Letter of James IV to the Earl of Essex, 13 April 1594

Notes on this Document: James was seeking support of his ambassador sent to
England protest Elizabeth I's support of Bothwell.

13 April 1594

Right trusty and well-beloved cousin,

Although I have this long time forborne the writing unto you because of the
wrong ye received therethrough, suppose not in my default but in the
default of them that were employed betwixt us. Yet now, having directed
these two gentlemen ambassadors to the Queen your sovereign upon weighty
and urgent occasions importing no less than the preservation or break of
the amity so long and happily continued betwixt the two crowns, I would not
omit this occasion unsending these few lines unto you, hereby to pray you
favourably to hear and (according to the friendship I look for at your
hand) to further them as far as in you lies, to a good and speedy despatch.

I look, my lord, that a nobleman of the rank ye are of will move and assist
the Queen with your good advice not to suffer herself to be syled
[deceived] and abused any longer with such as prefer their particular and
unhonest affections to the Queen's princely honour and peace of both the
realms, but I refer the particulars of ill to the bearer's report whom I
have commanded to use your advice in all their proceedings. And thus, right
trusty and well-beloved cousin, I bid you heartily farewell. From Edinburgh
the xiii of April 1594.

Your very loving friend,

JAMES R.

Document location: National Library of Scotland, MS.33.1.7 (Vol XXI, Item
9)


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    Copyright © 1997 The Gunpowder Plot Society; Transcribed by Jennifer
                                 O'Brien.