Earles he gaue Earledomes to Barons Baronies and to others according to their degrees About the beginning of the next yeare he returned to London He was no sooner out off Scotland with his army but presently there was a new Viceroy set vp one of the Cumines who began to raise new stirs there amongst some other they tooke the Castle of Striueling But vnderstanding that king Edward was gathering new forces wherewith to enter into Scotland againe they began to consult what was best to be done not only for the preuēting of his presēt approch but especially for the recouery of the kingdome which was now in great danger by cōquest to be annexed to the Crowne of Engl In the end they resolued with all speed to procure an abstinence from war to the intent that in the meane season the might labor Pope Boniface to take vpon him the protection of the realme of Scotland thereby to auoid shake off al maner of subiection to the king of England for the Pope had lately before so far preuailed alreadie with king Edward as that at his intreaty Iohn Balliol was committed to the custodie of the Bishop of Cambray who vndertooke in the Popes behalfe that his liberty should not preiudice the quiet estate of either nation Engl or Scotland According to this their resolution the lords of Scotl procured Philip de Valois the French king to effect this their desired truce which was granted for eleuen months to Whitsontide following beeing the more easilie cōpassed by him by reasō king Edward had lately before married his sister Hereupon for this time the army was dissolued being euen ready to haue entred into Scotlād In the meane time the Scotish lords sent Ambassadors to Rome presēting to the Pope a grieuous complaint of the proceedings of king Edward That hee was fully bent to make a conquest of their country vnlesse it would please his Holines by the vertue of his prerogatiue in such cases to cōpound order all differences as wel amongst thēselues as also betweene the king of Engl and them at his will and pleasure wherunto they would willingly submit themselues The Pope gaue eare to their petition hoping to gaine somthing by the bargaine for with him no peny no Pater noster And first he began to quarrel with king Edward because he would not at his intreatie restore vnto Edward Balliol those landes in England which descended vpon him by the death of Iohn Balliol his father now latelie deceassed Then he forbad him from thence-forth to make war with the Scots because they had submitted themselues to the protection of the Sea Apostolicall in whose power it now only rested to dispose of their kingdome as seemed best to the same And by way of preuention he further declared that al such homage fealtie as the kings of Scotland in former times had done to the kings of England was onely for Tiuidale Penreth and such other Lands as they held within England and not for the realme of Scotland as hee would haue it Lastly whereas the kings of Scotland had some-times serued the kings of England in their warres both at home and abroade and had bin sondry times present at their coronations al this proceeded of their voluntary accord and especial fauor towards them by reason of their neerenesse in bloud and not as he tooke it of any duty binding them thereto King Edward in his answere herevnto proued by euident reasons that the right of Superiority and command ouer the realme of Scotland did iustlie belong vnto him and that the allegations made to the contrarie were vaine and frivolous Besides the kings letters the Nobility also of the realme being now assēbled in Parliament at Lincolne ioyned in the framing of an other letter answering in the name of the three estates vnto that poynt of the Popes pretended right to intermeddle in the cause betweene the king their maister and the Lords of Scotland that it was neuer before knowne that the kings of England had answered or of right ought to answere for any thing they clamed before any iudge ecclesiasticall or seculer yea though the king would therevnto yeald yet wold they neuer giue their consentes vnto it seeing it would so much preiudice his dignity royall and the ancient customes and priuileges of the realme This letter bare date the twelft of February in the yeare of grace 1301. and was signed vnder the hands and seales of these Noblemen whose names follow viz. Iohn Earle Warren Thomas Earle of Lancaster Ralfe de Monthermer Earle of Glocester Herford Humfrey de Bohum Earle of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke Marshall of England Guie Earle of Warwick Richard Earle of Arundel Audomar de valence lord of Monterney Henry de Lancaster Lord of Monmouth Iohn de Hastings Lord of Bergeuenny Henry de Percy Lord of Topeliffe Edmond de Mortimer Lord of Wigmor Robert fitzwater Lord of Woodham Iohn de Saint Iohn Lord of Hannake Hugh de veer Lord of Swanestampe William de Brewse Lord of Gower Robert de Mounthault Lord of Hewarden Robert de Tateshal Lord of Wokeham Reignald de Grey Lord of Ruthin Henry de Gray Lord of Codnore Hugh Bardalfe Lord of Wormegaie Robert de Clifforde Chatellaine of Appleby Peter de Malow Lord of Mulgreene Philip Lord of Kine Robert Fitz Roger Lord of Claueringes Ioh. de Mohun Lo. of Dunester Almerick de S. Amonde Lord of Widehay Williā de Ferrers Lo. of Groby Alaine de Zouche Lo. of Asby Theobalde de Vernon Lo. of Webbeley Tho. de Furniuall Lo. of Schefield Tho. de Moulton Lo. of Egremont William Latimer Lo. of Corbie Tho. Lord Berkeley Foulke Fitzwarren Lo. of Mitingham Iohn Lo. Seagraue Edmond de Enicourt Lo. of Thurgerton Peter Corbet Lord of Cans William de Cantelow Lord of Rauensthorpe Iohn de Beauchampe Lo. of Hacchie Roger de Mortimere Lo. of Penkethlin Iohn Fitz Reinald Lord of Blenleuenie Ralfe de Neuell Lord of Rabie Brian Fitz-Alaine Lo. of Bedale William Marshall Lord of Heugham Walter Lo. Huntercombe Williā Martin Lo. of Camies Henrie de Thies Lord of Chilton Roger de Ware Lo. of Isefield Iohn de Riuers Lo. of Augre Iohn de Lancaster Lo. of Grisedale Robert Fitz-Paine Lo of Lumnier Henry Tregoz Lord of Garings Robert Pipard Lo. of Lomford Walter Lord Faucomberg Roger le Strange Lord of Ellesmere Iohn le Strange Lo. of Cuokin Tho. de Chances Lo. of Norton Water de Beauchampe lor. of Alecester Rich. Talbot lor. of Eccleswell Iohn Butetourt lord of Mendesham Iohn Eugain lor. of Colum Hugh de Poynes lor. of Corneualet Adam lord of Welles Simond lord Montacute Iohn lord Sulle Iohn de Moells lord of Candeburie Edmond Baron Stafford Iohn Louell lord of Hackings Edmond lor. of Elchimhonocks Ralfe Fitz-William lo. of Grimthope Robert de Scales lor. of Neusells William Tuchet lo. of Lewenhales Iohn Abadan lor. of Deuerstone Iohn de Hatterings lor. of Graston Robert
Pembroke Ranulph Earle of Chester diuers other of the partakers of the deceassed King they beganne one after an other to reuolt from Lewis and to submit themselues to their yong King not aboue nine yeares old Whereupon after some fewe bickrings and incounters by land sea between the one partie and the other wherein the French came still by the worse Prince Lewis was willing to hearken to peace which being readilie concluded he bid farewell to all former his goodly hopes was honorablie conducted to his ships and transported into France about a yeare and a halfe from his first arriuall in England Thus in short time by the prouidence of God and the industry and loyaltie of some principall men of the Nobilitie this nation was deliuered from one of the greatest dangers that euer it was like to fall into The yong king hauing raigned vnder protection about foure yeares and euen then purposing with himselfe after hee should come to mans state whereunto his notable and rare towardnesse did hasten him on to recouer that which his Father had lost on the other side of the sea and withall knowing that the Scotish nation was of old too much affected to France that hee might therefore in time preuent all occasion of trouble on that side it was brought to passe at Yorke where the two kings met by appointment that king Alexander should take to wife the Ladie Ione sister to king Henrie and further that Margaret the Scotish kings sister should bee giuen in mariage to Hubert de Borowgh a man in exceeding great fauour for many worthy partes in him whereof both his Father and hee himselfe had good tryall and for those his deserts king Henrie afterwardes created him Earle of Kent The other sister returned againe into Scotland vnmaried these two Ladies as you haue heard before were committed by their Father to the custodie of king