The sham Stag Hunt—The Queen starts in gleeful spirits, fully
equipped and attended by her household—The shadow of Elizabeth
suddenly appears, and the Stag Hunt is no more—Seizure of Queen
Mary's personal attendants—Mary demands to know where they
are taking her—She dismounts, and refuses to proceed—Paulet's
insolence—Bourgoyne induces her to obey Paulet and proceed—She
retires and offers up prayer—Bourgoyne helps her to remount—She
is taken to Tixall—Refused pen, ink, and paper by Paulet—Her
papers and cabinets seized at Chartley—She is brought back to
Chartley—Paulet and Bagot in her bedchamber without leave—Paulet
seizes her money and reopens the Babington Plot—He removes her
from Chartley to Fotheringay—The remarkable procession and arrival
at Burton.
BOURGOYNE'S JOURNAL
The _Journal_ of Bourgoyne, physician to Queen Mary, cannot fail to
have a pathetic interest to all students of history. That eminent
physician was a faithful and devoted servant of the Queen, and was
one of the few who were privileged to be with her in her last moments
at Fotheringay. He was a man of much refinement of feeling, if we may
judge from his _Journal_ and by his behaviour during that period. His
_Journal_ unfortunately covers only the last six months of the Queen's
life. It would have been of great value had it covered a longer
period, but we are glad to have it even as it is, as it contains some
incidents not otherwise recorded. The minuteness of these details
conveys sometimes a different impression from that indicated by the
historian, but the importance of Bourgoyne's _Journal_ is that no
suspicion has ever been thrown around it; and though already published
in France, no controversy has arisen to question its genuineness.
It may be accepted as a _bonâ fide_ record, and indeed its entries
are so circumstantial as to leave no room for doubt. The fact that
he had uninterrupted access to the Queen gives point to what he says
and warrants us in considering his record reliable. Another matter
not to be lost sight of is that we have very little recorded of Mary
during this period, so that the _Journal_ fills up a blank. Some of
the entries are very obscure on account of the vernacular of the time,
but they manifest the fidelity and integrity which marked this devoted
servant of the Queen.
This _Journal per se_ would not determine any of the events of the
Queen's reign, but it is an important factor in exposing the fraud
that was perpetrated against her by the interpolations on her letters
to Babington. Bereft of these fabrications, the so-called Babington
Conspiracy was a mere plot to release the Queen of Scots from
captivity, a plot that she was warranted in encouraging, and a plot,
notwithstanding the unfounded charges of her accusers, that has been
approved by posterity. It seems reasonable to conclude that Bourgoyne
wrote this _Journal_ with the primary intention of exposing the
kidnapping outrage and the unlawful and inexcusable treatment of the
Queen which followed. It will be noticed that in the very first entry
the outrage is hinted at as a “stag hunt.” We now proceed to reproduce
the _Journal_:—
“_Thursday, 11th August 1586._—The Queen sent Curle her secretary, who
was accustomed to be employed in her affairs, to Sir Amias Paulet to
let him know that she desired to walk after dinner; to which Paulet
answered that the Queen could go if she wished; but if she was well
next day she would have a little pastime, as Sir Walter Aston, who
lived three miles distant, would give her the pleasure of a stag hunt.
He wished her to kill the stag with her own hand as she had done
formerly, the year Mr. Bagot had lived here. Her Majesty, very fond
of such a pastime, was delighted, and accepted it; and although she
hesitated because of the day being Friday, she thought it better to
accept rather than lose so good an opportunity, which might not occur
again.
“_Friday, 12th August._—Not so much because of the fast as on account
of the weather the hunt was put off till the following day, but that
day was also unpropitious. Sunday and Monday passed, being feast days.
