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A
RELATION
Of the DEATH of
David Rizzi,
Chief FAVORITE to
Mary Stuart Queen of Scotland;
Who was killed in the Apartment
of the said Queen on the 9th of
March 1565.
Written by the Lord RVTHEN, one of
the principal Persons concerned in that
Action.
Published from an Original Manuscript.
Together with an Account of DAVID
RIZZI, faithfully translated from
Geo. Buchanan's History of Scotland.
LONDON, Printed for A. Baldwin
in Warwick-lane. 1699.
Folio 207. AMong the Servants of the Court was one
David Rizziborn atTurin:His Father was an honest Man, but so very poor, that all he could do was to main tain himself and his Family, by teaching the Elements of Musick. Having nothing to leave to his Children, he taught them, both Sons and Daughters, to sing. Of these, Davidbeing young and brisk, and trusting to his Voice that was not disagreable, and to his Skill in Musick which he had learned from his Fa ther, he resolved to try his Fortune; and in order to this went to Nice,where the Duke ofSavoy,who had lately been restored to his Dominions, kept his Court. But Matters there not answering his Expectation, he came to be in such extream want, that he knew not well what to do with himself, when be hapned to fall in with Signior Moretti,who was then (as the Duke's Envoy) preparing for his Iourney toScotland,he waited on him thither. But being there,Morettihaving but a small Allowance for himself, and no great need of his Service, dismissed him; howeverDavidresolved to make some stay, and try his Fortune again: he was chiefly encouraged to this, being told that the Queen delighted in hearing of Songs, and was not altogether unskilful in Musick. To make his way to her, he made an Interest with the Musicians(who were for the most part French) that he might appear amongst them. Thus being heard to sing once or twice, she liked him so well, that he was im mediately added to their Number. Having got into this Post, and observed the Queen's humour and way, he, partly by flattering her, partly by carrying Stories to her of the other Ser
vants, came in a little time to be as much in her Fa vour as he was hated by the rest of the Family. How ever, all this good Fortune could not satisfy him; but having either lessened with the Queen such as seemed to be on the same foot of Favour with himself, or got them turned out of the Family by his false Suggesti ons, he began insensibly to aspire to meddle in greater Matters; till at last he was employed to write her Letters, and then he had a fair pretext to be with the Queen alone, which afforded him opportunities of doing business with her under-hand. All this could not but make a great noise, to see a Man who was little better than a Beggar, raised on the sudden to great Riches; a Man whose Fortune did far exceed his Merit, and yet his arrogance in despising his Equals, and vying with his Superiors, surpassed even his Fortune. It was the meanness of a great many of the Nobility that served chiefly to encourage this Fellow in his extravagant Vanity: they slavishly made their court to him, cringing to him upon all occasions, admiring and applauding whatever he said; waiting at his Apartment, and presenting themselves in his way when he went in or out; Only the Earl of
Murray,one that could never dissemble, instead of making his court to him, shewed even by his Countenance, for the most part, the contempt he had of him. Which behaviour of the Earl's offended the Queen her self no less than it did David.
He on the other hand, to have a support against the hatred of the chief of the Nobility, courted with all the arts of flattery and insinuation, HenryLordDarley,who was to marry the Queen; and got into that degree of familiarity with him, that Darleymade him his Companion and Bedfellow, and entirely trusted him. He perswaded the unwary Young Man, who was forward to believe whatever suted his Inclinations, that it was by his means chiefly that the Queen had been induced to cast her Eyes upon him. He was also daily sowing Discord betwixt Darleyand the Earl ofMurray;for he flattered himself, that if he could once get rid of that Earl, he might for the rest of his Life take his full career without opposition. By this time the Queen's intended Marriage with
Darley,and his private meetings with her; as also her strange familiarity withDavid,were much talked of and censured every where. Vpon which the Earl of Murrayfinding there was nothing to be done, and that the good Advice he gave served only to irritate his Sister against him, resolved to leave the Court, lest he should seem to have any hand in what was doing.
Fol. 207. These marks of the Peoples affection
To the Earl of so incensed the Queen against her Brother, as to quicken her to put in execution the Design she had premeditated against his Life. The manner was agreed to be thus: That the Queen who was then atMurray.Perthwith little Company, should send for the Earl ofMurraythither, where the LordDarleyshould enter into discourse with him; and as it was not doubted the Earl would speak plainly and freely, the Dispute by that means growing warm,Davidshould give him the first Wound, and then the rest-should dispatch him upon the place. Of this Conspiracy the Earl ofRizzi Murraywas informed by his Friends who were in the Court; yet being resolved to go, he set forward on his Iourney, but receiving a second admonition fromAuthor of the follow ing Relation. PaLordtrick Ruthen,he turned out of the way, and went to visit his Mother at her House, which stands situated on the Lake ofLeven.
Fol. 208. There was also another reason which prevailed not a little with the Queen to use expedition in this matter
(of her Marriage)she knew herThe Duke of Vncles were averse to the Match, and feared, if any longer delay should intervene, that some Obstruction might be laid in the way by them, which might disturb the whole Business. For when that secret Resolution was taken, of making a Holy War throughout all ChristenGuise,and Cardinal ofLorrain.dom for extirpating the pure Doctrine of the Gospel, the Duke of Guisewho was designed for Commander in chief of all those Forces, having conceived the most unwarrantable and immoderate hopes, resolved by the means of his Niece, to embroilBritainin Domestick Troubles, that they might not be able to send the least assistance to their Friends abroad. But Dawho was in great credit with the Queen, insistvid, ing that the intended Marriage would be advantage ous to Religion, on account that Henryand his Father were most strenuous assertors of the Papal Sect, agreable to both Nations, allied to divers Noble Fa milies, and supported by many Friends, the thing in dispute was at last forced that way. Notwithstanding all which, two things seemed to cross David's Designs, if the Marriage should succeed with the consent of the Queen of England,and of the Nobility ofScotland:the first, that he should lose the Honour of being accounted the Author; the second, that provision would be made for the Security of Religion: whereas if the Queen would join her self with the Council ofTrent,he promised himself Honours, Benefices, infinite Treasures, and uncontrouled Authority. For these reasons he left nothing unattempted to precipitate the Marriage, and effected it; the Scotsbeing not well pleased, and theEnglishmost highly offended.
