Chapter III: Personis Subject to Discipline (4)

THE quhilk day, forsamekle as the Quenis Majestie, be the advise of the Lordis of hir Secreit Counsale, and otheris diverse of the Nobilitie had of befoir, upoun the xxij day of December last bypast, ordanit, that gif the Fourt parte of the fructis and rentis of all the Benefices within this Realme war nocht sufficient for the support of hir Majestie, and other particulare charges underwrittin, necessar to be borne for the tranquillitie[724] of the country; then the Thrid of the saidis fructis, mair or less, should be takin up, to the effectis foirsaidis: And attour ordanit letteris to be direct, chargeing all and sindrie beneficit men, on this syd of the Month, to produce thair Rentallis upoun the xxiiij day of Januar last bypast; and the tent day of Februar instant, was prefixt be the saidis letteris, for inbringing of all rentallis of the benefices beyond the Month; with certificatioun, that quha produced nott the saidis Rentallis[725] at the dayis foirsaidis _respective_, the Quenis Majestie and hir Counsale wald provide remeid: According to the quhilk certificatioun, hir Hienes, with avyse of hir Counsale foirsaid, hes ordanit, that thai quha hes nocht produced thair rentallis, haill and full intromissioun shalbe had of thair fructis, be thame whom hir Majestie shall direct thairto; and quha hes nocht gevin in thair just Rentallis, quhatsumever part omitted in thair saidis rentallis shalbe intromettit with in lyke maner: And further, having consulted ryplie and diligentlie avysit upoun the commoun effairis and necessities concernyng the Quenis Majestie, and charges to be borne, for the commoun weill of the Realme, and sustentatioun of the Preachearis and Readaris, conforme to the said Ordinance maid thairupoun of befoir, hes fundin and declaired the haill Thrid partis of all Benefices within this Realme, of the quhilkis the rentallis ar produced, to be taken up be the person or personis to be nominat be hir Majestie, and to begyn upoun this last crope of the year of God J^m V^c, and threscoir ane yearis, the samyn to be employed to the effect foirsaid: togitther with the haill fructis of the benefices whairof the Rentallis ar nocht produced; and alsua of samekle as is omitted in the rentallis produced: And that ordour be directit be the Quenis Majestie, to the Lordis of Sessioun, that the auld Possessouris may be ansuered of the remanent fructis of the saidis benefices; providing that the Thrid part foirsaid be full and haill takin up, be the personis to be deput to the up-taking thairof: And this ordoure to continew and stand, ay and whill further ordouris be takin be the Quenis Majestie, with advyse of hir Estaitis. Mairover hir Hienes, be the advyse of hir Counsale foirsaid, hes statut and ordanit that all annuellis, mailles, and dewities within free Burrowis, or utheris townis of this Realme, alsweill pertenyng to Chapellanreis, Prebendarijs, as to Freiris, togitther with the rentis of the Freiris landis, quhairever thai be, setting and disponing thairupoun, be intrometted with, and takin up be sik as hir Grace shall depute thairto; for employing of the same be hir Hienes, to Hospitaliteis, Scholes, and utheris godlie uses, as shall seme best to hir Hienes, be the advise of hir Counsale: And knawing, that nathing is mair commodious for the said Hospitalitie, nor the places of Freiris as [ar] yitt standand undemolissed; as als to the intertenyng of Scholes, Colleges, and utheris uses foirsaidis, Ordanis the Provest and Baillies of Abirdene, Elgin in Murray, Innerness, Glasgow, and utheris Burrowis of this Realme, quhair the samyn ar nocht demolished, to interteny and uphald the saidis Freiris places standand in the saidis Townis, upoun the commoun gudis thairof, and to use the samyn to the Commoun-weall and service of the saidis Townis, ay and quhill the Quenis Majestie be farther advysed, and tack finall ordour in sik thingis, nochtwithstanding [of] ony other gift, titill, or interesse, gevin to quhatsumever personis of the saidis places, with thair yardis, orchardis, and pertinentis, be our Soverane Lady as of befoir.

[724] In MS. G, "for the weill."

[725] In MS. G, "that they quha hes not produced thair Rentales."

* * * * *

The names of the Nobilitie and Lordis that war present at the maiking of the foirsaidis Actis[726] heirefter followis:--

[726] It will be seen at page 299, that this list corresponds with the
Sederunt of the Privy Council on the 22d December 1561.

James Duk of Chattelarault,
George Erle Huntlye,
Archibald Erle Ergyle,
Williame Erle Merschell,
Johne Erle Atholl,
Williame Erle Montrose,
James Erle Mortoun,
Alex^r. Erle of Glencarne,
James Commendator of Sanctandrois and Pettinweme,
Johne Lord Erskyne,
Johne Ballendyne of Auchnowll knyght Justice Clerk,
The Thesaurar,
The Cleark of Registre, and
The Secretar.[727]

[727] In MS. 1566, the above list is repeated in the following
paragraph, the transcriber having overlooked its being inserted in the
previous page of the MS. The only difference is the addition of the
Comptroller's name.

"The Lordis of Secreat Counsall that war present at votting and
maiking of these foirsaid Actis, war James Duck of Chattellarault,
George Erle of Huntley, Archibald Erle of Ergyle, William Erle
Merchell, John Erle Atholl, William Erle Montrose, James Erle Mortoun,
Alexander Erle of Glencarne, James Commendatar of Sanctandrois, Johne
Lord Erskin, the Thesaurar, the Cleark of Registre, Justice Cleark,
Secreatarie, and Comptrollar."

The paragraph is also repeated in MS. A; but it is omitted in MS. G.

After the first Act,[728] the Erle of Huntley said, jestinglie, "Good day, my Lordis of the Twa parte."

[728] It may here be added, that the Register of the Privy Council
contains another long minute of a meeting held at Edinburgh, on the
last of February 1561-2, relating to the Thirds of Benefices. The
Sederunt at this meeting: George Earl of Huntley, James Earl of
Mortoun, Archibald Earl of Argyle, William Earl Mareschal, and James
Earl of Mar.

The Council directed Letters of Proclamation to be issued, ordaining
the fruits of benefices to remain undelivered to the old possessors,
or their collectors, "unto the tyme thai be charged of new be letters
past be deliverance of the Lords of Session, dated after the 1st of
March."

