“ The ensuing execution of these men, the bravest and the ablest Scotsmen of that age, put an end to the last chance of Mary’s restoration by native support. But while all seemed to favour Morton, there were under-currents which combined to procure his fall. The Presbyterian clergy were alienated by his leaning to Episcopacy, and all parties in the divided Church by his seizure of its estates. Andrew Melville, who had succeeded to the leadership of Knox, was more decided than Knox against any departure from the Presbyterian model, and refused to be won by a place in his household. ”

“ MORTON, JAMES DOUGLAS, 4th Earl of (c. 1525–1581) , Scottish statesman, was the second son of Sir George Douglas of Pittendriech. Before 1543 he married Elizabeth (d. 1574) , daughter of James Douglas, 3rd earl of Morton, a grandson of James Douglas (d. c. 1500) , who was created earl of Morton in 1458. The 3rd earl’s wife was Catherine, an illegitimate daughter of James IV. In 1553 James Douglas succeeded to the title and estates of his father-in-law, and in 1563 he became lord high chancellor of Scotland. ”