The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

and there he remained without all fear of death, promising to himself no less pleasure then did the rich man of whom mention is made by our Master in the Gospel; for he did not only say, Eat and be glad, my soul, for thou hast great riches laid up in store for many days; but he said, Tush, a fig for the fools, and a button for the bragging of heretics, and their assistance in Scotland: Is not my Lord Governor mine? witness his eldest son in pledge at my table. Have I not the Queen at my own devotion (he meant of the mother Mary that now 1566 reigns) Is not France my friend, ¹and I am friend to France? What danger should I fear? And thus in vanity the carnal Cardinal delighted himself a little before his death. But yet he had devised to have cut off such as he thought might trouble him: For he had appointed the whole Gentlemen of Fife to have met him at Falkland the Monday; but he was slain upon the Saturday before. His treasonable purpose was not understood, and it was this; That Norman Lesley, Sheriff of Fife, and apparent heir to his Father the Earl of Rothes ▪ the foresaid John Lesley, Father brother to Norman; the Lairds of Grange, elder and younger; Sir James Learmond of Darsie, and Provost of Saint Andrews; and the faithful Laird of Raith, should either have been slain, or else taken, and after to have been ⟨p. 71⟩used at his pleasure. This enterprise was disclosed after his slaughter, partly by Letters and Memorials found in his chamber, but plainly affirmed by such as were of the counsel. Many purposes were devised, how that wicked man might have been taken away; But all faileth, till Friday the twenty eighth of May, ²anno 1546. when the aforesaid Norman came at night to Saint Andrews, William Kirkcaldy of Grange younger, was in the Town before, waiting upon the purpose. Last came John Lesley as aforesaid, who was most suspected: What conclusion they took that night, it was not known, but by the issue that followed. But early upon the Saturday in the morning, the 29 of May, were they in sundry Companies in the Abbey Church-yard, not far distant from the Castle:

and there he remained without all fear of death, promising to himself no lesse pleasure then did the rich man of whom mention is made by our Master in the Gospel; for he did not onely say, Eat and be glad, my soul, for thou hast great riches laid up in store for many dayes; but he said, Tush, a figge for the fooles, and a button for the bragging of heretickes, and their assistance in Scotland: Is not my Lord Governour mine? witnesse his eldest son in pledge at my table. Have I not the Queen at my owne devotion (he meant of the mother Mary that now 1566 raigns) Is not France my friend,