of the subjects of Scotland shall be sifted for his conscience, nor constrained to go to the service of the contrary religion. 19. She will grant a general abolition of all offences, done against her in Scotland, and things shall remain thero as they are at this present, for that respect, saving that which hath been done against her honour, which she meaneth to have revoked and annulled. 20. She will travel to settle a sure and general reconciliation between the nobility of the country, and to cause to be appointed about the King her son, and in his council, such as shall be fit for the entertainment of the peace and quiet of the country, and the amity of the realm. 21. She will do her best to content Your Majesty, in favour of the Scots lords banished and refuged hither, upon their due submission to their Princes, and Your Majesty's promise to assist the said Queen and King of Scotland against them, if they happen to fall into their former faults. 22. She will proceed to the marriage of the King her son, with the advice and good council of Your Majesty. 23. As she will pass nothing without the King her son, so doth she desire that he intervene conjointly with her in this treaty, for the greater and perfecter assurance thereof; for otherwise any thing can hardly be established to be sound and continue. 24. The said Scotch Queen trusteth, that the French King, her good brother, according to the good affection which he hath always showed her, and hath been afresh testified unto me by Monsr. de Mannissiere for this said treaty, will very willingly intervene, and will assist her for the surety of her promises. 25. And so will the Princes of the House of Lorrain, following the will of the said King, will bind themselves thereunto. 26. For other Kings and Princes of Christendom, she will essay to obtain the like of them, if for greater solemnity and approbation of the treaty it be found to be necessary. 27. She doth desire a speedy answer, and final conclusion of the premisses, to the end to meet in time with all inconveniences. 28. And in the mean time, the more to strengthen the said treaty, as made by her of a pure and frank will, she desireth that demonstration be made of some releasement of her captivity. Objections against the Scottish Queen, under Secretary Walsinghame's Hand, November, 1584. THE Queen of Scots is ambitious, and standeth ill affected to Her Majesty, and therefore it cannot be but that her liberty should bring peril unto Her Majesty. That her enlargement will give comfort to Papists, and other ill affected subjects, and greatly advance the opinion had of her title as successor. That as long as she shall be continued in Her Majesty's possession, she may serve as it were a gage of Her Majesty's surety, for that her friends, for fear of the danger she may be thrown into, in case any thing should be done in her favour, dare not attempt any thing in the offence of Her Majesty. November, 1584. { What Course were fit to be taken with the Queen of Scots, either to be enlarged or not. [Cott. Lib. Cal. 8.] THE course to be taken with the said Queen may be considered of in three degrees; either, 1. To continue her under custody in that state she now is. 2. To restrain her of the present liberty she now hath. 3. Or to set her at liberty upon caution. 1. Touching the first, to continue her under custody in that state she now is ; it is to be considered, that the Princes that favour that Queen, upon the complaint she maketh of hard usage, are greatly moved with commiseration towards her, and promise to do their endeavour for her liberty, for which purpose her ainisters solicit them daily. And to move them the more to pity her case, she acquainteth them with her offers made to Her Majesty, which appeared to be no less profitable than reasonable for Her Majesty, so as the refusal and rejecting giveth her friends and favourers cause to think her hardly dealt withal, and therefore may, with the better ground and reason, attempt somewhat for the setting of her at liberty. It is also likely that the said Queen, upon this refusal, finding her case desperate, will continue her practice under hand, both at home and abroad, not only for her delivery, but to obtain to the present possession of this crown upon her pretended title, as she hath hitherto done, as appeareth, and is most manifest by letters and plots intercepted, and chiefly by that late alteration of Scotland, which hath proceeded altogether by her direction, whereby a gap is laid open for the malice of all Her Majesty's enemies, so as it appeareth that this manner of keeping her, with such number of persons as she now hath, and with liberty to write and receive letters (being duly considered), is offensive to the Princes, the said Queen's friends; rather chargeable than profitable to Her Majesty: and subject to all such practices as may peril Her Majesty's person or estate, without any provision for Her Majesty's safety, and therefore no way to be liked of. 2. Touching the second, to restrain her