the next of the Womans blood should succeed the Scots gave their Daughters in Marriage to them But the Brittons who inhabited the South parts of the Island suspecting that this affinity between the Scots and the Picts might tend to their prejudice sent Ambassadors to the Picts perswading them to break with the Scots by this means the Scots suffered extreamly many of their People who dwelt among the Picts being surprized and cut off in Compensation of which they cut off as many of the Picts as they could catch thus they for a long time wasted one anothers Country with continual Incursions at last they resolved to put it to the hazard of a General Battle The Scots assembling in Argyle consulted what was fit to be done and considering that they had not only to do with the Picts but with the Brittons also therefore it was agreed to send Ambassadors to Ireland to have the Advice and Assistance of their old Friends and Progenitors in this Affair and finding that by having many supreme Captains Sedition and Division increased amongst them they resolve to elect one to have the supreem Government over the rest Their Ambassadors arriving in Ireland and representing their condition to Ferchard King of Scots he was much concerned at the wrongs done them therefore he sent his Son Fergus a wise and valiant Prince accompanied with many gallant Soldiers sending with him also the fatal Marble Chair for his incouragement Upon his arrival he called a Councel in Argyle where having made an elegant Oration he was by Unanimous Consent elected King of the Scots 1. Thus Fergus the first King of Scots was Crowned in the fatal Marble Chair which he brought with him from Ireland in the year from the Creation 3641. before the coming of Christ 330. about the beginning of the fourth Monarchy when Alexander the Great vanquished Darius the last Persian Monarch Soon after the Picts assisted by the Brittons invaded the Country against them the King most valiantly took the Field with his fierce Scots when the two Armies approached one another the Brittons stood off in Battle Array resolving that when the Scots and Picts had sufficiently weakened one another in Battle to break in upon them and destroy them both this by a Fugitive Britton was discovered to Fergus whereupon he desired an interview with the King of Picts wherein representing the eminent hazard that both of them were in by the Treachery of the Brittons after mature Deliberation it was determined that they both should convert their Arms against the Brittons this resolution was most pleasing no doubt to the Picts Wives to see their Husbands and their Fathers agreed The Brittons seeing this disappointment of their hopes break upon the Picts pillaging and spoiling at their Pleasure which when Fergus heard of he went against them and with the Assistance of the Picts he totally routed them killing their King his Name was Coil with many of his Nobles Upon this Victory the Nobles and Subjects agreed that Fergus and his Posterity should inherit the Crown of Scotland for ever whereupon Charters and Evidences were granted to them ratifying the same The Kingdom of Scotland being thus confirmed to Fergus and his Successors he with Advice and Consent of his Councel divided the whole Land then inhabited by the Scots among his Nobles and Captains making many Laws to repress Vice and Disorders Not long after he was chosen Arbitrator to determine some high Controversies amongst his Friends in Ireland whereupon he went thither accompanied with many of his Nobles and setled all their Debates But returning home he was by a tempestuous Storm driven upon a Rock in the Sea where he and all the Nobles in his Company perished this Rock is called after his Name Carrib-Fergus Thus dyed this brave and valiant Prince in the five and twentieth Year of his Raign to the unspeakable Grief and loss of his Subjects 2. Fergus being dead left two Sons behind him Ferlegus and Atainus neither of which were capable presently to manage the Government because of their tender years Whereupon a Convention was holden by the Nobles for electing of a King wherein some were for choosing one of the late Kings Children alledging that they were bound by Oath to continue the Crown in Fergus his Succession others aggravated the Danger both at home and abroad under the Government of a Child At length after a long Debate it was enacted that when it happened their King should dye the Heirs begotten of his Body being Children the nearest of the Royal Blood being the best qualified for doing of Justice should succeed and possess the Crown for his time and after his Death the former Kings Son to succeed without any impediment if he is found fit for Government This Law was in Force till the Reign of King Malcom the third Thus by this Law Feritharis Brother to Fergus the late King was chosen who begun his Reign in the Year of the World 3666. before the coming of Christ 305 Years from the beginning of the Reign of Scotland 26. Feritharis Reigned fifteen years with such Equity and Modesty that his Subjects found him an excellent King and his Nephews an excellent Tutor but at length Ferlegus having an itching after the Government and having got some loose young Men upon his side went to his Uncle and boldly demanded the Kingdom from him alledging that he enjoyed it only by way of trust during his Minority Feritharis upon this called a Convention of the Nobles where he willingly offered to resign the Kingdom in Favours of his Nephew but they being sensible how happy they had hitherto lived under his Government and knowing that the other was of a rude untractable disposition by no means would hear of it soon after there was a Conspiracy discovered against the Kings Person managed by Ferlegus and some others Whereupon he was presently arraigned and found Guilty but his Fathers memory his Uncles desire to the Parliament prevailed to have him pardoned and committed only to the keeping of some who were commanded to take special notice of all his Actions but he found a way to deceive his Keepers and make his escape he first fled to the Picts then to the Brittons where he spent the rest of his days in great Misery within a Month after Feritharis dyed not without Suspicion of being poysoned by some of his Nephews Accomplices which so inraged the Nation against him that his very Memory was hateful 3. Mainus Fergus his second Son succeeded in the Year of the World 3680. before Christ 291. After the beginning of the Reign forty one He was a noble Prince and a severe Justitiary he renewed the old League with Crinus King of Picts he dyed peaceably the 29th Year of his Reign 4. His Son Dornadill succeeded him in the Government in the Year of the World 3079. before Christ 262. after the beginning of the Reign seventy he followed his Fathers Foot-steps in Equity and Justice but was more
