Chapter III: Personis Subject to Discipline (6)

[840] The following is a brief notice of the Queen's progress in the
North of Scotland. She set out from Edinburgh, on horseback, on the
11th August 1562, dined that day at Calder, and then reached the
Palace of Linlithgow. Next day, after dinner, at Lord Livingstone's,
in Callander House, she came to Stirling Castle, where she remained
till the 18th. She proceeded to Aberdeen, where she arrived on the
27th, and remained till the 1st of September. Having changed her
purpose of visiting the Earl of Huntley, she proceeded, stopping at
places not so well prepared for her reception, passed the Spey, and
reached Elgin on the 4th. On the 8th she passed forward to Kinloss
Abbey; on the following day to Tarnaway Castle, the chief mansion of
the Earldom of Murray, where a Privy Council was held on the 10th of
September; and Lord James Stewart having resigned the title of Mar,
produced his patent, and assumed the title of Murray. Next day the
Queen reached Inverness. On the 15th she set out on her return,
stopping at Tarnaway and Spynie Castle, recrossed the Spey at
Fochabers, and reached Aberdeen on the 22d, where the inhabitants
shewed their loyalty on occasion of her public entry. Here she
remained till the 5th of November, during which time the fatal
conflict at Corrichie took place, ensuring the triumph of Murray, and
the ruin of Huntley, which Chalmers and other writers assert was the
chief object in inducing the Queen to undertake this journey. In her
return she passed through Dunottar, Montrose, Dundee, Perth, and
arrived at Holyrood on the evening of the 21st of November, after more
than three months' absence. See Chalmers's Life of Queen Mary, vol. i.
sect. iv.

[Sidenote: SO WAS THE DUCK, THE ERLIS ERGYLE, MURRAY, AND GLENCARNE, WITH ALL THAIR COMPANIES AFTER SERVED.][841]

[841] Being denounced rebels, in August and October 1565.--Some
letters in this marginal note, cut away by the binder, are supplied
from MS. G.

This was the begynning of farther truble; for the Erie of Huntley thairat offended, began to assemble his folkis, and spaired not to speak that he wold be revenged. But alwayes his Wyef bayre faire countenance to the Quene; and it is verrely supposed, that no other harme then the Quene hir self could easilie have stand content with, was ment unto hir awin persone. But the hoill malice lay upoun the Erie of Murray, Secreatarie Lethingtoun, and upoun the Lard of Pittarro. Yitt the Quene begane to be effrayed, and by proclamatioun caused warne Stryveling, Fyffe, Anguss, Mearness, and Straytherne, charge all substantiall men to be in Abirdene the fyfth day of October, thair to remane the space of twenty dayis. In hir returning from Innerness, sche required the Castell of Fynlater, which was lykewise denyed, and so was Auchendowne, which more inflammed the Quein. The Erie of Huntley was charged to caus deliver the said housses, under pane of treasson. To schaw some obedience, he caused the keyis of boyth to be presented by his servand, Mr. Thomas Keyr. But befoir had the Quene send young Capitane Stewarte, (sone to Capitane James,[842] who to this day hes neather bein stout, happye, nor trew,) with sex scoir of soldartis, to ly about the said place of Fynlater. They lodged in Culane, nott far distant from the said place. Upoun a nycht Johne Gordoun cam with a cumpany of horsemen, took the Capitane, slew certane of the soldiouris, and disarmed the rest. This fact, done (as the Quene alledged) under traist, so inflambed hir, that all hope of reconciliatioun was past; and so the said Erle of Huntley was charged, under pane of putting of him to the home, to present him self and the said Johne befoir the Quene and Counsall within sax dayis: whiche charge he disobeyed, and so was denunced rebell. Whitther it was law or not, we dispute litill thairintill; but it was a preparative to otheris that after war served with that same measure. He was sought at his place of Strathbogye, but eschaped.

[842] Apparently Capt. Alexander Stewart, son of Capt. James Stewart
of Cardonald, who is mentioned at page 329. On the 29th October 1562,
there was paid by the Queen's speciale command "to Capitane Moffet
ensinge to Capitane Stewart for his trew service done and to be done,
£66, 13s. 4d."

[Sidenote: 1562.]

The evill encreased, for the Erle assembled his folk out of all partes of the North. He martched forward towardis Abirdene, and upoun the twenty-twa day of October, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir twa yearis, cam to the Loch of Skein. His army was judged to sevin or aught hundreth men. The Quenis army, boyth in nomber and manhead, far surmounted his, and yitt he took no fear; for he was assured of the most parte of thame that war with the Quene, as the ishew did witness. Within the toune thei stood in great fear; and thairfoir it was concluded that thei wold assaile the uttermost upoun the feildis. The Forbesses, Hayes, and Leslyes, took the vantgard, and promessed to feght the said Erle without any other helpe. Thei passed furth of the toune before ten houris. Thei putt thame selfis in array, but thei approached not to the enemye till that the Erle of Murray and his cumpanye war come to the feildis, and that was efter two at efter none; for he was appointed with his cumpanye onlye to have beholden the battell. But all thingis turned otherwyese then the most parte of men supposed.

[Sidenote: THE ERLE OF HUNTLEYIS PRAYER.]

The Erle of Huntley was the nycht befoir determined to have retyred him self and his cumpanye; but that mornyng he could not be walkened before it was ten houres, and when he was up on foote his spreitis failed him, (be reassone of his corpolencie,) so that rychtlie a longe tyme he could do nothing. Some of his freindis, fearing the danger, left him. When that he looked upoun boyth the cumpanyes, he said, "This great cumpany that approcheth neyest to us will do us no harm, thei ar our freindis. I only fear yonder small cumpayne that stand upoun the hill-syd, yone ar our enemyes. But we ar anew for thame, yf God be with us." And when he had thus spoken, he fell upoun his knees, and maid his prayer in this forme. "O Lord, I have been a bloode thristye man, and by my meanes hes mekle innocent bloode bein spilt; but wilt thou geve me victory this day, and I shall serve thee all the dayis of my lyef."--Note and observe, good Readar, he confessed that be had bein a blood-thristy man, and that he had bein the cause of the schedding of much innocent bloode: but yitt wold he have had victorye; and what was that ellis, but to have had power to have schedd more, and then wold he have satisfied God for all togetther. Wherein is expressed the nature of hypocrytis, whiche neather farther feareth nor loveth God then present danger or proffeitt suadeth. But to our Historye.

