[1] "The First Book of the History of the Reformation of Religion within the Realm of Scotland. Containing the Manner and by what Persons the Light of Christ's Evangel hath been manifested unto this Realm, after that horrible and universal Defection from the Truth, which has come by the means of that Roman Antichrist."

[2] Phraseology.

[3] Familiar.

[4] The form of burning one's bill, on recanting, was this,—the person accused was to bring a faggot of dry sticks, and burn it publicly, by which ceremony he signified that he destroyed that which should have been the instrument of his death.—Keith.

[5] Rule; control.

[6] Valet-de-chambre.

[7] Scorched.

[8] Shrivelled.

[9] Parasites; flatterers.

[10] Armed followers.

[11] Slighted; undervalued.

[12] Porridge-stick.

[13] Brook.

[14] A small copper coin.

[15] Wall.

[16] Shirt.

[17] Showed; practised.

[18] Underground.

[19] Smoke.

[20] Toll.

[21] Accusation.

[22] Presenting themselves.

[23] Macalpine.

[24] The crop from which the teind was drawn.

[25] Accused.

[26] Threw.

[27] Ingenuity; genius.

[28] Frightened; afraid.

[29] Warnings.

[30] Talk (common).

[31] Over against.

[32] Stumbles.

[33] Disperse.

[34] Threat.

[35] Intrigues.

[36] Hangers (small swords).

[37] Plundering.

[38] Quenched.

[39] Forthwith.

[40] Stuck in the mire.

[41] Battle-cry.

[42] Shot.

[43] Carrier.

[44] Lost.

[45] Spark.

[46] Match.

[47] Secret hoard of money.

[48] Repute.

[49] David Rizzio.

[50] Worthless characters.

[51] Unwilling.

[52] Made bustling preparation.

[53] Yards.

[54] Procured.

[55] Anticipate.

[56] Abode.

[57] Vassalage.

[58] Spreading abroad.

[59] Neck.

[60] Mocked.

[61] Wheeled.

[62] Bag; case.

[63] Feats of valour.

[64] Henry, Lord Darnley.

[65] Late; deceased.

[66] Kinsman's.

[67] Outlawry.

[68] Increase nor diminish.

[69] Coats of mail.

[70] Conversation.

[71] Dramatic entertainment founded on a passage of Scripture: a "mystery."

[72] A state of ill humour.

[73] Promise made at the arrest of Wishart, that he should not be delivered to the Governor or the Cardinal.

[74] Second last day.

[75] He had been tutor to James V.

[76] See Glossary.

[77] Fists and fisticuffs.

[78] Struck; "cracked."

[79] Bristle, i.e. beard.

[80] Jesting.

[81] Knox acknowledges that he has here incorporated John Foxe's account of the trial of Wishart.

[82] Head-piece.

[83] Armour for the legs.

[84] Hospitable.

[85] Repent.

[86] Lying.

[87] Gnashed.

[88] Fury.

[89] Synod; consistory.

[90] Caused.

[91] Staunch.

[92] Strong.

[93] Fire-basket.

[94] Long small sword.

[95] Enjoy; possess.

[96] Clip.

[97] Harshness.

[98] Jest.

[99] Chrisom.

[100] Skill.

[101] Afterwards Official of Lothian: "the most corrupt man of his age."—Robertson.

[102] Mary of Lorraine, Queen of James V.

[103] Knocked.

[104] Sallied forth.

[105] Struck.

[106] Scared.

[107] Troublesome.

[108] Gifts; bribes.

[109] Skipper and the lieutenant.

[110] Expeditionary force.

[111] Inquired.

[112] Boast.

[113] Evidence.

[114] Annulled.

[115] James, nephew of the Cardinal.

[116] Terror; fright.

[117] Crying hoarsely.

[118] Jail-birds.

[119] Anticipated.

[120] Coffer.

[121] Knocking.

[122] Priests jostled with friars.

[123] Overthrow.

[124] Lustre.

[125] An ecclesiastical benefice committed to a temporary holder.

[126] The Second Book of the History of Things done in Scotland, in the Reformation of Religion, beginning in the Year of God 1558.

