and himself was found dead lying a little distance from the House under a Tree He desired me to go up and see him how that there was not a hurt nor a mark on all his Body But when I went up to see him he had been taken into a Chamber and kept by one Alexander Durham but I could not get a sight of him The bruit began to rise that the Queen would marry the Earl of Bothwel who had six months before married the Earl of Huntly's Sister and that for this design he was resolved to part with his own Lady Whereat every good Subject who loved the Queens honour and the Prince's safety had sore hearts thinking thereby her Majesty would be dishonoured and the Prince in danger to be cut off by him who had slain his Father But few or none durst speak in the contrary yet my Lord Herreis a worthy Nobleman came to Edinbrugh well accompanied and told her Majesty what reports were going through the Country of the Earl of Bothwel's murthering the King and how that she was to marry him requesting her Majesty most humbly upon his knees to remember her honour and dignity and the safety of the Prince which all would be in danger if she married the said Earl with many other great perswasions to shew the utter wrack and inconveniencies would be thereby occasioned Her Majesty appeared to wonder how these reports could go abroad seeing as she said there was no such thing in her mind He beg'd her Majesties pardon and prayed her to take his honest meaning in a good part And immediately took his farewell fearing the Earl of Bothwel should get notice thereof He had fifty Horse with him for the time and caused each of them to buy a new Spear at Edinbrugh and so rode home I was resolved to have said as much to her Majesty but in the mean time there came a Letter to me from one Thomas Bishop a Scottishman who had been long in England and was a great perswader of many in England to favour her Majesties Title He used oft to write unto my Brother and me informations and advertisements At this time in his Letter to me he used even the like Language that my Lord Herreis had spoken but more freely because he was absent in another Country He adjured me to shew the said Letter unto her Majesty declaring how it was bruited in England that her Majesty was to marry the Earl of Bothwel who was the murtherer of her Husband who at present had a Wife of his own a Man full of all Vice which reports he could not believe by reason that he judged her Majesty to be of far greater knowledge then to commit such a gross oversight so prejudicial every way to her interest and the noble mark he knew she shot at Seeing if the married him she would lose the favour of God her own reputation and the hearts of all England Ireland and Scotland with many other disswasions and examples of History which would be tedious to rehearse I had been some days absent but upon receipt hereof I went to Court to shew this Letter to her Majesty protesting that she would take it in good part After that her Majesty had read the said Letter she gave it me again without any more speech but called upon the Secretary Lidingtoun and told him that I had shewed her a strange Letter desiring him also to read it He asked what it could be She answered a device of his own tending to the wrack of the Earl of Bothwel He took me by the hand and drew me aside to see the said Letter which when he had read he asked what had been in my mind for says he so soon as the Earl Bothwel gets notice hereof as I fear he will very shortly he will cause you to be killed I said it was a sore matter to see that good Princess run to utter wrack and no body to be so far concerned in her as to forwarn her of her danger He said I had done more honestly then wisely and therefore I pray you says he retire diligently before the Earl of Bothwel comes up from his Dinner Her Majesty told him at her first meeting having first ingaged him to promise to do me no harm Notwithstanding whereof I was inquired after but was slown and could not be found till his fury was slaked For I was advertised there was nothing but slaughter in case I had been gotten Whereat her Majesty was much dissatisfied telling him that he would cause her be left of all her Servants whereupon he renewed his ingagements that I should receive no harm whereof I being advertised I went again unto her Majesty shewing her that she had never so much injured me as by thinking that I had invented the said Letter assuring her that it came from the said Thomas Bishop and that albeit it had not come from him I thought it my duty to have freely told her Majesty my opinion in all reverence and humility which was contained in the said Letter but I found she had no mind to enter upon this subject Shortly after her Majesty went to Sterling and in her back-coming betwixt Lithgow and Edinbrugh the Earl of Bothwel rancountered her with a great Company and took her Majesties Horse by the Bridle his men took the Earl of Huntly the Secretary Lidingtoun and me and carried us Captives to Dumbar All the rest were permitted to go free There the Earl of Bothwel boasted he would marry the Queen who would or who would not yea whether she would her self or not Captain Blachater who had taken me alledged that it was with the Queens own consent The next day in Dumbar I obtained permission to go home Afterward the Court came to Edinbrugh and there a number of Noblemen were drawn together in a Chamber within the Palace where they all subscribed a paper declaring that they judged it was much the Queens interest to marry Bothwel he having many friends in Louthian and upon the Borders which would cause good order to be kept And then the Queen could not but marry him seeing he had ravished her and lain with her against her will I cannot tell how nor by what Law he parted with his own Wife Sister to the Earl of Huntly A little before this the Earl of Murray had desired liberty to go to France the Secretary Lidingtoun had been long in suspicion absent from Court and was brought in again by my Brother Sir Robert's perswasion for the great credit and handling he had with many Noblemen in England favourers of her Majesties Title albeit that he had as great credit himself yet he would not follow the custom of ambitious Courtiers who would ingross all to themselves unwilling to suffer a Companion He knew also that he was suspected because the Earl Bothwel was not his friend Thus Lidingtoun was again brought in but not long after the Earl of Bothwel thought to have slain him in
