Part III. Appendices. Historical Documents.

I. EXTRACTS FROM THE "SWEDEN AND DENMARK CORRESPONDENCE, 1612,"[136] IN THE PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON.

Letter from Sir Robert Anstruther to the King, dated from Coppenhagen the 8 of Juin 1612.

Most humbly sheweth unto your Majestie,

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Moreover Sir, they heire are much greeved against Scottis men, in regairde of some Scottis shippes, that have nowe of late fallen in, In Norroway,[137] and done great hurt unto the inhabitants there, and taken sindrie shippes out of theire havens, which the Dunkirkers never did in tyme of warre: the one shippe is found to have been the Erle of Orknayis, for shee was a flybotte of Dunkerke, that he had, and one Stewart is Captane of herre; ther is another shippe in the companie whois captaine is also named Stewart; and they have a thirde shippe the Captane wherof is a Hollander: and the fourth is a pryse that they have taken: they have beene the first, thirde and fyft of Juin, in sundrie harbreis of Norroway; I have myself reade the letters sent hither to the Chancellor, with havie complaints against them. They heere doe beleeve certainely, that they have commission, ather from Wormistoun, or els from S^r Robert Stewart, wich I have protested instantlie against, assuring them that if such a thing be with there consent, they never darre looke yo^r M^tie in the face. In lyk maner this last winter, at my being heere in Denmark in that great defaitte that Gustavus had, there was a Skots Ansient[138] taken prisoner when there was no quarter kept amongst them, whois name is Pryngle; the King wpone my most humble suit, and by meanes of the Chancellor, sett him at libertie, in regard that he was your M^is subject, as he hath done sindrie others: this Pringle, efter he had given his oathe and a reversse taken under his hand, that he should never goe to Sweden, nather serve against the King of Denmark, he is now taken againe, in a shippe going to Sweden, and I am almost ashamed to speek any more, in his behalfe; with such things I ame oft met heere: as also with thir Inglish mariners sindrie discontent. So I humblie crave your M^tie pardone, for trowbling of your M^tie with thir Idle matters, but they being used as arguments against me in conference, I thought good to lett your M^tie know the trewth.

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Draft from the King's Secretary to Sir Robert Anstruther, dated 9, August 1612.

Sir,

His Ma^ty hath commanded me to lett you understand that having heard yesternight by meere accident that certein companies of men were levying in Scotland and redy to embarke under the conduct of Ramsey, Steward and some other captaines his Ma^ty enquiring whither they intended it was told him that they went for Sweeden, which his Ma^ty being displeased with gave order presently for the stay of the levy and whereas some good number of them were alredy embarked before his Ma^ty heard the newes or redy to embarke his Highness also hath given order to discharge them and doth utterly disadvow anie act of theirs and although he have been told by ther frendes that they desired to serve the King of Sweeden in Muscovy and they should be farre from annoying the King of Denmarke yet was not his Ma^ty satisfied therwith but hath sent to forbidde them, accompting it all one to serve the King of Sweden there or neerer to Denmarke for that it should but enable him to use the greater force against the King of Denmarke. And this his Ma^ty doth out of memory of his promise to the King of Denmarke and out of his especiall care to discharge all parts of a kinde frend and brother towardes him. And least anie evill report should be brought to his eare of the levying and embarking of these men his Ma^ty thought fit to be the first reporter of it himselfe by you his Minister there and his pleasure therefore is that you take the first opportunity to advertise him of it in his Ma^tys name both how the levy was without his Ma^tys warrant and how spedely his Highnes uppon the first hearing of it did take order to prohibit their proceeding.

Sir Robert Anstruther to the King.

From Halmestade the 1̅0̅{10} of Agust 1612.

Most humbly sheweth unto your Majestie,

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The King of Denmark is informed, that one Menigowe a fleeming, haveing in companie with him fyfteen hundreth men, is to meet with Androw Ramsay, in some pairt of the North of Scotland, about Caithness, or Orknay, who hath in lyk maner moe than a thowsand Scottis men with, and so they mynd to joine their forces togither, and to fall upon Norroway, and spoile some towns, and so to goe into Sweden. The King of Denmark doeth much mervaile theirat, in regaird of that letter which your M^tie sent wnto him, when Sir Robert Stewart, and Maister Ramsay went first into Sweden: whereby your M^tie desyred, that they might pass saively, for particulairs of their owne; and that their going shuld in no wayis prejudge the King of Denmark: notwithstanding Maister Ramsay being come to Sweden, maid offer of his service to the Prince and State of Sweden: and coming owt againe, had letters and directions to my Lord of Wormeston, which he did throw in the sea, being taken prisoner by the King of Denmarks ships, and browght unto the King, and examined upon his oathe if he had any commission for leveing of men, for the King of Swedens wss, or if he intended to goe bak againe to serve him: all which he then flatly denyed, and did sweare that he shuld never serve against Denmark; wherewpon he was dismissed, with a saveconduict to goe through the King of Denmarks dominions. Notwithstanding of this, the King of Denmark is certainly informed by men comed owt of Scotland, that he hath leveed men about Eden^gh and imbarked them at Leeth: And moreover his M^tie tould me of a particular man that wes killed in Leith by one of his companie, which caused a great sturre amongst some noble men, and the towne of Leith. His M^tie wsed this speech as an argument to prove, that such leveis, and imbarkements so neere to Eden^bh could not be done without permission of the State: whereto I answered, that I beleeved certainly, that these leveis were not, by any authoritie of your M^tie or the State, but only voluntarie men, of whom the cuntry is full, for want of Imployment.[139] And moreover I called his M^tie to mynd, that 10 yeers agoe when William Ogilvye, and 6 yeers agoe when Wormeston went over in tyme of peace betwixt Denmark and Sweden: notwithstanding I know perfytly, that none of them had licence to lift wp men, without express command of your M^tie that they shuld never Imploy themselves, or their men, against the crowne of Denmark; farre more easily his M^tie myght beleeve that now in tyme of warres y^r M^tie would give leave to no subject of yours, to goe serve against him: I perceave by the Kings speeches if they come in his hands, they shall runne a great hasard.

* * * * *

His Majesty heering of the forces that M^r Ramsay and Menigow have assembled did send shippes alreadie, towards the coaste of Norroway: and heering certainly of their strenth, intendeth to send moe shippes and men.

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receaved 17^th Septem at Havering.

Sir Robert Anstruther to Sir Thomas Lache, Knyght and secretairie to his M^tie.

From Coppenhagen the 26 of Agust 1612.

Honorable Knyght,

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Efter that Wormestons man was send away, I receaved upon the morrow, the Kings M^teis directions, conteaned in your letter, concerning M^r Ramsayis proceedings: I hope his M^tie shall be content with my answers, to the King of Denmarks objections and complaints against M^r Ramsey and his doings: for the King was long before informed of his proceedings, with one Menigow a fleeming who shuld joine with him, and fournish him armour, and money: as I have written at large in my letter to his M^tie.

* * * * *

Draft of Letter from the King to Sir Robert Anstruther, dated 16, Sept 1612.

Trustie etc.

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As for the Scottishmen gon into Sweeden; wee hope that by o^r Lres by Quarryer w^ch wilbe w^th yo^w before these, the King will have receaved satisfac̅c̅o̅n̅satisfa{ccon} in that matter. And as wee wrote then, wee wold bee curious to informe ourself, how that cold be, considering o^r order given to the contrary, when o^r Secretary of Scotland shold be come, who was then upon the way, soe have wee upon his arrivall made very straight enquiry of the passage of that matter, and cannot find other then this; That as heretofore upon our first entring into this Kingdome, the Earle Hume and some others did Levye some men for the Archdukes service (though making us privately acquainted w^th it) yet having no publique warrant nor striking any drumme, but only passing them in silence; Soe now the Captens of this Levye did by that example suppose to themselves; that usuing the same privie maner of proceeding w^thout drumme or Ensigne displayed (though not making us acquainted w^th it) they might without offence have caryed away such as they cold move voluntarily to goe; the rather, for that they protest they had no purpose to serve against the King of Denmarke, but to be employed in Muscovia; a misconceipt of theires w^ch wee doe no wayes allowe; for indeed it is all one, as if they did, seeing their serving the King of Sweeden in that part doth but enable him to be the stronger against Denmarke. And o^r said Secretary doth further assure us upon his creditt w^th us; that the Levye was so closely caryed, as that untill o^r Lres came to o^r Councell of Scotland for the stay of them; he had never for himselfe heard of any such thing to be in hand; He doth further adde that it is likely; that Andrew Ramsey being the cheif of the buisnes (whose brother all men knowe what place he hath w^th us) many did suppose that it was not w^thout our liking; that he undertooke the transporting of them, untill by our prohibition the contrary was made manifest. Although these be the excuses, w^ch our Councell of Scotland have made to us for this erro^r, yet have they not so satisfied us therew^th, that that wee have lett them knowe how much wee mislike some dullnes of theirs, w^ch they can̅otca{n}ot avoyd; And wee doe assure o^rself that hereafter no like thing will happen; and pray the King to be perswaded; that if any of ours shall soe farre forth forgett themselves as to serve any Adversarye of his; wee shall impute it to them for no lesse fault, then if they served an Enemy of our owne;

As for that point; concerning Andrew Ramsey, wherew^th the King doth charge him; that having heretofore (after service don to the late King of Sweeden) found favo^r at the King o^r brothers hande; and given his faith to him never to serve the King of Sweeden against him more; wee are so much displeased w^th his cariage therein; as we meane to take a due tryall thereof; and if he doe not give us satisfaccon although by course of Lawe the fact be of that nature as hath no punishment p^rscribed; yet shall o^r usage towarde him be such; as all men shall perceive how farre wee mislike men of so unworthie disposic̅o̅n̅.disposi{con}.

