and his Frenchmen, with the priests and their bands, marched against
Perth, and approached within ten miles of the town. Then repaired
the brethren from all quarters for our relief. The gentlemen of
Fife, Angus, and Mearns, with the town of Dundee, first hazarded
resistance to the enemy; and for that purpose chose a platt of
ground, distant a mile and more from the town. In the meantime the
Lord Ruthven, Provost of Perth, and a man whom many judged godly
and stout in that action (as in very deed he was, even unto his
last breath), left the town, and departed first to his own place,
and afterwards to the Queen. His defection and revolt was a great
discouragement to the hearts of many; and yet God did so comfort
that, within the space of twelve hours after, the hearts of all men
were erected again. Those then assembled did not so much hope for
victory by their own strength, as by the power of Him whose truth
they professed; and they began to comfort one another, until the
whole multitude was encouraged by a reasonable hope.
[Sidenote: Commissioners are sent by the Queen: Interview with John
Knox: May 1559]
The day after the Lord Ruthven departed, which was the twenty-fourth
of May, the Earl of Argyll, Lord James, Prior of St. Andrews, and
the Lord Semple arrived in Perth, with commission from the Queen
Regent to inquire into the cause of the convocation of lieges
there.... On the morning of the day after that, the twenty-fifth day
of May, before the said Lords departed, John Knox desired to speak
with them, and, permission being granted, he was conveyed to their
lodging by the Laird of Balvaird, and thus he began:--
"Not only the hearts of the true servants of God, but also those
of all who bear any favour to their country and fellow-countrymen,
ought to be moved by the present troubles to descend within
themselves and to consider deeply what shall be the end of this
pretended tyranny....
"Firstly, I most humbly require of you, my Lords, to say to the
Queen's Grace Regent, in my name, that we whom she in her blind
rage doth persecute are God's servants, and faithful and obedient
subjects to the authority of this realm; that that religion which
she pretendeth to maintain by fire and sword is not the true
religion of Christ Jesus, but is expressly contrary to it, a
superstition devised by the brain of man; which I offer myself to
prove against all that within Scotland will maintain the contrary,
liberty of tongue being granted to me, and God's written Word being
admitted for judge.
"And, secondly, I farther require your Honours to say unto her
Grace, in my name, that, as I have already written, so now I say
that this enterprise of hers shall not prosper in the end; and
albeit for a time she trouble the saints of God, she does not fight
against man only, but against the eternal God and His invincible
truth; and the end shall be her confusion, unless she repent and
desist betimes.
"These things I require of you, in the name of the eternal God,
to say unto her Grace as from my mouth; adding that I have been
and am a more assured friend to her Grace than are these servants
to her corrupt appetites, who either flatter her, or else inflame
her against us. We seek nothing but the advance of God's glory,
suppression of vice, and the maintenance of truth in this poor
realm."
All three did promise to report these words so far as they could,
and we learned afterwards that they did so. Yea, the Lord Semple
himself, a man sold under sin, enemy to God and to all godliness,
yet made such report that the Queen was somewhat offended that any
man should use such liberty in her presence. She still proceeded
in her malice; for she sent her Lion Herald immediately after with
letters in which all men were straitly charged to quit the town,
under pain of treason. After he had declared these letters to the
chief men of the congregation, the Herald proclaimed them publicly,
upon Sunday, the twenty-eighth of May.
[Sidenote: The Nobility of the West-Land march to the aid of Perth:
the Regent takes Fright.]
In the meantime, sure knowledge came to the Queen, to the Duke, and
to Monsieur D'Oysel, that the Earl of Glencairn, the Lords Ochiltree
and Boyd, the young Sheriff of Ayr, the Lairds of Craigie-Wallace,
Cessnock, Carnell, Barr, Gadgirth, and the whole congregation of
Kyle and Cunningham, approached for our relief. In very deed they
came with such diligence, and in such a number that the enemy had
just cause to fear, and all that professed Christ Jesus had just
matter to praise God for their fidelity and stout courage in that
need; for the tyranny of the enemy was bridled by their presence....
Their number was estimated at twenty-five hundred men, and of these
twelve hundred were horsemen. The Queen, understanding how the said
Earl and Lords approached with their company, caused all ways to
be beset, so that no information should come to us, and that we,
despairing of support, might consent to the terms required by her.
