=9. Fall of Huntly.=--_Lord James Stewart_, Prior of St. Andrews, whom the Queen created _Earl of Murray_, was the hope of the Protestants, but in the north the Romanists were still numerous and strong. Their head was the _Earl of Huntly_, chief of the _Gordons_, who reigned supreme over most of the north, and whose word was law where decrees of parliament would have been set at nought. As his great power was looked on as dangerous to the state, his downfall was resolved on. Murray and the Queen set out for the north to visit him, as was said, but with so large a force that he thought it expedient to keep out of their way. His _Castle of Inverness_ was besieged and taken and the governor hanged, and his followers were defeated and he himself slain at _Corrichie_, near _Aberdeen_, in 1562. His body was brought to Edinburgh, as was the custom in cases of treason, that the sentence of forfeiture might be passed on it. His son was beheaded at Aberdeen; and thus the power of the Gordons was broken. Thus Mary during the first part of her reign showed no favour to the Romanists, but still she did not confirm the Reformation Statutes. =10. Second Marriage of the Queen.=--The most interesting question now for all parties was, whom the Queen would marry. Many foreign princes were talked of, and Elizabeth suggested her own favourite, the _Earl of Leicester_, but Mary settled the matter herself by falling in love with her own cousin, _Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley_. He was son of _Lennox_ and _Margaret Douglas_, and was therefore the grandson of _Margaret Tudor_, and was received as first prince of the blood at the English court. Mary called a special council and announced to them her intended marriage. She then raised Darnley to the _Earldom of Ross_, and afterwards created him _Duke of Albany_. They were married with the rites of the Romish Church, July 29, 1565. Murray had refused his consent to the marriage. He and some others of the lay Lords now took up arms. They got into the town of Edinburgh, but were fired at from the Castle, and, as they were disappointed in their hopes of recruits, they retreated to _Dumfries_. There they issued a declaration that their religion was in danger, and that the Queen had acted unconstitutionally in proclaiming Darnley _King of Scots_ without the consent of the Estates. The feudal force was summoned, and the King and Queen led it against them. On this the Lords retreated into England and disarmed their followers.