GEORGH BUCHANANI Scoti Poetae Historici Eximij Vera Effigies Ex Archetypo quod in Musaeo D Thomae Povey adservatur expressa THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND Written in Latin By George Buchanan Faithfully Rendered into ENGLISH I have carefully and diligently perused this Translation of BVCHANAN's History and finding it to be faithfully and exactly done have therefore allowed it to be Printed August 13 th 1689. I. FRASER LONDON Printed by Edw. Iones for Awnsham Churchil at the Black Swan in Ave-Mary-Lane near Pater-Noster-Row 1690. TO THE READER 'T IS sufficient Commendation of the ensuing History That it was Written by Mr. George Buchanan Who was no less the Glory of the Age wherein he Lived than of his Country Being a Person both of that Elevation and Justness of Thought and of that Neatness and Elegancy of Expression that among all the Ancient as well as the Modern Writers few do equal and none do exceed him And as he knew in Reference to Persons and Things What to say and What not to say so he was of that Courage and Integrity to conceal nothing that ought to be delivered but hath used the same Freedom in Transmitting down the Lives of Princes to Posterity that they allowed themselves in leading them And if ever any Book deserved the Character of answering the Title this doth being truly a History and not a Romance wherein the Author representeth Things as they were Commending without Flattery and Censuring without Satyr GEORGE BUCHANAN's EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO JAMES the Sixth King of the SCOTS AT my Return after Four and Twenty Years absence from my Country I desired nothing more than to review my Papers that were dispersed and many ways injured by the Iniquity of the Times For I found that the over-Officiousness of my Friends to precipitate the Publication of what was yet unfit to see the Light and that excessive Liberty which Transcribers take to Censure the Works of other Men had altered many Things and corrupted others according to their several Humours But whilst I was endeavouring to remedy these Disorders the sudden and unexpected Solicitations of my Friends broke my Measures all of them as if they had Conspired together Exhorting me to lay aside Things of less Weight that rather delight the Ear than instruct the Mind and apply my self to Write the History of our Nation as a Subject not only suitable to my Age and sufficient to Answer the Expectation of my Country Men but deserving great Commendation and most fit to preserve ones Memory to succeeding Ages Amongst other Reasons which I omit they added That though Britain be the most Famous Island in the World and every part of its History contain most Remarkable Things yet scarce one was to be found in any Age who durst attempt so great a Work or had acquitted himself as the Subject deserved Neither was it the least Inducement to this Vndertaking that I hoped my pains herein would not be unfitting for nor unacceptable to you For it seemed to me Absurd and Shamefull That You who in this Your tender Age have Read the Histories of all Nations and retain very many of them in Your Memory should only be a Stranger at Home Besides an incurable Distemper having made me unfit to discharge in Person the Care of Your Instruction committed to me I thought that sort of Writing which tends to the Information of the Mind would best supply the want of my Attendance and resolved to send You Faithfull Counsellors from History that you might make use of their Advice in Your Deliberations and imitate their Virtue in Your Actions For there are amongst Your Ancestors Men Excellent in every Respect of whom Posterity will never be ashamed and to omit others You will hardly find in History any one Worthy to be compared with our David And if the Divine Goodness was so Liberal to him in those most wretched and wicked Times we may with Reason hope That You may be as the Royal Prophet says A Pattern of all those Excellencies which Mothers desire in their Children when they give them their best Wishes and that this Government which seems to be hurried on to Ruin and Destruction may be supported 'till the time shall come when all Sublunary Things having finished the Course appointed them by Gods Eternal Decree shall arrive at their designed Period Edinburgh Aug. 30. The LIFE of George Buchanan Written by Himself Two Years before His Death GEORGE BUCHANAN was Born in Lennox-Shire commonly called the Sheriffdom of Dumbarton in Scotland Scituate near the River or Water of Blane in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Five Hundred and Six about the First Day of February in a Country Town within that Shire of a Family rather Ancient than Rich. His Father died of the Stone in the Flower of his Age whilst his Grandfather was yet alive who being a Spend-Thrift their Family which was but low before was now reduced to almost the extremity of Want Yet such was the frugal care of his Mother Agnes Heriot that she brought up Five Sons and Three Daughters to Mens and Womens Estate Of the Five Sons George was One. His Uncle Iames Heriot perceiving his promising Ingenuity in their own Country Schools took him from thence and sent him to Paris There he applied himself to his Studies and especially to Poetry either having a Natural Genius that way or else out of Necessity because 't was the only Method of Study propounded to him in his Youth Before he had been there Two Years his Uncle Died and he himself fell dangerously Sick and being in want beside he was forced to return into his own Country After his return to Scotland he spent almost an year in taking care of his Health then he went into the French Army of Auxilliaries newly arrived in Scotland on purpose to obtain some Skill in the Art Military But that Expedition proving Fruitless the Army retreated in a very sharp and snowy Winter so that he again relapsed into a Disease which confined him all that Winter to his Bed Early in the Spring he was sent to St. Andrews to hear the Lectures of Iohn Major who though very old Read Logick or rather Sophistry in that University The Summer after he accompanied him into France and there he fell into the Troubles of the Lutheran Sect which then began to encrease He struggled with the Difficulties of Providence almost Two Years and at last was admitted into the Barbaran Colledge where he was Grammar Professor almost Three Years During that time Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils one of the young Scotish Nobles being in that Country was much taken with his Ingenuity and Acquaintance so that he entertained him for Five Years and brought him back with him into Scotland Afterwards having a Mind to return to Paris to his old Studies he was detained by the King and made Tutor to Iames his Natural Son In the mean time an Elegy made by him at leasure times came
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
