The Lord James, newly created Earl of Mar (subsequently of Moray),
‘was married-upon Annas Keith, daughter to William Earl Marischal,
in the kirk of Sanct Geil in Edinburgh, with sic solemnity as the
like has not been seen before; the hale nobility of this realm being
there present, and convoyit them down to Holyroodhouse, where the
banquet was made, and the queen’s grace thereat.’ The _solemnity_
was of a kind which seems rather frisky for so zealous an upholder
of the presbyterian cause. ‘At even, after great and divers balling,
and casting of fire-balls, fire-spears, and running with horses,’ the
queen created sundry knights. Next day, ‘at even, the queen’s grace and
the remaining lords came up in ane honourable manner frae the palace
of Holyroodhouse to the Cardinal’s lodging in the Blackfrier Wynd,
whilk was preparit and hung maist honourably; and there her hieness
suppit, and the rest with her. After supper, the honest young men in
the town [the youths of the upper classes] came with ane convoy to her,
and other some came with merschance, well accouterit in maskery, and
thereafter departit to the said palace.’--_D. O._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: Feb.]