death of that gallant Warriour though I could not conjecture for the time what could move him By frequent conference with him I suspected that he would be an Enemy to the marriage of his Brother with our Queen but to get some further tryal thereof I requested my companion Monsieur Zuliger to drink himself merry with some of his Secretaries and then to cast in the purpose of the marriage of our Queen with Duke Charles whether or no it was desired or relished by the Emperour The said Secretary shew'd him plainly that he was against any such preferment to his Brother whereby he might become King both of Scotland and England by reason of an Essay that the Emperour Charles the Fifth had made once to divide his Dominions among the three Sons of Ferdinand his Brother failing Heirs of King Philip his Son who then had but one Son Don Carlo sickly and of a tender weak complexion whom he afterwards himself killed secretly in Prison suspecting him to be of the Reformed Religion and to keep intelligence with the Princes of Flanders who professed the same And Maximilian hoped to succeed to the whole failing Heirs of the said King Philip as having married the said Philip's Sister and having by her many Children of his own whom he rather desired to be preferred then his own Brother For in case the Arch-duke Charles had been made King of Scotland and England he thought thereby he would have the fitter occasion of usurping the Low Countrys upon the pretext of some old right Having understood this I would wait no longer but pressed daily for my dispatch that I might return to my Lord Elector And the Emperour again used great intreaties to oblige me to stay with him promising to advance me if I would enter into his service but finding no inclination in me to comply with his desire therein he at length willed me to stay with him but half a year But I humbly excused my self pretending that I behoved to be shortly in Scotland which moved him the more earnesty to desire me to stay with him which because I would not grant to do I found he was discontent One night late after Supper he parted in a Boat towards the Town of Lintz and sent his Secretary unto me excusing himself that he did not meet with me before parting seeing an urgent occasion called for his speedy departure and seeing I was to return to Scotland he had written a Letter to the Queen in my favour which the Secretary delivered unto me I told the Secretary that I had not yet seen Italy and that I was purposed first to visit Rome Venice Florence and the most remarkable Cities there e're I returned to Scotland upon which account at first I refused the said Letter but he answered there was no danger how long it was undelivered seeing there was no thing therein contained but what concerned my self The Town of Ausbrugh being the nearest Port of Germany to Venice I agreed with Monsieur Euliger to return toward my Lord Elector and thence I took my Journey toward Venice and Rome And came back through all the fairest Cities of Italy and through Switzerland to Heidlberg where the Prince Elector kept his Court. I have above declared how that the Duke of Guise was slain by Poltrot at the Siege of Orleance It was after the battel of Drues in the which both the chieftains were taken The Prince of Conde for those of the Religion and the Constable for the King The Queen Mother incontinently made the Peace far against the mind of Madam de Guise who earnestly requested her not to make the Peace so suddenly left it should be thought that the Duke of Guise had only had hand in the Wars But nevertheless the Queen Mother went forward with the Peace changing the Prince of Conde for the Constable making them both good instruments of the agreement The Peace being made the Queen Mother began to think upon a Wife for her Son King Charles For that effect she sent unto the Prince Palatine a Secretary called Monsieur Wyllot shewing unto him that the King her Son was very desirous to marry Maximilian's Eldest Daughter intreating him as a trusty friend to propose the matter as of his own head as a steadable Alliance conducing for the weal of the Empire and to send her the picture of the Princess which she thought fit to be done upon some considerations before she would proceed more publickly Which affair he went about most diligently and he was pleased to send me with the answer and picture with a congratulation of the late made Peace At my coming to the Court of France which was at Paris for the time the Constable would needs be my convoy to the young King and Queen Mother who had a misliking of the said Constable for the time because he had brought in the Admiral to Paris against her will who was accused to have promised reward unto the foresaid Poltrot to kill the Duke of Guise The Admiral again desired to come before the Privy Council to purge himself offering to undergo his tryal But the Queen Mother desired not these animosities among the great Men to be removed but rather wished that their hatred might continue and their contentions increase as having laid her Plot to secure her own greatness by the means of their strife as was after manifestly seen For during their divisions the Duke of Guise King of Navarr Prince of Conde the Constable the Marshal de St. Andre with the most notable great Men of France were all slain and because the said Admiral escaped during the Wars the Peace was made for the third time and under the covert of marriage of the young King of Navarr who was afterward King of France the said Admiral was barbarously murdered with all that remained of the worthiest Noblemen and Captains of France But to return to the purpose the Constable and Admiral were at Court at that time against the Queen Mother's will where the Admiral was declared innocent of the Duke of Guise his slaughter And at that time the Constable determined to abide at Court and to maintain himself in his Office of great Master by the authority of his great Office of the Constablry assisted by the force of his friends For he sufficiently understood the Queen Mother's Italian tricks therefore to win credit he presented me to the young King and sate down upon a Stool by him and the Queen his Mother and held his Bonnet upon his Head taking upon him the full authority of his great Office to the Queen Mother's great discontent whereat she was so impatient that she turned away her face when I was declaring my Commission after the delivery of my Letters of Credence to the King and her which the King was very glad to hear being thereby put in hope that the marriage would take effect He was so desirous to see the picture of that young Princess that he cut the
