inquest of these persones that shall enter on pannell thys day clense the sayd persones of the murther of the kyng that it shal be wilfull error and not ignorance by reasoun that it is notourlye knawen these persones to be the murtherers of the kyng as my Lord my maister allegis vppoun the quhilke protestatioun I require ane document Sic subscribiter Robert Cunningham Uppon the productioun of the quhilke writing and protestatioun the sayd Robert askit actes and instrumentis The Iustice beyng auisit with the foirsayd writyng and protestatioun producit and vsyt by the sayd Robert Cunningham in respect of the letters and writinges sent to our souerane by the sayd Mathew Erle of Leuenox producit and red in iugement quhairof the copeis are vnder written By the quhilke letters and writinges the sayd Erle of Leuenox desirit schort and summare processe to be deducit in the sayd mattter and al 's of the act and ordinaunce of the Lordes of secret counsell grauntit thereuppon and sic lyke in respect of the earnest insisting of the aduocates desiring processe and right sute of the sayde Erle Bothwelles earnest petitioun and desire of tryall to be had in the sayd matter wyth aduise of the Lords and Barones assessors present fand by interlocutor that processe should be deducit in the sayd actioun thys day conforme to the lawes of thys realme Notwithstanding the writyng and protestatioun producit by the sayd Robart Cunningham and al 's admittit him to concurr and assist to the sayd aduocates in pursute of the sayd actioun if he pleasit Followis the copeis of the letters and writingis sent to the Quenis maiestie by the sayd Erle of Leuenox I Render maist humble thankes vnto your maiestie for your gracious and comfortabill letter quhilke I haue receiuit the xxiiij day of this instant And quhairas I perceaue by the same that it is your maiesties pleasure to remit the tryall of this late odious act to the time of a Parliament Pleasit your maiestie although I am assurit your highnes thynkis the tyme as long as I do till the matter be tryit and the auctours of the deid condignely punisht yet I shall humbly craue your maiesties pardoun in troublyng your hyghnes so oft thairin as I do for the matter touches me sa nere besekand your maiestie maist humbly to accept this my simple aduise in gude part as followes Quhilk is that quhaire the tyme is lang to the Parliament thys matter not being a Parliament matter but of sic weight and oportunitie quhilke aught rather to be with all expeditioun and diligence socht out and punisht to the example of the hole world as I knaw your maiesties wisdome considers the same farre mair than my wittes can compreheÌ„d yet forsameckle as I heare of certain tikkettis that hes ben put on the tolbuith dore of Edenbrough aunswering your maiesties first and second proclamations quhilke names in speciall certayne persones deuisers of the cruell murther I shal thairfoir maist humbly beseike your maiestie for the luif of God the honour of your maiestie and your realme and we le quietnes of y e same that it will please your maiestie fourthwith not onely to apprehend and put in sure keepyng the persones namit in the sayd tikkettes but al 's wyth diligeÌ„ce to assemble your maiesties nobilitie and than by opin proclamatioun to admonishe and requyre the wryters of the sayd tikkettis to compere according to the effect thairof at the quhilke tyme if thay do not your maiestie may by aduise of your nobilitie and counsell releue and put to libertie the personis in the tikkettis foirsayd So shall your maiestie do ane honorabill and godly act in the bringyng the matter to sic ane narrow poynt as eyther the matter shall appere playnely befoir your maiestie to the punischment of thaim quho hes bene the auctors of this cruell deid or els the sayde tikketis fand vayne in thair selfe and the persones quhilke are sclanderit to be exonerit and put to libertie at your maiesties pleasure So cummittis your maiestie to the protectioun of almighty God quho preserue you in helth and maist happy raigne Of Howstoun the xxvi day of February PLeasit your maiestie quhaire your highnes in your last letter to me writes that if there be any names in the tikkettis that was affixt vppon the tolbuith dore of Edinburgh that I thinke worthy to suffer a triall for the murther of the kyng your maiesties husband vppon my aduertismeÌ„t your maiestie should proceid to the cognicioun taking as may stand wyth the lawes of thys realme and beyng fand culpabill shall see the punischment as rigorously executit as the weight of the cryme deseruis Pleasit your maiestie sens the ressait of your