sent to bring home the Queen he was no sooner gone then his Interest at Court began to fall for a Parliament being called the Lord Boyd and his Brother Sir Alexander are summoned to appear thereupon he distrusting this Case fled to England but his Brother was taken and Arraigned the Earl of Arran also though absent is declared a Rebel The Queen arriving with her fleet arriving in the Ferth My Lady Arran went aboard in disguise and informed her Husband of the calamity of his House perswaded him to do for himself whereupon he hoisted Sails and returned with his Lady to Denmark The King sendeth Letters full of promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland which when she did she was constrained to be divorced from her Husband and to Marry James Lord Hamilton not long after the Earl of Arran dyed in great misery at Antwerp Queen Margaret the third year after her Marriage brought forth a Son who was named James the King of Denmark to Congratulate the happy delivery of his Daughter released all his claims to the Isles of Orkney and Sherland but in the midst of this calm a cloud begins to overcast the Kings Splendor for his Brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless spirits they set themselves altogether to study Novelties and to bring him into contempt with his Subjects to this end they had drawn away many of the young Nobility and Gentry to follow them The King was Naturally Superstitious giving much head to divinations which gave also his Brothers occasion to vilifie him and incense his people against him yea the Earl of Marre became so Insolent that in the Kings own presence he began to raile against the Government of the state and Court which the King highly resenting caused to Imprison him where he fell in a high Fever whereof he dyed The Duke of Albany imputed the death of his Brother to the Court party but while he was keeping his Cabals in order to an Insurrection he was surprised and Imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh out of which he soon after made his escape to France thence he came to England and began to tamper with King Edward revealing to him the weakness of the Kingdom of Scotland and how easily it might be subdued the Nobility not respecting the King but much affecting a change in the Government which by his assistance might easily be effected he promised also to settle a corespondence with the Nobles of Scotland which he did then that they might get their design wrought gives way for the breaking loose of the Borders fierce incursions are made by the English upon Scotland and by the Scots upon the English and the discontented Nobility blame the King for all thereupon pretending the necessity of the times and the danger the Kingdom was in they entered into a Bond of association after which they enter the Kings bed chamber where they seized some of his Servants in his presence and put them to death as incendiaries in the state About this time the Duke of Gloucester set forward toward Scotland with two and twenty thousand men finding Berwick two strong for him he marches directly to Edenburgh there by publick writings at the Market places he gave out high demands all which King James being shut up in Edenburgh Castle answered with silence the disatisfied Lords having obtained what they chiefly aimed at wished the English at home again therefore they desire a peace with them which the Duke of Gloucester granted upon condition that all his demands were satisfied one of which was to reinstall the Duke of Albany which after much debate was granted and he with his Army returned home The Duke of Albany having recovered his Estate and Honours his first work was to restore the King to his Prerogatives reconciling him to his discontented Lords but he himself stood not long in his favour for by the advice of some of his Enemies about the King a Plot is resolved upon to bring the Duke within compass of Law which he being aware of fled to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester his grievancies in his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason whereupon he and the Lord Crightton his Associate are both forfeited which when he heard he presently caused to give up the Castle of Dunbar whereof he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately put a Garison in it Not long after the said King Edward dyed and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester Succeeded The Duke of Albany obtains five hundred Horse from King Richard with which he came with the old Earl of Douglass to Lochmabban to surprise a Fair which was held there whereupon the Laird of Johnston who was warden dispatched Posts about for supply of men with which he Encountred the Duke here it is most Couragously fought on both sides but at last the English are quite routed the Duke hardly by swiftness of his Horse escaped but the Earl of Dowglass is taken and brought in Triumph to Edenburgh where the King adjudged him to perpetual confinement soon after followed a Truce with England for three years but before the time was expired Henry Earl of Richmond came with some Companies out of France of which that Famous warriour Bernard Stewart Lord Albany Brother to the Lord Darnly had the leading which by the resort of his Country men turned into an Army and Rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed and Henry Proclaimed King of England King James taking advantage of this change besieged Dunbar which was soon surrendred upon Articles After this King Henry sent Embassadors to King James to agree if possible upon a lasting and firm Peace between the two Crowns at length after some difficulty they agree upon a Truce for seven years The King having settled a Peace with England betakes himself to the Exercise of Religion having founded a Colledge for divine Service in the Castle of Sterling he endeavoured to annex the Priory of Goldingham to it The Priors of this Convent having for many years been of the Name of Humealedged that they were wronged of their Right First they began to Petition but finding this uneffectual they began to associate with their Neighbours giving it out that the King was a meer Tyrant not to be trusted by which means many of the Hearts of the Subjects were alienated from the King The King understanding how things stood he made choice of a Guard to defend his Person resolving to live beyond the River Ferth of which when the Lords of the Insurrection were certified they surprize the Castle Dunbar and tumultuously over-run the Countries besouth the Ferth Thus coming to Lithgow they resolved to make the Duke of Rothesay the Kings own Son their Head whom having corrupted his Keepers with Bribes they constrained to go with them But the King loosing neither Courage nor Councel passeth the Ferth near Blackness with his Forces before his arrival at this place
the Hamiltons were forced to retire having left above fourscore of their number dead upon the Street These broils coming to the Governours ears in France he made all the haste he could home coming to Edenburgh he set himself to amend the Enormities committed in his absence a Parliament is called to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to appear and answer but some fearing the Event appeared not Whereupon their Estates are forfeited several fled into England among which were the Humes and the Cockburns who were the Authors of Darcies death others submitted and were pardoned The King of England being informed of the Condition of Scotland sent thither an Embassador requiring the Duke to avoid the Country according to the Articles agreed upon between him and the King of France in their last Truce To which he answered that what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace was to him uncertain but of this he was most certain that neither the King of England nor France had Power to Banish him a Foraigner over them where Authority did not reach his Native Country like over like having no Jurisdiction Whereupon King Henry gathered a great Army to Invade Scotland Now they draw to Arms on both sides the Governour marches with his Army to Carlile where he pitched his Camp upon the River Esk this struck great Terror to the Citizens of Carlile who offered him divers presents for their safety of the Town which were rejected but the Nobility refusing to go upon English ground suspecting that the Governour only played the Game of the French he was forced to come to a Truce However the Governour resolving to be revenged upon England went to France where he obtained from the King Three Thousand Pikes and One Thousand Lances with which he returned home and having raised an Army with them he Marches to England and Besieges Wark but is Repulsed whereupon much against his will a Truce for some Months is concluded on Soon after the Administration of the Government was put upon the Prince himself the Thirteenth Year of his age the Governour returning to France after which he never returned to Scotland A Parliament is called wherein a Peace is concluded with England and eight Lords appointed to have the Custody of the Kings Person quarterly Embassadors were sent to England to treat for a Marriage between the King and the King of Englands Daughter which came to nothing The State began of New to be tossed with the troublesom factions of the Queen and the Earl of Angus the Queens Faction accused Angus of High Treason for detaining the King against his will to which the Earl moved the King to give an answer shewing that he was not kept against his will But with all sent another Letter secretly desiring by any means he might be removed from the Earl upon this advertisment the Queen and they of her Faction Assemble what Forces they could raise and with great expedition marched from Sterling to Edenburgh The Earl of Angus with the Citizens of Edenburgh and the King though against his will Marched out against them when the Leaders of the Queens Forces understood that the King himself was in Person in the advers Army they would advance no farther but retired back again to Sterling where they Disbanded and returned every man to his own dwelling place presently after the Queen sues for a Divorce from the Earl of Angus which the Archbishop of S. Andrews granted with the Earls own consent The King wearied of his confinement in the Earl of Angus his custody consults with the Lord of Buccleugh and some Borderers how he might be set at Liberty they Essayed it by Arms at Melross but were put to the worst then the Earl of Lenox undertook it and raised some Forces for that end but the Earl of Angus having gotten the assistance of the Earl of Arran with several others quite routed him near Costerphin where he was killed in cold Blood Now the Earl of Angus thinks himself secure enough having put all things in as he thought to rights he takes a progress to Lothian leaving the King at Faulkland Now the King amidst his Solitary walks in his Park bethinks himself what a fair oportunity he had resolved to essay by stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by Force thereupon he directeth the Forester of the Park to advertise such Gentlemen about as kept Hounds to attend him next Morning for he would have his Sport early he Suppeth sooner then he used Commanding all to their rest the waiters all shifted and the Court hush'd shutting his Camber door in the Apparel of one of his Grooms unperceived he passed the Guards to the stable where with two who attended him with ready Horses he posted to Sterline where many of the Nobility and Gentry flocking to him he discharged the Earl of Angus from all Publick Offices whereat he was so exasperated that he and his Friends followed very extravagant Courses but the King pursued them so that after much misery at home they were constrained to fly into England where they were Charitably received and Honourably entertained by King Henry The next year the King visited the Borders holding Justice Courts and executing Justice upon all Oppressors Thieves and Out-Laws there in Ewsdale He caused eight and twenty famous Robbers to be Hanged others he brought with him to Edenburgh for more publick Execution and Example yet the Borders were nothing the more Peaceable for by the means of the Earl of Angus the English make daily Incursions and Spoiles the Country the Scots likewise serving the English with the same Sauce till at last by the Mediation of the French King a Peace is concluded on during the Princes Lives and one Year after the Decease of him who should Dye first About this time the Pope's Power began to Totter in England King Henry having renounced all Subjection to him because he would not Grant him a Divorce from his Queen Katharine who had been before Married to his Brother Prince Arthur and then by a Dispensation from the Pope to him The Pope finding King Henry peremptory in his purpose did together with the Emperor deal with King James to make War with England and to this end sent an Ambassador privately to Scotland King Henry went on with his Affairs in England and Executed John Fisher Bishop of Rochester for asserting the Pope's Supremacy in England Upon this the whole Conclave stirr'd up the Pope against King Henry wherefore he sent another Ambassador to Scotland most invectively Exclaiming against the King of England's Cruelty and humbly desiring King James's assistance against him King James to try his Uncle's Mind send an Ambassador to England to acquaint him with the Emperors and Popes Embassage King Henry presently dispatched William Lord Howard to Scotland who made such hasty Journeys that he prevented the News of his coming he found the King at Sterline a part of
gave to the Representatives of the Kings of Scotland which was only due to free Princes together with the Judgment of Forreign Princes Lawyers and Historians about it but also to the acknowledgment of the Kings of England themselves 1. King Henry of England having intreated the Assistance of Alexander King of Scotland against Simeon Earl of Leicester did by Letters under his hand publickly declare that he did not crave this Assistance as Superior to which Superiority he had no pretence but to which is very Considerable the King and Parliament of England have treated with the Ambassadors of Scotland whereas no Superior can Treat with his own Vassal as a Forreigner We freely Grant that the Kings of Scotland did hold the Lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland in Capite of the Crown of England which yet was no Disparagment to them that being most ordinary amongst Sovereign Princes for thus Henry King of England and several others of their Kings did Homage to the Kings of France for the Provinces possest by them in France as the King of Spain also doth this day to the Pope for Naples and Sicily And yet the Homage done for those Countries have been the occasion of an Ignorant mistake in some and a malicious Pretence for others to Mis-represent it as done for the Kingdom of Scotland Advertisement By reason of the Authors absence from the Press several Faults have escaped which the Reader is desired to amend A List of the KINGS of SCOTLAND 1 FErgus 2 Ferithar 3 Main 4 Dornadill 5 Hothat 6 Râ—ther 7 Rutha 8 Thereus 9 Josine 10 Finnane 11 Durst 12 Euen 1 13 Gill 14 Euen 2. 15 Eder 16 Euen 3. 17 Metelan 18 Caratack 19 Corbred 1. 20 Dardan 21 Corbred 2. 22 Luctack 23 Mogald 24 Conar 25 Ethod 1. 26 Satrael 27 Donald 1. 28 Ethod 2. 29 Athirck 30 Nathalock 31 Findoch 32 Donald 2. 33 Donald 3. 34. Crathilinth 35 Fincormach 36 Romach 37 Angusian 38 Fethelmach 39 Ewen 1. 40 Fergus 2. 41 Ewen 2. 42 Dongard 43 Constantine 1. 44 Congall 1. 45 Goran 46 Ewen 3. 47 Congall 2. 48 Kinnatell 49 Aidan 50 Kenneth 51 Ewen 4. 52 Ferchard 1. 53 Donald 3. 54 Ferchard 2. 55 Maldwine 56 Ewen 5. 57 Ewen 6. 58 Amberkelleth 59 Ewen 8. 60 Mordach 61 Etfin 62 Ewen 7. 63 Fergus 3. 64 Solvat 65 Achaius 66 Congall 3. 67 Dongall 68 Alpine 69 Kenneth 2. 70 Donald 5. 71 Constantine 2. 72 Eth. 73 Gregory 74 Donald 6. 75 Constantine 3. 76 Malcolm 1. 77 Indulf 78 Duff 72 Culen 80 Kenneth 3. 81 Constantine 4. 82 Grim. 83 Malcolm 2. 84 Donald 7. 85 Macbeth 86 Malcolm 3. 87 Donald Bane 88 Duncan 89 Edgar 90 Alexander 1. 91 David 1. 92 Malcolm 4. 93 William 94 Alexander 2. 95 Alexander 3. 96 John Balliol 97 Robert Bruce 98 David 2. 99 Edward Balliol 100 Robert 2. 101 Robert 3. 102 James 1. 103 James 2. 104 James 3. 105 James 4. 106 James 5. 107 Henry Stewart and Mary Stewart 108 James 6. 109 Charles 1. 110 Charles 2. AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND THe Scots by the most judicious Writers and by those who have most carefully studied not only their own Antiquities but those of other Nations are acknowleged although they be not of the greatest to be undoubtedly among the most antient People in Europe But to speak more particularly of their antient Nation we must know that the whole Island 〈◊〉 it is a part was at first called Albion or Albium As Theophrastus Ptolomy Tacitus and Seneca tells us which Name the true race of the ancient Scots retain to this day calling the ancient Country Albin and themselves Albinich always keeping their primitive Name notwithstanding of the many different People that have since inhabited it The Etymology of this Name is disputed by many but it seems to be really derived from Alb or Alp signifying a Hill or high place The antient Inhabitants of the Northern parts of this Island were called Scots who were divided into two sorts the one who were the first Possessors and this Posterity doth inhabit it to this day were called the Scoto-Brigantes Some have taken upon them to be very accurat in giving an Account of their descent and the manner of their coming hither even from the far ends of the Earth but with so little appearance of Truth that I will not put my Reader nor my self to the trouble to refute it The most probable Conjecture and that which carrieth most Evidence with it is that these first Inhabitants came in Colonies from Spain to Ireland nor is it improbable that these Colonies were Originally from France who either for want of Accommodation to live at home or being thrust out by stronger hands came over to Ireland where they continued long for either themselves or their Children desirous of new Habitations transported themselves to the north Islands where they continued in an unsetled Course of Life for a long time the time of their entring Albion is said to have been from the Creation about 3530 years The first place they took Possession of was Argyle they being divided into sundry Tribes elected every Tribe their own Captain to govern them in Peace and War this very name they had in great Veneration Then after about 150 as some write a German or as Beda saith a Scythian Navy arrived upon the coast of Ireland being as is probable beat thither by a Tempest having neither Wives or Children with them the men were in want of every thing having by tedious Sailing consumed all their Provision They sent to the Inhabitants desiring they might have a residence among which they told them they could not afford in regard of the Barrenness of the place and the multitude of Inhabitants that possess it already but that there was a habitable Land called Albion not far from them whether they might go it being for the most part as yet un-inhabited and such as did inhabit it like to ruin one another by civil Discords Those men afterward called Picts following their Advice set Sail and came to that part of Albion that lyes toward Germany and having Landed soon beat out the Inhabitants and made them draw themselves within less bounds Possessing themselves of Caithness Ross Murray Merus Angus Fiffe and Lothian together with Orkney which some say was their first Habitation They were a civil People Ingenious and Crafty both in Peace and War Having fixed their residence they sent Messingers to the Scots desiring their Daughters in Marriage alledging that if they condescended it would highly conduce to the Welfare of both of them being thereby made strong for either an offensive or defensive War with any of their Neigbours This message the Scots at first rejected but upon mature Deliberation they condescended So having agreed upon the Terms which were that they should concur with all their Forces when they were invaded and as often as the Crown of Picts came to want an Heir
