did severally make In-rodes upon them each from his own Coast that omitting the care of Foreign Affairs they called back their Armies into Italy to defend Rome it self the Seat of their Empire In the midst of these Commotions they who commanded the British Legions esteeming the Roman Affairs as desperate did each study their own Advantages and severally to establish their distinct Tyrannies Neither were they content to vex the Islanders with all kind of Cruelty and Avarice but they also harassed one another by Mutual Incursions So the Number of the Legionary Soldiers did daily decrease and the hatred of the Provincials against them did increase So that all Britanny would have rebelled against them if they had had Forces answerable to their Desires But above all their Miseries That was most prejudicial to the Britains which the Emperor Constantine the last General of the Roman Army caused them to endure For when he was made Emperor he withdrew not only the Roman Army but even the British Soldiers too and so left the whole Island disarmed and exposed to all Violence if they had had any Foreign Enemy to invade them This was the chief occasion which did mightily hasten the combination of the Scots When Affairs stood in this posture secret Messengers were sent betwixt the Scots and the Picts and a Peace struck up between them Whereupon they Both sent Ambassadors to call home Fergusius to undertake the Kingly Government as descending to him from his Ancestors Fergusius being a Military Man desirous of Honour and besides not so well pleased with his present Estate but encouraged with hopes of a better easily accepted the Terms When his return was noised abroad many of the Exiled Scots yea several of the Danes also his acquaintance and fellow-Soldiers being encouraged by the same hopes accompanied him also home They all landed in Argyle Thither all those Exiles which were in Ireland and the Circumjacent Islands having notice given them before of his coming resorted speedily to him and they also drew along with them a considerable number of their Clans and Relations and also several young Soldiers who were desirous of Innovation Fergusius II. The Fortieth King FErgusius having got these Forces together was Created the 40 th King of Scotland being Inaugurated according to the manner of the Country The Black Book of Pasley casts his return on the 6th Year of Honorius and Arcadius Emperours Others upon the 8th of their Reign that is according to the account of Marianus Scotus 403 according to Funccius 404 Years after the Incarnation of Christ and about 27 Years after the death of his Grand-Father Eugenius They who contend out of Bede That this was the First coming of the Scots into Britain may be convinced of a manifest untruth by his very History When the Assembly of the Estates was Dissolved Fergusius being born and bred to Feats of War and Arms judging it convenient to make use of the Favourableness of Fortune and the Forwardness of his Men and withal designing to prevent the Report of his coming demolished all the Neighbor-Garisons having not Soldiers enough to keep them and having recovered his own Kingdom as soon as the season of the Year would permit he prepared for an Expedition against his Enemy In the mean time the Brittons were divided into Two Factions some of them desirous of Liberty and weary of a Foreign Yoke were glad of their Arrival others preferred their present Ease thô attended with so many and great Inconveniencies before an uncertain Liberty and a certain War And therefore out of fear of the Danger hanging over their heads and withal being Conscious of their own Weakness they agreed upon a double Embassy one to the Picts another to the Romans That to the Picts was to advise them not to desert their old Allies the Romans and Brittons nor to take part with their ancient Enemies who were a company of poor hopeless and despicable Creatures They farther gave them grave Admonitions and made them many promises and added many Threats from the Romans whom said they they could never equal in Number or overcome though the whole strength of both Nations did jointly make Head against them much less could they noâ— Cope with them seeing one of them was exhausted by Draughts and Detachements of Souldiâ—rs and the other worn out with all manner of Miseries The Minutes of their Instructions to their Ambassadors sent to the Romans were these That they should send Aid to them in time whilst there was any thing left to defend against the rage of a Cruel Enemy which if they would do then Britain would still remain firm under their Obedience if not it were better for them to leave their Country than to endure a Servitude worse than Death under Savage Nations Hereupon the Romans though pressed upon by War on every side yet sent one Legion out of Gaul to defend their Province giving them Command to return assoon as they had settled matters in Britanny The Brittons having received such Aid did suddainly assault the plundring Troops of their Enemies who were carelesâ—ly struggling up and down and repelled them with great Slaughter The Confederate Kings having an Army well-appointed came to the Wall of Severus and meeting their Enemies by the River Carron a bloody Battel was fought between them Great Slaughter was made on both sides but the Victory fell to the Romans who being in a little time to return into Gallia were content only to have driven back their Enemies and to repair the Wall of Severus which in many places was demolished which when they had done and had Garisoned it with Brittons they departed The Confederate Kings though they were Superior to their Enemies in swift Marchings and enduring of Hardships yet being inferiour in Number and Force resolved not to Fight pitched Battels any more but rather to weary their Enemies by frequent Inrodes and not to put all at a venture in one Fight seeing they were not as yet of Force sufficient so to do But when they heard That the Romans were returned out of Britain they altered their Resolutions and gathering all their Forces together they demolished the Wall of Severus which was slightly repaired only by the Hands of Souldiers and but negligently guarded neither by the Brittons So that by this means having a larger Scope to Forage in they made the Country beyond the Wall which they were not able to keep for want of Men useless to the Brittons for many Miles It is reported that one Graham was the principal Man in demolishing that Fortification who transporting his Soldiers in Ships landed beyond the Wall and slew the Guards unawares and unprovided and so made a passage for his Men. 'T is not certain amongst Writers Whether this Graham were a Scot or a Britton but most think That he was a Britton descended of the Fulgentian Sept a Prime and Noble Family in that Nation as also That he was
Iuletide substituting the Name of Iulius Caesar for that of Saturn The Vulgar are yet persuaded that the Nativity of Christ is then celebrated but mistakingly for 't is plain that they imitate the Lasciviousness of the Bacchanalia rather than the Memory of Christ then as they say born In the mean time the Saxons were reported to have pitched their Tents by the River Humber and Whether it were so or no Arthur marched towards them But in regard the Brittons were enfeebled by Pleasures by that means they were less fit for Military Services in so much that they did not seem the same Men who had overthrown the Saxons in so many Battels heretofore for by their Luxurious Idleness they had added so much to their Rashness as they had lost of their ancient Severity of Discipline Hereupon Advice was given by the wiser sort to send for Aid from the Scots and Picts Whereupon Ambassadors were sent and Aid easily obtained so that those whom Ambition had almost disjoined yet the mutual Care of Religion and Emulation too did so piece together That Forces were sent from either King sooner than could well have been imagined Lothus also that he might give a Publick Testimony of his Reconcilement brought his Sons Modredus and Galvinus with him into the Camp Galvinus he gave to Arthur as his Companion whom he received with so great Courtesie that from that Day forward they lived and died together The Army of the Three Kings being thus ready and their Camps joyned it was unanimously agreed between them That as the Danger was common to them all and the Cause thereof was also the same so they would drive out the Saxons and restore the Christian Rites and Religion which were profaned by them The Armies drawing near the one to the other Occa Son of a former Occa who was then General of the Saxons made haste to joyn Battel In the Confederate Army the Two Wings were allotted to the Scots and Picts the main Battel to Arthur The Scots at the first onset wounded Childerick Commander of that Wing of the Enemy which fought against them he falling by reason of his Wounds so terrified the rest that the whole Wing was broken In the other Wing Colgernus the Saxon after great Complaints made of the Perfidiousness of the Picts made an assault upon Lothus with great Violence who was easily known by his Habit and his Arms he dismounted him but he himself being environed in the midst of his Enemies was run through by Two Picts with Spears on both sides of his Body The main Battel where there was the sharpest Fight having lost both Wings did at length give Ground Occa being wounded was carried to the Sea-side with as many as could get on Shipboard with him and Transported into Germany of the rest of the Saxons Those who were most obstinate in their Errour were put to Death The rest pretending to turn to the Christian Religion were saved There were great Forces of the Saxons yet remaining in the Eastern part of England and in Kent The Summer after Arthur marched against them having 10000 Scots and Picts for his Assistance Congallus the Son of Eugenius commanded the Scots and Modredus the Son of Lothus the Picts both young Men of great Hope and who had often given good Testimonies of their Valour and Conduct This Army of Three Kings being about Five Mile from the Enemy and their Camps being distant one from another The Saxons being inform'd by their Spies that the Picts who were farthest distant from the other Forces were very careless and secure they made a suddain and unexpected Assault on them in the Night Modredus made a gallant Resistance for a time at last when things were almost desperate on his side he mounted on an Horse with Gallanus his Father-in-Law and so fled to King Arthur Arthur was nothing dismayed at the loss of the Picts but spent that Day in setling things which were discomposed after that his Army being commanded to march in the Third Watch he came upon the Enemy with a Treble Army and was at the Saxons Camp before they knew what the Matter was The Saxons being dismayed ran up and down having no time to take counsel or to arm themselves thus their Camp being entred they were slain by the Brittons and especially the angry Picts were cruel to all without distinction Some Writers of English Antiquities say That Arthur fought Twelve pitched Battels with the Saxons But because they give us only the Names of the Places where they were fought and nothing else I shall mention them no otherwise To speak briefly of his Famous Actions This is manifest That he wholly subdued the Forces of the Saxons and restored Peace to Britain And when he went over to settle Things in Lesser Britain in France he Trusted the Kingdom to Modredus his Kinsman who was to manage the Government as King till his Return I have no certainty of the Exploits he performed in Gaul As to what Geofry of Monmouth attributes to him there it hath no shadow much less likelyhood of Truth in it so that I pass them by as impudently forged and as causelesly believed But to return to the Matter Whilst Arthur was absent and intent on setling the Gallick Affairs there were sown the Seeds of a War most pernicious to Britain There was a certain Man in Arthurs Retinue named Constantine the Son of Cadoris who for the excellent Endowments both of his Body and Mind was highly in all Mens Favour He did secretly aim at the Kingdom and to make the People his Own Whereupon the Nobles at a convenient time when the King was free from business cast in Words concerning his Successor beseeching him to add this also to the other innumerable Blessings he had procured for his Country that if he died Childless he would not leave Britain destitute of a King especially when so great Wars were like to be waged against them Hereupon when some named Modredus as nearest of Kin and already accustomed to the Government both in Peace and War and One too who had given good Proof of himself in his Viceroy-Ship who also was likely to make no small Accession to the British Affairs These things being spoken the Multitude who favoured Constantine cryed out That they would not have a Stranger to be their King and that Britain was not so devoid of Men but that it would afford a King within its own Territories They added also That it was a Foolish thing to seek for that abroad which they might have at home Arthur knew before the Love of the People to Constantine and therefore though being a Man otherwise Ambitious yet he easily took part with the People and from that day shewed him openly and cherished in him the hopes of the Kingdom Modredus his Friends took this ill and looked upon it as a great wrong to him they alleged That by the League made by Arthur with Lothus
it was expressly cautioned That none should be preferred to the Succession of the Kingdom before the Sons of Lothus To which the contrary Party answered that That League was extorted by the necessity of the Times against the Common good of the whole Nation and that they were not obliged to keep it now Lothus with whom it was made was Dead And that therefore the Picts would do well to be contented with their own Bounds and not to invade other Mens That the Kingdom of Britain by Gods Blessing was now in that State that it could not only defend it self against New Injuries but also revenge the Old These things being brought to Modredus his Ear did quite alienate his Mind from Arthur and inclined him to set up for himself by maintaining his own Dignity only he a little suspended the War till he had tryed the Minds of the Scots when they were brought over to his Party an Army was listed consisting of many Picts Scots and Brittons being induced to side with Modredus either for the Equity of his Cause the Love of his Person or their private Hatred of Arthur Yea Vannora the Wife of Arthur was thought not to be ignorant of these new Cabals as having been too familiar with Modredus Both Armies pitched their Tents by Humber and being ready to Fight Proposals were made by the Bishops on both sides in order to a Peace but in vain for Constantine's Friends obstructed all affirming That the Felicity of Arthurs Fortune would bear down all Opposition Hereupon a most feirce Fight began on both sides but Two things did especially advantage Modredus and his Confederates One was a Marsh in the midst between them which the Brittons could not easily pass and Another in the heat of the Fight there was one suborned to spread a Report among the Brittons that Arthur was slain and therefore all being lost every one should shift for himself at which Bruit they all fled yet there was great Slaughter on both sides neither was the Victory joyous to either Party for on the one side Modredus was slain and on the other his Brother Galvinus Arthur himself mortally Wounded and a great Prey taken I know well What Fabulous matters are reported by many concerning the Life and Death of Arthur but they are not fit to be related lest they cause a Mist to be cast over his other famous Actions for when Men confidently affirm lies they cause the Truth it self many times to be questioned This is certain he was a great Man and very Valorous bearing an intire Love to his Country in freeing them from Servitude in restoring the true Worship of God and in reforming it when it was corrupted I have spoken these things concerning his Lineage Life and Death more prolixly than the Nature of my Design required for I never meant to Record all the Exploits of the Brittons but to free and preserve the Affairs of our own Nation from the Oblivion of Time and the Fabulous Tales of some lewd and ill-disposed Writers I have insisted longer on the Exploits of Arthur partly because some do curtail them through Envy and others do heighten them by their Verbosities He died in the year of our Lord Five Hundred and Fifty Two after he had Reigned 24 Years But to return to the Affairs of Scotland Goranus the King now grown old departed this Life after he had governed Scotland Thirty four years 't is thought he was Treacherously slain by his Subjects There was one Toncetus Chief Justice in Criminal Matters a Man no less Cruel than Covetous he having played many foul Pranks against the richer sort thought he might easily get Pardon of all from the King because by this means he had augmented his Revenue The People could not easily obtain admittance to the King now enfeebled by Age and Diseases to make their Complaints and if they had Access they judged their Allegations would not have been beleived against such a principal Officer and high Favourite So that they set upon Toncetus and slew him But after the heat of their Anger was over when they began to think with themselves how foul a Fact they had committed and that there was no Pardon to be expected by them they turned their Wrath and Fury upon the King himself and by the Instigation of Donald of Athol they entred into his Palace and slew Him also Eugenius III. The Forty Sixth King EVgenius the Son of Congallus succeeded him when he was advised by some of the Nobility to revenge the Death of his Uncle Goranus he entertained the motion so coldly that he himself was not without suspicion in the Case And the Suspicion was increased because he took Donald of Athol into his Grace and Favour So that the Wife of Goranus for fear fled with her small Children into Ireland But Eugenius to purge his Life and Manners from so foul an Imputation so managed the Kingdom that none of the former Kings could be justly preferred before him he assisted Modred and also Arthur against the Saxons He sent several Captains to make daily Incursions into the English Borders but he never fought with them in a pitched Battel He died in the year of Christ Five Hundred and Fifty Eight having Reigned Twenty Three Years Congallus II. The Forty Seventh King HIS Brother Congallus was set up in his Room who governed the Kingdom Ten years in great Peace a Man for his excellent Virtues worthy of perpetual Memory for besides his Equity in matter of Law and the aversion of his Mind from all Covetousness he vyed with the very Monks themselves in point of Sobriety of Life though they at that time used a most severe Discipline He enriched Priests with Lands and other Revenues more out of a Pious Intention than with any good Success He restrained the Souldiers who were declining to Effeminateness and Luxury and abused the blessing of Peace rather by the Examples and Authority of his Life than by the severity of Laws He called home the Sons of Goranus who for fear of Eugenius had fled into Ireland but before their Return he died in the Year Five Hundred and Sixty Eight He never fought Battel himself but only assisted the Brittons with Auxiliary Forces against the Saxons with Whom they often fought with various Success Kinnatellus The Forty Eighth King WHen he was Dead and his Brother Kinnatellus designed King Aidanus the Son of Goranus came into Scotland by the persuasions of Columba who Two years before had come out of Ireland By him he was brought to the King who beyond his own and the Expectation of all other Men received him Courteously and wished him to be of good cheer for he should shortly be King For Kinnatellus being worn out by Age and Sickness and not able to Administer the Government himself made Aidanus his Deputy and so died having Reigned Fourteen some say Fifteen Months Some Writers leave him out and do place Aidanus
immediately after Congallus but there are More who insert Kinnatellus betwixt Them Aidanus The Forty Ninth King AIdanus being Nominated King by Kinnatellus and confirmed by the People received the Royal Habiliments from Columba For the Authority of that Man was so great in those days that neither Prince nor People would undertake any thing without his Advice And at that time after he had in a long Speech persuaded the King to rule Equitably over the People and the People to be Loyal to their King he earnestly pressed them Both to persist in the pure Worship of God for then Both of them would prosper but if they forsook it they must expect Destruction as the reward of their Offences Having perform'd this Service he returned into his own Country The first Expedition of Aidanus was against the Robbers who infested Galway coming thither he put their Commanders to Death and Fear restrain'd the rest but a greater Storm encountred him at at his Return For after he had had three Conventions of the Estates in Galway Abria or Loch-abyr and Caithness and thought all things were settled there there was a Tumult arose amongst them in Hunting that much Blood was spilt and the Kings Officers who came to punish the Offenders were repulsed and beaten The Authors for fear of Punishment fled into Lothian to Brudeus King of the Picts when Ambassadors were sent to him to deliver them up according to the League betwixt them they were refused whereupon a feirce War commenced betwixt the Scots and Picts but it was quickly ended by the means of Columba who was according to his Merit highly esteemed by both Nations In the mean time England was again divided into Seven Kingdoms and the Brittons were driven into the Peninsula of Wales but the Saxons not contented with such large Dominions stirred up a new War betwixt the Scots and Picts The Author and Kindler thereof was Ethelfrid King of Northumberland a Covetous Man and who was weary of Peace out of the desire he had to enlarge his Dominions He persuaded the Picts but with difficulty Brudeus hardly consenting thereto That they should drive away Preys out of the Scots Territories and so give an occasion to a War Aidanus understanding the Treachery of the Saxons that he might also strengthen himself with Foreign Aid renewed the ancient League with Malgo the Britton He sent his Son Grifinus and his Sisters Son Brendinus King of Eubonia now called Man a Military Man with Forces who joyning with the Brittons entred Northumberland and after Three days march came to the Enemy but the English refused to engage them because they expected new Succors which were reported to be neer at hand for indeed Ceulinus King of the East Saxons a very Warlike Man was coming to them with great Forces the Scots and Brittons fell upon him in his March and wholly destroyed the Front of his Army which was a long way before the rest together with his Son Cutha but they were afraid to engage the rest lest they should be circumvented by Ethelfrid who was not far distant The two Kings of the Saxons being joined together again renewed the Fight with much Slaughter on both sides wherein the Scots and Brittons were put to flight There were slain of the Scots Nobles Grifinus and Brendinus in the opposite Army Ethelfrid lost one of his Eyes and Brudeus was carried wounded out of the Field to the great Astonishment of his Party The next Summer after Ethelfrid uniting his Forces with the Picts marched into Gallway supposing he should find all things there in great Consternation by reason of their ill Success the last Year But Aidanus coming with his Forces thither sooner than his Enemies thought set upon the straggling Plunderers and drave them with great trepidation to their Camp Thus having chastized their Temerity supposing now they would be more quiet the Night after he passed by their Camp and joyned himself with the Brittons Both Armies having thus united their forces pitch'd their Tents in a narrow Valley of Annandale and their Enemies as now Cock-sure of their Destruction beset the passages entring into it But they having fortify'd their Camp as if they intended there to abide in the Night when the Tide was out marched thro' the Ford which was known to them amidst the quavering Sands into Cumberland and afterward into Northumberland making great Havock whithersoever they came The Enemie followed them at their Heels and when they came in fight of one another both Armies prepare themselves for the Fight The Scots and Britains added Four Commanders to those they had before who were noble Persons of great experience in Warlike affairs that so the rash-Headed Common Soldiers might be commanded by a greater Number of Captains of the Brittons there were added Constantine and Mencrinus of the Scots Calenus and Murdacus By their Conduct and Incouragement the Soldiers fell upon the Enemy with so great Violence that he was presently broken and put to flight There goes a Report that Columb being then in the Isle Icolumbkil told his Companions of this Victory the very same hour in which it was obtained Of the Saxon Nobles there were slain in this fight Cialinus and Vitellius both great Warriors and highly descended about Eleven years after this Victory the Saxons and Picts infested the adjacent Country whereupon a Day was appointed wherein the Brittons and Scots should meet and with their united Forces set upon the Saxons Aidanus tho' very old came to the place at the appointed time and staid for the Brittons but in vain for they came not yet he drove Preys out of his Enemies Country Ethelfrid having now gotten a fair Opportunity to act something in set upon the dispersed Scots and made a great slaughter amongst them Aidanus having lost many of his Men fled for his Life yet the Victory was not unbloody to the Saxons for they lost Ethelfrid's Brother and some of those Squadrons that followed him were almost wholly cut off Aidanus having received this overthrow and being also informed of the death of Columb that Holy Man whom he so highly honoured foreseeing to what Cruelty the Remainder of the Christians were likely to be exposed being worn out with Age and Grief did not long survive he Reigned 34 years and died in the Year of our Lord 604. In his Reign it was That a certain Monk Named Austin came into Britain being sent by Gregory Pope of Rome who by his Ambition in Preaching a New Religion mightily disturbed the Old for he did not so much Preach the Christian Religion as the Ceremonies of the Roman Church Yea the Brittons before his coming were Converted to and taught the Principles of the Christian Religion by the Disciples of Iohn the Evangelist and were instituted in the same by the Monks who were Learned and Pious in that Age. As for Austin He laboured to reduce all things to the
the Ides of Iuly in the Year of Christ 1329. and of his Reign the Twenty Fourth The Ninth BOOK THE Nobles of Scotland having performed the Funeral Obsequies for the late King assoon as they could conveniently did Indict a Convention of the Estates for the Electing of a Regent where the Inclinations of the Publick easily pitched on Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray for even in the Kings Life Time he had for some Years managed that Office and the King at his Death had also Recommended him to the People by his last Will and Testament David II. The Ninety Eighth King THE Coronation of the King was deferred till the Eighth of the Calends of December the next Year following that so by the Permission of the Pope he might be Anointed and that new Ceremony be performed more Augustly amongst the Scots Assoon as the Regent was chosen he first of all ratified the Peace made with the English afterward he applied his Mind to settle quiet at home and to suppress publick Robberies In order whereto he kept a strong Guard of Armed Men about him which were ready on all Occasions so that when News was brought him as he was going to Wigton which is a Town in Galway that there was a strong Band of Thieves who beset the Highways and robbed Travellers in that Country he sent out his Guard against them even as he was in his Progress who took them every Man whom he caused to be put to Death He was Inexorable against all Murderers so that he caused a certain Man to be apprehended who had obtained the Popes Bull of Pardon for his Offence and thereupon thought himself secure to be apprehended alledging That the Pope might Pardon the Soul-Guilt but the Body-Punishment belonged to the King To prevent Robberies which were yet too frequently committed by reason of the remaining Contagion of the Wars he made a Law That the Country Men should leave their Iron Tools and Plough-Gear in the Field all Night and that they should not shut their Houses nor Stalls If any thing were stollen the Loss was to be repaired by the Sheriff of the County and the Sheriff was to be reimbursed by the King and the King was to be satisfied out of the Estates of the Thieves when they were taken There was one Country Man either over-greedy of Gain or else judging that Caution to be Vain and Frivolous who hid his Plough Iron in the Field and came to the Sheriff to demand Satisfaction as if it had been stollen the Sheriff paid him presently but inquiring further into the Matter and finding that he was the Author of the Theft himself he caused him to be Hanged and his â—oods to be Confiscate He restrained the loose Pack of Drolling Vagabonds and Minstrellers from wandring up and down the Country under most grievous Penalties If any one assaulted a Travellor or any Publick Officer in performing his Office he made it Lawful for any Body to Kill him So that when Thirty Assailants had been slain by the Companions of a certain Publick Minister at a Village called Halydon he pronounced That the Fact was just and Indemnified the Committers of it This Domestick Severiâ—y made him Formidable to flagitious Persons at home as his Valour did to his Enemies abroad And therefore the English who upon Roberts death watched all Occasions to revenge themselves perceiving That they could attempt nothing by open Force as long as Randolph was living turned their Thoughts to secret Fraud and Stratagem The speediest Way to be rid of their Enemy seemed to be by Poysoning him Neither wanted there a fit Minister to attempt it which was a certain Monk of that Class which are idly brought up and for want of Masters to teach them better they do many times pervert Good Wits to Evil Arts and Practices There were Two Professions joyned in him viz. Monkship and the Profession of Physick the First seemed proper to gain him Admittance the Second rendred him fit to perpetrate the Wickedness Hereupon he comes into Scotland giving out in all Places That as he had Skil in all other Parts of Physick so especially in curing the Stone by which means he obtained an easy Access to the Regent and being employed to cure him he mixed a Slow-working Poyson with his Medicine and then taking a few Days Provision with him he returned again into England as if he had gone only to get and prepare more Drugs and Medicines There he makes a Solemn Asseveration before Edward That Randolf would dye by such a certain day In Hopes whereof Edward levied a great Army and marching to the Borders found there as great an Army of Scots ready to receive him not far from his Camp whereupon he sent a Trumpeter to them upon Pretence to demand Reparation for Damages but he was enjoyned to inquire Who commanded the Scots Forces Randolph his Disease growing on and the Monk not returning at the Day appointed suspected all things for the worse and therefore dissembling his Grief as much as he could he sate in a Chair before his Tent Royally apparelled and gave Answer to the Demands of the Herald of Arms as if he had been a man perfectly Healthy and Sound The Herald at his Return acquainted the King with what he had seen and heard so that the Monk was punished as a Lying Cheat and Edward marched back his Army only leaving a Guard on the Borders to prevent Incursions Randolph also was hindred from marching forward by the Violence of his Disease but returning he disbanded his Army and at Musselborough about Four Miles from Edinburgh departed this Life in the year of our Salvation 1331. and the 13th of the Calends of August having managed the Regency Two years after Robert's death He was a Man no whit Inferiour to any of our Scotish Kings in Valour and Skill in Military Affairs but far Superiour to them in the Arts and Knacks of Peace He left Two Sons behind him Thomas and Iâ—hn Both worthy of so great a Father When Randolf Guardian of the Kingdom for so they then called him was dead Duncan Earl of Marr was chosen in his Place the 4th of the Nones of August The King being then Ten year old on which very Day a sad Message was brought to Court That the day before the Calends of that Month Edward Baliol was seen in the Firth of Forth with a Navy very Numerous To make all things more plain concerning his coming I must go a little back When King Robert died there was one Laurence Twine an English man of the Number of Those who having received Lands in Scotland as a Reward of their Military Service dwelt there He was of a Good Family but of a Wicked Life He conceiving Hope of greater Liberty upon the Death of One King and the Immature Age of Another gave himself up more licentiously to unlawful Pleasures so that
The Scots answered the Ambassadors That Berwick always belonged to Scotland till his Grandfather Edward had injuriously seized upon it At length when Robert Bruce their last King had recovered the rest of Scotland he took away that Town from Edward Father of him who now requires the Reddition of it and reduced it unto its Ancient Rightful Possessor and Form of Government yea not long ago Edward himself by the Advice of his Parliament had renounced all Right which He or his Ancestors might pretend to have over all Scotland in general or any of the Towns and Places therein in particular From that time they were not Conscious to themselves That they had acted any thing against the League so solemnly Sworn to and confirmed by Alliance of a Marriage Why then within the compass of a few Years were they assaulted by secret Fraud and by open War These things being so they desired the Embassadors to incline the Mind of their King to Equity and that he would not watch his Opportunity to Injure and Prejudice a young King in his absence who was both Innocent and also his own Sisters Husband As for Themselves they would refuse no Conditions of Peace provided they were Honourable but if he threatened them with an unjust Force then according to the Tutelage of the King committed to them they resolved rather to dye a Noble Death than to consent to a Peace prejudicial to Themselves or the Kingdom This was the Answer of the Council of Scotland But the King of England sought not Peace but Victory and therefore having encreased his great Army with Foreign Aid also he besieged Berwick by Sea and Land neither did he omit any thing which might Contribute to the Taking of it for having a Multitude of Men he gave his Enemy no rest Night nor Day Neither were the Besiegers behind hand with them but Valorously Sallied out upon them every day They threw Fire into their Ships which Anchored in the River and burnt many of them In which Skirmish William Seaton the Governors Bastard-Son was lost much lamented by all for his singular Valour For whilst he endeavoured to leap into an English Ship his own being driven too far off by the Waves he fell into the Sea neither in that Exigent could any Relief come to him And besides another Son of Alexanders begot on his Lawful Wife who out of eagerness to fight proceeded too far in a Sally was taken by the English But the Siege which was begun in the Ides of April had now lasted Three Months and the Defendants besides their Toil and Watchings were also in great want of Provisions so that they seemed hardly able to hold out the Town any longer but made an Agreement with the English That unless they were relieved by the Third of the Calends of August they would surrender up the Place And for this Thomas Alexanders Eldest Son was given in Hostage Whilst these things were acting at Berwick the Scots Indicted an Assembly to consult about their Affairs and in regard the Regent was Prisoner at Roxburgh that they might not be without a General they chose Archibald Douglas Captain-General they also Voted That he should have an Army to march into England that so by Foraging the Neighbouring Countrys he might draw off the King of England from the Siege Douglas according to this Order and Decree marched towards England but hearing of the Agreement which Alexander had made he changed his Mind and thô against the Advice of his most prudent Commanders he marched directly towards the English and on the Eve of Mary Magdalen came in Sight of them and was beheld both by Friends and Enemies The King of England tho' the Day was not come wherein it was agreed That the Town should be surrendred yet when he saw the Scots Forces so near he sent an Herald into the Town to acquaint the Governor That unless he presently Surrendred up his Garison he would put his Son Thomas to Death The Governor alleging That the Day appointed for the Surrender was not yet come and that he had given his Faith to stay till the time allowed by their Paction was expired but all was in Vain Hereupon Love Piety Fear and Duty towards his Country did variously exercise his Paternal and Afflicted Mind and the English to drive the Terror more home had set up a Gallows in a Place easily visible to the Besieged whither he caused the Governors Two Sons One the Hostage the Other a Prisoner of War to be brought forth to Execution At this miserable Spectacle his Fatherly mind was at a great stand and in this Fluctuation of his Thoughts his Wife the Mother of the Young Men a Woman of a Manly Courage came to him and put him in mind of his Faithfulness towards his King his Love towards his Country and the Dignity of his Noble Family upon all which grounds she endeavoured to settle his wavering Mind If these Children be put to Death said she you have others remaining alive and besides we are neither of us past Age You to beget and I to bear more If they escape Death yet it will not be long but that by some sudden Casualty or else by maturity of Age they must yield to Fate but if any Blot of Infamy should stick upon the Family of the Seatons it would remain to all Posterity and be a foul Blur even to their Innocent Offspring She further told him That she had often heard those Men much commended in the Discourses of the Wise who had given up Themselves and their Children as a Sacrifice for the safety of their Country but if he should give up the Town committed to his Trust he would betray his Country and yet be never the more certain of his Childrens Lives neither For how could he hope That a Tyrant who violated his Faith Now would stand to his Word for the Future And therefore she entreated him not to prefer an Vncertainty and if it should be obtained a Momentany Convenience before a certain and perpetual Ignominy By this Discourse she somewhat settled his Mind and that he might not Behold so dismal a Spectacle she carried him to another Place from whence it could not be seen The English King after this Punishment inflicted which was not very acceptable neither to some of his own men removed his Camp to Halidon-Hill near Berwick and there waits his Enemies coming Douglas who before would not hearken to the Advice of his Grave Counsellors as to the Foraging of the English Counties and so averting the Siege now was inflamed with raging Wrath and withal presuming That if after the Perpetration of so horrible a Wickedness almost before his Eyes he should draw off without Fighting it might be said That he was afraid of his Enemy was resolved to fight at any rate and so marched directly towards the Enemy and because the English kept their Ground and would
unwilling to expose them to needless danger At this very time a Truce was made and Hopes of Peace between France and England by the Mediation of the Pope and the Neighbouring Princes on This Condition That the Allies of Both might be comprehended by Name viz The Portugals of the English side the Scots and Spanish Castilians of the French's King Robert against the Advice of his Counsel gave his single Assent thereunto but upon no solid ground for he was able to make neither Peace nor War but by the Publick Advice of the Estates neither could he promise any firm Truce without their Decree in the Case Neither could the Nobility conceal any longer that hidden Grief and Disgust which they had conceived against the French who had only done them this Courtesie the backward way that when they were to do Service against an Enemy they would strike the Weapons out of their Hands and so take away the Fruit of a former Victory and also the Hopes of a New At last after much dispute and quarrelling the French Ambassador gained this Point but with much ado That the Scots should send Ambassadors into France about the Matter that so the Hopes of a Peace so near at hand might not be hindred by their Obstinacy Robert the King lived not long after but departed this Life in his Castle called Dundonald in the Year of Christ 1390 the 13th of the Calends of May. He lived 74 Years and Reigned 19 Years and 24 Days This King managed Wars by his Deputies and usually with good Success he was present in few Battels himself which some impute to his Age others to his Cowardize but all say That he was a very Good Man and in the Arts of Peace easily comparable with the best of Kings He administred Justice diligently and impartially to all he severely punished Robberies In his Actions he was Constant in his Words Faithful He undertook the Kingdom in troublesome times yet he setled things at home appeased Discords and governed with great Equity and Justice and he got such Conquests over his Enemy that he reduced all the Castles they had but Three After his Death Tumults arose where they were least expected Alexander Earl of Buchan the youngest of the Kings Sons by Elizabeth More fell into a deadly fewd with the Bishop of Murray upon a light Occasion and when he could not come at him to kill him he wrecked his fury upon the Church of Elgin which was then one of the fairest in all Scotland and burnt it down to the Ground The same Year William Douglas Earl of Nithisdale who as I said before for his Valour was made the Kings Son in Law was slain at Dantzick on the Vistula by some Ruffians who were sent to perpetrate the Murder by Clifford of England For Douglas when Matters were quieted at home that he might not lye lazie and idle intended for the Holy War and in Borussia he gave such Proof of his Valour That he was made Admiral of the whole Fleet which was a Great and Magnificent One and withal well accommodated But a Quarrel arising between him and Clifford grounded upon Old Emulations because he gruded him that Honour he sent him a Challenge to Fight with him Hand to Hand But the Challenger perceiving into what an Hazardous Adventure he had run himself by that Challenge before the set time came caused him to be slain by hired Assassins The Tenth BOOK Robert III. The Hundred and First King ROBERT the Second was Succeeded by his Eldest Son Iohn in the Ides of August and Year of our Lord 1390. He was called Iohn till that time but then by the Decree of the Estates his Name was changed into Robert whether it were for the Misfortunes and Calamities of Two Kings called Iohns one of France the other of England Or for the Eminent Virtues and Felicity of Two Roberts both in Peace and War who lately Reigned in Scotland as Authors are silent in so I will not determine The Excellency of this Robert was That he rather wanted Vice than was Illustrious for any Virtue so that the Name of King was in him but the management of all publick Affairs rested on Robert his Brother In the Beginning of his Reign there was Peace abroad by reason of the Three Years Truce made with the English which a while after was enlarged for Four Years more But at home a Sedition was begun by Duncan or Dunach Stuart He was the Son of Alexander Earl of Buchan the Kings Brother and was every jot as feirce as his Father who upon the Death of his Grandfather imagining now that he had a fit opportunity for Rapine and Pillage got a Band of Roisters about him and descending into Angus spoiled all as if it had been an Enemies Country Walter Ogilby and Walter Lichton his Brother endeavouring to oppose him were slain with Sixty of their Followers They being lifted up with this Success did afflict the Country more grievously than ever but hearing of the approach of the Earl of Crawford whom the King had sent to restrain their Insolence the nimblest of them fled speedily to their lurking Holes of those who made not so much hast some were slain some taken and afterwards put to Death Thus the Wickedness of these Unquiet and Turbulent Men being hindred from breaking in upon the Plain and Champion Countries they fell out most grievously amongst Themselves at their own homes And especially Two Families of them did exercise great Rage and Cruelty one upon another They refused to end their Fewds by course of Law or to refer them to indifferent Arbitrators So that the King sent Two Earls to suppress them Thomas Earl of Dunbar and Iames Lindsay his Father being Dead now Earl of Crawford These Commanders considering they were to engage against a feirce and resolute People who valued not their Lives nor the Pleasure thereof so that they were not likely to subdue them by force without great Slaughter of their own Men they therefore resolved to try what they could do by Policy And thereupon they accosted the Clans of both Families a part and represented to them what danger would accru to Both by their mutual Slaughters one of another and if one Family should extirpate the other yet that was not likely to be effected without the Great Damage even of the Conquering Side and if either Party should prevail yet the Contest would not end so For then they were to engage the King's Forces tho' they were weakned before by their mutual Conflicts of whose Anger against them Both they might be justly sensible because he had sent them with Forces to destroy them Both even before they had severely and irrecoverably engaged against one another But in regard they were more desirous of their Preservation than their Ruin if they would hearken to them they would shew them a Way How they might be reconciled with
Lewd Persons yet Innocent of that Particular Fact for which they suffered In the interim the King advised with his Friends how he might preserve Iames his Youngest Son for whose safety he was very solicitous and whom he had left in the custody of Walter Wardiloe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews an honest man and faithful to him They gave their Opinion in the case that he could not be safe in any part of Scotland and that therefore it was best to send him over to Charles the IV. King of France the old Ally and only Friend of the Scotish Nation for he could be Educated no where more safely and honourably than there The fresh Example of David Bruce stuck yet in their Minds who in dubious and troublesome times at home had there for some years an Honourable retreat and Entertainment Hereupon a Vessel was prepared and he put on bord at the Basâ— a Rock rather than an Island Henry Sinclare Earl of the Oreades was sent with him as his Guide or Rector whilst they were compassing the shore he Landed at the Promontory of Flamburgh either driven in by Tempest or else to refresh himself on shore from his Sâ—â—-Vomit and Nauseation There he was detained by the English till they sent to their King who commanded that he should be brought up to Court So that neither the Law of the Truce which was made a little before for 8 years nor the supplicating Letters of his Father did prevail but he was kept as a Lawful Prisoner For his Father at his departure had sent Letters by him to the King of England if possibly he should be necessitated to land there wherein he made complaining and lamentable discourses both of his own and also of the common fortune of all Mankind But tho' the King of England were not ignorant of the Inconstancy of human affairs yet the old grudge against the Nation of the Scots more prevailed with him than either the respect of the Youth 's Innocent Age or the Tears of his grieved Father or the dignity of the Kingly Name or the Faith of the Pacification and Truce For having referred the matter to his Council how he should treat the Son of the King of Scots being arrived in his Dominions Those who had any regard to Equity and were weary of the present War inclined to the milder Opinion viz. That the Royal Youth who fled from the Cruelty of his own Countrymen and was now their Suppliant should be hospitably and Friendly Entertained That so a feirce Nation and unconquer'd by the War of so many Ages might be won and wrought over to a Reconciliation by Courtesie For this they thought was the most solid and firm victory not when Liberty was taken away by force but when Minds are united by the indissoluble bond of Amity Others were of contrary Opinion That he might be lawfully detained as a Prisoner either because many of the Scots Nobility had Personally assisted Percy in the Insurrection which he made against the King or because his Father had Entertained and Relieved Percy the Elder when he was Banished and Condemned as a Traitor in England This Opinion as commonly the worst things do prevailed thâ— they that were present at the Consult knew well enough that those Scots who fought against the English King in Percy 's Insurrection were not sent by any Publick Commission from the King but came out of their private Affection to Douglas who was then also in Percy 's Power They might also have remembred what Henry himself had answered to the Scots a few Years before when they demanded George Dunbar to be given up yet notwithstanding they stuck to this last Opinion as commonly in the Courts of Princes a false preâ—ence of Advantage doth weigh down Honest and Righteous Counsels Yet in one thing Henry dealt Nobly and Royally with his Captive That he caused him to be Educated in Learning and Good Discipline This Calamity of the Son was brought to his Fathers Ears whilst he was at Supper and did so overwhelm him with Grief that he was almost ready to give up the Ghost in the Hands of his Servants that attended him but being carried to his Bed-chamber he abstained from all Food and in 3 Days dyed for Hunger and Grief at Rothesay which is a Town in the Island Bote in the 16th Year of his Reign in the Calends of April and Year of Christ 1406. He was Buried at the Abby of Pasley This Robert for tallness of Stature and for the Beauty and Composition of his whole Body was inferior to none of his Contemporaries His Life was very harmless and there was no Virtuous Accomplishment fit for a private Man wanting in him so that it may be truly said of him That he was a better Man than a King After the King's death the Government of the Kingdom was setled upon Robert his Brother by the Decree of all the Estates who had many things in him worthy of that Office and Dignity if out of a blind Ambition to Rule he had not used unjust Courses to hasten to the Throne He was Valiant in War Prudent in Counsel Just in Judgment Liberal to the Nobles and Tender in Levying Taxes on the Commons The same Year Percy the Elder again entred into a Conspiracy against the King to revenge upon him the deaths of his Brother and Two Sons who had been slain but his Design was discovered many of his Accomplices taken and put to death and he himself for fear fled into Scotland that from thence he might pals over into Flanders and France to procure Auxiliaries to renew the War In the mean time Henry the King of Englands Son made great Incursions into Scotland both by Land and Sea when he was returned home with a great Booâ—y the Castle of Iedburgh which the Enemy had kept from the Fight in Darham to that day was taken by the Commons of Teviotdale Pillaged and then by the Governors Order wholly demolished And George Earl of Merch who had done much damage to his Countrymen in behalfe of the English being not able to procure from them Aid to recover his Own nor an honest Maintenance amongst them neither pacified the Governor by his Friends and so returned home yet he lost part of his Patrimony viz. his Castles in the Loch-Maban and Annandale which were given to Douglas for the Losses he had sustained and thus all Offences were forgiven on both sides and he passed the rest of his Life in great Concord with his Neighbours and faithful Subjection to his King The next Year Percy after he had made a vain and fruitless Peregrination over France and Flanders returned into Scotland to his old Friend the Earl of Merch by whom he was courteously Entertained and Accommodated according to his Estate There he Transacted by private Messengers about returning into his own Country and amongst the rest he wrot to Ralph Rokesby his Ancient
Wisdom and Power to be his Guardian and to Govern the Kingdom whilst he was yet unable to weild the Scepter with his Own hands Tho' this Law be referred to Kenneth as the Author of it yet it seems to me That he did not so much Enact it first as thereby revive and confirm the Ancient Custom of the Scots by a New Sanction For Our Ancestors were so far from Committing the Supreme Power into the Hands of a Woman That if you look over all our Chronicles you shall not find so much as the Name of a Woman Regent recorded therein for why pray should they mention such a Name of which they thought they had no need at present hoped they should never have any for the Future For those Females which other Countrys call Queens we only call Wives or Consorts of our Kings neither do we entitle Them to any Higher Name for I judge our Wise Ancestors had This in their Eye That as often as they heard their Names mentioned with the Adjunct of Husband they might remember That they were obnoxious and Subject to men And therefore to this very day a Woman was never admitted to the Regency or the Administration of Publick Affairs The same Course hath been also constantly observed in lesser Magistracys both as to their Appointments and Executions For tho' many Honours and some Seigniorys amongst them have come by Inheritance to some Women by reason of their Great deserts from their Country and have also been allotted to them as Dowrys yet it was never known since the memory of man That any Woman did ever preside in any Publick Council or in any Court of Judicature or to have taken upon her any of those Offices which are appropriated to men Which Custom seeing our Ancestors tho' not bound by Law thereunto did constantly observe only by the Impulse of Nature if we their Posterity should cast the Common-wealth into an apparent Danger by opposing a Law received by the Votes of all and approved by so long an Usage Who will free us from the Brand I will not say of Tomerity but even of Madness it self Especially since we have been warned by Examples near at hand For the Saxons by reason of the Wickedness of one Woman viz. Ethelburga made a Law That after that time no Woman should be called Queen nor should fit in Publick next the King in any Seat of Honour I beseech you therefore consider seriously how much they degenerate from Their Prudence who against a Law so Ancient and as advantageous to Women as honourable to Men would put the Reins of Government into Their hands to whom our Ancestors never gave so much as a Royal Name and from whom our Neighbours after they had given it took it away Other Nations I grant have been of another Opinion with what Success I shall declare after I have first answered Those who dare not calumniate this Law openly but in the Carpet-Conventicles of Women do implead it as unjust But whosoever he be that finds Fault with it he seems to reprehend not some Sanction only approved by the suffrages of Men but even Nature it self i. e. That Primary Law imprinted in our hearts by God himself I say Nature it self whom our Law-maker had as a Guide and Directress of all his Counsels when he proposed and enacted this Law For Nature from the beginning hath not only distinguished Men from Women by the strength of Mind and Body but hath also appropriated distinct Offices and Virtues to each Sex the same indeed for Kind but far different in Degree For how is it less uncomely for a Woman to pronounce Judgment to levy Forces to Conduct an Army to give a Signal to the Battel than for a Man to teiz Wool to handle the Distaff to Spin or Card and to perform the other Services of the weaker Sex That which is Liberality Fortitude and Severity in Men is Profusion Madness and Cruelty in a Woman And again That which is Elegant Comely and Ornamental in a Woman is Mean Sordid and Effeminate in a Man They that endeavour to confound and mix these things which Nature of her own accord hath distinguished do they not seem to you not only to disturb but also to overthrow the State of the Kingdom which is founded upon so good Laws and Customs This they do when they would obtrude on us the Government of a Woman which our Ancestors did not so much as once Name For the Maker of that Law as I told you before doth not seem so much to induce a new Sanction in the Enacting thereof as only to commit to Writing the perpetual Usage of our Ancestors that it might be transmitted to Posterity and That which hath been always observed by the Guidance of Nature in the making a King to have consecrated the same Thing to be observed by Publick Authority in choosing a Guardian for a King under age They which go about to undermine and infringe this one Law what do they thereby but endeavour to overthrow all the other Laws Rites and Customs of our Ancestors I speak this that I may prevent all Calumâ—y not that I think all Laws are immutable as if they were enacted to last for ever No Laws are of different Sorts and Kinds Those which are accommodated to the Vicissitude of Times are subject to the Inconstancy of Fortune and are wont to last so long as the Necessity doth which imposed them and Those which are obtruded on men by the Wills of Tyrants are commonly disannulled and abrogated with their Authors But as for that Instinct or Impress of Nature which is as it were a Living Law ordained by God and deeply imprinted and engraven in Mens hearts That the Consent of no Multitudes nor no mens Decrees can abolish For as an excellent Poet is reported to have said it was not born yesterday or to day but it grew up together with Dame Nature it self and lives and dies together with it And seeing the Law of which we now speak is of â—hat sort and a Principal one too he doth not oppose the Dignity of the Queen who desires That she of her own accord would prescribe to her self those Bounds which Nature it self hath appointed her Sex requires Custom allows and the Laws made by the consent of almost all Nations do approve But they who would have her forget her Sex and Station do persuade her to break thro' all Bonds of Law and to disturb the Order of things appointed by God received by use and allowed in all Cities and Countrys well-governed And certainly whosoever slights that Order will be grievously punished not by Men only but by God himself who will revenge his own Law For if good Laws threaten a Man with Death who shall cloath himself with a Womans Apparel and a Woman if she wear the Habit of a Man what Punishment can be inflicted on them too great for their Offence who by a preposterous Flattery would overthrow
Triumphed over And so She herself and her Kingdom which was enlarged and increased by her Husband Odenatus was lost in a moment Neither may I pass over in silence what is principally to be regarded in the management of other Mens Affairs That the Chief Command is not to be intrusted to such sort of Persons who are not accountable for their Mal-Administration I do not at all distrust the Disposition Faithfulness nor Care of the Queen but if any thing be acted amiss as it often happens by the Fraud of others and Matters be carried otherwise than the Publick Good or the Dignity of Her Place doth Require What Mulct can we exact from the Kings Mother What Punishment can we require Who shall give an account for Miscarriages The Highest Matters will then be managed in the Meetings of Women in the Nursery or Dressing Room You must There either each Man in particular subscribe to Decrees or All in General Make them and She whom you scarce now restrain tho' She be without Arms and obnoxious to you by Laws and Customs when you have by your Authority put Power into Her hands you will certainly feel Her Womanish Wilfulness and Extravagance Neither do I speak this as if I did fear any such thing from our Queen who is the Choicest and Modestest of all Women but because I think it base and unseemly for us who have all things yet in our own Hands and Power to place the Hope of our Safety which we may owe to our Selves only in anothers Power especially since both Divine and Human Laws the Custom of our Ancestors yea and the Consent of all Nations throughout the whole World make for us 'T is true some Nations have endured Women to be their Chief Magistrates but they were not elected to that Dignity by their Judgment and Suffrage but were cast upon them by the Lot of their Birth and Nativity but never any People who had freedom of Vote when there was plenty of able Men to chuse did ever prefer Women before Them And therefore most Eminent Patriots I advise and earnestly intreat you That according to the Laws of our Country and the Customs of our Ancestors we chuse One or if you think fit More the Best out of the Noblest and Best who may undertake the Regency till the King arrive at that strength both of Body and Mind as to be able to manage the Government Himself And I pray God to Bless your Proceedings herein Kennedy spake thus with the Approbation of the undoubtedly major part of the Assembly and the rest perceiving that it was in vain to oppose passed over to their Opinion The Matter was thus composed That neither Party seemed to have the Better of the other Two of each Faction were chosen for the Guardianship for the King who were to manage all Publick Affairs with Fidelity to Collect and Expend the King's Revenue and to undertake the Charge of the Royal Family Of the Queens side William Graham and Robert Boyd then Chancellor Of the Other Robert Earl of the Orcades and Iohn Kennedy All on both sides the Chief of their Families To these were added the Two Bishops of Glasgo and Caledonia The Queen was allowed to be present at the King's Education but She was not to touch any part of the Publick Government As for the other Children which were Four viz. Alexander Duke of Albany and Iohn Earl of Mar and Two young Females She had the Charge of their Educations Herself Matters being thus composed at home Embassadors from England had their Audience who desired a Truce which was granted for Fifteen Years The next Year which was 1463. The King's Mother Died being not well spoken of in point of Chastity The same Year Alexander the King's Brother returning from his Grandfather by the Mothers-side out of France was taken Prisoner by the English but freed soon after in regard the Scots urged it as a Breach of the Truce and threatned a War thereupon Peace being obtained abroad it was not long before Intestine Commotions arose at home for when the Disputes and Controversies betwixt the Nobility concerning ordering the State of the Kingdom were bruited abroad and magnified by vulgar Rumors And Moreover the King's Minority together with the fresh Remembrance of the Licentiousness of the late Times were brought upon the Stage all these Temptations put together did easily let loose the Reins to Men who were turbulent enough in their own Nature Alan of Lorn a Seditious Person had a mind to enjoy the Estate of Iohn his Elder Brother and therefore kept him Prisoner intending there to detain him so long alive till the hatred of his cruel Practise did with time abate and so he yield to his Will and Pleasure when Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle heard of it he gather'd a Band of his Tenants together freed Iohn and cast Alan into Prison in his room resolving to carry him to Court that he might suffer Punishment for That as well as for his other noted Robberies but he prevented his Punishment by Death whether voluntary or fortuitous is not known In another part of the Country Donald the Islander as being a more powerful Person began to make a far greater Commotion for after the Kings Death as free from Fear and judging That turbulent state of things to be a fit Opportunity for him to injure his Inferiors and to increase his own power he came to Enverness with no great Train and was kindly invited into the Castle by the Governor thereof who had no Thoughts or so much as the least Fear of any Hostility from him when he was entred he turned out the Garison seized upon the Castle and gathering his Islanders about him proclaim'd himself King of the Islands He sent forth Edicts into the Neighbour Countries That the Inhabitants should pay Tribute to none but himself and that they should acknowledge no other Lord or Master denouncing a great Penalty to those that did otherwise The News hereof caus'd Debauch'd Persons to flock to him from all Parts so that having made up an Army great enough he entred Athole with such celerity that he took the Earl thereof who was the Kings Uncle and his Wife Prisoners before they suspected any such thing For the Earl hearing the sudden Tumult of a War distrusted the strength of his Castle of Blare and went into the Church of St. Brides near adjoining to defend himself there as in a Sanctuary by the Religion of the Place many also of his Vassals and Countrymen being surprized at the sudden danger carried and laid up their best Goods there That Church was venerated in those Parts with great Ceremony and it had remain'd inviolate to that very day by reason of the great Opinion of its Sanctity but the consideration of Gain was more prevalent with that Savage and Avaritious Person than any sense of Religion For he violently pull'd out the Earl and his
of all things and afterwards a Famine for the Sellers had rather suffer their Commodities to be spoil'd at Home than under a pretence of Sale to give them away to the Buyers But that all Commerce might not wholly cease amongst the People this one Remedy was found out for Bargainers and Chapmen That they should mention in their Contracts in what sort of Money the Payment should be made 'T is true some of our former Kings had Coin'd that kind of Money but 't was more for the necessary use of the Poor than for their own Gain and also Provision was made by a Law beyond what Sum Sellers might not be compell'd to take it in payment And thus the Buyers of small Commodities had a Benefit and also it seem'd sufficiently caution'd by the Law that the Richer Sort should have no Damage by this way of Change or Sale It was also objected against them That they had alienated the King's Heart from the Nobility and had set him a-gog upon Magick and had hurried him on to the Destruction of his own Kindred But that which made Cockran most envy'd was his Earldom of Merch which Country and Title the King had given to him or else had committed to his Trust upon the Death of the Youngest Brother When those Evil Counsellors were remov'd out of the way The King had no great Confidence in the Souldiery nor the Souldiery in him so that the Army was dismist and return'd Home and the King though for the present he supprest his Anger and made many large and fair Promises to the Nobility yet his Heart inwardly boiled with Blood Slaughter and Revenge And therefore as soon as he thought himself at Liberty he retired with some few of his Confidents into the Castle of Edinburgh and the Nobility not knowing what to think of it had also their Consultations apart The King of England gather'd Forces in the Winter-Season by the persuasion of Alâ—xander chiefly who inform'd him of the Dissension betwixt the King and his Nobles in Scotland and also assur'd him That as soon as ever he entred Scotland great Numbers of Horse and Foot would come in to him whereupon he made Richard his Brother Duke of Glocester General and commanded him to march into Scotland He began his March when it was about Midsummer and understanding in what Condition the Scotish Affairs were he turn'd aside to Berwick He was receiv'd immediately into the Town and left 4000 Men to besiege the Castle and with the rest of his Army he march'd directly to Edinburgh making a foul Devastation in all Places where he came But Alexander leading them on they entred the City without committing any Rapine and by a Publick Proclamation made in the Market-Place he advis'd Iames seeing he could not come to speak with him First to perform what he had promis'd to Edward and then that he would cause Satisfaction to be made for all the Wrongs and Injuries he had offered to the English and unless he would so do Richard Duke of Glocester would persecute him and his Country with Fire and Sword But Iames perceiving at present that he was not able to perform what was requir'd and on the other side that he was as unable to withstand the Power of the Enemy return'd no Answer at all either by Writing or Message But the Nobles of Scotland being thus forsaken of their King that they might not be wholly wanting to the Publick Safety Levy'd another Army and form'd a Camp at Hadington and that they might somewhat alleviate the imminent Danger and Pressure and stop the Enemy in his Career of Victory they sent Agents to the Duke of Glocester to desire That the Marriage so long promis'd might be consummate they were also to declare That it should not be their Fault if the Agreements made between the Nations were not punctually perform'd The English General knew That the Scots would not put things to the Hazard of a Battel in regard part of their Strength was with him upon the account of Alexander a popular Man and that the rest were divided into several Factions and therefore he made this Answer That he did not know what his King did resolve in reference to that Marriage but he thought it fit that the Money paid to Iames upon the account of the Dowry should be presently repaid to him and if they would have Peace they should promise to surrender up the Castle of Berwick or if they could not do that then to make a solemn Promise That they would not attempt to relieve the Besieged nor to hinder the Besiegers until it was either taken by Storm or surrendred upon Conditions The Scots return'd Answer by their Embassadors That 't was not their Fault the Marriage was not consummated but it happen'd because both Bride and Bridegroom were under Age That the Money was not yet due because the Day of Payment was not come and if there were not sufficient Security given for the payment thereof they would give more but the Castle of Berwick as being built by the Scots and that in the Scotish Soil and was and for many Ages had been under their Jurisdiction they could not part with and though the English had possest it sometimes by Force yet their Injury did not prejudice the Scots ancient Right but Glocester who was Superior in Strength resolv'd to carry the Point and to admit of no legal Dispute in the case The same Day Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle Andrew Stuart and the Bishops of St. Andrews and Dunblane sent to Alexander who was in the English Camp at Lethington a Chart sign'd with their Hands and Seals promising him if he would be Loyal to the King in the next Assembly they would take care that his Estate should be restor'd and an Amnesty given for what was past for the performance whereof they solemnly interpos'd their Faith Alexander acquainted Glocester with the thing who was very friendly and did dismiss him thereupon and so he return'd into his own Country where in the next Assembly of Estates he was made Regent by an unanimous Consent and presently a Proposition was made concerning raising the Siege of Berwick The wiser sort were of Opinion that in so dangerous a time when things were thus unsetled by reason of Domestick Seditions that if the Enemy were quiet yet Storms would rise amongst themselves that it was best to clap up a Peace upon any Terms for they saw plainly that if they should have the better of so powerful an Enemy yet it would rather provoke than dishearten him but if they themselves were overcome it was uncertain how an Enemy fierce by Nature and further elevated by Success would use his Victory Some that were more hot-spirited than they had then any Reason for did oppose this Opinion yet it was carry'd in the Parliament After many Conditions were canvast to and fro at length 't was agreed That on
