He obtained the parsonage of Flisk in Fife in 1561, was nominated an Extraordinary Lord of Session, and in 1563 one of the commissaries of the court which now took the place of the former ecclesiastical tribunal.
When, however, the fall of Bothwell was seen to be impending, he rapidly changed sides, and in September 1567 surrendered the castle to James, 1st Earl of Moray,[3] stipulating, for his pardon for Darnley's murder, the retention of the priory of Pittenweem, and pecuniary rewards.
Lord Moray obtained the Queen's jewels and clothing from Edinburgh Castle, which he intended to sell or pledge for loans.
He was present at the Battle of Langside, and was accused of having advised Mary to leave Dunbar Castle to her ruin, and of having betrayed to her enemies the Casket Letters.
He was the greatest lawyer of his day, and part-author at least of Balfour's Practicks, the earliest textbook of Scots law, not published, however, until 1754.
It was published in 1754, and republished in 1962: Peter G B McNeil (ed), The Practicks of Sir James Balfour of Pittendreich (1962, Stair Society).