[672] Keith has accused Knox of misstating this fact. Had he examined the Council Records more carefully, he would have found direct evidence of the practice of proclaiming the Statutes enacted by the Council, to which Knox alludes, on the 8th November 1555. Knox's account of the change of the Magistracy of Edinburgh is quite correct, although it has also been called in question. Upon examining the Council Records, it appears that Archibald Douglas was Provost; and Mr. James Watson, David Somer, Edward Hope, and Adam Foullarton, Baillies, in 1560-1561; and that on the 24th March 1560-1, proclamation was made of the Act 1560, against Priests, Adulterars, &c. At the next election in September 1561, Douglas was re-elected Provost, with David Forster, Robert Kar, Alexander Home, and Allan Dikesoun, as Baillies. On the 2d October, the above proclamation was ordered to be made on the following day; and on the 5th, the Queen sent a macer enjoining the Town Council to deprive their new Magistrates, and to appoint others in their room. A new election accordingly took place on the 8th of October, as detailed at considerable length by Maitland, (Hist. of Edinburgh, p. 21.)
[673] In MS. 1566, and also in MSS. G and A, a blank space is left for these names; in MS. L 4, "&c." is supplied; and this marginal note added, "The Provost, Baillies, of Edinburgh changed at the Quenes command."
[674] See note 2, p. 289, respecting the election. In a letter to Cecill, Knox, on the 7th October 1561, writes:—"At this verry instant ar the Provost of Edinburgh and Baillies thairof, command to ward in thare Tolboght, be reason of thair proclamatioun against Papists and hoormongeris. The whole blame lyeth upon the necke of the two fornamed," viz. Lord James Stewart and Lethington.
[675] In MS. G, "to oppone himself to impietie."
[676] In MS. G, "Mr. Thomas M'Cally chosen Provost."—Mr. Thomas M'Calzean of Cliftonhall, was educated at St. Andrews, being a fellow-student with George Buchanan, in St. Salvator's College in 1525. He was admitted Advocate in 1549, and became Assessour of the Town of Edinburgh; and was chosen Provost in 1558, as well as on the above occasion. He was appointed a Lord of Session, 20th October 1570; and died 5th June 1581.
[677] In MS. G, "will schut in."
[678] In MS. G, "Baalim's bleating preests."
[679] Hallowmass, or All Saints, the 1st of November.
[680] In MS. 1566, one of the transcribed quires ends here with the catch-word, "of Mr. James," the last page being blank.
[681] Sir John Bellenden of Auchinoule, held the office of Justice Clerk for nearly thirty years. He was appointed successor to his father, 25th June 1547, and the office was again filled in November 1578, by Sir Lewis Bellenden, although then in "his less age," which Lord Hailes conceives to mean that he was not then twenty-five. Sir John died 6th October 1576. (Register of Confirmed Testaments.)