their houses that his Majesty sâ—ould not think himself any way deprived of his liberty by them for hey had got some intelligence of his inward grief for his taking and retaining Whereupon his Majesty takes occasion to appoint a Convention to be holden in St. Andrews for some English Affairs after the returning of Mr. John Colvil and Colonel Steward who both had been sent thither and had not agreed well concerning their Commission having brought back again different answers To the which Convention his Majesty by Missives invited some of the Nobility but he called none of the Lords thereto who had lately left him supposing that perceiving themselves so far slighted they would not come unwritten for and that way he thought he might slip himself out of their hands and retain about him such Lords as he had written for to wit The Earls of Arguile Huntly Montrose Crauford Rothess and the Earl of March who was an indweller in St. Andrews for the time and the Earl of Gaury of whom he judged himself assured though for some respects he would not imploy him till afterwards lest the rest of his associates should alledge that he had left them unhandsomly For the said Earl had repented him that he had suffered himself to be drawn in by Drumwhasel to join with the rest after that he had received sure information that the Duke of Lennox had not laid for his slaughter as was alledged Therefore he repented his folly and offered at all occasions to help to set him at liberty So his Majesty thinking himself assured of all these Noblemen the day appointed for the Convention drawing near it pleased him to send Colonel Stuart to my house shewing me that his Majesty having somewhat to do of great concernment he had directed him unto me as to one of his most faithful Servants of whose fidelity and foresight he had formerly had sufficient proof by the true warning I had made him before the alteration As a sworn Gentleman of his Chamber he desired that I would help him to his liberty which he was determined to attain at his being at St. Andrews whither he was resolved to go shortly to a Convention to which he desired my assistance and advice his Majesty being minded as he said to follow my counsel so long as he lived willing me not to refuse any service that his Majesty would demand of me at meeting This Commission was to me very unpleasant for I had taken my leave of the Court as being wearied with the many alterations I had seen both at home and in forreign Courts having got great trouble and damage to my self for other mens causes Therefore I had determined to be no more concerned in publick affairs but to lead a quiet contemplative life the rest of my days This desire of my Prince and Master was like to put me from this resolution In this perplexity I had recourse by humble prayer to God so to direct my actings as they might tend to his glory and to the weal of my Prince and Country And thereafter according to my dutiful obedience I went unto his Majesty When I came to him at Falkland he told me of his resolution lamenting his hard state and mishandling by his own Subjects and what displeasure he had taken and that he was thought but a Beast by all neighbour Princes for suffering so many indignities I again discoursed unto his Majesty about the common estate of all Countries during their Prince's minority the Nobility striving for state and for the chief handling whereby to advance themselves and their friends As did the House of Guise during the young age of King Francis the Second The Prince of Conde during the Reign of King Charles the Second of France and also the King of Navarr Likewise the Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland during the youth of King Edward the sixth of England And as well in the Queen his Mothers time as in his own time some aiming to advance their own affairs some to defend and maintain their own Estate engaged in divers enterprises and strifes none of the parties bearing any evil will to his Majesty but every one being in love with him and desiring to be nearest to his person And albeit some of them be oft-times transported either by ambition greediness or vengeance to out-shoot themselves and forget their duty yet Princes who are wise and come to perfect age have ever found it their interest to pardon and oversee all such faults as have been committed at such times by too great a number of Subjects Now when Charles the Ninth agreed with the Prince of Conde all his former offences were reckoned for good Service And as your Majesty hath done in agreeing with so many of your Nobility as were in fear that the Duke of Lennox and Earl of ArraÅ„ would wrong both them and the Country as they did alledge Now Sir if your Majesty shall slip from them they will think their Estate in greater danger then ever not from your self but from some of their unfriends who may fall in again about you And albeit they be presently absent they have both a guard and some of their friends presently about your Majesty and so they will not fail to keep the Convention and be as soon