THE HOLOGRAPH LETTERS OF MARGARET TUDOR

doi:10.1017/S0960116325000077

THE HOLOGRAPH LETTERS OF MARGARET TUDOR

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 August 2025

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Abstract
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Memorial from Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots addressed to an unnamed messenger, to be presented to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Patrick Sinclair
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, late 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Patrick Sinclair
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Memorial from Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Magnus
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Magnus
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk
Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England
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Information

Type: Primary source material
Information: Royal Historical Society Camden Fifth Series , Volume 70: THE HOLOGRAPH LETTERS OF MARGARET TUDOR, QUEEN OF SCOTS (1489–1541) , September 2025, pp. 61 - 291
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960116325000077 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © The Royal Historical Society 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

1. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VII, king of England

Date and place of sending: [Early/Mid-August 1503], [Edinburgh]Footnote ¹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Vespasian F XIII fos 134r–v

Material features: A letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 301 mm (h) x 209 mm (w). The first three-quarters of the letter is written in a scribal hand, before Margaret concluded the final quarter of the letter in her own hand. Margaret's signature is located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The address is located on the reverse of the page (fo. 134v). The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 15 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 134v]

to the kyngys gra[ce]

Main letter text [Scribal]

[fo. 134r]

My most dere lorde And fader in the most humble wyse that I can thynke I recummannd me vnto your grace besechyng you off you ^r dayly blessyng and that it will please you to yeueFootnote ² hartely thankes to All you ^r seruannttes the whych be you ^r commanndment haue geuen ryght good attendannce on me at this tyme and specially to ^all^ thes ladies and iantilwomen which hath accompeneyd me hydder and to geff credence to thys good lady the berar her off ffor I haue showde hyr mor off my mynd than I will wryght at thys tyme sir I beseche your grace to be good and gracios lorde to ThomasFootnote ³ whych was footman to the quene my moder Footnote ⁴ whos sowle god haue soyleFootnote ⁵ for he hath byn on off my fotemen hydder wi ^th as great diligence and labur to hys great charge of hys awne good and true mynde I am not able to recumpence hym except y^e fauor off your grace sir as for me newys I haue none to send but that my lorde off surreyFootnote ⁶ ys yn great fauor wi ^th the kyng herFootnote ⁷ that he cannott be forber the companey off hym no tyme off the day he and the bichopp off MurreyFootnote ⁸ ordethFootnote ⁹ euery thyng as myght as they can to the kynges pleasur I pray good god it may be for my por harttes case in tyme to come they calnot my ChamberlayneFootnote ¹⁰ to them whych I ^am^ sur wullFootnote ¹¹ speke better for my part than any off them that benFootnote ¹² off that consell And Iff he speke any thyng for my cause my lord off Surrey hath such worddes vnto hym that he dar speke no furder god send me comfordFootnote ¹³ to hys pleasur and that I and myne that ben lefftt her with me be well entretid such wayse as they haue taken [Holograph:] for godes sak syr ouldeFootnote ¹⁴ mea escwsyd that I wryt that I wryt not my sylf to yowr grace for I hau nolaysyrFootnote ¹⁵ thys tym bot wyta wIhseFootnote ¹⁶ I would I wer wyt your grace now and many tyms mor wan I wold and syr as for thys that I haue wrytyn to your grace yt ys wery tru bot I pray god I may fynd yt wel for my welefFootnote ¹⁷ erefterFootnote ¹⁸ nomor to your grace at thsFootnote ¹⁹ tym bot our lord hau you en ysFootnote ²⁰ gepyngFootnote ²¹ wrytyn wyt the hand of your hu[m]ble douterFootnote ²²

Margare[t]

2. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 8 July 1515, [Stirling]Footnote ²³

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 289r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 199 mm (h) x 266 mm (w). Margaret's holograph closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 32 mm below the main letter text and 18 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The signature of Margaret's clerk James Inglis (written ‘Englis secr’) is located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. As no scribal signatures are present in any of Margaret's other holograph letters, the presence of Inglis's signature suggests that he was directly involved in the composition of this holograph letter (see below). The address is also written in James Inglis's scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 289v). The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 21 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal – James Inglis]

[fo. 289v]

To an Richt Excellent hye & myghtye prynce & our derreste brothir the kinge of Englande

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 289r]

derryst brother ye kyng I recomend me to ȝou vy^th all my hart It Is not vnknawne to ȝou yat balthasar stuerdFootnote ²⁴ oratou ^r to our haly fader ye papeFootnote ²⁵ and berar heroffe has bene in scotland yis lange tyme quhamFootnote ²⁶ I hafe founde euer a spcyallFootnote ²⁷ frende als wele be his report & writings to rome for me as be his gud & diligent seruice & labor ya ^t he has done in yis cuntrey in labouringe for ye pece of bathe ye realmys to hys powere quhilk I traist now Is brohttoFootnote ²⁸ an ende the pape sent for hym in lentrynFootnote ²⁹ last quhom I ordanit to passȝFootnote ³⁰ throu Ingland vy^th lette^rs & kredens vnto ȝou bot quhen I vas certifyid ya ^t ye duke of albanyFootnote ³¹ wald com I causit hym to abyde his cummynge f[o]r I valde wse his cunsell for I am behaldin to hyme in all my matters ya ^t belangs me & my child^ren quharfor I pray ȝou to cheryshe hyme ye better for my sake & to gefe hym credeneFootnote ³² in all yengs ya ^t he has to say on my behalfe and I pray ȝou to remembyr and recommpens hym vhare I haue noch ^t and god haue ȝou In hys kypen vryten ye viij day of Iuly

ȝour loueng systor

Margaret R

3. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: [August/early September 1515], [Edinburgh]Footnote ³³

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 94r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 225 mm (h) x 202 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 5 mm below the main letter text and 61 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is located on the reverse side of the page (fo. 94v). The letter-locking mechanism of this letter is not clear. The original seal does not survive.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 94v]

to ye lorde dakers

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 94v]

My lorde dakers I comand me to ȝou as hartly as I can and I haue seen ȝour vryteng and ondarstands at length and I parcayue yat ȝe ar novht sykerlyFootnote ³⁴ Informyd In vhat stat I stand In for ȝe trow yat I may pas vhar euer I vyl vyshe Is nowht trw but yes berrarFootnote ³⁵ can schav ȝou ye trowht of all and vhat my mynd Is and how I am constraydFootnote ³⁶ to doo a gan my vyl and I pray ȝou gyf hmFootnote ³⁷ kredens as ȝe valde doo to my selfe for It is owr lang to vryt for I haue gret trast In yes mann and send me ȝour vter mynd and ansuer In all thyng and god kype ȝou vryten vy^th my hand yes monda[y]

ȝours frend Margaret R

4. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 21 January 1516, Morpeth, Northumberland

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Vespasian F XIII fos 142r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 243 mm (h) x 195 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 39 mm below the main letter text and 31 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The letter appears to have been trimmed. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 142v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 27 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 142v]

To my lord dakars

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 142r]

My lord dakars I command me hartly to you and vyt ^ȝe^ that I haue send vryteng to the gowarnorFootnote ³⁸ vyth a sarwand of my lord maxvelysFootnote ³⁹ for sykk matars as he hath a dw vylke Is towschyng benyfys vharfor I pray ^you^ my lord that he may haue swr pasage on troblyd be the vay and I haue vryten a vrytyng to the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁴⁰ for a safcowndyt that he may pass throw hys rawlme and repas the vysche I trast hys grace vol not refws for I am gretly behaldyng to my lord maxvel and I trust vhol be my frynd and I charge hym and thys ^ȝe^ may dw my lord maxvel gret plesur as I trast he vol vryt to you and that ȝe vol my lord for my sake schaw you the mare kyndly and god god haue you In hys kypeng [change in ink] vryten the xxj^t day of Ienevar

yours Margaret R

5. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 27 April 1516, Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 220r–221v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 291 mm (h) x 204 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 40 mm below the main letter text and 142 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 231r is left blank and the address is written in a scribal hand on fo. 221v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 35 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 221v]

Vnto my dereste broder the kingges grace /

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 220r]

deryst broder as hartly as I can I recomend me onto you /Footnote ⁴¹ and let ȝou vyt / that yesternyght I cam hytderFootnote ⁴² / soo beyng comfortted of you In my Iornay / In many and soondry wyses that lovyng be to our lorde god / I am In ryght good healFootnote ⁴³ / and as Ioyous of my sayd Iornay towarde you / as ony woman may be In commyng to her broder / as I haue gret cause / and am moost desirous now to com to your presens and to haue sight of your person / In vhoom next god / Is myn oonly trust and confydens aduertissing [deletion] you / derest brotder / I haue reseved thys day a letter from my soonsFootnote ⁴⁴ ambassadorsFootnote ⁴⁵ / now at london / which leter I send on to you herynne closedFootnote ⁴⁶ / and haue adressed on to them / myn ansuer severally In twoe sondery lett^resFootnote ⁴⁷ / copy wher o[f] I all so sende on to you / that opon notice had of the same It may lyke [fo. 220v] you to comand whether of the said letters ye seme besst / at your plessur shall be delyuerd / and the holy trentye haue you my most derest broder In tuycion and gouernance / at stony stretford the xxvij day of apryll

ȝour loueng susterFootnote ⁴⁸

Margaret

6. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: [May 1516], LondonFootnote ⁴⁹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 265r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 161 mm (h) x 255 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main letter text and 10 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 265v) and the letter is secured using a tuck-and-fold letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 14 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 265v]

To my lorde cardnal

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 265r]

My lorde cardnal I comand me to you as hartly as I can and vyt ȝe my lorde that I haue spokyn vy^th Iames aborrowFootnote ⁵⁰ and he hath schwn to me that ȝe and the lordys of cownsel vould[…] not that I schuld cam to bayners castelFootnote ⁵¹ to day my lorde I vyl [deletion] doo as [deletion] ȝe thynke best but I pray you my lorde as hartly as I can gyf ther be no trubyl to day to lat me com to morow I trust to god ther schal be noo sych trobyl but that I may com to morow for and It be vy vell thys nyght I trust to god the varstFootnote ⁵² be past and my lorde I haue I part of thyngs to doo that I most nedes haue doon that vyll be nedfol to me I pray ^ȝou^ my lorde to lat me haue your awnsuer vyth thes berar and god haue you In hys kypeng

yours Margaret R

7. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: [July/August 1516], LondonFootnote ⁵³

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Vespasian F III fos 78r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 175 mm (h) x 204 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, 15 mm below the main letter text. It appears that the original letter has been trimmed. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 78v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive. The remaining wax residue has been covered by conservation work.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 78v]

Vnto my good Lorde Cardynall [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 78r]

My lorde cardnal I comand me hartly to ȝou and I am glad to here that ȝe doo vell and I haue ressauet a letter from you and a nother from my lorde dakersFootnote ⁵⁴ vher of I beleffe h you know the effext he vryts to me that sych parssons as he sent for my maters In to scotland trust to be vell ansuerd and hath sent to me sysch vrytengs as thay sent to hym but my lorde I am gladarFootnote ⁵⁵ of the tydengs that the kyngs graceFootnote ⁵⁶ teld me of the dwk of albaneFootnote ⁵⁷ that he vyl com hyther vysche I besech god may be trw but I dred It be not my lorde I thynke ryght longe vyhil I speke vyt[h] you for next the kyngs grace my most trust Is In ȝou and you may doo me moste good of any and I pray you my lorde [deletion] as soon as ony body comes owt of scotland that you vyl send me vorde for I thynke long tyl I here tydengs no more but god haue ȝou In hys kypeng

ȝour frend

margaret R

8. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: [1516–1517], LondonFootnote ⁵⁸

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 266r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 211 mm (h) x 216 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 16 mm below the main letter text and 30 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 266v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 23 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 266v]

[T]o my lord Cardinall

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 266r]

My lorde cardnal I comand me to you and I pray you my lorde delyuer my saruant ross the harovldFootnote ⁵⁹ that browht the artykylsFootnote ⁶⁰ from the dwkeFootnote ⁶¹ and the lordes of scotlandFootnote ⁶² for the sooner that he Is sped It ys the beter for me and thay vyl do me resson as thay say thay vyl vherfor I pray you my lorde hold hym no lenger all so ye vyl remember that I spake to you a pon sonday to borrow a sartayn part of monne of the kyng my brotherFootnote ⁶³ vhyl I may get my awne vysche I schal pay to you a gayn and I teldFootnote ⁶⁴ you the causse vhy vysche Is no honowr to me and I may remedy It and my lord It Is the furst request that euer I made to you and thow I var a stranger ye coud doo noo less to my and I schal thynke me euer beholdyng to you and ye do soo mosche for me at thys tyme I am loth to speke to the kyng my brother In It by cause I trust ye vyll do It for me no more but god kype you and your ansurerFootnote ⁶⁵ vyth thys berar

Margaret R

9. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: [November/December] 1516, LondonFootnote ⁶⁶

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fos 298r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 293 mm (h) x 209 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main letter text and 29 mm above the bottom edge of the page. There is some damage to the top right-hand corner and some fading to the left-hand side of fo. 298r. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 298v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive and no wax residue remains.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 298v]

To my lord Cardinall

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 298r]

My lorde cardnal I comand me to you and ye knav […] that I haue spokyn to you and causyd master mang[us]Footnote ⁶⁷ to speke to you for som monne to me my lorde I am verry sorry to put the kyngs graceFootnote ⁶⁸ to soo gret cost and gargesFootnote ⁶⁹ as I doo how be It that I haue bene In tymes past [deletion] I schal not be soo In tyme to come neuertheles I thynk I schuld be lyke hys syster to hys honowr and myne now my lorde ye knaw the tyme of crystmas Is nere and part of thngs I vyl nede both to me and my saruants and I trust to get part of monee [deletion] owt of scotland for ȝe may see that ar owandFootnote ⁷⁰ mosche and sayth thay vyl cawse me to be payd vysche and It be not I haue [a]s gret vrong as Is posbyl but my trust Is that the kyng[s] [g]race my brother vyl see me haue resson and therfor [I] pray you my lorde to lat me borow soo moche as ij^cll [En]glychFootnote ⁷¹ and I schal gyf you a vrytyng of myne awne hand [t]o caus my lorde dakarsFootnote ⁷² to take opp as moosche of myne of the furst that Is goten now and I schal trobyl you no moor for no monne for I trust to get myne awen and I scha[ll] doo the best I can vyth It I pray you hartly my lorde to put me of no lenger for the tyme Is schort and gyf you vyl doo soo moche for me at thys tyme I pray you send me vorde for I vyl trobyl you no moor vyth my sendyng for than I vyl spek to the kyng my brother for I trust hys vyl doo soo mouch for me and trust me for a greter thyng as [deletion] owr lorde knavyth vhom kype you

Margaret R

10. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: [December] 1516, LondonFootnote ⁷³

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 216r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 180 mm (h) x 276 mm (w). The closing signature is located on the right-hand side of the page, 27 mm below the main letter text and 21 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse of the page and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 216v]

onn To my lorde kardenall

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 216r]

My lorde cardnal I comand me to you and I vould fayne haue spokyn vyth you but ye var gon or I coud com to you and therfor I mast vryt to you my mynde my lorde I besche you to [deletion] schw your gud mynd to me as ye haue doon euer but specyaly now for now It Is the tyme me lorde I pray you hartly to get me som monne aganst nweyr dayFootnote ⁷⁴ for ye knaw vell I moust gyf part of rewards and other nedful thyngs both for the kyng my brothersFootnote ⁷⁵ honowr and myne and I schal not put you to no more trovbul but I be sysch you hartly my lorde that I may haue It to morow at nyght at the farest for ells I vyl be dysapowntyd but I put my hooll trwst In you and thys berar schal wayt apon you for your awsnar as our lord knouth vham kype you

Margaret R

11. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 3 June 1517, York

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fos 292r–294v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the three pages of a six-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 284 mm (h) x 199 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 29 mm below the main letter text and 179 mm from the bottom edge of the page. Fos 292r and 294r are left blank. The address is located on fo. 294v and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 28 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 294v]

To the ryght h[igh] and myghty prynce and my deryst brothar the kyngs grace of Ingland

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 292v]

deryst brother In my most hwmbyl vyse I can I recommand me to your grace plessyth you to vyt that apon [deletion] twsday cawterFootnote ⁷⁶ com to me to ȝork from the dwk of albanyFootnote ⁷⁷ vyth vrytengs [deletion] vysche I sende to your grace the very cope vorde be vourd be cause I kype hys leter my selffe and he hath sent vrytengs to your grace to schw you of hys departyng owt of scotland and that the cownsel of scotland voulde not swfer hym to passe throw Ingland as your grace vyll parcayve be hes vrytengs how be It me thynke he hath takyn thys porposs very hastly for I knaw vell he thowt It not vyth In thys schort vhyl but I may thanke your grace and no nother or eells It had not bene bescheng your grace as hwmbly as I can now syn he doth depart to loke veell apon It for my swrte and that he may not com to trobyl me after as my specyal trwst Is In your grace for he porposythFootnote ⁷⁸ to com agan In to scotland syr I am swr the dwke hath vryten to your grace how he hath orderd ewery thyng now at hys departyng and vhat parsons schal haue the rwlle both the vardens of the borders and vyth In the rawme or eells I voulde haue vryten all at length for he hath sent me vourde of euery thyng and how I schal be recayued In to scotland and how I schal be awnsuerd of my congafefment as hysFootnote ⁷⁹ made betwne your grace and hym vyth the conssel of scotland how be It I vyll be playne to ȝour [fo. 293r] grace and ȝe vyl not be dysplesyd for I say It not for no dysplesur to your cownsel for I thynke thay knv not that I knav In thys mater syr yovr grace knowys It Is b concludyd be twne ȝour consell and scotland that I schal haue all that I haue ryght too partaynyng to me vyth on clawss In It that Is I gyffyng a gayn It that [deletion] I haue partayneng to my soon not declaryng playnly vhat It Is vysche may be hwrt to me In tyme comyng for the kyng my howsbondFootnote ⁸⁰ vhass vhoss sowl god pardon or he vent to the felldFootnote ⁸¹ gaue me alleterFootnote ⁸² of hys hand comandyng too delyuer me xviij^m crowns of vayhtFootnote ⁸³ that the frence kyngFootnote ⁸⁴ dyd send vysche vass vyth owt the conssel of scotland conssent and all soo thay may clayme ony other thyng that I haue that the kyng my howsband gaufe me vysch var vrong and I spendyt the most part of It or I com to your grace for I vass not awnsuerd of my lyveng sens the felde to holde my hows vyth and therfor I besche your grace to comand my lorde dakersFootnote ⁸⁵ to see asure vay for me and master magnvsFootnote ⁸⁶ or I goo In but now ^the dwk^ gothFootnote ⁸⁷ away I set not mosche be the remnant that Is be hynd for I know them and thayr condycyons vyth feer that thay haue of your grace thay vyl be glad to ples me I desyr thys to be doon In aventur that the dwke com a gayn that I be not trublyt vyth hym I vould not schw thys to non [fo. 293v] but to your grace bescheng your grace to contynv good and kynde brother to me as ȝe haue bene euer and that I may here from your grace vysch vyll be to my gret comfort as god knavth vham preeserue you vrytyn at ȝourk the iij day of Ivne

your hwmbyl syster

margaret

Postscript [Holograph]

syr syns I endyd thys leter cawter thys berar sayd to me on the dwkes name that he prayt me to vryt to your grace that the pesse myght be contynwd lenger than saynt tandross dayFootnote ⁸⁸ syr I troust you doo remember that I spake to your grace vhan I vent to vendsorFootnote ⁸⁹ vyth thys last tyme that It schuld not be long contynvd vyth owt my dessyr for causys but do to me as your grace thynkes best for me so that I may know It be foor hym vhan It Is contynvd soo that I may haue the thanke of scotland

12. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: 20 June 1517, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 267r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 289 mm (h) x 188 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 19 mm below the main letter text and 48 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 267v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 17 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 267v]

To my lorde cardnall

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 267r]

My lorde cardnal In my most hartly vyse I recommand me to you and voulde be glade to here from you plesyth you to vyt that I am com to edynbrothFootnote ⁹⁰ and hath bene uery vell ressayued safeng the syght of my soon the kyngFootnote ⁹¹ vysche I thynk ryght strange as thys vyl schw you my mynde t at more length to vhom I pray you to gyf kredens my good lorde next the kyng my brotherFootnote ⁹² my moste specyal trwste Is In you and ye may doo me moste good and gyf soo be that thys rawme kype not to the kyng my brother and you thair promes I moste nedes call for helpe to hys grace and you for I truste to reull me soo that the kyng and you schal be content for I vyll do no thyng but I vyll axe concell at my lorde dakersFootnote ⁹³ and I pray you my lorde comand hyme that he sende ofton to see how I doo and am Intretyd but and euer the dwkeFootnote ⁹⁴ com In scotland a gane here Is no bydyng to me and that thys berar can schuFootnote ⁹⁵ you no more but god haue you In hys kypeng vryten the xx day of Iwne vyth my hand

yours Margaret R

13. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: [September] 1517, Newark, SelkirkshireFootnote ⁹⁶

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 258r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 214 mm (h) x 270 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main letter text and 39 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 258v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive and there is no remaining wax residue.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 258v]

[T]o my lorde dakers

Main letter text [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 244r]

My lord dakars I commend me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haf ressayued your vrytengs and ass thowgengFootnote ¹⁵² the ressayueng of the frence orrator the lordes vas not content of hys meseige nor tovk not veel vyth It be caus It vas a gaynss the dwkFootnote ¹⁵³ vhare of thay haf send anwsuer bot thay haf haldyn the frence man styl as thys berar schal schaw you my lord as towchyng to the band that my lord of angusFootnote ¹⁵⁴ made to you for me and the powr that ȝe sent to me the parssons that ȝe comyted the powr to thay vyl not non of axsept It and refusdyt all be forr my selfe and ther for my lord ȝe most make me a nveFootnote ¹⁵⁵ powrFootnote ¹⁵⁶ and put In som specyal man fro[m] your self that vyl axsept It vyth my man of law mastar Robart cabrethFootnote ¹⁵⁷ and patryk synklarFootnote ¹⁵⁸ to be put In vyth hym for here Is noo lordys that vol doo for me sopos my matar be neuer soo playn nor I get not my lyfeng awnsuerd me bot I am trobyld dayly nor I haf no thyng to spend bot I most nedys leff scotland for fawt that I haf no thyng to hold my expenses and I am fayn to put a vay both my Iwels and sych thyng as I hafe vysche Is nowht to the [fo. 244v] honovr of the kyng my brotherFootnote ¹⁵⁹ nor of them that I am comyd of that I saihulFootnote ¹⁶⁰ haf sych nede and I haf complaynd to you ofton tymes bot I gat neuer no remedy and I haf put It of vell as I myght vhol I may do no furdar and therfor my lord I pray you to see som hasty remedy for me for eelys I most seke to them that vas euer my foos and to do vhat thay vyl byd me and I to take vhat thay vy vol gyf me I haf gotyn mony fayr vourdes of the lordys and gyfen me mony vrytengs to put of the tyme vyth bot to no effekt nor put the letars to non exsecusyon for In good fayth sen my last comyng In to scotland I haf not gotyn of my lyfeng [deletion] ij^m pownd of scotys monyFootnote ¹⁶¹ and thus I may not hold opp lyke my self my lord I pray you loke vell apon thys and se som good vay for me for I haf bydyn long apon It by cau[se] I vas loth to trobyl the kyng my brothar and you and I myht haf doon otharvays and hath bydyd me soo to them that thay haf no cause to to asxe at my lord of arraynFootnote ¹⁶² and If I be ewel don to or not and thus I gyf owr all gyf I got n[o] helpe of the kyng my brothar and your mynd agayn In hast I pray you and gyf kredens to thys berar

[fo. 245r]

your frend margaret R

18. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 14 July 1519, EdinburghFootnote ¹⁶³

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fos 205r–206v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 413 mm (h) x 290 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. There is some damage to the centre and the bottom edge of fos 205v–206r. The address is written fo. 205r and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive and insufficient wax residue remains to measure the original diameter of the wax and seal.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 205r]

T[o] my lord dak^re

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fos 205v–206r]

My lorde dakars I commend me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I hafe resayued your vryteng fre Ion sympsonFootnote ¹⁶⁴ ȝour sarwand and ondarstandys It at length / and vhare ȝe [deletion] remember me In your vryteng of my labor and dessyre made on to the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ¹⁶⁵ and to my lorde cardynallFootnote ¹⁶⁶ and thys cownsal apon sundery consideracions to them declared and specyaly for the well and and surtie of the kyng my sonFootnote ¹⁶⁷ and for the recoueryng of my autorite of thys Realme and tutrixship of the kyng my soon accordyng to the testment of the kyng my housbandFootnote ¹⁶⁸ and that the duc of albanyFootnote ¹⁶⁹ than being in to [deletion] scotland shuld be Removed In to fraunce again and not reto^rne In to scotland / my lorde all that [deletion] I dyd thayr I dyd ^thout^ for the beste as the kyngs grace my brothar and hys counsel knaws / for I trastyd that the lordys of thys rawlmeFootnote ¹⁷⁰ and I shuld hafe agryed vell and I to hafe broukyt pessably my nawnFootnote ¹⁷¹ as thay […]r bownd to doo be thayr vrytens and ssellysFootnote ¹⁷² / and than thay myht not haue no cause to excusse them be the dwke / how be It I am not the bettetarFootnote ¹⁷³ for I vasse neuer se ewel awnsuard nor obayd of my landys as I am sen my last comyng In to scotland as I hafe ofton tymes vryten beth to the kyng my brothar and to my lorde cardynall and you / how be It I gat ne remedy and I dyd schaw you my lorde In my vrytengs that I dyd vryt to you vylke ȝe haffe / that and I gat not scortlyFootnote ¹⁷⁴ helpe that I most doo vhat the dwke and the lordys of thys rawlme vhol hafe me to doo / for I haue nen here that vyl helpe me of my complaynt nor doo me Iustys / so that I may ^not^ lyf to my honowr / and my lyfeng Is here / I man cast me to plese thys raulme / allsvayFootnote ¹⁷⁵ my lorde vhare ȝe vryt to me to knaw gyfe I haue send ony vryteng to the kyng of franceFootnote ¹⁷⁶ for the furdr[i]ngFootnote ¹⁷⁷ of the dwke of albany in comyng In to scotland / my lorde thayr vhas a letar vryten In to frence to the kyng of france from me be the specyal dessyr of the dwke and the lordys vysche I myght not deny / for thay sayd It vas for the veel of the kyng my soon and hys [deletion] rawlme / my lorde I pray you remembyr that and ȝe var In a nothar rawlme vhare ȝe schuld lyf your lyfe / ȝe vould doo that ȝe myght to ples them soo that thay schuld not haue ony mystrust of you / and soo most I / for and I schuld refws to haue vryten vhan I vas desyrd the dwke and the lordys vhold haf thowt that I had stopyd hys comyng and thayr throw I myht get e[v]el / and thus I trust my lord that the kyngs grace my brothar and my [lo]rde cardynal vyl remember as I stand In thys rawlme / and [the] laste vryteng that I gat from the kyng my brother he commandyd that I schuld doo no thyng that the lordys myhgtFootnote ¹⁷⁸ haue ony ocassyon to complayne of me vysche I trust I hafe don / My lord I pray you to remembyr that I dyd vryt to you I vas at syche a pownt that I most a layd my Iwellys for fawt of [mo]ny for I am not awnsuerd of no part of my lyfeng and had not bene the cowntrawlar robart bartonFootnote ¹⁷⁹ I had bene schamyd […] for I haf not to fynd the expenssys of my hous and I am as sobar as can be / and sopos It be ewel to me It Is dyshonor to the kyngs [deletion] grace my brothar as veel as me bot the [deletion] onkyndnes that I fynde doth me more ewel nor ony thyng In the varld for I see vell vhat pownt that euer It stand me on I vyl get nohelpe bot fayre vourdys / my lord ȝe most pardon me that I vryt so scharpe for It towchys me nere and god kype you at edynbrough the [fo]wrtyn day of Iwly

[your frien]d margaret R

19. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: [July 1519], StirlingFootnote ¹⁸⁰

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 288r–v, 291r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 295 mm (h) x 212 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 16 mm below the main letter text and 202 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The edge of fo. 288r has been damaged in the Cotton fire of 1731. Fo. 291v is left blank and the address is located on fo. 291r. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 29 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 291r]

To my lord dakars

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 288r]

my lord dakars I command [m]e hartly to you and vald be glad to here from you and sopos ȝe be onkynd to me and vol not lat me here fre you I voll not doo soo for I vol dessyr your cownsel In ony thyng that I haf a doo and doo haftarFootnote ¹⁸¹ It how be It It Is schawn to me that ȝe schuld say that I haf losst the fawor of the kyngs grace my brotha^rFootnote ¹⁸² and my fryndys of Ingland vyche I trust be not for I haf mad no sych cause for I haue made no fawt In no vay to the kyngs grace my brothar nor hys rawmlmeFootnote ¹⁸³ I cowd no^t [deletion] deny to vryt for the dwk of albanyFootnote ¹⁸⁴ to the [deletion] frence kyngFootnote ¹⁸⁵ vyt awt I had dysplesyd hym vysche myht haue don me dysplesur and causyd me to haue bene wars tretyd and I thowt my vryten coud doo hym othar lytel good or nowht and I trustyd not that the kyngs grac[e] my brothar vold not be dysplesyd at soo lytel a thyng consyr[…]eng the cass that I stand In vh vysche vas neuer varrs than syn my last comyng In to scotland for I am fayn to put a vay sych Iwels as I haue for I get neuer peny of my lyfeng and the controwlarFootnote ¹⁸⁶ that hath lent me thys ȝere vol not lend me no more for I am awing to hym of hys awne vI hondreth powndFootnote ¹⁸⁷ and thus I vayt not vhat to doo vyth aavt I be helpyd and I trost my lord dakars the kyngs grace my brothar vol not lat me be ondon and schamyd and tharfor I pray you hartly my lorde as my specyal trust standIs In you to lat me votFootnote ¹⁸⁸ as far as ȝe may how the kyng my brothar mynd standys to me and your counsel all soo vyt ȝe that the lordysFootnote ¹⁸⁹ here dessyrs me to put the kyng my soon In my hows of styrlyngFootnote ¹⁹⁰ vysche I vol not doo vyt owt the kyngs grace my brothars plesur for he causyd me to get them a gayn and send me your counsel vhat I schal doo and cause a saruand of yours to com to me to styrlyng for thar Is a gret mattar that I dar not [fo. 288v] vryt It for It [m]ay doo me hurt and make hym [deletion] som errand to my lord of arrenFootnote ¹⁹¹ and say that ȝe command hym to see me or he com to you no more at thes tyme bot god haff you In hys kypeng and hast thes berar to me and your awne sarvand Ryght soon aftar v^ryten vyth my hand

your frynd

margaret R

20. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 13 October 1519, Linlithgow

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 261r–262v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 294 mm (h) x 292 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 31 mm below the main letter text and 134 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 262r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 262v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism with an irregularly-shaped paper lock. An impression of seal 5 is present on the paper lock.

Address [Holograph]

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 201r–202v

Material features: A holograph letter written on four pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 287 mm (h) x 202 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 44 mm below the main letter text and 34 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 201r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my maste hwmblyst vyse I can I recommand [deletion] me to your grace desyreng gretly to here of your gwd helth and prosperyte all so deryst brothar the kyng plesyth your grace to vyt that the dwke off albanyFootnote ²³³ gowarnar of thys rawlme Is come for the sarves of the kyng my sonFootnote ²³⁴ your nefew and for the gwd of thys rawlme and vol cause me to [deletion] be obayd and answard of my lyfeng ^of^ the vylke I haue bene ewel Intretyd and trobyld as ewer Ientylvhoman vass of my estat hafeng se gwd fryndes as I trast I haue bot I knaw viel that my onfryndes be ewel Informacyon hath causyd your grace to be In a part dysplesyd vyth me vylke hath causyd your grace to owr luke me In my Iusst matars not the les I trast It hath not bene of your awne mynde for I fawtyd neuer to your grace nor schal not and to me for to labor In It that may be for the viel of the kyng my son your nefew and thys rawlme I trast ȝe volbe contentyd of the sam and helpe to It consyderyng that the kyng my son Is your nefew [deletion] ^Is^ ȝonge of age to dw for hym selfe and thys rawlme hath bene at an ewel rewl throw fawt of gwd rewl and Ioustys and the dwke of albany gowarnor of thys ravlme Is com to put remedy to the sam and Is of gwd mynde for hys part vyth the helpe and gwd vol of your grace the vylke me thynke of varay naturarlFootnote ²³⁵ reson ȝe suld and as I trast fermely ȝe voll beth for your honowr and plesur of god and I am aswryd that the sayd dwke of albany govarnor desyrs gretly your gracys fawors and gwd vyl as he that vol make you the best cause he can for he desyrs gretly the amytte and pees betwyxt the sayd rawlmes [fo. 201v] besykyng your grace to hald your hand to the sam and that ȝe vol for my sake and request and for the viel of the kyng my son your nefew that the pees betwxt your sayd rawlme and thys may be prolongyd vhol saynt Ions day at mydsomarFootnote ²³⁶ or forthar at your plesur that In the mene tyme the kyng my son my lord gowarnor and the rawlme may send thayr Inbastyors to tret fardar of the pees to the vylk I trast your grace vol be conformand and the betar for my sake that Is your systar and that thys rawlme may fynd It the betar for me allso deryst brothar I beseke you to axsept the gwd mynd and vyll that the dwke of albany gowarn[o]r of thys rawlme hath toward your grace an[d] that I may labor a gwd and loweng vay betwxt you vylke vald be to my gret honowr and I trast salbe to your plesur for thys rawlme may be be ryght stedabyl to you as I trast It sal be and It be your plesur and otharvays It vol be ryght effeFootnote ²³⁷ to me and troblosFootnote ²³⁸ consyderng the teneFootnote ²³⁹ of them Is my brothar and the tothar Is my son and therfor I beseke your grace to pardon me that I vryt so playnly for It toches me right nere and be ther not kyndnes betwxt your grace and the sayd dwke of albany It volbe gret ocasyon to hym to tret me the varFootnote ²⁴⁰ vylke I trast ȝe vol neuer dw to me your systar [fo. 202r] also plesyth your grace to rembar that the pees Is prolongyd betwxt your sayd rawlme and thys vhol candelmesFootnote ²⁴¹ and I trast It Is your mynd and vyll that the sam be kyped of your syd I aswr your grace that dayly thay haue reset and asystys to rebels and brokyn men vylke Is not to your honowr nor I trast to your plesur bot that ȝe promes suld be kyped and specyaly to thys rawlme vhare In I haue vryten ryght playnly to the lord dakarsFootnote ²⁴² that he hath not dwn hys part ther In tyl vharefor he hath vryten ryght scharpe to me and otharvays than he suld do not a partayns to hym for It that I vryt of hym salbe viel knawn of veret[y] and It that he hath In formyd of me dyvers tymes to your grace It sal be fwnd bot of mallys and of no reson vylke I pray your grace that ȝe vol ondarstand for your honowr as I that Is your systar and not to gyfe ne hasty credens to hym and comand hym to kype gwd rewl apon your borders conformand to your pees and I trast your grace sal fynd ne fawt on thys part and as to the dwke of albany gowarnor of thys rawlme sen hys comyng In to scotland he hath dwn me as gret honowr as Is posybyl and sayth that he vol dw no thyng bot vyth my avyss and specyaly It In It that consernys to the kyng my son vharefor I pray your grace to thanke hym for that vol cause hym to contynv In the sam [fo. 202v] and that ȝe may haue parfayt knawlech of the dwke of albanys beryng toward your grace and me I beseke you hwmbly to send som specyal sarwand of your gracys as clarensyosFootnote ²⁴³ be cause he knavss thys cowntray vhare by ȝour grace may be avartysyd of the veryte that I vryt for paraventur othars may Informe you as the contrar and that I say It for a fekcyon or plesur of the gowarnor and forthar thys berar can schaw your grace and god haue you In hys kypeng vryten at edynbrow the ix day of [deletion] decembar

deryst brothar I besche your grace to gyfe faworabyl awdyens to thys berar ross haroldFootnote ²⁴⁴ and credens as ȝe vald to do my selfe and to lat hym vyt your mynd and plesur

your hwmbyl systar

margaret

24. Memorial from Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots addressed to an unnamed messenger, to be presented to Henry VIII, king of EnglandFootnote ²⁴⁵

Date and place of sending: 4 January 1522, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 211r–215v

Material features: A holograph memorial written on the first eight pages of a ten-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 281 mm (h) x 200 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main memorial text and 143 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fos 215r–v are left blank and there is no address leaf. The memorial has not been secured and sealed.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 211r]

here folous the pownts and artykels that ȝe sal schaw to the kyng of Ingland my brothar In my behalf hys systar qwen of scotland

In the furst ȝe sal make my hwmbyl recomendacyon to hys grace togythar vyth the recomendacyon of the kyng my sonFootnote ²⁴⁶ and schav hys grace that vee ar In good helth and myryFootnote ²⁴⁷ thankyd be god

secondly ȝe schal gyf hys grace to ondarstandFootnote ²⁴⁸ how In swengFootnote ²⁴⁹ It that I haue vryten to hys grace be ross haroldFootnote ²⁵⁰ for tyl haue the prolongn of the trws and pees betwxt hys sayd rawlme and thys vhol the feste of saynt IonFootnote ²⁵¹ next that It var hys vol and plesyr for any request and honowr and for the tendarnes betwxt hym an[d] the kyng my son hys nefow that he vald grant and end the sayd pees and bot fawtFootnote ²⁵² my lo[rd] gowarnorFootnote ²⁵³ sall send to hys grace an onoraby[l]Footnote ²⁵⁴ and sufecyantFootnote ²⁵⁵ anbasytors for tretyn forthar of the sayd pees

Item ȝe sal schaw hys grace that It vas not posybyl to ^haf^ send the sayd Inbassytors swnar for cause of troblos and Inconvenens that the brokyn men and rebeles hass dwn and dwth of thys rawlme and vyth owt the comyng of the sayd lord gowarnor ne Inbasytors cowd be send In ony manar nor ȝet myght be fwnd syk sykar[nes] be ne vay as sal be fwnd be hym and hys vay[s]

[fo. 211v] Item ȝe sal schaw hys grace In my name that It be hys plesur for tyl haue regard and consydaracyon to the ewel that may be dwn and foloyFootnote ²⁵⁶ throw the brekyn of thys rawlme and to consydar how I am hys systar and the kyng my son hys nefew and Is narest to hym nexst hys grace and hys awne barnes and he doynge the contrar It vol not be tyl hys honowr and gret expensys danger and payn that throw the trobyl may foulow and thys beIng consydard be hys grace ȝe sal pray hys grace In my name to atemparFootnote ²⁵⁷ and grant to thyr my resonabyl desyrs and forthar ȝe sal aswre my brothar the kyng In my name of the sayd lord gowarnor and that hys mynd Is all vtarly tyl haue pees and for the viel of thys rawlme vyth owt ony othar thowtFootnote ²⁵⁸ or regard and that hys comyng here Is allanarly to kype hys aichtFootnote ²⁵⁹ and promes and for ne nothar cause and vyth owt hys comyng It had ben InposybylFootnote ²⁶⁰ to me to haue lyffed In thys rawlme

Item ȝe sal schaw hys grace that gyff hys mynd be to haue gwd pees frenchyp and concord betwxt thyr tway rawlmes for loff of me and my son that he vol gyfe the sayd prolongacyonFootnote ²⁶¹ of trwss that In the mene tyme Inbasytors may be send and vyth In thys tyme that he vol pless to send a expart man and sekret to vhom the sayd gowarnor vol schaw hys playn mynd and Intencyon conformand to my vryten and to fwlfyl the kyng grace my brothars mynd In all powntys [fo. 212r] sa that hys grace salbe betar content and In syk manar that he can desyr ne thyng that Is not ganstandyngFootnote ²⁶² to my lord gowarnors consyens and hys honowr bot that he vol dw It In se far as I am a swryd and takyth on my honowr and sal answar to hys grace to the end of thys forsayd aftar hys vol and Intencyon as sayd Is and pray hys grace on my behalfe to gyf commandment to hys legys and ofycsars that ne banyschyd men rebels nor thyfses be rescetFootnote ²⁶³ soportyd nor faword vyth In hys ravlme and that he vol send a sarwand vyth delygens for the sam to the bordars

Item gyfe hys grace sendys a parsonage to me as sayd Is I sal cause hym to ondarstand the veryte of all matars als viel of the kypeng of the kyng my son as to my tretyng be hym and alls and It be hys plesur to send me hys mynd and desyr of ony thyng to be dwn I sal dw my delygens In and labor starkly at my lord gowarnors hand In syk kynd that the Inbasytors that sal gange sal haue ne mare to dw bot tyl ratyfy and solem the trws and pees that salbe takyn In syk manar th as hys grace vol dewysFootnote ²⁶⁴ desyreng ne thyng that may redandFootnote ²⁶⁵ to my lord gowarnors dyshonor

Item ȝe sal schaw hys grace how my lord gowarnor passys now on the borders for to put remed of the banyst men and them that refusys to be gwd scotysmen and for my sykarnes he hath dwn se mykyl vyth the lordys that thay ar condecendyd to hys desyr that I sal pas and remayn In the castel vyth the kyng my son

