course of that mistake to digress a little beyond my ordinary in privat Families to give a true and brief account of that ancient great and noble Family of the Stuarts from undoubted Records Charters and History Their Barony was the Shires of Renfrew and Bute and the Stewartry of Kyle The first of that Family I find mentioned in Charters and Records is Walter the Son of Allan Dapifer Regis Founder of the Monastry of Pasley who in the Register Book of Charters of the Abbacy of Pasley now in the custody of the Earl of Dundonald Proprietar of these Lands and where he hath his chief Residence is mentioned as the Founder and Son of Allan and particularly in a Discharge granted by himself to the Monks of two Chalders of Meal payable out of the Miln he is designed Walter the Son of Allan and in a Confirmation by Pope Alexander of the Abbacy of Pasley to Alexander Stuart of Scotland he is designed Heir by Progress to Walter the Founder There are also Charters extant granted by this Walter designing himself the Son of Allan and Dapifer Regis The Chronicles of Melross and Fordon do design him Walter the Son of Allan Dapifer Regis Scotiae qui fundavit Pasletum and that he died in the year 1177 by the former and 1178. by the latter which was in the 12th or 13th year of the Reign of King William And frequently in King William's Charters in the said Register of Pasley Allan Dapifer is mentioned and also in the foresaid Confirmation by the Pope he is designed Allan the Son of Walter the Founder he died in the year 1204. To him succeeded Walter his Son designed Senescallus Scotiae Fordon relates that King Alexander the 2d at the Feast on his Birth day in the year 1231 made Walter the Son of Allan Stewart of Scotland Justiciar of Scotland A Manuscript of Andreas Wintonius Prior of the Inch in Lochlevin who wrote in the time of the Government of Robert first Duke of Albany and Uncle to King James the First Dedicate to Sir John Weyms Predecessor to the Earl of Weyms agrees with Fordon that at St. Andrews King Alexander made Allan's Son Stewart of Scotland the Kings Justiciar The Manuscript contains many things useful to the History and is in the hands of the Reverend Mr. James Kirktoun one of the Ministers of Edinburgh a person well known in Scottish Antiquities This Walter is an ordinary witness in King Alexander the Second's Charters under the Designation of Senescallus Justitiarius Scotia And as the same Winton mentions Walter Stewart and Justiciar of Scotland was in the year 1238 sent over to France to bring Mary Daughter to Ingeram de Coucy to be Queen to King Alexander Anno 1241. Obiit Walterus filius Allani junioris To Walter succeeded his Son Alexander Stewart of Scotland frequently so designed in his own and other Charters Recorded in the Register of Pasley Fordon mentions him to be killed in the Battle of the Largis in Cunninghame which he places in the year 1263 Chron. de Melross 1262 where the Norwegians were defeated and ever since banished from any possession of the Isles he is designed Alexander Stuart of Dundonald great Grand-child to the first Walter Stuart and Grandfather of the noble Walter who married King Bruce's Daughter Beside the Records of Pasley many of his Charters are extant and I have seen one by this Alexander confirming the Donation which Walter the Father gave to the Church of St. Andrews of Bromholm of 20 shilling yearly to be taken out of the Burgh of Renfrew with the Seal entire himself on Horse-back on the one side and the Checker on the other for his Arms which the sirname of Stuart do still bear To him succeeded James Great Stewart of Scotland his Son who was one of the Wardens of Scotland after the death of Alexander the third and one of these who Treated with Edward the First of England in relation to the marriage betwixt the Maid of Norway and King Edward's Son and in the Competition concerning the Crown betwixt Bruce Baliol and others As also after Baliol was defeated resigned the Crown he is amongst these whom Prinns History bears to have given Allegiance to Edward Longshanks and designed James Seneschall de scoce saluz c. A little after 15 die Maij apud Rokesburgh venit Dominus Ioannes quondam Seneschallus praedicti Domini Jacobi ` Germanus miles And I have a Charter of James Stuart of Scotland designing himself Son to Alexander Stuart of Scotland and confirming the Charter formerly mentioned granted by Alexander Stuart of Scotland his Father and Walter his Grand-father his Seal appended is also entire he died in the year 1309. At the Battle of Falkirk 1298 Sir John Stuart designed of Bute who contended with John Cummine for leading the Van-guard of the Army was killed it seems he was the same person who in the 1296 in Prinns History is called frater Germanus domini Jacobi and in the absence or restraint of his elder Brother the Stewart of Scotland acted as Stewart for him this probably hath been the mistake why our Historians omitted Iames Stuart of Scotland Predecessor and God-father to all the King Iames's and insert John Stuart to be Father to Walter Stuart of Scotland who is well known to have been Husband to Marjory Bruce the Kings Daughter and by her Father to Robert Stuart who in the absence of King David Bruce his Uncle and in Defence of his Title against Edward Baliol did many brave Actions from the year 1335 to the year 1338 when he was chosen Governour of the Kingdom which he freed from the English and Baliol's claim and restored it to King David Bruce at his Return from France this King being afterward taken Prisoner at the Battle of Durham commonly placed in the year 1348 was again Governour till the King returned from England in the 1359 by the help of his two eldest Sons John then Lord Kyle designed Senescallus de Kyle afterward King and Robert designed Senescallus de Monteith afterward Duke of Albanie Maurice Murray Lord of Bothwel and Clydsdale and Earl of Strathern being killed in the Battle of Durham Robert Stuart of Scotland was created Earl of Strathern at the same Battle John Ranulph Earl of Murray being killed the Stewart of Scotland married his Relict Eupham Ross Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross as appears by a Charter granted by Robert Stewart of Scotland Earl of Strathern and Eupham his Spouse Countess of Murray to John Maxwel Predecessor to Sir John Maxwel of Netherpollock of certain Lands within the Earldom of Strathern which have of a long time belonged to the Lairds of Glenagies John Hadden now of Glenagies hath the Charter and Lands an ancient Baron nobly descended There is a Charter to the same person of the same Lands but then designed Sir John Maxwel by David Earl
