MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS (1542-1587).
Letter Signed with autograph subscription to Sir George Bowes (1527-1580), 1 page folio with address on the reverse, Sheffield Manor, 7 June 1579. A fine letter, seeking permission, with the approbation of Elizabeth I, to send her secretary to visit her son James in Scotland.
Sir George Bowes had been appointed in 1568 to attend the 'conduction' of Mary from Carlisle to Bolton Castle in the North Riding of Yorkshire. He was staunchly loyal to his royal mistress and the English government but treated the prisoner well, and she in turn would write to him as a friend. In the present letter she calls upon him to give all assistance to her emissary on his visit to Scotland.

'... Efter long sewte having obteaned licence of the Quene our good Sister and Cousine to send in our Realme of Scotland to visit oure deare Chyld the prince ther, and to that end made choise of our Secretare P[rese]nt bearar; We have hereby thought nedefull to pray yow, that like as our said good Sister of her goodnes toward us and her Counsale by just considerations have recomended him, yow will in your charge p[rese]ntly shew him no les dew favor in all he may nede, being a stranger in those parts ...'

The letter is subscribed in Mary's italic hand 'Your right loowing frend / Marie R'.Mary had signed a deed of abdication on 24 July 1567 and the infant James (1566-1625) was crowned King of Scots on 29 July. The relationship between mother and son was an uneasy one, since James was never really content that his mother, whilst acknowledging his right to the Scottish throne, still harboured her own ambitions to return as Queen. It is is noteworthy that she refers to James in the present letter as 'prince' and signs herself as Queen.
In generally fine condition with some slight splitting at the ends of the folds and a few contemporary later endorsements.
The address, on the reverse, reads 'To our right trusty and welbeloved / frend Sr. George Bowes knight / p[rese]ntlie at Berwick.'
[No: 22437]