Northumberland and Westmerland the Lords Beaumont and Dacres Grey and Wells were slain and above Thirty six thousand English struck down The Dukes of Somerset and Excester flie to York to carry the News to the unfortunate King leaving the Victory to Edward who is again saluted King King Henry after this overthrow perceiving how desperate his hopes were in his own Countrey with his Queen his Son and the remainder of his dispersed friends secured himself by flight into Scotland Iames Kennedy Bishop of St. Andrews to whose person the Authority of the State was then reduced received him with magnificence and honor and put him in hopes by the assistance of Scotland to restore his fortune King Henry as well to reserve some Refuge and Sanctuary for himself as to win the heart and insinuaâ—e himself in the favor of the people of Scotland caused render the Town of Berwick to them which the English had violently possessed since the days of Edw. 1. For which favor the Scottish Nobility vowed at all times to come to his supply and defend him to their uttermost and that the friendship begun might continue without all vacillation the Queens of Scotland and England both descended of the French Race began to treat of an Alliance promising Edward Prince of Wales should be marryed with the Lady Margaret the King of Scotlands Sister none of them then having attained the years of marriage The miseries of King Henry increasing suffered not these two Queens to stay long together Margaret with her Son Edward to implore the ayd of her friends maketh a Voyage towards France to her Father Rhene King of Sicily Naples and Ierusalem Duke of Anjou a Prince large of Titles short of Power These who had followed King Henry into Scotland whilest he is left onely intentive to devotion in the Cloyster of the Gray-Fryers at Edenburgh return back again to sollicite their friends in England for a second rencounter Upon the arrival of Queen Margaret in France the obtaineth of her cousin Lewis the eleventh that those who favored and assisted the Duke of York were prohibited Traffique and commanded to remove out of the Frenh Dominions and that Five hundred Soldiers should come to her ayd a number so small and so unworthy the name of an Army that it was but a competent retinue for so great a Princess with these she came to the coast of Scotland and from thence sailed to Tinmouth where being repulsed by the Inhabitants and forced again to put to Sea sâ—e was by a furious Tempest driven to Berwick Here leaving the Prince her Son Edward with the enâ—rease and supply of some Scots taking the King her husband with her she advanced into the Bishoprick of Duresm in her march through Northumberland her Army increased to a great number The Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Percy and divers of King Henrys well-wishers having resorted unto her King Edward finding King Henry by the fresh air of the North to have acquired new Spirits prepareth to oppose him and having sent down the Lord Mountague brother to the Earl of Warwick he himself with greater Forces shortly followed Mountague having through the Shires where he went and the Bishoprick of Duresm gathered a convenient Army marched directly against King Henry In the mean time Henry â—eaufort Duke of Somerset the Lords Hungerford Ross Moulines Sir Ralph Percy present themselves to hinder his further progress They are overthrown and King Henry with great difficulty escapeth to Berwick At the news of this overthrow King Edward being in his March towards Durham finding the presence of his Person or Army needless turned towards York and gave the Earl of Warwick command to take in all the Castles and Fortresses which as yet held good for King Henry in the North. Amongst the Garrisons placed in Northumberland by the Queen there was a Garrison of the French in the Castle of Anwick under the Command of Peter Bruce otherwise named le Seigneur de la Varoune Seneschal of Normandy which held long good against the English This Peter Bruce was in great account with Charles the seventh father to Lewis but sent over with Queen Margaret to make wrack upon apparent dangers having escaped Tempests at Sea he took the Castles of Bambrough and Dunstanbrough which he demolished After he essayed to keep the Castle of Anwick but the Earl of Warwick King Edward lying near to Durham there beleagured him Whether this man came from the Race of the Bruces of Scotland or no is uncertain for the vulgar Writers in this detract him naming him Bryce and a Bretone or that the Scots would give a proof of their friendship to the Queen of England and of their valour to the French whilst he is everywhere beset and near past hope of relief the Earl of Anguss then Warden of the Marshes raised a Power of twenty three thousand horseâ—men remarkable for their Valour These about the midst of the day coming near the Castle of Anwick and by their colours and arms being known a far to Captain Bruce he taketh a resolution to sally out and meet them the strongest of the Scottish Horsemen rrceiving them convoy them safely to their Borders some of the Besiegers would have fought in the pursuit but the English General gave him fair passage King Edward having taken all the Castles and Forts which in the North held out against him placing Garrisons in them returned to London as King Henry void both of counsel and courage came back to Edinburgh Here he had not long stayed when tired with the tediousness of his exile the prolonging of a wretched Life being more grievous to him then death it self and allured by false hopes of his Friends he resolveth to hazard upon a return to his own Kingdom his Grown lost all his Favorers and wel-wishers almost slaughtered he cometh into England then disguised and by night journeys shifting from place to place at last betrayed by some of his Servants he is found out It is recorded a Son of Sir Edward Talbots apprehended him as he sate at Dinner at Wadding Town-hall and like a Common Malefactor with his legs under the horse belly guarded him up towards London By the way the Earl of Warwick met him who led him Prisoner to the Tower Margaret his desolate Queen with her Son is driven once again to flie to their Father Rhene into France King Edward his Competitors all dead or suppressed finding a Cessation of Arms expedient and a breathing time from War to settle and make sure his new Government as to other his neighbour Princes for peace sendeth Embassadors to Scotland to treat for a Truce for some years The Earl of Argile Bishop of Glasgow Abbot of Holyrood-house Sir Alexander Boyd Sir William Cranstoun being chosen to this effect Commissioners come to York and the English Commissioners there attending them a Truce for fifteen years is agreed upon and solemnly by both Kings after confirmed Mary Queen of Scotland daughter to
Guilielmus Drummond de Havthornden Hos Gloria Reddit Honores R Gaywood fecit 1654 THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND From the year 1423. until the year 1542. CONTAINING The LIVES and REIGNS OF JAMES The I. the II. the III. the IV. the V. With several Memorials of State During the Reigns of Iames VI. Charls I. By WILLIAM DRUMMOND of Hauthornden LONDON Printed by Henry Hills for Rich. Tomlins and himself and are to be sold at their houses near Py-Corner THE PREFACE TO THE READER TO Speak in Commendation of History in general were so many waies superfluous that we shall rather leave it to the experience of sober and inquisitive minds than injure the High Elogiums given of both the greatest and wisest Antients and Moderns by a disadvantagious Repetition of them And for to say any thing concerning the Countrey which was the Scene of the actions here represented we conceive it needless and improper in regard we are immured by one Sea breath one air speak one Tongue and now closed together by an happy Coalition under one Government The proper work therefore is to offer what can be said of the History and the Author and so dismiss the Reader to the Entertainment of the Book it self For his manner of Writing though he treat of things that are rather many than great and trouble some than glorious yet he hath brought so much of the main together as it may be modestly said none of that Nation hath done before him And for his way of handling it he hath sufficiently made it appear how conversant he was with the Writings of Venerable Antiquity and how generously he hath emulated them by an happy imitation for the purity of his Language is much above that Dialect he writ in his Descriptions lively and full his Narrations clear and pertinent his Orations Eloquent and fit for the persons that spâ—ak for that since Livys time was never accounted Crime in an Historian and his Reflections solid and mature so that it cannot be eâ—spected that these leaves can be turned over without aâ— much pleasure as profit especially frequently meeting with so many Glories and Trophies of our Ancestours yet because either of these may a little abate in respect the beginning seemâ— a little abrupt and precipitious the Author possibly dying before â—e could prepare an Apparatus or Introduction we have taken the pains out of other Records of that Nation to draw a brief Representation of some passages necessary to be foreknown The direct Royal Line of Scotland failing in Alexander III. Son of the II. of that name who when he a few years before had lost both his wife and all his hopeful and numerous issue nothing remaining of it saving a Girl to his Daughter brought to Hungonan King of Norway The Nobility hereupon meet at Scone and put the Kingdom into the hands of six Persons Edward of England sends to demand the Daughter Grandchild in marriage as next Heir of the Crown This was agreed unto Embassadours sent for her but the death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation The death of this Margarite so was she called was the firebrand that set England on fire and had almost destroyed Scotland For two Competitors declared themselves both powerful and of great Estates in Scotland and strongly supported with Forein Confederacies for Iohn Baliol had engaged the English Interest and Robert Bruce the French But to be a little clearer we must look back The line thus failing they were forced to run back to the line of David Earl of Huntington Brother to King William this David by his Wife Maud Daughter to the Earl of Chester had three Daughters Margâ—â—â—t married to Allan of Galloway the second to Robert Bruce sirnamed the Noble the third to Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington who made no claim Now thus it stood Dornagil the wife of Baliol claim'd it as grandchild by the Eldest Daughter and Bruce as great Grandchild by the second saying It was not fit that Daughters should inherit when there were Sons to represent the Ancestor Baliol he was neerer as being in the second degree and the other but in the third The Controversie growing high and boysterous and the Power and Interests of both parties at home being equally formidable and dangerous they resolved to refer it to King Edward who comming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his Assistance pretends all Equity but rais'd up eight other petty Competitors the better to weakon the claim of the other two and so handled the business whilst the Lawyers were slowly consulting that Bruce having refused to accept the Crown in Homage and Tribute from England he declared upon his acceptance of those conditions IOHN BALIOL to be King who was Crowned at Stone But soon after an appeal being made against him to King Edward by Macduff Earl of Fife and he refusing to riâ—e from the Seat where he sate to answer but being inforced by the King so to do became so aliened in his affections from the English that a new quarrel breaking out between the French and the English and both by their Embassadours Courting the Scottish Amity it was resolved to adhere to the French and renounce the Homage to England as obtained by Fraâ—d and Force Edward enraged at this having obtained a Truce for some few Moneths with the French assails Berwick by Sea but with some loss which enflames him the more summons Baliol who refuses proâ—ers it to Bruce takes Berwick by Stratagem enters Scotland masters the Countrey takes Edinburgh and Sterlin and forces Baliol to a surrender at Forfar and sends him Prisoner to London whither himself returns having made most of the Nobility do Homage and left the Earl of Surrey his Deputy Baliol soon after is sent into France leaving his Son Edward as Hostage for his fidelity Edward sets â—ail for France the Scots rise and make some little Incursions into the Borders But about this time Siâ— William Wallas arose who to his Honour did so Heroically deâ—end his Countrey in her weakest condition as made it easily appear if he had had as happy a fortune to advance as he had a miserable to relieve he might have been remembred 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 the safety of his life he became inured 〈◊〉 â—uch hardness that awaking his natural Courage he 〈◊〉 the Head of all the Male-contents and filled both the Kingdoms with his Reputation and Terror and behaving himself according to expectation glean'd up to a tumultuary Army and the Nobility being either sloathful or cowardly commanded as Baliols Vice-Roy Thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forth took Dundee Aberdeen and other places when there arrived rumour of an English Army which he was not willing to dispute with but upon his own Terms Edward that had fortified all the Considerable places and kept the
