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.

THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH YEERE of Her Raigne.* 1.1 Anno Dom. M.D.LXXXII.

THese and the like things brought vpon Papists new and sharper lawes,* 1.2 made by Act of Parliament at Westminster in the moneth of Ianuary, where all such were declared guilty of high Treason, which disswaded any of her Maiesties subiects frō their obedience to their Prince, or from the Religion now profest in England, or that should reconcile any to the Church of Rome; or which should haue beene so perswaded, turned, or reconciled. Two hundred markes fine, and a yeares imprisonment inflicted vpon those which should ce∣lebrate Masse so long till they had paid. And such as had willingly beene at any of their Masses, one hundred markes, and one yeares imprisonment: and such as were not found to resort to their owne Parish Churches to diuine seruice, for

euery moneths omission ten pounds. Which was malicious∣ly vnderstood, and interpreted by the Papists of Lunarie months, who before had paid but one shilling to the poore for euery Sunday or Holidayes absence. But I referre it to the Ecclesiasticall Historie, to intreat of these things more at large.

* 1.3 The Duke d' Anjou after some three moneths abode in England, tooke his way towards Flanders in the moneth of February. Queene ELIZABETH in person accompanied him to Canterbury: and commanded the Earle of Leicester, the Lord Charles Howard, the Barons of Hunsdon, Willough∣by, Winsor, and Sheffeild; Sir Philip Sidney, Sir Francis Rus¦sel, Sir George Bourchier Knights, and diuers other noble Gentlemen,* 1.4 to accompany him to Antwerpe; where he was created Duke of Brabant, of Lymbourg, Lotharing, &c. For the confederated States of Flanders had from thence pro∣claimed the King of Spaine falne from his Principality for in∣fringing their Lawes; broken his Seales, cast downe his Armes, and so absolued the people from all oath of Fealtie, so that it was lawfull and free for them to elect another Prince. The Duke permitted all those the vse of the Romish Religion, which would sweare Allegeance to him, and ab∣iure the Spaniard. After this hee betooke himselfe to the field, where he lost Aldenard, and tooke in Alost. But six hundred English souldiers exclaiming of General Norris his imperious seueritie ouer them,* 1.5 forsaking him, fled to the Spaniard, vnder the leading of Captaine T. Norris, Barney, Cornish, and Gypson, who exposing themselues to all perils, and being basely respected, were paid with slow and late repentance and infinite miseries, the paine of their perfi∣diousnesse.* 1.6

But notwithstanding, General Norris with three hundred horse, and the rest of his foot-companies, got the renowne of a valorous and most iudicious Warriour, for his coura∣gious encountering the Duke of Parma, who fell vpon him

with a farre greater power, the whilest he warily and wisely made his retreat into the City of Gand, in sight of the two Dukes of Anjou and Orleans, admiring his martiall valour from off the Ramparts, where they stood to behold him. But why insist I vpon these matters? The Duke d' Anjou hauing now without successe spent huge summes of money sent him out of England, weighing with himselfe that only apparant Titles were bestowed vpon him; and considering that all the managing of these matters were in the power of the States, assayed by a precipitate counsell,* 1.7 with his Armie to enter by force Antwerpe, and some other townes; but all in vaine, and with the losse of many of his men; and shortly after was constrained shamefully to quit & leaue Flanders.

It shall suffice to note in a word, in passing, that nere vnto CHAPELLE in the month of May, in the 12 degree of Ge∣mini appeared a Comet or blazing starre,* 1.8 with bright shi∣ning beames, streaming ouer the right sholder of the Dragon. About that time happened a horrible tempest in Norfolke, with fearefull flashes of lightning and thunder of long con∣tinuance, with violent furious winds, and hailstones of three inches about.