into the Hands of the Franciscans wherein he Writes That he was solicited in a Dream by St. Francis to joyn himself to his Order In that Poem there were one or two Passages that reflected on them very sorely which those Ghostly Fathers notwithstanding their Profession of Meekness and Humility took more heinously than Men having obtained such a Vogue for Piety among the vulgar ought to have done upon so small an occasion of Offence But finding no just Ground for their immoderate Wrath and Fury they had recourse to the common Crime of those Days which they objected to those they wish'd ill to viz. The Cause of Religion Thus whilst they indulged their Malice and Disgust they made him who was not well affected to them before a greater Enemy to their Liceniousness and rendred him more inclineable to the Lutheran Cause In the mean time the King with Magdalen his Wife came from France not without the resentment of the Priesthood who were afraid that the Royal Lady having been bred up under her Aunt the Queen of Navar should attempt some Innovation in Religion But this fear soon vanished upon her Death which followed shortly after A while after there arose some suspitions at Court against some of the Nobility who were thought to have conspired against the King and in that matter the King was persuaded the Franciscans were somewhat concerned so that he Commanded Buchanan who at that time was at Court thô he were ignorant of the Disgusts betwixt Him and that Order to write a Satyr against them He was loth to offend either of them and therefore thô he made a Poem yet it was but short and such as might admit of a doubtful Interpretation wherein he satisfied neither Party not the King who would have had a tart and biting Invective nor the Fathers neither who lookt on it as a capital Offence to have any thing said of them but what was Honourable So that receiving a Second Command to write more pungently against them he began that Miscellany which now bears the Title of the Franciscan and gave it to the King But shortly after being made acquainted by his Friends at Court that Cardinal Beton sought his Life and had offered the King a Sum of Money as a price for his Head he escaped out of prison and fled for England But there also things were at such an uncertainty that the very same Day and almost with one and the same Fire the Men of Both Factions Protestants and Papists were burnt together Henry the Eighth in his old Age being more intent on his own Security than the Purity or Reformation of Religion This uncertainty of Affairs in England seconded by his ancient Acquaintance with the French and the innate courtesie of that Nation drew him again into France As soon as he came to Paris he found Cardinal Beton his utter Enemy Embassador there so that to withdraw himself from his Fury at the Invitation of Andrew Goveanus he went to Bourdeaux There he presided and Taught Three Years in the Schools which were erected at the Publick Cost At that time he wrote Four Tragedies which were afterwards occasionally Published But that which he wrote first called the Baptist was Printed last and then the Medea of Euripides He wrote them in compliance with the Custom of the School which was to have a Play wrote once a Year that so by acting of them he might as much as he could calll back the French Youth from Allegories with which they then were overmuch delighted to the Imitation of the Ancients This Affair succeeding even almost beyond his Hope he took more pains in compiling the other Two Tragedies called Iephthe and Alcestis because he thought they would fall under a severer scrutiny of the Learned And yet during this time he was not wholly free from Trouble being harassed between the Menaces of the Cardinal on the One side and of the Franciscans on the Other For the Cardinal had wrote Letters to the Archbishop of Bourdeaux to apprehend him but providentially those Letters were delivered to some of Buchanan's Friends However the death of the King of Scots and the Pestilence which then reigned over all Aquitain dispelled that Fear In the interim an Express came to Goveanus from the King of Portugal requiring him to come into that Kingdom and to bring with him some Men Learned both in the Greek and Latin Tongues that they might Read the Liberal Arts and especially the Principles of the Aristotelian Philosophy in those Schools which were then a Building with a great deal of Cost and Expence Buchanan being addressed to easily assented to go for one For whereas he saw that all Europe besides was either actually in Foreign or Domestique Wars or else suddenly likely so to be that one Corner of the World was in his Opinion likeliest to be free from Tumults and Combustions And besides his Companions in that Journy were such that they seemed rather his Acquaintance and Familiar Friends than Strangers or Aliens to him For many of them had been his Intimates for several Years and are well known to the World by their Learned Works as Nicolaus Gruchius Gulielmus Garentaens Iacobus Tevius and Elias Vinetus Upon which account he did not only joyn himself to their Society but also persuaded a Brother of his called Patrick to be one of so Illustrious a Society And the Truth is the matter succeeded excellently well at the beginning but the death of Andrew Goveanus which hapned as it were in the midst of our Race and was mature enough for himself but very prejudicial to us put a stop to its happy Progress For after his Decease all our Enemies endeavoured at first to insnare us by Treachery and soon after ran violently upon us as it were with open Mouth and their Agents and Instruments being great Enemies to the Accused they laid hold of Three of them and haled them to Prison whence after a long and nasty durance they were brought forth to their Answers and after many bitter Taunts were remanded to Prison again and yet no Accuser did appear in Court against them As for Buchanan they insulted most bitterly over him as being a Stranger and knowing also that he had very few Friends in that Country who would either rejoyce in his Prosperity sympathize with his Grief or Revenge the Wrongs offered to him The Crimes laid to his Charge was the Poem he wrote against the Franciscans which he himself before he went from France had deposited in the hands of the King of Portugal neither did his Accusers perfectly know what it was For he had given but one Copy of it to the King of Scots by whose Command he wrote it They further objected His eating of Flesh in Lent thô there be not a Man in all Spain but uses the same Liberty Besides he had given shrewd Girds against Monks which yet none but Monks could well except against Moreover they took it much amiss that
entred upon the Kingdom He being emulous of the Kings before him kept the Kingdom in great Peace during the space of 31 years that he managed the Government When he was old and could not perform the Kingly Office himself he appointed Four Vice-gerents to Administer Justice to the People Whilst These presided over the Affairs of Scotland some loose Persons resuming their former Luxuriant Extravagancies by the Magistrates Neglect or as some think Fault put all things into an Hurly Burly But their wicked Pranks were the less taken notice of by reason of the excessive Cruelty and Pride of one Donaldus who ranging over all Galway made the Country People pay Tribute to him or else he robbed them and reduced them to great Want Eugenius VIII The LXII King A Midst these Tumults Eugenius the 8 th the Son of Mordacus was set up in the room of Etfinus deceased His first Enterprize was to suppress Donaldus whom he overthrew in many bloody Fights took him Prisoner and publickly executed him to the Joy of all the Spectators He put Mordacus to death Vicegerent of Galway for Siding with Donaldus and set a Pecuniary Fine on the rest of the Vicegerents He made Satisfaction to the People who had been robbed out of the Offenders Estates The Bad being terrified for fear of these Punishments and a great Calm ensuing after a most violent Tempest he confirmed the Leagues heretofore made with the Neighbouring Kings Yet after all this he who got so much Glory