the mean time they obliged themselves by a writing under their hands which they delivered to the said Monsieur de Crook to send to the King his Master that they should do their outmost diligence to try out the Authors of that foul murther of their King and in the mean time convened to the number of 3000 men and came to Edinbrugh and there set out a Proclamation of their just quarrel Also sundry Libels were set out both in Rhime and Prose to move the hearts of the whole Subjects to assist and take part in so good a Cause The Earl of Bothwel having the Queen in his Company convened a greater number out of the Merse and Lauthian and out of all parts where he had interest or friendship Her Majesties Proclamation was not well obeyed and so many as came had no hearts to fight in that quarrel Yet the Earl of Bothwel marched forward out of Dumbar toward Edinbrugh taking the Queen with him The Lords again with their Company went out of Edinbrugh on foot with an earnest desire to fight Both Armies lay not far from Carberry the Earl Bothwel's men Camped upon the Hill in a strength very advantageous the Lords incamped at the foot of the Hill And albeit her Majesty was there I cannot call it her Army for many of those who were with her were of opinion that she had intelligence with the Lords especially such as were informed of the many indignities put upon her by the Earl of Bothwel since their marriage He was so beastly and suspicious that he suffered her not to pass one day in patience without making her shed abundance of Tears Thus part of his own Company detested him other part of them believed that her Majesty would fain have been quit of him but thought shame to be the doer thereof directly her self In the mean time the Laird of Grange did ride about the Hill with two hundred Horse-men who came there with Drumlanrig Cesfoord and Couldinknows thinking to be betwixt the Earl of Bothwel and Dumbar and was minded to make an onset that way which was plain and that in the mean time that the Lords should come up the Hill to the part where their adversaries were Camped When the Queen understood that the Laird of Grange was chief of that Company of Horse-men she sent the Laird of Ormistoun to desire him to come and speak with her under surety which he did after he had acquainted the Lords with her desire and had obtained their permission As he was speaking with her Majesty the Earl of Bothwel had appointed a Soldier to shoot him until the Queen gave a cry and said that he would not do her that shame seeing she had promised that he should come and return safely He was declaring unto the Queen that all of them were ready to honour and serve her upon condition that she would abandon the Earl of Bothwel who had murthered her Husband and could not be a Husband unto her who had but lately married the Earl of Huntly's Sister The Earl of Bothwel hearkened and heard part of this language and offered the Combat to any who would maintain that he had murthered the King The Laird of Grange promised to send him an answer shortly thereunto So he took his leave of the Queen and went down the Hill to the Lords who were content that the Laird of Grange should fight with him in that quarrel For he first offered himself and acquainted Bothwel that he would fight with him upon that quarrel The Earl of Bothwel answered That he was neither Earl nor Lord but a Baron and so was not his equal The like answer made he to Tullibardine Then my Lord Lindsay offered to fight him which he could not well refuse but his heart failed him and he grew cold in the business Then the Queen sent again for the Laird of Grange and said to him that if the Lords would do as he had spoken to her she should put away the Earl of Bothwel and come unto them Whereupon he asked the Lords if he might in their name make her Majesty that promise which they Commissioned him to do Then he rode up again and saw the Earl of Bothwel part and came down again and assured the Lords thereof They desired him to go up the Hill again and receive the Queen who met him and said Laird of Grange I render my self unto you upon the conditions you rehearsed unto me in the name of the Lords Whereupon she gave him her hand which he kissed leading her Majesties Horse by the bridle down the Hill unto the Lords who came forward and met her The Noblemen used all dutiful reverence but some of the Rascals cryed out against her despightfully till the Laird of Grange and others who knew their duty better drew their Swords and struck at such as did speak irreverent language which the Nobility well allowed of Her Majesty was that night convoyed to Edinbrugh and lodged in the midst of the Town in the Provosts Lodging As she came through the Town the common people cryed out against her Majesty at the Windows and Stairs which was a pity to hear Her Majesty again cryed out to all Gentlemen and Others who passed up and down the streets declaring how that she was their native Princess and that she doubted not but all honest Subjects would respect her as they ought to do and not suffer her to be abused Others again evidenced their malice in setting up a Banner or Ensign whereupon the King was painted lying dead under a Tree and the young Prince upon his knees praying Judge and Revenge my Cause O Lord. That same night it was alledged that her Majesty did write a Letter unto the Earl of Bothwel and promised a reward to one of her keepers to convoy it securely to Dumbar unto the said Earl calling him her dear heart whom she should never forget nor abandon though she was necessitated to be absent from him for a time saying that she had sent him away only for his safety willing him to be comforted and be upon his guard Which Letter the Knave delivered to the Lords though he had promised the contrary Upon which Letter the Lords took occasion to send her to Lockleven to be kept which she alledged was contrary to promise They on the other hand affirmed that by her own hand writing she had declared that she had not nor would not abandon the Earl of Bothwel Grange again excused her alledging she had in effect abandoned the said Earl that it was no wonder that she gave him yet a few fair words not doubting but if she were discreetly handled and humbly admonished what inconveniencies that Man had brought upon her she would by degrees be brought not only to leave him but e're long to detest him And therefore he advised to deal gently with her But they said that it stood them upon their Lives and Lands and that therefore in the mean time
your travel For first they will never meet together and next there will never be any thing else but dissembling and secret hatred for a while and at length Captivity and utter wrack to our Queen from England My Brother answered he liked not to hear of such devilish news nor yet would he in any sort credit them as being false ungodly and unlawful for Christians to meddle with Bassintoun answered good Mr. Melvil entertain not that harsh opinion of me I am a Christian of your own Religion and fear God and purposeth never to cast my self on any of the unlawful Arts that you mean but so far as Melancthon who was a godly Theologue hath declared lawful and written concerning the natural Sciences which are lawful and daily read in divers Christian Universities in the which as in all other Arts God gives to some less and to others clearer knowledge by the which knowledge I have attained to understand that at length the Kingdom of England shall of right fall to the Crown of Scotland and that at this instant there are some born who shall brook Lands and Heritages in England But alas it will cost many their Lives and many bloody Battels will be fought e're things be settled or take effect and by my knowledge says he the Spaniards will be helpers and will take a part to themselves for their labour which they will be loath to leave again After that the Queens Majesty had demitted the Government when she was Captive in Lockleven in such manner as is rehearsed my Lord of Murray being the first of the Regents of whom I have said something already I intend now to follow forth and shew a part of his proceedings and to begin where I left at her Majesties retreat to England After the Battel of Langside the Regent went through the Country and took up the Escheats and Houses of those who had assisted at the said Battel and caused to cast down divers of their houses distributing their Lands to his Servants and dependers The Council of England being crafty and in special the Secretary Cicil they knew what kind of Men had most credit about him for the time and thereupon took occasion to deal with the least honest most ambitious and covetous of that number and Society who had joined and banded themselves together to assist each other whereby to advance themselves and to disgrace all such true and honest men as had assisted and helped him in all his former troubles This sort of Men were soon perswaded and corrupted to move the Regent to pass unto England and accuse their native Queen before the Queen and Council of England to the great dishonour of their Country and Prince For the Queen of England who had no just cause to retain our Queen who had fled to England in hope of getting shelter and the assistance which had been so oft promised her both before and after her Captivity in Lockleven was very desirous to have some colour and pretext whereby she might make answer to the Ambassadours of sundry Princes who reproached her for her unkindly and unprincely proceedings therein Because the most part of those who had the Regent's Ear were gained to this opinion and the number few who were of a contrary mind he went forward to England accompanied with the Earl of Mortoun the Lord Lindsay the Laird of Lockleven the Bishop of Orkny the Abbot of Dumfarmling Mr. James Macgil Mr. Henry Balnears Mr. George Buchanan the Laird of Pittarrow George Duglas Bishop of Murray Mr. John Wood the Regent's Secretary a great Ring-leader Mr. Nicholas Elphinstoun Secretary Lidingtoun Alexander Hay Alexander Hume of North-Berwick the Laird of Cleesh with divers other Barons and Gentlemen who went there to see the fashion some to wait upon the Regent and Lords and some who could not get the Regent disswaded from this extream folly at home went with him to England to see if by any assistance of such as were friends there to the Union of the Isle and to the Title of Scotland he might be stayed from that accusation For those who were the Queens Lords who came there to defend the Queens part had no credit nor familiarity with the chief faction in England concerning the Title nor durst open their minds but to such as by long acquaintance they were well assured of their honesty and secrecy The names of the Queens Lords were the Lord Herreis the Lord Boid the Lord Fleeming the Lord Livingstoun the Bishop of Ross and some others with my Brother Sir Robert who attended to do all the good he could The Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Sussex and several other Councellors were sent down to York to hear the Regent's Accusation and to be as Judges between the King and Queen's Lords The first day of meeting the Duke of Norfolk required that the Regent should make Homage in the King's Name to the Crown of England thinking he had some ground to demand the same seeing the said Regent there to plead his Cause before the Councel of England Whereat the Regent grew red and knew not what to answer but Secretary Lidingtoun took up the Speech and said That in restoring again to Scotland the Lands of Huntingtuon Cumberland and Northumberland with such other Lands as Scotland did of old possess in England that Homage should gladly be made for the said Lands but as to the Crown and Kingdom of Scotland it was freer than England had been lately when it payed St. Peter ' s Penny to the Poor It appeared still that the Duke drave off time with us as having no inclination to enter upon the terrors of Accusation What was in his head appeared afterward but he was long in a suspence with whom to deal For he thought as he afterward said he neither did see honest men nor wise men At last he resolved to enter in Conference with Secretary Lidingtoun to whom he said That before that time he had ever esteem'd him a Wise man until that now he came before Strangers to accuse the Queen his Mistress as if England were Iudge over the Princes of Scotland How could we find in our hearts to dishonour our Kings Mother or how could we answer afterward for what we were doing seeing it tended to hazard the King her Sons Right to England intending to bring his Mothers honesty in question It had been rather the Duty of you his Subjects sayes he to cover her Imperfections if she had any remitting unto God and Time to punish and put Order thereto who is the Only Iudge over Princes Lidingtoun as he might well do purged himself and declared he came there to endeavour to stop the said Accusation which the Laird of Grange and divers others had endeavoured to do in vain before the Regent's coming out of Scotland And that now he would be glad of any help to hinder that shameful deliberation of the Regents pushed thereto by a company of greedy rash and careless
