Tudor Books, Relations Politique Book 4

Charge given to Robert Beale to deliver the order of execution to Fotheringhay. — Announcement of the sentence made to Mary Stuart by the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Earl of Kent. — False reports attributing suicide plans and intentions to resist to the Queen of Scots. — Mary Stuart's resignation to her fate. — Requests made by her concerning the ceremony of her burial and in favour of her servants. — Invitation extended by the Earl of Shrewsbury for her to reveal any plots she might know of against the person of Elizabeth I. — Mary Stuart's reply. — Preparations for her execution. — Words spoken by her to her master of the household and to Andrew Melville. — Description of the scaffold. — Reading of the execution sentence by Beale. — Mary Stuart's refusal to join in the prayers of the Dean of Peterborough. — Prayers she recited aloud, in both Latin and English. — Mary Stuart's clothing. — Words of encouragement spoken by her to her ladies-in-waiting. — Pardon she granted to her executioners. — Execution of Mary Stuart, her head severed in two strokes of the axe. — Words spoken by the Earl of Kent. — Strong emotion felt by the Earl of Shrewsbury. — Precautions taken after the execution. — Destruction of the garments and all objects Mary Stuart had worn. — Her autopsy. — Acts of loyalty by a small dog that had followed her even to the scaffold. — A fiery meteor seen before the window of the Queen of Scots eight days before her execution.

Charge donnée à Robert Beale de porter à Fotheringay l'ordre d'exécution. — Signification de cet ordre faite à Maiie Stuart par le comte de Shrewsbury et le comte de Kent. — Projets de suicide et de résistance faussement attribués à la Pieinc d'Ecosse. — Résignation de Marie Stuart. — Demandes faites par elle pour la cérémonie de son inhumation et en faveur de ses serviteurs. — Invitation qui lui a été adressée par le comte de Shrewsbury de révéler les complots qu'elle pourrait connaître contre la personne d'Elisabeth. — Réponse de Marie Stuart. — Préparatifs de son exécution. — Paroles adressées par elle à son chevalier d'honneur et à André Melville. — Description de l'échafaud. — Lecture donnée par Beale de la sentence d'exécution. — Refus fait par Marie Stuart de se joindre aux prières du doyen de Peterboroug. — Prières qu'elle a prononcées à haute voix en latin et en anglais. — Costume de Marie Stuart. — Paroles d'encouragement adressées par elle à ses femmes. — Pardon accordé à ses bourreaux. — Exécution de Marie Stuart, dont la tète a été tranchée en deux coups de hache. — Paroles du comte de Kent. — Vive émotion éprouvée par le comte de Shrewsbury. — Précautions prises après l'exécution. — Destruction des vêtements et de tous les objets que portait Marie Stuart. — Son autopsie. — Témoignages de fidélité donnés par un petit chien qui l'avait suivie jusque sur l'cchafaud. — Météore enflammé qui a été remarqué devant la fenêtre de la Reine d'Ecosse huit jours avant son exécution.

It is said that some words were exchanged between the Queen and the earls, and likewise from the earls to the Queen, while she was in her chamber. The conversation concerned, in particular, the following matter: the Queen requested that her body be buried with solemnity, according to the rites of the Roman Church, in keeping with her rank and as her status required. She also requested that her servants and ladies-in-waiting, six in number and responsible for her personal care, be permitted to accompany her to the place of execution to witness it, and that her priest, who had been separated from her since the time of her sentencing and the public proclamation, be allowed to come to her before the execution. It is believed that this was so she might receive the sacrament of the altar before her death. Finally, she was asked by all her servants that some good and proper arrangement be made for their complete discharge, allowing each to return to his or her country according to their station.

On dit qu'il se passa quelques paroUes de la part de la Reyne aux comtes et de leur part aussy envers la Reyne, elle estant en sa chambre, spéciallement de cet effet: la Reyne requéroit que son corps fust enterré en solenmité, à la façon de l'Église romaine, suyvant les qualités et comme son estât le requéroit; et aussy pour les serviteurs et damoiselles, lesquelles elle avoit au nombre de six, prenans soin de sa personne, qu'il leur fust permis de la suyvre jusques au lieu de l'exécution pour la voir exécuter, ensemble de son prestre qui avoit esté séparé d'elle depuis le temps de sa sentence et proclamation, qu'il peust venir vers elle devant son exécution; et pense-on que ce fust pour recevoir le sacrement de l'austel devant sa mort; finallement elle fut requise par tous les serviteurs que quelque bon et honneste ordre peut estre pris pour l'entière descharge de chascun d'eux, renvoyant chascun, selon leurs estats, vers leur pays.

The Earl of Shrewsbury, as it is said, proposed to her that she reveal whether she was aware of or consenting to any other plots or treason secretly devised against Her Majesty, a sacred person, or against the public state of this kingdom. Her reply was that she had already been examined on such matters, and that at present she was not disposed to respond to such accusations. After these and other words spoken in her chamber, she was informed that the provost was at the door, awaiting her departure. Upon hearing this, she replied, "Let us go, then." And so she rose and went out, accompanied by the earls and Sir Amias Paulet. In the great hall where she was to be executed, there were many gentlemen and others of lower rank, among whom she passed, accompanied closely by only three of her servants¹ and two ladies-in-waiting. One was a Frenchwoman named Mademoiselle Ramete, the other a Scotswoman named Elspeth², and Mr. Melville, who carried the train of her gown. She was not permitted to be followed to her execution by anyone else.

