Spottiswoode Society > History of the affairs of the Church and State of Scotland from the beginning of the reformation to the year 1568 > Volume 2

1561.] OF CnURGII AND STATE IN SCOTLAND. 89
Tinmouth, that passed to the Court, who reported at Bar-
wick and in this town, That the Queen's horses are stayed
that kinded there ; how true this is, I know not. It is now
said, that all Ireland is lost, and can only tell that Sir James
Croftsi is slain, who I think is not there. The Secretary to
the Portugal Ambassadour hath sped mighty well in his
sute ; the letter of marque is called in upon an account, and
the Queen hath for her part 8000 ducats. He is returned
by sea, because it was put into his head that there was
danger by laud : He had once my letters unto your Honour,
and gave me them again. So soon as I can get the tract
of the Inhibition, your Honour shall be further informed of
the circumstances thereof. Great inquisition is made for
one William Cawte, that spoiFd the Spaniards. The L. of
Bargenny appeareth before the Council the 3d day of the
next month, because he adjudged it lawful prize. My
countryman that was sent from Mr John Baptista is very
diligent in the pursuit. most humbly I take my leave.
At Edinburgh, the 24th of September 1561.
" I am earnestly required to let your Honour understand
from Mr Knox, that he hath received your letter sent by the
Laird of Lidington, to the which he will make answer at the
next
" Your Honour s,
" Tho. Randolphe."
Mr Knox and Buchanan^ do both give a very untrue
account of an affair they mention in the end of this month,
relating to a proclamation against priests, whoremongers,
&c. I shall here lay before the readers a more authentic
account hereof, from the Register of the Town-Council of
Edinburgh.
^ [This geutleraau is repeatedly nientioued by our Historian in his
First Book as the correspondent of John Knox. Sir James Crofts, or
a-Croft, of Croft Castle in Herefordshire, was a valiant Knight much
employed on the English Borders iji the reign of Queen Alary of England,
who, however, imprisoned him on a charge of being implicated in Wyat's
treason. Queen Elizabeth made him Governor of Berwick and Comptroller
of her Household. — E.]
'^ [See Kuox's Historie, Edin. edit. 1732, folio, p. 292, 293 ; Buchanan's
Historia Kerum Scoticarum, original edit. Edin. 1582, fol. 202 ; Ti'ans-
lation, Edin. edit. 1752, vol. ii, p. 284.— E.]