That it was certain what is reported of the Fairies and that Spirits may take a form and be seen though not felt The Earl of Bothwel as I said was entred to Ward within the Castle of Edinburgh his Majesty not willing to credit his Devilish Accusers but the Council thought fit that for a while he should pass his time in other Countries and so to be set free upon some Articles and Conditions But some of those who were appointed to deal with him endeavoured to make advantage of him to be his friends Others who were desirous to have the State troubled made him false advertisements as if his life had been in danger Which caused him resolve to save himself over the Castle Wall and retire himself to Caithness whence he was shortly after sent for by such as were malecontents and others who were desirous to fish in troubled waters alledging they had made him friends enough in Court and that there was a fair enterprise devised to take the King and kill the Chancellour Upon which information he was easily perswaded to come and make himself head of that enterprise He therefore not long after accompanied with James Douglas sometime Laird of Spott the Laird of Nidrie Mr. John Colvil and some others entred into the Kings Palace late about supper time by the passage of an old Stable not without secret intelligence of some about his Majesty So soon as they were all within the Close of the Palace they cryed Justice Justice a Bothwel a Bothwel and had been Masters of the whole were it not that James Douglas of Spot after that he had taken the Keys from the Porters entred within the Porters Lodge to relieve some of his Servants who were kept there in Prison and had been examined upon suspicion of the slaughter of his good Father the old Laird of Spott where he met with some resistance from the Porters the noise whereof did rise sooner then was the intention of the enterprisers Which allarmed his Majesty the Chancellour and others to shut and fortifie their Chamber-doors and to make resistance till some relief came from the Cannon-gate conducted by my Brother Sir Andrew Melvil of Garvock Master of his Majesty's Houshold who knew a secret passage through the Abby Church and entred by the same in Armour Whereof the Earl of Bothwel and his Company being advertised they stole quietly through the Galleries unto the part where they entred the Palace and fled without any great harm as God would have it In his out-going he chanced to meet with John Shaw Master Stabler to his Majesty whom he slew together with his Brother being in a rage that the enterprise had failed But divers of his Company were apprehended by my said Brother and by others who were all Executed the next day Their manner of proceeding was first the Laird of Spott with a Company took the Keys and made themselves Masters of the Gates of the Palace another Company was directed to the Chancellour who was sitting at his Supper and my Brother Sir Robert with him and they had been taken had it not been for the Laird of Spot's earnestness to relieve his Servants The bruit whereof caused the Chancellour to flee out of his Hall to his Chamber and shut the Door after him So that my said Brother got no entry but retired himself to another void house whither none pursued him neither was he in any fear for himself The Earl of Bothwel accompanied with Mr. John Colvil and others addressed themselves unto the Queens Chamber door where he supposed the King would be found But the door was defended well by Hary Lindsay of Kilfans Master of her Houshold In the mean time his Majesty was conveyed up to that Tower above the said Chamber after the door of her Majesties Chamber had been broken with Hammers in divers parts and that Mr. John Colvil had caused bring fire to burn it The door of the Chancellour's Chamber was manfully defended by himself He caused his men to shoot out of the Windows continually and through doors Where Robert Scot Brother to the Laird of Balweary was shot through the thigh The Chancellour took courage when he heard my Brothers voice and then the enterprisers fled as said is At their first entry within the Palace I was sitting at Supper with my Lord Duke of Lennox who incontinently took his Sword and pressed forth But he had no company and the place already was full of Enemies We were compelled to fortifie the Doors and Stairs with Tables Forms and Stools and be spectators of that strange hurly burly for the space of an hour beholding with Torch-light forth of the Duke's Gallery their reeling their rumbling with Halberts the clacking of their Culverins and Pistols the dunting of Mells and Hammers and their crying for Justice Now there was a passage betwixt the Chancellour's Chamber and my Lord Duke 's by a Stair and during this fray the Chancellour came up the said Stair and desired entry into my Lord Duke's Chamber My Lord Duke by my advice desired him to cause his men debate at the nether door so long as they might and offered to receive himself within the Chamber Which the Chancellour took in an evil part and suspected my Lord Duke And so returned back again to his own Chamber and debated the best he could as said is So soon as my Lord Duke saw a company of friends within the Close he went forth to pursue the Earl of Bothwel and his Company but the night was dark and they took them speedily to their horses and escaped They being retired we got entry to her Majesties Chamber whither the King was for the time come down Where His Majesty discoursed with me a good space concerning this terrible attempt and of his many hard misfortunes Where I left not to tell his Majesty some of the special Causes of the said enterprises and how that many of them might have been prevented by a prudent and careful Government as may be sufficiently marked and considered by the many admonitions and former advertisements made unto his Majesty before all the accidents that chanced unto him and also in this For two days before this enterprise my Brother Sir Robert and I had got intelligence that some such design was shortly to be put in execution by the Earl of Bothwel and his Complices against his Majesty and the guiders of Court Whereof His Majesty made no accompt though thereof advertised But was the next day going to hunting which coming to my Brother's Ears he rose out of his Bed in his Shirt only in his Night-Gown and came forth to the utter Close of the Abby and took his Majesty by the Bridle for he was already upon Horse-back using many perswasions to have stayed him though all in vain For we were in doubt whether the enterprise would be executed in the Fields or in the Palace After this attempt his Majesty went up to the Town of Edinburgh
the King what answer were fittest to make At length he said he would declare the matter unto the Constable under promise of great secrecy causing the Constable by this niceness to suspect some practice When he gave him Audience he caused me to be present beside him At their meeting in the Constable's Cabinet his Irish Interpreter was put forth against his will as appeared But he was so instructed by the Ambassadour his Uncle to use such forreign and rude fashions Yet again e're he began to propose his Errand he desired secrecy The Constable being an old wise experimented Councellor put him a little aside and rounded in my Ear to know if ever I had seen this young Man before I answered That I had observed him the preceding day at long conference with one Mr. Sommer Secretary to the English Ambassadour Then the Constable thought that he should handle the matter well enough for he instantly conjectured that all this niceness proceeded from the Ambassadour to intrap him So calling the young Man again he desired him to shew what he had to say Mr. Wotton began to declare the great miscontentment that was in England not only for bringing in the proud Spaniard to Rule over them but also for the alteration of Religion made by Queen Mary moving many to Rebel and others to remove off the Country who nevertheless were all well received and treated by the King's Majesty of France Whereby he had gained the hearts of the third part of England so devoutly towards him that they would gladly put the Crown of England on his head getting liberty in Religion to be quit of the Spanish Tyranny and terrible Inquisition which was feared would also be established in England And for the first proof of their good will and gratitude a number of Lords and Knights who durst not write had sent him secretly with an Overture to put the strong Town of Calis into his hands with the whole Earldom of Oye At this the Constable made a start and said Know you not my friend that there is a sworn Peace betwixt your Queen and my Master The other replied again how that the Queen of England aided secretly whith Mony and Men the King of Spain her Husband in his Wars of Flanders against France Which the Constable alledged that she denied by her Ambassadour willing him however to tell out the rest of his Commission Then said he My Lord the means how you may get Calis is this First The most part of the Town is of the Reformed Religion and are Malecontents having refused to receive a Garison of Spaniards And they are friends to those who have sent me and keep correspondence with them only the Towns Ship keeps the Town keeping Watch and Ward being unskilful in handling their Arms. Therefore the King shall cause Monsieur Senarpon his Lieutenant in Normandy to lye in ambuscade at such a Wood within a mile and an half of the Town at an appointed day then a Ship well furnished with Armed Men shall lye at Anchor half a mile from the Town And some of them clothed like Marriners shall come on Land and have Swords and Pistols under their Cloaths and shall wait about two of the Afternoon at which time the Ports of the Town are opened to let Men in and out Part of those who attend the Ports will be at their Dinner when one or two will come before the rest to open the Gates Thus the Gates being easily seised upon let one of the Company shoot off a Culverin that the Ship may hear and shoot a Cannon to cause Monsieur de Senarpon with his Company advance In the mean time there shall be a mutiny raised in the Town by our friends and partners so that the Town shall be obtained without stroke After that the Constable had heard all this long discourse he said That it was a very probable design and he doubted not but it might be easily effectuated but in respect of the sworn Peace the King his Master would not nor should never have his consent to break it But that he was much ingaged to the Noblemen who did bear him so much good will and as for him who had taken so great pains the King should reward him willing me to remember to cause give mony to the young Gentleman So he gained nothing at the Constable's hand and never came again to seek his reward but was afterward manifestly known to be Brother's Son to Doctor Wotton Ambassadour as said is This is he now who was sent hither to bear His Majesty company as one who will not meddle with Practises but with Pastimes But when I forewarned His Majesty to beware of him and told how that he being little above Twenty years old was imployed to beguile the wise old Constable Now he was Fifty years and His Majesty but Twenty it was to be feared he would endeavour to beguile him Yet His Majesty would not believe me but believed the said Mr. Wotton to have a great kindness for him and so he became one of his most familiar Minions waiting upon him at all Field-pastimes and in appearance he despised all busie Councellors and medlers in matters of State as he was instructed by such as said he would please His Majesty best to appear such But he had more hurtful fetches in his head against His Majesty then any English-man that ever came in hither had at any time before You have heard before of a meeting that was drawn on at the Borders betwixt the Earl of Hunsdean and Arran where at their secret conference Arran was required by the craft of the Lord Burleigh and his faction in the English Council to stop the King from any marriage for three years upon many fair counterfeited promises One whereof was That he should be declared Second Person upon his marriage of the forenamed English Lady of the Blood At which Arran granted all that was desired he was so glad to procure the Queen of England's friendship About that time the Queen of England by her intelligence from Denmark was advertised of a great and magnifick Ambassage to be sent from Denmark to Scotland viz. Three Ambassadours with Sixscore Persons in Two gallant Ships Whether she suspected or had heard that it was to draw on a marriage I cannot tell But this far I learned that her Council judged it was to confirm at least a greater friendship betwixt the two Kings and their Countries which was one of the Causes that moved them to send this Mr. Wotton to Scotland to use all his wiles to disturb and hinder any greater Amity that might proceed from the said Commission and Negotiation between their two Kings and their Countries For England trusted nothing to the Earl of Arran's promise for they esteemed him as an inconstant Man as is already declared So soon as the Danish Ambassadours arrived by Ship in this Country His Majesty ordered me to entertain them and bear them company And
