Volume II Part 3 (1/2)

This proof was stated to consist in certain ”private letters, written wholly with the Queen's own hand” They were not produced at the time, but will come to be examined more particularly afterwards All that need be reent into the nature of the allegations against Mary It had been always given out previously, that she was kept in Loch-Leven, because she evinced a deterain united to Bothwell; but now, an entirely new and ned for her detention[140]

CHAPTER VIII

MARY'S ESCAPE FROM LOCHLEVEN, AND THE BATTLE OF LANGSIDE

With few comforts and no enjoyments, Mary remained closely confined in the Castle of Loch-Leven Her only resources were in herself, and in the religion whose precepts she was ever anxious not only to profess, but to practise Though deprived of liberty and the delights of a court, she was able to console herself with the reflection, that there is no prison for a soul that puts its trust in its God, and that all the world belongs to one who kno to despise its vanities Yet the h to appal the stoutest heart Her husband had been e, her kingdoainst her, her honour defamed, and her person insulted,--all within the short space of four months History records few reverses so sudden and so coive way under so dreadful a change of fortune; and if Mary was able to put in practice the Roman maxim, _Ne cedere malis, sed contra audentior ire_, it would be to exalt vice and libel virtue to suppose, that she could have been inspired with strength for so arduous a task by aught but her own integrity

It was not these more serious calamities alone whose load she was doomed to bear; there were many petty annoyances to which she was daily and hourly subject Margaret Erskine, the Lady of Loch-Leven, andof Sir Robert Douglas, who fell at the battle of Pinkie one-and-twenty years before, was a woman of a proud temper and austere disposition Soured by early disappointe with Sir Robert, she had been one of the rejected nant nature in continually exalting her illegiti the Earl of Murray above his lawful Queen, now her prisoner Her servants, of course, took their tone from their mistress; and there was one in particular, named James Drysdale, who held a place of so had sooted and unprincipled fanatic, entertained the ainst Mary, and had been heard to declare, that it would give hier into her heart's blood This savage probably succeeded in spreading si the other do upon the prejudices and caprices of menials[141]

But numerous and violent as Mary's enemies may have been, few could re ardently attached to her Hence, throughout all her misfortunes, her own immediate attendants continued h her rebellious nobles had been willing to allow her a suitable train, the absence of accommodation would have rendered their residence there impossible One or two female, and three or four male servants, were all, over whoer of France, could now exercise the slightest control Of these, John Beaton was the individual upon whose assiduity she placed most reliance But the influence which the fascination of her manners, and the beauty of her person, obtained for her, over two of the younger branches of the House of Loch-Leven, made up for the want of many of her forlas, the youngest son of Lady Douglas, about five-and-twenty years of age, and Willialas, an orphan youth of sixteen or seventeen, a relative of the falas, in particular, impressed with the injustice of Mary's treat no pains till he acco to be of equal service, was not less ardent in the cause[142] George co Mary's friends in the adjoining districts of Scotland, of the design he had in view, and establishi+ng a coestion, Lord Seaton, with a considerable party, arrived secretly in the neighbourhood of Loch-Leven, and held themselves in readiness to receive the Queen as soon as she should be able to find her way across the lake Nor was it long before Mary made an attempt to join her friends On the 25th of March 1568, she had a gli could exceed the bitterness of her disappoint as she did, both in health and spirits, she had contracted a habit of spending a considerable part of thein bed On the day referred to, her laundress ca to a schening her bed to the washer-woman, dressed herself in the habiliments of the latter With a bundle of clothes in her hand, and a muffler over her face, she went out, and passed down unsuspected to the boat which aiting to take the laundress across the lake The ine any thing rong, for so, that Mary was very anxious to keep her face concealed, said in jest,--”Let us see what kind of a looking damsel this is;” and attempted to pull away her muffler The Queen put up her hands to prevent him, which were immediately observed to be particularly soft and white, and a discovery took place in consequence Mary, finding it no longer of any use, threw aside her disguise, and, assunity, told the ed theh surprised and overawed, they resolutely refused to obey, pro, however, that if she would return quietly to the castle, they would not inforlas or his mother that she had ever left it But they promised more than they were able to perforlas, together with Beaton and Sempil, two of Mary's servants, were ordered to leave the island, and took up their residence in the neighbouring village of Kinross[143]