At the same time, she sent to require that some discreet men of our
number should come and speak with the Duke and Monsieur D'Oysel (who
lay with their army at Auchterarder, ten miles from Perth) for the
purpose of making some reasonable appointment....
From us were sent the Laird of Dun, the Laird of Inverquharity,
and Thomas Scott of Abbotshall to learn what appointment the Queen
would offer. The Duke and Monsieur D'Oysel required that access to
the town should be given, and that all matters in dispute should be
referred to the Queen's pleasure. To this they answered that neither
had they commission so to promise, nor durst they conscientiously
persuade their brethren to agree to such a promise. But, they said,
if the Queen's Grace would promise that no inhabitant of the town
should be troubled for any such crimes as might be alleged against
them for the late change of religion, and the abolition of idolatry
and downcasting of the places of idolatry; and if she would suffer
that the religion begun should continue, and would on her departure
leave the town free from the garrisons of French soldiers, they for
their part would labour to secure from their brethren that the Queen
should be obeyed in all things.
Monsieur D'Oysel perceived the danger to be great, should a speedy
appointment not be made. He saw, also, that they would not be able
to execute their tyranny against us after the congregation of
Kyle, of whose coming we had no information, should be joined with
us. So, with good words, he dismissed the said Lords to persuade
the brethren to quiet concord. All men were well disposed to this
course, and with one voice they cried, "Cursed be they that seek
effusion of blood, war, or dissension. Let us possess Christ Jesus,
and the benefit of His Evangel, and none within Scotland shall be
more obedient subjects than we shall be." After the coming of the
Earl of Glencairn was known, the enemy quaked for fear, and with all
expedition there were sent from Stirling again the Earl of Argyll
and the Lord James, in company with a crafty man, Master Gavin
Hamilton, Abbot of Kilwinning, to finish the appointment foresaid....
[Sidenote: Another Appointment is patched up: 28th May 1559.]
With the Earl of Glencairn came our loving brother John Willock;
John Knox was in the town already. These two went to the Earl of
Argyll and Prior, and accused them of disloyalty, in that they had
defrauded their brethren of their dutiful support and comfort in
time of their greatest necessity. They both answered that their
heart was constant with their brethren, and that they would defend
the cause to the uttermost of their power. But because they had
promised to labour for concord and to assist the Queen should we
refuse reasonable offers, conscience and honour did not permit them
to do less than be faithful in their promise made. Therefore, they
required that the brethren might be persuaded to consent to that
reasonable appointment; promising, in God's presence, that, if the
Queen did break in any jot thereof, they, with their whole powers,
would assist and co-operate with their brethren in all times to
come. This promise made, the preachers appeased the multitude,
and ultimately secured the consent of all men to the appointment
foresaid; although they did not obtain this without great labour.
And no wonder, for many foresaw the danger to follow; yea, the
preachers themselves, in open sermon, did affirm plainly that they
were assuredly persuaded that the Queen did not mean to act in good
faith. But, to stop the mouth of the adversary, who unjustly accused
us of rebellion, they most earnestly required all men to approve
the appointment, and so to suffer hypocrisy to disclose itself. The
appointment was concluded on the twenty-eighth of May, and on the
day following the Congregation departed from Perth....
[Sidenote: The Lords and the Congregation make a fresh Covenant.]
Before the Lords departed they made this bond:--
"At Perth, the last day of May, the year of God 1559, the
Congregations of the West country, with the Congregations of Fife,
Perth, Dundee, Angus, Mearns, and Montrose, being convened in the
town of Perth, in the name of Jesus Christ, for forthsetting of His
glory; understanding nothing more necessary for the same than to
keep a constant amity, unity, and fellowship together, according
as they are commanded by God, are confederate, and become bound
and obliged, in the presence of God, to concur and assist together
in doing all things required by God in His Scripture, that may be
to His glory: and with their whole power to destroy, and put away
all things that do dishonour to His name, so that God may be truly
and purely worshipped. And in case any trouble is intended against
the said Congregation, or any part or member thereof, the whole
Congregation shall concur, assist, and convene together, to the
defence of the Congregation or person troubled; and shall not spare
labours, goods, substance, bodies, and lives, in maintaining the
liberty of the whole Congregation, and every member thereof, against
whatsoever power shall intend the said trouble, for the cause of
religion or any other cause dependent thereupon, or laid to their
charge under pretence thereof, although it happen to be coloured
with any other outward cause. In witnessing and testimony of this,
the whole Congregations foresaid have ordained and appointed the
Noblemen and persons underwritten to subscribe these presents.