Le comte de Cherosbery, comme l'on dit, luy proposa do descouvrir si elle estoit consentante de quelques autres desseins ou trahison tramées secrettement à l'encontrc de Sa Majesté, personne sacrée, ou contre TEstat public de ce royaume. — Sa responce fut qu'elle avoit jà esté examinée pour telle cause, et qu'à présent elle n estoit disposée à respondre sur semblables faits. Telles et autres parolles tenues en sa chambre, il luy fut signifié que le prévost estoit à la porte de la chambre attendant sa sortie. Quoy oïant, respondit: "Allons donc." Et ainsi se leva et sortit hors, accompagnée des comtes et sieur Amias Paulet. En la grande chambre, où elle fut exécutée, estoient plusieurs gentilshommes et autres de moindres degrés entre lesquels elle passa, tenant près de sa personne seullement trois de ses serviteurs (^) et deux damoiselles. Tune Françoise nommée damoiselleRamete, l'autre Escossoisequi avoit nom Ersex, M. Melvin qui portoit sa queue, et pas davantage ne peut-elle obtenir estre suivie à son exécution.

Note 1. Pierre Gorjon, her apothecary, Jacques Gervais, her surgeon, and her physician Bourgoin (Labanoff, Lettres inédites de Marie Stuart, p. 238).

Pierre Gorjon, son apothicaire, Jacques Gervais, son chirurgien, et son médecin Bourgoin (Labanoff, Lettres inedites de Marte Stuart, p. 23S ).

Note 2. Elspeth Curie, the sister of Marie Stuart's Scottish secretary.

Eslpeth Curie, la sœur du secrétaire écossais de Marie Stuarl.

In the hall of the said castle, a scaffold had been raised fairly close to the fireplace, toward the center of the hall, with some space around it on all sides. It was about two and a half feet high and was surrounded by railings, except at the place where two steps had been made to allow the Queen to ascend. The platform was entirely covered in black cloth, and likewise the area around the railings was draped in black. At the center of the scaffold stood a low block, fixed to the platform and also covered in black. Close by was a black-covered cushion on which to kneel, and at a short distance from the block was a chair, also covered in black cloth, for the Queen to sit upon. Two other chairs, not covered, had been placed there for the earls. No one was upon the scaffold except the aforementioned earls and the executioners in front of the railings. All around were certain men with halberds, keeping back the crowd and allowing no one onto the scaffold platform.

En la salle dudict chasteau estoit eslevé un eschaffaut assés près de la cheminée, vers le mitan de ladicte salle, ayant quelque dislance de lieu tout à Tenviron de Teschaffaut, et de hauteur environ deux pieds et demy, et environné de barrières, sauf le lieu où estoient faites deux marches, pour la faire monter, dans le plancher, lequel estoit tout couvert de frise noire et semblablement tout tendu, allentour lesdictes barrières, de noir. Et au millieu de l'eschaffaut estoit posé un bas billot tenant audict plancher et couvert aussy de noir, et tout proche estoit un carreau de frize noire pour s'agenouiller dessus, et, un distant du billot, estoit une scelle, aussy couverte de frize noire, pour asseoir la Reyne, et aussy deux autres scelles non couvertes estoient là mises pour les comtes. Il n'y avoit personne sur ledict eschaffaut que les susdicts comtes et lesdicts exécuteurs devant les barrières. Tout autour estoient certains hommes avec hallebardes pour garder la presse, ne souffrant personne sur lesdictes barrières.

The Queen refused, interrupting his words almost immediately at the very beginning, saying: "Mr. Dean, I am a Catholic and resolved to die as such; it is foolish to try to move me otherwise. Your prayers will not benefit me much." To this, the Earl of Shrewsbury said, "Madam, I am sorry to see you so deeply given over to the papacy. Be content that we pray to God for you." And the Earl of Kent added, "Madam, that image of Christ you hold, as painted there, will do you little good if you do not have Him engraved in your heart." For she had two crucifixes with her, one of gold, hanging from her neck, and the other of white ivory, which she held in her hand. At her waist, on each side, hung rosaries, one more precious than the other, numbering, it seemed, twelve or fourteen. The Queen, paying no attention to the words spoken by the two earls, gave no reply, but peacefully began to say her private prayers. She turned away from the said doctor, who likewise began a form of prayer he had composed, which the whole assembly then said and recited after him.

La Reine, le refusant, interrompit ses parolles tout au premier commencement, disant: "Monsieur le doyen, je suis catholique et résolue de mourir telle; ce n'est que folie de m'esmouvoir autrement. Vos prières ne me proffîteront pas beaucoup." — Sur quoi le comte de Scherosbery dit "Madame, je suis marry de vous voir estre si grandement addonnée à la papauté. Soies contente que nous prions Dieu pour vous." — Et le comte de Kent dit . "Madame, de bien peu vous sert cet image de Christ comme vous le prenez là peint, si vous ne l'avez engravé dans vostre cœur." Car elle avoit deux crucifix entour d'elle, l'un estoit d'or pendant à son col, Tautre d'ivoire blanc, lequel elle tenoit en sa main. A sa ceinture de chaque costé pendoient des patenostres, l'une plus prétieuse que l'autre, et, comme il sembloit, jusques au nombre de douze ou quatorze. La Reyne, n'aïant esgard aux paroUes que disoient les deux comtes, ne respondit rien, ains paisiblement se mist à faire ses prières particullières, se retournant arrière dudict docteur qui pareillement commença une sorte de prière qu'il avoit conceue, que toute l'assemblée dit et prononça après luy.

