Report by Harry Ray, Berwick Pursuivant on the murder of Thomas Trahern, Somerset Herald, and its aftermath. (1542-3.)

Note

For Harry Ray, see Godfrey 1963, VII. ADDITIONAL OFFICERS WITH THEIR TITLES ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY - Berwick Pursuivant - 6. HARRY RAY or REE; Berwick Pursuivant (English Wikipedia).
For and Thomas Trahern, see Godfrey 1963, Somerset Herald - II. Herald to the Duke of Richmond and Somerset - 5. THOMAS TREHERON; Thomas Trahern (English Wikipedia).
The name Trahern related to the legendary Welsh king?
After the event Ray continued to take his duty same as before it: State Papers, pp.249ff. Actually he performed his duty down to c. 1565, which makes him one of the last survivors of the old extraordinary officers. We see long break until 1602 when the appointment of extraordinary officers resumed under a new context.
For the sources of here transcribed texts, see the start of each respective text. I corrected typographical errors due to the OCR system misrecognition, but there may still exist such errors. Please consult printed version for academic purpose.

Before the murder

There had been these mentions to the murderers:

L & P, vol.12, Part 2, July 1537, 16-20.: 20 July. R. O. 291. Norfolk to Cromwell. Names to be excepted out of the King's pardon: ——* Leche, of Lincolnshire and John Prestman of Lyllesdale Hall, John Prestman, son of Wm. Prestman of Helnesley.
L & P, vol.15, January 1540, 21-31: 22 Jan. Royal MS. 7 C. xvi., B. M., f. 142. 96. Scotch and English Rebels. 2. “The names of certain Englishmen rebels reset within Scoteland:”
L & P, vol.15, February 1540, 1-10.: [3 Feb.] 160. English Rebels in Scotland. Rebels of England reset in the realm of Scotland. One Leche and John Priestman, calling himself John Hunter.
L & P, vol.16, December 1541, 1-5.: 3 Dec. Add. MS. 32,646, f. 276. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 106. 1405. Sir Thos. Wharton to the Council. Aagain John Priestman (calling himself John Hunter) and one Leche.

The event

[Taken from State Papers, pp.225ff.
See also: L & P, vol.17, November 1542, 26-30. 29 Nov. R. O. St. P. v., 225. 2. Report that Somerset herald and Berwick pursuivant came to Edinburgh 14 Nov. (altered from 29 Oct.), 34 Hen. VIII.]

CCCCIV. RAY's narrative of the Murder of SOMERSET HERALD.

MEMORANDUM. That Somerset herald at armes and Barwik pursivaunte came to Eddenburghe the 14^{[th — S.U.]} daye of Novembre, anno 34 H : VIII. ; and the same daye the same Somersett and Barwik was by a heralde of Scotlande broughte before the Erle of Morrey Lovetenaunte, the Cardenall, the Erle of Argile, the Busshop of Abberdyne, Sir John Camell, and dyvers othere of the Counsaillours of Scotlande ; and the Cardenall did demaunde and axe the said Somersett and Barwik, frome whens they came ; who, aunswering, said they came frome my Lorde of Norfolk the Kingis Lovetenaunte, with a letter to the King. Then the Cardenall did make aunswere and said the King was beyonde the watir of Furthe, hauking, but in what place or where, he could not tell ; shewing us, that the King hadd left his Counsaill there to receive and take all letters that did come ; and commaunded us to delyver our letters unto theyme, and they wolde see us have an aunswere as shortlie as they colde. And therupon we delyvered the same letters unto the Cardenall and others of the Counsaill ; whiche Cardenall commaunded the said heralde of Scotland to have us to our lodginges, and to see that we hadd good chere. And the said heralde did send us, every daye, wyne ; and there wee remayned and taried for an aunswere, frome the said 14^th daye of Novembre unto the 25^{ti [ti: sic]} daye of Novembre, whiche daye Sir John Camell was appoynted to delyver us the aunswere, and then delyverd us a letter directid unto my Lorde of Norfolk, and said ; “ Bicause ye be comen frome the King your Masters Lovetenaunte, the King our Masters Lovetenaunte hathe made aunswere agayne unto hym ;” and delyverid us 20^ti corones to reward, saying that it was the lovetenauntes rewarde ; and, if that we hadd comen frome the King our Master, we shulde have hadd a bettir reward, and an aunswere agayn from the King their master.
     And upone foure dayes before we departid oute of Eddynburghe, a Scottishe pursivaunte callid Dingwell [According to Grant 1945, p.6 the then incumbent was either David Blyth or David Spens. TA, vol.8, p.31, 32, 47 mention David Blytht, and among these the 10 Oct. 1541 occurrence (p.32) mentions him together with Hary Ra, Inglishman, the Dingwell here also likely to be David Blyth], and divers others Scottishe men, amongis othre commynycations with us hadd, did sey unto us, “ Take hede of yourselfes in your retournyng homewardes, for there bee certayne men myended to doo you harme.” And therupon we desired to have a pursivaunte with us for our saufgarde ; and they appoyntid us the same pursivaunte Dingwell, whiche did give us warning to take hede to oureselfes. And the 25^{[th — S.U.]} daye of Novembre the said pursivaunte Dingwell and wee retourned homewardes furthe of Eddenburghe towardes Dunbare, and was ther appurposid to bee lodgid that night ; and when we were within twoo myle of Dunbarre, it waxed nere evene, and it beganne to bee darke, Somersett and his boye riding before, and I, Barwike, and the Scottishe pursevaunte riding byhynde theym. And then there came riding two men of horsbakk, and oon on fote with them, and overrode me the said Barwik and the Scottishe pursivaunte, and ranne to Somersett, withoute speaking anye oon woorde unto hyme. And oon of thies thre strange men ranne the said Somersett thorowe with a launce staff, by hynd hym, and oon other did strike hym to the harte with a dagger, and the thirde stroke the said Somersettis boye on the face with his swoord, and soo they fell bothe to the grounde. And then the said thre strange men did light of theire horssis, and theire said hors rane frome theyme. And streigthwey Barwike and the Scottishe pursevaunte came to theyme, and said, “Fye on you, traytours, ye have done a shamfull acte.” And with that they lefte Somerset lying deade, and he that was on fote did ronne aftir theire owne horssis. The twoo horssmen did ronne aftir M^r Somersettis horssis, and did take theym, and did leap upon theym, oon saying to the othere, “ Fie, we have loste the othere heretick ;” meaning the same by the said Barwik. And Barwik, hering this, did spurr and rune his hors frome theym ; and they, perceiving that they colde not gett the said Barwik, went bak agayne, and spoiled the said Somersett of his purse, his cote, his sword, with all his othere gere but his dublett and his hoses ; and did give Somersettes said boye 10 bluddie woondes.
     And when they hadd soo done, the said thre straunge men did speake to the pursevaunte of Scotlande, then being presente, and, as the said Scottishe pursevaunte and the boye sayde, badd hym beare wittenes and testifie to the Counsaill and all otheres, that it was John Prestman, William Leche, and his brothere, banyshed Inglishmen, whiche did sley the said Somersett ; and no Scottishemen.
     And aftir this Barwike fledd by the waye up to the mountaynes, and soo came to a castell called Ennerwik, and there remaned all that night. And on the mornyng I, the said Barwik, desired James Hamylton, Larde of the same castell, to sende to the Counsaill, to thentente that I mought come and speake to the King and theym ; and thay sent aunswere to me agayne by a letter, that I, the said Barwik, shulde bee conveied into England grounde by the said James Hamyltone, and oon William Hume, with theire companyes, extending to the nombre of 20 horssis ; and soo it was done.
     But yet the said Barwike on the nexte mornyng, accompanied with 20 servauntes in harnes of the said James Hamyltons, retournid unto the bodie of the said Somersett, and caused the same to bee honestlie buried in the pariche churche of Dunbarre. And alsoo he causid the said Somersettes boye to bee lokid unto by wey of surgerie, for healing of his wooundes ; but whether he shall lif or dye, the said Barwik knowethe not.
     And over and besides this the said Barwik seithe, that there bee at this present eight good shippis of warre preparid and made redye to sett forwardes oute of the havene at Lythe, in all hast possible.
     And alsoo the said Barwik saithe, that the forsaid Hamyltone and oon William Hume, gentilmen, shewed unto hym, in his retourne homewardes, that there was contention like shortlie to bee bitwene the Spirituall Lordes and the Temporall Lordes of Scotland ; bicause they said that the Temporall Lordes knewe not, ner were not of counsaill, of the late rode made in to the Weste Marchies of England, where the Scottis hadd the overthrowe.
     The names of 4 of the said shippis is furste, the Salamaunder, the Lyon, the Unycorne, the Mary Willughby ; and the other 4 bee merchantes shippis.