Fol. 209. In the mean time
Davidfinding the Court cleared of the principal Persons of the Nobility, that he might confirm his intemperate hopes of Power, còntinually laboured by rash Advice to excite the Queen to use the coercive Power of the Sword against the Heads of the several Parties, assuring her that if a few were removed, the rest would not dare to attempt any thing: But conjecturing that the Queen's Guards, being Scotswould not easily consent to the Murder of the Nobility, he made it his principal business to turn them out from that Post, and to introduce Foreigners (which has almost ever been the rise of all Tyranies) into that Body. To that end a motion was first made to send formen, Germans,that Nation being esteemed to be of great fidelity to their Masters: butDavidhaving attentively consider'd the matter, concluded it to be more commodious for the carrying on of his Designs, that Italiansshould be admitted to that Imployment; being perswaded that Men of the same Nation with himself would not only be more intirely under his Power, but that having no tincture of any Religion they would be also the most proper Instruments of embroiling Affairs; and making no distinction between what is just and what unjust, might easily be driven to perpetrate any kind of Villany: besides which, men indigent and wicked, born and educated under Tyrants, accustomed to unjust War, and who being far from home esteemed nothing in Britaindear to them, seemed most fit to support the Innovations intended. To this end he began by degrees to send for vagabond Souldiers fromFlandersand other Countries upon the Continent, who came single, and at different times, that what was doing might not ap pear: but to offend one of these was more dangerous than to offend the Queen. In the mean time, as the Power and Authority of Davidwith the Queen increased daily, so the King became daily more contem tible to her; and to treat him yet with greater in dignity, Davidwas substituted to sign divers publick Acts in the place of the King.
Fol. 209. The Queen not contenting her self to have raised
Davidfrom the meanest obscurity, and exposed him to the view of the People in this high degree of Elevation, contrived another way of honouring him in a domestick and more familiar manner. She had for some Months admitted more Persons than had been u sual at her Table, that Davidmight have a place there with less envy, on account of the number of those who received that honour; not doubting by this shew of Popularity, the numerous company, and daily use, the strangeness of the Spectacle would by degrees not only wear off, but the Stomach of the stoutest be insensibly accustomed to suffer any thing. At last Davidwith only one or two more was permitted to eat with her; yet that the straitness of the Place might in some measure diminish the Envy of the Action, they sometimes eat in a little Closet, and sometimesin David's Chamber. But instead of lessening the Publick Envy by these means, they increased their own Infamy, confirmed former Suspicions, and afforded matter for sinister Discourses. Another thing fell in also to inflame the minds of Men already disposed to believe the worst, thatDavidfor surpassed the King in rich Furniture, Cloths, number and goodness of Horses; which Indignity seemed so much the greater, by how much his Face contributed more to destroy the effect of every Ornament about him, than any of those Advantages to grace his Person. There fore the Queen, since she could not correct. the faults of Nature, endeavours by heaping Honours upon him to advance him into the highest Order of Men, that the Meanness of his Birth and his personal Deformity might lie concealed under the cover of a fortuitous No bility; but most especially that by this means having a right of voting in the publick Assemblies, he might be enabled to manage those Councils as the Queen should direct. And because it was thought necessary to ad vance gradually, and that he might not seem to be an indigent and mercenary Senator, their first attempt was made upon a Lordship, called by the Seots Malvil,and situated nearEdinburgh.The Possessor of the Lordship, with his Father-in-law, and such Friends as were thought to have the most influence upon him, were sent for to the Queen, who endeavoured to prevail with the Lord to deliver up his Possession quietly, and to induce his Father-in-law, with the rest of his Friends, to perswade him so to do. But this way not taking effect as was desired, the Queen interpreted their refusal as an affront to her; and which was more pernicious, Davidwas highly offended. The People (for these things were not done in the dark) began to deplore the present Evils, and to expect worse eve ry day; If men of the most antient Families and Ho nour might be expelled from the Seats of their An cestors at the will of an indigent Rascal. The old men called to mind, and frequently mentioned the time when Cockeran,after the barbarous Murder of the King's Brother, was advanced from a Porter to the Earldom ofMarr,and filled the whole Kingdom with Fire and Sword; which Desolation terminated in the Death of the King, and almost total Sbversion of the Kingdom: To these things which were publick, men in private Discourses added many more, as is u •• sual in undecent and scandalous cases. But the King resolving to credit nothing, save what he should discover by himself, being informed that Davidwas gone into the Queen's Chamber, he went to the Door, of which he always carried a Key; and contrary to custom, finding it to be bolted within, he knocked; but no one answering, he departed in a great rage; and being agitated by most violent Passions, passed the greater part of the Night without Sleep.
Fol. 210. About that time Letters were brought from the Queen of
England,in which many things concerning the present state of Affairs inScotlandwere kindly and prudently treated, with a gentle and affectionate admonition to her Kinswoman to lay aside her Passion, and to entertain more moderate Counsels. The Queen understanding that the Lords knew such Letters were arrived, and that no one doubted the Contents, called divers of them to her (hoping the favour would be interpreted to proceed from inclination) and began to read them in their presence. But as she was in the course of her reading,Davidopenly admonished her that she had read enough, and commanded her to stop: which Action was accounted by all to be rather insolent than new; for they were not ignorant how arrogantlyhe used to carry himself to her, frequently reproving her with more sharpness than her Husband durst ad venture to do. Few days after this the Cause of the Exiles was warmly debated in Parliament, where some to gratify the Queen, moving they might be punished as Traytors, and others affirming they had done nothing which deserved so great Severity; Davidin the mean time surrounded the Members one by one, and endeavoured to penetrate the intention of each towards those that were banished, if he should be chosen President by the rest of the Assembly; not doubting openly to discover that the Queen would have them con demn'd; and that whoever should oppose her, would not only take pains to no purpose, but incur her High Displeasure.