example the Countess of Ross abhorring the fierceness and cruelties as she gave out of her barbarous Husband but rather out of policy to be an Agent for him flyeth to the King and hath Revenues allowed her for the maintenance of her Estate Not long after the Earl of Ross himself the misadventure of his Confederates having taught him now some wisdom having seen the Kings clemency towards others equal to him to Treason and Rebellion by many humble supplications craved pardon and begged peace The King by his great prudence and the course of the affairs of his Kingdom knew that it was necessary sometimes to condiscend to the imperfections and faults of some Subjects and having compassion apply and accomodate himself to that which though according to the strictness of equity was not due yet for the present occasion and reason of State was convenient answered he would neither altogether pardon him nor 〈◊〉 eject him there being many signs of his wickendness few of his changed minde when honestly without fraud or guile he should erave a Pardon and give satisfaction to those whom by blood and pillage he had wronged and by some noble action deface the remembrance of his former crimes then should it be good time to receive him Notwithstanding this should not discourage him but he should know he had a desire to make him relish the effects of his bounty so he himself would finde the means and subject In this interim he wished him to keep the common peace of the Countrey and not oppress any of his Neighbours About this time the University of Glasgow waâ— founded by William Turnbul Bishop of that Sea William Hay Earl of Arole George Creighton Earl of Caithness William Lord Creighton died 1455. and the Bishop of St. Andrews is made Chancellor The King partly having loosed partly cut in pieces that Gordian knot of the League of his Nobility began to reobtain again the ancient Authority of the Kings his Predecessors giving and imposing Laws to his Subjects according to reason and greatest conveniencies Shortly progressing through the Quarters of the kingdom by the sound counsel and instructions of the Bishop of St. Andrews Iames Kennedy and William Saintclare Earl of Orknay used such clemency that in a short time he reclaimed all his turbâ—lent subjects In the year 1455. he held a Parliament where he ratifyed what was resolved upon to be done for the peace and weal of his People establishing many profitable Laws for the posterity after this time Ambassadors came from England and France unto him Henry the sixt King of England a soft facile Prince and more fit to obey then command having restored in blood and allowed the descent of Richard Plantagenet Duke of York the Duke under pretence and countenance of reforming the State and removing of bad Counsellors from the Court the umbrage of all Rebellions by one Iack Cade an Irish a bold man and who had a Spirit which did not correspond with his low condition who fâ—igned himself to be a Cousin of his of the House of Mortimer and other his Instruments raised a Rebellion which began amongst the Kentish men and was after continued by his confederacy with the Duke of Norfolk Earls of Warwick Salisbury Devon and others and notwithstanding he had sworn fealty to King Henry at Blackheath again openly took arms against him at St. Albans where in pitched field Edmond Duke of Somerset his greatest Competitor and who had been preferred to his place in the Regency of France was killed the King wounded taken and committed in the Tower of London At a Parliament after the Duke is made Protector of the kingdom at another Parliament he maketh claim for the Crown as in his own Right laying down thus his Title The Son of Anne Mortimer Daughter and Heir to Roger Mortimer Earl of March Son and Heir of Philip the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the â—hird Son of King Edward the third and elder Brother to Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster is to be preferred by very good right in Succession of the Crown before the Children of Iohn of Gaunt the fourth Son of the said Edward the third but Richard Plantaginet Duke of York is come of Philip the Daughter and sole Heir of Lionel third Son to King Edward the third then to be preferred to the Children of the fourth Son who was Iohn of Gaunt and so to Henry the fourth the Usurper his Son to Henry stiling himself Henry the fifth his Son and Henry the sixth now wrongfull calling himself King of England This Parliament chosen to the Duke of Yorks own minde at first various at last unanimously enacted that Henry during his life should retain the name and honour of a King but that the Duke of York should be continued Protector of the Countrey and be declared Heir Apparent and Successor of the Crown after the death of Henry Margarite the Queen Daughter to Rheny King of Sicily more couragious then her Husband disclaimeth the Parliamentary Authority and this Agreement of her King with the Duke of York as a matter done to the prejudice of her Son and against the Laws of Nations which admit not a forced Contract and done by a Prisoner The Crown of England hanging at this point the Queen to her defence imploring the aid and assistance of her best greatest Friends and Allies sendeth Embassadors to King Iames. These remembring the duties one King oweth to another against Rebels and the Usurpers of their Crowns the correspondency and amity of King Henry with King Iames during his prosperity expostulating the cruelty of the Rebels against Edmond the late Duke of Somerset Uncle to King Iames slain by them in defence of his Prince promise in their Kings Name Queens and their Sons with the approbation of the Noblemen of their Party to restore to the Kings of Scotland the lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Bishoprick of Durham after the manner the Kings of Scotland in former times had held these Territories of the Kings of England so he would raise an Army and advance to their aid and supply The Duke of York sent hither also his Ambassadors giving in many complaints against King Henry he had oppressed the people with taxations and all kinds of exactations he had preferred to places of State and Government new men by whose Counsel and his Queen he governed only he despised the old Nobility he had lost Normandy and Gascony as France had been lost by him England was likely to run the same danger They could not longer suffer his dull sluggishness and his Wifes exorbitant pride he was courageless in War and base in peace For the Duke of York if Justice did not warrant his claim except his Descent were undisputable and his Title without all exception he would not desire the possession nor succession of the Crown King Iames should remember it was King Henry who entertained the late Dissentions and Civil Discords of Scotland
calamity of his house the weakness of his friends at Court and the many snares envy and malice had laid to surprise him he hoisted â—ails and with her who would be partaker of all his misfortunes returned to Denâ—mark from Denmark by Germany he came to King Lovys in France who interposed his requests to King Iames for his regress and restoring but the Letters in his favour producing no effects Charles Duke of Burgundy making war against his Rebel Subjects he was graciously received by him and entertained as his Ally his Lady remained at Antwerp where she bore him two children Iames and Gracile 1469. Lady Margaret the 10. of Iuly 1469. or after others 1470. maketh her entry into Edenburgh and scarce having attained the sixteen yeer of her age is married to King Iames in the Abby Church of Holy-rood house and in the moneth of November following by a convention of the three Estates was Crowned Queen The King in exorable in the behalf of the Earle of Arran and breathing his total Ruine sendeth Letters to Antwerp filled with promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland These at the first prevailed nothing with this Lady to make her forsake the husband of her youth many letters and from several friends and well-wishers in several fashions and stiles coming to her at last she was brought to believe her presence would mollifie the minde of her enemies and work her husband a re-establishment of his former favors with the King her brother and restore him to all his possessions and dignities Upon which hopes she comes to Scotland But these hopes proved all false for in stead of having access to her brother she is kept at Kilmarnock the chief house of the Boydes as in a free prison and her husband is summoned within threescore dayes to adhere to his wife under pain of Divorce the unfortunate Earle for fear of his head not appearing his marraige is declared null his wife is divorced from him and is constrained by her brother to marry Iames Lord Hamilton to whom also the Earledome of Arran was given for Dowry Not long after her two children to Earle Thomas Iames and Gracille are brought to Scotland who in the proceeding of time proved little more fortunate then their father for Iames was slain by Hugh Montgomry of Eglinton and Gracille though first marryed to the Earle of Cassiles and after to the Lord Forbess was barren Some have recorded that the Earle Thomas after this violent bereaving him of his wife dyed of displeasure at Antwerp and had a Tomb raâ—sed over him with an honorable Inscription by Charles Duke of Burgundy others who hate the Boydes tell he dyed not at Antwerp but at Florence and that he was killed by a Merchant of Florence out of jealousie of having abused his wife Queen Maragret the third yeer after her marriage in the month of March brought forth a son who was named Iames and Christern King of Denmark to congratulate the happy delivery of his daughter and of expectation of a continued succession to the Crown of Scotland of his Race released all the right title claim which he or his successors might have to the Isles of Orkenâ—y Scythland The King calleth after a Parliament at Edenburgh wherein though the Reformation of abuses as wearing of silk and other foraign triffles the building of Ships and enacting Laws for the present time were pretended a liberal Subside was the greatest aime His Exchequer being empty and many of his best friends turning necessitous and needy Iohn Lord of the Isles was attainted for his own and his Father misdemeanour the King raiseth forces to pursue him the Earle of Crawford being made Admiral the Earle of Athole the Kings Uncle Lieutenant of the Regiments by land such means in a short time was used by the Earle of Athole that the Lord of the Isles submitted himself to the Kings elemency and in a convention of the States at Edenburgh he resigned all the right he had to the Earledome of Ross the lands of Knap-den and Kintyre which the King annexed to the Crown Patrick Graham Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews having at Rome understood the fall of the Boydes returneth to his own countrey where first amongst his friends and the most peaceable sort of the Clergy he divulgateth the Bull of the Pope for his supremacy over the other Churchmen of the Kingdome and his power of their tryal and promoting to benefices and after caused proclaim it at all publike places The laudable Elections anciently used about the Places and Offices of Churchmen by the corruption of the times being taken away and that Power altogether assumed by the King The Courtiers who were accustomed to sell Benefices and the Churchmen who were wont to buy them reject the Bull and set themselves against him by their traffick he is discharged to take the Place or Ornaments of an Archbishop or carry any other Cross or Cap then what the former Bishops used to have But here they set not up their rest William Schevez a man in those times admired for his skil in Astrology and promoted to be Arch-Dean of Saint Andrews seconded by Iohn Lock the Rector of that University a better Grammarian then Christian excommunicates this Archbishop for his presumption and that he sought to bear rule over his Brethren Bishops When this censure had passed upon him he is degraded and shut up in Prison William Schevez is after promoted to his place and consecrated upon the Passion Sunday in Lent at Holy-rood house the King being present he likewise receiveth the title and faculty of Legate and is confirmed Primate of the Realm notwithstanding the impediments objected to Patrick Graham by the Church-men concerning that same dignity and preheminencie So various and deceitful are the wayes of Men. The King being slow to action and more inclined to a solitary form of life then to travel and business his brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless Spirits to whom publike like imployments were recreations and withall being ambitious prodigal desirous of Rule and to be Governors of the people themselves and Kings in fact how ever their elder brother was in title they set themselves altogether to study novations and bring the King in contempt with his subjects and divert their minds and love towards him To this effect they had drawn by their towardness and familiarity many of the young Nobles and Gentlemen to follow them The King was obnoxious to some publike scandals for by his too great frugality care to increase his Treasure and study of purchasing by taxations sale of Church Benefices and too exact taking up of fines supervaluation of Wards he had gotten the Name of covetous and was not small distast amongst the Commons Edward King of England that the Scots by the instigation of the French should not trouble his new and scarce settled government imploying all his counsels and diligence to divide them amongst themselves wrought not alittle on the unquiet spirits of these young men The Duke of Albany having been taken upon the Seas by the English was honorably intertained by him and with great hopes sent home after which time King Edward
