abound in riches leasure would repay this due and deserued thanks But when I had certainly obserued that weightier affaires hindred some that were best able to performe it others I know not for what causes with specious excuses refused it Afterwards I eftsoones betook myself to my interrupted study embraced it more vehemently than before I sought all manner of helps on euery side I sedulousâ—â— volued reuolued Characters of Kings Peers Letters Consultations held at the Councell-Table I ran through the instructions letters of Ambassadors likewise the Records Iournals of Parliaments Acts Statuts read ouer al ProclamatioÌ„s For most of which as I ought I hold my self chiefly bound to sir R Cotton kt Baronet who with great expence happy labor hath gatherd together most choice variety of Histories Antiquity for at his torch he willingly sufferd me to light my taper So as Reader if in this I haue don any thing pleasing vnto thee or profitable thou owest him the merited thanks I haue also made search throughout mine own Cabinets although I am an admirer of venerable antiquitie I am not iniurious to later things I haue seen obserued much haue from elder men than my selfe worthy of beliefe who were present when these were acted studious on both sides in this diuision of Religion receiued them haue weighed theÌ„ in the ballance of my Iudgment such as it is lest by a deceiueable credulity I should incline towards those which are false For the study of TRVTH as it hath been the only spur to prick me forward to this Worke so hath it beene mine only Scope To detract from Historie is nothing else than to pluck out the eies of a beautifull creature and for a medicinable potion to offer poison to the Readers vnderstanding All those things which are wont to hinder the light of Truth I purposely auoided and as much as in me lay haue vncased IGNORANCE FALSHOOD by the light of a Witnesse pure neat drawn from these VNSKILFVLNESSE her deriuatiues DOVBT FALSITY haue I dispelled as well as I could by the splendor of an incorrupt faith out of those monuments aboue al exception it may be from them haue gotten no lesse knowledge of those things than they which haue had long great imployment in the Common-wealth I haue auoided PREIVDICE as an abuser of the Iudgement which so infects the mind in affairs of Religion and the Reipublique that like them that haue sore eyes they see nothing cleerly I haue not feared DANGER no not from them who by their present power thinke the memorie of the succeeding Age may be extinguished And let them remember that as many as haue beene iniurious to Writers louers of the Truth haue procured to themselues dishonour to them glorie The hope of a LITTLE GAINE misse-led me not To make the dignitie of Historie mercenarie I who haue alwaies contented my selfe with a meane fortune haue held sordid and seruile I haue left no place to the SVSPICION OF FAVOVR OR PRIVATE GRVDGES for of these I am to write of Scarce two were known to me by any benefit by iniury not one that I should be reckoned among the PARTIAL or the OFFENDED Those which are aliue I haue scarse touched at Inueighing against the enemies of my Countrie I haue held it ridiculous to hunt after the name of a good Patriot with the aspersion of an ill Historian These things haue I been carefull of that as POLYBIVS commands I might SACRIFICE ONLY TO TRVTH Neither shall any man I hope finde wanting in me that ingenious liberty ioyned with modestie of speech worthy of an Historian That which vnder a false disguise ioyned with the poison of obtrectation personates libertie and is so pleasing to euery eare I detest from my heart Things MANIFEST I haue not concealed things DOVBTFVL I haue tenderly interpreted the more ABSTRVSE I haue not been too inquisitiue of The vnsearchable intents of Princes saith that Prince of Historie and what they out of reasons of State pretend is not fit to inquire being doubtfull not to be explored And with HALYCARNASS AEVS I am iustly angry which the ignorant critiques who go about to know or find out more than is iustly permitted As to the rest although I know that matters militarie and politique are the proper subiects of an Historian yet I neither could nor ought to omit Ecclesiasticall affaires for betwixt Religion and policy there can be no diuorce But seeing the Writer of the Ecclesiasticall Historie may lawfully challenge these things as proper to himself I haue not touched at them otherwise than as it were with a light and cursory hand whereas it is the Law and dignitie of an Historian to run through the most eminent actions and not to dwell vpon small ones I haue not therefore laboured in them yet there are passages of lesse coÌ„sequence which may concern another professor though not him I haue not omitted any circumstances by which not only the euents of things but their reasons also and causes may be known That of POLYBIVS pleaseth me exceedingly If you take out of History WHY HOVV TO WHAT END and WHAT IS DONE and whether the Actions answer the intents that that remaines is rather a mocking than an instruction And for the present may please but will neuer profit Posteritie I haue not betrayed my IVDGEMENT to affection for writing with an impartiall minde I haue rather desired to finde out the affections of other men I haue inserted little of mine own treating of matters in another kind it being a controuerted point whether or no it be lawfull for an Historian to doe it Let euery one abound in his owne sense I haue thrust in no occasions but such as were truly spoken or those reduced to fewer words much lesse haue I fained any I haue seldome vsed Sentences nor beautified my discourses with those obseruatioÌ„s which the Greeks aptly call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my intent being as it were insensibly to instruct the minde I haue shunned digressions I haue vsed formall words I haue not neglected discriptions of places pedigrees nor Chronologies following as neere as is possible the order of the Times beginning the yeare as our Chronologers were wont from the first of IANVARY I haue inscribed my discourses with the name of ANNALS because I place euery passage in his owne yeare and because TACITVS directs vs that great illustrious Actions should be committed to Annals whose principall office it is to take care that Vertue be not obscured and by the relation of euill words or deeds to propose the feare of infamie with posteritie And that sterile and contracted kind of writing such as mine is is for Annals of all other most fit With these beginnings I applyed my mind to write with this resolutioÌ„ I proceeded intended to bestow the rest of my time and industrie in the beautifying polishing and exornation of these
accepted the Challenge which two after a while trauersing their ground to and fro without one drop of blood-shed betooke themselues to drinke freely together and so of enemies became friends and parted Yet here wee must not omit to obserue that our Englishmen who of all the Northerne Nations haue beene most commended for sobrietie haue learned since these Low-Country warres so well to fill their cups and to wash themselues with Wine that whilest they at this day drinke others healths they little regard their owne And that this vicious practice of drunkennesse hath so ouerflowed the Land that lawes proscripts of restraint are vsually made for the drying vp of the same But whilest they were all this while contending in the Low-Countries for Dorppes Villages the King of Spaine getteth into his hands the rich Kingdome of Portugall For Henry which was King hauing paid Natures tribute the yeare before left the Realm to diuers Competitors amongst whom Philip King of Spaine sonne of his eldest Sister puissant enough in force though not in right by reason of his priority in blood and descent comming of the elder line and being Male thought with his friends himselfe worthiest to bee preferred to the succession of the said Kingdome before the women the yonger sort and such as did lesse participate of the blood The Duke of Sauoy reiected for that he came of the yonger Sister Farnese sonne to the Prince of Parma borne of the eldest Daughter of EDWARD brother King HENRY and KATHERINE of Brabant second daughter to the said EDWARD grounding themselues only vpon the benefit of Representation a simple fiction could not annihilate the true Title of Inheritance nor intercept the King of Spaines lawfull succession and this the Spaniards stood to maintaine And as touching Don Antonio Prior of Crates sonne to Lewis the second brother of King HENRY he was ipso facto reiected for that he was illegitimate The King of Spaine neuerthelesse propounded the matter twice to his Clergy and men of Law to decide the cause charging them in the name of God and vpon their faith and saluation to tell him freely whether hee had rightfull claime or no to that Kingdome They hauing with vnanimous voice assured him that it was proper to him he quickly putting forth first the Duke of Alua put to flight Antonio elected of the people and within 70 dayes brought all Portugall vnder his iurisdiction But touching the Right of Katherin de Medicis the Queen of France who claimed it from Alphonsus and the Earles of Boulogne for 320 yeares agone that the Spaniards laughed at as a Title out of date and fetcht from the old Prophetesse the Mother of Euander a thing iniurious to so many of the Kings of Portugal which had lawfully and lineally succeeded one another and therefore ridiculous to both Spaniards and Portugals Whereat the Queene incensed with anger and considering how mightily the Spaniard now in his ascendant enriched himselfe farre and neare by the accession or surcrease of this new-got Kingdome his Ilands and the East Indies breeding a feare within her to her selfe and the Princes her neighbouring friends aduised them and amongst the rest the Queene of England that it was already high time to stay the Spaniards in his mounting and to stop him vp within his owne bounds before his ambition should extend any further Queene ELIZABETH who was not to learne what shee had to doe in that nature for her selfe and her friends and foreseeing how dangerous the growing greater of the neighbour Princes would be lent eare thereto with no light attention but with great and Royall kindnesse entertained Antonio banished out of Portugall and recommended to her from France thinking that Spaine could not take exception thereat because hee was of her Alliance issued from the Blood Royall of England and of the House of Lancaster as shee well knew nor in any Treaties that euer had past betwixt Spaine and England was any caueat at all inferred forbidding England to receiue or to haue commerce with the Portugals At the same time for the more confirmation of assured amitie the Queene of France and the King her sonne prosecuting the mariage of the Duke d' Anjou addrest an honourable ambassage into England for the consummation thereof came ouer François de Bourbon Prince of Daulphiné Arthur de Cosse Cont de Secondigny Marshal of France Louis de Lusignan M. de