BL Caligula, b. x, 369

BL MSS Cotton Caligula b. x, 369
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 104 Page 219
Randolph to Cecil, Edinburgh, Feb. 7 1565/6

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

My humble duetie considered. What to write of the present state of this countrey I am so uncertayne by reason of the daylie alteration of men's mindes, that it maketh me much slower then otherwise I wolde.
Within these fiftene daies there was some good hope that this Quene would have shewed some favour towards the Lords, and that Robert Melvin should have returned unto them with some comfort upon some conditions. Since that tyme there are come out of France, Cleran by land, and Thornton by sea, th' one from the Cardinall, the other from the Bishop of Glascowe. Since whose arrivall neither can there be good word gotten, nor appearance of any good intended them, except they be able to persuade the Quene's Majesty our soveraigne to make her heir apparent to the crowne of Englande. I write of this nothing less then I know that she hath spoken, and by all meanes that she thinketh best and doth travayle to bring that to passe.
There was a bande latelie devised in which the late Pope, th’ Emperor, the King of Spaine, the Duke of Savoy, with divers Princes of Italy, and the Quene mother suspected to be of the same confederacy, to maintayne papistrye thoughout Christendome. This bande was sent out of France by Thorneton, and is subscribed by this Quene. The copie wherof, remayning with her and the principall, to be returned verie shortly, as I heare, by Mr. Steven Wilson, a fit minister for such devilish devises. If the copie herof can be gotten, it shal be sent as conveniently I maye (1).
Monsieur Rambolet came to this towne upon Mondaye. He spake that night with the Quene and her husband, but not longe. The next day he had long conference with them both, but nothing came to the knowledge of any whereof theie intreated.
I cannot speak with any that hath any hope that there wil be any good done for the Lords by him, though it is said that he hath very good will to do to the uttermost of his power. He is lodged nere to the courte, and liveth upon the Quene's chardges.
Upon Sonday the order is given; great means made by many to be present that daye at the masse. Upon Candlemas daye there carryed their candles with the Quene, her husbande, th’ Earle of Lenox, and Earle Atholl. Divers other Lords have bene called together, and requyred to be at the masse that daye. Some have promised, as Cossells, Mongomerie, Seton, Catnes ; other have refused, as Fleminge, Liveston, Lindsay, Huntley, and Bothwell: and of them all Bothwell is stoutest, but worst thought of. It was moved in counsell that masse should have bene in St. Giles' Church, which I believe was rather to tempt men's mindes, then intended. Indeede she was of late minded agayne to send Roberte Melvyn to negotiate with such as she trusteth in amongst the Quene's Majestie's subjects, of whose good wills this way I trust that the brute is greater then the truthe. But in these matters her Majesty is too wise not in tyme to beware and provide for the worste. Some in that country are thought to be privy unto the bandes and confederacy of which I have written, wherof I am sure there is something, though perchance of all I have not heard the truthe.
In this courte dyvers contentions, quarrells, and debates ; nothing so much sought as to maintayne mischief and disorder. David [Rizzio] yet retayneth still his place, not without heart grief to many that see their soveraigne guided chiefely by suche a fellow.
The Quene hath utterlie refused to do anie good to my Lord of Argile, and it is said that that shal be the first voyage that she will make after that she is delivered. Of her beinge with childe, the brute is common that she is, but hardlie believed of manie. And of this I can assure you, that there have of late appeared some tokens to the contrary.
Two of the Hawles, the best of those that latelie loppe out of England, are suters here for supporte and comforte. What answer they shall get as yet I knowe not. My Lord of Argile and Shane O'Neil have mett and accorded to take each other's parte.
I trouble your Honor no further at thys tyme, but moste humbly take my leave. At Edinburgh, the 7th of February, 1565. Your Honor's bounden alwayes to command,

Tho. Randolphs

(1) There seems to be no doubt that Mary had secretly joined this confederacy, and that it was more particularly directed against the Scottish Protestants and Elizabeth.