a Feaver and his Feaver advanced to a Phrensie This sickness increasing that he might be more neer to the Court and his friends in the night he is traâ—sported to the Cannons Gate in Edenburgh the King compassionate of his disease sendeth his Physitians to attend him they to restore his understanding which was molested open some veins of his head and armes in which time whether bâ— his own disorder and misgovernment in his sickness the bands being loosed which tyed the lancing or that they took 〈◊〉 great a quantity of blood from him he fainted and after sowning dyed unawares amongst the hands of his best friends and servants These who hated the King gave out that he was taken away by his command and some writers have recorded the same but no such faith should be given unto them as to B. W. E. who was living in that time and whose records we have followed who for his place could not but know and for his profession would not but deliver the very truth certain Witches and Sorcerers being taken examined and convicted of Sorcery at this time and being suborned they confessed that the Earle of Marre had dealt with them in prejudice of the King and to have him taken away by incantation For the Kings Image being framed in wax and with many spels and incantations baptized and set unto a fire they perswaded themselves the Kings Person should fall away as that image consumed by the fire and by the death of the King the brothers should reach the Government of the State with such vanities was the common people amused Alexander Duke of Albany imputing the death of his brother to the favourits of the King and avouching them to have been the occasioners of his distraction stirred the Nobility and People to revenge so foul a deed but whilst he keeps private meetings with them of his Faction in the Night to facilitate their enterprise betrayed by some of his followers he is surprised and imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh Out of which about the appointed time of his tryal by the killing of his keeper he escaped and in a Ship which to that effects was hired sailing to the castle of Dumbar of which he had the keeping he passed to France After the escape of the Duke of Albany the Lord Evandale Chancellor of the Kingdome raising the power of the nearest Shires beleaguered the Castle of Dumbar the besieged unprovided of victuals as men expecting no such alterations betake themselves in small Boates to the Sea and came safe towards the Coasts of England The Castle having none to defend it is taken some Gentlemen in persuit of the flying souldiers by their own rashness perished The Kings of Scotland and England tossed along with civil troubles and affecting peace with all their neighbors by an equal and mutual consent of thoughts send at one time Ambassadors to one another who first conclude a peace between the two Nations and that the Posterity might be partakers of this accord contract afterwards an Alliance between the two Kings It was agreed that the Princess Cicilia youngest daughter to King Edward should marry with Iames Duke of Rothsay when they came to yeers of discretion A motion heard with great acceptance but it was thought by some familiar with King Edward and in his most inward Counsels that really he never intended this mariage and that this negotiation aimed onely to temporize with Scotland in case that Lovys of France should stir up an invasion of England by the King of Scotland King Louys at this time had sent one Doctor Ireland a Sorbonist to move King Iames to trouble the Kingdome of England and to give over the projected marriage which when King Edward understood knowing what a distance was between things promised and performed to oblige King Iames and try him more strongly to the bargain that this marriage might have more sway he caused for the present maintenance of the Prince and as it were a part of the Dowry of Lady Cicilia deliver certain sums of money to King Iames. Notwithstanding of which benevolence the the witty Louys wrought so with the Scottish Nobility that King Iames sent Ambassadors to the King of England entreating him not to assist the Duke of Burgundy his brother in Law against King Louys which if he refused to do the Nobility of Scotland who were now turned insolent would constrain him by reason of the ancient league between the French and the Scots to assist the French The Duke of Albany during his aboad in France had marryed a daughter of the Earle of Bullogine she was his second wife his first having been a daughter of the Earle of Orkenay a Lady of great parentage and many friends who incessantly importuned King Louys to aide the Duke for the recovery of his inheritance and places in the State of Scotland out of which he was kept by the evil Counsellors of his brother Louys minding to make good use of his brother and underhand increasing discords and jealousies between him and the King of England slighting his suites told him he could not justifie his taking of Armes to settle a Subject in his inheritance That Princes ought to be wrought upon by perswasion not violence and he should not trouble a King otherwayes then by Prayers and Petitions which he would be earnest to perform Upon this refusal the Duke of Albany having burryed his Dutchesse troubled with new thoughts came to England King Edward with accustomated courtesies receiving him giveth him hopes of assistance entring of in communication with him how to divert the Kingdome of Scotland from the invasion of his Dominions at the desire of the French the Agents and traffickers of Louys lying still in Scotland and daily bribing and soliciting the Scots Nobility to necessitate the English to stay at home The Duke freely and in the worst sense revealed the weakness of his Kingdom that his King was opinionative and had nothing of a Prince in him but the name His ungoverned Spirit disdained to listen to the temperate Counsell of sober men obeying only his own judgement Such who govern'd under him were mean persons and of no account great only by his favour and indued with little vertue who ruling as they listed and excluding all others made use of his Authority for their own profit and advantage The Nobility were male-contents and affected a change in the Government which might be easily brought to pass by the assistance of King Edward If he would help to raise some civill broyls and discention in the Nation it selfe he needed not to be in fear that they could or would trouble his Country by any invasion The King hearing the Duke manifest what he most affected approving his judgement promised him all necessaries and what he could desire to accomplish the design and he undertaketh by some fair way to traffick with the Nobility of Scotland for an alteration of the present form of Government After a dangerous
intelligence the Lords of Scotland who under the shadow of the publick good but really out of their disdain and particular interests conspired against the King send the Duke word the golden Age could not be fram'd nor Arms taken for the good of the Common-wealth nor the State alter'd without the frequestring of those from the King who misgovern'd him And these could not be remov'd by that power which was amongst themselvs without great danger and trouble considering the Kings faction and the malignant Party If King Edward would agree to the raising of an Army in England in favour of the Duke of Albanie and for restoring him to his Places and inheritance out of which he was most unjustly ejected and other pretences of which they should afford the occasions which no way should do harm to the Kingdom of Scotland disorder'd already and laid waste more by the license of a Tyrant in peace then it could have been by war and at this time bestow upon them favours as they might one day hereafter challenge to receive the like The Nobility of Scotland should be ready with an other Army not to fight but to seize upon the Kings Favourits and Misgovernors of the State for which the English should have many thanks That this Enterprize could not but prove most successfull the hatred of the Commons considered against such violent oppressions The King was fallen into so low esteem that assaulted by the English he would be constrain'd by the submission of his Crown to intreat for safety The Kâ—ng of England understanding this was to touch the finest string of State and Dominion for it is a matter of much consequence and main importance to defend the subjects of an other Prince for under this Mask and pretence of protecting the Liberties of a People of assistance and aid an usurpation and oppression of all liberty might be hidden and many have established and settled themselves in those Kingdoms which they came to relieve from tyranny and the oppression of their Rulers keeping by force what was granted to them at first by way of trust and under the colour of helping usurped a Soveraignty agreeth easily to what was demanded and resolved upon The Lords of the Association to play more covertly their Game and mask their intentions the Commons ever suffering and paying for the faults and errors of the great ones give way for the breaking loose of the Borderers Fierce incursions by the English are made upon Scotland and by the Scots upon England some Villages on either side are burnt The secrecy to this business which was inviolably observed was of great importance which is the principal knot and try of great affairs Rumours are spread that the Dukes of Gloucester and Albany with Iames late Earl of Dowglass and Alexander Ierdan and Patrick Halyburton men proscrib'd and upon whose heads a price was set were at Anwick with a powerful Army and in their march towards Kelsoo The King wakened out of his Trances by the Alarms of his Nobility and clamours of the people made proclamations to all between sixty years and sixteen to meet him at Edenburgh and to be in readiness to oppose their old enemies of England now come upon the Borders After many delayes and much loytering an Army is assembled by the Nobility which consisted of and a number of Câ—rts charged with small Ordinance New incursions being blazed to have been made by the English the King amidst these Troops marched to Lawder The Army was encamped and all things Ordered the best way the occasion could suffer them little or nothing being left to Fortune if the English should invade whom the Lords knew were not at all yet gathered and though gathered and in a Body and upon the Bordâ—rs or nearer would never invade them The King at this time is mâ—rvellously perplexed and become suspitious of the intentions of his Nobility in this Army in this confusion of thoughts fell upon two extremes In his 〈…〉 conversation too familiar and inward with his 〈…〉 Servants and favourites which rendred them 〈◊〉 believing the bare name of King to be sufficient whilst weakness and simplicity had made him despised and them hated and too retired reserved and estranged from his Nobilitie which made them malicious This he did as his pensiveness conjectured that his Nobles should not attempt any thing to the prejudice of his royal Authority independent of any Council But what he most feared came to pass he resolved and dispatched all matters by his Cabinet Counsel where the Surveyor of his Buildings was better acquainted with the affairs of the State than the gravest of his Nobility This preposterous course of favour made the great men of the Kingdom to fall headlong upon their rest though long projected attempt After many private conferences in their Pavilions the Chiefs of the Insurrection as the Earls of Anguss Lennox Huntley the Lords Gray Lile and others about midnight come together in the Church of Lawder with many Barons and Gentlemen Here every of them urging the necessity of the times and the dangers the Common-wealth was like to fall into requireth speedy resolutions and having before premeditated deliberated and concluded what to follow they draw up a League and confederation of mutual adherence in this order Forasmuch as the King suffereth himself to be governed by mean persons and men of no account to the contempt of the Nobility and his best Subjects and to the great loss of the Commons The confederates considering the imminent dangers of the Kingdom shall endeavour to separate the Kings Majestie from these naughty upstarts who abuse his Name and Authority and despise of all good men and have a care that the Common-wealth receive no dammage And in this quarrel they shall all stand mutually every one to the defence of another The design agreed upon and the confederacy sworn the chiefs of them in Arms enter the Kings Pavilion where after they had challenged him of many misorders in his Government contrary to his honour the Laws and good of his Kingdom they took Sir William Roger a man from a Musitian promoted to be a Knight Iames Homill Robert Cochran who of a Surveyor of his works was made Earl of Mar or as some mittigate that title Intromittor and taker up of the Rents of that Earldom by whose devise some Authors have alleged copper moneys had been coyned by which a dearth was brought amongst the Commons which as others have recorded was an unjust imputation for that copper money was coined in the Minority of the King in the time of the Government of the Boyds with others All these being convicted by the elamours of the Army were immediately hanged upon the Lidder Iohn Ramsey a youth of eighteen years of age by the intreaties Prayers embraces of the King was preserved Thus they the late objects of envy were turn'd and become the objects of Pity and Compassion The body of the Commons and the Gentry of