Before he had finished, the Queen, despite her earlier prayers in Latin, once again prayed at greater length in English and aloud, for herself, that it might please God to grant her His Holy Spirit; for her enemies, that He would forgive them as she herself did; for England, that it might please Him to turn His wrath away from this island; for the Majesty of the Queen, that He would grant her His blessing so that she might worship Him in truth; for her son, that He would be merciful to him; and for religion, that He would have compassion on the poor afflicted Church. Although she acknowledged herself unworthy to be heard, yet she hoped and placed her trust in His mercy, to be saved through the merit of His blood, and through His grace to be received into His kingdom. At the end, she prayed to all the saints in Paradise and to our Saviour to receive her. Then, turning toward her servants, she likewise asked them to pray to her Saviour to receive her, and thus she concluded her prayers, embracing the moment with great courage, as was evident from her expression and manner. She never altered her familiar gestures, continually kissing the cross.

Devant qu'il eust ainsy finy, la Reyne, ce nonobstant ses précédentes prières en latin, encores de rechef pria-elle plus amplement en anglois, et à haute voix, pour elle-mesme, qu'il pleust à Dieu luy donner son saint esprit; quand à ses ennemis, qu'il leur voulust pardonner comme elle faisoit; quant à l'Angleterre, qu'il luy pleust détourner son ire de ceste isle; et pour la Majesté de la Reyne, qu'il luy pleust luy donner sa bénédiction, alïïn qu'elle le peust adorer en vérité; quant à son fils, qu'il luy fust miséricordieux; et pour la religion, qu'il luy pleust avoir compassion de la pauvre affligée Église. Combien qu'elle se recogneust indigne d'estre ouie, si est-ce qu'elle espéroit et mettoit sa confiance en sa miséricorde et estre sauvée par le mérite de son sang, et de sa grâce estre receue en son royaume; et à la fin elle pria tous les saints de Paradis et nostre Sauveur la vouloir recevoir. Puis se retournant du costé où estoient ses serviteurs, les pria semblablement de prier à son Sauveur la vouloir recevoir, et ainsy fit-elle fin à ses prières, l'embrassant sur l'heure d'un grand courage, comme il apparoissoit par ses contenances; et ne changeoit jamais ses vieilles manières et gestes, baisant incessamment la croix.

Now being ready for execution, her ladies were weeping and lamenting, which greatly displeased her. She said, "Is this the promise you made me to arm yourselves with constancy? You should rather thank God for my resolve than shake my firmness. Farewell, until we meet again." And once more, she gave them a friendly gesture with her hand, saying farewell until the next meeting, and sent them off the scaffold. And thus, being prepared for execution, she was assisted under the arms by the knight to kneel on the black cushion placed near the block. Then one of her maids, Mistress Curl, blindfolded her with a head covering, and immediately, with unmatched resolution, she laid her neck upon the block, which was covered with black cloth, saying and repeating several times In manus tuas commendo [Into your hands I commend¹] and other verses in Latin. Her executioners knelt and asked her forgiveness, which she granted, saying: "I forgive everyone," and added that she was glad all the afflictions suffered through long and harsh imprisonment were now close to their end.

Or estant preste d'estre exécutée, ses damoiselles pleuroient et lamentoient; de quoy elle estoit fort offencée, disant: "Est-ce" la promesse que vous m'avés faite de vous armer de constance?" Vous devriés plustost remercier Dieu pour ma résolution que d'esbranler ma constance. Adieu, jusques au revoir." Et de rechef leur faisoit signe d'amitié avec sa main, leur dit jusques au revoir, les envoyant hors de Teschaffaut. Et estant ainsy preste à l'exécution fut aydée par dessous les bras par le chevallier à s'agenouiller sur le coussin noir qui estoit près du billot; puis une de ses damoiselles, maistresse Courle, luy banda les yeux d'un couvrechef, et aussytost, avec une résolution non pareille, inclina son col sur le billot qui estoit recouvert de frize noire, disant et répétant par plusieurs fois, in manus tuas commendo, et autres versets en latin. Ses exécuteurs s'agenouillèrent et luy demandèrent pardon; ce qu'elle leur octroïa, disant: "Je pardonne à tout le monde," et davantage dit qu'elle estoit bien aise que toutes les afflictions souffertes par une longue et dure prison fussent si proches de leur fin.

Note 1. "In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum." "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit." Psalm 31:5 (Vulgate), also quoted by Christ on the cross in Luke 23:46.

It appears that certain orders had been given for everything belonging to the Queen of Scots to be removed, since even what the executioner had secured was taken from him.

Her rosary beads were thrown into the fire that was burning in the hall; and if there was anything stained with her blood, such as the black cloth or the linens, it was likewise thrown into the fire.

As soon as the body had been removed, the scaffold was also dismantled and taken out of the hall, so that no one would have the chance, while it remained, to dip their handkerchiefs in her blood.

The Queen's body, later that same day, around four o'clock, was stripped, embalmed, and placed in a waxed shroud inside a bier.

Her entrails, once removed, were at once carried away by the provost himself and buried in some secret place within the castle; no one knows where.

Il semble que l'on eust donné quelques ordres que tout ce que la Reyne d'Escosse avoit fust emporté, d'autant que tout ce que l'exécuteur avoit serré luy fust esté.

Les patenostres furent jeltées au feu qui estoit en la salle; et s'il y avoit quelque chose qui fust taché de son sang, comme la frize et les linges, tout fut semblablement jette au feu.

Et incontinent que le corps fut resserré, on esta aussy l'eschaffaut hors de la salle, affin que personne n'eust occasion, pour la demeure d'iceluy, tremper leurs mouchoirs de son sang.

Le corps de la Reine, ce mesme jour, environ quatre heures, fut despouillé et embausmé et mis, en unlinceil ciré, dans une bière.

