Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland 
From The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes  AD 79 – 1749

By   James TAYLOR, D.D.,
Assisted by Professor Lindsay, D.D., Professor Eadie, D.D., L.L.D., John Anderson, 
D.D. George MacDonald, Esq. F.E.I.S. and other contributors
In two volumes 

Index of pages referenced herein.

 BOYD’S mentioned;
  Pictorial History My Page 
 Page reference  reference.

BOYD, Robert; 
 joins Bruce  i.115. iii 

BOYD, Robert, 
 noticed, i.  334, vi
 Appointed justiciar, i.  348, vii
 Seizes the person of the king, ib 348 vii
 Appointed Governor of the king, ib 348 viii
 Downfall of, 350 xi
 Flight and death of, ib.

BOYD, Sir Alexander of Duchol, 
 intrigues of,  i, 348. vii
 Trial & execution of, 350. xi

BOYD, Sir Thomas, 
 assassinates Alan, Lord Darnley i, 318. v
 Is killed, ib.

BOYD, Sir Thomas, 
 marries The Princess Mary, and
 created Earl of Arran, i, 348. viii
 His visit to Denmark, 349. x
 His flight to the Continent and death, 350 xi

BOYD, Robert, Lord 
 joins Morey against the Queen, i, 745. xiii
 Sanctions the murder of Riccio, 762. xiv
 Goes over to Queen’s party, ii. 63. xviii
 Noticed, 103, 106, 118. xxi

 Appendix Notes E., O., P., T., Y.,    xliv
 
 

1

Pictorial History  My Page 
 Page reference  reference.

 HAY’s, mentioned. 
 HAY, Sir Gilbert, a Scottish poet, i., 309. iv

 HAY, Lord, Created Earl of Erroll, i., 334. vi

 HAY, Master of Requests,
  dispatched to England by Mary, i., 743. xii

 HAY, of Tallo, assists in the murder of Darnley,  ii., 45. xvii
  Apprehension of, 81. xix
  And trial and execution of, 82. xx

 HAY, Constable of Scotland,
  (see Erroll, Earl of.)

 HAYE, Gilbert De La,
  and his brother, Hugh, join Bruce, i., 115. iii

 EARL of ERROLL, mentioned
 Earls, of ERROLL,
  joins Spanish faction ii., 332. xxiv
  Excommunicated. 354., xxv
  Petitions King for a Trial. 355. xxv
  Act of Abolition respecting. 356. xxviii
  Summoned for Trial. 357. xxx
  Sentence of treason & forfeiture
  against. 362. xxx
  at Battle of Glenlivat. 363. xxxi
  Flight of, and destruction of his
  estate. 364. xxxiii
  Return of. 369. xxxiv
  Reconciled to kirk. 371. xxxv

EARL of KILMARNOCK, mentioned. 
 Kilmarnock, Earl of,
  joins the Jacobites in 1745 ii. 933 xxxvi
  Trial and Execution 955,   956 xl

 Kilmarnock, Countess of, ii. 942. xlii
 

There is also, a listing, from both volumes, of the various “steel plates” which depict,
illustratively, The Pictorial History of Scotland. Contact me on wayjoh@xtra.co.nz if
you want a copy of these two listings. 

References from the book are enclosed in brackets
 
 

2

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

This section is preceded by comment, after Bruce’s altercation with Comyn, when he
stabbed Comyn, and after the death of Comyn, at the hands of Kirkpatrick, on 10 Feb
1305.  Having offended the English King beyond the hope of forgiveness, Bruce
resolved to claim the crown of Scotland.

BOYD, Robert,      ‘Joins Bruce’ vol. i. p. 115. 
HAYE, Gilbert, De La, 
and his Brother, Hugh,     ‘Joins Bruce’ vol. i. p. 115. 
 