the Kingdome by this notorious act at Lawder being engaged and being made Partakers of the Quarrel of the discontented Noblemen and for their own safety tyed to second and assist all their intentions and to advance their ends The King is conveyed to Edenburgh and shortly after he either enclosed himself in the Maiden Castle as his lodging or which is more probable was there by the contrary faction committed as his Prison the Earl of Athole and some other Lords being appointed to attend him During this time the general humour of the kingdom being ripe for mischief Alexander Duke of Albany every thing falling right as it was plotted prevailed so with King Edward that the Duke of Gloucester the King of Englands Brother with the title of Lieutenant general for him set forwards toward Scotland The Army consisted of two and twenty thousand and five hundred In his retinue went of the Nobility Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Lord Stanley with them was the Duke of Albany The Earl of Dowglass came not being reserved for an after game The Duke of Albany having been before Commander of Berwick and a Man who was still in his absence beloved of that Garâ—ison diverted the Duke of Gloucester from Anwick where he had incamped in lune to assail the Town of Berwick By his intelligence they enter the Town without great opposition and it is given up to their discretion The Castle by the Lord Haills the Captain was made good against their assaults The Duke of Gloucester fore-seeing that this Siege would spend much time considering the uncertainty of events and being invited to march forward by the Lords of the association of Scotland committing the charge of assailiâ—â— the Castle to the Lord Stanley Sir Iohn Elrington and Sir Wâ—lliam â—arr with the body of the Army marched directly to 〈◊〉 The Countrey lay open to their invasion no Army taking the Field to oppose them they came in Scotland the twentieth day of August 1482. the Army encamped at Restlerig 〈◊〉 Duke himself entred the Town of Edenburgh which at the intreaty of the Duke of Albany who was his Harbinger he spar'd receiving such presents as the Citizens offer'd unto him His entry seeming rather a Triumph than hostile invasion The Kiâ—g being shut up from him and immured in the Castle the Duke by a publick writing at the Market Places gave out high Demands That King Iames should perform what he had covenanted with his Brother King Edward That he should give satisfaction for the damage done the English during the last inroads of the Borders which if he refused to accomplish He as Lievtenant to his Brother was to exact of him and take satisfaction of his Countrey denouncing him open war and proclaiming him all Hostility King Iames for saken of his People and wrong'd by his Lords laying aside his Passions and taking to him more moderate and discreet thoughts as a Man in Prison answered nothing to his Demands The Lords who by their Kings misfortune had reckoned their felicity having obtain'd what they chiefly desir'd to obviate the common and last danger the thraldom of their kingdom by these strangers whom they had drawn into the Country for the recovery of their Liberties assemble themselves together at Hadington with some Companies not to fight but to supplicate They sent the Lord Darnley and the elected Bishop of Murray to intreat a suspension of Arms and require a firm and lasting Peace for time to come The beginning of the war and taking of Arms was for the safety of this the neighbour Countrey of England miserably thral'd by a licentious Prince there was nothing more unworthy of a King or Republick than not to keep their promis'd Faith The English could have no colour for executing their indignation further upon this Countrey which already by the rapine of their own Men was impoverish'd and unmanu'd Only now to be recover'd by entertaining Peace with their Neighbours and amongst themselvâ—s They require that the Marriage contracted between the Prince of Rothesay and Lady Cicily King Edwards Daughter might be accomplish'd when it should please the King of England and the age of the two Princes might suffer it For any spoyl taken in these last incursions the interest consider'd upon both sides satisfaction should be given out of the publick contributions The Duke of Glocester as forgetting and seeming not to know the grounds of their coming into the Country and looking to nothing more then his own fame and Glory Answer'd his coming into Scotland was to right the honour of his Country so often violated and to restore the Duke of Albanie unjustly commanded to exile to his own native soyl and the dignity of his Birth as concerning the Mariage of the Prince of Scotland with the Daughter of England He knew not how his Brothers resolution stood at the present whereupon he requir'd repayment of the monies lent to their King upon the first agreement and withall a delivery of the Castle of Barwick up into his hands or if they could not make the Castle to be render'd they should give their oaths upon the holy Evangelists that they should neither assist the besieged nor harm the Besiegers till the Castle were either by force taken or upon fair conditions rendred The Lords having received this answer yielded freely to all the Conditions except they found themselves perplexed in the rendring of Berwick it being a Town of old appertaining to the Crown of Scotland though by force and violence the English had a long time kept it that did not take away their right and title After much contesting agreeing to the surrender of Berwick they desired that the walls of the Town should be demolished that it might not be a place of Tyrannie and incursion over their bordering Countreys No arguments could prevail against the Duke of Gloucesters resolutions and being stronger in power he persever'd in his demans and in â—ll likelihood this was agreeed upon between the Duke of Albany and the confederate Lords and the English before their entring Scotland Thus the Castle and Town of Berwick returned to the English the 24. of August 1482. after it had been delivered by Queen Margarite to gain Sanctuary for her Husband King Henry when expelled England and remained in the possession of the Scots twenty and one years They likewise appointed a day for restitution of all the moneys lent by King Edward and promised upon a full discussion to make satisfaction for all dammages done the English by any in-road of the Scottish Borders For the Duke of Albanies provision whose safety was principally pretended in this expedition a general pardon was promised for him and all â—is followers Together with an abolition of all discontents Whereby he had given unto him the Castle of Dumbar with the Earldoms of Mar and March he should be reinvested in all his former Dignities and Places and by consent of the Nobility of Scotland he was proclaim'd Lieutenant of the Kingdom
The Peaceproclaimed the Duke of Gloucester in all solemnity of greatness returned towards London being welcomed by the King with many demonstrations of great joy He to show how much he approved the conditions of this Peace went solemnly in procession from St. Stevens Chappel now the Parlament House accompanied with the Queen his Sister and a mighty retinue of the greatest Lords into Westminster Hall Where in presence of the Earl of Anguss the Lord Gray and Sir Iames Liddale Embassadours extraordinary from Scotland the peace was ratifyed At the return of the Scots Embassadours to their Countrey King Edward sent an Herauld with them who in his Masters name gave over the marriage contracted between the Lady Cicilia and the Prince of Rothsay and required the money which had been delivered upon hopes of consummation to his King The Citizens of Edenburgh had given their Bond for the redelivery and a day being granted to them for the payment they at the appointed day intirely delivered the sum Some thought King Edward recalled this marriage of a suspition he conceived that the Ambition of the Duke of Albany and the hatred of the Subjects against their King amidst the manifold distractions of the Realm might hazard the Succession of the Prince of Rothsay to the Crown But king Edward having gained what he had endeavoured most to acquire a division amongst the Nobles of Scotland and by this a Security from their assisting the French rejected the Match Besides the Duke of Gloucester who after his comming in Scotland was laying the foundations of the usurping the Crown of England his Brother once dead thought the alliance of his Brothers Daughter with a King of Scotland too strong a Support to that Race which he was to declare Bastards and a Rock upon which he was confident he should make a fearful shipwrack Neither his Brothers Daughter being marryed to a King of such martiall and turbulent Subjects as the people of Scotland durst he ever attempt the taking away of her Brothers and King Edward in neglect of this match committed a greater errour of State than he did in his marrying the Lady Elizabeth Gray and forsaking the Lady Bona Daughter to the Duke of Savoy According to the Records of some Authors whilst the King is kept nine Moneths in the Castle of Edinburgh the Duke of Albany the Lord Evandale Chancellour the Earl of Arguile the Archâ—bishop of St. Andrews the Earl of Athole his Uncle who for the preservation of his person and honour of his Office accepted the charge to attend him in that Fortress governed the State The King say the honest Records had all honour which appertained to a Prince save that he could not come abroad and none was permitted to speak unto him except in the audience of some one of his Lords Keepers and that his Chamber doors were shut before the setting of the Sun and long after the rising opened Proclamations are publisht in his name and Authority and other publick writings Such who only heard of him could not but take him to be a free and absolute Prince when near he was but a King in phantasie and his Throne but a Picture the regal Authority being turned into a cloak to cover the Passions of those who did govern The Duke of Albany dayly importuned by the solicitations Prayers and tears of the Queen a calm and temperate Lady for her Husbands Liberty finding himself not so respected by the other Governours as his birth and merits did deserve being a man who delighted in nothing more than in changes and novations of Court and State after so many scorns and rebukes offered to his Brother and King commiserating his long sufference and believing that good turns would make past offences be forgotten and recent benefits were sufficient to blot away old injuries withall remembrance of former discontents whilst the other Governours at Sterling securely passed the time posted in the night to Edenburgh Here a meeting being appointed of some of his friends and Vassals who knew nothing of his intentions by the assistance of the Citizens of Edenburgh men intirely loving their King and devoted to him all the time of the insurrection of his Nobles who gave the first assault yet was it rather their intelligence than force the Castle is surprised the King and all his Servants set at libertie This unexspected and noble act of the Duke of Albany having so fortunate a success brought a mighty change on the Court and State The King is now again reinstall'd and hath this residence in his own Palace to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen have frequent concourse rejoicing to see such evident tokens of love pass between the two Brothers if their affection could have continued The Provost and Baylies of Edinburgh in recompence of their service were made Sheriffs within all the bounds of their own Territories and rewarded with other privileges contained in that patent which they call their golden Charter 1482. The Lords of the contrary faction who remained at Sterlin by this new accident betook themselves to new thoughts and considerations every man full of fears and repinings flying to his own dwelling place and conceaving a great hatred against the Duke of Albany They said he was inconstant rash mad in setting at liberty the man who would prove his Executioner and one who would never forget any profer'd injury that if he perished before them it was but his own just deserving and procurement The Duke contemning those reproaches and answering their calumnies and evil words with patience and good deeds by the mediation of the Earl of Anguss Studied a reconciliation between the King and his discontented Lords And his endeavours had such good success that in a short time after this Atonement some of them turned so familiar and inward with the King that like the Ivy they began to sap the wall by which they had been supported They made the wound of the Kings old jealousies ranckle again and added poison to former discontents remembring him of the unnaturalness of his Brothers first Rebellion and assuring him that his antient Ambition had yet more power of him than his new fears of honesty and respect That howsoever he shewed outwardly the arguments of a reconciled Brother he loved yet to govern and aimed at the Crown That he had wrought his liberty to bring a greater confusion in the State than he had ever done before The King who ever had a watchful eye over his reconciled Enemies and who desired to be freed and fairly quited of them all gave way to their calumnies And they after long deliberation resolve upon a plot to bring the Duke within compass of law and summoned him to answer upon Treason And this was the rendring of the Town of Berwick to the English which they undertook to prove was only by his intelligence procuration and being in company with the Duke of Gloucester in that expedition Though the Duke had an absolute and general pardon
