FROM THE DARNLEY MARRIAGE TO THE RIZZIO MURDER
_CONTENTS_
1. The Darnley marriage and the Earl of Murray's rebellion.
(_a_) Melville's account of the progress of events from Mary's
first meeting with Darnley to Elizabeth's reception of Murray
(February to October).
(_b_) Randolph's account of the allegations regarding the rival
conspiracies.
(_c_) The Proclamation to allay disquiet regarding the Queen's
marriage with a Catholic.
(_d_) Randolph's letter to Leicester describing the marriage, and
the relations between the bride and bridegroom.
(_e_) Cecil's account of the Murray trouble.
(_f_) The Privy Council warrant against Murray.
(_g_) Knox's account of Elizabeth's interview with Murray.
2. Mary's relations with Darnley and the Rizzio murder.
(_a_) Diplomatic references to the ill-will between the Queen and
her husband, with an incidental account of the Holy League.
(_b_) Bedford and Randolph's letter to Cecil foretelling the Rizzio
plot.
(_c_) Agreements between Darnley and the conspirators.
(_d_) Mary's own description of the murder of Rizzio.
_DARNLEY'S COURTSHIP_
1563.--Feb. 17-Oct. 23. The Darnley Marriage and the Murray Rebellion.
_Melville's Memoirs_, p. 134.
[It was now becoming evident that Mary was to marry Lord Darnley.
Her resolution gave great offence, not only to Queen Elizabeth, but
to the Earl of Murray, and some other Scottish nobles, who raised a
rebellion, commonly called the "Run about Chase." The matter is
somewhat mysterious; there are, as the reader will observe,
allegations of two conspiracies--one against Murray by Darnley, and
another against Mary and Darnley by Murray. The evidence is not
decisive.]
_THE RUN-ABOUT RAID_
_UNWORTHY TRAITORS_
I have said already how that my Lord Darnley was advised to suit license
to come into Scotland, who at his first coming found the Queen in the
Wemyss, making her progress through Fife. Her Majesty took well with
him, and said that he was the lustiest and best proportioned long {tall}
man that she had seen, for he was of high stature, long and small, even
and upright; well instructed from his youth in all honest and comely
exercises. And after he had hanted {frequented} a while in Court, he
proposed marriage to her Majesty; which she took in evil part at the
first, as she told me that same day herself, and how she had refused the
ring which he then offered unto her, when I took occasion, as I had
begun, to speak in his favour, that their marriage would put out of
doubt their title to the succession. I cannot tell how he fell in
acquaintance with Seigneur David {Rizzio}, but he also was his great
friend at the Queen's hand; so that her Majesty took aye the longer the
better liking of him, and at length determined to marry him. Which being
known unto Queen Elizabeth, she sent and charged him to return; and also
sent her ambassador, Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, into Scotland, both to
dissuade the Queen to marry him, and in case the Queen would not follow
her advice in her marriage, to persuade the lords and so many as were of
her religion to withstand the said marriage, unless the Lord Darnley
would promise and subscribe to abide at the religion reformed, which he
had plainly professed in England. The Queen again perceiving the Queen
of England's earnest opposition to all the marriages that were offered
unto her, thought not meet to delay any longer her marriage. But my Lord
Duke of Chatelherault, my Lords of Argyll, Murray, Glencairn, Rothes,
and divers others, lords and barons, withstood the said marriage; who
after they had made a mind to take the Lord Darnley, in the Queen's
company, at the raid of Beath, and to have sent him into England, as
they alleged--I wot not what was in their mind, but it was an
evil-favoured enterprize, wherein the Queen was in great danger other
than {that of} keeping or heartbreaking; and as they that had failed of
their foolish enterprize, took on plainly their arms of rebellion, her
Majesty again convened forces against them, and chased them here and
there till at length they were compelled to flee into England for
refuge, to her that had promised by her ambassadors to wear her crown in
their defence, in case they were driven to any strait for their
opposition unto the said marriage. Which was all denied at their coming
to seek help; and when they sent up my Lord of Murray to that Queen, the
rest abiding at Newcastle, he could obtain nothing but disdain and
scorn; till at length he and the Abbot of Kilwinning, his companion in
that message, were persuaded to come and confess unto the Queen upon
their knees, and that in presence of the ambassadors of France and
Spain, that her Majesty had never moved them to that opposition and
resistance against their Queen's marriage.... Unto my Lord of Murray and
his marrow {comrade} she said, "Now you have told the truth; for I nor
none in my name stirred you up against your Queen; for your abominable
treason might serve for example, to move my own subjects to rebel
against me. Therefore pack you out of my presence; ye are but unworthy
traitors."
1565.--April 29. Mary's Festivities.
_Randolph to Cecil. Foreign Calendar_, 1565.
Greater triumphs there never were in time of Popery than were this
Easter at the resurrection and at her high mass. Organs were wont to be
the common music. She wanted now neither trumpet, drum, nor fife,
bagpipe nor tabor.... Upon Monday she and divers of her women apparelled
themselves like burgesses' wives, went upon their feet up and down the
town, and of every man they met they took some pledge for money towards
the banquet; and in the lodging where the writer was accustomed to lodge
was the dinner prepared, at which she was herself, with the wonder and
gazing of men, women, and children.
[This celebration of Easter is important as being a factor in the
growth of Protestant dislike of the Darnley marriage.]
_"LESS COMFORT" FOR QUEEN MARY_
_Randolph to Cecil from Edinburgh_, July 2, 1565 {_date of
end of letter_}. _Keith's History_, vol. ii. p. 300.
I wrote that there was a convention appointed at St. Johnstone {Perth}
the 22nd of this instant {_i.e._ June}, to which there were specially
named these, the Duke, Earls Argyll, Murray, Morton, and Glencairn; only
Morton came; the other some tarried at their houses, as the Duke, and
Earl of Murray; other as Argyll and Glencairn came to Edinburgh the 24th
to the Convention {General Assembly} of the Protestants there. With this
her Grace is greatly offended, and layeth the whole fault hereof to the
Earl of Murray and Argyll, which both had come to St. Johnstone, but
that my Lord of Murray was assuredly advertised that it was intended
that he should be slain there.... With my Lord of Murray I have lately
spoken; he is grieved to see these extreme follies in his sovereign; he
lamenteth the state of this country that tendeth to utter ruin; he
feareth that the nobility shall be forced to assemble themselves
together, to do her honour and reverence as they are in duty bound, but
to provide for the State that it do not utterly perish.... The Duke, the
Earl of Argyll, and he concur in this device; many other are like to
join with them in the same; what will ensue let wise men judge.... The
less comfort that this Queen be put in, that the Queen's majesty will
allow of her doings, the sooner shall her Majesty bring that to pass
here that she most desireth, and more at her Majesty's devotion than at
this time she hath, there were never in Scotland. Some that already have
heard of my Ladie's Grace {Lady Lennox's} imprisonment like very well
thereof, and wish to the father and son to keep her company. The
question hath been asked me. Whether if they were delivered us into
Berwick, we would receive them? I answered that we could nor would not
refuse our own, in what sort soever they come unto us.
_A HASTY RIDE_
_Randolph to Cecil from Edinburgh_, July 4. _Ibid._ vol. ii. p. 309.
Upon Saturday her Grace came ... to St. Johnston, where word was brought
her that the Earl of Argyll and Earl of Murray had assembled many of
their friends and servants, and intended to take her and the Lord
Darnley riding between that town and the Lord of Livingstone's house,
and to have carried the Queen's Grace to St. Andrews, and the Lord
Darnley to Castle Campbell, a house of the Earl of Argyll.... She took
her horse by five of the clock in the morning, and rode with great
speed, having only three women in her train, until she came to the
Queen's Ferry, passing through a little town called Kinross, hard by
Lochleven, where my Lord of Murray was in a house in the loch with his
mother and the Laird of Lochleven, his brother, with a small number of
his servants, having been sick of a flux not four days before, intending
for all that to have met the Queen, and to have convoyed her as far as
her Grace would give him leave; but hearing that her Grace was past that
town three or four hours before that he looked for her, he remained
still and went not forth....