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
regarded my Princess her Interest then mine own I should have accepted the large offers made me by the Earl of Bothwel when he desired me to subscribe with the rest of his flatterers that Paper wherein they declared it was her Majesties interest to Marry the said Earl but I chose rather to lay my self open to his hatred and revenge whereby I was afterward in peril of my life and tell her Majesty that those who had so advised her were betrayers of her honour for their own selfish ends seeing her marrying a Man commonly judged her Husbands murtherer would leave a Tash upon her name and give too much ground of jealousie that she had consented to that foul deed I wanted not fair offers from Randolph and Killegrew Residents here from the Court of England if I would have in so far complied with their designs as not to have divulged what I perceived to be their drifts which I could not conceal finding them so destructive to the Kingdom I had the fair occasion of making a large fortune to my self if I would have gone along with the Earl of Arran by Counselling the King's Majesty to follow his violent advices but finding them so far contrary to his interest I did think my self ingaged to warn his Majesty that he was a dangerous man who gave him such advices that if he followed the same he would run himself upon inevitable Precipices that his Majesty's hearkening to the Duke of Lennox and him the one a Papist the other a wicked and ungodly man would breed jealousies in his Subjects minds which might produce dangerous effects This freedom and many times the like I took which though his Majesty accepted in good part yet I thereby contracted me store of Enemies But it was always my Principle rather to hazard my self by plain speech when 't was necessary than to expose my Master to danger by silence or base flattery And though the Common Practice which I mention'd e're while may seem to thrive best in some Courts for a time yet under Grave and Wise Princes and at long-run the honest Maximes will prove most acceptable and safe Therefore I willingly opened these things to thee that thou mayst as well know what is usually done as what ought to be There is a certain discretion to be used that is free both from Sawcyness and Assentation and a man may many times if he skill it aright give his Prince good Counsel contrary to his inclinations yet without incurring his displeasure This thou oughtest to study if ever thou be called to publique Affairs and though thou mayst bend with the necessity of some Accidents and yield to the times in some things though not going just so as thou would have matters to go and humour the Prince in an ordinary business to gain opportunity of doing greater good to him and thy Country at a more lucky Season yet be sure that thou never Engage in any Disloyalty Cruelty or Wickedness nor suffer any thing to pass that thou seest will tend to his Ruine or grand Prejudice without noticing it to him in some humble manner and though for that time it be dis-relishing or slighted yet when he sees the Effects follow that thou admonishedst him of he will love thee the better and rather hearken to honest Advice for time future And withal thou wilt obtain the Favour and Blessing of Almighty God whom thou must at all times endeavour faithfully and uprightly to serve if ever thou expectest Bliss in this or the other World To whose Gracious Providence I Commit thee with the hearty well Wishes and Benison of Thy Dearly Loving Father IAMES MELUIL MELVILS MEMOIRS In reference to MARY Queen of SCOTS AND JAMES VI. KIng Henry VIII of England being discontent with the Pope for refusing to grant the Divorce from his wife Queen Katharine of Castile For revenge he looked through his fingers at the Preachers of the Reformed Religion who had studied in Dutch-land under Martin Luther and were lately come to England In process of time the hatred betwixt the King and the Pope came to so great a length that he proclaimed himself Head of the Kirk of England and discharged S. Peters Pennies to be paid from that time forth with a strict command to all his Subjects no manner of way to acknowledge the Pope He obtained the said Divorce from his own Clergy marrying another which occasioned to him the hatred of the Pope Emperour and King of Spain and all their Assistants He again desiring to strengthen himself at home conjecturing the probability of a Combination against him found it his Interest to entertain a strict Amity with James V. of Scotland his Nephew For he was determined to Unite this whole Ifle in one Religion and in one Empire failing of Heirs male procreate of his own body Having then but one Daughter called Mary with the divorced Queen which Daughter he declared to be a Bastard Upon which consideration Ambassadors are sent thither inviting that King to a Conference at York whither Henry offered to come and meet him Alledging by such an Interview matters might be more effectually condescended upon conducing for the mutual Interests of both Kingdoms then could be expected from the endeavours of Ambassadors to be imployed in that Affair King James having seriously considered the Overture and advised thereabout with his Council