afterwards apprehended the Widdow repaireth to his Majesty reporteth and proveth this Insolent Trick Mr. Donald is called for out of Prison Horse-shooes are clap'd on himself and twelve of his Companions and commanded to march through the Streets of Edenburgh an Officer publishing the Cause of this strange Punishment their tedious Journey ended all of them are put to Death as before mentioned King James hearing that Maloc was under the Power of an Irish Lord sendeth a Messenger to Ireland to require the Lord to deliver him the Irish Lord fearing his Escape and the Anger of so War-like a Prince resolveth to make all sure by cutting off the Rebel's Head which was accordingly done and sent over to the King The publick Robberies thus Suppressed many good Laws are Established for the good and to the Joy of all the People And as an addition to the Joy two Popular Lords of the Nobility Dowglas and Cassils are enlarged from Prison and received into his Majesty's favour And for the Complement of all their Joy the Queen is safely brought to Bed of two Sons October 14th 1430. The Civil Estate thus happily regulated his Majesty thinketh of a Reformation of the Clergy but to small purpose they being then and in those days within the Verge of the Pope his Jurisdiction Secular Princes durst not exercise their Regal Power over them all this good King could do was to plant the Schools and Universities Seminaries of good Learning with Pious and Learned men to whom he gave so many Encouragements that the fruits of so good a Project were soon seen and perceived by all to the great Joy of all good Men and the immortal Praise of so good a Prince Neither did this good King rest in the encouragement of the Liberal Sciences but resolving to advance all Mechanick Trades wholly decayed by the tediousness misery of an 150 Years War sendeth over to Flanders and from thence conduceth most exquisite Artificers of all sorts to whom he gave great Rewards and large Immunities by which Princely Munificence Trades of all sorts thrive and flourish the Poor set to Work and many Enriched every man acknowledging the happiness of that People who live under the sweet and liberal Dews of a vertuous and munificent Prince Soon after arrived Ambassadors from France to demand the young Lady formerly Espoused to the Dauphine to be sent over for the Consummation of the Marriage Ambassadors likewise come at the same time from England with full purpose at once to break not only this Matrimonial but also that Antient National League between the two Kingdoms of France and Scotland to which end they propound a League Offensive and Defensive with a Tender of Berwick and Roxborrow to be Restored forthwith many other things likewise were Tendered promising very fairly to the Good of both Kingdoms if as fully performed as freely promised King James remitteth this great Business to the Advice of his Parliament The Parliament after much Debate resolve to keep unviolably their Antient League with France and according to the desire of the French Ambassador to send over the young Lady without further delay The English Ambassadors resent this Denial as a Dishonour and immediately denounce War against the Scots threatning withal by their Navy to Way-lay the Princess in her passage to France The Princess is sent over forthwith under the guard of a very stately Navy the English Navy attempting nothing her Highness safely Arriveth and her Marriage to the Dauphine with the greatest expressions of Joy solemnized at Turon About the same time Earl Percy entreth into Scotland with 4000 rather to spoil than fight Dowglass Earl of Anyus is sent against him with the like number Percy is overthrown a few slain on either side of the English 1500 taken Prisoners King James thus provoked by Way-laying the young Lady by Sea and by this Inroad by Land raiseth a great Army with purpose to Invade Northumberland in this way he layeth Siege to Roxborrow then in the hands of the English expecting in few days the Delivering of it into his hands In the mean while cometh the Queen into his Camp discovering to him a most horrid Treason intended by his own nighest Kindred against both his Person and Posterity His Majesty perceiving that her Relation proceeded not from Womanish fear but from such real Grounds as were not to be slighted raiseth his Siege and without Advice of any Disbandeth his Army to the no less Astonishment than Discontent of most about him being Strangers to the cause of this sudden and unexpected Change His Majesty posteth to St. John's Town as a Bird into a Snare of purpose to make a fuller Discovery of that horrible Plot. The Treason being ripe and ready for Execution the Traitors privately repair thither with a small hand of Conspirators The Captains of that Traiterous Band Athol and his Cousin Graham knowing the Weakness of the King's Guard enter privately into the Monastery where his Majesty lay and by Conduct of one of his Houshold Servants debauched into the Conspiracy they come to the Stairs which led to the Royal Chamber The Cup-bearer at the same time coming down perceiving them in Arms Crieth out with