Note 28 — Chapter I

Conventiones Scotorum contra Reginam Unionem Franciæ et Scotiæ designantem, et pro defensione contra Francos (Fœdera, xv. 569). Maitland of Lethington, in the letter in favour of an alliance between England and Scotland, from which quotations have just been given, proposes that Scotland should help to maintain order in Ireland. “The realme of Ireland,” he says, “being of natour a gode and fertill countrey, by reason of the continewalld unquietnes and lak of policy, ze knaw to be rather a burthen to zow then great advantage; and giff it were peaceable may be very commodious. For pacification quhayroff, it is not unknown to zow quhat service we ar abill to do.”