Harley MS 291

ff. 1r–212v: A collection of papers, many of which are original, related to Scottish affairs, or to the transactions between England and Scotland, during the early part of James VI's reign.

ff. 1r–v: James VI's orders for pacifying the nobility, 13 August 1587, Stirling Castle.

ff. 2r–v: Articles made between James VI and his nobility, at the request of Elizabeth, 13/14 August 1578, Stirling Castle, for the disbanding of soldiers. Possibly connected with the previous item.

ff. 3r–4v: Advice about the Earl of Arran.

ff. 5r–6v: News from Edinburgh, 30 June 1579.

ff. 7r–v: Articles propounded to the Earl of Arran by the Lord Hunsdon.

ff. 8r–9v: The Earl of Arran's answer to the above articles.

f. 10r: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to James, 13 September 1579, excusing the receiving of the Lord Claude Hamilton, who was fled out of Scotland.

ff. 11r–v: The request of the Lord Claude Hamilton, sent by the Earl of Huntingdon to Francis Walsingham.

ff. 12r–13v: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to James, 7 November 1579, still on the subject of Lord Hamilton and his brother.

f. 14r: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to Captain Erington, 14 September 1579, concerning his journey into Scotland.

ff. 14r–16r: Instructions given by Elizabeth to Erington, Provost Marshall of Berwick, being sent into Scotland, concerning Hamilton, etc.

f. 17r: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to the Earl of Morton (James Douglas), asking him to further the Hamiltons' business, unless it could be proven that they had broken the articles made in 1572.

ff. 18r–25r: The sum of the conference between the Earl of Morton, John Drury and Walter Balcanquhall (ministers), and the chief things which they heard of him, which they can remember, the day the Earl was executed, 2 June 1531, with the manner of his death.

ff. 26v–30*r: A summary (breviat) of the attempts, burnings, murders, slaughters, mutilations and hardships committed by the Lyddisdails, within the office of Bewcastledale, since the Lord of Cessford's acceptance of the keepership of the Lyddisdails, 1581–1584.

ff. 31r–31*v: Original letter from Justin Clark to Walsingham, 28 July 1585, Falkland, on the behalf of Mr George Morton, a gentleman whom Elizabeth has pardoned. Clark asks that she would allow him to live under her protection.

ff. 32r–v: News from Berwick, on current events in Scotland, 5 February 1583.

ff. 33r–33*v: The general band sworn by the king and the Lords, 1582.

ff. 34r–35v: The act of the general assembly concerning the Ruthven regime, 12 October 1582, and the preservation of the gospel among them.

ff. 36r–37r: A copy of a letter from Robert Bowes to Walsingham, 14 December 1582, Edinburgh, on the banishment of [Esme Stewart, the Duke of Lennox?], by the order of the King and Council, and his efforts to prevent it.

f. 37v: Note on parcels sent out with these letters.

ff. 38r–39v: A copy of a letter from Bowes to Walsingham, 14 December 1582, Edinburgh, on the banishment of [Esme Stewart, the Duke of Lennox?], on his dealings with James, etc., to preserve the love and affection of Elizabeth, so beneficial to them, especially in the matter of the Duke of Lennox, who has put such indignities upon her.

ff. 40r–41v: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to James, sent by Mr Davison, 15 December 1582, notifying him that she had appointed Davison to go along with Monsieur la Mothe, whom the French king had sent from England into Scotland, and to be joined in charge with Bowes.

ff. 42r–43v: A copy of a letter from Walsingham to Davison and Bowes, 9 January 1583, Windsor, describing what happened during the private audience Lennox had at James's request with Elizabeth; what she charged him with; his weak defgence, and of the order to send him into France.

ff. 44r–45v: A copy of a letter from Elizabeth to Davison and Bowes, 29 January 1583, Richmond, commanding them to inform James that since La Mothe was (in all likelihood) sent into Scotland with another commission other than what he pretended, given that since his arrival he has presumed to give him such advice as if he (a stranger) were to direct Scotland's policy, and since James has declared that he will steer himself by his advice in all important affairs, she advises him to dispatch La Mothe as soon as possible, and promises him further assistance on all matters.

ff. 46r–47v: A copy in French of the King of France's instructions to La Mothe for his embassy in Scotland, which confirm Elizabeth's suspicions as expressed in the former item. La Mothe was instructed to procure Mary to be associated into the crown of Scotland with her son, which Elizabeth opposed, and had received promises from Mary not to discuss it with James without her consent.

ff. 48v–50v: James's responses to la Mothe's message, 1582 (there is no mention of associating his mother with him.)

