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
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
were pluckt up by the roots and new Foundations of Amity laid and thus they by joynt Counsel again undertake the Management of the Kingdom After this Concord an Assembly of the Estates was held at Edinburgh Thither came not a Few Persons as is usual but even whole Clans and Tenantrys as if they had remov'd their Habitations to complain of the Wrongs they had sustain'd and indeed the Sight of such a miserable Company could not be entertain'd without deep Affliction of Spirit every one making his woful moan according to his Circumstance that Robbers had despoiled Fathers of their Children Children of their Fathers Widows of their Husbands and all in general of their Estates Whereupon after Commiseration of the Sufferers The Envy as is usual and Reflection was carry'd to and fix'd upon the Captains of those Thieves whose Offences were so impudent that they could in no wise be suffer'd and their Faction was so far diffus'd that no man was able to defend his Life or Fortune unless he were of their Party yea their Power was so great that the Authority of the Magistrate could afford little help to the poorer and weaker Sort against their Violence and Force Whereupon the Wiser sort of Counsellors were of Opinion That seeing their Power was insuperable by plain Force 't was best to undermine it by degrees They all knew well enough that the Earl of Douglas was the Fountain of all those Calamities yet no Man durst name him publickly whereupon the Regent dissembling his Anger for the present persuaded the whole Assembly That it was more adviseable for them to cajole Douglas by Flatteries than to irritate him by Suspicions for he was of so great Power that he alone if he remain'd refractary was able to hinder the Execution of the Decrees of All the Estates but if he joyn'd himself with the Assembly then he might easily heal the present Mischiefs Semblable to this Advice a Decree was made that Letters of Complement in the Name of the Estates should be sent to him to put him in Mind of the Place which he held and of the great and Illustrious Merits of his Ancestors for the Advantage of their Country and withal to desire him to come to the Publick Assembly of the Estates which could not be well Celebrated without the presence of him and his Friends If he had any Complaint to make in the Assembly they would give him all the Satisfaction they were able to do and if he or his Friends had done any thing prejudicial to the Publick in respect to his Noble Family which had so often well deserv'd of their Country they were ready to remit many things upon the account of his Age of the Time of himself and the great Hopes conceiv'd of him And therefore they desired he would come and undertake what part of the Publick Government he pleas'd for seeing Scotland had often been deliver'd from great Dangers by the Arms of the Douglas's they hop'd that by his Presence he would now strengthen and relieve his Country which labour'd under Intestine Evils The Young Man who by his Age and Disposition was desirous of Glory was taken with the Bait and his Friends also persuaded him for they were all blinded by their particular Hopes so that their Minds were turn'd from all Apprehension of Danger to the sole Consideration of their particular Advantages When the Chancellor heard that he was on his Journey he went out several Miles to meet him and gave him a Friendly Invitation to his Castle which was near the Road it was called Creighton where he was Magnificently entertain'd for the space of Two Days in which time the Chancellor shew'd him all imaginable Respect that he might the more easily intrap the unwary Young Man For to shew that his Mind was no way alienated from him he began in a familiar manner to persuade him to be mindful of the Kings Dignity and of his own Duty that he should own him for his Leidge Lord whom his Birth the Laws of the Country and the Decree of the Estates had advanc'd to be King that he should transmit the great Estate which his Ancestors had got by their Blood and Valour to his Posterity in like manner as he had receiv'd it that so the Name of the Douglasses which was Illustrious for their Loyalty and Atchievements might be freed from the foul Blot of Treason yea and from all Suspicion of the same that he and his Tenants should forbear oppressing the poor Commons that he should put all Robbers out of his Train and for the future he should so addict himself to the maintenance of Justice that if he had offended heretofore it might be thought attributable to the ill Counsel of Bad Men and not to the Wickednese of his own Nature for in that tender and infirm Age his Repentance would pass for Innocence By these and the like Speeches he persuaded the young Man that he was his entire Friend and so drew him on to Edinburgh with David his Brother who was privy to all his Projects and Designs But his Followers smelt out some suspicion of Deceit by reason of the frequent Messages that past betwixt Alexander and the Regent for almost every Moment Posts ran betwixt them and besides the Chancellors Speech seem'd to some more glozing and kind than was usual for one of his Place and Dignity His Train did secretly mutter this and some freely told him That if he were resolv'd to go on yet he should send back David his Brother and according to his Fathers advice to him on his Death Bed not give up his whole Family to one stroke of Fortune But the improvident Youth was Angry with his Friends that had thus advis'd him and caus'd a Word to be given forth to all his Followers to surcease all such private Whisperings And to his Friends he made Answer That he knew well enough that 't was the common Plague of great Families to be troubled with Men who loved not to be quiet and who made a gain of the Dangers and Miseries of their Patrons And that such Men because in time of Peace they were bound up by Laws were the Authors and Advisers to Sedition that so they might Fish the better in troubled Waters but for his part he had rather cast himself on the known Prudence of the Regent and Chancellor than give Ear to the Temerity and Madness of Seditious Persons Having spoken these Words to cut off any occasion of further advice in the Case he set Spurs to his Horse and with his Brother and a few more of his Confidents hastned to the Castle with more speed than at the rate of an ordinary March and so Fate drawing him on he precipitated himself into the Snares of his Enemies In that very Moment of time the Regent came in too for so it was agreed that the whole weight of so great Envy might not lye on one Mans Shoulders only Douglas was kindly
received and admitted to the Kings Table but in the midst of the Feast some Armed Men beset him being Weaponless and put a Bulls Head upon him which in those Times was a Messenger and Sign of Death When the young Man saw that he was troubled and sought to arise but the Armed Men laid hold on and carry'd him to a Court near the Castle where by the loss of his Head he paid for the Intemperance of his Youth David his Brother and Malcolm Fleming whom next to his Brother he trusted most of all were also put to Death with him 'T is said that the King who was now fully entring on his being of Age wept for his Death and that the Chancellor did greatly Rebuke him for his unseasonable Tears at the Destruction of an Enemy whereas the Publick Peace was never like to be settled as long as he was alive William dying thus without Children Iames Sirnamed Crassus or the Gross from his Disposition succeeded him in the Earldom for 't was a Male-Feo as Lawyers speak the rest of his Patrimony which was very great fell to his only Sister Beatrix a very beautiful Person in her Days This Iames the Gross though he were no bad Man yet was no less suspected by the King and hated by the Commons than the former Earl because though he did not maintain Robbers as the former Earl had done yet he was not very Zealous in subduing them but he was substracted from this Envy by his Death which happen'd Two Years after William the Eldest of his Seven Sons Succeeded him he being Emulous of the ancient Power of the Family that he might restore it unto its Pristine Splendor resolv'd to Marry his Uncles Daughter who was the Heiress of many Countries Many of his Kindred did not approve of the Match partly because 't was an unusual and by consequence an unlawful thing and partly because by the Accession of so much Wealth he would be envy'd by the People and also formidable to the King For a Rumor was spread abroad and that not without ground that the King himself would do his utmost to hinder the Match This made William to hasten the Consummation of the Marriage even in the time when Marriages were forbidden that he might prevent the Kings endeavours to the contrary Thus having obtained great Wealth he grew insolent and envy follow'd his Insolence in regard Troops of Robbers did swarm every where whose Captains were thought to be no Strangers to Douglas his Design Amongst them there was one George Gorm of Athole who pillag'd all the Country about him and set upon William Ruthven Sheriff of Perth because he was leading a Thief of Athole to the Gallows and fought with him as it were in a set Battel At last Gorm the Captain and 30 of his Followers were slain and the rest sled to the Mountains This Bustling Fight was in the year of Christ 1443. A few days after the Castle of Dunbarton impregnable by Force was twice taken in a little time Robert Semple was Commander of the Lower Castle and Patrick Galbreth of the Higher and their Government was so divided that each had a peculiar entrance into his own Part. These Two were not free from Factions amongst themselves For Patrick was thought secretly to favour the Douglasses whereupon Semple perceiving that his Part was but negligently guarded seiz'd upon him and commanded him to remove his Goods The day after Patrick entred with four Companions attending him without Arms to fetch out his Goods where first he light upon the Porter alone and then catching up Arms drave him and the rest out of the Upper Castle and thus sending for Aid out of the Neighbouring Town he beat them out of the Lower Castle also and so reduc'd the whole Fort into his own hands About that time there were very many Murders committed upon the inferior Sort which were partly perpetrated by the Douglassians and partly charg'd upon them by their Enemies The King was now of Age and manag'd the Government himself so that Douglas being unable to stand against the Envy of the Nobles and the Complaints of the Commons too resolves to become a New Man to satisfie the People and by all means possible to atone the Heart of the King which was alienated from him and in order thereunto he came with a great Train to Sterlin And when he had Intelligence by some Courtiers whom he had greas'd in the Fist and made his Own that the Kings Anger was appeas'd towards him then and not before he came into his Presence and threw down his Life and Fortune and all his Concerns at his Feet and to his Dispose he partly excused the Crimes of his former Life and paâ—â—ly because That seemed the readier way to Reconciliation he ingenuously confest Them withal affirming that whatever Fortune he should have hereafter he would ascribe it solely to the Clemency of the King not to his Own Innocency but if the King were pleas'd to receive Satisfaction from him by his Services and Obsequiousness he would do his utmost endeavour for the future that no Man should be more Loyal and observant of his Duty than himself and that in restraining and punishing all those exorbitant Offences which his Enemies cast upon him none should be more sharp and severe than he in regard he was descended from that Family which was not raised by oppâ—â—â—sing the Poor but by defending the Commons of Scotland by theâ—â— Arms By this Oration of the Earls and the secret Commendation of the Courtiers the King was so chang'd that he forgave him all the Crimes of his former Life and received him into the Number of his Privadoes and communicated all his secret Designs to him And indeed the Earl in a very little time had so obliged the King to him by his Obsequious Carriage and had won so much on his Ministers by his Liberality yea had so ingratiated himself into all Men by his modest and courteous Condescension that the ordinary sort of People conceiv'd great Hope of his gentle and pliable Deportment but the Wiser were somewhat afraid whither so sudden a change of Manners would tend And especially Alexander Levingston and William Creighton imagining that all his Counsels would tend to their Destruction having laid down their publick Offices in the Government went away severally Alexander to his own Estate and William into the Castle of Edinburgh there to watch and observe where the Simulation of Douglas would terminate and end Neither did their preconceiv'd Opinion deceive such Wise Men as they were For Douglas having gotten the King alone and destitute of graver Counsel and who was somewhat unwary too by reason of the Greenness of his years thought now that he had a fit Opportunity to revenge the Deaths of his Kinsmen and so easily persuaded the King to send for William Creighton and Alexander Levingston with his two Sons Alexander and Iames to