Iohn These mariages were solemnized at Yorke about Mid-summer Anno. 1219. Diuerse couenants were then signed and sealed by eyther partie for the more assurance of perfect amitie betweene the two Nations which continued accordingly during the liues of the two kings together though there were some that practised what they could for their owne aduantage to set debate betweene them amongst whom Dauid the pety king of Wales hauing receiued an ouerthrow of the English-men and there-vppon flying into Scotland did his best indeauor to moue king Alexander to rise in Armes against England and by such perswasions as hee vsed so much preuailed that forth-with hee made preparation to inuade the Realme This was the more easilie compassed by reason that king Alexander had then buried his wife the King of Englands sister and not hauing had any issue by her was againe married to the Lady Marie daughter to Iugelram Lord of Coucie a French-man so that his former loue and liking towardes England was now happilie abated and buried together with his late deceassed wife Queene Ione Yet had there then bin an other marriage concluded betweene the Lord Alexander the Scotish kings eldest Sonne and the Ladie Margeret daughter to king Henrie which tooke effect as after shall appeare The Scotish Writers report that king Henrie had then begunne to build a Castle ouer against Berwicke in the same place where his father had before laid the foundation But whatsoeuer was the true cause that mooued king Alexander to inuade the Realme although king Henrie was as ready to make resistance as the other was to offer iniury neuerthelesse by mediation of friendes of either part the quarrell was taken vp and the two kings reconciled one to the other and for testimonie thereof to all posteritie a publike writing was drawne signed and sealed by king Alexander and diuerse of the Nobility of Scotland acknowledging their allegiance to the King of England as their supeor Lord as followeth Alexander Dei gratia Rex Scotiae Omnibus Christi fidelibus hoc scriptum visuris vel audituris salutem Ad vestram volumus venire notitiam nos pro nobis haeredibus nostris concessisse fidelitèr promississe charissimo ligio Domino nostro Henrico tertio Dei gratia Regi Angliae illustri Domino Hiberniae Duci Normandiae Aquitaniae Comiti Andegauiae eius haeredibus quod in perpetuvm bonam fidem ei seruabimus paritèr amorem Et quod nuncquam aliquod faedus iniemus per nos vel per aliquos alios ex parte nostra cum inimicis Domini Regis Angliae vel Haeredum suorum ad bellum procurandum vel faciendum vnde damnum eis vel regnis suis Angliae Hiberniae aut caeteris terris suis eueniat vel possit alequatenùs euenire nisi no iniustè grauent Stantibus in suo robore conuentionibus inter nos dictum Dominum regem Angliae initis vltimò apud Eboracum in praesentia Domini Othonis tituli S. Nicholai in carcere Tulliano Diaconi Cardinalis tunc Apostolicae sedis Legati in Anglia Et saluis conuectionibus super matrimonio contrahendo inter filium nostrum filiam dicti Domini regis Angliae Et vt haec nostra concessio promissio pro nobis haeredibus nostris perpetuae firmitatis robur obteniunt fecimus iurare in animum nostrum Alanum Ostiarum Henricum de Baliol Dauid de Lindesey Wilhelmum Gifford quod omnia predicta bona fide firmitèr fidelitèr obseruabimus Et similitèr iurari fecimus venerabiles patres Dauid Wilhelmum Galfridum Clementem sancti Andreae Glasconiensem Dūkeldensem Dublinensem Episcopos Et praeteria Malcolmum comitē de Fif fideles nostros Patricium comitem de Dunbar Malisium comitē de Strathern Walterum Cumin comitē de Monteth Wilhelmū comitē de Mar Alexandrū comitē de Buchquhā Dauid de Hastings comitē de Athol Robertum de Bruis Alanum Ostiariū Henricum de Bailiol Rogerum de Mounbray Larentiū de Abirnetha Richardum Cumin Dauid de Lindesey Richardū Siward Wilhelmū de Lindesey Walterum de Morauia Wilhelmum Gifford Nicholaū de Sully Wilhelmū de veteri ponte Wilhelmū de Brewer Anselmū de Mesue Dauid de Graham Stephanū de Suningham Quod si nos vel haeredes nostri contra concessionē promissionē praedictū quod absit venerimus ipsi haeredes eorū nobis haeredibus nostris nullū contrà concessionē promissionē praedictā auxilium vel cōsilium impendent aut ab alijs proposse suo impendi permittent Imò bona fide laborabunt erga nos haeredes nostros ipsi et haeredes eorū quòd omnia praedicta a nobis et haeredibus nostris nec non ab ipsis et eorū haeredibus firmitèr et fidelitèr obseruētur in perpetuū In cuius rei testimontū tu nos quam praedicti Prelati Comites Barones nostri praesens scriptum sigillorū suorum appositione roborauimus Testibus Praelatis Comitibus Baronibus superius nominatis Ann. regni nostri c. This
Scotland as also for the better strengthning of his estate to whome the same kingdome should be by him adiudged wherevnto they all agreed by writing also vnder their seuerall hands and seales as followeth A toux iceulx c. To all those which this present writing shall see or heare Florence Earle of Holland Robert de Bruce Lord of Annandale Iohn de Balliol Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeuennie Iohn Cumin Lord of Badenawe Patricke de Dunbarre Earle of Marche Iohn de Vescie insteed of his Father Nicholas de Sules and William de Ros send greeting in our Lord. Because that of our owne willes and common consents without all constraint we doe consent and grant vnto the noble Prince the Lord Edward by the grace of God king of England that he as superior Lord of Scotland may heare examine define determine our claimes chalenges petitions which we intend to shew and proue for our right to be receiued before him as superior Lord of the land promising moreouer that we shall take his deed for firme and stable and that he shall inioy the kingdome of Scotland whose right by declaration shall best appeare before him whereas then the sayd king of England cannot in this maner take knowledge nor fulfill our meanings without iudgement nor iudgment ought to be without execution nor execution may in due forme bee done without possession and seisme of the said lands and castels of the same We do will consent and grant that he as Superior Lord to performe the premisses may haue the seisure of all the land and Castels of the same till they that pretend title to the crowne be satisfied in the sute so that before he be put into possession and seisure he find sufficient surety to vs that pretend title to the wardens and to all the cōmonaltie of the kingdome of Scotland that he shal restore the same kingdom with all the royaltie dignitie signorie liberties customes rights lawes vsages possessions and all and whatsoeuer the appurtinances in the same state wherein they were before the seisme to him deliuered vnto him to whom by right it is due according to the iudgemēt of his Maiesty sauing to him the homage of that person that shall bee king And this restitution to be made within two months after the day in which the right shall be discussed and established the issues of the same land in the meane time shall be receiued laid vp put in safe keeping in the hands of the Chamberlaine of Scotland that now is of him whom the King of England shall to him ioyne and assotiate and this vnder their seales reseruing and allowing the reasonable charges for the sustentatiō of the land the Castles and officers of the kingdome In witnesse of all the which premises wee haue vnto these set our seales giuen at Norham the wednesday next after the feast of the Ascensiō of our Lord in the yeare 1291. Besides these two former deeds from the competitors themselues he receiued the like assurance from all the principall officers and Magistrates of that realme So as by a free and generall consent he was acknowledged their supreame Lord and was accordingly intituled in sundry Proclamations and publique Edicts directed forth in his name King Edward hauing receiued at their hands these instruments of allegiance as their proper and voluntary deeds and also their seuerall homages either in his owne person or by his deputies according to the order giuen in that behalfe he was finally put in full possession of the realme of Scotland and hauing occasion to returne presently into England to solemnize the exequies of his Mother hee committed the gouernment and custodie of the realme in his absence to the Bishops of Saint Androwes and Glascoe and to the Lords Iohn Cumin and Iames Steward who before had giuen the King possession At his returne out of England at Midsomer following hee sent out sommons to all those that made claime to the