Cotton MS Caligula B VIII

ff. 4r–414v: Records and papers (originals and copies) concerning England and Scotland, from the reigns of Henry VIII (1509–1547) and Elizabeth I (1558–1603), including The Act for furthering of Iustice in criminall causes, 9 November 1588 (Edinburgh: Henrie Charteris, 158), STC 21887.5, ff. 38r–41r.

ff. 4r–5v: Original of James V's credence to Dr Magnus, containing the charges against the Earl of Angus, December 1528.

ff. 6r–9v: Original document from the Lords of Council of Scotland, with their answers to certain articles exhibited by Dr Magnus (preparatory to the treaty of Berwick?), January 1526.

ff. 10r–15r: Henry VIII's original credentials to the Carlisle herald, in answer to several points, represented by Sir Thomas Scot, about the borders, and James V's marriage, c. 1530.

ff. 18r–24r: Original articles from Queen Margaret sent to Henry VIII by the Earl of Cassilis, 23 January 1525. See also Caligula B I, article 120.

ff. 26r–37v: Original instructions from Henry VIII to Dr Magnus and Thomas Tempest, for the assembly at Berwick, November 1528. See also Caligula B V article 5.

ff. 38r–41v: James VI's act for the furthering of criminal causes; printed. 9 November 1588, Edinburgh.

ff. 42r–43v: Original articles from Cuthbert Radclyff, to be delivered to the lord warden. [June 1537?].

f. 44r: A copy of the commissioners of Scotland's answer to the English commissioners, 2 October 1531, Dumfries. A copy of Caligula B VII article 99.

ff. 45r–62v: A corrected draft of Henry VIII's instructions to Sir Anthony Brown, on his being sent to regulate the borders [25 January 1537].

ff. 63r–96v: A survey of the waste lands along the east and middle marches, 2 December 1542.

ff. 97r–98v: Original of the council of Scotland's answer to the articles exhibited by Clarencieux, 21 January 1523, Edinburgh. See also Caligula B VI article 177.

ff. 99r–100v: The substance of Sir Ralph Sadler's letter from Scotland, February 1540, Edinburgh (printed in his negotiations, p. 21.)

ff. 101r–v, 104r–v: Instructions to James Marshal, Secretary to the Duke of Albany, coming to England, 1516. In French.

ff. 102r–103r: A memoir concerning the security and hostages required by the Duke of Albany for his passage through England, 1516. In French.

ff. 105r–133v: Information given by Sir Robert Bowes to the Marquis of Dorset, concerning the marches, and all things requisite for a lord warden to know, c. 1542.

ff. 134r–v: A fragment of a declaration, which mentions the Earl of Murray's conduct; the death of David Rizzio, of Henry Darnley, and the restoration of Mary Queen of Scots after her imprisonment at Lochleven, 1568.

ff. 135r–141v: A draft of Elizabeth's instructions, corrected by Cecil, to her ambassador in the Low Countries, directing him to return, in order to be sent into Spain.

ff. 142r–143v: A fragment of some instructions, with corrections by Cecil, to an ambassador going to Spain [1558?]

ff. 144r–145v: A fragment of an anonymous letter, probably to the Earl of Essex; with intelligence from Scotland; the earls of Huntley and Errol declared traitors; James VI's progress towards Aberdeen, against insurgents. There are notes in Cecil's hand. [April 1589, Aberdeen?]

ff. 146r–147v: Copy of a letter in French from Mary Queen of Scots to Elizabeth, about an agreement between her and James VI, 12 March [1587?], Tutbury.

ff. 148r–149v: Original letter from Henry Clyfford to his father the Earl of Cumberland, giving an account of a fray at Carlisle, 9 December [1531], Carlisle.

ff. 150r–154v: A draft account of an interview with James IV, written by an English envoy in Scotland to Henry VII, April 1508.

ff. 158r–159r: Original letter from Queen Margaret to Henry VIII, earnestly requesting he would use his endeavours to release James V from the hands of Angus, 21 August 1526, Dunfermline.

ff. 160r–161v: Queen Margaret to Cardinal Wolsey, to the same purport as the above, 21 August 1526, Dunfermline.

ff. 162r–v: A copy of a letter from Hugh, Prior of Durham, and William Franklyn, to Henry VIII, reporting their having been with Magnus at Edinburgh, to see James V to ratify the recent treaty, 9 July [1534], Durham.

ff. 163r–164v: Original letter in Latin from John Gostwick to Cardinal Wolsey, thanking him for kindnesses, 16 July [1526], London.