(Signed) BARWECK, Porsevant.

[Taken from Longleat Papers, pp.14-6.]

X.—1542. ASSASSINATION OF JOHN PONDE, SOMERSET HERALD AT ARMS, NEAR DUNBAR.

[In the year 1542, King Henry VIII. sent a hostile expedition into Scotland under the command of Thomas Howard, third Duke of Norfolk, who was accompanied by the Earl of Shrewsbury, and Edw. Seymour, Earl of Hertford (afterwards Protector Somerset) on whom Sir John Thynne was in attendance. The murder to which the following letters relate is thus mentiond in Cooper's Chronicle (p.316.) :—

“In this season an heralde of England, ridyng on the borders side to doe a message, was mette by certayne rebelles, which cruelly against all lawe of armes, slew him in his coat armure, But they for this moste vengable deede were sent to the King the yere followyng, who worthyly executed them for that offence.”

The victim was John Ponde, Esq., of whom there is this account in Noble's History of the College of Arms, p.125 (1804) :—

[Snip. Summarized version of Noble's narrative. Jackson, the compiler says the victim was John Ponde, just following Noble. This is however an erorr. S.U.]

Of Henry Ray, Berwick Pursuivant extraordinary, who was in company with Mr. Ponde, all that noble says, is “That he received instructions for the delivery of Letters to the Regent of Scotland, which of them is not mentioned, and an order for his conduct during his journey. He died in his office in or after the year 1568.” (Hist. of Coll. of Arms, p.188.)
The following are the three letters relating to this affair, among the Longleat papers :—]

1.—1542, 14th Nov. Ray's declaration for the death of Somerset.

[Same as CCCCIV. Slightly different in deciphering and orthography otherwise exactly same.]

Anglo-Scottish negotiation

[Taken from State Papers, pp.227ff.
See also: L & P, vol.17, November 1542, 26-30. 28 Nov. R. O. St. P. v., 227. 1138. Council Of Scotland to Sir Wm. Eure.]

CCCCV. THE COUNCIL OF SCOTLAND to EURE.

TRAIST Freynd. Eftir dew commendatioun ; we suppone ze ar advertissit be the cumming laitlie of Ra, ane of zoure Soverranis officiarijs at armys, of ye unhappy slauchter of Somersett herald be twa Inglishmen callit William Leche and Johnne Preistman, here fugitivis being in girth. And sen his departing, ye Kinges Grace oure Soverane, hering of the said slauchter, and takand thairof ane hie displessir, hes causit sic diligence be maid yat ye committaris of ye said slauchter ar apprehendit, and tane furth of ye girth and sanctuary, quhair yai wer kepit in secrete maner, and put within his castell of Edinburgh, to be punissit according to yair demeritis and qualite of ye cryme. And becaus ye said herald wes ane publict and privilegeit persoun, oure Soverane thinkis the punyssing thairof suld be sa manifest and opinlie knawin to his Uncle zour Soverane and all uthir Princes, yat na falt may be impute to His Majestie, nor nane of his liegijs yerthrow. Quhairfore presentlie His Grace sendis supplicatioun for saufconduit to certane heraldis and gentilmen for reparing towart zoure Soverane, and declaratioun of oure said Soveranis mynde, and punyssing of the saidis trespassouris, quhilkis we suppone salbe, according to the dewitie of ane Prince, satisfactioun to his uncle be reasoun, and commendit be all uyer Princes. And sen, throw the said slauchter, yair is na sure passage betuix ye Princes, yair realmes nor liegijs, unto ye tyme ye said cryme be punyssit accordingly as efferis ; we have thocht expedient to gif zow advertisment of the samyn, and to desire zow, as ane narrest officiar of zoure Soveranis to this Realm, to caus ye said supplicatioun be convoyit haistelie to Him, and saufconduct send yerupoun ; quhilk we pray zow caus be done for ye commoun wele of baith ye Realmes. And yus fair ze weill. At Edinburgh, ye 28^{[th — S.U.]} day of November,

Be zouris lefullie, The Chancellar and
Lordis of our Soveranis Counsale in
Edinburgh.

(Superscribed)
To the Rycht Honorable, Schir Williame
Eueris, Kny^t, Capitane of Berwik, &^ca.

[Taken from Longleat Papers, pp.16-7.
See also: L & P, vol.17, November 1542, 26-30. 29 Nov. Add. MS. 32, 648 f. 160. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 242. 1140. Hertford to the Council.]

X.—1542. ASSASSINATION OF JOHN PONDE, SOMERSET HERALD AT ARMS, NEAR DUNBAR. (continued.)

