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On 23 July, in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, the first readings from a Book of Common Prayer prepared to Anglican ideals by Scottish Bishops provoked a riot. Within months, a petition (the National Covenant) advocating Scottish Presbyterianism as opposed to Episcopalianism had been circulated throughout Scotland and signed by much of the political community.The General Assembly of the Kirk declared Episcopacy abolished and Charles I sent troops into Scotland to restore order. By June 1639, this had been achieved and the sides had been reconciled by the Treaty of Berwick. On reflection (and with English prompting) Charles decided to renege on his promises and launched a fresh mobilisation against his opponents.He was not only defeated but humiliated and, further, he was forced to pay a considerable indemnity to the Scots.
Not only did this mean his reputation in Scotland decreased, but also it left Charles with fewer Loyalists in England (as they saw the level of his competence demonstrated).
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