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.

These things thus depending, and the king and the deposed quéenes faction contending still to sup|port their parts, the matter did dailie more and more grow to great slaughters: which being well percei|ued by forreine nations (pitieng the present calami|ties, and seeking to prouide to staie the following dis|sention of that countrie which was like to be at hand vpon these ciuill and vnnaturall warres, if better or|der were not taken therefore) the quéene of Eng|land The quéene of England & the French king fend am|bassadors into Scotland. as the kings next and louing neighbour, and the French king also the confederat of Scotland, sent their ambassadors into the realme, to sée what quali|fication might be had in these troublesome and dan|gerous times of the kings minoritie; hoping either to set a finall end to these inconueniences, or at least to mitigate and staie that furie, that it should not at that present, or during the kings minoritie passe anie further. For the accomplishment whereof, sir Wil|liam Drurie knight, and Thomas Randolph esquier, were sent from the queene of England: and mon|sieur de Croque, who had also béene ambassador out of France into Scotland before that time, was now againe sent thither from the French king.