ff. 165r–168v: Thomas Bishop's defence against the charges contained in ff. 184r–185v.

ff. 169r–v: The exhortation of Christopher Colman and four other preachers to their brethren to persevere in the cause of the reformation, May 1568, Marshalsea prison.

ff. 170r–174v: The memorial of a French ambassador [Pomponne de Belliévre afterwards Chancellor of France] to Elizabeth concerning the condemnation of Mary Queen of Scots; with answers in the margin, December 1586. In French.

ff. 176r–177r: The Duke of Norfolk to the Earl of Murray, regent of Scotland, about the duke's intended marriage with Mary Queen of Scots, 1 July 1569, London (improperly subscribed James Regent).

ff. 178r–179v: James Vl's summons to Hugh Earl of Eglinton, and several others, chiefly Hamiltons, to answer for having assisted Mary in her escape from Lochleven, 22 May 1568, Edinburgh. In Latin.

ff. 180r–181v: John (Lesley) Bishop of Ross to Elizabeth, complaining about the Earl of Sussex's depredations on the borders of Scotland, 6 September 1570, Islington.

ff. 180r–183v: Arguments from Scripture, etc. to prove that Mary Queen of Scots has been unjustly deprived of her crown.

ff. 184r–185v: Charges against Thomas Bishop, for misconduct towards the Earl of Lennox, etc., and see the answer on ff. 165r–168v.

ff. 186r–187v: An anonymous letter, with much information about the proceedings of the French faction in Scotland, the Hamiltons, etc. Bowes and Cavallion are mentioned. The beginning is missing.

ff. 188r–189v: Original letter from Roger Aston to [Cecil?], with information concerning the affairs of Scotland; the proceedings of a parliament against the Catholics; the declaration of the three states to avenge the death of Mary, etc., 31 July [1589?], Holyroodhouse.

ff. 190r–195v: A draft of Elizabeth's instructions for Sir Robert Sidney's upon going to the King of Scotland, to secure him to her interest, with notes by Cecil, August 1588.

ff. 196r–197v: Notes on the disposition of the Scottish nobility towards the Duke of Lennox [1582?]

ff. 198r–199v: A note of information between the Earl of Arran Duke of Chatelleraut, and the Earl of Lenox; containing arguments to prove Arran's bastardy, and answers thereto.

ff. 200r–201v: Part of a letter concerning the Earl of Arran, 1584.

ff. 202r–203v: Reasons of the Scots against the prayer book.

ff. 204r–205r: Petition of the noblemen, barons, etc. to the secret council of Scotland, concerning the prayer book forced upon them.

f. 206r: Copy of a letter from Elizabeth to her brother [i.e. James VI], warning him about insidious people.

ff. 207r–v: Original petition by the Grahams to the Earl of Cumberland, claiming the performance of his promise to protect them in their intended removal.

ff. 208r–209v: Elizabeth to James VI, sharply reproving him for an unworthy action, sent by Bowes.

ff. 210r–211r: The manner of holding justice courts in Scotland.

ff. 212r–213v: A petition from James VI to Pope Clement VIII, proposing a close alliance with his holiness, and demanding pensions. James demands 20,000 crowns a month to establish Catholicism [1595?] The same as on ff. 342r–343r.

ff. 214r–v: A letter from Lord Hunsdon, Lord Warden of the East Marches, answering various articles concerning the weak state of the borders.

ff. 215r–v: The answer of Sir John Forster, Lord Warden of the Middle Marches, answering various articles about the weak state of the borders.

f. 216r: A note concerning some differences between the earls of Arran and Lenox.

f. 217r, f. 218r: A schedule of acts of the parliament of Scotland, against Jesuits and Papists.

ff. 219r–220v: An introductory letter, addressed to Robert Bowes, to a corrected draft of a tract entitled, 'Conference sur la prise du roy d'Escosse par la trahison de mylord Rethwen.' November 1582, Antwerp.

ff. 221r–v: James VI's instructions to Patrick Vans of Barnbarroch and Peter Young, sent to Denmark, charging them with establishing a friendly intercourse, and giving an account of the King of Denmark's daughters, 1587. In French.

ff. 223r–224v: James VI's instructions to James Colvill and Edward Bruce, sent to Elizabeth; inviting her to send some one to assist at the baptism of prince Henry; complaining about the countenance she had given to Bothwell; the arrears of his pension; complaints against Zouch, etc., 1594.

ff. 227r–228v: Sir William Bowes's remembrance of order to be given by Elizabeth for conclusion of her border services [1597?]

