Having failed to inveigle the regent into their power, the brother and sister instructed Dacre to “sow debate” between him and his Council, but this scheme failed also.  Dacre wrote, however, to show that he was not wanting in zeal in this behalf, saying that, being unable to interfere with Scottish affairs in any other way, he had given rewards to four hundred outlaws for burnings in various parts of the kingdom.* No means proved too vile, no instrument unworthy, to be employed in the work of destroying the regent and advancing Tudor interests.  The queen even condescended to use her truant husband, and the part played by Angus is scarcely less reprehensible than Margaret’s own, for while he pretended to be loyal to Albany and to Scotland, he possessed himself of every important State secret and transmitted it to his wife, in the hope of appeasing her for his desertion.  She, of course, passed on all that she thus learned to Henry and Wolsey.

* Dacre to Wolsey; Calig.  B 1, 150; B.M.

Margaret was entertained for a whole year in pomp and splendour at the English court, feasts and revels succeeding each other in bewildering magnificence—­ luxury in vivid contrast to the misery which she had undergone during the first months after her flight from Scotland.  Pageants, tournaments, and banquets now took the place of privation and suffering; all that met the eye was changed, but the dark and treacherous under-currents known to but few of her contemporaries remained the same, and were the realities that shaped her course.  In spite, however, of plots and intrigues, Margaret’s position was not improving.  Her visit to England could not be prolonged indefinitely, and as the queen was evidently not to return to Scotland in triumph, it was desirable to make as good terms for herself as she possibly could.

The regent promised that her jointure should be paid, and that Angus should be allowed to join her if he were willing to do so—­a somewhat doubtful alternative, as he had not availed himself of the leave that had already been given him.  As for Albany himself, he declared that it had always been his desire to gratify the queen, and to advise the best for her and for her son.* Reluctantly, therefore, she at last prepared to turn her face northwards, having obtained permission to take with her a suite befitting her station, safe-conduct being granted, except in the case of any person among them plotting harm to the kingdom; and to these conditions Henry set his great seal.

* Calig.  B 2, 262; B.M.

A letter from the Venetian envoy to the Doge, dated 13th April 1517, says:  “The truce between England and Scotland has been arranged.  The queen is to return, but is not to be admitted to the administration of the kingdom.  She may take with her twenty-four Englishmen, and as many Scotch as she pleases, provided they be not rebels”; and he adds that he has been assured of these facts by Albany’s secretary.