Cotton MS Caligula B X/2

This is the second of two volumes created by the splitting of Cotton MS Caligula B X.

Contents:

ff. 209r-212v: Four draft papers by Sir William Cecil. Containing arguments for and against a meeting between Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. 21 and 30 Jun 1562. Another draft is below (ff. 228r-229v).

ff. 213r-217v: Copy of instructions from Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Henry Sidney, President of the Council in the Marches of Wales. To report to Mary, Queen of Scots, that the intended meeting is postponed to the following summer. 1562.

ff. 218r-219v: Memorial from Queen Elizabeth I to Thomas Randolph. Advising Mary, Queen of Scots on her marriage, 20 Aug 1563. In the hand of Sir William Cecil, with the signature of Queen Elizabeth I.

ff. 220r-222v: Letter from William Maitland, of Lethington, to Sir William Cecil. Condemning the disloyalty of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, discussing the delicate position of Mary, Queen of Scots, in the event of war between England and France, and reporting on recent attempts to bar her from the English succession. Dundee, 14 Nov 1562.

ff. 223r-226v: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil. Sending intelligence on the suppression of a rebellion by George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly; conversations with Mary, Queen of Scots concerning French affairs; the arrival and reception of English Catholics in Scotland; and affairs on the borders. Edinburgh, 18 Nov 1562.

f. 227r-227v: Abstracts of letters from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, between 1 Apr and 26 Jun 1563.

ff. 228r-229v: Memorial from Queen Elizabeth I to Thomas Randolph. Advising Mary, Queen of Scots on her marriage. 23 Aug 1563. In the hand of Sir William Cecil, with the signature of Queen Elizabeth I. Another draft of the above memorial (ff. 218r-219v).

f. 230r: Abstract of a letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, 4 Sep 1563.

ff. 231r-246r: Copy of articles made between the English and Scottish commissioners. For settling differences on the borders. 23 Sep 1563.

f. 247r: Memorandum of a loan of £5000, from Queen Elizabeth I to the Earl of Moray in 1568. Noted as repaid, 15 Nov 1572.

f. 248r-248v: Letter from John Knox to the brethren of the congregation. Inveighing against Popish idolatry, 9 Oct 1563.

f. 249r-249v: Abstracts of the second set of instructions sent from Queen Elizabeth I to Thomas Randolph. Conveying her distaste for a foreign marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots. 17 Nov 1563. With abstracts of Randolph’s letters to Sir William Cecil, from 13 Dec 1563 to 22 Jan 1564.

ff. 250r-259r: Copy of instructions from Queen Elizabeth I. For the appointment of Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, with the ancient orders of Berwick. 27 Feb 1564. With articles for the former establishment of the garrison.

ff. 259v-260r: Abstract of a letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, 27 Feb 1564. Including some verses in Italian and Latin sung by Cupid and by a young child as Time at a Shrovetide feast before Mary Queen of Scots, 27 Feb 1564. Noted in Kelliher, 'British Post-Mediaeval Verse in the Cotton Collection', pp. 321-2.

ff. 261r-262v: Memorial from Queen Elizabeth I to Thomas Randolph. Advising Mary, Queen of Scots on her marriage. 17 Nov 1563. In the hand of Sir William Cecil, with the signature of Queen Elizabeth I.

ff. 263r-264v: Copy of instructions from Queen Elizabeth I. For the appointment of Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, with the ancient orders of Berwick, 27 Feb 1564. Another copy of the instructions above (ff. 250r-259r).

ff. 265r-268r: Abstracts of letters sent from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil. From 8 Mar to 27 Sep 1564.

f. 269r-269v: Copy of a commission from Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, and Sir John Forster, Wardens of the East and Middle Marches. For negotiating the limits of the Marches. 17 Jul 1564. Latin.

ff. 270r-273v: Memorial from Queen Elizabeth I to Thomas Randolph. Advising Mary, Queen of Scots on her marriage; discussing the return of the Earl of Lennox to Scotland; and the regulation of the Marches. 4 October 1564. In the hand of Sir William Cecil, with the signature of Queen Elizabeth I. Another copy is in the National Archives, SP 52/9, ff. 123r-125v.

f. 274r-274v: Abstracts of letters sent from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil. From 24 Oct to 12 Nov 1564.

ff. 275r-283v: Letters from Thomas Randolph and Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, to Queen Elizabeth I. Reporting on their conference with William Maitland, of Lethington, and the Earl of Moray on a possible marriage between Mary, Queen of Scots and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Berwick, 23 November 1564.

f. 284r: Abstracts of letters sent from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil. From 2 Dec to 24 Dec 1564.

f. 285r-285v: Abstracts of letters sent from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil. From 5 Feb to 20 Mar 1565.

ff. 286r-289v: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 20 March 1565. Sending intelligence concerning the religious disorder in Scotland; an outrage in the Queen’s chapel; the return of the Earl of Lennox; and political and personal tensions within the nobility.

f. 290r-290v: Paper by the Privy Council, opposing the proposed marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. 1 May 1565. Another copy is The National Archives, SP 52/10 ff. 68r-69v.

