by reason of his non-adherence a Divorce issueth out and the former Marriage declared Null The Divorce published the young Lady is Married not without her great grief and reluctancy at the King 's special and peremptory Command to James Earl Hammilton the issue of which unhappy Marriage proved in most after-Generations an unhappy Annoyance to the Crown by whom she had James and Margaret The Lord Boyd out-lives not this Disaster dyeth with Grief at Antwerp where the Duke of Burgundy erected for him a most stately Tomb thus in a trice fell the flourishing Family of the Boydes a real Instance of the instability and vanity of the World These Stirs over the Peace is renewed with England and at home Disturbances not many nor great But this Calm lasted not long Fears and Jealousies the bane of all States disturb all and like an evil Spirit divide between the King and the Nobility Affairs standing thus his Majesty useth the Counsels of some Knights and Gentlemen in whose wisdom and integrity he confided much this enrageth the Nobility yet more and as if this had not been afflictious enough his younger Brother John conspireth his Death by the means of wicked Sorcerers for which Treason he is condemned to Dye by the opening of a Vein which accordingly was executed Alexander the other Brother suspected conscious to this Treason is Committed to Edenburgh Castle from thence he Escapeth and Saileth into France where he takes to Wife the Daughter of the Earl of Bononia Ambassadours are again sent from England to renew the Peace and to Ratifie the same by a new Affinity of an inter-marriage between James Son to King James and the Lady Cicilie Daughter to King Edward to be Solemnized so soon as both come to age fit for Marriage in the mean while a part of the Dowry to be paid down and in case the Marriage happened not to be Consummated the same to be repaired to the English These things were all happily concluded but the more was the pity not very long observed Dowglas an old Exile and Alexander the King's Brother by this time come over to England perswade King Edward to War against the Scots and on the other hand King Lewis of France incites King James against the English King Edward levieth Twenty thousand Men pretending to vindicate some Wrongs done by some late Inroads made by the Scots and under the Command of the Duke of Glocester accompanied with divers Noble Men amongst whom was Alexander Duke of Albany they March Northward King James prepareth an Army for defence advanceth to Lawder not far from the Borders where the discontent of some of the Nobility breaketh out into Violence against the King's Counsellors they Surprize them in the Night and drag most of them from the King's presence and are all by special influence of the Earl of Angus Sir John Ramsey only except immediately hanged in the view of the Army their great Crime save that some of them were advanced to the dignity of Noble Men was the Coyning of Brass Money in use many days before and continueth in that Kingdom to this day The truth is the King's Favour to them and their Faith to the King was their greatest Treason After this Disaster the Army dissolveth the King returneth to Edenburgh with no less Fear than Grief and Indignation The Duke of Glocester advanceth to the Gates of Edenburgh leaving Four thousand of his Army to Besiege the Castle of Berwick the Nobility in this distraction raiseth an Army to stop this Current Alexander Duke of Albany with the consent of the Duke of Glocester goeth over into the Scots Army where the Command in chief so handsomely was the Game played is immediately transferred to him a Treaty immediately set on foot by agreement Berwick is immediately surrendered the Duke returns to England and a Truce for certain Years appointed King Edward having seen so many late strange Mutations in England and fearing the like fate to King James which had happened to some of the English Kings viz. the ruine of his Family sendeth an Herald to Scotland and at Edenburgh proclaimeth the late contract of Marriage between the two young Princesses to be void demanding the repayment of that part of the Dowry paid King James being now at more liberty than before repayeth the Money not without some Indignation Duke Alexander perceiving that his Majesty's Eye was upon him and that his traiterous Design to compass the Crown was discovered flyeth privately into England and betrayeth the Castle of Dunbar to King Edward the Parlinment declareth him Traitor pardoning all his Associates after pardon granted Chrichton Son to the late Chancellor keepeth Correspondence with the Duke is summoned to answer disobeyeth and is Banished The Duke and Earl Dowglas both Exiles resolve to try their Fortune and Favour of the People return to Scotland with Five hundred Horse the Country riseth against them after a bloody Conflict nigh Lough Maban the Duke is overthrown and escapeth Dowglas is apprehended and sent Prisoner to Lindores By this time King Edward of England dieth and committeth his Son Edward the Fifth to the Tuiton of his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester the Duke impiously Murdereth his two Nephews and setteth himself on the Throne Immediately he sendeth his Ambassadors to Scotland to treat for Peace King James in detestation of their Master refuseth them Audience at last with much ado Audience is granted no Peace could be obtained a Truce only for three Years concluded by reason of the King 's own unsetled condition Soon after this Truce King Richard is killed at Bosworth Field Henry the Seventh obtaineth the Crown and cometh in Person to Newcastle from whence he sendeth his Ambassadors to Scotland Richard Fox Bishop of Exeter and Sir Richard Edgcombe they are Honourably received their Master and the matter of their Embassy which was Peace both indear them to King James who very freely told them that there was nothing he desired more than Peace though he durst not promise a lasting Peace with England by reason of the restless and unquiet Spirits of his Nobility which he heartily bemoaned to them adjuring them to conceal from his Nobles the carnest desire he had of Peace from which he knew they would be the more averse finding him bent towards it and in fine he prayeth them to rest satisfied with a Truce for Seven Years promising that before the determination thereof he on his part should be ready to renew it Seven Years more as one passionately desirous to live in peace with the English all his Life This Answer is returned to King Henry and a Truce accordingly for Seven Years concluded In the mean while Alexander Duke of Albany dieth in France leaving behind him two Sons Alexander and John afterwards Vice-Roy in Scotland King James now promiseth himself some quiet the Original of all his troubles removed and in order thereunto he Proclaims a general Pardon receiveth his Enemies into Favour Honoureth some