highnes letter I haue still lukit that some of the bludy murtherers shold haue bene opinly knawen or now And seyng thay are not yet I can not finde in my hart to concele the matter any longer But let your maiestie vnderstand the names of thaim quhome I greatly suppect that is to say the Erle Bothwell Maister Iames Balfor and Gilbert Balfor hys brother Maister Dauid Chamer Blackmaister Iohn SpeÌ„s Seneor FrauÌ„ces Bastiane Iohn de Burdeauâ—x and Ioseph Dauids brother Quhilke persones I shall maist intierly and humbly beseik your maiestie that according to my former petitioun vnto your highnes it will please not onely to apprehend and put in sure keping but al 's with diligence to assemble your maiesties hole nobilitie and counsell and than to take sic perfite order of the foirnamit persones that thay may be iustly tryit as I doubt not but in so doyng the spirit of God shall worke in the sayd matter as the truth shal be knawin So shall your maiestie do a maist godly and honorabill act for your selfe beyng the pairty as ye are And ane great satisfactioun it shal be to all that belonges vnto hym that is gone quho was sa deare vnto your highnes And now not doubtit but your maiestie will take order in the matter according to the weight of the cause quhilke I maist humbly beseike I commit your maiestie to the protectioun of the almighty God quho preserue you in health lang life and maist happy reigne Of Howstoun thys xvij of March Assisa Andro Erle of Rothes George Erle of Caithnes Gilbert Erle of Cassillis Lord Iohne Hamiltoun comandar of Arbroycht sone to the Lord Duke Iames Lord Rosse â–ª Robert Lord Sunple Iohnne Maxwell Lord Hereif Laierence Lord Oliphant Iohnne Maister of Forness Iohnne Gordoun of Lothinware Robert Lord Boyd Iames Cokburne of Lantoun Iohne Someruile of Cambusnethan Mowbray of Berne Buxall Ogilbye of Boyne THe forenamit persons of Assise being chosen admitted and sworne in iugement as vse is And thairfore the sayd Erle Bothwell being accusit by the sayd dictay of the crime aforesayd and the same being denyed by hym and referrit to the deliuerance of the sayd assises thay remouit forth of
subscribitur Marie R. Iames Erle Bothwell Here note that this contract was made the v. of April within viij wekes after the murder of the kyng quhilke was slayne the x. of the Februarie befoir Also it was made vij dayes befoir that Bothwel was acquitit by corrupt iugement of the sayd murder Alswa it appereth by the wordes of the contract it selfe that it was made befoir sentence of diuorce betwene Bothwell and his former wife And alswa in very truth was made befoir any sute of diuorce intentit or begon betwene hym and his former wyfe though some wordes in this contract seme to say vtherwise Quhilk is thus proned For this contract is datit the v. of Aprill and it playnly appereth by the iudiciall actes befoir the twa seuerall ecclesiasticall ordinarie iudges quhairin is contained the hale processe of the diuorce betwene the sayd Erle and Dame Iane Gourdon hys wyfe that the one of the same processes was intentit and begon the xxvi day of Aprill and the vther the xxvij Alswa there be extant the recordes of the Iustice court holden at Edenburgh the sayd xij day of Aprill some copies quhairof haue ben examplifijt and signit with the hand of Iohn Bellenden Iustice clerke among quhilk is the dittay or enditement of Bothwell The tenour of quhilke recordes with the assise and verdit doe here followe Curia Iusticiariae S. D. N. Reginae tenta inchoata in praetorio de Edinburgh duodecimo die mensis Aprilis An. 1567. per nobilem potentem Dominum Archibaldum Comitem Ergadiae Dominū Campbell Lorne Iusticiarium generalem eiusdem S. D. N. Reginae totius Regni sui vbilibet constitutum Sen. vocatum curia legitimè affirmata IN the quhilke Court comperit personallie in iugement Maisteris Iohne Spens of Condie and Robert Creycghton of Chok aduocates to our soueraigne Lady in hir name and thare the said maister Iohn Spens producit our soueraigne Ladies letter execute and indorsit togider with the dittay Of the quhilk letters indorsing thairof and Dittay the tennouris hereafter followith that is to say Mary by the grace of God Quene of Scottis to our louittis William Purwes maister Williame Lawson Gawine Ramsey messengeris our Shrifis in that pairt coniunctly and seuerally specially constitute greeting Forasmimikle as it is humbly meant and schewin to vs by our louittis familiar clarkis and Counsellors maisteris Iohne Spens of Condye and Robert Creycghton of Chok our aduocatis y t quhareas thay are informit our trusty cousen and counsaillor Mathew Erle of Leuenox fader to