He therefore desired us to sit down and advise how he might best put remedy to things by-past and prevent such inconveniencies in time coming seeing he had determined hereafter to repose most upon our Council Our answer to His Majesty was That we had great reason to render His Majesty most humble thanks for the favourable opinion he entertained of us which we should endeavour to deserve and were very sorry for the displeasure His Majesty had taken praying His Majesty to take patience seeing that as he had always reposed upon God and not Man that the same God would mend his Estate as he had oft-times done before That our care should be presently how to receive the Queen honourably who was upon the Sea we daily looking for her landing and next how to treat and reward the Noblemen of Denmark Her Majesties Convey That being done and they returned back to their Country it would be best time to take order with the Affairs of the Kingdom conform to His Majesty's desire with the concurrence of so many of the Council as His Majesty had found most faithful and least factious But we did not think fit to take upon us the whole burthen in respect that hath been always the chief cause of the wrack of Scots Kings especially of all His Majesty's own troubles in laying the whole burthen of his Affairs upon any one or two who most commonly for greediness and ambition abuse good Princes and few or none dare controul them for fear of their great Authority and Credit The Chancellour being advertised of His Majesty's discontent and displeasure as said is made preparation to go off the Country and caused it come to His Majesty's Ears that he would Sail himself and bring home the Queen with him And that they were all but Triflers who were with her He forgot not to Anoint the hands of some who were most familiar with His Majesty to interpret this his design so favourably that it made the King forget all by-gones and by little and little he informed him so well of the said Voyage and the great charges he had bestowed upon a fair and swift sailing Ship that His Majesty was moved to take the Voyage himself and to sail in the same Ship with the Chancellour with great secrecy and short preparation making no Man privy thereto but such as the Chancellour pleased and such as formerly had all been upon his Faction He had also heard an incling of a word That His Majesty in the time of his high displeasure had said That he would lay the burthen of his Affairs upon my Brother and me whereat he had a great envy and despight and was the cause why His Majesty made me not privy to his Voyage He was very discontent when His Majesty had appointed my said Brother Robert to be left Vice-Chancellour and Convene the Council in His Majesty's absence to hold hand with the Duke of Lennox my Lord Hamiltoun Bothwel and other Noblemen with the Officers of the Crown and to Rule the Country in His Majesty's absence Three other Ships sailed with His Majesty wherein was the Justice Clerk Carmichal the Provost of Lincludin Sir William Kieth George Hume Iames Sandiland with all His Majesty's Ordinary Servants The weather was rough enough for it was in the beginning of Winter But the last day was so extream stormy that they were all in great hazard but His Majesty landed that same night at in Norway where the Queen was abiding the turning of the Wind and where he accomplished his marriage in person But he could not be perswaded to return to Scotland that Wiuter by reason of the raging Seas and storm he had sustained a little before The Queen and Council of Denmark being advertised that His Majesty was resolved to abide all that Winter sent and requested him to come to Denmark Whither he went by Land with the Queen his new bride and behaved himself honourably and liberally by the way and at the Court of Denmark where he tarried during his abode there But the Company who were with His Majesty put him to great trouble to agree their continual janglings strife pride and partialities The Earl of Marshal by reason that he was an ancient Earl and had been employed in this honourable Commission thought to have the first place next unto His Majesty so long as he was there The Chancellour by reason of his Office would needs have the preheminence There were also contentions betwixt him and the Justice Clark The Constable of Dundie and my Lord Dingwal could not agree about place George Hume did quietly shoot out William Kieth from his Office of Master of the Wardrobe At length they were all divided into two Factions The one for the Earl of Marshal the other for the Chancellour who was the stronger because the King took his part So that the Chancellour triumphed and being yet in Denmark devised many Reformations to be made and new Forms and Customs to be set forward at His Majesty's return As to have no Privy Council but the Exchequer and the Nobility to be debarred from it Sundry of the Lords of the Session to be put out who he judged had no dependence upon him and others his Creatures put in their room He caused a Proclamation to be pen'd which was sent home to be proclaim'd before His Majesty's return That none of the Nobility should come to Court not being sent for and then to bring with them six persons and no more Likewise every Baron to bring but four Likewise he resolved to cause Ward such as had been unruly and disobedient during His Majesty's absence as the Earl Bothwel the Lord Hume and divers Borderers and Highland Men. The next Spring His Majesty came home and Landed at Lieth well accompanied with the Admiral of Denmark and divers of the Council and many other Gentlemen All whom His Majesty treated honourably and after the Queens Coronation they were magnificently rewarded with more then twelve Golden Chains and many Medals of Gold with His Majesties Picture His Majesty at his landing was pleased to send to me to bear them company which I did until their parting to His Majesty's great contentment In the mean time the Earl of Worcester was sent Ambassadour from England to Welcome and Congratulate both their Majesties with some Presents unto the Queens Majesty Upon whom I was commanded by His Majesty to attend diligently all the time of his being here and at his parting he was presented with a Ring of seven great Diamonds He parted well satisfied and so did all his Company His Majesty was pleased at leasure to declare unto me his whole Voyage and proceedings during his absence He said that he wished that I had been sent alone Ambassadour to Denmark in place of the Earl of Marshal and the two who were joined with him he was so ill informed of the said Earl I answered That I understood that the Earl for his part had behaved himself
Ladies to me that I should be earnest to keep the Earl of Murray from joining with the other Lords Who the next morning found themselves greatly disappointed being left without any appearance of a pacification In the mean time I used my endeavours very effectually to keep my Lord Murray from joining with the late offenders I ingaged to him that in so doing I should procure a pardon to him and all his followers They on this manner being destitute of all assisters were compelled to flee unto England to Newcastle where in a manner they might find the other Lords nests yet warm A few days before my Lord Duke my Lords of Glencairn and Rothes had obtained their pardons For they were divided during their banishment and her Majesty found it not her interest to have so many Lords against her She had also now again indeavoured to draw the Earl of Murray from the Earl of Mortoun and his accomplices because he had for the time a great friendship and many dependers that she might be the more easily revenged upon that most detestable deed of murthering her Servant in her presence For she being big with Child it appeared to be done to destroy both her and her Child For they might have killed the said Rixio in any other part at any time they pleased My Lord Murray and his dependants desired me to carry their humble thanks unto her Majesty and to signifie unto her how willingly they acquiesced to her Majesties desire and how they had discharged themselves to such as had committed that vile act And that they promised her Majesty never any more to have to do with them or intercede for them I rencountred her Majesty coming from Dumbar to Hadingtoun and was very favourably received with great thanks for my care of her honour and wellfare That night in Hadingtoun she subscribed divers remissions for my Lord Murray and his dependers lamenting unto me the King's folly ungratitude and misbehaviour I excused the same the best I could imputing it to his youth which occasioned him to be easily led away by pernicious Councel laying the blame upon George Duglas and other bad Councellors praying her Majesty for many necessary considerations to remove out of her mind any prejudice against him seeing that she had chosen him her self against the opinion of many of her Subjects But I could perceive nothing from that day forth but great grudges that she entertained in her heart That night in Hadingtoun the King inquired of me if the Lord of Murray had written to him I answered That his Letter to the Queen was written in haste and that he esteemed the Queen and him but one He said he might have also written to me Then he enquired what was become of Mortoun Ruthven and the rest of that Company I told him I believed they were fled but I knew not whither As they have Brewed says he so let them drink It appeared to me that he was troubled he had deserted them finding the Queens favour but cold The next day they came to Edinbrugh and lodged within the Castle where some were apprehended and executed who had been in the Court of the Palace and had kept the Gates that night wherein Rixio was slain Her Majesty was now far gone with Child and went to Sterling intending to lye in there Thither the King followed her and from that to Allway At length she came back to the Castle of Edinbrugh It was thought that she fled from the King's company I travelled earnestly to help matters betwixt them and was therein so importunate that I was thought troublesome So that her Majesty desired my Lord of Murray to reprove me and charge me not to be any more familiar with the King Who went up and down all alone seeing few durst bear him company He was misliked by the Queen and by all such as secretly favoured the late banished Lords So that it was a great pity to see that good young Prince cast off who failed rather for want of good Counsel and Experience then from any bad inclinations It appeared to be fatal to him to like better of flatterers and ill Company then plain speakers and good Men Which hath been the wrack of many Princes who by frequenting good Company would have proved gallant Men. About this time the Queen of England was taken with a great Fever that none believed she could live All that Kingdom was thereby in great perplexity But a strange thing is to be marked that two contrary Factions there had both determined unknown to other to send for our Queen and set the Crown of England upon her head My Brother Sir Robert Melvil was then Ambassadour there resident and I served in place of Secretary here at home because Secretary Lidingtoun was absent under some suspicion He sent home continual advertisements how to proceed and I again returned the answers at her Majesties direction Now began the Earl of Rothvel to be in great favour to the great dissatisfaction of many He and the Earl of Huntly and the Bishop of Rosse envied the favour that the Queen shewed unto the Earl of Murray for they were upon contrary courses The Queen on the other hand knew how generally he was well liked of both in England and Scotland and that she would be the better liked of in both Kingdoms that she shewed favour to him And as she resolved to follow the former advice and information sent her by Sir Nicholas Throgmorton so she forgat not the late help he had made her at his home-coming These two Earls with the foresaid Bishop took occasion when the time of her Majesties delivery drew near to perswade her to imprison my Lord of Murray to remain no longer then she should be delivered alledging that they were assuredly advertised that he and his dependers were resolved to bring in the banished Lords even at the very time of her Child-bearing For they thought if once he were warded they should find devices enough to cause him be kept and disgraced especially when he should be absent and not have opportunity of answering and resisting their Calumnies Whereof her Majesty gave me an accompt desiring me to mind her of their secret designs against Murray without any just cause flowing only from their own hatred who had devised his ruine The Earl of Mortoun was now in a hard condition though many of the Barons of Lauthran were his friends they could be little stedable to him Among the rest the Laird of Elphingstoun my Brother-in-law whose Mother was a Duglas of the House of Whittengem Upon accompt of this friendship the Earl of Mortoun caused to write unto my Sister the Lady Elphingstoun desiring her to perswade me to write in his favours to the Elector Palatine and other Princes of my acquaintance in Germany to suffer him to live in their Country For my Brother by her Majesties direction pressed the Queen of England to put them forth of her Kingdoms And
they behoved to secure her and when that time came that she should be known to abandon and detest the Earl Bothwel it would be then time to reason upon the matter Grange was yet so angry that had it not been for the Letter he had instantly left them and for the next best he used all possible diligence to make her and them both quit of the said Earl causing to make ready two Ships to follow after him who had fled to the Castle of Dumbar and from thence to Sheatland In the mean time her Majesty sent a Letter to the Laird of Grange lamenting her hard usage and shewing him that promises had been broken to her Whereunto he answered that he had already reproached the Lords for the same who shewed unto him a Letter sent by her unto the Earl of Bothwel promising among many other fair and comfortable words never to abandon or forget him which had stopped his mouth marvelling that her Majesty considered not that the said Earl could never be her Lawful Husband being so lately before married with another whom he had deserted without any just ground although he had not been so hated for the murther of the King her Husband And therefore he requested her Majesty to put him clean out of mind seeing otherwise she could never get the love or respect of her Subjects nor have that obedience payed her which otherwise she might expect It contained many other loving and humble admonitions which made her bitterly to weep For she could not do that so hastily which process of time might have accomplished Now the Laird of Grange his two Ships being in readiness he made sail toward Orkney and no man was so frank to accompany him as the Laird of Tullibardin and Adam Bothwel Bishop of Orkny but the Earl was fled from Orkny to Sheatland whither also they followed him and came in sight of Bothwel's Ship which moved the Laird of Grange to cause the Skipper to hoise up all the Sails which they were loath to do because they knew the shallow water thereabout but Grange fearing to miss him compelled the Marriners so that for too great haste the Ship wherein Grange was did break upon a Bed of Sand without loss of a man but Bothwel had leasure in the mean time to save himself in a little Boat leaving his Ship behind him which Grange took and therein the Laird of Fallow Iohn Hepburn of Bautoun Dalgleesh and divers others of the Earl's Servants Himself fled to Denmark where he was taken and kept in wrait Prison wherein he became mad and dyed miserably But Grange came back again with Bothwel's Ship and Servants who were the first who gave information of the manner of the murther which the Lords thought fit to let the King of France understand and of their diligence according to the promise made by them My Lord of Murray had obtained liberty to pass unto France shortly after the murther of the King for he did foresee the great trouble like to ensue The rest of the Lords enterprisers after they had secured the Queen in Lochleven began to consult how to get her Majesty counselled to demit the Government to the Prince her Son and for that effect they dealt first with my Brother Sir Robert because he was sometimes allowed access to her Majesty And after that he had refused flatly to meddle in that matter they were minded to send the Lord Lindsay first to use fair perswasions and in case he could not speed that way they were resolved to enter in harder tearms The Earls of Athol Mar and Secretary Lidingtoun and the Laird of Grange who loved her Majesty advised my Brother to tell her the verity and how that any thing she did in Prison could not prejudge her being once again at liberty He answered he would give no such advice as coming from himself but he should tell it as the opinion of those he knew to be her true friends But she refused utterly to follow that advice till she heard that the Lord Lindsay was at the new House at the shore coming in and in a very boasting humour And then she yielded to the necessity of the time and told my Brother that she would not strive with them seeing it could do her no harm when she was at liberty So at my Lord Lindsay's coming she subscribed the signature of Renunciation and Demission of the Government to the Prince and certain Lords named in the said signature to be Regents to the Prince and Country her Majesty desiring my Lord Murray who was absent in France to be the first Regent This being past the Lords concluded to Crown the Prince and sent Letters to France to the Earl of Murray to come home In the mean time there were a number of Lords convened at Hamiltoun as my Lord Hamiltoun my Lord Pasby Iohn Hamiltoun Bishop of St. Andrews my Lord Fleeming Boid and divers others to whom the Lords who were to Crown the Prince would have sent me Commissioner Which Commission at the first I refused but afterwards I accepted thereof at the advice of Secretary Lidingtoun the Laird of Grange and other secret favourers of the Queen who judged it very fit that the whole Country should bejoined together in quietness fearing that in case Civil Wars entred among them it might endanger her Majesties life For it was judged that those who were at Hamiltoun appeared to lean to the Queen At my coming to Hamiltoun I told them my Commission in the name of the other Lords how that the King being murthered all neighbour Nations cryed out upon the whole Kingdom but especially the King of France and the Queen of England sollicited them to inquire after and punish the murtherers How that they had found that it was the Earl of Bothwel and some of them who had assisted him who were punished And what was past since thereupon was known to the whole Country That the Queens Majesty had demitted over the Government to the Prince her Son whom they were minded to Crown shortly whereof they thought fit to warn all the Nobility as being resolved to prejudge no Nobleman of his Rights Titles or Prerogatives requesting them who were there Convened to come to Sterling and be present at the said Coronation for retaining their own priviledges the peace and quiet of the whole Country Some of the younger Lords answered and said that they would not believe that the Queens Majesty had demitted the Government and if she had done it it would be found for to save her life But the Bishop who had more experience then they reproved them and said that those Noblemen had dealt very reasonably and discreetly with them so he drew the rest aside to advise and then returned and gave me this answer We are beholden to the Noblemen who have sent you with that friendly and discreet Commission and following their desire we are ready to concur with them if they give us sufficient security
diligence and another from the Earl of Arran intreating me to accompany him from Kinneal to the Court But I went to His Majesty strait whither also the said Earl came that same night For he had procured liberty to return again to Court and remain about His Majesty At my coming to Sterling I had intelligence from a very sure hand That the said Lords were already at the entry of the Borders assisted by my Lord Hamiltoun my Lord Maxwel my Lord Bothwel my Lord Hume and sundry others who had not formerly joined with them Also the Earl of Athol the Laird of Tillibardine Buccleugh Cesfoord Coudingknows Drumlanrick and others who were in greatest credit about His Majesty were to join with them at their in-coming Whereof I advertised His Majesty and Colonel Stuart who undertook to ride unto the Borders and overthrow them before they were wholly Convened together which might very probably have been effectuated if the design had not been craftily disappointed by such as were about His Majesty who appeared to set forward the Colonel's enterprise to please His Majesty and to conquer credit saying They would write to Coudinknows Buccleugh Cesfoord and such others to assist him Whom they knew to be upon the contrary Faction already so that the design of scattering them was rendered by that Craft ineffectual And because I perceived the crasty intention and that they feared I would therewith acquaint His Majesty they caused His Majesty to send me a forged Errand to Dunkel that they might the better bring their purpose to pass without any contradiction The pretext of my Commission was to cause the Earl of Athol to stay at home and not to join with the Lords who were to come shortly to Sterling And by the way I was to deliver a Letter to the Baylies of St. Johnstoun to be upon their Guards and not to suffer any of the King's Enemies to come within their Town The Bayliffs inquired of me what if the Earl of Athol and Master of Gray would desire to come within their Town I said They might let themselves enter with Ten in Company but no more They alledged That their Letter specified not that I told them That was committed to me by mouth the Conclusion of my Letter willing them to credit me When I came to Dunkel I knew that the Earl of Athol would not stay for me who had a Thousand Men in readiness to take the Town of St. Johnstoun and to come thence to Sterling with the Master of Gray who was yet with him But however I told him that the Collonel Stuart was gone with Forces to defeat the Lords at their entry into the Country before they might be joined together And that therefore he would do well to lye at home till he might understand the issue of the said enterprise If that took effect it would be folly to him to march forward and if it did not succeed he might do as his heart served him He thought this Counsel good desiring me to write unto His Majesty for a License to him and his to remain at home which I did In the mean time the Master of Gray was sent for to Court the Ports of the Town of Pearth being refused to his Men who were come out of Angus to assist him At his returning to Court he was as great with His Majesty as ever he was remaining with him within the Castle of Sterling Where there were two Factions who discovered themselves so soon as they saw the Malecontents and banished Lords draw near unto the Town of Sterling Whither they came to the number of Three Thousand and entred unto the Town without stop His Majesty inclined most to the Faction who brought in the said Lords who advised His Majesty to send some down to the Town to Commune and Compound matters Which was at length Agreed upon and Concluded That His Majesty should remain in their hands that no rigour should be used to those who were about him So that those who were mediators appeared to be good Instruments and stayers of Blood-shed For Arran was escaped and fled at their first entry But Colonel Stuart only with Ten or Twelve gave them such a charge in the midst of the narrow part of the Town that a little more help might have put them in great disorder For the most part of their South-land Men were busie spoiling Horse and Goods The Lords when they came into His Majesty's presence fell down upon their knees humbly begging pardon Adding That the hard handling by Arran and other partial Persons about His Majesty had compelled them upon plain necessity and for their last refuge to take the boldness to come in Arms for the surety of their Lives and Lands being ever humbly minded to serve His Majesty and obey him The King again like a Prince full of Courage and Magnanimity spoke unto them pertly and boastingly as though he had been Victorious over them calling them Traitours and their enterprise plain Treason Yet said he in respect of your necessity and in hope of your good behaviour in time-coming he should remit their faults And the rather because they had used no vengeance nor cruelty at their in-coming In the mean time His Majesty committed and recommended the keeping of the Earls of Montrose and Crauford unto my Lord Hamiltoun And the keeping of Colonel Stuart unto my Lord Maxwel These three were for a time in some danger because they had too violently espoused Arran's interest The rest of His Majesty's Servants were over-lookt Sir Robert my Brother and his Son were both courteously used This moderate behaviour of the Lords conquered daily more and more favour from His Majesty They pressing him in nothing but by humble Intercession of such as formerly had his Ear. A Parliament was proclaimed at Lithgow for their restitution whither His Majesty was convoyed to pass his time at Hunting thereby to Recreat his Spirits Many Noblemen and others were written for to come unto the said Parliament Among the rest the Earl of Athol to whom I had been sent and with whom I was at the Lords coming to Sterling Where I was waiting upon an answer from His Majesty of the Letter which the Earl of Athol had desired me to write as said is When I came to kiss His Majesty's hand I was gladly made welcome His Majesty alledging That I was Corbie's Messenger I answered That my absence with the Earl of Athol had saved all my own Horse and the Town of St. Iohnstoun untaken and had kept the said Earl from assisting with the rest So that if those who had remained at Sterling with him had kept the South as well as I had done the North their Horse had been safe as well as mine was His Majesty said That God had turned all to the best For he had been before made believe that he would be in danger of his life in case these Noblemen had ever any more power about him And yet though
for his greater security where there were divers new enterprises made whereof my Brother Sir Robert getting frequent advertisements sometimes to keep his Lodging such a night sometimes to be well accompanied such a night as being one who had done pleasures to many and was not hated nor would never have been in danger so that he could but save himself from the first fury of the attempters This hath been the hard estate of this good King occasioned by his laying the burthen of his Affairs upon a few hated and envied for their Ambition Covetousness and Partialities who so soon as they had attained so weighty a charge took only care how to make themselves soon rich most commonly by the wrack of others So blindly transported by ambition and greediness that they neglected both King and Common-Wealth satisfying the King with fair language though displeasing the Country with foul deeds caring only how to discredit and bear down so many honest men as they knew would discover their misbehaviour or who would oppose them in their pernicious designs which I may justly testifie for my part Not long after this a new enterprise was made to make a great alteration in Court by some Courtiers among themselves When as the Master of Glams was Treasurer Sir George Hume Master of the Wardrobe my Lord of Spinze Gentleman of the Chamber and young Logie also Sir John Maitland Lord Thirlstane Chancellour Sir Robert my Brother Treasurer depute had the principal handling of the Office by disbursing and receiving the Provost of Lincludin Collector and Seatoun of Parbroth Controller Sir Richard Cockburn of Clarkingtoun Secretary and I was one of the Privy Council and Gentleman of her Majesties Chamber my Lord Duke of Lennox my Lord Hume and my Lord of Mar were drawn upon this course to reform the abuses at Court as was alledged There was no good liking between the Master of Glams and my Lord of Spiny chiefly for the feud between the Houses of Crauford and Glams At that time my Lord Spiny was in great favour with his Majesty and sometime his Bed-fellow And upon that accompt he was envied And besides the foresaid feud he was accused to have been a dealer with the Earl of Bothwel and upon that was for a time decourted Young Logie was also thought to have had much dealing with the said Earl and was accused taken and warded for the same But he escaped out of a Window in Dalkieth by the help of a Danish Gentlewoman whom he afterward married There was great hatred betwixt my Lord Duke and the Chancellour For after the late enterprise in the Abby the Chancellour caused close up the passage with Stone and Lime that was betwixt their Lodgings whereby he gave the Duke to understand that he suspected him which was too rashly done by the said Chancellour For after that the new alteration was intended and called the enterprise made at Dalkieth my Lord Duke and my Lord Hume riding from Dalkieth to Edinburgh met the Chancellour well accompanied riding to Court where the said Lords made a mint to set upon him to slay him yet the matter was at that time taken up by Alexander Hoom of North-Berwick and my Brother Sir Robert who were in company with the Chancellour for the time But shortly after that the Chancellour left the Court retiring himself to his House and in his absence a great number of faults were charged upon him and among the rest how he had so long hindered the King's marriage whereby the Queens Majesty was made his great Enemy The Master of Glams also would fain have had my Brother out of his Office to brook the whole Office of Treasurer alone Therefore the Laird of Carmichall Captain of the Guard was easily perswaded to cause a number of the Guard who stood with Culverins at the Gates of the House of Dalkieth to boast to slay my said Brother divers times in his passing in and out of the same house supposing that my Brother should fear his Life and leave the Court as the Chancellour had done But my Brother made no accompt of their boasts for he knew the Duke was his friend and that he had but few enemies Therefore he frequented the Court more frequently then formerly but came always well accompanied for they could get nothing to lay to his charge but said to his Majesty that he was too lavish in his Office to be a Treasurer over easie in his Compositions and over gentle to such as were denounced to the horn The Queens Majesty according to her custom whenever she understands that his Majesty by wrong information is stirred up against any honest Servant or Subject she incontinently intercedes for them and useth great diligence to get sure knowledge of the verity that she may the boldlier speak in their savour Therefore so soon as her Majesty understood that they were dealing against Sir Robert my Brother it pleased her to speak far in his favour declaring how that at her first Landing in this Country his Majesty had presented him to her praising him as one who had been a true and faithful Servant to the Queen Regent his Grand-mother to the Queen his Mother and to himself willing her to look upon him as such and to follow his advice Also many of the Lords took my Brother's part in such sort as he still kept the Court and his Office When this alteration was made I was absent and at my coming again to Court his Majesty told me of the Chancellour's fearful retreat and that he was in no danger in his company I answered again that the Prince's presence should be a safeguard albeit it was not always so in Scotland It appeared that his Majesty was somewhat altered upon the Chancellour my Lord Spiny and my Brother For as the Master of Glams would have had his Office so others misliked him because he haunted the Chancellour's company and was lookt upon as his great friend who was generally hated So that his Majesty was moved to think and say that he was not meet for his Office I being present answered That it grieved me to the heart to hear and see so good a Prince always invironed with bad company causing him so oft without reason or offence to cast off his most faithful Servants and that it would be seen let men serve never so well if they were misrepresented by such as had his Ear it availed nothing To this His Majesty replied That he knew my Brother to be a true Servant but too gentle liberal and easie in his Compositions he declared that he would never alter upon him nor me so that he continued constant against the intentions of those who were about him Here it may be seen how necessary it is to have good friends about the Prince and how hurtful and dangerous it is for a Courtier when such as have the Prince's Ear are his Enemies For in that case whatsoever his good Service hath been he is in
hazard of being couped and wracked About this time the Earl of Arran who had been absent ever since the Road of Sterling came to Court and spoke with his Majesty and pretended to have obtained again his Office of Chancellour His Majesty had still some favour for him and would have been content of his company But others held him back and shortly after that he was surprised and slain by James Douglas of Park-head in revenge of the death of the Earl of Mortoun his Uncle Little diligence was made to revenge the same many thinking strange that he was permitted so long to live in respect of his arrogant and insolent behaviour when he had the Court at his will Now the Chancellour who was decourted at the alteration made in Dalkieth did what he could to procure his Majesties favour which at last he obtained and was again introduced But at first the Queen would not see him yet at length by the moyan of Sir Robert Ker of Cesfoord who had married his Brother's Daughter his peace was also made with her Majesty About this time there did arise great strife and disorders in the Country between the Earls of Huntly and Murray between the Earls of Caithness and Sunderland between my Lords Hamiltoun and Angus for divers of them had made suits and obtained Commissions with ample Priviledges over others Lands as well as over their own which ingendred many discords Whereof I advertised his Majesty that order might be taken therewith Whereupon the Council being Convened they ordered Letters to be directed in his Majesties name charging them all to desist from Hostility and to compear before the Privy-Council at prefixed days First the Earls of Murray and Huntly compeared there being a Gentleman of the name of Gordoun killed with a shot out of the house of Tarnua by the Earl of Murray Both the parties being come strong to Court were commanded to keep their Lodgings for preventing of trouble before their compearing When his Majesty was advised by the Chancellour what to do in reference to that matter then his Majesty proposed the same to the Council to wit three points either present Agreement to be made or Warding both the Earls or Caution to be taken of both then to send home the one and hold the other still at Court for a while His Majesty following forth this proposition declared first That the parties could not be agreed because of the hot blood of the Laird of Cluny Gordoun's Brother lately slain Concerning Warding he alledged That the Castle of Edinburgh had enough of Prisoners already that the Abby was not a fit Prison for Noblemen So that it would be fittest to take Caution of them both and to hold them sundry to send home the one and retain the other at Court for a season The Chancellour was of that opinion and sundry others who used to depend upon such who had the chief handling Then his Majesty commanded me to tell my Opinion which was different from this I advised present agreement supposing that the Earl of Huntly for his Majesties pleasure and in obedience to his command would not refuse to compound the matter by a present up-taking seeing he was come so great a journy with his Lady and whole Houshold to remain all Winter at Edinburgh At this the Chancellour took me up tantingly saying that the Earl of Huntly would tarry at Court all that day till to morrow and would part no sooner for he had promised to the said Earl that advantage over his Enemy albeit I knew the Earl's intention was to tarry all Winter at Court The Justice Clark was of my judgment but said that it appeared his Majesty with the Chancellour had already concluded to send Huntly home and keep the other at Court So soon as Huntly went home wanting his competitor he triumphed and took sundry advantages upon the Earl of Murray's Land giving the Earl just occasion of complaint and getting no redress he retired himself from the Court and became so malecontent that he took plain part with the Earl of Bothwel who was still upon his enterprises The Earl of Huntly being advertised that his Adversary was an Out-law with the Earl of Bothwel he returned again to Court to get yet some advantage upon him But in the mean time the Lord Ochiltrie endeavoured to agree them by consent of his Majesty He drew the Earl of Murray to Dunibirsil to be near hand that Conditions and Articles might be added and paired at the pleasure of their friends The Earl of Huntly being also made privy to his coming to Dunibirsil obtained incontinently a Commission appearing therein to do his Majesty acceptable Service to pursue by Fire and Sword the Earl of Bothwel and all his partakers Little knew his Majesty that under this general he was minded to assail the Earl of Murray at his own house to kill him as he did to the regret of many But the Lord Ochiltrie took such a despight that his friend was so slain under communing as he alledged that he took plain part with the Earl of Bothwel and so did divers others in revenge of his quarrel incouraging the said Earl to assail his Majesty within his Palace of Falkland having divers in Court familiar enough with his Majesty upon the said conspiracy with him whose Council his Majesty followed most So that they drew him into a Net to abide still in Falkland notwithstanding of the many sure advertisements that had been made unto him Such hath been his Majesty's hard fortune in many such straits The few number who were faithful to and careful of his Majesty counselled him after the first advertisement to pass the Coupar and Convene with all possible diligence the Barons of Fiffe for his defence But such as sought his wrack persuaded him to tarry and delay alledging that they had sure advertisement that the Earl of Lauthian would not come out of Lauthian till such a day which would have been two days longer and behind the day which he kept for he came to Falkland two days sooner This advice was given that his Majesty might be surprised before he could either enter within the Tower of Falkland or be provided with any forces to defend him And because they knew my Brother and me to be careful for him they advised his Majesty to send us home to our houses that same night that we understood the Earl of Bothwel would be there and had so told his Majesty but he believed his abusers better We gave his Majesty counsel to ride quietly to Bambrigh that there he might when he pleased take a Boat and go over to Angus where he would have leisure to Convene the Towns of Pearth and Dundie and the Country thereabouts But this advice was also overthrown by those who were upon the contrary part Thus we being commanded by his Majesty to ride home and to warn the Country in case he were besieged within the Tower we obeyed My Brother that