going through France he spent it all and told his Holiness when he came to Rome that he had been robb'd by the way Whereupon presently another Legat was sent to Britain But the People hearing how they were cheated of their Money by the last procured an Order discharging this not to enter the Kingdom King Alexander dyed in Peace the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried at Melross 95. Alexander the third succeeded his Father A. D. 249. Being nine years of Age at his Coronation Ambassadors were sent to England demanding Margaret King Henry the third's Daughter in Marriage for King Alexander which was granted the next year the two Kings had a meeting at York where the Marriage was Solemnized During his Minority the Realm was well Governed by his Nobles taking the Government upon himself his first work was to summon the Earls of Monterth Athole and Buchan and the Lord Strabogy who were all of the Name of Cumings they not daring to appear were denounced Rebels They being now afraid thought nothing so much for their safety as the having the King in their Power which they got and confined him in the Castle of Sterling but the Earl of Athel who was the head of the Party dying their Hearts failed them and every one of them getting his Remission they set the King at Liberty soon after the Danes with a great Army invaded the Country the King with his Forces went against them and routed them killing twenty four Thousand of them the King returned to Norway with only four Ships which was all that was left of his whole Fleet. At this time Alexander Earl of Carrick passed to the Holy-Land having a Daughter who succeeded to his Estate she Married Robert Rance Lord of Annaudale and bare to him that noble and invincible Champion Robert Bruce King of Scotland King Alexander had two Sons by his Queen viz. Prince Alexander and David and one Daughter Margaret who was married to the King of Norway she bare to him Margaret called the Maiden of Norway The King and Queen going to London to the Coronation of King Edward the first David the second Son dyed in their absence within a few years after the Prince dyed at Lundores to the great Grief of the Nation and not long after the King dyed by a fall from over a Rock at Kinghorn the thirty seventh year of his Reign Leaving none of his own direct Line to succeed him The Nobility having met upon this so important occasion they put the Kingdom into the hands of six Regents for the South side Robert Arch-Bishop of Glasgow John Cumine and John the great Steward of Scotland For the North the Arch-Bishop of S. Andrews Macdiff Earl of Fife and Cumine Earl of Buchan Edward of England sends to demand the Daughter Grand-Child in marriage as next Heir to the Crown which was agreed too but the Death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation by which means great contention arose between Bourn and John Baliol. Baliol managing the English and Bruce the French interest Baliol being in the second degree of relation and Bruce in the third the one being David Earle of Huntingtons Grand Child the other his great Grand Child matters standing thus the whole was referred to King Edward who coming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his assistance pretends all equity but raised up eight other Competitors the better to weaken the claim of the other two and so handled the business that Bruce having refused the Crown in Homage to England upon his aceptance of these conditions 96. John Balliol was declared King A. D. 1293. In the fourth year of his Reign an Appeal being made against him to King Edward by Mac-Duff and he refusing to rise from his Seat to answer it King Edward enters Scotland masters the Country takes Baliol and sends him Prisoner to London and afterward to France where he dyed long after in Exile About this time Sir William Walace arose who to his Honour did so Heroically defend his Country in its low condition as made it easily appear that if he had had as happy a fortune to advance as he had to relieve he might have been Commemorated for as great a man as ever was in any age for having upon a quarrel Slain a Young English Gentleman and enforced to lurk in the Hills for safety of his life he became inured to such hardness that awaking his natural Courage he be came the Head of all the Malecontents and filled both the Kingdomes with his terror so that having gleaned up to a tumultuary Army he became Baliols Viceroy thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forts after which he went to England and Ranged up and down for some time and returned without opposition after which the English enters Scotland with a great Army and finding the Scots disposed under three Leaders who disputed among themselves for Priority quite routed them but soon after they made a general insurrection to oppose which King Edward sent Ralph Conniers with a great army who a by tripple Victory were defeated at Kolkin All this while Robert Bruce continued with King Edward who weary of the Kings delays and offputs at last strikes in with John Cumin Baliols Cousin german they agreed that Bruce should have the Kingdom and Cumine all Bruces Lands Cumine notwithstanding communicates this agreement to King Edward Bruce hath notice and by shooing his Horse backward escapes to Lockambban there he finds Cumines Letters advising to cut him off upon which he hastens to Dumforess where he heard that Cumin was and after his exprobrating his infidelity Stabs him dead in the Franciscan Monastery About the same time Walace was traiterously Betrayed by Sir John Monteits at Glasgow and delivered to the English and being brought to London was Cruelly executed in Smithfield and his Limbs hung up in the most Eminent places 97. Robert Bruce was after he had stayed for the Popes absolution for defiling the Monastery with the murder of Cumine Crowned at Scone 1306. a Valiant and Heroick Prince he had many Enemies both at home and abroad which Edward taking advantage off with the assistance of the Cumines quite Routed him forcing him to the Hills where he endured great Misery to the great ruine and Slaughter both of his Family and Friends but making to gether some little force he took Carrick and Innerness by surprisal and by this means augmented his Train so that he was in case to withstand Edward having obtained a considerable Victory though sick and forced to be held on horse back this gave him time to take in the remaining strength but they were within a year retaken from him which incouraged Edward the second to enter with a great Army to Scotland but had a great defeat at Bannokburn which occasioned the loss of Berwick and Bruces confirmation in Parliament some few years after were spent in light Skirmishes and Incursions Robert having some rest
all means to have gotten Robert Stewart in his hands for he knew that next to King David his Title was best to the Crown Soon after King Edward prepared an Army both by Sea and Land to enter into Scotland but the most part of his Ships Perished in Forth The King returning with Balliol into England left Cumin Earle of Athol Governour who seized upon all the Lands pertaining to Robert Stewart and his Friends but Robert Stewart took the Castle of Dunne and killed all the Englishmen therein at this time the Earle of Murray came from France who together with Robert reduced much of the Country to the obedience of King David chasing the Governour and his Followers to the Mountains but the English entred with a great Army and though a great part of their Army was routed took Perth but their Fleet being harrast at Sea were forced to retreat and the rather in design of a French War but some of the Nobles still standing out the English landed in Murray and reduced all and leaving Balliol returned home the next year the English beseiged Dunbar and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford who were both routed yet the seige continued at last they were forced to raise the seige also having received great loss by the Valour of Robert Stewart Murray in the mean time dying Stewart was created Viceroy till Davids returne who having the first year gained some Victories did the next year take Perth Sterling and the Castle of Edenburgh the Scots gaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1336. David resolves upon an expedition into England though much disswaded by his council Making John Randolph General himself going disguised Soon after a peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of France whereupon marching as far as the County of Durham had his Army quite routed and himself taken Prisoner his Kingdom also in a manner Depopulated with the Plague by this time John of France was also made Prisoner in England the Scots after eleven years Captivity ransomed their King who at his returne punished some of those who had deserted him at Durham and endeavoured to remove the Succession of the Crown from Robert Stewart to whom he was some years after reconciled he spent the last five years of his Reign in composing Domestick feuds Queen Jane daughter to Edward the second of England dying he Marryed Margaret Logy Daughter to Sir John Logy then he purposed to have past to Jerusalem having provided all necessarys for his Voyage but he fell sick of a Feavour in the Castle of Edinburgh whereof he dyed in the fortyth year of his Reign without Succession and was buried in Holyrood-house 100. Robert Stewart the first King of that Name succeeded his mothers Brother A. D. 1378. A Valiant and worthy Prince he Married Eupham Daughter to the Earl of Ross who bare to him David Earl of Strathern Walter Earl of Athol Alexander Earl of Marr with several Daughters After her Death he marries Elizabeth Moor his own Concubine the better to Legitimate Children he had by her he honoured them with Titles and declared them his Successors two years after an Attempt is made upon Berwick and Sir John Lilbourn and 〈…〉 grave Captains of it taken 〈…〉 After this the Earl of Douglass came with twenty thousand Men to the Fair of Pennire within England spoiling all the Goods there but carried away the Pestilence with him whereof many dyed To revenge this the English came with a great Army over Solway destroying all before them mean while the Scots gathered together about five hundred Men. and lay in Ambush till the English returned back then with a sudden noise and Clamour as they passed by they set upon them forcing them back till many were drowned in Solway Not long after Edward King of England dyed whereupon the Duke of Lancaster came into Scotland intreating to have a Peace for three years which Peace being expired My Lord of Galloway laid siege to the Castle of Lochmaban and made himself Master of it defeating a strong party of English who were coming from Carlyle to it's relief King Richard fearing of it sent the Baron of Gray-stock with a Body of Men to fortifie Roxburgh who being within a mile of it he was taken by the Earl of March and carried to Dunbar the same year the strengths of Teviotdale were by the Earl of Douglas recovered out of the English hands soon after which he dyed His Son James succeeding to him went by the Kings Order with an Army into England whence he was presently after Counter-manded home where he found the Admiral of France with two hundred and forty Ships well Man'd come to their Assistance with them they passed into England and took the Castles of Warkford and Corwal And laying siege to Roxburgh and Carlyle the Scots and French could not agree in whose Names the strengths should be kept if they were won which brought the business to nothing Whereupon King Richard in revenge enters Scotland with a great Army and marching through the Mers and Louthian did much hurt But the Earls of Fife Douglas and Galloway followed him into England and secretly passing the Water of Solway came to Cokermouth where in three days time they spoiled the whole Country about and returned safely with great Booty In the year 1388. The King past again into England with an Army at which time the Irish taking their advantage entered Galloway destroying all before them Whereupon William the Lord of Galloways Son pursued them to Ireland and burnt the Town of Carlingfoord and finding sixty Ships in several Harbors loaded fifteen of them with the spoil of the Town and burnt the rest Returning home he spoiled the Isles of Man The next year the King of England sent an Army into Scotland which did much hurt in the Mers revenging this affront King Robert sent two Armies into England the one under the Command of the Earl of Fife entred Cumberland the other led by the Earls of Douglass and March entred Northumberland the two Armies met within two miles of Newcastle The Earl of Douglass chose out ten thousand Men to besiege Newcastle wherein was the Earl of Northumberland with his two Sons Henry Hotspur and Ralph Henry Challenged the Earl of Douglass to fight with him which Douglass accepted off so being mounted upon two starely Horses they assaulted one another desperately at last Douglass beat Peircy out of his Saddle but he was presently rescued and brought into the Town Immediately Douglass assaulted the Town but it was so well defended by the English that he was forced to retire and encamp at Otterburn whither Henry Peircy immediately followed there they fought a bloody Battel until the darkness of the Night parted them but when the Moon began to appear they joyned again with more Fierceness than before Victory inclining sometime to one side and sometimes to another till at last Patrick
snatched it out of his Fathers hand and wrung off her Neck for which his Father being angry Well says he Since I cannot Govern thee I will bring one shall Govern us both And from that day he ceased not to further the Redemption of the King he Governed four years 102. But the Nobles weary under this form of Government the Governour being also irritated by the Misdemeanor of his Children all Unanimously determine without longer delays to work the deliverance of their Native Prince James fourth of England which at length was effected Anno. Dom. 1424. Having Ransomed him for the sum of forty hundred thousand Marks He married Jane Daughter to the Duke of Somerset Son to John of Gaunt who bare to him two Sons Alexander who dyed shortly after and James the second who succeeded to him The King having passed the Solemnities of Hasterat Edenburgh He with his Queen came to Perth and from thence to Scone where he was Crowned in the twenty seventh year of his Age after he held a Parliament at Perth where the Tax was laid on to pay the sum promised to England for his Ransome from thence he went back to Edenburgh where he called such as were Concerned with the Crown Rents together he understood by their Accounts that the most and best part of the Crown Lands were alienated and wasted by the late Governour and his Sons whereat he was exceedingly incensed yet that time he smothered and put a fair Countenance upon his Passion But soon after pregnant Accusations were brought in against some of the Nobility especially the Governours Friends upon which some of them were made Prisoners which occasioned much discontent and Jealousie on both sides yet the King securing the Body of this Estate on his side resolved to go on and having Arrested the Governour with two of his Sons and several others his Friends they were all committed to several Prisons Whereupon James the Governours youngest Son in a desperate rage accompanied with a number of Out-laws came to Dumbarton and set on Fire and killed John Stewart the Kings Uncle with thirty others This Insolency of the Son quite diverted the Kings Clemency from his Father and Brethren Whereupon he calleth a Parliament at Sterling where the Governour with his two Sons and his Father-in-Law the Duke of Lenox were Arraigned and Condemned and soon after Executed this highly perplexed some other Lords and Gentlemen who were Prisoners at the same time fearing that they should also meet with the same measures yet the King like a wise Physitian being not willing to take away more Blood than he thought would take away the Disease of the Body in a short time set them all at Liberty The Wars continuing between France and England the French sent an Ambassador to renew the ancient League with Scotland But his main business was to carry on a match between Lewis the Daulphine tho' then very young and Margaret Daughter to King James this match the English neglected but afterward most earnestly sued for it The South parts of the Kingdom being brought under Obedience the King resolved to have the North follow their Example for which end he went thither himself in Person to keep his Courts When he came there he found things in a strange Condition all going by strength of hand the stronger overthrowing the weaker The King not knowing well how to go about the taming of these rude Villains seemed to give small Faith to what he heard of them allowing such of them as seemed to come and see him a great deal of seeming Favour till at length he got forty of their Chiefs all at once within the Castle of Innerness whom he presently surprized making them close Prisoners Within a few days after the King was convinced of this wickedness Alexander Macrory and John Macherter were hanged John Campbel for murthering John of the Isles was beheaded The Earl of Ross being taken in this Trap was brought by the King to Perth where he was accused of Oppression and other things yet the King pardoned him and freely dismist him taking his Oath of Fidelity But as soon as he went home he gathered together a Rabble of Out-laws who came towards Innerness burnt both Town and Castle to the Ground Whereupon the King himself went with his Forces against him at whose approach all the Rebels fled Alexander thus abandoned of his Forces fled to the Isles but finding that he was way-laid on all hands and had no way left him to escape he came disguised to Edenburgh Whereupon Yesterday the King being at Church he came wrapped in a mourning Garment and fell down at his Feet beging his Life which at the Queens request was granted but to keep him from any more mischief the Earl of August was appointed to take him into Custody within Tanutallon Castle Donald Balloth Cousin-german to the Earle of Ross raised a great number of outlaws and invaded Lochaber and in a Bloody Battel overthrew the Earles of Marr and Caithness at Innerlochy the news coming to the King he came with a great Army to Dunstaffage which when the Clans heard of they tendred their Submission to the King promising to break Balloth and his party which the King accepted of Balloth fled to Ireland where he was taken and his head chopt off and sent to King James Notwithstanding of the many Acts of Justice that were done upon these disorderly outlaws yet nothing frighted one Macdonald who was Famous for all sorts of Villanies among other Cruelties he is said to have nailed Horseshoes to the Soles of a Widdow because that she swore to delate him to the King being taken with twelve of his associates and brought to Perth the King caused them to be shooed in the same manner as he had served the woman draging him about for a Spectacle to the people for three days then all of them were put to death In this year A. D. 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun at three of the clock in the afternoon the day turning black for the space of half an hour as though it had been night which was afterward called by the common people The black Hour The King having setled the Country begins to look to his own affairs and having advisedly perused all evidences and Charters belonging to the Crown he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it or wrongfully usurped about this time there came Ambassadors from the King of Denmark requiring of King James a Yearly Tribute due to him as King of Norway for the western Isles the Ambassador was honourably entertained and the old League renewed with Denmark soon after the French Kings Ambassadors came to have Margaret already betrothed to Lewis the Dauphin delivered to them and conveyed to France where they found the Lord Scroop earnestly dealing with the King that he must bestow his daughter upon King Henry the sixth of England promising that if he would agree thereto
