CP 152, 138

CP Volume 152 Folio 138

HMC Volume 1 Page 213 Number 681

Haynes Page 297 Number 289

Transcribed by Samuel Haynes in “A Collection of State Papers . . . 1542 to 1570” London, 1740 23 April 1560 The Queen's Majesty to the Duke of Norfolk

From a Minute of Secretary Cecill.

RIGHT trusty and right welbelovid Coosyn, we grete yow well. By your Lettres of the 19th hereof we perceve, that it is agreed by the Lords of Scotland and our Ministers, that if we wold be content, the Castell of Edynburgh might be taken, and so the takyng of Leth advanced, which Enterprise they doo advertise yow may be doone within four Dayes; and to this, and the Surprise of Insketh (which by Winter's Report, semeth to be in very hard Case for lack of Victell) ye doo desyre spedy Answer. Ye shall understand, that by Advise of our Counsell, we thynk convenient, that the Matter of Edynburgh Castell shall be well and circumspectly considered: And for that we thynk mete that no necessary thyng be omitted, that maye directly tend to the Accomplishment of our Purpoose, we be contented, that if it shall appeare to the Lord Grey and our Counsell with hym, that the Accomplishyng of our Purpoose ageynst Lethe cannot be otherwise with Expedition obteyned, neither by Treaty and Accord, nor by Force, that then they shall use there Discretions to attempt Edenburgh, as shall seme most necessary for our Service. And in that Case, before Force be shewed to the Castle, to make some honorable Offers to the Quene, which if she will not accept, then to procede to the Enterprise, as the Case shall require, and that with honorable Considerations towards hir Person, as in such a Case shall seme requisite. And as for Inskyth, it semeth that there lack is such, that it cannot long endure, being well kept from refreshyng of Victell; but therin we remitt the Matter to the Discretions of the Lord Grey with our Counsell, and the Admyrall there, to doo that shall seme most necessary for our Service; so as the Prosequution of the taking of Lethe be not neglected. This our Pleasure in the Premissees, ye shall advertise the Lord Grey and the rest of our Counsell there, with such spede, as ye shall thynk mete. We mervell that we never hard of any Communication betwixt the Quene and ours, sence the coming awey of Sir George Howard thence, consideryng we wer advertised, that there was an Appoyntment for six to communicate thereuppon.