anything the Earl of Lennox or his faction can speak or do, who has not as yet given the like proof, may make men that know me to doubt of my honesty. Since he has made open demonstration to be my enemy, I could do no less than let him know the like of me, and so have been forced to join myself with such of the nobility as would concur with me, and provide every way for my own surety, wherein I doubt not but your Lordships will not only bear with me, but also allow of my doings. ‘For nature teaches both men and beasts to procure means for their own preservation, and to avoid all things tending to the contrary. And yet I dare undertake, if it shall please the Queen’s Majesty your mistress, to prosecute the course she has begun, for according the difference for the title of the Crown, and to show her favour in the mean season indifferently to both parties, that number of noblemen, with whom I have joined myself, shall be as far at her Majesty’s devotion, and as able every way, and as willing, to entertain the good intelligence between the realms as any others; and, indeed, they are no less able to serve her Majesty’s turn. As to the abstinence mentioned in your Lordships’ letter, I shall willingly accommodate myself to everything accorded between the Commissioners for both parties, not only in the order of the Castle of Edinburgh, but all other things lying in my power; and shall attempt nothing farther than the surety of myself and place I have in charge shall force me, unless the others attempt to do injury to me or my friends, in which case the Earl of Lennox shall have no cause to look for quietness, if he make occasion to me and my friends to stand in doubt of our own surety; for I am resolved to use him as he shall do me and my friends. I have seen heretofore how the former abstinences have been kept on his part, and I know what harm my friends have sustained under the colour thereof; so that I would look for little better at his hand now, were not the trust I repose in her Majesty, who I doubt not will overrule him and bridle him from disordered doings; upon the confidence whereof, her Majesty shall have experience what reverence I bear to her Highness, and how far I respect your Lordships’ advice. As to the common quietness in the town of Edinburgh, and people therein, I assure myself none of them will complain; for of truth, there is no man within the compass of the same has received injury or violence, by word or deed, of me or any of mine; whereof I desire your Lordships to assure her Majesty. So, not willing to trouble your Lordships farther, I commit your Lordships to the protection of the Almighty God. From Edinburgh Castle, the 21st of April 1571. Your Lordships’ to command, W. KIRKCALDY.’