The hoill Rentallis being gathered, the sowme of the Thrid, according to thair awin calculatioun, was found to extend to....[729]

[729] In all the copies of Knox, the sum is left blank.

[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX HIS JUDGEMENT OF THE THRIDDIS.]

The Ministeris, evin in the begynnyng, in publict Sermonis opponed thame selves to suche corruptioun, for thei foirsaw the purpose of the Devill, and clearlie understood the butt whairat the Quene and hir flatteraris schot; and so in the stoolle of Edinburgh, Johne Knox said, "Weill, yf the end of this ordour, pretended to be tacken for sustentatioun of the Ministeris, be happy, my judgement failleth me; for I am assured that the Spreit of God is nott the auctor of it; for, first, I see Twa partis freely gevin to the Devill, and the Thrid maun be devided betwix God and the Devill: Weill, bear witnes to me, that this day I say it, or it be long the Devill shall have Three partis of the Thrid; and judge you then, what Goddis portioun shalbe." This was ane unsaverie saying in the earis of many. Some eschamed nott to affirme, "The Ministeris being susteaned, the Quene will nott gett at the yearis end to by hir a pair of new schoes." And this was Secreatarie Lethingtoun.

[Sidenote: LET THIS BE NOTTED]

Thair war appointed to modifie the Ministeris stipendis,[730] the Erles Ergyle, Murray, and Mortoun, Lethingtoun, the Justice Cleark, and Cleark of Registrie. The Laird of Pittarro was appointed to pay the Ministeris stipendis, according to thair modificatioun. Who wold have thought, that when Joseph reulled Egypt, that his brethren should have travailled for vittallis, and have returned with empty seekis unto thair families? Men wold rather have thought that Pharao's pose, treasure, and garnallis should have bene diminished, or that the houshold of Jacob should stand in danger to sterve for hungar.

[730] Among the Public Records, there are several volumes of Accounts
of the Collectors General of the Thirds of Benifices, commencing in
the year 1561.

[Sidenote: ANE PROVERBE.]

But so busy and circumspect war the Modificatouris, (becaus it was a new office, the terme must also be new,) that the Ministeris should nott be ower wantoun, that ane hundreth markis was sufficient to a singill man, being a commoun minister. Thre hundreth markis was the hiest that was appointed to any, except unto the Superintendentis, and unto a few otheris. Schortlie, whitther it was the nygartnesse of thair awin heartis, or the cayre that thei had to enryche the Quene, we know nott; but the poor Ministeris, Readaris, and Exhortaris cryed out to the heavin, (as thair complaintis in all Assemblies do witnesse,) that neathor war thei able to lyve upoun the stipendis appointed, neather could thei gett payment of that small thing that was appointed. So fayne wold the Comptrollare have played the goode vallett,[731] and have satisfyed the Quene, or ellis his awin proffeitt in everie point, that he gatt this dicton and proverbe, "The good Laird of Pittarro[732] was ane earnest professor of Christ; but the mekle Devill receave the Comptrollar, for he and his Collectouris ar become gready fectouris."[733]

[731] In MS. L 3, this word is left blank.

[732] John Wishart, Laird of Pittarrow in Forfarshire, son of Sir
James Wishart, Justice Clerk, was an early and active supporter of the
Reformation. At the Parliament in August 1560, he was one of the
number selected for the government of the State; and some time after
Queen Mary's arrival in Scotland, he was appointed Comptroller, in
which office he was succeeded by Sir William Murray of Tullibardine,
in 1563-4. Upon occasion of the marriage of Lord James, Earl of
Murray, (see notes to page 314,) Wishart was one of ten gentlemen who
had the honour of Knighthood conferred. He was advanced to be an
Extraordinary Lord of Session, 19th November 1567, and accompanied the
Regent Murray to York in the following year. He died 25th September
1576.

[733] In MS. G, "gredie Fectours."

To put ane end to this unpleasing mater: when the Brethren compleaned of thair povertie, it was disdanfullie ansuered of some, "Thair ar many Lordis have not so much to spend." When men did reassone that the vocatioun of Ministeris craved of thame bookis, quyetnesse, studye, and travell, to edifye the Kirk of Jesus Christ, when that many Lairdis war waitting upoun thair worldly busyness; and thairfoir, that the stipendis of Ministeris, who had none other industrye, but to lyve upoun that which was appointed, aught nott to be modifyed according to the lyvingis of[734] commoun men, who mycht, and did daily augment thair rentis by some other industrie. When suche reassonis war laid befoir thame, thei gat none other ansuer, but "The Quene can spair no greattar soumes." Oft was it cryed into thair earis, "O happy servandis of the Devill, and miserable servandis of Jesus Christ; yf that after this lyef thair war nott hell and heavin." For to the servandis of the devill, to your dum dogges and horned bischoppis, to one of those idill bellies (I say) ten thousand was nott yneuch; but to the servandis of Christ that painefullie preache his evangell, a thousand pound; how can that be susteaned?

[734] In MS. G, "the living of uther."--MS. L 4, corresponds with the
text.

One day, in reassoning of this mater, the Secretar burst out in a pece of his cholere, and said, "The Ministeris have this much payed unto thame by year, and who yitt ever bad the Queyn 'grand-mercies' for it? Was thair ever a Minister that gave thankis to God for hir Majesties liberalitie towards thame?" One smyled and ansuered, "Assuredlye, I think, that such as receave any thing gratis of the Quene, are unthankfull yf thei acknowledge it not, boyth in heart and mouth. But whitther that the Ministeris be of that rank or not, I greatlie doubt. Gratis, I am assured, thei receave nothing; and whitther thai receave any thing at all fra the Quene, wyese men may reassone. I am assured that neather Thrid nor Twa part ever apperteaned to any of hir predecessouris within this Realme these thousand yearis bypast, neather yitt hes the Quene bettir title to that whiche sche usurpes, be it geving to otheris, or in tacken to hir self, then suche as crucifyed Christ Jesus had to devide his garmentis amonges thame. And yf the treuth may be spoken, sche hes nott so good titill as thai had; for such spoyle use to be the reward of such men: And in that point these soldiouris war more gentle than the Quene and hir flatteraris, for thai parted not the garmentis of our Maister till that he him self was hung upoun the croce; but sche and her flatteraris do part the spoyle, whill as poore Christ is yet preaching amangis you. But the wisdome of our God tackis tryall of us by this meane, knowing weall yneuch what sche and hir factioun hes purposed to do. Lett the Papistis, who have the Twa partis, some that have thair Thriddis free, and some that have gotten Abbacies and few landis, thank the Quene, and syng, _Placebo Dominæ_. The poore preachearis will not yit flatter, for feading of thair bellye." These wordis war judged proud and intollerable, and engendered no small displeasur to the speakar.

