¹ Whilst this letter does not detail where it was composed and dispatched, it was likely written shortly after Margaret's marriage to James IV in Edinburgh on 8 August 1503.

² yeue give.

³ Thomas Barton, footman of Elizabeth of York. Barton accompanied Margaret on her journey to Scotland in 1503.

⁴ Elizabeth of York, queen of England (1466–1503).

⁵ soyle absolve from sin (OED 2023, soil, v.2, sense 1; DSL 2023, assoilȝe, v., sense 1).

⁶ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 2nd duke of Norfolk (1443–1524).

⁷ her here.

⁸ Andrew Forman, bishop of Moray and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1465–1521).

⁹ ordeth ordereth; orders.

¹⁰ Sir Ralph Verney, chamberlain and head of Margaret's household between 1503 and 1507.

¹¹ wull will.

¹² ben being.

¹³ comford comfort.

¹⁴ oulde hold. An example of h-dropping.

¹⁵ nolaysyr no leisure.

¹⁶ wyta wIhse with a wish.

¹⁷ welef is not recorded in the OED or DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the term ‘relief’.

¹⁸ erefter hereafter. An example of h-dropping.

¹⁹ ths this.

²⁰ ys his. An example of h-dropping.

²¹ gepyng is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It appears to be an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘keeping’.

²² douter daughter.

²³ The archive record dates this letter as being sent in 1522. However, the contents of the letter indicates that it was penned in 1515. It is difficult to know Margaret's exact location when this letter was penned on 8 July 1515. Margaret may have been in Edinburgh, as scribal letters sent in her name between 10 and 21 August 1515 were sent from Edinburgh. However, it is more likely that this letter was sent from Stirling Castle, as Thomas Dacre noted that Margaret was at Stirling between mid July and early August (Thomas Dacre to the Lords of the Council 1 August 1515, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fo. 358 and Thomas Dacre to the Council, 4 August 1515, TNA, SP 49/1 fo. 27).

²⁴ Balthasar Stuart, ambassador of Pope Leo X.

²⁵ Pope Leo X (1475–1521).

²⁶ This letter features the use of the distinctive Scots qu- spelling for the terms <quham> (whom), <quhom> (whom), <quhen> (when), and <quharfor> (wherefore). This orthographic feature is not present in the majority of Margaret's holograph correspondence. Its presence here suggests that Margaret may have copied a draft of this letter written by a Scots scribe – most likely her Scots clerk James Inglis, whose signature is present in the bottom right-hand corner of the page – and transmitted this orthographic feature into her holograph fair copy of the letter.

²⁷ spcyall special.

²⁸ brohtto brought to.

²⁹ lentryn Lent (OED 2023, Lenten, n. and adj., sense B1; DSL 2023, Lentrin, n., sense 1).

³⁰ passȝ pass.

³¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³² credene credence.

³³ This letter was written sometime in August or early September, as it was forwarded to the English court by Thomas Dacre, with a collection of his letters dated 7 September 1515 (Thomas Dacre and Thomas Magnus to Henry VIII, 7 September 1515, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 90r–v). In addition to Letter 3, Margaret also sent a credence to Thomas Dacre with ‘hir trusty seruant Robyn Care’ (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fos 95r–v). In this credence, Margaret noted that she was being held against her will by the duke of Albany in Edinburgh, and that she was not permitted to see or communicate with her sons and closest friends.

³⁴ sykerly reliably (DSL 2023, sikerlie, adv., sense 6).

³⁵ Robin Kerr (or Carr), messenger of Margaret Tudor.

³⁶ constrayd constrained.

³⁷ hm him.

³⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁹ Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (c.1494–1546).

⁴⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴¹ This letter features extensive use of the virgule punctation mark to signal the beginning of a new phrase or clause. This is somewhat unusual in relation to the majority of Margaret's holograph correspondence, as she typically signalled the beginning of a new phrase or clause using a conjunction or an address term (such as ‘dearest brother’).

⁴² yesternyght I cam hytder last night I came hither.

⁴³ heal health (OED 2023, heal | hele, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, hele, n.2, sense 1).

⁴⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁵ The Scottish ambassadors sent to London included: David Arnot, bishop of Galloway; Sir William Scott; James Ogliby, abbot of Dryburgh; and the French ambassador, Monsieur Jean de Plains (see Thomas Dacre to Henry VIII, 12th April 1516, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B III fo. 33).

⁴⁶ herynne closed here enclosed. Margaret had enclosed the Scottish ambassadors’ correspondence within this letter.

⁴⁷ Margaret had also enclosed two replies she had written in response to the Scottish ambassadors’ letter.

⁴⁸ loweng suster loving sister.

⁴⁹ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was perhaps sent sometime in May 1516.

⁵⁰ James Barrow, messenger.

⁵¹ Baynard's Castle, London.

⁵² varst worst.

⁵³ Though undated, this letter was likely sent sometime in July/August 1516, as it discusses the proposal of the duke of Albany coming to England to entreat for peace before returning to France to visit his wife, Anne de La Tour, and Francis I, king of France.

⁵⁴ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁵⁵ gladder pleased (OED 2023, glad, adj., sense 3b; DSL 2023, glad, adj., sense 1).

⁵⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁸ The date and place of the writing of this letter is difficult to determine. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. II: 1515–1518, ed. J.S. Brewer (London, 1864), entry no. 2233, dates this letter as being sent in July 1516, whereas BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar dates this letter as being sent in January 1517.

⁵⁹ Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

⁶⁰ artykyls articles, diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and H. Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance of Margaret Tudor's January 1522 diplomatic memorial’, Renaissance Studies, 35:3 (2021).

⁶¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶² The lords of Scotland.

⁶³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁴ teld told.

⁶⁵ ansurer answer.

⁶⁶ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, considering that this letter discusses Christmas, it was likely written sometime in November or December 1516.

⁶⁷ Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

⁶⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁹ garges wages (OED 2023, gage, n.1, sense 3; DSL 2023, gage, n.1, sense 2).

⁷⁰ owand owing (DSL 2023, owand, pres. p).

⁷¹ 200 English pounds.

⁷² Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁷³ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, given that the letter discusses New Year's rewards for 1517, this letter was likely written sometime in December 1516.

⁷⁴ New Year's Day.

⁷⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁶ Gaultier Malynne, secretary of John Stewart, duke of Albany. Gaultier was also sometimes referred to as ‘Cawter’.

⁷⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁸ porposyth proposes (OED 2023, purpose, v., sense I 1a; DSL 2023, purpos, v., sense 1).

⁷⁹ hys is. An example of h-insertion.

⁸⁰ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁸¹ The Battle of Flodden, also referred to as Flodden Field, where James IV was killed on 9 September 1513.

⁸² alleter a letter.

⁸³ 18,000 French crowns (coins) of standard weight (OED 2023, crown, n., sense IV 32a; DSL 2023, croun, n., sense 5d).

⁸⁴ Louis XII, king of France (1462–1515).

⁸⁵ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁸⁶ Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

⁸⁷ goth goeth; goes.

⁸⁸ St Andrew's Day, 30 November.

⁸⁹ Windsor.

⁹⁰ Edinburgh.

⁹¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁹² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁹³ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁹⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁹⁵ schu show.

⁹⁶ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent sometime in September 1517.

⁹⁷ Perhaps David Hume, 4th baron of Wedderburn (1489–1524).

⁹⁸ David Hume, prior of Coldingham (d.1517?), younger brother of George Hume, 4th Lord Hume.

⁹⁹ George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549).

¹⁰⁰ Nigel Nicholl and Cuthbert Armstrong, messengers.

¹⁰¹ George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549).

¹⁰² David Hume, prior of Coldingham (d.1517?), younger brother of George Hume, 4th Lord Hume.

¹⁰³ schave show.

¹⁰⁴ Antoine d'Arcy, sieur de La Bastie (d.1517).

¹⁰⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁰⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁰⁷ St Andrew's Day, 30 November.

¹⁰⁸ tevastyd testified.

¹⁰⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹¹⁰ The lords of Scotland.

¹¹¹ comynekacyon communication.

¹¹² Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹¹³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹¹⁴ betuxte betwixt; between.

¹¹⁵ ravme realm.

