not but have
recognised that the device was only part of the ancestral Ruthven arms,
if that was the case. The 'black-a-more' was horrifying to Ottavio
Baldi, as implying a dark intention.

Here we leave the additional and certainly curious mystery of Gowrie's
claims, as 'shadowed' in his chosen emblem. I know not if it be germane
to the matter to add that after Bothwell, in 1593, had seized James, by
the aid of our Gowrie's mother and sister, he uttered a singular hint to
Toby Matthew, Dean of Durham. He intruded himself on the horrified Dean,
hot from his successful raid, described with much humour the kidnapping
of the untrussed monarch, and let it be understood that he was under the
protection of Elizabeth, _that there was a secret candidate for James's
crown_, and that he expected to be himself Lieutenant of the realm of
Scotland. Bothwell was closely _lie_ with Lady Gowrie (Dorothea
Stewart), and our Gowrie presently joined him in a 'band' to serve
Elizabeth and subdue James. {251b}

APPENDIX B: THE CONTEMPORARY RUTHVEN VINDICATION

(State Papers, Scotland (Elizabeth), vol. lxvi. No. 52)

The verie maner of the Erll of Gowrie and his brother their death, quha
war killit at Perth the fyft of August by the kingis servanttis his Matie
being present.

Vpone thurisday the last of July . . . . Perth from Strebrane . . . .
bene ahunting accompainit wth . . . . purpose to have ridden to . . . .
mother. Bot he had no sooner . . . . aspersauit fyn . . . . vpone such .
. . . addressit thame selffis . . . thay continewit daylie . . . Amangis
the rest Doctor Herries . . . Satirday the first of August feinying
himself to . . . of purpose to . . . and my lordis house. This man be my
Lord was w . . . and convoyit throche . . the house and the secreit
pairts schawin him.

Vpon tysday my [lordis?] servanttis vnderstanding that my [lord?] was to
ryde to Lot [Lothian] . . . obteinit licence to go . . . thair effairis
and to prepare thameselfis. Whylk my lord wold [not] have grantit to
thame if they . . . any treason in . . .

The same day Mr. Alexander being send for be the king . . . tymes befoir,
raid to facland accompaneit wth Andro Ruthven and Andro Hendirson, of
mynd not to have returnit . . . bot to have met his brother my lord the
next morning at the watter syde. And Andro Hendirsonis confessioun
testifeit this . . . tuke his ludgeing in facland for this nygt.

At his cuming to facland he learnit that