last the English obtain the Victory 4000 French and Scots killed amongst whom were John Earl of Buchan Archibald Earl Dowglas his Son the Earl Wigton and divers other eminent Persons the Duke of Alenson and many great ones are taken Prisoners a great Victory and bought at a great price the lives of above 2000 English lost on the place The Scottish Parliament thinketh it now more than high time to endeavour the Liberty of their King Ambasladors are sent to that end and are honourably Entertained by the Duke of Glocester then Governing all in England in the Non-age of his Nephew The Scots demand their King the Duke adviseth the English Council to Treat with them A great Ransom is demanded The Scots having no other remedy consent to Engage for it in lieu of one Moiety the Dowry of the Scottish Queen Joan Daughter to the Earl of Somerset a woman of singular Vertue and Beauty taken to Wife by the Scottish King at the earnest desire of the Duke of Glocester was detained and for the other certain Noble Men are sent Pledges an hard measure to an Infant Prisoner who it seems paid Dear for his Schoolgate And thus after his Years Imprisonment King James returneth Anno 1423 a Parliament is immediately called the King and Queen Crowned an Act passed for the payment of the 20th part of every man's Personal Estate for discharging the other Moiety of the King's Ransom Commissioners appointed to Collect it the People every where repine against it as unaccustomed to such Impositions some Great ones hunting after the vanity of Popular Applause cherish their Discontent which the good King perceiving remitted the Tax finding out another Expedient to discharge his Ransom In the same Parliament divers of the Nobility are Imprisoned for high Misdemeanors The King immediately releaseth them only Mordake Duke of Albany his two Sons and his Father in Law the Earl of Lenox remained under restraint and by Sentence of their Peers the usual manner of Trying Great ones in that Nation are adjudged to Death for their manifold Treasons and were accordingly not without the vigorous influence of Atholl their Uncle Beheaded on the Castle hill at Sterlin The same Year came Ambassadors from France to renew the Antient League and to crave in Marriage Margaret Daughter to King James for the Dauphine of France Lodovick Son to Charles the 7th both propositions are chearfully assented unto and the Ambassadors after much honourable Entertainment return satisfied the King forthwith bendeth himself to a Reformation and great need there was for as once in Israel so now in Scotland when there was no King every man did what seemed good in his own Eyes whereby the Kingdom groaned under the greatest Confusions and Disorders that could be the Civil Estate after much pain and trouble is at last reduced into some tolerable Condition Heads of Rebellious Factions men some taken off some Imprisoned some in hope of amendment pardoned Oppressions suppressed Roberies restrained and promising foundations laid to prevent such Insolence in time to come Amongst those pardoned in hope of Amendment Alexander Lord of the Isles was one a Great man and of a restless Spirit no sooner enlarged than he beginneth to meditate Revenge for his Imprisonment as short as it was He raiseth an Army of 10000 men falleth down to Ennerness burneth the Town to the ground and layeth Seige to the Castle the King sendeth an Army against him he raiseth his Siege flyeth to the Mountains maketh a stand about Lough Aber resolving to run the hazard of a Battel in those places of advantage two great Clanns Clan-Chaton and Clan-Chameron revolt from him many others are suspected by him in this fear he disbandeth his Army and with a few Attendants he flyeth into the Isles from thence he sendeth his Orators to the King to implore his Pardon nothing could be obtained though the Messengers were gracious enough to their Sovereign Alexander himself is required to appear in Person before the King committing himself wholly to his Majesty's mercy the Rebel conscious of his own Guilt is much perplexed nevertheless considering his present condition how desperate it was resolveth to fly to Mercy and privately repaireth to Edenburg where then his Majesty was On Easter-day Morning he Addresseth himself to Court covered with a Flaxen Frock he prostrateth himself before the King as he past to Divine Service with a most humble and penitent Oration he beggeth Pardon and Restoration to his Majesty's Favour and that for his sake whose restoring to Life they that day Celebrated The Time the Place the Habit his mournful Oration move at present to Compassion especially the Queen who became a most earnest Mediatrix on his behalf the King delayeth his Answer to the end of Divine Service which being performed his Majesty resolving neither absolutely to Pardon nor condignly to Punish for security of the Peace Alexander is sent Prisoner to Tamtalion and his Mother as the great Instrument of all his Pernicious ways is sent to St. Colmes In revenge of this Imprisonment Donald Maloc a Great man in the Isles breaketh out in a new Rebellion for Suppressing of whom the Earls of Marre and Caithnes are sent Donald Surpriseth them and putteth Caithnes and most of his Army to the Sword Marre happily escaping puft up with this Success Donald marcheth to Loughaber the King goeth out in Person against him Donald having done much Mischief in the Countrey flyeth into the Isles Divers Heads of Clannes undertake to Suppress him notice whereof being given to that Arch-Rebel he privately conveyeth himself into Ireland many of his Associates are killed 300 of them taken Prisoners are sent to the King all without exception of any deservedly Hanged which exemplary Justice proved happily to preserve those Barbarous places in Peace for a longer time than could be expected As his Majesty shewed his Justice in the Case I now mentioned about the same time he gave a manifest of his Mercy in enlarging two notable Robbers Duffe and Murray being enlarged they quarrel one with another Cull together their Retainers maintained on the Spoils of the People and being 1200 on each side furiously Engage in a bloody Conflict such Execution done on both sides that not above to on the one and 9 on the other side escape alive Notwithstanding all which Disasters Mr. Donald a notorious Robber breaketh out into an open Rebellion after some Mischief done Mr. Donald is apprehended himself Beheaded and twelve of his Associates Hanged Before his Execution the Law of Retaliation is by the King 's special Command executed upon him A poor Widdow pillaged by him threateneth him with resolution to repair to the King for Redress and I will fit thee for thy Journey said the Rogue he calleth for a Black-Smith and commands him to Nail to her Feet two Horse-Shooes go on saith he now these will preserve thy Feet from bruising the poor Woman dissembleth her resolution and is dismissed Mr. Donald being
