Ayrshire > Volume 2

THE KENNEDYS 19
The Earl had five children, three sons and two
daughters. The third son was Sir Thomas Kennedy of
Culzean, from whom the present family of Cassillis is
descended. To him we shall return later on, when it
will be necessary to go back to him to trace the direct
genealogy now represented in the Marquis of Ailsa.
Gilbert, the fourth Earl, who was served heir to his
father in 1562, had previously, as Master of Cassillis, sat
in Parliament. He adhered to the Roman Catholic
faith, and fought for the Queen of Scots at Langside.
For that act his estates were declared forfeited, but he
nevertheless remained " stubborn," and continued to
write letters of devotion to her after she had taken refuge
in England. From the Queen he received various
letters. One of these we subjoin. It is dated from
Carlisle, 20th May, 1568 : —
" Traist Cusing, Forasmeikle as I for the salftie
of my bodie findand na suir access nor place within
my realme to retire me at this tyme as ye may know,
I was constraignit to leve the samin and to pas in
this countrey of Ingland, quhair I assuir yow I have
been Richt weill Ressauit, and honorablie accom-
paigned and traited I have deliberit to pas fortherward
in France to pray the King my gude broder to support
and help me to delyuer and Releue my Realme of sic
Rebellionis, troublis and oppressionis that now
raignis within the samin and to depart furth of this
toun the xxiiii day of this Instant moneth. Thair-
fore I pray yow effectuouslie, traist cusing, that ye in
the mene tyme hold yourself constant in my seruices
and aduertise your friends and neighbours to do the
samin and be in readiness to serve me quhen the
occatioun sail offer as ye have done treuly afoir this
tyme, specially at the last battall quhair (as am
aduerteist) ye have done Richt weill your deuoir, ye
being on your featis, quhilk sail nocht be forgot be
me in tyme coming. With the help of God, I houp to
return agane about the xv day of August nixt with