_A REQUEST FOR MONEY_
They {the two Earls} think it time to put to that remedy they can; they
depend greatly upon the comfort received from the Queen's majesty our
sovereign; they know that it as well tendeth to her Majesty's surety for
that which may ensure as the present hurt and danger to themselves.
Wherefore, having considered her Majesty's friendly and godly offer to
concur with them, and to assist them, ... as from subjects that see how
far the Sovereign is led by unadvised persons, from her duty to God, and
care that she ought to have of the weal of her country, they most humbly
desire the performance of her Majesty's promise.... They are loth so far
to charge her Majesty as to desire any number of men to take their part,
but that it will only please her Majesty to help them with such sums of
money as for a time may be able to keep themselves together, be it that
they determine to be wheresoever the Queen's self is, or to remain in
Edinburgh, where they may best put order unto all those grievous
enormities.... They think that if her Majesty would bestow only three
thousand pounds sterling for this year, except some foreign force shall
be brought in against them.
_Acts of the Privy Council of Scotland_, July 12, 1565.
For as much as divers evil disposed persons ... wickedly and ungodly
have pretended by untrue reports ... that her Majesty had begun or
intended to impede, stay, or molest any of them in using of their
religion and conscience freely ... ordains letters to be direct to
officers of the Queen's Sheriff in that part {respect}, charging them to
pass to the market crosses of all burghs of this realm, and other places
needful, and there, by open proclamation, make publication of this her
Majesty's mind and meaning; certifying and assuring all her good
subjects, that as they, nor none of them, have hitherto been molested in
the quiet using of their religion and conscience, so shall they not be
unquieted in that behalf in any time to come; but behaving themselves
honestly as good subjects shall find her Majesty their good princess,
willing to do them justice, and to show them favour and clemency, but
{without} innovation or alteration in any sort.
_A ROYAL MARRIAGE_
_Randolph to Leicester, from Edinburgh_, July 31, 1565.
_Wright's Elizabeth_, vol. i. p. 199.
I doubt not but your Lordship hath heard by such information as I have
given from hence, what the present state of this country is, how this
Queen is now become a married wife, and her husband, the self same day
of his marriage, made a king.... So many discontented minds, so much
misliking of the subjects to have these matters, ordered in this sort,
to be brought to pass, I never heard of any marriage.... Thus they fear
the overthrow of religion, the breach of amity with the Queen's Majesty
{Elizabeth}, destruction of as many of the nobility as she hath
misliking of, or that he to pick a quarrel unto.... He {Darnley} would
now seem to be indifferent to both the religions, she to use her mass,
and he to come sometimes to the preaching.
They were married with all the solemnities of the popish time, saving
that he heard not the mass; his speech and talk argueth his mind, and
yet would he fain seem to the world that he were of some religion. His
words to all men against whom he conceiveth any displeasure, how unjust
soever it be, so proud and spiteful, that rather he seemeth a monarch of
the world than he that not long since we have seen and known the Lord
Darnley....
_"GOD SAVE HIS GRACE!"_
All honour that may be attributed unto any man by a wife, he hath it
wholly and fully ... all dignities that she can indue him with are
already given and granted. No man pleaseth her that contenteth not him,
and what may I say more, she hath given over unto him her whole will, to
be ruled and guided as himself best liketh. She can as much prevail with
him in anything that is against his will, as your Lordship may with me
to persuade that I should hang myself.... Upon Saturday ... at nine
hours at night, by three heralds at sound of the trumpet he was
proclaimed king. This was the night before the marriage. This day,
Monday, at twelve of the clock, the Lords, all that were in this town,
were present at the proclaiming of him again, when no man said so much
as Amen, saving his father, that cried out aloud, "God save his Grace!"
The manner of the marriage was of this sort. Upon Sunday, in the
morning, between five and six, she was conveyed by divers of her nobles
to the chapel. She had upon her back the great mourning gown of black,
with the great wide mourning hood, not unlike unto that which she wore
the doleful day of the burial of her husband. She was led unto the
Chapel by the Earls Lennox and Athole, and there she was left until her
husband came, who was also conveyed by the same lords. The ministers,
two priests, did there receive them. The banns are asked the third time,
and an instrument taken by a notary that no man said against them, or
alleged any cause why the marriage might not proceed. The words were
spoken, the rings, which were three, the middle a rich diamond, were put
upon her finger, they kneel together, and many prayers said over them.