oppressions not to be so stupid as to endure the Usurped Power of those Men who breaking through all the Laws of God and Man Murthered the last King detaining upon the matter this present King under the bondage of their own Wills which tyranny was so much the rather not to be endured because they arrogated to themselves to be called the Restorers and Preservers of the Scottish Liberties when indeed they exercised a most cruel and unsupportable Tyranny keeping their fellow Subjects in Slavery and abusing the King's Authority to the final destruction of all those who were faithful to his Father and to inflame the affections of the People the more Alexander Forbese chief of that Family carrieth on the point of a Spear through Aberdeen and all the cheif Towns and Cities in the North the King's Shirt torn in divers pieces and all bloody by the Wounds his Majesty received inviting all Men who had any sense of Humanity or Religion to avenge that horrid Murther the Earl of Lennox bestirring himself on this side Forth to the same purpose an Army in this Popular fury rolleth together as in a moment marcheth to Sterlin where finding the Bridge Fortified resolve to Foard over some Miles above where they that night Encamped without Order or Watch or any persons designed for the exercise of Military Discipline This looseness is bewrayed to the Enemy who advanceth Surpriseth all Killeth many and Imprisoneth more some of whom were afterwards put to death Thus was this tumultuary Army as suddenly ruined as raised This Tumult over King Henry of England inraged at the disaster of his five Ships and looking upon it as a publick dishonour propoundeth great Rewards to all such as would undertake to bring to him Wood the Scotch Captain dead or alive Sir Stephen Bull undertaketh the Service and with three choice Ships of the English Navy setteth Sail casts Anchor at the May where he attends Captain Wood then returning from Holland in few days Wood appeareth the Ships draw up and give Fire Fighting bitterly all that day next day morning the Conflict is renewed they Grapple and fasten by Iron Hooks their Ships one to another fighting with that eagerness that none of them perceiving the motion of the Tide all are carried over to the Mouth of Tay where the Water being shallow and the English Ships great and in danger of the Sands the English are forced to yield the Ships are brought to Dundee 10. August 1490. Sir Stephen Bull and other the most eminent Officers and Gentlemen are brought to King James by whom they were Nobly entertained after much commendation of their Valour he grants them their Liberty desiring them to return with their Ships with a tender of his Royal Respects to their Master King Henry King Henry much pleased returneth thanks to King James declaring the great Esteem and honourable Respect he bare to him for his Royal and extraordinary Munificence By this time a Parliament is called in Edenburgh where his Majesty endeavoured by all possible means a Composure of the grand Divisions of the Kingdom some Laws are enacted for preservation of the Peace and the late unhappy Battel nigh Sterlin where the King was Slain is so hudled up that the business of that Day should never after be remembred to the Prejudice of either Parties a very strange Close considering that this Convention was composed most of such as opposed the former King The moderation and discretion of the young King not yet arrived at the Fifteenth Year of his Age was such that a Concord is made up far above all means hope or expectation every man had a dutiful regard to so hopeful a Prince Being thus setled the reflections of his Grace appear daily more evidently towards his Fathers Friends two of his own Cousins Daughters to his Aunt Mary he bestows in Marriage to two Eminent Men amongst them the one Daughter to the Lord Boyd to the Lord Forbese the other Daughter to Earl Hamilton to Mathew Earl of Lennox And to Manifest the deep sense he had of his Father's Fall he begirt himself with an Iron Chain as I have mentioned before which galled the hearts of the Rebellious Faction his pretended Friends more than it did his own Flesh though it made impressions therein deep enough insomuch that Fear more than Love restrained them from breaking out against him About this time a strange Monster was born in Scotland a Male Child which from the Navel downward differed nothing from the common form of other Men but from the Navel upward there were two distinct Truncks of the Body with Head Arms and all other Members as to two several individual Persons the Faces were one towards another what the one did was by the advice and consent of the other and if either transgress'd this Rule Strife arose between them and peradventure Blows oftentimes Scratching Nipping and Pricking one another if they received a Punch or Blow below the Navel both were sensible but if above where their Members were distinct only he was sensible whose parts were touched This Monster King James carefully educated and caused them to be instituted in the knowledg of Letters wherein they marvellously profited especially in the knowledge of diverse Tongues they were most exquisite in Musick and both admired for the sweetness of their voices they lived some twenty eight years the one died before the other some three or four Months by the smell of the defunct body the survivor was much annoyed and daily languished until the hour of his death And about the same time too a Monstrous Cheat came into Scotland and much cherished by the King too Peter Werbeck who pretending himself to be Son to King Edward the Fourth of England happily escaped from the cruel Claws of his Uncle Richard had admittance to King James his presence who behaved himself with a behaviour so beseeming his condition and in a most elocuent Oration did so pathetically deliver himself touching the distress of his Family and his own marvellous preservation that the King and most of his Council though not without the reluctancy of some of the wiser took compassion of him and resenting his condition as the common interest of all Princes with incredible in consideration promise him assistance towards the regaining of his just Rights provoked the rather as was pretended to satisfie such as opposed Peter's design by the breach of Truce made by the English Ships whilst Scotland was gasping under the confusion of a Civil War indeed the late horrid Rebellion in which James the Third perished Peter is highly honoured and exposed to the People by the Title of the Duke of York a most vertuous and beautiful Lady Katherine Daughter to Earl Huntley one of the chief Peers of that Nation is given to him in Marriage an Army is likewise levied and marcheth into England passeth quietly through Northumberland no adverse Army appearing nay nor any one Man coming in to own Peter the pretended