Heresies and that it was fit that timously he should prevent the spreading thereof seeing the same would contribute much for his advantage while he might enrich himself by their Estates the names of whom they gave up in a sheet of Paper Which the King put in his Pocket thinking it a very profitable Proposition and therefore with all diligence to be executed The Laird of Grange had been lately made Treasurer and was in great favour with the King He had not yet discovered himself to be a Favourer of the Evangel but the King esteemed him true and desirous to advance his profit and very secret therefore he thought fit to make him privy to this profitable Overture He shewed unto him the written Roll of the Noblemen and Barons names who were given up to be burnt for Heresie telling him what great advantage he would make thereby Whereat the Laird of Grange began to smile and the King to enquire whereat he did laugh The Treasurer desired liberty from his Majesty to tell him the truth Whereat the King drew out his Sword saying merrily to him I shall slay thee if thou speak against my profit Then he put up his Sword commanding him to shew him what reasons he could alledge against the Prelats Proposition The Treasurer declared what troubles his Majesty had been tossed in during his Minority for the Government first between the Queen his Mother and the Lords then betwixt divers Factions of the Lords How that he had been couped from hand to hand sometimes kept against his will as Captive sometimes besieged sometimes brought to battle against his will by the Duglasses to fight against the Earl of Lenox and his best Friends who were slain coming to relieve him the Prelates being Partners for their ambition sometimes with one Faction sometimes with another And how that they could never agree among themselves nor let his Majesty take rest until the Duke of Albany was chosen Governour and brought out of France who had enough to do also For he would have fain done pleasure to France and raised a great many Scotchmen to enter into England who were making Wars in France but he got a rebuke when he when he was at the Border for they would march no further Alledging that the King was but young and Sister Son to King Henry That they saw no reason to enter into War with England to endanger their King and Country to serve France being the King his Father had to no purpose lost his life in their quarrel having entered into England with an Army against his good Brother whereby the whole Country was endangered After that this Duke retired himself your Majesty took the Government in your own hands at the Age of 13 years Yet they clapped again about you and kept you two years as captive And now you are but lately come to your liberty and your Country is not yet so well setled as were needful Albeit your Majesty hath done very much in so short space as to settle the Highland Islands and the Borders It were a dangerous thing if your Nobility should get intelligence that such greedy Fetches should be put in your head under pretext of Heresie to spoil them of their Lives Lands and Goods Wherein you may endanger your own Estate at the instance of these whose Estates are in peril who would hazard you and yours to save their own The Prelates I mean who fear that your Majesty at the example of the King of England of Denmark and several Princes of the Empire will make the like reformation among them Therefore they have no will of your familiarity with the King of England nor that your Estate should be so setled that your Majesty might put order to the abuses of the Kirk Did not one of your Predecessors called S. David give the most part of the Patrimony of the Crown to the Kirk erecting the same into Bishopricks and rich Abbacies Whereby your Majesty is presently so poor and the Prelates so rich so prodigal so proud that they will suffer nothing to be done without them And are also so sworn to the Pope of Rome when they get their Benefices confirmed that they ought not to be credited in any thing that toucheth the Popes Profit or Preferment The Venetians the wisest people in Europe will not suffer any Prelate albeit he be a born man of the Town to abide or stand in their Council-house when they are at Council because they know them to be so strictly sworn to the Pope Then he declared the gross abuses of the Roman Kirk and the ungodly lives of the Scots Prelates which the King and whole Country might see Therefore saith he if your Majesty would be well and be rich you may justly take home again to the profit of the Crown all vacan Benefices by little and little as they may fall by decease of every Prelate He told his Majesty anent his promise to the Ambassador of England there would come great trouble and Wars if it were not kept For King Henry VIII was a couragious Prince and high conceited and appeared to have for the Time an upright meaning his occasions pressing him thereto Having so great turns in hand and so many enemies without succession saving the foresaid Daughter Being corpulent and fat there was small hopes of his having any heirs That therefore it was his interest to be in a good understanding with him being his eldest Sisters Son nearest of blood and ablest to maintain and unite the whole Isle of Britain As for the retaining King James I. in England that was a far different case it was not the like time he was not the Kings Sisters Son nor his apparent heir And what hard success the King his Father had for making War against the King of England his good Brother was too manifestly felt by the whole Subjects And little better to be looked for in case a new unnecessary War be made for your Majesties staying away from the intended Meeting at York The King took such delight in this language that he determined to follow the advice given therein And at his first meeting with the Prelates who had then very great rule in the Country he could not contain himself any longer when they came hoping to see their Plots put in execution After many sore reproofs that they should have advised him to use such cruelty upon so many Noble men and Barons to the peril of his own Estate Wherefore said he gave my Predecessors so many Lands and Rents to the Kirk Was it to maintain Haulks Dogs and Whores to a number of idle Priests The King of England burns the King of Denmark beheads you I shall stick you with this Whingar And therewith he drew out his Dagger and they fled from his presence in great fear The King resolved fully to keep his promise with his Uncle the King of England thinking it both his honour and advancement so to do The Prelates of
him to be poisoned having learned that Art in Italy called an Italian Possit The Cardinal David Beaton was with his Majesty in the time of his death and caused to be written the Form of a Testament at his own pleasure being dictated by himself which upon that reason was afterward annulled The King of England could not forget this injury and displeasure done him of the Kings breaking of his promise He was much troubled at his death his Wars were rather to have moved the Estates of Scotland to know that his favour and friendship had been better for them than his feud He was still in hope to have gained him with consent and advice of the best of his Subjects to have joined in a Bond Offensive and Defensive For he had received information of the Kings worthy qualities and rare natural endowments and entertained a marvellous great love and liking of him Thinking he could not have left the Kingdom in a better hand than to his own Sisters Son nearest in bloud unto him and meetest of any to build up a fair Monarchy to be first begun in a manner in his own person In respect that for his time which he looked would be but short his Nephew would have been but his Coadjutor and Lieutenant under him and after him possess the whole under one Religion one Law and one Head And thought that thereby France should never afterward have the occasion of stirring up the one Country against the other and that the Pope should be secluded from gathering up such sums of Silver from his Subjects for Confirmation of Benefices or for Bulls or Dispensations For his wrath and vengeance against the Pope was exceeding great who had made him many promises and had broken them all fearing as said is to offend the Emperour who was so great and mighty a Prince Therefore the King of England seeing he had now altogether lost the hopes of the Scots alliance and concurrence he compelled the Gentlemen of England to exchange their Lands with the Lands of Abbies Cloisters and other Temple Lands giving them more than their own that so the said Lands should never return to the Kirk without a manifest Rebellion or a dangerous subversion of the whole state of the Kingdom And to be revenged upon the said Cardinal David Beaton who he thought had disappointed him of all the hope he had of Scotland he dealt with Sir George Douglass and the Earl of Angus who were but lately returned out of England where they had resided during the time of their banishment till the death of King James V. These two Brothers appearing to be of the Reformed Religion persuaded Norman Lesly Master of Rothes the young Laird of Grange and John Lesly of Parkhill who had been persecuted by the said Cardinal for Religion after he had taken their Preacher Mr. George Wishard and burnt him at St. Andrews These I say were easily stirred up to slay him whom they were persuaded to be an Enemy to the true Religion to the welfare of the Country and to themselves in particular This proud Cardinal was slain then in his Castle at S. Andrews and so ended all his practices having obtained nothing but vain travel for his pretences and sudden death Having been the occasion of the death of a worthy King who was inclined to Justice and gave no credit to his Officers in their two special points to reward and punish For whoever did him good service he would see them rewarded yea albeit they chanced to be absent and as to punishing of Evil Doers so soon as he had heard the complaint he leapt upon his Horse and did ride to the parties himself with a few company ere they could be aware of him and he would see sharp execution So that he was deservedly both loved and feared He was very couragious well favoured and shapen of a middle stature very able of body But evil company fell about him entering out of Child-hood into furious Youth enticing him to Harlotry striving who should spie out for him the fairest Maidens and likewise at length mens Wives with them he abused his body to the offence of God and divers good Subjects For which he was not left unpunished for he had but two young Sons and they died both within eleven hours so that at his decease he had but one Daughter called Mary born when he was upon his Death-bed King Henry VIII of England having onely one Son called Edward he and the Estates of both Countries desiring still this whole Isle of Britain to be united in one Monarchy made a contract of marriage between the said two which was afterward broken upon our part her Majesty being transported unto France by the West Seas Whereupon ensued great War between the two Kingdoms which was afterwards agreed upon this condition that Edward should marry Elizabeth eldest Daughter to Henry II. of France and Francis his Son should marry our Queen My Lord Hamilton was advanced to the Government of the Country by the Laird of Grange Treasurer Mr. Henry Balnears and others that were of the Reformed Religion whenas he appeared to be a true Gospeller But he had been afterward soon altered by the Abbot of Pasly his Bastard-brother and became a great Persecuter of Gods Word and had been by the persuasions of the said Abbot and Cardinal easily drawn to break the said Contract of Marriage made between King Edward and our Queen After that the young Queen came to France there was great disputing whether the Marriage with the Dauphine should take effect or not For at that time there were two Factions in the French Court first the Brethren to the House of Guise as the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorrain brothers to our Queen Dowager and uncles to our young Queen Mary pressed earnestly to set forward the said Marriage with France the old Constable Duke of Montmorancy was of opinion that it was meetest to give her in marriage to some Duke or Prince in France and to send them both home to Scotland to keep that Country in good obedience Because when Princes are absent and far from their own ruling their Countries by Lieutenants most commonly the Subjects of such Countries use to rebel which if Scotland should do it would be hard and costly to get them reduced And thereby in stead of making France the better of the Marriage with the Dauphin it might make it to be in a far worse case The House of Guise again desiring to have their Sisters Daughter Queen of France to augment their reputation and credit alledged it would be both honourable and profitable to the Crown of France to have this addition And that there were Revenues in abundance to maintain Garrisons within the Kingdom to hold the Subjects under obedience building Citadels and having the whole strength in their hands Herein they prevailed she being married unto the Dauphine John de Monluck Bishop of Valence was sent Ambassador from France
became effectual he having been at last induced to resign the Government into the Queens hands who thereupon was declared Regent The Protestants were thus at this time her best friends and by the diligent preaching of the Preachers they were increased to so great a number that she judged it would prove a dangerous and difficult matter to compel them to desert their Principles But the instructions which Bettancourt brought to her and to Monsieur Dosel Lieutenant in Scotland for the King of France and to all others who had greatest credit about her Majesty were so strict and mixed with some threatnings that she determined to follow them She therefore issued out a Proclamation a little before Easter commanding every man great and small to observe the Roman Catholick Religion to resort daily to the Mass that all should make Confession in the ear of a Priest and receive the Sacrament By word of mouth she acquainted several of the Protestant Lords that they behoved to desert their Principles she shewed to them the Commission that was sent her out of France and the danger that would follow thereupon if not obeyed When the Nobility and States of the Country perceived her to be in earnest finding themselves also threat'ned by Monsieur Dosel they left the Court And consulting together what was meetest for them to do they sent unto her Majesty the Earl of Argile and Lord James Prior of St. Andrews to shew her Majesty in name and behalf of the rest how that they had been permitted by her Majesty to keep their own Ministers of a long time sometimes secretly and sometimes openly That by her tolerance their Religion had taken such root and the number of the Protestants so increased that it was a vain hope to believe they could be put from their Religion seeing they were resolved as soon to part with their lives as to recant The Queen Regent did as much dis-relish this kind of Language as they had done her Proclamation so that she began to persecute and they to stand to their own defence binding themselves together under the name of the Congregation Therefore they brake down Images Kirks and Cloisters The Queen Regent sent to France advertising her Daughter and her Husband of these disorders requiring help and Forces to suppress this in time or else all would be lost Declaring that she had ground of fear that my Lord James Prior of St. Andrews natural Son to James the Fifth would under pretext of this new Religion usurp the Crown of Scotland and pluck it clean away from the Queen her Daughter unless sudden remedy were applied thereto Upon this advertisement some of the Council of France advised presently to raise a great Army for reducing of Scotland but the Constable counselled the King whose Pensioner I was for the time to send me unto Scotland The King first gave me his Commission by word of mouth and then the Constable his chief Councellor directed me at length in his Majesty's presence as followeth Your Native Queen saith he is married here in France unto the Dauphine and the King is informed by the Cardinal of Lorrain that a Bastard Son to James fifth called Prior de St. Andre pretends under colour of Religion to usurp the Kingdom unto himself his Majesty knows that I was ever against the said marriage fearing thereby to make our old Friends our new Enemies as is like to come to pass this day But I gave too great place to the House of Guise to deal in the affairs of Scotland because the Queen Regent is their Sister But now seeing their violent proceedings are like to occasion the loss of the Kingdom of Scotland I must needs meddle and put to my helping hand as having better experience of the nature of that Nation then apparently they have I assure you that the King is resolved to hazard his Crown and all that he hath rather then that your Queen be robbed of her right seeing she is now married unto his Son And he resolves to send an Army to Scotland for that effect though he would gladly shun the trouble thereof if it were possible For now after his Majesty hath had Wars long enough with his old Enemies and hath agreed with them upon very rational considerations he is loath to enter again into a new unnecessary War with his old Friends Seeing there is probable ground of conjecture that it is not their default but that the same is occasioned by the harsh usage they meet with I hear that Monsieur Dosel is cholerick hasty and too passionate Such are not qualified to rule over remote and form'd Countries I have also intelligence that the Queen Regent hath not kept all things promised unto them The King my Master is not so rash as readily to believe that Scotland who had kept so long Friendship with France would now so slightly break their old band and abandon their duty to their Lawful Prince The King is well acquainted with the inconveniencies which may arise upon so distant and beyond-Sea Wars He knows what charge it is to furnish out Ships which perchance may be thrice victualled e're they make Sail by reason of contrary Winds and that your Seas are very dangerous The Marquess de Albuiff was driven upon the Coast of Norway when he thought to have landed in Scotland so that his Voyage did no good though his preparations for the same was very expensive Though our Army were well landed in Scotland how oft might they stand in need of supply when we by reason of these and several the like difficulties will not be able to help them whereof we have too good experience when Monsieur de Lorge was there I have brought you up from a Child I understand that you are come of an honourable Family I have assured the King that I have had good proof of your honesty so that his Majesty is well minded toward you at whose hand I hope you shall deserve a good reward this is a Commission of a far greater importance then that which Betancourt carried For the King will stay or send his Army according to your report Give it out that you are only come home to visit your Friends Let neither the Queen Regent nor Dosel know of your Commission wherein you are implored by the King who is now your best Master First try diligently and perfectly well whether the said Prior pretends to usurp the Crown of Scotland to himself or if he be moved to take Arms only for Conscience sake in defence of his Religion himself his dependants and associates Next try what promises are broken to him and them by whom and at whose instance Thirdly if they desire another Lieutenant in place of Dosel If it be only Religion that moves them we must commit Scots-mens Souls unto God for we have difficulty enough to rule the Consciences of French-men It is the obedience due unto their Lawful Queen with the Body that the King desires If
any promise be made to them and not kept the King nor I are not to be blamed If they desire any other Lieutenant in place of Dosel the King will send one who I hope shall please them After that the Constable had ended his instructions the King laid his hand upon my shoulder and said do as may Cousin hath directed you and I shall reward you So I kissed his Majesty's hand and taking my leave I went through England and found the Queen Regent within the old Tower of Falkland Because that same day her Army under Duke Hamilton and Monsieur Dosel was ranged in battel upon Couper Moor against the Lords of the Congregation at what time her Majesty made a hard complaint unto me of her disobedient Subjects And even as I was speaking with her the Duke and Monsieur Dosel returned from the said Moor without Battel Whereat the Queen was much offended thinking they had lost a very fair occasion I laid my self wholly out to be informed if my Lord James intended as was reported of him to make himself King Mr. Henry Balneavs was then in great credit with him and loved me as I had been his own Son by reason of some acquaintance I had with him in France and small services I had done him there during his banishment He first acquainted me fully so far as he knew of my Lord James his intention and encouraged me to be plain with the said Lord James assuring me of secresie and honest and plain dealing He was a godly learned wise and long experimented Councellor He went with me to the said Lord Prior having shew'n him my Commission which was very acceptable to him he delayed not to advise with any other of his Councel what answer he should give me but instantly and plainly told me his mind in presence of the said Mr. Henry First he declared what acceptable service he and his associates had done to the Queen Regent chiefly of late when the Bishop of St. Andrews had drawn the most part of the Clergy against the transporting the Crown Matrimonial to France Albeit he had been mainly instrumental of sending the Queen thither and in perswading the Governour his Brother to break the Contract of Marriage with Edward of England He told what liberty of Conscience her Majesty had granted unto them until the time that the Master of her Houshold Monsieur Bettancourt returned from France with the news of the Peace and that though since that time she had changed her behaviour and countenance toward him and those who had done her best service he knew well enough that it proceeded not from her own nature but was occasioned by the perswasions and threat'nings of her Brother and friends in France And further he rehearsed unto me all her and their former proceedings whereof mention is made already affirming still his good will to her Majesty's service And he further declared That the more effectually to remove all suspicions from his Sovereign and her Husband of his design'd Usurpation he was content to banish himself perpetually out of Scotland if it would please the Queen and the King of France to grant him and his associates such liberty as the Queen Regent had permitted them till the home-coming of Bottancourt Providing that his rents might come to him to France or any other Countrey where he should reside And for security hereof he offered that sufficient pledges of the Noble-mens Sons in Scotland should be sent to France So that no King nor Queen of Scotland did ever receive more chearful obedience then her Majesty should do notwithstanding of her absence With this answer I took my Journey through England to France and at Newcastle fell in company with an English man who was one of the Gentlemen of the Queens Chamber a Man well skill'd in the Mathematicks Negromancy Astrology and was also a good Geographer Who had been sent by the Council of England to the borders to draw a Map of such Lands as lye between England and Scotland which part was alledged to be a fruitful Soil though at that time it served for no other purpose but to be a retreat to thieves For Queen Elizabeth of England was lately come to the Crown and had been advised by her Council to this course as tending not only to the enlarging of her bounds but rendering these parts civil I know not the reason why they followed it not though I conjecture that the variance which fell out between the Two Kingdoms hindered it The English man and I by the way entered into great familiarity so that he shewed me sundry secrets of the Country and of the Court. Among other things he told me that King Henry the Eighth had in his life-time been so curious as to enquire at Men called Diviners or Negromancers what should become of his Son King Edward the Sixth and of his two Daughters Mary and Elizabeth That answer was made unto him again that Edward should dye having few days and no Succession and that his Two Daughters should the one succeed the other That Mary his eldest Daughter should marry a Spaniard and that way bring in many strangers to England which would occasion great strife and alteration That Elizabeth should Reign after her who should marry either a Scottish man or a French man Whereupon the King caused to give poison to both his Daughters but because this had not the effect he desired for they finding themselves altered by vehement vomitings and purgings having suspected poison had taken remedies he caused to proclaim them both bastards But the Women that attended about Queen Mary alledged that her matrix was consumed For she was several times supposed to be with Child to King Philip of Spain yet brought forth nothing but dead lumps of flesh Therefore to be revenged upon her Father the English man told me that she had caused secretly in the night to take up her Father's bones and burn them This the honest Gentleman affirmed to be truth though not known to many He was a Man of great gravity about fifty years of age When he came to London he shewed me great kindness and made me a present of some Books Upon my return to France I found a great change King Henry the Second being hurt in the head with a shiver of a Spear by the Count of Montgomery at the Triumphal Justings of his Daughter's marriage with the King of Spain dyed Eight days after at Paris And the Constable my Master was commanded to retire him from Court to his House by the new King Francis the Second Husband to our Soveraign who was wholly guided by the Duke of Guise and the Carâ—â—â—al Lorain competitors to the said Constable in Court Emulation Which occasioned that my Voyage and the answer I had got was all in vain for the House of Guise were the chief instruments of all the troubles in Scotland When I did shew the Constable at his House the answer of my
Ears which may serve for little Parenthesises to Historiographers who had not the occasion of being so well therewith acquainted Our Queen then Dowager of France retired her self by little and little further and further from the Court of France that it might not appear that she was any way compelled thereto as of a truth she was by the Queen Mother's rigorous dealing who alledged that she had been despised by her Daughter-in-law during the short Reign of King Francis the Second her Husband at the resignation of the House of Guise Monsieur de Martignes Monsieur Dosel Labrosse the Bishop of Amience and such other French-men as were lately carried out of Scotland in the English Ships resorted to our Queen and declared unto her the whole progress of affairs and the state of the Kingdom These as well as the rest of her friends advised her to return to Scotland encouraging her with the hopes of succeeding to the Crown of England rather then to endure the Queen Mother's disdain in France Desiring her as most conducing for her interest to serve the time to accommodate her self discreetly and gently to her own Subjects to be most familiar with my Lord James Prior of St. Andrews her natural Brother and with the Earl of Argile who had married Lady Jane Stuart her natural Sister and to use the Secretary Lidingtoun and the Laird of Grange most tenderly in all their affairs and in summ to repose most upon those of the Reformed Religion Thus those who were a little before cruelly persecuted are now to be esteemed for chiefest and truest friends Thus can God by his Divine Providence ranverse the finest practises and pretences of mighty Rulers and Potentates and turn all to the best to such as serve him with a sincere heart As on the other hand God abhorreth such Subjects as hypocritically under pretext of Religion take occasion to rebel against their native Princes for ambition greediness or any other Worldly respect The Prior of St. Andrews being advertised of the Queen his Soveraign's deliberation to return to Scotland and to use his and his friends advice He goeth himself to France requesting her Majesty to return to her own promising to serve her faithfully to the outmost of his power And returns again to Scotland to prepare the hearts of her Subjects against her home-coming After this her Majesty went to Janvile the Duke of Guise his dwelling place about the marches of Lorrain and at length went to visit the Duke of Lorrain at Nancy where I chanced to come shortly after in company of the Duke Casimir second Son to the Elector Palâ—â—ine But the Queen was already parted from the Court of Lorrain toward Janvile whither I took occasion to go to tender to her Majesty the offer of my most humble and dutiful service And the said Duke Casimir understanding that I was to ride thither did write a very kind Letter to her Majesty comforting her the best he could offering his service in case any in France should wrong or injure her and that he would bring to her aid upon her Letter Ten Thousand Men. Her Majesty was much refreshed with this friendly offer and she was pleased to give me thanks for the demonstrations I had given of being intirely devoted to her interest shewing me she had been made acquainted therewith while I was at the Court of France She desired me earnestly when I resolved to retire out of Germany to come home and serve her Majesty with very friendly and favourable offers So I returned back to the Duke Casimir who was about contracting a Marriage with the Duke of Lorrain's eldest Sister Which took not effect because the old Dutchess her Mother who was King Christierns Daughter of Denmark begotten upon the Emperour Charles his Sister who also lost the Kingdom of Denmark pretending to make it Hereditable whereas it was Elective The said King Christiernus was kept in Prison till his death This Dutchess his Daughter alledged that the Kingdom of Norway appertained unto her as Heir unto her Father and that the said Kingdom was Hereditary unto her Father albeit Denmark was not and intended then to marry her eldest Daughter unto Frederick King of Denmark and to give over with her said Daughter the Kingdom of Norway But the said Dutchess offered unto Duke Casimir her second Daughter which he refused and dealt with his Father to send me unto England to propose Marriage for him unto the Queen of England But I refused to undertake that Commission having ground to conjecture that she would never marry upon the reflection I made upon that story one of the Gentlemen of her Chamber had told me seeing she knowing her self unable for succession I supposed she would never render her self subject to any Man The said Duke was very much displeased at me because I refused About this time the Cardinal of Lorrain being at Trent took occasion to visit the old Emperour Ferdinand at Isbrack his dwelling place not far from Trent And there the said Cardinal proposed two marriages first the King of France Charles the Ninth to the eldest Daughter of Maximilian Son to Ferdinand lately chosen King of the Romans and co-adjutor to the Empire Then he proposed the Queen of Scotland Dowager of France to Charles Arch-duke of Austria brother to the said Maximilian The Queen was by this time returned to Scotland and apparently had been advertised by the said Cardinal that he had proposed the said marriage and it seems she had relished the Overture Her Majesty returning was gladly welcomed by the whole Subjects For at first following the counsel of her friends she behaved her self humanely to them all committing the chief handling of her affairs unto her Brother the Prior of St. Andrews whom afterward she made Earl of Murray and to the Secretary Lidingtoun as meetest both to hold the Countrey at her devotion and also to beget a strict friendship betwen her Majesty and the Queen of England For my Lord Murray had great credit with my Lord Robert Dudly who was afterward made Earl of Leicester And the Secretary Lidingtoun had great credit with the Secretary Cecil So that these four made a strict and sisterly friendship between the two Queens and their Countries So that there appeared outwardly no more difference but that the Queen of England was the Eldest Sister and the Queen of Scotland the Younger whom the Queen of England promised to declare second person according to her good behaviour So that Letters and correspondence past weekly betwixt them and at first there appeared nothing more desired by either of them then that they might see one another by a meeting at a convenient place whereby they might also declare their hearty and loving minds each to other For our Queen was so nettled with the hard usage she had met with from the Queen Mother of France who had likewise hardly used all her friends of the House of Guise that she was the more
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
moved in the beginning of the last Parliament was the establishing of the Succession and that it 〈◊〉 probable that the Subjects would yet be earnest to be at a certainty in that point And if she omits so good an occasion of doing something for Us whereby the World may understand that she useth Us and esteems Us as her next Cousin and only Sister the World will think that her amity is not so great as We take it to be And such as envy our familiarity and would have it broken will hence take occasion to speak that our friendship is rather in words then deeds Mary R. Being arrived at London I lodged near the Court which was at Westminster My Host immediately gave advertisment of my coming and that same night her Majesty sent Mr. Hatton afterward Governour of the Isle of Wight in her name to welcome me and to shew me that the next morning she would give me Audience in her Garden at eight of the Clock She had been advertised by the Earl of Bedford Governour of Berwick that I was upon the way That same night I was visited by Sir Nicholas Throgmorton one of my old and dearest friends by long acquaintance First during his banishment in France in the Reign of Queen Mary and afterward while he was Ambassadour in France for this Queen where I was for the time Pensioner to King Henry the Second and Servant to the Constable This Sir Nicholas was my dear friend and had procured a Pension for me from his Mistress to help to entertain me on my Travels when I had willingly banished my self the Court of France so long as there were Civil Wars between France and Scotland He was a devout friend to the Queen my Mistress and to her Right and Title to the Succession to the Crown of England From him I had full information of affairs and friendly advice how to proceed with the Queen and every Courtier in particular For he was a special instrument of helping my Lord of Murray and Secretary Lidingtoun to pack up the first friendship betwixt the two Queens and betwixt the Earl of Murray and Lord Robert and between the two Secretaries Albeit he had no great kindness either for my Lord Robert or Secretary Cicil yet he knew that nothing could be done without them Among other counsels he gave me advice to use great familiarity with the Ambassadour of Spain in case I found the Queen his Mistress hard to be dealt with alledging that it would be a great Spur to move the Queen of England to give our Queen greater and more speedy contentment in her desire then yet she had done The next morning Mr. Hatton and Mr. Randolph late Agent for the Queen of England in Scotland came to my Lodging to convoy me to her Majesty who was as they said already in the Garden With them came a Servant of my Lord Robert's with a Horse and Footmantle of Velvet laced with Gold for me to ride upon Which Servant with the said Horse waited upon me all the time that I remained there I found her Majesty walking in an Alley And after I had kissed her hand and presented my Letter of Credence I told her Majesty in French the effect of my Commission as near to the foresaid Instructions as I could and sometimes being interrupted by her demands I answered as I judged most pertinent The reason why I spoke French was that being but lately come home I could not speak my own Language so promptly as was requisite Her first demand was concerning the Letter that the Queen had written to her with such despiteful Language that she thence conjectured all friendship and familiarity to have been given up Which had made her resolve never to write any more but another as despiteful which she took out of her pocket to give me to read she having had it ready written to shew it me She told me she had hitherto delayed to send it because she thought it too gentle till she had written another more vehement for answer to the Queens angry Bill For my part I appeared to find such hard interpretation to be made upon the Queen's loving and frank dealing very strange I told her Majesty that my Mistress could not call to mind what words they were which had given her such offence Whereupon she brought forth the Queens Letter giving it me to read Which when I had perused I said I could find therein no offensive word when I considered the familiarity had formerly been betwixt them Alledging that albeit her Majesty could speak as good French as any who had not been out of the Country that yet she was out of use of the French Court Language which was frank and short and had frequently two significations which familiar friends took always in the best part Intreating her Majesty to tear the angry Letter which she thought to have sent in answer And in revenge of the Queens I protested that I should never let her Majesty know that her true plain meaning had been so misconstructed Having tossed some words upon this matter she being desirous of an honest colour or pretext she appeared the more readyily satisfied in that point For the fear she had that friendship and correspondence should altogether break off our Queen being the first seeker to renew and continue the same by sending me thither thereby evidencing that she did not stand upon Ceremonies with her Eldest Sister in my presence then she did rent her angry Letter with promise of such friendly and frank dealing in times coming as all her good Sister's dealings and proceedings should be interpreted to the best Thus the old friendship being renewed she inquired if the Queen had sent any answer to the proposition of marriage made to her by Mr. Randolph I answered as I had been instructed That my Mistress thought little or nothing thereof but expected the meeting of some Commissioners upon the Borders with my Lord of Murray and the Secretary Lidingtoun to confer and treat upon all such matters of greatest importance as should be judged to concern the quiet of both the Countries and satisfaction of both their Majesties minds For seeing your Majesty cannot so soon find the opportunity of meeting betwixt your selves so much desired which in it self is not so expedient until all other jealousies be first removed and all former doubts cleared by your most trusty and familiar Councellors the Quen my Mistress as I have said is minded to send for her part my Lord of Murray and the Secretary Lidingtoun and expects that your Majesty will send my Lord of Bedford and my Lord Robert Dudley She answered It appeared that I made but small account of my Lord Robert seeing that I named the Earl of Bedford before him but said that e're long she would make him a far greater Earl and that I should see it done before my returning home For she esteemed him as her Brother and best friend whom she would