and Inheritance As touching the Earls of Lennox themselves to omit those of more ancient and obscure times there was one Duncan Earl of Lennox in the Reign of Robert the Third who died and left none but Daughters behind him of whom one was married to Allan Stuart descended from Robert a younger Son of Walter the Second of that Name High Stewart of Scotland and Brother likewise to Alexander Stuart the Second from whom the noblest and Royal Race of Scotland hath been propagated This sirname Stuart was given unto that most noble Family in regard of the honourable Office of the Stewart-ship of the Kingdom as who had the Charge of the Kings Revenues The said Allan had Issue John Earl of Lennox and Robert Captain of that Company of Scottish men at Arms which Charles the Sixth King of France first instituted in lieu of some Recompence unto the Scottish Nation which by their Valour had deserved passing well of the Kingdom of France who also by the same Prince for his vertues sake was endowed with the Seigniory of Aubigny in Auvergne Iohn had a Son named Matthew Earl of Lennox who wedded the Daughter of James Hamilton by Marion Daughter to King James the Second on whom he begat John Earl of Lennox he taking Arms to deliver King James the Fifth out of the hands of the Dowglasses and the Hamiltons was slain by the Earl of Arran his Uncle on the Mothers side This John was Father to Matthew Earl of Lennox who having sustained sundry Troubles in France and Scotland found Fortune more friendly to him in England through the favour of King Henry the Eight considering that he bestowed upon him in marriage his Neice with fair Lands By the means of this happy Marriage were brought into the world Henry and Charles Henry by Mary Queen of Scots had Issue James the Sixth King of Brittain by the propitious Grace of the Eternal God born in a most auspicate and lucky Hour to knit and unite in one Body of an Empire the whole Island of Brittain divided as well in it self as it was heretofore from the rest of the World and to lay a most sure Foundation of an everlasting Security for our Heirs and the Posterity As for Charles he had Issue one only Daughter Arbella married to the Earl of Hertford in England who above her Sex so embraced the Studies of the best Literature that therein she profited and proceeded with singular Commendation and comparable with the excellent Ladies of old time When Charles was dead after that the Earldom of Lenox whereof he stood Enfeoffed was revoked by Parliamentary Authority in the year of our Lord 1579. and his Uncle by the Fathers side Robert Bishop of Caithness had some while enjoyed this Title in lieu whereof he received at the Kings hands the honour of the Earl of March. King James the Sixth conferred the honourable Title of Duke of Lennox upon Esme Stuart Son to Iohn Lord D' Aubigny younger Brother to Matthew aforesaid Earl of Lennox which Lodowick Esme his Son after him did enjoy For since the time of Charles the Sixth there were of this Line Lords of Aubigny in France the said Robert before named and Bernard or Eberdard under Charles the Eighth and Lewis the Twelfth who is commended with great praise unto Posterity by P. Jovius for his noble Acts most valourously exploited in the War of Naples a most firm and trusty Companion of King Henry the Seventh when he entered into England who used for his Emprese or Devise a Lyon between Buckles with this Motto Distantia Jungit for that by his Means the Kingdoms of France and of Scotland severed and dis-joined so far in distance were by a straighter League of friendship conjoyned likeas Robert Stuart Lord D' Aubigny of the same Race who was Marshal of France under King Lewis the Eleventh for the same cause used the royal Arms of France with Buckles Or in a border Gules which the Earls and Dukes of Lennox have ever since born quarterly with the Arms of Stuart The Dukes of Lennox were also heretably great Chamberlains of Scotland and High-Admirals and had several Regalities and the Baillerie of Glasgow The Race of the Earls and Dukes of Lennox aforesaid being extinct by the death of Charles Duke of Lennox and Richmond Ambassador for King Charles the Second in Denmark about the year 1672 his Estate in Scotland did fall to the King by Succession who bestowed it on his Son Charles by the Name of Charles Lennos Duke of Lennox about the year 1675 who enjoyeth that honour Lord George Dowglass one of the younger Sons of William Marquess of Dowglass Collonel of the Scottish Regiment and Mareschal of the Camp in France thereafter Lieuetenant General in Brittain was by King Charles the Second before the year 1677 created Earl of Dunbarton whose Son doth enjoy that Title CHAP. XVIII STIRLING UPon Lennox North-eastward bordereth the Territory of Stirling so named of the principle Town therein for fruitful Soll and numbers of Gentlemen in it second to no Province of Scotland Here is that narrow Land or Streight by which Dunbritton Firth and Edinburgh Firth piercing far into the Land out of the West and East Seas are divided asunder that they meet not one with the other Which thing Julius Agricola who marched hitherto and beyond first observed and fortified this Space between with Garisons so as all the part of Brittain on the east and south side was then in possession of the Romans and the Enemies removed and driven as it were into another Island in so much as Tacitus judged right truly There was no other bound or limit of Brittain to be sought for Neither verily in the time ensuing did either the Valour of Armies or the Glory of the Roman name which scarcely could be stayed set out the Marches of the Empire in this part of the World farther although with Inrodes they other whiles molested and endamnaged them But after this glorious Expedition of Agricola when himself was called back Brittain as saith Tacitus become for-let neither was the Possession kept still thus far for the Caledonian Brittains drave the Romans back as far as to the River Tine in so much as Hadrian who came into Brittain in person about the fortieth year after and reformed many things in it went no further forward but gave commandment that the God Terminus which was wont to give ground unto none should retire backward out of this place like as in the East on this side Euphrates Hence it is that S. Augustine wrot in this wise God Terminus who gave not place to Jupiter yielded unto the will of Hadrianus yielded to the rashness of Iulian yielded to the necessity of Jovian in so much as Hadrian had enough to do for to make a Wall of Turff between the Rivers Tine and Esk well near an hundred Miles southward on this side Edinburgh Firth