in War when once Peace was made gave himself up to all manner of Vice And seeing he would not be reclaimed neither by the Advices of his Friends nor of the Priests all the Nobles conspired to destroy him which they did in a Publick Convention in the 3d year of his Reign The Companions and Associats of his wicked Practices ended their Lives at the Gallows all Men rejoycing at their Executions Fergusius III. The LXIII King FERGVSIVS the III the Son of Etfinus succeeded him who under a like counterfeit pretence of Virtue being fouly vitious dyed also after the like violent manner having Reigned the like Number of years viz. 3. He was poisoned by his Wife Others write That when his Wife had often upbraided him with his Contempt of Matrimony and his Flocks of Harlots but without any amendment that She Strangled him at night as he was sleeping in his Bed When Enquiry was made into his Death and many of his Friends were accused and yet though severely tortured would confess nothing The Queen thô otherwise of a fierce Nature yet pitying the suffering of so many Innocents came forth and from an high Place told the Assembly That She was the Author of the Murder and presently lest She should be made a living Spectacle of Reproach She ran her Self through with a Knife which Fact of Hers was variously spoken of and descanted upon according to the several Humours and Dispositions of the Men of that time Solvathius The LXIV King KING Solvathius the Son of Eugenius the 8 th is the next in Order Who if he had not contracted the Gout by reason of Cold in the 3d Year of his Reign might well be reckoned for his Personal Valour amongst the Best of Kings yet notwithstanding his Disease he appeased all Tumults by his Generals with great Wisdom and Prudence First of all Donaldus Banus i. e. White being Fearless of the King by reason of the Lameness of his Feet had the boldness as to seize upon all the Western Islands ând to call himself King of the Aebudae Afterwards making a Descent on the Continent and carrying away much Prey he was forced by Cullanus General of the Argyle-men and by Ducalus Captain of the Athol-men into a Wood out of which there was but one Passage so that their endeavours to escape were fruitless but He and His were there slain every Man One Gilcolumbus excited by the same Audacity and Hope assaulted Galway oppressed before by his Father but he also was overthrown by the same Generals and put to death In the mean time there was Peace from the English and Picts occasioned by their Combustions at home Solvathius Reigned 20 Years and then dyed being Praised of all Men. In the year of Christ 787. Achaius The LXV King ACHAIVS the Son of Etfinus succeeded him he having made Peace with the Angels and Picts understanding that War was threatned from Ireland composed the Seditions that were like to break forth at home not only by his Pains-taking but by his Largesses also The Cause of the Irish War was This. In the former Kings Reign who was unfit to make any Expedition The Irish and the Islanders out of hope of Prey and Impunity had made a descent upon Cantire the adjoyning Peninsule with great Armies both at once But a Feud arising between the Plunderers many of the Islanders and all the Irish were slain To revenge this Slaughter the Irish Rigged out a great Navy to Sail into the Aebudae Achaius sent Embassadors to them to acquaint them That they had no just cause for a War in regard that Thieves fighting for their Prey had slain one another That the loss was not that so many were slain but rather that any of them had escaped They farther alleged That the King and his National Councils were so far from offering any injury to the Irish that they had put all the Authors of the late Slaughter to death The Embassadors discoursing many things to this purpose were so coursly and barbarously rejected by the Irish That they set forth their Fleet against the Albine Scots even before their departure when their Fleet was on the Main a Tempest arose and destroyed them all This Mischance occasioned some sentiments of Remorse and Pity in the Irish so that now they humbly fued for that Peace which before they disdainfully refused But first of all Achaius made Peace between the Scots and Franks chiefly for this reason because not only the Saxons who inhabited Germany but even those who had fixed themselves in Britanny did infest Gaul with Piratical Invasions And besides Charles the Great whose desire was to enoble France not only by Arms but Literature had sent for some Learned Men out of Scotland to read Greek and Latin at Paris For yet there were many Monks in Scotland Eminent for Learning and Piety the antient Discipline being then not quite extinguished amongst whom was Iohannes Sirnamed Scotus or which is all one Albinus for the Scots in their own Language call themselves Albini He was the School-Master of Charles the Great and left many Monuments of his Learning behind him and in particular some Precepts of Rhetorick which I have seen with Iohannes Albinus inscribed There are also some Writings of Clement a Scot remaining who was a great Professor of Learning at the same time too in Paris There were many other Scotish Monks who passed over into Gaul out
the English Writers especially Edward Hall and he that pilfers from him Grafton inveigh mightily against Iames as Ungrateful Perfidious and forgetful of Ancient Courtesys who being Nobly entertain'd among the English for so many Years honoured with a Royal Match and large Dowry and besides restor'd to Liberty from a long Imprisonment suffer'd all these Obligations to be post-pon'd and preferr'd the Alliance with France before That with England But the thing it self doth easily refute their Slanders For First their Detaining of him when he landed on their Coast being against their League and also the Law of Nations 't was a Wrong not a Courtesy Next as to their not killing him but putting him to a ransom for Money rather than imbrue their hands in the Blood not of an Enemy but of a Guest That was attributable not so much to their Love or Mercy toward Him as to their Covetous and avaritious Minds and grant there were any Courtesy in it yet what was it other but like that of Thieves who would seem to give the Life which they took not away and if he were ingag'd to the English on that account 't was a private not publick debt As for their bestowing Education upon him who was Innocent by reason of his Age a Suppliant by his Fortune and a King by Descent tho' most unrighteously detain'd it bears indeed some shew of Humanity which if they had neglected they might have been justly blamed and indeed it had been a commendable piece of Kindness if the Injury going before and the Covetousness following after had not marr'd it unless you will say that if you purposely wound a Man you may require him to give you thanks for his Cure and so you imagin a light Compensation for a great Loss is to be esteem'd as a Courtesy or because you have done some Part of your duty that therefore you should expect the Reward in full of a benefit bestowed on another For he that takes Care that his Captive should be Educated in Learning either for his own pleasure or that he may yield him a better Price thô some advantage accrue hereby to the Party educated yet the Master doth not aim at the Good of the Slave in his Institution but at his Own But says he the King honoured him with the Marriage of his Kinswoman and thus the Royal Young Man was as Royally bâ—stâ—wed But what if that Affinity were as honourable to the Father