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 Royall Exchange.

A few dayes after, howsoeuer She were very sparing in the disposing of Honours, hauing made in twelue yeeres space,* 1.2 not aboue foure Barons, she solemnly graced Willi∣am Cecill with the Title of Baron of Burghley, hauing on Barons Robes, and with these formall words,

AS well in regard of the long seruice which he hath done in the time of our Progenitors, the Kings of England,* 1.3 as also for the faithfull and agreeable obedi∣ence, which he hath alwaies and in diuers waies testifi∣ed vnto vs from the beginning of our Raigne, not ceasing dayly, not onely in our great and waighty af∣faires to afford vs counsell, but generally in all dessignes concerning the Kingdome; as also in respect of his vi∣gilancy, valour, prudence, dexterity, integrity of life, fore-knowledge, care, and fidelity: out of our speciall fauour, certaine testimony, and meere motion, we haue created, establisht, and raised him to the state, dignity, and honour of Baron Burghley, and haue imposed vp∣on him, and giuen and granted vnto him the name, stile, and title of Baron of Burghley, to haue and to hold the same foreuer, to him and the heires males which shall be borne from his body.

Of whom I haue already freely spoken, and will againe make mention, as well as of others whom shee hath raised to the state of Barons, because it is amongst the most ample degrees of Honour. For the Barons of the Parliaments of England, are borne Peeres, and great Councellors of the Kingdome, and enioy diuers immunities and Priui∣ledges, which are not to be mentioned in this place, but I haue noted else-where.

A little after, Ridolph, a Florentine, who had vsed trading for fifteene yeeres space in London, deliuered secretly vnto the Queene of Scotland, Letters from the Pope,* 1.4 importing promises to imploy himselfe for the aduancement of the Catholique Religion, and Himselfe willed her to giue cre∣dit in all things to Ridolph, and to learne from him, who was then going for Italy, what meanes might be best for the re-establishing of the Catholique Religion, and appeasing of the mischiefs in England. Ridolph also sollicited the

Queene, by the seuerall Letters which he wrote vnto her, to aduise herevpon with the Duke of Norfolke & his friends, and to recommend it to them. But shee deferred the re∣turne of any answer, vntill she might perceiue how the Treaty which was already begun, would take effect, not∣withstanding the Kings of France and Spaine, and the Duke of Alua had written to her to the same purpose. For the Earle of Morton, Petcarne, Abbot of Dunfermelin, and I. Macgill, were come to treat about the affaires of Scotland, in the Kings name, and hauing receiued command from Queene ELIZABETH, more cleerely to vnfold the cau∣ses of the Queenes deposing, and to proue them to be iust, exhibited a prolix Cōmentarie, by which, with an insolent freedome,* 1.5 and vehemencie of words, they strained them∣selues to proue by ancient and moderne examples, searcht out of all places, that according to the ancient right of Scot∣land, the people of Scotland were vnder the King, and that by the authority of Caluin, the Magistrates were appointed to bridle their vnrulie appetites, and had authority to pu∣nish wicked Kings by imprisonment, & depose them from their Kingdomes; and vaine-gloriously boasted to haue shewed the Queen courtesie, in permitting her to substitute her Sonne in her place, and appoint him Tutors. That it was not in respect of her innocency, that shee subsisted, but out of the mercy of her people, with diuers other things, which factious spirits are accustomed to alledge against Royall Maiesty.* 1.6 Queene ELIZABETH not able with a∣ny patience to read this, secretly condemned it, as iniuri∣ous to Kings; and as for the Deputies, she answered them, that she could not yet perceiue any iust cause why they should so vexe and trouble their Queen, and therfore wisht that they would rather seeke out some meanes to quench the discord in Scotland.

In the prosecution whereof, it was propounded in the house of Bacon, Lord Keeper of the great Seale, to the Bi∣shops

of Rosse and Galloway, and to Baron Leuiston, Depu∣ties for the Queene of Scotland, that for the safety of the Kingdome and Queene of England, and the Nobles of Scotland who were of the Kings part, that the Duke of Cha∣stelraut, the Earles of Huntley and Argathell, of Hume, of Seris, and another Baron ought to be giuen in pledge, and the Castles of Dunbriton, and Hume deliuered for three yeeres vnto the English, before the Queene could be set at liberty. To which they answered,

THat it need not be doubted,* 1.7 that the Queene of Scotland, who had voluntarily put herselfe vnder the Protection and guard of the Queene of England, would willingly giue contentment in any thing which might conueniently be done. But to deliuer such great persons in pledge, with such Forts, were nothing lesse then in depriuing a miserable Queene of the helpe of her faithfullest friends, and her strongest places of defence, to be exposed as a prey vnto her aduersaries.

But they offered to giue in pledge the two said Earles, and two Barons: And as for the Forts, they said, that ac∣cording to their Couenants with France, they could not giue them to the English, that they could not grant them also to the French. But, said Bacon,* 1.8 the whole Kingdome of Scotland, the Prince, the Peeres, and the Forts, are not suf∣ficient security for the Queene, and the most flourishing King∣dome of England: and therefore, what security soeuer the Scots might propose, the Queene of Scotland ought not to be set at li∣berty.

