1565.] THE DARNLE Y MARRIA GE. 299 to the Pope ; Mary Stuart had obtained money from Flanders ; she had again sent for Both well, and she meant immediate mischief. The two Earls expressed their belief that ' the time was come to put to a remedy.' ( They saw their sovereign determined to overthrow religion received, and sore bent against those that de- sired the amity with England to be continued, which twp_j3OLnts they were bound in conscience to maintain and defend.' They had resolved therefore ' to withstand such attempts with all their power, and to provide for their sovereign's estate better than she could at that time consider for herself/ They intended to do nothing which was not for their mistress's real advantage ; Sir Nicholas Throgmorton had assured them of the Queen of England's ' godly and friendly offer to concur with and assist them ; ' the Queen of England's interest was as much concerned as their own ; and they ' humbly desired the performance of her Majesty's promises : ' they did not ask for an English army ; if her Majesty would give them three thousand pounds they could hold their followers together, and would undertake the rest for themselves ; Lennox and Darnley could be seized and ' delivered into Berwick/ if her Majesty would receive them. To these communications Randolph replied with renewed assurances that Elizabeth would send them whatever assistance they required. He gave them the warmest encouragement to persevere and as to the father and son whom they proposed to