have her self married had she ever minded to have taken a Husband But being determined to end her life in Virginity she wished that the Queen her Sister might marry him as meetest of all other with whom she could find in her heart to declare her second person For being matched with him it would best remove out of her mind all fears and suspicions to be offended by any usurpation before her death Being assured that he was so loving and trusty that he would never permit any such thing to be attempted during her time And that the Queen my Mistress might have the higher esteem of him I was required to stay till I should see him made Earl of Leicester and Baron of Denbigh which was done at Westminster with great solemnity the Queen her self helping to put on his Ceremonial he sitting upon his knees before her with a great gravity But she could not refrain from putting her hand in his neck smilingly tickling him the French Ambassadour and I standing by Then she turned asking at me How I liked him I answered that as he was a worthy Servant so he was happy who had a Princess who could discern and reward good Service Yet says she you like better of yonder long Lad pointing toward my Lord Darnly who as nearest Prince of the Blood did bear the Sword of Honour that day before her My answer was That no Woman of spirit would make choice of such a Man who more resembled a Woman then a Man For he was handsom beardless and Lady faced And I had no will that she should think that I liked him or had any eye or dealing that way Albeit I had a secret charge to deal with my Lady Lennox to endeavour to procure liberty for him to go to Scotland where his Father was already under the pretext of seeing the Countrey and conveying the Earl his Father back again to England Now I found the Queen of England was determined to treat with my Sovereign first concerning her marriage with the Earl of Leicester and for that effect she promised to send Commissioners unto the Borders In the mean time I was very favourably and familiarly used For during nine days that I remained at the Court it pleased her Majesty to confer with me every day and sometimes thrice in a day in the morning after Dinner and after Supper Sometimes she would say that seeing she could not meet with the Queen her good Sister to confer with familiarly that she was resolved to open a good part of her inward mind to me that I might shew it again unto the Queen She told me she was not so much offended with the Queens angry Letter as that she seemed so far to disdain the marriage of my Lord of Leicester which she had caused Mr. Randolph to propose to her I answered That it was probable he had let fall something thereof to my Lord of Murray and Lidingtoun but that he had never proposed the matter directly to her self and that as well her Majesty as those who were her most familiar Councellors could conjecture nothing thereupon but delays and driving off time concerning the declaring of her to be second Person which would be clearly tryed at the meeting of the Commissioners above specified She replied That the tryal and declaration thereof would be hasted forward according to the Queens good behaviour and applying her self to follow her pleasure and advice in her marriage And seeing the matter concerning the said declaration was so weighty and of so much import she had ordered some of the best Lawyers in England diligently to search out who had the best right and she heartily wisht it might be found to be her dear Sister rather than any other I said I was very confident that her Majesty was ingenuous in that Declaration and that my Mistress expected no other at her hand But I lamented that even the wisest Princes did not sufficiently pry into the hidden designs of their familiar Councellors and Servants except it were such an honourable and rare Prince as Henry the Eighth her Majesties Father of happy memory who of his own head was determined to declare his Sisters Son King James the Fifth Heir apparent to the Crown of England failing Heirs to be gotten of his own Body while her Majesty was not yet born but only her Sister Queen Mary and that for the earnest desire he had to unite this whole Island She said she was glad he did it not I said that then he had but one Daughter and expected no more Children and yet he had not so many suspicions in his head as your Majesty hath though you are certainly convinced you will never have any Children seeing your Majesty declares your self resolved to dye a Virgin Yes says she I am resolved never to marry if I be not thereto necessitated by the Queen my Sister 's harsh behaviour toward me I know the truth of that Madam said I you need not tell it me Your Majesty thinks if you were married you would be but Queen of England and now you are both King and Queen I know your spirit cannot endure a Commander She appeared to be so affectionate to the Queen her good Sister that she expressed a great desire to see her And because their so much by her desired meeting could not be so hastily brought to pass she appeared with great delight to look upon her Majesties picture She took me to her Bed-chamber and opened a little Cabinet wherein were divers little pictures wrapped within Paper and their Names written with her own hand upon the Papers Upon the first that she took up was written My Lord's Picture I held the Candle and pressed to see that picture so named she appeared loath to let me see it yet my importunity prevailed for a sight thereof and found it to be the Earl of Leicester's picture I desired that I might have it to carry home to my Queen which she refused alledging that she had but that one picture of his I said your Majesty hath here the Original for I perceived him at the farthest part of the Chamber speaking with Secretary Cicil Then she took out the Queens picture and kissed it and I adventured to kiss her hand for the great love therein evidenced to my Mistress Se shewed me also a fair Ruby as great as a Tenis Ball I desired that she would either send it or my Lord of Leicester's picture as a Token unto the Queen She said if the Queen would follow her counsel that she would in process of time get all she had that in the mean time she was resolved in a Token to send her with me a fair Diamond It was at this time late after Supper she appointed me to be with her the next morning by Eight of the Clock at which time she used to walk in her Garden She inquired several things of me relating to this Kingdom and other Countries wherein I had travelled She caused me
most effectual to ingratiate her self with her Subjects And in case she being yet young might forget her self by any unseemly gesture or mis-behaviour that I would warn her thereof by admonishing her to forbear and timously reform the same Which Commission I did at first altogether refuse to accept of saying That her vertuous actions her natural judgment and the experience she had learned in the Court of France had instructed her so well and qualified her so abundantly to be an example to all her Subjects and Servants that she needed none to admonish her But she would not leave it so but said she knew she had committed divers errours upon no ill meaning only for want of the admonition of loving and concerned friends Because that the greatest part of Courtiers commonly flatter Princes to insinuate for their fav 〈…〉 ll not tell them the truth fearing thereby to disoblige them 〈…〉 fore she adjured and commanded me to accept that charg 〈…〉 said was a very ruinous Commission begging her Majesty 〈…〉 that burthen upon her Brother my Lord of Murray and the Secretary Lidingtoun She answered she would not take it in so good part from them as from me I said I was afraid that through process of time it would cause me to lose her favour She said it appeared I entertained an ill opinion of her constancy and discretion which opinion she doubted not but I would alter after I had undertaken and practised that friendly and familiar charge In the mean time she made me privy to all her most urgent affairs but chiefly to her dealings with any forreign Nation She shewed unto me all her Letters those which she received from other Princes She desired me to write in her favour to such Princes as I had been acquainted with and to such forreign Councellors as I knew to be eminent Men. In which Letters I did not omit to set out her vertues I used to shew to her their returns which ordinarily gave me an accompt of the most remarkable occurrences of those Countries to her Majesties great contentment For she was of a quick spirit curious to know and get intelligence of the state of other Princes She was something sad when solitary and was glad of the company of such as had travelled to other Kingdoms Now there came here in company with the Ambassadour of Savoy one David Rixio of the County of Piedmont who was a merry fellow and a good Musician Her Majesty had three Valets of her Chamber who sung three parts and wanted a Bass to sing the fourth part Therefore they told her Majesty of this Man as one fit to make the fourth in Consort Thus he was drawn in to sing sometimes with the rest and afterward when her French Secretary retired himself to France this David obtained the said office And as he thereby entered in greater credit so he had not the prudence how to manage the same rightly For frequently in presence of the Nobility he would be publickly speaking to her even when there was greatest Conventions of the States Which made him to be much envied and hated especially when he became so great that he presented all signatours to be subscribed by her Majesty So that some of the Nobility would frown upon him others would shoulder and shut him by when they entered the Queens Chamber and found him always speaking with her For these who had great Actions of Law new infestments to be taken or who desired to prevail against their Enemies at Court or in Law Suits before the Session addressed themselves to him and depended upon him whereby in short time he became very rich Yet he wanted not his own fears therefore he lamented his estate to me asking one day my counsel how to behave himself I told him that strangers were commonly envied when they medled too much in the affairs of other Countries He said he being Secretary to her Majesty in the French Tongue had occasion thereby to be frequently in her Majesties company as her former Secretary used to do I answered again that it was thought that the greatest part of the affairs of the Countrey past through his hands which gave offence to the Nobility I advised him in their presence to retire from the Queen giving them place And that he might desire the Queen to permit him to take that way I told him for an example how I had been in so great favour with the Elector Palatine that he caused me to sit at his own Table and that he used frequently to confer with me in presence of his whole Court whereat divers of them took great indignation against me Which so soon as I perceived I requested him to permit me to sit from his own Table with the rest of his Gentlemen and no more to confer with me in their presence but to call me by a Page to his Chamber when he had any service to command me Seeing otherwise he would prejudge himself and me both by giving ground of discontent to his Subjects in too much noticing a stranger and so expose me to their fury Which I obtained and that way my Master was not hated nor I any more envied I advised him to take the like course if he was resolved to act as a wise Man Which counsel he said he was resolved to follow but afterward told me that the Queen would not suffer him but would needs have him carry himself as formerly I answered that I was sorry for the inconveniencies that might follow thereupon And afterward finding the envy against Rixio still to increase and that by his ruine which I did foresee to be inevitable her Majesty might incur displeasure and her affairs be prejudged seeing I clearly perceived that the extraordinary favour she carried to that Man did much alienate the hearts of her own Subjects from her I remembred her Majesties command lately laid upon me when she particularly injoined me to forewarn her of any circumstance to be observed in her carriage which I thought could tend to her prejudice I had before this time taken some such freedom in desiring her to desist from some things which I knew were dissatisfactory to her Subjects and upon my acquainting her Majesty therewith she had been pleased to reform them The reflection hereupon incouraged me the more cheerfully in hope of the like success to forewarn her Majesty of the inconveniencies I did clearly foresee would inevitably follow if she in time did not alter her carriage to Rixio Therefore upon the first opportunity I took occasion to enter with her Majesty upon this discourse in most humble manner representing what I did upon rational considerations conjecture would be the consequences of the too publick demonstrations of favour she gave to Rixio a stranger and one suspected by her Subjects to be a pensioner of the Pope That though they were resolved not to challenge her Majesties Religion though contrary to theirs allowing her Liberty of Conscience yet it was
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
conference If any be afraid of your Majesty thinking that you have an ill opinion of them the assurance by a trusty Minister of your good will whom they may credit will quickly put them out of doubt and make them favourable enough They who are constantly yours are easily retained at your devotion Those who heretofore have born any favour and by the late occurrences are any way brangled will be brought home again when they shall see your Majesty now when it is fallen in your hands to use rigour or mercy as you please rather incline to the most plausible part in shewing your magnanimity when you have brought your Subjects to submission and gentleness as the good Pastour to reduce his Sheep that were gone astray home again to the fold Those who are yet neutrals by the same means and true information of your interest by Law may all be won to your side This done when the matter comes in question your friends will earnestly press your interest at this Parliament and you will without controversie bear it away This device in so far as concerns your reconciliation with your Subjects is not a fetch for their favour but is thought expedient for your service by many who have no favour for them and are different from them in Religion For it will bring the Queen of England greatly to favour you when she shall see such an Union in your own Kingdom of the Head and whole Members together She will not know how to disturb your Majesties estate especially when the Reconciliation takes effect in the hearts of the Subjects in England who will think themselves in an happy condition if they should come under the Government of so benign a Princess who can so readily forgive great offences For albeit it must be acknowledged that my Lord of Murray hath by his inconsiderate carriage given your Majesty great ground of offence yet it is hard to perswade the Protestants that your quarrel against him hath any other foundation then that he differs from you in Religion Upon this ground they find themselves engaged to espouse his quarrel If then they perceived your Majesty graciously inclined to take him again unto favour and forgive what is by-past the Protestants in England would doubtless declare themselves more affectionate to your interest when they shall see more of their own Religion so clemently handled And that your Majesty may have experience that it is your advancement your friends would by this means procure and not the advantage of those with whom your Majesty is offended a middle way may be followed as is frequently used in such like cases where not only the multitude is spared but the chief authors are preserved It may please your Majesty to cause a Letter to be pen'd in good terms and form and publish the same by Proclamation declaring the just cause of your anger against all of them and that yet for declaring your own good nature above their deservings you are content to remit the whole except such principles as you please to reserve and except by name from the general Pardon And that with whom you will not take such severe order as you might in Law till you have further tryal and experience of their Penitence The persons so to be nominated and excepted shall depart out of England to what Countrey pleaseth your Majesty there to remain during your pleasure In this mean time if your Majesty find that this benign usage of yours shall produce such fruit as is here spoken your Majesty may further extend your favour as you find convenient and profitable for your self For your Majesty hath still the crimes lying above their heads In the mean time all who favour them in England will plead in their cause with your Majesty so far as their power extends as if they were Agents for your Majesty They will in no ways if they can eschew it be again in the Queen of Englands debt neither by obtaining of any favour at your hand by her intervention nor yet for any support in the time of their banishment But rather it may please your Majesty that their charges be allowed them of their own Lands By following this advice which in no ways can be prejudicial to your Majesty but will much conduce for your interest you may recover the greatest part of the Bishops of England many of the greatest Nobility and Gentlemen who are yet Neutral Their Names were declared to her Majesty in Cypher by whose means he alledged her Majesty should obtain so great an interest in England that albeit that Queen would appear against her she needed not to care For in sending but one thousand Men of her own out of four parts of England a sufficient number should join with them by whose forces without any strangers her Majesty should obtain the thing which is wrongfully refused and retained When her Majesty had seriously pondered this discourse it had great influence upon her to move her to follow the desire thereof as well for the good opinion she had of him who sent it as being of her own nature more inclined to mercy then rigour she being also wise and being convinced that it tended to the advancement of her affairs in England She was therefore fully resolved to have followed the advice thereof and to prolong the Parliament which had been called to forfault the Lords who had fled Rixio appeared also to have been gained for counselling her hereto My Lord Murray had sued to him very earnestly and more humbly then could have been believed with the present of a fair Diamond inclosed within a Letter full of repentance and fair promises from that time forth to be his Friend and Protector Which the said Rixio granted to do with the better will that he perceived the King to bear him little good will and to frown upon him Following this advice and advertisement given by Sir Nicholas Throgmorton the Queens Majesty sent my Brother Sir Robert Melvil to remain her Ambassadour in Ordinary at the Court of England to be ready at all occasions in case any thing were treated at the Parliament concerning the Succession and to pursue the Design laid down by Sir Nicholas and her other friends in England In this mean time there was a French Gentleman sent home here called Monsieur d' Villamonte with a Commission to treat with the Queen that in no wayes she should shew any favour to the protestant banished Lords Because that all Catholick Princes were bandied to root them out of all Europe Which was a device of the Cardinal of Lorrain lately returned from the Councel of Trent He had caused the King of France to write earnestly to that effect Which unhappy Message occasioned divers tragical accidents For the Queen was loath to offend her friends in France of the house of Guise albeit she would have done little at that time by her own pleasure to satisfie the King of France who was but young and
only guided by his Mother whom she had no good cause to like well of But Rixio was thought also not to think fit to offend so many Catholick Princes confederated and especially the Pope with whom he had secret intelligence Hereby the Queen was again induced to hold the Parliament to forfault the banished Lords against her own intention and her former deliberation Now there were a number of Lords at home friends to the Lords who were banished As the Earl of Mortoun the Lord Ruthven the Lord Lindsay and divers other Gentlemen who favoured them only for their Religion some of them were discontent that their friends should be forfaulted others had special reasons inducing them to fear the Sitting of that Parliament Especially the Earl of Mortoun and his dependers feared a revocation that was alledged to be made at the said Parliament to bring back again to the Crown divers great dispositions given out during the Queens minority and some benefices which had been taken by Noblemen at their own hands during the Civil-Wars under pretext of Religion These and such considerations moved them to consult together how to get the Parliament stayed and to make a change at Court The Earl of Mortoun had a crafty head and had a Cousin called George Deuglass the natural Son to the Earl of Angus who was Father to Dame Margaret Douglass Countess of Lennox the King's Mother The said George was continually about the King and by his Mother and Brothers means put in his head such suspicions against Rixio that the King was prevailed with to give his consent to his slaughter This the Lords of Mortoun Lindsay Ruthven and others had devised to become that way Masters of the Court and so to stop the Parliament The King was yet very young and not well acquainted with the nature of this Nation It was supposed also that the Earl of Lennox knew of the said design For he had his Chamber within the Palace and so had the Earl of Athol Bothwel and Huntly who escaped by leaping over a Window toward the little Garden where the Lyons were lodged This vile act was done upon a Saturday at six a-Clock at night when the Queen was at Supper in her Closet A number of Armed Men entered within the Court before the closing of the Gates and took the Keys from the Porter One part of them went up through the Kings Chamber conducted by the Lord Ruthven and George Douglass the rest remained without with drawn Swords in their hands crying A Douglass A Douglass The King was before gone up to the Queen and was leaning upon her Chair when the Lord Ruthven entered with his Helmet upon his Head and George Douglass and divers others with them so rudely and irreverently that the Table Candles Meat and Dishes were overthrown Rixio took the Queen about the waste crying for mercy but George Douglass plucked out the Kings Dagger and stroke Rixio first with it leaving it sticking in him He making great shrieks and cryes was rudely snatcht from the Queen who could not prevail either with threats or intreaties to save him But he was forcibly drawn forth of the Closet and slain in the outer Hall and her Majesty kept as a Captive That same night the Earl of Athol the Laird of Tullibardine and Secretary Lidingtoun and Sir James Balfour were permitted to retire themselves out of the Palace and were in great fear of their lives The next morning being Sunday I was let forth at the Gate and passing through the outer Close the Queen being looking forth at a Window cryed unto me to help her I drew near and assured her of all the help that lay in my power She desired me with all haste to go to the Provost of Edinbrugh and desire him to convene the Town to relieve her out of these Traytors hands But run fast says she for they will stay you As this word was spoken one Mr. Wisbet Master of the Houshold to the Earl of Lennox was sent with a Company to stay me To whom I gave good words saying that I was only going to Sermon at St. Giles's Church But I went in haste to the Provost and told him my Commission from the Queen He answered That he had another commandment from the King but that he should draw the people to the Tolbooth and see what they would do though he expected no help from their hands because the most part of them were so discontent with the present Government that all desired a change Yet he convened them though in vain Which backwardness of theirs I did intimate to her Majesty by one of her Ladys whom she sent again unto me to tell me that she supposed my Lord of Murray and his associates who were yet banished remaining at Newcastle would be sent for by those who were about her Willing me at his coming to perswade him not to join with those who had so highly affronted her but to hold himself free and be her friend in this strait which doing should be his great advantage and purchase her love and favour for ever Which Commission I did not fail to execute at his coming upon Monday but he was more moved at his meeting with her Majesty who imbraced and kissed him alledging that if he had been at home he would not have suffered her to have been so uncourteously handled Which so much moved him that the Tears run from his eves He knew sufficiently well that it was not for his cause but for their own particular ends that the greatest part who had made that enterprise had therein ingaged which made him the less concerned in them Yet he and his Company resolved to keep the day against which they were summoned to the Parliament In the mean time the King repented himself of his accession to that affair whereupon her Majesty took occasion to perswade him to abandon those Lords who had committed so odious a crime as to hazard her life together with his Child which was in her Belly That nevertheless she was resolved to forgive them and give them what security thereupon they would demand The Lords seeing the King drawn from them and my Lord of Murray not so frank for them as they expected were necessitated to do the next best and consented that a pacification should be penned which was divers times written over to put in and out certain heads and clauses to drive time until the writing might appear plausible Her Majesty caused the King to advise them to discharge the Guard that kept her that so the security might be subscribed she being at liberty Seeing otherwise it would not avail them in Law if there were the least appearance of restraint upon her during the time thereof So upon Tuesday they went all to their rest but the Queen King Traquair and Arthur Areskin Master of the Horse for the time went out of Halirood-House at midnight toward the Castle of Dumbar and left word with one of her
they durst not go to France where the Queen had so many friends This I did shew unto her Majesty that she might be the more confirmed how groundless that report was made by the foresaid Lords against Murray Wherewith she appeared well satisfied resolving to continue her kindness for my Lord Murray but withal she charged me not to write in favours of Mortoun In the mean time Mr. Henry Killegrew was sent hither Ambassadour from the Queen of England who was in great suspicion of her estate finding so many of her Subjects favourers of our Queen The said Ambassadour complained against one Mr. Ruxbie who was harboured in Scotland being a Rebel and a Papist Declaring how that the Queen his Mistress had commanded Mortoun and his Complices forth of her Country Which was done by open Proclamation to please the Queen and her Ambassadour who cryed out continually for her suffering them to abide so long in England Yet as we afterward understood they were secretly over-lookt upon condition that they would keep themselves quiet Mr. Killegrew alledged also that the Queens Majesty had been practising with Oneel in Ireland who had his Ambassadour presently in Edinbrugh in company of the Earl of Arguile And Thirdly he complained of some disorders upon the Borders made by Scotishmen But the principal pretext of his Commission was to comfort the Queen over her late troubles to congratulate her freedom and good success over her wicked and rebellious Subjects It may appear sufficiently by that Queens former proceedings that all the Sisterly familiarity was ceased and in place thereof nothing but jealousies suspicions and hatred And yet they kept an outward correspondence for keeping up Neighbourhood and Intelligence The Scots Ambassadour for the time in England had so good hap that his credit was great for he was esteemed sure and secret Which caused a great number of the Nobility Protestants and Papists to Communicate their inward minds and secretest intentions unto him Mr. Randolph had not the like credit in Scotland but only with some of the simplest sort of the Ministers For this Ruxbie was sent in hither to appear to be a zealous favourer of her Majesties Right and Title to the Crown of England He was to endeavour to speak with the Queen and to take an occasion of informing her Majesty of the great friendship divers of the Catholicks had for her who durst not deal with the Scots Ambassadour being a Protestant but that he would deal himself betwixt her Majesty and them All this was to essay what he could draw out of her Majesty to give advertisement thereof to Secretary Cicil. He addressed himself unto the Queens Majesty by the Bishop of Ross who was a Catholick The said Bishop desireing her Majesty to be secret What he learned for the time I cannot tell but he did write sundry intelligences unto the Secretary Cicil which did prejudice But this fine contrivance was not so secretly kept but my Brother Sir Robert had knowledge thereof and also of a Letter that the Secretary Cicil wrote again unto Scotland to the said Mr. Ruxbie promising to see him rewarded and desiring him to continue in his diligence Of all which my Brother by his good intelligence was so well advertised that in due time he gave her Majesty and me information thereof He gave his advice how to carry for the future in that affair So that when Mr. Killegrew made his complaint upon the receit of Mr. Ruxbie her Majesty incontinently caused him to be apprehended and all his Cyphers and Writings among the which was found the Letter written by Secretary Cicil above mentioned Ruxbie finding himself discovered fell immediately upon his knees granting himself worthy of a thousand deaths humbly craving pardon Her Majesty caused him to be so secretly and straitly kept that the English Ambassadour could get no intelligence for what cause he was apprehended until that the Queen did shew him her self that upon his complaint to satisfie the Queen her good Sister she had caused to apprehend the said Ruxbie who should be delivered so soon after his return as it should please her Sister to send for him But as this Mr. Ruxbie was secured so was the complaint made against him kept secret For her Majesty was advised to appear altogether ignorant of any of his practises against her devised by Secretary Cicil it not being thought her interest to put that shame upon one who professed so much to be her friend Nor was it time to cast of intelligence so long as it was found profitable to entertain it as it would have indeed proved had not such unhappy chances fallen out shortly after The Queens Majesties reckoning being near run out she caused me to dispatch for England to be in readiness to give an accompt of the news of her delivery to that Queen leaving a Blank in her Letter to be filled up either with a Son or a Daughter as it should please God to grant unto her And to require the Queen of England to send hither in her name such of hers as she knew to be best instruments for entertaining good love and friendship betwixt them to be Gossips as also to satisfie her concerning the most part of Killegrew's demands All the while I lay within the Castle of Edinbrugh praying night and day for her Majesties good and happy delivery of a fair Son This prayer being granted I was the first who was thereof advertised by the Lady Boin in her Majesties Name to part with dilligence the 19th of June 1555 betwixt Ten and Eleven in the morning By Twelve of the Clock I took Horse and was that night at Berwick The fourth day after I was at London and did first meet with my Brother Sir Robert who that same night sent and advertised Secretary Cicil of my arrival and of the Birth of the Prince desiring him to keep it quiet till my coming to Court to shew it my self unto her Majesty who was for the time at Greenwich where her Majesty was in great mirth dancing after Supper But so soon as the Secretary Cicil whispered in her Ear the news of the Prince's birth all her mirth was laid aside for that night All present marvelling whence proceeded such a change for the Queen did sit down putting her hand under her Cheek bursting out to some of her Ladies That the Queen of Scots was Mother of a fair Son while she was but a barren stock The next morning was appointed for me to get Audience at what time my Brother and I went by Water to Greenwich and were met by some friends who told us how sorrowful her Majesty was at my news but that she had been advised to shew a glad and cheerful countenance Which she did in her best Apparel saying That the joyful news of the Queen her Sister's delivery of a fair Son which I had sent her by Secretary Cicil had recovered her out of a heavy sickness which she had lyen under
for fifteen days Therefore she welcomed me with a merry volt and thanked me for the diligence I had used in hasting to give her that welcome intelligence All this she said before I had delivered unto her my Letter of Credence After that she had read it I declared how that the Queen had hasted me towards her Majesty as one whom she knew of all her friends would be most joyful of the glad news of her delivery albeit dear bought with the peril of her life she being so sore handled that she wished she had never been married This I said by the way to give her a little scare from marriage For so my Brother had counselled me because sometimes she boasted to marry the Arch duke Charles of Austria when any Man pressed her to declare a second person Then I requested her Majesty to be a Gossip to the Queen to which she gladly condescended Your Majesty said I will now have a fair occasion to see the Queen whereof I have heard your Majesty so oft desirous Whereat she smiled saying she wished that her estate and affairs might permit her In the mean time she promised to send both honourable Lords and Ladies to supply her room Then I gave her Majesty in my Queen's name most hearty thanks for her friendly visiting and comforting her by Mr. Henry Killegrew She inquired if I had left him in Scotland and what was the cause of his long stay I answered That the Queen took her Chamber shortly after his arrival which was the chief cause of his delay But I had in Commission to tell her Majesty something thereabout to satisfie her mind in the mean time and to thank her Majesty for the putting away of the Scots Rebels out of her Country albeit there were some Reports that they were yet secretly entertained by some of her Subjects though I hardly believed that any of her Subjects durst be so bold or so disobedient She affirmed they were out of her Dominions and if it might be otherwise tryed out it should not pass without rigorous punishment I told her Majesty that upon her desire and Ambassadours complaint the Queen had caused to apprehend Mr. Ruxbie and had ordered him to be delivered to her Majesty whenever she should please to send for him And as concerning Oneel she had no dealing with him nor knew that there had been any Servant of his sent to my Lord Arguile until Mr. Killegrew's coming that she caused to enquire at the said Earl who acknowledged that Oneel had sent one unto him about private purposes betwixt themselves but that she did neither see nor speak with that Man nor had any dealing with any Man in Ireland Her Majesty seemed to be well satisfied with the matters of Ireland and concerning Mr. Ruxbie but she forgot to send for him Before I took my farewell in order to my return I entred with her Majesty concerning the Title For my Lord of Leicester was become my Queens avowed friend and had been twice in hand with the Queen of England a little before my coming desiring her to declare my Mistress next Heir Alledging it would be her greatest security and cried out in anger that Cicil would undo all Likewise the Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Pembroke and several others shewed themselves openly her friends after they understood the birth of the Prince So that her Majesty's matters in England were hopeful and therefore I was advised to say unto her Majesty That I was assured she had formerly delayed the declaring the Queen second person only till she might see such Succession of her body as now God had graciously granted intreating her Majesty to embrace that fair offered opportunity of satisfying the minds of many as well in England as in Scotland who desired to see that matter out of doubt And the rather because that the Queen my Mistress would never seek any Place or Right in England but by her Majesties favour and furtherance She answered That the birth of the Prince was a great Spur to cause the most skilful Lawyers in England to use greater diligence in trying out that matter which she esteemed to belong most justly to her good Sister and that she wished from her heart that it should be that way decided I replied That at my last being with her I found her Majesty upon the same tearms but that as I had brought her good news from the Queen I was very desirous to be so happy as to carry home with me unto her Majesty the good tydings of that so long delayed Declaration She answered she was resolved to satisfie the Queen in that matter by those Noblemen she was resolved to send unto Scotland for the Baptism of the Prince All this I perceived to be but shifts and so took my leave because my Brother was to remain there The next day her Majesty sent unto me her Letter with the Present of a fair Chain My Brother gave me the advice of her Majesties friends together with his own instructions how to proceed after my coming home as followeth First That he is in such suspicion for his handling there by the advertisements of Mr. Ruxbie and practises of her Enemies that her Majesty must signifie to Mr. Killegrew that she is minded shortly to call him home else he fears he shall be commanded to return Secondly That her Majesty require the Earl of Leicester and Secretary Cicil to be sent to be her Gossips as fittest instruments to perfect all Articles and good Offices of Amity betwixt them Item That Mr. Killegrew be well treated and rewarded that he may make good report to hold off discord that intelligence may continue and desire him to declare unto the Earl of Leicester and Secretary Cicil that it cannot stand with good friendship to be so long fed with fair words without effect Item That her Majesty cast not off the Earl of Northumberland albeit as a fearful and facile man he delivered her Letter to the Queen of England neither appear to find fault with Sir Henry Pearcie as yet for his dealing with Mr. Ruxbie which he doeth to gain favour at Court being upon a contrary faction to his Brother the Earl Item That Mr. Ruxbie be well kept and sent far North to some secure part that he give no hasty intelligence for he hath already written unto Secretary Cicil by Sir Henry Pearcy his convoyance that he can discover all your practises and secrets Let my Lord Arguile entertain Oneel as of himself the Queen not appearing to know thereof The Secretary Cicil devised strange practises against the meeting which because my Lord of Leicester discovered unto the Queen his Mistress Cicil stirred up the Earl of Sussex to forge a quarrel against him but the Queen took the Earl of Leicester's part and finally agreed them and also Leicester and Ormond Item That her Majesty should write two Letters with Mr. Killegrew to my Brother the one that he might shew unto the
kind of Writings were for that time devised to overthrow and cast down some intelligences which were discovered by Ruxbie and some reports raised by Enemies that my Brother by his practises and perswasions had kindled a great fire and had raised a great faction in England he did not deny but he had dealt with many to win what favour he could to his Mistress but that he had done nothing that could offend the Queen of England and that he had no Commandment to enterprise any thing which could be displeasing to her by this means Ruxbie's intelligence was suppressed and my Brother suffered to stay still in England whereby the Queens friends so increased that many whole Shires were ready to Rebell and their Captains already named by the Election of the Nobility About this time her Majesty was advertised by my Brothers Letters that the Earl of Bedford was upon his journey toward Scotland with an honourable Company As also the Ambassadour of France and Savoy for the Baptism of the Prince which moved her Majesty to pass to Sterling with the Prince for the solemnizing thereof but she was still sad and pensive for the late foul act committed in her presence so irreverently she being their born Queen and thereby in hazard of losing the fruit of her Womb so many great sighs she would give that it was pity to hear her and few there were to endeavour to comfort her Sometime she would declare part of her grief to me which I essayed the best I could to asswage by telling her that I thought the greater multitude of friends that she had got in England should cause her to forget in Scotland the lesser number of Enemies and unruly offenders unworthy of her wrath and that her excellent qualities in Clemency Temperance and Fortitude should not suffer her mind to be possest or supprest with the remembrance of offences but that rather she should bend up her spirit by a Princely and Womanly behaviour whereby she might best gain the hearts of the whole people both here and in England humbly requesting her Majesty first to consult with her God next with her honour and thirdly with her interest in the establishing of her state and in joining the two Kingdoms in a happy Monarchy which she knew to be so near effectuate in her person seeing also the banished estate of the offenders so miserable they not having a hole to hide their head in nor a peny wherewith to buy their Dinner that the most noble natures would think them sufficiently punished that it was a comely thing for a woman to be pitiful and to want vengeance I leave it said I Madam to your own judgment whether presently it be more for your honour and advancement of your interest to cease from any desire or persuit of any further revenge whereupon may ensue more desperate enterprises or to give place unto necessity and reason to rule over the beastly passions of the mind For as Princes are called divine persons so no Prince can pretend to this Title but he who draws near the nature of God by godliness and good Government being slow to vengeance and ready to forgive It is manifestly known that wise Princes entertain no longer feud at their Enemies then they see it may be needful for the weal of their Affairs and State and they change their favour and hatred according to time and occasions Your Majesty may remember that many things might have been better managed I speak this with love and reverence Your Majesty might have been as well obeyed as ever was any King in Scotland if you had taken such Princely care as was requisite You know how that by your Majesties own express Commandment I did shew you long before what inconveniencies were like to fall out upon the grudges I perceived before the slaughter of Rixio and God is my witness I did what lay in my power to have them eschewed and prevented And since that time your Majesty hath repented that my advice was not followed I pray God that the like repentance fall not out again too late At my being in England your adversaries were beginning to vaunt upon vain reports that our Westerly winds had blown East among them so that my Brother and I had enough to do to beat it out of the heads of divers who were devotedly addicted to the advancement of your Title This communing began at the entry of her Supper in her Ear in French when she was casting up great sighs refusing to eat upon any perswasion that my Lord of Murray and Mar could make to her The Supper being ended her Majesty took me by the hand and went down through the Park of Sterling and came up through the Town ever reasoning with me upon their purposes And albeit she took hardly with them at the first she began to alter her mind thinking fit that my Lord of Bedford should intercede for her Rebels they to be banished out of England and Scotland during her pleasure and so to be by time reconciled to them according to their future deportments and for her part she purposed to proceed with such a gracious Government as should win the victory over her self and all her Competitours and Enemies in time-coming which she could have done as well as any Prince in Europe But alas she had bad Company about her for the Earl of Bothwel who had a mark of his own that he shot at as soon as he understood of her wife and merciful deliberations he took occasion to bring in the Earl of Mortoun and his associates thereby to make them his friends and by them to fortifie his faction For apparently he had already in his head the resolution of performing the foul murther of the King which he afterwards put in execution that he might marry the Queen Both which he brought to pass to his own utter wrack and confusion and thereby great trouble and mischief upon the Country and was also at last the Queens wrack and the hinderance of all our hopes in the hasty obtaining of all her desires concerning the Crown of England The Queens Majesty being advertised that the Earl of Bedford was come to Berwick on his Journey to the Baptism sent me well accompanied with diligence to meet him at Coldingham to be his first Convoy and to inform him rightly of all her proceedings and to overthrow all evil brutes invented by the malice of her adversaries For as I have said it was a perverse time and the more that the number of her friends increased in England the more practises her Enemies made and the more lyes were invented against her But the good Earl gave me more credit then he did to any wrong report that was made For he was at this time become one of the surest and most affectionate friends she had in England There came with him Mr. Cary eldest Son to my Lord of Husdean Mr. Hattoun greatest in favour with the Queen of England for
