James replied that he preferred to try to reform it; and he enjoyed, in 1540, Sir David Lyndsay's satirical play on the vices of the clergy, and, indeed, of all orders of men.

In 1540 James ratified the College of Justice, the fifteen Lords of Session, sitting as judges in Edinburgh.
In 1541 the idea of a meeting between James and Henry was again mooted, and Henry actually went to York, where James did not appear.

Henry, who had expected him, was furious.

In August 1542, on a futile pretext, he sent Norfolk with a great force to harry the Border.

The English had the worse at the battle of Hadden Rig; negotiations followed; Henry proclaimed that Scottish kings had always been vassals of England, and horrified his Council by openly proposing to kidnap James.