fighting with their Enemies slew many of them and drove the rest beyond the limits of their Allies And thus having delivered them from their cruel Bondage they advised them to build a Wall within the Island between the two Seas which might be a Safeguard to them to repel their Enemies and then in great Triumph they returned home They hearkning to their advice erect a Wall as enjoined not so much with Stones as Turfs but having no eminent Artificers fit for such an undertaking it was good for little They made it between the two Seas or Bays of which I lately spake of the Sea for many Miles that so where the Waters were not a Defence there by the advantage of the Wall they might secure their Borders from the Inrodes of their Enemies The evident Marks and Footsteps of this high Wall and Work do remain to this day It begins at almost a Mile distant from the Monastery of Kebercurnig toward the West in a place called in the Picts Language Panuachel but in the English Penueltima and bending against the West it is terminated by the City Alcluyth But their former Enemies as soon as they perceived that the Roman Souldiers were departed being carried in Ships brake into their Borders killing and spoiling all before them and as if they were Corn ready for the Sickle they Mow Trample upon and Destroy them Hereupon the Brittons send a second Embassy to Râ—mâ— with redoubled Complaints and Lamentations desiring Aid lest their miserable Country should be wholâ—y Razed and the Name of a Roman Province wherewith they had been honoured so long should now grow cheap and precarious by the Invasion of Foreigners Hereupon another Legion was sent which according to Command arriving in Autumn made a great Slaughter of their Enemies and drove all that made their escape beyond the Seas who the year before drove all their Preys beyond those Seas without any Resistance Then the Romans told the Britains That they could come no more on such chargeable and toilsome Expeditions for their Defence but they advised them to take Arms themselves and Fight with their Enemies that were it not for their Sluggishness they might be as Valiant as They. Moreover they thought it advantageous to their Allies whom they must leave that a Wall was drawn directly from Sea to Sea between the Cities which were there built for fear of Enemies where also Severus made a Trench This Wall they built accordingly with firm Stone both with the publick and private Purse as is yet to be seen taking to their Assistance a Company of the Britains It was Eight Foot broad and Twelve high in a direct line from East to West Both are yet to be seen after they had built it they gave strict charge to the Inhabitants for their self-Defence and afforded them Examples for the Training up in Arms but in the South shore where their Ships were lodged because from thence they feared the Irruptions of the Barbarians they erected Towers at proper distances for the prospect of the Sea and so they took their leaves as never intending to Return And a little after In short they fly and are dispersed leaving their Cities and Walls their Enemies follow and make more cruel Slaughters than ever before For as Lambs are devoured by Wolves so were the poor Country-Men torn in pieces by their Enemies so that being ejected out of their Habitations and in danger to be Starved they exercised Robberies and mutual Rapacities to keep themselves alive Thus they increased external Slaughters by Domestick Broils till all the Country was quite despoiled of Food but what was got by Hunting Out of the Epistle of Gildas WHom he commanded to build a Wall between the Two Seas on the further side of the Island that it might be a Terrour to Enemies and a Defence to the Inhabitants And after The remainders of them sent lamentable Letters to Aetius a Man of great Authority in Rome beginning thus To Aetius thrice Consul the Groans of the Britains and a little after they complain The Barbarians repel us to the Sea The Sea beats us back to the Barbarians Between these Two kinds of Death we are either killed on Land or drowned at Sea neither have we any Fence or Releif against either of them The Fourth BOOK HAving undertook to write the History of our Nation that the Series thereof might appear more plain to the Reader I have in my former Books premised a few ancient Memoirs and especially Those which are freest from Fabulous Vanities and are also most Consonant to Old Writers First of all it is constantly reported and there are many Evidences to confirm the same That a great multitude of Spaniards being driven out of their own Country by their powerful Dons or else voluntarily departing by reason of their superabounding populousness transported themselves into Ireland and seized upon those Places of that Island which were nearest to them Afterward the healthiness of the Air and the fatness of the Pasturage invited many others to follow them especially seeing their Seditions at home and the Injuries offered them by Foreigners to which Spain was always subject drew many thither in hopes of a quieter Life which Voyage they were more easily persuaded to undertake because they looked upon themselves as going into an Island already possessed by their own People and by that means as it were their second Country This Stock of Spaniards did so flourish and increase in a Country fit for Propagation that now they were not contented within the bounds of Ireland but frequently made Emigrations into the lesser Islands near adjacent In the mean time the Scots for that was the general Name of the whole Nation propagating their bounds through the Islands of Aebudae and dispersing themselves by Tribes and Kindreds without either King or fixed Government A German or as Bede writes a Scythian Fleet came to the Coasts of Ireland being driven thither 't is very probable by stress of Weather for they had not their Wives or Children aboard with them They being very Poor having nothing left them by reason of so long a Voyage but only their Arms sent Ambassadors to the Scots desiring them that they might inhabit amongst them Answer was sent them That they themselves were compelled to seek their Habitations in those small Islands which by reason of the Barrenness of the Soil were also Unfruitful and if it were otherwise yet all of them if they should forsake them quite would not be sufficient to entertain so great a multitude But in regard they pitied the common Miseries of Mankind and were particularly affected with their Condition whom Divine Providence had so grievously afflicted and who did not seem to be wholly Strangers to their Lineage as by their Language and Customs appeared they would therefore give them their Advice and as far as they were able would assist them to execute it Their Advice to them was to Sail to their
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
the former King And a while after many other Persons as they did excel in Virtue or in Wealth were circumvented by him by one wile or other and so unjustly brought to their Ends. At last to free himself from the Fears of a Successor he took up a Resolution to destroy Corbredus Galdus his Kinsman with his Brothers who were Royally Educated in hopes of the Kingdom The Charge of this Assassination was committed to Cormoracus one of his Privado's He being laden with many Gifts but more Promises was sent away to perpetrate the Villany but attempting it with less Caution than such a Butchery required he was taken in the very Fact by some of Galdus his Train with a naked Fauchion in his Hand being Arraigned and put to the Torture he confessed the Author and the designed order of the whole Conspiracy and so was executed immediately When this wicked Plot was divulged abroad there was a general Combination of almost all sorts of People against the King insomuch that having slain many of those who were Panders to his Lust as they could be found at last they endeavoured to make their way to the King himself the Source and Fountain of their Mischief In the mean time Conanus one of the Kings Parasites a Man meanly descended but highly Respected and Trusted by his Master levied some Troops and had the Confidence to send them forth against the Nobles but being forsaken of his Men he was taken and Hang'd The Commons having now got Galdus for their General found out Dardanus who was privately lurking to secure himself while they were apprehending of him he endeavour'd to lay violent Hands on himself but being prevented he was brought to Galdus and immediately put to Death his Head was carried up and down in Mockery and his Body thrown into a Jakes after he had Reigned Four years Corbred II The Twenty First King COrbred the Second Sirnamed Galdus succeeded him a Prince equally dear to Lords and Commons both upon the account and early proof of his own personal Virtue and promising Ingenuity as for the Memory of his worthy Father Some imagin that he was That Galgacus who is mentioned by Tacitus and that he was Sirnamed Galdus by the Scots because he had been educated amongst the Britains For the Scots according to their Ancient Custom call all Strangers Galds or Galls as the Germans call them Wals as I shewed largely before After he had undertook the Government he increased the great Hopes which had been pre-conceived of him For making an Expedition into the Islands of Sky and Lewis he quelled the Seditions lately raised there and suffered to come to an head by the negligence of Dardanus and that with a due and prudent mixture of Mercy and Severity He slew the Captains of those Banditti and enforced the rest for fear of punishment either voluntarily to banish themselves or else to return to their former rural Employments He as I believe was the First of the Scotish Kings that ever advanced his Ensigns against the Romans who had by little and little propagated their Empire even to the very Borders For Petitius Cerealis first broke the Forces of the Brigantes and his Successor Iulius Frontinus conquered the Silures 'T is very probable that the Scots and Picts sent Aid to those Nations who were situate not far from their Borders Iulius Agricola succeeded the former Generals who having overcome the Ordovâ—ces and reduced the Island Man when he was come to the narrowest part of Britain thinking that it was not far to the end of the Island he was encouraged to the Conquest of it all And therefore in the Third Year of his Generalship he overcame and plundered the neighboring Countries of the Scots and Picts until he came to the River Tay And thô his Army was much distressed by Tempest yet he had time to build Forts in all places convenient for Defence by which means he defeated the Designs of his Enemies and withal brake their Force For before the Adverse party being Men inured to hardship what they lost in the Summer would many times recover in Winter when the Roman Legions were dispersed into Winter Quarters And somtimes they would assault and take their Enemies Castles and Garisons being not sufficiently fortified But at that time by the cunningness of Agrippa in Building his Forts and by his skill in making them defensible and withal by relieving them with his Forces every Year Their Arts were deluded In the Fourth Year of his Government perceiving that the Firths of Forth and of Clyd were severed but by a small Tract of Land having fortified that Place with Garisons he spoiled the Countries bending to the Irish Sea In his Fifth Year he sent a Fleet to Sea and made descents in many places and plundred the Maritime Coasts fortifying those that looked towards Ireland with Garisons not only for that present occasion but also that he might from thence more easily transport an Army to that Country By this prudence of Agricola the Scots and Picts being shut up in a narrow Angle and secluded from any commerce with the Britains prepared themselves for the last shock and rancounter Neither was Agricola less careful but commanding his Navy to fetch a compass about to discover the utmost parts of the Island he led his Army beyond the Forth and drew towards the Caledonians There their Enemies being ready as in a desperate Case to run their last hazard assaulted some of the Roman Garisons which struck such a Terror into them that some of the Romans as fearing either the Number of their Enemies or their Obstinacy by reason of their desperation gave their advice to retreat with their Army into a place of greater safety But their General being resolved to Fight when he was informed that the Enemy approached him in three distinct Brigades he also drew towards them having divided his Army into Three Squadrons also which Project was almost his total Ruin For his Enemies understanding his Design did with their whole Army assault one of his Legions by night and having killed the Sentinels had almost taken his whole Camp But being prevented by the coming in of other Legions after they had fought desperately till Day light at length being put to flight they returned into the Mountains and Woods Those things were acted about the Eighth Year of his Expeditions Both Parties prepare themselves as for their last Encounter against the next Spring The Romans as judging that the Victory would put an end to the War And their Enemies looking upon their All to be at stake and that they were about to fight for their Liberty Lives and for whatsover is to be accounted Dear and Sacred amongst Men Hereupon judging that in former Battels they were overcome by Stratagem rather than by Valour they betook themselves to the higher Grounds and at the foot of Mount Grampius waited for the coming of the Romans There
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
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
being a Grand-son than Iohn Baliol who was but a Great Grand-son As for Dornadilla with whom he stood in equal Degree yet he was to be preferred before her as a Male before a Female The Scots Nobles could not decide this Controversie at home for by reason of the Power of both Parties the Land was divided into Two Factions For Baliol by his Mother held all Galway a very large Country and besides he was allied to the Cumin's Family which was the most Powerful next the Kings for Mary the Sister of Dornadilla had Married Iohn Cumins Robert on the other side in England possessed Cleveland in Scotland Annandale and Garioch and by his Son Earl of Carrick who was afterwards King was related to many Noble Families and he was also very Gracious with his own People so that for these Reasons the Controversie was not able to be decided at home yea if it should have been equitably determined yet there was not a sufficient Party in Scotland to compel both sides to stand to the Award and therefore Edward of England was almost unanimously chosen to be the Decider thereof Neither was there any doubt made of his Fidelity as being Born of such a Father as the late King of Scotland had Experienced to be both a Loving Father in Law to him and a just Guardian too and on the contrary the English King had received a late and memorable Testimony of the Scots Good-Will towards him in that they so readily consented to the Marriage of his Son with their Queen Whereupon Edward as soon as he came to Berwick sent Letters to the Peers and Governors of Scotland to come to him protesting That he Summoned them to appear before him not as Subjects before their Lord or Supreme Magistrate but as Friends before an Arbitrator chosen by themselves First of all he required an Oath of the Competitors to stand to his Award in the next place he required the same Oath of the Nobles and Commissioners to obey Him as King whom he upon his Oath should declare so to be and for this he desired a publick Scrol or Record signed by all the States and each ones Seal affixed thereto to be given to him This being done he chose of the most prudent of all the Estates 12 English and adjoyned 12 Scots to them from them also he exacted an Oath to Judge Rightly and Truly according to their Consciences in the Case These things were managed openly and above board which in appearance were honest and taking with the People but his private Design was secretly agitated amongst a few only how he might bring Scotland under his Subjection The Thing was thought feasable enough in regard the Kingdom was divided into Two Factions but to make the Way more Intricate and the Fraud more Covert he raised up Three other Competitors besides Bruce and Baliol that out of so great a Number he might more easily bring over One or More to his Party And lest so great a Matter might seem to be determined unadvisedly he consulted with Those who were most eminent in France for Piety Prudence and the Knowledge of the Law Neither did he doubt but that as that sort of Men are never always of One Opinion he should fish something out of their Answers which might make for his purpose The New Competitors seeing no Grounds for their Pretensions of their own accord quickly desisted but to the