the time and one called Mr. Lignish greatest in favour with the Duke of Norfolk and a good number of Knights and Gentlemen of York-shire with the most part of the Captains of Berwick Her Majesty was sufficiently informed by my Brother's writing to her and me what kind of language and entertainment was most proper for the Earl and each of them When all the rest of the Ambassadours were come they repined to see the English-men more friendly and familiarly used then themselves For then we had more to do with England then with France And the French Earl who was sent was no Courtier but a simple Man And Monsieur de Morat the Duke of Savoy his Ambassadour being far of came after the Baptism During their abode at Sterling there was daily Banqueting Dancing and Triumph And at the principal Banquet there fell out a great grudge among the English-men for a Frenchman called Bastien devised a number of Men formed like Satyrs with long Tails and whips in their hands running before the meat which was brought through the great Hall upon a Machine or Engine marching as appeared alone with Musicians clothed like Maids singing and playing upon all sorts of Instruments But the Satyrs were not content only to make way or room but put their hands behind them to their Tails which they wagged with their hands in such sort as the English-men supposed it had been devised and done in derision of them weakly apprehending that which they should not have appeared to understand for Mr. Hattoun Mr. Lignish and the most part of the Gentlemen desired to Supp before the Queen and great Banquet that they might see the better the Order and Ceremonies of the Triumph But so soon as they perceived the Satyrs wagging their Tails they all sate down upon the bare floor behind the back of the Table that they might not see themselves derided as they thought Mr. Hatton said unto me if it were not in the Queens presence he would put a Dagger to the heart of that French knave Bastien who he alledged had done it out of despight that the Queen made more of them then of the Frenchmen I excused the matter the best I could but the noise was so great behind the Queen's back where her Majesty and my Lord of Bedford did sit that they heard and turned about their faces to enquire what the matter meant I informed them that it was occasioned by the Satyrs so that the Queen and my Lord of Bedford had both enough to do to get them appeased It fell out unhappily at such a time and the English Gentlemen committed a great over sight to notice it as done against them But my Lord of Bedford was discreet and interpreted all things to the best My Lord of Bedford was rewarded with a rich Chain of Diamonds worth two thousand Crowns Mr. Cary with a Chain of Pearl and a Ring with a fair Diamond Mr. Hattoun had a Chain with her Majesties Picture and a Ring Mr. Lignish and five other of Quality had each of them Chains I was commanded with many others to attend them towards the Road. They parted all very well content and satisfied with the Queens Majesty but lamented that they perceived the King so much slighted My Lord of Bedford desired me to request her Majesty to entertain him as she had done at the beginning for her own honour and the advancement of her affairs which I forgot not to do at all occasions After the Baptism and parting of the Ambassadours her Majesty desirous to put good order upon the Borders sent the Earl of Bothwel before who in the pursuit of Thieves was hurt Her Majesty past afterward to Jedbrugh her self where the Earls of Bothwel and Huntly enterprised the slaughter of the Earl of Murray but the Lord Hume came there with forces and prevented that enterprise Her Majesty returned by the Merse and desired to see Berwick afar off where she was honoured with many shots of Artillery and Sir John Foster Warden upon the English Border came and conferred with her Majesty for keeping of good order And the mean time while he was speaking with her Majesty on Horse-back his Courser did rise up with his formost Legs to take the Queens Horse by the Neck with his Teeth but his Feet hurt her Majesties Thigh very ill Incontinent the Warden lighted off his Horse and sate down upon his knees craving her Majesties pardon For then all England did much reverence her her Majesty made him to rise and said that she was not hurt yet it compelled her Majesty to tarry two days at the Castle of Hoome untill she recovered again The King followed her about whithersoever she rode but got no good countenance So that finding himself flighted he went to Glascow where he fell sick it being alledged that he had got poison from some of his Servants In the mean time the Earl of Bothwel ruled all at Court having brought home the banished Lords and packed up a quiet friendship with the Earl of Mortoun After her Majesties return to Edinbrugh she reconciled the Earls of Huntly Bothwel Arguile and others From that her Majesty went to Sterling to see the Prince and returned again to Edinbrugh whither the King was afterward brought and lodged in the Kirk-field as a place of good Air where he might best recover his health But many suspected that the Earl of Bothwel had some enterprise against him few durst advertise him because he told all again to some of his own Servants who were not all honest Yet Lord Robert Earl of Orkny told him that if he retired not hastily out of that place it would cost him his life which he told again to the Queen and my Lord Robert denied that ever he spoke it This advertisement moved the Earl of Bothwel to haste forward his enterprize he had before laid a train of Powder under the House where the King did lodge and in the night did blow up the said House with the Powder but it was spoken that the King was taken forth and brought down to a Stable where a Napkin was stopped in his mouth and he therewith suffocated Every body suspected the Earl of Bothwel and those who durst speak freely to others said plainly that it was he Whereupon he drew together a number of Lords of his dependers to be an Assize which cleansed and acquitted him some for fear some for favour and the greatest part in expectation of advantage This way being assailed he remained still the greatest favourite at Court My Lord of Murray was retired from the Court several days before Her Majesty kept her Chamber for a while I came to the door the next morning after the murther and the Earl of Bothwel said that her Majesty was sorrowful and quiet which occasioned him to come forth He said the strangest accident had fallen out which ever was heard of for Thunder had come out of the sky and had burnt the King's House
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 Queens Chamber had not her Majesty come betwixt and saved him but he fled the next day and tarried with the Earl of Athol As for me I was not oft at Court but now and then yet I chanced to be there at the marriage When I came that time to the Court I found my Lord Duke of Orkny sitting at his Supper who welcomed me saying I had been a great stranger desiring me to sit down and Sup with him the Earl of Huntly the Justice Clerk and divers others being sitting at Table with him I said I had already Supped then he called for a Cup of Wine and drank to me saying you had need grow fatter for says he the zeal of the Common-wealth hath eaten you up and made you lean I answered That every little member should serve for some use but that the care of the Common-wealth appertained most to him and the rest of the Nobility who should be as Fathers of the same I knew well says he he would find a pin for every bore Then he fell in discoursing with the Gentlewomen speaking such filthy language that they and I left him and went up to the Queen who expressed much satisfaction at my coming The marriage was made at the Palace in Halyrood-house after Sermon by Adam Bothwel Bishop of Orkny in the great Hall where the Council useth to sit according to the order of the Reformed Religion and not in the Chappel at the Mass as was the King's marriage After the marriage he who was Earl of Bothwel now Duke of Orkny was very earnest to get the Prince in his hands but my Lord of Mar who was a true Nobleman would not deliver him out of his custody alledging that he could not without consent of the three States Yet he was so frequently crost by such as had the Authority in their hands that he was thereby put to a great strait And after that he had made divers refusals among others he made his moan to me praying me to help to save the Prince out of his hands who had slain his Father and had already made his vaunt among his familiars that if he could get him once in his hands he should warrant him from revenging his Father's death I assured his Lordship he should want no assistance I was capable to give He desired to know if I could propose any outgate I answered That I was intimately acquainted with Sir James Balfour and that I knew how matters stood betwixt Bothwel and him namely there were some jealousies arisen betwixt them which I thought if rightly managed might be improved for the Prince's safety I also told him that the Earl intended to have the Castle out of his hands for the Earl and he had been great Companions and he was also very great with the Queen so that the custody of the Castle of Edinbrugh was committed to him But afterward he would not consent to be present nor take part with the murtherers of the King whereby he came in suspicion with the Earl of Bothwel who would no more credit him so that he would have had the Castle out of his hands to have committed the charge thereof to the Laird of Beenstoun I told his Lordship he might make this one of his excuses That he could not deliver the Prince till he should see a secure place to keep him in And upon the other hand when I returned to Edinbrugh I dealt with Sir James Balfour not to part with the Castle whereby he might be an instrument to save the Prince and the Queen who was so disdainfully handled and with such reproachful language that in presence of Arthur Aroskine I heard her ask for a knife to stab her self or else said she I shall drown my self Now says I to Sir James Balfour there is no security for you to be out of suspicion but to keep the Castle in your own hands and so to be the good instrument both of saving Queen and Prince and in assisting the Nobility who are about to Crown the Prince and to pursue the Earl of Bothwel for the King's murther I told him that unless he took part with them he would be holden as guilty of the said murther by reason of his long familiarity with the Earl of Bothwel That it was a happy thing for him that the said Earl was in suspicion of him assuring him that I had intelligence by one who was of the Earl of Bothwel's Councel to wit the Laird of Whitlaw Captain of the Castle of Dumbar that the Earl of Bothwel was determined to take the Castle of Edinbrugh from him and make the Laird of Beenstoun one Hepburn Captain thereof and then to put the Prince there in his keeping Sir James Balfour gave ear to my proposition and consented to help to pursue the murtherers upon condition that the Laird of Grange would ingage upon his honour to be his Protector in case afterward the Nobility should alter upon him for he and most of them had formerly run contrary courses so that he durst not credit them The Earl of Mar being hereof from me advertised by his Brother Alexander Areskine who was true and careful of the Prince's safety coming secretly to me at midnight for the days were dangerous for all honest Men. Now my Lord of Mar being continually required and threat'ned to deliver the Prince out of his hands at length granted only to drive off time upon condition that an honest responsible Nobleman should be made Captain of the Castle of Edinbrugh the only secure place of keeping the Prince in This answer was thought fit to asswage the present fury until the Nobility might convene to pursue the murtherers and to Crown the Prince as they had already concluded at a secret meeting among themselves which was not kept so private but that one of the said Lords gave advertisement thereof to the Earl of Bothwel how that they were minded to inviron the Palace of Halirood-house and therein to apprehend him Whereupon he forgot inquiring after the Prince being only now concerned how to save himself therefore he fled out of Edinbrugh to the Castle of Borthwick from that to the Castle of Dumbar taking always the Queen with him wherever he went All Scotland cryed out upon the foul murther of the King but few of them were careful how to revenge it till they were driven thereto by the crying out of all other Nations against all Scotishmen wherever they travelled either by Sea or Land Among other Princes the King of France sent hither to his Ambassadour Monsieur de Crook a grave aged discreet Gentleman advanced by the House of Guise a Letter therein expressing his wonder that such a foul murther being committed upon the person of a King so few honest Subjects were found to find fault with the same for less to seek after any tryal or see the same punished Whereupon the Lords who had the enterprise in hand were hasted forward to take Arms and 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
of that which you have said in their name and in so doing they give us occasion to construct the best of all their proceedings past and to come So that if they had acquainted us with their first enterprise of punishing the murther we should heartily have taken part with them And whereas now we are here convened it is not to pursue or offend any of them but to be upon our own guards understanding of so great a concourse of Noblemen Barons Burroughs and other Subjects For not being made privy to their enterprise we thought fit to draw our selves together till we should see whereto things would turn When I returned back to Sterling and declared this answer it was judged satisfactory by all wise and honest hearted men But others said That however they minded to do I had painted out a fair story for them and in their favours So that I perceived them already divided in Factions and Opinions For so many of our Lords as leaned to England desired not the stability of our state others had particular prejudices and designs against the Hamiltouns and expected to get them ruined to gain advantage to themselves by fishing in troubled waters So that the Hamiltouns were ill used for they would fain have agreed with the rest but their friendship and Society was plainly refused at this time and they not permitted to come to the Coronation nor yet to take instruments that they should not be prejudged in any sort which occasioned great trouble afterward in the Country For they perceiving themselves cast off and their friendship and assistance refused endeavoured for their own security and defence to draw in other Noblemen and Barons to join with them who had not as yet joined with the other Lords and therefore were the more easily drawn upon that side and these were afterward called the Queens Lords when they were convinced of the bad usage the Hamiltouns had received I have before related that my Lord Murray was written for to come home and so soon as he came to London the Lords were thereof advertise'd who desired me to ride and meet him at Berwick and shew him how that the Office of Regent was appointed for him Which Journey I accepted with the better will in that some friends who were best inclined thought meet to give him good counsel in due time My Commission from the Lords was to inform him of all their proceedings and of the present Estate and to desire him to do nothing without their knowledge with the Queen For they feared that he might carry himself with that mildness toward her as to oblige her to believe he intended some time to release her and that he would not run so hard a course against her as some of them would had him to do Another part of the said Lords that did still bear a great love unto the Queen and had compassion upon her estate and who had entred upon that enterprise only for safety of the Prince and punishment of the King's murther as the Earl of Mar the Earl of Athol the Secretary Lidingtoun the Lairds of Tullibardin and Grange sent their instructions with me to my Lord of Murray praying him in their name to behave himself gently and humbly unto the Queen and to procure so much favour for her as he could Not that they would advise him to forget any part of honest duty to the Lords so long as they kept touch with him but that in case they or any part of them would be offended at him afterwards for the refusal of some casuality benefice or the like they would come to themselves again seeing the Queen and him in so good tearms lest he should set her at liberty upon accompt of their misbehaviour And further That her Majesty being now free of ill company and of a clear wit and Princely inclination was beginning already to repent her of many things past and time might bring about such occasions as they should all wish her at liberty to Rule over them And that in that case he would lose by his discreet and friendly behaviour to her He appeared much to relish this device but he seemed somewhat refractory of accepting the Government refusing it plainly at first albeit I was informed by some of his company that he was right glad when he understood first that he was to be Regent There came home with him a French Ambassadour of my acquaintance who was sent to see how matters past to comfort the Captive Queen and to intercede for her but he did it very slenderly For he said to the Lords he came not to offend any of them alledging that the old Band and League betwixt France and Scotland was not made with any one Prince but betwixt the estates of the two Kingdoms and with those who were Commanders over the Country for the time After that my Lord of Murray had met with all his friends he granted to accept the Government But when he went to see the Queen in Lockleven instead of comforting her and following the good counsel he had gotten he entred instantly with her Majesty in reproaches giving her such injurious language as was like to break her heart We who found fault with that manner of procedure lost his favour The injuries were such that they cut the thread of love and credit betwixt the Queen and him for ever You have heard how that the Lords who were in Hamiltoun were cast off and refused to be accepted into Society with the rest against the opinion of the fewest in number though the wisest men and least factious But the worst inclined and manyest votes obtained their intent Whereupon the Lords who were refused to be taken into friendship drew themselves together in Dumbartoun under the pretext to procure by force of Arms the Queen their Sovereign's liberty and banded themselves together against the King's Lords which they would not have done if they could have been accepted in Society with the rest Albeit their publick professing their intentions of spending their lives for the Queens liberty put her Majesties life in greater danger so long as she was Captive in the hands of the contrary Party and was at length her Majesties utter wrack For the hope that she had to get friends and favourers caused her to use means to escape out of Lockleven too hastily e're the time was ripe enough to recover again the hearts of the Subjects who were yet alienated For albeit my Lord Regent was rigorous he was flexible and might have been won through process of time by her wisdom and the interest of her friends The tenour of their Bond was as followeth FOrasmuch as considering the Queens Majesty our Sovereign to be detained at yresent at Lockleven in Captivity wherefore the most part of her Majesties Lieges cannot have free access to her Highness and seeing it becomes us of our duty to seek her liberty and freedom We Ears Lords and Barons under subscribing promise
to win thanks at his hands But he would credit nothing but such things as came out of the mouths of those who had crept into his favour by flattery In the mean time the Queen was convoyed out of Lockleven by George Duglas the Lairds Brother and the Regents half Brother who was for the time in some evil tearms with them The old Lady his Mother was also thought to be upon the Councel My Lord Seatoun and some of the House of Hamiltoun and divers of their dependers received her Majesty at her landing out of the Logh and convoyed her to Hamiltoun The Regent being for the time at Glascow holding Justice Eyrs Proclamations and Missives were incontinently sent abroad by both sides to convene so many as would act for them in the Country One French Ambassadour was come to Edinbrugh ten days before called Monsieur de Beumont Knight of the Order of the Cockle whom I had convoyed to Glascow and had procured to him a sight of the Queen while Captive He said to me that he never did see so many men so suddenly convened for he rode to Hamiltoun to the Queen and dealt between the parties for Peace but was not heard Her Majesty was not minded to fight nor hazard battel but to go unto the Castle of Dumbartoun and endeavour by little and little to draw home again unto her obedience the whole Subjects But the Bishop of St. Andrews and the House of Hamiltoun and the rest of the Lords there convened finding themselves in number far beyond the other Party would needs hazard Battle thinking thereby to overcome the Regent their great Enemy and be also masters of the Queen to Command and Rule all at their pleasure Some alledged that the Bishop was minded to cause the Queen to marry my Lord Hamiltoun in case they had obtained the victory And I was since informed by some who were present that the Queen her self feared the same therefore she pressed them still to convoy her to Dumbartoun and had sent me word with the French Ambassadour the same morning before the battel to draw on a meeting for concord by the means of the Secretary Lidingtoun and the Laird of Grange And for her part she would send the Lord Herris and some other She had also caused my Brother Sir Robert to write a Letter to me that same morning for that same effect but the Queen's Army came on so fiercely that there was no stay The Regent went out on foot and all his Company except the Laird of Grange Alexander Hume of Manderstoun and some Borderers to the number of 200. The Laird of Grange had already viewed the ground and with all imaginable diligence caused every Horse-man to take behind him a Foot-man of the Regent's to guard behind them and rode with speed to the head of the Long'sid'-hill and set down the said Foot-men with their Culverings at the head of a straight Lane where there were some Cottage-houses and Yards of great advantage Which Soldiers with their continual shot killed divers of the Vaunt-guard led by the Hamiltouns who couragiously and fiercely ascending up the Hill were already out of breath when the Regents Vaunt-guard joined with them Where the worthy Lord Hume fought on foot with his Pike in his hand very manfully well assisted by the Laird of Cesfoord his Brother-in-law who helped him up again when he was strucken to the ground by many stroaks upon his face by the throwing Pistols at him after they had been discharged He was also wounded with Staves and had many stroaks of Spears through his Legs for he and Grange at the joining cried to let their adversaries first lay down their Spears to bear up theirs which Spears were so thick fixed in others Jacks that some of the Pistols and great Staves that were thrown by them which were behind might be seen lying upon the Spears Upon the Queens side the Earl of Arguile commanded the Battel and the Lord of Arbroth the Vaunt-guard On the other part the Regent led the Battle and the Earl of Mortoun the Vaunt-guard But the Regent committed to the Laird of Grange the special care as being an experimented Captain to oversee every danger and to ride to every Wing to incourage and make help where greatest need was He perceived at the first joining the right Wing of the Regent's Vaunt-guard put back and like to fly whereof the greatest part were Commons of the Barony of Ranthrow whereupon he rode to them and told them that their Enemy was already turning their backs requesting them to stay and debate till he should bring them fresh Men forth of the Battel Whither at full speed he did ride alone and told the Regent that the Enemy were shaken and flying away behind the little Village and desired a few number of fresh Men to go with him Where he found enough willing as the Lord Lindsay the Laird of Lockleven Sir James Balfour and all the Regents Servants who followed him with diligence and reinforced that Wing which was beginning to fly which fresh Men with their loose Weapons struck the Enemies in their flanks and faces which forced them incontinent to give place and turn back after long fighting and pushing others to and fro with their Spears There were not many Horse-men to pursue after them and the Regent cried to save and not to kill and Grange was never cruel so that there were but few slain and taken And the only slaughter was at the first rancounter by the shot of the Soldiers which Grange had planted at the Lane-head behind some Dikes After the loss of the Battel her Majesty lost all courage which she had never done before and took so great fear that she never rested till she was in England thinking her self sure of refuge there in respect of the fair promises formerly made to her by the Queen of England by word to her Ambassadours and by her own hand-writ both before and after she was Captive in Lockleven But God and the World knows how she was kept and used for not only she refused to see her of whom she appeared so oft so desirous of a sight and a meeting but also caused to keep her Prisoner and at length suffered her life to be taken away or else it was subtilly taken against her intention This puts me in remembrance of a tale that my Brother Sir Robert told me The time that he was busiest dealing betwixt the two Queens to entertain their friendship and draw on their meeting at a place near York One Bassintoun a Scots-man who had been a Traveller and was learned in high Sciences came to him and said Good Gentleman I hear so good a report of you that I love you heartily and therefore cannot forbear to shew you how that all your upright dealing and honest travel will be in vain For whereas you believe to obtain advantage for your Queen at the Queen of England's hands you do but lose your time and
your travel For first they will never meet together and next there will never be any thing else but dissembling and secret hatred for a while and at length Captivity and utter wrack to our Queen from England My Brother answered he liked not to hear of such devilish news nor yet would he in any sort credit them as being false ungodly and unlawful for Christians to meddle with Bassintoun answered good Mr. Melvil entertain not that harsh opinion of me I am a Christian of your own Religion and fear God and purposeth never to cast my self on any of the unlawful Arts that you mean but so far as Melancthon who was a godly Theologue hath declared lawful and written concerning the natural Sciences which are lawful and daily read in divers Christian Universities in the which as in all other Arts God gives to some less and to others clearer knowledge by the which knowledge I have attained to understand that at length the Kingdom of England shall of right fall to the Crown of Scotland and that at this instant there are some born who shall brook Lands and Heritages in England But alas it will cost many their Lives and many bloody Battels will be fought e're things be settled or take effect and by my knowledge says he the Spaniards will be helpers and will take a part to themselves for their labour which they will be loath to leave again After that the Queens Majesty had demitted the Government when she was Captive in Lockleven in such manner as is rehearsed my Lord of Murray being the first of the Regents of whom I have said something already I intend now to follow forth and shew a part of his proceedings and to begin where I left at her Majesties retreat to England After the Battel of Langside the Regent went through the Country and took up the Escheats and Houses of those who had assisted at the said Battel and caused to cast down divers of their houses distributing their Lands to his Servants and dependers The Council of England being crafty and in special the Secretary Cicil they knew what kind of Men had most credit about him for the time and thereupon took occasion to deal with the least honest most ambitious and covetous of that number and Society who had joined and banded themselves together to assist each other whereby to advance themselves and to disgrace all such true and honest men as had assisted and helped him in all his former troubles This sort of Men were soon perswaded and corrupted to move the Regent to pass unto England and accuse their native Queen before the Queen and Council of England to the great dishonour of their Country and Prince For the Queen of England who had no just cause to retain our Queen who had fled to England in hope of getting shelter and the assistance which had been so oft promised her both before and after her Captivity in Lockleven was very desirous to have some colour and pretext whereby she might make answer to the Ambassadours of sundry Princes who reproached her for her unkindly and unprincely proceedings therein Because the most part of those who had the Regent's Ear were gained to this opinion and the number few who were of a contrary mind he went forward to England accompanied with the Earl of Mortoun the Lord Lindsay the Laird of Lockleven the Bishop of Orkny the Abbot of Dumfarmling Mr. James Macgil Mr. Henry Balnears Mr. George Buchanan the Laird of Pittarrow George Duglas Bishop of Murray Mr. John Wood the Regent's Secretary a great Ring-leader Mr. Nicholas Elphinstoun Secretary Lidingtoun Alexander Hay Alexander Hume of North-Berwick the Laird of Cleesh with divers other Barons and Gentlemen who went there to see the fashion some to wait upon the Regent and Lords and some who could not get the Regent disswaded from this extream folly at home went with him to England to see if by any assistance of such as were friends there to the Union of the Isle and to the Title of Scotland he might be stayed from that accusation For those who were the Queens Lords who came there to defend the Queens part had no credit nor familiarity with the chief faction in England concerning the Title nor durst open their minds but to such as by long acquaintance they were well assured of their honesty and secrecy The names of the Queens Lords were the Lord Herreis the Lord Boid the Lord Fleeming the Lord Livingstoun the Bishop of Ross and some others with my Brother Sir Robert who attended to do all the good he could The Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Sussex and several other Councellors were sent down to York to hear the Regent's Accusation and to be as Judges between the King and Queen's Lords The first day of meeting the Duke of Norfolk required that the Regent should make Homage in the King's Name to the Crown of England thinking he had some ground to demand the same seeing the said Regent there to plead his Cause before the Councel of England Whereat the Regent grew red and knew not what to answer but Secretary Lidingtoun took up the Speech and said That in restoring again to Scotland the Lands of Huntingtuon Cumberland and Northumberland with such other Lands as Scotland did of old possess in England that Homage should gladly be made for the said Lands but as to the Crown and Kingdom of Scotland it was freer than England had been lately when it payed St. Peter ' s Penny to the Poor It appeared still that the Duke drave off time with us as having no inclination to enter upon the terrors of Accusation What was in his head appeared afterward but he was long in a suspence with whom to deal For he thought as he afterward said he neither did see honest men nor wise men At last he resolved to enter in Conference with Secretary Lidingtoun to whom he said That before that time he had ever esteem'd him a Wise man until that now he came before Strangers to accuse the Queen his Mistress as if England were Iudge over the Princes of Scotland How could we find in our hearts to dishonour our Kings Mother or how could we answer afterward for what we were doing seeing it tended to hazard the King her Sons Right to England intending to bring his Mothers honesty in question It had been rather the Duty of you his Subjects sayes he to cover her Imperfections if she had any remitting unto God and Time to punish and put Order thereto who is the Only Iudge over Princes Lidingtoun as he might well do purged himself and declared he came there to endeavour to stop the said Accusation which the Laird of Grange and divers others had endeavoured to do in vain before the Regent's coming out of Scotland And that now he would be glad of any help to hinder that shameful deliberation of the Regents pushed thereto by a company of greedy rash and careless
rest of the Regents Lords and Councellors had concluded among them That so soon as the Duke of Norfolk as chief of the Councel would inquire for the Accusation they should all with one voice cry and persuade the Regent to go forward with it Secretary Lidingtoun and I minded the Regent how far he had obliged himself to the Duke of Norfolk He said He would do well enough and that it would not come to that length So soon as he with his Counsel were within the Councel-House the Duke of Norfolk asked for the Accusation the Regent desired again the assurance of Conviction by Writing and Seal as is said It was answered again That the Queens Majesties Word being a true Princess was sufficient Then all the Councel cryed out Would he mistrust the Queen who had given such proof of her Friendship to Scotland The Regent's Councel cryed out also in that same manner Then Secretary Cicil asked if they had the Accusation there Yes sayes Mr. John Wood and with that he plucks it out of his Bosom but I will not deliver it sayes he till her Majesties Hand-Writing and Seal be delivered to my Lord Regent for what he demands Then the Bishop of Orkny snatcheth the Writing out of his hand Let me have it sayes he I shall present it Mr. John Wood run after him as if he would have taken it again Forward goes the Bishop to the Council-Table and gives in the Accusation Then cryes out the Chamberlain of England Well done Bishop thou art the frankest Fellow among them all none of them will make thy leap good scorning his leaping out of the Laird of Grange's Ship Mr. Henry Balneavs only had made resistance and called for Secretary Lidingtoun who waited without the Councel House But so soon as Mr. Henry Balneavs had called for him he came in and whispered in the Regent's Ear That he had shamed himself and put his Life in danger by the loss of so good a Friend as the Duke of Norfolk and that he had lost his Reputation for ever The Regent who by his facility had been brought to break with the Duke of Norfolk repented himself thereof so soon as Lidingtoun acquainted him with the danger and desired the Accusation to be rendred up to him again alledging he had some more to add thereto They answered They would hold what they had and were ready to receive any addition when he should please to give it in The Duke of Norfolk had much ado to keep his Countenance Mr. John Wood winked upon Secretary Cicil who smiled again upon him The rest of the Regent's Company were laughing one upon another only Secretary Lidingtoun had a sad heart The Regent came forth of the Council-House with Tears in his eyes and went to his Lodging at Kingstoun where his factious friends had much ado to comfort him The Queen of England having obtained her intent received thereby great contentment through the advantage she thereby received First she thought she had matter for her to shew wherefore she detained the Queen when she was challenged by the forreign Ambassadours upon that accompt Then she was glad of the Queens dishonour but in her mind she detested the Regent and all his Company and would notice him no more She sent also incontinent to the Queen to comfort her praying her to look on her self in a better case albeit for a while restrained of her liberty then to be in Scotland among so unworthy Subjects who had accused her falsly and wrongfully as she was assured and that neither should they be the better nor she the worse for any thing they had done For she would neither be Judge nor give out any Sentence thereupon nor should any part of the said false Accusation be made known by her or her Council to any praying her to take patience in her gentle Ward where she was nearer to get the Crown of England set upon her head in case of her decease who was but the eldest Sister Thus the Regent won no other thing for his labour but to be despised by the Queen and Council of England detested by the Duke of Norfolk and reproached by his best and truest friends suffered to lye a long time at Kingstoun in great displeasure and fear without Mony to spend and without hope to get any from the Queen In the mean time the agreement betwixt him and the Duke of Norfolk was told the Queen For the Earl of Mortoun caused a Minister called John Willock to declare what had past betwixt the Regent and the Duke of Norfolk to the Earl of Huntingtoun who caused my Lord of Leicester to tell it to the Queen The Duke of Norfolk finding himself disappointed by the Regent and his purposes discovered to the Queen began to boast and speak plain language That he would serve and honour the Queen his Mistress so long as she lived but after her decease he would set the Crown of England upon the Queen of Scotland ' s head as lawful Heir And this he avowed to Secretary Cicil desiring him to go and prattle that language again to the Queen The Secretary Cicil answered That he would be no Tale-teller to the Queen of him but would concur with him in any course and serve him in any thing wherein he would imploy him He threatned also Sir Nicholas Throgmorton who he supposed would be a true and devoted Servant to the Queen So that Sir Nicholas was necessitated to seek after his favour by the means of the Earls of Pembroke and Leicester who was also his friend albeit he durst not conceal from the Queen that whereof the Earl of Huntingtoun had advertised him seeing he had desired him to declare the same to her Majesty The Duke of Norfolk understanding that his whole purposes were discovered stood not to acknowledge to the Queen That during her life-time he would never offend her but serve and honour her and after her the Queen of Scotland as in his opinion truest Heir and the only means for eschewing of Civil Wars and great blood-shed that might otherwise fall out Now albeit the Queen of England liked not that language yet she would not appear to find fault with it for the time Now matters being cast loose in this manner between the Regent and the Duke and the Regent in great distress Sir Nicholas Throgmorton being a Man of a deep reach and great prudence and discretion who had ever travelled for the Union of this Isle after that he was agreed with the Duke and perceived that the Earls of Leicester Pembroke Secretary Cicil and the rest of the Court and Commons were all for the Duke and that the Queen durst not find fault with him he devised and effectuated a new friendship betwixt the Regent and the Duke who was unwilling again to enter with the Regent yet at length he suffered himself to be perswaded The Lord Regent on the other hand being destitute of all friendship in England for the
