Stuart dynasty

( 179 )
CHAPTEK VIII.
mary stuart's captivity and death.
1567-1587.
Although Murray, the new Regent of Scotland, and
his associates had triumphed, they were called on
immediately to deal with Queen Elizabeth in a mood
of real compassion for Mary Stuart. Sir Nicholas
Throckmorton had been sent on a friendly mission
to Lochleven, and, but for Cecil's influence, the Lords
of the Congregation might not impossibly have found
themselves confronted with the power of England.*
Thus encouraged, Mary employed all her wiles to
regain freedom and strike a blow for her crown.
It is even said that she held out hopes of marriage
to her deliverer, Greorge Douglas, whose connivance
made the romantic escape from Lochleven possible. f
The plan formed by this ardent esquire was carried
out on May 2 ; a youthful kinsman, William by name,
conducting Mary's escape from the castle and rowing
her to the shore, while Lord Seton, with a body of
the Hamiltons, waited near the bank, and hurried the
Queen off to Niddry in West Lothian, and thence to
Hamilton on the following day.
* Hosack's ' Mary Quten of Scots. A brief Statement,' p. 30.
t l'obertson's 'Histoiy of Scotland,' edition 1794, vol. i. p. 468; also
1'nrton's ' History of Scotland,' new editioD, vol. iv. p. 304.
N 2