[127] The "History" originally commenced at this point. The Second Book was begun in 1560: the scope of the work was enlarged about 1566, when the First and Fourth Books were added. The reader will note that, in point of date, the narrative at the opening of the Second Book overlaps that at the close of Book First.—Ed.

[128] Loss.

[129] Washing.

[130] Brought back.

[131] Impartiality.

[132] Formal process of outlawry.

[133] Aggravate.

[134] Companies.

[135] Cause.

[136] Truce.

[137] Hangings.

[138] Granary.

[139] Sued out; procured.

[140] Coining dies.

[141] Promenade.

[142] Entanglement.

[143] In framing a historical record of the important events in Scotland in which he took a part, Knox seems to have considered it incumbent upon him to preserve in his chronicle complete copies of the numerous documents and missives concerning the relations of the Reformers among themselves, or embodying the communings of the Reformers with the Queen Regent and with the Sovereign of England. In the present edition, these are omitted, or only quoted in abbreviated form, so far as may be necessary to keep the reader in close touch with the thread of the narrative, and the attitude of the different parties.—Ed.

[144] Soiled.

[145] That is, men-at-arms.

[146] Scaling-ladder.

[147] Mint.

[148] Intercepting.

[149] Come forth; issue.

[150] District.

[151] The Third Book of the Progress of True Religion within the Realm of Scotland.

[152] Mean fellows.

[153] Staggered.

[154] There is neither male nor female; for, as saith Paul, they are all one in Christ Jesus. Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord; and the Lord will be his confidence.—Laing.

[155] Agree.

[156] That is, to make arrangements there.

[157] Trust to.

[158] Trouble.

[159] Troublesome route.

[160] Forces.

[161] Remain of firm purpose.

[162] Allies.

[163] Fleet.

[164] That is, to Edinburgh.

[165] Blame.

[166] Disqualify.

[167] Judgment.

[168] Knox embodies the full text of the Confession at this point in his History. In the present edition it will be found, in full, in the Appendix, infra.

[169] See Appendix.

[170] Imagined.

[171] "Holy Trinity, accept this oblation, which I, an unworthy sinner, present to Thee, the living and true God, for my own sins, and for the sins of the whole Church of the quick and the dead, etc."—Laing.

[172] Endowed.

[173] Made no appearance in public.

[174] Much procrastination.

[175] Prospect.

[176] At the close of his Third Book, Knox inserts the Book of Discipline. This will be found, in full, in the Appendix, infra.

[177] The Fourth Book of the Progress and Continuance of True Religion within Scotland.

[178] Theft.

[179] Courtezans.

[180] Crowd of followers.

[181] Supporters.

[182] Too deep.

[183] Presented gifts.

[184] Brewing.

[185] Robbery.

[186] Fright.

[187] Apparel of mourning.

[188] Giddy young women.

[189] Make disturbance.

[190] That is, the Papists in possession of benefices.

[191] Knox here quotes, in full, the Acts passed by the Council.

[192] Pulpit.

[193] Adjust.

[194] Stewards.

[195] "Soon after, the Earldom of Moray was bestowed upon him, instead of the Earldom of Mar. Lord Erskine had an old right to the Earldom of Mar."—MS. variant.

[196] Daughter-in-law.

[197] On the move.

[198] Range.

[199] Formerly Lord James Stewart: cf. page 247, n.

[200] Inhabitant with full municipal right.

[201] Maternal grandfather.

[202] Fealty of retainers.

[203] Impediment.

[204] Dictation; guidance.

[205] That is, his clansmen were being mobilised.

[206] Overturn.

[207] Sir John Gordon, of Findlater, second son of the Earl of Huntly. Confined in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, for a murderous attack upon Lord Ogilvy of Airly in a quarrel concerning property, he had broken ward.—Ed.

[208] He was denounced as a traitor. With a following of eight hundred men, he encountered the Earl of Moray and the Queen's forces outside Aberdeen, and was defeated and slain at the battle of Corrichie.—Ed.

[209] Made scruple.

[210] Bordering of gowns with tassels.

[211] Meddled.

[212] Letter.

[213] Pocket-handkerchiefs.

[214] Ardour; violence.

[215] The crime of beating or assaulting a person within his own house.

[216] The papistical ceremony, down to its minutest details (?).

[217] That is, as she should dictate.

[218] Duplicate.

[219] Arm.