upon their deliberation and advice returns his resolution to attend his Uncle Time and Place appointed With which answer the Ambassadors highly satisfied return to their Master who rejoiced exceedingly at so happy a Success of that matter Whereupon great preparations are made at York for the Entertainment of his Nephew with the greater Solemnity The Clergy of Scotland sworn Clients to the Pope having had several Consultations hereanent were alarm'd with this Proposal and the Accompt they had of the Kings resolution to comply therewith through an apprehension that the Uncles persuasion might oblige the Nephew to trace his Footsteps in overturning Popery in Scotland as he had done in England They therefore resolve to use the utmost of their endeavours for preventing the said intended Interview They addressed themselves to such as were Minions for the time who had most of his Majestiesear These they corrupted with large Bribes to dissuade the King therefrom There having joined with such of the Clergy who were most in favour with the King used many persuasions telling him how King James I. was reteined in England Of the old League with France That upon this consideration it would be prejudicial to his Interest to keep that Meeting seeing the French would not take it well neither the Emperour who was highly incensed against Henry They told him of the Popes interdicting him and what a great Heresie was lately risen up there and had infected not only the greatest part of the Kingdom but the King himself And also that many of the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland were likewise Favourers of the said
THE MEMOIRES OF Sir James Melvil Of HAL-HILL CONTAINING An Impartial Account Of the most Remarkable AFFAIRS of STATE During the last Age not mention'd by other Historians More particularly Relating to the KINGDOMS OF England and Scotland Under the REIGNS Of Queen Elizabeth Mary Queen of Scots AND King IAMES In all which Transactions the Author was Personally and Publickly concern'd Now published from the Original Manuscript By GEORGE SCOTT Gent. LONDON Printed by E. H. for Robert Boulter at the Turks-head in Corn-hill against the Royal-Exchange 1683. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER AS there is scarce any kind of Civil Knowledge more necessary or profitable than History which is therefore very aptly stiled by the Ancients The Mistress of Life so of all sorts of History there is none so useful as that which unlocking the Cabinet brings forth the Letters private Instructions Consultations and Negotiations of Ministers of State for then we see things in a clear light stript of all their paints and disguisings and discover those hidden Springs of Affairs which give motion to all the vast Machines and stupendious Revolutions of Princes and Kingdoms that make such a noise on the Theatre of the World and amaze us with unexpected shiftings of Scenes and daily Vicissitudes Of this latter kind are those Memoires wherewith we here Oblige the World being the many Years Transactions and Experiences of an eminent publick Minister in his long and faithful Services under and Negotiations with several Princes and at as ticklish a Iuncture and important Crisis of Affairs as could almost happen in any Age for having upon the perusal not only found the same to contain many remarkable passages not met with in any Histories of those times and in such Occurrents as they have touched upon to be much more exact and full in divers considerable Circumstances But observed it likewise to be furnisht with much excellent plain honest advice delivered by the By which might be of great advantage to Princes and both Examples and Precepts whereby their Councellors and Favourites may be Caution'd what just free and generous Measures they ought to take if they would not tread the same Precipices whereby others have Shipwrackt both their Masters and themselves I could not but apprehend my self obliged to Communicate such a Treasure to the Publick as well for a general good as in some measure to discharge my Devoir to the memory of the worthy Author from whom I have the honour to be descended Three things there are Essential to any History and which chiefly recommend it to the esteem of judicious Readers 1. That the subject matter be real and of considerable moment Women and Children may be delighted with and dote upon Romances and silly Legends or listen with attentive Admiration to the Wars of the Pigmies and Adventures of the Faiery Land But men of sence always expect solid Transactions and such substantial Examples as may be of advantage to improve their judgment in Civil Wisdom and the necessary conduct of Life 2. That the Author be capable of knowing what he speaks and have Opportunities to discover the Certainty and full Circumstances of those Affairs whereof he undertakes to Treat 3 And lastly His Honesty That he be a man of impartial Veracity and firm Resolution to observe inviolable that prime Law of History Ne quid falsi audeat dicere ne quid veri non audeat Not to dare deliver any falshood nor to conceal any Truth All which Characters are happily met in these Memoires The matters contain'd are both Lofty and Weighty for they Treat of the Actions and Sufferings of Princes and persons of the first Rank Open the close Consultations and Intrigues of several of the ablest Ministers of State at that time in Christendom and shew on what Hinges the greatest Affairs were turned and by what Artifices managed so as to be either accomplisht or Defeated Nor could any Gentleman have better Advantages to be acquainted with the most private and reserved Scenes of those Passages which here he delivers to the World since in general of all that he writes he may properly say Quorum pars magna fui They are matters within his own Circle and declare such as must of necessity fall within his