1546 - Cardinal Beaton assassinated

The Murder of the Cardinal

Cardinal Beaton was a key figure in the early years of Mary's reign. He came down hard on the new breed of heretics to be found in Scotland. In 1546 he made an example of the young charismatic Protestant preacher George Wishart by having him burned at the stake for heresy. Wishart's friends vowed vengeance. They had political as well as personal motives. The cardinal was pro-French while the would-be reformers supported Protestant England. They embarked on an English-backed plot to assassinate Beaton, leading to the occupation of St Andrews Castle. One of those who joined the defence of the castle was John Knox. In his time at St Andrews he had the opportunity to talk firsthand to Beaton's murderers when the deed was fresh in their minds. The result is a harrowing narrative of violence told in a gloating tone. Knox drags the name of the dead cardinal through the mud with sexual innuendo and aspersions of greed. Certainly Beaton was no saint and he had just presided over the gruesome execution of Wishart, but the self-righteousness of his murderers still seems chilling even today.

Mony purpoises war devysit, how that wickit man mycht have bein

Many plots were devised for getting rid of that wicked man, but they all

taikin away; bot all faillit, till Fryday the 28th of Maii, anno 1546,

failed until Friday 28th May 1546,

quhen the foirsaid Normand [Leslie] came at nycht to St Androis,

when Norman Leslie came to St Andrews

William Kirkcaldie of Grainge youngar was in the toun befoir,

at night. William Kirkcaldy of Grange younger was already in the town,

awaytting upoun the purpois. Last came Johne Leslie forsaid, who

ready and waiting for the plot. John Leslie came last, as he

was moist [most] suspected: quhat conclusion they tuik that nicht it

was the most suspect of them. What decision they reached that night

was not knawin, bot by the ischew [issue] that followed. Bot airlie

was not known, but by what followed. Early

upoun the Settorday in the morning, the 29th of Maii, war thay in

upon the Saturday morning, the 29th of May, they came together in

sundrie cumpanies in the Abbay Kirkyaird, not far distant frome the

companies in the Abbey kirk yard, not far from the castle.

Castell: first, the yettis [gates] being oppin and the draw-brig lattin

The gates of the castle were open and the draw-bridge

down for receaving of lyme and stanis, and uther things necessarie for

down to allow lime, stones and building materials in,

building, for Babilon [the cardinal's new block-house] was almost

for Babylon [the Cardinal's new block house] was almo

finisched. First we say, assayit William Kircaldie of Grange younger,

finished. First William Kirkcaldy of Grange and

and with him sex [six] personis, and getting entres, held purpois with

six persons with him tried, and getting in asked the

the porter, gif my Lord Cardinall was wakin? Who answered, No: and

porter whether my lord cardinal was awake? The porter answered no,

so it was indeid, for he had bein bussie at his accomptis with Mestres

and so it was indeed, for he had been 'busy' at his 'accounts' that night

Marioun Ogilby that nicht, who was espyit to departe from him by

with Mrs Marion Ogilvy, who had been seen sneaking out via the

the privie posterne that morning; and therefoir quietnes, efter the

privy postern that morning and therefore according to the dictates of

reullis of physick and a morne sleip was requisite for my Lord. Quhille

medicine he needed a good sleep in the morning. While William

the said William and the Porter talked, and his servandis maid thame

Kirkcaldy and the porter talked, and his servants pretended to be

to luik the wark and the warkmen, aproched Normond Leslie with his

looking at the work and the workmen, Norman Leslie and his

cumpanie; and because they war no grit number, thay easilie gat

company came up, and because there were not many of them, they easily

entres. Thay addres thame to the middis of the clois, and immediatelie

got in. They took up the middle of the close when suddenly

came Johne Leslie sumquhat rudelie, and foure personis with him: the

John Leslie and another four of the company came in somewhat roughly.