S. Gelais Lansac Salignac Mauuisser Bernarde Brisson President of the Parliament of Paris and one of the learnedest men of France and others who as they they were of Honorable ranke were very nobly receiued and banqueted in a Banquetting-House built on purpose neere Westminster richly adorned with rare and sumptuous furniture and Titls and Tournaments proclaimed which were presented in a most princely manner by Philip Earle of Arundell Fred Lord Winsor Philip Sidney and Fulk Greuill Knights against all commers with sundry other courtly sports and Princely recreations not necessarily coincident to our History To conferre with them concerning these Nuptials were appointed the Baron of Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England the Earles of Sussex Lincolne Bedford and Leicester together with Sir Christopher Hatton and Secretary Walsingham Amongst whom these matrimoniall Contracts following were concluded vpon THe Duke d' Anjou and the Queene of England within six weekes after the ratification of these Articles shall personally contract mariage here in England The Duke and his associates seruants and friends being no English subiects shall haue libertie to vse their owne Religion in a certain place in their houses without molestation or impeachment He shall not alter any part of the Religion now receiued in England Hee shall inioy and haue the Title and Dignity of King after the mariage shall bee consummate but notwithstanding shall leaue intirely to the Queene the managing of affaires And whereas his demand was that immediately after the celebration of the mariage he should be crowned King instantly to inioy the title and dignity during the gouernment of the Kingdome in the minority of their children The Queene answered she would propound and further it at the next high Court of Parliament to be holden within fifteen dayes after the ratification Letters Patents and other things shal be passed in both their names as in the time of Philip and MARIE The Queene by Act of Parliament shall ordaine an Annuall pension for the Duke but the valuation thereof shall bee left to her pleasure she will also ordaine the said Pension to continue if he shall surviue her The Duke in Dowry shall bestow on the Queene to the value of forty thousand Crownes per annum out of his Duchy of Berry and shall forthwith infeofe her therein As touching their Issue it shall likewise be enacted by Parliament in England and registred in the Annals of France as followeth That the Heires of them as well Males as Females by maternall right of
of times intimating that wee could not attaine to the knowledge of seuerall actions done at sundry seasons but by her helpe and how much the science of Histories profits is proued in regard they are the handmaids to Prudence and VVisdome the which may be easily and truely purchased out of the deeds and examples of others there written How much it conduceth to the good gouernement of Common-wealths to haue the examples of Councels before our eyes it appeareth in regard of the general respect the wisest men haue had to them Neither are true Histories a little commodious for shunning of horrible alterations and calamities for they recite the examples of all times for the punishments of Seditions Treasons and such other abominable Crimes the which escape not vnpunisht no not in this life Out of which examples we may collect most wholsome instructions for the good vsing of our both priuate publike Offices that such Euils may be shunned in vs which were punished in others the which is true wisedome according to that in the Prouerbe Other mens harmes are wise-mens armes Plato saith that a certaine Aeyptian Priest reprehended the Greekes calling them Children because they had no knowledge in Antiquity they had no skill in the passages of former times they were indued with no ancient and graue Science For euen as children through the imbecillity of their capacity and slendernes of their intellect cannot discerne Vice from Vertue good from bad so they whose mindes doe comprehend no knowledge of former times deserued not to be called men in regard they exceeded not children in vnderstanding For which cause learned men in all Ages haue not onely read diligently but also written Histories carefully by which kind of writing they haue purchased vnto themselues a liuing name The ANNALS of this Heroicke Empresse Queene ELIZABETH I confesse I haue rashly vndertaken to translate for the Subiect deserued a farre better and more skilfull Pen-man in regard I am a Stranger Yet to shew the desire I haue to doe this Noble Nation seruice as bound in duety I haue faithfully the best I was able finished my Enterprize which I hope will be very beneficiall to all Honourable and impartiall Readers as most vseful fit for these present times And as therefore in my former Bookes I haue chosen Patrons Honourable and beneficiall by whose authority fauour and countenance they might more happily be published so I could finde none more worthy the dedication of this Royall and true History then your Honours whom I know aboue all persons to tender most the blessed memory of this matchlesse Queene who in her life time so much honoured and affected you or your Noble Ancestors and illustrious Predecessours that they for their deserts and vertues were by her Maiestie graced with the most honourable Dignities and highest places of Honour in this Kingdome And also because your Honours bee addicted to History fauourable to humane arts religiously deuoted piously affected VVherefore I in most submissiue manner request your Honours to accept this worthy Oblation with a mild aspect cheerfull countenance and vsuall Clemency from him who vnfainedly wishes to all your Honors in generall and to each of them in particular perfection of ioy and happines as The true Admirer and humble obseruer of your Graces of your Honours and of your Vertues Abraham Darcie TO THE NOBLE AND VVEL-DISPOSED READER indued with either of these rare Vertues Iustice Valour Honour Temperance Magnanimity Clemency Truth Liberality Ciuility and Courtesie Health and happinesse in IESVS CHRIST ALl-Vertuous and impartiall Reader here is presented to thy iudicious view the Translation of a Master-piece of History in its owne originall Language truely most rare which I for the worthinesse of the Subiect wish with my soule I could haue Englished accordingly But though my poore straine weake capacity would not permit mee to equalize the eloquence and elegancie thereof yet I can assure you I haue had a speciall care to doe it faithfully And truely I must confesse ingenuously doubting of my weaknesse in so important and laborious a Worke because I am a Stranger borne I haue sought the best helpe I could from those that are holden good Schollers for the perfecting of the English phrase and stile but it hath beene amended so contrary to my expectation that I haue beene forced to peruse it againe best I was able and as the time Presse would giue me leaue I beseech you therefore to beare with it not doubting but as I haue obserued the inuention and meaning of my Author it will affoord you sufficient content and if I may bee so happy as to drawe gently the gracious aspect of your eyes vpon these my worthlesse Lines I will euer be bound to your Noble fauour for a milde and courteous Censure in respecting the affection and desire I haue to imploy my time about that which may tend to immortalize the Honour and Glory of Englands dreaded and vndaunted Nation in striuing to make vulgar the heroicke Acts and Diuine Vertues of Albions best Queen and the most Religious learned and prudent Empresse that euer liued on earth and Soueraigne Head or supreme Ruler next God ouer this flourishing Kingdome ayming thereby more at the conseruation of her glorious memory then at any thing else I therefore doubt not but this worke will soone purchase your kind fauour and louing commendation and so I commit you to the Almighty wishing you his blessings and the perfection of happines I rest A true deuoted to your Vertues ABRAHAM DARCIE THE AVTHOR TO THE READER WILLIAM CECIL Baron of Burghley Lord High Treasurer of England about 16. yeers past opened vnto me farre from my thought first some memorials of State of his own afterwards those of the Kingdome and from them willed me to compile a Historie of Q. Elizabeths Raigne from the beginning I know not to what intent vnlesse whilest he prouiding for the propagation of the Queenes honour meant to take a taste of my abilitie in this kind I obeyed and indeed not vnwillingly lest I should be thought to haue been wanting to the memory of the best Princesse his expectation and truth it selfe which to me equals them both For shee being escaped and hauing hidden herselfe my hope is to finde her there or no where But in the first entrie a most intricate difficultie deterred me I fell vpon whole masses of writings instruments of all kinds well enough digested for the computation of the times but very confused for varietie of argument in examining whereof I was couered with dust and sweat I diligently collected together fit matter harder to find out than I expected but he dying mine industrie slackt And after that that incomparable Princesse had rendred her diuine soule to heauen I waited a while with a greedy expectation not only who but if some one of so great a number of learned men who by her bounty
rest of my people is most acceptable As concerning your instant perswasion of mee to marriage I must tell you I haue beene euer perswaded that I was borne by God to consider and aboue all things doe those which appertaine vnto his glory And therefore it is that I haue made choyce of this kinde of life which is most free and agreeable for such humane affaires as may tend to his seruice onely from which if eyther the marriages which haue beene offered mee by diuers puissant Princes or the danger of attempts made against my life could no whit diuert mee it is long since I had any ioy in the honour of a Husband and this is that I thought then that I was a priuate person But when the publique charge of gouerning the Kingdome came vpon mee it seemed vnto mee an inconsiderate folly to draw vpon my selfe the cares which might proceede of marriage To conclude I am already bound vnto an Husband which is the Kingdome of England and that may suffice you and this quoth shee makes mee wonder that you forget your selues the pledge of this alliance which I haue made with my Kingdome And therwithall stretching out her hand shee shewed them the Ring with which shee was giuen in marriage and inaugurated to her Kingdome in expresse and solemne termes And reproch mee so no more quoth shee that I haue no children for euery one of you and as many as are English are my Children and Kinsfolkes of whom so long as I am not depriued and God shall preserue mee you cannot charge mee without offence to be destitute But in this I must commend you that you haue not appoynted mee an Husband for that were vnworthy the Maiestie of an absolute Princesse and the discretion of you that are borne my Subiects