of Easter a Catholic priest had been seized by
the people in the act of saying mass, and with
his sacerdotal habit and a chalice of the sacra-
mental wine tied to his hand, he had been bound
to the market-cross of Edinburgh, and there
pelted with filth and mud, which the mob called
serving him with his Easter eggs. The greatest
zealot against Popery of the present day will
surely excuse Mary for attempting to put an end
to outrages such as this; but whether it were that
the intolerance of her people provoked a reaction
or (which was more likely) that she was drawn
in by her uncle the cardinal, Mary took another
step of a more questionable nature, and joined
the
great Catholic alliance, which was headed by
France and Spain, and had been carried to an
iniquitous height of cruelty and treachery by a
meeting of Roman bigots at Bayonne, in 1564.

It may, however, be said in palliation, that Mary
was doubtless ignorant of the extent of this foul
confederacy against religious liberty as well as of
the atrocious means intended, and that the power
and ill-humour of Elizabeth absolutely drove her
into the arms of the ancient allies of Scotland,
who now, on account of religion, could no longer
be acceptable allies to her people.
A.D. 1566.

Mary forbade Randolph her court, alleging, upon good grounds, that though ostensibly the ambassador of a friendly power, he had taken part with her rebels, and assisted them with money; but this sharp-eyed agent and versatile intriguer had everywhere Scotchmen in his pay, and he had learned all about the secret negotiations with France and Spain, and had communicated the intelligence to Cecil and Elizabeth.'

CHAPTER XV.-CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY.-A. D. 1566-1567.

ELIZABETII.

Worthless conduct of Darnley-He disgusts Queen Mary-David Rizzio's career in Scotland-Darnley's jealousy of him-Plot of Darnley and the Scottish nobles against Rizzio-He is assassinated in the palace of Holyrood -The Earl of Moray and the banished lords recalled-The murderers of Rizzio compelled to flee to England -Darnley continues his worthless course-Birth of James VI.-Elizabeth's reception of the tidings-Baptisin of James-Elizabeth urged to nominate her successor-She promises to marry-Mary's claims to the succession in the English throne-The murderers of Rizzio recalled to Scotland-The Earl of Bothwell desires to marry the Scottish queen-His intercourse with the queen-Quarrels between Mary and Darnley-Darnley threatens to leave the kingdom-Bothwell wounded by an outlaw-Mary's visit to him-Evil surmises occasioned by the visit-Darnley's sickness-He is brought to Edinburgh for recovery-His mysterious murder-Bothwell suspected of the murder-He is cleared by a mock trial-He obtains a recommendation as a fit husband to the queen-He carries off Mary to his castle of Dunbar-She returns to Edinburgh with Bothwell-She marries Bothwell-Her unhappiness after the marriage.

m

EANWHILE the Scottish par- | given to Mary's wrath by a savage murder, diliament proceeded in their mea-rected by her husband. The love between Mary sures against the Earl of Moray and Henry Darnley was of the briefest duration; and the other fugitives from and it is established beyond a doubt that its first the "Round-about Raid," and interruption was entirely owing to the misconno doubt was entertained of duct and brutality of the husband. This vain and their convicting them, when their proceedings shallow young man had his head turned by his were suddenly stopped and an entirely new course sudden elevation, and there were not wanting

"The most criminal neglect of the safety of England must have been shown, had this vigilance been intermitted; for. till Scotland was in friendly hands, Britain could not, in a military view, be regarded as an island. It was only then that the allies of Bayonne were deprived of the vantage-ground from which they most nearly threatened the overthrow of Elizabeth's throne. The Duke of Alva, who was then beginning to carry into execution the secret projects of these princes, was not yet aware that the ruler of the island fortress, of which the works were just completed, was to prove a guardian of national independence, and an unconscious champion of religious liberty, who would sally forth in due time from behind her bulwarks, pouring hope into the bosoms of the persecuted, and striking terror into the hearts of the bigot and the tyrant.

"These events, thus big with the fortunes of Christendom, VOL. II.

become peculiarly interesting to the English historian, by enabling him to estimate our most favourite sovereign and our wisest statesman, whose qualities are exhibited in their dealing with Scotland. We have seen in original documents, which have strong intrinsic claims on belief, that the measures of the English cabinet, though not above exception, were not full of such art and stratagem, nor, on the other hand, so characterized by caprice and jealousy, as they have been supposed to be, by some historians, from hostile prejudice; by others, from a desire to excite surprise at contrasted qualities in the same character, and more especially at a union of high faculties with shameful foibles. It has appeared that the supposed influence of the most womanish faults cannot be really traced in negotiations, of which the whole particulars were intrusted to experienced statesmen."-Sir James Mackintosh, Hist. Eng.