in a more straighter degree of the liberty she hath hitherto enjoyed. It may at first sight be thought a remedy very apt to stop the course of the dangerous practices fostered heretofore by her: for, true it is, that this remedy might prove very profitable, if the realm of Scotland stood in that sort devoted to Her Majesty, as few years past it did; and if the King of that realm were not likely, as well for the release of his mother, as for the advancement of both their pretended titles, to attempt somewhat against this realm and Her Majesty, wherein he should neither lack foreign assistance, nor a party here within this realm: But the King and that realm standing affected as they do, this restraint, instead of remedying, is likely to breed these inconveniences following: First, It will increase the offence both in him, and in the rest of the Princes her friends, that misliked of her restraint. Secondly, it will give them just cause to take some way of redress. Lastly, It is to be doubted, that it may provoke some desperate ill-disposed person, all hope of her liberty removed, to attempt somewhat against Her Majesty's own person (a matter above all others to be weighed), which inconveniency being duly considered, it will appear manifestly that the restraint, in a straighter degree, is likely to prove a remedy subject to very hard events. The latter degree, whether it were fit to set the said Queen at liberty, ministreth some cause of doubt, touching the manner of the liberty, in what sort the same is to be performed, whether to be continued here within the realm, or to be restored into her own country. But first, this proposition, before the particularities be weighed, is to be considered in generality. For it is very hard for a well-affected subject, that tendreth Her Majesty's surety, and weigheth either the nature of the Scottish Queen, being inclined to ambition and revenge, or her former actions, what practices she hath set on foot most dangerous for Her Majesty and this realm, to allow of her liberty, being not made acquainted with such causes, as time hath wrought, to make it less perilous than it hath been, nor with such cautions as may, in some sort, be devised to prevent both her ambition and malice; and therefore, to make this apparent, It is to be considered, that the danger that was in the mother, is now grown to be in the son. He pretendeth the same title she doth: Such as do affect her. both at home and abroad, do affect him (and he is the more dangerous for that he is unmarried, which may greatly advance his fortune; and that he is a man, whereby he may enter into action in his own person); where she is restrained, he is at liberty; his own realm is now altogether at his devotion, and the party affected to this crown abased; so as the matter duly considered, neither liberty nor restraint doth greatly alter the case for perils towards Her Majesty, unless by such promises as may be made by way of treaty with her, the danger likely to grow from the King her son be provided for. But in this behalf it may be objected, that so long as the mother remains in Her Majesty's hands, the King will attempt nothing for fear of his mother's peril To this objection it may be answered, first, That they hope that Her Majesty, being a prince of justice, and inclined to mercy, will not punish the mother for the son's offence, unless she shall be found by good proof, culpable. Secondarily, That men will not be over hasty, considering in what predicament the King standeth touching his expectation of this crown, to advise any thing that in time future may be dangerous to the giver of such counsel as may reach to his mother's peril. And lastly, The taking away of his mother, he being strong in the field through both foreign assistance, and a party here within the realm, will appear so weak a remedy (which may rather exasperate both him and her party, to proceed with more courage and heat to revenge, if any such hard measure should be offered unto her), as they will suppose, for the reason above specified, that no such extremity will be used. It may also be objected, that the setting of her at liberty will greatly encourage the Papists both at home and abroad; but herein, if the provision be duly considered, that may be made by Parliament both here and there, they shall rather find cause of discomfort than otherwise. These two doubts being resolved, and the perils that was in the mother appearing most manifestly to be seen in the son accompanied with more danger, with due consideration had also of such remedies as may be provided for the preventing of the dangers, that her liberty may minister just cause to doubt of; there will be good cause of hope found, that the same will rather breed benefit than perils. Now it resteth, in what sort the said liberty shall be performed; if it shall be thought meet she shall be continued within the realm with some limitation, especially in that place where she now resideth, the country round about being so infected in religion