pressed mightily for Money alledging that his Revenues was not answerable to his Charges but his Nobles answered his demands in another manner then he expected for they presently degraded and imprisoned him Ardgad Captain of Argyle made Governor He dyed in Prison the fourteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 25. After him Ethod the first Sisters Son to Mogad began to Reign A. D. 163. He highly applauded Ardgad his Government keeping him still in great Trust with himself He sent him to the Isles to allay some Tumults that were beginning to stir which he did as he thought effectually but he was not long gone then they became worse than before wherefore the King sent him thither again where he was unfortunately killed this so inraged the King that he went thither himself in Person and made them soundly smoke for their Insolency Having composed his Affairs at home and abroad he began to give himself to ease but soon after he was killed in his Chamber by an Irish Harper whom he kept to make Musick to him the thirty third year of his Reign 26. Ethod having no Sons ripe for the Government his Brother Satrael succeeded him A. D. 199. He was so cruel that he made it his Work to cut off all the antient Nobility but was at length stabbed by one of his Courtiers the fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 27. His Brother Donald the first succeeded him A. D. 199. A Prince famous for Princely Endowments but especially in that he was the first King that imbraced Christianity in Scotland and gave it his Royal Sanction tho' for several years before his time the Gospel had it's Professors tho' not publickly owned he with the Concurrence of his Nobles made what Reformation he could yet could he not during his Life get the People weaned from their old Heathenish Superstitions In his time Sevesus the Emperor came into Brittain with a Prodigious Army intending no less than to Conquer the whole Island The Scots and Picts at his coming betake them to the Hills and draws him after them but his Army suffered grievously having as one Writes lost 50000. Men in that expedition at length they came to a Peace with him after which he built a great Wall reaching from Forth to Clyde Peace being concluded abroad Donald returned home and passed the rest of his days in Peace he dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 28. Ethodius the second Son to Ethodius the first succeeded Donald A. D. 216. A man of a foolish and cross Temper unfit to Govern that fierce People but his Nobles managed the Government prudently he at last was killed in a Tumult made by his Domesticks the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 29. His Son Athircus is made King A. D. 231. At first he gave great grounds of hope that he should prove an accomplished Prince but it proved quite contrary he turned extreamly profligate prostituting Noble mens Daughters to his Companions Upon which account one Hotholocus a Noble man conspired against him which he perceiving that there was no way to escape killed himself the twelfth year of his Reign 30. Athircus being Dead Hatholocus procured himself to be chosen King A. D. 242. A cruel and lascivious Tyrant being acquainted that Ethircus his Children were with the Picts he called the chief of the Nobility whom he knew to have been Athircus his Friends pretending he wanted their Advice in some matters of State whent he had got them convened in one place he caused them to be thrown in Prison and soon after executed Whereupon their Friends rebelled and the King going about to gather an Army to subdue them was killed by one of his Courtiers the eleventh year of his Reign 31. Hathalocus being thus dead Athircus his children are called home and Findochus the eldest of them set upon the Throne A. D. 253. a wise and valiant Prince his first Expedition was against Donald of the Isles who under pretence of revenging the late Kings death had raised an Army him he subdued forcing him to flee to his Ships where being hotly pursued he got into a small Boat which being over loaden immediately sunk and he perished yet his Son whose name was Donald keept up the quarrel against him Hindoch went with an Army entering the Islands wasted them so that they were left almost quite desolate Donald finding his weakness betakes him to treacherous courses and striking in with Carance the Kings brother they instigated two Ruffians to Murther him both which were tormented to death The 11 th year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 32. To him succeeded his youngest Brother Donald the 2 d A. D. 264. An excellent Prince while he was preparing to reveng his Brothers death he heard that Donald of the Isles had made an inroad upon Murray not in the quality of a Robber but of a King Where upon commanding the strength of the Kingdom to follow him he went against him with those forces he had in readiness which Donald hearing of took such tedious marches that he was close upon the Kings Camp before any was a ware which obliged the King to fight but the inequality of their number was such that the King was defeated most of his men killed himself being wounded with several of his Nobles were taken He dyed the third day after partly of his wounds and partly of Melancholy the first year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 33 Donald Lord of the Isles usurped the Crown A. D. 265. excercising much cruelty none dared to oppose him having so many of the Nobility his prisoners whom he threatned upon every provocation to kill At length Crathelinth Son to King Findochus who having lurked long with his Nurse and was believed to be dead having gathered a few subtil men together went directly to Donalds Court who dissembling both his name and quality became in a short time very intimate with him but when he found his opportunity he put an end to the Tyrants days the 12 th year of his Reign conveying himself and his followers away undiscovered There was all this time a sore Persecution of the Christians under the Emperor Decius 34. Crathelinth was set upon his Fathers Throne A. D. 277. A Valiant and religious King He first caused all the late Tyrants Race to be Razed to the foundation for preventing the mischief might follow he also purged the Land of Superstitions planting the true Christian Religion This King having peace on all sides he addicted himself much to hunting one day as he was at his sport one of the Picts stole away a Dog in which he greatly delighted but the keeper of the Kings dogs being informed where he was kept went to take him and striving to take him by force was killed in the place which was the beginning of a sad war that lasted a long time but at last by
to account but were disswaded by one Colmar a Religious Monk who told them that Gods hand would soon be upon him which accordingly fell out For being at Hunting he was Bitten by a Wolfe which caused a dangerous Feavour of which he dyed declaring his sorrow for his former Life the eighteenth year of his Reign 55. To him Succeeded Malduin Donald the fourths Son A. D. 664. A wise and Religious Prince the Argyle and Lenox men much infested the Country by their Animosities between themselves the Leaders of the Sedition he put to death at this time the Plague had over spread all Europe whereof infinite multitudes dyed every where but the Scots and Picts were preserved from it This good King was strangled by his Queen upon suspicion of Adultery the twentyth year of his Reign She and her Servants were the next day burnt alive 56. Ewin The first Malduins Brothers Son Succeeded A. D. 684. Edfried King of Northumberland Invaded Scotland having the assistance of the Picts but they deserting him he was routed and ten Thousand of his men killed The next year Edfried Invaded the Picts they pretending to fly drew him upon an Ambush where he and all his Army were cut off The Scots and Britains also entering Northumberland so afflicted that King that he was never able to recover his losses Ewin dyed the fourth year of his Reign 57. Ewin the sixth Ferchard the seconds Son Succeeded A. D. 688. A Religious and Learned King he had neither certain Peace nor certain War with his Neighbours He dyed the ninth year of his Reign It is said that in his time it rained Blood for seven days over all Britan that also the Milk Butter and Cheese was turned into