May

Sir Nicholas

Mait- Throg

Edin- morton.

that whatever could be devised for the satisfaction of CHAP VIII the Queen of Scots with some other meeter marriage should be allowed with their advice and furthered with their services when her Majesty should command them." With these more generous instructions Sir N. Throg- Despatch of morton started for Scotland on the 4th of May. land, whom, in order to prolong his absence from burgh, Mary Stuart had directed to go on to France, returned with the English ambassador in loyal disobedience, to add his own persuasions: he still hoped that the Queen of Scots might be tempted by the prospect of immediate recognition to accept either Arundel, Norfolk, or the Prince of Condé. If she would consent to marry either of these three, the English Government would do for her more than she had asked or even could expect.'

2

But neither these offers--tempting as they would have been a few weeks before-nor the admonitory cautions of the Duke of Alva, came in time to save Mary from the rash course into which she was plunging. The presence of Lennox and Darnley had lashed the Scottish factions into fury, and Queen and court were within the influence of a whirlpool from which they could no longer extricate themselves. The lords on all sides were calling their retainers under arms. The Earl of Murray, at the expense of forfeiting the last remains of his influence over his sister, had summoned Bothwell to answer at Edinburgh a charge of high treason. Bothwell would have defied him had he dared; but Murray appeared ac

1 Determination of the Council on the Queen of Scots' marriage, signed Winchester, Norfolk, Derby, Pembroke, Clinton, W. Howard, Ed. Rogers, Fr. Knolles, W. Cecil, Ab. Cave, W. Petre, John Mason, R. Sackville.-COTTON MSS., CALIG,

B. 10.

Endorsed, 'This is a copy of the paper delivered to Sir N. Throgmorton.'

2 Paul de Foix to the Queenmother, May 2, May 10.-TEULET, vol. ii.

May 1565

CHAP VIII Companied by Argyle and 7000 men on the day fixed for the trial; and the Hepburn was once more obliged to fly. On the other hand Mary was lavishing on Darnley the most extravagant demonstrations of affection. He was ill, and with confiding carelessness she installed herself as his nurse at his bedside. She accused her brother, when he remonstrated, of 'seeking to set the crown on his own head.' Argyle and Murray durst not appear together at the court, that if need were the one might relieve the other.' The miserable Chatelherault

could only mutter his feeble hope that he might die in his bed; while Lennox boasted openly that he was sure of the greatest part of England, and that the King of Spain would be his friend.'

Lennox's men went openly to mass, and such pride was noted in the father and the son' that they would scarcely speak to any common nobleman. My young lord lying sick in his bed boasted the Duke that he would knock his pate when he was whole;' while the preachers looked daily to have their lives taken from them,' and 'the country was so far broken that there was daily slaughter without redress, stealing on all hands, and justice almost nowhere.'1

Although the report of the completion of the marriage was premature, yet the arrangements for it had been pushed forward with eager precipitancy. Mary Stuart's friends in England had informed her of the resolution of the Council; she despatched one of the Betons to delay Throgmorton at Berwick; and the leading lords were sent for one by one to Stirling, where the court was staying, and were requested to sign a paper recommending Darnley Darnley as a fitting person to be the

Randolph to Cecil, May 3.-Scotch MSS. Rolls House.

1565

May

Queen's husband. Murray's signature could be ill dis- CHAP VIII pensed with. He was invited among the rest, and overwhelmed with courtesies-Mary, Lennox, and Darnley contending with each other in their professions of regard. Murray however was the first to refuse. He had no liking thereof.' The Earl of Morton had been gained over by a release from Lady Lennox of her claims on Angus; and if Murray would have complied, he might Murray have had the lands of three counties for his reward; to dissuade but in vain Mary pleaded-in vain Mary threatened. his sister She took her brother into a room apart; she placed the marrying paper in his hand and required him to sign it on his allegiance. He asked for time: she said no time could be allowed, because others were waiting for his example.

