In the meane time, while these things were thus Ambassadors out of Eng|land. ordered, there came manie ambassadors out of Eng|land, to pacifie these discords growne to these great extremities, betwéene the king and the imprisoned quéenes factions. But the same ambassage so well meant by the quéene of England, and reiected by the seditious of Scotland, sorted not to that end which was meant, nor as the state of Scotland required. Wherefore these ambassadors returned home with|out anie such dispatch as might answer their tra|uels, their mistresses care and loue, and the vnitie of that quarelsome people: by reason that the French|men fauouring the cause of the banished queene, did not onelie hinder the peace and quiet of the Scots, for the benefit of the realme; but also sought warres for the destruction of they naturall subiects, and to bring in their owne gouenement; who for the furthe|rance thereof, did with great promises interteine the apt minds of the quarrelling faction, to kindle and mainteine the fire of continuall warre, vntill such time as by force they had gotten the vpper hand, and brought the kings fauourers to destruction. For the The French king sendeth monie into Scotland. better support whereof, the French king sent some portion of monie, which being of it selfe not great, or such as their necessitie required, seemed rather suffi|cient to nourish an hope of abilitie to mainteine the warres, than fullie to dispatch or defraie the charges or the affaires therein; and that the rather, bicause some part of that monie was euer deuoured by such as had the cariage thereof.

Amongst these things there still continued, for a few moneths, certeine light skirmishes to little pur|pose betwéene the aduerse parties. But the greater companie, who could not satisfie their eagles minds with litle flies, absteined not from robbing and bur|ning the countrie. For Adam Gordon, entring into Adam G [...]r|don entreth Angus, and besiegeth the house of Wil|liam Dow|glasse. Angus, besieged the house of William Dowglasse of Glemberuie: but after that long besiege, percei|uing that the man whome he sought for, was not to be found there, he cruellie destroied all whatsoeuer there was left, consuming it with fire and sword. Which tyrannie did strike such fearfull impression in|to They of Dun|dée craue aid out of Fife. the harts of those of Dundée, that they despairing of their owne abilitie to resist them, called their EEBO page image 410 neighbours of Fife vnto their aid, sith they were next adioining vnto them, vnto whom also Gordon was a persecuting enimie continuallie in all that possiblie he might, bicause they constantlie and sub|iect like did in all dutie support the kings part.

At which time Blackenesse being betraied to the Blacknesse betraied. Hamiltons by the kéeper of that castell, did greatlie hinder the traffike and passage betwéene Leith and Sterling. For which cause the regent as a person that heedfullie looked into the dangers of that time, and with wise forecast sought to preuent following euils, brake downe all the mils about Edenburgh, Edenburgh mils broken. furnished all the noble mens houses and places of defense with garrisons néere vnto the towne, and closed vp all passage to and from the citie. For now there was fresh skirmishing, and manie on both parts, as well of the king as of the deposed queene were taken prisoners, put to their ransome, compel|led Prisoners taken both on the king and quéens part. to abiure their faction, kept in continuall prison, or else presentlie slaine.