"ARCH. ARGYLE. GLENCAIRN.
JAMES STEWART. R. LORD BOYD.
MATTHEW CAMPBELL OF THRINGLAND. OCHILTREE."
[Sidenote: The Regent enters Perth, and at once breaks Faith with
the Congregation.]
On the twenty-ninth of May the Queen, the Duke, Monsieur D'Oysel,
and the Frenchmen entered Perth.... The swarm of Papists that
entered with her began at once to make provision for their Mass....
The Queen began to rage against all godly and honest men; their
houses were oppressed by the Frenchmen; the lawful magistrates,
Provost as well as Bailies, were unjustly and irregularly deposed
from their authority. A wicked man, void of God's fear, and
destitute of all virtue, the Laird of Kinfauns, was intrused by her
as Provost of the town.... She gave order that four ensenyes[134] of
the soldiers should abide in the town, to maintain idolatry and to
resist the Congregation. Honest and indifferent men asked why she
did so manifestly violate her promise. She answered that she was
bound to keep no promise to heretics; and, moreover, that she had
only promised to leave the town free of French soldiers. This last
she said she had done, because those that were left were Scotsmen.
When it was reasoned, to the contrary, that all those who took wages
of France were accounted French soldiers, she answered, "Princes
must not so straitly be bound to keep their promises. Myself," said
she, "would make little conscience to take from all that sort their
lives and inheritance, if I might do it with as honest an excuse."
And then she left the town in extreme bondage, after her ungodly
Frenchmen had most cruelly treated the majority of the citizens that
remained.
[134] Companies.
[Sidenote: The Earl of Argyll abandons the Regent, and declines to
return.]
The Earl of Argyll, and Lord James, perceiving in the Queen nothing
but mere tyranny and falsehood, and mindful of their former promises
to their brethren, secretly conveyed themselves and their companies
from the town. With them departed the Lord Ruthven, the Earl of
Menteith, and the Laird of Tullibardine.... The Queen, highly
offended at the sudden departure of these persons, charged them to
return, under the highest pain of her displeasure. But they answered
that they could not, with safe conscience, be partakers in so
manifest tyranny as that committed by her, and in the great iniquity
which they perceived to be devised by her and her ungodly Council,
the prelates. This answer was given to her on the first day of
June, and immediately the Earl of Argyll and Lord James repaired
toward St. Andrews, and in their journey intimated to the Laird of
Dun, to the Laird of Pittarrow, to the Provost of Dundee, and to
other professors in Angus, their desire that they should visit them
in St. Andrews on the fourth of June, that Reformation might be made
there. This they did, bringing John Knox in their company.
[Sidenote: The Archbishop of St. Andrews interdicts Knox from
preaching.]
The Archbishop, hearing of Reformation to be made in his cathedral
Church, thought it time to stir if ever he were to do so. He
assembled his colleagues and confederate fellows, besides his
other friends, and came to the town upon the Saturday night,
accompanied by a hundred spears, desiring to have stopped John Knox
from preaching. The two Lords and gentlemen foresaid were only
accompanied by their quiet households, and the sudden coming of the
Archbishop was the more fearful; for the Queen and her Frenchmen
having departed from Perth, were then lying in Falkland, within
twelve miles of St. Andrews. Besides, the town had not at that
time given profession of Christ, and therefore the Lords could
not be assured of their friendship. After consultation, many were
of opinion that the preaching should be delayed for that day, and
especially that John Knox should not preach; for the Archbishop had
affirmed that he would not suffer this, seeing that the picture
of the said John had formerly been burned by his commandment. He
instructed an honest gentleman, Robert Colville of Cleish, to say to
the Lords that did John Knox present himself at the preaching place
in his town and principal church, he should "gar[135] him be saluted
with a dozen culverins, whereof the most part should light upon his
nose."
[135] Cause.
[Sidenote: John Knox declines to obey the Dictates of the
Archbishop.]