Her Majesty, who had not forgotten the hunt, desired to have the
promised pastime, and, not suspecting anything, sent to remind Paulet,
who granted it. She put herself in proper attire, hoping to see a good
company, and was followed by Nau (who did not forget to dress himself),
Curle, Melville, and Bourgoyne; and Annibal, with the Queen's bows and
arrows, all on horseback, and well-equipped, to do her honour, while
everyone was merry over the anticipated sport. (This was Tuesday, 16th
August.) Although nobody was permitted to go on foot, Paulet allowed
many of the valets to follow their horses, the which he repented
afterwards. The Queen on horseback galloped a mile in such mirth that
we left Paulet with some of his people behind in order to join others
who were in hiding not far away. Having passed a little in front,
the Queen warned Nau that Paulet was behind. Wishing to pay him a
compliment for the delightful pastime, she said she had gone in front,
without remarking it, and that she feared that he, being ailing and
infirm in body, could not follow the company so quickly. He answered
courteously, pretending that he had been hindered by too great a number
of valets and servants on foot, who had come in greater numbers than
he wished. We advanced a little farther, when Paulet again approached
the Queen and said, 'Madam, here is one of the bodyguard of the Queen
(Elizabeth), who has a message for you;' and suddenly M. Gorges,
Ambassador of Elizabeth, dressed in green-braided serge, dismounted
from his horse, came to Her Majesty, who remained on horseback, and
said, 'Madam, the Queen my mistress finds it very strange that you,
against the agreement which you made together, have undertaken against
her and her estate what she never would have thought of if she had not
seen it with her own eyes. And as she knows that some of your servants
are guilty, you will not take it ill that they are separated from
you; the rest Paulet will tell you.' To which Her Majesty could only
answer, 'Very far from having conspired against the Queen, I have not
even had such a thought. She has been wrongly informed. She had always
shown herself a good sister and a good friend, and she knew well it
was not the first time that she had been misinformed and had done her
injustice.' Her Majesty added, 'I see we must return,' and called Nau,
who as quickly as he could approached her, but was driven back with
these words, 'Take him away, take him away; don't allow him to speak
to her,' and Gorges got between them. Resisting which, Nau maintained
excitedly that they could not hinder him from speaking to his mistress.
Gorges told him that he must not prevent him from fulfilling the orders
of Elizabeth. The same was said to Curle, who cried out that he would
take leave of his mistress, and advanced on a little country nag. Nau,
who had a coach-horse that he had taken in order to run better and
appear at the chase, was in danger of being upset among the horses.
At the last the two turned away without speaking to the Queen, and
they never saw her again. Suddenly Paulet ordered them to be disarmed
of sword and dagger, which those on horseback were carrying without
being prohibited. Then he commanded each of us to be guarded by one of
his servants on horseback, to conduct us and be responsible for us.
Wade was present but did not interfere. Nau and Curle were taken away
into a village and put into separate rooms not communicating with each
other, and Didier the butler was led away by one of Paulet's people,
not knowing what he had done. Melville was taken to a house where
he only remained the night, being next day taken to the house of M.
Chaques, where he remained, being allowed to hunt and walk at leisure.
The rest went on with the troop of Paulet's people in front, for a mile
or two quickly, until I, who had put myself near the Queen and always
followed her, warned her that we were not going the way we came, but
that they were taking us another way. Upon which she called Paulet, who
was riding in front. She said, 'We are not going home.' He answered,
'No.' She demanded to know where he was taking her, and he said, 'Not
far.' But she said she wished to return to her lodging, and would not
go beyond it. Upon which she dismounted, and being indisposed, and not
able either to ride or walk, sat down on the ground and leant on the
bosom of Elizabeth Curle, one of her attendants. She again asked where
he wished to take her, and he answered, 'It would be to a good place,
and more beautiful than this; that she could not return to her lodging,
and that it was time lost to remain there or to resist.' She said she
would die sooner than consent to this proposal. He threatened to send
for his carriage and put her into it, ordering his people at the same
time to go for it. He was answered that the coach horses were not
there, for Nau had taken one and Bastian Page the other. During this
interval those who went in front were in a short time far away, out of
sight of us, and saw us no more, Paulet remaining alone with eight or
ten of his people, who walked behind, at which I was much astonished.