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
the thread of his Life in a Fit of a burning Feaver which notwithstanding cutteth not off the current of their Malice which unhappily found a more advantageous passage by the imprudent Deportment of William the young Earl his Son a Youth not exceeding fourteen Years of Age who living in a Princely garb creating Knights Counsellors and other Officers and always guarded with a Guard of Two Thousand Horse is suspected and feared of all and as an addition to his Envy as well as Greatness he sendeth to France and craveth the Title of his Grand-father which was forthwith granted to him and is immediately declared Duke of Tyron and which added more to all Mens fear and jealousie the Queen and the Lord James Stuart her Husband and his Brother William are suspected to be Engaged in Dowglas his Faction The Vice-Roy glad to snatch any opportunity against the Queen whom now he Suspected to be none of his Friend secureth her Person and not contented to secure her Husband and his Brother in a strong Prison he layeth them both fast in Iron Fetters where they remained until they found sufficient Sureties for the Peace engaging withal that they should not bear any publick Office without consent of the Vice-Roy The Vice-Roy now not a little puft up ruleth all things at pleasure contemning the Chancellor and all other Officers of State the Chancellor not able to bear this Insolence withdraweth from Court then at Sterlin and retireth himself to the Castle of Edenburgh the Government whereof he had Confirmed to him at their last Agreement who meditating with himself what might be done to give Check to the Vice-Roy resolveth to surprize the Person of the King who he knew used to follow his sport in Hunting with a small Retinue to which end he marcheth out in the Night and lodgeth himself and a Band of his most trusty Friends amongst Thickets in a Wood whither the King came next day morning in course the Chancellor forthwith Surprizeth him beseeching his Majesty to be of good Chear and to rest assured that no other thing save his Highness Service and Safety was intended by him telling him that it was now high time for him to take the Government upon himself in order whereunto he came to Rescue him out of the hands of the Vice-Roy in which he lived not much on this side Slavery and withal with great shews of Respect and Duty he tendereth to his Highness a Guard of Four Thousand Horse The King seemeth not much displeased putteth on a chearful Counrenance and guarded with those Four Thousand Horse he cometh along with the Chancellor to the City of Edenburgh where he was received with extraordinary Acclamations of Joy The Vice-Roy no less confounded at this Surprisal than was the Chancellor at the Queen 's lately mentioned is extremely perplexed In Council after many Self-debates he resolveth at last not daring to trust himself to the Earl Dowglas upon all hazards to hast to Edenburgh with a small Retinue to try whether by stooping so low the Storm might pass over him to Edenburgh he repaireth and by mediation of the Bishops of Aberdeen and Murray Men Learned Pious and Prudent a Personal Conference is obtained with the Chancellor The Vice-Roy with a sad Countenance deploreth their unhappy Divisions declaimeth against them as Dangerous to the Publick and Destructive to their own private Interests he imploreth an happy Union between them without which they must both Perish promising on his part an Oblivion of all things past and all fair Respect in time to come The Chancellor well knowing that Destruction to both must needs be the Issue of the Divisions between them chearfully hearkneth to the proposition of Peace they presently accord and an Union is now the second time concluded between them and notwithstanding Distress enough to the People and Danger more than enough to the young King flowing from their divided Government these two cunning Catchers accord to continue still in their respective Trusts and places in Government upon this agreement a Parliament is called at Edenburgh for the better setling of the miserable distracted Conditon of the Kingdom To this Parliament Dowglas is Invited and by the advice of the Vice-Roy and Chancellor his inveterate Enemies now contriving his Ruine publick Letters are sent him Sealed by the King and divers of the prime Nobility inviting him with many Arguments of Love and Respect to assist in Parliament and in the publick Administration assuring him not only of Safety but tendering to him what Place he should desire in the management of publick Affairs The Earl moved by the publick Faith thus ingaged and by the specious Promises so Solemnly made repaireth to Edenburgh without Fear or Jealousie The Chancellor meeteth him before he came within ten Miles of the City and inviteth him to his Castle at Chrichton where he Entertaineth him magnificently in all his Discourse so highly commending the Noble Family of the Dowglasses their worthy Acts and high Deserts both of King and Country and so fully declaring the great hopes himself conceived of the young Earl himself that the Wiser of Dowglas his Retainers began to suspect some Mischief to lurk under the covert of those specious Words which they knew were no less unusual in him than unbeseeming his Place and Authority They dissuade their Lord with all Earnestness from his Journey towards the City intreating his return to his own House as he loved himself and if he must needs go they adjure him by all the love he bear to his Family and by all that reverence and obedience he owed to the Commands of his Wise Father who charged him on his Death-bed never to trust his whole Family under the hazard of one Blow that he would not carry along with him his dear and only Brother but all in vain his Destiny drives him no faster than he is willing to run to his own Ruine he entereth the City and is by the Chancellor attended to the Castle whither the Vice-Roy likewise repaireth and entertaineth him with all Civility yea and to Honour him the more he is admitted to the King 's own Table and feasted with no small Solemnity But behold amidst all their Chear and great Mirth a Band of Armed Men enters the Dining Chamber and a Bull 's Head is clap'd on the Table a certain Token in those days of an appointed and approaching Death the Earl is too late stricken with Fear and endeavouring to rise the Armed Men lay hold on him drag him down Stairs and without Doors immediately cut off his Head his Brother David and Malcombe Fleming his dearest Friend are at the same time and in the same manner Cut off The young King no less amazed than abused and stricken with immediate Sorrow weepeth as a Child though now grown well upward towards the years of a Man the Chancellor perceiving him Chides him very sharply for his unseasonable Tears as he was pleased to call them for the Death
