The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

¹The Protestants thereof advertised, prevented them, and came to Edinburgh. The Earle of Arran stood constant with his brethren; there were some that carefully and painfully travelled that nothing prejudicial to the Queens Authority should be done in the absence of the Lord James, to whom the Queen hath recompensed evil for good service. Master James Magill in that point did both stoutly and truly; for John Knox and he were then fallen in familiarity, in which they yet continue, 20 Octobris 1567. by reason that the said Master James had embraced the Religion, and professed it publicly. The Papists and Bishops disappointed of their principal enterprise,² did yet make broil for trouble: For the rascal multitude were stirred up to make a Robin-Hood, which enormity was of many years left off, and condemned by Stature and Act of Parliament; yet would they not be forbidden, but would disobey and trouble the Town, especially upon the night: Whereat the Bailiffs offended, took from them some Swords and Ensign, which was ⟨p. 280⟩occasion that they that same night made a mutiny; kept the Gates of the Town, and intended to have pursued some men within their own houses; But that upon the restitution of their Swords and Ensign, was stayed. And yet they ceased not to molest, as well the Inhabitants of Edinburgh, as divers Country-men, taking from them money, and threatening some with farther injuries: Wherewith the Magistrates of the Town highly offended, took more diligent heed to such as resorted to the Town, and so apprehended one of the principal of that disorder, named Balon, ³a Shoo-maker, whom they put to an Assizes; and being convinced (he could not be absolved, for he was the chief man that spoiled John Mubray of ten Crowns of the Sun) they thought to have executed Judgement upon him, and so erected a Gibbet beneath the Cross. (Whether it came by Paction with the Provest and some other, or by instigation of the Crafts-men, who ever have been bent too much to maintain such vanity and riotousness, we fully know not) but suddenly there did arise a tumult, the Tolbooth was broken up, and not only the said Balon, who before was condemned, was violently taken forth, but also all other malefactors were set at freedom, the Gibbet was pulled down, and despitefully broken.