as it is, it is greatly to be doubted that will very much increase the corruption, and falling away in that behalf. Besides, she should have commodity, with much more ease and speed, to entertain practices within this realm, than by being in her own country. If abroad freely without limitation either in Scotland or France, then shall Her Majesty lose the gages of her safety, then shall she be at hand to give advice in furtherance of such practices, as have been laid for to stir trouble in this realm, wherein she hath been a principal party. For the first, it is answered before, that the respect of any perils that may befal unto her, will in no sort restrain her son. For the other, if it be considered what harm her advice will work unto herself in respect of the violation of the treaty, and the provision that may be made in Parliament here, it is to be thought, that she will then be well advised, before she attempt any such matter, which now she may do without perill. Besides such Princes, as have interposed their faith and promise for her, cannot with honour assist her, wherein the French King will not be found very forward, who, in most friendly sort, hath lately rejected all such requests, propounded either by her, or her son's ministers, that might any way offend Her Majesty. And so to conclude, seeing the cause of her grief shall be taken away; the French King gratified, who is a mediator for her, and will mislike, that, by any Spanish practice, she should be drawn to violate her faith, that the rest of the Princes shall have no just cause of offence, but rather to think honourably of Her Majesty considering the Scottish Queen's carriage towards her, which hath deserved no way any such favour; the noblemen of Scotland shall be restored, who will be a good stay of such counsells as may tend to the troubling of this realm, especially having so good a ground of warrant as the Parliament to stand unto; the charges and perills which her practices might have bred to this realm shall be avoided; and lastly, the hope of the Papists shall be taken away, by such good provisions, as in both the realms may be made, whereby the perills that might fall into Her Majesty's own person (a matter of all others to be weighed) shall be avoided, when by the change that may grow by any such wicked and ungodly practice, they shall see their case no way relieved in point of religion. Reasons to induce Her Majesty to proceed in the Treaty under Secretary [Cott. Lib. Cal. c. 8.] THAT such plots as have of late years been devised (tending to the raising of trouble within this realm) have grown from the Scots Queen's ministers and favourers, not without her allowance and seeking: Or, That the means used by the said ministers, to induce Princes to give ear to the said plots, is principally grounded upon some commiseration had of her restraint. That the stay, why the said plots have not been put in execution, hath proceeded, for that the said Princes have, for the most part, been entertained with home and domestic troubles. That it is greatly to be doubted, that now their realms begin to be quiet, that somewhat will be attempted in her favours by the said Princes. That it is also to be doubted, that somewhat may be attempted by some of her fautors in an extraordinary sort, to the perill of Her Majesty. That for the preservation thereof, it shall be convenient for Her Majesty to proceed to the finishing of the treaty, not long sithence begun between her and the said Queen. No. XLV. (p. 255.) Letter of Q. Mary to Q. Elizabeth. [Cott, Lib. Coll. B. VIII. fol. 147. An original.] MADAME MA BONNE SEUR, M'ASSUERANT que vous avez eu communication d'une lettre de Gray que vostre homme Semer me livra hier soubz le nom de mon filz y recognoissant quasi de mot a la mot mesmes raisons que le dit Gray m'escrivit en chifre estant dernierement pres de vous desmontrant la suffisance & bonne intention du personage je vous prieray seulement suivant ce que si devant je vous ay tant instantement importuné que vous me permettiez desclaircir librement et ouvertement ce point de l'association d'entre moy et mon filz et me dessier les mains pour proceder avec lui comme je jugeray estre requis pour son bien & le mien. Et j'entreprendz quoy que l'on vous die & puisse en rapporter de faire mentir ce petit brouillon qui persuadé par aucuns de vos ministres a entrepris cette separation entre moy & mon enfant, & pour y commencer je vous supplie m'octroyer qui je puisse parler a ce justice clerk qui vous a este nouvellement envoyé pour mander par luy a mon filz mon intention sur cela, ce qui je me promis que ne me refuserez, quant ce ne seroit que pour demontrer en effect la bonne intention que vous m'avez asseurée avoir a l'accord & entretien de naturel devoir entre la mere & l'enfant qui dit en bonnes termes estre empesche pour vous me tenant captive en un desert ce que vous ne pourrez mieux desmentir & faire paroitre vostre bon desir a notre union que me donnant les moyens d'y proceder, & non m'en retenir