This we put in memorie, that the posteriteis to cum may know that God ones maid his treuth to triumph; but becaus that some of oure selfis delyted more in darknes than in lyght,[735] God hath restreaned our fredome, and putt the hoill body in bondage. Yea, the greatest flatteraris have not eschaiped so free as thai supposed; yea, the latter plagues appear yit to be worse than the first. "Be mercyfull to us, O Lord, and entreat us nott according to our deservingis; but look thou to the equitie of the cause which thou hast put into our handis, and suffer not iniquitie to oppresse thy treuth, for Thy awin nameis saik, O Lord."

[735] Randolph in his letter to Cecil, 7th December 1561, furnishes a
remarkable instance of profanity at this time. Referring to the
Marquis d' Elbeuf, he says, "We fell in talk of the pastimes that were
the Sunday before, where the Lord Robert, the Lord John, and others
rang at the ring, six against six, _disguised and apparelled, the one
half like women_, the other like strangers, in strange masking
garments. The Marquis that day did very well; _but the women, whose
part the Lord Robert did sustain, won the ring_. The Queen herself
beheld it, and as many others as listed."

[Sidenote: MARRIAGE OF THE ERLE OF MARE][736]

[736] In MS G, "Erle of Murray."

In this meantyme, to wit, in Februar, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir ane,[737] was Lord James first maid Erle of Marr,[738] and then maryed upoun Agnes Keyth, dowghter to the Erle Merschell. The mairiage was publict in the Church of Edinburgh[739]. In the marriage thai boyth gat ane admonitioun to behave thame selves moderatlie in all thingis; "For, (said the preachear[740] to him,) unto this day the Kirk of God hath receaved confort by you, and by your laubouris; in the which, yf heirafter ye shalbe found fayntar then that ye war befoir, it wilbe said that your Wyeff hath changed your nature." The greatness of the bancquett, and the vanitie used thairat, offended many godly. Thair began the masking, which from year to year hath continewed since. Maister Randolph, agent for the Quene of England, was then, and sometyme after, in no small conceat with our Quene; for his Maistres saik, she drank[741] to him [in] a coupe of gold, which he possessed with greattar joy, for the favour of the gevar, then of the gift and valew thairof; and yit it was honourable.

[737] That is, 1561-2. The Earldom of Murray was first taken from the
Earl of Huntly, and granted to Lord James Stewart, by a charter, dated
30th January 1561-2. On the 7th of February following, the Earldom of
Mar being conferred on him he publicly assumed this title, until it
was restored, _per modum justiciæ_, to John Lord Erskine. Lord James
then resumed the title by which he is chiefly known to posterity as
the Earl of Murray.

[738] In MS G, "first maid Erle of Murray" In MS L 4, the commencement
of this paragraph is thus amplified--"The Quene this winter preceding
made Lord James Erle of Mar, as some thought to conciliat his good
will quhom she had found in absence offendit. At this time he married
also Agnes Keith, daughter to the Erle Marchell. Soone efter the
Erledome of Murray was bestowed upon him instead of the Erledome of
Mar. Lord Erskin had an old right to the Erldome of Marr."

[739] The marriage of Lord James Stewart with Agnes Keith, daughter of
William Earl of Marischel, was celebrated on the 8th of February
1561-2, in the Church of St. Giles, Edinburgh, "with sik solemnitie as
the lyk hes not bene sein befoir; the haill Nobilitie of this Realme
being thair present, and convoyit thame doun to the Abbay of
Halyrudhous, quhair the banket wes maid, and the Quenis Grace
thairat." (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 70) The same authority mentions
the rejoicings on that occasion, and that the Queen conferred the
honour of Knighthood on Wishart of Pittarrow, Lermonth of Dairsy,
Kirkaldy of Grange, Stewart of Traquair, Murray of Balvaird, and five
others.

[740] That is, John Knox.

[741] "At this notable marriage, (says Randolph to Cecil,) one thing
there was which I must testify with my own hand, which is, that upon
Shrove Tuesday, at night, sitting among the Lords at supper, in sight
of the Queen, and placed for that purpose, she drank unto the Queen's
Majesty (Elizabeth,) _and sent me the cup of gold_, which weighed
eighteen or twenty ounces." (Letter, 12th February 1561-2, quoted by
Mr Tytler, vol. vi. p. 258.)

The thingis that then war in handilling betwix the two Quenes, whairof Lethingtoun, Secreatarie Cycill, and Maister Randolph, war ministeris, war of great weight, as we will after hear.

This wynter, the Erle Bothwell, the Markques Delabuf, and Lord Johne of Coldingham, played the ryote in Edinburgh, mysordoured the hoill toune,[742] brack Cuthbart Ramsayis[743] yettis and durris, sought his house for his good-dowghter Alisone Craik: And this was done in dispyte of the Erle of Arrane, whose hoore the said Alison was suspected to have been. The horrour of this fact, and the raritie of it, heyghlie commoved all godlie heartis.[744] The Assemblie, and also the Nobilitie, for the most parte war in the toun; and so thei concluded to crave justice, as that thei did, as by this subsequent Supplicatioun doeth appear.

[742] Randolph, in a letter to Cecil, dated 27th December 1561, has
given a somewhat similar account of this riot or "disorder which was
of late in this town." The letter is printed in Keith's History, vol.
ii. p. 128.

[743] In June 1571, Cuthbert Ramsay was elected one of the Magistrates
of Edinburgh. He joined the Queen's adherents in defending the Castle,
under Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange, in 1573; and on the 3d of June,
when the Castle was surrendered, Ramsay was one of the prisoners who
were conducted by the English forces to Leith; but he appears to have
escaped the ignominious fate awarded by Queen Elizabeth to the gallant
chief, and his brother Mr. James Kirkcaldy, who were hanged for
treason on the 3d of August 1573.