Hereupon the Scots forthwith began to coniecture, and spake openly, that now they fully perceiued, that the Eng∣lish had resolued to hold their Queene perpetually in Eng∣land, and by the same meanes interrupt the Treaty, sithence they stood so stiffly in demanding such security, as Scotland

could not any maner of way performe. Howsoeuer, the other Councellours of England protested to desire nothing more then the freedome of the Queene of Scotland, proui∣ded, that they gaue good and sufficient security; and in this nature they treated hereupon, and to haue the King, with Morton and his Companions. Who plainely answered, that they had no power nor authority to treat, whether they ought to receiue the Queene into Scotland, or deliuer the King.* 1.9 But her Deputies reiected such flying off, as friuo∣lous, iudging that those who were the authors of deposing her, had power sufficient to free her, without asking the other Conspi∣rators, sithence the fault of one, equally polluteth all the Confe∣derates. As for the Prince, who was yet scarce fiue yeeres of age, he could giue no power at all. And as for the Vice-Roy, that he had left all his affaires to the pleasure of Queene ELI∣ZABETH: They prayed them, either to bring in the others who were sworne, into consultation, or to proceed without them vpon equall conditions.

But Queene ELIZABETH knowing well, that they could conclude of nothing for her security, or for the King and Queen of Scotland, if th'one and th'other consen∣ted not, thought it reasonable, that the States of Scotland, who ought forth-with to assemble, should make choice of certaine men, who might labour the mediation of the peace. Whereupon the Bishop of Rosse and his Colleagues openly complayned,* 1.10 that certaine Councellors of England had abused the vnderstanding of their Queene, and the pa∣tience of the Queene of Scotland, deceiued the Stranger Princes, and soothed the Scots with a preiudiciall hope; the Queene of Scotland her selfe being full of indignation and griefe, to see such delayes, called home the Bishop of Galloway, & Count Leuiston, & notwithstanding that Qu. ELIZABETH had commanded the Bishop of Rosse, to depart from London, she countermanded him to continue still there, which was not without ielousie to those who

were of her part in Scotland, who determined to take vp Armes, and giue no more credit to those hurtfull truces, and assembles.

For whilest they treated of these things in England, they receiued great dammages in the punishments of many, and murdering of others, the taking of Dunbrittō, situated neere Glotte or Cluide, vpon an arme of the sea, beeing the stron∣gest and best fortified Castle in all Scotland: I. Hamilton, Arch-bishop of S. Andrews, brother to the Duke of Cha∣stelraut, was hanged, as a confederate of murdering the King, without being brought, according to the custome of the Countrey, to Iudgement, onely vpon the testimony of a priest, who iustified, that vpon taking confession of the assassinates of the King, he heard them say that he was of the confederacie.

The Queene being prisoner, could no longer harbour in her heart what shee had a long time concealed, perceiuing herselfe out of all hope, plunged in a deepe sorrow, that of all her seruants they had left her but onely 10. and a priest, to doe her seruice, and that all meanes both for her health and liberty (being euer most charitable) seemed to bee ta∣ken away. She sent thereupon secretly vnto the Duke of Norfolke a forme of her dessignes,* 1.11 which shee had written long before, and certaine amorous Letters, written in a particular Character only betweene them two, with other Letters, to perswade him still to rely vpon the Pope and the Spaniard, by Ridolph, whom shee recommended vnto him, as one most affectionate to his seruice, and very neces∣sary to be employed in his Affaires.

But Higford, the Dukes Secretary, who copied out this remembrance, and those Letters in the vsuall Character, being commanded to throw them into the fire, hid them secretly vnder the mats in the Dukes Chamber, for some further Dessigne as it seemeth This Ridolph being one day in the Dukes presence, spake, and made Barker often ite∣rate the same.

THat he had obserued, that there was as well a∣mong the Nobles as meaner sort in England, three sorts who studied nouelties; some were such as had flourished vnder the authority of MARIE, and were then but few in number; others, who beeing zealous of the Romane Religion, fretted that they were not permitted the free exercise thereof: others, who be∣ing transported with a new hope, grieued at their pre∣sent fortune, who to enterprize any thing that would be propounded vnto them, wanted nothing but a Leader of some Noble Race, money, and forraigne assistance. That there could not be found one more illustrious, and capa∣ble in such respect, then the Duke, who had the generall fauour of the people, and that it stood with reason, that he should reuenge the iniuries done him, in that they had so long kept him prisoner, against the Lawes of the Countrie, and that they had not called him to the As∣sembly of Parliament, sithence hee had his place and voice, as beeing chiefe amongst all the Peeres, & Earle Marshall of the Kingdome of England.

And with the greater efficacie to perswade him to these things, shewed him a Catalogue of the Nobles, who had deuoted both themselues and their fortunes to his seruice, if hee vndertooke this; assured him, that for forraigne helpe, the Pope would be at all the charges of the Warre, prouided that the Catholike Religion might bee aduan∣ced, hauing to this end disbursed the yeere before a hun∣dred thousand Crownes, when the Bull was publisht, of which he himselfe had distributed to the English Fugitiues 12000. promised, that the Spaniard (prouoked by the in∣iuries of the English) would send him for aide 4000. horse, and 6000. foot, which might very conueniently be brought in about the beginning of summer, at Harwich, a Port in Essex, at whose approch, the Duke had a great number of

strong ships; and without suspicion, because about the same instant, the Duke Medinoe-Coeli was to come into Flanders with a great Fleet. Concluded lastly, that this might be supposed to be a meanes to free the Duke from all suspicion of attempting the Kingdome, and to prouide for the safety of the Queene of England; prouided that she em∣braced, or at least-wise tolerated the Romane religion, and consented that the Queene of Scotland should marry the Duke.

