A transcript or abridgment by an unknown hand, from the original manuscript of Lord Herries, which was formerly in the Scots college at Douay, and probably destroyed during the revolution. It is not certain which Lord Herries was the author, but the material was probably collected and the memoirs begun by John fourth lord Herries, who figures conspicuously during the most troubled period of the reign of Mary queen of Scots. John seventh lord Herries, later earl of Nithsdale, continued the memoirs, and may have been the author of the first part also. cf. Prefatory note, p. ix and xv.
Edited from the Abbotsford club by Robert Pitcairn.