Lawyers whom he Governed and Influenced as he pleased a false or made Case was Stated and Propounded Thus A certain King that was never wont to be Crowned nor Anointed but only to be placed in a kind of Seat and declared King by his Subjects yet not a King so free but that he was under the Patronage of another King whose Homage or Beneficiary he professed himself to be Such a King died without Children Two of his Kinsmen begat by Sempronius Great Vncle of the deceased King claim the Inheritance to wit Titius Great Grand-son by the Eldest Daughter of Sempronius and Seius Grand-son by his Younger Daughter now Which of These is to be preferred in â—n undividable Estate The Case being propounded well near in those very Words They all Generally answered That if any Law or Custom did obtain in the Kingdom which was sued for they were to be Guided by and stand to it if not then they must be Guided by him under whose Patronage they were because in Judging of Freehold Custom doth not ascend i. e. The usage and award of the Superior is to be a Law to the Inferiour but not on the contrary It would be too prolix a Task to reckon up particularly all the Opinions but in brief almost all of them answered very doubtfully and uncertainly as to the Right of the Competitors but as the Case was falsely put they all gave the Supreme Power of Judgment in the Controversie to Edward Hereby the Matter was made more intricate and involved than before so that the next Year they met again at Norham There Edward by Agents fit for his purpose gently tried the Minds of the Scots Whether they would willingly put Themselves under the Power and Jurisdiction of the English which as was alleged their Ancestors had often done But when they all unanimously refused so to do he called to him the Competitors whom he himself had set up and by great Promises extorted from them to Swear Homage to him and he persuades the rest to remove the Assembly to Berwick as a more convenient Place There he shut up the 24 Judges Elected as before in a Church without any Body else amongst them commanding them to give their Judgments in the Case and till they did so no Man was to have Access to them But they being slow in their Proceedings he ever and anon went in alone to them and by discoursing sometimes One and sometimes Another finding that most were of Opinion That the Right lay on Baliol's side tho' he were inferiour in Favour and Popularity he went to Bruce who because he was Legally cast by their Votes he thought he might more easily persuade to assent to his Design and promised him the Crown of Scotland if he would put himself under the Patronage of the King of England and be Subject to his Authority Bruce answered him ingeniously That he was not so eager of a Crown as to accept of it by abridging the Liberty his Ancestors had left him Hereupon he was dismissed and he sends for Iohn Baliol who being more desirous of a Kingdom than of honest Methods to come by it greedily accepted the Condition offered him by Edward John Baliol The Ninety Sixth King WHereupon Iohn Baliol was declared King of Scotland 6 Years and 9 Months after the Death of Alexander The rest of the Scots being studious of the publick Tranquillity led him to Scone and there Crowned him according to Custom and all Swore Fealty to him except Bruce He being thus made King by
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
with his Army if he did they threatned to Excommunicate him with Bell Book and Candle For the Pope said they is wholly intent upon a War against the Common Enemy of Christendom and so would have the differences compos'd all over Europe that they might be free for that War and that they were sent before to give him Notice hereof but there was a more Solemn Embassy which would shortly arrive and which they believ'd was already come as far as France to decide the Civil Discords of England and to give satisfaction to the Scots for the Wrongs they had sustain'd The King did not imagine any Fraud in the Case and desiring nothing more than an Honourable Peace in regard things at home were not quite setled to his Mind Obey'd the Legate and Disbanded his Army He had scarce dismist it but he was advis'd from England that this suppos'd Embassador was a Cheat so that he gather'd again some Forces and because he could not joyn the Duke of York that he might keep off some of the King's Force from him and also revenge his own Wrongs he march'd directly to Roxborough the Town he took and destroy'd it at his first coming but whilst he was laying Siege to the Castle Embassadors came from York and his Associats informing him that their King was overcome and the War ended in England They gave him Thanks for his Good-Will and his Desire to assist them in the maintenance of their Lives and Honours and that they would in time be mindful to requite the Courtesie but at present they desir'd him to raise the Siege and draw off from the Castle and likewise to forbear any other Act of Hostility against England For otherwise they should be laden with great Envy amongst the People who could hardly be contain'd or satisfy'd but that an Army must presently march against the Scots Iames congratulated their Victory but ask'd the Embassadors Whether the Duke of York and his Allies had given them nothing in Command concerning restoring the Places promis'd He Answer'd Nothing Then said he before your last Embassy came to me I was determin'd to pull down that Castle which is built upon my Land neither since that time am I so much obliged by the Courtesies of that Faction as to give over an Enterprize which is begun and almost finisht As for the Threatnings made either by the People or by Them let them look to it goe you and tell them that I will not be remov'd hence by Words but Blows Thus the Embassadors were dismist without their Errand and whilst he did press upon the Besieg'd by all the hardships of War Donald the Islander came into his Camp with a great Band of his Country-men He to obtain the easier Pardon for his past Offences and fully to Atone and Reconcile the King promis'd him that if he would march forward into the Enemies Countries as long as he was there he would march a Mile before his Army and endure the sharpest and first of all Brunts and Hazards But he was Commanded to be near the King yet some of his Troops was sent out to prey upon the Country It happen'd also that at the same time Alexander Gordon Earl of Huntly brought in new Forces to the King This Accession of Strength made the King more resolute to continue the Siege tho' a strong Defence was made by Those within So that whereas before it was a Blockade only a well-laid and close Siege was now made when he had Soldiers enough some presently succeeded in the Places of others insomuch that the Garison Soldiers of whom many were Slain many Wounded and unfit for Service the rest tired out with continual Toil and Labour were not so eager to run into the Places of most Danger as before and to strike the more Terror into them the King gave Command to batter part of the Wall with Iron pieces of Ordnance which were then much us'd and were very terrible And whilst the King was busie about one of them to press on the work the Fire catcht within it and with its force drove out a wooden Wedg or Plug which immediately fell'd the King to the Earth and slew him without hurting any body else Those Courtiers who stood next him tho' they were terrify'd at this sudden Accident yet they cover'd his Body left if his Death were divulg'd the Common Soldiers should run away The Queen who that very Day came to the Camp did not give up her Mind to Womanish Lamentations bur call'd the Nobles together and exhorted them to be of good Courage and that so many valiant Men should not be so dismayed at the Loss of One as counting it dishonourable to desert a Business that was almost ended She told them She her Self would speedily bring them another King in the place of him that was slain in the mean time they should press with might and main upon the Enemy lest he might grow more resolute upon News of their Generals Death and so imagin that all the Courage of so many valiant Men was extinguisht in in the Fate of one Person only The Officers were asham'd to be exceeded in Courage by a Woman Whereupon they assaulted the Castle with such Violence that neither Party was sensible that the King was lost In the mean time Iames the King's Son being about 7 Years of Age was brought into the Camp and Saluted King And 't was not long after before the English being tired out with Watching and continued Service surrendred up the Castle to the new King upon Condition to march away with Bag and Baggage The Castle that it might be the Occasion of no new War was levell'd to the Ground This End had Iames the 2d in the Year of Christ 1460. a few Days before the Autumnal Equinox in the 29 th Year of his Age and the 23d of his Reign he had been exercis'd always even from his Youth with Domestick or Foreign Wars he bore Both Estates of Life the Prosperous and Adverse with great Moderation of Mind he shew'd such Valour against his Enemies and such Clemency to those that submitted themselves that All Estates were much afflicted for his Loss and his Death was the more lamented because 't was sudden and that in the Flower of of his Youth too after he had escap'd so many Dangers and when the Expectation of his Virtues was at the highest And he was the more miss'd because his Son was yet immature for the Government whilst Men consider'd what Miseries they had suffer'd for the last 20 Years the Ashes of which Fire were hardly yet rak'd up so that from a reflective Remembrance of what was Past they seemed to Divine the Estate of future Things The Twelfth BOOK James III. The Hundred and Fourth King JAMES II. as I have related being slain in his Camp to prevent all Controversy concerning the Right of Succession which had happen'd at other times his Son Iames a Child
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
who for his many and notable Crimes was grievously hated by his own People as well as Richard was by His willingly gave ear to his Ambassadors for he hoped That if once he had Peace with England that he could revenge his Wrongs at home at leisure when England could not be a Refuge to his Opposers For these Reasons especially Both Kings sent some of their Confidents to the Borders where after many and long Disputes concerning Compensation for Losses seeing Peace could not be made by Reason of the Multitudes of Complainants and the Weakness of their Proofs they made a Truce for Three Years And because Matters could not then be adjusted for the Difficulties above-mentioned and also the Straitness of Time Arbiters were appointed on Both sides who together with the Commanders of the Borders should see all things done according to Equity One Condition in the Truce was set down very intricately about the Castle of Dunbar to be restor'd to the Scots for the English interpreted it that they might keep it and the Scots that they might reduce it by Force notwithstanding the Truce For when the Scots after the Expiration of the Sixâ—Months allotted sent Embassadors to Demand the Castle Richard by his Letters made them Promises of his Good Will but he delay'd the Reddition alleging sometimes This and sometimes Other things as an Obstacle in the way till his Death which follow'd not long after He was slain by his Countrymen and Henry the 7 th not yet fully setled in the Throne when â—ames laid Siege to the Castle in a very sharp Winter The Garison Soldiers seeing that they were not like to have Relief from England in regard of the present Distractions surrendred it up But Henry being troubled with many Cares that he might cut off the Occasion of Foreign Wars and extirpate the Seeds of old Hatred came to Newcastle upon Tine from thence he sent Embassadors to Scotland either to make a perpetual League or at least a long Truce with them for he being a Man of great Prudence and having experienc'd many Vicissitudes of things in his Life did judge it highly conducing to the Establishment of his Kingdom to make Peace with his Neighbors and especially with the Scots because that ordinarily those Two Kingdoms did lye at catch for Advantages against each other and did also nourish Rebels flying thither yea and entertain those which were exiled and maintain Sedition by giving their Authors hope of Refuge and Supply And as for Iames he desir'd nothing more than to be free from the fear of Strangers that so he might punish his own disobedient Subjects as he pleased And therefore he kindly receiv'd the Embassadors and told them that he desir'd nothing more than a Peace but his Opinion was that his Subjects would not yield to it that either there should be a perpetual Peace or any long Truce betwixt them partly because it was forbid by an Ancient Law lest when all Fear of an Enemy was removed their Minds might languish in Idleness and the Sinews of their Industry be remitted and partly because they could not so suddainly lay down that fierceness of Spirit which they had acquir'd by so long Use of Arms. But if they could be brought to This to yield to a Truce for 6 or 7 Years he would not have them refuse it But as for himself he was willing to maintain a firm and inviolate Peace with them as long as he liv'd and he would also take care that the Truce should be renewed before the Date of it was quite expired but he earnestly desired the Embassadors not to divulge abroad the Discourse which they had in secret with him lest his Nobilitie should be more backward to a Pacification if they saw him to be partial in the Case When this was told Henry who knew in what a tumultuous Case the Affairs of Scotland were and how convenient it was for that King to have a Peace imagining likewise that he spoke really and from his Heart he accepted of the Truce for 7 Years and so retir'd back to York In the mean time the Queen of Scots dyed a Woman of a singular Beauty and Probity too and by her good Graces she was thought sometimes to have moderated the unbridled Appetites and Efforts of her Husband Alexander also the King's Brother Dyed in France leaving Two Sons behind him Alexander by his First Wife the Daughter of the Earl of the Orcades and Iohn by his Second who was afterward the Regent King of Scotland for some Years Iames having thus setled Peace abroad and at home being freed from Two troublesome Interrupters of his Designs return'd to his own Nature he excluded almost all the Nobility and had none but Upstarts about him upon them he bestowed great Honors and Preferments the Care of all Publick Affairs and the Ways of getting Money were Both cast upon them whilst he himself did wholly immerge himâ—â—â—f in Voluptuousness The Chief of this Court Faction was Iohn Ramsy who was preserv'd at Laâ—der by the King's Request and then escap'd Punishment He was grown so insolently proud that not content with the Stewardship of the Houshold which is a Place of prime Honor amongst the Scots which the King had given him and many rich Lordships besides he obtained an Edict That none but he and his Retinue should wear a Sword or other weapon in those places where the King Lodg'd that so by this means they might strengthen themselves and their Retinue against the Nobility who kept their distinct and frequent Meetings by themselves and walk'd up and down guarded by reason of the Terror of their Arms. But that Edict made People to hate Ramsy more than fear him for now nothing but the Image of perfect Slavery was represented to their Eye In the mean time the King meditated nothing more than how to satisfy himself with the Blood of those Men who were believ'd to be the Authors of Rebellion against them And seeing he could not do it by open Force he thought to effect it by Subtilty and therefore he fain'd himself to be reconcil'd to This and to the Other Man and entertain'd them so courteously that 't was even below the Dignity of a Prince so to do Others who were eminent in Power he gave Honors and Largesses to He made David Lindsy Earl of Craford Duke of Montross endeavouring to win him by that means being so powerful a Man in his Country As for George Earl of Angus he had him frequently about him and as if he had been wholly receiv'd into his Favour he acquainted him with his private Designs yet none of his Rewards and Flatteries could persuade Men that he was sincere For They that knew his Disposition did not at all doubt that his Simulation of Benevolence and Respect tended to no other end but that he might either apprehend the Nobility One by One apart or else might set them together