She carrieth out the ...[16] and he taketh a kiss, and leaveth her there
and went to her chamber, whither in a space she followeth, and there
being required, according to the solemnities, to cast off her care, and
lay aside those sorrowful garments, and give herself to a pleasanter
life. After some pretty refusals, more I believe for manner sake than
grief of heart, she suffereth them that stood by, every man that could
approach to take out a pin, and so being committed to her ladies changed
her garments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[16] Word illegible.
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_ELIZABETH ASKED TO EXPLAIN_
_Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith, from Windsor_, August 21,
1565. _Wright's Elizabeth_, vol. i. p. 206.
Mr. Tomworth was sent to the Queen of Scots upon this occasion; the
Scottish Queen hath sent twice hither to require the Queen's Majesty to
declare for what causes she did mislike of this marriage, offering also
to satisfy the same. In the meantime troubles arise there betwixt her
and the Earl of Murray and others being friendly to the warm amity of
the realm, whereunto for sundry respects it seemeth convenient for us to
regard. The Duke {of Chatelherault}, the Earls of Argyll, Murray, and
Rothes, with sundry Barons, are joined together not to allow of the
marriage, otherwise than to have the religion established by law, but
the Queen refuseth in this sort; she will not suffer it to have the
force of law, but of permission to every man to live according to his
conscience. And herewith she retained a great number of Protestants from
associating openly with the other. She hath sent for the Earl Murray,
but the mistrust is so far entered on both sides, that I think it will
fall to an evil end, for she hath put the Earl of Murray to the horn
{_i.e._ outlawed} and prohibited all persons to aid him. Nevertheless,
the Duke, the Earls of Argyll and Rothes are together with him. We shall
hear by Mr. Tomworth what is most likely to follow.
_THE REBELS OUT-LAWED_
_Register of the Privy Council_, December 1, 1565.
The which day, in presence of the King and Queen's Majesties and Lords
of Secret Council, compeared Master John Spence of Condy, advocate to
their Highnesses, and exponed how at their Majesties' command he had
libelled summonses of treason against Archibald, Earl of Argyll, James,
Earl of Murray, Alexander, Earl of Glencairn, Andrew, Earl of Rothes,
Andrew, Lord Ochiltree, Robert, Lord Boyd, and divers others,--to
compear in the next Parliament, to begin the fourth day of February next
to come, to hear them decerned to have incurred the crime of _lese
majestie_, and to have lost and forfeited life, lands, and goods.... But
because there were divers of the said persons outwith the realm ... it
behoved them be summoned by open proclamation at the Market Cross of
Edinburgh, and other Crosses next adjacent according to the common law;
and thereupon desired a declaration and determination of their Majesties
and Lords forsaid. The which being reasoned with good deliberation and
advisement, their Majesties and Lordships find and declare that the said
persons being summoned in manner above specified, the execution is as
sufficient in all respects as if the same summonses were execute upon
them personally or at their dwelling-places.
_GOOD AND COURTEOUS ENTERTAINMENT_
Murray's Reception by Elizabeth.
_Knox's Continuator_ (cf. p. 260), _Laing's Knox_, vol. ii. p. 513.
By means of the French Ambassador, called Monsieur De Four, his true
friend, he {Murray} obtained audience. The Queen, with a fair
countenance, demanded "how he, being a rebel to her Sister of Scotland,
durst take the boldness upon him to come within her realm?" These, and
the like words got he, instead of the good and courteous entertainment
expected. Finally, after private discourse, the Ambassador being absent,
she refused to give the Lords any support, denying plainly that ever she
had promised any such thing as to support them, saying, "She never meant
any such thing in that way;" albeit her greatest familiars knew the
contrary. In the end the Earl of Murray said to her, "Madam, whatsoever
thing your Majesty meant in your heart, we are thereof ignorant; but
this much we know assuredly, that we had lately faithful promises of aid
and support by your Ambassador and familiar servants, in your name; and
further, we have your own handwriting, confirming the said promises."