his Brother to Court to know the Kings mind towards him The King promised upon his Submission to accept of him which he performed making him for his further Encouragement Lieutenant General of his Forces But he stood not long privately in his Prosperity for going to the Court of England upon some design the King was highly dissatisfied with him yet upon his humble Submission he is pardoned but divested of all publick imployment within the Kingdom Thus being degraded from his Honnour 's he gives himself wholly to study revenge and that he might the more successfully effect his Design he gets the Earls of Cranford Ross-Murray the Lord Balveny with many other Barons and Gentlemen to enter in a Confederacy both offensive and defensive with him after they broke out in unsufferable Insolences spoiling and plundering the Lands of such as were not of their Faction and killing and destroying such as offered to oppose them The King begins to be apprehensive of their Design therefore thinks it high time to look to himself and his Country Whereupon he sent for Douglass to come and speak with him at Sterling which he at first feared to do but upon second Thoughts he accompanied with many of the Confederates went to Court where the King very Graciously received him the day being far spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King takes the Earls apart very friendly and remembred him of Favours received and wrongs forgotten Taxing him with the exorbitant abuses of his followers then he told him of a Covenant which he heard was made betwixt him and some of the other Nobility and desired to know what he had to say Douglass answered in plain terms it was so but that the Covenant was made for his own safety the King further expostulated with him to break it which he refusing to do the King with his Dagger ended the Quarrel killing him in the place About the end of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters is directed to Sir James Hamilton as a part of the Kings Banquet Whereupon he and the rest takes the Allarum and setting Fire to divers places of the Town they make their escape the King to vindicate himself emits Declarations shewing all his good Subjects the Reasons that moved him to take Douglass's Life that it was not a fit of Passion nor an Act of private revenge but meerly to save the State from utter Ruin Yet the Mobile were diversly affected some justifying the Fact as Noble and Just but others as the greater number as boldly Condemned it as Inhumane and Cruel these of the League missing no Opportunity that was for their Interest made it their work to sow Sedition and Discord and to encourage all Breaches and Contempt of the Laws which encreased their number so that the King was reduced to a very low condition till at last Cranford one of the Confederates being routed by the Earl of Huntly he recovered some strength and having called a Parliament at Edenburgh summoned the Confederate Lords to appear before which they scornfully refused to do Whereupon the King levying an Army forced them to retire yet the Country suffered sadly by their unbridled Fury At length after much loss on both sides the King daily prevailing the Earl of Cranford submitted himself to his mercy as several others did afterward Whereupon the Earl of Douglass fled to England there having gathered together several desperate Men he made several inroads upon the Border The King having with much difficulty recovered the Royal Authority of his Ancestors England in the mean time being at the point of utter ruine by the contest of Henry the sixth and the Duke of York was much solicited by both of them but he told the Ambassadors that he had more reason to look to his own concerns then to assist either of them which he intended to do thereupon raising a Powerful Army he passed the Tweed and besieged Roxburgh where having applyed his battery to the Castle he began to storm it but by the space of an over-charged Piece the King's thigh bone being broken was struck immediately Dead the twenty Fourth year of his Reign having left three sons James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany and John Earl of Marre and was buried at Holy-Rood house After his death the Queen with her Son came to the siege and encouraged the Nobles who took and demolished the Castle and also the Castle of Warke 104. To him Succeeded his Son James the third A. D. 1460. A good Prince corrupted by wicked Courtiers who with advantage of his years being but seven years of age when he began to Reign his education is intrusted to his Mother the Government of the Kingdom to the Earls of Anaudale Castle Orkney and the Lords Boyd and Graham the Bishops of St. Andrews Glasgow and Dnubek In this Princes Nonage great confusions increased both at home and abroad at home by the Islanders who extreamly infested the country and came as far as the Blairth of Athole and burnt S. Brides Church where the Earl and his Lady took Sanctuary carrying them to the Island Ila from whence as these Savages were going further they were all miserably destroyed by a tempest Nor was it better abroad England being in a flame by the Civil Wars Henry being taken and released again by his Queen flees to Scotland desiring their assistance against his Enemies and that he might be the better heard caused the Town of Berwick to be delivered to the Scots thereupon the Queen who managed the War geting some supply marched taking the King with her into England but was soon overthrown at Durham A. D. 1466. the Queen of Scots dyed having left many sound and profitable instructions to the King her Son who now coming to fifteen years of age is by his Regents committed to the Lord Boyds Brother to be Educated in the Excercise of Chivalry by which means the Boyds became to darken all others in the State nothing being done without them the Kenedies who had been the Kings best Friends seeing things go thus left the Court after which the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse The Lord Boyde to be yet higher gets the sole Government setled upon himself which laid the Foundation of his ruine and not satisfied with this he obtains his Son to be Married to the Kings eldest Sister this highly displeased the rest of the Nobility that his ambition should be so boundless which gave matter to his former Enemies to work upon all oppression and violence is winked at on purpose at last they procure Complaints from all parts of the Kingdom against the Boyds which made the Kings affection begin to turn away from them A. D. 1468. A match being proposed and agreed upon between the King and Margaret Daughter to the King of Denmark the Boyds Enemies procures the Earl of Arran who had Married the Kings Sister to be
the Earls of Montross Gleancan Lords Maxwel Ruthwen with others being advertised by Letters came to him they of the Association having the Prince with them to add Authority to their Quarrel Gathered from all Quarters the two Armies being in readiness to decide their Quarrel by Battel the Earl of Athole the Kings Uncle so travelled between the Lords of either Party that the King had a Suspension of Arms agreed on The Earl rendring himself a pledge for the Accomplishment of the Kings part of the Reconcilement to Lord Hails Thus the King lost a good opportunity the like of which was never again in his offer for the Lords notwithstanding that was agreed upon continued very troublesome to the Country the Town of Edenburgh is pestered with Troops of armed Men. The King warned of his danger fortifies the Castle of Edenburgh for his defence then he sent to the Lords to understand their Intentions and what they meant they finding their offences flew higher than hope of pardon could reach answered that nothing could secure them nor the Kingdom until he had divested himself of all the Government of the Kingdom and resigned the Crown in Favour of his Son But he resolving to hazard all rather then condescend to this was advised by some of his Friends to retire to the Castle of Sterling where his Forces might have more easie Access to him but this proved a a fatal advice for coming thither the Treacherous Constable denyed him entrance in the mean time News came to him that the Confederates were within six miles of him at Falkirk The King to make a Vertue of necessity resoves to put all upon the hazard of a Battel the Confederates were incamped near the Torwood The King set forward with his Army upon the other side of the Torwood Both drew up in a plain field near Bannock-burn and engaged most desperately The first Charge is valiantly given and Lance meeting with Lance the Vant-Guard of the Lords began to yield ground But the next Charge being given by Anandale Men the middle of the Kings Army is beat back to the main Battel notwithstanding of which it is fought a while with great obstinacy on both sides until the Standard Royal was beaten down then began the Kings Army to bow the Horsemen obeying no Orders begun to turn their backs In this rout and Confusion of Horse and Foot the King seeking to retire towards the River Ferth by the fall of his Horse in leaping a Ditch being sore bruised was carried by such who knew him not to a Well at Bannock-burn where he was killed in cold Blood by Borthwick a Priest with some others the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Kambush-Kenneth 105. To him succeeded his Son James the fourth who was Crowned at Edenburgh A. D. 1489. Being about sixteen years of age a noble and Couragious Prince and Godly the beginning of his Government was most uneasie the Death of the late King being yet recent his followers resolve to have it revenged In the North Alexander Lord Forbs displayed the Bloody shirt of the murthered King upon a Lance in Aberdeen and other places of the North inviting the Country as by an Herald to the revenge of his Murther In the West the Earl of Lennox hath the same resolution also the Earl of Marshad Lords Goodore and Lyle with the Confederates in other parts of the Kingdom But the Lord Drumond routed the Earl of Lennox at Telliemoss and also Sir Andrew Wood obtained a considerable Victory over the English who pretended to revenge the late Kings death at the mouth of Ferth The Rumor of these Victories so amazed Forbs and his Confederates that they laid down their Arms and put themselves into the Kings mercy and were all received into Favour The Lords rejoyced greatly that they had brought things to this pass but the King gave no sign of Joy yea upon the contrary to give a Testimony to the World of the Agony of his mind for the Death of his Father and that Remorse and Anguish he suffered for the Faults of those who brought him to the Field against him he girded himself with an Iron Chain to which every third year thereafter he added some Rings and weight so long as he lived and though this might threaten no good to some yet they pass it by not daring to Attempt ought against the common Peace Amidst this Grief and Sorrow of the Kings Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome arrived in Scotland with Instructions to the Clergy in a Letter from his Master to the King and Nobles exhorting them to the mutual Duties of their Stations after this some Head-strong Nobility dying the Country enjoyed a great calm of Peace the Seeds of Dissention seeming to be quite taken away But the Borders keeping up their old fewds by new Accessions make daily Incursions one upon another which came at last to open Hostility Whereupon King James enters England and spoils all the North parts and returns home without any considerable Action not long after Ambassadors came from England desiring a Peace which is granted and the Commissioners for both sides met at Edenburgh where many Articles and conditions of the peace were hotly disputed one of the Englishe's demands was an Interview between the two Kings at Newcastle which being referred to King James his own arbitrement he answered that he meant to treat of a Peace but not to go a Begging for it Much being said at last they conclude upon a Peace for some Months following after which followed a match between King James of Scotland with Lady Margaret the King of Englands Eldest Daughter which was consummated at Edenburgh King Henry bringeth his Daughter as far as Cokebiston in the way and then resigning her to the Earl of Northumberland who with a great train of Lords and Ladys brought her to Edenburgh to the King her Husband where they for some days were taken up with nothing but Banqueting masks and Tilting with such other exercises by this means the King wasted his Treasures greatly then some of them set their wits awork to squeeze the Subjects for Money which occasioned great murmurings among the Poor A. D. 1507. James Prince of Scotland and the Isles was born at Holy-Rood-house the one and twentyth of January but he soon after dyed at Sterling the year following the Queen brought forth another Son named Arthur but he dyed also in the Castle of Edenburgh Then she brought forth her third Son at Linlithgow who Succeeded to the Crown and was named James About the same time Bernard Stewart came to Scotland intreating that King James would make War with King Henry of England to keep him from molesting France which at last he obtained then began they to go to their old work of making incursions one upon another till at last it breaks out to an open War Whilst King James staied at Linlithgow attending the gathering of an Army now ready
Lord Gordon usurping almost a Royal Authority over the Countries benorth the Ferth as the Lord Hume also did upon the South-side The Queen seeing her Authority contemned privately Marries the Earl of Angus looking upon him as one who could Protect her and hers in Extremity but this Match instead of heightning weakened her Interest the Nobility dividing in two Factions the one pleading for the Earl of Douglass and the other opposing him thinking him too high already made choice of the Earl of Arran but a third party steps in of whom the Lord Chamberlain was Chief who carried the choice from both pitching upon John Duke of Albany When King Henry heard that this Gentleman was like to carry the Day he writes to Scotland remonstrating to them how dangerous this choice might prove to their State Yet notwithstanding of all that could be said they adhered to their choice and sent to France to call home the Duke of Albany who furnished with all necessaries by the French King with eight well Rigg'd Ships takes the Seas and in the Month of May arrived upon the West-coasts of Scotland from whence with a great retinue of the Nobles and Barons of the Country by easie Journies the Queen meeting him he came to the Town of Edenburgh where he is restored in Parliament to his Fathers inheritance At the Presence of this new Governour the Face of the State turned more beautiful Oppression is restrained Justice sincerely executed the Governour not willing to listen to every mans Advice gave himself to follow the Councel of John Hepburn Prior of S. Andrews this man being of a subtle mind Malicious and Crafty represented to him things as he pleased representing the Factiousness of the Nobility naming several whom he said the Kingdom could not bear Among others he gave out the Lord Chamberlain to be a man unpolish'd Stubbornly Stout mighty in Riches and Power of a working Mind and vehement Spirit that he spoke against the Chamberlain c. The Governour did presently lay hold on this and changed in his affection toward him which the Chamberlain perceiving could not but reflect upon the Governours ingratitude wherefore he resolved to Face about and striking in with the Queen and her Husband became very intimate with them he represented to them what hazard the Prince was in the Governour being a man of such an unsatiable Spirit that nothing but the Crown could set bounds to his Ambition Advising the Queen to think of a way to prevent it they concluded at last that their only safety would be that the Queen would transport her Son to England But as privately as the business was managed it came to the Governours ears who presently sent a Troop of Horse who surprized the Castle of Sterling and in it the Queen with her two Sons The Prince and his Brother are sequestred from their Mother and committed to the keeping of four Noblemen Whereupon the Queen her Husband and the Chamberlain with many others mis-trust-ing the Governour fly to England their sudden departure perplexed the Court exceedingly which moved the Governour to write to King Henry representing to him how little reason they had from him to depart the Kingdom earnestly declaring his respects to the Queen and that if she and all that were with her should please to return she should be very welcom they hoping that they were sincere at last were moved to yield to his desires but when once he had got them within the Country he resolved to be revenged upon them this bred new Confusions for some of the Lords being imprisoned their Friends break very loose the Country is daily pestered and impoverished by Incursions and Inroads till at last after great loss on both sides they come to an Agreement which was followed with the renewing of the Truce with England for some Months All things being thus seemingly calmed both at home and abroad the forementioned Prior of S. Andrews begins to perswade the Governour that all his indeavours to settle the Realm would prove vain so long as the Earl of Hume was alive whom neither rewards could soften nor Honours and preferments make constant upon this the Governour begins to contrive how to get the Earl secured wherefore he came to Edenburgh and called a Convention of the states having intreated the Earl of Humes Friends that he would not fail to be there the matters to be determined concerned him dearly The Earl of Hume with his brother David came to Edenburgh the Night before the Day appointed who were received by the Governour with great Ceremonies and with more than ordinary Favours entertained and shortly after both imprisoned and a day appointed for their Tryal The first thing laid to their Charge was the death of the late King whom several Witnesses proved to have been seen coming to the Castle of Hume from Flondon this not being proved by pregnant Evidences he was accused of several other points of Treason of which he not being able to clear himself to their satisfaction the Judges prepared and directed by the Governour pronounce him and his Brother guilty and Condemn them to have their Heads chopt off which Sentence was the next day put in Execution and their Heads fixt upon the most Conspicuous places of the City This Calamity of the Family of the Humes bred Terrour and Astonishment in many of the Noblemen of the Kingdom and greatly estranged their Hearts from the Governour Ambassadors being sent from France to renew the Ancient League between the two Countries The Governour was chosen by the Nobility of Scotland to pass into France for accomplishing this solemn Action He was no sooner gone but the Queen after she had stayed a year in England Honourably dismissed by her Brother came to Scotland Sir Anthony Darcy being by the Governour made Warden of the Mers and Lothian was slain by Sir David Hume of Wedderburn coming to Dunce to hold a Justice Court Whereupon the Earl of Arran was declared Supream Warden of the Marches who soundly revenged Darcies Death upon the Humes The Kingdom now began to be sensible of the offence of the Governour Factions increasing daily the Nobility and Gentry deciding their Rights by their Swords insomuch that the Earl of Arran who was Provost of Edenburgh having been with the Prince at Dalkeith upon his return had the Gates shut upon him the Citizens pretending that he intended to invade their Priviledges Whereupon followed a Tumult in the City which continued all Night where a Deacon of the Crafts was killed by one of the Hamiltons which did quite alienate the Citizens affection from the Earl of Arran and made them incline to the Earl of Angus this made the Earls of Arran and Angus begin to cross each other Whereupon followed much Confusion in the Country and much Blood-shed between the Douglasses and the Hamiltons at last having encountred one another with their followers at Edenburgh they fight most desperately in the Street till at length
