IX. CONTEMPORARY CLERICAL CRITICISM
The most resolute sceptics as to the guilt of the Ruthvens were the Edinburgh preachers. They were in constant opposition to the King, and the young Gowrie was their favourite nobleman. As to what occurred when the news of the tragedy reached Edinburgh, early on July 6, we have the narrative of Mr. Robert Bruce, then the leader of the Presbyterians. His own version is printed in the first volume of the Bannatyne Club Miscellany, and is embodied, with modifications, and without acknowledgment (as references to such sources were usually omitted at that period), in Calderwood’s History.
It is thus better to follow Mr. Bruce’s own account, as far as it goes.
The preachers heard the ‘bruit,’ or rumour of the tragedy, by nine o’clock on the morning of August 6. By ten o’clock arrived a letter from James to the Privy Council: the preachers were called first ‘before the Council of the town,’ and the King’s epistle was read to them. ‘It bore that his Majesty was delivered out of a peril, and therefore that we should be commanded to go to our Kirks,
convene our people, ring bells, and give God praises.’ While the preachers were answering, the Privy Council sent for the Provost and some of the Town Council.
The preachers then went to deliberate in the East Kirk, and decided ‘that we could not enter into the particular defence of’ (the existence of?) ‘the treason, seeing that the King was silent of the treason in his own letter, and the reports of courtiers varied among themselves.’
This is not easily intelligible. The letter from Falkland of which Nicholson gives an account on August 6, was exceedingly ‘particular as to the treason.’ It is my impression, based mainly on the Burgh Records quoted by Pitcairn, that the letter with full particulars cited by Nicholson, was written, more or less officially, by the notary, David Moysie, who was at Falkland, and that the King’s letter was brief, only requiring thanksgiving to be offered. Yet Nicholson says that the letter with details (written by the King he seems to think), was meant for the preachers as well as for the Privy Council (cf. p. 38, note).
The preachers, in any case, were now brought before the Privy Council and desired, by Montrose, the Chancellor, to go to church, and thank God for the King’s ‘miraculous delivery from that vile treason.’ They replied that ‘they could not be certain of the treason,’ but would speak of delivery ‘from a great danger.’ Or they would wait, and, when quite sure of the treason, would blaze it abroad.
‘They’ (the Council) ‘said it should be sufficient to read his Majesty’s letter.’
This appears to mean that the preachers would content the Lords by merely reading James’s letter aloud to the public.