[fo. 212v] Item ȝe sal aswre hys grace that my lord gowarnor InttarmetysFootnote ²⁶⁶ hym not vyth the kyng my son nor vyth hys sarwandys bot latys that matar be dresyd be the lordys and ordanss that ne thyng be dwn towscheng the kyng my son bot be my awyse and cownsel and vyth my consent and hath newer ben In presens vyth the kyng my son vyth owt I var vyth hym nor vyl not and all the honowr and awtoryte that he may dw to me and gyf me he dwth It gladly he haldys hym not In my company as gowarnor bot sober and hwmbla[r] than ony lord of thys rawlme as Is opynly sen and knawne and abufe thys he hath causy[d] me to be fwrnyssed of the redyest of the kyng my sonsFootnote ²⁶⁷ and for hys part syklyke gyfes me mvnne of hys coffars seandFootnote ²⁶⁸ that I vas troblyd be my lord of angusFootnote ²⁶⁹ and hys fryndys and not an sward of my lyfeng and theffysFootnote ²⁷⁰ and brokyn meen brokyngFootnote ²⁷¹ my lyffeng the vylke he vol helpe me to be obayd and pass a pon them and nede be se that I may be the betar answard of my rentys and the kyng my son to lyffe lyfe In to gwd peece and obayd vyth In hys rawlme vyth owt the vylke the loff and amyte betwxt the tvay rawlmes may not be kyped and gyfe It faylys It volbe of your syde vylke I trast fermly your grace vol not dw for your honowr and for my sake that Is your hwmbyl systar and my son your nefew and to cawse me to be the betar Intretyd

[fo. 213r] Item ȝe sal gyfe hys grace to ondarstand of the gwd berayrngFootnote ²⁷² that my lord gowarnor hath toward me and put In my handys the byschopryke of dwnkelFootnote ²⁷³ now vakand for the delyktFootnote ²⁷⁴ of hym that had It and hath gyffen me the profets ther of and gyfes to my saruandys an abassy and benyfesFootnote ²⁷⁵ for my helpe and fawor vharefor I pray hys grace ryht efektwsly that he helpe not the sayd dwnkelFootnote ²⁷⁶ consyderyng the gret ewel he hath dwn to the rawlme be hys ewel cownsel for he hath ben the cause of all the dessensyonFootnote ²⁷⁷ and trobyl of thys rawlme and hath made falss and ewel raport of me beth In Ingland and scotland and the lard of vetharborne brotharFootnote ²⁷⁸ vass sent to I the sam efek and sen I helped to get hym the benyfes I sal helpe hym as viel fre the sam and consyderyng that he hath dwn ewel to thys rawlme and hath dwn me dysplesurs beth In vord and ded and to my dyshonor to hys powr vylke I can prffeFootnote ²⁷⁹ I trast your grace vol not fawor hym nor make hym ne helpe for that salbe your honowr and myne and ȝour grace schawand good and kynd brothar to me as my trast Is I sal be your hwmbyl and obaysantFootnote ²⁸⁰ systar In all thyng that may dw you honowr and plesur and sal gladly take payne a pon me to entartene gwd peece and concord betwxt your grace and the kyng my son your nefew

[fo. 213v] and othar vays tyl haue me excusyd vyth my Iust quarel and defens to seke remed otharvays and that It Is not In my defawt

Item

Item for the conlwcyon pray hys grace to gyf me fayth and credens for hys grace sal not fayl fynd ne fawt of thyr forsaydys and for hys grace may ondarstand be hym that he sendys here In all thyngs that may not be schawn now and to ondarstand gyf It be of verete or not and gyf I feyle gyf me ne credens In tyme comyng vylke I vald not tyne for ne thyng and be cause clarensusFootnote ²⁸¹ knaws thys rawlme and I am viel a qwanttydFootnote ²⁸² vyth hym and I trast he salbe velcom to my lord gowarnor It var viel dwn to send hym

[deletion]

Item ȝe and the kyng grace my brothar vol not gyff awdyens and credens to the berar ȝe sal come be foor hys grace and present hys grace my sayd vrytengs and say to hys grace that ȝe hafe to f schaw hym on my behalfe syk matars as I trast he vol be contentyd of and to hys honowr besykeng hys to asyng a tyme to you that ȝe [fo. 214r] May schaw the sam and gyfe hys grace plesys I desyr my lord cardynalFootnote ²⁸³ to be present and to here my reasonabyl desyrs

Item and ȝe may not get presens of the g kyngs grace my brothar ȝe sal pass to my lord [deletion] cardynal and apon the letars of credens send to hym pray hym on my name to cause you to haue [deletion] awdensFootnote ²⁸⁴ ^&^ that the matars that ȝe com for ar plesant and agreabyl to the kyngs grace my brothar and hym that I desyr that ther be nen bot the kyngs grace and my lord cardynal to here them and that my sarwand may haue mare faworabyl awdens than the last had that I sent for I haue cause to thynke It beth hewy and strageFootnote ²⁸⁵ and I trast not to hys honowr consyderyng I am hys systar and sal newer fayle to hym nor newer dyd

Item and my lord cardynal be present vyth the kyngs graeFootnote ²⁸⁶ to here the sayd artykels and gyfe the kyng vol that he my lord cardynal labor vyth the gowarnor I sal be contentyd se that that the kyng be contentyd to adress the sayd matars to me to dw here that Is nede [fo. 214v] ful to be dwn In the sayd matars aftar my ondarstandyng vylke salbe the best I can and aftar the kyngs grace my brothars plesur and I trast I may dw It as viel as any othar and betar be my solystyng than ony othars beth for hys honowr and myne and be be cause It suld takyn In mare efekt I haue vryten thyr vyth myne awne handFootnote ²⁸⁷ and I haue sent the copy vyth the sam and sen I take se mykyl labor on me pray hys grace that I haue ne cause to thynke It tynt at edynbrow the iiij day of Ienuar

vryten vyth my

hand margaret R

25. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 6 January 1522, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fos 291r–v

Material features A holograph letter written on both sides of a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 290 mm (h) x 199 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, 56 mm below the main letter text. This functions as an overt signal of deference to the recipient (known as ‘significant space’). The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 291r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my mast hy hwmblyst vyse I can I recommand me to your grace for as mykyl as all thyr last I vryt to your grace be ross haroldFootnote ²⁸⁸ and made you hwmbyl request for to prolonge the trews betwxt your grace and the kyng your nefew my sonFootnote ²⁸⁹ vhol the fest of saynt IohneFootnote ²⁹⁰ next command and In the meen tyme to send you gwd and honorabyl personages cusa Inbasytors for to tret peece and amyte betwxt your sayd rawlme and thys as It vas comondFootnote ²⁹¹ be foor the vylke might not haue bene dwn for the trobyl and brek that the rebelys and ewel avyssedFootnote ²⁹² parsons has dwn thys tyme bygen In thys rawlme as I trast your grace ondar standys and vyth owt the comyng of my lord gowarnor It vas Inposybyl to put remed nor ordor nor for to send your grace the sayd Inbasytors and for the cause and be cause the terme Is schort of the twsFootnote ²⁹³ present and as ȝet ȝe haue not plesyd to make answar I send you thys present letterr vyth ryght hwmbyl suplycacyon and request of twa thyngs that at my synglar request and petysscyon and for the viel of the kyng my son your neffew It vald pless your grace to acord to the prolongyn of the sayd trws and or the day assyngnyt com to send the sayd trws to me and the thothar poynt Is to command your subgets and them that hath the charge not to sufar nor tholFootnote ²⁹⁴ nor requelFootnote ²⁹⁵ or tretFootnote ²⁹⁶ or gyff fawor to the sayd rebolys [fo. 291v] vhat ewer thay be and and for thys my request to gyfe credens to syke thyngs as thys berar vhol schaw to your grace on my part and behalfe for I promes you be my fayth and honowr that that ȝe sal not fynde no fawt In ne thyng that he sal schaw you In my name and gyfe your grace fyndes the contrar hald me for faulsse and the gretyst learFootnote ²⁹⁷ that ewer vass and not for your systar and ryght hwmbly I pray your grace that I may hafe your mynd and plesur vyth delegens In the hastyest sort that may be and that ȝe vol send your sarweturFootnote ²⁹⁸ viel awysyd and gwd parsonage to ondar stand the veryte of all thyr premyssys and of all othar thyngs consernyng als viel of It that I haue gyfen charge to thys berar to schaw your grace as of the tothar and your grace doeng thys for me your systar ȝe oblysFootnote ²⁹⁹ me ewer m mare and mare to lyff and byde your hwmbyl systar to It standyth now In your gracys hand to cause me to be viel Intretyd and to be the contrary vylke I trast ȝe vol not dw consyderyng It Is to your honowr and I trast salbe to your plesur as god knawth vham presarfe you vryten at edynbrow the vj [d]ay of Ienevar

your hwmbyl systar

margaret R

26. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: 6 January 1522, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 218r–219v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 292 mm (h) x 200 m (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 45 mm below the main letter text and 19 mm above the bottom edge of the page. This functions as an overt material gesture of deference to the recipient (known as ‘significant space’). Fos 218v and 219r are left blank and the address is located on fo. 219v. A repair has been made on fo. 218r as the letter has sustained a small tear. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 26 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 219v]

To my lord cardynal

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 218r]

My lord cardynal I command me to you In my maste hartly vyss vyt ȝe my lord that I haue send thys berar my sarwands to the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ³⁰⁰ vyth my letars credens and InstrwkcyonsFootnote ³⁰¹ of the vylke I trast hys grace sal be viel contentyd and ȝe syk lyke eftar that ȝe hafe sene and ondar stand the samyn vhare for I ned not to vryt to you at length to trobyl you vyth my ewel hand and I pray you my lord as hartly as I can to cause my sayd sarwandys to hafe good and faworabyl awd[i]enȝ and answar the swnest that ȝe may for my sake and advartys me be hym or othar that ȝe vol ples vhat ȝe thynke to be dwn and vhat ȝe vol dw In the sayd matars and for the viel and amyte of the kyngs grace my brothar hys rawlme and of the kyng my son hys nefewFootnote ³⁰² and hys rawlme syklyke and to dw your part In thys as I sal dw my posybyl vyth all my hart as god knawth vham presarfe you vryten at edyn brow the vj day of Ienevar

yours that I may

margaret R

27. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: 19 February 1522, [Edinburgh]Footnote ³⁰³

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fos 287r–288v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 292 mm (h) x 209 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. The address is written on fo. 288v and fos 287v and 288r are left blank. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 38 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 288v]

To my lord cardynal

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 287r]

My lord cardnal I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe my lord yat the kyng my sonFootnote ³⁰⁴ and I haȝ vryten In specyal to the papyȝ halyneȝFootnote ³⁰⁵ for the promocyon of glasgoFootnote ³⁰⁶ tyl hyȝ mastar that lord hym vylke promocyon Is sped at owr request and haȝ obtynet a parpetwal exsempsyon for hym hyȝ dyosyFootnote ³⁰⁷ and provenceFootnote ³⁰⁸ besyd the papyȝ halyneȝ he vald not lat trobyl thyȝ exsempcyon priuelegsFootnote ³⁰⁹ be the solystacyon of the arschbysope of saynt tandroȝFootnote ³¹⁰ or hyȝ procatwrȝFootnote ³¹¹ beandFootnote ³¹² In revmeFootnote ³¹³ bot that It vyl ples the papyȝ halyneȝ to athvocatFootnote ³¹⁴ the cavse and calyd befoor hym selfe pwt and sylence to ye avdytorȝFootnote ³¹⁵ RoceFootnote ³¹⁶ and all othar IvgyssFootnote ³¹⁷ to take gonguvcyonFootnote ³¹⁸ In that matar be cawse hyȝ halyneȝ haȝ gyfne It of hyȝ awne fre motyffFootnote ³¹⁹ and se It suld not be takyn be foor othar IwgyȝFootnote ³²⁰ and becavse my lord ȝe may dw mykel vyth the pepeȝ halyneȝ and cardynalȝ I pray you for the kyng my sonȝ request and myne yat ȝe vyl my lord cavse to labar In It the best ȝe can as ovr trast Is In you and furdar to gyfe credenȝ to mastar valtar maxvelFootnote ³²¹ thyȝ berar and god haue you In hyȝ kypeng vryten the xix day of febrwar

yours margaret R

28. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 11 March 1522, Stirling

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 270r–272v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first five pages of a six-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 298 mm (h) x 210 mm (w). This letter features the use of distinct paragraphs, a feature not commonly seen in Margaret's wider holograph letters (though it is a common feature of the memorials written in Margaret's hand). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 19 mm below the main letter text and 15 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 272v is left blank. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 270r]

My lord dakars I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haue resayued your vryteng and sene the artyklysFootnote ³²² and ondarstandys them at length vysche ar ryght scharpe and specyaly at the endyng of them vhare In In apart I se haue schawn my myde at length to thys berar be cause It var owr longe to vryt bot In part I vol make you answar In thys my vryteng

My lord as to me to send to the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ³²³ for my matars be foor the takyng of the pees betwxt the kyngs grace my brothar and thys rawlme and that my matars may be sen for and that I may be answard and obayd of my lyfeng In that pownt I schal send a saruand of myne declaryng the weryte how I haue bene In tretyd sen my last comyng In to scotland vysche I haue vryten of be foor at length to the kyngs grace my brothar and to you how be It I gat no remedy and the last pees that vase takyn vas don vyth owt me or ony vay made for ^me^ bot a general fayr vord vysche dyd me lytel profet for thys ravlme vol set lytel be me gyfe thay may get the pees vyth owt me or my reqwest vysche Is more vyth the kyngs grace honowr to do It for my sake and at my reqwest consyderyng I am modar to the kyng of thys rawlmeFootnote ³²⁴

allso my lord I com at the desyre of the kyngs grace my brothar sent to me be frear henry IedwardFootnote ³²⁵ vysche sayd mony good vordys to me on the kyng my brothar[s] commandment and ^that^ thare schuld not no pees takyn bot at my reqwest an[d] mare I com to my lord of angusFootnote ³²⁶ agaynst all the lordys of scotlandysFootnote ³²⁷ vollysFootnote ³²⁸ trastyng to haue had helpe of the kyngs grace my brothar to haue borne forth my good qwarels for It var owr myche to [deletion] to me to stirfeFootnote ³²⁹ a gaynss all the rawlme consyderyng how It standys betwxt my lord of angus and the lordys and thay not agreed

[fo. 270v] My lord as to my lord of angus gyf he had desyrd my company or my loff he vald hy haue schawn hym moore kyndly than he hath don for now of layt vhan I com to edynbrowhFootnote ³³⁰ to hym he toke my hows vyth owt my consent and [deletion] vyth haldys my lyfeng fre me vysche he schuld not do of reson nor that Is not the vay to desyre my good vol and I to haue takyn both gret dysplesur of [deletion] scotland and trobyl and had no helpe of the kyng grace my brothar nor no luf of my lord of angus and he to take my lyfeng at hys plesur and dyspon It me thynke my lord ȝe schuld not thynke thys resonabyl gyfe ȝe be my frynde as I trast ȝe be

My lord ȝe remembar at ^my^ comyng to edynbrowFootnote ³³¹ I dyd vryt at length to you how the lordys of scotland dyd to my lord of angus and that vyth owt I had gotyn helpe of the kyngs grace my brothar I mghtFootnote ³³² ^noch^Footnote ³³³ bere owt owr part for on the on syde the [deletion] vestland lordys and my lord of angus vas forth and the tothar lordys vass ryght scharpe a pon hym and I desyrd to know vhat helpe I myght traste to and ȝe vrot to me a gayn bot lychtly that the kyng my broth[ar] vald do for me In general vordys bot It most be the dede that [deletion] vyl helpe me

My lord as to the tothar pownt that I bere soo good mynde to the dwke of albanyFootnote ³³⁴ as ȝe say and that he gyfes me bot fayr vordys to put the blame of hym that I am not answard of my lyffeng

my lord as to that pownt I beleffe not hys fayr vordys bot as he hath don to me In dede var not the kyndnes that he hath schawne to me both of hys awne mwnne gyfen to me and causyd the lordys to furnychFootnote ³³⁵ me of the redyest of the kyng my soons I vald ^haf^ bene ^[deletion]^ constrayned to hafe [fo. 271r] put a vay my IowelsFootnote ³³⁶ and coburdFootnote ³³⁷ and thys I dyd vryt to you be foor my lord I trost the kyngs grace my brothar vol consydar me as I that am hys systar that I moste bere good mynde vhare I fynd good ded for as I fynd I most schaw and I trost hys grace vol lofe hym the betar that he doth for me and I can not parsafe bot that the dwke of albany may doo the kyngs grace my brothar as mosche sted In thys rawlme and moore than ony othar vysche I knaw vell hys grace may haue ony vay that he plesys of hym

also my lord vhare that ȝe speke of the kypeng of the kyng my soon and that the lordys that ar a bowht hym Is of the dwkys putyng my lord It Is knawn contrary that the lordys put them a bowht the kyng my soon and I vayt viel thay loffe the kyng my soon as viell as ony In thys rawlme and thay var put to hym or I com last In scot land as ȝe know as for othar pwntysFootnote ³³⁸ partanyng to the dwke ^I^ lat hym an swar for hym selfe bot as far the erldom of ma^rcheFootnote ³³⁹ he makes me no trobyl as ȝet

my lord dakars ȝe schuld not gyfe so lychtly kreden to ewel talys of me as ȝe doo vhol ȝe knv the trowth sopos ȝe bere gret fawor to my lord of angus as I se ȝe doo how be It I haue sene It ass far otharvays I most cast me to ples thys rawlme sen I haue my lyfeng here and few fryndys bot throw my gwd beryng vharefor thay schal haue no cause of reson to holde my lyfeng fromeFootnote ³⁴⁰ and I I thynke the kyngs grace schuld helpe me the betar also vhare ȝe say that I com owt of edynbrow In the nyght that vos not for all the lordys knv of my comyng a vay and I saw no good for me to byde a pon thare

[fo. 271v] and vhare ȝe say that I am rewlyd be the cownsel that vol neuer do me good nor honowr my lord I dyd neuer dyshonor to my selfe nor them that I am com of nor me thynke [deletion] ȝe schvld not [deletion] kyfeFootnote ³⁴¹ credens to that of me both for the kyngs grace my brothars sake and the kyng my fatharsFootnote ³⁴² vho sowl god pardon and I haue made you betar [deletion] cause nor my lord of angus hath don or ony of hys bot I knaw vel the byschope of dvnkelsFootnote ³⁴³ consel vhan he vass vyth you now latly vysche hath causyd you to vryt so scharply

and as towchyng to syr Iames hamyltonFootnote ³⁴⁴ I [deletion] myght not lat hym to ryd on the vay [deletion] bot he convoyd me not It vass othar lordys that browht me to lytcoFootnote ³⁴⁵ as hysFootnote ³⁴⁶ known

My lord allso ȝe vryt ryght scharply to me In your last artykel sayeng that I do dyshonor to my selfe that bydyth from my lord of angus and that I folow them that volbe my dystrokcyon and can not stand vyth the plesur of the kyngs grace my brothar and that I may not loke for ony fawor at the kyngs grace my brothars hand for It Is thowt that I am soor abusyd ondar collourFootnote ³⁴⁷ of fayr promyssesFootnote ³⁴⁸ vysche schuld bryng me to the dysplesur of god and my dysshonor and on doyngFootnote ³⁴⁹ at length

My lord thys Is foor vordysFootnote ³⁵⁰ and on kyndly If thys be the kyng my brothars mynde I beIng hys systar that ewel and falsse folke schal make syche raport of me and so lyghtly kredens to be gyffen to the sam It Is ryght heffy to me and I may thynke It strancgeFootnote ³⁵¹ that my lord of angus may make the kyng my brothar so dysplesyd at me [fo. 272r] vyth ^ovt^ ony fawt makyng as schal be viel known vhare for It Is no marwel sopos othars be onkyndly [deletion] consyderyng that I toke my lord of angus agaynst all scotlands vyl and dodFootnote ³⁵² hym the honowr that I coud an vhare throw I losst the kypeng of my soons my hows of styrlyngFootnote ³⁵³ my rewl of the rawlme vysche I had be ryght that myght not haue bene takyn from me and all thys for hys sake and now hym selfe hath schawne hym on kyndly to me as Is posybyl vysche all the rawlme knaws haldys my lyfeng from me as far as he may and [deletion] bofFootnote ³⁵⁴ all thyng he spake opynly dyshonor of me vysche Is no tokyn of lofe and I dyd nothar dysplesur nor dyshonor to hym as Is viel kend my lord thys not a good vay that suld cause me to com to my lord of angus sen I toke hym at myne awne plesur I vol not be bostydFootnote ³⁵⁵ to take hym now and thus I moste do the best I may to get my fryndes sen hys grace that I trosstyd moste In may be put by me vyth out fayvt vysche I schal neuer make to hys grace as I schal vryt at length to hym vyth a saruand of myne

my lord I vold haue trostyd that ȝe vold erar haue helpyd me at the kyngs grace my brothar hand than to haue hyndard me ȝe moste hold me excusyd that I vryt so playnly for ȝe haue vryten scharply to me ne mare at thys tyme bot god kype you vryten at styrlyn the xj day of ma^rche

your frynd

magaret R

29. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 30 August 1522, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VII fos 150r–151v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 291 mm (h) x 196 mm (w). The signature is located on the right-hand side of the page, 52 mm below the main letter text and 180 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Margaret added hatchet lines in the blank space between the main letter text and her signature as a security device to prevent people adding additional text to her letter. A copy of Thomas Dacre's reply to this letter is added to fos 150v–151v. The address is located on fo. 151v and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 26 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 151v]

To my lord dakares

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 150r]

My lord dakars I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I hafe resaywed your vrytengs fre beth my sayd sarwandys and ondarstandys them at length and as towschyng to en of your letars I thanke you of your gwd cownsel vhowFootnote ³⁵⁶ be It I vass ewer at thys pownt of be foor as my vrytengs beryȝ for pece and concord betwxt beth the rawlmes and do my part ther In and vhare ȝe desyrd my lord canslarFootnote ³⁵⁷ to commonFootnote ³⁵⁸ vyth you I can not vyt owFootnote ³⁵⁹ he or onny othar may come to comownFootnote ³⁶⁰ vyth you vyth owFootnote ³⁶¹ It be vytynFootnote ³⁶² to vat effekt or vhat powr or comyscyonFootnote ³⁶³ ȝe hafe to tret pece consyderyng that ȝe hafe vryten to me In your vryteng that ȝe hafe ne powr bot ȝe belyfe that my lord of schrwsberyFootnote ³⁶⁴ hath powr gyfe ȝe thynke that gwd vayss may be had to avartys me vyth thys berar and In vhat kynde and I sal dw my part thare In for thes ca matar towschys me ryght neer and vhald the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ³⁶⁵ on hys part schaw kyndly to me hys systar and dw me that honowr that I may tret the pece betwxt thyr tway rawlmes I sal labar on thys syde that thar may be gwd pece and concord and as for my lord gowarnorFootnote ³⁶⁶ I fynd hym vyel myndyd and he fynd ony gwd vays and I pray you [fo. 150v] gyff credens to thys berar my sawand and to here hym In syke thys as he hath to say and god kype you vrytnaFootnote ³⁶⁷ at edynbrowgh the xj xxx day of agvst

Margaret R

30. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 3 September 1522, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VII fos 152r–153v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first three pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 286 mm (h) x 197 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main letter text and 105 mm above the bottom edge of the page. There are substantial deletions on fo. 153r. The address is located on fo. 153v and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 26 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 153v]

To my lord dakars

Main letter text [Holograph]

my lord dakars I command me to you I hafe resaywed your letars be the vylke ȝe make answar to my vryteng that I send you last that ȝe vald be glad to helpe to an gwd pece & concord bot that ȝe hafe ne powr to take pece bot gyfe I myght be my gwd medytacyons and vays stop the gret [deletion] Inwacyons now redy alls viel on the tenFootnote ³⁶⁸ syde as on the tohar vhol that som gwd comunecanseFootnote ³⁶⁹ myght be had betwyxt the tway rawlmes It var to me a gret honowr & repwtacyon and that ȝe suld take on you your syde that the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ³⁷⁰ suld be content to stope hys army at thys tyme se that ȝe may be avartyssyd of my entansyonFootnote ³⁷¹ of thyr premyssys

My lord dakars for the gret affekcyon & desyr that I haff of thys matar and that It towschys me so nere as ewery man knawys I vald labor and procwr gwd pece and concord betwxt the kyng kyng my brothar and the kyng my sonFootnote ³⁷² vhare for gyffe ȝe haue as ȝe say ȝe haue se gwd Intencyon and vyll for the viel of beth the rawlmes that ȝe vyl now schaw It In ded vyth owt ony dysymelacyonFootnote ³⁷³ [deletion] [fo. 152v] I vald ot othar vays vharefo^r suld I Intarmet me vyt It for vhen I schw your vrytysFootnote ³⁷⁴ to my lord gowarnorFootnote ³⁷⁵ he saw In the same that ȝe sayd In the sam ȝe had ne powr and he schw to me letars of the captayn of bervykFootnote ³⁷⁶ sayand that ȝe hafe fwll powr and that ȝe schw hym your mynd anenst that and not all anerly powr to take trwss for a tyme bot all mannar of pece a pon the vylke he takyth suspycyon and thynkyth that ȝe vald abusse hym and mare ȝet gret schame to me that Is the kyng your mastars systar that ȝe suld not lat me vyt your mynde and the veryte a foor othars consyderyng the gwd mynde that I haffe to labor for an gwd end to be had In thys and sal be mast honor to the kyng my brothar that I be th[e] dwarFootnote ³⁷⁷ of It erar than ony othar and mar[…] a towrFootnote ³⁷⁸ In to the end of your vryteng Is contrary to the sam vhare ȝe say ȝe hafe ne powr and ȝe take a pon you for the kyngs grace my brothars party[…] to stop [deletion] hys armye for thys tyme vhare for I pray you that ȝe wssFootnote ³⁷⁹ not syk waynFootnote ³⁸⁰ vordys to me bot It that I labor forr may be akcept vytchFootnote ³⁸¹ owt ony delay for and ȝe remember viel a pon [fo. 153r] [deletion] the viel of the tway rawlmes ȝe hafe cause to opnynFootnote ³⁸² your mynde and not hyde It as thys berar vhol schaw you at mare letngthFootnote ³⁸³ the mynd of my lord gowarnor and myn and that ȝe vol hast me the answar and speke vyth thys berar my sarwand and that he may be sykyr to gange and come swrly [deletion] and god haue you In hys kypeng vryten at edynbraw the iij day of septembar my lord I haue send my sarwand mastar Ion cantlyFootnote ³⁸⁴ to awarysFootnote ³⁸⁵ you of my mynd and my lord gowarnors and gyf ȝe vol here hym schaw to thys berar [deletion] and a swr hym ther In

your frynd

margaret R

31. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: [24 September 1522], [Edinburgh]Footnote ³⁸⁶

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 282r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 292 mm (h) x 198 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. The address is located on the reverse side of the page (fo. 282v). The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 32 mm in diameter. The wax has bled through the page.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 282v]

[T]o my lord dakers

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 282r]

My lord dakars I command me hartly to you and vyt ^ȝe^ I resayved your vryteng fre mastar Ion cantlyFootnote ³⁸⁷ and vhare thare that ȝe say In your sayd vryteng that It vas a gred betwxt you and my lord gowarnorFootnote ³⁸⁸ that I suld send to the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ³⁸⁹ for to labor forthar of the pece vylke I haue done vyth thys berar my sarwand and a sarwand of my lord gowarnors that hys grace may ondarstand farthar of hys gwd mynd and I trast you knaw In a part vhane ȝe spake vyth hym vhare for I pray you hartly my lord that ȝe vol gyfe hym gwd and swr pasage vyth my sarwand that gange In all posybyl haste and come a gayn syke lyke and that ȝe vol for my sake vryt to furdar hym In hys erandys for ȝe knaw the tyme Is schort and be It not viel sped now It Is varr ne ewer It vass and In the kyngs grace my brothars defawt vylke vol nothar be plesur to god nor to hys honouvr consyderyng vhat the kyng of thys rawlmeFootnote ³⁹⁰ Is to hym and that he never fawtyd to hym and to the gowarnors part he Is redy to all gud vays has he hath schawn at thys tyme vharefor for your part I pray you my lord schaw your gwd mynde toward me at thys tyme and god hafe you In hys kypeng vryten the xxiiij day of septembar

you^r frynd magaret

32. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 24 September 1522, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B V fos 219r–220v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first three pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 282 mm (h) x 200 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, 20 mm below the main letter text. The address is located on fo. 220v and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive. Some wax residue survives but it is not possible to measure its diameter due to conservation work on fo. 220v.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 220v]

To the ryght excelent hy and myghty prynce my deryst brothar [the] gkyngs grace

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 219r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my mast hwmbyl vyse I can I recommand me to your grace prayeng you to rembar that I hafe here befoor contywalyFootnote ³⁹¹ vretyn to your grace desyrandFootnote ³⁹² the viel & pacyfycacyonFootnote ³⁹³ betwxt your grace my brothar and the kyng my sonFootnote ³⁹⁴ and your rawlymeȝ I hafe se laboryd that I am swr that ȝe ar vartysydFootnote ³⁹⁵ of the same & for tyl come to some gwd efekt and begyneng for to conduceFootnote ³⁹⁶ the sayd erand the abstynesnssFootnote ³⁹⁷ of weyr vas acordyd be the gowarnorFootnote ³⁹⁸ at my request leffandFootnote ³⁹⁹ to exsecutt ony thyng of the force and powr that he had gatheryd and a pon the borders of your rawlme redy to Invade the same of the vylke vasse to folow eftarvardFootnote ⁴⁰⁰ bot ewel Ryght gret danger vhethar othar for ane or othar All onder the voll of god be the vylke your grace viell and clerly knaw the gwd vill that I hafe ayFootnote ⁴⁰¹ vryten to you that the gowarnor hes to the viell transqwliteFootnote ⁴⁰² and concord of beth thyr rawlmys and not alanerly betwxt thyr tway for sayd rawlmys bot of all crystyndom to the vylke thyng I beseke your grace ryght hwmbly to put ne mare dowt ther to In to consyderyng that be a peranssFootnote ⁴⁰³ sykarly ȝe [deletion] may hafe seen It and of your part that ȝe vol put you to reson honnowr and dewoyrFootnote ⁴⁰⁴ be the vylke ȝe suld bere for godys sakyeFootnote ⁴⁰⁵ and nerenes of blud not alanerly to me your systar bot to kyng my son your neffew and now schaw the gwd vol that I trast ȝe hafe and that ȝe hafe sayd that your graeFootnote ⁴⁰⁶ bwrFootnote ⁴⁰⁷ and put by the senystar and vrange raportys made be ewel folkys & of ewel voll [fo. 219v] therfor I thowt gwd to vryt to your grace In thyr premysys be thys present berar my sarwand In all delygens for to beseke your grace that the sayd abstynens may be prolonegyd at my request vhol saynt Ions dayFootnote ⁴⁰⁸ that In bassytors may be send ope to your grace In the meen tyme vylke I sal causs to be sped and be the gowarnors sarwand your grace may ondarstand hys desyrs the vylke I prayd hym to send to you vyth myne so that ther be ne fawt In the sayd matars the vylke I and he beth desyrs to be depechytFootnote ⁴⁰⁹ and sped In contenentFootnote ⁴¹⁰ vyth my sayd sarwand and hys and that he may come a gayn be post and that It may be haldyn sekret and I beseke your gra^ce [r]yght hwmbly to knaw sykyrly that vyth owt the sayd prorocacyonFootnote ⁴¹¹ the matars ar varsFootnote ⁴¹² now ne ewer thay var vylke suld torne to my gret dysplesur and to lytyl profet nor honowr to your grace consyderyng the deworFootnote ⁴¹³ vhare In thay haue put them and don of thys syde and vyll dw allswa I pray you deryst brothar the kyng that ȝe vald lat ane of the gowarnors sarwandys passe to the kyng of franceFootnote ⁴¹⁴ [change in ink] for to garFootnote ⁴¹⁵ hym ondarstand the tenor of the sayd absstynens as he Is haldyng and thys rawlme syke lyk to dw se that [deletion] ^he may^ entar In the same and to lat the sayd sarwand repass In all dylygens for to b^ryng here the answar be the cause the sayFootnote ⁴¹⁶ Is dangerows and on sarttaynFootnote ⁴¹⁷ as your grace may viell ondarstand and reson vald that thys var done for the dyscharge of hys honowr and the oblycacyonFootnote ⁴¹⁸ that Is betwxt the kyng my sons rawlme [fo. 220r] and the rawlme of france vylke vass done betheFootnote ⁴¹⁹ kyng hys fartharFootnote ⁴²⁰ whom god pardon the vylk my lord ^gowa^rno^r^ may not dw the contrar vyth hys honnowr now deryst brothar the kyng I beseke your grace In my m[o]st huvbylFootnote ⁴²¹ vyss and for my sake and honowr that Is your systar to lat me make gwd concord betwxt thyr sayd rawlmes vylke ^vyl^ be plesand to god and to your gret honowr for at the last pece man be and ȝe hafe dwn It dyvars tymes at the request of the kyng of france vylke be suld not dvo se mykyl at your hand be reson as I your systar suld ^&^ as my trast Is your grace vol dw for me seIng that the same that I hafe vryten to youe of be foor hath of my lord gowarnor hath pryvedFootnote ⁴²² now In to the dede and be cause the sayd grace kyng of france of be foor hath takyn thys rawlme In hys comprehensyon there be foor I vald beseke your grace hwmbly to lat me dw syklyke now vylke vald ^be^ to my gret honnowr and plesur and as to my lord gowarnor I sal take apon ^me^ that he sal kype ony thyng that he promyss to your grace and I asure you he may dw your grace gret sted and plesyr and a nothar vay thys gret tobylFootnote ⁴²³ latyth me to be obayd and answard of my lyffeng vylke me thynke deryst ^brothar^ ȝe suld helpe consyderyng that pece may helpe yt It as god knawyth vhame haue you In kypeng vryten at edynbrowh the xxiiij^t day of septembar

your hwmbyl systar [deletion]

margaret R

33. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 4 October 1522, [Edinburgh or Stirling]Footnote ⁴²⁴

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 284r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 289 mm (h) x 200 mm (w). The closing subscription is located on the right-hand side of the page, 18 mm below the main letter text and 47 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is located on the reverse side of the page (fo. 284r). The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism, with a triangular paper lock. An impression of seal 2 (see Figure 6) is present on the paper lock.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 284r]

To my lord dakars

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 284v]

My lord dakars I command me hartly to you and I haue resayved your vryteng be Iame dogeFootnote ⁴²⁵ and vhare that ȝe say In your sayd vryteng that I vryt owr scharpe tyl hys graceFootnote ⁴²⁶ my lord I [deletion] trast that he vol not thynke that for my my[nd] Is not tw dysplese hym In my defawt my lord I pray you remembar that the mwneth of the trwȝ Is nere ron owt vharefor I vald pray yow to contynv the sayd trwss for your part vhol my sayd sarwand [deletion] retorne fre the kyngs grace my brothar vyth answar and for thys syde I trast my lord gowa[r]norFootnote ⁴²⁷ vhol dw sysch lyke and thys I pray you to dw vyth your answar vyth thys berar and gyfe hysm credens and god kype you vryten thys sonday

your fryndFootnote ⁴²⁸

34. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 12 October 1522, Stirling

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Cailgula B I fos 292r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 215 mm (h) x 214 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 53 mm below the main letter text and 36 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 292v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 22 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 292v]

deryst brothar [the kin]gs grace

Main letter text [Holograph]

deryst brothar the kyng In my most hwmbyl mannar I can I recommand me to your grace plese you to vyt thair Is a benyfys here In scotland vakand and I haue here a frynd that I am mykyl behaldan to vylk Is my lord of lenoxsFootnote ⁴²⁹ hath dessyry[d] me to vryt to you to gyff your safcowndyt to thys berar vylke I pray your grace hartly to doo vyth hast see that he be not troblyd y In your Reyme RwmleFootnote ⁴³⁰ nothar goyng no[r] comyng for my sake It var my part to doo for hym [a]s your grace schal knaw ne mare at thys tyme bot […] [god] haf you In hys kypeng vryten vyth my hand at styrl[ing] the [deletion] xij day of october

your hwmbyl systar

Margaret R

35. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 10 June 1523, [Perth]Footnote ⁴³¹

Archival reference: BL, Add MS 24,965 fos 11r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 213 mm (h) x 192 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 16 mm below the main letter text and 36 mm above the bottom of the page. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 11v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 30 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 11v]

To my lord dakars

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 11r]

My lord dakars I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I hafe sene a vryteng sent be you to my lord chanslarFootnote ⁴³² vysche me thyn[k] Is rghtFootnote ⁴³³ gwd and of good mynde as I thynk[…] and I pray god that ther may be a gwd vay fwordFootnote ⁴³⁴ betwxt thys tway rawlmes and that It may ly In my powr to labor the sam ass I schal dw for my part and I haff vryten to my lord chanslar to send you a safcondyt for your sayd sarwand to come and speke vyth me and hym vy acordan[g]Footnote ⁴³⁵ to your desyr and I thanke you my lord of your good mynd and whan I hafe spokyn[…] vyth your sayd sarvand I sal vryt you my mynde as god knaws vhame hafe you In hys kypeng vryten the x day of Iwn

yours Margaret R

36. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 24 June 1523Footnote ⁴³⁶

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 264r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a both sides of a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 280 mm (h) x 194 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 22 mm below the main letter text and 143 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written in a scribal hand on fo. 264v and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 32 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 264v]

To our weilbelouit cousing the lord dacre wardane of Ingland [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 264r]

My lord dakars I command me to you vyt ȝe that I haue resayved your letar from vylyam adryngtonFootnote ⁴³⁷ and ondarstandys syk thyngs as he [deletion] hath schawn to me on your behalfe vhareof I thanke you ryght hartly and that ȝe ar se viel myndyd and Incklynyd to the viel of pece betwxt thyr tway rawlmys and Is ryght glad of the good meynyȝFootnote ⁴³⁸ ȝe haf fwnd and proponydFootnote ⁴³⁹ as to vhom the cace towschyth mast nerast on beth the sydys vharefor I hafe devysyd for the gwd and hasty expedycyon of the matar an vryteng send to the kyngs grace my brothar as ȝe may se be the copy gyf ȝe thynk It expedyent to be sent to hys grace and answar to be had In all dylygens as ȝe may posybyl make and that my for my sake my lord ȝe vol helpe to labor to bryng thys to a gwd end for the viel of beth the rawlmes as my trast Is In you and In the men tyme I pray you to cawse all ewellys and skethys to sees and to be stopyd [fo. 264v] conformand to your gwd mynd to the viel of pece vylke vol helpe gretly to bryng the matar to a gwd end and god hafe you In hys kypeng the xxiiij^t day of Iwne my lord I pray you gyf credens thys berar for he schaw you my mynd at letegthFootnote ⁴⁴⁰ [deletion] consernyng thyr matares

your frynd

margaret R

37. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 13 September 1523, EdinburghFootnote ⁴⁴¹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 259r–260v

Material features: A holograph letter written on one page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 283 mm (h) x 204 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. Fos 259v and 260r are left blank and the address is located on fo. 259r. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 25 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 259r]

