The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹The Cardinal was known proud; and Dumbar Archbishop of Glasgow was known a glorious fool: And yet because sometimes he was called the Kings Master, he was Chancellor of Scotland. The Cardinal cometh even the same year, in the end of harvest before to Glasgow, upon what purpose we omit. But while they remain together, the one in the Town, the other in the Castle; Question riseth for bearing of their Crosses.² The Cardinal alleged, That by reason of his Cardinalship, and that he was Legatus natus, and Primate within Scotland, in the kingdom of Antichrist; That he should have the preeminence, and that his Cross should not only go before, but that also it should only be borne wheresoever he was. Good Gukstone Glakstone, the aforesaid Archbishop, lacked no reasons, as he thought, for maintenance of his glory. He was an Archbishop in his own Diocese, and in his own Cathedral Seat and Church, and therefore ought to give place to no man. The power of the Cardinal was but begged from Rome, and appertaineth but to his own person, and not to his Bishopric, for it might be, that his successor should not be Cardinal, but his dignity was annexed with his office, and did appertain to all that ever should be Bishops of Glasgow. Howsoever these doubts were resolved by the Doctors of Divinity of both the Prelates, yet the decision was as ye shall hear; Coming forth (or going in, all is one) at the Queer door of Glasgow Church, begins striving for state betwixt the Cross-bearers, so that from glooming they came to shouldering, and so from shouldering they go to buffets, and from dry blow-neffaling; and then for charities sake, they cry, Dispersed dedit pauperibus, and essay which of the Crosses was finest metal, which ⟨p. 57⟩staff was strongest, and which Cross-bearer could best defend his Masters preeminence; and that there should be no superiority in that behalf, to the ground go both their Crosses. And then began no little fray, but yet a merry game, for rockets were rent, tippets were torn, crowns were knapped, and side gowns might have been seen wantonly to wag from the one wall to the other: Many of them lacked beards, and that was the more pity, and therefore could not buckle other by the brises, as bold men would have done. But fie on the Jackmen, that did not their duty:

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