The Vice-Roy marcheth against him and after some small bickerings Lennox retireth into England and is honourably entertained by King Henry to whom he tenders his Service in opposition to the French Faction then prevailing in Scotland of which his Majesty so well accepted that he gave to him in Marriage his Neice the Lady Margaret Dowglas Daughter to Margaret his own Sister and Wife to James the Fourth by her second Husband the Earl of Angus Lennox and his Friends most of them have their Estates confiscate The English re-enter Scotland Fire Jeeburgh and Kelso waste most of the Countrey thereabout and leaving a Garrison at Coldingham they return home with their Booty The Vice-Roy in the depth of Winter layeth Siege to Coldingham and all on the sudden retireth to Dunbar leaving his Army in which he durst not confide at the Siege by this unexpected desertion the Army falls into Confusion by the wisdom and valour of the Earl of Angus the Cannon and all other things belonging to the Army are safely brought off and carried to Dunbar Next Spring Thomas Duke of Norfolk is sent down with an Army to joyn with that on the Borders with a design to reduce all on this side forth to the Obedience of the English The Vice-Roy by the incouragement of Angus marcheth toward the Borders and at Ancram obtaineth a Victory over the English which Disaster much inraging the English King the Vice-Roy sends to France to crave assistance Three thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse are granted and sent under the Command of Sir James Montgomery by whose assistance the Vice-Roy marcheth in a Plundering Expedition within the English Borders and soon after Disbandeth his Army next Winter Montgommery returneth to France And now some Stirs begin by such as endeavoured some Mutations and Reformation of Religion George Wisheart having fallen away from Popery and embracing the Reformation begun in Germany is apprehended and at a Council of Bishops and some others held at St. Andrews is Condemned as guilty of Heresie The Cardinal sendeth to the Vice-Roy to desire the Law to be executed against him who wisheth the Cardinal not to be too hasty but to forbear a little which distasted the Cardinal not a little at whose command forthwith Execution is done upon him at Saint Andrews the Cardinal beholding the Tragedy from his Windows not without some Pomp which Wisheart perceiving said to the Governour of the Castle standing by him He who now insulteth over me shall in few days be tumbled over the same Window with more disgrace than now he setteth with state At the uttering of which words he is strangled to death and his Body burnt to ashes This fact of the Cardinal and the manner of his proceeding without the Authority of the Vice-Roy gave distast to many at last his Death is contrived and perpetrated by Norman Lisle Son to the Earl of Rothuse whose discontent arose from the refusal of a private grant which the Cardinal conceived not fit to be yielded to him Lisle calls some sixteen Consorts together to whom he discovered his intent craving their concurrence all was agreed unto the time and manner is appointed for execution over Night they come privately to St. Andrews and lodge severally in divers Inns to render themselves the less suspected next Day morning by break of day two of the Conspirators come to the Castle and being known Men the Porter openeth to them they enter and the rest follow streight the Porter is laid fast and all the Cardinal's Servants secured threatning them with Death if once they whispered which done they repair to the Cardinal his Chamber they knock the Cardinal admiring what this should mean that Strangers and none of his Servants should at such a season come to his Chamber-door refuseth to open Norman Lisle well known to him and a man much favoured by him protested they minded him no hurt at all but that they had a matter of great Importance to Communicate to him the dispatch of which required that their unseasonable coming to his Chamber the Cardinal trusting their Protestations openeth his Door they enter fall forthwith upon him and barbarously Murther him By this time News are carried into the City of the Surprisal of the Castle The Cardinal his Friends and Retainers immediately Arm beset the Castle threatning the death of all within if the Cardinal were not preserved alive the Murtherers told them it was too late and therewith cast his dead Body barbarously cut over the same Window from whence he beheld the Tragedy of the late mentioned Martyr George Wisheart which added not a little to the high Opinion the People had of Wisheart remembring the last words he spake concerning the Cardinal This Impious Murther highly provok'd the Court the Vice-Roy Summoneth the Murtherers to appear before him they refuse and are declared Traitors but they having seised the Cardinal his Treasure and having in their power the Vice-Roy his Son who then remained with the Cardinal and confiding in the strength of the Castle stand upon their guard The Vice-Roy layeth Siege to the Castle and after some four Months Siege in vain he withdraws his Force and returneth to Edenburgh to be present at Parliament then ready to Assemble and now behold the Judgment of God upon those Barbarous Murtherers they being formerly Men in all outward deportment not only Civil but Religious and reputed Men of tender Consciences give themselves now over to all manner of wickedness Murthers profane Swearing drinking to Excess and Whoring were things of course with them their wickedness came to this height The Vice-Roy too slow in avenging so much Wickedness layeth again Siege to the Castle assisted with some French Forces after much Battery they are content to deliver themselves to the French Admiral Monsieur Strozius upon Quarter for Life they are set on the French Shoar and disperse themselves all of them living ever after in great Misery are in their several turns pursued by the wrath of God to violent and untimely Ends. About this time the Duke of Sommerset now after the Death of King Henry the Lord Protector of England Invadeth Scotland with a powerful Army the Vice-Roy all on the sudden rolleth together Thirty thousand Horse and Foot to whom the English Protector sendeth a very fair Letter requiring their young Queen may be assured in Marriage to the young King of England according to former Agreement and for their better Security he demands the said Princess may be Educated not in any Foreign Country but at home until she come to such years as might inable her to make her own Choice Further desiring that in the interim there might be Peace between the two Nations and no treaty of Marriage admitted with any other Prince All which being granted the Protector promiseth not only to withdraw his Army but likewise to make reasonable satisfaction for all the hurt he had done to all which Proposals the Scottish Vice-Roy returns no Answer
