BL Harleian 787, 93 a

BL MSS Harleian 787, 93 a.
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 102 Page 215
Earl of Bedford to the Earl of Leicester, Berwick, Oct. 26 1565

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

After my most hartyest commendations to your good Lordship, I receyved now lately from you a most friendly, honorable, and gentle letter of the 20th of this present, contayning very good and necessary advise for these tymes. I most hartily thanke your Lordship for the same, and if I could tell or devise which way to become more bound unto you, then already I am, I would not lett to confess and acknowledge the same. But this to be said for all, that I am your Lordship's, as assured as you desire.
The Quene's Majestie, as appeareth by her Majestie's letters, is offended at the Earle of Murray's coming up (1), which as I wrote to you and others, I could not withstand without force, for perswasions nor disswasions would not serve. And I had no commandement from her Majestie to staye him here, no more have I to staye the other Lords and the rest, if they were disposed to return home. And how I shall deale in these cases I knowe not, for thinking to do the best, it is misliked, and almost nothing well taken that I do. I shall therfore keep myselfe within the compass of the commission I have, or shall have from tyme to tyme, and will not henceforth be soe forward, but will be rather slowe, for I see it is all one, yet more thankes me seemeth hath the one than the other.
I am advertised fowre or five wayes that the Scottish Queen meaneth to take Aynouth (2), and that even shortly. I have written heretofore that it hath been often viewed, and now I write that it will be fortifyed. That Queen sendeth men to divers places, as to Kelsoe four hundred, to Hume Castle fifty harquebusyers, and yet cannot we be persuaded that the Queen meaneth warres, because we meane peace. How peace will follow upon such prognostications of warres I cannot conceyve, nor it will not sinke into my head.
I have heard the old borderers saye that the Scottes wer ever those that broke the peace, and sett upon the warres, either by stealyng or open violence. And because they be of an old custome the first, and ever aforehand with us, we are loath to break them of the same, for we never stirre till we have receyved too much injury, or else feele it smart too sore. I would be as glad of a good and assured peace as any other, and as much I have done to preserve the same. These news I heare of Aymouth come from the borderers here, who allbeit they heare somewhat from other places, yet by my next I shall tell you more certainly how all thinges thereabouts will frame.
And so for this tyme, &c. From Berwicke, this 26th of October, 1565. Your Lordship's most assured friend,

Bedford

(1) The Earl of Murray, with other Lords, having incurred the displeasure of their Queen, by their open opposition to her marriage with Darnley, took refuge in England, whence they now returned, and after Rizzio's murder were taken into favour.
(2) Eyemouth, about seven miles from Berwick.