Queene ELIZABETH for better security, and to fortifie her selfe the more abroad against the Spaniard,* 1.9 whom shee knew to be infest against her, for that she had furnished the Duke d'Anjou with moneyes, admitted into the fraterni∣ty of the order of Saint George, Frederick the second, King of Denmarke, who had alwaies shewed himselfe most affecti∣onate towards her Maiesty; and to inuest him there∣with, sent ouer Sir Peregrin Bertie, whom shee (as her Maie∣sty was euer nice in conferring honors) had with some diffi∣culty, honoured with the title of Lord Willoughbey of Eresby, before he had giuen any proofe of his martiall ver∣tue; howsoeuer the Duchesse of Suffolke his mother was daughter, and sole inheritrix to the ancient Baronry of Wil∣loughby of Eresby.

The King of Denmark with ioyfulnesse put the * 1.10 chaine of Roses about his necke, and the Garter about his legge, the other Robes he locked vp in his Chest, but refused to put them on, because they were exotick, or to take the oath; for that he had taken one afore, when by the French King hee was installed Knight of the Order of Saint Michael. The whilest the Lord Willoughby was in Denmarke, he propoun∣ded to the King a complaint from the English Merchants, concerning the raising of Imposts and customes, for that in times past for passing the Oresunde, or straits of Denmarke, they vsed to giue for euery ship but a Rose-Noble, which made the fourth part of an ounce of gold, & as much for the fraught, with some smal peeces of siluer for the fire-beacons giuing light by night, vvhich vvere to direct them by their Sea-markes ouer the Shallowes, and by the Shelues, bankes, & Rocks.* 1.11 He treated also for the Merchants, that the tribute vvhich they call their LAST GELT might be remitted, by the vvhich they begunne (vvhen the Warres were so hot betwixt the Kings of Denmarke and Sueden) to exact, by vvay of borrowing, the thirtieth part of all manner of Mer∣chandizes, vvith promise to repay them, or the value of them againe, the warre once ended. But these as matters of importance vvere referred till another time. For Princes doe seldome or neuer abate of their Custome, Taxes, or Im∣posts, esteeming that such things as these (vvhich they call Royalties) belonging to the rightfull liberty of euery King∣dome, are not things subiect to be moderated, or abrogated by any strangers.

* 1.12 Queene ELIZABETH the better to secure her state at home, imployed Sir Walter Mildmay to comprimise busi∣nesse with the Queene of Scots. But finding that the Guises had consulted with certaine English Fugitiues, about the setting her at liberty, and gathering forces together, vnder the pretext of sending supplyes to the Duke of Anjou in Flanders, vvhich in very deed vvere to haue beene past ouer

from the Hauens of Aux, or Ew, (obscure harbours of Nor∣mandy) into England, which the French King hauing no∣tice of, out of his loue to Queene ELIZABETH certifieth her thereof, and stayed them: hereupon the matter was in∣termitted, and the Queene of Scots affaires deferred.

But by the vvay to meet with the Guises attempts in Scot∣land,* 1.13 whither it is supposed he employed the Earle of Len∣nox, to dissolue the League betweene the King of Scots, and the English, whilest Will: Ruthen (lately created by the K. Earle of Gowry) begunne to be mutinous. He (for that hee vvould not degenerate frō his Father) bearing a mortall ma∣lice to the Kings Mother, together with others of his confe∣deracie were to put in practice the best wits they had for the vvorking of the Duke of Lennox and the Earle Arran both out of the Kings fauour and company, vnder a colour of Religion, the Kings securitie, and the league of amity vvith England. Now behold their subtilty and crafty proiects. They begin to perswade Lennox vvho had been established L. High Chamberlain of Scotland, to exercise the rigor of his iurisdiction, though then out of vse, for no other purpose but to purchase his owne disgrace with the people, vvhilest the Presbytery out of their Pulpits should declaime against him as a Papist of the faction of the Guizes, and a rude and seuere Executioner of the Law; & should publikely foretell and denounce his ruine and destruction. When as therefore Lennox was departed from Perth where the King remained,* 1.14 to execute his office at Edenburgh, and the Earle Arran ab∣sent from the Court, Gowrey, Marre, Lindsey, and others, ta∣king their opportunity, inuited the King to the Castle of Ru∣then, being there, they held him in such feare that hee durst not walke abroad: such of his seruants as he thought best of, they sent away: the E. of Arran they arrested and cast into prison,* 1.15 and compelled the King by the intercession of Queen ELIZABETH, to recal the Earl of Angus out of exile, and to sends the Duke of Lenox into France, who as he was a Noble