‘He (Bruce) had to choose, therefore, between the open avowal of his claims to the
Scottish crown, or their entire renunciation: between the life of a fugitive and an
outlaw, and the immediate vindication of his country’s liberty. His decision was
speedily taken.  Returning to Lochmaben, after a brief consultation with his brother
Edward, it was determined to hazard all consequences by claiming the vacant throne.
Messengers were accordingly dispatched to collect his friends and adherents, and to
warn those nobles who were known to be favourable to the cause of Scottish
independence.’  (Barbours Bruce, vol1 p.24)

‘Only a few of the nobility, however, responded to this appeal (Fordun, book xii. Chap.
9.) In addition to his own brothers, Edward, Nigel, Thomas and Alexander-the chief
supporters of Bruce were William de Lamberton, Bishop of St Andrews; Robert
Wisheart, Bishop of Glasgow; David Moray, Bishop of Moray; the Abbot of Scone;
Thomas Randolph, nephew of Bruce, and afterwards Earl of Moray; Chrystal Seton,
brother-in-law to Bruce; Malcolm, Earl of Lennox; John de Strahbogie, Earl of Athole;
Sir James Douglas, who joined him on his way to Scone, and became his most gallant
adherent and warmest friend; (Barbour, vol. i. P. 27) Gilbert de la Haye, Earl of Erroll;
Huge de la Haye, his brother; David Barclay, of Cairns; Alexander Frazer, and ancestor
of the Earl of Lovat; Walter de Somerville, ancestor of Lord Somerville; David of
Inchmarten, ancestor of the Earl of Airlie; Robert BOYD (my caps) ancestor of the Earl
of Kilmarnock; and Robert Fleming, ancestor of the Earl of Wigton. To these may be
added , Alan, Earl of Monteath; Nigel Campbell, of Lochow, ancestor of the Earl of
Argyle; and Simon Frazer, of Oliver Castle.’ (Hailes, vol. ii. p.3.)
 
 
 

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‘Against this small band,-the forlorn hope of Scottish liberty,- stood arrayed the
chivalry of England, the partisans of Comyn, and the great body of the nobles and
inferior barons, who, disheartened by their late fruitless and ruinous attempts to cast off
the English yoke, had submitted in despair, and dreaded a renewal of hostilities.
Undismayed by these difficulties, and determined to either free his country or perish in
the attempt, Bruce hastened with his adherents to Scone, where, on 27th March 1306,
and but forty-five days after the unhappy slaughter of Comyn at Dumfries, he was
solemnly crowned, with as much state as the situation of affairs would permit. Edward
(of England) had earlier carried off the regalia of the kingdom, and the celebrated
Scone of Destiny, on which the Scottish kings, according to immemorial custom, were
seated at their coronation’.
 

HAY, Sir, Gilbert,  “A Scottish Poet.” vol. i. p. 309.

This excerpt follows on from a series of poems and fables written by Robert
Henrysoun…… 

“Nearly coeval with Henrysoun, there flourished two poets of some note. The one was
a priest of the name of Holland, who was the author of a curious allegorical poem
called ‘The Duke of Howlat’ (or Owl); the other was Sir Gilbert HAY, Chamberlain to
Charles the Sixth, King of France, who translated from the French the voluminous but
popular romance of ‘Alexander the Great.’  Dunbar, in his ‘Lament for the Makars,’
makes mention of Clerk of Tranent, ‘that maid of Awnteris of Gwane.’ 

The poem here referred to is supposed to be the romance of ‘Gawan and Gologras,’
which was published at Edinburgh in the year 1508, but was probably composed as
early at least as the middle of the fifteenth century. Another poem, of the same
description, entitled ‘Sir Gawan and Sir Galoran of Galloway,’ is supposed to be the
composition of the same author.”
 

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Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

 BOYD, Sir Thomas, “Assassinates Alan, Lord Darnley.” 

 Under the subtitled heading “Coronation of James II.” vol. i.  p. 318.

‘On 25th March 1436, the Scottish parliament assembled at Edinburgh, and adopted
immediate measures for the government of the country. Their first act was the
coronation of the young prince, who was conducted in procession from the castle of
Holyrood Abbey, and solemnly inaugurated in the presence of a great concourse of
nobility, clergy, and representatives of the towns, and amid the usual testimonies of
popular devotion and loyalty.’ (Acts of the Parliament of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 36). 

Continues ……

Under the subtitled heading “Feuds of the Nobles.” vol. i. p. 318.

‘Meanwhile the country was brought to the verge of ruin by the feuds of the nobles,
which were greatly encouraged by the weakness of the executive. The stern
administration if James I, had awed, into something like quietness, the fierce spirit of
strife which had for many years disgraced and enfeebled the kingdom: but now that the
government was conducted by men whom the haughty barons despised, and whose
factious struggles seemed to countenance every enormity of aristocratic license, they
hastened to renew the scenes of private war, and the whole south and east of Scotland
were filled with “theft, reif, and slaughter.”

