The march was again delayed by the Scottish troops, who demanded to be paid a month in advance, causing de la Gardie to sell part of his jewelry to satisfy their claims.

De la Gardie withdrew part of the besieging army for expeditions to nearby Tolsberg and Dorpat both of which were unsuccessful.

The besieging forces were demoralized, supplies ran out and tensions grew; the German troops blamed the failures on a lack of Scottish support.

A German officer tried to intervene, but when he was unsuccessful and the brawl turned into an open fight, de la Gardie, Tott and Ruthven arrived to the scene in person.

[6] [9] A court of inquiry found the Scots troops responsible for the disaster at Wesenberg, and the wounded Ruthven and his second-in-command, Gilbert Balfour, were taken as prisoners to Stockholm.

Balfour was also sentenced to lose his life, his honour and his goods, but the judgment was not immediately implemented; he being kept in prison during the trial of Ruthven.

[10] In prison, Ruthven repeatedly petitioned the King, the Queen, and De la Gardie, declaring his innocence, claiming that he had first heard of it in Reval.

The Scottish government pled for the prisoners; the Regent of Scotland, the Earl of Morton wrote to the Swedish king, and sent an envoy to Stockholm.

King John III, who feared international complications, or even war with Scotland, stayed the execution until it after many delays took place in August of 1576.