IN the first, the Lord Ruthen of Scotland, a
Man of forty and six Years, was visited by
the Hand of God with great trouble and
sickness, having two Infirmities, the one
called the Inflammation of the Liver, and the other
the Consumption of the Reins and Kidneys, wherePreston, and Thomas Thompson Apothecary; and
was so feebled and weakned through the Sickness
and Medicines, that scarcely he might walk twice
the length of his Chamber unsitting down. In
this mean time the King, Husband to the Queen's
Majesty of Scotland, conceived hatred against an
Italian called David Riccio; and about the 10th
day of February the said King sent his dear Friend
and Kinsman George Douglas Son to Archibald,
Angus, and declared to the
said Lord Ruthen how that the said David Riccio
had abused him in many sorts, and lately had
staied the Queen's Majesty from giving him the
Crown Matrimonial of Scotland, which her MaDavid
had done to him, which he could not bear with
longer, and behoved to be revenged thereof.
And because the said Lord Ruthen was one of
the Nobility that he confided and trusted most
unto, in respect that his Children and he were
Sisters Children; therefore he desired his CounDavid. The said Lord Ruthen hearGeorge
Douglass, that he could give no counsel in that
Matter, in respect he knew the King's Youth and
Facility; for he had sundry of the Nobility that
had given him counsel for his own Honour and
Weal, and immediately he revealed the same aRuthen would have no medling
with his Proceedings until the time he could
keep his own counsel. The said George departed
with the said Lord's Answer to the King about
the 12th of February: The said King hearing
the Answer, was very miscontented, and said, It
is a sore case that I can get none of the NobiDavie. The said George answered, The
said Fault was in your self, that cannot keep
your own counsel. Then the King took a Book
and swore thereon, that what Counsel soever
the Lord Ruthen should give him, he would not
George to the said Lord Ruthen again, declaring
what Oath the King had made. NotwithstandRuthen was eight days thereGeorge to him
every day three or four times. After eight
days were past, the which was toward the 20th
day of February, the said Lord Ruthen perceivDavie, the said Lord resolved in
his mind, and considered that he had a good time
to labour for certain of the Nobility his BreEngland
and in Argile; and specially the Earls of
Argile, Murray, Glencarn and Rothes; the Lord
Boyd and Ocheltrie, and Lairds of Pittarro and
Grange, with many other Gentlemen and Barons.
Wherefore so soon as the said George was diRuthen answered, That he could not medScotland;
so that the said Lord Ruthen would make
him sure that they would be his, and set forward
all his Affairs. The said Lord gave answer to
the King, and bad him make his own Security,
and that he should cause it to be subscribed by
the aforesaid Earls, Lords, and Barons. ImGeorge Douglass to the said Lord Ruthen with cer
The Articles being penned for both Parties,
and the King reading and considering the same,
he was contented therewith, and subscribed his
part, and delivered it to the said Lord Ruthen,
who sent the other Articles to the Earl of Murray,
and the remanent being within England;
and to the Earl of Argile and the remanent being
with him in the West, who subscribed the same,
and sent them to the said Lord Ruthen to be kept
till their meeting with the King, and every one
to have their own part: The Tenour whereof
followeth.
carne, Andrew Earl of Rothes, Ro bert Lord Boyd, Andrew Lord O cheltrie, and their Complices, to the Noble and Mighty Prince Henry King of Scotland, Husband to our Sovereign Lady: Which Articles the said Persons offer with most humility, lowliness and service to the said Noble Prince, for whom to God they pray, &c. Imprimis,
THE said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall become, and by the Tenour hereof become true Subjects, Men and Servants, to the Noble and Mighty Prince
Henry,by the Grace of God, King ofScotland,and Husband to our Sovereign Lady: That they and all others that will do for them, shall take a leyal and true part with the said Noble Prince in all his Actions, Causes and Quarrels, against whomsoever, to the uttermost of their Powers; and shall be Friends to his Friends, and Enemies to his Enemies, and neither spare their Lives, Land, Goods nor Possessions.2.
Item,The said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall at the first Parliament, and other Parliaments that shall happen to be aftertheir returning within this Realm, by themselves and others that have Voice in Parliament, con sent, and by these Presents do consent now as then, and then as now, to grant and give the Crown matrimonial to the said Noble Prince for all the days of his Life. And if any Person or Persons withstand or gainsay the same, the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall take such part as the said Noble Prince taketh, in what soever sort, for the obtaining of the said Crown, against all, and whatsoever that let or deny, as shall best please the said Noble Prince. 3.
Item,The said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall fortify and maintain the said Noble Prince in his just Title to the Crown ofScotland,failing of Succession of our Sovereign Lady, and shall justify and set forward the same at their utmost Powers. And if any manner of Person will usurp or gainsay the just Title, then the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall maintain, defend, and set forwards the same, as best shall please the said Noble Prince, without fear of Life or Death; and shall seek and pursue them the Usurpers, as shall please the said Noble Prince to command, to extirp them out of the Realm ofScotland,or take or slay them.4.
Item,As to the Religion which was established by the Queen's Majesty our Sovereign, shortly after her arrival in this Realm, where upon Acts and Proclamation was made, and now again granted by the said Noble Prince to the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices; they, and every of them, shall maintain and fortify the same at their uttermost Powers, by the help, supply, and maintenance of the said Noble Prince. And if any Person or Persons will gain say the same, or any part thereof, or begin to make Tumult or Uproar for the same, the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, to take a full, true, and plain part with the said Noble Prince, against the said Contemners and Usur pers, at their uttermost. 5.