Blood 58. Amberkelleth Succeeded A. D. 697. At first he appeared a Sober Prince but he soon put of the Mask turning to all kinds of wickedness he was killed by the Shot of an Arrow in the night time the second year of his Reign 59 To him Succeeded Ewin the seventh his Brother A. D. 699. He made peace with the King of Picts and Marryed his Daughter who within a year after being with Child was Murthered in her Bed instead of the King by two Brothers of Athols who had Conspired the Kings death He was a good and Religious King he dyed the sixteenth year of his Reign 60. Ewin A little before his death recommended to the Nobles Mordach Amberkeleths Son who was chosen A. D. 715. An Excellent Prince he procured Peace over all Britain he repaired many decayed Churches and built the Monastery of Whitehorne He dyed the sixteenth year of his Reign 61. To him Succeeded Etfin Ewin the sevenths Son A. D. 730. A Religious King and severe Justitiar being aged after that he had Reigned 30 years he elected four Regents viz. the Thanes of Argyle Athole Gallaway and Murray to govern his Subjects but their Government was greivous He dyed the thirty first year of his Reign 62. Ewin the Eighth Mordachs Son Succeeded A. D. 761. His first work was to put to death Donald Lord of the Isles and the Earle of Galloway for their cruelty in the Late Kings latter days But he himself afterward degenerating into all Vices was killed by his Nobles the third year of his Reign 63. Fergus the third Etfins Son Succeeded A. D. 764. He Married Ethiolia Daughter to the King of Picts who having several times admonished him of his adulteries at last with the help of some of his familiar Servants strangled him and being accused thereupon confessed the fact and presently stabbed her self to the Heart with a Dagger The King was buried in Icolmkill the third year of his Reign 64. Solwath Ewin the Eighths Son Succeeded A. D. 767 A Valiant Prince He was much troubled with the Gout of which Donald a Bane Captain of the Isles taking advantage proclaimed himself King of the Isles breaking also in upon the Continent made great Havock but at length was by Duchal Captain of Argyle and Duchal Captain of Athol beset in a Wood where their was no way to Escape their he and all his followers were cut to pieces This good King dyed of the Gout the twentith year of his Reign 65. Acaius Etfins Son Succeeded A.D. 787. He made a new peace with the English and Picts finding that the Irish intended to make war against him because of a slaughter that was committed in Kintire upon some Irish Robbers yet he sent Ambassadors to Ireland shewing how little ground they had to denounce war and how little it would tend to their Honour to revenge the quarrel of a pack of Thieves but they not giving ear to his peaceable message presently Rigged out a Fleet which was not two Nights at Sea when it was utterly ruined by a storme which made the Irish now supplicate for a peace upon any terms which the King readily granted He soon after made a League with Charles the great King of France and Emperor of Germany which continues inviolated to this day For the corroboration of which Achaius sent his Brother William with Forty thousand Valiant warriours to assist the aforesaid Charles in his Wars against the Infidels where he purchased great Fame being commonly called by the Princes of France The Knight without Reproach Before this time also some Learned Men passed from Scotland unto France among which Johannes Scotus who was Charles's Tutor was singular for his Learning who together with Clemens another of his Country men Founded the University of Paris Achaius Marryed Fergusian Sister to Hungus King of the Picts who bore to him one Son called Alpine who afterward Succeeded to be King of Scotland and Heir to the King of Picts King Achaius dyed the thirty second year of his Reign 66. To him Succeeded Congal his Cousin German A. D. 819. He Governed peaceably for five years 67. Dongal Salvatius's Son Succeeded A. D. 824. who having settled the peace at home sent his Embassadors to the Picts demanding the right of Succession in the name of Alpin Son to King Achaius being there own King dyed without Succession which they refusing to do Dongal denounced war against them but he Unfortunatly Perished in a Boat as he was passing over the river of Spey in the seventh year of his Reign 68. Alpin Acaius's Son succeeded A-D. 831. A Valiant Prince he led the Army which was raised by Dongall against the Picts to assert his Title to their Crown wherein a most bloody Battel he with his own hand slew Feredech their King then they Elected Brudus his Son who was killed the first year of his Reign in a Tumult raised by his Subjects His Brother Kenneth succeeded to him who coming with an Army against the Scots rent off his Coat of Armour and fled to the Mountains where he was shamefully killed by a Country man not knowing who he was whereupon the Picts Elected Brudus a fierce and valiant Prince to be their King who sent his Ambassadors to Alpine desiring
means of one Caransius a Roman who was afterward King of Britain they made peace King Crathelinth passed the rest of his days in peace and dyed the 24 year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 35. To him succeeded his Cousin German Fincormach A. D. 301. A Prince both Pious and Valiant he Joyned with the Britains against the Romans and after a most Bloody battel routed them pursuing them as far as Yorke Having procured Peace abroad he wholly applyed himself to the utter extirpating of Idolatry In his days fell out the ninth Persecution under Aurelius and the tenth under Dioclesian which gave occasion to many Christians from divers parts of the Empire now a second time to flee to Scotland for refuge as they had done once before under Domitian Among those Fugitives who fled thither for shelter from the general Massacre were many excellent men in Piety and Learning whom the King not only did kindly receive but also imployed to assist him and his council in the further setling of Christianity in his Dominion and in the total Extirpation of Idolatry out of it which was so much the harder work because of the Druides the principal false Prophets and Idolatrous Priests of those days who not only by their subtil Hypocrisy and sence pleasing Divine service but also by a cunning forcast having drawn into their hands the hearing and determining of Civel affairs had so gained upon the spirits of the Poor and Simple people that they could not imagine how to be without them and live The resolute care and labour of this gracious King and his Council together with the help of these Pious and Learned men prevailed at last utterly to overthrow and abolish the Groves with the Alters under the Oaks and all Idol service and to Establish the pure worship of God in all places of his Dominions filling the Rooms of these false Prophets with Godly and Learned teachers among the people which was done in all places throughout the Kingdom but especially in the Islands which those Pious men took for their particular abode as being most fit for a retired life and namely in the Isle of Man the King caused a Church to be built to the honour of our Saviour these Holy men were for their labouring so much in Gods worship called Colidei or Culdees This good King dyed in peace the 47 year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 36. Romach brothers Son to Crathelinth after a hot debate by the assistance of the Picts possessed himself of the Throne A. D. 348. But proving a cruel Tyrant he was killed by his Nobles the 3 d year of his Reign in his