a long time sailing for France his Ship being tossed with contrary Winds and sore Storms in the Way so that he arrived not there till the French had laid aside the Thoughts of any Naval Preparations and then he landed in Base-Britaine where the Ship which cost so much Money and Labour to build had her Tackle taken out and so rotted in the Harbour of Brest In the interim other causes of Discord arose at Home which wholly alienated Iames from Henry In the Reign of Henry the 7 th there was one Robert Carr a worthy Knight so much beloved of Iames for his excellent Virtues that he made him his chief Cup-bearer Master of his Ordnance and Lord-Warden of the middle-Borders or Marches He was a severe punisher of all Robbers which procured him great Favour with the King but increased the Hatred of the Borderers against him So that both English and Scots whose Licentiousness he restrained by putting the Laws in Execution against them jointly sought all occasions to take away his Life and at length at a solemn meeting of Scots and English which used to be kept to adjust and recompense Damages received a Quarrel arose and three English-men bold Fellows Iohn Hern Lilburn and one Starhed set upon him one came behind and ran him through his Back with a Lance and when he was wounded the other two dispatched him quite This Business was likely to create a War but Henry as he was just in other Things so in this was as angry as Iames at the foulness of the Fact and therefore he caused Iohn Hern the Brother of th' other Iohn Lord of Foord and Governour of the English Borders to be delivered up to the Scots with Lilburne for the other Two had made their escape They were shut up in Prison in Fast-Castle and there Lilburne died And for the expiation of so manifest a Crime it was decreed That in future Assemblings of that kind the English should first crave the publick Faith for their Security and so enter Scotland and have their Meetings there and the Ambassadors of England by many solemn Protestations and Ceremony of Words should declare That the Publick was not concerned as guilty of that particular Murder The other two Murderers lurked in the inland Parts of England till the Reign of Henry the 8 th and yet they went not unpunished for when they had got a Young King fierce potent and saw that he was willing to shew the greatness of his Strength they crept out of their Dens Hern by the mediation of his Kindred lived openly at his own House and privately sent in Robbers to Scotland to disturb the Publick Peace hoping that if a War were once begun he should obtain Indemnity for his old Offences and Impunity even with freedom to commit new But Starhed got a Place to live in about 90 Miles from the Borders thinking to be safe by reason of the remoteness of his Habitation but Andrew Carr the Son of Robert who saw that the Seeds of Hatred which would soon break out into a War were then sown and fearing that if once they entred into Arms he should lose the avengement of his Father's Blood persuades two of his Tenants of the Family of the Tates to disguise themselves and to kill Starhed They undertook to do it and so entred his House securely in the Night for living so far from the Borders he thought he needed no Watch where they killed him cut off his Head and brought it to Andrew he in testimony of his desired Revenge sends it to Edinburgh and sets it up there upon an high and conspicuous Place Of Hern I shall speak in due time A new Fact trod on the Heels of this old Injury which awakened the Anger of the King of Scots that was rather asleep than extinguished before At that time there was one Andrew Breton a Scots Merchant his Father had a Ship rifled by the Portugals and himself cruelly slain Andrew had the Cause heard in Flanders because there the Murder was committed where the Portugals were cast but they not paying what was adjudged neither did their King tho' Iames sent an Herald to him for that end compel them so to do Andrew hereupon obtained Letters of Mart from Iames to satisfy himself for the Damages and Murder and it was directed to all Princes and Cities lying near the Sea That they should not account him as a Pirate or Robber if by open Force he revenged himself on the Portugals who were such Violaters of common Right and Equity so that in a few Months he did much mischief to the Portugals Their Ambassadors in the height of the War the French made against Pope Iulius the Second and which was soon like to break out against the English as siding with Iulius came to Henry and told him That this bold and impudent Fellow Andrew which had done them so much Mischief who were the Ancient Allies of the English would assuredly be his Enemy when he warred against France but now he was secure and might easily be subdued and cut off and if the Fact were evil spoken of it might be excused under a pretence of his exercising Piracy This if he would do he might prevent the Losses of his own Subjects and also gratify their King his Friend and Ally very much Henry was thus easily persuaded by the Portugals to entrap Andrew In order whereto he sent his Admiral Thomas Howard with two strong Ships of the Navy Royal well-appointed to way-lay him in the Downs so they call the Heaps of Sand which appear aloft when the Tide is out in his return from Flanders It was not long before they espied him coming in a small Vessel with a lesser one in his Company and set upon him Howard himself attaqued Andrew between-whom there was a sharp Fight and altho' Howard had all the Advantage imaginable against him yet he had much ado to take the Ship neither could he do that till Andrew and many of his Men were slain This is certain That Andrew was a Man of that Courage even when his Case was desperate that tho' he had several Wounds and one of his Legs was broken with a Cannon Bullet yet he took a Drum and beat an Alarm and a Charge to his Men to incourage them to fight valiantly this he did till his Breath and Life failed him together The lesser Ship seeing that she was no way able to cope with the Enemy endeavoured to save her self by flight but was taken with a great deal less opposition They which were not killed in the Fight were cast into Prison at London from whence they were brought to the King and humbly begging their Lives of him as they were instructed to do by the English he in a proud ostentation of his Mercifulness dismissed and sent the poor innocent Souls away Hereupon Embassadors were sent into England by Iames to complain That his Subjects
mightily enriched by this Booty and thereupon omitted the severity of their Ancient Discipline yea there were some amongst them who counted That Gain as a Pious and Holy Fraud alleging That the Mony could never be better bestowed than to be given to Devout Persons that they might pray forsooth for the Redemption of their Souls out of Purgatory The Fight was carried on so obstinately that towards Night both Parties were weary and withdrew almost Ignorant of one anothers Condition so that Alexander Hume and his Souldiers who remained untouched gathered up a great part of the Spoil at their pleasure But the next day in the Morning Dacres being sent out with a Party of Horse to make discovery when he came to the place of Fight and saw the Scots Brass-Guns without a Guard and also a great part of the Dead unstripp'd he sent for Howard and so gathered up the Spoil at leasure and celebrated the Victory with great Mirth Concerning the King of Scotland there goes a double Report The English say he was slain in the Battel But the Scots affirm That in the Day of Battel there were several others cloathed in the like Coat of Armour and the Habit of the King which was done on purpose on a double account partly that the Enemy might principally aim at one Man as their chief Opponent on whose Life the safeguard of the Army and total ruin of the Enemy did depend and partly also if the King hapned to be slain that the Souldiers might not be discouraged nor sensible of his loss as long as they saw any Man armed and clothed like him in the Field and riding up and down as a Witness of their Cowardise or Valour And that one of these was Alexander Elphinston who in Countenance and Stature was very like the King and many of the Nobility perceiving him armed in Kingly Habiliments followed him in a Mistake and so died resolutely with him but that the King himself repassed the Tweed and was slain by some of Humes his Men near the Town of Kelsoe but it is uncertain whether it were done by his Command or else by the forwardness of his Souldiers who were willing to gratify their Commander for they being desirous of Innovation thought that they should escape Punishment if he were taken off but if he were alive they should be punished for their Cowardise in the Fight Some Conjectures are also added as that the same Night after this unhappy Fight the Monastery of Kelsoe was seized upon by Car an Intimate of Hume's and the Abbat thereof ejected which it was not likely he would dare to have done unless the King were slain and moreover David Galbreth one of the Family of the Hume's some Years after when Iohn the Regent questioned the Hume's and was troublesome to their Family is said to have blamed the sluggish Cowardise of his Allys who would suffer that Stranger to rule so arbitrarily and imperiously over them whereas he himself had been one of the Six that had put an end to the like Insolency of the King at Kelsoe But these Things were so uncertain that when Humes was afterward tried for his Life by Iames Earl of Murray the King 's Natural Son they did not much prejudice his Cause However the Truth of this Matter stands yet I shall not conceal what I have heard Lawrence Talifer an Honest and a Learned Man to report more than once He was then one of the King's Servants and was a Spectator of the Fight he saw the King when the Day was lost set upon an Horse and pass the Tweed many others affirmed the same thing So that the Report went currant for many Years after That the King was alive and was gone to Ierusalem to perform a Religious Vow he had made but would return again in due Time But that Rumor was found as vain as another of the same Batch which was heretofore spread abroad by the Brittons concerning their Arthur And but a few Years since by the Burgundians concerning Charles This is certain That the English found the Body of the King or of Alexander Elphinston and carried it into England and retaining an inexpiable Hatred against the Dead they left it unburied in a Lead Coffin I know not whether their Cruelty therein were more foolish or more barbarous because he had born sacrilegious Arms against Pope Iulius the Second whom the English then sought to curry favour with or else as some say because he was perjured as having contrary to the Oath and League between them taken up Arms against Henry the Eighth Neither of which Exprobrations ought to have been laid to his Charge especially by such a King who during his Life was not constant or tight in any one Religion nor by such a People who had took up Arms so often against the Bishop of Rome Not to speak of many of the Kings of England whom their own Writers do accuse as guilty of Perjury as William Rufus who is charged with That Crime by Polydore and Grafton Henry the First by Thomas Walsingham in his Description of Normandy King Stephen hath the like Brand inured upon him by Neobrigensis Grafton and Polydore Henry the Eighth by the same Newberry Grafton and Polydore Richard the First by Walsingham in his Hypodigma Neustriae Richard the Third by Grafton and Walsingham Edward the First by Walsingham I cull out these few for Example-sake not of the First Kings of the Saxon Race of which I might instance in a great Many but in Those of the Norman Family whose Posterity enjoy the Kingdom to this Day and who lived in the most flourishing Times of England's Glory to put them in mind not to be so bitter against Strangers who with so much Indulgence bore the Perjuries of their own Kings especially since the guilt of the Crime objected lies principally on those who were the first Violaters of the Truce But to return to the Matter Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey had gone off with great Renown for That Victory over the Scots if he had used his Success with Moderation but being a Man almost drunk with the Happiness of his prosperous Success and little mindful of the Instability of Human Affairs he made his Houshold Servants as the English custom is to wear a Badg on their left Arms which was a White Lyon his own Arms on the top of a Red one and rending him with his Paws God Almighty did seem to punish this his insolent Ambition for there were in a manner none of his Posterity of either side but dyed in great Disgrace and Ignominy But King Iames as he was dear to all whilst living so he was mightily lamented at his Death and the Remembrance of him stuck so fast in the Minds of Men as the like was not known of any other King that we have heard or read of 'T is probable that it hapned by making a Comparison with the bad Kings who preceded his Reign
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