Difficulty first of all the new King endeavoured to reconcile the Naval Forces to himself lest when he was absent in the further parts of the Kingdom to settle Matters there they should make some stir or at least should make an entrance for the English to penetrate far into the Land and so spoil the Mid-land Countries Whereupon when the old King's Death was now publickly divulged abroad the new One thought that Andrew Wood would now be more flexible and therefore he sent for him giving him the publick Faith for his Security When he was ashoar he told him what a great Dishonour Loss and publick Shame it was to the whole Nation that a few English Ships should in despite of them ride under their very Noses and thereupon he drew over Andrew to his Party and set him forth in good Equipage against the English Many did advise him that he would sail an equal number of Ships at least against the Enemy whose Vessels were more and bigger than his No says he I 'le have only my own Two And as soon as the Wind served he made directly toward the English who rode before Dunbar He fought them bravely took and brought them all into Leith and presented their Commanders to the King Andrew was liberally rewarded by the King and his skill in Sea-fight with the singular Valour of his Souldiers and Seamen was highly magnified And yet there were not wanting some of those sort of Creatures who do always admire the Atchievments of Kings whatsoever they be and if they be Great yet they view them in a multiplying Glass who foretold that this Victory did but presage a greater Mean while the adverse part of the Nobility sent Messages into all parts of the Kingdom to persuade the Countrey to rise and not to endure the present state of Things nor to suffer so many valiant Men to be illuded by such publick Parricides who had murdered one King and held Another in Bondage yea who accused the Defenders of the King's Life as Traitors whereas they who were indeed violaters of all divine and human Laws gave out themselves to be the only Assertors of the Rights of their Country and Maintainers of its Liberty Amongst whom the King himself was not a Freeman in regard he was enforced by them to take Arms against his Father and his King too and after he was impiously slain then to prosecute by a nefarious War those who were his Father's Friends and Defenders of his Life Many such Discourses they spread abroad amongst the Vulgar and to excite a greater Flame of Indignation and Hate Alexander Forbes Chief of a Noble Family carried the King's Shirt upon a Spear all over bloody and torn with the Marks of the Wounds he received through Aberdeen and all the chief Towns of the adjacent Country and as if it had been by a publick Proclamation he excited all Men by the Voice of an Herauld to rise in Arms to revenge so nefarious a Fact And Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox a Man of great Wealth and Power and who by an honest kind of popularity was equally dear to high and low was as active in the Countries on this side the Forth for he raised up the Earls that were his Neighbours and with a good Force endeavoured to pass over the Bridge at Sterlin to join his Associates but that Bridg being possessed by the King's Forces he sought to pass over at a Ford not far from the Rise of the River at the Foot of Mount Grampias His Design was discovered to Iohn Drummond by Alexander Mac-alpin his Vassal who had joined himself to the Enemy by whom also Information was given that all things were secure and ill-guarded in the Enemies Camp that every one stragled up and down as they pleased that they had no Watch set in convenient places nor used any Military Discipline at all Hereupon Drummond with some Courtiers and a few Volunteers who purposely came in to assist him set upon them as they were asleep many were killed in their sleep the rest run headlong away without their Arms and so returned from whence they came many were taken Prisoners but by their Friends that knew them a great part of them were dismissed they only were severely dealt with who had either written or spoke more contumeliously than others The Joy for this Victory was encreased by the News of another at the same time wherein Andrew Wood had prevailed in a Sea-fight against Stephen Bull. For Edward King of England hearing that five of his Ships were taken by two of the Scots and those much lesser also than his was willing to blot out the Infamy of the Thing and yet could find out no just pretence for a War yet he called his ablest Sea-Commanders together he offered them what Ships and Warlike Furniture they pleased and so he persuaded them to revenge the Ignominy cast on the English Name promising them great Rewards if they could bring Wood to him alive or dead But when those that knew the Valour of the Man and his prosperous Successes made some delay in the Case Stephen Bull a Knight of known Courage undertook the Expedition and Opportunity seemed to favour his Design because he knew that Wood was shortly to return out of Flanders and he thought it would be a matter of no great difficulty to attaque him unawares in his Passage thereupon he chose out three Ships of the Royal Navy and equipped them well in all points and so stood for the Isle of May an Island uninhabited in the Bay of Forth choosing that place for the conveniency of it because in every side of the Island there is safe riding and Harbour for Ships and there the Sea also grows so narrow that no little Vessel could pass by without being discovered Whilst he rode there he continually kept some of his skilfullest Mariners abroad in Fisher-boats to watch and to discover to him his Enemies Ships he had not rode at Anchor there many days when lo Wood's Ships appeared with full Sail making towards him Bull knew them and presently weighed Anchor and as Victor already in his Mind he prepared himself for the Fight Wood staid no longer but till his Men had armed themselves and so made up to him Thus did these two valiant Commanders engage as if they had had the Courage of mighty Armies and they fought so obstinately till the Night parted the Fray the Victory inclining to neither side The next Morning each of them incouraged their Party and with renewed Strength went to it again they cast Iron Hooks called Grapling Irons into one anothers Ships and so fought hand to hand as if they had been at a Land Fight and that with so great eagerness that neither of them took notice of the falling back of the Tide till they came to the heaps of Sand at the mouth of the River Tay there the Water being shallower the great Ships of the English
English Camp and does Execution The English Army Retreats Cruelty to Prisoners Iune 24. A Peace concluded between the Scots and English with the Conditions thereof Bâ—â—ce's last Will and Testament His Three Advices to his Successors wâ—th the Reasons upon which they were grounded 〈◊〉 Bruce's Vow to assist in the Holy War recommended to Douglas to perform Bruce would have his Heart buried at Ierusalem Douglas in his Voyage to Ierusalem assists the Spaniards against the Moors and was there slain Bruce his high Encomiâ—ms Iuly 9 th Randolf made Regent or Guardian November 24. * Situate near the Irish Sea He executes a Murderer though he had the Popes Pardon A notable Law made by the Regent to prevent Theiving The Collusive Cheat of a Country Man punished Stâ—ict Laws made by the Regent * In Tâ—vâ—otdaâ—â— A Monk Poysons Randolf with a slow-working-dose Edward marches for Scotland Edward punishes the Monk because his Poyson did not kill Randolf as soon as he said it would Edward retreats Iuly 20. Randolf's death and Character Duncan Earl of Marr made Guardian in Randolfs Place August 2. Iuly 31. Edward Baliol appears on the Scots Coast. * The Story of Twine or Tuenam Loresâ—n He stirs up Edward Baliol then in France to invade Scotland Edward Baliol Lands in Scotland * A Burgh on the North side of Firthâ—n â—n Fife over against Lâ—â—th in â—othâ—an August 〈◊〉 He overthrows Alexander Seaton In Strathernâ— And afterwards beats the Regent Himself making great slaughter of his men and himself being also slain Edward Baliol Declared King Aug. 25. K. David Bruce in his Minority to secure him sent to France Murray made Regent by K. David's Party A Castle standing on the North Bank of the River Ear in Strathern Built on the side of the River Don. Perth Walls demolished A County in the South of Scotland not far from Northumberland A Town in the head of Annandale near the source of the River Annan Baliol like to be surprized by Archibald Douglas Dec. 25. The Brucianâ— prevail against the Baliolans and Declare War against England The Brucian Nobles divide the Provinces they were to Govern And Declare War against Franâ—â— The King of England espouses Baliol's Cause and invaded Scotland His Pretensions for the War He claims Berwick The Scots Answer to the 〈◊〉 The English besieges Berwick * Apâ—iâ— 13. A Capitulation with the English about the surrender of Bâ—rwick Iuly the 30. Archibald Doâ—â—las made Regent by 〈◊〉 Party He makes inroads into England And comâ—â— near the Eâ—â—lish Army 〈◊〉 Berwiâ—â— Alexander Seatons Sons threatned to be put to Death unless he surrendred Berwick His Wife incourages him to part with his Children rather than the Town Alexanders Children put to Death by a Sâ—mmum jus as some think The Scots overthrown near Berwick Bâ—â—wick Surrendred to the English Edward pufft up with hiâ— Success refuses to hear foreign Ambassadors who were sent to mediate â— Peace Dissensions between the English in Scotland occasion a War * Now demolished The Nobles Bandy against Baliol. And Baliol against them Iohn Sterlin besieges the Castle at Loch-Leven * A Veteri poâ—â—e But the Governor beats him off and raises the Siege Edward enters Scotland again but retreatâ— and 〈…〉 with him to 〈…〉 General in Scotland Robert Stuart and Calen Cambel rise in Arms for Bruce and make Prosperous Beginnings Robert Stuart and Iohn Randolf made Regents in behalf of David Bruce In Teviotdale April 1. A Fewd between Douglas and Cumins Edward invades Scotland * 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 Provinces The Gueldrians Auxiliaries to the English overthrown by Randolfe Randolf taken Prisoner Cumin's large Promises to Edward Perth taken by Edward Edward 〈◊〉 to England Cumins left Regent by him in Scotland In Marr. * On the side of the River Don in Marr. Cumin's Army overthrown and himself slain Murray made Regent The English again enter Scotland Standing on a Rock in the Sea And upon their Retreat leave Edâ— Baâ—iol their General A strong Castle in Buchan Mâ—rray's prosperous Succeâ—sâ—s 〈◊〉 Cruelty Salisbury and Aruâ—del Command some English in Scotland Monfort slain by Preston A piece of Savage Inhumanity Talbot overthrown by Keâ—th Dunbar resâ—ved and the Siege raised Murray the Regent dyes Stuart made Regent His prosperous Beginnings He Saâ—lâ— over to David then in France At his return he Levies an Army Bullock turns to the Scots Perth taken by the Scots so is Sterlin And Edinburgh Castle by Stratagem Aâ—ex Ramsays House the School of War His Expedition into England He harasses Northumberland And takes Roxburgh * The Earl of Salisbury taken Prisoner by the Scots as some say * It is 3 Miles in Compass Three Governors of the Borders The English driven out of all Scotland except Berwick * Iuly 2. K. David returns to Scotland Edward enters Scotland with a great Army Embassadors from Scotland obtain a Pacification Iune 1. The Scots Nobles stock in to David A Town in Teviotdale Ramsay taken and starved to Death by Douglas Bullock put to Death Douglas pardoned David makes several Expeditions into England A Truce for two Years betwixt the Scots and English Calais besieged by the English See p. 4. Note i. David at the solicitation of the French enters England with an Army Where he receives a great overthrow and is taken Prisoner by Iohn Capland Upon which the English regain a great part of Scotland A strong Pass on the Sea shore in that Bourn which divides East-Lothian from the Meâ—â—s A Plague in Scotland Bloody Feude Douglas prevails against the English Iohn of France persuades the Scots to make no Peace with the English but by his Consent The English waste Lothian Norham burnt by the Scots The English drawn into an Ambush Berwick Town taken by the Scots but not the Castle Edward enters Scotland Baliol Surrenders the Kingdom to him Edward retreats upon which the Scots recover some of their Losses Edward overthrows â—ohn of France in Aquitaâ—n and hath two Kings his Prisoners at one time 〈◊〉 Bruce â—â—eased upon pâ—ying a great Ransom wherein the Pope assists the Sâ—â—ts David settles the Succession first on Alexander and then on Robert Stuart Great Inundations of Water endammage Lothian A Grievous Pestilence Eight Prudent Persons chosen out of all the Orders to prepare Matters for that High Court Davids unacceptable Propositions to the Scots Davids Policy to subvert the Islanders His Death and Character William's Son Marries Eufemia the Kings Daughter August 11. New Discordâ— betwixt the Scots and English Lilburn overthrown A Town in the Merss six Miles Northwest from Berwick Iohn Scotus born at Duns Percy enters Scotland They run from the Scots Sea to 〈◊〉 and divide 〈◊〉 from Lothian Percâ—'s Horse are affrighted with rattling Instruments and 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 Robert upon his Queens decease Marries Elizabeth More by whom he had Children before whom he prefers to great 〈◊〉 Edward the Third dies and his Grandchild Richard the Second succeeds him Ambassadors from Charles
the agreeing impudence of some few For they write of those times in which all things were dubious and uncertain with so much positiveness and confidence as if their design were rather to court the Readers Ear than to respect the Faithness of their Narrations For in those first times seeing the use of Tillage was not common neither among the Britains nor many other Nations but all their Wealth consisted in Cattle Men had no regard to their substance which was very small because they were either expelled from their Habitations by such as were more powerful than themselves or they themselves did drive out the weaker ones or else they sought out better Pasture for their Cattle in Wild and Desert places Upon one or other of these Grounds they easily changed their Dwellings and the Places they removed to with new Masters soon got new Names Besides the Ambition of the wealthier sort added much to the difficulty who to perpetuate their Memory to Posterity called Countrys Provinces and Towns by their own Names Almost all the Cities in Spain had two Names The Names of the Inhabitants in It and also the Names of the Cities and Countries therein received frequent alterations Not to speak of Egypt Greece and other remote Countries Saepius nomen posuit Saturnia tellus Fair Italy says Fame Full oft hath chang'd her Nameâ— Add hereunto that those Nations who live in the same Country have not always the same Names That which the Latins call Hispania The Greeks Iberia The Poets Hesperia St. Paul in his Epistle Theodoret and Sozomen in Their History call Spania i. e. Spain The Name of the Greeks so celebrated by the Latins and all Nations of Europe is more obscure than the Greeks themselves The Hebrews and Arabians keep their Old Words almost in all Nations which were not so much as heard of by other People Scot and English are the common Names of the British Nations which at this day are almost unknown to the Ancient Scots and Britains for they call the one Albines the other Saxons And therefore 't is no wonder if in so great an uncertainty of Human Affairs as to the Names of Men and Places Writers who were born at several times far distant one from another and having different Languages and Manners too do not always agree amongst themselves Though these things have occasioned difficulties great enough in searching out the first Original of Nations yet some of the Moderns too being acted by a Principle of Ambition have involved all things in more thick and palpable darkness For whilst every one would fetch the Original of his Nation as high as he could and so endeavour to enoble it by devised Fables by this immoderate Licence of coyning Fictions What do they but obscure That which they ought to Illustrate And if at any time they speak Truth yet by their frequent and ridiculous Untruths at other times they detract from their own Credit And are so far from obtaining that Esteem which they hoped for that by reason of their Falshoods they are laughed at even by those whom they endeavour'd to cajole into an Assent To make this plain I will first begin as with the Ancientest Nation so from the most notorious and impudent Falshood They who compiled a New History of the Ancient Britains having interpolated the Fable of the Danaides proceed further to feign That one Diocletian King of Syria begat 33 Daughters on his Wife Labana who killing their Husbands on their Wedding night their Father crouded them all together into one Ship without any Master or Pilot who arriving in Britain then but a Desert did not only live solitarily in that cold Country and not very full of Fruits growing of their own accord neither but also by the Compression of Cacodaemons forsooth they brought forth Giants whose Race continued till the arrival of Brutus They say the Island was called Albion from Albine and that Brutus was the Nephews Son of Aeneas the Trojan and the Son of Aeneas Sylvius This Brutus having accidentally killed his Father with a Dart it was looked upon as a lamentable and piteous Fact by all Men yet because it was not done on purpose the punishment of Death was remitted and Banishment either enjoyned or voluntarily undertaken by him This Parricide having consulted the Oracle of Diana and having run various hazards through so many Lands and Seas after 10 years arrived in Britain with a great number of Followers and by many Combats having conquered the terrible Giants in Albion he gain'd the Empire of the whole Island He had three Sons as they proceed to Fable Locrinus Albanactus and Camber between whom the Island was divided Albanactus ruled over the Albans afterwards called Scots Camber over the Cambrians i. e. the Welsh They did both Govern their several Precincts as Vice-roys yet so as that Locrinus had supreme Dominion who being Ruler of the rest of the Britans gave the Name of Loegria to his part Later Writers that they might also propagate this Fabulous Empire as much as they could do make this Addition to it That Vendelina succeeded her Father Locrinus Madanus Vendelina Menpricius Madanus and Ebrancus Menpricius which later of Twenty Wives begat as many Sons of which Nineteen passed into Germany and by force of Arms conquered that Country being assisted by the Forces of their Kinsman Alba Sylvius and from those Brothers the Country was called Germany These are the things which the Brittons and after them some of the English have delivered concerning the first Inhabitants of Britain Here I cannot but stand amazed at their design who might easily and without any reflection at all have imitated the Athenians Arcadians and other famous Nations and have called themselve Indigenae seeing it would have been no disgrace to them to own that Origin which the Noblest and wisest City in the whole World counted her Glory especially since that Opinion could not be refuted out of Ancient Writers and had no mean Assertors besides yet that they had rather forge Ancestors to themselves from the Refuse of all Nations whom the very Series of the Narration itself did make suspected even to the unskilful Vulgar and also none of the Ancients no not by the meanest suspition did confirm Besides if that had not pleased them seeing it was free for them as some of the Poets have Writ to have assumed Honourable Ancestors to themselves out of any old Books I wonder in my heart what was in their Minds to make choice of such of whom all their posterity might justly be ashamed For what great folly is it to think nothing Illustrious or Magnificent but what is Profligat and Flagitious or at least but a size below it yet some there are that value themselves among the ignorant upon the score of such Trifles as for Iohn Annius a Man I grant not unlearned I think he may
Estates he abdicated the Magistracy about the Twelfth Year after Thereus began his Reign Josina the Ninth King JOsina Brother of the late King was raised to the Helm of Government He did nothing memorable one way or other only he had Physicians in very high esteem because when he was banished with his Father into Ireland they had been his great Intimates Whereupon the rest of the Nobility complying with the Humour of the King it came to pass that for many Ages there was scarce a Nobleman or Gentleman in Scotland which had not the Skill to cure Wounds For there was then little use of other parts of Physick amongst such Men who were educated parsimoniously and enured to much Labour and Toil. He died in a good old Age having Reigned Four and Twenty Years Finnanus The Tenth King HIS Son Finnanus succeeded him who walking in his Fathers Steps endeavoured nothing more than to accustom his Subjects to a just and moderate Government labouring to maintain his Kingly Authority more by Good Will than Arms And that he might cut up the Root of Tyranny he made a Decree That Kings should determine or command nothing of great Concernment without the Authority of their Great Council He was beloved both by his Subjects and by Foreigners He deceased having Reigned Thirty Years Durstus The Eleventh King NOthing did so much aggravate the Loss of Finnanus as the profligate and deboist Life of his Son Durstus who succeeded him For First of all he banished from his presence his Fathers Friends as troublesom Abridgers of his Pleasures Then he made the Corruptest Youngsters his Familiar and Bosom Friends giving up himself wholly to Wine and Women He drove away his Wife the Daughter of the King of the Britains who was prostituted to his Nobles At length when he perceived that the Nobility were conspiring against him as if he had been just then awakened out of a deep sleep foreseeing that he was not safe at home and knew not where to find a secure place abroad if he were banished in regard he was so hated both of his Subjects and Strangers too he therefore thought it his best course to dissemble a Repentance for his former Evil Life by that means thinking he might retain the Regal Government and in time be reveng'd of his Enemies too And thereupon in the first place he recalled his Wife and by that means endeavour'd to make fair Weather with the Britains He assembles the Heads of his Subjects and under a solemn Oath to do so no more he Enacts an Amnesty for what was past He commits Notorious Criminals to Prison as if he had reserved them for further Punishment And religiously promised That for the future he would Act nothing without the Counsel of his Nobles When by these Arts he had made others believe That he was a true Convert he celebrates this Reconciliation and Concord with Plays Feastings and other Divertisements proper for Publick Rejoycings Thus all Mens Minds being filled with Jollity he invites the Nobility to Supper and then shutting them up in one place being unarmed and fearing nothing he sent in Ruffians amongst them who destroy'd them every Man That Calamity did not so much abate and quell the Minds of the rest with fear as it raised and blew up their Languishing Anger into New Flames VVherefore gathering a great Army together they all conspired to rid the Earth of so foul a Monster Durstus perceiving that all other hope failed him resolved to try his fortune in a Battel with a few others whom the like fear of Punishment for the Wickedness of their former Lives had drawn in to joyn with him in which Fight he was slain after he had Reigned Nine Years Though all Orders and Estates were justly incens'd against him yet they gave so great Deference to the Name of King and to the Memory of his Ancestors that he was buried amongst his Royal Predecessors Evenus the Twelfth King AFter his Death in a Publick Assembly of the Nobles there was a very great Contest some alledging that according to their Oath made to King Fergus the ancient Custom was to be observed others fearing that if they made any one of the Kindred of Durstus King that either the Similitude of Manners would incline him to the same Wickedness or else the Propinquity of Blood would make him study Revenge At last Evenus Brothers-Child to Durstus being commended for his former Life and for his extream Hatred against the Tyrant whilst he was alive was sent for from amongst the Picts whither he had voluntarily banished himself out of hatred to Durstus and unanimously created King He is reported to be the first who made his Subjects to take an Oath of Allegiance to him which Custom is yet retained by the Heads of the Clans Evenus that he might rectifie the Manners of his Subjects which were depraved by the former King did first reduce Youth to the Ancient Parsimony in Diet Apparel and in their daily Conversation For by that means he judged they would be more Valiant in War and less Seditious in Peace He diligently viewed all the Parts of his Kingdom administring Justice with great Moderation and punishing Offenders according to their Demerits He assisted the King of the Picts with Aid against the Brittons betwixt whom there was fought a long and cruel Battel till Night parted them the Victory being so uncertain that both Armies departed with equal Slaughter and as equal Fear The Brittons went home The Scots and Picts retired into the next adjacent Mountains But the Day after from the High Grounds perceiving the departure or flight of their Enemies they came and gathered up the Spoils as if they had been Conquerors and so return'd home with their Army Evenus having repelled his Enemies again betook himself to the Arts of Peace And that it might not be troublesom to Kings to Travel over the Countries so oft for the Administring Justice which was then their Custom to do he divided the Kingdom into Circuits and setled Ordinary Judges to do that Work He also appointed Informers to bring in Accusations against the Guilty Which Office being found inconvenient was either abrogated by a Law or else grew obsolete by Custom He died in the Nineteenth Year of his Reign leaving a Base-born Son called Gillus behind him a Crafty Man and desirous of the Kingdom Gillus The Thirteenth King THere were yet living of the Blood-Royal as Heirs to the Crown Two Twins Dochamus and Dorgalius the Sons of Durstus Though their Age was not the Cause of the Difference yet there arose a deadly Fewd between them concerning the Kingdom which was also further increased by the Fraud of Gillus The Matter being referred to the Arbitration of their Kindred such was the Obstinacy of the Factions that nothing could be determined Gillus who advis'd each of them to kill one another when his Secret Counsel took no effect
gathered together the chief of the Nobles and his Kindred on pretence to end the Controversie into one place where he suborned Men fit for his purpose to raise a Tumult and to destroy them Both. And then as if he himself had been assaulted by Treachery he implored the Aid of all that were present and fled to Evonium a place fortified by King Evenus Having Garison'd that Fort with part of the Nobility and other Flagitious Persons out of an high place in the Castle he made a long Oration to the People who in great Multitudes were gathered about him concerning the Rashness and Obstinacy of the Two Brothers he declaimed also against those Assassins who killed them but at last he told them That he was left by Evenus the Guardian or Superior of the Kingdom as well as of his Domestick Affairs till a New King was chosen When the People heard this though they believed it to be false yet when they saw him fortified in a strong Garison for fear of a greater Mischief they instantly swore Fealty to him and declared him King He though he had strengthened himself in the Kingdom by the Consent of the People though unwillingly obtain'd yet not thinking himself safe from the Posterity of Durstus as long as any of them were alive resolved to destroy his Nephews There remained alive of them Lismorus Gormachus and Ederus the Sons of Dochamus Son of Durstus they were educated in the Isle of Man Thither Gâ—llus went on pretence to bring them home and to the Two Elder he behaved himself with great Reverence and Respect and carried them with him into Albium cunningly pretending That they be being of a Royal Stock should be educated in his Couâ—t sutable to their Princely Quality As for Ederus the younger â—he left Souldiers on pretence of a Guard to attend his Person to whom he gave Command on a certain appointed Day to kill him But the Disposition of Gillus being well known to all The Nurse suspecting Treachery to be hatching against the Child conveyed him secretly by Night into the Country of Argyle and so she eluded Gillus who â—ought in vain to find him out to destroy him for she bred him up for some years privately in a Cave under Ground whereupon â—he in fury put the Two elder Brothers of Ederus and also their Guard to Death But it being publickly reported That Ederus himself was conveyed into Ireland he made no further enquiry after him And yet his Cruelty rested not here though he had slain the Nephews of Durstus for not judging himself sufficiently secure as long as any one of the Royal Progeny was left alive he caused all those of Kin or Alliance thereto to be also put to Death The Nobles who were grieved at the present state of Affairs which was bad at present and fearing that it would be worse entred into a Combination against him and carried the Matter with so much secresie that a War was begun against Gillus before he had Notice that any Preparations were making towards It. But in Levying an Army against his Contrariants he soon perceived how inconstant the Fealty of Man is towards Wicked and Flagitious Princes For there were very few that came in to him at his Summons and those that did were Debauchees such as were afraid of Peace in regard of the Wickedness of their former Lives And therefore distrusting his Forces he left his Army and in a Fisher-Boat was wafted over into Ireland In the mean time the Scots that they might not be without a Legal Government made Cadvallus chief of those who conbined against Gillus their Vice-Roy to whom upon a Treaty the Forces of his Enemies did submit and were thereupon received into his Protection When Cadvallus understood that Gillus was about to renew the War and in order thereto was raising as many deboist Persons as he could he resolved to prevent him before he could gather together a just Army and so to pursue him whithersoever he fled First he Sailed into the Aebudae or Hebrides there he caused Ederus the only branch of the Family of Durstus yet alive to be brought to him and gave Order for his Liberal and Royal Education When Gillus heard of his March he retired again into Ireland there he engaged the Clans of that Nation with great promises of Reward to endeavour his Restitution to his Kingdom which if they could effect then he would give them the Aebudae Islands for their Reward By these Promises he gathered together a great Army Cadvallus having prepared all things for his Transportation was suddainly called back to clear himself from a false suspicion of affecting or aspiring to the Kingly Government Evenus II. The Fourteenth King IN which Case the first thing he did was to take care That Evenus an eminent Person the Son of Dovallus Brother to King Finnanus might by the Suffrages of the People be created King who having accepted the Government caused all Places which were commodious for his Enemies and especially the Maritime ones to be filled with strong Garisons that so his Enemies might not make a suddain descent into his Kingdom without opposition Gillus hearing of this did also alter his Resolution and sailed to the Isle Ila And there having wasted the Country far and near with Fire and Sword he returned back into Ireland Evenus sends a great Army thither under the Command of Cadvallus that so he might exhaust the Spring-head of the War Neither did Gillus refuse to fight him but being forsaken of his Men who followed him for Booty rather than for Love he changed his Apparel and with a small Company fled into a neighbor Wood The rest of his Army being thus deserted by their General and their Fellow Soldiers too yielded to Cadvallus After the Battel was ended they sought a long time for Gillus and at last found him in a blind Cave where he was slain the Third Year after he began his Reign and his Head was brought to Cadvallus Matters being thus happily setled in Ireland by Cadvallus as he was returning home he met not with the same Felicity for being toss'd up and down with a grievous Tempest he lost the greatest part of his Army and all the Prey they had gotten which strook him into such a damp that not long after he died of Grief The King indeed comforted him but all in vain and praising his Valour and Success in the War he cast all his Miseries upon the crosness of Fortune The new King being lifted up with this Success renewed a Peace with the Picts and in Confirmation thereof he took to Wife the Daughter of Getus the Third King of the Picts But the suddain Arrival and Landing of the Orkny-Men in Albium quickly disturbed this publick Joy But the King falling suddainly upon them drove them out of the Field to the Mountains and from thence to the Sea and there being in a fright and hurry whilst
they crowded and hindred one another in endeavouring to Ship themselves they were all slain to a Man Belus their King despairing to obtain Quarter slew himself Evenus having finished the War returns to the work of Peace and constitutes two Mart-Towns for Trade in convenient Places i. e. Ennerlochy and Ennerness each of them receiving their Name from Rivers gliding by them For Enner amongst the Ancient Scots signifies a Place whither Ships do usually resort He subdued the Inhabitants of the Aebudae who by reason of their long Wars were grown very Licentious and Quarrelsome He reconciled their Animosities and appeased their Disturbances and soon after died having Reigned Seventeen years Ederus the Fifteenth King EDERVS the Son of Dochamus was made King in his place who whilst he was reaping the sweet Fruits of Peace establish'd both at home and abroad and giving himself to the sport of Hunting according to the ancient Custom of the Nation had News suddenly brought him That one Bredius an Islander of Kin to the Tyrant Gillus was Landed with a great Navy of Souldiers and plundered the Country He presently gathered together a Tumultuary Army against him and marching as silently as he could in the Night he passed by the Camp of his Enemies and set upon their Ships in the Road which by this suddain surprize he easily mastered and killing the Guard he burnt the Navy In the Morning he led his Army against the Camp which he easily took finding the Souldiers negligent and in no order at all many were slain on the spot whilst they delay'd either to Fight or Fly The rest having their flight by Sea prevented by the burning of their Ships were there taken and Hanged The Prey was restored to the Owners that claimed them A few years after another of the kindred of Gillus and out of the same Island too raised the like Commotion which had the same Event and Success for his Army was overthrown his Fleet burnt the Prey recovered back and restored to the Right Owners Thus having settled a firm Peace being very old he fell Sick and died in the Forty Eight year of his Reign Evenus III. the Sixteenth King EVENVS the Third Succeeded him a Son unworthy of so Good a Father for not being contented with an Hundred Concubines of the Noblest Families he published his Filthiness and Shame to the World by Established Laws For he enacted That every Man might Marry as many Wives as he was able to maintain And also That before the Marriage of Noble Virgins the King should have one Nights lodging with them and the Nobles the like before the Marriage of Plebeians That the Wives of Plebeians should be common to the Nobility Luxury Cruelty and Covetousness did as they ordinarily do attend and follow this his flagitious Wickedness For his Incomes and Revenues not answering his Expence upon pretended Causes the Wealthier sort were put to Death and the King going snips with the Robbers by that means Theives were never punished And thus the Favour which he had obtain'd from corrupt youth by reason of his permission of Promiscuous Lust he lost by his Cruelty and Rapaciousness For a Conspiracy of the Nobles being made against him he soon perceived that the Friendship and seeming Union of Wicked Men is not to be relied upon For assoon as they came to Fight he was Deserted by his Souldiers and fell alive into his Enemies Hands by whom he was cast into the common Jail Cadallanus who Succeeded him demanding what Punishment he should have he was Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment But there one or other of his Enemies either out of some old Grudge for Injuries received from him or else hoping for Favour or at least Impunity for the Murder of the King Strangled him by Night in the Prison when he had Reigned Seven years The Murderer was Hanged for his Labour Metellanus the Seventeenth King METELLANVS Kinsman to Ederus Succeeded him in the Throne a Prince no less dear to all for his excellent Virtues than Evenus was hated by them for his flagitious Vices He was mightily Priz'd and Esteem'd for This That during his Reign there was Peace both at home and abroad But it was some allay to his Happiness that he could not abrogate the Filthy Laws of Evenus being hindred by his Nobility who were too much addicted to Luxury He deceased in the Thirtieth year of his Reign Caratacus the Eighteenth King METELLANVS dying without Issue the Kingdom was conferred on Caratacus Son of Cadallanus a young Man of the Royal Blood Assoon as he entred upon the Kingdom he quieted the People of the Aebudae Islands who had raised Commotions upon the Death of their last King but not without great Trouble Yet here I cannot easily beleive what our Writers following Orosius Eutropius and Bede do say viz. That the Orcades were subdued by Claudius Caesar in his Reign Not that I think it a very hard thing for him to attempt one by one a few Islands scatter'd up and down in the Stormy Sea and having but a few and those too unarmed Inhabitants to defend them and seeing they could not mutually help another to take them all in nor that I think it incredible That a Navy might be sent by Claudius on that Expedition he being a Man that sought for War and Victory all the World over But because Tacitus affirms that before the coming of Iulius Agricola into Britain that part thereof was utterly unknown to the Romans Caratacus Reigned Twenty years Corbredus the Nineteenth King CORBREDVS his Brother Succeeded him He also subdued the Islanders in many Expeditions a People that almost in every Inter-Regnum did affect Innovation and raise up new Tumults He also quite suppress'd the Banditti which most infested the Commonalty Having settled Peace he return'd to Albium and making his Progress over all Scotland he repaired the Places injured by War and departed this Life in the Eighteenth year of his Reign Dardanus the Twentieth King THE Convention of Estates set up Dardannus the Nephew of Metellanus in his stead passing by the Son of Corbredus because of his young and tender years No Man before him entred upon the Government of whom greater Expectations were conceived and no Man did more egregiously deceive the Peoples Hopes Before he undertook the chief Magistracy he gave great Proof of his Liberality Temperance and Fortitude So that in the beginning of his Reign he was an indifferent Good and Tolerable King but he had scarce sat Three years on the Throne before he ran head-long into all sorts of Wickedness The Sober and Prudent Counsellors of his Father he banish'd from his Court because they were against his lewd Practices Only Flatterers and such as could invent new Pleasures were his Bosom Friends He caused Cardorus his own Kinsman to be put to Death because he reproved him for his Extravagance in Lawless Pleasures and yet he had been Lord Chief Justice and Chancellor too under
a bloody Fight was begun betwixt them The Victory was a great while hovering and uncertain at last all the valiant Men of the Caledonians being slain the rest having their Courage cooled were forced to retreat to their Fastnesses After this Battel there was no doubt at all but that Agrippa would have subdued all Britain by the force of his conquering Arms if he had not been called home by Domitian not for the Honour of his Victories as was pretended but for his Destruction and Death After his departure Sedition arose in the Roman Camp and the Scots and Picts being glad of the occasion and somewhat encouraged thereby began to creep out of their lurking Places and perceiving that the Romans had not a General nor the same Camp-Discipline as before they sent Envoys up and down to try the Inclination not only of their own Country-men but of the Brittons also Thus in the first place being imboldned by some small successful Skirmishes they began to take heart and to assault Garisons and at last with a formed Army they resolved to venture the hazard of a pitched Field By this means The Romans were expelled out of their Territories and were forced with doubtful success to contend with the Britains for their ancient Province Galdus having obtained respite from War made his Progress all over the several Countries of the Land and resetled the old Owners in their Habitations which had been almost destroyed by the War As for the Places which were wholly void he sent his Soldiers to inhabit them And having restrained the frequent Robberies which were wont to be committed he composed the differences which began to arise betwixt Him and the Picts At length in great Glory and Endearment both with Friends and Foes he deceased in the 35th Year of his Reign Luctacus the Twenty Second King SO good a Father was succeeded by Luctacus as bad a Son who despising the Counsel of his Nobles gave up himself wholly to Drinking and Whoring No nearness of Alliance no Reverence of the Laws no respect of Nobility or of Conjugal Relation did restrain him from his vile lewdness with those Women which he had a Mind to Moreover He was inhumanly Cruel and also unsatiably Covetous The Soldiers and youthful Fry which is still more inclinable to the worse did easily degenerate into the Manners of their King So that at last when he had defiled all with Whoredom Rapines and Slaughters and no one Man durst oppose his exorbitant Power An Assembly of the States being called together and speaking freely concerning the State of the Kingdom he Commanded the Nobles as Seditious Persons to be led out to Execution but by the concourse of the intervening Multitude both He and also the loathed Ministers of his Lust and Lewdness were slain when he had scarce finished the Third Year of his Reign For the Honour had to his Father his Body was allowed to be Buried amongst the Sepulchres of his Ancestors but the Bodies of his Associats were cast out as unworthy of any Burial at all Mogaldus the Twenty Third King AFter him Mogaldus was elected King the Nephew of Galdus by his Daughter In the beginning of his Reign he equalled the best of Kings but growing older he was tainted with Vices and easily degenerated into the Manners of his Uncle When he first entred on the Government that he might with greater Facility cure the vitious Practices committed by the former King which did even contaminate the Publick Manners he made Peace with his Neighbors he restored the Ancient Ceremonies in Religion which had been carelesly neglected He banished all Pimps of Lust and Debauchery from Court and acted all things by the Advice of the Estates according to the Ancient Custom by which Deportment he procured to himself Love at home and Reverence abroad Having setled Matters at home he turned his Mind to Warlike Affairs and drove out the Romans from the Borders of his Kingdom and by his Auxiliaries assisted the Picts against the Injuries of the Romans Yea in some prosperous Battels he so weakned the Roman Power amongst the Britains that They also were erected to some hopes of recovering their Liberty and thereupon took up Arms in many places And their hopes were encreased because the Emperor Adrian had called back Severus a fierce and skilful Warrior out of Britanny into Syria to quell the Seditions of the Iews so that Adrian himself the Tumults more and more increasing was inforced to pass over from Gallia into Britain But he being a greater Lover of Peace than War desired rather to maintain the Bounds of his Empire than to enlarge them Whereupon when he came to York and found the Country beyond it to be harassed by the War he resolved to take a particular View of the Devastation and so marched his Army to the River Tine where being informed by the old Soldiers who had followed Agricola almost to the utmost Bounds of Britanny That there would be more Pains than Profit in Conquering the rest of the Island he built a Wall and Trench for the space of Eighty Miles between the Firths of the Rivers Tine and Esk and so excluded the Scots and Pâ—cts from their Provincials and having setled the State of the Province be returned back from whence he came Here I cannot but take notice that seeing there yet remain divers Marks of this Wall in many places it is a wonder to me that Bede did wholly omit to mention it especially since Aelius Spartianus hath taken notice of it in the Life of Adrian and also Herodian in the Life of Severus I cannot persuade my self That Bede could be so mistaken to think as many yet do That that Wall was not made by Adrian but by Severus This by the by Hereupon the Roman Province was quieted the Excursions of their Neighbors were prevented and Peace was observed between them for a great while The Britains did easily embrace it and the Scots and Picts had thereby opportunity to divide the Neighboring Lands as a Prey amongst themselves But that Peace besides the prejudice it did to the Body by weakening its Vigor through Sloth and Idleness did also enervate the Mind by the Baits of Pleasure which then began to tickle it For hereby Mogaldus till then Unconquered in War forgetting the Glory of his Ancestors ran headlong into all kind of Vice and besides other pernicious and foul Miscarriages prejudicial to the Publick he made a most unjust Law That the States of such as were condemned should be forfeited to his Exchequer no part thereof being allotted to their Wives or Children This Law is yet observed and pleaded for by the Officers of the King's Revenue who are willing to gratifie his Lust though they then did and yet do know that it is an unjust and inhuman Institution Mogaldus having thus made himself obnoxious and hateful to the Nobles and Commons too being unable to resist their Combinations
with one or two of his Companions sought to run from their Fury but before he could execute his Project he was taken and slain after he had Reigned 36 Years This was done about the Sixth Year of the Reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius Conarus the Twenty Fourth King COnarus his Son succeeded him who from an ill Beginning ended his wicked Reign with as unhappy a Conclusion For he was not only conscious and privy to but also a partner in the Conspiracy against his Father But to cover his Faults in the beginning of his Reign a War did fall out very opportunely for him For the Britains having passed Adrian's Wall took away great store of Men and Cattle Whereupon Conarus by the Advice of his Council joyning his Army with the Picts they passed over Adrian's Wall in many places and made great havock in the Britains Country and at last encountring their Enemy a great and bloody Battel was fought betwixt Them the Romans and Britains The Slaughter was almost equal on both sides which occasioned Peace between Them till the next Year Yet the Romans because they were not Conquerors looked upon themselves as in a manner Conquered Whereupon their own Forces being much lessened and Adrian putting no great Confidence in the Britains whom he saw to conceive some hopes of Liberty upon his Misfortunes he sent for Aid from Antoninus Pius laying the blame of the Violation of the Peace upon the Scots and Picts and of the loss and slaughter of his Men upon the Britains Lollius Vrbicus was sent over Lieutenant-General by the Emperor who overcame his Enemy in a bloody Battel and drove them beyond the Wall of Adrian which he again repaired Afterwards there was a Cessation of Arms for many Years as if a silent Truce had been made For the Romans had Work enough to keep the Enemy from ravaging and plundering and for that end their Camp was pitched on the Borders And Conarus who loved nothing in War but the Licentiousness obteined thereby made haste to return home That he might imploy that Vacancy wholly to immerge himself in Pleasures Whereupon those Vices which he had before concealed on design to gain the Love of others began now to appear bare-faced And when by this Dissimulating Art he judged the Kingdom sure to him what his Ancestors had gotten by great Pains and Labour he did as profusely spend on his own Lusts and Pleasures insomuch that in a very short time he was reduced to great want So that convening an Assembly of the Estates he made a long and plausible Oration of the Grandeur and Magnificence which was necessary for Kings and complained of the Lowness of his Exchequer Thus covering his Vices under the cleanly Names of Gallantry and Magnificence and he was also an earnest Suitor That a Valuation of every Mans Estate should be made and a proportionable Tax imposed on each Individual This Speech was unacceptable to all that heard it whose Answer was That the Matter was of more Moment than to be determined on a sudden Whereupon the Estates having obtained a short time for Consultation upon asking every particular Mans Opinion they soon found That this new Device of demanding such a vast Sum of Money did not proceed from the Nobles but from some Court-Parasites whereupon they Voted That the King should be kept Prisoner as unfit to Reign until upon his Abjuration of the Government they did substitute another When they met the next Day he who was first demanded to give his Vote made a sharp Speech and Invective against the Life of the former King saying That Bawds Parasites Minstrels and Troops of Harlots were not fit Instruments for Kings and Kingdoms as being useless in War and troublesom in Peace besides they were costly and full of Infamy and Disgrace He added The Complaint was false That the King's Revenue and Incom were not sufficient for his Expence for a great many of their former Kings who were famous Warriors and formidable to their Enemies had lived Nobly and Splendidly upon it in time of Peace But if any Prince be of Opinion That the Publick Revenue was too short then said he let a Supplement be made not out of the Subjects Purse but out of his own Domestick Parsimony He further added That the Measure of Expence was not to be taken from the Lust and Exorbitant Desires of Men which were infinite but from the Ability of the People and the Real Necessities of Nature And therefore it was his Opinion That those Villains upon whom the Publick Patrimony was conferred and for whose sake the King had undone so many Worthy Persons of good Rank and Quality by despoiling them of their Estates and putting them to Death should be compelled to refund That to the Lawful Owners which by their Flatteries they had unjustly robbed them of and that also they should be further punished to boot In the mean time he advised that the King should be kept a Prisoner till they could substitute another that would not only inure himself to Thrift but also teach others by his Example to live hardly and parsimoniously as his Forefathers had done that so the strict Discipline received from our Ancestors might be transmitted to Posterity This Speech as it was sharp enough of it self so it seemed more cutting to those who had Velvet Ears and were unaccustomed to hear such free and bold Discourses before Neither did the King endeavour to allay the Heats of his People by fair and gentle Words but rather by fierce and minatory Expressions which did more vehemently inflame and provoke them so that amidst these Quarrellings and Altercations a Tumult arising some that were next the King laid Hands on him and thrust him with some few others into a Cave under-ground Those Courtiers who had been the Authors of such wicked Counsels were presently put to Death and lest any Tumult of the Mobile should arise upon this Dissolution of the Bonds of Government One Argadus a Nobleman was made Vice-Roy till the People could conveniently meet to set up a New King He though in the beginning of his Administration he setled all things with great Equity and thereby had procured much Commendation by his moderate Deportment yet his Mind being corrupted by Prosperity he soon lost all the Credit of his former praise-worthy Life For he cherished Home-bred Seditions and strengthened his Authority by External Aid having such great Familiarity with the chief of the Picts that he took a Wife from amongst them and gave his Daughters to them in Marriage by which practice it soon appeared that he aspired to the Crown These things being laid to his Charge in a Publick Assembly wherein he was much blamed for his so sudden Degeneration and Apostacy he was altogether ashamed and knowing them to be True he brake forth into Tears and as soon as his Weeping gave him liberty to speak being unable to purge himself from the
Daughters being first deflowred by him and then ignominiously beaten with Rods he prostituted to the Lust of those Ruffians that were about him He endeavoured to defend himself against them but perceiving he had not Force enough so to do being also forsaken by his Domesticks who detested his lewd Practices he laid violent Hands on himself in the Twelfth year of his Reign After his Death Dorus either because he was his Brother or else had been a Pander to his Lust fearing lest the Nobles in the heat of their Provocation should exercise their Rage upon all the Kings Lineage saved himself by flight with his Brothers Three small Children Findocus Carantius and Donaldus Neither was he mistaken in his Opinion for Nathalocus who had receiued so signal an Injury not contented with Dorus his Exile suborned Emissaries to kill him and his Brothers Children too who coming to the Picts for the Royal Youths had chosen the Place of their Banishment amongst them and lighting upon one very like Dorus in Stature and Physiognomy they slew him instead of Dorus himself Nathalocus The Thirtieth King NAthalocus thinking that he had slain Him who stood most in his way was the First of all the Scots that ambitiously sought for the Kingdom 'T is true a great part of the Nobility were against Him yet by means of those whom he had corrupted by Promises and Bribes he carried the Point and was made King Neither did he manage the Kingdom any better than he got it For suspecting the Nobility which in the Parliaments of the Kingdom he had found to be adverse to him he Governed all by the Ministry of Plebejans whom Audaciousness and Penury he knew would easily incline to any wickedness Besides those Suspicions I have mentioned he was encountred with a far more grievous one for intercepting Letters directed to some of the Chief Nobles he understood by them That Dorus and the Children of Athirco were yet alive and were brought up amongst the Picts in hopes of the Kingdom To avoid this Danger he sent for those Nobles whom he most suspected to come to him pretending he had need of their Advice in the Publick Affairs of the Kingdom When they were assembled he shut them all up in Prison and the very next night caused them all to be strangled But that which he hoped would be a Remedy to his Fears was but as a Firebrand to raise up another Conspiracy For the Friends of those who were slain being afraid of themselves as well as grieving for the loss of their Relations and Kindred unanimously take up Arms against him Whilst he was raising an Army to oppose them he was slain by one of his own Domesticks about the Twelfth Year of his Reign Some of our Country-men do add a Tale in the Case which is more handsomly Contrived than likely to be True That the very Man who slew the King had been before sent by him to Southsayers to enquire concerning the King his Victories his Life and Kingdom And that an old Wizard should answer him That the King should not live long but his Danger would arise not from his Enemies but from his Domesticks And when he pressed the Woman From which of them She replyed Even from thy Self Man Whereupon he cursed the Woman yet returning home in a great Quandary he thought with himself That the Womans Answer could not be concealed and yet it was not safe for him to declare it lest he should render himself suspected to the King who was a depraved Person and guided wholly by his own Fears And therefore it seemed to him the safest Course to kill the Tyrant with the Favour of many than to preserve him alive with the extreme hazard of his own Life Presently after he returned home having obtained Liberty of private Access to declare the secret Answer of the Oracle or Conjurer he slew the King now entring upon the Twelfth Year of his Reign and so freed his Country from Bondage and himself from Danger Findochus The Thirtieth First King WHen the last King's Death was publickly known the Sons of Athirco were recalled home Findochus besides his being of the Royal Family was also endued with many blandishments of Nature being very beautiful tall of Stature in the flower of his Age and besides being rendred yet more acceptable for the afflictions he had suffered he was chosen King Neither did he deceive Mens expectations For in his ordinary deportment he was very Courteous in administring of Justice Equal and Impartial and a Conscientious Performer of all his Promises But Donaldus the Islander being weary of Peace Sailed over with a numerous Army into Albium and making havock of the Villages where he came returned home with a great Booty His Pretension for the War was the revenge of the Death of King Nathalocus Findochus speedily listed an Army against him and transporting them into the Island he overthrew Donaldus in Battel and forced him to fly for Refuge to his Ships many were slain in the Fight and many were drowned whilst they endeavoured in an hurry to get a Shipboard Donaldus himself being taken into the Boat endeavouring to escape the Boat sunk by reason of the Multitude of those who overladed it and so he was drowned Notwithstanding the Islanders not disheartned with this overthrow after the departure of the King sent for Forces out of Ireland and renewed the War making Donaldus his Son their General in the room of his Father under whom they again made a Descent into the Continent and drove away much Booty Whereupon Findochus again wafted over his Forces into the Aebudae Isles and marching over all the Islands executed severe Punishment on the Plunderers and overthrowing the Forts into which they were wont to fly he made such a slaughter of the Men and carried away so much Prey That he left many of the Islands almost desolate Upon Findochus his return Donaldus who had fled for safety into Ireland returned from thence and endeavouring to recruit his Armies he found his Forces so weakened that he left off the Thoughts of managing an open War and resolved to betake himself to Guile and Stratagem And in prosecution of that Design not daring to trust the King thô he had given him the Publick Faith for his Security he sent Two of his Friends Persons both bold and crafty as with a secret Message to Him They coming to Findochus and boasting of their Lineage and Descent and withal grievously complaining of the wrongs they had received from Donaldus yet could not induce the King to believe them Whereupon they applyed themselves to Carantius his Brother a shallow-pated and ambitious Person Being admitted into an intimate Familiarity with him and by his means being made acquainted with the secret Affairs of the State and Commonwealth having found out his Disposition they were at last so bold as to tell him They were sent over to kill the King He hearing this looked
Carantius being sent to the Sea-Coasts of Bolognâ— by Dioclesian to defend Belgick Armorica from the Incursions of the Francs and Saxons after he had taken many of the Barbarians yet would neither restore the Prey to the Provincials the Right Owners nor yet send them to the Emperor hereupon a suspicion arose that he purposely allowed the Barbarians to plunder that so he might rob them at their return and thereby enrich himself with the Spoil For this Reason Maximianus commanded him to be slain but he taking Authority upon him seized upon Britany and to strengthen his Party against Bassianus the Roman Lieutenant-General he reconciled the Discords betwixt the Scots and Picts and entred into a firm League and Alliance with them Both. The Romans made many Attempts against him but by his Skill in Military Affairs he defeated all their Designs After he had restored the Scots and Picts into the possession of those Lands which they formerly held he was slain by his Companion Allectus after he had Reigned seven Years Allectus having Reigned three Years was slain by Asclepiodotus and thus Britanny was restored to the Romans in the Twelfth Year after its Revolt But neither Asclepiodotus nor he who succeeded him Constantinus Chlorus did any memorable thing in Britain but that this later begat Constantin afterwards Emperor on Helena his Concuâ—bne Amidst these Transactions Crathilinthus died after he had Reiigned 24 years Fincormachus The Thirty Fifth King FIncormachus his Cousin-German succeeded him who perform'd many excellent Exploits against the Romans by the aid of the Britains and Picts Yea some Battels he fought them without any Auxiliaries at all At length when the Romans were weakned by their Civil Wars at home and perpetual molestations abroad Matters being a little quieted the Scots were also glad to embrace Peace Who being thus freed from external cares did principally endeavour to promote the Christian Religion they took this occasion to do it because many of the British Christians being afraid of the cruelty of Dioclesian had fled to them Amongst which sundry eminent for Learning and Integrity of Life made their aboad in Scotland where they led a solitary Life with such an universal Opinion of their Sanctity that when they died their Cells were changed into Temples or Kirks From hence the Custom arose afterwards amongst the Ancient Scots to call Temples Cells This sâ—rt of Monks were called Culdees whose Name and Order continued till a later sort of Monks divided into many Sects did expel them Yet these last were as far inferiour to the former in Learning and Piety as they did exceed them in Wealth in Ceremonies and in Pomp of outward Worship whereby they please the Eye but infatuate the Mind Fincormachus having settled affairs in Scotland with great equity and reduced his Subjects to a more civil kind of Life departed this Life in the 47th Year of his Reign Romachus The Thirty Sixth King AFter his Death there was a great contest about the Kingdom between Three Cousin-Germans begot by the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus their Names were Romachus Fethelmachus and Augusianus or rather Romachus's Plea was that his Father was the Eldest of the Three Brothers of Crathilinthus and that his Mother was descended from the Blood-Royal of the Picts as also that he himself was of a stirring Disposition and likely to procure Friends and Allys That which made for Augusianus was his Age and Experience in the World as also his admirable Deportment to which was added the Favour of the People and that which was the principal of all Fethelmachus who was before his Competitor now voted for him By reason of this Sedition the matter being like to be decided by Arms nothing could be concluded in the First Convention of the Estates but That being dissolved the whole Kingdom was divided into Two Factions and Romachus who was least in the favour of the People called in the Picts Militia for his assistance that so he might strengthen himself by Foreign Aid Augusianus being informed that Ambushes were laid for him judged it better once for all to try the shock of a Battel than to live in perpetual solicitude and fear Whereupon gathering his Party into a body he fought with Romachus but being overcome by Him He and Fethelmachus fled together into the Aebudae Islands But perceiving he could not be safe there because on the account of his Victory he was formidable to the Heads of the Factions and that he was also amongst a people naturally venal and corrupted by the promises of Romachus he fled into Ireland with his Friends Romachus having thus removed his Rival and obtained the Kingdom rather by force than the good will of the People did exercise his Power very cruelly over his Enemies and to put a pretence of Law on the matter when he went about the Country to keep Assizes he took no Counsel of others as was accustomed but assumed all Capital causes to his own Arbitrement so that he made great Execution amongst the People and strook a general Terror into the hearts of all good Men. At length when all were wearied with the present state of Affairs the Nobility made a sudden combination against him and before he could gather his Forces together he was taken in his flight to the Picts and put to death in the Third year of his Reign His Head was carried up and down fasten'd to the Top of a Pole and afforded a joyful Spectacle to the People Angusianus The Thirty Seventh King HEreupon Angusianus was recalled by general consent to undertake the Kingly Government In the beginning of his Reign They which were the Ministers of Cruelty and Covetousness under Romachus being afraid to live under so good a King stirred up Nectamus King of the Picts to make War upon Him in revenge of his Kinsman Angusianus being a lover of Peace sent Embassadors to them very often to advise them That both Nations would be much prejudiced by those Divisions in regard the Brittons did but watch an Opportunity to destroy them both But they hearkned not unto them either out of confidence of their strength or out of anger and vexation of Spirit So that perceiving them to be averse from Peace he led forth his Army against them and after a sharp conflict obtained the Victory The King of the Picts made his escape with a few in his company and after he had a little master'd his fear being inflam'd with Rage and Fury he obtained but with great difficulty of his Subjects to raise him a new Army And when it was levied he marched into Caledonia Angusianus having again propounded Terms of Peace which not being hearkned unto he drew his forces towards the Enemy The Fight was maintain'd with equal obstinacy on both sides one striving to retain their acquired Glory and th' other endeavouring to wipe away their received Ignominy and Disgrace At length the Scots Angusianus being slain brake
their Enemies were enforced to maintain their needy Lives by Hunting or else to turn their course of Plunder from their Enemies upon their own Countrymen So that an Intestine War was almost like to ensue upon an External Peace Neither were they only the perpetual Enemies of Foreiners For thô they abstained from open Wars yet ever and anon they spoiled the Countries contiguous to them Also a Party of the Hibernians being encouraged by hope of Booty did vex the poor People who were already miserably enough distressed with their Marine Invasions Their last Calamity and the worst of all was Famine which did so cow the Hearts of that Warlike People that many of them voluntarily surrendred up themselves into their Enemies Hands At last those few of them that remained lurking in Caves and Dens were necessitated to peep abroad and so to scatter the wandring Troops of those Plunderers they also drove the Irish back to Sea and forced them to depart from Albium That Mischief was no sooner removed but a Calamity nearer hand began to press upon them The Scots and Picts their perpetual Enemies were not contented to drive Preys from them by stealth but watched an opportunity to attempt higher Matters For Eugenius the Son of Fergus who till that time had lain still under the Tutorage of another his Strength being increased by a long Peace and much augmented by a young Fry of Soldiers flocking in to him desired to shew himself and besides the weakness of the Brittons there happened likewise a private Cause of War Graham being his Grandfather by the Mothers-side and nobly descended as I spake before in his own Country was yet of that Faction which were desirous to free themselves from the bondage of the Romans For which Cause he was banished by the contrary Faction who were then more powerful and so he fled to the Scots his old Allies between whom many Civilities had formerly passed After his Death Eugenius by his Ambassadors demanded a Restitution of those fruitful Lands which were his Ancestors situate within the Wall of Adrian intimating plainly to them That unless they did restore them he would make War upon them When the Ambassadors had declared their Message in an Assembly of the Brittons there were such Heats amongst them that they came almost to blows They that were the fiercest of them cryed out That the Scots did not seek for Lands so much of which they had enough as for War and That they did not only insult over their new Calamities but also were resolved to try their Patience if the Lands were denied then a War would presently follow if they were restored then a cruel Enemy was to be received into their own Bowels and yet they should not have Peace even Then unless they imagined That their Covetousness would be satisfied with the Concession of a few Lands who were not contented with large Provinces which were parted with in the last War And that therefore it was good to obviate their immoderate and unsatiable Desires in the very beginning and to repress their Licentiousness by Arms lest by the Grant of small things their Desires might be enlarged and their Boldness encreased to ask more There was in that Assembly one Conanus a British Nobleman and eminent amongst his Countrymen on the account of his Prudence who discoursed many things gravely concerning the Cruelty of their Enemies and of the present State of the Brittons and that all their Soldiers were almost drawn out for Foreign Service adding withal That War abroad Seditions at home and Famine proceeding from Poverty or Want would consume or else weaken the miserable Remainders of his Countrymen As for the Roman Legions they were gone home to quell their own Civil Wars without any hopes of Return and therefore he gave his Advice That they should make Peace with their formidable Enemies if not an advantagious one yet the best they could procure This Counsel he gave as he alleged not out of any Respect to his private Interest but merely for the necessities of the Publick which appears said he by this That as long as there was any probability to defend ourselves against the Cruelty of our Enemies he never made any mention of Peace at all he added That he was not ignorant that this Peace which he now persuaded to would not be a lasting one but only prove a small Respite from War till the force of the Brittons weakned by so many losses and almost ruined might be refreshed and gather strength by a little intermission Whilst he was thus speaking a Noise arose in the whole Assembly which made him afraid For the Seditious cryed out That he did not respect the publick Good but only endeâ—voured to obtain the Kingdom for himself by means of Foreign Aid Whereupon he departing from the Council called God to witness That he had no private end of his own in persuading Peace but a Tumult arising amongst the Multitude he was there slain His Loss caused the wiser sort to refrain giving their Votes freely thô they evidently saw that the Destruction of their Country was at hand The Ambassadors returning home without their Errand The Scots and Picts left off all other Business and prepared wholly for War The Brittons foreseeing the same after their fit of Passion was somewhat over send Ambassadors to Scotland who upon pretence of making Peace were to put some stop to the War and to offer them Money giving the Scots hopes That they might get more from them by way of an amicable Treaty than they pretended to seek for by War That the Chances of War were doubtful and the issue uncertain That it was not the part of Wise Men to neglect the benefit which was in their view and upon uncertain hopes to cast themselves upon most certain and assured Dangers Nothing was obtained by this Ambassy for Eugenius was informed by his Spies That the Brittons did but dissemble the obtaining of a Peace abroad whilst they were intent upon high Warlike Preparations at home so that for that reason the Scots and Picts being inflamed with their old hatred and invited by the Calamities of the Brittons or else lifted up with Success would give them no Conditions but to yield up All so that both Armies prepared for the last Encounter The Confederate Kings having been Conquerors for some years were now erected to the hope of a greater Victory and the Brittons on the other side set before their Eyes all the Miseries that a fierce and conquering Enemy could inflict upon them In this posture of Affairs and temper of Spirit when both Parties came in sight of one another such a sharp Fight commenced between them as the Inhabitants of Britanny had never seen before it was so obstinately maintained that after very long and hot Service the Right Wing of the Scots was thô with difficulty enforced to give ground which Eugenius perceiving having before brought all his