time Christianity began in Ireland 37. Augustian Another of Crathelinth's Brothers sons succeeded A.D. 351. a Valiant and peaceable King The late Kings associates not thinking themselves secure fled to the Picts whom they instigated to make War upon the Scots in revenge of Romacks death Augustian hearing of their purpose sent to Hertanus the King of the Picts acquainting him how dangerous a War betwixt them at that time might prove The Romans and Britains being so apt to take advantage of them when they are low but all would not do whereupon he went against them with his Forces and quite Defeated them killing many of their Nobles Afterward they renewed their strength and came to the Wood of Camelon where the King of Scots with his Army lay where they fought a most bloody battel on both sides both the Kings were killed with many of their Nobles in the third year of his Reign He was buried in Dunstaffage without Succession 38. Fethelmack The youngest of Crathelinths Brothers Sons Succeeded A. D. 354. A Valiant Prince he scarcely Reigned two years when having raised an Army he went against the Picts and gave them a most fatal overthrow killing their King in Battel he was afterward Trayterously murthered in his bed by two perfidious Picts who insinuated themselves into his favour with the assistance of an Harper the groans of the dying King being over heard by his Servants they came rushing into the Room where they took the Villains in the very Act of their cruelty who were afterward tormented to death At this time St Andrews Church was built by the King of the Picts at the request of St Rewell he dyed the third year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 39. To him Succeeded Ewin the first Son to Fincormach A. D. 357. A Valiant Just and good King In his time the Romans resolving to be Masters of the whole Island and to destroy both Scots and Picts first Communicate to the Picts their purpose to Eradicat the Scots and that if they would be assistant therein they should enjoy all their Lands holding it of the Romans They as a base ungratefull people accepted the proffer So that the Scots had now to do with Romans Britains and Picts In the first Battel the Romans and the others were worsted but soon after the Romans renewing their strength with all their Adherents Eugen or Ewen upon the other hand convened all that could bear arms in his Dominions knowing they were to fight for no less then their Country and Liberty They engaged at the River Dun the Battel was most bloody with doubtful success for a while but at last the Scots being over powered with fresh supplies from the Romans were forced to fly leaving the King and his Brother with fifty thousand of their men dead in the Field They fled some to the Isles some to Ireland and Scandia they attempted several times to recover their Countrey but in Vain till at length the King of Picts dying the Roman Legat charged them that they should choose no other King but live under the Roman Government and by Roman laws when they saw this they became some what sensible of their folly and treachery to their best neighbours resolving at length to call them home and Joyne forces them that the one might recover their Country the other their Liberty 40. Echadius the Kings Brother upon the late fatal defeat finding there was no shelter for him in his Country departed with his Son Hutha and his Grandson Fergus to Scandia there they were kindly entertained In process of time Echadius and Hutha dying Fergus became a most Valiant man gained great fame in France and Pannonia To him the Picts sent Embassadors inviting him home promised there assistance toward the recovering of his Country which he readily accepted of and having arrived with a few Danes and Goths in his company the Scots likewise gathering to him he soon regained his Kingdom being Victorious against the Romans in many Battels at last he was killed in Battel by the Romans the sixteenth year of his Raigne and was buried in Icolmkill which was the burial place for the Kings till King Malhiscom Kanmors days having left the Kingdom almost in as bad case as he found it 41. To him Succeeded his son Eugenius the second A.
where at his Landing he overthrew Brennius and Cornellius who were Guardians to the young King of Ireland with their Nobles taking several Forts and Castles at last he laid Seige to Dublin where their young King was which after some resistance yeilded The King returning Conqueror from Ireland dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign by him the City of Aberdeen was built 74. Donald the sixth Constantine the seconds Son succeeded A. D. 894. He was a Religious and good King fit for either War or Peace he had some Ingagments with the Danes and sent Assistance to the King of England against them toward the latter part of his days he was troubled with Intestine broils for the Murrays and Rosses invading one another committed great Insolencies to quench this Fire the King came upon them with a great Army and taking the Leaders of the Faction put them to Death for an Example to others He dyed the eleventh year of his Reign 75. To him succeeded Constantine the third Ethus's Son A. D. 905. A Valiant but unfortunate Prince the perfidious Danes having broken their League with him joyned with the English but within four years they met with such measures as made them glad to return to the Scots Whereupon followed a hot and cruel War wherein Constantine found himself so unsuccessful that he resigned his Crown and betook himself to a Monastery where he dyed the fortieth year of his Reign 76. Malcolm the first Donald the sixths Son succeeded A. D. 943. A valiant Prince and severe Justitiar A Peace being made with England wherein Cumberland and Westmorland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland to be holden in Fee of the Kings of England this Prince passed the rest of his days in executing of Justice which he did with such strictness that some Villains in Murray-Land conspired against him where he was Traiterously killed the ninth year of his Reign 77. Indulf Constantine the thirds Son succeeded A. D. 952. A brave Warrior the Danes Landing in the North with a huge Army he went against them there in a pitch'd Battel he routed them but dyed himself in the Battel the ninth year of his Reign 78. To him succeeded Duff Malcolm the first 's Son A. D. 961. A Prince who much studied the Peace of his Country he went about his Northern Circuits where he kept his Courts severely punishing Malefactors coming at last to the Castle of Forress suspecting no harm was Traiterously murdered by the Captain and his Wife who were afterwards apprehended and put to a cruel Death 79. To him succeeded Culen Indulfs Son A. D. 966. Who having revenged the late Kings Death soon after became a most Flagitious and wicked Prince deflowring his own Daughters and Sisters He was killed by Rodard a Noble man at Meffen this Daughter he had deflowred the fourth year of his Reign 80. Keneth the third Duffs Brother succeeded A. D. 970. The beginning of his Reign was good executing of Justice severely finding his Nobles averse to deliver up ther Friends and Vassals who troubled the Peace to Justice he called a Convention of the States at Scone where having Clandestinely conveyed some Men in Arms where the Nobles were convened made them all Prisoners telling them that so it would be untill they did give up those Rebels to Justice they finding themselves thus hooked sent to their Friends to perform the Terms of their Liberation thus in a short time he had five hundred notable Thieves