Neuerthelesse if GOD haue ordayned mee to another course of life I will promise you to doe nothing to the preiudice of the Common-wealth but as farre as possible I may will marry such an Husband as shall bee no lesse carefull for the common good than my selfe And if I persist in this which I haue proposed vnto my selfe I assure my selfe that GOD will so direct my counsels and yours that you shall haue no cause to doubt of a Successour which may be more profitable for the Common-wealth than him which may proceede from mee sithence the posterity of good Princes doth oftentimes degenerate Lastly this may be sufficient both for my memorie and honour of my Name if when I haue expired my last breath this may be inscribed vpon my Tombe Here lyes interr'd ELIZABETH A Virgin pure vntill her Death And moreouer then this they instituted in this Assembly of State certaine Orders to preuent any forcible attempt vpon the person of the Queene to restore tenths and first fruites to the Crowne and to establish in euery Church an vniformity of publike Prayer termed the Letany and the forme of administring the Sacraments vsed vnder EDVVARD the Sixth with very little alteration with a penaltie vpon such as should depraue them or vsurpe any other then that forme to attend Diuine Seruice Sundayes and other holy dayes vpon twelue-pence damage to be imployed for the poore for euery such default cōmitted As also cōcerning seditious broyles against the Queen the sale of Deaneries all maritime Causes the traffique for Cloth and Iron mutinous and vnlawfull Assemblies And to omit the rest sithence there is no order imprinted things concerning the possessions of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops intending that they could neither giue or farme out the Church-Liuings but onely for the space of one and twentie yeeres or for tearme of three liues as they say to any other person but the Queen and her successors the reuenews of former Arrerages still reserued So as this reseruation of the Queene which onely tended to the benefit of her Court who abused her bounty and the Bishops who were carefull enough for their own profit continued still in force vntill King Iames came to the Crown who vtterly cut it off for the good of the Church But there was no Act for it howbeit in the former Parliaments of Kings there was often Those who were restored to their goods and honour were Greg. Finch Baron Dacre and Tho. his Brother whose Father was put to death vnder HENRY the Eighth H. Howard who was afterward Earle of Northampton and his three Sisters the children of H. Howard Earle of Surrey who about the death of King HENRIE the Eighth had his head cut off for very small offences Ioh. Gray of Pirg brother to the Marquesse of Dorset Iames Croft and H. Gates who were conuicted of Treason de laesa Maiestate vnder Queene MAREIS Raigne and diuers others The Parliament being dismist the Lyturgie conceiued in the Vulgar tongue was forthwith sent vnto all Churches the Images without any adoe taken from the Temples the Oath of Supremacy proposed vnto the Bishops to the Papists and other Ecclesiasticall professors who for the most part had formerly lent vnder King HENRY the 8. and all that refused to lend depriued of their Benefices Dignities and Bishopricks But certes as themselues haue certified in the whole Kingdome wherein are numbred 9400. Ecclesiasticall Dignities they could find but 80. Pastors of the Church 50. Prebends 15. Rectors of the Colledge 12. Arch-Deacons and so many Deanes 6. Abbots and Abbesses and all the Bishops that were then in Seance and were 14. in number besides Anthony Bishop of Landaff who was the calamity of his Sea Also N. Heath Archbishop of Yorke who for nothing had voluntarily left the Chancellorship liued many yeeres after in a little house of his owne at Cobham in Surrey seruing God and studying good workes and so acceptable to the Queene that she refused not to visite him in that obscure place with admirable courtesie Edward Bonner Bishop of London who was sent Ambassador to the Emperour the Pope and the King of France but such a one as mixt his Authority with such a sharpnes of nature that he was noted of diuers for cruelty and kept prisoner the most part of his life Cuthbert Tunstal of Durham a man most expert in Learning possest of many honours within the Kingdome besides employ'd as Ambassadour abroad in diuers waighty Affaires contested rudely being yet very young against the primacy of the Pope by a Letter written to Cardinall Pole and being a little elder dyed at Lambeth where dyed also Th. Thurlbey Bishop of Ely who had the honour to bee accounted most discreet in an Ambassage sent to Rome to offer obedience to the Pope and about the Treaty at Cambray Gilbert Bourn of Bath and Wels who had worthily deserued in his place Iohn Christopherson of Chester so vnderstanding in the Greeke Tongue that hee translated diuers workes of Eusebius and Philon to the great benefit of the Christian Common-wealth Ioh. White de Winton generally learned and reasonably qualified in Poetry according to the fashion of
to a guard while they could finde out and execute Bothwell But shee weary of reigning with so infinite many disturbances had willingly resigned and transferred ouer the Kingdome to her Sonne constituting the Earle of Murray for Vice-Roy That hereupon her Sonne was solemnely consecrated and crowned King all confirmed and ratified in Parliament by the States of the Kingdome That by reason of Iustice which was equally ministred the Scottish Common-wealth had recouered some vigour and strength while some particulars who could not endure the publique repose had contrary to their oath cautelously released the Queene out of safe custodie and taken vp Armes violating herein the fidelitie they owe to their King and though thankes be to GOD they obtayned victory ouer them yet notwithstanding with an hostile and disloyall heart they presumptuously enterprized against their Countrey and Prince and therefore the Royall Authoritie must needes conformably haue beene supprest by such tumultuous and mutinous Subiects After a reiteration of the former protest the Queene of Scots Deputies replyed in these words THat what Earle Murray and his Complices alledged for hauing taken vp Armes against the Queene in that Bothwell whom they accused of killing the KING was in great grace and authoritie about her could not iustly brand them with the marke of disloyall Subiects seeing there was no euident proofe of his murdering the King but contrariwise by sentence of the Peeres hee was cleared thereof and this absolution confirmed by Act of Parliament with their very approbation and consent who at this time accuse him and that then perswaded the Queene to take him for her Husband as beeing more sufficient than all others to sway and gouerne the Kingdome they obliged vnto him their fidelitie in Writing and not so much as in words disallowed of this marriage while they had drawne to their partie the Captaine or Gouernour of the Castle and the Maior of Edenborrough For then in the night which was a very vnfit season in hostile manner they assayled the Castle of Bothwick where the Queene was and shee retyring her selfe by the fauour of the night they presently raysing an Armie vnder pretext of her defence went themselues into the field way-layde her as shee went to Edenborrough and aduertized her by Grange whom they sent to her that shee should shake off Bothwell while hee had appeared in iudgement and cleared himselfe all which shee willingly did to auoid effusion of bloud But Grange vnder-hand admonished Bothwell to with-draw himselfe promising him with oath that no bodie should pursue him so as hee made away with their owne consent and beeing minded they might easily haue taken him afterwards But when they had once gotten the Queene into their hands for the mannaging of their ambitious designes they made no great reckoning of him and it is no great wonder when they beeing the Queenes Subiects and hauing vowed fidelity to her shee bitterly rebuked them hauing so basely and vnworthily entreated her Royall Maiesty Shee freely referred the matter to the whole Estates of the Kingdome and made a declaration thereof vnto them by Lidington her Secretary But they would not so much as giue any eare vnto it but conueyed her away secretly by night and emprisoned her at Lake-Leuin In saying that wearied with her Reigne shee resigned and gaue ouer the Kingdome is a most palpable inuention because shee is neither too-much broken with yeeres nor of such a feeble and weake constitution but equally vigorous both in bodie and minde to mannage weightie and great affaires but most certaine it is that the Earles of Athol Tubardine and Lidington who were also of her Councell aduized her to seale the drafts of Resignation to auoyd death where-with shee was daily threatned and this was not done with any preiudice eyther to her selfe or her Heires because shee was then a prisoner and imprisonment is a iust feare for according to the opinion of Ciuilians a promise made by a prisoner is of no worth Hereunto also she was perswaded by Throgmorton who presented vnto her a draft written with his owne hand whom shee entreated to informe the Queene of England that shee did it constrained and contrary to her will That when Lindsay presented to her the Patents for her to subscribe vnto hee terrified her with feare and horrour of death and so by this meanes enforced her to seale with weeping eyes not hauing so much as read the Contents That the Lord of the Castle of Lake-Leuin vnderstanding and seeing apparantly that shee had subscribed and sealed against her will hee would not set to his hand as also this Resignation was most vniust because shee had nothing hereby assigned her for her owne behoofe and entertainement neither grant of libertie nor assurance of life That whosoeuer will but equally ballance things hee cannot but iudge this to be a weake infringement of Royall Authoritie because when the Queene was at libertie in the presence of many Nobles of the Kingdome shee declared how shee had done it out of meere constraint And what they boast to haue effected by Act of Parliament can no wayes preiudice her Royall prerogatiue because in this tumultuarie Parliament there were present but foure Earles one Bishop two Abbots and sixe Barons though aboue an hundred betweene Earles Bishops and Barons haue a voyce in the Parliament of Scotland and yet of so small a number some protested that what was done should not redound to the preiudice of the Queene or her Successours because shee was a prisoner That the Ambassadours of France and England could neuer be certified from her though they had many times instantly vrged it whether she voluntarily resigned ouer the Kingdome or no. And so farre the Common-wealth hath beene from beeing iustly gouerned vnder the vsurping Vice-Roy that on the contrary all manner of impieties neuer bare a greater sway for hee hath beene seene to demolish sacred buildings to ruine illustrious Families and to afflict and grinde the faces of the miserable poore And therefore they humbly entreated the Queens Maiestie of England to be assisting with her best fauour counsell and ayde to the Queene her neere Kinsewoman so lamentably opprest Thus farre I copied out of the proper Writings of the Commissioners These matters thus heard the Commissioners enioyning Murray to produce and proue with more solid reasons the occasion of so strange a rigour vs'd to an absolute Queene because all formerly alledged had no pregnant testimonies but only ambiguous and improbable Letters and Lidington hauing priuily made known that he himself had often counterfaited the Qu. hand Murray would no further prosecute before strangers the accusation he had framed against his Sister except the Queene of England promised of her part to take vpon her the Protection of the Infant King and wholly abandon the Queene of Scots But the Deputies by vertue of their Delegation hauing no authoritie to promise any such matter two on both parts were sent vp to London to