[Sidenote: CORRECHY BURNE, OR FARA BANK.]

[Sidenote: THE TREASSONABLE FACT OF THE NORTH.]

[Sidenote: SECRETARIE LETHINGTOUN HIS ORISONE ATT CORRECHIE.]

The Leslyes, Hayes, and Forbesses, espying the Erle of Murray and his to be lyghted upoun thair foote, maid fordwarde against the Erle of Huntley and his, who stoode in Correchie Burne, (some call it Fara Bank;)[843] but or thei approched, ney by the space of the schote of ane arrow, they caist frome thame thair spearis and long weaponis, and fled directlie in the faces of the Erle of Murray and his company. The danger espyed, the Lard of Pettarro, a man boyth stout and of a reddy wytt, with the Maister, now Lord Lyndsay, and Tutour of Pettcur,[844] said, "Let us cast downe spearis to the formest, and lett thame nott come amanges us, for thair is no doubt but that this flying is by treassone." And so thei did: so that they that fled keapt thame selfis apart frome the few nomber that war marching upoun foote in ordour. The Erle of Huntley, seing the vantgard flie, said unto his company, "Oure freindis ar honest men, they have keapt promesse: lett us now rencounter the rest." And so he and his, as suyre of victorye, martched fordwarte.

[843] The battle of Corrichie takes its name from the vale or small
stream so called, in the parish of Mid-Mar, about twenty miles west of
Aberdeen. The hill of Fare is computed to be 1793 feet above the level
of the sea.

[844] This veteran has been several times mentioned by Knox: see vol.
i. p. 317; vol. ii. pp. 56, 63. It may be added that at a later period
of life he obtained a grant of the Commendatorship of the Priory of
Pittenweem. As elsewhere mentioned he died in 1588, aged seventy. He
was buried in the church of Dundee, and the inscription on his
monument, which, I believe, is still preserved, was published by
Monteith, in his "Theater of Mortality." Edinb. 1713, 8vo.

The Secreatarie, in few wordis, maid a vehement orisoun, and willed everie man to call upoun his God, to remember his deuitie, and nott to fear the multitude; and, in the end, concluded thus: "O Lord, thou that reullis the heavin and the earth, look upoun us thy servandis, whose bloode this day is most unjustlie sought, and to man's judgement is sold and betrayed: Our refuge is now unto thee and our hope is in thee. Judge thou, O Lord, this day, betwix us and the Erle of Huntley, and the rest of our ennemyes. Yf ever we have injustlie sought his or thair destructioun and bloode, lett us fall in the edge of the sweard. And, O Lord, yf thou knowest our innocencye, manteane thou and preserve us for thy great mercyes saik."

[Sidenote: THE RESPONSE OF THE ERLE OF HUNTLEIS WYTTCHES.]

[Sidenote: 12 JUNIJ, 1566.][845]

[845] In MS. G, this marginal date is inserted in the text.

Schort after the speaking of these and the lyke wordis, the formar rankis joyned, for Huntleyis cumpany maid great haist. They war repulsed by the Maister of Lyndsay, and the cumpanyes of Fyffe and Anguss. Some of thame that fledd returned, and followed the Erle of Murray, but gave na straykis till that Huntleyis cumpanye geve back. In the front thair war slane about eighteen or twenty-foure men, and in the fleyeing thair fell ney a hundreth. Thair was tacken a hundreth, and the rest war spaired. The Erle himself was tacken alyve; his two sons, Johne foirsaid, and Adam Gordoun, war tacken with him. The Erle, immediatlie after his tacken, departed this lyiff without any wound, or yitt appearance of any strock, whairof death might have enseued; and so, becaus it was laitt, he was cassen over-thorte a pair of crealles, and so was caryed to Abirdene, and was laid in the Tolbuyth thairof, that the response whiche his wyffis wyttches had gevin mycht be fulfilled, whay all affirmed (as the most parte say,) that that same nycht should he be in the Tolbuyth of Abirdene without any wound upoun his body. When his Lady gatt knowledge thairof, sche blamed hir principale witche, called Janet; but sche stoutlie defended hir self, (as the devill can ever do,) and affirmed that she geve a trew answer, albeit she spack nott all the treuth; for she knew that he should be thair dead:[846] but that could nott proffeit my Lady.[847] Scho was angrye and sorye for a seassone, but the Devill, the Messe, and wyttches have als great credyte of hir this day as thei had sevin yearis ago.

[846] In MS. L 4, all the words after "should be there dead," are
omitted.

[847] Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Robert Lord Keith, who with his
father William third Earl Marischal, was killed at Floddon in 1513.

The Erle of Murray send message unto the Quene of the mervalouse victorye, and humblie prayed hir to schaw that obedience to God as publictlie to convene with thame, to geve thankis unto God for his notable deliverance. Sche glowmed boyth at the messenger[848] and at the requeast, and skarselie wold geve a good worde or blyth countenance to any that sche knew earnest favoraris of the Erle of Murray, whose prosperitie was and yitt is, a verray vennoume to hyr boldened harte, against him for his godlynes and uprycht plainess. Of many dayes she bair no better countenance; whairby it myght have bene evidentlie espyed, that sche rejosed nott greatlie of the successe of that mater; and albeit sche caused execut Johne Gordoun and diverse otheris, yitt it was the destructioun of otheris that sche sought.

[848] In MS. 1566, "message."

[Sidenote: THE LADY FORBES HIR WOURDIS.]

Upoun the morow after the disconfiture, the Lady Forbess, a woman boyth wyese and fearing God, cam amangis many other to vesytt the corps of the said Erle; and seing him ly upoun the cold steanes, having onlye upoun him a doublat of cammoise, a pair of Scottishe gray hoise, and covered with ane arrass-work,[849] she said, "What stabilitie shall we judge to be into this world: thair lyeth he that yesterday in the morneyng was holden the wyesest, the richest, and a man of greatest power that was within Scotland." And in verray dead sche lyed nott; for, in mannis opinioun, under a prince, thair was not suche a one these thre hundreth yearis in this Realme produced. Bott felicitie and worldlye wisdome so blynded him, that in the end he perished in thame, as shall all those that dyspyse God, and trust in thame selfis.[850]

[849] In MS. L 4, "an Yrish work."