He therefore desired us to sit down and advise how he might best put remedy to things by-past and prevent such inconveniencies in time coming seeing he had determined hereafter to repose most upon our Council Our answer to His Majesty was That we had great reason to render His Majesty most humble thanks for the favourable opinion he entertained of us which we should endeavour to deserve and were very sorry for the displeasure His Majesty had taken praying His Majesty to take patience seeing that as he had always reposed upon God and not Man that the same God would mend his Estate as he had oft-times done before That our care should be presently how to receive the Queen honourably who was upon the Sea we daily looking for her landing and next how to treat and reward the Noblemen of Denmark Her Majesties Convey That being done and they returned back to their Country it would be best time to take order with the Affairs of the Kingdom conform to His Majesty's desire with the concurrence of so many of the Council as His Majesty had found most faithful and least factious But we did not think fit to take upon us the whole burthen in respect that hath been always the chief cause of the wrack of Scots Kings especially of all His Majesty's own troubles in laying the whole burthen of his Affairs upon any one or two who most commonly for greediness and ambition abuse good Princes and few or none dare controul them for fear of their great Authority and Credit The Chancellour being advertised of His Majesty's discontent and displeasure as said is made preparation to go off the Country and caused it come to His Majesty's Ears that he would Sail himself and bring home the Queen with him And that they were all but Triflers who were with her He forgot not to Anoint the hands of some who were most familiar with His Majesty to interpret this his design so favourably that it made the King forget all by-gones and by little and little he informed him so well of the said Voyage and the great charges he had bestowed upon a fair and swift sailing Ship that His Majesty was moved to take the Voyage himself and to sail in the same Ship with the Chancellour with great secrecy and short preparation making no Man privy thereto but such as the Chancellour pleased and such as formerly had all been upon his Faction He had also heard an incling of a word That His Majesty in the time of his high displeasure had said That he would lay the burthen of his Affairs upon my Brother and me whereat he had a great envy and despight and was the cause why His Majesty made me not privy to his Voyage He was very discontent when His Majesty had appointed my said Brother Robert to be left Vice-Chancellour and Convene the Council in His Majesty's absence to hold hand with the Duke of Lennox my Lord Hamiltoun Bothwel and other Noblemen with the Officers of the Crown and to Rule the Country in His Majesty's absence Three other Ships sailed with His Majesty wherein was the Justice Clerk Carmichal the Provost of Lincludin Sir William Kieth George Hume Iames Sandiland with all His Majesty's Ordinary Servants The weather was rough enough for it was in the beginning of Winter But the last day was so extream stormy that they were all in great hazard but His Majesty landed that same night at in Norway where the Queen was abiding the turning of the Wind and where he accomplished his marriage in person But he could not be perswaded to return to Scotland that Wiuter by reason of the raging Seas and storm he had sustained a little before The Queen and Council of Denmark being advertised that His Majesty was resolved to abide all that Winter sent and requested him to come to Denmark Whither he went by Land with the Queen his new bride and behaved himself honourably and liberally by the way and at the Court of Denmark where he tarried during his abode there But the Company who were with His Majesty put him to great trouble to agree their continual janglings strife pride and partialities The Earl of Marshal by reason that he was an ancient Earl and had been employed in this honourable Commission thought to have the first place next unto His Majesty so long as he was there The Chancellour by reason of his Office would needs have the preheminence There were also contentions betwixt him and the Justice Clark The Constable of Dundie and my Lord Dingwal could not agree about place George Hume did quietly shoot out William Kieth from his Office of Master of the Wardrobe At length they were all divided into two Factions The one for the Earl of Marshal the other for the Chancellour who was the stronger because the King took his part So that the Chancellour triumphed and being yet in Denmark devised many Reformations to be made and new Forms and Customs to be set forward at His Majesty's return As to have no Privy Council but the Exchequer and the Nobility to be debarred from it Sundry of the Lords of the Session to be put out who he judged had no dependence upon him and others his Creatures put in their room He caused a Proclamation to be pen'd which was sent home to be proclaim'd before His Majesty's return That none of the Nobility should come to Court not being sent for and then to bring with them six persons and no more Likewise every Baron to bring but four Likewise he resolved to cause Ward such as had been unruly and disobedient during His Majesty's absence as the Earl Bothwel the Lord Hume and divers Borderers and Highland Men. The next Spring His Majesty came home and Landed at Lieth well accompanied with the Admiral of Denmark and divers of the Council and many other Gentlemen All whom His Majesty treated honourably and after the Queens Coronation they were magnificently rewarded with more then twelve Golden Chains and many Medals of Gold with His Majesties Picture His Majesty at his landing was pleased to send to me to bear them company which I did until their parting to His Majesty's great contentment In the mean time the Earl of Worcester was sent Ambassadour from England to Welcome and Congratulate both their Majesties with some Presents unto the Queens Majesty Upon whom I was commanded by His Majesty to attend diligently all the time of his being here and at his parting he was presented with a Ring of seven great Diamonds He parted well satisfied and so did all his Company His Majesty was pleased at leasure to declare unto me his whole Voyage and proceedings during his absence He said that he wished that I had been sent alone Ambassadour to Denmark in place of the Earl of Marshal and the two who were joined with him he was so ill informed of the said Earl I answered That I understood that the Earl for his part had behaved himself
thread himself that bound on the Wax-cloth about the said picture In the mean time I retired me forth of the Chamber and was earnestly fought after the rest of the day but could not be found untill the Constable and Admiral came to their Chamber at Even who inquiring of me the cause of my retiring I remembred the Constable in what a rage the Queen Mother was when I delivered my Commission and that I found my self obliged in honour to stand upon the reputation of my Master who was a free Prince Whereupon they appeared well satisfied approving what I had done but withal they told me that they were the cause of that bad humour the Queen Mother had been in and that she had made a Proclamation that all Ambassadours should Address themselves to the King and her as Regent Therefore they advised me to go the next day to see her at Dinner assuring me that she would not fail to call for me and inquire the cause of my absenting before I had told out my Commission and he instructed me what I should say in answer So soon as her Majesty perceived me she desired me to stay till she had Dined telling me that she would send for her Son the King to come to her Chamber to hear out the rest of my Commission The King being come the Chamber was voided and her Majesty first inquired why I told not out the rest of my Commission the day before I answered as I had been instructed how that it appeared to me for the time she desired not so many auditors and that I stayed upon her better opportunity which answer she appeared much to relish desiring me when at any other time I should be sent again to Address my self only to the King and to her and to no other I answered that among all the King's Servants I was best acquainted with the Constable and therefore had made him my Convoy to both their Majesties No says she I find no fault that you Addressed your self to him yet I knew she entertained a mortal hatred against him So after I had ended the Declaration of my whole Commission first concerning the Congratulation of the Peace and then made excuses in Name of the Confederate Princes of the Empire for sending help to the Prince of Conde during the Wars for Religion with a request to keep the said Peace inviolate and to make such Laws of Oblivion as were wont to be done among the Greeks and Romans after such Civil Dissentions And then I gave a full account how my Lord Elector had proceeded with Maximilian and what his answer was All the time that I spoke she remembred the King to take good notice saying he was much obliged to that good Prince that took such pains for his marriage and the weal of his Kingdom Then she drew me aside entering into a particular discourse with me telling me that she hoped I would not make too long stay in Dutchland but resolve to spend some of my time in the Court of France seeing it was there I had been brought up For albeit she said she had several who could speak Dutch yet there was none about her who were so familiar with the Princes of the Empire as I was or had such favour and credit as she understood I had to do the King and her service Therefore she offered to make me a Gentleman of the King's Chamber to provide me with an honourable pension to advance me to Offices and Honours as if I had been a French-man born and that she would imploy me not only to Germany but also to England and Flanders I gave her Majesty many thanks taking her offer to my consideration In the mean time that I was waiting upon my dispatch the Admiral 's death was conspired by the Brother and Friends of the Duke of Guise to be executed by Captain Charry in great favour with the Queen Mother as Chief Captain of her Guard Commanding six hundred Hagbutiers Gascons The said enterprise being discovered to the Constable by the old Dutchess of Farrara Daughter to King Lewis the Eleventh Mother to the Widow Dutchess of Guise The Constable went to his House four Leagues from Paris and the next day after the said Captain Charry was slain upon the streets of Paris by Monsieur Chattelier the Admiral 's friend Which put the Queen and all the Court into a fear and firm opinion that the deed was done by the Constables's and Admiral 's direction But the Admiral purged himself the Constable was sent for and many requests made to him to settle and establish quietness in the Court and City While I was yet at Paris undispatched I received Letters from the Earl of Murray and Lidingtoun at the Queens Command calling me home to be imployed in her Majesties service in some of her affairs of consequence which I presupposed to be concerning her marriage Whereupon I determined to obey my Queens Commands and immediately after my return to Germany to prepare for a Journey to Scotland Though this resolution of mine was far contrary to the mind of the Constable Admiral and Prince Palatine But his Son Duke Casimir took occasion to desire me to present his picture to Queen Elizabeth I have said already that he was very dissatisfied because I refused to go to England to propose marriage for him to the Queen he having been incouraged thereto by the Videm of Charters lately come hither from the Court of England who thought himself so familiar with that Queen that he sent an Italian Gentleman of his to propose that marriage as he alledged at the instance of the Elector Palatine to whom the Queen gave a general answer desiring the young Prince to come unto England either openly or privately disguised and declaring that she would never marry Man till she might first see him Notwithstanding hereof I still disswaded his Father from sending him alledging that it would be very chargeable to him and that he would reap nothing but scorn in recompence Whereat the young Prince was so moved that he left the Court for three days But the good Prince his Father sent for him threat'ning to discountenance him if he became not my friend Whereupon we agreed that at this time I should carry with me his picture and present it to the Queen of England in my return to Scotland seeing I was so averse from his going thither in person Which I was satisfied to do providing that I might also carry along with me the picture of his Father and Mother and of all the rest of his Brothers and Sisters together with a familiar Letter from the Elector whereby I might have the more easie access and fitter opportunity to bring in the purpose of the pictures as by accident hoping that she would desire to see them especially the picture of the said young Duke So having obtained my desire I parted from Heidlberg where the Elector held his Court for the time who gave me a
not to be supposed but the too much owning of Rixio a known Minion of the Pope would give ground of suspicion that some design to the prejudice of the Established Religion would be by him contrived That to prevent this her Subjects would find themselves obliged to use all their endeavours to ruine a Man and a stranger from whom they could expect no good office as being a known Enemy to their Religion For the Nobility would certainly take it as an high affront upon them to see her so visibly more countenance a stranger then them her native Subjects I told her Majesty very freely what advice I had given to Rixio She answered me that he medled no further then in her French writings and affairs as her other French Secretary had done formerly And that whoever found fault therewith she would not be so far restrained but that she might dispence her favours to such as she pleased I remembred her Majesty what displeasure had been procured to her by the rash mis-behaviour of a French Gentleman called Chattellier who transported to miscarry himself by her affability had thereby highly injured her Majesty I told her Majesty that a grave and comely behaviour toward strangers not admitting them to too much familiarity would bring them to a more circumspect and Reverend carriage I told her how necessary it was that she particularly noticed all her actings seeing those of her Subjects who were not of her Religion were easily allarumed with any thing which could be therein misrepresented That if their hearts were once lost there would be great difficulty of regaining that place in their affections which yet they found her due as their Sovereign Princess She thanked me for my continual care evidenced in this free advice and ingaged to take such order in reference thereto as the case required I have already told how that my Lord Darnly was advised to ask License to come unto Scotland At his first coming he found the Queen at Weems making her progress through Fiffe Her Majesty took very well with him and said That he was the properest and best proportioned long Man that ever she had seen for he was of a high Stature long and small even and straight He had been from his Youth well instructed in all honest and comely exercises After he had haunted Court some time he proposed marriage to her Majesty which proposal she at first appeared to disrelish as that same day she her self told me and that she had refused a Ring which he then offered unto her I took occasion freely hereupon to speak in his favours and to convince her Majesty that no marriage was more her interest then this seeing it would render her Title to the Succession to the Crown of England