William Maitland of Lethington, "the flower of the wits of Scotland," was to Knox a less congenial acquaintance.

Not till May 1556 was Knox summoned to trial in Edinburgh, but he had a strong backing of the laity, as was the custom in Scotland, where justice was overawed by armed gatherings, and no trial was held.

By July 1556 he was in France, on his way to Geneva.
The fruits of Knox's labours followed him, in March 1557, in the shape of a letter, signed by Glencairn, Lorne, Lord Erskine, and James Stewart, Mary's bastard brother.

They prayed Knox to return.

They were ready "to jeopardy lives and goods in the forward setting of the glory of God." This has all the air of risking civil war.