Mary, Queen of Scots
James, Earl of Bothwell
Mary Queen of Scots and Carberry Hill
On a hot sunny day on Carberry Hill (a few miles east of Edinburgh) in June 1567, Queen Mary spent her last few hours of freedom. After the murder of Lord Darnley in February, many pointed at Bothwell as one of the conspiritors responsible. This was never proved, and he was found not-guilty at a subseqent trial. However suspicion remained. Bothwell was a rough and ruthless man, amusing and charming too, but had made many enemies. When, only months after Darnley's death, in May, Mary married the recently divorced Bothwell, many people in Scotland disapproved. Powerful men such as Maitland, Morton, Balfour, and Murray of Tullibardine formed themselves into a confederation to oppose Bothwell and if that meant opposing Mary too, then so be it. At 2 a.m. on Sunday the 15 June they marched out of Edinburgh with an army of supporters and took up position between Carberry Tower and Carberry Hill. Before them they held up a banner depicting the murdered Darnley with the legend: "Judge and avenge my cause, O Lord"
Illustration from a contemporary drawing of the Battle of Carberry Hill.
The banner mentioned above is held up by the footsoldier at upper left.
Bothwell is behind the four canons, Mary is being lead by three escorts towards the rebel camp. Carberry Tower is depicted right on the edge in the middle on the left hand side.
Mary and Bothwell who had spent their last night together at Seton Castle, took up position with their supporters on the higher ground of Carberry Hill. The sun was hot, some drank wine to assuage their thirst.
Lindsay and Archibald-the-Cat
The two side faced each other according to time honoured chivalry, sending messangers across to each side with challenges to combat. There was much hesitation. Monsieur du Croc, the French ambassador, rode out fom Edinburgh to mediate. He was deputed by the rebels to implore Mary to abandon Bothwell, and if she did so they would back down and submit to her. She resolutely refused. Challenges for personal combat were issued though no combat took place. Bothwell challenged Morton who delegated to Lindsay who girded his waist with his great sword called Archibald-the-Cat, handed down from his ancestors. But it all came to nothing. Mary's supporters began to drift off and by evening she realised her cause was lost. She decided she would trust the rebels with the safe conduct of Bothwell if she gave herself up to them. They parted and Bothwell rode off to Dunbar.
When she rode into the rebel camp, she was shocked to find that they jeered at her, such had her popularity declined. She was led to Edinburgh and installed in the provost's house under guard. Thus began her captivity, first in Scotland and then in England, which was only to end 20 years later.