as the Son in Law He would else have Marry'd her to a private Man but now he made her a Queen and ingrafted her by Marriage into that Family on which the Famousest of the English Kings had often before bestowed their Children and from whom so many Former Kings had descended But he gave a very large Dowry with her To whom I pray was it given but to the English themselves who took it away before it was paid and made a shew of it in Words to the Husband but indeed kept it for their own use so that the Dowry was only spoken of not given and so spoken of That they would have the Young Man whom they also had otherwise grievously wrong'd much indebted to them that he carried his Wife away with him without a Dowry But they sent him home a Freeman say they Yes as a Pyrate doth Discharge his Captive when his Ransom is paid But how free I pray Even if we may believe the English Writers themselves under the inforc'd Obligation of an Oath always to obey the English King as his Lord and so to bring a Kingdom which he did yet injoy into a perpetual Servitude which if he had actually injoyed he could not alienate and yet he must mancipate it forsooth before he received it This is not to set one free but to turn him loose with a longer Chain and that not as a King but as a Steward only or Vicegerent of another man's Kingdom I forbear to urge that they compell'd a man in Captivity and as yet under the Power of another to make a Promise yea a promise of That which he could not perform neither could he compel those to perform it who had Power so to do This is that high piece of Liberality which they say Iames was unmindful of But let us suffer these unskilful Writers and forgetful of all Moderation and Modesty in their Stories to account Profits receiv'd as Courtesys given How great must we think That Liberty of falsifying or else Desire of evil Speaking to be which they use against the Daughter of the aforesaid King For whereas such men otherwise impudent enough had nothing to allege against her Manners they write that she was unacceptable to her Husband because of her stinking Breath Whereas Monstrelet a Contemporary Writer of those days doth affirm that she was very faithful and beautiful and he who wrote the Pluscartin Book who accompanied that Queen both at Sea and at her Death hath left it on Record that as long as she lived she was very dear to her Father and Mother in Law and to her Husband too as appeared by the Inscription and Epitaph in French Verses at Chalons by the River Matrona where she dyed which sound much to her Praise 't was then published and afterwards turned into the Scotish Lingue which some of our Country men have by them to this day But I will leave these Men who do so calumniate other mens Credits and neglect their Own that they care little what they say of others or what others think of them and return to the Matter When the King having been at Charge to rig out his Navy had try'd to exact a Tax from the People and the greatest Part plainly refused to pay a Penny a Few paid a small matter and that grudgingly too he commanded his Collectors to desist from levying the rest and to restore what they had already received And yet he did not hereby shun the clamours of the People for some malevolent Persons who were angry for some private loss did daily incite seditious Persons and Innovators against him At the same time the English began to prey upon Scotland both by Land and Sea under the Command of Percy Earl of Northumberland William Douglas Earl of Angus was sent to encounter him with near an Equal number of men for they were about 4000. on either side of the Scots there fell Alexander Iohnston of Lothian a Noble Person and of known Valour some Write that 200. others that only 40 were slain of both Armies and about 1500 English taken Prisoners Iames having been twice provoked by the English First by their Fleet which lay in wait to intercept his Daughter and Next by the late spoiling of his Country resolves to proclaim open War against them whereupon he listed as great an Army as he could and made a fierce assault on Roxburgh and in a short time he expected the Surrender thereof when behold the Queen came posting to him in as
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
The Parliament Graâ—ity neither Party fully but chuse Regents of which the Queens Friends are an equal Number with the rest A Truce with England for 1â— Years The Queen Mothers Death Intestine Commotions in Scotland By Alan of Loâ—n And Donald the Islander * Or Redshanks Donald takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner pillages and burns St. Brides Church He is Shipwrackâ—d and theâ—eupon falâ—s distrâ—cted Iames Kennedy his commendation The Boyds câ—eep into Favour at Court Alexander Boyd abuses Kennedy The Boyds carry the King to Edinburgh Whereupon the Kennedies depart from the Court Boyd's Sarcasm to Iohn Kennedy Kennedy's Death and Character * Patrick Graham Elected Bishop of St. Andrews in the room of Iames Kennedy and Confirmed by the Pope But the Boyds obstruct his Admission Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of York by the Popes Decree The Boyds strengthen their Faction and procure Pardon for their Misâ—aâ—iageâ— by Publick Instruments to which the King assents Robert Boyd made Regent Thomas Boyd Marries the Kings Eldest Sister The Greatness of the Boyds occasions their Ruin James by his Ambassadors desires Margarite Daughter of the King of Denmark for a Wife The King of Denmark resigns up the Orcades and Scheâ—land to the Scots as a Dowry Thomas Boyd sent Ambassador to bring the new Queen from Norwey The Boyds undermined in the absence of Thomas Robert Boyd flies into England Alexander Boyd Beheaded A Critical or Ambiguous Pardon Thomas Boyd declared a publick Enemy in his â—bsence Who thereupon retires into Burgundy King Iames Married to Margarite of Norwey * A Town on the River Irwyn in Cuningham Thomas Boyd's Wife divorced fâ—om him and Married to Iames Hamilton Boyd's Death Bishops anciently chosen by their Canons and Abbats by their Monks Bâ—t King Iames assumes the naming of 〈◊〉 to himseâ—â— Which Patrick Grahâ—m laboâ—rs to withstand But the Court-brokers â—ppose him The Story of William Sivez and his worming of Graham out of the Archbishopâ—ick of St. Andrews Patrick Graham Excommunicated and his Rents gathered into the Kings Exchequer Situate upon the Head of Monks-Moor Five Miles North of Falkland 〈…〉 of his Bâ—shoprick imprisoned till 〈◊〉 Death and hiâ— Adversary Sivez succeeds him A Town four Miles above Queens-Ferry in Fife Iohn the Islander rises in Arms but quickly submits himself Iames Kennedy built a vast Ship which is rifled by the English but upon a Peace made by Embassadors he receives satisfaction Embassadors to Charles of Burgundy who soon after was slain at Nants by the Switzers One Andrews an Astrologer and Physician foretels K. Iames's Death K. Iames degenerates into Tyranny Iohn the Kings Brotheâ— put to Death And Aâ—exander impriâ—oned But he makeâ— his Escape to Dunbar and then to France Dunbar Castle deserted and taken by the Scots Peace between the Scots and English wherein it was agreed That Cecily Edwards Daughter should Marry Iames's Young Son But the Peace is soon broken and an Army Marches into England * In Lauderdale Douglasses Oration to the Nobles in the Camp against the King's Evil Counsellors Cockran and the Rest of the Evil Counsellors dragg'd out by an Incensed Army to their Deaths Their Crimes Objected were Brass-Money Coyned Their Aliâ—nating the