Douglas book > Angus memoirs

354 ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, EIGHTH EARL OF ANGUS, ETC.
John Colvill. 1 The order to proceed to Cambridge was given in December
1584. They wrote urgently requesting delay, that they might communicate
with their friends in Scotland. But Walsingham replied that his mistress
wished them to come at once, adding a friendly hint that things might have
better success than they expected. They also found that their presence so
near the Borders was hurtful to their friends in Scotland. 2
They left Newcastle about the 10th of February, and proceeded leisurely
to Norwich, which they reached about the end of that month, residing there
during March. Before they left Newcastle, Arran, finding the efforts made
to discredit them at the English Court not wholly successful, endeavoured to
produce that result by other means. To Hunsdon, the English ambassador, he
had accused Angus of plotting his destruction. This charge, however, though
apparently proved by deposition of witnesses, did not obtain credence in
England, but it was now repeated, elaborated with circumstances of a plot
to seize and carry the king to some remote district, where the banished lords
might obtain possession of his person. If need be, it was added, they were
determined to kill his majesty. 3 No sooner had this fresh charge been
formulated, than Sir Lewis Bellenden, the Lord Justice-Clerk, was sent to
England to press the matter, and demand the surrender or expulsion of
the rebels. Angus and his friends repudiated the accusation, and when
summoned to London in the beginning of April, and confronted with their
accuser, they triumphantly cleared themselves. 4 They also, though with
what result does not appear, sent a profession of their loyalty and goodwill
1 Calendar of State Papers, vol. i. pp. 489, February 1584-5. Calderwood, vol. iv. pp.
490. Draft instructions, 13th November 345-347. Upon this evidence, which was
1584, in Douglas Charter-chest. false, Douglas of Mains and his father-in-
law were hanged.
Ibid. p. 492.
Deposition o
Duntreath, before Arran and others, 8th Charter-chest, dated 22d April 15S5.
4 Ibid. pp. 352-366. A draft of the de-
3 Deposition of Sir James Edmonstone of fence made by the lords is in the Douglas