Martin Balkerley, a wealthy citizen of Edinburgh, was confined in the castle at the time when David Beatoun was going to be made cardinal at Rome. The latter had already acquired great influence. As coadjutor to his uncle, the archbishop of St. Andrews, who was then advanced in years and in ill health, and whom he was to succeed, the administration of all ecclesiastical affairs was even then in his hands.[208] Balkerley, who was imprisoned for reading the prohibited books, complained as follows: ‘I have done nothing,’ said he, ‘but refuse to give up my book of matins to the officer.’ The king sent him back to Beatoun, who then referred the case to the privy council. The lords composing the council promised the accused his liberty on condition of his giving a ransom of one thousand pounds sterling, an enormous sum according to the value of money at that period. This ransom was paid on February 27, 1539, but Balkerley remained in prison. It was not enough. Beatoun, who had then been cardinal for a month or two, demanded an additional ransom of double the amount. Three rich Scotchmen offered themselves as bail on March 7, pledging themselves that the prisoner would do the king’s will. Five days later he was set at liberty. Thus the sum of three thousand pounds, paid down, was at length thought sufficient to expiate the crime of reading the New Testament. Beatoun did not think it necessary thenceforward to have recourse to the privy council. His arrogance had increased, and he assumed a haughty air. As the consuls of ancient Rome had their lictors, who bore the _fasces_ before them as the symbol of their power, so the cardinal, whithersoever he went, had the cross carried before him; and this symbol of the love of God, which signifies _pardon_, signified, when it preceded Beatoun, _condemnation_, and spread terror everywhere. The cardinal claimed to be master of souls, and to dispose of the lives of men. The money which he had so shamefully acquired served only to stimulate his desire to get more by the same means. Several eminent and wealthy citizens--Walter Stewart, son of Lord Ochiltree, Robert Forester, brother of the laird of Arngibbon, David Graham, John Steward, son of Lord Methven, with others belonging to the _élite_ of Scotland--were thrown into prison. In the castles, and in the towns of Stirling, Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee, numerous families were left desolate.[209] [Sidenote: MISSION OF THE DUKE OF NORFOLK.]