[744] It would appear that a General Assembly or Convention was
sitting at Edinburgh, towards the end of December 1561, when this
occurence took place; and it was resolved to present the Supplication
to the Queen:

"The whilk day, tuiching the slander takin be the horrible fact and
impietie committed within this burgh under silence of night, be
Marques Dalbuiff and his colleagues, in breaking up of Cuthbert Ramsay
his zets and doores, and searching and seiking his dochter-in-law to
oppresse her, as appeirit; it is thought good be the haill Kirk, that
a Supplicatioun be made and given in to the Quenis Majestie, in the
name of the Professors of the Evangell, and the personis before
nominat present the samein, to seik the answer thairof." (Booke of the
Universal Kirk, vol. i. p. 11.)

TO THE QUEYNIS MAJESTIE AND HIR SECREAT AND GREAT COUNSALL,
HIR GRACE'S FAYTHFULL AND OBEDIENT SUBJECTIS, THE
PROFESSOURIS OF CHRIST JESUS HIS HOLY EVANGELL, WISHES THE
SPREIT OF RYGHTEOUSE JUDGEMENT.

The feare of God conceaved of his holy worde, the naturall and unfeaned luif we bear unto your Grace, the dewtie whiche we aw to the quyetness of our countrie, and the terrible threatnyngis which our God pronounces against everie Realme and Citie in the quhilk horrible crymes ar openlie committed, and then be the committars obstinatlie defended, compell us, a great parte of your subjectis, humblie to crave of your Grace upryght and trew judgement aganis sick personis as have done what in thame lyes, to kendle Goddis wrayth against this hoill Realme. The impietie be thame committed is so haynous and so horrible, that as it is ane fact most vyle and rair to be heard of within this Realme, and principallie within the bowells of this Citie, so should we think oure selfis gyltie in the same, gif negligentlie, or yitt for warldlie feare we pass it ower with silence: And thairfoir your Grace may nott think that we requyre ony thing (whill that we crave open malefactouris condignelie to be punished) but that quhilk God hes commanded us to crave, and hes also commanded your Grace to geve to everie ane of your subjectis; for be this lynk hes God knytt togitther the prince and the people, that as he commandis honour, feare, and obedience to be gevin to the poweris established by him, so does he in expressed wordis command and declair what the prince aweth unto the subjectis, to witt, that as he is the Minister of God, bearing his sweard for vengeance to be tackyn on evill doaris, and for the defence of peceable and quyett men, so aucht he to draw the same without all parcialitie so oft as in Goddis name he is requyred thairto: Seing so it is, (Madam,) that this cryme so recentlie committed, and that in the eyes of your hoill Realme now presentlie assembled, is so haynous, for who heirtofore have heard within the bowellis of Edinburgh, yettis and durris under silence of nycht burst up, housses ryped, (and that with hostilitie,) seaking a woman as appeared to oppresse hyr; seing we say that this cryme is so haynouse, that all godlie men fear nott onlye Goddis soir displeasur to fall upoun you and your hoill Realme, but also that sick libertie brede contempt, and in the end seditioun, yf remeady in tyme be not provided,[745] quhilk in our judgement is impossible, yf sevir punishement be nott executed for the cryme committed: Thairfoir, we maist humblye beseik your Grace, that all affectioun sett asyd,[746] ye declair your self so uprycht in this caise, that ye may geve evident demonstratioun to all your subjectis, that the fear of God, joyned with the luif of the commoun tranquillitie, have principall seat and dominioun in your Grace hearte. This farther, Madam, of conscience we speik, that as your Grace in Goddis name does crave of us obedience, (whilk to render in all thingis lauchfull we ar most willing,) so in the same name do we, the hoill Professouris of Christis Evangell within this your Grace Realme, crave of you and of your Counsall scharpe punishement of this cryme; and for performance thairof, that without all delay the principall actouris of this most haynous cryme, and the persewaris of this pretended vilanye, may be called befoir the Cheaf Justice of this Realme, to suffer an assise, and to be punished according to the lawes of the same: And your Grace's answer maist humilie we beseik.

[745] In the Book of the Kirk, "gudlie provydit."

[746] In the Book of the Kirk, "laid asyde."

* * * * *

[Sidenote: THE MASK OF ORLEANCE.]

This Supplicatioun was presented by diverse gentilmen. The flatteraris of the Courte at the first stormed, and asked, "Who durst avow it?" To whom the Maister, now Lord Lyndesay answered, "A thousand gentilmen within Edinburgh." Otheris were eschamed to appone thame selfis thairto in publict; but thei suborned the Quene to geve a gentill answer unto such tyme as the Conventioun was dissolved. And so sche did; for sche lacks no craft, boyth to cloik and to manteane impietie (and hurdome in especiall.) Sche alledged, "That hir Uncle was a strangear, and he had a young cumpany; but sche should putt suche ordour unto him, and unto all otheris, that heareafter thei should have no occasioun to compleane." And so deluded sche the just petitioun of hir subjectis; and no wounder, for how shall sche punische in otheris that vice, which in France is free without punishement, and which Kingis and Cardinallis use most commonlie, as the mask and dansing of Orleance can witness, whairin virgenis and menis wyeffis war maid as commoun to King Harie and Charles, the Cardinallis, unto thair Courte and pages, as commoun harlottis of the bordell ar unto thair compainzeonis. The maner was thus:

At the entrie of King Harie of France, in the towne of Orleance, the matrones, virgenis, and menis wyiffis, war commanded to present thame selfis in the Kingis palice at nycht, to daunse: and thei obeyed; for commounlie the Frenche natioun is not hard to be entreated to vanitie. After fidling and flyngyng, and when the Cardinall of Lorane[747] had espyed his pray, he said to the King, "_Sire, la primiere est vostre, et faut que je suis[748] le second_." That is to say, "Sire, the first choise is youris, and I man be the secound." And so the King gat the preeminence, that he had his first electioun. Bot becaus Cardinallis ar companeonis to Kingis, the Cardinall of Lorane had the nixt: And thairafter the torches war putt out, and everie man commanded to provid for him self the best he myght. What cry was thair of husbandis for thair wyeffis; of wyiffis, for thair husbandis; of auncient matronis, for thair dochteris; and of virgenis for thair freindis; or for some honest man to defend thair pudicitie, Orleance will remember mo kingis dayis then one.