Her Majesty, still seated, weeping and grieving said to him, 'It was
infamous to treat her in this manner, she being a foreign princess;
that it was behaving traitorously; that they had given her in charge
of a gaoler, and that an honest man would not have undertaken such a
commission. She was a Queen, as well as the Queen of England, and of as
good a house as she; that she ought not to be treated in this fashion
to please her enemies, who demanded nothing but her ruin. She did not
know why these things were done; she had done nothing to deserve them;
she did not believe the Queen of England intended this, but it was
his (Paulet's) bad counsel that was inimical to her; that they had
better take care what they did, for this act might cause bloodshed
and the death of many; that kings and foreign princes would resent
such conduct, and take vengeance on England.' Hearing this, Paulet got
impatient and said 'She must be quiet and not annoy herself any more,
as no harm would happen to her; that what he did was for a good reason,
and there was no remedy; the longer she remained there the more harm
it would do, and she must go on.' On which I and her people reminded
her that she must have patience; 'that in her time she had had many
afflictions, which she had borne patiently, and that she must show
herself firm and composed in this with her royal heart; that she must
endure affliction, and that there was no resisting force. As to being
in the hands of her enemies, I did not think it good that she should
put herself still more in their hands; that she could not remain there
all night; that the longer she lingered the worse it would be, since
she must set out; that not knowing where they were leading her, she
might be benighted and on the road all night, which would more easily
give occasion to her enemies to hurt her and execute their ill-will.
What they did now would be by force.' Then Her Majesty demanding of
Paulet if she had far to go, he said about three miles, repeating that
it was a beautiful place, where she would be better lodged and would
find fault in nothing. Complaining of the want of her people, as also
her clothes and night gear, Paulet said that she would have her people;
maids, servants, and effects would all be there as soon as herself.
Because of their importunity she rose, and being supported under each
arm she retired and under a tree prayed that God would have pity on her
people and on those who worked for her, asking pardon for her offences,
which she recognised to be great and to merit punishment; that it would
please God to remember His servant David, to whom he had extended
His mercy and had delivered from his enemies; that upon her his hand
might be stretched out, keeping her people faithful and delivering her
from the hand of Pharaoh. She desired nothing in the world, riches,
honour, power, or worldly kingdom, only the honour of His holy name.
I raising her by the arms got up, and not knowing what might be the
information—perhaps the Queen of England might be ill or dead, and it
might be that England wished to make use of her to place her person
in safety or her enemies in surer custody. Upon which, addressing
Paulet, she said she did not know on what authority he did this, and
the Council had no authority to treat her so. He said it was one with
as much authority as the Council, even was the Council, and showed her
a letter which he drew from his pocket signed 'Elizabeth,' written
by a different hand, the summary of which was partly the message of
Gorges and partly giving orders to detain the Queen until further
notice. The Queen complaining that she knew well it was the work of
her enemies, protested against the wrong they were doing her, invoked
God, and immediately remounted. Being in such trouble, and fearing they
might do some harm to her, I begged Paulet to have pity on a princess
so afflicted and in trouble, and hoped he would not do such a wrong
as to harm her life, and that he would execute his commission as a
discreet man; that as courtesy and charity were always approved, no
matter in whom, so cruelty was condemned in those who had the right to
exercise it. Kings and princesses often gave orders in anger of which
they were annoyed afterwards when these were put in execution, and such
men were complimented when they did not execute them at once, and often
were more welcome to their prince, who had cooled down, and regretting
the order given, were happy it was not executed. Further, he himself
was known to be wise and prudent, and capable of judging everything,
and could weigh it; that having regard to the sex and quality of his
captive, he would thus acquire more honour than by executing his
command arbitrarily. It would be a perpetual shame and reproach to him
and his posterity to have been employed in a cruel act. Paulet answered
that he did not take well what I said; that he was no gaoler; that he
was a gentleman, although he was not rich; that he was noble, faithful,
and honest. Gaolers were for criminals, and she ought to be guarded
like a criminal. I said he was having to do with a Queen who was in
affliction. I thought no one in such distress would not have said more
than she did, seeing no remedy nor succour and finding danger so near.
Paulet said no harm would happen to Her Majesty, and that he would do
as well as he could. He thought she had been badly advised. I answered
if he thought Her Majesty badly advised he might also think the Queen
his mistress had been badly informed; and that as princes were often
led by those whom they favoured, so also they were often deceived; that
Her Majesty, though she had many enemies in England, it was well known
she was not without friends. Some here who are at court near to the
Queen did not cease to annoy her, and found no difficulty in bringing
to notice what would do her harm, and repeated many things that would
be found false. Leaving him, I advanced near Her Majesty, and told her
briefly part of the conversation I had had with Paulet, assuring her
from him that she would experience no harm, and there would be no want
of requisite comforts and commodities. When we had gone part of the
way Laurence, Curle's servant, held the bridle of the Queen's horse
and spoke to her. Paulet caused him to be seized, not without great
resistance, and sent him to Chartley with Gorges. We now approached
Tixall, the seat of Sir Walter Aston, where they led the Queen. Paulet
approached her, and said it was necessary that Elizabeth Pierrepoint
should leave her; and then he presented a gentleman named Chatham,
who took her in charge with great lamentation and tears, as much on
the side of Her Majesty as of the demoiselle, who had been wicked and
ungrateful. Her Majesty, he said, ought rather to have regretted ever
having seen her than for being parted from her.
