Nicolas Errington

Last updated

Nicolas Errington (died 1593) was an English soldier, military engineer, and administrator.

Contents

The surname was sometimes written Arrington or Aryngton, or Heryngton.

Career

Errington was a Captain based in the garrison at Berwick-upon-Tweed. He was involved in military operations in Scotland.

He became Comptroller of Works at Berwick, and Muster Master, or Clerk of the Check of Musters, and was reckoned third in importance and command in Berwick. [1]

In 1566 he delivered an inventory of the artillery and stores in the north to William Cecil. The inventory includes guns and arms at Berwick, Wark, Norham, Lindisfarne, Newcastle Castle and the Queen's Manor, Tynemouth, Alnwick, and at Carlisle Castle and the Citadel. On 10 June Queen Elizabeth appointed him Clerk of the Ordnance, which displeased John Bennett, who had a similar role. Bennet was sick in July 1568 and Errington expected him to die. He advised Cecil to have the storehouses in Bennet's control secured from his wife and others, and offered to take on Bennett's responsibilities for only two shillings more pay weekly. [2]

He was a scout for the army raised against the Northern Rebellion from November to December 1569 and received wages of 4 shillings a day and 11 pence a day for two horsemen. On 19 December he was sent from Newcastle with letters to Regent Moray in Scotland. [3]

Marian Civil War

In Scotland there was a civil war between the followers of Mary, Queen of Scots and the supporters of her son James VI. Errington was sent several times into Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots was informed of his activities and wrote in March 1571 about the man named "Arrington" or "Harrington" who had been sent by Elizabeth I and the Earl of Sussex to see Regent Lennox. [4]

On 27 April 1572 Errington delivered a letter to Regent Mar for Lord Hunsdon about the rendition of the Earl of Northumberland. He described fighting on Edinburgh's Canongate, and the capture and execution of soldiers loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, (at Cramond Bridge), who were going north to join with Adam Gordon of Auchindoun. Mary's supporters had failed to capture some strategic castles on the Forth including Barnbougle and Dundas. The Leith schoolmaster Mr Peter was deciphering captured messages. [5] The Earl of Morton told Errington that he opposed the delivery of the Earl of Northumberland. [6]

Edinburgh Castle was held by William Kirkcaldy of Grange for Mary, Queen of Scots. The secretary of John Knox, Richard Bannatyne wrote that Errington, who he called "Haringtoun", had also delivered messages from Queen Elizabeth to the castle, which gave the defenders some encouragement, and they received further offers by a messenger called Hope, sent from William Drury, Marshall of Berwick. English diplomacy, for a time, was content to deal with both sides. [7]

The struggle against Kirkcaldy to take the castle became known as the "Lang Siege". An English artillery force was brought to Scotland to capture the castle from its defenders, known as "Castilians", led by William Drury. Errington was one his captains and negotiators. Before the English cannon arrived, Errington went to Edinburgh Castle on 4 March 1573 to discuss terms of surrender offered by the English ambassador, Henry Killigrew. [8] [9] On a second visit on 27 March he noted that the defences had been improved by earthworks and modifications to the Spur fortification. [10] Drury sent a plan of the castle showing the new works lately seen by Errington to Cecil. [11]

Errington was appointed Provost Marshal of the force of Scotland with command of the artillery, despite competition for the office from Thomas Sutton, who was Master of the Ordnance in Berwick. [12] Some documents call him the "provost or undermarshal". [13]

Diplomacy

He was sent into Scotland in July 1575 to discuss the Redeswire incident with Regent Morton. The border wardens Sir John Carmichael and Sir John Forster had fought on 7 July, and Errington was sent into Scotland following the instructions of Francis Walsingham sent to the gentleman porter of Berwick, Sir John Selby of Twizell. He carried a message from the diplomat Henry Killigrew that Queen Elizabeth was displeased with the detention of Francis Russell, a son of the Earl of Bedford and Forster and his men at Dalkeith Palace. Morton claimed he entertained them guests during the crisis. After their interview, Morton released the men at held at Dalkeith the next day, except the leaders Forster and Russell. [14]

In June 1579 he went into Scotland with Claude Nau, the secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots, sent as ambassador to her son, James VI of Scotland, instead of John Lesley, Bishop of Ross. However, the Scottish court at Stirling Castle would not allow Nau an audience, apparently because Mary's letter was addressed to James as her son, not to the "King of Scotland". Errington had no accrediting papers from Elizabeth. The Privy Council of Scotland issued a proclamation that Nau deserved punishment and should be commanded to depart. [15]