[850] In MS. G, in this place there is a marginal note, "Let utheris
that yet live mark this."

Johne Gordoun,[851] at his death, confessed many horrible thingis, devised by his father, by his brother, and by him self. Thair war letteris found in the Erles pocket, that disclosed the treassone of the Erle of Sutherland, and of diverse otheris. Mr. Thomas Keir, who befoir was the hole counsallour to the Erle foirsaid, disclosed whatsoever he understoode myght hurte the Gordones and thair freyndis: and so the treassone planelie disclosed, whiche was, that the Erle of Murray with certane otheris should have bene murthered in Strabogye; the Quene should have bene tane, and keapt at the devotioun of the said Erle of Huntley.

[851] See page 345, note 2.

[Sidenote: 1562.]

[Sidenote: MENIS JUDGEMENTIS OF THE QUENIS MARIAGE.]

These thingis (we say) reveilled, the Quene left the North,[852] and cam to Dondye, Sanct Johnestoun, Stirveling, and then to Edinburgh.[853] The Erle of Huntleyis body was caryed about in a boat,[854] and laid without buriall in the Abbay of Halyrudhouse, till the day of his forfaltour, as after shall be declaired.[855] The Duck apprehended the Lord Gordoun[856] his sone in law, becaus that the Quene had straitlie commanded him so to do, yf he repaired within his boundis. Befoir he delivered him, the Erle of Murray laubored at the Quenis hand for the saiftye of his lyeff, which hardly was granted; and so was he delivered within the Castell of Edinburgh, the twenty-aught day of November, whair he remaned till the aught of Februare, when he was put to ane assise, accused, and convict of treassone; but was restored agane, first to the Castell foirsaid, and thairafter was transported to Dumbar, whair he remaned preasoner till the moneth of August, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir fyve yearis, as we will after hear.

[852] In MS. L 4, this sentence reads, "These thingis thus reveilled,
the Quene returned shortlie efter, leaving the Thesaurer, Mr. James
M^c Gill, Mr. John Spence of Condie, and the Laird of Pittarrow in
Aberdene, to compone for the eschetes of those who were in the fields
with the Erle of Huntlie." Calderwood (Hist. vol. ii. p. 200) copies
these words verbatim. The Treasurer in his Accounts from February
1561-2 to February 1562-3, charges himself with £3542, 6s. 8d., as the
composition of various persons in the North for assisting, &c. George
Earl of Huntley, "in Campo de Correchie, in mense Oct. ult." In
October £33 was paid to Archibald Earl of Argyle, Lord Justice, and
£62 to Sir John Bellenden, Justice Clerk, for the time they remained
in Aberdeen. "Item, to John Johnstoun, Clerk of the Secreit Counsel,
for his extraordinar wagis and ane servand, awaiting upoun the Quenis
grace and Lordis of hir Secreit Counsel, all the tyme fra hir Grace
departing furth of Edinburgh towart the North partis, fra the first
day of August, 1562 zeris, to the last day of November in the said
zeir, extending to 122 dayis, &c. £100."

[853] On the 21st November.

[854] The following payments in the Treasurer's Accounts, confirm this
notice of the Earl's contemplated forfeiture:--

1562, November, Item to Patrick Hume,
for the fraucht of his schip, of Abirdene
to Leith, £10
--for the carriage of ane kist, quhairin
wes contenit my Lord of Huntleis
bodie, of Leith to Edinburgh, 4s.
--for bandis for the same, 10s.
--to Robert Hendersone, chirurgen, for
expensis maid be him upoun spicis,
vinagre, acquavitie, pulderis, odouris,
and hardis, with sindrie utheris necessaris,
and for his laubouris in the
handeling of the said Erle of Huntleis
bodie that it suld nocht putrefie, as
compt gevin in be the said Robert,
beris £28, 3s. 4d.

[855] See _infra_, page 380.

[856] George Lord Gordon was the second son of the Earl of Huntley. He
succeeded his elder brother Alexander Lord Gordon, who died in 1553,
without issue. Alexander married Lady Margaret, the second daughter,
and George, Lady Anne, the third daughter of the Duke of
Chattelherault. On his father's death at Corrichie, George became
fifth Earl of Huntley. But being apprehended, he was convicted of
treason on the 8th February 1562-3, his estates forfeited, and he
himself sentenced to be executed. The latter part of the sentence
however being delayed, he was sent to Dunbar Castle, where he remained
a prisoner until August 1565. He was then restored to favour, and
adhered to the Queen's party. He was advanced to be Lord Chancellor in
March 1566, and after several changes of fortune, he died in 1576.

In this meantyme the trubles war hote in France; and the intelligence and outward familiaritie betwix the two Quenis was great. Lethingtoun was direct with large commissioun both to the Quene of England and unto the Guisianes. The mariage of our Queyn was in all mannis mouth. Some[857] wold have Spaine; some the Emperouris brother; some Lord Robert Dudlye; some Duck de Nemours; and some unhappilie gessed at the Lord Darnlye. What Lethingtounis credyte was, we know not; but schorte after thair began much to be talked of the Erle of Levenox, and of his sone, the Lord Darnlye. It was said that Lethingtoun spack the Lady Margarete Dowglass,[858] and that Robert Melven[859] receaved ane horse to the Secreatare's use, fra the Erle of Levenox, or from his wyff. Howsoever it was, Maister Foullare, servand to the said Erle, cam with letteris to the Quenis Grace, by the which, licence was permitted to the Erle of Levenox to cum to Scotland, to travell in his lauchfull busynes. That same day that the licence was granted, the said Secreatarye said, "This day have I tacken the deadlie haiterent of all the Hamyltonis within Scotland, and have done unto thame no less displeasur than that I had cutted thair throttis."

