CLXXVIII.
Nicholas Errington to Sir John Forster.
Plesythe yt yowre mastershype to be advertyssed, that George He-
rone, of Chypches, dyd send Edward Charlton, Harye Charlton, of the
Larnerborne, and on John Charlton, of Thormyborne, in Tyndall ; the
said George Herone sent theys said three prissoners unto Hexham to
the qwenys majesties gavel thayr. And further, of theysse prisoners
that yewe gave me, the namys of Thomas Mylborne, otherwysse callyd
Thome Headman, was not abyll to be carryed to the Newecastell, when
the reaste was had, accordyn to your comandement ; for that the said
Mylborne was soyr seycke, knowyn to dyvers of the inhabytors of Hex
ham. Thus yt is chansyd, that the xvth daye of this instaynt, the gave-
ler, and all the reaste of the prissoners, be what means I cane not tell,
nor no other that cane be knowyn of serteyntye, but that the said thre
Charltons andMylborn, with ij Skotts pledges, and on Hwrste, that was
commandyt toward for suerty of John Errynton, is goyn the said nyght,
and all the dorrys lefte opyn, savyn the utter dowre, whych is the
10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 643
newe howsse doyr that Mr Slynggysbie bylldyt, whayr the gaveler laye
nyghtlie for the savegayrd of the said prissoners, as I thowght was
most swreste. And thws commyttvn all the matter of thear goynge, as
farre as I cane gett knowllyge as yette, and as I cane learn forther yowe
shall knowe ; for I ame bowld to wryt unto your mastershype in thys
matter, trustyng" that the trwthe shalbe knowyne, and this berar cane
declayr. And thus comyttyn your mastershype in the kepyne of the
levyrie Lord. From Hexham, the xvijth daye of Dyssember, 1559.
Your mastershypes to command,
YCHOLAS ERYNGTON.

No. CLXXIX.
The Larde o/"Cessford to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Efter my hartie commendations in leffull maner. This sail be to ad-
wortishe zour lordship, yat yis last Setterday, at ewin, yair come to
Zeitten, of Yngles men to nowmeir of twenty fowr men, and yair
crewolle hurt thre or fowr Scottis men, and hes tane ane Inglis man
fwrtht of David Mechelsonis hous, quha was delywerit to him be ye
weran of the trewx ; and alss hes tane away forth of the said Davids
hows in seyt and uyer guds, quhylk will be ane gret occasyon of mys-
rewll, gyf zour L. put nocht remed to syc opyn deids, as I dout nocht
bot zour L. wysdom will put justice fordwart as ze sail fynd ye lyke
on my part, as knawis God, quha haif zow in keping. At Cesfurd,
this Monweday, ye xviij day of yis instant. Be zowrs lefulle,
Walter Ker, of Cesfurd.
[Arms.]
To ye ryght honorabill my lord warden
qf the est and myddills marchis of
Ingland for (mentis Scotland.

644 letters during the war of

No. CLXXX.

Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir J. Croft to the Lords and others ofthe
Quene Majesties Privie Counsaile.
It may please your lordships to understonde, that sir W. Ingleby,
tresourer here, having ben long in Yorkeshire abouts the receipt of
money for the payment of the wages of the garrisons here, is now re
tourned hither ; and, as your lordships shall perceyve by his lettre and
declaration, sent herewith, hathe not so moche money now remayning
of his. saide receipt as woll pay that was due to the saide garrisons the
xxv of Julie last, by 2701. 15 s. vd. ; sithens whiche tyme the debt is
increased v monethes and more, amounting to xijm. ve. Ixvjl. vijs.
(12,5661. 7 s.) as shall appere also to your lordships by a like declara
cion, sent herewith by the saide tresourer. Wherefore, considering
that there is so moch due alredy, and nothing left in the treasorers
hands towards the payment therof, and also that the charges are lyke
to increase daylie, by reason that a greater nombre and crew of men
are now repayring hither, we thinke it our dueties to remember your
lordships, how mete and necessarye it is that the saide thesaurer be out
of hande furnished with a convenyent masse of money wherwith to
supplie the saide charges, specyally for that the saide nombfes of men,
which are coming hither, must, when they com, because there is not
suffyeient victuall here, be lodged abrode in the countrey, where they
can not have mete and drynke uppon credite, but must pay redy mo
ney, and therfore must nedes have present payment of their wages, or
ells they shall not be able to lyve here. Hereof we have thought it
our parts and dueties to advertise your good lordships, and also, that
there is uot victuall sufficient in- this towne to serve the nomber that
is here alredy for ij monethes. So that, oneles it may please your lord
ships to take order for the present furnyture and supplie both of mo-

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 645
ney and victuall to be sent hither, surelie the lacke thereof wolbe a
gret hinderaunce to the quenes majesties service here ; wherof, we
doubt not, your good lordships woll have such consideracion as apper
teyneth. The 19 of December, 1559-

[The Treasurer's Accompts.]
The summe to performe the xvmU '¦&<
(£15,000) dewe the xxvth of Julie
last, ys  - - - ijc lxxu xvs vc [=£270 15 6]
The debte dewe the said xxvtlLof Ju
lie untill the xj of Decembre, ys xifv'lxvj" vijs [=£12,566 7 0]

No. CLXXXI.
Mr Sadleir to Mr Sec. Cecill.. ,
Sir,
After my most hertie commendations. At the making up of this
paquet, arryved here the quenes majesties lettres and yours, addressed
to# sir James Croft and me, declaring her highnes pleasure how we
shoulde have proceded to thimpechment of the French, if they had
com to fortefie at Aymouth, as we were here advertised. By the which
I do perceyve, that your oppynyons there, and. ours here,, were not
disagreable ; for if thadvertisement we gave you had ben trew, I
thinke, if all men woide have ben. as forwarde here, as I suppose they
woide, we shoulde not have taryed your answer, if any advauntage
might have ben. taken which in dede must have ben at the begyn*
nyng ; for the longer it had ben forborn, , the more daungerous and
difficile it wplde have ben- to impeche them. I do* perceyve by your

646 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
saide lettres, that my lord of Norfolk and my lord Grey,* wolbe here
shortelye, which hath ben long bruted. • So that at the commyng of
my lord Grey, I trust I shalbe dispatched of my new office of this
warden rye ; whereof I am nothing sorie ; trusting you woll have som
consideracion there of my charges- for the tyme that I have, and shall
use the same ; wherof 1 have sondry tymes written to you, and yet
can receyve no answer from you. If I be greved with it, you can not
blame me ; assuring, that if I durst, I woide be angrie with you ; but
because it woll not availe me, I must be patient. And if ye meane to
kepe me still in this countrey, ye must have better consideration of
my charges, or ells I shall begger my self in this service ; for, I assure
you, my horsemete woll eate up the one half of myn enterteyriment ;
all things here be so unreasonably dere : wherefore, sir, I beseche you,
have me in remembraunce, for I complayne not without" cause. Also,
I perceyve by your saide lettres, that my saide lord Gray shall succede
therle of Northumberland in the est wardenrie here. Wherein I must
nedes say my poure opynyon to you, which is, that I thinke you shall
do him wrong, if he have not the name of both wardenries, so as he
have a sufficient depute for the myddle marches. Which, nevertheles
I referre to your better considerations there.
Fynally, sir. If ye mynde there to folow thes matiers here ayenst
the Frensh, with such effect, as now it semeth to me ye intende, where
in I woide to God ye had ben more forwarde in tyme. For God's sake
put to your helping hande, that money and victuall maybe sent hither
with spede, and trust not overmoche to "my lord treasourers faire words
in that behalf. The quenes majestie is in debt here at this tyme xij
m1. (12,0001.) and odde money, as you shall perceyve by such declara
tions as Mr Ingleby, treasourer here, doth sende herewith, who hath
not one peny left, as he sayeth, towards the payment thereof; where
of, I assure you, the souldeours here do moche complayn ; and if
* William lord Grey, of Wilton, an excellent soldier, who had made a gallant, but un
successful defence of Guisnes against the French. He was now appointed warden of the
middle and eastern marches.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 647
they lacke their wages, they woll serve with the worse will. I can not
but put you in remembraunce of thes things, which I doubt not you
woll consider accordingly. Thus our Lorde have you in his keping.
From Barwick, the xix,h of December, 1559, with the rude hande of
Your owne, most assuredly, R. Sadler.
Arms or crest, a demi-lion, or leopard rampant.
There is passid by here yesterday xj sayles in sight, which we thinke
here to be French.
Ib the right honorable sir William Cecill,
knight, principall secretarie to the quenes
majestie.

No. CLXXXII.
The Erie of Arrain and the Larde St James to Sir Rafe Sadleir
and Sir James Croft.
After hartie commendacions. This is to certefie you, that Robert
Malvile cam to us at St Androwes the xv,h of this present Decembre.
And howe soone we had seen his writings, and hard his credite, we sent
one with all possible diligence to my lord duke's grace and the rest of
the counsail ; whome we have all togither desiered to convene and
mete at Sterling the 21 of this instant. At whiche tyme we doubte
not to satisfie all suche things as the larde of Lethington requyers in
his articles, and therafter shall send the same with all possible expedi
cion unto him. The cause that moveth us most at this tyme to write
unto you, is the dailie incomyng of the Frenches, which putteth our
townes, on the coast side of Fyfe, in greate feare. We are also, by oft
advertisements, infourmed, that the Frenches are to take summe other
part of the countrey, and forte it. And that they looke shortelie for

648 letters during the war of
summe force to com to their supporte in the tayle of their victuallers.
Seyng, therfore, that the quenes majestie is myHded to relieve us of
this our present dangier, we thinke it best, that the shippes which
shulde kepe the Firth, and are in present readiness, be hasted unto us ;
whiche shall not onlie be, a feare to our enemyes, but also a greate
comforte to the poure tounes of the coast above mentioned. Further,
we will assure you, that none of the lords, which were before neutral,,
cometh nowe neare the quene douagier, but rather ar readie, (and so
will be founde, as we surelie suppose) to take parte with us, whenso
ever they shall see your supporte assisting us. The lords of counsail
resident at St Androwes, hathe been in Dundee, and there taken suche
order with the barons of Angus, Meyrnis, and Strathern, as were taken
by them in Cowper for Fife, wherof we were advertised before. We
have also directed lettres through oute the countrey by our authoritie,
which are dulie obeyed. And wheras variance was amongst soundrie
gentilmen, we have putt ordre therin, to their union and contente-
ment. We have, in lyke maner, arrested fyve shippes with wynes,
which rest at Dundee, to the. furnishing of the armye. And, in lyke
fnaner, we have sent to the northland for inbringyng of victualls, to
the furnishing of the shippes and other necessaries, by reason there is
plentie of victualls in those parts ; lyke as we have ells taken order
in Fyfe, for readiness of victualls to the shippes : and are presentlie ly
eng on these coasts foranents Lythe, to resist the invasion of the
Frenches, which, as we are infourmed, are to invade, as saide is. More
over, bicause Robert Malvile, or summe other that we are to send to
you, are to com by Carlisle, we desier you to write effectuouslie to the
lord Dacres, to cause them be aunswered of the posty and furthered in
all their affaires, as ye knowe the nede ofthe cause to requyer. Thus
farre we thought good to advertise you of our procedings at this pre
sent; and, referring all other things to our next writing, we commit
you to God. Of Kingorne, the 20 of this December, 1559.
• Your assured freends at power,
James Hamilton,
James Stewart.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 649
Since the writing of thies presents, we are surelie advertised by the
west counsail, that the quene douagier hathe dressed therle of Lenoux*
to com home in this; countrey, promising him bothe his owne lands,
and also therldom of Angus, f whereunto he hath agreed, as we are
credeblie infourmed ; and therfore prayeth you to take order therin,
that he be stopped of his ioumey.

No. CLXXXIII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to therle of Arrain and the
Lord James.
After our most hertie commendations unto your good lordships. We
have receyved your lettres by this berer ; being right glad to under
stonde by the same, that Alexander Whitlaw so well arryved with your
lordships with his last despeche from hens. And because we doubt
not but or this tyme your lordships- have, by Mr Mailvill from the
larde of Lethington, of .all things at good length, we shall not nede
to trouble your lordships with any long, lettre at this tyme ; but yet,
in the meane season, we have thought-good to let you knowe, that the
quenes majesties navies is presentlie on the sees, and wolbe in the Fryth
with as moche spede i as it shall please God to sende a good wynde,
there to do such feats as, by your good sadvises, shalbe thought conve
nyent ; and also to cut of such succours and power as shall com thither
out of Fraunce. And also, there is preparation made here for a good
nomber of men, at the least iiij or v m, (4 or 5000,) to be in a redynes
to enter by lande, and to com to your succours when soever you shal-

* Matthew, earl of Lennox, the father of Henry, lord Darnley. He had retired into
England, after leaving the faction of the queen-dowager in 1549. She probably meditated
recalling him, to set him in opposition to the duke of Hamilton.
f Which he claimed in right of his wife lady Margaret Douglas, only child of George
.«arl of Angus.
VOL. I. 4 N

659 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
be redy to com to the felde; so as, we trust, you shall lack no such
help to expell your enemyes out of Scotland, as you can or woll re
quire. Prayeng you to let us understonde your myndes from tyme to
tyme, touching thes procedings, as the case shall require. We sende
you herewith a lettre, which we have receyved from the courte, sent,
by all lykilehood, from som frend of yours out of France. The 21 of
December, 1559. No. CLXXXIV.
The Lords and others of the Quenes Majesties Privie Counsail^ to Sir
Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
After our verie hartie commendacions. Where Willyam Drury,
gent, having of late charge there, and now staied here for certaine dis
orders which requier furder examination, hathe declared unto us, that
a grete parte of his bande, lefte there under the conduct of his lieute
nant, is furnished with suche armour as himself hathe provided^; and
that the thresourer there is to be answered at the pay of his bande
certaine prestes which he hathe receved ; for that we are lothe he
shuld,. by his absence, suffer any detryment in these things : we have
thought good to requier, and pray you bothe, to, call his lieutenant be
fore you, and to give him in charge to see all suche armure, as that
band hathe, be well kept ; and that every of them be answerable at
all tymes for that he hathe receyved; and also to geve order to the
thresourer to defalke upon payment of them, suche emprests, and in
suche sorte, as the said Drury is charged withall. The particularites
whereof we pray you to give order to the thresourer to signify with
speade unto us. Whereof we pray you not to faile. And so fare you
hartely well. From Westminster, the xxjth of December, 1559.
Your loving frends,
Bacon, C.S. E. Rogers, W. Howard,
F. Clynton, W. Northt, W. Cecill.
To our loving frends sir Raphe Sadler and
sir James Croftes, knights. IS

the Scottish reformation, 1559-60. 651
No. CLXXXV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir, >
We have considered the quenes majesties lettres, and also yours of
the xvjth of this instant, which we receyved the xxjth of the same.
And having well understode her highnes pleasure and determynacion
to impeche the French procedings now at the begynnyng, which, as it
is depely and well considered there, so in our opynyons by long suf-
feraunce might be ouer daungerous and difficile to be don hereafter, we
have thought it our dueties, syns it is the quenes majesties pleasure,
that we shall be bold to say, our opynyons to that, is there determyned
to signifie unto you: First, that her highnes saide determynacion in our
opynyons is to be folowed with effect. And touching her majesties
navie now on the sees, as we perceyve the same being so furnished, as
we trust it is, that it may be able to cutt of such succours as shall com
out of France, must nedes be a grete furtheraunce, and the chief helpe
aud advancement of this service, for as farre as we can lerne, there is not
above m.m.m. (3000) Frenchmen in Scotland at this tyme, (which, if
there com no more ayde unto them, may the more easely be delt
withall.) There passed by here lately xj sailesas we advertised, which, as
we understonde, were all Scottish merchants, and no men of warre
amongst them. When her majesties sayde navie shall arryve in the
Fryth, as with Goddes grace the same shalbe well able to impeche the
entree of any more succours out of Fraunce, so we shall devise the best
we can uppon such other fesible enterprises as maybe attempted to the
defeate or annoyance of the French, wherein we thinke it not amisse
to use thadvise of the lords protestants in Scotland, to whom having
here at this time, as it chaunced a convenyent messenger, we have
presently written for that purpose. And when Mr Wynter shall ar-

652 letters during the war of
ry ve on this cost, we shall devise to conferre with him in that behalr,
so as God willing nothing shalbe omytted on our parts that may tende
to the furtherance of this service* so farre fourth as our poure witts can
arreche. Secondly, touching the nombers of iiij m. (4000) men appoynted to
repayre hither for this service, as we iudge the same most necessary, so
we thinke it good under correction, that one m. (1000) of the garrison
in this towne be added unto them, to make up v.m. (5000,) when they
shall enter into Scotland. And also we wishe that money and victuall
be provided for the sufficient furnyture of them, so as they (may such a
provision with them, both by lande and see, as they shall not nede to
trust overmoche to the Scottish victualling;: wherein, percase, they may
be decgyved. Caryages also must be provided as.welhfor thordenance,
whereof in our opynyons must be a larger proporciounsfor battrie, then
is mentioned in your lettres ; as, also for victualls, tents, and other ne
cessaries, for the better foray tureof them to contynew and abyde up
pon the siege of Legh. as the case shall require. .
Thirdely, Where, as we perceyve, that it is dctermyned there1 to have
m.m. (2000) horsemeu, whereof vj c. (600) to be launces and pistoletts
to ioyne with the saide iiij m. (4000) fotemen, as the charges of the
same wolbe gret, so we doubt how it shalbe possible to provide for the
feding of so many horses in Scotland at this tyme of the yere, which is
to be well considered, for when this powr. shall enter into Scotland, they
must thinke themselfs to be in theyr frends countrey where no spoile is
to be made, but must take that they cangette for their money whereby to
enterteyn the love of the people in such sorte, as they may perceyve
us to com for their good, and not for their evill; assuring you that we
see not, though percase they shalbe founde ofj right good will to fur-
uishe our men with things nedeful ; that yet they can be able to make
provision for so gret a nomber of horses, whereof we have thought to
remember you, referring the same to be considered there by such as
understonde the same better then we do.
Fynally, As we doubt not but ye have well considered, there of the

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559+60. 653
tyme, when it shalbe mete to sende this power into Scotland; so we
thinke the same must rest moche uppon the determynacioun ofthe lords
protestants for their arredynes to come to the felde, which, in our opi
nions, wolle be so resolved, othat their power and ours might mete at
Edinburgh as nere as may be at one instant, for that we thinke'1 they
shall not be- able tokepe any gretter power long togither; then such
such as they shall reteyn: in wages, anditherfore,. in our opinions, it is
best to ioyne with them, and to begynne the siege of Legh at their
first assemble at Edinburgh; when their hole power is togither ; and
because they be not able to themselfs of kepe any nomber of men long
togither, we see not but tbat the quenes majestie, besydes the charges
of her own armye, must also be at such; charge with them, as woll en-
terteyn at leest m.m.m. (3000) Scottish fotemen, and iij c. (300) horse
men for such tyme as shalbe thought necessarye, so that money wolbe
the principall stay and furtheraunce of this matier*; and yet, neverthe
les, order is to be taken with the saide protestants to bring as gret a
power to the felde as they can, besides at their owne charges,3in which
parte We doubt not, but afore the retourne of the lord of Lethington
from thens, ye woll'thoroughdie, resolve with him as the case shall re
quire. Post scripta. Where I sir James Croft have many tymes written to
knowe the quenes majesties 'pleasure, touching the augmentacioun of
the old egarrisons wages here, graunted upon considerations in the name
of a benevolence, whereof hitherto I have receyved no answer ; con
sidering that it is not mete to suffer such a bande to decay, specially
at this tyme, and that they can not lyve uppon their olde wages, be
ing but a grote a day, all things being so dere; as in dede they have
made ernest sute to be discharged, and to have, leave to sell their
horses, because they be not able to kepe them with the said wages:
we have therfor persumed to contynew the said augmentation for
this pay for advoyding of more inconvenyence, for otherwise the bande
in dede woide have decayed, which coulde not have ben renewed with
out a moch greater charge. ' Aud if it be intended there to contynew

<654 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
4he same, as in dede this towne can not be without such a bande of
horsemen, or rather a greater ; we see not but the saide benevolence
must contynew, andbe converted to the name of a certen stiperide, for
it is not a grote a day that can mayntene a horseman, as we doubt not
you can well consider. *
The seedule of the prises of the armour, mencyoned in the quenes
majesties saide lettres, is not sent unto us, which is to be remembred
in your next dispeche.
The brute is gret in Scotland of the comyng of an army thither out
of Englonde to ayde the lords of the congregacion, insomoche, as we
be advertised, that the quene dowagier hathe practised with the lord
Erskyn, having the charge of the castell of Edynburgh, to receyve her
into the castell, in. case there com a greater pour agenst her then she
can be^able to withstonde ; which, as we be credyblie infourmed, he
hath graunted unto her, so as she com in such sorte as he may be still
master of his charge. It is also tolde us, that she sayed, that or the
holy dayes ende, she shoulde have such succors out of Fraunce, as
shoulde make up the full nomber of vj m. (6000) French men. As other
things shall occurre, we shall advertise you accordingly. The 22 of
December, 1559.

