Cruel act

Robert Veitch claims "the Reformation in the 16th century was when the will of the people, as opposed to the aristocracy, first emerged" (Letters, 3 April). I would dispute this. The Reformation in Scotland was imposed by the Lords of the Congregation who cast greedy eyes upon the Church lands. The behaviour of certain Catholic clergy had led to disaffection among the populace, but the Reformers' laws against innocent Catholics were cruel.

JOHN KELLY

Park Avenue

Edinburgh