CP, 138, 38
CP Volume 138 Folio 38
HMC Volume 1 Page 230 Number 728
Haynes Page 321 Number 325
Transcribed by Samuel Haynes in “A Collection of State Papers . . . 1542 to 1570” London, 1740
4 June 1560 From my Lord his Grace to Mr. Secretarie
From the D. of Norfolk's Book of Entries.
YESTERNIGHT arrived here my Lord Ruthen, a Man very well estymed with the Lords of the Congregation, having Commyssion from them to conferr with me, what Place might be thought moste meete for the French to be permytted to com unto, for to treate in: Who doth report from the Lords, that they woll hoolye putt Thappointment of the Place, and their own Lyffs to, in the Queen's Majestie's Handes; having sent unto me by hym a Pasporte for them to passe saff to Edinburgh: Neverthelesse they wold be gladd, if it stood with the Queen's Majestie's Pleasure, that they shuld cum no nyer, neither Scotland, nor the Borders, then Newcastell; alledging divers Annoyauncs that cam to them by the Bishop of Vallence's Entrie. Furst they say, that the Bishop did delyver a certain Som of Money in French Crownes, unto the Dowagier, wherby ther Enymyes, as they thinke, have ben sum whatt hartened. Secondarly, they are affrayed that it shuld witholde the Newtralls from being plaine partakers; assuring youe that the Dowagier hath lredye sent unto the Newtrals, shewing them the Newes of Randon and of the Bishop's Retorne againe, promysing them great Montaynes, so that they woll withholde themselfs from the Congregation, tyll yt maye be seen what Poynte Treatie will fall to; to the whiche they are easily intreated. Thirdly, they have Advertisements, that ther shuld be dyvers skillfull Men, as Captens and Fortisiers in their Traine, seamyng but as thoughe they were their Men. All thes Things nowe declared, I dare say, you may use them, as you thinke good; neverthelesse I py you, lett me have som spedie Aunswer herein, whereby my Lord Ruthon may thebetter advertise my Lords of the Congregation of your Determynations. And if the Footemen were com, I wold hope to ease the French of their Paine, for ty conjecture yt cannot be otherweis judged but that, if we were ons before Ltle with a greter Power, it wold soon be ours, eyther perforce, or els by rendring; they made a Resolution that playnely, if they shuld of necessyte yelde, they wold st rather to Winter's Curteysie, then to my Lord Graye's. They are afrayed of Revengement, and yet I see not howe ther cann be made ony Prisoners, the Queen's Proclamation being as yt is. The Hope of this Gaine one way, and the greate Swetenes, that cometh by polling the Queen's Majestie theother, wold make sum to wisshe the Contynnaunce of this brute Lyff: But so as the Queen's Majestie, rd this Realme was delyvered with Honor and good Successe in their Interprises, and I at home at Kennynghall, I care not in what other Country they had their fill thereof. But what neade I trouble youe with this long Letter, when that I mynde, by the Grace of Godd, by Mouthe shortely to deciphre a greate meynye of other Matters unto you, wherof you will thinke straunge. The Bell-wether of all myschyff woll eete with you by the Waye, whose Companye, I am sure you cannot mysse, and if yt were for half a score Myles. I never had so muche adoo, as to use Temperance with hym: He saw I did no wey like his Doings, nor greatly his Compaynye; and yet I could never be rydd of his inquysytiff hed. I heare that to sum Points he well pleade ignoraunce. Thus being very sory of your unstedfast Helthe, whiche neverthelesse, I hope Godd now woll menteyne, considering the Necessitie that is required of your Helpe and Service to the Queen's Majestie and your Countreynn, in thes greate Affaires, I bydd you most hartely farewell, prayeing you to make my most hartye Commendations to myn Unkle Wotton. From, &c.
POSTSCRIT. I hope you and myn Unkle Wotton woll take my House at Newcastle; if that by Request I could not obteyne this at your Handes, then I wold sumwhat stretche myn authorytye during my Mayrealtye.
Thomas Norffolk.