2.—Earl of Hertford (?) to the Council.*

     From Alnwick 29 Nov. xii of the clock
     My Lords after mooste hartye Recomendations unto your good lordships it maye pleas the same to understand that yesterdaye at night arrived here with me Henry Rey pursuyvant at Armes declaring unto me at length the mooste cruell mooste pitifull and moost shamefull murdre of the Kings Maties true servante Somerset Harrold at Armes as he was coming in his retorne hitherwardes with aunswere from Th erle of Murrey touching the delyvree of our prysoners nowe in Scotland whos letter I was soo bold to opene and to loke uppon the contayne thereof, which if I had knowen a little sooner thene I did it mought perchance have coste many of their lives. And in my pore opynyon, my lords, this despitefull murder is oon of the greattest dishonour that ever came unto the King and Realme of Scotland, and cannot otherwise bee takene but that it was conspired, ymagyned and prepensed before by some maynteyners and berers of the murderers considering that after the murdre commytted, they disclosed theyr names to bee Leche and Presteman as if this prepensed murdre shuld be done by Englishe traytors and not by Scottish men, and as me seemeth by the discovere of Barwik's declaration, that the said Leche and Presteman having none other Refuge but oonly in Scotland, durste never have reveled their names soo manyfestly upon the commytting this detestable murdre ; whiche thing and sundry other conjectures gaddered oute as well by the demeanour of the said Somerset, he never being at quarrell nor distaunce with any man in Scotland nor none there with him as, by the discourse of the said declaration, causethe me to think that it was done by some othere malitious Scottishmen namyng themself after the murdere to be Leche and (Presteman), and that it was a murdre rather prepensed by conspiring enemies than otherwise. But surely, my lords, the King's Mat^ie hath by theis meanes loste oon wise discrete and trusty servant and as toward a man for his tyme by such knowlege as I have herd of hym as any was in th' office at Armes.
     I doo sende unto your lordshipps herewith as well the said Erle of Murreys letter and also oon other letter of his sente unto the said Barwick, to my Lord of Norfolk as the declaration of the same Barwick conteyning the said murdre, and also such other newes as he perceived at his retorne from out of Scotland. [The rest about military movements.]

* This letter is in the original rough draft, and is endorsed “the copy of a lr̅e̅ to the counsaille xxix. nov. at xii at noon :” no writer's name is given, but it appears to be in the handwriting of the first Sir John Thynne, and, from the corrections, to have been composed by him for the Earl of Hertford.

[Taken from State Papers, pp.228ff.
See also: L & P, vol.17, November 1542, 26-30. 30 Nov. R. O. St. P. v., 228. 1151. James V. to Henry VIII.]

CCCCVI. KING JAMES V. to KING HENRY VIII.

RIGHT Excellent, Richt Hie, and Mychty Prince, oure derrest Uncle and Brother ; We recommend Ws unto Zou in oure maist hartlie maner. And, being advertist of ye unhappy and cruell interprise takin be William Leche and Johnne Preistman, Inglismen, fugitivis heir being, in ye slauchter of Somerside, ane of zoure heraldis at armes, thocht We culde do na lese, nor to cause serche and apprehend yame with all diligens ; like as We have done, and hes gart put yame in ferme keiping. And, becaus We desire yat ye verite of ye said slauchter be knawin, nocht onlie unto Zou, bot to all uyeris quhais knawlege ye samyn may cum to, We pray Zou, derrest uncle and brother, to grant zoure letters of saulf conduct and sure pasport to our familiaris James Leirmonth of Dersye, ane of oure Maisteris of Houshald, Johnne Campbell of Lundy Knycht, Maister Houshald to our derrest fallow, and to Rothissay and Ross heraldis [In TA, vol.8, p.xxxviii, the complier says the office of Rothesay was occupied by Robert Hart. TA, vol.7, p.259 explicitly mentions him as Rothesay in 1540. Grant 1945, p.20 however says he was Unicorn 1543 without giving any source (in p.7 he says Hart was previously Ross before switching to Unicorn which is obviously an error — in 1546 he was Ross (TA, vol.8, p.469)). While there were mentions to unnamed Rothesay down to March 1544 (TA, vol.8, p.274), as TA, vol.8, p.401 says, as of 1 Aug. 1545, William Hardy was Unicorn which date Grant did not mention (in p.7 he states William Hardy was Unicorn in 1554), nor did he mention Peter Thomson, Unicorn who occurred in 1546 (he however mentions this in p.31 in the entry of Thomson; the source should be TA, vol.9, p.33). For now there is no further evidence to more explicitly support nor deny that Robert Hart was the then incumbent. As for the office of Ross, TA, vol.7, p.405 mentions Maister Robert Forman as the incumbent as of 15 Nov. 1540 which is aligned with Grant 1945, p.17. For now there is no other person to mention than him. Afterwards he would be Sir Robert Forman, Lyon.], or ony tua of yame, and with yame or ony of yame in cumpany, uthiris tuelf personis oure liegis or under, saulfie and surelie to cum within zoure Realme of Ingland to zoure presence, to ye effect yat Ze may be surelie informit of ye verite and maner of ye committing of ye said slauchter, and yat punitioun may yaireftir follow according to ye qualite of ye cryme. For We assure Zou, derrest uncle, yat yair is na Prince levand, yat wald be lathar nor We ar, yat sic ane odius cryme suld remane unponist ; as Ze shall creirlie knaw be oure saidis familiaris yat salbe send unto Zou ; and fra tyme Ze have considerit yer reherse and informatioun in ye premissis, that yai may surelie returne unto Ws without truble harme or injure tobe done to yame within zoure Realme of Ingland. Rycht Excellent, Richt Hie, and Mychty Prince, oure derrest Uncle and Brother, We pray God have Zou evir in His blissit keiping. Gevin under oure Signet, at Edinburgh, ye last day of November, and of oure Regime ye thretty zere.

(Signed) Zo^r lovyng Brother and Nepho,
JAMES REX.

(Superscribed)
To the Rycht Excellent, Richt Hie, and Mychty
Prince, our derrest Uncle and Bruther, the
King of Ingland &c.

[Taken from TA, vol.8, p.149. In p.144, there is In the first, the xxj day of December ]

Item, gevin to Rothissay herauld to mak his furnesing and expensis passing to Londoun witht writtingis to the King of Ingland, and to be gevin to Somersyd herauldis servand, and Dingwell pursewand passing witht him, as the precept beris, ane hundretht and thretty crounis; summa . . . j^cxliij ll̃.

In between there was this letter:

L & P, vol.17, December 1542, 1-10.: 4 Dec. Calig. E. IV., 87. B. M. St. P. IX., 230. 1166. Henry VIII. to Paget.

[Taken from State Papers, pp.229ff.
See also: L & P, vol.17, December 1542, 1-10. 10 Dec. R. O. St. P. v., 229. 1187. Henry VIII. to James V.]

