oppressions not to be so stupid as to endure the Usurped Power of those Men who breaking through all the Laws of God and Man Murthered the last King detaining upon the matter this present King under the bondage of their own Wills which tyranny was so much the rather not to be endured because they arrogated to themselves to be called the Restorers and Preservers of the Scottish Liberties when indeed they exercised a most cruel and unsupportable Tyranny keeping their fellow Subjects in Slavery and abusing the King's Authority to the final destruction of all those who were faithful to his Father and to inflame the affections of the People the more Alexander Forbese chief of that Family carrieth on the point of a Spear through Aberdeen and all the cheif Towns and Cities in the North the King's Shirt torn in divers pieces and all bloody by the Wounds his Majesty received inviting all Men who had any sense of Humanity or Religion to avenge that horrid Murther the Earl of Lennox bestirring himself on this side Forth to the same purpose an Army in this Popular fury rolleth together as in a moment marcheth to Sterlin where finding the Bridge Fortified resolve to Foard over some Miles above where they that night Encamped without Order or Watch or any persons designed for the exercise of Military Discipline This looseness is bewrayed to the Enemy who advanceth Surpriseth all Killeth many and Imprisoneth more some of whom were afterwards put to death Thus was this tumultuary Army as suddenly ruined as raised This Tumult over King Henry of England inraged at the disaster of his five Ships and looking upon it as a publick dishonour propoundeth great Rewards to all such as would undertake to bring to him Wood the Scotch Captain dead or alive Sir Stephen Bull undertaketh the Service and with three choice Ships of the English Navy setteth Sail casts Anchor at the May where he attends Captain Wood then returning from Holland in few days Wood appeareth the Ships draw up and give Fire Fighting bitterly all that day next day morning the Conflict is renewed they Grapple and fasten by Iron Hooks their Ships one to another fighting with that eagerness that none of them perceiving the motion of the Tide all are carried over to the Mouth of Tay where the Water being shallow and the English Ships great and in danger of the Sands the English are forced to yield the Ships are brought to Dundee 10. August 1490. Sir Stephen Bull and other the most eminent Officers and Gentlemen are brought to King James by whom they were Nobly entertained after much commendation of their Valour he grants them their Liberty desiring them to return with their Ships with a tender of his Royal Respects to their Master King Henry King Henry much pleased returneth thanks to King James declaring the great Esteem and honourable Respect he bare to him for his Royal and extraordinary Munificence By this time a Parliament is called in Edenburgh where his Majesty endeavoured by all possible means a Composure of the grand Divisions of the Kingdom some Laws are enacted for preservation of the Peace and the late unhappy Battel nigh Sterlin where the King was Slain is so hudled up that the business of that Day should never after be remembred to the Prejudice of either Parties a very strange Close considering that this Convention was composed most of such as opposed the former King The moderation and discretion of the young King not yet arrived at the Fifteenth Year of his Age was such that a Concord is made up far above all means hope or expectation every man had a dutiful regard to so hopeful a Prince Being thus setled the reflections of his Grace appear daily more evidently towards his Fathers Friends two of his own Cousins Daughters to his Aunt Mary he bestows in Marriage to two Eminent Men amongst them the one Daughter to the Lord Boyd to the Lord Forbese the other Daughter to Earl Hamilton to Mathew Earl of Lennox And to Manifest the deep sense he had of his Father's Fall he begirt himself with an Iron Chain as I have mentioned before which galled the hearts of the Rebellious Faction his pretended Friends more than it did his own Flesh though it made impressions therein deep enough insomuch that Fear more than Love restrained them from breaking out against him About this time a strange Monster was born in Scotland a Male Child which from the Navel downward differed nothing from the common form of other Men but from the Navel upward there were two distinct Truncks of the Body with Head Arms and all other Members as to two several individual Persons the Faces were one towards another what the one did was by the advice and consent of the other and if either transgress'd this Rule Strife arose between them and peradventure Blows oftentimes Scratching Nipping and Pricking one another if they received a Punch or Blow below the Navel both were sensible but if above where their Members were distinct only he was sensible whose parts were touched This Monster King James carefully educated and caused them to be instituted in the knowledg of Letters wherein they marvellously profited especially in the knowledge of diverse Tongues they were most exquisite in Musick and both admired for the sweetness of their voices they lived some twenty eight years the one died before the other some three or four Months by the smell of the defunct body the survivor was much annoyed and daily languished until the hour of his death And about the same time too a Monstrous Cheat came into Scotland and much cherished by the King too Peter Werbeck who pretending himself to be Son to King Edward the Fourth of England happily escaped from the cruel Claws of his Uncle Richard had admittance to King James his presence who behaved himself with a behaviour so beseeming his condition and in a most elocuent Oration did so pathetically deliver himself touching the distress of his Family and his own marvellous preservation that the King and most of his Council though not without the reluctancy of some of the wiser took compassion of him and resenting his condition as the common interest of all Princes with incredible in consideration promise him assistance towards the regaining of his just Rights provoked the rather as was pretended to satisfie such as opposed Peter's design by the breach of Truce made by the English Ships whilst Scotland was gasping under the confusion of a Civil War indeed the late horrid Rebellion in which James the Third perished Peter is highly honoured and exposed to the People by the Title of the Duke of York a most vertuous and beautiful Lady Katherine Daughter to Earl Huntley one of the chief Peers of that Nation is given to him in Marriage an Army is likewise levied and marcheth into England passeth quietly through Northumberland no adverse Army appearing nay nor any one Man coming in to own Peter the pretended
Family of the Guise Widdow of the late Duke of Longoville in Marriage to King James the Marriage is agreed to the Year following she arriveth in Scotland and the Marriage solemnized at St. Andrews 1538. This Year exemplary Justice was done upon divers Persons of Quality conspiring the Death of the King some the Year following were Burnt some Banished for embracing the Protestant Doctrine Preached in Germany by Luther and others James Hammilton the Bastard accused of High-Treason is sentenced to Death his Head and Quarters affixed to publick places in Edenburgh the King soon after thought in his Dream that Hammilton cut off first his right and then his left Arm threatning withal to appear again to take his own Life the King awaking is very much troubled with thoughts of this Dream and revolving with himself what might be the meaning of it a Messenger comes to him with the sad News of the Death of both his Sons at the same time the one at Sterlin the other at St. Andrews King Henry of England sendeth the second time to invite King James to a Conference at York the Scotch Clergy still oppose it and the Conference again refused King Henry in great Indignation against his Nephew for refusal of Conference with him resolveth to talk with him in harder Terms and to that end he raiseth an Army and sendeth it into Scotland and under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk The Scottish Ambassadors in vain intreating a Cessation King James prepares a considerable Army for defence the English enter into Scotland and after some mischief done at the approach of the Scotch Army they retreat the Lord Gordon marcheth before the main body with Ten thousand Men doing much hurt and annoyance to the Rear of the English Army King James with all earnestness presseth an Engagement with the English the Nobility peremptorily oppose him in it the King enraged upbraideth them with Cowardise unworthy to be owned as Sons of their Noble Ancestors vowing that though they should all desert him himself and his own Family alone should give the Enemy Battel The Lord Maxwell to pacify the King tendereth his Service to lead into Cumberland Ten thousand Men thereby to divert the Enemy The King accepteth his Service but being enraged against the whole Nobility he resolves that none of them should have the Honour of any thing done in that Expedition and for the cause giveth a Dormant Commission to Oliver Sinclare Brother to the Lord Roslin Having entred Cumberland and now in view of Five hundred English Horse Sinclare produceth his Commission it is read at the head of the Army Maxwell is thereby inraged the whole Army falleth in Mutiny and in such a confusion that they become a Prey to the Five hundred English Horse divers of the Nobility and the new General Sinclare are sent Prisoners to the Tower of London this dishonourable Disaster which hapned at Solway strikes the Valorous King with such grief and sorrow that he never after joyed but soon after departed this Life having first made Peace with King Henry at whose request he recalled Archibald Earl of Angus Thus dyed King James the Fifth a Prince of singular Endowments most patient