The Duke conceiuing these things somewhat probable, gaue eare vnto him, but neuerthelesse refused to subscribe the Letters of Credit, which were offered him by Ridolph being vpon departure, and would not harken to the counsel which the Bishop of Rosse suggested to him by Barker, after he had often reuolued it in his minde;

TO seize vpon the Queene on the suddaine,* 1.12 with a number of choise Gentlemen, & to disturbe the Par∣liament being then assembled. And that this might easily be done, considering the opportunity of times, since this Assembly afforded him so many Gentlemē at his de∣uotion, which could not be conuented in any other place without suspition. That he had iust cause to be mooued hereunto, in regard they had kept him so long prisoner, against the Lawes of the Countrey, and that they would not admit him to the Parliament, and that they had sought out most seuere Lawes against the Papists. And by pregnant examples, sithence Castriot in Italy, and others in all Countreyes, hauing inopinately enter∣prized waighty affaires, haue happily succeeded in them. And if not long since, fiue Gentlemen of Scot∣land were able to breake off the Parliament, by which Murray was to be banished, and bring the Queene vn∣der their power; they might by the same meanes, and as easily, if they would lay hold of the occasion offered

vnto them) seyze vpon Qu. ELIZABETH, accom∣plish the marriage of the Qu. of Scotland, and prouide in England for the Catholique Religion, without any great noyse or need of forreine assistance.

* 1.13 The Duke, who of his naturall good inclination was far from offending, reiected this counsell from his heart, as most pernitious and dangerous. But now H. Percy offered the Bishop to imploy himselfe about the deliuerance of the Queene of Scotland from prison, prouided that Grange, and Carre Farnihurst, should receiue him at his entrance into Scotland, and that the Earle of Northumberland, (his Bro∣ther) who was prisoner, should be set free. Howsoeuer, be∣ing suspected, because of his great familiaritie with Baron Burghley, and for that hee so long deferred the enterprise, they gaue as little credit to this counsell, as to that of Pow∣els of Stanford, one of the company of the Gentlemen of the Guard, and to that of Owen, one of the vassals of the Earle of Arundell, who should haue vndertaken this, but the Bishop of Rosse perceiuing they were vnable to effect it, being men of no note, hindered them. As for other busi∣nesses which were closely done in these passages, wee will omit, vntill the light discouer them.

* 1.14 Whiles all these things were secretly handled in London, there happened a most feareful Earth-quake in the Easterne parts about the Countie of Hereford, neere the Towne of Kinaston. For, vpon the twelfth of March, about sixe of the clocke in the euening, the Earth opened, and a Mountaine with a Rocke vpon which it was situated, after a hideous noyse, and strange crash, that it was heard by the Neigh∣bours a great wayes off, raised vp it selfe, as if it had wake∣ned out of a profound sleepe, and forsaking his deepe bed below, mounted vp into an higher place, carrying with it the Trees which were rooted thereupon, the Shepheards Tents, and the Flockes of Sheepe feeding thereon. Some Trees were almost quite couered with Earth, as if they had

but newly taken root there. It left in the place from whence it departed, an ouerture of fortie foot wide, and 80. elles long: the whole field was twenty Akers or thereabouts. It ouerthrew a little Chappell neere vnto it, carryed from the East into the West, an Yew-tree which was planted in the Church-yard; and, with its violence, draue vp before it high-wayes, with Shepheards Caues, with Plants and Trees which were thereon. It made mountaines leuell, and arable grounds mountainous, as if then they had took their beginnings. And thus from Saturday at night, vntill Munday noone next following, it rested not, till at last, as if it were then tyred with the long way, and wearied with its weighty burthen.

A little before, there was celebrated in France at Mesi∣res sur Meuse, the marriage betweene Charles the Fourth King of France, and Elizabeth of Austrich, the Daughter of Maximilian the Emperour, with great and royall pompe. Elizabeth, to testifie her ioy with honour, accor∣ding to the entyre affection shee bore vnto the Emperour, whom she honoured as her father, and to shew her loue vn∣to the King of France her Neighbour and Confederate, and for her owne honour, sent into France T. Sackuil, Ba∣ron of Buckhurst, who, according to his owne worth,* 1.15 and his Princes dignitie, was magnificently intertained. Hee was accompanied with Guido Caulcancius, a Florentine, a man of great experience, with whom the Queene-Mo∣ther of France, mannaging the affaires of her and her chil∣dren, openly treated of a match betweene ELIZABETH,* 1.16 and Henry the Duke of Aniou her Sonne, and gaue him withall certaine Articles to present vnto ELIZABETH: and after that, the King of France made earnest suit for his Brother by Mauluoisie his Ambassadour ordinary, La Motte, F. Archant, and de Foix, who bestowed a whole yeere in solliciting ELIZABETH, sometimes all together, and otherwhiles seuerally. This marriage did something for∣tifie

their hope, that the Romane Religion had taken no firme root in the Dukes heart, as well in respect of his ten∣der yeeres,* 1.17 as being educated vnder Carualet, who was much inclining to the Protestants Religion: the hopes which they had by little and little to win him to the pro∣fession of it, and the suppositions of the benefits which this marriage might bring to the reformed Religion: hee being a young Prince, and of a warlike disposition, might, by vniting the Forces of Germany and England, bring the refractory Papists to obedience, establish a perpetual league of peace betweene England and France, and interrupt the designes of the Queene of Scotland, the King of Spaine, the Pope, and the Irish Rebels, sithence hee might ioyne vnto the Crowne of England, the Dukedomes of Aniou, Burbonnions, and Auuergnia, yeelding great Reuenues: And it appeared that hee might adde greater things here∣unto. Lastly, if this match were refused, neuer would there be a more honourable match offered.