No. CLXXXVI.
jlir Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadlier and Sir James Croft.
I trust my lord of Norfolk wilbe at Royston to morrow, and my
lord Grey will be long after hym. Our shippes be on the seas, God
spede them ! William Wynter is appoynted, as he commeth nigh to
lerne of you the state of the French navy within the Fryth. And it
* It was probably the deficiency of pay, which led the governor of Berwick into great
excesses of robbery and pillage, in which Norfolk complains, they were encouraged by sir
James Croft himself. Haynes, I. p. 320-1. „

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 655
is thought good, that ye shuld cause some small vessell to goo to hym
with your intelligence, before he come very nigh that towne, lest by
tarryeng long for your answer, he be occasioned to hynder his voyage.
The French ar much amased at this our sodden going to the seas, and
hover now ; so as the Marg. du Boeuff * being come to Callise, is re-
torned to Parriss in great hast. The whole costs of France prepare to
warre; and, therefore, it is full time that we see to our parts. We now
lack intelligence from you, and be utterly ignorant what they doo. in
Scotland. We be a frayed ofthe loss of Edinburgh castell. God gyve
yow both good night, for I am almost a slepe^ At Westminster, hora
12,a nocte 23 of December, 1559- Yours assuredly, W. Cecill.
Arms.
Ye had nede to gyve, order for lether to glove a hundred gantletts
which are sent thither.
To sir Raphe Sadler, and sir James Crofts,
knights.

No. CLXXXVII.
James Stewart ofCurdonald-\ to therle 0/"Lenoux.
My Lord,
Aftre my most hartlye commendams of servaunce, plesit your lord
ship to be remembens, the last tyme that your lordship's servaund, mas
ter Naskit, was in the. countrey, I advertised your lordshipp and my
* The Marquis d'Elbreuf had actually embarked for Scotland with a large force; but
the transports were scattered by a storm, and either wrecked on the coast of Holland, or
driven back to France.
f This gentleman's estate lay in Renfrewshire. Being a reformer, and probably a
kinsman of Lenox, he persuades him to return to Scotland, to join the lords of the congre»

656 LETTERS^DURINGTHE WAR OF
ladys grace your best remedye that I. could find, touching your lord
ships affayres in this country, of the qwylke I had no repons agein;
qwylke madebelefe, as it shew in deid that your lordship would not pro-
ceade na forther at that tyme. And nowe thoccasion presents, that
your lordship -may, with your honour, cum to your own, beside money
wther gret preydeis, ;that . your -lordship cannot mysgef, I thinkis,
to fall ; besides the grete revenge that ye might have of your inne-
myes, qwylk tyme presently now geif your lordships contaunts, ye sail
never cum to y t agayn, consydering the gret occation that offers of it
self.. And gief your lordship thinke expedyent, and willing to hauf
the matters dressed, let me knawe your lordships mynd, other in
wryte, or by some speciall servaund, qwhom your lordsliip geves cret
dence to, and I trust in Godd to bring the matter to sick pass, tha-
you-r lofdship salbe contented, therwith. Referrand the rest to your
lordship's. wysdom and dyseretion; for as to my part, I salbe evermore
redy to do your lordship the best servyce I cann, that your lordship
cann requyre of me. This after my mast humble cOmendationes to
my lady grace ; my lord Damelye, I pray Godd, have your lordship
and them bath in his keping. At Leyth this zuill day of the xxi*
day of December, 1559.
Your lordships' with his servys, James Stewart
OfCurdonald.
Endorsed : the copie of advertysements out of Scotland to my lord
of Lenoux. — January x°. 1559*

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 657

No. CLXXXVIII.
The Lorde Treasorer to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
I comend .me hartelie tc you.- Letting you -wete that I have re
ceved Mr Treasorers of Barwiks lettre, dated at Barwike, the xixth of
Decembre, 15.59, aud therein ij papers ; thone conteyning his receipt with
iijmcciiijxx xjlb viij5 iij4 {£ 339 1 : 8 : 3t) to be xviijm ccxlviij1" xvj5 xd (£ 1 8248 ^
16: 10.) which is particlerlie set forth, whereof Mr Abington hath
received at his hatnds, imiiijXIIxjlb xv' vd (=£1091 : 15 : 5.) and more paid
for fortifications, xvc (£ 1 500.) ; to merchants of Newcastell cclb (£ 200.)
to sir Henry Perry ccliiijIb (£ 254.) ; to the inhabitants of Carlile iiijclxxiij11'
xvj5 xd (d£473 : f 6 : 10.); sum ijmiiijcxxv.iijlb xvj5. xd. (<£2428 : 16 : 10.)
totalis ofthe paymentsiij^cxixlb.xix\ iijd. (,£3119 : 19: 3.); and so to
wards the paie xiijm. cccxxixlb. iiij5. vijd. (£ 14329 : 4 : 7.) which bie pay
ments were not knowne of, #and that maketh ignorance, which is not
well in such cases.
And in ; another bill appereth the Wages unpaid, from the xvth of
July, to the xij,h daie of Decembre, making v monethes, amounting
xijmvclxvjlb vij5(<£12566 : 7.) and towards that, Mr Abington saieth
there may be taken of the victualling money, over and above the saide
sume of iijm &c. (^3000. &c.) iiijm (^4000.) whereof I .have sent you
a particler bill, whereby, and by the captens bill the trewth will appere,
and that money I thinke good to be rebated also, for tiering of the-
payment for them, the rest will appere that may be the rather paid,
which I trust the qifene will have done with the advise of my lords.
And now cumeth to you a mass of treasour, which shall remayne
with you to serve all nedes, and shalbe encreased for the contynewance
of payments, wherein there shalbe much dilligence used, because it is
so nedefull. Arid the substance of provicion for you i& provided, and
vol. i. 4 o

658 letters during the war of
in shipping and making redy, wherein shalbe as much spede as may
be and sent unto you, of the arivall whereof I would be glad to here ;
for thereof would grow sum quieatness to all parts, and therefore there
is and shalbe done as much thereto as may be. Thus fare you hartelie
well. Written the xxvj"1 daie of decembre, 1559.
Your loving frinde,
: Winchester.
To our loving frends sir Haif Sadler, and sir
James Crofts, knights, the quenes great of
ficers and counsellours in Barwikei. Hast,
hast, post hast, to Barwike. — dd. thepos?,-
, the- xxvjtb day, before viij of the clock at
London. The letter were sent from Wal
tham by a joultar, the xxvij of Decembre,
and they lay at the same, untill Satardaye
the xxx daie ofthe same monePhe as I knew
ofthe same ; wytnes Alen Boston and John
Pqple.
' mcLxkxix.'
A Scedule of. Money owinge by the Captens under wryten for Victualls
delyvered from the xjth qf Decembre, 1558, untill the xijth of No
vember, 1559, ut sequitur, viz.
Capten Drury, from the xjth' of Decem
bre, untill the xxiJj? of Julve, vj'xlj11 xvijs v*
£641 17 5
Idem a.praedicto xxiij die July, usque
xij™ diem Novembris, - ccciiij** viij1

.£388 0 0

Capten Somersett, usque xxiij™1 Julij, vcva xix^iiij11
£505 19 4-
Idem usque, xij™ diem Novembris, cccxxx1' x" vij
£330 10 7

«n!xxjx xvij" v*
=£1029 17 5

yiij'xxxvj11 ix» xid ob.
£836 9 11

[Carry forward, £ 1866 7 4]

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60.

659

. [Brought forward, .£1866 7 4}

Mr Marshall, till the xxiij of Julye ccciiijx* xix1'1 xiijs ixd
. £399 13 9 .
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, ccxxiiij1'1 ij3 ld
£224 2 1

\'f xxiij11 XVs xd
£623 15 10

Capten Vaughan, usque xxx™ diem Ju
lij, --------- - iiijciiijxxvijli viijs ixd ob.
£48.7 8 9
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, ccxlij11 vjs ixd ob.
£242 6 9

Mr Inglebye, usque xxiii™ diem Julij, iiij^xv11 vijs vijd ob;
.£95 7 7
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, 1 lxxis ijd
: £3 1J 2 i

Capten Markham, usque xxiijum diem,
Julij, - cccxxvijK xiiijs iid
£'327 14 3
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, iiijxx vj11 xviijs. ijd
£86 18,2

Capten Sutton, usq. xxiij™ diem Julij, iiij^liij11 iijs viijd ob.
£453' 3 8
Idem usque xij™. diem Novembris, cviij11 vjs ixd
£108-6 9

Capten Carvel], xxiij0 die Julij,

cviij11 Xs viijd
£108 10 8

Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, - xxviij11" xiiij8 vijd
i£28 14 7

Capten Reade, usque xxiij™ diem Julij, ci'iij***11 xiij3 iiijd
» .£190 13 4d
Idem, usque xij^diem Novembris, clvij11 iis iiijd ob.
£157 2 4

vij'xxix11 xv1 vijd
£729 15 7

iiijxxxviij11 xviiij3 ixd ob;
.£98 18 9

iiijc xiiij11 ,xijs vd
£414- 12 -5- .''

vclxju xs vd ob.
£561 10 5 ¦

cxxxvij11 vs iijd
£137 5 3

cccxlvij11 xvs viiijd ob.
£347 15 8

[Carry forward, s£4780 1 3]

660 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

[Brought forward, j64780 1 3]
MrFlemynge, usque xxiij""1 diem Julij^clxix11 ix' vij4 ob.
• £169 9 7
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, cxvijil xij3 iij* ..<¦-.:
£117 12 3

Capten Pickman, usque xxiijum diem
Julij, - - - -: cclv11 xviij"1
£255 I 6
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, , xxxvi11 vj* j* pb.
£36 6 1

Capten Browne, &c. usque xxiij™ diem
Julij,  ljxu x* xj* ob.
£59 10 1 1
Idem usque xij™ diem Novembris, lxxvj1' xij* iij*
76-13 3- -

Sir Richard Lee, usque xxiij Julij, lxxvju ij' viij"1
£76 2 8
Mr Gowre, usque praedictum xxiij,II1,
Julij,  »ju ijs
£1.2-2 0
Capten Claveringe, usque xxiij™ Julij, iiij11 xij*
£4 10
Capten Laurence, usque xxiij™ Julij, iiij11 iiij*
£4 4 0
Capten Ryvelye, ut supra, - - vij' viij*
£0-7*
Capten Sturley, usque xij™ diem No
vembris, ... xxvij" vijd ob.
£2,7 0 7
Capten Wood, ut supra, - xix!; xv' iiij*
£19 15 4
Mr Benet, ut supra, - - h*}11 iiij* x^ ob.
£4 4 11

And there is also owinge for victualls,
delyvered to the laborers from the
jiijth of Marche untill the XXth- of
Auguste; the which is stayd in Mr

cciiijxxviju xxij* ob.
£287 1 10

cciiij^xj11 vij* vij* ob.
£291 7 7

cxxxvj11 iij* ij* ob.
£"1.36 3,2

cxlvij'? xviij* iij*
.£147 18 3

[Carry forward, £ 5642 12 1]

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 661
[Brought forward, £5642 12 1]

Thresourers hands upon the payment
of their wages, the some of - m. ixc Iij11 xiiij* vj*
£1952 14 6
And more there is owinge for victualls
to them, delyvered from the said
xxth of August untill the xijtb of No
vember, 1559, - ' cCxxxvij11 v* iiijd
£237 5 4

mme iiij™ ix11 xix' x*

£2189 19 10
And there is also owinge for victuells delyvered to the laborers
the last yere, the sume of- - - - ¦• cciiij^xvij1 Xviij1 iiij*
£297 18 4

Sum total. viijmcxxxli x* iiij*
£8130 10 3

There is owinge for victualls delyvered to the souldiours, from
the xjth of Decembre, 1558, untill the xxiijth of Julye, 1559,
the sume of - iijmvijciiijltxxju viij' iiij*
£3791 8 4
And for victualls delyvered to the laborers, from the iiijth of
Marche 1558, untill the xx* of August 1559, the which is
stayde in Mr Thresourers hands, - mIixcliju xiiij" vj*
£1952 14 6
And also, for victuells delyvered to the souldiours and laborers,
from the said xxiijth of Julye untill the said xijth of Novem
bre, with also tholde debte of the laborers abovesaid, the sume
of- - - - - - - mm'ccciiij** vju vij*. vj*
£2386 7 6

662 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

No: exc.
Knox to Sir James Croft.
 * Hostages are graunted with more glad will, then they were re-
quyered, and other things are so fultie aunswered, that, as I suppose,
the counsail above shall have iust occasion to be satisfied in all things,
whieh before ware doubfull. f« The commen brute is, that the Frenche
have in hand sume hastie and sume greate enterprise, and the rumor
lacketh not appearance, for they have shipped muche ordinance, and
are not verie sollicit to reenfort the ruptures and daylie decayes of
LythC. It is feared, that either tbey shall take Sterling or St An
drowes ; and, therfore, I was sent by the lords from Sterling in dili
gence tadvertise, that their earnest desier is, that your shippes with
possible expedicion shewe themselves uppon the coasts ; tyme was
never more fytt, for the most parte of the Frenche shippes, which last
departed from Fraunce with men, are driven by storme of wether, to
wards the northe. It is supposed that the marques del Beuf is in their
companye. If any shippes ware to awayte uppon their entrie in the
Frithe, they coulde not escape. If either Sterling or St Androwes be
taken by the Frenche, after they have possessed any of bothe few dayes,
it wooll be harde to remove them; God give you wisedom in all
things. There be nowe last arrived 900 men, J the rest, as they brute
of 15 enseignes, are looked for. further in all things you will be in
structed by the messenger, which last cam from above, who commeth,
as I beleve,. by the west border. Thus hartelie committing you to the
* The first part of this letter seems to be wanting.
f The caution of queen Elizabeth and her ministers, and their experience of the fluctu
ating councils of the Scottish nobles, led them to demand hostages before the march of
their auxiliary army into Scotland.
i These arrived with Monsieur de Mortigues, and were the only, part ofthe French ar^
mament under D' Elbeeuf that ever reached Scotland.
1£

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 663
protection of the eternall, I cease further to trouble you, from St An
drowes, the 26 of Decembre, 1 559-
Yours to commande in godlines, John Knox.