own notice since through his hands and he himself had a principal part in the manage and transacting of them being a person concern'd in the most knotty Affairs especially relating to Scotland during his time And therefore as Ocularis Testis his work may Challenge that Credit which many other Authors do but begg from the Charity of their Courteous Readers at least deserves as much or more esteem as any other Writers of that time who in respect of him were but Auriti The Author was descended of one of the most honourable Families of the Kingdom of Scotland as being Third Son to the Lord of Kaeth and at Fourteen years of Age was sent by the Queen Regent to be Page of Honour to her Daughter Mary married to the Dauphin of France But by her allowance be entred into the Service of the Duke of Montmorance Great Constable of France chief Minister to Henry the Second who earnestly desired him from her Majesty having a fancy for the Youth 's promising parts he was Nine years Entertain'd and Imploy'd by him and when he grew up to riper Years and try'd Abilities in matters of greatest Importance an honourable Pension for his greater encouragement was setled upon him by that King Then being desirous for his further Accomplishment to Travel having his Queens leave and his Masters permission for that purpose But passing through Germany he was detain'd by the persuasion of the Elector Palatine and at his earnest intreaties necessitated to condescend to attend at his Court where be Resided Three years being by him imployed on several Embassies After which obtaining his consent to prosecute his former intentions of further Travel he visited Venice Rome and the most famous Cities of Italy Returning through Switzerland to the Electors Court he there found a Call from Queen Mary then returned to her Kingdom of Scotland after the death of her Husband King Francis to attend her Service The Queen Mother of France at the same time had offer'd him a large Pension and profitable Offices to engage him to wait upon her Service at the Court of France she finding it her interest at that Iuncture to keep good Correspondence with the Protestant Princes in Germany and knowing him to be most acceptable to all of them But though it appeared most advantagious to his private Fortunes to have accepted of her noble Offers yet in this and at all other times he prefer'd his Loyalty to his Interest and esteem'd himself engag'd in Duty to serve his natural Princess rather than a Stranger Upon his arrival in Scotland he was admitted a Privy Councellor and Gentleman of her Chamber being continually imploy'd by her Majesty in matters of her greatest concernments till her unhappy
being by this time almost wholly of the Reformed Religion took a dislike of the King because of this he having formerly professed the Reformed Religion in England Hence were occasioned rumours that there was some design on foot for planting again in Scotland the Roman Catholick Religion there being ground of suspicion that Rixio was a Pensioner of the Popes And at this same time the Pope sent Eight Thousand Crowns in Gold to be delivered to our Queen which augmented these suspicions But the Ship wherein the said Gold was did Ship-wrack upon the Coast of England within the Earl of Northumberland's bounds who alledged the whole to appertain to him by just Law which he caused his Advocate to read unto me when I was directed to him for the demanding restitution of the said Sum in the old Norman Language Which neither he nor I understood well it was so corrupt But all my intreaties were ineffectual he altogether refusing to give any part thereof to the Queen albeit he was himself a Catholick and otherwise professed secretly to be her friend After that the Queens Majesty had married my Lord Darnly she did him great honour her self and desired every one who expected her favour to do the like and to wait upon him So that for a little time he was well accompanied and such as sought favour by him sped best in their Suits But because he had married without advice of the Queen of England my Lady Lennox his Mother was committed to the Tower of London where she was kept for a long time All this time I attended still upon the Queen but with less familiarity then formerly And seeing my service for the time no more needful humbly begged liberty of the Queen to return to France and other places where I had spent the greatest part of my life But this her Majesty absolutely refused to grant expressing some desire to know what could move me to desert her service I said the time was full of suspicions and that I was confident I could do her more service abroad then at home as matters had fallen out She answered that she knew I could do her more service at home then any Servant she had if I pleased but that I had left off using my wonted freedom with her in giving her my opinion of her proceedings I told her Majesty I was somewhat apprehensive that my opinions would be unpleasant to her but she affirmed the contrary telling me that I had Enemies who used their endeavours to imprint a bad Character of me in the King as if I had been a favourer of the Earl of Murray which she had put out of the King's head as being better acquainted with my nature and conditions Saying that she knew well that I had a liking to the Earl of Murray but not to his actings of taking up Arms against her That she was assured that I loved her ten times better then him She said moreover that if any did endeavour to misrepresent her as much to me that she wisht I should give them no more credit against her then she had done or should do against me She advised me to wait upon the King who was but young and give him my best counsel as I had formerly done to her which might help him to shun many inconveniencies And she gave me her hand that she would take all in good part whatever I did speak