History of the Fife Pitcairns

108 THE FIFE PITCAIRNS.
This account having been given to the nobles at Stirling,
they unanimously approved of the diligence and fidelity of
their ambassadors.
Soon after this, in a fight at Edinburgh between the rival
parties, the Regent was wounded and died. John, Earl of
Mar, was appointed Regent in his place. He was good
and kind, but wanting in energy, and died (from illness
brought on by the vexations and cares of a public life) at
Stirling on the 29th of Oct. 1572. On his death, the Earl
of Morton, supported by the interest of England, was elected
to that high office on the 24th of Nov. a.d. 1572.
A meeting then took place at Perth, between the Earl of
Argyll, Montrose, Pitcairn, Lords Ruthven and Boyd, and
Sir John Bellenden, Clerk, with the Earl of Huntly, Lord
John Hamilton, Commendator of Aberbrothic, for the Duke
of Chatelherault, when a treaty of peace was agreed upon.
Morton now began to show a great spirit of greed and
avarice in annexing the revenues of the Church and treat-
ing the nobility with scorn and oppression, which alienated
many.
In Nov. 1571, Pitcairn was sent with others to treat with
Lord Hunsdon at Berwick, for an offensive and defensive
league with England, and to obtain aid from Elizabeth
against Queen Mary.
On their return they received the special thanks of the
Privy Council. 1
1 57 1. Nov. 22. Berwick. Lord Hunsdon to the Privy Coun-
cil of England. Arrival of Morton and Abbot of Dunfermline to
treat with him for quieting the troubles there. Their consent to
give hostages for the safe return of the Queen of England's soldiers.
The need of Her Majesty's aid both in men and money. Forces
required for the winning of the Castle, &c.
1572. Oct. 28. "Certain notes given me" (Henry Killigrew,
Ambassador and Special Correspondent) "in writing by Robert
Pitcairn, the Abbot of Dunfermline, in the name of the Regent
and my Lord of Morton," being conditions for the future govern-
ment of Scotland, the custody of the Castle of Edinburgh, &c. 2
Reg. P. C. Scot., ii. 99. 2 State Papers, 1569-71. Entry 2133.