Alan Stewart, Lord Darnley, who had obtained from the late king the superiority over
Lennox, was treacherously slain at Polmais-thorn, between Falkirk and Linlithgow, by
Sir Thomas Boyd, in consequence of an old feud which existed between their families.’
(Ibid. p, 16). ‘To avenge the death of his brother Alexander Stewart mustered a strong
body of his friends and vassals, with whom he encountered the Boyds in a pitched
battle, near Neilston, in Renfrewshire. The engagement was not only protracted and
bloody, but marked by a savage determination, unusual even in those times.’

“It was foughten that day so manfully, that both parties would retire and rest themselves
diverse and sundry times, and recounter again at the sound of the trumpet.’ (Ibid.)
‘Victory at last declared in favour of the Stewarts, and Sir Thomas Boyd and many of
his friends were left on the battle field.’ 
 

5

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

This passage follows from when James II, after remonstrating with the Earl of Douglas,
and after Douglas had, ordered the murder of Maclellann, tutor and guardian of the
young Lord of Bomby, drew his dagger and stabbed Douglas in the neck and lower
body. This action encouraged Sir Patrick Gray, who had sworn revenge on Douglas for
the murder of his nephew, to strike Douglas with his battle-axe and the rest of the
nobles present, showed their zeal by stabbing the dying Douglas with their knives and
daggers….. This effected a civil war between the king’s friends and the Douglases…. 
 

BOYD, Robert, ‘noticed’ vol. i. p. 334.
HAY, Lord. Created Earl of Erroll. vol. i. p. 334

‘The new Earl of Douglas, meanwhile, not contented with having inflicted upon the
country all the miseries of civil war, entered into a treasonable correspondence with
the English government, then in the hands of the faction of the Yorkists, and promised to
swear homage to the English king as his lawful sovereign. (Lesley, pp. 23,24)  On
receiving intelligence of these intrigues, the king (James), by the advice of the
sagacious Kennedy, resolved to adopt prompt and vigorous measures for the
punishment of Douglas and his accomplices, and for this purpose a meeting of the Three
Estates (meeting of parliament at Edinburgh) was assembled at Edinburgh on the 12th
of June 1452.’ 

‘The Earls of Douglas, Moray, and Ross; James Lord Hamilton; and John Lord
Balveny, were summoned to appear before the parliament on a certain day to answer
the crimes laid to their charge. During the night, however, previous to the day appointed
for their appearance, a paper, signed with the names of the Earl of Douglas, and his
brothers, and Lord Hamilton, was affixed to the church doors, declaring that they would
not obey the summons; and renouncing their allegiance to the king as a murderer, a
perjured prince, a violator of the laws of hospitality, and an ungodly thirster after
innocent blood, without just quarrel or occasion.’ (Pitscottie, vol. i. p. 109) 

‘James was highly incensed at this gross insult, and took immediate and vigorous
measures to inflict condign punishment on those who had thus openly defied his
authority. A solemn deed was unanimously passed by the parliament, declaring that the
late Earl of Douglas was at the time of his death, an avowed enemy to his sovereign,
and in a state of open rebellion, and that, in such circumstances, it was lawful for the
king to put him to death.’ (Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. p. 73).
 
 

6
 
 

‘The Earldom of Moray, forfeited by Archibald Douglas, was bestowed upon Sir
James Crichton, eldest son of the chancellor, who had claims upon it by marriage.’

‘Lord Hay, Constable of Scotland, a zealous supporter of the king in his struggle with
the Douglases, was rewarded with the Earldom of Erroll. Sir George Crichton, of
Cairnes, was created Earl of Caithness; the dignity of Lords of Parliament was
bestowed upon Hepburn of Hailes, BOYD, (my caps) Fleming, and other loyal barons.’
 

BOYD, Robert, ‘Appointed Justiciar ‘ vol.  i. p. 348.
BOYD, Sir, Alexander of Duchol,   “intrigues of.” vol.  i. p. 348.

Under a subtitled heading   “The rise of the Boyd family” 

‘For some time after the death of Bishop Kennedy, Robert, Lord Boyd, High Justiciar of
Scotland, had been secretly working his way to prominence and power in the state.
Taking advantage of his frequent access to the royal presence in the discharge of his
official duties, and aided by the address of his brother, Sir Alexander Boyd, of Duchol,
whose knightly reputation and skill in military exercises had preferred him to the
superintendence of that department of the young king’s education, the ambitious baron
had insinuated himself in the good graces of James, whose disposition was peculiarly
susceptible to flattery and favouritism.’

