merous
retainers. Several of the nobility, finding that others had taken the
lead among the associators, formed a faction apart, and opposed the
prevailing power; and besides their being moved by some remains of duty
and affection towards Mary, the malecontent lords, observing every thing
carried to extremity against her, were naturally led to embrace her
cause, and shelter themselves under her authority. All who retained any
propensity to the Catholic religion were induced to join this party;
and even the people in general, though they had formerly either
detested Mary's crimes or blamed her imprudence, were now inclined
to compassionate her present situation, and lamented that a person
possessed of so many amiable accomplishments, joined to such high
dignity, should be treated with such extreme severity.[***]

* Melvil, p. 87. Keith, p. 445.

** Anderson, vol. ii. p. 206, et seq.

*** Buchanan, lib. xviii. c. 53.

Animated by all these motives, many of the principal nobility now
adherents to the queen of Scots, met at Hamilton, and concerted measures
for supporting the cause of that princess.

{1568.} While these humors were in fermentation, Mary was employed in
contrivances for effecting her escape; and she engaged, by her charms
and caresses, a young gentleman, George Douglas, brother to the laird of
Lochlevin, to assist her in that enterprise. She even went so far as to
give him hopes of espousing her, after her marriage with Bothwell should
be dissolved on the plea of force; and she proposed this expedient
to the regent, who rejected it. Douglas, however, persevered in his
endeavors to free her from captivity; and having all opportunities of
access to the house, he was at last successful in the undertaking.
He conveyed her in disguise into a small boat, and himself rowed her
ashore. She hastened to Hamilton; and the news of her arrival in that
place being immediately spread abroad, many of the nobility flocked to
her with their forces. A bond of association for her defence was signed
by the earls of Argyle, Huntley, Eglington, Crawford, Cassilis, Rothes,
Montrose, Sutherland, Erroi, nine bishops, and nine barons, besides many
of the most considerable gentry.[*] And in a few days, an army, to the
number of six thousand men, was assembled under her standard.

Elizabeth was no sooner informed of Mary's escape, than she discovered
her resolution of persevering in the same generous and friendly mea