poised Temper that by the advantage of his natural Disposition he did equal or rather exceed those Princes who are instructed in the Liberal Arts and from thence come to the Helm of Government Dongardus The Forty Second King THE same Year that Eugenius died which was in the 452 Year of our Lord his Brother Dongardus was made King in his place He was of a Disposition like his Brother for as he was willing to embrace Peace upon good Conditions so when occasion required he was not afraid of War And therefore in reference both to Peace and War he not only prepared all things necessary to resist the Invasion of an Enemy but also he trained up the Youth and Soldiery of his Country in Pains and Parsimony That so they might be restrained from Vice and their minds not grow feeble and languid by long Quiet and too much Prosperity But the Seditions at home raised by the Brittons were the Cause that his Arms were not much famed abroad But being freed from that Encombrance he gave himself wholly up to the Reformation of Religion for the Reliques of the Pelagian Heresy did as yet trouble the Churches To confute them Pope Celestine sent Palladius over in the life of his Father Eugenius who instructed many that grew afterwards famous for Learning and Sanctity of Life and especially Patricius Servanus Ninianus Kentâ—gernus The same Palladius is reported to have appointed Bishops first in Scotland Whereas till then the Churches were govern'd only by Monks without Bishops with less Pomp and external Ceremony but with greater Integrity and Sanctimony of Life The Scots being thus intent about purging and settling Religiâ—n and Divine Worship escaped free from that Tempest of War which did shatter almost the whole World In the Second year of the Reign of Eugenius Vortigern was deposed and his Son Vortimer chosen King of the Brittons He renewed the Ancient League with the Scots and Picts that so he might more easily break the Power of the Saxons which was also made Tripartite of Three Nations against the Romans in the Days of Carausius Dongardus did not long survive this League for he died after he had reigned Five Years Constantine I. The Forty Third King COnstantinos his youngest Brother succeeded him in the Government who in his private Condition lived temperately enough but as soon as he mounted the Throne he let loose the Reins to all Debauchery He was avaricious and cruel towards the Nobility but familiar with men of an inferiour Rank He gave himself wholly to the Constupration of Virgins and Mâ—trons and to excessive Feastings having always Musicians and Stage-players about him and all other Ministers of Lasciviousness and Pleasures The Scotch Nobility being offended at these Miscarriages came often to him to put him in mind of his Duty He received their Admonitions very haughtily bidding them to look after their own Affairs saying That he had better Advice from others He also told them That they were much mistaken if they thought to Limit their King on pretence of Advising him And as he was thus arrogant towards his Subjects so he was as abject and submissive to his Enemies For he granted them Peace at first asking and forgave them the Injuries they had committed withal he demolished some Castles and deliver'd up others to them This Carriage of his did so far incense the Scots and Picts that the Scots were ready to Rebel and the Picts who before had secretly dealt with the Saxons set up for themselves and at last made a publick League with them But amongst the Scots there was one Dugal of Galway of great Authority amongst the Commons he for the present restrained the Multitude by an Insinuating Oration wherein he acknowledged That many of those things which they complained of were true and what they desired was just But yet if War should come as an accession to their other Miseries the Kingdom would be endangered yea hardly retrievable from Destruction especially seeing the Picts were alienated from them the Brittons since Vortimers Death but their uncertain Friends and the Saxons who were very strong and potent and who managed there Victories with great Cruelties and in whose Commerce their was no Faithfulness were always intent upon the Destruction of all their Neighbours Thus by the Prudence of the Ancienter the Tumult of the Common People was appeased but the King continuing to reign tho' with the Hatred and Contempt of all was at length slain by a Nobleman of the Aebudae for vitiating his Daughter by force in the Fifteenth year of his Reign This is the common Report concerning his Death but I rather incline to the Opinion of Iohannes Fordonus who says in his Scotochronicon that he reigned 22 years and at last died of a wasting Disease In his Reign Aurelius Ambrosius came into This Britain out of the Lesser beyond Sea he was the Son of Constantine who held the Kingdom some years before but he being Treacherously Slain and his Brother who reigned after his Father being also slain by Vortigern by like Treachery the Two other remaining Sons of Constantine were conveyed by their Fathers Friends into Gallick Bretagne I think this Original of Aurelius Ambrosius is truer than That which others deliver among whom is Bede for they say that he was the last of the Roman stock who reigned in Britanny These two Brothers when Vortimer was slain by the fraud of his Stepmother and Vortigern had made himself King without Authority or Power being now grown up and fit to Govern returned with the great Favour and Expectation of all men into the Island to recover their Fathers Kingdom and withal they brought no inconsiderable number of Britains out of Gaul along with them After their Arrival before they would alarm the strangers they subdued Vortigern in Wales and then sent Messengers to the Scots and Picts desiring their Allyance and craving their Conjunction in Arms against the Saxons the most bitter Enemies of the Christian Name Their Embassy was kindly received by the Scots and the League before made with Constantine was again renewed which from that day remained almost inviolate till the Kingdom of Britanny was oppressed by the Angles and the Kingdom of the Picts by the Scots But the Picts answered the British Ambassadors That they had already made a League with the Saxons and that they saw no Cause to break it but they were resolved to run all hazards with them for the future as partakers of their good or bad success Thus the whole Island was divided into Two Factions the Scots and Brittons waging continual War against the Picts and Saxons Congallus I. The Forty Fourth King COngallus succeeded Constantine the Son of Dongardus Constantine's Brother He was inclineable to Arms but durst not then attempt any thing in regard the People were effeminated and weakned by Sloth and Luxury during the Reign of his Uncle And tho' Many in compliance with his
entred upon the Kingdom He being emulous of the Kings before him kept the Kingdom in great Peace during the space of 31 years that he managed the Government When he was old and could not perform the Kingly Office himself he appointed Four Vice-gerents to Administer Justice to the People Whilst These presided over the Affairs of Scotland some loose Persons resuming their former Luxuriant Extravagancies by the Magistrates Neglect or as some think Fault put all things into an Hurly Burly But their wicked Pranks were the less taken notice of by reason of the excessive Cruelty and Pride of one Donaldus who ranging over all Galway made the Country People pay Tribute to him or else he robbed them and reduced them to great Want Eugenius VIII The LXII King A Midst these Tumults Eugenius the 8 th the Son of Mordacus was set up in the room of Etfinus deceased His first Enterprize was to suppress Donaldus whom he overthrew in many bloody Fights took him Prisoner and publickly executed him to the Joy of all the Spectators He put Mordacus to death Vicegerent of Galway for Siding with Donaldus and set a Pecuniary Fine on the rest of the Vicegerents He made Satisfaction to the People who had been robbed out of the Offenders Estates The Bad being terrified for fear of these Punishments and a great Calm ensuing after a most violent Tempest he confirmed the Leagues heretofore made with the Neighbouring Kings Yet after all this he who got so much Glory in War when once Peace was made gave himself up to all manner of Vice And seeing he would not be reclaimed neither by the Advices of his Friends nor of the Priests all the Nobles conspired to destroy him which they did in a Publick Convention in the 3d year of his Reign The Companions and Associats of his wicked Practices ended their Lives at the Gallows all Men rejoycing at their Executions Fergusius III. The LXIII King FERGVSIVS the III the Son of Etfinus succeeded him who under a like counterfeit pretence of Virtue being fouly vitious dyed also after the like violent manner having Reigned the like Number of years viz. 3. He was poisoned by his Wife Others write That when his Wife had often upbraided him with his Contempt of Matrimony and his Flocks of Harlots but without any amendment that She Strangled him at night as he was sleeping in his Bed When Enquiry was made into his Death and many of his Friends were accused and yet though severely tortured would confess nothing The Queen thô otherwise of a fierce Nature yet pitying the suffering of so many Innocents came forth and from an high Place told the Assembly That She was the Author of the Murder and presently lest She should be made a living Spectacle of Reproach She ran her Self through with a Knife which Fact of Hers was variously spoken of and descanted upon according to the several Humours and Dispositions of the Men of that time Solvathius The LXIV King KING Solvathius the Son of Eugenius the 8 th is the next in Order Who if he had not contracted the Gout by reason of Cold in the 3d Year of his Reign might well be reckoned for his Personal Valour amongst the Best of Kings yet notwithstanding his Disease he appeased all Tumults by his Generals with great Wisdom and Prudence First of all Donaldus Banus i. e. White being Fearless of the King by reason of the Lameness of his Feet had the boldness as to seize upon all the Western Islands ând to call himself King of the Aebudae Afterwards making a Descent on the Continent and carrying away much Prey he was forced by Cullanus General of the Argyle-men and by Ducalus Captain of the Athol-men into a Wood out of which there was but one Passage so that their endeavours to escape were fruitless but He and His were there slain every Man One Gilcolumbus excited by the same Audacity and Hope assaulted Galway oppressed before by his Father but he also was overthrown by the same Generals and put to death In the mean time there was Peace from the English and Picts occasioned by their Combustions at home Solvathius Reigned 20 Years and then dyed being Praised of all Men. In the year of Christ 787. Achaius The LXV King ACHAIVS the Son of Etfinus succeeded him he having made Peace with the Angels and Picts understanding that War was threatned from Ireland composed the Seditions that were like to break forth at home not only by his Pains-taking but by his Largesses also The Cause of the Irish War was This. In the former Kings Reign who was unfit to make any Expedition The Irish and the Islanders out of hope of Prey and Impunity had made a descent upon Cantire the adjoyning Peninsule with great Armies both at once But a Feud arising between the Plunderers many of the Islanders and all the Irish were slain To revenge this Slaughter the Irish Rigged out a great Navy to Sail into the Aebudae Achaius sent Embassadors to them to acquaint them That they had no just cause for a War in regard that Thieves fighting for their Prey had slain one another That the loss was not that so many were slain but rather that any of them had escaped They farther alleged That the King and his National Councils were so far from offering any injury to the Irish that they had put all the Authors of the late Slaughter to death The Embassadors discoursing many things to this purpose were so coursly and barbarously rejected by the Irish That they set forth their Fleet against the Albine Scots even before their departure when their Fleet was on the Main a Tempest arose and destroyed them all This Mischance occasioned some sentiments of Remorse and Pity in the Irish so that now they humbly fued for that Peace which before they disdainfully refused But first of all Achaius made Peace between the Scots and Franks chiefly for this reason because not only the Saxons who inhabited Germany but even those who had fixed themselves in Britanny did infest Gaul with Piratical Invasions And besides Charles the Great whose desire was to enoble France not only by Arms but Literature had sent for some Learned Men out of Scotland to read Greek and Latin at Paris For yet there were many Monks in Scotland Eminent for Learning and Piety the antient Discipline being then not quite extinguished amongst whom was Iohannes Sirnamed Scotus or which is all one Albinus for the Scots in their own Language call themselves Albini He was the School-Master of Charles the Great and left many Monuments of his Learning behind him and in particular some Precepts of Rhetorick which I have seen with Iohannes Albinus inscribed There are also some Writings of Clement a Scot remaining who was a great Professor of Learning at the same time too in Paris There were many other Scotish Monks who passed over into Gaul out
thereupon He nevertheless persisted in his slothful kind of Life which gave opportunity to the Remainders of the Picts as if an hopeful Alarm had been given them even from the very bottom of Despair to address themselves to Osbreth and Ella Two of the most potent and prevalent Kings of the English for then England was divided into many Kingdoms They bewail'd their misfortune to them and craved earnestly their Assistance promising That they and all their Posterity would become Feudataries to the English in case they obtained the Victory over the Scots which they prejudg'd would be an easy one by reason of the slothful Nature of Donald The English were easily persuaded and having setled things at home they led out their Army into Merch from whence they sent Heralds to Donaldus requiring that the Lands which the Scots had forceably taken away from the Picts their Friends and Allies might be restored which unless he would do they would not neglect their old Confederates who had now also newly cast themselves upon them Donaldus by the advice of the Estates which in this time of imminent Danger he had thô unwillingly convened Levied an Army and met with the Enemy at Iedd a River of Teviotdale where he joyned Battel and overthrew Osbreth enforcing him to fly to the next Mountains From thence he marched on by Tweed unto the Sea side recovered Berwick which had been taken by the English and again deserted by them upon the ill news of the success of the Battel where he took all the Ships riding in the Mouth of the River and seized upon all the Enemies Provisions therein There he got an opportunity to renew his interrupted Pleasures and as if his Enemies had been wholly overthrown he drowned himself in all kind of Voluptuousness Whereupon the English who in the last Fight were rather scatter'd than subdued understanding by their Spies the Carelesness and Security of the Scots gathered together what Force they could out of the Neighborhood and by night set upon the Scots who were laden with Wine and fast asleep making a great slaughter amongst them but they took the King who was between sleeping and waking Prisoner From thence they followed the Course of their Victory and to make their Ravage more compleat they divided their Army into Two Parts and so marched into the Enemies Country Part of them when they came to the Forth got Vessels and essayed to pass over by Water into Fife but a great Number of them were Shipwrackt and drowned and the rest by the violence of the Storm were forced back to the Shore where they embarked from whence marching to Sterling and joyning with the rest of their Army they pass over the Forth on a Bridge The Scots after their flight gathered themselves into a Body thereabouts having the bare show rather than the strength of an Army and sent Ambassadors to the English for Peace which they did not refuse because their strength was weakened by the unsuccessful Battel of Iedd and also by their own Shipwrack The English propounded hard Conditions yet such as the present State of Affairs made to seem tolerable As that The Scots should yield up all the Land which was within the Wall of Severus That their Bounds should be beneath Sterling the Forth beneath Dunbarton the Clyd and between the Two Rivers the Wall of Severus Amidst such hard Terms of Peace yet this happened as joyous so unexpected to the Scots That no mention was made concerning the Reduction of the Picts For the English and Britains divided the Lands surrendred up betwixt them the River being a Boundary betwixt them both There are some who think the Money yet called Sterling was then Coined there The Lands being thus divided the Picts who thought to recover their own being eluded of their hopes passed over to the Cimbrians and Scandians i. e. as we now speak to Denmark and Norway Those few of them that staid in England were all put to death by them upon pretence that they would attempt Innovations by their soliciting of Forein Aid Donaldus after he had made Peace upon his Return was Honourably received partly out of Respect to his Ancestors and partly in hopes of his Repentance But he persevering in his wonted Slothfulness the Nobles fearing that so filthy and sluggish a Person who would neither hearken to the Counsels of his Friends nor be reclaimed by his own Calamities would lose that part of the Kingdom which remained cast him into Prison where either for Grief in having his Pleasure restrained or for Fear to be made a Publick Spectacle of Scorn he laid violent hands on himself in the Sixth Year of his Reign Others report that This Donaldus performed many Noble Exploits both at home and abroad and that he dyed a natural death at Scone in the Year of our Lord 858. Constantinus II. The Seventy First King COnstantinus the Son of Kennethus undertook the Kingdom after him at Scone he was a Prince of a great Spirit and highly Valorous He was desirous to obliterate the Ignominy received under Donaldus and to enlarge his Kingdom unto the Bounds left by his Father but he was otherwise advised by his Nobles because the greatest part of the Soldiery were slain under Donaldus and the remainder was grown so Corrupt that it was not fit to put Arms into their hands And thereupon the King first bent his care to amend the Publick Discipline and so he reduced the Order of Priests to their Ancient Parsimony by severe Laws in regard they had left off Preaching and had given up themselves to Luxury Hunting Hawking and to Courtly-Pomp He caused the Young Soldiers who were effeminated with Pleasures to lye on the Ground and to Eat but once a day Drunkards he punished with Death He forbad all sports but those who served to harden both Body and Mind for the Wars By these Laws the Soldiery of the Kingdom were reduced to a better pass And presently upon a certain Islander named Evenus whom he himself had made Governour of Loch-Abyr a Man of an unquiet Spirit and Ambitious of Dominion rose up in Arms who knowing That the Youthful Fry of Soldiers could not well bear the Severity of these New Laws First gathered together a small Number and then a greater complaining of the present State of Things And when he found his Discourse was acceptable to them he easily persuaded them to conspire for the Destruction of Constantine But being more active than cautelous in gathering strength to their Faction they were betrayed by some of their Own and slain before they knew any Forces were gathered together against them Evenus the head of the Conspiracy was hanged About this time it was That the Danes then the most Potent and Flourishing Nation amongst the Germans were solicited by the Picts against the Scots and also by one Buernus or as others write Verna whose Wife Osbreth had forceably
Danes who had been afflicted with so many Calamities Neither did he long survive his Victory The English chose his Brother Edred King after him against whom the Danes who possessed Northumberland and never cordially observed any Peace made with the English did rebel and took from him many strong Places whilst he was busied in other parts of his Kingdom and principally York but he overcame them by the assistance of 10000 Scots Malcolm returning home gave himself up wholly to the Arts of Peace And to cure the Inconveniencies occasioned by the Wars especially Luxury and Bribery he himself did ordinarily Visit all the Scots Courts of Judicature once in two years and administred Justice with great Equity At length whilest he was busie in punishing Robbers and in restraining the lewd Manners of the younger sort he was slain by some Conspirators of Murray-Land in the night in the Fifteenth year of his Reign The Perpetrators of that Villany were with great diligence sought after and found out by the Nobles and being apprehended were put to several exquisite Deaths according to every ones share of demerit in committing the Parricide Indulfus The Seventy Seventh King INdulfus Reigned after him who having setled things in Peace at home lived seven years after in great Tranquillity But in the Eighth year of his Reign the Danes taking it amiss that the Alliance with the English was preferred before Theirs and that a perpetual League was made between the two Kings against them came with a Navy of 50 Ships into the Firth of Forth when the Scots little expected any such thing insomuch that they had almost surprized and overthrown them unawares In such a sudden emergency all were full of fear and amazement insomuch that some carried their Goods into the midland Country as a place of more safety others came to the Sea-side to hinder the Enemies Landing Hago and Helricus were the two Admirals of the Fleet. They endeavoured first to Land in Lothian and afterwards in Fife but in vain then they essayed to enter the Firth of the River Tay but there also they were hindred from making any descent on Land so that they Coasted about the Sea-Coasts of Aeneia or Angus of Mern Marr and Buchan but in all places being hindred from Landing they hoisted their Sails into the Main as if they intended to return home But within a few days when all was secure they came back again and having gotten a convenient place in Boâ—â— at the Mouth of the River Cullin they there landed their Men without opposition before the Country People could give any alarm of their Arrival When Indulfus heard of their landing he marched towards them before they could well have any notice of his coming and first he set upon the straggling Plunderers and drove them to the rest of their Army but made no great Slaughter of them because the Camp of the Danes was near for them to retreat to When the Armies came in sight of each other they both set the Battel in array and fell to it with equal force and courage Whilst they were thus fiercely fighting Grame and Dumbar with some Troops of Lothian-Men appeared on the Rear of the Danes which struck them into such a Pannick fear that they all run away some to their Ships others to unknown places whithersoever the Fear of the Enemy drove them But a great part of them cast themselves into a Ring in a Woody Vale and there waited for an occasion of acting valorously or dying resolutely Indulfus as if his Enemies had been wholly overcome rode up and down with a few Attendants and casually lighting on them was there slain at the beginning of the Tenth year of his Reign Some say that he was slain with an Arrow shot out of a Ship having disarmed himself that he might be more nimble in the pursuit and press the more eagerly upon them as they were going a Shipboard Duffus The Seventy Eighth King AFter his Death Duffus the Son of Malcolm got the Kingdom in the beginning of his Reign he made Culenus Son of King Indulfus Governour of Cumberland and sent him into the Aeâ—â—dae which were then in War and Disorder by reason of the frequent Robberies committed there For the young Soldiers of the Nobility having got a great Pack of their Fellows about them made the Common People tributary to them imposing a pecuniary Mulct on every Family besides Free-quarter and yet Culenâ—s dealt not harmer with them than with the very Governors themselves of the Island who ought â—o have restrained such outrages He commanded That for the future They by whose negligence these disorders had happen'd should make Satisfaction to the Commonalty and also pay a Fine to the King This Injunction strook such a Terror into these Idle paltry Fellows that Many of them went over into Ireland and there got their Living by their Daily labour As this matter was acceptable to the Commons so it was as offensive to the Noble Allies of Those who were Banished and to many of the younger sort who did approve that idle kind of Life These Men in all their Meetings and Assemblies First secretly Afterwards in the presence of a Multitude of such as applauded them began openly to revile their King alleging That he despised the Nobility and was drawn away and seduced by the Counsel of sorry Priests That he put Men of Gentile Extraction to Servile Offices That he advanced the most abject of the People to the Highest Honours That in fine he made such Medleys as to turn all things Topsy-Turvy They added farther That if things should continue at that pass either the Nobility must transport themselves into other Countrys or else must make them a new King who might Govern the People by those ancient Laws whereby the Kingdom had arrived to that height out of so small beginnings Amidst these things the King was assaulted with a new and unusual Disease no evident cause thereof appearing so that when all Remedies had been tryed in vain a Rumour was spread abroad by I know not who that he was bewitched the suspicion whereof arose either from some Indications of his Disease or else because his body did waste and pine away by continual sweating and his strength was so much decay'd that the Physicians who were sent for far and near knew not what to apply for his relief Thus no Common causes of the disease discovering its self they had recourse to a Secret one And whilst all were intent on the Kings Malady at last News was brought That Nightly Assemblies and Conspiracies were made against him at Foress a Town in Murray The Report was taken for truth there being nothing to contradict it Whereupon some faithful Messengers were sent to Donald Governor of the Castle in whom the King confided much even in his greatest Affairs to find out the truth of the matter He by the discovery of a certain Harlot whose Mother was
with contrary Winds at Sea was Shipwracked and cast ashore and being brought to the King he and all his underwent their most deserved punishments They who brought him to the King were liberally rewarded his Castle was burnt and all that were therein were slain And the Body of Duffus was honourably interred amongst his Ancestors As these things did highly ingratiate Culenus to those who were good so the remaining part of his Life did accumulate so much Odium on him as never any King before him ever laboured under For whether induced by his own Nature or urged for fear of Danger as he would have it thought he suffered the severity of the Discipline used under Indulfus and Duffus to grow cold and remiss and permitted the younger Tribe being given up to unseasonable Debauchery and Foreign Delights to run into those Licentious practices which were forbid by the Laws till at last they broke forth into open Violence and Robbery And when he saw the greatest part of the young Nobility addicted to those Vices he also immerged himself in the same so that he abstained not from vitiating Noble Matrons and even Religious Nuns which in that Age on the account of their Chastity were had in great Veneration no nor from his own Sisters or Daughters neither nay he kept Troops of other Harlots hired by his Panders in his Court as in a Brothel-house When he was admonished and put in mind of these things by Wise and Prudent Persons on the behalfe of the young Nobility he answered That something was to be indulged to their Age and as for himself thô he confessed That some things were amiss yet he was forced out of fear to tolerate them For I remember said he what great Calamity the unseasonable Severity of the former King brought not only on himself but on the whole Kingdom also That the Nobility were the Stay and Prop of the Throne That it was not true that the Martial Spirits of Men were always broken by this free kind of Life or made low and abject nor That the Thoughts of Arms were so neglected by them in Peace as if they expected That there would never be any more War at all 'T is true proceeded he The Luxury of Youthful Age is so far to be restrained that it proceed not too far that so the good Seed of Ingenuity might not be choaked as it were by overmuch jollity in the very bud yet it is not wholly to be abridged or taken away lest the Seeds of Virtue should be plucked up together with it When the Nobles heard this his Defensatory Plea and perceiving they could do no good upon him by their Persuasions but rather create trouble to themselves if they should use the same liberty of Speech to him in their Rejoynders they withdrew themselves from the Court fearing lest they should be compelled to be Witnesses yea Partakers also of these facinorous Practices the sight and hearing whereof they did detest and abhor The King being freed from such troublesom Interposers gave up himself wholly to Wine and Women He proposed Rewards to those who could invent any new kind of Pleasure thô never so sordid and detestable His Court was filled Night and Day with wanton Songs and the Huzza's of Drunkards So that Intemperance and Impudence were as much praised by him as Modesty and Chastity are wont to be esteemed by Good and Pious Princes Those Evils which thô allowed or connived at by the Law in other Men yet are acted by Them in Secret were here openly committed without Shame The young Nobility being thus Effeminated by Pleasure and a Multitude of Parasites and Flatterers with them extol the King to the Skies as if he were the very First of their Kings who had joyned Splendor and Magnificence with Authority as tempering the Severity of his Government with Lenity and easing the burdens of Care and Labour by some Relaxation of Spirit and Allowance of Delight Now to continue these Luxuriant courses there was need of great Expence and therefore the wealthier sort were Fined upon fained Accusations and the Plebeians were suffered to be preyed upon and harassed with all sorts of servile Offices He that was not pleased with the present state of things was accounted a barbarous Country-Clown or if he seemed to be of an higher Spirit than ordinary he was presently accused by a company of Informers as if he studied Innovation in the State After 3 Years were spent in this flagitious Liberty when Men were silent out of Fear or Sâ—oth Luxury began to be a punishment to itself For when the King's Strength was exhausted by immoderate Lust and his Body had contracted Deformity by excessive Banquetings those Diseases followed which are wont to be Companions of such Vices so that there remained nought but a rotten Carkass fit for nothing but to â—ear the Punishment of his former mispent Life The King being thus disabled for all Functions of Life the strength both of his Body and Mind being enervated and weakened by Intemperance and his Courtiers also following the same practices some Aâ—â—â—â—cious Fellows being encouraged by hopes of Prey and Impunity committed publick Robberies and Murders regarding neither the Plebeians as being Men of poor Servile Spirits nor the Courtiers as Persons enfeebled by Luxurious wickedness Hereupon the founder Part of the Nobility being encompassed with a double mischief and therefore enforced to look to the Main called an Assembly of the States at Scone The King also was willed to be there That he might consult in common with the rest in such a dangerous Juncture of Affairs for the Publick Safety He being inwardly struck at this Summons and as it were awakned from his drowzy Sloth began to advise with his Confederates What a Man in such streights were best to do And thô he knew not how to make any Resistance nor yet how to fly away and thô his Mind also presaged no good to him yet he resolved to go to the Assembly And as miserable Men are wont to flatter themselves in Adversity so he did not altogether Despair That he either out of Pity or out of Respect to his Fathers Memory should procure some Favour that he might not be suddenly cast down from so great a Dignity to an Abyss of Misery In his Journy to Scone having a Train big enough but unarmed and dispirited about him he was slain at a Neighbour Village called Methvin by the Thane or Sheriff of that Country because he had forceably vitiated his Daughter When his Death was made known thô all Men were well pleased to be freed from such a Monster with less trouble than they supposed they should yet the Perpetration of the Fact by Roharans or Rodardus the Thane was very much disliked by all People He Reigned as the former King did 4 Years and 6 Months Kennethus III. The Eightieth King KENNETHVS the Brother of Duffus and Third of that Name succeeded
after them and in a short time they were brought to the King and punished according to Law Whereupon the Nobles were dismissed having received some Gifts and many large Promises from the King and the Commonalty also pray'd heartily for their King Matters being thus composed at home he faithfully observed the League made by some former Kings with the English But this great Tranquillity of all Britain was soon disturbed by the Danes who appeared with a great Fleet and Anchored near the Red-Promontory a Place in Aeneia or Angus They there staid some days in Consultation Whether they should Land there or direct their Course towards England as they intended at first Many of them were of Opinion That it was most adviseable to make for England an opulent Country where they might have both Provision enough for their Army and also some hopes of Auxiliaries and Recruits in regard that there many of the Danish stock were yet alive amongst them and many others stood obliged to them for old Courtesys and Friendships and that These upon the first notice of their Arrival would presently flock in to them as of old they used always to do But as for the Scots they were a fierce Nation and very hardy as Those use to be who are bred in Barren and Hungry Soiles That they never attempted them without some great and remarkable loss and in the present case if they overcame them it would hardly be worth their Labour But if they were overcome by them they must endure the utmost Extremity and Rigour Others were of a different Opinion alleging That if they made their Descent on the Coasts of England then they should be obliged to Fight Both Nations at once but if the Scots were First overcome the War against the English would be easy when they were bereft of Foâ—â—ign Aid and also terrified with the Loss of their Friends They further urged That it was not the part of Great and Magnanimous Spirits to be intent on Prey and Booty only they should rather call to mind the Blood of their Kindred and Ancestors who had been so often cruelly slain in Scotland And that now especially having a Great Army and being furnished also with things necessary for War they ought to take That Revenge which might punish the Savage Cruelty of the Scots according to their Deserts and might also carry the terror of the Danish Name to all the Neighbouring Nations After this Battel Peace seemed to have been settled for many Years when behold some troublesome matters at home did disturb this Calm As for the Commotion of the Islanders who in a Plundering way ranged over all Ross That was quickly suppressed some of the Robbers being slain in â—ight some taken in pursuit and after Executed But Crathilinthus the Son of Fenella or as some call her Finabella gave far greater disturbance He was then the chief of all Mern both in Descent and Wealth Crathilinthus his Grandfather by the Mothers side was made Governor by the King over that part of Angus which lies between the Two Rivers each of them having the Name of Eske where he gathered up the Kings Taxes and Revenues his Nephew coming with a great Train to visit him a sudden Quarrel arose amongst their Servants so that two of Crathilinthus's Friends were slain He complained thereof to his Grandfather who laid the blame of the Tumult upon his Nephews rude Retinue and Company and after a sharp Reproof he was dismissed by him but not without Contumelies from his Servants and Domesticks So that returning home he in great Wrath complained of the Affront to his Mother who was so far from endeavouring to allay his Rage and quiet the Mind of the incensed Youth by grave and wholesome Counsel that she importuned him to Revenge himself by force of Arms even upon her own Father and his Grandfather too Hereupon not long after Crathilinthus having gathered an armed Company together fit for his purpose comes by Night into Angus to his Grandfathers Castle He with some few Followers were admitted in without Suspicion and being once entred he gave the Word to the rest who lay in Ambush and let in them also so that he slew his Grandfather with his whole Family plundered the Castle depopulated the Country adjacent and as if he had done a Famous Exploit he returned pompously with a great Booty into Mern But the Angusians did not suffer this Injury to pass long Unrevenged For soon after gathering a great many of their Faction together they made great Havock in the District of Mern From that time forward Slaughters and Rapines were occasionally committed on both sides Kennethus hearing of it published a Proclamation That the Chief of either Faction should appear at Scone within Fifteen Days to answer What should be objected against them for he feared that if a greater number should resort to the Factions further Tumults might arise some few being terrified by this minatory Edict made their appearance accordingly but the greatest part of whom Crathilinthus was Chief being conscious of their own Demerits fled away as every one thought most convenient The King made diligent search after them the greatest part of them were taken in Loch-Abyr and some elsewhere Crathilinthus and the Cheif of the Faction were punished with Death others according to the Degree of their Crimes had lesser Punishments and those who were but a little Guilty had none at all inflicted on them This Moderation and Temperament procured to the King Fear from the bad but great Love from others and settled Peace in all his Kingdom till the Twenty first year of his Reign Insomuch That if he had persisted in that course of Life which he had begun he might well have been reckoned amongst the Best of Princes for he so performed all the Offices both of Peace and War that he got great Renown upon the account of his Equity Impartiality and Valour But the Excellency of his former Life was blurred by one Wicked Fact that he committed which seemed too more aggravated in him in regard it was incredible and unexpected to proceed from his Disposition who had before so severely punished Grand Offenders The Occasion of it was This The King being now grown somewhat ancient had a Son named Malcolm a Prince of great Ingenuity but in point of Age not yet mature to Govern so fierce a People if his Father should die Further the Custom of our Ancestors was then against it that he should Reign next after his Father For They were wont to choose not the next but the fittest of the deceased Kings Relations provided he were descended from Fergus the First King of the Scots Besides the Favour of the Nobility was another Obstacle which did incline to another Malcolm the Son of King Duffus the most Praise-Worthy Prince of all the Scotish Royal Race Moreover he was then Governor of Cumberland which County the Scots did hold as Feudataries of the Kings of
Angus There he landed his Men and attempted to take in some Places but being disappointed he fell a plundering Having pitched his Tents at Balbridum i. e. the Village of St. Bride word was brought him by his Spies that the Scots Forces were scarce two miles distant from him whereupon both Generals according to the Exigence of the time exhorted their Men to fight and the next day they were all ready at their Arms almost at one time The third day they fought with so great eagerness and fury as either new Hope or old Hatred could occasion and suggest At last the Scots prevailed and Camus endeavouring to secure the Remainders of his Army by flying to the Mountains towards Murray before he had gone two miles was overtaken by the Pursuers and he and all his Men cut off There are Monuments extant of this Victory in an Obeliske and a Neighbouring Village which as yet retains the Memorable Name of Camus Another Band of them were cut off not far from the Town of Breichin where also another Obeliske was erected The Remainder being few in Number under the Covert of the night made to their Ships These last were tossed up and down several days in the raging Sea by cross Winds at length coming to the inhospitable Shore of Buchan they rode there so long at Anchor till they were necessitated for want to send about 500 of their Men ashore to get some Relief out of the Neighbouring Country Mernanus the Thane of the place stopp'd them from returning to their Ships and compelled them to retire to a steep Hill where being assisted by the Conveniency of the place they defended themselves with Stones and slew many of the Scots who rashly attempted them At last the Scots encouraged one another and in several Parties in great Numbers got up the Hill and put every Man of the Danes to the Sword There also as well as at Bambreid when the Wind blows up the Sand there are Bones discovered of a greater Magnitude than can well suit with the Stature of the Men of our Times Yet Sueno was not discouraged no not with this Overthrow also but sent his Son Canutus with new Levies into Scotland He landed his Souldiers in Buchan and so preyed upon the Country Malcolm though he had yet hardly recovered his Loss sustained in former Battels yet made head against him and being not willing to hazard all by fighting a pitched Battel he thought it best to weary the Enemy with light Skirmishes and to keep him from plundering for by this means he hoped in a short time to reduce him to great want of Provisions as being in an Enemies Country almost quite wasted and desolated by the Miseries of War before He followed this Counsel for some days but at last when the Scots had got a full understanding of their Enemies Strength they less diffided their Own and both Armies being equally pressed with Want did unanimously crave a Signal to the Battel pretending unless it were given they would fall to it even without the Consent of their Generals Hereupon Malcolm set the Battel in array which was fought with such desperate Rage and Fury that neither Party came off in Triumph And though the Victory did nominally rest on the Scots side yet a great part of their Nobility being slain and the rest wearied and discouraged in their Spirits returned to their Camp giving the Danes liberty to retreat without any pursuit The next day when both Parties mustered their Men they found so great a Slaughter to have been made that they willingly admitted some Priests to be Intercessors of Peace between them Whereupon Peace was made on these Conditions That the Danes should leave Murray and Buchan and depart and that as long as Malcolm and Sueno lived neither of them should wage War with one another any more nor help one anothers Enemies That the Field in which the Battel was fought should be set apart and Consecrated for the Burial of the Dead Upon this the Danes withdrew and Malcolm took Order for the Interment of the slain A while after he called an Assembly of Estates at Scone and that he might reward those who had deserved well of their Country he divided all the King's Lands between them On the other side the Nobility granted to the King That when any of them died their Children should be under the Wardship and Tutelage of the King till they arrived at the Age of 21 Years and that the King should receive all their Revenue except what was expended for the Education of the Ward And besides that he should have the Power to give them in Marriage Or otherwise to dispose of them when they were grown up and should also receive their Dowry I judge this Custom came rather from the English and Danes because it yet continues throughout all England and in part of Normandy too Afterwards the King bent his Thoughts to repair the Damages sustained by the War he re-edified many Temples and Sacred Places demolished by the Enemy he built New Castles or else repaired the Old in every Town Having thus restored Peace to the Kingdom by his great Valour he endeavoured further to adorn it with good Institutions and wholsom Laws and in order thereunto be erected New Names for Magistrates I believe such as he borrowed from his Neighbours which served rather for vain Ambition than for any real Use. For in former times there was no Name superior in Honour to that of a Knight except that of Thane i. e. Governor or Sheriff of a Province or Country which Custom as I hear is yet observed amongst the Danes But now a days Princes keep no Mean in instituting New Names or Titles of Honour though there be no use at all of those Names but the bare Sound Thus Malcolm having finished his Toilsom Wars Reigned some Years in great Splendor and Glory But in the Progress of his Age he sullied the Beauty of his former Life with the blot of Covetousness That Vice being incident to Old Men partly grew up in him with his Age and partly arose from that Want which his immoderate Largesses had driven him to So that those Lands which he had unadvisedly distributed amongst the Nobility he did as unjustly and wickedly labour to resume by which means he put some of them to Death and reduced others to great Penury Hereupon the present sense of suffering though sometimes just drowned the Memory of all former Courtesies so that the Injury reaching to a few but the Fear to many the Friends and Kindred of those which were slain and impoverished bent all their Thoughts to revenge Them and to secure Themselves And at last bâ—â—bing the King 's Domesticks at Glammes in Angus they were admitted at Night into the King's Bed-Chamber and slew him When they had committed the Fact those bribed Domesticks together with the Parricides took Horse which they had ready
the Whole At first he Nobly treated Edward and Edmond the Sons of the Deceased Edmond when they were brought to him Afterwards being edged on by wicked Ambition he desirous to confirm the Kingdom to his Posterity by their Destruction sent them away privately to Valgar Governour of Swedland to be Murdered there Valgar understanding their Noble stock and considering also their Age and Innocence withal taking Compassion of their Condition and Fortune sent them to Hungary to King Salomon pretending to Canutus That he had put them death There they were Royally Educated and so much grateful Towardliness appeared in Edward that Salomon culled him out of all the Young Nobles to give him his Daughter Agatha to Wife By her he had Edgar Margaret and Christian. In the mean time Canutus dying Hardicanute succeeded him When he was slain Edward was recalled from Normandy whither he was before Banished together with his Brother Alured Earl Godwyn a powerful man of English Blood but who had Married the Daughter of Canutus was sent to fetch them home He being desirous to transfer the Kingdom into his own Family caused Alured to be Poysoned as for Edward he was preserved rather by Gods Providence than by any human Counsel and Reigned most devoutly in England But wanting Children his Chief care was to recal his Kinsman out of Hungary to undertake the Government alleging That when Edgar returned he would willingly surrender up All to him but His Modesty out-did the Kings Piety for he refused to accept of the Kingdom as long as he was alive At length upon Edwards death Harald Godwyns Son invaded the Throne yet he dealt kindly with Agatha the Hungarian and her Children But he being also overthrown by William the Norman Edgar to avoid Williams Cruelty resolved with his Mother and Sisters to return into Hungary but by a Tempest he was driven into Scotland There he was Courteously entertained by Malcolm who made him his Kinsman also by the Marriage of his Sister Margaret William then Reigning in England upon every light Occasion was very cruel against the Nobles either of English or Danish Extraction But understanding what was a doing in Scotland and fearing a Tempest might arise from thence he sent an Herald to demand Edgar denouncing War against Scotland unless he were surrendred up Malcolm looked upon it as a cruel and faithless Thing to deliver up his Suppliants Guest and Kinsman and one against whom his very Enemies could object no Crime to his Capital Enemy to be put to Death and therefore resolved to suffer any thing rather than so to do And thereupon he not only detained and harboured Edgar but also gave Admission to his Friends who in great Numbers were Banished from their own homes and gave them Lands to live upon whose Posteritys were there Propagated into many Rich and Opulent Families Upon this Occasion there followed a War betwixt the Scots and English wherein Sibert King of Northumberland favouring Edgar joyned his Forces with the Scots The Norman being puff'd up with the good Success of his Affairs made light of the Scotish War and thinking to end it in a short time he sent one Roger a Nobleman of his own Country with Forces into Northumberland But he being overcome and put to flight was at last Slain by his own Men. Then Richard Earl of Glocester was sent with a greater Army but he could do but little good neither for Patrick Dunbar wearied him out with light Skirmishes so that his Men could not straggle for to get in Prey at last William's Brother and Bishop of Bayon being made Earl of Kent came down with a much greater strength he made great spoil in Northumberland and slew some who thought to stop him from plundering but as he was returning with a great Booty Malcolm and Sibert set upon him slew and took many of his Army and recovered the Prey When his Army was recruited William's Son was sent down thither but he made no great Earnings of it neither only he pitched his Camp at the River Tine and he rather kept off than made or inferred the War In the mean time he repaired Newcastle which was almost decayed by reason of its Antiquity William being thus wearied with a War more tedious than profitable his Courage being somewhat cooled applied himself to thoughts of Peace which was made on these Conditions That in Stanmore i. e. a Stony Heath a Name imposed on it for that very Cause lying between Richmond-shire and Cumberland the Bounds of both Kingdoms should be fixed and in the Boundary a Cross of Stone should be Erected which should contain the Statues and Arms of the Kings of Both Sides That Cross as long as it stood was called Kings Cross That Malcolm should enjoy Cumberland upon the same Terms as his Ancestors had held it Edgar was also received into William's Favour and endowed with large Revenues and that he might prevent all occasion of suspition of his innovating things he never departed from the Court Voldiosus also the Son of Sibert was to have his Fathers Estate restored to him and besides he was admitted into Affinity with the King by Marrying a Neice of his born of his Daughter Intestine Tumults did succeed this External Peace for the Men of Galway and of the Aebudae did Ravage and commit Murders over all their Neighbouring Parts and the Murray-Men with those of Ross Caithness and their Allies made a Conspiracy and assuming their Neighbour Islanders to their Aid gave an Omen of a greater War Walter the Nephew of Bancho by his Son Fleanchus who was before received into Favour with the King was sent against the Galway-Men and Macduff against the other Rebels whilst the King himself was gathering greater Forces Walter slew the Head of that Faction and so quell'd the common Souldiers that the King at his Return made him Lord Steward of all Scotland for his Good Service This Magistrate was to gather in all the Kings Revenues also he had a Jurisdiction such as the Sheriffs of Counties have and he is the same with That which our Ancestors called a Thane But now a days the English Speech getting the better of our Country Language the Thanes of Counties are in many places called Stewards and he which was anciently called Abthane is now the Lord High Steward of Scotland Yet in some few places the Name of Thane doth yet remain From this Walter the Family of the Steuarts who have so long Reigned over Scotland took its Beginning But Macduff warring in another Province when he came to the Borders of Marr the Marrians promised him a Sum of Money if he would not enter into their Province and he fearing the Multitude of the Enemy did protract the time in Proposals and Terms of a pretended Peace till the King arrived with greater Forces When they came to the Village Monimuss they joined Camps and the King being troubled at the bruit
of the Enemies Numbers promised to devote the Village whither he was going to St. Andrew the Apostle the Tutelary Saint of Scotland if he returned Victor from that Expedition After a few Removes he came to the River Spey the violentest Current in all Scotland where he beheld a greater number of Soldiers than he thought could have been levied out of those Countries standing on the other side of the River to hinder his Passage Whereupon the Standard Bearer making an Halt and delaying to enter the River he snatch'd the Standard out of his Hand and gave it to one Alexander Carron a Knight of known Valour whose Posterity had ever afterwards the Honour of carrying the Kings Standard in the Wars and in stead of Carron the Name of Scrimger was given him because he being full of true Valour though ignorant of the Modes and Niceties of War had out-done One who was a Master in handling of Arms and who valued himself highly upon that Account As the King was entring the River the Mitred Priests with their Mitres on their Heads prevented him who by his Permission having passed over to the Enemy before had ended the War without Blood The Nobles surrendred themselves upon Quarter for Life Those who were the most Seditious and and the Authors of the Rising were Tryed had their Goods Confiscated and themselves Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment Peace being thus by his great Industry obtained both at home and abroad he converted his pains to amend the publick Manners for he lived Devoutly and Piously himself and provoked others by his Example to a Modest Just and Sober Life It is thought that he was assisted herein by the Counsel and Monitions of his Wife a choice Woman and eminently Pious She omitted no Office of Humanity towards the Poor or the Priests neither did Agatha the Mother or Christiana the Sister come behind the Queen in any Religious Duty For because a Nuns Life was then accounted the great Nourisher and Maintainer of Piety Both of them leaving the toilsome Cares of the World shut themselves up in a Monastery appointed for Virgins Then the King to the Four former Bishopricks of St. Andrews Gasgow Whithorn and Murthlack where the old Discipline by the Bishops Sloth and Default was either remitted or laid quite aside added That of Murray and Caithness procuring Men Pious and Learned according to the rate of those times to fill the Sees And whereas also Luxury began to abound in those days in regard many English came in and great Commerce was had with Foreign Nations and also many English Exiles were entertained and scatt'red almost all over the Kingdom he laboured though to little purpose to restrain it But he had the hardest Task of all with the Nobles whom he endeavoured to reclaim to the Practice of their ancient Parsimony for they having once swallowed the bait of Pleasure did not only grow worse and worse but even ran headlong into Debauchery yea they laboured to cover that foul Vice under the false Name of Neatness Bravery and Gallantry Malcolm forseeing that such courses would be the Ruin not only of Religion but also of Military Discipline did first of all Reform his own Family very exactly afterwards he made most severe Sumptuary Laws denouncing great Punishment against the Violators of them Yet by those Remedies he rather stopp'd than cured the Disease nevertheless as long as he lived he employed all his endeavours to work a thorough Reform therein It is also Reported That his Wife obtained of him That whereas the Nobles had gradually obtained a Priviledge to lye the first Night with any Married Bride by the Law of Eugenius That Custom should be altered and the Husband have Liberty to Redeem it by paying half a Mark of Silver which Payment is yet called Marcheta Mulierum Whilst Malcolm was thus busied in reforming the publick Manners William King of England dies His Son William Rufus succeeded him Peace could not long be continued between two Kings of such â—ifferent Dispositions For the King of Scots chose that Time to Build two Temples or Cathedrals in one at Durham in England the other at Dumferling in Scotland upon Both which Piles he bestowed great Cost so that he endeavoured to retrieve Church-Affairs which then began to flag and decay And withal he translated Turgot Abbat of the Monks at Durham to the Bishoprick of St. Andrews This he did whilst Rufus was plucking down Towns and Monasteries and making Forests that he might have the more room to hunt in And when Anselme the Norman then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did with freedom rebuke him for the same he Banished him the Land He also sought for an Occasion of War against the Scots And thereupon he surprized the Castle of Alnwick in Northumberland having slain the Garison which was therein Malcolm having demanded Restitution but in vain Besieged the Castle with a great Army They within being reduced to great extremity and want talk'd of surrendring it and desired the King to come and receive the Keys with his own Hand which as he was a doing being tendred to him on the point of a Spear the Soldier run him into the Eye and killed him And his Son Edward also being forward to revenge his Fathers Death and thereupon more negligent of his own safety made an unwary assault upon the Enemy wherein he received a Wound of which he died soon after The Scots being afflicted and troubled at this double Slaughter of Two of their Kings broke up the Siege and returned home Margaret did not long survive her Husband and Son but died of Grief The Bodies of the Kings which at first were buried at Tinmouth a Monastery at the mouth of Tine were afterwards brought back to Dumferling Malcolm held the Kingdom Thirty and three years being noted for no Vice but famous to Posterity for his great and many Virtues he had six Sons by his Wife Margaret of whom Edward was slain by the English in the Siege of Alnwick Castle Edmond and Etheldred were Banished into England by their Uncle Donald where they died The other Three Edgar Atheldred and David succeeded in the Kingdom one after another He also had Two Daughters the Elder Maud Sirnamed the Good Married Henry King of England the younger named Mary had Eustace Earl of Bologn for her Husband Several Prodigies hapned in those days and in particular there was such a mighty and unusual an Inundation of the German Ocean that it did not only drown the Fields and Country and choked them up with Sand but also overthrew Villages Towns and Castles And besides there were great and terrible Thunders and more were killed with Thunderbolts than were ever Recorded to have perished by that Death in Britain before Donaldus VII Sirnamed Banus The Eighty Seventh King UPon the Death of Malcolm Donaldus Banus i. e. The White his Brother who for
Henry was buried he stept into the Throne and the Two First Years reigned peaceably enough Whereupon growing insolent he began to neglect his Agreement made with the English and also to deal harsly with strangers After he had compelled all the English partly by Fear partly by fair Promises to take an Oath of Allegiance to him he sent Embassadors to David King of Scots to put him in mind to take the same Oath for the Counties of Cumberland Northumberland and Huntingdon which he held of him David returned Answer That he together with Stephen himself and the other Nobles of England had not long since bound themselves by an Oath to obey Maud their Lawful Queen And that he ought not nor would acknowledge any other King as long as she was alive When this Answer was brought to Stephen presently a War began The English entred upon the adjacent Scots the Scots doing as much for them The next Year an Army of Scots under the Conduct of the Earls of Merch of Menteith and of Argus entred England and met the English at the Town of Allerton whose General was the Earl of Glocester A sharp Battel was there fought with equal slaughter on both sides as long as the Army stood to it at last the English being overthrown many perished in the flight and many of the Nobility were taken Prisoners amongst whom was the Earl of Glocester himself Stephen being much concerned at this Overthrow lest the Friends and Kindred of the Captive Nobles might be alienated from him refused no Conditions of Peace The Terms were These That the English Prisoners should be released without Ransom That Stephen should quit all the Claim which as chief Lord he pretended to have over Cumberland But Stephen observed those Conditions no better than he did the Oath formerly taken to Maud his Kinswoman For before the Armies were quite Disbanded and the Prisoners Released he privately surprized some Castles in Northumberland and by driving away Bootys from the Scots Countrys renewed the War The Scots gathering a sudden Army together out of the Neighbour Countrys and despising the English whom they had overthrown in Battel the self same Year did rashly run on to the Conflict at the River Tees where they paid for their Folly in undervaluing the Enemy by receiving a great Overthrow and were also enforced to quit Northumberland David to retrieve this Loss and Ignominy gathered as great an Army as ever he could together and came to Roxburgh Thither Turstan or as William of Newberry calls him Trustinus was sent by the English to Treat concerning a Pacification and there being some hope of Agreement a Truce was made for Three Months upon Condition That Northumberland should be presently restored to the Scots But this Promise which was made by Stephen only to have the Army Disbanded was not performed so that David drove away a great Booty out of that Part of Northumberland which obeyed Stephen and Stephen gathering a great Force together pierced as far as Roxborough But understanding That the Nobility were averse and complained That they were intangled in an Unjust and Unnecessary War without performing any Memorable Exploit he retired into the heart of his Kingdom And the next Year fearing some intestine Sedition he sent his Wife Maud to David her Uncle to treat of Peace Upon her Mediation it was accorded That David from Newcastle where he commonly aboad and Stephen from Durham should send Arbitrators for composing of Matters to the Town of Chester in the street scituate in the Midway equally distant from Both Places David sent the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgoe Stephen the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York Both Parties were the more inclineable to Peace because Stephen feared War from abroad and Seditions at home and the Scots complained That they were forced to bear the shock of a War made in the behalf of another whereas Maud for whose sake it was commenced did nothing at all in it The Peace was made on These Conditions That Cumberland as by Ancient Right should be possessed by David and that Northumberland unto the River Tees as William of Newberry the Englishman writes and Huntingtonshire should be enjoyed by Henry Davids Son upon the account of his Mothers Inheritance and That he should do Homage to Stephen for the same When things were thus composed David retired into Cumberland and Stephen into Kent This Peace was made in the Year of our Lord 1139. In which Year Maud being returned into England sent her Son Henry afterward King of England to Carlisle to David his Great Uncle that he might be instructed in Feats of Arms and also be made Knight by him who without doubt was the excellentest Warrior in his time which Matter in those days was performed with a great deal of Ceremony At that time there was so great a Disturbance in England by reason of Domestique Discords That no Part of it was free from a Civil War but That which David the King of Scots held And that he alone might not plead Exemption from the publick Calamity within Three Years after his Son the only Heir in hope of so much Power and Felicity dyed in the flower of his Age leaving Three Sons and as many Daughters behind him He left so great a Love behind for him both from the Scots and English that besides the publick Loss every one lamented his own private Misfortune also at his death For so great a Sincerity and Moderation of Mind shined forth in him even in that Age wherein Youth is accustomed to wantonize That every body expected most rare and singular Fruits from his Disposition when it was ripened by Age. His Fathers Grief was also further increased by reason of the tender Age of his Nephew and the Ambition and restless Disposition of Stephen and if he dyed he was troubled at the Fierceness of Henry's Spirit then in the fervor of his Youth who being the Son of Maud was to succeed in the Kingdom When the Thoughts of so many foreseen Mischiefs did assault his diseased and feeble Mind insomuch that all Men imagined he would have sunk under them yet he bore up so stoutly that he invited some of the Prime Nobility who were solicitous for him lest he should be too much afflicted as well they might to Supper and there he entertained them with a Discourse rather like a Comforter than a Mourner He told them That no new thing had hapned to him or to his Son That he had long since Learned from the Sermons of Learned and Holy Men That the World was Governed by the Providence of Almighty God whom it was a foolish and impious thing to endeavour to resist That he was not ignorant his Son was born on no other Terms but that he must also dye and so pay that Debt to Nature which he owed even at his very Birth And when Men were always ready to pay that Debt 't was
before whereupon they forbad him to enter their Borders but sent him Word That they themselves without his Presence would gather Money for and send Souldiers to the Syrian War and indeed they sent Souldiers under the Command of the Earls of Carick and Athol Two of the Chief Nobility to Lâ—wis King of Franâ—e and to the Pope lest he might think himself altogether disesteemed they sent 1000 Marks of Silver The Year after Henry King of England died and his Son Edward the First succeeded him at whose Coronation Alexander and his Wife were present she returning died soon after yea David the Kings Son and also Alexander being newly Married to the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders followed her a little time after by their continued Funerals Margarite also the Kings Daughter departed this Life who left a Daughter behind her begot by Hangonanus King of Norwey Alexander being thus in a few years deprived both of his Wife and Children too took to Wife Ioleta the Daughter of the Earl of Dreux and within a Year he fell from his Horse and broke his Neck not far from Kinghorn in the Year of our Lord 1285. and the Fourteenth of the Calends of April he lived Forty Five years and Reigned Thirty Seven He was more missed than any King of Scotland had been before him not so much for the eminent Virtues of his Mind and the Accomplishments of his Body as that People foresaw what great Calamities would befal the Kingdom upon his Decease Those wholsome Laws which he made are antiquated by the Negligence of Men and the Length of Time and their Utility is rather celebrated by Report than experienced by Trial. He divided the Kingdom into Four Parts and almost every year he Travelled them all over staying well near Three Months in each of them to do Justice and to hear the complaints of the Poor who had free Access to him all that time Assoon as he went to an Assize or Sessions he Commanded the Prefect or Sheriff of that Precinct to meet him with a select number of Men and also to accompany him at his departure to the end of his Bailywick till the next Precinct where he was Guarded by another like Company By this means he became acquainted with all the Nobility and was as well known to them and the People as he went were not burthen'd with a Troop of Courtiers who are commonly Imperious and given to Avarice where they come He commanded the Magistrates to punish all Idle Persons who followed no Trade nor had any Estates to maintain them for his Opinion was That Idleness was the Source and Fountain of all Wickedness He reduced the Horse-Train of the Nobles when they travelled to a certain number because he thought that the Multitude of Horses which were unfit for War would spend too much Provision And whereas by reason of Unskilfulness in Navigation or else by Mens Avarice in committing themselves rashly to Sea many Shipwracks had happened and the Violence of Pyrates making an Accession thereto the Company of Merchants were almost undone he commanded they should Traffick no more by Sea That Order lasted about an Year but being accounted by many of a publick Prejudice at length so great a Quantity of Foreign Commodities were imported that in Scotland they were never in the Memory of Man more or less cheap In this Case that he might study the good of the Merchants-Company he forbad that any but Merchants should buy what was imported by whole Sale but what every Man wanted he was to buy it at second Hand or by Retail from them The Eighth BOOK ALEXANDER and his whole Lineage besides one 〈◊〉 by his Daughter being extinct a Convention of the Estates was held at Scone to Treat about Creating a new King and setling the State of the Kingdom whither when most of the Nobility were come in the first place they appointed Vicegerents to govern Matters at present so dividing the Provinces That Duncan Mackduff should preside over Fife of which he was Earl Iohn Cumins Earl of Buchan over Buchan William Frazer Archbishop of St. Andrews over that Part of the Kingdom which lay Northward And that Robert Bishop of Glascow Another Iohn Cumins and Iohn Stuart should Govern the Southern Countries and that the Boundary in the midst should be the River Forth Edward King of England knowing that his Sisters 〈◊〉 Daughter of the King of Norway was the only surviving Person of all the Posterity of Alexander and that She was the Lawful Heiress of the Kingdom of Scotland sent Ambassadors into Scotland to desire Her as a Wife for his Son The Embassadors in the Session discoursed much of the publick Utility like to accrue to both Kingdoms by this Marriage neither did they find the Scots averse therefrom For Edward was a Man of great Courage and Power yet he desired to increase it and his Valour highly appeared in the Holy War in his Fathers Life time and after his Death in his subduing of Wales neither were there ever more Endearments passed betwixt the Scots and the English than under the last Kings Yea the Ancient Hatred seemed no way more likely to be abolished than if both Nations on Just and Equal Terms might be united into One. For these Reasons the Marriage was easily assented to other Conditions were also added by the consent of both Parties as That the Scots should use their own Laws and Magistrates until Children were begot out of that Marriage which might Govern the Kingdom or if no such were begot or being born if they dyed before they came to the Crown then the Kingdom of Scotland was to pass to the next Kinsman of the Blood-Royal Matters being thus setled Embassadors were sent into Norway Michael or as others call him David Weems and Michael Scot Two eminent Knights of Fife and much Famed for their Prudence in those days But Margarite for that was the Name of the young Princess dyed before they came thither so that they returned home in a sorrowful posture without their errand By reason of the untimely death of this young Lady a Controversie arose concerning the Kingdom which mightily shook England but almost quite ruined Scotland The Competitors were Men of great Power Iohn Baliol and Robert Bruce of which Baliol had Lands in France Bruce in England but Both of them great Possessions and Allies in Scotland But before I enter upon their Disputes that all things may be more clear to the Reader I must fetch them down a little higher The Three last Kings of Scotland William and the Two Alexanders The Second and the Third and their whole Off-spring being extinct there remained none who could lawfully claim the Kingdom but the Posterity of David Earl of Huntington This David was Brother to King William and Great Uncle to Alexander the Third He Married Maud in England Daughter to the Earl of Chester by whom he had Three