et empescher comme aucune des vos ministres pretendent a fin de laisser toujours lieu a leur mauvais & sinistres practiques entre nous. La lettre porte que l'association n'est pas passée, aussi ne luy ai je jamais dit, bienque mon filz avoit accepte; & que nous en avions convenu ensemble, comme l'acte signé de sa main, & ces lettres tant a moy, que en France en font foy, ayant donné ce meme temoinage de sa bouche propre a plusieurs ambassadeurs et personnes de credit, s'excusant de ne l'oser faire publier par craint de vous soulement, demandant forces pour vous resister d'avant de ce declarer si ouvert `ment estant journellement persuade au contraire par vos ministers qui luy prometoyent avecque une entreire a Yorck le faire declairer votre heretier. Au surplus Madame quand mon enfant seroit si malheureux que de s'opiniastrer en cette extreme impieté & ingratitude vers moy, je ne puis penser que vous non plus qu'aucun aultre Prince de la Chretienté, le voulissiez eu cela applaudir ou meintenir pour luy fayre acquerir ma malediction ains que plutos introviendrez pour luy faire recognoitre la raison trop juste & evidant devant Dieu & les hommes. Helas & encores ne luy vouloier j'en ofter, mays donner avec droit ce qu'il tient par usurpation. Je me suis du tout commise a vous, & fidelement faites si il vous plest que je ne en soye pis qu'aupravant, & que le faulsete des uns ne prevale desvant la verite vers vous, pour bien recevant mal, & la plus grande affliction que me scaurroit arriver à scavoir la perte de mon fils. Je vous supplie de me mander en cas qu'il persiste en cette m'esconnoissance de son devoir, que de luy ou de moy il vous plaist advouer pour legittime Roy ou Royne d'Ecosse, & si vous aves agreable de poursuivre avec moy a part la traité commencé entre nous de quoy je vous requiers sans plus attendre de response de ce mal gouverné enfant vous en requerrant avec autant d'affection que je sens mon cœur oppressé d'ennuy. Pour Dieu souvenez vous de la promesse que m'avez faites de me prendre en votre protection me reportant de tout a vous & sur ce priant Dieu qu'il vous viueille preserver de touts vos ennemys & dissimulez amys, comme je le desire de me consoler & de me venger de ceulz qui pourchassent un tel malheur entre la mere & l'enfant. Je cesseray de vous troubler, mais non a m'ennuier que je ne recoive quelque consolation de vous & de Dieu encore un coup je le supplie de vous garder de tout peril. Futhbery XII Mars. Votre fidelement vouée sœur et obeissant cousine, MARIE Q. A la Reyne d'Angleterre Madame ma bonne sœur & cousine. No. XLVI. (p. 255.) A Testament by Q. Mary. N. B. The following paper was transcribed by the Revd. Mr. Crawford, late Regius Professor of Church History in the University of Edinburgh. Part of this paper, according to him, is written by Naué, Mary's Secretary, the rest with the Queen's own hand. What is marked (“) is in the Queen's hand. [Cott. Lib. Vespas. L. 16. p. 415.] CONSIDERANT par ma condition presente l'estat de vie humaine, si incertain, que personne ne s'en peust, ou doibt asseurer, sinnon soubs la grande et infinie misericorde de Dieu. Et me voulant prevaloir d'icelle contre tous les dangers et accidens, qui me pourroient inopinement survenir en cette captivité, mesmes a cause des grandes et longues maladies, ou j'ay eté detenué jusques a present; j'ay advisé tandis que j'ay la commodité, ou raison en jugement, de pourvoir apres ma mort la salut de mon ame, enterrement de mon corps, et disposition de mon bien, estat, & affaires, par ce present mon testament et ordonnance de mon dernier volonté, qui s'ensuyt. Au nom du Pere, du Filz, et du benoiteiSt. Esprit. Premierement, me recongnoissant indigne pecheresse avec plus d'offences envers mon Dieu, que de satisfaction par toutes les adversites que j'ay souffert; dont je la loue sa bonté. Et m'appuyant sur la creix de mon Sauveur et Redempteur Jesus Christ, Je recommende mon ame a la benoiste et individue Trinité, et aux prieres de la glorieuse Vierge Marie, et de tous les anges saincts & sainctes de paradis, esperant par leur merites & intercession, estre aydée a obtenir de estre faicte participante avec eulx de felicité eternelle. Et pour m'y acheminer de cueur plus net et entier despouillant des a present tout resentiment des injures, caloninies, rebellions, et aultres offenses, qui me pourroient avoir esté factes durant ma vie, par mes subjets rebelles et aultres ennemis; J'en retriet la vengeance a Dieu, & le supplie leur pardonner, de mesme affection, que je luy requiers pardons a mes faultes, et a tous ceuls et celles que je puis avoir offensé de faicts ou de parolles. Je veulx et ordonne, &c. [The two following paragraphs contain directions concerning the place and circumstance of her burial.] Pour ne contrevenir a la gloire, honneur, et conservation de l'Eglise catholique, apostolique et Romaine, en la quelle je veulx vivre et mourir, si le Prince d'Escosse mon filz y puest etre reduiet contre la mauvaise nourriture, qu'il a VOL. III.--54 |