at St. Andrews as the other Lords whom your Majesty hath invited by Letters For it stands them upon their lives and fortunes to be still chief about your Majesty Therefore saving your Majesties own pleasure I judge you presently in a far better and safer condition then you will be by abandoning them in case you get it not well effected wherein there will be found greater difficulty then your Majesty hath yet deeply considered as the importance of the case requires All their dissuasions had no force to stay his Majesty from his former deliberation as having taken up a great displeasure and a Princely courage either to liberate himself fully or dye in the attempt But for to follow the example of other wise Princes as he had begun himself to allow for good service the enterpise called the Read of Ruthven so he resolved that being at liberty he would make a general act of Oblivion for all by-gone faults and errours committed by his Nobility and Subjects during his minority and from that time forth to be as a Father to the Country and a just and equal Prince to all his Subjects that no Man's Life no Man's Land Goods nor Office should be taken from them That as the fittest and most effectual way for setling Peace in the Country he would give satisfaction to the Church in their desires That he would keep about his Person the most vertuous and discreet of his Nobility and Gentry who could be found His Majesty ingaged also to me to be secret constant and counselable For the better management then of his Majstey's design it was thought expedient that he should be in St. Andrews some few days before the Convention
the Laird of Barnbarrow and the said Mr. Peter to be again employed in that matter with uncertain and irresolute Instructions to propose marriage and with divers fair allegiances concerning His Majesty's sufficient Right to the. Isles of Orkny which the King of Denmark was minded to sue for more sharply but for the hope he was put in of the apparent marriage of the King's Majesty with his Eldest Daughter These Ambassadours were not well imbarked when Monsieur Dubartus arrived here to visit the King's Majesty who he heard had him in great esteem for his rare Poesie set out in the French Tongue He would not say that he had a secret Commission to propose the Princess of Navarre as a fit marriage for His Majesty but that the King of Navarre's Secretary willed him seeing he was to come this way as on his own head to propose the said marriage Monsieur Dubartus's Qualities were so good and his Credit so great with his Majesty that it appeared if the Ambassadours had not already made Sail that their Voyage should have been stayed for that Season The Chancellour assured Monsieur Dubartus as he shewed me that the marriage of Denmark should not take effect For our Ambassadours had indeed such strait Instructions and so slender a Commission that it was enough to have caused the King of Denmark to start and to quarrel with our King were it not that they dealt above their Commission Which kept that King in some Temper albeit they returned without fruit full of displeasure thinking themselves scorned as they were indeed In the mean time that they were in Denmark Monsieur Dubartus being in Falkland with His Majesty came to my house to perswade me to take a Commission in hand which he said His Majesty would lay to my charge which was to be sent unto the King of Navarre and to be acquainted with Madam the Princess his Sister And because His Majesty knew that I would be loath to go he named also my Lord Tungland my Brother who undertook the journey and became well acquainted with the said Princess and was well treated and rewarded by the King her Brother now King of France and brought with him the Picture of the Princess with a good report of her rare qualities The Laird of Barnbarrow and Mr. Peter Young being returned back from Denmark declared that the King of Denmark thought nothing of their Commission judging it but fruitless dealing and delaying of time and fair language without any power to conclude I am uncertain whether he got intelligence of His Majesties sending my Brother to the King of Navarre But the marrying of his Eldest Daughter with the Duke of Brunswick gave some appearance that he had got some notice thereof from the Court of England who were abundantly well informed of all our proceedings After this Colonel Stuart desirous to see the marriage with the King of Denmark's Daughter take effect went thither upon his own expences divers times And seeing the Eldest Daughter already married he excused the King's Majesty and laid the blame upon those who had the handling of his affairs So that the King of Denmark promised yet to give his second Daughter unto the King upon conditions that Ambassadours should be sent there the next year before the first day of May. In the mean time the King of Denmark took sickness and departed this life leaving the same Commission with his Council and such as were appointed for Regents of the Realm Now the King being suited in marriage by many great Princes and his Ambassadours being come back both out of Denmark and Navarre with the Pictures of the young Princesses His Majesty determined first to ask counsel of God by earnest Prayer to direct him where it would be meetest for the weal of himself and his Country So that after fifteen days advisement and devout Prayer as said is he called his Council together in his Cabinet and told them how he had been advising about that matter of so great concernment to himself and his Country the space of fifteen days and that he was now resolute to marry in Denmark The Council appeared all to relish his resolution requiring meet Instruments to be imployed to compleat the marriage and to make the Contract Then His Majesty said That he had already chosen me in his mind for one desiring the Council to