freedom reprove admonish and tell him his faults whereby we lost his favour And others who formerly had ever been against him came in and flattered him in all his proceedings and stouped very low to him calling him Your Grace at each word These men I said won him and we lost him And apparently said I to Carmichael you follow the like foolish behaviour as we did therefore you must take up another kind of doing And seeing your friend is become Regent imagine that you was never acquainted with him before but that you are entring to serve a new Master Cast never up your old and long service cringe low Grace him at every word find no fault with his proceedings but serve all his affections with great diligence and continual waiting and you shall be sure of a reward Otherwise all your former time spent in his service will be lost and he will hate you and take a despight at you which may bring on afterwards a greater wrack Carmichael gave me great thanks and his hand that he would follow this counsel which he afterward did very punctually and so became a greater Courtier then ever and was employed and rewarded and had credit to do pleasure to his friends but I found him not thankful afterwards to me for my counsel Now the young King was brought up in Sterling by Alexander Areskine and my Lady Mar. He had four principal Masters Mr. George Buchuanan Mr. Peter Toung the Abbots of Cambuskenneth and Drybrugh descended from the House of Areskine The Laird of Drumwhasel was Master of his Houshold Alexander Areskine was a gallant well natur'd Gentleman loved and honoured by all Men for his good qualities and great discretion no ways factious nor envious a lover of all honest Men and desired ever to see Men of good Conversation about the Prince rather then his own nearer friends if he found them not so meet The Laird of Drumwhasel again was ambitious and greedy his greatest care was to advance himself and his friends The two Abbots were wise and modest My Lady Mar was wise and sharp and held the King in great awe and so did Mr. George Buchuanan Mr. Peter Toung was more gentle and was loath to offend the King at any time carrying himself warily as a Man who had mind of his own weal by keeping of his Majesty's favour But Mr. George was a Stoick Philosopher who looked not far before him A man of notable endowments for his learning and knowledge in Latin Poesie much honoured in other Countries pleasant in Conversation rehearsing at all occasions Moralities short and instructive whereof he had abundance inventing where he wanted He was also Religious but was easily abused and so facile that he was led by every Company that he haunted which made him factious in his old days for he spoke and wrote as those who were about him informed him For he was become careless following in many things the vulgar opinion For he was naturally popular and extreamly revengeful against any Man who had offended him which was his greatest fault For he did write despightful invectives against the Earl of Monteeth for some particulars that were between him and the Laird of Buchuanan He became the Earl of Mortoun's great Enemy for that a Nagg of his chanced to be taken from his Servant during the Civil Troubles and was bought by the Regent who had no will to part with the said Horse he was so sore footed and so easie that albeit Mr. George had oft-times required him again he could not get him And therefore though he had been the Regent's great Friend before he became his mortal Enemy and from that time forth spoke evil of him in all places and at all occasions Drumwhasel also because the Regent kept all the Casualties to himself and would let nothing fall to others who were about the King became also his great enemy and so did they all who were about his Majesty The Regent again Ruling all at his pleasure made no accompt of any about the King untill a discreet Gentleman called Mr. Nicholas Elphingstoun advertised him That the King had no kindness for him advising him albeit too late to bestow part of his Gold unto so many of the King's Servants as were thought to be most wonable seeing he was envyed of many and hated of every Man especially by those who were in Sterling about the King He gave to one that was in mean rank Twenty five pieces of Gold at Twenty Pound the Piece what he gave to others I cannot tell but such as had spoken ill of him before durst not alter their language because of the King's Wit and good Memory who could check any that he perceived had first spoken evil and then began to speak good again As his Majesty had done to one of the company alledging That he had changed his Coat as I was afterward informed so that the Regent was too long in dealing part of his Gold to those about his Majesty who increasing in years and knowledge sundry Gentlemen began to look after Service and turned On-waiters Among others James Stuart Son to the Lord Oghiltrie a young Man of a busie Brain had an aspiring Spirit and through time won great favour and credit with his Majesty And though he was not well liked by those of the Castle of Sterling yet he was the more overseen because he gave continually evil information to his Majesty of the Earl of Mortoun and so did also my Lord Robert Earl of Orkny who had been warded and hardly handled by the Regent for some double dealing with Denmark as was alledged The Regent being in this manner brought in disgrace with his Majesty when he was upon the height of the wheel the Earls of Arguile and Athol were secretly practised and drawn to Sterling by Drumwhasel with the consent of Alexander Areskine Master of Mar and Mr. George Buchuanan by whose advice and counsel his Majesty was easily moved to depose the Regent from his Office who yielded easilier thereto then any Man would have believed against the opinion of his friends retiring himself to the House of Lockleven within the Logh for the surety of his person until he might understand what was like to follow thereupon and what might be the next best for him to do The King's Majesty having attained unto the Age of years ordained a Council to sit at Edinbrugh for ordering the Affairs of the Realm The Earl of Athol was made Chancellour because the Lord Glams was a little before slain in Sterling by the Earl of Grauford as was suspected though he denied the deed and purged himself thereof as far as he could The Earl of Arguile and the Master of Mar stayed in Sterling with the King's Majesty During the time that this new Council sate in Edinbrugh the Earl of Mortoun who was quiet in Lockleven making the walks of his Garden even his mind was in the mean time occupied in crooked paths plotting how
to be brought again to be Master of the Court which was accomplished upon a night at midnight When he came to the Gates of the Castle of Sterling they were opened unto him by the two Abbots and a Faction that they had drawn in there with them Albeit the Master of Mar and Earl of Aguile made what resistance they could where the Master 's eldest Son dyed in the throng yet the enterprisers prevailed and brought in again the Earl of Mortoun and put out the Earl of Arguile the Master of Mar Drumwhasel and such others as they misliked and so made a new change at Court Where the Earl of Mortoun handled the matter so discreetly and moderately as he could that the alteration should not appear to be over sharp or violent The new chosen Council scattered incontinently some of them retiring home and some joined with the Earl of Mortoun hoping never to see a turn again About this time came out of France my Lord of Aubonie who was afterward made Duke of Lennox who was Brother's Son to the Earl of Lennox and obtained afterward great credit and favour James Stuart of Oghiltrie of whom I formerly made mention assisted him through process of time to perswade the King's Majesty to desire to ride out of Sterling and make a progress among the rest of his Subjects which the Earl of Mortoun could not resist supposing that it lay in his power to frame the Court at his pleasure For by his great wealth he was resolved to gain so many as he judged necessary and so by the multitude of his friends to bear out the business however the Court was ruled after he had obtained a discharge and alliance of his intromission For though during the time that he was Regent he was always strongest about the King but my Lord Aubony and James Stewart were most in favour who by their continual rounding in the King's Ear against the Earl of Mortoun ingendered at last a greater dislike in the King of him then he had before And as James Stuart was the stirrer up of the other so afterward when he found the time convenient he took occasion to accuse the said Earl before the Council of the late King's murther Whereupon the Earl of Mortoun was made Prisoner and sent first to the Castle of Edinbrugh and afterward to the Castle of Dumbartoun which was thought strange in respect of his many friends that were in Court for the time who were then found to be but friends to his fortune For he was loved by none and envied and hated by many so that they all looked through their fingers to see his fall England was also angry at him for the time because of his slowness to answer their turns which they had hoped for at his hands having put the King and Country in his power Yet they made some offer to assist him which occasioned to hasten his ruin For they sent down Seventeen Companies to the Borders boasting to send a greater number and to declare open War in case the Earl of Mortoun was not set at liberty and the Lord Aubony put out of Scotland Mr. Randolph was sent in with this Ambassage His Majesty again having these two young Counsellors about him who knew of no perils raised a Taxation to pay Soldiers and caused to make a Proclamation for every Man to be in readiness upon a call which moved the English to retire and leave off endeavouring any more his assistance encouraging thereby such as were deadly Enemies to the Earl of Mortoun to ride to Dumbartoun with a thousand raised and hired Men together with their own friends to bring the Earl of Mortoun back again to Edinbrugh to undergo an Assize Some of the Earl's friends convened to take him out of their hands but found not themselves strong enough They might have done it had it not been the Forces which had been newly levied occasioned by the threat'nings which England had made Being brought to Edinbrugh he found few friends to appear or act for him His Gold and Silver was transported long before by his Natural Son James Douglas and one of his Servants called John Mac-Morran It was first carried in Barrels and afterward hid in some secret parts part whereof was given to be kept by some who were lookt upon as his friends who made ill accompt of it again so that the most part thereof lighted in bad hands and himself was so destitute of mony that when he went through the Street to the Tolbooth to undergo his Assize he was compelled to borrow Twenty shillings to distribute to the Poor who asked Alms of him for God's sake The Assize condemned him to death as being Airt and Pairt in the King's murther and as being of Councel with the Earl of Bothwel who brought him out of banishment when he was absent for the slaughter of David Rixio He granted that he was made privy thereto but had no hand in devising thereof And as concerning the young King he owned that he purposed to send him to England for his weal that he might the rather obtain his Right to the Crown of England being within the Country and brought up among them He dyed resolutely and had ended more perfectly if he had declared and confessed his Worldly practises and fetches to nourish the Civil Troubles partly at the devotion of England and partly for his own particular profit during the Government of the first three Regents which occasioned great blood-sheding that commonly cries to Heaven for vengeance During the King's young years the partialities were so great and the whole Country so disturbed by the two several parties who alledged to fight and strive for the King and the Queen being then Captive in England and the King yet very young that many perceived them to be but factious ambitious avaritious greedy worldly wretched persons Both parties were craftily stirred up and kept in trouble by one only Faction in England who had that Queens Ear intending the wrack as well of our King as Queen to advance some of their friends to inherit the Crown of England which occasioned a great out-cry against our foolish contentions After that the Earl of Mortoun the last of the four Regents was deposed the King's Majesty being young took the Government into his own hands my Lord of Aubony being made Lord Dalkieth and afterward Duke of Lennox was chief about his Majesty and James Stuart formerly mentioned who afterward took unto himself the style and then the Earldom of Arran thinking that he had done great Service and deserved well for accusing and wracking the Earl of Mortoun he married the Earl of March his Relict The Duke was of nature upright just and gentle but wanted experience in the state of the Country At the first he was wholly guided by the said James Stuart and his Wife who both began to envy him and therefore they endeavoured how they might cast him off that they might attain to the
hold the Justice Air of West Lauthian at Edinbrugh with my Lord Neubottle Mr. David Macgill and Mr. John Sharp There came to my Bed timely in a morning a Gentleman alledging that I had formerly done him courtesies which till now he was never able to recompence that he would make me the instrument of saving the Kings Majesty my Master out of the hands of those who were upon an enterprize to take and keep him I said I could hardly trust that but I feared that the Duke of Lennox might be in hazard who was gone to Glascow to hold Justice Airs because of the hatred which I knew was born him especially for the maintaining the two Bishops of St. Andrews and Glascow He answered They will lay hands first on the Kings Majesty and then the Duke and the Earl of Arran dare no more be seen their insolency and misbehaviour being the cause of all the present disorders for there is an enterprize to present a supplication against him to his Majesty After he had told me this news he desired me to conceal his name though to tell the matter to his Majesty He said this turn would be done in ten dayes and as I started up to put on my Cloaths he slipt to the door with a short farewel Because the Duke was at Dalkieth I did ride thither and shewed him the whole matter advising him to ride himself to His Majesty with this Advertisement for his own security but he chose rather to direct a Gentleman with all possible diligence to His Majesty willing me also to write unto the Earl of Gaurie for the Gentleman had not named him to me with the rest of the enterprizers either out of forgetfulness or else because he was but lately won to that purpose by the Laird of Drumwhasel who had assured him that the Duke of Lennox had determined to slay him at the first meeting persuading the Earl upon this ground to joyn with the rest of the Noblemen who were determined to reform the Estate Unto the which invented Advertisement he too easily gave Credit and so joyned with the rest of the Nobility who were minded to present the forenamed supplication to the King at his coming to Dumfarmling It is certain that the Duke of Lennox was led by evil Councel and wrong Informations whereby he was moved to meddle in such hurtful and dangerous courses that the rest of the Nobility became zealous of his intentions and feared their Estates As for the Earl of Arran they detested his Proceedings and esteemed him the worst and most insolent instrument that could be found out to wrack King Kirk and Country The Duke had been tolerable had he hapned upon as honest Councellors as he was well inclined of himself but he wanted experience and was no ways versed in the State of the Country nor brought up in our Religion which by time he might have been brought to have imbraced But the Earl of Arran was a scorner of Religion presumptuous ambitious covetous careless of the Commonwealth a dispiser of the Nobility and of all honest men so that every man was expecting a suddain Change which should have been made in Dumfarling in presenting the above specified supplication But what moved the Lords to surprise His Majesty within the House of Huntingtoun I know not If it was not to imbark the Earl of Gaury whose House it was more deeply in their bond or that they fearing their enterprise to be discovered made the greater hast and stayed His Majesty in that place which was afterward called the Road of Ruthven After that the Duke of Lennox was advertised of this enterprise he sent for the Earl of Arran who was peaceably passing his time in Kinweel He took in hand to ride and save the King boasting that he would chase all the Lords into Mouse-holes but he was chased and saved himself in the House of Ruthven where they had shortly made an end of him had not the Earl of Gaurie interceeded for his life whose destiny it was to keep him alive to be his own wrack afterwards The Duke of Lennox being advertised that His Majesty was in their hands retired himself to Dumbartoun and His Majesty was conveyed to Stirling and there retained The King of France and the Queen of England being informed that the King was taken and kept in Custody sent each of them an Ambassador to this Country to comfort his Majesty to see what the matter meant and to offer him their assistance in case he required the same and declared that he had been taken and kept against his will But after great thanks given unto the said Ambassadors the King willed them to declare unto their Princes that he was very well satisfied with the Lords who were about him and that they were all his own Subjects willing to obey him but that they had conceived some hard apprehensions of the Duke of Lennox and some others who had been about him before Albeit his heart was full of sorrow and displeasure as he told himself afterward and even then likewise to Mr. Cairy Cousin to the Queen of England who whispered in His Majesties Ear requesting him to tell the plain verity which he should keep secret from Mr. Bows his Companion and also from the Lords and shall only shew his inward mind privily to his Mistress the Queen yet it neither appeared by the success to have been kept secret nor did that Queen make any further instance for his liberty The Lords in the mean time thought meet to hold a Councel to resolve what course to take wherein it was determined that their enterprise was good service to his Majesty the Kirk and Common-wealth which His Majesty granted also to be true whereupon an Act of Councel was formed At that same time the general Assembly of the Kirk was held at Edinbrugh to the which his Majesty was moved to send two Commissioners to testify that he had allowed for good service the said Lords enterprise desiring likewise the Kirk to find it good for their parts and to ordain the Ministers and Commissioners of every Shire to publish the same to their Parishioners and to get the principal Gentlemens Subscriptions to maintain the same Notwithstanding of all this His Majesty took the matter further to heart then any man would have believed He lamented his mishandling to sundry Noblemen and others and at length acquainted some of them that he intended to relieve himself through time out of their hands who held him as Captive He desired such as he trusted in to assist him with their counsel and help The Lords again who were joined together for the Reformation of the State being rid of the Duke of Lennox who had past through England to France where he shortly after dyed of a sickness contracted through displeasure And being also rid of the Earl of Arran whom they kept Captive in the custody of the Earl of Gaury they retired themselves from the Court to
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
that being once there Proclamation might be issued out to forbid any Nobleman or other to come to the Convention without being expresly called by Letter from his Majesty For this end it was advised that the Earl of March should invite his Majesty to be at St. Andrews two or three days before the Convention by reason of his preparation of wild meat and other fleshes that would spoil in case his Majesty came not to make good chear with him some days before Whereupon his Majesty went forward contrary to my opinion and the judgment of some others about him who though we were sensible of the inconveniencies which might follow durst not be so bold as to stay him though we told his Majesty our opinion that we judged it was hazardous for him to ride till the Lords who had been advertised to attend him might come forward Nevertheless he went on and advertised the Earl of March the Provost of St. Andrews and other Barons to attend him at Darsie Where meeting them his Majesty thought himself at liberty expressing great joy like a Bird flown out of a Cage passing his time in Hawking by the way after his meeting them thinking himself sure enough albeit I thought his estate far surer when he was in Falkland For when he came to St. Andrews he lodged in an old Inn a very open part the yard dikes being his greatest strength few of the Lords he had written for being yet come except only the Earl of Crauford who was near In the mean time I perceived the folly and went to the Provost of the Town desiring to know what forces he had within the Town at his devotion He answered Very few and those not to be trusted to I asked who was in the Castle He told me the Bishop with whom I dealt incontinently to have the Castle in readiness to receive his Majesty which he promised to do But when I returned to his Majesty believing that the Proclamation had been made That no Man should come to the Convention but such as had been written for I found that the Abbot of Dumfarmling was arrived out of Lockleven and the Earl of Marshal out of Dundee The Earl of Mar was still with his Majesty but all the Lords were advertised with diligence from Falkland that his Majesty was suddenly gone for St. Andrews desiring them to make haste to go thither else they would be late The said Abbot for his part was soon enough there and behaved himself with great dissimulation extolling his Majesties enterprise so that he gain'd so much credit as to cast down all their devices who were upon the King's side though he was a special doer for the contrary party He said it was not fit by Proclamation to stay the Nobility but rather to write Missives to them not to come accompanied with any more then two persons with every Nobleman When his Majesty told me this I was very angry and shewed him that this was the ready way to put him again in their hands without thanks from whom he had lately fled assuring his Majesty that they were coming forward very strong and in Arms and would be sooner there then those Lords he had written for adding that they might come in quietly themselves and cause their Companies to come in by two's and three's to the Town whereas it had been better to let them come in all together that their whole Forces might have been seen Yet his Majesty was loath to enter within the Castle that night for his greater security until it was very late after Supper giving those that were there already time to advise and to enterprise that same night to take him again in case he had gone to the Abby yards to walk as they had perswaded him till the Castle was prepared And some were already entred the said yard for that effect in Armour whereof I had some suspicion and therefore instantly advertised his Majesty who thereupon changed his resolution and past by the yard Gate to the Castle The next day the whole Lords as well written for as unwritten for arrived at St. Andrews the King's Lords quite without Armour the other Lords strongly Armed The Earl of Marshal and Mar and the Abbot of Dumfarmling lodged within the Castle with his Majesty where the crafty Abbot counselled the King to let none of the Lords come within the Castle accompanied with more then twelve persons He ever appeared to favour the King's intention and therefore this crafty counsel was followed The next morning the Castle was full of men and those of the contrary party being well Armed had already taken the Stair-heads and Galleries resolving again to be Masters of the King and all the rest which being too late preceived diligence was incontinently used to bring within the Castle all the Earl of March his Gentlemen with the Lairds of Dairsy Balcomy Segie Forret Barns and others with so many of the Town as were at the Provosts devotion which for that night prevented the foresaid design The Earl of Gaury was also a great stay in that matter for albeit he came thither as strong and as angry as any of the Lords yet he was advertised of the King 's good will towards him and so was drawn from the rest That dangerous day being thus past without any harm done the next day such order was taken as his Majesty was Master of the Castle following no more the said Abbot's counsel but declared his moderate intentions to all the Lords to the Fiffe Barons and Towns upon the Coast side who had been sent for and likewise to the Ministers and Masters of the Colledge Namely That albeit he had been detained against his Will for some time yet he intended not to impute it as a Crime nor to remember any thing done in his minority but that he would pass an Act of Oblivion as to all that was past satisfie the demands of the Church agree parties among whom there were differences and to carry himself to all his Subjects equally knowing none of them to bear him any evil will and that they had been driven to enterprise the thing they had done by the force of their Factious partialities using many other such words of clemency and discretion to all their contentments Thereafter he ordained four Lords two of every faction to retire them for a while to wit The Earls of Angus Bothwel Huntly and Crauford retaining all the rest about him as indifferent for his ordinary Council by whose advice he was resolved to settle his estate and thereafter to bring again to Court the whole Lords above-named Then his Majesty called for me before a number of the said Lords and gave me greater commendation and thanks then I had merited as being the only instrument under God of his liberty His Majesty caused also to make a Proclamation conform to his former promises and moderate intentions But I took no pleasure to be praised in presence of so many answering
to his Majesty That I had already displeased all those who were upon the purpose of his detention Now matters being settled in appearance and this design successfully ended some of the King's Lords who had been slow in coming and when they were come finding the Lords of the contrary Faction strong and in Armour denyed that they knew any thing of his Majesties enterprise laying the whole burthen upon Colonel Stuart and me But when they saw appearance of a prosperous success they took the matter stoutly upon them and began in plain Council to tell how long they had been upon the counsel of that enterprise with his Majesty and how long waiting for his advertisement Of a truth his Majesty was of a merciful mind and gently inclined toward all the Nobility intending to win all their hearts by his own discreet behaviour and to that effect he went first to the House of Ruthven to let the Country see that he was entirely reconciled with the Earl of Gaury Where after he had Royally entertained his Majesty he fell down upon his knees lamenting that his Majesty should have been retained in that unhappy house at his last being there which he said fell out rather by accident then deliberation only for the safety of the Earl of Arran's life Alledging that he knew no other thing then that at his Majesty's being at Dumfarmling they were minded to present him an humble Supplication asking pardon for that accidental fault which his Majesty graciously promised never to impute to him knowing how blindly he was brought upon it by the practises of others In the mean time James Stuart Earl of Arran had obtained the favour to be warded in Kinneal his own house and sent and Congratulated his Majesties liberty begging that he might have access to come and kiss his hand which was plainly resused Then he sent daily his opinion and advices to his Majesty how to proceed against divers of the Nobility and others advising to bring back to Court the Earls of Huntly and Crauford which was too easily condescended to by the Earls of Arguile and Montross only the Earl of Gaury resisted alledging that the Earls of Bothwel and Angus were put in hopes to be brought in with them or as soon as they But the equality expected was soon forgot which moved the Earl of Marshal and others to retire to their houses The Abbot of Dumfarmling remained still at Court and to curry favour of Colonel Stuart then Captain of the Guard he gave him a Purse and thirty pieces of Gold at four pound the piece which pieces the Colonel distributed to so many of the Guard who bored them and set them like Targets upon their Knapsacks and the Purse was born upon a Spear point like an Ensign The Abbot shortly after was warded in Lockleven Mr. John Colvil the Laird of Clesh and Drumwhasel were also warded by the advice of the Earl of Arran and his Wife who continually solicited his Majesty that they might come to Court And at length I was requested by his Agent James Stuart to deal with his Majesty to permit the said Earl to come again to the Court For he said that his Majesty was favourable enough and that the Earls of Arguile Huntly Crauford and Montrose had not only given their consent but that the Earls of Arguile and Montrose had said unto his Majesty that they would ride themselves and fetch him only the Earl of Gaury resisted and that the King had shewn him that he would do nothing therein without my consent and advice I answered That his Majesty needed not my consent if himself and so many Noblemen were content He replied again That his Majesty reposed more upon me at that time then upon all his Council as his Majesty had shewn him and that he would not bring him without my consent Whereupon I went unto his Majesty and shew'd him what language the Earl of Arran's Servant had to me concerning his Master's coming to Court and that his Majesty laid too great a burthen upon me to say that he would do nothing therein without my consent Thereupon his Majesty took me to the Gallary of Falkland lamenting as he had been informed the loss of many of his best friends as the Earls of Lennox Athol and Duke of Lennox And now says he They will not permit the Earl of Arran who hazarded his life to relieve me to come and see me he desired me to acquaint him what might be the occasion they hated him so much My answer was That to tell the verity perilled my self to conceal the truth indangered his Majesty He would needs know my meaning therein I said The Earl of Arran is one of the worst instruments can come about you whereof your Majesty hath had too sure a proof his mis-behaviour being the only occasion of the late interprise and if he ever be again admitted about your Majesty the like or worse will follow Thereupon its dangerous to my self to acquaint your Majesty herewith seeing it will occasion him to be my deadly Enemy if he ever get notice thereof Then his Majesty desired only to let him come and kiss his hand promising he should not tarry intreating me to deal with my Lord of Gaury that he would also grant that he might but once come to Court and he should incontinently return to his house without any stay I said I should cause him to yield to his Majesties pleasure In the mean time I took occasion to declare unto his Majesty how that many great Princes are wracked by their Ambitious Counsellors who will rule all alone taking upon them a greater burthen then they can bear for remedy whereof his Majesty should spend every day but one hour to hear a chosen number of honest Councellors reason upon his affairs then himself to give his opinion what he thinks fittest to be done as the King of France used to do Which his Majesty granted very willingly and so long as he kept that order by the ordinary Council days his turns went rightly forward The whole Lords who assisted his Majesty were of his Council Sir Robert my Brother Colonel Stuart the Laird of Seigie and my self But as soon as the Earl of Arran got access to his Majesty he not only stayed at Court against promise but also within a short time altered all this way of procedour with a design to draw the management of all publick affairs to himself At his first entry he carried himself very humbly for after he had kissed his Majesties hand he embraced me and kissed my cheek giving me many thanks in his Majesties presence alledging That the whole name of Stuarts was obliged to me for the notable service he alledged I had done his Majesty As for him he said he should never take any thing in hand but be therein directed by my Brother and me But Colonel Stuart and he spoke not together until his Majesty desired me to agree them which after much
travel I did at length At first the Colonel swore a great Oath That if his Majesty suffered that villain to remain at Court he would yet again undo all For a little time he kept himself quiet but there was no appearance of his home-going Sometimes he would reprove my gentle kind of procedure in his Majesties affairs and could not endure to see them handled by a number He insinuated to his Majesty That he would find it a troublsome business to be incumbred with many contrary opinions He desired him to recreate himself at hunting and he would attend the Council and report again at his Majesties return all our Opinions and Conclusions This he observed two or three times and so in a very short space changed the former order laid down to have been followed So that he gave accompt of no Man's advice but his own yet he made his Majesty believe that it was all our Opinions that it was his interest to follow a violent course And though the same was directly against his Majesties first Deliberation Intention and proclamation of Clemency yet he caused to make contrary Proclamations against those of the Road of Ruthven ordaining them all to take remissions for that which before was allowed for good Service moving divers Noblemen and others to withdraw from the Court for fear to some place of Security When he caused to be read before the Council his new invented Proclamation I down-right opposed my self to it saying That I knew it was directly against his Majesties mind and promise Whereupon he leapt out of the Council-house in a rage and said I would wrack the King by my manner of doings I answered either you or I my Lord with other sharp pricking language so that for that time it was stayed Afterward he waited a meet occasion to get it past having procured a flattering Faction to assist him in expectation to be made sharers of the spoil he hoped to make a part whereof he had promised them to gain their Votes to his desire And so all things were turned up-side down a great number of Noblemen and others being put thereby in fear of their Lives and Estates And when any of us who were desirous of his Majesties quiet and prosperous estate would acquaint his Majesty with the danger of these proceedings of the Earl he would be very sorry saying The Earl made him believe that he did nothing but by common consent of the Council And when his Majesty understood the contrary he was very earnest and willing to amend the disorder but was still Circumvented by the said Earl and such as for fear flattery or expectation of profit advanced all his designs About this time there came a sharp Letter from the Queen of England unto his Majesty who thought the Noblemen who were aimed at and were absent from Court fittest instruments to be about his Majesty And for entertaining of Amity and Concord betwixt their Majesties and Kingdoms she was not content to see them so hardly handled The Copy of which Letter I have here inserted AMong your many studies my dear Brother and Cousin I wish Isocrates's noble Lesson were not forgotten that wills the Emperour his Sovereign to make his Words of more accompt then other men do their Oaths as meetest Ensigns to shew the truest Badge of a Prince's Arms. It moveth me much to moan you when I behold how diversly sundry wicked Spirits abstract your mind and bend your course to crooked Paths and evil illusions wrapt under the Cloak of your best good How can it be that you can suppose an honourable and satisfactory answer can be made unto me when all your actings gainsay your former Vows You deal with one whose experience will not take dross for good payment and with one who will not be easily beguiled No no! I mind to send to School your craftiest Councellors I am sorry to find you bent to wrong your self in thinking to enjure others Yea those who if they had taken the opportunity in their hands they might have done you more prejudice then a thousand such mens lives be worth who perswade you to avow such deeds as to oblige the best deserving of your Subjects to demand a faultless Pardon Why do you forget what you wrote to my self with your own hand shewing how dangerous a course the Duke was entred in though you seemed to excuse him as if he had intended no evil therein and yet you would not make them guilty who delivered you therefrom I hope you more esteem your honour then to give it such a stain since you have so oft protested that you was resolved to notice these Lords as your most affectionate Subjects in the full perswasion that all they had done was by them intended for your advantage To conclude I beseech you proceed no further in this course till you receive an express Messenger a trusty Servant of mine by whom I intend to deal as an affectionate Sister with you as one from whom you may see you shall receive honour and contentment with more surety to your Self and State then by following the pernicious Councels of these crafty dissembling Councellours as knows the Lord to whose safe keeping I do commit you Your most Assured and Faithfullest Sister and Cousin ELIZABETH Unto this Letter his Majesty commanded me in his name to write an answer that he might write it over again with his own hand For the Secretary for the time was in suspicion to have been upon the contrary course The answer was as followeth MADAM I Have received a Letter of yours containing in the entry that sentence of Isocrates which willeth Princes Words to be more intirely observed then other Mens Oaths as though some sinister report were made unto you of some forgetfulness in me or that you fear that in time coming I fail in keeping such promises unto my friends as may be made upon just and convenient occasions For answer unto that head I remember another saying of Isocrates where he would not have them repute friends who allow or praise whatsoever we say or do but rather such who modestly reprove our faults So that I take your sharp admonition at this time as proceeding from a Sisterly love albeit upon wrong information hoping that so soon as you shall truly understand of my hard handling and patient behaviour you shall be so well satisfied as to deem me to have done nothing but that which you would have done your self in the like condition First When I was detained Captive under a fair pretext it pleased you to send your Ambassadours like as did the King of France friendly to visit me offering me great kindness and help in case I needed any for the time for which I do yet render your Majesty hearty thanks Which offer I did not think fit to embrace alledging that I was well content and had good friends about me which was very true For one part of these same Lords who were
