Stuart dynasty

CHILDHOOD OF JAMES V. 115
enemies of Douglas in order to rescue the King was that
designed in 1527 by the Earl of Grlencairn, Chancellor
Beaton, and other noblemen acting with the Earl of
Lennox ; the last-named Earl resolving to attain the
King's release by personal effort, having before
confided his designs to the Buccleuch family.
Assembling no less than ten thousand men, he
advanced on Edinburgh from Stirling. James,
forced to take horse and apparently champion the
Douglas cause, became aware outside Corstorphine
village that he was nearing the field of battle, so
soon to be decided adversely to his real interest.
Refusing to hurry forward when expecting aid from
the Hamiltons, he was told by George Douglas, his
immediate attendant, " Sir, rather than our enemies
should take you from us, we will lay hold on your
body, and if it be rent in pieces we will be sure to
take one part of it."* It is said that James V. never
forgave this.
The hour of release was nevertheless approaching,
although the bold Buccleuch and the King's dear
friend and cousin, John, Earl of Lennox, had failed
to gain their sovereign's release by force of arms,
Lennox being stabbed treacherously by a natural son
of Arran's in the battle just alluded to. Escaping
from Falkland by stratagem, under colour of pre-
paring for a hunting party, James V. secured a swift
horse and rode into Stirling Castle at the end of
May 1528,f calling — by couriers sent in every direc-
* Buchanan, edition 1752, vol. ii. p. 155.
t Tytler's 'History of Scotland,' edition 1834, vol. v. p. 219.
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