¹¹⁶ Gaultier Malynne, secretary of John Stewart, duke of Albany. Gaultier was also sometimes referred to as ‘Cawter’.

¹¹⁷ Edinburgh.

¹¹⁸ brothe brother.

¹¹⁹ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹²⁰ Perhaps David Hume, 4th baron of Wedderburn (1489–1524).

¹²¹ Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹²² consyryng considering.

¹²³ sofered permitted (OED 2023, suffer, v., sense 14a; DSL 2023, suffer v., sense 7).

¹²⁴ St Matthew's Eve, 20 September 1517.

¹²⁵ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent sometime in 1517.

¹²⁶ William Adrington (also referred to as ‘Hatherington’, or ‘Haderington’), messenger.

¹²⁷ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹²⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹²⁹ cat in this sense is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is therefore likely an idiosyncratic spelling of the Scots verb ‘gat’, correlating to the English verb ‘get’ (OED 2023, get, v, sense 1; DSL 2023, get, v.1, sense 2).

¹³⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹³¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹³² The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 8 April 1519.

¹³³ £2,000 Scots.

¹³⁴ £3,000 Scots.

¹³⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹³⁶ cat in this sense is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is therefore likely an idiosyncratic spelling of the Scots verb ‘gat’, correlating to the English verb ‘get’ (OED 2023, get, v, sense 1; DSL 2023, get, v.1, sense 2).

¹³⁷ consydang considering.

¹³⁸ fayrnes fair words, polished speech (OED 2023, fairness, n., sense 2; DSL 2023, fairnes, n., sense 2).

¹³⁹ preves proves (OED 2023, prove, v., sense 5; DSL 2023, prev(e), v.1, sense 8).

¹⁴⁰ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁴¹ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

¹⁴² Thomas Magnus, administrator and diplomat (1463/4–1550).

¹⁴³ Variant of the phrase ‘conjunct feftment’, meaning possessed or joint lands (DSL 2023, conjunct, adj., sense 2). Margaret uses this term to refer to the rents from her dower lands.

¹⁴⁴ Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld (c.1476–1522), uncle of Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, earl of Angus.

¹⁴⁵ tokemȝ took my.

¹⁴⁶ Newark Castle, Selkirkshire. Newark Castle was in the Forest of Ettrick and was one of Margaret's dower lands.

¹⁴⁷ 4,000 Scots merks.

¹⁴⁸ schvIth showeth; shows.

¹⁴⁹ mary marry.

¹⁵⁰ Whilst the majority of post between England and Scotland was conveyed by land via the Great North Road, Margaret's note here suggests that this letter might have been sent via sea for issues of security during periods of war or strife. My thanks to Anna Turnham, University of Kent, for her valuable insights and knowledge on this topic.

¹⁵¹ No date is given for the sending of this letter. BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that the letter was sent sometime in 1520. However, references to a French orator being present at the Scottish court were made in a letter sent by Thomas Dacre to Thomas Wolsey on 26 July 1519 (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 168). Letter 17 may thus have been sent at a similar time. As Letter 18 was written in Edinburgh on 14 July 1519, Margaret may also have penned Letter 17 in Edinburgh.

¹⁵² thowgeng is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘touching’.

¹⁵³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁵⁴ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁵⁵ nve new.

¹⁵⁶ powr power; authority to act (OED 2023, power, n.1., sense 5a; DSL 2023, power, n., sense 8).

¹⁵⁷ Robert Galbraith, advocate of Margaret Tudor (d.1543).

¹⁵⁸ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers, pp. 24–29.

¹⁵⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁶⁰ saihul is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘shall’.

¹⁶¹ £2,000 Scots.

¹⁶² James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

¹⁶³ BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar dates this letter to 1520. However, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III: 1519–1523, ed. J.S. Brewer (London, 1867), entry no. 381, suggests that this letter was sent in 1519, which seems more appropriate as the contents of this letter are corroborated by that of Thomas Dacre's outgoing correspondence for this period.

¹⁶⁴ John Simpson, messenger and servant of Thomas Dacre, 2nd baron of Gilsland.

¹⁶⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁶⁶ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

¹⁶⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

¹⁶⁸ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

¹⁶⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁷⁰ The lords of Scotland.

¹⁷¹ I to hafe broukyt pessably my nawn I to have the use of peacefully my own. In this phrase, Margaret is presumably making reference to having the peaceful use/possession of her residences and the rents from her dower lands. (OED 2023, brook, v.1, sense 1; peaceably, adv., sense 2; nown, adj. and pron., sense 1; DSL 2023, brouk, v., sense 1; pesabilly, adv. (a.), sense 1; nawn, adj., n.).

¹⁷² vrytens and ssellys writings and seals.

¹⁷³ bettetar is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It therefore appears to be an idiosyncratic spelling and likely corresponds to the term ‘better’.

¹⁷⁴ scortly rapidly (OED 2023, shortly, adv., sense 2; DSL 2023, s(c)hortly, adv., sense 2).

¹⁷⁵ allsvay in addition (OED 2023, also, adv. and n., sense 3; DSL 2023, alswa, adv.).

¹⁷⁶ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹⁷⁷ furdr[i]ng furthering.

¹⁷⁸ myhgt might.

¹⁷⁹ Robert Barton, comptroller of Scotland (d.1540). As comptroller of Scotland, Barton was responsible for overseeing the revenues and expenditure of the crown.

¹⁸⁰ No date is given for the sending of this letter. However, we might tentatively date it as being sent around July 1519, as it makes reference to a letter sent by Margaret to Francis I, king of France and loans of money from the Scottish comptroller, Robert Barton, mentioned in Letter 18.

¹⁸¹ I haf a doo and doo haftar I have to do and do after. Features an example of h-insertion.

¹⁸² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

¹⁸³ rawmlme realm.

¹⁸⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁸⁵ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

¹⁸⁶ Robert Barton, comptroller of Scotland (d.1540).

¹⁸⁷ £600.

¹⁸⁸ vot know (OED 2023, wit, v.1, sense I 2a; DSL 2023, wit, v.1, sense 3).

¹⁸⁹ The lords of Scotland.

¹⁹⁰ Stirling.

¹⁹¹ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

¹⁹² John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

¹⁹³ hs his.

¹⁹⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

¹⁹⁵ howbet although (OED 2023, howbeit, adv. and conj., B conj.; DSL 2023, howbeit, conj.).

¹⁹⁶ Unnamed lords in the western part of Scotland.

¹⁹⁷ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

¹⁹⁸ proffars offers (OED 2023, proffer, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, proffer, n.).

¹⁹⁹ Friar Henry Chaidworth, minister of the Observant Friars in England (see a letter from the earl of Angus to Henry VIII, sent 19 October 1519 (Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 481).

²⁰⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

²⁰¹ George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549).

²⁰² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

²⁰³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

²⁰⁴ Robert Barton, comptroller of Scotland (d.1540).

²⁰⁵ £500 Scots.

²⁰⁶ nowhtawnsuerd not answered.

²⁰⁷ Stirling and Linlithgow.

²⁰⁸ The Forest of Ettrick and the Earldom of March, part of Margaret's dower lands.

²⁰⁹ The lands of Newark Castle, Selkirkshire. Newark Castle was in the Forest of Ettrick and was another of Margaret's dower lands.

²¹⁰ £400 Scots.

²¹¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²¹² I haue a sayd long I have long experienced (OED 2023, assay, v., sense I 11; DSL 2023, assay, v., sense 1).

²¹³ I had leuer be ded I would rather be dead (OED 2023, lief, adj. & adv., sense 1c).

²¹⁴ too Revmluys two realms.

²¹⁵ [r]enve renew.

²¹⁶ monyest most (OED 2023, many, adj., pron., and n., and adv., sense 2c; DSL 2023, mony, adj., sense 5d).

²¹⁷ schanslar chancellor. The chancellor of Scotland at this time was James Beaton, archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

²¹⁸ atowryte authority.

²¹⁹ part of chens Perhaps meaning ‘some chains’ (OED 2023, part, n.1, sense 3a; DSL 2023, part, n. and adv., sense 1; chen, n).

²²⁰ vhoy is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘how’.