Crowne of Scotland to repaire vnto him and hauing heard what each one could say for himselfe hee perceaued that the question rested onely betweene Iohn Balliol and Robert Bruce so as that all the rest were thenceforth vtterly excluded and barred from all further title or claime These two deriued their titles from Dauid Earle of Huntington brother to William late King of Scottes in this maner This Dauid had issue by Mawde his wife one of the daughters of Hugh Bohune Earle of Chester as is aforesaid three daughters Margaret the eldest was maried to Alaine Lord of Galloway who had issue together three daughters also of whom the eldest named Dernagil was maried to Iohn Balliol the parents of this Iohn Balliol one of the two competitors Isabell the second daughter of the foresaid Dauid was married to Robert Bruce betweene whom was begotten this Robert Bruce the other competitour He claimed the Crowne as next heire male the other made claime in the right of his mother who was the next heire in bloud and as wee say in England heire at the common-lawe Bruce alleadged that hee was to bee preferred before the Mother of Balliol because the heire male must carry away the inheritance of a kingdome from the heire female meeting in the selfe same degree of bloud as in this case it stood betweene him and Dernagill To this end he alleadged a late president in the like controuersie about the Duchie of Burgundie which the Earle of Neuers claimed in the right of his wife grand-child to the last Duke by his eldest sonne which notwithstanding the brothers inheritance was adiudged to the Dukes yonger sonne King Edward hauing heard the allegations and answeres of both parties caused then to be inrolled but because the matter was of the greatest importance life onely excepted and therefore required good deliberation hee referred the further proceeding therein till Michaelmasse following and returned into England In the meane time for his better instruction he acquainted the most learned Lawyers as well of France as of this nation with the whole state of the cause and receaued their generall resolution therein At the time prefixed he repaired againe into the North-parts and comming to Berwicke hee called thither the two competitours together with the greater number of the Lords of Scotland to receiue there a finall end of this controuersie Out of this great assembly of the most graue and best experienced personages of both Nations hee made choise of a certaine number as well English as Scottish to whom as to a Iurie royall sworne and admonished to deale vprightlie the King gaue full authoritie to name him that vnto them appeared vpon the examination of their seuerall titles and the resolution of the Lawyers therevpon which was deliuered vnto them to haue the better right vnto the crowne of Scotland These men being put a part by themselues and hauing examined considered and sufficiently debated the prooues allegations and whatsoeuer could be said on either
those fiue shippes were by some stratagē deceaued by the said Andrew for howsoeuer afterwards hee was drawne from that side it was not vnknowne to the Englishmen that the Scottish King while hee liued reposed such trust in him as that he was made Generall ouer his nauie and consequentlie a pertaker of their owne fortunes beeing all come thyther to assist the Scottish king But bee it as it may bee I must needes commend the young Prince of Scotland for returning home Bull and his companions without ransome or rebuke who in the latter conflict with Wood contended more for glory then vpon hope of gaine to be gotten therby For the tearme of 7. yeares from the death of Iames the third while the truce betweene the two Nations continewed peace was embraced on both sides In the meane time it was deuised by the Ladie Margaret Duchesse of Burgoigne who greatly enuied the prosperity of king Henry onely because he was descended of the Lancastrian family an ancient enemy to her line that one Peter Marbecke borne at Tornay of base parentage but by her trained vp and instructed for that purpose should take vpon him the person of Richard Duke of Yorke second Sonne to her brother king Edward the fourth who togither with his brother were murthered in the Towre as before I haue showed This ioylie youth hauing first assaied what entertainment hee might finde in Ireland and France which fell not out to his liking transported himselfe at length into Scotland hoping there by reason of the want of experience in the young king Iames the fourth and the too great forwardnesse of his people to quarrell with England to finde that Nation more pliable to his designments which came to passe accordingly For hauing first priuatlie to the king and after that in a publique assemblie made knowne what person he pretended to be and with all the skill he had allured both Prince and people to a commiseration of his misfortunes whether it were that they were mooued by an ouer-light beliefe in pitie or a counterfeit credulity in policie his complaint so much preuailed with the greater number that it was held a matter of great reproche not to ioyne with him in the attaining of the Crowne of England where-vnto hee pretended so iust a title Forth-with king Iames caused him to bee called the Duke of Yorke And for a further fauour to giue him the more courage and his cause the more credit hee gaue him in mariage the Lady Katherine Gordon Daughter to Alexander Earle of Huntley his nigh kinsman whose beauty better beseemed her birth then such a Bride-groome King Iames hauing prepared all things fit for the enterprice entred into Northumberland causing proclamation to be made that he would fauor all those that would submit themselues to this new created Duke but finding none that would follow or acknowledge any such mā the Scots committed all to the furie of fire and sword Hereby hauing well neere wasted the whole countrey they returned home inriched with many good booties before an armie could be made ready to incounter them King Henry being not a little moued purposed the next spring to be reuenged but euen as the army was marching towards Scotland vnder the conduct of the Lord Daubiney it was sodenly called backe againe by occasion of a commotion begun by the Cornish-men so as for that time the intended iourney was preuented King Iames hauing his Armie also in readinesse ouer-slipped not the opportunitie but while king Henry was busied about the suppressing of this rebellion in the West parts hee inuaded his dominions on the North. For deuiding his Armie he himselfe with a part thereof besiedged the Castell of Norham while the rest forrayed the countrie there-about Richard Fox Bishop of Durham to whome the Castle appertained aduertising king Henry hereof the Earle of Surrie that was then in readinesse vpon any occasion offered to be imployed was commanded with all speed to relieue the same His whole armie was little lesse then twentie thousand men besides the preparation at Sea whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall The Earle was accompanied with diuerse Lords and Gentlemen of the North amongst whom I finde these following appointed chiefe Leaders and Commanders namely Ralph earle of Westmerland Thomas Lord Dacres Ralph Lord Neuille George Lord Strange Richard Lord Latimer George Lord Lumley Iohn Lord Scroope Henry Lord Clifford George Lord Ogle William Lord Conniers Thomas Lord Darcie Thomas Baron of Hilton Sir William Percie Sir William Bulmere Sir William Gascoigne Sir Ralph Bigod Sir Ralph Bowes Sir Thomas Aparrie Sir Ralph Caldercarre Sir Iohn Constable Sir Iohn Ratcliffe Sir Iohn Sauille Sir Thom Stranguisse Thus was king Henry set on worke at home as well by his owne subiects on the one side as by the Scottes on the other But hee did so warily foresee all dangers that he easily preuented the malice of them both For the Cornishmen were defeited at the battaile of Black-heath-field and the Scottes at the approach of the Earle gaue ouer the siedge and returned home as lightly laden as when they came thence The Armie beeing come by this time within two dayes marche of the enimies made all the hast that could bee to haue ouer-taken them but seeing they would not abide the Englishmen made what spoile they could within Scotland where hauing taken their pleasures for the space of sixe or seauen dayes they returned to Berwicke with-out any shew of resistance although that at the taking of the Castell of Hayton it is said the Scottish Armie was within one mile of the Englishmen Thus was king Henrie sufficiently