[1] The English diplomat Thomas Randolph was sent to Scotland in February 1586 to commence negotiations on the proposed articles.
The two largely Protestant countries were threatened from abroad by the Catholic powers, Spain and France.
Some believe Elizabeth only entered into the agreement to soften the blow of her next political move - the execution of James' mother, Mary, Queen of Scots.
James VI issued a proclamation on 5 July declaring extra penalties against cross-border raiders for the next forty days.
A surviving paper indicates that the Scottish commissioners were to discuss a closer alliance beyond the twelve articles of the league; with an agreement for mutual redress against piracy, the people of Scotland might be made denizens of England and vice versa, so custom duties between England and Scotland would be abolished.