accufation here; and fome practifing knaves wold whisper it, that this plot should be drawne and Aug. 1600. divised in other parts, [Ingland.1] But thus much, for this tyme, in hafte, wth myne humble duty and fervice. I pray God preferve yo' hon. Edenburgh, the 6th of August, 1600. I have no copie of this. Yor honor's, &c. &c. GEO. NICOLSON.2 (2.) EXTRACTS from LETTER, Sir Henry Neville to Mr Secretary Cecil, Right Honorable, Paris, 27th Feb. 1599-(1600.) THE EARLE GOWRY, a nobleman of Scotland, who hath spent some time in these parts, is Feb. 1600. purposed to returne home through England; and defires to have the honor to kiffe her Majefties hands, as he paffeth. And because I know him well, and have had good communication with him, and therein found him to be of very good judgement, and exceedingly well affected both to the common cause of Religion, and particularly to her Majestie, and that which may concerne her honor and service, I have thought good to recommend him especially, unto your honor; and to beseech you to be a meanes, that he may receave that honour and favour that he is worthy of; that fo he may depart, confirmed in that good devotion and respect which he beares allready towards her Majestie. If your honor please to conferre with him about these alterations feared in Scotland, I beleeve he will give you good fatisfaction; and that you will finde him to be a man of whom there may be exceeding good ufe made. I have given him my paffport, to ferve him till he come to her Majefties Court, in as ample and favourable fort as I could. The reft I referre to your honor's good favour towards him ; whereunto I humbly recommend him. And fo, &c. THE Lord Hume purposeth shortly to returne likewise, as he telleth me, and hath already prayed my paffport, which I cannot deny him. But you will be pleased to have regard to fome of my former Letters. (3.) EXTRACT from LETTER, Sir Henry Neville to Mr Winwood, London, 28th Aug. 1600. Now to the occurrences of these parts, you shall understand, that the Erle Gowry, and a brother of Aug. 1600. his, have been lately flayne, in Scotland, in the Erle's own house, and in the King's prefence. They are charged to have confpired the King's death at that time, but God would not fuffer them. They had prepared for it, to execute their deffeign, although they attempted it; and fo they fell into the pitt themselves had digged. ร This is the relation fent hither of it; which, notwithstanding, is diversely cenfured, according to men's divers affections. But howfoever, her Majeftie hath fent Sir Henry Bronkard thither, to congratulate the King's escape, and to doe fome other offices to him. There is alfo one Hambledoun come from thence, to refide here at least for fome tyme. 1 This word is interlined. 2 This must be allowed to be a very interesting letter; as it exhibits a striking picture of that singular transaction, at the moment, and of the manners of the times. In it we see, that the King had on a hunting-horn; that the King and his attendants wore grene cotes; and that the Earl of Gowrie's two sisters lived in the palace, at the moment of the conspiracy, and were in cheif credyt with the Quene. The foregoing dispatch of Nicolson proves very clearly, that Queen Elizabeth had no finger in that pye, particularly when Nicolson's declarations are coupled with the subjoined Letter, from Lord Willoughby.' (No. 8.)—Chalmers. 3 In these and the following Extracts, it has been deemed unnecessary to give any thing farther than what relates to the Conspiracy. The above Letters to Cecil and Winwood, have been taken from that valuable and authentic Collection, Winwood's Memorials and Affairs of State, Vol. I. pp. 156, 249, and 274. Nov. 1600. (4.) EXTRACT from LETTER, Sir Henry Neville to Mr Winwood, (in cipher,) London, 15th Nov. 1600. Aug. 1600. Sept. 1600. OUT of 205 (Scotland) we hear there is no good agreement, but rather ane open diffidence between 165 (Counfail,) the King of Scots, and his wife; and many are of opinion that the discovery of fome affection between her and the Earle Gowry's brother, (who was killed with him) was the trueft cause and motife of all that Tragedy. (5.) EXTRACTS from LETTERS, Sir John Cary, (fon of Lord Hunfdon,) Governor of Berwick, to Sir Robert Cecil.1 (i.) (Aug. 10.) THE KING has made great fearch, and lays great wait for the two younger brothers, who, by great fortune, efcaped from the fchools; and not daring to tarry in Scotland, they are this day come into Berwick closely, in difguifed apparel; and being brought to me, they only defire, that their lives may be fafe, and they may have a little overfight here, till the truth of their cause may be known: And the pitiful cafe of the old diftreffed good Countess hath made me, the willinglier, to give my confent, for their ftay here a while; till I may, by your honourable means, know the Queen's Majefty's pleasure, whether they shall stay here, or go fome whither farther into the country; for they only defire the fafety of their lives; and the old Countess's cafe is pitiful and lamentable. I befeech your honour, let me know her Majefty's pleasure, with as much speed as may be; for that I would do nothing to offend her Majefty. The poor gentlemen ftole into the town this morning closely, and I could not well turn them out again; feeing they come for refuge, to fave their lives, till I know her Majefty's further pleasure therein. (ii.) (Aug. 24.)—UPON the receipt of your letter of the 16th Auguft, according to the contents thereof, I did fend for the tutor of the two gentlemen, the Earl of Gowrie's brothers; who, for my own part, I have not yet seen, fince their coming into the town, so close have they kept themselves; as they have never yet stirred out of their chamber which they first entered into, to look abroad. I conferred with their tutor, which might be the secureft way, for their own fafety; advising them, for their better fecurity, to go farther off from these bordering places, where the King might not fo eafily hear of them, and their being. I wished them to repair towards Richmond, or to Rippon, or to about Hull, or to fome other fuch inland towns, out of the way, where the King might not so easily have intelligence of them; and fo they to be freer from the danger of their countrymen, who are very converfant upon the ftreet-ways. He liking very well hereof, yielded willingly thereto; defiring only, for that they came very meanly in, without either money, horse, or apparel, to have three or four days respite, that they might send to their friends for money and nags, and fuch other neceffaries as fhould be fit for their journey; then will they prefently depart, as fecret as may be; and in the mean time, they shall remain very close, till their neceffaries be gotten, which will be within four days. (iii.) (Sept. 4.)-BEFORE this day, I could not by any means get the prefent Earl of Gowrie and his brother out of the town; for that they had sent to their mother for maintenance, and could not hear till now any thing from her; and now it falls out fo ill with them, as fhe hath fent them no manner of maintenance, hoping they should have ftaid here ftill; neither dares the truft many of her fervants. For if it should be known, that the did, any manner of way, either give them fuccour or maintenance, 1 These extracts were obtained by Lord Hailes from the Originals, in the Paper-Office, London. According to his plan, they are modernized.-Cecil's Secret Corresp. p. 161. or any manner of help, she should presently forfeit, and be thrown out of all that the hath. Such Sept. 1600. secret search and privy spial is there through the whole country for her and her fons, as no friend either dare or can travel between them; such privy search is laid for them in all places, as almost no man can travel, in their country, but he is fearched. And if I had fent them fooner away, I should but have fent them to very great danger, either of being killed or taken; for that they being very poor themselves, and having no friends, nor any acquaintance, could neither have told whither to have gone, or what to do. But, finding their neceffities, and their willingness to submit themselves to any appointment, and for that I would have them out of the town, before any fault were found, I have found means, that they are furnished with fome money, and are stolen privately out of the town. I have sent them, with a man of mine own, to Durham, where they shall be secretly for a twenty days, till their mother may take fome better order for their maintenance; and then they mean to travel to Cambridge, and there to study for a time. They have none but themselves, and their schoolmafter with them. All the time of their being here, they were as in a prifon; for nobody ever faw them, neither did they ever stir out of their chamber; fo as there can be no certainty known of their being here, but only upon miftruft; and as fecretly are they gone out of the town. (iv.) (Sept. 21.)