man of milde disposition, and altogether inclin'd to the pub∣like peace and good of the Land, by the Kings perswasion, but their impulsion, although he might easily haue stood vp∣on his guard, and withstood them, departed quietly from Dunbriton, where he tooke shipping for France. Not con∣tent with this, they forced the King by his Letters to signi∣fie to Queene ELIZABETH this his interception, and that it was a meeting made by his willing consent with some of his Lords, concerning speciall businesses. But Buchanan they could not possibly perswade to approue this Act, or by com∣posing any booke of this subiect, nor by perswasions of a messenger; but he wept bitterly and sorrowed grieuously, that he had to-fore taken the Rebels part against the Prince, and soone after dyed. A man (as himselfe sings in his Po∣ems) though borne in a countrey barren for learning, yet hee attained to the soueraigne degree of Poesie; so as by right hee ought to bee accounted the Prince of Poets of our age.

* 1.16 The French King hauing had certaine intelligence of the passages in Scotland, sendeth both with one message Mons: de la Moteff through England, and Mons: de Manninguille by Sea into Scotland, by all possible means to haue the King set at liberty, to confirme the French faction, to draw the King into loue & amity with France, and to let him vnderstand, that his mother to make him be knowne true and legitimate King by Christian Princes, and all Scotland, setting aside all partialitie, out of her motherly piety and indulgence yeelded him freely the title of the Kingdome; and admitted him into the society freely to Raigne. Shee (distressed Queene) in the meane time, afflicted with many miseries, the calamities of a prison, & in indurance, without hope of deli∣uery, bewayled the dismall fortunes of the King her sonne with her owne, in a large Letter written in French to Queene ELIZABETH, which the tender loue of a mother, and the disquietnesse of her Spirit, extorted from her,

the which out of the originall Copy of her owne hand∣writing, I haue more briefely recollected, as followed.

Mary Q. of Scotland, her Letter to Quene Eli∣zabeth.

AFter I was certainly informed, that my sonne was intercepted and detained in captiuitie (as my selfe haue beene for some yeares) a sudden feare suggested into my minde, that hee, and I were to drinke of one cup of sorrow: I cannot therefore in o∣pening my sad afflicted heart, but vtter my anguish, to imprint them if it may be vpon yours, offer the same to your conscionable commiseration, that the ages to come may know my innocency, and their tyrannie, by whose meanes I endure these intolerable indignities. But for that, their subtil plots and mischieuous practi∣ces haue all this while been preferd with you before my iust complaint, it being in your gracious power to doe equity and iustice, where violence treadeth downe ver∣tue, and might suppresseth right: I doe appeale vnto God immortall, whom alone I know to haue power ouer vs; Princes coequall in right and honour, and him (in whom there is no place for fraud, or falshood) I will inuoke, that at the last day hee will recompence vs ac∣cording to our demerits, howsoeuer my Aduersaries the whilest haue cautelously cloaked their treacheries from men (and perhaps from you.* 2.1 ) I beseech you now then in the name of God, and by his all-powerfull Ma∣iestie I adiure you, to call to minde, how cunningly some sent forth in your name to me, could stirre vp the Scots my subiects, whilest I liued with them, into open rebellion against me, and haue been the first mouers of all the mischiefe, which euer since hath hapned in that countrey, as euidently appeareth by sundry plain testi∣monies

thereof, and Mortons confession from his own mouth, who for such matters gr••w vp to great honors, whom if I could haue prosecuted, according to his de∣sert; and if your assisting the Rebels had not b••en they could neuer haue stood vp so long against mee, and my friends, as they did.