And afterward he took his leave, and came northward from London towards
Newcastle. After the Earl of Murray his departure from the Court the
Queen sent them some aid, and writ unto the Queen of Scotland in their
favour, whether she had promised it in private to the Earl of Murray, or
whether she repented her of the harsh reception of the Earl of Murray.
[This account of Elizabeth's interview with Murray should be
compared with that given by Melville (p. 60).]
Mary's Relations with her Husband.
_Randolph to Cecil, from Edinburgh_, January 16, 1566.
_Wright's Elizabeth_, vol. i. p. 216.
This court of long time hath been very quiet, small resort of any, and
many of those that come but slenderly welcome for the great and
importunate suit made by them for my Lord of Murray and the rest, who by
no means can find any favour at her Grace's hands, in so much that
Robert Melville hath received for resolute answer that let the Queen of
England do for them what she will, they shall never live in Scotland and
she together....
_MATRIMONIAL MISLIKINGS_
I cannot tell what mislikings of late there hath been between her Grace
and her husband; he presses earnestly for the matrimonial crown, which
she is loth hastily to grant, but willing to keep somewhat in store
until she know how well he is worthy to enjoy such a sovereignty, and
therefore it is thought that the Parliament for a time shall be
deferred, but hereof I can write no certainty.
_THE HOLY LEAGUE_
_Randolph to Cecil, from Edinburgh_, February 7, 1565.
_Wright's Elizabeth_, vol. i. p. 219.
There was a bond lately devised in which the late Pope, the Emperor, the
King of Spain, the Duke of Savoy, with divers Princes of Italy and the
Queen mother {of France} suspected to be of the same confederacy, to
maintain papistry throughout Christendom. This bond was sent out of
France by Thornton, and is subscribed by this Queen. The copy whereof,
remaining with her and the principal, to be returned very shortly, as I
hear, by Mr. Steven Wilson, a fit minister for such devilish devices. If
the copy hereof can be gotten, it shall be sent as conveniently I
may....
[The bond referred to is the Holy League. Cf. _infra._]
In this court divers contentions, quarrels, and debates; nothing so much
sought as to maintain mischief and disorder. David {Rizzio} yet
retaineth his place, not without heart grief to many that see their
sovereign guided chiefly by such a fellow.
_Randolph to Cecil, from Berwick_, February 14, 1566.
_Stevenson's Selections._
There is a league concluded between the King of Spain, the Duke of
Savoy, and divers other Papist princes, for the overthrow of religion,
as you shall hear more by others, which is come to this Queen's hands,
but not yet confirmed.
_CECIL INFORMED OF THE RIZZIO PLOT_
_Bedford and Randolph to Cecil, from Berwick_, March 6, 1566.
_Tytler's History of Scotland_, vol. vii. p. 30.
Somewhat we are sure you have heard of divers discord and jars between
this Queen and her husband, partly for that she hath refused him the
crown matrimonial, partly for that he hath assured knowledge of such,
usage of herself as altogether is intolerable to be borne, which, if it
were not over well known, we would both be very loath to think that it
could be true. To take away this occasion of slander, he is himself
determined to be at the apprehension and execution of him, whom he is
able manifestly to charge with the crime, and to have done him the most
dishonour that can be to any man, much more being as he is. We need not
more plainly to describe the person {Rizzio}. You have heard of the man
whom we mean of.
To come by the other thing which he desireth, which is the crown
matrimonial, what is devised and concluded upon by him and the noblemen,
you shall see by copies of the conditions between them and him, of which
Mr. Randolph assureth me to have seen the principals, and taken the
copies written with his own hand.
The time of execution and performance of these matters is before the
Parliament, as near as it is. To this determination of theirs, there are
privy in Scotland; these--Argyll, Morton, Boyd, Ruthven, and Lethington.
In England these--Murray, Rothes, Grange, myself, and the writer hereof.