[857] Of the five persons here named, who were proposed as husband to
Queen Mary, the first was Don Carlos, Infant of Spain, son of Philip
the Second, born in 1545, and died in 1568. The next was the Archduke
Charles, a younger son of the Emperor Ferdinand the First, and brother
of Maximilian the Second, born in 1540, and died in 1596. The third
was Lord Robert Dudley, the favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who created
him Earl of Leicester, born in 1532, and died in 1588. The fourth was
James (of the house of Savoy) Duke de Nemours, born in 1531, and died
in 1585. He was reckoned as "l'un des plus beaux Princes de son tems,
et des plus braves, fut liberal, magnifique, et sçavoit des langues."
In 1566, he married Anne d'Este, widow of Francis Duke de Guise.
(Anselme, Hist. Geneal. vol. iii. p. 512.) The last was Henry Lord
Darnley, eldest son of Matthew Earl of Lennox, born 1545, and whom she
afterwards married, 29th July 1565.

[858] See page 335, note 2.

[859] Robert Melvin or Melville, the second son of Sir John Melville
of Raith. In May 1555, "Robert Melville, servand to the Quenis Grace,
received be hir speciale command," the sum of £50; and in September
following, £75, as his pension for the Whitsunday term, that year. He
had long resided at the Court of France, during the reign of Henry the
Second; and was afterwards much employed in public affairs. He was
knighted in 1582, and was raised to the Peerage, by the title of Lord
Melville of Monimail, in 1616, having survived till 1621, when he died
at the very advanced age of 94.

The Erle Bothwell, who befoir had brocken ward, fearing apprehensioun, prepared to pas to France; but by storme of weather was dryven into England, whair he was stayed, and was offerred to have bein randered by the Quene of England. But our Quenis ansuer was, "That he was no rebell, and thairfoir sche requeasted that he should have libertie to pas whair it pleiseth him."[860] And thairto Lethingtoun helped not a litill; for he travailled to have freindis in everie factioun of the Courte. And so obteined the said Erle licence to pas to France.

[860] In MS. G, "quhair he pleased."

[Sidenote: THE PREACHEOURIS RAILLED UPOUN OF THE COURTEOURIS.]

[Sidenote: THE PREACHERIS ADMONITIOUN AFTER THE DEATH OF THE ERLE HUNTLEY.]

[Sidenote: HUNTLYE.][861]

[861] In MS. G, "mening of Huntlie."

[Sidenote: LET THE WARLDE JUDGE NOWE, 1571, FOR LETHINGTOUN THEN WAS THE FATHER OF ALL MISCHEIF.[862]

[862] In MS. 1566, the marginal note at the top of the next page,
judging from the different hand and colour of ink, was evidently added
in 1571. The words "then was," refer to the year 1562-3. The note
occurs in MS. G, with this addition, "then was (as he is now)."

The wynter after the death of the Erle of Huntley, the Courte remaned for the maist part in Edinburgh. The Preacheouris war wonderous vehement in reprehensioun of all maner of vice, which then began to habound; and especiallie avarice, oppressioun of the poor, excesse, ryotouse chear, banketting, immoderat dansing, and hurdome, that thairof enseuis. Whairat the Courteouris began to storme, and began to pyck querrallis against the Preachearis, alledging that all thair preaching was turned to raylling. Whairunto one of thame gave ansuer as followeth: "It cumis to our earis that we ar called raillaris, whairof albeit we wounder, yitt we ar not eschamed, seing that the most worthy servandis of God that befoir us have travalled in this vocatioun, have so bein styled. But unto you do I say, that that same God, who from the begyning has punished the contempt of his word, and hes poured furth his vengeance upoun such proude mockaris, shall not spair you; yea, he shall not spair you befoir the eyis of this same wicked generatioun, for the pleasur whairof ye dispyse all holsome admonitionis. Have ye not sein ane greattar than any of you sitting whair presentlie ye sitt, pyck his naillis, and pull down his bonet ower his eyis, when idolatrie, witchecraft, murther, oppressioun, and such vices war rebuked? Was not his commoun talk, When thei knaiffis have railled thair fill, then will thei hald thair peace? Have ye not heard it affirmed to his awin face, that God should revenge that his blasphemy, evin in the eyis of such as war witnesses to his iniquitie? Then was the Erle Huntley accused by you, as the manteanar of idolatrie, and only hinderar of all good ordour. Him hes God punished, evin according to the threatnyngis that his and your earis heard; and by your handis hath God executed his judgementis. But what amendment in any caise can be espyed in you? Idolatrie was never in greattar rest: vertew and verteouse men war never in more contempt: vice was never more bold, nor less feared punishement. And yitt who guydis the Quene and Court? Who but the Protestantis? O horrible sclanderaris of God, and of his holie evangell. Bettir it war unto you plainelie to renunce Christ Jesus, then thus to expone his blessed Evangell to mockage. Yf God punishe not you, that this same aige shall see and behold your punishement,[863] the Spreit of rychteous judgement guydis me not."

[863] In MS. G, is this marginal note, which cannot be attributed to
the author:--"The end declared thair words to be trew." Lethington, it
is well known, having adhered to the Queen's party, he remained in the
Castle of Edinburgh during the whole time of the siege by the English
troops in 1573, until its surrender, under promise that the Governor
and his associates should be favourably treated. But Queen Elizabeth
delivered them up to their implacable enemy the Regent Morton; and
Lethington was with Kirkaldy of Grange, and the other prisoners,
carried to Leith; but whether it was his own act, to save the disgrace
of a public execution, or that of others, he died, "not without
suspicion of poison," on the 9th June 1573.

[Sidenote: THE DEFENCE OF THE COURTEOURIS.]

This vehemence provocked the hatterent, not onlie of the Courteouris, but also of diverse otheris against the speakar;[864] for such as be in credyte never lack flatteraris. "Thair brethren of the Courte war irreverentlie handilled. What was that, but to raise the heartis of the people against thame? Thei did what thei myght; such speaking wold cause thame do less." And this was the frute the Preachearis gatthered of thair just reprehensionis.

[864] In MS. G, "the speaker, quhilk was John Knox."

[Sidenote: 1562.]

[Sidenote: THE QUENIS PRACTISE.]