King's Heart from the Nobility with 〈◊〉 Incouraging of him in Magical Aâ—ts and Exciting him to Cruelty against his own Flesh and Blood The Scots Army disbanded An English Army under the Duke of Glocester and Alexander the Kings Brother enters Scotland The Sâ—ots Nobâ—â—â—ty raise an Army Yet mediate a Peace by their Agents Reparties between both Armies * Near Hadington in 〈◊〉 Lothian Alexander is reconciled to the King returns into his own Country and is made Regent Beâ—wick Castâ—e surrendered to the Engâ—ish The intended Marriage be Iames's Son and Edward's Daughter Null'd and the Dowry repaid Alexander disgusted condemned and flees to England Creighton condemned with the Reasons why Edward of England dies and his Brother Richard made first Protector and then King A Scuffle in Scotland On the North-side of Fife upon the Riveâ— Tay. A Truce between Richard of England and the Scots Richard of England 〈◊〉 and Henry the 7 th 〈◊〉 him Dunbar-Castle surrendred to the Scots A Truce between the English and Scots for 7 Years The Death of the Queen of Scots and of Alexander the King's Brother who left Two Sons behind them The King again addicts himself to Evil Counsellors Iohn Ramsy c. The King labours to cajole some of the Nobles by Honors He discovers his Design against the Nobles to Douglas Who dissuades him from such Cruelty The Nobles Arm against the King and chuse the Kings Son for their General A Temporary Agreement The Nobles insist on the Kings resigning of the Crown The King sends Embassadors for Foreign Aid A Battel between the King and the Nobles where the King is slain The Character of james III And of the Foreign Princes his Contemporaries Wood's Constancy to King Iames the 3 d. On the North-side of Forth 2 Miles below Sterlin Andrew Wood reconciled to K. Iames the 4 th He fights the English Fleet overthrows them Some of the Scots Nobility combine against the new King's Party But are overthrown * Off the Point of Fife The manner of the Fight between Andr. Wood and the English Admiral Wood's second Victory over the English A strange Monster K. Iames the 4 th his first Parliament ‖ A Castle lying 4 miles South off Fâ—râ—ar in Angus * The Commendation of Iames the 4 th His Clemency His sorrowful Resentment for his Fathers Death Peter Warbeck some call him Perkin comes into Scotland His Story * A Town in Flanders standing on the Bank of the Sâ—â—â—ld †A Gallo-Belgick People possessing 〈◊〉 Warbeck set up by Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy Warbeck's feigned Harangue of himself The Scots Council cajol'd by Warbeck K. Iames marries Katherine Gordon his Kinswoman to Warbeck and assists him with an Army against England K. Iames begins to smell out Warbeck's Cheat. Henry of England prepares an Army against Scotland An Insurrection in England prevents K. Henry's Design against Scotland at that time K. Iames invades England but to little purpose * In the Mers on the River Aye a mile above Aymouth An Embassador form Spain to England Who mediates a Peace between Scotland and England * The chief Town in Tividale standing on the West of the River Ied Warbeck dismist out of Scotland Taken and hanged in England A War like to arise on a small Occasion betwixt England Scotland but accommodated by Fox Bp. of Durham * Mulross in Tiviot-dale on a bare Promonâ—ory on Tweed side three Miles below its confluence with Gala. A Conference between King Iames and R. Fox Bp of Durham concerning the Marriage of King Henry's Daughter Margaret to Iames. Which took Effect A vast Ship built by King Iames. Wardship a Badg of Slavery Recognition what Wardship disused K. Iames's resolution 〈…〉 Ierusalem The execution of it
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
Lewd Persons yet Innocent of that Particular Fact for which they suffered In the interim the King advised with his Friends how he might preserve Iames his Youngest Son for whose safety he was very solicitous and whom he had left in the custody of Walter Wardiloe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews an honest man and faithful to him They gave their Opinion in the case that he could not be safe in any part of Scotland and that therefore it was best to send him over to Charles the IV. King of France the old Ally and only Friend of the Scotish Nation for he could be Educated no where more safely and honourably than there The fresh Example of David Bruce stuck yet in their Minds who in dubious and troublesome times at home had there for some years an Honourable retreat and Entertainment Hereupon a Vessel was prepared and he put on bord at the Basâ— a Rock rather than an Island Henry Sinclare Earl of the Oreades was sent with him as his Guide or Rector whilst they were compassing the shore he Landed at the Promontory of Flamburgh either driven in by Tempest or else to refresh himself on shore from his Sâ—â—-Vomit and Nauseation There he was detained by the English till they sent to their King who commanded that he should be brought up to Court So that neither the Law of the Truce which was made a little before for 8 years nor the supplicating Letters of his Father did prevail but he was kept as a Lawful Prisoner For his Father at his departure had sent Letters by him to the King of England if possibly he should be necessitated to land there wherein he made complaining and lamentable discourses both of his own and also of the common fortune of all Mankind But tho' the King of England were not ignorant of the Inconstancy of human affairs yet the old grudge against the Nation of the Scots more prevailed with him than either the respect of the Youth 's Innocent Age or the Tears of his grieved Father or the dignity of the Kingly Name or the Faith of the Pacification and Truce For having referred the matter to his Council how he should treat the Son of the King of Scots being arrived in his Dominions Those who had any regard to Equity and were weary of the present War inclined to the milder Opinion viz. That the Royal Youth who fled from the Cruelty of his own Countrymen and was now their Suppliant should be hospitably and Friendly Entertained That so a feirce Nation and unconquer'd by the War of so many Ages might be won and wrought over to a Reconciliation by Courtesie For this they thought was the most solid and firm victory not when Liberty was taken away by force but when Minds are united by the indissoluble bond of Amity Others were of contrary Opinion That he might be lawfully detained as a Prisoner either because many of the Scots Nobility had Personally assisted Percy in the Insurrection which he made against the King or because his Father had Entertained and Relieved Percy the Elder when he was Banished and Condemned as a Traitor in England This Opinion as commonly the worst things do prevailed thâ— they that were present at the Consult knew well enough that those Scots who fought against the English King in Percy 's Insurrection were not sent by any Publick Commission from the King but came out of their private Affection to Douglas who was then also in Percy 's Power They might also have remembred what Henry himself had answered to the Scots a few Years before when they demanded George Dunbar to be given up yet notwithstanding they stuck to this last Opinion as commonly in the Courts of Princes a false preâ—ence of Advantage doth weigh down Honest and Righteous Counsels Yet in one thing Henry dealt Nobly and Royally with his Captive That he caused him to be Educated in Learning and Good Discipline This Calamity of the Son was brought to