Draft from the King to Sir Robert Anstruther, dated 30, Sept 1612.

Trustie, etc.

* * * * *

Yo^w shall also lett him understand concerning Andrew Ramsey, as wee wrote in o^r last lres to yo^u wee wold; so did wee take to speedie order to have a tryall made what he could answere to the fowle fact of breach of his faith to the Kings Ministers who had him prisoner w^ch yo^r lres did charge him w^th; for w^ch purpose, he being called before o^r Councell hid himself; and being often sum̅onedsu{m}oned and not appearing, is for his contempt at the Horn, whereby yo^u may say unto the King, he hath now given us a good ground to punishe him by coorse of lawe; for that before although his fact proving true; we might have ever thought of him as a naughtie and unworthie person, yet could wee not have inflicted any punishement uppon him, for that the declaring of Shelmo is not in use w^th us. But now having out of his owne fact putt himself in the daunger of the lawe wee have ground to proceed against him; whereby the King and all men shall see how much we detest such acts.

Wee have also taken a coorse to trye whenne the moneys came w^ch wee heard he had distributed to the men he levyed; And we doe find that the money came not out of Sweeden; but from whence he had it wee will spare to deliver at this pn̅tp{n}t, but at yo^r retorne wee will make yo^u acquainted w^th it, and by yo^u, the King shall afterwardes understand.

Sir Robert Anstruther to the King.

From Coppenhagen 26 October 1612.

Humblie sheweth unto your Majestie,

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Doutles your M^tie heth hard, of that infortunat accident that hapned unto 3̅0̅0̅{300} of your M^is subjects, which landed in Norroway, under the conduict of Alex^r Ramsay, (Lieutenant Coronell unto Coronel Ramsay) captane Hay, and Captane Sinclaire. Efter they had martched six dayis within the cuntry, pressing to goe through to Sweden, were overcharged by the inhabitants of the cuntry, and all killed, except some few, of which the said lieutenant Ramsay, and Captane Bruce, James Monypenny, and James Scott these foure were sent to Denmark efter their coming hither, a counsell of warre was called, to have examined them, and efterward to have given judgement upon them. Efter I had spoken with them, and fand that theire journey was interprysed rashly, and rather simple then weel advysed; for not one of them had any kynd off commission or warrant to shew, nather from the late King Charles, nather from Gustavus, neither from Coronell Ramsay; wherein first they would have beene condemned of great simplicitie, or ignorance: and nixt founde to be plaine invaders, and ravers of the Kings Dominiouns, and subjects, and a severe judgeme̅tjudgem{e}t would have followed, in regairde the King was much discontented, for eviting of this publick censure, and danger, I thought good to labour to have them privily examined in the presence only of the Chancellore and Bredo Rantzow, where I was myself, (unworthie) present: their depositione is sent with them selfs unto your M^tie hoping it shall be farre better for them to come into the hands of your Royall M^tie whoe ever had used grace, and clemencie unto those, that offends of simplicitye, and not of willfulnes.

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Letter from Sir Robert Anstruther to Sir Thomas Lache, Knyght, etc. Coppenhagen, 26 of October 1612.

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I dout not but you have hard the infortunat newis of these 300 Scottis men that went to Norroway; the bours of the country haue killed, and murthered them all, except some few, whereof Captane Alex^r Ramsay, Captane Henry Bruce, James Monypenny, and James Scott are saved, and sent by the King of Denmark unto his M^tie of great Britannie: for it is much better for them to come in the hands of a gratious and mercifull King, then to runne the hasarde and judgement of a merschel court of warre, which was heere ordained for them, if I had not prevented it, and procured, efter private examination, that they shuld be sent into Ingland.

* * * * *

Paper endorsed 15, Sep 1612. The examination of Alexander Ramsey.

A.

Anno MDCXII. die XV. mensis Octobris, in horto Sereniss^mi ac Potentiss^mi Principis ac Domini, Domini CHRISTIANI Quarti, Daniæ, Norwagiæ, etc. Regis & Domini nostri clementissimi, coram nobis, Roberto Anstrutero, Ser^mi magnæ Britanniæ pro tempore Legato, Christiano Frisio et Bredone Rantzovio, regni Daniæ Senatoribus, constitutus Alexander Ramse, et ad diversa interrogata, hæc quæ sequuntur, confessus fuit.

Se ab Andrea Ramse in Locum tenentem assumptum: dictum verò Andream, se Caroli, Regis Sueciæ, literis, ad summi Ducis officium ascitum esse, affirmasse: Veruntamen nullas hac de re literas vidisse: De stipendio non conventum esse; spem sibi factam, fore, ut tantum stipendii, quantum quilibet alter supremi Ducis Locum tenens in Suecia, acciperet.

Correptus; quod S^æ R^æ M^tis Magnæ Britanniæ mandatum transgressus esset, contrà intulit se prænominati Andreæ Ramse fidem sequutum: Dixerat enim, jamdicta S^a M^te Magnæ Britanniæ sciente et indulgente illa fieri.

Societatem constitisse tribus, suâ propriâ, et duabus aliis personis, Georgio Sincklar et Georgio Hey, singulis centum peditum præfectis.

Se, Alexandrum, Dondi navim conscendisse: duos verò prædictos Capitaneos Ketnes, insularum, quæ Orcadibus annumerantur, unâ, tribus miliaribus Germanicis Orcadibus distante solvisse.

Senatores regni Scotiæ hæc omnia latere, neq^e facultatem unquam petitam; Verùm præfati Andreæ Ramse verbis et promissis nitentes, transfretasse.

Sistendi locum fuisse præfixum sub Hetlandia, quò mille militibus, et tribus armorum millibus Munichouen, ut et supremus Dux Hacket, Scotus, mille peditibus instructi, confluerent, numero ad tria millia accrescente.

Secundo die Augusti illinc solvisse: Se, Alexandrum Ramse, 400 Sterlingorum libras, in centum milites impendisse. Majores enim sumptus fieri, furtim et clam, quàm publicé, militem conscribendo.

Jacobum Nisbet Edinburgensem, periculum, quod navis incurrere posset, in se recepisse. Rusticos Norwagienses iter monstrasse, ubi appulerant in Ramsdal, in Iisfiord.

Huic examini interfuere Jacobus Monipenne et Jacobus Scott.

In majorem hujusce examinis et confessionis, præfati Alexandri Ramse, fidem, propriarum manuum subscriptione hæc corroborare voluimus. Actum Hafniæ, 1̅5̅{15} die mensis Octobris, Anno &c. 1612.

Robertus Anstruther.

Christianus Friis Brinde Rantzovio manu Ppria. manu hanc, etc.

Translation of foregoing.

In the year 1612, on the fifteenth day of the month of October, in the garden of the Most Serene and Powerful Prince and Lord, CHRISTIAN the Fourth, King of Denmark, Norway, etc., and our most gracious Liege, was Alexander Ramsay brought into the presence of us, Robert Anstruther, pro tem. Ambassador of His Most Serene Majesty of Great Britain, Christian Friis, and Brinde Rantzow, councillors of the realm of Denmark, and in answer to divers questions made the statements which do hereinafter follow:—

That he had been appointed to the post of lieutenant-colonel by Andrew Ramsay; that the said Andrew had declared that he had been appointed to the office of colonel by a letter from Charles, King of Sweden, but he had himself seen no such letter; that there had been no agreement concerning pay; that he had been led to hope that he would receive as much pay as any other lieutenant-colonel serving in Sweden.

When reproached with having gone beyond the commands of His Majesty of Great Britain, he set forth in his defence that he had relied on the word of the aforesaid Andrew Ramsay; for he had said that those things were being done with the knowledge and approval of His aforesaid Sacred Majesty of Great Britain.

That an agreement had been made between three persons, himself and two others, George Sinclair and George Hay, each being in command of a hundred infantry.

That he, Alexander, had embarked at Dundee; but the two aforesaid captains had set sail from Caithness, one of the islands which are reckoned among the Orkneys (sic), but distant three German miles from the Orkneys.

That all these things were unknown to the Council of the kingdom of Scotland, nor had any permission been applied for; but that relying on the words and promises of the aforesaid Andrew Ramsay, they had crossed the sea.

That a stopping-place had been fixed upon beforehand off Shetland, where Mönnichhofen, furnished with a thousand soldiers and three thousand arms, as also General(?) Hacket (Halkett) of Scotland, with a thousand infantry, were to meet, the number increasing to three thousand.

That they had set sail from that place on the second day of August. That he, Alexander Ramsay, had spent four hundred pounds sterling upon a hundred soldiers; for that greater expenses were incurred in enlisting soldiers privily and secretly than (by enlisting them) publicly.

That James Nisbet of Edinburgh had taken upon himself the risk which the ship might incur. That the Norwegian peasants had shown them the way, when they had landed at Romsdal in Iisfiord.

At this examination were present James Moneypenny and James Scott.

That more reliance may be placed on this examination and deposition of the aforesaid Alexander Ramsay, we have wished to corroborate these statements by the signatures of our own hands.