But neither the Queen nor her friends gave up hope George Douglas continued indefatigable, though separated from her; and Williaree of cautious and silent enterprise beyond his years It was probably in reference to what ht be done by him, that a s the deliverance of the lion by the mouse[144] Little more than a month elapsed from the failure of the first attempt, before another was adventured, and with better success On Sunday, the second of May, about seven in the evening, Willia at supper with the rest of the faet into his possession the keys of the Castle, which his relation, Sir Williathe door of the apartment from without, proceeded to the Queen's chah a little postern gate, to a boat which had been prepared for her reception One of her ered a few ate in the interval, she leapt from a , and rejoined her mistress without injury Lord Seaton, Jahbourhood, had been informed by a feords which Mary traced with charcoal on one of her handkerchiefs, and contrived to send to them, that she was about tothe arrival of the boat Nor did they watch in vain Sir Willialas and his retainers, were locked up in their own castle; and the Queen, herescort, had already put off across the lake It is said that Douglas, not being accustoress, until Mary herself, taking one into her own hands, lent hi before they arrived safely at the opposite shore, where Lord Seaton, Halas, Beaton, and the rest, received the Queen with every demonstration of joyful loyalty Little tiratulations; theyher with a strong party, they galloped all night, and having rested only an hour or two at Lord Seaton's house of Niddry, in West Lothian, they arrived early next forenoon at Has of happiness, on being thus delivered froined by those who have never been deprived of the blessing of liberty It is fair, however, to state, that her happiness was neither selfish nor exclusive; and it deserves to be recorded to her honour, that till the very latest day of her life, she never forgot the services of those who so essentially befriended her on this occasion She bestowed pensions upon both the Douglases,--the elder of whom, became afterwards a favourite with her son Jaer is particularly mentioned in Mary's last will and testao unrewarded[145]

The news that Mary was arrived at Ha to her froent, as not ow, refused at first to credit the report He would soon, however, (without other evidence) have discovered its truth, fro those whoe alteration,” says Keith, ”reatthe Queen's pardon, and not a feent publicly over to her Majesty” In this state of , where the young King resided; but he was afraid that his departure froht, which would at once have anied his friends He, therefore, resolved to continue where he was,every exertion to collect a sufficient force with as little delay as possible He was not allowed to re Mary's intentions, for she sent hi hiovernment; and before the Earls, Bishops, Lords, and others, who had now gathered round her, she solemnly protested, that the instruments she had subscribed at Loch-Leven were all extorted from her by fear Sir Robert Melville, one of those who, in this new turn of affairs, left Murray's party for the Queen's, gave his testimony to the truth of this protest, as he had been a witness of the whole proceeding

The abdication, therefore, was pronounced _ipso facto_ null and void; and Murray having issued a proclaency, both parties prepared for immediate hostilities The principal Lords who had joined the Queen, were Argyle, Huntly, Cassils, Rothes, Montrose, Fleilvy, and Oliphant There were, in all, nine Earls, nine Bishops, eighteen Lords, and le week, she found herself at the head of an arth, they determined to march to Dumbarton, and to keep her Majesty there peaceably, until she assembled a Parliament, which should determine on the measures best suited for the safety of the common weal[146]

On Thursday the 13th of May 1568, Murray was informed that the Queen with her troops was on her way froow He instantly determined to intercept her on the road; for should she reach Du been in the possession of the Hamiltons, she would be comparatively beyond his reach, and would have tiht once more chase him out of Scotland Besides, the loss of a battle, where the arh it ht in all probability be fatal to Mary, was not of so ent He therefore asse, on the Green of Glasgow; and being infor upon the south side of the Clyde, he crossed that river, and side, on the Water of Cart, about two ow Mary was anxious to avoid a battle, for she knew that Murray himself possessed no inconsiderable e, the best soldier in Scotland, ith hih, and the Hamiltons and the Lennoxes, in particular, were so ainst each other, that as soon as they ca but bloould satisfy them The main body of the Queen's aryle; the van was led by Claud Hamilton, second son of the Duke of Chatelherault; and the cavalry was under the conduct of Lord Herries The Earl of Huntly would have held a conspicuous place in the battle, but he had set off from Hamilton a few days before to collect his followers, and did not return till it was too late Murray himself commanded his e was intrusted the special charge of riding about over the whole field, andsuch alterations in the position of the battle as he dee now intervened between the two arain possession, the onefrom the east, and the other from the west It happened, however, that the ascent on the side next Mary's troops was the steepest, and a stratageent He ordered every man as mounted to take up a foot soldier behind him, and ride with all speed to the top of the hill, where they were set down, and instantly fored to take his position on a lesser hill, over against that occupied by Murray A cannonading commenced upon both sides, and continued for about half an hour but without yle led his forces forward, and deteragees were obtained upon both sides The Earl of Morton, who ca back the Queen's cannoneers and part of her infantry; whilst on the other hand, Lord Herries, e on Murray's cavalry, put the pursuit, he returned to attack soed to advance directly up hill, he was unable to make much i yle endeavoured to lead his troops round towards the west, and it was to counteract this eradually drawn off froth of the battle on either side was concentrated upon this new ground For half an hour the fortune of the day continued doubtful; but at length the Queen's troops began to waver, and a re-inforcehlanders, which arrived just at the fortunate yle's flank, decided the victory The flight soon afterwards becah the loss of lives on the Queen's side did not exceed three hundred, a great number of her best officers and soldiers were made prisoners[147]

