Menteath,[835] the Lard of Glenurquhar,[836] and diverse
utheris who befoir had nocht presented thame selffis for defence of
thair bretherin. When the hole multitude was conveaned, a trumpet was
send by the Lordis, commanding the Capitanes and thair bandis to avoid
the town, and to leave it to the ancient libertie and just inhabitantis
of the same; alsua commanding the Laird of Killfaunes,[837] insett
Provest be the Quene, with the Capitanes foirsaidis, to cast up the
portis of the town, and maik the same patent to all our Soveraneis
liegis, to the effect, that alsweill trew religioun now aneis begun
thairin may be maynteaned, and idolatrie utterlie suppressed; as alsua
the said town mycht joise and brooke thair ancient lawis and liberteis
unoppressed by men of wear, according to thair old privilegis granted to
thame be the ancient Princes of this realme, and conforme to the
provisioun conteaned in the Contract of Mariage maid be the Nobilitie
and Parliament of this realme with the King of France, beirand, that
nane of our aid lawis nor liberteis should be alterat: adding thairto,
gif they folishlie resisted, and thairin happined to commit murther,
that thay should be entreated as murtheraris. To the whiche thay
ansuered prowdlie, "That thay wald keap and defend that town, according
to thair promess maid to the Quene Regent."

[SN: COMMUNING AT SANCT JOHNESTOUN.]

This answer receaved, preparatioun was maid for the seage and assault;
for amangis all it was concluded, that the town should be sett at
libertie, to what dangeris soever thair bodyis should be exponed. Whill
preparatioun was in making, came the Erle of Huntlie, the Lord Erskin,
and Maister Johne Bannatyne, Justice Clerk,[838] requireing that the
persute of the town should be delayed. To speak thame war appointed the
Erle of Ergyle, Lord James, and Lord Ruthven, who, perceaving in thame
nothing but a drift of tyme, without any assurance that the former
wrangis should be redressed, gave unto thame schort and plane ansuer,
"That thay wald nocht delay thair purpoise ane hour; and thairfoir
willed thame to certifie the Capitanes in the town, that gif by pryde
and foolishnes thay wald keape the town, and in so doing slay any of
thair bretherin, that thay should everie one dye as murtheraris." The
Erle of Huntlie displeased at this ansuer, departed, as hielie offended
that he culd nocht dress suche appointment as should have contented the
Queue and the Preastis. Af