ff. 51r–52v: A summary of James's conference with La Mothe, 18 January 1583 (no mention of associating his mother with him.)

ff. 53r–54v: Another copy of La Mothe's instructions, 20 January 1583. The article concerning James's mother has been left out of the main text, and written by itself on f. 54r.

ff. 55r–56v: The important points of Bowes's petition to Elizabeth for an exchange of lands to him.

ff. 57r–v: News from Scotland, of events there, in France, Flanders, etc.

ff. 58r–59v: A draft of a letter from Davison to Walsingham, 14 January 1583, Edinburgh, in which he relates the particulars of the audience he and Bowes had with James, and the audience la Mothe had, at which they were present. He also writes of the speeches la Mothe made before James and his council, during which Bowes and Davison assisted, with a promise to fish out the further points of his commission, if any part of it was undeclared.

ff. 60r–v: The names of those of James's council, presently at Edinburgh: those who are written for; those who are neither present nor written for; deputies appointed to treat with la Mothe; the names of the lords whose presence La Mothe especially desired.

ff. 61r–63v: The names of the nobility of Scotland, according to their several estates and offices, and of the Lords of the Sessions ordinary, written by Davison, 1582.

f. 64r: Davison's list of Scottish lords.

ff. 65r–66v: The names and nobility of Scotland with their several houses and shires wherein they stand, along with genealogical notes on certain Scottish nobles, written by Davison.

ff. 67r–68v: Information for Davison, Elizabeth's ambassador, on Scotland, written by a Scotsman.

ff. 69r–72v: A brief opinion of the factions, religion, and power of the Scottish nobility, as they dwell, and not in order of their dignity, age, or greatness.

ff. 73r–74v: Original letter from Davison to Walsingham, 14 January 1583, Edinburgh.

ff. 75r–76v: The principal matters with which the Duke of Lennox is to be charged, 9 January 1583.

f. 77r: Part of a list of the Scottish nobility, possibly written by William Davison.

ff. 78r–79v: The names of the Scottish nobility with their several offices (the same as at ff. 63r–v.)

ff. 80r–v: The names of the Scottish nobility, as are presently distressed, written by Davison.

ff. 81r–82v: A list of the bishoprics, abbacies and priories in Scotland, written by Davison.

ff. 83r–84v: Copy of a letter from Walsingham to Bowes and Davison, 29 January 1583, on their mission to charge James and la Mothe about the overture for associating his mother with him, according to the tenor of Elizabeth's letters, which they might have better done, of themselves, but for fear of discovering those Scots, who revealed the secret to them. Walsingham is also fearful of the French gaining their ends in Scotland by force of money, which he finds Elizabeth loth to distribute there.

ff. 85r–88v: Draft of a letter from Bowes and Davison to Walsingham, 4 March 1583, Edinburgh, informing them that several Scottish noblemen are hastening to Edinburgh with their forces, and that they therefore fear a great alteration in the ministry or the government. They have apprehended William Holt (alias Brereton) on his way to France, and found upon him several letters, with eight ciphers. They examined him before James's commissioners, and notwithstanding la Mothe's demands, shall keep him until further orders received from England. Manningville, the French ambassador, has resolved to stay in spite of several attempts to send him off, as long as Elizabeth will have an ambassador there.

ff. 89r–91v: Draft of a letter from Bowes and Davison to Walsingham, 10 March 1583, Edinburgh. Several of the nobility have come to the town armed, and others are coming, which seems to portend mischief. The Earl of Gowrie has resigned his place as Lord Treasurer. William Holt continues in his obstinacy, so they delivered him to James (upon promise of him being restored to them), in order to be examined on the affairs of James and his kingdom, and that he offered to confess all that he knew out of fear.

ff. 92r–93v: Original letter from Lord Claude Hamilton to Davison, 2 April 1583, Widdrington, asking him to further his affairs entrusted to his servant David Hamilton, for receiving Elizabeth's allowance to him during his banishment, and for her mediation for their return into their native country.

ff. 94r–95v: The form of certain devices used by Arran and Sir Robert Melville against Gowrie, 1583, whereby in most dishonourable and base manner they procured him to be beheaded.

ff. 96r–97v: The manner and form of the examination and death of William Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie, Lord Ruthven and Darleton, Great Treasurer of Scotland, after 8pm, 3 May 1583.

ff. 98r–v: The second proclamation made at Falkland (the first was at Perth), 21 September 1583, offering a pardon to all the King's good subjects.

ff. 99r–102v: Articles of a treaty to be made between Elizabeth and James, for a more straight league than has been between them and their predecessors heretofore.