enuy among themselues so as neither of them obtained their end and purpose At that very time a pleasing serenity seemed to shine vpon the Protestants in France and Charles the Ninth pretending onely a warre in Flanders which he affirmed to be the preseruation of France and couering himselfe with this maske he feigned as though hee meant to contract alliance and amitie with the Queene of England and the Princes of Germanie to giue some testimony herein of his loue to the Protestants whose absolute ruine notwithstanding he couertly intended And as if he leaned to them of the one side and the Spaniard on the other hee substituted to this end the Duke de Mont-Morancy Birag de Anbisine the Bishop of Limoges and of Foix. The Queene of England who truely apprehended the secret plots and stratagems of the Duke of Alua deputed Sir Thomas Smith and Sir Francis Walsingham And Articles were drawne betweene them whereof you shall see an abridgement in the same expresse words and termes THis alliance shall not tye Princes allyed to leaue other Treaties past betweene them so they be not opposite and contrary thereunto There shall be a Confederation League and Vnion betweene them to defend themselues mutually against all who vnder some pretext or any other occasion whatsoeuer shall inuade or attempt to inuade their persons or Territories whereof they are now possest It shall remaine firme betweene them not onely while they liue but also betweene their Successours so the Heire of the first deceased giue notice to the suruiuant within the space of a yeere by Ambassadours and Letters that hee accepts of the same conditions Otherwise the suruiuant shall be reputed discharged of the obseruance of the same It shall bee validious against all yea and euen against those that are ioyned in affinitie to the one or other Prince and against all other Alliances contracted or to contract If the Queene of England be required to send succours by Letters sealed and subscribed with the King of France his owne hand shee shall be bound to passe ouer into France within two moneths after a thousand foot armed or fiue hundred Horse at her choyce whom the King must pay from the first day of their arriuall in France Shee was to send for the warre of Flanders eight Ships of equall greatnesse wherein twelue hundred Souldiers must be imployed with all things necessary and there must bee no Marriners nor Souldiers but English but yet they must be commanded by the Admirall of France payed and victualled by the King from the first day they enter into Seruice Shee was also to victuall her Ships for two Moneths which the King was also to pay within two moneths And if the Queene be moued to any warre the King hauing receiued Letters subscribed with her owne hand was to send ouer into England or Ireland within two Moneths sixe thousand foot or at her choyce fiue hundred Conductors armed at all poynts who should bring fifteene hundred Horse and about three thousand foot with good Horse and Armes after the French manner whom shee must pray from the time they set foot in her Countries And for the warre by Sea he was to furnish eight Shippes with twelue hundred Souldiers in manner and forme aboue mentioned Order agreed vpon for succours and pay to be digest in writing running in this forme that the one shall bee bound to sell vnto the other Armes and all necessary things to the Prince assayled They shall innouate nothing in Scotland but defend it against Strangers and permit them to enter and nourish the Scottish partialities But the Queene of England was permitted to pursue with Armes those amongst them who maintained or fostered the English Rebels who were at that present in Scotland That this Alliance shall be so taken and vnderstood as the onely proprietie and meaning of the words imported Each of the two Princes shall confirme euery one of these Articles by Patents and faithfully and really to deliuer them into the hands of Ambassadours for the one and other within three moneths For ratification of this Alliance on the behalfe of the King of France the Queene of England sent into France the Earle of Lincolne Admirall with a great traine of Gentlemen among which were these Barons the Lord Dacres the Lord Rich the Lord Talbot the Lord Sands and others And the King of France sent into England Anne Duke de Mont-Morancie and Monsieur de Foix with a magnificent traine that in the presence of them and Messieurs de Saligna and de la Mottef his Ambassadour ordinary the Queene might reciprocally confirme the same with oath which was performed at Westminster the seuenteenth of Iune and the day after the Queenes Maiestie with the consent of the French inuested with the Order of Saint George the Duke de Mont-Morancy in gratefull commemoration of the loue which Anne Constable of France manifested vnto her to whom HENRY the Eighth vouchsafed the same honour out of the loue he bare to the House of Mont-Morancy who carries the title of the first Christian of France and is there held for most Noble While Mont-Morancy remayned in England hee moued certaine propositions in the King of France his name that the Queene of Scots might there finde fauour so farre as it might be performed without danger That there might be a cessation of Armes in Scotland and that a Concord might be established by Act of Parliament And if a Parliament could not commodiously be summoned that some might be elected of the one and other part among the Scots to repayre to London to settle affaires with the Deputies of the King of France and Queene of England But answere was made him That more fauour had been shewed to the Queene of Scots than shee deserued and yet for the King of France more should be shewed her though the Estates of the Kingdome assembled had iudged how the Queene of England could not liue in security except some rigor were vsed to her That the Queene had carefully employed her whole power to establish Concord and procure a cessation of Armes hauing for this end lately sent into Scotland Sir William Drewry Gouernour of Berwicke with de la Croce the French Ambassadour But they could by no meanes induce Grange to peace nor the Garrison of the Castle of Edenborrough out of the hope they conceiued to bee succoured from France and Flanders though Huntley and Hamilton Arbroth for the Duke their Father had obliged themselues in writing to Queene ELIZABETH to enter it and other of the Queenes partakers had plighted their faith and promise thereunto After these motiues hee also propounded many other touching the marriage of the Duke of Aniou but in that they could not agree about some circumstances concerning Religion the matter grew hopelesse and he returned into France when there was preparation of the Nuptials betweene Henrie King of Nauarre with Margarite Sister to the King of
France whereunto with notable dissimulation the King of Nauarre and the most noble Protestants were drawne by sweet promises and probable hopes of perpetuating the peace bringing themselues into grace as also the Earle of Leicester and the Lord Burleigh were inuited out of England vnder an honourable colour and out of Germanie the Sonnes of the Elector Palatine to the end that being intangled in the nets if those of the Euangelicall Religion together with themselues were not all denounced in an instant yet they should receiue a mortall and irrecouerable wound For when the Nuptials were solemnized this so expected and wished serenitie was presently ouer-cast with that terrible and bloudie tempest the Parisian Butcherie and through the cruell Massacres that with execrable impietie were committed in all the Citie of France against Protestants of all estates and conditions the which notwithstanding they would faine haue couered with a pretext of equitie yea of pitty and to practise this impious fraud vnder the cloake and shelter of the Edicts imputing to the Protestants that they had wickedly conspired against the King the Queene his Mother his Brethren the King of Nauarre and the Princes of the Bloud For pieces of money were coyned in memorial of this act which had of the one side the Kings effigies with this Inscription Vertu contre les Rebelles Vertue against Rebels and on the other La pieté à esmen la iustice Pittie hath moued iustice Not long before the Queene-Mother of France very subtill in counterfeiting good-will to the Protestants being to vnderstand the future euents and credulous in Astrologicall predictions which by the coniunction of the Royall Planets at the birth of her Sonnes prognosticated Kingdomes to each of them commanded la Mottef to breake with Queene ELIZABETH about the marriage of her with Francis her youngest Sonne Duke of Alenzon to purchase him if shee could the title of a King or at least to diuert Queene ELIZABETH from ayding the Protestants in France La Mottef propounded this matter at Kennelworth two dayes before the Massacre of Paris But Queene ELIZABETH excused her selfe by reason of the difference in Religion and disparity in yeeres For hee was hardly seuenteene yeeres old and she aboue eight and thirtie Neuerthelesse shee promised to deliberate of it and the Duke of Alenzon forbare not to sollicite her by the procurements of Fleri In the same moneth Thomas Percie Earle of Northumberland who because of his Rebellion fled into Scotland had his Head cut off at Yorke after hee was deliuered into the hands of the Lord of Hunsdon Gouernour of Berwicke by the treachery of one Morton who stood much bound vnto him for many benefits when hee was banished into England but was euer found gratefull towards the afflicted And as this yeere like a dreadfull Axe cut off the Duke of Norfolke and Earle of Northumberland in the flower of their age a milde and gentle death carried likewise out of the World two others in their decrepit yeeres who were of the most eminent Nobilitie and of the Priuy-Councell George Pawlet Lord Treasurer of England Marquis of Winchester Earle of Wilton and Lord Saint Iohn of Basing who went through many great honours attained to the age of ninetie seuen yeeres and begot to the number of an