Item,As they are become true Subjects, Men and Servants, to the said Noble Prince, so shall they be leyal and true to his Majesty, as becometh true Subjects to their natural Prince; and as true and faithful Servants serve their good Master with their Bodies, Lands, Goods and Possessions; and shall neither spare Life nor Death in setting forward all things that may be to the Advancement and Honour of the said No ble Prince. 6.
Item,The said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall labour at the Queen ofEngland's hands for the relief of the said Noble Prince his Mother and Brother, by themselves and such others as they may procure, to the uttermost of their power, that they may be reliev'd out of Ward, or remain inEnglandfreely, or repair intoScotland,as they shall think most expedient, without stop or impediment to her self, her Son, their Servants and Moveables.7.
Item,The said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, shall, by themselves and others that will do for them, labour and procure, at the Queen ofEngland's hands, that the said Noble Prince may have her kindness, good-will and assistance in all his Majesty's honourable and just Causes, against whatsoever Foreign Prince.
ray, Archibald Earl of Argile, Alex ander Earl of Glencarne, Andrew Earl of Rothes, Robert Lord Boyd, Andrew Lord Stuart of Ocheltrie, remaining in England, &c. Item, FIRST, The said Noble Prince shall do his good will to obtain them one Remis
sion, if they require the same, for all Faults and Crimes by-past, of whatsoever quality or condi tion they be. And if that cannot be obtained at the first time, shall persevere in suing of the same until it be obtained; and at the last shall give them a free remission of all Crimes so soon as we are placed, by their help and supply, to the Crown Matrimonial: And in the mean time shall stop and make Impediments, so much as lieth in us, that they be not called nor accused for what soever Crime: And presently remits and forgives the aforesaid Earls, Lords, and their Complices, all Crimes committed against us, of whatsoever quality or condition they be; and do bury and put the same in Oblivion, as they had never been: And shall receive them at their returning, thank fully, and with heartiness, as others our true and faithful Subjects and Servants. 2.
Item,We shall not suffer, by our good wills, the foresaid Lords and their Complices, to be called or accused in Parliament, nor suffer any Forfeitures to be laid against them, but shall stop the same at our uttermost Power: And if any Person or Persons pretend otherwise, we shall neither consent to the holding the Parliament, nor yet shall grant to their Forfeiture willingly, but shall stop the same to our uttermost Power, as said is. 3.
Item,That the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, returning within the Realm ofScotwe shall suffer or permit them to use and enjoy all their Lands, Tackes, Steedings and Benefices that they or any of them had before their passage intoland, England.And if any manner of Persons do make them Impediments in the peaceable enjoying of the said Lands, Steedings, Tackes, Benefices, and Possessions, it being made known to us, we shall fortify and maintain them to the uttermost of our Powers, to the obtaining of the same.4.
Item,As to the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices Religion, we are contented and consent that they use the same, conform to the Queen's Majesty Act and Proclamation made thereupon, shortly after her Highness's return out of France.And if any Person or Persons pretend to make them Impediment thereunto, or to trouble them for using the same Religion, we shall take part with the aforesaid Earls, Lords, and their Complices, at our uttermost Power. And after their returning, upon their good bearing and service to be done to the said NoblePrince, shall by their advice consent to the stablish ing the Religion now professed, and shall concur with them, if any persons do withstand them.
Item,We shall fortify and maintain the said Earls, Lords, and their Complices, as a natural Prince should do to his true and Obedient Subjects; and as one good Master should fortify and maintain his true and natural Servants against whatsoever, in all their just Causes, Actions, and Quarrels.
All this while the King kept secret from the
Queen's Majesty the whole Proceedings; and as
her Majesty sought by subtil means to learn of
him what was in his mind, so crafted he with
her to seek out her mind: And in the same time
he daily sent to the Lord Ruthen, saying that he
could not abide Davie any longer; and if his
Slaughter was not hastned, he would slay him
himself, yea, tho it were in the Queen's Majesty's
own Chamber. The said Lord Ruthen counselled
him to the contrary, and thought it not decent
that he should put hand on such a mean Person:
yet always the King could not be content, withRuthen affixed a day when the
said Davie should be slain. The said Lord conDavie, notwithSeaton;
the King so burning in his desire towards the
David, he sent divers privy WritGeorge Douglas, to be shewed to the
Lord Ruthen, to have all things in readiness aEdinburgh towards the
Slaughter of David, or otherwise he would put
the same in execution with his own hands. In
the mean time the said Lord Ruthen was practiMorton, who was the King's
near Kinsman, and with the Lord Lindsey, beDouglas, and of consanSeaton, he directed
George Douglas to the said Earl of Morton and
Lord Ruthen, to see what day should be appointed,
with place and time, for the performance of the
Enterprise against David. The said Earl and Lord
sent answer to the King, and declared they should
have a sufficient number ready against Friday or
Saturday the 8th or 9th of March, to do what he
pleased; and enquired of the King what time
he would have it the ratherest performed; for
according to the said Earl's and Lord's opiniDavid
should be in his own Chamber in the Morning, or
in passing through the Close: which the King refusimpliciter, and said he could not be well taken
in his own Chamber, nor no time in the MornSignior Francisco's Chamber, and
Morton, Lord Ruthen, and
Lord Lindsey, should have ready so many as would
be Assistants and Partakers with the King, in
their Houses, against he should send them word:
and so soon as he sent them word, that the Earl of
Morton should come in, and come up to the
Queen's utter Chamber, and a Company with
him; and the said Lord Ruthen to come through
the King's secret Chamber; and that the King
would pass up before by a privy Passage to the
Queen's Chamber, and open the Door, whereRuthen and his Company
might enter: and that the King himself should
be speaking with the Queen's Majesty sitting at
supper; the remanent Barons and Gentlemen to
be in the Court of the Palace for keeping of the
Gates, and defending of the Close, in case any
of the Lords or Officers would endeavour to
gain-stand the King's Enterprize. The said Earl
of Morton and Lord Ruthen having consideration
Davie
in the Queen's Majesty's Chamber, were loth
to grant thereto; yet the King would not otherDavie
in the Queen's presence or otherwise, like as the
Band more at large specified hereafter word by
word.
