[735] Randolph in his letter to Cecil, 7th December 1561, furnishes a remarkable instance of profanity at this time. Referring to the Marquis d' Elbeuf, he says, "We fell in talk of the pastimes that were the Sunday before, where the Lord Robert, the Lord John, and others rang at the ring, six against six, _disguised and apparelled, the one half like women_, the other like strangers, in strange masking garments. The Marquis that day did very well; _but the women, whose part the Lord Robert did sustain, won the ring_. The Queen herself beheld it, and as many others as listed." [Sidenote: MARRIAGE OF THE ERLE OF MARE][736] [736] In MS G, "Erle of Murray." In this meantyme, to wit, in Februar, the year of God J^m V^c threscoir ane,[737] was Lord James first maid Erle of Marr,[738] and then maryed upoun Agnes Keyth, dowghter to the Erle Merschell. The mairiage was publict in the Church of Edinburgh[739]. In the marriage thai boyth gat ane admonitioun to behave thame selves moderatlie in all thingis; "For, (said the preachear[740] to him,) unto this day the Kirk of God hath receaved confort by you, and by your laubouris; in the which, yf heirafter ye shalbe found fayntar then that ye war befoir, it wilbe said that your Wyeff hath changed your nature." The greatness of the bancquett, and the vanitie used thairat, offended many godly. Thair began the masking, which from year to year hath continewed since. Maister Randolph, agent for the Quene of England, was then, and sometyme after, in no small conceat with our Quene; for his Maistres saik, she drank[741] to him [in] a coupe of gold, which he possessed with greattar joy, for the favour of the gevar, then of the gift and valew thairof; and yit it was honourable. [737] That is, 1561-2. The Earldom of Murray was first taken from the Earl of Huntly, and granted to Lord James Stewart, by a charter, dated 30th January 1561-2. On the 7th of February following, the Earldom of Mar being conferred on him he publicly assumed this title, until it was restored, _per modum justiciæ_, to John Lord Erskine. Lord James then resumed the title by which he is chiefly known to posterity as the Earl of Murray. [738] In MS G, "first maid Erle of Murray" In MS L 4, the commencement of this paragraph is thus amplified--"The Quene this winter preceding made Lord James Erle of Mar, as some thought to conciliat his good will quhom she had found in absence offendit. At this time he married also Agnes Keith, daughter to the Erle Marchell. Soone efter the Erledome of Murray was bestowed upon him instead of the Erledome of Mar. Lord Erskin had an old right to the Erldome of Marr."