ff. 231r–232v: Articles of a league between Elizabeth and James VI for the support of the reformation, 1585, Edinburgh. In French.

ff. 233r–236v: Mary's remonstrance about her right to the English crown [1580?]. Another copy is Caligula C IX f. 78r.

ff. 237r–v: Fragment of a draft in French, partly concerning Mary Queen of Scots, and her trial, 1586.

ff. 238r–v: A rough sketch of the west marches.

ff. 239r–v: A remonstrance to be laid before the parliament of Scotland, against the validity of Mary's renunciation at Lochleven [1567?]

ff. 241r–v: Certain articles presented to the queen, concerning a meeting to be held at York [1568?]

ff. 242r–243v: A copy or a draft of a letter from some Scottish noblemen to Elizabeth, soliciting the release of Mary [1568?]

ff. 244r–v: Heads of such things as the noblemen in Mary's party thought fit to be done in Scotland.

ff. 245r–246v: 'Instructions of suc[h] thinges as ar to be done in Scotland', by the nobles after the conference at York [1568].

ff. 247r–248v: A memorandum, to remember John Leveson upon some heads of his credence, directed by Lord Boyd to Mary.

ff. 249r–250v: Copy of a letter from the Scottish nobles of Mary's party to Elizabeth, on behalf of their cause, 24 August 1568.

ff. 251r–252v: Copy of a letter from [Bowes?] to [Cecil?], reporting the state of affairs in Scotland [1583?]

ff. 253r–v: Copy of a band made 27 July 1568.

ff. 254r–v: Copy of a letter from Lesley to Burghley, in favour of Mary, 3 May 1572.

ff. 255r–264v: A bill exhibited by parliament to Elizabeth, against Mary.

ff. 265r–v: Copy of a letter from Lord Herries to the Earl of Argyle, with several directions from Mary, 15 August 1568, Dumfries.

ff. 266r–v: Requests by way of advice made by the nobility of Scotland to Francis and Mary, their king and queen, 21 June 1560. Another copy is Caligula B IX article 61.

ff. 267r–268v: Copies of Caligula B VII articles 188, 189 and 190; instructions to commissioners in Scotland, 1551.

ff. 269r–v: Copies of three papers of articles, instructions, and answers concerning the treaty of 1550.

ff. 269v–271v: Copies of Caligula B VII articles 185 and 186; five papers relative to the treaty of 1550.

f. 272r, f. 273r: A rough draft, seemingly intended for a memorial concerning the conduct of the kings of Spain and France.

ff. 274r–275v: A rough draft, seemingly a translation of a French edict for the levy of money, with some observations at the end.

ff. 276r–277v: An account of the expenses of Lords Galloway and Levingston, from Dumfries to London [16 December 1570 and 3 January 1571].

ff. 278r–279v: Articles and instructions which the Scottish ambassador (the Master of Erskine) was ordered to lay before the king and council of England; Edward VI's instructions to his ambassador in Scotland, and the council's answer to the Scottifh ambassadors, 1550. Another copy of Caligula B VII article 185 and the two first papers in 186; also in this volume, ff. 269v–271v.

ff. 280r–v: Letter from the Earl of Huntley, perhaps to the Earl of Argyle, declaring his intention to proclaim Mary's authority at Aberdeen, 21 July [1569?], Huntley.

f. 281r: Letter in French from Mary; part of her answer to an English ambassador (perhaps Randolph), declining to ratify the treaty of Edinburgh [1561?]

ff. 282r–284r: Draft of a letter (perhaps from Cecil) to the secretary of Scotland (Maitland), pacifying James VI after the execution of his mother, 4 March 1587, Greenwich.

ff. 286r–289r: Two keys to cyphers; the first being William Cotton's to Sir Francis Inglefield, from Madrid, 7 June 1574; and the second sent to Madrid, 12 August 1574.

ff. 290v–292v: Bowes's report of his conferences and negociations to supplant Lennox, partly in cypher [1580?]

f. 294v: Matthew Earl of Lennox to the Lords of Privy Council, requesting them to intercede in his favour with Elizabeth, 15 November [1564], the Tower.

f. 295r: Lennox to the Lords of the Privy Council, to the same purport as the above, 2 August [1564], the Tower.

ff. 297r–298v: A short account of Mary Queen of Scots, said to have been taken 'from his Majesty.' In Latin.

ff. 299r–v: The examination of Yakasley, who seems to have intrigued about Mary's second marriage, and to have been a tool of Spain.