ff. 103r–v: A draft of a letter from [Davison to Walsingham?], on the conference he had with [Morton?], on the affairs of both kingdoms.

ff. 104r–105v: A draft of a letter from Davison to Walsingham, on the tenor of the conference he had with [Morton?], and the coldness of the Scots towards the English, on account of the recent piracies, etc.

ff. 106r–v: An act concerning the appointment of James's council, 24 October 1583.

ff. 107r–v: The third proclamation made at Stirling, 24 October 1583, offering a pardon to those who make suit before 1 December.

ff. 108r–v: The fourth proclamation made at Stirling, 31 October 1583, mostly similar to the third.

ff. 109r–v: The case declaring the Lord of Ruthven's treason, 7 December 1583, Holyroodhouse.

ff. 110r–111v: Proclamation on the same, 28 February 1584, Holyroodhouse.

ff. 112r–v: Money disbursed by Davison for intelligence etc. in Scotland, April 1584.

ff. 113r–115v: Draft of a letter from Davison to Burghley, 8 May 1584, Berwick, showing the causes of the miscarriage of the project f many among the Scottish nobility, by the apprehension and execution of the Earl of Gowrie, and what occurred afterwards.

ff. 116r–v: Original of James's safe conduct for Davison coming into Scotland as ambassador from Elizabeth, 26 May 1584, Holyroodhouse.

ff. 117r–v: News on the present state of Scottish affairs, 15 May 1584.

ff. 118r–120v: Elizabeth's instructions for Davison, sent to James, to show him her reasons for refusing to deliver up to him the Earls of Marr and Gowrie.

ff. 121r–122v: A copy of complaints of attempts committed by the subjects of our West March, upon the Scots, 5 July 1584.

ff. 123r–v: Attested copy of a letter from James to [Mr ?], a Scottish preacher in London, 10 June 1584, Falkland, recalling him to Scotland, where with the advice of learned men such as him he intends to seal a godly and perfect order of policy in the kirk, and promises him sufficient marks of his favour if he is obedient.

ff. 124r–v: Original paper of James Lawson to his brethren the townsmen of Edinburgh, relating the causes of his departure from his native country.

ff. 125r–126v: Copy of a letter from James Lawson to his brethren, complaining of the disorders in the Scottish church, and of the dissolute lives of the clergy, etc.

ff. 127r–131r: Conference between two neighbours in Edinburgh on the subscribing of a letter sent from James to their congregation of Edinburgh, ordaining them to send the same to James Lawson and Walter Balcanquhall their ministers.

ff. 132r–v: Copy of James's proclamation for avoiding James Lawson and other wives out of their houses, upon pain of rebellion, 8 September 1584.

ff. 133r–134v: Letter from [Patrick] Adamson, the Bishop of St Andrews, 9 July 1584, Falkland, in answer to the letter sent by Lawson and Balcanquhall to the town of Edinburgh.

ff. 135r–140v: The reply of Janet Guthrie and Margaret Marjoribankes (the respective wives of Lawson and Balcanquhall) to the Bishop of St Andrews's ('calumnious and blaspheamous') answer to Lawson and Balcanquhall's letter to their own flock, 20 July 1584, Edinburgh.

ff. 141r–142v: Original letter from Elizabeth to Davison, [August 1584], commanding him to solicit James, that the matter of the Earls of Angus, Marr, etc. (who were accused of a new conspiracy to seize the king's person) may be deferred during the time of the next Parliament, when it was intended to forfeit their lands.

ff. 143r–145v: Copy of a letter from Davison to Sir Christopher Hatton, 6 September 1584, Edinburgh, on the confusion of Scottish affairs. Since the change at St Andrews, James has shown an implacable hatred and pursuit against all such as in defence of his life and crown have hazarded their own lives, livings, fortunes and all that they have, and also through the ambitious, arbitrary, extortive and base proceedings of (James Stewart) Earl of Arran, and his wife, of whom he gives a long account. He also describes the Master of Gray, who was designed to be sent into England as ambassador, and shows how much he has been devoted to the Pope, the Kings of Spain and France, the Queen of Scots, and the House of Guise, etc.

ff. 146r–165v: Notes proving that the Duke of Lennox, the Earl of Arran, and others sought the overthrow of religion and the estate of the young king of Scotland, 1584. Possibly written by Davison.

ff. 166r–167v: Original letter of intelligence to Walsingham, about how the King of Spain laboured to get in with James, and ruin the Protestant party in France.