Done at Copenhagen, the 15th day of the month of October, in the year, etc., 1612.

Robertus Anstruther.

Christianus Friis Brinde Rantzovio (Sign manual.) (Sign manual.)

Paper endorsed 1612, 27 Nov. The examination of Andrew Ramsey gent.

The examination of Androw Ramsey gent. taken the 27 Nov. 1612, in the presence of the Duke of Le̅n̅oxL{en}ox and Ld. Viscount Fenton.

Being asked when he came out of Sweeden whether he had any commission from the King of Sweeden for levying of men he confesseth he had but for service against the Muscovite and that being taken by the King of Denmarkes ships he cast it into the sea.

Being asked when he was taken by the ships of Denmarke and examined whether he made any promise or gave anie oth for not serving against the King of Denmarke he denyeth that ever he made anie such promise by speach or by oth or was ever pressed to do so nor did at that time see the King of Denmarke.

Being asked how he durst undertake or goe about to levy men in Scotland without the Kings licence or privity He sayth he did it of ignorance not knowing but that he might lawfully take such as wold goe And for his fault submitteth himself to his Ma^ts mercy as also for using the Kings name to induce others w^ch he confesseth he did and promised them to stand between them and anie danger.

Being asked if the King were acquainted w^th his doings He sayeth, he never had any leave oversight or connivence directly or indirectly from the King; either by himself; or by meanes or significac̅o̅n̅significa{con} of any other bodie.

Being asked if any of the Kings Councell of Scotland or any other officers of the Kings were acquainted with his doings or did encourage him. He sayth he never acquainted anie with it nor receaved anie encouragement from them or anie els.

A. Ramsey.

Paper endorsed The examination of Androw Ramsey and Robert Dowglas.

B.

Anno MDCXI. die XIX. mensis Decembris. S^a R^a M^tas Daniæ, Norwegiæ & Dominus noster clementissimus, nobis infra nominatis, clementissime injunxit, ut Scotum quendam, Andream Ramsö, qui una cum duobus Locumtenentibus, totidemq^e famulis, navi ex Suecia Lubecam tendens, in itinere unà cum navi captus atq^e Hafniam conductus fuerat, posteà verò huc, uno Vicetenente comite, se receperat, de subsequentibus capitibus, propriâ S^æ R^æ M^tis manu designatis, interrogaremus, et quemlibet separatim examini submitteremus.

1. Ubi locorum familiaritatem primò colere ceperint, quo hospitio et hospite usi sint.

2. Quomodo commeatum vel abeundi facultatem obtinuerit.

3. Quot peregrini militum præfecti adhuc in Suecia, et quinam eorum ad conscribendum militem extra regnum, degant.

4. Quorum conterraneorum, et ad quos literas secum ferant. Nullum enim dubium, quin tam Stuardus, quàm alii ad suos amicos, literas dederint.

5. Quidnam Stuardus cum literis salvi conductus, Calmariæ a Nobis acceptis, egerit.

6. Causam dicat, cur Stuardus ab omnibus Suecis, Regis magnæ Britanniæ, appelletur legatus.

7. Quasnam conditiones obtulerint Stuardo, ipsius ære se liberandi.

Vicetenens speciatim interrogandus, quomodo à Capitaneo suo discesserit, et sub quo summo Duce stipendia fecerit.

Cùm vero meridianâ sit luce clarius, ejusmodi viris, qui diu in Suecia militarem operam præstiterunt, sine specialioribus passagii literis, abitum minime concedi, quo pacto inde solverit.

Hoc clementissimo mandato accepto, statim Ottonis, arcis præfecti conclave, locum comparendi præfato Ramsö assignavimus, ibidem eundem separatim examinavimus, et quæ sequuntur, in medium proferentem audivimus.

Ad primum articulum: Locumtenentem, hic sibi comitem consanguineum suum esse: Eundem Stockholmiæ, in diversorio Ducis Johannis, cuivis ibi loci noto, quando cum suo capitaneo Lörmundt, etiam Scoto, ex Livonia, ubi per quinquennium militasset veniret, casu in se incidisse. Se, Ramsö, dicto vicetenenti veniam apud Ducem Gustavum impetrasse.

Ad secundum: Nullas sibi, neq^e Regis, neq^e Ducum, Gustavi et Johannis, verùm unas tantum Vicetenentis Stockholmiæ, in suum ipsius duorum Locum-tenentium totidemq^e famulorum usum, salvi conductus literas fuisse, quas Waxholmi, antequam navim ascendissent, redditas post se reliquisset.

Ad tertium: Sequentes Duces et præfectos militum, adhuc in Suecia commorari; Summum Ducem Roderfört, Scotum, ejusdem Locum-tenentem Lormundt; Horum Legionem vel regimen constare 8 vel 9 cohortibus; Capitaneum Wachop; Munichow; Summum Ducem Due; Casparum Matzen; Græc, Scotum, magistrum machinarum fulminalium. In obsidione Calmariæ, Sclopetæ globo jamdictu Graec tibiam alteram ita vulneratam, ut 20 ossicula exempta fuerint, atq^e jam num de vita ipsius desperari. An aliqui, ad conscribendum externum militem emissi sint, se omnino nescium esse.

Ad quartum: Nullas se habere literas.

Ad quintum: Stuardum literas salvi conductus navarchæ, à quo Calmariâ Rusbuy vectus erat, tradidisse, ut èo meliùs ad suos redire posset; vicetenentem etiam Hafniensem affirmasse, ad suas manus prædictas literas venisse.

Ad sextum: Vulgum de Stuardo tanquam de Legato sentire; Stuardum verò hoc ægrè ferre. In aula tamen non idem de ipso judicium fieri.

Ad septimum: Solutionis spe in ver proximum, pecunia vel cupro interfuturo, Stuardum lactari.

Cæterum: prænominatus Ramsö, per discursum et incidenter retulit, Dominum de la Ville, Gedanum abiisse, 7,000 Joachimicorum, ibidem sibi numerandorum, literis cambii acceptis: Verùm nihil, nisi fraudem et vana promissa, expertum esse: In obsidione Calmariæ latus alterum ipsi globo ictum:

Dixisse etiam, quamvis ab Angelo cœlis delapso, sibi suaderetur, ut in Suecia pedem sisteret, nequaquam tamen se facturum.

Omnes præfectos vel officiales regni Sueciæ, in Calmariæ obsidione, præter Monnichowen, vulneratos esse: Ea ex causa, quod cæteros prudentia anteiret, et eminus certare novisset. Hisce peractis, ipsum in hospitium dimisimus, et Locumtenentem, Robertum Douglis, accersi curavimus, eodem planè modo, ut supra ad præfatos articulos responsionem ejus flagitantes.

Respondit: Se et dictum Ramsö, amitinos esse: In Scotia uxorem et liberos se habere, ibidemq^e mali quid perpetrasse; in Livonia, per sexennium militasse; Lubecam navi, cum qua captus erat, tendisse; Eandem, pro ut navarcha videndi copiam fecisset, cuprum et ferrum vehere.

Neq^e abitus neq^e conductus literas habere; et nisi in hunc Ramsö forte incidisset, ex Suecia discedendi potestatem sibi denegatam fuisse; Spatio 4 annorum, tribus mensibus exceptis, nihil stipendii se accepisse. Capitaneum suum nunc in Suecia prope Boosund commorari; Se tres septimanas solummodo in Suecia substitisse; Nicopingi verò Capitaneum suum liquisse: Et quamvis commeatum petiisset, nihil tamen, nisi, abeas, abeas, se ab eo oretenus obtinuisse. A Duce Gustavo, illum petere, minime ausum fuisse: Capitaneum suum, officia sua, Suecis ulterius promisisse: sex prætereà Capitaneos, natione Scotos, ibidem adhuc inservire: Dominum de la Barre, circa 500 Equites Suecos ducere; limites defendere; nullum alias peregrinum superesse militem.

Sex cohortes, 600 Equitum numero, ex Livoniâ proximo vere exspectari. Se audivisse, quòd in Suecia, ne unica quidem Germani militis cohors, integra sit. De conscribendo externo milite, nihil sibi constare, nisi de eo postquam comitia finem habuerint, quidpiam inaudiri possit.

Gustavum specioso illo verbo, accipietis, accipietis, creditores æra residua exigentes, prensare et pascere.

Nullas se habere literas, præter unas Mercatoris, cujusdam, et schedulam cambii, 150 Thalerorum, ad civem quendam Lubecensem, Hermannum Scheflerum; prædictam schedulam Rostochium mittendam.

De salvi conductus Stuardi literis, nihil sibi constare. Stuardum verò præter victum nihil accepisse; ibidem hiemem consumpturum.

Non esse legatum, Stuardum: Rusticos quidem ita eum nuncupare: primò ibidem à se visum.

Suecos maximâ consternatione percitos; destitui militibus; post comitia, huc legatos missum iri; Regem Carolum, à populo devoveri; Naves prope Stockholmiam, non nautis, sed Rustica plebe, regi; Pane et halece, vulgò Strömling, victitare: In Muscovia etiam milites fame perire.

Suecum non habiturum peregrinum, siquidem optimus hisce in oris jam adsit, militem.

Alterum illum Locum-tenentem, qui nunc Hafniæ, præterita æstate in Suecia, antea verò in Livonia militasse; ab hisce aliena non relaturum.

Quod hæc omnia, ut supra consignata sunt, ita interrogaverimus, et responsiones ad interrogata factas, præsentes audiverimus, manuum nostrarum subscriptione et sigillis testamur.