hundred and three children Sir William Cecill Baron of Burleigh supplied his place in the dignity of Lord Treasurer Edward Earle of Darbie and Baron of le Strange of Knoking departed this life with whom in some sort dyed the glory of English hospitality After his commendable discharge of many honourable Ambassies there dyed also Sir George Peters an honourable Knight who was one of the priuy Councell Secretary to King HENRY the Eighth King EDVVARD the Sixt Queene MARY and Queene ELIZABETH and Chancellour of the order of the Garter descended from the worthy Family of Exceter after that by his wisedome and learning he had collected a great Estate out of his owne goods and the permission of Queene MARY he augmented with annuall reuennues Exceter Colledge in the Vniuersity of Oxeford where he was a Student and brought vp The Queene her selfe who had alwaies liued in perfect health for she neuer ate but when she had a stomacke neither drunke any Wine felt some small grudging of infirmitie at Hampton-Court But she recouered her former health before it was almost known she was sicke and being vigilant ouer matters worthy of a Princes care forecast shee commanded that Portsmouth should be rampard with new fortifications her Fleet increast with Ships of war that at certaine constituted times Soldiers might bee inrold throughout the Shires and Youth to be trained vp in Armes though she liued then in most secure peace Shee willingly and with much thankes restored the money shee had borrowed of her Subiects in doing of which she gained no lesse loue of her people then in sending foorth two Proclamations which she caused to be publisht in the beginning of the yeere In one of which she ordained that those Noblemen should be taxed according to the ancient Lawes that tooke more followers and retainers then was permitted them because these their retainers followers were hereby exempted from publike Offices they maintained Factions and many waies offended against the Lawes relying on the Protection of the Nobles to whom they had proffered their seruice And in the other shee curbed a rauenous kind of people called Enquirers after conceald Lands by reuoking their warrants and constraining them to restore many things taken away For being appointed to seeke out whether particular men concealed not some land that belonged to the Crowne with most sacrilegious auarice they began to seaze on such as had heretofore beene giuen by pious Ancestors to Parish Churches and Hospitals yea to plucke downe the Bells and Lead wherewith the Churches were couered In Ireland the burdensome authority of one Fitton Gouernour of Connath produced some troubles For the sons of Richard Earle of Clanricard brought foorth by diuers women not beeing able to endure it in that they were headstrong and giuen to liberty they raised a Rebellion and passing ouer Sene made cruell Incursions vpon the inhabitants of the westerne parts of Mijs which with many outrages committed they pillaged and forraged Their Father who was of the ancient Family of Bourgh in England venerably bald and of a staid disposition went to the Deputy iustified himselfe of this crime and required aduice of the Councellours of Ireland how he might depresse his sonnes that spoiled and wasted the Countrie in this manner But her Maiesty thought fit for publike tranquillity by little and little to draw Fitton out of Connath and to make him Treasurer of Ireland A little while after the Earles sonnes defeated by the Garrisons which fell vpon them submitted themselues to the Depruie The Enlagen Omors a kinde of seditious people stird vp also new troubles but they likewise being proclaimed
returne backe againe as he came But so soone as her Maiesty heard how Henrie Duke of Aniou his Brother had beene elected King of Poland Also the French King to be grieuously sicke shee sent word to the Duke of Alanzon to take not as yet his iourney for England alledging him these reasons THe Protestants Massacre lately most cruelly acted on the Bloudy Theater of all France and in hatred of their Religion during the solemnizations and recreations of a marriage That hee hauing already heretofore sought her to Wife the Protestants of England partly suspected fatall the Nuptials and the more sith himselfe transported of a courage enemy to the Protestants had gone in person to besiege Rochell and had written of all parts that hee would come to see her Maiestie presently after the taking of the said City insomuch that hee seemed rather to hate the Protestants Religion than to beare affection or loue to the Queenes Maiestie and that this caused the best part of England to suspect that hee would come into their Countrey to marry the Queene with a Sword dyed in the bloud of those poore Christians who professed their owne Religion Therefore her Maiesty friendly counselled him FIrst to procure and mediate a Peace in France to yeeld some worthy proofe and noted testimony of his affection to the Protestants of France to be the better welcome in England and the more graciously receiued according to his desire Since this Peace was re-established in France the exercise of Religion granted in certaine places to the Protestants The King and the Queene desired nothing more than the absence of the Duke of Alanzon because he was of a harsh and seuere nature inclined to trouble their States affaires they did their best and vsed their vttmost endeuoures to effect the match and by like meanes prayed Qu. ELIZABETH to permit to their other sonne the Duke of Aniou if he should goe by sea to Poland Authority to saile vnder publike assurance vpon Great-Brittaines Sea This their request her Maiestie granted not only most willingly but more shee offered him a Fleet of Ships to conuay him in the meane while the Duke of Alanzon fell sicke of the small poxe and the Queene his mother giuing aduice thereof to Queene ELIZABETH by the Earle of Rez excuseth him by reason of his sicknesse for not comming into England Gondy met Queene ELIZABETH at Canterbury where she entertained him with great magnificence and the same time Matthew Parker Arch-bishop of Canterbury celebrating the Queenes birth-day which was the seuenth of September in the Arch-bishops Hall very spacious and by him newly repaired inuited the Queen thither and Gondy and la Motto and feasted them with like number of Nobility that Charles the fifth and HENRY the Eighth had being feasted in the same Hall in the yeere 1519. In Scotland Iames Dowglasse Earle of Morton beeing elected Vice-Roy of Scotland in Murray's place by the meanes of Queene ELIZABETH and his authority made sure by the Assembly of the States in the name of the King established these Lawes for confirming Religion against Papists and Heretickes and made sure Alexander Areskin Earle of Marre the Kings Gardian by speciall right being as yet in his minority vpon these Conditions THat the Papists and Factious persons should be excluded from hauing accesse to his person an Earle might be admitted to him with two seruants only and a Baron with one all others alone and without weapons In the Interim the French hauing sent Viriack who endeuoured what he could to supplant the Vice-Roy before he should be authorized set to oppose him the Earles of Athole and Huntley promising them a reward Queene ELIZABETH to counter-scarfe these designes let the Scots vnderstand by H. Killigrewe that this cruell Massacre of Paris had bin put in execution by the conspiracy of the Pope and the Kings of France and Spaine to exterminate the Protestants And therefore warned them to take heed lest being corrupted either with Pensions from France or deuided by Factions they open a way to Stranger Forces which were thought should be conducted by Strossie To oppose themselues all vallianty and with equall courage against it for defence of Religion which was the only bond of concord betweene the English and the Scots And to be very carefull to preserue their King or to send him into England to preuent his taking away and carrying into France Neuerthelesse some great Ones partakers with the imprisoned Queene would in no sort acknowledge the Authority either of the King or his Vice-Roy vntill Queene ELIZABETH by interposing her power had by the Agencie of Killigrew brought the Duke of Chastelraut and the Earle of Huntley who were the principals among them to these Conditions which were equall enough THat they should acknowledge the Religion established in Scotland submit themselues to the King and to the Gouernement of the Earle of Morton and his successours and renounce the authority of all others That all those which should enterprize any thing against the Religion the King and the Vice-Roy should be adiudged Traitours by Act of Parliament The sentences giuen against the Hamiltons and the Gordons should be cut off and annihilated except those which concerned the murdering of the Earles of Murrey and Lenox Vice-Royes which should stand according to the pleasure of Queene ELIZABETH Who neuerthelesse sent this businesse backe to the King and was of opinion that this Clause ought to be added to it Vntill that the King being come to age should take the Gouernement of the Realme according to the Law of the Kingdome And that of all and euery crime committed since the fifteenth of Iune 1567 the Murder of the Earle of Lenox excepted pardon should be granted to all that would aske it Notwithstanding it was thought good for the safety of the King lest hee should bee exposed to murder that the Queene of England should promise by a publike Instrument that neither the Hamiltons nor any other should be adiudged for the murdering of the Vice-Royes or fined without her consent And that was ordered in the Assembly of States for the settling of a publike peace in a turbulent season Howbeit Kirckall Lord of Grange who had beene established Captaine of Edenborrough Castle after he had taken oath in the Kings name and the Baron of Hume Lidington the Bishop of Dunkeld and others thinking that iniustice was done to the Queene of Scotland would by no meanes admit of these Conditions but with vndaunted Courage contemned the authority both of the King and Vice-Roy kept and fortified the Castle in the Queenes name by the counsell of Lidington thinking themselues sure in regard of the strength of the place which is of a most difficult accesse and of the Munition which were in it for there all Munition Royall is kept and of the Succours promised by the Duke D'Alua and the King of France who had vnder-hand sent them some money the greater part whereof