To the Ryght hy and myghty prynce the and my deryst brothar the kyngs grace

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 260v]

deryst brothar the kyng In my mast hwmblyst vys I can I recommand me to your grace and ples you to vyt that I haf resayved your vryteng datyd the second day of septambyr and hath schawn them to a part of the lordysFootnote ⁴⁴² syk as I trast lofiysFootnote ⁴⁴³ the viel of the kyng my sonFootnote ⁴⁴⁴ and hys rawlme and towchygFootnote ⁴⁴⁵ the kyng my sons takyng forth the lordys hath ordand hym to paȝ forth and take hys pastyme pbut not to take gret Iournays thay thynke not meet for hym thay say that thay sal se the best vay for the viel of the kyng my son and hys rawlme and thay vol dw ne thyng by my a vyss as hythar thyayFootnote ⁴⁴⁶ haf not dwn ne nothar vharefor deryst brothar I besche your grace to schaw you kynd and of gwd mynde tovard the kyng my son and hys rawlme as ȝe vryt that ȝe vyl and do In syk manner that ther may be gwd pece and concord betwxt your sayd rawlme and thys and that the lordys of scotland may haff caws ^to^ trast that your grace vol defend thys rawlme and take part vyth It vysche ȝe doyng thys ȝe vol fynd the lordys as I trast fermly of gwd mynde tovard your grace and thys me thynke ȝe suld do of resson for the tendarnes of blwd and for your awne honnowr and as far as I can ondarstand they haue made ne band of nw to the gowarnorFootnote ⁴⁴⁷ nor Is not of mynde to do sen the day that he hath [deletion] brokyn to them vharefor I vald that your grace made them syk cawse that thay nedyd not nor had any ocacyon to seke farthar for helpe consyderyng I thynke your grace suld be tendryst to hym beschyng you as hwmbly as I can to do the betar for my sake and that thys rawlme may fynd It and the swnar the betar for many cawsys and gyf ther be ony fawt that It be not fwnd of your part bot erar of thayrs trastyng fermly that ^thay^ vol not refws ne resonabyl vay and your answar a gayne In all delygens and god haf you In hys kypeng vryten the xiij day of septembar

your hwmbyl systar margaret

38. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 13 September 1523, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 250r–252v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first four pages of a six-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 284 mm (h) x 205 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 91 mm below the main letter text and 47 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 252r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 252v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains measuring 26 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 252v]

to the right hy and myhty prynce my deyst brothar the kyngs grace

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 250r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my mast hwmblyst vyss I can I recommand me to your grace plesyth you to vyt that I haue resaywed your vryteng vryten the second day of septemba^r the vylke I thynke ryght gavdFootnote ⁴⁴⁸ and thankys your grace ryght hwmbly and for my part schal cawse your gavd mynde to be knawn for the viel and swrty of the kyng my sonFootnote ⁴⁴⁹ deryst brothar It vol pleȝ you to ondarstand In vhat cass and poynt the kyng my son standyhFootnote ⁴⁵⁰ as I haue vryten of devarȝFootnote ⁴⁵¹ tymeȝ to my lord of suvrayFootnote ⁴⁵² vhom me thynke hath dwn hys part and delygens to avartys your grace In syk thyngs as I haue vryten to hym as I parsaf viel be my answars and now to schaw your grace playnly the tyme that ȝe may best helpe the kyng my son Is now and to put hym owt of hys enymys handes and that hys parson may be In swrty the furst thyng Is to send to the lordysFootnote ⁴⁵³ to se gyf thay vyll leffe the gowarnorsFootnote ⁴⁵⁴ vays and do that thay schwld dw to thayr prynce and to pwt the ravlme to gwd rewl and that your grace for your part vol be contentyd to gyff them pece that ther may be godFootnote ⁴⁵⁵ concord betwxt your sayd rawlme and thys and to helpe them and soplyFootnote ⁴⁵⁶ thys rawlme agayns ony that vol dw thys It ony trobyl vyth ony othar vays that may be [deletion] fwnd and thay that vol not regard to the viel not and swrte of the kyng and hys rawlme and that thay schal haff all the ewel that ȝe may do to them and thys I pray your grace to vryt to the lordys and desyr thayr answars secandly I haf spokyn vyth the lordys and ondarstandys thayr myndys vylke I fynd dar not dw ne thyng for feer that thay haf of the gowarnor nor dar not dyspleȝ hym vylke Is a hevy cass to the kyng my son and a gret danger that hys parson and hys rawlme Is In vharefor danger deryst brothar It Is of force that ȝe mast cawse the lordys to leff the gowarnors vays and be fayr tertyFootnote ⁴⁵⁷ or be varay force and thys mast be dwn In all hast or ellys [fo. 250v] kyng my son vyl be dystroyd consyderyng now that the dwk Is forth of thys rawlme and the lordys ar not bound to hym sen our lady day of the asmpcyonFootnote ⁴⁵⁸ that vass hys promes to com now seIng that ^thay^ ar on bownd now Is the tyme to charge them and to caws them to lef the gowarnors vays and thys I besche your grace that It may be dwn In all delygens for your honowr and the viel and swrte of the kyng my son

also deryst brothar It vyl pleȝ you to you vyt that I vass In be foor the lordys vhan thay var sytyng In parlment and prayd them on the kyng my sons name to do the thyng that myght be best for the vol and of hym and hys rawlme and to lay by all othar vays and be ne langar abwsyd vyth fayr vordys of france as thay vald answar to god and thayr kyng and allsoo that he desyrs to be fwrth at hys lybarty and not to hald hym a prysonar to thys the lordys sayd thay schwld awyss and hath ordand the kyng to paȝ forth a mylle a bowt styrlyngFootnote ⁴⁵⁹ vyth thyr lordys to kype hym that he paȝ ne fararFootnote ⁴⁶⁰ bowndysFootnote ⁴⁶¹ that Is the erl of cassylysFootnote ⁴⁶² the byschop of galowoayFootnote ⁴⁶³ / and the lord flemyngFootnote ⁴⁶⁴ vysche I promeȝ lofyth the gowarnor betar than he doth the kyng vharfor I thynke that hys parson Is In dangar and for that cawss I haf desyrd hym to be remofyd thus deryst brothar I besche you to consydar vhat danger he Is In and to pwt remedy hastyly to the sam towschyng the lordys I fynd the chanslarsFootnote ⁴⁶⁵ my lord of abardynFootnote ⁴⁶⁶ and the erl of argylFootnote ⁴⁶⁷ best myndyd as thay say In thayr vordys [fo. 251r] bot I se ne gret dedys as ȝet bot as far as I can fynd thay desyr to be sykarFootnote ⁴⁶⁸ of you and your helpe and to haf pece betwxt thyr tway rawlmes vharby that thay myght haf cawss to leff the vays of france and vyth owt the swrte of that and to help them to bere It forth thay var ryght gret fwlysFootnote ⁴⁶⁹ thay say to do It vharefor deryst brothar It standyth all In your hand now at thys tyme and gyf ȝe vol not dw It at thys tyme I promes you I vol newer vryt moor In thys matar nor your grace vyl newer get se gwd a tyme and towschyng my selfe I haf gotyn se gret dyspleswr of the gowarnor for thys that I do that he vol dw me all the ewel he may and all frencemenFootnote ⁴⁷⁰ vhare ^for^ I pray your grace gyf me your lycens to com In your sayd rawlme vyth sch syke as ar my trw sarwandys that getyth ewel for my sake and that thay may be resayved vyth me as my trast Is ^In^ your grace vol dw to me your systar and that ȝe vol avartys me your mynde In thys and all othar thyngs a boffyn vrytenFootnote ⁴⁷¹ vhat I schal trast to also I promes your grace ȝe doyng at thys tyme as I vryt to your grace towsckyngFootnote ⁴⁷² the kyng my son helpyng hym forth of hys enemys handys and put hym In swrte ^ȝe^ he vol haff all the hartys of the coman pypyl In thys ravlme for thay vald newer se the gowarna^r In sen It Is thws owr loke not your honowr and the viel of your systars son vylke Is narest to you nexst your awne chyldarFootnote ⁴⁷³ and vyl be most kyndly to your grace and It Is a ryghtvusFootnote ⁴⁷⁴ qwarel that ȝe haf I pray you deryst brothar to pardon [deletion] me that I vryt se playnly for now It standyth apon the poynt and vhar not that [fo. 251v] thys berar Is my trasty and trw sarwand and ewer hath ben to the kyng my husbondFootnote ⁴⁷⁵ vhom god to pardon and to me I dwrst not haf vryten se playnly vharef vylke Is calyd patryk synklarFootnote ⁴⁷⁶ vharefor I besche your grace hwmbly to be hys gwd prynce for my sake and that ȝe vol gyff commandment to the erl of sowray and the lord dakarsFootnote ⁴⁷⁷ that he may be resayved and vyl Intretyd In your sayd rawlme gyf he hath nede and thys your grace vyl dw for my request and [deletion] lat me be avartysyd In all hast of your mynd and pleswr and I sal labor here at the lordys handys that your grace schal be content as god knawyth vham presarf you vryten xiij day of septambar at edynburgh

your humbyl

systar Magaret

39. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 13 September 1523, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fos 289r–290v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 283 mm (h) x 204 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 31 mm below the main letter text and 156 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 290r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 290v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 25 mm in diameter.

my lord I send you here In closyd the InstermentFootnote ⁵⁰⁵ that I twke ȝestarday be foor the lordys for my dyschargeFootnote ⁵⁰⁶ and thys I sayd myne awne mowhtFootnote ⁵⁰⁷ to them ther for I pray you kype It for I haue the prysypalFootnote ⁵⁰⁸

42. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 25 September 1523, [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁵⁰⁹

Archival reference: The Bodleian Library, MS Bod Tanner 90 fos 41r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 298 mm (h) x 200 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 31 mm below the main letter text and 58 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 41v) and the letter is locked using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The ends of the paper lock have been secured using a circular piece of paper upon which is an impression of seal 2 (see Figure 6). The seal has been stitched to fol. 41v (likely as part of conservation work).

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 41v]

To my lord of sovray

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 41r]

My lord I comand me hartly to you and vyt ȝe yat I haue sent thys berar my sarvand patryk synklarFootnote ⁵¹⁰ to you vyth my playn mynde and artykleȝFootnote ⁵¹¹ to beschavn to you vham I pray you to gyff credens to [deletion] as to my selfe vyth your playne mynde agayn In all poyntys the swnest that ȝe may posybyl allso vyt ȝe that ther Is com vyth the dwkFootnote ⁵¹² sent be the kyng ^ye^ french kyngFootnote ⁵¹³ vI^m fwt men a hvndreth men of armyȝ twa hondreth lyght horȝFootnote ⁵¹⁴ and thyr ar com by thaym that var here afoor therfor loke the betar a bowht beth at the vest border and the eest for thay volbe doyng som thyng ryght swn for thay may not hald them lang for the expensys Is gret I avartys you of all thyng that I knaw

my lord I haue vryten to you at length In my artykleȝ how I am In tretyd vharefor I vald pray you to helpe vyth part of mwne the swnest that ȝe may for I may not com vhol I get part and that I refar to you and var It not that I haue gret nede I vald not desyr It as god knavth vham haue you In hys kypeng vryten thys fryday

yours Margaret R

43. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [12 October 1523], EdinburghFootnote ⁵¹⁵

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 184r–185v

Material features: A holograph letter written on four pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 300 mm (h) x 208 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 25 mm below the main letter text and 40 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 184r]

My lord I recommand me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haue resayved your vryteng thys monday vhare In ȝe say that ȝe haf not gotyn as ȝet the answar from the kyng grace my brotharFootnote ⁵¹⁶ bot vhan ȝe get It that I sal haue It In hast vhare of my lord I thanke you hartly and of the gwd mynd that ȝe bere to me vysche I can newer desarfe and all so I thanke you my lord of the mvny that ȝe haue sent me In my gret nede vysche otharvayȝ I vald haue bene ryht leth to haue chargyd you bot I se viel my lord ȝe vyl not fayl me In my [deletion] nede and as to my part I vol make the best caws that I can to the plesur of the kyngs grace trostyng that hys grace vol be my helpe and swply and to lecens me to come In to hys sayd ravlme consyderyng that I may nothar do for my sonFootnote ⁵¹⁷ nor my selfe prayeng you my lord as my trast Is In you that [fo. 184v] I may be swrly avarytsyd vyth th patryk synklarFootnote ⁵¹⁸ that I make me redy theraftar for now the tyme may be best for me and gyf It be not hys gracys pleswr to lycens me to com In hys sayd rawlme I vald be avarty[sed] for than I am constraynd to make of my on fryndys fryndys and that vol be ryght heffy to me and I thynke ryght dangerouȝ for the kyng my son I can say ne mare bot I haue vryten my mynd at length to you dyvarȝ tymeȝ and I vol abyde at my porpoȝ as lange as I may and for your part my lord I am mosche behaldyng to you as can be as for tydengs there Is nen othar than I haue vryten of be foor to you bot that the dwkeFootnote ⁵¹⁹ vol gange fordvard thys vedynsday to set a pon Ingland and ther for make you stark to vyth stand them and not ever haldyn In to combar [deletion] vyth them al so I most of force send a sarvand of myne to you vyth my vryte[n] [fo. 185r] to you to se gyf that ȝe vol be content to take pece vyth thys rawlme and to lat france be compryendyd In the sam or elys not and thys the gowarnor vol that I send to you for the sam therfor vryt the answar to me as I may schaw It to the dwke so that he may se that I dw my part that he may lay ne fawt In to me and vryt In the sayd vryteng to me that vhan ewer ony pece be takyn betwxt the ravlmes that It sal be takyn be me and be non othar for that vol cause the dwk to set the moor be me and vhat ȝe thynke that ȝe vald I dyd send me vord vyth patryke synklar bot not vyth the othar for takyng be the vay bot schau secretly your mynde to my sarvand for he Is a trw sarwand to me and hath bene ever vyth me sen I com forst In to scotland bot send the vryteng that I may schaw It I pray you my lord [fo. 185v] hast me the vtar ansar for I desyr gretly to knav It and vol thynke ryght lange vhol the sam and I dred that and I byde longe here that haftarFootnote ⁵²⁰ the hostyng I schal not haue so myche layser to vryt to you for I here say that I schal be ordard to byde In saynt IonstonFootnote ⁵²¹ vhare that I may nothar come nor send to you and thys the dwke sayd hym ^self^ therfor doo to me as ȝe vol and thynke viel that I haue don my part to avartys youe of all thyng and that I schal byde ferme and stabyl at the kyngs grace my brothar a gaynst all othars so that hys grace vol not owr lowke me In my gret nede as I trwst he vol god pres haue you In hys kypeng vryten at edynbrowht thys monday

yours margaret R

44. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [13 October 1523], EdinburghFootnote ⁵²²

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 449r–452v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first five pages of a six-page document with portrait orientation, with an additional single page holograph postscript (fo. 450r) inserted after the main letter had been composed. The pages measure 296 mm (h) x 208 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature in the main letter (fo. 452r) are located on the right-hand side of the page, 7 mm below the main letter text and 19 mm above the bottom edge of the page. In the holograph postscript, the closing subscription and signature occur 19 mm below the main letter text and 27 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The reverse page of the postscript is left blank (fo. 450v) and the address is located on 452v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue survives measuring 22 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 452v]

[T]o my lord of surrey

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 449r]

My lord I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haue resayved the kyngs grace my brothar[s]Footnote ⁵²³ vryteng vyth yours thys twsday vhareof I am ryght glad that hys grace Is contentyd vyth me and sal dw my dylygens In all thyng that I trast may be hys pleswr and to your part my lord I am gretly behaldyng to you [deletion] fo^r your gwd mynde tovard me and the gret delygens that ȝe make for to bryng my gwd matars to paȝ vysche I pray god that I may deserve and I thank[…] you ryght hartly of the sam also my lord vhare that ȝe desyr me In your sayd vrytygFootnote ⁵²⁴ to avartys you of sysche thyngs as I can get knawlege of and vhat Is the dwkysFootnote ⁵²⁵ porpoȝ I Inswr you that I leeffe ne thyng on don that I may on that behalfe bot all thyng Is kyped from me as far as the dwke may In se far that he dressythFootnote ⁵²⁶ all hys matars In to glasgoFootnote ⁵²⁷ fowr and threty myly[s] from edynbrowhFootnote ⁵²⁸ and thar he hath haldyn hys cownsel vyth the lordys and hath determyd to com a pon Ingland vyth all the powr that thay may posybyl and thys to be paȝ fordvard thys day fyftyn dayȝ thys Is of trow[th] [fo. 449v] therfor my lord gyf ewer ȝe Ingland made them a gaynss scotland make them now ryght strang for I Inswr ^you^ sen scotland vaȝ scotland It vas newer made se strang and ther for I varne you loke a pon your viel and honowrs for ȝe volbe scharply a saydFootnote ⁵²⁹ bot to schaw you of trowth vythar that the dwke vyl paȝ to the eest borders or the vest I prome[s] you as ȝet ther Is nen that knaws for the dwke vyl not schav hys mynde to ne scotys man bot as I can ondarstand he voyll paȝ hysm selfe to the vesst border vyth the gret powr and artylyre and he vol send part of folke and artylery to the eest borderȝ therfor take good a vayt apon both the borders and vhan that ȝe send to me a gayn the kyngs grace my brothars mynde ȝe schal be avarty[sed] farthar as I can get swr knawleig of allFootnote ⁵³⁰ thyngs prayeng you my lord to contynv tovar[ds] me In your gwd mynde as ȝe haue schawn y[…] and to helpe to bryng me to som gwd vay vhol that the kyng my sonFootnote ⁵³¹ may do for me and It that the kyngs grace vol do for me I vald It var swn for the langar the varȝFootnote ⁵³² [fo. 451r] now I vol a vartys you vhat he hath browht vyth hym and thys I promys you Is of trowth farst he hath viij and tventy canonȝ and fowr dobyl canonȝFootnote ⁵³³ that ar far gretar than any that vass browht to noram at the feldFootnote ⁵³⁴ all swa he hath gret pavasysFootnote ⁵³⁵ gangan a pon vhylyȝFootnote ⁵³⁶ vyth the artylery to schwtFootnote ⁵³⁷ and to be brek the hostys syndreFootnote ⁵³⁸ and of thys he hath mony and every een of them hath tway scharpe suardysFootnote ⁵³⁹ befoor them that nen may towsche them thay hafe by thys gret nombar of smaar hartylyreFootnote ⁵⁴⁰ of all sortys and mykyl powder vyth al thyng that partayns to It and tvelfe schypeȝ vyth vyttall and vyneFootnote ⁵⁴¹ and of thys thay haff send fowr of thayr schypes vyth vyne and flowr and forovrFootnote ⁵⁴² gretcanons to the vest borders all so ther Is come fowr thowsand fwt men a hwndreth men of armyȝ ther Is fowr scoor of bardyd horsFootnote ⁵⁴³ thvs all the frenche men ar nombard In all sax thowsand menFootnote ⁵⁴⁴ and I here say that thay schal be put In the vangardFootnote ⁵⁴⁵ be cause he gyfyth not gret trast to the scotys men all so thay lwke dayly for thre thowsand allmaynȝFootnote ⁵⁴⁶ to come the fwrst fayr vynd that blawȝFootnote ⁵⁴⁷ all so I promyȝ you that every body sayth that thre hondreth thowsand hath not made thys gret provysyonFootnote ⁵⁴⁸ [fo. 451v] allso thay hafe mony crosbowȝ and co samal hand gonȝ and pykys and halbartysFootnote ⁵⁴⁹ a gret nombar and It is ordand that all the borwhȝFootnote ⁵⁵⁰ of every town schal byd and kype thayr townȝ bot that thay schal fwrnyȝ forth ckaryage for sventyn dayȝ to byde forth I promeȝ you my lord thay trwst to vyn bervykFootnote ⁵⁵¹ vyth othar placys as thay speke ryght playnly and dyspytwsylyFootnote ⁵⁵² vysche doth me gret dysplesyr vharefor I pray you my lord to cause the kyngs grace to lwke viel a penFootnote ⁵⁵³ thys matar beth for hys viel and honnowr and the viel of hys nefew for and thay vyn ony avantage now my son and I ar ondon he vol be se hye In hys mynde and thynke swrly that I vald not vryt thys and It var not of trowth I can do ne mare for my part bot avartyȝ you of all thyng that I knaw and that I schal not fayly also I here say that the [deletion] rychard de la pwlFootnote ⁵⁵⁴ schwld come schortly In to Ingland vyth a powr and that ther Is In Ingland that vol take hys part ther for lwke viel a bowht you now I haue schawn you my lord all thyng that I knaw I pray you that I be not owt of remembrance and to lat me haue vttar ansvar vhat I schal trast to and to devyȝ how I may co[m]e a vay and to send me part of mvny for and It had not ben[…]Footnote ⁵⁵⁵ gret nede that I had I vald ^not^ haue desyrd [fo. 452r] It for I haue ne thyng to fynd me my meet vyth nor my sarvandys and my cobord lyeng In to plechFootnote ⁵⁵⁶ and ther for I stand In a heffy casse that and the kyngs grace helpe me not I most of force desyr helpe of the dwke and than he vol cause me to do as he vyl or elyȝ he vol gyff me ne thyng thws I pray you my lord to consydar my part and vhat casse that I stand In and ^I^ vald fayn pleȝ the kyngs grace my brothar as far as lyeth In my powr all so vyt ȝe that the dwke com not toward me as ȝet bot he sendyth me veray gwd vrytengs of hys awne hand and mony fayr vordys as can be devysyd bot I gyf ne credens to them nor I desyr never to be In hys company so that I may be swr of the kyngs grace my brothar that he vol stand kynde prynce and brothar to me as my trast Is he vyl do my lord I pray you kype my vrytengs secretly for and the dwke get ony knawlege I volbe dystrayd and vhan ȝe send to me caws patryke synklarFootnote ⁵⁵⁷ to be ryght vysse In IsFootnote ⁵⁵⁸ doIng and I pray you my lord to thanke hym of the gwd saruyȝFootnote ⁵⁵⁹ he doth to me and that ȝe vol be gwd lord to hym for my sake and hast me your mynde agayn and take my gwd vyl thow I can not vryt viel and god haf you In hys kypeng vryten thys tysday

yours margaret R

Postscript [Holograph]

[fo. 450r]

my lord I had forgotyn to vryt to you the mannar how It Is ordand forst the erl of arrenFootnote ⁵⁶⁰ hath all the rewl of tevedal and the mercss and all lowdyen vyth styrlyngschyr and lynthco the erl of hwntlayFootnote ⁵⁶¹ hath all the rwl of the north partyȝ the erl of lenossFootnote ⁵⁶² all the vestland part the erl of argyllFootnote ⁵⁶³ the hylandmen all thys to the redy apon tysday come fyfftyn dayȝ and the lord maxvelsFootnote ⁵⁶⁴ abydyth a pon hys awn bordoor and all that cowntray to answar to hym and thws thayr Is nen that knavth vhat part that he vyl paȝ to for vhare that thay ar ordand to come It is a lyke to both the bordars and that vol be dwn In hast allso vyt ȝe that I trast that the dwk schal be In strylyngFootnote ⁵⁶⁵ thys vedynsday and speke vyth the kyng my son and a pon setarday In to edynbrowhFootnote ⁵⁶⁶ I dwrst not paȝ to styrlyng for I am varnyd that and I come thare I schal be haldyn thayr a gayns my vyl and therfor I abyde In edynnbroh vhol I get the kyngs answar and god kype you vryten thys [deletion] twsday

yours magaret R

45. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Patrick Sinclair

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 203r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my mast hwmblyst wys I can I recommand me to your grace and pless you to vyt that the kyng my sonFootnote ⁶⁰⁷ Is In gwd helth thankyd be god

deryst brothar the kyng I trast It be not on knawn to your grace of the gret trobyl that hath ben and Is betwxt your sayd ravlme and thys vylke Is ryght heffy and dysplesan[…] to me consyderyng the proxsymyte of blwd to ^me^ [deletion] on beth the sydyȝ vhare In to I haue vryten dyverȝ tymeȝ and ȝet I most contynv to labor at your gracys hand to bryng the sayd ravlmyȝ to a guvd pece vysche vald be gretly to my comfort and honnowr gyff I myght bryng It to paȝ vhare for I haue vryten to my lord of sowrayFootnote ⁶⁰⁸ to haue an abstynenȝ of veer for thre or fowr moneth or farthar at your gracys plesyr as I I haue vryten and send by by credens to my lord of sowray and my lord marquesFootnote ⁶⁰⁹ of the vysche I vayt thay vyl avartyȝ your grace bescheng your grace huvmbly that ȝe vol grant the sayd abstynens at my reqwest vysche and ȝe do for me your systar It vol be to your gret honowr and the viel of the kyng my son and hys rawlme [fo. 203v] deryst brothar the kyng I besche your grace to consydar the gret hwrt that hath ben don to thys rawlme and to stop the trobyl that Is aperand to com that your grace vol condesend to thys my reqwest and for the pleswr of god vhom presarf your grace vryten the x day of nowembar

your hwmbyl systar

margaret

52. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 14 November 1523, Stirling

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 295r–296v

Material features: A holograph letter written on all sides of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 290 mm (h) x 199 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 53 mm below the main letter text and 123 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive. There are also no slits present on the manuscript, so it is unclear how this letter was originally secured.

Main letter text [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

allssva my lord I haue resayved the tvo hwndreth […] ^[…]obyl[…]^from mastar Ion cantly that the kyngs grace my brothar sent me vhare of I thanke hyȝ grace hwmbly for and It be not hyȝ helpe I am constraynyd to leef thyȝ rawlme for favt of my honnest swstentacyon bot the dwke and the frenche In bassytFootnote ⁷⁵⁵ that Is here hath proferd me In the frenche kyngsFootnote ⁷⁵⁶ name fyve thowsand krouns of the vayht In pensyonFootnote ⁷⁵⁷ so that I vol helpe to kype the band betwxt france and thyȝ rawlme vysche I haue refwsyd [fo. 78r] be cawse I vol do no thyng contrary the kyng grace my brothars plesyr as he sal fynde prayeng you my lord to hast me answar of thyȝ my vrytengs and that thay be secretly kyped for thay may do me gret hwrt as my trwst Is In you and gyf ȝe paȝ ope to the cort my lord I pray you hast me answar and forget not me and the kyng my son and gyf ony othar thyngs ocorȝFootnote ⁷⁵⁸ In hast I sal send It to syr vylyam bowmarFootnote ⁷⁵⁹ to send to you for I vol send to no nothar for I knaw how I haue ben don to In tymeȝ passt as god knawthFootnote ⁷⁶⁰

59. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 3 January 1524, Stirling

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 248r–249v

Material format: A holograph letter written on the first three pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 295 mm (h) x 201 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 78 mm below the main letter text and 181 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written in a scribal hand on fo. 249v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 31 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 249v]

To my lord of dakre

[fo. 223r]

My lord of surrey I commend me hartlie to ȝo ^w And plesi ^th ȝow to ondyrstand that I haf writine diuers tymis to ȝow sen ȝou ^r departing frome the bordou ^res and hes noucht gottine answe ^r nor na word frome the kinges grace my brodyrFootnote ⁷⁸⁶ nor frome ȝo ^w by the quhilk I persaue that I am forȝet wi ^th the kinges grace & ȝo ^w quhilk Is Rych ^t displesant on to me gif sa be considdering the stayt ya ^t I stand in to heyr and hes few frendes to gif me consolacionn or comfort except the king my sonn Footnote ⁷⁸⁷ quhilk Is as ȝeit in tendyr age & ma nocht do for me It that he wald / bot I trast to god withtinFootnote ⁷⁸⁸ schort tyme he salbe abill to do for me & frendes for he growis Rych ^t weill baitht in wisdome & in personn / I haf neuer departit frome hyme senn ȝou ^r passyng fro the bordou ^res nor ȝeit pu ^rpos to do quhill I heyr of ȝ the king my bruderis mynd & ȝoures for he will noch ^t lat me depart frome hyme na way bot And will do ony thing that I byd hyme and luffes me and my frendes weill / and dois hayt vyeris that he trastes be Enyme ItesFootnote ⁷⁸⁹ the gouernou ^rFootnote ⁷⁹⁰ sen ȝou ^r departing hes had gryt lauboring in Ingla[nd] & tendernes baitht wi ^th my lord cardinnaleFootnote ⁷⁹¹ as he sais and wi ^th the lord dacrisFootnote ⁷⁹² & syndry messeges Is past & repast betuex tham wi ^th presentes to quhat effect I knaw nocht It Is said heyr that ane peace suld be maid quhar I pray god ma be And gif ony beis maid I trast the king my bruder will do me that honou ^r ya ^t I ma be the lauborar of the samynn for I think It can noch ^t be mare honerabil for my brud[er] and I trast quhow euer It be maid his grace will noch ^t forȝe[t] me nor ȝe my lord for ȝou ^r part in sa far as ȝe ma solis[…] for me / And efter my powr I sall disurFootnote ⁷⁹³ the sammyne & do the best to ye plesou ^r of the kinges grace my bruder & [deletion] ȝow & frendes & salhaf me sa that the kinges grace [fo. 223v] and ȝo ^w all sall haf caus to be contentit sa ya ^t I ma be aduertist of the kinges grace mynd & ȝou ^res quhow I sall haf me for the king my son will do as I will haf hyme in all materis / Bot my lord I meruell that the gouernou ^r ma haf sic wais in Ingland by me considdering quhat displesou ^r I haf of hyme for ȝou ^r sake and hes denyt hyme mony thinges quhilkes he hes desyrit of me & refusit grit proffites ya ^t I micht haf had of hyme / and this I do for the plesou ^r of my bruder the kinges grace & now gif he may haf ane way witht his grace by me I think Rych ^t strang and I wald knaw his graces mynd thar in so that I ma labou ^r for my self for It Is Rych ^t hewy to me to be outwitht the gouernou ^r heyr & syne noch ^t wyt quhat the kinges grace my bruder will do for me / for wald I haf aplaudytFootnote ⁷⁹⁴ to the gouernou ^r I micht haf haid grit proffites / quhilk I will nocht do quhill I heyr his graces mynd / I haf neuer spokine wi ^th the gouernou ^r sen ȝou ^r departing nor ȝeit sall wi ^th my will sa lang as he sall be in scotland / & sa we ar noch ^t Rych ^t weil content wi ^th oyeris thar for I pray ȝow my lord that I ma be aduertist of the king my bruderis mynd sa ya ^t I ma do thare efter And It will ples ȝo ^w to aduertis me of ȝou ^r […]ew And forder I haf send this berrer my serintou ^r to quhome ȝe will gif credence & forder hyme in his erandes I wrait to ȝo ^w witht Schir wilȝem bowmer Footnote ⁷⁹⁵ for ane supplicacion to be sped in rome I pray ȝow ya ^t ȝe will caus It be sped And god kep ȝo ^w at striviling this fyrst da of april

[Holograph]

my lord ȝe sal ondarstand that I haue bene ryght syke aFootnote ⁷⁹⁶ the makyng of thyȝ vryteng vharefor I cowd not vryt It all vyth myne awne bot I pray you that ȝe take not the le[…] the less regard […] bot that ȝe cawse [fo. 224r] me to haue answar of my sayd vryteng that I haue sent to you as my trast Is In you or ellyȝ I vol not trow that the kyngs grace Is content vyth me and that ȝFootnote ⁷⁹⁷ haue forgotyn me I thynke ryght lange tyll ȝe come th to thyȝ borderȝ a gayn for I vol nothar vryt nor send to non othar vhol I get you

yours magaret R

63. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 4 April 1524, [Stirling]Footnote ⁷⁹⁸

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 190r–191v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 290 mm (h) x 194 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature occur immediately after the main letter text, in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. The address is located on fo. 191v and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 28 mm in diameter. Fo. 190v is left blank but a separate slip of paper measuring 89 mm (h) x 170 mm (w) has been pasted onto fo. 191r. This holograph note is entitled ‘S: Q: Seperation from y^e K’ in a later hand and the BL catalogue of this volume records that this note ‘seems to have been a device by way of credence, and is said in the Harl. MS. No 4669. to have been enclosed in the above letter’.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 191v]

to the ryght hy and myghty prynce my deryst brothar the kyng

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 190r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my most hwmblyst vysse I can I recommand me to your grace and plesse your ^grace^ to remembar that I haue ofton and dyverȝ tymeȝ labord to your grace for to haue had a pece and concord betwyxt thyr tvay rawlmyȝ vylke as ȝet I vol not leffeFootnote ⁷⁹⁹ too labor gyffe that I myght bryng the sam to a gvd end trastyng fermly that your grace voll here and doo for me In that mattar affoor ony othar consyderyng that I am your systar and the kyng of thyȝ ravlme your neffewFootnote ⁸⁰⁰ and It Is the thyng that may dw me gret plesor and honowr not the less I vald be ryght glad and desyroȝ thatt I myght helpe and tret an pece vnyvarsal vylke vald be gret pleswr to god and gret honowr to me vhare In for I beseke your grace hwmbly that ȝe vol schav you kyndly to me In thyȝ behalfe and as to my lord gowarnorȝFootnote ⁸⁰¹ mynde toward the pece I trast your grace and my lord cardynallFootnote ⁸⁰² knavȝ hyȝ gwd mynd toward the sam and as he doth labor In the sam for to bryng It to a gwd end as god knauth vhame presarwe you vryten the forth day of apryll

yours hwmbyl systar

margaret

[A scrap of paper pasted on fo. 191r]

[Written in a later hand]

S: Q: Seperation from y^e K

[fo. 188r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my most hvmblyst vyse I recommand me to your grace plesyth you to knaw vhat dolorFootnote ⁸³² and dysplesyr I swfar and has tholytFootnote ⁸³³ throw the veer rygandFootnote ⁸³⁴ betwxt your ^grace^ and the kyng my sonFootnote ⁸³⁵ sen the begyngFootnote ⁸³⁶ of the sam as I schuld haf vylke Is mothar to the een and systar to your the tohar your grace may consydar vhat dyscontentyng and dyspleswr It Is to me to se syk gret sch sclawhtars brynyngs herschipys and othars In estymabylFootnote ⁸³⁷ sketh as ar dayly dwn on the subgetsFootnote ⁸³⁸ of beth the rawlmys and as to me your grace and thay that has atorykteFootnote ⁸³⁹ and gydyng onder the sam may viel consydar and knaw gyff I as sche that schuld be medyatryceFootnote ⁸⁴⁰ In thyr matars vald at all tymes hafe stopyd and pwt remed ther In tyl as far as I myght and hath labord dyvars tymes to your grace In the same and now latly by my lord of sowrayFootnote ⁸⁴¹ and cawd newer [deletion] get ne answar whare for I vald beseke your grace hwmbly that I myght knaw your plesyr and mynd In the sam that vyth helpe of god I myght labor an gwd end of pece to be had betwxt thyr tway rawlmes vylke vol be gret plesur to god and to to my [fo. 188v] gret honowr that Is your systar that your grace vald dw se mykyl for me and for the viel of the kyng my son your neffew vyshe Is of younge age deryst brothar the kyng I beseke your grace to haf ceFootnote ⁸⁴² to thys my request and to lat me knaw yurFootnote ⁸⁴³ mynd vyth gret dylegens for the langar delay ^and^ and the mor trobyl tha^r Is It voll be the var to stancheFootnote ⁸⁴⁴ and that It may be kyped as secret as It may be vylke me thynke Is to not be dwn and god haf your grac in hys haly protekcyon vryten at saynt Ionston the xxiiij^t day of Iwne

your hvmbyl systar

Margaret

68. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Date and place of sending: 13 July 1524, [Stirling]Footnote ⁸⁴⁵

Archival reference: BL, Add MS 24,965 fos 133r–134v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 281 mm (h) x 201 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. Fos 133v and 134r are left blank and the address is located on fo. 134v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 21 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 134v]

To my lord dakarȝ

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 133r]

My lord dakarȝ I command me to you and vyt ȝe that I haue resayved the kyngs grace be my brotharȝFootnote ⁸⁴⁶ v^ryteng vyth my lord cardynallFootnote ⁸⁴⁷ and yours and ondarstandyȝ them at length and hath vryten my mynd a gayn allso my lord I haue sen a vryteng that ȝe sent to ye abot of IedvardFootnote ⁸⁴⁸ vylke vryteng sayȝ that sapoȝ I send by you to the kyng ȝet It vol com to your handyȝ my lord ȝe may thanke your selfe of that for had I fwnd you kyndly to me or that ȝe vald haue dwn for ^me^ I vald ^not^ haue sent by you bot vhan my lord of norfolkFootnote ⁸⁴⁹ vhaȝ apon the borderȝ I dyd never vryt thyng to the kyngs grace bot I gat answar and sen [deletion] hyȝ departyng I gat never a gwd answar fre hyȝ grace bot ȝe say that he commandyd you to vryt to me as ȝe dyd ryght scharply the vylke I thynke strange I knav not vhat ewel cavse ȝe had of me to be of that sort vyth awt It be for my lord of angusFootnote ⁸⁵⁰ sake and he and my fathar barnyȝ suld not haue ben lyke to you as fordar of my mynde thyȝ berar vol schaw you vhoom to pray you gyf credenȝ for It var to lange to vryt and god kype you vrytten the xiij day of Ivly

yours frynd margaret R

69. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 14 July 1524, [Stirling]Footnote ⁸⁵¹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 225r–228v

Material features: A holograph letter written on six pages of an eight-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 283 mm (h) x 203 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main letter text and 46 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 225r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 228v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 25 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 228v]

To the ^hy^ and ryght excelent prynce my deryst brothar the kyngs grace

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 225v]

deryst brothar ye kyng In my mast hvmblys[t] vyss I can I recommand me to your grace and pless you to vyt that I haue resayved your grace to vyt vryteng the xij day of IvlyFootnote ⁸⁵² vyth a vryteng of my lord cardynalFootnote ⁸⁵³ vylke I ondarstand at length and as to your gracyȝ vryteng I thanke you hvmbly of your kynd and luffyng vryteng and that now ȝour grace duthFootnote ⁸⁵⁴ consyder my gwd mynd vylke hath ben ever on my part sopoȝ that my onfryndyȝ hath gyffen your grace othar vayss to ondarstand for evel of the kyng my sonFootnote ⁸⁵⁵ and me ȝe may also deryst brothar ye kyng I besek your grace to remember viell a pon my last vrytengs sent to your grace and to make not lange delay In helpyng of ye king my son to pwt hym to hym p hym to fredom and owt of danger of hyȝ enymyȝ for now Is ye tyme for your grace sal ondarstand that there Is mony lordyȝ viel myndyd to ye sam and vol be betar se yat thay may haue your asystanȝ and helpe vhare of your grace pwtyȝ me In gwd belyfe sayeng yat ye dwke of norfokFootnote ⁸⁵⁶ salbe here ryght schortly vyth your [fo. 226r] mynd and pleswr vham to ȝe byd me gff credenȝ be vharefor I besche your grace to do substancyaly and kyndly se yat thyȝ ravlme may haue cawse to do for you and leff othar vayȝ and do your grace ye contrary the kyng my son volbe the langer fre hyȝ lybarty and hyȝ parson In danger and as to my part your grace sal fynd no fawt bot I am a vhoman and may dw lytyl bot fryndyȝ

also deryst brothar I haue sen your vryteng towschygFootnote ⁸⁵⁷ my lord of angusFootnote ⁸⁵⁸ vysche as you^r grace vrytyȝ Is In your sayd rawlme and yat ȝe porpoȝ to send hym schortly here and yat ȝe fynd hym ryght vyss and hath rel revlyd hym viel and that he hath desyrd that ther may be a pece labord betwyxt thyȝ tvay ravlmyȝ and yat he vol dw hyȝ labou ^r and dylygenȝ to the sam vyth hyȝ helpe vyth mony othar gwd vordyȝ of hym and prayeng me to haue hym In my fawor and that he hyȝ Is viel mynded to me and beryth me gret luff and favor deryst brothar as to my lord of angws and me vhare your grace desyrth me to take hym In my fauor as to yat ^he^ hath not schaun se hys departyng owt of scotland that he desyrd my gwd vyl and favor nothar be vryteng nor [fo. 226v] word bot now that he hath desyrd your grace to vryt to me knavyng viel that ther Is nen that I vol do se mykyl for as for your grace bot I trwst deryst brothar the kyng that your grace vol not desyr me to dw ne thyng that may be hwrt to me your systar nor that ^may^ be ocacyon to hald me from ye kyng my son beth for hyȝ viel and myne and now your grace onda^rstandyth In vhat stat I stand In and how the kyng my son Is and vol be rewlyd be me and yat I haue labord and brokyn mony lordyȝFootnote ⁸⁵⁹ fre ye vayȝ of ye dwke of albanyFootnote ⁸⁶⁰ to hyȝ vay that he may be pwt ^ovt^ of danger and that he and hyȝ lordyȝ may revll thyȝ ravlme vyth the helpe and asystanȝ of your grace vhare In Is all my trast vharfor seIng all mattars standyng on thyȝ sort I vald not your grace gaff ony ocacyon In the contrar to pwt It a bake bot erar to fwrdar It and as to my lord of angvs comyng here It Is not on knavn to your grace that ther Is gret brek and dysfavor betwyxt hym and gret lordyȝ of thyȝ ravlme vysche vol not be contentyd vyth hym nor vyth me gyf I gang hyȝ vay bot all vtarly be contrar me and do that thay can to haue me fre the kyng [fo. 227r] my son and vol pwt them fre the gwd porpoȝ thay ar In now vylke vol be gret danger to ye kyng my sonȝ parson and thyȝ tyme be owr lokyd vharefor I beseke your grace hwmbly to consydar my part In thyȝ behalfe and byd me not now dv the [deletion] thyng that may dystroy the kyng my s[on] and me seIng that I schav your grace playnly as It Is and vhan your grace hath helpyd to bryng the kyng my son owt of danger and that he and hyȝ lordyȝ may rewl thyȝ ravlme and that there may be a gwd pece betwyxt your sayd ravlme and thyȝ than your grace sal fynd me redy to dw ony thyng that may be pleswr to your gra^cFootnote ⁸⁶¹ and vhol that I [deletion] see thyȝ com to a gwd end I can say ne mare for your grace most pardon me to lwke for the viel and swrty of the kyng my son and afoor the plesur of my lord of angws for ^vhan^ I am pwt fre the kyng my son he vol not be the mare set by and I sal not desyr to byde In scotland vhan I am owt of the company of the kyng my son thwȝ deryst brother the kyng I besche your grace to lwke viel a pon thyr matarȝ and nov sen thay ar may be browht to a gvd end lat It not be ondon for your gracyȝ part for I Inswr you that the kyng my son hath gret opeFootnote ⁸⁶² In your grace and In your helpe [fo. 227v] and specyaly sen he sav your gracȝ vryteng to hym and sayth on hyȝ part he sal not fayl to take a pon hym as your grace vol that he dv ȝe dvandFootnote ⁸⁶³ to hym for your part [deletion] and as your vryteng beryth to hym and for my part I a swr your grace that I may and vol cavse hym to dw your cownsel afoor ony othar your grace dvyngFootnote ⁸⁶⁴ for the viel of hym and hyȝ ravlme as my trast Is ȝe vol and thwȝ It Is In your gracyȝ hand and I refar It to the comyng of my lord of norfolke as your grace hath bydyn me dw and therfor I can say ne mare bot tovschegFootnote ⁸⁶⁵ a poynt that Is In your gracyȝ sayd vryteng sayeng that my lord of angws hath labord for the pece and that he vol helpe vyth IsFootnote ⁸⁶⁶ atovryte as to that me thynke deryst brothar thyeFootnote ⁸⁶⁷ kyng me thynke that he nor ne nothar suld be hard In that matar se viell as I your systar nor that ȝe may get se mykyl honnor to dw for thayr reqwest as for me and therfor I besche your grace that syk thyng be not In your mynd bot that It be I that dwȝFootnote ⁸⁶⁸ It for the luf and favor that ȝe bere to the kyng my son and me and gyf It be throv otharȝ I trast I sal not be se thankfwly takyn here pray your grace [fo. 228r] to pardon me that I vryt se playnly to you bot I vryt ne thyng bot as your grace vol fynd I besche your grace to pardon of me of my ewel hand for I am som thyng not viel dysposyd and ther for haue cawsyd my hand to be copydFootnote ⁸⁶⁹ In aventwr gyf your grace can not red my evel hand as god presarvee you vryten the xiiij day of Iwly

deryst brothar plese your grace tovschyng my lord of angus comyng here I vald beseke your grace to be viel awysyd In the sam as I haue vryten of be foor and as tovschyng to my part gyf he vol pwt hand to my gonIovffeFootnote ⁸⁷⁰ I vol not be contentyd therevyth for I haue bot ryght sobar thyng to fynd my selfe vyth and hath schawn your grace yat dyvarȝ tymeȝ and gat bot lytyl remed vharefor nov and I be troblyd vyth my lord of angus It Is your grace that doth It and than I volbe constrayned to seke othar helpe for I vol not lat hym trobyl me In my lyffeng as he hath don In tymeȝ past

your hwmbyl systar

margaret

70. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: 14 July 1524, [Stirling]Footnote ⁸⁷¹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 237r–240v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first six pages of an eight-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 281 mm (h) x 199 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 34 mm below the main letter text and 33 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 240r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 240v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 28 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 240v]