Kirkpatrick one his Kinsman the other his old Friend perceiving by his Countenance that he was troubled asked him the Cause he told them in breif the whole Business adding withal That he thought he had killed Cumins What says Lindsay will you leave a Matter of that Consequence upon an I thought and assoon as he had spoke the Word he ran into the Church and dispatched him quite and also his Kinsman Robert Cumins who endeavoured to save him This Murder was committed in the Year 1305. on the Fourth of the Ides of February About the same time also Wallis was betrayed in the County of Glascow where he then hid himself by his own Familiar Friend Iohn Menteith whom the English had Corrupted with Money and so was sent to London where by Edwards Command he was wofully Butchered and his Limbs for the terrour of others Hanged up in the most noted Places of London and Scotland Such an End had this Person the famousest Man of his Time who deserved to be compared with the most Renowned Captains of Ancient Times both for his Greatness of Mind in undertaking Dangers and for his Wisdom and Valour in overcoming Them For Love to his Country he was Second to none who when others were Slaves he alone was Free neither could be induced by Rewards or Threats to forsake the Publick Cause which he had once undertaken His Death was the more to be Lamented because he was not conquered by his Enemy but betrayed by his Friend who had little Reason so to do Bruce The Ninety Seventh King BRVCE stayed so long till he had obtained Pardon from the Pope for killing a Man in Holy Church and then in April following Anno Domini 1306. he went to Scone and was Crowned King The first thing he did knowing that he had to do with a Powerful Enemy was to levy all the Force he could make but in regard the whole Family of the Cumins's whose Greatness was never equalled by any in Scotland either before or since was against him and also the Minds of many were offended with him for his former assisting of the English and moreover most of the Scots were out of Fear willing to be quiet under the English Power yet he adventured with a small Army to try his Fortune at Methven where he was overthrown by Ailmer Edwards General but with little Slaughter because his Men seeing their own weakness fled away entire almost at the first Charge this was done on the 13th of the Calends of August And not long after coming to Athol and designing for Argyle his design was discovered by the Cumins's and he was forced in his very march at a place called Dalree i. e. Kings-land to try his Fortune in a Battel where he was overthrown also but lost few in regard every one fled several ways as they thought fit After that time he had but Two or Three in his Company for he thought himself more secure with a few and thus he wandred up and down in secret places living mostly a Foresters Life and in despair of any Aid if he had a mind again to try his Fortune For the Vulgar upon his double Discomfiture drew thence discouraging Omens and so they all left him only Two of his old Friends Malcolm Earl of Lennox and Gilbert Hay never forsook him but remained constant to him in all Misfortunes The English not yet satiated with his Miseries send about through all Parts of the Kingdom to apprehend his Allies and Kindred and besides they Commanded all the Wives and Children of those who were banished to depart the Kingdom at a time prefixed The Wife of Robert himself was taken by William Earl of Ross and sent into England and Neile his Brother with his Wife and Children came into the Hands and Power of the English his Castle of Kildrummy being betrayed by the Governor thereof to them Moreover his Brethren Thomas and Alexander endeavouring to pass out of Galway to Carick were taken at the Loch Ryan which Ptolemy calls the Bay Rerigonius and sent into England These Three were put to Death in several Places the rest of the Brucian Party were diligently sought after and put also to Death and their Estates Confiscate The King himself with one or two and sometimes alone wandred up and down through uncouth Places daily yea hourly changing his Recesses and yet even thus not thinking himself safe enough from the Cruelty of his Enemies and the Perfidiousness of his Subjects he passed over to another Friend of his into the Aebudae where he lurked for some Months And in regard he did no where appear he was thought to be Dead and so they left searching for him This Report as it made for his Safety so if it had continued long it would have taken away all Hopes from his Friends of his ever obtaining and recovering the Kingdom Whereupon he judged it fit to attempt something and receiving a small Force from his Friends where he had hid himself he sailed over into Carick and by Means of his sudden coming he there surprized a Castle which was his own Inheritance but Garisoned by a strong party of English whom he put all to the Sword and lest his Passage might be stopped by the Enemy he passed over by the Bay of Clyde and came to the strong Castle of Ennerness situate on a pretty high Hill by the River Ness which as being in a remote Country and negligently Guarded he also happily took The Report hereof being divulged occasioned great Thoughts of Heart all over Scotland For besides his Old Friends who came to him from all Places out of their Lurking Holes the Pride of the English had raised him up many New ones for They thinking that he had been dead began to Lord it more imperiously and cruelly than ever they had done before So that his Forces being considerably encreased and that with very good Soldiers whom either Labour had hardned or Despair urged to the most desperate Attempts he took all the Castles in the North of Scotland and demolished them as they were taken partly That he might not weaken his Forces by dividing them into Garisons and partly That the Enemy might have no Harbour there Thus overcoming all as he went he came into the very Heart of the Kingdom Iohn Cumins Earl of Bachan being informed thereof gathered together a suddain Company of Scots and English even as many as were able to bear Arms when he was come to the Forest through which the River Esk falls down into the Plains of Mern he overtook him at a Place called Glenesk Bruce perceiving that the Narrowness of the Passages was advantageous for his Men stood ready to Fight expecting his Enemy Cumins drew out his Army in length imagining that Bruce would be astonished at the sight of such a Multitude But when he saw that he stirred not from the Place and being also Conscious of the Weakness
of his Men he durst not draw them forth into a Place of greater Disadvantage Hereupon he first sent an Herald to Bruce for a Truce wherein they might Treat of Terms of Peace The Truce being obtained Cumins made no more Mention of Peace but encreas'd his Forces as much as ever he could neither would he trust the Scots that were with him the Favour of many of them inclining to Robert but craved Aid from England In the mean time Bruce to remove the Contemptible Opinion which the English might conceive of him and to encourage the Spirits of his Friends was always nibbling at his Enemies Heels here taking some there others and surprizing their weakest Garisons he never staid long in a Place neither gave he Opportunity to the Enemy to fight him But about this time Simon Frazer and Walter Longan brave Soldiers Both and Lovers of their Country were taken by some of the Cuminian Faction delivered over to the English and put to Death at London And almost about the same time Iames Douglas joined himself with Bruce his Party He was the Son of William a young Man passing well instructed in all the Liberal Arts who when he was studying at Paris hearing that his Father was cast into Prison by the English where he soon after Died returned home to receive the Advice of his Friends how he might Order the Residue of his Life But being deprived of his Patrimony and all his Friends variously dispersed in great Want he repaired to William Lambert Bishop of St. Andrews by whom he was admitted as one of his Family and kindly entertained until King Edward came to Besiege Sterlin after he had Conquered almost all Scotland besides Lambert going thither to Salute the King carried Douglas along with him and having gotten a fit Opportunity he spake to the King to restore his Patrimony to take him into his Protection and to make Use of his Faithful Endeavours in his Service some other things he also added in Praise of the young Man the King hearing of his Name and Family spake very roughly concerning the stubbornness of William his Father withal adding That he intended not to make any use of his Son nor of any Assistance of his and as for his Paternal Estate he could not restore it if he would because he had gratified his Friends with it who had merited well of him Iames being thus dismissed by the King stayed with Lambert till Bruce came to Merne And then that might he omit no Occasion to prejudice Edward whose Mind he found was implacably bent against him he took away Lamberts Horses and some Money not without his Privity and came to Bruce and his Service was of great use to him in many sharp Storms afterwards Not long after Both Kings almost in the same Moment of time fell grievously Sick Edward being busie in Preparations for War against Scotland died within a few days at Lancaster leaving his Second Son Edward for his Heir who was called Edward of Carnarvon from the Place where he was Born he marching into his Enemies Country with the Army which his Father had recruited sent a Proclamation before to Dumfreiz That all the Scots should meet him there but there came in but a Few and those out of the Neighbouring Parts and very heavily too He being also informed That his Matters beyond Sea went not well on left a Force such as he thought sufficient to quell the Insurrection in Scotland and settling things as soon as he could he passed over into France In the interim Robert hearing of Edward's Death was somewhat relieved and began to hope better of his Affairs and so the strength of his Mind supported his weak Body But not being ignorant how much the sole Conduct of a General might contribute to a Victory he so prepared himself for the extreme Push of Fortune that he expected his Enemy and a Battel On the other side the English King coming back more slowly than his Friends hoped Iohn Cumins being greedy of the Glory That the War was ended by him hoping also that Robert was dead by reason of his sore Disease added to his other Hardships or at least that his Sickness would hinder him from being present in the Army gathered together all the Forces he could make and marched directly towards his Enemy On the other side Robert to encourage his Men caused himself to be set on Horseback His very Sight tho' he was supported by Two Men and could not stay long yet gave such Heart to his Men that they never began any Fight more Courageously than they did That Cumins who had placed the Hope of his Victory in the Sickness of his Enemy being not able to keep his Men together neither by Persuasions nor Punishments was forced to fly away in their Company many were taken in the pursuit and all courteously used This Victory gotten at Ennerury as it recovered the King from his Disease so it was the Omen of his future prosperous Proceedings for from that day forward he succeeded in All that he attempted A while after he marched into the Country of Argyle which he pillaged and forced Alexander the Lord of it to a Surrender who retiring into England in a little time there ended his miserable Life in great Want The same Year the Day before the Calends of Iuly Edward Bruce also had prosperous success at a Battel fought at Die a River of Galway Rolland a Noble Knight of Galway was slain in the Fight Donald the Islander was taken Prisoner as he was flying away and the whole Country of Galway was wasted far and near These Tumults rouz'd up Edward who was rather desirous to live in Peace to a War even against his Will for perceiving that his Affairs were ill-managed he the next Year with a great Army of English entred Scotland and there joyned a numerous Body of Scots who had not yet revolted from the English With those Forces he pierced as far as Ranfro◠and then retreated having performed no Memorable Act in his Expedition either because he himself was of a dull and unactive Nature or else because Robert besides the scarcity which did then generally afflict all Scotland had caused all the Provisions to be carried away from those Places thrô which his Army was to march and had laid them up more out of the way After his Departure Robert spent the rest of the Year in recovering those Castles which the English yet held of which Many surrendred before they were Besieged as despairing of any help from England The next Year which was 1310. Bruce to cry quits with the English for the damage they had done in Scotland marched twice into England with his Army and returned back laden with spoils without any Encounter at all The Two next Years he recovered almost all the strong Garisons which yet remained in the hands of the English He took Perth by Storm and put all the Garison
to settle Matters at home When the Marriage of his Son was magnificently celebrated he perceiving the end of his Life to be near at hand composed himself almost into the Habit of a private Man for some years before all the Grand Affairs of State had been managed by Thomas Randolph and Iames Douglas and lived in a small House at Cardross a place divided from Dumbritton by the River Levin and kept himself but in case of great Necessity from the Concourse of People Thither he called some of his Friends a little before his Death and made his Will He confirmed those to be his Heirs which were so declared by the Convention of Estates First David his Son being eight year old next Robert his Nephew by his Daughter he commended them to his Nobles and especially to Thomaâ— Randolph his Sisters Son and Iames Douglas Afterward he settled his Houshold Affairs and exhorted them all to Concord amongst themselves and to observance of Allegiance to their King if they did so he would assure them to be unconquerable by a Foreign Power Moreover he is reported to have added Three Commands or if you will Counsels First That they should never make any one Man Lord of the Aebudae Islands Next That they should never fight the English with all their Force at one time and Thirdly That they should never make with them a Perpetual League In Explicating his First Advice he discoursed much concerning the Number Bigness and Power of the Islands and concerning the Multitude Fierceness and Hardiness of their Inhabitants They with Ships Such as they were yet not inconvenient for those Coasts coping with Men unskill'd in Marine Affairs might do a great deal of Mischief to others but receive little Damage themselves And therefore Governors were Yearly to be sent thither to administer Justice amongst them by Officers who should not be continued long in their Places neither His Second Advice concerning the English stood upon this Foot Because the English as inhabiting a better Country did exceed the Scots in Number of Men Money and all other Warlike Preparations and by reason of these Conveniencies they were more accustomed to their Ease and not so patient of Labour or Hardship On the other side the Scots were bred in an hardier Soil and were by reason of their Parsimony and continual Exercise of a more healthy Constitution of Body and by the very manner of their Education made more capable to endure all Military Toil and therefore That they were fitter for suddain and occasional Assaults so to weaken and weary out their Enemy by degrees than to venture all at once in a pitch'd Battel His Third Advice was grounded upon this Reason Because if the Scots should have a long Peace with the English having no other Enemy besides them to exercise their Arms upon they would grow Lazy Luxurious and so easily become Slothful Voluptuous Effeminate and Weak As for the English though they had Peace with the Scots yet France was near them which kept their Arms in ure If then those who are skilful in Warlike Affairs should cope with the Scots thus grown unskilful and sluggish they might promise to themselves an assured Victory Moreover he commended to Iames Douglas the Performance of the Vow which he had made which was to go over into Syria and to undertake the Cause of Christendom in the Holy War against the Common Enemy thereof And because he himself by reason of his Home-bred Seditions or else being broken with Age and Diseases could not perform the Vow himself he earnestly desired That Douglas would carry his Heart after he was deceased to Jerusalem that it might be buried there Douglas looked upon This as an Honourable Imployment and as an eminent Testimony of the Kings Favour towards him and therefore the next Year after the Kings Death with a good Brigade of Noble young Men he prepared for his Voyage But being upon the Coasts of Spain he heard That the King of Arragon managed a fierce War against the same Enemy with which he was to fight in Syria and thinking with himself that it mattered not in what Place he assisted in the Cause of Christianity he Landed his Men and joined himself with the Spaniard where after many prosperous Fights at last despising the Enemy as a weak and fugitive one he thought to attempt something against him with his own Men and so rushing unadvisedly on the Army of the Sarazens he was by them drawn into an Ambush wherein he and most part of his Men were slain His chief Friends that perished with him were William Sinclare and Robert Logan This happened the next year after the Kings Death which was 1330. To be short Robert Bruce was certainly a most Illustrious Person every way and he can hardly be parallelled for his Virtues and Valour even in the most Heroick Times for as he was very Valiant in War so he was most Just and Temperate in Peace and though his unhoped for Successes and after that Fortune was once satiated or rather wearied with his Miseries a continual course of perpetuated Victory did highly Ennoble him yet to me he seemed to have been more Glorious in his Adversities For What a strong Heart was That which was not broken no nor yet weakened by so many Miseries as brake in upon him all at once Whose Constancy would it not have tried to have his Wife a Prisoner and to have his Four Valiant Brothers cruelly put to Death And his Friends at the same time vexed with all kind of Calamities and they which escaped with their Lives were Exiled and lost all their Estates As for himself he was outed not only of a large Patrimony but of a Kingdom too by the powerfullest King of those Times and one who was most ready both for Advice and Action Though he were beset with all these Evils at one time yea and brought into the extreamest Want yet he never doubted of recovering the Kingdom Neither did he ever do or say any thing which was unbecoming a Royal Spirit He did not do as Cato the Younger and Marcus Brutus who laid violent Hands on themselves neither did he as Marius incensed by his Sufferings let loose the Reins of Hatred and Passion against his Enemies but when he had recovered his Ancient State and Kingdom he so carried it towards them who had put him to so much Hardship and Trouble That he seemed rather to Remember that he was now their King than that he had been sometimes their Enemy And even a little before his Death though a great Disease made an addition to the Trouble of his Old Age yet he was so much Himself as to confirm the Present State of the Kingdom yea and to consult the quiet of his Posterity So that when he died all Men bewailed him as being deprived not only of a Just King but of a Loving Father too He departed this Life the Seventh of
made to him he now thought it seasonable to Declare Himself King That Advice was safer to him because the greatest part of the Slaughter had fallen upon the Families adjoyning to Perth For there were slain in the Battel besides the Regent Robert Keith with a great number of his Kindred and Tenants There fell Eighty of the Family of the Lindseys and amongst them Alexander the chief of the Sept. The Name of the Hays would have been quite extinguished in this Fight if William the Chief of the Family had not left his Wife big with Child behind him Moreover Thomas Randolfe Robert Bruce Murdo Earl of Monteath William Sinclare Bishop of the Caledonians and Duncan Macduff Earl of Fife made Prisoners by him and being thus in such a desperate Posture were enforced to take an Oath of Obedience to him Baliol The Eighty Ninth King HEreupon Baliol trusting to his present Fortune went to the Neighbouring Abby of Scone and there entred upon the Kingdom in the Year of our Lord 1332. the Eighth of the Calends of September By this Wound and Loss the Power of David Bruce was much weakened in Scotland yet his Friends not broken in their Spirits by this Calamity took care to secure him from the danger of War he not being yet fit to manage the Government and therefore they sent him and his Wife to his Fathers Friend Philip King of France to be there out of Harms way In the mean time they prepare themselves for all hazards being resolved to Dye Honourably or else to restore their Country to its former State And First of all they set up Andrew Murray an Eminent Person Son of the Sister of Robert Bruce as Regent in the place of Duncan then they sent Messengers into all parts of the Kingdom partly to confirm and fix their old Friends and partly to spur up the more Remiss to Thoughts of Revenging their wrongs The â—irst who took Arms as being excited by their Grief for the loss of their Parents and Kindred at Duplin were Robert Keith Iames and Simon Frazer who about the Autumnal Aequinox besieged Perth the Siege lasted longer than they expected yet in Three Months they took it Macduff Earl of Fife who held the Town for Baliol was sent Prisoner with his Wife and Children to Kildrum a Castle in Marr Andrew Murray of Tullibardin who discovered the Ford over the River Earn to the English was put to death The Black Bock of Pasley says That the Walls of the Town were demolished which seems more probable to me than that it should be made a Garison as others write especially in so great a want of Faithful Friends and Soldiers At the same time Baliol was at Annandale very busie in receiving the Homage of the Nobles who were so much surprized and astonished at the suddain Mutation of Things That even Alexander Bruce Lord of Carrick and Galway despairing of the Retrieve of his Kinsman David's Affairs came in to him After this prosperous Success he despised his Enemy and grew more negligent and regardless of him When the Regent heard thereof by his Spyes he sent Archibald Douglas Brother to Iames who was lost in Spain That if there were any Opportunity for Action he should lay hold upon it He took with him William Douglas Earl of Liddisdale Iohn Randolfe the Son of Thomas and Simon Frazer with a Thousand Horse and so came to Maufet where having sent out Scouts to see that the Coast was clear he marched in the Night and set upon Baliol as he was asleep and put his Army into so great a Fright and Consternation that Baliol himself half Naked was fain to get upon an Horse neither Bridled nor Sadled and so fled away many of his Intimate Friends were slain Alexander Bruce was taken Prisoner and obtained his Pardon by the means of his Kinsman Iohn Randolfe Henry Baliol got great Credit that day by his Valour amongst both Parties who in so confused a Flight defended some of his Men whom their persuers pressed upon he wounded many and killed some of his Enemies and at last was slain Fighting valiantly There fell also the Chief of the English Faction Iohn Mowbray Walter Cumins and Richard Kirke These Things were acted the Eighth of the Calends of Ianuary in the Year 1332. The Brucian Party were somewhat relieved by these Successes so that they came in great Numbers to Andrew Murray the Regent to consult about the main Chance They made no doubt but that Baliol fought the Kingdom not for himself but for the English by whom he was guided and influenced in every thing Wherefore they resolved to Declare the King of England their Enemy and accordingly they prepared all things necessary for the War with great Diligence as against a very powerful Enemy They made the Garison of Berwick very strong for they thought the English would Assault That first They made Alexander Seton a worthy Knight Governour of the Town and Patrick Dunbar of the Castle and the adjoyning Precincts William Douglas Earl of Liddisdale whose Valour and Prudence was highly commended in those Times was sent into Annandale to defend the Western Coasts Andrew Murray went to Roxburgh where Baliol kept himself Thus their several Governments being distributed at home Iohn Randolfe was sent into France to visit David and to make an Address to Philip of France informing him of the State of Scotland and desiring some Aid from him against the Common Enemy Murray at his coming to Roxburgh had a sharp encounter with Baliol at a Bridge without the City and whilst he pressed too eagerly after the English who were retreating over the Bridge into the Town he was intercepted from his Men and taken Prisoner whereby a Victory almost quite obtained slipt out of his hands At the same time in a contrary Province William Douglas of Liddisdale in a Fight with the English was wounded and made Prisoner whose Disaster so troubled his Men that they also were put to flight This Inconstancy and Variableness of Fortune divided Scotland again into Two Factions even as Love Hatred Hope Fear or each Man 's private Concern inclined him The King of England presuming That by reason of these Dissensions he had a fit opportunity to seize upon Scotland received Baliol into his Protection for he was too weak to support himself by his own Strength and took an Oath of Obedience from him yea nothing regarding his Right of Affinity with Bruce nor reverencing the Sanctity of Leagues nor the Religion of an Oath so that he might satisfie his immoderate Ambition he at once denounced and also made War on the Scots at that time destitute of a King and also at variance amongst themselves And to give a colourable Pretence of Justice to his War he sent Embassadors to demand Berwick which Town his Father and Grandfather had held many Years and he presently followed with an Army
his Former Life and especially for his late and yet reaking Conquests was received with a great deal of Favour and had the Government of Roxburgh bestowed on him yea and the Sheriff-wick of all Teviotdale was also added to his Authority William Douglas took this mighty heinously that Ramsay was preferred before him in that Honour For seeing he had expelled the English from almost all Teviotdale he had sometimes presided over the Publick Assembly there thô without the Kings Command yet relying upon his Merits towards his Country the Nobleness of his Stock and the Power of his Family he hoped That no man would have been his Competitor for that Office Whereupon being wholly bent on Revenge he at present dissembled his Anger but in Three Months after he met with his Adversary holding an Assembly in the Church of Hawick and unawares assaulted and wounded him having also slain Three of his Followers who endeavoured to rescue him and so set him upon an Horse and carried him to the Castle of Hermitage where he starved him to Death About the same time William Bullock a Man of singular Loyalty to the King was put to the same kind of Death by David Berclay These Two Savage and Cruel Facts filled almost the whole Kingdom with Seditions and distracted it into several Parties These things did mightily exercise the King who was yet but Young and not accustomed to Men of Rough and Military Dispositions yet though he used great diligence to find out Douglas to bring him to Condign Punishment he by Means of his Friends of which he had procured Many by his Noble Exploits for the Liberty of his Country and especially of Robert Stuart the King's Son by his Sister obtained his Pardon And indeed the Magnificent yet True Report of his Famous Actions did much facilitate the Obtaining thereof together with the present Conjuncture of the Time wherein there being but an uncertain Peace abroad and Seditions at home Military Men were to be respected yea and honoured too Upon which Account he was not only pardoned but preferred also to the Government of Roxburgh and of Teviotdale too a Clemency which perhaps in the present Circumstances of Things might be useful but certainly of very ill Example for the Future David having thus settled Matters at Home the best he could denounces War against England the greatest Part of the Nobility dissuading him from that Expedition by reason of the great Scarcity of Provisions Yet he Listed an handsom Army and made Thomas Randolfe General thereof he himself accompanied him but in disguise that he might not be known to be the King This Army having wasted Northumberland for about Two Months time returned home with great Booty Within a few Days after he made another Inrode into the Enemies Country but then he did not disguise but openly professed Himself both King and General The English being inferior in Strength would not venture to give a set Battel whilst their King was absent in France but skirmished their Enemies with their Horse and so kept them from plundering much by a close March Five of the Chief Nobility whom David had lately raised to that Honour straggling too far from their Men were taken Prisoners their Followers being also killed or put to Flight So that David to spend no more time there in vain returned with his Army He made also a Third Expedition with what Force he could privately Levy that so he might fall upon his Enemy unawares But entring England in a stormy Autumn the small Brooks were so swollen with large Showres that they made all the Country unpassable and also hinder'd the Carriage of Provision so that Home he came again yet that he might not seem to have taken so much Pains to no purpose he demolished a few Castles Not long after Embassadors were sent to and fro in order to obtain a Truce for Two Years which the Scots consented to upon Condition That Philip King of France gave his Consent for That was one Article in the Treaty between the Scots and French That neither of them should make Truce or Peace with the English without the Other 's Consent For those Two Years Scotland was quiet About the Fourth Year after David's Return the French were overcome in a great Battel and Calais a Town of the Mâ—â—ini was besieged by them so that Philip pressed the Scots by his Ambassadors to Invade England and to so draw away some of their Force from Him Hereupon an Army was commanded to meet at Perth Thither they came in a great Abundance and there David Earl of Rosse waylaying Reginald Lord of the Aebudae his Old Enemy fell upon him in the Night and slew him with Seven Nobles in his Company This Murder did much weaken the Army for the Kindred and Tenants of both Parties yea the Neighbouring Inhabitants fearing a Civil War between Two such Potent Families returned to their own Homes And therefore William Douglas of Liddisdale earnestly persuaded the King to desist from his present Expedition and to compose Matters at Home His Counsel was refused and the King his Friendship to Philip overcoming his Love to his Country marches forward into England and destroyed all as he went by Fire and Sword And thus in Sixteen Days he came into the County of Durham where the English parly levied by Percy and partly sent back from the Siege of Calais made a great Body and shewed themselves to the Enemy in Battel-array sooner than ever the Scots could have imagined David who feared nothing less than the coming of the Enemy and therefore had sent abroad Douglas to forage the Neighbouring Country gave a Signal of Battel to his Souldiers Douglas fell unawares amongst his Enemies and having lost Five Hundred of his Men was put to slight and returned in great Fear to the Camp And the End of the Conflict was as unhappy as the Beginning For the Fight being sharply begun Randolfe's Men were routed at the first Onset and he himself slain The main Battel in which the King was was assaulted by Two Brigades of the English One that had conquered before and Another that was intire and had not yet charged who shattered it and cut it off quite They being resolved to die and therein almost all the Scotish Nobility were utterly lost and the King himself after his Arms were taken away was taken Prisoner by Iohn Copland but he struck out Two of his Teeth with his Fist though he himself was sorely wounded with two Arrows The Third Wing commanded by Robert Stuart and Patrick Dunber perceiving the Slaughter of their fellow-Souldiers withdrew themselves with little Loss The Nobility were so destroyed in this Fight that immediately after it Roxburgh Hermitage and many other Castles were surrender'd to the English And the Scots were enforced to quit their Claim to all the Lands they held in England and also to Merth Teviotdale Liddisdale and Lauderdale and the
there were Ten thousand Horse and Foot from the Neighbouring Places a promiscuous multitude which came in They encouraged the Bishop to march the nearest way to the Enemy and to give him Battel alleging That He was so wearied with his yesterdays Fight and so many were wounded and the rest secure by reason of their late Victory that he might obtain an easie Conquest over them The Earl of Murray upon whom the Eyes of all were fixed when Douglas was gone was advertised of his coming by his Scouts whereupon he consulted with his Chief Commanders about the Prisoners To kill them in cold Blood after they had given them Quarter seemed cruel and to save alive a number of Enemies almost equal with their own seemed dangerous The Resolve was That they should all Swear not to stir whilst the Battel was fought and though their Friends might relieve them yet they should continue and own themselves as Prisoners still Upon these Terms they were left in the Camp with a small Guard who were commanded to fall upon them all if any one did stir This Matter thus setled the Scots being full of Courage by reason of their Former Victory marched out with their Army being fortified and secured in the Rear with Marshes and on the Right and Left with Trees which they cut down and moreover the Word of Command was given That as soon as the Enemy drew near every Man should blow his Horn which he carried behind him at his Back which would make such a mighty Noise and Sound as was terrible of it self but being multiplied by the Repercussion and Eccho of the Neighbouring Hills gave forth the Representation of a Greater Force than indeed they were The English had marched very fast and moreover were to fight amongst the dead Bodies of their own Men being astonished at that horrible Noise and also at the Alacrity of their Enemies who stood in good Order over against them and besides having no Skilful Commander over so tumultuary a Body and also the Commander not much confiding on such a Raw Soldiery they presently turned their Colours and marched back as they came In the mean time Lindsay who as I have said was taken Prisoner and left at Newcastle being seen and known by Redman was courteously treated by him and set at Liberty without Ransom The Scots having passed over this sudden Brunt so easily resolved to return home but before they dismissed Ralfe Percy who was much wounded so that he could not endure the Jogging of an Horse and sent him to Newcastle to be healed of his Wounds upon his Promise That as soon as ever he was able to ride he would wait on the Earl of Murray where he pleased to appoint and engaging his Faith thereto as the manner is he departed Seven hundred other Prisoners followed his example and were released on their Parol upon the same Terms Many of the Common Soldiers who were like to be more burdensom than beneficial was dismissed gratis Of the Nobler sort Henry Percy and almost 400 more were detained and carried into Scotland and shortly after upon Payment of a Ransom set upon their Heads they were all set at Liberty so that in that Age as Ennius says Men did not huckster out a War but fought it out as contending mainly for Liberty and Glory Three days after the Bodies of Douglas and the other Great Commanders that fell were carried to Mulross and there magnificently interred When the Tidings of these Matters were brought to the other Army which was wasting Cumberland it disturbed all their Mirth so that the Joy conceived for their good Success was turned into bitter Mourning The Loss of Douglas did so affect all Military Men that not only that Army which followed him but this Other also returned home in Silence and Sadness as if they had not been Conquerors but Conquered The Publick Sentiment was also further increased That he died without Children and in the Flower of his Age and that almost He alone was deprived of the Fruit of the Victory which he had gotten His Estate fell to Archibald Earl of Galway Sirnamed the Austere who also was a brave Cavalier in his days This is that memorable Fight of Otterborn remarkable not only for the Magnanimity and Hardiness of the Commanders and Soldiers therein and their Modesty in Victory but also for the various and changeable event of it That the Conqueror in the highest expectation of his Glory was taken off by Death and could not enjoy the Fruit of his own Labour And the Conquered General though then discomfited and made a Prisoner yet outlived this Battel many years in great Glory and Splendour It was Fought the 12th of the Calends of August in the year of our Lord 1388. By this Victory Matters were more composed and quiet both at home and abroad but in regard the King by Reason of his Age was not fit to manage Business and withal understanding of the Reflection that was made upon him by reason of the late Expedition which was undertaken without him and his eldest Son Iohn was of a slow nature and addicted more to Ease than to difficult Enterprizes he therefore Indicted an Assembly of the Estates and made Robert Earl of Fife Deputy of the Kingdom by the name of Governor yet they who managed that Office before him were usually called Custodes i. e. Keepers When Henry Percy eminent for Stock and Prowess was Prisoner in Scotland the Earl of Merch commonly called Earl Mareschal a Man fiercer in his Words than Actions was put in his Place He undervaluing the Scots Valour in the Fight of Otterborn and also grievously blaming the Cowardize of the English did thereby incur the Hatred of Both Nations And indeed Robert Vice-King of Scotland was so offended at his boasting Insolence That he thought it a just Cause to make an Expedition against him Hereupon he entred the Enemies Country and with Archibald Douglas then Earl of Douglas marches directly towards the Enemy who was reported to stay for him with a great Army when he came near him he gave him opportunity to engage which he declining he sent a Trumpeter to him to desire him to try it out in a plain Field but the Mareschal kept himself in his Fastnesses and Places unaccessible so that Robert after he had shewed his Army some hours to the Enemy sent them forth to pillage in the Neighbourhood and he ransacked those Places especially which the Mareschal was wont to have his Residence in and afterwards he marched them back laden with Booty without any Fight at all This Expedition though undertaken upon slight grounds yet was very pleasing both to the English and the Scots who Both rejoyced to see the vanity of the Man so to be confuted but he to excuse the Matter as often as Mention was made of it did allege That he did it for the Love of his Countrymen as being
the mean time Henry Percy the Younger called Hot-Spur and George Dunbar ceased not to infest the Neighbouring Lands of the Scots with their Incursions Which when they had often and successfully done their Boldness encreased with their Success so that gathering 2000 Men together they entred Lothian and made great havock about Hadington They besieged Hales-Castle but in vain When they came to Linton a Village scituate on the Tine a River of Lothian they were so disturbed at the sudden Coming of Douglas against them that they left their Prey and all their Baggage behind them and ran away in such Fear that they never stopp'd till they came to Berwick This was done about the beginning of February in the Year 1400. The same Year upon the return of the Herald War was denounced against England and then also Archibald Douglas Sirnamed the Austere a man inferiour to none of his Ancestors in all kind of Praise fell sick and died in a very bad time for his Country which had lately lost by sundry misfortunes so many brave Generals before His Son of the same Name succeeded him In the Ides of August the English King with great Forces entered Scotland When he came to Haddington he stayed there three days and then marched to Leith and staying there as many days he laid Siege to the Castle of Edinburgh The Governor led an Army against them but very slowly so that it easily appeared that he did not much care if the Castle of Edinburgh were taken by the English and in it David the Kings Son For by this time his wicked Ambition did begin to shew it self For he undervalued his Brother as an effeminate Person and sought the Destruction of his Children as much as he could that he might enjoy the Kingdom himself So that their Loss he counted his Gain But the King of England and his Army on the contrary did Exercise their Enmity very moderately as if by an Ostentation of War they had only sought for Peace for having made some sleight Onset on the Castle he raised the Siege and returned home without doing any considerable damage to the Places thro' which he marched insomuch that in his Marches both backward and forward he got the Praise and Commendation of a mild clement and moderate Enemy he was courteous to Those that surrendred themselves he offered no violence to consecrated Places yea he rewarded those bountifully who had formerly entertained his Father All which did more ingratiate Him and render the Governor more odious in regard he did not prosecute the War with any Eagerness as against an Enemy nor yet endeavour to make so easy and beneficent a King his Friend After Henry was returned for England George Dunbar did still trouble the Borders rather with frequent than great Inroads To suppress him there was more need of a diligent than numerous Force and therefore Douglas divided the Forces of each County into small Bands and appointed Commanders over them who by turns were to stop the Enemy or if they saw cause to Fight him The First lot sell upon Thomas Halyburton of Birlington who took a great Booty from the Enemy out of the Lands near to Bamburgh But Patrick Hepburne who wandred further abroad with a greater Band of men had not the like Success for trusting too much to the Numbers of his men and not being very wary in his Retreat with his Prey he was cut off by the English and with him all the flower of the Lothian Soldiery Archibald Douglas to revenge the slaughter of his Friend by the consent of the Governor gathered above Ten thousand men together abundance of the Nobles accompanied him in his March and amongst them Murdo the Governors Son when they came to Northumberland at New-Castle upon Tine they passed the River and spoiled the Country with Fire and Sword but there encountring with Henry Percy the Younger and George Dunbar in a pitch'd Battel they were overcome many of the Nobles were slain Douglas was taken Prisoner having lost one of his Eyes so were also Murdo Earl of Fife Thomas Earl of Murray and George Earl of Angus with many other Noble and Illustrious Persons And indeed the strength of Scotland was not so much weakned 〈◊〉 any one Fight for many years before as it was in This. It was fought at Homeldon a Town in Northumberland in the Noâ—es of May and Year of Christ 1401. Percy having obtained so notable a Victory resolved to subject all the Country which lay betwixt Northumberland and the Forth to the English Scepter and he thought it would be a work of no great difficulty so to do in regard most of the Nobility of those Countrys were either slain in the Fight or held Prisoners by him Thereupon beginning with Cocklaw a Castle in Teviotdale the Governor agreed That unless the Castle was relieved by the Scots in forty days he would surrender it up When these Conditions was brought to the King and then to the Governor some were of Opinion that the Castle should be surrendred in regard it was not of That Consequence as for the sake thereof to hazard the strength of the Kingdom a second time which had been so sorely shalâ—en and weakned in the late Fight This Dejection of spirit proceeded not so much from Fear of the Enemy as from the Perfidiousness of the Governor who gaped for the Kingdom He on the other side to avert all Suspicion from himself in high confident Words affirmed That this Cow-heartedness and Confession of Publick Fear would more encourage the Enemy than the loss of a Battel And if any one thought That the English would be contented with the taking in of One Castle they were very much mistaken for as Fire is more encreased by a light Aspersion of Water so the desire of the English upon Surrender of some Places would not be extinguished but rather inflamed to the Taking of more so that What was given up at First would be but a Step to a further Progress But says he if all of you refuse to march out for the relief of the Castle I my self will go alone for as long as I live and am in health I will never suffer such a Mark of Disgrace to be branded on the Scotish Name Upon this stout Speech of the Governors the rest either extinguishing or dissembling their Suspicion cryed out That they would follow Hâ—m But Fortune decided the Controversy and blew off that danger For Percy was called back to the Civil War in England and so the Siege was raised without Blows Whilst these things were acted abroad against the Enemie matters stood less prosperously at home For shortly after the Death of Archibald Douglas the Year before there immediately followed the Decease of the Queen Annabella and of Walter Trayle Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews insomuch that all mens minds did presage a great Mutation of Affairs For the splendour of
Military Matters was upheld by Douglas the Ecclesiastical Authority and Resemblance such as it was of Ancient Discipline by Trayle and the Dignity of the Court by the Queen as did soon appear by what happened after her death For David the Kings Son was a Young man of a fierce Disposition and enclined to Wantonness and Lust. The Indulgence of his Father encreased those Vices for tho' he had not Authority enough to maintain the Reverence due from him to his Father yet by the diligent Monitions of Those who were appointed to be his Tutors in his Youth but much more by the Counsel and Advice of his Mother his Youthful Heats were somewhat blunted and restrained but when she was dead he as new freed from this Curb returned to his own Manners and Lustful Courses for laying aside all shame and fear he took away other Mens Wives by Force yea and Virgins too tho' well descended and Those that he could not persuade by fair means he ravished by Compulsion and if any one endeavoured to stop him in his libidinous ways he was sure to come off not without Punishment Many Complaints were brought to his Father about These his Exorbitancies so that he wrote to his Brother the Governour to keep him with him and to oversee his Conversation until his Lustful Spirit did abate And till he gave some hopes of his Amendment of Life The Governour had now an Opportunity put into his hands to effect that he most desired which was â—o destroy his Brothers Issue so that he met David three Miles from St. Andrews and carried him into the Castle thereof which he kept in the nature of a Garison after the Arch-Bishops death After a while he took him out from thence and carried him to his own Castle of Falcoland and there shut him up close Prisoner intending to starve him But that miserable death which his Uncles Cruelty had designed him to was prorogued and staved off for a few days by the Compassion of Two of the Female Sex one was a Maid and Virgin whose Father was Governour of the Castle and Garison She gave him Oate Cakes made so thin that they would be folded up together as 't is usual in Scotland so to make them and as often as she went into the Garden near the Prison she put them under a Linen Vail or Hood which she did as it were carelesly cast over her Head to keep her from the Sun and thrust them into the Prison to him thro' a small Crany rather than a Window The other was a Country Nurse who Milked her Breast and by a little Canale conveighed it into his Mouth By this mean fare which served rather to encrease than kill his hunger his wretched Life and Punishment was protracted and lengthned out for a little while till at length by the vigilance of the Guards they were discovered and put to Death The Father mightily abhoring the Perfidiousness of his own Daughter whilst he endeavoured to manifest his Faithfulness to an unfaithful Regent The Young man being thus left destitute of all human Support having by Force of Hunger gnawed and torn his own Flesh died at length more than a single kind of Death His End was concealed from his Father thô it were commonly known abroad because no Man durst to be the Messenger of such sad Tidings to him But to return to the Affairs of England as far as they are intermixed with Ours When Percy and a great Number besides of the Nobility had conspired to make War upon their own King he agrees with Douglas whom he still held Prisoner since the Battel of Homeldon That if he would improve his Interest by assisting him against the King as strenuously and as faithfully as he had before done against him he would set him at Liberty without ransom which Douglas frankly promised him to do as being willing to omit no Opportunity of service against the English King Hereupon he gathered some of his Friends and Tenants about him and prepared himself for the Fight wherein he behaved himself as stoutly as he promised to Percy so that without regard to the Common Soldiers his Mind and Eye was wholly intent upon the King only and in regard there were several Commanders cloathed in Royal attire which was done on purpose by the English either to deceive the Enemy if they should press hard upon him or else that the Soldiers in more places than one might find him a present witness of their Courageousness or Cowardize Douglas took notice of One of these who had Gallant Armour and rushed in upon him with all his might and so unhorsed him But he being relieved by those who were next he did the same to a Second and a Third who were all attired as Kings thus Edward Hall the English Writer affirms as well as Ours so that he was not taken up so much with the Apprehension of his own danger as with a wonderment from whence so many Kings should start up at once At length after a terrible and bloody Fight Fortune turned about and the King won the day Douglas was sore wounded and found amongst the Prisoners and whereas many urged to put him to death the King saved him and did not only commend his Faithfulness to his Friend but also rewarded him for his Valour and when his Wounds were cured after he had staid some Months with him upon the Payment of a great sum of Money he was released In the mean time the Scotish King heard of the death of David his Eldest Son by the unnatural Cruelty of his Uncle The Author was sufficiently pointed at by private whisperings tho' no man dared publickly to accuse so potent a man Whereupon the King sends for his Brother and makes an Expostulation with him concerning the matter He had prepared his Tale before-hand and charges others with the Guilt of the Young Mans death as for him and his they were ready forsooth whenever the King pleased to plead and assert their Innocency in a due course of Law as for the Murderers some of them he had taken already and the others he would diligently look out Thus the matter being brought to Examination in the Law The Author of the wickedness Summons a Council sets up an Accuser and he who was impleaded as Guilty was by them acquitted as Innocent of the Murder The King imprecated a most dreadful punishment from the God of Heaven above to be poured down on him and his Posterity who had committed that horrid Wickedness And thus being overpressed with Grief and bodily Weakness he returned to Bote whence he came The Suspicion was encreased in him That his Brother had committed the Parricide tho' he was too powerful to be brought by him to Justice and Punishment for the same But he like a strong dissembler brings the supposititious Authors of the wickedness out of Prison and put them to Cruel deaths 't is true they were
Peace with England it was no hard matter to make up such a Number of Men being only Voluntiers Iohn Earl of Buchan the Governours Son was made General of the Forces and many eminent Persons followed him but Archibald Earl of Wigton the Son of Archibald the Second Earl of Douglas was far more eminent than all the rest When they came into France they were sent by the Dolphin so they call the Eldest Son of the King of France into Turein a Country very plentiful in all sorts of Provision and near to the Enemy For the Duke of Clarence Brother to the King of England was then in France instead of the King himself and made great Havock of the Country of Anjou whose Inhabitants remained in their Obedience to the French King And it was thought he would have come as far as the Town of Beujeu This was done Two Days before Easter whereupon the Scots thinking that the General would cease from any Military Action those few days of that Feast as the custom is and apply himself to Ecclesiastical Duties or as others say presuming upon an Eight Days Truce which was made carried themselves more securely than otherwise they were wont to do The Duke of Clarence was informed thereof either by Andrew Fregose an Italian or else by some Scots Foragers whom his Horse had taken Prisoners and having gotten a fair opportunity for Action as he thought he rose up presently from Dinner and with his Horse only marched toward the Enemy he himself besides his other Gallant Furniture and Armour had a Royal Diadam on his Head beset with many Jewels Some few French who were quartered nearest the Enemy in a Village called Little Beaujou being terrified with his sudden coming fled into the Tower of a Church adjoyning whilst he was assaulting of these the Alarum was given to the rest of the Army and presently in great dismay they all cryed out To your Arms. The Earl of Buchan whilst the rest were sitting themselves sent out 30 Archers to take possession of a Bridge which was the only Passage over a Neighbour River There a Skirmish begun and Hugh Kennedy who quartered in a Church hard by came in to them with One hundred Men who in so sudden a Fright were but half-armed This Party with their Arrows hindred the Horse from passing over whereupon Clarence with the forwardest of his Men leapt from his Horse and maintained the Combat on foot so that in a Lusty Charge they repelled the Scots who were some unarmed and some but half-armed from the Bridge and this opened the Passage for his Men. In the mean time whilst Clarence was mounting his Horse and his Men were passing the narrow Bridge a few at a time the Earl of Buchan was at hand with 200 Horse who being very earnest to shew themselves on Both sides a sharp Fight began with equal courage and hatred For the Scots were glad that they had gotten an Opportunity to give the first Proof of their Valour and so to refute the Reproaches of the French who were wont to upbraid them as Men given more to Eating and Drinking than Fighting The like Reproach do the same French use to cast upon the Britains The Spaniards on the French and the Africans on the Spaniards On the other side the English took it in great disdain That they should be attack'd by such an implacable Enemy not only at home but even beyond the Seas and so they fought stoutly but none more fiercely than Clarence himself He was known by his Armour Iohn Swinton ran at him and with his Lance grievously wounded him in the Face and the Count of Buchan also smote him with a Truncheon and struck him from his Horse when he was fallen the English ran away and were slain in the pursuit even until night This Battel was fought the day before Easter when the days are short in cold Countries a little after the Vernal Equinox There fell of the English in the Fight above 2000 amongst which were 26 of eminent Rank Many Prisoners were taken of good Accompt in their own Country and especially some of the Dukes Allies Few of the Scots or French were lost and those of no great Note neither This is the most common report concerning the Death of Clarence but the Pluscarty Book says that he was slain by Alexander Maccasland a Knight of Lennox who took off the aforesaid Diadem from his Head and sold it to Iohn Stuart of Derneley for 1000 Angels of Gold and he again pawned it to Robert Huston to whom he owed 5000 Angels This he says was the Vulgar Opinion The chief Praise of this Victory was ascribed to the Scots neither could their greatest Detractors deny it Whereupon Charles the Dolphin created the Earl of Buchan Lord High Constable which is the highest Office in France next the King The rest of the Commanders had also Honours bestowed on them according to their Rank and Valour Whilst these Things were acted in France in the year 1420 Robert Governor of Scotland died the same year in the Third of the Nones of September and Fifteen years after the Death of King Robert the Third His Son Murdo succeeded in his place a Man of a sluggish disposition and scarce fit to govern his private Family much less the Common-wealth So that either by his Slothfulness or else his too much Indulgence he so spoiled his Children for he had Three that in a short time he brought both them and himself into great Calamity and at last Destruction This change of Domestick Affairs caused the Earls of Buchan and Wigton with many of their Kindred to return from France But Matters being soon setled at Home the Dolphin recalled the Earl of Buchan who with his Son in Law Archibald Iames his Son and the Flower of the Scotish Soldiers sailed into France leaving his other Son the Earl of Wigton behind him who being grievously sick could not follow him They landed with 5000 Soldiers at Rochel and so came to the Dolphin at Poâ—ctou where they were joyfully received and Douglas was made Duke of Turein When Henry of England heard of the Death of Clarence he substituted Iohn Earl of Bedford his other Brother in his place and sent him before into France with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot He himself followed soon after and took with him Iames King of Scots in the Expedition thinking by that means either to insinuate himself with the Scots who fought against him in France or else to render them suspected to the French But he obtained neither of his Ends nor could he prevail with them at the desire of their own King so much as to return home and to be Newters and Spectators only of the War For addressing to all the Garisons held there by the Scots They made him one General Answer That they could not acknowledge him for their King who was under the Power of another Man
were fit for such or such Promotions Which Course if succeeding Kings had followed certainly we had never fallen into these times wherein the People cannot endure the Vices of the Priests nor the Priests the Remedy of those Vices Neither was the King ignorant that the Church was incumber'd with those great mischiefs under which it then labour'd by reason of the Immoderate Opulency thereof and therefore he did not approve the Prodigality of Former Kings in exhausting their Treasury to inrich Monasteries so that he often said That though David was otherwise the Best of Kings yet his profuse Piety so praised by many was prejudicial to the Kingdom yet notwithstanding He himself as if he had been carry'd away by the Rapid Torrent of Evil Custom could not withhold his hand from building a Monastery for the Carthusians near Perth nor from endowing it with large Revenues One thing in him was very admirable that amidst the greatest Cares for the high Affairs of the Publick he thought the most inferior and private Matters not unworthy of his Diligence provided some benefit came to the Publick by them For whereas Scotland had been exercised with continual Wars after the death of Alexander the Third for almost 150 years wherein her Cities had been so often spoil'd and burnt and her Youth generally made Soldiers so that other Trades were much neglected he invited Tradesmen of all sorts to come out of Flanders proposing great Rewards and Immunities to them by which means he filled his Cities almost empty before in regard the Nobility did usually keep themselves in the Country with this sort of Artificers neither did he only restore the appearance of ancient Populousness to the Towns hereby but also ingag'd a great number of Idlers to fall to honest Labour and hereby it came to pass that what was with small cost made at home need not with far greater be fetch 't from abroad Yet whiles he was thus strengthning all the weak parts of his Kingdom by proper Remedies he ran into the great dislike and offence of his Subjects especially for Two Reasons The one seem'd light in appearance yet ' was That which is the beginning of almost all Calamity to a People For when Peace was universally setled Idleness Luxury and Lust to the destruction first of ones self then of others followed thereupon Hence arose sumptuous Feastings Drinking Caresses by day and night personated Masks Delight in strange Apparel Stateliness of Houses not for necessary Use but to please the Eye A corruption of Manners falsely called Neatness and in all things a general neglect of the Country Customs so that nothing forsooth was accounted handsom or comely enough but that which was New-fangled and Strange The Commonalty did willingly cast off the fault of these things from themselves and laid it on the English Courtiers who followed the King and yet they did not inveigh against such wanton and pleasurable Courses more bitterly in their Words than they studiously practis'd them in their Lives But the King obviated this Mischief as much as he could both by good Laws and also by his own good Example for he kept himself in his Apparel and Frugality within the rate of the Richer sort of private Men and if he saw any thing of Immoderation in any part of a Man's Life he shew'd by his Countenance and sometimes by his Words that 't was displeasing to him By this means the course of increasing Luxury was somewhat restrain'd rather than the new Intemperance extinguisht and the old Parsimony reduc'd His other Fault was bruited abroad by his Enemies and afterwards broke forth into a Publick Mischief Robert the King's Uncle and Murdo his Cosin-German who had the Regency of the Kingdom for many Years seeing they themselves aspir'd to the Throne and yet knew not how to remove Iames out of the way they did what was next to it i. e. Engage the Affections of Men so to them that the better sort might have no extraordinary miss of a King nor any ardent Desires after him so that they us'd such great Moderation in the management of Affairs that their Government seem'd to many not only tolerable but very desireable if Mâ—rdo's Son had carried it with a semblable Popularity and Moderation For they so engaged the Nobles to them by their Liberality and Munificence that some injoyed the Lands belonging to the King by Connivence To others they gave them and in favour of some particular Men they Cancell'd Proceedings and Judgments in Law and restor'd some who had been banish'd and amongst them one Eminent and Potent Person George Dunbar Earl of Merch who during his Exile had done much mischief to his Country and by this means they hop'd so to ingage the Nobility that they would never so much as think of calling home the King and then if Iames Dy'd without Issue the Kingdom would come to them without any Competitor but if he should chance to return from his Banishment yet their Faction would be so powerful that if the King bore them a Grudge yet they were able to defend themselves by force against him but when the King did actually return the old Favour and Respect born to the Uncle seem'd to be quite extinguish'd by the new Injury and Flagitiousness of Murdo so that it plainly appear'd that nothing was more popular than Iustice. And therefore the People were not only consenting but also contributed their assistance to the Execution of Murdo the Father and his Two Sons and to the Banishment of of a 3d. So that the King's Revenue was Augmented by the Confiscation of their Estates and also by the Accessâ—on of the Estates of Iohn Earl of Buchan who Dyed Childless in France and of Alexder Earl of Merch who was also Childless and a Bastard who Dy'd at home concerning whom I shall speak a few Words by way of Digression This Alexander was the Son of Alexander Son to King Robert In his Youth by the ill Advice of some bad Men he turn'd to be a Commander amongst Thâ—eves but when he came to â—an's Estate he was so Reform'd that he seem'd plainly to be quite another Man so that his Vices gradually decreasing by the benefit of wholsom Counsel he so manag'd things both at home and abroad that he left a Memory behind him precious to Posterity For at home he quell'd the Insurrectioâ— of the Islanders at Harlaw making great Slaughter of them And so he extinguisht a dangerous War in the very Rise and Bud and thô he had great Wealth well gotten and had bought 〈◊〉 stately Sâ—â—ts insomuch that he much exceeded his Neighbourâ— yet he addicted not himself to Idleness or Pleasure but went with â— good Party of his Country-men into Flanders where he follow'â— Charles D. of Burgundy against the Luick-landers in which War he got both Estate and Honour and besides he Married richly in Holland and Island of the Batavians but the Hollanders not being able
to bear the Government of a Stranger he return'd back and provided a stately Fleet with great Cost yet no great Benefit because it was against Men who were very well provided both with Land and Sea-Forces At length he set upon their numerous Fleet returning from Dantzic which he took and pillaged and slew the Mariners and burnt the Ships so that he repaid the Enemy for the Loss he receiv'd from them many times over yea he so subdued the Fierceness of their Minds that they desired a Truce for an Hundred Years and obtain'd it He also caus'd a Breed of brave Mares to be brought from as far as Hungary into Scotland whose Race continu'd there for many Years after These Rich Earls Dying without Issue Buchan and Marr their Patrimonial â—nheritances descended Rightfully to the King And moreover he alone injoy'd all the Possessions of the Three Brothers Sons to King Robert the 2d by his last Wife but not without the Grudges of the Nobility who had been accustomed to Largesses that he alone should enjoy all the Prey without sharing any Part of it amongst them Further they conceiv'd another and fresher Cause of Offence That the King had revok'd some Grants made by Robert and Murdo the last Regents as unjust Amongst those Grants There were Two noted ones George Dunbar who was Declared a Publick Enemy was afterwards recall'd by Robert and part of his Estate restor'd to him His Son George succeeded him therein to the Joy of many who were well pleas'd that so Ancient and Noble a Family which had so often deserv'd well of their Country were restor'd to their Ancient Dignity But the King who look'd narrowly and perhaps too pryingly into his Revenue was of Opinion that the Power to restore Incapacities to recal Exiles and to give back their Goods forfeited for Treason and so brought into the King's Exchequer was too great for One that was but a Guardian of another Man's Kingdom and chosen but as a Tutor only to Claim and Use especially since Largesses made in the Minority of Princes by the Old Laws of Scotland might be recalled if not confirm'd by their respective Kings when they came to be of Age. And therefore Iames that he might reduce the Merch-men into his Power without noise in regard they were a Martial People and Borderers upon England detains George with him and sends Letters to the Governour of the Castle of Dunbar Commanding him on receipt thereof he should immediately Surrender it up to William Douglas Earl of Angus and Alexander Hepborn of Hales whom he had sent to receive it Hereupon George complain'd that he was wrongfully dispossest of his Ancient Patrimony for anothers Fault and such a Fault too as was forgiven by him who then had the Supreme Power The King to pacifie him and to proclaim his Clemency amongst the Vulgar bestowed Buchan upon him This Fact of the King 's was variously spoken of as every ones Humour and Disposition led him And moreover there was also another Action which much hastned his End the Beginning whereof is to be fetcht a little higher I said before that King Robert the 2d had Three Sons by his Concubine he had also Two by his Wife Eufemia Walter Earl of Athole and David Earl of Stratherne yet when their Mother the Queen was Dead he Married the Concubine afore-spoken of that so he might by that Marriage Legitimate the Children he had by her and leave them Heirs to the Crown and accordingly at his Death he left the Kingdom to the Eldest of them To the 2d he gave great Wealth and the Regency also The 3d. was made Earl of several Counties In this Matter tho' his other Wif's Children thought themselves wrong'd yet being younger and not so powerful as they they smothered their Anger for the present And besides their Power was somewhat abated by the Death of the Earl of Strathern who left but only one Daughter behind him afterwards Marry'd to Patrick Graham a Noble young Man and one of a potent Family in that Age on whom he begat Meliss Graham His Parents liv'd not long after and the Child after a few Years being yet a Stripling was sent as an Hostage into England till the Money for the King's Ransom was paid But the Earl of Athole tho' every way too weak for the adverse Faction yet never gave over his Project to cut off his Kindred nor cast away his Hopes to recover the Kingdom and because he was inferior in open Force he craftily fomented their Divisions and Discords and invidiously made use of their Dangers to promote his own Ends so that by his Advice that large Family was reduc'd to a few For many were of Opinion that he gave the Counsel to take off David King Robert's Son and Iames had not escap'd him neither unless he had past a good part of his Life in England far from home for he gave Advice to the Earl of Fife that seeing his Brother was a Drone he Himself should seize on the Kingdom When the King lost all his Children and was obnoxious to his Brothers Will and not long after dyed of Grief himself There was only the Regent of the Kingdom with his Children that hindred his hopes in regard he was an active Man of great Wealth Power and Authority and moreover very Popular and full of Children These Considerations did somewhat retard his Counsels but when Robert Dyed of a Natural Death and his Son Iohn was slain in the Battel of Vernevil then he resum'd his former Project with greater earnestness and bent all his Mind and Endeavour how to free Iames and set him at variance with Murdo and his Children And seeing they could not all of them stand safe together which soever of them fell he foresaw that his Hope would be advanced one step higher to the Kingdom And when Iames was returned into his Country he turn'd every Stone to hasten Murdo's Destruction he suborn'd Men fit for the turn to forge Crimes against him and he himself sate Judge upon Him and his Sons And when they were cut off there was only Iames left and one little Son a Child not yet 6 Years old And if he were slain by the Conspiracy of the Nobles he did not doubt but himself who was then the only remaining Branch of the Royal Stock should be advanc'd to the Throne Athole was in these Thoughts Night and Day yet he conceal'd his Secret Purposes and made a great shew of Loyalty to the King in helping to rid his Allies out of the way for that was his only Contrivance that by the Offences of Others he might increase his own Power and diminish his Enemies In the mean time Meliss Graham who as I said before was given in Hostage to the English was depriv'd of Strathern because the King making a diligent Enquiry into his Revenue found that 't was given to his Grandfather by the Mothers-side upon condition That if