After long deliberation, the said John was called, that his own
judgment might be had. Many persuasions were used to induce him to
delay for that time, and great terrors were threatened if he should
enterprise such a thing, in seeming contempt of the Archbishop. But
he answered, "God is witness that I never preached Christ Jesus
in contempt of any man, nor am I disposed at any time to present
myself at that place, from respect to my own private commodity, or
to the worldly hurt of any creature; but I cannot conscientiously
delay to preach to-morrow, unless my body be violently withholden.
In this town and church, God first began to call me to the dignity
of a preacher. From this I was reft by the tyranny of France, by
procurement of the bishops, as ye all know well enough. How long I
continued prisoner, what torment I sustained in the galleys, and
what were the sobs of my heart, it is now no time to recite. This
only I cannot conceal. More than one have heard me say, when the
body was far absent from Scotland, that my assured hope was that I
should preach in St. Andrews in open audience before I departed this
life.
"Therefore," said John Knox, "my Lords, seeing that God hath, beyond
the expectation of many, brought me in the body to the place where
first I was called to the office of a preacher, and from the which
most unjustly I was removed, I beseech your Honours not to stop me
from presenting myself unto my brethren. As for the fear of danger
that may come to me, let no man be solicitous. My life is in the
custody of Him whose glory I seek; and therefore I cannot so fear
their boast or tyranny as to cease from doing my duty, when of His
mercy He offereth occasion. I desire the hand or weapon of no man to
defend me; only do I crave audience. If this be denied here to me at
this time, I must seek further where I may have it."
[Sidenote: John Knox preaches at St. Andrews once more: the
Monuments of Idolatry are cast down.]
At these words, the Lords were fully content that John Knox should
occupy the preaching place, which he did upon Sunday, the eleventh
of June. In his sermon he treated of the ejection of the buyers and
the sellers from the Temple of Jerusalem, as it is written in the
Evangelists, Matthew and John. He applied the corruption that was
there to the corruption that is in the Papistry; and Christ's act,
to the duty of those to whom God giveth power and zeal thereto.
The result was that the magistrates within the town, the provost
and bailies, as well as the community for the most part, agreed to
remove all monuments of idolatry, and this they did with expedition.
[Sidenote: The Regent declares War: the Forces of the Congregation
are called out.]
The Archbishop, informed of this, departed that same day to the
Queen, who lay in Falkland with her Frenchmen, as we have said. The
hot fury of the Archbishop did so kindle her choler (and yet the
love was very cold betwixt them) that, without any further delay, it
was decided to invade St. Andrews.... When this was known, counsel
was given to the Lords to march forward and get to Cupar before
the Queen. This they did, giving notice to all brethren to repair
towards them with possible expedition. This also was done with such
diligence that in their assembling the wondrous work of God might
have been espied. When the Lords came to Cupar at night, they were
not a hundred horse, and a certain number of footmen, whom Lord
James brought from the coast side; and yet, before the next day at
twelve o'clock, which was Tuesday, the thirteenth of June, their
number exceeded three thousand men.... Finally, God did so multiply
our number that it appeared as if men had rained from the clouds.
The enemy, understanding nothing of our force, assured themselves
of victory.... Before midnight they sent forward their ordnance,
themselves following before three o'clock in the morning.
[Sidenote: The Affair of Cupar Moor: the Regent sues for an
Armistice.]
The Lords, being notified of this, assembled their company upon
Cupar Moor early in the morning.... The Lord Ruthven took charge of
the horsemen, and so ordered them that the enemy was never permitted
to espy our number; the day was dark, and that helped. The enemy,
thinking to have found no resistance, after they had twice or thrice
made a feint of retiring, advanced with great expedition, and
approached within a mile before ever their horsemen stayed.... After
twelve o'clock, the mist began to vanish, and then some of their
horsemen occupied an eminence whence they might discern our number.
When they perceived this, their horsemen and footmen came to a
speedy halt. Posts ran to the Duke and Monsieur D'Oysel to declare
our number, and what order we kept; and then were mediators sent
to make appointment. They were not suffered to approach the Lords,
nor yet to view our camp. This put them in greater fear.... Answer
received, the Duke and Monsieur D'Oysel, having commission from the
Queen Regent, required that assurance[136] might be taken for eight
days, to the end that indifferent men in the meantime might commune
upon some final agreement concerning those things which were then in
controversy. To this we fully consented, albeit that in number and
force we were far superior....