in those parts the rest was taken away by the Country-men who were so ignorant of the price of it that they thought the Cinnamon therein to be but a low priz'd Bark and so sold it to make Fire with yet the whole Envy of the matter fell upon the Douglasses Upon this change of Affairs the Tories who had a long time refrain'd their Depredations for fear of Punishment came forth out of their lurking holes and grievously infested all the circumjacent Countries And though many Pranks were plaid by others up and down yet all the Murders and Robberies every where committed were charg'd upon the score of the Douglasses by those Courtiers who thought they humour'd the King by so doing that so they might make the name of that Family otherwise popular invidious to the vulgar And in the beginning of Winter the King march'd to Tantallon a Castle of the Douglasses by the Sea side to take it in that so no Refuge might be left for the Exiles and that he might take the place with less Labour and Cost he was supplied with Brass-Guns and Powder from Dunbar That Castle was distant from Dunbar six Miles and it was garison'd by the Souldiers of Iohn the Regent because it was part of his Patrimony he continued the Siege for some days wherein some of the Besiegers were slain others wounded and some blown up with Gun-Powder but none at all of the Besieged were lost so that he raised his Siege and retreated In his return David Falkner who was left behind with some Foot-Souldiers to carry back the Brass-Ordnance was set upon by Douglasses Horse who were sent out to snap up the Stragglers in the Rear and slain his Death did so inrage the young King who was incens'd enough before that he solemnly swore in his Passion that as long as he liv'd the Douglasses should never have the Sentence of their Banishment revoked And as soon as he came to Edinburgh to straiten them the more by the Advice of his Council he order'd that a party of Souldiers should be continually kept at Coldingham which was to be rather an active or flying than a numerous one to prevent the pillaging of the Country by them The charge of doing it was commended by the King to Bothwel one of the greatest Persons for Authority and Puissance in Lothian but he refused the Imployment either out of Fear of the Power of the Douglasses which not long since all the rest of Scotland was not able to cope with or else because he would not have the Disposition of the young King who was eager and over-violent of his own accord to be inur'd to such Cruelty as totally to destroy so noble a Family And whereas the King had no great Confidence in the Hamiltons as being Friends to his Enemies and he did also disgust them upon the account of the Slaughter of Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox and besides there being none of the Nobility of the adjacent parts that had Power or Interest enough for that Service at last he resolved to send Calen Cambel with an Army against the Rebels a Person living in the furthest parts of the Kingdom but a prudent Man of approv'd Valour and upon the account of his Justice very popular The Douglassians when the Hamiltons and the rest of their Friends failed them were reduced to great straits so that they were compell'd by Calen and by George chief of the Humes to retire like Exiles into England In the Month of October two eminent Persons came Embassadors from the King of England about a Peace which tho earnestly desir'd by both Kings yet they could scarce find out the way to make it up For Henry being about to make War upon Charles the Emperor was willing to leave all safe behind his back and with the same labour to procure the Restitution of the Douglasses As for Iames he did much desire to have Tantallon Castle in his Power but his Mind was very averse to restore the Douglasses and for that Reason the Matter was canvassed to and fro for some Days and no Temper for Accommodation could be found out but at last they came to this That Tantallon Castle should be surrendred to Iames and a Truce be granted for five Years and their other Demands the King was to promise the granting of under his Signet The Castle was surrendred accordingly but the other Demands were not as punctually performed save only that Alexander Drummond had leave given him to return home for Brittain's sake For some Months before Iames Colvill and Robert Carncross upon suspicion of their favouring the Douglasses were removed from Court and their Offices bestowed on Robert Brittain who then was in high Favour at Court and had great Command there After this tho Matters were not quite settled abroad for the English had burnt Arn a Town in Teviotdale before their Embassadors return'd yet the rest of the Year was more quiet but the Insolence of the Banditti was not quite suppressed whereupon the King caus'd William Cockburn of Henderland and Adam Scot noted Robbers to be apprehended at Edinburgh and for a Terror to the rest he put them to Death The next Year in the Month of March the King sent Iames Earl of Murray whom he had made Deputy-Governour of the whole Kingdom to the Borders there to have a Meeting with the Earl of Northumberland in order to settle a Peace and to treat about mutual Satisfaction for Losses But a Contention arose betwixt them about expiating the Murder of Robert Car. The One pleaded that the Process ought to be form'd in Scotland according to the Law The Other would have it in England In the Interim each of them sent Messengers to their several Kings to know their Minds in the Case On the 17 th of the Calends of May there was held a Council of the Nobility where after a long Debate which lasted till Night 't was concluded That the Earl of Bothwel Robert Maxwel Walter Scot and Mark Carr should be committed Prisoners to Edinburgh Castle And that the Earls and chief Men of Merch and Teviotdale should be sent Prisoners to other Places it being supposed That they privately scatter'd abroad the Seeds of a War against England And in Iuly the King levied about 8000 Men and marched out against the Robbers and that with so much speed that he quickly pitch'd his Tents by the River Ewse Not far from thence lived one Iohn Armstrong chief of one Faction of the Thieves who had struck such a Fear to all the neighbouring Parts that even the English themselves for many Miles about bought their Peace by paying him a certain Tribute yea Maxwel was also afraid of his Power and therefore endeavoured his Destruction by all possible ways This Iohn was enticed by the King's Officers to make his Repair to the King which he did unarm'd with about fifty Horse in his Company but having forgot
cast before your Eyes remember Saul King of Israel how he was raised up from a low to a Sovereign Estate and how many Blessings he received from God as long as he was obedient to his Law but when he slighted and turned aside from his Commandments how miserably was he punished Compare the Success of your Affairs from the beginning to this very day with his Prosperities and unless you alter the course of your Designs expect no happy Issue nay rather a worse end than he For he did design the same Projects which you now act and that to gratify some base Varlets who can neither hide their open Wickednesses nor do not so much as indeavour to dissemble them The Regent was affected at the advice of his Friend and writ back an Answer to the Cardinal that he should not precipitate the Process but let the whole matter alone till he came himself for he was not willing to consent to the Condemnation of the Man till he had more diligently enquired into his Cause and if the Cardinal did otherwise the Man's Blood should light on his Head for he testify'd by these Letters that he himself was free therefrom The Cardinal was unexpectedly surprized with this Answer he knew wâ—ll enough that if Delays were made in the Case the Prisoner would be deliver'd as being a popular Man and besides he would not suffer the thing to be brought under a Debate partly because the Man having been already condemned by the Ecclesiasticks he would have no Recognition made so that he was ragingly angry and persisted in the Resolution he had taken and his Reply was That he did not write to the Regent as if he had not sufficient Authority independently without him but for a specious pretence to the Vulgar that his Name might be to the Condemnation Hereupon George was brought out of Prison and Iohn Windram a learned Man and an hearty though secret Favourer of the Cause of Religion was commanded to mount a kind of Pulpit there erected and to preach he took his Text out of Mat. 13. which says That the Good Seed is the Word of God but the Evil Seed is Heresy In his Discourse defining Heresy he said It was a false Opinion evidently repugnant to the Holy Scriptures and maintained with Obstinacy and that 't was occasioned and also supported and fostered by the Ignorance of the Pastors of the Church who did not know how either to convince Hereticks or to reduce those who were gone astray by the Spiritual Sword which is the Word of God Afterwards he explained the Duty of a Bishop out of the Epistle to Timothy and shewed that there was only one way to find out Heresy which was to bring it to the Test of the Word of God At length when he made an end though what he spoke made against the Priests who were there assembled not to refute Heresies but to punish those who opposed their licentious Arrogance yet as if all things went well on their side they hale forth George to a Pulpit or Scaffold built in the Church that so they might observe their accustomed Form in Judgment over against him there was another Pulpit which Iohn Lauder a Popish Priest mounted and the rest stood all about him as 't were to judg but there was not the least appearance of a Judgment or of a free Disputation in the Case For the Accuser thundred out many odious and abominable Slanders such as are wont to be commonly forg'd against the Preachers of the purest Doctrine with great Acerbity of Words and thus having spent some hours George was brought back again to the Castle and lodg'd in the Governour 's Chamber spending great part of his Time that Night in Prayer The next Morning the Bishops sent two Franciscans to him to acquaint him that his Death was at hand and to know whether they should confess him as is usual in such Cases he told them he had nothing to do with Friars nor had any mind to discourse them but if they had a mind to gratify him in the thing then he desired to confer with that learned Man which preach'd yesterday Whereupon the Bishops gave him leave to go to the Castle and George had a long Discourse with Windram who after he had ceas'd weeping which for a while he could not refrain very friendly demanded of him whether he would receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper With all my heart said George if I may receive it under both kinds of Bread and Wine according to Christ's Institution Windram return'd to the Bishops and told them that George did solemnly profess that he was innocent of the Crime of which he was accused which he spake not to deprecate his Death now at hand but only to testify his Innocency before Men as 't was before sufficiently known to God The Cardinal was much inraged Ay says he we know well enough what you are Being further demanded whether he would admit him to receive the Sacrament he talk'd a little with the Bishops and with their Consent made Answer That 't was not fit that a stubborn Heretick condemn'd by the Church should enjoy any Benefits of the Church That Answer was return'd to him and about nine of the Clock the Friends and Officers of the Governor of the Castle sat down to Breakfast they asked George whether he would eat with them Very willingly said he and much more so than in former times because I perceive that you are good Men and Fellow-members with me of the same Body of Christ and because I know that this is the last Meal I shall eat on Earth And for you speaking to the Governor of the Castle I desire you in the Name of God and for that Love which you bear to our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ that you 'l sit down a while with us and vouchsafe me the Hearing whilst I give you a short Exhortation and so pray over this Bread which as Brethren in Christ we are about to eat and then I will bid you Farewel In the Interim the Cloth was laid according to Custom and Bread set on when George made a brief and clear Discourse for about half an hour concerning Christ's last Supper his Sufferings and Death But above all he exhorted them to lay aside Anger Envy and Malice and to have mutual Love impress'd on their Minds that so they might become perfect Members of Christ who daily intercedes for us with his Father that our Sacrifice might be accepted by him to Eternal Life When he had thus spoken he gave Thanks and then brake the Bread and gave to every one a piece and then the Wine after he himself had drank in the same manner intreating them to remember the Death of Christ now in the last Sacrament with him as for himself a bitterer Portion was prepared for him for no other reason but his preaching the Gospel and then having again given Thanks he returned to
above 300 Men maintaining themselves in their Posts When Murray came thither he stood with his Party in Order and Rank on a small Hill where he overlook'd all the Marish the rest as they were advancing towards the Enemy gave evident Tokens of Treachery putting Boughs of Heath on their Helmets for that Plant grows in abundance in those Parts that they might be known by the Enemy When they came near the Huntleans secure of the Success hasten to them and seeing the adverse Army disordered by the Traitors and put to Flight that they might more nimbly pursue them they cast away their Lances and with their drawn Swords to terrify those Ranks that stood they cried out Treason Treason and made with great Violence at the Enemy The Traitors thinking that they should also put to Flight the standing Party made haste towards it But Murray perceiving no hope in Flight and that nothing remain'd but to dye nobly cried out to his Party to hold out their Lances and not to let those that were running away come in amongst them They being thus unexpectedly excluded from both Wings passed by in great Disorder But the Huntleans who now thought the matter ended and the Victory sure when they saw a Party though but small standing in a terrible manner with their Pikes forward they who were making towards them dispersedly and out of order and could not come to handy-strokes by reason of the length of their Spears being struck with a sudden Terror fled as swiftly as they had pursu'd before The Revolters perceiving this change of Fortune press'd upon them in their Flight and as if willing to expiate their former Fault what Slaughter was made that Day 't was They that did it There were 120 of the Huntleans slain and 100 taken Prisoners of the other Army not a Man was lost Amongst the Prisoners was Huntly himself and his two Sons Iohn and Adam the Father being an old Man corpulent and pussy dyed under the Hands of those that took him The rest late at Night were brought to Aberdeen Murray had appointed a Minister of the Gospel to wait for his Return where in the first place he gave Thanks to God Almighty who out of his Mercy alone beyond all Men's Expectation without any Strength or Wisdom of his own had delivered him and his Men out of so imminent a Danger afterwards he went to the Court where though many did highly congratulate him yet the Queen gave no Sign of Joy at all either in Speech or Countenance A few days after Iohn Gordon was put to Death not without the Trouble of many for he was a manly Youth