CP 138, 28c
CP Volume 138 Folio 28(c)
HMC Volume 1 Page 207 Number 663
Haynes Page 284 Number 270
Transcribed by Samuel Haynes in “A Collection of State Papers . . . 1542 to 1570” London, 1740
10 April 1560 From my Lord his Grace and the Counsaile here, to my Lords of the Counsaile
From the Duke of Norfolk's Book of Entries.
IT may like your Lordships to understande, that we have presently receivd Lettres in Ciphere from the Campe, whiche being deciphred we send unto you herwith, with suche other Letters as be addressed from thense to Mr. Secretarye. By the same it shall appere unto your Lordships, not onely howe loothe the Scotts are to have this Matter compounded by Treatye, unlesse the Quene Dowagier be deprived of here Governmente, and the same left to som of the Nobylytie of the Scottish Nation, and the hoole Force and Power of the Frenche removed out of Scotland, (without the whiche they thinke themselfs in no sewrtye;) but also what diffycultye is made on our Side for the wynnying to Leghe, (if the Matter growe to Force) without the Supplye of a greater Nomber, both of Souldiors and Pyoners; whiche cannot be so sowne holpen as the Caase requyreth, unlesse it be thought meete by your Lordships, that the Quene's Majestie be at the Chardge, that than suche a Nomber of the Scotts be interteigned as may seve the Torne; whiche indeede cannot abide in the Filds at their own Chardgs. These Things are to be well wayed and considred; praying your Lordships that we may be advertised of the Quene's Majestie's Pleasure and Resolution in the same with suche speede, as the Matter requyreth. The two thousand Souldiors, whiche, as your Lordships knowe shuld have ben here by the 25th of Marche, arryved not all here till Yesternyght, and tomorrowe they shall depart hens towards my Lord Grey; so that, when they be alltogyther, they shall be eight thousand Souldiors, and seven hundred Poyoners, besides the Horsemen; and yet the Circuyt of Leghe is so greate, and so many Souldiors in yt, (supposed to be at the leste three thousand five hundred Frenche, and five hundred Scots) that our Nomber is not thought suffycyent to prevaile against yt: Not doubting but your Lordships cann and woll consider, the being thus farr entred into the Matter, if yt cannot be ended by Treatye, in suche sorte as may be honorable for the Quene's Majestie, and for the sewertie, bothe of Englande and Scotlande, it must then be followed with suche Effecte, as the Enterprise be not left unachieved, though it be chardgable to here Majestie: For otherweys it must nedes follow, thatt cyther the Lords of Scotland our Freendes, shalbe left as a Praye to theyr Ennemye; orelse be forced to make their own Wayes, in such sorte, as they with the Frenche must nedes become both Ennemyes unto us; whiche we refferr to your Lordships better Consideraction. And so, &c.
Tho. Norffolk, R. Sadler, F. Leeke.