a loud Voice Treason him they forthwith Murder and make hast to the Door made fast by no stronger bar the Iron Bolt being stolen away by the Traiterous Servant in Conspiracy with them than the Tender wrest of a young Gentleman which quickly broke the Assassinates furiously rush in and run towards his Majesty which the Queen perceiving casteth her self upon the King endeavouring poor Lady to preserve him they drag her from him not without some dangerous Wounds and forgetting all fear of God and Man thrust their Swords above Forty times through the Heart and Body of the most Excellent Prince The cause of this horrid Assassination was that old Mother of much Mischief Ambition Athold the King 's old Uncle having already by his Hellish Subtlety brought some of his nighest Kinsmen who lay in his way to the Crown to untimely Ends resolveth at last to strike at the main Rub the King himself for accomplishing whereof he snatcheth the advantage of the Discontent of Robert Graham Tutor of Straherne to whom he propoundeth his Design craveth his Conjunction therein with assurance not only of Protection but of ample Rewards and great Preferments when he comes to his Kingdom Graham graspes at all and joyneth in the Traiterous Design with him To this Combination Athol calleth his own Grandchild Robert a Youth nimble both in Head and Hand whom he likewise debaucheth into this Treasonable Plot. The Treason thus Craftily contrived is Cunningly carried on and at last cruelly Executed as before This was a sad Day in Scotland a day of Mourning and great Lamentation for the loss of such an Incomparable Prince the Nobility filled with Grief and Indignation breath out Revenge post out Parties into every Corner of the Kingdom to apprehend the Assassinates and their Complices
which they performed with such care and diligence that within less than Forty days all of them are Apprehended Arraigned Condemned and Hanged only the Earl himself his Grand-child Robert and his Cousin Graham are more severely proceeded against to the terror of all Traitors the Executioners were to spend some part of three days in the Execution of Athol himself being the Contriver of the whole Villany The first day he was drawn in a Cart to the place of Execution a Crane was set up and his Body hailed up by a Pully to a great height is suddenly let fall almost to the Ground most of his Members at once miserably disjoynted then is he set on a Pillar in the view of the People a Crown of burning Iron set on his Head with this Inscription Here stands the King of all Traitors whereby came to pass the Delusion of a Sooth-sayer who told him which withal was a spur to his Ambition that in a publick place he should be Crowned King The second day he is tied on an Hurdle and dragged by Horse through the Great Street in Edenburgh The thrid day he was brought again to the place of Execution and laid along a Plank his Bowels are pulled out and cast into Fire prepared for them his Traiterous Heart is likewise pulled out and cast into the same Fire his Head cut off and set upon a Pole in a publick place of the City as a Spectacle to all Men his Body divided into four Quarters is sent out to four other chief Cities in the Kingdom and in publick places hanged up to the terror of all Traitors His Grand-child Robert being a Youth only and Seduced by the wicked Counsel of his Grand-father is more mildly dealt withall being first Strangled to death and then Quartered his Quarters are set as Spectacles in certain publick places of the Kingdom Grahan is more roughly used being though not the chief Contriver the grand Executioner of that dreadful Murther he was first dragged through the City in a Cart backward then his Hands being fastned in Iron Hooks fixed in the same Cart his Flesh all his Body over is Seared with hot Irons even to the very Bones this done his Body is cut in Quarters and disposed on as were the former A severe piece of Justice and well deserved What could recompence the loss of that Good King worthy to be reckoned amongst the best of Kings a Man of a low Stature but of a marvellous strength of Body far exceeding all his Contemporaries of such a vigorous Wit that he was eminently learned in all the liberal Sciences in Poetry and Musick he far exceeded the decorum of a King a prudent Lawgiver a singular Justiciary a Merciful Prince an incomparable Maecenas to all Learning in all his Relations and their respective duties no King no Man ever better and yet for all these it pleased God to suffer him to fall under the Cruel hands of wicked and bloody Men for what cause whether his own or his Peoples Sins is best known to him from whom no Secret thing is hid His Murther hapened to the inexpressible Grief of all good Men the 20th day of February 1437. the 18th Year of his Reign and the 44th of his Age. THE LIFE OF JAMES II. JAMES the Second only Son to James the First was Crowned at Halyrude-House in the 7th Year of his Age at the same time Sir Alexander Leviston is chosen Vice-Roy and Sir William Chrichton continued Chancellor The Nobility are no sooner returned home to the places of their ordinary Residence