Raid of Holyrood

James Douglas of Spott rescued his servants from torture in the gatehouse of Holyrood Palace

James VI barricaded himself in the tower built by his grandfather James V

James VI barricaded himself in the tower built by his grandfather James V at Falkland Palace

Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell was a nephew of Mary, Queen of Scots. He fell from the favour of James VI and was accused of witchcraft during the North Berwick witch trials. Expelled from court, he broke into Holyrood Palace (twice) and tried to capture Falkland Palace (once) and planned to enter Dalkeith Palace, either to regain the King's favour or to kidnap him. Bothwell could count on a number of loyal followers amongst the Scottish lairds. Despite his following, he was forced into exile and died in Naples in 1612.[2]

Sir James Melville of Halhill, a gentleman in the household of Anne of Denmark, the courtier Roger Aston, and the English ambassador Robert Bowes, described the first raid on Holyrood Palace. Bothwell came with sixty followers after supper on Monday 27 December 1591, including the lairds James Douglas of Spott, Archibald Wauchope of Niddrie, John Colville, and Archibald Douglas (a son of the Earl of Morton).[3]

Douglas of Spott went to release some of his servants that were imprisoned in the gatehouse or "porter lodge" on suspicion of the murder of the old laird of Spott. The space was originally a workshop for a glazier, Thomas Peebles and James V had converted it into a workshop for mending the royal tapestries.[4] Now it was a prison where one man, Sleich of Cumlege in the Merse, had been tortured with the "boot", a device for crushing the legs, on Christmas Day.[5][6] Spott's action raised the alarm more quickly than Bothwell's party wanted. The king and his courtiers barricaded themselves inside the palace helped by Harry Lindsay of Kinfauns, while Andrew Melville of Garvock and Sir James Sandilands brought help from outside.[7][8]

James VI and Anne of Denmark retreated to the tower of the palace, while most of the court were still at supper in the great hall. Accorded to Roger Aston they "ram-forst the dores" against Bothwell's men until help came from the people of Edinburgh.[9] Bothwell's men tried to break through with hammers and burn doors. The Chancellor John Maitland of Thirlestane was besieged in his chamber. Harry Lindsay defended the queen's door. Both the King and Queen were in the tower secured with an iron yett.[10]

A shot from the chancellor's chamber window killed Robert Scott, a brother of the Laird of Balwearie, and another raider was hit on the backside. The courtiers fought back with "staffs and other invasive weapons".[11] Taking advantage of the darkness, Bothwell's men retreated through the stables. Seven of Bothwell's men were captured and hanged.[12][13] Anne of Denmark successfully pleaded with James VI for the lives of some, especially John Naysmyth.[14]

On 28 June, between one and two o'clock in the morning, Bothwell, with 300 followers, attempted to capture Falkland Palace and the king. Forewarned, the king and queen and his immediate courtiers withdrew to the tower and locked it from within. Bothwell's main assault was at the back gate near the tennis court. The defenders fired on his supporters from the tower. Melville of Halhill alleged that some who liked Bothwell loaded their guns with paper, while Bothwell refrained from using the explosive petards he had brought to blow the gates open.[28]

Bothwell gave up and left with the horses from the royal stables. The English border reiver Richie Graham of Brackenhill and his companions including Thomas Musgrave of Bewcastle sacked Falkland town, taking horses, clothing, and money.[29] On 29 and 30 June proclamations were issued for Bothwell's pursuit and the arrest of his accomplices, including James Scott of Balwearie, Martine of Cardone, and Lumsden of Airdrie.

According to James Melville of Halhill, he and his brother had a warning of the plot to take the King and Queen at Falkland. They advised the royal couple to ride north to Ballinbreich Castle on the River Tay for greater safety. This counsel was overruled and the Melville brothers were told to ride south to summon reinforcements to Falkland. They discovered that Bothwell was close by and sent a servant, Robert Athlek, back to Falkland. His story was not believed. On his way back from Falkland he encountered Bothwell's forces on the Lomond Hills in the dark. He was believed when he came back a second time, and so the royals moved into the gatehouse tower for extra security.[30]

James VI returned to Edinburgh, and wrote to Elizabeth I on 5 July about the raid at Falkland. He would hunt down the perpetrators, and asked her to pursue fugitives in England and the English subjects who were present. He asked her to send money to help, as a payment of the annuity or subsidy which he received from her.[31]

On Tuesday 24 July 1593, the Earl of Bothwell in disguise, helped by Marie Ruthven, Countess of Atholl, smuggled himself into Holyroodhouse and forced himself into the King's presence, in his bedchamber.[32] The Countess of Atholl had access to a back gate which led to her mother, Dorothea Stewart, Countess of Gowrie's house.[33]

It was said that Bothwell hid behind the tapestry or hangings until the best moment. Accounts say the King was in his "retiring place" or "secret place".[34] According to John Spottiswoode, James VI saw Bothwell's drawn sword, and said, "Strike Traitor! and make an end of thy work, for I desire not to live any longer".[35] Bothwell kneeled and offered his sword to the king so he could behead him if he wished. James declined. Soon numerous Bothwell supporters also entered the room. William Keith of Delny and the Earl of Mar offered some resistance.[36]

Bothwell told his version of this dialogue to William Reed in Berwick-upon-Tweed. When James saw Bothwell, he said "Francis, thou will do me no ill!". Bothwell kneeled and offered his sword. The Duke and the Earl of Atholl came in the room and spoke on Bothwell's behalf, "May it please your grace, this is a noble man of your own blood, who would be loth to see you take any ill, and be ready always to venture his life with you. Your Grace is to take things in hand now which cannot be well done without the assistance of this man who you may be assured of". According to Bothwell, the king forgave him, saying, "Francis, you ask us pardon, for what would you have pardon?" as if his entrance to the palace had been no offence.[37]

The Provost of Edinburgh, Alexander Home, came to the palace to help, but the king said things were fine and Bothwell told him to get packing.[38] Various noblemen were present and Lord Ochiltree offered to fight Bothwell over the issue of the killing of his brother Sir William Stewart in 1588. There was no fighting. The king accepted Bothwell's protestations of loyalty and an agreement for his pardon from charges of treason was reached.[39] Bothwell was never returned to favour and went into exile.

Two Danish ambassadors, Niels Krag and Steen Bille, who had come to inspect the queen's jointure settlement and land rentals, were in Edinburgh during the raid.[40] They were lodged in the Canongate at John Kinloch's house close to the palace.[41] They recorded events in a Latin journal of their embassy. James VI had to explain the circumstances of Bothwell's appearance at Holyrood to them in a meeting with the Privy Council in the Tolbooth.[42] The Danish ambassadors had another audience with James VI in the palace garden on 25 July.[43]

The English ambassador Robert Bowes thought that Marie Ruthven, Countess of Atholl was a dependable ally of Elizabeth I and opposed to the faction of the Earl of Huntly, and in October 1593 he advised that Elizabeth should send her a jewel as a token of support. The king's favourite, Sir George Home, was now lodged in the house by Holyrood, for extra security.[44] Some unjustly accused Anne of Denmark of trying helping Bothwell reach the king.[45]