The Generall Assemblie of the Churche,[865] holden the twenty-fyve of December, the year of God 1562, approched, in the which, great complentis war maid, that churches lacked Ministeris; that Ministeris lacked thair stipendis; that wicked men war permitted to be School-maisteris, and so to infect the youth; amongis whom one Maister Robert Cumyn, school-maister in Aberbrothok, was compleaned upoun by the Laird of Dun,[866] and sentence was pronunced against him. It was farther compleaned, that idolatrie was erected in diverse partis of the Realme; for redress whairof, some thought best, that new supplicatioun should be presented to the Quenis Grace. Otheris demanded, what ansuer was receaved of the formar? The Superintendent of Lowtheane confessed the deliverance of it, "But," said he, "I receaved no ansuer." It was ansuered for the parte of the Quene, (for hir suppostis war ever thair,) "That it was weill knawin to the hoill Realme what trubles had occurred since the last Assemblie; and thairfoir, that thei should not wounder albeit that the Quene had not ansuered: but betwix that and the Parliament which was appointed in May, thei doubted not but that such ordour should be tacken, as all men should have occasioun to stand content." This satisfyed, for that tyme, the hoill assemblie: And this was the practise of the Quene and of hir Counsall, with fair wordis to dryve tyme, as befoir we have said.

[865] In MS. G, "of the Kirk."

[866] John Erskine of Dun, Superintendent of Angus and Mearns.
Calderwood repeats this notice, and says, that Cumming was accused
"for infecting the youth committed to his charge with idolatrie."

The Assemblie, nochtwithstanding, proceided fordward in establessing of such ordouris, as whairby vice myght be punished, and vertew myght be manteaned. And becaus that thair was a great sclander rissen upoun Paule Meffen,[867] of whom mentioun is maid in the Secound Booke of this Historie, commissioun and charge was gevin unto Johne Knox, minister of Edinburgh, and unto certane of the eldaris of the Kirk of Edinburgh, to pass to the toune of Jedburgh, whair the said sclander was rased, and to be found thair the thrid of Januar nixt, for the tryall to be tane in the sclander rased, and to hear the articules and complaynt of the said Paule; and after the tryall, to report the treuth to the Sessioun of the Churche of Edinburgh; to whom, with the assistance of the Superintendent of Lowthiane, commissioun was gevin to decern thairintill. The tryall and examinatioun of that cryme was difficill. The sclander was universall in that toune and countrey. The servand woman of the said Paule had betwix termes left his house; sche had borne a child; no father to it could she fynd; but alledged hir self to have bein oppressed late in ane evening. The said Paule constantlie affirmed him self innocent, and wold have gevin his publict purgatioun; but becaus that his accusatouris had tacken upoun thame to prove thair accusatioun, that was denyed. Many witnesses war produced, of whom some deponed so clearlie, that the Commissionaris suspected that thei had bene suborned, and thairfoir thei requyred to have inspectioun of the places, whair some said thei saw, and some said thei heard thame in the verray act of iniquitie. The syght and consideratioun of the places augmented greatlie the suspitioun. But one thing was most suspitiouse of all otheris; for the wyiff of the said Paull, ane auncient matron, was absent from him the space of aucht or nyne weakis in Dundye; which tyme (or at least a great part thairof) thei suspected, and he lay nyghtlie in ane house, without other cumpany than a child of sevin or eight yearis of aige.

[867] Knox has previously mentioned Paul Methven as an active and
zealous preacher, (vol. i. p. 300.) The proceedings against him by
order of the Assembly, contained in the Book of the Kirk, consist of
extracts from Calderwood. Knox was appointed on the 30th December
1562, to proceed to Jedburgh, and on the 3d of January to take trial
of the slander raised against Methven. At the next General Assembly,
on the 25th June 1563, Knox reported that Methven had been removed
from his charge, and excommunicated.

[Sidenote: HEIR THE INIQUITIE OF PAULL MEFFEN WAS CLEARLIE PROVEN]

The Judges, notwithstanding these suspitionis, haveing a good opinioun of the honestye and godlynes of the man, travalled what thei could (conscience not hurte) to purge him of the sclander. But God, who wold not that such vilanye should be clocked and conceiled within his Churche, otherwyese had decreed; for he brought the brother of the gyltie woman to the toune, having no mind of such materis, who being produced by the accusatouris, as one that was prevey of the fact, and knew the veritie with all circumstances: This witness, (we say,) which could not be suspected, being produced, maid the mater so plane and clear, that all suspitioun was removed; for he it was that convoyed the woman away; he it was that caused the child to be baptised, alledging it to be his awin: he it was that caryed frequent message betwix thame, and from Paull caryed money and claythis diverse tymes. How soon that ever the said Paule saw that man produced, as witnesse, he withdrew himself, and left the toune, by that mean plainlie tacken upon him the cryme; and so the Commissionaris with full informatioun returned to Edinburgh, and notified the fact unto the Churche, who caused publictlie summond the said Paull to hear the sentence pronunced; who not compearing, in the end, for his odiouse cryme and contumacye, was publictlie excommunicated, and depryved of all functioun within the Churches of Scotland: and so left he the Realme.

For two causes we insert this horrible fact, and the ordour keapt in punishment of the same: formar, To foirwarne such as travaill in that vocatioun, that, according to the admonitioun of the Apostle, "Suche as stand, tack head lest thei fall." No man in the begyning of the Evangell was judged more fervent and more upryght, and yit we have heard how far Sathane has prevailled against him. God grant that we may hear of his reapentance.[868] Neather yitt aught his fall any thing to prejudge the authoritie of the doctrin which he taucht; for the doctrin of God have authoritie of no creature, but has the assurance of God him self, how weak or imperfite that ever the instrumentis be by whom it pleases God to publishe the same. The treason of Judas, the adulterie of David, and the abnegatioun of Petir, did derogat nothing to the glorie of Christis evangell, nor yit to the doctrin which befoir thei had taught; but declaired the one to be a reprobat, and the other to be instrumentis in whome mercy must neadis surmount judgement. The other caus is, That the world may see what difference thair is betwix light and darknes, betwix the uprychtness of the Churche of God, and the corruptioun that ringes in the synagoge of Sathan, the Papisticall rable; for how many of that sorte hath bein, and still remane openlie knowin hooremongaris, adulteraris, violataris of virgenis, yea, and committaris of such abhominationis as we will nott name; and yit ar thei called and permitted to be Bischoppis, Archbischoppis, Cardinallis, and Papis thame selfis. For what synnes can unable the sworn servandis of Simonye, and of his father the devill? For bragg what thei lyst of Christ, of Petir, and of Paule, thair lyves and conversationis bearis witnesse whom to they belong. But we return to our Historye of thingis done in Courte.

