Stuart dynasty

TEE CBUBCH AT BAY. 125
refused by the King's irate uncle, Henry of England,
notwithstanding that Francis acted as mediator.
So this fragile flower, which, to do him credit,
James prized highly, was subjected to the caprices
of winds and waves. She reached Leith on May 10,
1537. On descending from the ship, Magdalen
knelt upon the beach, and taking up some
portion of the sand, kissed it, and asked a blessing
upon her new country, where she was received with
great popular enthusiasm. But alas ! she speedily
sickened, and died on July 7, not two months after
the incident just recorded.
Royal hearts had no time allowed them to break
in Scotland at this period, and the susceptible King-
seems to have roused himself from his sorrow, and
allowed a mission, with David Beaton at its head, to
proceed straightway to France and demand the haud
of the widowed Mary of Lorraine, Duchess de Longue-
ville, and daughter of the Duke of Cruise, head of the
Catholic party in France. James V. is said to have
been captivated by the fine figure, bordering upon
embonpoint, which characterised his second wife. A
description of her comely proportions had previously
fired the ardour of no less a personage than Henry
VIII. , who contemplated becoming a suitor for her
hand, but was deterred by considerations of policy.
At a juncture when the Reformation doctrines
were patronised by Henry VIII. , his nephew's
alliance with the house of Guise meant war with
England, not long to be deferred. Nevertheless, the
alliance with Mary of Lorraine was celebrated in the