²²¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

²²² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²²³ hyndad hindered.

²²⁴ fordard furthered (DSL 2023, forder, v.).

²²⁵ vhol will.

²²⁶ enterteny entertain (DSL 2023, enterteny, v.).

²²⁷ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

²²⁸ mght might.

²²⁹ rese[…]fyn receiving.

²³⁰ herhafar hereafter.

²³¹ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

²³² lypen place trust, faith, or confidence to (OED 2023, lippen, v., sense 1; DSL 2023, lippin, v., sense 1).

²³³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

²³⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²³⁵ naturarl natural.

²³⁶ St John's Day, 24 June.

²³⁷ effe heavy. An example of h-dropping.

²³⁸ troblos vexatious (DSL 2023, trubillous, adj., sense 2).

²³⁹ tene the one (DSL 2023, tan, pron., sense A).

²⁴⁰ the var the more severely (DSL 2023, war, adj. (adv., n.), sense B1).

²⁴¹ Candlemas, 2 February.

²⁴² Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland (1467–1525).

²⁴³ Thomas Benolt, Clarenceux King of Arms; English Herald of Arms (d.1534).

²⁴⁴ John Dickson, Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

²⁴⁵ Margaret referred to this genre of epistolary communication by a variety of titles including ‘memorial’, ‘instructions’, or ‘articles’. For further discussion of the memorial genre see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’. This memorial was carried with two letters of credence addressed to Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey (Letters 25 and 26).

²⁴⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²⁴⁷ myry merry.

²⁴⁸ gyf hys grace to ondarstand give his grace information that will lead him to understand (OED 2023, give, v., sense VII 29c).

²⁴⁹ sweng Perhaps corresponds to the verb ‘swing’, meaning, ‘to labour, toil’ (DSL 2023, swing, v., sense 4).

²⁵⁰ John Dickson, Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

²⁵¹ St John's Day, 24 June.

²⁵² fawt Margaret perhaps meant ‘forth’ here.

²⁵³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

²⁵⁴ onoraby[l] honourable. An example of h-dropping.

²⁵⁵ sufecyant capable (OED 2023, sufficient, adj., adv., and n., sense 3a; DSL 2023, sufficiand, adj., sense 3).

²⁵⁶ foloy follow (OED 2023, follow, v., sense 10b; DSL 2023, folȝe, v.).

²⁵⁷ atempar moderate (OED 2023, attemper, v., sense 3; DSL 2023, attemper, v.).

²⁵⁸ thowt thought.

²⁵⁹ aicht oath (OED 2023, oath, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, athe, n., sense 1).

²⁶⁰ Inposybyl impossible.

²⁶¹ prolongacyon extension (OED 2023, prolongation, n., sense 2; DSL 2023, prolongacioun, n.).

²⁶² not ganstandyng notwithstanding (OED 2023, gainstand, v., sense b; DSL 2023, ganstand, v., sense 3).

²⁶³ rescet harbour or shelter a thief or criminal (OED 2023, reset, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, reset, v., sense 1).

²⁶⁴ dewys devise.

²⁶⁵ redand reflect (OED 2023, redound, v., sense 4b).

²⁶⁶ Inttarmetys interferes (OED 2023, entermete, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, entermet, v., sense 2).

²⁶⁷ of the kyng my sons It would appear that a term is missing from this phrase. It is difficult to determine what this missing element may have been, though ‘purse' or ‘expenses’ may be likely substitutes.

²⁶⁸ seand considering (DSL 2023, seand, quasi-prep., conj.).

²⁶⁹ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

²⁷⁰ theffys thieves.

²⁷¹ brokyng holding (OED 2023, brok, v.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, brok, v.).

²⁷² berayrng bearing.

²⁷³ Bishopric of Dunkeld.

²⁷⁴ delykt crime (OED 2023, delict, n.; DSL 2023, delict, n.).

²⁷⁵ an abassy and benyfes an abbacy and benefices.

²⁷⁶ Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld (c.1476–1522). Upon Albany's return to Scotland in November 1521, George Douglas travelled to London and sent a series of letters to Thomas Wolsey, complaining of Albany's governorship in Scotland. Whilst Margaret favoured Gavin Douglas after her marriage to his nephew Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus – with Margaret even recommending Gavin Douglas for the bishopric of St Andrews in 1514 – this favour was lost following the breakdown of Margaret's marriage with the earl of Angus (P. Bawcutt, ‘Douglas, Gavin’, ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/7882 (accessed 4 April 2023)).

²⁷⁷ dessensyon disagreement (OED 2023, dissension, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, dissensioun, n., sense 1).

²⁷⁸ Perhaps George Hume, 4th Lord Hume (d.1549), brother of David Hume, 4th baron of Wedderburn (1489–1524).

²⁷⁹ prffe prove.

²⁸⁰ obaysant obedient (OED 2023, obeisant, adj. and n., sense A1a; DSL 2023, obeisant, a.).

²⁸¹ Thomas Benolt, Clarenceux King of Arms; English Herald of Arms (d.1534).

²⁸² a qwanttyd aquainted.

²⁸³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

²⁸⁴ awdens audience.

²⁸⁵ strage strange.

²⁸⁶ grae grace.

²⁸⁷ Margaret likely wrote this memorial in her own hand to increase the chances of her messenger gaining an audience with Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey, and to materially signal her commitment and dedication to Henry VIII and the peace negotiations between England and Scotland. For a detailed discussion of this document, see Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

²⁸⁸ John Dickson, Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary; Scottish Herald of Arms.

²⁸⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

²⁹⁰ St John's Day, 24 June.

²⁹¹ comond discussed (OED 2023, common, v., sense 5b; DSL 2023, common, v., sense 4).

²⁹² ewel avyssed ‘disposed to wrongdoing’ (DSL 2023, evil-avisit, adj.).

²⁹³ tws truce.

²⁹⁴ thol tolerate (OED 2023, thole, v., sense 2a; DSL 2023, thol, v., sense 2).

²⁹⁵ requel welcome (OED 2023, recueil, v., sense 2; DSL 2023, recueil, v.).

²⁹⁶ tret negotiate (OED 2023, treat, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, tret, v., sense 1b).

²⁹⁷ lear liar (OED 2023, liar, n.; DSL 2023, leyar, n.).

²⁹⁸ sarwetur servant (OED 2023, servitor, n., sense 1b; DSL 2023, servitor, n., sense 1).

²⁹⁹ oblys obliges (OED 2023, oblige, v., sense IV 9a; DSL 2023, oblis, v., 7c).

³⁰⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁰¹ letars credens and Instrwkcyons letters of credence and instructions. These documents formed the main written documentation for the negotiation of early modern diplomatic issues, such as peace treaties and royal marriages, and they were often carried by formal ambassadorial parties or sent to residential ambassadors abroad. For further discussion see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’. See also G. Mattingly, Renaissance Diplomacy (London, 1955); D. Queller, The Office of Ambassador in the Middle Ages (Princeton, 1967); J. G. Dickinson, The Congress of Arras 1435: A Study in Medieval Diplomacy (Oxford, 1955).

³⁰² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁰³ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a scribal letter was sent in Margaret's name on 11 February 1522 from Edinburgh. This would suggest that Margaret was likely in Edinburgh when she composed this letter to Thomas Wolsey.

³⁰⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁰⁵ Pope Adrian VI (1459–1523).

³⁰⁶ Glasgow.

³⁰⁷ dyosy diocese.

³⁰⁸ provence An ecclesiastical province.

³⁰⁹ exsempcyon priuelegs In ecclesiastical law – ‘[a] special ordinance issued by the Pope, granting exemption from certain civil or canon laws in the execution of a particular office, commission, etc.’ (OED 2023, privilege, n., sense 1).

³¹⁰ This most likely this refers to James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland (c.1473–1539). The duke of Albany nominated Beaton for the archbishopric of St Andrews in late 1521, after the death of the previous archbishop, Andrew Forman, in March 1521. However, Beaton was not formally translated to the position until June 1523 (J.K. Cameron, ‘Beaton, James (c.1473–1539)', ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/1824 (accessed 25 January 2023)).

