Spanish blanks plot
The Spanish blanks plot was an alleged pro-Spanish Catholic conspiracy in Scotland, discovered in late 1592. A number of letters to Spain were discovered, which included blank sheets signed by prominent nobles.
Background
The
Discovery
James VI and Anne of Denmark were at Alloa Tower celebrating the wedding of the Earl of Mar and Marie Stewart, festivities were cut short when Sir John Carmichael and Sir George Home arrived from Edinburgh with news of the crisis. James VI rode to Edinburgh, where the kirk minister Robert Bruce and Robert Bowes explained their understanding of the situation and threat to him.[4]
George Kerr, his servant, and the letters were taken to Edinburgh and examined by the Privy Council on 2 January 1593.
Investigation
Three prominent Earls were directly implicated:
- William Douglas, 10th Earl of Angus[8]
- Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll[9]
- George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly[10]
The fourth signature on the papers discovered was that of Sir
Others involved were:
- Alexander, Lord Home[6]
- Sir James Chisholm of Cromlix[12]
- David Graham, Laird of Fintry.[6] A Catholic, he was questioned by John Cockburn of Ormiston and others,[13] and executed on 15 February 1593.[14]
- Hew Barclay of Ladyland[15]
- John Ogilvy[16]
Aftermath
An official account of the plot appeared in February 1593; it is assumed it was edited by John Davidson. It by no means included all the intercepted letters; but it printed a number concerned with William Sempill in 1589; the connection was that when Sempill's servant Pringle was found in England carrying letters to the Duke of Parma, they had included some from Huntly and Erroll.[17][18]
Perceptions of James VI shifted after the discoveries: some assumed the affair showed the king had at least tacitly approved dealings with Spain, and many more put it down to slackness in anti-Catholic measures.[19]
References
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/15780. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ISBN 978-0-85115-590-6. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1936), pp. 823, 828–9, describes the blanks.
- ^ Thomas Thomson, The historie and life of King James the Sext (Edinburgh, 1825), pp. 260-1.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1936), pp. 829–833, with a list of the letters, not including the royal "position paper."
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4094-3772-7. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ISBN 978-90-6203-038-5. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/7931.required.)
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) (Subscription or UK public library membership - doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/12715. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/11036. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ISBN 978-0-521-79385-8. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/19758.required.)
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) (Subscription or UK public library membership - ^ Annie Cameron, Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 11 (Edinburgh, 1936), p. 58 no. 30.
- ISBN 978-1-86232-136-6. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-521-14829-0. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/20600.required.)
{{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) (Subscription or UK public library membership - ^ John Rawson Elder, Spanish Influences in Scottish History (1920), p. 188; archive.org.
- ^ . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
- ISBN 978-0-7546-6715-5. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
External links
- Saenz-Cambra, Concepción, 'Colonel William Sempill of Lochwinnoch (1546-1630): A Strategist for Spain', Tiempos Modernos, no.13 (2006).