38 Craigmillav and its Environs. 



chance that the walls of Craigmillar escaped being 

 stained with the blood of Darnley. In 1567, when 

 he returned from Glasgow ill with smallpox, before 

 determining to send him to the Kirk-of-Field, as 

 was afterwards done in order to keep infection 

 from the infant prince at Holyrood, a proposal was 

 mooted to lodge him in Craigmillar, that he might 

 have there the benefit of the pure air and the 

 warm bath, and so have a speedy recovery. In the 

 eyes of Darnley and his friends, as well as of others, 

 this seemed an ominous proposal, considering what 

 had befallen Mar in former days. The Queen seems 

 to have made the suggestion ; and as soon as it had 

 been proposed to Darnley, he sent for Craufurd, and, 

 relating the circumstances, requested that the whole 

 should be communicated to his father, the Earl of 

 Lennox. Craufurd, being asked his own opinion on 

 the proposal, said : " She treats your Majestic too 

 like a prisoner. Why should you not be taken to one 

 of your own houses in Edinburgh?" " It struck me 

 much the same," said Darnley. " Between us, I have 

 her promise only to trust to ; but I put myself in her 