To my lord cardynall

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 237r]

My lord cardynal I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haue resayvodFootnote ⁸⁷² the kyng grace my brotharȝFootnote ⁸⁷³ vryteng vyth yours the xij day of IulyFootnote ⁸⁷⁴ and hath ondarstand them at length vhare of I am ryght glad that the kyng grace my brothar and you doth ondarstand my gwd mynd and laborȝ that I haue mad and contynved ever on sopoȝ I vas pwt abake at the kyngs grace my brotharȝ hand be my on fryndyȝ and them that lufyȝ not the kyng my sonFootnote ⁸⁷⁵ bot nov my lord I trast vyth the helpe of the kyng grace my brothar and you that all sal com viel for the velFootnote ⁸⁷⁶ of beth the ravlmyȝ and now Is the tyme that It may best be dwn my lord to vryt to yow fardar In all mattarȝ I can not for I haue vryten In my last vrytengs as playnly as I cowd to the kyng grace and you and I haue gotyn a gwd answar vhare of I am ryght glad In a part towschyng the kyng my son and sal byd vol I here vhat my lord of norfolkFootnote ⁸⁷⁷ sayeȝ on the kyngs grace my brothars name vham to he hath bydyn me gyff credenȝ as to hym selfe th trastyng fermly that hyȝ grace vol not avrlokFootnote ⁸⁷⁸ thyȝ tyme bot that he vol gang substancyouȝly to thyr matarȝ se that beth the revlmyȝ may be [fo. 237v] at gwd concord and and the kyng my sonȝ parson owt of danger and parelFootnote ⁸⁷⁹ for beIng as It Is he nor hyȝ ravlme can not be viel as I haue Informyd the kyngs grace at length and as to the kyng my sonȝ part I aswr you my lord that he hath gret hope In the kyngs grace my brothars helpe and vol d folow hyȝ cownsel afoor ony othar hyȝ grace doIng hyȝ part to hym and for the viel of hym and hyȝ ravlme as me thynke hyȝ grace suld do for he he hath no kyng In the varld se nere hym next hyȝ awne barnyȝ and for my part I sal aswr you my lord that I sal cavse hym to kype a gwd part tovard the kyng my brothar and lefe otharvayȝ for he vol dw as I vol In all thyngs sopoȝ the kyngs grace my brothar vas Infomyd that he myght haue a vay bey me and therapon se vhald ^sent^ hyȝ letar to the kyng my son bot I aswr you my lord he vald not do ne thyng vyth owt me and sen It Is standyȝ In thyȝ manar and that I haue labord and brokyn many lordyȝFootnote ⁸⁸⁰ fre the vay of the dwkFootnote ⁸⁸¹ to the viel of the kyng my son I pray you my lord now labor In that sort that the kyng gr[ace] my brothar dv [deletion] hyȝ part that thyȝ ravlme [fo. 238r] be adetyd to hym and to leff othars and that It be In the ded as viel as In vord for and It be otharayȝ the favt sal be In the kyng my brothar and thyȝ I take a pon me for as hyȝ grace vol dewys It salbe dwn on owr part alsva my lord ȝe haue vryten In your vryteng ryght specyaly for my lord of angusFootnote ⁸⁸² sayeng many gwd vordyȝ of hym and parengFootnote ⁸⁸³ me to bere hym gwd favor and to lat all dyspleswr paȝ my lord I dyd hym no dysplesur bot dyd for hym as far as I myght and as he dyd to me It Is vuelFootnote ⁸⁸⁴ kend ovr all thyȝ ravlme and vhat gwd rapart he cavsyd to make of me to the kyngs graeFootnote ⁸⁸⁵ my brothar to pwt me In hyȝ dyspwarFootnote ⁸⁸⁶ vylke vas not to hyȝ honor to doo seIng the honor that I dyd to hym bot that I lay on part as now bot as to hyȝ comyng here I [deletion] trwst It vol not be thankfwl takyn vyth the lordyȝ of thyȝ ravlme and specyaly vyth the gretest for It Is not onknavn to you my lord the gret dysplesur that vas don betwxt hym and the lordyȝ of thyȝ ravlme vhare for I thynke hyȝ comyng here vol erar hyndar the kyng my son In hyȝ matarȝ than fvrdar It as I ondarstand [fo. 238v] be them vharefor my lord I pray you hartly be viel auysyd vhat ȝe do In thyȝ behalfe for the viel of the kyng my son and me and do not for the pleswr of my lord of angus that may be hwrt to the kyng my son and me and to hynder owȝ at thyȝ tyme seIng It may be brovht to a gwd poynt for I am swr my lord that and I and my lord of angus ȝedFootnote ⁸⁸⁷ en vay that I vol tyn the har hartyȝ of the lordyȝ and to be all In my contrar and thay not to swfar me vyth the kyng my son and thwȝ my lord It Is to be consydard I beIng se viel as I am now hafyng the kyng my son at my rewll and brekyth the lordyȝ to my vayȝ and than to tyn thyȝ for pleswr of my lord of angus I trwst my lord ȝe vol not thynke thyȝ to be dwn bot vhan all matarȝ ar brovht to a gvd end and the kyng my son pwt to hyȝ lybarty and gud concord betwyxt thyȝ tway ravlmyȝ than I vol do ony thyng that may be pleswr to the kyngs grace my brothar and to dw you my lord sted or pleswr bot otharvarȝ my hwrt can dw [fo. 239r] you ne gwd and thwȝ I pray you my lord to consydar my part and ȝe sal fynd me ever redy to do the kyngs grace my brothars commandmetFootnote ⁸⁸⁸ In all resonabyl ma thyngs and otharvayȝ I trast hyȝ grace vol not byd me thyrdly my lord the kyng my brothar sayth In hyȝ vryteng that my lord of angus laboryth the pece my lord as to that poynt ȝe knav parfytly my gret laborȝ that I haue made contynvaly tovard the kyngs grace my brothar to haue brovht the sam to a gwd end and ȝet doth labor In the sam and remberFootnote ⁸⁸⁹ my lord that I am hyȝ gracyȝ systar and the kyng of thyȝ ravlme my systar son vhare for he can not dw It se viell vyth hyȝ honor as to do It at my reqwest and laborȝ and not as othars reqwest for and It be otharvayȝ I aswr you my lord It voll nott be se viel sowht nor ȝet [deletion] se thankfuly takyn vyth and thwȝ I am playn to you my lord thwȝ I pray you my lord to be my gwd frynd and ȝe sal fynd me to for you at my povr and folow your both tovard my son and my selfe and that the swnast ȝe may posybyl ȝe vol fvrdar [fo. 239v] the fvrth pwtyngFootnote ⁸⁹⁰ of the kyng my son to hyȝ swrty and to make a gud pece betwxt thyȝ tvay ravlmyȝ and faylyng of thyȝ tyme It vol not be brovht se viel to paȝ therfor my lord beth for pleswr of god the viel of of the kyng my son and me and for your avne honor helpe to make a gud end now and that I may ondarstand the gwd mynd In ded of the kyngs grace my brothar and you and lat othar matar paȝ vol that be don as my trast Is ȝe vol dw for me and I aswr you my lord I fandFootnote ⁸⁹¹ never the lordyȝ of scotland betar myndyd than thay ar nov and therfor take It and vol ȝe do my cownsal I trwst ȝe sal fynd It gwd and god haue you In hyȝ kypeng vryten vyth my evel hand

yours at my powr

margaret R

71. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [2 August 1524], [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁸⁹²

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 453r–454v

Material features: A holograph letter written on all sides of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 295 mm (h) x 210 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 46 mm below the main letter text and 185 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is located on fo. 454v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism, using a triangular paper lock. An impression of seal 1 (see Figure 5) is present on the triangular lock.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 454v]

To my lord of norfolk

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 453r]

My lord of norfolk I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haue resayved your vrytengs and hath schavn en of your sayd vrytengs to my lordyȝFootnote ⁸⁹³ that ar here present and be cavse all the lo^rdyȝ ar not togythar now to gyf a playn answar It man be contynwd vhol fovr dayȝ afoor the parlment and than to take vtar porpoȝ vhat thay vol dw and to end the sam at the parlment and In the meen tyme my sayd lord of arrenFootnote ⁸⁹⁴ to com to ye kyrk of ellamFootnote ⁸⁹⁵ and ȝe my lord to com and speke vyth hym thyȝ fwrsday nextFootnote ⁸⁹⁶ and thar forthar to comon apon gud vayȝ for the viel of beth the ravlmyȝ and that my sayd lord of aren vyth otharȝ vyth hym may ondarstand the gwd mynde that ye kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁸⁹⁷ beryth to the kyng hyȝ newefevFootnote ⁸⁹⁸ and hyȝ ravlme as ȝe haue powr to dw and vhan that Is ondarstand It vol be gret ocacyon to thyȝ ravllme to axcept the sam and to take gwd vayȝ vhare[for] my lord I pray youe hartly seIng that my lord of arren comyth that and dȝe dysyr me ryght specyaly In your vryteng to cawse hym to com [fo. 453v] that ȝe fayl not on your syd to com and speke vyth hym a pon all matarȝ and be at apoynt betwyxt you and hym vhat salbe dwn and the dwke of albanyFootnote ⁸⁹⁹ make hym to com In thyȝ ravlme and take therapon a vtar end that sal be dwn there and to byde at that for ellyȝ the kyng my son volbe In gret danger and all that takyth owr part and ther for make a vtar conclwcyon In that be halfe and that It fayl not on nen of the sydyȝ and that It be substancyouȝly dwn and towschyng farthar of thyr matarȝ I haue cavsyd mastar tomaȝ hamyltonFootnote ⁹⁰⁰ to be thayr vyth my mynd to you prayeng you my lord to gyf hym credenȝ for he Is my gwd sarvand and doth me gud sarvyȝ and I promyȝ you ryght vys now my lord I pray you schav you In syk a sort that thay may parfytly ondarstand that the kyngs grace my brothar vol be a gud brothar and specyal frynd to ye kyng my son hyȝ neffew and that hyȝ gracyȝ vrytyngs be fwlfyld In to ded and that the favt be not on hyȝ syd as be aperance It vyl not be and forthar my lord seIng that I cavse [fo. 454r] my lord of arren to com I pray you my lord co com your selfe and speke vyth hym and send not my lord dakarȝFootnote ⁹⁰¹ to speke vyth hym for he Is nere of the kyngs blwd and a gret lord of thyȝ ravlme and he vol thynke It Is dwn for lythlyneȝFootnote ⁹⁰² and I haue takyn on hand to cawse you to com vyllke I trast ȝe vol dw for my reqwest and alswa I trast he vol not schav my lord dakarȝ se far of hyȝ mynd as he vol dw to you and tovshygFootnote ⁹⁰³ the poynt of my lo^rd of angusFootnote ⁹⁰⁴ that ȝe vryt for as to that I haue vryten my [deletion] mynde to you dyvarȝ ^tymeȝ^ that I can say ne playnlyar on of the evel that may com of hyȝ comyng here and as for the gret [deletion] gwd that ȝe ondarstand that he may dw ȝe ar but abwsyd and fwrtarFootnote ⁹⁰⁵ my sayd lord of arren desyrȝ me to vryt to you that ye sayd erl of angus nor nen of hyȝ be at the sayd metyng nor as lange as he Is thayr for he vol here ne comonyng of hym nor hyȝ fryndyȝ vol he be avysyd vyth hyȝ avne fryndyȝ and part takarȝ and thyȝ I haue promysyd salbe kyped to hym otharvayȝ he vol not com as for the man th[…] [fo. 454v] that ȝe desyr to haue cowndyt my lord of arren vyl convoy hym swrly to me and I sal cawse hym to be swrly convoyd agayn to you and god kype you vryten thyȝ tysday

yours ma^rgaret R

72. Memorial from Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [2 August 1524], [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁹⁰⁶

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 270r–v

Material features: A holograph memorial written on both sides of a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 292 mm (h) x 212 mm (w). The signature is located on the right-hand side of the page, 10 mm below the main memorial text letter text and 64 mm above the bottom edge of the page. There is no outer address leaf and the memorial has not been sealed closed.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 270r]

thyr ar the poyntyȝ that ȝe sal schav to my lord of norfolke In my name and desyr tharapon hyȝ answar In to vrȝtFootnote ⁹⁰⁷

fwrst to cawse hym ondarstand It Is a gret thyng that I and my part takars hath tane In handFootnote ⁹⁰⁸ and specyaly my lord of arrenFootnote ⁹⁰⁹

secowndly that vee haue mony lordȝFootnote ⁹¹⁰ bandyȝ as ȝe may schav hym bot vee may not fermly pwt owr trast In them and ther for It Is to provyd substencyouȝly that gyf thay vol be falȝ that ve may be stark to vys vythstand the[m] and that Is mykyl In the helpe and suply of the kyng grace my brotharFootnote ⁹¹¹ vhare In I trast fermly

thyrdly gyf ye dwkFootnote ⁹¹² comyth In to scotlan[d] how he sal be gaynstandFootnote ⁹¹³ and In vhat sort and vhat helpe the kyngs grace my brothar vol make In yat behalfe

[fo. 270v]

forthly ȝe sal schaw hym my desyrs that Is gyf ye sayd dwke comyth In to scotland that vee may haue a nombar of men redy at my command and my lord of arrenȝ a pon a schort varnyng and as he and you my lord vol agre and allswa vyth mwny to fwryȝ fwrnyȝ syke thyngs as vol be nefwlFootnote ⁹¹⁴

In ^ye^ fyft paynt ȝe sal say to my lord of norfolke that as to my lord of paslayFootnote ⁹¹⁵ I vol not that he knav ony secret vay betwyxt Ingland and me bot tovschyng the pece and as to my lord of angusFootnote ⁹¹⁶ that he gyff hy[m] ne credenȝ towschyng to ye abot of paslay as farthar mastar tomas hamyltonFootnote ⁹¹⁷ vol schav you on my name

Margaret R

73. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 13 August 1524, [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁹¹⁸

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 445r–446v

Material features: A holograph letter written on all sides of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 289 mm (h) x 195 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 32 mm below the main letter text and 157 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 445r]

My lord I comand me hartly to you and I am avartysyd that ȝe haue not aswryd my lord of arrenFootnote ⁹¹⁹ yat my lord of angusFootnote ⁹²⁰ suld com In scotland vhol I and he be contented ther vyth and as I trast ȝe haue ondarstandyng by my lord of arren sayeng to you and sen hyȝ departyng be hyȝ vryteng yat he can not be contentyd that my lord of angus com In scotland vhol I and he be contentyd and gyf otharȝ vayȝ be It volbe ocacyon of evel revll and gret brek In the cowntray dowtleȝlyFootnote ⁹²¹ the fryndyȝ and parttakarȝ of my lord of arren vol begyn vyth thayr party the ald feedFootnote ⁹²² vhare It vass left and as to my part gyf ȝe sufar hym to cwm In scotland vhol I and my lord be beth [n]a plesyd It vol cavss me to tyne fryndyȝ that I now haue and on force I man seke a nothar vay for my selfe seIng yat ye erl of angus Is mare set by than I and m[…] […]arȝ […] [fo. 445v] vhare for and ȝe vol ne nothar dw I vol seke otharvayȝ prayeng you my lord be remembryt that I be excwsyd here haftarFootnote ⁹²³ gyf ye gwd cawse yat I haue begon gange abake and otharvayȝ takyn than volbe pleswr to the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁹²⁴ be ye vayȝ of my lord dakarȝFootnote ⁹²⁵ and otharȝ my onfryndyȝ solystandFootnote ⁹²⁶ to caws ye sayd erll to be send In scotland agaynst my vyll to brek and be Inpedyment to ye matar yat Is begon and allsovaFootnote ⁹²⁷ consyderyng ye gret dyspleswrȝ that he hath dwn to me as Is viel knavn In to scotland and dwth contynv In the sam In hyȝ gwd vord be the helpe of the lord dakarȝ vylke can not luff the kyngs grace hyȝ mastar and vol me ewel and gyf I vol seke otharvayȝ I may haue helparȝ that vol hald the erl of angus owt of scotland and sopoȝ he com In [deletion] It vol be lytyl to hyȝ plesyr tharfor my l[or]d sen I hald you on ^of^ my fryndyȝ I pray y[o]u [fo. 446r] solyst the kyngs grace my brothar to lat not ye erll of angus com In to scotland and hovbeIt [deletion] yat ye lord dakarȝ In forme you that IsFootnote ⁹²⁸ comyng var far ye gwd of the kyng my sonFootnote ⁹²⁹ and me It Is ye contrary as It vol pryff In ded for ye lord dakarȝ doth all thyng to my dysplesur as nov and othartymeȝ be hyȝ vrytengs It apereȝ and hath nov devysyd sartayn lordyȝ to haue the gydyng th of the kyng my son and ne vord of me of ye vylke I trast the kyngs grace my brothar vol not be content for and It var at that It vald be swn seen that thay suld swn tw^rne to a nothar than I haue begon and thynkyȝ to kype as lange as I am prynsypalFootnote ⁹³⁰ vyth the kyng my son and that ye kyngs grace my brothar vhol schaw hym kyndly to me as ȝet hyȝ grace hath dwn vhareof I thanke hym hwmbly and your answar agayn vhat I sal trast to [fo. 446v] and yat ȝe labor not for the promocyon of vylyam of dowglaȝFootnote ⁹³¹ nor ne notharȝ In scotland but be ye specyal vrytyngs and reqwest of ye kyng my son and me and god kype you vryten ye xiij day of august

yours margaret R

74. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 31 August 1524, [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁹³²

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 277r–279v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first four pages of a six-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 288 mm (h) x 202 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 15 mm below the main letter text and 22 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 279r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 279v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 38 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 279v]

To my lord of norfolk

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 277r]

My lord I command me hartly to you I trast my lord It Is not onknavne to you or now how vee haue dwn In all matarȝ towschyng the kyng my sonȝFootnote ⁹³³ actortyeFootnote ⁹³⁴ and the dyschargyng of the dwke of albanyFootnote ⁹³⁵ and hyȝ gowarnance at thyȝ parlment and that thankyd be god It Is viel begon and vyth the helpe of the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁹³⁶ It sal contynw allswa my lord vyt ȝe that I haue resayved kynd and lufyng vrytengs fre the kyng grace my brothar and my lord cardynalFootnote ⁹³⁷ be the handyȝ of your sarvand halȝFootnote ⁹³⁸ and allsua he hath delyverd the kyngs grace my brotha^r vrytengs to ye kyng my son and to the lordyȝ of scotlandFootnote ⁹³⁹ vylke hath ben ryght hartly resayved as fwrthar ȝe sal ondarstand be the artykylȝ send be me to the kyngs grace my brothar In fo^rmyng hyȝ grace In all poyntyȝ as I haue don and now my lord hyȝ grace and you may se parfytly vhat I and my partakars hath dwn for the viel of the kyng my son and for the pleswr of [fo. 277v] the kyngs grace my brothar vhare In me thynke thare Is beth gret thankyȝ and revard to be gyffne to them and as I trast hyȝ grace vol consydar for hyȝ honowr and for the swrty of the kyng my son and In specyal to my lord of arrenFootnote ⁹⁴⁰ for a pon my honnor had not bene hym and hyȝ parttakarȝ vyth sobar helpe of othar It covd not haue bene browht to the poynt that It Is at now for all the mast part vas In owr contrar and of the gretyst as a peryss viel be ovr dedyȝ toward them as at mare length your sarvant hallȝ can In forme ^you^ of the trowth vharefor my lo^rd I pray you hartly to remberFootnote ⁹⁴¹ and Infforme the kynges grace my brothar that thyȝ Is a gret act that I and my parttakarȝ hath dwn and that not vyth owt great payn and cost and gret beryng fwrth and In se far as vee haue dwn towschyng the gret men and thay may get owranceFootnote ⁹⁴² of me and my parttakaȝ thay vol puvt [deletion] owȝ to ye vtarmost ewlFootnote ⁹⁴³ that thay may dw [fo. 278r] therfor I trwst the kyngs grace my lord cardynal and you my lord vol helpe owȝ to bere fwrth owr gud qvarel agaynst all owr evel vyllyarȝ as hyȝ grace vrytengs beryth and my lord cardynalȝ vhare In to ve gyf ovr ferme trast and now my lord I pray you take payne to bryng a gwd ^end^ of thyr matarȝ and that It fayl not In the kyngs grace my brotharȝ part as far as reson may all swa my lord I send you vrytengs to the kyng my brothar vyth my artyklyȝ and answarȝ vylke artyklyȝ ȝe may se vhareby ȝe may ondarstand all the manar and apon that to send me your cownsel and avyse and as ȝe vald that I dyd prayeng you hartly my lord to make gret dylygenȝ to haue awnswar from the kyngs grace and my lord cardynal In syk matarȝ as I vryt for I seIng that I haue folowd hyȝ gracyȝ plesur and sal dw at my povr as I haue gret ^caus^ to dw and god haue you In hyȝ kypeng vryten [fo. 278v] my lord becavs I haue not laysyr to vryt to you at length In all matarȝ I pray you luk a pon my artykylȝ that I send to the kyngs grace my brothar and to consydar them and lat me be avartysyd of your mynd and cownsel as ȝe vold that I dyd and ye sal fynd me of gwd mynd to fwlfyl the sam allswFootnote ⁹⁴⁴ my lord I haue mony reqwest for to desyr saffcondytyȝ vylke I may not refwȝ bot dw ne thyng vyth ovt a specyal vryteng or tekynFootnote ⁹⁴⁵ fre me or the kyng my son In that behalffe

my lord I pray you to send a cowndyt to thyr men that ar to com and to lat It be sped for the tyme Is schartFootnote ⁹⁴⁶ and god kype you vytenFootnote ⁹⁴⁷ the last day of augyst

my lord I pray you lat me ne body se the artykylȝFootnote ⁹⁴⁸ bot your selfe

yours magaret R

75. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [13 September 1524], EdinburghFootnote ⁹⁴⁹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 477r–478v

Material features: A holograph letter written on all four pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 298 mm (h) x 202 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 20 mm below the main letter text and 65 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 477r]

My lord I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I haue spokyn vyth patryk synklarFootnote ⁹⁵⁰ and he hath schavn me a memoryalFootnote ⁹⁵¹ of your hand vryt vyth ovt ony vryteng to me vh or answar of any vryteng sent be hym to you vhare of my lord I haue marvel consyderyng that I desyrd your covnsel how I suld revl me on to ye tyme that ȝe gat answar fre the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁹⁵² alsva I sent the sayd patryk to you my lord tovschyng the mvny that the kyngs grace my brothar o^rdand to the kyng my sonFootnote ⁹⁵³ for tvay hwndreth menFootnote ⁹⁵⁴ to be abavht hyȝ parson trastyng that he suld haue sped of the same and vylke mwny he hath not gotyn vhare for I desyr my lo^rd to knav parfytly gyff thyȝ mvny salbe fwrnyssyd or not and ther apon I send thyȝ berar to knav your myde vhat ve sal trast to vhareoff I pray you my lord lat me be avartysyd I trast the kyngs grace my brothar vol not chansgeFootnote ⁹⁵⁵ off hyȝ gwd mynde tovard the kyng my son and me bott to helpe ovȝ to bryng ovr matarȝ to a gud end sopoȝ It be costly to hyȝ grace It vol be stedabyl here aftar to hyȝ grace and that thyȝ sayd mvny may be send vyth thyȝ berar to hald the tway hwdreth men abawht the kyng my son [fo. 477v] and thay men to be chosyn as ^I^ thynke best for the swrty of the kyng my son and not to be chosyn be othar menȝ avysyȝ vhare for my lord I pray you not to take tent toFootnote ⁹⁵⁶ ewery ^every^ parson that vol In gyff youe In formacyon bot specyaly to me and them that takyth my part and that haȝ begon thyȝ matar and hath borne It forth and brovht It to se gwd a end vharefor It Is to be consyderyd that I svld knav mare parfytly all matarȝ ^aȝ^ ass thay ar nov than otharȝ that makyth you In formacyon and I for my part I gange ne vay bot vttarly for the viel and swrty of the kyng my son and otharȝ gayngyȝFootnote ⁹⁵⁷ for favor of fryndyȝ and for thayr avne profyt mare than for the kyng my son and therfor my lord sen I and my parttakarȝ hath takyn thyȝ gret mattar In hand I ^pray you^ dw ovr covnsel a foor any otharȝ pryvat parsonȝ In It that partayȝFootnote ⁹⁵⁸ to the viell off the kyng my son for and he be not viel ovr part vylbe ryght heffy alswa my lord vhare that your memoryal spekyth that ther be lo^rdyȝ chosyn to dw Iustyȝ and othar lordyȝ to remayn abovht the kyng my sonȝ parson as to lordyȝ to syt a pon s Iustyȝ there Is asartayn lordyȝ devysyd to set and mynestar Iustyȝ bot to pwt a sartayn[…] [fo. 478r] of lordyȝ to remayn a [deletion] ^bowht^ the kyng my sonȝ parson It Is gud to be viel auysyd there apon for to say that ve ar asvryd of any lordyȝ In specyal bot my lard of arrenFootnote ⁹⁵⁹ and my lord maxvelFootnote ⁹⁶⁰ and thayr fryndyȝ vee ar not and ther for thay ar not to gyff gret trast to to nor to remayn a bowht hyȝ parson nor sal not as far as I may and there for me thynke that syk matarȝ suld be refard to me and my part takarȝ all sua my lord tovschyng the byschop of saynttandroȝFootnote ⁹⁶¹ vhar ȝe say that It var gud to lat hym be een of the In bassytorȝ to com In Ingland I marvel that ȝe thynke that consydeygFootnote ⁹⁶² that ve haff pwt se scharply to hym as ve haff dwn and that In tyme past he vas ever In my contrary and now and he mghtFootnote ⁹⁶³ be at hyȝ lybarty vald be far mare contrary me and pwt the kyng my son In gret awentwr vhare for my lord I pray you consydar all thyng as It Is and gyff that ve may fynd the sayd byschope of saynt tandroȝ be ony vay to be trw tyll owȝ vee had lever haue ^hym^ than ony othar bot as ȝet I can not parsaff It ther for ve man dw as ve fynd best for owȝ trustyg that the kyngs grace my brothar vyl suply ovȝ and not lat ow[s] [fo. 478v] vant helpe and as to the mvny that hyȝ grace haue gyfne to [deletion] fwrnyss tvay hundreth men I aswr you my lord It hath dwn gret gud to the kyng my son and hath latydFootnote ⁹⁶⁴ mykyl ewel to be dwn and It Is not as ȝet a mwneth sen It began vhare for I trast IsFootnote ⁹⁶⁵ grace vyl not se swn gyf command In the contrary and vhare that the sayd mwny Is spent for befoor tcheFootnote ⁹⁶⁶ monneth end It Is to be consydadFootnote ⁹⁶⁷ that at that tyme the expensyȝ vald be gretar than ^ne^ a nothar tyme for ve had gret matarȝ a dv bot that ^may^ be haldyn In a gayn as ve thynke nedffwl and thwȝ my lord I trast ȝe vol send the mvny vyth thyȝ berar and I sal cavse It to be viel ordard to the viel and swrty of the kyng my son and vhat sam god haue you In hyȝ kypeng vryten thyȝ tysday at edynbravh

yours margaret R

Postscript [Holograph]

My lord towschyng my lord off angusFootnote ⁹⁶⁸ I pray you to kype promyss to me for I trast the kyng grace my brothar vol not fayl In It that he hath promysyd me bot as ȝet I here say the erl of anguss Is not past ^ope^ to ye cort vhare of I marvel

76. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 15 September 1524, [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁹⁶⁹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 455r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on both sides of a single-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 290 mm (h) x 196 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 34 mm below the main letter text and 150 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the manuscript show that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 455r]

My lo^rd I command me hartly to you thankyng you gretly of your gwd and hartly mynd laborȝ and covnsol alvays schawn and dwn to me prayeng you my lo^rd hartly as my aswryd trast Is In you that ȝe vyl contynv thayr In and gyff to me your besst auyseFootnote ⁹⁷⁰ and cownsel In all mattarȝ not allanerly send or vryten be [deletion] me to you bot alȝ viel in all otharȝ that sal hapyn ocwr and as ȝe sal thynke mestFootnote ⁹⁷¹ expedyent and to the pleswr of the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁹⁷² viel of the kyng my sonFootnote ⁹⁷³ and me at thyȝ tyme I vryt not specyal to you becavse I haue of beefoor vryten to you my mynd at length and fwrthar I haue schavn my mynde to your sarwant wylam halȝFootnote ⁹⁷⁴ vham to I pray you my lord gyf credenȝ and to lat me be awartysyd of your mynde the swnest ȝe may for I haue daly gret laborȝ made to me In matarȝ that I vyl not dw vhol I knav the kyngs grace my brotharȝ plesvr and your avys and cownsel therfor I pray you my lord be not f[…] bordarȝ wholFootnote ⁹⁷⁵ all owr matarȝ be dresyd […][fo. 455v] and ȝe dw I can not nor vol not vytFootnote ⁹⁷⁶ se playnly my mynd to ne nothar aftar the kyngs grace my brothar and my lord cardynallFootnote ⁹⁷⁷ and that vyl be owr lange a tyme send ope In ony hasty mattarȝ and as god kanwthFootnote ⁹⁷⁸ vham haue you In hyȝ kepeng vryten the xv^t day of septembar

yours margaret R

77. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 6 October 1524, [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁹⁷⁹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 479r–v and 481r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first three pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 303 mm (h) x 212 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 13 mm below the main letter text and 23 mm above the bottom edge of the page. There is some damage to the bottom edge of fo. 479r. The address is written on fo. 481v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism with a triangular paper lock. An impression of seal 1 (see Figure 5) is present on the triangular lock.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 481v]

To my lord of norfolke

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 479r]

My lord I command me hartly to you vyt ȝe yat I haue resayved your vryteng vyth othar vrytengs fre the kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ⁹⁸⁰ and my lord cardynalFootnote ⁹⁸¹ of [deletion] vylke vrytengs I haue made answar to ewery poynt and as to ony thyng that I may dv to the pleswr of th[e] kyng my brothar hyȝ grace sal fynd me of gwd mynd to ye sam trustyng for [deletion] fermly on hyȝ part that he vol make owȝ syk cawse and not to dw the thyng that may be owr hwrt for that vyl not be nothar honnor nor profyt to hyȝ grace prayeng you hartly my lord that ȝe vyl here at length carlyl harovdFootnote ⁹⁸² In schaveng you syk thyng as I haue comandyd hym for sen hyȝ beIng here he ondarstdyȝ the manar as all thyngs ^as yay^ ar now and that ȝe vyl Informe the kyng grace my brotha[r] of the sam and my lord cardynal and that I may haue answar agayn In h all hast for vhol than[…] I trast the Inbasytorȝ vol not entar vyth In Ingland nor ne thyngs be throv endydFootnote ⁹⁸³ and se […] Is In the kyngs grace my brotharȝ hand to ha[…]e all mattarȝ at hyȝ pleswr I thynnke hyȝ grace sul[d] not ovr luke ye sam for the pleswr of my lord of angusFootnote ⁹⁸⁴ ffor ony profet that he vyl get be ye sam and as to my part and hyȝ desyrȝ be mare regardyd than myne I vyl not labor ne mare to […] the kyng my brothar bot lwk th[e] [fo. 479v] best vay I may for my selfe and gyf It be the kyngs grace pleswr to send In the erl of angus It he can not cavse me to favor hym nor to lat hym be In my [deletion] company and ther for In se far hyȝ grace se dwIng dwth gretly to my dyshanor and dyspleswr vylke I trast I haue not desarvyd therfor I can say ne mare bot I trast hyȝ grace vyl haue consyderacyon on me hyȝ systar and dw It that may be for the viel of the kyng my sonFootnote ⁹⁸⁵ and In thyȝ behalfe I desyr to be aswryd of the kyngs grace vhat I sal trast to and not dayly to make mynttyȝFootnote ⁹⁸⁶ of hyȝ comyng here for I aswr you my lord and any othar In the varld dv me yat dysplesvr bot thay sal vant my hart and afFootnote ⁹⁸⁷ to your part my lord I am gretly behaldyng to you beth of your gwd mynd and ded vylkye gyf ever I may qwyt ȝe sal fynd ye sam prayeng you my lord as my great trast Iȝ In you that ȝe vyl labor In thyȝ matar for me and to make me swr of that a bwffne vrytenFootnote ⁹⁸⁸ alsva my lord tovschyng the cowndyttFootnote ⁹⁸⁹ that the kyngs grace my brothar hath vryten for It salbe gotyn In contynent bot I haue haldyn the sam berar vhol the byschope of dwnkelFootnote ⁹⁹⁰ com for to bryng answar agayn fre ye sayd byschope of all thyngs at length vylke vylbe here Incontynent and I haue delyvar thyȝ berar that I may haue hasty answar of my sayd vrytyngs fre the kyngs [fo. 481r] grace for I Inswr you my lord that my part takarȝ vyl not sufar the Inbasytarȝ to ^be^ sped avay vhol that ansvar cam fre the kyng my brothar as my lord off arrenFootnote ⁹⁹¹ hath vryten In that behalfe to th hyȝ grace and In a part to your selfe vhai^refoFootnote ⁹⁹² I pryFootnote ⁹⁹³ you my lord make hasty expedycyon for the fwrtheryng of all matarȝ alswa my lord I haue sent you a havke the vylke I trust ȝe salbe ryght viel contentyd vyth and ȝe sal haue otharȝ vyth In schort tyme my lord of arren hath sent a nothar [h]avke to you vyth the sayd berar vharefor I pray you take viel vyth hym and god haue you In hyȝ kypeng my lord In my lord cardynal vrytengs he sayth that mastar tomaȝ mangnoȝFootnote ⁹⁹⁴ and the tohar Ientylman swld not entar In scotland vhol owr Inbastyorȝ enterd In Ingland and therfor the sayd condyt nedyȝ not to be hastyd vhol ve send for a cowndyt to owr Inbasy[tors] vryten the vj day of octobar

yours

magaret R

78. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 12 October 1524, [Edinburgh]Footnote ⁹⁹⁵

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 299r–306v

Material format: A holograph letter written on thirteen pages of a sixteen-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 290 mm (h) x 194 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 33 mm below the main letter text and 68 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fos 305r and 299v are left blank and the address is located on fol 304v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 37 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 304v]

To my lord of norfolke

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 305v]

My lord of norfolke I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe aftar the comyng of the erl of casylyȝFootnote ⁹⁹⁶ the lord of bavyryFootnote ⁹⁹⁷ mastar edam otyrborneFootnote ⁹⁹⁸ the lordyȝFootnote ⁹⁹⁹ sat In cownsel and calyd them befoor to se how thay had dwn towscheng thayr comyscyonȝFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁰ vylke thay dyd schaw ryght vysly and made varay gwd raport to the lordyȝ [deletion] of your gud mynd In specyal toward the viel of beth the ravlmyȝ vhare In ȝe ar gretly behaldyng to them and specyal to the erl of casylyȝ and ther for thanke hym and folovyng thyȝ the lordyȝ hath ordand that a honorabyl In basytorȝ salbe send vyth In the tyme of thayr promyscyȝ vylk lodyȝFootnote ¹⁰⁰¹ Is a byschope a erll a knyht and a klarkFootnote ¹⁰⁰² vylke namyȝ Is the byschope of dwnkelFootnote ¹⁰⁰³ the erll of cassylyȝ the lord of bavvery vyth a klark vyth them and mony otharȝ honest [deletion] gentylmen thwȝ my lord ȝe may parsafe my gredt dylegenȝ and labor and gyff I haue not revlyd me for the plesyr of the g kyngs grace my brotharFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁴ and for the viel of the kyng my sonFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁵ therfor I trast that hyȝ grace vyl consydar the sam and my lord cardynalFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁶ and you for your partyȝ [fo. 306r] and that In owr gwd qvarelyȝ ve vyl get helpe and suply as hyȝ grace hath promysyd In hyȝ vrytengs to owȝ for seIng that It Is se viel begon It var petyFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁷ It suld gange a bake for favt of helpe and consydar viel my lord sopoȝ the cost be gret It vyl be hereaftar as stedabyl to the kyngs grace my brothar for he sal haue the kyng my son and me agayn all otharȝ alswa my lord I haue spokyn vyth my lord of caslyȝ and he hath schavn me part of thyngs of your name vylk I thynke ar ryght gwd and to be dwn and salbe asfar as I may