Actum Friderichsburgi, 19 die Decembris 1611.

Georgius Lung, Sacr^æ Reg^æ M^tis Daniæ, etc., in Orum præfectus, et summus Dux. Joachimus Bulow, Sacr^æ R^æ Ma^tis Daniæ, etc., in Friderichsburg præfectus, Equitum magister. Thobias Lauterbraos, Sacr^æ Reg^æ Ma^tis Daniæ, etc., exteraram nationum Cancellariæ Secretarius.

Translation of the foregoing.

In the year 1611, on the nineteenth day of the month of December, His Royal Majesty of Denmark, Norway, etc., our most gracious Lord, did most graciously enjoin upon us the undersigned to interrogate upon the following heads, as set forth by His Royal Majesty's own hand, a certain Scot, Andrew Ramsay, who, while crossing by sea from Sweden to Lubeck with two lieutenants and two servants, had been, together with the vessel, captured on the voyage and brought into Copenhagen, and had afterwards, accompanied by one lieutenant, made his way to this place; and, further, to submit each of them to separate examination:—

1. Where did these two first become intimate? At whose house and at whose hands did they receive entertainment?

2. How he obtained a letter of safe-conduct or a permission to leave the country.

3. How many foreign officers are still in Sweden, and who of them are engaged in raising troops abroad.

4. From whom among their countrymen and to whom they are conveying letters. For there is no doubt that Stuart as well as others have given letters to their friends.

5. What Stuart did with the letter of safe-conduct which he received from us at Calmar.

6. Let him tell the reason why Stuart is called by all the Swedes ambassador of the King of Great Britain.

7. What conditions they have offered to Stuart with a view to freeing themselves from their debt to him.

The lieutenant to be asked especially how he came to leave his captain, and under what commander (general?) he has served.

And since it is clearer than noonday that men like these, who have long served in Sweden, would by no means be allowed to leave the country without a special passport, how he managed to get away from thence.

Immediately after this most gracious mandate had been received, we assigned to the said Ramsay the private chamber of Otto, the governor of the castle, as the place where he should present himself, and there we examined him separately, and heard him make openly the following statements:—

In answer to the first question—

That the lieutenant, his companion here, was a relative of his. That he had fallen in with him by chance at Stockholm in the country-house of Duke John—a house well known to every one in that place—on his return with his captain, Learmonth, also a Scot, from Livonia, where he had served for five years. That he, Ramsay, had obtained leave to go (pardon?) from Duke Gustavus for the said lieutenant.

To the second—

That he had had no letter of safe-conduct either from the King or from Dukes Gustavus and John, but only one from the lieutenant-governor of Stockholm, for the use of himself, his two lieutenants, and his two servants, which letter he had given up and left behind him at Waxholm[140] before they embarked.

To the third—

That the following commanders and officers were still left in Sweden:—General Rutherford, a Scot, and his lieutenant Learmonth; that their force or regiment consisted of eight or nine companies; Captain Wauchope; Mönnichhofen; General Due; Caspar Matzen; Greig, a Scotchman, commander of the artillery. That at the siege of Calmar the aforesaid Greig had been so severely wounded in the shin-bone by a cannon-ball that twenty pieces of bone were taken out, and even then they had little hope of his life. That he does not know at all whether any officers have been sent to levy soldiers abroad.

To the fourth—

That he has no letters.

To the fifth—

That Stuart had given up the letter of safe-conduct to the captain of the ship, who took him from Calmar to Ryswik(?)[141] to facilitate his return home. Besides, the lieutenant-governor of Copenhagen had stated that the aforesaid letter had come into his hands.

To the sixth—

That the common people looked upon Stuart in the light of an ambassador, and that this annoyed him greatly; but at the Court he was not regarded in the same light.

To the seventh—

That Stuart was being cajoled by the hope of payment in the following spring, either in money or in copper.

Further: the said Ramsay did state, by the way and incidentally, that the Sieur de la Ville had gone away to Danzig on the receipt of a letter of credit to the amount of seven thousand dollars, payable to him at that place, but that he had met with nothing but lies and vain promises; that at the siege of Calmar he (de la Ville?) had been struck in the side by a ball; and, further, he had said that though an angel were to come down from heaven to persuade him to set foot in Sweden, he would certainly refuse to do so.

That all the officers or officials in the employment of the King of Sweden at the siege of Calmar had been wounded, except Mönnichhofen; and the reason was that he surpassed the others in prudence, and knew how to fight from a distance.

After this had been gone through, we dismissed him to his lodging, and had the lieutenant, Robert Douglas, called, and in exactly the same manner as above required him to answer to the aforesaid questions.

He answered:—

That he and the said Ramsay were cousins; that he had a wife and children in Scotland, and had committed some crime there; that he had served for six years in Livonia; that he had been on his way to Lubeck in the ship in which he had been captured; that the same ship was carrying a cargo of iron and copper, as far as the captain had given him an opportunity of seeing.

That he had no permission to leave the country, or letter of safe-conduct; and had he not chanced upon this Ramsay, leave to depart out of Sweden would have been refused him; that in the course of four years, with the exception of three months, he had received no pay; that his captain was now in Sweden in the neighbourhood of Boosund; that he himself had only stayed three weeks in Sweden, but had left his captain at Nyköping; and that although he had asked for a letter of safe-conduct, he had received nothing in answer to his entreaties but the words, "Begone, begone with you;" that he had not dared to ask Duke Gustavus for this letter; that his captain had promised his further services to the Swedes; that six captains besides, Scotchmen by birth, were still in the service of the country; that the Sieur de la Barre was in command of about five hundred Swedish cavalry; that they were defending the frontier; that no foreign soldiers were still left in any other place.

That six troops of cavalry, six hundred in all, were expected from Livonia next spring; that he had heard it said that there is not even one company of German soldiers in Sweden left entire. About the enrolment of soldiers abroad he knows nothing, though something may possibly be heard on the subject, after the session of the council is over.

That Gustavus was putting off and nourishing (the hopes of) his creditors, who were demanding their arrears of payment, with the specious words, "Be sure you shall be paid, be sure you shall be paid."

That he had no letter, except one from a merchant, a letter of credit for one hundred and fifty thalers to a citizen of Lubeck, named Hermann Schefler; that the said letter was to be sent to Rostock.

That he knew nothing about Stuart's letter of safe-conduct; that Stuart had received nothing except his food; that he was going to spend the winter there; that Stuart was not an ambassador; that the country people indeed called him so; that he had seen Stuart for the first time in Sweden.

That the Swedes were thoroughly panic-stricken; they were deserted by their soldiers; after the session was over envoys would be sent here (to treat for peace); that King Charles was execrated by the people; the ships at Stockholm were manned with peasants, not sailors; they had to live on bread and fish-brine, called by the natives "Strömling;" that in Russia, too, the soldiers were dying by famine.

That the Swedes would not succeed in getting foreign soldiers, as the best were already engaged in these parts (Denmark).

That the other lieutenant, who was now at Copenhagen, had served in Sweden during the past summer, and previously in Livonia; that the account he would give would not differ from the present.

That we did put all these questions as set down above, and that we did hear with our own ears the answers given to those questions, we bear witness with the signature of our own hands and seals.

Done at Fredericksborg on the 19th day of December 1611.

Georg Lung, H.S.R.M.'S of Denmark, etc. Governor of Aarhuus(?) (or Aaroe?) and General. Joachim Bulow, H.S.R.M.'S of Denmark, etc., Governor of Fredericksborg, Master of the Horse. Thobias Lauterbraos, H.S.R.M.'S of Denmark, etc., Secretary to the Chancellery of Foreign Affairs.

Draft of a Letter from the King to Sir Robert Anstruther, dated 21, Dec. 1612, with the examination of Andrew Ramsey.

Trustie and well beloved, wee greet yo^u well.

* * * * *

Now for yo^rself; we cannot but take it in ill part from yo^u, that wee heare so sealdome from yo^u; and thinck yo^u are, instead of an Ambassado^r, become a Secretary to keepe Councell: for to the severall dispatches wee have made to yo^u, one of the nynth of August by Quarryer; one other of the sixteenth; and one other of the second of October;[142] we have received no aunswere from yo^u. In all w^ch we advertised yo^u of o^r proceeding upon the rumo^r wee heard of the Levyes in Scotland; and what coorse wee had taken w^th Andrew Ramsey; And willed yo^u to acquaint the king w^th both.

* * * * *

Last of all; concerning Andrew Ramsey; as wee have written before; that if he fell into o^r handes wee wold so proceed w^th him; as shold give the king satisfac̅c̅o̅n̅:satisfa{ccon}: So may yo^u lett the King understand that the said Andrew Ramsey being first fugitive in Scotland (as wee have before sent yo^u word) and secretly comed into England, moved there a quarrell to S^r Robert Carre of Ankram, for discovering to us (as he said; whereby the king may see how his proceeding was w^thout o^r privitie) Andrew Ramseys gathering of men in Scotland; By occasion of w^ch Quarrell he came to be apprehended: whome as soone as wee had, wee caused first to be examined by some of o^r councell, as well upon the pointes the king charged him w^th, as upon the transgressing of his duty towardes us; to w^ch pointes wee have sent yo^u his aunswere under his owne hand. And upon this Confession of his, his fault being of that nature as doth not by any Lawe here or in Scotland forfaite life or Lymme; and the custome of declaring Schellum being not w^th us in use; wee have by oure warrant under oure hande banished him out of all oure Dominions; w^ch next unto death, is the highest punishment wee could inflict; And for the rest of his company; you may assure the King wee find them innocent of any fault; and only misled by his authority; whoe assuring them he had our connivence, and having a Brother so nere about us, was easily beleeved; especially using no open proceeding w^th drumme, but gathering them w^th silence and secrecye, it carryed a shew as though wee had permitted it. But he having therein abused us as well as them; hath now receaved the punishment due to so lewd a part. As for the prisoners sent unto us you may say, finding them likewise no otherwise in fault then as abused by Ramsey; Wee have sent them home to their countrye. And for Bruce; we sawe no cause to punishe him, seeing the King himself layeth nothing to his Charge; but that he refused to be a Gaoler to the rest.