Be it kend to all men by these present Letters:
We Henry by the Grace of God, King of Scotland,
and Husband to the Queen's Majesty; for
so much we having consideration of the gentle
and good nature, with many other good Qualities
in her Majesty, we have thought pity, and also
think it great conscience to us that are her HusItalian called
Davie: which may be the occasion of her MaHolyrood-house,
we by the Word of a Prince shall accept and take
the same on us now as then, and then as now;
and shall warrant and keep harmless the foresaid
Earls, Lords, Barons, Freeholders, Gentlemen,
Merchants and Craftsmen, at our utter power. In
witness whereof we have subscribed this with our
own hand at Edinburg, the 1st of March 1565.
Upon Saturday the 9th day of March, as is
conform to the King's Ordenance and Device,
the said Earl Morton, Lords Ruthen and Lindsey,
having their Men and Friends in readiness, abidMorton, Lord Ruthen and Lord Lindsey, with
their Complices, passed up to the Queen's utter
Chamber; and the said Lord Ruthen passed in
through the King's Chamber, and up through the
privy way to the Queen's Chamber, as the King
had learned him, and through the Chamber to
the Cabinet, where he found the Queen's Majesty
sitting at her Supper at the middes of a little
Table, the Lady Argile sitting at one end, and
Davie at the head of the Table with his Cap on
his head, the King speaking with the Queen's
Majesty, and his hand about her Waste. The
said Lord Ruthen at his coming in said to the
Davie come forth of your preRoss from his
whole Lands, because he would not give over
the Lordship of Melvin to the said Davie; besides
many other inconveniences that he sollicited your
Majesty to do. Then the said Lord Ruthen said
to the King, Sir, take the Queen's Majesty your
Sovereign and Wife to you, who stood all amazed
and wyst not what to do. Then her Majesty
rose on her feet and stood before Davie, he holdArthur Erskin and the Abbot of Holyrood-house,
the Laird of Cr
Master of the HouseRuthen, none of the King's
Party being present. Then the said Lord pulled
out his Whiniard, and freed himself while more
came in, and said to them, Lay not hands on me,
for I will not be handled; and at the incoming of
others into the Cabinet, the said Lord Ruthen put
up his Whiniard. And with the rushing in of
Men the Board fell to the wallwards, with Meat
and Candles being thereon; and the Lady of Argile
took up one of the Candles in her hand: and in
the same instant the said Lord Ruthen took the
Queen in his arms, and put her into the King's
arms, beseeching her Majesty not to be afraid;
for there was no Man there that would do her
Majesty's Body more harm than their own
Hearts; and assured her Majesty, all that was
done was the King's own Deed and Action.
Then the remanent Gentlemen being in the CaDavie out of the Window; and afRuthen followed, and bad take
him down the privy way to the King's Chamber;
and the said Lord return'd to the Cabinet again,
believing that the said Davie had been had down
to the King's Chamber, as said is: but the press of
the People hurl'd him forth to the utter Chamber,
where there was a great number standing, who
were so vehemently moved against the said Davie,
that they could not abide any longer, but slew him
at the Queen's far Door in the utter Chamber.
Immediately the Earl of Morton passed forth of the
Queen's Majesty's utter Chamber to the inner
Court for keeping of the same and the Gates, and
deputed certain Barons to keep Davie's Chamber
Lindsey and Arthur Erskin to the said
Earl of Morton to pass to David's Chamber to
fetch a black Coffer with Writings and Cyphers,
which the said Earl of Morton delivered to them,
and gave the Chamber in keeping to Iohn Simple
Son to the Lord Simple, with the whole Goods
there, Gold, Silver, and Apparel being therein.
In this mean time the Queen's Majesty and the
King came forth of the Cabinet to the Queen's
Chamber, where her Majesty began to reason
with the King, saying, My Lord, Why have
you caused to do this wicked Deed to me, consiDavie fell in credit and
familiarity with your Majesty, ye regarded me
not, neither treated me nor entertained me after
your wonted Fashion; for every day before DinDavie had been the third Marrow:
and after Supper your Majesty hath a use to set
at the Cards with the said Davie till one or two
of the Clock after midnight; and this is the enDavie fell in familiarity
with you? or am I failed in any sort of my BoDavie. Her
Majesty answered and said, that all the shame that
was done to her, that my Lord, ye have the
weight thereof; for the which I shall never be
your Wife, nor lie with you; nor shall never
like well, till I gar you have as sore a Heart as I
have presently. Then the Lord Ruthen made
answer, and besought her Majesty to be of good
comfort, and to treat her self and the King her
Husband, and to use the Counsel of the Nobility,
and he was assured her Government should be as
well guided as ever it was in any King's days.