Mary had taken her station upon a neighbouring eh with a thousand hopes and fears, for she was either to regain the crown of her forefathers, or to becoitive and a wanderer she knew not where It lanced from one part of the field to another;--itheart, that she saw her troops either advance or retreat; and when at length she beheld the goodly array she had led forth in the , scattered over the country, and all the Lords who had attended her with pride and loyalty, seeking safety in flight, no wonder if she burst into a passion of tears, and lamented that she had ever been born But the necessity of theebullition of her feelings With a very s as the Lord Herries, she was quickly hurried away from the scene of her disasters She rode off at full speed, taking a southerly direction towards Galloway, because froe either by sea or land into England or France She never stopped or closed her eyes till she reached Dundrennan, an abbey about two e of Langside[148]

She remained two days at Dundrennan, and there held several anxious consultations with the few friends, who had either accoht, or who joined her afterwards Lord Herries, her principal adviser, gave it as his decided opinion, that she ought to sail immediately for France, where she had relations on whose affection she could depend, even though they should not be able to secure her restoration to the throne of Scotland But Mary could not brook the idea of returning as a fugitive to a country she had left as a Queen; and besides, had she placed herself under the protection of Catholics, she ht have exasperated her own subjects, and would certainly have displeased Elizabeth and the people of England She was disposed also to place some reliance on the assurances of friendshi+p she had lately received frolish Queen She ell aware of the hollowness of most of Elizabeth's proht that to cross the sea would be to resign her crown forever After land, and desired Herries to write to Elizabeth's Warden at Carlisle, to knohether shefor an answer, she rode to the coast on Sunday the 16th of May, and with eighteen or twenty persons in her train, e the shore, till she caton, in cumberland Thence she proceeded to the town of cockermouth, about twenty-six miles from Carlisle Lord Scroope, the Warden on these frontiers, was at this tientle sent off an express to the Court, to intimate the arrival of the Queen of Scots, assembled, on his own responsibility, thecome out to meet the Queen, conducted her honourably to the Castle of Carlisle, with the assurance, that, until Elizabeth's pleasure was known, he would protect her from all her enemies

As soon as the important news reached Elizabeth, that Mary was noithin her dominions, and consequently at her disposal, she perceived that the great end of all her intrigues was at length achieved It was necessary, however, to proceed with caution, for she did not yet know either the precise strength of Mary's party in Scotland, or the degree of interest which ht be taken by France in her future fate She, therefore, immediately despatched Lord Scroope, and Sir Francis Knollys her Vice-Chaes of comfort and condolence

Mary, who anxiously waited their arrival, anticipated that they would bring consolatory assurances Her spirits began to revive, and she illing to believe that Elizabeth would prove her friendshi+p by deeds, as well as by words But this delusion was destined to be of only momentary duration[149]

CHAPTER IX

MARY'S RECEPTION IN ENGLAND, AND THE CONFERENCES AT YORK AND WESTMINSTER

If there had been a single generous feeling still lurking in Elizabeth's bosom, the time was now arrived when it should have discovered itself