the English Arms and Title of the Queen of England and Ireland during the Life of Queen Elizabeth Secondly That the Queen of England or her Heirs of her Body if such should happen should not do any thing to the prejudice of the Queen of Scotlands Title to the Crown of England Thirdly That a mutual Care may be had to preserve the Peace and Union of both Kingdoms These things happily concluded there was a fair prospect of a flourishing State had not the heart-burnings and emulations of the Religioso's of Scotland fermented and by the restless Tongues of their Preachers discomposed all their Settlement they who swell the least punctilio's that are disgustful to them into Enormous Crimes did not whisper but cry aloud that the Queens designs were all to reinduce Idolatry and Superstition the Earl of Arran contriving withal to get the Queens Person into his Power and Disposal the safety of her Person being the only rub in his way to the Crown But the Queen having timely Notice of all these Projects appointed a good Guard to Attend her Person which was maliciously intercepted by Adversaries as a Foundation preparatory to a Tyrannical and Arbitrary Government The Winter following the Queen knowing what influence her Base-Brother James had in the Affections of the People and Popular Ministers whose grand Patron he was and not Ignorant of his own Ambition is soon moved to Create him Earl of Marr and soon after Earl of Murray which highly displeased the Earl of Huntley the greatest Peer in the North conceiving himself and his Jurisdiction thereby prejudiced and proved the grounds of a great and lasting feud between them Moreover Anne Keith the Earl Martials Daughter is given him in Marriage his Greatness is not only Envied by the Gourdons but also by the Hamiltons who look upon him as a dangerous Competitor to the Crown mutual contrivances there are to Ruin each other the Hamiltons as it was suggested Conspiring the Death of Murray by the Wisdom of the Queen their Feuds are kept from breaking out into open Hostility only in the North a Skirmish hapned between Huntley and Murray in which Huntley himself was taken Prisoner and immediately dyed not so much with the Wounds in his Body as in his Mind his two Sons John and Adan are likewise taken Prisoners and carryed to Aberdeen John is there beheaded whose untimely death was much bewailed by the Queen Adam being very young is pardoned the Eldest Son George flies to Hamilton his Father in Law for Sanctuary who begs his Pardon of the Queen but by the prevailing Power of Murray who then over-ruled all young Huntley must be delivered up and is sent Prisoner to Dunbar from thence he is called to Edenburgh and there Condemned for Treason and returned a Prisoner to Dunbar In May following the Queen is Crowned in great State at Edenburgh and about Michaelmas after by the Queens favour and approbation Matthew Stuart Duke of Lennox after 22. Years absence returns to Scotland and hath his whole Estate restored to him to the great content of the Queen the next Spring his Son Henry the Lord Darnly also arrives a man of a very comely and proper Person and behaves himself in the Court with such Civility and Prudence that the Queen with small Arguments was induced to cast her Affections upon him and to accept him for her Husband in order whereunto he is first Created Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Ross and at last in despight of all the opposition that Murray could make by the instigation of Queen Elizabeth against it who to prevent the Marriage sent Sir Nicholas Throgmorten to Require Lennox and Darnly to return to England upon pain of Confiscation of their Estates the Marriage is Solemnized at Edenburgh July 28. with consent of most of the Nobility and by the publick Herauld Henry and Mary are Proclaimed King and Queen of Scotland this Marriage uniteth Hamilton and Murray who with Arguile Glencarne Rothes and others Combine against the present Proceeding and upon the Summons to return to their former Obedience they all refuse and are Proclaimed Traitors the King and Queen advance to Glascow with an Army of 4000 men and upwards the Rebels stay at Paisley not wholly Unanimous in their Counsels Hamilton's Advice tending to no less than the destruction of the King and Queen ever inculcating in the Ears of his Complices ' That howsoever private Feuds might be otherwise compromised yet the Enmity of Kings could not any other way be extinguished but by their Death the rest of the Nobility knowing this to be an Hellish Design of his own out of the Ruin of the Queen to raise himself to the Throne of Scotland divide from Hamilton and retire towards Dumfreis and from thence they Fly into England About this time some Discontents unhappily arise between the King and the Queen and by the occasion of the ambitious and malitious surmises of ill disposed men the King is Enraged 〈…〉 Seigneur David a French man the Secretaâ—â— as an Instrument of Mischief between him and the Queen their Wicked Design to make the Breach greater between them not being discerned by the King he as being naturally too flexible and credulous is wrought upon to joyn with them in the Destruction of the Secretary On the Night appointed for that horrid work of darkness the King took with him the Earls of Morton Linsay and Ruthen besides five or six more Armed Men himself first entring the Queens Chamber and Ruthen following him he finds the Secretary set at Supper with the Queen and spying them he arose and the Queen offering to interpose he clasps fast hold about her wast who not knowing the Design cryes out but the King forcing David from his hold pacified her assuring her That there was no hurt intended her only the destruction of one Villain that was about her whom he runs through with his Sword and then they all drag his wounded Body into an outward Room and striving who should give him most wounds they cut his Body all to pieces The City of Edenburgh hearing of a Tumult at Court but altogether Ignorant what the matter might be put themselves suddenly into Arms and forthwith march to Holy-rood-house the Kings Pallace and the Guard being full of Armed men the King calleth to them out of a Window that there was no danger attending them himself and the Queen being in health and safety he thanked them for their Care and Readiness and advised them for the present to return home peaceably to their Houses The Day following the Noble men who lately fled into England appear according to a late Summons they had received to Answer what should be objected against them no Judge Accuser nor Witness appearing against them they there protest their readiness judicially to Answer all things chargeable upon them every one returns in Peace to his own Lodging The Queen Accompanied with the King retireth to Dunbar and admitteth Murray and Arguile