reuenged on the Scottes that were so ready to take part with Perkin the counterfeit Duke of Yorke who now had apparently enough shewed himselfe to the world as that which followed shortly after shewed For vpon a treatie of truce betweene the two Nations vndertaken and effected by Peter Hiolas an Ambassadour of Spaine king Iames was contented for the furtherance thereof to send the other Peter packing out of Scotland to seeke new intertainement some-where else where he was not so well knowne But this aduenturous Gallant once againe attempting to trie some maisteries here in England was vtterly forsaken of all his adherents where-vpon for his more safetie he committed his person first to Sanctuary and from thence submitted him-selfe to the Kings mercy who appointed a gard to attend him from whom escaping hee was recouered and committed to the Towre of London where practising an escape hee was finally for his seuerall offences executed at Tyburne as hee well deserued The poore Lady his vnfortunate wife being in the meane time taken and presented to the King his Maiestie tooke such compassion on her pitifull estate that hee gaue order shee should bee carefully conuayed to the Queene his wife of whome shee was courteouslie intertained and remained in the English Court a long time after in good estimation King Iames well foreseeing what benefit it would be
holie daies where they were lodged feasted and entertained most louingly There as of themselues they motioned a mariage betweene Prince Edward the Kings Sonne now little more then fiue yeares olde and their young Queene that was borne some fiue or sixe daies before the death of the King her Father promising withall to do there best to bring the same to passe King Henrie gaue them great thankes for their forwardnesse therein and was not onelie contented to set them freelie at libertie but also bestowed large presentes on euery man according to his degree On New-yeares daie they departed from London home-wardes and dined at Enfield where they sawe the young Prince of whome they seemed greatlie to reioyce both in speach and countinance From thence they kept on their iorney till they came into the North-partes where the Duke of Suffolke the Kings Lieutenant staied for their comming with whome they remained till such pledges were come out of Scotland as was before couenanted they should leaue behind them VVith them went also the Earle of Angus who togither with his brother Sir George Dowglas had allowance for their maintenance of King Henrie while they remained in England after their exile the space of fifeteene yeares The Scottish King while hee liued had labored the deliuerance of the Earle who now vpon his returne home was made one of the priuie Counsell amongst other of the Lordes that had beene lately prisoners here by the Earle of Araine Gouernour of the young Queene and of the Realme and next heire to the Crowne according to the custome of that Countrie Shortly after Sir Robert Bowes and some other English prisoners were deliuered by their bandes after the manner of the Marches In March following Sir Ralfe Sadler who died a graue CouÌ„sellor in the raigne of Queene Elizabeth being sent Ambassadour into Scotland came thither some-what before the Parliament His errand was to perswade the Gouernor to giue his consent with the other Lords to the mariage propounded lately by them and that withall a firme peace might be concluded vpon betweene the two Nations These pointes were long debated but in conclusion after that Dauid Beaton Cardinall and Archbishop of â—â—â—nt Andrewes the French factor was remoâ—â—ed from the assemblie generallie yeelded â—nto and confirmed And further pleadges were promised to be sent into England for the better assurance thereof The Ambassador staying still behind to see euerie thing performed according to promise on the behalfe of the Scottish Lordes the Earle of Glencorne Sir George Dowglas Sir William Hamiltone Sir Iames Leirmonth and the Secretarie were sent into England as well to confirme as to report what had beene established by act of Parliament concerning the marriage intended with England These men remained here from the ende of March till the ende of Iulie following in which time the marriage betweene Prince Edward of England and the infant of Scotland was fullie confirmed by wrytings enterchangablie signed and sealed and a peace concluded for ten yeares These things thus passed in the yeare of Lord 1543. The Scottish Marchantes were not a little glad after their long restraint of their free libertie of trafique wherevpon they presently dispatched their shippes to the sea so as in short time neuer a port well-neere in England was without some of them to the exceeding great ioye of both Realmes But this calme lasted not long for now beganne France after their olde fashion to â—â—â—rre vp certaine seditious and dispightfull spâ—â—â—ts which like vnto the curssed spirits of thâ—â—yre breathed out tempestious and boisterous blastes where-with to darken and disturbe the former Sun-shine and quiet season For before the yeares ende thorough the practize of the Cardinall Iohn Hamiltone brother to the Gouernour and Dauid Paynter which two last men of most dissolute conuersation came lately out of France for that purpose the Scottes were so wonderfully wrought that both the Gouernour himselfe and all they that had so lately before vowed themselues and there seruice to King Henry were now againe become wholy French for these reasons First by this mariage it would come to passe as they obiectted that the Scottish Nobolity should grow into contempt being far inferiour in wealth and possessions to the Lords of England and further remoued by habitation from the Kings presence who no doubt would make the most firtill and commdious part of England Southwards the place of his residence ordinarily But that which more nearely touched them was the eminent daunger wherein to Religion would be thereby brought the preseruation whereof they were bound to prefer before either lands or liues that the state whereinto England was persently falne might be a sufficient warning vnto them who already were but ouer much inclined that way for about that time the Gouener had incoraged Frier Guillan openly to preach against Immages and foolish ceremonies giuing liberty that who would might reade the bible in English which about three yeares before was openly read in very Church in England and was the very bane and breake necke of Popery thorowe out the whole Iland As for their promisse made to King Henry they were persuaded ther was no cause why they should sticke at that seeing it was lately decreed in the Counsell of Constance that no couenant or promise how constantly soeuer made ought to bee kept with an heretike such as the Pope had already iudged him to bee The Earle of Casseles onely continued constant though he was attempted both by faire meanes and foule to the contrary for hee hauing two brothers his pleadges in England protested that he would neuer redeeme ether his liberty or life with the losse of them wherefore at his returne into England the King much commended the young gentlemans resolution and in acquitall therfore set both him his brothers at liberty King Henry could not brooke this manner of dealing but resoluing to be fully reuenged he first caused all the shippes of Scotland whereof there were good store to be presently staid till his pleasure was further knowne then proclaming open war he forthwith made preparation to inuade Scotland by land and sea The Queene Mother the regent and the Cardinall beeing all like affected solicited King Francis to minister aide against England But the monie that that was thereupon sent them and deliuered to the Earle of Lenox to bee imployed to that end was by him detayned by reason of some iarres then amongst them-selues which brought him out of fauour with the French King who before had vsed him as a speciall instrument on his side King Henry in the meane season hauing not beene slow in his businesse thought good neuer-the-lesse to make triall whether vpon better aduisements the Scottes would yeelde to some reasonable conditions wherefore he sent his letters to Edenbrough fraught with many iust complaints and bitter threats but all preuailed not wher-vpon proceeding in his former courfe and hauing furnished his Nauie with all things needfull he committed the charge therof to