CCCCVII. KING HENRY VIII. to KING JAMES V.

RIGHT Excellent, Righ Hiegh, and Mighty Prince, our good Brother and Nephieu, We commende Us unto You in effectuel maner. Lating You wit, that we have receyved your letters of the last of Novembre, whereby you requyre our saufconduite for M^r James Leyrmonth, Sir John Cambell, and others, to repayre hither unto Us to declare the veritie of the unhappy and cruel murdre of Somerset oon of our heraldes at armes, doon, as your letters purporte and specifie, by William Leche and John Prestman, fugitives of England, whom, as You write, You have caused to be put in sure keping. Nephieu, this slaughter is so cruell, so abhominable, and so barbarous, as, howsoever other thinges stande betwen Us, We cannot chuse but most hartely wishe and desire that it maye appere both to Us and to the world, that i hath been committed agaynst your will, and that you doo nolesse detest and abhorre it, then thimportaunce of the cace requyreth. But, nephieu, where you desire to have this declaration made here by the sayd Leyrmonth and others, to thintent punishement might aftre followe according to the qualitie of the cryme ; to that we have thought mete frankely to signefie unto You that there can be no suche declaration made here, as can either satisfie Us, whose honour the matyer most toucheth, or purge the attemptate clerely to the world, which must nedes have it in extreme detestation, onles You shall first delyver the personnes, whom your sayd letters declare to have committed the murdre, to the handes of our Warden, that they maye be conveyed hither, and here receyve condigne punishement for their most cruel and detestable entreprise. For, if You shold take the punishement of them Yourself, it might not only be thought to Us, who hath receyved the displeasur of it, and is not nowe, as You knowe, in the termes of amitie with You, but also to thole worlde, that to cover thacte, wherby it shuld not appere from whens it had his grounde and original, though You shewe Yourself displeased with it ; yet having the matyer still in your oun hande, You might cause other malefactours to be executed in the lieu of the very offendours, and suffre the offenders tescape unpunished ; which suspition were in any wise to be exchued and avoyded. Wherefore, seeng the matyer cannot be clered by any meane of declaration here, but only by the deliveraunce of the sayd personnes named in your sayd letters, We have writen to our sayd Warden, that if it shall like you to delyver them to him or to his deputies, he shall receyve them, and see them conveyed surely unto Us. Right Excellent, Right High, and Mighty Prince, our good Brother and Nephieu, We beseche God to sende you health, and to directe your procedinges to His pleasure. Yeven undre our Signet, at our honour of Hampton Courte, the 10^th of December, the 34^th yere of our Reign.

In between there are these letters:

L & P, vol.17, December 1542, 11-20.: 13 Dec. Add. MS. 32,648 f. 211. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 257. 1199. Sir Wm. Evers to Lisle.; 14 Dec. Caius College MS. 597, 9. 203. St. P. IX., 236. 1203. Paget to Henry VIII.; 17 Dec. R. O. [Spanish Calendar, VI. II., No. 84.] 1212. Chapuys to the Queen Of Hungary.

[Taken from State Papers, pp.230ff.
See also: L & P, vol.17, December 1542, 21-25. 21 Dec. Add. MS. 32,648, f. 232. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 264. St. P. V. 230. 1227. Council Of Scotland to Henry VIII.]

CCCCVIII. THE COUNCIL OF SCOTLAND to KING HENRY VIII.¹

RICHT Excellent, Richt Hie, and Mychti Prince, eftir all hertlie recommendatioun. Plesit Zour Hienes to be advertist, We haif ressavit zoure writtingis of ye daitt ye tent day of December instant, directit to zour derrest bruthir and nepho ye Kingis Grace oure Soverane and Maister, quhom God perdoun ; makand mentioun yat Zour Hienes can nocht be sufficientlie satisfyit of ony declaratioun to be maid to Zou be Ambassatourris anent ye abhominable murthure of zoure herauld Somersyde, without ye committarris yairof be

¹ From the Museum, Royal MSS. 18 B. VI. leaf 80.

deliverit unto Zour Majestie, quhairby Ze may understand of quhat rute ye foresaid murthure procedit, and yat ye malefactouris may be punist in yair awn personis, and na uyeris supponit in yair place ; lik as at mair lencht is contenit in zour saidis writtingis. Richt excellent, rycht hie, and mychti Prince, plesit Zour Hienes to be advertist that oure Soverane and Maister wes departit of yis present liffe, or ye presenting of Zour Hienes writtingis. Nochtthelese we, havand respect to ye commoun wele of yis Realme, and to satisfy Zour Hienes in every ressonable desyre, will omitt na thing yat may confer to ye samyn ; assuring Zour Hienes yat oure said Soverane and Maister, understanding in his liftyme perfitlie yat, without herauldis ambassatouris and messingerris mycht have surtie to pas and repas betuix princis realmes and cuntreis, all humane societie suld ceise, na peax amytie nor frendschip be treaitit or observit, bot every prince realme and cuntre stand disunyt with perpetuall discord, causit ye committaris of ye said horrible slauchter to be apprehendit, and surely kepit, yaireftir to be punist be Zour Hienes, and on na vise to have usit ony dissimulat punisment of utheris in place of ye said malefactouris. Quhairfor insewand ye lovable intentioun of oure umquhill Soverane, and to avoyd all suspitioun and sclander, and yat ye part of yis Realme may be repute honest afore all ye warld, we sall nocht faill to satisfy Zour Hienes according to ye desyre of zoure writtingis foresaides, and sall omyt na thing yat may ressonabillie pleis Zour Hienes. Bot sen sua it is yat, be ye dispositioun of God Omnipotent, quhais will na erdlie creature may resist, oure Soverane and Maister, zour tendir nepho, is departit fra yis present life, to oure grete desolatioun, and as we suppone to Zour Hienes nocht litill displesour and treistes, and hes left ane Princes, zoure pronece, to be heretar and Quene of yis Realme, quhais prosperite successioun and lang life we desyre als ardentlie as can be thocht ; traisting yat, Zour Hienes blude regnnand within yis Realme, Ze sall nocht faill to desyre ye weill and tranquillite yerof, we haif toucht above all thingis maist nedfull to seik ye wayis quhairby all diversite standand betuix ye twa Realmes may be brocht to gud amytie and quyet : and to yat effect prayis Zoure Hienes to grant zoure saufconduct to ane Reverend Fathir in God Robert Bisschop of Orknay, and to ye noble and richt honorable personis Johnne Lord Erskyn, Adam Otterburn of Reidhall, and Johnne Campbell of Lundy, Knychtis, or to thre or twa of yame, and with yame in cumpany fourty hors or within, to repare unto Zour Hienes presence to treate upoun peax and uyeris wechti materris, and yat Ze will gyf command to zour Wardanis, or sik personagis as Ze pleise direct, to treate ane abstinence for five or sex monethis, yat in ye meyntyme all uyeris grete materis mycht be appoynctit, to ye plesoure of God, weill and eise of ye lieges of baitht ye Realmes. To the quhilk we dowt nocht bot Zour Hienes will condiscend, consydering principalie yat na weir may be led at yis tyme bot aganis zour awn maist tendir pronece, ane innocent, yat nothir hes nor can offend athir aganis God or man. And for ye part of yis Realme Zour Hienes sall fynd ws sa applyit, yat of reasoun ze sall stand content. Richt Excellent, Richt Hie, and Mychti Prince, We pray God to have Zour Hienes in His blessit keping. At Edinburgh, ye tuentyane of December, the zere of God 1500 and fourtytwa zeris.¹

Zouris with maist humyll
and lefull service,
THE COUNSALL OF SCOTLAND.

(Superscribed)
To the Richt Excellent, Rycht Hie, and Mychti
Prince, the King of Ingland.

1 On the 23d of December the Council of Scotland wrote to Lord Lisle, the Lord Warden, requesting him to forward their letters to Henry VIII., and to appoint a convenient day and time for receiving “ of ye slayars of umquhill Somersyde herauld”; and to send his letters of safeguard for Ross and Rothsay Heralds. [See L & P, vol.17, December 1542, 21-25. 23 Dec. Royal MS. 18 B. VI. 149b. B. M. 1231. Council Of Scotland to Lisle.]