choose another which they did to wit The Lord of Atry Uncle to the Earl of Marshal We two being written for and come to Court found not such earnestness with the Council as with the King Which my Lord of Atry perceiving he drew home again excusing himself upon his Age and sickliness His Majesty used many perswasions and reasons to induce me to undertake the Voyage declaring how he had many times sent for me to be employed in Ambassages and could never tell why I went not I answered That His Majesty would have done me that honour many times above my deserving which he would not have done if he had known my insufficiency for such matters of so great import as I did my self His Majesty said That this business concerning his marriage was the greatest matter that ever he had to do and that he would take no refusal I said That my Lord Tuangland my Brother was far meeter then my self being a good Scholar who could perfectly speak the High Dutch the Latine and the Flemming Languages with the French Tongue But His Majesty would still repose upon me in that Errand but at my desire was satisfie that my Brother should be put in Commission with me Then His Majesty said Albeit the Council will form your Instructions yet you shall receive mine out of my own mouth First If the King of Denmark had been alive he would not have stood to have given a great Portion with his Daughter wherein it is probable the Regent and his Council will be as sparing as they can I doubt not therefore but you will endeavour to draw from them as much as can be had but at length stand not upon mony to conclude the marriage Secondly Know what friendship and assistance they will make me when it may please God to place me by Right in the Kingdom of England by decease of this Queen in case any Country man or other would wrongously pretend to usurp and debarr me from the same Thirdly Concerning the Isles of Orkny you may chuse any Man of Law that you please for that head must be answered and debated by Form of Law Alwise if the marriage take effect that purpose would not be over precisely handled It may be that my Council will give you straiter Conditions but this Instruction of mine you shall follow let them say what they please I told His Majesty That I would chuse to take with me for a Lawyer Mr. John Skeen His Majesty said he judged there were many better Lawyers I said he was best acquainted with the German Customs and could make them long
rounded in my Ear to declare her answer to the Ambassadour of the States of Holland Then every one of them by order gave their Presents The Jewels of Perecious Stones the Queen received in her own hand and then delivered them unto me to put them again in their Cases and lay them upon a Table which was prepared in the mids of the Chamber to set them upon The Queen of England's had a great show being a fair Cupboard of Silver overguilt cunningly wrought and some Cups of massy Gold The Ambassadour of the States presented a Golden Box wherein was written in Parchment in Letters of Gold A gift of a yearly Pension to the Prince of five thousand _____ by year with great Cups of massy Gold two especially which were so weighty that it was all that I could lift them and set them down upon the said Table I leave it to others to set down the weight and value But I say these which were of Gold which should have been kept in store to posterity were soon melted and disposed But if they had been preserved as they ought to have been those who advised to break them would have wanted their part All these Ambassadours being dispatched and well rewarded those of Denmark were advised by John Lindsay of Monmuire to cause with all diligence send new Ambassadours to require the Contract of marriage made in Denmark to be fulfilled Alledging that the Chancellour who had made it had left out the Rents of the Abby of Dumfarmling fraudfully and had taken in fee to himself all the Lordship of Mussilburgh For this end two Ambassadours were sent from Denmark upon whom I was appointed to attend to see them well entertained As they were well instructed so they happened upon a meet time for the Chancellour was for the time decourted and my Brother was Ambassadour for his Majesty in England So the Chancellour was caused to renounce his part And because my Brother Sir Robert was absent young Sir Robert his Son and I obliged us that his part which was 13 Chalders of Victual should be also renounced at his return which was accordingly done His Majesty promised to him as much heritage in an other part in respect that his gift was obtained long before the Contract of marriage Divers others who had portions of these Lands were likewise compelled to renounce either voluntarily or by a new Law made for that effect FINIS AN Alphabetical Table OF THE Principal MATTER contained in this BOOK A ABot of Dumfarmling is sent by the King's Lords to meet the Earl of Lennox in his passage to England p. 106. His Message to the Queen and her Answer thereunto ibid. Hastens to the King at St. Andrews where he behaves himself with great dissimulation 135. Endeavours by Gold to curry favour with Colonel Stuart 137. Is after Imprisoned in Lockleven ibid. Admiral of France his death conspired by Captain Charry p. 38. but being discovered is killed by Monsieur Chattelier ibid. Ambassadors sent from Denmark three joined together in Commission to King James arrive in Scotland p. 162. Their Commission and Demands ill usage and delays visited by Mr. Wotton who was very kind to them ibid. Upon his instigation they inform his Majesty of Reflections upon their Master by his Subjects and of their rudeness p. 163. The Ambassadours slight the Earl of Arran having known him in Denmark but a private Soldier ibid. Are Banquetted in his Majesties name 165. Take leave of his Majesty 166. Part well satisfied after they had received their Presents