Murray's character, so much debated among historians, was in the eye of those who knew him a very simple one. 'He was true, faithful, honourable, earnest, stout both for the defence of God's glory and to save his sovereign's honour; and he was fearful that her doings might make a breach of amity between the two realms.'' For five years he had laboured to reconcile two opposing duties: he was a zealous Protestant, but he had saved his sister from persecution, and had quarrelled with his friends in her defence; he had maintained her claims on the English succession with the loyalty of a Scot; he had united his special patriotism with as noble an anxiety for the spiritual freedom of the united realms. Few men had resisted more temptations to play a selfish game than Murray; none had carried themselves with more conspicuous uprightness in a difficult and most trying service. To the last, and long after he had known the direction in which his sister's aims were tending, he had shielded

1 Randolph to Cecil, May 21.-Scotch MSS. Rolls House.

endeavours

from

Darnley.

1565

CHAP VIII her with his name, he had assisted her with his counsels, he had striven hard to save her from the sinister and May dangerous advisers to whom she was secretly listening: but he could hesitate no longer; under the miserable influence of Ritzio and her foreign correspondents she was bringing revolution and civil war upon Scotland; and the choice was forced upon him between his country and his personal affection.

He implored the Queen to pause. She reproached him with being a slave to England. He said that he could not consent to her marriage with one who he could not assure himself would set forth Christ's true religion.' She told him scornfully it was well known from whom he had received that lesson.' 'He answered Mary Stuart with humility, but he would not sign;' and Mary was left to act alone or with her own and Darnley's friends, and to endeavour to rid herself of Murray by such other means as might offer themselves.1

persists.

Her messenger meanwhile had sped fast upon his way to England, and encountered Throgmorton at Newark. Mary Stuart concealing her resentment at Maitland's disobedience, sent him by Beton's hands the sweetest letter that ever subject received from sovereign,' 'wanting neither love, eloquence, despite, anger, nor passion;' she bade him go back and tell Elizabeth that she had been trifled with too long, and that she would now follow her own mind and choice; 'with the advice of her nobles she would take' such an one as she thought good; and she would no longer be fed with yea and nay, and depend on such uncertain dealing.'

But she had far mistaken Maitland if she believed that he would travel with her on the road into which

Randolph to Cecil, May 8.-Scotch MSS. Rolls House.

she had been tempted by Ritzio. So desperate it seemed CHAP VIH to him, that he would have had her dragged back from 1565 it by force.

'I never saw Lidington in such perplexity and passion,' wrote Throgmorton; 'I could not have believed he could have been so moved; he wishes I had brought with me authority to declare war if the Queen of Scots persist, as the last refuge to stay her from this unadvised act.'

Mary Stuart's orders to Maitland to return to London were so distinct that he hesitated before he again disobeyed; he remained at Newark for a few hours after Throgmorton had gone forward; but the extremity was so serious that he ran all risks and overtook the ambassador at Alnwick. At the Border they heard the alarming news that Chatelherault had been bribed into compliance with the marriage by a written promise to enjoy his own.' 'Let the Earl of Northumberland be stayed in London,' Throgmorton wrote back to Leicester: from what I hear it is very necessary. Examine Sir Richard Cholmondley, and look well and sharp to the doings of that party.' 'The Papists in these parts do rouse themselves.' 'Look to yourselves and her Majesty's safety.' 'Sir Henry Percy is dangerous.'1

Time pressed. On the 15th Lord Darnley was to be created Earl of Ross at Stirling; when being an English subject, he would swear allegiance to the Queen of Scots without leave sought or obtained from his own sovereign. A dukedom had been first intended for him; the higher title had been suspended, and the foolish boy struck with his dagger at the justice-clerk who was sent to tell

1 Throgmorton to Leicester and Cecil, from Berwick, May 11 and 12.Scotch MSS. Rolls House.

May