³¹¹ procatwrȝ agents (OED 2023, proctor, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, procurator, n.1, sense 2).

³¹² beand being (OED 2023, be, v.; DSL 2023, be, v.1).

³¹³ Rome.

³¹⁴ athvocat support (OED 2023, advocate, v., sense 3b).

³¹⁵ avdytorȝ ‘[o]ne who listens in a judicial capacity and tries cases brought before him or her for hearing’ (OED 2023, auditor, n., sense 4a).

³¹⁶ Roce In the Roman Catholic Church – ‘[o]ne of the three judicial branches of the papal Curia, with responsibility for appeals in ecclesiastical cases’ (OED 2023, rota, n., sense 1).

³¹⁷ Ivgyss judges.

³¹⁸ gonguvcyon is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is not entirely clear what Margaret intended with this term.

³¹⁹ motyff motive.

³²⁰ Iwgyȝ judges.

³²¹ Walter Maxwell, messenger.

³²² artyklys articles, diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

³²³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³²⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³²⁵ Friar Henry Chaidworth, minister of the Observant Friars in England.

³²⁶ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

³²⁷ The lords of Scotland.

³²⁸ vollys wills.

³²⁹ stirfe is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the verb ‘strive’ meaning ‘[t]o enter into dispute, engage in conflict (with another or for something)’ (DSL 2023, strive, v., sense 3).

³³⁰ Edinburgh.

³³¹ Edinburgh.

³³² mght might.

³³³ noch not (OED 2023, nought, pron., n., adv., and adj., sense C; DSL 2023, nocht, n., adv., sense B).

³³⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³³⁵ furnych provide (OED 2023, furnish, v., sense 3; DSL 2023, furnis, v., sense 1).

³³⁶ Iowels jewels.

³³⁷ coburd ‘[a] set of vessels displayed upon a sideboard; a service of plate’ (OED 2023, cupboard, n., sense 1b).

³³⁸ pwntys points.

³³⁹ The Earldom of March was part of Margaret's dower lands.

³⁴⁰ frome from me.

³⁴¹ kyfe is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the verb ‘give’.

³⁴² Henry VII, king of England (1457–1509).

³⁴³ Gavin Douglas, bishop of Dunkeld (c.1476–1522), uncle of Margaret's second husband, Archibald Douglas, earl of Angus.

³⁴⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

³⁴⁵ Linlithgow.

³⁴⁶ hys is. This term features an example of h-insertion.

³⁴⁷ ondar collour under pretence (OED 2023, colour | color, n.1., sense P 2c; DSL 2023, colour, n., sense 3b).

³⁴⁸ fayr promysses insincere, flattering speech (OED 2023, fair, adj. and n.1., sense 4).

³⁴⁹ on doyng undoing.

³⁵⁰ foor vordys fair words.

³⁵¹ strancge strange.

³⁵² dod did.

³⁵³ Stirling Castle.

³⁵⁴ bof above.

³⁵⁵ bostyd threatened (OED 2023, boast, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, bost, v., sense 1).

³⁵⁶ vhow how.

³⁵⁷ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

³⁵⁸ common discuss (OED 2023, common, v., sense I 5b; DSL 2023, commoun, v., sense 4).

³⁵⁹ ow how. An example of h-dropping.

³⁶⁰ See ‘common’ above.

³⁶¹ ow out.

³⁶² vytyn written.

³⁶³ comyscyon authority (OED 2023, commission, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, commissioun, n., sense 1).

³⁶⁴ George Talbot, 4th earl of Shrewsbury and 4th earl of Waterford (1468–1538).

³⁶⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁶⁶ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁶⁷ vrytna written.

³⁶⁸ ten ‘[t]he one (of two)’ (DSL 2023, tan, pron., sense A).

³⁶⁹ comunecanse is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of ‘communication’.

³⁷⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁷¹ entansyon intention.

³⁷² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁷³ dysymelacyon dissimulation.

³⁷⁴ vrytys writings.

³⁷⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁷⁶ Sir Anthony Ughtred, captain of Berwick (d.1534).

³⁷⁷ dwar ‘one who performs some act or deed’ (OED 2023, doer, n., sense 1).

³⁷⁸ a towr perhaps ‘[i]n addition, besides’ (DSL 2023, atour, prep., adv., sense B1).

³⁷⁹ wss use.

³⁸⁰ wayn vain.

³⁸¹ vytch with.

³⁸² opnyn open.

³⁸³ letngth length.

³⁸⁴ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

³⁸⁵ awarys advertise.

³⁸⁶ The date has been crossed out on this manuscript. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 2565, suggests that this letter was sent on 24 September 1522. In light of this date, this letter was likely sent from Edinburgh.

³⁸⁷ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

³⁸⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁸⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

³⁹⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁹¹ contywaly continually.

³⁹² desyrand desiring (DSL 2023, desire, v., sense 2).

³⁹³ pacyfycacyon ‘[a]n instance of achieving or restoring peace; a reconciliation, a truce’ (OED 2023, pacification, n., sense 2).

³⁹⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

³⁹⁵ vartysyd advertised.

³⁹⁶ conduce ‘[t]o bring about, bring to effect’ (OED 2023, conduce, v., sense 3).

³⁹⁷ abstynesnss abstinence.

³⁹⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

³⁹⁹ leffand living (DSL 2023, lefand, pres. p., ppl. adj., sense 1).

⁴⁰⁰ eftarvard afterward.

⁴⁰¹ ay always (OED 2023, ay | aye, adv., sense 1b; DSL 2023, ay, adv., sense 1).

⁴⁰² transqwlite tranquility.

⁴⁰³ a peranss appearance.

⁴⁰⁴ dewoyr duty (OED 2023, devoir, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, devoir, n., sense 2).

⁴⁰⁵ sakye sake.

⁴⁰⁶ grae grace.

⁴⁰⁷ bwr is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is perhaps an idiosyncratic spelling of the verb ‘bear’.

⁴⁰⁸ St John's Day, 24 June.

⁴⁰⁹ depechyt dispatched (DSL 2023, depesch, v., sense 2).

⁴¹⁰ In contenent immediately (OED 2023, incontinent, adv. (and adj.2), sense a; DSL 2023, incontenent, adv.).

⁴¹¹ prorocacyon extension (of peace) (OED 2023, prorogation, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, prorogatioun, n., sense 1).

⁴¹² vars worse.

⁴¹³ See ‘dewoyr’, above.

⁴¹⁴ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁴¹⁵ to gar ‘[t]o make or cause (a person or thing) to do something.’ (DSL 2023, gar, v., sense 3a).

⁴¹⁶ say sea.

⁴¹⁷ on sarttayn uncertain.

⁴¹⁸ oblycacyon obligation.

⁴¹⁹ bethe by the.

⁴²⁰ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁴²¹ huvbyl humble.

⁴²² pryved proved.

⁴²³ tobyl trouble.

⁴²⁴ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. Given that Margaret was stationed in Edinburgh on 24 September 1522, and in Stirling on 12 October 1522, it is likely that this letter was composed at one of these locations.

⁴²⁵ Jammy Dog (also known as James Doig, and James Dogg), messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Jammy Dog and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁴²⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴²⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴²⁸ It is unclear why Margaret did not sign this holograph letter.

⁴²⁹ John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526).

⁴³⁰ Rwmle realm.

⁴³¹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, a comment made in a letter sent on the same day by James Beaton, chancellor of Scotland, notes that Margaret was in Perth (James Beaton to Thomas Dacre, 10 June 1523, BL, Add MS 24,965 fo. 21).

⁴³² James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁴³³ rght right.

⁴³⁴ fword forward.

⁴³⁵ acordan[g] according.

⁴³⁶ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was sent.

⁴³⁷ William Adrington (also referred to as ‘Hatherington’ or ‘Haderington’), messenger. See Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, Index: A.

⁴³⁸ meynyȝ means.

⁴³⁹ proponyd put forward (OED 2020, propone, v., sense 2; DSL 2023, propone, v.1, sense 1).

⁴⁴⁰ letegth length.

⁴⁴¹ This letter is written on the same date as Letter 38, which was sent from Edinburgh.

