The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And also Peace being accorded amongst the Princes, retaineth the great Army of strangers, after commandment sent by the King of France to retire the same, making excuse that they were retained for the suppressing the attempts of the Lieges of this Realm; albeit the whole subjects thereof of all estates,¹ is, and ever hath been ready to give all dutiful obedience to their Sovereigns, and their lawful ministers proceeding by Gods Ordinance: And the same Army of strangers not being paid in wages, was laid by her upon the necks of the poor Commonalty of our native Country, who were compelled by force to defraud themselves, their wives and children, of that poor substance which they might purchase with the sweat of their brows, to satisfy their hunger and necessities, and quit the ⟨p. 195⟩same to sustain the idle bellies of her strangers; through the which, in all parts rose such heavy lamentation and complaint of the Commonalty, accusing the Council and Nobility of their sloth, that as the same oppression we doubt not hath entered in before the Justice Seat of God, so hath it moved our hearts to pity and compassion. And for redress of the same, with other great offences committed against the public weal of this Realm, we have convened here as said is: and as oftentimes before have most humbly and with all reverence desired and required the said Queen Regent to redress the said enormities,² and especially to remove her strangers from the necks of the poor Commonalty, and to desist from enterprising of fortification of Strengths within this Realm, against the express will of the Nobility and Council of the same; yet we being convened the more strong for fear of her strangers, who we saw presume no other thing, but with Arms to pursue our lives and possessions, Besought her to remove the fear of the same, and make the Town Patent to all our Sovereign Lord and Ladies Lieges. The same in no wise would she grant unto, but when some of our company in peaceable manner went to view the Town, there was both great and small Munition shot forth at them. And seeing therefore that neither access was granted to be used, nor yet she would join her self to us to consult upon the Affairs of our Common-wealth, as that we be borne Councillors to the same by ancient Laws of the Realm: