James Melville: Life Story

Elizabeth had followed up her letter of admonition with an Ambassador who proved to be none other than that Puritan enemy of Mary, Queen of Scots, Sir Francis Walsingham. Melville, who had known Walsingham for many years, was sent to meet him and bring him to James.

Walsingham met the King, and claimed to be very impressed with him, but refused to have anything to do with Arran, who got his revenge by substituting a diamond ring sent to Walsingham from the King with a glass one.

James suggested that Melville might become his Secretary, but Melville refused. Melville and Arran quarrelled in Council, when Arran shouted that Melville’s love for the Lords Enterprisers would ruin the King. Melville replied smartly that Arran’s love for their lands would do the job. This open breach eventuated in Melville being removed from the Council, with the excuse from James that it would be unsuitable to have two brothers on the Council (Sir Robert Melville had been a Councillor for many years). Nevertheless, James added, when he married, Melville would be appointed as Councillor to his queen.

Glad to be relieved of involvement in a government he feared was heading for disaster, Melville consented to go to England again, and an obsequious letter to Elizabeth was penned. Before he could depart, Melville again took James to task about favouring the Earl of Arran, who, he said was undermining James’ promise to forgive the Lords Enterprisers. Arran demanded to know why Melville was undermining him, and asked who he thought should be around the King instead?

The two men lost their tempers, and Arran swore that he would kill Melville if he ‘fished in his waters’ again. Melville shouted back that he would find more honest men to protect him than Arran would find throat-cutters to kill him.

James, angry at such a scene, sent a rebuke to Arran, who retired in a sulk to Edinburgh Castle, not returning until Melville left the court, believing the King did not want him to remain. The mission to England was dropped.

So James’ reign continued, with continual strife between Arran and the other lords, culminating in the execution of the Earl of Gowrie, Arran’s particular bete noir.

Another embassy arrived from London, led by William Davison, which had orders this time to deal with Arran. Melville again believed that the English were just plotting to keep the factions alive in Scotland, especially as Arran was persuaded to prevent James marrying for at least three years.

The English Council had yet another trick up its sleeve. They sent a new Ambassador, named Wootton, who was to be the King’s friend and to spend time with him hunting and in other pastimes. Melville had met Wootton thirty years before, at the French Court, when he had tried to trick the Constable, Montmorency, into breaking the peace with England. Melville did not trust him and warned James to beware. James however, took to Wootton.

Melville was proved right.It was time for James to look for a wife, and a Danish Embassy arrived to begin negotiations. According to Melville, Arran and Wootton between them did everything they could to undermine negotiations and the Danish ambassadors were mistreated and insulted.

Melville explained to the offended Danes that, although the Queen of England was a ‘wise princess’ there were many about her who did not wish James to be her successor, and so were making every effort to prevent James forming alliances or marrying. He then informed James of the insults that the Danes were receiving and persuaded him to treat them well.

Arran was about to get his come-uppance. A disturbance on the Border resulted in a murder, for which he was held responsible, and imprisoned. After a few days he was released, but commanded to return to his own lands.