the publike peace and good of the Land by the Kings perswasion but their impulsion although he might easily haue stood vpon his guard and withstood them departed quietly from Dunbriton where he tooke shipping for France Not content with this they forced the King by his Letters to signifie to Queene ELIZABETH this his interception and that it was a meeting made by his willing consent with some of his Lords concerning speciall businesses But Buchanan they could not possibly perswade to approue this Act or by composing any booke of this subiect nor by perswasions of a messenger but he wept bitterly and sorrowed grieuously that he had to-fore taken the Rebels part against the Prince and soone after dyed A man as himselfe sings in his Poems though borne in a countrey barren for learning yet hee attained to the soueraigne degree of Poesie so as by right hee ought to bee accounted the Prince of Poets of our age The French King hauing had certaine intelligence of the passages in Scotland sendeth both with one message Mons de la Moteff through England and Mons de Manninguille by Sea into Scotland by all possible means to haue the King set at liberty to confirme the French faction to draw the King into loue amity with France and to let him vnderstand that his mother to make him be knowne true and legitimate King by Christian Princes and all Scotland setting aside all partialitie out of her motherly piety and indulgence yeelded him freely the title of the Kingdome and admitted him into the society freely to Raigne Shee distressed Queene in the meane time afflicted with many miseries the calamities of a prison in indurance without hope of deliuery bewayled the dismall fortunes of the King her sonne with her owne in a large Letter written in French to Queene ELIZABETH which the tender loue of a mother and the disquietnesse of her Spirit extorted from her the which out of the originall Copy of her owne hand-writing I haue more briefely recollected as followed AFter I was certainly informed that my sonne was intercepted and detained in captiuitie as my selfe haue beene for some yeares a sudden feare suggested into my minde that hee and I were to drinke of one cup of sorrow I cannot therefore in opening my sad afflicted heart but vtter my anguish to imprint them if it may be vpon yours offer the same to your conscionable commiseration that the ages to come may know my innocency and their tyrannie by whose meanes I endure these intolerable indignities But for that their subtil plots and mischieuous practices haue all this while been preferd with you before my iust complaint it being in your gracious power to doe equity and iustice where violence treadeth downe vertue and might suppresseth right I doe appeale vnto God immortall whom alone I know to haue power ouer vs Princes coequall in right and honour and him in whom there is no place for fraud or falshood I will inuoke that at the last day hee will recompence vs according to our demerits howsoeuer my Aduersaries the whilest haue cautelously cloaked their treacheries from men and perhaps from you I beseech you now then in the name of God and by his all-powerfull Maiestie I adiure you to call to minde how cunningly some sent forth in your name to me could stirre vp the Scots my subiects whilest I liued with them into open rebellion against me and haue been the first mouers of all the mischiefe which euer since hath hapned in that countrey as euidently appeareth by sundry plain testimonies thereof and Mortons confession from his own mouth who for such matters grâ—w vp to great honors whom if I could haue prosecuted according to his desert and if your assisting the Rebels had not bâ—en they could neuer haue stood vp so long against mee and my friends as they did When I was detained Prisoner in Lake-Leuin Sir Nich. Throckmorton was the first that came to me in your name who perswaded me to quit the Kingdome vndâ—r Letters Patents signed with my hand which he assured me should be of no effect as all the world knoweth them so to be vntill that you had assisted the Authors of these Letters with your fauour and Armes But say in good sooth would you acknowledge that your subiects should haue such power ouer you The regall power I had in the meane time by your aide aduice was taken from me to be conferred on my sonne a yong child by reason of his Infant-age vnfit to manage the administration of a Kingdome And when as of late I determined to make him a lawfull resignation for the certaine establishing of him in the Kingdome hee was by force of Armes caried violently away by Traitors who doubtlesse had no other intent then to depriue him as they did me of the Crowne and perhaps of his life After I got out of Lake-Leuin and was to raise Armes for the suppressing of the Rebels I sent you then the Diamond which formerly you had giuen me as a pledge of mutuall loue betwixt vs when you made me many large promises and faithfull protestations to succour and support me against the Rebels when also you promised that if I should come towards you you would meet me in person vpon the frontiers and would assist me I relying vpon these promises so often and so seriously iterated although your messengers had many times before deluded me resolued to resort to you as to a Sanctuary And assuredly I had come had I but found the way as open to me and as easie to passe as it was for those who reuolted against me But before I could come at you I was arrested vpon the way guarded with troops of men shut vp in strong places and since that time haue endured things worse then death I know you will obiect some intercourses of businesse haue past betwixt the Duke of Norfolke and me but I assure you there hath neuer any thing past preiudiciall to you or your Kingdome as also your chiefe Counsellors haue giuen approbation thereto as I can proue who likewise promised mee by the way of attestation to procure your consent And how I pray you should these so great persons promise your consent to a thing which might despoile you of honour life and Diadem And notwithstanding you would that euery one should be so perswaded Besides as diuers of the Rebels by a tardy repentance re-aduising themselues and by a Commission held betwixt our Deputies at Yorke vnderstood how wickedly they had dealt with me they being besieged with your Souldiers in Edenburgh-Castle two of the principall dyed miserably the one by poison the other in a halter And that came to passe for that twice I had dismist the Armies at your request in hope of peace which God knowes whether euer my Aduersaries once haue thought on Since that I had resolued to try whether patience can haue power to conquer cruelty in suffering all
silent concluded the Tragedy For Babingtons brother being guilty of the same had strangled himselfe in prison After this execution M. Nauue a Frenchman and Curle both Secretaries to the Q. of Scots being examined of the Letters copies of Letters Notes and Characters found in the Queenes Closet presently confest and subscribed that they vvere their hand-writings dictated from her to them in French taken by Nauue and translated by Curle into English and vvritten out in secret Characters Neither denyed they that they had receiued Letters from Babington and that they by her bidding had written backe to him againe I will not say that they were hyred to say what they did yet this was plainely to be seene by their Letters and what Curle challenged at that time by Walsinghams promise but he reproued him as vnmindfull of the gracious fauours hee had receiued saying that hee had confessed nothing but what his fellow Nauue vrging him to hee could not deny Presently after Sir Edward Wotton is sent into France vvho was to certifie the King of all the Conspiracy and to shew the Copies of the Letters of the Queene of Scots and of others of the Nobility of England to testifie the truth of the cause that the King might perceiue in what perill the Queen was by the practices of Morgan Charles Paget and others then resident in France The Councell could not determine what should be done vvith the Queene of Scots Some aduised not to deale with her too rigorously but to haue her kept 〈◊〉 in Prison for that shee was not the Author of the conspiracie but conscious and because she was sickly and not likely to liue long Others were of opinion to haue her put to death by course of Law for feare of endangering Religion But the Earle of Leicester thought it better to dispatch her with poison and sent a Diuine to Sir Francis Walsingham to tel him that he thought it might lawfully be done But Sir Fr. Walsingham protested that he was so farre from consenting to haue any violence offered her as that he had diuerted Mortons purpose which was to haue had her sent into Scotland and to haue slaine her on the Borders It was argued againe amongst them by what Law she should be iudged Whether by that of An. 25 of Edward the 3 by which such were held guilty of Treason as conspired the death of the King or the Queene which should bring warre vpon their Kingdom or take part with their Enemies or by that of Anno 27 of ELIZABETH which I spoke of But the aduice of those which thought better of the latter preuailed for it vvas made in the case which vvas now to be handled and therefore proper There vvas chosen by Commission many of the Priuy Councell and of the Peeres of the Realme to proceed by vertue of the Law aboue-mentioned and to passe iudgement against such as had raised rebellion inuaded the Land or offered violence to the Queene c. And behold the words of the Statute as they are in the originall ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland c. To the most Reuerend Father in Christ Iohn Archbishop of Canterbury Primate and Metropolitane of England and one of our Priuy Councell and to our beloued and faithfull Tho Bromley knight Chancellor of England and of our priuy Councell as also to our welbeloued and faithfull William CECILL Baron of Burghley Lo high Treasurer of England our Priuy Counsellor c. Greeting c. The rest of the Lords Cōmissioners names for breuities sake are thus inserted Then after the rehearsing of the Law or Act as wee tearme it these words follow FOrasmuch as since the last Session of Parliament to wit since the first of Iune in the xxvij yeare of our raigne diuers things haue beene attempted and conceiued tending to the hurt of our royall Person aswell by Mary daughter heyre to Iames the fift late King of Scotland and Dowager of France pretending a title to the crowne of the Kingdome of England as also by diuers other persons with the priuitie of the said Mary according as it hath beene giuen vs to vnderstand And whereas we intend and determine that the said Act should in all and by all be well duely and effectually executed according to the forme and tenour of the said Act. And that all the offences in the aforesaid Act and the circumstances of the same aboue mentioned be duely examined and sentence or iudgement accordingly be giuen agreeable to the tenour and effect of that Act We giue to you or the maior part of you full and absolute power licence and authority according to the purport and meaning of the aboue recyted Act to examine all euery thing and things tending to the impeachment of our royall person which haue beene practised or conceiued aswell by the aforesaid Mary as by any other persons whatsoeuer with the knowledge and priuity of her all circumstances of the same and other forenamed offences whatsoeuer specified as hath beene abouesaid and all circumstances of the said offences and euery of them And moreouer according to the forenamed Act to pronounce