delivered up them he caused to be every one hanged upon Gibbets close by the Castle of Berth The Danes with a great Fleet of Ships Landing in Angus destroyed all before them till they came to Berth where the King and his Army ran-countered with them there followed a most bloody Battel the Scots beginning to give Ground were made to Rally by the means of one Hay and his two Sons who hearing as they were at Plowing not far from the Field that the Scots fled came each of them with a Club in his hand and renewed the Battel putting the Danes to flight there they were all cut off the King amply rewarded him giving him so much of the best Land in Scotland as a Faulcon off a Mans hand flew over which was six miles in length and four in breadth this was the Original of the Noble and Ancient Surname of Hay But that which darkned all this Noble Kings Acts was his causing Malcolm Prince of Scotland to be Poisoned making a Law that the Eldest Son or Nephew of the deceased Prince of what age soever he be shall succeed to the Crown with divers others Laws of the like Nature At last coming to the Castle of Felercarne the Lady Grof had the Kings Image in Brass in the midst of the House with a Golden Apple in his hand the King upon the Ladies desire pulling the Apple out of the Images hand was shot through the Body with an Engine that was made in it for the purpose He dyed the twenty fourth year of his Reign 81. To him succeeded Constantine the fourth Surnamed the Balde A. D. 994. He came to the Crown by Usurpation he was killed in Battel at Cramond in Lonthian the second year of his Reign 82. Grimus Duffs Son Usurped the Crown A.D. 996. Malcolm whose Right it was sent to the Nobles acquainting them how far he was wronged which Grimus hearing of caused the Messengers to be cast into Prison which was like to have been the beginning of a War yet they were seemingly agreed for that time by one Horthadus a Bishop but not long after his Vices being intolerable Malcolm was brought home from England who killed him in Battel the eighteenth year of his Reign 83. Malcolm succeeded to the Crown A. D. 1004. A Noble and Valiant Prince in his time Sweno King of the Danes being banished his Country and coming to Scotland was converted to Christianity and supplyed with Men for reducing his Kingdom yet to his great loss he soon after made War against Malcolm who utterly routed his Army several times This Prince was killed by a Conspiracy of some of his Nobles in the Castle of Glames the thirtieth year of his Reign the Conspirators flying in the Night chanced to pass over the Pool of Forfar upon the Ice where the Ice breaking they all miserably perished 84. Duncan the first Malcolm the seconds Grand-son by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded A. D. 1034. He was thought to be of too indulgent a Spirit for Governing that fierce and untractable People Bancho of whom are descended the Ancient and Royal name of Stewarts was in his time Thane or Earl of Lochaber He was Traiterously murdered by his Cousin Makbeth the sixth year of his Reign 85. To him succeeded Mackbeth Malcolm the seconds Daughters Son A. D. 1040. Altho' he came to the Crown by Treachery and Blood-shed yet he Governed for a time pretty moderately but at last brake out into all kind of Tyranny and Cruelty forcing his Nobles
his Ambassage was That the two Kings must have an interview at York this so startled the Church-men fearing that his Uncle might infect the King with the Opinions of the new Reformers that they opposed it with all their might Yet the King and his Council proposed that the Meeting might be at New-Castle which the Lord Howard would in no wise hear of but departed in a chafe King James having so many great Matches in his offer now resolves to accept of some one or other wherefore Sailing from Kirkaldie in ten days he arrived at Diep in Normandy and from thence to Vandosme where the Lady Mary of Burbon was but upon some considerations he setled not his Affections upon her though a great Beauty but went to Paris where he fell in Love with Magdalen Daughter to King Francis with her he was Married in the Church of Nostradam with great Solemnity and soon after Returned with her to Scotland but to his great Grief she Dyed within a few Months after and was Buried at Holyrood-House Not long after the King desirous of Succession sendeth David Beaton and the Lord Maxwel to France to propose Marriage in his Name to Mary of Lorrain In the mean time two Plots against his Life are discovered at Court one by John Eldest Son to the Lord Forbes who thereupon was put to Death yet the King was much Grieved afterward finding great probability that he was accused through Malice The other was Jane Doughlass with her Husband Archbald Campbel of Keepneeth who in the thoughts of many were as groundlesly Accused as the first yet both were found Guilty and Dyed for it The King's Marriage with the foresaid Lady being Concluded they are Married by Proxie and she Arrived in Scotland A. D. 1538. Soon after the Queen Dowager Dyed at Methwen and was Buried in the Charter-House of Perth Now began the Kingdom to be divided in Matters of Religion the Reformation breaking in upon them which perplexed the King exceedingly not knowing what course to take His Council was against violent Courses to be followed but the Prelates who had most his Ear gave him a quite contrary Advice after which most vigorous Inquisitions are established and Punishments denounced against all such as departed from Popery whereupon some are Burnt alive others Banished and many Imprisoned amongst which was that famous Poet and Historian Master George Buchanan who whilst his Keepers Slept escaped by a Window of the Prison the Muses holding the Rope The King of England having by this time so Irritated the Pope that he was Excommunicated sendeth again to his Nephew King James desiring an Interview at York the Nobility were clearly for it but the Church-men fearing their Bacon was as much against it pretending the hazard that his Person and Kingdom would be lyable to After long reasoning upon both sides it was agreed That the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Uncle but adhere to the first offer proposed to his Ambassador concerning this Interview which the King of England rather than his Sute should take no effect accepts But an Incursion which hapened upon the Borders made him that he lost all heart to the Interview hereupon he sendeth many Letters excusing his stay also representing his many Grievances and Wrongs thus were the Seeds of Discord again sown amongst them The reformed Religion by this time begins to be professed by many for the curbing of which the Prelates presents Sir James Hamilton natural Son to the Earl of Arran to be Supream Judge of the Inquisition which turned to his own Ruine for while he is vigorously Persecuting all such as were suspected of the reformed Religion having many in Jayles and multitudes in Scrolls to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the Supream Providence Arresteth himself For having a Process against James Hamilton Sheriff of Lithgow his own Couzen the said James Accuses him of High Treason for which notwithstanding all that the Prelates could do in his Favour he was Tryed Condemned and put to Death Not long after divers of the Nobility became to Favor the Protestant Religion which so perplexed the King that he knew not what to do he became very sullen and retired that he would scarce suffer his own Domesticks to come near to add to his perplexity as he lay in the Palace of Lithgow in the midst of the Night he