BOYD, Robert,    “Seizes the Person of the King.” vol.  i. p. 348

‘Having further strengthened his family influence by a close a close alliance with some
of the leading members of the nobility, he was on the watch for an opportunity  of
seizing the supreme administrative authority, when the death of the bishop removed the
only remaining obstacle in his path. He at once determined to get possession of the
royal person; and this he speedily effected, by an act in unison with the rude and
lawless temper of the times. The king was at Linlithgow, presiding in a session of his
Exchequer Court, when Boyd, with a strong band of confederates and retainers,
appeared before the palace, entered the council-chamber in the middle of deliberations,
and broke up the assembly, by carrying James of to Edinburgh.’ 

Under a subtitled heading   “The King is carried off by Lord Boyd and his
Confederates.”

‘There seems to have been no remonstrance or opposition to this outrage, except on the
part of Lord Kennedy, elderly brother of the deceased bishop; but his interposition was
in likelihood merely to save appearances, for he, as well as Lord Livingston, the
chamberlain, whose office devolved upon him the guarding of the Exchequer Court,
was bound to the interests of the Boyds by a previous compact of mutual aid and
advancement.’ (Crawford’s Offices of State, p. 316.   Buchanan’s History, book xii.
chap. 22.)
 
 

7

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

BOYD, Robert, “Appointed Governor” vol.  i.  p. 348.
BOYD, Sir Thomas, “marries The Princess Mary and created Earl of Arran.”

Under a subtitled heading   “They obtain a Pardon from the King and Parliament.”

‘The audacity of the deed, however, and it’s treasonable character, were too flagrant to
be passed over without some semblance of reparation. At an early meeting of the
parliament, the offender, kneeling before the throne, intreated an indemnity, which he
easily obtained.’ (Appendix to Crawford’s Officers of State, p. 473) ‘The king, having
declared that he left Linlithgow with his own free will, a formal pardon was made out
under the Great Seal; and by a further enactment of the assembly, Boyd was legally
confirmed in the power which he usurped, being appointed governor of the king, and his
two brothers. Not long after, he also gained control of the public revenues, by procuring
his investiture with the office of lord chamberlain, and put the copestone on his family
honours, by marrying his son and heir to the Princess Mary, the king’s eldest sister; the
bridegroom being created Earl of Arran, and gifted with huge estates in several western
and midland counties.’

Under the subtitled heading     “Parliament enactments.” vol. i. p. 348

‘The meeting of parliament in October 1466, which seemed so lenient to the crime of
Lord Boyd, and so subservient to his ambitions designs, passed various enactments for
the regulation of the advancement of trade and commerce for the country. With
reference to the church, while it’s general privileges were ratified, the old law,
forbidding Englishmen to hold livings in Scotland, was revived, and some regulations
were adopted to restrict pluralities, and the purchase of benefices. On account of the
scarcity of coin, it was decreed, that no money shall be taken out of the kingdom, except
in the case of travelers, who were permitted to carry with them what was sufficient for
their necessary expences. Merchants who exported hides and wool, were enjoined to
bring to the mint a proportionate amount of silver, for which a certain price would be
allowed; and it was resolved that a new coinage of copper farthings should be issued,
to supercede the rude old custom of cutting a penny into quarters. For the repression of
feuds and outrages in the land, it was ordered, that castles held against the king, or his
eldest brother, the Duke of Albany, should be reduced by force, unless immediately
surrendered on a royal summons; and that heavy fines should be exacted from
guarantees, if assault were committed on person or property by those for whom they
had given pledge. At a subsequent meeting, in January, 1467, some laws were added
for the regulation of commerce. None but freemen of burghs were to have right of
engaging in foreign trade,-an exception being made however in favour of the nobility
and clergy, who might sell abroad the produce of their own lands. …… ‘
 
 

8

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

Under the subtitled heading   “Settlement of the dispute between Norway and
Scotland.”             vol.  ii.  p.  349.