* 1.18 After diuers debatings, the French propounded three Articles: the first of which concerned the crowning of the Duke: the second, the gouernement of the Kingdome ioyntly with Queene ELIZABETH: the third, the to∣leration of their Religion: To which, answer was made;

* 1.19 THat the Queene could not agree, without the consent of the State of the Kingdome, that hee should be crowned after the marriage was ac∣complished, but that she would willingly consent (if the States thought good) that vpon termes of marriage, he should be graced with the matrimoniall Crowne, (so She termed it) without doing any preiudice to her Ma∣iestie, nor to her Heires and Successors: And that she would not fayle to make him discerne a most ample ho∣nour when hee was once her Husband. As for the common gouernement, shee thought it not vnfit, to take

for a Companion, and Coadiutor in a coniunct admi∣nistration, him whom shee had honoured with the title of a King, and her Husband. And as for the tolera∣tion of the Religion which hee profest, that shee could not giue her consent thereto for certaine causes, which (as I haue collected them out of the Letters of Queene ELIZABETH, were these:) That how∣soeuer the externall reuerence of Religion might bee to∣lerated between the Subiects of the same Kingdome vn∣der diuers manners and formes, neuertheles, this strange forme, most repugnant of all, which should bee betweene the Queene, the head of her People, and her husband, seemed not onely dangerous, but of all most auerse and disagreeing. That She desired the King of France, and the Queene, his Mother, equally to weigh in euen Ballance, the perill which she should vnder-goe, and on the other side, the honour of the Duke of Anio••: And that in tolerating his religion, she violated the Lawes establisht in her Kingdome, beget a distaste in her good Subiects, & lightened the heart of the wicked, all which she verily should vndergoe for the honour of the Duke.

But the French-men vrged, that if she liued without exer∣cise of Religion, shee seemed to haue none at all, and that she would not for her Honour bee accounted an Atheist. She on the contrary replyed:

THat if she did but husbandize those seedes of pure Religion which were in him, and receiue increase thereof, he should see within a short time, that it would redound greatly to his Honour.

In the end they came so farre, that if the Duke would as∣sist with the Queene in the celebration of Diuine Seruice,

and not refuse to heare and learne the Doctrine of the Pro∣testants, She would condiscend, that neither hee nor his people should be constrained to vse the Ceremonies and Fashions accustomed in the English Church, nor molested if they vsed other Ceremonies, not vtterly repugnant to the Word of God, prouided that they vsed them in priuate places, and that they ministred no occasion to the English of violating their Lawes establisht. De Foix, vpon these words, To the Word of God, paused a little. Queene ELI∣ZABETH, to giue them content, commanded that in stead of those words, they should put in, To the Church of GOD; but the one pleasing no more then the other, he desired that To the Catholike Church might be put in. Queen ELI∣ZABETH would no way assent thereunto: and hereupon this matter began to waxe colder by little and little.

* 1.20 Some are perswaded, that this Match was not seriously vndertooke by the King of France, and the Queene, his Mother, but onely to the end that the remembrance of a match contracted with a Protestant Princesse, might bee a testimonie vnto the Protestants, of their sincere meaning vnto them, and to preuent the match which they suspected to be treated of with the King of Nauar, whom the King of France would haue married to his Sister. The like opini∣on was of Queene ELIZABETH in England, and that shee had not treated of this marriage, but to cause the King of France, his Mother, and Brothers, to shew themselues more fauourable to the Protestants in France, breake off the hopes of the Queene of Scotland, and the plots which the Spaniard and the Irish practised against England, by the negotiation of the Cardinall of Lorraine, and to auoid the Thunderbolts of the Pope, by the interposition of the French: For about this time, the Earle of Leicester, who saw more cleerely into the deepest thoughts of Queene E∣LIZABETH then any other, wrote vnto Walsingham, Am∣bassadour in France,

THat the Queene had a desire to marry, but that she was not very hot vpon it; and that she was of opinion, that it was more necessary then her desire was to effect it: & moreouer, that when the Duke of Aniou went from the Article concerning the tolera∣tion of Religion, which Queen ELIZABETH would with such caution haue bound him to, that he no longer persisted in his suite.

As the French tooke care and paine to make vp this Match, certaine of the English laboured no lesse,* 1.21 to aduance that betweene the Queene of Scotland and the Duke of Norfolke, which through their wicked counsels they had a∣gaine reuiued, contrary to his promise, which first of all was discouered by these meanes.

Ridolph the Florentine, who we told you was sent vnto forraigne Nations, about the affaires of the Queene of Scotland, had declared vnto Charles Bayliffe, a Flemming, one of his houshold seruants, all that he had laboured with the Duke of Alua, and put into his hands a packet of Let∣ters, written in counterfait Characters to her, to the Am∣bassadour of Spaine, to the Duke of Norfolke, to the Bishop of Rosse, and to Baron Lumley, which hee carried with him, notwithstanding the Bishop commanded him to leaue it with the Gouernour of Callais to keepe. But hee had no sooner landed at Douer, but hee was apprehended and imprisoned, and the Packet sent to the Lord Cobham, Gouernour of the Cinque Ports: The Bishop, who first of all knew it, wrought so quickly and craftily with Cob∣ham, who was partly of counsell in the dessignes of the Duke, that he deliuered him this Packet, and another in stead thereof was sent to the Queenes Councell, where∣in were old-dated Letters, tending to small purposes, and aduertised Bayliffe thereof, who being brought into questi∣on, neuerthelesse confessed something of what had past,

and amongst the rest, that this Packet had past through the Bishops hands, who beeing aduertised thereof, forthwith sent away Cutbert his Secretary, to disperse amongst his friends the counterfait Characters, and all that might doe hurt; so as when Sussex, Burghley, Mildmay, and Sadler came to search his house, they could finde nothing at all, nor get any thing out of him by examination, he standing vpon it, that an Ambassadour ought not to giue an account of his dealings to any but his Prince. He was notwithstan∣ding committed for two daies after to the Bishop of Ely, and a little while after that, carried to the Isle of Ely: Stan∣ley and Gerard, Knights, and Rolston, of whom I haue spo∣ken,* 1.22 were clapt vp in the Tower of London, and Howard, who aspired to the Arch-bishoprike of Yorke, was deliuered vpon suspicion to the custody of the Arch-bishop of Can∣terbury.