very beautiful and entring on the prime of his Age not so much designed for the Royal Bed as deceived by the Pretence thereof and that which moved no less Indignation than Pity was that he was beheaded by an unskilful Headsman The Queen beheld his Death with many Tears but as she was prone to conceal and counterfeit Affections so various Descants were made upon her Grief and Passion and the rather because many knew that her Brother was as much hated by her as Huntly She pardoned Adam because he was but young George the eldest Son in this desperate case fled from his House to his Father-in-Law Iames Hamilton there to shelter himself or else by his Mediation to obtain his Pardon As for Gordon's Followers according to the Degrees of their Offences some were fined others banish'd the Land many sent packing into remote parts of the Kingdom that they might make no more Commotions at home Those who lighted upon powerful Intercessors were remitted their Offence and taken into former Grace and Favour Matters being thus settled or at least appeased for the present the rest of the Winter was spent in Peace The 26 th day of November Bothwel who had escap'd out of Prison was by a Proclamation commanded to render himself again and in Default thereof he not obeying was declared a publick Enemy When the Queen was returned from Aberdene to St. Iohnston's Iames Hamilton came to her to beg Pardon for George Gordon his Son-in-Law he received an Answer not wholly severe yet was forced to deliver up his Son-in-Law who was sent Prisoner to Dunbar and the next Year after which was 1563 on the 7 th of the Calends of February was brought to Edinburgh there condemned for Treason and sent back to Dunbar 'T was about this time that there came forth a Proclamation under a pecuniary Mulct That no Flesh should be eaten in Lent The pretence was not any thing of Religion but civil Advantage only The Arch-bishop of St. Andrews because he did not forbear to hear and say Mass after the Edict made at the coming in of the Queen was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Edinburgh Others guilty of the same Fault were punish'd but slightly yet were threatned to be more severely treated if they offended in the like sort again Now the time of the Parliament drew near which was summon'd to be held the 20 th day of May where the Queen with the Crown on her Head and her Royal Robes went in great Pomp to the Parliament-house a new Spectacle to many but that Men had been accustom'd to bear the Government of Women in her Mother's and Grandmother's Days In that Assembly some Statutes were made in Favour of the Reformed and some Coyners were punish'd the rest of the Summer the Queen spent in Athol in the Sport of Hunting At the end of Autumn Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox by the Queen's Leave returned to Scotland having been unworthily deserted by the King of France the 22 d Year after his Departure as I said before And the next Year which was 1564 in the Month of Ianuary at a Convention of the Estates held almost on purpose for that very thing his Banishment was remitted and his Goods restored the Queen seconding that Remission with many favourable Words and repeating the many great Services the Earl had done her in her very Infancy she having been delivered out of her Enemies Hand and advanced to her Throne by his Means Afterwards Henry his Son came out of England into Scotland on the 12 th of February having there obtained a Convoy for three Months This Young Man being of an high Linage and very beautiful the Son of her Aunt the Queen of Scots received very courteously and delighting daily in his Society the common Speech was That she would marry him neither was the Nobility against it because they saw many advantages might redound to Britain by that Marriage if it might be made by the Queen of England's Consent Both of them were in an equal Degree of Consanguinity from her and she was so far from being against it that she was willing rather to seem the Author of it and so to lay some Obligation upon her in making the Match besides she thought it for her Advantage to humble
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
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
Embassador into France 376 Croke the French Embassador dislikes the Queen's Marriage with Bothwel 199 He mediates a Peace 208 209 Crowling Isle 28 Cruelty an Example thereof 329 Culbrenin Isle 25 Culdees a kind of Monks 18 125 Worshippers of God 18 Culen King of Scots an incestuous Person 184 185 He is slain by a Strumpet 187 Cull 196 Culross whence so called 170 Cumbra Isles the greater and the lesser 25 Cumbri and Cumri 75 Cumins their Faction powerful 240 Cumins overthrows Gilespy 239 Cumins John overthrown by Bruce 264 Cumins William poisoned by his Wife 241 Cuningham 14 Cuningham's overcome by the Hamiltons 85 Cup of St. Magnus see Magnus Curia a Parish-Church 26 Curry a Merchaâ—t an Instrument in surprizing Edinburghâ—â—stle â—â—stle 299 Cutberectus 161 D DAal what it signifies in Old Scotish 100 Dalkeith 13 Dalreudini why the Scots so called 100 Danes enter England 71 Invade Scotland 174 Fight a bloody Battel with the English 178 Turn Christians ibid. Land in Scotland 182 Are overthrown ibid. Danish Fleet lands again in Scotland 190 Stupified by an inebriating Drink and overcome by the Scots 209 Swear never to return to invade Scotland any more 210 Dangers make Men sagacious 26 Dardanus King of Scots 108 His cruel Reign and violent Death ibid. David I. King of Scots 212 Profuse towards Monasteries 223 Maintains the Cause of Maud his Kinswoman against Stephen of England 224 Accuses him of Perjury ibid. Makes two Accords with Stephen 225 226 Henry Heir of England made Knight by him 226 Loses his hopeful Son yet comforts himself and his Nobles in a Christian Discourse thereupon 226 He erects new Bishopricks 223 His extraordinary Character for Piety and Virtue 227 David King William's Brother accompanies Richard of England to the Holy War 235 He is shipwrack'd and taken Prisoner yet at last returns ibid. David II. anointed King of Scotland 282 Sent into France when he was a Child 286 Returns to Scotland 300 Taken Prisoner in a Fight by the English 302 Ransomed 304 His Death and Character 305 306 David Cumins appointed Ruler over Scotland by the English 293 He and Douglas disagree 294 Forced to take an Oath to Bruce ibid. Makes large Promises to Edward of Enggland 295 Follows the good Success of the English ibid. Left by the English King as Regent of Scotland where his Army is overthrown and he himself slain 296 David the Son of Robert III imprisoned and starved to Death by his Vncle who was his Governour 328 329 David Beton the Cardinal 73 Chosen Regent by a pretended Will but the Fraud being discovered he is displaced and imprisoned 75 He endeavours to avert the imminent Ruin of Popery 76 He chouzes Lennox with vain Hopes of marrying the Queen 80 He grieves to be deprived of a rich Morsel which he had swallowed in his Hopes 81 He is sharply reproved by Montgomery 91 His Cruelty against Protestants 93 He espouses his Daughter to the Earl of Craford's Son 97 He is slain in his Castle with the manner thereof 98 His foul Character 99 David Douglas with his Brother William beheaded 370 David Hamilton defends the Cause of the Gospel 93 David Panater or Painter Bishop of Ross made an Abbat by the King of France 113 David Rize a Musician his Story 171 He persuades the Queen to cut off the Scotish Nobility 177 His Court-Preferments Familiarity with the Queen of Scots violent Death and Burial 179 to 183 David Spence slain 282 David Straiton or Straton burnt for a Lutheran 63 Death better than a miserable Life 12 d ee a River in England 13 Three of that Name in Scotland 14 70 Deidonum i. e. Dundee 18 Deiri Who 159 Delators or Informers appointed by Evenus 13 Denmark the King thereof bargains with the Embassador of Scotland to quit his Right to the Islands about Scotland 413 Derivative Words shew the Affinity of a Language 6â— Dessius General of the French Forces in Scotland 106 Called home by the King of France 110 Descants on the Law about Hereditary Succession of the Crown 205 Descants on over-severe Executions of Criminals 358 Deucaledonian Sea What 21 Diana's Oracle counterfeited by a Monk 44 45 Dicaledones rather to be read Duncaledones in Marcellinus 56 Dioclesian a supposed King of Syria 41 Dionethus gives himself forth to be King of the Brittons 136 Dion quoted concerning Britain 90 91 118 Dona River 20 Donachs or Duncans Bay 22 Donald I. King of Scots 117 He first received the Christian Religion ibid. Donald II. 122 Overthrown by Donald the Islander and dies ibid. Donald Brother of Malcolm III. yields up the Possession of the Islands to the King of Norwey 23 Donald III. 123 Reigns Tyrannically and is slain by Crathilinthus ibid. Donald IV. or Donebald sends Christian Doctors into England and interprets pious Sermons to the People himself 159 Donald V. Brother of Kenneth 172 Reigns licentiously and is put in Prison 173 Donald VI. Son of Constantine II. 178 Donald VII or Duncan 204 Donald Murderer of King Duffus taken and executed 185 Donald Bane calls himself King of the Aebudae 164 He is slain ibid. Donald VIII or Banus 220 He promises the Islands to Magnus King of Norwey ibid. Donald of Athol 154 Donald Baloc overthrows Alexander and Alan Stuarts 343 He is taken in Ireland and his Head is sent to the King 344 Donald Lord of the Aebudae rises in Arms 333 With the Earl of Ross and Douglas he figâ—â—s with the King's Forces ibid. He is left by his Wife 391 Sends Agents to make his Peace with the King 392 After the King's Death he plays Rex again 408 He takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner and burns St. Bride's Church ibid. He is shipwrack'd and fals distracted 409 Donald Monro commended 22 He travelled over the Islands of Scotland and described them 31 Dongal King of Scots 168 He is drowned ibid. Dongard King of Scots 144 Opposes the Pelagian Heresy 145 Dornadilla King of Scots 98 Dorstologus slain 166 Dorus flies for fear of Nathalocus 120 Dovallus kils King Nothatus 99 He himself is slain in Battel 100 Douglas River 14 Douglas Dale 140 Douglas made Duke of Turein 336 Douglas slain by the Moors 280 Douglas William takes Dundalk in Ireland 314 Douglas William pardoned 301 Douglas breaks in upon the English Army 278 Douglasses their Power intolerable 372 377 Their Power broken 53 Drinach Isle 25 Drix 60 Druides Who 56 Drumalbin 17 Drummilaw Sands 209 Drunkenness punished with Death 174 Druskins King of the Picts and all his Nobility slain 169 Drury intercedes for Peace between the Parties in Scotland 278 Duffa or Dow Isle 25 Duffus King of Scots 181 Witchcraft practised upon his Body 183 He is slain 184 Dukes when the Name first brought into Scotland 325 Duke of York overthrown and slain by the Queen of England 396 Dulcitius in Britain 89 Dunacus and Domnacus 68 Dunbar whence so called 13 14 Its Siege raised 297 Fortified by Alexander against the King but deserted by
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
the King's Tutor made Chancellour 54 Gawin Douglas called Archbishop of St. Andrews 29 Committed to Prison 164 Genrach Isle 26 Geoffry of Monmouth a Writer of British Affairs 8 Geldrians come to help the English against the Scots 295 Geloni painted their Bodies 53 Genistery or Broom Isle 25 George Buchanan imprisoned for Religion escapes out of his Chamber-Window whilst his Keepers were asleep 67 He is sent in Embassy with others into England 224 His ingenuous Speech concerning Himself 71 George Brother to the Earl of Douglas made Earl of Ormond 377 Commands the Forces against England 378 Extolled for his Victory over them 380 Declared a publick Enemy 387 Beheaded 390 George Douglas Earl of Angus 377 His memorable Fact 398 He is against the Queen Mother 399 His bold and unworthy Speech to the King 50 George Douglas the Regent's youngest Brother 217 Delivers the Queen out of Prison 218 George Dunbar Earl of Merch espouses his Daughter to David King Robert's Son 325 Which Marriage not taking effect he joins with Percy of England against the Scots 326 Proclaimed a publick Enemy ibid. Percy and he overthrow the Scots 307 Takes Douglas Prisoner in Fight 327 Ioins with Percy against the King of England is wounded and taken Prisoner 329 Being reconciled to the Regent returns into Scotland 332 George Gordon sent with an Army against England 70 The King's Hatred against him 71 Accused and imprisoned 115 Released 116 Studies to raise Commotions 154 Privy to the Conspiracy against Murray 168 Condemned for Treason 170 Restored by the Queen to his former Dignity 173 Chief of the Queen's Faction 209 George Lesly Earl of Rothes sent Embassador into France 121 There poisoned as 't was believed 122 George Ruven slain 282 George Wiseheart Preacher of the Gospel 93 Persecuted by Cardinal Beton against the Regent's Mind 94 Foretels the Death of Cardinal Beton 97 His pious and Christian Deportment before and at his Martyrdom 95 96 97 Gerlock Isle 28 Gerlock Bay See Loch-ger 17 Gersa or Gress-oy Isle 37 Gernich or Gaxnico 22 Germany whence so called 42 Germâ—nâ— their fabulous Original 45 Ingenious in relating the Origin of their Nation 38 39 German Navy lands on the Coast of Scotland 94 Gessoriaci i. e. People living about Calais 10 Getes painted their Bodies 53 Gethus King of the Picts 97 Slain 100 Getini and Getae whence 49 Geurasdil Isle 25 Gigaia or Gega Isle ibid. Gigamena Isle ibid. Giles Tutelary God of Edinburgh his Show affronted 124 Gilbert Kennedy slain by the Command of James Douglas 57 A Man of a great Spirit ibid. Kennedy's Constancy in keeping his Word â—77 Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils sent Embassador into France 121 He dies there not without the suspicion of Poison 127 Gilbert his Son chosen Iudg in Bothwelâ—s â—s Case but excuses himself 195 Gilchrist kils his Wife the King's Sister for her Adultery 234 King William's General 230 Banished but received again into Favour 234 Gilcolumb slain 164 Gildas quoted concerning Britain 93 He wrote 400 Years after Tacitus 38 Favoured by Aurelius Ambrosius 148 A good Man and died at Glastenbury in Somersetshire the Prophecies that go under his Name not genuine ibid. Gildominick and the Murray Men suppressed 230 Gilespy Cambel an Actor in the Reformation 129 Recalled by threatning Letters by the Queen Regent 130 Gilespy Earl of Argyle banished 175 His Levity 206 Privy to the Queen's Wickedness 216 General of her Army 220 Refuses to own himself a Subject to the King 234 The Regent receives him into Favour and he is in great Authority 235 251 Gillan Isle 30 Gillo Commander of the exiled Scots 129 Gillus the Bastard King of Scots 104 Flies into Ireland 105 Slain by Cadvallus 106 Glascow 14 The Bishop thereof frightned by a Voice from Heaven 376 Glass Isle 28 Glenluce 14 Glotta River i. e. Clyde 14 Glottiana see Clydsdale Goat Isle 25 God's Favour attends the Good 213 Gomâ—dra Isle 27 Goran King of Scots 148 Persuades the Kings of the Picts and Brittons to join with the Scots against the Saxons 148 He is treacherously slain by his Subjects 154 His