from their first arriuall it pleased the Lord to enlighten their vnderstanding by the reading of his word with some knowledge of him amongst whom Ethelbert of Kent was the first King that together with his subiects receiued Baptisme the badge of our profession at the hands of Augustin whō Gregory Bishop of Rome sent hither to preach the Gospell But the Religion of Rome was euen thē so blemished with humaine traditions superstitious ceremonies the inuention of mans braine that the same consisted more in outward appearance and show then in substance of sound Doctrine out off the pure word of God the writings of the Prophets and Apostles Egbert hauing resumed the title of absolute King ouer the whole Land and promising vnto himselfe and his posteritie the sole Soueraigntie ouer the same the height of his conceiued happinesse was sodainly shaken by a mighty tempest out off the East againe For the Danes arriuing here in his time did afterwardes so much preuaile against the Englishmen as that within the space of two hundred yeares Swane King of Denmarke hauing attained the possession of the whole Realme left the same vnto Canutus his sonne who together with his two sonnes did successiuely raigne one after another about twenty yeares After the death of the two brothers the gouernement of the Land returned to the English bloud in the person of King Edward surnamed the Confessor in whom also it ended for a season This seruitude vnder the Danes was more grieuous then any other before or after it as Hollinshead well obserueth For the Romaines vsed all kind of curtesie to those Brittaines which continued in dutifull obedience alwayes defending thē from their enemies malice admitting them kings and rulers of their owne nation The Saxons and the Normans hauing in short time attained the Soueraignty gaue speedy end to the miseries and mischieues incident to a conquest But the Danes a long time molesting the land by their seuerall inuasions did not so much desire to become conquerors as to make a continuall spoile and prey of the inhabitants whereby the Land was most extremely vexed and impouerished These Danes were a people that long after the ariual of the Saxons here succeeded them in their former habitations beeing transported thither out of the easterne Countries from some part of Scandia of whome these peninsule or Ile-like prouinces first tooke the name of Dane-marshe because they lie low subiect to the ouer flowing of the sea according to the nature of marish ground Now the Country by corruption of speech is called Denmarke The fourth and last conquest ouer this land was made by the Normans The manner whereof Maister Camden now Clarentiaulx king at armes hath very compendiously deliuered in the Latin tongue wherefore it shal be sufficient for mee in this place to followe him word by word in as good English as I can make him speake as as for the most part I haue done hitherto Edward the confessor being dead without issue the nobles and commons were at there witts end how to resolue about the admittance of a new King Edgar surnamed Atheling grandchild to Edmond Ironside by his Father was the onely issue male of the Saxon bloud to whome the crowne by right of inheritance pertayned But he beeing thought vnfit to gouerne by reason of his minority and hauing beene also bred and brought vp in Pannonia by his Mother Agathe Daughter to the Emperour Henrie the third was not so gratious in the eyes of the Englishmen who regarded nothing more then to haue one to raigne ouer them of their owne nation Therefore both the eies and heartes well neere of all men were wholie fixed and setled in affection vpon Harold the Sonne of Godwine highlie honored and renowned for his singuler dexterity in managing the affaires of estate as well in time of warre as of peace For although hee had no cause to boast of Nobility receauing that onelie of his Mothers side and that his Father had stayned himselfe with a perpetuall note of infamie Neuerthelesse by his curtious carriage towards all men his liberality and manlie corrage hee was generally exceedingly fauored Neither was their any other in whome was found more boldnesse to incounter an intended mischiefe or of better foresight how to auoide it His late victory ouer the Welchmen was so glorious in the iudgement of the people that he seemed to want no good accomplement requisite in a great Commander as though he had purposely beene borne to restore and vphold the English Empire As for the Danes who were then the greatest terror to this nation It was hoped hee should finde them fauorable enough because Edithe his mother was sister to Swane then King of Denmarke If any other resistance should arise either at home or else-where hee seemed to be sufficiently garded not onely by the hands and heartes of the communalty but also by his affinity in bloud alliance with the nobility for his wife was sister to the two brothers Morkar and Edwine the greatest men in the Land and Edrick surnamed the forester a man of an aspiring minde and in high authority was also neerelie allied vnto him Withall it fell out fortunatly for him that the Danish King was then set on worke at home by his enimy the Sweaden And Philip of France was nothing gracious to the Normaine Duke because hee much misliked that Edward the confessour had in the time of his banishment and aboade in Normandie couenanted to make the Duke his heire to the Crowne of England after him if hee should decease without issue of his bodie For the performance whereof Harold had offered to become his suretie and assurance and further had thereunto bound himsselfe vnto the Duke by oath while hee also remained Captiue with him promising withall to marie his daughter For this cause many thought it the best course to make the Duke their king the rather by keeping promise with him not only for that they war otherwise threatned the miseries cōmonly in flicted for the punishment of periury might thereby be auoyded but also for that by the addition of Normandie vnto the crowne of England vnder so mighty a Prince the realme should bee much strengthned and the common-wealth inriched But Harold preuenting further consultation euen vpon the same daie on which the deceassed King was put into his graue hee forthwith put the Crowne on his head without further solemnity This act did not a little offend the Cleargie as beeing a breach of the Church her holie ordinance Wherefore to salue that sore being not ignorant how hard a thing it is for a Prince newlie aduanced to hold his authoritie without the opinion at least of vertue and piety the better to confirme the same hee left nothing vndone that might aduāce pleasure the ecclesiastical estate either for matter of profit or ornament Further he entertained the noble men with al kinde of curtisies especially Edgar Atheling whō hee created Earle of
Norwegians his forces were shrewdly weakned neuertheles by reason of the repaire of the Nobility and others whome the loue of their country brought thither to the defence of the same against a danger of like preiudice to them all a great army was from thence speedily conducted by himselfe into Sussex whatsoeuer perswasion his Mother could vse to the contrary notwithstanding and with an inuincible corrag he encamped his hoast in a faire plaine with in lesse then seauen miles of the enemy The Duke approaching sent forth his espiales as the other did to giue intelligence one of the others demeaner They of the English part either of ignorance or of purpose to terrifie their king exceedingly extolled preferred the Dukes armie both for number furniture orderlie disposition and conduction of the same In so much as Githe the Kings brother an expert warriour holding it not conuenient to hazard the loosing of all vpon the successe of one battaile aduised the King not to be ouer forward shewing him how vnconstant fortune vseth to shew her selfe in martiall aduentures fauoring those for the more part that are of least desart That an aduised delaie was reputed a principall point of military discipline That if he had promised to reserue the Crowne to the vse and behoofe of the Duke as it was iustified hee then held it fit he should retire his person considering that without a good conscience no force or powre whatsoeuer should stand him in steed That God himselfe would take reuenge vpon faith-breakers That nothing would more dismay the enemy then to be set vpon still afresh with new supplie offring that if he would commit to him the aduenture of that battile he would not faile to performe the part both of a faithfull brother and of a resolute Captaine That hee maintayning his quarrell vpon warrant of a good conscience as far