on Ship-board from the hands of the Author James Melvil p. 167. Promising to be good instruments of Amity ibid. Ambassadours arrive in Scotland from several parts upon the birth of Prince Henry p. 202. Their several rich Presents to the Queen at that time p. 204. Are all dispatcht and well rewarded ibid. Areskine Alexander the Governour of King James during his Minority p. 125. Is made Master of Mar. p. 126. Arran Earl see James Stuart Athol Earl made Chancellour p. 126. Hath 1000 men ready to take St. Johnstoun but being dissuaded from it by the Author desires him to write to his Majesty for a License for him and his to remain at home p. 169. Which he did and procur'd for him ibid. Is written unto to come to the Parliament at Lithgow p. 170. Atry Lord Uncle to the Earl of Marshal nominated by the King's Council to go Ambassadour to Denmark with the Author to Treat about the King's Marriage p. 177. Comes to Court but finds the Council not so earnest as his Majesty p. 177 and 178. Returns home excusing himself as sickly and Aged p. 178. Aubonie Lord returns from France p. 127. Being the King's Favourite ibid. is made Lord Dalkieth and after Duke of Lennox 128. A short Character of him ibid. led by evil Counsel to dangerous courses p. 131. Understanding that his Majesty was in the hands of the other Lords he retires to Dumbartoun p. 132. Passeth through England to France p. 133. And dies shortly after ibid. B BAlfour Sir James Captain of Edinburgh Castle p. 81. delivers the Castle of Edinburgh to the Laird of Grange p. 90. Is taken out of his own House and committed by the Regent's order p. 100. Wins the Regent's familiars with Gold p. 102. Balnears Henry turns from the Protestant to the Popish Religion p. 7. And by the perswasion of Abbot Pally breaks the intended Match between Prince Edward and Mary Queen of Scots ibid. Barnbarrow Laird sent Ambassadour to Denmark upon the Author's refusal p. 176. Returns with his Fellow-Commissioner their Power being insufficient having no Commission to conclude ibid. Bassingtoun a Learned Scots-man and Travellour his Story concerning the Affairs of England and Scotland p. 92. Bastien a French-man at the Banquet after the Baptism of King James devised a Machine that gave great distate and disturbance p. 76 and 77. Beaton David Cardinal makes King James the Fifth's Will when dying which he dictated which was therefore annulled p. 6. is slain in his Castle at St. Andrews p. 7. by the complotting of Sir George Douglas c. ibid. Bedford Earl one of Queen Mary's surest Friends in England p. 76. Arrives in Scotland with several other Persons of Quality ibid. departs and they are all rewarded 77. desires the Author to beseech the Queen to entertain the King as formerly and not to slight him ibid. Bettancourt Master of the Houshold to the Queen Regent of Scotland brings instructions to destroy Hereticks p. 24. which she observes being menaced ibid. Bishop of St. Andrews designed Ambassadour for England p. 194. Disdained and dishonoured in England p. 150. The reason ibid. Is nominated to be sent Ambassadour to Denmark p. 176. Bishop Thomas a Scotsman sends a Letter from England to the Authour about the report of the Queen's marriage with her Husband's Murtherer together with his Character disswading her from it p. 79. Which he shew'd the Queen and was forced to
Commission to the Queen of England to wit an answer to her demanded Alliance offensive and defensive with the Protestant Princes of Germany which formerly had been but obscurely answered unto her Ambassadour Sir Henry Knolls at the Dyet Imperial holden at Francfort in the year 1562. Excusing himself and the rest of the Princes his confederates who had but lately chosen Maximilian to be King of the Romans and Co-adjutor to the Emperour his Father seeing he had promised unto them to declare himself openly a Protestant so soon as he durst after the decease of his old Father Ferdinand and in the mean time had their promise to keep correspondence with him and to make no League with any forreign Prince without his consent and knowledge And that if they had done otherwise he might perchance have taken occasion thereupon to lay the blame upon them in case he did not as he had promised For they began to fear and doubt of his upright meaning in reference to Religion and yet thought not fit upon their part to give him any ground to lay the blame upon them but in case he kept not his promise after the decease of Ferdinand they should then presently make such Alliance with her as she had required which they durst not for the time discover unto her Ambassadour requesting her Majesty to keep this secret to her self She appeared satisfied with this excuse promising to discover it to none of her Council but she lamented that the Princes of Germany were so slow and tedious in all their deliberations Whereupon I began to praise them for their Truth Constancy Religion Ardour and quick execution after they had concluded any weighty matter But I set out most specially the Elector Palatine's humanity his treating of strangers upholding of Universities and how he was the mouth of his confederates to deal with all other neighbour Princes She answered that I had reason to speak so concerning him for he had written very much in my favour regretting that the inclinations I had to serve my native Queen had obliged me to leave him though he would gladly have retained me with him a longer space I told her Majesty what a great trouble it was to me to resolve to leave the service of so worthy a Prince that no consideration could have engaged me thereunto other then that duty I owed to my Soveraign who had commanded me to attend her affairs That for the better remembrance of him I desired to carry home with me his picture and the pictures of all his Son and Daughters So soon as she heard me mention the pictures