Negotiation again

L & P, vol.17, December 1542, 26-31.: 29 Dec. Add. MS. 32,648 f. 236. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 266. The Privy Council to the Council Of Scotland.; 29 Dec. Add. MS. 32,648 f. 242. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 267 (1). 1245. Lisle to the Council Of Scotland.; 30 Dec. Add. MS. 32,648 f. 238. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 267. 1249. Lisle and Others to Henry VIII.
L & P, vol.18, Part 1, January 1543, 1-5.: 1 Jan. Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 2. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 268. 4. Lisle to the Council.; 4 Jan. Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 6. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 269. 7. Henry VIII. to the Council Of Scotland.; 4 Jan. Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 12. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 270. 8. James Earl Of Arran to Lisle.; 5 Jan. Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 14. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 271. 11. Henry VIII. to Lisle.
L & P, vol.18, Part 1, January 1543, 6-10.: 6 Jan. Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 23. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 274. 16. James Earl Of Arran to Henry VIII.

Payment to English messengers

[Taken from TA, vol.8, pp.165-6. The date is mentioned in p.163.]

[A.D. 1542-3.]
In the first, the vj day of Januar . . .
. . .
Item, gevin to ane Inglis preist cummand witht writtingis fra my lord Lile, wardane of Ingland, to my lord governour [the one dated 29 Dec. mentioned above?], . . . . vj ll̃. xij s̃.
. . .
Item, gevin to Hary Ra, Inglisman, cumand witht writtingis fra the bordouris to the lordis [any of the letters mentioned above?], vj ll̃. xij s̃.

Murderers examined

[Taken from State Papers, pp.235ff.
See also: L & P, vol.18, Part 1, January 1543, 6-10. 9 Jan. R. O. St. P., v. 235. 26. Lisle and Durham to Henry VIII.; 9 Jan. R. O. 2. At Edinburgh. slaughter of Thomas Symmersyd, herald to the King of England [John Ponde whom Noble mentioned is by this quote also impossible]; — R. O. 3. John Prestmane to Sir Richard Maners.; — R. O. St. P., v. 236. 4. Confession of John Preistman.; — R. O. 5. Declaration by Wm. Leche, of Hornecastell, and John Prestman.]

CCCCX. LISLE AND TUNSTALL to KING HENRY VIII.

PLEASETH Your Majestie to understande, that William Leche and John Preistman, murderers of Your Graces heralde, be alredy delyverd to me, Your Graces Warden, whome I shall send up with certen of my servauntes in sauf custodie (God willing) furthwith. There came with theym Rossay, a heraulde of Skotland, who brought unto me thexamynacions and confessions of the aforsaid murderers, subscribed with their handes, and testified by Thomas Balandyne the Cheif Justice Clarke ; all whiche examinations and confessions I do send herwith in this packett.¹
We have examined the said prisoners aparte, by all dexteritie that we coulde, who were setters forwardes of the said murder, showing unto theym that we coulde not thinke that they, being Englishemen, banished in a strange countrey whiche was their refuge, wolde do suche an abhomynable dede, as they muste nedes lose their refuge for, as they nowe see theym selves by experience, onlesse they were styrred therunto by some of that countrey gyving theym counforthe and boldenes to attempte suche a foule dede, and peradventer promysing theym great rewardes or preferment therfore. Whiche

¹ They are in the State Paper Office.

thinge dilated unto theym at lenght, thone of theym called John Preistman made suche aunswere as Your Grace shall perceyve in wryting sent in this packett.¹

“ The saing and confession of John Priestman, examined before the right honorable the Viscount Lisle, Lord Warden of all the Marchies of Englond foranempst Skotland, and the right reverend Father in God the Bishop of Duresme, Sir Richard Manners, and Sir Rauf Eure, Knightes, at the Kinges Majesties castell of Alnwick, the 8^th of Januarye, the 34^th yere of His Highnes Reigne.
     First, being demaunded what shuld move theym to kylle the heralde, rather than Henry Raye, that was in his companie, or rather than any oder Englishman dayly comming in Skotland ;
     To the whiche the said Pristman said that they had none other mattier perpensed to the said Somersett, than they had to thoder two Englishemen in his companie, but that they were fully determyned to kille the first of the three that they could ley their handes on : and sayd, that the grettist cause that moved theyin to take this foule dede in hand was that, after the armye of Skotland being skaled, perseyved theym selvis (as they thought) not to be in suche faveor with the King and the Lordes, as they were wont to be. Wheruppon, after long debating the mattier betwene theym, they concluded that, if they could do any cruell or myschevous dede to Englishemen, yt wolde be a meane to bring theym in credite and estymation agayne ; and, knowing thiese Englishemen to be in Edinburghe, thought they might worke their purpose upon theym first. And yet, before they were fully concluded, they spake with the Kinge, and William Leche said unto Hym that their was certen Englishemen in Edinburghe, the wbiche he thought were spies to lerne the secrettes of his realme, and that yt was pittie they were unpunished ; wherunto the King made theym no aunswere, but loked toward theym, and with his hand made a certen signe ; wheruppon they gathered that He forced not, thoughe they had a shrewed turne. After this the said Pristman saithe that they went to the Kinges Secretorie M^r Erskyne, and made labour unto hym to be good unto theym, and that they might either be apoynted to some lyving, and to be putt to do som service, orelles to gyve theym leave to seke the warres in some other countrey ; and said, that they were sure that, when the warres shuld breke up betwene Englond and Skotland, they shuld be delyvered to the King of Englond; to whome the said Erskyn aunswered, and said ; ‘ Feare not, nor have no suche doubt ; for, if you had killed the King of Englond Hym self, you shuld not be delyverd into Englond’; and farther said unto theym, they shuld have certen wages delyvered theym shortly by the Cardinalles commaundment.
     And theruppon they went to the Cardinall, and desired hym to be good to theym ; who promysed also that he wolde, and said unto theym that they had byn long socored in Skotland, and that the tyme was now of service, and bade theym declare what service that they could do, and what frindes they coulde make ; and said, that he had auctoritie from the Hollie Father the Pope, to enterdite the realme of Englond, and that the same shuld be published within certen churches in Englond, or yt were longe.
     And shortly after, the said Preistman saith, that the Cardynall sent for the said William Leche into the Counsaill, but he the said Pristman was not sent for at that tyme ; and then hering of the going home of the said Somersett and thoder Englishemen in his companie, and having no wages nor reward gyven theym, but kepte in povertie, they thought that yt was loked for at their handes, that they shulde do som cruell dede ; wherupon they concluded the slaughter of the said Somersett and his fellowes. And thinking to have done yt within the bounde rode of Barwik, to thintent to have had the gretter prayse, their horses began to faile theym, so that they were constrayned to sett uppon it soner.
     Ferther the said Preistman, being examined, whether any man did promyse hym any reward or gave hym any counfortable worde towardes suche a dede, saith no ; but saith that they might perceyve, aswell by their fations, that they wold have suche a thing done, as thoughe they had commaunded theym presysly to do yt.
     Ferther the said Pristman, being examined, whather he had any socour or fynding, out of Englond, saith naye.
     Ferther he being examined, who was the third man, sayth that yt was a lad, that they hired to ronne a foote with theym to bring home the horses that they borrowed, and was not pryvie to their purpose.
     Ferther being examined, whather Leches broder was of counsaill with theym in this acte or not, saith, that he was made pryvie unto yt, but whan he perceyved their entent was to murder, he refuzed to go with theym : and ferthermore saith, the said Leches broder hath alwas byn in hand with theym to sue and make meanes for the Kinges pardon.
     Item being examined, what bannished men he knewe to be in Skotland, saith, there ys one called William Wodmanson, attendant about the Lord Hume ; one Doctour Hillyard in Sanct Andrewes, who hath a fee of the Cardinall ; Frear Barton ys in Edinburghe ; one Symson in Jedworthe ; and one Richard Wilson in thabbey of Dere.
     Item being examined, whatt supportation or socour they had within Skotland besides the King, saith, none ; and saith that the nature of Skottes ys, not to have their handes nor their purses open to any man, but full of envie and crueltie.
     Item being examined, what preparation of warres he knewe to be made their agaynst this realme, saith none, but will seke peaxe ; for they know that they arr not able to resist the Kinges Grace from a conquest, if yt be his pleasure.
     Item of hym self he said, that he hard moche speaking that they loke for thErle of Anguishe to come yn, but he shalhave no entre untill he bynd hym self and putt yn sureties to take their parte and leave Englonde.