as proceeding from a loving and faithful Servant Desiring me also to befriend Rixio who was hated without a cause The King also told me who they were who had spoken to him in my prejudice And said they were known to be such common lyars as their tongue was no slander By these and such like means the Queens Majesty obliged me more and more to be careful to be serviceable to her And I judged my self ingaged as the greatest demonstration I could give of my being faithful to her to give her my opinion what use she might make for her own advantage of the harsh usage the Earl of Murray and his associates had received in England How uncourteously that Queen had used them before the French and Spanish Ambassadours she having broken all her fair promises unto them First I told her Majesty that ever since her return to her own Countrey she had been endeavouring to get her Nobility and whole Subjects intirely affected to take part with her in all actions whatsoever and chiefly against England in case she might have occasion of imploying them Though she could never hitherto obtain her desire because of the secret bond and promise was made among them when the English Army was at the Siege of Lieth helping to put the Frenchmen out of Scotland Now said I Madam the occasion is offered whereby your Majesty may bring your desired intention to pass if you could find in your heart either to pardon the Earl of Murray and his associates or at least to prolong the Parliament wherein they are to be forfaulted untill your Majesty may duly advise and see whether it will be more your interest to forfault them or give them ground of hope of obtaining your pardon according to their carriage for the future To this she answered now when they could do no better they sought her but when she sought their concurrence such as Subjects owe to their native Prince they would not hear her no more would she now notice their Suits I said whensoever they were to make their Suits it should not be by me but this I propose of my self to your Majesty who can choose the best and leave the worst in all accidents Seeing it is no little matter to gain the whole hearts of all your Subjects and also of a good number in England who favour them and their Religion who would admire such Princely vertues When they should see so pregnant a proof of your Majesties being able to Master your own passions and affections all will then conclude that you were most worthy to reign over Kingdoms finding you so ready to forgive and so loath to use vengeance especially against Subjects already vanquished and not worthy of your wrath If your Majesty consider seriously clemency at such a time will be found most convenient and that part of Justice called Equity more profitable then rigour For extremity frequently brings on desperate enterprises At this her Majesty entred into choller saying I defie them what can they do or what dare they do Madam says I with your Majesties pardon my proposition is in obedience to your own Commandment to shew you my opinion at all times for the weal of your affairs Then she said she thanked me granting that it was a good advice and necessary to be done if she could in so far command her self But that yet she could not find in her heart to have to do with any of them upon divers considerations intreating me nevertheless to continue giving her my advice at all occasions For albeit she did not follow
next day his Majesty gave him Audience accompanied with Mr. Bowes Ambassador Resident in Scotland Their first reasoning was upon his Majesties Liberty and wherefore he had left the Company who were about him being the best and most religious sort of the Nobility and of his Majesties best acquaintance and by whom she would deal in her affairs more friendly then she could do with others whom she could not so well Credit Whereunto his Majesty made answer so gravely and directly that Walsingham wondred The next day his Majesty appointed four of the Council and my self to be with them to reason with him and to sound what he would be at But he refused to deal with any but with his Majesty who heard him again without Mr. Bowes Where he discoursed long with his Majesty and when he came forth from his Majesty he took me by the hand and said that he was the best content man that could be for he had spoken with a notable young Prince ignorant of nothing and of so great expectation that he thought his Travel well bestowed The Earl of Arran desired to enter into familiar Conference with him but he refused to speak with him Making no longer stay but took leave of his Majesty who commanded me to accompany him to the Ferry At our parting he promised at all occasions to write to me and much lamented that the Earl of Arran was again in Court and in such Credit with his Majesty Which he said if he had understood before he took his Journey he would have shifted the same and suffered some other to have been sent For he could see no sure course could be taken between their Majesties so long as such instruments had such Credit about him For he esteemed the said Earl a scorner of Religion a sower of discord and a despiser of true and honest men and therefore he refused to speak with him or enter into acquaintance For he was of a contrary nature religious true and a lover of all honest men Therefore Arran to be revenged upon him spared not to do a great dishonour to his Majesty First for despite that he refused to speak with him he caused refuse to permit the Captains of Berwick and divers other honest Gentlemen who came to Convoy the Secretary Walsingham the entry of his Majesties Chamber door And then he caused to prepare a scornful Present for him at his departure to wit a Ring with a stone of Crystal instead of a rich Diamond which his Majesty had appointed for him valued at 700 Crowns which he was oftimes minded to send back again unto