his Ambassage was That the two Kings must have an interview at York this so startled the Church-men fearing that his Uncle might infect the King with the Opinions of the new Reformers that they opposed it with all their might Yet the King and his Council proposed that the Meeting might be at New-Castle which the Lord Howard would in no wise hear of but departed in a chafe King James having so many great Matches in his offer now resolves to accept of some one or other wherefore Sailing from Kirkaldie in ten days he arrived at Diep in Normandy and from thence to Vandosme where the Lady Mary of Burbon was but upon some considerations he setled not his Affections upon her though a great Beauty but went to Paris where he fell in Love with Magdalen Daughter to King Francis with her he was Married in the Church of Nostradam with great Solemnity and soon after Returned with her to Scotland but to his great Grief she Dyed within a few Months after and was Buried at Holyrood-House Not long after the King desirous of Succession sendeth David Beaton and the Lord Maxwel to France to propose Marriage in his Name to Mary of Lorrain In the mean time two Plots against his Life are discovered at Court one by John Eldest Son to the Lord Forbes who thereupon was put to Death yet the King was much Grieved afterward finding great probability that he was accused through Malice The other was Jane Doughlass with her Husband Archbald Campbel of Keepneeth who in the thoughts of many were as groundlesly Accused as the first yet both were found Guilty and Dyed for it The King's Marriage with the foresaid Lady being Concluded they are Married by Proxie and she Arrived in Scotland A. D. 1538. Soon after the Queen Dowager Dyed at Methwen and was Buried in the Charter-House of Perth Now began the Kingdom to be divided in Matters of Religion the Reformation breaking in upon them which perplexed the King exceedingly not knowing what course to take His Council was against violent Courses to be followed but the Prelates who had most his Ear gave him a quite contrary Advice after which most vigorous Inquisitions are established and Punishments denounced against all such as departed from Popery whereupon some are Burnt alive others Banished and many Imprisoned amongst which was that famous Poet and Historian Master George Buchanan who whilst his Keepers Slept escaped by a Window of the Prison the Muses holding the Rope The King of England having by this time so Irritated the Pope that he was Excommunicated sendeth again to his Nephew King James desiring an Interview at York the Nobility were clearly for it but the Church-men fearing their Bacon was as much against it pretending the hazard that his Person and Kingdom would be lyable to After long reasoning upon both sides it was agreed That the King should not altogether refuse to meet his Uncle but adhere to the first offer proposed to his Ambassador concerning this Interview which the King of England rather than his Sute should take no effect accepts But an Incursion which hapened upon the Borders made him that he lost all heart to the Interview hereupon he sendeth many Letters excusing his stay also representing his many Grievances and Wrongs thus were the Seeds of Discord again sown amongst them The reformed Religion by this time begins to be professed by many for the curbing of which the Prelates presents Sir James Hamilton natural Son to the Earl of Arran to be Supream Judge of the Inquisition which turned to his own Ruine for while he is vigorously Persecuting all such as were suspected of the reformed Religion having many in Jayles and multitudes in Scrolls to bring within the Labyrinth of a Process the Supream Providence Arresteth himself For having a Process against James Hamilton Sheriff of Lithgow his own Couzen the said James Accuses him of High Treason for which notwithstanding all that the Prelates could do in his Favour he was Tryed Condemned and put to Death Not long after divers of the Nobility became to Favor the Protestant Religion which so perplexed the King that he knew not what to do he became very sullen and retired that he would scarce suffer his own Domesticks to come near to add to his perplexity as he lay in the Palace of Lithgow in the midst of the Night he leaped out of his Bed and called for Lights commandeth his Servants to search for Thomas Scot his Justice Clerk who he said stood by his Bed-side loaden with great Weights cursing the time that ever he Served him for by too much Obedience to him he was by the Justice of God condemned to everlasting Torments Soon after News came That the said Thomas Scot Dyed at Edenburgh much about the same Hour of the Night Another Instance of the same nature was Sir James Hamilton a little after his Death seemed to the King to have appeared to him in a gastly manner with a Sword in his hand with which he thought he cut off both his Arms advertising him he would come again shortly and be more fully revenged The next day after the Vision word came that both his Sons were departed this Life almost in one hour King Henry finding himself disappointed by his Nephew of their Meeting and understanding the Church-men to have been the occasion of it maketh Prizes of all the Scottish Ships that his Fleet could meet with by Sea and Incursions with his garrisoned Souldiers by Land King James directeth James Lermonth of Darsie to his Uncle to give sufficient Reasons for his not meeting him at New-Castle and to demand Restitution of his Ships King Henry not only refuseth to restore the Ships but also delaying the Answer of the Scottish Ambassador to gain time sendeth Sir Robert Bâ—wes seconded with the Earl of Angus and Sir George Douglass in hasty manner to invade Scotland These to the number of Three Thousand Burn and Destroy all before them till at last the Earl of Huntly with some Borderers meeting them at a Place called Valldanrigg quite routed them Killed many and took some Prisoners The next Summer King Henry sent the Earl of Norfolk towards Scotland with an Army of Forty Thousand Men accompanied with a great many of the English Nobility King James advertised of their coming Mustered an Army of Thirty Thousand Men on Falla-moor to Oppose them When the Duke of Norfolk understood that he was resolved to give him Battel choosing rather to make an honourable Retreat than give a doubtful Charge he retireth off the Scottish ground Whereupon King James encouraged his Nobility and Army to follow them and revenge old Quarrels The Nobles answered That to defend their Prince and Country they would hazzard their Lives or whatever was dear to them If the Enemy had stayed upon Scottish Ground they would either make them retire or Dung the Field with their Carcasses But to Invade England they did not think their Quarrel just
enough neither had they Ammunition enough to Engage with so strong an Enemy in his own Country that they thought it enough that upon their approaching they made the English retire if not fly for whether they did fly or retire they had suffered as much Wrong as they had done The King finding them thus obstinate returneth with his Army to Edenburgh where he immediately Disbanded them he begins most bitterly to reflect upon the Noble mens refusing to Invade England which was aggravated and abetted by Cardinal Beatâ—n Oliver Sinclave and others The Lord Maxnel seeing the King so highly Offended desired His Majesty to give him Ten Thousand men and he would ingage his Honour to effect something to the King's Satisfaction the King thanketh him for his Offer appointeth a Rendezvous upon the West Marches No Proclamations are divulged for the levies of Men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran March towards Haddingtoun and the East Borders and several Earls Lords and Barons accompanied with the King 's Domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The Night before they rode the King himself came to Lochmabban to attend the Event Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches much troubled at such a frequent Assembly of the Scottish Riders raising the Power of the Country placeth them by a Hill where he might take a view of the Forces The Scottish Lords beholding the English putting themselves in a Fighting posture desire to know the King's Lieutenant-General whereupon Oliver Sinclave is mounted upon crossed Pikes and the Commission read wherein he is designed to be Lieutenant and all Commanded in the King's Name to follow him No sooner began the Commission to be read but such a Tumult and confused Clamour arose in the Army that there was no Order kept every thing running in Confusion The English taking advantage of the Disorder brake in among them while they stand in Amaze doubting whether to Fly or Stand. Here is a general Surprize most part willingly rendering themselves to the English without any shew of Defence many of the Nobility and Gentry were taken and carried Prisoners to London where they remained till after the King's Death The certainty of this voluntary Defeat coming to the King at Lockmabban so Stupified and Astonished him that he had neither Council nor Resolution what to follow apprehending by this and their former Actions that the Nobility had Conspired his overthrow After which he came to Faulkland where he gave himself over to Sorrow Now are his Thoughts busied with Revenge as also with rage against his Nobility Long Watchings continual Cares and Passions abstinence from Food and Recreation had so extenuated his Body that pierced with Grief Anguish Impatience Despair he remained affixed to his Bed To Comfort him Letters came from Lithgow to him That his Queen was delivered of a Daughter when he heard it was a Daughter he turned his Face from them that read the Letter and Sighing a Farewel to the World It will end as it began sayes he the Crown came by a Woman and it will go with one The Cardinal put some blank Papers in his hand of which they Composed a Letter-Will which whether he Subscribed or not is uncertain After which he spoke not many Words that could be understood he Dyed the Thirteenth of December Anno Dom. 1542. in the Thirty-Third Year of his Age and Thirty-Second of his Reign not without Suspition of having got an Italian Posset by the Cardinal's means The King was no sooner Dead leaving his young Daughter who was afterward called Mary to Succeed then the Cardinal proclaimed his Last Will wherein were expressed four Protectors or Regents of whom himself was the First and Principal and with him were joyned the Earls of Huntly Argyle and Murry But within a Week after the Chase was turned For the Earl of Arran being advised by the Lord of Grange who was Treasurer and Master Henry Balneaves with some others caused to Assemble the Peers of the Realm representing to them his undoubted Title to the Government of the Kingdom during the Minority of her to whom by Line he should Succeed if she want Succession of her own body The Cardinal opposed himself and all his Interest against Arran but it was carried by many Voices whereupon Arran was declared Governor and with publick Proclamation invested in his Office A Parliament soon followed wherein the Clergy most violently pressed That severe Edicts might be Published against those they called Hereticks But others Propounding in Parliament whether such of the People as could not speak Latine might not have the Word of their Salvation in the Language they understood as Lawfully as they that understood Latine must have it in that Language it was Voted Affirmative and at last after much debating it passed into an Act That it was free for all Men and Women to Read the Scripture in their own vulgar Tongue and all Acts made to the contrary were rescinded King Henry before the Parliament was ended sent an Ambassador to Scotland whose Embassage was to Contract a perpetual League and Amity between the Two Kingdoms and that all Occasions of Wars might be taken away a Match was proposed by the Ambassador between young Prince Edward and the Queen of Scotland which was by the Governour and Parliament Accepted whereupon they sent their Ambassadors to England where things came so far that both Partyes declared their Agreement in all Particulars except the time when the young Queen should be delivered to the English The Papists foreseeing what would probably follow if the Queen should be put in their Enemy the King of England's hand begin with all their might to Oppose it about this time the Governors base Brother John Hamilton came from France who was very helpful to his brethren the Papists in carrying on all their Affairs At last partly by few promises of great Things and partly by Threatning to declare him an Enemy to Holy-Church if he complied not they make him Condescend to break with England whereupon ensued great and bloody Wars between the Two Kingdoms for King Henry immediately sent a strong Army to Scotland who came as far as Edenburgh committing great Hostilities In compensation of which the Scots enter England Burning and Destroying all before them returning again with great Spoil Mr. George Wishart being by Cardinal Beaton burnt Alive for the Protestant Religion the said Cardinal was surprized by Norman Loslie Master of Rothes William Kirkaldie of Grange and John Loslie of Park-Hill in his Castle of St. Andrews and put to Death Possessing themselves of the Castle for their Security knowing that now they were to have many and powerful Enemies which accordingly fell out for the Papists procure an Army from France under the conduct of Monsieur Deosel who besieged the Castle and soon after took it King Henry being now Dead his Son King Edward sent an Army of Ten Thousand Men to Scotland The Popish Party there procures the
like number from France these two Armies grievously infested the Country The next Year the Queen was at Six years of Age Transported by the West Seas into France escaping the English Fleet that watched for her about Calice and soon after Married to the Daulphine However the Reformation goes on notwithstanding the Queen-Mother who is now stiled Queen-Regent her opposition She was Assisted in her Designs by the French as the Reformers were also by the English but her Death put a stop to the Persecution which gave the Protestants opportunity of putting things in order relating to the Worship of God Great Preparations were making in France for invading of Scotland and root out the Reformed Religion This terrified the Reformers mightily but while they were in a Consternation not knowing what to do the King of France Dyed and their Queen remained a Widdow this was a great Deliverance to them for by his Death the intended Invasion came to nothing Soon after the Queen comes Home and sets up Mass in her Chappel which the Reformers opposed This bred much confusion in the State but the Queen finding that the Body of the People with most part of the Nobility were against her Way she became a little more calm condescending that some Maintenance might be settled upon the Ministers About this time the Earl of Huntly breaks out in a Rebellion in the North to oppose which the Queen went her self in Person and Routed him near Aberdeen his Sons and many of his Friends being Slain himself also Dying in the place without any Wound The Easter following Mass began to be very publick at Edinburgh which so incensed the Lords and others That they Imprisoned several Priests The Queen began to Storm at this but they told her That what they did was according to Law and they would Justify it in Parliament In July 1564. The Earl of Lenox with his Son Henry Stewart Lord Darly return from England and were very graciously received by the Queen who took such Affection to Darly that she Posts away Lethington to Queen Elizabeth shewing her That she meant to Marry him Queen Elizabeth pretending her disliking of such Contracts of Princes with Subjects labours to diswade her from it but under-hand promotes it for her own ends The Queen with some difficulty gets her intended Marriage ratified in Parliament which was afterward Proclaimed by name Henry and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and Solemnized the Twenty-Seventh of July 1565. This procures great Alterations in the State for several Lords and Gentlemen of the Reformation being Summoned to Appear before the King and Queen and upon Non-appearance were declared Rebels Whereupon the King and Queen presently take Armes the Lords with their Intention fled into England where they stayed a while under Queen Elizabeth's Protection who afterward dismissed them writing to the King and Queen in their Favours at length they came to an Agreement which yet continued not long For the King beginning to be jealous of the daily resort of French-men to Court and of their great Favor with the Queen caused one of them called Rizio who from a Musitian was advanced to be the Queen's Secretary for French to be seized in her Chamber and presently put to Death and finding that this Action brought him under the odium of the Papists he made a shew of turning Protestant calling home several of the Banished Lords and others But however from that day he began to be despised by the Queen and Bothwel is advanced The Nineteenth of June 1566. The Queen at Edinburg was Delivered of a Son to the great Joy of all the Kingdom he was Baptized at Sterlin December the Seventeenth and called James the Witnesses were the Earl of Bedford for Queen Elizabeth who in her Name presented a Font of pure Gold valued at Three Thousand Crowns the Count de Briance for the French King and an Ambassador for the Duke of Savoy The King finding himself daily slighted by the Queen repaired to his Father at Glasgow where by the way he was taken very Ill with a Pain in his Stomack when he came to Glasgow his Body breaks out in blewish Blisters which when the Physitians saw they knew him to have been Poisoned but with their Antidotes and his own vigorous Youth he Recovered Not long after the Queen Visited him at Glasgow and prevailed with him to come to Edinburg he Lodged in the Kirk-Field for his Health as was pretended But many suspected that the Earl of Bothwel had a Design upon him but few durst adventure to tell him of it Yet the Earl of Orkney told him That if he retired not hastily out of that Place it would cost him his Life this Advertisement moved the Earl of Bothwel to hasten forward his Enterprize laying a Train of Powder under the House where the King lay which in the Night time did Blow it up but it was said That the King was taken forth and brought Alive to a Stable where a Napkin was stopped in his Mouth and he therewith Suffocated Presently after Bothwel obtains a Divorce from the Pope to free him of his Wife and was Married to the Queen May the Fifteenth 1567. Whereupon the Lords take Armes the Queen and Bothwel being at Dumbar resolving to call him to an Account for what was past the Queen also and he sent to their Friends to come to their Defence the two Armies Faces each other at Seaton Then Bothwel steps out upon Horse-back between the Armies offering to Fight with any that durst Charge him with that foul Aspersion of Murdering the King James Murray offers the Combat but he is refused as not equal in Honour then his Brother the Laird of Tully-Bardine Accepts the Challenge him he refuseth because he was not a Noble-man then the Lord Lyndsay presents himself telling him That he was his Equal every way but the Queen recalled Bothwel and would not suffer them to Fight In fine the Queen finding the Confederates resolute and their Number exceeding her own she desires Bothwel to shift for himself for that she would put her self in their Hands which accordingly she did and was by them conveyed to Edinburgh and after to the Castle of Lochlevine The Queen of England sends her Ambassador to the Lords desiring That the Queen might have her full Liberty and that the Prince might be sent to England to be Educated At length Matters were wrought to that point that she must of necessity resign the Crown to her Son 108. This young Prince was Crowned at Sterline the Twenty-fourth of July Anno Dom. 1567. at thirteen Months and eight days old The Earls of Morteun and Hume taking the Coronation Oath for him Master Knox also Preached the Coronation Sermon The Earl of Murray is within a Month after created Regent he presently Summons a Parliament wherein divers are Executed as having Accession to the late Kings Murder which occasioned many Factions in the State and much hatred to the Regent In