* 1.23 The Queene of Scots, hauing about this time sent a cer∣taine summe of money to the Ambassadour of France, to be conueyed to those that were of her partie in Scotland, the Ambassadour deliuered it to Barker and Higford, who aduising with the Duke, put it into the hands of one Browne of the Towne of Shrewsburie, a seruant to the Duke, to be deliuered in Scotland to Baron Heris, by Banister and Low∣der; Browne beeing a crafty fellow, perceiuing by the weight, that in stead of Siluer they, had giuen him Gold, deliuered it ouer to the Councell of State. Hereby the wi∣ser sort began to obserue, that the Duke had already begun to trespasse against her Maiesty, in lending ayde to Heris, and to the Scots her professed enemies, who had for••aged the Frontier Inhabitants of England. And hereupon Hig∣ford was committed to prison, who presently confessed all the businesse concerning the money, and shewed where the Letters and other writings were, and the secret Characters, and the remembrances and instructions of the Qu. of Scot∣land, of which I haue spoken, hidden vnder Ma••••land Tiles, importing,

THat the French approued of the intended meeting with the Scots, but that the Proposition of marri∣age of the Duke of Aniou with Queen ELIZABETH, was to no other end, but onely the better to colour the as∣sistance performed to the Queene of Scotland, for her re-establishment. That they secretly preuented any con∣tract with Iohn of Austria, but fauoured the other with the Duke of Norfolke very much, for the hatred they bore to the Spaniard. That the Duke of Alua did so farre disproue the Designe of sending the Queene backe into Scotland, that it would certainely be the ruine of her selfe, and of the Catholique Religion through all Great Brittaine; because, shee being returned, must of necessity, either hazzard the danger of beeing besieged, or try her fortune of the warres against the Rebels, who by the aide of the English, might easily bring her vnder their power, before such time that any Forraigne forces could arriue. That being then in no safety in Scotland, and no hope to be expected from France, so pestred with intestine warres, he thought it more expedient to pro∣cure ayde from the Spaniard, who had made an offer of marriage with Iohn of Austria, which notwithstan∣ding she neuer intended, sithence she had promised, by meanes of the Duke of Norfolke, to re-establish the Romane Religion in Great Britaine: And moreouer, to send her Sonne out of Scotland into Spaine, where he might be safely preserued, and instructed from his Infancy in the Romane Religion, and by this meanes, all pretence taken from the Scots, who shaddowed their re∣bellion vnder colour of him: and lastly, for the effect∣ing of these businesses, presently to dispatch away Ri∣dolph, with caution, first, to conceale these things espe∣cially from the French.

The Councell hauing receiued these instructi∣ons,

the Letters whereof I spake, and other dispatches from the Pope: and Barker who was surprized, hauing confest all these particulars, they commanded Sadler, with a Com∣pany of armed men, to goe vnto the Dukes house in Lon∣don, which was then at Charter-House. Two dayes after, the Duke, who was altogether ignorant that those peo∣ple had confessed any thing, and confident that those Let∣ters and Remembrances were burned in the fire, beeing questioned, denyed all that they had confest: and there∣vpon was brought backe the seuenteenth day of September, by Sadler, Smith, Neuill, and Wilson, (to the great griefe of the people) vnto the Tower of London, from whence he was but the yeere before deliuered. Afterwards they im∣prisoned Banister, a Lawyer, whose counsell the Duke had taken and followed; after that, the Earles of Arundell, and Southampton, Baron Lumley, and Cobham, and Thomas his brother, Percy, Lowder, Powell, and Godier, who all decla∣red what they knew, in hope of pardon.

Assoone as the Councell had produced their Confessi∣ons in the Dukes presence, the Queene of Scotland and the Bishop of Rosse's Letters, with the said Remembrance, hee was very much deiected, & considering this remembrance, and those Letters, which through a weake credulity he sup∣posed to bee burned, he sighed, and brake out into these words;

I Haue beene betrayed and vndone by mine owne peo∣ple, in fayling to distrust, which is the onely sinnewe of Wisedome.

But he humbly besought the Councell to mediate the Queenes fauour in his behalfe, promising to conceale no∣thing of what he knew, and seriously protested, that he ne∣uer approued of any thing, which was to the preiudice of the Qu. or Kingdome. But on the contrary, from the ve∣ry

bottome of his heart, condemned the designe of seizing vpon the Queenes person, or the Towre of London, and the setting at liberty of the Queene of Scotland: and that hee neuer harboured a thought so much of bringing forraigne Troupes into Great Brittaine, but only to suppresse certaine of the Scots, rebelling against the Queen. Being this day ex∣amined vpon 50. Articles or thereabouts, hee answered without dissimulation. After that, they penned the sub∣stance of the whole businesse, in the Star-Chamber, before a great Assembly of Noble-men, in presence of the Lord Maior and Shiriffes of the Citie of London, & from thence, in the Palace of London, in view of all the inhabitants, by G. Fleetwood, Recorder of the Citie.

