Further, the young widow herself had found courage to address Lord Burghley:—
“I can but yield unto your Lordship most hearty thanks for your continual goodness towards me and my little one, and specially for your Lordship’s late good dealing with the Scots Ambassador for my poor child’s right, for which, as also sundry otherwise we are for ever bound to your Lordship whom I beseech still to further that cause as to your Lordship may seem best.
“I can assure your Lordship that the Earldom of Lennox was granted by Act of Parliament to my Lord my late husband and the heirs of his body, so that they should offer great wrong in seeking to take it from Arbella, which I trust by your Lordships’ good means will be prevented, being of your mere goodness for justice sake so well disposed thereto. For all which your Lordship’s goodness as I am bound I rest in heart more thankful than I can anyway express.
“I take my leave of your Lordship, whom I pray God long to preserve.
“At Newgate Street the 15th Aug. 1578.
“Your Lordship’s,
“As I am bound,
“E. Lennox.”[[62]]
Again, immediately on the death of the old Lady Lennox Mary had executed this warrant dated Sept. 19, 1579, appointing any heirloom jewels to Arabella:—
“To all people be it knowne that we Marie be the grace of God Quene of Scotland, dowagier of Fraunce doo will and require Thomas Fowller soole executor to our dearest mother in lawe and aunt, the lady Margret countess of Lennox deceased, to deliver into the hands and cowstody of our right well belowed cousines Elizabeth contess of Shrewsbury all and every such juells, as the sayd Lady Margaret before her death delivered and committed in charge to the said Thomas Fowller for the use of the lady Arbella Stewart her graund chyld if God send her lyf till fowrten yeres of age; if not then, for the use of our deare and only sonne the prince of Scotland. In witness that this is owre will and desire to the sayd Fowller we have gewen the present under our owne hand at Shefild Manor, the XIX off September the year of our lord M.D. threscore and nyntenth, and of our regne the thretty sixth.”[[63]]