as he knewe should haue more happy successe against the Normans or not vnhappily giue his life for the loue he bare to his King Country Harold was much offended hereat as esteeming it a speech ouermuch sauouring of disgrace and reproch to his person For as he would take in good part whatsoeuer euent followed the battell so could he not indure in any sort to bee taxed of want of courage Wherefore as touching the commendation giuen to the behauiour of his aduersaries he lightly regarded that report neither as he tooke it could it be without great dishonor to his former renowne that beeing come to the repulse of the last danger which hee was like to fall into hee should now shrinke and fearefully with-drawe himselfe In this manner doth fatall destinies bewitch their senses whom they meane to bring to destruction While these things were thus debated Duke William preferring the care he had to auoid the effusioÌ„ of much Christian bloud which in that quarrell was likely to bee shed before any particular respect of aduantage to himselfe sent a Munke to Harold with this message Either to surrender vnto him the Crowne and Scepter of England or else to acknowledge thence-forth to hold them vnder him as in his right But if the title must of necessity be tryed by Armes then to haue it determined by single Combat betweene themselues If none of these offers would be accepted then to commit the cause to the hearing and determination of the Bishop of Rome as an indifferent Iudge and vmpire betweene them Harold answered that it was not in his powre to yeald to any of these offers but hee referred the disciding of this waightie coÌ„trouersie to the final sentence and decree of the supreame and celestiall Iudge and moderator of all humaine actions That on the next morning beeing the foureteenth day of October hee would not faile to giue him battell vainely imagining to haue the better successe because it was his birth-day The Englishmen spent all the next night in excessiue riot but the Normans contrariwise passing the same without any misdemeanor gaue themselues wholy to holsome meditations and exercises of deuotion At the apearance of day euery man prepared himselfe to the fight On the English part the Kentishmen were placed in the front of the battell to whom that place pertained by an ancient custome with their Halberds in their handes Harold with his Brother the Londoners and the rest of his army made vp the whole Battel On the other side Roger Mongomery William Fitzosbert had the leading of the Vangard which consisted of horsemen of Aniou of the contries of Perch Le-Maine and Britaine of whom a great number serued vnder the Britaine Fergent The midle battaile who were Germaines Pictoines was conducted by Galfred Martell a Germaine The Duke himselfe managed the rereward wherin was placed the strength of his nation the flowre of his Nobilitie These three battells were thorow out enterâ—ined with the Norman Archers The Normans being thus marshalled sounding the alaruÌ„ without any confused noise aduanced theÌ„selues forward withall from euery ranck mounting their Arrowes in the ayre they fell on the Englishmen as thicke as hailestones wherat they were not a little dismaide hauing neuer before beene acquainted with such kind of weapons froÌ„ whose annoyance no man was free euen in the middest of their owne forces This storme vnlooked for beeing blowne ouer the Normans forth-with ran fiercely vpon the foreward of the English Armie who resoluing rather to die where they stood theÌ„ to giue ground keeping themselues close together repulsed the enemie with no small losse and disaduaÌ„tage vnto him Neuertheles he forthwith gaue a fresh assalt whereat with terrible outcries both armies rushed one vpon the other Beeing now coped together at hand blowes the fight coÌ„tinued very hotlie for a good season but the Englishmen still keeping their aray as if they had bin linked one to another resisted the others malice The NormaÌ„s hauing receiued many wounds were withal ready to giue back had not the Duke plaiyng the part no lesse of a Souldior then of a vigilant Captain as much by example as by directioÌ„ incoraged theÌ„ to stand to it manfully The fight thus still maintained on either side the Norman horsemen with all possible force charged vpon them and withall powring out a new tempest of their airy weapons with the violent fall of their arrowes did seeme euen to beate theÌ„ down to the ground But the Englishmen without any disorder abide this brunt also For Harold performing the part of a most valiant Captaine was still at hand where occasion required to incorage his men Neither came the Duke behinde him in that respect who hauing now had his horse twice slaine vnder him and perceauing that by the only vertue of his powre hee should not preuaile assaied what might be done by slight policy Wherefore causing the trumpets to souÌ„d a retreate the Normans without breking their array did retire and giue backe The Englishmen mistaking their meaning thought the victory now their owne and withall no respect had
by the commons of England to the kings gratious consideration ouer his due demerites for his good seruice done in the Realme returned into Scotland and was restored to his former dignitie and possessions there The Scottes thought themselues not sufficientlie reuenged for the markets that Sir Robert Vmfreuille lately made of their goods in England and therefore in the yeare following Patrike Dumbar second Sonne to the Earle of March with an hundred men well apoynted for the purpose came earelie one morning some-what before day to Fast Castell and entring into the same tooke the Captaine thereof prisoner who by daily out-roades greatlie indamaged the Countrie next adioyning About the same time Gawin Dumbar an other Sonne of the sayd Earle togither with William Dowglas brake downe the bridge of Roxbrughe and set the towne on fire but durst not attempt the taking of the Castell Sir Robert Vmfreuille hauing by this time vttered all his merchandice by the measure of his mens long-bowes for the worth of so manie yardes thought it now high time to make a new aduenture and therefore in the yeare 1410. Hee entred the Furth with tenne talle shippes of warre where lying for the space of a fort-night togither hee some-times landed on the one side and some-times on the other carying still with him manie good booties not-with-standing that the Gouernour and the Earle Dowglas were both readie to resist him Hee burned the Galliot of Scotland a Shippe of greatest account with manie other smaller vesselles lying then at the Blacknesse ouer against Leeth At his returne into England hee brought with him foureteene good shippes with many commodities as cloathes both wollen and linnen pitch tarre woad flowre meale wheate and rie making as good pennie-worthes thereof as hee did before as long as his store-house had anie thing leaft in it But not satisfied here-with hee togither with his Nephewe young Gilbert Vmfreuille Earle of Angius but more commonlie called Lord of Kinne entred the same yeare once againe into Scotland by land and spoiled the greater part of Tyuidale Thus it appeareth that at this time there was no peace betweene the two Nations or else it was little respected on both sides For manie yeares after there was little doeing beetweene them But now approached the ende of this Noble Prince who deceasing in the fourth-teenth yeare of his raigne in the yeare of our Lord 1412. leaft the Crowne vnto his Sonne Henry Prince of Wailles that was no lesse inheritour to his heroycall vertues then to the same In the second yeare of his raigne it was propounded in Parliament whether it were more meete to beginne with the conquest of France wherevnto hee pretended a iust title or first to reduce Scotland to their former obedience for it was resolued that the one or other should forth-with be taken in hand After long debate and consultation vpon this point it was concluded that the warre should be commenced against the mightier enimie for if France were once subdued the Scottes were easily tamed so that now they were at good leisure either to bee lookers on or actors on which side it pleased them Neuerthelesse whether it were that their Gouernour would not willingly incur King Henries displeasure fearing least if he had stirred hee would haue thrust him out of place by sending the young King home or whether that nation doubted that by that occasion the king would haue beene prouoked to set in foote for himselfe vnder colour of the defence of the your Prince