then about me perceiving my grief and miscontent offered even then to relieve me whensoever I would desire to be at greater liberty Whereupon I made you then that answer whereof you make mention in your Letter as I gave the like answer to the French Ambassadour Nevertheless I was ever resolved at a fit time to relieve my self for my honour as I have done lately following another saying of Isocrates willing Princes to hazard rather to dye honestly then to ring shamefully for how I did ring for the time you might know by your Cousin Mr. Cairo in whose ear I rounded my familiary inward grief because he said you desired him to require it at me apart promising that it should be secretly kept from all others albeit I used not such freedom with Mr. Bowes Indeed I subscribed such Writs and Letters as the said Lords presented to me for the time was unfit to dispute too precisely upon Circumstances that were determined by these who were Masters of me and the State This Answer I suppose will satisfie your own reasonable and equitable Judgment discreetly considering the same with your self apart I doubt if it will be so interpreted by others of your Councel who have particular designs of their own to whom because I impute the whole hard Language contained in your angry Letter and not to your self and gentle inclination I think it not needful now to write an Answer unto every part of the same So attending patiently upon your better intelligence and information in these matters I will rather retain in my memory your former fruitful friendship then now start at any wrong set Syllable or sowre sentence placed in your paper at the partial instance of others As concerning that which toucheth the Duke of Lennox his godly end hath declared his honest meaning Whose death I might justly lay upon such as forcibly removed him from my presence nevertheless I resolve to put all by-gones in Oblivion neither to compel any man to take a faultless Pardon Where you desire that I proceed no further until a trusty Messenger may come from you I intend to stay from doing any thing till then that you may justly be offended with Albeit Isocrates advises Princes speedily to execute such turns as good Councel thinks necessary to be done wishing that he who shall be sent may be as willing to work the effects of true love and friendship betwixt us as I am assured it is both our hearts desire and intention whereto I pray the Lord to grant increase continuance and happiness to his glory and to the well peace and quiet of both our Realms The Secretary Walsingham was he of whom mention is made in her Majesties Letter to be sent in here but he was long by the way by reason that he was sickly In the mean time Mr. Bowes who was Ambassador resident at Edinbrugh had received this Letter by the ordinary Post and returned the Answer He declared many Commendations from my Lord Burly and several of the Council of England to my Brother Sir Robert and me alledging that they were glad to hear that such men were about His Majesty that were of their Religion and with whom they were long acquainted wishing many such to be in Court About this time the Earl of Arran obtained the keeping of the Castle of Stirling and insinuated himself so far upon His Majesty that he took upon him the whole management of affairs and caused sundry Noblemen to be banished as the Earls of Mar Angus and the Master of Glains and divers others And by his insolency he drove the Earl of Gaurie from Court far against his Majesties intention who sent me for him to his house to bring him again to Court which was for the time at Coupar in Fyffe where His Majesty agreed him and the Earl of Arran But no conditions promised were kept to Gaurie so that he was so vexed that he resolved to leave the Country I have already declared how loath I was that either His Majesty should leave the Lords who were about him or that I should in any wise be a medler again in publick affairs considering the many alterations I had seen by long and hurtful experience yet the affection I had for His Majesty engaged me not to refuse his Commands being my native Prince and Master and I his humble Subject and sworn Servant first as his domestick as being one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber and a Member of his Privy-Council But after his Majesty being taken I was no more admitted by his Keepers who thought fit for their security to place such men about him as were intirely at their Devotion As for my part as I was sorry that His Majesty should be used any other way then at his own pleasure so I was much satisfied to be permitted to live quietly at home the rest of my days yet being called again by His Majesty I waited upon his Commands Now again perceiving His Majesties most acceptable Proclamations slyly and cunningly changed contrary to His Majesties merciful intentions by issuing out contrary Proclamations and intending violent persuits against these concerned in the Road of Ruthven whereby too great a number of Noblemen and Gentlemen despaired of their Safety and Lives in a lamenting manner I remembred his Majesty how he was abused and what great inconveniencies were like to ensue Thereupon His Majesty upon my relation appeared very sorrowful and assured me of his resolutions to amend these disorders but it was his misfortune to advise thereabouts with these who underhand were chief instruments therein Believing that because he loved them they also loved him and the well of his affairs They again making some appearance of intentions of satisfying his expectation indirectly by means of too many who depended upon the Earl of Arrans extraordinary Credit and Favour the contrary to his Majesties princely and upright meaning was brought about so that many Noblemen left the Country and all honest men left the Court to the great satisfaction of the Earl of Arran and his Wife who had the greater opportunity of guiding all And that they might the easier set forward this course they perswaded His Majesty to pass to Stirling whither they knew few or none durst repair who were not at his Devotion he being Captain of the said Castle and Provost of the Town after I had frequently warned His Majesty of the storm I did foresee coming I retired my self from Court. His Majesty being at Stirling asked frequently for me regretting that I was not continually with him Whereupon the Earl of Arran advised that I should be sent ambassador to the Queen of England upon some pretended affair as well to absent me from His Majesty who he perceived had some favour for me as to take occasion upon my return to bring me in disgrace as if I had been guilty of some mis-management because he knew that as matters stood I could do no good at that time And
commonly when Mens Commissions take no good effect they are calumniated by their Enemies and envyers as unfit instruments unskilful and undiscreet Which Calumnies get oft-times too much Credit when matters succeed not conform to the desire of the Master For this end he had engaged His Majesty to write for me but before his Letter came to my hands for the said Voyage I had indited a long Letter to have sent unto His Majesty as a remembrancer of his former promises intentions and Proclamations shewing what inconveniencies were like to ensue the setting forward of a contrary course together with such remedies as I could judge meetest for the time The tenour of His Majesties Letter unto me was That he had some matters to communicate to me wherein he resolved to imploy both my advice and pains and therefore he desired me to come to Stirling with all convenient expedition after the sight of the said Letter where I should understand more amply the occasion of my being sent for as I would do him accomptible pleasure and good service Written from the Castle of Stirling the 22d of Octob. 1583. After the receipt of this Letter I did ride unto His Majesty and took with me the Letter which I had penned before whereof the Copy followeth Sir as it hath pleased your Majesty heretofore to accept of my will for agreeable service even so I hope that your Highness's constant favour shall continue toward me now and in time coming notwithstanding my present absence For albeit that during your Majesties young Age I was suffered to live happily at home from the handling of publick affairs yet I found my self obliged to bear my proportionable burthen in your Service so soon as it should please your Majesty to lay your Commands on me for that effect being then most assured to walk in a just and lawful vocation which to give continual testimony of my dutiful obedience not presuming to give your Majesty Counsel I have only taken the boldness to present to you in these few lines my simple opinion of things that are apparently to fall out upon your Majesties late proceedings For when it pleased your Majesty at your first going to St. Andrews to take upon your self the free Government of your Affairs your Majesties Gracious intention and proposition then was not only most agreeable to all the Lords Barons and Ministers there present for the time but also to the rest of your good Subjects when as they understood of your merciful inclinations Which being now otherwise overturned then was either first intended or determined is able to breed cumber and disorder unless your Majesty by wisdom and dexterity prevent the apparent inconveniencies For it pleased your Majesty then openly to declare how that you only sought with your own reputation and safety the well and safety of your whole Subjects as being willing to give satisfaction to the demands of the Church to agree all parties to blot out of memory the name of Factions and put in perpetual Oblivion all Crimes committed in your Majesties Minority acknowledging all such as chanced to be done during the same but to have fallen out betwixt Subject and Subject for such particular respects as your Majesty never purposed to impute to any of their Charges but to Reign over them all in times coming as a Gracious Father and that by the advice of the least Factious and best affected of the Nobility Barons and other sufficient Subjects No man to be placed about or proscribed from your Majesty by favour or surname kin friend or allye but for sufficiencie vertue and loyalty As also if any were to be absented or sent home for a time it should not be done at the instance of any envious suiter of his Office or particular Party but for your Majesties honour and safety during your pleasure leaving them still in hope through good behaviour to obtain again familiar access about your Majesty as formerly If this Calm Course had been followed there was appearance of a quiet State But the altering and changing this gentle kind of dealing to a sharp and violent persuit of sundry by seeking out over many faults in the persons of so many Great and Active Men hath bred such discontent and so furious a Faction that if sudden remedy be not provided civil dissention and despaired interprises ought to be looked for by all such as have sufficient experience of the nature of Scotsmen and seemly intelligence of the deportment of divers which the necessity of their unsure Estate may well drive them honestly to take in hand It is true that the flourishing of Commonwealths consists much in the rewarding of the good and punishing of the wicked No doubt but faults enough have been done during your nonage but to seek them out narrowly and to punish them severely in such cases and at such times in matters wherein many have dipped is no safe Course Yea though your Majesty were willing as I know you are not I cannot see how you can get it done against so great a number having so small substance and few Forces and so potent and mighty Neighbours lying still at wait upon all such controversies and occasions to take advantage thereof whereby to serve their own turn This Consideration also ought presently to be noticed that the wonted reverence born by the Subjects unto the Princely Authority of their Soveraigns is much decayed in this Kingdom by reason of the Queens Youth and long absence and even so in your Majesties time for the like causes but chiefly because that your Majesty being yet young have been accompanied this time past with the youngest and meanest sort of your Nobility Who albeit they may be faithful and honest to set forward your service yet the rest of your Subjects alledging them to be factious ignorant and covetous doubt of their discreet behaviour seeing their intentions are to Rule by force hardly may a Prince assure himself at all occasions to choose a sure course wherein there shall be no peril For commonly men thinking to escape out of one inconveniency fall oft-times into an other Therefore prudence consists in understanding the quality of dangers and in choosing the least evil for the best Some Kingdoms and Countries are Governed by force some by fairness on the other part Subjects obey either for awe or love That Prince is reputed of no value who cannot win the hearts of his Subjects by one of these two For either must the means be taken at once from such as are suspected deservedly whereby they may do harm or else they must be satisfied in such sort as in reason they may be content and so serve for love and not for awe So that it is easie to judge which of these two Governments may be meetest for your Majesty The Emperor Trajan being demanded wherefore his Subjects loved and honoured him above his Predecessors answered because I forgive them who offend me and never forget any who have
done me service Julius Pollux Master to Caesar points out a true Prince to be of Divine Countenance Godly Merciful Just Equitable Careful of his Affairs Constant in his Deeds true in his Promises Subject unto reason Master over his Affections fatherly towards his Subjects of easie Access gentle to be spoken to ready to forgive slow to punish princely liberal subtil secret and sharp of ingeny Now because it appeareth your Majesty in youth hath been sufficiently versed in many of these vertuous precepts I wish from my heart that such impressions may be as well taken of them that are presently about you seeing that Princes are commonly deemed to be like those whom they make most their familiars Therefore Sir for eschewing all those evils and to put the nearest Remedy unto all the appearing inconveniencies it is fit so soon as it may please your Majesty to pass to Edinbrugh to convene the most ancient of your Nobility and Barons of best reputation by whose advice together with those that are already in Court your Country may be quieted and your Subjects satisfied For now as matters are handled to speak of Clemency by causing them to take remissions it will want Credit and be ill interpreted as not conform to your Majesties first Declaration The Emperor Adrian inquired after men of great age and experience and helped himself by their many perils Alexander Severus would perform no matter of importance but with advice of the most ancient and best experimented He never went out of Rome unaccompanied with four or five of the most honourable ancient and grave personages that none should need to fear that he would commit any Error He never suffered the Senate to conclude any weighty purpose unless Fifty of them had been present He caused all his Counsellors to put their Opinions in writing to see if any were possest with passions or partialities He changed oft his familiarity with sundry of the Senate lest he who had alwayes his ear might be overcome with importunate pursuits or partiality The urgent necessity of the time most Noble and Excellent Prince causeth me to be so tedious Humbly craving pardon and heartily kissing your Majesties hands I pray the Eternal God grant you long and happy life From Halhil this 15th of October 1583. Your Majesties most Humble And Obedient Servitour James Melvil When I came to Stirling and shewed his Majesty this Letter he not only liked well of it but ingaged to follow the advice therein contained He lamented to me the partial dealing of those about him Only he said that my Brother Sir Robert was upon a sound course for quieting of the Estate and that some Noblemen against whose partialities he had opposed himself had discorded with him in his Majesties presence It pleased his Majesty also to tell me that the cause why I was written for was to be sent to England to travel with the Queen there for entertainment of mutual Amity and encrease of her favour and good will concerning the Title and Succession to the Crown of England and assistance to help to establish his troubled Estate perturbed by the insolence and partialities of his Subjects bred and ingendred among them during his minority I answered that I judged it was a very unmeet time seeing I knew as matters stood in Scotland that England would make no account of him nor of any that would be sent from him until first he would let it be seen and heard that he could settle his own Estate and by his wise and prudent management render his own Subjects obedient to his Commands this being done they would honour and esteem him And that the best and readiest way to obtain also one day the Crown of England was to guide Scotland so well that they might find ground some day to wish to be under the Government of such a Prince By this kind of Language and his Majesty pondering what ground I had to use the same he was satisfied that my Voyage should be stayed till a more convenient time So I returned from Court to my own house It is mentioned here above in the Queen of Englands Letter how that she was minded to send a Trusty Servant unto his Majesty willing him to stay from any strict proceeding against the Lords who were pickt at for the Road of Ruthven until the Arriving of the said Ambassador who was the Secretary Walsingham a Counsellor of worthy qualities who had great Credit with the Queen of England But he was of a sickly Complexion and was not able to endure riding Post therefore he was long by the way being carried in a Charriot So that during his longsome Voyage the Earl of Arran went ay forward forgetting the tenour of the Queen of Englands Letter So soon as his Majesty was advertised of the Arrival of Sir Franers Walsingham I was sent for to come to Court and directed to ride and welcome him in his Majesties name to bear him company and Convoy him about by Stirling to St. Iohnstoun where his Majesty thought fit to give him Audience Desiring me also to say unto him that his Majesty was very glad of the coming of such a notable Personage who was known to be indued with Religion and Wisdom whom he had ever esteemed as his special friend being assured that his tedious travel in his long Voyage being diseased as he was tended to more substantial points for the confirmation of the amity between the Queen his Sister and him then had been performed at any time before The Secretary Walsingham answered me again that the great desire he had to establish an assured Amity betwixt the two Princes and Countries moved him to undertake the Embassage himself his Majesty being the Prince in the World that he loved next unto the Queen his Mistress and wished most to see and be acquainted with And that he hoped his Commission should succeed the better that he had met first with me his old friend and only acquaintance in Scotland For we had been Companions abroad upon our Travels and divers times when I was sent to or passed thorow England he would have me to lodge and lye with himself at London which occasioned that we had more familiar Conferences Whereupon I did write two several Letters that his Majesty might be the better provided to make answer to such heads as I knew he would propose Then we took our Journey thorow Lithgow to Stirling and from that to Pearth He had heard that my Lord Seatoun and Livingstoun were written unto to Convoy him but he requested me to stay them that he might have the more Conference by the way with me otherwise he would be compelled to entertain the Noblemen I judged it probable that his design in this was to let see his own Train For he was Sevenscore Horse in Company Being near the Court his Majesty sent out two of the Council to meet him to wit my Lord of Doun and my Brother Sir Robert The
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
Majesty to his liberty albeit not without some peril with honour at the first and with the universal contentment of all his Subjects so soon as they understood his honest meaning and gracious deliberation as well by Promise as by Proclamation as is already specified For my part I forget not at all occasions to remember his Majesty I refused the Office of Secretary when offered by his Majesty in reward of my service because it was promised that no man should want his Offices Benefits Lands or Escheats I opposed my self in full Council against the Earl of Arran because he had formed a Proclamation against the Lords of the Road of Ruthven contrary to His Majesty's former Proclamation of Grace and Oblivion For which he leapt out of the house in a great rage at me and for despight he made a List of the Names of so many as should be upon the Privy Council and left out my name Likewise he named so many of his dependers as should serve in every Office which his Majesty was resolved not to acquiesce to without my advice Yet he prevailed with His Majesty to subscribe the same assisted by the foresaid Lords who took plain part with him So I was shut out of door and had no more place to do good His Majesty graciously excused the matter and said That the Lords had no will of two Brothers being upon the Council But when he should get a Wife I should be her Councellour and chief about her So that if they were glad to be quit of me I was as glad to be free of them and not to be partakers with them in advices tending directly to indanger the Prince and the Country Yet his Majesty assured me That he would go to Edinbrugh according to the advice I had given in my forementioned Letter and Convene the Nobility Barons and others whom I had named in order to the settling of the Country And in the mean time he told me That the Earl of Arran thought fit to send to England the Bishop of St. Andrews alledging That he was passing to the Spaw for recovery of his health Who passing through England might have Commission to deal with that Queen in his Majesties affairs And in case he found her willing to discourse friendly and freely he should then shew her that his Majesty would send me thither to satisfie her more sufficiently in such things as she would require And to that effect the said Bishop should send back word by a Gentleman Captain Robert Melvil who went thither expresly to be sent back with the said answer I was commanded to write in the Bishop's favour but he was too well known in England For Mr. Bowes who remained long in this Country had informed them sufficiently of the said Bishop's qualities who was disdained in England and dishonoured his Country by borrowing of Gold and pretious Furniture from the Bishop of London and divers others which was never restored nor payed for His Majesty nevertheless would have me to grant to go to England and to be in readyness He desired me to make my own Instructions alledging That I knew what was meetest for him to require at that time I would not take upon me to make my own Instructions but I promised to pen the Speech that I would think most proper to recite to her Majesty in case I went thither and which I would judge to be the fittest language that any sent thither could speak for the time After his Majesty had perused the same he much relished it and declared it was fully conform to his own intentions It was in these words MADAM ALbeit that your Majesty be as sufficiently certified of the King my Sovereign's conformable mind to satisfie your Majesty as well by Sir Francis Walsingham your Secretary as by the Bishop of St. Andrews his Ambassadour granting the one his whole desires by mouth and declaring by the other how strictly he hath observed and performed the same in effect more to satisfie your motherly mind by shewing the tokens of a thankful and obedient Son then for any great advantage he perceives you thereby seek for your self So that it is his Majesty's intention chiefly seeing he hath taken the Rudder into his own hand to discover to you ay the longer the more the perfect fruits of his hearty affection For now having attained unto some years of knowledge and dear bought experience by that which hath been oft beat in his Ears he is not ignorant how that your Majesties favour and assistance will be more contributive for his advantage and advancement then can be any or that he can obtain from all the other Princes in Europe Your Majesty being to him so dear a Mother and so near a Neighbour both your Subjects appearing to be but one People Especially since your prudent Government began the effects whereof hath not only been found by your own but by your neighbours The same having extended it self to the advantage of other Kingdoms especially overshadowing this whole Island to your Majesties everlasting honour For never in any Princes days hath been seen so much rest so great riches and felicity in England which likewise might have been in Scotland if the particularities of some of the Subjects had suffered them to have followed your Sage Charitable and Loving admonitions As the consideration thereof is the reason which induced his Majesty whom the matter most toucheth to direct me to your Majesty after ripe deliberation and upon the sure ground of the good information of such as are best inclined and have greatest experience to seek the assistance which he hath so oft seen sent unto him help and wholsom advice where he hath so oft found it and salutary Plaisters to be laid unto the Sores that yet daily breed and arise in his Realm as remains of the Canker and disorder ingendred during his Minority Seeing then the thing that he craves is your accustomed Kindness and Counsel which because the strength of your constancy will compel you to continue towards him he is the more humbly to suit the same as most seemly for his neerness of Kin Age and Estate to do Perswading himself that such friendly Offices might be used between you as may tend to both your contentments and weal of your Kingdoms which for lack of sure intelligence of others minds by secret and mutual conference of devotious and discreet instruments might otherwise turn to the contrary The King my Master knows that a mighty Man cannot stand upon one side he grants that he hath now greater need of your help then you of his in many things But he thinks himself as able and is as willing to deserve favour at your hand as any who can contend with him for the same or would presume to sound the Bell of Succession in your Ears For his part he requires no instant Declaration thereof but will continually crave by his behaviour all such preferment as an humble Son ought
to seek at the hands of a loving and hearty Mother Because he believes that a word of your Majesties mouth at a convenient time will sufficiently serve his turn being yet young enough to await upon any benefit you shall be pleased to bestow upon him Acknowledging the Prorogation of your Years most profitable to supply his Youth And considering the necessity he hath now of your assistance in the ruling of this his troubled Estate he believes that he would have double need of your help if over-early he had any greater handling Therefore Madam he desires as yet to recreate himself with hunting and pastime until he be of greater ripeness and maturity Wishing in the mean time unto your Majesty a long Life a prosperous Reign and as good success in your proceedings hereafter as you have had hitherto that having so happily and so honourably in a manner ruled both the Realms these many years by-gone you may be as able to leave them so joined together in a cordial and stable Monarchy And that the blest and perfect end of your prudent project may Confirm and Crown the worthiness of your Reputation in finishing the work which so many had so ost in vain enterprised as the only Prince that ever obtained the whole handling and hearts of all Britain without Blood The first thereof begun and appropriate in your person so pleasantly and peaceably ruled in your time and so justly and righteously distribute and left after you not only to the worthiest as did Alexander but also to the nearest of your friends and kinsfolk as did Caesar to avoid blood shedding then as before like a kindly Mother to the King the Country and Common-wealth to the great pleasure of God the perpetual praise of your memory and to the universal weal and pleasure of this whole Island If the Queen of England could have credited His Majesty she might have had an assured friendship and concurrence of him for the time Certainly his Majesty was ever minded to keep this kind of friendly and discreet Correspondence with her For he was informed how little speed the Queen his Mother had for suiting continually to be declared Second Person of England as may be seen in that which I have written before touching her proceedings with the Queen of England who I knew would never grant to declare a Second Person but with force and compulsion which was never in the power of Scotland to do during the rich and peaceable Reign of that Queen Yet fair and discreet language and behaviour gave place and access to His Majesty's Ambassadours to pass to and fro to gain friends and get intelligence Now the Earl of Arran perceiving that by no perswasion he could get His Majesty stayed from executing the resolution he had laid down of going for Edinbrugh and calling a Convention of such Noblemen Barons Burgesses and Ministers as were meetest to settle the troubled Estate of the Country by taking up again and following forth his former gracious intention and promise both by Proclamation and Speeches unto divers Noblemen Barons and Ministers The said Earl perceiving that he could not directly stay that good purpose so contrary to his intentions he first made his interest to be made Chancellour and then Captain of the Castle of Edinbrugh that by his great Offices besides his credit with His Majesty he might terrifie all such as durst oppose themselves to his Courses or Propositions Then he used his craft to pervert and draw the effect of the Convention clear contrary to His Majesty's intention For he dealt and spoke with every Lord and Baron apart at their coming shewing them how graciously his Majesty was minded toward such as had taken him at the Road of Ruthven that he was resolved to grant every one of them a particular remission some of them to be a while absent out of the Country and others to remain at home in their own houses absent from Court. Alledging that whoever would say that this form of punishment was not great clemency they would lose His Majesties favour and be reputed as Men who have no respect to his honour and surety it having been so odious a Crime to have laid hands forcibly upon their native Prince This matter being so set out and declared by him who it was thought knew most of His Majesty's mind and had most of his favour evidenced by his having the greatest Offices of the Kingdom in his hand it was Voted by them all To be great Clemency used by his Majesty towards those who had committed so odious a Crime His Majesty not conjecturing the trick hereby put upon him in rendering his gracious intention ineffectual was very glad to hear them all conclude in one Opinion not imagining they had been preoccupied by the Earl of Arran part for fear part for ignorance others for flattery to obtain favour of him who they saw guided both King and Country Few or none of them for the time considered the apparent danger of rendering these plainly desperate who were ordained to take Remissions for that which before was allowed for good Service in respect of their great number who could not yet be punished nor quashed without hazarding His Majesty's own Princely Estate and Credit which all discreet and wise Princes are loath to bring into Question This allowance of good Service hath been oft practised in France during the time of their Civil Wars when their late Princes were but yet young and where the Malecontents and Pretenders to Reform the Estate were so many and mighty as to make a party answerable to that of their King Because I was not yet come to the first day of the said Convention His Majesty told me that same night at my coming what had been Voted at their first meeting which he thought would be to my great contentment desiring me the next day to be present I answered I was sorry from my heart for what had been concluded seeing it was in effect clean contrary to his intention For whereas he thought to have settled his Estate it was cast loose the Die was now cast and the Dissention so increased to the kindling of new enterprises that chance would bear away the Mastery and Victory For those who were compelled to take Remissions would take it as their ditty and that finding their former securities altered there was not any more place left for any sort of agreement This language of mine being contrary to the Opinion of so many did not a little displease his Majesty He asked me if I thought not the Road of Ruthven Treason I answered That I thought it so indeed yet since not only His Majesty himself and his Council had not only wisely and circumspectly allowed it for good Service but had written the same to the Queen of England and had sent his Commissioners to the General Assembly holden for the time at Edinbrugh willing the Ministers at their return to their Parishes to cause the principal
Gentlemen of each Shire to subscribe a Signature or the Copy wherein the Road of Ruthven was allowed for good Service and to be ready to defend the same I declared also unto His Majesty that there was a common Clause contained in all Remissions to wit Except the laying hands upon the King's person so that how little secured they were by their present Remissions His Majesty might easily judge He answered That seldom or never was any Remission seen broken and wondered what made me think or speak contrary to the rest of the Council I said If I had always spoken as the rest I had not been put off the Council by the Earl of Arran whose qualities I had before described unto His Majesty and what inseparable inconveniencies would attend his being again brought into Court I requested His Majesty for his own weal to send him home to his own House For by his underhand dealing I understood that this Convention would shortly bring on new desperate enterprises His Majesty said That I was in the wrong to the Earl of Arran and that there would never be more desperate enterprises I affirmed that there would be continually ay and while the Lords who were in despair might mend themselves or find themselves in a better security I said moreover to His Majesty that the Earl of Arran would yet again put his Person and Crown in hazard so that His Majesty left me in anger And yet he turned about again and asked who shall then remain about me if I put away the Earl of Arran I answered Who but your ancient Nobility the Earls of March Arguile Eglintoun Montrose Marshal Rothess Huntly and Crauford with some Ministers and Barons known not to be factious But so many of the Noblemen and of their Friends as were yet remaining within the Country after they had heard of their Remissions they Combin'd together and gained divers Lords who were about His Majesty to make a new enterprise and were minded to slay the Earl of Arran Colonel Stuart and some others that were about His Majesty whom they knew to have been most instrumental in carrying on this design though it should be in His Majesty's presence and that way to become Masters again of the Court. Whereof I not only was advertised by some to whom I had formerly done kindnesses but I was advised to absent my self from Court four or five days till the first fury of the alteration was over For the Earl of Arran's hatred to me procured me many friends I again to save his Majesty from peril and dishonour thought it my duty to advertise him intreating him to send home the said Earl I cannot tell what moved the Earl but that same night he invited me to Supper which I refused The next day again he took me by the hand before His Majesty saying That I should Dine with him in his Majesty's presence He shewed me a very favourable countenance for the King had forbidden him to offend me in any sort as he would retain his favour If he had got any word of my contrary Opinion to his I cannot tell or that I had desired him to be sent home but there was some appearance of this by his behaviour and passionate Speeches unto me soon after that I had told my judgment unto his Majesty as men may judge for leading me by the hand to dine with him in His Majesty's presence which I could not evite Before we did sit down to Dinner he askt me how all would be I told him very freely all I had spoken unto His Majesty Then said he you would place about His Majesty the Earl of March who is a Fool guided by the Laird of Compte and Robert Sives I said he behoved to be one with the rest of the Noblemen already named He said it should pass my power or any Man's to cause him leave His Majesty so long as he was in such danger I answered That the King was in danger for no other cause but because he was with him I perceived he entertained a great discontent at me in his heart which burst out afterward Threatning to put me out of the Gates if I fished any more in his Waters I answered if I pleased to tarry it would pass his power seeing I would get more honest Men to take my part then he would get Throat-cutters to assist him So soon as His Majesty heard of this language he sent the Earl's Uncle the Laird of Caprintoun to reprove him very sharply Whereupon he retired in great discontent to the Castle of Edinbrugh whereof he was Captain declaring he would not come near his Majesty till I was sent home to give him place which I perceived His Majesty was satisfied I should do to please him For his Wife came daily to His Majesty and said That her Husband was highly discontent finding His Majesty to take my part against him Whereupon I resolved to retire At my leave-taking His Majesty said he doubted not but I would return when called for By which I understood that I should not come back till sent for Which suited very well with my former intentions being resolved to attend no longer then the foresaid Convention was ended Now the Earl of Arran triumphed being Chancellour and Captain of the Castles of Edinbrugh and Sterling He made the whole Subjects to tremble under him and every Man to depend upon him daily inventing and seeking out new faults against divers to get the gift of their Escheats Lands Benefices And to procure Bribes he vexed the whole Writers to make sure his gifts Those of the Nobility who were now unsure of their Estates fled others were banished he shot directly at the Life and Lands of the Earl of Gaury For the Highland Oracles had shewn unto his Wife that Gaury would be ruined as she told to some of her familiars But she helped that Prophesie forward as well as she could For Gaury had been his first Master and despighted his insolent Pride Oppression and Misbehaviour plainly in Council which few others durst do therefore he hated his Person and loved his Lands which at length he obtained For Gaury being unable to be a Witness of the Oppression of his Country obtained His Majesties consent to go out of the Country But as he was making his preparations too longsomly and slowly in Dundie as he was of Nature over slow where his Ship was to receive him he was advertised by some Factioners that the Earls of Angus Mar and Master of Glams had an enterprise in hand viz. To come out of Ireland and take the Town and Castle of Sterling Having correspondence with divers Nobles and others their Friends who were in the Country Malecontents so that they were in hope to make a party sufficient against the Earl of Arran The despight the Earl of Gaury had against the Earl of Arran moved him to stay to take part with them There was at this time an universal miscontent in the Country
