I write unto your Lordship, as I would do to my own son, if he were in that office which you are in; as knoweth our Lord, who have you, my very good Lord, in his blessed keeping. From Darneton, the 19th day of March, 1544. No. XLIV. (Howard Papers. 1545.) THE EARL OF GLENCAIRN Right Honourable, AFTER hearty commendations to your Lordship. This is to advertise your Lordship that I have received one writing from the King's Majesty's Council, this 29th day of June, dated at the King's Majesty's manor of St. James, the 21st day of the same; thanking the King's Majesty and his Council, of your good advertisement, the which comforts me right greatly. Nevertheless I am greatly marvelled that I have written so oft and divers times to my Lord of Lennox, now being with his Majesty, and as yet never got any answer from him; through the which his house that he left me into stands in great danger; for there is one bruit risen in this realm that he should not be at his liberty, but prisoner in England; through the which bruit his household men, and divers of his friends are astonished, and beginning to seek other masters, and to have appointments for themselves; and so the place is in such danger, that if folks get not his hand-writing of his proceedings, or at the least of his welfare, they will not remain in Dunbarton, but seek their own way; and, as for me, I, seeing your disappearance, fear my own person to remain amongst them, and had rather the house were in danger to be taken by them than the house and I both taken. And therefore, if your not hasty written from my Lord of Lennox's self, that his friends may surely know his prosperity, and that within 8 or 9 days, I will withdraw me to my own country amongst my friends, where I may keep myself. And this I pray you advertise the King's Majesty, and also my Lord Lieutenant, because he is nearest you, that some remedy may be found; for now I advertise you that the King's Majesty may be advertised hereof, for I have written to my Lord of Lennox, to the same effect, that if any inconvenience come, that I may discharge myself conformably to mine honour. Also I pray you advertise me what manner of letters you sent me this last time, for I have suspicion that the letter that I got was opened ere I received it. Also ye shall receive one bill of tithings to me from Sterling, the which ye will perceive; and also now one other bill coming to me when I was in writing to you this present letter, forth of Argyle. I have sent to my Lord of Cassilis, my Lord of Angus, and Sir George Douglas, to draw them to a trist where that they and I may surely speak together; and after the King's Majesty shall know their minds and proceedings, not only by my advertisement, but by your own hand-writings. Ye may perceive by VOL. I. K your letters what controversies and parties are within this realm; and the long tarrying of my Lord of Lennox is appearing to do evil, and espe cially the danger of the house of Dunbarton, as I have before written. And further as all things occur I shall advertise you, praying you to do And God the Father preserve you From Dunbarton, this last day of so to me. eternally. June. By your assured friend, WILLIAM, Earl of GLENCAIRN.* To the Right honourable my Lord Wharton, Warden of the West Marches of England next to Scotland. No. XLV. (Talbot Papers, Vol. A. fol. 359.) THE EARL OF HERTFORD TO THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY. AFTER my right hearty commendations to your Lordship. Forasmuch as the King's Majesty's ancient enemies, the Scots and Frenchmen, of their insatiable malice against this realm, intending by all means they can possibly, both by sea and land, with many armies to annoy the same in such places as • William Cunninghame, fourth Earl of Glencairn, formerly Lord Treasurer of Scotland (see much of his history in papers and notes in the two last years). He married, first Catherine daughter of William, Lord Borthwick; secondly, Margaret, daughter and heir of John Campbell, of West Loudon; and had by the latter, Alexander, his successor; four other sons; and a daughter, Elizabeth, wife to Sir John Cunninghame of Caprinton. This nobleman died in 1547. they shall think to do most harm, are now assembled with a great power to make invasion in this realm; for resistance of whose malice, and preservation of the King's Majesty's realm, it is requisite and necessary forthwith to levy an army royal of his subjects within the limits of my commission, to repulse his said enemies; for putting whereof in a more readiness, the Earl of Shrewsbury then the King's Lieutenant directed late his letters into all shires within his commission, warning all men to be in readiness by the 12th day of May last past for the purpose aforesaid to march forwards, upon a new warning to be given unto them, by proclamation or otherwise. Not doubting but ye, receiving the said commandment, are now in good readiness in that behalf, I therefore will and desire you, and nevertheless in the King's Majesty's name straightly charge and command you, forthwith to send and set forwards the number prescribed unto you herein of your servants, tenants, and others within your rooms and offices in Yorkshire; to be chosen and picked men. Whereof the fourth part of your said number to be very good archers, furnished every one with a bow of ewe, and 24 arrows in a sheaf, and his dagger, and his sword or mall of The Earl of Hertford having lately returned from France, was again sent into Scotland, with an army of twelve thousand men, superseding, as appears by this letter, the Earl of Shrewsbury in his command there. The name of the latter occurring here in the third person was owing, as it should seem, to the Secretary's having neglected to substitute your Lordship for the Earl of Shrewsbury, in this particular transcript of a circular letter to the men of power in the north. K lead or iron; and the rest of your said number to have every of them a good bill, with his dagger; making as many of your number as ye may to be horsemen with spears, or to be archers, horsed of that sort that they may be able to do service when they come to the borders; and that they repair with all speed hither to Newcastle, the second day of September, where they shall receive such reasonable and ordinary allowance as in such case hath been accustomed at the arrival of your said company to the place aforesaid; bringing with them all such provision of victuals and carriages as they may for the furniture of your said number. Fail you not hereof upon pain of your allegiance, and as you tender the wealth of this realm. From Newcastle, the 22nd day of August, 1545. Your loving friend, E. HERTFORD. Postscript. I will, and nevertheless charge you, that you foresee, and have especial regard, to the choosing and appointing of your number of men, footmen, now newly assigned unto you to repair as aforesaid; so that the same may be picked, and of the best men you have, well armed, and weaponed accordingly; assuring you that like as in doing your duties to the King's Majesty in these his Highness's affairs of weighty importance, I will accordingly declare the same so, on the other part, in case at their arrival any of your men shall be found not meet to serve, they shall not only be |