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

261
1566] § VII. THE PAPAL SUBSIDY
foreigners, would without doubt much rather reform their own religion
by themselves, than wait till others did so, and undergo the dangers
and tumults which might arise therefrom.
[6] And finally, that the negligence of the other princes, in leaving
those of Scotland thus exposed and deprived of aid in this their most
godly enterprise of reforming religion, gives great heart and courage
to the opposing sects, and makes the recovery of both realms, that is
of Scotland and of England, more hopeless, and will cause France and
Flanders to be more prone to follow them in evil.
These things being held here for most true, we much marvel how it
can happen that so small a thing, as would be the maintenance by each
prince of a resident ambassador, cannot be obtained by them, seeing that
such consequences would ensue from it.
And if for some respects Spain and France cannot combine to establish
a residency in one and the same place, yet the Holy See and Spain could
do so, and if the third party, i.e. France, would not take part, it would
not much matter.]
No. 68
QUEEN MARY TO POPE PIUS V.
[17 July 1566]
(a) Mary’s answer to the brief of 12 May (supra, No. 64, h) was
dated at Edinburgh, 17 July. The original is preserved in the Barberini
Library, Rome, Ixxiv. 55, fol. 3, and has been thence printed in Labanoff,
vii. 11. There is also an undated copy of it in the Edinburgh Letter-
book, 1559-67, fol. 59 b, which is printed in Registers of Privy Cmncil,
xiv. 257 ; also in Keith, iii. 311, and from him in Labanoff, i. 356. The
Barberini letter is written broadside, on paper marked with the letters
H, R. tied by a knot; the seal is in good preservation. There is no
endorsement or note of answer.
Most Holy Father,—From your Holiness’ brief and the
letters of the Bishop of Dunblane, our ambassador, we have
understood your goodwill and favour towards us. Not only
did you grieve at hearing of the state of our kingdom, you
resolved to support us with helpful, liberal hands, to urge and
persuade other princes to aid us, and you determined with
great promptitude to send us a Nuncio Apostolic, who might
in your stead stand by us in our labours. We cannot thank
you as we ought for these benefits, but we promise you that
we will never depart from the Catholic religion and the observ¬
ance due to the Apostolic See. As soon as your nuncio arrives,
and we hope he will come soon, he will see the proofs of this.