“The Queen arrived at Aston's house and was taken to her chamber. She
sent me to ask what Paulet had done with her butler. He answered that
he thought he was with her, and was surprised, saying he must have been
led away without orders. He promised that he would be immediately in
the house, and sent for him, as also for the apothecary, the surgeon
Jervis, Jane Kennedy, Mowbray, and Martin the cook, all of whom,
remaining at Chartley, had been shut up by Wade. After supper Her
Majesty sent to ask for her night things, which were sent her; and as
Paulet had no power to accommodate her better, she being ill and having
need of many things, she requested him to send her pen, ink, and paper
to write to Elizabeth. He refused the request, and she replied that
she thought it very strange that she could not write, seeing it was a
thing she had always been free to do, and Elizabeth had begged of her
not to fail to write her in any circumstances, asking if there was a
new order prohibiting her from doing so. She called for witnesses, and
protested before them against the harsh manner in which she was kept.
Paulet said she might take any witness she liked, but she could write
no letter until he had the authority of the Court. After this interview
she desired to see him again, but he declined. Meantime, as they led
the Queen to this place, and Nau and Curle to the other, Wade was at
Chartley, where he caused all the servants who remained behind to be
shut up in different parts of the house; all the maids and the wife of
Bastian, with Mrs. Curle, who was near her confinement; seized all the
keys of the doors of the chambers and cabinets of the Queen and as many
coffers as he could, and the keys of those who were absent with Her
Majesty, and sealed up all the locks that he could.
”_Wednesday, 17th August._—Her Majesty being still in bed, I was sent
for by Paulet to speak with him; but before doing so I asked if she had
anything to say to him. She said I must see first if he would allow me.
Then I was not permitted to remount, but was taken to Chartley, where I
remained a prisoner with the others, waiting the return of the Queen.
They sent me there against my will, resisting as much as possible,
under the pretext that I must be present when they visited my chamber
to answer for what they found. After stating that my boxes were opened
in my room, and they could visit them without me, I was promised that I
would return the same day. This, however, was not done. This and next
day, Wade, Bagot, Manners, Knight of a great family, who had even been
employed in the troubles of the Queen for the Duke of Norfolk, together
with Sir Walter Aston, in whose house the Queen was detained—all these
gentlemen were employed searching the chambers, cabinets, coffers,
and cash boxes, papers, books, and everything they could suspect as
containing matter for their information. This evening they brought
away three coffers filled with papers of all kinds, one part of which
was the private affairs of the Queen's household. At four o'clock p.m.
Pasquier, who had been confined in a room separate from the others, was
taken to Chartley. And I immediately after went to the cabinet of Her
Majesty to find some medicine for her, hoping to return at once, but
was sent back to the porter's lodge, where I had been all day waiting
until they should come down from the Queen's room, which they did about
7 p.m. Then they searched my room, but found nothing.
“_Tuesday, 23rd August._—Mrs. Barbara Mowbray, Curle's wife, had a
daughter about 5 o'clock a.m.
“_Wednesday, 24th August._—We consulted to have the child baptized,
not having had news of Her Majesty, who was still at Tixall. During
dinner M. du Prean was taken away, and the same day Elspeth Bras and
her mistress, Elizabeth Pierrepoint. All the rest of us were much
astonished, only expecting that we also would be separated, hoping at
the same time that Her Majesty might return the following day.