Errington spoke to James VI in September and October 1579 at Stirling Castle and Holyrood Palace. He discussed the exile of Claud Hamilton in England. Errington also wrote to Francis Walsingham reporting that factions in Scotland were discussing various marriages for the king. He noted the popularity of Esmé Stewart. [16]

In November 1579 Errington was sent again to James VI, who was now officially the adult ruler of Scotland at age 14, to discuss the progress of border matters since 1572, the "Pacification of Perth", and retrospective justice or revocations especially concerning the Hamilton family. He also brought a letter from Queen Elizabeth to Morton on the subject of Claud Hamilton. [17]

He was in Stirling in April 1580 to attend a Convention of Estates, which was postponed. He spoke to King James and his tutor Peter Young. [18] There were rumours of a palace coup and Esmé Stewart and his followers barricaded themselves in his rooms in the castle. [19]

Errington was refused entry to Scotland in November 1581 while acting as an envoy from Mary, Queen of Scots. Her advisers encouraged her to complain to James VI. [20]

Death

Errington made a will on 1 July 1593. [21] He died on 8 December 1593. [22]

John Crane, surveyor of Berwick, or William Selby, gentleman porter, were discussed as his replacement. Robert Bowyer became Comptroller. Crane was still Muster Master in December 1603. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton</span> Regent of Scotland during the minority of King James VI

James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton was a Scottish nobleman. He played a leading role in the murders of Queen Mary's confidant, David Rizzio, and king consort Henry Darnley. He was the last of the four regents of Scotland during the minority of James VI. He was in some ways the most successful of the four since he won the civil war that had been dragging on with the supporters of the exiled Mary, Queen of Scots. However, he came to an unfortunate end, executed by means of the Maiden, a predecessor of the guillotine.

John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl, called the Fair, was a Scottish nobleman and courtier. He was favoured by Mary, Queen of Scots, but later turned against her.

William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton was the son of Robert Douglas of Lochleven and Margaret Erskine, a former mistress of James V of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Erskine, Earl of Mar (died 1572)</span> Scottish noble (died 1572)

John Erskine, 1st Earl of Mar was a Scottish aristocrat and politician. He was the custodian of the infant James VI of Scotland and Regent of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox</span> Scots earl exiled to France

Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, 1st Earl of Lennox, 6th Seigneur d'Aubigny of the Château d'Aubigny at Aubigny-sur-Nère in the ancient province of Berry, France, was a Catholic French nobleman of Scottish ancestry who on his move to Scotland at the age of 37 became a favourite of the 13-year-old King James VI of Scotland. Esmé Stewart was the first cousin of James' father, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. Despite his conversion to Calvinism he was never trusted by the Scots and returned to France where he ended his days. Sir James Melville described him as "of nature upright, just and gentle". He was the first to popularise the firstname Esmé in the British Isles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Drury</span> English politician and soldier (1527–1579)

Sir William Drury was an English statesman and soldier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Kirkcaldy of Grange</span> 16th-century Scottish politician and soldier

Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange was a Scottish politician and soldier who fought for the Scottish Reformation. He ended his career holding Edinburgh castle on behalf of Mary, Queen of Scots and was hanged at the conclusion of a long siege.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Fleming</span> Scottish noblewoman

Mary Fleming was a Scottish noblewoman and childhood companion and cousin of Mary, Queen of Scots. She and three other ladies-in-waiting were collectively known as "The Four Marys". A granddaughter of James IV of Scotland, she married the queen's renowned secretary, Sir William Maitland of Lethington.

Archibald Douglas, Parson of Douglas, was also Parson of Glasgow, a Senator of the College of Justice, Ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I of England, and a notorious intriguer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Killigrew (diplomat)</span> Member of the Parliament of England

Sir Henry Killigrew was a Cornish diplomat and an ambassador for the Kingdom of England in the sixteenth century. He was several times employed by Elizabeth I in Scottish affairs and served as one of the English appointees to the Council of State of the Netherlands in the United Provinces in 1586 and 1587–1589. He served as a Member of Parliament for Newport & Launceston in 1553, for Saltash in 1563, and for Truro in 1571–2.

Sir John Carmichael was a Scottish soldier, the Keeper of Liddesdale, a diplomat, and owner of Fenton Tower at Kingston, East Lothian.