No. CXCI.
A Testymonyallfrom the Tmon of Edenburghfor the Dischardge of a Rc-
cognysaunce taken by the Erie of Northumberland of Lorde Kyth
•and David Strano, Scottsmen.
We, maister Jhone Prestoun, Williame Ker, Edward Lytill, and Har-
bart Maxwell, baillies of the burgh of Edinburgh, in the realme of Scot
land, to the rycht honourabill eril of Northumberland, or his deputis
in the realme of Inglande. Greting for samekill,_ as yis xxvj day
of Decembre, we, with the counsell of the said burgh beand convenit
in ye tolbuith of the samyn for decisioun, and setting fordwart of
certane commoun effaris, comperit befoir us George Hopper, merchand
of our burgh, and gaif in ane supplicatioun, makand mentioun, that he,
upoun the sevint day of September last bipast, constitute and ordanit
David Strang his lawful factoure and attorney in, and to ane salf con
duct granttit to his fattouris and atfcornayis, be ye quenis grace of
Ingland, for ye space of ane zeir nixt efter ye dait thairof, that is ye
nynte day -of Junii, and of hir magisteis regne ye first zeir, as ye said
lettres of factoure purportit. Be virtu ofthe quhilk conduct and letter ye
said David, deputit to ye realme of Inglande schortlie therafter. Quhair
in ye moneth of October last, wes or yairby he wes stayit by your L.
at ye leist zoure deputis unto ye tyme he fand cautioun, tinder ye
sowme of ane hundreth pund striuiling, yat he, or the said George, be-
twix ye said mt>neth of October and Candilmes next, thair efter suld
enter in the castell of Tynmouth m Ingland, and thair to bryng with
thame, ox ony of thamc, ane writing under sufficient record and seill,

664 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
that the said David wes constitute faithfull, trew factoure, and attor-
nay to ye said George. And thairfoir desyrand ws. tb grant to 'him
oure testimoniall under the seill of cause of the said burgh of Edin
burgh, testifyand the said Dawid Strang to be his faithfull trew fac
toure and attornay to ye said salt conduct, and sua constitute upoun
ye vij of September foirsaid, he preveand the same be swffitient pro-
batioun. Quhilk desyre we thought reasonabill, and yairfoir thoucht
gude to call befoir ws maister Alexander Sym, advocat, Jhone Sym,
Thomas Davidsbun, and Williame Patersoun, notar publict, witnesses,
contenit in the said letter of factourre, and being present at the make-
ing of the same. Quha be yair bodelie aithis, sworne upoun the haly
Ewangelistis, maid faith ye said Dawid Strang, to be ye trew and
faithfull factoure and attornay for ye said George, and swa wes con
stitute in yair presences, upoun the sevint of. September foirsaid.
Quhairfore we knawand the fedilite ofthe saides witnesses, and movit
be other probatioun led and taikyn in ye said mater, testifyis yis David
Strang, to be ye trew factoure and attornay for the saide George Hopper,
and sa wes constitute upoun the sevint of September foirsaid. Quhairunto
we exhorte zour L. to gif credence, lyke as we haif travelit in trying
of ye verite ; as ze wald,. we did tothe leigis of Ingland, quhen sic
causses occurrit. In witnes quairof, and that the samyn. wes done
befoir us, we haif unto yis our certincat, subscrivit with our clerk of
court, annexit ye seill. of cause ofthe said burgh of Edinburgh, at ye
same ye xxvij day of December, 1559 zeris.
Ita est Willelmus Stewart notarius publicus ac scriba curie Edinburgen.,
teste meis signo et subscripcione manualibus.
To the rycht honourabill eril of Northumberland,
or his deputis in Ingland.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 665
No. CXCIL
Thomas Randall Yo Sir Rafe Sadleir.
My duetie as appertaynethe unto your honours consydered. Maye
yt please your honours tunderstande, that the xxv of this present, I ar
rived at Glascowa. My mysfortunes have byne so greate in the yor-
aaye, that I am utterly destitute of anie maner of aide of one of my
armes, by reason of a great fluxe of humours that is dessended into the
same, and am also greved with a burnynge fever to releeve me of
my other sorrows. notwithstanding, I trust, shall mayke me bet
ter hable then presently I am ; or yf God in this service will cawle me
to hys mercie, I desyer no better ende. I fynde the lords of the con-o
gregation verie wyllinge to satysfie the quenes majesties requestes. All
dimaundes made unto them be me, are graunted unto, vj of the hos-
tagees shalbe with you, such as yt pleasethe the quene to chuse of xij,
immediately upon the retourne of Robert Melven, that is nowe in hys
yahaaye towards the court, and berrer of these lettres. He escaped so
hardlye the last tyme he came from you, that yt was not thought good
he sholde adventure that waye agaync The newes here are, that the
Frenche mayke towards Sterlinge abowt xxvc (2500,) ether to posses
the castle, or to get farther into Fyf. As I was wrytinge herof adver-
tysement was geven to the duke, that thie had cheynged purpose, and
intended to kepe their Chrystmas at Glascow. My power advice is, that
thie be provided for, accordingeto their soddayne warnynge. When
yt shall please God to sende me better healthe, I shalbe better hable
to do your honours service. For this tyme most humbly I tayke my
leave from Glascow the xxvij"1 of Decembre, 1559.
Your honours to commande,
Tho. Randolph.
To the right honorable sir Raf Sadler, knyght,
at Barwicke, with all diligence. Hast, hast,
post hast.
VOL. I. 4 P

666

LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

No. CXCIII.

Therle qf Arrain and the Lord James to Sir Rafe Sadler and
Sir James Croft."
Trustie freends after our most hartie commendacions. We received
your writing the 26 of this 'instant, dated at Barwick the 21 'of the
same. As touching Robert Melwin and his desiCrs, bicause the tyme
was shorte, or ever the counsail assembled, we wrayte our opinion
what dress shulde be founde thereof with the counsail, and prays to
God, we are nothing deceived therin : for it hathe taken effect, even
as we wrote our opinion at that tyme, albeit, the storme of wether hes
stopped the same as we beleve. At our departing from Sterling, beyng
convenit on soddanlie, onlie for the depeche of Robert Melwin. The
Franchis liftit their hole poy?er and assistance, and com to Sterling, *
as we suppone, to cutt the brigg, and therby to stopp our meting ; but
your shippes being once in the Fr-ithe, it shall be littell advantage -unto
them. God willing, it is meynit they«hulde propose, langis this cost side
of Fyrff for stopp wheroff we are presentlie lying here, and hopes in
God to cutt their waye. It woolde be a singler comfort unto the coun
trey, and furtherance to our affaires, to have the shippes in the Frithe,
and, therfore, most earnestlie -desieris the hast of the same. We shall
doo guid will, that they shall want no furniture of viveris. We have
sent to you the double ofthe commission of the counsail, as to our
most trustie freends, in consideracion of the favor ye beie, and further
ance ye make into the cause, and to serve all eventuris, desyris, that af
ter the inspection of the same, ye dispeche it to Lethington ; for Ro-
4*
* The sudden march of the French, was probably intended to surprise the reformed
lords, while on their consultation at Stirling. Finding the scheme failed, they f allowed
them into Fife.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION', 1559"60. 657'
bert -Melwin is departed with the principall alreadie, streight to the
courte. We are assured,^ that Randall is com safe to the west, and
presentlie with -my lord duke in Glasco, referring all other things to
further advertisement, we bid you most hartelie fare well. At Kingorn,
the 2 « of December, 1559. By your assured good freends, James Hamylton,
James Stewart,

No.CXCIV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Secretarie Cecill,-
Sir,
After our most hertie commendacions. You shall understonde that
the lord of Ormeston hath sent us worde by a servant of his, that the
quene douagier of Scotland and the Freneh having gotten intelli
gence, that the quenes majestie hathe refused to ayde the protestants,
oneles they woll dely Ver the hostages for the performance of such con-
dycons and covenants as her highnes requireth at their hands, do in
tende so to empeche and disturbe the saide protestants, as they shall
have no leysour to-devise how to satisfie the quenes majesties expecta-
cion in that behalf. And for that purpose, the saide douagier hathe
sent xviijc (1800) French and Scottish ioyned togither, which are de
parted out of Edinburgh towards Sterling, of the- which nomber therle
Bothwell hath taken uppon to be chiefeteyn and leder. And in their
way they intende, as Ormeston hath sent us worde, to take the spoyle
of the dukes house, called Kylagh,* which is besydes Lathquo, and from
thens to march on to Sterling as is supposed. The protestants, on the
other syde, as we here, do make such preparacion as they can to resiste
* Kinneil, a castle belonging to the duke of Chatelberault, near Linlithgow.

668 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
their malyce. If the quenes majesties shippes were now on this cost,
it woide moche alter the determinacons of the Frenche, and cause
them to retyre in hast to Legh, or ells our saide shippes might have a
goodly oportunyte to do some feate in the Frith to theyr annoyance,
and also be a grete comforte to the protestants. What shall folowe
hereof, we woll advertise as shall come to our knowlege.
Dyvers of the gentilmen appoynted to com hither with men ar ar
ryved here, as sir Fraunces Leke, sir Jervais ClystOn, Mr Fayrfax, and
George Dakyns; and to morrow we here that sir Thomas Gerarde
woll com, and the rest also wolbe here out of hande. Beseching you,
sir, to remember, that the thesaurer here is unfurnished of money, and
that there isowing here alredy above xijm." (£ 12000) as we have ad
vertised. And now these new bands which we ar constreyned to ley
abrode in the countrey for lack of victualls in this towne, wooll loke
for wages, for that ells they shall not be able to pay for their mete and
drynke, nor yet the countrey able to furnish them therwith without
present payment. Eftesones prayeng you to consider -it according
ly e. The 28 of Decembre, 1559.

[No. CXCV.'
Mr Sec- Cecill tp Sir R. Sadleir.
After my very harty commendations.. Before these lettres shall
come to your hands, I trust my lord of Norfolk will be in those partes,
who, I thynk, will send for you, sir Raff Sadler; his commission is ac
cording to the former authorite ofthe lieutenants, and suerly, I thynk,
his grace well as discretjy, as honorably, as paynefully execute the
same as any that hath gone before him, Wherof I dowt not but ye
shall fynd uppon conference with hym assured lyke hoode. One no
table quallitee he hath, wherin is great commendation. He will doo no-
thyng almost of any moment in his private causees, but uppon advise,

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 669
which property shalbe most convenit for this charge. At this time,
here is some contrarietie in opinion amongest counsellors : of all the
perrill is sene that will come by the French greatnes in Scotland ; but
the remedy thereof is not accorded uppon by all ; some lyke a speedy
and an effectuall empechment, wherof the greatest parte of the coun
sellors doo allowe. Some others, very few, wold have us more reddy
with other thyngs, and to differ hostilite ; and so forthe with lyke dy-
versities. Nevertheles it is agreed to make all thyngs in a reddynes,
both by sea and land. The marquis du Boeuff was not yesterday in
the morning departed* from Callise ; he hath certen tresur there with
hym, and certen shippes, but not of any grete strength ; and therfore
what he will doo now, knowing of the departure of our shippes thyther
ward, I know not. The pacquett her included, cometh from the lord
of Ledington. And so I take my leave. From the court the 30 of
Decembre, 1559. Your assured frend, W. Cecill.
[Arms.]
To the right worshipfull sir Raphe Sadler and
sir James Crofts, knights.

cxcvi.
The Quenes Majestie ta Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Elizabeth R.
Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And doo assure you of
our good contentacion, and allowance of your service all this tyme paste
in that northe parte of our realme; where we fynde your knowledoe
and experience so good, as having now sent thither our cousin, the.
duke of Norfolk, to be our lieutenant, we have specially recommend*-
ed you unto him, as one whose advice we have moved him to follows
in our service. And so we earnestly require you, that ye will at his re-

670 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
payre into those parties resorte unto him, and gyve him for our affaires.
from tyme, suche counsayle as ye shall see mete: wherin, (as ye will.
knowe,) ye shall do us acceptable service, and furder our sayde cousin
in that which he most desyreth, to the honour of us and our realme ;
who of himself also, hathe made earnest request to have you to remaine^
there with him ; and for your entretaynement for your chargeable ser
vice for these two wardenries since the departure of the erle of Nor
thumberland, we have also gyven ordre to our saide cousin, that \e
shall be for the same, as meete is, consydered. Yeven under our signet,
at our pallaee of Westminster, the last daye of Decembre, the second
yeere of our raigne.
To our trusty and wellbeloved sir Raphe
Sadler, knight..

No. CXCVII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Mr Sec. Cecill.
We have presently receyved lettres from therle of Arrayn and the
lord James, commendatour of St Andrewes, addressed to us, with a let
tre from Knox, and also such other lettres as be addressed to you, and
the larde of Lethington, which we sende you herewith. And as we wrote
to vou in our last lettres of the 28 of this instant, that the French
were gon from' Legh and Edinburgh towards Sterling, so we here by
commen brute, and not of any certentie, that they be now arryved at
Sterling ; and in lyke sorte, we here that the protestants be assemblid
with all the power they can make to resiste them ; but we can not ad
vertise of these things any certentie, more then that, indede, the French
are gone past Lithquo towards Sterling, to what intent me know not.
And asive here they have not left past ij or iij enseignes at Legh. We
have don what we can to lerne some certentie of these matiers, and as
we shall here, so we woll advertise with diligence. In the meane sea

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 671
son, we have wrytten to the saide erle of Arrayn, and the lord James ;
and for their better comfort, have advertised them, that our shippes
have ben on the seas thes x or xij dayes, and wolbe in the Fryth as
sone as wynde and wether woll serve. And also that the Marques
Dalboeuf is yet in France. The last of December, 1559.

No. CXC VII I.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to therle qf Arrain and the
Lord J ames.
. We have receyved your lordships lettres addressed to us, and also
your others, addressed to sir W. Cecill, and the lord of Lethington,
which we have fourth with depCched to the courte. Our shippes have
been on the seas theis x or xij dayes, and assone as wynde and wether
woll serve, woll arryve in the Frith. The marques dal Boeuf is yet in
Fraunce, who being at Calais redy to take the seas, hering of the so-
dayn setting fourth of our shippes to the see, retourned to Parys, and,
as we.thynke, woll make no haste towards Scotland, oneles he see that
he may passe in safetie. We here that the Frensh have lefte Edin
burgh and Legh, and ar departed towards you tb Sterling; for what
purpose we know not. Trusting that you woll so provyde for them,
as they, shall have ill successe in their iourney; whereof we woide be
glad to here from you. And as touching that which ye wryte of therle
of Lenoux, ye shall not nede to feare it, for we shall kepe him well
ynough out of Scotland. Also the duke of Norfolk, and my lord
Graye, be on the waye hitherwards, and will be here- within this v or
vj days* with a good power to take your parte. The last of Decem
ber, 1559-

672 letters during the war of

No. CXCIX.
, The Douagier of Scotland to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir
James Croft.
Efter oure hertlie commendatioris. Wewrait laitlie to our derest sis
ter and allye, the quene zour soverane, in favours of certane merchands
of Edinburgh, quha uponn the xxix of October last, wes reft and spul
zeit of thair schip and guidis, be ane Thomas Clavering and utheris,
inhabitantis of the townis of Schiremyrstonn, Thesyk, and Gosyk, of
the quhilk we traist ze have hard of befoir, or at the leist, the beraris
will inform you. Quhairupponn we have resavit hir answer, declarant!
that hir grace hes gevin in chardge to the lord admarall of that realme,
to tak sic directioun as to the caus of reason and equite dois belang,
Nottheles we have sensyne understand, that the said admarall hes ap-
poyntit zow as commissionaris for him, to try the mater, and do ius-
tice thairin ; quhilk hes movit ws to write this present unto zou, in fa
vouris of the saidis merchandis, praying you effectuislie, that for in-
creissing of peax and amytie betwix thir realms : ze will caus resti-
tutioun be maid to the beraris of the guidis spulzeit by the said Thomas
ClaVering and his complices, furth of the said schip, conforme to the
treateis of peax, and according to the mynd of our said deirest sister.
As ze will do us veiray acceptable pleasure in that behalf. Thus we
commit zou to the protection of Almichtie God. At Edinburgh the
last day of December, 1559. La bien vostre,
Marie R.
[Arms of Scotland, and probably ofthe
Cruise family.]
To schir Rauf Sadlair and schir James
Croftes, knychtis. 7

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 673
No. CC.'-
The Douagier of Scotland' to Sir Rafe Sadleir.

Efter our hertlie commendationis. This is to advertiss you, that in
the schip namyt, the boneaventure intromettit with, be Thomas Cla-
vering and his complices, oure weilbClovit William Ker, elder burges
of Edinburgh, berair hereof, had. divers coistlie waires, extending to
ane gude sowme of money. And for recovery thairof, he hoiping to
have gretar favour at zour hand, for, oure request, hes desyrit oure lejr
tres of commendatioun unto zou, quhilk we wald nocht refuiss, knaw-
ing him to be trew subiect, of this realme, that laubouris tfnekle to wyn
his leving be his , honest industrie. Praying zou to furthre him to his
awin guidis safer, as ze may of equite and reason, the rather for oure
saik ; and in doyng thairof, ze will obliss ws to gratefy you with the
like pleasure accordinglie. Thus fair ze weale...; At Edinburgh, the
last day of December, 1559. La bien vostre,
Marie R.

Arms of Scotland, and probably ofthe.
Guise family.

To schir Rauf Sadliar, wardane qf the eist
and middle mercheis of England, foranent
Scotland.
vol. i. 4 Q

674 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

-No. CCI.
The copie of 'Thomas Barnabies Lettre to aS^Rafe Sadleir and
Sir James Croft.
Right Honorable, &c. ' .einr-:.^: . t.. , .'.Pr.to.vyU ~
Since my arri vail here; untill this .present; my greyes, have been
suche, that I have founde myselfe unhahle to any maner of good ser
vice, by reason wherof you have been the slaeklieii, advertised; of the
procedings here. It maye please you to knowe, that the 24 of this
moneth, there departed oute of Lythe towards Sterling, 13 inseignes
of French. Whither1 they interided to take the lords of the congrega
cion there, or by sume other meanes to pbssesse the castell/ and fortefie
the towne; or otherwise to go into Fife, to spoyle the countrey, and
possesse suche victualls, as the lords had in store, and so pas over the
water agayne to Lythe, it is uncertain, neither can it be knowen,
either by any espiall the lords have, 'or of liny prisoners that have
been taken scatering by the waye, betwixt Lithco and Sterling ; sume
suspect that their purpose is, to com to Glasco, where presentlie the
dukes grace is, and provision according made for them, with diligent
watche, and espiall where they becom, and what they doo. Monsieur
Doseil, was himselfe uppon the waye as farre as Lithco, and sodenlie
sent for backe again to Edinburgh, the certain cause therof is not yet
knowen. Sume thinke it be uppon the arrival of .mo Frenchmen at
Lythe; sume take it to be uppon the sight of the Englishe shippes in
the Frithe ; other take it to be for the littell hope he hathe to take the
castell of Sterling, for the lorde Erskin hathe saide, that whensoever
the French give any attempte to the Castell of Sterling, he will sute
(shoot) at the quene in Holie roode howse. . What I shall write to you
for certaintie herin, I knowe not, more then that there are presentlie
in Sterling v enseignes, of the whiche, Charlebois hathe the charge, in
n

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 675
Lythco viij, and the test to the nombre of Siiijm (4000) in Lythe and
Edenbrough, except there be any greater nombre arrived within v dayes.
The erle of Arrain, andthelord'James, remayne at Dumfermeling, Burnt
island, and place's there aboute in Fyfe, to holde the Couiltrey in readines,
that if the French arrive there, they triaye withstand them with all force
they are able to make. The 'lords here, uppon suche advertisement
as they have received from England, determen to put themselfes in a rea
dines, with all the force that they are able, against the xth of Januarie,
intending to mete with the force of England, uppon viij dayes warn
ing from you, at Colbornes pathe, * ar any other place that shalbe
thought by you more convenient. Touching the cannons and other ar-
tillerie, they thinke it best,; that they were landed at Aberladie, which
is muche nearer unto the place where the use of them shall be, then to
be drawen from Barwicke, to the place where they shall stande in
neade of thefn. Notwithstonding, they doo not mistrust either lacke
of catall or victualls, or ariy thing ells, that shalbe necessarie to the *
furniture therof, or for the' provisioun of the armye, when they arrive.
Touching the hostages, wherin the greatest doubte was made, there
are '12 graunted, of the whiche 6 are to be chosen for this present,
arid to be brought to Barwick, before the Englisshe men entre, and vj to
be sent by exchange herafter. Their provisioun here, is made for 30
dayes, which beirig* Cxspired, the lords intend to remayne with their
owne freends and serVaurits, 1000 footemen, and 200 intertairied soul
diars, £s long as the Englishe campe remayneth in these parts. Touch
ing the inhibitors ofthe borders, as theHewmes, Ferniherst, SCsford, and
suche, your wisedom knoweth what is best to be doon ; and this berer
is sent from the dukes grace, of purpose to knowe your advises, and
so to travail with them accordingly. Touching the lord Maxwell
he can best reaporte, in what readines he is, and how well he favoreth
this cause ; I am also myselfe able to testefie the same. He conveied
me halfe the waye from his howse to this towne, and this bearer, a
kynnesman ofthe dukes the rest; unto whose reaporte of those thino-s
* Eight miles from Berwick, on the main road to Edinburgh.