“_Thursday, 25th August._—Her Majesty was brought back to Chartley
with a great company, having been strictly confined at Tixall. She
was very welcome to each of us, as we held her in great devotion,
though not without tears abundantly flowing on both sides. This day
we visited each other as those who had just come home. After the
tears had passed away Her Majesty found nothing to say except about
her papers, which had been carried off. There was found a cloth, from
which had been torn off a promise of marriage in parchment between Nau
and Elspeth Pierrepoint, which they had found in one of that lady's
coffers, who, consenting with some others in the house, had signed
the said contract and kept it secret. Her Majesty was very angry, as
much for Nau's honour as for that of Melville. Nau had made a solemn
promise to the Queen not to marry this lady nor make any vow to her on
the subject. Her Majesty several times visited Mrs. Curle until the
6th or 7th September, when Paulet sent to tell her that as Mrs. Curle
was now well there was no longer any need of her being visited by the
Queen, and that such visitation had been allowed by Paulet for charity
and pity, as in the circumstances she was not capable of attending
an accouchement. In the next twenty-four hours all her ladies were
forbidden to go out any more or go downstairs.“
The next entry is ”_Tuesday, 13th September_.—Paulet sent for me to
say that Bagot had a few words to say to Her Majesty, and wished to
see her. Her Majesty answered that she was very ill and in bed, and
not able to see him. She begged of him to leave her alone for this
day, not being able to transact business of importance, and that next
day or any day she would do her best. Paulet replied that it was not
business of importance, but Bagot had come expressly. It was something
he could not communicate to her people, therefore she must hear it,
and not trouble herself, as it was only five or six words. Paulet
said he knew of her malady, but he desired that her servants should
not be in the room. He and Bagot came immediately, followed by his
son, Gorges, Paulet, Darrell, D'Ispense, his principal servitors, and
gentlemen, a great number, with swords and daggers. He entered the
chamber alone with Bagot, all the others remaining in the antechamber,
sending away all the ladies and servants out of the room, which moved
us much, not knowing what to make of such behaviour. The best that I
could do was to stand at the door under pretext that the Queen was
alone, and had two men with her. This they were unwilling to allow,
but at last it was allowed. At the same time the surgeon remained
with us. Paulet remonstrated with the Queen on the troubles which had
come on the kingdom on her account, stating they were warned that her
money did much harm, that by it she suborned many people in England
and abroad, who behaved themselves wickedly and traitorously to their
country, and that the Council advised that she must give up her money
into his hands. Her Majesty, much astonished at this message, said
that she had no money and had never suborned anyone. On Paulet giving
some particulars, she said she had never sought anyone, and if anyone
offered to do her a favour she did not wish to be ungrateful. She had
recompensed their trouble and recognised the pleasure they wished to
afford her in the place in which she was. If they came to her she could
not refuse, and she did not wish to remain indebted to them, and could
not honourably remain so. She had received letters and packets from
France and for her household from people that she had never even known,
and coming voluntarily to her. She would submit to what they wished if
they proved that she had sought those people or invited them to act
so; otherwise she would not deliver up her money, and it was not for
Paulet or the Council to command it. They had no authority over her.
Paulet said 'that she must, and that he had brought Bagot as a witness,
assuring her that it would do harm to no one and she would lose
nothing. Things being as they were, it was necessary that she should
deliver up her money, so that she might have no more trouble; and that
it would be better to give it up voluntarily than be forced and create
a disturbance.' Her Majesty refusing, Paulet told her that if she did
not give it up he would take it by force. She said she recognised no
one who could order it, and refusing the key of her cabinet, Paulet
said he would break it open. She said she knew he would not spare her.