of Cold Hunger and Travel sometimes setting on Horseback Twenty Four hours when the necessity of his affairs required it a great Justitiary and a person of singular Foresight and Wisdom THE LIFE OF QUEEN MARY QUeen Mary was the only Child James the Fifth her Father left to Inherit the Crown born to him not above eight days before his death James Hammilton Earl of Aran is therefore chosen Vice-Roy to whom King Henry of England sent his Ambassador Sir Radolph Sadler to procure Peace between the two Kingdoms and to demand Mary in Marriage to his Son by the influence of the late Prisoners in England especially the Exiled Dowglasses whom King Henry had wrought much to his Service by his Royal Favours whose Counsels were now very prevalent in the management of publick affairs both were assented the Contract of Marriage Signed and Pledges promised for better performance of all Conditions agreed upon notwithstanding of the Opposition of the Queen and Cardinal who fearing the Subversion of Popery still established in that Kingdom by this agreement endeavour what they can to cross all Tumults are stirred against the English Ambassador and daily Affronts put upon his Attendants in the Streets the Ambassador complaineth and demandeth the Pledges promised for confirmation of the Agreement lately made exemplary Justice is executed upon the chief movers in the Tumults in answer to this Complaint but the Cardinal by the influence of his power had so obstructed the matter of his demand that not one of the Nobility would yield up himself voluntarily a Pledge to the English and to such a business none could be compelled King Henry hereby provoked seiseth all the Scottish Ships in the English Havens and Harbours and proclaimeth War against the Scots in the mean while the Queen Mother sendeth to France to entreat the French King to send home Matthew Earl of Lennox to strengthen her against the English Faction otherwise Religion and the French League were like to come to nothing Lennox is sent home and forthwith levieth Four Thousand men and with this strong guard cometh to the Queen the Vice-Roy inferior in Power sends Commissions to treat for Peace by agreement the young Queen is committed to the Education of Four Indifferent Noble Men ingaged in neither Faction viz. the Lords Graham Areskin Lindsay and Leviston and accordingly they take charge of her at Sterlin where all the Nobility do Homage to her The Vice-Roy joyneth himself wholly to the Cardinal which Conjunction so inrageth Lennox that immediately he flyeth to Arms raiseth an Army marcheth to Leith and provoketh the Cardinal to Fight the Cardinal keeps himself close in Edenburgh Castle Lennox through want of Provisions is forced to withdraw and to put himself in a posture of Defence in and about Glascow King Henry hearing of these Stirs sends into Scotland to demand the custody of the young Queen until she came to years fit for Marriage The French Faction now prevailing his Demands are refused An Army is therefore forthwith sent into Scotland under the Conduct of the Earl of Hereford and a great Navy of Two hundred Sail under the Command of Viscount Lisle as Admiral The English enter the City of Edenburgh without resistance first they Pillage and then they Fire it and divers other Towns and Villages about it the like fate befel the Town of Leith and forthwith they return to England laden with Spoil The Queen Mother writeth to the French King and layeth all these mischiefs at Lennox his door as the only enemy of their Peace and Union by reason of his private Feud against the Vice-Roy for the death of his Father At her Request Lennox is recalled to France but finding the French King provoked against him he still keeps to his posture of Defence
was too late and being ready to breath out his last when they found him some of his dearest Friends Ask him how he did to whom he Answered with marvellous good chear I am well and in a good condition I now Dye as almost all my Ancestors have done in the Bed of Honour some things only I Crave of you my Noble and Dear Friends which I desire to be performed as you Love and Honour me First That my Death be no Discouragement to you Secondly That you Conceal my Death during the time of the Battel both from Friends and Foes Thirdly That you suffer not my Standard to be overthrown And Lastly That you would Avenge my Death These things if you perform I have my desire and in hope thereof I bear all other things and my present Fate with a good heart With these words wherein he shewed himself a Souldier he takes leave of them and they of him and having covered his Body from the sight of the Souldiers they advance his Standard and Charge with the greater Fury crying out A Dowglass A Dowglass the English are forthwith put into great disorder the Earl Percy is taken Prisoner and in the same Charge his Valiant Son too being dangerously wounded some Nineteen hundred English are slain some Fourteen hundred are Prisoners whereof most wounded and to the Scots it was not a dry Victory The next day the Bishop of Durham coming up with some Auxiliaries the English Rally again and resolve to give Battel the Army being again made up Ten Thousand Men the Scots making vertue of necessity there being no possible safety for them to endeavour an Escape resolve to stand to it under the Command of the Earl of Murray The Bishop advancing Murray having first taken an Oath of all the Prisoners that they should remain true Prisoners though their friends should rescue them by strength of Arms is ready to receive him and commandeth the Soldiers to wind their Horns each Soldier having about his Neck an Horn larger than our ordinary Harvest Horns the Noise whereof was so great and the View of the dead Corps slain over Night so terrible that the Hearts of the raw and new raised Soldiers began to fail the Bishop is forced as his Safest course to retreat into their Quarters from whence they came without attempting any thing the Scots are no less glad being sufficiently wasted and weary to look homeward Murray dismisseth Percy the Younger upon his Parole above One Thousand Common Soldiers are set at Liberty the Earl himself and about Four Hundred of the Chief are carried Prisoners into Scotland The Joy the Scots had in this Victory which happen'd July 19. 1390. was wholly swallow'd up in the Death of the dougheir Dowglass a very noble Cavalier indeed whose Body was Interred at Melross with the greatest Evidences of Sorrow that could be Soon after Dyed in Peace the Good and Peaceable King Robert a general Peace being concluded in France England and Scotland for certain Years the Seventy Fourth Year of his Age and Nineteenth of his Reign a good Man and a good King a great Justiciary an Encourager of Vertue a Suppressor of Vice especially of Theft and Robery stedfast in his Word fortunate in his Wars tho' by reason of his Age and Natural Averseness to War he seldom or never Engaged in Person He had two Wives the one Elizabeth Daughter to Sir Adam More by whom he had three Sons John Earl of Carist Robert Earl of Say Alexander Earl of Buchan and Badgenoch the other Enfence Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross by whom he had two Sons Walter Earl of Straherne and David Earl of Athol and one Daughter Enfence given in Marriage to James Lord Dowglass Son to William Earl of Dowglass THE LIFE OF ROBERT III. JOHN son to King Robert Succeeded his Father and began his Reign Anno 1390. who immediately changed his Name choosing to be called by the Name Robert as an Auspicious Name the former two Roberts Kings of that Nation being men eminent in Vertue and prosperous in Atchievements He came to his Crown in a time free of Wars from abroad but full of Jars at home by the unquiet and ravenous disposition of his Nephew Duncan Son to Alexander Earl of Buchan who having Abased himself to be Captain of a Rebellious Rout of Robers spoyling and plundering divers Places especially in Angus was at last not without some Blood shed Suppressed by the industry of the Earl of Craford Soon after a dangerous fend fell out between two Great and Populous Families in the North for Reducing of whom were sent Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and James Earl of Craford who perceiving the great mischief likely to attend their Endeavours of a forcible Reducement contrived a more subtle way to quiet them after a representation made to the Heads of those Clans a part of the danger of their mutual Fewds and of the Kings Wrath against both they Advise them to conclude their Fewds as the Horatii and Cariatii did at Rome by the Choice not of three but of three hundred on each side to Fight Armed with Swords only in the sight of the King and his Nobles whereby the Victor should gain Honour the Vanquished safety from further Punishment and both regain his Majesties Favour whereof they gave them full assurance the Proposition is embraced on both sides of St. John's Town Mounts raised and Galleries made for the accommodation of the Spectators the Combatants are chosen and on the day appointed together with a multitude of beholders all of them appear on the place only one through fear privately withdrew himself this putteth some delay to the Encounter the one party looking upon it as a dishonour to Fight with the other wanting one of their Number the other Party not finding one who would Engage himself to make up their Number desire one of the Three Hundred to be put aside but of all that Number not one could be induced to withdraw accounting it an indelible disgrace to be shuffled out of such a choice Company of Valorous men at last an ordinary Tradesman tendereth his Service desiring no greater Reward than one single piece of Gold in hand as an honourable badge of his Valour and an Annuity of a small Sum for Life should he survive the Conflict his Demands are soon granted and immediately beginneth the Conflict with as much Fury as the height of Wrath the insatiable desire of honour and the fear of shame more than death could produce to the horrour and amazement of the Spectators whose hearts trembled within them to see as indeed it was an horrid Sight to behold such a rueful Sight of Furious men butchering one another and observed it was by all that of all the Combatants none shewed more shall I call it Valour than the Tradesman did who had the good Fate to survive that dismal day and on the Conquering side too whereof only ten besides himself out-lived that hour to
