[I.]
EXTRACTS FROM THE "SWEDEN AND DENMARK CORRESPONDENCE, 1612,"[136] IN THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON.
Letter from Sir Robert Anstruther to the King, dated from Coppenhagen the 8 of Juin 1612.
Most humbly sheweth unto your Majestie,
* * * * *
Moreover Sir, they heire are much greeved against Scottis men, in regairde of some Scottis shippes, that have nowe of late fallen in, In Norroway,[137] and done great hurt unto the inhabitants there, and taken sindrie shippes out of theire havens, which the Dunkirkers never did in tyme of warre: the one shippe is found to have been the Erle of Orknayis, for shee was a flybotte of Dunkerke, that he had, and one Stewart is Captane of herre; ther is another shippe in the companie whois captaine is also named Stewart; and they have a thirde shippe the Captane wherof is a Hollander: and the fourth is a pryse that they have taken: they have beene the first, thirde and fyft of Juin, in sundrie harbreis of Norroway; I have myself reade the letters sent hither to the Chancellor, with havie complaints against them. They heere doe beleeve certainely, that they have commission, ather from Wormistoun, or els from Sr Robert Stewart, wich I have protested instantlie against, assuring them that if such a thing be with there consent, they never darre looke yor Mtie in the face. In lyk maner this last winter, at my being heere in Denmark in that great defaitte that Gustavus had, there was a Skots Ansient[138] taken prisoner when there was no quarter kept amongst them, whois name is Pryngle; the King wpone my most humble suit, and by meanes of the Chancellor, sett him at libertie, in regard that he was your Mis subject, as he hath done sindrie others: this Pringle, efter he had given his oathe and a reversse taken under his hand, that he should never goe to Sweden, nather serve against the King of Denmark, he is now taken againe, in a shippe going to Sweden, and I am almost ashamed to speek any more, in his behalfe; with such things I ame oft met heere: as also with thir Inglish mariners sindrie discontent. So I humblie crave your Mtie pardone, for trowbling of your Mtie with thir Idle matters, but they being used as arguments against me in conference, I thought good to lett your Mtie know the trewth.
* * * * *
Draft from the King's Secretary to Sir Robert Anstruther, dated 9, August 1612.