PREFACE.

The leading event upon which the followingstory hinges, will be found in the illustrativenotes at the end of the third volume,which will show that the Magister Absalom(so frequently referred to) was a realpersonage, who, in the days of Earl Bothwell,was a Protestant clergyman at Bergen, andauthor of a Diary named The Chapter Book.

There is no style of reading more conduciveto a good or evil result, than thehistorical romance, according to the mannerit is treated, by a judicious or injudiciouswriter. I have been studious in avoidingany distortion of history, the tenor of whichis so often misconstructed wilfully by writersof romance; for there are bounds beyondwhich not even they are entitled to go.The Scottish reader will find how closely Ihave woven up the stirring events of 1567with my own story, which, in reality,contains much more that is veracious thanfictitious.

Thus, Bothwell's journey to Denmark—hisconflict with John of Park—the Queen'svisit to Hermitage—the assault on the houseof Alison Craig—the brawl and assistancegiven the Earl (in mistake for Arran) by theAbbot of Kilwinning—and many otherincidents, all occurred actually as related.

With one or two exceptions, every characterin the following pages was a bona fidepersonage "of flesh and blood," who existedat the time, and was an actor in the scenesnarrated.

In the general grouping, costume, andother dramatic accessaries, I haveendeavoured (as closely as I could) to draw apicture of the Scottish court and metropolisin the year 1567, at a time when thesplendour of both was dimmed by the povertywhich followed the wars and tumults of theReformation; and with what success, I maysay with the old knights of Cumbernauld—"Letthe deed shaw!"

EDINBURGH, September, 1851.

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

CHAPTER

1. ...