she inquired if I had the picture of the Duke Casimir desiring to see it And when I alledged I had left the pictures in London she being then at Hampton Court and that I was ready to go forward on my Journey she said I should not part till she had seen all the pictures So the next day I delivered them all to her Majesty and she desired to keep them all night and she called upon my Lord Robert Dudly to be judge of Duke Casimir's picture and appointed me to meet her the next morning in her Garden where she caused to deliver them all unto me giving me thanks for the sight of them I again offered unto her Majesty 〈◊〉 the pictures so she would permit me to retain the Electors and his Ladys but she would have none of them I had also sure information that first and last she despised the said Duke Casimir Therefore I did write back from London to his Father and him in Cypher disswading them to meddle any more in that marriage And received great thanks afterward from the said young Duke who immediately married the Elector of Saxony's Eldest Daughter Albeit this may appear something from the purpose of the Queen our Sovereign yet it brings me home to her Majesty with some proposals of marriage to her self For the Queen of England entertained me very familiarly shewing me the Sisterly love that was betwixt her and the Queen our Soveraign how careful she was of her well-fare how desirous to see her well setled in her own Country with her Subjects and also well married That she was resolved to propose two persons for fit Husbands unto her whereby their amity might best stand and increase hoping that she would not marry without her advice promising upon her faith to write to me so soon as I was arrived at Scotland with her own hand that I might be a good instrument to move the Queen my Mistress to accept either the one or the other Now though she forgot to write unto me about it yet she sent instructions to Mr. Randolph to propose my Lord Robert Dudley as a very meet Husband for our Queen I supposed that my Lord Robert afterward Earl of Leicester had disswaded her from imploying me in that matter seeing Mr. Randolph was there already her Majesties Agent Now the Queen my Mistress to keep promise and correspondence with the Queen of England had sent and advertised her of the proposal made to her of a marriage with the Arch-duke Charles requiring her friendly advice and consent therein The Queen of England answered her by her Agent Mr. Thomas Randolph as followeth for after a little Preface he declares and gives in by writing this to be the Queen his Mistress's mind The Queen my Soveraign said he hath not only deeply advised about that proposal of marriage with your Majesty but hath also thought it necessary by me to shew you what she thinketh both meet and unmeet to be considered and seemingly to her by way of friendship to declare as a dear Sister who intends your Majesties honour and as a loving Friend who is careful of your well-fare Three special things her Majesty thinks fit to be considered in marriage First The mutual contentment betwixt both parties in respect of their private personages so that their love each towards one another may continue as well before God as Man Secondly That the person may be such as your Majesty being a Queen of a great Realm and multitude of People may be sure of an advantageous Alliance such as cannot be prejudicial to your Countries interest Thirdly She thinks fit that the choise be such that the amity which is now so strict betwixt the Queens Majesty and your Highness not only for your own persons but with both your Realms may be continued and not dissolved nor diminished Then he declares at length how that he doubts not but that her Majesty who was once already married will know how considerately to ponder the match that it may be meet for her self and her Subjects but as to what belonged unto the Queen his Soveraign it merited to be well considered It is true that the seeking out of a Husband to your Majesty is honourable and expedient a thing that her Majesty rellisheth much in your Highness albeit hitherto she hath not found such disposition in her self remitting
her heart and mind in that affair to be directed by the Almighty God But this herein her Majesty considereth that to seek out such a Husband as is sought for by your friends in the Emperours Linage will certainly procure at last some misunderstanding and give apparent occasion of dissolving the Concord that is now betwixt the two Nations and an interruption of such a course as otherwise might be taken to further and advance such a Title as your Highness hath to succeed to her Majesty to the Crown of England if she should depart without issue of her Body Then he useth some unfit perswasions and menaces threat'ning that some in England were going about with practices to set forward their pretended right to her Majesties prejudice which she by her discreet behaviour and conformity to his Mistresses pleasure might prevent by moving her thereby not only to proceed in the inquisition after your Majesties right and with her power to further the same but also to hinder that which appears to be to the contrary And now if your Majesty would know what kind of marriage would best content her and her Realm such a one as would breed no jealousie nor trouble betwixt your Majesties and your Countries as did the the marriage with the French King But rather it is to be wished that there might be found out some Nobleman of great birth in England who might be agreeable to you with whom her Majesty would more readily and more easily declare that she inclines that failing of Children of her own Body you might succeed to her Crown otherwise I do plainly tell you that my Soveraign can promise nothing in that matter tending to your satisfaction These were Mr. Randolph's first instructions and