Letter from Sir Robert Anstruther, dated "frome Elsonbourg in Sconeland the 2̅4̅{24} of Januarie 1613" to Sir Thomas Lach, knyght, secretarie in the Latin tongue to his M^tie of Great Britaine, etc.

Honorable and worthie knyght,

* * * * *

Concerning the proceedings with Mr. Ramsay, his M^tie resteth weell contented: but I hope seeing the warres are ended, and a ferme peace maide that his M^tie also will forget those particular querrels. there shall be no thing wanting that may forder it. Concerning them that were killed, and taken prisonners, God knoweth it greeved me much, both for the loss of the men, as also for the King of Denmarkes cause; for I know it will not forder the nation's goodwils, which no smal matter eavint to a great prince.

I ame sorye that the poaste which I sent for Inglande the 2̅6̅{26} of October hath been so long a comeing to yow, whereby I perceave his M^tie doeth charge me of negligence, in advertising how matters doe goe heere.

I hope his M^tie will not imput that longsomnes of a Poaste unto me, and soe I hope your self will mak my humble excuses.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTES:

II. COPIES OF DOCUMENTS[143] FROM THE GENERAL REGISTER HOUSE, EDINBURGH.

1.

Apud Edinburgh quarto Augusti 1612.

Sederunt

SecretarKilsyth

Clerk RegisterSir Johnne Arnot

Advocat

Proclamatoiun dischargeing the transporting of souldiouris to Sweden.

Forsamekle as the Kingis Majestie and lordis of secrete counsell ar informed that certane personis abuseing His Majesteis princely name power and auctoritie hes maid some levyis of men within this kingdome to be transportit to the weare of Swaden, his Majestie being noways acquented, nor maid foirsene thairof nor his hienes licence haid and obtenit to that effect wharin thair presumptioun is so muche the moir greater in that thir levyis ar maid aganis his Majesteis darrest bruthir the King of Denmark his Majestie haveing formerlie refuisit the King of Swaden to grant him ony supplie of men or vtherwys for his assistance aganis the said King of Denmark, And besydis this heich presumptioun of the personis foirsaidis thay haif to the fardir contempt of the Kingis Majestie and misregard of law ordour and justice violentlie pressit and tane a grite nomber of honnest menis bairnis and servandis hes put thame in schipboard aganis thair will and intendis to transport thame to the countrey of Swaden whareupon suche ane universall complaynt murmour and greif of his Majesteis subjectis is raisit throughout the haill countrey as yf thay levit not in the conditioun of frie subjectis bot war undir the slaverie and tirrannie of strangearis quhilk being ane abuse intollerable and not hard of in a free kingdome the same aucht to be advertit to preventit and stayed And thairfoir the saidis lordis ordanis lettres to be direct to command charge and inhibit all and sindrie personis bering the name of Colonell or Capitane within this Kingdome and all utheris haveing commandiment under thame that thay nor nane of thame presome nor tak upoun hand to cary or transport furth of this realme to the said Kingdome of Swaden ony sojouris or men of weare upoun quhatsomevir cullour or pretens, And that thay onnawys presse nor tak ony men heirefter under the pane of dead certifeing thame that failyees or dois in the contrair that thay salbe takin apprehendit and execute to the dead without favour and without ony respect of thair birth qualyteis or uther conditioun quhatsomevir, And siclyke to command charge and inhibite the maisteris awnaris and marineris of all and quhatsomevir schippis and veschellis that thay onnawys presome nor tak upoun hand to mak saill nor to transport ony of the saidis sojouris and men of weare listit and tane up for the saidis weares of Swaden under the foirsaid pane of dead And yf neid beis to fens and arrest the saidis schippis and to tak the saillis from the raes swa that thay depairt not As alswa to command and charge all schireffis justices of peace provestis and bailleis of burrowis and utheris judgeis officiaris and magistratis to burgh and land, that whenevir they salbe adverteist be complaynt or uthirwys that ony personis ar preist and tane to be transportit as said is that they immediatlie rail his Majesteis subjectis nixt adjacent yf neid beis and releve the persone or personis swa tane and prest aganis their will, And that thay tak and apprehend suche personis as ar the takaris of thame and keepe thame in sure firmance quhill ordour be tane for thair tryall and punneishment as appertineth.

2.

Proclamation aganis the souldiouris listed for Swaden.

Forsamekle as the lordis of secrete counsell hes ressavit sindrie informationis that of laite thair hes bene ane verie extraordinar and uncouthe oppressioun committit upoun divers of oure soverane lordis good subjectis be certane personis undir the pay and commandiment of the Capitanes and utheris bowne for the weares of Swaden who haveing shaikin af all reverence of the law and regaird of ordour modestie and discretioun hes most presumptouslie at thair handis without lauchfull warrand power or commissioun violentlie prest and tane a grite many honnest menis sones and servandis and hes caryed thame to their schippis aganis thair will of purpois to transport thame to Swaden And the further to testifie their most presumptous and heich contempt divers of thame in swaggering manner gois athorte the countrey awayting the tyme and occasioun how and whair thay may apprehend ony personis travelling in thair lauchfull adois and yf thay may be maisteris of thame thay immediatlie lay handis on thame and be force and violence caryis thame to the nixt shoir whair thay haif thair boites in reddines to tak thame aboard of thair shippis sua that thair is suche a feir and dredour rissin amangis the commoun people that nane of thame dar travell in thair lauchfull adois unles thay be accompanyed and upoun thair gaird able to withstand and resist the violence and injurie of the saidis personis and divers young and able fellowis who war resolvit to haif come to thir pairtis to haif awaitit upoun the harvest and cutting down of the cornis, ar upoun the occasioun foirsaid affrayit to come heir This is ane abuse and contempt most intollerable the lyk quhairof hes not bene hard of in this kingdome Wharin althoch the lordis of his Majesteis previe counsell hes bene most cairfull to haif tane ordour and accordinglie to haif punneist the committaris of thir enormiteis, yitt in regaird of the silence of these who hes sustenit wrang and that no particular complaynt hes bene maid heirupoun to the saidis lordis The ordour taking with this abus and contempt hes bene neglectit and ovirsene Alwys the saidis lordis considering how far the ovirsicht and impunitie of suche ane offens may prejudge his Majesteis good subjectis heireftir yf upoun this preparative and example utheris undewtifull personis sall presome to attempt the lyk And the saidis lordis being verie desyrous to gif contentment and satisfactioun by cours of justice to suche personis as will complaine and justifie thair complaintis Thairfoir ordanes lettres to be direct chargeing officiaris of armes to pas to the marcat croce of Edinburgh and uthiris places neidfull and thair be oppin proclamatioun to intimat and declair to all his Majesteis subjectis who hes sustenit ony harme or violence of the saidis personis that yf thay will complaine to the saidis lordis and justifie and qualitie thair complaintis that thay sall haif suche favorable justice ministrat unto thame as sall gif unto thame satisfactioun and salbe ane terrour to all utheris to committ the lyk enormiteis heirefter.

3.

Charge aganis Capitanes Hay, Ker, and Sinclair.