the King our deirest spouse hes delatit Iamis Erle Bothwell Lorde Hailis and Creycghton c. and certaine vthers of the treasonabill cruell odious and abhominable slauchter and murder of his grace committit vpon the nynth day of February last bipast vnder silence of the nicht within his lodging for the time within our bour of Edinburgh beside the kirke of fielde vpon prouisioun set purpose and forethought fellony And hes declarit vnto vs the suspicioun had of the sayd Erle and vtheris as committers of the sayd odious cruale and abhominable deid Quhare-through we being maist earnestly bent mindit and willing to haue tryall taken therein by order of iustice with all diligence and expedition possible hes with aduise of the Lordes of our secret counsill and also of the humble desire of the sayd Erle Bothwell made in our and thair presence quhilk offerit him selfe redy to vnderly the tryall of ane condigne assise according to the laweis of our realme for declaring of thys part hes ordainit ane court of Iusticiarie to be set halden in the tolbuith of Edinbrough the xij day of Aprill next to come for duing of iustice vpon the sayd Erle and vtheris for the sayd crewale odious ▪ foule and abhominabill crime and offence like as it at mair length is contenit in ane act maid in the bukes of our secrete counsell thairupon Oure will is herefoir and we eharge you straictly and commaund that incontinent these our letters seene ye passe and in our name and authority warne the said Mathew erle of Leuenox personally or at hys dwelling place all vthers our lieges hauand or pretēdand to haue intres in the said matter by open proclamation at y e market crosses of our burrowis of Edenbur Dunbertane Glasgw Lanerk vtheris places needfull to compeir befoyr our Iustice or hys deputis in our tolbuith of Edinburgh the sayd xij day of Aprill next to come to pursew and concurre with vs in the sayd actioun with certificatioun to thame and they fayle that our Iustice or his deputteis will proceed and do iustice in the sayd matter the sayd day conforme to the lawis and consuetude of our realme without any longer delay or continuatioun And that ye summond ane assises heirto ilk person vnder the payne of fourty pounds as ye will answer to vs therupon The quhilk to do we commit to you coniunctly and seueraly our full power by these our letters deliuering thame by you duely execute and indorsate againe to the bearer Geuin vnder our signet at Edenburgh the xxvij day of March and of our reigne the xxv yeire 1567. Ex deliberatione Dominorum Consilij Reg. Sic subscribitur Mary Indorsations of the sayd letters VPon the xxix day of March the yeir of God 1567. yeires I Williame Purwes Messenger one of the shriffes in that parte within constitute past at commaund of theis our souerane Ladies letters and in hyr graces name and aucthoritie warnit Mathew Erle of Leuenox and all vtheris hyr maiesteis liegis hauand or pretendand to haue intres in the matter within specifyit by open proclamatioun at the marcket crosse of the burough of Edinburgh to compeir befoyr the Iustice or hys deputes in the tolbuith of Edinburgh the xij day of Aprill next to come to pursew and concur with our sayd souerane Lady in the actioun within expremit with certification as is within mentionat efter the forme and tenour of these letters quhairof I affixt ane copy vpoun the sayd marcket crosse This I did befoir these witnessis Iohne Andersoun and Dauid Lant with vthers diuerse And for mair witnessing to thys my execution and indorsation my signet is affixt VPon the penult day of March first and secound dayes of Aprill the yeare of God aboue written I Gawine Ramsy messenger ane of the Shreffis in that part within constitute past at commandement of these our soueraigne Ladies letters and in hir gracis name and authoritie warnit the sayd Mathew Erle of Leuenox at his dwelling places in Glesgw and Dunbertane respectiue because I serchit socht could nat apprehend him personally and all vther hir maiesties liegis hauand and pretendand to haue intres to persue in the matter within expremit be proclamation at the marckat crosses of the burrowes of Glesgw Dunbertane and Lanerk for to compere befoir the Iustice or his deputies in the sayd
