Page:Life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots.pdf/16

22 the Abbey of Dundrennan in Galloway, sixty miles from the field of battle. From this place she had it in her power either to go to France, or cross the frontier to England, and put herself under the protection of Queen Elizabeth. This last step she determined upon, contrary to the advice of her wiser attendants, who kneeled and entreated in vain.

In throwing herself upon the protection of the English Queen, Mary seems to have acted from the impulses of her own generous nature, and trusted to her feelings as a woman, and a near relation. But Elizabeth considered the Scottish Queen, not as a sister or friend in distress, but as an enemy, and determined to reduce her to the condition of a captive.

In pursuance of this line of conduct, the unfortunate Mary was surrounded with guards, and removed to Bolton Castle in Yorkshire.

For eighteen long years was Mary detained a prisoner under various pretexts of plotting with the enemies of the state, as if it was a crime for the poor Scottish Queen to long for liberty, and to favour the plans contrived by her friends for her deliverance.

Meantime, Scotland was filled with war and bloodshed; all natural ties were forgotten in the distinction of Kingsmen and Queensmen, add fathers, sons, and brothers took opposite sides, and