I WANT TO Meet John Knox. James and Maitland look askance but I must hear the dog bark from his own mouth. What is this thing I have to reckon with? Will they kill the priests and confessors before my eyes? So Maitland sends for the Minister of St Giles, who comes promptly, under my brother’s watchful eye. I take Master Knox into my garden, which is filling up with new blooms by the day.
‘What shall we talk about, Maister Knox?’ I am careful to use the Scots address, as more friendly and familiar.
‘Whatever your Majesty pleases.’
He is surprising in the flesh, smaller and somehow delicate, fine boned. The eyes are liquid, brown and melting, intense. Knox appears a man of emotion as well as reason.
‘I think I shall scold you.’
‘That is the prerogative of your sex, madam.’
Was that a twinkle?
‘I have been told that you have raised some of my subjects against me.’
‘Whoever said that has done you no service.’
‘In a book, Maister Knox, written by you against the “unnatural” rule of women. You are the author of this work?’
‘Indeed, madam.’
‘It is not a good book, and I have set some learned men to answering it.’
‘I shall abide their questions.’
He seems unwilling to take offence, yet is wholly unmoved by his Sovereign’s disapproval. Has he no experience of Court manners?
‘Do you hate women, Maister Knox?’
‘Indeed no, your Majesty, I do not. My faults are all on the fond side.’
There is a smile in those luminous eyes. The face is slender, musing and melancholy.
‘Yet you stand accused of disobedience and sedition. I can hardly believe it of such a douce and modest man. But where there is smoke, Maister, there is usually fire.’
I think there was a sigh and a drawing up of his shoulders as he stepped away from my side and drew himself up to address me at some length. His only aim is to teach simple truth according to God’s Word – how we should worship and live godly lives. If that offends the vanity of papistical religion and the false authority of the Roman Anti-Christ, so be it. But it is always right to obey the commands of just and godly Princes.
‘Yet you deny my authority.’ I bring him to a halt.
‘All through the ages, madam, learned men have had liberty to express their opinions, while living peaceably and doing nothing to disturb the peace. I have communicated my views but if the realm finds no inconvenience in a woman’s rule then I shall not oppose it, except in my private conscience, unless you yourself oppress the saints of God.’ He has the decency to blush and look away at this sophistry. ‘The truth is, Madam, I wrote that book against the Jezebel, Mary Tudor of England. You were never in my thoughts.’
‘That’s as may be, but the book is about women in general.’
‘Very true, but I think you have the wit to distinguish between philosophy and sedition. If I wanted to disturb your estate because you are a woman I could have chosen a better time than when your own gracious presence is in the kingdom.’
‘Beautifully phrased, Maister Knox. I see you are a courtier after all. But you have taught my people to receive a different faith from what their Princes allow. How can that doctrine be of God, when God commands subjects to obey their Princes?’
‘Right religion comes from God alone and not from worldly Princes. Where would you and I be if the Apostles had obeyed the Emperor of Rome?’
‘They did not raise their swords against him.’
I hear my voice raised in the heat of argument. He remains controlled but emphatic.
‘But they disobeyed. To disobey commands is to resist.’
‘The sword, man, they did not rebel by the sword.’
‘God did not grant them the means.’
‘So if they have the means then they can violently resist?’
‘If the Prince exceeds his bounds.’
There he is evidently wrong, and I take him to task.
‘If they dislike the Prince’s actions, then they can take up their swords and strike. Where then is the solemn command of scripture – to obey? Why are rulers distinguished from subjects if they are denied authority?’
With another sigh, as at a recalcitrant pupil, Knox showed his true colours.
‘Madam, if my father is mad or drunk then he must be seized and bound till the madness is past. What if he attacks my brothers or sisters? He must be restrained from murder and it is no different with Princes. This is not rebellion but true obedience.’
‘Well then, Maister Knox, I see how it is. My subjects will obey you and not me. They will do what they like, not what I command, and I shall be subject to them, not them to me. What kingdom could survive such government?’ I demand.
His response was more conciliatory, and self-deprecating.
‘God forbid that anyone should obey me or do what they please. My argument is that both rulers and subjects should obey God. And that, in return for their authority, Princes should nurture the Church. If that be subjection it will carry them to everlasting glory.’
‘There I agree, but it is not your Kirk that I will nurture, but the faith in which I was born, since I believe it to be the true Church of God,’
Now he is openly provoked, and abrupt.
‘Your will, Madam, is no reason. Nor does your thinking it make that harlot the immaculate spouse of Christ.’
‘Remember to whom you speak, sir.’
‘The Church of the Jews, which crucified Christ, was no more astray from the purity of religion than the Church of Rome.’
‘My conscience does not agree.’
‘Conscience, madam, requires knowledge, and I fear you have none.’
Who is he to deny my learning?
‘Knowledge? Since I could read as a child I have studied religion.’
‘So had the Jews. They read the Law and the Prophets but according to the teaching of the Pharisees. Have you read anything apart from what the Pope and cardinals allowed?’
‘You interpret Scripture in one way, and they in another. Who is to judge?’
‘God speaks plainly in his Word and his Spirit guides us into all truth. Where for example does Scripture command the Mass? It is an invention of man; let those that teach it show where it is laid down and I will grant their plea. Otherwise it is no solemn sacrifice but an abomination, like the idolatry of the Virgin Mother and all the Saints.’
‘You are too harsh, sir, and better than I can answer you.’
‘Would that the most learned papist in Europe were here to carry the argument.’
‘You might be answered sooner than you think.’
‘I would answer with my life if need be.’
‘That will not be necessary. We shall live in better times, Maister Knox, and by other manners.’
‘I pray God that it may be so, Madam.’
His shoulders drooped as if the fight were over. I have certainly heard enough.
‘I see from the impatience of my ladies that their dinner is getting cold on the table.’
‘Thank you for your patience in hearing me, Majesty. I pray that you may be as blessed within the Commonwealth of Scotland as ever Deborah was in Israel.’
He manages to incline his head without bending his stiff neck. Sacré Dieu, was ever a monarch so lectured?
I remained standing till he withdrew, showing no impatience or annoyance. I shall hear Mass when and where I wish, despite his preachings.
I saw Maitland studying me closely. They did not expect such an audience, and I held my own. If I take relief in tears, what is that to him or any other man?
Fleming, oh Fleming, now I feel what my mother bore. By herself.