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

365
1566-7] § IX. THE MURDER OF DARNLEY
again, so that not even the queen’s life is secure. Most people" impute
the crime to the Earl of Murray, who being the queen’s brother has
always had the throne in view, although he is a bastard. He is
persuaded by the contrary sect that it is his by right, especially as
he maintains that his mother was secretly espoused by the king his
father."
[2] By reason of these tumults, therefore, and other conflicts, I was
already resolved to take my leave of their Majesties here and of the
Cardinal of Lorraine, and to go to my church without awaiting the arrival
of Monsignor of Dunblane. But now after having received, by the letter
of your eminence of the 17th of last month, the order which you are
pleased to give me in accordance with the mind of the Holy Father, I
will not even trouble to await Father Edmund. I think his Holiness
was really inspired ; so well did he foresee that the Divine Justice has
not yet put an end to the chastisement of that unfortunate nation. Yet
I am not without hope that when things are more troubled and desperate,
God will then deign to show the holy workings of His infinite mercy,
especially by means of his Holiness’ pious prayers.
[3] In three days I shall go to Rheims to explain my return to the
Cardinal of Lorraine, then I will do the same with their Majesties here.
I am sure that all will be entirely satisfied with the pious and great
liberality of the Pope towards that queen, for there was no failure on the
part of his Holiness to second the Scottish queen’s zeal by all honest and
godly means in his power. If her Majesty could not avail herself of
them for her own safety and that of her realm, that has been because of
the very evil nature of the times. I have hopes to leave on the fourth
day after Easter for Mondovi. Perhaps before then I shall see not only
Father Edmund but also the Bishop of Dunblane, which would greatly
gratify the Queen of Scots.
[4] From what Monsignor du Croc has assured me lately in her
Majesty’s name, she always has been and is most constant in the holy
Catholic religion, but as she finds herself ever surrounded by heretic
lords who are very powerful, she is constrained not only to leave them
in the enjoyment of a large part of the ecclesiastical benefices, but also
to grant them such little revenues as the kingdom possesses. She did
really endeavour to persuade her nobility to receive the Apostolic nuncio
which she desired extremely, and when she had obtained [their consent]
she sent M. Stephen Wilson to Rome to inform his Holiness of this
decision. But as the ambition and arrogance of her husband had made
a great alteration in the nobles, and the queen had good reasons for
fear, so now, since the king’s death, fresh tumults have burst out."
[5] The said signor could not deny that the queen could easily have
made her position secure by punishing a few ringleaders, but being too
prone to pity and clemency she has exposed herself to the risk of being
the slave and the prey of those heretics, with danger even to her life.
This gentleman will leave again for Scotland in a few days, with the