his Fathers Ears whilst he was at Supper and did so overwhelm him with Grief that he was almost ready to give up the Ghost in the Hands of his Servants that attended him but being carried to his Bed-chamber he abstained from all Food and in 3 Days dyed for Hunger and Grief at Rothesay which is a Town in the Island Bote in the 16th Year of his Reign in the Calends of April and Year of Christ 1406. He was Buried at the Abby of Pasley This Robert for tallness of Stature and for the Beauty and Composition of his whole Body was inferior to none of his Contemporaries His Life was very harmless and there was no Virtuous Accomplishment fit for a private Man wanting in him so that it may be truly said of him That he was a better Man than a King After the King's death the Government of the Kingdom was setled upon Robert his Brother by the Decree of all the Estates who had many things in him worthy of that Office and Dignity if out of a blind Ambition to Rule he had not used unjust Courses to hasten to the Throne He was Valiant in War Prudent in Counsel Just in Judgment Liberal to the Nobles and Tender in Levying Taxes on the Commons The same Year Percy the Elder again entred into a Conspiracy against the King to revenge upon him the deaths of his Brother and Two Sons who had been slain but his Design was discovered many of his Accomplices taken and put to death and he himself for fear fled into Scotland that from thence he might pals over into Flanders and France to procure Auxiliaries to renew the War In the mean time Henry the King of Englands Son made great Incursions into Scotland both by Land and Sea when he was returned home with a great Booâ—y the Castle of Iedburgh which the Enemy had kept from the Fight in Darham to that day was taken by the Commons of Teviotdale Pillaged and then by the Governors Order wholly demolished And George Earl of Merch who had done much damage to his Countrymen in behalfe of the English being not able to procure from them Aid to recover his Own nor an honest Maintenance amongst them neither pacified the Governor by his Friends and so returned home yet he lost part of his Patrimony viz. his Castles in the Loch-Maban and Annandale which were given to Douglas for the Losses he had sustained and thus all Offences were forgiven on both sides and he passed the rest of his Life in great Concord with his Neighbours and faithful Subjection to his King The next Year Percy after he had made a vain and fruitless Peregrination over France and Flanders returned into Scotland to his old Friend the Earl of Merch by whom he was courteously Entertained and Accommodated according to his Estate There he Transacted by private Messengers about returning into his own Country and amongst the rest he wrot to Ralph Rokesby his Ancient
and Faithful Friend as he thought That he did not want Force both of Scots and English who were ready to assist him to recover his Ancient Patrimony provided that he would joyn in his assistance with them This Ralfe was at that time Sheriff of Yorkshire so they there call the Officer which presides in Chief over Juridical Assemblies He enticed Percy to him upon pretence of giving him Aid and then discovered the Conspiracy to the King Thus his Friend was betrayed by him his Head cut off and sent to the King at London There was also at that time a certain Englishman in Scotland who called himself Richard the Second but I judge falsly For when Percy the Elder did often and earnestly desire to speak with him he would not by any persuasion be induced thereunto fearing as may be guessed left his Imposture might be detected by a Man who so well knew his King Yet he was for some Yearss Treated as one of the Blood-Royal and that he might live more securely he feigned himself most averse from any desire of enjoying the Kingdom But at last he was Buried in the Church of the Franciscan-Fryers at Sterlin The Title of the King of England being inserted in his Epitaph â—ot long after Fastcastle a very Strong Castle as the Name intimates in Merch was taken from the English by Patrick Dunbar Son to George and therein Thomas Holden Governor thereof who had infested all the Neighboring Places of Lothian with his continual Thievery And moreover in Teviotdale William Douglas and Gawin Dunbar youngest Son to the Earl of Merch had broken down the Bridge of Roxburgh and burnt the Town but they attempted not the Castle because they were destitute and unprovided of all things necessary for a Siege But the next Year after which was 1411. Donald the Islander Lord of the Aebudae claiming Ross as the next Heir for so indeed he was as unjustly taken away from him by the Governor when he could get no Right he Levied 1000 Islanders and made a Descent on the Continent and so easily seized on Ross the whole Country being willing to return to the Subjection of their own just Master But this Facility of the Rossians in submitting to him gave him whose Mind was greedy of Prey Encouragement to attempt greater Matters For he passed over into Murray and there being no Force to defend it he reduced it to his Obedience and then passed further in his Depredations into Strath-Bogy and did threaten Aberdeen Against this suddain and unexpected Enemy The Governour gathered Forces but in regard the Greatness and Propinquity of the Danger did not admit the expectancy of slow-paced Aid Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander the Governours Brother and almost all the Nobility beyond the Tay at a Village called Harlaw set themselves and their Men in Battel-array against him The Fight was Cruel and Bloody for the Valour of many Nobles did then contend for Estate and Glory against the Savage Cruelty of the opposite Party At last the Night parted them and it may be rather said That they were Both weary with Fighting than that either Party had the better so that the event of the Fight was so uncertain that when Both sides had reckoned up how many they had lost each counted himself the Conqueror In this Fight there fell so many Eminent and Noble Personages as scarce ever perished in one Battel against a Foreign Enemy for many Years before And therefore the Village which was obscure before grew Famous therefrom even to Posterity This Year also Publick Schools began first to be opened at St. Andrews which was effected rather by the consent of Learned Men who made an overture at the Profession of Science than by the Occasion of any Private or Publick Assistance The next 10 Years there was hardly any Memorable thing acted betwixt the Scots and English either because there was a Truce made which yet Authors are silent in or because Henry the 4 th Dying on the 12 th of the Calends of April and his Son Henry the 5 th presently succeeding him being all the rest of his Life intent on the Affairs of France the English abstained from offering any Injury to the Scots And besides the Governour of Scotland did not dare to stir on his side for fear lest the English should bring back upon them the true Heir of the Crown whom he knew many of the Scots would close with out of the Commiseration of his Misfortunes Therefore what Inroads were made at that time were rather like Robberies than Wars For both Penrith in England was burnt by Archibald Douglas and Dunfrize in Scotland by the English And also there was an Exchange of Prisoners made Murdo the Governours Son taken at Homildon Fight was exchanged for Percy who when his Grandfather's Party was subdued in England was brought into Scotland and left with the Governor But upon the New King 's