and tovschyng the lordyȝ to be chosyn for to syt to dw [deletion] Iustyȝ as to that poynt thay^r Is lordyȝ chosyn to dw that dayly bot as to the lordyȝ to byd contynvaly a bowht the kyng my sonȝ parson I se not as ȝet mony for to cheȝFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁸ bot as I fynd them trw It sal be dwn for and thay be not viel chosyn It may dw gret ewel to me and [deletion] pwt the kyng my son and me syndry vhare now he vol dw ne thyng bot as I vyl therfor I pray you my lord to gyf ne credenȝ to every parson that vyl gyf you Informacyon of me bot send to me your mynd as ȝe vald I dyd and I sal Informe you as I fynd all matarȝ and than consydar all matarȝ [fo. 306v] as thay ar and towschyng the matarȝ of scotland I ^thynk^ there suld ne pryvat parson be hard be foor me and I pray you consydar my lorde that I ma[y] cherych ^all lordyȝ^ In general for and I dw mare for een than for a nothar thay vyl take dyslesur at me vhare for I man be viel auysyd vham I cheȝ dayly to be a bovht the kyng my sonȝ parson and that thay favor me or elyȝ It vyl dw me dysplesur vharfor ther Is consyderacyon to be had and tovscheng thebordarȝ the comysschonarȝ schw be foor the lordyȝ that ȝe profa^rd for the part of Ingland and desyrd schotlandFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁹ to dw syklyk for thayr part and apon that I and the lordyȝ calyd the vardanȝ be foor owȝ to se vhat thay vald dw for thayr part and ve caud not fynd ne fektFootnote ¹⁰¹⁰ In them that ther suld be gvd rewll a pon the bordarȝ vhare for there Is gret dyspyt betwxt the lord of sesfwrdFootnote ¹⁰¹¹ and the lord of bowclwFootnote ¹⁰¹² and slavhtar vhare for I thovt best to pwt them beth In the castel of edynbrov vhol that thay fynd a vay [deletion] hov the bordarȝ may be viel revlyd seyng It Is In thayr handyȝ to dw and thay vyll and not to latt them breke the bordarȝ for thayr ewel vyll amangst thayr selfe and here In I pray you send me your ^mynde^ my lord send me your [fo. 299r] as ȝe thynke best that I dw for Inswr you that thyr men may dw gret ewel and specyaly the lord of bovklw and that for my part I haue fwnd for he hath haldyn me fre me fowr thowsand markyȝ ȝerlyFootnote ¹⁰¹³ sen the fyldFootnote ¹⁰¹⁴ vylke Is my conIwfeftment alswa my lord towschyng the byschope of saynt tandroȝFootnote ¹⁰¹⁵ and the byschorpe of abardynFootnote ¹⁰¹⁶ I haue sene the artykylyȝ that my lord cardynal sent you vhare In ^I^ thynke In apart thay ar ryht gwd In the kypeng of them In swrty for thay var never my fryndyȝ vhan I dyd for them and therfor now vhan I haue dwn them dyspleswr In the sort that I haue dwn I may viel consydar that thay luff me not bot vhald dw me all the evel thay can and thay var at thayr lybarty and specyaly the byschope of saynt tandroȝ therfor my lord I thynke I suld be ryght viel awysyd In thayr loussyng and haue ryght gret sykarneȝ vylke as ȝet I can not parsafe bot fayr vo^rdyȝ thwȝ my lord I pray my lord cardynal and you to consydar my part here In and as to the sendyng of hym In Ingland to be kyped the lordyȝ here vyl not be contentd vyth the sam for thay thynke that scotland [fo. 300r] may viel hald hym and he var betar vhol that ve may see owr tyme and vhare that my lord cardynal thynkyȝ gud that the sayd byschope of sayntadroȝ suld be sent as en of the In basytorȝ as to that the lordyȝ and I to gythar hath devysyd the parsonagyȝ and nov to breke that It may not be viel dwn for It vas dwn vyth the awysyȝFootnote ¹⁰¹⁷ of all the lordyȝ and vyth my avys and alswa I thynke not that se gret a part as he made to the kyng my son and he beand present that nov he suld haue syk honor dwn to hym as to make hym a In basytorȝs for and syke gret fawtyȝ be se swn pardoned It vyl cavse othar gret men to dv syklyk therfor my lord there Is consyderacyon to be had In that and In syk matarȝ as thyȝ me thynke my avyss suld be hard afoor otharȝ that takyth lytyl payne In gret mattarȝ and I pray you my lord remembyr gyff thyȝ that ve haue dwn sen the comyng forth of the kyng my son hath not bene ryght gret acktyȝ and hath not bene ryght gretly nor swmptyȝFootnote ¹⁰¹⁸ chargyȝ to the kyngs grace my brothar ȝet nat the leȝ It hath dwn owȝ ryght gret gwd and In specyal [fo. 300v] tovschyng the fvrnysschngFootnote ¹⁰¹⁹ of the tway hondreth menFootnote ¹⁰²⁰ abovht the kyng my sonȝ parson for vhan that ony dysobayd owȝ or dyd ony thyng that myght be contrary owȝ vee sent the sayd band vyth thayr captayne my lord maxvelFootnote ¹⁰²¹ and pwt them vhare vee plesyd vhare that the lordyȝ vald not haue takyn dysplesur of ne gret man vyth thayr vyl and alswa thyȝs sayd [deletion] tway hwndreth ar redy at all ovrȝFootnote ¹⁰²² vhan ve vyl charge them and makyȝ no delay vharefor as ȝet thay ar ryht nedfwl and may dw the kyng my son and me gret profet and pleswr vharefor I trust my lord that the kyngs grace my brothar vyl as ȝet helpe owȝ In that behalfe and cavse the sam to be answard and on thyng I pwt you owt of dowht that for my part I vald not haue vantyd them for tentyFootnote ¹⁰²³ [deletion] tymeȝ the valor for there vas othar vayȝ ordand to be dwn had not bene the aw that thay stud of themFootnote ¹⁰²⁴ and the kyngs grace my brothar ^hath^ a thowsand tymeȝ dayly gretar chargyȝ ne thyȝ Is that vee haue and ȝet I trast hyȝ grace had sal fynd as gret honor and plesvr In theȝ dwIng consydereng all thyngs as ony thyng that vas dwn [fo. 301r] thyȝ gret vhyle seIng vyth In thyȝ schort tyme In vhat case the kyng my son stwd In be the vayȝ of the dwke of albanyFootnote ¹⁰²⁵ and hav all the rewlme and lordyȝ stwd toward hym and vhat aperance vas of gret trobyl betwyxt thyr tway ravlmeȝ vylke of resson suld not haue bene not the leȝ the gret abusyonȝ and mvny that vas gyfne be france to the kyng and hyȝ lordyȝ held them In a gwd mynd toward france and the dwke of albany beIng a frenchman & thayr gowarnor thar for now consydar vhat Is dvn In the contrary of thyȝ and how I vyth my part takarȝ hath cavsyd the kyng my son to take hyȝ avne aktoryte and the g dwk of albany dyschargyd of hyȝ avtoryte vylke vas ne lytyl thyng to haue dwn consyderygFootnote ¹⁰²⁶ as the lordyȝ vas bvnd to hym alswa I haue labord se that thyr tway ravlmyȝ may be at gret amytte and concord as a pon that the Inbasytorȝ ar to be ^send^ to the kyngs grace my brothar vhare In vee vyl tyne vtarly france and haue the dyspleswr that thay may dw tyl owȝ and thyȝ ravlme and tyne every ȝere fyffty thowsand frankyȝFootnote ¹⁰²⁷ besydFootnote ¹⁰²⁸ othar thyngs there for seIng thyȝ I trast the [fo. 301v] kyngs grace my brothar my lord cardynal and ȝe vol thynke that the kyng my son and I and thyȝ ravlme suld be kyndly and viel lvkyd a pon and helpe owȝ and asyst ovȝ In owr matarȝ and qvarelyȝ and vhare that as ȝet the kyng my son ^Is^ [deletion] not viel provyddyd of recheȝFootnote ¹⁰²⁹ to bere fwrth hyȝ matarȝ and and atoryte thruhovFootnote ¹⁰³⁰ the mysrwlyngFootnote ¹⁰³¹ of hyȝ ravlme be the dwke off albany I thynke that the kyngs grace my brothar suld helpe and suply hym as I trast hyȝ grace vyl dw and as he hath begon to dw besekyng hwmbly to [deletion] hyȝ grace to contynw as ve haue nede to charge hyȝ grace for owr viel and he sal haue the kyng my son and thyȝ ravlme to dw for hyȝ grace agayns all otharȝ and gyff thyȝ ravlme may fydeFootnote ¹⁰³² that france vol be mare stedabyl to them and dw mare for them than Ingland vyll thay vyl be leth to tyne them and me thynke of varay reson that the kyng my brothar suld haue scotland for hym befoor ony othar seIng how nere of blwd thay ar and ^thayr^ rawlmyȝ lyeng se nere to gythar thyȝ beIng consydard ^&^ In tovschyng partt of chargyȝ that the kyngs grace my brothar hath for the kyng my son me thynke It suld not be leftt on don vhol that ve [fo. 302r] var at a gud poynt and all owr matarȝ surly dresyd vylke ar not as ȝet and therfor I trast It be not the kyngs graceys plesur that It be left on done that may dw ovȝ profet or gwd vhare for I pray you my lord lat me vyt thy the kyngs gracyȝ plesur bot I haue gret marvel my lo^rd that I sendyng vrytengs to you avartysand you of all matarȝ as ocorȝFootnote ¹⁰³³ here vyth my sarwand patryk synklarFootnote ¹⁰³⁴ and gat nothar ansuar In vryt nor the erand dwn that I sent the sayd patryk synklar for bot send wee ^I^ thovt ryght strangly to me a memoryal to se vharfor my lord as I can parsafe there haht hath bene some falȝ raport made to you of me vylke and ȝe gyff credenȝ to ȝe dw me gret vrange for I haue the payn and dysplesyr and othar sal be hard as viel as I I vayt not gyf my mesegorȝFootnote ¹⁰³⁵ hath dwn farar than thay had comand bot my lord I trast ȝe vyl consydar all thyngs as It Is and as ȝet of my part I haue folovd the kyngs grace my brothars plesvr In all thyngs that he desyrd and I trast vyth the helpe that I haue gotyn there vas never Ientylvhoman that dyd so gret a thy akt as I haue dwn and as ȝet thankyd be god contynwth viel and I trost sal ewer betar and betar vyth the helpe of [fo. 302v] god alswa my lord I ondarstad that my lord of angusFootnote ¹⁰³⁶ [deletion] Is past ope to the covrt to the kyngs grace my brothar vylke and It be I am mykyl behaldyng to hyȝ grace besekeng hyȝ grace to consydar that thyȝ gret thyng that ve haue dwn haue hath ben dwn vyth ovt the helpe of the sayd erl of angustFootnote ¹⁰³⁷ not the leȝ It vol cavsyd you my lord to ondarstand that vyth owt hym [deletion] and hys fryndyȝ vee myght h not haue brovht ovr matarȝ to paȝ vharefor nov ȝe may se the contrary and I ^a^ svr you my lord that hyȝ beIng In scotland may dw gret ewel to the kyng my son as I haue vryten dyvarȝ tymeȝ at length to you prayeng you hartly my lord as een of my specyal fryndyȝ that ȝe vyl labor at the kyngs grace my brotharȝ hand that the sayd erl of angus com not In scotland vyl I be content vyth the sam as hyȝ grace vyl command me to dw hym ony plesur or sted and he sal fyd me folov the sam vylke In the contrar dwIng I vol thyngk that hyȝ grace estymeth my lord of angus plesvr mare than myne vylke Is not In povr to dw for hyȝ grace that I may dw and It vyl cavse me to haue the leȝ vyl to dw for hyȝ grace I am playn [fo. 303r] In my vrytengs becavse I may not com to schav myne awne mynd alswa there hath bene gret comonyng and metyngs betwxt gravsolyȝFootnote ¹⁰³⁸ the frenche man and the my lord of angus brothar vylyam of dovglaȝFootnote ¹⁰³⁹ In to dwnbarFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁰ and for evel to me as may be consydard for It Is viel knavn vhat luff and favor the dwke of albany had all thyȝ tyme to that sort and as he dyd to them and nov that gavsolyȝ and thay ar se gwd frydyȝFootnote ¹⁰⁴¹ vhare for my lord I trast ȝe vol consydar ^It^ that for thyȝ Is of trovth alsua my lord grovsolyȝ the dwke of albanyȝ sarwadFootnote ¹⁰⁴² sent a vryteng to the kyng my son and ordadFootnote ¹⁰⁴³ the porsevantFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁴ to delyvar the sam vryteng to the lordyȝ vylke sayd that that gyf he and hyȝ lo^rdyȝ gafe trast to Ingland thay vald be betraysydFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁵ and the kyng my son pwt In Ingland vyth othar vordyȝ as ȝe sal se be hyȝ vrytengs I vas auartysyd of the sendyng of thyȝ vryteng and I cavstFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁶ It to be takyn fre the pvrsevant and vald not lat It be present to the lordyȝ alswa I gat vrytengs that vas sent owt of edynbrovh to dwnbar to grovsolyȝ vharby I od[…]d In the vryteng that grovsolyȝ Is In porpoȝ to set for your sarwad and to take hym and he [fo. 303v] may or ony vrytengs that comyth avt of Ingland to me [deletion] vharfor my lord be vysFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁷ In your sendyng I pray you th my lord In syk vrytengs as I send to you that I may haue answar In ^of^ them for I haue not gret laysyr to vryt oftan to you and gyff I fynd that otharȝ raportyȝ of folkyȝ may be betar hard than my vrytengs I vald not take the payn to vryt as I dw for I make ne secretarȝ bot my selfe be cavs I vyl not lat nen knav my mynde alswa my lord I haue send you here In closyd my mynde and desyryȝ for tway safcawndyȝ for to get stwfFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁸ to the kyng my sonȝ howȝ vylke I pray you my lord lat me haue It and I haue send to you the condytyȝ that your sarwand halssFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁹ desyrd and vyl dw ony thyng that I may dw you pleswr and sted for I am gretly adetyd to the sam and the swnest I may I sal send you my lord gwd made havkyȝ and god haue you In hyȝ kypeng

my lord I marvel that Iame dokeFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁰ my sarvand Is not delyvard fre you bot I trast my lord ȝe vyl sped hyȝ erand for I haue I haue gyfne mvny In that behalfe vhol he cam for vyth my vyl the tway hvndreth men as ȝet sal not be pwt [fo. 304r] dovn for mony gret cawsyȝ and alswa sen that the lord of sesfvrd and the lard of bovclw vas pwt In the castel of edynbrovh the erl of lenoȝssFootnote ¹⁰⁵¹ hath past hyȝ vay vyth ovt lycyens and In dyspyt and thyngkyth to make the brek that he may and to solyst othar lordyȝ to take hyȝ part for the sayd lord of bovklw vas hyȝ man and dyd g the gretyst ewelyȝ that myght be dwn and twk part playnly vyth theffyȝ as Is viel knawn and thwȝ ȝe may ondarstand my lord as ȝet the kyng my son Is not ryht swr of all hyȝ lordyȝ I trust ȝe sal se the erl of lenoss gange dthe dwke of albany vayȝ and he may get to take hyȝ part and ther for my lord I pray you send me your cownsel vryten the xij^t day of octobar

yours margaret R

79. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [6 November 1524], [Edinburgh]Footnote ¹⁰⁵²

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 273r–274v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 283 mm (h) x 205 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, immediately below the main letter text and 23 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 274r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 274v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 36 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 274v]

To my lord of norfolke

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 273r]

My lord of norfolke I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe that I am Informyd that vylyam dawglaȝFootnote ¹⁰⁵³ Is com to goldynganFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁴ thyȝ seterday at to x hovrȝ and hath varnyd the erldom of marchFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁵ to be redy to meet the erl of angusFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁶ vhare of I haue great marwel seIng how the kyng my brotharFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁷ and my lord cardynalFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁸ dyd vryt to me and promysyd that he suld not com In to scotland vhol I var content and at my commandment my lord gyf thyȝ be off veryte the kyngs grace my brothar hath dwn me a gret dysplesur and dyspyt for en vay he makyth ^me^ on trw In my promeȝ and a nothar vay he pwt gret trobyl In thyȝ rawlme and makyȝ all ocacyon to pwt all owr matarȝ abake consarnanFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁹ the kyng my sonFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁰ I trast my lord It be not of veryte bot and It be I vol be ryght dysplesyd and thynke that the kyngs grace my brothar hath faylyd for to the kyng my son and me and that ye pleswr of the erl of angus Is mare set by than the viel of [fo. 273v] [deletion] the kyng my son and me and gyf It be not dwn I pray you my lord as my gret trast ^Is^ In you that ȝe lat It not be dwn gyff ȝe luf the viel of the kyng my son and me and be It otharvayȝ I aswr you It vol com to a nothar cost and the erl of angus forcyd to byde a vay or dw var It vol be evel to hym to be In scotland and agaynst the kyng my sonȝ vyl and towschyng my part he begynth viel for he chargyth my landyȝ to answar to hym and that Is the erldom of marche[…] and that I vol not swfar to dw vhare that ever I seke helpe bot sal stand In the contrar I vol say ne mare my lord vhol I se fardar bot I vol not be ovr set vyth the erl of angus and your mynde a gayn my lord vhat I sal trast to and god kype you vryten thyȝ sonday

yours margaret R

80. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 8 November 1524, [Edinburgh]Footnote ¹⁰⁶¹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 241r–243v

Material features A holograph letter written on four pages of a six-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 285 mm (h) x 199 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 186 mm below the main letter text and 61 mm above the bottom edge of the page. This functions as an overt signal of deference to the recipient (also known as ‘significant space’). Fo. 241v is left blank and the address is written in a scribal hand on fo. 241r. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 35 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 241r]

To the Richt Excellent Richt hie and mychtie / Prince and oure derrest bruder the King of Ingland [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 242r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my mast hwmblyst vyse I can I recommand me to your grace and pleȝ ^you^ to vyt that I haue spokyn vyth your sarvand mastar mangnvȝFootnote ¹⁰⁶² and mastar ratlyffeFootnote ¹⁰⁶³ vham hath schawn me your mynde and plesvr at length and hath delyvard me a pece of cleth of goldFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁴ ryght reche vhare of hvmbly I thanke your grace and specyaly off your rememberance tovard me vyth ye muny that your grace cawsyth to be answard every mwneth for the men that ar abovht the kyng my sonȝ parsonFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁵ vylke Is ryght nedfwll and hath dwn mykyl gwd to the kyng my son as I haue vryten dyvarȝ tymeȝ and as your sarvandyȝ here may In forme your grace as I trwst thay dw deeryst brothar It vyl pleȝ your grace to remembar how lange I haue labord at your hand for tyl haue gwd pece and luff betwyxt thyr tway ravlmyȝ and nov thankyd be god It Is lykly to com to a gwd end for thyȝ ravlme desyrth In specyal to haue aswryd vay of Ingland as at mare length your grace vyl ondarstand be owr Inbastytorȝ vham Is the fvrst that ewer vas be me send therfor I trvst your grace vyl schav you the mare lufyng and be cavse I your systar dvthFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁶ labor In that matar [fo. 242v] sopoȝ that ony thyng that tovsch me Is novht viel hard vyth your grace be them that lufyth me not nor credenȝ gyfen to my vrytengs as viel aperyth nov be the sendyng In of the erl of angusFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁷ In contrary my mynd and vyl and In the contrar of my reqwest and the kyng my sonȝ vylke I thynke ryght on kyndly seIng that at my povr I dyd for the pleswr of your grace as Is viel ondarstand vyth all thyȝ ravlme and ȝet setyng a part my reqwest I thynke your grace suld not haue gyfyn ne ocacyon to breke thyȝ ravlme nor to pwtt the kyng my son In danger of hyȝ parson as he hath bene now latly throvh the sayd erl off angus comyng In the mannar as he com vyth In the nyght as I vayt viel your grace vylbe In formyd of the trovth bot to my part I vyl [deletion] say ne mare of that or lytyl othar thyng vhare that I get ne credenȝ bot them that lufeth me not salbe hard befoor me and get thayr desyrȝ vharefor I vyl take pacyenȝ and dw the best I may to kype me for fre my onfryndyȝ and gyf I may not kype me here bot that my on fryndyȝ sal haue helpe and asystanȝ agayns me than I most provyd for my selfe [fo. 243r] besekyng your grace to remembar that I haue not favtyd to your grace bot hath flovdFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁸ your mynde In all matarȝ as far as I may and nov thyȝ ravlme may ondarstand that your grace hath sent In the erl of angus to dv me dysplesvr and to hald me In trobyl dayly vhare I vald not haue bene trovblyd bot vyth the grace of god I sal pwt It of not the leȝ It Is ryght onkyndly that your grace sal dwnthyȝFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁹ to me your systar and vyll cavse thyȝ ravlme to be lyffe the leȝ favor and kyndneȝ In your grace bot ȝe may dw to me your systar as It plesyth you alsva deryst brothar the kyng gyff It be your gracyȝ mynde and plesur to haue gwd vayȝ betwxt your saiyd ravlme and thyȝ I besche your grace hwmbly to schav It now In to ded and to make surty of It that your grace vyl dw to the kyng my son and hyȝ ravlme or elyȝ It [deletion] vylbe thovt here that I haue dwn thyȝ to pwt of the tyme and to cawse the kyng my son to tyne hyȝ fryndyȝ and alayȝFootnote ¹⁰⁷⁰ vylke vylbe layd to my charge therfor I besche your grace that I may knav your pleswr the swnest that ȝe may gwdly that theraftar I may ordar me and pleȝ your grace to gyf [fo. 243v] me be awartysd and god preserfe you vryten the viij^t day of nowembur

yours hwmbyl

systar magaret[…]

81. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Date and place of sending: 21 February 1525, [Edinburgh]Footnote ¹⁰⁷¹

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/3 fos 4r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 311 mm (h) x 212 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 19 mm below the main letter text and 42 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 4v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 35 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 4v]

To my lord Cardinale [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 4r]

my lord cardynal I command me hartly to you and vyt ȝe my lord that thyȝ berar my sarvand Is pasand erandyȝ to rowmeFootnote ¹⁰⁷² vhare and he Is my gud sarvand and ever redy In ony matarȝ that I haue a dw [deletion] and as ȝet he Is not regardyd vharefor I pray you my lord for my sake that ȝe vyl be gwd lord tyl hym and vhan ȝe may helpe hym In ony thyng that may dw hym profet that ȝe vyl dw It my lord for my reqwest and as to fwrderyng of mvny to rwmFootnote ¹⁰⁷³ for my pensyon of morrovȝFootnote ¹⁰⁷⁴ I pray you hartly my lord to helpe It to be sped for In tyl rome ȝe may dw me mykyl gwd as my gret trast ȝe vyl dw and It that I may dw for your pleswr ȝe sal fynd me of gwd vyl and myne as god knavth vham kype you vryten the xxj day of febrwar

yours margaret R

82. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 22 March 1525, [St Johnstone [Perth]]Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁵

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/3 fos 11r–12v

Material format: A holograph letter written on the first page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 308 mm (h) x 211 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. The ink on fo. 11r is very faded and illegible in places. Fos 11v and 12r are left blank and the address is located on fo. 12v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 40 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 12v]

To the hy and myhty prynce my deryst borothar the kyngs grace

Main letter text [Holograph]

Main letter text [Scribal]

[fos 49v–50r]

Richt Excellent Richt hie And Michtie Prince and oure Derrest bruder In oure most hartlie and Tender maner We Commend ws vnto ȝoure grace Latting ye samynn vnderstand yis gentill mann berar herof has schawin ws Largelie of ȝoure grace gude Tretting towart him / And Richtsua has maide verray gude report of ȝour grace and ȝoure Realmme / saferr as he mych ^t In thir partis / quharof we Thoch ^t expedient till aduertis ȝoure grace / And becaus Latlie hertofore be robert hart Rothsay herrauldFootnote ¹¹⁴⁵ we haue writtin vnto ȝour grace / At yis Tyme we will noch ^t molest ye samynn With Lang writtingis / Abiding ȝour grace respons of oure said Last lettres be robert hart / Richt Excellent Richt hie and Michtie Prince And oure Derrest bruder We pray Eternall god preserue ȝour grace In Tuitionn and gouuernament Writtin at oure castell / of Methuenn yis xxvj Day of Iuly 1535

[fo. 136r]

trast & weylbelouyt frend we commend ws to ȝow ȝe sall vnderstand we haf haif wrtyin vnto ye kyng ou ^r derrest broyer Footnote ¹¹⁹⁰ wy^th ye last post quhihe we trast ȝe haif vnderstand / and now presently has don be my lord wyllyam Footnote ¹¹⁹¹ ambassadou ^r / quhar into sa far as concernys ws we pray ȝow be our gud frend as our trast Is ȝe wyll noch ^t fayll to do / & foryer we pray ȝow yat we be hastyle aduertyssyt & resolutly concernyng our self / als we haif dyssyrit my lord wyllyamm schaw ȝow in our [deletion] naymm / & lyppynn Footnote ¹¹⁹² weill yar Is no thyng we ma do for ȝow self to ȝour weill bot ȝe salbe assuryd of ye samm & god consarv ȝow wrytin of edinbrugh yis xxv day of may instant

margaret R

96. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 18 July 1536, Methven

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/4 fos 139r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 386 mm (h) x 285 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are squeezed into the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. A small part of the page has been removed on the bottom left-hand corner of fo. 139v. There are also two vertical lines of damage on fo. 139v, which appear to have been caused by water damage. The address is written on the reverse side of the page (fo. 139rv) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive, and no wax residue is visible due to conservation work on fo. 139r.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 139r]

To ye kynges grace our derrest brothyr [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 139v]

derrrest brothyr in our mast hummyll and hartly maner we recommend ws vnto ȝowr grace ples ȝow we haue resauyt ȝour lettris dyrekyt wy^th schyr adem ottyrbowrnFootnote ¹¹⁹³ / reportyng ȝowr kynd & lovyng mynd to gydder Footnote ¹¹⁹⁴ wy^th ȝowr grace mast prwdent & hartly consavytFootnote ¹¹⁹⁵ gud avys & consall to ws concernyng our reparyng in ȝour realm quhar for we ar so far addettyt vnto ȝour grace yat ȝe sall fynd ws In all maner thyng ws ou ^r self In all maner to ye wyll honou ^r & plesour off ȝowr grace / and sall remaynn heyr In yis realmm styll at ȝour grace wyll & plesour […] & qwhen It pleis ȝow sall cu[me] in ȝowr realmm / fynelly as ȝour grace plesys to [de]ssyr ws do we ar determy[ned] to fulfyll ye samm be caus we aucht of our dewy[…] ye samm & greitlyar & mar specyally yat we vnderstand sa evydently ȝour [gr]ace perfyt s luf & gwd mynd to ws as ou ^r most tender & lovyng broyer suld haif / aduertysse[ng] ȝowr grace we haif at all tymmys beyng reqwyrryt don [ou]r power to satyfeFootnote ¹¹⁹⁶ ȝour grace & sall do & salbe rych ^t glad to beyr lawbarFootnote ¹¹⁹⁷ & payn [to] adres & bryng all maner thyng to paynt yat we ma for ȝowr grace / & y[…]br[…] man hais ou ^r mast specyall confydens in ȝow ffor inconvenyences yat […] cum gyf syk occures bot we trast to behaf ws In syk maner yat als for [deletion] ^a[…]^ we may tyll eschow all trowblys swa yat ȝowr grace sall fynd ws evyr abyl[…] [t]o do & adres syk thynges as Is ȝou ^r plesou ^r

derrrest broyer pleis ȝow we haif an of ye gretest materres ado twe[ch]yng our honor yat evyr occurryt tyll in our lyff & has na respekt co[…] nor confydens In c[r]eatou ^r levyng bot allanerly in ȝow grace & It twech[ing] honou ^r conwenyens […] greit dysplesor wy^thout we haif remeid quhyl[k] […]st ȝour [gr]ace […] [s]tand our derrest & lovyng broyer tyll ws […] help & suppley to y[e] remeid of ye sam sen nevyr we had sy[…] […]k sort nor god [w]yllyng sall nevyr haif […]an in ou ^r lyf besekyng ȝo[ur grace] to haif pece & l[o]f tyll ws ȝour awnn naturall only cyster havand syk […] wygh ^tlyFootnote ¹¹⁹⁸ mater ado & to help ws to be evyr owt of trowbyill dorandFootnote ¹¹⁹⁹ [our] [li]f quhylk we trast ȝowr grace wyll do /

And now derrest broyer we besek ȝow haif pacyens of ws in y[is] mater & consyderacyonn / yis Is ye effect / ples ȝour grace In tymm byp[ast] [w]e haf had mekyill ado & quhill laytly be myshordou ^rFootnote ¹²⁰⁰ in yis realmm we way[…] gretly ou ^r levyng & lyfrentFootnote ¹²⁰¹ qwharthrow we com vnder greit charges of d[…] & to pay ye samm […]ysymyto^r merchandes & credytou ^res to certayn ȝerly […]r & proffyttes quh[i]ll yar sowmysFootnote ¹²⁰² war completly payit quhylk ȝet […] [n]och ^t furht yis tw[o] ȝeres to cum & now yis ȝeir last bypast trastyng [the] metyng betuex ȝour grace & ȝou ^r nevoy ou ^r derrest sonn Footnote ¹²⁰³ / we of n[…]w has [m]erchandryis takyn & othyr syndry thynges to ou ^r self necyssar to & to ou ^r […]mytou ^res tyll haif don ws honor at syk ann tymm cum vnder In lyk ma[..] [g]r[e]it swrfeyt sowmyis exdengFootnote ¹²⁰⁴ to xx^t thousand pwndes scottesFootnote ¹²⁰⁵ & al[…] […]a of na way haif releif of ye sam wyoutFootnote ¹²⁰⁶ ȝour grace help b m[…] [hu]milly besekand ȝour grace to help ws wy^th an part part of ye sad [su]m as ȝowr grace wyll thynk to help ws out of pepetwallFootnote ¹²⁰⁷ paynn quhylk […] we cann noch ^t eschew duryng ou ^r lyf gyf we haif noch ^t help of ȝou ^r grace / ass[ur]yng ȝou ^r grace we sall nevyr cum vnder syk & ye caus ^forsaid^ was sa greitly tyl ou ^r comfort ya ^t ingudfai ^th we had na thoch ^t at yat tymm bot ye completing of yat metyng was abon all oyer thyng / we besokFootnote ¹²⁰⁸ ȝou ^r grace to luik broyerly opannFootnote ¹²⁰⁹ ws now in yis exstremm p[o]ynt & yat ples ȝour grace we to be aduertyssyt of ȝou ^r grace wyll & mynd anent ye sam wy^th yis berar rosayFootnote ¹²¹⁰ & ye eternell god consarv ȝou ^r grace wrytin in hast wy^th our hand yis xviij day of Iuly instant / be ȝour grace hum[..]ll cystyr

margaret

97. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex

Date and place of sending: 18 July 1536, Methven

Archival reference: BL, Add MS 32,646 fos 87r–88v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the final two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 293 mm (h) x 200 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. The letter has sustained some damage from water or mould. Fo. 87v is left blank and the address appears to be written in a scribal hand (although it could perhaps be holograph) on fo. 87r. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism with a triangular paper lock with curved edges. An impression of seal 1 (see Figure 5) is present on the paper lock.

Address [Scribal?]

[fo. 87r]

To our Rych ^t trast & weilbelout frend master Cromall greit sacriter vnto ye kinges heynes ou ^r derrest broyer [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 88r]

My lord and rych ^t trast frend we commend ws to ȝow hartlie / certyfeing ȝow we haue resauit ȝou ^r kind & loving wys LeusauitFootnote ¹²¹¹ lettris send wy^th si ^r ademm otyrbornn Footnote ¹²¹² / concernngFootnote ¹²¹³ ou ^r reparing in ye realmm of Ingland / And eftyr we had avissitlie considerit ye kinges heynesFootnote ¹²¹⁴ lettris & mynd anent ye samm & yar eftyr considerit ȝou ^res we thoch ^t ye samm mast convenyent & best to be donn / And Intendes to follow ye intent yerof furmmellie // my lord we haif writin presently be yis berar rosayFootnote ¹²¹⁵ vnto ye kinges hynes ou ^r derrest broyer ȝou ^r master // tweching ann greit mater / standing tyll ws of na luis weytht yann apann ou ^r conweniente honor lawteFootnote ¹²¹⁶ & credens & rest & qwyat levyng during ou ^r lyff // & we be na maner of way ma evaid or eschew ye saides inconvenyentes wy^thout we haif help & supple in reymeid of ye samm / & wy^thout It cum & be donn be ye kinges grace ou ^r derrest broyer It ma noch ^t be remeiddyt for yar Is naynn levynge yat wile do yat for ws wy^th […] It be his grace allanerly / quharvponn we haife in tw[o] lettris in clossit to gidder writin at lyntht all ye mater[…] & thoch ^t gud & spedfull to aduertice ȝow my gud & trast frend of ye samm / quhi ^lk followis / this xx^t ȝeres bipastFootnote ¹²¹⁷ yer was sic myshordou ^r in yis realmm ya ^t we war noch ^t redly nor completly payit of ou ^r maillisFootnote ¹²¹⁸ & profettes of ou ^r landes quhai ^r throw onn verray fors we of exstremm necessitie havand na vyer way in yis realmm tubeFootnote ¹²¹⁹ all maner of thing to ws necessar & till ou ^r seruandes none merchanddres & all sic as feseyt ws fra ye merchandes & part fra lordes & barronns & as wald leynn ws & nowe quhen wy^thin yis thre or four ȝeresFootnote ¹²²⁰ mayd yamm assinger[…] to certann & ye mast part of ou ^r ȝerly prophetes & mailles quhi ^ll ye sades sovms be completly payit / quhilk ryernesFootnote ¹²²¹ noch ^t furtht ye tymm of fynell payment yis twa ȝeresFootnote ¹²²² // And we entending to haf levyt at qwyat quhi ^ll ye samm had be fynelly donn / lastly yis last ȝer[…] occuryt ye treting of ye metyng betux ye kinges grace ou ^r derrest broyer & ye king ou ^r derrest sonFootnote ¹²²³ his nephow / quhai ^rthrow at dessyr of ou ^r derrest broyer we[…] [fo. 88v] RemaystFootnote ¹²²⁴ still contenwall in court wy^th ou ^r derrest sonn aponn our awnn exspens And was at surfetFootnote ¹²²⁵ exspens & als be tretyng of syk as was famllyares of his consall & propynngFootnote ¹²²⁶ yamm plesandly of sam thinges plesand to yamm // And as we vndowttytilyFootnote ¹²²⁷ surly belevit ye samm to haf had formell succeding to ann fynell metyng / we havand na regar[d] of ye charges forsad / bot allanerly havand respec[…] to ye metyng & to ye adressing of ws & ou ^r company yerfor in ye mast honest manrFootnote ¹²²⁸ / we haf drawnn ou ^r self vnder charges of xx^t thousand pundes scottesFootnote ¹²²⁹ / And war ou ^r leving fre [deletion] & noch ^t assignyt in maner forsaid we suld do ye best we mych ^t to help ye samm wy^th ye luis tenyrFootnote ¹²³⁰ & charg vnto ou ^r derrest broyer ye kinges hynes // bot onn yat onn parte ou ^r levyng beinge assignete & onn yat oyer part ou ^r merchandes & vyer syndry credytoures cravand ws & onn ye thredFootnote ¹²³¹ parte we havand ye slandyr h dyshonou ^r & ou ^r ou ^r self attou ^re noch ^t sustenyt in // na gud maner It war better till ws be ded yann indur ye samm / quharvponn we hast wrytin fyrst playnly informyng ye kinges grace ye samm as ȝe wile persaif be ou ^r writinges & yamm yer efter schawing his grace ya ^t [deletion] nevyr we had syk ann thing ado nor nevyr sale haif wy^thout h It be of his tlr[…] we ^haf^ besohtFootnote ¹²³² his grace of help in sic quantate & nombyr as wile noch ^t hurt hes hynes gretly & ma supple ws & has reffarryt ye qwantate vnto his grace & we haif noch ^t benn speciale how mekile / bot we in ou ^r most specale maner yat we cann possibyle to stand ou ^r gud frend heruntile as ou ^r frmm Footnote ¹²³³ trast & confydens Is ȝe wile & yat we ma be aduertissit of ye kinges ou ^r derrest broyeris mynd wy^th yis berrar rosay [deletion] to ye samm / for wy^thout hes gra[ce's] help It noch ^t possible till ws till eschew ye gretest inconvenyence ya ^t ony personn ma haf saffing ye lyf / my lord I besek & prayis ȝow avys frendly wy^th ye premiss & be ou ^r frend quhilk we trast is to ou ^r derrest broyer bai ^th meryte honou ^r & for his weile & god almych ^ty consarve ȝow wrytn in hast of methvenn yis xviij day of Iuly instant

your frend

margaret R

98. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: [July 1536], [Methven]Footnote ¹²³⁴

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/4 fos 140r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 302 mm (h) x 188 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, 121 mm below the main letter text. This functions as an overt material gesture of deference to the recipient (known as ‘significant space’). For security reasons – to ensure that no one added any additional text to her letter – Margaret traced the nib of her quill from the end of the main letter text to the start of the closing subscription. There is some water damage to the right-hand edge of fo. 140r. The outer address leaf does not survive; however, slits present in the document suggest that this letter was secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 140r]

derrest broyer we besek ȝour grace help ws now for evyr & lat ws noch ^t be deshonoryt & tynt In ou ^r faym & law to senn we man othyr be helpyt be ȝow or ellys wy^th remeddy we ar ye / mast dysplesand po[…]ya[…] we can be at havand ye lyff

also we besek ȝour gret pardonn ws ya^t yis ou ^r lettry[s] be noch ^t sa o^rdou ^rlyFootnote ¹²³⁵ adressyt nor formyd as reqwyres to ȝour grace / for we haif gud wyll bot ou ^r hand[…] Is ewyll & ou ^r mater greitly to ou ^r dysplesour yat we man of neid be at syk payntFootnote ¹²³⁶ & yar far has noch ^t taryitFootnote ¹²³⁷ nor awyssyt as we suld aponn ye gud & formayll dytmentFootnote ¹²³⁸ & o^rdoryng of yir [deletion] thyr lettrys bot we trast ȝou ^r grace wyll of ȝou ^r greit wysdom & gwdnes haif paciyens of ye ye samm / we mast humlly besek ȝour grace of ȝou ^r wyll & [deletion] mynd anent ye reponce of yis ou ^r mast weygh ^tlyFootnote ¹²³⁹ matres & yat It wyFootnote ¹²⁴⁰ pleis ȝou ^r grace to mak ws aduertysment wy^th ye sad rosayFootnote ¹²⁴¹ besekyng almich ^ty god to consarv ȝou ^r grace / bot yir lettris as

be ȝour grace most humill & lovyng

cyster margaret R

99. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 12 August 1536, Perth

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/4 fos 148r–149v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with landscape orientation, measuring 299 mm (h) x 395 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 43 mm below the main letter text and 38 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The final two lines of the letter and the closing subscription and signature are written in a different colour ink, suggesting that they were added at a later time, after the main letter text was composed. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 148r) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive. Wax residue is present on fo. 148r, although it is concealed by conservation work.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 148r]

To the rych ^t excellent rych ^t hie & mych ^ty prince And oure derrest broyir the king of Ingland [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fos 148v–149r]

derrest brothyr In our mast hartly maner we recommend ws vnto ȝour grace / ples ȝow vnderstand we ar Informyt latly ya ^t ou ^r doch ^tyr margaret dowglasFootnote ¹²⁴² suld by ȝour grace avys promes to mary lord thomas howardFootnote ¹²⁴³ / & yat ȝour grace Is displessyt yat sche suld promes or dissyr syk thyng and yat ȝour grace Is delyuerit to pwmesFootnote ¹²⁴⁴ my doch ^ttyr & ȝour neyr cesynesFootnote ¹²⁴⁵ to exstrem ryga^r quhilk we nay way can bes beleif consyderyng sche is our naturall doch ^ttyr ȝour nepotasFootnote ¹²⁴⁶ & cyster naturall vnto ye kyng ou ^r derrest sonFootnote ¹²⁴⁷ ȝou ^r nephow / quhay wyll noch ^t beleif ya ^t ȝour grace [deletion] wyll do syk extremmyteFootnote ¹²⁴⁸ apon ȝour awnn / oures / & hys beand sa tender tyll ws all thre as ou ^r naturall doch ^tyr Is / derrest broyer we besek ȝour grace of cystyrly kyndnes & naturall luf we beyr & yat ȝe awcht tyll ws ȝour only cyster to haif compassyens & pece of ws ȝour a cyster & of ou ^r naturall doch ^ttyr & cyster to ye kyng ou ^r only son & ȝou ^r derrest nepho[w] & to grant ou ^r sadFootnote ¹²⁴⁹ doch ^ttyr margaret ȝour grace pardonn grace & fawou ^r & remytFootnote ¹²⁵⁰ of syk as ȝour grace has put to hyr charg / and gyf It ples ȝour grace to be content sche cum in scotland swa ya ^t in tym cummyng sche sall nevyr cum in ȝour grace presens and yis derrest broyer we in our mast hartly effectwus tender maner mast specyally & mast hummylly besekyis ȝour grace to do as we dout noch ^t ȝour wysdom wyll thynk to ȝour hanorFootnote ¹²⁵¹ sen yis ou ^r request is deyr & tender tyll ws ye gentylwomans naturall moder & we ȝour naturullFootnote ¹²⁵² cystyr ya ^t makes yis petions & mast hummyll request / foryerFootnote ¹²⁵³ [change in ink colour] ples ȝour grace yis berar wyll Inform and ye eternell god consarf ȝou ^r grace as we wald be our self writin of pertht yis xij day of agust be

your grace mast lovyng cyster

margaret R

100. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 20 October 1536Footnote ¹²⁵⁴

Archival reference: BL, Add MS 32,646 fos 89r–90v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 299 mm (h) x 216 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, immediately below the main letter text. Fo. 90r is left blank and the address is written on fo. 90v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 35 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 90v]

To the kyng grace my deryst brothar

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 89r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my most hvmblyst mannar I recommand me to your grace dessyreng gretly to here of your good helth and prospertye the vysche volbe to my gret comfort I trust your grace hath gotyn vord lattly from me vhat I desyr trustyng that your voll doo the samyn and that I may be avartysyd of your mynde and pleswr vy^th delygens for gyf It standes not vy^th your pleswr I desyr no moor and gyf ȝe vol not derryst brothar doo that for me that ȝe vol ples to send me your secret sarwand of yours to vhom I may schav my mynde at length In sysch matters as I haue to do wy^th your grace for I vyl not vryt It at length and I trust from your grace knavth all thyng at length ȝe vol haue gret consyderacyon of It de both for your honnor and myne de deryst brothar I trust ȝe haue hard of the hartly Intretyng of the kyng my soonFootnote ¹²⁵⁵ your neffew and how there schuld be contrak of maryage betwyxt the french kyngFootnote ¹²⁵⁶ dowtharFootnote ¹²⁵⁷ and my soon and as I am Informyd vyl dessyr your sayd covnsel to the samyn as resson var that he dyd becavse he Is narrest and tendrest to your grace next me hys mother and nov I trast ȝe vol consyder me your systar In sych sort as ȝe ples both for your honnor and myne for the moor honnor I haue the moor Is your honnor and your [fo. 89v] grace vol newer haue oon so tender to ^you^ In thys ravlme nor that vol be so redy at your commandment vhan ever It plesyth god too take me therefor I trwst ȝe volbe both father and brothar to me and my hope and trwst Is In you[r] grace consyder me as your grace plessyth for ȝe ha[ve] ever schavn you a kynde prynce to me at all tyme now deryst brothar as to the french kyng he vol see for the honnor and veel of hys dowthar as reson vold In all sortyes and gyf I be not for my part as I schwld be It volbe gretly to my dyshonnor vysche schal not be as far as I may possybyl both for your gracyes honnor and myne and the kyng my soons and your grace beIng awartysed of all thyngs as It Is than I trust ȝe vol doo to me as there Is cawse for I vol not dysples your In grace In no thyng that lyeth In my powr and that your grace schal fynde ewer bescheng your grace In my most hwmbyl mannar that It vol ples you to hast me ansvar agayn vy^th your sarwand and myne for I thynke varay long vhol I get the samyn and thanketh your grace of the gret nobylnes ȝe haf schavn to my dowtharFootnote ¹²⁵⁸ and for her ^sche^ schal newer haf my blysseng and sche do not all that ȝe command her nor no good that I may do for her and god preserfe you vryten the tventy day of octobor

your lufeng systar margaret[…]

101. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 10 February 1537Footnote ¹²⁵⁹

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 174r–177v

Material features: A holograph letter written on five pages of an eight-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 304 mm (h) x 205 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 47 mm below the main letter text and 34 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fos 174r and 177r are left blank and the address is written in a scribal hand on fo. 177v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 33 mm in diameter.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 177v]

To the richt excellent Richt hie and michtie Prince and oure Derrest bruther The king off Ingland [flourish]