ff. 291r-294v: Copy of a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Queen Elizabeth I, Edinburgh, 21 May 1565. On the proposed marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, and Mary’s response to the remonstrance he delivers against it. The original is The National Archives, SP 52/10, ff. 96r-98v.

f. 294v: Abstract of a letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, 3 May 1565.

f. 295r-295v: The oaths as Knight and Earl of Ross taken by Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. With the names of 14 knights then created by him, at Stirling, 15 May 1565.

ff. 296r-297r: Copy of a letter from Sir Nicholas Throckmorton to Sir William Cecil, 21 May 1565.On the intended marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, and other matters. The original is The National Archives, SP 52/10, f. 100r.

ff. 297v-298r: Copy of a memorial of the Privy Council. For Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Sir William Cecil to show Queen Elizabeth I, 27 May 1565. Condemning the intended marriage between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, and recommending severity towards the Lennox family.

ff. 299r-300v: Draft paper on the troubles that may ensue following the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. 2 June 1565.

ff. 301r-308v: Summary of the Privy Council’s advice concerning the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. Collected from speeches made by the Councillors. 4 Jun 1565. With annotations and endorsement in the hand of Sir William Cecil.

f. 309r: Abstracts of two letters from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, 3 Jun 1565.

ff. 310r-315v: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 2 Jul 1565. Sending intelligence on the effect of Queen Elizabeth I's letter to Mary, Queen of Scots, concerning her marriage; Queen Elizabeth’s orders to the Earl of Lennox and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, to return to England; the state of mind and behaviour of Mary, Queen of Scots; and the conventions of Lords at St. Johnstone and Edinburgh.

ff. 316r-319v: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 4 Jul 1565.Sending intelligence on the flight of Mary, Queen of Scots, from the Earls of Argyll and Moray; and the discontents among the Protestant nobility, who solicit aid from Elizabeth.

ff. 320r-321v: Copy of a letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Thomas Randolph, 10 Jul 1565. Regarding his conduct towards the Queen and nobility of Scotland.

ff. 322r-326r: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 16 Jul 1565. Reporting that Mary, Queen of Scots, has been rambling through Edinburgh; sending answers to some charges which William Maitland, of Lethington, had taxed him with in the name of Mary, Queen of Scots; and an audience with the Queen.

ff. 327r-328v: Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to an unknown recipient, Edinburgh, 16 Jul 1565. Stating that she will in no respect molest the Protestants. With a postscript requiring his attendance in arms.

f. 329r-329v: Letter from James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault and 2nd Earl of Arran, Archibald Campbell, 5th Earl of Argyll, and James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, to Queen Elizabeth I, Stirling, 18 July 1565. Presenting the unresponsiveness of Mary, Queen of Scots, to demands for religious reform, and fearing that their advocacy of it will earn her ill will. Craving protection from Queen Elizabeth I.

ff. 330r-332v: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 19 Jul 1565. Reporting increased disorders in Scotland, and sending the news that Mary, Queen of Scots is assembling forces.

f. 333v: Abstract of the above letter (ff. 330r-332v) from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, 19 Jul 1565.

ff. 334r-336v: Letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 21 Jul 1565. Reporting on an audience with Mary, Queen of Scots; answers given by the Earl of Lennox and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, to Queen Elizabeth I's summons; and the summons Mary, Queen of Scots has sent to James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray.

f. 337r-337v: Letter from James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, St. Andrews, 22 Jul 1565. Representing the perilous situation of himself and his party, and requesting aid.

ff. 338r-340r: Copy of a speech by John Tamworth to Mary, Queen of Scots on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I, Aug 1565. Reproving proceedings concerning the marriage, and her behaviour in creating factions, taking offence against her most loyal subjects, and listening to evil counsel intent on extirpating Protestantism.

ff. 340r-343r: Copy of an answer given by Mary, Queen of Scots, to the speech above (ff. 338r-340r), Aug 1565. With certain offers to be propounded to Queen Elizabeth I on behalf of the King and Queen of Scots.

f. 343r-343v: Abstracts of letters sent from Thomas Randolph and John Tamworth to Sir William Cecil and Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick. From 2 Aug 1565 to 27 Aug 1565.

ff. 344r-345v: Letter from Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, to Sir William Cecil, Berwick, 17 August 1565. Reporting news on the troubles in Scotland, about several people in Berwick, and a meeting of local nobility and gentry that are ready to serve in war if the need arises.

f. 347v: Summons of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, as King and Queen of Scotland, Edinburgh, 23 Aug 1565. Declaring a progress against the rebels and ordering men to join them at Edinburgh in arms.

ff. 348r-349r: Memorial of Queen Elizabeth I, to be used by Thomas Randolph, Sep 1565. Concerning the affairs of Scotland, pardoning and accommodating the opponents of Mary, Queen of Scots, and limiting the regal powers of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. 1565.

ff. 351r-353v: Draft paper deliberating on the affairs of Scotland. 24 Sep 1565. In the hand of Sir William Cecil.

ff. 354r-357v: Draft summary of events in Scotland between 18 Nov 1564 and 19 Sep 1565. In the hand of Sir William Cecil, 24 Sep 1565.