He desired her to command Curle to deliver it up, but she said she
would do nothing of the kind. He left the room to ask Elspeth Curle,
who refused without the authority of the Queen. We asked him what he
was going to do to the Queen so sick and afflicted. He replied he would
do her no harm. After having gone to Her Majesty pretending to force
the door, Elspeth Curle was called, and gave up the key by order of
her mistress. The Queen, seeing herself alone in the chamber guarded
by Paulet's people, whom no one dare approach, rose from her bed and
followed them, walking with difficulty, and remonstrated with them
about this money. Paulet was informed by Wade where and how much it
was, and how much belonged to Curle. It was money that she had kept for
a long time as a last resource when she was about to die so as to pay
for her obsequies; also to pay for sending her servants to their own
country after her death. This they would see by her papers, amongst
which they would find a duplicate of her will, which she had made
with her own hand, in which was a list of those to whom she desired
the money to be given, and how much to each. She had promised to her
counsel not to touch it, and by his advice she reserved it for this
purpose. She had even sworn not to break into it, nor to take a penny
herself, nor allow anyone else to do so during her life. As they would
not consent, she begged them to leave at least a part for necessities;
being ill, it was not right to leave her without money. Paulet
answered that she would want for nothing. They would furnish her with
everything, but they would leave no money in her hands. And so they
went away and left her with ten crowns. They went to Curle's room to
seize the money he had had for his marriage, and were obliged to remain
and take the money from his sister Elspeth, who had it in her keeping,
upon which at her request they promised a receipt, but refused it when
she had given up the money. Upon this Paulet led Catherine Bras into
Mrs. Curle's room, where she remained several days. Next day Bastian
Page and all his family were sent to their room; Mrs. Curle, her nurse,
and Catherine to hers; Baltazare, Robin Morton, Nicholas and Charles,
to the robe room, and afterwards, at the request of Her Majesty, Robin
Morton was given to her instead of Baltazare, and from that time not
one of these saw her again. Some days after, Mary, daughter of Bastian
Page, was taken away from the side of the Queen while she was at
dinner. Not wishing to go, she remained with her father until they sent
for her. So there only remained with the Queen Jane Kennedy, Renee
Beauregard, Gillies Mowbray, Elspeth Curle, maids of honour; Jervis,
surgeon, and Guon, apothecary; Annabel Stuart, _valet de chambre_;
Didier, butler; John Lauder, baker; Hust, chef; etc. After getting
permission to serve the Queen, the same day they were shut up with
the coachman, two other grooms, and the stablemen, without having any
communication with the outside world. Thus we remained in doubt from
one day to another whether we should be separated and sent away.
“Some days afterwards Paulet asked if he could see the Queen, and if
she would listen quietly and not abuse him.” Coming to her accompanied
by Bagot, who spoke more particularly of these troubles—“since England
was there had never been any so great. There had never happened any
enterprise so horrible (Babington Conspiracy). If she was guilty or
consenting God knew it. But there were those who had plotted great
things, among others Babington. Six men had undertaken to kill
Elizabeth, and were to carry away the Queen of Scots, set fire in the
night-time to the outside barns, and so draw the attention of Paulet
and his people and upset some carts to prevent them re-entering;
afterwards kill Paulet, and carry the Queen away with some of her
servants. Two or three miles from her house, near the warrens, there
would be a number of horses to conduct her in safety far away to
another locality. It was a great matter if she consented to it;
that she ought to know who it was, and if she thought she was badly
counselled; that she had had servants as wicked as it was possible to
find; that Nau had a mind so restless that he could not be stopped. He
wished everything he suggested done immediately; and he had a certain
ambition that he could not bear anyone above him. He wished to command
and be master everywhere, would give place to nobody, and had done her
a great deal of harm.” Her Majesty said she knew nothing of all that.
She did not know Babington, and had never heard of these plots against
Elizabeth. As to her servants, they had only counselled good and worthy
things. If they had wished to undertake plots she was not so destitute
of sense that she did not know what course to pursue. That she had had
long experience in this dispute with Elizabeth to enable her to choose
between the true and the false. Paulet maintained that Babington had
confessed great things, that the Catholics were going to revolt, and
that he thought he had accused Her Majesty; that she could not deny
that she had been acquainted with him, and that she had written to him
and he to her; and that she had had intercourse with many countries and
peoples in that enterprise. She answered that formerly she had heard of
Babington, but that was ten years ago; that she did not know what had
become of him, and had neither seen nor known any other person nor had
intercourse nor undertaking with anyone. She sometimes received letters
from her friends, which were offered of their goodwill to give her
pleasure, but she had undertaken nothing of this kind; she had suborned
nobody. Often she received letters from people of whom she had never
heard, and others she did not know whence they came nor from what part.
Brasseur de Loges had brought her many packets without knowing from
whom they came and without having spoken or having cognisance of anyone
belonging to her, said he had borrowed money from her; that for pity,
making her believe he was in trouble, she had lent it to him, but she
had not suborned or bribed him by any means whatever nor even spoken
to him. They could not hinder her from having news and correspondence,
and she was not accountable to them; it was her own affair. It was
unnecessary that all her affairs should be known. Paulet importuned
her to confess something, and tried to obtain proof from her words,
and said that they must speak more fully to her and make her clear
up everything. From this she thought she would be tried, but nobody
thought in what fashion it would be done.