his Majesty rather to let him see how he was abused then how he was used Some promise was also made unto him about the repairing some wrongs done by Scotsmen upon the borders which he alledged was not kept For Arran did what he could to displease him and to render his Commission in all points ineffectual and his Travel in vain Nevertheless he made so good report of his Majesties vertues and qualities that it put him in some suspition at his return to the Court of England where shortly after he took sickness and dyed My opinion is that if God had granted him longer life he would have been found a great friend to his Majesty who marvelled that the chief Secretary of England burthened with so many great affairs sickly and aged should have enterprised so painful a Voyage without any purpose For it could not be yet perceived what was his Errand save only that he gave his Majesty good Counsel But he being religious and of a good conscience was desirous to see and understand assuredly such qualifications to be in his Majesty whereof he had frequently been informed He returned with great contentment in his mind for that part but very sorrowful for the company that he found in greatest favour and credit about his Majesty Which was the more unexpected by reason of a Letter that his Majesty had sent unto the Queen his Mistress promising not to bring in again to Court the Earl of Arran without her advice and consent For my part I never saw such appearance of a prosperous Estate for his Majesties honour surety love and obedience of his own Subjects increase of the number of his friends in England to the advancement of his Title neither before that time nor since if the said Arran had not been brought a-again to Court which I left not undeclared to his Majesty divers times not without some danger Indeed his Majesties intention was not that he should stay at Court but onely to come and kiss his hand But he again being once entred won some of the Lords whose particulars he promised to set forward if they would concur withhim and shew his Majesty that his presence about his person was necessary and that my gentle proceedings would ruin the Kings interest and them all Managing thus the matter he remained at Court and minded to make himself and his assistors rich by the wrack and spoil of others who had taken his Majesty at the Road of Ruthven And then he and they were to guide all at their pleasure So many of them who shot at particular marks ran a strait Course with him because they thought by his Credit to make up themselves They feared to lose his Majesties favour in case Arran was not their friend And some of them did what they could to persuade me todo the like alledging that otherwise I should be shut out Which came to pass shortly after because I would not yield nor concurr to cast all loose to the peril of his Majesties Estate and Reputation remembring what was intended promised and proclaimed at his Majesties obtaining his Liberty It is certain that the Lords who made that interprise had great occasion given them to be discontent but no sufficient cause to oblige them to compel their Soveraign Prince to remove from him these he so well liked Which rebellious proceeding compelled them also for their surety to retain and hold the King as Captive His Majesty again being advertised and admonished that the dangerous proceedings of the Duke of Lennox and Earl of Arran were like to breed disorder took too little care to prevent the apparent inconveniencies and used too little diligence to get sure intelligence and information thereof which brought him to that strait of being taken and kept For it had been less pains to have taken good notice in due time how his Country was Governed then to put order or remedy thereto afterward For it is no little Error to render the most part of the Nobility and Subjects malecontent nor no great wisdome after his Majesty was in their hands to slip from them without their consents The interprisers assisters and allowers of the deed being so considerable a number as could not be overcome but by patience nor punished but by subversion of the State and endangering of the Prince his own person Yet it pleased God to guide his
same night by the way was advertised by one of the Earl of Bothwel's company that he was already in Fiffe and would be in Falkland against Supper-time Upon which advertisement he sent his Gentleman called Robert Auflock to acquaint his Majesty therewith and to request him to enter within the Tower in due time When the said Robert declared the matter unto his Majesty they all laughed him to scorn calling him a fool The said Robert returning malecontent to be so mocked met the Earl of Bothwel and his Company upon the highth of the Lummonds when it was already dark night and turned incontinently as if he had been one of their Company He used great diligence to be first at his Majesty Entring within the Palace of Falkland he closed the Gates himself and cryed continually to cause his Majesty enter within the Tower who at length believed him and mocked him no more The Earl of Bothwel at his coming had Potards to break up Gates and Doors It was not without ground alledged That some of those who shot out of the Tower for his Majesties defence charged their Culverins with Paper But some of his Majesties Houshold Officers shot out Bullets which gave the Earl and his Company a great scare as also his being within the Tower before he was surprised And supposing that the Country would gather together the said Earl and his Company retired and fled none pursuing them Whereas a few might easily have overtaken and overthrown them That same night I lay in my Boots upon my Bed expecting word from Falkland where there was one left to be ready for that effect At whose back-coming I with other friends and neighbours did ride to Convene the Country about