666 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF ,
that are present, maye it please your honours,to give credit. His de
sier is, to have your fayous to buye sume handsom gelding to doo
service upon at this tyme, wherin also I woolde be a suter to your ho
nors, to crave your lefujl favors. Thust mpjSt humblie I take my leave.
Writen at Glasco, the last of December, 1559. ¦ <<¦,;.
,'. Your honors alwayes to commaunde, Tho. Barnabye.

- No. CCU, ,. . ; , . .
Therle qf Arrain and the Lord James to -Sir Rafe Sadleir and
Sir James Croft.
We are surelie informed from the lorde Hume, * desiers to be requyer-
ed aswell of us as you to ioyne Irim selfe to us, promising to doo the
same; we desier you, therfore, that as we have alreadie, so you woolde
desier him to the same by your earnest writing. The Franches are yet
presentlie in Sterling, so that there is neither suretie qor leisure of
preparations, so long as your shippes are not arrived, which woolde put
rest to all. Therfore, above all desiers, their dispeche towards us, and
so fare you well in the Lorde Jesus. At St Androwes, the 4 of this
instant, (January,) in hast yours assured in God. Therle of Arrain,
Lorde James.
* Probably Alexander, fifth Lord Home.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-^0. 677

No. CCIII.
Sir Rafe Sadlier and sir JaMes Croft, to the Douagier of
Scotland.
Please it your grace to understand, that we have receyved your
graces severall lettres to us, addressed in the favour of William Ker,
and other mefchaunts of Edinburgh,1 which of late had their ship and
goods lost and perished on this cost, by reason of tempest and violence
of wether, wherein, if it lay in our power, we woide satisfie and ac
complish your graces pleasure and request with all good will and dili
gence. But foreasmuch as the onelie helpe of that matier restith in
thands of the lorde admirall of Englande, * with whose office we can
not intermytte, therfore it behoveth that one of the saide merchaunts;
or som sufficient man for them,* do repayre to the saide lorde admyrall
to make parsute for redresse and restitucion of their saide goods, by the
order and course of the lawes of this realme, wherein for our parts we
shalbe glad to further them to the best of .our powers, to have such
good expedicion as the equite and iustice of their cause shall require.
And so not onelie in this, but in all other things wherein we may do
your grace any service or pleasure, we rest humblie at your graces com
mandement, as knoweth Almightie God, whom we most humblie be
seche, to restore your grace to perfite helth, and to preserve the same
in long lif to his divine will and pleasure. The 6 of January, 1559.
* Lord Clinton.

678 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF ¦
No. CCIV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to. Mr Sec. Cecill.
Yesternight we receyved lettres from therle of Arrayn, and the lord
James, commendatour of St Andrewes, with also a doulbe of certen
articles addressed to Lethington, which as it semeth to us, ar alredy sent
unto you by Robert Mailville, who passed by Carlisle, and thes were
sent this way by see, because they woide be sure that one of them
shoulde com safely to you. The messenger that brought the saide let
tres hither, hathe ben, as he sayeth, thes viij dayes on the see, and
could not arryve on land till yesternight, which he toke at Holy Is
lande with much difficulte and -daunger. . And also at the same tyme,
we receyved other lettres from Randall, which were brought unto us
by the west parts of Scotland from Glasco,; by a gentilman called Ha
mylton, aikynnesman of the dukes being sent by the saide duke, to
practise with the gentilmen of the Marshe and Tevidale to wyn and
allure them to his partie, wherein he is in hope, as he sayeth, : to have
good successe, specially forthe gentilmen of Tevidale, which, for the
most part, ar the duks frends, as he sayeth.
We sende you herewith all the saide lettres and articles, with also a
lettre sent from Knox to Mr Rayleton of a fresher date than the
others; by the which, as we can gather Ho certentie ofthe French de-
termynacons, so nevertheles, we suppose, that they having intelligence
of the daylie repayre hither of men of warre,- of the comyng of the
duks grace of Norfolk, who is now at Newcastell, and also of the lord
Grey and others ; and therefore fearing our invasion and entrie into
Scotland to ioyne with the protestants, have determyned to abandon
Legh, which they knowe is not tenable, and so adventure, either to
seke bataile with the protestants, whose power they know is not grete,
and so distresse them if they can, orells to plante themselffs at Sterling

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 679'
or St Andrewes, where they may be further of from the daungyer of
thiHglish power, whereby if they be able to contynew and abyde where
they now are, or to take St Andrewes and fortifie it, maugre the protes
tants, must neds, in our opynyons, folowe a grete alteracion of your
purposes to sende any power by lande, for in that case, we thinke that
such ayde as ye shall thinke mete there to- be given to the protestants
must beds be by the see, which we referre to your better considera
tions, ' " • ®
We here nothing as yet of Mr Wynter, ne of the quenes majesties
shippes, which if they were now in the Frith, woide be some terrour to
the enemye, and a gret comfort to our friends. And if they be so
well manned, that they may be able when they com into the Frith,
to set som convenyent nombre on lande to ioyne with the protes
tants, to annoy the French as the case shall require, in our opynyons,
they shoulde so be able to do great service. And if it shall be thought
expedyent to you there, iiij or vc (4 or 500) harkebusiers of this garri
son here may be. put into the quenes majesties shippes for that purpose ;
wherein it may please you to advertise her highnes pleasure.
We understande that iijc (300) French men air newly arryved at
Legh, and it is bruted there, that the marquis du Boeuff is on the sees,
and wolbe there very shortelye. God sende our shippes to meet with
him, for if he maye be impeched, it wool be a greate furtherarice and
advauncement of this service.
We woide also be glad to knowe the quenes majesties pleasure, in
case the protestants shall call uppon us for any further ayde of money,
whether we shall satisfie their request, or what answer we shall make
unto them in that behalf, Whereof we pray you to advertise us iu yorir
next dispech letter.
The duke of Norfolk hath sent for me, sir Rauf Sadler, to repayre to
him at Newcastell ; and therfore I intende to go thitherwards to mor
row, God willing, who have you in his keping. The vjth of Januarie,
1559.

680 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
No. CCV.
Knox's Letter to Mr Railton.
Your lettres long looked for receaved I in Edinburgh this 23d of
October. It is most assured that such a jewel (the great seal) as your
other writings due spetifie, is laitle cumed to our realme, but it is keapt
mervalus seCreat, and the rather becaus these cold blastes of winter be
able to cause the beauty of suche Maij flouere faid. Thus much, my
eis saw and my handes touched. A trym staff for the. quen then; re
gent, sent from the persons whom befor ye did specifye, in which war
all things which ye express gorguislie ingraived on silver and dowble
gilt. This staff was send in the moneht of Maij, in the sam .schip in
which I cam to Scotland, and was schawen unto me in great secreacye.
The nomber and names of my neady brethren I did signifye to such
as be in your cumpany, and unto the man above. [Secretary Cecil, I
suppose.] The nomber is now augmented, and thare pove,rtie; also in
such sorte, that yf relief be not provided spedely, I fear that mo then
I murn when We may not so weall amend it. What wold suffice every
in particular, I cannot weall assure you ; but such I know thare neces
sitie to be, that som that daly fed forty and -mo in houshold, is not
now able to fead tuo. God comfort thame, for thare battall.is strong.
The alteration that be hear is this : the quen regent, with publick con
sent of the lords and barrons assembled, is deprived of all authoritie
and regiment amongs us. She, *her Frenchmen and assistans ar by
open proclamation declared and denunced ennemies and traiters to this
common- wealht, for that being thrisce required and charged to desist
from fortification Leyth, sche and thei do obstinatlie procead in thare
wicked?en.terprise. This was don this Monnday before noun. Thare
shalbe appointed to occupye the authoritie a great counsail ; the pre-
sedent and cheaf head wharof shalbe my lord Duck. The authoritie
10

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 681
ofthe Frenche king and quen is yet receaved, and wilbe in wourd till
thei deny our most just requeastes, which ye shall, God willing,
schortlie herafter onderstand, together with our hole proceading from
the begyneing of this matter, which we ar to sett furth in maner of
historie. The battell is begun scharpe yneuht, God geve the issew to
his glory and our eonfort. Sche hath yit small advantaig ; for the
death of tu of our soldiours, and for the hurting of thre gentilmen,
sche hath lost two capitains, and hath sor wounded many of her cheaf
soldiours, to the nomber of twenty upon one day. Thei brag, and the
quen especially, that ye will leave us in the myddest of this trouble ;
and this sche hath of her last post which cam by you. My battell to
this day hath bien verrey bitter, but yf ye fru'strat my expectation, and
the promisses that I have made in your name, I regard not How few
my dolorus days shalbe. What God hath wrought by me in this mater,
I will not now recyte : but this I may say, that such offerrs ar refused,
that mo do judge us fooles than do praisce our constancye. We ar I
determyned to assay the utermost; but first we must have 3000 mo
soldiours. For yf we assault and be repulsed, then shall our interprisce
be in greart hasard : and our commons ar not able to abyd togetther.
Geve advertisment therfor to such as favour us, that without delay our
support be send asweal by money as by men. Yf your eis be single,
ye may not lett to succour our present necessitie, whatsoever daunger
appear tharof to ensew. I must farther requyr you to be a suyttar to
all such as ye know to be unfeaned favorars, and espetiallie to our bre
thren of London, to have a respect to our necessitie. The Frenche
schippes keap the waiters heir, which is to us a great noyance,- and un
to thame a great releaf. • Provision wold be had by tymes, which we
cannot watch, be reasson that all our schippes ar absent, and, as we
fear, stayed, so many as be in Fraunce. Watch the advertisment as
ye think good, for I cannot write to any, especiall for lack of oppor-
tunitie ; for in twenty four hours I have not four free to natural rest,
and easce of this wicked, carcass. Remember my last request for my
mother, and say to Mr George, That I have nead of a good and an as-i
VOL. I. 4 R

682 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
sured horse, for great watch is laid for my apprehension, and large
money promissed till any that shall kyll me ; and yet wold I hasard to
cum unto you, yf I war assured that I myght be permitted to open my
mouth to call agene to Christ Jesus those unthankefull children, who
allate have appeared uterlie to have forgotten his loving mercies which
-somtymes I- supposed thei had embrased. And this part of my care
now poured in your bosom, I cease farther to truble you, being trubled
myself in body and in spirit for the trubles that be present and appear
to grow. God geve end to his glory and to our comfort. This 23d
of October 1559, at mydnicht.
Many things I have to writ, which now tym suffereth not ; but af
ter, yf ye mak haste with this messinger, ye shall, undirstand more
R ryt I write with sleaping eis.
Advertiss me y f all things cum to your hands "closs.

No. CCVI.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft toTno. Randall.
Your lettres dated at Glasco, the last of December, we receyved the
Vth of this instant ; and as we understond by the same amongst other
things, that the French ar -arryved at Sterling ; so we suppose, that
the brute of our invasion hathe caused to habandbn Legh, and to seke
som other place to plant them selfs in, where they maybe further out
of our daungier, wherfore it shalbe good for the lords of Scotland to
loke to betymes ; and we thinke, that , forasmoche as they may be
stronger in the felde of horsemen, then the French can be, they may
therfore easely cut of tljeir victualls from them in such sorte, as they
shall not be able to abyde at Sterling or therabqnts, but be enforced to
retire agayn to Legh for lacke of victuallj not douhting but the saidelords
woll attempt all such good waies and meanes as they cann to impeche
and anoye their enemyes of their good successe, wherein we woide be
glad to here. Our shippes be not yet arryved on this cost, whereof

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-6&; 683
we marvaile, for they have ben on the sees thes xiiij or xv dayes, and
howerly we herken for -their arryval in the Fryth, wherin we- be sure
all thexpedicion wolbe used, that shall please God to suffere, in whose
hands onely it is to sende good wynde and wether for that purpose.
The duke of Norfolk is arryved at Newcastell, and the lord Graye
wolbe here shortely. And as we understonde the marques du Boeuf
was at Calais, the xxix of December, and was in doubt to take the
sees, because he understode that our shippes were departed hitherwards,
trusting that if he folow, he wolbe defeated of his purpose. And so
praying you to be diligent in advertisements, as you may from tyme
to tyme, we bid you well to fare, &c. The 7th of Januarie, 1559.

• No. CCVII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to therle qf Arrain and
the Lorde James.
After our most hertie commendations unto your good lordships. We
receyved your lettres the vth of this instant, dated at Kingorn, the
xxviij of Decembre, with also the commission and instructions direc
ted to the lord of Lethington, which we have depeched unto him to
the *courte with all diligence; and also we understonde for certeyn,
that Mr Robert Maileville arryved in safetie at Carlisle the last of De
cembre, and as we suppose, is at the courte or this1 tyme. We be right
sorie to understonde, that the French do so molest and impeche your
lordships by their sodayn arryvall at Sterling. Trusting that God of
his goodnes woll so assiste you in your iust cause, as their malice shall
not be able to prevaile agenst you. And as we thinke your lordships
being stronger in the felde, then they be of horsemen, may right well
cut of their victualls from them in such sorte, as they can not be able
to contynew or abide long in Sterling or therabouts, but must be forced
to retire agayn to Legh for lack of victuall. Not doubting but your

"684 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
lordships woll omy tte no good meane or opportunyte that may tende to
their impechement and annoyance, and most glad wol we be to here
of your good successe agaynst them. We marvaile moche that our
shippes be not yet arryved on this cost, assuring you that they have
ben on the sees thes xiiij or xv dayes, and every houre we herken for
their arryvall in the Firth, where we trust they wolbe very sone, and
doubt ye not but we shall do as moch as lieth in us to haste them thi
ther with all thexpedicion that may be.
The duke of Norfolk is arryved at Newcastell, who thought that our
shippes had ben arryved on this cost before his comyng thither. The
lord Gray also wolbe here shortely. And as we understonde the mar
ques du Boeuf was at Calais the xxix of December, and was in doubt
to take the sees because he understode that our shippes were departed
towards the Frith, trusting that if you followe, he shalbe defeated of
his purpose. And thus wishing unto your lordships victorie over your
enemyes, and as good successe in your iust and godly cause, as your
noble herts desyreth, we commytte you to the protection of the living
God. The vij of Januarie, 1559.
Post scripta. We sende you a packet herewith, which came from the
lord of Lethington.

No. CCVIII.
An Abstract of therle qf Arraines and the Lorde James Lettre to Sir
Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
At Co-wpar, in Fife, 8 Januar, 1559.
 ¦ 10 or 12 dayes continualie impeched, and traveled by the

Frenches, constrayned to retyre to St Androwes. -
Thadversaries folowed, and are arrived at Kyngcorn and Kirkcaldie.
The lords assemble towards them to Cowper, and there remayn with
the footemen, the horsemen sent to Kingcorne, and thinhabitants there

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559^60. 685*
provoked by a skirmishe melled with thadversarie afore the full arrivall
of the horses.
Lord of Sunderland, directed to the lords from therle of Huntley with
assurance qf his good mynde, and assistance to the common action,
shott in the left arme.
The protestants repulsed with equal slaughter.
Thenemys occupie Kingcorn, Kircaldie, and Desert.
Either to ieopard bataile, or to abandon Fife.
Request for relief. James Hamilton.
James Stewart.

No. CCIX.

Be it knowen to all men to whome thies presents shall com, that
whereas William, lorde Kythe, and David Strang, Scottismen, by their
Writing obligatorie, bering date at Warkworth, the viijth of November,
1559, were bounde and obliged, ioyntlie and severallie, to the right
honorable lorde Thomas, erle of Northumberland, then lord warden of
thest and middle marches of England for anempst Scotland, in the
summe of one hundreth pounds, that George Hopper, Scottisman, or
the saide David Strang, shulde personallie appeare, and entre within
the quenes majesties castell of. Tynemowth, on this side, or before the
feast of the purification of our Ladie, called Candelmas daye, next fol
lowing the date above writen ; and there bring with them, or either of
them, sufficient writing under auctentique recorde, testefyeng, that
the said David Strang was made true and lawfull factor and attourney
for the said George Hopper, in and to a safeconduit, graunted to him,
his factors and attorneys, by the quenes majestie, for the space of one
yere next after the date therof, which was the ixth of June, the first

686 letters during the war of
yere of her highnes reigne, I sir Rafe Sadler, knight, nowe warden of
the est and middle marches of England foranempst Scotland, beyng
therunto speciailie" desiered by the saide George Hopper, by this mv
writing do testefie, that the aboveriamed George Hopper, not onlie ac
cording to his saide band, entred into the castell of Tynemouthe the
vjth of this present, but also brought with him a good and sufficient
testimonie in writing, which he exhibited to me, the saide sir Rafe,
under the seale of causes * of the towne of Edingburgh, bering date
the 27 of December, 1559, that the saide David Strang was trew, law-
full, and undoubted factor and attorney for the saide George Hoppar ;
and so was by the saide George constitute and made bothe by his wri
ting and before good witnesses, the 7 of September last : Wherfore, I
the saide Rafe Sadleir signifie herby to all suchC as shall herafter
chaunce to trouble, molest, or vex the saide lorde Kythe, or David
Strang, Scottismen, for the purpose aforsaide, that their saide band of
an hundreth pounde is to be taken as voyde and of none effect ; and
that the premisses be trew, I have subscribed my name to thies pre
sents, and therunto putts my seale, the xi daye of Januarie, 1569.