Les boyaux estant tirés furent sur l'heure emportés par le prévost mesme, et enterrez en quelque lieu secret du chasteau, ne sçait-on où.

The physician from Eastafort, being present when she was opened and examining her internal organs, found the noble parts well-formed and balanced, the heart healthy, and the entrails and lungs only slightly affected, with a small amount of fluid in the abdomen suggesting that her physical condition was touched with dropsy. Her head was also cut open, the brain and other soft, perishable tissues removed, and the head embalmed. All of this was done in the audience chamber.

Her head was bare of hair at the front and back, having been shaved expressly to apply some kind of poultice; on each side there remained a few grey hairs, but not many.

After the head was severed, it was strange to see how the face suddenly shrank, whereas before it had been broad and full.

The Queen of Scots had a small dog with her on the scaffold, which remained the whole time seated, still and unmoving, close by her.

Le médecin d'Estaufort, estant présent quand elle fut ouverte et visitant ses entrailles, trouva les parties nobles bien disposées et tempérées, le cœur sain, les entrailles et poulmons bien peu altérés, avec quelque petite quantité d'eau en son ventre qui donnoit argument que l'indisposition de son corps estoit entachée d'hydropisie. Sa teste fut seaiblablement coupée, le cerveau et les autres parties charnues et corruptibles furent ostées, et la teste embaulmée. Tout cecy fut fait en la chambre de présence.

La teste estoit nue de cheveux devant et derrière, et razée exprès pour y appliquer quelque cataplasme, et en chaque costé petits cheveux gris, mais non beaucoup.

Après que la leste fut coupée, il estoit estrange de voir que soudainement la face se fust retraie; laquelle, auparavant, estoit large et plaine.

La Reync d'Escosse avoit un petit chien avec elle sur l'échaffaut qui se tint tout ce tems-là assis, coy, ne se bougeant nullement d'auprès d'elle.

On Saturday the 14th, Mr. Beale, brother-in-law of Mr. Walsingham, was dispatched in the evening with a commission signed by the Queen's own hand to have the head of the Queen of Scots¹ struck off, and with orders to the Earls of Shrewsbury, Kent, and Rutland, along with many other gentlemen from the area near Fotheringhay, to attend the execution. Mr. Beale brought with him the executioner from this city, who, I hear, was dressed entirely in black velvet, and they departed secretly that Saturday night. He arrived there on Monday evening the 16th², and on Tuesday the said earls and gentlemen were summoned. That same evening, Mr. Paulet, guardian of the Queen of Scots, accompanied by Mr. Beale and the sheriff of the province (who in each bailiwick serves a role similar to a provost marshal or criminal judge), went to see the lady and informed her of the Queen's will, who was compelled to enforce the sentence of her Parliament. It is said that the lady showed great composure, saying that although she had never believed her sister the Queen would go so far, she now found herself reduced to such misery for the past three months that death was most welcome to her, and she was ready to receive it whenever it pleased God. They wished to leave a minister with her, but she refused. In the great hall of the said castle, a scaffold had been erected, covered in black cloth, with a black velvet cushion.

Le sabmedy, XIIII M. Bele, beau-frère de M. Vualsingham, fust dépesché sur le sçoyr, avec commission signée de la main de la Royne pour faire trancher la teste à la Royne d'Escosse. et commandement aux contes de Cherosbery, de Kent et de Roteland, avec beaucoup d'aultres gentilshommes voysins du lieu de Fotheringhay, de assister à ladicte exécution. Ledict sieur Bele mena avec luy le bourreau de ceste ville qui fut habillé tout de veloux noyr, ainsi que j'entends, et partirent la nuit du sabmedy au soyr assés secrettement. Il arriva là le lundy au sçoyr XVI, et le mardy furent mandés quérir lesdicts contes et gentilshommes. Ledict jour au sçoyr M. Paulet, gardien de la Royne d'Escosse, accompaigné dudict Bele et du chérif de la province (qui est celuy qui en chasque bailliage est comme prévost des maréchaux ou juge criminel) allèrent trouver ladicte dame et luy signifièrent la volonté de la Royne qui estoyt contraincte de faire exéquuter la sentence de son Parlement. L'on dict que ladicte dame se monstra fort constante, disant que, encore que elle n eust jamais creu que la Royne sa sœur en eust voulu venir-là, si est-ce que elle se voyoit réduicte en si grande misère depuys troys moys que elle avoyt la mort pour très agréable, preste à la recepvoyr quand il plairoyt à Dieu. Ilz luy voulurent laisser ung ministre, mais elle ne le voulust poinct. Il y a une grande salle audict chasteau où l'on avoyt faict dresser ung escharfault couvert de drap noyr, avec ung oreiller de veloux noyr.

Note 1. All the details contained in the beginning of this letter, regarding the final moments of Mary Stuart and her execution, are taken word for word from a report which was undoubtedly sent to M. de Châteauneuf by one of the gentlemen attached to his embassy. A copy of this report is preserved in the Imperial Library: Colbert Collection of the 500, volume XXXV, document 45, under the title: Notice on the Execution of the Queen of Scots, by M. de la Chastre.

Tous les détails contenus dans le commcnrcmcnt de cette lettre, sur les derniers moments de Marie Stunrt et son exécution, sont pris textuellement dans un rapport qui, sans doute, avait été adressé a M. de Chàteauneuf par un des gentilshommes attachés à son ambassade, et dont la copie est conservée a la Bibliolhèque impériale: Collect. dea 500 de Colbert, t. XXXV, pièce 45, sous ce titre: Advls sur l'execution de la Royne d'Escosse, par M. de la Chastre.