last the English obtain the Victory 4000 French and Scots killed amongst whom were John Earl of Buchan Archibald Earl Dowglas his Son the Earl Wigton and divers other eminent Persons the Duke of Alenson and many great ones are taken Prisoners a great Victory and bought at a great price the lives of above 2000 English lost on the place The Scottish Parliament thinketh it now more than high time to endeavour the Liberty of their King Ambasladors are sent to that end and are honourably Entertained by the Duke of Glocester then Governing all in England in the Non-age of his Nephew The Scots demand their King the Duke adviseth the English Council to Treat with them A great Ransom is demanded The Scots having no other remedy consent to Engage for it in lieu of one Moiety the Dowry of the Scottish Queen Joan Daughter to the Earl of Somerset a woman of singular Vertue and Beauty taken to Wife by the Scottish King at the earnest desire of the Duke of Glocester was detained and for the other certain Noble Men are sent Pledges an hard measure to an Infant Prisoner who it seems paid Dear for his Schoolgate And thus after his Years Imprisonment King James returneth Anno 1423 a Parliament is immediately called the King and Queen Crowned an Act passed for the payment of the 20th part of every man's Personal Estate for discharging the other Moiety of the King's Ransom Commissioners appointed to Collect it the People every where repine against it as unaccustomed to such Impositions some Great ones hunting after the vanity of Popular Applause cherish their Discontent which the good King perceiving remitted the Tax finding out another Expedient to discharge his Ransom In the same Parliament divers of the Nobility are Imprisoned for high Misdemeanors The King immediately releaseth them only Mordake Duke of Albany his two Sons and his Father in Law the Earl of Lenox remained under restraint and by Sentence of their Peers the usual manner of Trying Great ones in that Nation are adjudged to Death for their manifold Treasons and were accordingly not without the vigorous influence of Atholl their Uncle Beheaded on the Castle hill at Sterlin The same Year came Ambassadors from France to renew the Antient League and to crave in Marriage Margaret Daughter to King James for the Dauphine of France Lodovick Son to Charles the 7th both propositions are chearfully assented unto and the Ambassadors after much honourable Entertainment return satisfied the King forthwith bendeth himself to a Reformation and great need there was for as once in Israel so now in Scotland when there was no King every man did what seemed good in his own Eyes whereby the Kingdom groaned under the greatest Confusions and Disorders that could be the Civil Estate after much pain and trouble is at last reduced into some tolerable Condition Heads of Rebellious Factions men some taken off some Imprisoned some in hope of amendment pardoned Oppressions suppressed Roberies restrained and promising foundations laid to prevent such Insolence in time to come Amongst those pardoned in hope of Amendment Alexander Lord of the Isles was one a Great man and of a restless Spirit no sooner enlarged than he beginneth to meditate Revenge for his Imprisonment as short as it was He raiseth an Army of 10000 men falleth down to Ennerness burneth the Town to the ground and layeth Seige to the Castle the King sendeth an Army against him he raiseth his Siege flyeth to the Mountains maketh a stand about Lough Aber resolving to run the hazard of a Battel in those places of advantage two great Clanns Clan-Chaton and Clan-Chameron revolt from him many others are suspected by him in this fear he disbandeth his Army and with a few Attendants he flyeth into the Isles from thence he sendeth his Orators to the King to implore his Pardon nothing could be obtained though the Messengers were gracious enough to their Sovereign Alexander himself is required to appear in Person before the King committing himself wholly to his Majesty's mercy the Rebel conscious of his own Guilt is much perplexed nevertheless considering his present condition how desperate it was resolveth to fly to Mercy and privately repaireth to Edenburg where then his Majesty was On Easter-day Morning he Addresseth himself to Court covered with a Flaxen Frock he prostrateth himself before the King as he past to Divine Service with a most humble and penitent Oration he beggeth Pardon and Restoration to his Majesty's Favour and that for his sake whose restoring to Life they that day Celebrated The Time the Place the Habit his mournful Oration move at present to Compassion especially the Queen who became a most earnest Mediatrix on his behalf the King delayeth his Answer to the end of Divine Service which being performed his Majesty resolving neither absolutely to Pardon nor condignly to Punish for security of the Peace Alexander is sent Prisoner to Tamtalion and his Mother as the great Instrument of all his Pernicious ways is sent to St. Colmes In revenge of this Imprisonment Donald Maloc a Great man in the Isles breaketh out in a new Rebellion for Suppressing of whom the Earls of Marre and Caithnes are sent Donald Surpriseth them and putteth Caithnes and most of his Army to the Sword Marre happily escaping puft up with this Success Donald marcheth to Loughaber the King goeth out in Person against him Donald having done much Mischief in the Countrey flyeth into the Isles Divers Heads of Clannes undertake to Suppress him notice whereof being given to that Arch-Rebel he privately conveyeth himself into Ireland many of his Associates are killed 300 of them taken Prisoners are sent to the King all without exception of any deservedly Hanged which exemplary Justice proved happily to preserve those Barbarous places in Peace for a longer time than could be expected As his Majesty shewed his Justice in the Case I now mentioned about the same time he gave a manifest of his Mercy in enlarging two notable Robbers Duffe and Murray being enlarged they quarrel one with another Cull together their Retainers maintained on the Spoils of the People and being 1200 on each side furiously Engage in a bloody Conflict such Execution done on both sides that not above to on the one and 9 on the other side escape alive Notwithstanding all which Disasters Mr. Donald a notorious Robber breaketh out into an open Rebellion after some Mischief done Mr. Donald is apprehended himself Beheaded and twelve of his Associates Hanged Before his Execution the Law of Retaliation is by the King 's special Command executed upon him A poor Widdow pillaged by him threateneth him with resolution to repair to the King for Redress and I will fit thee for thy Journey said the Rogue he calleth for a Black-Smith and commands him to Nail to her Feet two Horse-Shooes go on saith he now these will preserve thy Feet from bruising the poor Woman dissembleth her resolution and is dismissed Mr. Donald being
his Pardon with shew of great Humility which by the mediation of the Queen is soon obtained The King resolving notwithstanding to trust him no more in that height of Power in Government committeth the chief management of all Publick Affairs to the Earl of Orkney and to Chrichton the old Chancellor Dowglas reckoning this a Note of Disgrace rageth against the whole Court Vowing the Destruction of Chrichton which he well nigh made good by an Ambush laid for him as he pasled from Edenburgh to his House at Chrichton A Troop of Armed Men all on the sudden compass him round he forceth his Paslage and escapeth the Snare not without some dangerous Wounds his Wounds are Cured he returneth to Edenburgh Earl Dowglas fearing the King's displeasure withdraweth from the City still resolving Revenge for accomplishing whereof he entereth a League Offensive and Defensive with the Earls of Craford and Ross in the strength whereof he presumeth so much as to contemn all Opposition the King himself is Despised in his Eyes Harris and Mr. Lennan two Galloway Knights both of Antient Families are put to Death by him under pretence of Justice in despight of all the King could do or say Rumours are likewise every where cast out of his aspiring to the Crown At last his Majesty sendeth for him forthwith to repair to his Court at Sterlin the Earl refuseth pretending Danger from the Power of his Enemies then at Court Divers of the Nobles send their Letters of Assurance to him and move the King to Seal a Paper in the nature of a Pass which the Earl receiving cometh to Court confiding in the often experienced Clemency of the King his Majesty receiveth him Graciously and Inviteth him to Supper after Supper the King with some of his most Intimate Counsellors withdraw and with them the Earl into a Withdrawing-Room In the presence of those his Counsellors he Expostulateth with the Earl his strange Deportment towards him mentioning the bounty of the Crown to his Family and his own Extraordinary Grace to himself not only his Pardon more than once granted but singular Pledges of his Favour frequently Conferred and all most strangely abused Notwithstanding all which his Majesty once again tenders to him the assurance of his Favour and Grace in hope of amendment repairing nay rather requesting the Cancelling of that odious League with Craford and Ross so dangerous and dishonourable to his Majesty Dowglas answereth Dimisly enough to all save in the point of the League wherein he desires to be Excused The King presseth him with all Earnestness to persist no longer in it which the Earl peremptorily refusing the King is moved