Cecil, prior to the compact of July 24, had wished to meet Knox at
Stamford. On July 30 Knox received his instructions as negotiator with
England. {152b} His employers say that they hear that Huntly and
Chatelherault have promised to join the Reformers if the Regent breaks a
jot of the treaty of July 24, the terms of which Knox can declare. They
ask money to enable them to take Stirling Castle, and "strength by sea"
for the capture of Broughty Castle, on Tay. Yet they later complained of
the Regent when she fortified Leith. They actually _did_ take Broughty
Castle, and then had the hardihood to aver that they only set about this
when they heard in mid-September of the fortification of Leith by the
Regent. They aimed at it six days after their treaty of July 24. They
asked for soldiers to lie in garrison, for men, ships, and money for
their Lords.

Bearing these instructions Knox sailed from Fife to Holy Island, near
Berwick, and there met Croft, the Governor of that town. Croft kept him,
not with sufficient secrecy, in Berwick, where he was well known, while
Whitelaw was coming from Cecil with his answers to the petitions of the
brethren. Meanwhile Croft held converse with Knox, who, as he reports,
says that, as to the change of "Authority" (that is of sovereignty,
temporary at least), the choice of the brethren would be subject to
Elizabeth's wishes. Yet the brethren contemplated no change of
Authority! Arran ought to be kept secretly in England "till wise men
considered what was in him; if misliked he put Lord James second." As to
what Knox told Croft about the terms of treaty of July 24, it is best to
state the case in Croft's own words. "He (Knox) excusys the
Protestantes, for that the French as commyng apon them at Edynbrogh when
theyr popoll were departed to make new provysyon of vytaylles, forcyd
them to make composycyon wyth the quene. Whereyn (sayeth he) the