Series 3 > Scottish correspondence of Mary of Lorraine

INTRODUCTION
The Scottish Correspondence of Mary of Lorraine, pre¬
served in the Register House at Edinburgh, includes some
three hundred letters, dating from 20th February 1542-3
to 15th May 1560. It does not pretend to be a complete
and rounded history of the period : rather, it is a quarry
in which all kinds of historical investigators may find rich
seams. The Correspondence, indeed, touches upon all
aspects of the national life during critical and formative
years of Scottish history. The unity in the midst of this
diversity of interests is supplied by the central figure of
Mary of Lorraine. Not all the letters are addressed to
her, but, directly or indirectly, they all have a bearing
upon her fortunes, and through her upon the destiny of
the nation.1
The curtain rises upon a gloomy situation, and one,
moreover, that was of international significance. Pro¬
fessor Hannay has shown that it ‘ was in part created by
the turn of European politics. Francis I. declared war
upon Charles v. in 1542, and, while he would have pre¬
ferred the active support of England, he was determined
to preserve, if possible, at least her neutrality. The Scots,
on their part, looked with apprehension upon negotia¬
tions which might leave Henry vm. free to mature his
plans of conquest. Cardinal Beaton failed to secure
French aid in a Scottish war against England : he failed
even to bring about an understanding between Francis
and Henry which would secure his own country : and
Except Nos. CCXCVIII-CCCI.