purpose for soon after she signed a Warrant for a Mandate fitted for the Great Seal for her Execution which was performed upon Wednesday the 8th of February 1586. Queen Elizabeth immediately after Writes a Letter full of Apologies and fair promises to King James yet notwithstanding in great discontent he calls home his Ambassadours from the Court of England The States of Scotland urge him to a revenge The King of Spain also and the Pope promise him great assistance if he would undertake it but he thought fit to delay for a time which made England the more suspitious of his Designs Wherefore an Ambassadour was sent to him earnestly desiring him to take off his adherence from Forreign Friendship assuring him that his Mothers fate would be no prejudice to his right of Succession which was a powerful Argument with him The next Year the Kings Marriage with the King of Denmarks Daughter was agreed upon In the mean time the Popish Lords such as Huntly Cranford and Aâ—rol make a Rebellion in the North to suppress which the King himself went in Person at his coming the Rebels disperse the Headers of them submitted to the Kings Mercy and are commited close Prisoners and not long after Tryed and found Guilty but the Sentence was delayed to an indefinite time which at last turned to a Pardon The King hearing that his Marriage was consumated at Denmark by Proxie and the Queen at Sea was soon after surprised with the News that her Navy was beat into Norway by a Storm He presently resolves to go thither and meet Her which he does very privately leaving the Government of the Kingdom to his Council Within five dayes he arrives at Norway where he was solemnly Marryed the next Sunday From thence he went with his Queen to Visit the Queen Mother of Denmark where they staid till April following Then having sent for Shipping to return they Landed at Leith the 20 th day of May Anno Dom. 1590. and a little after the Queen was solemnly Crowned at Holy-Rood-House Though the King made severe Laws against Feuds yet were they not quite suppressed for by reason of a quarrel between the Earles of Huntly and Murray the North broke very loose as did the Kers also in the South but they were soon suppressed till Bothwel afterward being Imprisoned for consulting with Witches to take away the Kings Life and having escaped made an attempt upon the Kings Lodgings and was repulsed being suspected to have been with Murray the Earl of Huntly procures a Warrant to take him and coming to Dunnibirsle where Murray was firing the House Murray attempting to make his Escape was Barbarously Murdered Bothwel having so often been disappointed of his designes at last having got some of the Lords on his side he came in by the Postern-gate under disguise of attending my Lady Athole with another of his Companions armed to the very Bed-Chamber where he forced the King to grant him a Pardon which was the next day repealed in Council and Bothwel and his Associates forced to fly Anno Dom. 1593. The Queen was delivered of her first Born in Sterliâ—g where he was Christned in the Chappel Roval by the Name of Henry Frederick Two Years after Princess Elizabeth was born at Edenburgh The King resolving to bring the Church of Scotland to a Conformity in Government and Ceremonies did occasion much confusion for the Ministers strong opposed having also a great part of the Nobility on their side The Popish Lords and others unable to stand out any longer submitted to the Censure of the Church The next Year a Parliament is called wherein the King will have some of the Ministers sit as representing the Church being Church Affairs as well as Affairs of State are handled there Anno Dom. 1599. John Earl of Goury and his Brother Alexander attempt to kill the King at Perth but both of them dyed in the attempt and had all their Lands seized for the Kings use In commemoration of which the 5th of August is annually celebrated The 26 th of February 1600. Prince Charles was born at Domfermling which afterward was King of Great Britain c. The Jesuits having no hope of Toleration in Scotland all their Politicks having failed them they went the old way to work One Moubray at the Court of Spaiâ— undertook to kill King James but as he was upon his way to London he was discovered by an Italian who accused him of his intended Murther whereupon they were both taken and sent to Scotland Moubray was committed to the Castle where having found a way to break the Iron Grates of the Prison window thought to have let himself down by a Rope which proving too short he fell from the precipice and dashed out his braines upon a Rock Queen Elizabeths health beginning to decay by reason of her age and the great troubles she had undergone removes from London to Richmond where she daily became weaker and weaker The Lord Admiral Lord Keeper and Secretary Cecil came from the Council to know her pleasure concerning her Successor She answered My Throne is for a King none othâ—â— shall Succeed me Cecil asked her What King She said What other King than my Kinsman the King of Scots Then after some time not stirring she leasurely turned her head about and dyed the Seventyeth year of her Age the 24th of March 1602. Her eyes being shut the same day the Lords Spiritual and Temporal being Assembled proclaimed her death and declared King James her Successor Presently Posting Letters to him acquainting him with the Queens Death and being a Body without a Head humbly desiring his Majesty to hasten to them how soon and in what manner he pleaseth The King having communicated these Letters to his Privy-Council returns them his acknowledgment of their dutifull Affection The King sets out for England ordering the Queen to follow Twenty days after the Princes Henry Charles and Princess Elizabeth at further Pleasure He was most magnificently Entertained all the way having a Gallant train of Scottish Noblemen and other Gentlemen to convey him to Berwick where he was most magnificently received by the English and accompanied with Shouts and Acclamations of Joy by all ranks in his Journey through England till he came to London His first Reception was in the Charter-House where he stayed four days having confered the Honour of Knighthood upon 80 Gentlemen On St. Jameses's day the King and Queen were Crowned at Westminster in the Fatal Marble Chair Secretary Elphingston was within a few years after accused by the King for Writing Letters to the Pope in his Name which he confessed and was thereupon committed but soon after pardoned The King was not allowed to enjoy the pleasure of his new Title with Peace for soon after followed the Treason of the Lord Cobham and Gray with Sir Walter Rawley and others for which some of the number being condemned to dye and brought to the very Block obtained a Pardon His Majesty took
upon him the Title of Great Britain to take away every thing that might be occasion of discord amongst the Subjects of the two Kingdoms and to that effect were sundry of his Majesties Chief Officers of Estate sent for to England by Commission viz. The Earl of Moâ—â—rose Great Chancellour of Scotland Francis Earl of Errol Lord great Constable Alexander Lord Urquhart and Fyve President Sir Thomas Hamilton Advocate the Lords Lithgow and Roxburgh with sundry others of the Nobility with Sir John Sharp and Sir Thomas Craig Learned Lawyers These meeting with the Chancellour Treasurer Secretary had many Learned Orations Conferences and Speeches wherein the King assisted himself sometime in person This great meeting was dissolved without any great business done At this time came to England Don John de Velasco great Constable of Castile and Extraordinary Ambassador from the King of Spain to take Oath of the King for observation of the Articles of Peace concluded between these two Kings Like as Baron Howard of Essingham and Earl of Nottingham and High Admiral of England was sent into Spain to take the King of Spain's Oath for observation of Peace Like as Edward Baron of Beauchamp and Earl of Hartford were sent into the low Countries for the same purpose The Earl of Rutland was sent into Denmark and sundry Noblemen and Gentlemen to sundry Kings and Princes and Common-wealths his Confederates and Allyances Thomas Percie Robert Catesbee Thomas Winter by the instigation of some Jesuits having intended to Overthrow the King His Queen and Posterity at one blow intended that most inhumane and barbarous Treason called The Powder-Plot and to that effect associating themselves with Sir Edward Dickâ—ee Ambrose Rockwood John Grant the two Wrights with sundry others fell to digging of the Vault where after long travail hearing that the Cellers were to Let Hyring the Cellers which were under the Parliament House to the use of Mr. Thomas Piercie one of the Kings Gentlemen Pensioners and one of the chief Plotters where conveying in the said Cellers under the Parliament-House a great quantity of Gun-Powder with Billets and Faggots with sundry other combustible stuff the principle Plotters removed themselves to Warwickshire under pretence of a Match Hunting and at that time to surprise Lady Elizabeth then in the custody of the Lord Hadington whom they meant to proclaim Queen and in her Name to enter into Arms. But there is an eye in Heaven that seeth mens actions and lays them open to the view of the World by weak means and weak instruments All things succeeding thus happily as they thought and leaving Faukes alias Johnstoun to give Fire to the Train in the Night time by Torch The Lord Monteagle going along in his Coach an unknown Fellow presents him with a Letter The tenor whereof was to withdraw his Lordship from that session of parliament wherein there was something to be done against the Catholicks but there was a terrible blow to be given and no man should know who should be the giver of it and when the Letter was burnt the Peril was ended My Lord Monteagle in Religion Popish notwithstanding delivereth the Letter to Salisbury who acquainting my Lord Chamberlain and after my Lord Admiral and the Earls of Worster and Northampton who not finding out the meaning of the Letter and knowing that the KING was well seen in such hid misteries present it to his MAJESTY in the privy Gallery The King Reading it over and over again Salisbury told him that he thought some Mad Fellow had written it his Majesty asking the reason of Salisbury He replyed because he writ there was a terrible blow to be given and no man should know who should be the giver His Majestie answered that the last sentence made the other more clear That the Letter being burnt the Peril was ended which the burning of the Letter could make to no purpose to hinder the Peril The King assured him that is was some blowing up of powder and therefore desired that his houses might be surveyed After examination Whâ—ngard keeper of the Parliament House told that he had let the House to Mr. Thomas Perciâ— after some pains taken that same night by the Lord Chamberlain the Lord Knevet Mr. Doublede found the foresaid Faukes with a Dark Lanthorn ready to enter the House but he being apprehended the Blow was prevented where swift fame carrying it down to the Country the principal Plotters knew not where to flee to hide their heads They surprize Warwick Castle where being affrighted with drying of Gun-Powder and other strange Dreams seeing Castles and Towers blown up in the Air they were at last besieged in the Castle of Warwick where Percie and Catesbee were both Shot with one Musquet shot back to back the rest were apprehended and brought to London where after the Confession of all for the most part and penitence and contrition in some craving pardon of his Majestie and Countrie for such an horrible and inhumane Fact Catesbee Grant Winter and Bates were Executed at the West of Pauls as also Winter the two Wrights and Faukes and Ambrose Rockwood at Westminster So here we see the God of light brought the deed of Darkness to light and as they said by their Confession to cast the aspersion and Guilt of the Action upon the Puritanes so the God of Heaven would have it to fall upon the Plotters themselves After this followed the Nuptial of that Noble Lady Lady Elizabeth matched with the Prince Palatine of the Rhyne At which time that Noble Prince Prince Henry a prince so compleat of all Vertues that Europe could not shew his second a Prince so Mars-like and so beloved of all military men and so beloved of them that true Moecenas of Vertue and Learning as appeared by his Valiant his Active and his Princely prise wherein he intituled himself by the Name Moeliades Lord of the Isles challenging the Gentrie of Great Britain which was performed in the Hall of Whitehall by Torch Light the challengers were with him the Duke of Lennox the Earls of Arundal Southampton Pembrâ—ke Sir Thomas Somerset and Sir Richard Preston where before the King the Queen the Peers of the whole Island with the concurrence of all Forraign Ambassadors where he gave testimony of his Activeness Agility and Quickness which cannot be expressed to the Life how every thing was done in the Action and performed and the prises given to the defendants where the challengers and defendants were most Royally Feasted the next day as the prise and reward of their Vertue and Valour given by the Noblest Lady of Britain according to the Tennor of the challenge and was given by Lady Elizabeth his sister viz. 1. Philip Earl of Montgomerie 2. Thomas Dearsie son to the Lord Dearsie 3. Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar This Triumph being ended to his no small Honour Much more might be said of this great Prince who was taken away in the prime of his Years to the great grief
by the Duke of Lennox and the Marquess of Hamilton were his God-Fathers and the Queen-Mother of France represented by the Dutchess of Richmond his God-Mother The King in the Year 1633. made a Journey to Scotland attended with a splendâ—d Train of the Nobility of both Kingdoms and upon June the Eighteenth was solemnly Crowned King at Edinburgh which Solemnity being over his Majesty called a Parliament and in which he passed an Act for Ratification of the old Acts some suspecting that the Confirmation of Episcopacy was by it intended with all their Strength opposed it but in vain Not long before his Majesty went to Scotland being desirous if possible to have it prevented he Writ to a Lord who had the Trust of the Crown to bring it to England that he might be Crowned there But the Lord answered That he durst not for his Life do it but if his Majesty would be pleased to accept of it in its proper place he should find his People there ready to yield him the highest Honour but if he should put it off much longer it might tend to his Majesties and their great Loss neither could they be long without some to Govern them In the Year 1633. October the Thirteenth the Queen brought forth her second Son who was Baptized James and entituled Duke of York Much about this time the Discontents in Scotland began to increase some of the Nobility siding with the Male-contents of which the Lord Balmirreno the chief Secretary of State was one who was thereupon Arraigned by his Peers and found Guilty but obtained the King's Pardon December the Twenty-Eighth 1635. the Lady Elizabeth was Born and now great Differences arose about Church-matters chiefly occasioned by Arch-Bishop Laud's zealous injoyning of Ceremonies as placing the Communion-Table at the East end of the Church upon an Ascent with Rails Altar-wayes with many other things not formerly insisted on by the Church but now obstinately opposed by many which brought things into great confusion His Majesty earnestly desiring an Uniformity in Religion in Scotland a thing attempted before by King James enjoyned the Scots the use of the Liturgy and Surplice with all the English Ceremonies and began first in his own Chappel Proclamation being made That the same Order should be kept in all Churches The Bishops were satisfied with it but the Ministers and People was so discontented that when the Dean of Edinburgh began to read the Common-Prayer the Women began to grumble upon which the Bishop of Edinburgh steps up into the Pulpit to command Silence but this did but augment their Fury to such a height that they Assaulted him some with Cudgels others with Stones and others for want of better Weapons were forced to pelt him with the Stools upon which they sat to the great hazard of his Life The Arch-Bishop of of St. Andrews being then Lord Chancellor interposing was like to have been served with the same sawce The like Disturbance happened in several other places whereupon the Council emitted Proclamations to prevent Tumults which was so little regarded by the multitude that the Bishop of Galloway going the next day to the Council was by them pursued to the Council Chamber They Seized also the City Magistrates that they might not joyn with the Council to curb them The Lords of the Council having at length with fair words in some measure pacified them they presently emit Proclamations to keep the Peace but produced no such Effect for they stifly petitioned against the service-book which incensed the King extreamly Thus matters went in the Year 1637. The next Year the Scots hearing That the King was making preparations in England to reduce them by force they entred into a Covenant to defend the Religion they profest whereupon they sent for General Lesly and other Officers from beyond Sea putting themselves in a posture of Defence But the Duke of Hamilton obtained a Declaration from the King discharging the use of the service-book the five Articles of Perth for a time consenting also that Church-matters may be ordered by general Assemblies This Declaration being published and a general Assembly convened at Glasgow the Bishops are summoned to appear there as Guilty persons but in answer to the Summons the Bishops sent in a Protestation against their Assembly which the Covenanters for a while would not vouchsafe to Read until they had dispatched what business they pleased The King having notice of their Proceedings against the Bishops ordered their Assembly to be dissolved which accordingly was done but the Covenanters presently emit a Protestation against it In this Assembly they quite abolished Episcopacy Whereupon the King raises an Army in England with which he marched in Person against the Scots but while his Majesty stayed at York by the mediation of some persons a Treaty of Peace was agreed upon wherein it was agreed That the King should publish a Declaration ratifying what his Commissioners had promised in his name That a general Assembly and a Parliament be held at Edinburgh within a short time And lastly That upon disbanding their Forces and restoring the King to his Forts and Castles the King was to recall his Fleet and Forces and make Restitution of their Goods since the Breach The King not finding the Scots punctual to their Articles returned to England and Nullified the agreement resolving now to try other courses Whereupon the Scots apprehending their danger prepared for their own defence The King resolves upon a War and with some difficulty compleateth his Army whereof himself was Generalissimo He began his march to the North July the Twentieth 1640. by which time the Scottish Army was upon the Border Wherefore the King sent the Lord Conway with Twelve Hundred Horse and Three Thousand Foot to secure the Passes upon the River Tyne General Lesly being advanced thither desired Leave to pass to the King with their Grievances which was denied whereupon he commands his Horse to take the Water the Foot to their no small hazard following and force their Passage which they did and put the Lord Conway to a disorderly Retreat Soon after they took New-Castle and then Durham At last His Majesty condescends to Treat with them and to that end receives a Petition from them containing their Grievances for redressing of which it was agreed That sixteen English Lords should meet with as many Scots Rippon was a place appointed for the Treaty here they appointed another Treaty to be held at London for composing all differences Much about this time Montross fell off from the Covenanters having by several private Letters tendered his service to the King which came all to be discovered by the means of some that were about His Majesty However the Treaty went on at London and at last was concluded Whereupon the Scots after five months abode in England returned home By this time a Parliament was called at Westminster wherein the breach was so far from being healed that it was made wider Divers of the