into an extraordinary Passion breaking out into these words If thou wilt not break it by God I will and then before his Counsellors were aware he thrusteth his Ponyard into his Heart This unhappy Accident casteth all into Consussion Dowglas his four Brothers then in Town raise a Dangerous Tumult and with much ado are appeased Immediately they fly into their own Countrey and break out into open Rebellion dragging the King's Pass and the Noble Mens Letter to the late Earl at their Horse Heels with words of Disgrace not fit to be mentioned They Pillage Burn and Slay all they suspected bare any Favour to the King The King calleth a Parliament at Edenburgh before which they are Summoned to appear all Contemptuously refusing are proclaimed Traitors with the Countess Dowager Wife to the late Earl and with her the Earl of Craford James the eldest Brother and now Earl to preserve the Wealth of his Family Marrieth his Brother's Wife craveth the Pope his Dispensation which being refused he allureth as many into his Faction as possibly he could far more siding with him than possibly could be expected insomuch that the whole Kingdom for two Years together became a very Stage of Murther and Rapine Famine and the Pestilence threatning Ruine to all Divers of Dowglas his Wiser Friends being touched with the Sense of these Calamities counsel him to cast himself upon the King's mercy he scorneth the Motion declaiming against them as Pusillaminous declaring rather to Dye than to Submit Earl Craford taketh another and wiser course choosing rather to Submit he casteth himself in his Majesty's way passing through Angus and like a Penitent indeed he comes Bare-footed into his Royal Presence and prostrateth himself before Him with Tears in his Eyes and the greatest expressions of Sorrow that could be made craving in a most Penitent Oration his Majesty's Pardon The King and all then and there present are touched with Compassion towards him his Pardon is forthwith granted the Earl sensible of his Grace tendereth his Service to his Majesty which being accepted he behaveth himself as a gallant Man and a good Subject to his Dying day Dowglas sendeth Hammilton to the English King to crave Assistance from him which could not be obtained unless Dowglas should declare himself a Subject to the Crown of England a Condition so unreasonable even in his Judgment though sufficiently Rebellious against his native Prince that he choosed rather to Perish than to Embrace it Hammilton therefore returning without hope of English Help persuadeth Dowglas to put all to the hazard of a Battel which accordingly was resolved on his Army marcheth and advanceth towards the King's then Besieging Abercorne Castle The two Armies in view one of another Dowglas proveth two slow his Army is thereby much discouraged which Hammilton perceiving withdraweth goeth over to the King craves his Pardon and obtaineth it Dowglas retreateth and deserted almost of all flyeth into England The Castle is taken by Storm and the Garrison put to the Sword the Ruines of that stately Castle remaining as a Monument of that Victory Dowglas soon after returneth into Anandale giveth Battel to some of the King's Forces there and receiveth the Foil his Brother Archilbald is Killed on the place his Brother George Wounded and taken Prisoner is sent to the King and Beheaded A Parliament is again called to Assemble at Edenburgh 1455 Dowglas and his Adherents are again declared Traitors and their Estates Confiscated Dowglas flyeth into the Hebrides and entereth into League with Donald Lord of the Isles They fall down into the main Countrey where they Pillage and consume all with Fire and Sword wheresoever they came laying wast divers Counties Beatrice Wife to both Earls of Dowglas and both Brethren casteth her self at the King's feet craveth his Pardon pretending that she was forced to the Marriage of her Lord's Brother by fear of present Destruction She declareth her self as willing to submit to the King's Justice as to accept of his Mercy whereof she acknowledgeth her self most unworthy she receiveth Pardon and is beyond all Mens expectation received into Favour yea and Donald Lord of the Isles sendeth his Orators to his Majesty to crave his Pardon all that could be obtained was a Command to to make Satisfaction to the People for the Mischief done by him which being
necessary if possible to prevent the Conjunction of Dowglas and Hammilton to that end he advanceth to Linlithquo where the Hammiltons were drawn together Dowglas then at Edenburgh marcheth with all possible expedition bringing along with him to countenance his affairs the person of the King who all along retardeth the journey accounting Lennox more his Friend than those with him pretending indisposition of Body ever and anon dismounteth making shew to pay some necessary office to Nature Dowglas frets and in vain spending many entreaties for expedition at length George Dowglas Brother to the Earl is so peremptory with him as in most Rebellious terms to tell him That rather than their Enemies should get possession of his Person they would rend him in pieces and divide him in halves between them This Traiterous word made an indelible impression on the heart of the King though at present silence was his best and only return At last the Armies joyn Lennox and his Patty are put to the rout many slain the Earl himself killed bewailed of all Hammilton and Dowglas both mourn for him above all the King is afflicted the remnant of his Party with sorrow and grief enough submit and are all forced to compound for their Treasons as was pretended in bearing Arms against the King the Earl of Cassils refusing to submit was way-laid and killed by one Hugh Campbell Lennox his Death divulged maketh a very deep impression in the hearts of most men especially his own Retainers one of his Servants resolveth with himself to avenge his Lord's death on the Person of the Bastard Hammilton by whom Lennox was killed To that end he repairs to Edenburgh and on his way meeting with one of his Fellow-servants he asked him saying Didst thou see Hammilton the Bastard Yea said he I saw him and hast thou not killed him unthankful Wretch who murthered our Dear Lord and Master said the Fellow Go and be hang'd thou art not worthy to live and with these words he pass'd on in his way and came streight to Holyrude House where in the Pallace-Yard stood Two thousand Armed men all Retainers to Dowglas and Hammilton there the Fellow walks full of Revenge and waiting the opportunity to execute the desire of his heart Hammilton unawares comes in his way without Arms the Fellow falls upon him in the Penthouse under the Porters-Lodge and wounds him in six several places of his Body the Armed men are all presently in confusion and well nigh in one anothers blood The Hammiltons suspecting this bold attempt to be done by the Dowglasses newly only reconciled to them to avenge some old Quarrels The Fellow is at last apprehended who had opportunity fair enough had he attempted it to escape with his Sword in his hand still smoaking with Hammilton's blood he is forthwith hurried to Tolbnith boldly professing that what he did was to revenge the death of his Dear Lord declaring with inexpressible confidence that he was sorry for nothing but that he was disappointed of his design so bravely begun by him he is put to Torture for the discovery of such as animated him to that bold attempt his Flesh is seared with burning Irons which he endured with such courage and resolution as no man could spy either by his words or by his countenance or otherwise any the least sense of pain in him at last his Right Hand was cut off which he endured without shrinking calling out to such as stood by That unhappy Hand well deserved this punishment which executed not the design of a Resolute mind The Dowglasses think themselves now secure enough no man daring to oppose them in any thing But in the midst of their security the King makes an escape from Faulkland to Sterlin there the Nobility from most parts of the Kingdom fly to him by whose advice his Majesty issueth out an Edict inhibiting the Dowglasses any further medling in publick Affairs discharging them or any of their retainers under pain of Death to come within Twelve Miles of the Court this Edict being served on the Earl in his Journey towards Sterlin he retreats to Edenburgh and prepareth Forces for his defence A Proclamation issueth from the King to call a Parliament to Assemble November the 3d. in the interim his Army advanceth towards the City Dowlas withdraws The King peaceably entreth the City Terms of Peace are offered to the Dowlasses viz. That the Earl himself should confine himself on the North of Tay his Brother George and his Vncle Archibald to the Castle of Edenburgh The Conditions are refused they are Summoned to appear before the Parliament they disobey the Earl himself his Brother George his Uncle Archibald and his dear Friend Alexander Drumond of Carnock all by sentence of Parliament Banished all People charged under pain of Treason not to relieve them the Dowlasses break out into open Violence Arguile is sent to reduce them to order whose advance they prevented by flight into England The King spendeth some time with great care and charge in suppressing the Depredations then very great on the Borders which Expedition over he establisheth the Court of Sessions formerly indeed set on foot by the Vice-Roy the Duke of Albany Constituted of Fifteen Judges of the most learned of the Law impowred to hear and determine all Civil Causes a very grave Court continuing in great Honour and deserved Respect in that Nation to this day About this time King Henry of England prepareth for War against the Scots irritated thereunto by the Scotch Exiles and Refuges in England King James having Constituted the Earl of Murray his Vice-Roy prepareth for Defence by Mediation of the French then a common Friend to both Peace is concluded King James sends Ambassadors to France to treat concerning his Marriage to a Daughter of France The King of England to prevent it sends the Bishop of St. Davids and William Hrward Brother to the Duke of Norfolk Ambassadors into Scotland to invite King James to a Personal Conference with himself whereunto he is soon persuaded by the great Promises they made of Marriage to Mary the King 's eldest Daughter if all other things succeeded well in the Treaty The Scotch Council especially the Clergy fearing Innovations in Religion then set on foot by King Henry are much troubled that his Majesty had consented to this Conference they ply him with continual surmises of Ruine to Himself to the State to Religion should this Conference hold the King is over-ruled and observeth not the day appointed but forthwith Saileth into France and is immediately espoused to Magdalen Daughter to Francis King of France the Marriage solemnized on New-years Day 1537 and both arrive in Scotland about the end of May following within six Weeks after the young Queen Dyeth to the inexpressible grief of all the Nobles put on Mourning Apparel not before that time in use in that Kingdom Immediately after David Beton Cardinal and Robert Maxwel are sent to France to demand Mary of the