ff. 301r–v: Copies of two warrants from Elizabeth; one for Queen Mary's diet, and the other for the fortifications of Mont Orgueil, Jersey.

ff. 302r–305v: Original letter from Henry Killigrew to Burghley and the Earl of Leicester; and another letter to Leicester, concerning the state of affairs in Scotland at the death of the regent (the Earl of Mar) and the Earl of Morton's succession. The first letter is missing the beginning. 28 and 31 October 1572, Edinburgh.

f. 306r: A note, with some cipher, on Scottish affairs.

f. 307r, f. 308r: A deliberation on the mode of counteracting the Catholic party in Scotland, seemingly addressed to Elizabeth.

ff. 309r–v: A note of certain spoils committed by the Scots in the middle marches, 1577–1583.

ff. 311r–312v: Advice to be given to his Majesty, James VI, to cultivate a strict friendship with Elizabeth, probably sent from Scotland by someone in Walsingham's embassy [1583?]

ff. 313r–v: Copy of a letter thrown into the James VI's chamber, cautioning him against a plot.

ff. 314r–315v: The project for an answer on Elizabeth's behalf to the allegations of de Bellieur, concerning the Scottish queen. 1586.

f. 316r: Copy of a letter from Mary to Douglas, desiring him to induce her son openly to espouse her cause, July 1581.

ff. 316r–v: Copy of a letter from James VI to Douglas, ambassador in France, about peace with France, and with a note from the Duke of Lennox to Douglas, 7 September [1581], Glasgow.

ff. 317r–318r: Copy of a letter from Archibald Douglas (but signed Lennox) to ?, concerning the Earl of Angus; a league with France, and Mary acknowledging her son James VI as king [1581].

f. 320r: Baltazar, the Pope's nuncio in Scotland, seemingly to Cardinal Wolsey, about various matters between Henry VIII and Margaret his sister, prior to his (Baltazar's) return from Scotland [1515?] In Latin. See also Caligula B VI article 66.

ff. 322r–324v: Copy of a letter from Scotland to Cecil, about the slaughter of Lord Russell; a league; notes about a castle that [Randolph?] forgot to send with his former letters, 1585.

ff. 325r–326v: Charges against the regent (Lennox) and answers, 1570.

ff. 327r–332v: Notes for a long dispatch from Dr Gifford (seemingly in Flanders) to T. Throckmorton at Rome, conveying intelligence about the Spaniards in that country (partly in cypher; the key is on f. 332v).

ff. 333r–v: Original letter in French from Mary to Elizabeth, complaining about not having received answers to her letters, and soliciting better treatment, 16 January [no year; 1583?], Sheffield.

ff. 334r–335v: Original letter in French from Mary to Burghley, requesting his intercession with Elizabeth on her behalf, 9 February [no year; 1583?], Sheffield. There is an English translation in Caligula B IV article 34.

ff. 336r–341v: An original letter in French, almost wholly in cypher, addressed 'A la Royne mere du Roy'; the signature is torn away, 25 March 1577, Tourogne.

ff. 342r–343r: A petition from James VI to Pope Clement VIII, proposing a close alliance with his holiness, and demanding pensions. The same as at ff. 212r–213v.

ff. 344r–346v: A summary of a negotiation held at Toledo, by John Ogleby, for an alliance between Scotland and Spain. May and June, 1596. In Spanish.

ff. 347r–348v: An account of the transactions in Scotland on Walsingham going there, 1570.

ff. 349r–350v: The Lords of Council to the wardens of the marches; about a meeting for redress to be had with the Scottish wardens, 23 July 1583.

f. 351r: A challenge from the Earl of Bothwell to the Earl of Arran, 7 November, Creyton.

ff. 352r–v: Original copy of the Earl of Arran's answer to the Earl of Bothwell's challenge, no year.

ff. 353r–354v: A copy of a letter from a warden on the borders to the Privy Council, vindicating himself against the charges made against him by the regent of Scotland, no date.

ff. 355r–356v: The same warden of the borders to the regent of Scotland, again vindicating himself, no date.

ff. 358r–362v: Elizabeth's commission for trying Mary, 1586. In Latin, and imperfect at the end.

ff. 369r–397v: Discourses and considerations concerning the strengthening of the borders. Twenty three articles, with a schedule at the beginning, signed Chr. Dacre, with the note 'all these things thought to be necessary by the L. Scroope.' [1584?]

ff. 400r–413v: A treatise concerning the government of the marches, and the reformation of various abuses in the administration of the border laws.

f. 414v: A note about different kinds of wires, in a different hand to the previous item.