If persuasions to cause the Queen to yield to these matters do no good,
they purpose to proceed we know not in what sort. If she be able to make
any power at home, she shall be withstood, and herself kept from all
other counsel than her own nobility. If she seek any foreign support,
the Queen's Majesty, our sovereign, shall be sought, and sued unto to
accept his and their defence, with offers reasonable to her Majesty's
contentment.
_OBLIGATIONS OF THE LORDS_
Agreement between Darnley and the Earls of Murray, Argyll, Glencairn,
and Rothes, and Lords Boyd and Ochiltree.
_Ruthven's Relation_, Ed. of 1815.
_Articles to be fulfilled by the lords._
1. The said earls, lords, and their complices, shall become, and by the
tenor hereof become true subjects, men and servants to the noble and
mighty Prince Henry, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, and husband
to our sovereign lady; that they and all others that will do for them
shall take a loyal and true part with the said noble Prince in all his
actions, causes, and quarrels, against whomsoever, to the uttermost of
their power....
2. The said earls, lords, and their complices shall ... by themselves
and others that have voice in Parliament, consent, and by these presents
do consent now as then, and then as now, to grant and give the crown
matrimonial to the said noble Prince for all the days of his life. And
if any person or persons withstand or gainsay the same, the said earls,
lords, and their complices shall take such part as the said noble Prince
taketh, in whatsoever sort, for the obtaining of the said crown against
all....
3. The said earls, lords, and their complices shall fortify and maintain
the said noble Prince in his just title to the crown of Scotland,
failing of succession of our sovereign lady....
4. As to the religion which was established by the Queen's Majesty, our
sovereign, shortly after her arrival in this realm ... they and every
one of them shall maintain and fortify the same at their uttermost
powers, by the help, supply, and maintenance of the said noble Prince.
* * * * *
_DARNLEY'S PROMISES_
_Articles to be fulfilled by Darnley._
1. The said noble Prince shall do his good-will to obtain them one
remission, if they require the same, for all faults and crimes by-past,
of whatsoever quality or condition they be....
2. We shall not suffer, by our good-wills, the foresaid lords and their
complices to be called or accused in Parliament, nor suffer any
forfeiture to be laid against them....
3. That the said earls, lords, and their complices, returning within the
realm of Scotland, we shall suffer or permit them to use and enjoy all
their lands, tacks, steadings, and benefices, that they or any of them
had before their passage into England....
4. As to the said earls, lords, and their complices' religion, we are
contented and consent that they use the same, conform to the Queen's
Majesty's act and proclamation made thereupon, shortly after her
Highness's return out of France....
* * * * *
_THE BOND FOR THE MURDER_
_THE WORD OF A PRINCE_
Bond for Rizzio's Murder--Ruthven's Relation.
Be it kend {known} to all men by these present letters: We, Henry, by
the grace of God, King of Scotland, and husband to the Queen's Majesty,
for so much we having consideration of the gentle and good nature, with
many other good qualities in her Majesty, we have thought pity, and also
think it great conscience to us that are her husband, to suffer her to
be abused or seduced by certain privy persons, wicked and ungodly ...
especially a stranger Italian called Davie ... we have devised to take
these privy persons, enemies to her Majesty, us, the nobility and
commonwealth, to punish them according to their demerits, and in case of
any difficulty, to cut them off immediately, and to take and slay them
wherever it happeneth. And because we cannot accomplish the same without
the assistance of others, therefore have we drawn certain of our
nobility, earls, lords, barons, freeholders, gentlemen, merchants, and
craftsmen, to assist us in our enterprise, which cannot be finished
without great hazard.... We bind and oblige us, our heirs and
successors, to the said earls, lords, barons, gentlemen, freeholders,
merchants, and craftsmen, their heirs and successors, that we shall
accept the same feud upon us, and fortify and maintain them at the
uttermost of our power, and shall be friend to their friend, and enemy
to their enemies, and shall neither suffer them nor theirs to be
molested nor troubled in their bodies, lands, goods, nor possessions so
far as lieth in us. And if any person would take any of the said earls,
lords, barons, gentlemen, freeholders, merchants, or craftsmen, for
enterprising and assisting with us for the achieving of our purpose,
because it may chance to be done in presence of the Queen's majesty, or
within her palace of Holyrood-house, we, by the word of a prince, shall
accept and take the same on us now as then and then as now.... In
witness whereof we have subscribed this with our own hand at Edinburgh,
the 1st of March 1565.