‘James was now approaching an age, which drew the serious attention of the state
councilors to the question of his marriage; and a chain of previous events clearly
indicated with which of the royal families of Europe a matrimonial alliance might be
most advantageously formed. Chrisiern, King of Denmark and Norway, had been
insisting for many years on the payment of a sum due to him from Scotland on the
account of the Hebrides, the sovereignty of which had been ceded by one of his
predecessors to the Scottish crown for an annual quit-rent of one hundred marks. In
1456 he matter had been referred to arbitration of the King of France; the arrears and
fines being estimated by Christiern at more than four hundred thousand marks, while it
was urged on the part of James II. that the debt was proscribed and the claim void by
desuetude. Various delays having occurred, it was not until 1460 that the umpire,
unable to obtain the original documents, recommended an amicable adjustment of the
dispute by a marriage between the heir to the Scottish crown and Margaret, daughter of
the King of Norway. The proposition was favourably entertained by the commissioners
on both sides; and although the sudden death of James II. before Roxburgh prevented
formal ratification of the compact, enough had been done to preserve a friendly
understanding between the two courts, till a prince and princess reached a marriageable
age.’
 

9
 

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

BOYD, Sir Thomas, “his visit to Denmark.” vol. i.  p. 349. 

Under the subtitled heading      ‘Proposals for marriage of the King’

‘Such was the position of affairs in 1468, when the chancellor Lord Evandale, the
grand alimoner, Martin Vans, and Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran, with the Bishops of
Glasgow and Orkney, were appointed by the parliament to repair to Norway, and
renew the suspended negotiations respecting the proposed alliance.’

‘They found Christiern ready to give the hand of his daughter to their king; nor did he
make any objection to renounce at the same time any claim to past arrears and future
tribute for the Hebrides. Their commission, however,  included another  matter, which
required more delicate and careful management.’

‘Orkney and Shetland belonged to Norway, but the earldom of these isles had passed by
marriage into the Scottish family of St. Clair or Sinclair.  Occasional disputes could
hardly be avoided under this arrangement;’ … continues …..  ‘Accordingly the
commissioners entrusted with the settlement of the royal marriage were instructed to
negotiate with the Danish monarch respecting these islands, that the cession of them
might be included in his daughter’s dowry. Christiern, with all his liberality of spirit
and desire for the proposed union, hesitated to part with territories of such extent and
value; but the terms to which he ultimately agreed issued in the annexation of these
islands to the Scottish crown. The portion of the bride was fixed at sixty thousand
florins, in addition to the relinquishment of the long-pending claim on the Hebrides; as
the exhausted state of the Danish exchequer could only furnish two thousand florins, the
Orkneys and Shetlands were impledged for the remainder, which was never paid, so
the islands have thenceforth belonged to Scotland.’ (Torfoei Orcades, p. 188)

‘Meanwhile the winter had come on, and it was not thought proper to expose the
princess to the perils of a voyage during the stormy months, the ambassadors returned
alone. But the following spring saw the Earl of Arran again at the Danish court, with a
gallant retinue of Scottish nobles, to do honour to their future queen; and in the month of
July, 1469, the “Maiden of Norway” landed at Leith in the presence of an immence
crowd of spectators, and amid the general rejoicing of the nation. The marriage and
coronation speedily followed, and gave occasion to the prolonged festivities in the
metropolis, and plentiful congratulations throughout the kingdom. Nor was the flattering
welcome undeserved by the queen; in the bloom of youth and beauty, amiable and
virtuous, educated in all the feminine accomplishments of the age, and so richly
dowered, she brought as valuable an accession of luster to the court, as of territory to
the kingdom.’ (Mair, p.328    Lesley, p. 38      Ferrerius, p. 389)
 
 

10

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

BOYD, Robert, “Downfall of the Boyd family.” vol. i. p. 350.
BOYD, Sir, Alexander of Duchol,   “Trial and Execution.” vol. i. p. 350.
BOYD, Sir Thomas, “his flight to the Continent and death.” vol. i. p. 350.

‘The influence of the Boyds was now in the last stage of it’s decline. Their ambition
and arrogance had rendered them objects of dislike to many of the nobles, and they had
found the favour of the inexperienced and capricious monarch too feeble a prop to
sustain their overgrown power. During the absence of the Earl of Arran in Denmark, his
father and uncle had been unable to stem the tide of opposition which then set in with
the increased force against their ascendancy, - and when he arrived in the Firth of Forth
with the royal bride, the prejudices awakened against him became so obvious and
powerful that he did not venture to land. Warned of his danger, by his wife, the Princess
Mary, he escaped with her to the continent, and avoided by a voluntary exile the
personal injury to which he was exposed. His flight only hastened the downfall of his
relatives. The aged lord justiciar, after a vain attempt to retrieve his fortune by arms,
took refuge in England, where he soon afterwards died.’