tolbuith of Edenburgh the said xij day of Aprill next to cum to persew and concurre with our sayd soueraigne Lady in the actioun within written with certificatioun as is within mentionit efter the forme and tenor of these letters quhaireof I affixt ane copy vppoun euery ane of the sayd marckat crosses This I did befoir these witnesse George Herbesoun Nicholl Andro Robert Letterik messenger William Smollet Dauid Robertsoun Iames Smollet Iohn Hammeltoun Iames Bannatine and Robert Hammeltoun with diuers vther And for mair witnessing hereof my signet is affixt Subscriuit wyth my hand Gawine Ramsy messenger VPon y e first day of Aprill The yere of God 1567. yeare I William Lawsoun messinger Shriefe in that pare within constitute Past at commaund of these our soueraine Ladies letters to the markat crosse of Perth and thare be open proclamation lawfully warnit Mathew Erle of Leuenox and all vthers our souerane Ladies liegis hauand or pretendand ta haue intres to pursue Iames Erle Bothwell Lord Hailes and Creyghtoun c. certain vthers for y e cruall slaughter murder of the kyngis grace and affixt ane copy vppon the sayd crosses efter the forme and tenour of these letters And this I did befoir these witnesses Iames marschell Alexander Borthuike and Iohnne Andersoun messingeris with others diuers And for the maire witnessing of this my execution and indorsatioun I haue subscriuit thys with my hande Williame Lawsoun messenger with my hand The dittay IAmes Erle Bothwell Lord Haylis and Creychtoun ▪ c. Ye are inditit for acte part of the cruell odious treasonabill and abhominabill slauchter and murder of y e vmquhile the right excellent right high and mighty Prince the kyngis grace dearest spouse for the tyme to our souerane Lady the Quenis maiestie vnder silence of night in his awne lodging beside the Kirke of fielde within this borrow he being taking the nightis rest treasonably raysing fire within the same with ane great quantitie of powder Through force of the quilke the sayd hole lodging was raysit and blowen in the aire And y e said vmquhile king was murtherit treasonably maist cruelly slayne destroyit by you thairin vpon set purpose prouision and forethought felonye And this ye did vppon the ninth day of February last by past vnder silence of night as sayd is As is notoriously knawen quhilke ye can not deny Upoun the quhilk productioun of the foirsayd letters execute indorsit and dittay the sayd aduocate askit an Act of Court and instrumentis and desirit of the Iustice processe conforme thairto The sayd letters being openly red in iugement with the indorsations thaireof the Iustice by vertue of the same causit call the sayd Iames Erle Bothwell as defender on that ane part and Mathew Erle of Leuenox and all vthers our souerane Ladies liegis hauand pretendand to pursue in the sayd matter to compere befoir him in this court of iustitiarie to pursue and defend as accordes of the law Comperit immediatly thairefter in iugement the sayd Iames Erle Bothwell and enterit as parsonale and thā chusit Maister Dauid Borthuike of Luchthill and Maister Edmund Hay prolocutoris for him quho also comperit personally in iugement and were admittit by the Iustice to that effect Comperit also Maister Henry Kinrof alleging him procurator for Andro maister of Errole and producit in iugement the writing and protestatioun vnder written desiring the same to be registerit and insert in the bukes of adiornale quhairof the tenor followis The quhilke day comperit Maister Henry Kinrof procurator for Androw maister of Errole Constable of Scotland and allegit that the Constabillis for the tyme of thys realme has bene at all tymes bypast onely iudges competent to al sic persones as hes bene accusit criminally for committyng of slaughter murther of blude drawing nere to the Prince chamer and within foure myles for the same And thairfoir the sayd Mayster now beyng Constabill of thys realme aught and should be Iudge competent to Iames Erle Bothwell and vthers his allegit complices callit thys day and to be accusit for acte and pairt of the allegit cruell treasonabill slaughter of vmquhyle Henry king of Scottis And in caise Archebald Erle of Argyle as Iustice generall of this realme or his deputies proceid and cognosce in the sayd cause the sayde Maister Henry procurator foresayd protestis solempnlye that the same proceding therin on na wayes hurt nor preiuge the sayd Constabill his office rightis title of rightis intres iurisdictioun or inuestiment thairof in any sort but that he may vse and exercise hys sayd iurisdictioun in all sic caisses in tymes cumming conforme to his inuestiment of the sayd office and vse of cognoscing vsit by hys predecessours and hym befoir in semblable causes All quhilke tyme he makis it knawen either by inuestimēt or vther wayes sufficiently him to haue iurisdictioun in sic casses And desires the same protestatioun to be insert in the buke of adiornale and admittit vnder protestatioun that he affirme not my Lord Iustice iurisdictioun in any sort in