His Royal Highness IAMES DUKE of Alban◠and Yorke only Brother to his sacred Mayesty Lord High Com̄issioner of Scotlan◠Medulla Historiae Scoticae Being a Comprehensive HISTORY OF THE Lives and Reigns OF THE KINGS OF SCOTLAND FROM FERGVS the First to our Gracious Sovereign CHARLES the Second CONTAINING The most Remarkable Transactions and Observable Passages Ecclesiastical Civil and Military with other Observations proper for a Chronicle faithfully Collected out of Authors Ancient and Modern To which is added A brief Account of the Present State of Scotland the Names of the Nobility and Principal Ministers of Church and State the Laws Criminal A Description of that Engine with which Malefactors are Tortured called the BOOT LONDON Printed for Randal Taylor near Stationers Hall 1685. To the Most Noble JAMES Earl of Perth Lord Drummond and Stobhall c. Lord Justice General of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND One of the Extraordinary Lords of the SESSION and one of the Lords of His MAJESTIES Most Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL in that KINGDOM THIS Compendious History of the KINGS of Scotland is Most Humbly Dedicated by Your Lordships Most Humble most Faithful and most Obedient Servant W. A. TO THE READER I Shall not detain the Generous Reader with Flourishes upon the Grandeur and Glory of the Scotish Crown nor tell you that it may Vie Antiquity with the Ancientist Monarchy of the Vniverse that I leave to your Vmpirage when you have compared the following sheets with the Histories of other Nations Only thus far I will assure you that Scotland will be found to be a Country Pregnant of Wonderfull Changes and Revolutions a Theatre whereon Divine Providence has I Exhibited divers remarkable Instances of it's Peculiar Care over Crowned Heads and where all Treason and Disloyalty has been persued with utter ruine and Destruction It can show a Race of Kings Vnparallel'd for their Bravery and Gallantry in the Defence of their Country and Protection of their Allies and for their Heroicism in Assisting and redresing the Miserable and Opprest But I leave their own Acts as represented in the following Mirrour to make good my assertion and shall proceed to offer something in my own Vindication for I am liable to some Reprehension for Cramming so Large so Bulky a History into so small a Volum but if it be considered that all the Curious have neither the leisure to peruse nor the means to provide a larger I hope I shall need no farther Apology upon that point nor need I advocate much for differing much from many Authors as to the Origin of our Nation since I have followed the most Authentick and have only vary'd from those whose writings are vanished with Monckery and savour more of the Legend than true History Besides the plain bomespun manner wherein all these matters are deliver'd will disgust several who only delight in what is Flaunting and Trick'd up with all the Ornaments and Gawdiness of Rhetorick and Elocution but be it known I fitted my stile for the Capacities of Vulgar Readers such as becomes a History not a Panegyrick and what squars best with the Tongue of both Kingdoms wherein there was never yet any Chronicle publish'd of the Realm of Scotland so as that those who were unacquainted with the Latin were excluded from the knowledge of the Primitive state of so Illustrious a Kingdom After having fitted this account for the Common use by divesting it of a Pompous Dress and a too Stately Dignity of stile my Chief Care was to avoid Partiality by a stedy and Cauterous stearing between Buchanan and Bishop Lesley Seylla and Charybdis where vast Funds of Wit and Learning might easily have wrought the shipwrack of an unwary Pilot so that tho' a great part hereof is a translation of Eminent Authors yet I left my Originalls when I found 'em bias'd and avoiding their Extreams boul'd directly to the Block THE Introduction HIstory has been reckon'd one of the most Generous amusements of the greatest Personages and the loftier the Subject the more agreeable the Entertainment Now for the Advantages and Dignity of a Scotish Chronicle I will not so much insist upon it's Novelty and the wonderful Vicissitudes it contains as the Preheminency of that Crown over all Common-wealths Empires and Monarchies which by stating their several Claims and Pretences will sufficiently be made appear The Emperor Challenges the first Rank as succeeding to the Roman Emperors who are supposed to have been universal Monarchs the French King pretends also to it upon the Account of his being Stiled the most Christian King with other such Pretences The King of Spain also pleads it as his Right being the most Catholick King and King of manyest Kingdoms In this Debate of theirs we are not a little concerned our business therefore shall be to prove First that the King of Great Britain hath an unquestionable Right of Precedency to all the above named Princes Secondly that he hath it it as King of Scotland First he founds his Precedency to them all 1. Upon his being a absolute Monarch of the Isle of Great Britain which was first Christian 2. Upon his being one of the Quatuor nucti which were before all other Kings 3. That having Conquered France he hath Right to all it's Titles by which he carries it clear from the Spaniard or any other Competitor and Lastly that it was granted him even as King of England by the Popes themselves in the General Councils so that had they not relinquished his Papacy it is like his Holiness had not as yet questioned their Title to it II. His Majesty as King of Scotland may justly claim the Precedency from all those Princes it being by Lawyers declared the uncontroverted use of Precedency That amongst those of equal Dignity he who first attained to that Dignity is to be preferred This being a Rule among others Dignities we see no reason but that it should hold here This being granted I subsume that the King of Scotland being equal in Dignity with the Kings of England France and Spain attained to that Dignity before either of them for the first King of Scotland Reigned about three hundred and thirty years before the birth of Christ Whereas the English Historians Confess that they cannot reckon higher than eight hundred years after Christ Nor can either the French or Spaniard come up to the English for the French take the Origine from Hugh Capi who Usurped that Crown Anno. 987. And the Spaniards from Rudolphus King of the Romans Elected 1273. But here it is objected by some that the Kings of Scotland were Vassals to the Kings of England and did them Homage for the Crown of Scotland and so can Claim no Precedency amongst any free Princes far less amongst such as are of the first magnitude This some English Historians do with great Confidence aver but that their Ignorance or Malice or both may appear we are Content to refer the matter not only to the Respect the General Councils
Peace Alpine answered that he would make no Peace untill the Crown of the Picts were set upon his Head as the Right inheritour of it Brudus upon this raised a great Army and came over the Bridge of Dunkell marching to Augus where Alpin with his Army did lye The night before the Battel he devised a cunning Stratagem for having a great many Women in his Army he caused them to stand in Battel Array with linnen Shirts above their cloaths ordaining some Horse-men to Command them he drew them into a Wood Commanding none of them to appear till the Armies had joyned Battel King Alpin upon the Picts approach presently led out his Men and joyned Battel with them then the aforesaid reserve began to move from their Ambush The Scots seeing them apprehended them to be a fresh Army of Picts whereupon they immediately fled In this Battel King Alpine himself was taken and beheaded the third year of his Reign 69. To him his Son Keneth the second succeeded A. D. 834. Now the Picts fully resolve to banish the Scots quite out of their Country for which purpose they procure help from England But when they were at their full strength they divided amongst themselves to such a height that Brudus was forced to disband his Army he soon after dyed for Grief Donsken his Brother succeeded who made it his work to keep Peace on all hands But Keneth after three years uncertain Peace being desirous at any rate to revenge his Fathers Death and to recover the Crown which by right did belong to him Convened his Nobles and consulted with them concerning the matter but finding them not inclined to it he invites them all to a great Feast which he had prepared of purpose where they were Royally entertained within his Pallace untill dark Night after they had Liberally feasted they were conveyed to several apartments within the Palace and when deep sleep had seized upon them the King caused some Men that he had ready for that end to pass to their several Beds clad with Fish-skins which did cast a dazling light in the dark each man having a Hunting Horn in his hand through which he spake The Nobles being amazed at this sight were desired by them not to be terrified for that they were Angels sent from God to the Princes and Nobles of Scotland to cause them to obey the Kings Order it being very Just and Right and that they needed not to fear the Success for they should be Victorious Their Speeches being ended they in an instant vanished This mightily astonished the Nobles not knowing what to make on 't It was no sooner Day light than they got up and enquired one for another and having convened all together every Man began to declare what appeared to him which made them all presently conclude that it was no Fancy but a real Vision The King also assured them that the same Vision appeared to him at the same hour Hereupon they Unanimously consented that all who were able for Fighting should meet the King upon a day appointed which they did as the Picts did also upon the other hand they fought most Valiantly on both sides but the Picts were routed in one and quite ruined in another Battel their King and all his Nobles being killed And their City Camelon after a long siege utterly destroyed and razed and the Picts Men Women and Children put to the Sword after they had Reigned in Albion 1181 years King Keneth brought the fatal Chair from Argyle to Scone adding the Picts Dominions to his own he dyed the twentieth year of his Reign 70. Donald the fifth Keneth the seconds Brother succeeded having his Territories enlarged from the Orcades to Adrians Wall He was a vicious and luxurious Prince which gave the Fugitive Picts some ground to Hope that they might recover their Lands whereupon they requested Osbred and Ella two great Princes in England to restore them promising to pay Homage to them they accepted the offer invading Scotland with great Forces where they were miserably routed in a pitch'd Battle King Donald proud of this Victory pursued them to the Water of Tweed with his Army there he found two Ships laden with Wine which he parted among his Souldiers they not being much used to such Liquor drank of it till they were not able to stir Of which when King Osbred was advertised he came suddenly upon them and killed 2000 of them took the King himself and carried him about in Derision Osbred pursuing this Victory conquered great Lands in Scotland So that Sterling-bridge was made the march between the Scots and the English This Osbred Coyned money in Sterling Castle which was as some think the first beginning of Sterling money King Donald being ransomed was soon after taken by his Nobles and put in Prison where he desperately killed himself the fifth year of his Reign 71. To him succeeded Constantine the second who was Crowned in Scone A. D. 859. Soon after Hunger and Hubba with a great Fleet of Danes Landed in Fife to shun whose Cruelty many religious Persons with Adrian their Bishop fled into the Isle of May where they were all Cruelly put to Death by the unmerciful Danes Constantine with his Army met them at the River of Levin where he overthrew them pursuing them toward Caryl where their Ships lay but the Scots being proud of this Victory became too secure Whereupon the Danes rallied upon them where followed a terrible Battel at last the Scots were defeated the King being taken and dragged to a Cave was basely murdered the fifteenth year of his Reign 72. To him succeeded Ethus his Son Surnamed the Swift A.D. 874. His wickedness and Cruelty came to so great a heigth that his Nobles were forced to imprison him where within three days he dyed of Melancholly the second year of his Reign 73. Gregory the Great Dungalls Son succeeded A. D. 876. A Prince of a Kingly Spirit he made a Law that all â—ings hereafter should at their Coronation swear to defend the Christian Faith His first expedition was into Fife against the Picts and Danes which were left there when Hungar went into Enâ—land them he expelled not only out of Fife but also out of Lothian and the Mers Coming to Berwick the Danes durst not venture to Fight him but leaving a Garrison in the Town retired to Northumberland to gather more Forces But Gregory in the Night time being Guided by some English-men entred the City and put all the Danes to the Sword thence he went to Northumberland there he utterly routed the rest of them which gave him occasion to inlarge his Dominions with Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland after which he entered in a League with the King of England wherein his right to the foresaid Lands was ratified His next expedition was against the Irish who had Landed in Galloway and committed great Insolencies but at his coming they retired back to their own Country He with a great Army followed them
where at his Landing he overthrew Brennius and Cornellius who were Guardians to the young King of Ireland with their Nobles taking several Forts and Castles at last he laid Seige to Dublin where their young King was which after some resistance yeilded The King returning Conqueror from Ireland dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign by him the City of Aberdeen was built 74. Donald the sixth Constantine the seconds Son succeeded A. D. 894. He was a Religious and good King fit for either War or Peace he had some Ingagments with the Danes and sent Assistance to the King of England against them toward the latter part of his days he was troubled with Intestine broils for the Murrays and Rosses invading one another committed great Insolencies to quench this Fire the King came upon them with a great Army and taking the Leaders of the Faction put them to Death for an Example to others He dyed the eleventh year of his Reign 75. To him succeeded Constantine the third Ethus's Son A. D. 905. A Valiant but unfortunate Prince the perfidious Danes having broken their League with him joyned with the English but within four years they met with such measures as made them glad to return to the Scots Whereupon followed a hot and cruel War wherein Constantine found himself so unsuccessful that he resigned his Crown and betook himself to a Monastery where he dyed the fortieth year of his Reign 76. Malcolm the first Donald the sixths Son succeeded A. D. 943. A valiant Prince and severe Justitiar A Peace being made with England wherein Cumberland and Westmorland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland to be holden in Fee of the Kings of England this Prince passed the rest of his days in executing of Justice which he did with such strictness that some Villains in Murray-Land conspired against him where he was Traiterously killed the ninth year of his Reign 77. Indulf Constantine the thirds Son succeeded A. D. 952. A brave Warrior the Danes Landing in the North with a huge Army he went against them there in a pitch'd Battel he routed them but dyed himself in the Battel the ninth year of his Reign 78. To him succeeded Duff Malcolm the first 's Son A. D. 961. A Prince who much studied the Peace of his Country he went about his Northern Circuits where he kept his Courts severely punishing Malefactors coming at last to the Castle of Forress suspecting no harm was Traiterously murdered by the Captain and his Wife who were afterwards apprehended and put to a cruel Death 79. To him succeeded Culen Indulfs Son A. D. 966. Who having revenged the late Kings Death soon after became a most Flagitious and wicked Prince deflowring his own Daughters and Sisters He was killed by Rodard a Noble man at Meffen this Daughter he had deflowred the fourth year of his Reign 80. Keneth the third Duffs Brother succeeded A. D. 970. The beginning of his Reign was good executing of Justice severely finding his Nobles averse to deliver up ther Friends and Vassals who troubled the Peace to Justice he called a Convention of the States at Scone where having Clandestinely conveyed some Men in Arms where the Nobles were convened made them all Prisoners telling them that so it would be untill they did give up those Rebels to Justice they finding themselves thus hooked sent to their Friends to perform the Terms of their Liberation thus in a short time he had five hundred notable Thieves delivered up them he caused to be every one hanged upon Gibbets close by the Castle of Berth The Danes with a great Fleet of Ships Landing in Angus destroyed all before them till they came to Berth where the King and his Army ran-countered with them there followed a most bloody Battel the Scots beginning to give Ground were made to Rally by the means of one Hay and his two Sons who hearing as they were at Plowing not far from the Field that the Scots fled came each of them with a Club in his hand and renewed the Battel putting the Danes to flight there they were all cut off the King amply rewarded him giving him so much of the best Land in Scotland as a Faulcon off a Mans hand flew over which was six miles in length and four in breadth this was the Original of the Noble and Ancient Surname of Hay But that which darkned all this Noble Kings Acts was his causing Malcolm Prince of Scotland to be Poisoned making a Law that the Eldest Son or Nephew of the deceased Prince of what age soever he be shall succeed to the Crown with divers others Laws of the like Nature At last coming to the Castle of Felercarne the Lady Grof had the Kings Image in Brass in the midst of the House with a Golden Apple in his hand the King upon the Ladies desire pulling the Apple out of the Images hand was shot through the Body with an Engine that was made in it for the purpose He dyed the twenty fourth year of his Reign 81. To him succeeded Constantine the fourth Surnamed the Balde A. D. 994. He came to the Crown by Usurpation he was killed in Battel at Cramond in Lonthian the second year of his Reign 82. Grimus Duffs Son Usurped the Crown A.D. 996. Malcolm whose Right it was sent to the Nobles acquainting them how far he was wronged which Grimus hearing of caused the Messengers to be cast into Prison which was like to have been the beginning of a War yet they were seemingly agreed for that time by one Horthadus a Bishop but not long after his Vices being intolerable Malcolm was brought home from England who killed him in Battel the eighteenth year of his Reign 83. Malcolm succeeded to the Crown A. D. 1004. A Noble and Valiant Prince in his time Sweno King of the Danes being banished his Country and coming to Scotland was converted to Christianity and supplyed with Men for reducing his Kingdom yet to his great loss he soon after made War against Malcolm who utterly routed his Army several times This Prince was killed by a Conspiracy of some of his Nobles in the Castle of Glames the thirtieth year of his Reign the Conspirators flying in the Night chanced to pass over the Pool of Forfar upon the Ice where the Ice breaking they all miserably perished 84. Duncan the first Malcolm the seconds Grand-son by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded A. D. 1034. He was thought to be of too indulgent a Spirit for Governing that fierce and untractable People Bancho of whom are descended the Ancient and Royal name of Stewarts was in his time Thane or Earl of Lochaber He was Traiterously murdered by his Cousin Makbeth the sixth year of his Reign 85. To him succeeded Mackbeth Malcolm the seconds Daughters Son A. D. 1040. Altho' he came to the Crown by Treachery and Blood-shed yet he Governed for a time pretty moderately but at last brake out into all kind of Tyranny and Cruelty forcing his Nobles
