The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Now the chief care and solicitude that was in the Court, was, By what means they might come to have money, for notwithstanding this great preparation for war, and eminent appearance of trouble, yet were they destitute of the sinews of War; albeit the Treasurers, and now Comptroller, to wit, the Laird of Tilbardin, had disbursed many thousands; yet there was no appearance of payment of soldiers, nor scarcely how the King and Queens Houses and pompous Trains should be upholden; there ⟨p. 423⟩was about 600. Horsemen, besides the Guard and 3. Ensigns of footmen. The charge of the whole would amount to 1000. l. ster. every month; a thing surpassing the usual manner of Scotland. At this time arrived the Earl of Bothwell, who was welcome, and graciously received by the Queen, and immediately placed in Council, and made Lieutenant of the West and middle Marches. Now as every one of the Barons compounded to be exempted from this meeting; the E. of Athole demanded of Edinburgh 200. l. ster. but they refused to pay it; notwithstanding Octo. 27. there was a certain number of the principal and rich persons of the Town warned by a Macer to pass to the Palace of Hallyrudhouse to the King and Queen, who declared to them by their own mouths, speaking that they had use for money, and therefore knowing them to be honest men and the inhabitants of the best City in their Country, they must needs charge them; and for security they should have other men bound for pledges, or any Hand therefore. The sum that they desired was 1000 l. sterl. and no less. They being astonished, made no answer; but Parson Flisk standing by, said, That seeing the King and Queens Majesties desired them so civilly, in a thing most lawful in their necessity, they did show themselves not honest to keep silence and give no answer to their Majesties, for that must needs be had of them which was required; and if they would not, they should be constrained by the Laws,¹ which they would not abide; for some of them had deserved hanging (said he) because they had lent large sums of money to the King and Queens enemies, and Rebels; and therefore they must shortly suffer great punishment. Soon after they were called in one by one, and demanded how much they would lend? some made this excuse, and some that, by reason there were that offered to lend money; amongst whom there was one offered to lend 20 l.

Now the chief care and solicitude that was in the Court, was, By what means they might come to have money, for notwithstanding this great preparation for warre, and eminent appearance of trouble, yet were they destitute of the sinewes of Warre; albeit the Treasurers, and now Comptroller, to wit, the Laird of Tilbardin, had disbursed many thousands; yet there was no appearance of payment of souldiers, nor scarcely how the King and Queens Houses and pompous Trains should be upholden; there