The suspense was ended at last, and Margaret wrote to inform him of the regent’s arrival.  Surrey replied at once, desiring to know further what number of horse and foot soldiers had come with him, and what countrymen they were.  He could give her no advice about coming away, but would meet her in any given part of the Marches, and at whatever time she pleased.  Margaret in return was to let him know when the Duke of Albany intended to invade England.  In conclusion, hoping to prevent any rapprochement between her and the regent, he warned her that Albany would most certainly be king if the king were not well guarded, “for the Frenchmen can empoison one, and yet he shall not die for a year after."*

* Surrey’s Letterbook; Tanner Ms. 90, f. 47; Bodleian Library.

The slippery nature of Margaret’s friendship was well known to Surrey, and he kept up the fiction of Albany’s nefarious intentions, in the hope of making her faithful to English interests.  Unluckily for his schemes, he did not sufficiently study the springs of her actions, which would have taught him to be more lavish with his bribes.  The end of her next letter ought to have opened his eyes to the necessity of striking a bargain with her if he would hope to draw her into the English net.  After telling him that the duke has held a council at Glasgow, and that he means to march into England in a fortnight, she goes on to warn him that Scotland was never before made so strong, and says that it is still a secret whether Albany intends to attack the east or west Border, but she thinks both.  She gives him a detailed account of the numbers and condition of his soldiers, and estimates his French contingent at 6000 men, adding that German reinforcements are expected by the first fair wind.  They trust to win Berwick, and if they succeed, she and her son are undone.  Then she begs to know how she is to get away, and have some money.  If Henry will not help her, she must perforce ask help of Albany; and she declares significantly, “and he will cause me to do as he will, or else he will give me nothing.”  He has not yet come to her, but he writes “very good writings of his own hand, and as many fair words as can be devised,” to which however she professes to give no credence.*

Calig.  B 6, 379; State Papers, iv. 40.

Surrey was of the opinion that Margaret should remain in Scotland, as her coming to England would cause embarrassment and expense.  Two thousand marks would hardly satisfy her in England, whereas she would be content with three or four hundred pounds a year in Scotland, to say nothing of the loss Henry would incur if she came away, in being deprived of the information she sent.

But it was just this haggling over bribes that prevented Margaret from being altogether on Henry’s side, and threw her into the arms of the more generous Albany whenever there was the least hope of gain.  Thus, a month later, after the somewhat hasty retreat from Wark, she told Surrey that she had been obliged to take what money the duke would give her; that she would do her best to keep her son, but that she could not displease Albany without Henry’s support.  She implored Surrey to plead with the king for her, and in return for his help she would inform him of all she knew; but he must keep it secret.*