and an aboliâ—ion for all was past and the Kings hand at it they doubted not to null and make it void All being done by a King constrained by a powerful Army and a close prisoner which writing could not oblige any private man far less a King what he then bargained was upon constraint and yielded unto upon hopes of saving his life and an act exacted by force The Duke of Albany finding by the malice and detraction of a malignant faction his brothers countenance altered towards him and danger the requital of his late setting him at liberty the established reconciliation being shaken by suspitions and fancy of revenge obeying necessity fled to his Castle of Dumbar out of which he came to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester the consideration of his grievances In his absence he is convinced of many points of treason besides the being accessarie to the taking of Berwick by the English As his dangerous and long intelligence with the King of England his sending of many Messengers at all occasions unto him That without any safe-conduct or pass from his Brother and not so much as acquainting him he had left the Countrey come into England to devise conspiracies against his King and native Kingdom The Lord Creighton as his friend associate and complice is forefeited with him against whom Informations were given that often and divers times under the pretence of hunting secretly with the Duke at Albany he road into England and there meeting with Commissioners sent by King Edward he deliberated of matters concerning novations and of the altring the state That there he kept appointments with Iames Earl of Dowglass the often quench'd fire-brand of his Country That in spight of the Kings forces sent there to lie in Garrison he kept the Castle of Creighton The greatest discontent the King conceived against him was love to one of his Sisters and some feminine jealousies When the Duke understood the proceedings against himself and the Lord Creighton and that for their contumacy and not appearing to answer and give in their answer they were convict of Treason and their lands to be seased upon He caused give up the Castle of Dumbar of which he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately placed by Sea a Garrison in it About this time Edward King of England left this world 1483. and his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester did first take the name of Protector and Governor of the Kingdom of England and after his brothers Sons put in the Tower and their Mother the Queen taking Sanctuary in the moneth of Iune possest himself of the Crown The Duke of Albany finding that Richard by his change of Fortune had not changed his affection towards him imploreth his aid in restoring him to his own and repairing not his wrongs alone but a wrong done in his sufferings to the King of England sith there was now an open breach of the Truce and Peace so solemnly by him set down and confirmed by his Brother If he could be furnished but with a few number of choice men of reputation and power to pass into Scotland and take a tryal of the Minds and good will of his fâ—iends and confederates he douted not at his entring the Countrey to finde numbers who by his presence would hazzard upon the most desperate dangers Richard finding the man his Supplicant with whom he endeavoured once an intire frindship and whose advancement in Authority he had most studied condescendeth that five hundred men and Horses should be chosen upon the borders with others who were ontlawes and necessitated sometime to make incursions and with Iames the old Earl of Dowglase a man well known and renowned in the West-borders should make an in-road into Scotland The two and twentie day of Iuly the banished Champion having chosen a good number of their borderers put forward towards Loch Maben to surprize a Fair spoil a publick Market seise upon all the Buyers and Sellers which here meet and traffick every St. Magdalens festival under pretence of Devotion and the liberty of trading many English had hither relsorted at the twelfth hour of the day when the Merchants and Countrey-people were in greatest security the burâ—e is invaded and not bloud but wares sought after the Lard of Iohnstoun who was warden and lard of Cock-pool with many stout borderers having surveyed and Ridden through the places where the people were met to prevent and hinder all disorders and dangers at the noise of an incursion of the English dispatch Poasts to the adjacent bounds for supply and in the mean time rencounter the plunderers of the Fair. Here is it fought with greater courage than force and in a long continued skirmish the danger of the loss stir'd up and incited the parties as much as fame and glory The day was neer spent leaving the advantage to either side disputable when the supply of fresh men come to defend their Countrey and friends turned the Fortune of the fight and put the English borders all to the rout The Duke of Albany by the swiftness of his Horse and the good attendance of his Servants winneth English ground but the Earl of Dowglass loaden and heavy with years and armes is taken by Robert Kirken-patrick who for that service got the lands of Kirk-michael and brought as in triumph to Edenburgh It is recorded that when the Earl was come in the Kings presence he turn'd his back refused to look him in the face considering the many outrages he had perpetrated against his Father and this late offence The King taken with the goodly personage gravity and great age of the man commiserating his long patience and cross fortune being in his young daies designed to be a Church-man confined him as in a free Prison in the Abacy of Lyndores Besides he considered that when occasion served he might bring him out of this solitariness and in these turbulent times by his counsel and presence play more advantageously his game of State being a man of long experience in the affairs of the world and the most learned of all his Nobility He was now become tyred of the Earl of Anguss the remembrance of his first offence remaining deeply ingraven in his heart and to counterpoise his greatness this was the only weight The Duke of Albany found little better entertainment in England the battel being lost some men taken and killed this being the first roade upon Scotland under the reign of Richard who had been formerly so fortunate in his own person his fame injur'd and reputation by this diminished the Duke began to be disliked and was not received with that kindness he was wont whereupon by the assistance and convoy of Iohn Liddale he secretly retired to France After the road of Lochmaben sundry incursions are made by the Scots upon the English borders and by the English upon the Scottish The Champian ground is scoured houses are burnt booties taken with great loss to
Climates Concerning his conditions He was a Prince of an haughty and towring Spirit loved to govern alone affecting an absolute Power and Royal Prerogative over his people He knew that Noble-men were of his Predecessors making as the coyn and why he might not put his stamp upon the same mettal or when these old Medails were defaced that he might not refound them and give them a new print he thought no sufficient reason could be given His reign seemeth a Theater spred over with mourning and staind with bloud where in a revolution many Tragedies were acted Neither were the neighbour Kingdoms about in a calmer estate during his reign France under Lovys the eleventh England under Henry the sixth Edward the fourth and Richard the Usurper Flanders and Holland under Charles the War-like Arnold Duke of Guilders was imprisoned by his own Son As if the heavenly Influences were sometimes all together set to produce upon this Ball of the Earth nothing but conspiracies treasons troubles and for the wickedness of the Inhabitants to deprive them of all rest and contentment This King is by the most condemned as a rash imprudent dangerous Prince good People make good Kings when a people run directly to oppose the authority of their Sovâ—raign and assume Rebellion and arrogancy for obedience resisting his fairest motions and most profitable commandments if a King be martial in a short time they are beaten and brought under If he be politick prudent and foreseeing in a longer time as wild Dear they are surprized and either brought back to their first order and condition or thrall'd to greater miseries If he be weak and suffer in his Reputation or State or person by them the Prince who sucâ—eedeth is ordinarily the Revenger of his wrongs And all conspiracies or Subjects if they prosper not in a high degree advance the Soveraignty This Prince seemeth not to have been naturally evil inclined but to have been constrained to leave his natural inclination and necessitate to run upon Precipices and dangers his turbulent Subjects never suffering him to have rest Many Princes who in the beginning of their reigns have bin admiâ—ed for their fair actions by the ingratitude of their Subjâ—cts have turn'd from one extremity to another and become their rebellious Subjects executioners He was provoked to do many things by the in solency of private men and what some call tyranny and fierceness in a Prince is but just severity He sought to be feared believing it to be the onely way to obedience It is ture injuries took such deep impression in his mind that no after service could blot them away The taking away of his Favourites made him study revenge which if he had not done he had to much of the Stoical virtues little of the Heroical These who blame Princes under a pure and absolute Monarchie for having favourites would have them inhumane base and contemptible and would deprive them of power to confer favours according to the distinguishing power of thier understanding and conceptions The choise a Prince maketh of men whom he advanceth to great imployments is not subject to any mans censure And were it bad yet ought it to be pass'd over if not approv'd least the discretion and judgement of the Prince be questioned and his Reputation wounded Favourites are shrines to shadow Princes from thier People Why should a people not allow a Prince some to whom he may unmask himself and discover the secrets of his Heart If his secrets should be imparted to many they would be no longer Secrets Why should it be imposed on a Prince to love all his Subjects alike since he is not beloved of them all alike This is a desire to tyrannize over the affections of Princes whom men should reverence He seemeth too much to have delighted in retiredness and to have been a hater of business nor that he troubled himself with any but for formalities sake more desirous of quietnes than honour This was the fault of the Governours of his youth who put him off business of State that they might the more easily reach their own ends and by making him their shadow govern after their pleasure Of this delight in solitariness his Brothers took their advantage and wan the people to their observance He was much given to Buildings and trimming up of Chappels Halls and Gardens as usually are the Lovers of Idleness and the rarest frames of Churches and Pallaces in Scotland were mostly raised about his time An humour which though it be allowable in men which have not much to do yet is harmfull in Princes As to be taken with admiration of Watches Clocks Dyals Automates Pictures Statues For the the art of Princes is to give Laws and govern their people with wisdom in peace and glory in war to spare the humble and prostrate the proud He is blam'd of Avarice yet there is no great matters recorded of it save the encroaching upon the dealing and taking the giving to whom he pleased of Church Benefices which if he had liv'd in our times would have been held a virtue He was of a credulous Disposition and therefore easie to be 〈…〉 moved some to record He was given to 〈…〉 to inquire of future accidents which if it be credible was the fault of those times Edward the fourth of England is said to have had that same fault that by the misinterpertation of a prophecy of a Necromancer which foretold that one the first Letter of whose name was G. should usurp the Kingdom and dispossess the children of King Edward he took away his Brother George Duke of Clarence which being really practised in England some Scottish writers that a King of Scotland should not be inferior to any of his Neighbor Princes in wickednes without grounds have recored the same to have bin don by this King his love was great to learned men he used as Counsellors in his important affairs Iohn Ireland a Doctour of Divinity and one of the Sorbon in Paris made Arch-deacon of St. Andrews Mr. Robert Blackadore whom he promoted to be Bishop of Glasgow Mr. William Elphinstoun whom of an Official or Commissary of Lothian he surrogated in the place of Mr. Robert Blackadore and made Bishop of Aberdeen and his faults either in Religion or Policy may be attribuied to these and his other Counsellours Many have thought that the fatal Chariot of his Precipice was that he had equally offended kindred Clergy Nobility and People But suppose this had been true why should such an horrible mischief have bin devised as to arm his own Son against him and that neither the fear of Divine justice the respect of infamy with the present or after times the danger of the example had power to divert the minds of men from such a cruel Design This was really to seeth the Kid in the Mothers milk and to make an innocent youth obnoxious to the most hainous crime that could be committed What ever courtains could be spred to
