Assured Scots

These gave assurances to Henry VIII, and many were released on licence and sent a substitute family member as a pledge or hostage into captivity in England, after undertaking to support English policy.

Henry VIII asked his border wardens to start taking assurances from Scots to be "taken as our friends" who would further the marriage between Edward and Mary early in 1543.

Notable assured Scots who were active during the war include; Ninian Cockburn; his older brother John Cockburn of Ormiston; Alexander Crichton of Brunstane; Michael and Henry Durham; Elizabeth Lamb, Prioress of St Bathans; Hugh Douglas of Longniddry; the Armstrongs of Mangerton;[11] George Turnbull of Bedrule; James Douglas of Cavers; and others.

English observers felt that the assured Scots were not value for money, especially as French troops were able to manoeuvre in East Lothian and maintain the siege of Haddington without much hindrance.

One Scottish religious reformer Henry Balnaves, drafted a form of an assurance bond in December 1546, which began:God, the author and finisher of peace, beholding the long discord between the realms, has in our days appointed opportunity for union of the two in one empire by the blessed sacrament of matrimony between young Prince Edward of England and our Sovereign Lady Mary Queen of Scotland; and by consent of the Parliament of this realm, at their suit made by certain ambassadors sent to the said invincible Prince Henry, etc., an honorable treaty of peace and contract of marriage was confirmed under the Great Seal of the realm, but afterwards broken by the Governor and evil council, specially the Cardinal sometime of Saint Andrews[15] While some of the assured Scots were closely associated with Protestant reform, a majority were motivated by profit and the need to survive in the presence of an enemy.