leaped out of his Bed and called for Lights commandeth his Servants to search for Thomas Scot his Justice Clerk who he said stood by his Bed-side loaden with great Weights cursing the time that ever he Served him for by too much Obedience to him he was by the Justice of God condemned to everlasting Torments Soon after News came That the said Thomas Scot Dyed at Edenburgh much about the same Hour of the Night Another Instance of the same nature was Sir James Hamilton a little after his Death seemed to the King to have appeared to him in a gastly manner with a Sword in his hand with which he thought he cut off both his Arms advertising him he would come again shortly and be more fully revenged The next day after the Vision word came that both his Sons were departed this Life almost in one hour King Henry finding himself disappointed by his Nephew of their Meeting and understanding the Church-men to have been the occasion of it maketh Prizes of all the Scottish Ships that his Fleet could meet with by Sea and Incursions with his garrisoned Souldiers by Land King James directeth James Lermonth of Darsie to his Uncle to give sufficient Reasons for his not meeting him at New-Castle and to demand Restitution of his Ships King Henry not only refuseth to restore the Ships but also delaying the Answer of the Scottish Ambassador to gain time sendeth Sir Robert Bâ—wes seconded with the Earl of Angus and Sir George Douglass in hasty manner to invade Scotland These to the number of Three Thousand Burn and Destroy all before them till at last the Earl of Huntly with some Borderers meeting them at a Place called Valldanrigg quite routed them Killed many and took some Prisoners The next Summer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk towards Scotland with an Army of Forty Thousand Men accompanied with a great many of the English Nobility King James advertised of their coming Mustered an Army of Thirty Thousand Men on Falla-moor to Oppose them When the Duke of Norfolk understood that he was resolved to give him Battel choosing rather to make an honourable Retreat than give a doubtful Charge he retireth off the Scottish ground Whereupon King James encouraged his Nobility and Army to follow them and revenge old Quarrels The Nobles answered That to defend their Prince and Country they would hazzard their Lives or whatever was dear to them If the Enemy had stayed upon Scottish Ground they would either make them retire or Dung the Field with their Carcasses But to Invade England they did not think their Quarrel just
there was so cruel a Battle fought that Night drawing on both Parties retired but the Scots and Picts understanding that the Brittons had left the Field they returned to their Camp where they found great spoil which they divided by Law of Arms and returned home Victors where Ewenus spent the rest of his days in Peace he dyed the nineteenth of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 13. Durstius his two Sons who were the nearest of the Royal Line after Evenus his Death began to contend for the Crown in the mean time Gillus base Son to Evenus having got together some Villains for his purpose suppresseth them both and Murthers them then sets himself upon the Throne A. M. 3802. before Christ 79. after the Reign 252. But not thinking himself secure so long as any of Durstius his Posterity were extant resolved to take off his three Nephews who were in the Isle of Man the eldest two he caught in his Snare and killed but the third was conveyed away by his Nurse in the Night time and carryed to Argyle where she kept him for some years in a Cave for fear of the Tyrant who was at last killed in Battel in Ireland whether he had fled by Caldebus the Captain of the Brigrands the second year of his Reign 14. Evenus the second King Finnans Nephew succeeded in the Government A. M. 3894. before Christ 77. years a good Institutor he confirmed the Peace with the Picts having married Gethus the third King of Picts his Daughter he afterward overcame Belus King of Orkney in Battle who finding no way to escape killed himself He also built Innerlosher and Innerness he dyed in the seventeenth year of his Reign 15. Ederus Durstius his Brothers Son succeeded in the Year of the World 3911. before Christ 60. after the Reign 271. Bredus of the Isles Cousin to Gillus the Tyrant brake in upon the Country the King went presently against him and overthrew him and his followers and burnt their Ships he afterward assisted the Brittons against Julius Caesar in England where by his means a Glorious Victory was obtained he dyed in Peace the forty eight year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 16. To him succeeded Evenus the third his Son A. M. 3959. before Christ 12. This man came to such a height of Luxury that not being content that he took an hundred noble Women to be his Concubines he made an Act that every Man should keep as many Wives as he pleased so that he had an Estate to maintain them and another that the King should have the first Nights enjoyment of a Noble mans Lady allowing the Noble men the same priviledge from their Inferiors He was afterward taken in Battle and imprisoned where he was killed by a young Child the seventh year of his Reign 17. Mettallan's Nephew to Ederus succeedeed A. M. 3966. before Christ 4. after the Reign 326. A King universally beloved because that in his time there was universal Peace abroad and Tranquility at Home but yet he could not reduce his Nobles from the Riotous habit that they acquired in his Predecessors time he dyed Peaceably the thirty ninth year of his Reign 18. To him succeeded Garratacus his Sisters Son A. M. 4005. A. D. 35. He first composed some Tumults that were in the Isles upon the late Kings Death then assisted his Neighbours against the Romans Some report that in his time Orkney was conquered by Claudius the Emperor and the King and Queen of it sent in Triumph to Rome After many bloody Battles fought with the Romans he at last was desired by Vespasian to submit to them and he should be reputed a Friend to the Senate and enjoy great Honours to which he answered that the Kingdom of Scotland was as free to him as the Kingdom of the Romans was to Caesar he dyed Peaceably the twentieth year of his Reign 19. To him succeeded his Brother Corbred A. M. 4025. after Christ 55. after the Reign 385. The Islanders who almost in every Interregnum stirred up Sedition hoping for a Change therein divers expeditions quite subdued by him He suppressed Thieves going frequently from place to place doing Justice he dyed in the tenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 20. Corbred's Son being a Child the Parliament chused Dardan Nephew Metellan A. M. 4042. after Christ 72. there were great hopes had of him at first but within three years he degenerated and became an odious Tyrant murthering and destroying all the wisest and best of his Councellors and to compleat his Villainies hired a Ruffian to murther Corbred's two Sons who were in the Isle of Man but the Traitor being taken just ready to perpetrate the Villany was forced to discover the whole Plot Whereupon the Nobles Unanimously resolved to revenge the Treason but the King absconding himself and his Forces being defeated by the Nobles was at last taken and his Head struck off the fourth year of his Reign 21. Corbred the second Surnamed Galdus cometh next to the Throne after Christ 76. A Couragious and warlike Prince in his days the Romans had greatly inlarged their Borders for having quite routed the Brittons they went as far North as the River Tay and had probably gone