II.—THE QUEEN'S APOTHECARY.
Three documents are still preserved in the General Register House of Edinburgh, from which we learn the name of this person, and other interesting items concerning that murder in the Kirk-of-Field, which bears so prominent a place in the romance.
On the 12th February, this precept, written by the Earl of Huntly, was issued by the Queen's order to Mr Robert Richardson, treasurer of Scotland, to pay £40 for perfuming the King's body.
"My Lord Thesaurar, forsamekle as the Queenis Majestie and Counsell has direckett ane Pottinger and Schirurgen to caus perfume the Kingis body, and in respect that there is syndri thingis requirit to the samyn quhilkis thay hadde nocht, heirfore the Queenis Majestie has ordanit me to advertis you, that ye cans delyver fourtie pundis for performance of sick necessars as appertenis thairtill, quhilkis sal be allouit to you, and delyver the same to the Pottinger, and tak his vritting thairon; and for my awin part, I vald pray you effectualy that the said soume war perfarmit with diligence and delyverit in all haist, in respect the same rynis to the Queenis Majesties honor and the hale cuntrey.
"At the Palyce of Halirudhous, the xij. februar, 1566.
"Your L. guid freind, HUNTLYE."
"To my Lord Thesraur."
(In dorso.)
"Je, Martin Picauet, appore de la Royne de Scosse, Douairiere de France, confesse auair Recu de Mr. Robert Richardson, tresorier des finances de la diste dame, la soume de quatre vintz livres Tourn., pour la fourniture des drogues pour l'ambamemente de Roy, de la quelle soume prometz en tenir compt au dist tresoreir, et a tous auttres Tesmointz mon seing Manuel cy mis le xij., jour de februier mil cinq cent soixante et six, auant pasques.
"E. PICAUET."