_A ROYAL SUPPER-PARTY_
_THE MURDER_
1566.--April 2. Mary's Description of the Murder of Rizzio, in a letter
to the Archbishop of Glasgow, her Ambassador in Paris.
_Keith's History_, vol. ii. p. 411.
Most Reverend Father, we greet you well.... It is not unknown to you how
our Parliament was appointed to the 12th of this instant month of March,
to which these that were our rebels and fugitives in England were
summoned to have heard themselves forfeited. The day thereof
approaching, we required the King our husband to assist us in passing
thereto, who, as we are assured, being persuaded by our rebels that were
fugitive, with the advice and fortification of the Earl of Morton, Lords
Ruthven and Lindsay, their assisters and complices, who were with us in
company, by their suggestion refused to pass with us thereto, as we
suppose because of his facility, and subtle means of the Lords foresaid,
he condescended to advance the pretended religion published here, to put
the rebels in their rooms and possessions which they had of before, and
but {without} our knowledge grant to them a remit of all their
trespasses.... Upon the 9th day of March instant, we being, at even
about seven hours, in our cabinet at our supper, sociated with our
sister the Countess of Argyll, our brother the Commendator {lay Abbot}
of Holyrood-house, Laird of Criech, Arthur Erskine, and certain others
our domestic servitors, in quiet manner, especially by reason of our
evil disposition, being counselled to sustain ourselves with flesh {in
Lent}, having also then passed almost to the end of seven months in our
birth; the King our husband came to us in our cabinet, placed him beside
us at our supper. The Earl of Morton and Lord Lindsay, with their
assisters, clothed in warlike manner, to the number of eight score
persons or thereby, kept and occupied the whole entry to our Palace of
Holyrood-house.... In that meantime, the Lord Ruthven, clothed in like
manner, with his complices, took entry perforce in our cabinet, and
there seeing our secretary, David Riccio, among others our servants,
declared he had to speak with him. In this instant we inquired the King
our husband if he knew anything of that enterprise? who denyed the same.
Also we commanded the Lord Ruthven, under the pain of treason, to avoid
him forth of our presence, declaring we should exhibit the said David
before the Lords of Parliament to be punished, if in any sort he had
offended. Notwithstanding, the said Lord Ruthven perforce invaded him in
our presence (he then for refuge took safe-guard, having retired him
behind our back), and with his complices cast down our table upon
ourself, put violent hands in him, struck him over our shoulders with
whingers {hangers}, one part of them standing before our face with
bended daggs {pistols}, most cruelly took him forth of our cabinet, and
at the entry of our chamber give him fifty-six strokes with whingers and
swords, in doing whereof we were not only struck with great dread, but
also by sundry considerations, were most justly induced to take extreme
fear of our life. After this deed immediately the said Lord Ruthven,
coming again in our presence, declared how they and their complices
foresaid were highly offended with our proceedings and tyranny, which
was not to them tolerable; how we were abused by the said David whom
they had actually put to death, namely, in taking his counsel for
maintenance of the ancient religion, debarring of the Lords which were
fugitive, and entertaining of amity with foreign princes and nations
with whom we were confederate; putting also upon Council the Lords
Bothwell and Huntly, who were traitors, and with whom he associated
himself, that the Lords banished in England were the morn to resort
toward us, and would take plain part with them in our contrary; and that
the King was willing to remit them their offences. We all this time took
no less care of ourselves than for our Council and nobility, maintainers
of our authority, being with us in our Palace for the time; to wit, the
Earls of Huntly, Bothwell, Athole, Lords Fleming and Livingstone, Sir
James Balfour, and certain others our familiar servitors, against whom
the enterprise was conspired as well as for David; and namely to have
hanged the said Sir James in cords. Yet, by the providence of God, the
Earls of Huntly and Bothwell escaped forth of their chambers in our
Palace at a back window by some cords.... The Earl of Athole and Sir
James Balfour by some other means, with the Lords Fleming and
Livingstone, obtained deliverance of their invasion. The Provost and
town of Edinburgh having understood this tumult in our Palace, caused
ring their common bell, came to us in great number and desired to have
seen our presence, intercommuned with us, and to have known our welfare;
to whom we were not permitted to give answer, being extremely threatened
by these Lords, who in our face declared, if we desired to have spoken
them, they should cut us in collops, and cast us over the wall. So this
community being commanded by our husband, retired them to quietness.
