QUEEN ELIZABETH TO THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY.

The following is a letter from Queen Elizabeth to the Earl of Shrewsbury, respecting the return and maintenance of the Queen of Scots and her household.  This letter, February 21, 1569, is a reply to Mary's letter to Cecil of the 11th of February:—

[21 Feb 1569]

      "We perceive by our vice-chamberlain how careful and circumspect you are in the charge which we have committed to you, wherein we find out expectation thoroughly satisfied; and, being informed by him of sundry matters, wherein you require further instructions, we have commanded our secretary to advise you thereof.
      "First, when the Queen of Scots desires to have liberty for sending as well into Scotland as to and fro, you shall let her understand that we mean she should have the like liberty there as at Bolton, giving you knowledge at any time when she will send any other to Scotland or hither to us.  And so, having your warrant signed and sealed by you, the same shall be sufficient for that time.  And if any shall come out of Scotland unto her, upon knowledge given to any of our wardens, orders shall be given to suffer them to pass.
      "When it is required to know what number should be allowed for diet, we, having seen a schedule subscirbed by you, perceive that the ordinary number heretofore was about thirty; and that it is proposed to increase the number for the private accommodation of particular persons, we have thought it good to advise you that there be no more allowed besides her women which she hath already, but thirty persons only, which number was agreed to by Lord Herries, and by him, in the queen's name, thought sufficient.  If any shall want to increase that number you shall affirm that you have no authority to do so.  Neither will you trouble us or any of our council, knowing it hath been so determined.
      "And if the Queen of Scots will have the Bishop of Ross, the Lord Boyd, or any other not included in the aforesaid number of thirty, you may, as of yourself, deal with the said parties, and declare unto them that, so as they be of the number of thirty, and as many of the others be discharged for them, you will be willing that they be received into the charge of the household.  Otherwise, you may with good and gentle speech require them to be content that the first order may stand.  And let them plainly understand that it was the motion first from the queen by Lord Herries that we would be content to omit two to have only the number of thirty persons in all, and not more.
      "And as for the Bishop of Ross and Lord Boyd having them about that queen, we can be content therewith, so as they do not go or send into the country to confer or practise with any persons, as, if it be not looked into, it is most likely they will.  And therefore, as of yourself, you may privately require them that they will forbear to do so with any persons in any causes that may offend us.
      "We think it good that you do retain the same clerk which served under our vice-chamberlain, and so to direct hin that the charge weekly exceed not forty-fice pounds, which we are contented to allow."




  Source:
  Cowan, Samuel. Mary, Queen of Scots, and
  Who Wrote the Casket Letters? Vol II.
  London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., 1901. 14-16.


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