[868] The writer of the Fifth or Supplemental Book of the present
work, notices Methven's contrition and public repentance; and his
earnest desire to be received again into church-fellowship. It does
not appear that he was permitted to resume his ministerial functions.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: CHATTELETT AND THE QUENE.]

[Sidenote: THE QUENIS DESYRE CONCERNYNG CHATTELETTIS DEATH.]

Amongis the monzeonis of the Courte,[869] thair was one named Monsieur Chattelett,[870] a Frencheman, that at that tyme passed all otheris in credytt with the Quene. In dansing of the Purpose, (so terme thei that danse, in the which man and woman talkis[871] secreatlie--wyese men wold judge such fassionis more lyke to the bordell than to the comelynes of honest women,) in this danse the Quene chosed Chattelett, and Chattelett took the Quene. Chattelett had the best dress. All this wynter Chattelett was so familiare in the Quenis cabinett, ayre and laitt, that scarslye could any of the Nobilitie have access unto hir. The Quene wold ly upoun Chattelettis shoulder, and sometymes prively she wold steall a kyss of his neck. And all this was honest yneuch; for it was the gentill entreatment of a stranger. But the familiaritie was so great, that upoun a nycht, he privelie did convoy him self under the Quenis bed; but being espyed, he was commanded away. But the bruyte arysing, the Quene called the Erle of Murray, and bursting furth in a womanlie affectioun, charged him, "That as he loved hir, he should slay Chattelett, and let him never speak word." The other, at the first, maid promesse so to do; but after calling to mynd the judgementis of God pronunced against the scheddaris of innocent bloode, and also that none should dye, without the testimonye of two or thre witnesses, returned and fell upoun his kneis befoir the Quene, and said, "Madam, I beseak your Grace, cause not me tack the blood of this man upoun me. Your Grace hes entreated him so familiarlie befoir, that ye have offended all your Nobilitie; and now yf he shalbe secreatlie slane at your awin commandiment, what shall the world judge of it? I shall bring him to the presence of Justice, and let him suffer be law according to his deserving." "Oh," said the Quene, "ye will never let him speak?" "I shall do," said he, "Madam, what in me lyeth to saiff your honour."

[869] The following account of Chastelard, in MS. L 4, is introduced
with a passage relating to "Danvill, son to Annas Montmorrencie,
Constable of France," who had accompanied "the Guises to Scotland;"
but the reference, "as Thuanus sayeth," clearly shews it to be a
subsequent interpolation. "When he (Danvill) departed, he left behind
him Monsieur Chattellet, nephew to the famous knyght Pierr Tertall, by
his daughter. Whill he is left a brocker between Danvill and the
Queen, he lauboured to conquist hir affection to himself. He passed
all others in credit," &c. See Cald. Hist. vol. ii. p. 211. It may be
added, in reference to this MS. L 4, that it corresponds very closely
with the MS. portion of Mr. M'Crie's copy of Vautrollier's edition;
and the latter was probably the copy that Calderwood the Historian
made use of, as his extracts correspond with it, and the MS. additions
resemble the handwriting of his amanuensis.

[870] The name of Chastelard, among other varieties by different
writers, occurs as Chatelar, Chastellet, Charterlet, Chatillon. But we
cannot well identify him with a person of nearly the same name who had
been attached to the household of the Queen Regent in 1555, as appears
from this entry in the Treasurer's Accounts, on the 7th
January:--"Item, Given to _Franschois Chattillihon_, kepar of the
Quenis Grace chalmer dur, be ane precept and speciale command at his
departing to Fransche--1 lb." (£50.)

Chastelard arrived in Scotland in 1561, as one of the suite of M. de
Damville. He returned with him to France; but in November 1562, he
again visited Scotland as the bearer of letters to the Queen. He
remained about the Court until the 12th of February 1562-3, the night
when he concealed himself in the Queen's bed-chamber in the Palace of
Holyrood. He followed her to Fife, and two days later, he was
discovered, as Knox relates, at Burntisland, and being arrested, he
was conveyed and tried at St. Andrews, where he was executed on the
22d February 1562-3. No account of his trial has been preserved, the
scroll Court-book of Justiciary, from May 1562 to May 1563, being
lost. (Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. i. p. 427.)

[871] In MS. G, "talketh."

Poor Chattelett was brocht back from Kinghorne to Sanctandrois, examinat, putt to ane assise, and so beheaded, the twenty-twa day of Februar, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir twa. He begged licence to wryte to Fraunce the cause of his death, which, said he, in his toung, was, "Pour estre trouvé en lieu trop suspect;" that is, "Becaus I was found in a place too much suspect." At the place of executioun, when he saw that thair was no remeady but death, he maid a godly confessioun, and granted, that his declyning from the treuth of God, and following of vanitie and impietie, was justlie recompensed upoun him. But in the end he concluded, looking unto the heavenis, with these words, "O cruelle Dame," that is, "Cruell Maistress."[872] What that complaint imported, luvaris may devine. And so receaved Chattelett the reward of his dansing; for he lacked his head, that his toung should nott utter the secreattis of our Quene. "Deliver us, O Lord, from the raige of such inordinat reullaris."

[872] Brantome has given a tolerably full account of Chastelard, and
says, he was a gentleman of Dauphinè, and grand-nephew on the mother's
side of the celebrated M. de Bayard. On the day of his execution, he
says, when brought to the scaffold, he took into his hands the hymns
of the French poet Ronsard, "et, pour son éternelle consolation, se
mit à lire tout entiérement l'hymne de la mort, _qui est tres-bien
fait, et propre pour ne point abhorrer la mort_; ne s'aydent autrement
d'autre livre spirituel, ny de Ministre, ny de Confesseur." He then
adds that Chastelard turned to the place where he supposed the Queen
to be, and cried aloud,--"Adieu, the most beautiful and the most cruel
Princess of the world." (Oeuvres, tome ii. p. 357.) Randolph, however,
says, "he died with repentance." (Tytler's Hist. vol. vi. p. 274)

[Sidenote: THE PUNISHMENT OF GOD FOR MANTEYNYNG AND ERECTING OF THE MESSE.]

[Sidenote: DEARTH AND FAMYN IN THE NORTH.]