propositions unto the Queen concerning her marriage with the Arch-duke Charles But he had a secret Commission to my Lord of Murray and Secretary Lidingtoun to propose my Lord Robert Dudley and he desired me also to set forward his marriage with the Queen as meetest of all other By this kind of procedure it was apparent that the Queen of England did not relish this proposal of marriage of the Arch-duke Charles to our Queen She gave a farther and more clear demonstration thereof a little after by sending the Earl of Sussex to the Emperour's Court as well to congratulate his Coronation as indirectly to draw on the marriage of the Arch-duke Charles with her self And she was put in hope that it would take effect Yet this design was not so secretly managed but our Queen was thereof advertised by some of her friends in England And from hence arose inward griefs and grudges between the two Queens which within a little time bursted forth occasion thereof being given by the Queen of England For in a familiar Letter to our Queen she appeared therein to give her as formerly a friendly advice which our Queen thought but double dealing remembring as well her late disswading answer from the marriage of the Arch-duke Charles as her late practises in the Emperours Court The Queen of England's Letter was written at the desire of some of the House of Hamiltoun For after that Mr. Randolph had spoken as is above mentioned against the marriage of the Queen with the Arch-duke Charles and had alledged that some Noblemen in England would be fitter matches for her he proceeded so far with my Lord of Murray and Secretary Lidingtoun as to say What would you think of my Lord Robert Dudly for your Queen But finding small account to be made of him he advertised the Queen his Mistress thereof Whereupon liberty was granted to Matthew Earl of Lennox who dwelt then in England to go to Scotland as desirous to see the Queen and take course in some of his own affairs Now his Eldest Son my Lord Darnly was a lusty young Prince and apparently was one of the two that the Queen of England had told me she had in her head to offer unto our Queen as born within the Realm of England But to return unto the Letter written by the Queen of England unto our Queen she would appear therein to be very careful for the Queen her Sisters quiet Estate and Government desiring her to take heed that in shewing pleasure to the Earl of Lennox she did not displease the House of Hamiltoun seeing thereby trouble and strife might arise in her Country Sundry other such purposes she had which at some time would not have been taken in ill part but now all advices given by the Queen of England were misconstructed partly because of her being instrumental in hindring the marriage with Prince Charles and partly because David Rixio lately admitted to be her French Secretary was not very skilful in inditing French Letters which she did write over again with her own hand The answer then that our Queen did write unto the said Letter declared some suspicions and anger to have been taken and these she manifested in some harsh expressions which were constructed by the Queen of England as a violation of their former familiarity and Sisterly correspondence which had been ever kept up since the Queens return out of France Whereupon ensued so great a coldness that they left of for a considerable time from writing each to other as they had formerly done weekly by Post. So that the Queen resolved to send me to England to renew their outward friendship for in their hearts from that time forth there was nothing but jealousies and suspicions The Queen my Mistress thought that if their discord continued it would cut off all correspondence between her and her friends in England and that Queen had no inclination for War but by all means possible desired to shun trouble or any occasion of expences the King of Spain and she being already entered into controversie For he judged her a foinenter of the troubles in Flanders and the Low Countries and not without reason For she thought her self abandoned by the King of Spain at the late Peace made at Cambray and her chief Councellers thought it convenient for the interest of England that Factions should be nourished in France Flanders Scotland and Spain At my home-coming to Scotland I found the Queen's Majesty at St Johnstoun in the Year of God 1564 the fifth day of May. I was very favourably received by the Queens Majesty and presented unto her Letters from the Emperour Maximilian the Elector Palatine the Duke of Lorrain and Cardinal of Lorrain and Duke of Aumale all in my favours After that I had at length informed her that I found Maximilian was against the marriage of his Brother Charles she likewise understanding the Queen of Englands part therein as is above specified she altogether laid aside any further thoughts of the marriage with the Arch-duke Charles And whereas she had once resolved to have sent me to Germany she takes another resolution intending that I should be sent to England Though I was not yet resolved in setling my self
