BL Caligula, b. ix, 279

BL MSS Cotton Caligula, b. ix, 279
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 141 page 300
Sir John Forster to Cecil, nigh Alnwick, the 21st of October, 1568

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

It may please your Honor to be advertised, that wheras I advertised my Lord of Northefolk's grace upon the Lorde of Buckcleughe, I do understand by his Grace's letter, that my Lord Regent and my Lord of Morton are in doubte that his taking should give occassion to the breache of the borders, and procure more unquietnes ; but as I have advertised his Grace therin, so I did your Honor in the like manner, that it was one evill deede well done, for before the borderers the moste parte of them stode in lyttel awe of the Regent, and wold not answer to England, but as they liste, and not according to justice. I will undertake that my Lord Regent shall fynd the borderers in better obedience than he left them, and will take in hand that the marches within my charge, and those of Scotland against me, shall continue in good quietnes, until his Lordshipp returne into Scotland. The 19th day of this instant, I met with the Lord of Cessford at Elterborne, who was in company with the Lord of Farnyherst, Sir Andrew Carr, the Sheriff of Tevydall, and other the gentlemen of that border, and have there more justice offered and done, than I have had these two yeres passed.
There was delyveries made of all the bills filed and sworne, and have appointed meetings for the answering of all the attemptats commytted and done since the meeting of the commissioners at Carlisle and Dumfrese untyll this daie.
There was at the same meeting one Sir Walter Scote, of Howepaslay, knight, a nere frende of Buckclcughe's, and there put in a bill for the taking of Buckcleughe, and the spoiles done to his frendes, servantes, and tenants. And there before the Warden of Scotland and the rest of the gentlemen, upon opening of the occasion and manner of doing therof, the said Sir Walter Scote said the bill was not to be answered, and there was no way with the Lord of Buckcleughe and the rest but to seke by frendshipps for his and their releifes. And althoughe I meane not to let Buckcleughe home but upon bond, yet shall the matter be so used that my Lord Regent shall have no cause to myslike thereof, and that Buckcleughe shall understand he hathe and shall be better dealte withall for the Regent's sake. And where before I stoode in doute of the borders, I am now assured that there shall be nothing but good quietness and justice to go forwardes. Other newes worthie of advertisement here is none, as knoweth God, who have your Honor in his most holy tuition.
At my house, nighe Alnwick, the 21st of October, 1568. Your Honor's humble to command,

John Forster