CP 152, 133
CP Volume 152 Folio 133
HMC Volume 1 Page 210 Number 672
Haynes Page 291 Number 278
Transcribed by Samuel Haynes in “A Collection of State Papers . . . 1542 to 1570” London, 1740
16 April 1560 The Queen's Majestie to the Duke of Norffolk
From a Minute of Secretary Cecill.
RIGHT trusty and right welbeloved Coosyn, we grete you well. And where by your Lettres dated the 12th of Aprill, and by other Letters sent out of Scotland, it appeareth that the Lords of Scotland be entred into grete Perplexite, by reason of the late Treaty had with the Frenche by Sir James Croffts and Sir George Haward; which they doo much dout, shuld prooffe nothyng to the Suerty of Scotland, and so consequently hurtfull to this our Realme: We be somewhat agreved that any such Proceding shuld be by our Ministers, wherby ether the Scottesh Party shuld be brought to any Perplexite or Despear, or the French to any furder Corrage; for so shuld our Procedings contayne a Contrariete. Wherfore we wold that ye shuld with all possible Dilligence advertise the Lord Gray, and all the rest of our Counsell therto with hym, that we never ment that any Treaty shuld be had with the French, but with the Knowledge and Consent of the Scottes, nether that any Thyng shuld be concluded, but to the Benefitt of Scottland. No, we never ment, that any Staye shuld be made of Proceding to the Sege, untill the Accord were ether made with Scotland, or very likely to be made. And presently we wold, (lyke as we doo partly wryte to the Lord Grey) that he and all the rest, shuld make Demonstration of our mynd to kepe all the Covenants passed betwixt us and the Scotts, and to lose no Tyme nor Opportunite towards the Sege; and yet not to neglect the Offers of the French, so they maye tend to the Accord with the Realme of Scotland: And in that Parte our Meaning hath bene this, that if by Communication such a Peace and Concord might be had, as shuld not be manifestly dangerose to Scotland, we had rather have the same in that sorte, than by Force. As for Thyngs reported to the Scotts, that, for lack of Mony on our Parte, the Matter was lykely not to be prosequuted to the End, we have dooble Occasion to find Falt therin: For, as we think, there was no such lack many Dayes past, nor any wilbe, as soone as our Treasure shall come, which is on the Waye; and yet if there had bene, it was not the Part of any good Minister of ours to utter any such Matter to the Scottes to there Discomforte. Wherof we pray yow advertise such, as to whom yow thynk the Declaration hereof may best serve for remedyeing of so hurtfull and slanderoose a Rumor. And for the more ernest prosequutyng of the Sege, we think if the Lord Graye shald lack Nombers, that it wer better to take into Wagees some of the Scottishmen, than to send for any English, for diverse good Respects, and for Diminution of our Charge, and saving of our owne People. We do as yet suspend the sending of one speciall Man thyther, as we wrote by Sir G. Howard, trusting that this will for a while suffice to direct our Ministers there; and specially consideryng Sir Ralph Sadler is gone thyther, who for his Experience can best skill how to deale in this Matter.