when behold all things fall into a most Pernicious Confusion Archibald Earl of Dowglas conceiving himself neglected in the publick Administration refuseth notwithstanding the Letters both of the Vice-Roy and Chancellor directed to him to that effect to Restrain the Insolent Robberies committed by his own Vassals all Anandale over commanding them withal to deny Obedience to the Edicts and Proclamations of the Chancellor or Vice-Roy pretending a Regal Power Legally invested in himself over all those who lived within the Confines of his peculiar Jurisdiction The same Divel of Division playeth his Prancks between the Vice-Roy and Chancellor the Vice-Roy dischargeth by publick Proclamation all Obedience to the Chancellor and the Chancellor by the like Proclamation all Obedience to the Vice-Roy The People thus perplexed between contrary Commands are reduced by their Opposite Powers in cases of necessary Disobedience to the one or other into a most woful Plight The Vice-Roy and the Queen stay at Sterlin The King the Tuition of the Chancellor abideth at Edenburgh Castle the Queen with a design to rescue the King out of the hands of the Chancellor repaireth to Edenburgh pretending a desire only to see her Royal Son the young King The Chancellor Entertaineth her Majesty civily and Princely which civil Entertainment the Queen very Graciously accepteth and by her fair and plausible Discourses concerning the State of publick Affairs the happy Education of the young King her Son and the earnest desire she had of an happy Union between the two grand Ministers of State She so far Insinuateth her self into the good opinion of the Chancellor that at all times she hath free access to the King's Person Her Retinue being such too as it was so small and of such mean Persons that no matter or Jealousie could arise from them In the mean while she secretly persuadeth the Child to suffer himself to be conveyed away by her and finding her opportunity overnight she very civilly and in a Courteous fashion taketh her leave of the Chancellor pretending a Journey early next day morning to Whit-Kirk to perform some Vows and Religious-Offices by break of Day she taketh her Journey and with her the young King her Son locked up in the Trunk in which her own Linnen lay both take Shipping at Leith and safely Arrive that Afternoon at Sterlin where they were received with much Joy The Chancellor amazed and ashamed to see himself so handsomly cheated perplexeth himself to little purpose The Vice-Roy forthwith advanceth with an Army to Besiege the Castle of Edenburgh where the Chancellor lay who immediately dispatcheth a Messenger to Earl Dowglas to crave Aid and Relief who returneth Answer with as little Wit as Fear saying That he knew they were both Knaves contending not for Publick Good but their own private Interests so that wherever the Blow fell it was not lost and should they both Perish it were the more happy for the whole Kingdom as to himself he should not be sorry to see the Ruine of them both This Indiscreet Answer proveth as so much Soder to Cement the two grand Contenders either by perceiving the Earl his common Enmity against both resolve to make Peace one with another which after a private and personal Conference was accordingly done both remaining in their respective places of Government Being thus Reconciled they bear a keen Edge towards Dowglas but Death struck more sharp than their Sword cutteth
necessary if possible to prevent the Conjunction of Dowglas and Hammilton to that end he advanceth to Linlithquo where the Hammiltons were drawn together Dowglas then at Edenburgh marcheth with all possible expedition bringing along with him to countenance his affairs the person of the King who all along retardeth the journey accounting Lennox more his Friend than those with him pretending indisposition of Body ever and anon dismounteth making shew to pay some necessary office to Nature Dowglas frets and in vain spending many entreaties for expedition at length George Dowglas Brother to the Earl is so peremptory with him as in most Rebellious terms to tell him That rather than their Enemies should get possession of his Person they would rend him in pieces and divide him in halves between them This Traiterous word made an indelible impression on the heart of the King though at present silence was his best and only return At last the Armies joyn Lennox and his Patty are put to the rout many slain the Earl himself killed bewailed of all Hammilton and Dowglas both mourn for him above all the King is afflicted the remnant of his Party with sorrow and grief enough submit and are all forced to compound for their Treasons as was pretended in bearing Arms against the King the Earl of Cassils refusing to submit was way-laid and killed by one Hugh Campbell Lennox his Death divulged maketh a very deep impression in the hearts of most men especially his own Retainers one of his Servants resolveth with himself to avenge his Lord's death on the Person of the Bastard Hammilton by whom Lennox was killed To that end he repairs to Edenburgh and on his way meeting with one of his Fellow-servants