[747] The Cardinal Charles de Lorraine, Archbishop and Duke of Rheims,
was the second son of Claude Duke de Guise. He was born 17th February
1524. He obtained the See of Rheims in 1538, and was consecrated in
1545, when twenty-one years of age. We need not refer to Protestant
writers for his character, or to the work entitled the Legend of his
Life, as it is admitted that to avarice and inordinate pride, he
joined cruelty, want of faith, and licentiousness. Brantome admits
that the Cardinal was no ornament to the Church, when he says, "qui,
quoique mauvais Chrétien, etait, pour le temps, tres-bon Catholique."
He died 24th December 1574, aged 49.

In addition to note 4, page 267, it may be noticed that Calderwood
says, when the Queen was preparing to return to Scotland, "In the
meanetyme, Charles Cardinal of Lorraine, counselled her to leave
beside him her apparell and household stuffe, till it was seene what
was the successe of her voyage. She being acquainted with his nature,
answered, she could not see wherefore she should be more carefull of
her stuffe and apparell nor of her owne persone." (Hist. vol. ii. p.
131.)

[748] In MS. G, "que je soy."

[Sidenote: OURE QUENIS EDUCATION.]

This horrible vilanay, a fruet of the Cardinall of Lorane's religioun, we shortlie tueche, to lett all the world understand, what subjectis may looke of suche magistratis; for such pastyme to thame is but joyousitie, whairin our Queyn was brocht up.[749] We call hir nott a hoore, (albeit hir deame heard more then we will wrytt,) but sche was brought up in the company of the wyldast hooremongaris, (yea, of such as no more regarded incest, then honest men regard the company of thair lauchfull wyeffis;) in the company of such men, (we say,) was our Queyn brought up. What sche was and is, her self best knowis, and God, (we doubt nott,) will farther declair.

[749] Henry the second of France succeeded to the throne in 1547, and
died in 1559. This incident is not recorded in the Histories of the
time, but may be referred to the later period of his reign. As noticed
in a previous note (page 269,) the extreme profligacy that prevailed
at the Court of France is but too manifestly exhibited in the pages of
Brantome: a more unfortunate place could not have been chosen for the
young Scotish Princess to have received her education.

[Sidenote: [G]OD HES NOW [D]ONE IT, 1567.][750]

[750] This marginal note does not occur in MS. G, and seems to have
been added in MS. 1566, subsequently to the transcription of this
portion of the text. It contains an evident allusion to the Queen's
imprisonment after her surrender at Carberry Hill in July 1567: see
vol. i. p. 218, note 4.

[Sidenote: THE HAMMYLTONIS AGAINST BOTHWELL AND THE MARQUESS.]

But punishement of that enormitie and fearfull attemptat we could gett none: but more and more thei presumed to do violence, and frequented nyghtlie masking. Some, as Roboyn Craige's house, becaus his dowghter was fair, delyted thairin: otheris lamented, and began to bear the mater verray heavelie. At lenth the Lord Duck his freindis assembled upoun a nycht upoun the calsey.[751] The Abbott of Kylwyning,[752] (who then was joyned to the Churche, and so, as we understand, yitt abydeth,) was the principall man at the begyning. To him repaired many faythfull; and amangis otheris cam Andro Stewart, Lord Ochiltree, a man rather borne to maik peace, then to brag upoun the calsey, and demanded the querrall; and being informed of the formar enormitie said, "Nay, sick impietie shall nott be sufferred so long as God shall assist us. The victorye that God in his mercy hath gevin us, we will by his grace manteane." And so he commanded his sone, Andro Stewart, then Maister,[753] and his servandis to putt thame selfis in ordour, and to bring furth thair spearis and long weaponis; and so did otheris. The word cam to the Erle Bothwell and his, that the Hammyltonis war upoun the gaitt.[754] Vowes war maid, "That the Hammyltonis should be doung, not onlie out of the towne, but also out of the countrey." Lord Johne of Coldinghame[755] had maryed the said Erle Bothwellis sister, (a sufficient woman for such a man;)--allia drew the Lord Roberte;[756] and so they joyned boyth with the said Erle Bothwell. But the stoutness of the Marquess Le Beuf, (D'Elbuf[757] thei call him,) is most to be commended; for in his chalmer, within the Abbay, he starte to ane halbart, and ten men war skarse able to hald him; but as hap was, the inner yett of the Abbay keapt him that nycht; and the danger was betwix the Croce and the Salt Trone;[758] and so he was a large quarter of myle from the schote and sklenting of boltis. The Maister of Maxwell, gave declaratioun[759] to the Erle Bothwell, "That yf he steired furth of his lodgeing, he, and all that wold assist him, should resist him in the face;" whose wordis did somwhat beat doon that blast. The Erles of Huntley and Morray, being in the Abbay whair the Marques was, cam with thair cumpanyes, send fra the Quene to stay that tumult, as that thei did; for Bothwell and his war commanded, under pane of treassone, to keap thair lodgeingis.[760]

[751] On the 19th of December 1561, (Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 70.)

[752] Gawin Hamilton, Abbot of Kilwinning, was the fourth son of James
Hamilton of Raploch. In 1521, James the eldest son on his marriage
with the heiress of Stenhouse, resigned the fee of the lands of
Raploch, and upon the death of the next two brothers, Gavin succeeded
to the property in 1559. He had been educated for the Church; and
obtained the Deanery of Glasgow, which he exchanged in 1550 for the
Abbacy of Kilwinning. In 1555, he was raised to the bench. He was a
steady adherent of Queen Mary, and distinguished himself in several
skirmishes; but was mortally wounded, and died at Leith, on 16th June
1571.

[753] Andrew, second Lord Stewart of Ochiltree: see page 260, note 19.
His eldest son Andrew died in the year 1578, having predeceased his
father, Master of Ochiltree, here mentioned.

[754] In MS. G, "upoun the streat."