⁴⁴² The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁴³ lofiys loves.

⁴⁴⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁴⁵ towchyg touching.

⁴⁴⁶ thyay they.

⁴⁴⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴⁴⁸ gavd good.

⁴⁴⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁵⁰ standyh standeth; stands.

⁴⁵¹ devarȝ diverse.

⁴⁵² Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁴⁵³ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁵⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴⁵⁵ god good.

⁴⁵⁶ soply support (OED 2023, supply, v.1, sense I 4a; DSL 2023, supplé, v., sense 1).

⁴⁵⁷ terty entreaty (OED 2023, treaty, n., sense 4; DSL 2023, tretis, n., sense 3a).

⁴⁵⁸ The Assumption of Mary, 15 August.

⁴⁵⁹ Stirling.

⁴⁶⁰ ne farar no further (DSL 2023, farrer, adv.).

⁴⁶¹ bowndys boundaries (OED 2023, bound, n.1, sense 2a; DSL 2023, bound, n.1, sense 1).

⁴⁶² Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁴⁶³ David Arnot, bishop of Galloway (before 1497–1536 or 1537).

⁴⁶⁴ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁴⁶⁵ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁴⁶⁶ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁴⁶⁷ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁴⁶⁸ sykar sure (OED 2023, sicker, adj., & adv., sense I 2b).

⁴⁶⁹ fwlys fools.

⁴⁷⁰ French men.

⁴⁷¹ a boffyn vryten above-written.

⁴⁷² towsckyng touching.

⁴⁷³ chyldar children (DSL 2023, child, n., sense 4).

⁴⁷⁴ ryghtvus righteous.

⁴⁷⁵ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁴⁷⁶ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁴⁷⁷ Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gisland (1467–1525).

⁴⁷⁸ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴⁷⁹ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁸⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁸¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁴⁸² latyn forth released (DSL 2023, lat, v.1, sense 10).

⁴⁸³ parforce by force (OED 2023, perforce, adv., n., and adj, sense 1; DSL 2023, perforce, adv., sense 2).

⁴⁸⁴ a gayn against (OED 2023, again, adv., prep., and conj., sense 6; DSL 2023, again. adv., sense 2).

⁴⁸⁵ James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁴⁸⁶ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁴⁸⁷ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁴⁸⁸ This would appear to be an error. Margaret likely intended to use the pronoun ‘they’.

⁴⁸⁹ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter, however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 20 September 1523. The letter also does not detail the place of composition. However, a letter sent from Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, to Thomas Wolsey on 21 September 1523 mentions that Margaret desired Howard to come towards Edinburgh (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 340). Margaret was thus most likely in Edinburgh when she penned this letter.

⁴⁹⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴⁹¹ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁹² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁹³ foor beer forbear.

⁴⁹⁴ See note on Letter 40 regarding date and place of composition.

⁴⁹⁵ tathar the second (OED 2023, tother, pron. and adj., sense I 2; DSL 2023, tothir, adj. (pron.), sense A 1b).

⁴⁹⁶ The lords of Scotland.

⁴⁹⁷ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁴⁹⁸ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁴⁹⁹ suspycyws suspicious.

⁵⁰⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (1482–1536).

⁵⁰¹ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁵⁰² ths this.

⁵⁰³ a buss abuse.

⁵⁰⁴ a [deletion] grement agreement.

⁵⁰⁵ Insterment In Scots law – ‘[a] formal and duly authenticated record, drawn up by a notary public or a court clerk, of a fact, deed, transaction, proceeding, etc.’ (OED 2020, instrument, n., sense 2a).

⁵⁰⁶ dyscharge ‘[a]n acquittance or receipt for payments received or due’ (DSL 2023, discharge, n., sense 1)

⁵⁰⁷ mowht mouth.

⁵⁰⁸ prysypal principle.

⁵⁰⁹ The letter does not detail the place of composition. As Margaret was in Edinburgh on 13 September 1523, she may still have been in Edinburgh when Letter 42 was penned.

⁵¹⁰ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁵¹¹ artykleȝ articles, diplomatic instructions. A copy of these instructions (made by Surrey's clerk) can be found at BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 331.

⁵¹² John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵¹³ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁵¹⁴ 6,000 footmen, 100 men of arms, 200 light horse.

⁵¹⁵ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 3423, lists this letter as having been sent on 12 October 1523. However, the BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 8 September 1523. As the duke of Albany did not return to Scotland until 20 September 1523, and this letter details Margaret showing correspondence to the duke of Albany, it is likely that it was sent on 12 October 1523.

⁵¹⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵¹⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁵¹⁸ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁵¹⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵²⁰ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁵²¹ St Johnstone, another name for Perth used in Scotland in the late medieval period.

⁵²² The date of composition is not detailed in this letter; however, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI calendar suggests that this letter was sent on 13 October 1523. On the other hand, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 3368, lists this letter as having been sent on 29 September 1523. Given the similarity of this letter with the contents of Letter 43, it is more likely that this letter was sent on 13 October 1523.

⁵²³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵²⁴ vrytyg writing.

⁵²⁵ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵²⁶ dressyth arranges (OED 2023, dress, v., sense 5b; DSL 2023, dres, v., sense 3).

⁵²⁷ Glasgow.

⁵²⁸ Edinburgh.

⁵²⁹ a sayd attacked (OED 2023, assay, v., sense II 14a; DSL 2023, assay, v., sense 3).

⁵³⁰ ‘all’ is underlined in the original manuscript.

⁵³¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁵³² varȝ worse.

⁵³³ 28 cannons and 4 double-cannons.

⁵³⁴ Norham, Northumberland. In late August 1513, James IV and his forces attacked and captured Norham Castle. Only a few weeks later, James IV was killed at the Battle of Flodden and Norham Castle passed back to English hands.

⁵³⁵ pavasys distinctive late-medieval shields, flat and often oblong in shape (OED 2023, pavise, n., sense 1a).

⁵³⁶ gangan a pon vhylyȝ travelling upon wheels (OED 2023, gang, v.1, sense 1a).

⁵³⁷ schwt shoot.

⁵³⁸ brek the hostys syndre break the army apart (OED 2023, host, n.1, sense 1a; sundry, adv., sense 2; DSL 2023, host, n.2, sense 1; sindry, adv., sense 2).

⁵³⁹ tway scharpe suardys two sharp swords (OED 2023, tway, adj., sense 1; DSL 2023, twa, num, sense A1).

⁵⁴⁰ smaar hartylyre small artillery (OED 2023, small, adj., and n.2, sense 6a; DSL 2023, smal, adj., n., sense 5). ‘hartylyre’ also features an instance of h-insertion.

⁵⁴¹ vyttall and vyne food or provisions and wine (OED 2023, victual, n., sense 1a; DSL 2023, victual, n.).

⁵⁴² forovr four.

⁵⁴³ fowr scoor of bardyd hors eighty armed horses (OED 2023, fourscore, adj.; barded, adj.; DSl 2023, fourscore, n., sense 1; bardit, adj.).

⁵⁴⁴ the frenche men ar nombard In all sax thowsand men the frenchmen are numbered in all six thousand men.

⁵⁴⁵ vangard ‘[t]he foremost division of an army’ (OED 2023, vanguard, n., sense 1a).

⁵⁴⁶ allmaynȝ Germans (OED 2023, Almain, n. and adj., sense A1; DSL 2023, Almain, n.2, sense 1).

⁵⁴⁷ the fwrst fayr vynd that blawȝ the first fair wind that blows.

⁵⁴⁸ It is not entirely clear what Margaret means in the phrase ‘all so I promyȝ you that every body sayth that thre hondreth thowsand hath not made thys gret provysyon’. She perhaps means something along the lines of ‘The duke of Albany and his supporters have made provisions as if it were for 300,000 men.’

⁵⁴⁹ samal hand gonȝ and pykys and halbartys small hand guns and pikes and halberds (‘a spear and battle axe combined’) (OED 2023, halberd, n., sense 1a).

⁵⁵⁰ borwhȝ ‘[p]ledges, sureties’ (DSL 2023, borowis, n., pl.1).

⁵⁵¹ Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.

⁵⁵² dyspytwsyly cruelly (OED 2023, despiteously, adv.; DSL 2023, dispitously, adv.).