No. CCX.
Tke Larde qf Lethington to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James
Croft.
Efter my maist harty commendationis. I have, by divers zour let
tres, communicated onto me by Mr Secretary, weill onderstand zour
ernest good will and greate lawbors to the furtherance off the cause I
have in hand, quharby my sute hes nocht bene a little advansit. If I
shold thank zow, it wer to bare a recompense. Seing the uttermost I
am abill to do is nocht sufficient to contervale the least part off zour
* The words " of causes," are apparently cancelled in the original.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 687
frendship. Ze have enterit my haill nation in obligation onto zow ;
and I hope it shall prove at lenth ze have also weill deservit off zour
awin contrey. I loke for the quenes majesties finall answer, and my
depesche to morrow ; quhilk obtenit, I will make spede towardes zow.
In the mene tyme, I pray zow, by sum meanes, comfort my lords,
that they may patiently beare theyr present estate, loking for deliver
ance schortly. Ze will onderstand more by Mr Secretaryis wryting
nor I my self am zit prevey to, although I be in gude hope. Theyr-
fore, leaving to trouble zow forthar, I commit zow to the protection
off God. From London, the xi day off Januar, 1559.
Zours at commandement, W. Maitland.
To the rycht worshipfull sir Rauf Sadlair
and sir James Croftis, knyghts, on to
ETHER OF THEM.*

No. CCXI.
An Abstract of Mr Randall's Lettre sent to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
The receipt of your lettres of the vtb of Ja. and howe the same
shulde have been aunswered afore this tyme, if he myght have been
assured that his lettres might have com to your hands.
He woolde have writen presentlie more at large, but that he doubt
ed the dangier that myght fall to those whiche shulde carie the same.
ix° Januarie, was brought to Glasco La Marque, who greatelie de
siered to speake with the dukes grace.
The duke hard him what he woolde saye. Theffect wherof was,
that he was a simple messenger, to see and reaporte at his retourne in
what estate he founde the quene douagier; who was reported in
Fraunce either to be deade, or verie near thend of her lief.
* The words, " or to ether of them," have been added by Cecil.

688 LETTERS during the war of
He denied that he had any credite.
The French kyng was sory that he had such occasion to deale with
Scotland as he intended.
La Marque commytted to straight custodie by the duke, and lyke
to be ill handeled, oneles he woll disclose his secret credence.
It is thought that the protestants wolbe redy by the day appoynted,
and desyre the lyke arredynes here.
o Marty quesser's arryval at Glasco the xij of Januar. vij or viij hangyd
by the Frenche.*-  The 12 of Januar, 1559.

No. CCXII.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to tke Lord qf Cesfurt.
After my right hertie commendations to your lordship. Under
standing by my deputs being at Ryddenborn, the last day of trete, '
that they coulde not have such good redresse of robberies and spoiles
committed in Englonde by the lieges of that realme as to iustice aper
teyneth ; I have thought good to advertise you of the same. And
forasmoche as I and my deputs, fdf our parts, have endeavoured our
selffs, at all metings, to make such redresse of all attemptats commyt
ted by Englishmen in Scotland, as none of yours hathe any just cause
of complaynt. My trust is, therfore, that you woll let me have the
counterpane at your hande, orells you shall give to gret courage to all
offendours, whereby may ensue som inconvenyence. And whereas my
frend e, Robert Lauson, hath had certen oxen stollen from him at
Skrymerstoun, and the theves well knowen which stale the same, as I
am infourmed ; I shall, therefore, pray your lordship to putte your
helping hande, that the saide Lawson may have redresse for the same
according to justice. And I shalbe glad to requite your gentilnes to

* Knox mentions their hanging a French boy, and another person, on the steeple of
Kin shorn.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 689
be shewed therein, when lyke occasion shalbe mynistered on your
parte. The 15 of Januar, 1559.

No. CCXIIL
Therle of Arrain and the Lord James to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir
James Croft.*
This shall be to certefie you, that the Franches lyeth still in Brunt
Hand. Our horsemen, the 12th of this instant, tooke and slew fiftie or
lx of them. The same daye a shipp of warre of ours tooke 2 shippes,
new arrived, but the coronell, with 30 others, escaped by bote; 50
were taken in the shippes ; wherin, we suppone, their is summe muni
tion. Our commons were weried, and forced to leve us ; wherby we
are in no small stresse for the present, and the hole multitude not lyt*
tell discouraged, through the long tarie of your shippes, but hopes in
God all shall go well, and the rather if your shippes were hasted ;
wherof there is suche nede, as we can not write presentlie. We beyng
of purpose to write to the courte, or let by the troubles present. Re
ferring our present estate to the narration of the berer, to whome, in
that parte, give credit ; and so fare you well. From the Wymes, the
15 of this instant. Therle of Arrain1,
And James Stewart.
* Deciphered!
VOL. I. 4 S

690 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

No. CCXIV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to therle of Arrain and
[the Lorde James.
We have receyved your lordeshippes • lettres of the viij,h of this in
stant, which we have sent to the courte; and sory we be to under
stonde by the same, the grete comber, travaile, and expences, which
the French men put you unto ; and that our ayde and succours is not
so redy at your hande as we desire. Prayerig your lordships, ^never
theles,- to be of good comforte, and take good courage unto you ; for
surely we loke every howr to see our shippes on this cost; and, with
asmoch spede as wynde and wether woll serve, they shall, God willing,
arryve in the Frith. And in the begynning of the next moneth,' we
shall have a good power in a redynes here, both of horsemen and fote
men, to enter by lande to your ayde, in such sorte as you shall best de
vise; but, considering that the French men have habandoned Legh,
and, as we understonde, do intende to plante themselffs, and to fortefie
in some place in Fyfe, whereby the case is somewhat altered. We,
therefore, pray your lordships, with all spede, to advertise us of your
opynyons and iudgements, how we may best ayde you; tb thintente
we may worke the better by your advise ; and, in the meane season,
if some convenyent portion of money may stonde you in any stede,
albeit we have litle or nothing of the quenes majesties treasure here^
yet we shall of our owne make shifte to send you iiij or v m1. (4 or
5000) crownes till more shall arryve here, if your lordships woll devise
and fynde the meanes how the same maybe safely conveyed unto you.
Fynally, We pray your lordships to beware how ye hazarde any ba-
taile, except you fynde yourselffs a partie, and see good aparence of
som advantage ; which, we trust, you woll not pretermitte.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 691
At the writing herof, we understonde, that the lord of Lethington
was at the poynte of his dispeche from the courte, who, we trust, will
be with you shortelie, and satisfie your lordships in all things accord
ing to your owne expectations. And so we beseche Almightie God
to graunte you victorye over your enemyes, &c. The 17 of Januarie,
1559.

ccxv.
Therle of Arrain and the Lorde James to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir
James Croft. i
This shall be to certefie you, that beyng upon the entreprise, we did
lett you knowe by the last berer, the enemyes marched forwards,
which brake our purpose ; and albeit the enemyes, for that tyme, re
tyred to their campe in Kingorn, as we to ours in Dysert, yet can we
fynde no oportunitie to our saide enterprise at this present. As we
wrote of before, therle of Huntley send in more of commission to us,
his cousen, therle. of Sutherland, to offer unto us adiunction in our
common action in his name, and all his assistance ; 1* and, at the first
skirmisshe, hazarding himselfe to farre, was shott in the left arme, and
hurte verie evill ; for which cause he is departed home, and shall cause
therle of Huntley parfourme his promesse. We are assured by the mi
nisters of Fraunce, that the hole congregations are secretlie resolved
to take the feelds uppon a daye, alreadie appoynted in all parts, with
assistance of a prince ofthe courte, and of the bloode royall. The daye
is within 3 or 4 weaks at the furdest. Your lang tarie hathe putt all the
commons, and soundrie barons, in despair of your ayde. If your shippes
be not hasted, or, fayling therof, you cause not your land oste make a
meanyng forwards towards us, to drawe the enemyes back from their
* Knox intimates a suspicion, that he was sent rather as a spy upon the congregation.

69% LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
entreprise, you shall putt us, and the hole cause, in an extreme daun-
ger,* sparing all things uppon your commyng. Kircaldie hathe assu
red us, their cam an Englishe man, within these viij dayes, secretlie to
the quene douagier, and was conveyed fourthe in secret maner, by the
larde of Langton. f Other tokens of the man hathe he none, but
that he speakith many good languages. We have thoughte very long
for summe advertisement from you. And thus fare you well in God.
From Disert, the xix bf Januarie, by your assured in God.
Therle of Arrayn,
And the Lorde James.
You shall cause this other pacquet to be depeched to the courte.

No. CCXVI.
Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to therle 0/ Arrayn and the
Lorde James. $
We have receyved your lordships lettres, in cipher, by this berer, of
the XV* of this instant. And as we be most sorye to understonde
your troubles by the molestation and impechement of the French, so yet
we be glad of the distress© made uppon them' by your horsemen, and
also of the taking of the shippes laden with munition ; trusting, that
God> of his goodnes, woll so assiste you in this your godly and iust
cause, as their malice shall not be able to prevaile ayenst you. Our
shippes, we assure your lordships, as we wrote- to you in our last let-

* The situation of the reformed lords, while the French laid waste and burned their pos
sessions in Fife, was becoming every day more critical, and must have ended in their being
forced to fight tp disadvantage, or tft abandon the. contest entirely,, had, it not been for t<he
arrival of the English fleet.
f Cockburn of Langton.
J In cipher.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60, 695
tres, which we doubt not ye have receyved or this tyme, be contynu-
elly loked for on this cost, which shalbe hasted to the Frith with such
spede as wynde and wether woll serve. Prayeng your good lordships,
therefore, to take good comfort and courage unto you, and firmely to
stande to the mayntenaunce and defence of your saide just and com
mon action, as ye have don hitherto, moche to your praise and honour,
and you maye assure yourselffs of our ayde with as moche expedytion
as is possible, The larde Brymstson, sent from the courte from lord
of Lethington, is this day entered into Scotland by Carlisle, on the
west marches, who wolbe with you, as we thynke, assone or before thes
our lettres shall com to your harids; and because ye shall understonde
by him the good disposition of the quenes majestie towards the ayde
and safetie of you and your countrey, and what is mete to be present
ly considered both on your parte and ours in that behalf, which he can
and woll declare unto you at. good length ; we woll not, therfore,
trouble your lordships with any longer lettre at this tyme, but wishe
you victorie, and as good successe in all your enterprises ayenst your
enemyes, as your noble herts can. desyre. The 20 of Januar, 1559.

No. CCXVIL
The Copie qf Randall's Lettres to $> Rafe. Sadleir and Sir James
Cblqet.
Right Honorable,
My dewty most humbly remembered. It. maye please your honors
tundersitand,. that the xxiijd of this instant, ther arryved here the lord
of Brimstone, abowts vj of the clock at nyght, having ben very sore
troubled by the wey, for the, sore and daungerous travelling at this
tyme. His arrivall,. and suche newes as he brought, gave no small
conforte unto the dukes, gfaee, and the rest of the lords here, who, be
fore;, thought very longe to hiere som confortable tidings from their

694 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
freends. Before his arrivall here, the master of Maxwell had sente
from Donfrise a servaUnte into Fife to the erle of Arraine and the lord
James tadvertise them of his commynge ; so that, as we may conjec
ture, they had understanding assowne ther, that he was here, as we that
sawe hym, somuche also as convenyently might be wryten or commyt-
ted to the credytt of the berer that wente they were advertised of.
The lords having this daie, viz. the xxiiijth, consydered howe muche
they are hownde to the quenes majestie, and also howe favorable it
hath pleased you to showe yourselfs in the furtheraunce of this com
mon cause, requyered me to signyfie unto your honours, that they
thinke themselfs most bowriden unto her grace ever, and alwais to
serve her, and unto you to reacquy tt your good wils, what wey soever"
shall lye in their powers; whiche giveth me occasion to wryte thus
muche of their mynds unto your honours.
Ther cam this daye a lettre ^"rom the lords that are in Fife to the
lords here, advertising them that their freends ther did dayly leave
them, being constreined by reason of their contynuall labour to seeke
som rest for themselfs and their horses, and that their enemyes grewe
dayly strong upon them, and that they were faine to give place unto
them, and to retyre themselfs to Cowper, and leave their enemyes
more at libertie. Wherfore, they requyred the duke, and thother lords,
to repayre unto them with suche force as they are hable to make, with
all expedytion. It, is therfore determyned, that they woll, with all
spede, prepare themselfs thytherwarde with what power they are ha
ble to make. Their convention shalbe in this towne upon Sonday
next; and upon Monday they determyne to sett forwarde towards
Sterlinge, where, they understand, are onely iij c. (300) Frenchmen to
kepe the towne. Of the castell they have no. suspytion of evill. They
see that necessitie nowe forcethe them thus to doo, arid to break all
other determynations for this presente, untill they see what woll be
com of this present comhre. They have no small hope of the sending
of those vc. (500) men into Fife, that they are informed of, and desire
create expedytion to be used therein. And I assure your honors

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 695
their neede requyreth no lesse. It were also veryie expediente, that
ther were som shipps in the Frithe to encountre with suche as the,
Frenche have ther, who alweis following them, as they marche upon
the coste, annoyeth more the Scottishemen (as I am informed) then
doth the Frenche themselfs scurmyshing upon the lande. Besids,
also, that, the French have no victuals but suche as are brought by see
unto them. Your honours cann better consider thes things then I
cann wryte of them, yet cannot yet be devised what their determynar
tion is, but onely to werye thother out of the filds. If their purpos be
to take St Androwes, if ther be no impechement to be made unto
them before that they com ther, I had' rather that they wold attempt
to fortyfye that, then to retorne agein to Lethe ; thon being alredy in
good fbrtyfycation, and thother to be begonn. I cannot see also howe
the Frenche shall retourne to Lethe by sea, if meanes be made for
ships to lye abowts Burnte Hand, Kyrkawdy, and other places, to
stoppe their passage. And to retourne agein by Sterling, the way is
so longe, and, as I thinke, somwhatt intended agenst their comyng.
Touching the sending of any noble men to conferr of thes affayres
with the duks grace of Norfolk, the lords fynd it very good, but canne
resolve nothing thereof untill their meeting. As concernyng the hos
tages ; they are all in a redynes, and desire' rather that the names of
those may be sent, whom it pleaseth the quenes majestie to chuse, then
to send the hoole xij ; notwithstanding, as it shall seame good unto
my lord duks grace to appointe the same. 1 have travelled ernestly
with the duke here, to send his second son, the lord of Arbrothe. The
matter standeth yet in suspence, untill the meeting with my lord of
Arraine. The yong gentelman desireth it very much hymself. I see
no impedyment therunto (nisi quod pater sit aliquanto ad rem
If, notwithstanding, your honors do think that it will serve to any
greter purpos to have hym rather then the youngest, I do not doubte
but it wilbe graunted. I do not doubt, but that my lettres of the
xxijd are com into your hands. Barnabie hath obtayned leave to
speake with La Marque, and that he shall not departe, but upon suche

fi9& LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
termes as he shall fynd convenyent. Wherfore, he desireth to use
your honour's advise ; most humbly craving pardon for my hastie and
unadvised wry tings. As the tyme presseth me, I take my leave. From
Glascoughe, the xxvth of January 1559.

No. CCXVIII.
Tho. Randall to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Maye it please your honor to understand, that, after I had ended
my other lettres, I received these inclosed from my lorde of Arrain :
wherby your honors maye iudge what comforte both he and the rest
receive of the arrivall of the shippes. The dukes purpose towards
Sterling contineweth still, except that they that are in Fyfe doo staye
the same by reason of the meting with their freends, when the tyme
shall be. It is thought that the quene douagier shalbe received very
shortelie into the castell of Edynburgh, for any travaile that can be to
the contrarie, with her onlie howsholde servaunts and gentlewoomen.
Maye it please you to knowe for certaine, that where she hathe writen
to many gentleman and lords to be in a readines, they have absented
themselfes of purpose, bicause that they wooll take no knowledge that
either lettres or message cam unto them, as my lord Morton one, up
pon whose doores the douagiers lettres were fixed, because no man
woolde receive them. I am given to understand, that hir partie of
Scottismen is not lyke to be very greate. Her force by sea is verie
small. I hard, that there was a fayer shipp brought into a lyttell
haven at Kenele, and neither man nor ware founde in her, nor no man
knoweth to whome she bilongeth. The duke hathe sent this daye,
bicause the towne is his, to inquyer farther howe she cam there. Thus,
&c. 25 January, 1559.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60; 697
No. CCXIX.
The Copie of the Erie o/Arrain's Lettres to Tho. Randall.
Trustie freend. After hartly commendationes, wytt ye, that how
beit I have writen so oft at lenght to my father of all our procedings,
yet woolde I write this woorde, to certefie you of our good newis,
which are, that the shippes arrived yesterdaye in the Frythe, to the
nomber of ix or x, as yet, and the remanent folowith. And that you
maye shewe my lorde more the certaintie of this, John of Forrett, the
lord James servant, cam this morning at twoo of the clock, whome
they had retayned to this tyme by them, to conveye them in the Frithe,
which he hathe doone ; and nowe we are directing him again towards
them with our mynde ; and it you have advertised me of touching
their fretment, shall not be forgotten. All other things I referre to
my fathers writing. And so comytts you to the protection of God.
At Cowper, this 23 of this instant. By your most assured freende,
James Hamylton.
Thanks be to God all is nowe well amongst these people ! but when
you understand the certaintie of the matter, it hathe not been without
greate comber and hazard, that we have, God be praised, putt of this
trouble,, and stopped them of their entreprise, nowe they are in syke
propos, by reason of the shippes they have seene, that, we beleve, they
will passe this night to Lythe again. For they gar take botes
over all, where we are making to them att this instant tyme, and shall
make them the grevance we maye, and have directed to our freends to
the same effect. So fare you well. Writen in hast this Fridaye mor-
nyng, the 26 of Januar 1559, by Your most assured freende,
James Hamylton.
vol. i. 4 T

698. LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

No. CCXX.
The Copye qf Therle o/*Arrain's and the Lorde J awes Stewartes Let
tres to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Trustie freends. After hartie commendations; We received your.
double wryting ; the one of the vij of Januarie; the other of the xvij
of the same. And where you write that you have hard that the
Franches have abandoned Lythe, you shall be assured that they have
not doon so, but is repayring eontinuallie the places of the wall that
are shott ; but, that you maye understand the state of our affaires at
this present ; the ships arrived here the xxiijd of this instant ; and,;
in the meane time, the campe' of the Frenchemen was marching to
wards St Andrews, and were alredy com to the eby, besids'the erles
ferye,* trusting it had ben the marquesse.f But howe sown they un-
derstod them to be your shipps, so sown in the morne begann they to
retire; and upon the xxiiij"1 were all night in Kyrkaldy; the xxv1 Vail
night in Dunferling. This day they marche, as we suppose, towards
* Near the little promontory of Kincraig, at the mouth of the Firth' of Forth. It took
its name from the celebrated Macduff) who escaped across the cestuary at that place, when
flying from Macbeth, who was approaching to besiege his castle of Kennoway.
d" That passage syne was commonly
In Scotlande called the Erly's Ferry." Wyntoume's Cronykil, Vol. 1. p. S32.
t The French, who were advancing along the coast of Fife, plundering the lands and
villages in their march, concluded the ships to be those of the marquis D'Elboeuf, and fired
a salvo to salute them. But when they saw them seize two French vessels, laden with pro*
visions, they perceived their, mistake, and began a painful and interrupted retreat by the
coast to Stirling, in order to regain Leith. In this march they were dreadfully harassed, as
well by the severity of the weather, as the perpetual skirmishing of lord James and his ca»
valry, who evinced great patience, skill, and fortitude, both during the advance and retreat
ofthe French. It is particularly mentioned, that their armour had not been laid aside for,
twenty-one days. • 1 3

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 699
Sterling ; but, in consideration of their grete hunger of thes iij or iiij
nyghts by past, and travelling of them with our horsemen contynual-
ly, and that we caused cutt the briggs before them, we are assured
they shall not wynne Sterling.
This Saterday, at even, (which is the xxvjj"1 of this instante,) and1 it
shalbe, Godd willing, other twoo daies, or they wynn Leyght, gif they
escayp so ; but trusts surely to effamys the most part of them. In
consideration of this present estate, gif your army might have or yet
may prevent them, the matter is ended ; -otherweis, if they be not pos
sible, we pray you make all possible hast, and hast us advertisement,
that we may meete you, and to affix us an especiall daye. We have
determyned, yf it shall please Godd graunte good successe, and wynd
and wether serve, to assaile that ourselfs on Sonday or Munday next,
cum by sea, for we are surely informed ther is not above iiij c. (400)
men therinto for this present, as occasion shall serve, shall advertise
you of all purposes, as we looke for advertisement. And so wyssheth
unto you the confort of the eternall Godd. At Abirdour, the xxvj1*
tof January, by your assured good freends,
James Hamylton,
James Stewart.