The said Lord being so feebled with his
Sickness, and wearied with his Travel, that
he desired her Majesty's pardon to sit down
upon a Coffer, and called for a drink for God's
sake: so a French man brought him a Cup of
Wine, and after that he had drunken, the Queen's
Majesty began to rail against the said Lord: Is
this your Sickness, Lord Ruthen? The said Lord
answered, God forbid that your Majesty had such
a Sickness; for I had rather give all the moveRuthen and his Posterity; for she had the
King of Spain her great Friend, the Emperor
likewise, and the King of France her good BroLorrain, and her Unkels in
France, besides the Pope's Holiness, with many
other Princes in Italy. The said Lord answered
that these noble Princes were over-great PersonRuthen
should have the weight thereof; the said Lord
answered, that if any of the three perished,
her Majesty's self and her particular Counsel
should have the weight thereof, and should be
accused as well before God as the World: for
there was no man there within that Palace, but
they that would honour and serve her Majesty,
as becometh true Subjects; and would suffer no
manner harm to be done to her Majesty's Body
than to their own Hearts; and if any thing be
done this night that your Majesty mislikes, charge
the King your Husband, and none of us your SubHuntly, Athol, Bothwel, Cathness, and Sutherland,
with the Lords Fleming, Levingstone,
Secretary, Tillibarn the Comptroller, and Laird
of Grant, with their own Servants and Officers
of the Palace, were fighting in the Close against
the Earl of Morton and his Company, being on
the King's Party. The King hearing the same,
Ruthen
staid him, and desired him to intreat the Queen's
Majesty, and he would go down and take order
amongst them. So the said Lord passed to the
Close, born under the Arm; and before his
coming the Officers were dwong into their HouMorton and others being
with him, and were constrained to pass up to the
Gallery and to their Chambers. So the said Lord
Ruthen passed up to the Earl Bothwell's Chamber,
where he found the Earls of Huntley, Sutherland,
Cathness, the Laird of Grant, and divers others, to
whom he shewed that the whole Proceeding that
was done that night, was done and invented by the
King's Majesty's own devise, like as his Hand writEngland and
Argyle, who would be there before day: And
because there was some Enmity unreconciled beHuntly and Bothwell, and the
Earls of Argyle and Murray, and their Colleagues;
the said Lords promised in their names, that it
should be mended at the sight of two or three
of the Nobility, they doing such like to them;
whereupon the said Earls of Huntley and Bothwell
gave the Lord Ruthen their hands, and received
his for th' other part: and after they had drunkRuthen took his leave of them,
and passed to the Earl of Athol's Chamber, acCathness, Sutherland,
and the Laird of Grant; and found with the
said Earl the Comptroller, Secretary, Mr. Iames
Balfour, and divers others: and because of the
Familiarity and Kindness betwixt the Earl of
Athol and the Lord Ruthen, the said Earl began
Ruthen, why he would not let
him wit thereof: the said Lord answered, it
was the King's Secret; and feared if he had giRuthen to pass to the King, and get him
leave to pass to his Country, and so many as
were presently in the Chamber with him. In this
mean time the Earls of Bothwell and Huntly takEngland, and Argyle, and because they were hardRuthen was with the Earl of Athol,
the King declared to the Queen's Majesty, that
he had sent for the Lords to return again;
whereunto she answered, she was not in the
blame that they were so long away: for she
could have been content to have brought them
home at any time, had not been for angering
the King; and to verify the same, when her
Majesty gave a remission to the Duke, the King
was very miscontent therewith: whereto the
King answered, that it was true that the King
Edenburgh, and a great number of men of the
Town with him in Arms to the utter Court of
the Palace of Holyrood-House, where the King
called out of the Window to them, commanding
them to return to their Houses, like as they did;
for he declared to them that the Queen's
Majesty and he were in good health. The
Lord Ruthen being come up to the Queen's
Chamber again, where the King was beside her,
he shewed them that there was no hurt done,
and that the Lords and all others were merry,
and no harm done. Then her Majesty enquired
what was become of Davie. The said Lord
Ruthen answered that he believed he was in the
King's Chamber; for he thought it not good to
shew her as he died, for fear of putting her MaMurray
and him, that rather than he and the remanent
should be forfaulted, that he would be forfault
with them. Remember ye not, said she, what
the Earl of Murray would have had me done to
you for giving me the Ring? The said Lord Ruthen
answered, that he would bear no quarrel
for that cause, but would forgive him and all oDavie a Stranger Italian, who have guided and
ruled you contrary the Advice of your Nobility
and Counsel; and especially against these NobleGlascow or Dumfriese,
let see if ever ye caused your Council to
sit, or to reason upon any thing, but did all things
by your Majesty's self and your privy persons,
albeit the Nobility bare the Pains and Expences.
Well, said her Majesty, ye find great fault with
me, I will be contented to set down my Crown
before the Lords of the Articles; and if they
find I have offended, to give it where they please.
Then answered the Lord Ruthen, and said, God forRuthen, ye chose
them all in Seaton, and nominated them: And as
for your Majesty's Council, it hath not been suf
The said Lord Ruthen perceiving that the
Queen's Majesty was weary, he said to the King,
Sir, it is best ye take your leave at the Queen's
Majesty, that she may take rest: So the King
took his good-night and came forth of the
Queen's Chamber, and we with him, and left
none there but the Ladies, Gentlewomen, and
the Grooms of the Queen's Majesty's ChamRuthen declared the
Message he had from the Earl of Athol to the
King, that he might have license to return home
to Athol: Which the King was loth to do withRuthen answered, that he was a true
Man of his Promise, and would keep the thing
he said, as well as others would do their HandRuthen to fetch the Earl of Athol to
Athol had talked together, he desired
the said Earl to be ready to come whensoever he
should send for him. His answer was, that whenRuthen with him, where he made him ready and
his Company to pass forth, like as they did; and
in his company were the Earls of Sutherland and
Cathness, the Master of Cathness, the Secretary,
and Controler, Mr. Iames Balfour, the Laird of
Grant, with divers others. Immediately the
King directed two Writings, subscribed with
his hand, on Saturday after the slaughter of Davie,
to certain men of Edenburg bearing Office
for the time, charging them to convene Men in
Arms, and make watch within the Town upon
the Calsay; and to suffer none others to be seen
out of their Houses, except Protestants, under
all highest pain and charge that after may folSunday
the 10th of March, the King directed a Letter,
subscribed with his hand, making mention that
it was not his Will that the Parliament should
hold, for divers Causes, but discharged the same
by the Tenor thereof: And therefore commandEdenburg
within three hours next after that Charge, under
the pain of Life, Lands, and Goods, except so
many as the King by his special command caused
Ruthen took air upon the lower
Gate, and the privy Passages: and at the King's
Command, in the mean time, Davie was hurled
down the steps of the Stairs from the place where
he was slain, and brought to the Porter's Lodg;
where the Porter's Servant taking off his Clothes,
said, This hath been his Destiny; for upon this
Chest was his first Bed when he entred into this
place, and now here he lieth again, a very ingrate
and misknowing Knave. The King's Whiniard
was found sticking in Davie's side after he was
dead; but always the Queen inquired of the King
where his Whiniard was? who answered, that
he wit not well: Well, said she, it will be known
afterwards.