⁵⁵³ a pen upon.

⁵⁵⁴ Richard de la Pole (d.1525), soldier and claimant to the English throne. Pole was the fifth son of John de la Pole (1442–1492) and his wife Elizabeth Plantagenet (1444–1503/4), who was a sister of Edward IV. In spring 1523, Richard de la Pole was in France with the duke of Albany. At this time, Cardinal Wolsey was receiving regular intelligence that Albany and Pole were planning to invade England. However, even though Albany and Pole left France at the same time, Albany arrived in Scotland on 20 September 1523, but without Pole. It was still anticipated that Pole would mount an invasion into England, but he did not do so and little is known of ‘his movements until the spring of 1524, when a spy in his service was arrested in Picardy’ (S. Cunningham, ‘Pole, Richard de la (d.1525), ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/22458 (accessed 6 February 2023).

⁵⁵⁵ ben[…] been.

⁵⁵⁶ plech ‘[to] deposit or assign as security for the repayment of a loan’ (OED 2023, pledge, v., sense 3a).

⁵⁵⁷ Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁵⁵⁸ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁵⁵⁹ saruyȝ service.

⁵⁶⁰ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529). In this postscript Margaret details that Arran had the rule of Tevedal, the marches, the Lothian, Stirlingshire, and Linlithgow.

⁵⁶¹ Alexander Gordon, 3rd earl of Huntly (d.1524). Huntly had the rule of the north parts of Scotland.

⁵⁶² John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526). Lennox had the rule of the west lands of Scotland.

⁵⁶³ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529). Argyll had the rule of the men of the Highlands.

⁵⁶⁴ Robert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell (c.1494–1546). Maxwell became the hereditary steward of Annandale, in Dumfries and Galloway, in June 1513 after his father resigned from the post, and he was received the wardenship of the west march in 1515 from the duke of Albany (C. A. McGladdery, ‘Maxwell, Robert, 5th Lord Maxwell, (c.1494–1546)’, ODNB, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/18410 (accessed 6 February 2023).

⁵⁶⁵ Stirling.

⁵⁶⁶ Edinburgh.

⁵⁶⁷ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, in a copy of a letter sent by Margaret to Patrick Sinclair, Margaret mentioned that she was planning on visiting her son in Linlithgow on Tuesday 13 October 1523 but that she would return to Edinburgh on Thursday 15 October 1523 (Margaret Tudor to Patrick Sinclair, BL, Add MS 24,965 fo. 94b). Margaret was therefore probably in Edinburgh on 19 October 1523 when Letter 45 was composed.

⁵⁶⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁶⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁷⁰ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁵⁷¹ Alexander Hoppringle, brother of Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁵⁷² geer possessions (OED 2023, gear, n., sense 9b; DSL 2023, gere, n., sense 2).

⁵⁷³ vyhol while.

⁵⁷⁴ The lords of Scotland.

⁵⁷⁵ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁵⁷⁶ knawht know.

⁵⁷⁷ See note of Letter 45 regarding place of composition.

⁵⁷⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁷⁹ amangst amongst.

⁵⁸⁰ Pope Adrian VI (1459–1523).

⁵⁸¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁸² the pepyȝ bryf ‘[a] letter of the pope to an individual or a religious community upon matters of discipline’ (OED 2023, brief, n.1, sense 2a).

⁵⁸³ Margaret of Austria, duchess of Savoy (1480–1530).

⁵⁸⁴ complyssyng accomplishing (OED 2023, complish, v., sense 2).

⁵⁸⁵ efwsyon of blwd bloodshed, slaughter (OED 2023, effusion, n., sense 1a).

⁵⁸⁶ See note of Letter 45 regarding place of composition.

⁵⁸⁷ honeust honest.

⁵⁸⁸ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁸⁹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁵⁹⁰ vrowht performed (OED 2023, work, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, wirk, v., sense 1).

⁵⁹¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁵⁹² vyten written.

⁵⁹³ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, vol. III, entry no. 3465, suggests that this letter was sent on 24 October 1523. With regards to composition, it is not entirely clear where Margaret was when this letter was composed. Margaret noted that she returned to Edinburgh on 15 October 1523 but she had moved to Stirling by 14 November 1523. Margaret may therefore have been in Edinburgh or Stirling when this letter was composed, though she may also have spent some time at Linlithgow during this period.

⁵⁹⁴ I can find little information regarding the figure of Edam Dondaȝ (also referred to as Adam Dondaz or Adam Dundas). In a letter sent to Thomas Wolsey on 24 October 1523, Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, notes that Adam Dondaz was ‘in great favour with the Duke [of Albany]’ (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B VI fo. 364).

⁵⁹⁵ A document sealed with the Great Seal of Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁵⁹⁶ fayly fail.

⁵⁹⁷ yours ȝe vayt yours ye wit (know). Margaret refrained from signing her name in this letter and instead concluded this letter with the phrase ‘yours ye know’, as this was a secret and highly sensitive letter. This strategy would have offered Margaret some protection if the letter fell into the wrong hands, as she would not have been identified instantly as its sender. However, Margaret likely chose to write this letter in her own hand so that it would have been recognized by her servant, Patrick Sinclair, as being authentic and trustworthy. See H. Newsome-Chandler, ‘“for goddes sake kepe my writing secrete for it is my destruction”: Strategies of epistolary secrecy in the letters of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots (1489–1541)’, Royal Studies Journal, 11:2 (2024), 103–132 for further discussion of this particular letter.

⁵⁹⁸ See note of Letter 48 regarding place of composition.

⁵⁹⁹ lyke likely.

⁶⁰⁰ vryth with.

⁶⁰¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁰² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁰³ See note of Letter 48 regarding place of composition.

⁶⁰⁴ a cowandyt ‘a document granted to ensure safe passage’ (OED 2023, conduct, n.1, sense I 2).

⁶⁰⁵ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶⁰⁶ See note of Letter 48 regarding place of composition.

⁶⁰⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁰⁸ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁶⁰⁹ Thomas Grey, 2nd marquess of Dorset (1477–1530).

⁶¹⁰ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶¹¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶¹² Stirling.

⁶¹³ conttyd contented.

⁶¹⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶¹⁵ Edinburgh.

⁶¹⁶ on honest Iowrnay dishonourable journey (DSL 2023, unhonest, adj., sense 2).

⁶¹⁷ The lords of Scotland.

⁶¹⁸ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁶¹⁹ John Stewart, 12th or 3rd earl of Lennox (d.1526).

⁶²⁰ seld betrayed (OED 2023, sell, v., sense 2a; DSL 2023, sel, v., sense 1).

⁶²¹ Tuesday next coming.

⁶²² combor trouble (OED 2023, cumber, n., sense 2b; DSL 2023, cummer, n.1, sense 2).

⁶²³ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶²⁴ fowlow follow.

⁶²⁵ sobport support.

⁶²⁶ alytyl a little.

⁶²⁷ desarwe deserve.

⁶²⁸ be var beware.

⁶²⁹ John Somerville of Cambusnethan.

⁶³⁰ mesegyȝ messages.

⁶³¹ Thomas Grey, 2nd marquess of Dorset (1477–1530).

⁶³² Patrick Sinclair, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of Patrick Sinclair and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶³³ vayt weight.

⁶³⁴ The place of composition is not detailed in this letter. However, as letters sent on 24 November 1523 by Margaret were written in Stirling, it is most likely that Margaret was in Stirling on 23 November 1523.

⁶³⁵ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶³⁶ The lords of Scotland.

⁶³⁷ athar other.

⁶³⁸ a vyssment consideration (OED 2023, advisement, n., sense 3a; DSL 2023, avisement, n.).

⁶³⁹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶⁴⁰ belangth belongeth; belongs.

⁶⁴¹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁴² James Beaton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland and archbishop of St Andrews (c.1473–1539).

⁶⁴³ Alexander Gordon, 3rd earl of Huntly (d.1524).

⁶⁴⁴ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁶⁴⁵ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁶⁴⁶ acaryte authority.

⁶⁴⁷ abwn above.

⁶⁴⁸ othar either.

⁶⁴⁹ St Clement's Day, 23 November.

⁶⁵⁰ See note of Letter 53 regarding place of composition.

