The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Earle of Lenox in the mean time wrote to the Queen, to cause to punish Bothwell, with his other complices, for murdering the King. The Queen not daring openly to reject the Earle of Lenox his solicitation, did appoint a day for the Trial of Bothwell by an Assize; the members whereof, was the Earle of Caithness President, the Earle of Cassels, (who at the first refused, but thereafter, being threatened to be put in prison, and under the pain of Treason, was present by the Queens command) John Hamilton Commendator of Aberbrothok, Lord Ross, Lord Semple, Lord Boyd, Lord Herries, Lord Oliphant; the Master of Forbes, the Lairds of Lochinvar, Langton, Cambusidentham, Barnbougel and Boyne: They, to please the Queen, and for fear, did pronounce Bothwell not guilty, notwithstanding the manifest evidences of the cruel fact committed by Bothwell, who before the Trial, did make himself strong by divers means; namely, by the possession of the Castle of Edinburgh, so that the accusers durst not appear, not being strong enough. The Earle of Mar did retire to Stirling, and had committed to his charge the young Prince. All this was done in February.

The Earle of Lenox in the mean time wrote to the Queen, to cause to punish Bothwell, with his other complices, for murthering the King. The Queen not daring openly to reject the Earle of Lenox his solicitation, did appoint a day for the Triall of Bothwell by an Assize; the members whereof, was the Earle of Cathnes President, the Earle of Cassels, (who at the first refused, but thereafter, being threatned to be put in prison, and under the pain of Treason, was present by the Queens command) Iohn Hamilton Commendator of Aberbrothok, Lord Rosse, Lord Semple, Lord Boyd, Lord Hereis, Lord Olyphant; the Master of Forbes, the Lairds of Lochinuar, Langton, Cambusidentham, Barnbougel and Boyne: They, to please the Queen, and for fear, did pronounce Bothwell not guilty, notwithstanding the manifest evidences of the cruell fact committed by Bothwell, who before the Tryall, did make himself strong by divers means; namely, by the possession of the Castle of Edinburgh, so that the accusers durst not appear, not being strong enough. The Earle of Marre did retire to Sterlin, and had committed to his charge the young Prince. All this was done in February.