_TREATMENT OF THE QUEEN_
All that night we were detained in captivity within our chamber, not
permitting us to have intercommuned scarcely with our servant-women nor
domestic servitors. Upon the morn hereafter proclamation was made in our
husband's name, by {without} our advice, commanding all Prelates and
other Lords convened to Parliament to retire themselves of our burgh of
Edinburgh. That whole day we were kept in that firmance {custody}, our
familiar servitors and guard being debarred from our service, and we
watched by the committers of these crimes, to whom a part of the
community of Edinburgh, to the number of four score persons, assisted.
The Earl of Murray that same day at even, accompanied with the Earl of
Rothes, Pitarrow, Grange, tutor of Pitcur, and others who were with him
in England, came to them, and seeing our state and entertainment, was
moved with natural affection toward us. Upon the morn he assembled the
enterprisers of their late crime, and such of our rebels as came with
him. In their Council they thought it most expedient we should be warded
in our castle of Stirling, there to remain while {till} we had approved
in Parliament all their wicked enterprises, established their religion,
and given the King the crown matrimonial and the whole government of our
realm; or else, by all appearance, firmly prepared to have put us to
death, or detained us in perpetual captivity. To avoid them of our
Palace, with their guard and assisters, the King promised to keep us
that night in sure guard, and that but {without} compulsion he should
cause us in Parliament approve all their conspiracies. By this means he
caused them to retire them of our Palace.
_MARY WINS DARNLEY TO HER SIDE_
_DARNLEY PROTESTS INNOCENCE_
This being granted, ... we declared our state to the King our husband,
certifying him how miserably he would be handled, in case he permitted
these Lords to prevail in our contrare {against us}, and how
unacceptable it would be to other Princes, our confederates, in case he
altered the religion. By this persuasion he was induced to condescend to
the purpose taken by us, and to retire in our company to Dunbar, which
we did under night, accompanied with the captain of our guard, Arthur
Erskine, and two others only.... Soon after our coming to Dunbar, sundry
of our nobility, zealous of our weal, such as the Earls of Huntly,
Bothwell, Marshal, Athole, Caithness; Bishop of St. Andrews, with his
kin and friends; Lords Hume, Sempill, and infinite others assembled to
us.... The Earl of Moray and Argyll sent diverse messages to procure our
favour, to whom in likewise, for certain respects, by advice of our
Nobility and Council being with us, we have granted remission, under
condition they nowise apply themselves to these last conspirators, and
retire themselves in Argyle during our will.... We remained in Dunbar
five days, and after returned to Edinburgh well accompanied with our
subjects. The last conspirators, with their assisters, have removed
themselves forth of the same before, and being presently fugitive from
our laws, we have caused by our charges their whole fortunes, strength,
and houses to be rendered to us; have caused make inventory of their
goods and gear, and intend further to pursue them with all vigour.
Whereunto we are assured to have the assistance of our husband, who hath
declared to us, and in presence of the Lords of our Privy Council, his
innocence of this last conspiracy, how he never counselled, commanded,
consented, assisted, nor approved the same. Thus far only he ever saw
himself, that at the enticement and persuasion of the late conspirators
he, without our advice or knowledge, consented to the bringing home
forth of England of the Earls of Moray, Glencairn, Rothes, and other
persons with whom we were offended. This ye will consider by his
declaration made hereupon, which at his desire hath been published at
the market crosses of this our Realm ... of Edinburgh, the second day of
April 1566.