further had not that Valiant warrier Agricola been called home by Domitian who envied his Success he was no sooner gone but Corbred came with an Army and made a great slaughter among the Romans pursuing them from one place to another till at length they were glad to beg their Peace which was granted upon very Honourable terms Corbred having spent the rest of his days in Peace dyed the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 22. Luctacus succeeded his Father Corbred Anno Dom. 110. A most Flagitious man given to all kinds of Lewdness and Cruelty which his Nobles perceiving at a Convention of the States began to reprove him for his Wickness and Tyranny He being inraged at this commanded some of them to be put to Death but instead of being obeyed they fell upon him and his Complices and killed them the third year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 23. To him succeeded Mogald Corbred the second Sisters Son A. D. 113. the beginning of his Reign was fortunate for he Governed most Prudently and Successfully He discharged the Romans from approaching the Confines of his Kingdom and defended the Picts from them he defeated Lucus with his Romans in Westmorland and obtained a great Victory In his time Adrian the Emperor came into Brittain where he built Adrians Wall from the mouth of Tyne to the Flood of Esk fourscore miles in length he was killed in the thirty third year of his Reign 24. Conar succeeded his Father Mogald A. D. 149. Who became a cruei Tyrant and was suspected to have had a hand in Conspiring his Fathers Death he did greatly dilapidate the Rents of the Crown by his Extravagancies being forced to call a Parliament he
his Brother to Court to know the Kings mind towards him The King promised upon his Submission to accept of him which he performed making him for his further Encouragement Lieutenant General of his Forces But he stood not long privately in his Prosperity for going to the Court of England upon some design the King was highly dissatisfied with him yet upon his humble Submission he is pardoned but divested of all publick imployment within the Kingdom Thus being degraded from his Honnour 's he gives himself wholly to study revenge and that he might the more successfully effect his Design he gets the Earls of Cranford Ross-Murray the Lord Balveny with many other Barons and Gentlemen to enter in a Confederacy both offensive and defensive with him after they broke out in unsufferable Insolences spoiling and plundering the Lands of such as were not of their Faction and killing and destroying such as offered to oppose them The King begins to be apprehensive of their Design therefore thinks it high time to look to himself and his Country Whereupon he sent for Douglass to come and speak with him at Sterling which he at first feared to do but upon second Thoughts he accompanied with many of the Confederates went to Court where the King very Graciously received him the day being far spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King takes the Earls apart very friendly and remembred him of Favours received and wrongs forgotten Taxing him with the exorbitant abuses of his followers then he told him of a Covenant which he heard was made betwixt him and some of the other Nobility and desired to know what he had to say Douglass answered in plain terms it was so but that the Covenant was made for his own safety the King further expostulated with him to break it which he refusing to do the King with his Dagger ended the Quarrel killing him in the place About the end of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters is directed to Sir James Hamilton as a part of the Kings Banquet Whereupon he and the rest takes the Allarum and setting Fire to divers places of the Town they make their escape the King to vindicate himself emits Declarations shewing all his good Subjects the Reasons that moved him to take Douglass's Life that it was not a fit of Passion nor an Act of private revenge but meerly to save the State from utter Ruin Yet the Mobile were diversly affected some justifying the Fact as Noble and Just but others as the greater number as boldly Condemned it as Inhumane and Cruel these of the League missing no Opportunity that was for their Interest made it their work to sow Sedition and Discord and to encourage all Breaches and Contempt of the Laws which encreased their number so that the King was reduced to a very low condition till at last Cranford one of the Confederates being routed by the Earl of Huntly he recovered some strength and having called a Parliament at Edenburgh summoned the Confederate Lords to appear before which they scornfully refused to do Whereupon the King levying an Army forced them to retire yet the Country suffered sadly by their unbridled Fury At length after much loss on both sides the King daily prevailing the Earl of Cranford submitted himself to his mercy as several others did afterward Whereupon the Earl of Douglass fled to England there having gathered together several desperate Men he made several inroads upon the Border The King having with much difficulty recovered the Royal Authority of his Ancestors England in the mean time being at the point of utter ruine by the contest of Henry the sixth and the Duke of York was much solicited by both of them but he told the Ambassadors that he had more reason to look to his own concerns then to assist either of them which he intended to do thereupon raising a Powerful Army he passed the Tweed and besieged Roxburgh where having applyed his battery to the Castle he began to storm it but by the space of an over-charged Piece the King's thigh bone being broken was struck immediately Dead the twenty Fourth year of his Reign having left three sons James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany and John Earl of Marre and was buried at Holy-Rood house After his death the Queen with her Son came to the siege and encouraged the Nobles who took and demolished the Castle and also the Castle of Warke 104. To him Succeeded his Son James the third A. D. 1460. A good Prince corrupted by wicked Courtiers who with advantage of his years being but seven years of age when he began to Reign his education is intrusted to his Mother the Government of the Kingdom to the Earls of Anaudale Castle Orkney and the Lords Boyd and Graham the Bishops of St. Andrews Glasgow and Dnubek In this Princes Nonage great confusions increased both at home and abroad at home by the Islanders who extreamly infested the country and came as far as the Blairth of Athole and burnt S. Brides Church where the Earl and his Lady took Sanctuary carrying them to the Island Ila from whence as these Savages were going further they were all miserably destroyed by a tempest Nor was it better abroad England being in a flame by the Civil Wars Henry being taken and released again by his Queen flees to Scotland desiring their assistance against his Enemies and that he might be the better heard caused the Town of Berwick to be delivered to the Scots thereupon the Queen who managed the War geting some supply marched taking the King with her into England but was soon overthrown at Durham A. D. 1466. the Queen of Scots dyed having left many sound and profitable instructions to the King her Son who now coming to fifteen years of age is by his Regents committed to the Lord Boyds Brother to be Educated in the Excercise of Chivalry by which means the Boyds became to darken all others in the State nothing being done without them the Kenedies who had been the Kings best Friends seeing things go thus left the Court after which the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse The Lord Boyde to be yet higher gets the sole Government setled upon himself which laid the Foundation of his ruine and not satisfied with this he obtains his Son to be Married to the Kings eldest Sister this highly displeased the rest of the Nobility that his ambition should be so boundless which gave matter to his former Enemies to work upon all oppression and violence is winked at on purpose at last they procure Complaints from all parts of the Kingdom against the Boyds which made the Kings affection begin to turn away from them A. D. 1468. A match being proposed and agreed upon between the King and Margaret Daughter to the King of Denmark the Boyds Enemies procures the Earl of Arran who had Married the Kings Sister to be