his title or else whatsoeuer it was that moued them therevnto the Scottes made no great adoe during his raigne though they were yet once againe prouoked by Vmfreuille who being put in trust at the Kings passage ouer into France to gard the frontiers on that side fought with them at Gedering with three hundred Archers and seauen score men of armes where after long fight he slue aboue three score of them and tooke three hundred prisonere in chase which was continued twelue miles and then returned to Roxbrough Castle whereof hee was Captaine This conflict was on Mary Magdalines day in the yeare 1414. Three yeares after the Scottes made some show of a purpose they had to performe some great exploit but vpon the approach of the English armie they with-drew them-selues homeward without doing any great hurt But although they ceased from further annoyance here yet being entertained by the Dolphine in France they opposed themselues there against the Englishmen The Scottish writers report that seauen thousand of them passed ouer together vnder the conduct of Iohn Earle of Buchquhan sonne to their Gouernour accompanied with Archibald Dowglas and diuers other of good place Vnto these men they do attribute the victory ouer the Englishmen at the battaile of Baugie fought on Easter-euen in the yeare 1421. where the Duke of Clarence the Kings brother giuing too much credit to a Lumbard vnaduisedly set vpon the Frenchmen and Scottes and was slaine together with diuerse other Noblemen of England in the whole to the number of some two thousand Of the aduerse party were also slaine aboue twelue hundred the best men of warre amongst them So as they had no great cause to boast of the victorie how glorious so euer they make the same affirming that for their good seruice at this time the Dolphin bestowed great honours and offices vpon them The Scotts being thus animated against King Henry at his next iourney into France and the last he made he tooke with him the Prince of Scotland to trie if happily they would be therby wone either to his party or at least moued to returne home againe But they so little regarded the matter that being demanded why they would fight against their owne King they answered That they would not acknowledge any dutie to him who as yet liued vnder the obedience of an other Herewith saith Buchanan King Henry was so much displeased that at the taking of Meaux in Bury he caused 20. Scots to be executed whom hee found there because they had armed them-selues against their owne King But I see not how it can be so for the souldiours seeing themselues vnable to make resistance abandoned the towne and with-drawing their forces into the market place fortified the same which being afterwards surrendred vpon composition the liues of poore men onely were excepted namely bastard Vauren the Captaine of the towne the Baily two Burgesses all which vpon good consideration were immediatly executed and no other When this most victorious Prince had so wonderfully preuailed in his intended conquest of France as that within the terme of fiue or sixe yeares hee had brought the better part thereof vnder his obedience it pleased the almighty God the disposer of kingdoms to take him from those earthly honours to the fruition I hope of that endlesse and incomparable glory prepared for them that are his from the Prince to the Peasant He dyed in France in the 9. yeare of his raigne 1422. Hee
attempt any further inuasion at that time they teturned home into Scotland The next summer was spent with continuall light incursions of the borderers on both sides with variable successe on either party The taking of Robert Maxwell a gallant young Gentleman eldest sonne to the Lord Maxwell was of greatest note At the approach of winter Montgomery hauing first by commission from the king his Maister inuested the gouernor and the Earles of Angus Huntley Arguile with the honorable order of the Michell wherof he was himselfe a companion returned into France Though these two nations sought to molest one the other yet in one thing in persecuting the true seruants of God they agreed ouer-well For albeit K. Henry had lately banished the vsurped Supremacie of the bishop of Rome also had published the New Testament in English a good preparatiue to the reformation that followed in his sonnes daies yet it pleased not the Lord to enlighten his vnderstanding so farr as by his Ministery to giue the Gospell free passage in all the principall points of the true Religion Hereof it came to passe that as well in the one as other nation the professors of the gospel were cruelly persecuted especially for denying the reall and carnall presence of our Sauiour Iesus Christ whom the father hath placed farre aboue the earth at his right hand in heauen to be in the holy Sacrament of his last supper For about this time George Wishart a Scottish Minister a man of speciall account for the purity of his life doctrine was conuented before the Câ—rdinall and by him conuicted of herisie as the truth was then called finally burned at S. Andrews ouer-against the Castel where he was imprisoned within ten weekes after on the 16. of Iuly 1546. Anne Ayscu one of the two daughters of Sir William Ayscu of Lincolnshire being not aboue 25. yeares old for the defence of the same truth was first most barbarously tormented on the rack then not preuailing thâ—t way burned with others in Smithfield at London These saints of God the two first of speciall marke he for the reputatioÌ„ of his life and learning and she for the respect of her birth and education that in this Iland gaue their liues for the truth left behind them a more notorious remeÌ„brance of their christian ends by the strang predictions that accompanied the same For wheÌ„ this man of God the flame now ready to incompasse him was comforted by the Captaine of the Castell his keeper and put in minde to call vpon GOD answered againe that though these fierie flames are greeuous to flesh bloud yet my spirit is nothing there-with dismaid but he that so proudly sitteth yonder ouer-against vs meaning the Cardinal that was placed in a window of the Castell to behold this spectacle shall within few dayes lye on the ground no lesse reprochfully then now he doth aduance himselfe arrogantly which within foure monthes after came to passe when as the Cardinall was murthered by certaine of his owne clientes and followers in the same place and his dead carcas showed out at the same windowe where lately before he was placed in great pompe at the martirdome of George Wishart Mine aunt Anne after many threats and great search made for her by the prelates her persecutors was by casual intercepting of her owne letter discouered and so vnwillingly deliuered into ther bloody hands by him that both loued her and the religion which she professed but was neuer the lesse ouer come with feare for hee had much to lose least happily by concealing what was knowne he knew he might so haue brought himself into trouble thus much flesh and blood preuailed with him which often hath such powre euen ouer the most regenerat that the Apostle Paule saith of himselfe what I would that I doe not but what I hate euen that I doe from the time he had leaft her with them till the houre wherein she suffered a flame of fier presented it selfe in the day time to vewe such as according to his owne comparison appeareth in a glasse windowe ouer against a great fier in the same roome doutlesse this signe was giuen him to some end and I doubt not but he made good vse thereof For the sequell thus much I haue since obferued that his Sonne and haire in few yeares wasted the better part of his patrimonie not to be redeemed at this day with 20. thousaÌ„d pounds by yeelding ouer-much to the vnbridled vanities of another Anne Aiscu his wife Thus it pleased the Lord in his wisdome to giue honour to our family by such a meane as the world then held reprochfull and contrariwise to impaire the state and reputation of the same by such a match as in the iudgment of maÌ„ for she was honorably descended should rather haue giuen more estimation vnto it But now to returne to the contention temporall The Earle of Hertford with a new armie of some twelue thousand horsmen footmen entring Scotland burned a great part of the Mers Tiuidale amongst the rest the towne and Abbay of Kelso and Melrosse Abbay the former was a while defended by 300. Scots but in the end the most of them were either slaine or taken prisoners The army hauing in this maner passed along the further side of Tweed but not far within the