Charles Baillie (papal agent) facts for kids

Charles Baillie (born 1542, died 1625) was a man from Flanders but with Scottish family roots. He worked for the Pope and was part of the household of Mary, Queen of Scots. After Mary was imprisoned, Charles Baillie used his skill with many languages to help her with secret plans.

Baillie's Arrest and Imprisonment

In the spring of 1571, Charles Baillie was leaving Flanders. He had copies of a book that supported Queen Mary. This book was printed in Liège. At this time, a helper for Pope Pius V, named Roberto di Ridolfi, gave Baillie secret coded letters. These letters were for Queen Mary, the Spanish ambassador, the Duke of Norfolk, the Bishop of Ross, and Lord Lumley.

The letters talked about a plan for Spain to send soldiers to England. This was to help Queen Mary. But as soon as Baillie arrived in Dover, England, he was arrested. He was taken to a prison called the Marshalsea. However, the secret letters were quickly passed to the Bishop of Ross. With help from the Spanish ambassador, new, less serious letters were written. These were shown to William Cecil, who was Queen Elizabeth I's main advisor.

A Spy's Trick

The plan might have worked, but William Cecil (later known as Lord Burghley) used a spy. The spy's name was William Herle. Herle pretended to be Baillie's friend to gain his trust. Herle described Baillie as "fearful" and "full of words." He also said Baillie was "easily read." Herle also tricked the Bishop of Ross. This meant the whole secret plan was about to be discovered.

But then, Herle made a mistake. Baillie realized he was being tricked. He tried to warn the bishop with a letter. However, this letter was caught. Baillie was then taken to the Tower of London. There, he refused to read the coded letters. He was put through a difficult questioning process.

On the walls of the Tower, Baillie wrote down his thoughts: "L. H. S. 1571 die 10 Aprilis. Wise men ought to se what they do, to examine before they speake; to prove before they take in hand; to beware whose company they use; and, above all things, to whom they truste. |— Charles Bailly."

Another Deception

One night, a man appeared by Baillie's bed. He said he was John Story. Baillie knew John Story was also in the Tower. But this man was actually another spy named Parker. Baillie fell for this trick too.

Parker told Baillie to try and gain Lord Burghley's trust. He suggested Baillie should decode the new letters from the Bishop of Ross. Baillie also told Burghley about the original secret letters that had been hidden. He even offered to watch the Bishop of Ross's mail if he was set free.

However, following Parker's advice did not help Baillie. Another message he wrote in the Beauchamp Tower shows this: 'Principium eapientie Timor Domini, I. H. S. X. P. S. Be friend to no one. Be enemye to none. Anno D. 1571, 10 Septr. The most unhappy man in the world is he that is not pacient in adversities; for men are not killed with the adversities they have, but with ye impacience which they suffer. Tout vient apoient, quy peult attendre. Gli sospiri ne son testimoni veri dell' angolcia mia, aet. 29. Charles Bailly.'

Later Life and Death

Charles Baillie likely gained his freedom around 1573. This was about the same time the Bishop of Ross was also released. Records show that by 1574, Baillie was in Antwerp.

He passed away on December 27, 1625, when he was 85 years old. He was buried in the churchyard of Hulpe. This is a village near Brussels. His tombstone calls him "Sir Charles Bailly, secretaire de la Royne d'Ecosse," which means "Secretary of the Queen of Scots."