Wife and Children fly into Ireland ibid. But are recalled by Congal II. 155 Gordons at Feud with the Forbes's 284 Gordon an Enemy to Murray 162 He labours to destroy him 164 166 His Design against him at one time wonderfully prevented 168 169 Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self 167 Gorlois wickedly slain by Uter 149 Goropius reproved 10 Goths Who 33 Gothunni and Gothini who 49 Grafton censured 252 Graham or Grame 135 Appointed Tutor to Eugenius 137 Recals Christian Pastors into Scotland 140 Graham's Dike 138 Grampian Hills or Mountains 17 Gramry Isle 25 Granisa Isle 36 Gray hath the chief Command in Scotland against the French 146 Gregory King of Scots his famous Atchievements against the Picts Danes and Brittons 175 176 He takes several Cities in Ireland 177 Green Isle 25 28 Grevan River 14 Gria Isle 30 Griffin slain in Fight 156 Grime King of Scotland 198 Makes an Agreement with Malcolm ibid. Which he afterwards breaks is overthrown and made Prisoner 199 And dies 200 Groom in a Stable his bold Attempt on James Hamilton in revenge of his Master's Death 52 For which he is put to Death ibid. Gruinorta Isle 31 Guidi 15 92 Guises their Desire to hasten the Marriage of Mary with the Dolphin 221 Their over-great Power suspected 122 They design Scotland as a Peculiar for their Family 151 They seek to destroy James Earl of Murray as an Enemy to Popery 165 Gun Isle 27 Guns i. e. Great Ordnance of Iron when first began to be used in Scotland 394 H HAdington 13 Deserted by the English 111 Hago a Danish Admiral 181 Haie or Hea Isle 30 Hakerset Isle 29 Hamiltons the Original of their Family 273 Hamilton leaves the Party of the Douglasses 390 Hamiltonians willing to free the Queen out of Prison 216 Overthrown in Battel and some of them taken Prisoners 221 222 They meet at Edinburgh in behalf of Queen Mary 252 Hara Isle 37 Harald Earl of Caithness punished for his Cruelty 235 Haraya or Harray Isle 31 Harpers of old used to lie in the Bedchamber of the King and of the Nobles in Scotland 116 Harrick Isle 30 31 Havatere or Havere Isle 30 Havelschire Isle 29 Haura Isles the great and the less 31 Hay and his two Sons fight for their Country 191 Hath a Coat of Arms assigned to his Family 192 The Name almost extinguished 286 Heath Isle 21 Heath its Nature 23 Good to make Beds to lie on ibid. Hebrides Isles see Aebudae Hector Boetius blamed 13 Mistaken 76 Compared with Lud 80 Helena Mother of Constantine 124 Hellisay Isle 29 Helscher vetularum Isle ibid. Helricus a Danish Admiral 181 Hengist Captain of Pirates hath Lands given to him in Britain by Voâ—tigern 144 Henry I. of England never laughed after the drâ—wning of most of his Children 224 He settles the Succession on his Daughter Maud ibid. Henry
II. Son of Stephen King of England seeks occasion for a War against Scotland 224 Malcolm of Scotland acknowledges himself his Feudatary ibid. Henry IV. of England 326 His Death 333 Succeeded by Henry V. ibid. Henry V. takes James I. King of Scots with him into France 336 Henry VI. undervalues the Nobility and advances Vpstarts 392 A Conspiracy against him by the Nobles of England ibid. He is taken by the Duke of York and brought to London 396 He flies into Scotland 397 Ioins Battel with Edward IV. and is overcome 398 Returns privately to England and is taken ib. Henry VII succeeds Richard III. who was slain in Battel 429 He denounces War against France 16 Desires to make a perpetual League with the Scots 430 Marries his Daughter Margarite to James IV. 14 War denounced against him by James as he was besieging Tournay 20 His Magnanimous and Kingly Answer to the Heraulds ibid. He eases the Commonalty of some old Burdens 71 Henry VIII desires the exiled Douglasses may be restored 60 By the French Embassador he desires a Peace with the Scots ibid. He sends Controversal Books of Divinity to James V. 62 Complains the Scots had violated the Law of Nations wars upon them takes Leith and burns Edinburgh 82 83 His Forces are worsted 89 His General persuades the Scots to Peace 102 Gives the Scots a great Overthrow 104 Henry of France sends some German Foot into Scotland 106 He displaces the Regent by Subtilty 113 Henry Percy invades Scotland 306 His Horse affrightned with rattling Instruments 307 His Duel with James Douglas 317 Henry Percy the younger overthrows the Scots at Homeldon 327 Conspires against his own King 329 Henry Stuart comes out of England into Scotland 171 Made Duke of Rothsay and Earl of Ross by the Queen of Scots 174 At which many of the Nobles are disgusted 175 He marries the Queen ibid. Strangely disrespected at the Baptism of his own Son 186 He withdraws from Court ibid. Is poisoned but overcomes it by the strength of his Youth 186 187 A Design to destroy him 187 188 Is actually murdered 190 Heraulds slain against the Law of Arms 230 Hergustus King of the Picts 127 131 Hepburn John insinuates himself into the new Regent 32 Heris hanged by James Douglas 384 Hâ—rmodra Isle 30 Herodian quoted 76 Heruli who 89 Hethland Isles see Schetland High Isle 25 Hirta Isle 30 Historians their flattering Dispositions 46 Hoia Promontory 21 Hollanders Fleet spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Holland Horse sent for over into England 275 Holmes i. e. Plains full of Grass 35 Holy Isle or Lindisfarm 398 Honnega Isle 37 Horestia 18 Parted between two Brothers 170 Horses Isle or Naich 28 Hugh Kennedy his couragious Answer 51 Huilin Isle 30 Hulmena 31 Humber River 13 Humble Isle or Ishol 25 Hume Castle surprized by the Scots 107 Hungus the Pict fights prosperously against Athelstan 165 He prays to God and is encouraged by a Vision ibid. He offers Tithes to St. Andrew ibid. His Death 166 Hunting Laws made by King Dornadilla 89 And by King Ethodius 116 Huntly overthrown by James Earl of Murray taken and pardoned 235 237 Hypoconistical i. e. Diminutive 6 I JAmes I. Son of Robert III. sailing for France is taken by the English 330 Where he is educated and married 331 338 His Return to Scotland upon a Ransom 398 Crowned King ibid. Renews a League with France 340 352 Punishes the Captains of Thieves 341 343 Twins born to him 344 He rectifies Weights and Measures ibid. Reforms the Ecclesiastical Estate and erects publick Schools 345 Invites Tradesmen from beyond the Seas 347 Perfidiousness imputed to him answered 353 354 Is cruelly murdered 356 His Character 356 357 James II. King of Scots 359 Carried out of the Castle of Edinburgh in a Chest by his Mother 361 Taken again by the Chancellour and brought to Edinburgh 365 Enters on the Government 371 Marries Mary Daughter to the Duke of Guelderland 380 He kils William Douglas 386 Marches to assist the English Nobles 391 392 Deceived by a counterfeit Embassador from Rome suborned by the English 393 Takes Roxburgh Town ibid. His casual Death in his Camp 394 His Queen encourages the Souldiers and takes Roxburgh Castle ibid. His Character 395 James III. begins his Reign at seven Years old 396 Six Regents of the Kingdom in his Minority 407 His Mother's Death ibid. In his Time a Truce made with England for five Years 407 Marries Margarite the King of Denmark's Daughter 413 415 His Death foretold 420 He degenerates into Tyranny ibid. Addicts himself to Evil Counsellours 231 The Nobles arm against him 432 Is slain by them in Fight 433 His Character 434 James IV. 1 Chosen General by the Nobles against his Father 432 His first Parliament which justifies taking Arms against his Father 5 His Clemency and sorrowful Resentment for his Father's Death 6 He leads an Army into England 11 Marries Margarite Henry VII of Enggland's Daughter 14 Builds a vast Ship and is profâ—se in other Buildings ibid. Resolves to go to Jerusalem but prevented 15 Sends Forman into England to pick a Quarrel 16 Denounces War against England 20 Resolute in his Opinion 22 Fights with the English at Flodden where he is overthrown and slain 24 25 Doubtful Reports concerning his Death 26 Some Aspersions cast upon him indeavoured to be wiped off 27 His Character 27 28 James V. 28 Enters upon the Government 46 He and his Mother in the Power of the Douglasses 47 He frees himself from them 53 He is an Enemy to their Faction 50 Inclinable to a French Alliance 65 Three Maries offered to him 62 Treats with the Emperour about a Match 61 Visits the Orcades 62 And other Isles of Scotland ibid. Receives Controversal Books of Divinity from Henry of England 63 Agrees to an Interview with Henry which is disappointed 64 Sails to France and marries Magdalen Daughter to their King Francis who soon dies 65 He accuses his Nobility as Dastards 70 He marries Mary of the House of Guise 66 67 His presaging Dream 69 He dies with Grief for the Loss of his Army 71 His Character 71 72 James VI. his Birth 183 His Mother endeavours to get him under the Power of Bothwel 205 Enters on the Government 214 215 James Abernethy a skilful Physician 186 James Earl of Arran Son to James returning from France sides with the Reformers 135 Goes to his Sister Mary the Queen 151 Hardly persuaded to allow the admission of the Mass in the Queen's Chappel 159 Made Earl of Marr and afterwards of Murray 161 James Balfure Governour of Edinburgh Castle for the Queen 206 207 He raises Insurrections 226 James Culen taken and executed for his Crimes 279 James the first Earl of Douglas 308 James Douglas joins with Bruce 263 He marches with great Forces into England 275 James sirnamed Crassus the Douglasses being dead succeeds to the Right of the Earldom 370 He dies ibid. James Douglas marries Eufemia Daughter to Robert
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
the Scotish Nobility 426 Made between French and English 111 Between the Reformers and the Court 149 Peachti 53 Pentland Firth 35 53 Pentland Hills 13 53 People of the Commonalty their Heat soon over 207 Percy Henry taken Prisoner and ransomed 320 Percy the Elder conspires against the King of England 329 Overthrown and flies to Scotland 332 Betrayed by his Friend ibid. His Posterity restored to their Dignity 334 Perth 18 A great part of it destroyed by Water 236 Its Walls demolished 287 Taken by Edward of England 295 Retaken by the Scots 298 Pestilence in Scotland 227 303 305 381 Peter Cerealis in Britain 86 109 Peter Maufet a Robber executed 32 Peter Hiale the King of Spain's Embassador in England 11 His Errand to solicite a Match between Katharine of Spain and Henry's Son ibid. He mediates a Peace between Scots and English 12 Petronius Turpilianus in Britain 85 Peter Warbeck a notable Impostor 6 Set up by the Dutchess of Burgundy to vex Henry 7 Sails out of England into Scotland ibid. Marries Katherine the Earl of Huntly's Daughter 9 Engages James IV. against Henry 9 Dismiss'd out of Scotland 12 Taken and hanged in England 13 Pheodor-oy 37 Phylarchae who 101 Physicians why so much esteemed in Scotland 101 102 Picts whether derived from the Saxons 33 Whence so called 53 Foretold by the Oracle that the Scots should extirpate them 95 132 Repent joining with the Romans against the Scots 131 132 Their Origin from Germany 55 95 Overcome the Scots 167 Overcome by the Scots 168 169 Their Kingdom abolished in Scotland 169 Solicite Aid from Osbreth and Ella 172 Beaten quite out of Britain 173 Pliny a Place in him corrected 12 Pluscartin Book i. e. a Book or Chronicle of Scotland written by the Religious of Pluscarty an Abby in Murrayland 344 Pollack Fish where found 17 Polygamy a Law made for it by Evenus 107 Pomona the greatest Isle of the Orcades 35 Pope of Rome his Emissaries in Britain 157 The Right of the Kingdom of England conferred upon him by King John 237 His Embassadors excommunicate the Scots 272 David II. King of Scots anointed by his Permission 282 His Legat denied entrance into Scotland 243 Porcaria Isle 26 Port or Na Port Isle 25 Portugal why so called 47 Possessions confounded by often Wars 271 Praenestin Lots what 43 Priests or Clergy Isle 31 Priests corrupted by Luxury reformed by Constantine 174 Richer than the Nobility 243 Gain by the Losses of the Nobility 25 29 Not subject to Kings 245 Impostors 58 Priests so ignorant as to think the New Testament was written by Martin Luther 9 Priests One the Author of a Sedition 309 Another treacherous 374 Betrays Queen Joan 375 Another forges a Will 73 Preys retaken and restored to their Owners 106 Prince of Scotland the King 's Eldest Son so called 194 Princes not Slaves to their Words 130 Priviledg of the Scots not to be summoned to appear out of their own Country 241 Prodigies on divers occasions 184 204 191 Process ridiculous against the King's Murderers 193 Proclamation about the same ibid. Proclamation or Schedule of James II. drawn in contempt about the Streets 386 Prosperity dangerous 179 Prudania 2 Prytania ibid. Prophecies of Witches how fulfilled 357 Ptolemy hath Deucaledon for Duncaledon 56 Punishments too exquisite enrage Spectators 358 Punishment of old to Prisoners not returning on their Parole 319 Pygmee Isle 30 Q QUadrantary Faith what 126 Quindecemvirate in Scotland 59 Queens their Marriage to be ordered by the Estates of the Realm and why 269 Anciently Kings Wives not allowed to be so called 402 403 Queen Mother of James III. sues for the Regency with her Reasons 400 The Scots not willing to be governed by her ibid. Queen Dowager sails into France 112 Where she labours to out the Regent of his Government 113 Hath the Regency conferred upon her 115 The First Female Regent in Scotland ibid. Levies new Taxes 117 But because of an Insurrection desists from collecting them 118 Refuses the Propositions sent her by the Reformed 127 Prepares Forces against them 129 Makes a Temporary Agreement with them 130 Which she endeavours to elude ibid. Makes another Truce with them 134 Repartees betwixt Her and the Reformed 136 137 138 Her Death and Character 146 147 Queen of Scots not â—o use the English Arms during Queen Elizabeth's Life 159 Queen of Scots one of their Deaths 430 Queen's Party divide from the King 's 255 They send Embassadors to France and England for Aid 254 Queen Elizabeth rejects them 254 Question debated Whether a Chief Magigistrate may be compelled by force to do his Duty 159 c. R RAarsa Isle 28 Rachlinda Isle 25 Ralph Evers his vain Boast 87 Ralph Rokesby betrays Percy his Friend 332 Ralph Sadler Embassador from England about the Marriage of Mary with King Henry's Son 75 He hears the Scots Differences and endeavours to compose them 224 Ramsay Isle 25 Ranalds-oy 35 Ranalsa a Southern Isle 36 Randolf Thomas invades England 270 Made Regent 282 Executes a Murderer though he had the Pope's Pardon 282 His Law against Thievery ibid. He punishes the Cheat of a Country-man 283 Poisoned by a Monk ibid. Ratra River hath no Salmons in it 19 20 Rebels after Murray the Regent was dead had several Meetings 247 They send Embassadors to the Queen of England to desire a Truce but in vain 253 254 They solicite the French and Spaniards for Aid 260 Assault Leith 281 Surprize Sterlin but beaten out again 281 282 Attempt Jedburgh but repulsed and routed 285 286 Recognition what 15 Red or Ridhead Promontory 19 Redshanks who 106 Reformation the best Method thereof for Princes to begin at home 188 Reformed Religion the Nobles swear to maintain it in behalf of James VI. whilst a Child 214 Reformed Congregation in Scotland the first so called 124 Reformers abrogate the Queen Regent's Power 139 They meet with Difficulties in their Work 140 Are assisted by the English 141 142 Their last Letter to the Regent 144 Regent slain at Sterlin 282 Religion Language Names of Places c. shew the Sameness of a People 56 Religion the Nobles arm for it in Scotland 129 The Vindicators of it make a Truce with the Regent 134 Abrogate her Power 139 Desire Aid from England 140 Which they receive 142 Reign the Desire of it occasions much Mischief in the World 231 232 Renfrew 14 See Baronia Repartees between Scotish and English Armies 277 Rerigonian Bay 14 Reringa Isle 27 Reutha King of Scots 101 Revenge the importune Desire of it dangerous 124 131 132 Reuther King of Scots 99 Called Reuda by Bede 100 Rhingrave sent with Aid by the French King into Scotland 106 Rian Lake or Loch 14 Richard of England very angry with the Scots for bringing in foreign Aid 311 He invades Scotland with a great Army ibid. His Expedition to the Holy War 234 Richard II. of England enforced to resign the Kingdom to Henry IV. 325 One in Scotland pretends himself