unquestionable I know not how he came to fall in acquaintance with Rixio but I found he also was his great friend at the Queens hand so that she took ay the longer the better liking of him and at length determined to marry him This being made known to the Queen of England she sent and charged him to return She also sent her Ambassadour Sir Nicholas Throgmorton to Scotland to disswade the Queen from marrying him and in case the Queen would not follow her advice to perswade the Lords and so many as were of the Protestant Religion to withstand the said marriage till the said Lord Darnly should subscribe a Bond to maintain the Reformed Religion which he had ever professed in England The Queen again perceiving the Queen of Englands earnest opposition to all the marriages that offered unto her resolved to delay no longer But my Lord Duke of Chattellerault my Lords of Argile Rothes Murray Glencairr and divers other Lords and Barons withstood the said marriage Who after they had made an Essay to take the Lord Darnly in the Queens company at the Raid of Baith and as they alledged to have sent him to England Failing in this their enterprise they took them to the fields to her Majesties great dissatisfaction and heart-breaking Her Majesties Forces were sooner ready then theirs so that she persued them here and there whereby they were so straitned that they could never have the opportunity of drawing together And at length they were compelled to flee unto England for refuge to her who by her Ambassadours had promised to hazard her Crown in their defence in case they were driven to any strait because of appearing against the said marriage Though this was expresly denyed them when coming to demand help For when they sent up my Lord of Murray to that Queen the rest abiding at New-castle he could obtain nothing but disdain and scorn till at length he and the Abbot of Kilwinning his Companion in that message were perswaded to come and confess unto the Queen upon their knees and that in presence of the Ambassadours of France and Spain that her Majesty had never moved them to that opposition and resistance against their Queens marriage For this she had desired to satisfie the said Ambassadours who both alledged in their Masters names that she had been the cause of the said Rebellion and that her only delight was to stir up dissention among her Neighbours Yet by this cunning she overcame them For she handled the matter so subtilly and the other two so cowardly in granting her desire contrary to what was truth being put in hopes of relief if they would so far comply with what was judged her interest for the time that she triumphed over the said Ambassadours for their false allegiance But unto my Lord of Murray and his neighbour she said now you have told the truth for neither did I nor any in my Name stir you up against your Queen For your abominable Treason may serve for example to my own Subjects to rebel against me Therefore get you out of my presence you are but unworthy Traytors This was all the reward they procured at her hands and had not some of the Protestants in her Kingdom who favoured them upon accompt of their Religion interposed what they could with her they would not have been permitted during their banishment to have remained within her dominions Although a little before she had promised to give them what assistance they demanded to the uttermost of her power upon condition that they would please her so far as to sit down upon their knees in presence of the said Ambassadours and make the foresaid false confession And as for secret help she gave them none only they obtained a small contribution among some of their own Religion there who were their friends which was distributed among them at New-castle where they remained comfortless and in great trouble The Queen finding the shifts the Court of England made to delay her marriage with any Man proposed hasted forward her marriage with my Lord Darnly which was solemnized in the Palace of Halyrood-House within the Queens Chappel at the Mass wherein Rixio was no small instrument Scotland
they durst not go to France where the Queen had so many friends This I did shew unto her Majesty that she might be the more confirmed how groundless that report was made by the foresaid Lords against Murray Wherewith she appeared well satisfied resolving to continue her kindness for my Lord Murray but withal she charged me not to write in favours of Mortoun In the mean time Mr. Henry Killegrew was sent hither Ambassadour from the Queen of England who was in great suspicion of her estate finding so many of her Subjects favourers of our Queen The said Ambassadour complained against one Mr. Ruxbie who was harboured in Scotland being a Rebel and a Papist Declaring how that the Queen his Mistress had commanded Mortoun and his Complices forth of her Country Which was done by open Proclamation to please the Queen and her Ambassadour who cryed out continually for her suffering them to abide so long in England Yet as we afterward understood they were secretly over-lookt upon condition that they would keep themselves quiet Mr. Killegrew alledged also that the Queens Majesty had been practising with Oneel in Ireland who had his Ambassadour presently in Edinbrugh in company of the Earl of Arguile And Thirdly he complained of some disorders upon the Borders made by Scotishmen But the principal pretext of his Commission was to comfort the Queen over her late troubles to congratulate her freedom and good success over her wicked and rebellious Subjects It may appear sufficiently by that Queens former proceedings that all the Sisterly familiarity was ceased and in place thereof nothing but jealousies suspicions and hatred And yet they kept an outward correspondence for keeping up Neighbourhood and Intelligence The Scots Ambassadour for the time in England had so good hap that his credit was great for he was esteemed sure and secret Which caused a great number of the Nobility Protestants and Papists to Communicate their inward minds and secretest intentions unto him Mr. Randolph had not the like credit in Scotland but only with some of the simplest sort of the Ministers For this Ruxbie was sent in hither to appear to be a zealous favourer of her Majesties Right and Title to the Crown of England He was to endeavour to speak with the Queen and to take an occasion of informing her Majesty of the great friendship divers of the Catholicks had for her who durst not deal with the Scots Ambassadour being a Protestant but that he would deal himself betwixt her Majesty and them All this was to essay what he could draw out of her Majesty to give advertisement thereof to Secretary Cicil. He addressed himself unto the Queens Majesty by the Bishop of Ross who was a Catholick The said Bishop desireing her Majesty to be secret What he learned for the time I cannot tell but he did write sundry intelligences unto the Secretary Cicil which did prejudice But this fine contrivance was not so secretly kept but my Brother Sir Robert had knowledge thereof and also of a Letter that the Secretary Cicil wrote again unto Scotland to the said Mr. Ruxbie promising to see him rewarded and desiring him to continue in his diligence Of all which my Brother by his good intelligence was so well advertised that in due time he gave her Majesty and me information thereof He gave his advice how to carry for the future in that affair So that when Mr. Killegrew made his complaint upon the receit of Mr. Ruxbie her Majesty incontinently caused him to be apprehended and all his Cyphers and Writings among the which was found the Letter written by Secretary Cicil above mentioned Ruxbie finding himself discovered fell immediately upon his knees granting himself worthy of a thousand deaths humbly craving pardon Her Majesty caused him to be so secretly and straitly kept that the English Ambassadour could get no intelligence for what cause he was apprehended until that the Queen did shew him her self that upon his complaint to satisfie the Queen her good Sister she had caused to apprehend the said Ruxbie who should be delivered so soon after his return as it should please her Sister to send for him But as this Mr. Ruxbie was secured so was the complaint made against him kept secret For her Majesty was advised to appear altogether ignorant of any of his practises against her devised by Secretary Cicil it not being thought her interest to put that shame upon one who professed so much to be her friend Nor was it time to cast of intelligence so long as it was found profitable to entertain it as it would have indeed proved had not such unhappy chances fallen out shortly after The Queens Majesties reckoning being near run out she caused me to dispatch for England to be in readiness to give an accompt of the news of her delivery to that Queen leaving a Blank in her Letter to be filled up either with a Son or a Daughter as it should please God to grant unto her And to require the Queen of England to send hither in her name such of hers as she knew to be best instruments for entertaining good love and friendship betwixt them to be Gossips as also to satisfie her concerning the most part of Killegrew's demands All the while I lay within the Castle of Edinbrugh praying night and day for her Majesties good and happy delivery of a fair Son This prayer being granted I was the first who was thereof advertised by the Lady Boin in her Majesties Name to part with dilligence the 19th of June 1555 betwixt Ten and Eleven in the morning By Twelve of the Clock I took Horse and was that night at Berwick The fourth day after I was at London and did first meet with my Brother Sir Robert who that same night sent and advertised Secretary Cicil of my arrival and of the Birth of the Prince desiring him to keep it quiet till my coming to Court to shew it my self unto her Majesty who was for the time at Greenwich where her Majesty was in great mirth dancing after Supper But so soon as the Secretary Cicil whispered in her Ear the news of the Prince's birth all her mirth was laid aside for that night All present marvelling whence proceeded such a change for the Queen did sit down putting her hand under her Cheek bursting out to some of her Ladies That the Queen of Scots was Mother of a fair Son while she was but a barren stock The next morning was appointed for me to get Audience at what time my Brother and I went by Water to Greenwich and were met by some friends who told us how sorrowful her Majesty was at my news but that she had been advised to shew a glad and cheerful countenance Which she did in her best Apparel saying That the joyful news of the Queen her Sister's delivery of a fair Son which I had sent her by Secretary Cicil had recovered her out of a heavy sickness which she had lyen under
Queen of England the other that he might shew unto the Secretary Cicil. Item To advertise my Brother what he should do more for my Lady Lennox whose liberty might do much good Now to conclude seeing the great mark which her Majesty shoots at let her Majesty be more careful and circumspect that her desires being so near to be obtained be not all over-thrown for lack of secrecy good management and Princely behaviour having so many factious Enemies lying in wait to make their advantage of the least appearance that can be made Shortly after my coming home Mr. Killegrew the English Ambassadour obtained his dispatch with a friendly answer to his contentment and a fair Chain and with him her Majesty sent these two Letters following to my Brother by his own advice that he might take occasion to let the Queen of England see the one and Mr. Cicil the other partly to serve to put some doubts out of their minds ingendered by Mr. Ruxbie's advertisements for as I have said the Bishop of Ross made the said Ruxbie's address to the Queen for neither he nor the Earl Bothwel desired her Majesties affairs to prosper under my Brother's management because he was not of their Faction so that by their means Ruxbie got that intelligence as put all her Majesties affairs once in a venture until my Brother 's extraordinary intelligence from such as were most intimate with the Queen of England made him cause to apprehend the said Ruxbie with his whole Letters and Memoires as said is so are many good Princes handled and commonly their truest Servants decourted by the envy and craft of their factious Enemies for wicked men who have lost their credit by trumpery and tricks whereby they get no place to do good service to Princes essay to creep unto their favour by wiles flattery and other unlawful means wherby they may decourt such as surmount them in vertue and honest reputation her Majesties Letter to my Brother was as followeth TRusty and well-beloved We Greet you well Whereas your Brother James hath told Us of the friendly and faithful advice given unto you and him by Mr. Secretary Cicil toward the continuation of the amity betwixt the Queen Our good Sister and Us tending also to Our own particular advantage We thought meet to send these few lines to you that you may thank him heartily in Our Name and declare unto him Our meaning and intention as you find opportunity touching the three Points that he did mention at that time The first as we understand touching our towardliness to them of the Religion The second touching strict justice to be observed upon the Borders The third that we will endeavour by no other means to come to the Succession of the Crown of England but by the favour and forth-setting of our good Sister As to the first you shall answer in Our Name That since Our return out of France We have neither constrained nor persecuted any for cause of Religion nor yet minds to do their credit with Us being so manifest that they are intrusted with the principal Offices and bear the chiefest charges in the Kingdom and principally imployed in our most urgent Affairs before all others Sir Nicholas Throgmorton can testifie what he hath seen and heard at his being here thereanent howbeit that contrary Brutes are blown abroad by the malice and practises of our Enemies To the second concerning the borders it is most