Harley MS 289

ff. 1r–211v: A collection of letters and papers, originals and contemporary copies, including information about Scotland; relations between Scotland and England, and diplomacy during the reigns of Tudor monarchs.

f. 1r: A genealogy of the Hamiltons.

f. 1v: Unfinished note beginning 'Of this house are...'

f. 2v: Names of the Lords of Sessions, written by William Davison.

f. 3r: Charter of King David II of Scotland (1329-71), from the Parliament of the fifth year of his reign (Latin).

ff. 3r–v: The titles of certain papal bulls concerning Scotland (Latin).

ff. 4r–5v: 'An Abstracte for Englisshe men to know the realm of Scotland thrugh oute.'

ff. 6r–7v: From the treaty of Henry VI with the King of Scotland, 1449.

ff. 7v–8v: From the treaty of Edward IV with the King of Scotland, 1464.

f. 8v: From the treaty of Henry VII with the King of Scotland, first and fourth years of the reign.

ff. 8v–9r: From the treaty of Henry VIII, first year of the reign.

f. 9r: From the treaty of Henry VIII, twentieth year of the reign.

ff. 9r–v: From the treaty of Henry VIII, twenty-sixth year of the reign.

f. 9v: From the treaty of Edward VI.

ff. 9v–10r: From the treaty of Mary I.

ff. 10r–11r: From the treaty of Elizabeth I.

f. 11v: Note describing these as special heads from the treaties.

ff. 12r–v: Account of the ceremonies and manner of contracting Princess Margaret, Henry VII's daughter, with James IV of Scotland, 1502, Richmond, with the words of the contract.

ff. 12r–v: Copy of a letter from Thomas, Earl of Surrey and later Duke of Norfolk, to the King of Scots, during the third year of Henry VIII's reign, when he was in the parts beyond the sea.

ff. 14r–15v: Indenture of accord between England and Scotland (in Scots), 12 December 1528.

ff. 16r–v: Another copy of the letter at ff. 12r–v.

ff. 17r–v: Particulars of victories and advantages gained in Scotland.

ff. 18*r–25r: Confirmation of the truce between Henry VIII and [James IV?], first year of Henry's reign (Latin).

ff. 26*r–31r: The Statutes of Berwick, relating to the military government of the place, written during the reign of Henry VIII.

ff. 32r–v: Decree agreed upon by the gentlemen of Northumberland, for repressing the Scots, at a meeting to be held at Alnwick, during Henry VIII's reign.

ff. 33r–v: News out of Scotland, as to the success of Lord Gray, no date.

ff. 34r–v: Agreement between the Lords of the Council of the King of England and the French ambassador, for the division of the field of contention (Latin).

ff. 36r–40v: Instructions given by the King to Henry, Earl of Westmorland; Thomas, Lord Wharton; Sir Thomas Challoner and Sir Thomas Palmer, commissioners appointed to treat with the commissioners of the Queen of Scots, and the division of the debatable, reign of Edward VI.

ff. 41r–42v: Copy of Edward's commission to the Lord of Westmorland and others for the debatable land in Scotland, 6 February 1551, signed by the counsellors.

ff. 43r–48r: Copy of an indenture between the commissioners of Scotland and England, 1556, Berwick.

ff. 49r–51v: Copy of the proclamation put forth at Berwick by the Lords Commissioners of England and Scotland, 23 October 1556.

f. 51v: The form of the oath to be given by the wardens, or their deputies, to the sizars of the realm.

ff. 52r–56v: A copy of the letter to the Privy Council, by the English commissioners, 26 October 1556, Berwick Castle.

ff. 57r–v: A copy of the letter of the English Commissioners to the Lords of the King and Queen's Privy Council, 27 November 1556.

f. 58r: A copy of the letter sent by the English Commissioners to Mary Queen of Scots, 26 October 1556, Berwick Castle.

ff. 58v–60r: A copy of a letter from Mary to the Lord Wharton and other English commissioners (Leonard Beckwith, Sir Thomas Hilpun, and Dr Hyndmers, Chancellor of Durham), 3 November, 3rd and 4th year of the reign, St James's Palace.

f. 61r: A short paper written by Sir Simonds D'Ewes, in his cipher.

ff. 61*r–62r: Extract from the book of acts of the justiciary of Edinburgh by Master James MacGill, concerning the transumption of a charter of Gilbert Marshal Earl of Pembroke, a grant of lands to the ancestor of John Lord Lindsay, with a transcript of that charter, 28 March 1566.

ff. 63r–65r: Another copy of the proclamation on ff. 49r–51v.

ff. 67r–v: The effect of the agreement between the Queen Dowager of Scotland and the Lords of the Congregation, published by proclamation at Edinburgh, 25 July 1559.

ff. 68r–69v: A short, imperfect discourse, in the form of questions and answers, suggesting a French plan to conquer Scotland under the pretence of assisting the Queen Dowager, and declaring what nobles and force could be raised against it, 10 December 1559.

ff. 69*r–70v: A copy of the confederation made at Edinburgh for reformation in religion, and the expulsion of the French, with the help of the Queen of England's army presently arrived for their deliverance, 27 April 1560.