long Journys as ever she was able to make to inform him of a sad Message which was that there was a grievous Conspiracy form'd against his Life and unless he took special Care his Destruction was at hand The King being dismay'd at this sudden news Disbanded his Army and return'd home but was very ill spoken of amongst the Vulgar because just upon the point of Surrender at the beck of a Woman he retir'd after the Kingdom had been at so much charge and trouble so that he seem'd to have sought for nothing by his Arms but Disgrace After he return'd he went to the Monast'ry of the Dominicans near the Walls of Perth to make a private enquiry into the Conspiracy as well as he was able but his design was smelt out by Men that Watcht all opportunities to do mischief for one of the Kings Domesticks who was in the Plot Historians call him Iohn but his Sirname is not mentioned discovered to his Complices what was doing at Court so that they hastned the matter lest their secret Caballs should be discovered and Remedies apply'd against them Walter Earl of Athole the Kings Uncle tho' he were the Ring-leader of the Conspiracy yet did what he could to avert all Suspicion from himself He sent for his Kinsman Robert Graham of whom I have spoken before as fit for Execution but rash in Counsel and who bore an old grudge to the King because of his former Imprisonment and Banishment and also upon the account of his Brothers Son to whom he was Guardian in his hope who had Strathern taken from him he joyns with him Robert his Nephew by his Son an active Young Man he informs them what he would have them to do and that when the Deed was done he should be in high Authority and then he would provide for their Safety well enough they freely promise to do their Endeavour and accordingly hasten to perpetrate the Fact before the whole Series of the Plot was made known to the King Hereupon they privately gathered their Company together that so knowing the King had but a few about him in the Monast'ry of the Dominicans he might with as little noise as might be cut him off and that they might surprize him unawares they advise Iohn his Servant above-mentioned whom they had drawn to their Party to be assistant to them according to his promise he brings the Conspirators in the midst of the Night into the Court and placed them privately near the Kings Bed-Chamber and shews them the Door which they might easily break in regard he had taken away the Bar thereof Some think that they were received into the Palace by Robert Nephew of the Earl of Athole In the mean time whilst they waited there being solicitous how to break the Door which they thought would be their greatest Obstacle Fortune did the Work without their Helps for Walter Straton who a little before had carried in Wine coming forth and perceiving Men in Arms endeavour'd to get in again and cry'd out with as loud a Voice as he could Traitors Traitors Whilst the Conspirators were dispatching him a noble young Damsel of the Family of the Douglas's as most say tho' some write She was a Lovel shut the Door and not finding the Bar which was fraudulently laid aside by the Servant She thrust her Arm into the Hole or Staple instead of a Bolt but they quickly brake that and so rusht in upon the King The Queen threw herself upon his Body to defend him and when He was thrown down She spread Herself over him and after She had receiv'd Two Wounds She could hardly be pluckt off And then when he was left of all they gave him 28 Wounds and some of them just in his Heart and so kill'd him Thus this Good King came to his End and that a most Cruel one too and much lamented by all Good Men by the Conspiracy of most wicked Assassins and Robbers when his Death was divulg'd by the Noise and Lamentation which was made a great Concourse of People came presently into the Court and there spent the rest of the Night for the Paricides had made their Escape in the dark in Bewailings and Complaints There every one spake variously according to their several Dispositions either bitterly to raise a greater Odium against the Parricides or lamentably to increase the Grief of their Friends each Man reckon'd up what Prosperities or Adversities he had undergone In his Childhood he was expos'd to the Treacheries of his Uncle and endeavouring to escape them he was precipitated into his Enemies hands Afterwards his Father died and the rest of his Youth was spent in Exile among his Enemies Then Fortune chang'd and he had an unlook'd for Restoration and after his Return in a few Years he Govern'd so that the turbulent State of the Kingdom was chang'd in a Calm and Serene One. And again having a suddain Mutation of Affairs He whom his Enemies had spar'd abroad was now slain by the Treachery of his Kindred at home and that in the Flower of his Age and in the midst of his intended Course to settle good Laws and Customs in his Kingdom And besides they gave him his deserved Elogies for all his Virtues both of Body and Mind for Mens Envy was extinguish'd towards him now he was dead For tho his Bodily Stature was scarce of a full size yet he was robust and strong so that he exceeded all his Equals in those Exercises wherein Agility and Manhood use to be shewn and as to his Mind he was endued with that quickness and vigor of Wit that he was ignorant oâ— no Art worthy the Knowledge of an Ingenious Person yea he could make plain Latin Verses according to that Age Ex tempore Some Poems of his written in the English Tongue are yet extant in which there appears excellency of Wit tho' perhaps some more polite Learning be wanting in them he was excellently well skill'd in Musick more than was meet or expedient for a King for there was no Musical or Singing Instrument but he could readily Play thereon and Tune his Voice so that he might have been compar'd with the best Masters of that Art in those Days But perhaps some will say These are but the Flowers of his Studies where is the Fruit These are more for Ornament than Instruction or Use to strengthen a Man for doing of Business Know then that after he had Learn'd other Parts of Philosophy he was also skill'd in Politicks concerning the Regulation of Kingdoms and of Mens Manners How Great and how Ripe Civil Abilities were in him doth sufficiently appear by the order of the Matters perform'd by him and by the Laws which he made whereby he exceedingly benefited not only his own Age but even Posterity also And his Death declar'd that there is nothing more Popular than Justice for they who were wont to detract from him whilst he was alive now he was dead had most
flagrant Desires after him Insomuch that the Nobles as soon as they heard he was Murder'd came in of their own accord from their respective Countries and before a Tryal was appointed they voluntarily sent out into all Parts to apprehend the Murderers and bring them to Justice very many of them were taken The Principal of them were put to new and exquisite kinds of Death The rest were hang'd The Chief Heads in perpetrating the Wickedness were reckon'd to be Walter Earl of Athole Robert his Nephew by his Son and their Kinsman Robert Graham the Punishment of Walter because he was the Chief Author and Instigator of the whoâ—e Plot was divided into Three Days Suffering In the 1st he was put on a Cart wherein a Stork-like Swipe or Engine was erected and by Ropes let through Pullies was hoisted up on high and then the Ropes being suddainly loos'd he was let down again almost to the Ground with grievous pains by reason of the Luxation of the Joints of his Body Then he was set on a Pillory that all might see him and a Red-hot-Iron-Crown set on his Head with this Inscription that he should be called King of all Traitors They say the cause of this punishment was that Walter had been sometimes told by some Female Witches as Athole was always noted to have such That he should be Crown'd King in a mighty Concourse of People for by this means that Prophecy was either fulfill'd or eluded as indeed such kind of Predictions do commonly meet with no other Events The Day after he was bound upon a Hurdle and drawn at an Horse-Tail thro' the greatest Street in Edinburgh The 3d Day he was laid along upon a Plank in a conspicuous Place and his Bowels were cut out whilst he was alive cast into the Fire and burnt before his Face afterwards his Heart was pulled out and cast into the same Fire then his Head was cut off and expos'd to the view of all being set upon a Poll in the highest Place of the City His Body was divided into Four Quarters and sent to be hang'd up in the most noted Places of the best Cities of the Kingdom After him his Nephew was brought forth to suffer but because of his Age they would not put him to so much pain and besides he was not the Author but only an Accomplice in another Man 's wicked Design as having Obey'd his Grandfather therein so that he was only Hang'd and Quarter'd But Robert Graham who did the Deed with his own Hand was carried in a Cart thro' the City and his Right Hand was nail'd to a Gallows which was set up in the Cart and then came Executioners which did continually run Red-hot-Iron Spikes into his Thighs Shoulders and those Parts of his Body which were most remote from the Vitals and then he was Quarter'd as the former After this manner was the Death of Iames vindicated 't is true 't was a cruel one but 't was reveng'd by Punishments so Cruel that they seem'd to exceed the very bounds of Humanity for such extreme kinds of Punishment do not so much restrain the Minds of the Vulgar by the fear of Severity as they do make them wild to do or suffer any thing neither do they so much deter wicked Men from committing Offences by their Acerbity as they lessen their Terror by often beholding them especially if the Spirits of the Criminals be so hardened that they flinch not at their Punishment For among the unskilful Vulgar a stubborn Confidence is sometimes prais'd for a firm and stable Constancy Iames departed this Life on the Beginning of the Year 1437. the 12 th day of February when he had Reign'd 13 Years and in the 44 th year of his Age So great diligence was us'd in revenging his Death that within 40 Days all the Conspirators were taken and put to Death He left one Son the younger of the Twins halfe of whose Face was Red as if it had been Blood-shotten The Eleventh BOOK James II. The Hundred and Third King AFTER the Punishment of the Parricides Iames the only Son of the Deceased King as yet scarce arriv'd at the Seventh Year of his Age entred upon the Kingdom the Sixth of the Calends of April in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House at Edinburgh The King being as yet not fit for Government there was a dispute among the Nobles who should be Elected Vice King or Regent Archibald Earl of Douglas did exceed all the Scots at that time in Wealth and Power but Alexander Levingstone and William Creighton Both of them of worthy Families did bear away the Bell in point of Authority and Opinion of Prudence in the managing of many Affairs under the former King To them therefore the consent of the Nobles did most incline because they had some Suspicion of Douglas's Power which even a King could hardly bear Whereupon Alexander Levingston was made Regent and William Creighton Chancellor which Office he had born under the former King The Nobility was scarce gone from the Assembly but presently Factions arose For the Chancellor kept himself with the King in the Castle of Edinburgh and the Regent with the Queen at Sterlin and Douglas fretting that he was put by in the last Assembly not knowing which Faction he hated most was well pleas'd to see all things in Disorder so that rather by his Connivance than Consent the Men of Annandale who were always accustom'd to Theiveries and Rapin did infest all the Neighbouring Parts and drove Preys out of them as if it had been an Enemies Country When complaint hereof was made to the Governors they sent Letters to Douglas to suppress them knowing that the Annandians were under his Regulation and Power but these not prevailing they wrote others in a sharper Style to put him in Mind of his Duty but he was so far from punishing past Offences that through his neglect by impunity the growing Mischief was increast for he likewise gave forth a Command that none of them should obey the Kings Officers if they Summoned them into the Courts of Justice or perform'd any other Act of Magistracy in regard as he alleged That was a Priviledge granted to him they commonly call it a Regale or Royalty by former Kings and he that should go about to infringe it it should cost him his Life The Regent and the Chancellor did bewail this State of Things but they could not Rectifie it so that this Gangreen spread further and further till it had soon infected all those parts of Scotland which lay within the Forth The other Two Factions did also disagree amongst themselves insomuch that Proclamations were publickly made in Market Towns and Villages by Alexander that no Man should yield Obedience to the Chancellor and by the Chancellor that none should obey Alexander And if a Man addrest himself to either of them to complain of his wrongs at his return he was sure to be Evil intreated by
him or so to disarm him that for the future he might do them no more Mischief though said they his disarming was not very safe in regard such a Beast as he who had been accustomed to Blood and Rapin would never be at quiet so long as the Breath was in his Body This was Alexander's Discourse in Council to whom all did assent so that an Order was made that every one should go home and levy what Force they could to besiege the Castle of Edinburgh from which they were not to depart till they had taken it And that this might be done with greater Facility the Queen promised to send thither a great Quantity of Provision which she had in her Store-houses in Fife but Haste was to be used whiles their Counsels were yet private and the Enemy had no Warning to provide things fit and necessary for a Siege And in the interim they need not fear Douglas who they knew was a mortal Enemy to the Chancellor so that now seeing they had all the Power Treasure enough and withal the Authority of the Kings Name That being now taken from Him he could have no Hope but to fly to their Mercy Thus the Assembly being Dissolved all things were speedily provided for the Expedition and a close Siege laid to the Castle The Chancellor was acquainted well enough with their Designs but he placed the greatest Hope of his Safety and of maintaining his Dignity in Douglas his Concurrence with him Whereupon he sent humble Suppliants to him to acquaint him That he would always be at his Devotion if he would aid him in his present Extremity urging that he was deceiv'd if he thought that their Cruelty would rest in the Destruction of himself alone but that they would make his Overthrow as a step to destroy Douglas too Douglas answer'd his Message with more Freedom than Advantage viz. That both Alexander and William were equally guilty of Perfidiousness and Avarice and that their falling out was not for any point of Virtue or for the good of the Publick but for their own private Advantages Animosities and Feuds and that it was no great matter which of them had the better in the Dispute yea if they fell Both in the Contest the Publick would be a great Gainer thereby and that no good Man would desire to see an happier sight than two such Fencers to hack and hew one another This Answer being noised abroad in Both Armies for the Castle was already besieged was the Occasion That a Peace was sooner clapt up than any one thought it would There was a Truce made for Two days wherein Alexander and William had a Meeting where they discours'd one with another how dangerous it would be both for the Publick and their private Estates too if they should persist in their Hatred even to a Battel seeing Douglas did but watch the event of the Combate that he might come fresh and fall upon the Conqueror and so attract all the Power of the Kingdom to himself when either One of them was slain or Both weakn'd and broken and therefore the Hâ—pes of Both their Safeties were plac'd in their common and mutual Agreement so that the present Dangers easily reconciled those Two who were upon other accounts also otherwise prudent enough William according to Agreement gave up the Keys of the Castle to the King professing that both Himself and â—t were at his Service and that he never entertain'd any other Thought than to be obedient to the Kings Will Hereupon he was received into Favour with the universal Assent of all that were present The King supped that night in the Castle thus surrendred to him and the next day the Government of the Castle was bestowed on William and the Regency on Alexander Thus after a deadly hatred between them it was hoped that for ever after the Foresight of their mutual Advantage and the Fear of their Common Enemy had tied a firm and indissoluble Knot of Friendship betwixt them After these Civil Broils between the Factions were composed besides Robberies and the Murders of some of the common sort which were committed in many places without punishment there were some remaining Feuds which broke out between some Noble Families The year after the Kings Death in the Third of the Calends of October Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock had treacherously slain Alan Stuart of Darnly in a Truce as he met him between Linlithgoe and Falkirk The next year after on the 7th of the Ides of Alan's Brother with his Party fought Thomas where many were slain on both sides their Numbers being almost equal and amongst the rest Thomas himself fell The Death of Archibald Douglas fell out opportunely at this time because in his Life time his Power was formidable to all He died of a Fever the next year after the Death of Iames the First His Son William succeeded him being the Sixth Earl of that Family he was then Fourteen years of Age a young Man of great hopes if his Education had been answerable to his Ingenuity But Flattery which is the perpetual Pest of great Families did corrupt his tender Age which grew a little more insolent by the premature liberty in entring on his Estate for such Men as were accustomed to Idleness and who made a Gain of the Folly and Indiscretion of the Rich did magnifie his Fathers Magnificence Power and almost more than Royal Retinue and by this means they easily persuaded a plain simple Disposition and unarmed against such Temptations to maintain a great Family and to ride abroad with a Train beyond the State of any other Nobleman so that he kept his old Vassals about him in their former Offices by his Respects to them and obtained also new Clans by his profuse Largesses he also made Knights and Senators and so distinguisht the Order and Degrees of his Attendants as to imitate the publick Conventions of the Kingdom in fine he omitted nothing which might equal the Majesty of the King himself Such Carriages were enough to create Suspicions of themselves but good Men were also much troubled for him upon another account that he would often go abroad with 2000 Horse in his Train amongst whom some were notorious Thieves and many of them worthy of Death for the Murders they had committed yet with these he would come to Court and even to the Kings Presence not only to shew his Power but even to strike Terrour to the Hearts of others This his Insolence was further heightned by his sending some Eminent Persons as his Ambassadors into France viz. Malcolm Fleming and Iohn Lauder who were to declare the Merits of his Ancestors from the Crown of France and to desire that the Title of Duke of Tours might be bestow'd upon him which he easily obtained for his Grandfather had that Honour conferr'd upon him by Charles the Seventh for his great Service performed in the Wars and his Father also had
Indemnify'd for whatsoever he had done against the King and He and His should march safely off Thus in every Dispute he who is most powerful would seem to be most innocent And not long after Creighton was received into the King's Favour and was made Chancellor again by the general Consent of all but he refrain'd the Court and all Publick Business as much as ever his Office would suffer him to do Douglas having thus rather terrified than overthrown Creighton turn'd the rest of his fury upon the Levingstons But before I come to that Part of my History I will touch upon the Slaughter of some of these Noble Persons for 't would be infinite to name the Deaths of all who were put to Death in those Days Iames Stuart a Noble Knight was slain by Alexander Lisle and Robert Boyd at Kirk-Patrick about Two Miles from Dunbarton neither was their Cruelty satisfy'd with his Death but they endeavour'd to get his Wife also who was then great with Child and almost ready to lye down into their Power In order whereto they sent a Priest to her as in great hast to tell her That all the Roads were full of Horse and Foot and that there was no Way for her to escape the present Danger but to go a Shipboard and fly to Robert Boyd at Dunbarton who had solemnly promis'd to return her safe home The credulous Woman who did not know that Robert was present at the perpetration of the Murder being carried from Cardros into the Castle perceiving that She was circumvented by the Fraud of her Enemies being overcome by the Greatness of her Grief Fear and Indignation brought forth an Abortive Birth which with the Mother Dyed a few hours after About the same time Patrick Hepburn Earl of Hales kept the Castle of Dunbar and had with him Ioan the Wife of Iames the I. who in those tumultuous times had fled thither for refuge Archibald Dunbar thinking this to be a just Cause for a Quarrel set upon Hepburn's Castle in the Night kill'd the Garison Soldiers on the First Onset and took it yet in a few Hours for fear he gave it up to the Earl of Douglas upon condition That He and His should march safely off Not long after Queen Ioan Dyed leaving these Children by her later Husband Iohn Earl of Athole Iames Earl of Buchan and Andrew afterwards Bishop of Murray After She was Dead Hepburn deliver'd up the Castle of Dunbar un-Garison'd and empty to the King In Angus Alexander Earl of Craford put Iohn Lyons to death in the Market-place at Dundee because he had been rais'd up to great Wealth and Honour even to a Match in the Royal Family by his Father yet he prov'd ungrateful and forgot the Courtesies he had received Amidst these Discords the Men of Annandale did vex the adjoyning Countries with all sorts of Calamities The Cause of all these Mischiefs was cast upon the Earl of Douglas who yet did all he could to conceal these Facts of his Clans for he openly Studied nothing more than to afflict the Men of different Parties in regard he was grown to that height of Power that 't was a Capital Offence to question any of his Doings He caus'd Iames Stuart the King's Uncle to fly the Land because he spoke something freely concerning the State of the Kingdom but his Ship being taken by the Flemings he liv'd not long after Now he thought it was high time to attempt the Levingstons whereupon he caus'd Alexander the Head of the Family and his Son Iames and also Robert the King's Treasurer and David to be summon'd to an Assembly at Edinburgh and of his Friends Robert Bruce Iames and Robert Dundasses of these Alexander and the Two Dundasses were sent back to prison to Dunbarton the rest were put to Death of what Crime they were guilty meriting so great a Punishment the Historians of those Times do not mention neither will I interpose my own Conjectures in a business so remote from our Memory only I will relate what I have heard That Iames Levingston when he came to the place of Execution complain'd heavily and expresly of the Inconstancy of Fortune That his Father who was Honour'd with a Power next to the Kings did yet freely give up the invidious Title of Regent and went to his own Estate far from Court and out of his Enemies sight whose Cruelty waâ— never satiated with his Miseries and therefore he was forc'd to take Arms to preserve his Life which he again laid down at the Kings Command if there were any fault in that he had long ago obtain'd his Pardon and since that time he had liv'd remote and free from all suspicion of any Crime of which this was an evident Token That the Nobility thought them innocent and did solicitously deprecate their Punishments and yet notwithstanding the severe Cruelty of their Enemies prevailed more than the former Demerits and good Offices of their Family or than the Kings Pardon obtain'd or than the interceding Supplications of the Nobility And therefore he intreated all who were there present to look upon those lofty Titles of Empire and Dominion to be nothing else but the Glosing Complements of Fortune who then intended to do most Mischief and that they were rather flowry Embelishments for ones Funeral than Safeguards to a Man's Life especially since Bad men can always do more to destroy the Good than the Consent of the Good can do to save them And having thus spoken to the great grief of all the Spectators he submitted his Neck to the Executioner Amidst these Combustions Creighton was sent into France partly to renew the Ancient League and partly to obtain from thence a Royal Bride Douglas took his Absence very well tho' in an Honourable Employment because tho' he was a prudent and potent person yet out of the Relicks of their former discords he was not over-fond of him In this troublesome state of the Kingdom the same Disease which vext others did also infect the Ecclesiastical Order Iames Cameron Bishop of Glasco had himself committed many acts of Cruelty and Avarice upon the Husbandmen of his Diocess which was very large and he had also given Encouragement to Those who were in power to do the like that so when the Owners were unjustly condemn'd their Estates might be Confiscated to him so that he was believ'd to be the Author or the Favourer of all the Mischiefs which were acted abroad 'T is reported that the Man came to an End worthy of his wicked Life The Day before the Nativity of Christ as he was asleep in a Farm of his own about 7 Miles from Glasco he seem'd to hear a loud Voice calling him to the Tribunal of Christ to plead his Cause That sudden Fright wakened him out of his Sleep he call'd up his Servants to bring a Candle and sit down by him he took a Book in his hand and began to read but presently the
long serv'd in France and was commended for his Industry and Valour 'T is said that he out of his Mortal hatred against the Scots had bargain'd with the King of England that what Lands he took from the Scots either by killing or driving away the Inhabitants he and his Posterity after him should enjoy On the other side the Scots hearing of the Preparation of their Enemies were not negligent in gathering Forces on their Part. George Dunbar Earl of Ormond was made Captain General who presently marcht into Annandale whither his Intelligence inform'd him that the Enemy would come And indeed the English had prevented him and entred Scotland before They had past over the Rivers Solway and Annand and pitch'd their Tents by the River Sarc from whence they sent out Parties on every side to pillage but hearing of the coming of the Scots they recall'd them all by Sound of Trumpet and contracted all their Force into One Body As soon as ever they came in sight one of another they fell to it without delay Main commanded the Left Wing of the English and Iohn Penington the Right he had the Welsh the Relicks of the Ancient Britains for his Assistants the Earl himself commanded the Main Battel George Douglas appointed Walter Laird of Craig to fight Main and Maxwel and Iohnston each with their Troops to attack Penington he himself took Care of the Main Body he gave them a short Exhortation to conceive a good Hope of Victory because they had taken up Arms in their own Defence as provoked by the Injuries of their Enemies and that a prosperous Issue must needs attend so just a Cause and if they could abate the Pride of their Enemy by some Notable overthrow they would reap a lasting Fruit of their short Labour The English who abounded in the number of Archers wounded many of the Scots with their Darts at a distance Whereupon Wallace who commanded the Left Wing cryed out aloud so as to be heard of most of his men Why they â—rifled so and Skirmish'd at a distance they should follow him and rush in upon the Enemy hand to hand and then their Valour would truly appear for that was the Fighting fit for Men. Having thus spoken he drew the whole Wing after him And presently with their long Spears wherewith the Scots both Foot and Horse were furnish'd they drove the Enemy back routed and put them to Flight Main perceiving his Wing to give back being more mindful of the just Glory of his former Life than of his present Danger rushes with great Violence upon Wallace that so by his Boldness he might either renew the Fight or else breath out his last in the Glory of some Illustrious Attempt but unwarily Charging he was intercepted from his own Men and with those few that follow'd him was slain When Both Armies heard that he was slain the Scots prest on more chearfully so that the English Army did not stand long as they fled home straggingly and in great haste more were slain in the Pursuit than Fight but the chiefest Slaughter was upon the Banks of the Solway for there the Tide had swollen up the River so that they could not pass About 3000 of the English were slain in this Fight and 600 of the Scots There were many Prisoners taken the Chief were Iohn Penington and Robert Huntington The Earl of Northumberland's Son might have escap'd but whilst he was helping his Father to Horse he himself was taken Prisoner The Booty was greater than had been ever known in any Battel betwixt the Scots and English before For the English trusting to the Number and Goodness of their Soldiers and depending also on the discord of the Scots came on so securely as if it had been to a Shew not to a Fight so great was their Confidence and Undervaluing of their Enemy Wallace was wounded carried home in a Litter and in 3 Months after died of his Wounds Ormond being thus a Conqueror took a view of the Prisoners the chief Commanders he sent Prisoners to the Castle in Loch Maâ—an he himself return'd to Court where every Body went out to meet him and he was received with all kind of Honour The King did highly extol his Military Services but withal advis'd him and his Brother That as they had often given a Proof of their Courage abroad and had defended the State of Scotland by their Labour and Valour even in Perillous Times so at home that they would accustom themselves to a modest Deportment and that they themselves should refrain from Injuring the Poorer sort and also inhibit their Clans from doing it and that they should shew their Puissance and Grandeur which their Ancestors had obtain'd by their many Merits both of King and Subjects rather in restraining of Robbers than in cherishing them that This was the only thing which was wanting to compleat their Praise and make it absolute and if they would do this thing they should certainly find that he would esteem the Honour of the Douglas's and their Family before any thing else whatsoever They answer'd the King submissively and so took their leave and went Joyfully home After this Fight at Sarc as the Borders of Scotland were quieter from the wrongs of their Enemies so when the matter was reported at London it did rather irritate the English than deject them For a Council being call'd about a War with Scotland a new Army was order'd to be rais'd to blot out the former Ignominy Whilst they were all intent hereupon presently Civil Wars arose amongst themselves and a strong Conspiracy of the Commons made against the King took off their Thoughts from a Foreign War so that Embassadors were sent into Scotland to treat of a Peace which were so much the more welcome because their own Affairs were not well settled at home Yet they could not well agree on Terms of Peace but only made a Truce for Three Years and so returned home These things were acted in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Four Hundred Forty Eight This Publick Joy was soon after increast by a Message sent out of Flanders from the Chancellor who went Ambassador to Charles the Seventh about contracting a Marriage By his endeavours Mary the Daughter of Arnold Duke of Gelderland was betroth'd to Iames she was of the Kingly Race by her Mothers side who was a Sister of the Duke of Burgundy The Year after she came with a great Train of Noble Persons into Scotland and in Iuly was Crowned in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House near Edinburgh This Universal Joy for the Victory for the Peace and for the Marriage was soon disturbed by the Death of Richard Colvill a Man of Note which though perhaps in it self not undeserv'd yet was of very bad Example to the Common-Wealth This Colvil having receiv'd many and great wrongs from one Iohn Afflech a Friend of Douglas's and after many complaints could get no Remedy in Law nor Equity he
his vast Mind which was always hankering after Supremacy and Height was not content with this Honour which was the greatest he could be advanced to under the King but by his Temerity he gave the State new Occasions of Suspicion For he undertook a Journy very privately into England and after his Address to that King he told him that the cause of his coming was That his Estate though Claimed by him was not yet restor'd But this seem'd to Iames a light and no way probable cause of his Journey and therefore the King conceiv'd a greater Suspicion in his Mind which before was not well Reconcil'd against him neither did he conceal his Anger as supposing that there was a deeper Design hid under that his Discourse with the English King Douglas having now an offended King to deal with fled presently to his wonted Refuge the Kings known Clemency and cast himself at his Feet The Queen also and many of the Nobles interceded for him and after a Solemn Oath that for the future he would never act any thing which might justly offend the King his Fault was forgiven only he was deprived of his Office Whereupon the Earl of the Orcades and William Creighton who had always remained Loyal were advanc'd again to sit at the Helm Douglas was very angry with all the Courtiers for this Disgrace for so he interpreted it but he was most of all incens'd against William Creighton for he thought that 't was by his Prudence that all his Projects were disappointed and therefore he was resolv'd to dispatch him out of the World either by some Treachery or if that succeeded not by any other way whatsoever And that he might do it with the less Odium he suborn'd one of his Friends to Witness that he heard Creighton say That Scotland would never be 〈◊〉 quiet so long as any of the Family of the Douglas 's were left alive and that the safety of the King and Kingdom the Concord of the Estates and the Publick Peace did depend upon the Death of that one Man For he being of a Turbulent Nature and supported by many and great Assinities and Irreconcileable by any Offices of Respect and Advancements to Honour 't were better to have him taken out of the way that so the publick Peace might be confirm'd and settled This Tale when nois'd abroad and believed by many by reason of the Probability thereof rais'd up a great deal of Ill-Will against Creighton Douglas being inform'd by his Spies when he was to depart from Edinburgh lays an Ambush for him late in the Night as secretly as he could and when he and his Train came to it the liers in wait set upon them with a great shout they who were first assaulted were so astonisht at the suddenness of the Danger that they could not lift up an Hand to defend themselves But William being a Man of great Courage and Conduct assoon as he had a little recover'd himself from his Fright slew the first Man that Assaulted him and Wounded another and so he and his Attendants brake through the midst of their Enemies having only received some Wounds He fled to Creighton Castle and there staid some days to cure his Wounds and soon after he got a great Number of his Friends and Tenants about him and in great silence came to Edinburgh His speed did so prevent the Noise of his coming that he had almost surpriz'd his Enemy unawares Douglas being thus freed from an unlook'd for Danger either out of Fear Shame or Both when he saw the Power of the Adverse Faction to increase with the good liking of the People endeavour'd also to strengthen his own Party as much as ever he could and therefore he joins himself in League with the Earls of Craford and Ross which were the most Noted and Potent Families in Scotland next to the Douglas's a mutual Oath was entred into betwixt them That each of them should be aiding and assisting to the Friends and Confederates one of another And in Confidence of this Combination they slighted the Forces of their opposite Faction yea and the Kings too The King took this in great Indignation and besides he had other fresh Causes of Provocation against him which hastned his Destruction Iohn Herris a Knight of a Noble Family in Galway being averse from the ill Practices of the Douglas's ordinarily kept himself within the Walls of his own House but the Annandians were sent in upon him which did him much mischief he often complain'd hereof to Douglas but in vain so that at length he determin'd to revenge himself and to repel Force by Force And accordingly he gather'd a Company of his Friends together and entring Annandale he and all his Followers were there taken Prisoners by those Bandity and being brought to Douglas he hang'd him up as a Thief though the King had earnestly interceded for him by his Letters That matter seem'd very hainous as indeed it was so that Speeches were given out That Douglas by evil Practices did endeavour and that not obscurely to make his Way to the Crown for-now there was nothing else remaining which could satisfie his vast and aspiring Mind Which Suspicion was soon after increast by another Fact which he committed as foul as the former There was a certain Family of the Macklan's in Galway one of the best and chiefest there The prime Person of that Family had slain one of Douglas his Attendants from whom he had received continual Wrongs and Affronts whereupon he and his Brother were by Douglas cast into Prison The King being made acquainted with it was very much importun'd by the Friends of the Prisoners not to suffer so Noble and otherwise a very honest Man to be hal'd forth not to a Legal Tryal but to an undoubted Destruction the same Man being both his Capital Enemy and his Judge too and that it was not his present Crimes which did prejudice him so much as that he had always been of the Honest or Royal Party Hereupon the King sent Macklan's Uncle a worthy Knight and Kin also to Douglas to Command him to send the Pris'ner to Court that the Matter might be Tryed there in due course of Law The Earl receiv'd Gray very courteously but in the mean time he caused Execution to be done upon the Pris'ner and intreated Gray to excuse him to the King as if it had been done by his Officers without his Knowledge But he perceiving how manifestly he was deluded was in such a Rage that he told Douglas That from that Day forward he would renounce all Alliance Friendship or any other Obligation to him and was resolv'd to be his perpetual Enemy and do him all the Mischief he could when the news hereof was brought to Court the Fact seem'd so unworthy to all that heard it that Speeches were openly scatter'd That now Douglas did exceed the bounds of a Subject and plainly carry'd himself as a King For
a Friendly Patriot for he not only forgave the Earl the many grievous Injuries he had done him but further commended his Suit and spake in his Favour to the King for he foresaw as it after hapned That by this Accession the Kings Party would be strengthen'd and his Enemies weaken'd daily for the future in regard many were likely to follow the Example of this Great Man And besides the King thinking that his former Fierceness was tam'd and that he was really penitent for what he had done was not hard to be intreated but gave him his Pardon restor'd him to his former Estate and Honour only advis'd him for the future to keep within the Bounds of his Duty And indeed Craford being thus ingag'd by the Lenity and Facileness of the King did afterwards endeavour to perform him all the Service he possibly could he followed him with his Forces in his March to the furthest Parts of the Kingdom and having setled Things there for the present he entertained him nobly at his House in his return and when he march'd to make a full end of the Civil War he promis'd him all the Force he could make and indeed the whole course of his Life was so chang'd that laying down his former Savageness he liv'd courteously and in Complaisance with the Neighbouring Nobility so that his Death which followed soon after brought the greater Grief to the King and to all the People The King thus weakning Douglas's Party by degrees his remaining Hopes were from England if possibly he might obtain Aid from thence Hereupon he sent Hamilton to London who brought him back Word that the King of England would undertake a War against Scotland on no other Terms but that Douglas must submit himself and all his Concerns to that King and acknowledge himself a Subject of England So that his Hopes thence were cut off and on the Other side the King of Scotland prest hard upon him by his Edicts Proscriptions and Arms yea by all the Miseries which accompany Rebellious Insurrections So that Hamilton advis'd the Earl not to suffer the King to nim away his Forces by piece-meal and by catching a Part to weaken and in time overthrow the Whole he should rather march out with his Army trust Fortune put it to a Battel there to dye Valiantly or conquer Honourably This Resolution said he is worthy of the name of the Douglassâ—s and the only Way to end the present Miseries Being alarum'd with this Speech he gather'd as great an Army as he could of his Friends and Dependants and marched out to raise the Siege of the Castle of Abercorn for the King after he had demolish'd many Castles of the Douglasses had at last besieged That It was a very strong Hold seâ—tuate almost in the Mid-way between Sterlin and Edinburgh When Douglas came so near that he saw and was seen by the Enemy his Friends advis'd him to push at all and either to make himself renown'd by some Eminent Victory or by a Noble Death to free himself from Reproach and Misery but when all his Party were ready for the Onset he daunted all their Spirits by his own Delay for he retreated with his Army again into his Camp and determin'd to draw and eke out the War at length His Commanders dislik'd his Design and Hamilton not enduring his Cowardize and despairing of the Success of his Arms that very Night revolted to the Kings Party Upon this his Defection the King gave him his Pardon but not putting any great Confidence in him because of his Subtilty he sent him Prisoner to Rosseline a Castle belonging to the Earl of the Orcades but afterwards by the Mediation of his Friends he was releas'd and receiv'd into Favour and that unbloody Victory ascribed to him as the main Occasion thereof The rest of the Douglassians follow'd Hamilton's Example and slipt away from him every one whither he thought most convenient for himself so that at length the Castle after much Loss on both sides was taken the Garison put to the Sword and after 't was half demolished it was left as a Monument of the Victory Douglas being thus deserted by almost all his Friends with a few of his Familiars fled into England from thence not long after he made an Inrode with a smal Party into Annandale which was then possest by the Kings Garisons but being worsted in a Skirmish He and his Brother Iohn escap'd Archibald Earl of Murray was slain George was much wounded and taken Prisoner and after his Wounds were cur'd was brought to the King and put to Death In an Assembly of the Estates held at Edinburgh in the Nones of Iune in the Year 1455. Iames Iohn and Beatrix all Douglasses were again proscrib'd The Publick Acts do make Beatrix their Mother which seems not very probable to me unless perhaps they might be called her Sons by Adoption Earl Iames having thus lost his Brothers being deserted by his Friends and distrusting the English that he might leave no Stone unturn'd apply'd himself to Donald King of the Aebudae a man bad enough in his own Nature They met at Dunstafnage where he easily persuaded him to joyn with him in the War whereupon they committed great Outrages on the Kings Provinces near adjoyning without distinction either of Age or Sex there was nothing spar'd which could be violated by Fire or Sword the like Cruelty was us'd in Argyle and Arran and then being laden with Booty he return'd home and afterward having wasted Loch-Abyr and Murray he turn'd to Innerness he took the Castle pillag'd and burnt the Town Neither were the English quiet all this while but watching their Opportunity they made Incursions into Merch where they slew some men of Note who endeavoured to oppose their furious Ravaging and so returned home without Loss but full of Plunder from that opulent Country The next Year after Beatrix Wife to the former Earl of Douglas and also living for some years with Iames his Brother as his Wife came in to the King She laid all the Fault of her former Miscarriages upon Iames that she being a Woman and helpless was inforc'd to that Wicked Marriage but at the first Opportunity as soon as Iames was absent she was fled from that Servitude that now she laid her self and all her Concerns at the Kings Feet and whatever Order he should please to make concerning her or her Estate she would willingly obey it The King receiv'd her into his Protection gave her an Estate in Balvany and Married her to his Brother the Earl of Athole by the same Mother The Wife of Donald the Islander followed her Example she was the Daughter of Iames Levingston and was Married to Donald by her Grandfather the Regent by the persuasion also of the King that so He might a little soften the rugged disposition of the man and keep him firm to the Kings Party But then her Kinsman being restor'd to
the Favours and Graces they formerly had and her Husband having joyned himself to the Douglassian Faction she was every day more and more slighted and despis'd by him so that she implor'd the Kings Assistance against his barbarous Cruelty There was no need of her making such an Apology in regard the King himself had been the Author of the Match so that she was nobly treated and had a large Revenue setled upon her for her Life About the same time Patrick Thornton who had followed the Court a great while yet was secretly of Douglas's Faction slew Iohn Sanderland of Caldar a Young man of about 20. years of Age â—nd Alan Stuart of Noble Families Both and of eminent Faithfulness to the King having got a convenient Opportunity so to do at Dunbarton and soon after he himself was taken by the Clans of the Adverse Party and Executed for the same This Year was remarkable for the Death of many Noble Personages but especially of William Creighton He tho' born of an Equestrian Family yet by reason of his great Prudence Fortitude and his Singular Loyalty to the King even to the last day of his Life left a great Loss behind him to all Good men The next Year the English being incouraged by their Impunity for former Injuries made great spoil in Merch under the command of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and Iames Douglas the Exile to hinder their devastations George Douglas Earl of Angus gathered a Party of his Countrymen together and made an Assault on the Plunderers and drave that Part of them which he assaulted in great Confusion back to their own Standards the English being mov'd at this Indignity marched on their Army before the rest had recover'd their Colours and the Scots were as ready to receive them The Fight was manag'd on both sides with greater Courage than Force a great while neither did any odds appear till the English who were scatter'd up and down the Country by the Noise and Temult perceiving that the Enemy was come for fear of losing the rich Booty they had gotten hasted directly home their departure gave an easier but yet not unbloody Victory to the Scots there being almost an equal number slain on Both Sides but many of the English taken in the pursuit The News of this Victory being brought to the King did something relieve his Mind which was opprest with Thoughtfulness between the Arms of his own Subjects and of the English afterwards Donald the Islander perceiving the ill success of his Affairs was inforc'd to send Agents to the King to intercede for a Peace They in an humble Oration commemorated the King's Clemency shew'd to Craford and the rest of his Partisans in the same Cause as for their own Crimes they laid them on the Fatality of the Times but for the future they made large Promises how Loyal and Obsequious Donald would be The King seem'd to be somewhat affected with their Speech yet gave them but a middle Answer neither quite pardoning Donald nor utterly excluding all hopes of his Pardon he told them That his many Crimes were very evident but he had discover'd no Specimen of a chang'd Mind in him if they would have the Penitence which they pretended in Words to be believ'd as really True and Hearty he should make Restitution for the Loss he had formerly caus'd and restore their Estates to such as he had outed of them and thus to cancel the Memory of his former Mischiefs by some Eminent and Loyal Service 'T is true said he no Virtue becomes a King more than Clemency but Care must be had lest the Reins of Government be not let loose by too much Lenity and so Evil Men rather made more insolent than Good Men excited to their Duty thereby that he would give Time to Donald and his Party to manifest by some Tokens that they repented of their Miscarriages and that they should always find him towards them such as their Actions and their Words did Declare them to be In the mean time they need not fear for Now it was put into their own Power whether they would every Man be Happy or Miserable for the future By this means intestine Discords were either compos'd or else laid asleep so that the King now bends all his Care against England whilst he was consulting concerning a War with them and concerning their frequent violations of Truces behold Embassadors came from the English Nobility to Desire Aid against Henry their King For Henry had slighted the Nobles and advanc'd Upstarts by whose Advice his Wife a Woman of a Manly Spirit and Courage Ruled the Roast And besides the King had incurr'd the Displeasure and Contempt of his Friends because things had not succeeded well in Aquiâ—ane and Normandy for they having lost so many Provinces and being now pent up within the Ancient Bounds of their own Island did mutter and grumble that the Kings Sluggishness and the Queens Pride were no longer to be endur'd The Heads of the Conspiracy were Richard Duke of York with the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick when the English Embassadors had discours'd much concerning the Justness of their Cause to begin a War and also concerning their own Power and the Cowardly Temper of their King they crav'd Aid against him as against a Common Enemy who was fearful in War fordid in Peace and who had nourish'd Civil Discords amongst the Scots and had assisted their Exiles withal they promis'd if they got the Victory to restore the Castles and Countries which were taken in former Wars from the Scots The King by Advice of his Council made Answer That he before knew the State of the English Affairs and that he was not ignorant of the Right or Demands of either side but that he would not intetpose Himself an Arbiter in another Mans Kingdom unless he were chosen by both Parties to that Office As to the War he had long since determin'd to revenge the Injuries of the former Times and â—f he could not otherwise obtain the Places he had lost on the Occasion of these Discords he would recover them by Force But if the Duke of York and his Party would promise to restore Them then he would assist him against Henry The Embassadors agreed to the Terms and so return'd home The King prepar'd his Forces and was about to enter England when behold an English Impostor sent by Henry met him he had been a long time at Rome and was well acquainted with the Speech and the Customs of the Italians his Habit and Train was all Outlandish and he had counterfeit Letters as from the Pope whereby he was easily believ'd by Men suspecting nothing but to be a Legate sent from him and to gain the greater Credit to his Impostures he had a Monk with him whose fained Sanctity made the Fraud less suspected they were brought to the King and in the Popes Name Commanded him to proceed no further
the 26th of August 1482. the Castle of Berwick should be surrendred up to the English and a Truce was made for a few Months till they could have more time to Treat of a Peace Thus Berwick was lost after it had been enjoy'd by the Scots 21 Years since they last recovered it Then the Duke of Glocester having made a prosperous Expedition return'd in Triumph Home Edward by the Advice of his Council judg'd it more for the advantage of England to nullifie the Marriage for he fear'd that the Intestine Discords of the Scots were so great that possibly the Issue of Iames might lose the Crown and if Alexander were made King be hoped to have a Constant and Faithful Ally of him in regard of the great Kindness he had receiv'd at his Hands Hereupon an Herauld was sent to Edinburgh to renounce the Affinity and to demand the Repayment of the Dowry when he had declar'd his Errand publickly on the Twenty Fifth of October the Scots obtained a Day for the Payment thereof and restor'd it to a Penny and withal they sent some to convoy the Herald as far as Berwick Alexander that he might extinguish the Remainders of the Old Hatred of his Brother against him and so obtain new Favour by a new Courtesie brought him out of the Castle and restor'd him to the free Possession of his Kingdom But the memory of old Offences prevail'd more with his Proud Huffing Spirit than This of his late Courtesie Moreover besides the Kings own Jealousies there were Those who did daily calumniate him and buzz into the Kings Ear his too great Popularity as if now 't was very Evident that he affected the Kingdom he being advis'd by his Friends that Mischief was hatching against him at Court fled privately into England and gave up the Castle of Dunbar to Edward In his absence he was Condemn'd The Crimes objected against him were First That he had often sent Messengers into England and then that he had retir'd thither himself without obtaining a Pass-port from the King and that there he joined in Counsel against his Country and his Kings Life All the other of his Partizans were pardon'd and amongst the rest William Creighton who was accus'd not only to have been an Abettor of his designs against his Country but also the chief Author and Instigator of him thereunto But after he had obtain'd Pardon for what was past he was again accus'd that he did incourage Alexander by his Advice and Counsel after he was Condemned frequent Letters passing between them by the means of Thomas Dickson a Priest and that he had caus'd his Castle of Creighton to be Fortified against the King and commanded the Garison Soldiers not to surrender it up to the King's Forces Hereupon he was summoned to appear the 13th Day of February in the Year 1484. but he not appearing was outlawed and his Goods Confiscate These were the Causes of his Punishment mentioned in our publick Records But 't is thought that the Hatred the King had conceiv'd against him upon a private Occasion did him the most Mischief of all It was this William had a very beautiful Wife of the Noble Family of the Dunbars when her Husband found that the King had had the use of her Body he undertook a Project which was rash enough in it self but yet not unproper for a Mind sick of Love and also provok'd by such an Injury as his was for he himself lay with the King 's young Sister a beautiful Woman but ill spoken of for her too great Familiarity with her Brother and on her he begot Margarite Creighton who died not long since In the interim Creighton's Wife died at his own House and the King's Sister whom as I said the King had vitiated was so much in Love with William that she seem'd sometimes to be out of her Wits for him The King partly by the Mediation of William's Friends and partly being mindful of the Wrong he himself had done him of the like sort and being willing also to cover the Infamy of his Sister under a pretext of Marriage permitted William to return Home again to Court upon Condition that he would Marry her William was persuaded by his Friends and for want of better Counsel especially since Richard of England was dead came to Eâ—verness where he had Conference with the King not long before Both their Deaths and great Hopes were there given of his Return His Sepulchre is yet there to be seen These things were done at several times but I have put them together that so the Thread of my History might not be discontinued and broken off Let us now return to what was omitted before Edward of England died in the Month of April next after Dunbar was delivered to him in the Year 1483. leaving his Brother Richard Guardian to his Sons He was first content with the Name of Protector and under that Title Govern'd England for two Months but afterwards having by several Practises engaged a great part of the Nobility and Commonalty to his side he put his Brothers Two Sons in Prison the Queen and her Two Daughters being forced to retire into a Sanctuary near London but the next Iune he took upon him the Name and Ornaments of a King Alexander of Albany and Iames Douglas being willing to try how their Countrymen stood affected towards them came with 500 select Horse to Loch-Maban on Maudlins-day because a great Fair used that day to be there held There a Skirmish began between the Parties with inraged Minds on Both sides and the Success was various as Aid came in out of the Neighbouring District either to This or That Party They fought from Noon till Night and the issue was doubtful but at last the Victory inclined to the Scots though it were a Bloody one as having lost many of their Men Douglass was there taken Prisoner and sent away by the King to the Monastery of Lindors Alexander was set on a Horse and escap'd but staid not in England long after that In the mean time many Incursions were made to the greater Loss of the English than Benefit of the Scots Richard was uncertain of the Event of things at home and withal fear'd his Enemy abroad for many of the English did favour the Earl of Richmond who was then an Exile in France and had sent for him over to undertake the Kingdom so that Richard was mightily troubled neither was he less vext with the Guilt of his own Wickedness and because he saw he could not quell Domestick Seditions as soon as he hoped therefore he thought it best to Oblige Foreigners by any Conditions whatsoever that so by their Authority and Power he might be safer at home and more formidable to his Enemies For this cause he sent Embassadors into Scotland to make Peace or at least a Truce for some years there he found all things more facile than he could have hoped for For Iames
by the Ears one with another which his Assembling the Chief of the Nobility at Edinburgh made more plainly to appear For he called Douglas to him into the Castle and told him that he had now an Eminent Opportunity to revenge himself for if the Leaders of the Faction were apprehended and put to Death the rest would be quiet but if he omitted this Opportunity which was so fairly put into his hands he could never expect the like again Douglas who knew that the Kings Mind was no more reconcil'd to himself than to others did craftily reason with him concerning so cruel and so ruinous a Design alleging that all Men would judge it to be a base and flagitious Act â—f he should hurry so many Noble Persons to Death without any Hearing or Tryal to whom he had pardon'd their former Misdoings and now they also rested secure in that they had the Publick Faith given them for their Safety For the fierce Minds of his Enemies would not be broken by the Death of a Few but rather if his Faith were once violated all Hopes of Concord would be cut off and if once Men despair of Pardon their Anger will be turn'd into Rage and from thence a greater Obstinacy and Contempt both of the Kings Authority and of their own Lives too will ensue But if you will hearken to my Counsel said he I will shâ—w you a Way whereby you may salve the Dignity of a King and yet revenge yourself too For I will gather my Friends and Clans together and so openly and in the day time I will lay hold upon them and then you may try them where you will and inflict what Punishment you please upon them This Way will be more creditable and also much more safe than if you should set upon them secretly and by night for then 't would look as if they were murder'd by Thieves The King thought the Earl had been real in what he spake for he knew that he was able to perform what he had promised and therefore he gave him many Thanks and more Promises of great Rewards and so dismist him He presently acquainted the Nobility with their imminent Danger and advis'd them to withdraw themselves as he himself also did The King perceiving that his secret Projects were discover'd from that day forward would trust no Body but after he had staid a while in the Castle of Edinburgh he sailed over into the Countries beyond the Forth for they as yet remain'd firm in their Obedience to him and there levy'd a considerable Force And the Nobles who before had sought his Amendment not his Destruction now seeing all Hopes of any Agreement or Concord were cut off managed all their Counsels for his utter Overthrow and Ruin Only there was one difficulty which troubled them and That was Who should be their General that after the King was subdued might be Regent or Vice-King who might be acceptable to the People and on the account of the Honour of his Family would load the Faction with as little Envy as might be after many Consultations in the case at last they pitcht upon the King's Son He was entised thereunto by the Supervisors and Tutors of his Childhood and he did it out of this Fear that if he refus'd the Government and Command would pass over to the English the perpetual Enemies of their Family The King by this time had past over the Forth and pitcht his Tents by the Castle of Blackenes and his Sons Army was not far off ready for the Encounter when loe the matter was compos'd by the Intervention of the Earl of Athole the Kings Uncle and Athole himself was given up as an Hostage for the Peace to Adam Hepburn Earl of Bothwel with whom he remain'd till the Kings Death But Suspicions increasing on Both sides the Concord lasted not long however intercourse of Messengers passed between them and at last the Nobility gave this Answer That seeing the King did act nothing sincerely therefore a certain War was better than a treacherous Peace there was but one Medium left upon which they could agree And that was that the King should resign the Government and his Son be set up in his Place and if he would not assent to This 't was in vain for him to give himself the Trouble of any more Messages or Disputes The King communicated this Answer to his Embassadors which he sent to the French and to the English making it his Desire to them that they would assist him against the Fury of a Few of his Rebellious Subjects by their Authority and if need were by some Auxiliary Forces that so they might be reduc'd to their Obedience for they ought to look upon it as a Common Fortune and that the Contagion by this Example would quickly creep to the Neighbour-Nations There were also Embassadors sent to Eugenius the Eighth Pope of Rome to desire him that out of his Fatherly Affection to the Scotish Name he would send a Legat into Scotland with full Power by Ecclesiastical Censures to compel his Rebellious Subjects to lay down Arms and obey their King The Pope writ to Adrian of Castell then his Legat in England a Man of great Learning and Prudence to do his endeavour for the composing the Scotish Affair but these Remedies were too late For the Nobles who were not ignorant What the King was a doing and knew that he was implacable toward them resolv'd to put it to a Battel before any more Forces came in to him And though they had the Kings Son with them both to countenance their Matters with the greater Grace amongst the Vulgar and also to shew that they were not Enemies to their Country but to their Misled King only yet lest the Hearts of the People might be weakned by the Approach of Foreign Ambassadors they were solicitous night and day how to decide it by a Battel But the Kings Fearfulness was an hindrance to their hasty Design who having levied a great Strength in the Northern Parts of the Kingdom resolved to keep himself within the Castle of Edinburgh till those Aids came to him But he was taken off from that Counsel and Advice though it seem'd the safest for him by the Fraud or at least the Simplicity of those about him for in regard of the frequent Washes and Firths which gave delay to those who were coming in to him they persuaded him to go to Sterlin the only Place of the Kingdom fit to receive Aids coming from all Parts thereof And there he might be as safe as he was in the Castle of Edinburgh seeing his Enemies were unprovided of all Materials requisite for the Storming of Castles and also he might have his Fleet which he had rigg'd out against all hazards to ride in some convenient Harbour near adjoining This Counsel seem'd both faithful and also safe if Iames Shaw Governor of the Castle being corrupted by the contrary Faction
had not refus'd to give him entrance so that the Enemy was almost at his Heels and before he knew whither to betake himself he was forc't with that Strength which he had to run the hazard of a Fight At the beginning they fought stoutly and the first Ranks of the Nobility's Army began to give ground but the Men of Annandale and the Neighbouring Parts inhabiting the West of Scotland came boldly up and having longer Spears than their Adverse Party they presently routed the Kings Main Battel he himself was weakned by the Fall of his Horse and fled to some Water-Mills near the place where the Battel was fought his Intent was as is suppos'd to get to his Ships which lay not far off there he was taken and a few more with him and slain there were Three that persued close after him in his Flight i. e. Patrick Grey the Head of his Family Sterlin Car and a Priest named Borthwick 't is not well known Which of them gave him his Deaths Wound When the News of his Death though as yet not fully certain was divulg'd through Both Armies it occasion'd the Conquerors to press less violently upon those who fled away so that there were the Fewer of them slain For the Nobles manag'd the War against the King not against their Fellow Subjects There was slain of the Kings Party Alexander Cuningham Earl of Glencarn with some Few of his Vassals and Kindred but there were many wounded of Both sides Thus Iames the Third came to his end a Man not so much of a bad Disposition by Nature as corrupted by ill Custom and Acquaintance For having at first given forth a Specimen of great and notable Ingenuity and of a Mind truly Royal he degenerated by degrees the Boyds being the first Occasion thereof into all manner of Licentiousness When the Boyds were taken off then Persons of the Lowest Sort were his Advisers to all kind of Wickedness and besides the Corruption of the Times and the evil Examples of his Neighbour Kings contributed not a little to his Overthrow and Ruin For Edward the Fourth in England Charles in Burgundy Lewis the Eleventh in France Iohn the Second in Portugal had all laid the Foundations of Tyranny in their respective Kingdoms also And Richard the Third exercised it most highly and cruelly in England His Death was also branded with this Ignominy that in the next Assembly the whole Parliament voted that he was justly slain and Provision was made for all that had born Arms against him that neither They nor their Posterity should be prejudic'd thereby He died in the Year of our Lord 1488 in the Twenty Eighth Year of his Reign and the Thirty Fifth of his Age. The Thirteenth BOOK JAmes the Third being thus slain near Sterlin in or about the Month of Iune they who were his Contrariants being as yet uncertain what was become of Him retreated to Linlithgo There Word was brought them that some Boats had passed to and fro from the Ships to the Land and that they had carried off the Wounded Men. Whereupon a Suspicion arose amongst them that the King himself also was gone a Shipboard which occasioned them to remove their Camp to Leith From thence the Prince for that 's the Title of the King of Scot's eldest Son sent some Agents to require the Admiral of the Fleet to come ashore to him His Name was Andrew Wood he was a Knight and being mindful of the King's Kindness towards him remained constant in his Affection to him even after he was dead but he refused to come ashore unless Hostages were given for his safe Return Seaton and Flemming two Noblemen were appointed as Hostages When he landed the King 's Council asked him if he knew where the King was and who were they that he carried off to his Ships after the Fight As for the King he told them he knew nothing of him but that he and his Brothers had landed out of their Boats that so they might assist the King and all his good Subjects but having endeavoured in vain to preserve him they then returned to the Fleet He added if the King were alive they resolved to obey none but him but if he were slain they were ready to revenge his Death He uttered also many reproachful Speeches against the Rebels yet nevertheless they sent him away in Safety to his Ships that so their Hostages might not suffer When the Hostages were returned the Inhabitants of Leith were called up to the Council and pressed by Promises of great Reward to rig out their Ships and subdue Andrew Wood. They all in general made answer that he had two Ships so fitted with all Things for a Fight and so well furnished with valiant Seamen and withal that he himself was so skilful in Naval Affairs that no ten Ships in all Scotland were able to cope with his Two So that that Consultation was put off and they went to Edinburgh There they were fully informed of the King's Death and appointed a magnificent Funeral to be made for him at Kambus-Kenneth a Monastery near Sterlin on the 25 th day of the Month of Iune IAMES the IVth the CV'th King IN the Interim an Assembly was summoned about creating a new King There were few which came together to perform this Service and those were mostly of the Party that had conspired against the former King The new King at his first entrance sent an Herauld to the Governour of Edinburgh-Castle for him to surrender it which he did and then he passed over to Sterlin and that Castle was also delivered up to him by the Garison-Souldiers When the Vogue was up in England how troublesom Matters were in Scotland five Ships were chosen out of that King's Fleet who entred into the Firth of Forth and there made havock of the Goods of all Merchants making many descents on both Shores they mightily infesting the Maritime Parts for they expected greater Disturbances on Land by the sidings of the Scots one against another For seeing the adverse Party were rather shattered than broken in the late Fight in regard they were not all there and of those that were there were but few slain they thought a feircer Tempest would have arisen from Minds which yet continued to be inflamed with Hatred and Envy and which were elevated by confidence in their own Strength And it encreased the Indignation that now the power over so many Noble and Eminent Persons was so easily fallen not into the King's but to a few particular Mens Hands for tho the King might retain the Name and Title of a King yet being but a Youth of 15 Years old he did not govern but was himself governed by those that killed his Father For the whole management of Matters would reside in Douglas Hepburne and Hume and their Confidence was the more encreased because all the Shores were infested with the two Fleets the Scottish and the English To obviate this