The Vice-Roy marcheth against him and after some small bickerings Lennox retireth into England and is honourably entertained by King Henry to whom he tenders his Service in opposition to the French Faction then prevailing in Scotland of which his Majesty so well accepted that he gave to him in Marriage his Neice the Lady Margaret Dowglas Daughter to Margaret his own Sister and Wife to James the Fourth by her second Husband the Earl of Angus Lennox and his Friends most of them have their Estates confiscate The English re-enter Scotland Fire Jeeburgh and Kelso waste most of the Countrey thereabout and leaving a Garrison at Coldingham they return home with their Booty The Vice-Roy in the depth of Winter layeth Siege to Coldingham and all on the sudden retireth to Dunbar leaving his Army in which he durst not confide at the Siege by this unexpected desertion the Army falls into Confusion by the wisdom and valour of the Earl of Angus the Cannon and all other things belonging to the Army are safely brought off and carried to Dunbar Next Spring Thomas Duke of Norfolk is sent down with an Army to joyn with that on the Borders with a design to reduce all on this side forth to the Obedience of the English The Vice-Roy by the incouragement of Angus marcheth toward the Borders and at Ancram obtaineth a Victory over the English which Disaster much inraging the English King the Vice-Roy sends to France to crave assistance Three thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse are granted and sent under the Command of Sir James Montgomery by whose assistance the Vice-Roy marcheth in a Plundering Expedition within the English Borders and soon after Disbandeth his Army next Winter Montgommery returneth to France And now some Stirs begin by such as endeavoured some Mutations and Reformation of Religion George Wisheart having fallen away from Popery and embracing the Reformation begun in Germany is apprehended and at a Council of Bishops and some others held at St. Andrews is Condemned as guilty of Heresie The Cardinal sendeth to the Vice-Roy to desire the Law to be executed against him who wisheth the Cardinal not to be too hasty but to forbear a little which distasted the Cardinal not a little at whose command forthwith Execution is done upon him at Saint Andrews the Cardinal beholding the Tragedy from his Windows not without some Pomp which Wisheart perceiving said to the Governour of the Castle standing by him He who now insulteth over me shall in few days be tumbled over the same Window with more disgrace than now he setteth with state At the uttering of which words he is strangled to death and his Body burnt to ashes This fact of the Cardinal and the manner of his proceeding without the Authority of the Vice-Roy gave distast to many at last his Death is contrived and perpetrated by Norman Lisle Son to the Earl of Rothuse whose discontent arose from the refusal of a private grant which the Cardinal conceived not fit to be yielded to him Lisle calls some sixteen Consorts together to whom he discovered his intent craving their concurrence all was agreed unto the time and manner is appointed for execution over Night they come privately to St. Andrews and lodge severally in divers Inns to render themselves the less suspected next Day morning by break of day two of the Conspirators come to the Castle and being known Men the Porter openeth to them they enter and the rest follow streight the Porter is laid fast and all the Cardinal's Servants secured threatning them with Death if once they whispered which done they repair to the Cardinal his Chamber they knock the Cardinal admiring what this should mean that Strangers and none of his Servants should at such a season come to his Chamber-door refuseth to open Norman Lisle well known to him and a man much favoured by him protested they minded him no hurt at all but that they had a matter of great Importance to Communicate to him the dispatch of which required that their unseasonable coming to his Chamber the Cardinal trusting their Protestations openeth his Door they enter fall forthwith upon him and barbarously Murther him By this time News are carried into the City of the Surprisal of the Castle The Cardinal his Friends and Retainers immediately Arm beset the Castle threatning the death of all within if the Cardinal were not preserved alive the Murtherers told them it was too late and therewith cast his dead Body barbarously cut over the same Window from whence he beheld the Tragedy of the late mentioned Martyr George Wisheart which added not a little to the high Opinion the People had of Wisheart remembring the last words he spake concerning the Cardinal This Impious Murther highly provok'd the Court the Vice-Roy Summoneth the Murtherers to appear before him they refuse and are declared Traitors but they having seised the Cardinal his Treasure and having in their power the Vice-Roy his Son who then remained with the Cardinal and confiding in the strength of the Castle stand upon their guard The Vice-Roy layeth Siege to the Castle and after some four Months Siege in vain he withdraws his Force and returneth to Edenburgh to be present at Parliament then ready to Assemble and now behold the Judgment of God upon those Barbarous Murtherers they being formerly Men in all outward deportment not only Civil but Religious and reputed Men of tender Consciences give themselves now over to all manner of wickedness Murthers profane Swearing drinking to Excess and Whoring were things of course with them their wickedness came to this height The Vice-Roy too slow in avenging so much Wickedness layeth again Siege to the Castle assisted with some French Forces after much Battery they are content to deliver themselves to the French Admiral Monsieur Strozius upon Quarter for Life they are set on the French Shoar and disperse themselves all of them living ever after in great Misery are in their several turns pursued by the wrath of God to violent and untimely Ends. About this time the Duke of Sommerset now after the Death of King Henry the Lord Protector of England Invadeth Scotland with a powerful Army the Vice-Roy all on the sudden rolleth together Thirty thousand Horse and Foot to whom the English Protector sendeth a very fair Letter requiring their young Queen may be assured in Marriage to the young King of England according to former Agreement and for their better Security he demands the said Princess may be Educated not in any Foreign Country but at home until she come to such years as might inable her to make her own Choice Further desiring that in the interim there might be Peace between the two Nations and no treaty of Marriage admitted with any other Prince All which being granted the Protector promiseth not only to withdraw his Army but likewise to make reasonable satisfaction for all the hurt he had done to all which Proposals the Scottish Vice-Roy returns no Answer
afterwards apprehended the Widdow repaireth to his Majesty reporteth and proveth this Insolent Trick Mr. Donald is called for out of Prison Horse-shooes are clap'd on himself and twelve of his Companions and commanded to march through the Streets of Edenburgh an Officer publishing the Cause of this strange Punishment their tedious Journey ended all of them are put to Death as before mentioned King James hearing that Maloc was under the Power of an Irish Lord sendeth a Messenger to Ireland to require the Lord to deliver him the Irish Lord fearing his Escape and the Anger of so War-like a Prince resolveth to make all sure by cutting off the Rebel's Head which was accordingly done and sent over to the King The publick Robberies thus Suppressed many good Laws are Established for the good and to the Joy of all the People And as an addition to the Joy two Popular Lords of the Nobility Dowglas and Cassils are enlarged from Prison and received into his Majesty's favour And for the Complement of all their Joy the Queen is safely brought to Bed of two Sons October 14th 1430. The Civil Estate thus happily regulated his Majesty thinketh of a Reformation of the Clergy but to small purpose they being then and in those days within the Verge of the Pope his Jurisdiction Secular Princes durst not exercise their Regal Power over them all this good King could do was to plant the Schools and Universities Seminaries of good Learning with Pious and Learned men to whom he gave so many Encouragements that the fruits of so good a Project were soon seen and perceived by all to the great Joy of all good Men and the immortal Praise of so good a Prince Neither did this good King rest in the encouragement of the Liberal Sciences but resolving to advance all Mechanick Trades wholly decayed by the tediousness misery of an 150 Years War sendeth over to Flanders and from thence conduceth most exquisite