porter fearing, wald have drawn the brig, bot the said Johne being

The porter, being afraid would have drawn up the bridge, but John

enterit thairone, stayit and lap in: and quhill the porter maid him for

Leslie being on it, stayed on it and leapt in and while the porter tried to

defence, his heid was brockin, the keyis was taikin frome him, and he

defend himself, his head was broken, the keys taken from him and he was

castin in the fowsie [ditch], and so the plaice was seisit. The warkmen,

thrown in the ditch and so the castle was taken. The workmen

to the number of mo than ane hundreth, ran of the wallis, and war

to the number of more than a hundred ran off the walls and were

without hourt put furthe at the wickit yet [wicket gate]. The first thin

put out of the wicket gate unharmed. The very first thing that was

that evir was done Williame Kirkcaldie tuk the gaird of the privie

done was for William Kirkcaldy to guard the privy

posterne, fearing that the fox sould have eschaipit. Than go the rest to

postern, fearing that the fox should have escaped. Then the rest went to

the gentilmenis chalmeris, and without violence done to ony man,

the gentlemen's chambers and without any violence done

thay put mo than fyiftie personis to the yet: the number that

they put more than fifty people out of the gate. The number which dared

interprysit and did this war but sextein personis. The Cardinall

and did this were but 16 persons. The cardinal awakened

wacknit with the schoutis, askit frome his window, quhat meanit that

by the shouts, asked from the window, what the noise meant?

noyis? It was answerit that Normond Leslie had taikin his castell:

It was answered that Norman Leslie had taken his castle,

which understaude, he ran to the postern; bot perceaving the passage

understanding this, he ran to the postern, but realising that the exit

to be keipit without he returnit quicklie to his chalmer, and tuk his

was guarded outside, he returned to his chamber, and took his

two handit sword, and garth [the] chalmerchyild cast kistis and uther

two-handed sword and ordered the chamber boy to put chests and other

impedimentis to the dure [door]. In this mein tyme came Johne Leslie

barriers against the door. In the meantime John Leslie came to it

unto it, and biddis opin. The Cardinall asking who callis? He answerit

and asked them to open it. The cardinal asked 'Who calls?' He answered

my name is Leslie. He redemands, is that Normond? The other sayis

'My name is Leslie'. The cardinal asked again 'Is that Norman?' The other

nay, my name is Johne. I will have Normond sayis the Cardinall, for

replied 'No, my name is John.' 'I will have Norman' replied the cardinal

he is my friend. Content your self with suche as ar heir, for uther sall

'for he is my friend.' 'Content your self with such as are here, for you

ye get nane. Thair war with the said Johne, James Melvell, a man

won't get any others.' There were the said John, James Melville, a man

familiarlie acquainted with the said Mr George Wischeart, and Petir

who knew George Wishart well, and Peter

Carmichell, a stout gentilman. In the mein tyme, whyll they force at

Carmichael, a courageous gentleman. In the meantime whilst they forced

the dure, the Cardinall hyddis a box of gold under coills that war layd

the door, the cardinal hid a box of gold under coals in a secret corner of

in a secret corner. At lenth he asketh Will ye save my lyif? The said

the room. At length he asked 'Will you save my life?' John Leslie answered

Johne answerit It may be that we will. Nay sayis the Cardinall Sweir

'It may be that we will.' 'No' said the Cardinal 'Swear

unto me by Godis Woundis, and I sall oppin unto yow. Than answerit

to me by God's Wounds and I shall open the door to you.' Then John

the said John, It that was said is unsaid; and so he cryit Fire, fire for

Leslie answered 'It that was said was unsaid' and so he called 'fire, fire

the dure was verie stark and so was brought ane chimlay full of

for the door was very strong and so a grate full of burning coals was

burning coallis, quhilk perceavit the Cardinall or his chalmer-chyld (it

brought to him, on perceiving this the cardinal or the chamber boy (it is

is uncertain) oppinit the dure, and the Cardinall sat doun in a chayre

uncertain which) opened the door and the Cardinal sat down in a chair

and cryit I ame a preist, I ame a priest, ye will not slay me. The said

and cried out ' I am a priest, I am a priest, you will not slay me.'