On the morrow, which was Sunday, March 10.
the King rose at eight of the Clock, and passed to
the Queen's Majesty's Chamber, where he and she
fell to reasoning of the Matter proceeded the
night afore, the one grating on the other till it
was ten a Clock, that the King came down to his
Chamber; and at his coming from her, she desiMorton and Lord Ruthen, who were not conArgile, Huntly, Bothwel, Athol, and
others. After that the King had dined, on Sunday
he passed up to the Queen's Majesty's Chamber,
where the Queen made as she would have parted
with Barn, and caused the Midwife come and say
the same. So her Majesty complained that she
could get none of the Gentlewomen to come up
to her, Scots nor French. The King sending
this word to the Earl of Morton and Lord Ruthen,
all were let in that pleased. At the same time
the Queen's Majesty thought that the Lord
Ruthen would do her Body harm, and sent Iohn
Simple, Son to the Lord Simple, to the said Lord
Ruthen, to enquire what her Majesty might
lippen unto in that behalf: Whose answer was,
that he would no more harm to her Body, than
to his own Heart; if any Man intended to do oIohn Simple brought this
Message to the said Lord Ruthen at two of the
Clock Afternoon, on Sunday, sitting then in the
King's utter Chamber at his Dinner. At four of
the Clock the King came down to his Chamber,
where the Lord Ruthen shewed him that the
Queen's Majesty was to steal out among the
throng of the Gentlewomen in their downcom
Murrey and Rothes, with their Complices, came
out of England, and lighted at the Abbey, and
were thankfully received of the King; and after
certain communing, the Earl of Murrey took his
Good-night of the King, and passed to the Earl
of Morton's House to Supper. Immediately thereRobert Phirsell, for the said Earl of
Murrey; who passed to her Majesty, whom she
received pleasantly, as appeared; and after comMorton's House
again, where he remained that Night. At this
time the King remained communing with the
Queen's Majesty, and after long reasoning with
her, she granted to lie with him all Night, he
coming to her Chamber, and putting all men out
of his utter Chamber, except the Waiters of his
Chamber, and made a complaint that her GentleMorton, and Lord Ruthen, the whole
manner of his proceedings with the Queen's MaRuthen passed and lay in the King's WarGeorge Douglass
came to him, and shewed him that the King
was fallen asleep. The said Lord caused George
to go to wake the King; and after that he had
gone in twice or thrice, finding him sleeping so
Ruthen
came and reproved him, that he had not kept
his Promise to the Queen's Majesty, in lying with
her all that Night. His answer was, that he was
fallen on such a dead sleep that he could not aWilliam Tellor
one of his Servants that permitted him to sleep.
But always, said he, I will take my Night-gown
and go up to the Queen. The said Lord Ruthen
answered and said, I trust she shall serve you in
the Morning as you did her at Night. Always
the King passed up, being Monday the 11th of
March at six of the Clock, to her Majesty's ChamDavie: and as appeared to him,
her Majesty was content; for the King came
down to his own Chamber at eight of the Clock
very merrily, and shewed the said Earl of Morton,
and Lord Ruthen, the proceedings betwixt him
and the Queen's Majesty: who answered him,
and said, all was but words that they heard. For
France, as well
in the Affairs of France as Scotland, in the Privy
Council. Well, said the King, will ye let me
alone, and I will warrant to dress all things
well. And after that the King had put on his
Clothes, he passed at nine to the Queen's ChamMurrey and
Morton, Lords Ruthen and Lindzay, that he had
dressed the Queen's Majesty; that the said two
Earls, and Lord Ruthen, should come to the preRuthen:
And in the mean time in came the French
Doctor, who declared to the King, that it was
unable to the Queen's Majesty to eschew a Fever;
Morton, Murrey, and Lord Ruthen
with him; and after they had come to the
Queen's utter Chamber, the King went in and
left the Lords, to know her pleasure, whether
her Majesty would come out of her utter ChamMorton ChancelScotland; nor yet would be upon
theirs that were present, but would remit the
whole Number that was banished, or were at the
last dead; and bury and put all things in ObliviMurrey by the other, and walked
in her said utter Chamber the space of one hour;
and then her Majesty passed into her inner ChamMurrey and Morton, and Lords Ruthen and Lindsey
to the King, to be subscribed by the Queen,
which the King took in hand so soon as he had
supped to be done; and he desired the said Lords
to remove themselves out of the Palace, to that
effect, that her Majesty's Guard and Servants
might order all as they pleased. The Lords anEdenburg,
or else Dunbar. And here the Lord Ruthen proHolyrood-house to the Earl of Morton's
House, where they supped; and after Supper diArchibald Douglass to the King, to see
if the Queen's Majesty had subscribed the ArtiArchibald returnTraquair Master of the Guard made an Arrant to
the Earl of Murray to see what the Lords were
doing, and after he was departed, the whole
Earls, Lords, and Barons, with Gentlemen,
passed to the Town of Edinburgh to their Beds,
believing surely the Queen's Majesty's Promise,
and the King's.
