The chief need of the ministers' party was a leader among the great nobles.

Now, in 1593, the young Earl of Gowrie had leagued himself with the madcap Bothwell.

In April 1594, Gowrie, Bothwell, and Atholl had addressed the Kirk, asking her to favour and direct their enterprise.

Bothwell made an armed demonstration and failed; Gowrie then went abroad, to Padua and Rome, and, apparently in 1600, Mr Bruce sailed to France, "for the calling," he says, "of the Master of Gowrie"-- he clearly means "the Earl of Gowrie." The Earl came, wove his plot, and perished.

Mr Bruce, therefore, was averse to accepting James's account of the affair at Gowrie House.