[136] Truce.
The assurance granted by the Earl of Arran and others contained
faithful promise, "that we, and our company foresaid, shall retire
incontinent to Falkland, and shall with diligence transport the
Frenchmen and our other folks now presently with us; and that no
Frenchman or other soldiers of ours, shall remain within the bounds
of Fife, except as many as before the raising of the last army lay
in Dysart, Kirkcaldy, and Kinghorn, these to lie in the same places
only, if we shall think good. And this to have effect for the space
of eight days following the date hereof _exclusive_, that in the
meantime certain noblemen, by the advice of the Queen's Grace and
rest of the Council, may convene to talk of such things as may make
good order and quietness amongst the Queen's lieges...."
[Sidenote: Once more the Regent breaks Faith.]
Having received this assurance, we departed first, because we were
requested by the Duke to do so. We returned to Cupar, lauding
and praising God for His mercy showed; and thereafter every man
departed to his dwelling place. The Lords and a great part of the
gentlemen proceeded to St. Andrews, and abode there certain days,
always looking for those that had been promised to be sent from the
Queen, for the preparation of an appointment. Perceiving her craft
and deceit (for under that assurance she meant nothing else than
to convey herself, her ordnance, and Frenchmen, over the water of
Forth) we took consultation as to what should be done to deliver
Perth from these ungodly soldiers, and how our brethren, exiled
from their own houses, might be restored again. It was decided that
the brethren of Fife, Angus, Mearns, and Strathearn should convene
at Perth on the twenty-fourth day of June for that purpose; and in
the meantime letters were written by the Earl of Argyll, and Lord
James, to the Queen Regent....
[Sidenote: The Relief of Perth.]
At Perth, a trumpet was sent by the Lords, commanding the captains
and their bands to vacate the town, and to leave it to its ancient
liberty and just inhabitants; and also commanding them and the Laird
of Kinfauns, provost, thrust upon the town by the Queen, to open
the gates of the town and admit all our sovereign's lieges.... To
this they answered proudly that they would keep and defend that
town, according to promise made to the Queen Regent.... And so, upon
Saturday, the twenty-fourth of June, at ten o'clock at night, the
Lord Ruthven, who besieged the west quarter, commanded to shoot the
first volley. This being done, the town of Dundee, whose ordnance
lay upon the east side of the bridge, did the like. The captains
and soldiers within the town, perceiving that they were unable long
to resist, requested a truce until twelve o'clock noon, promising
that, if before that hour there came no relief to them from the
Queen Regent, they would surrender the town, provided that they
should be suffered to depart from the town with ensigns displayed.
We, thirsting for the blood of no man, and seeking only the liberty
of our brethren, suffered them freely to depart without any further
molestation....
[Sidenote: The Sack of the Abbey and Palace of Scone.]
The Bishop of Moray lay in the Abbey of Scone, and it was thought
good that some proceedings should be taken against him and against
that place, which lay near to the town-end. The Lords wrote unto
him, for he lay within two miles of Perth, that, unless he would
come and assist them, they neither could spare nor save his place.
He answered, by writing, that he would come, and would do as they
thought expedient; that he would assist them with his force, and
would vote with them against the rest of the clergy in Parliament.
But his answer was slow in coming, and the town of Dundee marched
forward.
John Knox was sent unto them to stay them; but before his coming,
they had begun the pulling down of the idols and dortour.[137] And,
albeit the said John and others did what in them lay to stay the
fury of the multitude, they were not able to restore complete order,
and therefore they sent for the Lords, Earl of Argyll, and Lord
James, who, coming with all diligence, laboured to save the Palace
and Kirk. But, the multitude having found a great number of idols
buried in the Kirk for the purpose of preserving them to a better
day (as the Papists speak), the towns of Dundee and Perth could
not be satisfied, until the whole furnishings and ornaments of the
Church were destroyed. Yet did the Lords so travail that they saved
the Bishop's Palace, with the Church and place for that night; for
the two Lords did not depart until they brought with them the whole
number of those that most sought the Bishop's displeasure.... The
Bishop's girnell[138] was kept for the first night by the labours of
John Knox, who, by exhortation, removed such as violently would have
made irruption....
[137] Hangings.
[138] Granary.