he asked him saying Didst thou see Hammilton the Bastard Yea said he I saw him and hast thou not killed him unthankful Wretch who murthered our Dear Lord and Master said the Fellow Go and be hang'd thou art not worthy to live and with these words he pass'd on in his way and came streight to Holyrude House where in the Pallace-Yard stood Two thousand Armed men all Retainers to Dowglas and Hammilton there the Fellow walks full of Revenge and waiting the opportunity to execute the desire of his heart Hammilton unawares comes in his way without Arms the Fellow falls upon him in the Penthouse under the Porters-Lodge and wounds him in six several places of his Body the Armed men are all presently in confusion and well nigh in one anothers blood The Hammiltons suspecting this bold attempt to be done by the Dowglasses newly only reconciled to them to avenge some old Quarrels The Fellow is at last apprehended who had opportunity fair enough had he attempted it to escape with his Sword in his hand still smoaking with Hammilton's blood he is forthwith hurried to Tolbnith boldly professing that what he did was to revenge the death of his Dear Lord declaring with inexpressible confidence that he was sorry for nothing but that he was disappointed of his design so bravely begun by him he is put to Torture for the discovery of such as animated him to that bold attempt his Flesh is seared with burning Irons which he endured with such courage and resolution as no man could spy either by his words or by his countenance or otherwise any the least sense of pain in him at last his Right Hand was cut off which he endured without shrinking calling out to such as stood by That unhappy Hand well deserved this punishment which executed not the design of a Resolute mind The Dowglasses think themselves now secure enough no man daring to oppose them in any thing But in the midst of their security the King makes an escape from Faulkland to Sterlin there the Nobility from most parts of the Kingdom fly to him by whose advice his Majesty issueth out an Edict inhibiting the Dowglasses any further medling in publick Affairs discharging them or any of their retainers under pain of Death to come within Twelve Miles of the Court this Edict being served on the Earl in his Journey towards Sterlin he retreats to Edenburgh and prepareth Forces for his defence A Proclamation issueth from the King to call a Parliament to Assemble November the 3d. in the interim his Army advanceth towards the City Dowlas withdraws The King peaceably entreth the City Terms of Peace are offered to the Dowlasses viz. That the Earl himself should confine himself on the North of Tay his Brother George and his Vncle Archibald to the Castle of Edenburgh The Conditions are refused they are Summoned to appear before the Parliament they disobey the Earl himself his Brother George his Uncle Archibald and his dear Friend Alexander Drumond of Carnock all by sentence of Parliament Banished all People charged under pain of Treason not to relieve them the Dowlasses break out into open Violence Arguile is sent to reduce them to order whose advance they prevented by flight into England The King spendeth some time with great care and charge in suppressing the Depredations then very great on the Borders which Expedition over he establisheth the Court of Sessions formerly indeed set on foot by the Vice-Roy the Duke of Albany Constituted of Fifteen Judges of the most learned of the Law impowred to hear and determine all Civil Causes a very grave Court continuing in great Honour and deserved Respect in that Nation to this day About this time King Henry of England prepareth for War against the Scots irritated thereunto by the Scotch Exiles and Refuges in England King James having Constituted the Earl of Murray his Vice-Roy prepareth for Defence by Mediation of the French then a common Friend to both Peace is concluded King James sends Ambassadors to France to treat concerning his Marriage to a Daughter of France The King of England to prevent it sends the Bishop of St. Davids and William Hrward Brother to the Duke of Norfolk Ambassadors into Scotland to invite King James to a Personal Conference with himself whereunto he is soon persuaded by the great Promises they made of Marriage to Mary the King 's eldest Daughter if all other things succeeded well in the Treaty The Scotch Council especially the Clergy fearing Innovations in Religion then set on foot by King Henry are much troubled that his Majesty had consented to this Conference they ply him with continual surmises of Ruine to Himself to the State to Religion should this Conference hold the King is over-ruled and observeth not the day appointed but forthwith Saileth into France and is immediately espoused to Magdalen Daughter to Francis King of France the Marriage solemnized on New-years Day 1537 and both arrive in Scotland about the end of May following within six Weeks after the young Queen Dyeth to the inexpressible grief of all the Nobles put on Mourning Apparel not before that time in use in that Kingdom Immediately after David Beton Cardinal and Robert Maxwel are sent to France to demand Mary of the