Artificers of all sorts to whom he gave great Rewards and large Immunities by which Princely Munificence Trades of all sorts thrive and flourish the Poor set to Work and many Enriched every man acknowledging the happiness of that People who live under the sweet and liberal Dews of a vertuous and munificent Prince Soon after arrived Ambassadors from France to demand the young Lady formerly Espoused to the Dauphine to be sent over for the Consummation of the Marriage Ambassadors likewise come at the same time from England with full purpose at once to break not only this Matrimonial but also that Antient National League between the two Kingdoms of France and Scotland to which end they propound a League Offensive and Defensive with a Tender of Berwick and Roxborrow to be Restored forthwith many other things likewise were Tendered promising very fairly to the Good of both Kingdoms if as fully performed as freely promised King James remitteth this great Business to the Advice of his Parliament The Parliament after much Debate resolve to keep unviolably their Antient League with France and according to the desire of the French Ambassador to send over the young Lady without further delay The English Ambassadors resent this Denial as a Dishonour and immediately denounce War against the Scots threatning withal by their Navy to Way-lay the Princess in her passage to France The Princess is sent over forthwith under the guard of a very stately Navy the English Navy attempting nothing her Highness safely Arriveth and her Marriage to the Dauphine with the greatest expressions of Joy solemnized at Turon About the same time Earl Percy entreth into Scotland with 4000 rather to spoil than fight Dowglass Earl of Anyus is sent against him with the like number Percy is overthrown a few slain on either side of the English 1500 taken Prisoners King James thus provoked by Way-laying the young Lady by Sea and by this Inroad by Land raiseth a great Army with purpose to Invade Northumberland in this way he layeth Siege to Roxborrow then in the hands of the English expecting in few days the Delivering of it into his hands In the mean while cometh the Queen into his Camp discovering to him a most horrid Treason intended by his own nighest Kindred against both his Person and Posterity His Majesty perceiving that her Relation proceeded not from Womanish fear but from such real Grounds as were not to be slighted raiseth his Siege and without Advice of any Disbandeth his Army to the no less Astonishment than Discontent of most about him being Strangers to the cause of this sudden and unexpected Change His Majesty posteth to St. John's Town as a Bird into a Snare of purpose to make a fuller Discovery of that horrible Plot. The Treason being ripe and ready for Execution the Traitors privately repair thither with a small hand of Conspirators The Captains of that Traiterous Band Athol and his Cousin Graham knowing the Weakness of the King's Guard enter privately into the Monastery where his Majesty lay and by Conduct of one of his Houshold Servants debauched into the Conspiracy they come to the Stairs which led to the Royal Chamber The Cup-bearer at the same time coming down perceiving them in Arms Crieth out with a loud Voice Treason him they forthwith Murder and make hast to the Door made fast by no stronger bar the Iron Bolt being stolen away by the Traiterous Servant in Conspiracy with them than the Tender wrest of a young Gentleman which quickly broke the Assassinates furiously rush in and run towards his Majesty which the Queen perceiving casteth her self upon the King endeavouring poor Lady to preserve him they drag her from him not without some dangerous Wounds and forgetting all fear of God and Man thrust their Swords above Forty times through the Heart and Body of the most Excellent Prince The cause of this horrid Assassination was that old Mother of much Mischief Ambition Athold the King 's old Uncle having already by his Hellish Subtlety brought some of his nighest Kinsmen who lay in his way to the Crown to untimely Ends resolveth at last to strike at the main Rub the King himself for accomplishing whereof he snatcheth the advantage of the Discontent of Robert Graham Tutor of Straherne to whom he propoundeth his Design craveth his Conjunction therein with assurance not only of Protection but of ample Rewards and great Preferments when he comes to his Kingdom Graham graspes at all and joyneth in the Traiterous Design with him To this Combination Athol calleth his own Grandchild Robert a Youth nimble both in Head and Hand whom he likewise debaucheth into this Treasonable Plot. The Treason thus Craftily contrived is Cunningly carried on and at last cruelly Executed as before This was a sad Day in Scotland a day of Mourning and great Lamentation for the loss of such an Incomparable Prince the Nobility filled with Grief and Indignation breath out Revenge post out Parties into every Corner of the Kingdom to apprehend the Assassinates and their Complices
which they performed with such care and diligence that within less than Forty days all of them are Apprehended Arraigned Condemned and Hanged only the Earl himself his Grand-child Robert and his Cousin Graham are more severely proceeded against to the terror of all Traitors the Executioners were to spend some part of three days in the Execution of Athol himself being the Contriver of the whole Villany The first day he was drawn in a Cart to the place of Execution a Crane was set up and his Body hailed up by a Pully to a great height is suddenly let fall almost to the Ground most of his Members at once miserably disjoynted then is he set on a Pillar in the view of the People a Crown of burning Iron set on his Head with this Inscription Here stands the King of all Traitors whereby came to pass the Delusion of a Sooth-sayer who told him which withal was a spur to his Ambition that in a publick place he should be Crowned King The second day he is tied on an Hurdle and dragged by Horse through the Great Street in Edenburgh The thrid day he was brought again to the place of Execution and laid along a Plank his Bowels are pulled out and cast into Fire prepared for them his Traiterous Heart is likewise pulled out and cast into the same Fire his Head cut off and set upon a Pole in a publick place of the City as a Spectacle to all Men his Body divided into four Quarters is sent out to four other chief Cities in the Kingdom and in publick places hanged up to the terror of all Traitors His Grand-child Robert being a Youth only and Seduced by the wicked Counsel of his Grand-father is more mildly dealt withall being first Strangled to death and then Quartered his Quarters are set as Spectacles in certain publick places of the Kingdom Grahan is more roughly used being though not the chief Contriver the grand Executioner of that dreadful Murther he was first dragged through the City in a Cart backward then his Hands being fastned in Iron Hooks fixed in the same Cart his Flesh all his Body over is Seared with hot Irons even to the very Bones this done his Body is cut in Quarters and disposed on as were the former A severe piece of Justice and well deserved What could recompence the loss of that Good King worthy to be reckoned amongst the best of Kings a Man of a low Stature but of a marvellous strength of Body far exceeding all his Contemporaries of such a vigorous Wit that he was eminently learned in all the liberal Sciences in Poetry and Musick he far exceeded the decorum of a King a prudent Lawgiver a singular Justiciary a Merciful Prince an incomparable Maecenas to all Learning in all his Relations and their respective duties no King no Man ever better and yet for all these it pleased God to suffer him to fall under the Cruel hands of wicked and bloody Men for what cause whether his own or his Peoples Sins is best known to him from whom no Secret thing is hid His Murther hapened to the inexpressible Grief of all good Men the 20th day of February 1437. the 18th Year of his Reign and the 44th of his Age. THE LIFE OF JAMES II. JAMES the Second only Son to James the First was Crowned at Halyrude-House in the 7th Year of his Age at the same time Sir Alexander Leviston is chosen Vice-Roy and Sir William Chrichton continued Chancellor The Nobility are no sooner returned home to the places of their ordinary Residence when behold all things fall into a most Pernicious Confusion Archibald Earl of Dowglas conceiving himself neglected in the publick Administration refuseth notwithstanding the Letters both of the Vice-Roy and Chancellor directed to him to that effect to Restrain the Insolent Robberies committed by his own Vassals all Anandale over commanding them withal to deny Obedience to the Edicts and Proclamations of the Chancellor or Vice-Roy pretending a Regal Power Legally invested in himself over all those who lived within the Confines of his peculiar Jurisdiction The same Divel of Division playeth his Prancks between the Vice-Roy and Chancellor the Vice-Roy dischargeth by publick Proclamation all Obedience to the Chancellor and the Chancellor by the like Proclamation all Obedience to the Vice-Roy The People thus perplexed between contrary Commands are reduced by their Opposite Powers in cases of necessary Disobedience to the one or other into a most woful Plight The Vice-Roy and the Queen stay at Sterlin The King the Tuition of the Chancellor abideth at Edenburgh Castle the Queen with a design to rescue the King out of the hands of the Chancellor repaireth to Edenburgh pretending a desire only to see her Royal Son the young King The Chancellor Entertaineth her Majesty civily and Princely which civil Entertainment the Queen very Graciously accepteth and by her fair and plausible Discourses concerning the State of publick Affairs the happy Education of the young King her Son and the earnest desire she had of an happy Union between the two grand Ministers of State She so far Insinuateth her self into the good opinion of the Chancellor