No. CCXXI.
The Copie qf Tho. Randall's Lettre to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir
James Croft.
Maye it please your honors to understand, that immediatelie uppon
the arrivall of the lorde of Brymston unto the dukes grace here, he was
dispeched unto my lorde of Arrain, and the lorde James into Fife,, who
beyng advertised that it was thought good that summe of these noble
men shulde repaire towards the borders, to common with my lorde
dukes grace of Norfolk, aboute suche affaires as shulde concern the

700 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
furtherance of these causesthat are nowe in hande, my lorde of Arraine
(seing nowe the common enemyes to have retired themselfs out of Fife,)
cam with all expedytion from thens to Glasooughe, to consulte what
were expedient to be donn herein with the rest of the lordes here, who
all have fownd it so necessarye, that they have devised to. sende, with
asmuche spede as maybe, the lorde James, the master of Maxwell, the
lorde Ruthen, and Mr Henry Balnevs, to meete at ony daye or place,
where it shall please my lorde dukes grace to appointe ; notwithstand
ing forasmuche, as thes noble men, are not present togither, and must
have convenyent tyme to be warned to be here, and also a space, to
repaire unto any suche place as shalbe appointed for the convention ;
my lorde dukes grace, by the advise of the lordes here, thought it ex
pediente, that your honours shuld be advertised, and knowledge thereof
to be given unto my lorde his grace of Norfolk, that the tyme wolbe
somwhat longer then willingly they wold it shuld, before that they
com. Albeit ther shalbe no delaie to thuttermost that may be devised,
for that they both do consider their own urgent necessitie, and also the
greate chardgs of their freends, for" whiche occasion they have directed
unto your honours this berer, and requyred me thus to wryte, desyr-
ing to be advertised from you both at what certein daye, after the xxth
of this present, and at what place it shall seame good unto the dukes
grace that they shall meete, consideringe that before that tyme it is not
possible (be ther wills never so good) that they shuld be in a readynes.
May it please therfore your honours, that the berer hereof may be re
tourned againe with spede, with your advises in this case, or other-
weis, according to your wisdoms. It is thought that by the xxth daye
they may be at any place, where it shall please my lorde dukes grace
to appoynte, and that within eight daies after ther retourne, they
shalbe in a redynes to any enterprise that shalbe intended. Consider
ing what hope I had of the spedie retourne of the last expresse messen
ger I sent unto your honours, Avith my lettres of the xxijth, I doubt
not a lytell what is becom of hym, for he hath alredy broken iii dayes
of his promesse, that he might well have ben here. I wrote also unto

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 701
your honours lettres sithens his departure hens, bering date the xxv'*,
despeched by Carlisle unto Newcastell or Barwick, (whiche I trust are
com to your hands or this tyme,) syns the whiche ther hath no suche
thinge chaunced here, that I may iudge is not alredy com to your
knowledge. The Franches have retired themselfs out of Fife, to their
greate disadvauntage and dishonour, having susteyned greate hunger
and losse of many men. The arrivall of the Inglishe navie stoode thes
men greatly in steade, and incouraged many to take theirpart that be
fore lay by. In Fife, all suche gentelmen as were of any power or
creditt, that tooke ony parte with the Franches, as the lorde of Wymes,
the lorde Bawerye (Balwearie), Syfeld, Bagonye, and other have pro
mised their fidelitie, and given pledgis never to stand agenst the con
gregation.* This hath ben the lorde James action sins the Franches cam
their wey. The lorde of Grainge his house is clene over throwen* f
and the custodie of Burnt Hand given unto hym by the lordes. The
Franches have burnt dyvers houses where they have ben, and useth
grete crueltie where soever they becom. In Sterling they remayned
retournyng but one day, and lefte behind them ther: iiij ensignes. J It
is doubted what ther purpose, and whether they intend to fortyfie yt,
or to remeyne ther, or in other places, untill that they be dryven unto
their forte., Howebeit, this daie ther cam word that they w„ere yester-
daie determyned, aswell they that are at Sterlinge as Lethcowe, to re
move towards Edenburgh. They have taken a house of the dukes at
Kenele, and burned all that they fownd in y t, for that ther was nothing
ther that they might carye awey. Ther was slaine by those that kept
the house agenst them, on gentelman and ij souldiours. The duks
* Knox says, that upon the retreat of the French, the lord James apprehended the lairds of
Wemyss, Seafield, Balgony, and Durie, and others who had assisted the French, and shortly
after dismissed them on such conditions as they never minded to keep, for such men have
neither faith nor honesty.
f It was blown up with gunpowder. Kirkcaldy sent an indignant defiance to D'Oysell,
saying, that though he had hitherto saved many of his Frenchmen when taken, they were
henceforth to experience no quarter at his hand.
X i. e. four companies; probably about 400.

702 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
men took that daie a faithfull chapeleinand a paynefull, of the bishop's
of St. Andrewe,* called sir Aridrewe 01ifant,<%hat accompayned the
Franches in this voiage, by the commandement of his lorde and mais
ter. . "Ther was fownd abowte hym a bill of as many as the byshop had
named to be saved from spoiling in Fife; the copie of his inventorye
is sent unto my lorde James, that the bishops .freends may be the
better knowen, and he hymself putt into the prison at Glascoughe. It
is alweis doubted where the quene dougier woll bestowe hereself, but
greatly feared that the lorde Ersken woll receave her, notwithstanding
the late controversie betwen hym and certein Franche in Lethe, that ac
cused hym to be enemye unto their countreymen, and brought som
before hym that were hurte in Edenburghe. It is said that the forty-
fycation in Lethe dayly faileth, this wether no whitt advaunceth the
same. The winter hath ben so unkind that the Franches longe after
tlie sommer. Their myserie is so greate, and they so myserable, their
extremyte suche, that I wonder what hope they have to eskape with
their lyves : and, as much as we cann perceive, they have no small
doubt of themselfs. I am certainly informed, that the quene dougier
hath requyred certaine in Lodian to burne their own corne, wherunto
onely one lord hath consented. Som other also, in whom she had good
trust, are like to leave her. Touching the hostagis, the lordes are very
desirous to knowe whiche of the xij yt wold please the quenes majestie
for to chuse, and not to bring the hoole nomber, to avoyde bothe
chardge. and troble. Ther was this daie a gentelman depeched towards
the lorde Huntley, to requyre hym to com assown as he could to the
duks grace, and to give order unto his freends and servaunts to be in a
redynes, within foure daies warnyng. It is not doubted but he wolbe
here, and shewe hymself very forward in this action. The lorde of
Southerland, sithens he was hurte, is becom a greate enemye of the
Franches. The cheffest doubte, that the erle of Huntley had, whie
(as he seyth) he ioyned not hymself unto the other lordes was, that he
* Formerly abbot of Paisley ; he was natural brother to the duke..

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 703
doubted that they wold fall into som composition with the Franches,
wherein being nowe resolved, (for that bands have ben bffredd hym to'
the contrary,) it is given me to knowe, that he woll shewe hymself as
forwarde as any of the rest. And thus muche hath the erle of Souther-
land seid on his behalf, as desired of purpos by the seid erle, to reporte
unto the erle of Arraine ; and lord James advertisement cam hither
this night, that there are mo Inglishe ships arrived. Their doings
hetherto have ben suche, that I never sawe people take greater re-
ioyce of any felycytie that ever befell to them then these do. Ther
hath ben an old prqphetie, that ther shuld be twoo winters, &c. Touch
ing Randals commyng hither, &c. The 4th of Februarie, 1559*

No. CCXXII.
(Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft to Tho. Randall, in
cipher*
i
We have received your lettres of the iiij"1 of this present, by the-
which we do perceyve that the duke of Chastelherault, and other of
the lords there, have devised to sende the lord James, the master of
Maxwell, the lord Ruthven, and Mr H. Balnaves, to mete with the
duks grace of Norfolk, the quenes majestes lieutenant here, at such
day after the xx" of this present, and at such place as his grace shall
appoynte, for to conferre uppon such affaires as shall concerne the fur
theraunce of thes causes now in hande, whereuppon it hathe pleased
his grace to commande us to signefie unto you, that he hathe thought
good to appoynt the day of their conference and metyng to be the
xxvth of this present, at Barwick, at which day and place his grace
woll not faile to be for that purpose. And touching the hostages, you
shall knowe eyther at that tyme orells before, which vj of the vij they
* Endorsed, " considerable papers."

704 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
shall bring. Prayeng you to travaile, that the duks seconde son, lord
of Arbroth, may be one. Also, as we do lyke well your advertisement
of therle of Huntleys good disposicion and forwardenes to ioyne with
the duke, and thother lords, in this their common cause, so it shalbe
good that the saide duke and the rest do use all the good wayes and
meanes they can possible to enterteyne the saide erle, and to wynrie
him holly to their devocyorie, whereby we thinke surely their cause
wolbe moch advaunced. Fynally, the duks grace of Norfolk thinketh
it not amisse that you shall com with the saide lords to Barwick, both
for the better satisfaction of their desyres, and also for that his grace
woll conferre with you uppon sondry things touching thes affaytes, and
in the meane season his grace prayeth you to be diligent in advertise
ment of all things, as they shall occurre in those parties, and to wryte
in cipher, oneles you have sure conveyance of your lettres. The 8th
of February, 1559.

No. CCXXIII.
Tho. Randall to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
It may please your honours to. understand, that the vijth of this pre
sent ther arrived the lord James, the master of Maxwell, and dyvers
other lords of the congregation, to consult upon the despeche of suche
of the lords as your honours were advertised of by my last lettres of
the iiij"1 of this presente, to conferr with my lord duks grace of
Norfolk, about the affaires of this realme. Forasmuche as they are
nowe fully resolved both ofthe nomber, and of suche points as are to
be debated at their meeting, their ernest desier is, that it woll please
his grace to be at Barwick the xxiij"1 of this present, where, Godd
willing, he shall riot faile to fyrid the lord James Stuyard, the lord
Ruthen, the master of Maxwell, the lord of Pattarowe, and Mr Henry
Balnaves, appointed by the hoole counsaile here to that effecte, as the

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 705
^juresense of them, or suche like, was requyred. Forasmuche as the
way by lande is both daungerous and longe, it is thought best that my
lord James, lord Ruthen, lord Pattarowe, and Mr Henry Balnaves, shuld
imbarke at Petenwyn in the Frithe, whereof I have alredy wryten unto
Mr Winter, the admyrall, desiring hym (as I was requyred by the lords)
to appoint som convenyent vessell to transporte them to their most
securytie and spedie furtheraunce of this cause. The master of Max
well, for that his abode is nyer unto the borders, he intendeth to take
•his most convenyent wey. by lande, and to meete at the day and place
appointed. Touching the hostagis, they shalbe all in a redynes by that
daie at St. Andrews, that assown as it pleased the duks grace to name
suche as he best likethe, they may be immediately transported whether
it shall please hym. Thus muche it may please your honours to knowe
of their pleasures. Of other affayres here it may please you tunder-
stand, that the hoope of all men is very greate; the nomber dayly in-
creaseth. The bishop of St. Andrews desireth to have som poore
place to retyre hymself unto : their caase is petiefull when their clargie
begynneth to faile them. The erle of Huntley hath begonn a refor
mation of religion in his countrey. The xiijth of this present all the
noblemen in thes parts assemble themselfs at Aberdyne. The erles of
Atholl, Arrell, Muntrosse, Marshall, Crafford ; the lords Graye, Ogle-
bye, Drumuntte, and Olyfant, have promysed to doo as the lord
Huntley shall advise them, whereof this day the lords were advertised
from the lord Gordon and the lord Ruthen. Touching the Franches,
the iiij ensignes (whereof I Wrote) remeyne'in Starling, thother in
Edenbiirghe, Liethe, and the countrey therabowts : they make what
impedyments they cann : but when ony force cometh into those parts
agenst them, they shall have no kind of victuals. It is said that thev
have requyred many to burne their own corhe, and to destroye ther
/ mylls : the certeintie hereof may be better knowen to your honours
then unto me. May it please you to knowe, that I stand greedy in
doubt howe safly all my lettres are com into your hands, that I have
wryten unto your honours, seing that of iij messengers, besids this,
VOL. I; 4 u

706

LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

I have hard no maner word. I wrot also not long sithens unto my
lord Dacres, and sent lettres that wey unto your honours ; may it stand
therfore with your pleasures, that I may understand what is becom .of
them, otherweis what order I may take, for the better conveyance of
my lettres unto your hands, in suche sorte as I desier. It is requyred
of me to accompaynye the lord James unto your honours. I desired
to knowe your pleasures therin. It is alredye determyned here, that
except your honours wryte the contrarye, that I shall com with them.
Long may it please Godd to preserve your honours in helth to his
glory, to lyve and jnioye the fructe that may insewe, both unto the
realme of Inglande and Scotland, if his will be that they shalbe unyted
togither in perfytt faithe and amytie, as greter lyklyhodd was never
sins they were first devided in sunder. At Glascoughe, xth February,
1559- My lord James sendeth before hym, by water, his provysion.

No. CCXXIV.
Therle qf Arrain and the Lord James to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir
James Croft.
Trustie freends, after our most hartie commendacions ; as we under
stand you of your wisdoms, in your last writing did iustlie consider
our present necessitie, wherunto we are putt by greate troubles we wer
empeched with by the Franches. And we hartelie thanke you of this
your liberalitie and frendshipp offered to us, so the present necessitie
compelleth us to accept the same, but hes postponit to this tyme, till
this present berer, Mr Whitlawe, myght be lasaryt. To whome it will
be your good pleasure to deliver him the somme you offered to us, for
it maye stand us in greate steade, as the berer will shewe you, to
whome, as we have declared our mynds at lenght, so it will please you
13

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 707
give him full credence, and thus commends you to the protection of
God. AtAbirdone, the 29 of Januarie, 1559.
By your assured good freends, James Hamilton.
James Stewart.

No. CCXXV.
Lorde James Stewart to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Right woorshipfull and trustie freends, after most hartie commen
dations ; abeit that long ago we were resolved to have sent this pre
sent berer, Mr Witlaw, unto you, as you maye perceive by this other
writing, for suche affaires as the same purports, yet for diverse occa
sions hes differrit to this present. And bicause we are lotlie to trouble
with long writing, as we desier you gar him have the thing this
other writing requyereth, so the necessitie of the same, with the hole
present estate of all things here, I referre to the saide berer, to whome
tlierfore, you shall give credence as to myselfe. And so commytts you
to the protection of Gpd. At St. Andrews, the 6 of February, 1559-
By your assiired good freende,
James Stewart.
No. ccxxyi.
Mr Secretary Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Good Mr Sadter, you have knowne this berer, the lord of Leddyng-
ton, but I here have had great prooffe of hym, to be both wise, honest
and constant. I pray you lett hym receave your frendly interteyn-
ment, with some addition for my sake. God send us a good end of

708: LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF r
your ministreall labors. He can shew you ho%e lowe the Frenchmen?
flye, y t can stowpe now to ariy Englishmans whystell. Tyme serveth
all tornes, and loss of tyme loseth all good thyngs. From Westmin
ster, the 18th of February, 1559. Yours, as ye knowe assuredly, W. Cecill.
To. the right honorable and my very frend
sir Raff Sadler, knight.*

No. CCXXVII.
The Quenes Majestie to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Elizabeth R. By the Quene.
Trusty and welbelovid we greete you well, and thank you for your
greate travaile taken in our service. We have ordred that whainsoever
the lord Graye shalbe appointid to entre into Scotland, sir James
Crofts shall also be adioynid with him, to the intente y* yf any mishap
shulde com to the saide lord Graye, the other might take y" principalE"
charge and conduction of our people; and therfore in his absence we
have also commaunded our cousin of Norfolke to committ the charge
of our toune of Barwik to you, and of the two wardenries, in the ab
sence of y" lord Graye, whiche our pleasure is ye shall, as our said
lieutenant shall ordre, * take and kepe to our use, untill yc returne of
them bothe to the charge. And doo authorise you to make choyse of
suche skillfull and discrete captaines to be in our saide toune, as shall
seeme meete to you, without any notable hinderance of the purposed
exploite. And these our lettres shallbe your sufficient warrant and dis-

At the bottom oft this letter, but not in Cecil's handwriting, is the. following vers e.
" Serviet aternum parvo qui nesciat uti."

THE SCOTTISH reformation, 1559-60. 709
charge in that behalfe. Geven under our signet, at our palace of West
minster, the xxviijth of February, the second yere of our raigne.
Arms of Engl, and France.
To our trusty and welbeloved sir Raphe
Sadler, knights - ¦ /

* No. CCXXvTII. ; ..
Therle of Arrain to Sir Rafe Sadleir and Sir James Croft.
Eftir oure maist. hartye commendation is. This salbe to certifie iow
that we mett with the erle of Huntlie in Sanct Johnestoun this last'
Mounnday, ye ferd of this instant, and communit with him at lenth
quham I fond applyable to ioyne in this present actioun, quhilk we
haif ado; and to declare him self a plane parte takare thairin; alsweill-
in religioun as concerning ye common weill, and hes promCssit to be
at my lord dukes grace, our fader, ^.nd us, betwix and ye day appoyntit-
of meting, and to notifie this he hjs send this berare to ws to be directed
to the courte, thair to declare his mynde quham we desire zou, to caus
be answerit of the post, and not intending to truble zou any mair at yis
tyme, we committ zou to God. Of Burnteland, yis tenth ..of Marche,
1559. Zour assured gude freynd,
4 James Hamylton;.
To the rycht worshipfull sir Rauffe Saidlair and
sir James Croft, knights.

