BL La 102, 71

BL MSS Lansdowne 102, 71
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 106 Page 224
Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith, March 26 1566

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

Sir, though you thynk you have cause to blame me for not sending my brother Hobby away with more speed, yet so you will suspend your offence untill your coming, and heare of me that I will not wryte, I dare aventure to abyde your chyding. When he will departe, this berer shall tell you. This daye he hath taken his leave of her Majestie, and promiseth to be at the sea syde within these ten dayes at the fardest.
Your servant can tell you as much as I know of the Scottish matters, which have too many circumstances to be put in wrytyng. God send some other success than what they portend. I am in dowt to which of the partyes I should wish such victory as percase in their heates they covet, and yet I cannot thynk evil of the Erle of Murray. I see the subjects brought to desperation, and the Prince into indignation.
It was full tyme that Sir H. Sydney went into Ireland, for he hath found all out of joynt there. The good subjects in all parts oppressed, the Irish bearing rule, but in all no peril, saving in Shan, who will (he sayth in his dronkenes) be Lord or King of Ulster ; but I trust his head shall be from his shoulders before any crown can be made ready to make hym either King or Erle. Whatsover my Lord of Kildare did before this deputy's coming, now we are assured that he doth and will contynue to do notable service against this rebell O'Neyle, against whom, because we wold advisedly proceed, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain goeth over to conferr with the Lord Deputie, and in the meantyme we send treasure afore-hand. We have cause to feare that O'Neyle's boldness is fedd out of Scotland.
Of my Lord of Leicester's absence, and of his return of favor to others here, if your man tell you the tales of court or citie, they be fond and many untrue. Briefly I affirm, that the Quene's Majesty may be, by malicious tongs, not well reported, but in truth she herself is blameless, and hath no spot of evill intent. Many, there may lack specially in so busy a world circumspections to avoyde all occasions.
The matter of Charles (1) is of her surely mynded, but the progress therin hath many letts. My Lord of Norfolk hath shewed himself a very noble man and wise. The matter is also much allowed of the nobilitie. God direct the Quene's Majesty to marriadg in some place, for otherwise her regyment will prove very troublesome and unquiet.
And so having nothyng worth wrytyng that I have not committed to your servant Barloo, I end. 26 Martij. 1566. Yours as you know, assured,

W. Cecill

(1) The Archduke Charles of Austria, who was making advances of marriage to Elizabeth.