Note 250 — Chapter VIII · 1578-1584

Parsons, although always an enemy of Paget, was, up to the period in question, as we have seen, an adherent of Guise and the Scottish plans; but he appears to have changed immediately after his return from Rome. Allen, who was older and more experienced, probably indoctrinated him with the Anglo-Spanish view. Tassis, writing on the 15th November, 1583, says that Parsons “persists that upon no account should the enterprise he commenced in Scotland. He is strongly of opinion that the design upon England should be persevered in and the heart struck at first: and he says that Allen is told this, by persons on the Border itself, who prove it by irrefutable arguments.” Amongst these arguments is one that was constantly used afterwards, viz., that no matter what the nationality of the foreign troops, if they came to England viâ Scotland, they would be looked upon as French and opposed accordingly.—Spanish Calendar, vol. iii.