he had a large Revenue settled upon him he was made Duke of Albany Earl of March and Regent till the King came to be of Age. Moreover Iames the Natural Son of the late King was made Earl of Murray a young Man of such virtuous Endowments that he far exceeded all the hopes Men had conceived of him There was also one Fact which much enhaunsed the estimation of Iohn and it was done almost in the Face of the Assembly and that was the punishment of Peter Muffat He was a notable Thief who after many cruel nefarious Pranks plaid by him in the Two last licentious Years arrived at length to that audaciousness that he appeared openly at Court His unexpected Punishment made such a suddain change of Things that Criminals began to withdraw for shelter The Minds of the Good were erected and the Face of Things began soon to be changed from a stormy Tempest to a suddain Tranquillity In the mean time Iohn Hepburn had so insinuated himself into the Regent by the help of his Friends whom he had privately greased in the Fist and afterwards by his obsequiousness and pretence of knowing the old Customs of the Country he got his Ear who of himself was ignorant of Scotish Affairs insomuch that none was credited in Matters of great Moment but He alone He was sent abroad with Commission by the Regent all over Scotland to inquire into Their Offences who oppressed the Vulgar and made them as their Slaves He obtained that Office principally upon these Grounds First of all he acquainted the Regent What new Discords and old Fewds there were in every County and also what Factions there were and who were their respective Heads Hitherto his Relations were true for the Things were known to all But if any Occasion were offered to speak of Hume he stirr'd up some to complain of his Enormity so that by the Imputation partly of True and partly of Feigned Crimes the Regent's Ears were shut against all Defence he could make But when he had almost gone over the whole Kingdom and expresly declared the Alliances Affinities and Leagues which had interceded between each several Family and had persuaded the Regent That no Man of Power tho' a Criminal could be punished without the Offence of his Clans and that not so much for the Enmity and Conspiracies of their Kindred as that the Punishment reaching to a few yet the Example would extend to a great many more whom a similitude of Faults and a like fear of Punishments out of Enemies would make Friends so that these great and large spreading Factions were not able to be punished by the Force of Scotland only and therefore it was adviseable to desire an Auxiliary Strength from the King of France to break this Knot of Contumacious Offenders and that this would be of use to France as much as to Scotland In the mean time the Heads of the Factions were to be kept under and if it were possible taken off yet with that prudence that they might not think too many of them to be aimed at at once The Heads of the Factions at present were Three of them Archibald Douglas was wonderfully popular insomuch that the Vulgar doted on him His Name was much adored by reason of the great Merits of his Ancestors besides he was in the flower of his Youth and relied so much on his Affinity with England that he bore a Spirit too big for a private Man As for Hume he was formidable of himself and yet rendred more so because he was confirmed in his Power by length of Time Neither did he stop here but made an invidious commemoration of what the Hume's had acted against the Regent's Father and Uncle of all which tho' the Hepburns were partakers yet he cast the Odium upon the Hume's only He often mentioned his Cowardise in the last Battel against the English and the Talk abroad about the King's Death reflecting upon him together with the repairing of Norham Castle which was done by his connivance these things he repeated with great earnestness before the Regent As for Forman says he 't is true he was not to be feared upon the account of his Kindred or any Nobleness of Descent yet he would make a great accession of strength to what Party soever he inclined because all the Wealth of the whole Kingdom was gathered together as it were into one House for he was able to supply the present Want of the Party he sided with with Mony or else by his Promises all Things being then in his Power he could draw many into the Partnership of the same Design with himself This was Hepburn's Speech to the Regent The noted Fewds that had passed between Hepburne and Forman were the Cause that Hepburne was not so much believed in that part And besides his Estate was not so much to be envied for he rather loved to lay it out than hord it up neither was he so munificent to any as to the French that waited on the Regent and besides his desire was more to join all Parties in an universal Concord than to addict himself to any one Faction But the suspicion of the Lord of the Marches sunk deeper into the Regent's Mind which was manifest by the aversion of his Mind from him and because his Countenance was not so friendly to him as before So that after a few Months Alexander Hume perceiving that he was not entertained by the Regent answerable to his hope began to have secret Meetings with the Queen and her Husband In those Congresses Hume grievously lamented the State of the Publick that the King in that Age wherein he could not understand his own Misery was fallen into the Hands of an Exile one born and brought up in that Condition who by a wicked Ambition had endeavoured to rob his Elder Brother of the Kingdom And He being the next Heir Who did not see that all his Endeavours were to settle other Things according to his Mind and then to pack the innocent Child out of the World that He might translate the Kingdom to himself that so what his Father had impiously designed he himself might as wickedly accomplish There was but one Remedy in the Case and that was for the Queen to retire with her Son into England and there to put her Self and Concerns into the Protection of her Brother These things being brought to the Regent's Ears were easily believed by him but being a Man of an active Spirit and of quick dispatch in Business with those Forces which he had ready about him he prevented their Design for he took the Castle of Sterlin and the Queen in it He took the Oath of Allegiance to the King publickly by the Decree of the Nobles the Queen and the Douglasses were removed and Three of the Nobility of great estimation for their Faithfulness Integrity were joined with Iohn Erskin Governor of the Castle to preside over
the Education of the Young King they were to succeed one another by turns and he allowed them a Guard for their Security upon this Hume and his Brother William fled into England And Douglas and his Wife staid no longer behind them but till they knew Henry's Mind who commanded them to stay at Harbottle in Northumberland till his Pleasure was further known Iohn the Regent was very much concern'd at all their departures and therefore he presently sent Embassadors into England to acquit himself before Henry that he had done nothing why the Queen should fear him or be in the least disaffected towards him neither had he acted any thing against those who accompanied her in her Flight and Departure but that they might enjoy their Country their Freedom and if they pleased their Estates Thus publickly he wrote to the King But besides that he did not omit secretly to promote the return of the Hume's and Douglas by the mediation of their Friends he made them many large Promises till he had brought them over to his Will Whereupon the rest returned Home but the Queen being big and near the Time of her Delivery was constrained to stay there where she brought forth a Daughter named Margaret of whom in due place But as soon as she was able to travel she had a Royal Accommodation and Retinue sent from London to bring her up thither where she was honourably and nobly received by Henry her Brother and Mary her Sister who upon the death of her Husband Lewis of France had a little before returned into her own Country And yet the Suspicions before raised in Scotland were not much abated either by the departure of the Queen or by the return of some of her Retinue For Gawin Douglas Uncle to the Earl of Angus Patrick Pantar Secretary of State to the former King and Iohn Drummond chief of his Family were sent to several Prisons and banished And Alexander Hume was summon'd to appear before the Assembly of Estates on the 12 th day of Iuly in the Year of Christ 1516 but he not appearing was condemned and his Goods confiscate He was inraged at this contumelious Wrong for so it was in his Eye and to drive out one Fear by another he either sent in or else incouraged Tories to commit great Outrages upon the Neighbourhood Whereupon the States order'd the Regent to raise Ten thousand Horse and Foot to repress those Insolencies and either to take Hume or else drive him out of the Country But before it came to Blows Hume by the persuasion of his Friends surrendred himself to the Regent and so was conveyed to Edinburgh to be a Prisoner under Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran his Sister's Husband who was to be esteemed as a Traitor if he suffer'd him to escape but the Issue of that Matter fell out otherwise than any Body expected for Hume persuaded Hamilton to escape away with him and to make a Party and so to enter on the Government Himself he being the next Heir after the former King's Children in regard he was born of a Sister of Iames the Third and therefore it was more equitable that he should enjoy the next Place to the King than Iohn who 't is true was also the Son of a Brother but born in his Banishment and in all other things a perfect Foreigner one who could not so much as speak the Scotish Language When the Regent heard of this he went to take in Hamilton's Castle and placing his Brass-Guns against it had it surrendred in two Days In the mean time Hume made Excursions out of Merch and pillaged the Country about and at length burnt down a great part of the Town of Dunbar These were the Transactions of that Year At the beginning of the Spring Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox whose Mother was Hamilton's Sister join'd himself with a great many of his Friends and Vassals to the Rebels These seiz'd upon the Castle of Glasgoe and there they staid with Hamilton himself expecting the Regents coming The Regent had called a Council of the Nobles of his Party at Edinburgh and there rais'd a suddain Force and entred Glasgoe Castle one Gunner a French-Man was punish'd as a Deserter the rest were pardon'd by the intercession of Andrew Forman who was then a Mediator for Peace between them The Earl of Lennox a few days after was receiv'd into Favour and from that day forward carry'd it with great Faithfulness and Observance towards the Regent And not long after first Hamilton and then the Hume's return'd to Court and had an Amnesty for what was past it was granted to Hume with greater difficulty than to the rest because he had rebelled so often and an express Condition was added that if he offended another time after that the memory of his old Crimes should be again revived and charged upon him Peace being thus setled the Regent retired to Falkland where he staid some Months but hearing of great Suspicions against Hume he returned to Edinburgh And on the 24 th day of September held a Council of the Nobility where he endeavoured by his Friends to draw Hume to Court Large Promises were made to intice him so to do but many of his Party dissuaded him or if he himself were resolved to go yet he should leave his Brother William who by his Valour and Munificence had almost obtained as great or a greater Authority than himself at Home in regard the Regent would be afraid to use any high Severity against him as long as his Brother was alive but he being as it were hurried on by a Fatal Necessity slighted the advice of his Friends and with his Brother William and Andrew Car of Farnihurst came to Court where presently they were all clapt up in several Prisons And by the advice of the Council a few days after were tried for their Lives after the Country Custom And yet there was no new Fact urged against them Prince Iames Earl of Murray accused him for the Death of his Father who came alive off the Field as many Witnesses did prove This Fact was strongly urged but the Proofs were weak so that they gave it over and insisted only on his private Crimes and the many former Rebellions were objected of all which Alexander was either the Author or at least Partaker in them and moreover 't was alleged that he did not do his Duty in the Battel of Flodden Hereupon the Hume's were condemn'd Alexander had his Head struck off the 11 th of October and his Brother the Day after both of their Heads were set up on an high place as a Terror to others and their Estates were confiscate This was the end of Alexander Hume the powerfullest Man in Scotland of his Time He in his Life-time had raised up the Hatred and Envy of a great many Men against him yet those Prejudices in time abating his Death was variously spoke of and so
their Expectation they resolved to cut off the hope of lawful Issue by hindring his Marriage what they could although Iohn Duke of Albany when he was Regent seemed to have made sufficient Provision against that Inconvenience for when he renewed the ancient League between the French and Scots at Roan he had inserted one Article that Iames should marry Francis's eldest Daughter But there were two Impediments in the way which almost broke off and cut this League asunder For Francis being freed out of the Hand of the Spaniard by the Industry and Diligence principally of Henry the 8 th had entred into so strict a League with the English that the Scotish League was much intrenched upon thereby and besides the eldest Daughter of Francis was deceas'd a while before and therefore Iames desired Magdalen his next Daughter to Wife and sent Embassadors over to that purpose but her Father excused the matter alleging that his Daughter was of so weak a Constitution of Body that there was little hopes of Children by her no nor hardly any Likelihood of her Life it self for any long time About the same time there was an Affinity treated of with Charles the Emperor by Embassadors and at length the 24 th day of April 1534. The Emperor sent Godscalk Ericus that the matter might be carry'd with greater Secrecy from Toledo in Spain through Ireland to Iames. After he had declared the Commands he had in charge from the Emperor concerning the Wrongs offer'd to his Aunt Catharine and her Daughter by King Henry concerning the calling a general Council concerning the rooting out the Sect of the Lutherans and concerning contracting an Affinity The Emperor by his Letters gave the King his choice of three Marys all of them of his Blood they were Mary Sister to Charles a Widow ever since the Death of her Husband Lewis of Hungary who was slain in Battel by the Turks Mary of Portugal the Daughter of his Sister Leonora and Mary of England his Niece by his Aunt Catharine And because Charles knew that King Iames was more inclinable to this last Match he also shewed a greater Propension thereunto that so he might take off Iames from his valuing of and adhering to the League with Francis and at the same time might set him at ods with Henry Iames made answer that the Marriage with England was indeed in many respects most advantageous if it could be obtained but 't was a Business of uncertain Hope but of great Danger and Toil and would be encumber'd with so many Delays that his single Life he being the last of his Family could hardly bear it and therefore of all Caesar's Neices he told Him that the Daughter of Christiern King of Denmark was most convenient for him who was begotten upon Isabel the Sister of Charles A while after Charles answered this his Demand from Madrid that she was already promised to another and though Caesar by offering Conditions seem'd rather to prolong the matter than really to bring it to pass yet the Treaty was not wholly laid aside Matters being quiet at home Iames resolved to go a Ship-board to take a View of all his Dominions round about and to curb the stubborn Spirits of the Islanders and make them more obedient First he sailed to the Orcades where he quieted all Disorders by apprehending and imprisoning a few of the Nobility he garison'd two Castles there his Own and the Bishops afterwards he visited the rest of the Islands and sent for the chief Men to come to him those that refus'd he seiz'd by force he laid a Tax on them took Hostages and carried away with him those who were most likely to be Incendiaries and clapping some of his own Train into their Castles he sent the leading Men of them some to Edinburgh and some to Dunbar Prisoners For about that time Iohn Duke of Albany had surrendred up Dunbar to the King which till then had been kept by a French Garison In the next Month of August great Severity was used against the Lutherans some were compelled to make a publick Recantation others refusing to appear upon Summons were banished Two were burnt of which one named David Straiton was free enough from Lutheranism but he was accused thereof because he was somewhat refractary in Payment of Tithes to the Collectors of them and so was put to Death only for a supposed Crime In an Assembly which the King caused to be convened at Iedburgh in order to the suppressing of the Robbers thereabouts Walter Scot was condemned of high Treason and sent Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle where he remained as long as the King lived The same Month of August when Francis as I said before had excused his Daughters Marriage on account of her Health but withal had offer'd him any other of the Blood Royal The King sent Embassadors into France Iames Earl of Murray Vice-roy of the Kingdom and William Stuart Bishop of Aberdene those Two went by Sea and Iohn Erskin by Land because he had some Commands to deliver to Henry of England by the way To them be added a Fourth i. e. Robert Reed a good Man and highly prudent There Mary of Bourbon the Daughter of Charles Duke of Vendosme a Lady of the Blood was offer'd to them as a fit Wife for their King Other points were accorded easily enough but the Embassadors fearing that this Marriage would not please their Master would make no Espousal till they had acquainted him therewith In the mean time Henry of England to trouble a matter which was upon the point of concluding in November sent the Bishop of St. Davids into Scotland who brought Iames some English Books containing the Theses's of the Christian Religion desiring Iames to read them and diligently to weigh what was written therein but he gave them to some of his Courtiers who were most addicted to the Sacerdotal Order to inspect They before ever they had scarce look'd on them condemn'd them as Heretical and moreover they highly gratulated the King that he had not polluted his Eye so they phrased it with reading such pestiferous Books This was the cause of their Embassy according to common Vogue yet some say that they brought some other secret Messages to Iames Afterward the same Bishop together with William Howard Brother to the Duke of Norfolk came so unexpectedly to Sterlin that they almost surprized the King before he heard any News of their coming their Errand was that Henry desir'd Iames to appoint a day of Interview wherein they might confer together for he had at that meeting things of high Concernment and of mighty Advantage to both Nations to propound to him In that Message he gave great hope if other matters could be well accorded that he would bestow his Daughter in Marriage upon him and leave him King of all Britain after his Decease and that he might give more credit to his Promises he would make him for the
was not able to resist Offers of Mony by the Promises of large Subsidies whereupon they set before his Eyes the Greatness of the Danger the doubtful and uncertain Credit of an Enemies Promise that he might have a great Sum of Mony at home and more easily procurable First of all They promised to give him of their own 30000 Ducats of Gold year by year and all the rest of their Estates also should be at his Service besides enough to obviate future Emergencies if any hapned and as for those who rebelled against the Authority of the Pope and the King 's and so endeavoured to trouble the Peace of the Church by new and wicked Errors and thereby would subvert all Piety overthrow the Rights of Magistracy and cancel Laws of so long standing out of their Estates he might get above an hundred thousand Ducats more yearly into his Exchequer by way of Confiscation if he would permit them to nominate a Lord-Chief-Justice in the Case because they themselves could not by Law sit in Capital Causes to condemn any Man And that in the managing the Process against them there would be no danger nor any Delay in passing Sentence seeing so many thousand Men were not afraid to take the Books of the Old and New Testament into their Hands to discourse concerning the Power of the Pope to contemn the ancient Ceremonies of the Church and to detract from that Reverence and Observance which was due to Religious Persons consecrated to God's Service This they urged upon him with such Vehemency that he appointed them a Judg according to their own Hearts and that was Iames Hamilton base Brother to the Earl of Arran him they had oblig'd by great Gratuities before and besides he was resolv'd to conciliate the King's Favour who long since had been offended with him with the Perpetration of some atoning Fact though never so cruel About the same time there came into Scotland Iames Hamilton Sheriff of Linlithgoe and Cousin-German to the former Iames He after a long Banishment when he had commenced a Suit against Iames the Bastard and had obtained leave to return for a time to his own Country understanding in what Danger he and the rest of the Favourers of the Reformed Doctrine were in sent his Son in a Message to the King as he was about to pass over into Fife and having gotten him opportunely before he went aboard he filled his Head which was naturally suspicious with fearful Presages That this Commission granted to Hamilton would be a Capital Matter and pernicious to the whole Kingdom unless he did prevent this Sophistry by another Wile The King who was then hastning into Fife sent the young Man back to Edinburgh to the Court called the Exchequer-Court where he also commanded to assemble Iames Lermont Iames Kircaldy and Thomas Erskin of whom one was the Master of the Houshold the other Lord High Treasurer neither of them averse from the Reformed Religion the Third was highly of the Popish Faction and his Secretary These were all ordered to meet And the King commanded them to give the same Credit to the Messenger as they would do to himself if he were present and so took the Ring off his Finger and sent it them as a known Token between them They laid their Heads together and apprehended Iames just after he had dined and had fitted himself for his Journy and committed him Prisoner to the Castle But having Intelligence by their Spies at Court that the King was pacified and that he would be released besides the publick Danger they were afraid also for their particular selves lest a Man factious and potent being released after he had been provoked by so great an Affront and Ignominy should afterwards study a cruel and bitter Revenge against them Whereupon they speedily hastned to Court and inform'd the King of the Imminency of the Danger of the naughty Disposition Fierceness and Power of the Man all which they augmented to raise the greater suspicion upon him so that they persuaded the King not to suffer so crafty and withal so puissant a Person being also provoked by this late Disgrace to be set at Liberty without a legal Trial. Whereupon the King came to Edinburgh and from thence to Seton where he caused Iames to be brought to his Trial and in a Court legally constituted according to the Custom of the Country he was condemned and had his Head struck off his Body was cut up after his Execution and his Quarters hanged up in the publick Places of the City The Crimes objected against him in behalf of the King were That on a certain Day he had broke open the King's Bed-Chamber and had designed to kill him and that he had driven on secret Designs with the Douglasses who were declared publick Enemies Few were grieved for his Death because of the Wickedness of his former Life save only his own Kindred and the Sacerdotal Order who had placed all the Hopes of their Fortunes in a manner upon his Life only From that time forward the King increased in his Suspicions against the Nobility and besides he was exercised with sundry distracting Cares insomuch that his unquiet Mind was much troubled with Dreams in the Night There was One more remarkable than the rest which was much talked of That in his Sleep he saw Iames Hamilton running at him with his drawn Sword and that he first cut off his Right Arm then his Left and threatned him shortly to come and take away his Life and then disappeared when he awoke in a Fright and pondering many things about the Event of his Dream at last Word was brought him that both of his Sons departed this Life almost at one and the same moment of Time one at St. Andrews and the other at Sterlin In the mean while there was not a certain Peace nor yet an open War with the King of England who was alienated and offended afore insomuch that without any denunciation of a War Preys were driven from the Borders of Scotland Neither would the English when called upon to make Restitution give any favourable answer So that all Men saw That Henry was in an high Indignation because of the frustration of the Interview at York And Iames tho he knew that War was certainly at hand and therefore had made Levies for that purpose and had appointed his Brother the Earl of Murray to be General of all his Forces and had also made all necessary Preparation for a Defence yet he sent an Ambassador to the Enemy if 't were possible to compose Matters without Blows In the mean time George Gordon was sent to the Borders with a small Force to prevent the pillaging Incursions of the Enemy The English despised the paucity of the Gordonians and therefore hasten'd to burn Iedburgh But George Hume with 500 Horse interpos'd and charg'd them briskly and after a short Fight when they saw the
on the Trial hereupon the Names of the Judges or Jury were according to Custom which I have elsewhere mentioned impannell'd and none of them were excepted against by the adverse Party yet by all their Votes he was acquitted From thence they marched to the Castle of Langham from thence they drove out the English and as they resolved to attempt other Forts they were call'd back by a sudden Message For News were brought them that a French Fleet was seen not far from the Promontory of St. Ebb wherein were one and twenty Ships The Regent imagining what the matter was that they were come to besiege the Castle of St. Andrews as had been agreed between them march'd joyfully home there he discoursed Leon Strozy Admiral of the French Fleet and they both agreed to lay close Siege to the Castle which they did with so much Celerity that many of the Garison-Souldiers which were abroad could not come in and many Country-men which had no hand in the Conspiracy but occasionally came into the Castle about their private Affairs could not get out They planted their Brass Guns upon the Towers of two Churches which stood near on both sides the Castle which did so annoy the whole Court within the Castle-Walls that the Defenders could hardly stir in or out And afterwards they brought bigger pieces of Ordnance and play'd upon part of the Wall which stood between two Towers which was soon batter'd down because the later Buildings were not at all compacted with the former and so it fell down with a mighty Noise Hereupon they within who before trusted to their Fortifications and were ready to expose themselves to stop any Breach now began to be afraid and calling together a Council of War because they fear'd the Cruelty of the Regent in revenging the Death of his Kinsman such Sentiments making deep Impressions on infirm Minds they surrendred the Castle and themselves to Leon Strozy only upon Quarter for Life Leon hereupon sent in his Men to pillage the Castle wherein was found besides a great Quantity of Provisions of all sorts all the Cardinal's Mony and Houshold-stuff and all the Wealth of the Garison-Souldiers and of many others also who had laid up their Goods there as in a place of Refuge there also they found the Regent's Son who was before given in Hostage by his Father to the Cardinal and when he was slain was detain'd there The Castle was demolish'd by Advice and Order of the Council and a few days after Leon set Sail with his Prisoners for France These things fell out in August 1547. About the same time News was brought that the English had prepared great Forces both by Land and Sea to invade Scotland and to demand the Performance of the Treaty which was made four Years before with the Regent concerning the Marriage of the Queen of Scotland to the King of England's Son This sudden Report mightily affected the Regent who was faint-hearted enough of himself for he had then no foreign Aid neither did he much confide in his own forces For the Papal Faction were offended at his Levity and the Friends of exil'd Lennox having been cruelly intreated by him retained the Seeds of their old Hatred against him yet upon his Proclamation there came in great numbers to Edinburgh from thence they march'd to the Mouth of the River Esk which runs through Lothian and there waited for the coming of the English In the mean time the Scotish Horse rode up towards the Enemy in their March and challenged them to fight by this means creating some trouble to them in their Passage But the English General who knew that the Scots were better than his own Men at such tumultuary Skirmishes had given Command that none of his Troops should march out to encounter them At last upon the Importunity of Grey Commander of the Horse he was persuaded to send out some Troops of Horse well-armed and of Curiasiers which should suddenly rush in upon them unprepared for Resistance The Scots being grown fearless of the Enemy but now astonish'd at the sudden Onset brake their Ranks and fled for their Lives and about 800 of them were either slain or taken of the English also who prest too eagerly on the pursuit several were taken Prisoners amongst which were some eminent Horse-Commanders From that day forward there was no memorable Action performed by the Scotish Horse The English had their Camp at the Town of Preston a little more than a Mile from Them From thence they might behold the number of the Scotish Army from the high Ground and perceiving them to be more than they thought they advised what course to take and resolved to send Letters to the Scots that so if just and equal Conditions might be agreed on the matter might be compos'd rather by Treaty than by Force The Contents of the Letters were They earnestly desired the Scots to remember that both Armies profess'd the Christian Religion to whom unless they did renounce their Profession nothing ought to be more dear than Peace and Tranquillity and nothing more to be abhorr'd than unjust Arms and War that the cause of the present War was not Covetousness Hatred or Envy but a Desire of perpetual Peace which could no ways so firmly coalesce as by a Marriage which had been already promised by the publick Decree and Consent of all the Estates and ratified by a League and that on such Conditions as were more advantageous to the Scots than the English not to reduce them into an Estate of Servitude but to a joint Society of Life and Participation and Communion of all their Fortunes which Marriage would be so much the more beneficial to the Scots than English because the Weaker might expect Advantage from the Stronger as being possess'd with a greater Fear lest he might be wrong'd by him And at the present in casting up accounts of things you are first to consider the Case that it is very necessary your Queen should marry that necessity was inevitable and that it was a difficult thing to moderate it and that the sole Power of chusing her an Husband was left to the Estates If they would chuse a Family upon the account of Dignity and publick Advantage whom could they pitch upon better than a Neighbour King born in the same Island ally'd in Blood instituted in the same Laws educated in the same Manners and Language and superior not in Power alone but in all external Ornaments and Accessions of Dignity And besides this Marriage would bring with it a perpetual Concord and an Oblivion of all old Grudges But if they had Thoughts to bring in a Stranger amonst them to undertake the Kingdom that differ'd from them in Language Laws and Customs they should consider how many Inconveniences lodg'd in the Belly of that Design which they might easily foresee by the Examples of other Nations and 't were better so to do than to learn it
was dead he ran headlong into all flagitious Courses and amongst the rest of his Mistresses he took away this young Madam Semple from her Husband who was his Country-man and Ally and kept her almost in the Place of a lawful Wife though she were not handsom nor of good Report neither but only noted for Wantonness After this followed the Death of Iohn Melvil a a Noble-Man of Fife who was a great Intimate of the last King's Some Letters of his were intercepted written to a certain English-man in the behalf of his Friend a Prisoner there and though there could be no suspicion of Treason in the Case yet the Author of them had his Head cut off And that which made the Matter more foul was That his Estate was given to David the Regent's youngest Son the Loss arising by these wicked Practices reach'd but a few but the Envy of them extended to many and the bad Example almost to all This Unskilfulness of the Regent's managing the Government together with the Sluggishness of all his former Life did mightily offend the Commons so that he every day grew more cheap than other especially after the Suffering of George Wiseheart for Most did impute the following Calamities to the Death of that Religious Man especially they who knew the Purity of Doctrine which George held forth and admired the Unblamableness of his Life and moreover who look'd upon him as Divinely inspired because of the many and true Predictions which he had made Hereupon the Authority of the Regent grew every day less than other and soon after these followed another and that a more spreading Mischief which drew a general Complaint not at all to be hid against him There were Juridical Conventions appointed to be held throughout the whole Kingdom the Pretence was to suppress Robberies but the Event shewed that 't was nothing else but to cover Oppression under a plausible Name For Mony was extorted from all Good and Bad as much from honest Men as Thieves and both were punish'd not according to greatness of Crime but of Estate Neither could he keep off his Cruelty and Avarice from the Reformed though he himself had formerly profess'd to be one of the Party and now he had not the Cardinal as a Blind for his Crimes yea the Mony thus basely got in the Name of the Regent was as profusely and unadvisedly spent by the Lust of his Brother The Sixteenth BOOK MAtter 's being thus composed at home the Queen Dowager took up a Resolution to sail over into France partly to visit her own Country her Daughter and Kindred partly to secure her hopes in attaining the supream Power which seemed to be freely cast upon her and accordingly she chose those to attend her on her Journy who were Favourers of her Design For the crafty and ambitious Woman was full of hopes that the Regent would by his own Vices ruin himself that so she might be advanced in his room she staid with the French King above a Year in which time she informed him in the state of Affairs of Scotland who heard her graciously and by means of her Brothers she easily obtain'd of him what she desired The King of France the better to bring about his Designs without any Tumult in Scotland advanc'd to Honours all those of the Scotish Nobility each Man according to his Degree who had adhered to the Queen Dowager They also which were of kin to the Regent were highly advanced his Son Iames was made Captain over all the Scotish Auxiliaries in France and a yearly Pension of 12000 French Pistols promised him Huntly whose Son had married his Daughter was made Earl of Murray Of the Sons of Rothes by different Mothers who quarrelled about their Patrimony the youngest who was Kin to the Hamiltons was made Earl The King of France by the Advice of the Queen Dowager sends for Robert Carnagy one of the Regent's Privado's who was lately sent over by him into France to give that King Thanks for his often Assistance of the Scots against the English and also Iames Painter Embassador for some Years in France in behalf of the Scots besides Gawin Abbat of Kilwinning all firm to Hamilton's Faction He declares to them what he had before treated with the Guises The Sum whereof was That the Regent would do the King an acceptable piece of Service if he would give leave to the Queen Dowager to govern that little time of Magistracy which was left him which as 't was but a just and equal Request agreeable to their Laws so if he complied with him therein he would take care that it should not be prejudicial to his Interests yea he should find that by this means he had procur'd to himself a fast and munificent Friend in him He wishes them to inform him how he had at present freely and of his own accord rewarded some of his Friends by which he might easily judg what Courtesies to expect from him for the future Thus Carnagy laden with great Promises was dismiss'd home and a while after Painter the Scotish Embassador Bishop of Ross was bid to follow him He as being a Man of great Eloquence and Authority dealt with the Regent and his Friends to give up the Administration of Affairs into the Hands of the Queen-Dowager and with much ado he obtained it So that for his Diligence and Faithfulness in that Service the King of France gave him an Abby in Poictou The Queen being now so secure of the Success of things in Scotland and having made sufficient Provision as she thought how to deprive the Scots of their ancient Liberty and to bring them Alamode-a-France was accompanied by Monsieur D'Osel as Embassador to carry things on a shrewd Man whose Counsel she was to use in all things and so she returned home by Land through England The next Year after her Return she followed the Regent who kept Assizes in almost all Parts of the Kingdom and so by degrees made the Nobility her own In this Progress some few Offendors were punished the rest were fined The Queen could not approve such Proceedings and yet she was willing enough to hear them For she judged that what Favour the Regent lost it all returned upon Her In the mean time having won over the Nobility to her she used some Friends to deal with the Regent that he would freely resign up the Government his Kindred upon the view of his Strength perceived that his Treasure was low and his Friends few and that he would have much ado to level and clear up his Accounts for King Iames the Fifth at his Decease had left a great deal of Mony Arms Ships Horses Brass-Guns and abundance of Houshold-stuff all which he had lavish'd out amongst his Friends in a few Years And that his Account would be speedily called for the Queen being now almost of Age. And if he would extricate himself out of all these Troubles by quitting the
leave him behind him neither could he find sufficient cause to put him to Death And therefore he by means of his Friends persuades the Young-Man who was not versant in such ill Arts to commit his cause wholly to him For by this means Gordon's Honour and his own Safety might be secured Gordon being thus made Master of the Life and Death of his Enemy dissembled his Anger and deals with his Wife to put the Young-man to Death in his absence for by this means he thought to cast off the Odium of the Fact upon her but it fell out quite otherwise for all Men knew the paultry Disposition of Gordon and they were as well satisfi'd in the Integrity of his Wife who was a choice Woman and had carried her self like a Regular and Noble Matron in all the rest of her Life so that every Body was satisfied that Gordon was the Author of that Counsel to his Wife Gordon being thus in Prison the Queen Regent's Council were of different Opinions as to his Punishment some were for his Banishment during some Years into France others for putting him to Death But both those Opinions were rejected by Gilbert Earl of Cassils the chief of his Enemies For he foreseeing by the present State of things that the Peace betwixt the Scots and French would not be long-liv'd was not for his Banishment into France for he knew a Man of so paultry a Spirit and so revengeful of those who did scandalize or emulate him would in the War which the Insolency of the French was like speedily to occasion be as a Firebrand and a Commander for the Enemy And he was more against his putting him to Death because he thought no private offence worthy of so great Punishment as to inure the French to spill the Blood of the Nobility of Scotland And therefore he went a middle way that he should be fin'd and kept in Prison till he yielded up the Right which he pretended to have over Murray And that he should suffer all the Royal Revenues arising out of the Orcades Schetland Isles and Mar to be quietly gathered by such Collectours as the Queen-Regent did appoint and he himself should not meddle with any of the Publick or Regal Patrimony and likewise surrender up his Presidency over some Juridical Courts which did bring him in great Profit Upon these Conditions he was dismiss'd and having thus addulc'd the Mind of the Regent and those that could do most with her at last he was admitted into the Privy Council In the mean time all Court-Offices which had any thing of Gain to move Competitorship were by Gordon's Advice given to Strangers on purpose that he might breed a Disgust betwixt the Queen Regent and the Nobility of Scotland and so take Delight though not an honest or creditable one in their mutual Contest and destroying one another and the Earl of Cassils who foresaw this Tempest before it came began now to be accounted as a Prophet After this Matters were quiet till Iuly in the Year 1555. and the Queen-Regent having gotten this respite from War apply'd her self to rectify the Disorders of the State She went to Inverness and held publick Conventions in the Nature of Assizes in all accustom'd places wherein many Disturbers of the publick Peace were severely punish'd she sent Iohn Stuart Earl of Athol against Iohn Murderach to effect that which Gordon in his Expedition had failed in He besides that Fortitude and Constancy Virtues proper to him was also so prudent and successful that he took him his Children and whole Family and brought them to the Queen But Murderach being impatient of sitting still or else excited by the sting of an evil Conscience deceiv'd his Keepers scap'd out of Prison and fill'd all places again with Blood and Rapine The Regent hearing of this was forced to undertake a Voyage sooner than she determined to bring him and other Malefactors to Justice which having done she returned and in a publick Assembly restored some of those who slew Cardinal Beton that were popular Men whom the late Regent had banish'd from their Exile by which Fact of hers she procur'd not so much applause as she did Ill-will from the many new Taxes she devised It was thought that D'Osel Ruby and those few French about the Regent put Her upon those new Projects to raise Mony i. e. that Mens Estates should be survey'd and registred in Books made for that purpose and that every one should pay yearly a certain Sum tax'd upon him out of it into a Treasury to be set apart for that end as a Fund for War for with that Mony thus kept in a peculiar Treasury Mercenary Souldiers were to be raised to guard the Borders and so the Nobility might remain quiet at home except some great Invasion were made by the Enemy which an ordinary Force could not resist The poorer sort were much aggrieved at this new pecuniary Imposition and inveigh'd openly against it with bitter Words but the greatest part of the Nobles kept their Disgust within their own Breasts every one fearing that if he should first oppose the Will of the Queen Regent the whole Envy of the Refusal would fall upon him alone But the next Rank of People were as angry with the Nobles for betraying the publick Liberty by their Silence as they were with the Queen and thereupon about 300 of them met together at Edinburgh and chose Iohn Sandeland of Calder and Iohn Weems out of their whole Body and sent them to the Queen-Regent to represent to her the Ignominy in paying this Tax and therefore they desired it might not be sessed nor levied upon them because of their Poverty both publick and private and also to inform her how their Ancestors had not only defended themselves and their Substance against the English when much more powerful than now they are but also had made often Inrodes into England and that themselves had not so far degenerated from their Ancestors but that they were willing to lay down their Lives and Fortunes for the Good of their Country if need required And as for the levying of Mercenary Auxiliaries that 't was a matter full of Danger to commit the State of Scotland to Men without either Lands or Hopes but who would do any thing for Mony and if occasion were offered their profound Avarice would invite them to attempt Innovations so that their Faithfulness hung only on the Wheel of Fortune but suppose they were well qualified and had a greater Love to the Country than Respect to their own Condition yet was it likely nay was it not incredible that Mercenaries should fight more valiantly to defend the Estates of others than the Masters of them would do each Man for his own Or that a regard to a small Stipend or Pay which was likely to cease in time of Peace would raise up greater Courage in the Minds of the Ignoble than in the Nobility who sought every Man
Ensigns of the Kings and that the Queen's Husband should be created King of Scotland according to Custom To whom the Embassadors answer'd in short That they had receiv'd no Commands concerning those Matters The Chancellor reply'd That no more was desir'd of them at present than what was in their Power viz. That when these Matters came to be debated in the Parliament of Scotland that they would give their Suffrages in the Affirmative and give it under their Hands that they would so do That demand seem'd to be fuller of Peremptoriness than the former and therefore they thought it best to reject it with great vehemency and disgust Insomuch that their Answer was That their Embassy was limited by certain Instructions and Bounds which they neither could nor would transgress but if they had been left free from any restriction at all yet it was not the part of faithful Friends to require That of them which they could not grant without certain Infamy and Treachery tho there were no danger of Life in the Case That they were willing to gratify the French their old Allies as far as the just Laws of Amity requir'd and therefore they desir'd them to keep within the same Bounds of Modesty in making their Demands Thus the Embassadors were dismiss'd the Court and tho they hasten'd home assoon as they could yet before they went a Ship-board four of the chief of them Gilbert Kennedy George Lesly Robert Reed and Iames Fleming all very virtuous and true Patriots departed this Life as also did very many of their Retinue not without suspicion of Poison It was thought that Iames the Queen's Brother had also taken the same Dose for altho by reason of the Strength of his Constitution and his youthful Age he escap'd Death at that time yet he lay under a dangerous and constant weakness of Stomach as long as he liv'd That Summer Matters were at that dubious pass in Britain that there seem'd rather to be no Peace than a War For there were Skirmishes on both sides Preys driven and Villages burnt Incursions were mutually made and not without Blood Two of the Nobility of Scotland were carry'd away Prisoners by the English William Keith Son to the Earl of Merch and Patrick Grey chief of a Family so call'd amongst the Scots the rest of the Military damages fell upon mean Persons About the same time the English sent a Fleet under the Command of Sir Iohn Clare to infest the Coasts of Scotland they came to the Orcades intending there to Land and to burn Kirkwall a Bishops See the only Town in that Circuit When they had made a descent with a good part of their Force a fierce Tempest suddenly arose which carry'd their Ships from the Coast into the Main where after a long contest with the Winds and Waves they at length made Sail for England back again They which were put a Shore were every one Slain by the Islanders This year and the year before the Cause of Religion seem'd to lie Dormant for it being somewhat crush'd by the Death of George Wiseheart one Party accounted themselves well satisfy'd if they could worship God in their own Tongue in private Assemblies and dispute soberly concerning Matters of Divinity and the other Party after the Cardinal was slain shew'd themselves rather destitute of an Head than undesirous of Revenge For he who succeeded in his Place did rather covet the Mony than the Blood of his Enemies and was seldom Cruel but when it was to maintain his Licentiousness and to expend on his Pleasures In April Walter Mills a Priest none of the most learned was yet suspected by the Bishops because he left off to say Mass whereupon he was haled to their Court Though he was weak by Constitution of Body and Age extream Poor and also brought out from a nasty Prison and lay under such high Discouragements yet he answer'd so stoutly and prudently too that his very Enemies could not but acknowledg That such greatness and confidence of Spirit in such an enfeebled Carkase must needs have a support from on High The Citizens of St. Andrews were so much affected at the wrong done him that there was none found who would sit as Judg upon him and all the Tradesmen shut up their Shops that they might sell no Materials toward his Execution which was the Cause of his Reprieve for one day more than was intended At last one Alexander Somerval a Friend of the Archbishop's was found out a naughty Fellow who undertook to sit as Judg upon him for that Day This is certain the Commonalty took his Death so hainously that they heap'd up a great Pile of Stones in the Place where he was Burnt that so the Memory of his Death might not end with his Life The Priests took Order to have it thrown down for some Days but still as they dissipated it one Day it was rais'd up the next till at last the Papists convey'd the Stones away to build Houses with about the Town Iuly the 20 th was the day appointed by the Bishops for Paul Meffen an eminent Preacher of God's Word in those days to come to his Answer There was a great Assembly of the Nobles at the time so that the Matter seem'd to tend towards a Tumult whereupon the Process was deferr'd to another time several were condemn'd but it was of those which were Absent who that they might not be terrify'd with the severity of the Punishment were commanded to come in by the 1 st of September and pardon was promis'd them if they recanted The same 1 st of September was St. Giles day whom the Inhabitants of Edinburgh do venerate as their Tutelar God carousing to him in great Goblets and making high Entertainments for their Neighbours and Guests The Regent fearing lest in such a confus'd Rable some Tumult should arise was willing to be present her self at the Wake The Papists were very glad of her Coming and easily persuaded her to see the Show and Pageant wherein St. Giles was to be carried about the City but St. Giles alas did not appear for he was stol'n out of his Shrine by some body or other However that St. Giles might not want a Pageant nor the Citizens a Show upon such a Festival Day there was another young Gilesling forsooth set up in his room After the Regent had accompanied him thro the greatest part of the Town and saw no danger of any Insurrection she retired weary as she was into an Inn to repose her self But presently the City-Youths pluck'd down the Picture of Giles from the Shoulders of those who carried him threw him into the dirt and spoiled the Glory of the whole Pageantry The Priests and Friars running several ways for fear created a belief of a greater Tumult but when they had understood that there was more Fear than Danger in the thing and that the whole Matter was transacted without Blood they crept again out
committed no Offence which was remediless and uncurable Towards the end of the War there were three French Generals having distinct limits allotted them who manag'd Military Affairs in Scotland viz The Count Martigues of the House of Luxemburgh who was afterwards made Duke of D'Estames L'abros of a Noble or Equestrian Family highly experienc'd in Military Matters and a Third was the Bishop of Amiens accompanied with some Doctors of the Sorbon as if the Matter were to be determin'd by the Pen not the Sword All the Counsels of these Three did tend to open Tyranny Martigues his Advice was to destroy all the Country near to Leith by Fire and Sword that so the desolateness of the Country and the want of Necessaries might compel the Scots to raise the Siege But if that Counsel had took Effect many peaceable Persons poor besides and for the most part Papists too would have been destroy'd and the Besieged would have had no benefit neither for the Sea being open Provisions might easily have been brought by Ships from all the Maritim places of Scotland and England into the Leaguer of the Besiegers and the devastation of the Land and Soil would have redounded as much on the Papists as on the Embracers of the True Religion L'abros was of opinion That all the Nobility of Scotland were to be cut off without distinction and that a thousand French Curiassiers were to be garison'd on their Lands who were to keep under the common Sort as Vassals This his Design was discover'd by some Letters of his intercepted which were going for France and 't is scarce credible how the Hatred against the French begun upon other Causes was increas'd thereby As for the Bishop of Amiens he would have had all Those to be seiz'd on and put to Death without pleading in their own Defence whom he thought not so favourable to the Pope's Cause as he would have them yea all Those who were not so forward to assist the French Party as he expected and he mightily blam'd the French Souldiers for suffering those who were disaffected to their King to strut it openly up and down One he particularly aimed at viz. Mr. William Maitland a Noble and learned Man whom because the Sorbonists could not refute by their Reasons the Bishop design'd to take off by the Sword yea he upbraided the French Souldiers for permitting him to live and advis'd them to kill him which he having notice of took his opportunity to withdraw himself from the French and so escap'd into the Scots Camp The Seventeenth BOOK A Few days after the Death of the Regent a Truce was made for a short time to hear the Embassadors who were come to treat of Peace out of both Nations France and England Hereupon the Nobles assembled These could not effect any thing the greatest obstacle to an agreement was That the French who the Winter before had obtain'd great Booties out of the neighbouring Parts refus'd to depart unless they carry'd their Baggage and plunder along with them This was denied them Whereupon Irruptions were made more fierce than ever though not so prosperous to the French At length when both sides were weary of the War and the Inclinations to Peace could no longer be dissembled the Embassadors on both sides met again in a Conference The things which most inclin'd all to Peace were these The French had no hopes of any relief and their Provisions grew daily scant and were not likely to hold out long so that their Condition was almost wholly desperate And for the English they were wearied out with the long Siege and wanted Necessaries as well as the French so that They likewise desir'd an end of the War And the Scots too receiving no Pay could hardly be kept from running away So that they easily hearkned to a Capitulation Thus by the joint Consent of all Parties on the 8 th day of Iuly in the Year of our Lord 1559 Peace was Proclaim'd on these Conditions That the French should Sail away in 20 days with their Bag and Baggage and seeing they had not Ships enough to transport them all over at present they were to hire some from the English leaving Hostages till they were safely return'd That Leith should be render'd up to the Scots and the Walls thereof demolish'd That the Fortifications lately made by the French at Dunbar should be slighted That these Articles being perform'd the English should immediately reduce their Forces That Mary Queen of Scots by the consent of her Husband Francis should grant an Oblivion of all that the Scotish Nobility had done or attempted from the 10 th day of March 1559 till the 1 st of August 1560. And that a Law should be made to that purpose to be confirm'd in the next Parliament there which was appointed to be in August And Francis and Mary were to give their Consent to the holding that Assembly That 60 of the French should keep the Island of Keith and the Castle of Dunbar that so the Queen might not seem to be ejected out of the Possession of the whole Kingdom at once After this departure of the foreign Souldiers there was a great Tranquillity and Cessation from Arms till the Queen's Return The Assembly of the Estates were kept at Edinburgh wherein the greatest Debate was about promoting the Reform'd Religion The Statutes made were sent into France for the Queen to give her consent to and subscribe This was done rather to sound her Mind than out of any hope to obtain any thing from Her Embassadors also were dispatch'd for England to give them thanks for their Assistance so seasonably afforded Not long after Iames Sandeland Knight of Rhodes came unto the French Court a Man as yet free from the Discords of the Faction his business was to excuse things past and to pacify the the Grudges remaining since the former Wars and so to try all ways to establish Peace and Concord But his arrival hapned to be in very troublesome times for the whole Conduct of the French Affairs was then in the Hands of the Guises who when they perceiv'd that neither Threatnings nor Flatteries did prevail endeavour'd to oppress the contrary Faction by force of Arms and when they could lay no other plausible Crime against their Contrariants they accus'd them of High-Treason for betraying the Kingdom Hereupon the King of Navarr was condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment and his Brother the Prince of Conde sentenc'd to Death Annas Duke of Momorancy and the two Sons of his Sister Iasper and Francis Colignes and their Kinsman the Vidam of Charters were destin'd to the Slaughter and besides those above 7000 more were put into the black List of Criminals Moreover all means were us'd to terrify the People The City of Orleans was full of Foot-Souldiers Guards of Horse were posted all up and down the Country all the High-ways were beset by them Sentence was past by a few Men in the Court concerning
the Lives Fortunes and good Names of the honestest Men all the Steeples of Churches and Towers round about the Walls had their Windows shut up and their Gates and Doors fortified being design'd for Prisons Criminal Judges were call'd together out of the whole Kingdom The manner of Punishment was thus design'd That as soon as the Frost broke and the River Loir was navigable the King should go to Chinon in Poictou at the Mouth of the River Vien and then the Guises with a few of their Partizans at the Command of the Court-Cabal of which They were the chief should perform the Execution Mean while Sandeland came to Court not so much humbly to desire Pardon for what was past as to excuse his Country-Men laying all the blame of the Tumults upon the French The Guises receiv'd him very coursly blaming him that he being a Man dedicated to the Holy War had undertaken to manage the Commands of the Rebels upon the Account of that execrable Heresy which the Consent of all Nations had highly condemn'd in the Council of Trent yea many of them did admire not at the Folly but even Madness of the Scots that they being but a few and disagreeing amongst themselves and besides destitute of Mony and other Warlike Preparations should dare to provoke so potent a King who was now at quiet from any foreign Enemy Between these fretful Indignations and Threatnings the King fell suddenly Sick The Embassador was dismiss'd without any Answer but the Message of the Kings Death reach'd him at Paris in the Nones of December whence he made haste home hoping for better things for future The News of the King's Death being divulg'd did not so much erect the Minds of the Scots being in great Suspence by reason of their imminent Dangers as it fill'd all France with Faction and the Poison of domestick Discords Iames the Queen's Brother Scotland being now freed from the Domination of the French by the Death of Francis made what haste he could to the Queen who when her Husband was dead went to Lorrain to her Uncles either as a Recess to her Grief or else out of womanly Emulation that she might not be near her Mother-in-Law who by reason of the Slothfulness of Anthony Burbon King of Navar did by degrees derive the whole Administration of Affairs into her own Hands There Iames the Queen's Brother having setled things in Scotland for a Season found her and after much Discourse the Queen told him she had a mind to return to Scotland and fix'd a Day by which they might expect her her Uncles being also of the same Opinion For before Iames's Coming there had been great Consultation about the Matter some alleging the Difficulty of the Voyage especially the Queen of England being nothing favourable besides she was to go to a barbarous People and naturally seditious who were hardly kept in quiet by the Government of Men. Moreover she had fresh Examples before her Eyes of her Father and Mother whom when they could not or durst not openly oppress by sundry Artifices they drove them to Despair so that she would be in daily peril either of her Honour or of her Life amongst them On the other side they who were skill'd in the Affairs of Scotland did urge that the Seditions arising there were occasion'd oftner by default of the Princes than the People in that they endeavour'd to reduce that Kingdom to an Arbitrary and boundless Rule which time out of mind had been circumscrib'd and manag'd within due Bounds of Law and That such a Nation which was more warlike than opulent could never endure But all those Kings who never attempted to infringe the Liberties of the People were not only free from private Enemies and popular Tumults but also reigned much beloved of their Subjects famous Abroad and unconquered by their Enemies But the best and almost only Way at present to quiet things was to attempt no Alteration in the State of Religion as then establish'd These were the Debates as publickly bruited on both sides But there were other more prevailing Causes with her Uncles for they in the Troubles of France cherishing rather great than honest Hopes thought if the Queen were absent she would be more in their Power than if she staid in France and that Neighbour-Princes in hopes to carry her for a Wife would seek their Friendships and use them as Mediators In the mean time one or other of their Faction would preside over the Management of Affairs in Scotland Besides the Queen's Resolution swayed much in the Case who was determined to return into her own Country for her Husband was dead and her Mother-in-Law who manag'd Matters of State being something alienated from her she saw she should be cheap at that Court and tho she had been but a little used to Government yet a Woman young of a flourishing Age and a lofty Spirit too could not endure to truckle under another she had rather have any Fortune in a Kingdom than the richest without one neither could she hope that her Condition would be very honourable the Power of the Guises being weakned by the adverse Party at the first brush Besides the Persuasions and Promises of her Brother Iames serv'd much to weigh down the Ballance for he assur'd her she would find all Quiet at home especially seeing he was a Man to whose Faith she might safely commit her self being her natural Brother and who from his Youth had performed many noble and brave Exploits and so had got great Credit and Renown amongst all Men. Whilst the Queen was intent on these Matters Noal a Senator of Bourdeaux who was sent out of France came into Scotland a little after the end of the publick Convention and was put off till the next Assembly which in order to the setling publick Matters was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh May the 21 st yet the Nobles who met there at the time in great abundance did not sit because they were as yet uncertain of the Queen's Will and Pleasure In the mean time Iames Stuart returned from France and brought a Commission from the Queen giving them Liberty to sit and enact Laws for the Good of the Publick Then the French Embassador had Audience the Heads of his Embassy were That the ancient League with the French should be renewed and the new one with the English broke That Priests should be restor'd to their Estates and Dignities whence they had been ejected To which Answer was given As to the French League that they were not conscious to themselves that they had broken it in the least but that it had been many ways infring'd by the French themselves and especially of late in their opposing the publick Liberty and indeavouring to bring a miserable Yoke of Bondage upon a People which were their Allies and giving no occasion on their part As for the League with England they could not dissolve it without a brand of
