[1][2] The Earl grudgingly gave her an audience at Thirlstane Castle in the Scottish Borders whereupon Hardie spoke about the heavy snow that caused so much hardship and the lean years they had endured on the land.
In response to what he viewed as the audacity of the request, the Earl flippantly asked her to produce a snowball, in lieu of the rent, on Midsummer's Day so he might have proof of what she said.
[1] During the English Civil War, the Earl was captured by Cromwell's troops at the Battle of Worcester and confined in the Tower of London for nine years on account of his staunch loyal support of King Charles II.
Having done this, Hardie walked a much longer journey this time, from Berwickshire all the way south to London, and was able to secure an audience once again and hand the bannock over to the imprisoned Earl.
[2] When the hungry Earl broke the bannock open, the gold coins of 9 years' rent fell to the floor and he was able to use them to buy his freedom and secure his release from the Tower.
[2] The Earl never forgot Hardie's courage and kindness and, upon his return to Scotland, he presented her with a treasured silver girdle, to be won about the waist, by way of thanks.