24 One of the greatest confusions about the plot would be the later claim that the Lords had signed a bond at Craigmillar in which they had promised to murder Darnley. According to this legend, the bond was in Bothwell’s possession on the day of his final confrontation with his enemies and given to Mary as an insurance policy before Bothwell fled for his life. Although this bond is confidently discussed in innumerable works of history, an authentic copy of it has never been found. It was only with hindsight that it was ever said to have existed, and when Mary demanded to see a copy of it while in exile in England – which she would hardly have needed to do if the original bond had been presented to her by Bothwell as the legend claims – a ‘copy’ was obtained, but this was forged by the unscrupulous Sir James Balfour, who took his opportunity to denounce his own enemies as Darnley’s murderers while omitting the names of those he wished to protect.

25 Holyrood was on low ground and renowned for its winter smog from the burning of wood and coal fires.