ff. 71r–v: A note of the effect of the principal matters concluded between Elizabeth I's commissioners and the French in Scotland, 6 July 1560.

f. 72r: A draft of a letter [of some Scottish Lords to Lady ?], who asked them to send back her son whom they had taken prisoner, and to restore her house, which being taken, was in the King's hands.

ff. 73r–74v: Original letter from Thomas Bishop to William Cecil, 9 February 1562, relating the many and great services he has done for England (against his own country of Scotland) and the rewards he has received for them, in answer to the untrue information and suggestions of the Earl and Countess of Lennox.

f. 75r: News from Thomas Bishop, about the King of Navarre recommending Lord Darnley to Mary Queen of Scots, etc.

ff. 76r–77v: A petition to Mary by the ministers of the Kirk.

ff. 78r–84r: The commissioners' book (or agreement), decided upon 24 September 1563, by the commissioners of both realms.

ff. 85r–92v: The commissioners' book for border laws of Scotland; another transcript of the previous item, written in the hand of Mr Robert Glover, Somerset Herald.

ff. 93r–94v: Creation of Henry, Lord Darnley, Earl of Ross, by Mary Queen of Scots, 15 Mary 1565, who then created fourteen knights before Mary; followed by their names and oath, and his oath.

ff. 95r–v: Original warrant signed by Elizabeth, 13 February 1566, for conveying a number of bows, arrows and quivers into Scotland, at the suit of the Earl of Murray.

ff. 96r–v: Information for the Lord of Bedford, concerning the Earl of Morton, Lord Ruthven and other friends to be declared to Elizabeth, and such others as Ruthven best pleases, 1566 (related to their part in the murder of David Rizzio).

ff. 96r–118v: The articles which the return of the commissioners from Berwick objected against Sir Valentine Browne, by the captains and soldiers there; Elizabeth's orders and prices for the victualling of the whole garrison, agreed upon 12 March 1566, by Elizabeth and Sir Valentine.

ff. 120r–135v: Acts of Parliament in Scotland, 1567.

ff. 136r–137v: The answer of James, Earl of Murray, Regent of Scotland to the letters presented to Mary and the commissioners by Elizabeth, on Mary's behalf, 1568.

ff. 138r–v: The copy of the complaint made by Mary's commissioners to Elizabeth's commissioners, against the regent and his partakers, produced 8 October 1568.

ff. 139r–140v: Original letter from Elizabeth to the Earl of Murray, Regent, consoling him for being wounded by treason, and desiring him to give credence to Randolph, whom she sends express to him, to know the state of his health, and upon his recovery to communicate certain matters of weight to him, 29 January 1570, Hampton Court.

ff. 141r–142v: Draft of a letter in Cecil's hand, from the Lords of the Council to Randolph in Scotland, 7 February 1570, for him to propose to the Scottish nobility the apprehension of Elizabeth's rebels fostered in Scotland.

ff. 143r–144v: Copy of a letter from Elizabeth to the Earl of Morton, 11 April 1573, on the pacification of all troubles required in Scotland, and the reconciliation of the Earl of Huntley, the Hamiltons, and their dependants, with the regent and his party, and that she will engage her royal word for the sincere dealing on both sides.

ff. 145r–146r: Another copy of the previous letter.

ff. 146r–v: The fourteenth article of the pacification.

ff. 147r–148v: Certain notes of Mr Archibald Douglas, on the security of James's person, and an accord to be had between him and his lords, by Elizabeth's means.

ff. 149r–v: Instructions given to Henry Killigrew, concerning the troubles in Scotland, having been sent there immediately after the great murders in France, August 1572, and the pacification thereof.

ff. 150r–v: Instructions given to Henry Killigrew, having been sent to Scotland, 22 May 1574.

ff. 150v–152r: Instructions given to Henry Killigrew, having been sent to Scotland, 27 May 1575.

ff. 152r–154v: A memorial for Nicholas Errington (Arrington), to visit the King of Scotland (James VI), with Elizabeth's letters in answer to James, 5 October 1579.

ff. 154v–156r: Instructions given by Elizabeth to Thomas Killegrew, having been sent to Germany to Frederick the Elector Palatine, 27 January 1569, Hampton Court.

ff. 156r–157r: Instructions given by Elizabeth, [no day] May 1575 to Daniel Silvester, having been sent to the Emperor of Russia.

f. 157v: The answer delivered to the said Daniel, by word of mouth, to be made by him in Elizabeth's name, to the Emperor's secret message, sent first by Anthony Jenkinson and then by Daniel.

ff. 158r–159r: Instructions given to Dr Wotton, sent to Charles V to remain as ambassador legier (i.e. resident), in the place of the Bishop of London and Sir Francis Bryan (reign of Henry VIII?)

f. 159r: The latter end of instructions given to Sir John Smith, 18 November 1576, upon his journey to the King of Spain.

ff. 159r–v: Instructions from Mary to the Earl of Bedford, Keeper of the Privy Seal, and Lord Fitzwaters, sent as ambassadors to the Prince of Spain, for the confirmation of the marriage treaty, and to invite him to England, 17 March 1554.

