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116. Sir Edward Hoby to Lord Burghley. |
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1584, Nov. 10. |
Have another letter from the King of Scots, and another from the Earl of Arran. I would willingly have made dainty to read the first, and sent it to her Majesty, as my former; but the King
suspecting the same, of purpose would not seal it, and sent me word there were no secrets therein, but ho was desirous I should receive a further testimony of his good-will, since he saw his former letters were not imparted unto me by the Queen, the which he perceived by a letter I wrote my Lord of Arran. I have here inclosed the very copy both of my letter and Lord Arran's. I would not conceal anything. |
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I have been informed her Majesty is minded to call me home. If to satisfy her Highness of my proceedings here, I shall think myself very happy, esteeming her contentment more dear than my own life. If it be to satisfy any private gentleman about her, I hope her Majesty will not so much discourage me as undeservedly to bring my name in question. If aught be objected in matters between Sir H. Gilbert and me (the pursuit of which cause I understand Mr. Rawley very hotly undertaketh), let it please her Majesty to give notice of her pleasure by any of the Privy Council except Mr. Secretary (who hath made himself a party). I doubt not I shall satisfy her Highness. Move her in this cause, if you find she hath been already moved against me. Yet during the abode of Lord Hunsdon in these parts I would willingly remain, the rather because the plague hath since Michaelmas been much dispersed in the Isle of Sheppey. |
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I have great cause to give you humble thanks for the great comfort it pleased your Lordship by your presence at Bisham to yield to my lady (my mother) and the poor orphans. |
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Your Lordship hath understood of my Lord Gloyde's departure, who the same day that Lord John, his brother, met with the Lords of the faction, went himself into Scotland a hawking, and so was conducted to Seton, his wife's father's house. His pardon under the Great Seal of Scotland was brought to him, but was only for himself, not his followers, which plainly demonstrates the Earl of Arran was privy thereto. The fifth of this instant Lord Hunsdon passing by dined with the Lord of Arbroath and the ladies at Wintherington. At that time there was small intelligence of his departure, but when that night it was broken to his brother, I leave you to judge with what impatience it was received, considering the man's nature, but worst of all was it taken by the Countess of Cassillis. They purpose presently to break up house there, and to remove to Newcastle, the straighter to confirm the late renewed amity. The articles of agreement, signed by the said Lord John on the one part and by the Earls of Angus and Mar on the other, came afterwards to my hands. |
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There is a speech that the Earl of Arran shall be made Earl of Angus, and then will there be no scandal to the house of Hamilton, to whom he is a cousin-german. Lord Gloyde confessed to me that, when he was banished out of Scotland, the said Earl was the only saver of his life. |
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The King is lately fallen into great dislike with his wardens. Lord Hume is yet in ward at Tantallon. The laird of Cesford is to be warded over the water to Aberdeen, and the laird of Farnhurst warden in his place, now a great man with the Earl of Arran, by reason of a cross marriage shortly between his and the house of Ochiltree. The laird of Johnston is greatly suspected to be a favourer of the Earl of Angus, his own brother by the mother. It is thought he will be displaced and Sir William Stuart, commonly called William the Sticker, appointed in his room. The Abbots of Dunfermline and Newbottel are dead. Andrew Car of Fawdin, who married a sister of the Earl of Arran, is likewise imprisoned at Erdennest. Lord Lindsay, now in ward with the Earl of Crawford, are the two last livers of the murderers
of David. This is he of whom the Scottish Queen was wont to say that she felt his cold dagger pass by her cheeks.—From Berwick, 10 November 1384. |
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117. Lord Hunsdon to Lord Burghley. |
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1584, Nov. 24. |
I was neither made acquainted by Mr. Secretary with the letter for the Lords of Scotland to come to the Holy Island, nor with anything that appertains to them, ut express commandment given that I should not be made acquainted with any of their doings. Harry Anderson is the only doer of all. For as Mr. Secretary's course and mine are contrary, so am I a mere stranger to him in all things; and not that only, but wherein he may hinder me I look for it, either to me or any of mine, which I hope I shall withstand well enough. I received yesterday two letters from him, in the one a little he toucheth the Master of Gray being twice at the Court, but neither of her Majesty's liking or misliking of him; and in a postscript, that it is her pleasure that I should give order to my son Hoby for his present repair to the Court. If it were to do her Majesty any service, I know he would take post horses to make the more haste; but to go up for his pleasure, who my son knows hates him deadly, he hath no cause to make any more haste than needs. His wife hath not been here yet a fortnight. He sent his horses from hence for her, which are almost all spoiled, nor will not be able to travel this month. So as if her Majesty will have him to come up for other folks' pleasure, he must take post horses, and surely his coming up will serve their turns but smally. |
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His other letter is a very long one, in answer of mine touching Holy Island, wherein I wrote that Captain Reed's letter was no discharge to me, and that, unless I had a discharge under her Majesty's hand, there should none of them come there; whereat he seems aggrieved. Touching my leaving of my son Hoby here to be my deputy, surely I never meant it. But I know from whose stop that comes, even from them that gave out that my earnestness in the Scottish affairs is in hope of a marriage of the King with some of my kin. I doubt not but her Majesty will answer for me therein. Mr. Secretary wrote to me a fortnight since that, by order from the Lords, he moved her Majesty for my Lord of Huntingdon's and my coming up to the Parliament, and that her Majesty thought it not fit for my Lord of Huntingdon to come from his charge, but she was content I should come up this winter, but would appoint no time. Since which time I have received a writ for the Parliament. I know not what to do. I beseech you move her Majesty once again herein. The ways are yet reasonable, but if I tarry a fortnight they will be very sore.—At Berwick, 24 November 1584. |
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