710 LETTERS PURING THE WAR OF
No. CCXXIX.
Mr Sec. Cecill to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Sir,
I praye you hold me excused that I have not visited you with my
private lettres, I knowe you ar not ignorant that nether my heade
nor hand is unoccupyed : and ye lyke I thynk of you, yl ye ar not idle :
but yet I maye more boldly blame your silence than you myne, and so
w1 this quariell I looke for a lettre from you. How ye iudge of thyngs
there I knowe not, but we here doo trust well, that ye bravery of y"
French wilbe cooled ; at home they have ynough to doo> with trooble,
partly for relligion, partly for governance ; God send his iust wrath
amongest them to, there amendment. In Scotland how they doo you
best knowe. We here be of dyvers opinions; some thynk Lethe in
expugnable, having such a nomber of old men of warre; others trust
it can not hold long ought, consideryng v' long tyryng of y? soldiprjs
all this wynter. Some wish that there victells in Lethe might fayle,
in which last poynt I cannot thynk of any lacke but of beverage.
Well, how so ever the matter is, good corrage in a good quariell, as
this is, to delyver a realme from conquest, and consequently to .< save
our owne, will much forder yc matter. For Gods sake now, good Mr
Sadler, bestowe all your labor, and promote this matter with all the
spede y* ye can: lett no tyme be lost: and so if ye will commend me
to sir James Crofts, and encorrage hym to shew his habilite of wise-
dome, knolledge, and manhode in this service, 1 shall thynk you both
wordy of honorable rest after this trooblesome tyme.. Ye xxijth of
March, 1559- Your assured, W. Cecill.
' [Arms. ]

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 711
, The quenes majesty hath ex proprio metu, denyed monny sutors for
your respect for Hundon Park.
To the right honorable sir Raff Sadler, knight?
one of the queues Majesties counsell of the
North.

No. CCXXX.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to Mr Sec. Cecill.
Sir,
I do confesse that you may in dede iustly blame me for that I have
not written som tymes a private lettre unto you, but I have lefte
so to do because I had nothing ells to write then was conteyned in
our common lettres ; praying you to pardon me, and knowing your
accustomed toile and busynes, which I think is rather increased then
dymynished, I holde you excused for the lyk fault, if it be any. Now
for our matiers here I trust in God the same can not but do well,
whereof the likelihod is grete ; and as ye be there of dyvers opynyons
so be we here ; but yet Legh is not thought to us inexpugnable, though
percase it may be founde of suche^ strength as woll require a tyme, in
which case, if we may be furnished of things necessary for the conty-
nuance ofthe siege, we be in good hope here to render a good ac
compte of the same. The greatest want which our chiefetaynes here
do feare, is lacke of money, which had they seame to care the lesse for
the rest. Surely they go to this mater with" a good courage, wherein
sir J. Croft, to whom I have made your commendations, woll, I doubt
not, shew himself a serviceable man, being, I assure, right honestly
determyned so to do, notwithstanding his late warning.* What care

* He seems to allude to some charge against Crofts, probably of peculation ; Norfolk,.
who did not like that officer, throws out many hints of the kind.

712 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
I have had of thes things from the hegynnyrig God knoweth : and if
it shall please his divine majestie to set a good ende in the same, I
woide then wyshe to be at rest, if it so please him, and to leavethe
^ioye thereof to our postexyte. The 28 of Marche, 1560.

No. CCXXXI.
Tho. Randall to Sir Rafe Sadleir.
Maye it please your honours to be advertised, that since the last
lettres writen unto my lord dukes grace, there hathe nothing happened
here woorthie advertisement. At this present it maye please you to
-understand, that as my lorde duke, and his soon therle, hathe writen
unto the dukes grace of Norfolk, so I perceive they are determined to
mete with his grace the last of this present. By reason of the French-
mens lyeng still in Lytquo and Sterling, and uncertaintie of their re
moving, it hathe forced the dukes grace here to chaiyige diverse pur
poses, and to com with suche companye as presentlie are with him,
leaving the rest of his freends to com after, within one daye or twoo,
which beyng all assembled, as I am infourmed, will amounte verie
neare urito viij m. (S00O): we understand also, that the water is so
growen betwene those of Fyfe and us, that it will be the longer before
the lorde James with his freends can ioyne with the rest : notwith
stonding all this, it is hoped that the Frenche, in bothe the above-
named places, will departe either this daye or to-morrow, whiche will
greatelie advaunce our purpose. It hathe been long in doubte whither
the quene douagier woolde either to the castell of Edynburgh, or to
Lythe ; it is saide, that it is nowe resolved, that she will to the castell,
this daye.* Maye it please your honor to receave the copie of a lettre

* Accordingly she took'refuge in the castle, lord Erskine consenting to receive her with
-such a train of attendants as might leave him master of the fortress. There is something

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 713
sent unto diverse lords, to the nombre of 36 or 30, wherof the lorde
Mountgommerie is one, that lye by, or shewe themselves enemyes in
this cause. These lettres are this daye dispeched to everie of them.
Upon Saterdaye next the dukes grace departeth hence in his waye, and
I trust by'Soundaye at night will mete with the Englishe armye, at the
place appoynted. I wrote unto my lords grace twoo lettres, thone of
the 22, thother of the 25 of this present, synce my last arrivall, which
I trust are com to his graces hands before this tyme ; I sent them to
the post of Carlisle.*: -Thus most humblie I take my leave, writen in
hast the 28 of Marche,, 1 560> ; ;
. . Your honor to commande,
Thomas Randolphe.

No.CCXXXII.
Copie ofthe Congregacion Lettre to the Lords of Scotland.
After hartlie commendation. It is not unknowen to you with what
crueltie the Frenchmen, enemyes to the common weale of this realme,
passe throughe diverse partes therof, not onlie herreand poure ones, and
taking their goods, but also murdering of them in their owne howses,
defendand their goods, by the manifest conquest which they intend to
make of native realmes, conquyert and defended by the blood of our
progenitors, for making- of resistance to the which we have opponed
ourselfs, and sum tyme ieopard us with so many of our brethren and
freends, kynd and trewe Scottismen to stopp them of their pretence,
which our puissance could not extend, in respect that ye, and suche
bylyars of your faction, woolde not assiste us,shewyng you rather open I
very gallant in the conduct of this nobleman, who, during such a period, was determined
to refuse admittance either to French or English, the two powerful allies of the contend
ing factions. <;,[
VOL. I. 4 X

714 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
and playne enemyes' to the Common weale of our native countrey, then
favorers therof, wherof ye pbssesse a parte and portion with us, we
sundrie tymes, by lettres and writings, partlie by proclamations;* de
siered you to com forwards, and assist to us for expel ling "the saide
strangers ; and last of all, by. the providence oft God, ' our freends bf
England beyng moved to ioyne with us- to that effect, slettres were di
rected, charging you to be inGlasqouthexxvi,hof this instant moneth
of Marche, to passe forwards with us;, for meting oursaide freends, to
the effect aforsaide.; And albeit the saine daye, ells by past, ye in con-
temptione of the saide lettres, have in nowise com to us, notwith
standing that our freends hathe ells takin Scottis ground, and God will
ing, we purpose to ioyne with them on Saterdaye next to com, at
Achisons haven in Preston Pannes,* appointed to that effect. Wher
fore we praye you right effectuouslie, as you tender the glorie of God,
and weill of our naty ve countrey, arid will shewe you to be true natyve
Scottismen, that ye in proper person, with your kynne, freends, tenants,
and servaunts, will com forwarts, well bodin in feir of werje, -)" and mete
with us a Saterdaye next to com, at Lytquo, with 30 dayes victuall
after your comyng, to passe forwards and mete our saide freends of
England, for expelling the saide Frenchemen, and seking of this our
riative countrey to lybertie and fredom. : Certefyeng you and ye fayle
herein, we can not stand content with. you, but will repute you as
playne enemyes to the common weile of this our native countrey, and
assistars to the saide Frenchmen, in conquesting therof, and use you ther-;
after, for your demerit, withoute acceptation of jou in favour of any
pretended cause that ye can alledge herafter. And so fare we well.
Of Glasco, the 27 of Marche, 1560, by
Your good freende as cause requyereth.

* The place appointed to rendezvous with the English army. Prestonpans is a village
and small sea-port about ten miles from Edinburgh, to the eastward,
,f i. e. Wdl accoutred in martial appointments. 13

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 715

No. CCXXXIII.
a j.i Sir. Rafe Sadleir to Mr Sec. Cecill.
• Sir, -.¦.! i
After my most hartie commendacions, considering that the quenes
majesties armye is now in Scotlande, and the tyme uncerteyn how long
they1 shall remayn there for the accomplishment of their enterprise to
Legh, albeit by my lord of Norfolk gratis lettres, now addressed unto
you, you shall perceive what lack is here of money, yet knowing your
zele to thadvauncementof this service, I must neds also wryte privately
unto you, to desyre you to travaile, that lack of money be no hinder
aunce thereof; what -is xx m". (20,0001.) more or less in a pryncis
purse,, specially to be em ployed, where such an advauntage may be takin
as is now lykely to be had in this case, whereby in my poure opynyon
it must neds folowe, either that these ij°~ (two) realmes shall be con-
ioyned in .perpetual! uuyte, or at the leste, to brede suche an enemyte
betwen the French and the Scotts, as 'the French shall never have opor-,
tunytie greatly to annoy us by the way of Scotland, which hath ever
ben thonely way whereby they could do us most annoyance ; but I
nede not to tell this to you, .who knoweth better thari I what is most
lyke to folowe of this matier. Onely I besech.you to consider what
dishonour it woide be; besids the daungier that might folowe, if our
armye- should be forced to retourne, re infect a, for lacke of money, as
if percase they must neds abyde long uppon the siege of Legh, and
lack money to buy their victuells and necessaries where they can have
none uppon credite, and so be inforced to com home for lack, without
the atchievirig of their saide enterprise, it must neds folowe that we
shall leave the lords of Scotlande our friends, in such daungier and
desperation, as either they must be as a pray to the French, orells seke

716 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
such meanes and wayes for themselffs, as therby they must of force be
freends to whom now they be enemyes ; and so being now our freends,
becom our enemyes, and ioyne with the French agenst us as they haue
don in tymes past, whereby the quenes majestie, besids the dishonour,
shoulde also lose and bestowe in vayin all the charge she hath ben at
hitherto. Trusting that you woll so travaile herein, that lack of mo
ney shalbe no cause of any such daungier ; and I besech you use such
diligence also therein, as it may be sent hither in tyme. The zele I
have to the good successe of this matier, maketh me to write so earn
estly to you in this matier, which you can consider better than I can,
and so, &c. the last of Marche 1560.

No. CCXXXIV.
Sir Rafe Sadlier to the Larde of Lethington the younger.,
In my most hertie maner I commende me unto you. Herewith you
shall receyve a letter addressed to you from Mr Secretarie, which the
duks grace here of Norfolk hathe ben bolde to open; knowing that you
woll not be miscontent with the same ; the proclamations, in French,
and those also which you have in English, you may difoose and put
abrode as you thinke good. The bishop of Vallence, * as you may per
ceyve by Mr Secretaries lettre, is commying hither to repayre towards
you into Scotland ; whereof it is good; that you do consider and ad-.
vertise hither your opynyon how ye thinke mete to intreate him. j We
sliall uppon his arryvall here put him in som feare and doubt of his
entree into Scotland, considering the lords be now in armes in the folds;
• John Monluc, bishop of Valence, one of the Commissioners appointed by Francis and
Mary for settling the, affairs of Scotland, and their principal agent in the treaty by which
this war was at length ended. The unworthy advice given by Sadler to detain the ambas
sador of their Queen as an hostage, seems tb have been rejected by the congregation.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 717
but if he woll needs give thadventure to com to you, then to tell you
myne opynyon, in case the dowagier woll. npt remove the French iri-
delayedly out of Scotland; but that they woll kepe Legh and abyde
all extremyte, the duks grace of Chastelherault, may well stay the bir
shpp as a pledge of for his sonne in Fraunce, and use him further as
to your wisdomes shalbe thought convenyent ; but this I write to you
as myne owne opynyon, whereuppon-you may devise with others, and
determyne therein what you shall think good, and uppon advertise
ment of your opynyons touching the order and intreatie of the saide
bishop, we here woll signifie the same to the courte with spede. Thus
looking howerly for advertisements from you, and wishing you good
successe in your enterprises to Goddes honour and glorie, I committe
you to his blessed tuycyone. From Berwick the first of Aprile 1560,
with the rude hande of your assured frende, R. Sadleir.

No. CCXXXV.
Sir Rafe Sadleir to the Lorde Heume.
My Lord,
After my right hertie commen dacions. It may please you to un
derstonde, that sir James Croft at his departure hens, with tharmye into
Scotland, declared unto me, that your lordship had appoynted to mete with
him at the bounde rod of Berwick on Saterday next to come, to common
with him uppon certen causes, which he hathe shewed and declared to
me at good length. And for that, I do now supplie his place here;
he required me to kepe the saide appoyntment of meting with your
lordship in his absence, which I am, and shalbe, God willing, redy to
.accomplishe uppon knowlege of your pleasure, prayeing therefore your
lordship to advertise me of. your mynde in that parte, and what hower

718 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
of the day we shall mete, referring the rest untilLour meting. And so
I commy tte your lordship to the tuytibun of Almightie God/ From
Barwick, the iiij111 of Aprile, 1560.. With the rude hande of
Your lordships poure frende,
.:' . R. Sadleir.

In the valuable collection of State Papers, published by Haynes, from the Cecil collection,
the whole correspondence between the duke of Norfolk and the privy council, after the
arrival .of the former at Newcastle, to exercise his office of lord lieutenant, has been
carefully printed; and occupies about 140 pages. * These, with the more private wri
tings, which sir Ralph Sadler has thought fit to preserve, and .which are now given. to
the' public, make a complete record of the important transactions to which they refer. It
would have been desirable to have blended them together, especially as many of the
duke iof Norfolk's letters bear also the name of Sadler; but reprinting so large a part of
a well known, and not uncommon work, would have enlarged the present to an undue
size. Referring the curious reader, therefore, to Haynes' collection, we have to pre
face the following secret instructions, with a few historical notices.
In the beginning of April 1560, the English army, commanded by the lord Grey, entered
Scotland, and were joined at Preston, by the army of the congregation. Upon the 6th
April, they approached Edinburgh* and had a smart skirmish with'the French, upon the
Hawkhill, near that town. Notwithstanding this warlike commencement, both parties
meditated a treaty; .and sir James Crofts, and sir George Howard, had an interview with
the queen dowage^at the castle of Edinburgh, durjngthe very time of the action. This
circumstance excited the suspicions of the lords of the congregation, who were with some
justice apprehensive, that their English allies might make a separate peace, upon con
ditions,1 Advantageous to their own country, and leave the Scottish insurgents to the ven
geance- of. the_ queen mother. Lord Grey, the English general, on the other hand, was
too deeply engaged in military business, to spare time for conducting a negociation with
so artful a princess as the queen regent. ; These circumstances having, been communica
ted by Grey to Norfolk, and by the duke to Elizabeth and her council, the following
letters, wliich, for connection's sake, we transcribe from the collection of Haynes, were
sent in reply. • See Haynes, p. 216.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 719
No. CCXXXVL
To my Lord of Norfolk.
By the Queen,
Right trusty and right entirely beloved, we grete you well. And
having understanden the contents of your lettres of the sixth and se
venth of this moneth, with lettres from the lord Graye out of Scot
lande, amongs other things, and do well allowe your advise gyven to
the lord Graye; not to entermedle with the siege of Edinburgh castel,
for the same causes that you alledged, as well for the reference to the
queens personne, as forthe avoyding ofioffence to the Scotts. We do
also allow the manner of proceedings in the offers made to the quene
dowager, without losyng of any tyme thereby, for the exploit against
Lethe. And bycause, as the lord Gray writteth, he cannot attend both
the marshall affayres and a treatye, we thinke it necessary that sir
Rauff Sadler shuld, with forsight of savete, repayre to the campe,/ and
to understande the former proceedings, and so consequently procede in
treatye with the best dilligence that he can: and so we pray you to
let him knowe, our desyjje is chiefly and principally, to have that mat
ter of Scotlande accorded, rather by communication, than by force of
bloodshede. And we be pleased, that ye shall authorise him in our
name, to assure the quene dowager, that whatsoever she may be borne
in hande, we mean riothing more then the preservation of our own
realme, which her daughter chalenged^and sought many wayCs, and the
contynuance of that kyngdome in due bbedyence to her daughter, to
be governed by the lawes therof, and without force of armes. And if
there shall be objected, as alwayes is, by the French, to colour the re
mayning of their men of. warr, that the same is don for subduyng of
the rebellion : we meane not to have the same removid untill the due
.obedyence shall be acknowledged unto sovereign lady, agreable to the

Y&Q LETTERS DURING THEWAR OF
lawes and liberties of the lande ; and for contynuance Cf the same, we
will be content that couvenaunts shall.be made-on our part, for to gyve
ayde to the quene of Scotlande, for the subduyng of any such, as shall
withstand to the contrarye. Of this our purpose, the sayd sir Raff
Sadleyr shall make the duke of -Chastelherault and his partyerpryvey,
using herin their advise, and requyre them to be content herewith.
And if they shall have any good and probable reason to mislike or alter
this our offer, or any part therof, then we woold the same sir Raff Sad
leyr shuld reforme the same, according to their opinion, so as it may
serve to tend to an accord, and be not prejudicial and hurtfull to our
realme. In which very point we doo remytt the consyderation therof
to the sayd sir Raff Sadleyr, using therin the advise specially bf lord:
Gray and sir James Crofts, whose doings we will accept in good part..
There be dyvers great causes, that moveth us not to rejict any proba
ble offers ofthe quene dowager; for that if the matter shuld not be
endid, either by force or treatye shortly, it woold growe more harder
herafter to be compassed: And so lett sir Raff Sadleyr shewe, if he
think good, to the duke and his partye of Scdtlande, with assurance to
f hem, that this motion aniseth onbt of any lack of good will towards
theiri, but of consyderation and forsight of maters subsequent. This
our instruction ye may, :• in our name, by the authority of your office,,
delyver to sir Raff Sadleyr, signed with youj hande for his warraunt'
and preceding. . Arid if ye shall think any more mater nedfull to be
committed unto him, or to any other for treatye of an accorde, we do
authorise you to do therm, as shall best appear to your wisdome, for
our honour and expedition-of peace. As to the hostages.-which be re
ceived, and by you desyred to J?e brought upp, according to the pa- ,
rents requests, in sum universitye, we think it better, to have them
distributed hereabouts to certeyn our bishops, as of Canterburye, ton-.
don, and Elye, where they maye be both savely kept, and encreas their
lernyng. By the lettrCs of the lord Gray, written the sixth of this
moneth, wherein mention is made of the offers made by the quene
7

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 721
dowager, to sir James Croffts and sir George Howard, we like very
well the good service done by dyvers gentlemen our captaynes, to
whom we doubt not but you have gyven particular thanks, and now
we wold ye geave them thanks from us expressly. Other things we
have not presently to writt, but ernestly require you to consyder our
words for expedition of this matter, either by treatye, or otherwise.