ff. 160r–v: Instructions from Mary for Sir Thomas Cornwallis and Sir Robert Bowes, to treat with the Scottish commissioners concerning certain spoils done by the English and Scottish on the borders.

ff. 160v–161v: A memorial given by Edward VI to his councillors, Bishop [?], Bowes, Beckwith, and Chaloner, appointed to treat with the Scots concerning the debatable ground, etc.

ff. 161v–162r: Instructions for Sir Thomas Chaloner, sent to the Dowager of Scotland, February 1555.

ff. 162r–163r: Instructions given to Shelley, sent to the King of the Romans [i.e. Ferdinand I] to thank him for offering his son the Archduke in case Mary's marriage with the Prince of Spain should not happen, 11 December 1557, Westminster.

ff. 164r–165r: A memorial for Randolph on the subject of Mary's marriage, having been sent to her 20 August 1563.

ff. 164r–165r: A memorial for Randolph on the subject of Mary's marriage, having been sent by Elizabeth to Mary, 17 November 1563.

ff. 165r–166r: A message from Elizabeth on the marriage delivered to Randolph, having been sent to Mary, 4 October 1564.

ff. 166v–166r: A memorial for Killigrew, sent by Elizabeth to Mary Queen of Scots, 20 June 1556 (partly complaining about Mary, and partly vindicating herself with regard to Mary's complaints).

ff. 169r–v: The latter part of Elizabeth's instructions given to ?, sent to the King of Spain, and relating the affairs of the Low Countries.

ff. 169v–171v: Instructions given to Robert Corbet, having been sent to the governor for the King of Spain in the Low Countries, 29 October 1575.

ff. 171v–173v: Instructions given to Sir John Smith Knight, English ambassador to Spain, 18 November 1576 (imperfect).

ff. 174*r–174v: Henry Killigrew's promise for Elizabeth's assurance to be performed for the remission made to Lord John Hamilton and the Earl of Huntley, 15th year of the reign.

ff. 175*r–175v: The shires of Scotland, with the earls and lords that are seated there.

ff. 176r–177v: The surnames and alliances of the earls and lords of the parliament of Scotland, with the names and occupants of the bishoprics, 13 July 1574.

ff. 178r–179v: Names of the principal castles and other houses of the kings and nobility of Scotland.

ff. 180r–181v: The barons of Scotland, distinguished according to their seats.

ff. 182r–v: The surnames of the lords of Scotland.

ff. 183r–184r: A catalogue of the principal Scottish surnames, with the earls, lords and barons.

ff. 185r–186v: The names of the gentlemen with lands and of any account of the house of Montgomery.

ff. 187r–v: A division of the shires of Scotland, and of the towns and people with them, that may make any power or party.

ff. 188r–189v: The genealogy of the Lord Hume, perhaps written by William Davison.

f. 190r: A pedigree of the kings of Scotland.

ff. 192r–192v: The order agreed upon for the meeting between the Lord of Huntingdon and the Scottish commissioners on the borders at the time of the treaty.

ff. 193r–v: List of the earl and lords of Scotland and their surnames, alliances and abode, perhaps written by Davison.

f. 194r: A copy of the letter from James Douglas, Earl of Moreton and Regent of Scotland to ?, 8 July 1575, Dawkeith.

f. 196r: Notes about Henry's commission for Lady Margaret, the Countess of Lennox's dower (share of her husband's estate); Lady Arbella's title of inheritance to the earldom of Lennox.

ff. 198r–199v: A document related to affairs on the Scottish borders, and the lands claimed by Lady Arbella.

ff. 200r–201v: Morton's objections against the right of the Dower (mentioned on f. 196r); his objections against Lady Arbella's right to the Earldom of Lennox.

ff. 202r–203v: Instructions for the Lady Lennox.

ff. 204r–v: The Earl of Morton's offer to the king for the resignation of his regency.

ff. 205r–v: Headings concerning Morton's resignation.

ff. 206r–v: Copy of the Earl of Morton's letter to Randolph and Bowes, Elizabeth's ambassador in Scotland, 8 March 1578, Holyroodhouse, informing them about a letter he had given to the king and his answer, and asking for their advice; their answer to the letter.

ff. 207r–v: James VI's proclamation upon taking the government into his own hands, 10 March 1578, Stirling.

ff. 208r–v: Another copy of the same proclamation.

f. 209r: A copy of a letter from James VI to Elizabeth, 16 March 1578, Stirling, notifying his administration of the government, and thanking her for past kindnesses, and promising to cultivate the amity between them. Written by Robert Glover.

ff. 210r–211v: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to Thomas Randolph and Roger Bowes, 18 March 1578, Greenwich, commanding them to show the Earls of Atholl and Argyle how much she thinks herself dishonoured by their proceedings in removing the Earl of Morton from the regency. She also advises them how to demean themselves upon this occasion; instructs them to search thoroughly how far either France or Mary Queen of Scots have been involved in this revolution, and to comfort the Earl of Morton by showing him that she was more a friend to his person than to his fortune. Written by Mr Robert Glover.