Annales the true and royall history of the famous empresse Elizabeth Queene of England France and Ireland &c. True faith's defendresse of diuine renowne and happy memory. Wherein all such memorable things as happened during hir blessed raigne ... are exactly described.

* 1.1 THE FOVRTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE. Anno Domini, 1561.

AT the beginning of the yeere, Fr. Earle of Bedford (hauing beene sent into France, to end the mourning for the death of Francis the second) to congra∣tulate with King Charles for succeeding him; summoned often the Queene of Scotland, sometimes himselfe alone, and sometimes accompanyed with Throgmorton,* 1.2 to confirme the Treaty of Edenborrough, but all in vaine: For he could drawe no other Answer of it, but, That it behoued and was requisite, not to resolue vpon so great a thing, without mature deliberations; and that shee neither would, nor

could confirme it without the Peeres of Scotland. Throg∣morton neuerthelesse ceased not to presse her instantly, by all the meanes hee could deuise. In like manner, the Car∣dinall of Lorraine, and all the other Guizes, her Vnkles, and Iames her bastard-brother, who was newly arriued in France. But whiles they thus did nothing, but deferd it from day to day, by forged reasons, Queen ELIZABETH, doubting lest they intended the ruine of England, resolued to suppresse them. Shee sent thereupon T. Randolph into Scotland, to perswade the Peeres to a mutuall amitie, groun∣ded vpon the vnity of Religion, aduertising them, that the Princes of Germanie were vnited together against the Pope, and that shee desired nothing more, than that the English and Scottish were combined in this accord; shewed them, that the Queene of Scotland, being a Widdow, now was the onely opportunitie for the appeasing of all discords betwixt England and Scotland, who had so many Ages the one fought against the other, with so much bloud-shed on either part, whether in contracting a perpetuall League with the English, or in razing out of the ancient league with the French, those Couenants which were wont to breed discord betweene England and Scotland. Lastly, shee ex∣horted them to beware, that the Queene (who was now a Widdow) should not dispose her selfe in marriage to a stranger Prince, by whose power shee might reuenge her selfe vpon those, who had lately resisted the French, and so expose their freedome to the hazard of seruitude.

In the meane time, the Queen of Scotland, who thought to retyre her selfe into her Kingdome, hauing sent before Doysell, a French-man, intreating ELIZABETH, by him, to giue her Highnesse leaue to passe by Sea, and to Doysell through England, vnder the common faith:* 1.3 ELI∣ZABETH vtterly denyed her, in presence of a whole mul∣titude of her Assistants, alledging for excuse, that shee had not yet ratified the Treaty of Edenborrough, as shee had

promised to doe, and assured her, that in case shee should performe all that shee might expect from a Queene, being her Cousin and Neighbour, shee might freely passe either by Sea or Land into Scotland. The Queene of Scots ex∣tremely stomaking this refusall,* 1.4 called for Throgmorton, and intertained a great deale of discourse with him about this occasion, which I will briefly here insert, according to the Contents of Throgmortons Letters collected by mee, howsoeuer I must repeat diuers things, of which I haue for∣merly spoken, to the end that the originall, and degrees of the secret grudges and hatred betweene two of the pruden∣test, and most puissant Princesses of our Age, might more euidently and clearely appeare. Shee being then with∣drawne a little aside, and there being no more but her selfe, and Throgmorton, she spake in this manner vnto him:

ALthough I were so weake, that I did not sufficiently know it, nor whither the heat of my spirit might carry mee, yet am I not so weake, that I should desire so many witnesses of mine infirmitie, as your Mi∣stresse not long sithence held discourses with my Ambas∣sadour Doysell. Nothing vexeth mee so much, as to haue intreated her for that I could well haue beene without, and as I am come hither against her will, and notwithstanding the hinderance by her Brother EDWARD, I shall also be as well able, God willing, to returne into my Countrey, without asking her leaue. And I want not friends, nor friends that are willing and powerfull to bring mee backe thither, as they were to bring mee hither. But I chose rather to try her friendship than any others. I haue often heard you say, that it was chiefly necessary to our two King∣domes to intertaine amity, the one with the other: and