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 174v]

ryght excelent hy and myhty prynce and my deryst brothar the kyng I recommand me In my moste hvmbyl and hartly mannar to your grace vhom plesyth to vyt I haue resayved your hartly and lufeng vryteng vy^th credens sent to me vy^th your [deletion] gracys socretFootnote ¹²⁶⁰ sarwand raff sadlarFootnote ¹²⁶¹ the vysche Is gretly to my comfort that your grace standeth In so good mynde towart me your systar as I may parsafe be your graces sayd vryteng and credens to me prayeng god that I may desarf the sam vysche at my ovtarFootnote ¹²⁶² powr I schal doo deryst s brothar as towscheng the maryage of your neffeov the kyng my soonFootnote ¹²⁶³ In so far as your grace makys rehers In your sayd vryteng that your mynde and cownsel vas not had to the sam vysche vold haue bene both to hys honnor and profet as to that deryst brothar I asvr your grace that vhan he departyd from me that he sayd he vold haue your awyss and cownsel prynsepaly In all hys mattars that he had to do and to my part I am varray ewel content that he dyd novht the sam vysche of resson and kyndnes he schwld haue doon allso deryst brothar plesyth your grace vhare that ȝe vryt and makyth mencyon of my sayd vryteng to you of the comyng of the qwene my soons vyffeFootnote ¹²⁶⁴ that I seIng and consyderyng the gret honor that sche vyl be at that towart my self I vald thynke that I myht be In syche sort that I myht do honnor to your grace and my selfe I beIng your only systar trwst your grace vyl thynke the moor honor I haue the moor honnor [deletion] Is yours and thys cavse beIng consyderd I besche your grace of your specyal helpe and consel In all sortes how I sal ordar me reffareng all thng to your pleswr and what ȝe vyl doo to me for your grace has schavne you offt tymes so nobly to me and kyndly In dyvars rememmbrance that I may not be chargeng [fo. 175r] to your grace bot at your plesvr and var not the Instant tyme of your graces honnor and myne I vold haue bene varray loth to haue bene chargeng to your grace In my desyrs and In a nothar part deryst brothar vhare that I dyd take the lord of meffenFootnote ¹²⁶⁵ and dyd hym that honnor to take hym as my howsbond as I ondarstod at that tyme and gaf hym as mysche credens as I covld doo he hath spendyd my landes and profetes a pon hys avne kyn and fryndes In sych sort that he hath made them ope and pwt me In to gret dettes vysche vylbe to the sowm of viij^m markes scotyes monyFootnote ¹²⁶⁶ and as ȝet can not knav how nor In vhat sort for he vould newer lat me ondarstond how my landes vas rewlyd but sayd he vould answar for the sam herefor I desyr the lordes of my soons cownselFootnote ¹²⁶⁷ to cavse hym to make them cownptFootnote ¹²⁶⁸ as at moor length I haue schawn my mynde In thys mattar and In all othars vhom to I haue bene varray playn be cavse your grace bad me In your sayd vryteng that I schwld gyff hym ferme credens as to your selfe I haue schavn my mynde the moor playnly vhom to I trost ȝour grace vol gyff credens to and that ȝe vol schav you a kynde prynce and brothar tovart me as my specyal troust and hope Is In your grace gyf so vorFootnote ¹²⁶⁹ that the kyng my soon vold not doo to me In all sortes as he avht to doo both to the pleswr of god and to hys avne honor as I trust nowht bot that he vyl doo vyh ovtFootnote ¹²⁷⁰ It be throw evel cownsel and vhol I knav the contrary be hym selfe I vol novht trwst ye the sam and that deryst brothar beIng known that he fayl to me hys mothar In dysobayeng me of my conIowfeftment or In ony thyng that may be to my hwrt or dyshonor I troust than that your grace vol lovk a pon the samyn [fo. 175v] for your honor vyth your helpe and supple and refwge to me gyff nede askes the sam for and I be trovbld I haue ne nothar to seke helpe at bot your grace and In that I beseke your grace that I may swrly know your mynde and pleswr for now Is the tyme consydereng the qwene that Is comyng here vol haff helpe at the kyng her fadarFootnote ¹²⁷¹ and deryst brothar gyf that the kyng my son vol be a kynde son to me and cavse me to be obayd as I schuld be in all sortes than I may doo your grace In thys ravlme both honnor and pleswr vysche schalbe ewer my ottar mynde and vyll and to do your commandment In all that I may now deryst brothar It vyl ples your grace I haue schavne to thys Ientylman your secret sarwant how and vhat sort It standyth betwyxt me and the sayd lord of meffen and In vhat poiynt I am standyng In presently and the manar of the lordes as thay stand tovart me and my mattars [deletion] prayeng your grace to cansyderFootnote ¹²⁷² the sam and vy^th the grace of god and vyth your helpe I schal owr cam thys trovbyl that I am In so beIng that your grace vol stand my good prynce and brothar and lat me not be vronged In my ryhtes and otharvays I schal not be chargeng to your grace bot as ȝe vyl command me [deletion] to doo and that I sal fvlfyl as I may deryst brothar and It ples your grace I nede not to vryt all thyngs at length becavse of thys Ientylman your secret sarwand that vyl Informe your grace at length In sych thyngs as I haue schavn to hym to be schavne to your grace besehengFootnote ¹²⁷³ your grace to pardon me of my [fo. 176r] charges at thys tyme and not to be dysplesyd at me for the sam consyderyng as all mattars standes now presently to me both to my helpe and honor and that It vyl ples your grace that I may be avartysed of your pleswr vy^th gret delygens for the tyme Is schort avartyseng your grace that as soon as I get the kyng my sons ansvar In syche matars as I haue vryten at length to hym your grace schal be athvartysedFootnote ¹²⁷⁴ of the sam vy^th delygens that ȝe may knav the good mynde of the kyng my soon tovart me and that I may knav your pleswr theraftar so that I may folow the sam deryst brothar plesyth your grace towscheng the credens that I dyd send to your vy^th rychart of movsgraffeFootnote ¹²⁷⁵ It [deletion] vas In thys manar and sort as I aswr your grace a pon my honnor sayeng In thys sort that I prayd your grace that ȝe vold byd my lord secretarFootnote ¹²⁷⁶ that he dyd noht lat no scotyssman vyt of ony matars consarnygFootnote ¹²⁷⁷ me and for thys cavse your grace schal vyt that mastar adam ottarbornFootnote ¹²⁷⁸ sayd to me that my lord secretar bad hym say to me that vhare I desyrd to com In the ravlme of Ingland that vy^th owt good vyl and consent of the kyng my son that I schwld not com thayr and herfor deryst brothar I that thovtht It ryht strange that ony scotyesman schwld knav bot that I var velcom vhen I desyrd to com and In ony thyng that ȝour grace vold that I dyd erar to send It to me vyth a Inglych man and that I pray your grace to doo to me and as to my lord secretar he Is your good trw sarwand and that all man says and I trwst vy^th the pleswr of your grace he vol be my good frende In sysch matars as I [fo. 176v] haue a do vyth your grace and that It vol ples your grace to command hym to be my good frende and vylarFootnote ¹²⁷⁹ the nexst your grace I vol send to ne nothar to labor at your hand In my matars so that ȝour grace vol gyf me leefe to do so besekeng your grace for thys my reqwest that ȝe vol noht be dysplesyd at mowsgrafe be cavse he vas so scharpe delt vyth and I vas so hasty to pwt hym a vay that he toke It In othar sort than I sayd It bot In tymes comyng and It be vyth ony Inglyche ^man^ I schal vryt my credens so that non schal haue no reprofFootnote ¹²⁸⁰ for me and herefor bescheng your grace hwmbly to be hys gwd prynce and nowht dysplesyd at hym for thys and I doo vryt p^resently to my lorde secretar for thys sam vyth my avne hand and that for my specyal reqwest that he vyl not be dysplesyd at the Ientylman ^movsgraf^ for sych cawses as Is a buff vryten as forthar at length thys Ientylman your sarwand vol schav your grace both In that and In all othar matares as I besche your grace to gyf hym credens In my behalfe and IessevFootnote ¹²⁸¹ presarve your grace vryten vy^th my avne hand the [deletion] x day of febrwar

your loweng systar

margaret R

102. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex

Date and place of sending: 7 March 1537, Edinburgh

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 222r–v

Material features: A scribal letter with a holograph section written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 298 mm (h) x 195 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 5 mm below the main letter text and 15 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The address is written in a scribal hand on the reverse side of the page (fo. 222v) and the letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The ends of the paper lock are secured under a square of paper, measuring 52 mm x 52 mm. There is an impression of seal 4 (see Figure 8) on the square of paper.

Address [Scribal]

[fo. 222v]

To oure traist and weilbelouit frende Lorde cromwell [flourish]

Main letter text [Scribal]

[fo. 222r]

Richt Traist and Weilbelouit frende We commend ws To ȝou In oure hertly manere ffor sammekle as Williamm Clappertonn scottismann InduellarFootnote ¹²⁸² of Ley^t serintour to ye king oure Derrest sonn Footnote ¹²⁸³ and till ws And Richard hurdemann Inglishmann Induellar of Londonn contractit and maid ane charter parteis betuix yamme / as athir partis of ye samynn at mare Large proportes / quhi ^lk ye said Williamm In all pointes fulfillit / houbeit ye said Richard obseruit noch ^t / Attoure ye said Richard In tyme of absence of oure Derrest sonn cumand In yis Realmme without conduict wi ^th his marchandys and In vther maner vsand hym and his gudis / againe ye actis and commonne consuetudeFootnote ¹²⁸⁴ of yes Realmme / quharthrow hym self mych ^t haue bene LauchfullFootnote ¹²⁸⁵ presonere and his gudis lauchfully confiscat / The said William wi ^th his laubou ^res and wayis at ye counsall sauffitFootnote ¹²⁸⁶ him and his gudis Sua yat he haid na hurt / And as we ar Informit Latlie ye said Richard hes movit sum trouble to ye said William aponn euill consait and wranguuslie Intentit as we surlie traist / quharfor ye said William presentlie purpos to verifie and mak clerly knawin his Iust and honest mater / Exhorting ȝow as oure rych ^t traist frende yat ȝe will schaw ȝou his gude Lorde and help him at yis tymme In his said mater Swa yat ye king oure Derrest sonn and we may vnderstand yat ȝe will Do for ws In oure Ressonable Requestes / We thoch ^t yis mater ouyrFootnote ¹²⁸⁷ sobre till wryte vnto ye kinges grace oure Derrest broderFootnote ¹²⁸⁸ Praying ȝow mak oure maist hertlie Recommendationne Vnto his grace And god preserue ȝow eternaly / Writtin of Edinburgh yis vij day of Marche Instant 1537 [flourish]

[fo. 22r]

[deletion] deryst brother the kyng In my mast hwmbyl manar I recomende me to your grace vhom plesyth to vyt I haue resayved your hartly vryteng to me your systar sent be your secret ^sarwand^ mastar sadlarFootnote ¹³¹⁸ and thanke your grace In my most hartly mannar of the tow hondreth pownd styrlyngFootnote ¹³¹⁹ ȝe haue send to me vy^th thys mastar sadlar prayeng your grace not to be dysples[ed] that I am chargeng to you In ony sort the vysch[…] I schal not be and all so I thanke your grace ryht hwmbly of the sendyng In to france to the kyng my soonFootnote ¹³²⁰ for me trusteng to be mysch the betar and to fynde the moore kyndnes for your graces sake and as I fynde I schal awartys you of the sam prayeng you deryst brothar than vhan ȝe send vord In thys ravlme that I be not forget bot I that I may be awartysed of your mynde and pleswr so that I may doo that may be plesand and exsptabylFootnote ¹³²¹ to your grace vysche Is my mynde and vol to doo as at moor length thys berar your sarwand vol schaw your grace all so deryst brothar your grace schal ondarstond [fo. 22v] that I haue spokyn at length vy^th the kyng my soon vhare by as I ondarstand IsFootnote ¹³²² mynde and vyl standeth In varray good sort towart your grace and your sayd ravlme and vold fayne ondarstand of your graces good mynde In that sort and as I trust ^he^ sendes the abot of arbrothFootnote ¹³²³ to you to d awartyss your grace of hys gu mynde and desyrng the sam of you prayeng your grace that In ony mannar of sort that ȝe vald haue matars adresyd In thys ravlme to your plesyr that I may be athvartysedFootnote ¹³²⁴ of the sam and I trust to do sysch delyigens that your grace schal be content vy^th the sam for I am moste tendar to you both to dres all matars prayeng your grace also to take kyndly vy^th the abot so that of reson he haue no cavse to make ewel report bot that he be viel In tretyd for he Is gret vyth the kyng my soon your neffew and that It vol ples your grace to lat hym ondarstand that It Is your pleswr and vyl that I be honorably Intretyd and obayd of my lyffeng seIng I am your systar and that beIng doon your grace vol be the moor kynde to thys ravlme for my sake thys good vordes may doo me mvschFootnote ¹³²⁵ good [fo. 23r] and your grace no hwrt bot to your honnor and vyth the helpe of god I schal dessarfe the sam at my powr plesyth your grace allso to know that my dewors and partysengFootnote ¹³²⁶ Is at the gyffeng of the sentens and pryved be mony famos folke to the novmbar of of fowr and twenty pryvosFootnote ¹³²⁷ and vyth the grace of god I schal not haue newer syche a trovbyl agayn and your s grace schalbe varay svrreFootnote ¹³²⁸ I schal newer doo no thyng by your cownsel and commandment for I may do your grace both honnor and plesyr betar now as I am bescheng your grace gyff I haue nede that I lake not your helpe and suple the vysche I trust I schal not nede fayl to haue gyf I be vronged In ony thyng that I haue ryht to and on my part I [deletion] schal be varay delygent to hald luff and amytte betwxst your grace and my soon your neffew and to awartyss your grace as I can fynde In all behalfes gyf there [deletion] coomyth ony owt of your ravlemeFootnote ¹³²⁹ otharvays I vol not vryt at leng[th] for sych cavses as I have schavne mastar sadlar vhom to I pray your g^ryace gyf ferme credens and asvre your grace he gydes hym selfe so that the kyng my soon Is varay vel content vyth hym as god knavs vhom presarfe yow grace vyten the vij day of Iwnn

you^r lowyng systar Margaret R

106. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: [August 1537]Footnote ¹³³⁰

Archival reference: BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fos 205r–206v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first two pages of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 305 mm (h) x 205 mm (w). Fo. 206r is left blank and the address is located on fo. 206v. A large ink blotch is present at the top of fo. 205r, obscuring part of the opening address of the letter. The right-hand edge of fo. 205r has also sustained some fire damage and there has also been some damage and repair to the bottom left-hand corner of fo. 205r. As a result, some features of the letter, including the closing subscription and signature, are either illegible or not present in the MS. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 28 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 206v]

To my lord and cousin the dwk of norfolk

[fo. 26r]

deryst brothar the kyng In my most hwmbly mannar I recommand me to your grace vhom plesys to vyt that sen the departyng of mastar sadlarFootnote ¹³⁹⁰ I haue bene gretly In to trovbyl and Is so ȝet and I cowd get non to vryt vyth vhol now the vysche Is varray heffy to me standeng In the cace that I am In for your grace schal ondarstond that the sentens of the devors betwyxt me and the lord of meffenFootnote ¹³⁹¹ suld haue bene gyffyn and prononcyd vyth In fyftyne daysFootnote ¹³⁹² effeter the departyng of mastar sadlar not vy^thstandeng the kyng myFootnote ¹³⁹³ has sopyidFootnote ¹³⁹⁴ the sam and vol not lat It be prononcyd and fovr and fowrty fames pryvesFootnote ¹³⁹⁵ hath provedyd be foor the IougeFootnote ¹³⁹⁶ and for no labor nor solystyng that Is posybyl to me my soon vol not doo It and for thys cawses as he legesFootnote ¹³⁹⁷ that I vold pas In Ingland and marry hym that vas erll of angusFootnote ¹³⁹⁸ and thys harry stwart lord of meffen cavsysFootnote ¹³⁹⁹ hym to beleffe thys of me alsoo deryst brother I haue gyffne to the kyng my son my vyttals of donbarFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁰ vysche Is fowr and fyfty chaders of vettalFootnote ¹⁴⁰¹ and I get lytyl profet for the sam vysche Is bot fyf hondreth markes scotyes monyFootnote ¹⁴⁰² not vy^th standeng I trustyd to haue had the kyng my soons the moor kynde to me as he promysed me to haue bene bot I fynde the contrar dayly for I [deletion] am dayle holdyn In gret trovbyl and not answard nor obayd of my [fo. 26v] howsys and landes bot ewery day there comyshtFootnote ¹⁴⁰³ nv charges In good fayth deryst brothar I had lewer be deedFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁴ or I var Intretyd as I am for I am haldyn In gret suspecyon that non dar doo for me besehengFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁵ your grace to haue consyderacyon of me your only systar and that thys rawlme may ondarstond as longe as I haf your grace that ȝe vol not sufar me to ^be^ vrongyd for It Is your gracys honnor and consyder allso that I haue made no fawt nor cavse to be trovblyd bot all only throw my ewel vyllars the lord of meffen and hys brotherFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁶ and there can no favt be frendFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁷ to me bot ewer Ingland castynFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁸ a pon me the vysche I thynk my best and ewer schal I In swr your grace deryst brothar and the kyng my soon and thys ravlme vyst that ȝe vold be dysplesyd that I var [deletion] ewel Intretyd It vold be [deletion] remedyd hastely vharefor I besche your grace to lat them know that and that It comes nowht of my schavengFootnote ¹⁴⁰⁹ to you bot that It Is knovn opynly or otharvays I may not lyf at plesur allso deryst brothar I besche your grace that ȝe vol cause the kyng my soon to lat my sentens be prononcyd the vysche Is both concludyd and vryten fyf moneths by pastFootnote ¹⁴¹⁰ and ȝe doyng thys for me to pwt me owt of dayly trobyl your grace schal be swr that I schal newer haue a hovsbond vhol I lyff bot lyf honorabyFootnote ¹⁴¹¹ to your honor and myne and vyth owt I get remedy I vol pas to som relygeo[us] place and byde vy^th them or ^I^ be Intretyd as I am [fo. 27r] and for my gret comfort I beseche your that ȝe vol make som erand In thys ravllme vyth som specyal sarwande of yours vyth all delygens that may be for vyth owt that I vol get no remedy for my lord of meffen cawsys the kyng my son to beleffe as longe as he Is on partydFootnote ¹⁴¹² and the sentens on gyffne that ^he^ schal take ope my landes and vol gyff them owr to the kyng for som pleswr to hym your grace schal ondarstond I haue not a place to dwell In bot In to a towne vysche Is gretly to your dyshonor that I your systar schwld be so Intretyd I can not vryt as I hafe cavse bot I reffar me to your grace and that thys my sayd vryteng be secretly keped for my dystrokcyon and vhan ȝe send In thys ravllme that your grace vol plese to send to me for It may doo me gret plesur and profet and haue ^I^ not your helpe and supleFootnote ¹⁴¹³ I schal not set by thys varld as It vol be sene on me no moor at thys tyme bot god presarfe you vryten at dwnde the xv saxten day of octobar

your luffeng systar

margaret R

110. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: [May 1538]Footnote ¹⁴¹⁴

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/5 fos 37r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 302 mm (h) x 187 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 12 mm below the main letter text and 46 mm above the bottom edge of the page. The outer address leaf does not survive. Due to conservation work on fo. 37v it is not clear how this letter was originally secured.

[fo. 149r]

My lord and cowsine I command me hartly to you and ȝe schal ondarstand I haue resayved a vryteng from the kyngs grace my derryst brotharFootnote ¹⁴⁴² and has hard the credens vhare a pon I haue vryten to the ^kyng^ grace vy^th my avne hand ansvar In sysch sort as I can and I trust ȝe vol se the sam and helpe me vyth your good vord and dede so for as ȝe may for vyth helpe of god I schal desyr no thyng bot resonabyl and to the kings honovr consyderyng my lord that I am hys nattvral syster I thynke I schuld haue hys gracys helpe and fortyfycacyon In syche matars as consarnys to my honnor and velth that Is to say tovscheng my dovar and conIoufetment that I schvld brovke the sam for my lyfftyme In sych sort as It Is contrak It be the kyng my fadarFootnote ¹⁴⁴³ and the kyng that vas my hovsbondFootnote ¹⁴⁴⁴ vysche Is gretly to the kyngs grace my brothars honnor to hold me In the sam posesyon and be cavse hys grace may knov It parfytly vhat I schvld haue and vhat I haue not gotyn I haue send the varray playnge thinge to see In a bouke prayeng you my lord to take good consyderacyon a pon It so that I may fynd remedFootnote ¹⁴⁴⁵ and helpe for he Is gracyosFootnote ¹⁴⁴⁶ to helpe ony that sekes hys helpe and me thynke I schvld be the fvrst I trwstyd never to haue bene doon to In syche mannar as I haue fondFootnote ¹⁴⁴⁷ In tyme past be cavse I am not kyndly lukyd a pon as I trustyd ever tyl haue bene I can not ^vryt^ playnly vhol I knov the kyngs grace my brothars mynde tovart me for sych cavsys as thys berar vhol schav to you In my name prayeng you my lord and to gyff thys berar credens and schav you a kynd frende and kynsman to me as my trust Is and god haue you In hys kepyng

your causynesFootnote ¹⁴⁴⁸ margaret R

114. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk

Date and place of sending: 28 February 1541, [Edinburgh]

Archival reference: BL, Add MS 32,646 fos 151r–v

Material features: A holograph letter written on a single sheet of paper with portrait orientation, measuring 227 mm (h) x 208 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located on the right-hand side of the page, 25 mm below the main letter text and 22 mm above the bottom edge of the page. Fo. 151v is left blank. This letter does not have an outer address leaf, as it was enclosed in Letter 113.

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 151r]

My lord and covsne aftar I had vryten my lettar to you I remembard soom othar thyng vysche thys berar bervykFootnote ¹⁴⁴⁹ vol schav you vhom to I pray you my lord gyf creden[ce] for I a swre you and It be not to a InglysFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁰ man I vol be var or I send credens for I ^haue^ gotyn part of trovbyl In syche cassys My lord and covsyne I trust ȝe remembar that I am your mastar the kyngs graceFootnote ¹⁴⁵¹ ^only^ systar and for hes sake and the kyng my fadarsFootnote ¹⁴⁵² ȝe vol schav your a kynde kynsman and frend to me that I may fynde the sam be my affayrs as I haue a do and that I may swrly and kyndly knov the kyng grace my brothars plesvr In all sorts for and Itb It be bot general It volbe les loukydFootnote ¹⁴⁵³ a pon bot for me I schal be ordand In all sorts as schal ples hys grace and prays you my lord as ȝe ^may^ goodly that I haue ansvar vy^th expedycon becavse I am oft tyymes In the ȝerre In fardar parts of thys ravlme and god haue ȝ you In hys kepyn

your covsynesFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁴ and frend

margaret R

115. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Date and place of sending: 12 May 1541, Stirling

Archival reference: TNA, SP 49/5 fos 49r–50v

Material features: A holograph letter written on the first page of a four-page document with portrait orientation, measuring 308 mm (h) x 210 mm (w). The closing subscription and signature are located in the bottom right-hand corner of the page, 14 mm below the main letter text. Fos 49v and 50r are left blank and the address is located on fo. 50v. The letter is secured using a slit-and-band letter-locking mechanism. The original seal does not survive; however, wax residue remains, measuring 33 mm in diameter.

Address [Holograph]

[fo. 50v]

To the kyngs grace my derryst brothar

Main letter text [Holograph]

[fo. 49r]

deryst brothar the kyng In any most hwmbyl mannar I recommand me to your grace vhom plesys to vyt I haue resayved your vryteng and ondarstandys the sam vhare of I thanke your grace of your good mynde tovart me your systar bot plessyth you deryst brotha[r] here hath bene gret dyspleswr for ye deth of ye prynce and hys brotharFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁵ both vy^th the kyng my derryst soonFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁶ and the qwene hys vyffeFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁷ vhare for I haue dwn gret delygens to put them In comfort and Is newer from them bot ewer In thayr company vhare of thay are varray glad here for I pray your grace to hold me excwsyd that I vryt not at length of my mattars at thys tyme be cawse I can get no laysar at thys tyme bot I trust ȝe vol stand my kynde and loveng brothar and that I get not noo hwrt In no thyng that I vryt to your grace nor that ȝe vol not vryt no thyng belongeng [deletion] me your systar to the kynge my soon vyth owt I be fvrst avartysyd and that It be vyth my avysse prayeng your grace derryst brothar that It vol ples you to doo thys for me your systar and I am [deletion] and schalbe ever redy at my powr to doo your graces vyl and plesur bot I am ferdFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁸ that I pwt your grace to gret payne and travel to reed my offt vrytengs and my ewel vryteng hand prayeng your grace to pardon me of the sam and that It vol ples you deryst brothar to kepe secret ony vrytengs that I send for othar vays It may doo me gret hvrt vysche I trwst your grace vol not doo to me your systar seIng I am remayngFootnote ¹⁴⁵⁹ In thys ravlme as god knows vhom presarfe your grace vryten at styrlyng the xij day of maye

your loveng systar magaret R

Footnotes

¹ Whilst this letter does not detail where it was composed and dispatched, it was likely written shortly after Margaret's marriage to James IV in Edinburgh on 8 August 1503.

² yeue give.

³ Thomas Barton, footman of Elizabeth of York. Barton accompanied Margaret on her journey to Scotland in 1503.

⁴ Elizabeth of York, queen of England (1466–1503).

⁵ soyle absolve from sin (OED 2023, soil, v.2, sense 1; DSL 2023, assoilȝe, v., sense 1).

⁶ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 2nd duke of Norfolk (1443–1524).

⁷ her here.

⁸ Andrew Forman, bishop of Moray and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1465–1521).

⁹ ordeth ordereth; orders.

¹⁰ Sir Ralph Verney, chamberlain and head of Margaret's household between 1503 and 1507.

¹¹ wull will.

¹² ben being.

¹³ comford comfort.

¹⁴ oulde hold. An example of h-dropping.

¹⁵ nolaysyr no leisure.

¹⁶ wyta wIhse with a wish.

¹⁷ welef is not recorded in the OED or DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the term ‘relief’.

¹⁸ erefter hereafter. An example of h-dropping.

¹⁹ ths this.

²⁰ ys his. An example of h-dropping.

²¹ gepyng is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It appears to be an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘keeping’.

²² douter daughter.

²³ The archive record dates this letter as being sent in 1522. However, the contents of the letter indicates that it was penned in 1515. It is difficult to know Margaret's exact location when this letter was penned on 8 July 1515. Margaret may have been in Edinburgh, as scribal letters sent in her name between 10 and 21 August 1515 were sent from Edinburgh. However, it is more likely that this letter was sent from Stirling Castle, as Thomas Dacre noted that Margaret was at Stirling between mid July and early August (Thomas Dacre to the Lords of the Council 1 August 1515, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fo. 358 and Thomas Dacre to the Council, 4 August 1515, TNA, SP 49/1 fo. 27).

²⁴ Balthasar Stuart, ambassador of Pope Leo X.

²⁵ Pope Leo X (1475–1521).

²⁶ This letter features the use of the distinctive Scots qu- spelling for the terms <quham> (whom), <quhom> (whom), <quhen> (when), and <quharfor> (wherefore). This orthographic feature is not present in the majority of Margaret's holograph correspondence. Its presence here suggests that Margaret may have copied a draft of this letter written by a Scots scribe – most likely her Scots clerk James Inglis, whose signature is present in the bottom right-hand corner of the page – and transmitted this orthographic feature into her holograph fair copy of the letter.

²⁷ spcyall special.

²⁸ brohtto brought to.

²⁹ lentryn Lent (OED 2023, Lenten, n. and adj., sense B1; DSL 2023, Lentrin, n., sense 1).

³⁰ passȝ pass.

³¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³² credene credence.

³³ This letter was written sometime in August or early September, as it was forwarded to the English court by Thomas Dacre, with a collection of his letters dated 7 September 1515 (Thomas Dacre and Thomas Magnus to Henry VIII, 7 September 1515, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 90r–v). In addition to Letter 3, Margaret also sent a credence to Thomas Dacre with ‘hir trusty seruant Robyn Care’ (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 95r–v). In this credence, Margaret noted that she was being held against her will by the duke of Albany in Edinburgh, and that she was not permitted to see or communicate with her sons and closest friends.

³⁴ sykerly reliably (DSL 2023, sikerlie, adv., sense 6).

³⁵ Robin Kerr (or Carr), messenger of Margaret Tudor.

³⁶ constrayd constrained.

³⁷ hm him.

³⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁹ Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (c.1494–1546).

⁴⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴¹ This letter features extensive use of the virgule punctation mark to signal the beginning of a new phrase or clause. This is somewhat unusual in relation to the majority of Margaret's holograph correspondence, as she typically signalled the beginning of a new phrase or clause using a conjunction or an address term (such as ‘dearest brother’).

⁴² yesternyght I cam hytder last night I came hither.

⁴³ heal health (OED 2023, heal | hele, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, hele, n.2, sense 1).

⁴⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁵ The Scottish ambassadors sent to London included: David Arnot, bishop of Galloway; Sir William Scott; James Ogliby, abbot of Dryburgh; and the French ambassador, Monsieur Jean de Plains (see Thomas Dacre to Henry VIII, 12th April 1516, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B III fo. 33).

⁴⁶ herynne closed here enclosed. Margaret had enclosed the Scottish ambassadors’ correspondence within this letter.

⁴⁷ Margaret had also enclosed two replies she had written in response to the Scottish ambassadors’ letter.

⁴⁸ loweng suster loving sister.

⁴⁹ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was perhaps sent sometime in May 1516.

⁵⁰ James Barrow, messenger.

⁵¹ Baynard's Castle, London.

⁵² varst worst.

⁵³ Though undated, this letter was likely sent sometime in July/August 1516, as it discusses the proposal of the duke of Albany coming to England to entreat for peace before returning to France to visit his wife, Anne de La Tour, and Francis I, king of France.

⁵⁴ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁵⁵ gladder pleased (OED 2023, glad, adj., sense 3b; DSL 2023, glad, adj., sense 1).

⁵⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁸ The date and place of the writing of this letter is difficult to determine. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. II: 1515–1518, ed. J.S. Brewer (London, 1864), entry no. 2233, dates this letter as being sent in July 1516, whereas BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar dates this letter as being sent in January 1517.

⁵⁹ Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

⁶⁰ artykyls articles, diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and H. Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance of Margaret Tudor's January 1522 diplomatic memorial’, Renaissance Studies, 35:3 (2021).

⁶¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶² The lords of Scotland.

⁶³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁴ teld told.

⁶⁵ ansurer answer.

⁶⁶ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, considering that this letter discusses Christmas, it was likely written sometime in November or December 1516.

⁶⁷ Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

⁶⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁹ garges wages (OED 2023, gage, n.1, sense 3; DSL 2023, gage, n.1, sense 2).

⁷⁰ owand owing (DSL 2023, owand, pres. p).

⁷¹ 200 English pounds.

⁷² Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁷³ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, given that the letter discusses New Year's rewards for 1517, this letter was likely written sometime in December 1516.

⁷⁴ New Year's Day.

⁷⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁶ Gaultier Malynne, secretary of John Stewart, duke of Albany. Gaultier was also sometimes referred to as ‘Cawter’.

⁷⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁸ porposyth proposes (OED 2023, purpose, v., sense I 1a; DSL 2023, purpos, v., sense 1).

⁷⁹ hys is. An example of h-insertion.

⁸⁰ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁸¹ The Battle of Flodden, also referred to as Flodden Field, where James IV was killed on 9 September 1513.

⁸² alleter a letter.

⁸³ 18,000 French crowns (coins) of standard weight (OED 2023, crown, n., sense IV 32a; DSL 2023, croun, n., sense 5d).

⁸⁴ Louis XII, king of France (1462–1515).

⁸⁵ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁸⁶ Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

⁸⁷ goth goeth; goes.

⁸⁸ St Andrew's Day, 30 November.

⁸⁹ Windsor.

⁹⁰ Edinburgh.

⁹¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹³ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁹⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁹⁵ schu show.

⁹⁶ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent sometime in September 1517.

⁹⁷ Perhaps David Hume, 4th baron of Wedderburn (1489–1524).

⁹⁸ David Hume, prior of Coldingham (d.1517?), younger brother of George Hume, 4th Lord Hume.

⁹⁹ George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549).

¹⁰⁰ Nigel Nicholl and Cuthbert Armstrong, messengers.

¹⁰¹ George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549).

¹⁰² David Hume, prior of Coldingham (d.1517?), younger brother of George Hume, 4th Lord Hume.

¹⁰³ schave show.

¹⁰⁴ Antoine d'Arcy, sieur de La Bastie (d.1517).

¹⁰⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁰⁷ St Andrew's Day, 30 November.

¹⁰⁸ tevastyd testified.

¹⁰⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹¹⁰ The lords of Scotland.

¹¹¹ comynekacyon communication.

¹¹² Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹¹³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹¹⁴ betuxte betwixt; between.

¹¹⁵ ravme realm.

¹¹⁶ Gaultier Malynne, secretary of John Stewart, duke of Albany. Gaultier was also sometimes referred to as ‘Cawter’.

¹¹⁷ Edinburgh.

¹¹⁸ brothe brother.

¹¹⁹ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹²⁰ Perhaps David Hume, 4th baron of Wedderburn (1489–1524).

¹²¹ Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹²² consyryng considering.

¹²³ sofered permitted (OED 2023, suffer, v., sense 14a; DSL 2023, suffer v., sense 7).

¹²⁴ St Matthew's Eve, 20 September 1517.

¹²⁵ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent sometime in 1517.

¹²⁶ William Adrington (also referred to as ‘Hatherington’, or ‘Haderington’), messenger.

¹²⁷ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹²⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹²⁹ cat in this sense is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is therefore likely an idiosyncratic spelling of the Scots verb ‘gat’, correlating to the English verb ‘get’ (OED 2023, get, v, sense 1; DSL 2023, get, v.1, sense 2).

¹³⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹³² The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 8 April 1519.

¹³³ £2,000 Scots.

¹³⁴ £3,000 Scots.

¹³⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹³⁶ cat in this sense is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is therefore likely an idiosyncratic spelling of the Scots verb ‘gat’, correlating to the English verb ‘get’ (OED 2023, get, v, sense 1; DSL 2023, get, v.1, sense 2).

¹³⁷ consydang considering.

¹³⁸ fayrnes fair words, polished speech (OED 2023, fairness, n., sense 2; DSL 2023, fairnes, n., sense 2).

¹³⁹ preves proves (OED 2023, prove, v., sense 5; DSL 2023, prev(e), v.1, sense 8).

¹⁴⁰ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁴¹ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

¹⁴² Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

¹⁴³ Variant of the phrase ‘conjunct feftment’, meaning possessed or joint lands (DSL 2023, conjunct, adj., sense 2). Margaret uses this term to refer to the rents from her dower lands.

¹⁴⁴ Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld (c.1476–1522), uncle of Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, earl of Angus.

¹⁴⁵ tokemȝ took my.

¹⁴⁶ Newark Castle, Selkirkshire. Newark Castle was in the Forest of Ettrick and was one of Margaret's dower lands.

¹⁴⁷ 4,000 Scots merks.

¹⁴⁸ schvIth showeth; shows.

¹⁴⁹ mary marry.

¹⁵⁰ Whilst the majority of post between England and Scotland was conveyed by land via the Great North Road, Margaret's note here suggests that this letter might have been sent via sea for issues of security during periods of war or strife. My thanks to Anna Turnham, University of Kent, for her valuable insights and knowledge on this topic.

¹⁵¹ No date is given for the sending of this letter. BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that the letter was sent sometime in 1520. However, references to a French orator being present at the Scottish court were made in a letter sent by Thomas Dacre to Thomas Wolsey on 26 July 1519 (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 168). Letter 17 may thus have been sent at a similar time. As Letter 18 was written in Edinburgh on 14 July 1519, Margaret may also have penned Letter 17 in Edinburgh.

¹⁵² thowgeng is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘touching’.

¹⁵³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁵⁴ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁵⁵ nve new.

¹⁵⁶ powr power; authority to act (OED 2023, power, n.1., sense 5a; DSL 2023, power, n., sense 8).

¹⁵⁷ Robert Galbraith, advocate of Margaret Tudor (d.1543).

¹⁵⁸ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers, pp. 24–29.

¹⁵⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁶⁰ saihul is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘shall’.

¹⁶¹ £2,000 Scots.

¹⁶² James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

¹⁶³ BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar dates this letter to 1520. However, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III: 1519–1523, ed. J.S. Brewer (London, 1867), entry no. 381, suggests that this letter was sent in 1519, which seems more appropriate as the contents of this letter are corroborated by that of Thomas Dacre's outgoing correspondence for this period.

¹⁶⁴ John Simpson, messenger and servant of Thomas Dacre, 2nd baron of Gilsland.

¹⁶⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁶⁶ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹⁶⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁶⁸ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

¹⁶⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁷⁰ The lords of Scotland.

¹⁷¹ I to hafe broukyt pessably my nawn I to have the use of peacefully my own. In this phrase, Margaret is presumably making reference to having the peaceful use/possession of her residences and the rents from her dower lands. (OED 2023, brook, v.1, sense 1; peaceably, adv., sense 2; nown, adj. and pron., sense 1; DSL 2023, brouk, v., sense 1; pesabilly, adv. (a.), sense 1; nawn, adj., n.).

¹⁷² vrytens and ssellys writings and seals.

¹⁷³ bettetar is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It therefore appears to be an idiosyncratic spelling and likely corresponds to the term ‘better’.

¹⁷⁴ scortly rapidly (OED 2023, shortly, adv., sense 2; DSL 2023, s(c)hortly, adv., sense 2).

¹⁷⁵ allsvay in addition (OED 2023, also, adv. and n., sense 3; DSL 2023, alswa, adv.).

¹⁷⁶ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹⁷⁷ furdr[i]ng furthering.

¹⁷⁸ myhgt might.

¹⁷⁹ Robert Barton, comptroller of Scotland (d.1540). As comptroller of Scotland, Barton was responsible for overseeing the revenues and expenditure of the crown.

¹⁸⁰ No date is given for the sending of this letter. However, we might tentatively date it as being sent around July 1519, as it makes reference to a letter sent by Margaret to Francis I, king of France and loans of money from the Scottish comptroller, Robert Barton, mentioned in Letter 18.

¹⁸¹ I haf a doo and doo haftar I have to do and do after. Features an example of h-insertion.

¹⁸² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁸³ rawmlme realm.

¹⁸⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁸⁵ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹⁸⁶ Robert Barton, comptroller of Scotland (d.1540).

¹⁸⁷ £600.

¹⁸⁸ vot know (OED 2023, wit, v.1, sense I 2a; DSL 2023, wit, v.1, sense 3).

¹⁸⁹ The lords of Scotland.

¹⁹⁰ Stirling.

¹⁹¹ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

¹⁹² John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁹³ hs his.

¹⁹⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

¹⁹⁵ howbet although (OED 2023, howbeit, adv. and conj., B conj.; DSL 2023, howbeit, conj.).

¹⁹⁶ Unnamed lords in the western part of Scotland.

¹⁹⁷ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁹⁸ proffars offers (OED 2023, proffer, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, proffer, n.).

¹⁹⁹ Friar Henry Chaidworth, minister of the Observant Friars in England (see a letter from the earl of Angus to Henry VIII, sent 19 October 1519 (Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 481).

²⁰⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

²⁰¹ George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549).

²⁰² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

²⁰³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

²⁰⁴ Robert Barton, comptroller of Scotland (d.1540).

²⁰⁵ £500 Scots.

²⁰⁶ nowhtawnsuerd not answered.

²⁰⁷ Stirling and Linlithgow.

²⁰⁸ The Forest of Ettrick and the Earldom of March, part of Margaret's dower lands.

²⁰⁹ The lands of Newark Castle, Selkirkshire. Newark Castle was in the Forest of Ettrick and was another of Margaret's dower lands.

²¹⁰ £400 Scots.

²¹¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²¹² I haue a sayd long I have long experienced (OED 2023, assay, v., sense I 11; DSL 2023, assay, v., sense 1).

²¹³ I had leuer be ded I would rather be dead (OED 2023, lief, adj. & adv., sense 1c).

²¹⁴ too Revmluys two realms.

²¹⁵ [r]enve renew.

²¹⁶ monyest most (OED 2023, many, adj., pron., and n., and adv., sense 2c; DSL 2023, mony, adj., sense 5d).

²¹⁷ schanslar chancellor. The chancellor of Scotland at this time was James Beaton, archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

²¹⁸ atowryte authority.

²¹⁹ part of chens Perhaps meaning ‘some chains’ (OED 2023, part, n.1, sense 3a; DSL 2023, part, n. and adv., sense 1; chen, n).

²²⁰ vhoy is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘how’.

²²¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

²²² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²²³ hyndad hindered.

²²⁴ fordard furthered (DSL 2023, forder, v.).

²²⁵ vhol will.

²²⁶ enterteny entertain (DSL 2023, enterteny, v.).

²²⁷ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

²²⁸ mght might.

²²⁹ rese[…]fyn receiving.

²³⁰ herhafar hereafter.

²³¹ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

²³² lypen place trust, faith, or confidence to (OED 2023, lippen, v., sense 1; DSL 2023, lippin, v., sense 1).

²³³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

²³⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²³⁵ naturarl natural.

²³⁶ St John's Day, 24 June.

²³⁷ effe heavy. An example of h-dropping.

²³⁸ troblos vexatious (DSL 2023, trubillous, adj., sense 2).

²³⁹ tene the one (DSL 2023, tan, pron., sense A).

²⁴⁰ the var the more severely (DSL 2023, war, adj. (adv., n.), sense B1).

²⁴¹ Candlemas, 2 February.

²⁴² Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland (1467–1525).

²⁴³ Thomas Benolt, Clarenceux King of Arms; English Herald of Arms (d.1534).

²⁴⁴ John Dickson, Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

²⁴⁵ Margaret referred to this genre of epistolary communication by a variety of titles including ‘memorial’, ‘instructions’, or ‘articles’. For further discussion of the memorial genre see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’. This memorial was carried with two letters of credence addressed to Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey (Letters 25 and 26).

²⁴⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²⁴⁷ myry merry.

²⁴⁸ gyf hys grace to ondarstand give his grace information that will lead him to understand (OED 2023, give, v., sense VII 29c).

²⁴⁹ sweng Perhaps corresponds to the verb ‘swing’, meaning, ‘to labour, toil’ (DSL 2023, swing, v., sense 4).

²⁵⁰ John Dickson, Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

²⁵¹ St John's Day, 24 June.

²⁵² fawt Margaret perhaps meant ‘forth’ here.

²⁵³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

²⁵⁴ onoraby[l] honourable. An example of h-dropping.

²⁵⁵ sufecyant capable (OED 2023, sufficient, adj., adv., and n., sense 3a; DSL 2023, sufficiand, adj., sense 3).

²⁵⁶ foloy follow (OED 2023, follow, v., sense 10b; DSL 2023, folȝe, v.).

²⁵⁷ atempar moderate (OED 2023, attemper, v., sense 3; DSL 2023, attemper, v.).

²⁵⁸ thowt thought.

²⁵⁹ aicht oath (OED 2023, oath, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, athe, n., sense 1).

²⁶⁰ Inposybyl impossible.

²⁶¹ prolongacyon extension (OED 2023, prolongation, n., sense 2; DSL 2023, prolongacioun, n.).

²⁶² not ganstandyng notwithstanding (OED 2023, gainstand, v., sense b; DSL 2023, ganstand, v., sense 3).

²⁶³ rescet harbour or shelter a thief or criminal (OED 2023, reset, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, reset, v., sense 1).

²⁶⁴ dewys devise.

²⁶⁵ redand reflect (OED 2023, redound, v., sense 4b).

