History of the life and death of John, Earl of Gowrie

54 FAMILY STATEMENTS.
concern in all the public transactions. She watt
grieved when she found herself disregarded by the
contending parties. When Sir Ralph Sadler, the
English ambassador, arrived at Edinburgh in Fe-
bruary, 1539-40, she was in her winter apartments
in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and appears to
have been dispirited, and in an infirm state of
health. The ambassador had, among other things,
been instructed by his master, King Henry VIII.,
" to visit the old Queen, and to let her know how
desirous he was to hear of her health and prospe-
rity." But Sir Ralph, when he waited upon her,
had no letter to deliver, and this she felt to be an
unkind neglect. Her reply to him was, " Though
I be forgotten in England, never shall 1 forget
England. It would have been but a small matter
to have spent a little paper and ink upon me, and
much would it have been to my comfort. Were
it perceived that the King's Grace, my brother,
did regard me, I should be the better regarded of
all parties here." *
It is said by some, that she died that same year,
viz. in 1540. But I would prefer the date of her
* Sadler's Letters. Edition 1720, p. 14, 50.