The same night about one a clock after midArthur Erskin the Capt in
of the Guard, and other 6 or 7 persons, met her
Majesty with her Horses, and rode toward Dunbar;
and on the morrow, which was Tuesday,
the 12th of March, the Lords hearing how the
Queen's Majesty was departed, and taken the
King with her, convened the Earls, Lords, BaEdinburgh,
till such time they might send some NobleSimple, and desired him
that he would pass to Dunbar with a Writing of
the Lords, which he granted to do, and received
the same, with a Copy of the Articles that the
King received before, and promised to do his
utter diligence to get the same immediately sped,
if it were the King and Queen's Majesties pleaSimple's coming
Dunbar, having presented the Lords WritDavid, notwithDunbar, wrote to all
Earls, Lords, Barons, to meet her in Haddington
Town the 17th or 18th of March, and likewise
directed universal Letters, charging all manner
of men betwixt 60 and 16 to be there, day and
place aforesaid, being in Arms in fear of War;
and also sent divers charges to the Lord Eskin
Captain of the Castle of Edenburgh, to shut up
the Town, unless the Lords departed out of it.
In this time it was declared to the Earl of Murray,
that if he would sue Address to the Queen's MaGlencarn and Rothes took
their Appointment of the Queen's Majesty. The
Earl of Morton, Lord Ruthen, and remanent
their Complices perceiving that the Queen's
Majesty was willing to remit the Lords banished
into England and Argyle, and bare her Majesty's
whole rage against them that were with the King
at the Slaughter of Davie, thought best to reEngland under the Queen's
Majesty of England's Protection, till such time
as the Nobility of Scotland their Peers understood
their Cause: for they have done nothing withMorton, Lord Ruthen, and Lindsay and their
Complices with Fire and Sword; which is against
all Order of the Law: And on Saturday the
22d of March her Majesty hath caused to be sumMorton, Lords Ruthen
and Lindsay, the Master of Ruthv
Lairds of
Ormyston, Brinston, Halton, Elvelston, Calder,
Andrew Carr of Faldomside, Alexander Ruthen
Brother to the Lord Ruthen, Patrick Murray of
Tippermure, William Douglas of Whittingham,
Mr. Archibald Douglas his Brother, George Douglas,
Lyndzay of Prystone, Thomas Scot of
Cambysmichet, of Perth, William
Douglas of Lochleven, Iames Ieffert of Shreffal,
Adam Eskin Commendator of Camskinnel,
Mentershfear of Kars, Patrick Ballenden
of Stenehouse Brother to Justice Clerk, Patrick
Wood of Conyton, Mr. Iames Magil Clerk of ReScotland of old; but new cropen in, and
invented by them that understand no Law, nor
yet good practise: and how her Majesty hath
handled the Barons of Lothian our Brothers, it
Edinburgh, Merchants and Craftsmen, and how
they are oppressed by the Men of War God
knoweth, who will put remedy hereto when it
pleaseth him best: and how the Lords and BaDavie was slain some held Pistols to her MaDavie receiv'd never a Stroke in her MaMorton,
Lords Ruthen and Lindsay, and their Complices, in
greater hatred with other foreign Princes, and
with the Nobility and Commonalty of the Realm,
who have experience of the contrary, and know
that there was no evil meant to her Majesty's
Body. The eternal God who hath the rule of
Princes Hearts in his hands, send her his Holy SpiBerwick, day of March 1565.
Buchanan, Fol. 211. IN the first place
The Queen. she took care that the Body ofDavid,which had been buried without the Doors of the next Church, should be removed by night, and placed in the Sepulchre of the last King and his Children: Which unworthy and un exempled Action, gave further occasion to disadvan tagious Reports of her. For what, said they, can be a more manifest Confession of her Adultery, than to make (as far as in her lies) a sordid Villain, who had nothing commendable in himself, nor had done any thing useful to the Publick, equal in the last of all Honours paid to Men, with her Father and Brothers; and (which seemed yet to be almost a great Indigni ty) to put an impure Fellow, Raskal, as it were, in to the Arms of the late Queen Magdalen de Valois?In the mean time she never ceased from menacing her Husband, deriding him with bitter raillery, and using the utmost of her Power to extinguish his Authority with all Men, and to render him as contemptible as she could. Strict inquiry was made concerning the slaugh ter of David:Many of those who were suspected to be concerned, were banished to different places; more were fined in Sums of Mony, and some who had hardly any part in the Action, and for that reason thought themselves secure, were punished capitally with death; for the principal Persons engaged in that Affair, had either escaped intoEngland,or concealed themselves in the mountainous Countries ofScotland.All Offices of the Magistracy, and Places of Trust, were ta ken away from every one who was in the least sus pected, and conferred upon their Enemies. And a Proclamation was published, forbidding men to say that the King had any knowledg or part in the death of David:But this, notwithstanding the publick Calamities, was entertained with a general Laughter. In Aprilfollowing, these Disturbances being a little calmed, the Earls ofArgileandMurreywere receiv'd into Favour, the Queen retired into the Castle of Edinburg,(the time of her lying in approaching) and on the 19th ofJune,a little after nine, she was brought to bed of a Son, who was afterwards calledJamesthe 6th.Equinoctialem.
It was reported that one
John Damiettea French Priest, who was accounted a Magician, had often admonished him(David)that having got much Wealth, he should be gone, and so secure himself from the hatred of the Nobility, who were too strong a Party for him; and that his answer was,That the Scots were more ready to talk than to fight:And that a few days before his death, being advised to beware of the Bastard; he said, That so long as he lived, the Bastard should not have such Power inScotlandas to cause him to fear: He thought the Earl ofMurreywas meant by that Name. But whether this Warning was fulfilled, or eluded, so it was in fact, ThatGeorge Douglass,a Bastard of the Earl ofAngus,gave him the first Wound.