When I was detained Prisoner in Lake-Leuin, Sir Nich. Throckmorton, was the first that came to me in your name, who perswaded me to quit the Kingdome vnd••r Letters Patents, signed with my hand (which he assured me should be of no effect, as all the world know∣eth them so to be) vntill that you had assisted the Au∣thors of these Letters, with your fauour and Armes. But say in good sooth, would you acknowledge that your subiects should haue such power ouer you? The regall power I had in the meane time, by your aide & aduice, was taken from me, to be conferred on my sonne, a yong child, by reason of his Infant-age vnfit to manage the administration of a Kingdome. And when as of late, I determined to make him a lawfull resignation, for the certaine establishing of him in the Kingdome, hee was by force of Armes caried violently away by Traitors; who, doubtlesse had no other intent, then to depriue him (as they did me) of the Crowne, and perhaps of his life. After I got out of Lake-Leuin, and was to raise Armes for the suppressing of the Rebels, I sent you then the Diamond, which formerly you had giuen me, as a pledge of mutuall loue betwixt vs, when you made me many large promises, and faithfull protestations to succour and support me against the Rebels, when also you promised, that if I should come towards you, you would meet me in person vpon the frontiers, and would assist me. I relying vpon these promises so often and so seriously iterated (although your messengers had many times before deluded me) resolued to resort to you, as to

a Sanctuary. And assuredly, I had come, had I but found the way as open to me, and as easie to passe, as it was for those who reuolted against me. But before I could come at you, I was arrested vpon the way, guarded with troops of men, shut vp in strong places, and since that time haue endured things worse then death.

I know you will obiect some intercourses of businesse haue past betwixt the Duke of Norfolke and me; but I assure you there hath neuer any thing past, preiudici∣all to you or your Kingdome, as also your chiefe Coun∣sellors haue giuen approbation thereto, as I can proue, who likewise promised mee by the way of attestation to procure your consent. And how I pray you should these so great persons promise your consent to a thing which might despoile you of honour, life, and Diadem? And notwithstanding, you would that euery one should be so perswaded.

Besides, as diuers of the Rebels, by a tardy repentance re-aduising themselues, and by a Commission held be∣twixt our Deputies at Yorke, vnderstood how wicked∣ly they had dealt with me, they being besieged with your Souldiers in Edenburgh-Castle,* 2.2 two of the principall dyed miserably; the one by poison, the other in a hal∣ter. And that came to passe, for that twice I had dis∣mist the Armies at your request, in hope of peace, which God knowes, whether euer my Aduersaries once haue thought on.

Since that, I had resolued to try whether patience can haue power to conquer cruelty, in suffering all ex∣tremities that can be imposed on a poore Prisoner. All conference with my sonne by Letters or Messengers, for this yeare, hath been denyed me, renting if it were possi∣ble the sonne from the mother by a sad separation of spirits.

I haue often propounded Articles of peace and con∣cord

to bee confirmed betwixt vs at Chatesworth by the most Christian Kings Ambassadors eleuen yeares a∣gone, both to your Deputies, and to your selfe, and by my owne the last yeare, I dealt sincerely with Beal. But these profers were still reiected, delayes interpos'd, my best meaning euer suspected, and the affection of my true-intending heart continually condemned. Nor haue I reaped any other fruit by my long suffering, but that by a Prescription, I am dayly handled worse and worse, not indeed as a Prisoner, but as some abiect seruant of base condition. But truely I cannot longer endure these indignities, howsoeuer the matter shall fall out, if I die, I will manifest the Authors of my death; if I liue, I shall so effect (I hope) that the malicious practices of my Aduersaries shall dye, and passe the remainder of my dayes in more tranquilitie.

