The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

From England returned Robert Melvin, who past in company to London with the Secretary, a little before Christmas, and brought unto us certain Articles to be answered, as by the contract that after was made, more plainly shall appear. Whereupon the Nobility assembled at Stirling, and returned answer with diligence; Whereof the French advertised, they marched to Linlithquow, spoiled the Dukes house, and wasted his lands of Kinneill, and after came to Stirling, where they remained certain days (the Duke, the Earls of Argyle and Glencarn, with their friends passed to Glasgow. The Earle of Arran and Lord James passed to Saint Andrews. For charge was given to the whole Nobility Protestants, to keep their own bodies, till that God should send them further support.) The French took purpose first to assault Fife, for as it was their great indignation. Their purpose was to have taken and fortified the Town and Abbey, with the Castle of Saint Andrews, and so they came to Culrosse, after to Dunfermline, and then to Brunteiland, where they began to fortify: but desisted there from, and marched to Kinghorn, upon the occasion as followeth. When certain knowledge came to the Earl of Arran and to Lord James, That the French were departed from Stirling, they departed also from S. Andrews, and began to assemble their Forces at Cowper, and sent their men of War to Kinghorne, unto whom there resorted divers of the coast side, of mind to resist rather at the beginning, then when they had destroyed a part of their Townes. But the Lords had given an express commandment, That they should hazard nothing, till that they themselves were present. And for that purpose was sent unto them the Lord Ruthven, a man of great experience, and inferior to few in stoutness: In his company was the Earle of Sutherland, sent from the Earle of Huntly, as he alleged, to comfort the Lord▪ in their affliction. But others whispered, That his principal Commission was unto the Queen Regent.¹ Howsoever it was, he was hurt in the arm by the shot of an Haquebut, for the men of War and the rascal multitude, perceiving certain Boats of French-men landing, which came from Leith, purposed to stop their landing, and so not considering the enemies that approached from Brunteiland:

From England returned Robert Melvin, who past in company to London with the Secretary, a little before Christmas, and brought unto us certain Articles to be answered, as by the contract that after was made, more plainely shall appeare. Whereupon the Nobility assembled at Sterlin, and returned answer with diligence; Whereof the French advertised, they marched to Linlithquow, spoiled the Dukes house, and wasted his lands of Kinneill, and after came to Sterlin, where they remained certaine dayes (the Duke, the Earles of Argyle and Glencarn, with their friends passed to Glasgow. The Earle of Arrane and Lord Iames passed to Saint Andrews. For charge was given to the whole Nobility Protestants, to keepe their owne bodies, till that God should send them further support.) The French tooke purpose first to assault Fyfe, for as it was their great indignation. Their purpose was to have taken and fortified the Towne and Abbey, with the Castle of Saint Andrews, and so they came to Culrosse, after to Dunfermeling, and then to Brunteiland, where they began to fortifie: but desisted there from, and marched to Kinghorn, upon the occasion as followeth. When certaine knowledge came to the Earl of Arrane and to Lord Iames, That the French were departed from Sterlin, they departed also from S. Andrews, and began to assemble their Forces at Cowper, and sent their men of War to Kinghorne, unto whom there resorted divers of the coast side, of minde to resist rather at the beginning, then when they had destroyed a part of their Townes. But the Lords had given an expresse commandment, That they should hazard nothing, till that they themselves were present. And for that purpose was sent unto them the Lord Ruthuen, a man of great experience, and inferiour to few in stoutnesse: In his company was the Earle of Sudderland, sent from the Earle of Huntly, as he alleadged, to comfort the Lord in their affliction. But others whispered, That his principall Commission was unto the Queen Regent.