certain that the principal Officers on both the sides are special instruments of all the disorders taking occasion upon Our late troubles when as they perceived that we might not so well take order with them as We were willing as now when it hath pleased God to grant unto Us more quietness Desiring him also to procure at the Queen his Sovereign's hands that the like diligence be taken for her part as shall be seen used by Us and then we doubt not but that both he she and all other who complain shall be satisfied As to the third and last head you shall shew unto him the tenor of Our other Letter for satisfaction to the Queen and Our other Friends in these parts So with my friendly commendations to him and his wife I commit you to the protection of the Almighty From the Castle of Edinburgh this Year 1566. TRusty and Well beloved We Greet you well We have received great comfort and contentment by the Declaration your Brother hath made to Us of the Queen Our good Sister 's continual affection and constant love towards Us which she hath now shewn unto you and your Brother at his coming as also by her Letters unto Our Self Likewise for the grant she hath made to be Our Gossip and promises to send so honourable a Company of Lords and Ladies for solemnizing the same in her Name for which in Our behalf you shall give her Majesty most hearty thanks and shew unto her that We desire nothing to be done therein but as may conduce best for her advantage and least to her expence praying her always that the principal Man whom it will please her to send be such a one as We have by long experience known to have been most familiar with her to whom We may the more freely open Our mind and signifie divers things which We intended to have spoken by mouth unto her self if God had granted Our desired meeting As concerning Oneel Ruxbie and all other matters We hope that Mr. Killegrew will satisfie her sufficiently and also how that We desire to have no advancement in that Country but by her only means and help hoping and intending so to direct our course and behaviour toward her as she shall have cause more and more to procure earnestly and carefully her self all things that may further Our Weal and Advancement in this Country that Kingdom or any other In the which hope We will do our best to follow such measures as may please her and to avoid all things that may offend her and We give our most strict command unto you to do the like so long as you remain there And wherever you be about Our service even as I gave you Commandment of before nevertheless in the mean time entertain most kindly and discreetly all those in that Country who profess to bear good will unto Us and to our Title yet in such sort as neither you nor they offend the Queen Our good Sister And if there chance to come to you any hasty or seditious persons admonish them gently to cease and if they forbear not shew unto them that We have promised to the Queen to declare the Names and Practises of such unto her and that we will not fail to do it indeed if they cease not So shall it be known that such as are about to sow discord between the Queen our good Sister and Us doth it rather upon particular respects and for their own advantage then for any design to advance her Affairs or Ours These
Councellors the most part of them his Enviers and secret Enemies praying the Duke not to conceive such an Evil Opinion of him but requesting him to draw the Regent apart and enter with him upon those Terms which afterward the Regent would shew him and he should amplifie and set it out the best he could The Duke asked if the Regent would keep secret and being thereof assured by Lidingtoun the next day he took occasion to enter into discourse with the Regent about their first Friendship and Familiarity contracted at Lieth during the Siege and helping to put the Frenchmen out of Scotland Then after that the Regent had promised Secrecy and assured him that their first Friendship should stand till the end of his Life the Duke began to declare how that he would be a Faithful Subject to the Queen his Mistress so long as she lived but that she was too careless what might come after her about the well and quiet of her Country tho it was the Interest of the Kingdom of England more to notice the same by determining the Succession to prevent Troubles that might otherwise ensue That tho they had divers times essayed to do something therein at every Parliament but that their Queen had thereat evidenced a great discontent and hindred the same shewing thereby that she cared not what Blood was shed after her for the Right and Title of the Crown of England which consists only in the Persons of the Queen and King of Scotland her Son which had been put out of doubt e're then if matters had not fallen out so unhappily at home and yet he and other Noblemen of England as Fathers of the Country were minded to be careful thereof watching their opportunity But that they wondred what could move him to come there and accuse his Queen for albeit she had done or suffered harm to be done to the King her Husband yet there was respect to be had to the Prince her Son upon whom he and many in England had fixed their Eyes as Mr. Melvil who had been late Ambassadour there could testifie He therefore wished that the Queen should not be accused nor dishonoured for the King her Sons cause and for respect to the Right they both had to succeed to the Crown of England And further the Duke said I am sent to hear your Accusation but neither will I nor the Queen my Mistress give out any Sentence upon your Accusation And that you may understand the verity of this Point more clearly you shall do well the next time that I require you before the Councel to give in your Accusation in Writing to demand again my Mistress's Seal and Hand-Writing before you show your folly that in case you Accuse she shall immediately Convict and give out her Sentence according to your Probation otherwise that you will not open your Pack Which if her Majestie shall refuse to grant unto you which undoubtedly she will do then assure your self that my Information is true and take occasion hereupon to stay from further accusation The Regent took very well with this Advice of the Dukes and kept it secret from all his Company save Secretary Lidingtoun and me to whom that same Night he imparted it shewing us his inclination to follow the same in which Resolution we confirmed him At the next meeting with the Council when the Duke demanded the Accusation to be given in the Regent asked for his Security the Queen of Englands Seal and Hand-Writing as was before advised of which the rest of his Faction gave Lidingtoun the full blame because it drew on a delay until the Post was sent to the Court and returned the Queens answer Being come it was told that she was a true Princess her Word and Promise would be abundantly sufficient The Secretary Cicil and Mr. John Wood Secretary to the Regent thought strange of this manner of procedure therefore it was advised to desire the Lords on both sides to go from York toward the Court that the matter might thereto be treated where the Queen was able to give more ready Answers and Replies In the mean time the Regent finding the Information the Duke of Norfolk gave him concerning the Queen of Englands Answer to be true he entred further into Communication with him and in presence of Lidingtoun it was agreed betwixt them as followeth That he in no wayes should accuse the Queen That the Duke should obtain to him the Queens Favour with a confirmation of the Regency The Duke and He were to be as sworn Brothers of one Religion shooting continually at one mark with the mutual intelligence of one anothers minds the one to Rule Scotland the other to Rule England to the Glory of God and well of both the Countries and their Princes so that Posterity should report them the happiest two Instruments that ever were bred in Brittain The Duke was then the greatest Subject in Europe not being a free Prince For he ruled the Queen and all those who were most familiar with her He also ruled the Councel and ruled two Factions in England both Protestants and Papists with the City of London and whole Commons The Great Men who were Papists were all his near Kinsmen whom he entertained with great Wisdom and Discretion the Protestants had such proof of his Godly Life and Conversation that they loved him intirely The Regent being arrived at the Court of England which was for the time at Hampton-Court he was daily pressed to give in his accusation especially by those who were about him when all thought strange that he was so slow in doing thereof until they were advertised by one of the Lords of the Queens Faction of all that had past betwixt the Regent and the Duke of Norfolk For the Duke by a secret hand had advertised our Queen and she again shewed it to one of her most Familiars who advertised the Earl of Mortoun thereof He took this very ill that the Regent had done this without acquainting him or any of his Society of his design But e're he or any of his Company would seem to understand any thing of the matter they laid their heads together and caused Mr. John Wood to inform Secretary Cicill of all that had past desiring him to press forward the Accusation wherein of himself he was abundantly earnest They again left nothing undone for their part to effectuate the same putting him in hope that the Queen would give him her Hand-Writing and Seal that she should convict the Queen in case he accused her Others of the finest of them persuaded him that she would never give her hand-writing or Seal for that end putting him to a strait to see what he would do in case he obtained his desire Mr. John Wood said That it was fit to carry in all the Writs to the Councel and he would keep the Accusation in his bosom and would not deliver it till first the thing demanded of the Queen was granted The
hold the Justice Air of West Lauthian at Edinbrugh with my Lord Neubottle Mr. David Macgill and Mr. John Sharp There came to my Bed timely in a morning a Gentleman alledging that I had formerly done him courtesies which till now he was never able to recompence that he would make me the instrument of saving the Kings Majesty my Master out of the hands of those who were upon an enterprize to take and keep him I said I could hardly trust that but I feared that the Duke of Lennox might be in hazard who was gone to Glascow to hold Justice Airs because of the hatred which I knew was born him especially for the maintaining the two Bishops of St. Andrews and Glascow He answered They will lay hands first on the Kings Majesty and then the Duke and the Earl of Arran dare no more be seen their insolency and misbehaviour being the cause of all the present disorders for there is an enterprize to present a supplication against him to his Majesty After he had told me this news he desired me to conceal his name though to tell the matter to his Majesty He said this turn would be done in ten dayes and as I started up to put on my Cloaths he slipt to the door with a short farewel Because the Duke was at Dalkieth I did ride thither and shewed him the whole matter advising him to ride himself to His Majesty with this Advertisement for his own security but he chose rather to direct a Gentleman with all possible diligence to His Majesty willing me also to write unto the Earl of Gaurie for the Gentleman had not named him to me with the rest of the enterprizers either out of forgetfulness or else because he was but lately won to that purpose by the Laird of Drumwhasel who had assured him that the Duke of Lennox had determined to slay him at the first meeting persuading the Earl upon this ground to joyn with the rest of the Noblemen who were determined to reform the Estate Unto the which invented Advertisement he too easily gave Credit and so joyned with the rest of the Nobility who were minded to present the forenamed supplication to the King at his coming to Dumfarmling It is certain that the Duke of Lennox was led by evil Councel and wrong Informations whereby he was moved to meddle in such hurtful and dangerous courses that the rest of the Nobility became zealous of his intentions and feared their Estates As for the Earl of Arran they detested his Proceedings and esteemed him the worst and most insolent instrument that could be found out to wrack King Kirk and Country The Duke had been tolerable had he hapned upon as honest Councellors as he was well inclined of himself but he wanted experience and was no ways versed in the State of the Country nor brought up in our Religion which by time he might have been brought to have imbraced But the Earl of Arran was a scorner of Religion presumptuous ambitious covetous careless of the Commonwealth a dispiser of the Nobility and of all honest men so that every man was expecting a suddain Change which should have been made in Dumfarling in presenting the above specified supplication But what moved the Lords to surprise His Majesty within the House of Huntingtoun I know not If it was not to imbark the Earl of Gaury whose House it was more deeply in their bond or that they fearing their enterprise to be discovered made the greater hast and stayed His Majesty in that place which was afterward called the Road of Ruthven After that the Duke of Lennox was advertised of this enterprise he sent for the Earl of Arran who was peaceably passing his time in Kinweel He took in hand to ride and save the King boasting that he would chase all the Lords into Mouse-holes but he was chased and saved himself in the House of Ruthven where they had shortly made an end of him had not the Earl of Gaurie interceeded for his life whose destiny it was to keep him alive to be his own wrack afterwards The Duke of Lennox being advertised that His Majesty was in their hands retired himself to Dumbartoun and His Majesty was conveyed to Stirling and there retained The King of France and the Queen of England being informed that the King was taken and kept in Custody sent each of them an Ambassador to this Country to comfort his Majesty to see what the matter meant and to offer him their assistance in case he required the same and declared that he had been taken and kept against his will But after great thanks given unto the said Ambassadors the King willed them to declare unto their Princes that he was very well satisfied with the Lords who were about him and that they were all his own Subjects willing to obey him but that they had conceived some hard apprehensions of the Duke of Lennox and some others who had been about him before Albeit his heart was full of sorrow and displeasure as he told himself afterward and even then likewise to Mr. Cairy Cousin to the Queen of England who whispered in His Majesties Ear requesting him to tell the plain verity which he should keep secret from Mr. Bows his Companion and also from the Lords and shall only shew his inward mind privily to his Mistress the Queen yet it neither appeared by the success to have been kept secret nor did that Queen make any further instance for his liberty The Lords in the mean time thought meet to hold a Councel to resolve what course to take wherein it was determined that their enterprise was good service to his Majesty the Kirk and Common-wealth which His Majesty granted also to be true whereupon an Act of Councel was formed At that same time the general Assembly of the Kirk was held at Edinbrugh to the which his Majesty was moved to send two Commissioners to testify that he had allowed for good service the said Lords enterprise desiring likewise the Kirk to find it good for their parts and to ordain the Ministers and Commissioners of every Shire to publish the same to their Parishioners and to get the principal Gentlemens Subscriptions to maintain the same Notwithstanding of all this His Majesty took the matter further to heart then any man would have believed He lamented his mishandling to sundry Noblemen and others and at length acquainted some of them that he intended to relieve himself through time out of their hands who held him as Captive He desired such as he trusted in to assist him with their counsel and help The Lords again who were joined together for the Reformation of the State being rid of the Duke of Lennox who had past through England to France where he shortly after dyed of a sickness contracted through displeasure And being also rid of the Earl of Arran whom they kept Captive in the custody of the Earl of Gaury they retired themselves from the Court to
Gentlemen of each Shire to subscribe a Signature or the Copy wherein the Road of Ruthven was allowed for good Service and to be ready to defend the same I declared also unto His Majesty that there was a common Clause contained in all Remissions to wit Except the laying hands upon the King's person so that how little secured they were by their present Remissions His Majesty might easily judge He answered That seldom or never was any Remission seen broken and wondered what made me think or speak contrary to the rest of the Council I said If I had always spoken as the rest I had not been put off the Council by the Earl of Arran whose qualities I had before described unto His Majesty and what inseparable inconveniencies would attend his being again brought into Court I requested His Majesty for his own weal to send him home to his own House For by his underhand dealing I understood that this Convention would shortly bring on new desperate enterprises His Majesty said That I was in the wrong to the Earl of Arran and that there would never be more desperate enterprises I affirmed that there would be continually ay and while the Lords who were in despair might mend themselves or find themselves in a better security I said moreover to His Majesty that the Earl of Arran would yet again put his Person and Crown in hazard so that His Majesty left me in anger And yet he turned about again and asked who shall then remain about me if I put away the Earl of Arran I answered Who but your ancient Nobility the Earls of March Arguile Eglintoun Montrose Marshal Rothess Huntly and Crauford with some Ministers and Barons known not to be factious But so many of the Noblemen and of their Friends as were yet remaining within the Country after they had heard of their Remissions they Combin'd together and gained divers Lords who were about His Majesty to make a new enterprise and were minded to slay the Earl of Arran Colonel Stuart and some others that were about His Majesty whom they knew to have been most instrumental in carrying on this design though it should be in His Majesty's presence and that way to become Masters again of the Court. Whereof I not only was advertised by some to whom I had formerly done kindnesses but I was advised to absent my self from Court four or five days till the first fury of the alteration was over For the Earl of Arran's hatred to me procured me many friends I again to save his Majesty from peril and dishonour thought it my duty to advertise him intreating him to send home the said Earl I cannot tell what moved the Earl but that same night he invited me to Supper which I refused The next day again he took me by the hand before His Majesty saying That I should Dine with him in his Majesty's presence He shewed me a very favourable countenance for the King had forbidden him to offend me in any sort as he would retain his favour If he had got any word of my contrary Opinion to his I cannot tell or that I had desired him to be sent home but there was some appearance of this by his behaviour and passionate Speeches unto me soon after that I had told my judgment unto his Majesty as men may judge for leading me by the hand to dine with him in His Majesty's presence which I could not evite Before we did sit down to Dinner he askt me how all would be I told him very freely all I had spoken unto His Majesty Then said he you would place about His Majesty the Earl of March who is a Fool guided by the Laird of Compte and Robert Sives I said he behoved to be one with the rest of the Noblemen already named He said it should pass my power or any Man's to cause him leave His Majesty so long as he was in such danger I answered That the King was in danger for no other cause but because he was with him I perceived he entertained a great discontent at me in his heart which burst out afterward Threatning to put me out of the Gates if I fished any more in his Waters I answered if I pleased to tarry it would pass his power seeing I would get more honest Men to take my part then he would get Throat-cutters to assist him So soon as His Majesty heard of this language he sent the Earl's Uncle the Laird of Caprintoun to reprove him very sharply Whereupon he retired in great discontent to the Castle of Edinbrugh whereof he was Captain declaring he would not come near his Majesty till I was sent home to give him place which I perceived His Majesty was satisfied I should do to please him For his Wife came daily to His Majesty and said That her Husband was highly discontent finding His Majesty to take my part against him Whereupon I resolved to retire At my leave-taking His Majesty said he doubted not but I would return when called for By which I understood that I should not come back till sent for Which suited very well with my former intentions being resolved to attend no longer then the foresaid Convention was ended Now the Earl of Arran triumphed being Chancellour and Captain of the Castles of Edinbrugh and Sterling He made the whole Subjects to tremble under him and every Man to depend upon him daily inventing and seeking out new faults against divers to get the gift of their Escheats Lands Benefices And to procure Bribes he vexed the whole Writers to make sure his gifts Those of the Nobility who were now unsure of their Estates fled others were banished he shot directly at the Life and Lands of the Earl of Gaury For the Highland Oracles had shewn unto his Wife that Gaury would be ruined as she told to some of her familiars But she helped that Prophesie forward as well as she could For Gaury had been his first Master and despighted his insolent Pride Oppression and Misbehaviour plainly in Council which few others durst do therefore he hated his Person and loved his Lands which at length he obtained For Gaury being unable to be a Witness of the Oppression of his Country obtained His Majesties consent to go out of the Country But as he was making his preparations too longsomly and slowly in Dundie as he was of Nature over slow where his Ship was to receive him he was advertised by some Factioners that the Earls of Angus Mar and Master of Glams had an enterprise in hand viz. To come out of Ireland and take the Town and Castle of Sterling Having correspondence with divers Nobles and others their Friends who were in the Country Malecontents so that they were in hope to make a party sufficient against the Earl of Arran The despight the Earl of Gaury had against the Earl of Arran moved him to stay to take part with them There was at this time an universal miscontent in the Country
Harangues in Latine that he was a good true stout Man like a Dutch-man Then His Majesty was content that he should go with me After that I had tarried long at Court and could see no preparation for our Dispatch neither Mony nor Ship making ready the appointed time wherein we should have been in Denmark being past to wit before the first of May. For it was so ordered by the King of Denmark e're he dyed that in case that day was not kept that they might think themselves but scoffed This moved me to employ my friends at Court to cause another be named in my place seeing so many suiting to get the said Commission And the Chancellour gave me such terrors as he could for his part Now the Farl of Marshal was desirous to supply the place of his Uncle my Lord of Atry and His Majesty was content that he should be sent thither Whereupon I took occasion to represent to His Majesty That the said Earl was very well qualified for that imployment and that he would go the better contented if he might have in Commission with him some of his own friends and acquaintance His Majesty answered That it was his part to chuse his own Ambassadours that the Earl of Marshal should have the first place as a Nobleman but that he would repose the chief handling with the Regent and Council of Denmark upon me Then I declared That the appointed time was past and that yet there was no appearance of any preparation of Mony or Ship wherewith His Majesty was very angry I named the Laird of Barnbarrow or Mr. Peter Toung as very fit to be imployed in the Commission with the Earl of Marshal because they had been there already But he would not hear thereof for the blame had been wrongously laid upon their insufficiency it being alledged That their mismanagement was the occasion that matters formerly took not the desired success Would not this kind of Court dealing scare any man from medling in such weighty matters where such men are preferred to have the special credit about a Prince who mind only their own designs and not the Prince's advantage Those who at present ordered Affairs counselled His Majesty first to send to the Queen of England and require her advice and consent to the said marriage with Denmark who they knew would not only disswade him from the said marriage but also stay him from any marriage as she and her Council had ever done and dealt both with his Mother and himself When I understood of this new delay I obtained license to go home to my house and make me ready against the next warning In the mean time the season of the year was well spent The Queen of England's answer returned not to marry with Denmark She said That she had credit with the King and Princess of Navarre that she would imploy the same for effectuating that marriage which was much more His Majesty's interest In the mean time she did write to the King of Navarre to hold back the marriage of his Sister three years for such frivolous pretexts as carried no reason Upon this answer of England our Council was Convened and inticed to Vote against the marriage of Denmark Whereat His Majesty took such a despight that he caused one of his most familiar Servants to deal secretly with some of the Deacons of the Craftsmen of Edinbrugh to make a mutiny against the Chancellour and Council threat'ning to slay him in case the marriage with the King of Denmark's Daughter were hindered or longer delayed This boasting and fear caused a new resolution to be taken that the Earl of Marshal should be dispatched with diligence with the Constable of Dundie and the Lord Andrew Kieth whom the said Earl requested His Majesty to send with him Which His Majesty granted the more easily because he found so many difficulties in the matter and some of my friends had informed him that it would be very satisfactory to me that some other were imployed Now it was yet a long time before the Earl of Marshal could be ready and dispatched Then as to his dealing with the Council of Denmark his power to conclude was so limited and his Commission so slender that he was compelled to send back again my Lord Dingual either for a License to come home or for a sufficient power to conclude Where it chanced that he found His Majesty at Aberdeen and the Chancellour and most part of the Council absent Which was a great furtherance to get a full power to conclude the Contract and Ceremony of the marriage by the Earl of Marshal who was incontinently dispatched by the Regent and Council of Denmark and the Queen sent home with him well accompanied But the tempestuous winds drave them upon the Coast of Norway where they Landed and stayed a long time for fair Winds and Weather Which storm of Wind was alledged to be raised by the Witches of Denmark as by sundry of them was acknowledged when they were for that cause burnt That which moved them thereto was as they said a blow which the Admiral of Denmark gave to one of the Bayliffs of Copenhaven whose Wife consulting with her associates in that Art raised the Storm to be revenged upon the said Admiral His Majesty had heard that they were upon the Sea and left nothing undone to make all in a readiness to receive the Queen and her Company honourably But in the mean time was very impatient and sorrowful for her long delay laying the blame thereof upon the Chancellour and such others of his Council as had plainly Voted against the said marriage and thereby had delayed the dispatch of the Ambassadours so long untill the Season of Sailing upon the Seas was near past The storms were also so great here that a Passage-Boat perished betwixt Bruntland and Lieth wherein was a Gentlewoman called Jean Kennedie who had been long in England with the Queen His Majesty's Mother and was since married to Sir Andrew Melvil of Garvock my Brother Master of His Majesty's Houshold Which Gentlewoman being discreet and grave was sent for by His Majesty to be about the Queen his Bed-fellow She being desirous to make diligence would not by the storm be stopped the Sailing of the Ferry where the vehement storm drave a Ship forcibly upon the said Boat and drowned the Gentlewoman and all the Persons except two This the Scotish Witches confessed to His Majesty was procured by them In that Boat also I lost two Servants Now His Majesty remained quietly in the Castle of Craigmillar dissatisfied as said is with the greatest part of his Council He could neither sleep nor rest In the mean time he directed Colonel Stuart to my Brother Sir Robert and me charging us to take care of his mishandled Estate in time-coming lamenting that he had been abused by such as formerly he had too much trusted to and that he had always found us faithful and careful of his welfare
