After a long series of negotiations Bruce was exiled north of Tay.
UNION OF THE CROWNS.
In 1600 James imposed three bishops on the Kirk.

Early in 1601 broke out Essex's rebellion of one day against Elizabeth, a futile attempt to imitate Scottish methods as exhibited in the many raids against James.
Essex had been intriguing with the Scottish king, but to what extent James knew of and encouraged his enterprise is unknown.

He was on ill terms with Cecil, who, in 1601, was dealing with several men that intended no good to James.

Cecil is said to have received a sufficient warning as to how James, on ascending the English throne, would treat him; and he came to terms, secretly, with Mar and Kinloss, the king's envoys to Elizabeth.

Their correspondence is extant, and proves that Cecil, at last, was "running the Scottish course," and making smooth the way for James's accession.