Certain news that the French fleet was besieging the castle had arrived in London by 27 July.Calendar State Papers Spain, vol. 9 (London, 1912), p.127. Too late, on 1 August 1547, Edward Clinton was ordered to engage the French force at St Andrews. Admiral Clinton was to embark on the Pansy at Harwich and make for St Andrews "as fast as wind or weather will serve", and raise the siege or rescue the Protestant lairds and James Hamilton. Clinton, who lay at Orford Ness, did not even get this order till 9 August.CSP Scotland vol. 1 (London, 1898), p. 14 no. 32.