country returned home without incounter In Ianuary following this renowned Prince not inferiour to any other liuing in those dayes yet that age brought forth more excellent then for many yeares before Christendome had inioyed together departed out of this life who had so great desire to haue vnited these two nigh kingdoms as that it is said he gaue especiall charge to the lords of his couÌ„sell at his death to indeuor the effecting of the promised mariage with the yong Princesse of Scotland 5. years yonger then Prince Edward his onely sonne now about nine yeares old at the death of the king his father wherfore the Duke of Somerset the yong kings Vncle by his mother lately before Earle of Hertford but now with the accesse of that title made also lord Protector of the Realme togeather with other Lords of the Councell held it expedient no longer to detract time but once againe to assay if happily after so many victories ouer the Scots in the pursute of this cause they would yeeld now at length to that against which they too wilfully opposed themselues To which end the lord Protector being wel prouided both by land sea passed into Scotland the next yeare about the beginning of September causing proclamation to be made in 3. seueral quarters of his campe signifying that the cause of his comming was to make knowne to all that nation that his intent was onely to renue the treaty of the long intended mariage betweene the King of England and their Princesse offering all maner of courtesies to as many amongst them as would shew themselues fauorers therof The armie marching along by
by her at the earnest petition and request of the Nobilitie of Scotland to the common good and well-â—are of both nations For when that realme in the beginning of her raigne became ouer-burthened by the dayly repaire of the French forces sent thither to the aide of the Queene Regent and her pertakers in the defence of the Romish religion the better sort of the Scottish Nobility as the Duke of Chateaule reault who attained that dignity of thâ— French King for yeelding vp the gouernâ—◠〈◊〉 the Queene Mother the Lord Iames Prior of Saint Androwes the Earles of Arraine Arguile Glencarne Rothowse Southerland Monteith Huntley Catnesse Erolle Marshall Cassels Eglenton Montrosse the Lords Ruithen Boide Ogletree Ayskin Drommond Hume Rosse Chrieghton Leuenstone â—â—mmerwell the Maister of Lindesey and the Maister of Maxwell did all ioyne in request vnto the Queene of England that it would please her Maiestie to assist them against the iniurious demeanure of the Frenchmen who sought not onely to extirpate the profession of the Gospell which they had lately imbraced but also practised the vtter abolishment and ruine of their ancient lawes and liberties Their sute was the more willingly yeelded vnto because it was doubted that if the Frenchmen had once set good foot-hold in Scotland somâ— trouble might haue come thereof to this realme thorow the ambition of the Queenes vncles the Guises who abusing their authority vnder Francis the second the yong King had all things at their command in France The suspition hereof did first arise when immediatly after the death of Queene Mary the Scottish Mary pretending a title to the Crowne vsurped the armes and stile of England Herevpon in the latter end of February the Earle of Arguile the Prior of Saint Andrewes the Maister of Maxwell and the yong Lord of Ledingtone the Secretarie mette the Duke of Northfolke at Berwick who was sent thither for that purpose Here it was concluded that whatsoeuer stranger should inuade either England or Scotland that then the one nation should minister ayde to the other that what Scottishmen should serue her Maiestie in her owne realme or what Englishmen should serue in Scotland all should receiue pay onely of the Queene of England that what bootie or prey should bee gotten by the English seruing in Scotland the same should become their owne the Townes Castles excepted which should forth-with bee restored to whom by right they did appertaine For the better assurance hereof fiue young Gentlemen were shortly after sent into England as pledges in the behalfe of the Lords of Scotland namely the Lord Claudie Hamilton fourth sonne to the Duke Robert Dowglas halfe brother to the Lord Iames Steward Archibauld Cambell Lord of Lowghennell George Grayme second sonne to the Earle of Monteith and Iames Canningham sonne to the Earle of Glencarne All these were to remaine in England during the liues of the Scottish Queene and of the French King her husband together and one yeare more next after his decease if it first happened While this businesse was in hand the Frenchmen being then at the mouth of the water of Leuin in Fife making head to the Scottish Lords descryed eight ships ready to arriue which at the first sight they tooke to bee sent out of France to their succors But when they perceiued that they were English with all possible speed they posted to Leethe forth-with beginning to fortifie the towne The Englishmen hauing cast Ancre in the roade there the Queene Regent sent to Maister Winter the Vice-admirall to know for what cause hee was come thither who dissembling with her for the present answered that hauing beene at the Sea to pursue certaine Pirates and not finding them abroade hoped to haue heard of them there With-in fewe dayes after this the whole Nauie repaired thether vnto him where-with becomming commander ouer the Furthe the Frenchmen were penned vp both at Leethe and in the Iland of Iuskeith so as no victuals could bee brought them by Sea About the beginning of the yeare next following viz. 1560. The English armie consisting of two thousand horsmen and six hundred footmen ouer which the Lord Gray of Wilton was Generall comming to Hadington within Scotland was at the first saluted by the Earle of Arraine the Lord Iames Prior the Maister of Maxwell Sir William Kircawdie Leard of Graunge and diuerse other of the Scottish Nobility attended with three hundred horse After mutuall congratulations the Scottish Lords departed for that night The next day beeing the first of Aprill the Lord Lieutenant accompanied with Sir Iames Croft an assistant vnto him in that charge the Lord Scroope Lord Marshall Sir George Howard generall ouer the men of armes and demie-lances with diuerse Captaines rode to Muskelbrugh Church where the Scottish Duke after some stay intertained them beeing accompanied with his Sonne the Earle of Arraine the Earles of Arguile Glencorne Southerland Montieth and Rothes the Prior of Saint Andrewes the Lord Ruithuen the Lord Ogletree the Lord Boied the Maister of Maxwell the Leard of Ormestone the Master of Lindsey the Bishop of Galloway the Abbot of Saint Colmes-inch the Abbot of Culrose the Leards of Pettierowe Cunningham-head Grange and diuerse other to the number of two huÌ„dred horse After many curteous embracings and kinde salutations they spent two houres togither in Counsell then brake vp and parted for that night The army lay still at Preston from Munday till Satterday beeing the sixt of Aprill to the end that in the meane season the Scottish Lords might make triall once againe whether the Queene Regent who now for her more saftie remained in Edenbrugh Castell would bee drawne to any reasonable conditions of peace to which ende they did write vnto her in manner following VVe haue often heretofore earnestly intreated you both by worde and wryting that it would please you to remoue the French forces which now for the tearme of one yeare more haue many waies intollerablie oppressed the poore and put the whole Nation in feare of a most miserable bondage and thrawldome But when we perceiued that these our iust petitions did preuaile nothing with you wee were then inforced by way of complaint to lay open our pitiful estate vnto our next Neighbour Prince the Queene of England and with teares to craue aide of her to repulse by force of armes if otherwise it cannot bee those strangers that seeke to bring vs vnder their subiection But although shee being mooued with compassion ouer our calamities will vndertake the defence of our cause notwithstanding to the end wee may performe our duties towardes the Mother of our Queene and as much as wee may refraine from the effusion of Christian bloud and then onely to arme our selues when otherwise wee cannot obtaine our right wee held it our partes to beseech you againe and againe that forth-with you will command all the French forces to depart hence For whose more speedie passage the Queene of England will not onelie graunt them safe