Queen Mary to Charles Paget, 20th May 1586:—
“I have thought it good that you enter with the ambassador of Spain into the following overtures:—That I endeavour by all means to make my son enter into the enterprise (invasion of England), and if he does not, that I arrange a secret league among the Catholic nobility and adherents to be joined with the King of Spain, to do what shall be thought meet for advancing the scheme, so being that they have plenty of men and money. Moreover, I shall arrange to have my son delivered into the hands of the King of Spain or the Pope, as shall be thought best, stipulating to set him at liberty when I shall desire, or that after my death, being Catholic, he shall desire to return to Scotland; and that the King of Spain shall never attempt anything to my prejudice or my son's (if he be Catholic) in the succession to the Crown. This is the best hostage that I and the Lords of Scotland can give to the said king for the performance of that which depends on them in this enterprise, but withal there must be a regent appointed in Scotland having commission from me and my son to govern the country in his absence, and I find no man so capable as Lord Claud Hamilton. He shall have a Privy Council, without which he shall not ordain anything of importance. I shall be obliged to the King of Spain if he will receive my son and instruct him in the Catholic religion, which is the thing of all things in this world I most desire, affecting rather the salvation of his soul, than to see him monarch of all Europe. And I fear much that so long as he remains where he is it will never be in my power to bring him again into the right ways, whereby there shall remain in my heart a thousand regrets if I should die and leave behind me a tyrant and persecutor of the Catholic Church. If you get a good answer from the ambassador, I would desire you to write Lord Claud informing him that the King of Spain is to set on this country (invasion of England), and desires to have the assistance of the Catholics of Scotland to stop any assistance that may come from there to the Queen of England. You will also inquire what help in men and money would be required from the said king to hold Scotland. If you get a favourable answer, you may inform Lord Claud that to assure himself of my son, if all things be done under his name and authority, it shall be necessary to seize his person if he cannot be willingly brought into this enterprise, and that the surest way would be to deliver him to the said king or the Pope, as shall be deemed best, Lord Claud to be regent in his absence.
“All this I will confirm and approve. For various reasons my name not to be named in this until the very last. You will say to Lord Claud, that indirectly you put him in hope that I shall make him be declared lawful heir to the Crown of Scotland should my son die without children, and that I shall make the Catholic princes of Christendom recognise and maintain him. I have written to the Spanish Ambassador in favour of your brother Lord Paget and yourself. [21]
“Chartley, 20th May.”
Charles Paget to Queen Mary, 29th May 1586:—
“Since my last letter to your Majesty, a priest named Ballard, capable and discreet, has arrived who knows the most important Catholics in England and Scotland. He has been sent by them to announce this resolution to take up arms, provided they are assured of foreign assistance. I sent him to the Spanish Ambassador that he might report what he knew, and to state how many of the chief nobles and knights in the North and West country were ready to take up arms; what number of men, armed and unarmed, and how many of them had promised and therefore received the sacrament in order to make their obligation stronger; as now the Earl of Leicester has with him the best and most valiant captains and Protestant soldiers; and the people are annoyed and discontented at the oppression they have endured on account of the wars in the Netherlands. These times are more suitable than ever to accomplish with little trouble the deliverance of the Queen.
“The ambassador listened attentively, and requested Ballard to write down full details of the numbers from these provinces who would take up arms on Mary's behalf. Ballard said he could not name the persons, as he had pledged his word to the priest not to do so. The ambassador gave notice of the ports for landing and several other things which he thought the knowledge of would be necessary. Nevertheless he (Ballard) came with a resolution so general that the ambassador gave him other instructions to show him how to proceed, more particularly and by secret means assuring him that the King of Spain, after being fully satisfied, would give them prompt assistance. The principal thing with which he is charged is to assure and guarantee your person, and if strong enough to try by every possible means to carry off your Majesty from the hands of those who restrain you. After this we consulted about the best port for landing troops. I think Newcastle, Hartlepool, or Scarborough, or some other port in the north; our help will be by the Prince of Parma. Our design will not be suspected by the Queen of England, as she would never dream of enemies this way (the East coast); she believing that all designs would come by way of Spain. Ballard will be here again immediately after my return from the baths, and you will be promptly informed of everything that happens.”
Queen Mary to Charles Paget, 27th July 1586:—