coming to the Crown he was restored to the Dignity of his Ancestors He though he were not properly a Prisoner by the Law of Arms yet the unjust detention of Iames Son to the King of Scots stopt the mouths of the English that they could not justly complain of any injury in the Case As for Percy himself he was so far from resenting it that as long as he lived he acknowledged the Civility and great Friendship of the Scots to him in all kind of mutual Service Moreover the same Year another Embassy came from the Council of Constance the Head whereof was the Abbat of Pontiniack and another from Peter Lune who had seized on the Papacy and as pertinaciously kept it He by Henry Harding an English Franciscan had wrought over the Governor to his Party but in vain for the whole Body of the Priesthood was against him for they having assented to the Council of Constance had subscribed to the Election of Martin the Fifth In the mean time the King of France by means of a violent Disease fell besides himself and his Distemper was encreased by the Monks who pretended to Cure him By which means France was divided into Two Factions The Head of the One was the Duke of Burgundy who having slain the Kings Brother drew him to the English Party The Head of the Other was the Kings Son who being disinherited by his distracted Father was called by his Enemies in a jeer the King of Berry because he usually kept himself at Burges in Berry a Town of the Bernois He being forsaken by a great part of his own Country Men and destitute also of Foreign Aid in the Year 1419. sent the Earl of Vendosme his Ambassador to the Scots to demand Aid of them according to the League made betwixt the Two Nations The Assembly of the Estates ordered him Seven Thousand Men and indeed at that time in regard the Soldiers were increased by reason of the long
his Assistant in publick Business as to observe what his Actions were The Causes which made Maitland suspected were These amongst many others Before his Journy into England though he mightily endeavoured to conceal his Designs yet by his Words and Actions and further by his great Familiarity with the Men of the adverse Party but more clearly yet by Letters he sent to the Queen which were intercepted they could not be hid In those Letters he endeavoured to persuade the Queen that his Service might yet be useful to her using the Example of the Lion as 't is in the Fable who being taken in a Net was freed by such mean Animals as Rats And after he came to York there was scarce a Night wherein he did not meet with the chief Embassadors of the adverse Party compared Notes with them and acquainted them with the Designs of the Regent The Regent did not forbid those Meetings knowing he should do no Good thereby only then they would meet more secretly Though these were manifest Evidences of his Treachery yet casually there happen'd an undeniable Demonstration thereof Norfolk and He went abroad pretendedly to hunt where they had much Discourse concerning the whole Affair and came to this Agreement amongst themselves to spin out the matter if 't was possible and so to delay it that at last nothing might be done and yet the Cause not seem wholly deserted neither For by this means the Regent must depart without effecting what he came for or else some Commotion at home would inforce him so to do and then other Remedies might emerge in time For Norfolk was then designing a Civil War how to take off the One Queen and to marry the Other Maitland inform'd Iohn Lesly Bishop of Ross herewith one intimately acquainted with all the Queen's Affairs who accordingly inform'd his Mistress by Letter how the Duke would have her write to Court what Course to steer for the future and tho her Cause went but slowly on yet that Delay should not hinder her from expecting a good Issue thereof The Queen having read those Letters laid them by as loose Papers so that they came to be read by diverse others and from hand to hand were at last brought to the Regent who by them discovered the main of his Adversaries Design against him as for Maitland he had experimented his Perfidiousness many times before When the Embassadors before-mentioned came to the Queen at London She and her Council thought it best that the Regent himself should come up and so dispute the Controversy by word of Mouth Whereupon he dismiss'd part of his Retinue and with the rest went to London but there he met with the same Difficulty as he had done at York for he refus'd to enter upon the Accusation of the Queen and his Sister too unless if he prov'd her Guilty the Queen of England would take the Scots King's Party into her Protection if she would do That he would begin the Accusation immediately upon the same Terms as he had propounded to the Delegates at York Whilst these things were acting in London the Queen of Scots by means of Iames Balfure endeavoured to raise Commotions in Scotland and that she might more easily accomplish her Designs she wrote Letters to all the Exiles and to Bothwel's Friends to contribute all their Endeavours to infest the contrary Faction by Force of Arms And besides she created Lieutenants through all the Kingdom to whom she gave even Kingly Power And moreover she caus'd Rumours to be spread abroad That the Regent and his Companions were committed Prisoners to the Tower of London and foreseeing that Lie could not be long believed she devis'd another i. e. That the Regent had promis'd to subject Scotland to the Crown of England and That he was to give up the King as a Pledg thereof 'T is thought her Design herein was That whereas she had promis'd the same things by her Commissioners and the English look'd upon it as a Vanity in her seeing She had no power to perform it yet she was willing to possess the Minds of the Vulgar with an Untruth and so to raise up Envy against the Regent and if she could not avert the whole Reproach from her self yet at least she would have her Adversaries bear a Part with her therein When the Regent saw himself in these Straits he resolv'd to end the Matter as well as he could and so to return home Whereupon at the earnest Sollicitation of the English who desir'd to know the Causes of the Proceedings in Scotland without which they could determine nothing he also being desirous to satisfy the Queen of England at that time whom he could nor offend without great prejudice to his Cause and being willing also to return home to extinguish the Civil War then appearing in its first Rise neither of which he could well do unless the Queen of England was his Friend or at least not his Adversary induc'd by these Motives He first protested before the Council of England That 't was not willingly but by the importunity of his Enemies that he was compell'd to accuse his Queen and she his Sister's Son too of so horrid a Crime that he did not do it out of a wanton humour to accuse but out of necessity to clear himself for he was very unwilling to discover those things which he wish'd if possible might be cover'd in perpetual Oblivion and therefore if any Reflection were made on what he did the Envy ought deservedly to light upon Those who would not suffer him to be like Himself that is to obey his Prince chearfully when Good and to reprove Him or Her against his Will when she was Evil only he desire one Thing That the Queen's Proxies who had inforced him to that Dispute might be present to hear the Crimes objected that so if they were false they might disprove them before the Council and that he himself in many weighty Matters might also make use of their Testimonies The Queen's Commissioners refus'd this as putting little Confidence in their own Cause and insisted only on this one thing That the Queen who was by Force of Arms ejected might be restor'd Whereupon a Day was appointed for the Regent to shew Cause why the Revengers of the King's Murder had taken up Arms for he himself was then in France and had ejected the Queen from her Government and acted other things as till that time they had done When the Time came he declar'd the Order of all Things as they had been acted and the Testimonies of the Partisans of the King's Murder made before their Deaths and also the Statute of Parliament to which many of the Regent's Accusers had subscribed And when the Silver Cabinet was produc'd which the Queen had given her from her former Husband Francis and had bestow'd on Bothwel in which were Letters to Bothwel writ in French with the Queen 's own Hand and also a French