120

plotting men who, for their own purposes, en- | languages was particularly useful for carrying on couraged his extravagance and dissipation. Be-her foreign correspondence; and when her French fore he had been married two months his inso-secretary left her, she promoted him to that coulence and arrogance drove away from the court fidential office, which, of necessity, occasioned his even his own father, the Earl of Lennox, who is being constantly about the queen's person. It said to have predicted that some fearful catas- was instantly deemed a crime that the queen trophe would follow.' Acting under the persua- should employ a foreigner in duties for which sion of ill-designing men, the foremost of whom there were probably no natives that were fit; was the Earl Morton, Chancellor of Scotland, and the proud nobles, who despised literary atwho represented to him that it was absurd that tainments and accomplishments which they did the queen should bear rule over him, since both not possess themselves, considered the Signor nature and the law of God required that the wife David as nothing but a base-born fiddler, and should be in subjection to her husband, he pre- were highly incensed at the favour and confitended to rule in his own right, and imperiously dence reposed in him. Sometimes they would claimed the whole authority of government. rudely shoulder him, and make grim faces at Mary, who would hardly yield to violence, might him in the very presence-chamber; but still at have conceded much to affection; but, almost other times, some of them would not scruple to from the first week of his marriage, he neglected cajole and flatter him, and make him presents the handsome queen and gave himself up to low when they had favours to ask of the queen. It indulgences. Where all eyes were watchful, and is said that Rizzio was intoxicated with his promost eyes desirous of such an event, it was im- motion, and showed pride and ostentation. It is possible to conceal this disagreement. Elizabeth's probable that there was some truth in the accuagents diligently reported the progress of the sation; and it is certain, that those who afterwretched broil. wards accused him, fostered these feelings by their baseness and truckling to him; but yet there is good evidence to show that the poor Italian saw his position in its true light, and was anxious for more security with a little less honour. He lamented to the ingenuous Melville, who was now constantly at Mary's court, that the favour and confidence of the queen exposed him to envy and danger. For a long time there was not so much as a hint breathed of there being any immorality in the queen's predilections; and, according to tradition, David Rizzio was not the sort of person likely to excite a criminal and dangerous passion, being ill-favoured, if not deformed in his person, and considerably advanced in years.

The effect of this conduct on a high-spirited woman was inevitable: Mary became weary of the society of the drunkard and brawler, who would threaten her servants and draw his dagger in her presence, and somewhat checked that liberality with which she had heaped money and honours upon him. The imbecile Darnley, who would not see the provocation and insupportable insults he had given, conceived that the queen's favour must have been alienated from him by some person having an influence over her heart; and it appears that certain noble lords who had taken offence at the favourite, or were anxious to drive matters to extremities, suggested or strengthened the suspicion that this individual was Rizzio, the queen's secretary. David Rizzio had come to Scotland, a short time before this wretched marriage, in the suit of Morata, the ambassador of Savoy: he was a person of what was called low birth, but he had been exceedingly well educated, and, among many other accomplishments, was an excellent musician. Mary's love for music amounted to a passion-good musicians were rare in Scotland-and she was naturally attracted to the accomplished Italian, who soon evinced other and higher abilities than those of playing and singing. His knowledge of

1 On the 1st of September, 1565, little more than a month after the marriage, we find Cecil writing to a friend-"The young king is so insolent as his father is weary of his government, and is departed from the court!"-Ellis. But even before he was elevated to the queen's side, Randolph told Cecil — "Darnley's behaviour is such that he is despised. .... What shall become of him I know not; but it is greatly to be feared that he can have no long life among this people. The queen herself, being of better understanding, seeks to frame and fashion him to the temper of her subjects; but no persuasion can change

Rizzio was, as we have mentioned, a confidant of Darnley when that young man began his courtship of the queen; and it appears that he forwarded Darnley's suit with whatever power he possessed. When Darnley arrived at the Scottish court Rizzio had only been two months in Mary's service. Mary's affection for Darnley was immediate, and it lasted till the latter forfeited it by his gross misconduct, Rizzio being all the time neither more nor less about the queen than before and after. According to the account of those least prejudiced against Mary, Darnley's that (which) custom has made natural to him. He is reckoned proud, disdainful, and suspicious, which kind of men this soil (Scotland), of any other, can worse bear."-Original Letter, quoted by Raumer. Here we find the English agent speaking of the very probable assassination of Darnley by the subjects at the time when the queen, according to his account, was passionately in love with him; and Randolph, here and in many other passages written at a later period, certainly describes Darnley as one not at all likely to have a long life among such people. 2 Melville's Memoirs.