And forasmuch as by all these confessions, especially by the Dukes, the Bishop of Rosse was conuicted as Author of these Plots: they seriously consulted what was best to bee done: For (as they doe ordinarily that haue such charges) he conceiued, that it was lawfull for him to vse any meanes for the aduancement of the affaires of his Princesse; and that by the oath and inuiolable right of an Ambassadour, he was not bound to acknowledge the authority of any o∣ther: and relying hereupon, exposed himselfe to the liber∣ty of diuers turbulent Actions, kindling of seditions, and taking counsell in the night with the Earle of Southampton, and afterwards inclining to the English Fugitiues in Flan∣ders, the Duke of Alua, the Spaniard, and the Pope, about the inuasion of England. They proposed hereupon vnto Lewes, Dale, Drury, Aubrey, and Iones, men of sound iudge∣ment in the Ciuill-Lawes. In the first place,

WHether an Ambassadour mouing sedition against the Prince vnto whom he is sent, may enioy the priuiledge of an Ambassa∣dour, or not? and whether he be not subiect to punish∣ment as an Enemy?

To which they answered, that by the Common Lawe of Nations, and Ciuill-Law of the Romanes, such an Am∣bassadour was falne from all priuiledge, and was subiect to punishment, as an enemy.

WHether a Minister or Agent of a de∣posed Prince, another being crowned in his place, ought to haue the priui∣ledge of an Ambassadour?

They answered, that if such a Prince be lawfully depo∣sed, his Minister cannot challenge the priuiledge of an Am∣bassadour, forasmuch as none but absolute Princes, which haue soueraigne power, can constitute Ambassadours. In the third place,

WHether a Prince being come into another Kingdome, and kept in hold, may haue his Agent? and if this Agent ought to be accounted an Ambassadour, or not?

They answere, That a Prince may prohibit an Ambas∣sadour to enter into his Kingdome, and command him out of his Kingdome, if he doth not containe himselfe within the limits prescribed to Ambassadours, but in the meane time he ought to enioy the priuiledge of an Ambassadour, for the authority of his Ambassie.

Vpon the answers of these Ciuill-Lawiers, the Bishop of Rosse being called backe from the Isle of Ely, and sharp∣ly reprooued, the Councell denounced him not to be ac∣knowledged an Ambassadour, but to be punished as a per∣nicious Malefactor. To which he answered;

THat he beeing Ambassadour to an absolute Queene, vniustly deposed, had, according to his duty, labou∣red

for the libertie of his Princesse, and for the good of both the Kingdomes: that hee was come into Eng∣land with ample authoritie, vnder publique testimony, which hee exhibited, and that the sacred Rites of Am∣bassadours ought not by any meanes to be violated.

Whereupon, Burghley grauely shewes him, that neither the Rites of the Ambassies, nor publique Letters of Cre∣dit, are of validitie for Ambassadours which offend against the publique faith, but are subiect to penall actions, and that otherwise it should be permitted to wicked Ambassa∣dours to attempt against the life of Princes, vnpunished. He on the contrary, opinatiuely maintained, that the authority of Ambassadours had neuer beene violated by way of Rite, but onely by way of fact (to vse his owne words) and boldly admonisheth them not to deale with him more sharpely then the English Ambassadours had beene dealt with, Throgmorton in France, Randolph and Tam∣worth in Scotland, who had apparantly excited and nouri∣shed rebellions, and were acquitted vpon command to de∣part within a certaine time. They began to presse him vp∣on the witnesse of some English-men:* 1.24 he gently intreated them not to doe it, because (saith hee) that a receiued cu∣stome doth establish it selfe for a Law:

An Englishman ought not to beare witnesse against a Scottishman, nor a Scottishman against an English∣man.

After some arguings hereupon, whether such custome tooke place elsewhere then vpon the Frontiers of both the Kingdomes, and whether English Ambassadours had stir∣red Rebellion or no; Rosse is carried to the Tower of Lon∣don, where being straitly kept, within a few dayes hee briefly made answere to all the interrogatories, with this caution, that his answeres might not be preiudicious to a∣ny. And first, he excused the Queene of Scots, (who be∣ing

prisoner, and in the prime of her age) seeking to escape by any meanes, ELIZABETH hauing excluded all from seeing her, and barred her from all hope of libertie, and o∣penly supported all her aduersaries: afterwards excuseth the Duke, that hee had not treated marriage with her, but by the aduice of many that were of Queen ELIZABETHS Councell, nor could he relinquish her, although he had vn∣der his owne hand-writing promised to doe it, forasmuch as before that promise, a former promise of marriage had passed betweene them: And finally, excuseth himselfe, that being Ambassadour and Minister, could not without blame leaue the duety of his charge, and be wanting to his Princesse in her afflictions, and that he had propounded the seyzing of the person of Queene ELIZABETH, to no o∣ther end, but to try whether the Duke had a minde prepa∣red to doe a mischieuous act: and verily hee craftily exte∣nuated the offences of the rest, and would neuer discouer the names of the Nobles which offered themselues to the Dukes seruice, for the seyzing of the Queenes person; one∣ly confessed, that by the commandement of the Queene of Scots, he consulted with the Earles of Arundel, Lumley, and Throgmorton, and by Lumley, and the Vicount of Mountague, because that he was to deliuer into the hands of the English, the Castles which were in Scotland, the Hosta∣ges, and the King of Scots, to renounce the title to Eng∣land, and the English Rebels. But for this matter, enough is spoken of this yeere; and the particularities of it, may be drawne from the Dukes confession, and the memoriall sent to the Queen of Scots, written by the Bishop of Rosse's own hand.