BOYD, Sir Alexander of Duchol, vol.  i.  p 348-350.

‘Sir Alexander Boyd was brought to trial on a charge of treason, for the part which he
had taken in the seizure of the king’s person at Linlithgow, and, notwithstanding the
formal pardon granted under the great seal, was found guilty and executed.’
(Crawford’s Officers of State, p. 316.   Ferrerius, p. 387.) ‘The fate of Arran is not so
well known. He seems to have attached himself to the Duke of Burgundy, and to have
acquired considerable distinction in the service of that prince.  But he did not long
survive his banishment from his native country. His large estates and numerous titles
were transferred to the eldest sons of the Scottish monarchs; and his wife, recalled from
the continent by her royal brother, and compelled to submit to a divorce, was
re-married to Lord Hamilton, whose descendants became by this alliance the nearest
heirs to the crown of Scotland.’ (Pinkerton, vol. i. p. 270, note.)  ‘The parliament,
which was convened, 20th November 1469, to give sanction to the proceedings against
the Boyds, made some additions to the statute-book of the kingdom.’
 
 

11

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

HAY,  “Master of Requests.”  vol. i. p. 742.

Here the book progresses through the lead up to Queen Mary’s pending nuptials with
the Lord Darnley and Queen Elizabeth and Cecil’s reactions to such a suggestion.

Under the subtitled heading “Hay, the master of requests, dispatched on a mission to
England.

‘Anxious to the last to keep on good terms with her sister of England, Mary now
dispatched to the court of that country, on a friendly mission, Hay, her master of
requests, a man of great ability and unquestionable prudence. He was instructed to
employ every argument to gain Elizabeth’s consent to the proposed marriage; to
intimate that, “though in her heart she had determined to have my Lord of Ross as her
husband-her whole nobility agreeing in this purpose-yet, having consideration of their
amity, she was content to delay and suspend the final accomplishment and
solemnization of her marriage for a convenient season;” and to express her willingness,
if Elizabeth were so inclined, to appoint commissioners to meet with those from
England, who should labour to adjust the differences between the kingdoms.’ (Tytler). 
‘In addition, Hay was directed to address a spirited remonstrance to the queen on
account of the severe and unjust proceedings which had been taken against the Countess
of Lennox.’ “We cannot but think,” she says in her instructions to the envoy, “very
strange the sharp entreating and handling of our dear cousin, the Lady Margaret
Douglas, and can judge no other but this evil and hard entreating is for our cause.”

‘Before this ambassador arrived in England, Elizabeth adopted more decided and
violent measures. The Countess of Lennox, who had for some time continued under
restraint, was now committed to the Tower. A summons was dispatched to Lennox,
commanding in the most peremptory manner, on their allegiance as English subjects, the
attendance of himself and Darnley at the court of the sovereign. About this time, also,
and previous to the visit of Hay, Elizabeth addressed a letter to the Scottish Queen,
similar in terms to former communications, and with an intimation that her views as to
the marriage had remained unchanged.’
 

 12

Extracts from The Pictorial History of Scotland
From
The Roman Invasion to the Close of the Jacobite Rebellion
In 2 Volumes
AD 79 – 1749

BOYD, Robert, Lord, “Joins Moray against the Queen.” vol. i.  p. 745. 

Under the subheading   “Supposed plots and counterplots of Moray and Darnley.”

‘Some historians positively deny that there are any grounds for believing in the
accusations against Darnley, for cherishing designs against the life of Moray. This,
however, is plainly asserted by Buchanan, who states that a plan was formed to murder
him at Perth, and even describes the manner in which the plot was to have been
executed.’ * ‘The plan was this; Moray being called to Perth where the queen then was
with a few attendants, was there to enter into a conversation with Darnley, and as
nobody doubted but Moray would express himself with plainness and freedom, a
quarrel was to ensue, when David Riccio was to strike the first blow, and the others
present were  to consummate the deed.’ (Buchanan, vol. ii. p. 468)

