1 5 70. ] EXCOMMUNlCA T2ON OF ELIZA BE TH. 31* rebellion Mary Stuart should die ; she at least should not be carried off to be a head and rallying point to the Queen's enemies. 1 But the cloud, as so many others had done, broke and passed off. Alva would run no risk without positive orders from Philip ; and Philip was too full of the dangers which he expected from the peace in France to be will- ing to take further quarrels on himself. Two Spanish officers went over to Aberdeen and stayed a week or two with Huntly, at Strathbogie, to look about them. The King of Spain offered Elizabeth his friendly assist- ance in Scotland ; but his interference was graciously declined, and Philip said no more. Clinton lay in the Channel with the fleet, 2 either to defend the country from invasion, or to pay the honours of the passage to the Queen of Spain as the event might turn. October. At the beginning ol October the huge armada weighed anchor in the Scheldt, and swept with a lea,d- ing breeze down Channel without approaching the English shores. The Queen's ships, with the flying squadrons of privateers, hung about the skirts of the Spaniards till they were in the open waters of the At- lantic ; but courtesies and compliments were inter- 1 'Al primero movimiento que haya en este reyno cortaran la cabeza de la lleyna de Escocia assi esta en el consejo desta Eeyna resuelto y acordado.' Don Guerau to Philip, September 25 : MSS. Simancas. 2 Much reduced from its intend- ed strength, owing to the Queen's economies. * La lleyna toma grande enojo en ver que la trayan a firmar cedula de treinta mill libras gastadas con el aparato desta armada, y^ssi cessa del todo el armar mas de las diez naves de que he dado aviso a V. Mag d que estan en orden.' Don Guerau to Philip, September 2 : MSS. Simancas.