fresh supplies where there was need of them so over powered the Kings Forces that they were forced at last to give ground after twice Rallying to retreat to the City His Majesty seeing that all was lost was forced to Retreat to the City by the same Gate he came out at having left the Duke of Hamilton Sir John Douglass Sir Alexander Forbes with many other Valiant Gentlemen behind him His Majesty was exceedingly troubled for the loss of Duke Hamilton for that he did see him behave himself so Valiantly and Fighting so desperately even when he was incompassed with the Enemies Horse and Foot It being impossible for His Majesty to keep the City long the whole Nation almost being in Armes against him he resolves to retire Accordingly with some few Attendants he marched out at twelve a Clock at Night and thinking their Number might discover them ordered every Man to shift for himself Only with three or four in his Company he came to a place called Boscobel where he disrobed himself and for want of Scissers had his Hair cut off with a Knife and so with the company of one Careless who brought him Provision he betook himself to a Wood where he lodged in that Famous Royal-Oak The Soldiers hunting about for him and a Thousand Pounds promised to any that would take Him either Dead or Alive Soon after His Majesty rode from Bently to Bristol before Mistress Lane she having a Pass for her self and her Servants whence He returned and absconded a while in Sommersetshire Wiltshire and Hampshire and at last came to Briggemstone in Sussex where He took Shipping about the end of October 1651. and was Safely wafted over to a Creek in Normandie whence he went to Diep and there provided himself of such Necessaries as served him until He came to his Mother who was at the French Court. Cromwel hearing of Iretons Success in Ireland and of Lieutenant General Monks Success in Scotland makes a Motion That for the Security of the Common-Wealth as it was then called the Parliament should be turned out as a parcel of Drunkards Whore-Masters and Oppressors which was accordingly done and then a new Convention is called July 1653. where the Government is put upon Oliver's Shoulders by an Instrument delivered to him by their Speaker Mr. Rouse In this Year and the next were Five Bloody Engagements at Sea between the English and the Dutch the English for the most part having the Victory In the Year 1656. Cromwel calls another Parliament which he had so far secured for his Interest that they invite him to take the Imperial Crown of this Realm which he as a cunning Fox knowing that this step of his Advancement would hasten his Ruine with pretented modesty declined contenting himself with being Lord-Protector which he was made three Years before Then they Petitioned him to accept of Three-Hundred Thousand Pounds a Year for his Support to have a New House of Lords to name his own Successor All which with much ado he accepted of But when Fortune had set him so High that all the World that heard of it were Astonished Behold in the midst of his Triumph he is snatched away by Death upon September the Third 1658. He lay in State at White-Hall about six Weeks and then was in great Splendor Interred in Westminster Abby among the Princes of the Royal Blood His Son Richard was presently Installed in his Place wherein he had hardly time to look about when Fleetwood and Lambert with the rest of the Army thrust him out calling the Long-Parliament again this Revolution was followed by another for soon after several Gentlemen in Cheshire under the conduct of Sir George Booth rose for the Defence of their Priviledges but were defeated by Lambert he immediately after turned out the Long-Parliament and erected a Committee of Safety His Majesties Friends looked on with some Hope all this while seeing all these Metamorphosing of Government might tend to the opening a Door for His Majesties entring General Monk hearing in Scotland how matters went in England drew his Army towards the Borders Against him Lambert marched as far as New-Castle resolving to Fight him but his men had no heart to the Work which forced him to give way In the mean time the remainder of the Long-Parliament had again Convened with some difficulty and Dissolved the Committee of Safety inviting General Monk to march with his Army to London which he accordingly did and to requite their kindness gets them Dissolved In the Year 1660. Another Parliament was called at Westminster where by unanimous Consent His Majesty was invited Home and accordingly the Twenty-ninth of May following His Majesty accompanied with the Dukes of York and Glocester and attended with a Gallant Train of Lords and Gentlemen Arrived at Dover whence He was conducted through London in great State to White-Hall where by a Lineal Legal Succession He possesses the Imperial Crown of Scotland for almost Two Thousand Years So that for Royal Extraction and Long Line of Just Descent His Majesty may Reckon with any Monarch in the Christian World AN APPENDIX To the Present STATE of SCOTLAND SECT I. Of its Climate Dimension Division Air Soil Commodities SCotland is one of the Two Kingdomes that divides the great Island of Brittain being bounded on the East by the German Ocean on the North by the Dewcalledon Sea on the West by the Irish Sea And divides it self from England by the Rivers Tweed and Solway and the Cheviot Hills Clim Edinburgh is Scituated between the Degrees of Latitude 56 d. 2 minutes of Longitude 3 d. 0 min. from London West Longest Day 17 hours 27 min. Aberdeen 57 d. 10. min. of Latitude 2. d. 20. min. Longitude the most Northernly parts of Scotland is Dunsby-head whose Latitude is 58 d. 5 min. Dimensions It s Length is about 480. Miles its breadth is very disproportionable there being no place in it that is above 70. Miles distant from the Sea Division The Country is divided according to its Inhabitants into Highland and Low-land The Highlanders live in the North and West Parts or in some out Islands being a bold and hardy People much given to Warlike Exercises being alwayes in readiness when ever Commanded by their Cheif Their Weapons were commonly Bows and Arrows but not so much used now as formerly they are a People that can endure as much hardships of War as any People in the World The Lowlanders bordering upon the East and South are as civil as any other People their Language much like the English differing only in the Accent Air. The Air is very wholsome the cold in Winter towards the North is very sharp but there being great plenty of Firing the Inhabitants do not suffer by it The heat is less scorching in Summer than in some other parts of the Continent The Soil is pleasant and healthful abounding with Springs and Rivers towards the North it is Mountainous yet not wanting fruitful Valleys apt to