neuerthelesse it seemes that shee hath another meaning, otherwise shee would not haue refused mee so small a courtesie. But peraduenture she loues those Scots bet∣ter which are Rebels to me, who am Queene of Scot∣land, of equall Maiestie to her, her neere Kinswoman, and the most certaine Heire. Doe you thinke, that with so great a faith and loue which is betweene her and me, she should keepe correspondency with the Scots which rebell against me? Does shee thinke that I shall be forsaken of my friends? Truely, shee hath brought mee to that passe, that I haue reclaymed the ayde of those which otherwise I would not haue imployed, and I cannot maruell enough by what counsell she hath here∣tofore assisted my Subiects against mee, and now that I am a Widdow, am hindered from returning into my Countrey. I stirre not vp any businesse, nor meddle with those of England, although I be assured that ma∣ny English are not content with such as passe there at this present. She reproches mee for my small experi∣ence. I confesse, age brings that: yet neuerthelesse I haue so much as to know how to carry my selfe louing∣ly and iustly with my friends, I doe not cast at randome any word against her, which may be vnworthy of a Queene, and a Kinswoman; and, by her permission, I dare say, that I am a Queene as well as shee, and want no friends more than shee doth, and can carry my cou∣rage as high as shee knowes how to doe: insomuch as it is fitting for vs to measure our selues with some equa∣lity. But I leaue comparisons, which cannot be, but with debate and hatred. As for the Treaty of Eden∣borrough, it was made in the life-time of the King my Husband, to whom I was bound by duety to obey in all things; and since hee deferred the confirmation of it, the fault ought to be his, and not mine. Since his death, the Councell of France hath left me to be guided

by mine owne friends, and my Vnkles would not med∣dle with the affaires of Scotland, for offending in any thing either Queene ELIZABETH, or the Scots. The Scots that I haue neere about me, are priuate per∣sons, and are not such as I would aske their counsell in things of so great importance. As soone as I haue consulted with the States of my Kingdome, I will giue you a reasonable answer, and to giue it so much the soo∣ner, I goe forward to returne to my House. But shee makes account to stop my passage, insomuch that shee her selfe is the cause that I cannot satisfie her; and per∣aduenture she does it to the end, that there may not be any end of our discords. Shee often obiects vnto me, as to my shame, that I am young: and truely shee might rightly say it, both very young, and very ill-aduised, if I would treate of a businesse of that importance, with∣out the consent of my States. A woman, as I haue learned, is not bound either by honour or conscience to her Husbands fact. But I will haue no dispute vpon that, and neuerthelesse I will truely say, that I haue done nothing to my most deare Sister, that I would should not haue beene done vnto my selfe. I haue ren∣dred her all duties of friendship, but shee either beleeues them not, or despiseth them. I would to God that I were as deare to her, as I am neere to her, for that would be a precious kinde of proximitie. God par∣don those which sow discords betweene vs, if there be a∣ny. But you, who are her Ambassadour, say, if you dare, wherefore shee is so much offended against mee, who vntill this present neuer offended her, neither in word, nor in effect.

* 1.5 To which, Throgmorton told her:

I Haue no Commission to answer to that, but to heare that which you haue to answer, touching the confir∣mation

of the Treaty of Edenborrough. But if it please you to heare the cause of this offence, hauing quitted the qualitie of an Ambassadour, I will tell it you in few words. As soone as the Queene my Mi∣stris was sacred and inaugurated, you vsurped the name and armes of England, although you had not done it before in the reigne of Queene MARY. You shall iudge in your owne wisdome, if a greater offence can be done to a Prince. Surely priuate persons themselues doe not willingly digest these offences, much lesse Princes.

But (said She) my Husbands Father and my Hus∣band would haue it so, commanded it. As soone as they were deceased, and that I was of my selfe, I present∣ly quitted both the Armes and the Title. And not∣withstanding I know not, if this be to defraud the Queene, that I, who likewise am one, and Grand-child to the eldest Sister of HENRY the Eighth, carry these Armes, seeing that others haue borne them, which are further off of kinne than I am.

Indeed Courtney, Marquis of Exceter, and the Dutches of Suffolke, Neece to HENRY the Eighth, by his yon∣ger Sister, by a speciall fauour carryed the Armes of Eng∣land, in adding to them the Limbes for a marke of diffe∣rence.

The Queene of Scotland,* 1.6 not being able by these words to giue Qu. ELIZABETH content, who stedfastly beleeued that shee sought but delayes, to husband some new hope, seeing that at the holding of the States of Scotland, who had assembled twice since the death of Queene MARIE, shee had not made any proposition which concerned the confirmation of this Treaty: as shee was already vpon the way to come for Scotland, shee caused Throgmorton a se∣cond

time to come to her to Ableville, and asked him curteously, How shee might either by word or deed, giue satisfaction to Queene ELIZABETH.* 1.7

In ratifying (sayes he) the Treaty of Edenborrough, as I haue often told you.

Whereupon, she said vnto him:

HEarken then, to iudge, if this which shee thinkes to be delayes, and vaine excuses, are not most iust reasons. The first Article of this Treaty, which con∣cernes the ratification of that which passed in the Ca∣stle of Cambray, betweene England and France, toucheth mee nothing at all. The second, which con∣cernes that of the Treatie passed in the same place be∣tweene England and Scotland, hath beene ratified by my Husband and mee, and I cannot ratifie it more am∣ply, if it be not concluded in my name alone, seeing my Husband is there expresly named. The third, fourth, and fifth Articles are already effected: for the prepara∣tiues of Warre haue ceased, the French Garrisons are called backe out of Scotland, the Fort which was neere Aymouth, is razed. Since the death of my Husband, I haue refrained to carry the Armes and the Title of England, and it is not in my power to raze them out of the Vtensils, Edifices, and the Letters Royall which are dispersed through France, no more than I can send backe the Bishop of Valence, and of Raadan, since they are not my Subiects, to contest vpon the sixth Ar∣ticle. As to the last, I hope that my seditious Sub∣iects will not complaine of my inclemencie. But, as I see, shee which thinkes to hinder my returne, will goe a∣bout to hinder that they shall not try my clemencie. What remaines now in this Treatie, which is preiudi∣ciall

to your Queene? Neuerthelesse, to heape her vp with satisfactions, I will write to her of it more amply, with mine owne hand, though shee vouchsafes not to write to mee, but by a Secretarie. As for you, Am∣bassadour, I pray you to doe the duetie of an Ambassa∣dour, rather to sweeten businesses, than make them sowrer.

But these Letters did not giue Queen ELIZABETH any contentment,* 1.8 who had euer in her heart the iniury which shee had done her, in taking the title and armes of England, and at that time feared much that shee tooke them yet, if by the confirmation of this Treatie, and the Religi∣on of the othe, shee was not bound to forbeare them.

In the meane time,* 1.9 the Queene of Scotland finding the time fit, goes to Calais, and gets into Scotland, hauing the fauour of Heauen which was cloudy and darke, got the winde of the English Ships, that some thought had beene sent to Sea in honour to conuoy her, others to take Pi∣rates, and others to take her: they grounding it vpon this, that Iames, her bastard-brother, a little before returning from France, and passing through England, had counsel∣led Queene ELIZABETH to doe it, if shee would pro∣uide for Religion, and her owne safetie: The which, Li∣dington, being ioyfull that Doysell was retayned in Eng∣land, perswaded, as his Letters make mention.

Lest, being returned, shee should stirre vp Tragedies, take away the commerce of letters and messages with the English, ruine the faction which was at their de∣uotion, and exercise crueltie vpon the Protestants of Scotland, not vnder colour of disloyaltie, but of here∣sie, euen as MARIE Queene of England had lately done.

Howbeit, her Maiestie being returned into Scotland, shewed all gentlenesse to her Subiects, shee changed no∣thing in Religion, although tumultuously brought in; and begun to temper the Common-wealth by excellent Lawes and good Ordinances. Her Maiestie sent Liding∣ton to Queene ELIZABETH, with Letters from her selfe, and from the Peeres of Scotland, by which shee refer∣red to her all the care to make and intertaine the peace be∣tweene England and Scotland, prayed her to seeke some good dispatch thereof, and gaue for her aduice, that shee did not thinke of a better and more certaine remedie, than that Queene ELIZABETH, dying without issue, should declare her Heire, to succeed her in the Kingdome of Eng∣land, &c. by authority of Parliament.