savage hatred of the Italian arose not from any | But there were still various other motives aclove-jealousy, but from the favourite's taking the tuating some of the conspirators, who wished to liberty to remonstrate with him on his treatment stop the proceedings in parliament--to recal the of the queen, and from his being suspected by Earl of Moray, with the other banished lords, Darnley of advising the queen never to bestow whom they considered as the champions of the on him the matrimonial crown. These grounds kirk, and who were excessively jealous of the of hatred, which, in a man like Darnley, were Earl of Bothwell, who, after a variety of advenquite sufficient to account for what followed, are tures, including a short exile, had been recalled made prominent even in the accounts of those to court. This turbulent, dangerous man, of an who are disposed to take the worst view of the ancient and powerful family, and hereditary Lord queen's conduct; but they add to them, as ano- High-admiral of Scotland, was recommended to ther incentive to the murder, the passion of jea- Mary, notwithstanding his profession of Proteslousy, which, according to their showing, there tantism, by his constant adherence to her mother were suspicious circumstances to justify. What- the queen-regent, and by his seemingly steady ever were his motives, when Darnley spoke of and disinterested devotion to her own interests. revenge to some of the nobles, he found them These indeed were circumstances apt to make disposed to encourage the feeling, and unscrup- her overlook his extravagance and the other delous as to the means to be adopted for its gratifi- | fects of his impetuous character; but when Mary's cation. They all hated the favourite; some per- half-brother, the Earl of Moray, accused Bothhaps the more, because they had debased them- well of an attempt to assassinate him, he found selves before him; and as several hot Presbyte- no protection from the queen, and was obliged to rians engaged in the plot, some of them, no flee the country. He returned in 1564-5, maindoubt, thought that it would be a very merito-taining his innocence. Moray insisted on his rious deed to murder a man who corresponded being brought to trial, and proposed attending in the queen's name with the pope of Rome.' Among the latter was the fierce Lord Ruthven --a nobleman in good favour with the Lords of the Congregation and the preachers-who rose from a bed of sickness to have a principal hand in the bloody deed. The Earl of Morton, who had encouraged Darnley's pretensions to the matrimonial crown, and who was still chancellor of the kingdom, though suspecting, on his part, that Mary meant to take the seals from him, and give them to her Italian secretary, engaged all the rest of the Douglases, legitimate or illegitimate, to take up the quarrel of their kinsman-for Darnley, as a descendant of the Earl of Angus, was of Douglas blood-and it perfectly agreed with their family notions that Darnley should be king in his own right, and supreme over Mary.

Rizzio's grand crimes were his country and his religion. The preachers called him "imp of the devil," ," "minion of Antichrist," &e According to the diary of Birrel, a citizen of Edinburgh, Rizzio was also a magician and sorcerer.

2 Queen Mary's letter to Elizabeth, as given by Keith and Chalmers

"The lords of the council, in the beginning of 1566, were Huntly, Bothwell, and Athole-all either Catholics, or favourers of the Catholic party. They, with the effectual aid of Rizzio, disuaded Mary from yielding to the entreaties of Elizabeth, or to the prudent counsel of Melville, which concurred in exhorting her to pardon so powerful a body of nobles as those who were then exiles in England. The banished lords, who had taken up arms on the principle of resisting the queen's marriage, unless their religion was established by law, required the ratification of the acts of 1560, by an undisputed parliament, to secure to the Reformed church the privileges which it had practically enjoyed for six years, under those acts of that assembly of the estates which were obliged to be irregular. The leaders who had taken refuge in England, were the Duke of Chatellerault, the Earls of Moray, Glencairn, and Rothes, the Lords Boyd and Ochiltree, with ten of those considerable landholders called

the justice court with 5000 men in arms. Feeling that an accuser with such witnesses was not to be faced, Bothwell fled over to France a second time, and there remained till Moray's disgrace and flight, when Mary recalled him, and gave him the command of all the Scottish marches; and, according to Mary's own account of the dark transaction, Lord Ruthven, with his dagger still reeking with the Italian's blood, told her that they had done the deed because she maintained the ancient religion, refused to receive the fugitive lords, maintained friendship with foreign princes and nations, and received into her council the Earls of Bothwell and Huntly, who were traitors and allies of Rizzio.

