70 MEMORIALS OF EDINBURGH.
meanwhile, the deacons of the corporations were summoned to the rescue of the Provost
and Bailies, ‘‘ but they past to their four-hour’s penny, or afternoon’s pint,’’ returning for
answer, that since tiley wilt de magistrates alone, let them rule alone!
The Provost was compelled at last to seek the mediation of the Governor of the
Castle, but the rioters did not disperse, nor permit the magistrates to escape from durance,
until after nine o’clock at night, when a public proclamation was made at the Cross,
engaging that they should not pursue any one for that day’s work.’
On the 19th of August 1561, Queen Mary landed at Leith, where she was received
by the Lord James, her natural brother, and many of the chief nubility; and conveyed
in state to the Abbey of Holyrood House. On the news of her arrival, the nobility and
leaders, without distinction of party, crowded to Edinburgh, to congratulate her on her
return to her native land, and tender their homage and service, while the people
testified their pleasure by bonfires and music, and other popular demonstrations of
rejoicing.
Magnificent entertainments were provided by the town of Edinburgh, as well as by
the chief nobility, and everything waa done on her arrival to assure her of the perfect
loyalty and affection of her subjects ; yet, if we may believe Brantome, an eye-witness, the
Queen could not help contrasting, with a sigh, the inferiority of the national displays on
her arrival, when contrasted with the gorgeous pageants to which she had been accustomed
at the Court of France.’
Contrary to what had been anticipated, the Queen received the Lord James into special
favour, and admitted him to the chief control in all public affairs ; but notwithstanding
the countenance shown to him, and other leaders of the Congregation, the religious
differences speedily led to dissensions between the Queen and the people. All toleration
had been denied to those who still adhered to the old faith, and both priests and laymen
were strictly enjoined by the magistrates of Edinburgh to attend the services of the
Protestant Chrches. Some of them, instead of joining in the worship, had availed
themselves of this compulsory attendance to unsettle the faith of recent converts, on
which account they were ordered by proclamation to depart from the city within
forty-eight hours. The Queen remonstrated without effect, and the proclamation was
renewed with increased rigour; whereupon she addressed a letter to the Council and
community of Edinburgh, commanding them to assemble in the Tolbooth, and
choose other magistrates in their stead. The Council obeyed her commands, without
waiting to learn whom she would recommend for their successors,-a procedure
which excited her indignation little less than the contempt of the magistrates she
had deposed.’
Shortly after this, Knox visited the Queen at Holyrood, and had a long interview
with her, during which he moved her to tears by,the vehemence of his exhortations.
The Lord James and other two courtiers were present, but they withdrew sufficiently
to permit of perfect privacy in this first conference between the Reformer and Queen
Mary. The interview was long, and the Queen s&ciently patient under his very plain
spoken rebukes and exhortations, but they parted in the same mind as they had met;
Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 284,5. Knox’s History of the Reforniation, 4to, p. 253, where the culprit ia styled Balon.
* Brantome, vol. 5. p. 123. Tgtler, vol. vi. Council Register, Oct. 8, 1561. Maitland, p. 21.
YAMES V. TO ABDICATION OF QUEEN MARY. 71
each of them frankly disclosing opinions, involviig the causes ‘of the collision that
speedily followed.
The Queen soon after made a progress to the north, and on her return to Edinburgh,
preparations were made on a most magnificent scale for welcoming her. On the 3d of
September, she dined in the Castle, and thereafter made her public entry. Fifty black
slaves, magniiicently apparelled, received her at the west gate of the city; twelve of the
chief citizens, dressed in black velvet gowns, with coats and doublets of crimson satin,
bore a canopy, under which ahe rode in state, and immediately on her entry, a lovely boy
descended from a globe, and addressing her in congratulatory verses, at which she was
seen to smile, presented her with the keys of t,he city, and a Bible and Psalter. The most
costly arrangements were made for her reception ; all the citizens were required to appear
in gowns of fine French satin and coats of velvet, and the young men to devise for
themselves some befitting habiliments of taffeta, or other silk, to convey the Court in
triumph. A public banquet was given to the Queen and the noble strangers by whom
she was accompanied ; and most ingenious masks and pageants provided for her entertainment,
peculiarly chagacteristic of the times. A mystery was performed, in which Korah,
Dathan, and Abiram were destroyed, while offering strange fire upon the altar, as a
warning of the vengeance of God upon idolaters. A still more significant interlude had
been provided for her Majesty’s benefit, in which a priest was to have been burnt at the
altar while elevating the host; but the Earl of Huntly persuaded them, with aome
difficulty, to content themselves with the first allegory.
All the public way through which the procession had to pass, was adorned with splendid
hangings and devices, and the Nether Bow Port, where the Queen bade adieu to her entertainers,
was decorated for the occasion in the most costly fashion.‘
The ancient Tolbooth, or “ Pretorium,” as it is styled in the early Acts of the Scottish
Parliaments, had fallen, at this time, into a very decayed and ruinous condition. The
Queen addressed a letter to the Town Council, bearing date the 6th of February 1561,
charging the Provost, Bailies, and Council to take it down with all possible diligence, and
provide, meanwhile, sufficient accommodation elsewhere for the Lords of the Session and
others ministering justice.
The royal letter expresses a most affectionate dread for “ the skayth and great slaughter”
that may happen to the lieges by the downfall of the building, if not speedily prevented ;
but no apology seems to have been thought necessary for the very arbitrary demand
that the city of Edinburgh should erect, at its own charge, parliament and court-houses
for the whole kingdom. The proceedings of the Town Council, for many months after
this, are replete with allusions to the many difficulties they had to encounter in raising
money and providing materials for the new building. The master of’ the works is
ordered “gyf the tymmer of the Auld Tolbuith will serve for the wark of the New
Tolbuith, to tak the same as ma serve.” In consequence of the proceedings, in
obedience to this order, the renters of the neighbouring booths appear with no very gentle
remonstrance against him, complaining “ that presentlie the maister of wark was takand
away the jeists above their buthis, quhilk jeists had been bocht be thame, and laid thair,
and wes thair awin propir guddis.” The magistrates seem to have pacified them with a
’ Council Register, 3d Sept. 1561. Keith, vol. U. p. 81, 82. Kuox’a Hist., p. 269, Herriea’ Mem., p. 56.