Forsamekle as the Kingis Majestie and lordis of secrete counsell ar informed that Capitane Hay Capitane Ker and Capitane Sinclar hes tane up and listit some companyis of men within this kingdome to be transportit to the weares of Swaden his Majestie noways being acquented nor maid foirsene thairof nor his Majesteis licence haid and obtenit to that effect wharin thair presumptioun is so muche the moir in that thir levyis ar maid aganis his Majesteis darrest bruthir the King of Denmark his Majestie haveing formerlie refuised the King of Swaden to grant him ony supplie in that querrell, And besydis this heich presumptioun of the saidis Capitanes to levey his Majesteis borne subjectis to serve a forreynnar without his Majesteis allowance they haif to the further contempt of the Kingis Majestie violentlie tane grite nombaris of honnest menis bairnis and servandis and hes caryed thame aboord of thair schippis quhair they ar detenit as slaves and captaves aganis thair will quhill the commoditie of thair transport be offerrit This is ane abuse most intollerable, the lyk quhairof hes not bene hard of in this Kingdome quhairupoun suche ane generall and universall complaint is maid be his Majesteis subjectis throughout the haill Kingdome as yf thay levit not in the conditioun of frie subjectis bot war under the slaverie and tyrrannie of strangearis Thairfoir the saidis lordis ordanes lettres to be direct to command charge and inhibite the saidis three Capitanes and utheris officiaris and memberis of thair companyis that they onnawys presome nor tak upoun hand to cary or transport furth of this realme to the said Kingdome of Swaden ony sojouris and men of weare under quhatsomevir cullour or pretext quhill first they obtene licence of oure Soverane Lord to that effect, and that this licence be intimat to his Majesteis counsell and thair consent haid thairunto under the pane of dead As alsua that thay onnawise presome to presse and be violence to tak and detene ony men heirefter under the said pane certifeing thame that failyees or sall do in the contrair heirof that they salbe followit and persewit takin apprehendit and execute to the dead without favour And siclyk to command charge and inhibite the maisteris awnaris skipperis and marinaris of all and quhatsomevir shippis and veshellis that they onnawyse presome nor tak upoun hand to louse and mak saill nor to transport ony of the saidis Capitanes or thair companyis furth of this realme under quhatsomevir cullour or pretens under the pane of confiscation of the saidis schippis and veschellis to his Majesteis use, and furder under the pane of dead to be execute upoun the saidis maisteris awnaris skipperis and marineris incais thay failyee in the premissis, And for this effect to fens and arrest the saidis schippis and veschellis and to tak thair saillis fra the raes quhairthrough thay depairt not And to command and charge the provestis and bailleis of the burrowis and townes in whose roadis or harboryis the saidis schippis and veshellis ar lyand that they go aboard of the saidis schippis concurre with his Majesteis officeris in making of the said arrestment and taking of the saillis fra the raes And siclyk that they examine the haill personis being within the saidis schippis quhidder or not they haif bene violentlie tane and detenit aganis their willis and yf ony within the saidis schippis will complene of violent taking and detentioun, that the saidis provestis and bailleis see thame put to libertie furth of the saidis shippis And siclyk to command and charge all schireffis justices of peace and utheris magistratis and officeris to burgh and land that quhensoevir thay sall heir or be adverteist be complaynt or utherwis that ony personis ar violentlie tane and detenit that thay immediatlie rys follow and persew the same personis and the takaris of thame and keep thame in sure firmance quhill ordour be tane for thair triall and punneishment as appertineth.

4.

Charge aganis Colonell Ramsay.

Forsamekle as the lordis of secrete counsell hes laitlie ressavit some directioun from the Kingis Majestie concerning thir men of weare listit under the pay and command of Colonell ____ Ramsay to be transportit to the weares of Swaden Thairfoir the saidis lordis ordanes lettres to be direct chargeing the said Colonell ____ Ramsay to compeir personalie befoir the saidis lordis upoun the morne efter the charge to heir and sie his Majesteis will pleasour and directioun in this mater imparted and signifeit unto him and such ordour tane thairin as may gif unto his Majestie contentment and satisfactioun under the pane of rebellioun etc. with certificatioun etc.

Followis his Majesteis missive and warrant for the proclamatiounis and actis abovewritten.

Richt trustie and richt weilbelovit cosen and counsellour We greit you weill At what tyme the last service of Sir Robert Ker of Ancrum in the Midle schyres wes relaitit unto ws, we understood that he haid apprehendit a nomber of malefactouris quhairof some wer executed some sett at libertie upoun cautioun and some sent to Swaden, whiche last point we nather could then nor yett can understand what it meaneth, for whareas it is said that thair is a Colonell and certane Capitanes leveying men thair to go to Sweden we wonder that ony subject of ouris dare presome in that kynd to serve ony forreyne prince not onlie without oure licence bot directlie aganis oure meaning and speciall promeis maid to our deare bruther the King of Denmark: in respect quhairof we planelie refuisit the King of Swaden to assist or send ony of oure subjectis to his service and also recalled Sir James Spens of Wolmerstoun not sufferring him ather ony longer to serve the said King or to remane in his dominionis till now that we haif sent him as our ambassadour It is thairfoir our pleasour that ye certifie us what that leveying of soldiouris meaneth by what authoritie it is done and that ye mak stay of all proceiding thairin till yee sall be adverteist of oure fardir pleasour concerning that mater. And so we bid you fairweill at our court at Kirbie the last of July 1612.

5.

Apud Edinburgh quinto Augusti 1612.

Sederunt

SecreterSir Jedeoun Murray

AdvocatSir Johnne Arnot

Charge aganis maisteris of shippis

The lordis of secrete counsell according to the Kingis Majesteis will pleasour and directioun signifeit unto thame ordanes officeris of armes to pas command and charge the maisteris awneris skipperis and marineris of shippis and veshellis frauchted for transport of sojouris to Swaden, that thay bring in thair shippis to the harborie of Leyth and thair suffer thame to ly and onnawise lowse nor depairt quhill thay understand the counsellis will and pleasour towardis thame within twa houris nixt efter the charge undir the pane of rebellioun and putting of thame to the horne, and yf thay failyee the said space being bipast to denunce thame rebellis and to put thame to the horne and to command and charge the Admirall and his deputis the provest and bailleis of Edinburgh the bailleis of Leyth and Bruntyland to convocat his Majesteis lieges yf neid beis and to go aboard of the saidis schippis and to see this directioun and command be satisfeit and obeyit and as the occasioun sall fall out upoun the refuisall and dissobedience of the saidis skipperis or oppositioun and resistance to be maid be ony of the personis within the schippis, that the saidis Admirall provest and bailleis with the concurrance and assistance of his Majesteis goode subjectis to be assemblit be thame, compell and force the saidis skipperis and marineris to gif thair obedyence and to bring thair shippis to the said harborie, for doing quhairof thir presentis salbe unto thame a warrant and commissioun And yf ony personis being within the saidis schippis complene of thair forceable detentioun and that the Capitanes and utheris refuis to put thame to libertie, that the saidis Admirall provest and bailleis assist and see thame put to libertie, and suche malefactouris as wer delyverit unto the Capitanes to be transportit that the said Admirall provest and bailleis tak thame bring thame ashoir and put thame in sure firmance quhill thay understand the counsellis will towardis thame.

6.

Apud Edinburgh decimo quinto Augusti 1612.

Sederunt

Blantyre

SecreterAdvocat

KilsythSir Johnne Arnot

Charge aganis souldiouris.

Forsamekle as it hes pleasit the Kingis Majestie upoun some speciall caussis and considerationis to gif ordour and directioun that the companyis of men laitlie listed undir the charge and commandiment of Colonell Ramsay and some utheris capitanes for the weares of Swaden salbe brokin and that thay sall noway be transportit to Swaden to serve in these wearres, And seing the saidis companyis according to his Majesteis pleasour and commandiment ar now to be sett on land to the effect that thay and every ane of thame may repair to the placeis of thair former aboad and residence and thair attend thair severall charge and calling Necessar it is for the better preserving of his Majesteis peace and keeping of good reule ordour and quyetnes in the countrey and for eschewing of suche disordouris and insolencyis as may fall out alsweill amangis the companyis thameselffis as be thair occasioun aganis his Majesteis good subjectis yf thay be sufferrit ony space to remane togidder or to travell in nomberis and companyis through the countrey That thairfoir immediatlie efter thair landing thay dissolve thame selffis and that no nomberis of thame remane togidder bot that thay seperat thame selffis and addresse thame in peaceable and quyet manner without offending his Majesteis subjectis in thair travelling through the countrey, ffor quhilk purpois ordanes lettres to be direct to command and charge all and sindrie personis listed and tane up for the wearres of Swaden be oppin proclamatioun at the shoir and peir of Leyth at the mercat croce of Bruntyland and utheris places neidfull, that thay and every ane of thame within the space of tua houris after thair landing dissolve thameselffis and repair every ane of thame in quyet and peaceable manner to thair awne dwellingis and placeis of residence and that no nomberis nor companyis of thame exceiding tua personis remane togiddir upoun quhatsomevir cullour or pretens under the pane of dead Certifeing thame that failyees or dois in the contrair that thay salbe apprehendit and the said pane of dead execute upoun thame and to command and charge all schireffis justices of peace and magistratis to burgh and land, that thay and every ane of thame as thay sall happin to challange ony personis travelling through the countrey who ar or may be suspectit to be men of wearre yf thay pas tua in nomber or yitt yf thay commit ony disordour or insolence in thair going through the countrey that thay apprehend thame and committ thame to waird as malefactouris and detene thame quhill ordour be gevin for thair puneishment.

7.

Act anent the landing of the soldiouris.

The lordis of secrete counsell haveing hard the propositioun maid be Colonell Ramsay tuicheing his willing dispositioun to randir his obedience to the Kingis Majestie by dissolveing and brecking of the companyis of men of wearre laitlie listit under his regiment and commandiment for the wearres of Swaden and tuicheing the advis and opinioun cravit be him in what forme and ordour he sould dissolve his companyis and quhair he sould sett thame on land The saidis lordis being advisit with the said propositioun thay haif prescryvit and sett down to the said Colonell the ordour following to be observit and keept be him in the dissolving and landing of his saidis companyis, videlicet, that he sett the ane half thairof aland at Leyth and the uther half of the same at Bruntyland, and that the said Colonell tak exact triall and examinatioun amangis his capitanes and sojouris what personis wer delyverit to thame be the commissionaris of the lait bordouris and quhat uthiris personis thay haif ressavit out of the toilbuith of Edinburgh and Dunbar And that he caus all thir personis be delyverit in suirtie to the bailleis of Edinburgh to be committit to waird in thair toilbuith ay and quhill ordour be tane with thame as appertynes, and that this pairt be first performed afoir the landing of the rest of the companyis.

8.

Apud Edinburgh xj Septembris 1612.

