The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The French Ambassador seeing them ready to fight, strived to take up the business, and having spoken with the Queen, went to the Lords, telling them, that the Queen was disposed to peace, and to forgive and pardon this Insurrection; wherefore it was very fit to spare blood, to agree in a peaceable way. The Earle of Morton (in the name of all rest) answered, That they had taken up Arms, not against the Queen, but against the murderer of the King; whom if she would deliver to be punished, or at least put from her company, she should find a continuation of dutiful obedience by them, and all other good subjects; otherwise no peace: Besides, we are not to ask pardon for any offence done by us. The ⟨p. 447⟩Ambassador seeing their resolution to stand to the right of their Cause, withdrew, and went to Edinburgh.

The French Ambassadour seeing them ready to fight, strived to take up the businesse, and having spoken with the Queen, went to the Lords, telling them, that the Queene was disposed to peace, and to forgive and pardon this Insurrection; wherefore it was very fit to spare blood, to agree in a peaceable way. The Earle of Morton (in the name of all rest) answered, That they had taken up Armes, not against the Queen, but against the murtherer of the King; whom if she would deliver to be punished, or at least put from her company, she should finde a continuation of dutifull obedience by them, and all other good subjects; otherwise no peace: Besides, we are not to ask pardon for any offence done by us. The ⟨p. 447⟩Ambassadour seeing their resolution to stand to the right of their Cause, withdrew, and went to Edinburgh.

While the French Ambassador was thus labouring for Accommodation, Bothwell came out of the Camp (which was in the Trench that the Englishmen had left at their last being in these places, as was we have said in the former Books) well mounted, with a defy to any that would fight with him. James Murray, brother to the Laird of Tullibardin, who before had accepted of Bothwell's challenge, when he made the Rodomontade at Edinburgh, immediately after the Kings death; but then James Murray did not make known his name. Bothwell refused to fight with James Murray, alleging he was not his equal. Upon this the Elder Brother William Murray, Laird of Tullibardin, answered, That he would fight with him, as being his Better in Estate, and in Antiquity of House many degrees above him; yet Bothwell refused him, saying, That he was not a Peer of the Kingdom, as he was; then sundry Lords would have gone to fight with Bothwell; but the Lord Lindsey namely, who said to the rest of the Lords and Gentlemen, That he would take it as a singular favour of them, and as a recompense of his service done to the State, if they would suffer him to fight with the Braggadocio. Bothwell seeing that there was no more subterfuge nor excuse, under-hand made the Queen to forbid him. After this challenge and answers, Bothwell's Complices and Followers were very earnest to fight, but others that had come only for the Queens sake, became little cold, saying, That Bothwell would do well to fight himself, and spare the blood of divers Gentlemen that were there. Some counselled to delay the Battle till the Hamiltons came, whom they did expect. All this the Queen heard with anger; and riding up and down, burst out in tears, and said, They were all cowards and traitors that would not fight. Immediately after, thus vapouring, the Queen perceiving sundry to leave her, she advised Bothwell to look unto himself, for she said to him, She would render her self unto the Noble-men. Upon this she sent for James Kirkcaldy of Grange,