the Queen to pardon his Son Iohn that being a young Man and ignorant of the Laws he had made his Escape out of Prison into which he was cast for no hainous Offence only for a Commotion which was not rais'd by him neither But the Queen urg'd that her Authority would be vilified unless his Son did return at least for some days into another Prison though a larger one that so his former Fault being as 't were expiated he might more creditably be dismiss'd Though it were but a slight Command yet Gordon who was willing to omit no opportunity of committing the design'd Fact did obstinately refuse to comply with it either because he might cast the blame of the Murder upon his Son if the Queen did not approve it when 't was done or because if the thing should be done in the Absence of his Son though she were not unwilling thereto yet he should be kept as an Hostage The Queen was so much offended at this Stubbornness of Gordon that when she was almost in sight of his House she turn'd aside another way so that the whole Plot so wisely contriv'd as they thought was now quite cast off the hinges till they came to Inverness For there besides Gordon's being Lord President for the Administration of Justice he also commanded the Queen's Castle which was seated on an high Hill and commanded the Town and besides the whole Country thereabouts were his Vassals The Queen determined to lodg in the Castle but was not suffer'd by the Guards being thus excluded she began to fear in regard she was to lodg all Night in an unfortified Town and in the mean time Huntly's Son had about a Thousand choice Horse now in Arms besides a promiscuous Multitude of the Parts adjacent But the Queen taking Counsel from her present Circumstances set a Watch at all Avenues into the Town she commanded the Ships which had brought her Provisions to ride ready in the River that if her Guards were beaten off she might have a Retreat to Them In the midst of the Night some Scouts was sent out by Huntly and the first Watch let them pass on purpose till they came to a narrow Passage there they were all surrounded and taken and of the Highlanders the Macintoshes Tribe as soon as they understood they were to fight against the Queen forsook Huntly and came to her the day after into the Town A great Multitude of the Highlanders when they heard of the Danger of their Prince part by Persuasion part of their own Accord came in and especially the Frazers and Monroes valiant Families in those Countries The Queen now being secure against any Force began to besiege the Castle The Besieged were not enough for Number neither was it well fortifi'd or prepared to indure a Siege so that it was surrendered to her the chief Defendants were put to Death the rest were sent to their own homes The Nobility came in on all parts upon the coming of some others were permitted to go home so on the 4 th day after with a Guard strong enough she returned to Aberdeen There being freed from Fear she was mightily inflamed with Hatred against Gordon and being eager to be revenged she again received her Brother outwardly into her Favour pretending that her Dependance was wholly on him Yea she indeavoured to persuade others that her Safety was bound up in his Life Hereupon Gordon perceiving that the whole Face of the Court was altered that the Earl of Murray lately design'd for the Slaughter was now in great Favour and that himself was fallen from the top of his Hopes into a mortal Hatred and perceiving he was gone further than would admit a Retreat and Pardon betook himself to desperate Counsels he thought no Remedy better for his present Danger than by all means to get the Queen into his Power and though he knew he should grievously offend her at present by the Attempt yet he did not despair but her womanly Heart might be made flexible by Observance Flattery and the Marriage of his Son of which her Uncles were supposed to be Contrivers This Design he communicated to his Friends and resolved by some means or other to remove Murray out of the way for if that were done there was none besides to whom the Queen would commit the Government or who was able to manage it His Spies gave him hope of the Feasibility of the thing and amongst others George Gordon Earl of Sutherland who was a daily Attendant at Court and pretending good Will to the Queen did fish out all her Counsels and by fit Messengers acquainted Huntly therewith yea he did not only observe the opportunities of Time and Place but also promised his Assistance to effect it Besides the Town was open on every side and fit for any private Attempt the Inhabitants either by Largesses won or by Alliances joined or with Fear terrified would attempt nothing to the contrary The High-landers were dismiss'd with the Earl of Murray there were but a few and they came too from remote parts whom he did not much fear to disoblige And seeing all the neighbour-Neighbour-Countries were in his Power the matter might be transacted without Blood only one Man's Death might put the Queen into his Hands the other Wounds might be easily cured These things drove him on to attempt the Matter and when the Way to accomplish it was now fix'd some Letters of the Earl of Sutherland and Iohn Lesly were intercepted which discover'd the whole Intrigue Sutherland upon the Discovery fled for it but Lesly acknowledged his Fault and obtained his Pardon and ever after as long as he liv'd performed true and faithful Service first to the Queen then to the King Huntly who with a great Body of Men waited the Event of his Design in a place almost inaccessible by reason of the circumjacent Marishes by the advice of his Friends determined to retreat to the Mountains but many of the Neighbour Nobility then with the Queen being his Friends he trusted to their Promises and therefore altered his Resolution and determined to abide the Success of a Battel in that advantagious Place Murray had scarce an 100 Horse in which he could confide but there followed him of the Nobles then present Iames Douglas Earl of Morton and Patrick Lindsy with these he march'd forth against the Enemy the rest were Country-Men of the Neighbour-hood gathered together about 800 whom Huntly for the most part had corrupted before and were more likely to draw on Murray's Party to their Ruin than give them any Aid yet they made mighty Boastings in words promising That they themselves without any other help would subdue the Enemy Others should but look on and be Spectators only Some Horsemen were sent before to keep all Passages about the Marish that Huntly might not escape the rest march'd softly after and though the Night before many of the Gordonians had slipped away yet he had still with him
Contempt of Me and the Force used to get me into his Power lest otherwise he might be frustrated in his Purpose In the mean time the whole Course of his Life was so order'd that it may be an Example how Men that undertake great Designs can craftily conceal their Purposes till they obtain their Ends. For I thought that his Sedulity and Diligence in his speedy Obedience to all my Commands proceeded from no other Fountain than his Loyal Desire to please me neither did I ever imagine that he had any higher Wish or Design neither did I think those more gracious Countenances which I sometimes shew towards my Nobles to ingage them more readily to obey my Commands would have exalted his Mind to promise to himself the Hope of a more extraordinary Courtesy from me yet he turning even fortuitous things to his own Advantage maintained Designs unknown to me and by his wonted Observance nourish'd his ancient Love as also by currying Favour with the Nobility he was privily ambitious of a new Favour and he was so sedulous therein that though I knew nothing of it yet when the Convention of the Estates was celebrated he obtain'd a Chart from all the Nobility subscrib'd with their Hands to make it more Authentick wherein they declared their Assent to the Marriage betwixt Me and Him and promis'd to expose their Lives and Fortunes to bring it to pass and to be Enemies to all those that should oppose it And more easily to obtain the Assent of the Nobles he persuaded each of them that all these things were manag'd by my Consent This Writing being once obtain'd next by degrees he most humbly sought for my Consent but my Answer not suiting with his Desire he began to propound such things to himself which are wont to occur in such great Undertakings as the outward Demonstrations of my Good Will the Ways by which my Friends or his Enemies might hinder his Design and lest any of those who had subscrib'd should withdraw their Assent and many other things which were cast in or came freely to hinder his Purpose At length he determined with himself to pursue the Favour of his present Fortune and to cast the whole Business with his Life and Hope on the hazard of one Moment so that being resolved to execute his Design to purpose after he had waited 4 days as I was returning from visiting my Dear Son he watch'd a convenient Place and Time and on the way seized me with a strong Party of Men and carried me speedily to Dunbar How I took the Fact especially from him of whom amongst all my Subjects I expected no such thing every one may easily judg There I upbraided him with my Favours towards him and how honourably I had always spoken before of his Manners and Behaviour and how ungratefully he had carried it towards me Other things I spake to free my self out of his Hands his Usage indeed was somewhat course but his Words were fair and smooth as that he would use me with all Honour and Observance and would do his utmost not to offend me in any thing but for carrying me against my Will into one of my own Castles for so bold an Attempt he crav'd my Pardon alleging he was forc'd by the Power of Love so to do forgetting the Reverence and Allegiance which as a Subject he ow'd to me He said further That he was compell'd to go thither for fear of his Life Then he began to rehearse to me the whole Course of his Life and lamented his Misfortune that those whom he had never offended were his bitter Enemies and whose Malice had devised all unjust ways to do him a Mischief what envious Reflections were made upon him for the King's Death and how unable he was to bear up against the hidden Conspiracy of those of his Enemies whom he knew not because they pretended Good-will towards him both in Speech and Behaviour neither was he able to prevent those Treacheries which he did know Their Malice against him was so great that at no Time or Place he could live a quiet Life unless he was assur'd of my unchangeable Favour towards him And to assure that he knew but one way and that was That I would vouchsafe to make him my Husband withal he solemnly swore that he did not seek Preheminence therein or the Top and Height of Dignity but this one Thing That he might be able to serve and obey me as hitherto he had done all the Days of his Life This his Oration he deck'd with that Eloquence as his Cause required But when he saw I could not be wrought upon neither by Prayers nor Promises at length he shewed me the Transactions of the Nobility and all the Estates and what they had promised under their Hands This being produced before me on a sudden and beyond my Expectation I leave it to the King Queen my Uncle and the rest of my Friends Whether it might not administer a just Cause of Amazement to me Whereupon when I saw my self in another Man's Power separate from those who were wont to give me Counsel yea when I saw those Persons on whose Faithfulness and Prudence I had cast my self whose Power must confirm my Authority that otherwise would be little or none at all I say when I saw such Men to have devoted themselves to gratify his Will and Desire and I left alone as his Prey I ponder'd many things in my Mind but could not find a Way how to extricate my self neither did he give me any long time to consider of the matter but did press his Purpose with great eagerness At last when I saw I had no hope to escape and that there was not a Man in the Kingdom that would stir for my Deliverance for I easily perceived by the Roll he shewed me and by the great Silence of the Time that All were drawn to his Party When my Anger was a little abated I applied my Mind to consider his Request Then I began to set before my Eyes his Services in former Times and the great Hopes I had he would constantly persist in the same for the future And again how hardly my Subjects would endure a foreign Prince who was unacquainted with their Laws That they would not suffer me to be a Widow long That a People prone to Tumults could not be kept within the Bounds of their Duty unless my Authority was upheld and exercis'd by a Man who was able to undergo the Toil of governing the Commonwealth and so to bridle the Insolence of the Rebellious that my Strength was weakned with the Weight of those things ever since I came into Scotland and almost broke to nothing insomuch that I could no longer bear the daily Tumults and Rebellions that arose Furthermore by reason of these Seditions I was forc'd to create Four or more Lieutenants in divers Parts of the Kingdom most of which under colour of the Authority granted by me caus'd my Subjects
it was done in Contempt of the Blood Royal and a Bastard set up in his Room but if the Honour were restor'd to him in a very short Time all Domestick Tumults would be quieted and the Queen even without Blood would recover her Crown and Dignity again Whereunto the King's Embassadors answer'd That Hamilton desir'd a Thing not only contrary to the Lavvs and Customs of their Ancestors but if the consideration of the Law vvere omitted yet 't was very unjust in it self for our Ancestors said they by reason of the Slaughters of their Princes by their Kindred for 1300 Years ago did vvholly change the Method of their Assemblies in making a King For as before in the Family of Fergus our first King after the King's Death it was not the next of Blood but he that was most fit was chosen King by Suffrage So Kenneth the 3 d that he might take away all Plots against Princes by those of their Blood and also might prevent the cruel and bloody Emulations of their Kindred amongst themselves made this Decree of Succession that now is for the next of Blood to inherit And Men by Experience finding that in so great an Inconstancy of Fortune 't was scarce possible but that sometimes the Right of Chief Magistracy should fall on a Child or else on one unable to govern therefore they decreed That he who preceded others in Power and Wisdom should undergo the Administration of the Government in the mean time and our Ancestors observing this Course for almost 600 Years have transmitted down a Kingdom safe to us Thus when Robert Bruce died there succeeded Regents chosen by most Voices Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray Donald Earl of Marr Andrew Murray Iohn Randolf Robert Stuart sometimes particular Persons sometimes more than one were chosen by our publick Conventions to that Office So when Iames the Second was a Child Alexander Levingston was appointed his Governour who was no way related to that King in Blood no nor a Noble Man neither but a Knight only more eminent for his Wisdom than his Family And if any say That was for want of some of the King's Line the Excuse will not hold for at that very time there was Iohn Kennedy chief of his Family his Nephew by the Sister of Iames the First a Man both wise and virtuous there were also his Uncles Iames Kennedy Archbishop of St. Andrews the eminentest Person for Virtue in the whole Kingdom and also his Brothers the Son of the King's Aunt Douglas Earl of Angus Archibald also Earl of Douglas was not excluded from the King's Line but in Power was almost equal to him to be sure he was superiour to all others yet none ever complain'd of the Injustice of our Assemblies in so doing And not long after Iames the Third had four Tutors or Guardians assign'd him not taken on the account of Alliance but chosen by Vote And of late Iohn Duke of Albany was sent for by the Nobility out of France to govern Scotland in the Minority of Iames the 4 th and when he came he was setled in the Regency by a publick Statute enacted in a Convention of the Estates which was not done on the account of Proximity in Blood for he had Alexander an elder Brother one perhaps inferiour to him yet far more virtuous than Iames Hamilton who for a season affected that Dignity But in the Absence of Iames the Fifth Robert his Uncle manag'd the Kingdom I pray by what Right Was he assum'd into that Office for Propinquity of Blood No Was he elected by the People No nor that neither How was he then created I 'le tell you how When King Robert the Third was neither in Body nor Mind fit to manage the Kingly Office he set up Robert his Brother in his stead and commended his Children to his Care David his eldest Son he starv'd to Death Iames the younger had been also slain unless he had saved his Life by Flight And being thus setled in the Possession of the Government his Brother dying for Grief he kept it without the Consent of the People in Parliament and deliver'd it down by Hand to his Son Mordacus How Robert the King that died last stood affected towards his Brother is very plain for as when he was a dying he abominated and curs'd him as the Executioner of his Children so certainly if he had been alive and in Health he would not have designed him Guardian to his Children We are so put in mind of that time wherein after the Death of Iames the Fifth he himself was made Regent as if any thing at all was legally acted since that time When Cardinal Beton endeavoured by Fraud to invade the chief Magistracy he crept into the vacant Office rather out of Peoples Hatred to Beton than Love to Him being got into it he ruled with great Cruelty and Avarice and not many years ago he sold that Magistracy which he got by Force and the Queen too then committed to his Care therein was manifested what Affection the People bare to him when they preferred the Government of a Woman-Stranger before that bitter Slavery they suffer'd under him You see then I suppose how this Request of Hamilton's is contrary to the Laws of our Country and the Institutions of our Ancestors yea so contrary that for want of Arguments to maintain it he bolsters it up only with Lies And if there were any Custom of this kind all Men see how unjust it is For what can be more unequal than to commit the innocent and weak Age of the Prince to his Care who either daily expects or wishes for the Death of his Pupil All whose Family hath born and doth bear great and lasting Enmity with the Family of the King that now reigns What Safeguard can there be here in Nearness of Blood against ancient Hatred griping Avarice and the precipitate Force of forestalled Tyranny Laodice Queen of the Cappadocians is reported to have slain her Sons as they came to Age thus buying out or as it were redeeming a small Stay in the Government with the innocent Blood of her own Children If a Mother destroy'd the Fruit of her own Womb only to reign a little longer What shall we think will old Enemies attempt or rather What will they not attempt being inflam'd to Cruelty by the Stings of Avarice against a Child who is the only Remora to their Hopes of the Kingdom And if this Example seem old obscure and far-fetch'd I will add some more Illustrious Ones nearer hand Who is ignorant of what was lately acted how that Galeacius Sforza was slain by his Uncle Lewis though he was of Age and married and the Son-in-Law too of a most powerful Prince Who doth not know the Calamities that followed upon that cruel Parricide The brave fertile Country of Italy was almost made a Wilderness thereby The Family of the Sforza's from whence so many valiant Men proceeded was extinguish'd
managed Designs to alter things The Pope was not wanting by his Exhortations and Promises to stir up their Minds already inraged but the Kings were not sufficiently agreed amongst themselves and their Forces were so exhausted that they rather desired a War than were able to make it Besides there was an Emulation betwixt them one could not well bear that the other should have so great an Accession as England if it were conquered to his Dominions Moreover some Disputes arose betwixt Them and their Subjects which diverted their Thoughts from foreign Affairs though the Novelty of a Woman's Reign and she a young Woman too without an Husband gave Encouragement thereto especially since those who were ill affected to her said she was born to Henry the 8 th in an unlawful Marriage and also the former Differences about the Kingdom and about Religion were rather stifled than extinguished yea the Sparks of Discontent did glow in Mens Minds which in a short time were likely to break forth into a great Flame In the mean time the English Papists had made many Attempts but in vain for they were soon quell'd and though their Designs never succeeded yet Foreigners still feeding them only with blooming Hopes not with real Supplies they still persisted in the same resolute Design wanting rather a Commander for their Numbers than Power or Courage to come together The Common People of that Sect had taken a View of all the Nobility and they found none fit enough to whom they might commit their Lives and Fortunes many of the most stirring had been consumed in the Civil Wars many had past over to the other Party some were so old that they were unfit for publick Business or else the Vigor of their Minds as well as the Strength of their Bodies was so debilitated that they desired Peace if it were but a tolerable one There was only one Man who for Courage and Power seemed fit to undertake so great a Business and that was Thomas Howard who though he was of himself inclinable to Quietness yet there were some Causes which moved him to study Innovations For his Father and Grand-father though they had been highly eminent both in War and Peace yet in the Storms of an unstable Court they had been so toss'd that their highest Glory was ballanc'd with as great Disgrace His Father was condemn'd for Treason and publickly beheaded and Two Queens his Kinswomen had been also put to Death He in those Difficulties was liberally brought up and so preserved his Family from being quite extinguish'd and blown up In his very Youth he gave a Specimen of great Prudence and in a few Years by the Death of his Wives and by new Marriages he grew so rich that next to the Queen he was the most potent of the English for Wealth and Prudence the rest of the Nobility yielded to him but as for his Skill in Military Matters he had yet given no Proof of his Valor but in the Controversies of Religion he carried himself so swimmingly and ambiguously that tho he favoured Popery in his Heart yet he was such a Fosterer of the contrary Party that Many of them made sure of him in their Thoughts as their Own Amids these things the Queen of Scots was overcome in Battel and fled to England whence she wrote Letters to that Queen concerning the cause of her coming she was bid by her to retire to the House of the Lord Scroop Warden of the Marches till she did consider of her Demands in Council Scroop's Wife was Howard's Sister and by her Means the Treaty of Marriage was secretly begun betwixt the Queen and Howard and the Opportunity seemed to be offered by God himself seeing Howard's third Wife was lately dead and he was then a Widower The Design was concealed as being intrusted but to a few yet 't was whisper'd abroad among the Common People For narrow Spirits cannot conceal great Hopes but Ioy gives them Vent and so they fly abroad The Matter was so far advanc'd That the Fire of a Civil War seemed ready to break out yea some were so confident of Success after they had considered the Strength of the Parties that they thought Howard might easily do what he pleased without using any Force Things were in this Posture when the Scots Nobles had a great Meeting at Perth to hear the Demands of both Queen's both of them having wrote to them The Queen of England's Letters proposed one of these Three Conditions The first was absolute That the Queen might be restored to her Throne and Dignity as formerly But if that could not be granted Then that she might reign jointly with her Son that so she might injoy Princely Honour in Letters and publick Acts in the mean time the Regency should be in the Hands of the present Regent till the King came to the Age of seventeen If neither of those could be obtained then the third Condition was if the Queen could be persuaded to accept of it That she should live privately at home being content with those Honours which saving the Authority and Majesty of the King might be granted to her This last Request was easily assented to if the Queen would accept it But the other Two were peremptorily refused For the better and more incorrupt Part of the Nobility were resolute in this That they neither could nor ought to determine any thing which did diminish the King's Authority especially being lawfully inthron'd but the two former Heads did take off from the King's Honour yea it exposed his Life too being a Pupil unless it could be thought that his Mother who was known to be cruel towards her Husband and was not well affected toward her Son neither being exasperated by her Banishment besides should be no more kind to him than she had been ever before Also the Letters from the exil'd Queen were read wherein she desired That some Judges might be appointed to consider of her Marriage with Bothwel and if 't was found contrary to Law that she might be divorced from him Those Letters did highly incense the King's Party because she wrote her self as Queen and commanded them as Subjects Yea some would not have had them answered at all because they indeavoured to abridg the King of his Power and to instate the Rule in the sole Power of an exil'd Queen but that Part of the Council which was for the Queen alleged that they wondered much why those who had formerly the last Year much desired that she would separate her Cause from Bothwel's now when it was freely offer'd to them should hinder it as eagerly or rather more as they had before earnestly desired it if a Word or two in the Letters did displease them that Fault might easily be amended yea some there were who undertook provided the Matter of the Divorce might be handled in the mean time to procure a Commission from her in what Expressions they themselves would have it On the contrary
was one of the chief that nothing could be orderly or lawfully determined For in Trials of Life and Death there use to be great Flockings together of Friends and Vassals according to the Faction Favour or Nobility of the Accus'd as it happen'd also at that time The chief of the Faction adverse to the King viz. the Earls of Hamilton Gordon and Argyle gather'd all their Force against that Day hoping that if the Judgment were disturb'd by force as 't was easy so to do that they might quietly end the Conflict at one Skirmish as being Superior in Number of Men Opportunity of the Place and also better provided for War The Regent expected not a vying in Force but in Law and therefore had made no preparation on the other side and so being unwilling to put things to the utmost Hazard before he needs must and also lest the Majesty of the Government might be lessened by contending with his Inferiors he put off the Day of Trial and so He a Day after about Ianuary 1 st having sent the Earl of Northumberland to a Prison in Lough-Levin went to Sterlin The adverse Faction thus again disappointed and perceiving the Authority and Power of the Regent to increase and that besides his Popularity at home he was also supported by the English being stirr'd up partly by Emulation partly by the large Promises from the Queen of Scots who by Letters inform'd them that the French and Spanish Aid would be presently with them proceeded to accomplish that which they had long design'd even the cuting off the Regent As long as he was alive they knew their Projects could not take effect and therefore they sent Messengers thrô all Countries to the chief of their Faction to enter into a League to that purpose To this League the Hamiltons subscrib'd and Those who either themselves or their Children were Prisoners in the Castle of Edinburgh The Governour himself was thought to be privy to it and That which follow'd did increase the Suspicion of him Iames Hamilton Son of the Arch-bishop of St. Andrew's Sister promised his Assistance and indeavour'd to find a fit Time and Place to commit the Murder It happen'd that at the same time some hopes were given to the Regent That Dunbarton would be surrendred upon Conditions thither he went but return'd without his Errand Hamilton being intent on all Occasions his Ambushes not succeeding well first at Glasgow then at Sterlin appoints Linlithgo to be the Place fittest to execute his Purpose because that Town was in the Clanship of the Hamiltons and the Archbishop his Uncle had an house there not far from the House where the Regent us'd to lodge in that House being appointed for the Murder he secretly hid himself The Regent was made acquainted with the Plot both before and also that very Day before it was light the Discoverer for more surety added that the Murderer lay hid in 3 or 4 Houses from his Lodging that if he would send a small Party with him he would pluck him out of his hole and so discover the whole Design and Order of the secret Plot yet the Regent would not alter his former purpose only he design'd to go out of the Town thrô the same Gate he enter'd in and then turn about and proceed in his Journy nor did he keep to this Resolution neither either because he did undervalue such Dangers as believing his Life to be in God's Hand to whom he was willing to render it when 't was call'd for or else because the Multitude of Horse waiting for him stopt up the way When he was mounted on Horseback he thought to ride swiftly by the suspected Places and so to avoid the Danger but the Multitude of the People crouding in hinder'd his Design so that the Murderer out of a wooden Balcony which he had purposely cover'd with Linen as if 't were for another use shot him with a Lead-bullet a little below the Navil and it came out almost by his Reins and also kill'd the Horse of Iames Douglas which was beyond him he himself escap'd by a back Door or Passage of the Garden which he had pluck'd down on purpose and so mounted a swift Horse set on purpose to carry him off after he had committed the Fact by Iames Hamilton Abbat of Aber-Brothwick and so he went to Hamilton with the great Gratulation of Those who waited to hear the Event of his audacious Enterprize when they heard he had effected it they commended him highly and rewarded him as if now the Kingship had been actually translated into their own Family In the mean time at Linlithgo the rest were startled at the suddenness of the Crack and the Regent told them he was Wounded and as if he had not felt it he leap'd from his Horse and went on foot to his lodging They which were sent for to Cure the Wound at first said 'T was not Mortal but his Pain increasing tho his Mind was not disturb'd he began seriously to think of Death Those which were about him often told him that This was the fruit of his own Lenity in sparing too many notorious Offenders and amongst the rest his own Murderer who had been condemn'd for Treason Whereto he return'd a mild Answer according to his Custom Saying Your importunity shall never make me to Repent of my Clemency Then having settled his houshold-Affairs he commended the King to the Nobles there present and without speaking a reproachful Word of any Man he departed this Life before Midnight about Ianuary 23 in the Year of our Salvation 1571. His Death was lamented by all Good Men especially by the Commons who lov'd him Alive and lamented him Dead as the publick Father of his Country For besides his many other noble Atchievements they call'd to Mind that not a Year before he had so quieted all the troublesome Parts of the Kingdom That a Man was as safe on the Road or at his Inn as in his own House and Envy dying with him They who were disaffected to him when alive did really Praise him when dead They admir'd his Valour in War which yet was always accompanied with a great desire of Peace his Celerity in Business was always so successful that an especial Providence of God seem'd to shine on all his Actions besides his Clemency was great in moderately punishing and his Equity as great in his Legal Decisions When he had any spare time from War he would sit all day long in the Colledg of Judges so that his Presence struck such a Reverence into them that the Poor were not opprest by false Accusations neither were they tir'd out by long Attendances in regard their Causes were not put off to gratify the Rich. His house like an Holy Temple was free not only from flagitious Deeds but even from wanton Words after Dinner and Supper he always caus'd a Chapter out of the Holy Bible to be read and tho he had still a
learned Man to interpret it yet if there were any eminent Scholars there as there were oft Many and such were still well respected by him he would ask their Opinions which he did not out of a vain Ambition but out of a desire to conform himself to the Rule thereof He was in a manner too liberal he gave to Many and often too and his Alacrity in giving commended the Gift To a great many who were modest in receiving he presented privately with his own Hand In a word He was honest and plain-hearted to his Friends and Domesticks for if any of them did amiss he reprov'd them more sharply than he did Strangers By these his Manners Deportment and Innocency of Life he was dear and venerable not only to his Country-Men but even to Foreigners especially to the English to whom in all the vicissitudes of Providence in his Life his Virtues were more known than to any other Nation The Twentieth BOOK ALL that Time which immediately followed the Death of the last Regent although it were free from Blood-shed yet was embroyled with the various Attempts of the Factions Before the Murder the Hamiltons in great Numbers had met at Edinburgh under the Pretence of prevailing with the Regent to release Iames Hamilton the Head of their Kin or Tribe who was yet kept Prisoner in the Castle But after the Murder was perpetrated they sent some from amongst them to the rest of the Hamiltons who were to dissuade the other Clans for so they would have made People believe from joining with or protecting the publick Parricides But as very many suspected it was to bid them be prepared and ready for all Occasions For the next Night after the Murder Walter Scot and Thomas Carr of Farnihest entring into England did ravage over all Places with Fire and Sword and that with somewhat more Cruelty than was used in former times Neither was it so much the Desire of Prey or Revenge which mov'd them to this unusual Crueltie as that it was long before resolved by the Bishop of Saint Andrews and the rest of the Heads of the Faction to incense the English against the Scots And if they could provoke them no other way to take up Arms then by Injuries to draw them tho unwillingly into a War The Governour of the Castle although convinced by many Evidences so that all Mens Eyes and Discourse were upon him by way of Reflection as yet continued in his former counterfeited Loyalty to the King 'T was upon his account that William Maitland was delivered out of Prison For when he had in many Words pleaded his Innocency before the Council the Nobles then present attesting That it did not with any certainty appear to them That he was guilty of those Crimes which were laid to his Charge for he was accused to have been privy to the King 's and Regent's Murders and also to be the Author of the Civil War that was lately raised in England he was at last dismissed yet so that the Matter seem'd to be deferred till Another time rather than absolutely to be decided at That He also protesting his Innocency upon Oath did promise to appear whensoever the King's Kindred would set a Day for his Trial. Afterwards when upon consulting about the State of the Kingdom they had almost agreed That of those whom the Queen before she abjured her Government had nominated Tutors to the King he that would undertake it provided he had not afterwards revolted to the adverse Faction should have the chief Administration of Affairs Maitland now contriving the Disturbance of Matters brought it so about that it should be again signified to the absent Lords that they might if they pleased be present in the Parliament of the Regent to be assembled at a set Day lest they might afterwards complain That so great an Affair was hastily rash'd up in their Absence Athol with a few others consented neither did the rest refuse it more that they would take away all occasion of Detraction and Calumny from their Adversaries than that they had any Hopes that this Delay of the Parliament would bring any Profit to the Publick After these Things Thomas Randolph the English Embassador had Audience for That Queen the Regent being yet alive had sent her Embassadors to demand those English Exiles who after Howard's Conspiracy was detected and he punished for fear of Punishment had escaped thither The Regent giving these Embassadors Audience at Sterlin put them off till his Arrival at Edinburgh and after his Death Things being in Confusion they departed without an Answer But when they conven'd about choosing a Regent Randolph who for some years had been in Scotland for that he was thought to be well read in the Affairs and in the Men of that Nation and that his former Embassies had been also advantagious to both Nations was in dear Esteem of all that were good like himself He being introduc'd into the Council having declared How great his Queen 's Good-will had always been towards the Scots That as she had not formerly been wanting to them in their Disturbances so she would not fail them now Then he rehearsed their Incursions into England the Slaughters Rapines Burnings of late Days committed Adding That she knew well enough That none of these Things were acted by the Publick Council therefore that at present her Kindness and Friendship towards them was the same it ever was So that although she had been grievously and without any Cause provoked yet she did not as she might justly do repeat Matters nor publickly require Reparation nor for the Fault of a Few seek Punishment of All That indeed she was not ignorant what a great Disturbance in Affairs was risen of late yet she was not doubtful of the Good-will of honest Men towards her That in Favour of them she did not only free the Publick from any Guilt but if by reason of domestick Troubles they could not compel the Disturbers of the Peace to resettle Matters that she would join her Forces with theirs that so by common Consent they might exact Punishment of those Violators of Leagues and Truces But if they were not able to do That that then she would revenge their Injuries with her own Souldiers That her Army should pass peaceably through the Country without the least Damage to it That none that had not been guilty of the Crimes should be concerned in the Punishment The remaining Heads of his Embassy contained Admonitions ever profitable in all Legal Assemblies but now as the present Posture of Affairs was very necessary viz. That they should first of all with all Care and Vigilance have regard to Religion which alone teaches us our Duty both towards God and towards Man That seeing no Common-wealth at Discord within itself can long subsist they should bend their chiefest Endeavours and strive with their utmost Force that at Home among Fellow-Subjects and Country-Men Peace and Concord might be religiously observed
their Country The Earl of Sussex their General besieged Hume-Castle where the Owner of it had laid up much Provision and all the Neighbourhood had brought in their best Goods to that Fort as into a Place of Safety It was valiantly defended by the Garison within and the English the next day after were about to raise the Siege when lo Letters were brought to the Garison-Souldiers written a while before by Alexander Owner of the Castle which disturbed all their Measures For therein he commanded them to obey the Orders of William Drury an English Knight and to do what he commanded them without any Dispute Drury acquainted Sussex herewith whereupon the Castle was surrendred and plundered and Sussex placing a Garison of English therein with a great Booty returned to Berwick Thus Hume who was so far from being afraid of the English that rather he thought them his very Friends as knowing that Drury and Sussex Both did secretly favour Howard's Affairs did almost undo himself by his own Credulity for at last being forsaken of all his Friends and Kindred who were mostly Royalists he came with One or Two in his Company to Edinburgh and shut up himself as a Recluse in the Castle there On the other Side of the Borders Scroop an English Commander entred Annandale and ransack'd the Lands of one Iohnston who also had made Incursions into England but Iohnston himself with a few of his Companions being well acquainted with the Passes of the Country made a Shift to escape from the Horse that pursued him Iohn Maxwel who had gathered together 3000 Men out of the Neighbourhood yet durst not adventure to come in to his Aid but only stood upon his own Guard A while after the English that were at Berwick having received Hostages and thinking that Matters would have been carried with Fidelity towards them sent in 300 Horse and a 1000 Foot under the Command of Drury against the common Enemy Upon the Bruit of their March the Hamiltonians went to Glasgow resolving to demolish the Castle of the Arch-bishop there that it might not be a Receptacle to the Earl of Lennox then returned out of England and so that Country be made the Seat of War They knew that it was kept but by a few raw Souldiers that the Governor was absent and that it was unprovided of Necessaries so that they thought to surprize it by their sudden Approach for they flew into the Town in such Haste that they shut out a good part of the Garison-Souldiers from entring the Castle but being disappointed of their Hope they began to batter and storm violently and were as valiantly repulsed for the Garison Souldiers which were but 24 did so warmly receive them for several Days that they slew more of the Assailants than they themselves were and the rest they beat off sorely wounded of their Own they lost but one Man and none of the rest received so much as a Wound But the Hamiltonians hearing that the English were already at Edinburgh and that Iohn Erskin was come to Sterlin with a Design speedily to relieve the Castle though they had received some additional Force even from the remote Parts of the Kingdom yet toward Evening they raised their Seige and in great fear pack'd away Hamilton and Argyle himself posted into Argyle's Country Huntly went home over the almost impassable Mountains the rest shifted for themselves and ran several Ways to save their Lives But the English two Days after they came to Edinburgh went to Glasgow and in their Passage through Clydsdale they wasted all the Lands of the Hamiltons and any others that had consented to the Death of the Regent as also of those who had harbour'd the English Fugitives and drove great Preys from them making havock in all the Country when the Engines to beat down the Castle that was scituated near a Village called Hamilton were bringing to Sterlin Drury who privately favoured the English Rebels had almost rendred the whole Expedition fruitless for he was so far from quieting the English who mutinied because their Pay was not paid them at the Day whereupon they threatned immediately to lay down their Arms That 't was thought by many he himself was the Author of the Mutiny But the Souldiers were appeased upon the receiving their Pay down upon the nail and the great Guns being planted and playing against it the Castle was surrendred in a few Hours Amongst the Booty some there were that knew the Apparel and other Houshold-stuff of King Iames the 5 th that the Owner of the Castle when he resign'd up his Regency had so solemnly sworn he had none of The Castle was left half demolish'd and the Town together with the stately Mansion of the Hamiltons therein the wild common Souldiers burnt to the Ground against the Will of their Commanders Whereupon the Army march'd back the English to Berwick and the Scots each to their own home Drury interceded for the Garison that they should march away in Safety who being dismiss'd took Robert Semple Prisoner the chief of his Family out of the House of his Son-in-Law who was quietly returning home as if the Service had been ended which Passage greatly increas'd the Suspicion on Drury These Matters were scarce finish'd before Petcarn return'd from his Embassy out of England and brought this Answer That the Queen wonder'd they never made her acquainted with the â—tate of their Affairs till now four Months after the Death of the Regent and by reason of this delay she was uncertain in her Hopes concerning them In the mean time that she had been often solicited by the Importunity of the French and Spanish Embassadors in the Name of their Kings and that she was even tired out with the daily complaints of the Scots Queen that she had promis'd them Audience but upon Condition that the Queen of Scots should write to her Party for a Cessation of Arms till the Conference was ended That those Innovations which they had attempted by their publick Edicts they should revoke by other Edicts contrary to the former and so suffer things to stand as they were when the Regent was slain That the English Exiles should be given up without fraud and if upon the Conference Matters were accorded betwixt them Hostages and other Pledges should be given on Both sides for the faithful performance of Agreements Upon these Conditions a Conference was promised and having oblig'd her self in such Circumstances she could not join with them in their Design in making a new Regent lest she might seem to condemn their Queen without hearing Her But in general she said That she had a great Affection for them and their Affairs In the mean time She desir'd that they would abstain from Arms and from making a Regent and she would take care that such a small delay should be no damage to them This Answer being reported to the Scots did variously affect them On the one hand the
Traffick by Sea ibid. He reduces the Train of his Nobles in Travelling ibid. His violent and untimely Death ibid. His Character ibid. Alexander Duke of Albany Brother of James III. taken by the English 407 But soon released ibid. Committed Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle 421 Whence he craftily made his Escape ibid. And coming to the King of England solicits him to take Arms 425 He is recalled by the Scots and hath the chief Government bestowed upon him 427 He restores his Brother James to the free Possession of the Kingdom ibid. He falls again into Disgrace and dies in France 430 Alexander the Son of Alexander of Albany ibid. Alexander Boyd abuses and wounds John Kennedy 410 His is tried for his Life 414 Beheaded ibid. Alexander Bruce surrenders himself to Baliol 287 Slain in a Fight with the English 290 Alexander Earl of Buchan base-born Son to Robert II. 307 Alexander Cambel a Dominican the Notoriety of his End 53 Alexander Cuningham slain with King James III. in his Army 433 Alexander Cuningham brings Aid to the Reformers 129 Being taken Prisoner he takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 Alexander Elphinston slain in Fight 26 Alexander Forbes marries Graecina Boyd 6 Alexander Forbes taken by Adam Gordon 284 Alexander Earl of Crawford deserts Douglas and submits to the King 388 Alexander Earl of Glencarn banished 175 A General in the King's Army 220 Alexander Gordon beats the Earl of Crawford 387 Alexander Hume marches into England 19 He brings his Squadron off safe from Flodden Field 25 His great Authority 28 Accused by Hepburn 33 Sides with the Queen 34 Goes for England is reconciled to the Regent and returns ibid. He raises an Insurrection 35 His Goods confiscate he is taken and beheaded 36 Alexander Hume as a Proxy takes the Coronation-Oath for James VI. yet a Child 214 He is General of the King's Army 220 Wounded 221 Revolts to the Queen's Party 243 His Castle taken and rifled by the English 256 He is chief in the Council of the Rebels 280 Taken Prisoner but by the coming in of his Friends released 281 Alexander Haliburton wounded and dies 141 Alexander Levingston made Supream Governour or Regent 357 He puts the Queen in Prison 364 Disagrees with Creighton the Chancellour 360 364 The King taken out of his Hands 365 Reconciled to the Chancellour 366 368 Lays down his Office 372 Is brought to his Trial and remanded to Prison 375 Alexander the Son of William Levingston taken Prisoner 265 Alexander the Islander gathers together a Band of Free-booters 341 But is forced to submit to the King 342 Alexander Lindsy overcomes Alexander Ogilby 273 274 Alexander Macrory Captain of Thieves executed 341 Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander 348 349 Alexander Ramsay a brave Souldier 299 His House the School of War ibid. He takes Roxburgh 300 Wounded and starved to Death by Douglas 301 Ramsay's chearful Forwardness in surprizing Dumbarton Castle 265 Alexander Seton sent to Berwick 287 Having no hopes of Relief he surrenders up the Town to the English 290 Alexander Stuart Arch-bishop of St. Andrews slain at Flodden-Fight 29 Stuart's Encounter with the King of Norway 242 Allectus a Roman slain 124 Alfrid King of Northumberland 161 Alnwick Castle taken 398 Alsa or Ailze Isle 24 Alpa for Alba 11 Alps whence so called ibid. Alpin King of Scots 166 Slain by the Picts ibid. Altissidorus i. e. Auxerre in France 68 Alured King of England makes Peace with the Scots 177 Amberkeleth King of Scots 162 Slain ibid. Ammianus Marcellinus quoted 88 89 Amiens the Bishop thereof in Scotland his Cruelty 148 St. Andrews 18 Its Vniversity when erected 333 Andreae Fanum and Fanum Reguli i. e. St. Andrews why so called 16 Andrews a great Astrologer 420 Andrew the Apostle Tutelary of Scotland 218 Andrew Briton or Breton his Story 18 Slain by Thomas Howard the English Admiral 19 Andrew Berclay beheaded for Treason 273 Andrew Car escapes out of Prison 36 He disagrees with Douglas 38 Andrew Car revenges his Father's Death 18 Andrew Car beaten by the Duke of Norfolk 120 Andrew Forman sent into England and France by James IV. 16 He hath a great many Church-Preferments 29 Sent again into England 26 He is accused by Hepburn 33 Mediates for Peace 35 Bruce's Sister's Son Regent 296 Taken by the English 288 Ransomed 294 His Faithfulness and Death 297 Andrew Earl of Rothes banished 175 Andrew Wood faithful to King James III. 1 Admiral of the Scots Navy 1 Reconciled to James IV. 2 Overcomes the English in one Sea-Fight ibid. And also in a second 4 Andrew Stuart Chancellour 413 His Freedom of Speech against a Popish King 173 He is wounded in Fight 222 Angus 18 Angus or Aeneas raised an Insurrection in Galway 230 Angusianus King of Scotland 126 Slain by the Picts ibid. Annandale so called from the River Annand 13 14 Anna Momorancy suspects the Power of the Guises in France not without Cause 121 Anselm the Norman Arch-bishop of Canterbury 219 Anti-Assemblies in Scotland two 276 280 Anthony Darcy slain by David Hume 38 Apparition to King Kenneth III. upon his Murder of Malcolm 195 Apparition to King James IV. dissuading him from a War with England 20 21 Apoceanitae Who 10 Apology of the Scots Nobles to the Queen of England 267 c. 272 c. Apostacy punished by God 159 Arran or Arren Island 24 Arborary or Tree Isle 25 Archibald Douglas created Regent 288 He is slain by the English 290 Archibald Earl of Douglas sirnamed the Austere his Feuds with Geo. Dunbar 325 He dies 326 Archibald his Son succeeds him who is taken Prisoner by the English 329 Released ibid. Made Duke of Turein by the Dolphin of France 336 Slain by the English there ibid. Archibald Douglas his great Power 359 His affronting Answer to the Chancellor 362 His Death 363 Archibald Douglas his Oration to the Nobles against the King's Evil Counsellors 423 With the Effects thereof 424 Archibald Douglas his Speech to King James IV. dissuading him to fight the English 22 At which the King is offended and Douglas retires in Discontent 23 He marries the Widow of James IV. 29 Accused by Hepburn 33 Takes Edinburgh but resigns up the Government thereof 38 Flies into England 34 Returns from France and England into Scotland 46 Opposed by his Wife 46 Chosen one of the Governours of King and Kingdom 47 Overthrows Lennox 50 Forbid to meddle with the Government 53 Outlawed and banished 56 Returns after fifteen Years Exile 75 Coming to compose Controversies he is detained by Hamilton 82 His memorable Speech and Fact 87 He persuades the Regent to break with the Cardinal and to side with the Nobles 88 He beats the English 89 Archbishop of St. Andrews with the Bishop of Aberdene imprisoned 46 Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as Accessory to the King and Regent's Murders 266 Ardan Rider or the High Isle of the Horseman 28 Ardiescar Isle 25 Aremorici or Armorici Who 7 8
271 And receives an Affront thereupon ibid. A Conspiracy discovered against him ibid. He agrees with Baliol then in France 274 His Army enters England 275 His last Will and Testament 279 His three Counsels to his Nobles ibid. He would have his Heart buried at Jerusalem 280 His Death and Praise 281 Brudeus King of the Picts 156 Brudus King of the Picts slain 166 167 Brutus his Story 41 to 44 Buchan 19 Its Etymology 139 Buchan the Earl thereof made Lord High-Constable of France 335 Bull 's Head put upon a Man's heretofore a sign of Death in Scotland 370 Burgundus from Burgus 63 Bullock an English Man turns to the Scots 298 Put to Death 301 Burgh a Danish Name 201 Burra Isle 35 36 37 Buthroti Who 46 Buiia Isles great and small 29 30 70 C CAdvallus made Vice-King 105 He dies of Grief 106 Caithness 21 133 Caithness Men cruel against their Bishop and are punished for it 239 Calaman Isle 26 Calden in Scotch is an Hasel 56 Caledonia a Town i. e. Dunkel 18 Caledones Who ibid. Caledonian Woods whence so called 56 Caledonians Picts and Scots sometimes all called Britains 74 Calen Cambel with two others chosen Governour of the King and Kingdom 47 He is sent against the Douglasses 56 Calfa Isle 27 Calthrops politick Engines in War what 266 Camber Son of Brute 42 Cambri ibid. Why so called 61 Camus the Dane slain by the Scots 202 Caâ—a Isle 26 28 Cantire Promontory 17 Canutus a Danish General in Scotland 202 Makes Peace with the Scots 203 Caprary or Goat Isle 25 Cara Isle 25 Carail Town 18 Purged from Monuments of Idolatry 131 Caratacus King of Scotland 107 The Orcades not subdued by Claudius Caesar in his Time 108 Carausius a Roman composes the Differences betwixt Scots and Picts 124 He seizes on Britain for himself ibid. Carausius Brother of King Findocus causes him to be slain 122 Cardorus unjustly put to death by Dardanus 188 Carick 14 Carniburgh's two Islands 27 Carron-water 15 Carron why sirnamed Schrimger 218 Cave an unusual one turning Water into Stone 20 Cassivelannus his Town i. e. Verulam taken by Caesar 82 Cecily Edward of England's Daughter promised in Marriage to the Son of James III. 422 The intended Marriage null'd and the Dowry repaid 427 Celestine Pope sends Palladius into Scotland 145 Cells so the ancient Scots called their Temples 125 Celts Who 58 Celtiberi so called from the Celts and Iberians 49 Celuinus or Cialine King of the East-Saxons 156 Slain by the Scots 157 Charles the Dolphin of France seeks Aid of the Scots 334 Charles of Burgundy slain at Nants 420 He lays the Foundation of Tyranny in his Country 434 Charles the Fifth sends to Scotland to join in Affinity with them 63 Why his Mother was committed to perpetual Imprisonment 269 Charles Guise Cardinal Guarantee for the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Charn Islands 27 Chourna Isle ibid. Childeric a Saxon Commander wounded 152 Christian Religion promoted in Scotland 125 Christ's Birth-day prophaned 151 Christians join in League against the Danes 176 Christiern of Denmark with all his Male-Stock cast out of the Kingdom 269 Chualsa Isle 73 Cicero quoted about Britain 86 Church its woful State 417 Cimbri so the French and Germans call Thieves 77 78 Cities Names in Bria Brica Briga 63 64 65 In Dunum 65 66 67 In Durum 68 In Magus 69 Clacman Prefecture or Stewarty 18 Clarence Duke of it slain in France by the Scots 335 Clarshacks What 24 Claudian a Verse in him corrected by Joseph Scaliger 76 Cleirach Isle 31 Cloich Isle 25 Clydsdale 13 14 Cluyth 92 Cnapdale 17 Cockburn Forest or Path 13 Cockrane one of King James the IIId's Evil Counsellors put to Death 425 Coemeteries for the Kings of three Nations 27 Coilus King of the Britains slain by the Scots 96 Colca a rare kind of Bird 32 Colgernus a Saxon Commander killed 152 Coll Isle 27 Collonsa Isle 26 Colman an holy Bishop 160 Columb the Saint his Monastery 26 His great Authority 155 He tells of a Victory at a very great distance 155 156 His Death 157 Columb Isle see Icolumbkill Colvansa Isle 27 Colurn i. e. Chourna or Hasel Isle 26 Comes Stabuli Who 247 Commodus the Emperor in Britain 117 Commonâ—lty usually comply with the Humour of their Prince 188 Affect Innovations 413 Competitors for the Crown of Scotland with their several Pretensions 248 The Controversy not decided in Scotland but referred to Edward of England ibid. The Case as stated by Edward and propounded to Lawyers 249 Bruce refuses the Kingdom offered him on ignoble Terms 250 Edward decides for Baliol ibid. Competitors for the Regency 283 Conanus elected Vice-Roy 101 Conanus perswades to Peace but is seditiously slain by the Britains his Country-men 141 Conarus King of Scotland joins in a Conspiracy against his Father 113 He demands large Subsidies but is denied 114 He wars against the Britains 113 Ends his Life in Prison 115 Confidence sometimes praised for Constancy 358 Congal I. King of Scotland 147 Congal II. enriches Priests 159 Congal III. 166 Conscience guilty gives no Rest 195 Constantine Chlorus in Britain 124 Chosen General by the Brittons 125 Made their King 143 Slain by Vortigern ibid. Constantine the Emperour born 124 Constantine I. King of Scots 145 Reigns wickedly ibid. His violent Death 146 Constantine II. 174 Renews publick Discipline ibid. Slain by the Picts 175 Constantine III. 179 Makes a League with the Danes ibid. Invades the Subjects Right ibid. Abjures the Kingly Office 172 And retires into a Monastery 180 Constantine IV. sirnamed Calvus 196 Canvasses for the Crown ibid. Inveighs against the Law of Kenneth about Hereditary Succession 197 〈◊〉 the Decree of its Council seasonable for Perjured Persons 77 Controversy between the Baliols and the Bruces concerning the Crown of Scotland 245 c. Convention of the Nobles to choose a Regent after Murray's Death 251 Cony Isle 25 30 See Sigrama Corbred I. King of Scots 108 Corbred II. sirnamed Galdus 109 He first fought with the Romans ibid. And beat them out of Caledonia 111 Cornavii 22 They are in Scotland and England too 60 Cornish rise against Henry VII of Enggland 10 11 Cornovallia or Cornuvallia whence derived 60 Corshera Isle 26 Coval 17 Covihaslop see Round Isle Council of Constance send Embassadors to Scotland 334 They deny Faith to be kept with those they call Hereticks 77 Count of Rothes committed to Prison 92 Coupins-oy 36 Courtesy to Prisoners 319 Courts many times prefer Honour before Honesty 333 Cowper a Town 18 Cracoviac see Kirkwal Craford Earl of it takes part with the Douglasses 384 But afterwards deserts them 389 And is received into Pavour by the King ibid. Crackles i. e. little jangling Bells terrify Horses 307 Crathilinthus King of Scots 123 Much addicted to hunting 124 Crathilinthus kils his Grandfather 192 He rises in Arms but is suppressed 193 Cree River 14 Cressingham an English General slain by the Scots 255 Creighton sent
Allegiance of his Subjects ibid. First settles Itinerary Iudges in Scotland ibid. Evenus II. 105 Overthrows the Orkney Men 106 Evenus III. noted for Obscenity 107 He makes a Law for Polygamy ibid. Is slain ibid. Eugenius I. or Evenus King of Scots 127 Slain by the Romans 128 Evenus an Islander put to Death 174 Eugenius II. 138 His Character 144 In his time the Romans leave Britain ibid. Eugenius III. Brother of Congal King of Scots 154 Assists against the Saxons ibid. Eugenius IV. Brother of Aidanus 158 Brought up under Columb ibid. He harbours the fugitive Saxons ibid. Eugenius V. 161 Eugenius VI. ibid. Learned in Theology ibid. In his Time it rained Blood ibid. Eugenius VII causes the memorable Facts of Kings to be recorded 162 He is suspected for the Murder of his Queen but causlesly ibid. Eugenius VIII slain in an Assembly of the Nobles 163 Evonia Castle 20 Eusdale County so called from the River Ewes 13 140 Examples of Princes more influential on Subjects than their Laws 155 Exchequer Officers defend sometimes most unjust Laws 113 Exchequer Profits sometimes Disprofits 35 Excommunication unjustly pronounced affects not the Excommunicated 272 Exile more tolerable than Servitude 132 F FAbilla or Fable Isle 30 Fair or Fara Isle 36 Faith or Fidelity towards wicked Persons unsteadfast 105 107 Sacred among Souldiers 319 330 Not to be kept with Hereticks as Papists say 130 Falamgal Isle see Finlagan Falcons in the Isle of Muick 28 Famine breaks stout Spirits 140 Famine and Pestilence in Scotland 388 Fara Isle 29 Farrow-head 21 Faunus's Oracle 43 Fenella commands Kenneth to be slain 169 Feraia Isle 29 Ferchard I. King of Scots 158 Endeavours to introduce Tyranny ibid. Maliciously nourisheth Factions amongst his Nobles and is guilty of the Pelagian Heresy 159 He kils himself ibid. Ferchard II. wickedly kils his Wife and abuseth his Daughters 160 He is excommunicated reproved by Coleman and repouts at his Death ibid. Feredeth King of the Picts 166 Ferelay Island 30 Fergus I. King of Scots sent for out of Ireland 95 The Kingdom settled on him by Common Consent 96 Drowned at Carickfergus in Ireland 97 Came first into Albium when Alexander the Great took Babylon ibid. Fergus II. whilst a Child flies by Sea with his Parents into Scandia is recalled from thence and made King 133 134 He is slain in Fight 137 His Praise with a Comparison between him and Fergus I. ibid. He is deservedly called The second Founder of the Scotish Kingdom ibid. Fergus III. poisoned by his Wife for his Adulteries 163 She owns the Fact and kils her self 164 Fergus of Galway's Children disagree after his Death 246 Feritharis King of Scots 97 An old Law concerning Succession to the Crown made in his Time ibid. Ferlegus Son of Fergus conspires against his Vncle for which he is condemned 97 98 Fethelmach King of Scots 127 Fidler or Harper One kils King Ethodius I. 116 Another assists to destroy Fethelmach 127 Fifteen Iudges appointed in Scotland but soon disused 59 Fife County 18 So called from Fifus 170 Fights memorable between Scots and English 355 At Bannock 267 At Otterborn 317 318 319 Fish shapeless 29 A strange sort ibid. Fincormachus King of Scots 125 Findochus King of Scots 121 Overcomes Donald ibid. Is slain by means of his Brother Caransius 122 Finelaw or Finlaw Bishop Author of ill Counsels 339 Finlagan Isle 26 Finnanus King of Scots 102 Fiole Isle 25 Flada Isle 24 28 29 30 Flanders Artificers sent for from thence into Scotland 347 Flata Island 36 Flattery the Pest of great Families 363 380 Flavanae Isles 30 Fordun 19 Forestia ibid. Forth or Scotish Sea 13 Fortune an Example of its Inconstancy 375 Fotlar Isle 37 Francs Who 46 Francis I. King of France by the help of the King of England restored to liberty out of the Hands of the Spaniards 62 He sends the Earl of Lennox into Scotland 78 Is alienated from Lennox 83 Sends Montgomery into Scotland 91 Francis II. of France sends La'bross into Scotland 136 He is influenced by and is under the Power of the Guises 150 His Death ibid. Francis Duke of Guise Curator of the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Appointed General of the Popish Faction 153 174 Franciscans or begging Friars their Wealth 128 France its miserable State 151 It s King Francis promises to aid the Scots of the Queen's Faction 254 And the Scots Rebels 279 280 Vpon what Grounds he did it ibid. Frazer's Family almost extinct 89 Frederethuâ— slain 166 Friend betrays Friend 332 Their Injuries the most grievous 314 Our Father's Friends not to be neglected 101 Friendship with Princes far off sometimes safer than with Those nearer home 44 French Gauls Franâ—s their Original 46 They receive Characters of Letters from the Massilian Greeks 38 Their Communion with the Brittons 61 When French and Scots Alliance first began 165 They send Aid to the Scots 90 106 Their Souldiers very licentious 313 Their Army leaves Scotland 314 Their unjust Demand 312 What Good the Scots got by their Alliance 322 Their King distracted 334 They ask Aid of the Scots ibid. They renew their League with the Scots 240 251 273 French and Scots Souldiers mutiny 109 Their Auxiliaries in Scotland cannot forbear their wonted Plundering 314 They hinder an Alliance with England by Bribes as much as they can 43 44 Assault Werk Castle 45 Their Souldiers kill the Governour of Edinburgh with some of the Citizens 209 They design to surprize Hadington ibid. They are disgusted by the Scots 110 French and English in Scotland agree 111 French transported into their own Country 112 French King sends Auxiliaries to strengthen the Queen Regent 135 143 French Embassadors Demands from the Reformed 136 152 French their contumelious Pride against some of the Scots 143 144 Their Design to establish Tyranny ibid. French Embassador busy between the Queen and the Royalists 218 219 Vpon the Queen's Overthrow he sculks away 221 French to leave Scotland by Consent 149 French Ship sent with Provision and Ammunition into Scotland taken by the Royalists 279 French Tongue heretofore not much different from the British 58 Friars Mendicants Mercenaries to Parish-Priests and Curats 345 346 Their Opinions and why Manducants rather than Mendicants 129 Fuda Isle 29 G GA Letter commonly used by the French for V 60 61 Gaga Isle 25 Gald Gael Galle 62 Galdus the Sir-name of Corbred what it signifies 109 Galeatius Sforza slain by his Vncle 231 Gallovid in Old Scotish signifies a Gaul 14 Galo Cardinal the Pope's Legat in England 237 He excommunicates the Scots 238 A wicked and avaritious Man ibid. Galvinus Son of Lothus 151 Galway why so called 14 61 139 Garalinga Isle 29 Garaard King of the Picts 162 Garvae Isles three 25 Garvillan Isles 30 Gavin Isle 25 Gauls sent Colonies into Spain 48 Into Italy 49 Into Germany ibid. Into Britain 50 Into Ireland 51 Gathelus a Prince feigned by some to be the Founder of the Scots Nation 46 Gawin Dunbar
II. 306 His Duel with Henry Percy 316 Is slain fighting valiantly 318 His three last dying Requests ibid. James Douglas made Earl when William Douglas his Father was slain 386 He accuses the King and Nobles of Perfidiousness ibid. Proclaimed a publick Enemy 387 Marries Beatrix his Brother's Widow 388 Persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King which he refuses ibid. Being forsaken by his Friends he applies to England for Aid 389 And to Donald the Islander 390 Forsaken by his Wife ibid. James Douglas Earl of Morton and Alexander Hume take the Coronation-Oath for King James VI. in his Minority 214 He provides for the Common-wealth at his private Charge 215 Commands the King's Army against the Queen 220 Goes into England with the Regent 224 Sent Embassador into England 261 His Cheerfulness to encounter the Enemy 278 Taken Prisoner and then takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 James Haliburton taken Prisoner 281 James Hamilton Earl of Arran Admiral of a Navy under James IV. 16 He plunders Knockfergus in Ireland ibid. At last sails for France 17 Is chosen Regent 75 Opposes Archibald Douglas after his Return from France 39 Highly disgusted by King James V. 65 Compelled to change his Opinion concerning the Controverted Points of Religion 79 80 His shameful Flight Vanity and Inconstancy 84 86 Remiss in the Case of George Wiseheart 111 Corrupted by Avarice 112 Put from his Regency and made Duke of Chastle-herault 113 114 James Hamilton returns from France 229 Endeavours to engage Queen Elizabeth of England to make him Regent ibid. But without Success 232 He submits to the Regent 234 James Hamilton Son of the Archbishop of St. Andrews's Sister treacherously shoots Murray and kils him 245 246 James Hamilton a Bastard Brother to the Earl of Arran chosen Iudg against the Lutherans 68 He is tried condemned and executed 69 James Hepburn Earl of Bothwel committed to Prison 163 164 But escapes 167 Banished 66 A Rival to the Earl of Lennox 80 Called out of France by the Queen 171 172 Endeavours to supplant Murray 163 Divorced from his former Wife 198 Procures a Schedule from the Nobility about his Marriage with the Queen 196 Surprizes and marries the Queen 199 Outlawed 173 Accused of the King's Murder 194 His Mock-Trial 173 193 195 Wounded by an High-way Pad 184 Designs to destroy Murray 192 His Challenge answered 209 He flies 210 And dies distracted in Denmark 215 James Kennedy Archbishop an Adversary to the Douglasses 373 Retires from a corrupt Court 376 Disallows the Faction of the Queen-Mother 399 His Oration that Women ought not to govern 401 c. His Praise Death and Character 409 410 James Kennedy builds a vast Ship 420 James Levingston put to Death by the Douglassian Faction 375 376 Lindsy's Obstinacy in following his Enemies 319 James Macgil sent with others Embassador into England 224 261 James Macintosh unjustly put to Death 160 James the Son of Murdo burns Dumbarton 339 James Earl of Murray appointed Vicegerent 60 Settles the Borders 57 Sent into France 63 James Earl of Murray refuses to associate with the Queen and Bothwel 204 But chuses rather to leave the Land 205 He returns from Travel and is made Regent 213 His resolute Speech 217 He meets the Queen of England's Embassadors at York 224 Waylayed by his Enemies in his Iourny ibid. Goes to London 226 Where he manages the Accusation against the Queen 227 Whence honourably dismiss'd and his Transactions there approved in Scotland 233 He is deserted by his Friends 243 Too câ—â—eless of himself 245 Killed by one of the Hamiltons 246 His laudable Character 246 247 James Murray offers to encounter Bothwel hand to hand 209 James Sandiland Embassador from Scotland to France 150 James Sandiland sent against the Thieves 59 Carries Propositions from the Reformers to the Queen Regent 125 James Stuart marries Joan the Widow of James I. 364 Is banished 375 James Stuart the Queen's Brother puts the English to a Retreat 108 Hath threatning Letters sent him by the Queen 130 An Actor in reforming Religion 131 Made Earl of Marr and Murray 161 Iceni and Icium 10 Icolumbkil 26 Idleness the Source of Mischief 345 Idlers Isle or of the Otiosi 25 Ierna i. e. Ireland 69 Jews imitated by the Romanists 381 Issurt or Issert Isle 30 Igerne vitiated by Uter yet he afterwards marries her 149 Ignis Fatuus what 264 Ila Isle see Yla Ilan na Covihaslop 26 Images demolished at Perth 128 Immersi Isle 26 Impostors notorious ones 393 6 7 c. 58 Indigenae who 42 50 Indulfus King of Scots 181 Casually slain by the Danes 182 Indulgence over-much to Children punished 337 Informers though sometimes allowed yet dangerous Instruments in a State 148 Inhumanity to Prisoners 297 Innerlochy 20 Innerness 20 Interregnum in Scotland after Alexander the IIId's Death 245 Inundation of the River Tay at Perth 236 And great Ones in Lothian 305 John Annins writes the Original of the Brittons in Verse 42 Johannes Scotus sent for by Charles the Great 165 Johns or Jeans Isle 26 John Baliol his Genealogy 246 247 248 More solicitous for a Kingdom than a Good Name 250 Made King and surrenders himself and Kingdom to the King of England ibid. He confesses his Fault for so doing 251 Disgusts Edward of England 252 Overthrown by Edward made Prisoner and released 251 252 253 John King of England meditates a War against Scotland 235 Makes divers Leagues with the Scots 236 Enters Scotland 237 The Pope's Beneficiary ibid. Poisoned by a Monk 238 John Son of Alexander Brother to James III. Duke of Albany declared Regent when in France 31 He arrives in Scotland 32 Gets the Queen Mother into his Power 34 Goes into France appointing Governours in his Absence 37 Returns to Scotland 39 Raises an Army against England but makes a Truce 40 41 Goes again into France whence he returns with a great Navy 41 42 Marches into England and assaults Werk-Castle 45 Goes the third time into France and his Power is vacated in his Absence 46 John Erskin sent Embassador into France 63 Of the Queen's Faction 105 Made Governour of Edinburgh Castle 115 Sent Embassador into France 121 John Brother to King James III. put to death 421 John Erskin favours the Reformation 126 Afraid of the Queen Regent 128 Beats the Rebels out of Sterlin 282 Chosen Regent 283 Straitens Edinburgh 286 John Armstrong Captain of Thieves executed 57 John Earl of Athol marries Beatrix Douglas 301 He his Wife taken Prisoners by Donald 408 John Earl of Buchan aids the French King's Son 334 Made Lord High Constable of France 335 Slain there by the English 336 John Cumins marches into England and wasts Northumberland 253 His Treachery against Robert Bruce 2â—0 Which cost him his Life ibid. John Earl of Carick base Son to Robert II. 307 John Cockburn of Ormiston wounded and taken by Bothwel 140 John Cuningham imployed in surprizing Dumbarton-Castle 263 John Earl Douglas's Brother made Baron of
