The raid of Ruthven, an incident in the life of James VI of Scotland 'On the 23rd of August, 1852, the Earl of Gowrie invited the King to his castle of Ruthven, under the pretext of hunting. He was joined by the Earl of Mar, Lord Lindsay, the Tutor of Glamis, and the other noblemen. When the King saw so many persons gather round him, whom he knew to be of one way of thinking, and that hostile to his present measures, he became apprehensive of their intentions, and expressed himself desirous of leaving the castle. The nobles gave him to understand that he would not be permitted to do so; and when James went towards the door of the apartment, the tutor of Glamis, a rude, stern man, placed his back against it, and compelled him to return. Affronted by this act of personal restraint and violence the King burst into tears. 'Let him weep on', said the Tutor of Glamis fiercely. 'Better bairns weep than bearded men'. (Scott)

Fyfe has taken as his subject an incident in the early life of King James VI of Scotland who subsequently became King James I of England.

In 1581, Esme Stewart was created Earl of Lennox. He was in support of Queen Mary I of England, and acknowledgeed Catholic concerns at a time when the Reformation was well established in Scotland. The Presbytarians believed Lennox to be an agent for the Counter Reformation and a Catholic spy.

Although both the King and Lennox had declared themselves for the Reformation, rulings made and appointments given by James, particularly those overturning General Assembley proceedings, had the Presbytarians convinced he was being influenced by Lennox. William Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie, was the head of Scotland's militant Presbytarians. Such was their fear of Lennox being near the King they staged a coup. While the King was out hunting in Atholl in August 1852, he was abducted by Gowrie and imprisoned in his House of Ruthven until the following morning, he signed a document proclaiming himself to be quite free of Lennox's influence, and banishing him from Scotland.

Gowrie meanwhile led a new government which gave the Presbytarians ruling powers, all the while keeping James their captive. Lennox, who moved to France, died in 1583.

In June of that year, James managed to escape his captors. Gowrie was charged with treason and hanged.