Inricheth many and admitteth others into his most Secret Counsels But all this cannot serve his turn their Guilt they thought was greater than could be forgiven this Gangreen'd in their thoughts every day so deadly an enemy is Guilt and Fear being always companions and come to that height that the King's Life and their Safety cannot consist his Ruine is therefore contrived and resolved on the want of a Popular Leader is a main Rub in their way The Prince himself is thought the fittest to countenance this horrid Design His Keepers are corrupted The young and unwary Prince seduced and to their Proposition he must yeild otherwise they deal plainly with him to tell him that he and the Regal Power both must be delivered into the Hands of King Henry of England Thus the young Prince is frighted from all Duty and Loyalty to his Dearest Father to countenance as Commander in chief a most Traiterous Combination of perverse and seditious Men An Army is forthwith raised in pursuance of their Design The King prepareth for Defence useth all honourable means for Peace and by mediation of the Earl of Athol his Uncle soliciteth for it the Rebels return an Answer telling him That unless he resign his Crown to his Son and depart the Kingdom there could be no Peace This Answer the King dispatcheth to his Ambasladors in France and England requiring them to request the Assistance of both King 's in this common cause wherein all Kings are concerned who accordingly send their Ambassadors to the Scots declaring their proceedings against their King to be Wicked and Pernicious and not to be endured by Christian Princes so much concerned in such a dangerous Example The Pope is likewise sent to to interpose his Ghostly and Paternal Power who accordingly sendeth to his Legate Adrian de Castello an Italian the great Restorer of the Latine Tongue then in England forthwith to apply himself to Compose the Scottish troubles but all in vain as being too late the Rebels Army presseth towards the King's Incamped by Blackness and to make all sure they Assail him as well by Fraud as Force Some of his Council about him are corrupted so are likewise some of his Commanders in Martial Affairs especially the Governor of Sterlin the Key of the Kingdom the corrupt Council about him with fair pretences perswade him to appear on the head of his Army and to forsake the Castle of Edenburgh where he resolved to secure himself until he heard the result of Foreign Counsels assuring him that Sterlin then in the Rere of his Army and in the hands of Faithful Men was a place of no less security for his Person than was Edenburgh Castle and of far greater advantage to receive Recruits and all other accommodations for his Army having the benefit of the Countrey behind him and his Navy not far from him This Counsel was so fair and promising that even such as were faithful to him perswade him to it and according to this advice the King repaireth to Sterlin the Governor Sey perceiving the Rebels Army pressing after the King 's Traiterously refuseth Entrance to him The poor King is now in a Pound and with his small Army is forced to Fight his Majesty behaveth himself very gallantly and routeth the Van of his Enemies but their Reserve regains all the King's Army is overthrown himself dismounted and wounded privately flyeth into a Mill hoping to get into his Navy but the fatal hour approacheth some of the Rebels discovering him pursue after him and impiously Murther him and all the faithful remnant of his Servants about him Thus died King James the Third a good and peaceable Man every way well disposed but plagued by the Ambition of restless and unquiet Spirits who Traiterously sought and wrought his Ruine The Battel over and no news of the King the Rebels supposing that he had gained his Navy send to Sir Andrew Wood chief Captain of the Ships Seton and Fleming being left Hostages in the Navy Sir Andrew appeareth before the Chief of them called the Prince his Council being demanded whether his Majesty was aboard the Navy and what those Boats were that passed to and fro before and after the Battel Stoutly replyed that his Majesty was not aboard for which he was the more sorrowful and as to the Boats they transported himself and other faithful Subjects to the King's assistance conformable to the duty of their Allegeance whom alone they were resolved to serve were he alive to be benefited by their service but now being Slain in Battel by some barbarous Rebels they resolved to avenge his Death to the last drop of their Blood having sufficiently declaimed against the wickedness of that horrid Rebellion and all engaged in it he is remitted safely to his Navy by reason of the Hostages given in pledge for him The Rebels retreat to Edenburgh where notice is given to them of the King's death the news whereof pierces the heart and soul of the young Prince now when too late sensible of his Error and sadly resenting his great unhappiness and above that his deadly sin in being accessary to the misfortune of his dearest Father causeth a stately Funeral to be solemnized for him at Kammiskeneth