and great bruits of an alteration Whereupon a Letter was written to me by Colonel Stuart at His Majesty's Command ordaining me with all diligence to repair to Court or in case I was not recovered of my Ague whereof I had been long sick that I might write my Mind and Opinion to His Majesty in a Letter what was like to fall out concerning the great Rumour and Bruits of an apparent alteration And being by reason of my foresaid Distemper unable for Travel I sent my return in Writing shewing His Majesty that there was an universal miscontent with great bruits not without appearance of probability of a sudden change occasioned by the misbehaviour of such as were managers at Court and by the great straits and desperate Estate of those who were pursued being men of Quality Active and Experienced And a greater number then could be born down or mastered as I had frequently shewn His Majesty before without respect of feud or favour but simply for His Majesty's Service Intreating His Majesty again to set forward his former acceptable intentions which he had resolved to do when he went to St. Andrews Seeing there was no other course advisable for setling his troubled Estate This kind of language was the better liked because of so many Advertisments that came daily to His Majesty's Ears These bruits made His Majesty be upon his Guard and to use means to get intelligence The lingring of the Earl of Gaury in Dundie gave ground of suspicion His Majesty had also been advertised That he had laid aside his intentions of going abroad according to his former resolutions and that he was designing to wait upon the in-coming of the banished Lords His Majesty also dreamed a Dream that he saw the Earl of Gaury taken and brought in Prisoner before him by Colonel Stuart And he thought his Estate was thereby settled which indeed for that time came true because the Lords who had taken Sterling so soon as they understood of the taking of the Earl of Gaury fled incontinently out of Sterling and at last out of the Country Believing that the said Earl had been taken willingly supposing his affection to have been so great to His Majesty as being his near kinsman come of the House of Angus his Mother being a Natural Daughter of the said House that he would be thereby induced to discover the whole design He not having been upon the first design of any enterprise but drawn in afterwards by the craftiness of others Upon these considerations His Majesty had compassion upon him and had no intentions of taking his Life But the Earl of Arran was fully resolved to have his Lands and therefore to make a Party to assist him in that design he ingaged to divide them with several others upon condition that they would assist him in the design of ruining him Which afterwards he did having by this means procured their Consent and Votes At his death upon the Scaffold he shewed himself a devout Christian and a resolute Roman much regrated by all who heard his grave Harangue and did see his constant End After his death there was quietness for a while though without appearance of long continuance to such as took up matters right During this little while of fair Weather there was a Parliament held to forfault the banished Lords wherein these were chiefly instrumental who hoped to raise their particular Fortunes upon the ruine of their Neighbours Among others it pleased His Majesty to write for me I was by him graciously received and remembring some of my Speeches he took me into his Cabinet and inquired how I now relished his proceedings I answered That he had reason to thank God and no good management and that I was assured there would be yet more enterprises That they who took Sterling and had retired again would never cease to make enterprise upon enterprise till they might see themselves in a better security His Majesty replied That they had gained so little by their last in-coming that he believed they would never commit such a folly again I answered That had not the accidental taking of the Earl of Gaury fallen out their enterprise would have been more successful For they suspected he was taken by his own desire to bewray their enterprise That otherwise they had gained their intent seeing some who were then about His Majesty would have concurred with them to lay aside the Earl of Arran whom they assisted for aw and not for love they hating his insolency and seeing no Outgate how to stand by him And that there had for that effect been secret promises made to them by instruments who went betwixt them But seeing the Earl of Gaury in hands and the said Lords thereby so discouraged as to fly away such as had made the said secret promises took up a new deliberation shewing themselves their greatest Enemies While in the mean time they but waited an opportunity of advancing their intentions About this time the Lord Burleigh chief Ruler in England caused send in one Mr. Davison to be an Agent here to see what business he could brew who was afterward made Secretary For after the decease of Walsingham Secretary Cicil being advanced to be Lord Burleigh and great Treasurer of England two Secretaries were chosen one called Mr. Smith and this Davison whose Predecessor was a Scotsman Upon which consideration he was thought more able to conquer credit here He had been in Scotland before and was at my house in company with Sir Henry Killegrew my old friend when he was Resident in Scotland At which time he acknowledged to me that he was come of Scotsmen and was a Scotsman in his heart and a favourer of the King 's Right and Title to the Crown of England He desired me to keep all secret from Mr. Killegrew promising if he could find the means to be employed here that he would do good Offices His Majesty was for the time at Falkland and wrote for me to be directed to ride and meet the said Davison Whom I was commanded to Convoy to Coupar there to remain till his Majesty had time to give him Audience Afterward I Convoyed him to my own house and from that to Falkland where His Majesty found his Commission to small avail But because Walsingham had refused at his being here to speak with the Earl of Arran albeit the said Earl had offered by me to give satisfaction to him in all his desires so that he would confer with him Which Walsingham still refused but Mr. Davison was directed at this time to deal with the Earl of Arran to see what advantage might be had at his hand For my Lord Burleigh was not content that Walsingham was so precise therefore Davison entred into familiarity with him and was made his Gossip and heard his frank offers and liked well of them For after that the Lords were fled to England and forfaulted the Council of England thought they had some ground to build
the King what answer were fittest to make At length he said he would declare the matter unto the Constable under promise of great secrecy causing the Constable by this niceness to suspect some practice When he gave him Audience he caused me to be present beside him At their meeting in the Constable's Cabinet his Irish Interpreter was put forth against his will as appeared But he was so instructed by the Ambassadour his Uncle to use such forreign and rude fashions Yet again e're he began to propose his Errand he desired secrecy The Constable being an old wise experimented Councellor put him a little aside and rounded in my Ear to know if ever I had seen this young Man before I answered That I had observed him the preceding day at long conference with one Mr. Sommer Secretary to the English Ambassadour Then the Constable thought that he should handle the matter well enough for he instantly conjectured that all this niceness proceeded from the Ambassadour to intrap him So calling the young Man again he desired him to shew what he had to say Mr. Wotton began to declare the great miscontentment that was in England not only for bringing in the proud Spaniard to Rule over them but also for the alteration of Religion made by Queen Mary moving many to Rebel and others to remove off the Country who nevertheless were all well received and treated by the King's Majesty of France Whereby he had gained the hearts of the third part of England so devoutly towards him that they would gladly put the Crown of England on his head getting liberty in Religion to be quit of the Spanish Tyranny and terrible Inquisition which was feared would also be established in England And for the first proof of their good will and gratitude a number of Lords and Knights who durst not write had sent him secretly with an Overture to put the strong Town of Calis into his hands with the whole Earldom of Oye At this the Constable made a start and said Know you not my friend that there is a sworn Peace betwixt your Queen and my Master The other replied again how that the Queen of England aided secretly whith Mony and Men the King of Spain her Husband in his Wars of Flanders against France Which the Constable alledged that she denied by her Ambassadour willing him however to tell out the rest of his Commission Then said he My Lord the means how you may get Calis is this First The most part of the Town is of the Reformed Religion and are Malecontents having refused to receive a Garison of Spaniards And they are friends to those who have sent me and keep correspondence with them only the Towns Ship keeps the Town keeping Watch and Ward being unskilful in handling their Arms. Therefore the King shall cause Monsieur Senarpon his Lieutenant in Normandy to lye in ambuscade at such a Wood within a mile and an half of the Town at an appointed day then a Ship well furnished with Armed Men shall lye at Anchor half a mile from the Town And some of them clothed like Marriners shall come on Land and have Swords and Pistols under their Cloaths and shall wait about two of the Afternoon at which time the Ports of the Town are opened to let Men in and out Part of those who attend the Ports will be at their Dinner when one or two will come before the rest to open the Gates Thus the Gates being easily seised upon let one of the Company shoot off a Culverin that the Ship may hear and shoot a Cannon to cause Monsieur de Senarpon with his Company advance In the mean time there shall be a mutiny raised in the Town by our friends and partners so that the Town shall be obtained without stroke After that the Constable had heard all this long discourse he said That it was a very probable design and he doubted not but it might be easily effectuated but in respect of the sworn Peace the King his Master would not nor should never have his consent to break it But that he was much ingaged to the Noblemen who did bear him so much good will and as for him who had taken so great pains the King should reward him willing me to remember to cause give mony to the young Gentleman So he gained nothing at the Constable's hand and never came again to seek his reward but was afterward manifestly known to be Brother's Son to Doctor Wotton Ambassadour as said is This is he now who was sent hither to bear His Majesty company as one who will not meddle with Practises but with Pastimes But when I forewarned His Majesty to beware of him and told how that he being little above Twenty years old was imployed to beguile the wise old Constable Now he was Fifty years and His Majesty but Twenty it was to be feared he would endeavour to beguile him Yet His Majesty would not believe me but believed the said Mr. Wotton to have a great kindness for him and so he became one of his most familiar Minions waiting upon him at all Field-pastimes and in appearance he despised all busie Councellors and medlers in matters of State as he was instructed by such as said he would please His Majesty best to appear such But he had more hurtful fetches in his head against His Majesty then any English-man that ever came in hither had at any time before You have heard before of a meeting that was drawn on at the Borders betwixt the Earl of Hunsdean and Arran where at their secret conference Arran was required by the craft of the Lord Burleigh and his faction in the English Council to stop the King from any marriage for three years upon many fair counterfeited promises One whereof was That he should be declared Second Person upon his marriage of the forenamed English Lady of the Blood At which Arran granted all that was desired he was so glad to procure the Queen of England's friendship About that time the Queen of England by her intelligence from Denmark was advertised of a great and magnifick Ambassage to be sent from Denmark to Scotland viz. Three Ambassadours with Sixscore Persons in Two gallant Ships Whether she suspected or had heard that it was to draw on a marriage I cannot tell But this far I learned that her Council judged it was to confirm at least a greater friendship betwixt the two Kings and their Countries which was one of the Causes that moved them to send this Mr. Wotton to Scotland to use all his wiles to disturb and hinder any greater Amity that might proceed from the said Commission and Negotiation between their two Kings and their Countries For England trusted nothing to the Earl of Arran's promise for they esteemed him as an inconstant Man as is already declared So soon as the Danish Ambassadours arrived by Ship in this Country His Majesty ordered me to entertain them and bear them company And
slaughter to be made that the Borders might break loose In this complaint the said Ambassadour was well assisted by the Master of Gray and his Companions So that the Earl of Arran was Commanded to Ward within the Castle of St. Andrews and was kept strictly there three or four days So that being in fear of his life he sent for Colonel Stuart the Laird of Segie and me and lamented to us his hard handling purging himself as he might justly do of that accident that fell out upon the Borders requesting us to intercede for his liberty He declared unto us a secret to be shewn unto His Majesty in case his life was taken from him which was a promise made unto the Queen of England That the King should not marry with any for the space of three years whereof I have formerly made some mention Nevertheless he forgot not to travel for himself for he sent his Brother Sir William to the Master of Gray at midnight promising to get unto him the Abbey of Dumfarmling so that he would obtain his liberty at His Majesty's hand Which was incontinently granted and also the said Benefice disposed unto the said Master Whereupon the English Ambassadour was in a great rage at the Master but their discord was afterward agreed Only Mr. John Maitland Secretary and the Justice Clerk and the Earl of Arran were ordered to retire home to their houses But before Arran's journey His Majesty was informed to desire him with all possible diligence to lend him a great Gold Chain which he had got from Sir James Balfour which weighed Fifty-seven Crowns to be given unto the Danish Ambassadours Which if he had refused to do he would have lost His Majesty and in delivering it he lost the Chain In the mean time the Ambassadours understanding that their dispatch was in a readiness took their leave of His Majesty who was also ready to part from St. Andrews I informed His Majesty not to deliver them the Dispatch because the Chain was not yet come For they were minded incontinently to make Sail having stayed so long and that the Winter Season was at hand Albeit that I had shewn to one of their familiar Servants that certain rewards were to come within two days praying them to stay so long Which they would not grant to do but went to their Ships Whither I promised to bring their dispatch which I requested His Majesty to cause deliver into my hand to be kept till the Chain should come which was divided in three parts for it was large When I came to their Ships they were going to Supper Which being done I delivered to them their answer in writing with the Chains and some excuses for their long stay and small reward So they parted well satisfied assuring me that they would be good instruments of Amity Albeit by the harsh usage they had first met with they had once resolved otherwise They were not commanded to speak of marriage whereof there was some groundless bruit The King their Master had fair Daughters with any whereof it was supposed the claim of Orkny would go They thanked me for the good Offices they had received from me seeing my staying them from parting discontent had preserved the two Countries from being ingaged in War Which they said they would not fail to declare unto the King their Master with whom they would not fail to make me acquainted not doubting but that the King my Master would one day say That I had done him good Service So I did take leave having rewarded the Gunners Trumpeters and Musicians At my return to Court I acquainted His Majesty that the Danish Ambassadours had set Sail for their own Country very well contented I gave him a particular accompt of all Speeches that past betwixt them and me at their parting Whereupon His Majesty took occasion shortly after to send one to Denmark offering that Commission to me which I shifted perceiving those who had His Majesty's Ear and had most Credit with him to be altogether averse from his marriage that way holding still one course with England I named Mr. Peter Young Almoner as very fit for that Errand who was sent to Denmark to thank that King and to see his Daughters that he might make report again of his liking of them with a promise That e're long His Majesty would send a more honourable Ambassage The Earl of Arran being sent home as said is the English Ambassador and his Scotch friends as the Master of Gray Secretary Maitland and the Justice Clark had chief credit and handling of His Majesty's Affairs The said Ambassadour had procured such favour and familiar access about His Majesty at all times that he was upon an enterprise to have brought in secretly the banished Lords to have fallen down upon their knees in the Park of Sterling before His Majesty at such a time as they should have so many friends in Court as that His Majesty should have remained in their hands as Masters of the Court for the time But this enterprise failed him for they durst not yet take such hazardous course till they might lay their Plots more substantially Then the said English Ambassadour interprised to transport His Majesty out of the Park of Sterling unto England And failing thereof His Majesty was to be detained by force within the Castle of Sterling Whither Companies of Men were sent to be there at an appointed day of which design my Brother Sir Robert got intelligence and told it incontinently to the King's Majesty giving him the Names of the chief enterprisers And because it came to one of their Ears who stoutly affirmed the contrary my Brother offered to maintain the truth thereof by Combat Which His Majesty would not permit because at last the person granted it to His Majesty Whereupon my Brother perswaded His Majesty with great difficulty to depart out of Sterling for ten or fifteen days and hunt at Kincairdin before the enterprise were ripe Which so soon as the Ambassadour understood he fled in great fear and haste without Good night or leave-taking of His Majesty Well instructed and furnished with the promises of such as had assisted him in our Court to perswade the Noblemen who were banished in England to come home where they should find friends enough before them at Court to put His Majesty in their hands The Master of Gray also absented himself and went to Dunkel and there remained with the Earl of Athol And upon some bruits of enterprises there was a Proclamation set out in His Majesty's Name by such as had his Ear to purchase to themselves the more Credit to be true and careful Councellors to His Majesty Which Proclamation was afterward delayed by craft that the banished might prevent the day and come in and get the King in their hands whereby they might discharge the Proclamation at their pleasure In the mean time I received a Letter to be at His Majesty with all possible
they had both Him and his Servants in their power they had used no rigour nor vengeance His Majesty remembred how frequently I had forewarned him of this and the like accidents that I said would follow upon the Earl of Arran's rash proceedings He acknowledged he had been a bad Instrument and declared that he should never have more Place or Credit about him He desired me to wait at Court and help to do all good Offices betwixt him and his Nobility And to tell them the truth who was to blame for their trouble as having occasioned the same seeing he had great prejudice and no advantage thereby it being far from his inclination to seek any Man's Life Lands or Goods but only the peace and quiet of the Country and the settling of the Subjects among themselves Which I could testifie for a truth the verity thereof consisting within my knowledge His Majesty told me also how he had shewn unto the Noblemen my honest and friendly advices toward them and that I opposed my self continually to the Earl of Arran's proceedings He desired me also to help to satisfie the Ministers who were seeking to be restored unto their former free Assemblies which he had forbidden them at the advice of the Earl of Arran The same being one of the occasions of all the following troubles which were chiefly grounded upon the dissatisfaction of the Ministers by whom the Country was influenced So that I tarried a while at Court till matters began to take some setling Divers of the Lords also were earnest with me to stay offering me great kindness saying That His Majesty had told them every Man's part and behaviour in relation to their Banishment and Persecution And that I was ever for a moderate Course desiring and pressing as His Majesty's interest an Act of Oblivion to be Past for all by-gones during his Minority The said Lords therefore caused me to propose some of their suits to His Majesty whom in nothing they would press beyond his own pleasure But the Council was of different opinions concerning the restoring of the Ministers to their former Priviledges and Freedoms where I was brought in to give my Opinion The greatest part thought fit to delay them for a time chiefly such as had remained about His Majesty and had said too much before to the contrary But they had yet some private designs hatching in their heads which could not be brought about if the Country were wholly in Peace Which they knew would be were the Ministers satisfied My Opinion was That His Majesty was not to be blamed that the Noblemen were banished or the Ministers Priviledges taken from them seeing all these insolencies were committed by evil Instruments who ruled over His Majesty's good mind to satisfie their own Ambition Who now being fled and absent I knew no reason why the Ministers should not be restored to their former Priviledges as well as the Noblemen to their Lands and Honours the one being no less contributive to the setling of the Kingdom as the other Seeing if this were omitted the blame would still lye upon His Majesty and the Country would be still in trouble The Secretary Maitland was against this Opinion for he had formerly spoken too much on the contrary But the rest of the Noblemen and the Council thought my Opinion best But yet at that time it was not followed nor granted at that Parliament Yet shortly after it was found His Majesty's interest and conducing for fully Establishing Peace in the Country that the Ministers should be restored to all their former Priviledges It is above-mentioned That the Mr. Almoner was sent to Denmark Shortly after Colonel Stuart took occasion to go thither about his own affairs for he had a Pension of the King of Denmark He obtained also some writing whereby he was Commissioned to speak of the King's marriage with the King of Denmark's Eldest Daughter And they both returned with so good and friendly answers that there was little more mention made of the restitution of the Isles of Orkny The King of Denmark was also put in hope by them that His Majesty would send the next Summer an honourable Ambassage to Denmark to deal further in these matters I have shewed already the dangerous practices of the English Ambassadour Mr. Wotton and a part of their effects but the principal is yet behind The Council of England having concluded to take the Life from the Queens Majesty his Highnesses Mother after she had been many years kept Captive in England thought first to get the King her Son in their hands and to put him in hope that he should obtain the Crown of England the rather that he was within their Country And in the mean time to be sure that he should not be able to revenge his Mother's death but might be as a pledge among them in case his Country-men or his Forreign and French friends would pretend to menace them or to make War for his Liberty or in revenge of her death For in that case they might threaten to cut him off if for his Cause they should be troubled And however it were through time it was suspected that they intended to take his life also after that they had laid their Plots how to make him odious to the People by false counterfeit Letters and alledged practices as they had craftily and deceitfully alledged upon his Mother against the State But finding this their design of carrying him to England discovered by my Brother's intelligence the said Ambassadour fled as said is And for the next best thought fit to see His Majesty put in the hands of the most part of the Nobility who were banished for the time and during their banishment had been sheltered in England who they thought by fitted Instruments might be stirred up to take his Life at least to keep him in perpetual Prison in revenge of the injury had been done them But herein they were disappointed For they used themselves so moderately and discreetly that they sought nothing but their own native Country and Lands and that they might have access to serve and obey their Prince without any further vengeance or rigour against their particular Enemies As their actions and proceedings have sufficiently declared since to the great increase of their favour with His Majesty and estimation of the whole Country It hath been rarely or never seen in any Country that there have been so great alterations with so little bloodshed as hath been in Scotland in this Kings time Now those who were Enemies to our Queen and King's Title to the Crown of England seeing some of their fetches to fail them entred in deliberation what way to proceed to take the Queen's life The Council of England a great part of the Nobility and States fell down upon their knees humbly requesting Her Majesty to have compassion upon their unsure Estate albeit she should slight her own Alledging That her life was in hazard by the practices of the
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
themselves Yet they began to do better than any had done before them but they continued not but divided among themselves after they had divided the Offices of the Crown to every man one Whereas at the first they had given forth that they should plant mean responsible men in the said Offices and they all too but Controulers of the said Officers So that many began to grudge against them seeing them become in a sudden rich And perceiving their great backs the whole Subjects and His Majesty 's own Domesticks to follow and depend upon them and His Majesty to pass through the Streets with three or four as forsaken because none hoped any more for reward at his hands but so much as might be had for serving and depending upon the said Eight Lords They became also hated and envied partly for the Causes specified as also there was great ground of jealousie that they were intending the establishment of Popery So that there was a Rebellion raised in Edinburgh against them in His Majesty's presence upon which they fled out of the Town and since durst never take upon them the whole Government but were content to be joined with a number of Noblemen and others of the Council to the number of twenty four But the greatest part of the Noblemen did not attend but came when they were written for to the Conventions as formerly they used So all this new device turned to the old sicut antea You have heard how that His Majesty was advised at his returning from Denmark to imprison such as were given up to have been most unruly during his absence But being returned even some of those who had advised the said Warding were the first who gave advertisement to those who were to be Warded not without some profit for their reward to the great discontentment of some of their Associates Which loosed the bond which was made at Denmark by the Chancellour and his Faction and caused every one of that number to go sundry and to do for themselves So that all their Plots and devices turned to change some of the Session but there was no concurrence and so it stopped of it self The Officers of the Exchequer continued a while to be the only Council And the Nobility when they came were kept at the door I having at that time the honour to be one of the Exchequer took the freedom to acquaint His Majesty that the Nobility would be offended at such usage which was so manifest a slight I said it would do no prejudice to cause them come in they being great men as my L. Hamiltoun my L. Maxwel and others of principal note But His Majesty of his own nature was not changeable from the order laid down by them he liked and reposed upon Yet of my own accord I went forth of the Chamber and told the Noblemen That His Majesty was upon the ordering of his Accompts and Rents and the daily Expences of his House that he was asham'd they should see the Estate thereof which was the cause they were suffered to stand without This little excuse was somewhat satisfactory to them But that Order was also soon altered Concerning the reducing of the Highlands and Isles three of the Principals as Maclean Macdonel and Donald Gorin were subtilly drawn to the Court by the Chancellour who understood of the differences among them Every one of them being by him put in hope to get his hand above his Enemy But at their coming they were all three Warded in the Castle of Edinburgh to their great astonishment For they had each of them committed such foul murthers under trust that it was horrible to rehearse Being therefore apprehensive of their Lives they dealt largely of their ill won Gold to those who had most Credit nevertheless to terrifie them the more to draw more from them they were put to an Assize and Convict of Treason Which caused them to redouble their gifts to the Guiders but not to the King In such sort that there was an agreement betwixt His Majesty and them that they should give pledges that they should pay yearly unto His Majesty twenty thousand marks for the Lands of the property whereof they had no security Of the which they had of yearly Rent as was given in to the Exchequer two hundred and fifty thousand Marks This was all given them for twenty thousand Marks And whereas before they had no right nor security but a forcible possession they obtained sure infeosments by Charter Seisin and the Great Seal and a remission of their foul Crimes But shortly after their Pledges who were kept in the Blackness for giving a small Sum were released and so the twenty thousand Marks was lost and never payed Here was a good Prince ill used and abused and the half of his Rents robbed from him his God offended by sparing to do justice upon such bloody Tyrants who acknowledged neither God nor the King I had advised His Majesty to go himself to the Isles to build a Fort there and to remain two years till all things were order'd shewing His Majesty that the Kings of Scotland were never rich since they left the High-lands to dwell in the Low-lands but have ever since diminished their Rents and increased their superfluous expences in Dyet and Clothing following the Customs of other Nations Which His Majesty after inquiry found to be most true and His Majesty was resolved to follow the said advice and I had promised to go with him but all was altered by the former misrule Matters thus carried on many began to lose hope of amendment or to see the Reformation promised and expected lamenting to see a good King so ill Councelled Yet this time His Majesty sent for me and at my coming to Falkland where the Court remained for the Summer Season it pleased His Majesty to tell me how that at his coming out of Denmark he had promised to the Queen and Council there to place about the Queens Majesty his Bed-fellow good and discreet Company which he had left too long undone That at length having advised with himself he thought me the fittest man to commit that charge to desiring me not to refuse the just calling of my Prince wherein I might serve as in a lawful Vocation hecause such as ordinarily suit for Service at Court or for any Office do it for their own profit but they are more profitable for Pinces that are sought after and are chosen for their qualities I know says he That you would gladly live at home in your own house with contentment of mind which you think is not to be had in the troublesome alterations in Court But you know that a man is not born for himself only but also for the weal of his Prince and Country And whereas your continual on-waiting will be chargeable and expensive to you and hindersome to your own Affairs at home I shall ordain sufficient entertainment for your present relief and recompence for
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
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
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
Scotland p. 161. by Three Ambassadours with a splendid Train ibid. Upon which she sends Wotton to land to disturb the Affairs of that Kingdom ibid. Is intreated by the Council and Nobility to take away the life of Queen Mary p. 172. Which at first she refuseth but afterwards condescends to ibid. Purgeth her self of the Death of Queen Mary as being deceived by her Council and Mr. Secretary Davison p. 175. Is sent to for consent to the Marriage of King James with the Daughter of the King of Denmark and returns her Answer p. 179. Saying She would employ her Credit with the King and Princess of Navarre to bring his Marriage with that Princess to pass ibid. Sends the Earl of Sussex Ambassador to Scotland and upon what account p. 203. Elphingstoun Nicholas adviseth the Regent Mortoun that he was in disfavour with the King and ought by Gold to purchase friends p. 125. Emanuel Duke of Savoy leads the Spanish Army that Invades France p. 201. Emperor of Germany retires to a Monastery of Monks in Spain p. 18. Endeavours to get his Son Philip Elected Emperor but is denyed ibid. Gives him all the Dominions he had in Spain Italy and the Low-Countries p. 19. Labours for a Treaty with France for 5 years which was agreed and sworn to but broken by the Popes persuasion ibid. Enig the Dutch word admits of Two divers interpretations which was disputed by the Emperor c. p. 12. F FErdinand King of Bohemia Brother to the Emperor Philip and Arch-Duke of Austria Elected Emperor by the Princes p. 19. Fernthast Laird Warden of the Borders on the Scots side p. 166. Marries to the Earl of Arran's Brothers Daughter ibid. Foster Sir John Warden a strange trick of his Steed that mounted and hurt Mary Queen of Scots when discoursing with him p. 77. Francis the 2d Dauphin of France Married to Queen Mary of Scotland p. 8. Succeeds his Father Henry the 2d p. 28. Is wholly guided by the Duke of Guise and Cardinal Lorrain ibid. Raiseth Men to send into Scotland p. 29. Dies at Orleans in France ibid. Frederick King of Denmark his Genealogie related by the Author to King James when he had Three Ambassadors joyned in one Commission in Scotland p. 165. Hath several fair Daughters p. 167. G GAury Earl Treasurer of Edinburgh p. 129. Intercedes for the life of the Duke of Lennox p. 132. Keeps the Earl of Arran in Custody p. 133. Repents his being drawn in by Drumhasel to joyn with the Lords that were against the King ibid. But at St. Andrews he turns to the Lords of the Kings Party p. 136. Treats his Majesty Royally at the House of Ruthven p. 137. Begs his Majesties Pardon and obtains it ibid. Is driven from Court by the Earl of Arran but reconciled to him p. 142. Yet conditions being unperform'd he resolves to leave the Country ibid. Obtains his Majesties consent to depart the said Earl of Arran proving his mortal Enemy p. 155. Before he goes takes part with the Earl of Angus and others in their design to take Sterling in despight of the said Earl ibid. Is taken Prisoner in that enterprize p. 156. Is near of Kin to his Majesty hath his Lands seized and is Executed on the Scaffold dying a devout Christian ibid. Gordoun a Gentleman of that name is kill'd by the Earl of Murray p. 200. Graham Richard hath a familiar Spirit p. 195. Is brought to Edinburgh and examined before his Majesty about the Earl of Bothwel and burnt with other Malefactors ibid. Grange Laird is Lord Treasurer and Favourite to King James upon the Kings Command alledgeth reasons against the Prelates Propositions p. 2 3 and 4. A stout bold Man p. 4. Pursues with two Ships Bothwell p. 184. But he escapes and his Servants were taken and the first discoverers of the King's Murther p. 185. Is made Chief of a Company of Horsemen who came to fight against Bothwel which the Queen understanding sends for him under surety p. 83. Was like to be kill'd by a Souldier appointed by Bothwel for that purpose but was saved by the Queens crying out ibid. Offers to Combat Bothwel upon his Challenge but is coldly refused ibid. Promiseth upon his honour to protect Sir James Balfour upon his delivery of Edinburgh Castle to him p. 100. Offers to fight with Mr. Archibald Douglas being guiltless of the Kings Murther ibid. Takes Secretary Lidington into the Castle of Edinburgh p. 101. His vertues are envied by some and his Charge coveted by others p. 104. Obtains a Warrant from the King's Lords to set the Duke of Chattellerault and the Lord Herreis at liberty p. 105. Sticks close to the Kings Authority p. 108. Sides at last with the Queens Lords ibid. Sends for the Laird of Fernihast and Buccleugh who resolved to seize on the Lords at Sterling p. 113. Which they attempted but failed p. 114. Laments the slaughter of the Earl of Lennox Regent of Scotland ibid. Was ever esteemed honest p. 119. Is taken Prisoner after the delivery of Edinburgh Castle with Sir Robert Melvil and Lidington p. 121. Is wracked to death p. 123. His Character ibid. Guise Duke goes with a great Army into Italy after the breach of the Truce between the Emperor and French by the Popes persuasion p. 19. He and the Lieutenant of Picardy unexpectedly enters on the King of Spain's Dominions p. 19 and 20. Is killed by Poltrot at the Siege of Orleans p 35. For which the Admiral of France is Accused p. 36. But cleared ibid. H HAmiltoun Laird is advanced to be Governour of Scotland p. 7. Induced to resign the Government to the Queen p. 2. Shoots the Regent Murray in his passage to Lithgow p. 203. And Escapes ibid. Henry the 8th King of England is discontented at the Popes denial of his Divorce from Queen Katherine and thereupon proclaims himself Head of the Kirk discharging St. Peter's Pennies here and the Popes Authority p. 1. Declares his Daughter Mary a Bastard ibid. Obtains a Divorce from his own Clergy and seeks amity with his Nephew James the 5th King of Scotland desiring an interview with him at York ibid. A short Character of him p. 3. Is highly offended at the disappointment and affront put upon him by King James his not meeting him at York that he sent an Army to Scotland to destroy it p. 5. Is much afflicted at the death of the King of Scotland and lays down the reasons of his Warring with that Nation p. 6. His wrath against the Pope is great ibid. He demolisheth Abbeys and compells the Nobility to exchange their Lands for them that might never return to the Kirk ibid. Endeavours a Match between Edward the Sixth his Son and Mary of Scotland though it brake off and caused War between the Two Kingdoms p. 7. But it was at last agreed ibid. Henry the Second of France had hot Wars with the Emperour the occasion and management thereof from p. 15 to p. 18. Is hurt