Kings of Scotland were never rich since they left the High-lands and the Isles to dwell in the Low-lands For since that their Rents have been diminished and their superfluous expences increased at the unruly example of other neighbour Nations Then your Majesties Parks would be put to profit and replenished which will be found a necessary help to the keeping of your House The rest of your store Grounds lying in the far South parts are in such hands as it is not fit medle with them yet but some yearly number of Weathers will be easily granted by them who possess presently the said store grounds Also the forbidden Goods that go yearly out of Scotland if they were stayed and taken according to Acts of Parliament would be very profitable The best means to bring these good purposes to pass is a Princely Prudent and Gracious Government Which is easiest brought to pass when the Prince corrects himself before he correct his Subjects For they will be soon subdued to his Will when they see the same made subject unto Reason For being subject unto Reason the Prince hath conquered himself the readiest means to conquer the hearts of all his Subjects Their hearts being conquered the Country is easily conquered The Country being conquered the Prince may Plant and Establish good order there at his pleasure Theopompus being demanded what way a King might best rule his Realm Answered In giving liberty to those who love to tell him the truth The Senate of Rome writing unto Trajan excuseth Princes to be negligent in many things not so much for that they have not desire to foresee as because few or none dare warn them of the truth and says moreover That it belongs to good Princes rather to have regard to the benefit of their Country then to the delights of their Person and rather to follow such Exercises as will increase their Reputation then only to be taken up with their Pastime that they should be sparing in Speeches and prodigal in Deeds Plutarch saith to the same Trajan If thy Government answer not the expectation of thy People thou must necessarily be subject to many dangers He said further That Princes should Rule well if they be thankful to the great God and if they should be patient in chances of fortune and diligent in Execution careful of their Affairs in dangers mild to the people tractable to strangers not covetous of riches nor lovers of their own opinions and desires For then the burthen of their Office will be easie unto them As God is the Ruler and Spirit of the World so ought Princes to Rule and be the Spirit of their Country The Heaven the Earth the Sea and all the Elements obey God's Ordinance by the strength of his continual Motion and Providence so should the Prince who is God's place-holder by continual Care Providence and Motion cause every Lieutenant Minister Magistrate Judge Officer and Sheriffs to keep their due course in their Vocation For the which effect it may please your Majesty to consider the nature and wrong kind of Scottish Government by a continual long corrupted Custom Scotland is indeed Hereditary and a Monarchy yet among all other Monarchical Kingdoms it is oftest out of Tune by the sloth and carelesness of Princes the unruliness and sturdiness of the Subjects and the great number of the Nobility as also by reason of the great cumbersom Clanns so ready to concur together and to Rebell for the defence of any of their name or to revenge the just Execution of some of them for Murther Slaughter Theft or such other Crimes For our King wanting hired Soldiers remaining in Garisons as other Monarchs have may not at all occasions punish and redress such wrongs and disorders except they have by Wisdom and Vertue conquered their own passions opinions and desires and by the same means ravished the hearts of the most and best part of the Subjects to assist them with heart and hand to suppress the Rebels and to punish the offenders Such Kings again as endeavour to command absolutely not caring for the hearts of their Subjects their Proclamations may well be outwardly obeyed with their Bodies but they will never help the Prince in time of need save only to help to ruine him There is nothing more dangerous for a Scots King that hath not the love of his Subjects then when a great number are Convened together For at such times they use to take sudden consultations to put order to the Prince and his familiar Minions Of these two sort of Kings the first is more then a Monarch and the last less then Elective Of the first in Scotland too few have Reign'd and of the last too many Which is the cause that the Country is not conquered to the lawful King Which is also the cause that the corrupt Customs and Disorders have lasted so long and are not to be remedied until it please God to send three such Kings as I have named of the best sort granting them long life each one to succeed after other I pray God grant that your Majesty be the first of the three But it appears your Majesty is not well advised while you are creating more Noblemen making them thereby the stronger whereas divers other Princes endeavour to make them lower and fewer By reason of the old Emulation which hath lasted between the Kings of Scotland and their Nobility the Kings to Command absolutely as Sovereign Monarchs the Nobles to withstand their absolute power sometime by secret and indirect means and oft-times by plain resistance and force Hence but few Wise Vertuous and Potent Kings or Sovereign Monarchs who have obtained the Mastery whereas there have been many careless slothful and simple Princes that have Ruled by wicked Councellors and have commonly been brought to ignominious ends The good and worthy Prince took upon him more or less absolute Power and Authority as he found himself able by Assistance Substance and Alliance or as he found his Nobility feeble foolish and divided England believes it self to be in the better Estate by shedding the blood of their Nobility and debarring them from the Council and handling of the Princes Affairs Scotland contrariwise by sparing the blood of the Nobility and Barons and by making them partakers of Honours and Offices For the way of taking the life of a Nobleman or Baron breeds an hundred Enemies more or less according to the greatness of the Clan or Surname Of which some will lye at wait to be revenged albeit long after as they can find their opportunity For the Nobility being so numerous by long evil custom they esteem themselves to be born Councellors And yet will not remain at Court nor upon the Council unless it be at Conventions or for some particular profit And if the Prince intend to Rule without them they use to make sudden enterprises against him and his familiars with the which Tragedies the Chronicles are filled Then after such a violent
the Castle of Edinburgh p. 174. Desires a Commission to go Ambassador for England but is denied ibid. The Council of England conclude to take away the life of Mary Queen of Scotland Prisoner in England p. 171. Falsly alledging that She practiced against the State p. 172. Think fit to secure his Majesty in Scotland in the hands of the Banished Lords that so they might seek his life or keep him a perpetual Prisoner but herein prove defeated ibid. Fall down upon their knees with many of the Nobility Alledging that her life as well as their lives and fortunes was in hazard by reason of the practises of Queen Mary ibid. Received the Summons from Secretary Davison and give her warning to prepare for Death the Night before ibid. A Council Conven'd about the dissention of several Lords p. 200. De Crook Monsieur is sent Ambassador to the French King from Scotland with a Letter about the foulness of the Murther of their King p. 82. Receives an Answer from the Lords with a resolution to use all diligence to detect the Murtherers ibid. Crauford Captain Accuseth Secretary Lidington of the Murther of the late King of Scots p. 100. He being at that time Servant to the Earl of Lennox Alledging his Commission for so doing from the said Earl his Master p. 110. Crauford Lord is Committed to the Custody of the Lord Hamiltoun p. 170. Cunningham James Captain a discreet Man Servant to the Lord of Marr then Regent in Scotland p. 115. D DArnly Son to the Earl of Lennox a Handsom Beardless Lady-fac'd Man p. 48. Procures a License from the Queen of England to go to Scotland p. 53. His intention therein ibid. Proposeth a Marriage to Queen Mary who refuseth a Ring he presented to her p. 56. Which the Queen seems to disrelish ibid. Becomes acquainted with Rixio who was his great Friend to the Queen of Scots ibid. Finds the Queen cold in her favours after her confinement upon the murther of Rixio p. 66. Follows the Queen though slighted whithersoever she went p. 77. Goes to Glascow falls sick being suspected to have poison given him by a Servant of his own ibid. Is brought from thence to Edinburgh to recover his health p. 78. Dies and how ibid. Davison is sent Agent into Scotland and afterward made Secretary to Queen Elizabeth p. 157. Professeth himself a Scot ibid. Remains at Coupar till he had Audience which he had at Falkland ibid. But proves deceitful p. 158. Returns to England ibid. Receives the written Summons for the Execution of Queen Mary with a strict charge not to deliver it without her express Command p. 172. But being deceived by the Council of England delivers it ibid. For which he is Committed to the Tower by Queen Elizabeth for disobeying her orders upon that account p. 175. Dingual Lord is sent to King James for a License to return or a Commission to conclude the Match with Denmark p. 179. Finds his Majesty at Aberdeen the Chancellour and most part of the Council being absent p. 180. So that he obtained a full power to conclude the said Match ibid. Dosel Monsieur Lieutenant in Scotland for the French King p. 24. a passionate Man p. 25. Douglas Archibald is cleansed of the late King's murther in Scotland p. 174. Frequents the Court familiarly ibid. returns to England to remain Ambassadour there ibid. Hath great reputation with Mary Queen of Scotland yet injureth her Cause in England and is discharged of his Embassy upon the Arrival of Sir Robert Melvil in England ibid. Douglas George the Natural Son of the Lord Angus enters the King's Closet with the Lord Ruthven the Queen being present and with the King's Dagger struck him p. 64. And afterwards drew him into the outer Hall and kill'd him p. 65. Conveys the Queen to Lockleven as a Captive to the King's Lords p. 90. Hath the House of the Castle delivered to him p. 121. Douglas Sir George desires to have the Commission for Ambassadour to Spain p. 175. But is denied ibid. Douglas James the Natural Son of the Earl of Mortoun p. 127. Kills the Earl of Arran in Revenge of his Uncle's death the Earl of Mortoun 200. Drake Sir Francis by a stratagem of a Ship full of Powder with a burning Link fires the Spanish Navy and discomfits them p. 176. Drumhafel Laird Master of King James his Houshold when young p. 125. Draws the Earl of Arguile and Athol to Sterling p. 126. Is discharged out of Court ibid. Assures the Earl of Grange that the Duke of Lennox designed to kill him p. 131. though it prov'd false p. 133. Is imprison'd by the procurement of the Earl of Arran and his Lady p. 137. Du Bartas Monsieur famous for his French Poesie arrives in Scotland p. 176. Proposeth a marriage with the King of Scots and the Princess of Navarre ibid. Resides at Falkland with the King p. 177. Dundee Earl is sent one of the Ambassadours to Denmark about the King's marriage p. 179. Dudly Lord Robert afterward made Earl of Leicester is proposed by Mr. Randolph as a fit Match for Mary Queen of Scotland p. 40. E EAster Weems Laird goes with a Commission to England and France p. 203. Is a Pensioner to the French King ibid. Elizabeth Queen of England sends Instructions to Mr. Randolph her Ambassadour in Scotland to propose the Lord Robert Dudly as a fit Match for Mary Queen of Scotland p. 40. Disrelisheth the proposal of a Match between Queen Mary and Charles the Arch-Duke of Austria p. 41. Which appears by her sending the Earl of Sussex to the Emperor's Court to draw on the marriage of the Arch-Duke with her self ibid. This occasion'd grudges between the Two Queens of England and Scotland p. 42. She designs Darnly for Queen Mary's Husband ibid. Creates the Lord Robert Dudly Earl of Leicester and Baron of Denbigh p. 47. Is distemper'd with a Fever insomuch that her life is question'd p. 67. Disturbed at the Birth of the Prince Queen Mary's Son p. 69. Yet promiseth to be Gossip to him by proxy of Lords and Ladies p. 70. Upon her fair promises Queen Mary flies to England but she would not see her though she often desired it p. 92. Causeth her to be kept Prisoner till she lost her life after a tedious confinement ibid. Is Reproached by the Ambassadours of Foreign Princes for her unprincely dealing with Queen Mary p. 93. Having obtained her desires upon the Accusation of Queen Mary received great content having now matter sufficient to shew Foreign Ambassadours why she detained the Queen p. 97. Is glad of the Queen's dishonour yet sends privately to comfort her upon her false Accusation ibid. Her Answer to the Abbot of Dumfarmling upon his Propositions p. 106. Sends an Ambassadour to the King of Scots when confin'd offering him her Assistance p. 132. Sends a sharp Letter to King James p. 139. The Contents thereof p. 140. Receives intelligence of a Magnificent Embassy from Denmark to