⁶⁵¹ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁶⁵² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁵³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶⁵⁴ The lords of Scotland.

⁶⁵⁵ James Rutherford, spy of Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey. See ‘News out of Scotland’, TNA, SP 49/2 fo. 25.

⁶⁵⁶ Alexander Gordon, 3rd earl of Huntly (d.1524).

⁶⁵⁷ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁶⁵⁸ trwar more faithful (OED 2023, true, adj., n., adv., and int., sense 1b; DSL 2023, trew, adj., sense A1).

⁶⁵⁹ John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine (1487–1555).

⁶⁶⁰ David Arnot, bishop of Galloway (before 1497–1536 or 1537).

⁶⁶¹ Alexander Mylne, abbot of Cambuskenneth (c.1470–1548).

⁶⁶² teschys teaches.

⁶⁶³ I is.

⁶⁶⁴ Gavin Dunbar, bishop of Aberdeen (1454 or 1456–1532).

⁶⁶⁵ lyke The sense of this term is not entirely clear, though Margaret perhaps meant ‘luck’.

⁶⁶⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁶⁶⁷ swr kyped ‘[o]f the safe-keeping or custody of a person or thing: Safe, secure, without risk’ (DSL 2023, sure, adj., sense 4a).

⁶⁶⁸ thuvȝ thus.

⁶⁶⁹ Scotland.

⁶⁷⁰ hy his.

⁶⁷¹ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁶⁷² The first character of this word is <f>; however, Margaret appears to have added a crossbar to a long ‘s’ by mistake. Margaret instead likely meant to write ‘swfar’, meaning ‘suffer’.

⁶⁷³ vagarȝ ‘mercenary soldier[s]’ (OED 2023, wager, n.1., sense a).

⁶⁷⁴ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

⁶⁷⁵ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁶⁷⁶ somar summer.

⁶⁷⁷ leffe ‘[p]ermission or liberty to do something’ (DSL 2023, lefe, n.2., sense 1).

⁶⁷⁸ powr poor.

⁶⁷⁹ a bwfyn above (OED 2023, above, adv., prep., n., & adj., sense II 9; DSL 2023, abovin, adv., prep., sense B).

⁶⁸⁰ effy heavy. An example of h-dropping.

⁶⁸¹ ope hope. An example of h-dropping.

⁶⁸² Edinburgh.

⁶⁸³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁶⁸⁴ The lords of Scotland.

⁶⁸⁵ tchay they.

⁶⁸⁶ Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁶⁸⁷ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁶⁸⁸ William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick (b. before 1491–d. in or before 1544).

⁶⁸⁹ vythe with the.

⁶⁹⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁶⁹¹ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

⁶⁹² dyscordyȝ disagrees (OED 2023, discord, v.1, sense 1; DSL 2023, discord, v., sense 1).

⁶⁹³ parlemt parliament.

⁶⁹⁴ fallsed falsehood (DSL 2023, falsed, n.).

⁶⁹⁵ remdyd remedied.

⁶⁹⁶ Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁶⁹⁷ Margaret entrusted the prioress of Coldstream to transport some of her most secret correspondence with England. See the Introduction, p. 26.

⁶⁹⁸ brwnt burnt.

⁶⁹⁹ paramarȝ mistress (OED 2023, paramour, n., sense 3; DSL 2023, paramor, n., sense 2).

⁷⁰⁰ St Catherine's Eve, 24 November.

⁷⁰¹ The captain of Milan. It is not clear exactly who the captain of Milan was at this time.

⁷⁰² tche the.

⁷⁰³ James Rutherford, spy of Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey. See ‘News out of Scotland’ at TNA, SP 49/2 fo. 25.

⁷⁰⁴ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁷⁰⁵ Intretment treatment (OED 2023, entreatment, n., sense 1b; DSL 2023, intretment, n.).

⁷⁰⁶ Thomas Carr, abbot of Kelso.

⁷⁰⁷ Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁷⁰⁸ born burn.

⁷⁰⁹ degre ‘degree in rank or standing’ (DSL 2023, degré, n., sense 1).

⁷¹⁰ vytch with.

⁷¹¹ Coldstream, Berwickshire.

⁷¹² St Catherine's Eve, 24 November.

⁷¹³ The date of composition is not detailed in this letter, but the calendar of TNA, SP 49/2 dates this letter as being sent on 24 November 1523.

⁷¹⁴ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁷¹⁵ In contyment without delay (OED 2023, incontinent, adv., sense A; DSL 2023, incontinent, adv.).

⁷¹⁶ Isabella Hoppringle, prioress of Coldstream (before 1505–1538).

⁷¹⁷ garge is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. Margaret perhaps means ‘gage’, meaning ‘[a] pledge for the performance of some undertaking or obligation’ (DSL 2023, gage, n.1, sense 1).

⁷¹⁸ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, a later annotation on the final leaf of this manuscript suggests that this letter was sent sometime in December 1523. With regards to place of composition, in this letter Margaret mentions that she had she returned to Stirling when her servant, John Cantley, had just arrived after delivering her correspondence to Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey. It is therefore likely that this letter was penned at Stirling.

⁷¹⁹ John Cantley, messenger of Margaret Tudor. See Introduction, pp. 24–29 for further discussion of John Cantley and Margaret Tudor's messengers.

⁷²⁰ Stirling.

⁷²¹ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷²² The lords of Scotland.

⁷²³ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷²⁴ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷²⁵ James Stewart, earl of Moray (1500–1544/5).

⁷²⁶ Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd earl of Cassillis (c.1492–1527).

⁷²⁷ John Fleming, 2nd Lord Fleming (c.1465–1524).

⁷²⁸ William Borthwick, 4th Lord Borthwick (b. before 1491–d. in or before 1544).

⁷²⁹ hythartylȝ ‘[u]ntil now, hitherto’ (DSL 2023, hiddertillis, adv.).

⁷³⁰ Itvas it was.

⁷³¹ dysasentyd refused to assent (OED 2023, disassent, v.; DSL 2023, disassent, v., sense 1).

⁷³² nv novacyons undesirable changes (OED 2023, novation, n., sense 1; DSL 2023, novation, n., sense 1).

⁷³³ hapynt happened.

⁷³⁴ haftar after. An example of h-insertion.

⁷³⁵ hm him.

⁷³⁶ 800 of his Frenchmen.

⁷³⁷ exschw avoid (OED 2023, eschew, v.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, eschew, v., sense 1).

⁷³⁸ contyntyd contented.

⁷³⁹ lordy The lords of Scotland.

⁷⁴⁰ retornyg returning.

⁷⁴¹ Candlemas, 2 February.

⁷⁴² Christmas.

⁷⁴³ Edinburgh.

⁷⁴⁴ James Hamilton, 1st earl of Arran (1475?–1529).

⁷⁴⁵ Colin Campbell, 3rd earl of Argyll (d.1529).

⁷⁴⁶ stryk ‘[t]o coin, mint (money, coins)’ (DSL 2023, strik, v., sense 13a).

⁷⁴⁷ swsten sustain.

⁷⁴⁸ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁷⁴⁹ langach language.

⁷⁵⁰ reherȝ account (OED 2023, rehearsal, n., sense 1b; DSL 2023, rehers, n., sense 2).

⁷⁵¹ axe ask.

⁷⁵² aferyd afraid (OED 2023, afeared, adj., sense 1b; DSL 2023, aferd, ppl. adj.)

⁷⁵³ fayht fight.

⁷⁵⁴ hyȝ is. An example of h-insertion.

⁷⁵⁵ the frenche In bassyt the french ambassador.

⁷⁵⁶ Francis I, king of France (1494–1547).

⁷⁵⁷ A pension of 5,000 crowns.

⁷⁵⁸ ocorȝ occurs.

⁷⁵⁹ Sir William Bulmer (by 1465–1531). Bulmer served as lieutenant of the Eastern March and Norham Castle, Northumberland, in 1523.

⁷⁶⁰ This letter does not include a closing subscription or signature. It is not clear why.

⁷⁶¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁶² Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁷⁶³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁶⁴ forspokyn ‘[p]reviously spoken of’ (DSL 2023, forspoken, ppl. adj.).

⁷⁶⁵ St John's Day, 24 June.

