236 REIGN OF E LIZ ABE TIL [CH. 43- that Mary Stuart was at last sincere. Cecil and Leicester shared her confidence or were prepared to risk the ex- ninghams. The Earl of Eglinton was never good Lennox. The Earl of Cassilis, young, and of small con- duct. The remnants of Huntley's house will favour the Duke, and so will James M'Connell, and others of the Isles. The Lord James and Ledington in their hearts have mis- liked Lennox ; unless now, in hope to continue their rule in that realm, they may he changed. The Earl of Morton, being chancellor; the young Earl of Angus, Drumlanrig, and all the Douglasses, with the Justice Clerk ; M'Gill and their alliance, if my Lady Lennox do not relinquish her title to the Earldom of Angus, which I suppose, in respect of the greater advancement, she hath al- ready promised. The Lords Max- well and Erskine, allied to Argyle. Livingstone is fi'iend to the Duke, and Fleming likewise. Borthwick will hang with the Douglasses. The Earl of Montrose and the Leslies, being Protestants. ' Of these [some] may be won, partly in hope that Darnley will embrace religion, which I doubt will never be, partly by preferment of spiritual lands, partly by money, and partly but in fear by the authority and in respect of other insolent pre- tences. ' Friends hoped upon it
- The Humes and the Kers, albeit
they will choose the best side. 'The Earl of BothweU, of no force now. 1 The Earl Athol ; the Earl Errol ; the Lords Ruthven and Seton ; the gentlemen of Lennox, and some of the Barony of Renfrew. The Laird of Tullybardine, a young head. 'The Queen, being his chief countenance, thinketh from the. Duke's overthrow, if she can bring it to pass, to advance Lennox as her heir-apparent, failing of her issue. If Darnley can hit the mark, then carcth my Lady (Lady Lennox) nei- ther for the Earldom of Lennox, Angus, nor lands in England, hav- ing enough that way; and if the Queen can bring it about, division shall follow. The overthrow of re- ligion is pretenced; the French to be reconciled ; their aid again to be craved ; and if they can, they intend to pretend title here in England, where they make account upon friends. Whenas they have Lennox, Darnley, and the mother within their border, whatsoever nourishing words be used for the shift, either here or in Scotland, by Lady Lennox, her son, or husband, their hearts portend enmity to our Sovereign and division to her realm. They are only bent to please and revenge the Queen of Scots' quarrel, and to follow her ways, who remembereth, as I am in- formed, her mother, her uncle Guise, and her own pretences. This realm hath a faction to serve their turn. Betwixt Chatelherault and Lennox, take heed that ye suffer not that Chatelherault be overthrown, and in