gentle disposition and mild nature and confidence in his generosity or of the trust they had in their own power and Faction they bewrayed no signs of fear nor attempted ought against the common peace and tranquility some records bear that they forewarned him by the example of his Father not to take any violent course against them or which might irritate the people against him and every thing to embrace their counsels and that finding him repining and stubborn beyond mediocrity giving himself over to Sorrow and pensiveness they thâ—eaâ—ned him with a Coronation of one of his Brothers telling him it was in their power to make any of the race of his 〈◊〉 their King if he were Head-strong and refractory to oppose to their wholsom directions and grave Counsâ—ls Amidst this Grief of the King and overweening of his supercilions Governours Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome arrived in Scotland with instrutions for the Clergy and Letters from his Master to the King and the Nobles The Kings were full of ordinary consolations to asswage his passions and reduce his mind to a more calm temper for the accident of his Fathers death The most glorious victory a Prince could acquire was sometimes to overcome himself and triumph over his disordered passions In all perturbations to which we are subject we should endeavour to practise that precept No thing too much but chiefly in our passions of sorrow and wrath which not being restrained overwhelm the greatest and most generous Minds that by passion the fewest actions and by reason the most do prosper Though a King he must not imagine himself exempt from things casual to all mankind especially in Seditions and civil tumults from which no kingdom nor State hath been free There being no City which hath not sometimes wicked Citezens and alwaies and ever an headstrong and mad multitude he should take what had befaln him from the hand of his Maker who chastiseth those he loveth What comes from heaven be should bear necessarily what proceedeth from Men couragiously there was no man so safe excellent and transcendent who by an insolent Nobility and ravaging Populacy might not be compell'd to perpetrate many things against his heart and intentions The will being both the beginning and subject of all sin and the consenting to and allowing the action being the only and main point to be considered and look into of which he was free the sin committed was not his nor could the punishment which by the divine Iustice might follow belong unto him Sith he had done nothing of himself but as a bound man had been carryed away by mutinous Subjects these that lead transgress not alwaies they that follow To these men remorse and torture of conscience belong'd it was they should lament and mourn who under false pretences had abused the people maskt their Ambition and malice with a reformation of errours in the State whose rage could not be quencht but by the bloud of ther Soveraign It was these should bewail their in justice and cruelty the sin shame and judgement for so hainous a fact followed these men He should not impute the wrongs and wickedness of others by which he had been a sufferer with his disastered Father to himself Revenge belonged to the Almighty to whose Tribunal he should submit his quarrel He should not decree the worst against his mutinous Subjects nor turn them desperate as if there were no place to repent Great offenccs ordinarily were seldom punisht in a State that it was proâ—itable for a Prince sometime to put up voluntarily an injury the way to be invincible was never to contend and to stand out of danger was the benefit of peace that he should apply soft Medicine where it was dangerous to use violent That following his Maker he should endeavour to draw Good out of evil As he was for that disaster of his Father pittyed by Men upon Earth so assuredly he would be pardoned in Heaven If his Subjects returned to their crooked Byas and did revolt again he would make the danger his own use his Ecclestastical censures and spiritual power against thâ—m till they became obedient and submitted themselves to the sway of his Scepter In the Letters to the Nobles he exhorted them to obedience Ambition was the cause of Sedition which had no limits and which was the bane and wrack of States Kingdoms of which they should beware of Kingdoms subsisting upon the reputation of a Prince and that respect his Subjects carryed towards him He was the Eye and Sun of Iustice the Prince weakned or taken away or his authority contemned the Common-wealth would not only fall into a Decadence but suffer an Earth-quake and perish Either after by Forrainers be invaded or by intestine dissentions rent asunder Confusions followed where obedience ceased and left Contempt deposed Kings as well as death and Kings are no longer Kings when their Subjects refuse to obey them That good people made good Kings which he requested them to endeavour to be as they would answer to God whose Lientenants Princes were and by whose power they ruled After this time the Lord Evaindale being dead the Earl of Anguss was made Chancelour and the Lord Hume obtained the place of great Chamberlain of Scotland the Countrey enjoyed a great calm of peace the grounds of dissention seeming to be taken away The King in the strength and vigour of his Youth remembring that to live in Idleness was to live to be contemned by the world by change of Objects to expell his present sadness and to enable himself for wars when they should burst forth gave himself to recreations by Games and with a decent Pomp entertained all Knightly exercies keeping an open and magnificent Court When time and Exercise had enabled him and he thought he had attained to some perfection in marital Sports Tilting and Barriers proclaimed Rewards propounded and promised to the Victors Challenges are sent abroad unto Strangers either to be Umpiers or Actors of Feats of Arms. Charles the eight the French King having an Ambition to reannex the Dutchy of French Bretaign to the Crown of France either by arms or the Marriage of Anne the apparent heir under the pretext and shadow of those painted Justings sendeth to Scotland some of the bravest Gentlemen of his Court desiring privily the assistance of King Iames against the English if it should fall forth that the King of England troubled his Designs Not long after well and honorably accompanied arriveth in Scotland a young man naming himself Richard Duke of York son to Edward the fourth true Inheritour of the Crown of England divers Neighbor Princes testifying the same by the Letters which contained That Edward the eldest son of Edward the fourth who succeeded his Father in the Crown by the Name of Edward the fifth was murthered by Richard Duke of Gloucester their unnatural Vncle but Richard the younger Son his Brother by the Man who was employed to
for an Epitaph Ariosto who knew him onely by fame in the person of Zerbino whom he nameth Prince of Scotland glaunceth at his worth Zerbin di Bellezza e di Valore Sopra tutti i Signori eminente Di virtu essempio e di Bellezza raro In another place but Ronzard who with his Queen came to Scotland and was his Domestick Servant deseribeth him more to the life Ce Roy D' Escosse estoit en la fleur de ses ans Ses Cheveux non tondus commine fin or luisans Cordonnez et crespez flotans dessus sa face Et sur son col de laict luy donnoit bonne grace Son Port estoit royal son reguard vigoureux De vertus et de honner de guerre amoureux La douceur et la force illustroienâ—â— son visage Si que Venus et Mars en avoient fait partage So happie is a Prince when he cherisheth and is intertain'd by the rare spirits of his time that even when his Treasures Pompe State Followers Diadems and all externall Glory leave him the sweet incense of his Fame in the Temple of Honour persumeth his Altars A Prince's name is surer preserved and more deeply ingraven in Paper than in all the rusting Medalles blasted arches entombed Tombes which may serve to any as well as to him raised with such loss of time vaine labours of Artizans vast expence to be the sport of the Windes Raines Tempests Thunder Earthquakes or if they shunne all these of superstition faction and civil Broyles After this Prince had some years rested in a Tombe not only it but the most part of the Church was made equal â—o the ground by the Armies of his Uncle King Henry the eight whose malice left him not even when he was dead proing as horrible an Vncle as Nero was a son A while after he was transported to another Vault by the piety of his matchless Grand-child Iames King of Great Britain where he was embalmed again enshrined and his Coffin adorned with the Arms of the Kingdom cognoscances and a Crown With which Honours I leave him till some famous pen encouraged by the favours of his Royal Successours raise his Fame from the dust of obscure Papers to Eternity THE END MEMORIALLS OF STATE Considerations to the KING December 1632. THere is nothing more dangerous to a King than to suffer Majesty and that sacred respect which a Subject oweth him to be violated and his Fame and Reputation lessened by other mens boldness whose presumption may lead them forwards not onely to dally with his Person but with his Crown But his ears are so often guarded by these men that he never heareth verities till he hath granted what he cannot well amend and his wounds be incurable If a Prince hold any thing dear it should be the Right and Title of his Crown which concerneth not onely himself but his Posterity out of which a small Jewel taken away maketh it the less Radiant And to all Subjects that should be as Mount Sinai not to be approached In every case we should take greater heed to what in it is hurtful than to what is in it profitable for what profit and commoditie any thing carrieth with it easily presenteth it self unto us but any one point which may hurt us unless it be observed and carefully taken away may overthrow and bring to nought all that hath been rightly intended The restoring of the Earl of Monteeth in blood and allowing his descent and title to the Earldome of Strathern is thought to be disadvantageous to the King's Majesty and that a more dangerous blow could not be given to the Nobleman himself We may easily conjecture of things to come and imagine them by those of the like nature which have proceeded The Stage of the World is the same still though in times the Actors be changed and come about again For the Kings Majesty it would be considered if Henry the sixth King of England would if it had been in his power reclaimed the approbation restoring in bloud and allowing of the descent and title of Richard Duke of York who openly in Parlament thereafter made claim for the Crown as in his own â—ight laying down thus his title The son of Ann Mortimer who came of Philipe the Daughter and sole heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third Son to King Edward the third is to be preferred by very good right in Succession of the Kingdom before the children of Iohn of Gaunt the fourth Son of the said Edward the third but Richard Duke of York is come of Philipe the Daughter and sole Heir of Leonel Duke of Clarence third Son to K. Edward the third then to be preferred before the children of the fourth Son who was Henry The like reason may be alleged in the Title of the Earl of Strathern The children of a first marriage by the common Law are to be preferred in the Succession before the children of the second marriage for the marrying of Elizabeth Moor did but legitimate and make her children to succeed after the children of the first marriage As for the authority of a Parliament it would be considered whether or not the Authority of a Parlament may confer and entail a Crown from the lawful Heir thereof to the next apparent heirs Or if an Oath given unto a King by mans Law should be performed when it tendeth to the suppression of Truth and Right which stand by the Law of God Then if one Parlament hath power to entail a Crown whither may not another Parliament upon the like conside rations restore the same to the righteoâ—s heirs But the Subject resigneth all his right to his King It would be considered whether a Subject may safely capitulate with his Prince that is to say give over and quit-claim all right and title which he hath to his Soveraigns Crown his Right being sufficient and if by his capitulation his heirs be bound and if it be honourable for a Prince to accept his conditions The trouble which Edward Baliol raised in Scotland is yet recent to the Readers of Histories Notwithstanding that his Father Iohn Baliol had resigned unto Robert King of Scotland all the right and title which he or any other of his had or thereafter might have to the Crown of Scotland concerning any interest or claim which might be avouched for any cause or consideration He anno 1355. gave to Edward the third King of England a full resignation of his pretended Right of the Crown of Scotland As before being assisted by the said King and the confederate Gentlemen of Scotland in a Parlament holden at Perth where he had been confirmed King of Scotland by the three Estates It would be considered if the Pope the Kings of Spain or France after some revolutions of years seeking to trouble the Estate and peace of this Isle should entertain and maintain one of the Heirs of the Earls of Strathern as Queen Elizabeth did Don Antonio the