This seemed strange to Queene ELIZABETH, who expected to receiue the Confirmation of the Treaty of E∣denborrough, promised both by word and writing. Not∣withstanding, she answers him:

* 1.10 THat for concerning the matter of Succession, shee hoped that the Queene of Scotland would not violently take the Scepter from her, nor from her Children, if shee should haue any. Promiseth not to derogate in any manner from the right which she had to the Kingdome of England, howsoeuer by the precipitate and ouer-hasted ambition of others, shee had attributed to her selfe the Title and the Armes of the same, for which it were iust and requisit shee should make some satisfaction: And said, shee feared that the Designation of a Successour, would disioyne their friend∣ship, rather than re-vnite it, by reason that those which rule, haue alwayes those in suspition which ought to suc∣ceed them: That the inconstant people, vexing them∣selues at the present state of things, turne away the eyes from the Sunne-setting, and looke toward the Sunne-ri∣sing;

and that those which are once designed Successors, cannot containe themselues within the limits of equitie, nor can keepe vnder the ill desires of their owne, and of others: insomuch that if she did confirme and assure the succession, she should depriue her selfe of all security, she should in her life-time set her winding-sheete before her eyes, yea, she should likewise make her own funerall, liuing, and seeing it.

Hauing made this answere,* 1.11 she sweetly admonisheth her againe by Letters, which were deliuered her by Peter Meu∣tis, to confirme the Treatie; which she refused not directly; but gaue him to vnderstand, that she could not commodi∣ously doe it, vntill the Affaires of Scotland were well esta∣blished. In the meane time, Queen ELIZABETH, with all maner of courtesie, entertaines Monsieur le Duc D' Aumale, the Grand Prior, and Monsieur le Duc D'elbeuf,* 1.12 her Vn∣kles, and other French Noble-men, which had conducted her into Scotland.

And yet notwithstanding,* 1.13 Monsieur de Guize behaued himselfe in that sort, that the English Ships are taken vpon the Coasts of Brittanie, and the Marchants vnworthily handled, and labours againe closely at Rome, to procure Queene ELIZABETH to bee excommunicated. How∣beit the Pope, Pius the fourth, aduised, that it behoued to deale more gently with her Maiesty; and as he had already sought by courteous Letters, as I haue said vpon the last yeere, hauing then also, to appease the discords which were for matter of Religion, assigned a day to the Councell of Trent, long sinnce begunne, and broken off by continu∣all Warres, and drawing gently thither, all the Princes which had forsaken the Romish religion, hee deputed into England the Abbot of Martinegues, with Letters full of as∣surance of loue.

But because that by an ancient Law, it is most expresse∣ly

forbidden the Popes Nuncio's to goe thither, before he had obtained leaue from thence, and taken Oath, not to worke any thing by subtilty there, tending to the preiudice of the King and Kingdome; The Abbot being vpon the way, stayed in Flanders, and demanded leaue to come hi∣ther: But Englands Councell of State iudg'd, that it was not safe to admit him hither, in regard that so many people from all parts, nourished in the Romish religion, labou∣red carefully, both within and without the Realme, to trouble the affaires thereof.

The Abbot not being permitted to come into England, the Bishop of Wittenberg, the Popes Nuncio, with the King of France, labours that Queene ELIZABETH should send Ambassadours to the Councell, and many Princes of Christendome, (viz.) the Kings of France, of Spaine, and of Portingall, Henry Cardinall of Portingall, and aboue all, the Duke of Albe, who yet bore good will to her Maiestie, counselled her, that in matters of Religion, which is the onely Anker of Christians, and stay of Kingdomes, she would rather asscent to the Oecumenique Councell of Trent, than to the particular opinions of a few men, al∣though they be learned.

She answers them,

* 1.14 That shee desired with all her heart, an Oecumenique Councell, but that shee would not send to that of the Popes, with whom she had nothing to doe, his authori∣ty being vtterly beaten downe and reiected in England, with the consent of the States of the Kingdome. That it is not for him, but for the Emperour, to assigne a Councell, and that he hath no greater authority then a∣ny other Bishop.

At the same time (that this Abbot was denyed accesse into England, beeing the last Nuncio that the Popes of

Rome haue sent hither) Sir Edward Carne, aforementioned, being a most iudicious and wise man, very well vnderstood in the right of Emperours, & by the Emperour Charles the fifth, honoured with the dignitie of Knight-hood,* 1.15 he dyed at Rome, and was the last Ambassadour sent from the Kings of England to the Pope.

