REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [OH. 57. all perished, save one woman who struggled through the fire and escaped. 1 The ' victory ' secured Aberdeenshire for the present to Lord Huntly ; and Alva, though out of humour with England, was still thinking seriously that he might effect something in the Northern kingdom. Lord Seton, supported by Leonard Dacres, had so far worked upon him that the Aberdeenshire coast had been carefully surveyed, and one or two places with accessible harbours had been selected to be fortified. 2 If Elizabeth sent men and guns to reduce Edinburgh Castle, their hopes in this quarter would instantly disappear, and it was necessary, if possible, to amuse her with negotiations to give time for the Spaniards to come. They knew her character only too well. It was with the greatest reluctance that she had acknowledged at last the necessity of interference. She was most anxious to induce the party in the Castle to surrender of them- selves, and insisted that the very easiest terms should be ofttved them consistent with their submission to the King. The mention of terms gave Maitland the oppor- tunity which he wanted. It enabled him to raise a series of questions on the government of Scotland, on the restoration of forfeited property, on the endless 1 This infernal wickedness was celebrated by the Queen's friends at Edinburgh with a fast and a thanks- giving. The later penitence of Scot- land has preserved the memory of the deed in the most touching of all the Northern ballads. ' Give ower your House ye lady fair, Give ower your House to me,' &c. Percy Relics, vol. i. p. 125. 2 Articles of the Lord Seton' s negotiations with the Duke of Alva : MSS. QUEEN OP SCOTS.