The situation of Moray at this time in relation to the court, his determined opposition to
the queen’s marriage, (Mary of Scotland to Darnley) the dangers to be anticipated from
his enmity, the strong resentment and violent passions or Darnley, all serve to lend the
colour of probability of the existence of some such scheme as that now described.
Moray himself alleged that his life was threatened , and on this account he refused to
attend the convention of the nobility which had been summoned to meet at St. Johnston,
near Perth, on 22nd June 1565. On the other hand, the imputation of this crime was
indignantly repelled by the parties accused. Lennox and his son, we are informed by
Randolph, sent Mr John Hay with a message to Moray, expressing his good-will
toward him, disclaiming the treacherous design which had been laid to his charge and
offering to do battle with anyone who should prefer the accusation.’ (Randolph to
Cecil. Keith, vol. ii. p. 333)   ‘Anxious that the matter should be investigated, the queen
summoned Moray to attend her at court, and sent him for his assurance letters of
safe-conduct, signed not only by herself, but by members of her privy council.’

‘This safe-conduct permitted his appearance with a guard of no less than eighty
attendants; but he did not feel himself justified in obeying this call, and his refusal
served in a measure to exculpate Darnley. While it is certain that a plot of some kind
had between formed by Moray against the Earl of Ross, it’s character and extent cannot
be accurately defined. Some historians are given to elaborate account of this
conspiracy, as if they were intimately conversant with all it’s details, while it is
notorious that these were involved in much uncertainty. It must be acknowledged, that
whatever were the intentions of Moray with regard to his treatment of Darnley, he had
at least resolved to seize upon his person.’
 
 

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‘A message had been dispatched to Randolph to ascertain whether, in the event of
Lennox and his son being taken, Elizabeth would receive them as prisoners. To this it
was answered, that the queen would receive her own subjects “ïn what sort soever they
came” Thus encouraged in their proceedings, Moray, Argyle, Lord Boyd, and others of
the disaffected nobility, determined to attack the party of the queen, as she rode from
Perth to Callander. ( Melvil says: “The Duke of Chatelherault, my Lord of Argyle,
Moray, Glencairn, Rothes, and others withstood the said marriage: who after they had
taken Lord Darnley, in the queen’s company, and to have sent him into England as they
alleged, I wot not what was in their mind; but it was an evil-favoured enterprise,
where-until the queen was in danger of heart-breaking; and as they had failed in their
foolish enterprise, they took plainly to their arms in rebellion”.)’

‘The plan of the conspirators was to seize Darnley, either in a narrow defile called the
Pass of Dron, a few mile from Perth, or in a deep ravine to the west of the hill of
Benarty, near Kinross.’     Continues…….

BOYD, Robert, Lord, “Sanctions murder of Riccio.” vol. i.  p. 762.

In the subtitled heading “Progress of the conspiracy for the overthrow of the
government and the destruction of Riccio.”

‘Morton having so far matured the plot for the overthrow of the government and the
destruction of Riccio, proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for the execution
of his atrocious scheme. According to the usual practice of the time, a forma “band” or
“covenant” was drawn up, and signed by the conspirators, setting forth the objects
which they had in view, and providing for their mutual co-operation and security. This
agreement was expressed in the king’s name, though it was signed also by Morton and
Ruthven, and probably by some others, and it’s contents were conveyed to Maitland
and Lethington, as well as to Moray and the other banished lords. It contained
denunciation of certain wicked and ungodly persons-especially an Italian called
David-by whom the queen’s “good and gentle nature” was abused; and declared that the
resolution of the king, with the assistance of his friends, to seize these enemies, and, if
resistance was offered, “to cut them off immediately, and slay them, wherever it
happened;” while Darnley solemnly promised, on the word of a prince, that he would
maintain and assist his associates in this deed, even though it should be perpetrated
within the precincts of the palace, and in the presence of the queen. (Goodall, vol. i. p.
266)   It was now judged expedient to inform Moray and his associates of the plot, and
for this purpose the king’s father, the Earl of Lennox, was dispatched to England.’ 

