The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Queen being in the Calendar, was informed both by word and Letters by false Brethren, That a great part of the Protestants of Edinburgh had lately convened upon Saint Leonards Craigs, and there made a Conspiration against her; And had chosen for the same purpose, certain Captains to govern the rest; And without any Trial, or perfect notice taken in the Case, she sent to the Provest and Bailiffs of Edinburgh, commanding them to take and apprehend Alexander Guthrie, Alexander Clerk, Gilbert Lawder, and Andrew Slater, and put them in prison in the Castle.

The Queen being in the Callender, was informed both by word and Letters by false Brethren, That a great part of the Protestants of Edinburgh had lately convened upon Saint Leonards Craigs, and there made a Conspiration against her; And had chosen for the same purpose, certain Captains to governe the rest; And without any Tryall, or perfect notice taken in the Case, she sent to the Provest and Bayliffs of Edinburgh, commanding them to take and apprehend Alexander Guthrie, Alexander Clerke, Gilbert Lawder, and Andrew Slater, and put them in prison in the Castle.

This new and unaccustomed fashion of proceeding seemed to be very strange: And because the said four persons were not apprehended, she sent the next day a Charge to the Provest and Bailiffs, and to her own great Treasurer, to pass to the houses of the said four men, and likewise to their Booths or Shops, and there to take Inventory of all their Goods and Chattels; And commanded the said Treasurer to take the Keys of the said Houses and Booths, together with the said Inventory; which was executed in effect, especially upon the said Alexander Guthrie his wife, he being then common Clerk, and one of the greatest in estimation within the Town; his wife and children were shut out of their house, and compelled to seek some other lodging in the Town.

This new and unaccustomed fashion of proceeding seemed to be very strange: And because the said four persons were not apprehended, she sent the next day a Charge to the Provest and Bayliffs, and to her owne great Treasurer, to passe to the houses of the said foure men, and likewise to their Booths or Shops, and there to take Inventory of all their Goods and Chattells; And commanded the said Treasurer to take the Keyes of the said Houses and Booths, together with the said Inventory; which was executed in effect, especially upon the said Alexander Guthrie his wife, he being then common Clerke, and one of the greatest in estimation within the Towne; his wife and children were shut out of their house, and compelled to seek some other lodging in the Town.