[220] Weep.

[221] What is written.

[222] Incident; matter cast up.

[223] Evangel.

[224] Supports.

[225] Guard; civil establishment.

[226] Modified; dissembled.

[227] Sycophants.

[228] Birds.

[229] Shrove Tuesday; the day before Lent.

[230] Extortionate.

[231] Satisfaction.

[232] Share (?).

[233] Mock and deride.

[234] Anticipate.

[235] Hardening.

[236] Perjured.

[237] Repudiated; withdrawn.

[238] "Men of no note."

[239] "Servants of God, however."

[240] Placed in authority.

[241] Strange; unfriendly.

[242] The Confession of Faith professed and believed by the Protestants within the Realm of Scotland, published by them in Parliament, and by the Estates thereof ratified and approved, as wholesome and sound Doctrine, grounded upon the infallible Truth of God's Word. (Original Title.)

[243] Words in square brackets are not in MSS. but are found in old printed copies of the Confession.—Ed.

[244] Chests.

[245] In a Preface, the compilers addressed themselves to the Great Council of Scotland, "now admitted to the Regiment, by the Providence of God," acknowledging instructions, received on 29th April 1560, to commit to writing their Judgments touching the Reformation of Religion. The book is offered "for common order and uniformity to be known in this Realm, concerning Doctrine, Administration of Sacraments [Election of Ministers, Provision for their Sustentation], Ecclesiastical Discipline, and Policy of the Kirk." The Lords are desired neither to admit anything which God's plain Word shall not approve, nor yet to reject such ordinances as equity, justice, and God's Word do specify. Cf. pp. 217, 243 supra.

[246] The Lords think that none should be admitted to preach unless they are qualified therefor, but rather that they should be retained as readers; and such as are preachers already, not found qualified for that office by the Superintendent, should be placed as readers. (Additio.) [Here and at sundry other points in the Book there are incorporated passages marked "Additio," importing emendations made by the Lords upon the original document submitted by the Compilers. In the present edition these emendations are, in most instances, transferred to footnotes.—Ed.]

[247] Provision for the wives of ministers after their decease to be remitted to the discretion of the Kirk. (Additio.)

[248] This paragraph was an additio of the Lords of the Congregation.

[249] A measure of about 90 bushels, roughly.

[250] Barley.

[251] We require the same for their daughters; to wit, that they be virtuously brought up, and honestly doted when they come to maturity of years, at the discretion of the Kirk. (Additio.)

[252] The Sections are numbered in this edition as in the edition of 1722. Originally the Book of Discipline had nine "heads" with sundry sub-headings, numbered in some cases and not in others. The numbering coincides up to this point.—Ed.

[253] The tract of country drained by the Gala Water and Caden Water. It comprised an ecclesiastical district in the unreformed Church, and subsequently a parish, of which the town of Stow formed the central point.—Ed.

[254] At a distance from the sea; in the country.

[255] Scholars; undergraduates.

[256] Tutor.

[257] Capacity for receiving instruction.

[258] Classification of students according to birthplace.

[259] Bodily exercise; military exercise.—Jamieson.

[260] Concluded by the Lords: that these teinds and other exactions be clean discharged, and never be taken in time coming, such as the Uppermost Cloth, the Corps-present, the Clerk-mail, the Easter offerings, Teind Ale, and all handlings Upaland can neither be required nor received of godly conscience. (Additio.)

[261] Leases.

[262] Evidence.

[263] Chanters were laics endowed with ecclesiastical benefices.

[264] The Lords condescend that the manse and yards be restored to the ministers. And all the Lords consent that the ministers have six acres of land, except Marischall, Morton, Glencairn, and Cassillis, where manses are of great quantity. (Additio.)

[265] Their enormity emphasised.

[266] Appointed diet of the Church Court.

[267] Foreign; irrelevant.

[268] Thread; sequence.

[269] Dowry.

[270] And yet, notwithstanding, we are not so precise, but that we are content that particular kirks use them in that behalf, with the consent of the ministry of the same, as they will answer to God, and to the Assembly of the Universal Kirk gathered within the realm. (Additio.)

[271] Beam.

[272] That is, in modern terms, 27th January 1561, the year running from 25th March (instead of 1st January), in the computation of time then in use.