Sheriffs who being descended from the Grays of Chillingham in the Country of Northumberland came into Scotland with King James the First at his return out of England of whom is descended Patrick now Lord Gray upon the first of whom named Andrew the King of his bounteous liberality bestowed the Segniory of Foulis together with Helen Mortimer in Marriage for his Advancement Ashtoun an English Gentleman was created Lord Forfar about the year 1633 by King Charles the First and Archibald second Son to the Earl of Angus and Brother to James Marquess of Dowglass was by King Charles the Second created Earl of Forfar about the year 1651. Hard by the mouth of Tay is situat Dundee sometimes called Alectum others term it in Latine Taodunum a Town verily of great resort and Trade and the Constable whereof by a special priviledge was Standard bearer to the King of Scots Hector Boetius who was here born expounded this name Dundee by way of allusion to Donum Dei that is Gods gift This Hector in the reflourishing time of Learning wrote the Scottish History elegantly and that out of such hidden and far fetched Monuments of Antiquity that Paulus Jovius wondered in his Writings there should be Records extant for above a thousand years of these remote parts of the World Scotland the Hebrids and the Orcads considering that Italy the Nurse of fine Wits for so many Ages after the Goths were cast out was defective of Writers and Records The ancient Family of the Scrymsours of Dudup Constables of Dundee was first created by King Charles the first Viscount of Dudup and by King Charles the Second Earl of Dundee and by gift of last Heir and Recognition being carried to Charles Maitland of Haltoun came afterwards to be at the Kings disposal who gifted the same to Collonel John Graham of Claverhouse who by King James the Seventh was created Viscount of Dundee and opposing their Majesties in Arms was killed at Gillichrankie in Athol in July 1689 and both he and his Brother David also present at that Action were forefaulted in Parliament 1690. From hence standeth within sight Brochty-Craig which being a good Fortress was with the English Garison Souldiers manfully defended made good for many Months together what time as in their affectionat love to a perpetual peace they desired and wished for a Marriage between Mary Heir apparent of Scotland and Edw. the 6th K. of England and upon promise thereof demanded it by force of Arms and in the end of their own accord abandoned the said place Then there lyeth full against the open Ocean Aberbroth short Arbroth a place endowed with ample Revenues and by King William dedicated in old time to Religion in honour of Thomas of Canterbury beside which the Red-head shooteth into the deep Sea and is to be seen a far of Hard by Southesk voideth it self into the Ocean which River flowing amain out of a Lake passeth by Finnevin Castle well known by reason of the Lindseys Earls of Crawford keeping Residence there of whom is already written And downward on the same River standeth Kinnaird the Inheritance of the Carnagies who amongst other Families by being Members of the Colledge of Justice have raised their Fortunes and advanced into great Honours Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird in the year 1553 is marked in the Sederunt of the Lords of Session And about the year 1561 under the designation of Sir Robert Carnagy of Kinnaird admitted Ordinary Lord of Session Mr. David Carnagy of Coluthy I suppose his second Son was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians he dyed in the year 1598 his Son Sir David Carnagy of Kinnaird succeeded of whom frequent mention is made in the Acts of Parliament of King James the Sixth he was by that King created Lord Carnagy after the Lord Binnie and is so ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1617. In the Books of Sederunt July 5th 1616 David Lord Carnagy is admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session in the year 1633 by King Charles the First he was created Earl of Southesk his great Grand-child is Charles Earl of Southesk Sir John Carnegie of Ethie younger Son to the before named Mr. David Carnagie of Colluthy and Brother to David Earl of Southesk was by King Charles the First created Lord Lour and thereafter by that same King Earl of Ethie his eldest Son David exchanged the said Titles with these of Earl of Northesk and Lord Rosehill as being more agreeable to the Title of Earl of Southesk the Chief of the Family David Earl of Northesk is great Grand-child to the first Earl Then upon the said River standeth Brechin which King David the First adorned with a Bishops See Patrick Maul of Panmure of the Bed-chamber of an ancient Family was created by King Charles the First about the year 1646 Earl of Panmure Lord Maul and Brechin immediatly before the Earls of Selkirk Tweeddale and Northesk whose Grand-child is James Earl of Panmure And at the very mouth thereof standeth Montross as one would say the Mount of Roses a Town in times past called Celurca risen by the fall of another Town bearing the same name which is seated between the two Esks and imparteth the Title of Marquess to the Family of the Grahams Not far from hence is Boschain belonging to the Barons of Ogilvy of very antient Nobility lineally descended from Alexander Sheriff of Angus who was slain in the Bloody Battle at Harlaw against the Mac-Donald of the out Isles In this Shire is also Airlie which was the first Designation of the Lord Ogilvie of Airlie Andrew Lord Ogilvie was created by King Charles the first anno 1633 Earl of Airlie whose Son is James Earl of Airlie As touching the Earls of Angus Gilchrist of Angus renowned for his brave exploits under King Malcolm the fourth was the first Earl of Angus that we read of About the year 1241 John Cummin was Earl of Angus who died in France and his Widow haply inheritrix to the Earldom was married to Sir Gilbert Vmfranvill an Englishman For both he and his Heirs successively after him were summoned to the Parliament in England until the third year of King Richard the second by the Title of Earls of Angus Howbeit the Lawyers of England refused in their Brieves and Instruments to acknowledge him Earl for that Angus was not within the Kingdom of England until he had brought forth openly in the face of the Court the Kings Writ and Warrant wherein he was summoned to the Parliament by the name of Earl of Angus In the reign of David Bruce Thomas Stuart was Earl of Angus who by a sudden surprise won Berwick and straightways lost it yea and within a while after died miserably in Prison at Dunbritton But the Douglasses Men of invincible Hearts from the time of King Robert the second when VVilliam first E. of Douglas married
