Chapter 19: Scotland’s Home
August, 1610
George Home, Earl of Dunbar adjusted the collar of his shirt. It was damnably hot. Some predicted that this would be the hottest month of the summer ever. In the current sweltering heat, George could see where they were coming from. He breathed a sigh of relief when the door at the far end of the hall opened and the King walked in. George suppressed a frown when he saw who was following the King. It was that upstart Carr. He seemed ever present still.
George took a breath and then bowed when the King came into his direct line of vision. “Your Majesty.” He said.
“Lord Dunbar.” The King replied, taking his seat. The King didn’t ask him to sit, which was fine by George, he couldn’t imagine having to sit in this heat. “I trust your journey southwards was fine?”
“It was, Sire.” George replied. Indeed, such was the flow of people coming and going at the border, that this had perhaps been the easiest journey he’d made in the seven years since the King had moved south.
“Good.” The King said. “So, tell me, what is it that you wished to speak of?”
George took a breath. He needed to phrase what he had to say carefully, to ensure that the King didn’t fly into a rage. With Carr present, that was doubly important. After all, who knew what nonsense the other man might whisper to the King. “There have been some concerning reports from the roads between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Sire.”
“What reports?” The King demanded sharply, and from the way the King’s tone changed, George knew he was thinking that someone like Bothwell had come back.
“There is a minister of the Kirk who has started preaching in the villages along the Edinburgh to Glasgow road. He preaches against the Kirk’s established structures with Bishops, he denounces the Church of England as something heretical and close to Rome, and finally, he says that Your Majesty has been possessed by the Devil.” George said.
“What in the name of God?!” Carr exclaimed.
The King exhaled and then asked. “What is this man’s name?”
“Richard Cameron, Sire.” George replied.
“Is he affiliated with that Clan?” The King asked.
George shook his head. “No, Sire. He is not. Nobody is quite sure where he is from.”
“Have you been able to find him?” Carr demanded.
“Not as of yet, no. The man is able to disappear with relative ease.” George said.
“You mean you’ve not been able to find him because he’s figured out a way to elude your network of spies. Are you losing your touch, Lord Dunbar?” Carr asked, with a hint of bite.
George ignored the man, and instead spoke to the King. “I believe there might be some within the old Kirk network who are aiding him, Sire. Consequently, I think there are two options that can be used to deal with this problem.”
“Find them, torture them and then burn him out.” The King said.
“Indeed, Sire.” George said.
“That’s the method I would use.” Carr said.
And you would end up getting murdered in your bed if you did. George thought, Carr wouldn’t survive in Scotland. He was made for the weaker climes of England. George focused on the King. “The second method is to challenge the man to a debate, to expose him for the fool that he is.”
“You would have me debate this insolent dog?” The King asked.
“Not you, Sire. That would be far beneath you.” George said.
“Then who?” The King demanded.
“The Bishop of Dunkeld, Sire.” George said.
“Dunkeld?!” The King exclaimed. “You want me to entrust that man with the rebuttal of this traitor?”
“Yes, Sire.” George replied. “I know that Dunkeld is not the most savoury character, but I feel that that is exactly the reason for why he should be allowed to debate Cameron. Let Dunkeld present the arguments for the Church and let him dissect everything Cameron says. Nobody is as good as Dunkeld at such things. Apart from Your Majesty, of course.”
“What is there to say Dunkeld won’t just agree with Cameron?” Carr asked. “After all, Dunkeld is not in support of increasing the power of Bishops despite being one himself.”
That was true, the Bishop of Dunkeld was an odd man in that he didn’t want more power for himself, instead trusting the Presbytery to exercise good judgement. But, that was a strength rather than a weakness. “That is why he will win, and won’t agree with Cameron.”
“How?” Carr demanded.
“Cameron stands for everything that Dunkeld finds unpalatable about the radical Presbyterians. He thinks that whilst Bishops should not have complete power, they should still exist. He also thinks the existing Church system works. Cameron wants to tear it all down. He is not wanting a return to the Church of old, but some anarchic new structure. And that is complete anathema to someone like Dunkeld. Dunkeld will be incentivised to destroy Cameron.” George said.
“And Cameron will come out of his hole?” The King asked.
“To debate someone like Dunkeld?” George replied. “Most definitely.”
The King seemed to be contemplating what George had said, he hoped the man agreed, otherwise, George was at a loss at how to handle Cameron. Eventually, the King replied. “Very well, set things up. We give you our official approval.”
“Thank you, Sire.” George replied bowing. He tugged at his collar, wondering if that was it.
The King spoke once more however. “There was one other thing we wished to speak to you about, Lord Dunbar.”
“Sire?” George replied.
“How much progress has been made with getting the main Scottish Lords in favour of a Union?” The King asked.
George took a breath. This was the King’s pet project, after the failure of earlier union talks a few years ago, the King had abandoned proceedings, only to take them up again about a year or so ago. George had been tasked with getting prominent Lords like Argyll, Atholl, Erroll and the Earl Marischal onside. It had been a difficult task, but one that he thought he had managed reasonably well. Especially as the King had made his job easier, by agreeing to a few concessions.
“Argyll and Atholl are both very happy with the proposals, Your Majesty. The Earl Marischal is also very happy. Erroll will need a bit more convincing, but he will come around.” George answered.
“And the others?” The King asked.
“Well, most are happy with the terms. Keeping Scottish Law in place, ensuring that there are no tariffs for trade between the two Kingdoms, and of course, voting rights to a joint Parliament for those who meet the requirements. There is one issue that the Earl of Eglinton mentioned though, Sire.” George said, wondering how the King would respond to this.
“And what was that?” The King asked.
“He wondered if it would be possible to increase the number of MPs elected to the Commons from 40 to 50, to better reflect the numbers in the Scottish Parliament.” George said.
“And what would Eglinton bring if he got this?” Carr demanded.
George frowned at Carr, the man was impertinent. The King waved a hand dismissively at Carr to get him to be quiet. The King then looked at George and said. “I will speak with my men here, and see what they say.”
“Thank you, Sire.” George said. Wondering who it was that the King had gotten to assess the English willingness for Union.
“Your next task is to choose five men who will work with the English on a Commission to hammer out the finer points of the Union agreement.” The King said.
“Of course, Sire.” George said.
“Good, you may go.” The King said.
George bowed. “Sire.” He then rose, turned and walked out of the room, hoping that he didn’t faint from the heat.