an Abby nigh Sterlin where his Corps were Interred and for himself he prepared an Iron Chain with which he begirt himself wearing it all the days of his Life about his middle close to his Skin in testimony of the deep sense he had of his sin adding yearly one Ring thereunto not so much to enlarge it as to remember the sad occasion of it THE LIFE OF JAMES IV. JAMES the Third thus unhappily fallen under the hands of merciless Men his Son James Succeedeth and entreth his Reign Anno 1488 who sorrowful enough if in such a case any sorrow can be enough for his Father's Fall which could not be recovered laboureth to compose all Differences and to reunite the two grand Factions in order to a peaceable Reign to which end having the Castles of Edenburgh and Sterlin Surrendered to him a Messenger is sent to Sir Andrew Wood Captain of the Ships to call him to attend his Majesty's pleasure the publick Faith being pledged for his safety the Captain repaireth to Court the King with inexpressible sorrow and immoderate grief regretting what was past and representing the present dangers of the State by the unhappy Divisions of the Kingdom he prevaileth with the Captain to submit to him and to take Commission from him to reduce five English Ships roving and robbing all along the Coast which with small loss and trouble he performed assisted only with two Ships the English Ships are brought from Dunbar where the Conflict was to Leith and their Captain presented to King James who munificently rewarded Sir Andrew for this gallant piece of Service In the mean while the Nobility who were Loyal to the late King send their Messengers to their Friends adjuring all such as had any sense of their present
Family of the Guise Widdow of the late Duke of Longoville in Marriage to King James the Marriage is agreed to the Year following she arriveth in Scotland and the Marriage solemnized at St. Andrews 1538. This Year exemplary Justice was done upon divers Persons of Quality conspiring the Death of the King some the Year following were Burnt some Banished for embracing the Protestant Doctrine Preached in Germany by Luther and others James Hammilton the Bastard accused of High-Treason is sentenced to Death his Head and Quarters affixed to publick places in Edenburgh the King soon after thought in his Dream that Hammilton cut off first his right and then his left Arm threatning withal to appear again to take his own Life the King awaking is very much troubled with thoughts of this Dream and revolving with himself what might be the meaning of it a Messenger comes to him with the sad News of the Death of both his Sons at the same time the one at Sterlin the other at St. Andrews King Henry of England sendeth the second time to invite King James to a Conference at York the Scotch Clergy still oppose it and the Conference again refused King Henry in great Indignation against his Nephew for refusal of Conference with him resolveth to talk with him in harder Terms and to that end he raiseth an Army and sendeth it into Scotland and under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk The Scottish Ambassadors in vain intreating a Cessation King James prepares a considerable Army for defence the English enter into Scotland and after some mischief done at the approach of the Scotch Army they retreat the Lord Gordon marcheth before the main body with Ten thousand Men doing much hurt and annoyance to the Rear of the English Army King James with all earnestness presseth an Engagement with the English the Nobility peremptorily oppose him in it the King enraged upbraideth them with Cowardise unworthy to be owned as Sons of their Noble Ancestors vowing that though they should all desert him himself and his own Family alone should give the Enemy Battel The Lord Maxwell to pacify the King tendereth his Service to lead into Cumberland Ten thousand Men thereby to divert the Enemy The King accepteth his Service but being enraged against the whole Nobility he resolves that none of them should have the Honour of any thing done in that Expedition and for the cause giveth a Dormant Commission to Oliver Sinclare Brother to the Lord Roslin Having entred Cumberland and now in view of Five hundred English Horse Sinclare produceth his Commission it is read at the head of the Army Maxwell is thereby inraged the whole Army falleth in Mutiny and in such a confusion that they become a Prey to the Five hundred English Horse divers of the Nobility and the new General Sinclare are sent Prisoners to the Tower of London this dishonourable Disaster which hapned at Solway strikes the Valorous King with such grief and sorrow that he never after joyed but soon after departed this Life having first made Peace with King Henry at whose request he recalled Archibald Earl of Angus Thus dyed King James the Fifth a Prince of singular Endowments most patient of Cold Hunger and Travel sometimes setting on Horseback Twenty Four hours when the necessity of his affairs required it a great Justitiary and a person of singular Foresight and Wisdom THE LIFE OF QUEEN MARY QUeen Mary was the only Child James the Fifth her Father