to the servilest of his Work which they being not able to endure Macduff Earl of Fife Posts to England where he found Malcolm the late Kings Son at King Edwards Court whom he invited home to revenge his Fathers Death and possess the Crown which was his own by right Malcolm suspecting Treachery pretended several excuses to try Macduffs sincerity but when he found him Cordial he declared his Willingness Whereupon getting assistance of Men from King Edward he entred Scotland Macbeth hearing of his arrival went about to oppose him but Macduff surprizing him in his Castle of Dunfinnan killed him with his own hand the seventeenth year of his Reign 86. Malcolm Surnamed Kanmor Son to Duncan the first succeeded A. D. 1057. He was a worthy Prince and in Compensation of their Service and Loyalty in his Restauration created many Earls Lords Barons and Baronets commanding that their Lands should be called after their Names He made also his Thanes Earls many new Surnames began at this time as Calder Lochbart Gordoun Seytown Lander Kennethe Meldrome Schau Liberton Livermond Cargill Strachan Ratray Dundass Meazeis Mertine Cockbourn Lesly Abercromby At this time also William Duke of Normandy conquered England which was the occasion that these Surnames being expelled their Country came to Scotland viz. Ramsay Vans Lindsay Lownal Towres Preston Bissat Foules Wandlaw Maxwell from France came the Names of Frazer Sintcare Boswel Montray Montgomry Boyes Campbel Beaton At this time Walter Son to Fleance came to Scotland who shortly after was created high Steward of the Kingdom King Malcolm was killed at the siege of Anwick by one Robert Moubray who came from the Castle upon a light horse holding in his hand a Lance with the Keys of the Castle upon the point of it King Malcolm looking stedfastly to the Lance the other run him through the Eye with it escaping to the next Wood Whereupon King William changed this Moubrey's Name to Percy King Malcolm dyed the thirty sixth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunfermling 87. Donald the seventh Sirnamed Bane being Malcolm Kanmores Brother usurped the Crown A. D. 1093. But within a year he was expelled by Duncan base Son to the foresaid Malcolm 88. Duncan the second usurped the Crown but did not enjoy it long being killed by Macpendar Earl of Mearnes at Taich by procurement of Donald the seventh who after was Crowned King He gave the North and West Isles to the King of Norway for his assistance to recover the Crown He was taken Captive by Edgar his Successor and put in Prison where after some years he dyed miserably 89. Edgar Malcolm Kanmores Son succeeded A. D. 1098. He was the first anointed King Governing with great Wisdom and Sobriety He dyed the nineteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 90. To him succeeded Alexander the first Sirnamed Fierce A. D. 1107. Soon after his coming to the Throne certain Traitors were by his Chamberlains means let in to his Chamber intending to have killed him in Bed but he being surprised at their noise got out of Bed and caught a Sword in his hand wherewith he killed the Chamberlain and six of the other Traitors the rest hasted away but being pursued and some of them overtaken Confessed that divers of the Nobles were in the Conspiracy them the King pursued killing some and taking others He dyed in Peace the seventeenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 91. To him succeeded his Brother David the first A. D. 1124. He possessed Northumberland and Cumberland Huntington and Westmorland He married Maud Daughter to the Earl of Northumberland who dyed in the flower of her Age for which the King took such Grief that he resolved never to Marry again but gave himself wholly to works of Charity He purged his Court from all Vices so that his whole Family were given to Vertuous Exercises no Rioting nor Drunkeness nor Lascivious or wanton Songs were suffered This Victorious and Religious King dyed in Carlyle the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Dumfermling where King James the first visiting his Tomb called him a Sore Saint to the Crown 92. Malcolm the fourth Sirnamed the Maiden next Heir after King David began his Reign A. D. 1153. A just and mild Prince in the beginning of his Reign there was a great Famine in Scotland whereof many dyed Sumerled Thane of Argyle taking advantage of the present Calamity raised a Rebellion purposing to make himself King but he was soon crush't his Friends killed and himself forced to fly to Ireland soon after being invited to London by King Henry of England under pretence of confirming him in his Title to Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland he carried him with him into France where he had Wars for that time he no sooner was returned home then he made War with England to the great loss of both Kingdoms He dyed at Jedburgh the twelfth year of his Reign 93. To him succeeded William his Brother Sirnamed the Lyon A. D. 1165. He demanded Northumberland which by Right belonged to his Crown to be re-delivered to him which the King of England being taken up with Wars in France durst not altogether refuse but condescended to let him have such parts of it as his Grand-father possest but soon after he was by a Stratagem taken Prisoner at Alunick and sent to France where the King of England was whence not long after he was Ransomed with a sum of Money being returned home he expelled all the Murrays out of Murray-Land for that they were Seditious and Tumultuous in his absence About this time the Pope sent to King William a Sword with the Sheath and Hilts all of Gold set about with precious Stones with a Hat or Diadem giving him the Title of the Defender of the Church After this he retired to Bertha where he stayed not long when by a sudden Inundation of two Rivers Tay and Almond the Towns Walls were beat down the Castle demolished the young Prince and his Nurse with several others drowned the King himself narrowly escaping He founded and built the City of Perth granting to it several great and ample Priviledges He dyed the forty ninth year of his Reign and was buried in Aberbrothick 94. His Son Alexander the second succeeded to him A. D. 1214. Having pacified all Rebellions at home he led his Army into England where having made Peace with King John he married his Sister Afterward he went into France and renewed the old League with this Addition that neither of them should receive or protect the Enemies of the others Kingdom nor Marry with any Stranger without making one another privy thereto In the mean time his Queen dyed without any Succession within a year after he married Mary Daughter to Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France who bare to him Alexander the third in his time came Cardinal Egadius into Britain to beg Money for the Holy War of which he got a great deal but
convened his Nobles intending to determine the right of Inheritances which some had unlawfully kept in these unsettled times this begat a Conspiracy which being detected a meeting was held at Perth there by their own Papers many were Convicted and Executed but some Pardoned In the mean time a Legat came from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See to threaten the Scots into a Peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marched as far as Stainmore Edward in revenge raiseth a most powerfull Army Robert therefore considering that his force would not be in case to resist so great a Power caused all the cattel to be carryed unto the Avious retreats of the Hills that they might not be serviceable to the Enemy whereupon the English for want of Victuals were forced to retire Bruce pursues them as far as Yorke there he obtained a great Victory About this time the family of the Hamiltons took their rise one of them killing an English Gentleman fled to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day Bruce now having subdued his enemies begins to compose himself to the cares of Peace and by Act of Parliament settles the Crown upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stewart his Grand-child by his Daughter soon after Thomas Randolph and James Dowglas were sent with a flying party of horse into England from whence they returned without any considerable action saving only that Dowglas with two hundred horse beat up the English quarters cutting two ropes of the Kings Tent with his Sword and made a good retreat Bruce finding himself wasted with Age retyred to the Abby of Kilross leaving these three Counsels behind him First not to let one man Solely command the Ebudae Secondly never to put all their strength at one Hazard with the English Thirdly never to make long Truces with them Thus he dyed leaving Charge with the Valiant Dowglas to go to Jerusalem whither himself designed an Expedition which the Dowglas performing he afterward Joyned with the Christian Princes against the Turks and Saracens where he obtained several great Victories He purposing to return home was driven by a Tempest upon the Coast of Spain where he joyned with the King of Aragon against the Saracens and obtained great Victories at last he was killed by an Ambushment that was laid for him of purpose thus ended the Noble and Valiant Dowglas one of the most renowned warriours that lived in his days It is said that he was thirteen times Victorious against the Turkes and Sarazens and fiftie seven times against the English In the preceeding age there was a Gate in Dansick called the Dowglas port in memory of this Dowglas King Robert dyed at Cardross the twenty fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 98 To him Succeeded his Son David Bruce A. D. 1330. Being seven years of age Thomas Randal who was continued Governour kept the country in entire peace and prosperity which King Edward hearing of hired a Monk to kill Randal by poyson the Monk giving out that he had great skill in curing the Stone where with the Government was sore troubled came to be in favour with him which gave him opportunity to perpetrate his Villany how ever the Poyson did not take effect at first but the Monk returned home and told King Edward that he had done his business who immediately raising a great Army came to the border of which the Governour being advertised presently marched against him himself not being able to ride nor go was carryed in a litter when King Edward heard that the Governour was there in person he sent an Herald under pretence of seeking peace whom the Governour received with a very austere countenance when Edward was by the Herald certified of the truth of his being alive he returned home and burnt the Monk alive The Governour returning home dyed at Musselbrough after his death the Earle of March and the Earle of Marr were chosen Governours in which they were scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Balliol was seen in the Fryth with a formidable Fleet his Army consisted of both English and Scotch the Earle of Stafford with divers other English men of note were with him the Governours raised two great Armies to oppose the Balliol he came near the water of Hone where he pitched his Tents the Earle of Marr also encamped within view of him but he slighting the smallness of their number took little care of himself the Balliol in the night time passed the water of Erne having intelligence of the Ford by a stake set up for that purpose and entering the Earle of Marrs Camp killed him in his Bed with many other Noble men and Gentlemen namely the Earle of Carrick Sir William Hay Constable of Scotland Alexander Frazier also Robert Keith Lord Marshal Balliol past immediately and beseiged Perth and soon overcame it The Earle of March being encamped at Ochterarder and hearing of the Earle of Marrs death and the taking the Town of Perth marched thither and beseiged it but after he had filled the Ditches and put himself in a case to make an assault he most shamefully left it thereupon 99. Balliol usurped the Crown at Scone A. D. 1332. coming from thence to Perth they that adhered to David Bruce beseiged him and his party upon the other hand his adherents wasted and destroyed the beseigers country Perth being well fortified was by the King committed to the Earle of Fiffe as Governour of it but the Sons of them who were killed with the Earle of Marr at Duplin beseiged and took it committing the Governour to the Castle of Killdrummie Andrew Murry of Tullibardin was Executed for fastning the stake in the Ford of the River Erne whereby Balliol and the Englishmen were directed the Night wherein they Surprised the Earle of Marre Therefore John Kandal Earle of Murry and the Earle of Galloway gathered a great Army and came against Balliol and quite routed him killing many of his Nobles and taking many Prisoners the Kingdom being thus divided the one part for Balliol the other for Bruce the King of England thinking it a fit time for him to make a full Conquest of Scotland raised a great Army and beseiged Berwick mean while Archibald Dowglass raised an Army and entring the Borders Burnt all before him to divert the King of England from the Seige King Edward advertised of this sent a Messenger to Sir Alexander Setonn who was Governour telling him that if he did not presently render he would hang his two Sons whom he had in his hands which he refusing to do the two Young Gentlemen were presently hanged then the Governour came with an Army to Northumberland where a most Bloody battel was fought on Halidown-hill and the Governour himself with many Nobles killed thereupon Berwick was rendered and Edward Balliol Established King who sought by
Hepburn came with fresh Men to the Scots Whereupon the English retreated leaving eighteen hundred of their Men dead in the place and a hundred and forty taken Prisoners among which were the two Peircies above mentioned But the Valiant Earl of Douglass dyed in this Battel being thrice run through the Body and Mortally wounded in his Head which was a greater loss and Grief to his Nation then the gain of this Victory could ballance The next year a Parliament was called at Perth wherein Robert Earl of Fife the Kings second Son was elected Governor the King himself by reason of his great Age not being able to Govern He was a Valiant Victorious and fortunate Prince in all his Wars for his Governours and Captains returned always with Victory He was very constant and a great Iustitiar hearing patiently the Complaints of the Poor causing all wrongs to be redressed He dyed peaceably in the Castle of Dun-Donald the seventy fifth year of his Age and the nineteenth year of his Reign The same year John his eldest Son was called to succeed who thinking that Name ominous to Kings and there wanted not Examples as of him of England and him of France and thinking something of the Felicity of the two former Roberts was Crowned by the Name of 101. Robert the third A. D. 1390. He was more remarkable for his Peaceableness and Modesty then for any other Vertue the first seven years of his Reign were past in Peace by reason of his Truce with England but not without some fierce Fiends among his Subjects especially the Clankays and Clanchattes the King seeing the Difficulty of reducing them made this Proposition to them that three hundred of each side should try it by Dint of Sword before the King the Conquered to be pardoned and the Conqueror advanced this being agreed to a place was appointed upon the North-side of Perth but when the Clans presented themselves there was one of one side missing whom then his party could not supply A Trades-man steps out and for half a French Crown and promise of Maintenance during his Life filled up the Company The first was furious but none behaved himself more furiously then the other Mercenary Champion who was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side their remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the stroak of the other threw himself in the Tay and escaped with his Life By this means the fiercest of the two Clans being cut off the remainder being Headless were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes which was the first time that Title was known in Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of his Reign tho' the Truce was not expired yet the Seeds of War began to bud upon this occasion George Earl of March betrothed his eldest Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Douglass incensed at this got a Vote of Parliament to revoke this Marriage and giving a greater sum of Money got a Marriage confirmed in Parliament betwixt David and Mary his Daughter The Earl of March nettled at this demands Redress but not being heard he leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Percy who with his Assistance did much hurt to the Lands of the Douglasses the Scots declare the Earl of March an Enemy and sends to demand him of the English which they refusing several Incursions happened upon both sides till at length Piercy was defeated by the Douglass's at Lynton-bridge At this time David Earl of Cravford and the Lord Welles in England ingaged to run certain Courses on Horse-back with sharp Spears for Life and Death upon London-bridge which they performed most gallantly The People Perceiving the Earl of Cravford to sit so stifly cryed the Scotch man was lock'd in his Saddle he hearing this leapt out of the Saddle upon the Ground and presently mounted again to the great wonder of the Beholders The second time they run without any hurt but the third time the Lord Welles was beat out of his Saddle and sorely hurt with the fall By this time the Queen dying her Son David who for his Extravagancies was by her means kept under restraint broke out into his former disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and wickedness complaint being brought to his Father he committed him to his brother Robert this Design was to root out all that Off-Spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Faulkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one Woman thrusting in some Oaten Cakes at a Chink and another giving him Milk out of her Breasts through a Trunk but both these being discovered the Youth being forced to tear his own Flesh dyed of a multiplyed Death which Murder being whispered to the King he was so abused by the false Representations of his Brother that Grief and Imprecations was all the relief that he had left him and being now retired sickly to Boot Castle and unable to punish him The King therefore Solicitous to preserve James his youngest Son is resolved to send him to Charles the sixth of France And having taking shipping at the Bassas he passed by the Promontory of Flambrough and whether he was forced by a Tempest or that he was Sea-sick he was forced to Land there he was taken by the English and detained Prisoner notwithstanding the eight years Truce and tho' it came to be debated at the Councel Table yet his Detention was carried in the Affirmative But the News so struck his aged Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried to his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and Sorrow He dyed within three days the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Pasley Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour about four years after Donald of the Isles enters Ross as his pretended Inheritance with ten thousand Men which he easily subdued thence he went to Murray and Mastered it also and so went on to Aberdeen to stop this Torrent Alexander Earl of Marr followed by most of the Nobility met him at Harlaw where they joyned in so bloody a Battel and lost so many noble and considerable Persons that tho' Night parted them neither could pretend to the Victory to this year the University of S. Andrews owes it's Rise The English being taken up with a War with France nothing considerable was acted between them and the Scots for ten years after at which time Robert the Governour dyes and Murdoch his Son a very unfit Person was put in his place who suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy that they were not only offensive to the People but with all disobedient to their Father who having a brave Faulcon which his Son Walter had often begged but in vain he