(Signed)      JOHN LISLE.      CUTH : DURESME
(Signed)      RYCHIARD MANERS
(Signed)      RAUFF EURE.

Thoder William Leche, confessing his faulte, and shewing hym to be repentant therfore, and oftymes appealing from Your Graces justice to Your Graces marcie, and also from Gods justice to His mercie, towching the questions demaunded of hym, wolde goo no farther than ys conteyned in his confession made before a Justice in Skotland, wrytten all with his owne hand, and subscribed by hym and his fellowe.¹
And, by that we can perceyve by longe examynation of theym, the thirde persone that ranne on foote by theym, was a boye that went with theym to bringe backe their horses that were hiered ; whiche, assone as he sawe theym lighted and commytting the said murder, letting their horses goo, gatt his masters said hiered horses, and rode awaye with theym as fast as he coulde ; and then they two toke the horses of Somersett theralde and of his man, whiche they were longe in getting, and pursuyd Henry Raie, who fledde whiles they were chasing and getting the heraldes horses, orelles they had

¹ In this paper they describe themselves as natives of England, banished for taking part in the general commotion “ for mantanyng of Christs Faith Holy Church,” and having lived more than six years in great indigence and dread of their lives. They state that Leche required Somerset to yield, and that on his refusal they made at each other, so that “ with long pyngle with dagger” Somerset was slain ; that in the mean time Prestman was busy with the young man, who cried to Ray for help ; and that Ray, for fear of losing the treasonable letters (which they suppose him to have had) filed with speed of horse. kylled hym also. The said heralde servaunt ys sent unto me by a pursavaunte of Skotland from thErle of Arren, whiche pursavaunte I have sent backe. The said yonge man had twentie crownes gevyn hym by th Erle of Arren to bringe hym home, whiche commyth up to London to Your Grace.
     John Herons chapleyn, who I, Your Graces Warden, sent into Skotland for aunswere of the letters of the Erle of Arren towching the delyverie of the said murderers, and commyng to Barwik in companie with those that brought the said prisoners to the boundes of Barwik, saith that, when he came to thErle of Arren, and delyvered hym his letters, the said Erle bade hym not to resorte to the Cardinall, but to the Chauncellor the Bishop of Glascoo ; and saith, that the Cardynall every daye rydith to the palais where thErle of Arren lieth, and sayd that the said Erle of Arren ys hym self a good softe Gods man, and loveth well to loke on the scripture, but he hath many that ruleth aboute hym of his kynne, whiche be shrewes and evill men.
     The said Preist said also that, whan he was going one daye to the Counsaill up the steyre where they satte, a gentilman belonging to the Cardynall, called the capitaigne of Londye, toke hym by the sleave and wolde have pulled hym downe, sainge, what had he to do there ; and the preist strugling with hym, wold not leave, but wayte uppon the Counsaill for busynes that he had ; for whiche thinge, whan yt camme to the Cardynalles yere, the Cardynall warned the said gentilman out of his service, as he harde saye.
     The said Preist said also that, when he mett with M^r John Bruce, a gentilman of his old acquayntaunce belonging to thErle of Huntley, and asked of hym whan he wolde be theire, he aunswered that he thought he wolde not come at all, saing, who soever were made Kinge of the Southe, he wolde be Kinge of the Northe.
     The said Preist showed us also, that this last night he laye in the house in this towne, where the aforsaid Rossaye, the Skottishe heralde that at this tyme comyeth to Your Highnes furth of Skotland, laye ; who he said was in grett feare, and said to hym amonges other communication, that he thought, after the Kinges bodye were buryed, the said Cardynall wolde, within eight dayes after, steale out of Skotland. Uppon which advertisment, I, Your Graces Warden, have written two letters, the one to M^r Stanhope, thoder to the Viceadmyrall of the See, furthwith to kepe the see ; whiche if they doo, there shall suche a praye fall in their lappe, as shalbe bothe to their grett preferment, and to Your Graces highe contentation. We praye God they may do their duetie at this tyme.
     The said Preist shewed us ferther, whan he was asked what they seye in Skotland of thErle of Anguishes retornyng, and howe men be mynded unto hym or agaynst hym, he said that all Skottishe men do saye that, if he will come home, and take their parte agaynst Englond, he shalhave [sic] all his houses and landes restored unto hym ; and in case he will not so promyse and be bounde, he saithe that all the countrey wilbe [sic] agaynst hym. And, when he was asked, howe shulde he come home having no house to go to, he said, the Lordes feare to restore unto hym his houses without bonde taken, as before, leste he shuld rendre his houses to the Englishemen, and therby bringe theym yn to subdue Skotlande.
     And where Your Highnes wrote unto me, Your Graces Warden, that I shuld receyve of my Lorde President £233. 6^s 8^d for thErle of Anguishe, and £66. 13. 4 for Sir George Douglas, wherof I wrote to my Lorde President for the delyverye of the said money, whose aunswere I send herin enclosed ; Your Grace shal therby perceyve that he ys unfurnyshed to make any suche payment. Wherfore Your Highnes must commaund suche money to be furnished of some other your treasure, where yt shall stande with your pleasure.
     The said Preist showed us also that the King of Skottes shalbe buried at Edinburghe yn Halirode house tomorrowe.¹ Thus we beseche Almightie God preserve Your Majestie in longe and prousperous felicitie, with the contynuall desire of your moste kingly harte. From your castell of Alnwik, the 9^th of Januarye.

Your Majestis moste humble
servauntes and subjectes,
(Signed)      JOHN LISLE      CUTH : DURESME.

¹ According to the “ Diurnal” the King was buried on the 8th, and Arran proclaimed Protector and Governor on the 10th of January.

[Taken from from State Papers, pp.239ff.
See also: L & P, vol.18, Part 1, January 1543, 6-10. 9 Jan. R. O. St. P., v. 239. 27. Lisle to Henry VIII.]