Johne Leslie, according to his former vowis [to avenge Wishart], straik

John Leslie, according to his former vows [to avenge Wishart] struck

him anis or twyis, and so did the said Petir. Bot James Melvell, a man

him once or twice and so did the said Peter, but James Melville, a man

of nature moist gentill and most modest, perceaving thame bayth in

of a most gentle and modest nature, seeing that they were both enraged,

cholere, withdrew thame and said the wark and judgement of god,

pulled them back and said 'The work and judgement of God

althocht it be secreit yit aucht to be done with gritter gravitie. And

although it is hidden, yet it ought to be done with greater gravity.' And

presenting unto him the point of the sword said 'Repent of thyne

presenting to the cardinal the point of the sword said 'Repent of your

former wickit lyif, but especiallie of the schedding of the bluid of that

former wicked life, but especially of the shedding of the blood of that

notable instrument of God, Mr George Wiseheart whiche albeit the

notable instrument of God, Mr George Wishart, which although

flame of fyre consumit befoir men, yit cryis it a vengeance upoun

consumed by the flame of fire before men, yet it cries a vengeance upon

the[e] and we from God ar sent to revenge it. For heir befoir my god,

you and we from god are sent to revenge it. For here before my God, I

I protest, that neither haitrent of thy persone, the love of thy ryches,

protest that neither hatred of your person, the love of your riches,

nor the feir of anie trouble thow could have done to me in particular,

nor the fear of any trouble you could have done to me in particular,

muisit or movethe me to straik the[e]; bot onlie because thow hes bein,

inspires or moves me to strike you, but only that you have been and

and remainis ane obstinate enemie to Chryist Jesus and his holie

remain an obstinate enemy to Christ Jesus and his holy gospel.'

evangell.' And so he straik him twys or thryis throw with a stoge

And so he struck him twice or thrice through with a stabbing sword,

sword: and so he fell, nevir a word hard out of his mouthe bot I ame

and so he fell, never a word heard out of his mouth but 'I am a

a priest. I ame a Preist. Fy, fy all is gone.

priest, I am a priest. Fy, fy, all is gone.'

Whill they war thus occupyed with the Cardinal, the fray ryissis in

While they were busy with the cardinal, a stir rose in

the toun; the proveist assembles the commonalitie, and cumis to the

the town, the provost assembled the ordinary people and came to the

fouseis syde, crying Quhat have ye done with my Lord Cardinal? Let

ditch-side crying 'What have you done with my lord cardinal.' They

us sie my Lord Cardinall. Thay that war within answerit gentillye,

that were within answered gently

'The best it war to yow to returne to your awin houses; for that man

'The best thing for you would be to return to your own houses, for that

you call the Cardinall hes receaved his reward, and in his awin

man you call the cardinal has received his reward and in his own

persone wil trouble the warld na mair. Bot then mor inragitlie they

person will trouble the world no more.' But then more enragedly they

cryit We sall nevir departe till that we sie him. And so was he brocht

cried 'We shall never depart until we see him.' And so he was brought to

to the Eist Blokhouse Heid and schawin deid over the wall to the

the east blockhouse head and shown dead over the wall to the

faythles multitude, which would not beleve befoir that it saw. And so

faithless multitude, which would never believe until they saw. And so

they departit, without requiem aeternam & requiescat in pace sung

they departed without requiem mass being sung for his soul. Now

for his saull. Now because the wedder [weather] was hotte, for it was

because the weather was hot, for it was May, as you have heard, and his

in Maii, as ye have hard and his funerallis culd not suddantlie be

funeral could not suddenly be prepared,

prepaired, it was thocht best (to keip him frome stinking) to give him

it was thought best (to keep him from stinking) to give him

grit salt yneuche, a cope of leid, and a nuck in the bottome of the Sey-

enough salt, a winding sheet of lead and a corner in the bottom of the sea

tour, a plaice quhair mony of God's children had bein imprisonit

tower, a place where many of God's children had been imprisoned

befoir to await quhat exequies his brethren and bischopis wald

before to await what funeral ceremonies his brethren and bishops would

prepair for him. These thingis we wrytte merrille, bot we would that

prepare for him. These things we write with gladness, but we would wish

the reidar sould observe God's just judgementis, and how that he can

that the reader should observe God's just judgements and how he can take

deprehend the wardlie wyis in their awin wisdome, mak their tabill to

the worldly wise in their own wisdom, make their table to

be a snair to trappe thair awin feit, and thair awin presuppoisit streth

be a snare to trap their own feet and their own pre-supposed strength

to be thair awin destructioun. These ar the warkis of our God,

to be their own destruction. These are the works of our God,

whereby he wald admonisch the tirrants of this earthe, that in the end

whereby we would admonish the tyrants of this earth, that in the end he

he will be revengit of thair crueltie, quhat strenth soevir they mak in the contrair . . .

will revenge their cruelty, whatsoever strength they make to the contrary . . .

The deith of this forsaid tirrant [tyrant] was dolourous to the

The death of this tyrant was sorrowful to the

preistis, dolourous to the Governour, and moist dolourous to the

priests, sorrowful to the regent and most sorrowful to the

Quein Dowager: for in him perisched faythfulness to France, and

queen dowager, for in him perished faithfulness to France and

comfort to all gentilwemen and especiallie to wantoun wedowis: his

comfort to all gentlewomen and especially to wanton widows: his

deith muist be revengit.

death had to be revenged.

John Knox, Historie of the Reformatioun of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1732.