Chaseabout Raid facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chaseabout Raid
Part of French Wars of Religion
The 1st Earl of Moray.
Date 1565 Location Lowlands of Scotland Result Government victory
Belligerents
Scottish Government	Protestant rebels
Commanders and leaders
Mary, Queen of Scots	Earl of Moray
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Chaseabout Raid was a short rebellion in Scotland in 1565. It was led by James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray, against his half-sister, Mary, Queen of Scots. The main reason for the rebellion was Mary's marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.

The rebels also said they were fighting for other reasons. These included concerns about how the country was being run and about religion, especially the Scottish Reformation. The name "Chaseabout Raid" comes from how the government and rebel armies moved around Scotland without actually fighting a big battle. Queen Mary's forces were stronger, and the rebel leaders eventually had to escape to England. There, Queen Elizabeth I criticized the Earl of Moray.

Why the Chaseabout Raid Happened

Fears About Religion

Many people worried that Queen Mary's marriage to Lord Darnley meant she would bring back the Catholic religion to Scotland. At this time, Scotland was mostly Protestant. The Earl of Moray reportedly said he only wanted to keep the "true religion" (Protestantism) safe.

Who Were the Rebels?

The Earl of Moray had many important nobles and landowners on his side. These included the Duke of Châtelherault, the Earls of Argyll, Glencairn, and Rothes. Several landowners from Fife and Ayrshire also joined them. The famous religious leader John Knox supported them too.

These rebel leaders gathered in Glasgow in July 1565. The Duke and the Earls met at Dunoon Castle in Argyll in August 1565.

England's View

An English politician named William Cecil wrote about the situation. He explained that the Duke, the Earls of Argyll, Moray, and Rothes had joined together. They did not approve of Mary's marriage unless the Protestant religion was made law. However, Queen Mary would only allow it as a choice for people, not as a strict law.

Cecil also noted that Mary had made the Earl of Moray an outlaw, meaning it was illegal to help him. Despite this, the Duke, Argyll, and Rothes stayed with him.

The Uprising Begins

Money for the Fight

The rebels gathered their forces in Ayrshire. Both sides needed money to pay their soldiers. It is said that Nicolas Elphinstone got £10,000 from England for the rebels. An English diplomat, John Tamworth, also brought money for the Countess of Moray.

Queen Mary tried to get money by pawning some of her jewels in Edinburgh. She wanted 2,000 English marks, but no one would lend her that much. So, Mary spoke to the rich merchants of Edinburgh, asking for loans to stop the rebellion. Six important merchants were even put in prison until they agreed to help.

Mary's Response

Mary discussed how to deal with the rebellion with Michel de Castelnau, the French ambassador. He came to Edinburgh and met with her at Holyroodhouse. On August 26, 1565, Mary left Holyrood to go to Linlithgow and Stirling. Her plan was to move to Glasgow and face the rebels. Her cannons followed, brought by John Chisholm. He had gotten money from Edinburgh after Mary promised the town rights over Leith, a nearby port.

Mary also made some changes in her government. The comptroller of the Scottish exchequer, John Wishart of Pitarrow, had joined the rebels. He was replaced by William Murray of Tullibardine. The leader of Edinburgh, the Provost of Edinburgh, was also removed. Simon Preston of Craigmillar, a friend of Mary, took his place. Mary also gave back the titles to Lord Gordon as Earl of Huntly to make sure he supported her.

An English diplomat, Thomas Randolph, heard that Mary herself carried a pistol while riding near Hamilton. Only one of her ladies-in-waiting followed her. Lord Darnley wore a "gylte corslet" (a type of armor), while the rest of the army wore jacks, which were common in Scotland.

The Chase Across Scotland

The rebels left Hamilton, and Mary's army followed them. In stormy weather, some of Mary's followers drowned in a flood on the way to Callendar. On August 31, Moray and his supporters arrived in Edinburgh with about 1,000 to 1,200 men. However, Thomas Randolph doubted they could stand against the Queen's army because they lacked soldiers with hand-guns. Edinburgh Castle, which was held for the Queen, began to fire its cannons at the rebels in the town.

The rebel lords then left Edinburgh. Mary returned to Edinburgh from Glasgow in early September and later went to Stirling Castle. Moray and his followers thought about going to Carlisle in England. Mary visited Glasgow on September 8, then went to St Andrews on September 9. On her way, she secured Castle Campbell and Lochleven Castle. She continued to Dundee and Perth, then went back to Glasgow. Moray's supporters retreated to Dumfries.

On September 10, the rebels sent Robert Melville to ask Queen Elizabeth I for help. They wanted guns, money, troops, support from Lord Scrope at Carlisle, and naval help in the Forth River.

An English ship, The Aide, arrived in the Forth on September 25. But it was fired upon by cannons from Inchkeith island and had to return to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The ship's captain wanted to stop Lord Seton from bringing more supplies for Mary from France.

Moray failed to get much support, and Queen Mary easily crushed the rebellion. This forced Moray and his allies to flee.

Moray in England

Most of the rebels, including Moray and Châtellerault, crossed the border into England at Carlisle. They then went to Newcastle upon Tyne. However, the Earl of Argyll stayed in Scotland in his western lands.

Moray decided to go to London. He got as far as Royston in Hertfordshire. But then he received a letter from Queen Elizabeth I telling him to stop. She said he was not invited and was a rebel against his own queen. On October 23, 1565, he was brought to Westminster to explain himself to Elizabeth and the French ambassadors.

Elizabeth told Moray that no ruler would approve of his actions. She also said she would help make sure people understood their duty to their ruler. Moray stated he had not intended to harm Mary.

Moray stayed in Newcastle, England, over the winter. He returned to Scotland on March 10, 1566. Mary had called him for a trial, and the murder of David Rizzio had just happened. Moray was reconciled with Mary and was back on the Scottish Privy Council by April 29, 1566.

Rebels' Complaints Against Mary

The rebels at Dumfries explained why they were fighting against Mary. They sent their complaints to England, hoping to get support. Here are some of their main complaints:

• Mary and Darnley planned to bring back the Catholic religion.
• Unsuitable people were given important jobs in the Protestant Church (the Kirk).
• Church lands were being sold with permission from Rome.
• They had concerns about Mary's marriage and its effects.
• They questioned Darnley's status as king.
• Money from the church was being used improperly.
• Forty-two men were declared rebels by the Sheriff of Ayr.
• Foreigners were employed at court, including two Italians, David Riccio and Francisco de Busso, and an Englishman, Mr Foular. They also considered Lord Darnley, now King, a foreigner.

See also

• Marian civil war