Poem not unelegantly compos'd by her and also the Manner of the King's Death and after his Death her Surprize and three Contracts of Marriage with him the One before the Parricide written with her own Hand wherein as by a Bill she promises to marry him as soon as ever she was freed from her former Husband The Other was before the Divorce from his former Wife writ by Huntly's Hand The Third was openly made a little before the Marriage When all this was produc'd seen and read before the Council The whole Fact was so plainly expos'd that now no Doubt could be made Who was the Author of it Though the Queen of England could not but believe these Discoveries yet she did fluctuate in her Mind on the one side there was Emulation Queens mutually hating one another there were also such great Crimes and such evident Proofs that the Queen thought her Kinswoman of Scotland deserv'd no Assistance to restore her And though her Mind did incline to that which was right yet 't was shaken and did hesitate upon the remembrance of her former State not without a Commiseration and besides the Majesty of Kingly Honour and a Feaâ— lest the Example of driving out Princes might creep into the Neighbour-Kingdoms wrought much upon her Besides she was afraid of France for the Peace with them was not very sure or firm and then especially the French Embassador did plead the Cause of the banish'd Queen daily The Spanish Embassador was desir'd also to interpose his Mediation but the foulness of the Crimes did so deter him that he refus'd to meddle therewith Whereupon the Queen of England that she might leave a Door for Repentance if Matters should succeed amiss in France and not cut off all occasion of gratifying them gave a middle Answer so tempering it that at present she said She saw no cause to the contrary but that all things had been acted according to Law and Justice in Scotland yet as if she deferr'd the compleat Decision till another time she desir'd that seeing intestine Tumults did recal the Regent he would leave here one of his Retinue in his Place to make Answer to those Crimes which might be objected against him in his Absence But the Regent who saw the Matter to be so put off that That Queen might take her Measures to give Sentence for her own Advantage and the Event of foreign Affairs left no Stone unturn'd that he might have the Cause fully determin'd now and therefore he desir'd as most just and equitable that if his Enemies who had long studied before-hand to accuse him had any thing to allege they would now produce it and not watch an Opportunity to calumniate him in his Absence seeing they refus'd to cope with him face to face he was not ignorant what Rumors his Enemies would cause to be spread amongst the People and what they had already said to some of the Council and to the French Embassador and therefore he earnestly desir'd of the Council to command them not to mutter privately but to declare openly what they had to say and that he would not make such haste home but that though it were much to his own Damage and the Publicks yet he would willingly purge himself there in presence Whereupon the Commissioners of the banish'd Queen were sent for and demanded If they had any thing to allege against the Regent or his Companions in reference to the King's Murder they should produce it Their Answer was They had nothing at present but they would accuse them when they were commanded by their Queen The Regent answer'd That he was always ready to give an account of all the Actions perform'd by him neither would he shun either Time or Place so to do yeâ— seeing the Queen began that Accusation of him he desir'd of his Accusers there present That if any of them had the least Objection against him they would then declare it for 't was much more noble and handsom to produce it before so illustrious an Assembly than in private Cabals to nibble at his Fame in his Absence They also refused This. Whereupon the whole Council cried out upon them and in a manner reproach'd them so that they were compell'd singly and severally to confess That they knew nothing of themselves why Murray or any of his should be accus'd of the King's Murder Then after a long Dispute pro and con the Council was dismiss'd and from that time there was never any more mention made of accusing the Regent or any of his Companions Whilst the Regent was thus necessarily detain'd in England on a publick Account the Queen's Faction turn'd every Stone both at Home and Abroad to make Disturbances but without effect Iames Hamilton who had been Regent some Years before seeing that Things went not according to his Mind at Home had gone long before into France there he had but a few Companions but lay privately with a Servant or Two to attend him free from the hurry of all Publick Business but when the Queen of Scots was escap'd out of Prison overcome in Battel and then fled for England The French knowing that Murray was call'd Home into his own Country and in his Passage through France not being able to work him over to their Party in regard they could not send Men or Mony to Scotland to raise Disturbance there by reason of their own Commotions at Home they therefore thought it most advisable to set up Hamilton in an emulating competition with him especially at that Time when the Regent with part of the Nobility were absent and out of the way He was therefore drawn out of his Privacy and accommodated with some few Pistols and larger Promises In his return thro' England his Friends persuaded him That in regard the Queen of Scots with her Faction favour'd him and the Queen of England was not averse from it he would deal with her to persuade Murray by her Authority to resign his Regency to him in regard that Office by the Law and Consent of almost all Nations and especially by the Custom of their own Country was due to him as the next in Blood and Heirship Neither said he was there any great need to make a laborious search into the Records of Ancient Times for This wherein they might easily find That Governors were always appointed to their Princes when under Age out of the next of Kin as when Iames the 3 d died in the absence of Iames the 1 st his Uncle Robert manag'd the Government and his Son Murdac succeeded Robert And of late Times Iohn Duke of Albany was made Governor to King Iames the 5 th whilst he was under Age Yea Hamilton himself had been Regent some few Years before Mary now Queen was of Age fit to Govern or Marry and how he was not excluded from that Office by any lawful Suffrages but unjustly by the Rebellious and that which increas'd the Indignity was That