ff. 167*r–168v: Original letter from James to Elizabeth, 12 February 1586, Holyroodhouse, desiring her to protect Peter Collingson of York, who had fled into Scotland to avoid his creditors, so that he might have three years to pay them upon his return.

ff. 169r–170v: Original letter from James to Walsingham, 24 March 1586, Holyroodhouse, requesting that George Law might be protected during his trafficking in England, from being insulted by certain pirates, whom he had apprehended for plundering his brother.

ff. 171r–172v: Original letter from James to Elizabeth, 23 March 1586, Holyroodhouse, recommending George Law to her protection.

ff. 173r–174v: Original letter from James to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, 28 July 1585, Falkland, on behalf of the exiled Englishman George Norton, whom he asks Dudley to introduce to Elizabeth, so that he might be pardoned with restitution of all or part of his estate.

ff. 175r–176v: News from Scotland, 28 October 1585, on the march of the Earl of Angus towards Stirling, with other Scottish nobility and gentry, and other events.

ff. 177r–178v: A copy of the supplication of the Earl of Angus, etc., published at Stirling, against the Duke of Lennox, and Earl of Arran, given and presented to James.

ff. 179r–181r: The proclamation published by the nobility of Scotland, containing the causes of their repairing to James at Stirling, 2 November 1585.

ff. 181v–182v: The proceedings of the nobility of Scotland, against the oppressors of religion, and the abusers of the king's ear and person, 1 November 1585.

ff. 183r–184r: Propositions taught and entertained by Hooker; the same briefly confuted by L. T. [Laurence Tomson?] in a private letter, 20 March 1586.

ff. 184v–185r: The doctrine preached by Hooker in the temple, 1 March 1586.

ff. 186r–187v: The manner of proceedings in the parliament of Scotland, 1 December 1585.

ff. 188r–189v: Original letter from James Melville to Walsingham, 27 December 1585, Linlithgow, on the behalf of Richard Law, who was sued by John Richartson Merchant of Kingston upon Hull, because the pirate Captain Gudgeon, who took Law and kept him prisoner and bound, robbed and plundered Richartson from Law's ship.

ff. 190r–191v: Original letter from Captain Robert Carvyle to Mr Archibald Douglas, 30 January 1586, Berwick, concerning the conveying of several packets of letters to him, the Master of Gray, etc.

ff. 192r–193v: Original letter from Mr Samuel Cockburn to Walsingham, 19 March 1586, Edinburgh, desiring his furtherance in a certain suit.

ff. 194r–195v: Original letter from James to Walsingham, 2 April 1585, Holyroodhouse, on behalf of James Hudson, who had a suit to beg from Elizabeth.

ff. 196v–198r: A note of all the questions which the Bishop of Glasgow and Captain Seton, Captain of the Scottish Guard to the King of France did ask me (Thomas Randolph), at several points in Paris, and one Brinckely an Englishman, pensioner to the King of Spain, directed to Archibald Douglas at Berwick, 13 April 1586, Edinburgh.

ff. 199r–200v: Original letter from James to Walsingham, 2 May 1586, Dalkeith, desiring that the bearer who delivered 28 bucks from Elizabeth to his park at Falkland may be recompensed, and acknowledging Walsingham's diligence in forwarding the matter.

ff. 201r–202v: Original letter from Randolph to Walsingham, 4 May 1586, Edinburgh, desiring that the people who brought Elizabeth's present of deer to James might be thanked for their care. James gave them two hundred French crowns and their charges for certain days.

ff. 203r–204v: Original letter from Randolph to Walsingham, 7 May 1586, Edinburgh, desiring a passport for the Lord of Basse, who hopes to have the honour of kissing Elizabeth's hand on his way through England to go to the spa water for a cure.

ff. 205r–206v: Original letter from Randolph to Walsingham, 31 May 1586, Edinburgh, recommending Barnaby McGohegan to his favour.

ff. 207r–208v: Copy of the instructions given by Elizabeth to the Earl of Rutland, the Lord Evers, and Thomas Randolph, Masters of the Posts, commissioners appointed from Elizabeth to repair unto Berwick to meet some of James's commissioners, for the concluding of a league between Elizabeth and James, 4 June 1586.

ff. 209r–210v: Original letter from Barbara and Andro Lawson to Elizabeth, 7 May 1586, Edinburgh, thanking her for sustaining them a considerable time, and at length procuring them a grant of five pence sterling per day, for their lives, from James.

ff. 211r–212v: Letter from Sir John Maitland, Secretary of State in Scotland, to Randolph, 16 June 1586, Edinburgh, requesting him to forward a letter from James to Elizabeth with all speed.