that at all times she hath free access to the King's Person Her Retinue being such too as it was so small and of such mean Persons that no matter or Jealousie could arise from them In the mean while she secretly persuadeth the Child to suffer himself to be conveyed away by her and finding her opportunity overnight she very civilly and in a Courteous fashion taketh her leave of the Chancellor pretending a Journey early next day morning to Whit-Kirk to perform some Vows and Religious-Offices by break of Day she taketh her Journey and with her the young King her Son locked up in the Trunk in which her own Linnen lay both take Shipping at Leith and safely Arrive that Afternoon at Sterlin where they were received with much Joy The Chancellor amazed and ashamed to see himself so handsomly cheated perplexeth himself to little purpose The Vice-Roy forthwith advanceth with an Army to Besiege the Castle of Edenburgh where the Chancellor lay who immediately dispatcheth a Messenger to Earl Dowglas to crave Aid and Relief who returneth Answer with as little Wit as Fear saying That he knew they were both Knaves contending not for Publick Good but their own private Interests so that wherever the Blow fell it was not lost and should they both Perish it were the more happy for the whole Kingdom as to himself he should not be sorry to see the Ruine of them both This Indiscreet Answer proveth as so much Soder to Cement the two grand Contenders either by perceiving the Earl his common Enmity against both resolve to make Peace one with another which after a private and personal Conference was accordingly done both remaining in their respective places of Government Being thus Reconciled they bear a keen Edge towards Dowglas but Death struck more sharp than their Sword cutteth
the English Arms and Title of the Queen of England and Ireland during the Life of Queen Elizabeth Secondly That the Queen of England or her Heirs of her Body if such should happen should not do any thing to the prejudice of the Queen of Scotlands Title to the Crown of England Thirdly That a mutual Care may be had to preserve the Peace and Union of both Kingdoms These things happily concluded there was a fair prospect of a flourishing State had not the heart-burnings and emulations of the Religioso's of Scotland fermented and by the restless Tongues of their Preachers discomposed all their Settlement they who swell the least punctilio's that are disgustful to them into Enormous Crimes did not whisper but cry aloud that the Queens designs were all to reinduce Idolatry and Superstition the Earl of Arran contriving withal to get the Queens Person into his Power and Disposal the safety of her Person being the only rub in his way to the Crown But the Queen having timely Notice of all these Projects appointed a good Guard to Attend her Person which was maliciously intercepted by Adversaries as a Foundation preparatory to a Tyrannical and Arbitrary Government The Winter following the Queen knowing what influence her Base-Brother James had in the Affections of the People and Popular Ministers whose grand Patron he was and not Ignorant of his own Ambition is soon moved to Create him Earl of Marr and soon after Earl of Murray which highly displeased the Earl of Huntley the greatest Peer in the North conceiving himself and his Jurisdiction thereby prejudiced and proved the grounds of a great and lasting feud between them Moreover Anne Keith the Earl Martials Daughter is given him in Marriage his Greatness is not only Envied by the Gourdons but also by the Hamiltons who look upon him as a dangerous Competitor to the Crown mutual contrivances there are to Ruin each other the Hamiltons as it was suggested Conspiring the Death of Murray by the Wisdom of the Queen their Feuds are kept from breaking out into open Hostility only in the North a Skirmish hapned between Huntley and Murray in which Huntley himself was taken Prisoner and immediately dyed not so much with the Wounds in his Body as in his Mind his two Sons John and Adan are likewise taken Prisoners and carryed to Aberdeen John is there beheaded whose untimely death was much bewailed by the Queen Adam being very young is pardoned the Eldest Son George flies to Hamilton his Father in Law for Sanctuary who begs his Pardon of the Queen but by the prevailing Power of Murray who then over-ruled all young Huntley must be delivered up and is sent Prisoner to Dunbar from thence he is called to Edenburgh and there Condemned for Treason and returned a Prisoner to Dunbar In May following the Queen is Crowned in great State at Edenburgh and about Michaelmas after by the Queens favour and approbation Matthew Stuart Duke of Lennox after 22. Years absence returns to Scotland and hath his whole Estate restored to him to the great content of the Queen the next Spring his Son Henry the Lord Darnly also arrives a man of a very comely and proper Person and behaves himself in the Court with such Civility and Prudence that the Queen with small Arguments was induced to cast her Affections upon him and to accept him for her Husband in order whereunto he is first Created Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Ross and at last in despight of all the opposition that Murray could make by the instigation of Queen Elizabeth against it who to prevent the Marriage sent Sir Nicholas Throgmorten to Require Lennox and Darnly to return to England upon pain of Confiscation of their Estates the Marriage is Solemnized at Edenburgh July 28. with consent of most of the Nobility and by the publick Herauld Henry and Mary are Proclaimed King and Queen of Scotland this Marriage uniteth Hamilton and Murray who with Arguile Glencarne Rothes and others Combine against the present Proceeding and upon the Summons to return to their former Obedience they all refuse and are Proclaimed Traitors the King and Queen advance to Glascow with an Army of 4000 men and upwards the Rebels stay at Paisley not wholly Unanimous in their Counsels Hamilton's Advice tending to no less than the destruction of the King and Queen ever inculcating in the Ears of his Complices ' That howsoever private Feuds might be otherwise compromised yet the Enmity of Kings could not any other way be extinguished but by their Death the rest of the Nobility knowing this to be an Hellish Design of his own out of the Ruin of the Queen to raise himself to the Throne of Scotland divide from Hamilton and retire towards Dumfreis and from thence they Fly into England About this time some Discontents unhappily arise between the King and the Queen and by the occasion of the ambitious and malitious surmises of ill disposed men the King is Enraged 〈…〉 Seigneur David a French man the Secretaâ—â— as an Instrument of Mischief between him and the Queen their Wicked Design to make the Breach greater between them not being discerned by the King he as being naturally too flexible and credulous is wrought upon to joyn with them in the Destruction of the Secretary On the Night appointed for that horrid work of darkness the King took with him the Earls of Morton Linsay and Ruthen besides five or six more Armed Men himself first entring the Queens Chamber and Ruthen following him he finds the Secretary set at Supper with the Queen and spying them he arose and the Queen offering to interpose he clasps fast hold about her wast who not knowing the Design cryes out but the King forcing David from his hold pacified her assuring her That there was no hurt intended her only the destruction of one Villain that was about her whom he runs through with his Sword and then they all drag his wounded Body into an outward Room and striving who should give him most wounds they cut his Body all to pieces The City of Edenburgh hearing of a Tumult at Court but altogether Ignorant what the matter might be put themselves suddenly into Arms and forthwith march to Holy-rood-house the Kings Pallace and the Guard being full of Armed men the King calleth to them out of a Window that there was no danger attending them himself and the Queen being in health and safety he thanked them for their Care and Readiness and advised them for the present to return home peaceably to their Houses The Day following the Noble men who lately fled into England appear according to a late Summons they had received to Answer what should be objected against them no Judge Accuser nor Witness appearing against them they there protest their readiness judicially to Answer all things chargeable upon them every one returns in Peace to his own Lodging The Queen Accompanied with the King retireth to Dunbar and admitteth Murray and Arguile
