Series 1 > Papal negotiations with Mary Queen of Scots during her reign in Scotland, 1561-1567

194 PAPAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH MARY [23 JUNE
terra non usa pin severita contro Catholici del suo regno, ma
pin tosto li concede liberta di poter viver nella lor Religione,
almeno dentro alle lor case.
Che la detta Regina dTnghilterra ha novamente hauuti
ambasciatori dall’ Imperatore, da Francia et dal Re Filippo,
li quali tutti li offeriscono marito. II Re di Francia per se
stesso la richiede; Tlmperatore per Carlo suo fratello, et il Re
Filippo per Don Gio. d’Austria suo fratello naturale. Ma la
Regina inclina piu al fratello dell1 Imperatore che ad altri.
Et dicono che si ritrova molto travagliata, essendo forzata
lassar la pratica di Milort Robert, credendo esser necessario
maritarsi con qualche principe fuori del stato.
fm. 17 di Luglio 1565.—Ha S. Sto concessa la dispensa alia
Regina di Scotia di maritarsi col Conte di Linois1 et mostra
sperare che per questa strada si potria dar degno castigo alia
1 As will be seen below (No. 59) this dispensation was not granted till
September 25. In default of any explanation of the genesis of the persistent
rumour that it was granted at an earlier date, the following references to
transient rumours and reports of a kindred nature may, be here grouped
together:
(a) March 4.—Randolph Writes that a dispensation was to be obtained for
Mary to marry the French king or the Duke of Orleans (Keith, ii. 265). Ran¬
dolph of course must not be implicitly relied upon when relating hearsay of this
nature.
(3) Early in July.—On the 31st of July Smith writes to Cecil: ‘The third
of July I sent you a rablement of news . . . almost out of all countries in
Christendon. Now I send you other, wfticA was readie to be sent within two
days after the last pacquet a greate parte of them.’ As the following extracts
are taken from the commencement of this enclosure, they would seem to contain
news heard at the French Court early in July.
‘ As I understand Mons. de Foix had written in one dispatch that the Scot
Queen was turned to the new religion and would be maried after that sorte, and
by and by cometh an other dispatch from him shewing how she had made xx new
knights, all papists, and had commoned with her freends, and thinketh herself
strong enough, and rather wil die then allow the new relligion.
‘ Murray brought letters, etc. [as in Calendar, No. 1280 (3)]. Tapease such as
hath pencions and landes of Abbaies, and to bringe them at the furst to be content
to receive againe the pope, all the pensions, and such thinges as were given in
Scotland owt of the Abbeis sith the Quenes last arrival in Scotland, be sent to
Rome by the Sco. Ambassador there to be confirmed by the pope. In the
which ife the request, for that which the Ld. Lidingeton, therle Cassells, L. Seton,
and Ld. of Herskins brethern, and many other lordes and gentlemen hath.
‘ There is requyred also a dispensation at the popes hands for the Quenes
mariage, and the Cardinal! of Loreigne hath Written for it.’—R. O. Foreign,