‘The exiled barons appear to have readily embarked in an enterprise which promised to
avert their immediate ruin, and to restore them to their former position at the head of
affairs. A second ‘covenant’ was therefore drawn up, supplementary to the first,
between Henry King of Scotland, and James Earl of Moray, Archibald Earl of Argyle,
Andrew Earl of Rothes, Robert Lord Boyd, Andrew Lord Ochiltree, and certain others
“remaining in England” in which it was stipulated, on the part of the lords, that, in their
first parliament,
 
 

14

 which should be held after their return, they would procure for Darnley the crown
matrimonial of Scotland; and that, in the event of the queens death’, he should be
declared her rightful successor, and his father the next heir after himself; and that they
would “seek, pursue, and extirpate out of the realm of Scotland, and take and slay,” all
who opposed this resolution; while Darnley, on his part, engaged in that he should not
allow, in as much as in him lay, any forfeiture to be laid against them; and that, as soon
as he obtained the crown matrimonial, he should give them a free remission of all
crimes, taking every means to remove and punish anyone who opposed such remission.’
(Ibid., p 227.  The original of this infamous ‘Bond’ is preserved in the charter-chest of
the Earl of Leven, and is printed in the Maitland Miscellany.)

Under the subtitled heading “The Plot is made known to Elizabeth.”

‘It could scarcely be expected that a plot so widely ramified could escape the
knowledge of the English queen and her agents in Scotland, and there is the clearest
evidence that she was fully informed of the object of the conspiracy, and tacitly, at
least, gave her approval. Randolph was now at Berwick, having been expelled from
Scotland in consequence of the discovery by the queen that he had encouraged and
assisted Moray in his rebellion.’ (Randolph denied the charge, but Mary confronted him
before the Privy Council with Johnston, the agent he had employed to convey to Moray
the money which Elizabeth had granted the insurgents. Johnston confessed the whole
transaction, and Randolph was immediately conducted, under a guard, beyond the
boundary of the kingdom. See Maitland Club Miscellany, vol. iii. Part 1.), ‘but he was
evidently in close communication with the conspirators, and was fully informed
respecting their proceedings.

On 6th of March 1565, he wrote to Elizabeth, to appraise her that “a matter of no small
consequence was intended for Scotland,” referring her for particulars to a letter
addressed by himself in conjunction with the Earl of Bedford, to Secretary Cecil;
adding, that the exiled barons would thus be restored, that Tuesday was the last day,
and that they looked daily to hear of the execution of the plot.’ (MS. Letter, State Paper
Office; Bedford and Randolph to the queen, Berwick, March, 1565-6; Tytler, vol. vii.
p. 24; See also Stevenson’s Illustrations, p. 151.) ‘The other letter from Bedford and
Randolph to Cecil, entered much more minutely into a detail of a villainous project
which was on foot, and enjoined the strictest secrecy, as they had promised that “no one
except the queen, Leicester, and Cecil himself, should be informed of the great attempt
now on the eve of being put in execution. “The matter,” they say, “is this:--Somewhat
we are sure you have heard of divers discords and jarrers between this queen and her
husband, partly for that she hath refused him the crown matrimonial, partly for that he
hath assured knowledge of such usage of herself as altogether intolerable to be borne,
which, if it were not well known, we would be very loath to think that it could be true.
To take away this occasion of slander, he is himself determined to be at apprehension
and execution of him whom he is able manifestly to charge with the crime, and to have
done him the most dishonour that can be to any man, much more being as he is,. 
 

15

We need not more plainly to describe the person; you have heard of the man whom we
mean of. “To come by the other thing which he desireth, which is the crown
matrimonial, what is devised and concluded upon him and the noblemen you shall see
by the copies of the conditions between them and him, of which Mr Randolph assureth
me to have seen the principals, and taken the copies written with his own hand. 

“The time of execution and performance of these matters is before is before the 
parliament, as near as is. To this determination of theirs, there are privy in Scotland
these:- Argyle, Morton, Boyd, Ruthven, and Liddington: in England these:- Moray,
Rothes, Grange, myself, and the writer hereof. If persuasions to cause the queen to yield
to these matters do no good, they purpose to proceed we not in what sort. If she be able
to make any power at home, she shall be withstood, and herself be kept from all other
council than her own nobility. If she seek any foreign support, the queen’s majesty our
sovereign shall be sought and sued unto to accept his and their defence, with offers
reasonable to her majesty’s contentment. These are the things which we thought, and
think to be, of no small importance: and knowing them certainly intended and concluded
upon, thought it our duties to utter the same to you, Mr Secretary, to make declaration
thereof as shall seem best to your wisdom: and off this matter thought to write
conjunctly, though we came severally by knowledge, agreeing both in one in the
substance of that which is determined.” (MS, Letter, State Paper Office. Bedford and
Randolph to Cecil, March 6, 1565: Tytler, vol. vii. p. 26.) 

Continued Part 2

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