Series 3 > Scottish correspondence of Mary of Lorraine

MARY OF LORRAINE
3
There is no direct reference to his arrival, nor to the
Cardinal’s liberation, nor to the vigorous measures by
which he secured the ‘ transporting ’ of the Queens to
Stirling. The letter of Kincaid, however, gives an interest¬
ing picture of conditions immediately after Beaton’s
triumph of 26th July. [No. XII.] Notwithstanding
this success it was still thought necessary to stand well
with England : hence the Dowager’s continued assurances
of compliance in the marriage schemes of Henry. [No.
XIII.]
This, indeed, had become the burning question of the
moment. The Treaty of Greenwich had been the work
of the English faction, and the Correspondence shows the
unsuccessful efforts of the Governor to secure Beaton’s
consent to the ratification. He tried diplomacy with the
Cardinal and intimidation with the Dowager. Beaton
was able to blunt the edge of the ecclesiastical weapon
which Arran apparently sought to use against Huntly,
whose letter shows the energy and resolution of the anti-
English party, animated with the hope of French support.
[Nos. XVI, XVII.] The negotiations that led to the
diplomatic triumph of the Cardinal are made clear in the
letters of 16th and 17th August. [Nos. XVIII, XIX.]
How completely Arran had been deceived or had allowed
himself to appear deceived is apparent from the record
of events immediately after the ratification of the treaty.
The Communication of 27th August shows the failure of
the earliest efforts to accomplish the policy to which he
had committed himself. [No. XXIII.] His complete
discomfiture, however, is not recorded in the Correspond¬
ence. The utter unpopularity of his English policy, the
pressure of his brother, John Hamilton, and the subtle
stimulus of Beaton to his dynastic ambitions, these led
to the submission of the Governor to the Cardinal. He
was solemnly absolved from the errors of heresy, and his