-I HAVE even now presently received your letter of the 15th of this inftant, understanding thereby the Queen's Majesty's pleasure for the Earl of Gowrie's two brothers. All that hath been faid of them, touching their behaviour here in Berwick, is but furmifes and fuppofes, by the contrary party. For I will affure your honour, upon my faith, it could not have been better carried, nor closelier handled by any creatures living, than by them, during their being here. For myself did never fee them but once, and that was at midnight, only myself; and for any other, I know they kept themfelves close enough; for they durft do no otherwise, they were so afraid of themselves. They went away as fecretly; and to Durham they went long fince, with an intent to pass onward to Cambridge, as I did before fignify to your honour. So as what is now become of them, I know not, neither where they be; for fince their departure, I have not heard of them any thing; fo as I know not where to hear of them. Thus much I thought good with speed to certify you; that with speed there may be fome course taken for their dispatch, according to her Majesty's pleasure. (6.) LETTER, King James VI. to Mr John Caldcleuch. TRUSTY frend, We greit zou hertlie weill. We have taiken occafioun heirby, richt erniftlie Aug. 1600. to will and defire zou, that ze faill not, all excuiffis fet a part, to be at Falkland, upoun Wedynfday at evin nixt, the twenty day of this inftant, for 3our beft advyfs and opinion to be had, anent the planting of Kirkis of Edinburgh; the forme and maner of the univerfall thankis and prayis that fall be gevin to God, in every Congregatioun and Kirk within this realme, for our miraculous delyverie of that treafonabill Confpiracy, intendit laitlie aganis us, at Sanct Johnftoun, be umquile Johne Erl of Gowrie, the Mr his brother, and thair affociattis; and for 3our advys to be gevin in fic uther, our great and wechtie effairis, as falbe particularly impairtit to 3ou at 3our coming: ffor the quilk, luiking precefly that nicht, that on the morne thaireftir, they materis may be handellit and put to ane point; We commit zou in Godis protectioun. From Halyruidhous, this xiij day of August, 1600. To our trufty frend, Mr Johne Caldcleuch, Minifter of Newburgh. JAMES R. 1 Wodrow's MSS. Advocates' Library, Vol. LXIX. Jac. V. 1. 12. It is proper to mention, that this seems to be one of the numerous circulars which were addressed to the Clergy, as may be seen from the preceding Extracts from the Lord High Treasurer's Books, No. VIII. See Note, p. 239. No doubt each Letter would vary from another in some minute particulars, and according to the favour the respective parties enjoyed at Court. Aug. 1600. Sept. 1600. Oct. 1600. (7.) EXTRACTS from LETTERS, Rowland Whyte, Efquire,' to Sir Robert (Aug. 16.)—THE King of Scots had lately like to have bene murthired. Young Goory3 (the Erle (ii.) (Aug. 26.)—HERE is one Hamelton come from the King of Scots, to refide here as his Agent, and to deliuer to the Queen the maner of the Confpiracie against his Mafter.-STRAND, (London,) this 26 of Auguft, 1600. (iii.) (Sept. 12.)-ONE PRESTON, Capten of the King of Scots Foote-gard, a very proper and difcret Gentleman, was with the Queen, fent from his Mafter, to deliuer more matter difcouered of the Treafon intended against his Maieftie by the Earle Gowrey and his Complices.-STRAND-BRIDGE, this Satur day, the 12 of Septemb. 1600. (iv.) (Oct. 3.)-SIR HARRY BRUNCKAR is returned out of Scotland; and from the Kings own mouth, receues the maner of the Conspiracy against hym; which is as yt is fett down in the printed booke I fent you the last week. The K. hath knighted all his fervants that affifted hym out of that perrill. Some difpleasure the King conceaues against the Minifters; for that they wold not, in the pulpitt, preach against the horiblenes of the fact.-STRAND, Friday night, late, the 3 of October, 1600. 1 This gentleman was employed by Sir Robert Sydney to solicit his affairs at the Court of England, and to relate to him all that took place; for which he received a salary. His Letters are minute and valuable, as they contain much private information not elsewhere to be found. 