Craigmillar Castle — Its Historical Associations. 35 



But the stoutness of the Lorde gave it over without 

 schote of hacque-boote, and for his reward was caused 

 to march upoun his foote to Londoun. He is now 

 Capitane of Dunbar, and Provost of Edinburgh. 

 In the 'Diurnal of Occurrents ' we read: "The 

 Enghsh forces passed to Craigmillar, quhilk was 

 haistilie given to thame; promesed to keip the samyne 

 without skaith, quhilk promes thai brak, and brunt and 

 destroyit the said Hous." 1355512 



It is, however, in the time of the young and beauti- 

 ful though unfortunate Mary Stuart that much of the 

 interest in Craigmillar centres. The presumption is 

 that it was chosen by her as a residence on account of 

 its delightful surroundings ; and being but a short dis- 

 tance from the Palace, she could easily travel between 

 the two places. The ground, too, was admirably 

 adapted for hunting, in which pastime Darnley and the 

 members of the royal household could indulge. 



Shortly after the murder of Rizzio in 1566, on 

 account of which Darnley and Mary became much 

 estranged, the whole kingdom was curious to ascertain 

 what would be the next turn of events. We find the 



