Series 3 > Scottish correspondence of Mary of Lorraine

MARY OF LORRAINE
199
Huntly, it is true, had dealings with both parties, but his
services were sold to Mary of Lorraine and the King of
France, while in angling with the English offers he played
a masterly game of procrastination. Although the plot
for his liberation failed in its ostensible object, yet it served
a purpose in driving time until the opening of the summer
campaign. His brother, Alexander Gordon, seems to
have occupied a place in the Dowager’s councils something
like that of Sir George Douglas in 1544. Her new choice
of an agent indicates that it was no longer her interest,
or her necessity, to court the English party.
Gordon’s past record of service was distinguished and
meritorious, and he seems to have been adroit, forceful,
and loyal. Although it is true that his bond of manrent
was purchased by a pension of £200 a year, on the other
hand he had sustained great loss through his ‘ laboris and
attendence to hycht besynes concernyng this Realm and
my pwre hows.’ [No. CLXXL] Moreover, he alleges
that he had refused offers from England ‘ to hawe cawsit
ane pwre man hyr,’ while there is a ring of sincerity in his
assertion ‘ that adversete nor feir of deid sail never cum
to me that sail gar me offend yowr grace nor my honour.’
In the art of diplomatic letter-writing he might have been
an apt pupil of Sir George Douglas himself [No. CLVIH];
in political good-faith he towered above that master
craftsman.
It is noteworthy that on his arrival from France he
proceeded to the seat of war before riding ‘ haym.’
[No. CLL] There is no mistaking his attitude of mind.
‘ Planely, my lord, or we be sa cruelly owrthrawin in this
maneir we will randyr to the Twrk rathyr nor to be
onrewangit.’ Again, he saw a truth that Somerset was
to learn in the school of bitter experience. ‘ Thocht the
wysdome off Ingland be extemit greitt, thay gane nocht
the rycht way to mak unuon off thyr twa realmis. Gyf