procedyng in the sayd matter The Iustice beyng aduisit with the sayd allegeance and protestatioun fande by interlocutor and ordaynit that processe should be led by hym in thys matter Notwithstanding the same in respect that nathyng was shawin by the sayd maister Henry to verefie the cōtentes of the sayd allegeance protestation Quhairuppoun the sayd Erle Bothwell askit ane note of court and instrument The sayd Mathew Erle of Leuenox and vthers our souerane Ladies lieges hauand or pretendand to haue intres to pursue in the sayd matter beyng oftymes callit to haue comperit and concurrit with the sayd aduocates in pursute of the sayd actioun comperit Robart Cunningham allegeing hym seruaunt to the sayd Mathew Erle of Leuenox ▪ and producit the writing vnder written quhilke he subscriuit wyth his hand in iugement As he that had power to vse the same and protestit and desirit conforme thairto in all pointes Of the quhilke writing the tennor followes My Lordes I am cum here sent by my mayster my Lord of Leuenox to declare the cause of his absence thys day and wyth hys power as the same beris The cause of hys abscence is the shortnes of tyme and that he he is denied of hys frendis and seruants quho should haue accompaneit hym to hys honor suretie of his life in respect of the greatnes of hys party And he hauing assistance of na frendes but onely hymselfe And thairfoir hys L. hes commandit me to desire ane sufficient day according to the weight of the cause quhairthrough he may keepe the same And if your L. will procede at thys present I protest that I may without any displeasure of any man vse these thinges committit to my charge by my Lord my Mayster Quhairof I take ane document Item I protest that if the personis quho passis vpoun assyse and
the sayd Court and altogidder conuenit and after lang reasoning had by thame vpoun the same dictay and pointis thairof they and ilke ane of tham for tham selfis votit deliuerit and acquite the sayd Iames Erle Bothwell of act and part of the sayd slaueghter of the Kyng and poyntes of the sayd dictay And since the sayd George Erle of Caythnes Chaunceller of the sayd assises in hys and thayr names askit instruments that nouther the sayd aduocates nor the sayd Robert Cunningham as hauād commission of my Lord of Leuenox nor na vtheris brought into thame any writing token or verification quhairby the dictay aboue written might be fortefyit nor the sayd assise perswadit to deliuer any vtherwise than is aboue written Nor yet was the sayd dictay sworne nor no partye except the sayd aduocates comperit to pursew the saim and tharfoyr in respect that they deliuerit according to thayr knawlege protestis that thay should incur na wilfull error in any wise heirafter Quhilk instrument and protestatioun immediatly after the reentry of the sayd Erle of Caythnes Chauncellor and ane pairt of the named of the sayd persons of assyise in the sayd court of iusticiarie befoyr the pronunciatioun of thayr deliueraunce foresayd at the desire of the sayd Erle of Caythnes was openly read in iugement And thayrupon he of new askeit actis and instrumentis and protesteth in manner aboue expremit Extractum de libro Actorum Adiornalis S. D. N. Reginae Per me Ioannem Bellenden de Auchnoule militem clericum iusticiariae eiusdem generalem Sub meis signo subscriptione mannalibus Ioannes Bellenden Clericus Iusticiariae Note that at the same tyme protestatioun was made by George Erle of Catnes Chanceller of the sayd Assise that the said dittay or enditement was nat in this point true vz. in allegyng the murder to be committit the ix day of Februarie for that in dede the murder was committed the next day beyng the x. day in the mornyng at twa houres after midnight whiche in law was and ought to be truely accomptit the x. day and so the acquitall that way but cauillously defendit The writynges and letters found in the sayd casket which are auowit to be written with the Scottishe Quenis awne hand Certaine French Sonnettes written by the quene of Scottes to Bothwell befoir hir mariage with him and as it is sayd quhile hir husband lyuit But certainly befoir his diuorce from hys wife as the wordes tham selues shew befoir quhom she here preferreth hir selfe in deseruing to be beloued of Bothwell O Dieux ayez de moy compassion Et m'enseignez quelle preuue certain Ie puis donner qui ne luy semble vain De mon amour ferme affection Las n'est il pas ia en possession Du corps du coeur qui ne refuse paine Ny deshonneur en la vie incertaine Offense de parentz ne pire affliction Pour luy tous mes amis i'estime moins que rien Et de mes ennemis ie veux esperer bien I'ay hazardé