Mary was no longer a rival Queen, but an unfortunate sister, who, in her hour of distress, had thrown herself into the ar her imprisonment in Scotland, Elizabeth had avowed her conviction of its injustice; and, if it was unjust that her own subjects should retain her in captivity, it would of course be ht to interfere with her affairs, and who had already condemned such conduct in others If it was too lish Queen would supply her with money and arms, to enable her to win back the Crown she had lost, it was surely not to be doubted that she would either allow her to seek assistance in France, or, if she reland, would treat her with kindness and hospitality All these hopes were fallacious; for, ”with Elizabeth and her counsellors,”

as Robertson has justly observed, ”the question was, not as enerous, but as lish nation”

On the 29th of May 1568, Lord Scroope and Sir Francis Knollys arrived at Carlisle They were met at some little distance from the town by Lord Herries, who told them, that what the Queen his mistress most desired, was a personal intervieith Elizabeth But they had been instructed to answer, that they doubted whether her Majesty could receive the Queen of Scots, until her innocence from any share in the murder of her husband was satisfactorily established[150] Thus, the ground which Elizabeth had resolved to take was at once discovered She was to affect to treat the Scottish Queen with empty civility, whilst in reality she detained her a prisoner, until she had arranged with Murray the precise accusation which was to be brought against her, and which, if it succeeded in blackening her character, ht justify subsequent severities Mary could not at first believe that she would be treated with so much treachery; but circumstances occurred every day to dilish Queen Under the pretence that there was too great a concourse of strangers from Scotland, Lord Scroope and Sir Francis Knollys ordered the fortifications of Carlisle Castle to be repaired, and Mary was not allowed to ride out to any distance The uished of the few friends ere noith her, and who remained faithful to her to the end of her life, were Lesley, Bishop of Ross,--the Lords Herries, Livingston, and Flelas She had also her two secretaries, Curl and Naho afterwards betrayed her,--and a other servants, Beaton, and Sebastian the French, Mary Seaton, Lord Seaton's daughter, and other female attendants[151]

Mary's first intervieith the envoys from Elizabeth, prepossessed them both in her favour ”We found her,” they said, ”to have an eloquent tongue and a discreet head, and it seee, and a liberal heart adjoined thereto” When they told her that the Queen, their mistress, refused to admit her to her presence, Mary burst into tears, and expressed the bitterest disappoint a tone of beconity, she said, that if she did not receive without delay, the aid she had been induced to expect, she would immediately demand permission to pass into France, where she did not doubt she would obtain what the English Queen denied[152] In the meantime, as she was not allowed to proceed to London herself, she despatched Lord Herries to superintend her interests there; and shortly afterwards, it being represented to her that her person was not in safety so long as she continued so near the Borders, she consented to be reland, and was conveyed to Bolton Castle, a seat of Lord Scroope, in the North Riding of Yorkshi+re[153]

The Regent Murray, on his part, was any thing but inactive He forced the Earl of Huntly, who had collected upwards of 2000to the Queen's assistance when he heard of the unfortunate battle of Langside, to retire to the North, and disband the greater part of his troops; he put to flight the reathered by Argyle and Cassils; and, asse a Parliaainst many of the most powerful Lords of the opposite party Elizabeth, perceiving his success, had no desire to check the progress of his usurped authority, whatever professions to the contrary she chose to make to Mary On the 8th of June, she wrote Murray a letter, in which she addressed hiht well-beloved cousin;” told him falsely that the Queen of Scots had confided to her the examination of the differences between herself and her subjects; and advised him to take such steps as would place his own side of the question in the most favourable point of view

Murray had no objection to make Elizabeth the umpire between himself and his sister, well assured that she would ultimately decide in his favour, lest the rival, whoain become a source of jealousy and alar to Elizabeth as to a judge, and she now learned with indignation that her rebellious nobles were to be encouraged to co with herself

When she asked for a personal interview, it was that she ht speak to her cousin as to a friend and equal, of the wrongs she had suffered She had voluntarily undertaken to satisfy the English Queen, as soon as they conversed together, of her innocence froainst her; but she was not to degrade herself by entering into a controversy with her subjects regarding these charges Accordingly, as soon as she discovered Elizabeth's insidious policy, she addressed a letter to her, in which she openly protested against it The letter was in French, and to the following effect:--

”Madaood sister, I came into your dominions to ask your assistance, and not to save my life Scotland and the world have not renounced me I was conscious of innocence; I was disposed to lay allto do you honour, byyou the restorer of a Queen But you have afforded me no aid, and no consolation