No. CCXXXVIL
From my Lord his grace to Mr Secretarye, April 12, 1560.
I have received thes lettres here inclosed this present mornynge, som
dyrected unto you, som to Mr Sadler, and me; whereby he may per
ceive the greate pensyvenes and feare of good success of this treatie
the Scots are in, for the whiche I cann no weys blame them, touching
them so neare, as the well preceding of thes affayres doo. What good
may com of this communycation in the ende, I knowe not, but in the
meane tyme, I am sure it hath gretely hindred us in the holdinge of
those, who were nowe determyned to take playne parte with the con
gregation, which all this tyme have lyen still as newtrals. I trust the
quene's majeste, and you of the counsaile, woll ponder and waye howe
it standeth (for the safftye of this realme) us now in hande to bring
this enterprise to good ende ; and howe it is cheper to#fynysshe this
warr nowe begonne, then hereafter to begynn a newe. Perchance, in
reading these lettres of the Scotts, you woll think that they have ben
by us putt in further feare, then our dyrections have willed. As in
dede, if I had been presente in the campe, howsoever the caase had
benn, Iwold have ben loothe, to have cast suche bones amongest them :
neverthelesse for feare what may chaunce of their desperacioun, not be-
1 ing hable, before my cousin GeoTge Howard's retorne, with the quenes
majesties resolutt determynation, to assure them of ony thinge, I
thought good to sende in sir Raff Sadler and sir F. Leeke, who may
vol. i. 4 Y

722 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
sumwhatt in the mean tyme content them with fayre and good wordes.
Thus hoping shortely to heare from you, upon whiche I do nowe one
ly depende, I bydd you most hartely well to fare. Tho. Norffolk.
From Barwick, 5fe.

No. CCXXXVIII.
The Quenes Majestie to the Duke o/"Norfolke, by Sir George
Howard, April 14, 156o«
By the Queen,
Right trustie and right entierly beloved cosyn, we grete you well.
We have as well received your lettres by this bearer Sir George How
ard, as also understand such further mater, as he had in charge to de
clare unto us ; the grete parte wherof might have byn as well sent,
either by writing, or by some other memorandum of lesse note, than
he is, considering the place of his charge at this present : and therfore
We have thought mete to return hym agayn with spede, and mynde to
directe our fuli resolutions, touching the substance of the matters, with
such slpede as we may, by some other. And in the mean season we
think it convenient, that his return shuld not give occasion, either to
the French, to stande more obstinately at their defence, or furder of
from reasonable accorde, or to the Scotts to mistrust the prosecution
by us of this mater begon, to the very ende that was first ment : and
therfore" woold, you shuld give order to the Lord Gray, like as We
briefly advertysed hym, that forthwith upon the arrivall of the said sir
George, the siege shuld be more ernestly prosecuted, and the treatie
lesse regarded, except the same shall apparantly be seen, upon some
circumstance to us unknowen, hurtful to the cause. We woold also
that the Scotts wer advertised, that we be fully determined, rather to
, augment our army both by sea and lande, than that, for lacke of forse,
13

* THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 723
the exploite shuld be prolonged. Thies our devises we think neces
sary to be published by all good meanes, upon sir George Howards
present return, because the expectation therof, percase. wold be other
wise, of the French, wherby they might, conceiving some slackness of
our precedyng hy his comyng, make them bothe stowte in the town,
and more backward in the treatie: And notwithstanding that we
wold the appearance of the mater shuld outwardly thus tende thereto,
-yet may you give signification to sir James Croft, or to sir Raff Sadler,
if he be in Scotland, that reasonable offers to be made by the French
to come to accorde, be not contemned or neglected : and indede we
thinke, the more hardly the French be handled by siege, and the more
apparance be made, now uppott sir George Howards coming, to pro
secute the mater to the uttermost, the better shall the communication
be founde for our purpose.
As for the two articles touching the expulsion utterly of all the
French, and the removing the dowager from her authoritie, although
we meane shortly to advertise our resolution therin ; yet, upon this
bearers coming,, we wool it might appere, that we will agree no other
wise, than shall seme manifest for the suertie of Scotland; furdermore
we understand by this bearer, that ther is no necessary use of so great
a number of horsemen, as we be charged withall in Scotland at this
present, and therfore we pray you to have some good and spedy con
sideration therof, and forthwith to understand the opinions of suche
expert men as be with the lord Gray, and his own also : and if it shall
appere that Parcell of the same nombers may be spared, than we Woold
that the sam wer done so dyscretely and covertly, as neither the
French shulde coney ve any comfort, nor the Scotts discomforte, by
withdrawing ; in which mater percase ye shall fynde the lord Gray
more unwilling, for speciall favour towards suche as be interteyned :
but if ther be no other cause, you may use therin more play ness with
hym on our behalf. And so we forbere to enlarge our furder determi
nation untill our next depeche, by some other speciall man qf trust
and knowlege.

724 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF

CCXXXIX.

From my Lord his Grace to Mr Secretary, 15 April, 1560.
if > ' ' '
Althoughe, good Mr Secretarie," I have hered nothinge yet from the
campe worthe advertisemente, sins my last lettres unto you, yet I
thought good to wryte thes few lynes, wherby ye might perceave this
longe distaunce betwene my lettres hath rather proceaded for lack of
occasion, then for any slackeness in me. I have received this daie the
quenes majesties and your lettres of the 9th of this moneth, by the
whiche I do gather the good will, that the quenes majestie hathe to
accorde thes greate matters with an amycable peace, for, whiche cause
here majestie wisshethe sir R. Sadlyer to be sent thyther, who alredy is
gonn ; of whom the quenes majestie doth gather no frustratt opynyon,
in chusing hym as the metest instrument to serve here majestie there ;
who makyng no comparyson, is best estemed with the Scotts, of any
Englishman, and with his credytt ther, is hable to doo moste for the
quenes majesties service. I have neverthelesse, although I had 'alreadie
at his departure gyven hym instructions according to the quenes ma
jesties determynacion, yet nowe for the more seweitie, and the better
executinc of her highness pleasure therein, I have sent hym thearty-
cles drawn out of her majesties lettre, the accomplyshment whereof I
do no more mistruste, then if I were present ther myself. This daie
ther is past by here twenty seven or twenty eight sayle of ships; we
are in good hope that it is the ordynance, whiche, » if yt be so, shall
muche availe the quenes majesties servyce here : for I doubt not but
you do well consider, that there is no peace that cann fall out, for our
purpose here, except it be made, to the Frenche mens grete feare, with
immynent danger of the hazard of all before their eyes. Thus hoping

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559*60. 725
shortely to be hable to wryte unto you of better newes, eyther by peaxe
orwarr, I bydd you, &c. Postcript. ,^
You neade uot to feare any hurte that cann fall to us by the bishops
man, for he went no further then the Scottishe campe.' Tho. Norffolk.

No. CCXL.
CERTEYNE SPECIAL AFFAYRES UPPON THE FRONTIERS
TOWARDES SCOTLAND.
PRIMO AND SECUNDO..
The Duplicamente qf the Accompte of Sir Raffe Sadleir, Knight, for
certeyne sever all Ajfayeres uppon the Frontiers towardes Scotlande,
commytted to his chardge, annis domino: nostrce regina; Elizabethan.
Certeyne speciall Ajfayeres in Scotland.
The duplicamente of the accompte of sir Raffe Sadler, knighte, by
whome the quenes highnes, uppon greate truste conceaved in hym',
conferred certfeyne specialle service to be done, in the firste yere of hir
majesties reigne, uppon the frontiers towardes Scotlande, by her high-
nes lettres to hym in that behalfe, directed, auctorisinge hym thereby
to conferre, treate, or practise, with any manner of person of Scotlande,
either in Scotlande or Englande, for those purposes, and for the fur
theraunce of hir majesties service, and for any other thing that mighte
tende to make a „perpetitall Concorde betwixte the nation of Scotlande
and ours ; aucthorizing hym also to rewarde any manner of person of
Scotlande as he shoulde thincke mete; and to imparte, deliver, em-

726 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
ploye, and bestowe, suche money as wasMjcomitted to hym at;his de
parture ; and also suche money as was, by speciall order, sent to hym
to Barwicke at severall tymes, or so muche thereof as he sholde thincke
mete, to^suche persons, and for suche entents, as mighte most effectual
ly further and advaunce that maner of service, then being specially/ re
commended to hym, as he sholde see occasion, to hir majesties* moste
conamodite, referring the manner and circumstances thereof to his
discreation; as by sondry lettres, under hir highnes signet, together
with a memoriall of certeyne articles delivered to hym by the righte
honorable sir Willyam Cecill, knight, principall secretary to hir ma
jestie, according to the tenore of the firste of the quenes majesties let
tres to the saide sir Raffe Sadler, addressed more at large, maye ap
pere : That is to saye, as well of certeyne money by hym receyved of
George Bredyman, sometyme one of the gromes of the privie cham
ber to the late quene Mary, by hym received before his departure frome
London, and of certeyne money by hym received of certeyne persons ap
poynted to have the conduction) and cariage thereof to Barwicke, and
there to deliver the same to the saide sir Raffe Sadler ; as also, of the
yssuyng, employng, and bestowing thereof to suche persons, and
aboutes suche purposes, as was requisite for the saide service, and for
and aboutes the dyettes of the saide accomptaunte during his abode
iu the said service. Of which premisses the saide sir Raffe Sadler
doth yelde, and make this his accompte the xxiiijth daye of Maye anno
domince regina Elizabeths viij0, as hereafter followeth, That is to saye,
the said accomptant is charged; with
Redy money by hym kadd, and received of
George Bredyman, esquier, sometyme one of the gromes
of the privie chamber to the late quene Mary, the viijth
day of Auguste, anno primo domina Eliz. regina pradic-
ta, as by the accompte of the saide George Bredyman,
and by a bill under the hande of the saide sir Raffe
Sadler, testefying the receipte thereof, emongs other
remembraunces of the same accompte remayning, maye
appere the somme of m.m.m.11

3$

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559"60. 727

Kicharde Overton, appoynted to conducte and carye the
somme of three thowsande poundes to Barwicke in Oc
tober 1559, and there to deliver the same to the saide
sir Raffe Sadler; whiche moneye was delivered to the
saide Richarde Overton by sir Willyam Ceoile, knighte,
principall secretary to the quenes highnes therto direct
ed, and specially commaunded by the queues majestie,
being suche money as he receyved of the saide George
Bredyman, to be by hym employed and yssued agayne
as hir majestie sholde directe hym, as by the saide ac
compte of George Bredyman may appere, the somme
of
Edwarde Randolphe, esquier, lieutenaunte of hir majesties
ordenance, appoynted likewise to conducte and cary
the some of three thowsande poundes to Barwicke in
November 1550, and there to deliver the same to the
saide sir Raffe Sadler ; which money was delivered to
the saide Edward Randolphe by the same sir Willyam
Cecill, knighte, owte of hir majesties privie purse, as by
a certificate, under the hande of the saide sir Willyam
Cecill, may appere, here charged upon the confession
of the saide accomptant, - m.m.m.1

Somme totall of the receipts aforesaide, ixm
/
Money by hym yssued, employed, and payde^ to diverse Per^
sons of Scotlande^
Jhe saide accomptante is allowed for,
first, the saide accomptante is allowed
for money by hym delivered- and
paide to certeyne of the lordes and
nobilitie of Scotlande by the handes
of Alexander Whitlawe, Scotishman,
in the name of the councell and lordes ,.
of Scotlande, as by an acquittance,,

-i*-*"

728 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
subscribed by certeyne of the saide
lordes and nobilitie, dated at St An
drowes, in Scotland^, the firste daye
of December, 1564, may appere the
somme of - - - vjmvcJi
<f6500
Also, the saide accomptaunte is allowed
for money by hym paide to divers
Scotismen in rewarde, and for spiall
Tnoney, charges in conveying of let
tres, and divers other charges in and
about the said service as occasion did
requier bythe discreation of the saide
accomptante, so appointed to doe by
the quenes majesties warraunte, above
charged, the summe of ciiijxxxvIi ixs iiid
 vjmvjciiij,axvu ixs iiij*
£6695 9 4
To certeyne Englishmen. -
Also, allowed to the saide accomptaunte
for rnonney by hym paide to capteyn
Readesman for the conveyaunce of a
Scottishman to Holly Hand ijs ; and
to capteyn Drurye for his. charges to
Edenborough, and in retorning to the
courte at Westminster, in poaste, vij11
x* in the hole, - - vijuxijs
Also, allowed to hym for money deliver
ed and paide to Valentyne BrOwne,
treasorer of the army in Scotlande, in
the seconde yere of the quenes ma
jesties reigne, by warraunte frome the
* saide sir Willyam Cecill, principall se
cretary to hir highnes, to be employ- ,
ed in the dischardge of the saide ar-
¦ my, as by a bill under the hande of the 12

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION, 1559-60. 729

saide Valentyne Browne, dated xxj0
Julij 1560, appereth, which is char
ged and answered in the accompte of
the saide Valentyne Browne, made
for the charges of the saide army, the
somme of

iiijc vij1' xij*

Money paide into the receipte ofthe Exchequier.
Also, the saide accomptaunte is allowed for money by
hym paide and delivered into the receipte of the ex
chequier by the handes of the saide sir Willyam Ce
cill, knighte, as of the remayne of a more somme de
livered to the saide accomptaunte by the quenes ma
jestie aboutes hir highnes affayeres in the north partes,
as by a taylle levied in the tearme of seynte Michaell
tharchaungell,sec«Mdo die Marcii annis tertio fy iiijto do-
rnina regina pradicta, appereth the somme of - m"

Somme totall of the payments and allowances aforesaide, ^iijmciijlixvj<1
And so the saide accomptante is indebted, uppon the de
termination of this his accompte, the somme of - viij' iiij'K xiij1' xviij' viijd
£893 18 8
Where allowed to the saide accomptaunte by discreation of the lorde
highe treasorer of Englande and the chaunCellor of thexchequier for
his ryding: charges and postinge charges, and other necessarie, expen-
ces owtewardes and homewardes- in his saide jorney, in consideracion
of a more somme by hym expendefl therein, as he affirmeth uppon
this accompte the somme of xxxju xviij8 viijd. And yet the saide ac
comptant is indebted, uppon the determination of this his accompte
the somme of viijc jxv", which is paide into the receipte of thexche
quier, termino Pasche anno viijvo domince regina: Elizabeths, as by
vol. i. 4 z

730 LETTERS DURING THE WAR OF
alle levied xviij"0 Junii, anno viij''0 regina predicts appereth.
And so the saide accomptaunte
is discharged and quyte,
Winchester, Wa. Mildmay.
r Johene Haurby,

rjonene xiauroy, ~%
P "{.Henricum Coddeuham. $

No. CCXLI.
A Special Memoriallfor Sir R. Sadler hymself e. *
Memoriall of things to be emparted to the Siuenes Majestie.
The mattie of Mr Sadlers,
Firste, yl he understand how y* procedings there diffre from our in- .
telligences here, and therafter to proceede, eyther the quicklyer or the
slower. Item, ye principall scope shall be to nourish ye faction betwexte ye
Scotts and,ye Frenche, so as ye Frensh maybe the better occupied
with them, and the lesse busy with Inglande. The meanes wherby
may be these, as followeth, besides such as Mr Sadler of himselfe shall
thinke meete.
Fyrst, to provoke all suche as have stirred in the last assemble, to re
quire the quene regent to performe her promises, bothe for restoring, of
religion, and sending away yc Frenchmen, and to perswade them, y'
althoughe they may be reconciled with promises or rewards, yet shall
they never neid be trusted by ye Frensh.
Item, to procure yl ye duke may for preservacion of yc expectant in
terest which he hath to the croune, yf God call the yong quene before
* This title is the hand-writing of Mr Cecill.

THE SCOTTISH REFORMATION,. il559-60. , 731
she have issue, instantly withstand ye gouvernance df y* realme by any
-other, then) by the blud of Skotland, likeas ye king of Spayne being
husband to y' queene of Ingland, committed no charge of any manner
of office, spirituall, or temporal!, to any straunger, neither dothe he
otherwise, nor his father before him, iri his countries of Flanders, Bra-
bant, or any other, but suffereth them to be gouverned holy by their
owne nation. In this- point, yf ye duke meane to presarve his title,
ought he to be earnest, for otherwise he maybe asseured, y' ye Frensh,
under pretense of subduing of religion, will also subdue yc realme, and
extirpe his house.
Item, yf this may be compassed, than may the nobilitie of Skot-
land also require, of theyr queene, that to avoyde suche mortall warres
and bludshed as hath bene betweene Ingland and Skotland, there
might be a perpetual peace made betwexte those two realmes, so as no
invasion shuld be made by eyther of them, by their frountiers, and for
the aunswear of an obiection which maybe made to disturbe this pur
pose, yt may be well sayde, yl althoughe y" Scottish queene doo falsely
pretend title to the croune of Ingland, yet doth she but as descended
of y? blud of Ingland, y' is to saye, of y" body of king Henry ye vijth,
whereunto none of Skotland either doth, or can make pretense, and
therfore none ought to be abused with any such perswasion.
¦Item, the duke may pretend as good cause to arreste Monsieur Doy-
sell, and som other of the Frensh, for aunswearing for his two sonnes
ye erle and lord David, as the Frensh have don in driving away the one, '
and imprisoning the other, being neither of them his subiects nor of
fendours against him.
Item, yt shall doo well to explore the very trueth, whether y" lord
James doo meane any enterprise toward ye crowne of Scotland for him
self or no. And if he doo, and ye duke be found very cold in his
owne causes, it shall not be amisse to lett the lord James follow his
owne device therein, without dissuading or persuading him any thing
therin,

732 * LETTERS DURING THE WAR, &C.
Item, fynally, if he shall fynde any dispocicion in any of them to
ryd away ye Frensh there, he may well accelerate ye^same, with this
persuasion, yl yf they tarry untill y' ayde com out of Fraunce, they
shall fynde these to abide longer then they wold. .

END OF VOLUME FIRST.

Edinburgh :
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