pour luy nom conscience Ie veux pour luy au monde renoncer Ie veux mourir pour luy auancer Que reste il plus pour prouuer ma constance Entre ses mains en son plein pouuoir Ie metz mon filz mon honneur ma vie Men païs mes subiectz mon ame assubiectie Est tout à luy n'ay autre voulloir Pour men obiect que sans le deceuoir Suiure ie veux malgrè toute l'enuie Qu'issir en peult Car ie n'ay autre enuie Que de ma foy luy faire apperceuoir Que pour tempeste ou bonnace qui face Iamais ne veux changer demeure ou place Brief ie feray de ma foy telle preuue Qu'il cognoistra sans fainte ma constance Non par mes pleurs ou fainte obeyssance Cōme autres ont fait mais par diuers espreuue Elle pour son honneur vous doibt obeyssance Moy vous obeyssant i'en puis receuoir blasme N'estāt à mō regret comme elle vostre femme Et si n'aura pour tant en ce point préeminence Pour son profit elle vse de constance Car ce n'est peu d'honneur d'estre de voz biens dame Et moy pour vous aymer i'en puis receuoir blasme Et ne luy veux ceder en toute l'obseruance Elle de vostre mal n'a l'apprehension Moy ie n'ay nul repos tant ie crains l'apparence Par l'aduis des parentz elle eut vostre accointance Moy malgré tous les miens vous porte affection Et de sa loyauté prenez ferme asseurance Par vous mon coeur par vostre alliance Elle à remis sa maison en honneur Elle à iouy par vous la grandeur Dont tous les siens n'ayent nul asseurance De vous mon bien elle à eu la constance Et à gaigné pour vn temps vostre coeur Par vous elle à eu plaissr en bon heur Et pour vous à receu honneur reuerence Et n'a perdu sin on la iouyssance D'vn fascheux sot qu'elle aymoit cherement Ie ne la playns d'aymer donc ardamment Celuy qui n'a en sens ny en vaillance En beauté en bonté ny en constance Point de seçonde Ie vis en ceste foy Quant vous l'amiez elle vsoit de froideur Sy vous souffriez pour s'amour passion Qui vient d'aymer de trop ▪ d'affection Son doig monstroit la tristesse de coeur N'ayant plaisir de vostre grand ardeur En ses habitz monstroit sans fiction Qu'elle n'aucit paour qu'imperfection Peust l'effacer hors de ce loyal coeur De vostre mort ie ne vis la peaur Que meritoit tel mary seigneur Somme de vous elle à eu tout son bien Et n'à prisé ny iamais estimé Vn si grand heur si non puis qu'il n'est sien Et maintenant dit l'auoir tant aymé Et maintenant elle commence à voir Qu'elle estoit bien de mauuais iugement De n'estimer l'amour d'vn tel amant Et voudroit bien mon amy deceuoir Par les escriptz tout fardez de sçauoir Qui pourtant n'est on son esprit croissant Ains emprunté de quelque autheur eluissant A faint tresbien vn enuoy sans l'auoir Et toutes fois ses parolles fardez Ses pleurs ses plaincts remplis de fictions Et ses hautz cris lamentations On t tant gaigné qui par vous sont gardez Ses lettres escriptes ausquelz vous donnez foy Et si l'aymez croyez plus que moy Vous la croyez las trop ie l'apperçoy Et vous doutez de ma ferme constance O mon seul bien mon seul esperance
nat aunswere I besech you that an opinioun of vther persoun be nat hurtfull in your minde to my constancie Mistrust me but quhen I will put you out of doubt and clere my selfe Refuse it nat my dere life suffer me to make you some profe by my obedience my faithfulnes constancie voluntarie subiectioun quhilk I take for the pleasantest gude that I might receaue if you will accept it and make no ceremony at it for you could do me na greater outrage nor giue mair mortall greefe ¶ An other letter sent from Stereline to Bothwell concernyng the practise for hir rauishment MOnsieur helas pourquoy est vostre fiance mise en persōne si indigne pour soupçonner ce qui est entierement vostre I'enrage vous m'auiez promis c. ALas my Lord. Why is your trust put in a persō so vnworthy to mistrust that which is wholly yours I am woodde You had promisit me that you would resolue all and that you would send me word euery day quhat I should doe you haue done nothing thairof I aduertisit you well to take heede of your false brother in law he came to me and without shewing me any thing frō you told me that you had willit him to write to you that that I should say quhaire and quhan you should cum to me and that that you should do touchand hym and thereuppon hath preachit vnto me that it was a foolishe enterprise that with mine honour I could neuer marry you seing that being maryed you did carry me away that his folkes would not suffer it and that the Lordis would vnsay themselfis and would deny that thay had sayd To be short he is all contrary I tolde hym that seing I was cum so farre if you did not withdraw your selfe of your selfe that no