by the shiver of a Spear engaging with the Earl of Montegomery at the Iustings of his Daughter's Marriage with the King of Spain p. 28. And dies Eight days after ibid. Henry Prince King James his first Son born at Sterling 202. Herreis Lord is Imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh p. 101. Hume George turns William Kieth out of his place of Master of the Wardrobe when King James was in Denmark p. 182. Being Knighted is made Master of the Wardrobe p. 198. Hume Lord takes part with the Hamiltouns and Queens Faction p. 106. With whom the Regent Mortoun durst not meddle standing in awe of his Party p. 122. Dies shortly after being a Prisoner in Edinburgh Castle ibid. Hunsdon Earl hath a Conference on the Borders with the Earl of Arran p. 158. Contrives a secret Plot ibid. Huntley Earl is Chief of the new Faction about his Majesty p. 175. Endeavours to turn out the Master of Gray and Martland the Chancellor ibid. Procures the Gift of the Benefice of Dumfarmling ibid. Great disorders occasioned by the Dissention between him and other Earls p. 200. Is sent home hereupon p. 201. Triumphs and takes advantage of the Earl of Murray's Lands giving him just cause of Complaint ibid. Kills the Earl of Murray ibid. I JAmes the Fifth of Scotland his resolute Speech to the Prelates p. 4. Gives the Ward and Marriage of Kelly in Angus to the Second Son of the Lord Grange ibid. Gives ear to the Clergy to put off the Convention with King Henry the 8th at York ibid. Is forced to raise an Army to defend his Country upon that account p. 6. Is much troubled at the Defeat of his Army and useth severe Language against the Prelates who fearing his displeasure poison him with an Italian Posset ibid. His Character p. 7. James Lord Prior of St. Andrews the Natural Son of James the Fifth p. 25. Hears of Queen Mary's Resolution to return to Scotland and goes to France to request it p. 31. Returns to Scotland to prepare them for her Reception ibid. James the Sixth King born p. 69. When of Age he causeth the Heirs of the Lord Grange to be restored p. 123. Orders his bones to be taken up and honourably buried at Killingborn ibid. Is brought up at Sterling by Alexander Areskine and the Layd Mar p. 125. Hath Four Masters their Character ibid. The Earl of Mortoun being deposed he takes the Government into his own hands p. 128. Is surprised by the Lords in the House of Huntingtoun p. 132. Is conveyed afterward to Sterling and there retained ibid. Laments his mishandling during that Captivity ibid. Invites by Letters some of the Nobility to a Convention p. 133. Goes from Falkland to St. Andrews some few days before the Convention to the Earl of March p. 135. Thinks himself there at liberty ibid. Lodgeth in an old Inn there ibid. Becomes Master of the Castle p. 136. And declares his moderate intentions toward all the Lords ibid. Orders 4 Lords to retire and retains the rest as his Council ibid. Causeth a Proclamation to be made according to his moderate intentions p. 137. Returns the Author thanks as the only instrument of procuring his liberty ibid. Is gently inclined to all the Nobility and Treated particularly by the Earl of Gaury ibid. Solicits the Author to prevail with the Lord Gaury that the Earl of Arran might come to Court and kifs his hand p. 138. Promising he should not stay there ibid. Sends a Letter in Answer to Queen Elizabeth's p. 140. The Contents thereof p. 140 141 and 142. His Majesty is taken again p. 142. Gives Secretary Walsingham Audience p. 147. Sends a Letter to Queen Elizabeth promising not to bring again the Earl of Arran into Court p. 148. Is taken at the Road of Ruthven p. 149. And retain'd Captive ibid. Takes little care to prevent inconveniences yet obtains his liberty ibid. Assures the Author that he would Convene a Council of Lords at Edinburgh p. 150. His Dream concerning the Earl of Gaury p. 156. Writes for Melvil the Author to come and advise him p. 157. As also to come and entertain Wotton being sent to him by the Queen of England p. 159. Whom he loved before he saw by reason of the advantageous Character which the Master of Gray gave him ibid. Orders the Author to entertain the Danish Ambassadours 162. And because they were three in Commission wisheth him to choose two more to accompany him which he did ibid. Gives them Audience at Dumfarmling and is much dissatisfied at their ill handling ibid. Grows impatient to hear the Author speak against Wotton p. 164. Acquaints the Author that he was informed the King of Denmark's Descent was from Merchants ibid. But after he was informed of the truth he sends for the said Ambassadors p. 165. Promiseth them a speedy dispatch to their satisfaction ibid. Orders a Banquet for them is hindred from being present at it but being informed how matters stood goes thither and drinks to the King Queen and Ambassadors of Denmark to their great content p. 166. causeth their dispatch to be ready according to promise ibid. Sends to the Earl of Arran for a great Gold Chain which he got from Sir James Balfour to present it to the Three Ambassadors which was done accordingly ibid. Sends to agree with the Banished Lords at their coming to Sterling p. 169. Where it was agreed his Majesty should be in their hands and no rigour used to those about him ibid. Calls them Traytors at first but after grants them a Pardon ibid. Acknowledgeth the Earl of Arran to have been a bad Minister of State and that he should never be readmitted to Court p. 170. Hears the news of his Mothers Execution which highly displeas'd him p. 173. Convenes a Parliament desiring the Assistance of his Subjects ibid. When he at first hears they were about the Conviction of his Mother he sent Two Ambassadors on her behalf ibid. Sends for the Author to prepare him to go Ambassador to England ibid. Goes to the Western Borders to reform some disorders between the Maxwels and Johnstouns p. 175. Resolves to wait an opportunity to revenge his Mothers Death rather then trouble the Peace of the Kingdom of England ibid. Is Courted in Marriage by many great Princes p. 177. Asks Council of God by Prayer Fifteen days and then resolves to Marry the King of Denmark's Daughter ibid. Makes choice of the Author to go Ambassador to Denmark ibid. Perswades him to undertake that Embassy p. 178. Consents that his Brother the Lord Yungland should be joyned in Commission with him and gives him Commission by word of mouth ibid. Is angry-with the Author p. 179. Is advised to send to Queen Elizabeth to desire her Consent to his Marriage with Denmark ibid. Her Answer thereunto ibid. Is incensed with his Council for Voting against that Marriage ibid. Deals privately with those at Edinburgh to threaten the Council and Chancellor menacing him with Death if
the Queen's Lords are Routed p. 91. The King's Lords send for the Earl of Lennox to make him Regent in the room of Murray p. 104. They hold a Parliament at Sterling and the Queen 's at Edinburgh p. 113. Lords all written and unwritten for arrive at St. Andrew's to attend the Convention intended there by the King p. 136. Design to have the King in custody ibid. Lords met at Edinburgh pass a Vote unanimously being preoccupied by the Earl of Arran p. 153. Those Lords who designed the attempt on Sterling fly to England p. 157. Are forefaulted p. 158. They return and come to the Borders with Assistance p. 168. 3000 of the banished Lords enter Sterling fall on their knees and beg his Majesty's pardon p. 169. Which is granted ibid. The Lords gain great credit by their moderate behaviour p. 170. Lorrain Cardinal designs to promote Queen Mary to the Crown of England by alledging Queen Elizabeth to be Illegitimate p. 23. Causeth all Queen Mary's Silver Vessels to be engraven with the Arms of England ibid. After the conclusion of Peace is sent Ambassadour to Spain to take that King's Oath and to swear for his Master 's observing the same ibid. Proposeth two Matches to the Emperour of Germany p. 33. M MAcclean and others chief of the Highlands is subtilly brought to Court by the Chancellour p. 192. Are imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle accused of foul murther but get off ibid. Maitland Secretary is confin'd to his house with others p. 166. Opposeth the Author in Council p. 171. Mar Earl keeps the young Prince and will not deliver him to Bothwel p. 80. Is made Regent in the room of Lennox p. 111. Goes to Edinburgh to Convene the Lords in order to an Accommodation p. 118. In the mean time goes to Dalkieth and shortly after dies at Sterling ibid. Margil David one of the Duke of Lennox his Councellors p. 128. Marshal of Berwick besiegeth Edinburgh assisted by an English Army and all Scotland p. 120. Contends with the Ambassadour p. 121. Is forced to deliver up the Prisoners in Edinburgh Castle to the Regent being commanded by the Queen of England to do it ibid. Which he doth with much regret and returns to Berwick discontented ibid. The Laird of Cleesh having before offered them good Conditions to quit the Castle ibid. Takes the death of the Laird of Grange very much to heart by reason of the breach of his promise and thereupon quits his Employment of Marshal whose loss is much lamented being a worthy Captain ibid. Marshal Earl and others lodge within the Castle with his Majesty of Scotland p. 136. He and others retire to their Houses p. 137. Desires to supply the place of the Lord Atry as Ambassadour to Denmark p. 178. Which is granted ibid. But his Commission is so slender that he sends the Lord Dingual for a License to return or a power to conclude the Match with Denmark ibid. Which he receives and is presently dispatcht for Scotland by the Regent and Council and the Queen sent home with him well attended p. 180. But are driven by Tempest upon the Coast of Norway the winds being raised by the Witches of Denmark and the reason why ibid. Is not well thought of by the King upon the account of his Embasby to Denmark occasioned by the Chancellour's misrepresentation of him to his Majesty p. 182. Martland is made Chancellour in Scotland p. 175. Threatned to be kill'd p. 179. Hears of his Majesties discontent at the Queens delay of coming from Denmark and adviseth him to sail thither in person to fetch her home p. 181. Who goes with him privately ibid. Being at Denmark he deviseth many Reformations to be made at his Majesties return p. 182. Causeth the Lord Hume Earl Bothwel and divers others to be imprisoned for their disobedience during the absence of the King ibid. Misrepresents Sir Robert Melvil and envies him though a great friend to his promotion ibid. Emulation between the Council and him who design to turn him out p. 183. But prevents it being discovered ibid. Great hatred between him and the Duke of Lennox p. 198. He retires to his own House and is accused of several Crimes ibid. Procures again his Majesties favour and is re-introduced at Court p. 200. And at length reconciled to the Queen ibid. Mary Queen of Scotland the only Child left of King James the 5th p. 7. Born when he lay on his death-bed p. 7. After her Arrival in France great disputes arise about her Marriage between the two Factions in France but is at last wedded to the Dauphin p. 8. Proves a sorrowful Widdow after the death of her Husband p. 30. By degrees leaves the Court upon dislike ibid. Occasion'd by the Queen-Mother's rigorous dealing with her p. 31. Is advised to return to Scotland and behave her self moderately ibid. At length arrives in her own Country p. 32. Seems to approve of the Match proposed by Cardinal Lorrain between her and the Arch-Duke of Austria ibid. Advertiseth the Queen of England of this proposal desiring her advice p. 40. Which she Answers by Mr. Randolph ibid. and p. 41. Lays aside the thoughts of that Match p. 43. And the Reasons why ibid. Behaves her self very discreetly and gains great reputation in all Countries p. 53. Her Character p. 54. Is much taken with the Lord Darnly p. 56. Determines to marry him tho opposed by several Lords ibid. And is married to him accordingly p. 57. Is kept Prisoner by Douglas and his Party upon the murther of Rixio p. 65. Causeth the King to advise them to withdraw the Guards they had upon her ibid. So they went all to their home but the Queen King and some in their Retinue went at midnight to Dunbar p. 66. Subscribes Remissions for the Lord Murray and his Dependers lamenting the young King's folly ibid. Goes to Sterling to Ly In her time approaching p. 67. She mislikes the King who grows melancholick thereupon ibid. She is much troubled at that foul fact committed in her presence by killing her Servant Rixio to the endangering of her self and the Child in her Womb p. 74. Keeps her Chamber some time after the murther of her Husband Darnly p. 78. She wonders at the reports of her marriage with Bothwel but denies it ibid. Is forced to marry him the Nobility approving it and he having first Ravished her p. 80. Is married by Adam Bothwel after the Reformed Religion ibid. Resigns her self to the Lord of Grange and conveyed to Edinburgh p. 83. where she is respected by the Nobles but reviled by the vulgar ibid. Writes a Letter wherein she calls Bothwel her dear heart promising never to forsake him p. 84. Which being brought to the Lords by the Treachery of one of her Keepers they sent her to be secured in Lockleven ibid. Upon the Lord Lindsay's coming she subscribed to the Demission of the Government to the Prince and certain Lords named as Regents p. 85. Is conveyed from Lockleven
the Queen p. 80. Refuseth at first to be sent Commissioner by the Lords who concluded to Crown the Prince to the Lords Assembled at Hamiltoun but at last accepts p. 85. Declares their Answer at Sterling p. 86. Is sent to meet the Lord Murray at Berwick upon his return from France to advise him p. 87. Is sent by another Party with contrary Instructions ibid. Deviseth with others a remedy for his preservation and brings into a good opinion with the People p. 102. Is sent to Berwick to the Earl of Sussex and why p. 105. Receives an Answer ibid. Visits the Regent the Earl of Lennox there p. 106. Disswades him from the Regency as dangerous ibid. Is taken Prisoner by the Earl of Bughan p. 111. Whom the Laird Grange would have released by force but he disapproves of it ibid. Finds Bail to serve his Majesty and the Regent and is discharged p. 112. Is sent by the Regent Marr to Edinburgh to make an Accommodation between them and him p. 117. Which they were all inclinable to ibid. And after Marr's death by the Regent Mortoun p. 118. Proferreth himself a Pledge that the Castle of Edinburgh should be delivered by the Laird Grange to the Regent p. 119. Loseth the Regents favuor by telling his faults freely p. 124. Is ordained to hold the Iustice-Eyre of West Lauthian with other persons at Edinburgh p 1. 31. Is sent for by his Majesty p. 133. Goes to wait upon him though resolved to lead a contemplative life ibid. Discourseth with his Majesty about the State of all Countries p. 134. Prevails with the Bishop of St. Andrews to entertain his Majesty in the Castle p. 135. Adviseth him to go into the Castle for his security p. 136. Is acknowledged by his Majesty to be the sole Procurer of his liberty p. 137. His Council is much depended upon by the King p. 138. Is made one of his Council ibid. Opposeth the Earl of Arran's new invented Proclamation in the Council-House p. 139. Is made Gentleman of his Chamber and a Member of the Privy-Council p. 142. Is writ to by his Majesty to attend him and obeys p. 143. Takes a long Letter with him to put him in mind of his Promises the Contents thereof p. 143 144 145 and 146. Arrives at Sterling and disswades his Majesty from sending Ambassadors to England for that present p. 146. Which his Majesty condescends to and he retires ibid. Is sent for again to conduct Secretary Walsingham to his Audience p. 147. Is appointed with four more to endeavour the understanding his intentions p. 147 and 148. Refuseth the Office of Secretary offered him p. 149. Is deprived of all employment by the Earl of Arran's means though contrary to his Majesties promise p. 150. Yet is ordered to prepare for an Embassy to England and Pens the Speech he intends to pronounce to the Queen ibid. The Contents p. 150 151 and 152. A large Conference is held between King James and him about his Affairs p. 153 and 154. Is left by his Majesties manager p. 154. He entertains a smart discourse with the Earl of Arran p. 155 Is resolv'd upon that account to attend no longer then the end of the Convention ibid. Is sent for by his Majesty and graciously receiv'd p. 157. Conducts Davison the English Agent to his Audience at Falkland ibid. Adviseth his Majesty that Davison endeavours the disturbance of that Kingdom p. 158. Is sent for to entertain Mr. Wotton p. 159. Gives an account of his carriage and designs in France at the age of 21 p 159 160 and 161. Gives his Majesty caution to be wary of him but is not taken notice of p. 161. Is appointed with Two more to entertain the three Danish Ambassadors p. 162. Pacifies the first of the 3 with discourse for Indignities offered them p. 163 and 164. Gives an account of the King of Denmark's Genealogy p. 165. Which undeceives the King of Scotland and satisfies him ibid. Goes on Board of the Ambassadors from Denmark being upon their departure with Presents p. 167. Takes leave of them rewards the Officers declaring the particulars to his Majesty ibid. Shifts off his going Ambassador to Denmark ibid. Is sent for to Court p. 168. Is sent upon a framed Errand to Dunkel and his Commission p 168 and 169. At his return forewarns his Majesty of what would follow the Earl of Arran's rash proceedings p. 170. Is for an Act of Oblivion and restoring the Banished Lords but Opposed p. 171. Is sent for to go to England to confirm the League with Queen Elizabeth p. 173. But endeavours to avoid it ibid. Is discharged of that Embassy p. 174. And design'd Ambassador to Spain p. 175. but has no desire for that Voyage ibid. Is nominated to go to Denmark which he likewise declines p. 176. Is desired by Du Bartas the French Poet to go with a Commission to the King of Navarre p. 177. But refuseth it ibid. Seeing no preparations for his dispatch to Denmark he obtains licence and prepares himself for the next Order p. 179. Is sent for by his Majesty at his landing in Scotland p. 182. Is Commanded to attend the Earl of Worcester Ambassador from England sent to Congratulate both their Majesties at their Arrival ibid. Is acquainted with his Majesties proceedings in his Voyage p. 182 and 183. He and Sir Robert Melvil set down some Rules for the management of his Affairs by his order from p. 185 to p. 192. Is sent for to Falkland and acquaint him that he is design'd to wait upon the young Queen p. 193. Which he did several years p. 194. He and his Brother Sir Robert advertised his Majesty of a design against him by Bothwel and his Complices p. 197. Which was slighted ibid. Is one of the Privy Council and Gentleman of her Majesties Chamber p. 198. Is appointed with others to entertain Ambassadors from Forraign Parts upon the British of Prince Henry p. 203. Is also appointed to attend the Two Ambassadors from Denmark about the performance of the Contract of Marriage p. 204. Melvil Sir Robert is sent Ambassador in Ordinary into England by Queen Mary p. 63. And upon what account ibid. Is taken Prisoner with others after the Surrender of Edinburgh Castle p. 121. Is made one of the King's Council p. 138. Gets intelligence of the English Ambassadors designs against King James p. 167. Acquaints his Majesty therewith ibid. Offers by Combat to justifie it p. 168. But is prevented by his Majesty ibid. Is sent Ambassadour with another to treat about the Accusation of the Queen of Scots p. 173. Speaks boldly and had been detained Prisoner but for the interest of the Master of Gray in England ibid. Is left Vice-Chancellor of Scotland during his Majesties absence at Denmark p. 181. Though calumniated and threatned to be imprisoned and have his Office taken through the Chancellour's means p. 183. Gives his Majesty notice of Bothwel's design against him p. 197. Is made Deputy-Treasurer
p. 198. Is threatned with death by the Captain of the Guards p. 199. But the Queen stood his Friend ibid. Sends his Servant to acquaint the King with Bothwel's Conspiracy against him in Falkland for which he is derided p. 202. Sir Robert is sent Ambassadour to England from King James p. 204. Mortoun Earl is challenged to fight by Lord Herreis upon the account of the King's death p. 100. Appoints 4 men to kill Grange at the entrance of the Regent's Lodgings without the Regent's privity p. 101. Has a great Faction in the Country though disappointed of the Regency p. 116. But is made Regent after the decease of the Earl of Mar by the assistance of England p. 118. Promiseth to the Agreement with the Lords of the Castle of Edinburgh but steers another course p. 120. Anticipates the Marshal of Berwick and gets an Answer from the Queen of England to have the Prisoners taken at Edinburgh Castle and a Commission for their Execution before he could send p. 121. Triumphs a while being with great Assistance from England p. 123. His whole study is to gain riches from England and Scotland p. 123. Of which England too late repented ibid. Holds the Country in a more setled Estate then it had been in for many years p. 124. Grows proud despiseth the Nobility commits several wrongs and prosecutes several Lords ibid. exposeth the Earl of Orkny to great hardship p. 126. Yields easily to his deposition from the Regency retiring to Lockleven ibid. But by his designs gets in again to be Master of the Court ibid. Is Accused by James Stuart of the late King's Murther p. 127. Is condemned at the Assize for it 128. And dies resolutely ibid. Murray Earl takes part with Bothwel p. 201. And is kill'd at his own House Murray Lord and Bedford meet at Berwick about the marriage of Queen Mary with Leicester p. 53. With slenderer offers then expected from him ibid. Murray being one of the banished Lords is sent for from Newcastle and re-entertain'd by the Queen p. 65. Retires from Court p. 78. Obtains leave to go to France before the Queen married Bothwel p. 80. Is appointed by the Queen first Regent of the young Prince p. 85. Whereupon he is sent for from France by the Lords ibid. Accepts the Regency of the Prince after a Refusal p. 87. Enters at first sight upon such injurious Reproaches of her Majesty as were like to break her heart ibid. Takes the Forts and Castles into his hands p. 90. Clears the Borders of Thieves and holds Iustice in Evre ibid. Goes to England accompanied with many Lords to accuse Queen Mary p. 93. Is privately dissuaded from it by the Duke of Norfolk p. 94 and 95. 'T is agreed that he shall by no means proceed in that Accusation p. 95. Breaks his word with the Duke and comes from the Council-House with Tears in his Eyes p. 97. Is despised by the Queen of England for his intention to Accuse her detested by the Duke reproached by his Friends living at Kingston penyless and unregarded p. 97. Is reconciled to the Duke p. 98. Has 2000 l. of the Queen for which the Duke becomes surety and afterward paid it 99. Takes leave of the Queen but discovers again all that ever past between the Duke and himself p. 99. Promising to send the Queen those Letters he should receive in Scotland from him ibid. Sends for Secretary Lidingtoun as being of Council with the Duke of Norfolk resolving to accuse him and writes for him to come to make a dispatch for England p. 100. Being come is Accused before the Privy Council of the late King's Murder and Imprisoned ib. Is misled though well inclined by vain pretences to his own and the ruine of others p. 102. Gives ear to flatterers ibid. Dissembles with Grange and Lidingtoun ibid. His Character p. 103. Is shot by Hamiltoun and dies the same night ibid. N NOrfolk Duke sent with an Army out of England to help the Congregationists p. 29. He and several other Councellors sent down to York to hear the Regent's Accusation of his Queen and be Iudges thereof p. 94. Privately dissuades the Regent from Accusing the Queen for the King her Son's sake p. 95. Is the greatest Subject in Europe not being a free-born Prince p. 96. Ruling the Queen and all ibid. His purposes discovered to the Queen whereby the Regent lost the Duke's favour yet speaks boldly to her Majesty p. 98. Is prevailed with to enter into friendship again with the Regent upon promise of his future secresie ibid. Acquaints the Regent with his resolution to marry the Queen of Scots and that he had a Daughter fitter for the King then any other p. 98 and 99. Becomes Security for 2000 l. which Murray the Regent of Scotland received from the Queen of England which he after paid p. 99. Is sent for by the Queen to come to Court being again deceived by the Regent then in Scotland applies himself to Secretary Cecil who told him there was no danger so that he rode with his Train only ibid. Is seized by the Treachery of Cecil and after a tedious Captivity dies of the Reformed Religion p. 100. Normand Lesly gains great honour in the Wars between Henry the Second of France and the Emperour p. 17. O OChiltrie Lord and divers others in revenge of the death of the Earl of Murray takes part with Earl Bothwel p. 201. Adviseth him to Seize on his Majesty in his Palace at Falkland ibid. Octavians in Scotland who and why so called p. 191. Octavio Duke Son-in-law to the Emperour Charles the Fifth is left to the Pope's discretion and why p. 11. P PArliament Proclaimed at Lithgow for the restitution of the banished Lords p. 170. Parma Duke Governour of Flanders wins the hearts of his Soldiers and Enemies by his prudent behaviour p. 166. Is suspected by the Spanish King to have a design on Flanders which caused him to deny the Spaniard Victuals Ships and landing in his Territories ibid. Paul the Fourth Pope breaks off the five years Truce between the French King and the Emperour p. 19. Peace concluded between Scotland and England and upon what Terms p. 30. Pool Cardinal appointed to be Mediator between the Two Princes p. 16. Prelates of Scotland endeavour to win King James by large proffers and perswasions to their Opinion p. 4. They exasperate his Majesty against the Treasurer by their insinuations p. 5. But he gets well off ibid. Prior of St. Andrews the Lord James Natural Son to James the Fifth King of Scotland p. 25. Afterwards Earl of Murray p. 32. Prior of Pittenweem a great debaucher of Women and Maidens p. 5. Protestants grown very numerous in Scotland p. 24. Q QUeen Mother of France is glad at the death of Francis the Second her Son he being wholly ruled by the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his Brother p. 29. Whereupon she dischargeth the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde who had
a Scaffold erected for their Execution ibid. Is made Regent by the Three Estates during the minority of Charles the Ninth p. 30. Seems inclinable to the Protestant Religion intending to joyn with the Protestant Princes ibid. Makes a Peace after the battle of Drues p. 36. Queen Regent of Scotland receives the Government from Hamiltoun p. 24. Issues out a severe Proclamation against Protestants ibid. Is disturbed at the discourse of the Prior of St. Andrew's and others and resolves to persecute the more p. 25. Sends to France about the disorders in her Country for help ibid. She during the Controversie with the Congregation retires with Monsieur Dosel and other French-men to Lieth which is fortified expecting French supplies p. 29. But being indisposed retires to the Castle of Edinburgh atd dies with regret that she followed the advice of her French friends ibid. Queen of Scotland married to King James from Denmark is Crowned p. 184. Shews Melvil no great countenance at first p. 194. But at length seems well satisfied with his Service ibid. Is offended with the Chancellour for delaying her Marriage with the King of Scots p. 198. Usually speaks in favour of those Officers that are misrepresented to the King p. 199. Is offended with the Chancellour but reconciled p. 200. Gives the English Danish and Dutch Ambassadours Audience p. 204. St. Quintin and several other Towns lost by the French to the Spaniard p. 22. R RAndolph Thomas Queen Elizabeth's Agent in Scotland p. 40. Denies the Queen of England made any promises to those who would oppose the Marriage of the Queen of Scots p. 60. Is sent with the Earl of Lennox Ambassadour unto Scotland to set him forward with his power p. 107. Is a double dealer and Sower of Sedition ibid. Glories that he had kindled such a fire in Scotland as would not easily be extinguished p. 109. Designs to have Mortoun Regent in the lieu of Lennox but failed p. 115. Returns home and why ibid. Is sent again Ambassadour to Scotland p. 127. Hears that the Author was designed to be sent Ambassador into England and opposeth it proposing other persons in that juncture of time p. 173. Rixio David a mean fellow who came to Scotland with the Ambassador of Savoy is made Secretary to the Queen of Scots p. 54. A Musician perswaded to sing with others the occasion of his promotion ibid. Is suspected to be Pensioner and Favourite to the Pope p. 55. Is kill'd in the Queens Presence to her great regret she being with Child by consent of the King p. 64. Russel Sir Francis Warden of the English Borders p. 166. Is kill'd at a meeting between the two Wardens ib. Ruxbie sent to sift what he could get out of Mary Queen of Scots as to her right to the Crown of England p. 68. Which he is to send to Mr. Secretary Cecil p. 68. Addresseth himself to the Scots Queen ibid. Writes to Cecil in her prejudice p. 69. Is promised a reward but his intrigues are discovered and he secured ibid. S SEatoun Comptroller to King James of Scotland p. 198. Segie Lord made one of the Kings Council p. 138. Chosen to accompany Melvil in the entertainment of the Danish Ambassador p. 162. Senarpon Monsieur Lieutenant in Normandy for the French King p. 160. Shaw William Master of Wark is chosen to accompany Melvil in his entertainment of the Danish Ambassadors with the Lord of Segie p. 162. Skeen a Lawyer chosen to go to Denmark with the Author p. 178. Sinclare Oliver promised by the Clergy to be made Lieutenant of the Army against England if King Henry the 8th should War against Scotland p. 4. Is proclaimed Lieutenant over the whole Army yet the Lords disdaining so mean a person would not fight under him but suffered themselves to be taken Prisoners p. 6. Simson Amy a Midwife and Witch p. 194 Is burnt with others p. 195. Smith is made Secretary to Queen Elizabeth p. 157. Sommer Secretary to the English Ambassador in France p. 160. Spanish Navy is rumour'd to be bound for England Scotland and Ireland p. 175. Is three years preparing ibid. The Commanders knew nothing of the Design but what they understood by the opening of their instructions at every Landing place p. 175 and 176. A violent storm of Wind dissipates the whole Navy and many of their Vessels suffer'd Shipwrack ibid. Spiny Lord and the Master of Glams at variance p. 198. Spiny is in great favour with his Majesty ibid. For which he is envied and accused as a dealer with Bothwel for which he is displaced and imprisoned ibid. But escapes out of a Window in Dalkieth by the help of a Danish Gentlewoman whom he afterward married ibid. Is in disfavour with the King p. 199. Spinze Lord is Gentleman of the Chamber to King James p. 198. Stuart Colonel is sent to St. Andrews with Mr. John Colvil p. 133. Is made Captain of King James his Guards p. 137. Writes to the Author to repair to Court p. 156. Is one of the Kings Council p. 138. Rides to overthrow the Banished Lords at their entry upon the Borders p. 168. But his design is frustrated ibid. Is committed to the care of the Lord Maxwel being in danger for espousing too violently the Earl of Arran's Interest p. 170. Obtains leave to go to Denmark about his own Affairs being that Kings Pensioner p. 171. Has a Commission to treat about the Marriage of King James with the Eldest Daughter of the King of Denmark ibid. Goes to Denmark several times at his own charge to complete his Masters Marriage with the King of Denmark's Daughter p. 177. Stuart James Son to the Lord Oghiltrie a Favourite in Scotland p. 126. Perswades the King to a Progress p. 127. Accuses the Earl of Mortoun of the late Kings Murther ibid. Takes upon himself the Title of Earl of Arran p. 128. Marries the Earl of March his Relict ibid. Casts off his true friends p. 129. His Character p. 131. Is kept Prisoner by the Lords in the Custody of the Earl of Gaury p. 133. Obtains the favour of being confin'd to his own House at Kinneal p. 137. adviseth the King but is opposed by Gaury ibid. Gets access to Court and stays there contrary to promise ibid. Is reconciled to Colonel Stuart by the Authors means p. 139. He and Melvil the Author clash in Council p. 139. His insolent carriage p. 142. He and Gaury are reconciled by his Majesty ibid. He and his Wife ruling all perswades his Majesty to go to Sterling p. 143. He is Captain of the Castle and Provost of the Town ibid. Adviseth his Majesty to send the Author Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth intending thereby to ensnare him ibid. Desires a familiar Conference with Secretary Walsingham who refuseth it p. 148. At which being incensed he puts several Indignities upon him ibid. Endeavours to be made Chancellor and Captain of the Castle of Edinburgh p. 152. Useth his Craft to pervert the effect of
the Convention ibid. Retires discontented to the Castles of Edinburgh and Sterling p. 155. His unworthy Carriage with many other particulars ibid. Seizeth on Gaury's Lands and divideth them among several others upon condition they would assist him in the ruin of the said Gaury p. 156. Confers with the Earl of Hunsdon on the Borders and Plots with him secretly p. 158. Grants all that is desired at the Conference with the Earl of Hunsdon to procure Queen Elizabeth's friendship p. 161. Is not courted by the Danish Ambassadors p. 163. Whereupon he becomes their Enemy ibid. Is in disfavour at Court p. 166. Imprisoned in St. Andrews Castle ibid. Sends his Brother to the Master of Gray promising a reward to procure his liberty p. 166. Which he soon did ibid. Is ordered to retire to his House ibid. Obtains liberty to return to Court p. 168. Flies p. 169. Comes again to Court p. 200. Is shortly after kill'd by James Douglas ibid. Stuart Sir William is Captain of Dumbartoun p. 129. Sussex Earl is sent from England to Berwick p. 104. Enters the Merse with his Forces and takes the Castle of Hume and 〈◊〉 p. 106. Is sent to Scotland upon the Birth of Prince Henry from Queen Elizabeth p. 203. T TAggot a Scientifical Man who prognosticated the year of his own Death by Palmestry p. 13. And dies at Geneva accordingly p. 14. Throgmorton Sir Nicholas Ambassador from England to France complains to the King and Council of the Queen of Scotland's new Usurped Style and Arms p. 23. But without success ibid. Acquaints Queen Elizabeth with it p. 29. Is sent Ambassador to Scotland to disswade Queen Mary from the Marriage with Darnly p. 56. Owns when return'd the promises he had made to those who would stop those proceedings without fear of Queen or Council p. 60. And comes off well ibid. Is incensed that he was an instrument to deceive the Banished Lords therefore adviseth them to beg their Queens Pardon and penn's a perswasive Letter to her Majesty of Scotland p. 60 61 62 and 63. A man of a deep reach and great prudence studying the Union of both Kingdoms p. 98. Reconcileth the Duke and the Regent ibid. Tulke Monsieur see Broderode U VIllamonte a French Gentleman sent to Mary Queen of Scotland to shew no favour to the Protestant Banished Lords p. 63. A De vice of Cardinal Lorrains larely return'd from the Council of Trent ibid. W WAchop Patriarch of Ireland p. 9. Went several times to Rome by Post tho blind ibid. Walsingham Sir Francis is sent to Scotland p. 147. His Character ibid. Is conveyed by the Author to St. Johnstoun ibid. Refuseth to discourse with any person about his Embassy but his Majesty p. 148. Is much troubled at the Earl of Arran's Court favour ibid. Returns to England and dies ibid. William Bishop of Ely and Dr. Wotton sent Commissioners for Queen Mary in the Treaty of Peace at Cambray between France and Spain p. 22. Wood John Secretary to Murray the Regent of Scotland p. 95. Is desired to press forward the Accusation of the Queen of Scotland p. 96. Produceth the Accusation of Queen Mary upon the desire of Cecil who delivered it upon conditions p. 96 and 97. Which was snatcht from him by the bishop of Orkny who gave it in to the Council p. 97. Procures all the Letters sent from the Duke of Norfolk to his Master which might tend to his ruin p. 99. Is well rewarded for his pains ibid. Worcester Earl is sent Ambassador from England to congratulate both their Majesties of Scotland p. 182. Norminstoun kill'd at the seisure of the Lords at Sterling p. 114. Witches taken in Lauthian who depose against the Earl Bothwel p. 194. They discourse with the Devil his form and shape described and are burnt ibid. Wotton Mr. sent by Queen Elizabeth to King James as Ambassador p 158. His parts and qualifications p. 159. His carriage in France when very young p. 159 160 and 161. Brothers Son to Dr. Wotton Ambassador from England to Spain p. 161. Fifty years old when he came into Scotland ibid. Becomes one of his Majesties Favourites tho he did more prejudice to his Majesty as to his affairs then any Englishman that arrived there before him ibid. Is sent thither to use all his wiles to disturb the two Kings namely of Denmark and Scotland and their Countries p. 161 and 162. Visits the Danish Ambassadors making large profers to lend them Gold and Silver p. 162. But secretly incenseth them with the Kings mean Opinion of their Master ibid. Acquaints them that King James designed to affront them with delays p. 163. Notwithstanding his double dealing with the King he gains his Majesties Ear p. 164. Makes a complaint to the King of the killing of Sir Francis Russel on the Borders p. 166. Which occasioned the Earl of Arran's Imprisonment ibid. Obtains with the assistance of his Scotch friends the chief management of King James's Affairs p. 167. His designs against the King defeated ibid. Flies to England without taking leave of his Majesty p. 168. Perswades the Noblemen of that Nation who were banished into England to return to their Native Country ibid. His dangerous and circumventing Practices p. 171. Wotton Doctor Ambassador from Mary the Queen of England who was Resident there when she was married to Philip King of Spain p. 159. Y YOung Peter King James's Almoner sent Ambassadour to Denmark p. 167. His Commission ibid. Returns with a friendly Answer p. 171. Being very well contented mith all Transactions there and as well rewarded p. 176. Is sent again to Denmark with the Laird of Barnbarrow in Commission ibid. Returns his Commission being lookt upon by the King of Denmark as insufficient 177. Sent a third time with an Embassy to the Danish King and the Dukes of Mecklenburgh and Brunswick upon the birth of Prince Henry p. 203. Returns with the reward of three fair Chains ibid. Yungland Laird the Author's Brother undertakes the Embassie to the King and Princess of Navarre 177. Is well treated and rewarded ibid. A Scholar and Linguist p. 178. A N Alphabetical Interpretation OF ALL THE Scotish WORDS and PHRASES Contained in this HISTORY A Aback to hold or keep back Accession Condescention Alwise although Anent about concerning as thereanent concerning the same Assize a Suit or Trial. Ay still or ever B Banded joyned together combining Best as the next best way or course Bond of Alliance a League or Truce Brangled Turmoiled Involv'd in Trouble Burroughs Burghers or Burgesses By-gones all that is past C Caution or Cautioner Bail or Surety Clan a Tribe or Family Compear Appear Comported Patiently bore Patiently Compts Accompts Conform Agreeable or Suitable to Conquer Credit to gain Credit Convoyance Conveyance Counselable one that is or will be Advised D Decourted discharged from the Court. Demission laying down or transferring to another Devilry Devilishness or Devilish Tricks Devotious addicted to very favourable to Ditty Doom or Damage Down-casting pulling down or demolishing Houses Dunting the stunning of Hammers c. E Effectuate effected or done Emit send forth Evangel the Gospel Evite Avoid F Factioners People of a Faction Fashion as done for the fashion that is done as usual and customary Forefault to find guilty in the absence of a person Forth-setting Advancement Promotion Fraudful Fraudulent Deceitful G Gain-stand Withstand H Hand-writ hand-writing Home-going returning home Hostlaries Inns. I Indwellers Inhabitants Insestments Inheritance Estate or Tenure Ingeny Ingenuity or Wit Justice Eyrs Iustice Itinerant L Leave-taking bidding farewel Leesings Lyes or Lying Tricks Liberate free at liberty Logh a watry sloughy place Longsom Tedious M Manyest the major part the most Miscontent Discontent Misconstructed Mis-interpreted Misgave miscarried Missives Letters Mostly for the most part Moyen Means or Course N Noticed Manifested O Octavians Eight Lords appointed to govern Scotland Onwaiter an Attendant Oultmost last or utmost Outgate a Way or Means Out-taking freeing from Prison P Practised dealt or laboured with to be brought over to a Party Perilled Endangered Perturbed disturbed Prejudged Forejudged Procedure Proceedings To Process to Sue Proponed Proposed R Refuse as he caused refuse i. e. he made them deny it Regrated regretted inwardly lamented or grieved for Righteous Heir True Heir S Salutary wholesom healthful healing Skittering skittish sinical silly Signatures written Instruments to be signed Steadable firm that will stand one in stead available Stormsted driven by Tempest into a Port or Harbour To Suit to beg or request T Time-coming for the future or time to come Timously in good or due time Tolerance Toleration Permission V Vengeable Revengeful Volt as a merry volt a merry pleasant countenance Unfriends Enemies Unwonable not to be won or courted to side with a Party Uptaking composing or taking up a business or difference W Ward or Warding Imprisonment Wel of Affairs the Good or Promotion of business While by-gone a long or considerable time since or past Whingar a Scottish Sword commonly called Whinyard Wrongously injuriously or wrongfully A Catalogue of some Books Printed for and to be Sold by Robert Boulter at the Turk's-Head in Corn-hill 1683. Folio BIshop Reynolds's Works Calderwood's History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland from 1560 to 1625. Rushworth's Collections First Vol. His Second Volume Pharmacopoea Londinensis Sturmy's Magazine Curia Politiae Rea's Flora. Quarto Durham on the Revelations Baxter's Saints Rest. Owen of Justification Origen contra Marchionet Charles the Eighth A Play Lesley Historia Scotorum Man of Sin Lightfoot on Lucan Dr. Charleton's Anatom Lectures Flavel's Husbandry Boys's Sermons Pryun's Power of Parliaments Burnet's Thesaurus Behin's Remains Manley of Usury Brown against Quakers Seamans Calendar Mariners Calendar Seamans Practise Norwood's Trigonometria Large Octavo Pool's Nullity Wilson's Scriptures Durham of Scandal Dr. Trapham's Treatise of Jamaica Cloud of Witnesses Rutherford's Examen Sclater of Grace Bayfield De Capitis Danvers of Baptism Flavel's Two Treatises His Preparation for Sufferings Small Octavo Wars of Hungary History of Jewels Moral Gallantry Flavel's Saint Indeed Token for Mourners Roma Restituta Curious Distillatory History of Japan and Siam Looking-Glass for Children Hugh's Disputations Religio Stoici Petton on the Covenant Queens Wells Moreland of Interest Miltoni Logica Grey of Faith Sydenham's Works Rushworth's Solomons Remembrance Gale's Idea Binning's Miscellanies Kirkwood's Grammatica Norwood's Epitomy Gellibrand's Epitomy FINIS
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