Kirkaldy of Grange to Randolph, from St. Johnston's {Perth}, April 30, 1564. Laing's Knox, vol. vi. p. 539.
The Earl of Lennox will obtain license to come home and speak with the Queen. Her meaning therein is not known, but some suspects she will at length be persuaded to favour his son.
[The Earl of Lennox had entered into negotiations with Henry VIII., in 1544, to deliver over to England certain Scottish castles, and to promote the marriage of Mary to Prince Edward. Sentence of forfeiture was passed against him by the Scottish Parliament on 1st October 1545. His treachery had received its reward in the shape of an alliance with Margaret, daughter of the Earl of Angus and Margaret Tudor, widow of James IV. (cf. [Table, App. A.]). Their eldest son was Lord Darnley.]
KNOX SUSPICIOUS
Knox to Randolph, from Edinburgh, May 3, 1564. Laing's Knox, vol. vi., p. 541.
The Earl of Lennox's servant is familiar in Court, and it is supposed that it is not without knowledge, yea, and labour, of your Court. Some in the country look for the lady {Queen Mary} and the young Earl {Darnley} ere it be long. It is whispered to me that licence is all ready procured for their {Lennox and Darnley's} hithercoming. God's providence is inscrutable to man, before the issue of such things as are kept close for a season in his counsel. But, to be plain with you, that journey and progress I like not.
Queen Elizabeth and Sir James Melville.
[Sir James Melville was sent as ambassador from the Queen of Scots to the Queen of England to advance negotiations for Mary's marriage, and to discover, if possible, Elizabeth's real meaning.]
September 28, 1564. Melville's Memoirs, pp. 115-128. (Bannatyne Club.)
The next morning Master Lattoun and Master Randolph, late agent for the Queen of England in Scotland, came to my lodging to convoy me to her Majesty, who was, as they said, already in the garden.... I found her Majesty pacing in an alley.