into her Favour and Consult the raising of some Forces to avenge the Death of the Secretary Murther'd in her own presence the chief of the Murderers were fled into England others into the Mountains and of the meaner sort some were Fined some Imprisoned and some Executed Her Majesty soon after upon the 29th of June is brought to bed of a Young Son our Second Solomon James the Sixth and great State and Solemnity there was at the Christning where were present Three Ambassadors One from England and another from France and a Third from the Duke of Savoy but the King being out of the Queens Favour was not admitted to the Solemnity but repairing to his Fathers house fell Sick on the way not without suspition of Poyson there he continued languishing until the January following when the Queen went to visit him and all differences being made up he resolved though not well to return with her to Edenburgh where Lodgings remote from the Noise of the Pallace for Quiet Privacy and such like Convenience as it was said were provided for him but he had not stayed here above a Formight before his Lodgings were blown up with Cun-powder though it was supposed that he was Murther'd before in his Bed his Body being found in a little Garden by his Lodging in the Kirk-field within the City of Edenburgh Cloathed with nothing but his Shirt his other Cloaths and Slippers laid by him but not a Bone of him broken no bruise nor blackness was seen upon him nor any alteration of that kind appeared in his Body which was also free from all smell of Fire or Powder The News of this Murther amazed all and astonished the Afflicted Queen almost to Death then lying at Holy-rood-house and there was nothing but Sadness to be seen in the Faces of all men every one crying out upon Murray and Morton as the Contrivers of this Horrid Murther which Murray perceiving cunningly endeavoureth to transfer the Guilt upon Bothwell by the secret surmises of some whereof there were a great many of his Emissaries and causeth Papers to be scattered about the City for that purpose not without some Reflections on the Queen Bothwell sensible of the weight of this Burden thrown upon him earnestly Laboureth with Arguile the Justice-General of the Kingdom to Discover if it were possible both the Contrivers and Actors of the Horrible Murder all imaginable Enquity was made but nothing found Lennox at the instigation of Murray presseth the Queen to bring Bothwell to Tryal Bothwell receives Commands from the Queens Majesty to appear before the Justice General and a Jury of his Peers are appointed in Order to his Tryal upon the Twelfth of April the High Court of Justice meets and all Persons concern'd have due and timely Notice given them Bothwell is Empannelled and notwithstanding Lennox his Protestation against the hasty Proceedings of the Court alledging he had not time to prepare his Evidence Bothwell is Acquitted by his Peers but this Acquittance did not so much disburden him of the King's Murther as it loaded him with his Enemies Malice His Ruin and the Queens too are still contriving and as a more Politick Method than that of Slander Bothwell is Advanced in his Reputation and cryed up not so much by his Friends as his Enemies for a man of the greatest Gallantry in the Nation and in the Court he is Exalted to the Skies though amongst the Popularity by the same Authors debased to Hell The Queen her self made sensible of his Worth and the many Extraordinary Services he had done her begins to shew him more than ordinary Favour Murray tells the Queen That there was a Necessity for her to Marry and that to some Peer of the Realm of Worth and Valour Times being so Tumultuous and Stubborn that they could not bear the Government of a Woman far less of a Stranger and therefore she must not think of a Foreigner nay some Report that Murray himself whispers her in the Ear That Bothwell was the fittest the only Man indeed to make her an Husband Bothwell in the mean time put on by perfidious perswasions on all hands to attempt this Royal Match is much perplexed between Ambition and Fear durst not listen to it most of the Nobility subscribe an Instrument in which they declare their Desires and Assent to the Marriage with the Queen Protesting that they would maintain him in it with their Lives and Estares in despight of all who should oppose it and assuring him that the Queen her self would approve of what they had done This Instrument gave more Spirit to his Pride and his Ambition suggested to him that the Queen designed her Favours as Indications of her Love and Invitations to his belief of it whereupon he resolves with himself being now Divorced from his Lady to Attempt the Marriage of the Queen to that end he Seiseth on her Person in her return from Sterling to Edenburgh and with a Guard of 500 Horse carrieth her to Dunbar the Queen Enraged with his Rudeness Check'd him with all the Favours Conferred on him chargeth him with the highest Ingratitude and Disloyalty Bothwell with all Submission acknowledgeth his Offence beseeching her that nothing could have moved him to forget that Obedience and Reverence due to her Sacred Majesty save the Force and Impulse of Love not lightly begun but kindled and kindly Cherished by Sage Counsels and Desires of most of the Loyal Nobility The Queen more suddenly now surprized than before Expresseth her dislike of the Motion though with some abatement of her Wrath she being now under his Power from whence she knew not how to be delivered at present the Earl produceth the Instrument subscribed by the Noblemen declaring their desires and assents to the Marriage then the Queen thirsting after her Liberty with a more serene Aspect told him that nothing could be done in a matter of that Concernment unless she had her wonted Freedom and the Nobility Liberty of Access to her Bothwell perceiving that this was all that could be obtained of her takes off his Guard and honourably attends her to Edenburgh and the Queen peaceably resorts with a very Noble Train to the Council Chamber where most of the Nobility Advise her to listen to Bothwell whereunto when she had given her Consent by vertue of their Counsels and fastned her Affections upon him every where by the underhand dealings of its Contrivers the People are suborned and encouraged to Cry out against the Match but notwithstanding the Clamors of the People and the forwardness of John Craig Minister of the Parish who refused to publish the Banns and Protested against the Marriage it was Celebrated upon the Fifteenth of May in the Pallace of Holy-rood-house by Adam Bishop of Orkney after the manner of the Reformed Church And now their Enemies begin to appear more open Fac'd for the prevention of their designed Mischiefs the Queen desired the Nobility to renew their Engagement which they had formerly
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