Coupar to have rescued his Majesty But the King immediately sent me advertisement that the Earl was fled yet he desired me to bring these forward whom he knew I would Convene for his relief as they did to the number of 3000 that afternoon Thus God miraculously delivered his Majesty as he had done divers times before About this time came to his Majesty an honest Gentleman from Ireland called who made offers of consequence to his Majesty Whereof the Queen of England was incontinently advertised and desired to require the said Gentleman to be delivered to her Which the most part of the Council councelled his Majesty to do But the Justice Clark my Borther and I were of a contrary opinion Which deed did great harm to the settlement of his Majesty's Affairs in England and Ireland This I speak with great regrate because it was so far against his Majesties own mind and yet he suffered it to be done because the chief Ring-leaders advised it who have been always won to the devotion of England Now the Prince being born at Sterling the day of in the year his Majesty thought fit to send Ambassadours to England Denmark France and Flanders to require their Ambassadours to be sent to the Baptism of the Prince his first-born Son The Council were commanded to nominate such as were meetest to be sent on that message as they did Yet some obtained that Commission who were very unmeet for that Errand as Sir William Keeth for he could neither speak Latine French nor Flemings The Laird of Easter Weems procured to carry the Commission to France and also to England because he was to go thither about his own Affairs being the King of France his Servant But Mr. Peter Young sped best who sent to Denmark and to the Dukes of Mecklburg and Brunswick for he got three fair chains But the King of France nor the Queen of England gave nothing which they would have been ingaged to do if Ambassadours had been sent to them express Neither sent the King any Ambassadours here at that time The Queen of England was once resolved to have done the same till she was advertised by her own Ambassadour in France that the King was resolved to send none Then very late she sent the Earl of Sussex to let us see that she would ever be a ready friend when France would refuse and lye back On the other part the Dukes of Mecklburg and Brunswick were discontent that they were so far slighted as not each of them to be thought worthy of an Express A special day was appointed for Solemnizing the said Baptism The Ambassadors of Denmark and Dutchland arrived almost together His Majesty had sent for me to be there at their coming to receive them and to entertain them But the Ambassadours of Mecklburg and Brunswick would not ride out of Leeth in company with the Danish Ambassadour when they were Convoyed up to Edinburgh but desired a Convoy apart A few days after them arrived the Ambassadours of the Estates of the Low-Countries to wit Monsieur de Broderod and Monsieur Fulk great Treasurer of Holland and Zeland who landed at New-haven where I was well accompanied to receive them having Horse and Footmantles in readiness to carry them up to Edinburgh to their Lodgings A little before the landing of the said Ambassadours the day of the Baptism was delayed because there was neither word of an Ambassadour from France or Ireland and the King's Chappel in the Castle of Sterling which was cast down to be built again in a better form was not yet compleated So that the Ambassadours were ordered to remain in Edinburgh till all might be put in good order Therefore his Majesty appointed the Master of his Houshold and my Lord Tungland my Brother together with me to entertain them upon his charges and also to bear them company After that they had tarried longer in Edinburgh there being no appearance of any Ambassadours from France or England we were commanded with some others of the Council to Convoy them to Sterling where his Majesty made his excuse that they were so long delayed at Edinburgh But they alledged they had great contentment in our company Which his Majesty forgot not to declare before the whole Council giving me thanks alledging that I had done him good Offices and this among the rest which he would never forget and that he had three other of my Bothers all fit for such matters and for forreign Affairs Now being in doubt of the English Ambassadour's the Ceremony was to be Solemnized without longer delay In the mean time there came word that the Earl of Sussex was upon his journey toward Scotland for the Queen his Mistress on whom the action stayed The day of the Solemnity there was great business for their Honours and Seats that being agreed there was an empty Chair set before the rest for the King of France his Ambassadour The order of the Banquet and Triumph I leave to others to set out When the Ambassadours had Audience of the Queens Majesty I was appointed to stand a little behind and next unto her Majesty To the English Danish and Dutch Ambassadours her Majesty made answer her self But though she could speak seemingly French yet she