Note 2. There is a difference of ten days between all these dates and those indicated in the previous documents. This discrepancy arises from the difference between the old calendar, which remained in use in England until 1751, and the new calendar reformed by Gregory XIII and adopted immediately in France.

Il y a entre toutes ces dates et les dates indiquées dans les pièces précédentes une différonce ùo dix jours. Celte différence provient île celle qui existe entre l'ancien calendrier, dont le comput fut conservé en Angleterre jusqu'en 1751, et le nouveau calendrier réformé par Grégoire XIII, et adopté en France immédiatement.

Then she prayed to God in Latin with her women, having refused to allow an English bishop, who was present, to approach her, declaring that she was Catholic and wished to die in that religion. After that, she asked Mr. Paulet whether the Queen, her sister, had agreed to the will she had made fifteen days earlier for her poor servants. He replied that she had, and that the Queen would ensure the execution of what was stipulated for the distribution of the money she had allocated to them.

She spoke of Nau, Curl, and Pasquier, who were in prison, but I have not been able to learn exactly what she said about them. Then, returning to prayer and even comforting her women who were weeping, she faced death with great constancy. One of her women tied a blindfold over her eyes; then she leaned over a block, and the executioner struck off her head with an axe, according to the custom of this country. He then took her head and showed it to all the onlookers, as more than three hundred people from the town and nearby places had been allowed into the hall.

Immediately, the body was covered with a black cloth and carried back to her chamber, where I have heard it was opened and embalmed.

Puis elle pria Dieu en latin avec ses femmes, n'ayant voulu permettre que ung évesque anglois, là présent, aprochast d'elle, protestant que elle estoyt catholique et que elle vouloyt mourir en ceste relligion. Après cela elle demanda à M. Paulet si la Royne, sa sœur, avoyt pour agréable le testament que elle avoyt faict, quinze jours auparavant, pour ses pauvres serviteurs? Il luy respondit que ouy, et que elle feroyt accomplir ce qui estoyt contenu pour la distribution des denierz que elle leur a ordonné.

Elle parla de Nau, Curl et Pasquier qui sont en prison, mais je n'ai pas sceu au vray ce qu'elle en dict, puis s'estant remise à prier Dieu, mesine à consoler ses femmes qui pleuroyent, elle se présenta à la mort fort constamment. Une de ses femmes luy banda les yeux; puis elle se baissa sur un bloc, et le bourreau luy trencha la teste avec une hache, à la mode de ce pays. Puis prist sa teste, la monstrant à tous les assistantz, car l'on laissa entrer en ladicte salle plus de troys cent personnes du bourg et aultres lieux voysins.

Aussitost le corps fust recouvert de ung drap noyr et reporté en sa chambre, où j'ay entendu que il fust ouvert et embaulmé.

Here, Sire, is everything that truly took place. The servants of the said lady are still imprisoned and will remain so for a month, held more strictly than ever at the said castle of Fotheringhay. The other three remain prisoners here in this city, and nothing is being said about whether they will be executed or released. Since the said execution, Monsieur Roger¹ and I have sent daily requests for a passport in order to inform Your Majesty of the lady's death; but it has been refused to us, with the explanation that the Queen does not wish Your Majesty to be informed of this execution by anyone other than the envoy she will herself send. In fact, the ports have been so strictly guarded that no one has left this kingdom in the past fifteen days, except a man named Lepintre, whom the Queen dispatched to Monsieur de Stafford to inform Your Majesty of the said execution.

Voylà, Sire, tout ce qui s'y est passé au vray. Les serviteurs de ladicte dame sont encore prisonniers et ne sortiront d'ung moys, guardés plus estroictement que jamais audict chasteau de Fotheringay. Les troys aultres sont prisonniers toujours en ceste ville, et ne se parle poinct si Ton les fera mourir ou si l'on les délivrera. Depuis ladicte exéquution M. Roger et moy avons tous les jours envoyé demander passeport pour advertir Vostre Majesté de la mort de ladicte dame ; mais il nous a esté refusé, disant que la Royne ne vouloyt pas que Vostre Majesté fust advertye de ceste exéquution par aultre que par celuy que elle vous envoyroyt. De faict les portz ont esté si exactement guardés que nul n'est sorty de ce royaume depuis quinze jours que ung nommé Lepintre que la Royne a depesché à M. de Stafort pour advertir Vostre Majesté de ladicte exéquution.

Note 1. Valet de chambre of the King, sent by Henry III with letters for Queen Elizabeth and instructions for M. de Châteauneuf (source: Labanoff).

Valet de chambre du Roi, envoyé par Henri III avec des lettres pour la Reine Elisabeth et des instructions pour M. de Cliâieauneuf (Labanoff).

I have told you above, Sire, that young Shrewsbury arrived on Thursday around nine in the morning at Greenwich, that by noon we all knew the news, and that all the church bells in the city began to ring around three o'clock, with bonfires throughout the streets, even to the point that the local residents came to my lodging to ask for wood for the fire that was being lit in my street. On Friday, members of the Council sent a clerk of the signet to speak with me about the seizures they claim were made at Dieppe of the Queen's packets, telling me that that very day Jean Musnier, the Calais courier, had been brought to court, and had been found carrying several letters from Your Majesty and others for me, which they had retained, having resolved not to deliver them to me until the seizures made at Dieppe were lifted. They told me they asked me to find some way to have the passages opened; otherwise, they could not deliver my letters. I found this very strange and replied that I would complain to Your Majesty, since if they were withholding my packets, I could not reply as to whether the passages were closed or the reason for it. The next day, Saturday, they again sent to me Mr. Owley, a Privy Councillor, to say the same, asking me to work out some arrangement with him to open the passages, otherwise I would not receive my packets. He proposed that I should write to the governor of Dieppe, asking him to allow the Queen's packets to pass. I told him that if the said governor had seized the courier by order of Your Majesty, as was likely, then my letter would be of no use. He replied that they would be satisfied if I wrote in the letter that, provided he had not arrested them by express command of Your Majesty, he should release them. I agreed to this in the presence of Mr. Roger, which seemed to satisfy him.