Claude Nau or Claude Nau de la Boisseliere was a confidential secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots, in England from 1575 to 1586. He was involved in coding Mary's letters with cipher keys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marian civil war</span> Civil war in Scotland (1568–1573)

The Marian civil war in Scotland (1568–1573) was a period of conflict which followed the abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her escape from Lochleven Castle in May 1568. Those who ruled in the name of her infant son James VI fought against the supporters of the Queen, who was exiled in England. Edinburgh Castle, which was garrisoned in her name, became the focus of the conflict and surrendered only after an English intervention in May 1573. The conflict in 1570 was called an "internecine war in the bowels of this commonwealth", and the period was called soon after an "internecine war driven by questions against authority."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane Kennedy (courtier)</span> Scottish courtier

Jane, Janet, or Jean Kennedy was a companion of Mary, Queen of Scots, during her captivity in England.

John Seton, Lord Barns was a Scottish diplomat, courtier and judge.

James Stewart, 1st Lord Doune (1529-1590) was a Scottish landowner.

Alexander Abernethy, 6th Lord Saltoun was a Scottish landowner and courtier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolas Elphinstone</span> Scottish courtier and diplomatic messenger

Nicolas or Nicoll Elphinstone was a Scottish courtier and diplomatic messenger. He was the son of Lawrence Elphinstone of Selmys, 1435–1515. He worked for James Stewart, Regent Moray and was involved in attempts to sell the jewels and pearls of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1567 and 1568. Moray needed to raise money to govern Scotland and subdue Mary's supporters by force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots</span> Jewels belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots

The jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1587), are mainly known through the evidence of inventories held by the National Records of Scotland. She was bought jewels during her childhood in France, adding to those she inherited. She gave gifts of jewels to her friends and to reward diplomats. When she abdicated and went to England many of the jewels she left behind in Scotland were sold or pledged for loans, first by her enemies and later by her allies. Mary continued to buy new jewels, some from France, and use them to reward her supporters. In Scotland her remaining jewels were worn by her son James VI and his favourites.

Robert Colville of Cleish (1532–1584) was a Scottish courtier.

References

  1. ↑ Joseph Bain, Border Papers, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1894), pp. 514-5.
  2. ↑ Allan James Crosby, Calendar State Papers Foreign Elizabeth: 1566-1568 (London, 1871), pp. 71, 84, 169, 493: The inventory is at TNA SP59/11 f.206.
  3. ↑ Arthur Clifford, State Papers of Ralph Sadler, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1809), pp. 434, 455.
  4. ↑ Labanoff, Lettres de Marie Stuart, vol. 3 (London, 1852), pp. 206-5, 207.
  5. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1571-1574 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 255: TNA SP 52/22 f.98.
  6. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1571-1574 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 313.
  7. ↑ Memoriales of Transactions in Scotland (Edinburgh, 1836) p. 85.
  8. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1571-1574 (Edinburgh, 1905), pp. 509-12.
  9. ↑ Harry Potter, Edinburgh Under Siege, 1571–1573 (Stroud: Tempus, 2003), p. 121.
  10. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1571-1574 (Edinburgh, 1905), pp. 533-4, 563.
  11. ↑ Allan James Crosby, Calendar State Papers Foreign Elizabeth: 1572-1574 (London, 1871), p. 293: TNA SP 52/24 f.158: The plan is not known to survive.
  12. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1571-1574 (Edinburgh, 1905), p. 293.
  13. ↑ J. Collingwood & J. Trier, Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1575-1578 (London: HMSO, 1982), p. 323 no. 2258, to "Nicholas Arrington".
  14. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1574-1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907) p. 170.
  15. ↑ Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, vol. 3 (Edinburgh, 1880), pp. 185-6.
  16. ↑ Steven J. Reid, The Early Life of James VI, A Long Apprenticeship (Edinburgh: John Donald, 2023), p. 128: Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), pp. 352-5 nos. 431-2.
  17. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1574-1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), pp. 360-4.
  18. ↑ William Boyd, Calendar State Papers Scotland, 1574-1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 338 no. 463.
  19. ↑ Calendar of State Papers Scotland: 1574-1581, vol. 5 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 393.
  20. ↑ George Lasry, Norbert Biermann, Satoshi Tomokiyo, "Deciphering Mary Stuart’s lost letters from 1578-1584", Cryptologia, (2023), p. 150. doi : 10.1080/01611194.2022.2160677
  21. ↑ British Library Add MS 40746, f.117, Bowes papers
  22. ↑ Joseph Bain, Border Papers, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1894), pp. 514-5.
  23. ↑ HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 15 (London, 1930), p. 335: William Acres, Letters of Lord Burleigh to his son Robert Cecil (Cambridge, 2017), pp. 116-7.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.