to Hamiltoun p. 90. After the loss of the Battle of Langside she quite loseth her courage never thinks her self secure till she arrives in England p. 92. Is kept Prisoner in the North parts here p. 99. Endeavours to get her self declared second person of England p. 152. but it proves ineffectual ibid. Receives warning of her death from the Council the night before p. 172. Her carriage and deportment thereupon ibid. Takes her death patiently and dies couragiously p. 173. Receives divers strokes with the Ax through the Executioner's cruelty ibid. Master of Glams is Treasurer of Scotland p. 198. Designes to get the Office from Sir Robert Melvil and manage the Treasury solely ibid. Master of Gray is in great favour with the King of Scots and why p. 158. His Character ibid. Is sent Ambassadour to England and returns with great Credit and Approbation notwithstanding he is misrepresented by the Earl of Arran whom he begins by degrees to Eclipse ibid. Acquaints his Majesty that Mr. Wotton a Man of great Parts is upon his journy from the Queen of England and upon what account p. 158 159. Procures the Earl of Arran's liberty p. 166. Is rewarded for it with the Abby of Dumfarmling ibid. At which the English Ambassadour is enraged but afterward reconciled to him ibid. He retires to Dunkel p. 168. Is sent for again to Court p. 169. And in as great favour as ever ibid. Is deprived of his Benefice of Dumfarmling p. 175. And discharged from the Court ibid. Maurice Duke God-son to the Landgrave of Hesse p. 11. perswades his God-father to come to the Emperor who retains him Captive ibid. Is Cousin to the Duke of Saxony and obtains the Electorate as a gift from the Emperor p. 12. Sollicits the Emperor for the liberty of his God-father but in vain ibid. Lays Siege to Magdeburgh being the Emperor's Lieutenant ibid. A subtile man ibid. Surpriseth the Emperor at Isburgh compels him to fly so clearly out of Dutchland that he never set foot in it again p. 13. Yet he and the Emperor is after reconciled and lay Siege to the Town of Metz tho to no purpose ibid. Maximilian King of the Romans by his Politick carriage between Protestant and Catholick obtains the Empire p. 33. Is skill'd in several Languages p. 34. Proves an enemy to the Match with his Brother Charles the Arch-Duke of Austria and the Queen of Scots though seemingly a friend p. 35. Melvil Sir Andrew one of the undertakers to keep the Castle of Edinburgh p. 120. Is Master of the Houshold to Queen Elizabeth p. 173. After Master of the Houshold to King James p. 180. Marries Jane Kennedy who had been a long time in England with Queen Mary ibid. Melvil Sir James the Author and Brother to Sir Andrew Melvil is sent by the Queen-Mother with the Bishop of Valence to be Page of Honour to her Daughter there Married to the Dauphin p. 8. The kindness of Odocart's Daughter to him promising him Marriage p. 9. His pleasant Discovery of the Two Scots-mens Deceit to whose care he was committed in their Iourney to Paris p. 10. Is design'd to be promoted by the Bishop but prevented and by what means p. 14. Is entertain'd in the Service of the Constable of France by the consent of the Bishop of Valence p. 15. Is Commissionated by the French King and afterward by the Constable to go into Scotland and the purport of his Commission p. 25 and 26. Endeavours to be inform'd of the Prior of St. Andrews intentions who declares his mind to him at large p. 27. In his return to France meets with an English Mathematician and the Discourse between them p. 27 and 28. Gets licence of the Queen of France to Travel the reason thereof he takes his leave p. 29. Is recommended to the Elector Palatine by the Constable his Master and entertain'd as one of his Servants ibid. And is thereupon sent by the Elector to Condole the death of Francis the 2d French King ibid. Receives great Favour from the King of Navarre and Queen Regent dispatching him back with thanks and a gift p. 30. Returns visits the Queen of Scotland Mary in her return home at Janvile with a comfortable Letter from Duke Casimire p. 31. Receives thanks from the Queen for it with favourable offers when return'd from Travel ibid. Is desired by the Duke and his Father to go into England about a Match with that Queen and the Duke but refuseth p. 32. And why ibid. Receives a Letter from Scotland to inquire about the Arch-Duke of Austria p. 33. Is sent for by Maximilian and goes with a Letter from the Elector to him p. 34. The passages between them ibid. Finds the proposition of a Match with the Arch-Duke would prove ineffectual and therefore presseth for a dispatch which at length he obtains p. 35. Receives a Letter from Maximilian to the Queen of Scots ibid. Is sent by the Prince Elector to the Queen-Mother of France with an Answer and Picture to her Propositions of a Match between her Son Charles the 9th and Maximian's eldest Daughter p. 36. Is introduced into her Presence by the Constable ibid. Is profer'd very large offers of Preferment by the Queen Mother if he would reside there p. 38. Receives Letters from Queen Mary to return home ibid. Parts with a Commission to the Queen of England p. 39. Presents the Pictures of Casimire and his Relations to the Queen ibid. Which she returns next day p. 40. Refusing to accept of them ibid. Writes back to his Father and himself a disswasive from that Marriage and receives thanks ibid. Returns into Scotland and presents the Queen with Letters from Forraign Princes p. 43. Receives great proffers from the Queen but refuseth them and upon what ground ibid. Is sent with instructions to Queen Elizabeth and her Friends to procure a Reconciliation ibid. The instructions at large p. the 44th and 45th Being Arrived at London he next morning receives his Answer from the Queen p. 46. Perswades her Majesty to tear the angry Letter she intended to send to Queen Mary in answer to hers p. 47. Which she did ibid. The private Conference between the Queen of England and Melvil being a Character of the Two Queens full of diversion p. 47 48 and 49. Takes his leave and returns to Scotland with many Presents p. 52. Acquaints his Queen with Queen Elizabeth's Answer ibid. After the Queens Marriage begs leave to Travel which she refuseth p. 58. Upon her promises stayes and adviseth her p. 59. Officiates as her Secretary Lidington being absent upon some suspicion p. 67. Rides Post to London to give an account to the Queen of the Birth of a Son in Scotland p. 69. Has a satisfactory Audience p. 70. Shews a Letter to her Majesty from Tho. Bishop against her Marriage with Bothwel and is forced to fly for it p. 79. But returns Bothwel's rage being allayed ibid. Is afterward taken Prisoner when Bothwel seized