Wherefore, to take away all occasions of scandall be∣twixt vs, let the testimonies of the Spaniards, which were lately taken in Ireland, and all the examinations of the Iesuites be produced against mee. Let mee be ar∣raigned openly, come in who can to accuse me, prouided withall I may haue the liberty to defend my selfe, and not be condemned before I be heard. The malefactors and vilest Prisoners are permitted to defend themselues and to confront their accusers. Why then am I denyed this lawfull libertie, being an anointed Queene, your nearest Kinswoman, and the next lawfull heire to your Kingdome? But this last is that excruciates my Ad∣uersaries, whose chiefest studies are bent to breed debate betwixt vs. Alas, alas! and why should this vex or afflict my enemies, when as I protest before God, and on my honour, I haue not thought this long time of any Kingdome but that of heauen. Neuerthelesse, you are bound by oath, royall duty, and Iustice, not to disturbe or impeach, after my death, my sonnes most certaine

Right, nor to abett, or aide those which seriously and secretly labour his ruine, both in England and Scot∣land, as is too-too well knowne by the dealings of your Ambassadors in Scotland, who haue dealt (no doubt without your priuity) most treacherously with me, and all by the Earle of Huntingdons setting on.

Is there any iust dealing in this, that a Mother should not be suffered to succour her sonne in distresse? nay, not so much as to be let vnderstand how he doth? If such as you sent for my sonnes good, had taken my aduice by the way, they would haue beene the welcomer to him, and I the more obliged to you; nor was there any reason you should so long conceale their goings thi∣ther, nor then keepe mee so straightly shut vp: but to speake freely, I beseech you let no more such be imployed for Scotland. Thus much I dare promise my selfe, that Hunsdon will doe nothing but that standeth with his honour, nor Huntingdon any thing may tend to my good, for that which he hath already practi∣sed against me.

I entreat you therefore by the bond of that consan∣guinitie which is betwixt vs, to bee circumspect for the safety of my sonne, not to intermeddle your selfe with the businesses of Scotland, before you haue con∣sulted with mee and the King of France, and hold all those for Traitors which keepe my sonne in hold, not suffering him to goe any where, but at their pleasure. In fine, I coniure you by the Crosse and Passion of Christ our Redeemer, that after so many yeares of desolation, I hauing libertie, may vpon iust tearmes, be suffered to retire my poore weake body into some qui∣et place out of England, there to refresh mee before my death, after the long and loathsome time of my im∣prisonment. This doing, you shall eternally oblige vnto you me and mine, but aboue all my sonne. Nor wil I euer

cease to craue this, till you haue granted it me, my in∣disposition enforcing this importunity. Let mee be vsed hereafter a little more gently, otherwise I shall not be a∣ble to endure; nor put mee off, to the disposing of any, but of your selfe. What good or euill hereafter shall betyde me, I will impute all to you, vouchsafe mee this fauour, to let me know your pleasure, either by your let∣ter, or by the French Ambassador. I can repose no confi∣dence in those things, which the Earle of Shrewsbury hath imparted vnto me, they are so mutable. I writ of late to your Councell, but you sent me word, to acquaint none but your selfe with my businesse: for there was no e∣quity in it, in giuing them so much power to afflict me. And I cannot apprehend it otherwise, but that some ill-willers of mine, were the occasioners of it, for feare that others, duly considering my iust complaints, in regard of your honor, & their duties, should haue opposed thē∣selues. And now the last thing I am to desire, is, that I may haue some reuerend Catholicke Priest to instruct me in Religion, for the saluation of my soule. This is a last duty not to be denyed to wretches of meanest ranck. You suffer the Ambassadors of foraigne Princes to vse their Religion, and my selfe sometimes haue granted toleration of seuerall professions to my subiects: If this be denyed mee, I hope to bee excused before God, and I feare mine Aduersaries shall not passe vnpunished. As∣suredly it will be a president to other Christian Princes to exercise the like seuerity amongst their subiects of different Religions, if this bee offered me, an absolute Princesse, & of your nearest alliance. As I am, I will e∣uer be affected to you, in despight of my Aduersaries; and stomacke they me neuer so much. I desire not to haue my family increased, but I vpon necessity intreat to retain two of my maid-seruants to attend me in my sicknesse: let not mine enemies asswage their cruelty