The year of God a thousand fyve hundreth threscoir thre yearis, thair was ane universall dearth in Scotland. But in the northland, whair the harvest befoir the Quene had travailled, thair was ane extreame famyn, in the qubilk many dyed in that countrey. The dearth was great ower all, but the famyn was principallie thair. The boll of wheat gave sax pound: the boll of bear, sax markis and ane half: the boll of meill, four markis: the boll of aittis, fyfty schillingis: ane ox to draw in the pleuch, xx markis: a weddir, thretty schillingis. And so all thingis apperteanyng to the sustentatioun of man, in tripill and more exceaded thair accustomed prices. And so did God, according to the threatnyng of His law, punish the idolatrie of our wicked Quene, and our ingratitud, that suffered hir to defyle the land with that abominatioun agane, that God so potentlie had purged, by the power of his wourd. For the ryotouse feasting, and excessive banquetting, used in Court and countrey, whair soevir that wicked Woman repaired, provocked God to stryck the staff of braid, and to geve his maledictioun upoun the fructis of the earth.[873] But, O allace, who looked, or yit lookis to the very cause of all our calamities.

[873] Bishop Keith animadverts with some severity on Knox's language
in thus attributing this dearth and high price of provisions "as an
immediate punishment upon what he calls 'the idolatry of our wicked
rulers.'" (Hist. vol. ii. p. 193.) He also quotes an Act of Privy
Council, 11th February 1562-3, against eating flesh during the season
of Lent, because, as the Act bears, "The cattle had suffered much by
the tempestuous storms of the winter bypast."

[Sidenote: PASCH OR EASTER.]

Lethingtoun was absent, as befoir we have heard, in the Quenis effairis.[874] The Papistis, at that Pasche,[875] anno lxiij^o, in diverse partis of the Realme, had erected up that idoll, the Messe; amongis whom the Bisshope of Sanctandrois, the Priour of Whithorne,[876] with diverse otheris of thair factioun, wold avow it. Besydis the first proclamatioun, thair had letteris past in the contrair, with certificatioun of death to the contraveanar.

[874] On the 13th February 1562-3, "Williame Maitland apperand of
Lethingtoun, and Secretar to our Soverane Ladie, depairtit furth of
Edinburgh to France in ambassatorie, to quhat effect none knowis."
(Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 75.) Keith has printed from what he calls
"the Shattered MS.," the "Instructions by the Queen of Scots to her
Secretary, Mr. William Maitland, younger of Lethingtoun." (Hist. vol.
ii. p. 188.) They have reference, however, to his mission to Queen
Elizabeth, and not to the Court of France. The date, 12th February
1562-3, is confirmed by a letter quoted by Mr. Tytler, vol. vi. p.
275.

[875] Easter Sunday, 11th April.

[876] Whitehorn or Candida Casa, was a Priory in Wigtonshire, founded
in the reign of David the First, by Fergas, Lord of Galloway. The
Commendator here mentioned was Malcolm Fleming, supposed to be a
younger son of John second Lord Fleming, who died in 1524. Dns.
Malcolmus Flemyng Vicarius chori Glasg., was incorporated in the
University of Glasgow, 29th October 1519. He was Commendator and
Vicar-General of the Diocese of Galloway, in December 1541. His name
as Commendator occurs in February 1515-6, (Chalmers's Caledonia, vol.
iii. pp. 439, 419.) Also, in 1565, (ib. p. 432.) He died intestate in
the year 1568. John Lord Fleming being "decernit executor dative."
(Register of Confirmed Testaments.)

[Sidenote: THE STOUTNES OF THE PROTESTANTIS IN THE WEST.][877]

[877] This marginal note is omitted in MS. G.

The brethren universallie offended, and espying that the Quene, by hir proclamationis, did but mock thame, determined to put to thair awin handis, and to punishe for example of otheris. And so some Preastis in the westland war apprehended, intimatioun maid unto otheris, (as unto the Abbot of Crossraguell,[878] the Parsone of Sanquhair,[879] and such,) that thei should nether complayne to Quene nor Counsall, but should execute the punishment that God has appointed to idolateris in his law, by such means as thei mycht, whairever thei should be apprehended.

[878] Quintin Kennedy, Abbot of Crossraguell in Ayrshire, (see
_supra_, pp. 351, 352.)

[879] Mr. Robert Creichton was Parson of Sanquhar, in Dumfries-shire,
and Canon of Glasgow, in 1549. He was educated at the College of
Glasgow, being incorporated in 1521. He died 16th January 1570-1.
(Register of Confirmed Testaments.)

[Sidenote: JOHNE KNOX SEND FOR BY THE QUENE.]

The Quene stormed at sick fredome of speaking, but she could not amend it; for the Spreit of God, of boldness and of wisdom, had not then left the most part of such as God had used instrumentis in the begynyng. Thei war of one mynd to manteane the treuth of God, and to suppresse idolatrie. Particularties had not divided thame; and thairfoir could not the devill, working in the Quene and Papistis, do then what thei wold; and, thairfoir, she began to invent a new craft. She send for Johne Knox to come unto hir, whair she lay at Lochleaven.[880] She travailled with him earnestlie two houris befoir hir suppar, that he wold be the instrument to perswaid the people, and principallie the gentilmen of the West, not to put handis to punishe any man for the using of thame selfis in thair religioun as pleased thame. The other perceaving hir craft, willed hir Grace to punishe malefactouris according to the lawis, and he durst promesse quietness upoun the part of all thame that professed the Lord Jesus within Scotland. But yf hir Majestie thought to delude the lawis, he said, he feared that some wold lett the Papistis understand, that without punishement, thei should not he suffered so manifestlie to offend Goddis Majestie.

[880] This interview is supposed to have taken place on the 13th April
1563. On the 15th of that month the Queen removed from Lochlevin to
Perth.

[Sidenote: REASSONYNG BETWIX THE QUENE AND JOHNE KNOX.]

" Will ye," quod sche, "allow that thei shall tack my sweard in thair hand?"