[Illustration: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.
_From the Collection of_ SIR JAMES DRUMMOND, _at Hawthornden_.]
“_Thursday, 15th September._—Paulet sent to warn her that it would be
for the benefit of her health and for her convenience, and also because
she had wished it, the house of Chartley being unhealthy, that she move
to another house belonging to the Queen of England thirty miles from
London, where she would be very well, and she might prepare herself to
go there when it pleased her. He would give her back her money when
she got to her destination. (He never did so.) She desired nothing
else, ill though she was, and would rather go soon for fear of becoming
worse. In two or three days she would be ready to set out. From that
time we began to pack up and prepare for the departure, which would be
on Tuesday following, the twentieth of the month. It was ultimately
fixed for to-morrow, because of the appointed house being changed and
Fotheringay, a castle of the Queen of England, substituted, so that it
was necessary to give fresh orders to the carters, who had set out for
another place. These things were told secretly and not very assuredly.
The Queen was never quite sure where they would take her, not even the
last day, when she arrived at her new quarters. Before setting out in
the morning they usually told her whether she would have a long or a
short journey, sometimes how many miles. They never would tell her the
place where she was to remain over night. When they were preparing for
their departure Paulet told the Queen of a request from Bastian to
get some reward and some money for his journey, not only for himself
but for the other servants: those who were in the house as well as
for Melville and Prean, who were some miles away. Her Majesty refused
flatly to allow Paulet to distribute her money, requesting them to
give it to her that she might dispose of it at her pleasure; she would
not make him her treasurer, fearing the consequences. After some debate
she gave in and asked them to send two hundred crowns to be distributed
by Paulet. Paulet said he would give what she wished to each with a
receipt, but was resolute that she was not to touch any money. At
last she was constrained to make a memorandum written by her own hand
and signed, that Bastian should have forty crowns, Curle thirty-six,
and Baltazare ten; also ten to Nicholas, Laurence, and Charles; to
Henry his entire wages of twenty crowns and thirty shillings, and to
Elizabeth Butler, laundry maid, twenty crowns, and to Alice Sharp and
Alice Forster forty shillings each, letting it be known that what she
did was by constraint and for pity. Should her servants be in danger of
want or unprovided with money for the journey, she would recommend them
for the rest to the French Ambassador, who would give them sufficient
to complete their journey to France, where they would be paid their
wages and have each a fitting reward. I have been informed that the
money was not given for a long time thereafter.
“_19th September._—Sir Thomas Gorges, a gentleman pensioner of
Elizabeth, who had led away Nau and Curle as prisoners, arrived by
post horse with Stallenge, Usher of Parliament, with their pistols at
their belt. We thought they had come for some evil purpose, and we were
only assured on Wednesday when we saw them speak to Her Majesty more
courteously than we expected. The Wednesday following, which was St.
Matthew's Day, 21st September, the Queen being ready to set out, all
the doors of the rooms where the servants were were shut, for fear they
might speak to her or see her. She went by carriage, not being able
to go on horseback, and sat with her back to the coachman, partly for
comfort and partly because of her demoiselles and things required on
the journey, which were in the back part of the carriage; and partly to
see better what was going on behind her, thinking if they wished to do
her harm she would see the blow coming; besides, she could speak to her
coachman and ask what they were doing.
“On setting out from Chartley she was escorted by Gorges, who with
Stallenge were charged to do so because Paulet could only travel by
coach; and there was also their safety on the road. These men took the
lead of several others (spies), and there were about two hundred horse.
Each horseman wore the livery of his master; none of them had bows, few
had harquebuses, while most had swords and daggers. One-half were in
front, the other half behind. In the middle the Queen and her servants,
and near her Paulet in his coach, his wife and family in another;
his people, his servants and horsemen, surrounding the company, all
with harquebuses and lighted torches and a couple of pistols at the
saddle. Gorges travelled at the side of the Queen's carriage. He said
he had something to tell her from his mistress. She said she prayed
God that his message might be better and more agreeable than the last.
He answered that he was merely a servant, on which she was content,
telling him that she did not blame him. After this there was little
intercourse on the way until she dismounted at Burton in Staffordshire.
Having conducted her to her room, Gorges said he wished to speak to
her, but feared to trouble her, she being tired with the journey.”