2 Lord Governor of Flushing, afterwards Lord Chamberlain to King James. He was brother of the celebrated Sir Philip Sydney. See Sydney State Papers, or Collins's Letters and Memorials of State, Lond. 1746. Folio. Vol. II. p. 211. 3 The Master of Gowry, Mr Alexander Ruthven. SIR, (8.) LETTER, Lord Gray' to 2 I LANDIT that fame nicht I left you laft, at eicht houris, and ves in danger amongst the craiges, and never in my lyf fo feik. Heir I met vt Thomas Hendryfone of Edinb: He hes no newes, faue of Th' Earle of Gouryes death. He tellis it in the fame forte as ye haue hard it. Ther is execute Mr Th: Cranstoun and George Craigingelt, vt fevin honeft men of St Jhonftoun. They ar executed, for that they ver fund to be in armes befor the reft. His man, who ves vt him, is bootit, M' Villiam Rynd; and hes deponit no thing, faue that my Lord ftudiit Magik in Italie and France, and had fprittis. His chamberlane, vho fhould haue flaine the King, is yet keipit. M' Patrik Gallouay hes preatchit all this in the pulpit of Edinb., bothe of the Magic and Treafoun; bot all vho ar dead, confeffit no thing. The King, efter the preatching, fueir folemnelly, that all ves treu he hed preatchit, by his faluation and condemnation. The reft of the Minifters ves preaffit to subscryue that it ves treu ; bot they refufit: Yet they grantit to thank God for his Maties delyuerance: And so they ar banifit. Richart Preftoun is at Loundoun; bot as yet I knou not vhat they fay to him. From Londoun ye fhall heir all. And I remaine your louing freind and coufing, GRAY. DOVER, 28 Sept. 1600. ⚫ I forgot, amongft vther thingis that Mr Gallouay preatchit that Th' Earle of Goury ves a dealler (9.) EXTRACT from LETTER, Mr Winwood to Secretary Cecil,3 Sept. 1600. THE Ambaffador of Scotland hath been advertised of a dangerous practice against THE SCOTS May, 1601. KING: That lately, one called Glarnet hath been fent out of Scotland, with Letters to BOTHWELL, to haften home with diligence, where he fhall find fufficient affiftance. The principal person who employed this perfon is THE QUEEN OF SCOTLAND; and Letters have been intercepted out of Scotland, from Mr Gray, that the death of GOWRIE fhould fhortly be revenged.1 (10.) EXTRACT from LETTER, Lord Henry Howard (afterwards Earl of Northampton) to Edward Bruce, (Lord Kinlofs.3) [Without date, but previous to Aug. 24, 1602.] 6 OUT of the Archduke's Camp, one of her Majesty's greatest commanders heth been advertised, that Aug. 1602 ? a fire will break out in Scotland, before it be long; which makes Cecil to fear, knowing in what flate King James ftands with England at this day, that other trains, made under ground by fecret pioneers, within the body of that ftate itself, may break out when it is leaft looked for. Add hereunto, the gallant maintenance of Gowrie's fon, fo near Scotland, and with so great shews; though no man knows from whence, befide Sir John Cary," who is holden to be very inward in that course, as certain gen1 From the original in the Advocate's Library. The envelope is lost, and no trace remains in any other Letters in the same valuable Collection. It does not appear whether this Letter is from Patrick, sixth Lord Gray, or his son, the well-known intriguing Patrick, Master of Gray, who acted so base and treacherous a part in England, during the latter part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and the earlier portion of King James VI. The families of Ruthven and Gray were nearly related by intermarriage. 2 Andrew Henderson. 3 Winwood's Memorials, I. 326. See also Pinkerton's Dissertation, (appended to Laing's Scotland, (First Edit.) 1800, Vol. I. p. 534, &c.) who strongly asserts the Queen's participation in schemes against her husband. The inferences he draws from the alleged intrigues of Queen Anne are quite fanciful; and the hypothesis he then maintained, in regard to the Conspiracy, quite untenable. Laing discarded Pinkerton's Dissertation from the subsequent editions of his History. 4 See Notice prefixed to the case of Francis Mowbray, Jan. 31, 1603, &c. 5 From Cecil's Secret Correspondence with King James VI, edited by Lord Hailes; who has purposely modernized the style. Cecil employed Howard, and the King Bruce, as the medium of correspondence. 6 Patrick Ruthven, the son of Wil liam Earl of Gowrie, whose daughter, as has been remarked before, was married to Sir Anth. Vandyke. It was he who |