Je vous ay dict cy-dessus, Sire, que le jeune Cherosbery arriva le jeudy sur les neuf heures du matin à Grenuich, que dès le midy nous sceusmes tous cette nouvelle, que toutes les cloches de la ville commencèrent à sonner sur les troys heures, avec feux de joye par toutes les rues, jusques là que ceux du cartier vindrent en mon logis demander du boys pour le feu qui se faisoyt en ma rue. Le vendredy ceux du Conseil envoyèrent ung clerc du signet parler à moy pour les arretz, que ilz prétendent qui ont esté faictz à Dieppe, des pacquetz de la Royne, me disantz que ce jour-là on avoyt amené Jehan Musnier, courrier de Calays, à la court, qui s'estoyt trouvé chargé de plusieurs lettres de Vostre Majesté et d'aultres pour moy, lesquelles ilz avoyent retenues, ayant résolu de ne me les délivrer poinct que les arrestz faictz à Dieppe ne fussent levés; me disant que ilz me prioyentde aviser quelque moyen de faire ouvrir les passages, aultrement que ilz ne me pouvoyent délivrer mes lettres. Je trou vis cela fort estrange, luy respondis que je m'en plaindroys à Vostre Majesté, que, puisque ilz me rctenoyent mes pacquetz, que je ne leur pouvoys respondre si les passages estoyent fermés ny l'occasion. Le lendemain sabmedy ilz renvoyèrent vers moy M. Ouley, conseiller d'Estat, me dire le mesme, me priant d'aviser avec luy quelque expédient de ouvrir les passages, aultrement que je n'auroys poinct mes paquetz. Il me proposa que je eusse à escrire au gouverneur de Dieppe que il laissast passer les pacquetz de la Royne. Luy ayant dict que, si ledict sieur gouverneur avoyt arresté ledict courrier par commandement de Vostre Majesté, comme il estoyt bien à croyre, que ma Icctre ne serviroyt de rien, il me dict que ilz se contenteroyent que je misse dans ma lettre que, pourveu que il ne les eust poinct arrestés par commandement exprès de Vostre Majesté, que il les relaschast. Ce que je luy accordis en présence de M. Roger, dont il monstra se contenter.

We complained to him that Mr. Roger had been here for over fifteen days without being able to obtain an audience with the Queen, that we were refused the possibility of informing Your Majesty of the death of the Queen of Scots, and that our packets, both those going to Your Majesty and those coming from Your Majesty to us, were being withheld. We asked him to report this to the Queen and to the Lords of the Council. He excused the delay in Mr. Roger's audience by citing the Queen's preoccupations. Regarding the death of the Queen of Scots, he told me that Her Majesty had been compelled to carry out the execution for the safety of her own life and the peace of her realm, as he was sure I was well aware, and that I could surely understand the necessity that had driven the Queen. He spoke at length to try to elicit my response. Indeed, it was clear they had sent him only to see what I would say about the execution. After all his remarks, I replied that while the Queen of Scots lived, Your Majesty had taken her under your protection, and that I, by your command, had done everything I could to preserve her life. That pursuit had displeased some so much that they had fabricated a grave calumny against me, but I hoped it would bring them shame once the Queen had learned the truth. Now that the said lady was dead, I had nothing left but to inform Your Majesty; and until I received your orders, I could not speak further nor respond to him. However, since I had been denied a passport to notify Your Majesty, I would not be able to reply to them for a long time. I asked them to return my packets and to grant Mr. Roger an audience. He seemed to leave quite satisfied, and on Sunday the Queen sent for Mr. Roger, though still without sending us our packets. He went to court, where he was told by the Admiral and the Lord Chamberlain that the Queen was unwell and asked to be excused that day. But if he would deliver his letters and state his message, they were authorized to hear him. He gave them his letters and delivered his message, even though he ought not to have done so. But since he had already been here for fifteen days, we had agreed he should speak. Moreover, there was a second packet in their possession, which we expected might require further discussion with the Queen. After hearing him, the lords went to see the Queen, then returned and brought him to the Lord Treasurer, where, in the presence of the Council, they asked him to present his message again, which he did. He received no response from them except a complaint about the seizure of their packets, saying that until those were released, they would not return ours (as they still have mine). That was the situation as of Sunday. On Monday, we heard that the Queen, upon learning of the execution, was very angry, that she had gone into mourning, and that she was complaining about her Council, especially Secretary of State Davison, who was sent to the Tower on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the Queen summoned Mr. Roger (the Council had sent him the letters from Your Majesty the day before, though they kept mine). There, the Queen told him that she was deeply grieved by the death of the Queen of Scots, that it had never been her intention to have her executed, even though she had refused to spare her when Mr. de Bellièvre had requested it. She claimed Davison had acted without her full knowledge, but that he was now in a place where he would answer for it. She charged Mr. Roger to convey this to Your Majesty, with great demonstrations of sorrow and almost tears in her eyes, as he will report to you along with many other important remarks he is charged to deliver.

