The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Within few days, Bothwell and the Queen, were raising men, under pretext to go to the Borders to repress the Robbers there; but in effect, to go to Stirling, to have the Prince in their custody, that they might dispose of him according to their mind. Then a new Proclamation came out, That the Queen hereafter would rule only by the advice of the Nobles of the Land, as her best Predecessors had done. The Lords at Stirling hearing of this plot, strives to prevent it, and to this purpose they appointed with the Lord Humes to besiege the Castle of Borthwike, where the Queen and Bothwell was: But because the Earl of Athole did not come at the hour appointed, they had not men enough to environ and compass the Castle; so that Bothwell having notice given him of the business, escaped to Dumbar, and the Queen after him, in mans clothes. The Lords failing of their design at Borthwike Castle, went to Edinburgh, whereof they made themselves Masters easily, having the affections of the people, notwithstanding the Earle Huntley, and the Archbishop of S. Andrews persuasion to the contrary: These two, with their associates, were constrained to retire to the Castle, where they were received by Sir Jam. Balfour, left there by Bothwell.

Within few dayes, Bothwell and the Queen, were raising men, under pretext to go to the Borders to represse the Robbers there; but in effect, to go to Sterlin, to have the Prince in their custody, that they might dispose of him according to their minde. Then a new Proclamation came out, That the Queen hereafter would rule onely by the advice of the Nobles of the Land, as her best Predecessors had done. The Lords at Sterlin hearing of this plot, strives to prevent it, and to this purpose they appointed with the Lord Humes to besiege the Castle of Borthwike, where the Queen and Bothwell was: But because the Earl of Athole did not come at the hour appointed, they had not men enough to environ and compasse the Castle; so that Bothwel having notice given him of the businesse, escaped to Dumbar, and the Queen after him, in mans clothes. The Lords failing of their designe at Borthwike Castle, went to Edinburgh, whereof they made themselves Masters easily, having the affections of the people, notwithstanding the Earle Huntley, and the Archbishop of S. Androes perswasion to the contrary: These two, with their associates, were constrained to retire to the Castle, where they were received by Sir Iam. Balfour, left there by Bothwel.