sentence or iudgement according as the matter shall appeare to you vpon sufficient proofe And therefore We command you that yee proceed diligently vpon the foresaid matters in maner abouesaid vpon certaine dayes and in certaine places as you or the maior part of you shall thinke good Most part of these Commissioners met together the 11. of October at Fotheringham in the countie of Northampton vpon the riuer Nen where the Queene of Scotts was then kept The next day after the Commissioners sent to her Mildmay Sir Ayme Poulet and Barker publick Notary who deliuered vnto her the Queenes Letters which when she had read with a bold spirit and maiestick countenance she thus answered IT grieueth me that my dearest sister the Queene hath beene so badly informed against me and that after so many yeares as my body hath beene shut vp and kept with watch and ward the many iust conditions which I haue offered for my liberty haue been neglected and my selfe abandoned I haue sufficiently aduertised her of many dangers yet neuerthelesse she hath not giuen credite vnto me but alwayes reiected them though I be the next of her bloud When a combination was begunne and an Act of Parliament thereupon made I foresaw that what dangers soeuer might happen eyther from forraigne Princes abroad discontented persons at home or for Religion would redound vpon me hauing so great enemies in Court I might take it ill to haue my sonne contracted without my knowledge but I omit that Now as touching this Commission it seemeth strange to me to be arraigned in iudgement like a subiect being an absolute Queene not committing any thing preiudiciall to the Queenes royall Maiesty to any Princes of mine owne ranke and dignitie or against my sonne Mine
that blood cryeth for blood and to be seuere vpon her cannot but seeme a thing cruell and bloody That the K. of France would endeuour seriously to dissolue the designes of those which conspired against Queen Elizabeth and that the Guises the Queen of Scotland's kinsmen should swear and subscribe to do the same who would take it very grieuously if she were put to death and perhaps would not suffer it vnreuenged Finally they required she should not be handled with such rigorous and extraordinary iudgement for if shee were the King of France could not but take it as a most grieuous offence howsoeuer the other Princes tooke it To euery one of these Articles answer was made in the Margent That the Queene of England hoped that the most Christian king of France made no lesse reckoning of her than of the Queene of Scotland who had practised her destruction she being an innocent Princesse her neere Kinswoman and in league of Alliance with the King of France That it is expedient for Kings and their Countries that wicked actions be not left vnpunished especially against Princes That the English who acknowledge Queen Elizabeth the sole Supreame Gouernesse of England cannot at once acknowledge two Soueraignes free and absolute Princes nor any other whilst she liued could participate in equalitie with her Neither could she perceiue how the Queene of Scotland and her Sonne which then raigned could be held at once for Soueraigne and absolute Princes Whether that the safetie of Queene Elizabeth be exposible to greater perils shee being put to death seeing it dependeth vpon future contingencie That the Estates of England hauing well weighed this point are otherwise conceited namely That whilst shee liueth there will alwaies be new plots of mischiefe breeding especially because it is now come to that issue that there is no hope left for the one if the other be not extinct and this saying should often present it selfe to her mind Either I shall dispatch her or shee me And the lesser time her life shall last the more celeritie will the Conspirators vse to execute their plots That hitherto she would neuer renounce her claime and challenge to the English Crowne and therefore was for iust cause to be detained in prison and detained must be till she renounce it although she came to England for succour and support And for what cause soeuer she was put in prison she is to be punished for the faults she hath cōmitted since the time of her imprisonment That the Queene of England had pardoned her before when shee was condemned of all the Estates for consenting to the Rebellion in the North the which was raised to haue made the Maryage betwixt her and tbe Duke of Norfolke and to pardon her againe were imprudent and cruell mercy That none are ignorant of that Maxime of the Lawyers An offender found within the Territorie of another is to be punished where he is found to haue committed the fault without respect of Dignitie Honour or Priuiledge And that the same is permitted as well by the Lawes of England as also by the examples of Licinius Robert King of Sicilie Bernard King of Italy Conradine Elizabeth Queene of Hungary Ioan Queene of Naples and of Deiotarus for whom Cicero pleading said It is not a thing vniust though vnusuall for a King to be arraigned His very words are these Primùm dico pro capite fortunisque Regis quod ipsum etsi non iniquum est in tuo duntaxat periculo tamen est ita inusitatum Regem capitis reum esse tante hoc tempus non sit auditum That shee that hath beene found guiltie by a iust Iudgement ought to vndergoe punishment forasmuch as that which is Iust is Honest and that which is Honest is also profitable That the History of Porsenna hath no allusion to the matter in question except it were to be thought that there are a great number yet behinde of them which conspire against Queene Elizabeth and so could perswade her out of feare and some little respect of honour to dismisse the Queene of Scotland without putting her to any paine as Porsenna past off Mutius after Mutius had told him there was yet 300. more of his Fellow-Confederates which had sworne his death Besides that Mutius set vpon Porsenna in open warre and assured himselfe that by sending Mutius away he was out of all danger That blood is to be spared but that is innocent blood That God hath said Blood cryeth for blood it is true and that France both before the Massacre of Paris since cā testifie this That punishment by death iustly inflicted cannot be accounted bloody no more than a wholsome medicine can be deem'd hurtfull Howsoeuer the Guises the Queene of Scotlands Cousens relish it Queene Elizabeth hath more nearer cause to respect her selfe her owne safetie her Nobilitie and the good of her People on whose loue shee wholly dependeth than the discontent of any other whosoeuer And that the matter was now at that point that the old Prouerbe of the two Princes Conradine the King of Sicilie and Charles the Duke of Anjou might be vsed and truly said of these two Queens THE DEATH OF MARY THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH And THE LIFE OF MARY THE DEATH OF ELIZABETH The promises of the French King or the Guises cannot secure the Queene of England nor the Realme of assured safetie much lesse make amends for her death if she be made away That the French King cannot discouer or keepe in the plots of Treason which are practised against him in his owne Country much lesse this against the Queene of England for that Treason is closely carryed and therefore ineuitable And if the wicked act were once committed what good would come on it to claime their promises How can the life of an incomparable Prince after death be repaired and what redresse can be found out for the Common-wealth failing with her in this sad confusion of all things That the hand-writings or oathes of the Guises can be of no great moment for that they hold it a meritorius matter to put to death the Pope of Romes Aduersaries and may easily haue a dispensation of their oath And when Queene Elizabeth shall be slaine and the Queene of Scotland which is of the House of the Guises aduanced to the Royaltie who is he will accuse them for her death or if they should be accused that can bring her to life againe But in that the Ambassadours haue said That the Iudgement was rigorous and extraordinary they haue spoken indiscreetly for they saw neither the proceedings of the businesse nor heard the proofes and haue with too much asperitie reprehended the Estates of the Realme of England being Personages of chiefest note in the Kingdome for noblenesse of Birth Vertue Wisedome and Pietie Yea and that they haue altogether deliuered these speeches from the King of France to terrifie the Queene of England and the Estates of the Land That the
had spread vpon the Queene or to cleanse it with his bloud vnlesse as he said himselfe his slanders might be accounted vaine by reason of his doting age Giue me leaue that the other side may be heard by diuers that writ thereof and at that time publisht it in print but such writings were soone call'd in both in fauor of the Earle of Murray and in hatred of the Queene and likewise by Ambassadours Letters worthy to bee beleeued In the yeere 1558. at the marriage of Francis the Dolphin of France and Mary Queene of Scotland Iames the Queenes Bastard-Brother commonly called the Prior of Saint Andrewes Metropolitan of the Order of Saint Andrewes despising that title was ambitious after a more splendid one but when the Queene by the aduice of the Guizes refused it him hee returned into Scotland discontented wherein vnder a faire pretext of reforming Religion and to establish the liberty of Scotland hee begun to trouble the State and effected it and so brought it to passe without the knowledge of the Queene in a Conuenticle of Confederates Religion was changed and by the calling in of ayde from England the French were driuen out of Scotland Francis King of France being dead he presently went to his Sister into France and hauing put away all suspition tending to her preiudice or dis-reputation for the affaires of Scotland swore vnto her calling GOD to witnesse to performe all dueties that a Sister could expect from a Brother and vpon the hope which he had that shee being brought vp from her tender age in the delicacies of France would not returne into Scotland workes with the Guizes to appoint some Noble-man of Scotland to be Regent there and almost poynted at himselfe to be the fittest man of all But hee being sent backe into Scotland without any authority but Letters of Commission by which the Queene gaue power to the States to assemble and consult for the good of the Kingdome and seeing himselfe deiected from his hope returned much vexed and passing thorow England made it there knowne that if they wished well to Religion in Scotland to the peace of England and the security of Queene ELIZABETH they ought by all meanes to hinder the Queene of Scotland to passe into Scotland Shee neuerthelesse being safely arriued in Scotland the English Ships being disappointed by obscure weather and being there embraced her Brother with all signes of fauour and good-will and in a kinde of manner committed vnto him the generall administration of affaires Notwithstanding all this the branches of his ambition are not cut off which grew daily and appeared both in words and deedes