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
and the Earl of Northumberland meet to settle Matters betwixt the Borderers * April 15. †In Teviotdale Iohn Armstrong with many of his Followers hanged ‖ The strange and seemingly miraculous Fast of one Iohn Scot for many weeks together with his Story Thomas Doughty a great Cheat. Fifteen Judges with Salary appointed to decide Controversal Matters in Scotland But quickly disused * The English make War upon Scotland †Upon the River Esk. ‖ The French Ambassador mediates a Peace between the English and Scotish Kings * Iames transacts with the French King and afterwards with the Emperour about a Match †Which the Hamiltons labour to hinder ‖ The chief City of Normandy * Three Maries offered by Charles the Emperor to King Iames out of which to chuse a Consort †King Iames visits the Orcades and other Isles of Scotland ‖ Lutherans severely dealt with * Mary of Bourbon offered by Francis as a Wife to Iames. †Henry of England sends Controversal Books of Divinity to Iames by his Ambassadors ‖ Ambassadors sent by Henry to Iames desiring an Interview which was agreed to Tho afterwards disappointed upon several pretences * Henry takes the disappointment of the Interview in great disdain King Iames sails over into France And marries Magdalene that King's Daughter Who died sooâ— after Mourning-garments when and upon what occasion first used in Scotland Ambassadors sent over into France to fetch Mary of the House of Guise Earl of Bothwel banished Iohn Forbes condemn'd for Treason 'T was thought unjustly The Lady Ioan Douglas c. accused for conspiring to poison the King For which she suffers Death being burnt alive * Mary of the House of Guise arrives in Scotland and is married to K. Iames. †In the East-corner of Fife ‖ Troubles in Scotland about Religion * George Buchanan the Author of this History imprisoned for the same cause but makes his Escape †Queen Mary brings forth a Son and the next year another * Ambassadors from England to desire an Interview at York Which the Faction of the Ecclesiasticks prevent ‖ Iames Hamilton set up for a Judge against Lutherans But prevented from executing his Commission Imprisoned Tried Condemned and put to Death King Iames presaging Dream * His two Sons depart this Life Henry of England being affronted about the Interview prepares War against Iames And sends an Army against him commanded by Howard his General The Nobility of Scotland refuse to fight against England which moves Iames's Passion against them * Standing upon the Tweed 14 Miles above Berwick K. Iames sends an Army into England Which is defeated The overthrow of his Army breaks his Heart K. Iames the 5 th his Character Cardinal Beton suborns a false Will of King Iames therein nominating himself with three Assessors to he Vice-gerenâ—s of the Kingdom Hamilton opposes the Cardinal Scotish Prisoners and Exile released and dismissed at London and the Reason why * The Cardinal's Cheat discovered and thereupon Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran chosen Regent †Sir Ralph Sadler sent Ambassador to Scotland to treat about a Match for the young Queen with King Henry's Son But is affronted by the Cardinal and his Faction upon colourable pretences The Decree of the Council of Constance forbids Faith to be kept with Hereticks as the Reformed are by them called †Kennedy Earl of Cassills his just Resolution to return like another Regulus into England to redeem his Hostages highly praised and rewarded by Henry of England ‖ Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox sent for out of France into Scotland to ballance the Hamiltons * Kirk-Liston lying on the North-side of the River Annand that divides Middle and West-Lothian An Agreement made between Hamilton and Lennox The Regent recants his Opinions as to the Reform'd Religion Lennox was promised to marry the Queen but afterwards illuded by her and the Cardinal Upon which he retires and rises up in Arms and from Glascow marches to Leith But was forc'd to capitulate with the Regent at present Henry of England makes War upon Scotland Burns Edinburgh c. and retreats Lennox labours to justify himself to the French King against the Calumnies of the Queen and Cardinal * Or Grampius Glasgow Castle taken from Lennox by the Regent Lennox and Cuningham worsted by Hamilton Lennox flyes into England where he marries Margaret Douglas The English enter Scotland with an Army and garison Coldingham The Regent raises an Army but retreats shamefully The vain boast of Evers and Laiton two English Cavaleers The Regent by the advice of Angus raises a party to oppose the English In Teviotdale * The English being overconfident are worsted principally by thâ— Valour of Norman Lesley and Walter Scot. * The Family of the Frasers almost like to be quite extinguish'd †The French assists the Scots with some small Force * Hadington a Town in East Lothian twelve Miles South of Edinburgh The Scots march'd into England with an Army But again retreat Lutherans cruelly punish'd The ignorant Priests thoughâ— the Book of the New Testament was written by Martin Luther * Or Ruthven ‖ Kinfans is two Miles East of Perth on the North of Tay. The History of Wiseheart's Persecution by Cardinal â—eton and his Ecclesiasticks ‖ The Cardinal desires a criminal Judg against George Wiseheart But David Hamilton of Preston a Village in East Lothian persuades the Regent noâ— to grant one †The Regent not satisfied to proceed against George Whereupon the Cardinal proceeds against him by his own Authority Wiseheart's pious and Christian Leportment before his Death Wiseheart's Prophecy at his death concerning the Cardinal's Fall The Martyrdom of George Wiseheart The foul Character of Cardinal Beton Norman Lesly with a few Partisans surprises the Castle of S. Andrews and kills Cardinal Beton accord-to Wistheart's Prophecy before-mentioned Those that slew the Cardinal â— thosummoned yet refuse to appear * November 5. The Murderers of the Cardinal not reclaimed by the preaching of Iohn Knox. The English invade Scotland †A small River in Ewsdale The Regent marches against the English ‖ Or Lang-hope lying near the Conduence of the Rivers Esk and Ewes in Ewsdale * St. Ebbs Head on the Mouth of the Forth in Merss St. Andrews Castle taken by the Regent with the Assistance of the French The English enter Scotland and repulse the Regent's Forces †Two Miles East of Musselborough in East-Lothian The English send Letters to the Scots persuasory to Peace Which being rejected by the Regent He gives them Baâ—â—el But receives a great Overthrow †Brockty standing on a Rock on the Aâ—gus-side of Tay 2 Miles below Dundee The English retreat out of Scotland The English again enter Scotland And overtrow a Party of Scots commanded by Iames Douglas 〈◊〉 of Franceâ—ends â—ends Aid to the Scots The Queen of Scotland sails into France Hume and Fascastle garison'd by the English are surprized by the Scots ‖ Standing on the Firth of
Forth in Fife The English Seamen landing in Scotland in two places are twice repulsed Hadington besieged by the Scots but relieved by the English A Mutiny between the French and Scots at Edinburgh The design of the French to surprize Hadington disappointed The French disgusted by the Scots for their Cruelty and Oppressions Dessius Commander of the French recalled from Scotland and Termes sent to succeed him Dessius takes the Island Keith from the English before his Departure Hadington deserted by the English An Agreement between the French and English The Regent's Government disrelished especially after the Martyrdom of George Wiseheart The Queen Dowager sails for France * A Monastery 4 Miles North of Irwin near the Irish Sea in Cuningham The Regent by Directions from France persuaded to resign his Government Which he doth afterwards upon Terms * In Renfrewshire †Or Chastle-herault ‖ Vien in Daulphiny in France having a Bridg over the Rhosne K. Edward the 6 th of England highly commended The Queen Dowager made Regent Huntly imprisoned ‖ Or Macintoshes But released upon Conditions The Queen Regent by the Advice of the French raises new Taxes * In Mid-Lothian But the Commons withstand it shewing their Reasons Upon which she desists Embassadors from France desiring the Scots to make War against England * On the North side of South-Esk near Dalkeith in East-Lothian †The Town of Eye-Mouth in the Merss * In Teviotdale on the South side of Tweed below Kelso Difference between D'Osel the French Embassador and the Scots Nobility D'Osel vails Bonnet to them The Scots under Andrew Carr overthrown by the Duke of Norfolk * In Lennoxshire Embassadors sent to France about the Marriage of the Dolphin with the Queen of Scots * A Royal Borough of Angus †Piemont and Millain ‖ D'Coss Earl of Brisac Some of the Scots Embassadors die in France and the rest return home The English Fleet attempts the Orcades but are driven off by Tempest Walter Mills martyred to the great regret of the Citizens of St. Andrews ‖ Or Methâ—eâ— Paul Meffen troubled upon the account of Religion St. Giles's Show the Tutelar of Edinburgh fouly spoiled Paul Meffen banished by the Papists but yet harbor'd by the Inhabitants of Dundee The first Congregation of the Reformed in Scotland * Or Cader in Mid-Lothian The just Proposals of the Reformers to the Queen-Regent Which the Priests by the Encouragement of the Queen-Regent oppose The Quadrantary or Triobolar Faith what The Scotish Crown order'd to be sent to the Daulphin of France who had married the Queen The Queen of Scots upon the Death of Mary of England assumes the Royal Arms of England The imperious Answers of the Queen-Regent to the Agents of the Reformed with their tart Reply Magistrates have power over Mens Bodies and Estates not their Consciences Iohn Knox preaches at Perth upon which the Commonalty destroy the Idols and Shrines for Popish Worship * Friars Mendicants call'd Friars Manducants The Regent disgusts the Carriages of the Reformed and prepares Force against them Cuningham Earl of Glencarn stands up stoutly for the Reformation A Temporary Agreement made between the Regent and the Reformed Which the Regent eludes what she can by undue Pretences * Perth Argyle and Iames Stuart join themselves with the Reform'd against the Regent because of her breach of Promise The Resolution of the Reformers * In Poictou in France The Queen marches against them and they prepare to defend themselves The Reformers under the command of Argyle and Stuart take Perth Cowper Linlithgo and Edinburgh and purge them from monuments of Idolatry A Truce between the Regent and the Reformers French Auxiliaries arrive to strengthen the Regent Which disgusts the Reformed * Or of St. Michael Embassadors from France Their Demands answer'd by the Reformed The Reformers expostulate with the Regent The Regents answers to their Demands The Rejoinder of the Reformed Nobility to the Regent's Answer They abrogate the Regent's Power * In East-Lothian The Reformers meet with great discouragements by the prevailing of the French and desire Aid from England Knox's encouraging Sermon England resolves to send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland * A Borough Royal in Fife * In Fife A Fleet of English appear to aid the Scots Reformers which terrifies the French The French lose the hearts even of the Scotish Papists themselves by their Insolencies and Plunderings French Aid arrives in Scotland to assist the Regent So doth an English Army to aid the Reformers The Reformers last Letter to the Regent Skirmishes between the English and the French Embassadors from England The Queen-Regent's death with her Character The Character of the French Embassadors in Scotland Three French Generals in Scotland with their respective Characters After the Regent's death Peace concluded between the Parties by which the French were to leave Scotland a point the Regent would never yield to in her Life-time though often press'd thereto Sandeland Embassador from Scotland to France * A Vidam in France is a Baron holding of a Bishop A Massacre design'd in France by the Guises December 5. The Death of Francis the French King The Queen of Scots resolves to return from France An Embassador from France with his Demands and the Answers of the Scotish Nobility thereunto The Scots Parliament demolishes all Monasteries * A Town built on the River South-Esk in Angus The Queen arrives in Scotland with various Descants thereupon Maitland sent Embassador into England Who persuades Queen Elizabeth by many Arguments to declare the Queen of Scots her Successor Which she absolutely refuses to do with her Reasons for it Courtiers unstable and selfish in their Affections to their Prince The Queen of Scots not to use the English Arms in Queen Elizabeth's time A Question stated whether a chief Magistrate might be compell'd to do his Duty with variouâ— Opinions thereupon The Queen designs to have a Guard for her Body alamode of France The Queen raises her Revenues out of Estates of Ecclesiasticks Iames the Queen's Brother made Earl of Marr afterwards of Murray Gordon an Enemy to Murray Iames Macintosh unjustly put to death by Gordon and his Wife Bothwel endeavours to supplant Murray A Design against the Regent discovered by a Mistake in delivering of Letters and the Conspirators imprisoned Dunbarton-Castle taken by the Queen Gordon's Plot to kill Murray prevented An Interview designed between the Queens of England and Scotland at York but disappointed * In Teâ—iotdale The Regent destined to ruin by the Popish Faction in Scotland and the Guises in France for adhering to the Reformation Gordon incited by the Pope's Letters undertakes to destroy Murray the Regent Bothwel escapes out of Prison ‖ Or Strathbogy Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self Disappointed Gordon's design against Murray's Life Wonderfully 〈◊〉 * The Gordons taken Prisoners †The Regent gives solemn Thanks to Almighty God the sole Author of his unexpected Deliverance Iohn Gordon put to