Sederunt

ChancellarJustice Clerk

RoxburghClerk Register

BlantyreAdvocat

PresidentSir Alexander Drumond

PrevieseillSir Johnne Arnot

Charge aganis Colonell Ramsay.

The lordis of secrete counsell ordanes lettres to be direct chargeing Colonell ____ Ramsay to compeir personalie befoir the saidis lordis upoun the xviij day of September instant to answer to suche thingis as salbe demandit of him tuicheing the lait levey maid be him of a grite nomber of his Majesteis subjectis to haif bene transportit be him furth of this realme for the weares of Swaden under the pane of rebellioun and putting of thame to the horne with certificatioun to him and he failyee lettrez salbe direct simpliciter to put him thairto.

9.

Apud Edinburgh xviij Septembris 1612.

Sederunt

ChancellarPresident

ErgyleClerk Register

MontroisAdvocat

LouthianeJustice Clerk

RoxburghSir Jedeoun Murray

Denunce Colonell Ramsay

Anent the charge gevin be vertew of oure Soverane lordis lettres to Colonell Andro Ramsay to haif comperit personalie befoir the lordis of secrete counsell this present auchtene day of September instant to haif answerit to suche thingis as sould haif bene demandit of him tuicheing the lait levey maid be him of a grite nomber of his Majesteis subjectis to haif bene transportit be him furth of this realme for the weares of Swaden under the pane of rebellioun and putting of him to the horne with certificatioun to him and he [failyeed] lettres wald be direct simpliciter to put him thairto lyk as at mair lenth is contenit in the saidis lettrez executionis and indorsationis thairof Quhilkis being callit and the said Colonell Andro Ramsay not comperand Thairfoir the lordis of secrete counsell ordanes lettres to be direct chargeing officeris of armes to pas and denunce the said Colonell Andro Ramsay his Majesteis rebell and to put him to his hienes horne and to escheat etc.

FOOTNOTE:

III. DOCUMENTS[144] FROM STATE ARCHIVES, STOCKHOLM.

COMMISSION FROM GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS TO SIR JAMES SPENS.

Gustavus Adolphus, Dei gratiâ, Svecorum, Gothorum, Wandalorumq^e princeps hæreditarius; Magnus dux Finlandiæ, Esthoniæ Wesmanniæq^e princeps, etc.

Gratiam favorem, singularemq^e nostram benignitatem atq^e clementiam etc. illustris et generose nobis sincere dilecte, domine Jacobe Spentz; non dubitamus qvin recenti in memoria habeas, qvid serenissimo potentissimoq^e principi ac Domino, Domino CAROLO nono, Svecorum, Gothorum, Wandalorumq^e regi etc. Domino et parenti nostro charissimo, laudatissimæ recordationis, sancte sincereq^e promiseris, qvidve Sua Regia Majestas à te clementer suas per literas postulaverit. Cum itaq^e bellum à rege Daniæ adversus Dominum parentem pie sancteq^e prædefunctum, nos, nostramq^e patriam iniqve susceptum continuetur, et nos ad reprimendos hostium impetus, milite etiam peregrino indigeamus, eam ob causam te qvam clementer rogatum volumus, ut cum ter millenis illis promissis, probatæ fidei spectatæq^e fortitudinis militibus, et qvidem peditibus (equites enim non curamus) tuum ad nos reditum matures, omnemq^e in id operam impendas, ut ad Calendas Aprilis, anni iam proximi seqventis, cum præfato militum numero armis necessariis probè instructo, in portu Elsburgensi comparere qveas. Hoc autem ut eò felicius faciliusq^e præstare valeas, utq^e nos absq^e mora et tergiversatione, tuâ militumq^e tuorum operâ adversus hostes nostros uti possimus, clementer tibi, vel plenam abs te potestatem habentibus viginti millenos imperiales, in civitate Hamburgensi, per serenissimæ reginæ, matris nostræ charissimæ, nostrosq^e commissarios numerandos curabimus; clementer etiam atq^e etiam desiderantes, ut eam, quâ serenissimo parenti, gloriosissimæ memoriæ, obligatus tenebaris, fidelitatem serenissimæ qvoq^e matri nostræ, nobis, nostrisq^e regnis præstare haud tergiverseris. Cum præterea certò nobis persvasum habeamus, hæc omnia, aliaq^e salutem nostram, nostrorumq^e regnorum incrementum concernentia (quæ iudicio tuo tuæq^e discretioni relinqvimus), per te qvam diligentissime effectum iri, non dubitabis qvin ipsum id, qvemadmodum etiam qvicqvid in præfatos milites, ultra viginti millenos illos imperiales, nostro nomine impenderis, tibi à nobis, suo tempore, qvam clementissime compensetur. Porro tibi significandum duximus, nos cum duce nostro, nobis sincerè dilecto Johanne Mœnichovio, transegisse, ut millenos, omnibus necessariis armis probè instructos, milites pedites, ex Hollandia, vere primo, Elsburgam asportet. Si itaq^e naves militesq^e tuos navibus prænominati Mœnichovii adjunxeris, foret hoc nobis qvam gratissimum. Ita enim esset classis vestra hostium classi, si forte vobis obviam venerit, non modo par, verum etiam, ut bene speramus, longè superior. Qvod te haud celandum censuimus.

Hisce divini numinis protectioni te clementer commendamus. Ex arce Nycopensi, die 16 Novembris, Anni 1611.

Gustavus Adolphus. M.P.

Illustri et generoso, copiarum nostrarum Britannicarum generali, Domino Jacobo Spentz, libero baroni in Wolmersthon, etc.

(Traces of a seal.)

Translation.

Gustavus Adolphus, by the grace of God, Hereditary Prince of the Swedes, the Goths, and the Vandals; Grand Duke of Finland, Prince of Esthonia, Westmannia, etc.

Our gracious favour, special benignity and grace, etc. Illustrious and noble, our truly and dearly beloved Sir James Spens; we have no doubt that you keep fresh in memory your sacred and true promise to the most serene and mighty Prince and Lord, Charles the Ninth, King of the Swedes, the Goths, Vandals, etc., our dearly beloved Lord and Sire, of highly extolled memory, (as to) what his Royal Majesty graciously required from you in his letters. Therefore, inasmuch as the war, unrighteously entered upon by the King of Denmark against our Sovereign Sire, predeceased in the odour of sanctity, against ourselves, and against our country, is continued, and we are in need of foreign soldiers as well [as native], wherewith to check the attacks of the enemy,—on this account we request you with all courtesy to hasten your return to us with those promised three thousand soldiers of proved faithfulness and bravery, and, namely, infantry (for we do not care to have cavalry); and that you will do your best to be present in Elfsborg Harbour by the first of April in this next coming year, with the before-mentioned number of troops, properly equipped with the needful accoutrements. Now, that you may be in a condition to do this the more successfully and easily, and that we, without delay and interruption, may be able to avail ourselves of your services and those of your soldiers against our enemies, we shall graciously order twenty thousand imperials, to be paid in the city of Hamburg, to you or to those fully authorized by you, through the agents of the Most Serene Queen, our dearly beloved Mother, and our own, urgently entreating you not to hesitate to observe the same loyalty by which you were held bound to our Most Serene Father of very glorious memory, to our Most Serene Mother also, to ourselves and our realms. Moreover, while we are surely persuaded that all these things, and others that concern our safety and the aggrandizement of our kingdom (which things we leave to your judgment and discretion), will be attended to by you with the utmost care, you will rest assured that the aforesaid sum, as also whatever you shall disburse in our name upon the above-mentioned soldiers over and above the twenty thousand imperials, shall be most graciously repaid by us at the proper time. Furthermore, we have thought right that it should be notified to you that we have arranged with our general, our truly beloved Johannes Mœnichovius, that he is to transport his thousand infantry, fully furnished with necessary arms, from Holland to Elfsborg in the beginning of the spring. If, therefore, you combine your fleet and army with the ships of the aforesaid Mœnichovius, we shall be extremely glad. For thus the combined fleet would be not merely equal to the enemy's fleet, if it should chance to come in contact with you, but, as we are justified in hoping, far superior. And we have considered that this should not be concealed from you. Herewith we graciously commend you to the protection of the divine Deity (Power). From the Castle of Nyköping, November 16, in the year 1611.

Gustavus Adolphus. (Sign manual.)

Letter from Sir Robert Anstruther to Sir James Spens.

Honarabile and my verie good Lord my best service remembred unto your selfe

* * * * *

in England all things are in lyke staite as you left I have recauite toe sundre letters from his Maieste, wharin he commands me to excuse his pairte, annent that leuie of men whitch coronell ramsay haith maide in scotland, he protests at it is score agienst his will and altogiddar disauutches the deede sainge at if he haide not heard of it in time, he haide biene the most dishonored prince by ther goinge, bot the are stayed and the men dissolued, except neere four hundreth[145] that went awaye afore the kould be stayed, captaine Hay, and captaine Sinckler, and captain Allexander ramsay brother to the princes man, and good Sir herie brusse are chanched in norrowaye, and are all killd by the bourrs except some faue prisoners, whitch are send for to be examined and we looke for them daylie; the common bruict blames you to be ther heade bot I stifflie denie it, assuring the king that I deare giue my woorde for your Innocence; other neus heere ar none....

* * * * *

Faruell from Koppenhauen the 26 of September Anno 1612

your treue and affectionet and seruant att all time

Robert Anstruther.

To the ryght honorable, and my very good Lord: The Lord off Wormeston, Ambassadour from His M^tie of Great Brittaine to Sueden.