Chamberlaine, Ambassadour for England in Spaine, per∣ceiuing that this answere did more and more alienate the affection of Spaine, who iudged it to bee iniurious to the Pope, and fearing no more, that England, Scotland, and Ire∣land should fall into the hands of the Kings of France, since that King Francis was dead, began to make no more ac∣count of the English, tooke leaue of him, and returned into England. Thomas Chaloner is sent in his place, who, as he was impatient of iniuries, and had beene many times Am∣bassadour in Germany, where he had receiued all manner of courtesies, as soone as he was arriued in Spaine, instantly be∣sought by Letters to be reuoked, complaining, that accor∣ding to the custome of the Countrey, they had searched his Trunkes. But Queene ELIZABETH admonished him,* 1.16 that an Ambassadour must support all that which is of equity, prouided that the honour of his Prince were not wronged.

Queen ELIZABETH being then capable of good coun∣sell, and very prudent and prouident, and Religion some∣what wel established, to strengthen her selfe with remedies against forces, prouides for the safety of her selfe and of her Subiects; and to enioy Peace more sweetly, although she found the Coffers empty at her comming, began to esta∣blish a Magazin of all sorts of Instruments of War,* 1.17 and to that end, employed great summes of money in Germany, (The Spaniard retained those Furnitures which shee had a∣greed for at a price, at Antwerpe) causeth many Cannons of Brasse and Iron to be cast, discouers in the Country of Cumberland, neere Keswicke, by a speciall fauour from God 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

on what occasion, how farre, and at what time shee should vse her liberality, and indeed, was prouidently bountifull to those that deserued it. For, notwithstanding that King HENRY her Father, howsoeuer charged with three Chil∣dren, and EDVVARD and MARIE, who had none, had beene bountifull of the Crowne Land, shee neuerthelesse, hauing none neither,* 1.18 gaue very little of it, and yet what she gaue, was vpon condition, that for default of issue it should returne to the Crowne; for which, both the Realme and their successors ought to remember her, and thanke her, as a carefull fore-seer.

Whilest this good correspondencie was betweene the Queene and her people (the Common-wealth seeming to take life and strength, to the common ioy of all) fell out a sad accident.* 1.19 A most rare Piramide of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul, in London, which was frō the ground to the top of the square Tower, 525. foote, & from thence 260. and was couered with wood, & ouer-laid with Lead) was strucken at the top with fire from heauē, which was so deuouring, and burnt downeward with such violence, (to the great terrour of all the Inhabitants) that in the space of fiue houres, it reduced it to ashes, with the whole couering of the Church, which was most ample and spacious, but the vaults, which were of solid stone, remained entire. Not∣withstanding, all this couering was new made by the Queenes liberality, and to the effecting of the same, gaue great quantity of money and materials, beside the collecti∣on of Ecclesiasticicall persons, and others: So all was re∣paired, saue the Piramide.

* 1.20 This yeere dyed Iohn Bourchier, a man of ancient No∣bility, Earle of Bath, second of that name, and Baron of Fitzwarin, who, by Elenor, daughter of George, Baron of Rosse, had a great Progenie, and left his Sonne William (yet liuing) his Successor.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Booke 1. 1561.
• * 1.2

  The Queene of Scotland puts off the confirmation of the Trea∣tie.
• * 1.3

  The Queene of England denieth pas∣sage to the Queene of Scotland.
• * 1.4

  She com∣plained to Throgmor∣ton Am∣bassadour from Eng∣land.
• * 1.5

  Throgmor∣ton's answer to the Qu. Mary of Scotland.
• * 1.6

  Contestation betweene the Queene of Scotland, and Throg∣morton, Queene Eli∣zabeths Ambassador into France.
• * 1.7

  The Queene endeuours to content Qu. Elizabeth.
• * 1.8

  But in vaine.
• * 1.9

  She returnes into Scot∣land.
• * 1.10

  Elizabeth answers him.
• * 1.11

  Qu. Eliza∣beth presseth the confirma∣tion of the Treatie.
• * 1.12

  Receiues the Guizes cour∣teously.
• * 1.13

  The Guizes vse the En∣glish ill.
• * 1.14

  That the right to as∣semble a Councell belongs not to the Pope.
• * 1.15

  Carne dyes.
• * 1.16

  How far an Ambassadour ought to beare an offence.
• * 1.17

  Qu. Eliza∣beth pre∣pares things necessary for Warre.
• * 1.18

  Qu. Eliza∣beths hus∣bandrie.
• * 1.19

  S. Pauls Steeple burnt.
• * 1.20

  The death of Earle Ba∣thon.