raised a stately Statue of King Charles the second on Horse-Back in Brass And to the South-west on a rising Ground is a curious and large Hospital built with the Money left by George Heriot Gold-smith which doth entertain above an hundred young Boys Children of decayed Burgesses This City is well watered with five large Fountains on the high and broad Street thereof In this City also by King James the sixth an University was founded over which within a large Park riseth an Hill with two Heads called of Arthur the Britaine Arthurs Chair On the West side a most steep Rock mounteth up aloft to a stately hight every way save only where it looketh toward the City On which is placed a Castle with many a Tower in it so strong that is counted impregnable which the Britains called Castle Myned Agned the Scots The Maidens Castle and the Virgins Castle of certain young Maidens of the Picts royal Blood who were kept there in old time and which may seem in truth to have been that Castrum Alatum or Castle with a Wing abovesaid John Bothwel Commendator of Holy-rud-house who being one of these Honourable persons who attended King James the sixth to England in the year 1603 was by him created a temporal Lord of Holy-rud-house in the year 1607 which Honour is now extinct he was a Lord of the Session as also was his father Adam Bishop of Orkney who excambed that Bishoprick with Robert Stuart for the Abbacie of Holy-rud-house and the Heir of the one became Earl of Orkney and the Heir of the other Lord Holy-rud-house In the Institution of the Colledge of Justice Mr. Richard and Francis Bothwels were nominated two of the Lords of Session Near to Edinburgh is Brughtoun which belonged to the Family of the Ballendens and Sir William Ballenden being Thesaurer Deput to King Charles the second was by him made Lord Ballenden of Brughtoun about the year 1661 whose Honour was conveyed to John Ker now Lord Ballenden Uncle to the present Earl of Roxburgh who carries the Name and Arms of Ballenden Of this Family were Sir John Ballenden of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and one of the ordinar Lords of Session in the Reign of Queen Mary and King James the sixth and Sir Lewis Ballenden also of Auchinnoul Justice Clerk and an ordinar Lord of the Session in the Reign of King James the sixth by Cnarter under the Great Seal Sir John Ballenden foresaid had the Heretable Office of Usher to the Exchequer which is transmitted to the Lord Ballenden and is exerced by a Deput named by him Fairfax an English Gentlemen was created Lord Cameron who is in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 his Successor Thomas Lord Fairfax is a Member of the House of Commons for the County of York in this current Parliament Richardson an English Gentleman was created Lord Cramond About the same time Lord Forrester of Corstorphine was created by King Charles the first anno 1633. George Lord Forrester of Corstorphine is one of the Commissioners for the holding of the Parliament 1633 and yet in the Rolls of the same Parliament he is marked Sir George Forrester for the Shire of Edinburgh so that he hath been Nobilitat after he was chosen for the Shire and before the sitting of the Parliment his Grand-child is William Lord Forrester How Edinburgh in the alternative Fortune of Wars was subject one while to the Scots and another while to the English who inhabited this East part of Scotland until it became wholly under the Scots Dominion about the year of our Salvation 960 what time the English Empire sore shaken with the Danish Wars lay as it were gasping and dying How also as an old Book of the Division of Scotland in the Library of the right honourable Lord Burghly sometime high Thesaurer of England sheweth Whiles Indulph reigned the Town of Eden was voided and abandoned to the Scots unto this present day as what variable Changes of reciprocal Fortune it hath felt from time to time the Historiographers do relate and out of them ye are to be informed A Mile from hence lyeth Leith a most commodious Haven hard upon the River Leith which when Dessey the Frenchman for the security of Edinburgh had fortified by reason of many men repairing thither within a short time from a mean Village it grew to be a big Town Again when Francis the second King of France had taken to Wife Mary the Queen of Scots the Frenchmen who in Hope and Conceit had already devoured Scotland and began now to gape for England in the year 1560 sttengthned it with more Fortifications But Elizabeth Queen of England solicited by the Nobles of Scotland that embraced the reformed Religion to side with them by her Puissance and Wisdom effected that both they returned into France and these their Fortifications were laid level with the Ground and Scotland ever since hath been freed from the French As also near this place is New-Haven from which an English Gentleman of the Name of Cheney being by K. Charles the second anno 1681 created Viscount got the Designation of Viscount of New-Haven Where this Forth groweth more and more narrow it had in the midst of it the City Caer Guidi as Bede noteth which now may seem to be the Island named Inchkeith Whether this were that Victoria which Ptolomy mentioneth I will not stand to prove although a man may believe that the Romans turned this Guidh into Victoria as well as the Isle Guith or Wight into Victesies or Vecta truely seing both these Islands be dissevered from the shore the same Reason of the Name will hold in both Languages For Ninius hath taught us that Guith in the British Tongue betokeneth a separation In West-Lothian the first remarkable place in the same Forth is the Burgh of Queens-Ferry supposed to be called from Saint Margaret Queen to King Malcom Canmore as the shortest and easiest Passage over the River of Forth to Dumfermling where she did much reside and began to found that Monastry Upon the same Forth is situat Abercorn in Bedes time a famous Monastry which by the gracious favour of King James the sixth gave unto James Hamilton eldest Son to Claud Hamilton first Commendator and then Lord of Pasley youngest Son to the Duke of Chattelrault the Title of Lord of Pasley in Renfrew he is ranked after the Lord Torphichen â—nd before the Lord Newbottle James his said Son was created Lord Abercorn about the year 1603 and is ranked after the Lord Kinloss and before Balmerinoch and in the year 1606 was created Earl of Abercorn which Title is enjoyed by Hamilton Lord Straband an Irish Peer descended of the first Earls of Abercorn And fast beside it standeth Blackness Castle and beneath it Southward the anctient City Lindum whereof Ptolomy maketh mention which the better learned as yet call Linlithgow commonly Lithgow beautified and set out with a
very fair House of the Kings a goodly Church and a fishful Lake of which Lake it may seem to have assumed that Name For Lin in the British Tongue soundeth as much as a Lake A Sheriff it had in times past by inheritance out of the Family of the Hamiltons of Peyle and now in our days it hath for the first Earl Sir Alexander Livingston whom King James the sixth raised from the Dignity of a Baron wherein his Ancestors had flourished a long time to the Honour of an Earl In the same Shire is situat Livingstoun the Peyle of Livingstoun which was burnt by Oliver Cromwell and did antiently belong to the Family of Livingston who from the seat and sirname were first designed Lairds of Livingstoun And afterward Callender of that Ilk being Forfaulted for adhering to the Baliol. A Daughter of that Family was married to Livingstoun who by Right of Blood and Grant from King Robert the Bruce obtained the Lands and Barony of Callender whose Successor Sir Alexander Livingston of Callender was great Counsellor to King James the first and by him appointed Governour to King James the second himself or his Heir was created Lord Livingstoun Alexander Lord Livingstoun about the year 1603 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Linlithgow and was one of the Commissioners for the Union 1604. George Earl of Linlithgow great Grand child to the first Earl doth presently enjoy the Dignity and is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury Near to Livingstoun is the Castle of Calder which antiently belonged to the Family of Sandilands in the Reign of Queen Mary 1563 Sir James Sandilands being Preceptor of Torphichen and Lord of St. John was created Lord Torphichen whose Successor Walter Lord Torphichen doth enjoy the Title The Sheriffdom of Linlithgow being annexed to the Barony of Abercorn it doth belong to Charles Hope of Hoptoun who doth inherit the Barony and Sheriffship CHAP. VIII SELGOVAE BEneath the Gadeni toward the South and West where now are the small Territories of Liddesdale Eusdale Eskdale Annandale and Nidesdale so called of little Rivers running through them which all lose themselves in Solway Firth dwelt in antient times the Selgovae the Reliques of whose name seemed to the Author to remain in that name Solway In Lidesdale there riseth aloft Armitage so called because it was in times past dedicated to a solitary life of old a very strong Castle which belonged to the Hepburns who draw their Original from a certain Englishman a prisoner whom the Earl of Merch for delivering him out of a danger greatly enriched These were Earls of Bothwell in Clydsdale and a long time by the right of inheritance Admirals of Scotland But by a Sister of James Earl of Bothwell the last of the Hepburns married unto John Prior of Coldinghame base Son to King James the fifth who begat many Bastards the Title Inheritance both came unto his Son now extinct Hard by is Branksholm the Habitation of the warlike Family of Buckcleugh surnamed Scot of whom already in Teviotdale or the Shire of Roxburgh where Branksholm is situat beside many little Piles or Forts of military Men every where In Eusdale one would deem by the affinity of the Name that old Vzellum mentioned by Ptolomy stood by the River Euse. In Eskdale some are of Opinion that the Horesti dwelt into whose Borders Julius Agricola when he had subdued the Britains inhabiting this Tract brought the Roman Army especially if we read Horesci insteed of Horesti For Ar-Esc in the British Tongue betokeneth a Place by the River Eske The Author hath disjoyned this Chapter too far from the Description of Teviotdale but gives an Entry to treat of Annandale CHAP. IX ANNANDALE UNto this on the West side adjoyneth Annandale that is The Vale by the River Annan into which the Access by Land is very difficult The Places of greater note herein are these a Castle and Town by Lough-Maban three parts whereof are environed with Water and strongly walled and the Town Annan at the very mouth almost of the River Annan which lost all the Glory and Beauty it had by the English War in the Reign of Edward the sixth In this Territory the Johnstons are Men of greatest Name a Kindred even bred to War between whom and the Maxwels there hath been professed an open Enmity over long even to deadly Feud and Blood-shed which Maxwels by Right from their Ancestors had the Rule of this Seneschalsie or Stewartrie for so it is accounted This Vale Edgar King of Scots after he was restored to his Kingdom by auxiliary Forces out of England gave in Consideration and Reward of good Service unto Robert Bruse or Brus Lord of Cliveland in York-shire who with the good favour of the King bestowed it upon Robert his younger Son when himself would not serve the King of Scots in his Wars From him flowered the Bruses Lords of Annandale of whom Robert Brus married Isobel the Daughter of William King of Scots by the Daughter of Robert Avenal His Son likewise Robert the third of that Name wedded the Daughter of David Earl of Huntington and of Garioch whose Son Robert surnamed The Noble when the Issue of Alexander the third King of Scots failed challenged in his Mothers Right the Kingdom of Scotland before Edward the first King of England as the direct and superiour Lord of the Kingdom of Scotland so the English give it out or an honourable Arbitrator for so say the Scots as being nearer in proximity in Degree and Bloud to King Alexander the third and Margaret Daughter to the King of Norway although he was the Son by a second Sister who soon after resigning up his own Right granted and gave over to his Son Robert Brus Earl of Carrick to his Heirs the Author alledges this out of the very Original all the Right and Claim which he had or might have to the Kingdom of Scotland But the Action and Suit went with John Balliol who sued for his Right as descended of the eldest Sister although in a degree farther off and Sentence was given in these words For that the Person more remote in the second Degree descending in the first Line is to be preferred before a nearer in a second Line in the succession of an Inheritance that cannot be parted Howbeit the said Robert Son to the Earl of Carrick by his own vertue at length recovered the Kingdom unto himself and established it to his Posterity A Prince who as he flourished notably in regard of the glorious Ornaments of his Noble Acts so he triumphed as happily with invincible Fortitude Courage over Fortune that so often crossed him Sir Richard Murray of Cock-pool Baronet was first created Viscount of Annan is so designed in the year 1623 and thereafter in the 1624 was by King James the sixth created Earl of Annandale The Laird of Johnstoun was created Lord
Lodowick Earl of Crawford and by vertue of a former Entail the Honour Dignity and Precedency of the Earl of Crawford was declared in Parliament to belong to him and his Successors and since ratified in Parliament anno 1661 he was by King Charles the Second restored to be Thesaurer from which Office he had been removed in the year 1649 his Son William now Earl of Crawford was President of the Parliament 1689 and 1690 and one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury the secondary Title belonging to his eldest Son is Lord Lindsey Eden also runneth by Cowper a notable Burgh where the Sheriff sitteth to minister Justice Now where the shore turneth inward a Front northward hard by the Salt water of Tau there flourished in old time two goodly Abbeys Balmerinoch built by Queen Ermengard Wife to King William Daughter of Viscount Beaumont in France King James of Great Brittain advanced Sir James Elphingston of Barntoun to the honour of Baron Balmerinoch about the year 1604 being mentioned in that Parliament one of the Commissioners for the Union with England he is placed in the Decreet of Ranking after the L. Abercorn and before the L. Tullibardine he was a Lord of the Session Secretary thereafter succeeded to the L. Fyvie to be President of the Session anno 1605 whose Grand-child is John L. Balmerinoch The other Abbey is that of Lindoris Founded among the Woods by David E. of Huntingtoun is the Barony of Sir Patrick Lesly created L. Lindoris about the year 1604 and placed in the Decreet of Ranking immediatly after the Lord Roxburgh and before the Lord Lowdoun his Successor is Iohn Lord Lindoris Between which standeth Banbrich the Habitation of the Earl of Rothes strongly built Castle-wise Near to these places on the Confines toward Perth-shire is Balvaird which belongs to the Murrays ancient Cadets of the Lairds of Tullihardine their Successor was created L. Balvaird by K. Charles the 1st after the year 1641 his Grand-child hath succeeded to the Dignity of Lord Scoon and Viscount Stormonth by entail Sir David Murray the first Lord and Viscount being a younger Brother of the Laird of Balvaird The Governour of this Province like as of all the rest in this Kingdom was in times past a Thane that is in the old English tongue The Kings Minister as it is also at this day in the Danish Language but Malcolm Canmore made Macduff who before was Thane of Fife the first hereditary Earl of Fife and in consideration of his good desert and singular service done unto him granted that his Posterity should have the Honour to place the King when he is to be Crowned in his Chair and to lead the Vant-guard in his Army and if any of them should happen by casualty to kill either Gentleman or Commoner to buy it out with a piece of Money Not far from Lindoris there is to be seen a Cross of Stone which standing for a limit between Fife and Strathern had an Inscription of barbarous Verses and a certain priviledge of Sanctuary that any Manslayer Allied to Macduff Earl of Fife within the ninth Degree if he came unto this Cross and gave nine Kine with an Heifer should be quit of Manslaughter When his Posterity lost this Title and Priviledge is uncertain but it appeareth that King David the Second gave unto William Ramsey this Earldom with all and every the Immunities and Law which is called Clan-Mac-Duff and received it is for certain that the Linage of the Weymesses and Dowglasses yea and that great Kindred Clan-Hatan the Chief whereof is Mac-Intoshech descended from them And the most learned Sir John Skeen of Currie-hill Clerk of Register in his Treatise de verborum significatione informs that by an Indenture at Perth the penult day of March 1371 betwixt Robert Stuart Earl of Monteith and Dame Isabel Countess of Fife Daughter and Heir to Duncan Earl of Fife The Countess is obliged to resign her Earldom in the Kings hands in favours of the said Earl for new heretable Infestment thereof to be given to him which Earl being afterwards designed of Fife and Monteith was thereafter Duke of Albany and affecting the Kingdom with cruel Ambition caused David the Kings eldest Son to be most pitifully famished to death which is the highest extremity of all misery But his Son Murdac suffered due punishment for the Wickedness both of his Father and his own Sons being put to death by King James the First for their violent Oppressions and a Decree passed that the Earldom of Fife should be united unto the Crown for ever But the Authority of the Sheriff of Fife belongeth in right of Inheritance to the Earl of Rothes the Heir of which Family was Iohn Earl of Rothes who after he was High Commissioner for King Charles the Second to the Parliament and Conventions of Estates and enjoyed several other honourable and profitable Employments was made Chancellor anno 1668 in which Office he continued till his death in anno 1681 and was shortly before created Duke of Rothes which Dignity is extinct by default of Heirs male of his Body but his eldest Daughter Margaret Countess of Rothes being married to Charles Earl of Haddingtoun hath Iohn Lord Leslie who is to succeed in the Dignity of the Earl of Rothes and Thomas who hath succeeded his Father in the Dignity of the Earl of Hadingtoun Since Printing of the former Edition several Lords were created in this Shire some whereof have already been mentioned and also others to be mentioned viz. Sir Michael Balfour of Balgarvie by K. James the 6th created L. Burghlie July 16 1607 whose Successor is John Lord Burghlie And by the same King Sir Robert Melvil first of Murdocairny and thereafter of Burntisland who had been Thesaurer Deput and Thesaurer before the year 1592 and an extraordinar Lord of Session anno 1594 was created Lord Melvil about the year 1617 to whom succeeded Robert his Son he is ranked in the Parliament 1633 after the Lord Deskford and before Carnegie and is amongst the Commissioners for holding that Parliament who had been admitted an extraordinar Lord of Session upon the dimission of his Father and then by entail the honour fell to the Laird of Raith descended of the eldest Brother and the only Male representative of the ancient Family of the Melvils George Lord Melvil his Son is the 4th Lord who was sole Secretar of State to and created by Their Majesties Earl of Melvil Lord High Commissioner to the second and third Sessions of this current Parliament 1690 and now Lord Privy Seal his Son Alexander Lord Raith was constitute Thesaurer Deput anno 1689. Mr. John Lindsey of Belcarras was a Lord of the Session and one of the Octavians of the Thesaury Secretary before K. Ja. his Succession to the Crown of England his Grand-child Alexander about the year 1633 was created Lord Belcarras by King
into the Sea it is scarce with the labour to mention them That there be little Birds engendred of old and rotten Keels of Ships they can bear Witness who saw that Ship wherein Francis Drake sailed about the World standing in a Dock near the Thames to the outside of the Keel whereof a number of such little Birds without Life and Feathers stuck closs Yet it would be thought that the Generation of these Birds was not out of the Logges of Wood but from the very Ocean which the Poets termed the Father of all things A mighty Mass likewise of Amber as big as the body of an Horse was not many years since cast upon this shoar The learned call it Succinum Glessum and Chryso Electrum and Sotacus supposed that it was a certain juice or liquor which distilleth out of Trees in Britain and runneth down into the Sea and is therein hardened Tacitus also was of the same Opinion when he wrote thus I can verily believe that likeas there be Trees in the secret and inward parts of the East which sweat out Frankincense and Balm so in the Islands and other Countries in the West there be Woods and Groves of a more fatty and firm Substance which melting by the hot Beams of the Sun approaching so near runneth into the Sea hard by and by force of Tempest floateth up to the hoars against it But Serapio and the Philosophers of later times write that it ariseth out of a certain clammy and bituminous Earth under the Sea and by the Sea-side and that the Billows and Tempests cast up part thereof a land and a Fishes devour the rest In the Reign of King Alexander the Second Alexander Cummin rose up to the honour of Earl of Buquhan who married the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Roger de Quincy Earl of Winchester in England and his Niece by a Son brought the same Title unto Henry de Beaumont her Husband for he in King Edward the Third his days had his place in the Parliament of England by the name of Earl of Buquhan Afterwards Alexander Stuart Son to King Robert the Second was Earl of this place unto whom succeeded John a younger Son of Robert Duke of Albany who arriving in France with seven thousand Scottish men to aid Charles the Seventh King of France bare himself valiantly and performed singular good Service against the Englishmen and that with so great Commendation as having victoriously slain Thomas Duke of Clarence Brother to Henry the Fifth King of England at Baugie and discomfited the English he was made Constable of France But in the third year following when the fortune of War turned he with other most valiant Knights to wit Archibald Dowglass Earl of Wigton and Duke of Tourain c. was vanquished at Vernoil by the English and there slain Whom notwithstanding as that Poet said aeternum memorabit Gallia cives Grata suos titulos quae dedit tumulos France thankfully will ay recount As Citizens of her own On whom both Titles glorious And Tombs she hath bestown And whereas under the Kings K. Charles the Sixth and Seventh France was preserved and Aquitain recovered by thrusting out the English the Frenchmen cannot chuse but acknowledge themselves much beholden to the fidelity and fortitude of the Scots But afterwards King James the First gave the Earldom of Buquhan unto George of Dumbar moved thereto upon pity and commiseration because he had deprived him before of the Earldom of March by Authority of Parliament for his Fathers Crime and not long after James the Son of James Stuart of Lorn sirnamed the Black-Knight whom he had by Queen Joan Sister to the Duke of Somerset and Widow to King James the 1st obtained this Honour and left it to his Posterity but for default of Heirs-male it came by a Daughter marryed to Robert Dowglass a younger Brother of Dowglass of Lochlevin to the Family of the Dowglasses and so to James Ereskin eldest Son of the Earl of Marr Thesaurer by his second Wife Daughter to Esme Duke of Lennox of whom is descended the present Earl From Buquhan as the Shore bendeth backward and turneth full into the North lyeth Boena and Bamff a small Sheriffdom also Ajuza a little Territory of no especial account and Rothamay Castle the dwelling place of the Barons of Salton sirnamed Abernethy Beneath these lyeth Sirathbolgy that is the Vale by Bolgy the Habitation in times past of the Earls of Athol who of it assumed their sirname but now the principle Seat of Marquess of Huntly For this Title King James the Sixth conferred upon George Gordon Earl of Huntly Lord Gordon and Badzenoth a man of great Honour and Reputation for his ancient nobleness of Birth and the multitude of his Dependants and Followers whose Ancestors descended from the Setons by Parliamentary Authority took the Name of Gordon when as Sir Alexander Seton had taken to Wife the Daughter of Sir John Gordon Knight by whom he had a large and rich Inheritance and received the Honour of the Earl of Huntly at the hands of King James the Second in the year 1445 his Successor George Marquess of Huntly was by King Charles the Second about the year 1683 created Duke of Gordon In this Shire also did reside the Ogilvies of Findlater of whom Walter Ogilvie was by King James the Sixth created Lord Deskford and in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 he is Ranked immediatly after the Lord Cranstoun and before the Lords Melvil Carnegy and Ramsey his Son James was created Earl of Findlater by King Charles the First anno 1633 who marryed his Daughter and Heiress to Ogilvie of Inch-martine in Perth Shire an ancient Family of that sirname the Son of the Marriage is James now Earl of Findlater who doth compet with the Earl of Airly both for the Antiquity of his Family and Precedency as an Earl his second Son Sir James Ogilvie is designed of Ogilvie from a Barony which belonged to their Family purchased by him he is his Majesties Sollicitor and a Member of this present Parliament for the Royal Burgh of Cullen In this Shire Ogilvie of Dunlaguse afterward designed Sir George Ogilvie of Bamff Baronet descended of the Ogilvies of Boyn also in this Shire who are Cadets of Findlater was by King Charles the First anno 1639 created Lord Bamff whose Successor is George Lord Bamff Sir Alexander Fraser of Philorth in Right of his Mother Abernethy Daughter to the Lord Saltoun was by Grant of King Charles the Second declared Lord Saltoun and approven in Parliament 1670 upon the death of Alexander Abernethy last Lord Saltoun of that sirname whose Grand-child is William Fraser now Lord Saltoun he carries the Arms of Abernethy quartered with the Arms of Fraser His Majesty hath nominat the forementioned Sir James Ogilvie Sheriff of Bamff CHAP. XXXI MORAVIA Or MVRRAY THe Vacomagi remembred by Ptolomy anciently inhabited on the
Johnstoun by King Charles the first anno 1633 and by the same King made Earl of Hartfield and so designed in the rescinded Parliament 1644 and by King Charles the second after the Restauration the Title of Earl of Hartfield was changed into that of the Earl of Annandale the Dignity of Annandale Murray being extinct and William the present Earl is a Privy Counsellor and extraordinar Lord of Session and now Hereditary Stewart of Annandale CHAP. X. NIDISDALE CLose unto Annandale on the West-side lyeth Nidisdale sufficiently furnished with Corn-fields and Pastures so named of the River Nid which in Ptolomy is wrongly written Nobius for Nodius or Nidius of which Name there be other Rivers in Britain full of shallow Foords and muddy Shelves like as this Nid is also It springeth out of the Lake Logh-Cure by which flowrished Corda a Town of the Selgovae He taketh his course first by Sanquher a Town and Castle of the Creightons who a long time kept a great Port as enjoying the Dignity of the Barons of Sanquher and the Authority besides of Hereditary Sheriffs of Nidisdale Afterwards by King james the sixth anno 1622 was created William Viscount of Air and by K. Cbarles the first anno 1633 Earl of Dumfreis whose great Grand-child is Penelope Countess of Dumfreis then by Morton which gave Title of Earl to some of the Family of Dowglas out of which others of that Sirname have their Mansion and Abiding at Drumlanrig The Laird of Drumlanrig was one of the Commissioners to the Parliament 1617 for the Shire of Dumfreis and being a Baron of a great Estate was at his first Promotion created Viscount of Drumlanrig after the Viscount of Air and is so Ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1633 and in the same year was created Earl of Queensberry whose Grandchild William Earl of Queensberry was first created Marquess thereafter Duke of Queensberry by King Charles the second and was Lord high Thesaurer of Scotland and Commissioner to the Parliament anno 1685 and did enjoy other great Offices and Honours The Lordship of Sanquhar and Sheriff-ship of Dumfreis was purchased by the Earl of Queensberry from the Earl of Dumfreis whose Residence since hath been at Leifnoris near Cumnock a Regality belonging to them in Kingskyle in the Shire of Air The Duke of Queensberries eldest Son is James Earl of Drumlanrig who besides other Offices enjoyed by him is one of the Commissioners of the Thesaury and by a special Commission did represent the Lord High Thesaurer in the last Session of this current parliament I cannot pass over in silence his Uncle James Dowglas of Scraling second Son to James the second Earl of Queensberry who being an expert Captain and Lieutenant General was joyned with the Duke of Schomberg in the first Expedition into Ireland 1689 where he continued that year and the next until he went with the Army into Flanders in the year 1691 where he died leaving Children by his Wife Anna Hamilton Daughter to the Laird of Red-house of the Family of Haddingtoun Also a Natural Son of the Regent Mortons was created by King James the sixth Lord Tothorwald it seems betwixt the year 1585 at which time the natural Children of the said Earl were restored and the year 1592 Tothorwald being ranked in the Rolls of Parliament 1612 before the Lord Thirlestane albeit omitted out of the Decreet of Ranking 1606 his Honours are now extinct but many considerable Persons are descended of him his Lands being purchased by the Family of Queensberry is one of the Titles of the present Duke By the same River near unto the Mouth whereof standeth Dumfreis between two Hills the most flourishing Town of this Tract which hath to shew also an old Castle in it famous for making of Woollen Clothes and remarkable for the Murder of John Commin the mightiest man for Manred and Retinew in all Scotland whom Robert Brus for fear he should fore-close his way to the Kingdom ran quite through with his Sword in the Church soon obtained his Pardon from the Pope for committing that Murder in a Sacred place Near unto the Mouth is Solway a little Village which retaineth still somewhat of the old Name of Selgovae Upon the very mouth is situat Caer-Laverock which Ptolomy I suppose called Carbantorigum accounted an impregnable Fort when King Edward the first accompanied with the floure of English Nobility besieged and hardly won it but now it is a weak Dwelling-house of the Barons of Maxwel who being men of an ancient and noble Linage were a long time Wardens of these West Marches and of late advanced by Marriage with the Daughter of one of the Heirs of the Earl of Morton whereby John Lord Maxwel was declared Earl of Morton upon the Forfaulture of the Regent Morton and is designed John Earl of Morton in the Parliament 1581 and the Dowglasses being restored to the Dignity of Earl of Morton in the Parliament 1585 the E. of Angus Nephew to the Regent was first vested with that Earldom Thereafter it came to the Laird of Loch-Leven of which Family was William E. of Morton Thesaurer to K. Ch. the first and James now Earl of Morton is his Grandchild The Lord Maxwel was created by King James the sixth Earl of Nithsdale with the same precedency he would have had when created E. of Morton which Dignity his Successor William now E. of Nithsdale doth enjoy As also by the Daughter and Heir of Lord Hereis of Taregles whom J. a younger Son of the Family of Maxwel took to Wise and obtained by her the Title of Baron Hereis The Heirs of the eldest Son of the Earl of Nithsdale failing in the Reign of King Charles the second the Lord Hereis succeeded to be Earl of Nithsdale and so the lesser Dignity of Hereis is swallowed up in the greater of the Earl Nithsdale and is now in the person of the present Earl Moreover in this Vale by the Lake side lyeth Glencairn whence the Cunninghams of whom I am to write more in place convenient bare a long time the Title of Earl This Nithsdale together with Annandale nourisheth a War-like kind of Men who have been infamous for Robberies and Depredations for they dwell upon Solway Frith a foordable Arm of the Sea at Low-waters through which they made many times Out-rodes into England for to fetch in Booties and in which the Inhabitants thereabout on both sides with pleasant Pastime and delightful Sight on Horse-back with Spears hunt Salmons whereof there is abundance What manner of Cattel-stealers these be that inhabite these Vales in the Marches of both Kingdoms John Lesly Bishop of Ross will tell you in these Words They go forth in the Night by Troops out of their own Borders through desart by-ways and many winding Crankies All the day time they refresh their Horses and recreat their own Strength in lurking places appointed before