For hee could not containe himselfe but often among his friends deplored that the warlike Scottish Nation was no lesse subiect to the command of a Woman than the English was and by the instruction of Knox whom he esteemed as a Patriarke often debates that Kingdomes were due to merit and not to linage and that Women should be excluded from succeeding and that their gouernement were monstrous He treated likewise with the Queen by his friends that she should substitute foure of the Royall House of the Stewards who if she dyed without issue should succeed to the Crowne one after another without regarding who were legitimate or no thinking he should be one seeing he was the Kings Sonne though vnlawfully begotten But the Queene wisely considering that such a substitution was contrary to the Lawes of the Kingdome to defraud the right Heires a most pernicious example dangerous for her Subiects and would be an hinderance to her selfe for her second marriage she mildely answered That she would more aduisedly deliberate with the States of the Kingdome about a matter of such weight consequence and to testifie her fauour and bounty towards her Brother shee honoured him with the title of Earle of Mar afterwards with the Earledome of Murray for the dignity of Mar was then in controuersie being ignorant all this while that he aymed at the Kingdome and affirmed himselfe to be the lawfull Sonne of Iames the Fifth To make the easier way hereunto by meanes of the extraordinary fauour the Queene shewed to him he supprest the most noble Family of the Gordons powerfull in vassalage and command whom he both feared in respect of themselues as also by reason of the reformed Religion which adhered vnto him he expelled Hamilton Duke of Chastelraut out of the Court who was reputed next Heire to the Crowne imprisoned the Earle of Arraine his Sonne banished Count Bothwell into England dismissed all opposites of their honourable offices and places and retained the Queene vnder his power and suruey as a Gardian might doe his Ward aboue all other things being carefull that Shee might not negotiate nor intend any marriage And when he saw that of the one side the Emperour sollicited her for his Brother and the Spaniard on the other part for his Sonne he absolutely disswaded her both from the one and the other alledging vnto her how the ancient immunities of Scotland would not permit nor indure a strange Prince and whensoeuer the Scepter fell into the hands of Women they neuer made choyce of an Husband but within their owne Countrey of Scotland But in conclusion he perceiuing that all the Scots generally affected her marrying and discerning that by the perswasion and inducement of the Countesse of Lenox she desired to marry with the Lord Darley hee himselfe likewise then commended him vnto her for an Husband hoping in respect of his youth and for that he was of a tractable nature and disposition he would be euer at his direction and dispose Neuerthelesse when hee saw how dearely the Queene loued him himselfe to fall by little and little out of her fauour and grace hee repented of the counsell and aduice he had giuen and admonished Queene ELIZABETH to crosse this marriage by all the meanes possible that she could Presently after the Nuptials were accomplished and the Lord Darley proclaimed KING the King then presently reuoked such gifts as during his minority the Queene had conferred both vpon him and others whereupon being nigh associated with them he tooke vp armes against the King and the Queene pretending that this new King was dis-affected to the Protestant Religion and how she contracted this marriage without the consent of the Queene of England But hauing scarcely made any triall of the fortunes of warre he fled as I said into England where despayring of all succour he laboured by Letters to Morton a man of great subtilty and another like himselfe to effect that seeing the marriage could not be broken off yet that the affection and loue of the married couple might be abated by some secret practices and a fit occasion offered it selfe for after some domesticall and priuate grudgings to quaile the courage of this young King which boyled a little too hot and to preserue entyre her owne Royall prerogatiues in
all publique acts shee began to set her Husbands Name after her owne and altogether to leaue out and omit it in Moneyes and Stampes Earle Morton who was a notable Make-bate by his flatteries easily perswaded this young King to set the Crowne of Scotland vpon his owne head yea though the Queene wold not giue her consent therunto to shake off the domination and controll of a Woman because women were borne to obey and men to command he hoping that by meanes of this counsell he should make the King not onely to lose the Queenes affection but further the loue of all the great Men of the Kingdome and the people To make him lose the Queenes heart first he instigated him by diuers calumniations to kill Dauid Rice a Pie-mountaine and by doing this to preuent the crossing of their designes by his reaching and subtile spirit By profession he was a Musician and came the yeere before into Scotland with the Ambassadour Moret and then grew to be admitted into the Queenes House and fauour in that hee was industrious and obseruant and in the Secretaries absence he assisted and dispatched Letters into France and managed secret consultations Then the more to exasperate this businesse he brought him to be present in person at this Murder in company with Rauen and the other murderers who entring with himselfe into the Queenes Chambers their swords naked drawne as she was sitting at the Table with the Countesse of Arguile and this man standing by a Buffet-stoole was eating somwhat taken off from the Table as ordinarily Wayters of the Dining-chamber will doe bending also a Pistoll against the Queenes brest who was then with Childe so as vpon the sudden affrightment shee thought to haue miscarried in the place they layde hold of him in her presence and drawing him into an outward Chamber most cruelly they murthered him and shut vp likewise the Queene within the same Chamber This Murder was cōmitted the day before that the Earle of Murray was assigned to make his appearance before the Assembly and in hearing of the States there to answere an Accusation of Rebellion which was informed and put in against him Hee appeared the day following and no body sate neither came any witnesses against him by reason of these great garboyles and troubles in the State that as it might seeme this murder was purposely vndertaken for Murrayes security and safety Notwithstanding the Queene at the Kings intreaty receiued him into fauour and was confident in his brotherly loue But when the King had more deliberately waighed the quality of his offence and the Queene began to take it deepely to heart he repented himselfe much of this rage and fury and with many teares and sighes humbly on his knee craued her pardon confessing freely that he was excited to so bloudy a crime by Murray and Morton from which time euer after hee conceiued so mortall an hatred against Murray that he thought on nothing else but how to be rid of him Earle Morton and the other Homicides by reason of this Murder being fled into England with Letters of recommendation which Murray had written in their behalfe to the Earle of Bedford But the passionate affection of his youth not being able to reserue his most secret thoughts and his high respect to the Queene curbing all boldnesse for the executing of him at last hee was satisfied to let her vnderstand thus much that for publique good and the security of her owne house shee must remoue him The Queene in all sort detesting this course disswaded him there-from yea euen with threates for hauing moued this vnto her and putting him in hope to make a perfect reconciliation betweene them And yet notwithstanding in that shee could not but with great spleene digest the authority this Bastard vsurped ouer her transported with wonderfull impatience shee opened this designe to others which comming to Murrayes vnderstanding to preuent her hee laid many secret ambushes in waite for her vnder colour of shewing himselfe to be very officious and diligent vsing herein Earle Mortons counsell and aduice though he were then absent Their Resolution ioyntly was that the Queene must be cleane alienated from the loue and affection she bare to the King while this affection was not yet well knit and reioynted Then to draw into their society Earle Bothwell who not long before had beene reconciled to Murray vpon promises that he should be diuorc'd from his owne Wife and be married to the Queene when she were a Widow For effectuall performance whereof and to warrant and defend him against all others they bound themselues in writing subscribed and sealed perswading themselues that at one blow they could cut off the King depraue the reputation and good opinion which the Nobility and people held of her suppresse afterwards Bothwell and so be possest themselues of the whole and absolute Administration of all affaires Earle Bothwell who was of himselfe a wicked man and blinded with Ambition which made him bold and daring readily intertained these hopes propounded to him and most trecherously performed this bloudy Assassinate hauing hardly fifteene houres warning to prouide a sufficient number of Complices if need had beene for Earle Murray was gone farre off to prosecute his owne businesse and to lay the whole suspition and imputation vpon the Queen When hee was returned to the Court both hee and all those of the Conspiracy commended Earle Bothwell to the Queene and to perswade her to make choyce of him for her Husband they intimated by all meanes vnto her how hee was most worthy and deseruing of her loue both in respect of the eminency of his Family his valiant Attempts against the English and the many infallible proofes and trials of his fidelity Moreouer they layd open vnto her that being alone and without any helpe or assistance she was not able to pacifie those troubles and tumults that were then raised to discouer the plots that might be proiected against her and to discharge the administration and gouernement of the Kingdome And therefore she should doe very well to admit to the societie of her bed counsell such an one as had both will power and courage to oppose them So as they wrought thus farre with her that she yeelded her consent trembling for feare and danted with horror for hauing beheld such direful occisions calling to minde what fidelitie Bothwell had euer shewed both to her and her Mother and not knowing whither to haue recourse but to her Brothers faith and loyaltie But neuerthelesse with speciall prouiso carefully to intend the safety of her young and tender Sonne that Bothwell should first cleare himselfe of the murder of the King and be diuorc'd from his former Wife I am desirous here to set downe what the Earle of Huntley and Arguile who are the principall of all the great Nobility of Scotland testified hereof as I coppied it out of a Writing seal'd and subscribed with