These noble lords, however, were determined to make the act appear as Darnley's, and to ob

lairds a term which agrees with the English lords, though slightly varying in pronunciation and writing-who at this time sat in parliament only as commissioners from the inferior barons, but who still differed from the peers more in privilege than in honour. These gentlemen, the best of their time, were joined by the interest of the Reformation in unnatural union with the worst offspring of civil confusion-with Morton, a profligate though able man; with Ruthven, distinguished even then for the brutal energy with which he executed wicked designs; and with the brilliant and inconstant Lethington, admired by all parties but scarcely trusted by any; for in the measures of all numerous bodies, and especially in those seasons of commotion and peril which render every succour welcome, the good are often compelled to endure the co-operation of the bad. In this case the exiled lords, of whom many were as irreproachable as the corrupting power of intestine war will suffer men long to continue in that unhappy condition of society, must not be held to be guiltless, even although the most deplorable part of the scenes which ensued should be directly ascribed to the known depravity of their associates, or to the accidents which usually attend lawless broils."-Sir James Mackintosh, Hist. Eng.

tain what they might represent as royal, if not
legal authority. They made Darnley sign a
solemn document, in which he took the conspi-
rators under his especial protection. Mary was
at this time seven months advanced in pregnancy
with her first and only child; and it has been
not unreasonably concluded that it was intended
to cause the death of more persons than the un-
fortunate favourite; for, after mature delibera-
tion, it was resolved to commit the murder before
her very eyes whilst she was
in this critical condition.
The bloody bond was sign-
ed on the 1st or the 5th of
March: on the 9th of the
same month, at seven o'clock
in the evening, just as the
queen was finishing her
supper, and quietly convers-
ing with the Countess of Ar-
gyle and Arthur Erskine,
the governor of Holyrood-
house, who sat at table with
her, while Rizzio was seated
at his meal at a side table,
according to his usual cus-
tom when he was in wait-
ing, and while several at-
tendants, male and female,
were in the room or the
apartment adjoining, the
king suddenly entered, and,
placing himself behind the
queen, gazed savagely on
the secretary.
was followed by the Lord Ruthven, pale and
ghastly from recent disease and present spite,
and in complete armour. Close on Ruthven's
steps stalked several other conspirators, all in
armour like himself. Darnley spoke not a
word, but Ruthven, in a hollow voice, bade
Rizzio rise and come forth, for the place he sat
in did not become him. Perceiving what was
meant, the queen started up, and asked her hus-
band whether he knew anything of this foul
attempt; and, on his denying it, she commanded
Lord Ruthven, on pain of treason, to quit her pre-
sence. The poor Italian, in the meanwhile, had
run behind the queen's table, and now, seizing
the queen by the skirts of her garment, implored
her protection, and cried aloud for justice. But
Ruthven and his satellites overturned the table
upon the queen and the secretary, and then
Darnley held the queen's arms, telling her that
their business was only with the secretary, while
the rest of the murderers dragged Rizzio from
his hold. Then George Douglas, a bastard of the
Angus family, pulling out the king's own dagger,
struck Rizzio with it, and with so deadly a blow

that he left the weapon up to its hilt in the body of the victim. The tears and entreaties of Mary, the shrieks of the Countess of Argyle and the servants, made no more impression on the hearts of these men than on their steel breastplates: while some stood before the queen with cocked pistols (and one of them, named Andrew Ker,' is said to have presented his pistol close to her body, swearing that he would destroy both her and the child within her), the others dragged

In the next minute Darnley | Rizzio into the ante-chamber, and there de-
spatched him with fifty-six wounds. While this
savage deed was doing, Morton, the Chancellor
of Scotland, whose special duty it was to protect
and enforce the laws, kept the doors of the palace
with a number of armed men, in order to pre-
vent any one entering to succour the queen. As
long as there was life in the victim, or a hope of
life, Mary implored and wept, offering to give up
Rizzio to the laws if he had offended them; but
when told that he was dead, she is said to have
exclaimed, "I will then dry my tears and think
of revenge!" She was in great fear of miscarry-
ing, and sent for the midwife at eight o'clock.
Darnley, who was as great a fool as villain, now
attempted to console her, and to exonerate him-
self by accusing and cursing his accomplices.
But this was not before Ruthven and the rest
had withdrawn. At this moment Mary saw no
means of escape out of the hands of the butchers,
who had placed their armed retainers round the
palace, unless through her husband, and she

Ker (Andre Karre) was consin-german to Ruthven and the Lord
Hume, who was also of the faction.

1 According to the author of L'Innocence, de., this Andrew