Kings Favourites were impeached amongst which Arch-Bishop Laud was one and soon after him the Earl of Strafford This Year 1641. His Majesty went towards Scotland where he was entertained with great Demonstrations of Affection and confirmed the Treaty between the two Nations by an Act of Parliament which he summoned himself during his abode there In the mean time the horrid Rebellion in Ireland broke out wherein those cruel Butchers did most barbarously murther about 200000. Protestants Men Women and Children The King being then in Scotland moved the Parliament to send thither Sir George Monroe with 2500. men to reduce the Rebels The King being returned from Scotland the Parliament then sitting at Westminster the breach daily grew wider wherefore the Scotish Commissioners interposed between the King and Parliament for composing their differences which were now grown to such a height that the King not long after left London and returned to York Now began the Calamity of a sad War for which they began Vigorously to make preparations on both sides The Scots finding as they pretended that the King was refractory to an Agreement with his Parliament and giving ear to those vile Libels that were spread abroad which accused His Majesty of conniving at the Papists both in England and Ireland being called by the Parliament to their assistance entred England Jan. 16. 1643. their Army being in number 18000. Foot and 2000. Horse In the mean time matters are fitting in Scotland by James Earl afterward Marquess of Montross who having received the Kings Commission by Sir Robert Spotswood to be General Governour of Scotland passed into the heart of the Kingdom where he raised what men he could for the Kings Service resolving with them to divert the Covenanters They upon the other side raised an Army to oppose him Their first Rencounter was near Perth where the Covenanters under the Command of the Lords Elcho Tullibardine and Drumond were quite routed here the Atholmen and Irishmen of which he had 1500. did him good service From thence he marcht Northward to Aberdeen where at the Bridge of Dee he defeated another Body of the Covenanters under the Lord Burleighs command After this Victory he went about most of the Northern Countries and brought a great many of them under Subjection though himself and his Army were reduced to great straits by reason of the coldness of the weather and scarceness of Victuals yet he would not give over his enterprise From thence he marched into Argileshire where he burnt destroyed all before him and returned back again to Lochabor He stayed not long there when hearing that Argile was coming against him and was already the length of Innerlochy He resolves finding his men bent for 't to fight him which accordingly he did and quite worsted him Not long after he had an absolute Victory over General Major Hurry at a place in the Highlands called Aldearn which did very much weaken the Covenanters And Baily resolving revenge at Alford was served with the same sauce himself The next Victory that this Valiant Champion obtained was at Kilsyth a fatal day it was to the Covenanters for here they lost a great many Gentlemen of Quality besides a vast number of common Souldiers yea such of their Leaders as escaped this bout finding as they thought their strength quite gone fled some to England others to Ireland and some also came in and Submitted to Montross upon Mercy Thus things being in humane probability brought to great order Montross receives Orders from the King at Oxford to march Southward with his Army Where His Majesty promised to send him some recruit of Horse to fight Sir David Lesly who was coming from England against Montross But Lâ—sly preventing the Kings recruits surprises Montross at Philiphaugh where he quite routed him Thus the wheele of Fortune turnes now upon this gallant Nobleman who was Conqueror hitherto and forces him with a very few followers to shift for himself leaving many of his Friends dead in this fatal place Montross by this loss being brought very low he marched toward the North with the few men he had and after many endeavours to make up his Army again he is surprised by a Message from His Majesty Commanding him to lay down his Armes and go into France where he should stay till further Orders which accordingly he did though with great reluctancy in the Year 1646. But to return to the Scots Army in England They after they had served the Parliament upon several occasions and particularly at Marston-Moor where they helpt them to obtain a Victory against Prince Rupert retired to New-Castle The King being brought so low that he was hardly able to keep any thing of an Army in the Field came thither in disguise acquainting the Scotish-General That he would now commit himself to him looking upon him as a man of Honour that would do nothing but what is Just and Loyal in a matter of such weight The General answered His Majesty He would with all his heart serve him and that the most effectual service that he thought he could do him was to mediate a Peace between His Majesty and His Parliament The Parliament being Advertised that the King was in the Scotish Army sent their Messengers thither to know upon what account they detained the King of England in their Camp who were only called in to assist the Parliament but not to Act by themselves Telling them further That if the King were in Scotland as he was then in England they would not presume to keep him up from his Subjects there as the Scots did in England the Committee of the Army answered That they knew very well the People of Englands Right to the King to be as good as theirs neither did they detain His Majesty from them but that he was with them as their King in no wise under restraint but at full Liberty as became his Majesty to be And further that it was their earnest desires to see a well-setled Peace between His Majesty and his two Houses Presently after they had another message desiring them to return home for that the Parliament had no further service for them thanking them withal for the Service they had done The Committee replyed that they came not to England without the Parliaments call and that the Terms upon which they were invited thither were not fulfilled by the Parliament their Army wanting almost 500000 l. of their Arrears That upon payment of it they would go home At last it was agreed that the Scots should have 200000 pound of their Arrears in hand and the rest should afterward be sent after them So that within weeks after they would draw the Army out of England As for the Kings Person it was agreed That he should be kept by the English in Honour and Splendor suitable to his Royal Dignity and that nothing should be transacted in England concerning His Majesty without the Advice and Consent of the Scots Thus were they
befooled by perfidious men which brought a great reproach upon Them and their Posterity Though it be false that they Sold him yet it is a sad truth that His Majesty told them that the English would no longer stand to their Agreement than they thought it for their Interest His Majesty being now in the English's hands they at first carried themselves somewhat respectfully to him but they began soon after to appear like themselves having purged the House of Commons of all such as they thought would oppose them they began to keep His Majesty almost a close prisoner in the Isle of Wight The Scots hearing how the King was thus contrary to the promise and engagement abused by the English sent their Commissioners to London to put the Parliament in mind of the agreement at New-Castle but before they came the Game was altered the Parliament being purged by the Army the barbarous Juncto prove unexorable wherefore the Commissioners return home and acquainted the Nobility how matters stood Whereupon an Army is presently listed under the Duke of Hamilton with which he marches to England but is unfortunately overthrown at Preston most of the Souldiers being killed and himself taken prisoner and brought up to London where not long after he together with the Earl of Holland and Lord Capel were Executed on Tower-hill Within a few days his Majesty is brought from the Isle of Wight to Windsor during his abode there the Officers of the Army and the Members they left in the House proceeded to that height of Insolence as to bring the King to a Tryal Which when it was Voted and passed in the pretended House of Commons they proceeded to make an Act for the Tryal of his Sacred Majesty which they intituled An Act of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament for Erecting of an High Court of Justice for Trying and Judging Charles Stewart King of England This Terrible form of proceeding against his Majesty struck great terrour to the hearts of all sober and good men yea the Presbyterian Ministers who before were against him now declare themselves both in their Pulpits and by earnest Petitions to the Parliament to be zealous abhorrers of the Kings Death and every where make publick Protestations against the Tryal yet nevertheless the Juncto goes on And upon Fryday January the 19 th 1648. his Majesty was brought by a strong Guard of Horse from Windsor to St. James's and from thence to Westminster where he was Tryed and found Guilty contrary to the Laws of God and Man And upon January the 30 th about two a Clock in the Afternoon he submitted his Royal Neck to the Fatal stroak upon a Scaffold Erected between White-Hall Gate and the Gate leading to the Gallery to St. Jameses The 24 th year of his Reign he was Interr'd in St. Georges Chappel at Windsor His sacred Majesty that now Reigns being at this time in France with the Queen Mother is by Unanimous consent of all his Subjects in Scotland proclaimed at Edenburg Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Scotland England France and Ireland c. and presently after they sent their Commissioners to treat with His Majesty who was then in the Isle of Jerzey After much debating on both sides at last Breda in Holland is agreed upon as a fit place for a solemn Treaty Here the Commissioners from the Church and State met the King and delivered the Propositions During the Treaty the above-mentioned Marquess of Montross was seized in Scotland and Executed which troubled his Majesty so much that it went nigh to break the Treaty but at length through the urgency of Affairs it was concluded And being brought to Edenburgh it was agreed that another Message should be sent to invite the King over to take Possession of the Crown which was his own by an unquestionable Title but the English Parliament replyed If they could hinder it it should not be so Wherefore they prepare an Army to invade Scotland under the command of their General Oliver Cromwell However the Scots no wise daunted at the Storms threatned from England resolved to adhere to his Majesty though upon their own terms The King arriving at the mouth of Spey in the North several Lords were sent to accompany him to Edenburgh but in the mean time Cromwell was advanced as far as Haddington against him Sir David Lâ—sly sent Sir John Brown with a Party of Horse which continued skirmishing for some while but produced no great Effect The next Rencounter was at Dumbar where the Scots had a Bloody Overthrow from Cromwel which did exceedingly strengthen his Interest in Scotland The first work that the Scots went about after this disaster was the Coronation of the King which was done at Scone with as great Solemnity as the state of Affairs could allow The Ceremony being over His Majesty removed to Sterling resolving to debate his right to Cromwell where people of all ranks flocked to him insomuch as in a short time he had an Army of 22000 Men but they dividing amongst themselves gave Cromwel opportunity to pass over forthwith defeating a part of the Kings Army at Innerkething possest himself of the whole Country His Majesty seeing after the defeat that Cromwel was like to Conquer all Scotland makes choyce of his most faithful Friends to venture with him into England where he might with more safety and advantage hazard three Kingdoms than in a Field wherefore with 16000 men he privately marched to England by the way of Carlyle and without any considerable opposition came to Lancashire where at Warrington Bridge some considerable Forces of the Parliament were ready to cut down the Bridg but the Scots were with them so suddenly that they prevented the breaking down of the Bridg forced their way over the Planks Hence his Majesty marched to Worcester in very good order Cromwel hearing of his motions sends Lambâ—rt with a select Party of Horse after him the Parliament also raised numerous Forces in most Countryes in England all which marched to Worcester against the King In the mean time Lambert gained a most Advantagious Pass at Hopâ—on by a desperate attempt having caused some of his Troopers to swim the River on Horseback carrying their Houlsters and Pistols in their hands to save them from wet whereby they put Major General Massey and his men to the retreat So that the Parliamentarians had a fair opportunity to make a Bridge over the River over which Cromwel passed and joyned the rest of the Army which put the King upon a necessity of Fighting the City being attacked on all sides Whereupon his Majesty marched out of the City with horse and foot against them Where followed a most desperate engagement insomuch that his Majesties Horse was twice shot under him every man resolving to dye in the Bed of Honour rather than to have their Prince and Country thus trod upon by the base Usurpers But the Enemy still advancing with
that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered into the hands of the Scots with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross in in Richmondshire the French Ambassadors also proffered great and tempting things withal puting the King in mind how true they have been to him for so many years since the first making of the League The King and his Council after mature deliberation declare they will not break the Ancient League with France whereupon the English Ambassadors turned from Prayers to Threatnings and being denied friendship denounced War But the King no wise moved hereat presently prepared his Ships and with a company of able and skilful Mariners set his Daughter to Sea and having escaped the English Fleet that waited for her safely arrived at the Rochel A. D. 1430. The English to revenge this supposed afront invades Scotland both by Sea and Land against their forces commanded by Henry Piercy of Northumberland went James Dowglass Earle of Angus with several Gentlemen their numbers were much about one the lists of their meeting was Popperden Adam Hepburn of Hales and Alexander Elphinston led the Vanguard of the Scots Sir Richard Piercy and Sir John Ogle of the English Sir Alexander Ramsey of Dalehouse and Henry Clidsdale kept the Rears no sooner came they within distance of Joyning but the sounds of Drums and Trumpets was out noised by the shouts of the Assailants Guns being about this time invented were here first practised between the Scots and English in an open field then the fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides now the Scots then the English yielding ground many of the Commanders at length began to fall most of the English then was the Piercy at once constrained to be both Commander and Souldier but all would not do at last Victory declared her self altogether for the Scots two hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers of the Scots were slain here Of the English dyed Sir Henry Cliddsdale Sir John Ogle Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers and four hundred taken prisoners of which forty were Knights King James resolving to prosecute this War raised an army and cometh to Roxburgh beseigeth the Castle defended by Sir Ralph Gray But when he came so near his designe that they within were driven to terms to Surrender The Queen in great hast cometh to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy which if not suddenly prevented would indanger his person and Crown this put the King in great astonishment not knowing what to do at last after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts raiseth the seige disbandeth the Army and accompanied with some chosen bands of his most assured friends Perplexed Pensive and Sad returned to Perth staied in the Convent of the Dominicans indeavouring so secretly as was possible to find out the Conspiracy but his close practising was not unknown to the Conspirators which made them hasten the mischief before tryal or remedy could be thought upon The Conspirators were Robert Graham Robert Stewart Nephew to Waller Earle of Athole and one of the Kings sworn Domesticks but he who gave motion to all was the Earle of Athole he himself the Kings Fatthers Brother this quarrel was no less then a pretended Title to the Crown and being animated by the Oracle of a Southsayer who assured him that he would be Crowned in a solemn Assembly before his death never doubted of success These having associated unto them the most audacious whom hope of preferment might intice Thus Graham and Stewart which were accomplices guided with resolution and guarded with the darkness of the Night came to the Black-fryers of Perth and having the way made open to them entred the Gallery before the Kings chamber door where they attended some of their Confederates who should have stole away the bar by which means they might enter the chamber but before their coming the occasion was put in their hands for Walter Streater one of the Kings Cup bearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men rushing rudely to force their entry with a loud voice gave the alarum of Treason while they were working his death a Maid of Honour got to the Door and essayed to shut it but the bar which should have made it fast was gone she thrust in her Arm in the place of it but that easily broken the conspirators rush into the Chamber and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence they at last stroke down the King whom while the Queen by interposing her body sought to save she received two wounds and he with twenty eight most toward the heart was left dead The report of this Murther being spread abroad wrought incredible Sorrow and Grief in the Hearts of his Subjects of all sorts the Nobles of their own accord and motion Assembled to Edenburgh and directed Troops of Armed men through all the quarters of the Kingdom to aprehend the Murtherers such diligence was used that within forty days all were taken and put to Ignominious Deaths the common sort of the Conspirators were hanged upon Gibbits the punishment of Athol was continued for three days the first day he was Stript naked to his shirt and by a Crane fixed in a Cart often hoisted aloft and thus dragged along the great street of the Town on the second day he was mounted upon a Pillar in the Market-place and crowned with a Diadem of burning Iron with this Inscription the King of all Traytors thus was his Oracle accomplished the third day he was laid naked upon a Scaffold his belly ript his Heart and Bowels taken out and thrown in a Fire before his eyes lastly his Head was cut of and fixed in the most Eminent place of the Town his Body sent in quarters to the most populous Cities of the Kingdom to remain a Trophy of Justice His Nephew was not altogether so vigorously handled being only hanged and quartered But it being notorious that Graham had imbrewed his hands in the Kings Blood a Gallows being raised in a Cave he had his Right hand nailed to it and as he was dragged along the Streets Executioners with burning Pincers tearing the most Fleshy part of his Carcass being thus torn and flayed his Heart and Intrals were thrown into a Fire his Head set up and his Quarters sent among the Towns to satisfie the wrath and sorrow of the injured People Being asked during his Torture how he durst embrew his hand in his Princes blood he made answer that having Heaven and Hell before him he dared leap from Heaven into Hell an answer worthy for such a Villain Dueas Sylvius then Legat in Scoltand from the Pope having seen this sudden and Terrible revenge being a Witness of the Execution Said he could not tell whether he should give them greater Commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with a sharper Condemnation that distained themselves with so Hainous a parricide Thus dyed this