left to Inherit the Crown born to him not above eight days before his death James Hammilton Earl of Aran is therefore chosen Vice-Roy to whom King Henry of England sent his Ambassador Sir Radolph Sadler to procure Peace between the two Kingdoms and to demand Mary in Marriage to his Son by the influence of the late Prisoners in England especially the Exiled Dowglasses whom King Henry had wrought much to his Service by his Royal Favours whose Counsels were now very prevalent in the management of publick affairs both were assented the Contract of Marriage Signed and Pledges promised for better performance of all Conditions agreed upon notwithstanding of the Opposition of the Queen and Cardinal who fearing the Subversion of Popery still established in that Kingdom by this agreement endeavour what they can to cross all Tumults are stirred against the English Ambassador and daily Affronts put upon his Attendants in the Streets the Ambassador complaineth and demandeth the Pledges promised for confirmation of the Agreement lately made exemplary Justice is executed upon the chief movers in the Tumults in answer to this Complaint but the Cardinal by the influence of his power had so obstructed the matter of his demand that not one of the Nobility would yield up himself voluntarily a Pledge to the English and to such a business none could be compelled King Henry hereby provoked seiseth all the Scottish Ships in the English Havens and Harbours and proclaimeth War against the Scots in the mean while the Queen Mother sendeth to France to entreat the French King to send home Matthew Earl of Lennox to strengthen her against the English Faction otherwise Religion and the French League were like to come to nothing Lennox is sent home and forthwith levieth Four Thousand men and with this strong guard cometh to the Queen the Vice-Roy inferior in Power sends Commissions to treat for Peace by agreement the young Queen is committed to the Education of Four Indifferent Noble Men ingaged in neither Faction viz. the Lords Graham Areskin Lindsay and Leviston and accordingly they take charge of her at Sterlin where all the Nobility do Homage to her The Vice-Roy joyneth himself wholly to the Cardinal which Conjunction so inrageth Lennox that immediately he flyeth to Arms raiseth an Army marcheth to Leith and provoketh the Cardinal to Fight the Cardinal keeps himself close in Edenburgh Castle Lennox through want of Provisions is forced to withdraw and to put himself in a posture of Defence in and about Glascow King Henry hearing of these Stirs sends into Scotland to demand the custody of the young Queen until she came to years fit for Marriage The French Faction now prevailing his Demands are refused An Army is therefore forthwith sent into Scotland under the Conduct of the Earl of Hereford and a great Navy of Two hundred Sail under the Command of Viscount Lisle as Admiral The English enter the City of Edenburgh without resistance first they Pillage and then they Fire it and divers other Towns and Villages about it the like fate befel the Town of Leith and forthwith they return to England laden with Spoil The Queen Mother writeth to the French King and layeth all these mischiefs at Lennox his door as the only enemy of their Peace and Union by reason of his private Feud against the Vice-Roy for the death of his Father At her Request Lennox is recalled to France but finding the French King provoked against him he still keeps to his posture of Defence
Subscribed the King and Queen promising the Restipulation of their Protection which was accordingly done Murray only refuses to Subscribe the Bond and gets leave to go into France having first set some on work again to Embroyl the State and to Blow up the Coals of Rebellion the chief of them were the Earls of Arguile Morton Marre Athol Glencarne and the Lords Lindsey and Boyd but Arguile Repents him of the Confederacy returns to his Obedience and discovers the whole Design to the Queen The others adjoyning to themselves the Lord Hume and others of the South on the sudden they raise an Army of Two Thousand Horse and closely Besieged the Castle of Borthwick wherein the King and Queen lay who next day happily Escaped the Queen putting her self under the disguise of mans habit came to Dunbar where they Secured themselves in the Castle and thither resorted divers of the Loyal Nobility Gentry and Commonalty for the Safety of the Queen who resolves to Advance with her Forces towards Leith to disturb her Enemies then ranting at Edenburgh They hearing of the Queens measures forthwith March and nigh Musselburgh came in sight of the Queens Forces The Armies lying in View of each other and ready to joyn in Battel the French Ambassadour interposeth himself and endeavours a Pacification assuring the Lords of the Queens Gracious Inclinations to them and that she was ready to Pardon and Pass an Act of Oblivion for all that was past They Insolently Replyed That they came not to Crave her Favour Nor said Glencarn to Ask Pardon but rather to give it The French Ambassador seeing no hopes of an Accommodation retires to Edenburgh the Queens Army