erect the Land into a Province He had lately refused the demands of Mr. Randolph and Mr. Killegrew as is before mentioned and had reproached both the said Ambassadors of false and deceitful dealing Last of all he had refused to put the Castle into the hands of English men and therefore because he was true to his Prince and Country it cost him his life For they boasted plainly to bring down that Gyants pride who as they alledged presumed to be another Wallace Albeit contrariwise he was humble gentle and meek like a Lamb in the House but like a Lyon in the Fields He was a lusty strong and well proportioned personage hardy and of a magnanimous Courage secret and prudent in all his enterprises so that never one that he made or devised misgave where he was present himself When he was Victorious he was very merciful and naturally liberal an enemy to greediness and ambition and a friend to all men in adversity He fell frequently in trouble in protecting innocent men from such as would oppress them so that these his worthy qualifications were also partly causes and means of his wrack For they promoted him so in the opinion of many that some loved him for his Religion Uprightness and Manliness others again depended upon him for his good fortune and apparent promotion whereby divers of them hoped to be advanced and rewarded supposing that Offices and Honours could not fail to fall to him All which he wanted through his own default for he had fled foom Avarice and abhorred Ambition and refused sundry great Offices even to be Regent which were in his offer as well as other great Benefices and Pensions Thus wanting place and subsistance to reward he was soon abandoned by his greedy and ambitious dependers for when they saw him at a strait they drew to others whom they perceived to aim at more profitable marks On the other hand he was as much envied by those who were of a vile and unworthy nature of whom many have made Tragical ends for their too great Avarice and Ambition as shortly after did the Earl of Mortoun This gallant Gentleman perished for being too little ambitious and greedy But so soon as the King's Majesty came to perfect age and had understood how matters had gone during his minority he caused to restore the Heirs of the said Laird of Grange whom he said was wracked contrary to the appointment made with the Marshal of Berwick and also ordered his bones to be taken up and buried honourably in the ancient Burial place of his Predecessors in Kinghorn After his death the Marshal of Berwick took so heavy displeasure finding himself so far affronted because of the breach of his promise and that the appointment which he had made with the Castle of Edinbrugh was not kept that he would tarry no longer in his Office at Berwick seeing he judged he had lost his credit and reputation for he was a plain Man of War and loved Grange so dearly that at his request he spared to cast down the Houses of Seatoun and Nidrie when he came in to cast down the House of Hamiltoun Likewise all the Officers of Berwick lamented the loss of so worthy a Captain The Regent triumphed for a while because of the great assistance that England made to him which they had never done to any of the former Regents but rather stirred up factions and parties against them to keep the Country in discord The causes that moved them so to assist him were That they believed the old jealousies betwixt the Stuarts and Douglasses should by him be brought to an end the young King being in his hands to be disposed of at pleasure the Queen his Mother being already Captive in their hands which two only could join Scotland and England in one Monarchy Therefore above all others the guiders of the Court of England for the time wished them out of the way as well for the great Offices done by them both to King and Queen as for the desire they had to destroy that Race and Line to place some of their own friends to succeed to the Crown of England So thinking that the Regent's mark in Scotland and theirs in England was conformable they established and fortified him in his Regiment though God in his goodness suffered not their practises to take effect For the Regent wanting Heirs of his own body and having no Competitors to stay him from doing any thing that he pleased when he thought the time meet he delayed matters and in the mean time bent his whole study how to gather riches and how to suck out substance both from England and Scotland moving England thereby too late to repent that they had not preserved the Laird of Grange to be an awe over the Regent as he kept the King to be an aw over them And as he was crafty so he was fearful and slow of nature and thought the Earl of Angus his Brother's Son yet too young and not capable to comprehend his hidden intention and therefore he was long of resolving In the mean time serving his own turn with England as they did with all the World when they were like to have any trouble among themselves or with their Neighbours then he compelled them to send him mony which they were necessitated to do though sore against their heart with a hidden despight and secret hatred at his slowness on the one part and covetousness on the other This Regent held the Country in an established Estate under great obedience better then for many years before or since For there was not another Earl of Mortoun to stir up the factious Subjects as he used to do against the rest of the Regents which made him so proud and disdainful that he despised the rest of the Nobility And using no Mans counsel but his own he became ungrateful to all his old Friends and Servants And being under pretext of Justice used to commit divers wrongs and extortions he caused to begin a Process against the Laird of Fentry because many years before a Thief had made his escape out of his hands and against the Laird of Seafield for a piece of Land and against Mr. James Thorntoun for his Benefice Thus as he had lost the favour of England so did he by such ways the hearts of all Scotland but only of George Auflech and Alexander Gerdan As for the Laird of Carmichael he lamented to me grievously of his ingratitude toward him and was minded to leave him untill I gave him counsel to help himself by the hurtful experience of the Laird of Grange and Walter Melvil my Brother who was one of the Gentlemen of the Earl of Murray's Chamber which two lost his favour so soon as he became Regent And likewise I told him that very way I lost him my self for we had been long familiar with him and had assisted him in all his troubles but when he was Regent we would with our wonted
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