²⁶⁶ Inttarmetys interferes (OED 2023, entermete, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, entermet, v., sense 2).

²⁶⁷ of the kyng my sons It would appear that a term is missing from this phrase. It is difficult to determine what this missing element may have been, though ‘purse' or ‘expenses’ may be likely substitutes.

²⁶⁸ seand considering (DSL 2023, seand, quasi-prep., conj.).

²⁶⁹ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

²⁷⁰ theffys thieves.

²⁷¹ brokyng holding (OED 2023, brok, v.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, brok, v.).

²⁷² berayrng bearing.

²⁷³ Bishopric of Dunkeld.

²⁷⁴ delykt crime (OED 2023, delict, n.; DSL 2023, delict, n.).

²⁷⁵ an abassy and benyfes an abbacy and benefices.

²⁷⁶ Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld (c.1476–1522). Upon Albany's return to Scotland in November 1521, George Douglas travelled to London and sent a series of letters to Thomas Wolsey, complaining of Albany's governorship in Scotland. Whilst Margaret favoured Gavin Douglas after her marriage to his nephew Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus – with Margaret even recommending Gavin Douglas for the bishopric of St Andrews in 1514 – this favour was lost following the breakdown of Margaret's marriage with the earl of Angus (P. Bawcutt, ‘Douglas, Gavin’, ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/7882 (accessed 4 April 2023)).

²⁷⁷ dessensyon disagreement (OED 2023, dissension, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, dissensioun, n., sense 1).

²⁷⁸ Perhaps George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549), brother of David Hume, 4th baron of Wedderburn (1489–1524).

²⁷⁹ prffe prove.

²⁸⁰ obaysant obedient (OED 2023, obeisant, adj. and n., sense A1a; DSL 2023, obeisant, a.).

²⁸¹ Thomas Benolt, Clarenceux King of Arms; English Herald of Arms (d.1534).

²⁸² a qwanttyd aquainted.

²⁸³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

²⁸⁴ awdens audience.

²⁸⁵ strage strange.

²⁸⁶ grae grace.

²⁸⁷ Margaret likely wrote this memorial in her own hand to increase the chances of her messenger gaining an audience with Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey, and to materially signal her commitment and dedication to Henry VIII and the peace negotiations between England and Scotland. For a detailed discussion of this document, see Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

²⁸⁸ John Dickson, Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

²⁸⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²⁹⁰ St John's Day, 24 June.

²⁹¹ comond discussed (OED 2023, common, v., sense 5b; DSL 2023, common, v., sense 4).

²⁹² ewel avyssed ‘disposed to wrongdoing’ (DSL 2023, evil-avisit, adj.).

²⁹³ tws truce.

²⁹⁴ thol tolerate (OED 2023, thole, v., sense 2a; DSL 2023, thol, v., sense 2).

²⁹⁵ requel welcome (OED 2023, recueil, v., sense 2; DSL 2023, recueil, v.).

²⁹⁶ tret negotiate (OED 2023, treat, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, tret, v., sense 1b).

²⁹⁷ lear liar (OED 2023, liar, n.; DSL 2023, leyar, n.).

²⁹⁸ sarwetur servant (OED 2023, servitor, n., sense 1b; DSL 2023, servitor, n., sense 1).

²⁹⁹ oblys obliges (OED 2023, oblige, v., sense IV 9a; DSL 2023, oblis, v., 7c).

³⁰⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁰¹ letars credens and Instrwkcyons letters of credence and instructions. These documents formed the main written documentation for the negotiation of early modern diplomatic issues, such as peace treaties and royal marriages, and they were often carried by formal ambassadorial parties or sent to residential ambassadors abroad. For further discussion see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’. See also G. Mattingly, Renaissance Diplomacy (London, 1955); D. Queller, The Office of Ambassador in the Middle Ages (Princeton, 1967); J. G. Dickinson, The Congress of Arras 1435: A Study in Medieval Diplomacy (Oxford, 1955).

³⁰² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁰³ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a scribal letter was sent in Margaret's name on 11 February 1522 from Edinburgh. This would suggest that Margaret was likely in Edinburgh when she composed this letter to Thomas Wolsey.

³⁰⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁰⁵ Pope Adrian VI (1459–1523).

³⁰⁶ Glasgow.

³⁰⁷ dyosy diocese.

³⁰⁸ provence An ecclesiastical province.

³⁰⁹ exsempcyon priuelegs In ecclesiastical law – ‘[a] special ordinance issued by the Pope, granting exemption from certain civil or canon laws in the execution of a particular office, commission, etc.’ (OED 2023, privilege, n., sense 1).

³¹⁰ This most likely this refers to James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland (c.1473–1539). The duke of Albany nominated Beaton for the archbishopric of St Andrews in late 1521, after the death of the previous archbishop, Andrew Forman, in March 1521. However, Beaton was not formally translated to the position until June 1523 (J.K. Cameron, ‘Beaton, James (c.1473–1539)', ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/1824 (accessed 25 January 2023)).

³¹¹ procatwrȝ agents (OED 2023, proctor, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, procurator, n.1, sense 2).

³¹² beand being (OED 2023, be, v.; DSL 2023, be, v.1).

³¹³ Rome.

³¹⁴ athvocat support (OED 2023, advocate, v., sense 3b).

³¹⁵ avdytorȝ ‘[o]ne who listens in a judicial capacity and tries cases brought before him or her for hearing’ (OED 2023, auditor, n., sense 4a).

³¹⁶ Roce In the Roman Catholic Church – ‘[o]ne of the three judicial branches of the papal Curia, with responsibility for appeals in ecclesiastical cases’ (OED 2023, rota, n., sense 1).

³¹⁷ Ivgyss judges.

³¹⁸ gonguvcyon is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is not entirely clear what Margaret intended with this term.

³¹⁹ motyff motive.

³²⁰ Iwgyȝ judges.

³²¹ Walter Maxwell, messenger.

³²² artyklys articles, diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

³²³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³²⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³²⁵ Friar Henry Chaidworth, minister of the Observant Friars in England.

³²⁶ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

³²⁷ The lords of Scotland.

³²⁸ vollys wills.

³²⁹ stirfe is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the verb ‘strive’ meaning ‘[t]o enter into dispute, engage in conflict (with another or for something)’ (DSL 2023, strive, v., sense 3).

³³⁰ Edinburgh.

³³¹ Edinburgh.

³³² mght might.

³³³ noch not (OED 2023, nought, pron., n., adv., and adj., sense C; DSL 2023, nocht, n., adv., sense B).

³³⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³³⁵ furnych provide (OED 2023, furnish, v., sense 3; DSL 2023, furnis, v., sense 1).

³³⁶ Iowels jewels.

³³⁷ coburd ‘[a] set of vessels displayed upon a sideboard; a service of plate’ (OED 2023, cupboard, n., sense 1b).

³³⁸ pwntys points.

³³⁹ The Earldom of March was part of Margaret's dower lands.

³⁴⁰ frome from me.

³⁴¹ kyfe is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the verb ‘give’.

³⁴² Henry VII, king of England (1457–1509).

³⁴³ Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld (c.1476–1522), uncle of Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, earl of Angus.

³⁴⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

³⁴⁵ Linlithgow.

³⁴⁶ hys is. This term features an example of h-insertion.

³⁴⁷ ondar collour under pretence (OED 2023, colour | color, n.1., sense P 2c; DSL 2023, colour, n., sense 3b).

³⁴⁸ fayr promysses insincere, flattering speech (OED 2023, fair, adj. and n.1., sense 4).

³⁴⁹ on doyng undoing.

³⁵⁰ foor vordys fair words.

³⁵¹ strancge strange.

³⁵² dod did.

³⁵³ Stirling Castle.

³⁵⁴ bof above.

³⁵⁵ bostyd threatened (OED 2023, boast, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, bost, v., sense 1).

³⁵⁶ vhow how.

³⁵⁷ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

³⁵⁸ common discuss (OED 2023, common, v., sense I 5b; DSL 2023, commoun, v., sense 4).

³⁵⁹ ow how. An example of h-dropping.

³⁶⁰ See ‘common’ above.

³⁶¹ ow out.

³⁶² vytyn written.

³⁶³ comyscyon authority (OED 2023, commission, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, commissioun, n., sense 1).

³⁶⁴ George Talbot, 4th earl of Shrewsbury and 4th earl of Waterford (1468–1538).

³⁶⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁶⁶ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁶⁷ vrytna written.

³⁶⁸ ten ‘[t]he one (of two)’ (DSL 2023, tan, pron., sense A).

³⁶⁹ comunecanse is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘communication’.

³⁷⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁷¹ entansyon intention.

³⁷² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁷³ dysymelacyon dissimulation.

³⁷⁴ vrytys writings.

³⁷⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁷⁶ Sir Anthony Ughtred, captain of Berwick (d.1534).

³⁷⁷ dwar ‘one who performs some act or deed’ (OED 2023, doer, n., sense 1).

³⁷⁸ a towr perhaps ‘[i]n addition, besides’ (DSL 2023, atour, prep., adv., sense B1).

³⁷⁹ wss use.

³⁸⁰ wayn vain.

³⁸¹ vytch with.

³⁸² opnyn open.

³⁸³ letngth length.

³⁸⁴ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

³⁸⁵ awarys advertise.

³⁸⁶ The date has been crossed out on this manuscript. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 2565, suggests that this letter was sent on 24 September 1522. In light of this date, this letter was likely sent from Edinburgh.

³⁸⁷ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

³⁸⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁸⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁹⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁹¹ contywaly continually.

³⁹² desyrand desiring (DSL 2023, desire, v., sense 2).

³⁹³ pacyfycacyon ‘[a]n instance of achieving or restoring peace; a reconciliation, a truce’ (OED 2023, pacification, n., sense 2).

³⁹⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁹⁵ vartysyd advertised.

³⁹⁶ conduce ‘[t]o bring about, bring to effect’ (OED 2023, conduce, v., sense 3).

³⁹⁷ abstynesnss abstinence.

³⁹⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁹⁹ leffand living (DSL 2023, lefand, pres. p., ppl. adj., sense 1).

⁴⁰⁰ eftarvard afterward.

⁴⁰¹ ay always (OED 2023, ay | aye, adv., sense 1b; DSL 2023, ay, adv., sense 1).

⁴⁰² transqwlite tranquility.

⁴⁰³ a peranss appearance.

⁴⁰⁴ dewoyr duty (OED 2023, devoir, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, devoir, n., sense 2).

⁴⁰⁵ sakye sake.

⁴⁰⁶ grae grace.

⁴⁰⁷ bwr is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the verb ‘bear’.

⁴⁰⁸ St John's Day, 24 June.

⁴⁰⁹ depechyt dispatched (DSL 2023, depesch, v., sense 2).

⁴¹⁰ In contenent immediately (OED 2023, incontinent, adv. (and adj.2), sense a; DSL 2023, incontenent, adv.).

⁴¹¹ prorocacyon extension (of peace) (OED 2023, prorogation, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, prorogatioun, n., sense 1).

⁴¹² vars worse.

⁴¹³ See ‘dewoyr’, above.

⁴¹⁴ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁴¹⁵ to gar ‘[t]o make or cause (a person or thing) to do something.’ (DSL 2023, gar, v., sense 3a).

⁴¹⁶ say sea.

⁴¹⁷ on sarttayn uncertain.

⁴¹⁸ oblycacyon obligation.

⁴¹⁹ bethe by the.

⁴²⁰ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁴²¹ huvbyl humble.

⁴²² pryved proved.

⁴²³ tobyl trouble.

⁴²⁴ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. Given that Margaret was stationed in Edinburgh on 24 September 1522, and in Stirling on 12 October 1522, it is likely that this letter was composed at one of these locations.

⁴²⁵ Jammy Dog (also known as James Doig, and James Dogg), messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Jammy Dog and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁴²⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴²⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴²⁸ It is unclear why Margaret did not sign this holograph letter.

⁴²⁹ John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526).

⁴³⁰ Rwmle realm.

⁴³¹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a comment made in a letter sent on the same day by James Beaton, chancellor of Scotland, notes that Margaret was in Perth (James Beaton to Thomas Dacre, 10 June 1523, BL, Add MS 24,965 fo. 21).

⁴³² James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁴³³ rght right.

⁴³⁴ fword forward.

⁴³⁵ acordan[g] according.

⁴³⁶ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was sent.

⁴³⁷ William Adrington (also referred to as ‘Hatherington’ or ‘Haderington’), messenger. See Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, Index: A.

⁴³⁸ meynyȝ means.

⁴³⁹ proponyd put forward (OED 2020, propone, v., sense 2; DSL 2023, propone, v.1, sense 1).

⁴⁴⁰ letegth length.

⁴⁴¹ This letter is written on the same date as Letter 38, which was sent from Edinburgh.

⁴⁴² The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁴³ lofiys loves.

⁴⁴⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁴⁵ towchyg touching.

⁴⁴⁶ thyay they.

⁴⁴⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴⁴⁸ gavd good.

⁴⁴⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁵⁰ standyh standeth; stands.

⁴⁵¹ devarȝ diverse.

⁴⁵² Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁴⁵³ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁵⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴⁵⁵ god good.

⁴⁵⁶ soply support (OED 2023, supply, v.1, sense I 4a; DSL 2023, supplé, v., sense 1).

⁴⁵⁷ terty entreaty (OED 2023, treaty, n., sense 4; DSL 2023, tretis, n., sense 3a).

⁴⁵⁸ The Assumption of Mary, 15 August.

⁴⁵⁹ Stirling.

⁴⁶⁰ ne farar no further (DSL 2023, farrer, adv.).

⁴⁶¹ bowndys boundaries (OED 2023, bound, n.1, sense 2a; DSL 2023, bound, n.1, sense 1).

⁴⁶² Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁴⁶³ David Arnot, bishop of Galloway (before 1497–1536 or 1537).

⁴⁶⁴ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁴⁶⁵ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁴⁶⁶ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁴⁶⁷ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁴⁶⁸ sykar sure (OED 2023, sicker, adj., & adv., sense I 2b).

⁴⁶⁹ fwlys fools.

⁴⁷⁰ French men.

⁴⁷¹ a boffyn vryten above-written.

⁴⁷² towsckyng touching.

⁴⁷³ chyldar children (DSL 2023, child, n., sense 4).

⁴⁷⁴ ryghtvus righteous.

⁴⁷⁵ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁴⁷⁶ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁴⁷⁷ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁴⁷⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴⁷⁹ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁸⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁸¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴⁸² latyn forth released (DSL 2023, lat, v.1, sense 10).

⁴⁸³ parforce by force (OED 2023, perforce, adv., n., and adj, sense 1; DSL 2023, perforce, adv., sense 2).

⁴⁸⁴ a gayn against (OED 2023, again, adv., prep., and conj., sense 6; DSL 2023, again. adv., sense 2).

⁴⁸⁵ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁴⁸⁶ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁴⁸⁷ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁴⁸⁸ This would appear to be an error. Margaret likely intended to use the pronoun ‘they’.

⁴⁸⁹ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter, however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 20 September 1523. The letter also does not detail the place of composition. However, a letter sent from Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, to Thomas Wolsey on 21 September 1523 mentions that Margaret desired Howard to come towards Edinburgh (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 340). Margaret was thus most likely in Edinburgh when she penned this letter.

⁴⁹⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴⁹¹ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁹² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁹³ foor beer forbear.

⁴⁹⁴ See note on Letter 40 regarding date and place of composition.

⁴⁹⁵ tathar the second (OED 2023, tother, pron. and adj., sense I 2; DSL 2023, tothir, adj. (pron.), sense A 1b).

⁴⁹⁶ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁹⁷ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴⁹⁸ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁹⁹ suspycyws suspicious.

⁵⁰⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (1482–1536).

⁵⁰¹ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁵⁰² ths this.

⁵⁰³ a buss abuse.

⁵⁰⁴ a [deletion] grement agreement.

⁵⁰⁵ Insterment In Scots law – ‘[a] formal and duly authenticated record, drawn up by a notary public or a court clerk, of a fact, deed, transaction, proceeding, etc.’ (OED 2020, instrument, n., sense 2a).

⁵⁰⁶ dyscharge ‘[a]n acquittance or receipt for payments received or due’ (DSL 2023, discharge, n., sense 1)

⁵⁰⁷ mowht mouth.

⁵⁰⁸ prysypal principle.

⁵⁰⁹ The letter does not detail the place of composition. As Margaret was in Edinburgh on 13 September 1523, she may still have been in Edinburgh when Letter 42 was penned.

⁵¹⁰ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁵¹¹ artykleȝ articles, diplomatic instructions. A copy of these instructions (made by Surrey's clerk) can be found at BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 331.

⁵¹² John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵¹³ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁵¹⁴ 6,000 footmen, 100 men of arms, 200 light horse.

⁵¹⁵ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 3423, lists this letter as having been sent on 12 October 1523. However, the BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 8 September 1523. As the duke of Albany did not return to Scotland until 20 September 1523, and this letter details Margaret showing correspondence to the duke of Albany, it is likely that it was sent on 12 October 1523.

⁵¹⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵¹⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁵¹⁸ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁵¹⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵²⁰ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁵²¹ St Johnstone, another name for Perth used in Scotland in the late medieval period.

⁵²² The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 13 October 1523. On the other hand, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 3368, lists this letter as having been sent on 29 September 1523. Given the similarity of this letter with the contents of Letter 43, it is more likely that this letter was sent on 13 October 1523.

⁵²³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵²⁴ vrytyg writing.

⁵²⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵²⁶ dressyth arranges (OED 2023, dress, v., sense 5b; DSL 2023, dres, v., sense 3).

⁵²⁷ Glasgow.

⁵²⁸ Edinburgh.

⁵²⁹ a sayd attacked (OED 2023, assay, v., sense II 14a; DSL 2023, assay, v., sense 3).

⁵³⁰ ‘all’ is underlined in the original manuscript.

⁵³¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁵³² varȝ worse.

⁵³³ 28 cannons and 4 double-cannons.

⁵³⁴ Norham, Northumberland. In late August 1513, James IV and his forces attacked and captured Norham Castle. Only a few weeks later, James IV was killed at the Battle of Flodden and Norham Castle passed back to English hands.

⁵³⁵ pavasys distinctive late-medieval shields, flat and often oblong in shape (OED 2023, pavise, n., sense 1a).

⁵³⁶ gangan a pon vhylyȝ travelling upon wheels (OED 2023, gang, v.1, sense 1a).

⁵³⁷ schwt shoot.

⁵³⁸ brek the hostys syndre break the army apart (OED 2023, host, n.1, sense 1a; sundry, adv., sense 2; DSL 2023, host, n.2, sense 1; sindry, adv., sense 2).

⁵³⁹ tway scharpe suardys two sharp swords (OED 2023, tway, adj., sense 1; DSL 2023, twa, num, sense A1).

⁵⁴⁰ smaar hartylyre small artillery (OED 2023, small, adj., and n.2, sense 6a; DSL 2023, smal, adj., n., sense 5). ‘hartylyre’ also features an instance of h-insertion.

⁵⁴¹ vyttall and vyne food or provisions and wine (OED 2023, victual, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, victual, n.).

⁵⁴² forovr four.

⁵⁴³ fowr scoor of bardyd hors eighty armed horses (OED 2023, fourscore, adj.; barded, adj.; DSl 2023, fourscore, n., sense 1; bardit, adj.).

⁵⁴⁴ the frenche men ar nombard In all sax thowsand men the frenchmen are numbered in all six thousand men.

⁵⁴⁵ vangard ‘[t]he foremost division of an army’ (OED 2023, vanguard, n., sense 1a).

⁵⁴⁶ allmaynȝ Germans (OED 2023, Almain, n. and adj., sense A1; DSL 2023, Almain, n.2, sense 1).

⁵⁴⁷ the fwrst fayr vynd that blawȝ the first fair wind that blows.

⁵⁴⁸ It is not entirely clear what Margaret means in the phrase ‘all so I promyȝ you that every body sayth that thre hondreth thowsand hath not made thys gret provysyon’. She perhaps means something along the lines of ‘The duke of Albany and his supporters have made provisions as if it were for 300,000 men.’

⁵⁴⁹ samal hand gonȝ and pykys and halbartys small hand guns and pikes and halberds (‘a spear and battle axe combined’) (OED 2023, halberd, n., sense 1a).

⁵⁵⁰ borwhȝ ‘[p]ledges, sureties’ (DSL 2023, borowis, n., pl.1).

⁵⁵¹ Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.

⁵⁵² dyspytwsyly cruelly (OED 2023, despiteously, adv.; DSL 2023, dispitously, adv.).

⁵⁵³ a pen upon.

⁵⁵⁴ Richard de la Pole (d.1525), soldier and claimant to the English throne. Pole was the fifth son of John de la Pole (1442–1492) and his wife Elizabeth Plantagenet (1444–1503/4), who was a sister of Edward IV. In spring 1523, Richard de la Pole was in France with the duke of Albany. At this time, Cardinal Wolsey was receiving regular intelligence that Albany and Pole were planning to invade England. However, even though Albany and Pole left France at the same time, Albany arrived in Scotland on 20 September 1523, but without Pole. It was still anticipated that Pole would mount an invasion into England, but he did not do so and little is known of ‘his movements until the spring of 1524, when a spy in his service was arrested in Picardy’ (S. Cunningham, ‘Pole, Richard de la (d.1525), ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/22458 (accessed 6 February 2023).

⁵⁵⁵ ben[…] been.

⁵⁵⁶ plech ‘[to] deposit or assign as security for the repayment of a loan’ (OED 2023, pledge, v., sense 3a).

⁵⁵⁷ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁵⁵⁸ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁵⁵⁹ saruyȝ service.

⁵⁶⁰ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529). In this postscript Margaret details that Arran had the rule of Tevedal, the marches, the Lothian, Stirlingshire, and Linlithgow.

⁵⁶¹ Alexander Gordon, 3rd earl of Huntly (d.1524). Huntly had the rule of the north parts of Scotland.

⁵⁶² John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526). Lennox had the rule of the west lands of Scotland.

⁵⁶³ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529). Argyll had the rule of the men of the Highlands.

⁵⁶⁴ Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (c.1494–1546). Maxwell became the hereditary steward of Annandale, in Dumfries and Galloway, in June 1513 after his father resigned from the post, and he was received the wardenship of the west march in 1515 from the duke of Albany (C. A. McGladdery, ‘Maxwell, Robert, 5th Lord Maxwell, (c.1494–1546)’, ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/18410 (accessed 6 February 2023).

⁵⁶⁵ Stirling.

⁵⁶⁶ Edinburgh.

⁵⁶⁷ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, in a copy of a letter sent by Margaret to Patrick Sinclair, Margaret mentioned that she was planning on visiting her son in Linlithgow on Tuesday 13 October 1523 but that she would return to Edinburgh on Thursday 15 October 1523 (Margaret Tudor to Patrick Sinclair, BL, Add MS 24,965 fo. 94b). Margaret was therefore probably in Edinburgh on 19 October 1523 when Letter 45 was composed.

⁵⁶⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁶⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁷⁰ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁵⁷¹ Alexander Hoppringle, brother of Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁵⁷² geer possessions (OED 2023, gear, n., sense 9b; DSL 2023, gere, n., sense 2).

⁵⁷³ vyhol while.

⁵⁷⁴ The lords of Scotland.

⁵⁷⁵ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁵⁷⁶ knawht know.

⁵⁷⁷ See note of Letter 45 regarding place of composition.

⁵⁷⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁷⁹ amangst amongst.

⁵⁸⁰ Pope Adrian VI (1459–1523).

⁵⁸¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁸² the pepyȝ bryf ‘[a] letter of the pope to an individual or a religious community upon matters of discipline’ (OED 2023, brief, n.1, sense 2a).

⁵⁸³ Margaret of Austria, duchess of Savoy (1480–1530).

⁵⁸⁴ complyssyng accomplishing (OED 2023, complish, v., sense 2).

⁵⁸⁵ efwsyon of blwd bloodshed, slaughter (OED 2023, effusion, n., sense 1a).

⁵⁸⁶ See note of Letter 45 regarding place of composition.

⁵⁸⁷ honeust honest.

⁵⁸⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁸⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁹⁰ vrowht performed (OED 2023, work, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, wirk, v., sense 1).

⁵⁹¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁹² vyten written.

⁵⁹³ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 3465, suggests that this letter was sent on 24 October 1523. With regards to composition, it is not entirely clear where Margaret was when this letter was composed. Margaret noted that she returned to Edinburgh on 15 October 1523 but she had moved to Stirling by 14 November 1523. Margaret may therefore have been in Edinburgh or Stirling when this letter was composed, though she may also have spent some time at Linlithgow during this period.

⁵⁹⁴ I can find little information regarding the figure of Edam Dondaȝ (also referred to as Adam Dondaz or Adam Dundas). In a letter sent to Thomas Wolsey on 24 October 1523, Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, notes that Adam Dondaz was ‘in great favour with the Duke [of Albany]’ (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 364).

⁵⁹⁵ A document sealed with the Great Seal of Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁵⁹⁶ fayly fail.

⁵⁹⁷ yours ȝe vayt yours ye wit (know). Margaret refrained from signing her name in this letter and instead concluded this letter with the phrase ‘yours ye know’, as this was a secret and highly sensitive letter. This strategy would have offered Margaret some protection if the letter fell into the wrong hands, as she would not have been identified instantly as its sender. However, Margaret likely chose to write this letter in her own hand so that it would have been recognized by her servant, Patrick Sinclair, as being authentic and trustworthy. See H. Newsome-Chandler, ‘“for goddes sake kepe my writing secrete for it is my destruction”: Strategies of epistolary secrecy in the letters of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots (1489–1541)’, Royal Studies Journal, 11:2 (2024), 103–132 for further discussion of this particular letter.

⁵⁹⁸ See note of Letter 48 regarding place of composition.

⁵⁹⁹ lyke likely.

⁶⁰⁰ vryth with.

⁶⁰¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁰² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁰³ See note of Letter 48 regarding place of composition.

⁶⁰⁴ a cowandyt ‘a document granted to ensure safe passage’ (OED 2023, conduct, n.1, sense I 2).

⁶⁰⁵ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶⁰⁶ See note of Letter 48 regarding place of composition.

⁶⁰⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁰⁸ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁶⁰⁹ Thomas Grey, 2nd marquess of Dorset (1477–1530).

⁶¹⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶¹¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶¹² Stirling.

⁶¹³ conttyd contented.

⁶¹⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶¹⁵ Edinburgh.

⁶¹⁶ on honest Iowrnay dishonourable journey (DSL 2023, unhonest, adj., sense 2).

⁶¹⁷ The lords of Scotland.

⁶¹⁸ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁶¹⁹ John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526).

⁶²⁰ seld betrayed (OED 2023, sell, v., sense 2a; DSL 2023, sel, v., sense 1).

⁶²¹ Tuesday next coming.

⁶²² combor trouble (OED 2023, cumber, n., sense 2b; DSL 2023, cummer, n.1, sense 2).

⁶²³ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶²⁴ fowlow follow.

⁶²⁵ sobport support.

⁶²⁶ alytyl a little.

⁶²⁷ desarwe deserve.

⁶²⁸ be var beware.

⁶²⁹ John Somerville of Cambusnethan.

⁶³⁰ mesegyȝ messages.

⁶³¹ Thomas Grey, 2nd marquess of Dorset (1477–1530).

⁶³² Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶³³ vayt weight.

⁶³⁴ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, as letters sent on 24 November 1523 by Margaret were written in Stirling, it is most likely that Margaret was in Stirling on 23 November 1523.

⁶³⁵ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶³⁶ The lords of Scotland.

⁶³⁷ athar other.

⁶³⁸ a vyssment consideration (OED 2023, advisement, n., sense 3a; DSL 2023, avisement, n.).

⁶³⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶⁴⁰ belangth belongeth; belongs.

⁶⁴¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁴² James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁶⁴³ Alexander Gordon, 3rd earl of Huntly (d.1524).

⁶⁴⁴ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁶⁴⁵ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁶⁴⁶ acaryte authority.

⁶⁴⁷ abwn above.

⁶⁴⁸ othar either.

⁶⁴⁹ St Clement's Day, 23 November.

⁶⁵⁰ See note of Letter 53 regarding place of composition.

⁶⁵¹ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶⁵² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁵³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶⁵⁴ The lords of Scotland.

⁶⁵⁵ James Rutherford, spy of Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey. See ‘News out of Scotland’, TNA, SP 49/2 fo. 25.

⁶⁵⁶ Alexander Gordon, 3rd earl of Huntly (d.1524).

⁶⁵⁷ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁶⁵⁸ trwar more faithful (OED 2023, true, adj., n., adv., and int., sense 1b; DSL 2023, trew, adj., sense A1).

⁶⁵⁹ John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine (1487–1555).

⁶⁶⁰ David Arnot, bishop of Galloway (before 1497–1536 or 1537).

⁶⁶¹ Alexander Mylne, abbot of Cambuskenneth (c.1470–1548).

⁶⁶² teschys teaches.

⁶⁶³ I is.

⁶⁶⁴ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁶⁶⁵ lyke The sense of this term is not entirely clear, though Margaret perhaps meant ‘luck’.

⁶⁶⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁶⁷ swr kyped ‘[o]f the safe-keeping or custody of a person or thing: Safe, secure, without risk’ (DSL 2023, sure, adj., sense 4a).

⁶⁶⁸ thuvȝ thus.

⁶⁶⁹ Scotland.

⁶⁷⁰ hy his.

⁶⁷¹ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁶⁷² The first character of this word is <f>; however, Margaret appears to have added a crossbar to a long ‘s’ by mistake. Margaret instead likely meant to write ‘swfar’, meaning ‘suffer’.

⁶⁷³ vagarȝ ‘mercenary soldier[s]’ (OED 2023, wager, n.1., sense a).

⁶⁷⁴ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

⁶⁷⁵ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁶⁷⁶ somar summer.

⁶⁷⁷ leffe ‘[p]ermission or liberty to do something’ (DSL 2023, lefe, n.2., sense 1).

⁶⁷⁸ powr poor.

⁶⁷⁹ a bwfyn above (OED 2023, above, adv., prep., n., & adj., sense II 9; DSL 2023, abovin, adv., prep., sense B).

⁶⁸⁰ effy heavy. An example of h-dropping.

⁶⁸¹ ope hope. An example of h-dropping.

⁶⁸² Edinburgh.

⁶⁸³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶⁸⁴ The lords of Scotland.

⁶⁸⁵ tchay they.

⁶⁸⁶ Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁶⁸⁷ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁶⁸⁸ William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick (b. before 1491–d. in or before 1544).

⁶⁸⁹ vythe with the.

⁶⁹⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁹¹ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

⁶⁹² dyscordyȝ disagrees (OED 2023, discord, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, discord, v., sense 1).

⁶⁹³ parlemt parliament.

⁶⁹⁴ fallsed falsehood (DSL 2023, falsed, n.).

⁶⁹⁵ remdyd remedied.

⁶⁹⁶ Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁶⁹⁷ Margaret entrusted the prioress of Coldstream to transport some of her most secret correspondence with England. See the Introduction, p. 26.

⁶⁹⁸ brwnt burnt.

⁶⁹⁹ paramarȝ mistress (OED 2023, paramour, n., sense 3; DSL 2023, paramor, n., sense 2).

⁷⁰⁰ St Catherine's Eve, 24 November.

⁷⁰¹ The captain of Milan. It is not clear exactly who the captain of Milan was at this time.

⁷⁰² tche the.

⁷⁰³ James Rutherford, spy of Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey. See ‘News out of Scotland’ at TNA, SP 49/2 fo. 25.

⁷⁰⁴ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁷⁰⁵ Intretment treatment (OED 2023, entreatment, n., sense 1b; DSL 2023, intretment, n.).

⁷⁰⁶ Thomas Carr, abbot of Kelso.

⁷⁰⁷ Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁷⁰⁸ born burn.

⁷⁰⁹ degre ‘degree in rank or standing’ (DSL 2023, degré, n., sense 1).

⁷¹⁰ vytch with.

⁷¹¹ Coldstream, Berwickshire.

⁷¹² St Catherine's Eve, 24 November.

⁷¹³ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter, but the calendar of TNA, SP 49/2 dates this letter as being sent on 24 November 1523.

⁷¹⁴ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁷¹⁵ In contyment without delay (OED 2023, incontinent, adv., sense A; DSL 2023, incontinent, adv.).

⁷¹⁶ Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁷¹⁷ garge is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. Margaret perhaps means ‘gage’, meaning ‘[a] pledge for the performance of some undertaking or obligation’ (DSL 2023, gage, n.1, sense 1).

⁷¹⁸ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, a later annotation on the final leaf of this manuscript suggests that this letter was sent sometime in December 1523. With regards to place of composition, in this letter Margaret mentions that she had she returned to Stirling when her servant, John Cantley, had just arrived after delivering her correspondence to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey. It is therefore likely that this letter was penned at Stirling.

⁷¹⁹ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁷²⁰ Stirling.

⁷²¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷²² The lords of Scotland.

⁷²³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷²⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷²⁵ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

⁷²⁶ Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁷²⁷ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁷²⁸ William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick (b. before 1491–d. in or before 1544).

⁷²⁹ hythartylȝ ‘[u]ntil now, hitherto’ (DSL 2023, hiddertillis, adv.).

⁷³⁰ Itvas it was.

⁷³¹ dysasentyd refused to assent (OED 2023, disassent, v.; DSL 2023, disassent, v., sense 1).

⁷³² nv novacyons undesirable changes (OED 2023, novation, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, novation, n., sense 1).

⁷³³ hapynt happened.

⁷³⁴ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁷³⁵ hm him.

⁷³⁶ 800 of his Frenchmen.

⁷³⁷ exschw avoid (OED 2023, eschew, v.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, eschew, v., sense 1).

⁷³⁸ contyntyd contented.

⁷³⁹ lordy The lords of Scotland.

⁷⁴⁰ retornyg returning.

⁷⁴¹ Candlemas, 2 February.

⁷⁴² Christmas.

⁷⁴³ Edinburgh.

⁷⁴⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁷⁴⁵ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁷⁴⁶ stryk ‘[t]o coin, mint (money, coins)’ (DSL 2023, strik, v., sense 13a).

⁷⁴⁷ swsten sustain.

⁷⁴⁸ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁷⁴⁹ langach language.

⁷⁵⁰ reherȝ account (OED 2023, rehearsal, n., sense 1b; DSL 2023, rehers, n., sense 2).

⁷⁵¹ axe ask.

⁷⁵² aferyd afraid (OED 2023, afeared, adj., sense 1b; DSL 2023, aferd, ppl. adj.)

⁷⁵³ fayht fight.

⁷⁵⁴ hyȝ is. An example of h-insertion.

⁷⁵⁵ the frenche In bassyt the french ambassador.

⁷⁵⁶ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁷⁵⁷ A pension of 5,000 crowns.

⁷⁵⁸ ocorȝ occurs.

⁷⁵⁹ Sir William Bulmer (by 1465–1531). Bulmer served as lieutenant of the Eastern March and Norham Castle, Northumberland, in 1523.

⁷⁶⁰ This letter does not include a closing subscription or signature. It is not clear why.

⁷⁶¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁶² Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁷⁶³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁶⁴ forspokyn ‘[p]reviously spoken of’ (DSL 2023, forspoken, ppl. adj.).

⁷⁶⁵ St John's Day, 24 June.

⁷⁶⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁶⁷ provet proved.

⁷⁶⁸ playn parlment The DSL notes that plain parliament is ‘the “full and formal meeting of the King's council in Parliament summoned upon forty days’ notice”’ (DSL 2023, Parliament, n.1, sense 1).

⁷⁶⁹ memoryal diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

⁷⁷⁰ tyl Indwr to last (OED 2023, endure, v., sense II 2a; DSL 2023, indure, v.1, sense 1).

⁷⁷¹ 15 or 31 May.

⁷⁷² begyng beginning.

⁷⁷³ vyntar winter.

⁷⁷⁴ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, this letter was perhaps sent at a similar time as a letter sent by Clarencieux to Thomas Wolsey, on 15 February 1524, in which Clarencieux reported having an audience with the queen of Scots, the duke of Albany, and the lords of Scotland (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fo. 218).

⁷⁷⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁷⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁷⁷ hard heard.

⁷⁷⁸ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Stirling on 1 April 1524, she was likely in Stirling on 31 March 1524.

⁷⁷⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁸⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁸¹ Gavin Dunbar (c.1490–1547). Dunbar was elected to the archbishopric of Glasgow in 1524, and from 1517 was the tutor of James V.

⁷⁸² bowlyȝ formal documents of petition (OED 2023, bill, n.3, sense 1a; DSL 2023, bill, n.1, sense 3b).

⁷⁸³ vI scors of tounnyȝ 120 (6 sets of twenty) of tun (large casks or barrels, usually used for carrying liquids such as wine or beer) (OED 2023, score, n., sense III 16a; tun, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, scor, n., sense 1; tun, n., sense 1).

⁷⁸⁴ 24 mariners and some merchants.

⁷⁸⁵ clavssyȝ nesescar clauses necessary (OED 2023, necessary, adj.; DSL 2023, necessary, adj., sense 1).

⁷⁸⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁸⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁸⁸ withtin within.

⁷⁸⁹ Ites is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is unclear what the scribe meant with this term.

⁷⁹⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁹¹ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁷⁹² Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland (1467–1525).

⁷⁹³ disur desire.

⁷⁹⁴ aplaudyt ‘[t]o assent or agree, to give or show approval’ (DSL 2023, applaud, v.)

⁷⁹⁵ Sir William Bulmer (by 1465–1531). Bulmer served as lieutenant of the Eastern March and Norham Castle, Northumberland in 1523.

⁷⁹⁶ a at.

⁷⁹⁷ ȝ ȝe; you.

⁷⁹⁸ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Stirling on 1 April 1524, this letter may have also been composed in Stirling.

⁷⁹⁹ leffe cease (OED 2023, leave, v.1, sense II 11b; DSL 2023, lefe, v.1, sense 8).

⁸⁰⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁰¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸⁰² Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸⁰³ vryten ȝe vayt vhay written ye wit (know) who.

⁸⁰⁴ See note of Letter 63 regarding place of composition.

⁸⁰⁵ had heard.

⁸⁰⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁰⁷ betvyȝt betwixt; between.

⁸⁰⁸ vieer war.

⁸⁰⁹ trobloȝ troublesome (OED 2023, troublous, adj., sense 3a; DSL 2023, trubillous, adj., sense 2).

⁸¹⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸¹¹ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁸¹² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸¹³ Robin Pauly, messenger.

⁸¹⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸¹⁵ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸¹⁶ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸¹⁷ dyseȝ death (OED 2023, decease, n., sense a; DSL 2023, deces, n.)

⁸¹⁸ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁸¹⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸²⁰ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

⁸²¹ 27 May.

⁸²² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸²³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸²⁴ George Gordon, 4th earl of Huntly (1513–1562).

⁸²⁵ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554). Howard became the 3rd duke of Norfolk on 21 May 1524, following the death of his father, Thomas Howard, 2nd duke of Norfolk (1443–1524).

⁸²⁶ The lords of Scotland.

⁸²⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸²⁸ dep^caryg departing.

⁸²⁹ repreff reprehension (OED 2023, reproof, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, repref, n., sense 3).

⁸³⁰ tavy two.

⁸³¹ St Johnstone, another name for Perth used in the late medieval period.

⁸³² dolor distress (OED 2023, dolour | dolor, n., sense 2a; DSL 2023, dolour, n.1, sense 1).

⁸³³ tholyt suffered (OED 2023, thole, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, thol, v., sense 1).

⁸³⁴ rygand is not recorded in the OED or DSL. Margaret perhaps meant a Scots variant of the term ‘raging’, as in the ‘war raging’ between Henry VIII and James V.

⁸³⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸³⁶ begyng beginning.

⁸³⁷ In estymabyl inestimable.

⁸³⁸ subgets subjects.

⁸³⁹ atorykte authority.

⁸⁴⁰ medyatryce mediatrix; female mediator (OED 2023, mediatrice, n.; DSL 2023, mediatrix, n.).

⁸⁴¹ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁴² ce ‘[t]o see to, arrange for’ (DSL 2023, se, v., sense 8b).

⁸⁴³ yur your.

⁸⁴⁴ var to stanche ‘[m]ore difficult’ to ‘put a stop to’ (DSL 2023, war, adj., sense 2b; stanch, v., sense 2a).

⁸⁴⁵ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter; however, a scribal letter sent in Margaret's name on 13 July 1524 was composed in Stirling (Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 13 July 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 297). Margaret was thus likely located in Stirling when Letter 68 was composed.

⁸⁴⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁴⁷ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸⁴⁸ John Lynne (or John Home), abbot of Jedburgh from 1512–1549.

⁸⁴⁹ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁵⁰ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁸⁵¹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, the scribal letter sent in conjunction with this document was composed in Stirling (Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 13 July 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 297).

⁸⁵² 12 July 1524.

⁸⁵³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸⁵⁴ duth doth; does.

⁸⁵⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁵⁶ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁵⁷ towschyg touching.

⁸⁵⁸ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁸⁵⁹ The lords of Scotland.

⁸⁶⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸⁶¹ gra^c grace.

⁸⁶² ope hope. An example of h-dropping.

⁸⁶³ dvand doing (DSL 2023, do, v., sense 1c).

⁸⁶⁴ dvyng doing.

⁸⁶⁵ tovscheg touching.

⁸⁶⁶ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁸⁶⁷ thye the.

⁸⁶⁸ dwȝ does.

⁸⁶⁹ Margaret also enclosed a scribal copy of this letter in the same letter packet in the event that Henry VIII could not ‘red my evel hand’, because she was ill when the letter was composed (see Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 13 July 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 297).

⁸⁷⁰ gonIovffe is not recorded in the DSL or the OED. However, this term appears to be a reference to Margaret's ‘conjunct feftment’, meaning the rents from her dower lands.

⁸⁷¹ See note of Letter 69 regarding place of composition.

⁸⁷² resayvod received.

⁸⁷³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁷⁴ 12 July 1524.

⁸⁷⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁷⁶ vel well-being (OED 2023, well, n.2, sense 1b; DSL 2023, wele, n., sense 1a).

⁸⁷⁷ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁷⁸ avrlok overlook.

⁸⁷⁹ parel peril.

⁸⁸⁰ The lords of Scotland.

⁸⁸¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸⁸² Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁸⁸³ pareng praying.

⁸⁸⁴ vuel well.

⁸⁸⁵ grae grace.

⁸⁸⁶ dyspwar despair.

