superior strength of his opponents to
France. The same year, however, he was recalled by Mary to aid in the
suppression of Murray's rebellion, successfully eluding the ships of
Elizabeth sent to capture him. As lieutenant of the Marches he was
employed in settling disputes on the border, but used his power to
instigate thieving and disorders, and is described by Cecil's
correspondents as "as naughty a man as liveth and much given to the most
detestable vices," "as false as a devil," "one that the godly of this
whole nation hath a cause to curse for ever."[1] In February 1566
Bothwell, in spite of his previous matrimonial engagements--and he had
also been united by "handfasting" to Janet Betoun of Cranstoun
Riddell--married Jane, daughter of George Gordon, 4th earl of Huntly.
Notwithstanding his insulting language concerning Mary and the fact that
he was the "stoutest" in refusing mass, he became one of her chief
advisers, but his complete ascendancy over her mind and affections dates
from the murder of Rizzio on the 9th of March 1566. The queen required a
protector, whom she found, not in the feeble Darnley, nor in any of the
leaders of the factions, but in the strong, determined earl who had ever
been a stanch supporter of the throne against the Protestant party and
English influence. In Bothwell also, "the glorious, rash and hazardous
young man," romantic, handsome, charming even in his guilt, Mary gained
what she lacked in her husband, a lover. He now stood forth as her
champion; Mary took refuge with him at Dunbar, presented him, among
other estates, with the castle there and the chief lands of the earldom
of March, and made him the most powerful noble in the south of Scotland.
Her partiality for him increased as her contempt and hatred of Darnley
became more confirmed. On the 7th of October he was dangerously wounded,
and the queen showed her anxiety for his safety by riding 40 miles to
visit him, incurring a severe illness. In November she visited him at
Dunbar, and in December took place the conference at Craigmillar at
which both were present, and at which the disposal of Darnley was
arranged, Bothwell with some others subsequently signing the bond to
accomplish his murder. He himself superintended all the preparations,
visiting Darnley with Mary on the night of the crime, Sunday, 9th of
February 1567, attending the queen on her return to Holyrood for the
ball, and riding back to Kirk o' Field to carry out the cr