On 1st May Moray and Argyll led 6 thousand men into the city of Edinburgh to attend Bothwell’s trial the next day. It took place at the Tollbooth, and in Bothwell’s absence, a kinsman of his, Sir Alexander Hepburn of Whitsome (the Laird of Riccarton) spoke for him. In the end Bothwell was orderd to lose his two hundred pounds, but was otherwise found not guilty and was a free man.
By this time, of course, he was kicking his heels in Paris, France, once more lacking money and with no means to gain any. There were rumours of a mysterious French wife, but if he did marry a Frenchwoman, he didn’t see much of her, since he was recalled to Scotland. Mary sent for him on the 16th July, but that letter went astray at the hands of the English.
So Bothwell returned to Scotland too late to see Mary marry Henry, Lord Darnley, on 29th July 1565. He finally received a summons from Mary on the 27th August. She announced his pardon, and asked for his urgent assistance in countering a rebellion - Moray and the Protestant Lords were at it again. Moray, of course, was being funded by England. Bothwell left Paris immediately, eluding the English spies who had him under surveillance, and visited Brussels, Antwerp and Flushing collecting what money and supplies he could. Elizabeth I was onto him, and Bothwell let it be known that he was heading for Ireland. When Elizabeth’s four warships were patrolling between Ireland and the west coast of Scotland, Bothwell was heading up the east coast.
But England also had the east coast covered, with two private ships and HMS Aid. Bothwell eluded Aid, but when he entered the Tweed his ship became becalmed within firing distance of one of the private ships, captained by CharlesWilson. Luckily, all shots fired missed their target, and Bothwell’s craft was able to row away to land at Eyemouth.
Bedford to Cecil; September 19, 1565
"The escape of Bothwell happened in this sort. He had two small boats with oars, and getting under sail with the help of their oars went his way albeit Wilson shot at him, but did no harm. He landed at Eyemouth, and brought with him six or eight men, certain pistols, and some armour. He tarried not there a quarter of an hour, but went to the court."[1]
Meanwhile, on 30th August 1565 Moray had marched on Edinburgh. Mary was loath to go into battle against him, and the Royal forces had withdrawn to Stirling and Glasgow. After a couple of days Moray left Edinburgh, realising that he was unlikely to succeed against Mary. She had more men and supplies, and the people were rallying to her. There was the obligatory English plot to kidnap her, but it came to nothing. The rebels withdrew to the west and Mary returned to Holyrood.
Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, September 19-20, 1565
".....it is told me Bothwell is arrived, whose power is to do more mischief than ever he was minded to do good in all his life; a fit man to be made a minister to any shameful act, be it either against God or man. "[2]
Bothwell arrived there on 21st September, and was once more created Lieutenant of the Border. He returned to Hermitage for about five days to raise troops, and was then back in Holyrood to take a seat on the Council and to command Mary’s army. However, Darnley insisted that his father, the Earl of Lennox, should lead Mary’s forces, causing the first obvious disagreement between the married couple [3,4] and forcing the army to wait a week for the Earl of Lennox to return from defending Lennox lands against Moray’s forces. This gave the rebels time to withdraw from Dumfries and escape to Carlisle without bloodshed, and demonstrated the use Darnley would be in assisting Mary to govern. But at least Mary and Darnley were able to take the opportunity to wear the very latest in armoury fashion. The Chase-about Raid was just that.
Thomas Randolph to Sir William Cecil, Edinburgh, October 4, 1565.
Bothwell takes great things on him, and promises much; a fit captain for so loose a company as now hang upon him! [4]
References
[1] Calendar of State Papers, Foreign Series, of the Reign of Elizabeth I, 1558-89 (Vol VII). Ed Joseph Stevenson, WB Turnbull et al (London, 1863-1950)
[2] Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots Vol II. Ed Joseph Bain (HM General Register House, Edinburgh, 1898, 1900)
[3] Cockburn to Cecil, October 2, 1565. Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots Vol II. Ed Joseph Bain (HM General Register House, Edinburgh, 1898, 1900)
[4] Randolph to Cecil, October 4, 1565. Calendar of State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots Vol II. Ed Joseph Bain (HM General Register House, Edinburgh, 1898, 1900)