Series 3 > Foreign correspondence with Marie de Lorraine, Queen of Scotland, from the originals in the Balcarres papers > Volume 7

16
BALCARRES PAPERS
X
From the Constable Montmorency to the Queen Dowager
1548. Vol. iii. 25.
The King had intended to send the money he had spoken of by
Cabassolles, since he thought that the reinforcements would not be ready
so soon, and since he was to depart from Brittany. But, having this
opportunity, the writer did not wish to lose it by waiting for the money
which will be sent by another way. So that she may more easily support
the soldiers in Scotland till the money arrives, he has collected from his
private purse and those of other people in that place 10,000 ecu#. He
begs that, besides paying the four ‘ bands ’ for three months, the money
be only used for the soldiers’ pay and support and the most necessary
matters. It is all he can do from Bordeaux, but when he has returned
to Court, which he hopes will be at the end of the month, he will see to
it that the Queen is provided for, as he has charged these gentlemen to
tell her. Written from Bordeaux on the 9th November.
A LA ROYNE, LA ROYNE DOUAIRIERE d’eSCOSSE.
Madame, le Roy avoit deliberay faire paser I’argent
qu’il vous a fait savoir par Cabassolles quant et ce secours,
lequel il ne pensoit pas devoir estre si tost prest, et aussi
qu’il deust partir de Bretaigne. Mais s’estant trouvee
ceste occasion je ne I’ay voullu laisser perdre sens me
remectre a actendre lesdicts deniers lesquels vous seront
apres envoiez par autre moien. Et affin que vous aiez
meilleur moien d’entretenir les gens de guerre qui sont
pardela et les faire secourir actendant que ledict argent y
puisse estre arrive, j’ay tire de ma bourse et de celles qui se
sont trouves icy jusques a dix mille escuz que j’envoye.
Quant a ces gentilshommes, oultre la soulde des quatre
bandes 1 pour trois mois, lesquelz il vous plaira n’estre
emploiez que au paiement et entretenement des gens de
guerre de dela et choses plus necessaires. Qui est tout
I’aide que je vous ay peu faire d’icy pour ceste heure. Du
1 la soulde des quatre bandes. De Beaugue, Histoire de la Guerre cfEscosse,
tells how the Constable sent four bands to Scotland in merchant ships led by
the Comte de Visques and Sieur de Fourquevaulx. They were commanded by
the Captains Salinques, Saint Andre, Cageac, and La Mothe Rouge.