Spottiswoode Society > History of the affairs of the Church and State of Scotland from the beginning of the reformation to the year 1568 > Volume 1

15G0.] OF CHURCH AND STATE IN SCOTLAND. 2G9
weal, themselves, their estates and posterity from utter ruin.
But that in no danger, how great soever, shall they depart
from their dutiful obedience towards their Sovereign the
Queen, or resist the King her husband in any thing that
shall not 1 tend to the subversion of their ancient liberties,
or the destruction of themselves and their posterity." This
letter, dated at Dalkeith, a fine village four miles 2 south from
Edinburgh, the 4th of April 3 as aforesaid, was subscribed
by all the Noblemen that were present ; and Spottiswood
tells us that the English General did in like manner direct
Sir George Howard and Sir James Crofts to make offer to
the Queen-Regent — That if the French would peaceably de-
part forth of Scotland, they likewise should return into their
own country without molesting any person ; and that the
Queen's answer was — That she would think on what was pro-
posed, and give answer thereto against next day. But the
army not liking to admit these delays, advanced the next day
towards Leith. This matter is very differently related by
Lesly, viz. — That the Lord Grey desired from the Queen-
Regent a truce for twenty-four hours that he might have an
opportunity to declare to her the cause of his coming into
Scotland, and at the same time to propose to her Majesty
terms of accommodation ; that the Queen sent down a herald
to Leith, who might signify her mind concerning these pro-
posals, but that before his arrival there the armies had en-
gaged ; that the engagement being somewhat slackened, the
two gentlemen above mentioned were sent to the Queen-
Regent, and told her that the English army was ready to
return home, if the French were sent home likewise ; that to
this the Queen answered — That she could do nothing without
first advising with the French generals, and that some time
must be allowed her for that purpose; that she gave command
to one Drummond, a herald, to carry a letter of Monsieur
la Brosse, then in Leith, and to take some Englishman along
with him as a companion ; that this herald had his letters
taken from him by the English, and was ordered to return to
1 This clause seems to be shuffled in, to afford them a good pretext for
rebellion. But some people think nothing to be rebellion that is attended
with success.
2 [The town of Dalkeith is six English miles from Edinburgh. — E.]
3 Archbishop Spottiswood, by what authority I know not, says the 5th.