Gowrie, with the connivance of England, struck the first blow.

He, Mar, and their accomplices captured James at Ruthven Castle, near Perth (August 23, "the Raid of Ruthven"), with the approval of the General Assembly of the Kirk.

It was a Douglas plot managed by Angus and Elizabeth.

James Stewart of the Guard (now Earl of Arran) was made prisoner; Lennox fled the country.

In October 1582, in a Parliament at Holyrood, the conspirators passed Acts indemnifying themselves, and the General Assembly approved them.