conference If any be afraid of your Majesty thinking that you have an ill opinion of them the assurance by a trusty Minister of your good will whom they may credit will quickly put them out of doubt and make them favourable enough They who are constantly yours are easily retained at your devotion Those who heretofore have born any favour and by the late occurrences are any way brangled will be brought home again when they shall see your Majesty now when it is fallen in your hands to use rigour or mercy as you please rather incline to the most plausible part in shewing your magnanimity when you have brought your Subjects to submission and gentleness as the good Pastour to reduce his Sheep that were gone astray home again to the fold Those who are yet neutrals by the same means and true information of your interest by Law may all be won to your side This done when the matter comes in question your friends will earnestly press your interest at this Parliament and you will without controversie bear it away This device in so far as concerns your reconciliation with your Subjects is not a fetch for their favour but is thought expedient for your service by many who have no favour for them and are different from them in Religion For it will bring the Queen of England greatly to favour you when she shall see such an Union in your own Kingdom of the Head and whole Members together She will not know how to disturb your Majesties estate especially when the Reconciliation takes effect in the hearts of the Subjects in England who will think themselves in an happy condition if they should come under the Government of so benign a Princess who can so readily forgive great offences For albeit it must be acknowledged that my Lord of Murray hath by his inconsiderate carriage given your Majesty great ground of offence yet it is hard to perswade the Protestants that your quarrel against him hath any other foundation then that he differs from you in Religion Upon this ground they find themselves engaged to espouse his quarrel If then they perceived your Majesty graciously inclined to take him again unto favour and forgive what is by-past the Protestants in England would doubtless declare themselves more affectionate to your interest when they shall see more of their own Religion so clemently handled And that your Majesty may have experience that it is your advancement your friends would by this means procure and not the advantage of those with whom your Majesty is offended a middle way may be followed as is frequently used in such like cases where not only the multitude is spared but the chief authors are preserved It may please your Majesty to cause a Letter to be pen'd in good terms and form and publish the same by Proclamation declaring the just cause of your anger against all of them and that yet for declaring your own good nature above their deservings you are content to remit the whole except such principles as you please to reserve and except by name from the general Pardon And that with whom you will not take such severe order as you might in Law till you have further tryal and experience of their Penitence The persons so to be nominated and excepted shall depart out of England to what Countrey pleaseth your Majesty there to remain during your pleasure In this mean time if your Majesty find that this benign usage of yours shall produce such fruit as is here spoken your Majesty may further extend your favour as you find convenient and profitable for your self For your Majesty hath still the crimes lying above their heads In the mean time all who favour them in England will plead in their cause with your Majesty so far as their power extends as if they were Agents for your Majesty They will in no ways if they can eschew it be again in the Queen of Englands debt neither by obtaining of any favour at your hand by her intervention nor yet for any support in the time of their banishment But rather it may please your Majesty that their charges be allowed them of their own Lands By following this advice which in no ways can be prejudicial to your Majesty but will much conduce for your interest you may recover the greatest part of the Bishops of England many of the greatest Nobility and Gentlemen who are yet Neutral Their Names were declared to her Majesty in Cypher by whose means he alledged her Majesty should obtain so great an interest in England that albeit that Queen would appear against her she needed not to care For in sending but one thousand Men of her own out of four parts of England a sufficient number should join with them by whose forces without any strangers her Majesty should obtain the thing which is wrongfully refused and retained When her Majesty had seriously pondered this discourse it had great influence upon her to move her to follow the desire thereof as well for the good opinion she had of him who sent it as being of her own nature more inclined to mercy then rigour she being also wise and being convinced that it tended to the advancement of her affairs in England She was therefore fully resolved to have followed the advice thereof and to prolong the Parliament which had been called to forfault the Lords who had fled Rixio appeared also to have been gained for counselling her hereto My Lord Murray had sued to him very earnestly and more humbly then could have been believed with the present of a fair Diamond inclosed within a Letter full of repentance and fair promises from that time forth to be his Friend and Protector Which the said Rixio granted to do with the better will that he perceived the King to bear him little good will and to frown upon him Following this advice and advertisement given by Sir Nicholas Throgmorton the Queens Majesty sent my Brother Sir Robert Melvil to remain her Ambassadour in Ordinary at the Court of England to be ready at all occasions in case any thing were treated at the Parliament concerning the Succession and to pursue the Design laid down by Sir Nicholas and her other friends in England In this mean time there was a French Gentleman sent home here called Monsieur d' Villamonte with a Commission to treat with the Queen that in no wayes she should shew any favour to the protestant banished Lords Because that all Catholick Princes were bandied to root them out of all Europe Which was a device of the Cardinal of Lorrain lately returned from the Councel of Trent He had caused the King of France to write earnestly to that effect Which unhappy Message occasioned divers tragical accidents For the Queen was loath to offend her friends in France of the house of Guise albeit she would have done little at that time by her own pleasure to satisfie the King of France who was but young and
only guided by his Mother whom she had no good cause to like well of But Rixio was thought also not to think fit to offend so many Catholick Princes confederated and especially the Pope with whom he had secret intelligence Hereby the Queen was again induced to hold the Parliament to forfault the banished Lords against her own intention and her former deliberation Now there were a number of Lords at home friends to the Lords who were banished As the Earl of Mortoun the Lord Ruthven the Lord Lindsay and divers other Gentlemen who favoured them only for their Religion some of them were discontent that their friends should be forfaulted others had special reasons inducing them to fear the Sitting of that Parliament Especially the Earl of Mortoun and his dependers feared a revocation that was alledged to be made at the said Parliament to bring back again to the Crown divers great dispositions given out during the Queens minority and some benefices which had been taken by Noblemen at their own hands during the Civil-Wars under pretext of Religion These and such considerations moved them to consult together how to get the Parliament stayed and to make a change at Court The Earl of Mortoun had a crafty head and had a Cousin called George Deuglass the natural Son to the Earl of Angus who was Father to Dame Margaret Douglass Countess of Lennox the King's Mother The said George was continually about the King and by his Mother and Brothers means put in his head such suspicions against Rixio that the King was prevailed with to give his consent to his slaughter This the Lords of Mortoun Lindsay Ruthven and others had devised to become that way Masters of the Court and so to stop the Parliament The King was yet very young and not well acquainted with the nature of this Nation It was supposed also that the Earl of Lennox knew of the said design For he had his Chamber within the Palace and so had the Earl of Athol Bothwel and Huntly who escaped by leaping over a Window toward the little Garden where the Lyons were lodged This vile act was done upon a Saturday at six a-Clock at night when the Queen was at Supper in her Closet A number of Armed Men entered within the Court before the closing of the Gates and took the Keys from the Porter One part of them went up through the Kings Chamber conducted by the Lord Ruthven and George Douglass the rest remained without with drawn Swords in their hands crying A Douglass A Douglass The King was before gone up to the Queen and was leaning upon her Chair when the Lord Ruthven entered with his Helmet upon his Head and George Douglass and divers others with them so rudely and irreverently that the Table Candles Meat and Dishes were overthrown Rixio took the Queen about the waste crying for mercy but George Douglass plucked out the Kings Dagger and stroke Rixio first with it leaving it sticking in him He making great shrieks and cryes was rudely snatcht from the Queen who could not prevail either with threats or intreaties to save him But he was forcibly drawn forth of the Closet and slain in the outer Hall and her Majesty kept as a Captive That same night the Earl of Athol the Laird of Tullibardine and Secretary Lidingtoun and Sir James Balfour were permitted to retire themselves out of the Palace and were in great fear of their lives The next morning being Sunday I was let forth at the Gate and passing through the outer Close the Queen being looking forth at a Window cryed unto me to help her I drew near and assured her of all the help that lay in my power She desired me with all haste to go to the Provost of Edinbrugh and desire him to convene the Town to relieve her out of these Traytors hands But run fast says she for they will stay you As this word was spoken one Mr. Wisbet Master of the Houshold to the Earl of Lennox was sent with a Company to stay me To whom I gave good words saying that I was only going to Sermon at St. Giles's Church But I went in haste to the Provost and told him my Commission from the Queen He answered That he had another commandment from the King but that he should draw the people to the Tolbooth and see what they would do though he expected no help from their hands because the most part of them were so discontent with the present Government that all desired a change Yet he convened them though in vain Which backwardness of theirs I did intimate to her Majesty by one of her Ladys whom she sent again unto me to tell me that she supposed my Lord of Murray and his associates who were yet banished remaining at Newcastle would be sent for by those who were about her Willing me at his coming to perswade him not to join with those who had so highly affronted her but to hold himself free and be her friend in this strait which doing should be his great advantage and purchase her love and favour for ever Which Commission I did not fail to execute at his coming upon Monday but he was more moved at his meeting with her Majesty who imbraced and kissed him alledging that if he had been at home he would not have suffered her to have been so uncourteously handled Which so much moved him that the Tears run from his eves He knew sufficiently well that it was not for his cause but for their own particular ends that the greatest part who had made that enterprise had therein ingaged which made him the less concerned in them Yet he and his Company resolved to keep the day against which they were summoned to the Parliament In the mean time the King repented himself of his accession to that affair whereupon her Majesty took occasion to perswade him to abandon those Lords who had committed so odious a crime as to hazard her life together with his Child which was in her Belly That nevertheless she was resolved to forgive them and give them what security thereupon they would demand The Lords seeing the King drawn from them and my Lord of Murray not so frank for them as they expected were necessitated to do the next best and consented that a pacification should be penned which was divers times written over to put in and out certain heads and clauses to drive time until the writing might appear plausible Her Majesty caused the King to advise them to discharge the Guard that kept her that so the security might be subscribed she being at liberty Seeing otherwise it would not avail them in Law if there were the least appearance of restraint upon her during the time thereof So upon Tuesday they went all to their rest but the Queen King Traquair and Arthur Areskin Master of the Horse for the time went out of Halirood-House at midnight toward the Castle of Dumbar and left word with one of her