ff. 358r-359v: Paper reporting on a consultation with the Privy Council concerning the affairs of Scotland. Including the names of councillors present and the matters discussed. 24, 26, 29 Sep 1565.

ff. 360r-361r: Letter from Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, to Queen Elizabeth I, Berwick, 18 Aug 1565. Discussing the problems of taking and fortifying Eyemouth, and the state of the borders.

ff. 362r-365r: Copy of a paper titled ‘A question demanded upon the matter of Scotland’. Discussing whether a prince may intervene in a neighbouring kingdom in defence of Christ's religion. The author is identified as Edmund Guest, Bishop of Salisbury, in an endorsement by Sir William Cecil in another version of the text (Lansdowne MS 8, ff. 83r-85r). 1565.

f. 366r-366v: Copy of a paper, in the hand of Sir William Cecil. Giving an account of a pro-Spanish agent arriving in Scotland from Flanders, being cordially received by Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, and acting as emissary for Mary, Queen of Scots, and Darnley with the Spanish. The original text is The National Archives, SP 52/11, ff. 87r-88v, where Cecil's endorsement dates the report as 15 Sep 1565, and names the agent as Francis Yaxley.

ff. 367r-382r: Draft instructions from Queen Elizabeth I to an unknown recipient, and Sir Walter Mildmay, Nov 1565. On their being sent as envoys to Mary, Queen of Scots. Corrected by Sir William Cecil.

f. 383r-383v: Letter from James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, to Sir William Cecil, Jan 1566. Concerning Queen Elizabeth I’s intercession on his behalf.

f. 384r-384v: Copy of a letter from Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, 7 Feb 1566. Sending intelligence on the Catholicism of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the prominence of David Rizzio at Court.

ff. 385r-386v: Letter from Sir William Drury to Sir William Cecil, Berwick. 16 Feb 1566. Sending intelligence concerning several messengers and others who had passed through Berwick, reporting that Mary, Queen of Scots, is weary of her husband, and that many Scottish Lords refuse the Queen’s summons to Mass.

ff. 387r-393v: Letter from Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, and Thomas Randolph, to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Sir William Cecil, 27 Mar 1566. Sending a lengthy report on the murder of David Rizzio, and a list of culprits.

f. 394r-394v: Letter from Christopher Rokeby to Sir William Cecil, 2 Jul 1566. Discussing his service as an agent in Scotland.

ff. 395r-396v: Letter from Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, to Sir William Cecil, Berwick, 3 Aug 1566. Reporting in the state of the nobility in Scotland, and the growing antipathy between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley.

ff. 397r-389v: Letter from Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, to Sir William Cecil, Alnwick, 12 Aug 1566. Sending information from 'Mr Simple' [Mr Sempill or the Master of Sempill] about one Sheres, a prisoner in the Tower, and the treasonable talk of Henry Lassells. With Russell's assessment of 'Simple' as an informer, and various news from Scotland and the borders.

ff. 399r-401v: Copy of instructions from Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, 7 Nov 1566. On his journey to Scotland to attend the christening of the son of Mary, Queen of Scots (the future King James VI and I).

f. 402r: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, 9 Nov 1566. Revising her instructions of 7 November above (ff. 399r-401v): John Tamworth is not to be sent with him to Edinburgh.

f. 403r: Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to the English Privy Council, Dunbar, 18 Nov 1566. Placing her son under the protection of Queen Elizabeth I; repeating her claim as heir to the English Crown, but sending assurances that she will not press the matter until Queen Elizabeth I chooses to put it into deliberation. Reporting that she will abide by the laws of England but requires the Privy Council then to 'have respect to justice with indifferency'.

f. 404r: Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, Cragmillar, 4 Dec1566. Appointing the time of his visit for the christening of her son.

ff. 405r-406v: Letter from Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, to Sir William Cecil, 15 Feb 1566. Sending intelligence from Scotland concerning the great desire of Mary, Queen of Scots, to prevail upon the Lords to attend Mass, and Scottish politics and border matters. Reporting that Robert Melville is to come to London to intercede for the release of the Countess of Lennox and others.

f. 407r: Letter from Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, to Mary, Queen of Scots, 20 Feb 1567. Urging the speedy trial by the whole nobility and estates of Scotland of the murderers of his son Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley.

f. 408r: Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, 21 Feb 1567. Declaring her intention to call a Parliament. In answer to the above letter (f. 407r) of 20 February 1567.

f. 409r: Letter from Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, to Mary, Queen of Scots, 26 Feb 1567. Requesting haste in the trial of the murderers of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley.

f. 410r: Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, 1 Mar 1567 On her desire for the speedy trial of the murderers of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. In answer to the above letter (26 February 1567).

f. 411r: Letter from Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, to Mary, Queen of Scots, 17 Mar 1567. Urging her to proceed vigorously in the trial of the murderers of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, and giving names of people to be apprehended, beginning with the Earl of Bothwell. 17 March 1567.

f. 412r: Letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, to Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox, 23 Mar 1567. Reporting that several people have been summoned for the trial concerning the murder of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, and calling upon him to travel to Edinburgh.