were spent in light skirmishes and incursions and Thomas Randolph obtained the battel called the White and quieted the English Robert this time of Repose conven'd the Nobles intending to determine the rigâ—â— of inheritances which many men had unjustly usurped in the times of Rapine and Licence This brooded a Conspiracy which â—eing detected a meeting was appointed at Perth where by the Conviction of their own Papers many were executed some pardon'd but none drew more pitty from the Beholders than David Brechin the Kings Sisters Son whose acquaintance not concurrence with the Plot was only Criminal From whence we may consider That to be a Traytor is not actually to engage in Treason but to conceal it is to foment it for if in private Friendships it is infidelity not to reveal a danger to a friend it holds stronger as to the Magistrate who is not only our Common Friend but our Parent and Tutor since the seeds of all Treasons like them of Vegetables lurking quiâ—tly and arising fruitfully being cunningly manured do by the Co-operation of bad influâ—nces grow up into poisons and threaten destruction where as the Sovereign Power enlivening and peiroing all cherishes the more Noble things and only discovers the imperfection of the meaner In the mean time a Legate comming from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See whose force even that age had wit enough to discern to threaten them into a peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marcht as far as Stainmore The K. of England in revenge raises an Army so potent and powerful that it might be supposed they came for absolute victory not uncertain hazard Robert therefore like a wise Captain considering that it was Stratagem not force that must preserve him safe from so great a storm caused all the Cattel to be carryed into the avious retreats of the Hills lest they might be serviceable to the Enemy who confident of their strength peirced Scotland and endeavoured to draw him and his Forces out of their Holes But having wasted all about sparing only Churches and wanting Victuals were forced to retire Bruce knowing this disorderly retreat pursues them as far as York and by a great defeat was Master of their Baggage and some Considerable Prisoners the great occasion of which was imputed to Sir Andrew Barcley Earl of Carlisle who was therefore degraded This begat two Embassyes one to the Papacy for a Reconciliation to it and the other to France for a Renovation of the old League both which were obtained with equal easiness with this addition to the latter That the King of France should be Umpire in controversies concerning the Crown of Scotland About these times saies Excellent Buchanan the Family of the Hamiltons since so great in Scotland and pernicious to England took their rise one of them upon a Quarrel and murder of an English Gentleman flying to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day the Spensers upon whose account this quarrel arose were soon after discomposed and ruined and Edward himself dethroned and as is said murdered at Pontfract Castle by means of his wife and Edward his Son succeeded the III. of that name Bruce in the mean time composing himself to the cares of Peace by Act of Parliament settles the Inheritance of the Kingdom upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stuart his Grandchild by his Daughter and for preventing any pretences of Baliol being then old and miserable in France a full release of all his Claim 1320. but the active young Edward filling them with the terrour of a new Bruce repaired the defects of his age and travels by substituting Thomas Randolph his Vice-Roy whom with Iames Dowglas he sent with a flying Army of Horse into England the better to elude the prevailing force they were to expect and it happened accordingly for after tedious Marches and hardships on both sides they parted without a stroke saving onely that Dowglas with two hundred Horse beat up the Quarters of the English Camp and cut as is said two Ropes of the Kings Tent and made a good Retreat this begat a Truce for three years and afterwards 1328. a dishonorable Concession in a Parliament at Southampton of all the Scotish privileges and independencyes of that Crown for which some after smarted with the Concession of some Counties and Rendition of Monuments the Scots paying thirty thousand Marks Bruce finding himself wasted by age and toil left the Tuition of the Nonage of his Son to Randolph and Dowglas retiring himself to the Abby of Kilross confirming the Settlement of the Kingdom upon his Son David then 8 years old and Stuart as he had done before leaving these three Counsells behind him Illustrious Spirits that have long moved in great Orbs being best measured when they are falling below their Horizon 1. Not to let any man solely command the Aebneae 2. Never to put all their Strength at one hazard with the English 3. Never to make long Truces with them The first being to be feared by their power at Sea The second for the Fertility Power and Numbers of the English The third to prevent the Enervation of a long Peace Thus he dyed leaving Charge with Dowglas to convey his heart to the Holy Land whither himself had designed an Expedition but Dowglas assisting them of Arragon against the Saraâ—ens was there cut to pieces Thus ended the reign of Robert Bruce 1330. A Prince that mounting the Throne over the Carcasses of his neerest kindred encountring with the greatest difficulties and calamities of a Countrey opprest by powerful and martial Enemies bravely struggled with the disadvantages and left behind him the Character of a great Captain and a prudent Prince and such an one as whose Reputation relies upon his single virtue unlesse you will say he had the assistance of the heads and hands of his Counsellors and Captains yet even in the chusing of One and the obeying the Other it must be confest he was a man excellently squared out for Government and a man the most fit to arrest our Conquests in that Nation Yet by the way we shall take up one Remark How much the fortune and reputation of any people depends upon the Conduct of their Supreme Governour and we cannot have better instance than by reflecting upon the preceding History Edward I. worthily called Coeur de Lion brought them in their greatest power upon their knees His Son an effeminate and weak Prince enchanted with Flatteries and lost in Sofâ—ness could not preserve an acquired Dominion but lost it with ignomâ—ny His Son for a time which we must call his pupillage of War he did such wonders afterwards was unsuccessful and all this through the Opposition Courage and Conduct of one unfortunate person And indeed upon survay of all Histories we shall find that the ability and excellency of the Prince hath been
the most powerful ascendent of the Genius of a Nation and that the Governing mind of the World when ever it determines any to glorious actions raises up such Leaders as by their wisdom and example may lead them to the performance of its own secret determinations And again How infectious the example of a bad or weak Prince which like an unhappy contagion perverts and infects the manners of a people and so much the more easily seduces them by how much the mind of man is inclinable to understand better things and pursue the worse and most people are more easily emasculated into Vice than tutured into Virtue This Prince being gone to his long home DAVID BRUCE His Son succeeding his Coronation was deferred till permission could be had from Rome to make the business more solemn 1331. The first thing memorable in his reign was the suppression of a sort of Thieves by Randolph who if you will believe the Scotish Story was soon after poisned by a Monk yet bore it so as he eluded another invasion though he dyed soon after in the year 1331. the Government devolving to the Earl of Mar in which he was scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Baliol was seen in the Fryth with a Formidable Fleet And it was upon this occasion Lawrence Twine a Fugitive Englishman that had planted himself in Scotland being for his lewd life excommunicated slew the Bishop of Final and used such inducements to Edward Son of Iohn Baliol formerly King by the minority of the King the raging discontents of the People and Exiles the want of the Regents Randolph and Dowglass that he knowing Edward prepared great Forces against Scotland perswaded him to imbarque in the Enterprize and he made so good a Party that he landed 〈◊〉 Kingkorn and defeated Alexander Seatoun who made some opposition and marching to Perth did by a secret passage over the River rout the Enemy slay the most considerable Commande◠and take the Town taking Prisoners also many of the best quality so that growing numerous by the accession of such as had a mind to share in his good and unexpected Fortune 1332. he in the year 1332. caused himself to be Crowned King at Scone by the name of EDVVARD BALIOL But the party of the Bruce not resting here send him to Philip of France with his wife and choose Andrew Murray his Cousen Regent and making a party after three Moneths siege recovered Perth Baliol in the mean time was at Annandale receiving the voluntary submission of the Countrey among whom so high was the Reputation of his Acquests that Alexander Bruce L. of Carid and Galloway forsook his Kinsman and submitted to the Conquerour who by this means became so besotted with a contempt of the Enemy and so neglected Discipline which being known to the Vice-Roy he sent a party of Horse under Archibald Dowglas and others who beat up his quarters and routed them himself escaping half naked 1332. and his most considerable Friends slain The Nobility hereupon flocking to the Party of the Bruces they consult and resolve that Baliol acts but the King of England's Designs fortifie Berwick and the Borders and standing in this posture of Defence fent to K. Philip and David to give them account of things Nor were the English unwilling to take the Advantage of the Discord he therefore protects Baliol and under pretence of demanding Berwick which was denyed brings an Army against Scotland besieges Berwick by Land Sea which to divert Archibald Dowglas newly appointed Vice-Roy makes an attempt upon the English but was routed with great loss 1333. in the year 1333. Which occasioned the Rendition of the Town Edward hereupon withdrawing into England leaves the reducement of Scotland to the care of Baliol and Edward Talbot who gained it all except some few Strengths Baliol though disturbed with a controversie about the Lands of Iohn Moubray surveys the Country fortifies the Castle of Rothsay narrowly pursues Robert Stuart after King who in a small bark escaped to the Garrison of Dumbarton and after laies siege to the Castle in the Lake Leven which he left to the Management of Sir Iohn Sterlin and others but Sterlin going to a Fair at Dunfermling the besieged let the Lake into his Trenches and raised the siege The English came in again with an Army swept all carryed Baliol home with them and left Cumin Earl of Athol Lieutenant of Scotland who wasted all the Lands of the Stuarts By this Robert Stuart unexpectedly breaks out and being followed by the Cambells takes the Castle of Botan and having access of many considerable persons is made Vice-Roy and forces Cumin to his party and dispersing the War called a Parliament at Perth where nothing could be done by reason of the dissention of Cumin and Dowglas But the English enter with a great Army and though their Auxiliary Guelders were routed take 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 landing in Murray reduced all and leaving Baliol return Next year the English besieged Dunbar 1337. and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford which though they were both routed yet the siege continued but the English having received loss by the valour of Robert Stuart after six moneths stay being called into France raised their siege Murray in the mean time dying Stuart was created Vice-Roy till the Return of David and having the first year by the means of W. Dowglas gained some petty Victories 1339. did the next besiege Perth which after four Moneths stay was reduced and a little after Sterlin and by Stratagem the Castle of Edinburgh Alexander making a happy Expedition into Northumberland and taking Roxburgh and the Scots regaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1342. David after 9. years stay returns and after quieting of some dissentions resolves an expedition into England though disswaded by his Council by reason of want of Victuals making Iohn Randolph General himself going incognito and for two Moneths together depopulated Northumberland but after declaring himself General made a second Expedition which met little opposition by reason of the diversion of the English strength in France a third to as little purpose A Peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of Philip. of France who having a great defeat given him by Edward excited him by all means to an invasion which his friendship perswaded him to though things at home were not in Order and having Marcht so far as the County of Durham had his Army routed and was there taken Prisoner The English limits being enlarged as far as Cockburn and all Scotland in a manner depopulated by the Plague and deadly fewds yet by the encouragement of Iohn Son of Philip the French King some were still making Incursions and an unsuccessful
