The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

These advertisements somewhat exasperated the Queen of England, and not altogether without cause; for the Arms of England were before usurped by our Sovereign, and by her husband Francis; and Elizabeth Queen of England was of the Guysians reputed little better then a Bastard. It was appointed that this title should be renewed. But hereof had our ill counselled and misled Queen no pleasure, and especially after that her husband was dead; for, thought she, the show of England shall allure many suitors to me. The Guisians, and the Papists of both Realms, did not a little animate her in that pursuit: The effect whereof will sooner appear then the godly of England would desire. Queen Elizabeth, we say, offended with the former answer, wrote unto the Nobility and States of Scotland in form as followeth.

These advertisements somewhat exasperated the Queen of England, and not altogether without cause; for the Armes of England were before usurped by our Soveraigne, and by her husband Francis; and Elizabeth Queen of England was of the Guysians reputed little better then a Bastard. It was appointed that this title should be renewed. But hereof had our ill counselled and misled Queen no pleasure, and especially after that her husband was dead; for, thought she, the shew of England shall allure many suiters to me. The Guisians, and the Papists of both Realms, did not a little animate her in that pursuit: The effect whereof will sooner appear then the godly of England would desire. Queen Elizabeth, we say, offended with the former answer, wrote unto the Nobility and States of Scotland in form as followeth.

The Queen of Englands Letter to the States of Scotland. Right Trusty, and Right entirely Beloved Cousins, We greet you. We doubt not, but as our meaning is, and hath always been, since our Reign, in the sight of Almighty God straight and direct towards the advancement of his Honour, and Truth in Religion; and consequently, to procure Peace, and maintain Concord betwixt both these Realms of England and Scotland; So also our outward acts have well declared the same to the world, and especially to you, being our neighbours, who have tasted and proved in these, our friendship and earnest good will, more then we think any of your antecessors have ever received from hence; yea, more then a great number of your selves could well have hoped for of us, all former examples being well weighed and considered. And this we have to rejoice of, and so may ye be glad, That where in the beginning of the troubles in that Country, and of our succours meant for you, the jealousy, or rather the malice of divers, both in that Realm and in other Countries was such, both to deprive both us in the yielding, and you in requiring our aid,