Secret Bond facts for kids

The Secret Bond was an important agreement signed by many Scottish nobles and leaders on July 24, 1543. It was created by Cardinal Beaton in Linlithgow, Scotland. The main goal of the bond was to stop the marriage of the young Mary, Queen of Scots, to Prince Edward of England. This document is sometimes called the "Linlithgow Bond."

Scotland's Royal Family and Politics

After James V of Scotland died in December 1542, his baby daughter, Mary, became Queen of Scotland. This led to a power struggle over who would rule Scotland while Mary was too young. The Earl of Arran won and became the Regent, or temporary ruler.

On July 1, 1543, Regent Arran made a deal with Henry VIII of England called the Treaty of Greenwich. This treaty said that Mary would marry Henry's son, Edward. Many people in Scotland did not like this idea. They worried that joining England would only benefit England. They preferred to keep Scotland's old friendship with France, known as the Auld Alliance.

Mary and her mother, Mary of Guise, stayed at Linlithgow Palace, where Mary was born. People who were against the marriage worried that Mary would be taken to England. When a rumor spread that Mary might be sent to France, Regent Arran made security at Linlithgow Palace even tighter. The English ambassador, Ralph Sadler, even had shots fired at him.

Two Armies Gather

According to the Scottish writer Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie, Cardinal Beaton and Mary of Guise convinced the Earl of Argyll to gather an army. This army, made up of men from the Highlands, came to Linlithgow. Their goal was to stop Regent Arran from taking Queen Mary away. They stayed so long that they ruined the cornfields around the town for about a mile.

At the same time, Regent Arran's army gathered in Edinburgh. The English diplomat, Ralph Sadler, thought that Cardinal Beaton's group had about 5,000 to 6,000 men at Linlithgow. Regent Arran's army in Edinburgh was even bigger, with 7,000 to 8,000 men.

The Secret Bond is Signed

On July 24, 1543, Queen Mary was supposed to move from Linlithgow Palace to Stirling Castle. On this day, the leaders who supported Scotland's friendship with France signed the Secret Bond. This document was written by Cardinal Beaton.

The people who signed the bond promised to fight against the marriage to Prince Edward. They also promised to stop Scotland from being "swallowed up by our old enemies of England." They did not want Mary to be taken to England.

The people who signed included Cardinal Beaton, other church leaders, and many important lords and lairds. Here are some of them:

Peace Talks at Kirkliston

Important talks about Mary's future happened at Kirkliston.

While the two armies were ready to fight, talks began. The Scottish writers Pitscottie and George Buchanan said these talks happened at Kirkliston. Ralph Sadler, the English diplomat, described two meetings "between Edinburgh and Linlithgow."

An agreement was reached at Kirkliston. On July 25, 1543, a large meeting was held in a field between Edinburgh and Linlithgow. The two sides shook hands and hugged, showing they had made peace. Ralph Sadler wrote to Henry VIII that they talked "like friends" and had "very good agreement."

After this peace was made, the Earls of Cassilis and Glencairn went to Linlithgow Palace. They told Queen Mary's household, which Regent Arran had chosen, to step down. Four neutral lords, chosen by the Parliament of Scotland, took charge of Mary.

The next day, July 26 or 27, Mary and her mother, Mary of Guise, moved from Linlithgow to the safer Stirling Castle. The Earl of Lennox and his soldiers escorted them. Twenty-four horses carried their belongings, including Mary's cradle and beds. Nineteen more horses carried kitchen and baking equipment.

Ralph Sadler explained that Linlithgow Palace was too small for all the new people. He might have said this to make Henry VIII feel better about his plans. As part of the agreement, Regent Arran's oldest son, James Hamilton, was sent to St Andrews Castle. He was a hostage to Cardinal Beaton, meaning he would stay there to ensure the agreement was kept.

The four lords in charge of Mary at Stirling Castle (Lords Erskine, Fleming, Livingston, and Ruthven) did not let Cardinal Beaton stay in the castle with the queen. However, it was agreed that Cardinal Beaton would have a say in which of the four lords would guard the queen each term.

A Changing Situation

In August, Ralph Sadler got a copy of the "Secret Bond" from a Scottish spy. He sent it to Henry VIII. Sadler pointed out that some of the people who signed the bond had previously promised to support Henry VIII's plans. Sadler also showed the bond to Regent Arran, who said he didn't know about it. Sadler believed the bond was Cardinal Beaton's idea alone.

Mary was crowned at Stirling Castle on September 9, 1543. By this time, Regent Arran had changed his mind. He stopped supporting religious reform and English policy. He now sided with the people who signed Cardinal Beaton's Secret Bond.

War and Rivalry Begin

Henry VIII understood that Scotland's policy had changed. By the end of September 1543, he planned to invade Scotland. His advisors suggested smaller attacks before winter.

On December 15, 1543, the Scottish Parliament officially rejected the Treaty of Greenwich and other agreements with England. Scotland's choice to reject the treaty and seek friendship with France led to a war. This war was known as the Rough Wooing. Henry VIII tried to force the marriage by fighting, and the war lasted until 1551. The first big attack was the Burning of Edinburgh in May 1544.

After the English army left Scotland, Regent Arran's power was challenged. Mary of Guise was briefly recognized as Regent by her allies. She even started making new coins with her own symbol. However, Arran soon regained control of Edinburgh. Arran and Guise held separate parliaments in November, but Mary of Guise eventually had to give up her claim to be Regent to Arran.

Images for kids

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  An army gathered around Linlithgow Palace in July 1543