122 Tue MarRIAGE OF JOHN, LoRD MAXWELL. 
Berwick, to Lord Burghley, the 26th February, 1572, it is 
said that—‘‘ On Sonday, the 17th [February], Lord Maxwell 
was married at ‘ Dalkys’ to the Earl of Angus’ youngest 
sister; which Lord Maxwell is now at the obedience of the 
King.’’? 
Enough has been said, I think, to show that this marriage 
followed the course usual in such cases. It was probably 
arranged in the first place by the guardians of the two most 
concerned without much reference to their inclinations. Then 
followed the usual contract of marriage signed at Leith, the 
13th January, 1572, and it may be that the two principals 
then went through a form of clasping each other’s hands or 
‘“ handfasting ’’ in token of their betrothal. Then in fulfil- 
ment of the contract came the usual charter of lands in life 
rent as dower for the bride executed by the bridegroom at 
Dumfries, the 4th February, 1572; and no man in his senses 
would grant lands for life to a woman whose connection with 
himself might end perhaps in a year’s time. Finally came 
the wedding at Dalkeith Castle on the following 17th 
February. But though there was nothing unusual about the 
marriage itself, the circumstances in which it was celebrated 
were not ordinary even in those days. As we have seen 
Morton so resented the jest of the spoiling of his feast in 
celebration of the signing of the contract, that he sent a force 
te burn the lands of Kirkcaldy of Grange, the Captain for the 
Queen of Edinburgh Castle. Kirkcaldy’s people took very 
prompt vengeance by burning Morton’s good town of Dal- 
keith on the night of the 8th February. The wedding cere- 
mony on the 17th in the Castle surrounded by blackened 
ruins must therefore have been a somewhat dismal affair, and 
the host was probably not in the best of tempers. 
9 Ibid., p. 135. These advices are endorsed by Lord Burghley, 
‘“ ad vi Martii,’’ no doubt the day he received them. 
10 The account in the ‘‘ Historie of King James the Sext ’’ 
receives confirmation in a letter from Lord Hunsdon to Lord Burghley, 
dated 11th February, 1572, in which this burning of a great part of 
the town of Dalkeith is mentioned (see Cal. Scottish State Papers, 
vol. iv., p- 112). 
