It was now determined to commit the supreme power ostensibly to the king, now in his twelfth year; but in reality to a council devoted to the interests of England. The queen was included. With a coad jutor in Arran, the English interest became irresisti ble. The queen, accompanied by her son, left Stir ling castle, and arrived in Edinburgh amid acclama tions of joy; but by her reserved conduct towards the nobles she lost their affection and support, and by her connexion with Arran she excited the jealousy of England.
After two years residence in France the Earl of Angus suddenly left that country, and arrived in Lon don, and, to soften the queen's resentment, sent her a submissive and conciliatory letter. But, impatient of the event, he appeared before Edinburgh with the Earl of Lennox and Scott of Buccleuch; and, hav ing scaled the walls, entered the city. A commo tion was likely to ensue, and Angus, having re ceived a royal mandate commanding him to retire, withdrew.
The chancellor, perceiving the decline of the French interest, formed an union with Angus for the purpose of preserving his power. In consequence of a royal proclamation, threatening them with confiscation and death for holding illegal conferences, they issued a counter-proclamation, summoning a parliament to meet at Stirling. The chancellor had the address to procure the chief authority for himself and Angus ; while the queen was flattered with the nominal au thority, which she did not long retain. Her credit with the court of England was soon after finally lost, by the detection of a clandestine correspondence with Albany, for the purpose of procuring a divorce from her husband, and the disposal of the benefices in Scotland. The project of a perpetual peace, and of the marriage of the king of Scots with the princess Mary of England, was ominous of the fate of the French power in Scotland. A peace between Eng land and France was the and contri buted to establish the ascendancy of the former in that country.
Exasperated at the decline of their influence, the queen and Arran had recourse to the most desperate measures. To crush this rebellion, the king took the field, accompanied by Angus, Argyll, and Lennox. No sooner' was the royal standard displayed, than the malcontents fled to Hamilton. The queen arrived only to join in the flight; while Murray, to pur chase his pardon, went over with his followers to the king.
The queen was now become an object of general abhorrence. Angus having consented to a divorce.
the queen married Henry Stewart, afterwards Lord Methven. Arran, who had hitherto clung to her for tunes, abandoned her, and joined the chancellor and Angus. Angus diligently cultivated the favour of the young monarch by presents, attentions, and every indulgence which could secure his inexperienced af fections. He had the influence to procure a parlia mentary ordinance, which transferred the supreme power into his own hands, by declaring that the king, having attained the age of fourteen, should assume the government. The king was now become the pri soner of his former flatterers. The power of the house of Douglas, after being dormant nearly a cen tury, was revived, and threatened to overwhelm the royal power. Symptoms of discontent and jealousy began to appear. Angus had neglected to enforce the usages and the laws of the borders. The English made reprisals, which occasioned disorders that called for the interference of the royal authority.
Irritated by the diminution of his authority and im portance, the chancellor prevailed upon the king to write letters to his mother, Lennox, and other lords of their party, complaining of the restraints which Angus imposed upon him.
To the vassals of Lennox, were added the queen and the chancellor's friends from the northern coun ties. Their united forces amounted to 10,000. With this body, Lennox marched to Linlithgow, where an equal number of Angus's adherents under Arran, awaited their approach. Inspired with ardour by the presence of their chief, they attacked and routed the troops of Lennox, who was slain. Angus avail ed himself of his advantage, and advanced to Stir ling, to seize the queen and the chancellor, but they had fled.
A parliament met soon after, and passed an act of indemnity in favour of all who had been engaged in the late conflict against Lennox. His estates and those of his confederates were forfeited, and divided between Angus and Arran. The chancellor, by affect ed submissions and presents, made his peace with Angus. Meantime, the authority of Douglas being paramount to the laws, the country became a prey to injustice and rapine. The most lucrative and ho nourable offices were monopolized by the house of Angus. Ills uncle was appointed lord treasurer, his brother master of the royal household, and he himself assumed the chancellorship.