Historical notes on the Lennox or Darnley jewel, the property of the Queen

14
open assertion of any such pretension in 1576, or 1577^
the period when this Jewel was probably made, would
have been the certain way to defeat it, for even to
whisper the word claim or succession to Elizabeth, in
her palmy days, was not unlikely to be followed by a
visit to the Tower, a domicil with which Lady
Lennox was disagreeably acquainted ; but this neces-
sity for silence, only made the Earl of Lennox, and his
Countess cherish their hope, and look to their grand-
son's right more fondly, and whilst they took care not
to irritate, they always addressed her as James' near
kinswoman, and surest protector. On the death of
their son Lord Darnley, their first thought was to
write to Elizabeth, and recommend to her, the preser-
vation of their grandson the King " the little innocent,
her poor orphan and kinsman."' In 1571, on the death
of the Regent Murray, Lennox was appointed his suc-
cessor, chiefly by the influence of the English Queen,
that he might maintain the government of his grand-
Haynes' Papers, p. 177.