[755] Lord John Stewart, Prior of Coldingham, an illegitimate son of
James the Fifth, by Elizabeth, daughter of John Lord Carmichael. His
sister became the first wife of Archibald fifth Earl of Argyle.
Randolph in a letter to Cecil, 24th October 1561, mentioning the
leading persons at Court, says, "The Lord John of Coldingham hath not
least favour with his leaping and dancing: he is like to marry the
Lord Bothwell's sister." His marriage with Jean only daughter of
Patrick third Earl of Bothwell, was solemnized at Seton, in presence
of Queen Mary: see following note.

[756] Lord Robert Stewart, see page 271. Randolph in the letter
referred to in the previous note, says, "The Lord Robert consumeth
with love for the Earl of Cassillis sister." This was Lady Jane
Kennedy, eldest daughter of Gilbert third Earl of Cassilis. In another
letter, 27th December 1561, he says,--"The Lord Robert was married on
Sunday was eight days to the Earl of Cassillis sister; and my Lord
John upon Sunday next to the Earl of Bothwell's sister: I mean not
here, in the Court, but where the women are in their friends' houses."
According to this intimation, the marriages took place on the 14th and
28th of December respectively.

[757] René de Lorraine, Marquis d'Elbeuf: see note 8, page 268. He had
a natural son born in Scotland, "de Marguerite Chrestien, demoisselle
Ecossoise." According to one authority, d'Elbeuf remained in Scotland
till the end of February 1561-2:--"Upoun the penult day of Februar,
the zeir of God 1561 zeiris, [the] Marques departit furth of
Halyrudhous fra the Quenis Grace to Fraunce." (Diurnal of Occurrents,
p. 71.) But in June 1562, there was paid, "be the Quenis Graces
speciale command to Mons^r Marques at his departing furth of this
realme to France, as his acquittance, &c. £500." (Treasurer's
Accounts.)

[758] Betwixt the Cross and the Salt-Trone; that is, in the High
Street, near the present Trone Church, where the Trone or beam for
weighing merchandize formerly stood.

[759] In MS. G, "The Maister of Maxwell, (thairafter maid Lord
Herries,) gave declaration, &c.:" see vol. i. p. 319.

[760] Randolph says, that the day after the tumult, both the Duke and
Bothwell were sent for to the Court, the former being "convoyed with
all the Protestants that were in this town; the other with the
Papists. It was concluded, that for avoiding of cumber, the Earl
Bothwell should leave the toun till the 8th of January." According to
the Diurnal of Occurrents, (p. 70,) the Earl of Bothwell, on the 21st
December, "depairtit with his freindis furth of Edinburgh, at the
Quenis command."

It was whispered of many, that the Erle of Murray's displeasur was as much sought as any haitterant that the Hammyltonis bayr against the Erle Bothwell, or yitt he aganist thame. And in verray deed, eather had the Duck verray fals servandis, or ellis by Huntley and the Hammyltonis, the Erle of Murray his death was ofter conspyred than ones: the suspitioun whairof burst furth so far, that upoun a day the said Erle, being upoun horse to have come to the sermon, was charged by one of the Duckis awin servandis to returne and abyd with the Queyn. The bruyt thairof spred over all. What ground it had we cane nott say; but schorte thairafter the Duck and some of the Lordis convened at Glasgow; thair conclusioun was nott knowen. The Erle of Arrane came to Edinburgh, whair the Erle Bothwell lay. The Quene and the Court war departed to Fyff, and remaned sometimes in Sanctandrois and sometimes in Falkland.[761]

[761] From about the end of March till the beginning of May 1562.

[Sidenote: THE ERLE BOTHWELL HIS COMMONYNG WYTH JOHNE KNOX.]

The Erle Bothwell, by the meanes of James Barroun,[762] burges, and then merchant of Edinburgh, desyred to speak with Johne Knox secreatlie; which the said Johne glaidlie granted, and spack him upoun a nycht, first in the said James's lodgeing, and thairafter in his awin study. The summe of all thair communication and conference was:--The said Earle lamented his formare inordinate lyef, and especiallie that he was provocked by the entysmentis of the Quene Regent to do that which he sore reapented, alsweall against the Laird of Ormestoun,[763] whose blood was spilt, albeit not in his defalt: But his cheaf dolour was, that he had misbehaved him self against the Erle of Arrane, whose favouris he was most willing to redeame, yf possible it war that sa he mycht; and desyred the said Johne to geve him his best counsall, "For (said he) yf I mycht have my Lord of Arrane's favouris, I wald await upoun the Court with a page and few servandis, to spair my expensis, whare now I am compelled to keap, for my awin saifty, a number of wicked and unprofitable men, to the utter destructioun of my living that is left."

[762] Knox has previously mentioned Barron, (vol. i. p. 268); and in
1556, (ib. p. 246,) he gives an account of the death of his first
wife, Elizabeth Adamson. Baron for several years filled the office of
one of the magistrates of Edinburgh, and was returned as one of the
Commissioners to the General Assembly, from 1560 till the year of his
death, which took place in September 1569. His will was made at
Kynnaird in Fyfe, 21st September 1569, having married for his second
wife Helen Leslie, "gud-wyf of Kynnarde," by whom he left several
daughters. (Register of Conf. Test.) This lady, who survived him,
appears to have married again, first to Mr. James Kirkaldy, brother of
Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange, by whom she had a son and a daughter;
and after his death in 1573, (see page 315, note 2,) to Mr. James
Beaton. There was granted to Patrick Halket of Petferren, the escheit
of 18 scoir pundis auchtand to vmquhile James Barroun, burgess of
Edinburgh and to Helen Leslie his spous.... Now spousit in marriage
with Maister James Kirkcaldy, brother-german to Sir William Kirkcaldy
of Grange knycht,--the said Mr. James hir spouse, "being denounced
rebell, &c., penult September 1571." (Register of Signatures, vol.
iii. fol. 102.) In the confirmation of her own Testament, mention is
made of her two children by her second husband; and she is described
as now spousit to Mr. James Beaton, parson of Old Roxburgh. She died
in June 1577. (Register of Confirmed Testaments.) In 1580, George
Baroun paid a composition, as son and heir of Helen Leslie of
Kynnaird. Sir Robert Sibbald, among the eminent men of Fife, says,
"The learned Doctors of Divinity, John and Robert Baron, were cadets
of the Lairds of Kinnaird, in this shire, of that name."

