he hartis of the sempill. They travellit with the
Duik, to bring him agane to the Queneis factioun. La Broche and the
Bischop of Amiance were schort befoir arryvit; and, as it was brutit,
war directit as ambassadouris; bot thay keipitt cloise thair haill
commissioun: Thay onlie maid large promeisses to thame that wald be
thairis, and leif the Congregatioun. The Quene did grevouslie complayne,
that we haid intelligence with Ingland. [SN: THE PETITIOUN OF
LABROCHE.] The conclusioun of thair commissioun was to solist my Lord
Duike to put all in the Queneis will, and than wald sche be gratious
aneuch. [SN: THE ANSWER.] It was answerit, "That na honest men
durst committ thame selfis to the mercie of sick thrott-cuttaris[947] as
sche had about hir; quham, gif sche wald remove, and joyne to hir ane
Counsall of naturall Scottismen, permitting the religioun to have fre
passage, than sould nane in Scotland be mair willing to serve hir Grace
than sould the Lordis and Brethren of the Congregatioun be."

[SN: LETTER TO THE LORD ERSKIN.]

At the same tyme, the Duik his Grace and the Lordis wrait to my Lord
Erskin, Capitane of Castell of Edinburgh, in forme as followis:

"MY LORD AND COUSING,

"Efter oure hartlie commendatioun, this present is to adverteise
yow, that we ar credibillie informeit, the army of Frensche men
instantlie in this realme, but ony avise of the Counsale of
Nobilitie, ar fortifieand, of ellis schortlie intendis to fortifie
the town of Leith, and expell the ancient inhabitantis thairof;
quhairby thay proclame to all that will oppin thair eiris to heir,
or ene to se, quhat is thair pretence. And seing the faithfulnes of
youre antecessouris, and especiallie of your Father, of honorabill
memorie, was sa recommendit and experimentit to the Estaitis and
Counsallouris of this realme, throwch affectioun thay persawit in
him towartis the commun-wealth thairof, that thay doubtit not to
gif in his keiping the key, as it war, of the Counsall, the
Justice, and Policey of this realme, the Castellis of Edinburgh
and Striveling;[948] we can not bot beleif ye will rather augment
the honorabill favoure of your housse, be steidfast favour and
lawtie to your commun-wealth, than throuch the subtell persuatioun
of sum, (quhilk cair not quhat efter sail cum of yow and your
house,) at the present wald abuse yow, to the performance of thair