begins to Divide and grow Mutinous the Queen sends a Messenger to the Conspirators desiring them to send William Kircady the Laird of Grange to whom she purposed to make some Overtures of Peace and in the mean while no Acts of Hostility were to be offer'd Kircady is sent and the Cessation Agreed to Bothwell returns to Dunbar and the Queen offers to come into the Adverse Army assurance being given her That her Army should March off and Return without Molestation to their several Homes or respective Habitations They Accord to this and the deserted Queen very debasingly Attir'd comes into the Rebels Quarter where she was entertained with such Scorn and Contempt with such Vile and Opprobrious Language from the Soldiers as is neither Tolerable not Fit to be mentioned One Banner they had Contrived with the Picture of the Dead King and the Infant King James by him with this Inscription Judge and Revenge my Cause O Lord This they carried upon Two Spears before her wherever she went until at last her Spirits over-burdened with Grief sank under it and she dyed away and being revived and refreshed they renewed their Insolencies towards her and in Triumph carried her into Edenburgh all bespattered with Gore and Reproach and her Face so bedaubed with Dust and her own Tears which she had plentifully shed that she was indeed a most rueful and deplorable Spectacle to behold and all who had any sparks of Loyalty or Sense of Duty in them are much Afflicted at the Sight that Night she was sent to Craigmillars Lodgings who was then Provost of the Town the next day she is Conveyed by Ruthen and Lindsey to Lochlevix Castle a Place Encompassed with waters on every side for nigh well a Mile Bothwell during the time of the Queens Discourse with Kircady makes his Escape first into Orkney and from thence into Scotland The Conspirators send to the Imprisoned Queen and require her to Resign the Crown in Favour of her Son and to name Guardians for him during his Minority the distressed Queen is forced to yield to all that they had Confidence to Demand She was through Fear and Flattery induced to a Resignation of the Crown under her Hand subscribing the Writ with Tears flowing from her Eyes the Tuition of her Young Son is Committed to James Earl of Murray John Duke of Castle-Roy to the Earls of Lennox Arguile Athol Morton Glencarn and Marre James Earl of Murray is by this time returned from his Retirement in France and by these Lords he is Chosen Vice-Roy and the Young King now Two Years of Age is Crowned at Sterlin Murray is Confirmed in his Government as Vice-Roy in a Parliament Assembled August 25. and the first Essay of his Power is against Bothwell who now lay lurking with some few Ships about Orkney Kircady is sent against him who upon Intelligence fled into Denmark and there miserably ended his Days but with his last Breath Cleared the Queen of all Consent Privity or Knowledge of the King's Death as did also Hephorn Paris Daglish and other Servants of Bothwell that were put to Death by Murray for the Murder who upon the Gallows charged it upon Murray and Morton as the Conspirators with Bothwell Some Ambassadors arrive in Scotland from England and France and desire Admittance to the Queen but are peremptorily denyed it by the Vice-Roy the hard Usage of the Queen and the Insolence of that Ill Woman the Mother of the Vice-Roy was such that many even of her Enemies who knew the Truth of it were bowed into a Compassion towards her and began to contrive some Expedient for her Liberty which the Queen her self not long after by her own Wisdom and Prudence brought to pass Guarded and Watched she was by the Vice-Roy's nearest Allies and trustiest Servants his Mother and Three Brothers which were of another Father had the Charge of her in a Place impregnable and out of which an Escape had been impossible considering the breadth of the Lake that encompassed it had not God turned the hearts of some of her Enemies towards her such was her Deportment in that grievous Restraint and her Meek and Chearful entertainment of all Affronts put upon her by the Vice-Roy's Mother That one of the Sons Half-Brother to the Vice-Roy endued with some Principles of Ingenuity and in whom were some Remains of Loyalty out of a sense of Duty towards the Queen begs her Pardon for all past and her Favour for the future promising his Service in order to her Freedom A Boat is forthwith prepared and with a few that were made privy to the Honest Design the Queen escapeth April 5. 1568. the Guard in vain endeavour to pursue after her all other Boats about the Castle being by the Contrivers of the Escape made unserviceable the Queen safely Arrives on the Shore where Lord Seaton with some few Horse were ready to receive her the first Night she is Lodged privately at Nudrie in West-Lothian and from thence the next day she goes to Hamilton where a considerable Number of the Nobility and Gentry meets her in Arms and a great many of her Enemies Revolt from the Vice-Roy and return to their Obedience The Vice-Roy forth with Advanceth with an Army against her and in a Battel at Landside near Glascow the Queens Forces are