⁸⁸⁷ ȝed went (DSL 2023, ȝed, p.t., sense I 1).

⁸⁸⁸ commandmet commandment.

⁸⁸⁹ rember remember.

⁸⁹⁰ the fvrth pwtyng the forth putting (help to have James V's full ruling rights declared).

⁸⁹¹ fand found.

⁸⁹² The date and place of composition are not detailed in the main body of this letter. With regards to date, Thomas Wolsey noted in a letter to Thomas Howard that he had received Howard's letters sent on 7 August 1524. With these letters, Howard sent ‘sundry lettres Articles and other writinges sent vnto [him] from the Quene of Scottes’ (Thomas Wolsey to Thomas Howard, 15 August 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 351). This most likely included Letter 71. As it was sent on a Tuesday, this letter was likely sent on 2 August 1524. With regards to the place of composition, an agreement made between Margaret and the lords of Scotland to remove John Stewart, duke of Albany, from the regency of Scotland was written and signed by Margaret and the lords of Scotland in Edinburgh on 1 August 1524 (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 447). Letter 71 was thus likely also composed in Edinburgh.

⁸⁹³ The lords of Scotland.

⁸⁹⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁸⁹⁵ Perhaps Ellam Kirk, near Longformacus, Berwickshire.

⁸⁹⁶ fwrsday next Thursday next.

⁸⁹⁷ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁹⁸ newefev nephew. James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁹⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁹⁰⁰ Thomas Hamilton, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Thomas Hamilton and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁹⁰¹ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁹⁰² lythlyneȝ scorn (OED 2023, lightliness, n., sense 2; DSL 2023, lichtlines, n.).

⁹⁰³ tovshyg touching.

⁹⁰⁴ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁹⁰⁵ fwrtar further.

⁹⁰⁶ The date and place of composition are not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as this set of instructions (also known as a memorial or set of articles) was sent in conjunction with Margaret's holograph letter sent to Thomas Howard on the 2 August 1524 (Letter 71) it was likely composed at the same time and in the same location.

⁹⁰⁷ In to vrȝt ‘in writing’ (DSL 2023, writ, n.1, sense 4a).

⁹⁰⁸ tane In hand ‘take[n] the charge or responsibility of’ (OED 2023, hand, n., sense P2pi).

⁹⁰⁹ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁹¹⁰ The lords of Scotland.

⁹¹¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹¹² John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁹¹³ gaynstand opposed (OED 2020, gainstand, v., sense a; DSL 2023, ganstand, v, sense 1).

⁹¹⁴ nefwl needful.

⁹¹⁵ Robert Shaw, abbot of Paisley (d.1527).

⁹¹⁶ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁹¹⁷ Thomas Hamilton, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Thomas Hamilton and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁹¹⁸ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, an agreement signed by Margaret on 1 August 1524 was composed in Edinburgh (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 447), as was a memorial sent in Margaret's name on 31 August 1524 (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 232). Margaret may thus have been in Edinburgh when Letter 73 was composed.

⁹¹⁹ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁹²⁰ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁹²¹ dowtleȝly doubtlessly.

⁹²² ald feed old hostility (OED 2023, feud, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, fede, n., sense 1).

⁹²³ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁹²⁴ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹²⁵ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁹²⁶ solystand soliciting (DSL 2023, solist, v., sense 1).

⁹²⁷ allsova also.

⁹²⁸ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁹²⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹³⁰ prynsypal ‘the ruler or leading person of a region’ (DSL 2023, principal, n.1, sense 1a).

⁹³¹ William Douglas, prior of Coldingham and abbot of Holyrood (d.1528), brother of Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (Margaret Tudor's second husband).

⁹³² The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a scribal memorial composed to Henry VIII on the same day in Margaret's name was written in Edinburgh (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 232). This suggests that Margaret was Edinburgh when she penned Letter 74.

⁹³³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹³⁴ actortye authority (OED 2023, authority, n., sense II 3b; DSL 2023, auctorité, n., sense 2).

⁹³⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁹³⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹³⁷ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁹³⁸ William Hals, servant of Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁹³⁹ The lords of Scotland.

⁹⁴⁰ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁹⁴¹ rember remember.

⁹⁴² owrance control (OED 2023, owerance, n.; DSL 2023, owrance, n.).

⁹⁴³ ewl evil.

⁹⁴⁴ allsw also.

⁹⁴⁵ tekyn token.

⁹⁴⁶ schart short.

⁹⁴⁷ vyten written.

⁹⁴⁸ Articles sent by Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 31 August 1524 (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 232).

⁹⁴⁹ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 13 September 1524.

⁹⁵⁰ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁹⁵¹ memoryal diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

⁹⁵² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹⁵³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹⁵⁴ 200 men.

⁹⁵⁵ chansge change.

⁹⁵⁶ to take tent to ‘to pay attention to’ (OED 2023, tent, n.2, sense 1).

⁹⁵⁷ gayngyȝ is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is likely a variant of the Scots verb ‘gang’, specifically the figurative sense, meaning ‘to choose or take (a course of action, etc.)’ (OED 2023, gang, v., sense 2).

⁹⁵⁸ partayȝ pertains.

⁹⁵⁹ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁹⁶⁰ Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (c.1494–1546).

⁹⁶¹ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁹⁶² consydeyg considering.

⁹⁶³ mght might.

⁹⁶⁴ latyd prevented (OED 2023, let, v.2, sense 1a; DSL 2023, lat, v.2, sense 1).

⁹⁶⁵ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁹⁶⁶ tche the.

⁹⁶⁷ consydad considered.

⁹⁶⁸ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁹⁶⁹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a letter sent from Thomas Howard's servant, William Hals, on 12 September 1524 from Edinburgh notes that he had delivered letters to Margaret and that he had met James V in the abbey church of Holyrood Palace (Edinburgh) (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B III fo. 81). It is therefore most likely that Margaret was in Edinburgh on 15 September 1524 when this letter was composed.

⁹⁷⁰ besst auyse best advice (OED advice, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, avise, n.1, sense 1).

⁹⁷¹ mest most.

⁹⁷² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹⁷³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹⁷⁴ William Hals, servant of Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁹⁷⁵ whol while.

⁹⁷⁶ vyt write.

⁹⁷⁷ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁹⁷⁸ kanwth knoweth; knows.

⁹⁷⁹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter; however, copies of letters sent by Margaret on the same day note that these letters were written in Edinburgh.

⁹⁸⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹⁸¹ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁹⁸² Thomas Hawley, Carlisle Herald; English Herald of Arms (d.1557).

⁹⁸³ It is not entirely clear what Margaret intended in the phrase ‘throv endyd’. She perhaps meant ‘concluded’.

⁹⁸⁴ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁹⁸⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹⁸⁶ mynttyȝ Figurative, ‘a movement to do something or as if to do something’ (DSL 2023, mint, n.1, sense 2).

⁹⁸⁷ It would appear that Margaret may have accidentally written <af> here, in place of ‘as’.

⁹⁸⁸ a bwffne vryten above-written.

⁹⁸⁹ cowndytt ‘a document granted to ensure safe passage’ (OED 2023, conduct, n.1, sense I 2).

⁹⁹⁰ Robert Cockburn, bishop of Dunkeld (d.1526).

⁹⁹¹ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁹⁹² vhai^refo wherefore

⁹⁹³ pry pray.

⁹⁹⁴ Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

⁹⁹⁵ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a scribal letter sent in Margaret's name on 18 October 1524 was composed in Edinburgh and Margaret also sent a holograph letter to Thomas Howard from Edinburgh on 6 October 1524. Margaret may thus have been in Edinburgh when Letter 78 was composed.

⁹⁹⁶ Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁹⁹⁷ Sir William Scott, of Balwearie, lawyer and diplomat (d.1532).

⁹⁹⁸ Sir Adam Otterburn, lawyer and diplomat (d.1548).

⁹⁹⁹ The lords of Scotland.

¹⁰⁰⁰ comyscyonȝ commissions.

¹⁰⁰¹ lodyȝ lords.

¹⁰⁰² klark Either ‘[a] member of the clergy’ or ‘[a] scribe, secretary, or clerk’ (DSL 2023, clerk, n., sense 1 or 3).

¹⁰⁰³ Robert Cockburn, bishop of Dunkeld (d.1526).

¹⁰⁰⁴ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁰⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁰⁰⁶ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹⁰⁰⁷ pety pity.

¹⁰⁰⁸ cheȝ choose (DSL 2023, chese, v., sense 3).

¹⁰⁰⁹ Scotland.

¹⁰¹⁰ fekt effect (DSL 2023, fect, n., sense 1).

¹⁰¹¹ Sir Andrew Ker of Cessford (d.1526).

¹⁰¹² Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch (c.1490–1552).

¹⁰¹³ 4,000 Scots merks yearly.

¹⁰¹⁴ The Battle of Flodden, also referred to as Flodden Field, where James IV was killed on 9 September 1513.

¹⁰¹⁵ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

¹⁰¹⁶ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

¹⁰¹⁷ awysyȝ ‘counsel or advice’ (DSL 2023, avise, n.1, sense 1).

¹⁰¹⁸ swmptyȝ exorbitant (OED 2023, sumptuous, adj. and adv., sense 1b; DSL 2023, sumptuous, adj., sense 2a).

¹⁰¹⁹ fvrnysschng furnishing.

¹⁰²⁰ 200 men.

¹⁰²¹ Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (c.1494–1546).

¹⁰²² ovrȝ hours. An example of h-dropping.

¹⁰²³ tenty twenty.

¹⁰²⁴ the aw that thay stud of them the fear that they had of them (DSL 2023, stand, v., sense 41).

¹⁰²⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁰²⁶ consyderyg considering.

¹⁰²⁷ 50,000 franks.

¹⁰²⁸ besyd beside.

¹⁰²⁹ recheȝ riches.

¹⁰³⁰ thruhov through.

¹⁰³¹ mysrwlyng misruling.

¹⁰³² fyde find.

¹⁰³³ ocorȝ occurs.

¹⁰³⁴ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

¹⁰³⁵ mesegorȝ messengers.

¹⁰³⁶ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁰³⁷ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁰³⁸ Antoine Gonzolles, deputy to the duke of Albany and captain and keeper of St Andrew's Castle.

¹⁰³⁹ William Douglas, prior of Coldingham and abbot of Holyrood (d.1528), brother of Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (Margaret Tudor's second husband).

¹⁰⁴⁰ Dunbar.

¹⁰⁴¹ frydyȝ friends.

¹⁰⁴² sarwad servant (DSL 2023, servand, n., sense 2b).

¹⁰⁴³ ordad ordered.

¹⁰⁴⁴ porsevant ‘[a] pursivant, the junior heraldic officer below the rank of herald’ (DSL 2023, pursevant, n., sense 1).

¹⁰⁴⁵ betraysyd betrayed (OED 2023, betraise | betraish, v., sense 2; DSL 2023, betraise, v.).

¹⁰⁴⁶ cavst caused.

¹⁰⁴⁷ vys wise.

¹⁰⁴⁸ stwf stuff.

¹⁰⁴⁹ William Hals, servant of Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

¹⁰⁵⁰ Jammy Dog (also known as James Doig, and James Dogg), messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Jammy Dog and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

¹⁰⁵¹ John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526).

¹⁰⁵² The date and place of composition are not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 6 November 1524. Margaret was most likely in Edinburgh when she wrote this letter as Thomas Magnus and Roger Ratcliffe reported that they had met with Margaret in Edinburgh on 4 November 1524 (see Magnus and Ratcliffe's letter to Thomas Howard, 5 November 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 436).

¹⁰⁵³ Perhaps William Douglas, prior of Coldingham and abbot of Holyrood. William Douglas was one of the brothers of Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus.

¹⁰⁵⁴ Perhaps Coldingham, Berwickshire.

¹⁰⁵⁵ The Earldom of March was part of Margaret Tudor's dower lands.

¹⁰⁵⁶ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁰⁵⁷ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁵⁸ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹⁰⁵⁹ consarnan concerning.

¹⁰⁶⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁰⁶¹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Thomas Magnus and Roger Ratcliffe reported meeting with Margaret in Edinburgh on 4 November (see Letter 79), it is likely that Margaret was still in Edinburgh when Letter 80 was penned.

¹⁰⁶² Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

¹⁰⁶³ Roger Ratcliffe, English courtier (d.1537).

¹⁰⁶⁴ a pece of cleth of gold a piece of cloth of gold. Only those of the highest social classes (royalty and the higher levels of nobility) were permitted to wear clothing made of cloth of gold.

¹⁰⁶⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁰⁶⁶ dvth doth; does.

¹⁰⁶⁷ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁰⁶⁸ flovd followed.

¹⁰⁶⁹ dwnthyȝ done this.

¹⁰⁷⁰ alayȝ allies.

¹⁰⁷¹ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, on 22 February 1525, a set of instructions written in Margaret's name were composed at Edinburgh (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 478). Margaret was therefore likely in Edinburgh when Letter 81 was composed.

¹⁰⁷² Rome.

¹⁰⁷³ Rome.

¹⁰⁷⁴ Pension of Melrose.

¹⁰⁷⁵ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, in a letter to Thomas Wolsey sent on 31 March 1525, Thomas Magnus noted that after he had received Wolsey's letters on 21 March 1525, James V and Margaret had travelled northwards to St Johnstone [Perth]. Margaret was thus likely here when Letter 82 was penned.

¹⁰⁷⁶ Pope Clement VII (1478–1534).

¹⁰⁷⁷ a nvll annul.

¹⁰⁷⁸ Gavin Dunbar, archbishop of Glasgow (c.1490–1547).

¹⁰⁷⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁰⁸⁰ John Clerk, bishop of Bath and Wells (1481/2?–1541). Diplomat of Henry VIII, king of England.

¹⁰⁸¹ Rome.

¹⁰⁸² preIwdyȝ prejudice.

¹⁰⁸³ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹⁰⁸⁴ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁸⁵ Melrose, Scottish borders.

¹⁰⁸⁶ Pope Clement VII (1478–1534).

¹⁰⁸⁷ dysavantache disadvantage.

¹⁰⁸⁸ £1,000.

¹⁰⁸⁹ a lwmbard Margaret is perhaps referring to a ‘Lombard’, being ‘[a] native of Lombardy in northern Italy, espec[ially] one engaged in finance or trade’ (DSL 2023, lumbard, n. adj., sense 2).

¹⁰⁹⁰ lowȝ lose.

¹⁰⁹¹ 700 or 800 ducats (‘[a] gold coin minted in the Republic of Venice [and] used widely in trade and commerce throughout Europe’) (OED 2023, ducat, n., sense 1a).

¹⁰⁹² It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹⁰⁹³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁹⁴ feel fail.

¹⁰⁹⁵ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹⁰⁹⁶ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, on 31 May 1525, Margaret sent a scribal letter to Thomas Wolsey which was composed from Stirling (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 97). Margaret may thus have been in Stirling when she composed Letter 85.

¹⁰⁹⁷ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, BL, Cotton MS Vespasian F III calendar suggests this letter was sent sometime in January 1532. It is unclear where Margaret was located when this letter was penned.

¹⁰⁹⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁹⁹ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹¹⁰⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹¹⁰¹ onorabyl honourable. An example of h-dropping.

¹¹⁰² Sir Adam Otterburn, lawyer and diplomat (d.1548).

¹¹⁰³ Perhaps Sir William Musgrave (b. in or before 1506, d.1544).

¹¹⁰⁴ William Barlow [Finch], bishop of St David's (d.1568).

¹¹⁰⁵ Thomas Holcroft, English solider and diplomat (1505–1558).

¹¹⁰⁶ quhihe is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. This may be a misspelling of the Scots term ‘quhilk’, meaning ‘which’.

¹¹⁰⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹¹⁰⁸ commonn discuss (OED 2023, common, v., sense I 5b; DSL 2023, commoun, v., sense 4).

¹¹⁰⁹ vesy ‘[t]o travel to see or visit (a person)’ (DSL 2023, vesy, v., sense 5).

¹¹¹⁰ ralm realm.

¹¹¹¹ effectionn affection (DSL 2023, effectioun, n.).

¹¹¹² tayn taken (OED 2023, take, v., sense P1).

¹¹¹³ vndouttyt indisputable (DSL 2023, undoutit, ppl., adj., adv., sense 3).

¹¹¹⁴ sovyrly assuredly (DSL 2023, soverly, adv., sense 3).

¹¹¹⁵ prosed proceed.

¹¹¹⁶ consattes ‘[g]ood opinion[s]’ (DSL 2023, conceat, n., sense 1.).

¹¹¹⁷ William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510–1573).

¹¹¹⁸ Sir Adam Otterburn, lawyer and diplomat (d.1548).

¹¹¹⁹ congwnct joint (OED 2023, conjunct, adj. and n., sense II 5a; DSL 2023, conjunct, adj., sense 2).

¹¹²⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹¹²¹ kirk men churchmen; members of the clergy (OED 2023, kirkman, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, kirkman, n., sense 1).

¹¹²² [c]onstycionys of ye scryptou ^r constitutions of the scripture.

¹¹²³ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹¹²⁴ Iwnyt joint.

¹¹²⁵ messyger messenger.

¹¹²⁶ kennes knows (OED 2023, ken, v.1, sense II 10; DSL 2023, ken, v., sense 10a).

¹¹²⁷ behawys behaves.

¹¹²⁸ hawb[e]yt howbeit; although (OED 2023, howbeit, adv. and conj.; DSL 2023, howebit, conj.).

¹¹²⁹ Midsummer, 24 June.

¹¹³⁰ doys does.

¹¹³¹ estyr after.

¹¹³² Perhaps Sir Thomas Clifford, captain of Berwick (d.1543).

¹¹³³ kpyt kept.

¹¹³⁴ drerest dearest.

¹¹³⁵ Swallow messenger, messenger of Henry VIII.

¹¹³⁶ gracie grace's.

¹¹³⁷ quhlik which (DSL 2023, quhilk, adj., pron.).

¹¹³⁸ William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510–1573).

¹¹³⁹ weryly in truth (OED 2023, verily, adv. and adj., sense a; DSL 2023, veraly, adv.).

¹¹⁴⁰ pur tennendis poor tenants (DSL 2023, tenand, n.).

¹¹⁴¹ The Earldom of March was part of Margaret's dower lands.

¹¹⁴² Perhaps the lordship of Cockburnspath, another of Margaret's dower lands.

¹¹⁴³ vtyres others.

¹¹⁴⁴ writynges writings.

¹¹⁴⁵ Robert Hart, Rothesay Herald of Arms in Ordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

¹¹⁴⁶ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

¹¹⁴⁷ William Stewart, bishop of Aberdeen (c.1490–1545).

¹¹⁴⁸ Margaret marks an <x> in the manuscript. It may have been that Margaret made this mark as she was deleting a virgule.

¹¹⁴⁹ Thomas Erskine of Haltoun and Brechin, royal secretary to James V, king of Scots, from 1524.

¹¹⁵⁰ see sea.

¹¹⁵¹ athvartys advertise.

¹¹⁵² Departs within eight days.

¹¹⁵³ Perhaps Doune Castle, Menteith, Perthshire.

¹¹⁵⁴ William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510–1573).

¹¹⁵⁵ exsped ‘to carry through or complete (a matter)’ (DSL 2023, exped, v., sense 1).

¹¹⁵⁶ The lords of Scotland.

¹¹⁵⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹¹⁵⁸ stwdyous diligent (OED 2023, studious, adj. and n., sense 2a; DSL 2023, studyus, adj., sense 1b).

¹¹⁵⁹ lay^th averse (OED 2023, loath | loth, adj., sense 4a; DSL 2023, lathe, adj., sense 3).

¹¹⁶⁰ Newcastle.

¹¹⁶¹ partative navigable (OED 2023, portative, adj. and n., sense 3; DSL 2023, portative, adj., n., sense 2).

¹¹⁶² wattyr water.

¹¹⁶³ vevores ‘[p]rovisions; victuals, eatables; necessities’ (DSL 2023, viveris, n. pl.).

¹¹⁶⁴ Michaelmas, 29 September.

¹¹⁶⁵ nobyr is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It appears to be an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘number’.

¹¹⁶⁶ falȝe fail.

¹¹⁶⁷ certytyfeit certified.

¹¹⁶⁸ lyncht length.

¹¹⁶⁹ William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510–1573).

¹¹⁷⁰ efferyt ‘[f]rightened, alarmed’ (DSL 2023, efferit, ppl. adj.).

¹¹⁷¹ William Barlow [Finch], bishop of St David's (d.1568).

¹¹⁷² qwhat what (DSL 2023, quhat, pron., ad., adv., conj.).

¹¹⁷³ amanges among.

¹¹⁷⁴ It appears that Margaret has forgotten to include the final ‘tise’ of this word to render ‘advertise’.

¹¹⁷⁵ wesy visit (OED 2023, vizy, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, vesy, v., sense 5).

¹¹⁷⁶ confart comfort (DSL 2023, confort, n.).

¹¹⁷⁷ contenwyt continued (DSL 2023, continuate, ppl. adj.).

¹¹⁷⁸ enn in.

¹¹⁷⁹ sertyfeyng certifying.

¹¹⁸⁰ wrayt wrote.

¹¹⁸¹ William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510–1573).

¹¹⁸² William Barlow [Finch], bishop of St David's (d.1568).

¹¹⁸³ hoyll whole (DSL 2023, hole, adj.).

¹¹⁸⁴ assurdly confyd assuredly trust (OED 2023, confide, v., sense 1; DSL 2023, confide, v., sense 1).

¹¹⁸⁵ quhelk which (DSL 2023, quhilk, adj., pron.).

¹¹⁸⁶ vyl wild.

¹¹⁸⁷ bekyng beseeching.

¹¹⁸⁸ Louit beloved (OED 2023, loved, adj. and n.; DSL 2023, luvit, ppl. adj.)

¹¹⁸⁹ henes highness.

¹¹⁹⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹¹⁹¹ William Howard, 1st Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510–1573).

¹¹⁹² lyppen trust (OED 2023, lippen, v., sense 1; DSL 2023, lippin, v., sense 1).

¹¹⁹³ Sir Adam Otterburn, lawyer and diplomat (d.1548).

¹¹⁹⁴ to gydder together.

¹¹⁹⁵ consavyt conceived (DSL 2023, consavit, ppl. adj.).

¹¹⁹⁶ satyfe satisfy.

¹¹⁹⁷ lawbar labour.

¹¹⁹⁸ wygh ^tly weighty (OED 2023, weightily, adv.).

¹¹⁹⁹ dorand throughout (OED 2023, during, prep., adj.2, and conj.; DSL 2023, durand, prep.).

¹²⁰⁰ myshordou ^r misorder.

¹²⁰¹ lyfrent In Scots law – ‘[a] rent or other revenue which a person is entitled to receive for life, without the right to dispose of the capital’ (OED 2023, liferent, n.).

¹²⁰² sowmys sums.

¹²⁰³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²⁰⁴ exdeng exceeding.

¹²⁰⁵ £2,000 Scots.

¹²⁰⁶ wyout without.

¹²⁰⁷ pepetwall perpetual.

¹²⁰⁸ besok beseech.

¹²⁰⁹ opann upon.

¹²¹⁰ Robert Hart, Rothesay Herald of Arms in Ordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

¹²¹¹ Leusauit is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is unclear what Margaret meant when using this term.

¹²¹² Sir Adam Otterburn, lawyer and diplomat (d.1548).

¹²¹³ concernng concerning.

¹²¹⁴ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹²¹⁵ Robert Hart, Rothesay Herald of Arms in Ordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

¹²¹⁶ lawte loyalty (OED 2023, lewty | lawty, n.; DSL 2023, laute, n., sense 1).

¹²¹⁷ this xx^t ȝeres bipast this 20 years that have gone by.

¹²¹⁸ maillis ‘[p]ayment[s], tax[es], tribute[es], rent[s]’ (OED 2023, mail, n.1).

¹²¹⁹ tube to be.

¹²²⁰ yis thre or four ȝeres this three or four years.

¹²²¹ ryernes is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is unclear what Margaret meant when using this term.

¹²²² yis twa ȝeres this two years.

¹²²³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²²⁴ Remayst remain.

¹²²⁵ surfet excessive (OED 2023, surfeit, adj., sense 1; DSL 2023, surfet, adj., sense b).

¹²²⁶ propynng rewarding (OED 2023, propine, v., sense 3; DSL 2023, propine, v., sense 3).

¹²²⁷ vndowttytily ‘[w]ithout a doubt, indubitably’ (DSL 2023, undoutitly, adv.).

¹²²⁸ manr manner.

¹²²⁹ £20,000 Scots.

¹²³⁰ tenyr is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the noun ‘tenor’.

¹²³¹ thred third (DSL 2023, third, adj., n., sense A1).

¹²³² besoht besought.

¹²³³ frmm firm.

¹²³⁴ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. XI: July–December 1536, ed. James Gairdner (London, 1888), entry no. 111, dates this letter as being sent sometime in July 1536. Margaret sent a holograph letter to Thomas Cromwell on 18 July 1536 (Letter 97) from Methven. Margaret may thus have been at Methven when Letter 98 was composed.

¹²³⁵ o^rdou ^rly ‘[a]ccording to the prescribed or regular form of procedure’ (DSL 2023, ordorly, adv., sense 2).

¹²³⁶ paynt point.

¹²³⁷ taryit delayed (OED 2023, tarry, v., sense 1; DSL 2023, tary, v., sense 1).

¹²³⁸ formayll dytment formal composition (DSL 2023, dytement, n., sense 1).

¹²³⁹ weygh ^tly weighty (OED 2023, weightily, adv.).

¹²⁴⁰ wy will.

¹²⁴¹ Robert Hart, Rothesay Herald of Arms in Ordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

¹²⁴² Margaret Douglas, countess of Lennox (1515–1578).

¹²⁴³ Lord Thomas Howard (c.1512–1537), second son of Thomas Howard, 2nd duke of Norfolk (1443–1524) and half-brother to Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

¹²⁴⁴ pwmes promise.

¹²⁴⁵ cesynes ‘a female relative, a kinswoman’ (OED 2023, cousiness, n.).

¹²⁴⁶ nepotas niece (DSL 2023, nepotas, n.).

¹²⁴⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²⁴⁸ extremmyte ‘[e]xtreme severity or harshness’ (DSL 2023, extremité, n., sense 1c).

¹²⁴⁹ sad said.

¹²⁵⁰ remyt pardon (OED 2023, remit, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, remit, n., sense 1).

¹²⁵¹ hanor honour.

¹²⁵² naturull natural.

¹²⁵³ foryer further.

¹²⁵⁴ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹²⁵⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²⁵⁶ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹²⁵⁷ Madeleine de Valois, queen of Scots (1520–1537).

¹²⁵⁸ Margaret Douglas, countess of Lennox (1515–1578).

¹²⁵⁹ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹²⁶⁰ socret secret.

¹²⁶¹ Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹²⁶² ovtar utter.

¹²⁶³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²⁶⁴ Madeleine de Valois, queen of Scots (1520–1537).

¹²⁶⁵ Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven (c.1495–1553/4).

¹²⁶⁶ 8,000 Scots marks.

¹²⁶⁷ The lords of Scotland.

¹²⁶⁸ cownpt ‘[t]o make count’ (DSL 2023, compt, v., sense 2).

¹²⁶⁹ vor were.

¹²⁷⁰ vyh ovt without.

¹²⁷¹ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹²⁷² cansyder consider.

¹²⁷³ beseheng beseeching.

¹²⁷⁴ athvartysed advertised.

¹²⁷⁵ Richard of Mousgraffe, messenger.

¹²⁷⁶ Thomas Cromwell, earl of Essex (b. in or before 1485–1540).

¹²⁷⁷ consarnyg concerning.

¹²⁷⁸ Sir Adam Otterburn, lawyer and diplomat (d.1548).

¹²⁷⁹ vylar wisher (OED 2023, willer, n., sense 2; DSL 2023, willair, n.).

¹²⁸⁰ reprof rebuke (OED 2023, reproof, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, repref, n., sense 3).

¹²⁸¹ Iessev Jesus.

¹²⁸² Induellar inhabitant (OED 2023, indweller, n., sense a; DSL 2023, indwellar, n.).

¹²⁸³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²⁸⁴ consuetude custom (OED 2023, consuetude, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, consuetud, n., 1).

¹²⁸⁵ Lauchfull ‘[s]anctioned or permitted by law’ (DSL 2023, lauchful, adj., sense 1).

¹²⁸⁶ sauffit saved.

¹²⁸⁷ ouyr over.

¹²⁸⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹²⁸⁹ thre scor of [deletion] bawys sixty bows (OED 2023, threescore, adj. (and n.), sense a; DSL threscore, num.).

¹²⁹⁰ part ‘[a] portion or division (of a larger whole)’ (DSL 2023, part, n., adv., sense 1).

¹²⁹¹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Edinburgh on 7 March 1537 (Letter 102), she was likely also in Edinburgh the following day on 8 March 1537.

¹²⁹² Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹²⁹³ Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven (c.1495–1553/4).

¹²⁹⁴ betyvxt betwixt; between.

¹²⁹⁵ tewnty soffycent prowes 20 satisfactory witnesses (OED 2023, proof, n., sense I 1c; DSL 2023, sufficiand, adj., sense 4; pruf, n., sense 12b).

¹²⁹⁶ clerr clear.

¹²⁹⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹²⁹⁸ complayng complaining.

¹²⁹⁹ The lords of Scotland.

¹³⁰⁰ stopyes Iowsstyes stop justice.

¹³⁰¹ prodwcyt produced.

¹³⁰² apellyd vrongosly appealed ‘against justice’ (DSL 2023, wrangwisly, adv., sense 2).

¹³⁰³ defard deferred.

¹³⁰⁴ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

¹³⁰⁵ Madeleine de Valois, queen of Scots (1520–1537).

¹³⁰⁶ Easter.

¹³⁰⁷ Iowst just.

¹³⁰⁸ consder consider.

¹³⁰⁹ asarwand a servant (OED 2023, servant, n., sense 4b; DSL 2023, servand, n., sense 2b).

¹³¹⁰ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 24 April 1537, or sometime in May 1537. A scribal letter sent to Thomas Cromwell (BL, Add MS 32,646 fo. 104) and a copy of a letter sent to Henry VIII (TNA, SP 49/5 fo. 14) dated 27 April 1537 were both sent from Edinburgh. Margaret may thus have been in Edinburgh when Letter 104 was composed.

¹³¹¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹³¹² Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹³¹³ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³¹⁴ Madeleine de Valois, queen of Scots (1520–1537).

¹³¹⁵ remembans rememberance.

¹³¹⁶ cowsenes ‘a female relative, a kinswoman’ (OED 2023, cousiness, n.).

¹³¹⁷ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹³¹⁸ Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹³¹⁹ £200 stirling.

¹³²⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³²¹ exsptabyl is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘acceptable’.

¹³²² Is his. An example of h-dropping.

¹³²³ David Beaton, abbott of Arbroath (1494?–1546).

¹³²⁴ athvartysed advertised.

¹³²⁵ mvsch much.

¹³²⁶ partyseng ‘[a] legal separation or divorce’ (DSL 2023, partising, n., sense 2).

¹³²⁷ fowr and twenty pryvos 24 witnesses (OED 2023, proof, n., sense 1c; DSL 2023, pruf, n., sense 12b).

¹³²⁸ svrre sure.

¹³²⁹ ravleme realm.

¹³³⁰ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, as Margaret refers to her sentence of divorce being written and concluded for five months in Letter 107, Letter 106 was likely sent sometime in August 1537, as she referred to her divorce case being written and concluded ‘twelff vykes by past’ (twelve weeks ago). It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

¹³³¹ Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹³³² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹³³³ optynet obtained (DSL 2023, optenit, ppl. adj.).

¹³³⁴ Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven (c.1495–1553/4).

¹³³⁵ Iuge judge.

¹³³⁶ 12 weeks ago.

¹³³⁷ soo son. James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³³⁸ maynnes of dovnbar ‘a home farm’ in Margaret's dower lands in the lordship of Dunbar (OED 2023, mains, n., sense 1).

¹³³⁹ Margaret seems to have forgotten to include the crossbar through the long <ss> in this term. Margaret instead likely meant to write ‘lyffeng’, meaning ‘living’.

¹³⁴⁰ sond send.

¹³⁴¹ Henry Ray, Berwick Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary; English Herald of Arms.

¹³⁴² The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Dundee on 16 October 1537 (Letter 109), she was likely in Dundee on 13 October 1537.

¹³⁴³ mghty mighty.

¹³⁴⁴ Edward VI, king of England (1537–1553). Prince Edward was born on 12 October 1537.

¹³⁴⁵ loufes loves.

¹³⁴⁶ thefor therefore.

¹³⁴⁷ ryng reign.

¹³⁴⁸ therer there

¹³⁴⁹ confortabyl comfortable.

¹³⁵⁰ Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹³⁵¹ Swallow messenger, messenger of Henry VIII.

¹³⁵² Thomas Wharton, 1st Baron Wharton (c.1495–1568), appointed deputy warden of the Western Marches in June 1537.

¹³⁵³ actortye authority (OED 2023, authority, n., sense II 3b; DSL 2023, auctorité, n., sense 2).

¹³⁵⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³⁵⁵ horne is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘home’, meaning that James V took Margaret's servants into his household, as she could no longer afford to employ them herself.

¹³⁵⁶ I had lewer be deed ‘I would rather’ be dead (DSL 2023, levar, adj., compar., sense 2).

¹³⁵⁷ dee sonar die sooner.

¹³⁵⁸ gracees grace's.

¹³⁵⁹ Henry VII, king of England (1457–1509).

¹³⁶⁰ ewll evil.

¹³⁶¹ Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven (c.1495–1553/4).

¹³⁶² fowrtty famos prewes 40 reputable witnesses (OED 2023, famous, adj., sense 2; proof, n., sense I 1c; DSL 2023, famous, adj., sense 2; pruf, n., sense 12b).

¹³⁶³ prowen proven.

¹³⁶⁴ bosstyd threatened (OED 2023, boast, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, bost, v., sense 1).

¹³⁶⁵ The Forest of Ettrick was one of Margaret's dower lands.

¹³⁶⁶ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹³⁶⁷ bwrrd board.

¹³⁶⁸ somplecytur ‘without any condition or qualification’ (OED 2023, simpliciter, adv.).

¹³⁶⁹ qwencyens conscience (DSL 2023, quencience, n.)

¹³⁷⁰ feryth feareth; fears.

¹³⁷¹ aw band always bound (in marriage) (DSL 2023, all, adj., sense A1c; band, n.1, sense 3b).

¹³⁷² onpartyd ‘[n]ot parted’ (OED 2023, unparted, adj.).

¹³⁷³ browk ‘[t]o have the use or possession of (land, etc.)’ (DSL 2023, brouk, v., sense 1).

¹³⁷⁴ ryhtus righteous.

¹³⁷⁵ boudyn obliged (OED 2023, bounden, adj., sense 3).

¹³⁷⁶ hanor honour.

¹³⁷⁷ ower ever.

¹³⁷⁸ In the left-hand margin of the page, the annotation ‘49 yeres’ has been added in another hand. This correlates to Margaret's age when she composed this letter.

¹³⁷⁹ leeff live.

¹³⁸⁰ powr poor.

¹³⁸¹ These last 20 weeks.

¹³⁸² reprevyd rebuked (DSL 2023, repreve, v., sense 2).

¹³⁸³ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Dundee on 16 October 1537 (Letter 109), she was likely in Dundee on 14 October 1537.

¹³⁸⁴ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹³⁸⁵ Edward VI, king of England (1537–1553). Prince Edward was born on 12 October 1537.

¹³⁸⁶ prynces princess.

¹³⁸⁷ bat but.

¹³⁸⁸ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³⁸⁹ sak sake.

¹³⁹⁰ Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹³⁹¹ Henry Stewart, 1st Lord Methven (c.1495–1553/4).

¹³⁹² fifteen days.

¹³⁹³ It appears that Margaret forgot to include the term ‘son’ here. James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³⁹⁴ sopyid ‘put an end to’ (DSL 2023, sopite, v.).

¹³⁹⁵ fovr and fowrty fames pryves 44 reputable witnesses (OED 2023, famous, adj., sense 2; proof, n., sense I 1c; DSL 2023, famous, adj., sense 2; pruf, n., sense 12b).

¹³⁹⁶ Iouge judge.

¹³⁹⁷ leges alleges (OED 2023, ledge, v.1).

¹³⁹⁸ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹³⁹⁹ cavsys causes.

¹⁴⁰⁰ The ‘[p]rovisions, foodstuffs, staple goods, necessities … and grain’ produced in Margaret's dower lands in the lordship of Dunbar (DSL 2023, victual, n.).

¹⁴⁰¹ fowr and fyfty chaders of vettal 54 measures of grain (OED 2023, chalder, n.1, sense 1; victual, n., sense 1c; DSL 2023, chalder, n.; victual, n.).

¹⁴⁰² 500 Scots marks.

¹⁴⁰³ comysht is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling for the verb ‘cometh’, meaning ‘comes’.

¹⁴⁰⁴ deed dead.

¹⁴⁰⁵ beseheng beseeching.

¹⁴⁰⁶ Andrew Stewart, 2nd Lord Avondale or 1st Lord Ochiltree (d.1549).

¹⁴⁰⁷ This appears to be an error. Margaret likely intended the verb ‘found’.

¹⁴⁰⁸ castyn cast.

¹⁴⁰⁹ schaveng showing.

¹⁴¹⁰ five months ago.

¹⁴¹¹ honoraby honorably.

¹⁴¹² on partyd not separated (OED 2023, unparted, adj.).

¹⁴¹³ suple assistance (OED 2023, supply, n., sense I 1; DSL 2023, supplé, n., sense 1)

¹⁴¹⁴ No date is given for the composition of this letter. However, later pencil annotations on fo. 37v of the letter suggest that the letter was sent sometime in May 1538, or before 16 June 1538. As there are no other letters sent around this date, it is not clear where Margaret was when she composed this letter.

¹⁴¹⁵ Marie de Guise, queen of Scots (1515–1560).

¹⁴¹⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁴¹⁷ fo for.

¹⁴¹⁸ progenytou^res ancestors or forefathers (OED 2023, progenitor, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, progenitour, n.).

¹⁴¹⁹ port part.

¹⁴²⁰ warryt is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘warrant’.

¹⁴²¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁴²² Marie de Guise, queen of Scots (1515–1560).

¹⁴²³ Henry Ray, Berwick Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary; English Herald of Arms.

¹⁴²⁴ Perhaps Sir John Campbell of Lundy (d.1562). Andrea Thomas notes that in the household of James V, Sir John Campbell performed three roles: ambassador to Flanders between 1529 and 1540; treasurer for James V between 1517 and 1526; and, Justice Depute between 1530 and 1542 (see A. Thomas, ‘Renaissance culture at the court of James V, 1528–1542’, PhD thesis, University of Edinburgh (1997), 305).

¹⁴²⁵ constonid is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is unclear what Margaret meant when using this term.

¹⁴²⁶ Sir Ralph Sadler, English statesman and ambassador to Scotland (1507–1587).

¹⁴²⁷ desece death (OED 2023, decease, n., sense a; DSL 2023, deces, n.).

¹⁴²⁸ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

¹⁴²⁹ Henry VII, king of England (1457–1509).

¹⁴³⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁴³¹ dede death (OED, death, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, dede, n.2, sense 1).

¹⁴³² sachal shall.

¹⁴³³ The lords of Scotland.

¹⁴³⁴ ocvpyd occupied.

¹⁴³⁵ vhant want.

¹⁴³⁶ remayng remaining.

¹⁴³⁷ gretlyar more greatly.

¹⁴³⁸ vy^th ovt varryance without variance.

¹⁴³⁹ Margaret's dower lands included the lordship of Dunbar.

¹⁴⁴⁰ set lease (OED 2023, set, v.1, sense 57; DSL 2023, set, v., sense 7).

¹⁴⁴¹ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

¹⁴⁴² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁴⁴³ Henry VII, king of England (1457–1509).

¹⁴⁴⁴ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

¹⁴⁴⁵ remed ‘redress or reparation (of a fault or wrong)’ (DSL 2023, remed, n., sense 2).

¹⁴⁴⁶ gracyos gracious.

¹⁴⁴⁷ fond found.

¹⁴⁴⁸ causynes ‘a female relative, a kinswoman’ (OED 2023, cousiness, n.).

¹⁴⁴⁹ Henry Ray, Berwick Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary; English Herald of Arms.

¹⁴⁵⁰ Inglys English.

¹⁴⁵¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁴⁵² Henry VII, king of England (1457–1509).

¹⁴⁵³ loukyd looked.

¹⁴⁵⁴ covsynes ‘a female relative, a kinswoman’ (OED 2023, cousiness, n.).

¹⁴⁵⁵ James V and Marie de Guise's two infant sons James, duke of Rothesay, and Robert, duke of Albany, died suddenly in May 1541.

¹⁴⁵⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁴⁵⁷ Marie de Guise, queen of Scots (1515–1560).

¹⁴⁵⁸ ferd afraid (OED 2023, feared, adj., sense 1; DSL 2023, ferd, ppl. adj.).

¹⁴⁵⁹ remayng remaining.

Article contents

THE HOLOGRAPH LETTERS OF MARGARET TUDOR

Abstract

Information

1. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VII, king of England

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Scribal]

2. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Address [Scribal – James Inglis]

Main letter text [Holograph]

3. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

4. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

5. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Address [Scribal]

Main letter text [Holograph]

6. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

7. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Scribal]

Main letter text [Holograph]

8. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Scribal]

Main letter text [Holograph]

9. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Scribal]

Main letter text [Holograph]

10. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Scribal]

Main letter text [Holograph]

11. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

Postscript [Holograph]

12. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

13. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

14. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

15. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

16. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

17. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

18. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

19. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

20. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

21. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

22. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

23. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Main letter text [Holograph]

24. Memorial from Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots addressed to an unnamed messenger, to be presented to Henry VIII, king of EnglandFootnote 245

Main letter text [Holograph]

25. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Henry VIII, king of England

Main letter text [Holograph]

26. Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots to Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York

Address [Holograph]

Main letter text [Holograph]

24. Memorial from Margaret Tudor, queen of Scots addressed to an unnamed messenger, to be presented to Henry VIII, king of EnglandFootnote ²⁴⁵