vpon me, in causing me to bee denied so small an office of humanity. Whereas I am taxed by the Earle of Shrewsbury, to haue dealt otherwise (then I promised Beal) in surrendring my title in Scotland to my son, without your priuity: Beleeue not Beals suggestions, for I past no promise, but vpon certaine conditions, which I am not bound to performe on my part, vnlesse they be performed on yours: I haue yet receiued no an∣swer thereof, and they haue beene long time silent; but for all that, in Scotland they haue not ceased their tre∣cherous practizes to the ruine both of me, and my son; I cannot take this long silence, but for a deniall, and so I haue certified your Councell by Letters. That which the King of France, and the Queene his mother haue communicated to me, haue I sincerely communicated to you, and required your aduice, but you haue not vouch∣safed me one word in writing, or by word of mouth: I cannot before I shall know what it is, submit my selfe to your Councell, concerning my affaires and Country; for that were extreame indiscretion. You know how my Aduersaries triumph in Scotland both ouer mee, and my imprisoned son: I haue attempted nothing in Scot∣land to your preiudice, but to stablish a solide peace in the Realme, hauing by so much the more a greater care then your Councellors, by how much my interest there, is more then theirs. I haue desired to gratifie my son with the title of King, to confirme him, and to bu∣rie all discords. Is that to take the Diadem from him? But the enemies of me, and my family, will not haue it confirmed: It is that that they dread, whilst they carie in their heart a witnesse against themselues, & finding themselues culpable of euills apprehend they should bee dealt with accordingly.

Let not these, and others my aduersaries so blind your eyes, that during your life, and in your sight, they shall

beare downe your nearest kindred, and ruinate both the Crownes: as to that end they are plotting villanies a∣gainst me, against my son, and perhaps against you also. Can it be any pleasure, or honor to you, that I and my son, that you and we are by their meanes so long seelu∣ded, and kept asunder? Resume your naturall goodnesse and meeknesse, oblige your selfe to your selfe, and seeing you are a Princesse, be tender hearted to me a Princesse, the nearest of your consanguinity, that all things being set in quiet betwixt vs, I may passe the more peacefully out of this life, and that the sighes and sobbes of my af∣flicted soule ascend not to God on high. To whose diuine power I present my daily prayers, that these my iust complaints, and sorrowfull laments my take place with you.

From Sheffield, 8. Nouemb. 1582.

Vostre tres-desolée plus proche parente, & affectionnée soeur MARIE R:

Notes

• * 1.1

  Booke 3.
• * 1.2

  New Lawes against Pa∣pists.
• * 1.3

  The Duke d' Anjou sayleth into Flanders.
• * 1.4

  Hee is made there Duke of Brabant, &c.
• * 1.5

  Certaine English re∣uolt from him.
• * 1.6

  Generall Norris cari∣eth himselfe generously, and beha∣ueth himself valorously.
• * 1.7

  The Duke d'Anjou de∣parted from Flanders with shame.
• * 1.8

  A Comet.
• * 1.9

  Queene Eli∣zabeth be∣stoweth the Order of the Garter vpon the King of Denmarke.
• * 1.10

  Or, the Coller of Esses.
• * 1.11

  The Mer∣chants com∣plaint not regarded.
• * 1.12

  The Treaty with the Queene of Scots is de∣ferred.
• * 1.13

  Gowry and others begin tumults in Scotland.
• * 1.14

  Gowries conspiracie. They inter∣cept the King.
• * 1.15

  The Duke of Lennox driuen out of Scotland
• * 1.16

  An Embas∣sie from the French King, sent to deliuer the King of Scots.
• * 2.1

  The Q. of Scots deplo∣reth her sons intercept∣ing, and her owne deso∣lation.
• * 2.2

  Lidington and de Grange.