At the same time, Mathew, Earle of Lenox, Vice-Roy of Scotland, and great Grand-father to the King, hauing appoynted the assembly of States at Sterlin, and thinking to be safe there, was surprized by the Lords of the contra∣ry faction, which met together by the Queenes authoritie

at Edenborrough, and hauing yeelded himselfe to Dauid Spencer, who laboured very hard to protect him, was slaine with him by Bell and Cauder,* 1.25 after hauing with much trou∣ble and paines ruled the Kingdome for the King his Ne∣phew, the space of foureteene moneths, more or lesse: at what time France tooke the Queenes side, and Queen ELI∣ZABETH the Kings, not so much to get their friends the victory, as to keepe them from being ouercome. Queen ELIZABETH hoped that the young King should haue beene deliuered into her hands, and the French thought that Dunbriton and Edenborrough should be giuen them: whereupon some Scottish Merchants were very much trou∣bled, and traffique in France was denyed them, which drew a great partie to the Queenes side, in hope thereby to haue freedome of trade there againe. In Lenox his place,* 1.26 by the common consent of the people, Iohn Areskin, Earle of Marre, was elected Vice-Roy, a man of a calme spirit, and a great louer of his Countrie, who beeing no lesse afflicted with the turbulent counsels of his friends, then by the in∣sultings of his aduersaries, for very griefe dyed, when hee had gouerned thirteene moneths.

The iniquitie of these times, and the loue which the people of England bore to their Queene and Countrey, drew the States to Westminster, where they made a Law to preuent the plots of the seditious,* 1.27 by which it was orday∣ned by ancient authoritie:

THat if any did attempt to ruine or hurt the Queene, to make warre, or excite others to doe it in any part of her dominions: or affirme that shee had no right to the Kingdome, but that it were more iustly due to another; or said, that shee was an Heretique, a Schismatique, or Infidell; that shee did vsurpe the right from another that was liuing; or that the Lawes and Statutes were not of power to define and

tye the right of Succession, It should be Crimen laesae Maiestatis. If any one during the life of Queene E∣LIZABETH, should expresly affirme either by wri∣ting or Booke printed, that any one is or ought to bee the Queenes Heire or Successour, except the naturall Line which should proceede from her owne body; or that should publish, print, or sell Bookes written vpon this Subiect, he, and his maintainers, for the first time should suffer a whole yeeres imprisonment, and lose halfe their goods, but returning to the same offence a∣gaine, they incurred the penaltie of a Praemunire; which is, losse of all goods, and imprisonment during life.

This seemed grieuous vnto some, which thought that the tranquillity of the Kingdome ought to be strengthened by the designation of an Heire, but it was beyond beliefe, what iests the maliciously-curious made of this clause, [Naturally begotten of her body,] because the Ciuill Law calls those Children naturall, which are borne out of marriage, and that nature onely, and not the honesty of wedlocke begot them: and the English Law, [Legiti∣mate,] those that are lawfully begotten. And I remem∣ber being then young, to haue heard it spoken aloud, that this word was prest into this Law by Leicester, that some bastard-sonne of his should thrust in as one of neerest kinne to Queene ELIZABETH.

* 1.28 It was also ordained, that those who had by any Bull or writing from the Pope, reconciled any to the Church of Rome, should vndergoe the punishment of Crimen laesae Maiestatis. Those who sustaine the Reconcilers or bring∣ers into England of Agnus Dei's, Graines, Crucifixes, or a∣ny other things consecrated by the Pope of Rome, should lose all their goods, and indure perpetuall imprisonment: and those that shall conceale and not detect these Reconci∣lers,

were holden guiltie of Misprision of Treason. Fur∣thermore, those goods and lands, which were conuicted for Rebellion in the North, beeing in the possession of Iames Pilkinton, Bishop of Durham, who challenged Regall power betweene the Riuers of Teise and Tyne, were ad∣iudged to the Queene and her Successours, because she had with great cost deliuered both the Bishop and the Bishop∣ricke from Rebels, yet so, as that in time to come it shall not be preiudiciall to the Regall rite of that Church of Durham. It was also ordained, that to meete with the in∣solencies of such as were deuoted to the Pope, and despi∣sing the authority of the Lawes, and their obedience to their Princesse, who day by day with-drew themselues in∣to forraine Countries, without the Queenes licence, (ho∣ping in time with a great number, and to innouate some∣thing) they should returne within a certaine time, and make their submissions, and that the fraudulent conueyances which they had made, should be burnt. So much for the Papists.

On the other side, by wholsome Lawes they suppressed as well the couetousnesse of certaine of the Clergie, who, as if they had beene borne onely to themselues, with a no∣torious malice to their Successours, wasted the goods of the Church, and let out the Lands for many yeeres, as the impudencie of others, who, with a desire to innouate, op∣posed themselues to Articles of the Synod of London, for the abolishing of Schisme, in the yeere 1562. It was like∣wise againe propounded, that if the Queene of Scots should againe offend the Lawes of England, she might be procee∣ded against, as if she were a Peeres Wife of the Realme of England. But the Queene by her authority, hindered that from being made a Law.

In the beginning of Iune, the Parliament being ready to be dismissed, they sate vpon Iohn Story, a Doctor of Law, and Spie to the Duke of Alua, of whom I haue made

mention in the yeere 1569. to know whether Iohn Storie being an English-man, should be found guilty Laesae Ma∣iestatis, for hauing conferred with a stranger-Prince in Bra∣bant, for the inuading of his Countrey, and shewing the meanes to doe it. The learned'st sort in the Law did af∣firme, that hee might be accused Laesae Maiestatis. Where∣upon hee was called vnto iudgement, for hauing conspi∣red against the life of his Princesse with one Prestoll, a man much addicted to magicke, and in giuing thankes at the Table, alwayes cursed her, and the King of Scotland, to the fiends of Hell, and demonstrated to the Duke of Alua's Secretary the meanes to inuade England, to make Ireland reuolt, and at the same time to bring the Scots into Eng∣land. He refused to submit himselfe to be iudged by the Lawes of England, maintayning, that being a sworne Sub∣iect not to Queene ELIZABETH, but to the King of Spaine,* 1.29 the Iudges of England had no power ouer him. But hee was condemned according to the forme of (Nihil di∣cit) because no man can free himselfe from the Lawes of the Countrey where he is borne, nor renounce his naturall Countrey nor his Prince, and suffered as a Traytor.