Nous nous plaignismes à luy que M. Roger estoyt icy, passé avoyt quinze jours, sans pouvoyr avoyr audience de la Royne, que il nous estoyt refuzé de pouvoyr advertir Vostre Majesté de la mort de la Royne d'Escosse, que l'on retenoyt nos pacquetz tant allantz à Yostre Majesté que venant de Vostre Majesté à nous; le priant le remonstrer à la Royne et à Messieurs du Conseil. — Il excusa le retardement de l'audience de M. Roger sur les empeschementz de la Royne. Quant à la mort de la Royne d'Escosse, il me dict que Sa Majesté avoyt esté contraincte de venir à ceste exéquution pour la seurté de sa vie et repos de son royaume, comme il s'asseuroyt que je le sçavoys bien, et que je sçauroys bien considérer la nécessité qui avoyt contrainct la Royne; me faisant là-dessus beaucoup de discours pour veoyr ce que je diroys; comme de vérité, ilz ne Vavoyent envoyé vers moy que pour veoyr ce que je diroys de ladicte exéquution. Après tous ses discours je luy respondis: Que tant que la Royne d'Escosse avoyt vescu, Vostre Majesté avoyt pris sa protection, et moy, par son commandement, y avoys faict tout ce je avoys peu pour la conserver en vie; que la poursuytte que j'en avoys faicte avoyt tant dépieu à quelques ungs que ilz m'en avoyent dressé une calomnie bien lourde, mais que j'espéroys qui tourneroyt à leur honte quant la Royne auroyt congneu la vérité. Maintenant que ladicte dame Royne d'Escosse estoyt morte, que il ne me restoyt plus rien que d'en avertir Vostre Majesté; en attendant son commandement, je ne en pouvoys parler ny luy respondre, mais que, m'estant refuzé passeport pour la pouvoyr advertir, que je ne avoys guarde de leur faire response de longtemps. Que je les prioys de me renvoyer mes pacquets et de faire donner audience à M. Roger. — Il s'en retourna fort contant, ce sembla, et le dimanche la Royne envoya quérir ledict Roger, sans toutesfoys nous envoyer nos pacquetz. Il alla à la court; où estant arrivé, l'on luy fist dire par MM. l'Admirai et Chambellan que la Royne se trouvoyt mal, que elle le prioyt de l'excuser pour ce jour-là, mais que, s'il vouloit donner ses lettres et dire sa créance, que ilz avoyent charge de l'ouyr. Il leur bailla ses lectres et leur dit sa créance, encore que il ne le deust pas faire; mais pour ce que il y avoyt jà quinze jours que il estoyt icy, nous avions avisé que il la diroyt, joinct que il y avoyt ung second pacquet entre leurs mains, sur lequel nous pensions bien que il auroyt encore à parler à la Roy ne. Après Favoyr ouy, lesdicts sieurs allèrent trouver la Royne, puis revinrent et le menèrent chés M. le Grand Trésorier, où, en présence du Conseil, ilz le prièrent d'exposer sa créance; ce que il fist. 11 n'eust aucune response d'eux, sinon plaincte de Farrest de leurs pacquetz, disantz que ce pendant ilz ne rendroyent poinct les nostrcs (comme de faict ilz ont encore les miens). Cela passa, Sire, jusques au dimenche. Le lundy, nous entendismes que la Royne, ayant esté advertie de ceste exéquution, en estoyt fort courroucée, que elle en avoyt pris le deuil, que elle se plaignoyt de ceux de son Conseil, et nommément du secrétaire d'Estat Davison, qui fust envoyé prisonnier en la Tour le mardy au sçoyr. Le mercredy, la Royne envoya quérir M. Roger (auquel Messieurs du Conseil envoyèrent le jour de devant les lectres de Vostre Majesté qui estoyent pour luy et retinrent les miennes). Là, la Royne luy dict que elle estoyt extrêmement affligée de la mort de la Royne d'Escosse, que son intention ne avoyt jamais esté de la faire mourir, encore que elle l'eustrefuzée à M. de Bellièvre; que Davison l'avoyt surprise, mais que il estoyt en lieu où il en répondroyt; le chargeant de le dire ainsi à Vostre Majesté, avec des démonstrations grandes d'ennuy et quasi la larme à l'œil, comme vous dira le dict sieur Roger, avec beaucoup d'aultres propos importantz que il a charge de vous dire.

Now, Sire, that is all that has taken place regarding the death of the Queen of Scots. In recounting this, I have not wished to add anything that concerns myself, reserving that for later. The Queen [of England] is showing signs of being very angry about this execution, particularly against all those of her Council who hastened it more than she wished, and especially against Davison, who delivered the commission to Mr. Beale. For the Queen says that when she signed it, she told him not to deliver it without speaking to her again. He excuses himself and says he did not hear that order, and that he did nothing except by the command of the Council, and notably of the Lord Treasurer, towards whom the Queen is said to be very angry. Mr. Walsingham, who had been absent from court for two months on a health retreat, was summoned to arrange this matter and returned last Tuesday. Upon his arrival, the Queen expressly forbade him to speak to her at all about Davison.

Or, Sire, voylà tout ce qui s'est passé sus la mort de la Royne d'Escosse, en la narration de laquelle je n'ay rien voullu adjouxter de ce qui me touche, le guardant pour en après. La Royne faict démonstration d'estre fort courroucée de ceste exéquution contre tous ceux de son Conseil qui l'ont précipitée plus que elle ne vouloyt et nommément contre Davisson qui délivra la commission à M. Bêle. Car la Royne dict que, en la signant, elle luy dict que il ne la délivrast pas sans parler encore à elle. I! s'excuse et dict que il n'ouyst pas ce commandement, que il n'a rien faict que par commandement du Conseil, et notamment de M. le Trésorier, auquel on dict que la Royne est fort courroucée. M. de Yualsingham, qui a esté absent deux moys de la court pour une diette, a esté commandé quérir pour faire cest apoinctement et y est retourné mardy dernier. A son arrivée, la Royne luy défendist tout hault de luy parler de Davisson.