CCCCXI. LISLE to KING HENRY VIII.

PLEASETH Your Majestie to be advertised, that I have receyved Your Highnes moste gracious letters the date of the 5^th of this moneth. Geving my most hartie thankes unto Almightie God that our procedinges standeth with Your Majesties pleasure ; for thys ys my only desire unto the Lorde to gyve me grace to do all Your Highnes commaundementes to your moste gracious contentation, with my ernest prayer that I may never lyve the daye to do any thinge that may be contrarie to the same. And, where Your Majestis pleasure is, that I shuld wryte a letter to thErle of Arren, the minute wherof I have receyved from Your Majestie, the same ys at this present dispeched and sent furth by Henry Raie.¹ And this daye, before the recept of Your Highnes said letters, I had communication with a pursevaunte of Skotland, the whiche was present at the tyme of the slaughter of your heralde, the whiche pursevant the said Erle of Arren sent unto me to declare his knowlege in the same. And remembring the message the said Erle of Arren sent unto me by John Herons preist, I thought I had good opertunite to question with the said pursevant apart. And, devising of many matters concerning the governaunce of the realme, I asked hym where the yonge Princes was kepte, and he said with the Quene, and nurssed in her owne chambre. I asked him, what devices they had of her for a husband, and he said that their was many wise and sadde men that wished her to my Lorde Prince of Englond. I asked hym what maner a man thErle of Arren was, and he said that he ys a grett faveorer of the scripture, and a man (as he thought) of a very good consience ; and

“ My Lord. Aftre my right harty commendations to your good Lordship. Synnes the receipt of my last advertisementes from thens, wherin for thexcuse [sic] of the rigging and sending of the shippes of Scotland to the see, which toke the Kinges Majestes my Soverain Lordes subgectes shippes laden with wyne, it is wryten howe those shippes wer sent forth by the commandement of the King deceassed, I have been advertised for truth that the shippes called the Salamander and Unicorne be even nowe in ryggyng to be sent to the see, which if it be not doon by publique commaundement, as I trust it is not, it maye at the lest by your publique commaundement be letted and empeched, soo as if they shuld in dede goo furth it shuld moch hindre the good opinion the King, my Master, haith conceyved of your inclination to doo nothing or suffre any thing that might justely irritate His Majestie. As touching the incourses of the broken men by land on the Bordors synnes the abstinence, I have been glad, and shalbe, to excuse those matiers as they maye be excused, and always to maynteyne and uphold the King my Masters good estimation of your procedinges, which I take to be of the best sorte. And yet, if thiese shippes shuld nowe goo to the see in the tyme ye governe al, and maye throwly commaunde and staye al, having also opportunite in maters of the see to use thauctorite of admyralte, which the Erle Bothewol pretendith to apperteyne unto hym, who I think wold not gladly offende the Kinges Majeste, I cannot tel what to saye for excuse in that bihaulf. Wherin, forasmoch as the defence of the see toucheth specially myn office, I must for my discharge not oonly be the more diligent to put ordre to resiste, as I wol not fayle to doo, but also ernestly set forth to the King my Master the matier, wherby His Grace might altre his good opinion of you, whiche parte I had rather an other played then I. But yet, if this thing shuld be put in ure, I must nedes saye that if it be not doon by your commaundement it must be taken as doon by your sufferaunce, being your auctorite as it is, and in such sorte obeyed, as I am certaynly enformed it is. Which matier I wold wishe ye did avoyde, and ordred it soo as might be agreable with the rest of your doinges ; hartely requyring youe, that, to thintent I may not by any slaknesse take lak in diligent execution of myne office, to advertise me what ye canne or wyl doo in the staying of the said shippes, and to use me soo frendly herin, as I may have cause upon your syncerite to encrease my credence in the rest of your procedinges, and be the gladlyer a ministre in the avauncement and setting forth of the same, wherin I have been and shalbe of such sorte as the continuaunce of your inclination to the King my Souverain Lord shal oblige and bynde me, to the commen counforte and welthe of us all. Wherfor eftsones I require youe with spede to advertise me your resolution in this bihaulf, to thintent I maye use myself for my discharge accordingly. And soo Our Lord have your Lordshippe in His blessed tuition.”

showed me that he willed hym to sey unto me, that loke what service he coulde do to the Kinge of Englond, and yt shulde be at his commandment. Wheruppon I desired hym to do my message unto hym, shewing hym that, for the good reporte that I had harde of hym, and for his gentell recommendations with his message sent unto me by the preiste, I wolde wishe that he wolde so remember hym self to make an humble petition to the Kinges Majestie, my Sovereigne Lorde, that yt might stand with His Graces pleasure to take the yonge Princes of Skotland, and to bestowe Her unto my Lorde Prince ; and in thus doing he shall do hym self a better torne than he ys warr of. And the pursevant said that he thought yt were possible that he shuld so do, saing that he was a sober man and coveted no grett thinges of the worlde. And so I toke my leave of hym. And I bade hym tell hym from me, that if he knewe the Kinges Majestie sowell as I do, he wolde rather be his subject, then to be Kinge of all Skotland. Thus farr I entred in this mattier before the recept of Your Highnes letters. And uppon the recept of the same, wheras I had despeched the pursevant before, I sent for hym after agayne. And, wheras I was mynded to have sent Henry Raie upp with the Skottishe Heralde that nowe commyth to Your Grace, I have thought yt good to send the said Raie with my letters unto the said Erle, to thintent he maye bring me perfite aunswere of the same agayne, to whom ys more credite to be gyven than to thoder messengers.
Ferthermore, as towching the state of Your Graces Borders, the same contynewith in suche termes as in my former letters I have advertised Your Majestie, and our neighburs of Skotland hath done but litell hareme unto us syns the deith of their Kinge. But this daye I was enfourmed that the Lorde of Bowcleughs sonne was yesterday in the morning within Your Graces Realme with an hundreth horsses, but they had no leysur to carrye nother boutie nor prysoner awaye. And syns that he hath begonne, (which as I perceyve ys none of thErle of Anguishe freindes) I truste his father, and he to, shall repent yt, orr yt be longe.
The reste of all thorder taken with the prysoners whiche we nowe send up, with also the discourse of John Herons preist nowe come to me out of Skotland, ys ferther declared in my other letters sent herwith to Your Grace from me and my Lord of Duresme. And thus I beseche Almightie God evir preserve Your Majestie with longe and prousperous felicitie, and the contynuall desire of your moste kingly harte. From your castell of Alnwik, the 9^th of Januarye.

Your Majestes moste humble
subject and servaunt,
(Signed)      JOHN LISLE.

(Superscribed)
To the Kinges Majestie.

Murderers transferred to London

L & P, vol.18, Part 1, January 1543, 21-25. 22 Jan. Dasent's A. P. C., 77. 65. The Privy Council. Letter written to the lieutenant of the Tower to receive Leyche and Preistman who slew the King's herald in Scotland.

Edward Leche transferred

L & P, February 1543, 1-10.: 1 Feb. R. O. St. p., V. 249. 102. Lisle to Suffolk. Encloses copy of a letter he sent the Governor by Henry Raye...
L & P, vol.18, Part 1, February 1543, 11-20.: 12 Feb. Add. MS. 32,649, f. 146. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 298 (2). 153. Lisle to Suffolk. Has sent Raye with a letter to Arren.; 20 Feb. Add. MS. 32,649, f. 168. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 306. 186. Suffolk and Others to the Council. Arren writes to Suffolk promising delivery of Leche's brother. Apart from this, in stead of Somerset, Richmond started to perform the duty for the cross-border negotiation.
L & P, vol.18, Part 1, February 1543, 21-25.: 21 Feb. Add MS. 32,649, f. 173. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 308. 191. Lisle to Arran. willed Lisle to appoint with him for receiving Leche's brother.

