* State Papers, iv. 21—­“Copy of my letter to be showed to the lords of Scotland; in Surrey’s hand”; R.O.

This advice produced no effect whatever on the Scottish lords, whose loyalty to the regent remained unshaken.  But Margaret did not consider herself hampered by any pledges given to Albany, and two days after the receipt of the letters, she urged Surrey to come to Edinburgh, or somewhere near it, at once, declaring that the lords would certainly do as she desired.  As for the threatened laying waste, however, “they laughed at injuries done only to the poor people.”  A thousand men with artillery would have Edinburgh at their mercy if they came suddenly.  Surrey must go at it at once, or let it be.  Failing this, she desired leave to come to England with her true servants, adding, “for I will come away and I should steal out of it."*

* Ibid. 26.

The truth was, that, far from being certain that the lords would agree to any part of the scheme, Margaret knew well that she had but a handful of friends in Scotland, and that her sole hope of regaining the regency lay in Henry’s power of coercion.  Trusting that Surrey would really march on Edinburgh, she did all she could to persuade the Council to allow the young king to be brought to that place, and to appoint new guardians, friendly to her interests.  In both these endeavours she failed, and James remained at Stirling.

“The lords are all fallen away from the queen, and adhere to the governor,” wrote the Abbess of Coldstream to Sir John Bulmer, and Surrey passed on the information to Wolsey, telling him that Margaret had no credit with the Scotch, and that they looked hourly for Albany’s arrival.

As for Lord Surrey, even if he had been willing to besiege Edinburgh, he would have been frustrated by the want of sufficient means of transport for his victuals.  Had he not caused his soldiers to carry their food in wallets, and their drink in bottles, it would not have been possible for him to have reached the North, and a raid into the enemy’s country necessitated a far ampler stock of provisions than could be carried in this way.  The queen’s desire that he should take Edinburgh, arose, he thought, from her anxiety to provide herself with a way of escape from her difficulties.*

* Surrey to Wolsey, Berwick, 21st Sept. 1523; R.O.

In England it was commonly believed that the Scottish lords were in so great a fear of Albany, who was hourly expected to arrive, that they would break their covenant with him even though they had each given him four of the best of their sons as hostages.  But Surrey declared vehemently that although they might deceive Margaret, they should not deceive him.