Her Faction garison Edinburgh from whence they sally out 〈◊〉 Morton â—â—â— Massacre designed in France by the Guâ—â—es 750 Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox marries Margarite Hamilton â— Sent for out of France into Scotland 78 Returns 171 Circumvented by the Cardinal 's Cunning about his marrying the Queen 80 Vpon which he rises in Arms but is forced to agree with the Regent 82 He justifies himself to the French King 83 Is worsted and flies into England where he is kindly received and marries Margarite Douglas 83 85 86 Created Regent 258 259 Takes Brechin from Huntly 260 Hurt by a Fall 261 Maximianus Commander of a Roman Legion in Britain 136 He overthrows the Scots and Picts 137 Mâ—xim grave in Policy 176 Another 208 Others 239 Maximus in Britain 127 He overcomes the Scots 128 Takes the chief Government upon him 129 Banishes all the Scots out of Britain ibid. Measures and Weights amended and rectified 334 Mechanical Engine of Brass a strange one 192 Mecla Isle 37 Meliss Graham deprived of Strathearn by the King 351 Men fight like wild Beasts one with another 324 Mendiâ—ant Friars called Manducant 129 Menteiâ—h 17 140 Mentheâ—'s Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 He is rewarded 269 Merch 13 Merchants forbid to traffick by Sea for a time 244 Merchants or Châ—nnards Isâ—e 26 Mercenary Souldiers change with Fortune 236 Fit to establish Tyranny 117 177 Merlin the Prophet or Impostor rather when he lived 147 A wicked Man 149 A Comparison between Gildas and him à dissimili ibid. Mern whence so called 170 Mernoch Isle 25 Mertaâ—k Isle 31 Metellan or Maitland King of Scots 107 Michael Weems helps the Royalists 277 Milesian Fables what 77 Minturnae 78 Modred Son of Lothus General of the Picts Forces 151 Competitor with Constantine 153 Slain ibid. Moesici who 89 Mogald King of Scots 112 Makes an unjust Law 113 He is slain ibid. Molas Isle 24 Mologhascar Isle 25 Mon Isle put falsly for Man 24 Monfort slain by Preston 297 Mongomery comes into Scotland 91 Monk poisons King John of England 238 Another poisons Thomas Randolph 283 Their Impudence in devising Fables 42 Their Luxury 143 Their Monasteries overthrown by Order of the Lords 152 Monster like an Hermaphrodite born in Scotland 4 5 Monk-Fishes never seen but they predict Mischief 175 Mordac King of Scots 162 Mordac Earl of Fife Son of Robert taken Prisoner 327 Returns to Scotland 333 Succeeds his Father in the Government 336 Takes Care to recal King James from England 337 Imprisoned 339 Executed 340 More Isle 25 More in old Gaulish signifies Mare the Sea 10 More marusa 7 10 77 Morini who 10 Morton's large Account of his Negotiation in England to the Regent 267 Mother cruel to her own Children 231 Mourning Garments when first used in Scotland 66 Muick Isle 28 Mull of Galway 14 Mull Isle 26 Mulmore Isle ibid. Mungo or St. Mungo see Kentigern Murderer discovered sometimes by touching the Murdered Body 184 Murdo and his Sons put to Death 348 Murray a fruitful Country 20 Its Inhabitants seditious 230 Murray made Regent 226 His Death 298 Musa Isle 37 Musadil Isle 25 Musicians or wandring Minstrels restrained 282 283 N NAick Isle 28 Nagunner Isle ibid. Names new by ambitious Men given to Places 170 171 Names of Towns new shew the Affinity of a Language 62 Naomph Isles 26 Naosg Isles 26 Narn 140 Nathalocus King of Scots 120 Murders the Nobility and consults Soâ—â—hsayers ibid. Nathalocus a Noble Man conspires against Athirco 119 Is himself slain 121 Navern Province so called from the River Navern 21 140 Nectamus King of Scots 126 Ness Town i. e. Innerness and River whose Water is always warm 20 Nightshade its Description and Properties 209 Ninian 145 Nithisdale from the River Nith 13 140 Nobility their Tyranny over the Commons restrained 182 Nobles how anciently tried in Scotland 340 Normans overcome the Saxons and Danes in Britain 71 Norman Lesly his Valour against the English 89 He surprizes St. Andrews and kils Cardinal Beton 98 Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms viz. the Deiri and the Bernici 159 Nostvade Isle 37 Nothatus King of Scots 98 First sets up Arbitrary Government ibid. He is slain 99 Noviogagus many Cities so called 68 Nuns Isle or Monades 27 O OCCA General of the Saxons overthrown by three Kings and wounded 151 152 Occidental or Western Isles 22 Ocel-Mountains 17 Olavus General of the Scandians 200 Old Castle Isle 31 Oracle feigned by a Monk 44 Oransa Isle 28 29 Oration of Archbishop Kennedy that the Administration of the chief Government is not to be committed to Queen-Mothers 401 c. Orcades Isles 33 Their Description ibid. Writers not agreed about their Number 35 Orca Promontory 21 Ordovices who 109 Original of Letters 38 Orkny the Bishop thereof marries the Queen to Bothwel 199 Orma Isle 37 Orvansa or Oversa Isle 26 Osbreth aids Picts against Scots 172 Overthrown at first but afterwards beats the Scots ibid. Osellius a French Man desirous of Glory 120 Differs with the Scots Nobles but afterwards yields to Them ibid. Osrim Isle 26 Oswald King of Northumberland promotes the Christian Religion 159 Otterborn Fight wherein the English are worsted 318 Oversa Isle 26 Ovia Isle ibid. Otiosi Isle 25 Oxon for Oxonford 8 P PABA Isle noted for Robbery or Piracy 28 29 Pabaia Isle 30 Palladius sent by Pope Celestine into Scotland first sets up Bishops there 145 Pandulphus the Pope's Legat 238 Papa Isles great and small 36 37 Parish Priests and Friars Mendicants the Cause of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline 243 Parricide God suffers not to be unrevenged 184 185 Parsimony the Mother of Health 33 Parsonages Church-Preferments sold 419 Bestowing of them causes Strife 57 Pasly Book or the Black Book of Pasly what 134 Patrick Graham chosen Bishop of St. Andrews by his Canons in the room of Jameâ— Kennedy 411 Made Primate of Scotland by the Pope but obstructed by the Courtiers ibid. He labours to maintain Church-Priviledges 417 Is excommunicated and forced to resign his Bishoprick 418 419 And dies in Prison ibid. Patrick Grey one of those who slew King James III. 433 Patrick Grey committed to Custody 92 Patrick an holy Man sent into Scotland 145 Patrick Blackater flies from the Douglasses 47 He is treacherously slain by John Hume 48 Patrick Hamilton put to death for Religion by the Conspiracy of the Priests 53 Patrick Lindsy sides with the Reformers 132 Goes with the Regent into England 222 Ruven's Magnanimity 181 182 He kils David Rize ibid. He acquaints Murray with the Conspiracy against him 173 Paul Mefane or Meffen Preacher of the Gospel troubled for Religion 123 Harboured by the Inhabitants of Dundee 124 Paulus Orosius quoted 86 Corrected 87 Paul Termes sent with Aid from France to Scotland 110 Peace-downs see Duni Pacis Peace sometimes more dangerous than War 140 112 347 Peace confirmed with an intended Affinity betwixt Scots and English 422 But soon broken ibid. Mediated for by
to be Richard 332 Richard Duke of Gloucester marches with an Army against Scotland 426 Takes Berwick 427 Made Protector of England 428 Casts his Brother's two Sons into Prison and sets up himself King 428 Slain by Henry VII 429 Is very Tyrannical in his Government 434 Richard Duke of York brings King Edward Prisoner to London 396 Slain by the Queen ibid. Richard Colvil put to Death by Douglas 380 Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a very prudent Man mediates for Peace between the two Nations 12 13 An Instrument of James his Marriage with Margarite of England 14 Richard Grafton an English Writer blamed 252 Rins of Galway 14 Rinard Isle 26 Ridhead see Red Promontory Roadilla Monastery 31 Robbers punished 183 189 48 57 Robert Bruce his Genealogy 246 His magnanimous Answer to the King of England 250 Begins his Reign 261 Is overthrown and flies in disguise to save his Life ibid. His Wife imprisoned and his two Brothers put to Death by the English 261 262 He baffles Cumins ibid. Carried sick into his Army 264 Causes Edward of England to retreat ibid. Invades England takes Perth Edinburgh c. 265 Overthrows the English at Bannock near Sterlin 267 Robert the Son of Robert Bruce conspires with John Cumins against England 259 260 Is crowned King 261 Overcomes Edward II. in Battel 267 The Nobles conspire against him 271 Robert II. King of Scots 306 Marries Elizabeth More 307 The Dispute betwixt his Legitimate and his Natural Children occasions great Troubles 350 He invades England 311 His Death and Character 322 Robert III. before called John succeeds his Father 323 His Generals cause the Islanders to destroy one another 324 He makes the first Dukes in Scotland 325 He imprecates God's Iudgments on his Brother and the other Murderers of his Son David 330 He dies with Abstinence and Grief for the Captivity of his Son James in England 331 His Brother Robert made Regent after his Death 331 Robert Boyd kils James Stuart 374 Made Guardian to the King 409 Created Regent 412 Flies into England and dies there 414 Robert Boyd deserts the Reformed and revolts to the Queen 218 Robert Britain hath great Command at Court 56 Robert Cockerane of a Tradesman made a Courtier 420 Taken by Douglas and committed to Prison 424 425 Robert Cuningham of the Family of the Lennoxes opposes Bothwel 195 Robert Douglas desires that the Death of 〈◊〉 Brother Murray might be revenged 249 Robert Earl of Fife 315 Starves to Death David the King's Son 328 Robert Graham a great Enemy to King James 355 Conspires against him 357 Seizes him with his own Hands for which he is executed 358 Robert Maxwel 71 Coming to reconcile Differences is imprisoned by Hamilton 82 Robert the Son of Robert Maxwel taken Prisoner by the English 91 Robert Earl of the Orcades made one of the King's Guardians 407 Robert Petcarn sent Embassador into England 242 Queen Elizabeth's Answer to his Embassy 257 Robert Read sent Embassador into France 63 Poisoned there 122 Robert Semple kils Creighton 111 Bruce's Grand-son by his Daughter rises in Arms for Bruce 293 Made Regent 294 Taken by Baliol and swears Fealty to the King of England 286 Sought for to be slain 292 Roch Isle 26 Roffa for Raufchestria i. e. Rochester 8 Romachus King of Scots 125 Roman Generals in Britain 84 c. Roman Fraud 239 Roman Legates Pick-pockets 243 418 The Jews Apes 381 Romans their memorable Fact in Britain before their Departure 138 Rona Isle 32 Ronanus his Spade ibid. Rolland a Carpenter discovers a Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 Rolland's Valour he overcomes Gilcolumb 246 247 Rose white Badg of the York Faction 7 Ross and its Etymology 21 139 170 Rothsay Castle 25 Rotti Isle 37 Rous-oy 36 Round Isle 26 Roxburgh Town taken 393 Its Castle taken 394 Royalists overthrown in the North 283 Ruby a French Lawyer in Scotland his Character 147 Rudana Isle 27 Rum Isle 28 It abounds with Eggs of Sea-Fowl ibid. Ruven had the Mayoralty of Perth taken from him by the Cardinal 92 S SAcred or Cleirach Isle 31 Sacred Sanctuary 25 Saga Isles the Great and the Small 30 Saliar Verses not easy to be understood 44 Salii who 44 Salisbury Earl commands the English in Scotland 297 Taken Prisoner 300 Salmon Fishing Aberdene famous for it 19 Sanachies who 39 Sancterr Isle 37 Sanda Isle 25 Scandians who 200 Satrael King of Scots 117 Slain ibid. Saturnals old Feasts retained 239 Saxe or Rock Isle 26 Saxons kill the English Nobles by Treachery 70 Overcome by the Normans 71 Worsted by Picts Scots and Brittons 149 Cruel in Wars 146 Not faithful in Peace 148 Their Fight with three Kings 148 149 Scalpe Isle 28 30 Scarba Isle 25 Schan Castle 31 Schanny Isle 25 27 Schetland Isles 36 The Nature of their Inhabitants 37 The greatest of them called Pomona ibid. Sclata or Sleach Isle 25 Scoff sharp given to Bothwel by a Tradesman 194 Schools publick erected by James 345 Scorpions i. e. Cross-bows 311 Scotland how divided 13 Where narrowest 20 Had anciently learned Monks 169 Scots their fabulous Original 46 47 Scots and Picts unite against the Romans 134 Scots and Brittons overthrown by the Saxons 157 Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England 160 Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons 146 Scots Monks preach the Gospel in Germany 165 Scots have hard Terms of Peace imposed upon them by the English 173 Scots Bishops freed from the Iurisdiction of the English 234 411 Scots have an ancient Priviledg not to be cited to Rome 241 Scots excommunicated by their Ecclesiasticks 243 Excommunicated again but absolved 272 273 Scots join with the French against England 253 Scots receive a great Overthrow from Edward of England at Falkirk 256 Obtain a Truce from him ibid. Rise in Arms again and overthrow the English at Rosline 258 Scots make a League with the French 273 When their first Alliance with France began 165 Scots of Jerna and Scots of Albion 52 Scots overthrown by Maximus the Roman General and banished out of their Country 124 March into England but retreat again 91 Scots Nobles some rise against James IV. but are quelled 3 Scots Nobles anciently had Skill in Chirurgery 28 Scots complain of the French Breach of Faith by their Embassadors 60 Scots Prisoners released at London 74 Scotish Parliament demolishes all Monasteries 152 Scotish Crown ordered to be sent to the Dolphin of France 126 Scotish Kings anciently travelled over their Kingdoms themselves to administer Iustice 123 Scoto-Brigantes in Claudian to be read for Scuta-Brigantes 76 Scroop an English General in Scotland 256 Sea-Calves 29 Sea-Monks an ill boding Fish 175 Security dangerous in War 172 173 Seditions perillous 141 309 Secla or Seil Isle 25 Seneciones who 39 Seuna Isle 30 Severn River 13 Severus his Wall 8 148 His Expedition against the Brittons 117 118 Seuna or Suin Isle 25 30 Servanus 145 Shevi Isle 30 Sheep fair yet wild in Hirta Isle 30 Their Fat good
the Picts w Wherein Angusianus was slain But 〈◊〉 Murderd afterwards by two Picts inbornâ—d by 〈◊〉 * Maximus a Roman General in Britain z Roman◠〈◊〉 Picts 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 by Maximus and Eugenius slain b Maximus at first using his Victory moderately yet afterwards at the instigation of the Picts c He banisht the Scots out of all Britain upon pain of Death and give away their Lands a The Eâ—iled Scots endeavouring to recover their Country are worsted by their Enemies b And forced to make Peace with the Râ—mans b And forced to make Peace with the Râ—mans Which they obtain from Maximus on moderate Conditions d Victorinus sent from Rome to Govern Britain e Who incensed the Picts by his Tyrannick Government over them f The Picts repent of their Conjunction with the Romans to Root out the Scots and also of the Persecution of the Monks being of the same Reâ—â—gion with themselves g They send to recal Fergus a Scottish Exile from Scandia to take the Regal Government upon him h The Scots and Picts unite against the Romans then brought low by their own Civil Dissensions * A Parchment Chronicle of Scotish Affairs written by the Monks of the Abby of Pasley a Town and Abby situate not far from Glascom in the Baâ—ony of Renfrew called from its Cover The Black Book * Fergus prepares for War * The Brittons send for Aid to the Romans and receive one Legion * Who repulsed their Enemies and return * The Brittons receive another Auxiliary Legion of the Romans under Maximianus * Dionethus a Britton * Maximianus overcomes Fergus King of Scots 〈◊〉 King of Picts and Dionethus * The Two Fergus's compared * The Roman Legion leaves Britanny to maintain their Empire at home * Graham's Dike a The 〈…〉 by the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the Râ—mans b A Peace made betwixt the Scots and Picts of the one part and the Brittons on the other * Tithes for Ecclesiasticks * Peace sometimes more dangerous than War * Famine the forest of Evils c New occasions of Dissention between the Scots and Brittons d Whereupon the Brittons Arm. Tho dâ—ssuaded therefâ—om by Conanâ—s their Countrymâ—n f Who is 〈…〉 g A terrible Fight between the Scots and the Picts and the Brittons h Wherein the Brittons are overthrown i And have 〈◊〉 Conditions of Peace imposed on them k The Brittons make Constantine King who was soon after slâ—in by Vâ—rtigern * Luxury the usual Companion of Peace l Vortigern having slain Constantine's Heir makes himself King of the Brittons m He sends for Aid to Hengist the Saxon by whose help he repels the Scots Picts * The Character of King Eugenius * Dongard an opposer of the Pelagian Heresy n Pope Celestine sends Paâ—ladius and other Learned Monks into Scotland * Or St. Mungo o Palladius first institutes Bishops in Scotland which before was governed by Monks with less splendor but more Piety * Vortigern deposed and Vortimer made King of the Brittons who concludes a Peace with the Scotâ— Picts p Constantineâ— wicked Reign q And violent Death r Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons * Aurelius Ambrosius in Britain s Merlin and Gildaâ— When they lived with a Comparison between Them the Formerâ— counteâ— an Impostor the Laâ—er a 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 * Gildas his Prophecies not Genuine * Gildas his Death at Glastonbury in England * Informers found dangerous by Experience a Goranus persuades Lothus King of the Picts and Vter King of the Brittons to join with the Scots and break with the Saxons b By the joint Confederacy of those three Kings the Saxons are worked c The Story of Vter and of Arthur his Son Kings of the Brittons c Arthur takes London and York from the Saxons d The Licentious rather than Religious Observation of the Day of Christ's supposed Nativity called Iuletide The Scots Picts and Brittons overthrow the Saxons g And at last drive them out of a great part of Britain h Competitorship between Modredus and Constantine for the Kingdom after 〈◊〉 Death i Arthur's Character k The People by the Instigation of Donald of Athol Murder Toncetus and after that the King Goranus himself l A Prince's example hath a greater influence on his Subjectâ— than his Laws m Columbas's great Authority * War betwixt Scots and Picts * A Fight between the Saxons Scots and Brittons wherein the Brittâ—ns are overthrown a The Scots and Britons overthrow the Saxons * Columb's wonderful Narration of a Victory at a very great distance from him * Ethelfrid routs the Scots being shatter'd afore * Columb's Death b Austin the Monk comes into Britain rather to promote the Ceremonies and Domination of Pope Gregory than to Preach the true Doctrine of the Gospel * A dispute raised about the Observation of Easter-day c Eugenius harbors the fugitive Saxons d Ferchard endeavours to turn limited Monarchy into Tyranny for which he is imprisoned and there lays violent hands on himself e Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms i. e. the Deiri Inhabiting on this side Tine and the Bâ—rnici Inhabiting beyond Tine to Tweed f Apostacy justly punish'd g King Donald repeats and interprets Pious Sermons to his Subjects himself Ferchard's wicked Life and Repentance at his death * Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England * Maldvinus Strangled by his Wife for which Fact she is Burnt â—liâ—e a Egfrid King of Northumberland overthrown by the Scots and Picts b Two Kings very great Theologistâ— c Blood rained down from Heaven for 7 days c. d Amberkelethus slain e Eugenius like to suffer for the supposed Murther of his Queen f He first appoints the Acts of Kings to be Registred in Monasteries * A Town in the East part of Strachern near Fife g An Abby not far from Wigton in Galway * Donald a great Plunderer * Donaldus slain by Bugâ—nsus * Eugenius slain by his Nobles for his vitious Life h Fergus for his Adulteries slain by his Wife who to avoid punishment â—illâ— her Self * One Donald calls himself King of the Aebudae * Donald slain * War between the Scots and Irish. * Which is soon composed i Achaius the first of the Scots Kings that enters into a Friendship with France k Learned Men sent for out of Scotland by Charâ—es the Great as Iohannes Scotus c. * Who Preach the Doctrine of Christiâ—nity in Germany l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots * Hungus his Visiâ—n upon his Prayeâ— to God * Athelstan overthrown and slain * 〈…〉 Andrew * Hungus's Death * Dongal drowned * Wars between the Scots and Picts * King Alpin overthrown in Battel by the Picts and slain * Kenneteus by a witty Invention engages his Nobles to make War upon the Picts * The Picts being deserted by the English receive a great overthrow
the Fifth to Scotland to sâ—iâ— them up to War against England Berwick Castle surprised by Ramsay but regain'd by Percy Iames the First Earl of Douglas enters England with an Army * In Cumberland A Pestilence in Scotland Talbet overthrown in Scotland A Truce between the Scots and English for three Years Quatuor nummos Angâ—â—coâ— A Rising of the Commons in England at the Instigation of Iohn Baâ— a Priest Lancaster the English Embassador in Scotland denied entrance into Berwick Loch-Maban Castle taken by the Scots unbar surprizes the Governor of Roxburg Lancaster enters Scotland He favours the Edinburgers But is put to a Retreat Douglas prevails in Scotland he dyes and his Son William succeeds him A Truce made for a Year between French English and Scots which the French were to acquaint the Scots with The English enter Scotland before Notice is given them of a Truce made Some Scots Nobles also invade England before the Truce is Proclaimed Richard II. enter'd Scotland with an Army Whereupon the Scots enter England They both return home The French and Scots quarrel â—bout the Bears Skin before he was catcht French Soldiers more licentious than Scots or English which occasions a disgust betwixt them The French Army leaves Scotland but their General is retain'd to satisfy damages Nov. 1. Will. Douglas sails into Ireland And takes Dundalk * A Town on the North side of the Nith a Mile about Drumlanerick in Nithisdale * A Sea Town in the County of Louth and Province of Vlster in Ireland And returns from thence The Scots enter England 〈◊〉 Against the mind of Robert and his Son Aug. â— An English Spy in the Scots Army discovered The Scots Army divide themselves to attack England Douglas in Northumberland encountred by Percy A Duel between Earl Douglas and Earl Percy The Scots march to Otterborn A terrible Fight between the Scots and English under Percy and Douglas Hart slain And Douglas mortally Wounded His Three last dying Requests Ralfe Pâ—rcy 〈…〉 The English overthrown Lindsay takes Redman Prisoner and releases him on his Parol Courtesy to Prisoners The ancient punishment of Prisoners not returning upon their Parol The Bishop of Durham comes too late to Assist Percy The Bishops Forces terrified with the Sound of Horns and Retreat Lindsay's Kindness to Redman requited by him Ralfe Percy released on his Parol Henry Percy Ransomed Douglas buried at Mulross Both the Scots Armies lament Dougâ—aâ— Iuly 21. Robert Earl of Fife made Governor of Scotland Earl Marshal vaunts over the Scots Whereupon Robert enters England and returns with a great Booty A Peace between France and England Robert assents thereto on his own Head * Lying on the River Irwin Apr. 19. Roberts Death and Character Alexander Earl of Buchan burns Elgin Church William Douglas slain at Dantzick by the procurement of Clifford of England * Or Prussias A noted Maâ—t Town of great Trade on the Wesseâ— acknowledge the King of Poland for Protector August 1â— Robert the Third his Name changed from Iohn Duncan Stuart rises in Arms but is suppressed A notable Policy to divide the Islanders and make them Instruments to destroy one another which takes effect accordingly Dukes First made in Scotland E. Douglas refuses that Title Richard the Second of England resigns his Crown and Hen. the Fourth succeeds him Difference in Scotland occasioned by the Marriage of the King's Son Dunbar joyns with Percy and infests Scotland Standing upon Tine 3 Miles below Hadington The Death of Archibald Douglas August 13. Henry of England Enters Scotland Carries it Moderately And Retreats * A Castle over against Holy-Isle in Northumberland The Scots overthrown by Percy and Dunbar at Homeldon May. 7. Coâ—â—â—aw-Castle besieged by the English but they raise the Siege themselves Arch Bishop Traâ—â—e an observer of Ancient Discipline David after his Mothers decease le ts loose the reins to Licentiousness David most cruelly starved to Death by his Uncle Robert Scituate at the North bottom of Locâ—-Lomond near the Centre of Fife The Governor of Faâ—kâ—and's cruelty to his own Daughter Douglas joyne with Percy against the K. of England Having Performed valiantly in a fight he is taken Prisoner and after ransomed Robert accused for Davids Death Undergoes a partial Tryal and is Acquitted King Robert imprecates God's judgment on the Murderers of his Son Iames the K. Son for security sent into France but Landing in England is detained There Dispute 〈◊〉 King 〈…〉 concerning the Detention oâ— Diâ—mission oâ— Iames. Iames well Educated in England yet his Captivity breaks his Fathers Heart April 1. Robert's Death and Character Robert his Brother made Regent Percy overthrown and flies to Scotland Henry of England invades Scotland Dunbar returns to Scotland Percy betrayed by Rokesby his pretended Friend and put to Death A Supposititious Prince Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth near St. Ebâ—s Head in the Merss A County lying on 〈◊〉 River Stâ—aâ—-Bogy 40 〈…〉 Aâ—â—rdeen * In Murray A Cruel Fight between Donald and the Governour The Erection of St. Andrews University March 21. Henry the 4 th Dyes and Henry the 5 thâ—â—â—â—ceeds â—â—â—â—ceeds 〈◊〉 Percys Posterity restored to their Dignity Council of Constance send Ambassadors to Scotland so doth Peter Lune Anti-Pope The King of France distracted Divisions in France A County of France lying on the River Carus The French King craves Aid of the Scots which is sent him under the Command of the Earl of Buchan The Scots Auxiliaries Land in France Is overthrowâ— by them And slain Buchan made Lord High Constable of France September 3. Robert dies and his Son Murdo made Governor of Scotland Buchan returns to Scotland but is recalled to France Douglas made Duke of Turein Earl of Bedford sent by Henry into France who carries with him Iames I. King of Scotland A Chief Town of the County oâ— Bâ—â—e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A Chief Town of the County oâ— Bâ—â—e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A large Country about Orleanâ— on the 〈◊〉 The Scâ—ts overthrown in Fâ—ance 〈…〉 English and their Chief 〈…〉 Reflections on some English Writers Fond Indulgence to Children justly punished in a Father The Scots send for King Iames the First out of England Who returns upon a Ransom May 27. April 20. 〈…〉 Scotlâ—nd â—bout 〈…〉 The King remits one halfe of his Ransom-Tax Several Scots Nobles imprisoned Others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Murdo brought to his Trial. The Ancient manner of Trying Nobles in Scotland Murdo c. found Guilty and Beheaded Embassadors from France to Scotland about Peace and a Marriage K. Iames the First his prosperous Beginnings Free 〈◊〉 punished by the King Alexander the Islander â—iseâ— in Armâ— But is suppressed * Easter And submits to the Kings Mercy Donald Bâ—lâ—ck makes an Insurrection But is quelled Tories fall out among themselves Mackdonald a Free-booter His Cruelty to a Woman Retaliated on himself and his Followers Donald's
Head sent to the K. from Ireland The King reforms Publick Manners He also rectifies Weights and Measures His Queen brings forth Twins Doâ—glaâ— and Kennedy released from Prison He reforms the Ecclesiasticaâ— Estate Which was Wofully degenerated and corrupted He Erects Publick Schools and is present himself at their Disputations Parish Priests and Begging Friers the Causes of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline with the Manner how King Iames aims to prefer only Worthy Persons to Benefices and Church Preferments He invites Tradesmen out of Flanders Luxury and Prodigality the trust of Idleness Robert and Murdo affect the Throne Murdo and his Sons put to Death The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his Exploits Exceptions taken against Iames. A Castle standing upon the Tâ—ne 3 Miles below Hadington The Dispute between Robert's Legitimate and Natural Children occasion great Troubles The Earl of Athol's Ambition A Town of Normandy in France Plots against Iames. Upon the Account of Wardships c. Embassadors from France and England to Scotland The Scots joyn with the French against England Iames Marries his Daugâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 oâ— France and sends her thither A Stately City on the Lâ—â—r The English Writers imputing Perfidiousness to Iames are blamed by this Author and their Reflections upon him Wiped off In Champaign in France A Fight between the Sâ—â—ts and Engâ—ish Iames enters England but retires upon notice of a Conspiracy formed against him by his own Kindred K. Iames Cruelly Assassinated His Death highly lamented with his Laudable Character Earl of 〈◊〉 and other of Iames's Murderers Tortured and Executed Descants upon such severe Executions Marchâ—7 â—7 Alexander Levingston made Regent William Creigton made Chancellor Douglas labours to imbroil things The Râ—gent and Chancellor disâ—gree The Queen by Policie get the Kings Person out of the Chancellors Power * Situate below â—anton Bridge on the Ti ne in 〈◊〉 Lothian The Chancellor highly accused And besieged in Edinburgh Castle The Chancellor craves Aid of Douglas But receives an affronting Answer from him Whereupon he agrees with the Regent And sâ—rrenâ—ers up Edinburgh Castle September 29. Lying on the River 〈◊〉 in Cuningham Iuly 9. Deadly â—ewds The 〈◊〉 of Archibaâ—d Dougâ—as With the Profuseness of his young Heir * Or Lâ—ther a great and ancient Family in Lothian The Queen with her Husband Iames Stuart and others committed to Prison August 2. August 31. But she is Releast again The Aebudians ravage the Continent A Two years Pestilence in Scotland The Râ—gent and Câ—â—â—cellor again Disagree The Chancellor surprâ—zes the Kings Person The Regent being out-Witted by the Chancellor inwardly frets And Meditates a Reconciliation with him His Condescending Haâ—angue to the Chancellor A New Knot of Amity between the Regent and the Chancellor The Miseries of the Commons Occasioned Principally by the Earl of Douglas Where he and his Brother David were slain William Douglas Marries Beatrix his Uncles Daughter The high 〈◊〉 oâ— Thieves Dunbarton Castle twice surprized King Iames being of Age enters on the Government Douglas throws himself at the Kings Feet acknowledges his Offences is Pardoned and Received into Favour The Regent and Chancellor lay down their Offices Douglas by his Power at Court summons them to Appear They excusing themselves are declared publick Enemies * Oâ— Forester In Mid-Lothian two 〈◊〉 West of Edinburgh A Town on the River 〈◊〉 West-Lothian A Castle standing on a Rock lying near the Firth of Forâ—h above Abercorn Creighton late Chancelor defends himself by force Douglas incensed against Creighton's Friends The Clans of the Lindsys and Ogilbys Fight Ian. 24. The Lindsys prevail Iuly 15. Creighton received into Favour and is made Chancellor again Deadly Fewds betwixt particular Persons and Families An Abby in Lennâ—x A Castle standing upon Tine near Hardington Douglas attempts the Levingstons of whom Iames is put to Death c. Creighton sent Embassador to France The Bishop of Glasco frightned by a Voice from Heaven for his wicked Life which does him to Death Iames Kennedy retires from a Corrupt Court Dunbar E. of Murray Dies and Archibald Douglas succeed◠〈◊〉 A Barony â—â—ing on the 〈◊〉 Spey The immoderate Power of the Douglas's eâ—poses them to Envy The Miserable Estate of the Commons under Douglas Mutual Incursions betwixt the Scots and English Or Saâ—s The English overthrown by the Scots A Truce between the Scots and English Iames Married to Mary of Gelderland Colvil put to Death by Douglas Douglas goes vain-gloriously in a year oâ— Iubilee to Rome In his absence his Enemies sue him and 〈◊〉 Damages for wrongâ— received Which are answered out of his Estate Douglas at his return from Rome received into Favour And made Regent Douglas gives Iames new occasion of Suspicion Douglas design against Creighton's Life 〈◊〉 deâ—ends himself 〈…〉 Douglas joyns with Craford and Ross. He provokes the King In the Case of Herris And Macklan Douglas on safe Conduct comes to Court Where the King Stabs him with his own Hand Mâ—rch 27. Whereupon the rest of the 〈◊〉 rise in Arms. The Douglasâ—â— proclaimed publick Enemies Iames Douglas Marries his Brothers Wife A Famine and Pestilence in Scotland Douglas persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King Which he refuses Craford forsakes Douglas and is pardoned by the King Douglas applys to England for Aid but in vain Hâ—milton 〈◊〉 Douglas * Standing upon Nâ—â—th-Esk in Mid-Lâ—thiâ—n 4 Miles above Daâ—keith Iune 5. Douglas joyns with the Enlish and then with Donald the Islander Douglas's Wife forsakes him and 〈◊〉 to the King Lying on the River Spâ—â— So doth Donald's Wiâ—e too In Mid-Lothian Thornton put to death for Murder The death of Will. Creightoâ— A Party of English worâ—â—ed in Scotland Donald the Islander submits to the King The English Nobles crave Aid of Iames against Henry their King He marches to their Assistance but is diverted by a Counteâ—feit Leâ—at from Rome Iames takes Roxborough Town And besieges the Castle Where he is casually slain The Queen shews Herself a virago immediately after her Husbands Death Roxburgh Castle Surrendred and Demolisht Iames II. his Character Iames III. begins his Reign about 7 years of Age. Henry of Enggland taken Prisoner by the Duke of York York overthrown by the Queen So is Warwick The Queen overthrown and flies witâ— her Husband into Scotland Berwick surrendred to the Scots by King Henry Henry's Queen sues for Foreign Aid * Or Renny Which having obtained 〈◊〉 enters Scotland and England again Holy-Isle seven miles South-East of Berwick on the Coast of Northumberland Henry's Army overthrown at Hexham Alnwick Castle besieged and Douglas's gallantry in bringing off the Garison Henry of England taken Prisoner and his Queen 〈◊〉 Disputes in the Assembly of Estates about the Regency Which the Queen claimâ— But Kennedy and Douglas oppose A Truce for a Month betwixt the Parties The Commonalty dislike the Queens Regency The Queens Plea for the Regency Kennedys Grave and Prolix Oration in Answer thereunto Queen of Palmira a City in Syria now called Faid
Death * Bothwel outlawed †Ianuary 26. ‖ Lent observed on a Politick not Religious Account * Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox returnâ— out of France after twenty two Years Exile †Henry Stuart his Son comes out of England and is in great Favour with the Queen ‖ The Story of David Rize * In Prâ—vence situated on the Mediterranean-Sea at the foot of the Alps which divides France from Italy near Villa-Franca †Rize his Politick Court to Henry Stuart Lord Darnly Bothwel avoids his Trial. Various Disputes concerning the Queen's marriage with Darnly * Viz. Reformed The Queen actually Marries Henry Lord Darnly Which disgusts many of the Nobility A Politic Maxim both Prudent and also Equitable * A Town standing on the West-side of Clyde 2 Miles above Bothwel-Bridg The Nobles that rose up in Arms are quelled Rize persuades the Queen to cut off some of the Scotish Nobility and to entertain Foreigners as a Guard to her Person The Queen after her hasty Marriage is assoon alienated from the King who at the instigation of Rize is plausibly dismist from Court * Or Pebils * A Castle on North-Esk two Miles above Dalkâ—ith in Mid-Lothian with the demesnes thereof The King being 〈…〉 made sensible of Rizes scandalous Familiarity with the Queen resolves to destroy him The Peremptoriness of Rize ‖ Or President Articles of Agreement betwixt the King and the Nobles for the destruction of Rize c. Rize haled from the Table as he was at Supper with the Queen and slain Damiot's warning to Rize to get him packing out of Scotland which he scornfully rejected Ruven's memorable Speech to the Queen on the occasion of Rize's Death The King takes Rize's Death upon himself †The banished Nobles offer themselves to their Trial. ‖ Rize's Body buried by the Queen's Order in the Sepulchres of the Kings of Scotland * A Proclamatiâ—â— against Rize's Murderers †The Queen delivered of King Iames the Sixth * The Queen disgusts her Husband and favours Bothwel †In Clackmannan-shire on the North side of the Forth below Sterlin ‖ Bothwel wounded by an High-way-Pad †In Liddisdale †A Castle in Mid-Lothian * The Queen falls sick yet continues to flight the Applications of her Husband to her * She meditates a Divorce Strange Disrespect to the King at the Baptism of his own Son Thereupon he withdraws from Court Is poisoned but overcomes 〈◊〉 by the Vigour of his Youth The Story of the Infernal Design to destroy Henry Stuart King of Scotland agitated and complotted with the Series of its Procedure The King strangled And then the House wherein he was blown up with Gunpowder ‖ The Bishop of St. Andrews shrewdly suspected about the King's Death The Assassiâ—â— do falsly impute the King's Murder to Murray and Morton The English inflamed against the Scots upon hearing the horrid Murder of their King Prodigies accompanying the King's death Bothwel designs to destroy Murray The Assassination of the Scots King odious to all Nations Bothwels Mock-Trial for the King's Murder before the Earl of Argyle A Proclamation published for a Blind to discover the King's Murderers The bold Speech of a Taylor The Queen solicitous to procure the Government of Edinburgh-Castle into her own Hands The Earl of Lennox first publickly accuses Bothwel of the King's Murder * April 15. Whereupon a Court is hastily summon'd By which Bothwel is acquitted tho but Conditionally Bothwel challenges his Accusers Bothwel procures a Schedule from some of the unwary Nobility incouraging his Marriage with the Queen Which some of them afterwards retract The Queen to be sâ—emingly surprized by Bothwel in order to her Marriage with him The Water of Almond divides Mid-lothian from West-lothian in Linlithgo-shire Bothwel actually surprizes the Queen And is divorc'd from his former Wife for Adultery Ecclesiasticks backward to publish the Bans or to celebrate the Marriage between the Queen and Bothwel Yet at last the Bishop of Orkney marries them The French Embassador refuses to come to the Wedding ☜ Even the Vulgar dislike the Queen's Marriage Politic Instructions to the Bishop of Dunblanâ— to excuse the Queen's hasty Marriage at the French Court. The Queen frames an Association for the Nobility to subscribe Which the Earl of Murray refus'd to do And therefore departs the Land A contrary Association entred into by several of the Nobility to preserve the young King The Queen escapes from the associated Nobles in Mans Apparel And arms against them A State Maxim irrefragably true Both Armies ready to ingage Monsieur Crock the French Embassador mediates for a Peace But not prevailing he withdraws himself Bothwel's daring Challenge answered But the Queen forbids the Duel The Queen's Army refuses to fight * In Fife Whereupon Bothwel flies and the Queen is taken Prisoner The Bishop of Dunblane chouzed in his Embassy to France Wondrous Discoveries concerning the King's Murder in Bothwels Cabinet of Letters The Queen pitied in her Distress The Hamiltons stir in her behalf Governours appoinetd for the young King by the Queen her self The Earl of Murray returns from Travel And is chosen Regent Iohn Knox preaches a Sermon at the Coronation of K. Iames the 6 th The Coronation-Oath taken by Proxies by reason of the King's Minority Bothwel flies to the Northern Isles and from thence to Denmark Where he is imprisoned and dies Distracted The Queen's Party of which the Hamiltons were the chief design Her Deliverance out of Durance * In Strath-â—arn The Regent remarkable Speech and Resoluâ—ioâ— An Embassador from France The Queen escapes out of Prison and gathers Forces against the Regent The French Embassador busy betwixt the Parties * Two Miles South of Glasgow A Fight between the Royalists and the Queen's Forces Wherein the Queen is overthrown and flies for England The French Embassador sculks away after the Fight In Clydsdalâ— Queen Elizabeth of England doth in part adopt the cause of the Scots Queen Whereupon the Regent with some others meet the Queen of England's Commissioners at York to debate Matters George Buchanan accompanies the Regent into England A Plot to cuâ— off the Regent in his Journy Disputes between the Commissioners of both Sides Upon their Disagreement Queen Elizabeth avokes the Cause to London Commissioners sent to London by the Regent Maitland not true to the Regent The Regent himself comes to London The Queen of Scots endeavours to raise Commotions in Scotland in the Regent's Absence The Regent manages his Accusation against the Queen and her Party To the convincement of the Queen of England and her Privy-Council 〈◊〉 acquitted from Guilt by the Queen of Scots's Commissioners themselves Iames Hamilton returns from France and labours to embroil things in Scotland hoping thereby to get the Regency from Mâ—rray The Queen of England tampered with by the Hamiltonians to make Hamiâ—ton Regent The Royalists answer their Reasons in a large discourse The Cruelty of Robert against his Brother's Children Laodice's Unnaturalness towards her own
fear of Mackbeth had fled into the Aebudae was with great facility declared King for he had promised all the Islands to Magnus King of Norwey if by his Assistance he might enjoy the Kingdom of Scotland And in this his Obtainiâ—g of the Kingdom those were most assistant to him who did falsely accuse the former King for corrupting the Discipline of his Ancestors and withal who stomached that the Banished English should enjoy the Estates of Scots in Scotland Edgar in such a suddain Mutation of things being afraid and solicitous for his Sisters Children which were yet but young caused them to be transported to him into Englâ—nd But this Piety of the Good Man was calumniated by some For Orgarus an Englishman seeking to curry favour with King Rufus accused him that he had secretly boasted That he and his Kindred were Lawful Heirs of the Crown The Accuser was not able to make good his Allegation by any Witnesses and therefore the Matter was adjudged to be decided by a Duel wherein the Accuser was overcome by another Englishman who offered him the Combate instead of Edgar who was now grown old and also sickly All good Men who had a Veneration for the Memory of Malcolm and Margaret hated Donald who by Foreign Aid in Conjunction with those of his own Faction had seized on the Kingdom And he by his Rashness did much increase the Hatred conceived against him and by severe Threats which he uttered amongst his Familiars against the Nobles who would not Swear Allegiance to him And therefore they sent for Duncan a Base-born Son of Malcolm's who had served long with Credit in the Wars under William Rufus to oppose Donald At his coming many revolted from Donald so that he was diffident of his own State and therefore fled into the Aebudae about six months after he had Usurped the Throne Duncan The Eighty Eighth King NEither did Duncan Reign long for he being a Military Man and not so Skilful in the Arts of Peace carried it more Imperiously than a Peaceable and Civil Government required so that he quickly fell into the hatred of the Major part of his Subjects When Donaldus who observed all his motions heard thereof in his Banishment he corrupted Macpendir Earl of Mern and by him caused Duncan to be slain in the night in Monteath a year and six months after he began to Reign As for Donald he governed a troublesom Kingdom for about three years Good Men rather tolerating him for want of a better than approving him The English on the one side and the Islanders on the other in his time much molested Scotland The Envy also against him was heightned in that Magnus King of Norwey had seized on the Western Islands which though he seemed to have done by Force yet all Men smelt out the Cheat in regard Donald did not so much as stir at so great an Affront And at last the publick Indignation waxed hotter against him when the Vulgar understood That it was done by a Secret Paction and Agreement betwixt him and Magnus Edgar The Eighty Ninth King UPon those Disgusts secret Messengers were dispatched to Malcolm's Son That he would come over and be General in order to obtain the Kingdom and as soon as he appeared upon the Borders they promised to flock in to him And they were as good as their Words For Edgar being assisted with a small Force by Rufus at the instance of Edgar his Uncle had scarce entred Scotland before Donald being forsaken of his Men fled away but being pursued and taken was brought back to Edgar who committed him to Prison where he died soon after Edgar having recovered the Kingdom by the General Suffrage of all the Estates First of all he made Peace with William King of England and he dying without Children he renewed it with Henry his Brother He gave him Maud his Sister to Wife Sirnamed the Good from her Virtuous Manners as I said before By her he had William Richard Eufemia and Maud. Edgar Reigned Nine Years and Six Months in great Peace Reverenced and Beloved by Good Men and so formidable to the Bad that in all his Reign there were no Civil Tumults or Seditions nor any fear of a Foreign Enemy One Monument of his Praise was the Monastery of Coldingham Dedicated to St. Ebb the Virgin which he built in the Seventh Year of his Reign though afterwards it was transferred into the Name of Cutbert Alexander I. The Ninetieth King EDGAR dying without Issue his Brother Alexander Sirnamed Acer or the Feirce succeeded him In the very beginning of his Reign some Youngsters that loved to Fish in troubled Waters imagining that he would be a Peaceable or as they interpreted it a Sluggish King as his Brother was Conspired to take away his Life that so they might Rob and Plunder with more Freedom The Matter being discovered to him he pursued the Conspirators unto the furthest part of Ross When they came to the River Spey they thought to stop the Kings Pursuit by reason of the Rapidness of the River and besides the Kings Friends would not suffer him to enter the River because the Tide coming in they judged it unpassable yet he set Spurs to his Horse and was about to pass over The rest lest they might seem to forsake their King in a Danger so great following him But his own Men as I said drew him back so that he sent over Part of his Army under the Command of Alexander Carron the Son of that Alexander I mentioned before whose Miraculous Boldness in passing the River with his Forces struck such a Terrour into the Enemy that they presently betook themselves to their Heels Many were Slain in the Pursuit their Leaders were then taken or else afterwards brought to the King and were all Hanged up This Expedition procured him Peace even to the End of his Life As he was returning through Mern a Poor Woman met him grievously complaining That her Husband had been scourged with a Whip of Thongs by the Earl of Mern's Son because he had sued him for a Debt The King hearing it presently in great Disdain leapt from his Horse and would not stir from the Place till the Offender had received Condign Punishment Then he went to Envergoury or as some write to Edgar's Town some write That the Sirname of Acer was given him for those Exploits but others say it had a more Tragick Original viz. That some Thieves having corrupted one of his Bed-Chamber were privately admitted thereinto whilst he was asleep and their suddain Rushing in awakening him he first slew his Treacherous Servant and afterwards Six of the Thieves Whereupon an Hubbub was raised in the Court and the rest fled but Alexander pursued them so fiercely that most of them were slain Afterwards he turned his Thoughts to the Works of Peace he built Michael's Church in Scone from the very Ground The College of Priests which was
and Faithful Friend as he thought That he did not want Force both of Scots and English who were ready to assist him to recover his Ancient Patrimony provided that he would joyn in his assistance with them This Ralfe was at that time Sheriff of Yorkshire so they there call the Officer which presides in Chief over Juridical Assemblies He enticed Percy to him upon pretence of giving him Aid and then discovered the Conspiracy to the King Thus his Friend was betrayed by him his Head cut off and sent to the King at London There was also at that time a certain Englishman in Scotland who called himself Richard the Second but I judge falsly For when Percy the Elder did often and earnestly desire to speak with him he would not by any persuasion be induced thereunto fearing as may be guessed left his Imposture might be detected by a Man who so well knew his King Yet he was for some Yearss Treated as one of the Blood-Royal and that he might live more securely he feigned himself most averse from any desire of enjoying the Kingdom But at last he was Buried in the Church of the Franciscan-Fryers at Sterlin The Title of the King of England being inserted in his Epitaph â—ot long after Fastcastle a very Strong Castle as the Name intimates in Merch was taken from the English by Patrick Dunbar Son to George and therein Thomas Holden Governor thereof who had infested all the Neighboring Places of Lothian with his continual Thievery And moreover in Teviotdale William Douglas and Gawin Dunbar youngest Son to the Earl of Merch had broken down the Bridge of Roxburgh and burnt the Town but they attempted not the Castle because they were destitute and unprovided of all things necessary for a Siege But the next Year after which was 1411. Donald the Islander Lord of the Aebudae claiming Ross as the next Heir for so indeed he was as unjustly taken away from him by the Governor when he could get no Right he Levied 1000 Islanders and made a Descent on the Continent and so easily seized on Ross the whole Country being willing to return to the Subjection of their own just Master But this Facility of the Rossians in submitting to him gave him whose Mind was greedy of Prey Encouragement to attempt greater Matters For he passed over into Murray and there being no Force to defend it he reduced it to his Obedience and then passed further in his Depredations into Strath-Bogy and did threaten Aberdeen Against this suddain and unexpected Enemy The Governour gathered Forces but in regard the Greatness and Propinquity of the Danger did not admit the expectancy of slow-paced Aid Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander the Governours Brother and almost all the Nobility beyond the Tay at a Village called Harlaw set themselves and their Men in Battel-array against him The Fight was Cruel and Bloody for the Valour of many Nobles did then contend for Estate and Glory against the Savage Cruelty of the opposite Party At last the Night parted them and it may be rather said That they were Both weary with Fighting than that either Party had the better so that the event of the Fight was so uncertain that when Both sides had reckoned up how many they had lost each counted himself the Conqueror In this Fight there fell so many Eminent and Noble Personages as scarce ever perished in one Battel against a Foreign Enemy for many Years before And therefore the Village which was obscure before grew Famous therefrom even to Posterity This Year also Publick Schools began first to be opened at St. Andrews which was effected rather by the consent of Learned Men who made an overture at the Profession of Science than by the Occasion of any Private or Publick Assistance The next 10 Years there was hardly any Memorable thing acted betwixt the Scots and English either because there was a Truce made which yet Authors are silent in or because Henry the 4 th Dying on the 12 th of the Calends of April and his Son Henry the 5 th presently succeeding him being all the rest of his Life intent on the Affairs of France the English abstained from offering any Injury to the Scots And besides the Governour of Scotland did not dare to stir on his side for fear lest the English should bring back upon them the true Heir of the Crown whom he knew many of the Scots would close with out of the Commiseration of his Misfortunes Therefore what Inroads were made at that time were rather like Robberies than Wars For both Penrith in England was burnt by Archibald Douglas and Dunfrize in Scotland by the English And also there was an Exchange of Prisoners made Murdo the Governours Son taken at Homildon Fight was exchanged for Percy who when his Grandfather's Party was subdued in England was brought into Scotland and left with the Governor But upon the New King 's coming to the Crown he was restored to the Dignity of his Ancestors He though he were not properly a Prisoner by the Law of Arms yet the unjust detention of Iames Son to the King of Scots stopt the mouths of the English that they could not justly complain of any injury in the Case As for Percy himself he was so far from resenting it that as long as he lived he acknowledged the Civility and great Friendship of the Scots to him in all kind of mutual Service Moreover the same Year another Embassy came from the Council of Constance the Head whereof was the Abbat of Pontiniack and another from Peter Lune who had seized on the Papacy and as pertinaciously kept it He by Henry Harding an English Franciscan had wrought over the Governor to his Party but in vain for the whole Body of the Priesthood was against him for they having assented to the Council of Constance had subscribed to the Election of Martin the Fifth In the mean time the King of France by means of a violent Disease fell besides himself and his Distemper was encreased by the Monks who pretended to Cure him By which means France was divided into Two Factions The Head of the One was the Duke of Burgundy who having slain the Kings Brother drew him to the English Party The Head of the Other was the Kings Son who being disinherited by his distracted Father was called by his Enemies in a jeer the King of Berry because he usually kept himself at Burges in Berry a Town of the Bernois He being forsaken by a great part of his own Country Men and destitute also of Foreign Aid in the Year 1419. sent the Earl of Vendosme his Ambassador to the Scots to demand Aid of them according to the League made betwixt the Two Nations The Assembly of the Estates ordered him Seven Thousand Men and indeed at that time in regard the Soldiers were increased by reason of the long
same Voice was heard louder than before which struck all there present into a Great horror Afterwards when it sounded again more terribly and frightfully than before The Bishop gave a great groan put out his Tongue and was found Dead in his Bed This so evident an Example of God's Vengeance as I shall not rashly credit so I have no mind to refute yet it being deliver'd by others and constantly affirmed to be true I thought good not to omit it At the same time Iames Kennedy One of a far different Life and Manners as referring all his Counsels to the Good of the Publick when neither by his Authority nor Counsel he could resist the daily new-springing Evils of his Country and seeing likewise That the Kings Power was not able to oppose the Conspiracies of Wicked men he left all his Estate for a Prey and shifted for himself Neither in these Domestick Miseries were Matters much quieter abroad When the Truce made with the English was expir'd the Scots made an Inrode into England and the English into Scotland and where-ever they went they wasted all with Fire and Sword in England Alâ—wick was taken and burnt by Iames Brother to the Earl of Douglas In Scotland the Earl of Salisbury did the like to Dunfreiz and the Earl of Northumberland to Dunbar great Booties of Men and Cattel were driven away on Both sides But the Commanders agreed amongst themselves that the Prisoners should be exchang'd for they were in a manner equal both for Number and Degree By these Incursions the Country was depopulated and yet the main chance of the War not concerned so that a Truce was again accorded for 7 Years In this state of Affairs Iames Dunbar Earl of Murray departed this Life he left two Daughters his Heiresses the Eldest of them was Marry'd by her Father before his Death to Iames Creighton The Younger after her Fathers decease marry'd Archibald Brother to the Earl of Douglas He against the Laws and the Custom of his Ancestors was called Earl of Murray so superlative was Douglas's Power then at Court neither was he contented with this Accession of Honour but that he might further propagate the Dignity of his Family he caus'd his Brother George to be made Earl of Ormond his Brother Iohn had many fair and fruitful Farms and Lands bestowed upon him and was also made Baron of Balvany against the mind of many of his Friends who had in Suspicion the Power of that Family too great before that it would be at last formidable even to the King himself yea they imagined that these immoderate Accessions Frolicks of Fortune would not be long-lived But his Enemies did as invidiously as they could inveigh against This unsatiable Ambition for who say they could safely live under the Exorbitant rule of such a Tyrant for whose Avarice nothing was enough and against whose Power there was no Safeguard who right or wrong invaded the Patrimony of the Nobles and expos'd the Countrymen to be a Prey to his Tenants and those who oppos'd his Lust he caus'd them by Thieves and Cut-Throats either to lose all they had or else to be put to death that he advanced Upstarâ—s to high Honours whom he grafted on the ruin of Noble Families so that all the Power of the Kingdom was now brought into one House besides many Knights and Barons there were five Opulent Earls of the Family insomuch that the King himself did but Reign precariously and men were like to suffer all Extremities under the Cruel Bondage of the Douglas's and he that utter'd the least word tending to Liberty must pay his Life for his Boldness These and other discourses of this kind some true others to create greater Envy stretcht beyond the Lines of Truth were spread abroad amongst the Vulgar which made Those who were of neither Faction to fit loose from the Care of the Publick and every one to mind his own private Concerns The wiser sort of his Enemies were glad to hear that a man of such Power against which there was no making Head should thus voluntarily run headlong to his own Destruction Neither did they presage amiss for his Mind was grown so proud and insolent by reason of his Great Successes that 〈…〉 his Ears against the free Advices of his Friends yea many 〈◊〉 not with any safety dissemble and cover by their silence what they did dislike because he had Parasites which did not only lie at catch for Words but observ'd mens very Countenances As for his old Enemies many of them were hal'd to Judgment before him who was both their Adversary and Judge too so that some of them were outed of their Estates some depriv'd of their Lives and others to avoid his unrighteous and partial Judgment fled out of their Country The men also of Douglas's Faction lived in no Fear at all of the Law for no man durst implead them but letting the Reins loose to all Licentiousness they invaded and made havock of things Sacred as well as Profane Those which were obnoxious to them they slew and kill'd out of the way neither was there any End of their Wickedness sometimes when they had no sufficient Cause to do a man a Mischief they then did it unprovok'd and gratuitously as it were lest thro' disuse of offending any honest and tender Thoughts should arise in their Minds so as to allay their Brutish Cruelty Every one thought himself the noblest and bravest Fellow that could cast the greatest Contumely on the Commons When such great Miseries were diffus'd into so many Parts of the Kingdom Scotland had certainly sunk under the Burden unless England at the same time had been as much embarassed with civil Combustions which at last being somewhat allay'd the English violated their Truce and invaded Scotland When they had runover a great Circuit of Ground and pillaged many Villages They drove away a Vast Number of Cattle and return'd home neither was it long before the Scots cry'd quits with them for they also entred England with a good Force and did the Enemy more Damage than they receiv'd Thus the Minds of Both were irritated by these alternate Plunderings so that a mighty Desolation was made in the Territories of either Kingdom but the greatest share of the Calamity fell upon Câ—mberland which had been the Rise of the Injury and Wrong for that Province was so harassed by the War that it was almost quite destroy'd When this war related at London it occasion'd the English to levy a far greater Army against the Scots for thereby they thought easily to reduce the Country into their Power they being poor and also weakned by Civil Discords Hereupon an Army was rais'd of the Better sort of People and the Earl of Northumberland made their General in regard he knew the Country well and besides his Name and Power was great in those Parts To him they joyn'd one Main of a Knightly Family but who had
Wife from thence and a great Number of Prisoners besides and after he had pillag'd the Church he burnt it with Fire and when the Priests spake to him to deter him from that Sacriledge some of them he slew others he sent away evilly enough intreated Then having wasted the adjacent Countries up and down with Fire and Sword he was returning home with a great Booty but a sudden Tempest arose which sunk many of his Ships and grievously distrest the rest so that he and a Few only of his Followers were rather cast up than landed on the Island of Ila they which superviv'd this Shipwrack thought That this Calamity happened to them by the manifest Anger of the Deity because they had violated the Church of St. Bride and therefore they went bare-footed and cover'd only with a little Linen Garment in an humble manner to carry Gifts to her whom a few days before they had so contumeliously abus'd 'T is reported That from that day forward Donald their Commander fell out of his Wits either for Grief that he had lost his Army and the Spoil or because his Mind though brutish was at length gaul'd with the Conscience of his Irreligious Sacriledge and Contempt of Divine Worship This Misfortune of their Commander occasion'd his Kindred to set the Earl of Athole and his Children at liberty and to come to atone St. Bride with many Large and Expiatory Gifts When the News hereof was brought to Court it broke off their Consultations of making any Expedition against the Islanders The first Tumults being thus appeas'd the Administration of Scotish Affairs was carried on with so much Equity and Tranquillity that the oldest Man then alive never remembred more secure quiet and halcyon days such was the Prudence and Gravity of Iames Kennedy on whose Authority the Court did then principally depend and such the Modesty of the rest of the Nobility who did not grudge to yield Obedience to the Wiser sort For this Iames Kennedy had obtained such Credit by his many Merits and Services to his Country and by his good Offices towards the former King yea he had procured such a real Opinion of his Fidelity in all Matters by reason of the Composedness of his Manners and his near Alliance to the King That the rest of the Kings Guardians which were to succeed one another Two and Two by turns did willingly admit and suffer him when ever he came to Court to be the sole Censor and Supervisor of their Pains and Diligence in that Service By this their Concord the Kings Education was carried on very smoothly and his own Towardliness and Ingenuity making an accession to their Industry all Men conceiv'd great Hopes of him Thus Matters were carried on till about the Sixth year of the Kings Reign There was then at Court Robert Boyd the Chief of his Family who besides his Personal Estate was ally'd to many other Great and Noble Families he had also a Flourishing Stock of Children of his own as Thomas and Robert he had a Brother too named Alexander who was well instructed and vers'd in all good Letters This Alexander at the desire of Iohn Kennedy his Kinsman who by reason of his declining Age was not so fit for Youthful Services and with the consent of the rest of the Kings Tutors or Guardians was preferr'd to the King to teach him the Rudiments of the Art Military in the Knowledge whereof he was esteem'd to exceed all his Equals The Boyds upon the account of these Advantages were not content with that Place and Authority though it were very great and Honourable which they had at Court but further sought to transfer all Publick Offices into their own Family to accomplish which Alexander was desired by them to incline the Kings Favour towards them He having got the King in the Tenderness and Ductility of his Age did so insinuate into him by his Flattering Complaisance that he could do all things with him Being admitted into such private Intimacy and Converse he would oft scatter words before the King that he was now fit to govern himself and that ' was time for him to be emancipated from the servivitude of old Grey-Beards and to maintain a Company of Noble 〈◊〉 Youâ—hs about him that so he might enter on those Studies betimes wherein whether he would or no he was likely to pass the remaining part of his Life Discourses of this kind were easily entertain'd by a Youth unskilful in Matters and in the slippery Part of his Age too which was prone to liberty so that he began to be a little Stubborn and Headstrong against his Governors Some things he would do without their advice and Many against it as seeking an opportunity to be delivered from the severity of those Seniors as from a kind of Bondage and Captivity Whereupon being at Linlithgoe when he went out a Hunting unknown to Kennedy whose turn it was then to wait the old Man being informed thereof went forth to overtake him not far from the Town and having done so he took his Horse by the Bridle and endeavour'd to stop and bring him back alleging that 't was no convenient Time nor was his Company fitting for such an Exercise hereupon Alexander ran in and with the Bow which he had in his Hand struck the old Man a Blow on his Head though he deserv'd better things at his hands Kennedy being thus beat off as a troublesom Hinderer of their Sport they proceed on to the Place they intended they go to Kennedy being wounded returned into the Town And when Robert Boyd came again to Court he did not disapprove what his Brother Alexander had done By this means the Seeds of Enmity were sown between the Two Factions which grew up to the great Detriment of the Kingdom and at length to the total Destruction of One of them The Fewd was first discover'd upon This Occasion The Boyds would have the King remov'd from that place to Edinburgh but Kennedy and his Party would have Sterlin to be the Place of his Residence The Boyds could then do most at Court and so without publick Consent they carry'd the King to Edinburgh there to enter upon the Regal Government The Attendants of the Journy were besides their own Kindred Adam Hepburn Iohn Somerval and Andrew Car all Heads of their respective Families This was acted about the 10th of Iuly in the year 1466. The Kennedies having lost the day in the Dispute departed severally to their own Homes Iohn into Carrick Iames into Fife their minds swelling with Anger and resolving to omit no Opportunity of Revenge The Boyds thus Conquerors not contented with the Wrong they had done sent Iohn an Ape in a jeer for the old Man to play and sport himself with at home thereby upbraiding him as if he had doted for Age. Not long after Iames Kennedy departed this Life maturely enough for himself if we respect his Age but his Death was
so lamented by all good Men as if in him they had lost a publick Father For in that Man besides the Virtues above mention'd there was an high degree of Frugality and Continence at home yet great Splendor and Magnificence abroad He exceeded all former Bishops yea and all those which have sat after him in that See to this very day in Liberality towards the Publick and yet notwithstanding his own Ecclesiastical Revenues were not very great for as yet the Scots had not arrived at that ill Custom of heaping up Steeples upon Steeples nor had learned to spend that worse upon Luxury which was before ill gotten by Avarice He left one Eminent Monument of his Munificence behind him and That was the Publick Schools at St. Andrews which he built with great Expence and endow'd with large Revenues but issuing out of Church Incoms he took order that a Magnificent Monument should be erected for himself therein which yet the Malignity of Men envy'd him for though he had deserv'd so well privately of most Men and publickly of all Men They alleg'd 't was a thing of too much vanity to bestow so much Cost upon a Structure of no Use. His Death made his Virtues more illustrious and increas'd Mens desire after him for when he who was a perpetual Censor and Corrector of Manners was once remov'd out of the way the publick Discipline began by degrees to grow weak and remiss and at last to be so corrupt as to bring almost all things with it self to ruin The Boyds made use of pretences in Law to increase the Domestick Power of their Family and to abate the Potency of their Enemies and first Patrick Graham seem'd most pat for their purpose he was the Brother of Iames Kennedy by the same Mother and was also Cousin by the Mothers-side to Robert Boyd He as the Manner was in those days was Elected Bishop by the Canons in the Room of his Brother Iames but was hinder'd by the Court-Faction from having the Kings leave to go to Rome so that he went privately to the Pope without any Train and so was easily admitted into his Brothers Place for besides the Nobleness of his Stock and the great Recommendation of his high Virtues he was also well Learned as for those times And therefore whilst he staid at Rome fearing the Power of the Adverse Faction The old Controversy concerning the Liberty of the Church of Scotland began to be revived For the Archbishop of York pretended That the Bishops of Scotland were under his Jurisdiction so that he endeavour'd to retain That Power in time of Peace which had been usurped in the Licentious Times of War But a Decree was made at Rome in Favour of the Scots and Graham was not only made Primate of Scotland but also was Constituted the Popes Legat there for Three years to inquire into the dangerous Manners and Conversations of Priests and to restore decayed Ecclesiastical Discipline to its pristine Integrity and State and yet this great Man though so illustrious for Indowments of Mind and Fortune and having also the superadded Authority of the Pope to back him durst not return home till the Power of the Boyds did somewhat decline at Court The Boyds perceiving That the Concourse of the Nobility to them was not so great as they hop'd to avert the Accusations of their Enemies and provide for their own Security for the future cause a publick Assembly or Parliament to be Indicted against the 13th Day of October There Robert Boyd the Elder fell down on his Knees before the King and his Counsellors of State complaining That his Service to the King in bringing him to Edinburgh was ill interpreted and traduc'd by the Malign Speeches of his Adversaries who gave out threatning Words That the Advisers to that Journy should one Day suffer Punishment for the same and therefore he humbly besought the King That if he had conceiv'd any ill will or disgust in his Mind against him for that Journy That he would openly declare it that so the Calumnies of his Detractors might be either prevented or allay'd The King having advis'd a littâ—e with the Lords of the Articles made answer That Robert was not the Adviser of him to that Journy but rather his Companion in it and therefore that he was more worthy of a Reward for his Courtesie than of Punishment for his Obsequiousness and Compliance therein and this he was willing to declare in a publick Decree of the Estates that so all invidious Discourse might be stopt and in the same Decree Provision should be made That that Matter should never be prejudicial to Robert nor his Companions Boyd desired that This Decree might be Registred amongst the Acts of the Assembly and that the same should be confirm'd also by Letters Patents under the Great Seal and accordingly the Decree was presently Registred amongst the Acts and the Letters Patents were deliver'd to him soon after viz. the 25th Day of the same Month. The same Day also the King by advice of his Council gave him other Letters Patents wherein he was Constituted Regent and had the Safety of the King his Brothers Sisters Towns Castles and all the Jurisdiction over his Subjects committed to him till he himself came to 21 Years of Age and he dealt so with the Nobles then present that they solemnly promis'd to be assistant to the Boyds in all their publick Actions and that they would be obnoxious to Punishment if they did not carefully and with Faithfulness perform what they now promis'd To this Stipulation or Promise the King also subscrib'd By this means when the King was their Friend Part of the Nobility in League with them and also the Administration of the whole Government put into their Hands they thought themselves sufficiently secur'd for a long time yea and to lay a Foundation also for the future Greatness of their Posterity they brought it about that Thomas Boyd the Son of Robert should Marry the King 's Eldest Sister That Marriage as it was opulent and seem'd a Prop and Establishment of their Power so it increas'd the Hatred of their Enemies and gave Occasion to variety of Discourse amongst the Vulgar For though by this means all passage to the King's Ear seem'd to be precluded and they alone made the sole Arbiters of his Words and Actions yet they did not flourish so much in Favour at Court as they were prosecuted with publick Hatred abroad which after Four Years Concealment did at last break out to the Destruction of their whole Family and the wiser sort of the adverse Party did not much dislike this their sudden Increase of Honour for they hoped as 't is usual That Arrogance would be the Companion thereof which would not indure a Superior and despise an Equal yea and trample upon an Inferior and when the Bounds of a Subjects Condition are exceeded it also awakens Kings who are impatient of Corrivals to