⁷⁶⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁶⁷ provet proved.

⁷⁶⁸ playn parlment The DSL notes that plain parliament is ‘the “full and formal meeting of the King's council in Parliament summoned upon forty days’ notice”’ (DSL 2023, Parliament, n.1, sense 1).

⁷⁶⁹ memoryal diplomatic instructions. For further discussion of diplomatic instructions see the Biography, pp. 37–38 and Newsome, ‘The function, format, and performance’.

⁷⁷⁰ tyl Indwr to last (OED 2023, endure, v., sense II 2a; DSL 2023, indure, v.1, sense 1).

⁷⁷¹ 15 or 31 May.

⁷⁷² begyng beginning.

⁷⁷³ vyntar winter.

⁷⁷⁴ The date and place of composition are not detailed in this letter. However, this letter was perhaps sent at a similar time as a letter sent by Clarencieux to Thomas Wolsey, on 15 February 1524, in which Clarencieux reported having an audience with the queen of Scots, the duke of Albany, and the lords of Scotland (BL, Cotton MS Caligula B II fo. 218).

⁷⁷⁵ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁷⁶ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁷⁷ hard heard.

⁷⁷⁸ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Stirling on 1 April 1524, she was likely in Stirling on 31 March 1524.

⁷⁷⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁸⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁸¹ Gavin Dunbar (c.1490–1547). Dunbar was elected to the archbishopric of Glasgow in 1524, and from 1517 was the tutor of James V.

⁷⁸² bowlyȝ formal documents of petition (OED 2023, bill, n.3, sense 1a; DSL 2023, bill, n.1, sense 3b).

⁷⁸³ vI scors of tounnyȝ 120 (6 sets of twenty) of tun (large casks or barrels, usually used for carrying liquids such as wine or beer) (OED 2023, score, n., sense III 16a; tun, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, scor, n., sense 1; tun, n., sense 1).

⁷⁸⁴ 24 mariners and some merchants.

⁷⁸⁵ clavssyȝ nesescar clauses necessary (OED 2023, necessary, adj.; DSL 2023, necessary, adj., sense 1).

⁷⁸⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁷⁸⁷ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁷⁸⁸ withtin within.

⁷⁸⁹ Ites is not recorded in the OED or the DSL. It is unclear what the scribe meant with this term.

⁷⁹⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁷⁹¹ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁷⁹² Thomas Dacre, 2nd Baron Dacre of Gilsland (1467–1525).

⁷⁹³ disur desire.

⁷⁹⁴ aplaudyt ‘[t]o assent or agree, to give or show approval’ (DSL 2023, applaud, v.)

⁷⁹⁵ Sir William Bulmer (by 1465–1531). Bulmer served as lieutenant of the Eastern March and Norham Castle, Northumberland in 1523.

⁷⁹⁶ a at.

⁷⁹⁷ ȝ ȝe; you.

⁷⁹⁸ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, as Margaret sent a letter from Stirling on 1 April 1524, this letter may have also been composed in Stirling.

⁷⁹⁹ leffe cease (OED 2023, leave, v.1, sense II 11b; DSL 2023, lefe, v.1, sense 8).

⁸⁰⁰ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁰¹ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸⁰² Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸⁰³ vryten ȝe vayt vhay written ye wit (know) who.

⁸⁰⁴ See note of Letter 63 regarding place of composition.

⁸⁰⁵ had heard.

⁸⁰⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁰⁷ betvyȝt betwixt; between.

⁸⁰⁸ vieer war.

⁸⁰⁹ trobloȝ troublesome (OED 2023, troublous, adj., sense 3a; DSL 2023, trubillous, adj., sense 2).

⁸¹⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸¹¹ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁸¹² Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸¹³ Robin Pauly, messenger.

⁸¹⁴ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸¹⁵ Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey, later 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸¹⁶ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸¹⁷ dyseȝ death (OED 2023, decease, n., sense a; DSL 2023, deces, n.)

⁸¹⁸ James IV, king of Scots (1473–1513).

⁸¹⁹ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸²⁰ It is not clear where Margaret was located when this letter was composed.

⁸²¹ 27 May.

⁸²² James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸²³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸²⁴ George Gordon, 4th earl of Huntly (1513–1562).

⁸²⁵ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554). Howard became the 3rd duke of Norfolk on 21 May 1524, following the death of his father, Thomas Howard, 2nd duke of Norfolk (1443–1524).

⁸²⁶ The lords of Scotland.

⁸²⁷ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸²⁸ dep^caryg departing.

⁸²⁹ repreff reprehension (OED 2023, reproof, n.1, sense 1a; DSL 2023, repref, n., sense 3).

⁸³⁰ tavy two.

⁸³¹ St Johnstone, another name for Perth used in the late medieval period.

⁸³² dolor distress (OED 2023, dolour | dolor, n., sense 2a; DSL 2023, dolour, n.1, sense 1).

⁸³³ tholyt suffered (OED 2023, thole, v., sense 1a; DSL 2023, thol, v., sense 1).

⁸³⁴ rygand is not recorded in the OED or DSL. Margaret perhaps meant a Scots variant of the term ‘raging’, as in the ‘war raging’ between Henry VIII and James V.

⁸³⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸³⁶ begyng beginning.

⁸³⁷ In estymabyl inestimable.

⁸³⁸ subgets subjects.

⁸³⁹ atorykte authority.

⁸⁴⁰ medyatryce mediatrix; female mediator (OED 2023, mediatrice, n.; DSL 2023, mediatrix, n.).

⁸⁴¹ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁴² ce ‘[t]o see to, arrange for’ (DSL 2023, se, v., sense 8b).

⁸⁴³ yur your.

⁸⁴⁴ var to stanche ‘[m]ore difficult’ to ‘put a stop to’ (DSL 2023, war, adj., sense 2b; stanch, v., sense 2a).

⁸⁴⁵ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter; however, a scribal letter sent in Margaret's name on 13 July 1524 was composed in Stirling (Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 13 July 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 297). Margaret was thus likely located in Stirling when Letter 68 was composed.

⁸⁴⁶ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁴⁷ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸⁴⁸ John Lynne (or John Home), abbot of Jedburgh from 1512–1549.

⁸⁴⁹ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁵⁰ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁸⁵¹ The place of composition is not detailed in the main body of this letter. However, the scribal letter sent in conjunction with this document was composed in Stirling (Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 13 July 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 297).

⁸⁵² 12 July 1524.

⁸⁵³ Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, archbishop of York (1470/1–1530).

⁸⁵⁴ duth doth; does.

⁸⁵⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁵⁶ Thomas Howard, 3rd duke of Norfolk (1473–1554).

⁸⁵⁷ towschyg touching.

⁸⁵⁸ Archibald Douglas, 6th earl of Angus (c.1489–1557).

⁸⁵⁹ The lords of Scotland.

⁸⁶⁰ John Stewart, 2nd duke of Albany (c.1482–1536).

⁸⁶¹ gra^c grace.

⁸⁶² ope hope. An example of h-dropping.

⁸⁶³ dvand doing (DSL 2023, do, v., sense 1c).

⁸⁶⁴ dvyng doing.

⁸⁶⁵ tovscheg touching.

⁸⁶⁶ Is his. An example of h-dropping.

⁸⁶⁷ thye the.

⁸⁶⁸ dwȝ does.

⁸⁶⁹ Margaret also enclosed a scribal copy of this letter in the same letter packet in the event that Henry VIII could not ‘red my evel hand’, because she was ill when the letter was composed (see Margaret Tudor to Henry VIII, 13 July 1524, BL, Cotton MS Caligula B I fo. 297).

⁸⁷⁰ gonIovffe is not recorded in the DSL or the OED. However, this term appears to be a reference to Margaret's ‘conjunct feftment’, meaning the rents from her dower lands.

⁸⁷¹ See note of Letter 69 regarding place of composition.

⁸⁷² resayvod received.

⁸⁷³ Henry VIII, king of England (1491–1547).

⁸⁷⁴ 12 July 1524.

⁸⁷⁵ James V, king of Scots (1512–1542).

⁸⁷⁶ vel well-being (OED 2023, well, n.2, sense 1b; DSL 2023, wele, n., sense 1a).