* 1.30 There was then for certaine yeeres, controuersie be∣tweene the Portugals and the English, during the com∣merce betweene them and the Moores for pure Gold, from the yeere 1552. in that part of Africa called Guienne, and others who had first discouered those Coasts, hindered as much as they could by force of armes, so as they fought sometimes by Sea, and detained Ships on both sides. But Sebastian, King of Portugall, being newly come to age, to make a peace, sent Francis Gerard into England, who made a Couenant with the Queene almost in these very words:

THat a perfect amitie may be made, and free com∣merce had on both sides, the one shall not attempt

any thing to the preiudice of the other, nor lend suc∣cour to their enemies, Rebels, or Traytors; the Mer∣chandize, Moneyes, and Ships, which are vnder ar∣rest, to be restored. And Queene ELIZABETH, to gratifie the King of Portugal, prohibiteth the Eng∣lish to vse any Nauigation in the Seas, or to the Lands which the Portugals had conquered. And that if they should doe otherwise, it should be vpon their owne perill, if the Portugals should depriue them both of goods and liues: The Kingdomes of Portugal and Argarbe, also the Iles of Azores and Madera excep∣ted, in which, free Nauigation was permitted.

This yere, W. Parre, Marquis of Northampton,* 1.31 being very old, peaceably departed this life, a man much conuersant and well read in the delectable studies of Musicke, and in∣tertainement of Louers, and other courtly iucundities, who was first raised to the dignitie of Baron Parre of Kendal, af∣terwards he married Anne Bourchier, sole daughter & heire to the Earle of Essex, at the same time when the King mar∣ried his sister; and afterwards b•• EDVVARD made Mar∣quis of Northampton; vnder the reigne of MARIE, hee was condemned of High-Treason for taking armes on the behalfe of Iane Grey, who was brought in by subornation to be Queene, but was shortly after pardoned, and restored to his inheritance, as he was afterwards to his honours by Queene ELIZABETH. He had no Children, but left to be his heire, Henrie Herbert, Earle of Pembroke, his other Sisters Sonne.

Iohn Iewell,* 1.32 a man of an excellent spirit and exquisit lear∣ning in Theologie, and of great pietie, died the same yeere, being hardly fiftie yeeres of age, descended of good Pa∣rents in Deuonshire, and commendably brought vp in Cor∣pus Christi Colledge in the Vniuersitie of Oxford, who, in Queene MARIES reigne was banished into Germanie,

and afterwards by Queene ELIZABETH beeing made Bishop of Salisburie, put forth, in the yeere 1562. an Apo∣logie for the English Church, and most learnedly defended the Protestants Religion against Harding who was falne from it, in two Volumes in our owne Tongue, which are now translated into the Latine.

* 1.33 Ireland at that time was quiet enough: for Iohn Per••t, President of Mounster had so ransacked Iohn Fitz-Morris, who had pillaged Kilmalocke, that hee was constrained to hide himselfe in Caues, and in the end, as wee shall relate hereafter, brought to begge pardon with humble submissi∣on.* 1.34 Sidney, Deputie of Ireland, returning into England, Fitz-William, who had married his Sister, succeeded in his place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The royall Exchange.
• * 1.2

  The ereation of Baron Burghley.
• * 1.3

  The manner of creating Barons.
• * 1.4

  Letters from the Pope to the Queene of Scotland.
• * 1.5

  Edict of the Scots a∣gainst the authority Royall.
• * 1.6

  Condemned by the Qu. of England.
• * 1.7

  The demāds of the Eng∣lish for the freedome of the Qu. of Scotland.
• * 1.8

  The English refuse the of∣fers of the Scots.
• * 1.9

  Alteration among the Scots.
• * 1.10

  Complaints of the Scots against the English.
• * 1.11

  A remem∣brance sent from the Q. of Scotland to the Duke of Norfolke.
• * 1.12

  The counsell of the Bishop of Rosse.
• * 1.13

  The at∣tempts of o∣others.
• * 1.14

  A great Earth∣quake.
• * 1.15

  The Am∣bassage of Baron Buckhurst.
• * 1.16

  A proposi∣tion of a match be∣tweene Eli∣zabeth, and the Duke of Aniou.
• * 1.17

  The hopes which they conceiued.
• * 1.18

  Articles of marriage.
• * 1.19

  The An∣swer.
• * 1.20

  To what end this marri∣age was pro∣posed.
• * 1.21

  They hasten the mariage of the Qu. of Scotland.
• * 1.22

  The Bishop of Rosse and others com∣mitted.
• * 1.23

  Money sent into Scot∣land.
• * 1.24

  He declines from the English wit∣nesses.
• * 1.25

  Lenox Ʋice-Roy of Scot∣land is slain.
• * 1.26

  The Earle of Marre is elected Vice-Roy.
• * 1.27

  Lawes a∣gainst di∣sturbers.
• * 1.28

  Lawes a∣gainst Pa∣pists.
• * 1.29

  Iohn Storie condemned to dye.
• * 1.30

  Differences appeased be∣tweene the English and the Portu∣gals.

  Guienne.
• * 1.31

  The Mar∣quis of Nor∣thampton dyes.
• * 1.32

  The death of Bishop Iewell.
• * 1.33

  Affaires of Ireland.
• * 1.34

  William Fitz Willi∣am Deputy of Ireland.