 Argyll and Stuart changed sides and the Lords of the Congregation now began raising their followers for an armed conflict.A series of local reformations followed, with Protestant minorities gaining control of various regions and burghs, often with the support of local lairds and using intimidation, while avoiding the creation of Catholic martyrs, to carry out a "cleansing" of friaries and churches, followed by the appointment of Protestant preachers.Such reformations occurred in conservative Aberdeen and the ecclesiastical capital of St. Andrews together with other eastern ports.