Scepter neither would it have been denyed her by any Christian Prince That the Crime committed was done by her Secretaries and not by her and therefore Injustice not to be Charged upon her but them That if this Sentence were Executed all Christian Kings would believe all their Honours and Rights wounded in that blow and would accordingly resent it and Avenge it That her only Son King James could never in Honour or Duty set down quiet under such an Affront And in fine That Heaven it self must needs Arm against so Bloody a Design and therefore they adjure her by all the Love she bears unto her self by all the Respects she bears to her own People the Nation of England that she forbear the Execution And if she feared any Evil by her Life to preserve her under the Power of strong Guards of which she could not want plenty in England if she would not accept of their Security for her Peaceable behaviour But as an over-pressing Argument to all these the Enemies of Queen Mary that were continually present with Queen Elizabeth beat it into her Ears that the Lives of Elizabeth and Mary were things incompatible and for the Safety of one it was necessary to take away the other which otherwise would be a perpetual Sting to her Sed mortua non mordet the Grave was the securest Prison she could be committed unto Queen Elizabeth at last Signs the Warrant for Execution which being past the Broad-Seal She next day sends Killigrew to Davison to forbid the Command of Execution telling him she would go another way to work but the Lords of the Council being Acquainted with it they without the Consent of the Queen wrested it from Davison and sent Beale their Clark with the Mandate and Letters to the Earls of Shrewsbury Kent Derby and Cumberland to see the same performed which was the only thing that Queen Elizabeth had to offer in her own Excuse to King James Protesting that it was done without her Knowledge and quite contrary to her Intent having as she said told Davison her Secretary her Resolution of taking New Measures and that the Warrant was to have remained in his hand without Execution unless a Foreign Invasion or Domestick broyls which Queen Mary's Enemies always suggested were daily designed should render it necessary Davison for his Disobedience was Committed and cast out of Favour * Vpon the News of Signing the Warrant for Execution King James Commanded the Ministers to remember the Queen Mother in their Prayers which they generally refused to do tho' the Form prescribed them was Pious and Christian being after this manner That it may please God to illuminate Her with the Light of his Truth and to Save her from the apparent danger wherein she was cast No sooner came the Order to the hands of the Noblemen than they repaired to Fotheringham Castle the Prison where the Queen lay and raising her out of her Bed in the Morning they read their Commission to her Advertising her That next day Morning she was to Dye which Order she receiv'd without any discomposure of Mind or change of Countenance saying She did not think that her Sister Queen Elizabeth would have brought her to that Extremity but seeing it was her pleasure she was willing to submit Appealing to Heaven and Earth to witness her Innocence adding that it was her Comfort that she dyed for and in the Religion of her Fore-fathers beseeching God to increase her Constancy and Courage to the Measure of her Afflictions After these words she besought the Commissioners that she might be permitted to Confer with her Confessor which was denied her tendring unto her in his stead the Bishop or Dean of Peterborough whom she refused saying God shall be my Comforter One of the Commissioners the Earl of Kent told her your life will be the death and your death the life of our Religion I thank you said she that I am thought worthy to dye for my Religion After that the Commissioners were rerired she commanded her servants that Supper should be dispatched and according to her usual custom she Supped soberly and discoursed to such as were about her with a marvellous calmness and tranquillity of mind at the end of Supper she drank to all her servants with a grave and modest chearfulness at which they all fell upon their knees mingling floods of Tears with their Wine so soon as they were able to speak having a little digested their sorrow they craved her pardon for their remissness in those duties and services her Majesty had deserved at their hands and she desired them likewise to forget all her defects and failings towards them comforting them with an invincible courage and commanded them to wipe away their Tears and to rejoyce with her for that she was now to be delivered from an abyss of misery After Supper she wrote three Letters one to the King of France another to the Duke of Guise and a third to her Confessor this done she took a review of her Last Will which she had before committed to writing and caused an Inventory of her Goods to be Read and wrote down the names of those to whom she had bestowed her Wardrobe she also distributed mony to some with her own hand afterwards she retired herself and being refreshed with a little sleep she spent the rest of the night in Watching and Prayer The next morning being the eighth of February she drest and adorned herself with such of Apparel and Ornaments as she usually wore on Festival days and having again assembled her servants she caused her Will again to be Read to them desiring them to take in good part those poor Legacies she had bequeathed to them the condition of her Estate not permitting her to give them any greater She took her last farewel of them to fear God to love one another and to be stedfast in the Faith and to Pray for her Soul she kissed the women and permitted the men to kiss her hand and then returned to her Oratory where she continued to Prayer until Thomas Andrews the Lieutenant of the County signified unto her that her hour was come and it was time to come forth which she soon obeyed and in a posture full of Majesty and a Countenance very joyful the Commissioners received her in a Gallery where they did attend her there likewise Melvin her Steward did present himself before her and weeping fell on his knees to receive her last commands Melvin said she weep not but rather rejoyce for this day you shall see Mary Stuart delivered from all her sorrows and I adjure you to tell my Son that I have always lived and now I dye a Catholick and that I exhort him to preserve the Faith of his Ancestors to love Justice and to maintain his people in Peace and to Enterprize nothing against the Queen of England I have committed nothing against the Kingdom of Scotland and I always loved France God forgive
them who have thirsted after my blood then turning to the Lords she requested that her servants after her death might be civily used suffered to attend her person in the time of her death and then to enjoy peaceably those poor Legacies she had bequeathed them the Earl of Kent opposed her servants Attendance yet the passionate desires of the poor Queen prevailed with the rest of the Lords to permit six of them to wait on her to the Scaffold with this train came she into the Hall hung with black and ascended the Scaffold covered with black also and sat her down in a Chair prepared for her Beal read the Warrant for Execution which she heard very Patiently the Dean of Peterborough endeavoured to persuade her at last to relinquish the Roman and embrace the Reformed Religion for the Eternal good of her Soul She besought him to forbear being Resolved to Dye in the Faith of the Roman Church Then turning to the People she Protested before God that she had not Attempted any thing against the Life of Queen Elizabeth nor any other thing deserving Death after some sew words more touching Religion her Eyes gushed full of Tears which were sympathetically Answer'd with Tears by all that beheld the Tragedy Three or Four only in all that Concourse that could be Excepted The Executioner desired her Pardon I Pardon thee said she and all my Persecutors after she had kneeled down and Prayed with extream fervency concluding her Devotions in these words As thy Arms Lord Jesus were stretched out upon the Gross so receive me O Jesus into the stretched forth Arms of thy Mercy And after this she disposed her self for the Block her Maids having undressed her she laid open the most Beautiful Neck that ever received so merciless a Blow then she signed her Attendants with the Sign of the Cross and having kissed them all she smilingly bids them farewell at which they poor Souls weep most bitterly with Sighs and Tears inexpressible for which she meekly reproved them saying Nay what do you mean do you suffer your selves to be Transported with Grief notwithstanding you know I am going to Exchange a Temporal Kingdom full of Misery for an Everlasting Empire filled with all Felicity After this she covered her Face and laid her Neck on the Block saying in te Domine speravi and having repeated once and again in manus tuas Domine The Executioner gave a Blow and with it made a dreadful wound in the hinder part of her head and at two more the Inhuman Butcher severed her head from her Shoulders saying Long Live Queen Elizabeth and so let the Enemies of the Gospel perish Her poor Heart-broken Servants drew nigh to do their last Office for her in divesting her Body and disposing of it for Burial But the Earl of Kent commanded them to be gone and ordered her Body to be conveyed to a Chamber in the Castle where it was locked up After Nineteen Years Imprisonment thus Unfortunately Dyed the most Beautiful the most Magnanimous the most Wise and most Religious Queen Mary Her Body was first Buried in the Cathedral Church in Peterborough and after many Years in the Reign of her Son taken up and buried amongst her Ancestors in Westminster and by an unknown Author had this Inscription set upon her Tomb in Peterborough MARIA Scotorum Regina regis Filia regis Gallorum vidua reginae Angliae agnata heres proxima vertutibus regiis animo regio ornata Jure regio frustra saepius Implorato barbara tyrannica crudelitate ornamentum nostri seculi lumen vere regium extinguitur eodemque nefario Judicio Maria Scotorum Regina morte naturali omnes superstites reges plebeii facti morte mulctantur hic extat Cum Sacris enim vive Mariae cineribus omnium Regum atque principium violatam atque prostratam Majestatem hic jacere scito quia tacitum regale satis super que reges sui officii monet plura non addo viater Translated thus Mary Queen of Scotland the Daughter of a King the Widow of the King of France the near Kinswoman and next Heir to the Queen of England endued with Princely Vertues and a Royal Mind having often but in vain implor'd her Regal Right at length the great Ornament of our Age and the most Sovereign Light of the World is Extinguish'd by a most Barbarous and Tyrannical Cruelty and by the same pernicious Sentence Mary the Queen of Scotland is punish'd with a Natural Death and all surviving Monarchs made common Persons and render'd lyable to the punishment of a Civil Death a very strange and unaccountable kind of Grave in which the Living lye Interr'd with the Dead for with the Ashes of this Blessed Mary know thou that the Majesty of all Crowned Heads lies here depressed and basely violated But because the Reasons of State do admonish all Kings what is best to do O Traveller I say no more FINIS