of a Dangerous Traitour The Earl thus destroyed and without Issue his Cousin James succeedeth him in the Rights and Honours of the Earldom his Sister Beatrice enjoying whatsoever was not Entailed to the Heir Male James dyeth soon after his Son William Succeedeth and Marrieth his Cousin Beatrice to the great encrease of his Wealth and Power with which increased Pride and Insolence and with both Envy and Fear which the Earl perceiving resolveth to satisfie the People whom he had deeply Oppressed and to pacifie the King now come to Age whom he had highly displeased to this end he repaireth to Court submitting himself to the King whose Pardon he craved promising Amendment in all things done amiss the King receiveth him into Favour in hope of better things and indeed such was his Reformation that he was admired of all and dreaded of some especially the Vice-Roy and Chancellor knowing Guil and Fear being always inseparable Companions who suspecting and expecting the result of all his Counsels to be their Ruine they withdraw from Court laying down their Places in publick Affairs the Vice-Roy to his House in the Countrey the Chancellor to Edenburgh-Castle Earl Dowglas takes the opportunity of their Absence and by his Counsel especially both are Summoned to appear before his Majesty and great Council to give an Account of their publick Imployments both make shew of a great desire to obey but at present excuse their Non-appearance pretending Danger by reason of Earl Dowglas his Power and Enmity against them by Influence of the Earl his Counsel they are declared Traitours and their Estates confiscate Costersine a Retainer to the Earl is sent with Commission to levy their Personal Estates and to return them to the Exchequer which was accordingly done In revenge of all which the Chancellor raiseth some Forces first pillageth and then burneth Costersine his Estate and many Lands belonging to Dowglas himself This Quarrel occasioneth many Stirs in divers places in the Countrey At last Dowglas Besiegeth the Chancellor in the Castle of Edenburgh After nine Months Siege the Castle for want of Provisions is forced to surrender upon Articles of which this was the Chief A general Act of Oblivion to be past by the King in Parliament in behalf of the Chancellor and his Friends and leave to be granted to him to live in peace at his own House without Molestation of him or his This over Dowglas bendeth himself against the Levistons many of them are cited before the Parliament at Edenburgh all accused of Treason divers found Guilty Condemned and Executed Soon after Chrichton is reconciled to the King and by him made Chancellor again and sent Ambassador to France to renew the old League and to demand some Princess of the Blood in Marriage to the young King Mary Daughter to the Duke of Geldria by the Duke of Burgundy his Sister is forthwith Espoused and next Year after Arriveth in Scotland is Married to the King and Crowned Queen at Halyrude-House Anno 1449. By this time the Truce between the two Kingdoms England and Scotland determineth new Stirs begin and after some Depredations on both sides the Truce is renewed and continued for Seven Years but to very little purpose restless Men soon break the Peace the English break into Scotland spoil and plunder many places the Scots do the like in England the English raise a great Army to Invade the Scots under the Command of the Earl of Northumberland and one Magnus a Knight a Man of great Valour and Experience in War-like affairs The Scots likewise raise an Army under the Command of George Earl of Ormond Brother to the Earl Dowglas the two Armies joyn Battel between Anand and Eske in Scotland Magnus too daring a Man adventureth too far and falleth by his own rashness his Fall is the Ruine of all the whole Army runneth and is put to a satal Rout Three Thousand English killed and divers Prisoners of Quality a Rich Plunder obtained by the Scots with the Loss of 600 of their Men. This Overthrow enrageth the English a new Army is appointed to be Levied Civil Wars in England cross all An Ambassador is sent to Scotland to desire Peace Peace could not be obtained A Cessation of Arms only concluded and that with much ado for three Years Earl Dowglas next Year following desirous to see the Papal Jubilee travelleth through France with a Princely Retinue to Rome No sooner gone than whole troops of People Oppressed by him have their recourse to the King praying instantly and incessantly for Reparation of wrong done by him His Majesty is in a strait the Petitions being such as could not in Justice be refused and the Earl not being present could not in Justice be Condemned in the mean time the Earl his Proctor is called for to get in what Answer he could who refusing to appear is committed to Prison Many counsel harder things against him as guilty of high Contempt of Royal Majesty the King inclining to Moderation calleth for him out of Restraint and Commandeth him to Plead for his Lord freely and without Fear which the Proctor thus encouraged accordingly performed His Majesty having patiently heard all that possibly could be said adjudgeth reasonable Satisfaction to be made to the Oppressed The Proctor craveth respite till the return of his Lord The King adjudgeth present Satisfaction and to that end Lord William Sinclare Earl of Orkney and at that time Lord Chancellor is sent into Galloway and Dowglasdale to Commissionate Collectors to Levy my Lord's Retinue for Satisfaction of the Sums adjudged the Collectors all slighted and continued return home having done just nothing This inrageth his Majesty the chief Obstructors are sent for who refusing to appear are all denounced Rebels and Forces sent to reduce them to Order they fly to strong Holds against which the Party sent could do nothing the King marcheth in Person against them Maban Castle immediately Yieldeth Dowglas Castle reduced not without some loss to the King is laid level to the ground all the Faction at length submitteth and payeth out of Dowglas his Estate the Sums adjudged The Earl having notice of all these Troubles returneth from Rome much perplexed making a Pause in England until by his Brother he understood the King's gracious Affection towards him in the assurance whereof he Addresseth himself to his Majesty craving his Pardon for all former Miscarriages and promising all dutiful Obedience for the future is not only received into Favour but soon after declared Vice-Roy This extraordinary Grace is as soon forgot made use on to none other purpose save to advance his own Ambitious Designs whereof all Men were the more Jealous by his private withdrawing into England where he entertained a Clandestine Conference with the English King of which giving none other Reason save the Petition of some Plundred Goods the Scottish King is no less Enraged against him than Jealous of him and which the Earl understanding and knowing his Majesty's Clemency craveth