I will now come, Sire, to the matter that concerns me personally. Your Majesty will have seen, by a dispatch dated the 17th brought by my maître d'hôtel, how Mr. Roger was unable to obtain an audience, even though he went to court for six days in a row. On Sunday the 22nd, as I stated above, he presented his charge to the Lords of the Council, and particularly complained about the detention of Destrappes and what had occurred at the Lord Treasurer's residence. To this, they made no reply. On Wednesday the 25th, the Queen sent for him, where he again presented his charge and relayed to her what Your Majesty had written to him in your letter of the 14th, after Vuade's audience, asking that Destrappes be handed over to me so that I might send him to Your Majesty, to be heard and punished if found guilty. He also asked that the Queen grant me an audience so I could justify myself before her. She refused both requests, saying she was awaiting news from Vuade. When he responded that Vuade had already been heard, as she could see from Your Majesty's letter, he received no further reply other than that she would write to Your Majesty. She strongly complained that I had not disclosed a plot against her, although I never claimed to have invented or incited it. And indeed, the Lords of the Council have never told her that I had instigated the said conspiracy, for they clearly see the falsehood in the accusation made by Staford, who is known here to be the most unworthy man in the kingdom. Roger also asked for the depositions of Destrappes, Staford, and Monde to bring them to Your Majesty, pointing out that Vuade had only delivered very brief extracts which were insufficient to base any proper judgment on. To this, she showed displeasure, telling him that Vuade had brought the full depositions, signed by their hands, as she had commanded.

Je viendray maintenant. Sire, à ce qui me touche. Vostre Majesté aura veu par une dépesche du XVII que porta mon maistre d'hostel, comme M. Roger ne avoyt sceu avoyr audience, encore que, six jours de rang, il fut esté à la court. Le dimanche XXII comme j'ay dict cy-dessus, il exposa sa créance à Messieurs du Conseil, et nommément se plaignant de la détention de Destrappes et de ce qui s'estoyt passé chez M. le Trésorier. A quoy ilz ne luy firent aulcune response. Le mercredy XXV la Royne le envoya quérir, où il luy exposa sa créance et luy dict encore celle que Vostre Majesté luy avoyt escritte par sa lettre du xiiif, depuis l'audience de Vuade, demandant que elle eust à remettre Destrappes entre mes mains pour l'envoyer à Vostre Majesté, affîn de le faire ouyr et le chastier si il se trouve coulpable; aussi que il pleust à la Royne me donner audience pour me justifier envers elle. Elle luy refuza l'ung et l'aultre, disant que elle attendoyt des nouvelles de Vuade. — Luy ayant respondu que Vuade avoyt esté ouy, comme elle voyoit par sa lettre, il n'en sceust avoyr aultre response sinon que elle escriroyt à Vostre Majesté, se plaignant fort de ce que je n'avoys révélé une conjuration faicte contre elle, sans jamais luy avoyr dict que je l'eusse inventée ny suscitée. Comme aussi jamais ceux du Conseil ne luy ont jamais parlé que j'eusse suscité ladicte conjuration, tant ilz veoyent cler en ladicte imposture de Staford, qui est icy cogneu pour le plus indigne homme de ce royaume. Ledict Roger demanda aussi les dépositions desdicts Destrappes, Staford et Monde pour les porter à Vostre Majesté, remonstrant que Yuade ne avoyt porté que des extraicts fort briefz sur lesquelz l'on ne pouvoyt asseoyr aulcung jugement. Dont elle fist Fesbahie, luy disant que ledict Yuade avoyt porté les dépositions tout du long, signées de leur main, et que elle l'avoyt ainsi commandé.

I cannot reply to the letter that Your Majesty wrote to me on the 14th, because it is still in their hands along with all the others addressed to me, a thing never before seen or heard of. In short, Sire, they complain greatly about the seizure of their merchants and the closure of the ports, believing that they may act here as they please without anyone having cause to take offense. And having seen this delay, I have finally consented to send one of my own men along with one of theirs to Calais, writing to Monsieur de Gourdan to allow both to pass, even though, despite this, I still cannot obtain my packets. I shall continue to beg Your Majesty most humbly to believe that all that has been alleged against me is a pure calumny, fabricated by those who had the audacity to put the Queen of Scots to death without the knowledge of their own Queen, as time will make clear and to be willing to keep my honour and innocence under Your Majesty's protection.

Je ne puis respondre à la lettre que Yostre Majesté m'a escript du XIIIJ car elle est encore entre leurs mains avec toutes les aultres qui s'adressoyent à moy, chose qui ne fust jamais veue ny ouie. Anfm, Sire, ilz se plaignent fort de l'arrest de leurs marchantz et de ce que les portz sont fermés, leur estant advis que il leur est licite de faire de deçà l'ung et l'aultre, sans que l'on s'en doibve resentir. Et ayant veu ceste longueur, j'ay enfin consenti de envoyer ung des miens avec ung des leurs à Calays, escripvant à M. de Gourdan de laisser passer l'ung et Faultre, encore que, nonobstant cela, je ne puisse obtenir de avoyr mes pacquetz. Je supplieray tousjours à Yostre Majesté très humblement de vouloyr croyre que tout ce qui m'a esté aposté est une pure calomnie dressée par ceux qui ont bien eu la hardiesse de faire mourir la Royne d'Escosse sans le sceu de la Royne leur maistresse, comme le temps le manifestera, et vouloir tenir mon honneur et innocence en sa protection.