The History of Scotland - v. 5 Author:John Hill Burton Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER LV. REGENCY OF MORTON. ELECTION OF A NEW REGENT—MORTON CHOSEN—HIS DEALING WITH NORTHUMBERLAND—INFLUENCE IN SCOTLAND OF THE MASSACRE OF ST BARTHOLOM... more »EW—LESLIE, BISHOP OF ROSS—HIS DEFENCE OF QUEEN MARY—ACTS AS HER AMBASSADOR IN ENGLAND—THE POLITICAL RELATION WHICH GAVE HIS MISSION THE STYLE OF AN EMBASSY—MORTON CALLED TO LONDON — THE DIPLOMATIC FARCE PERFORMED THERE—TALK OF THE MARRIAGF, OF MARY AND THE DUKE OF ANJOU—PLOTS OF THE BISHOP OF ROSS AND RUDOLPHI — DIFFICULTIES WITH THE BISHOP AS AN AMBASSADOR—THE POPE'S BULL AGAINST QUEEN ELIZABETH—JOINT INFLUENCE OF THE PLOT AND THE MASSACRE IN ENGLAND—PRESSURE FOR PUTTING QUEEN MARY TO DEATH — QUESTION OP A PLAN FOR SENDING HER TO SCOTLAND TO BE SLAIN—KILLIGREW'S MISSION—THE OLD QUEEN'S PARTY DRAWN OFF—GRANGE AND LETHINGTON LEFT. In November there was a large meeting of the Estates to elect a new Regent. Again the business was transacted with deliberate formality: " And first of all agreed that ane is mair convenient to rule and govern in the king's majesty's minority than mair. Secondly, all promised and gave their solemn aiths to obey the person that should happen to be chosen to that rowme. And lastly, the noblemen present gave their aiths that whasoever should happen to be chosen to the said office of regentry should accept the same, and not refuse it." As on the former occasion, the first step was to strike a leet. It was limited to two—- James Douglas, Earl of Morton, and Alexander Cunningham, Earl of Glencairn. The second name we maysuppose to have been selected for the mere purpose of form. Morton was declared duly elected, and certain general principles of government were laid down, " to the effect that ane uniform concurrence may be betwixt him and the nobility for the forthsetting of the glory of God and gove...« less