LONDON:
PARRY & CO., LEADENHALL STREET.
MDCCCLI.
M'CORQUODALE AND CO., PRINTERS, LONDON.
WORKS, NEWTON.
*PREFACE.*
The leading event upon which the following story hinges, will be found
in the illustrative notes at the end of the third volume, which will
show that the Magister Absalom (so frequently referred to) was a real
personage, who, in the days of Earl Bothwell, was a Protestant clergyman
at Bergen, and author of a Diary named _The Chapter Book_.
There is no style of reading more conducive to a good or evil result,
than the historical romance, according to the manner it is treated, by a
judicious or injudicious writer. I have been studious in avoiding any
distortion of history, the tenor of which is so often misconstructed
wilfully by writers of romance; for there are bounds beyond which not
even they are entitled to go. The Scottish reader will find how closely
I have woven up the stirring events of 1567 with my own story, which, in
reality, contains much more that is veracious than fictitious.
Thus, Bothwell's journey to Denmark--his conflict with John of Park--the
Queen's visit to Hermitage--the assault on the house of Alison
Craig--the brawl and assistance given the Earl (in mistake for Arran) by
the Abbot of Kilwinning--and many other incidents, all occurred actually
as related.
With one or two exceptions, every character in the following pages was a
_bona fide_ personage "of flesh and blood," who existed at the time, and
was an actor in the scenes narrated.
In the general grouping, costume, and other dramatic accessaries, I have
endeavoured (as closely as I could) to draw a picture of the Scottish
court and metropolis in the year 1567, at a time when the splendour of
both was dimmed by the poverty which followed the wars and tumults of
the Reformation; and with what success, I may say with the old knights
of Cumbernauld--"Let the deed shaw!"
EDINBURGH, _September_, 1851.
*CONTENTS OF VOL. I.*