"The Sweard of Justice," quod he, "Madam, is Goddis, and is gevin to Princes and reuallaris for ane end, which, yf thei transgresse, spairing the wicked, and oppressing innocentis, thei that in the fear of God executis judgement, whair God hes commanded, offendis not God, althought Kingis do it not; neather yitt synne thei that brydillis kingis to stryek innocent men in thair raige. The examples ar evident; for Samuell feared not to slay Agag, the fat and delicate king of Amalech, whom king Saule had saved. Neather spaired Helias Jesabellis fals propheittis, and Baallis preastis, albeit that king Achab was present. Phyneas was no magistrat, and yit feared he not to stryek Cosby and Zimbrye in the verray act of fylthie fornicatioun. And so, Madam, your Grace may see that otheris then cheaf magistrattis may lauchfullie punishe, and hes punished, the vice and crymes that God commandis to be punished. And in this case I wold earnestlie pray your Majestie to tack good advisement, and that your Grace should lett the Papistis understand, that thair attemptatis will not be suffered unpunissed. For power, be Act of Parliament, is gevin to all judges within thair awin boundis, to searche mesmongaris, or the heareris of the same, and to punishe thame according to the law. And thairfoir it shalbe profitable to your Majestie, to considder what is the thing your Grace's subjectis lookis to receave of your Majestie, and what it is that ye aught to do unto thame by mutuall contract. Thei ar bound to obey you, and that not but in God. Ye ar bound to keape lawis unto thame. Ye crave of thame service: thei crave of you protectioun and defence against wicked doaris. Now, Madam, yf ye shall deny your dewtie unto thame, (which especialle craves that ye punishe malefactouris) think ye to receave full obedience of thame? I feare, Madam, ye shall not."

Heirwith, she being somewhat offended, passed to hir suppar. The said Johne Knox left hir, informed the Erle of Murray of the hoill reassonyng, and so departed of finall purpose to have returned to Edinburgh, without any farther communicatioun with the Quene: But befoir the sonne, upoun the morne, war two direct (Watt Melven was the one[881]) to him, commanding him not to departe whill that he spack the Quenis Majestie; which he did, and met hir at the halking[882] be-weast Kynross. Whitther it was the nychttis sleape, or a deape dissimulation lokked in hir breast, that maid hir to forget hir formar anger, wyese men may doubt; but thairof sche never moved word, but began diverse other purposses; such as the offering of a ring to hir by the Lord Ruthven,[883] "Whome," said she, "I can not love, (for I know him to use enchantment,) and yit is he maid one of my Privy Counsall."

[881] In MS. G, "war two directed, (Walter Melvill was the
one.)"--Walter Melville, a younger son of Sir John Melville of Raith,
was in the Queen Regent's service, and at the time of her death
received £30. At this time he was in the Queen's service. He
afterwards became one of the gentlemen of the Earl of Murray's
chamber. His brother, Sir James Melville, in reference to him and
Kirkaldy of Grange, says, "Quhilk twa tint him sa schone (soon) as he
became Regent, and lykwise my self; for we had bene famyliar with him,
and had assisted him in all his troubles; but when he was Regent, wald
reprove, admonish, and tell his faltis, wherby we tint his favour. And
uthers that had ny bene in his contrair befoir, cam in and flatterit
him in his proceedings, and bekkit wery laiche to him, calling him
'Your Grace,' at ilk word, &c." (Memoirs, Bann. Club, edit. p. 260.)

[882] Hawking appears to have been a favourite pastime of the Queen.
In April 1562, Matthew Ker succeeded James Lindesay as "Maister
Falconar." In the same month £20 was paid to two persons, "passand of
Edinburgh to Scheitland for halkis."

[883] Patrick Lord Ruthven. His grandson, John second Earl Gowrye, was
also accused of dealing in magic.

"Whome blamis your Grace," said the other, "thairof?"

"Lethingtoun," said she, "was the haill cause."

"That man is absent," said he, "for this present, Madam; and thairfoir I will speak nothing in that behalf."

"I understand," said the Quene, "that ye ar appointed to go to Drumfreise, for the electioun of a Superintendent to be establessed in thai countreys."

"Yis," said he, "those quarteris have great nead, and some of the gentilmen so require."

"But I hear," said she, "that the Bischope of Athenis[884] wold be Superintendent."

[884] In MS. G, "the Bishop of Cathenis;" (but the marginal note in
that MS. reads correctly "Bishop of Athens.") This error in the
printed copies has led Mr. Tytler and others into the mistake of
saying, that the Queen here referred to "the Bishop of Caithness." The
titular Archbishop of Athens, Alexander Gordon, afterwards Bishop of
Galloway, &c., (see page 259, note 10,) was undoubtedly the person
alluded to.

"He is one," said the other, "Madam, that is put in electioun."

"Yf ye knew him," said sche, "als weall as I do, ye wold never promote him to that office, nor yit to any other within your Kirk."

"What he hes bein," said he, "Madam, I neather know, nor yitt will I enquyre; for, in tyme of darkness, what could we do but grop and go wrang evin as darkness caryed us? But yf he fear not God now, he deceaves many ma then me. And yitt, (said he,) Madam, I am assured God will not suffer his Churche to be so far deceaved as that ane unworthy man shalbe elected, whair free electioun is, and the Spreit of God is earnestlie called upoun to decyd betwix the two."

[Sidenote: THE QUENIS JUDGEMENT OF THE BISCHOPE OF ATHENIS.]

"Weall," says she, "do as ye will, but that man is a dangerouse man."[885]

[885] In the proceedings of the General Assemblies, held between June
1562 and August 1575, (or less than three months of his death,) Bishop
Gordon's name frequently occurs. Having petitioned the Assembly in
June 1562, it was declared, the Assembly "cannot acknowledge him for a
Superintendent lawfully called for the present, but offered unto him
their aid and assistance, if the Kirks of Galloway shall suit
(solicit), and the Lords present;" and enjoins him to subscribe the
Book of Discipline, (although he seems actually to have done so in
1561: see page 258.) On the 29th December 1562, the Assembly nominated
for that office, "Mr. Alexander Gordon, entituled Bishop of Galloway,
and Mr. Robert Post, minister of Dunkell;" and ordered the
inauguration of the person elected to take place in the Parish Kirk of
Dumfries, "on the last Lord's day of April." The election, as Knox
intimates, did not take place. But Gordon was continued as
Commissioner for planting and visiting the churches of that diocese;
although there were frequent complaints made against him.