perswasioun nor deith it selfe should make me fayle of my promise As touching the place you are to negligent pardon me to remit your selfe thereof vnto me Chuse it your selfe and send me worde of it And in the meane tyme I am sicke I wil differre as touching the matter it is to late It was not long of me that you haue not thought therupō in time And if you had not mair chaungit your mynde since myne absence than I haue you should not be now to aske such resoluing Well there wanteth nothing of my part and seing that your necligence doth put vs baith in the daunger of a false brother if it succeede not well I wyll neuer rise agayne I send this bearer vnto you for I dare not trust your brother with these letters nor with the diligence He shall tell you in quhat stait I am and iudge you quhat amendment these new ceremonies haue broght vnto me I would I wer deid for I see all goeth ill You promisit vther manner of matter of your forseyng but absence hath power ouer you quho haue twa stringis to your bow An other wife Dispatch the aunswere that I fayle not and put no trust in your brother for this enterprise for he hath tolde it and is also all against it God geue you gude nicht ¶ An vther letter to Bothwell for the practise and deuise to excuse the rauishyng DV lieu de l'heure ie m'en rap porte à vostre frere à vous ie le suiuray ne fauldray en rien de ma part Il trouue beauc oup de difficultez c. OF the place and the time I remitte my selfe to your brother and to you I will folow him and will fayle in nathing of my pairt He findeth many difficulties I thinke he doth aduertise you thereof and quhat he desireth for the handling of him selfe As for the handling of my selfe I heard it once well deuisit Me thinketh that your seruices and the long amitie hauing the gude wyll of the Lordes do well deserue a pardon if aboue the duetie of a Subiect you aduaunce your self not to constrain me but to assure your selfe of such place nigh vnto me that vther admonitions or forraine persuasions may not let me from consenting to that that you hope your seruice shall make you one day to attayne and to be schort to make your selfe sure of the Lordes and free to marry and that you are constraynit for your surety and to be abill to serue me faithfully to vse an humble request ioynit to an importune action And to be short excuse your selfe and perswade them the most you cā that you are constraynit to make poursute aganis your enemies You shall say enough if the matter or ground do like you and many fayre wordes to Ledinton If you like not the deede send me worde and leaue not the blame of all vnto me ¶ An vther letter to Bothwell of the practise for hir rauishement and to aduise hym to be strang to do it MOnsieur depuis ma lettre escrit vostre beau frere qui fust ▪ est venu à moy fort triste m'a demandè mon conseil de ce qu'il feroit apres demain c. MY Lord since my letter written your brother in law that was cam to me very sad and hath askeit me my counsaile quhat he should do after to morrow because there be many folkis here and among vtheris the Erle of Southerland quho wald rather dye considering the gude they haif sa lately receiuit of me than suffer me to be caryit away they conducting me and that he fearit there should sum trouble happen of it of the vther side that it should be sayd that he wer vnthankfull to haif betrayit me I told him that he shold haif resoluid with you vpon all that that he should auoyde if he could those that wer most mistrustit He hath resolued to write thereof to you by my opinioun for he hath abasshit me to see him sa vnresoluit at the neid I assure my selfe he will play the pairt of an honest man But I haue thought good to aduertise you of the feare he hath that he should be chargeit and accusit of treson to the ende that without mistrusting him you may be the more circumspect and that you may haif the more power For we had yisterday more then iij. C. horse of his and of Leniston For the honour of God be accumpanyit rather wyth more then lesse for that is the principal of my caire I goe to write my dispatch and pray God to send vs a happy enteruiew schortly I write in hast to the ende you may be aduisit in time ¶ Of the Billes of proclamatioun and combat set vp by Bothwell and the aunsweres IMmediatly after the death of the kyng quho was murtherit and hys house blowen vp with gonnepoulder the ix day of February in the night 1567. Proclamatioun was made that quhosoeuer could bewray the murtherers of the king should haue two thousand pound Unto the quhilk proclamatioun reply was made and set vp priuely vpoun the tolbuith doore of Edenburgh