Payment account to English and Scottish messengers

[Taken from TA, vol.8, pp.168-9. These may or may not be related to the murder.]

[A.D. 1542-3.]
Item, the ferd day of Februar, gevin to Hary Ra, Inglisman, cumand with writtingis fra the lord Lyle of Ingland to my lord governour, iiij ll̃. viij s̃.
. . .
Item, the xiij day of Februar . . .
. . .
Item, given to Hary Ra, Inglisman, cumand witht writtingis fra the Duke of Suffok to my lord governour, and remanand upoune his ansuer for consultatioune of the lordis wes haid thairintill, . xj ll̃.
. . .
Item, the xvij day of Februar, gevin to Rochemont, Inglis herald, quha come witht writtingis to my lord governour fra the Duke of Suffok, . xxxiij ll̃.
Item, gevin to the lord Lylis servand quha come witht writtingis fra his maister to my lord governour xxij ll̃.
Item, the xxiij day of Februar, gevin to Rothisay herauld passand witht writtingis to the Duke of Suffok, and witht the abstinence of weir to the first day of Junii, . . . xiij ll̃. iiij s̃.

Payment for the transfer

[Taken from TA, vol.8, p.170.]

[A.D. 1542-3.]
Item, the last day of Februar, gevin for ane hors and ane boyis wage passand witht the Inglishman to Dunbar that wes supectit of the slauchter of Somersyd herauld, . . . . x s̃.

Edward Leche received

[Taken from State Papers, pp.258ff.
See also: vol.18, Part 1, March 1543, 1-10. 3 March. Add MS. 32,650, f. 12. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 323. 236. Suffolk and Others to Henry VIII. Edward Leche, the rebel, being ... delivered at the Bounde Rodde of Berwick.; 3 March. R. O. St. P., v. 257 237. Suffolk and Others to the Council.]

CCCCXX. SUFFOLK, &c. to THE COUNCIL WITH THE KING.

. . .
Uppon Tuysdaye last Edward Leche was delyvered at the bounde rodde of Barwyke by appoyntement betwixt thErle of Arrayne and me the Lorde Warden : the same Leche is nowe here with us, and fourthwith we shall sende him in safetie to your Lordshipp with all convenient diligence.
. . . From Newcastell, the 3^rd of Marche.

Your Lordshipps assured loving freendes,
(Signed)      CHARLES SUFFORLKE.          JOHN LISLE.
(Signed)      WYLLIAM PARR.
(Signed)      RAFE SADLEYR.

Edward Leche transferred to London

vol.18, Part 1, May 1543, 21-25. 25 May. R.O. 596. Garrisons and Ships. 3d.; to John Rouse, for conveying one Leche, a prisoner from Newcastle to London.

Bonus

[Taken from State Papers, pp.193ff. This letter has nothing to do with the murder (dated before the event). I just copied this just out of curiosity.]

CCCLXXXV. RAY to THE PRIVY COUNCIL.

To the ryght honourable my Lordes of the Kinges Mayesties moost honourable Counsell. PLEAS it your Lordshepes to understand that, wheyr as I was comandyt by your Lordshyps to resortt un to Scotland, and theyr to inquer certan and knalege of the deth of the Qweyn of Scottes that last deceassed², and whether

² The “Diurnal” states that Queen Margaret died on the 24th of November, and was buried in St. Johnstoun.

She dyed intestet or noott ; I have bein ther, and hauf spokyn with suche fryndes and aqwayntanes as I have in thoos partes : and what informyn[g I] hauf, and knaulage I gat, youer Lordyshepes shall parsaeyff by artecheles ensouyng.
    Fwrst, as I was informed by myne aquantanes ther, that the secknes that She dyet apon was of a palsye, wheche She tuyk upon the Fryday befor nyght at a playes that is called Meffen, and dyed upon the Tuysday befor neght after. And, for as moche as She doutted nott any danger of dethe to followe unto her said desees, She lached the maken of her wyll and testament, unto suche tyme as She was past rememerans for that porpose, and so dyed untested.
    Itam, as I was also informed, that the said Queyn, beeyng in her said dyeses, ded send for the Kyng her sonne, beyng then at Falkland, to come to Her ; whome come not unto sheche tyme that She was de parted ; and when that She dyd parchauf that deth dyed aproche, dyed deseir the Frers, that whas her Confessors, that thay shold seet on thar knees befor the Kyng, and to beseche Hem that He wold be good and grachous unto the Erell of Anguyshe, and dyd extremly lament, and aske God marcy, that She had afendet unto the sayd Erell as She hade.
    Itam, I was also infermed, that the said Queyn befor her dethe dyd also desyer her said Counfesers to solyst the Kyng hir sone, from Hir, to be good unto the Laydy Margrat Douglas, hir doughtar, and that she myght have of hir goodes, thinkynge it most conveneant for hir, for as moche she never had no theng of Her befor.
    Itam, as I was lyk wyse informed, the same day that the sayd Quyn departed, and after hir decesse, the Kyng dyd come Hym self unto Mephen [should be identical with Meffen above] aforsayd, and fyndeng the said Quen his mother departed, did comand one Olyver Sinkler and one Jhon [sic] Tenant, twoo of hes Privey Chamar, to tack and louck oup all her goodes for hes use.
    Item, I was lycke wys informed that the said Quen had no mor redy money at the tyme of her departen, bott 2500 markes Skottes.

(Signed) By me, BARWECK, Porsovant.

Sources

State Papers.: State Papers Published Under the Authority of His Majesty's Commission, vol. 5, King Henry VIII, Part 4 (continued), Correspondence relative to Scotland and the borders, 1513-1546, 1836. (Google Books.)
L & P.: Letters and Papers, Henry VIII (British History.)
Longleat Papers.: Rev. Canon Jackson, "Longleat Papers, No.3 (Continued)", in Wiltshire archaeological and natural history magazine, vol.18, 1879, pp.9ff. (Internet Archive.)
TA.: Paul, Sir James Balfour, Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, vol.7: A.D. 1538-1541, Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House, 1907, vol.8: A.D. 1541-1546, Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House, 1908, vol.9: A.D. 1546-1551, Edinburgh: H.M. General Register House, 1911. (Google Books.)

Related materials

Clifford, Arthur (ed.), The State Papers and Letters of Sir Ralph Sadler, Knight-banneret, vol.1., Edinburgh: Archibald Constable, London: T. Cadell, W. Davies, William Miller, John Murray, 1809. (Google Books.)
James, Mervyn, James, Mervyn Evans, Society, Politics and Culture: Studies in Early Modern England, Cambridge University Press, 1988, p.216. (Google Books.)
Margaret Tudor: Scottish Queen or English Princess? by Heather R. Darsie - Queen Anne Boleyn.

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