[1] However, Marguerite de Navarre had discussed this marriage plan with Henry VIII of England's diplomat, the Duke of Norfolk in June 1533.

[3] As Francis I had once again firmly indicated to James V that a French princess of the royal family would not be available to him since Madeleine was too frail, the negotiation for his alternative marriage to Mary of Bourbon began again in earnest.

[4] On 3 June 1535, James V wrote from Stirling Castle to Francis I regarding his possible marriage to Madeleine, the treaty, and the alternative offer of Mary of Bourbon.

Then, on 28 December 1535, Aikenhead was sent to France to resume the Vendôme marriage plan and get the best deal for James V. Once again, Atkenhead's instructions included that Mary's train should consist of a 'sobir nummyr' of gentlewomen.

The meeting was convened by Jean III d'Estourmel, Master of Household to the Duke of Vendôme, assisted by Mathieu de Lonjoüe, Bishop of Soissons, Guillaume Poyet, President of the French parliament, Guillaume Féau, seigneur de Fernay, Royal Chamberlain, and the Scottish herald James Aikenhead, whose name appears in French records as "Hacquenet".

[9] In April 1536 Francis I consolidated the agreement by sending James V the collar of the Order of Saint Michael as a token of his affection and their family union.

James V decided to travel to France and visited Mary of Bourbon at St. Quentin in Picardy in September 1536, but then went south to meet Francis I.

[16] Although this story seems doubtful, a modern historian has noted that English observers reported some secrecy about James's trip to St Quentin from Dieppe.

[17] Adam Abell's contemporary chronicle is the earliest source;"In ane dissimilit vestement he com to the duik of Vendôme fathir of the lady that he suld haif marreit.