Marr, the Lords Hume, Ruthven, Sanchar, Lindsey, Grame, Innermeth, and Uchiltrie, with many other Barons, besides the Commissioners of the Burroughs.
[1157] The names of the Subscribers to these Articles, amounting in all to 79 persons, are inserted in the Book of the Universall Kirk, (vol. i. p. 110.)
This being agreed upon, the Assembly dissolved. Thereafter the Lords Lindsay and Ruthven were sent to Lochlevin to the Queen, to present unto her two writs; the one contained a renunciation of the Crowne and Royall dignitie in favour of the Prince her son; with a Commission to invest him into the Kingdome, according to the manner accustomed: which after some reluctancy, with tears, she subscribed[1158] by the advice of the Earle of Athole, who had sent to her; and of Secretary Lethington, who had sent to her Robert Melvill[1159] for that purpose: So there was a procuration given to the Lords Lindsey and Ruthven, by the Queen, to give up and resign the rule of the Realm, in presence of the States.
[1158] The three Instruments signed at Lochlevin, by Queen Mary, on the 24th July 1567, were published with other documents connected with them in Anderson’s Collections, vol. ii. Edinb. 1727, 4to: see also Keith’s History, vol. ii. p. 706, &c.
[1159] See page 361, note 2.
The second writ was, To ordain the Earle of Murray Regent during the Prince’s minority, if he would accept the charge: And in case he refused [to accept the said office upon his single person, that he with] the Duke Chattelarault, the Earles of Lenox, Argyle, Athole, Morton, Glencarne, and Marr, should govern conjunctly.
These writs were published the 29. of July 1567, at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh. Then at Sterlin was the Prince crowned King, where John Knox made the sermon. The Earle Morton and the Lord Hume took the oath for the King, that he should constantly live in the profession of the true Religion, and maintain it; and that he should govern the Kingdom according to [the] law thereof, and doe justice equally to all. In the beginning of August, the Earle Murray being sent for, cometh home;[1160] in all haste he visits the Queen at Lochlevin, strives to draw the Lords that had taken part with the Hamiltons, or were neuters, to joyne with those that had bound themselves to stand for the King’s authoritie: He was very earnest with divers, by reason of their old friendship, but to little purpose. The twentie of August, he received his Regency, after mature and ripe deliberation, at the desire of the Queen, and Lords that were for the King, and so was publikely proclaimed Regent, and obedience showed unto him by all that stood for the young King.
[1160] At the time of Queen Mary’s renunciation of the Crown, the Earl of Murray was in France. After his return to Edinburgh, the 11th August, he had an interview with the Queen at Lochleven. He was solemnly inaugurated as Regent in the Council Chamber of the Tolbooth, or Parliament House, and publicly proclaimed at the Cross of Edinburgh, 22d August 1567.
The End of the History of the Church of Scotland, Till
The Year 1567, and Moneth of August
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