YAMES V. TO ABDICATION OF QUEEN MAR Y. 69
The Three Estates immediately assembled at Edinburgh on the 16th of January, and
despatched the Lord James, the chief leader of the Congregation, as ambassador to the
Scottish Queen, to invite her return to her own dominions. Ere his departure on this
mission, four commissioners arrived from the Queen, with assurances of her intention of
speedily returning home, and meanwhile bearing a commission to certain of the leading
men of Scotland, authorising them to summon a Parliament.
About this time a serious riot occurred in Edinburgh. ( L That the work of reformation
might not be retarded, Sanderson, deacon of the fleshera, or butchers, was, by the Council,
ordered to be carted for adultery.”’ This the trades resented, as a general insult to their
body, and assembling in a tumultuous manner, they broke open the prison and released
him from durance. The magistrates, on this, applied to the Privy Council for aid against
the rioters-a number of the craftsmen were committed prisoners to the Castle, and the
corporations so intimidated, that they made humble supplication to the Council for release
of their brethren, promising all obedience and submission to the magistrates in time
coming. Upon this the craftsmen were released, and the offending deacon, it may be presumed,
duly carted according to order.
The magistrates the same year removed the Corn Market, from the corner of Marlin’s
Wynd, Cowgate (where Blair Street now is), to the east end of the Grassmarket, where
it continued to be held till the present century. At the same time, they forbade the
continuance of a practice that then prevailed of holding public markets on the Sundays,
and keeping open shops and taverns during divine service, under the pain of corporal
punishment.z
The enforcement of some of the more stringent enactments that had been‘introduced
for the reformation of manners, gave rise to another and more serious tumult. Notwithstanding
the acts already referred to, the people still attempted the revival of some
of their ancient games. On the 21st of June, a number of the craftsmen and apprentices
united together for the purpose of playing Robin Hood-“which enormity was of many
years left off, and condemned by statute.:’ The magistrates intedeered, and took from
them some weapons and an ensign. This the populace keenly resented, the city gates
were held by the mob, and numerous acts of violence committed. The magistrates, to
appease them, restored the banner and other spoils; but, watching a favourable
opportunity, they seized on James Gillon, a shoemaker, one of the ringleaders of the mob,
tried him on the charge of stealing ten crowns, and condemned him to be hanged. The
deacons of the crafts used all their influence with the magistmtes to obtain his pardon,
but in vain. A deputation from the same body waited on John Knox, and besought his
influence on behalf of the offender, but he refused to be a patron to their impiety.” A
gallows was erected below the Cross, and all preparations completed for the execution,
when the rioters resumed their weapens, broke down the gallows, and put the magistrates
to flight; pursuing them till they took refuge in a writer’s booth. There they were held
captive, while the mob proceeded to assault the Tolbooth within sight of them. They
broke in the door with sledge hammers, and set Gillon and all the other prisoners at
liberty. On their departure, the magistrates took refuge in the Tolbooth, and thence
fired on them on their return from an attempt to pasa out by the Nether Bow Port;
Council Register, Nov. 22d, 1560. Maitland, p. 20. Ibid.
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