The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Whilst things was so working in the North, the Earle of Bothwell broke his prison, and came forth of the Castle of Edinburgh the eight and twentieth day of August;¹ some say he broke the Stanchions of the Window; others whispered, that he got easy passage by the gates: one thing is certain, to wit, The Queen was little offended at his escaping. There passed with him a servant of the Captains, named James Porterfield. The said Earle showed himself not very much afraid, for his common residence was in Louthain. The Bishop of Saint Andrews and Abbot of Crosrainell kept secret convention that same time in Paisley, ²to whom resorted divers Papists; yea, the said Bishop spake to the Duke, unto whom also came the Lord Gordon from the Earle of Huntly, requiring him to stir his hands in the South, as he should do in the North, and so it should not be Knox crying and preaching that should stay that purpose: The Bishop, be he never so close, could not altogether hide his mind, but at his own Table said, The Queen is gone into the North, belike to seek disobedience, she may perchance find the thing she seeks. It was constantly affirmed, That the Earle Bothwell and the said Lord Gordon spake together, but of their purpose we heard no mention.

Whilest things was so working in the North, the Earle of Bothwell broke his prison, and came forth of the Castle of Edinburgh the eight and twentieth day of August;¹ some say he broke the Stancheours of the Window; others whispered, that he got easie passage by the gates: one thing is certain, to wit, The Queen was little offended at his escaping. There passed with him a servant of the Captains, named Iames Porterfield. The said Earle shewed himself not very much afraid, for his common residence was in Louthain. The Bishop of Saint Andrews and Abbot of Crosrainell kept secret convention that same time in Paislay, ²to whom resorted divers Papists; yea, the said Bishop spake to the Duke, unto whom also came the Lord Gordon from the Earle of Huntly, requiring him to stirre his hands in the South, as he should do in the North, and so it should not be Knox crying and preaching that should stay that purpose: The Bishop, be he never so close, could not altogether hide his minde, but at his own Table said, The Queen is gone into the North, belike to seek disobedience, she may perchance finde the thing she seeks. It was constantly affirmed, That the Earle Bothwell and the said Lord Gordon spake together, but of their purpose we heard no mention.