[763] John Cockburn of Ormiston: see vol. i. pp. 142, 455.

To the which the said Johne ansuered, "My Lord, wold to God that in me war counsall or judgement that mycht conforte and releave you. For albeit that to this hour it hath nott chaunsed me to speik with your Lordship face to face, yit have I borne a good mynd to your house; and have bene sorry at my heart of the trubles that I have heard you to be involved in. For, my Lord, my[764] grandfather, goodsher, and father, have served your Lordshipis predecessoris, and some of thame have died under thair standartis; and this is a part of the obligatioun of our Scotishe kyndnes: but this is not the cheaf. But as God hes maid me his publict messinger of glaid tydings, so is my will earnest that all men may embrase it, which perfytlie thei can not, so long as that thair remaneth in thame rancour, malice, or envy. I am verray sorry that ye have gevin occasioun unto men to be offended with you; but I am more sory that ye have offended the Majestie of God, who by such meanes oft punishes the other sinnes of man. And thairfoir my counsall is, that ye begyn at God, with whom yf ye will enter in perfyte reconciliatioun, I doubt not but he shall bow the heartis of men to forget all offenses. And as for me, yf ye will continue in godlynes, your Lordship shall command me als boldlie as any that serves your Lordship."

[764] This allusion of Knox to his own family is interesting, as it
furnishes the only information that can be relied upon respecting his
ancestors.

The said Lord desyred him that he wold tempt[765] the Erle of Arrane's mynd, yf he wold be content to accept him in his favouris, which he promessed to do; and so earnestlie travaled in that mater, that it was ones brought to such an end as all the faythfull praysed God for that aggrement. The greatest stay stood upoun the satisfactioun of the Laird of Ormestoun, who, besyde his formare hurte, as is before declared, was evin in that same tyme of the commonyng, persewed be the said Lord[766] Bothwell, his sone Maister Alexander Cockburne[767] tacken by him, and caryed with him to Borthwick; but gentillye yneuch send back agane.

[765] In MS. G, "wold attempt."

[766] In MS. G, "the said Erle."

[767] He was the eldest son of John Cockburn of Ormiston. In the
following page 331, Knox mentions him as conveying the message from
the Queen, which led to the communing there detailed. He died in 1564:
and in early life he had been a pupil of Knox: see vol. i. p. 185,
note 3.

[Sidenote: RECONCILIATIOUN BETWIX THE ERLE OF ARRANE AND ERLE BOTHWELL, ETC.]

That new truble so greatlie displeased Johne Knox, that he almost geve ower farther travalling for amytie. But yit, upoun the excuse of the said Erle, and upoun the declaratioun of his mynd, he re-entered in laubouris, and so brought it to pass, that the Laird of Ormestoun referred his satisfactioun in all thingis to the judgments of the Erles of Arrane and Murray, whom to the said Erle Bothwell submitted him self in that head, and thairupoun delyvered his hand wryt. And so was convoyed by certane of his friends to the loodgeing of the Kirk-of-Feild, whair the Erle of Arrane was with his friendis, and the said Johne Knox with him,[768] to bear witnesse and testificatioun of the end of the aggrement. As the said Erle Bothwell entered at the chalmer dore, and wold have done those honouris that freyndis had appointed, (Maister Gavin Hammyltoun[769] and the Laird of Rikchartoun,[770] war the cheaf freindis that communed,) the said Erle of Arrane gentillye passed unto him, embrased him, and said, "Yf the hearttis be uprycht, few ceremonyes may serve and content me."

[768] See page 327, note 2.

[769] In MSS. G, and L 4, "Mr. Gawin Hammyltoun, Abbot of Kilwynning"

[770] Henry Drummond of Riccarton succeeded his father, who is
mentioned as slain at the siege of Leith in 1560. But see note to vol.
i. p. 376. In 1574 he was succeeded by his brother of the same name,
and probably the issue of a second marriage. (House of Drummond, p.
292.)

The said Johne Knox, in audience of thame boyth, and of thair freindis, said, "Now, my Lordis, God hath brought you to gitther be the laubouris of semple men, in respect of such as wold have travailled thairin. I know my laubouris ar alreaddy tacken in ane evill parte; but becaus I have the testimonye of a good conscience befoir my God, that whatsoever I have done, I have done it in his fear, for the proffeit of you boith, for the hurt of none, and for the tranquillitie of this Realme: seing (I say) that[771] my conscience beareth witnesse to me, what I have sought and continewallie seak, I the more patientlie bear the mysreporttis and wrangouse judgementis of men. And now I leave you in peace, and desyres you that ar the freindis to study that amitie may increase, all formar offenses being forgett." The freindis on eather partie embrased other, and the two Erles departed to ane wyndo, and talked by thame selfis familiarlie a reasonable space. And thairafter the Erle Boithwell departed for that nycht: and upoun the nixt day in the mornyng returned, with some of his honest freinds, and came to the sermoun with the Erle foirsaid; whairat many rejoised. But God had ane other work to wyrk then the eyes of men could espy.

[771] In MS. G, "Seeing therefore that."

The Thurisday nixt[772] they dyned togetther; and thairafter the said Erle Boithwell and Maister Gawane Hammyltoun raid to my Lord Duckis Grace, who then was in Kynneill. What communicatioun was betwix thame, it is not certanelie knowne, but by the reporte which the said Erle of Arrane maid to the Quenys Grace, and unto the Erle of Murray, by his wryttingis. For upoun Fryday, the ferd day after thair reconciliatioun, the sermon being ended, the said Erle of Arrane cam to the house of the said Johne Knox, and brought with him Maister Richart Strang[773] and Alexander Guthre,[774] to whom he opened the greaf of his mynd befoir that Johne Knox was called; for he was occupyed, (as commounlie he useth to be after his sermonis,) in directing of writtingis. Whiche ended, the said Erle called the thre togetther, and said, "I am treasonablie betrayed;" and with these wordis began to weape. Johne Knox demanded, "My Lord, who hes betrayed yow?" "Ane Judas, or other (said he); but I know it is but my lyef that is sought: I regard it not." The other said, "My Lord, I understand not such dark maner of speaking: yf I shall geve you any ansuer, ye maun speik moir plane." "Weill, (said he,) I tack you three to witnesse that I oppen this unto you, and I will wryt it unto the Quene: Ane act of treassone is laid to my charge; the Erle Bothwell hes schawin to me in counsall, that he shall tack the Quene, and put hir in my handis in the Castell of Dumbertane; and that he shall slay the Erle of Murray, Lethingtoun, and otheris that now mysgyde hir: and so shall I and he reull all. But I know that this is devised to accuse me of treassone; for I know that he will inform the Quene of it: But I tack you to witnes, that I oppen it hear unto you; and I will pas incontinent, and wryte to the Quenis Majestie, and unto my brother the Erle of Murray."

[772] The 26th March, 1562.

[773] Mr. Richard Strang was an Advocate. His name occurs in the
proceedings of the General Assembly as one of the three Procurators
who were appointed in 1567, "to defend and pursue all actions
pertaining to the Kirk."

[774] Alexander Guthrie held for many years the office of Town Clerk
of the City of Edinburgh.

Johne Knox demanded, "Did ye consent, my Lord, to any part of that treassone?" He ansuered, "Nay." "Then, (said he,) in my judgement, his wordis, albeit thei war spoken, can never be treassone unto you; for the performance of the fact dependis upoun your will, whairto ye say ye have disassented; and so shall that purpose evanise and dye by the self, onless that ye waiken it; for it is not to be supposed that he will accuse you of that which he him self [hes] devised, and whairto ye wold not consent." "O, (said he,) ye understand not what craft is used against me: It is treassone to conceall treassone." "My Lord, (said he,) treasson maun importe consent and determinatioun, quhilk[775] I hear upoun neather of your partis. And thairfoir, my Lord, in my judgement it shalbe more suyre and moir honorable to you to depend upoun your [awin] innocencye, and to abyde the injust accusatioun of ane other, (yf any follow thairof, as I think thair shall not,) then ye to accuise, (especiallie after so lait reconciliatioun,) and have none other witnesses but your awin affirmatioun." "I know, (said he,) that he will offer the combatt unto me; but that wold not be suffered in France; but I will do that which I have purposed." And so he departed, and took with him to his loodgeing the saidis Alexander Guthery and Mr. Richart Strang; from whense was dyted and written a letter to the Quenis Majestie, according to the formar purpose, which letter was direct with all diligence to the Quenis Majestie, who then was in Falkland.

[775] In MS. G, "of the quhilks."

The Erle him self raid after to Kynneill, to his father, the Duckis Grace.[776] How he was entreated, we have but the commoun bruyte; but from thense he wrait ane other letter with his awin hand, in sypher, to the Erle of Murray, compleanyng upoun his rigorous handelling and entreatment by his awin father, and by his freindis; and affirmed farther, that he feared his lyef, in case that he gat not suddane reskew. But thairupoun he remaned not, but brack the chalmer whairin he was put, and with great pain past to Striveling, and from thense he was convoyed to the Hallyardis,[777] whair he was keapt till that the Erie of Murray cam unto him, and convoyed him to the Quene, then beand in Falkland, who then was sufficientlie instructed of the hoill mater; and upoun suspitioun conceaved, had caused apprehend Maister Gawan Hammyltoun and the Erle Bothwell foirsaid; who knowing nothing of the formar advertismentis, cam to Falkland,[778] which augmented the formar suspitioun.

[776] "Upon the 25th day of March 1562, my Lordis of Arrane, quha was
eldest sone to James Duke of Chattellarault, and Bothwill, wer aggreit
be Johne Knox minister, and thairefter raid and spak with the Duke."
(Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 71.) "And upoun the 29th day of March, my
Lord of Arrane come furth of the Palice of Kynneill, in ane franysy,
in the nycht, at ane heich wyndo, and past to the Quenis Grace at
Falkland, and sayd to her that my Lord Duke his fader, and my Lord
Bothwill, and Gawin Commendatare of Kilwynning, had conspirit aganis
the Quenis Grace and Lord James." (Ib. p. 71.)

[777] Hallyards, in the parish of Auchertule in Fifeshire. Sir Robert
Sibbald, in 1710, speaks of "Hallyairds, the residence of a gentleman
of the name of Skeen: a great building, surrounded with gardens, large
enclosures and planting: having large meadows to the west, and a loch
fertile of fish to the east." (Hist. of Fife, edit. 1710, App. p. 3.)
At the time referred to by Knox, it belonged to Sir William Kirkaldy
of Grange: see vol. i. p. 90.

[778] "Upon the last day of March (1562,) my Lord Bothwill and the
Commendatare of Kilwynning wer commandit in ward, in the Palice of
Falkland." Diurnal, p. 71.)

But yit the letteris of Johne Knox maid all thingis to be used more circumspectlie; for he[779] did planelie foirwarne the Erle of Murray, that he espyed the Erle of Arrane to be stricken with phrenesy, and thairfoir willed not oure great credytt to be gevin unto his wordis and inventionis. And as he advertised, so it cam to pass; for within few dayis his seaknes increased; he devised of wonderouse signes that he saw in the heavin; he alledged that he was bewitched; he wold have bene in the Quenis bed, and affirmed that he was hir husband; and fynallie, he behaved him self in all thingis so foolishelie, that his phrenesy could not be hyd. And yit war the saidis Erle Bothwell and Abbott[780] of Kylwynning keapt in the Castell of Sanctandrois, and conventit[781] befoir the Counsall, with the said Earl of Arrane, who ever stoode ferme, that the Erle Boithwell proponed to him suche thingis as he advertissed the Quenis Grace of; but styflie denyed that his Father, the said Abbote, or freindis, knew any thing thairof, eathir yit that thei intended any violence against him; but alledged, that he was enchanted so to think and wryte. Whairat the Quene, heghlie offended, committed him to preasone, with the other two, first in the Castell of Sanctandrois, and thairafter caused thame to be convoyed to the Castell of Edinburgh. James Stewarte of Cardonall,[782] called Capitane James, was evill bruited [of], for the rigorous entreatment that he schew to the said Erle in his seaknes, being appointed keeper unto him.

[779] It is a peculiarity in Knox's chief amanuensis, always to write
"he" as "hie."

[780] In MS. G, "Mr. Gawin, Abbot," &c.

[781] In MSS. G, and L 4, "conveened."