and he kept alwayes private intelligence together The Duke being promoted to the keeping of the Castle of Dumbar and Town of Barwick the King of England to insinuate himself in his affection was wont to whisper unto such who loved him that if his brother kept not fair with England he would one day set him in his Place upon his Royal Throne At this time the King was served by men whom his opinion of their worth and love towards him had advanced to places and whose fortunes and estates wholly depended upon his safety and who were less apt to do him harm His counsel was likewise of men approved for their affection to him and thus secluding great men from his familiarity and affairs he gave them cause of offence His brothers long masking their ambition under discontentment stirr the male contents to complain against the Government which ordinarily falleth forth not because a people is not well governed but because great ones would govern themselves These upbraided the King with inglorious sloath and endeavour by his dishonour to increase the credit of his Brothers These spared not to speak evil of him every where and what they pleased of his Ministers and Favorits they said he neither used rule nor moderation in his proceedings that his counsel was base and of men of no great account who consulted only to humor him That a Mason swayed â—a Kingdome this was Robert Cochranne a man couragious and bold first known to the King by his valour in a single combat and after from an Architect or Surveyor of his buildings preferred to be of his counsel a silly Wretch swayd the soul of a great King and curbed it as it were interdicted or charmed to his pleasure His contributions were the rewards of Parasites to whom fortune not merit gave growth and augmentation that honors wept over such base men who had not deserved them and the stately frames of ancient houses upbraided with reproaches the slender merits of those new-up-starts who enjoyed them that he began to look downwards into every sordid way of enriching himself That his Privadoâ—s abused him in every thing but in nothing more then in making him believe what was plotting against them was against his Person and Authority and that it was not them his brothers and the Nobility sought to pull down but his Soveraignty His counsellors servants and such who loved him having long busied their wits to save their Masters reputation and that no shadow of weakness should appear to the Common people understanding by whom these rumors were first spread abroad and observing many of the Nobility and Gentry to favour the proceedings of his brothers not daring disclose themselves to the King what their suspicions made them fear would come to pass knowing him naturally superstitious an admirer and believer of Divinations suborn an aged woman one morning as he went a hunting to approach him and tell she had by Divination that he should beware of his nearest kinsemen that from them his ruine was likely to come This was no sooner told when the woman was shifted and some who were upon the Plot began to comment the Prophesie of his brothers A Professor of Physick for his skill in Divination brought from Germany and promoted to some Church-benefice about that same time told the King that in Scotland a Lyon should be devoured by his Whelps William Schevez then Archbishop of Saint Andrews by way of Astrological predictions put him in a fear of imminent dangers from his kindred though truly he had his knowledg by Geomancy and good informations upon earth by the intelligence between the Nobility and Church-men Many such like aspersions being laid upon the King the people cryed out that he had only for his fellow-companions Astrologers and Sooth-sayers whom as occasion served he preserrd to Church-benefices and Bishopricks Patrick Graham then Prisoner in Dumferling a man desolate and forgotten as if there had not been such a man in the world taking the opportunity of the rumors of the time sent a Letter to the King which contained That the misery of his imprisonment was not so greivious unto him as the sad reports which he heard of his Majestyes estate he was hardly brought to believe them but by his long detention and imprisonment he was assured his great enemy was in great credit with him That he had brought the King very low in making him jealous of his brothers by giving trust to his vain Divinations and no wonder these Arts bring forth dissentions which have their precepts from the father of lyes and discord to foment discord among brothers was reproachful to Religion and outragious to Policy to seek to know things to come by the Stars was great ignorance that Oracles leave a man in a wilderness of folly That there was no other difference betwixt Necromancy and Astrology saving that in one men run voluntarily to the Divel and in the other ignorantly Humanity attains not to the secrets above and if it did it is not wise enough to divert the wisdom of heaven which is not to be resisted but submitted unto that never any had recourse to these Arts but they had fatal ends that Almighty providence permitting that to befal them out of his justice of necessity which before the Oracle was sought was scarce contingent that he should rest upon the Almightyes Providence and then all things would succeed well with him whose favors would wast him out of the surges of uncertainties After this free opening of his minde Patrick Graham was removed out of Dumferling to the Castle of Lockâ—leven a place renowned long after by the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scotland where in a short time he left the miseryes of this world The people now throughly deceived and incensed against their King the most audacious of the Nobility had brought his brothers on the way of taking the Government to themselves their power being able to perform what their ambition projected and the murmuring of the people seeming to applaud any Insurrections The Earle of Marr young and rash purblind in foreseeing the events of things is stirred up to begin the Tragedy some of the Nobility of his faction being present with more liberty then wisdom he broke out in meanacing and undecent speeches as that his brother did wrong to his Majesty in keeping neer him and being so familiar with such contemptible fellows as these of his Bed-chamber and Officers withal railing against the Goverment of the State and Court The King passionately resenting his words caused remove him from his presence and he persevering in his railing was committed to the Castle of Craigmillar where surmising that he was in a Prison his anger turned into a rage his rage kindled
chiefest of the Nobles as Honourable Priâ—oners in England had with-drawn his Army as thinking all secure sends the Lord Henry Perâ—â—y with strong assistance to join with his Officers there for he had heard of the Reputation of Wallas who endeavouring to pass the Forth the Bridge breaking received a considerable loss which gave Wallas time to reduce the rest of the Countrey Wallas then enters England and for some time ravages and returns without opposition and this Fame of his brought upon him the Envy of the Noblemen and brought Edward with an Army hastily gathered together at Stainmore from whence after looking upon one another they departed without a Blow from whence Wallas came to be rumoured as affecting the Royalty and brought him such envy among the Brucos and Cumins that they were resolved by any means to ruin him as disdaining that the fortune of the Kingdom should rely on so mean a person But the English entring Scotland again with a great Army and finding the Sâ—ots disposed under three Leaders who among themselves disputed Priority of Command marcht up to them where they found the Cumins who commanded one Brigade depart without opposition The Stuarts who had another being all cut to pieces and Wallas who had the third forced to retire to the River Caroon Thus lost Wallas his title formal Army whilst with a Predatory Army he never left to infest the English whilst Edward regained the lost places but the Scots having in vain endeavoured Truce or Mediation were resolved to put all upon the Dy and made a general insurrection to oppose which King Edward sent Ralph Conyers with a considerable Army to reduce the revolted places and make an end of the War but they by a Triple Victory were routed at Rossin the 10. of March 1302. 1302. Edward stung with this makes an other Entry in which Wallas perpetually infested him and again reduces the Countrey all swearing allegiance at Saint Andrews but Wallas who returned into the High-Lands Eâ—â—ard changing the Laws carrying away all Records and 〈◊〉 with all the Marks of any absolute Conquerour and among other Monuments the Stone called Iacobs Stone in which our Kings have been since usually Crowned But there kindled another flame for Robert Bruce son of the other and Iohn Cumin Cosen German of Iohn Baliol sirnamed the Red wearied by the delaies and unperformed promises of the King though Competitors overcame their mutual jealousies and closd together on condition that Bruce should have the Kingdom and Cumin all Bruces lands which agreement notwithstanding Cumin was after said to have communicated to Eaward Bruce hath notice and by shooing his horses backward escapes and arriving at his Castle at Lake Laban meets with Cumins Letters advising to cut him off upon which he hastens to S. Iohnstons and after exprobating his infidelity leaves him in the Franciscan Monastery stabb'd as dead and after stabb'd him out-right 1305. with his brother Robert About the same time Wallas was betrayed about Glasgow carryed up to London hanged drawn and quartered and his limbs hung up in the most eminent places And here to digress a little from these cruel carnages might naturally arise some pretty questions as Where allegiance and obedience begins and determins who are properly Rebels or Lawful Enemies how far the faith of a Nation or particular men are concluded in the Oath of their Prince to a Foreiner and what Limits Conquerours ought to observe to Subjects not naturally born so and how far they never compacting are oblig'd in the General Compact But these being matters proper for the Civilians and such as cannot be included in the shortness of a Preface or Rigor of an Epitome we shall dismiss at this Time without any further disquisition Onely at the present we will raise one Note from this Example of unfortunate Courage How apt great minds are even out of false appearances of good of their Countrey the most powerful charm upon the bravest spirits to rush upon the most violent and dangerous efforts though it may be their Countrey by a great deal of devastation and blood be made a loser by it and some Territories are so seated that it is the more happy for them to be under the shade and protection of a greater and more powerful than be left naked to their own wants and devastation of prevailing neighbours under the Notion of preserving an imaginary Antient and Notional Liberty which once launchâ— into will prove no other than a willingness to shackles and an obstacle and an obstinacy to the advancement of the Commodities of life And again let us observe what a strange Antiperistasis oppresion and Calamity will make in any people how inconsiderable heads meeting with an humour of jealousy discontent and despair swell into enormity and become terrible to nay oftentimes affront â—â—gitimate force where as Nations wantoning in their deligh 〈…〉 nd pleasures like strong bodyes without Exercise forget and weaken themselves whilest their strength insensibly transpires and vanishes in the warmth of their fruitions But it is high time now to return unto ROBERT BRUCE who having caused himself after he had staied for the Popes absolution for the defiling the Monastery with the Murder of the Cumins to be Crowned King at Scone 1306. notwithstanding his Endeavours at first to strengthen himself by the enmity of the Cumins and timorousness of his own Followers was routed by Edwards Lieutenants and forced to the Hills and for a long time lurkt in great misery to the great ruin and slaughter of his Family and party but making together some little force took Carrick and Innâ—rness by surprisal and by this means augmented his Train and withstood the daring of Cumin Earl of Bughan who withstood him with a Considerable strength of English and Scotish forces and though a Treaty were desired would not comply growing numerous by the accession of other considerable persons Edward the I dying in an intended expedition thither left it to Edward II. his Son who hearing some troubles in France sailed thither and left behind him an Army which notwithstanding Robert though sick and forced to be held on horseback defeated this engaged Edward to another Immemorable Expedition and gave Robert time to take in the Remaining strengths 1310. but the next year and within two years after recovered the most considerable and Edinburgh it self and a little after by means of his Brother Edward Sterlin upon Conditions Edward thereupon enters with a great Army and many forein auxiliaries But had a great defeat at Bannocks-burn which occasioned the loss of Berwick and Bruces confirmation in Parliament the declaring of Edward his Brother to be heir in case of Roberts want of Issue Male as also making of him King of Ireland at the request of some of the Iâ—ish and though they furnished him with some forces for that attempt yet in the Expedition he and all his followers were cut to pieces Some few years after