Letter from the Duke of Lennox[146] "To the Right honorable my very good Lord My Lord Stainbuk Baron of Torpe and Overstaine, of his Ma^tie priuie counsell of Sweden."

My Lord this gentleman Williame Stuart my seruant whome I ame bond to doo for bothe for his fathers caus whome I did affect, as also for his own, haueing giuen sufficient proue of his good cariage, a yeare ago did lift a company of fotmen to serue His Ma^tie of Sweden to his great Losse. Be reason that after he had sent before some parte of his company[147] whiche was stayed in Norway, himself with the rest was stayed by the kings c̅o̅m̅andement{com}andement heare. Wherfore the gentleman hauing an earnest desyre to give proue of his affection to his M^aties seruice could not be stayed be any persuasion of frends frome the said jornay: therfore out of the asseurance I doo giue my self of your L^ps loue, I most recommend him to y^r L favor, that for my caus you will vse the means to got him preferred, and what charge soever His Ma^tie shall esteem him worthie of I wil bee answearable for his fidelitie and duetifulnes in the same and I shall reputed it ase a singulare pleasure done to my self and shall alwyse be reddy to requyte it and all other your L. kyndnesses in what soever occasion I can stand you in stead: therfore trusting in your furtherance for this gentlemans preferment I shall ever rest

Your L^ps very Louing frend Lenox.

Frome the Hage the 14 (19?) of Maj 1613.

FOOTNOTES:

IV. DOCUMENTS[148] FROM STATE ARCHIVES, COPENHAGEN.

First Official Report to the Danish Chancellor respecting the Scottish Expedition, from the Norwegian Stadtholder Envold Kruse and Others.

Translation from the Danish.[149]

(Address.)

Our most friendly greeting now and ever in the Lord! Dear Lord Chancellor, particularly good friend, we thank the Chancellor kindly for favours evinced, which we would at all times desire to repay in whatever manner might be to the honour or benefit of the Chancellor.

In the next place, we cannot omit to communicate to the Chancellor somewhat at length, on account of the nature of the matter, how on or about the 19th or 20th of August last two Scottish ships arrived off Romsdalen, in the province of Bergenhuus, with a number of soldiers, and landed them there. What ports those ships hailed from, and by whom they were fitted out, as also who it was that procured them, is to be ascertained from their own report and deposition hereunto annexed.[150]

And straightway the next day after their arrival they betook themselves inland, and proceeded along the country road over a fjeld called Mæratoppene, whereupon they entered the valley of Gudbrandsdal, which is to the southward of the mountain range, and in this province of Aggershuus; and they had taken with them two Bönder of Romsdalen as guides. But when one of his Royal Majesty's lensmen in the parish of Vaage, which is situated in the above-mentioned bailiwick of Gudbrandsdal, by name Lauritz Hage, perceived this, he at once roused the Bönder and peasantry in the two parishes of Læssöe and Vaage, and went forth against the said Scots and foreign troops. And when he perceived they were too strong for him, he advanced for two or three days and kept before them along the road, without, however, engaging in any skirmish or fight. Meanwhile, he sent messengers to the peasantry in the two adjoining parishes, called Froen and Ringeböe, who quickly came to his assistance; and when they were in this manner gathered they were four hundred and five men strong. Thus he advanced in front of them along the road until he saw his advantage at a fjeld called Kringelen, situated in Vaage parish, which they were obliged to pass. Thus he hemmed them in between the rock on one side and a large river close by on the other side, in which advantageous position he quietly encamped in the woods, and there lay with his men until the foreign soldiers arrived there, without, however, supposing or knowing aught but that the Norwegian troops were still withdrawing along the road before them.

The above-mentioned Lauritz Hage, having made his arrangements and perceived his advantage, attacked, together with another lensmand, Peder Rankleff of Ringeböe, and with all their men together they fired upon the foreign troops and shot them to death during an hour and a half. Those who were not shot jumped into the river to save themselves, but were there drowned; and those of them who got alive over the river were quickly killed by the Bönder on that side,—all of which happened and occurred on the 26th of August last.

From the Bönder who were themselves present at the battle, and who buried and counted the dead and the defeated, we learn that the foreign soldiers must no doubt have numbered at the least five hundred and fifty men, although the Scots who remained alive, and of whom there are altogether eighteen, will not admit that they were more than three hundred and fifty men strong at the utmost.

On the day the battle took place one hundred and thirty-four Scots were taken prisoners, who were straightway the next day killed and shot by the Bönder, with the exception of the above-mentioned eighteen, the Bönder saying to each other that his Royal Majesty had enough to feed in those same eighteen. Some of these were, however, wounded, and some had bullets in their bodies when they arrived here. Of the above-mentioned eighteen soldiers we now send to you the three principal ones, who are a captain of the name of Alexander Ramsay, and his lieutenant of the name of Jacob Mannepenge (James Moneypenny), who has previously been both in Denmark and Sweden, and who on this their expedition served as an interpreter. The third is called Herrich Bryssz (Henry or Harry Bruce), who, according to his own statement, has served as a soldier in Holland, Spain, and Hungary.[151]

As regards the remaining fifteen persons, some of them have straightway taken service among good folk here in the country; some of them who will willingly serve your Royal Majesty in Jörgen Lunge's regiment I sent at once to Elfsborg. What has further occurred in this matter is, as already stated, all to be ascertained from their own statements, which are written down. As to what knowledge can be obtained from the letters that were found on them we can say nothing this time, for when they (the Scots) were taken prisoners the Bönder took all those letters to themselves, from which we now have our certain knowledge, (and) what can be ascertained from them, so soon as we receive them, shall be straightway sent to the Chancellor; and if we on our part can serve the Chancellor to his honour, advantage, and command, he shall always find us willing. The Chancellor is hereby commended to God Almighty. Done at Aggershuus the 17th of September 1612.

(Signed)Enwoldt Krussze.Oluff Galde.

Own hand.Own hand.

Peder Iffrsen.

Own hand.

(Sealed with their several signets on uncoloured wax.)

Second Official Report to the Danish Chancellor and the Danish Stadtholder respecting the Scottish Expedition, from the Norwegian Stadtholder Envold Kruse and Others.

Translation from the Danish.[152]

(Address.)

To the honourable and well-born men, Christian Friis of Borreby, His Royal Majesty's Chancellor, and Breide Ranndtzow of Ranndtzshollen, His Majesty's Stadtholder, our particularly good friends, addressed in perfect friendliness.

Our most friendly greeting now and ever in the Lord. Dear friends, we thank you kindly for favours evinced, which we would at all times desire to repay, in whatever manner might be to your honour or benefit.

Dear friends, our last letter to you announced that, so soon as we received information from the bailie in Gudbrandsdal of certain letters found on the Scots who were defeated and taken prisoners at that place, we would forward it to you as soon as we received the letters, in case that any reliable information should be found in them respecting their plans and armament. And we do not believe that there is anything in them from which any information on those points can be obtained, so far as the said letters can be correctly read or construed.

We have now recently been written to and informed that their real colonel[153] and captain, the person mentioned by the Scots themselves in the Scottish Relation (which we sent you last), is now at sea with four ships filled with soldiers, with the same intention as the others of landing the troops somewhere in this country, and afterwards proceeding with them into Sweden. This the bailie at Sondmöer has written to Lauritz Gram, who is bailie in Gudbrandsdalen. This appears, however, not to be true, seeing that His Royal Majesty of England has forbidden them to do this, as is to be further seen by the before-mentioned Relation which was forwarded to you.

We have also since ascertained that those Scots who were defeated and captured on their march through this country have absolutely neither burned, murdered, nor destroyed anything on their march through this country, either in Romsdalen, or in Gudbrandsdalen, excepting alone one Danish man, who lives in the Romsdal, Söffrenn Settnes; from him they have taken a box filled with various kinds of silver, both tankards, belts, "stabbe," and other such wrought silver, which man has now recently been in Gudbrandsdalen, to the bailie there, and wanted to get back his silver, if any of it had been found on the defeated Scots; but the Bönder of Gudbrandsdalen will not hitherto acknowledge having got any. If otherwise is subsequently found to be the case, it shall all be returned to him. And it was the plan of the before-mentioned Scots to have made their way into Sweden through Gudbrandsdalen, over a mountain called Österdalsfjeld, in the parish of Tönset, which they all could have done easily in five days' time at the utmost, had not God the most Almighty by this defeat ... them.

Of the Norwegian people were only shot ... six men and ten or twelve somewhat "saa" ... (? saarede = wounded) ... remain alive. This ... "ligen"(?) will let you know.[154] And we will personally do whatever may be to your service or pleasure. Commending you hereby to God the most Almighty. Done at Aggershuus the third of October in the year 1612.

Enwoldt Krussze.Anders Green.

Own hand.With own hand.

Oluff Galde.Peder Iffuerson.

Own hand.Own hand.

This manuscript is endorsed,

"Envold Kruszis, Anders Greens

,

Oluff Galdis, and Peder Iffuersens

.

"Letter. Rec^d (?) Haff. (Copenhagen) 4 Nov. 1612.

"1. Respecting the Scottish soldiers who were defeated in Gudbrandsdalen; transmitting a great heap of letters found on them.

"2. Their real commander said to be at sea with 4 ships; considered untrue.

"3. They neither took nor burned anything in Norway, unless it be some (?) silver they took from a Dane in Romsdalen."

FOOTNOTES: