of a Dangerous Traitour The Earl thus destroyed and without Issue his Cousin James succeedeth him in the Rights and Honours of the Earldom his Sister Beatrice enjoying whatsoever was not Entailed to the Heir Male James dyeth soon after his Son William Succeedeth and Marrieth his Cousin Beatrice to the great encrease of his Wealth and Power with which increased Pride and Insolence and with both Envy and Fear which the Earl perceiving resolveth to satisfie the People whom he had deeply Oppressed and to pacifie the King now come to Age whom he had highly displeased to this end he repaireth to Court submitting himself to the King whose Pardon he craved promising Amendment in all things done amiss the King receiveth him into Favour in hope of better things and indeed such was his Reformation that he was admired of all and dreaded of some especially the Vice-Roy and Chancellor knowing Guil and Fear being always inseparable Companions who suspecting and expecting the result of all his Counsels to be their Ruine they withdraw from Court laying down their Places in publick Affairs the Vice-Roy to his House in the Countrey the Chancellor to Edenburgh-Castle Earl Dowglas takes the opportunity of their Absence and by his Counsel especially both are Summoned to appear before his Majesty and great Council to give an Account of their publick Imployments both make shew of a great desire to obey but at present excuse their Non-appearance pretending Danger by reason of Earl Dowglas his Power and Enmity against them by Influence of the Earl his Counsel they are declared Traitours and their Estates confiscate Costersine a Retainer to the Earl is sent with Commission to levy their Personal Estates and to return them to the Exchequer which was accordingly done In revenge of all which the Chancellor raiseth some Forces first pillageth and then burneth Costersine his Estate and many Lands belonging to Dowglas himself This Quarrel occasioneth many Stirs in divers places in the Countrey At last Dowglas Besiegeth the Chancellor in the Castle of Edenburgh After nine Months Siege the Castle for want of Provisions is forced to surrender upon Articles of which this was the Chief A general Act of Oblivion to be past by the King in Parliament in behalf of the Chancellor and his Friends and leave to be granted to him to live in peace at his own House without Molestation of him or his This over Dowglas bendeth himself against the Levistons many of them are cited before the Parliament at Edenburgh all accused of Treason divers found Guilty Condemned and Executed Soon after Chrichton is reconciled to the King and by him made Chancellor again and sent Ambassador to France to renew the old League and to demand some Princess of the Blood in Marriage to the young King Mary Daughter to the Duke of Geldria by the Duke of Burgundy his Sister is forthwith Espoused and next Year after Arriveth in Scotland is Married to the King and Crowned Queen at Halyrude-House Anno 1449. By this time the Truce between the two Kingdoms England and Scotland determineth new Stirs begin and after some Depredations on both sides the Truce is renewed and continued for Seven Years but to very little purpose restless Men soon break the Peace the English break into Scotland spoil and plunder many places the Scots do the like in England the English raise a great Army to Invade the Scots under the Command of the Earl of Northumberland and one Magnus a Knight a Man of great Valour and Experience in War-like affairs The Scots likewise raise an Army under the Command of George Earl of Ormond Brother to the Earl Dowglas the two Armies joyn Battel between Anand and Eske in Scotland Magnus too daring a Man adventureth too far and falleth by his own rashness his Fall is the Ruine of all the whole Army runneth and is put to a satal Rout Three Thousand English killed and divers Prisoners of Quality a Rich Plunder obtained by the Scots with the Loss of 600 of their Men. This Overthrow enrageth the English a new Army is appointed to be Levied Civil Wars in England cross all An Ambassador is sent to Scotland to desire Peace Peace could not be obtained A Cessation of Arms only concluded and that with much ado for three Years Earl Dowglas next Year following desirous to see the Papal Jubilee travelleth through France with a Princely Retinue to Rome No sooner gone than whole troops of People Oppressed by him have their recourse to the King praying instantly and incessantly for Reparation of wrong done by him His Majesty is in a strait the Petitions being such as could not in Justice be refused and the Earl not being present could not in Justice be Condemned in the mean time the Earl his Proctor is called for to get in what Answer he could who refusing to appear is committed to Prison Many counsel harder things against him as guilty of high Contempt of Royal Majesty the King inclining to Moderation calleth for him out of Restraint and Commandeth him to Plead for his Lord freely and without Fear which the Proctor thus encouraged accordingly performed His Majesty having patiently heard all that possibly could be said adjudgeth reasonable Satisfaction to be made to the Oppressed The Proctor craveth respite till the return of his Lord The King adjudgeth present Satisfaction and to that end Lord William Sinclare Earl of Orkney and at that time Lord Chancellor is sent into Galloway and Dowglasdale to Commissionate Collectors to Levy my Lord's Retinue for Satisfaction of the Sums adjudged the Collectors all slighted and continued return home having done just nothing This inrageth his Majesty the chief Obstructors are sent for who refusing to appear are all denounced Rebels and Forces sent to reduce them to Order they fly to strong Holds against which the Party sent could do nothing the King marcheth in Person against them Maban Castle immediately Yieldeth Dowglas Castle reduced not without some loss to the King is laid level to the ground all the Faction at length submitteth and payeth out of Dowglas his Estate the Sums adjudged The Earl having notice of all these Troubles returneth from Rome much perplexed making a Pause in England until by his Brother he understood the King's gracious Affection towards him in the assurance whereof he Addresseth himself to his Majesty craving his Pardon for all former Miscarriages and promising all dutiful Obedience for the future is not only received into Favour but soon after declared Vice-Roy This extraordinary Grace is as soon forgot made use on to none other purpose save to advance his own Ambitious Designs whereof all Men were the more Jealous by his private withdrawing into England where he entertained a Clandestine Conference with the English King of which giving none other Reason save the Petition of some Plundred Goods the Scottish King is no less Enraged against him than Jealous of him and which the Earl understanding and knowing his Majesty's Clemency craveth
by reason of his non-adherence a Divorce issueth out and the former Marriage declared Null The Divorce published the young Lady is Married not without her great grief and reluctancy at the King 's special and peremptory Command to James Earl Hammilton the issue of which unhappy Marriage proved in most after-Generations an unhappy Annoyance to the Crown by whom she had James and Margaret The Lord Boyd out-lives not this Disaster dyeth with Grief at Antwerp where the Duke of Burgundy erected for him a most stately Tomb thus in a trice fell the flourishing Family of the Boydes a real Instance of the instability and vanity of the World These Stirs over the Peace is renewed with England and at home Disturbances not many nor great But this Calm lasted not long Fears and Jealousies the bane of all States disturb all and like an evil Spirit divide between the King and the Nobility Affairs standing thus his Majesty useth the Counsels of some Knights and Gentlemen in whose wisdom and integrity he confided much this enrageth the Nobility yet more and as if this had not been afflictious enough his younger Brother John conspireth his Death by the means of wicked Sorcerers for which Treason he is condemned to Dye by the opening of a Vein which accordingly was executed Alexander the other Brother suspected conscious to this Treason is Committed to Edenburgh Castle from thence he Escapeth and Saileth into France where he takes to Wife the Daughter of the Earl of Bononia Ambassadours are again sent from England to renew the Peace and to Ratifie the same by a new Affinity of an inter-marriage between James Son to King James and the Lady Cicilie Daughter to King Edward to be Solemnized so soon as both come to age fit for Marriage in the mean while a part of the Dowry to be paid down and in case the Marriage happened not to be Consummated the same to be repaired to the English These things were all happily concluded but the more was the pity not very long observed Dowglas an old Exile and Alexander the King's Brother by this time come over to England perswade King Edward to War against the Scots and on the other hand King Lewis of France incites King James against the English King Edward levieth Twenty thousand Men pretending to vindicate some Wrongs done by some late Inroads made by the Scots and under the Command of the Duke of Glocester accompanied with divers Noble Men amongst whom was Alexander Duke of Albany they March Northward King James prepareth an Army for defence advanceth to Lawder not far from the Borders where the discontent of some of the Nobility breaketh out into Violence against the King's Counsellors they Surprize them in the Night and drag most of them from the King's presence and are all by special influence of the Earl of Angus Sir John Ramsey only except immediately hanged in the view of the Army their great Crime save that some of them were advanced to the dignity of Noble Men was the Coyning of Brass Money in use many days before and continueth in that Kingdom to this day The truth is the King's Favour to them and their Faith to the King was their greatest Treason After this Disaster the Army dissolveth the King returneth to Edenburgh with no less Fear than Grief and Indignation The Duke of Glocester advanceth to the Gates of Edenburgh leaving Four thousand of his Army to Besiege the Castle of Berwick the Nobility in this distraction raiseth an Army to stop this Current Alexander Duke of Albany with the consent of the Duke of Glocester goeth over into the Scots Army where the Command in chief so handsomely was the Game played is immediately transferred to him a Treaty immediately set on foot by agreement Berwick is immediately surrendered the Duke returns to England and a Truce for certain Years appointed King Edward having seen so many late strange Mutations in England and fearing the like fate to King James which had happened to some of the English Kings viz. the ruine of his Family sendeth an Herald to Scotland and at Edenburgh proclaimeth the late contract of Marriage between the two young Princesses to be void demanding the repayment of that part of the Dowry paid King James being now at more liberty than before repayeth the Money not without some Indignation Duke Alexander perceiving that his Majesty's Eye was upon him and that his traiterous Design to compass the Crown was discovered flyeth privately into England and betrayeth the Castle of Dunbar to King Edward the Parlinment declareth him Traitor pardoning all his Associates after pardon granted Chrichton Son to the late Chancellor keepeth Correspondence with the Duke is summoned to answer disobeyeth and is Banished The Duke and Earl Dowglas both Exiles resolve to try their Fortune and Favour of the People return to Scotland with Five hundred Horse the Country riseth against them after a bloody Conflict nigh Lough Maban the Duke is overthrown and escapeth Dowglas is apprehended and sent Prisoner to Lindores By this time King Edward of England dieth and committeth his Son Edward the Fifth to the Tuiton of his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester the Duke impiously Murdereth his two Nephews and setteth himself on the Throne Immediately he sendeth his Ambassadors to Scotland to treat for Peace King James in detestation of their Master refuseth them Audience at last with much ado Audience is granted no Peace could be obtained a Truce only for three Years concluded by reason of the King 's own unsetled condition Soon after this Truce King Richard is killed at Bosworth Field Henry the Seventh obtaineth the Crown and cometh in Person to Newcastle from whence he sendeth his Ambassadors to Scotland Richard Fox Bishop of Exeter and Sir Richard Edgcombe they are Honourably received their Master and the matter of their Embassy which was Peace both indear them to King James who very freely told them that there was nothing he desired more than Peace though he durst not promise a lasting Peace with England by reason of the restless and unquiet Spirits of his Nobility which he heartily bemoaned to them adjuring them to conceal from his Nobles the carnest desire he had of Peace from which he knew they would be the more averse finding him bent towards it and in fine he prayeth them to rest satisfied with a Truce for Seven Years promising that before the determination thereof he on his part should be ready to renew it Seven Years more as one passionately desirous to live in peace with the English all his Life This Answer is returned to King Henry and a Truce accordingly for Seven Years concluded In the mean while Alexander Duke of Albany dieth in France leaving behind him two Sons Alexander and John afterwards Vice-Roy in Scotland King James now promiseth himself some quiet the Original of all his troubles removed and in order thereunto he Proclaims a general Pardon receiveth his Enemies into Favour Honoureth some
Custody of James Hammilton Earl of Aran engaging the Earl under pain of Treason for his Security Hume glad of so favourable a Keeper perswades Hammilton to withdraw with him and to take upon himself the Supreme Government as being equal in Propinquity of Blood to the King though by a Sister with the Vice-Roy himself Hammilton hearkneth to him the Earl of Lennox Hammilton his Nephew joyneth with them after a few Stirs they return next Spring to Court are pardoned and reconciled The Vice-Roy retireth to Faulkland and after some Months returneth to Edenburgh and thither inviteth Hume and his Brother who contrary to the advice of all his Friends obeyeth A Convention of his Peers is called Hume and his Brother without objection of any Crime not formerly pardoned are Condemned and Beheaded at Edenburgh their Heads likewise set up in the two most publick places of the City The Vice-Roy next Winter passeth over into France leaving his Charge in the hands of Angus Aran and Arguile the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews and Glascow to whom he adjoyned Darsie Governour of Dunbar a Frenchman assigning to each of them his Province soon after Darsie is killed by the Humes having as they conceived a chief influence in the Death of the late Earl this Murther much troubled the rest intrusted with the publick Affairs a Messenger is dispatched to the Vice-Roy to desire his return After five Years absence and much Confusion all the Kingdom over by the Feuds especially of Dowglas and Hammilton the Vice-Roy returneth October 28th 1521 Dowglas is Banished to France an Army is raised to divert the English then Warring in France and marcheth towards the Borders of England the Nobility refuse to March out of Scotland the Vice-Roy much perplexed sendeth to the Lord Dacres Governour of the English Borders and desireth a Conference with him Dacres the publick Faith being ingaged for his Safety cometh into the Scots Camp and after some Debate a Truce for some Years is concluded The Vice-Roy goeth again to France King Henry notwithstanding of the Lord Dacres his Truce sendeth an Army into Scotland under the Conduct of Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey after some waste done in Merse and Tividale the Earl retreats for revenge whereof the Scotch Borderers make Inroads into England which provoketh the Earl to return into Scotland to set on Fire the Town of Jedburgh which done he retreats the second time without sight of an Enemy The Queen Mother now returned from England endeavours a Peace between the two Nations King Henry with a design to break off the Ancient League between the Scots and the French tendereth a fair proposition of Marriage of his Daughter Mary to James the King of Scots Some heartily embrace his Motion pleading for a solemn League and Covenant with England declaring the great Benefits which should redound from such an Union to both Nations some again strangely oppose it pretending that the League with France of the benefits whereof they have had so long experience could neither in Policy nor Honesty be Violated as for a Covenant with England though it be possible that some good may come of it Yet knowing that as Covenants ratified by solemn Oaths with hands lifted up to God are amongst good Men the strongest of all Obligations so by some others they are only made use on as Snares to entrap and Engines to catch the Credulous to their destruction which done then are Covenants laid aside as Almanacks out of date Therefore said they Let us not be so fond as to relinquish our experienced God for that which is in Hope only and may possibly ay and probably too deceive us By this time the Vice-Roy landeth in the West with Three thousand Foot and an Hundred Curasiers at Glascow divers new levied Forces Rendezvouz with them the Vice-Roy cometh himself to Edenburgh calleth a Council of the Nobility commendeth their Fidelity and Stability to the French assureth them of the reciprocal affection and constancy of the French to them and their Nation and in fine with all earnestness he inciteth them to an Expedition against England This last motion takes not well the Nobility attending him only to the English Borders protest against an Invasion the Vice-Roy is forced to abate of his vigour against England yet the French must be sent to try their valour against Wark Castle where being soundly banged they return with hast enough to the Scotch quarters King Henry vigilant enough towards his affairs raiseth an Army of Forty Thousand Horse and Foot marcheth towards Scotland the Scots retreat to Lawder a bitter Winter comes on huge storms of Snow fall all action intercepted and both Armies Disbanded Next Spring the Vice-Roy passeth again over into France the Queen the Earls of Aran Lennox Crafurd and some others take the opportunity of his absence and accompany the young King not yet come to Age to Holyrude House where a Council of the Peers being called by their advice the King takes the Government upon him the Nobility swear Fealty to him and all Officers of State receive new Commissions from him The Earl of Angus hearing of this Mutation returneth from France Lennox and Arguile neglected in the publick Administration receive him with much joy in hope of some Mutation of Affairs to the Queen now estranged from him in her affection his return is no way pleasing much less to Hammilton who then ruled all his deadly enemy the Devil of Division begins now to Reign the Queen and Hammilton abide at Edenburgh Castle as a place of greatest Safety the Discontented Faction assembleth at Glasow advanceth towards Edenburgh the Castle unprovided of all things needful for a Siege yieldeth it self they within have liberty to march whither they please the King only reserved and committed to the tuition of Angus Arguile and Lennox who were by course to attend him every man his four Months Angus Monopolizeth all Power into his own hands this produceth Envy and Emulation Arguile withdraweth refusing to meddle Lennox continueth at Court but medleth not neither both shew their dislike of Angus his Usurpation A design is forthwith set on foot by the King 's own desire to Rescue him out of the hands of the Dowglasses The Scots a powerful Family in the South attempt it to that end they appear at Melrose with some Forces a bitter Conflict falls out between them and Dowglas the King himself and Lennox Spectators of the Fight Dowglas had the Day the chief and most of the Scots killed on the place July 20. 1526. Dowglas perceiving now plainly that Lennox was his enemy by his indifferency in this Conflict thought it high time to reconcile himself to the Hammiltons the Agreement is made Hammilton shares with him in the Government Lennox repaireth to Sterlin sends to divers of the Nobility consulteth with them touching the Rescue of the King all resolve and unanimously Assistance is promised accordingly against a day appointed before the day comes Lennox thought it
a little corrected an Epitome might be extracted not undelightful nor unuseful for the present Age Being an Age wherein great Attempts have been made against the Succession so long uninterrupted and the Rights and Prerogatives of the Crown though never so Sacred have all been disputed by Men of so loose and disloyal Principles that could they effect their Designs upon those Supports to an Hereditary Crown would not easily be persuaded to give over attempting till they have Extirpated not only the Royal Line but Royalty and Monarchy it self Nor can the most Christian Charity think otherwise when we see many of those very Men to be great Sticklers and all of their persuasion to be great Favourers of the Design who thought they had once effectually done it before and now by the Terrors of a guilty Conscience are Stimulated to repent the Wickedness not thinking themselves easie or safe under the protection of a Family which they have so Barbarously and so Inhumanly Affronted tho' perhaps the greatest instance of Royal Clemency and Mercy that History affords And certainly that single act of Barbarity committed against the Sacred Person of our late Martyr'd Sovereign were there nothing else in their whole practice is enough to sully the fairest Fucus to confute their best Arguments for the support of their pretended Zeal and to render their very Principles Odious and Abominable to all reasonable Men in future Ages The Perusal of these few Remarks or Historical Observations full of Loyalty and Impartiality together with a Reflection not only upon the Restauration of His Majesty to the Honours and Dignities of His Three Crowns but also upon those Deliverances which bear a later Date and are fresh Instances of Mens Disloyalty of our King 's great Wisdom and God's peculiar Providence over him These things I say taken into Serious Consideration may afford Men a Convincing prospect of the Folly as well as the Impiety of all Attempts against a Throne of Divine Establishment and that attested by so many miraculous Deliverances and Preservations All that the People do is but to imagine a vain Thing That God who hath set the Crown upon his Head will enable him to break all their Bonds asunder and to cast away their Cords from him Yea he that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn the Lord shall have them in derision THE PRAYER COntinue O gracious God to be thus Propitious to thine Anointed our Sovereign Lord King CHARLES the Second and grant that there may never want One of that Royal Family to set upon his Throne so long as the Sun and the Moon endure THE LIFE OF ROBERT II THE FIRST Of the Royal Family of Stuarts Kings of Scotland RObert the Second of that Name descended of Walter High Stewart of Scotland in the days of King Malcolme came in the Right of his Mother Sister to King David and Daughter to King Robert Bruce to Sway the Scottish Scepter and was the First of the Stuarts on whose head that unravished Câ—â—â—â— was Set about the Year 1371. and the 55th of his Age. In the beginning of his Reign a French Ambassadour sent by Charks the Fifth of France arriveth in Scotland to Congratulate his coming to the Crown and to renew the Antient League between the two Crowns of France and Scotland and to invite the Scots in persuance of an Article in the same League to raise an Army against England of purpose to force home some or most of the English Forces then making War in France the Antient League is without scruple renewed and the Scots soon prevailed withal to raise an Army against the English being provoked by denyal of Justice on the Murtherer of a Scottish Gentleman contrary to the Laws Established for preservation of Peace amongst the Borderers and being much more incensed by divers depredations especially by the inroad made by the Earl Percy the Year immediately preceeding contrary to the Articles of Peace concluded for fourteen Years between the two Kingdoms To preface the Scottish Expedition into England Alexander Ramsey with forty choice Gentlemen surpriseth Berwick Castle Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland immediately Besiegeth them with 10000 well Armed men after some few days valiant defence the Castle is stormed the Garrison wholly put to the Sword Ramsey the Captain in Chief only preserved By this time the Scottish Army advanceth and under the Conduct of James Earl Dowglass entreth England by the way of Carlile they plunder Penreth in the Fair time and return very richly laden with Spoil and with their Spoil carry home with them the Plague of Pestilence which raged all the Kingdom over for two Years together more furiously than ever in that Nation before To avenge this mischief done Fifteen Thousand English under the Conduct of General Talbot are sent into Scotland they spoil and plunder at pleasure but returning laden with Booty and Encamping nigh the Borders in a strait Valley secure and expecting no Enemy are suddenly surprised by 500 Scottish Horse who giving them a Fierce Charge put all in Confusion some kill'd divers taken Prisoners the rest provide for their Safety by flight leaving their Spoil behind them The English finding the Wars against both Kingdoms of France and Scotland a Burden too heavie resolve if possible to make Peace with Scotland to which effect John Duke of Lancaster Uncle to the English King Richard the Second is sent Ambassadour to Scotland is honourably received and entertained by King Robert James Earl Dowglas is appointed Commissioner to Treat with him a Cessation of Arms is concluded for three Years which King Robert caused inviolably to be observed notwithstanding of a great Advantage given him by a dangerous Rebellion then broke out in England by the instigation of one Ball a Priest upon occasion of a four penny Poll imposed on the People King Robert Commandeth his Commissioner Earl Dowglass to tender a Noble Entertainment to the Duke the English Ambassadour if it pleased him to reside in Scotland during the said Rebellion or if it pleased him in such a dangerous Storm to return to England to tender to him the Service of a strong Guard of 2000 men then ready to attend him Dowglass tendereth both the Duke Acknowledging with all Thankfulness the Nobleness of the Scottish King refuseth both and sets out for England the Governour of Berwick I know not why denieth him Enterance the Duke returneth to Edenburgh resideth there and is very Honourably Entertained with frequent Expressions of far greater Civilities than could be expected The Three Years Truce determined in the Year 1384. Archibald Dowglass Earl of Galloway Accompanied with James Earl Dowglass George Earl of Merse or Marches besieges Maban Castle and after Nine Days Siege in the Cold of Winter the Castle is delivered the Earl of Dunbar likewise surpriseth a great Booty nigh Piggin which he conveyed to be secured in Roxborrow then in the hands of the English King Richard having Notice of the Scottish Stirs
was too late and being ready to breath out his last when they found him some of his dearest Friends Ask him how he did to whom he Answered with marvellous good chear I am well and in a good condition I now Dye as almost all my Ancestors have done in the Bed of Honour some things only I Crave of you my Noble and Dear Friends which I desire to be performed as you Love and Honour me First That my Death be no Discouragement to you Secondly That you Conceal my Death during the time of the Battel both from Friends and Foes Thirdly That you suffer not my Standard to be overthrown And Lastly That you would Avenge my Death These things if you perform I have my desire and in hope thereof I bear all other things and my present Fate with a good heart With these words wherein he shewed himself a Souldier he takes leave of them and they of him and having covered his Body from the sight of the Souldiers they advance his Standard and Charge with the greater Fury crying out A Dowglass A Dowglass the English are forthwith put into great disorder the Earl Percy is taken Prisoner and in the same Charge his Valiant Son too being dangerously wounded some Nineteen hundred English are slain some Fourteen hundred are Prisoners whereof most wounded and to the Scots it was not a dry Victory The next day the Bishop of Durham coming up with some Auxiliaries the English Rally again and resolve to give Battel the Army being again made up Ten Thousand Men the Scots making vertue of necessity there being no possible safety for them to endeavour an Escape resolve to stand to it under the Command of the Earl of Murray The Bishop advancing Murray having first taken an Oath of all the Prisoners that they should remain true Prisoners though their friends should rescue them by strength of Arms is ready to receive him and commandeth the Soldiers to wind their Horns each Soldier having about his Neck an Horn larger than our ordinary Harvest Horns the Noise whereof was so great and the View of the dead Corps slain over Night so terrible that the Hearts of the raw and new raised Soldiers began to fail the Bishop is forced as his Safest course to retreat into their Quarters from whence they came without attempting any thing the Scots are no less glad being sufficiently wasted and weary to look homeward Murray dismisseth Percy the Younger upon his Parole above One Thousand Common Soldiers are set at Liberty the Earl himself and about Four Hundred of the Chief are carried Prisoners into Scotland The Joy the Scots had in this Victory which happen'd July 19. 1390. was wholly swallow'd up in the Death of the dougheir Dowglass a very noble Cavalier indeed whose Body was Interred at Melross with the greatest Evidences of Sorrow that could be Soon after Dyed in Peace the Good and Peaceable King Robert a general Peace being concluded in France England and Scotland for certain Years the Seventy Fourth Year of his Age and Nineteenth of his Reign a good Man and a good King a great Justiciary an Encourager of Vertue a Suppressor of Vice especially of Theft and Robery stedfast in his Word fortunate in his Wars tho' by reason of his Age and Natural Averseness to War he seldom or never Engaged in Person He had two Wives the one Elizabeth Daughter to Sir Adam More by whom he had three Sons John Earl of Carist Robert Earl of Say Alexander Earl of Buchan and Badgenoch the other Enfence Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross by whom he had two Sons Walter Earl of Straherne and David Earl of Athol and one Daughter Enfence given in Marriage to James Lord Dowglass Son to William Earl of Dowglass THE LIFE OF ROBERT III. JOHN son to King Robert Succeeded his Father and began his Reign Anno 1390. who immediately changed his Name choosing to be called by the Name Robert as an Auspicious Name the former two Roberts Kings of that Nation being men eminent in Vertue and prosperous in Atchievements He came to his Crown in a time free of Wars from abroad but full of Jars at home by the unquiet and ravenous disposition of his Nephew Duncan Son to Alexander Earl of Buchan who having Abased himself to be Captain of a Rebellious Rout of Robers spoyling and plundering divers Places especially in Angus was at last not without some Blood shed Suppressed by the industry of the Earl of Craford Soon after a dangerous fend fell out between two Great and Populous Families in the North for Reducing of whom were sent Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and James Earl of Craford who perceiving the great mischief likely to attend their Endeavours of a forcible Reducement contrived a more subtle way to quiet them after a representation made to the Heads of those Clans a part of the danger of their mutual Fewds and of the Kings Wrath against both they Advise them to conclude their Fewds as the Horatii and Cariatii did at Rome by the Choice not of three but of three hundred on each side to Fight Armed with Swords only in the sight of the King and his Nobles whereby the Victor should gain Honour the Vanquished safety from further Punishment and both regain his Majesties Favour whereof they gave them full assurance the Proposition is embraced on both sides of St. John's Town Mounts raised and Galleries made for the accommodation of the Spectators the Combatants are chosen and on the day appointed together with a multitude of beholders all of them appear on the place only one through fear privately withdrew himself this putteth some delay to the Encounter the one party looking upon it as a dishonour to Fight with the other wanting one of their Number the other Party not finding one who would Engage himself to make up their Number desire one of the Three Hundred to be put aside but of all that Number not one could be induced to withdraw accounting it an indelible disgrace to be shuffled out of such a choice Company of Valorous men at last an ordinary Tradesman tendereth his Service desiring no greater Reward than one single piece of Gold in hand as an honourable badge of his Valour and an Annuity of a small Sum for Life should he survive the Conflict his Demands are soon granted and immediately beginneth the Conflict with as much Fury as the height of Wrath the insatiable desire of honour and the fear of shame more than death could produce to the horrour and amazement of the Spectators whose hearts trembled within them to see as indeed it was an horrid Sight to behold such a rueful Sight of Furious men butchering one another and observed it was by all that of all the Combatants none shewed more shall I call it Valour than the Tradesman did who had the good Fate to survive that dismal day and on the Conquering side too whereof only ten besides himself out-lived that hour to
refreshment having eat much of his own Flesh and many of his Members miserably perished in the extremity of Hunger a great evidence indeed of God's anger against his Lustful youth but no less evidence of a cruel and barbarous heart in the merciless and inhuman Uncle This Cruelty is for a time concealed from the good King at last Time revealeth it not without some indignation of the Author The Duke is questioned but by a cowardly if not traiterous Jury pack'd by himself acquitted the poor distressed King praying to Heaven for a Vengeance upon them and all their Posterity who were guilty of that horrid Murther the Duke to gloss all the better draggeth some to Prison Flagitious men indeed but altogether innocent of this Crime condemneth and executeth them as Murtherers of the Prince palliating one wickedness with another as many other wicked men have done The good King solicitous for his onely Son now remaining resolveth for his greater safety to send him over to France to be educated in the Court of Charles the Sixth the French King and commendeth him to the safe conduct and oversight of Lord Henry Sinclare Earl of Orkney he setteth Sail from the Basse and passing by Flamborrowe-head a Storm ariseth and forceth the Ship into Harbour the Prince afflicted with Sea-sickness goeth on Shore is apprehended by the English and sent Prisoner to King Henry of England who notwithstanding of the Mournful Letters of the afflicted King his Father sent up of purpose some weeks before to prevent the obstruction of his Journey and contrary to the Advice of the most of his Council pleading for his Liberty detaineth him Prisoner This hard measure is in great measure recompenced by the liberal Education he gave him whereby he became the most Learned Prince of his time the sad news of his Imprisonment brought to his still afflicted Father for the loss of his eldest Son as he sat at Supper cut him to the Heart and oppressed with Grief he falleth down dead his Company about him in vain seeking to recover Life in him they carry him to his Chamber where his Spirits revive a little but abstaining from all manner of nourishment after three days abstinence he departeth this Life opprest with two cruel tyrants Hunger and Grief in the 16th Year of his Reign April the First 1406 A Prince of a very proper and proportionable Person a Good man and a Meek not furnished indeed with Austerity and such like qualities as might have rendered him more fit than in truth he was to Govern a People so unlike himself in Conditions THE LIFE OF JAMESI KIng Robert departed this Life his Son James Prisoner in England is Proclaimed King of Scotland and his Uncle Robert Duke of Albany continued by Act of Parliament in his Government at this time a sweet calm of Peace continued between the two Kingdoms above twelve years together a great blessing to both Nations In the mean while a black Cloud appeareth in the North of Scotland Donald Lord of the Isles pretending the recovery of his Lands in Ross which the Governor kept from him by a a trick of Law Invadeth Ross from thence marcheth into Murray from thence into Buchan and so to Aberdeen doing much Mischief all along as he went To stop this Current Alexander Earl of Marre and others of the Nobility advance against him with such Forces as could be raised on the sudden both Armies Encounter at Harlaw a fierce Battel continueth for many hours with such slaughter on both sides that at Night the darkness whereof was the first commander of Cessation each Army thought it self overcome no man appearing next day morning to claim the glory of the Victory onely the poor Village Harlaw where the Battel was is famous from it to this day This Rebellion over the Dauphine of France sendeth an Ambassadour to Scotland to demand Assistance against the English according to their ancient League then warring in France declaring with a sad Narrative that himself was disinherited and the English King Henry the 5th Married to his Sister the Lady Catharine declared Regent of France in present and Heir apparent to the Crown with whom likewise the Duke of Burgundy had joyned his whole Force this pitiful Letter soon quickened the Scottish Nobility dreading the effects of King Henry his Greatness an Army of 7000 resolute and stout men are sent immediately over into France under the Conduct of John Earl of Buchan Archibald Earl of Wigton Son to Archibald Earl Dowglas with whom were divers Persons of Quality all safely arrive and are immediately sent by the Dauphine towards Turon the Duke of Clarence Brother to the English King well high surpriseth them in their way they take the Alarm nigh Bergie and on Easter-Eve they give Battel to the English fought with great valour and various fortune on both sides at last the Duke of Clarence is dismounted his whole Army routed 2000 slain on the spot amongst whom were the Duke of Clarence the Earl of Kime the Lords Gray and Ross Many Prisoners likewise taken whereof divers Persons of Quality as the Earls of Huntington and Somerset and others The Earl of Salisbury a man of singular vertue and valour endeavoureth to repay this loss but could effect nothing save the recovery of the dead Body of the Duke of Clarence which he afterwards sent over into England After this Victory the Dauphine createth Buchan Constable of France one of the highest Preferments in that Kingdom In the same Year 1420 Robert Duke of Albany departed this Life and his Son Mordake established in his place Buchan returneth from France and is immediately recalled he arriveth at Rochett accompanied with Archibald Earl of Dowglas and Five thousand Auxiliary Foot the Dauphine much cheared up at their arrival receiveth them with ample Gratulation John Duke of Bedford is sent over from England much about the same time with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot and soon after King Henry himself arriveth and with him James King of Scotland of purpose by his presence to withdraw the Scots from the Dauphine or at least to render them the more suspected to him but he is disappointed in both the Scots unanimously declaring that they could not render whilst a Prisoner the Obedience otherwise due to him Soon after both the French and English King depart this Life Henry the Sixth of England about Eights Months old is Proclaimed King of England and France John Duke of Bedford appointed Regent of France The Dauphine at the same time Proclaimed by his Adherents King of France by the Name of Charles the 7th The Regent advanceth against him with a powerful Army the Duke of Alenson encountereth him Charles himself is with general consent and unanimous request of all his Friends desired to withdraw and not to hazard his Person the miscarriage whereof was an apparent ruine of them all and giveth him Battel not far from Vornoil The Fight continued very fierce for some hours at
done a Promise is made to assure him of Pardon Earl Dowglas passeth over into England craveth Assistance of Henry Earl of Northumberland which was no sooner asked than obtained Forces are raised and under the Conduct of the two Earls they make an Incursion into the Meuse in Scotland wasting and pillaging all the Earl of Angus is sent to give some Check to the violent Current which was done to good purpose being soundly beaten they are forced to retreat leaving their Spoil behind them King James not satisfied with this Victory resolveth to revenge the manifold Incursions made into Scotland by an Expedition into England provoked the more by the Entertainment and Assistance given to the Earl Dowglas a Proclaimed Traitor In the mean while Agents are sent to him by some of the English Nobility the Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and others then in Arms against King Henry to crave some Auxiliary Forces from his Majesty in recompence whereof they promise in case of Success the Rendition of all the Scottish Towns Forts and Castles in the English Possession King James though unwilling to meddle in this Quarrel yet being glad of an Opportunity to regain his Towns and having formerly concluded a War for reparation of Wrongs done declareth to the English Commissioners that he would hasten his Expedition into England which he doubted not would be much to the advantage of the Lords in Arms and therefore expected that in case of Success the Proposition now made touching his Towns should then be performed The English Commissioners return satisfied the Scottish Army forthwith advanceth which had not marched many Miles when behold an Impostor and with him a Cozening Monk presenteth himself to the King pretending himself to be the Pope's Legate but sent indeed by King Henry of England This Jugler informeth his Majesty that his Holiness intended to settle if possible a general Peace in Christendom in order to a War against the Turk the Enemy of Christians and therefore in his Holiness his Name he requireth his Majesty to retreat assuring him that in case of Disobedience he had Command given to him to denounce the Pope's Curse against him which in those days was so Dreadful that no Man durst be so desperate as to incur the danger thereof King James therefore obeycth retreateth and Disbandeth his Army This Cheat is soon discovered the King enraged recalleth his Army and forthwith advanceth and in his way Stormeth the Town of Roxburgh then Garrison'd by the English the Castle refusing to yield is closely Besieged in the interim Messengers come from the English Lords to give notice to his Majesty of King Henry his Overthrow and return him thanks for his Royal care of their Safety intreating him to desist from the Siege lest the English being provoked thereby send down an Army contrary to their minds against him King James much moved at this last Passage demandeth of the Messengers what Instructions they had from their Lords concerning the Promise of Surrendering into his hands all his Towns Forts and Castles in the English power they acknowledge none The King bids them tell their Lords That not their Words but their Swords must raise him from the Siege The Siege continueth and is reinforced by additional Forces under Earl Hantkey and Donald Lord of the Isles who to ingratiate himself the more to his Majesty tendereth himself and his Forces as a Forlorn Hope in what Design or Service soever it shall please his Majesty to command him In the midst of all this Preparation behold the Fatal hour approacheth the King being himself very skilful in discharging of great Ordnance draweth nigh to see the Cannoneer discharge a great Cannon called the Lion newly sent to him from beyond Sea the Cannon discharged flyeth in pieces a Wedge whereof pierceth the King's body and immediately he dyeth Such of his Courtiers and Commanders as were by though astonished at this sad Spectacle yet are so present in mind as to cover his Body from the view of the Souldiers lest all should turn to Confusion The Queen who that very morning came into the Camp with a chearful Countenance wisely consealing the great grief of her heart exhorteth the Nobility to go on with Resolution notwithstanding that sad disaster and for their further encouragement produceth her young Son the Prince a Child of seven Years old they salute him King and being much animated by this couragious Deportment of the Queen the Siege goeth on more furiously than before The English within spent with much labout and continual watchings Sound a Parley obtain Articles of Surrender march out honourably with freedom to Transport into England whatsoever belonged to the Garrison the Castle Surrendered is forthwith Demolished Thus Dyed James the Second about the 11th of September 1460 in the 22th Year of his Reign and the 29th of his Age he lived in a most desperate time and Rebellious Age but disposed with such a well composed Mind that Prosperity and Adversity were equally entertained by him the Death of Earl Dowglas the only instance of his Impotency a Man of singular Courage and no less Clemency munificent to his Friend and merciful to his Foe In a sad time he fell leaving Sorrow enough behind him and a sad People for so great a loss THE LIFE OF JAMES III. JAMES the Third entereth his Reign at Kelso the 7th Year of his Age Anno 1460. The Peers having done the Homage the King repaireth to Edenburgh-Castle to remain there under the Tuition of the Queen until a Parliament could conveniently be called for setling the Affairs of the King and Kingdom In the mean while King Henry the Sixth of England after various Fortune of War is at last after the fatal Blow he received at Towton nigh Ferrybridges where died 35091 English forced to fly with the Queen and Prince into Scotland for Relief where he is Honourably received and entertained the Scottish King's Sister Margaret is given in Marriage to his Son Prince Edward Some considerable Forces are raised for his Assistance to recover his Crown having delivered Berwick to King James as part or his Antient Inheritance before the days of King Edward the First King Henry marcheth with his Army into England and is overthrown in Battel by Edward the 4th nigh Hexham escapeth to Berwick Edward returneth to London Queen Margaret procures some Forces from France all Cast away in the Holy Island by distress of Weather such as escaped the Sea are either Slain or Imprisoned King Henry now desperate of Relief resolveth to try the Affections of his Friends in England and to that end putteth himself into a Disguise and coming Southward is discovered apprehended carried to London and laid up in the Tower By this time the Scots are at leisure to meet in Parliament great Contention there was into whose hands the Government should be committed during the King's Minority the Queen claimeth it Kennedie Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and George
Inricheth many and admitteth others into his most Secret Counsels But all this cannot serve his turn their Guilt they thought was greater than could be forgiven this Gangreen'd in their thoughts every day so deadly an enemy is Guilt and Fear being always companions and come to that height that the King's Life and their Safety cannot consist his Ruine is therefore contrived and resolved on the want of a Popular Leader is a main Rub in their way The Prince himself is thought the fittest to countenance this horrid Design His Keepers are corrupted The young and unwary Prince seduced and to their Proposition he must yeild otherwise they deal plainly with him to tell him that he and the Regal Power both must be delivered into the Hands of King Henry of England Thus the young Prince is frighted from all Duty and Loyalty to his Dearest Father to countenance as Commander in chief a most Traiterous Combination of perverse and seditious Men An Army is forthwith raised in pursuance of their Design The King prepareth for Defence useth all honourable means for Peace and by mediation of the Earl of Athol his Uncle soliciteth for it the Rebels return an Answer telling him That unless he resign his Crown to his Son and depart the Kingdom there could be no Peace This Answer the King dispatcheth to his Ambasladors in France and England requiring them to request the Assistance of both King 's in this common cause wherein all Kings are concerned who accordingly send their Ambassadors to the Scots declaring their proceedings against their King to be Wicked and Pernicious and not to be endured by Christian Princes so much concerned in such a dangerous Example The Pope is likewise sent to to interpose his Ghostly and Paternal Power who accordingly sendeth to his Legate Adrian de Castello an Italian the great Restorer of the Latine Tongue then in England forthwith to apply himself to Compose the Scottish troubles but all in vain as being too late the Rebels Army presseth towards the King's Incamped by Blackness and to make all sure they Assail him as well by Fraud as Force Some of his Council about him are corrupted so are likewise some of his Commanders in Martial Affairs especially the Governor of Sterlin the Key of the Kingdom the corrupt Council about him with fair pretences perswade him to appear on the head of his Army and to forsake the Castle of Edenburgh where he resolved to secure himself until he heard the result of Foreign Counsels assuring him that Sterlin then in the Rere of his Army and in the hands of Faithful Men was a place of no less security for his Person than was Edenburgh Castle and of far greater advantage to receive Recruits and all other accommodations for his Army having the benefit of the Countrey behind him and his Navy not far from him This Counsel was so fair and promising that even such as were faithful to him perswade him to it and according to this advice the King repaireth to Sterlin the Governor Sey perceiving the Rebels Army pressing after the King 's Traiterously refuseth Entrance to him The poor King is now in a Pound and with his small Army is forced to Fight his Majesty behaveth himself very gallantly and routeth the Van of his Enemies but their Reserve regains all the King's Army is overthrown himself dismounted and wounded privately flyeth into a Mill hoping to get into his Navy but the fatal hour approacheth some of the Rebels discovering him pursue after him and impiously Murther him and all the faithful remnant of his Servants about him Thus died King James the Third a good and peaceable Man every way well disposed but plagued by the Ambition of restless and unquiet Spirits who Traiterously sought and wrought his Ruine The Battel over and no news of the King the Rebels supposing that he had gained his Navy send to Sir Andrew Wood chief Captain of the Ships Seton and Fleming being left Hostages in the Navy Sir Andrew appeareth before the Chief of them called the Prince his Council being demanded whether his Majesty was aboard the Navy and what those Boats were that passed to and fro before and after the Battel Stoutly replyed that his Majesty was not aboard for which he was the more sorrowful and as to the Boats they transported himself and other faithful Subjects to the King's assistance conformable to the duty of their Allegeance whom alone they were resolved to serve were he alive to be benefited by their service but now being Slain in Battel by some barbarous Rebels they resolved to avenge his Death to the last drop of their Blood having sufficiently declaimed against the wickedness of that horrid Rebellion and all engaged in it he is remitted safely to his Navy by reason of the Hostages given in pledge for him The Rebels retreat to Edenburgh where notice is given to them of the King's death the news whereof pierces the heart and soul of the young Prince now when too late sensible of his Error and sadly resenting his great unhappiness and above that his deadly sin in being accessary to the misfortune of his dearest Father causeth a stately Funeral to be solemnized for him at Kammiskeneth an Abby nigh Sterlin where his Corps were Interred and for himself he prepared an Iron Chain with which he begirt himself wearing it all the days of his Life about his middle close to his Skin in testimony of the deep sense he had of his sin adding yearly one Ring thereunto not so much to enlarge it as to remember the sad occasion of it THE LIFE OF JAMES IV. JAMES the Third thus unhappily fallen under the hands of merciless Men his Son James Succeedeth and entreth his Reign Anno 1488 who sorrowful enough if in such a case any sorrow can be enough for his Father's Fall which could not be recovered laboureth to compose all Differences and to reunite the two grand Factions in order to a peaceable Reign to which end having the Castles of Edenburgh and Sterlin Surrendered to him a Messenger is sent to Sir Andrew Wood Captain of the Ships to call him to attend his Majesty's pleasure the publick Faith being pledged for his safety the Captain repaireth to Court the King with inexpressible sorrow and immoderate grief regretting what was past and representing the present dangers of the State by the unhappy Divisions of the Kingdom he prevaileth with the Captain to submit to him and to take Commission from him to reduce five English Ships roving and robbing all along the Coast which with small loss and trouble he performed assisted only with two Ships the English Ships are brought from Dunbar where the Conflict was to Leith and their Captain presented to King James who munificently rewarded Sir Andrew for this gallant piece of Service In the mean while the Nobility who were Loyal to the late King send their Messengers to their Friends adjuring all such as had any sense of their present
necessary if possible to prevent the Conjunction of Dowglas and Hammilton to that end he advanceth to Linlithquo where the Hammiltons were drawn together Dowglas then at Edenburgh marcheth with all possible expedition bringing along with him to countenance his affairs the person of the King who all along retardeth the journey accounting Lennox more his Friend than those with him pretending indisposition of Body ever and anon dismounteth making shew to pay some necessary office to Nature Dowglas frets and in vain spending many entreaties for expedition at length George Dowglas Brother to the Earl is so peremptory with him as in most Rebellious terms to tell him That rather than their Enemies should get possession of his Person they would rend him in pieces and divide him in halves between them This Traiterous word made an indelible impression on the heart of the King though at present silence was his best and only return At last the Armies joyn Lennox and his Patty are put to the rout many slain the Earl himself killed bewailed of all Hammilton and Dowglas both mourn for him above all the King is afflicted the remnant of his Party with sorrow and grief enough submit and are all forced to compound for their Treasons as was pretended in bearing Arms against the King the Earl of Cassils refusing to submit was way-laid and killed by one Hugh Campbell Lennox his Death divulged maketh a very deep impression in the hearts of most men especially his own Retainers one of his Servants resolveth with himself to avenge his Lord's death on the Person of the Bastard Hammilton by whom Lennox was killed To that end he repairs to Edenburgh and on his way meeting with one of his Fellow-servants he asked him saying Didst thou see Hammilton the Bastard Yea said he I saw him and hast thou not killed him unthankful Wretch who murthered our Dear Lord and Master said the Fellow Go and be hang'd thou art not worthy to live and with these words he pass'd on in his way and came streight to Holyrude House where in the Pallace-Yard stood Two thousand Armed men all Retainers to Dowglas and Hammilton there the Fellow walks full of Revenge and waiting the opportunity to execute the desire of his heart Hammilton unawares comes in his way without Arms the Fellow falls upon him in the Penthouse under the Porters-Lodge and wounds him in six several places of his Body the Armed men are all presently in confusion and well nigh in one anothers blood The Hammiltons suspecting this bold attempt to be done by the Dowglasses newly only reconciled to them to avenge some old Quarrels The Fellow is at last apprehended who had opportunity fair enough had he attempted it to escape with his Sword in his hand still smoaking with Hammilton's blood he is forthwith hurried to Tolbnith boldly professing that what he did was to revenge the death of his Dear Lord declaring with inexpressible confidence that he was sorry for nothing but that he was disappointed of his design so bravely begun by him he is put to Torture for the discovery of such as animated him to that bold attempt his Flesh is seared with burning Irons which he endured with such courage and resolution as no man could spy either by his words or by his countenance or otherwise any the least sense of pain in him at last his Right Hand was cut off which he endured without shrinking calling out to such as stood by That unhappy Hand well deserved this punishment which executed not the design of a Resolute mind The Dowglasses think themselves now secure enough no man daring to oppose them in any thing But in the midst of their security the King makes an escape from Faulkland to Sterlin there the Nobility from most parts of the Kingdom fly to him by whose advice his Majesty issueth out an Edict inhibiting the Dowglasses any further medling in publick Affairs discharging them or any of their retainers under pain of Death to come within Twelve Miles of the Court this Edict being served on the Earl in his Journey towards Sterlin he retreats to Edenburgh and prepareth Forces for his defence A Proclamation issueth from the King to call a Parliament to Assemble November the 3d. in the interim his Army advanceth towards the City Dowlas withdraws The King peaceably entreth the City Terms of Peace are offered to the Dowlasses viz. That the Earl himself should confine himself on the North of Tay his Brother George and his Vncle Archibald to the Castle of Edenburgh The Conditions are refused they are Summoned to appear before the Parliament they disobey the Earl himself his Brother George his Uncle Archibald and his dear Friend Alexander Drumond of Carnock all by sentence of Parliament Banished all People charged under pain of Treason not to relieve them the Dowlasses break out into open Violence Arguile is sent to reduce them to order whose advance they prevented by flight into England The King spendeth some time with great care and charge in suppressing the Depredations then very great on the Borders which Expedition over he establisheth the Court of Sessions formerly indeed set on foot by the Vice-Roy the Duke of Albany Constituted of Fifteen Judges of the most learned of the Law impowred to hear and determine all Civil Causes a very grave Court continuing in great Honour and deserved Respect in that Nation to this day About this time King Henry of England prepareth for War against the Scots irritated thereunto by the Scotch Exiles and Refuges in England King James having Constituted the Earl of Murray his Vice-Roy prepareth for Defence by Mediation of the French then a common Friend to both Peace is concluded King James sends Ambassadors to France to treat concerning his Marriage to a Daughter of France The King of England to prevent it sends the Bishop of St. Davids and William Hrward Brother to the Duke of Norfolk Ambassadors into Scotland to invite King James to a Personal Conference with himself whereunto he is soon persuaded by the great Promises they made of Marriage to Mary the King 's eldest Daughter if all other things succeeded well in the Treaty The Scotch Council especially the Clergy fearing Innovations in Religion then set on foot by King Henry are much troubled that his Majesty had consented to this Conference they ply him with continual surmises of Ruine to Himself to the State to Religion should this Conference hold the King is over-ruled and observeth not the day appointed but forthwith Saileth into France and is immediately espoused to Magdalen Daughter to Francis King of France the Marriage solemnized on New-years Day 1537 and both arrive in Scotland about the end of May following within six Weeks after the young Queen Dyeth to the inexpressible grief of all the Nobles put on Mourning Apparel not before that time in use in that Kingdom Immediately after David Beton Cardinal and Robert Maxwel are sent to France to demand Mary of the
them who have thirsted after my blood then turning to the Lords she requested that her servants after her death might be civily used suffered to attend her person in the time of her death and then to enjoy peaceably those poor Legacies she had bequeathed them the Earl of Kent opposed her servants Attendance yet the passionate desires of the poor Queen prevailed with the rest of the Lords to permit six of them to wait on her to the Scaffold with this train came she into the Hall hung with black and ascended the Scaffold covered with black also and sat her down in a Chair prepared for her Beal read the Warrant for Execution which she heard very Patiently the Dean of Peterborough endeavoured to persuade her at last to relinquish the Roman and embrace the Reformed Religion for the Eternal good of her Soul She besought him to forbear being Resolved to Dye in the Faith of the Roman Church Then turning to the People she Protested before God that she had not Attempted any thing against the Life of Queen Elizabeth nor any other thing deserving Death after some sew words more touching Religion her Eyes gushed full of Tears which were sympathetically Answer'd with Tears by all that beheld the Tragedy Three or Four only in all that Concourse that could be Excepted The Executioner desired her Pardon I Pardon thee said she and all my Persecutors after she had kneeled down and Prayed with extream fervency concluding her Devotions in these words As thy Arms Lord Jesus were stretched out upon the Gross so receive me O Jesus into the stretched forth Arms of thy Mercy And after this she disposed her self for the Block her Maids having undressed her she laid open the most Beautiful Neck that ever received so merciless a Blow then she signed her Attendants with the Sign of the Cross and having kissed them all she smilingly bids them farewell at which they poor Souls weep most bitterly with Sighs and Tears inexpressible for which she meekly reproved them saying Nay what do you mean do you suffer your selves to be Transported with Grief notwithstanding you know I am going to Exchange a Temporal Kingdom full of Misery for an Everlasting Empire filled with all Felicity After this she covered her Face and laid her Neck on the Block saying in te Domine speravi and having repeated once and again in manus tuas Domine The Executioner gave a Blow and with it made a dreadful wound in the hinder part of her head and at two more the Inhuman Butcher severed her head from her Shoulders saying Long Live Queen Elizabeth and so let the Enemies of the Gospel perish Her poor Heart-broken Servants drew nigh to do their last Office for her in divesting her Body and disposing of it for Burial But the Earl of Kent commanded them to be gone and ordered her Body to be conveyed to a Chamber in the Castle where it was locked up After Nineteen Years Imprisonment thus Unfortunately Dyed the most Beautiful the most Magnanimous the most Wise and most Religious Queen Mary Her Body was first Buried in the Cathedral Church in Peterborough and after many Years in the Reign of her Son taken up and buried amongst her Ancestors in Westminster and by an unknown Author had this Inscription set upon her Tomb in Peterborough MARIA Scotorum Regina regis Filia regis Gallorum vidua reginae Angliae agnata heres proxima vertutibus regiis animo regio ornata Jure regio frustra saepius Implorato barbara tyrannica crudelitate ornamentum nostri seculi lumen vere regium extinguitur eodemque nefario Judicio Maria Scotorum Regina morte naturali omnes superstites reges plebeii facti morte mulctantur hic extat Cum Sacris enim vive Mariae cineribus omnium Regum atque principium violatam atque prostratam Majestatem hic jacere scito quia tacitum regale satis super que reges sui officii monet plura non addo viater Translated thus Mary Queen of Scotland the Daughter of a King the Widow of the King of France the near Kinswoman and next Heir to the Queen of England endued with Princely Vertues and a Royal Mind having often but in vain implor'd her Regal Right at length the great Ornament of our Age and the most Sovereign Light of the World is Extinguish'd by a most Barbarous and Tyrannical Cruelty and by the same pernicious Sentence Mary the Queen of Scotland is punish'd with a Natural Death and all surviving Monarchs made common Persons and render'd lyable to the punishment of a Civil Death a very strange and unaccountable kind of Grave in which the Living lye Interr'd with the Dead for with the Ashes of this Blessed Mary know thou that the Majesty of all Crowned Heads lies here depressed and basely violated But because the Reasons of State do admonish all Kings what is best to do O Traveller I say no more FINIS
and Success sendeth down a Potent Army both by Sea and Land under the Command of the Duke of Lancaster they spoil all to the very Gates of Edenburgh they Enter the City and in their Fury resolve to set it on Fire but the Duke remembring that it had been a Sanctuary to himself in a late Danger Nobly preserveth it and returneth with his Army His Army returned Earl Dowglass immediately marcheth with an Army and regaineth all the Castles in the English Power Roxborrow only excepted for which he put very fair but that a Burning Feaver of which he Dyed prevented him In the mean while a Peace is Concluded in France between all the Three Kingdoms of France England and Scotland the French undertake to publish this Peace forthwith in Scotland but are Negligent in it until the News of a great havock done in Scotland after the Conclusion of the Peace by an Army of 10000 English Horsemen and 6000 Bowmen under the Earl of Northumberland and Notingham the Scots sensible of this Abuse refuse to hearken to Terms of Peace notwithstanding the earnest desire of their King to embrace them Dowglass Lindsey and Dunbar privately withdraw from Court raise an Army and flying rather than marching into England consume all with fire and sword even to the Gates of New-Castle return laden with Spoil and proclaim the Peace In the Year following the French Admiral Jean de Vienna landeth in Scotland with about some Two Thousand Auxiliary Foot and an Hundred Curasiers with Six Months Pay King Richard of England having Notice hereof and withal Intelligence of great Preparations making against him in France by Charles the Sixth the French King which soon evaporated into Smoak by the delays of the Duke of Bury suddenly raiseth an Army of Sixty Thousand Foot and Eight Thousand Horse some say One Hundred Thousand Foot and Ten Thousand Horse some Three Hundred Thousand of both and in great Fury marcheth into Scotland burneth and killeth all along Forty Miles without respect of Place or Person Edenburgh and Melrose both Consumed by Fire King Robert thinking it no way safe to give Battel to so great an Army sendeth an Army into Cumberland where they freely Wast and Spoil all King Richard not daring to march beyond the Scottish Frith as the Duke of Lancaster Advised him whom he therefore Suspected of a Traiterous Design against him nor to leave the Sea Coast having all his Stores of Provision from his Navy then attending him on the Frith and the Winter then drawing on resolveth rather to return home by the way of Berwick than with the hazard of all by reason of Cold and Hunger to Pursue the Scots in Cumberland which the Scots perceiving withdraw their Army at their own convenience and return no less laden with Spoil than the great Army of the English thus two Armies great enough are raised invade other Nations and return without sight one of another the People the common sufferers in such broils sustaining the loss King Robert knowing that the English could not return in the Winter Season sendeth his Army to reduce Roxborrough then in the hands of the English strongly Fortified and well Garrison'd the Siege being formed the French crave the Possession and Government of the Town when regained the Scots peremptorily refuse telling them plainly their Service deserved no such Reward as so strong a Garrison the Possession whereof should enable them to become at pleasure Arbitrators both of War and Peace the Siege breaketh up in discontent the Scots weary of the Insolence and grievous Plunderings of the French send them fairly home retaining the Commander in Chief until reasonable Satisfaction made for the wast done by his Souldiers King Richard of England now returned home and his great Army disbanded behold a Cloud appeareth which breaketh out into such a storm as in the end proved his Ruin Whilst all things are in confusion in England the Scottish Nobility unwilling to loose the opportunity cry out for a Vindictive Army to be raised to revenge King Richard's last years inhuman Cruelty the good King touched with a fellow-feeling of King Richard's Sufferings choosing rather to bear the wrong done than to wound the afflicted sheweth himself very averse to the Counsels of his Nobility which his Nobles perceiving resent it more than well beseeming them and privately contrive an Army without the knowledge of their King with which they march into England one part of their Army marcheth by the way of Carlile under the Conduct of two of the King 's Younger Sons the Earls of Fife and Straern the other by the way of Berwick under the Command of James Earl Dowglass The first Army spoileth the Countrey without opposition and returneth with Spoil enough bought at a cheap rate The second hath not the like fortune tho' it marched with such hast and secresie that the smoak it raised in the Conflagration of Towns and Villages was its first Discovery having spoiled the Bishoprick of Durham Earl Dowglass resolveth to Attempt New-Castle the Percies in those days the most Valiant Family England had draw their Forces thither for its Defence some light Skirmishing there was for three days together the two Commanders in Chief Dowglass and Piercy think it worthy of their Fame to try their single Valour in view of both Armies which accordingly they did with incredible Gallantry on both sides Percy is at last dismounted Dowglass who Thirsted not after Blood but Honour as a Noble Cavalier doth not offer one blow to his dismounted Enemy layeth only hold on his Spear Saying My Lord your Spear shall home with me as the Trophee of this Noble Encounter and with these words Retreateth to the Van of his Army Next day after Dowglass draweth off the Field and marcheth to Otturburn some Eight Miles from New-Castle where contrary to the Advice of his Council his Army being inferiour in number by one half to the English he stayeth some three days attending Earl Percy his rescue of his Spear Percy to regain his Honour resolveth to Fight him contrary to the Advice of all his Council too who presumed as they had reason that Dowglas so Discreet and Wary a Souldier would not hazard to give Battel to an Army so much exceeding his Number as two to one unless he had some considerable Forces laid in Ambush to insnare them The two Armies the one not above Five Thousand the other not under Ten Thousand joyn Battel in the Evening and with various and doubtful Success coutinued Fight almost the whole Night by the benefit of the Light they had from the Full Moon at last the Scots gave ground which by the Valour of two Heburnes both Patrick by Name was quickly regained Dowglass Chargeth so desperately with two Attendants only Hart and Glendimung that having evidenced incredible strength both of Spirit and Body he falleth under the burden of many wounds before his Forces were able to take him off his Body is rescued when it
afterwards apprehended the Widdow repaireth to his Majesty reporteth and proveth this Insolent Trick Mr. Donald is called for out of Prison Horse-shooes are clap'd on himself and twelve of his Companions and commanded to march through the Streets of Edenburgh an Officer publishing the Cause of this strange Punishment their tedious Journey ended all of them are put to Death as before mentioned King James hearing that Maloc was under the Power of an Irish Lord sendeth a Messenger to Ireland to require the Lord to deliver him the Irish Lord fearing his Escape and the Anger of so War-like a Prince resolveth to make all sure by cutting off the Rebel's Head which was accordingly done and sent over to the King The publick Robberies thus Suppressed many good Laws are Established for the good and to the Joy of all the People And as an addition to the Joy two Popular Lords of the Nobility Dowglas and Cassils are enlarged from Prison and received into his Majesty's favour And for the Complement of all their Joy the Queen is safely brought to Bed of two Sons October 14th 1430. The Civil Estate thus happily regulated his Majesty thinketh of a Reformation of the Clergy but to small purpose they being then and in those days within the Verge of the Pope his Jurisdiction Secular Princes durst not exercise their Regal Power over them all this good King could do was to plant the Schools and Universities Seminaries of good Learning with Pious and Learned men to whom he gave so many Encouragements that the fruits of so good a Project were soon seen and perceived by all to the great Joy of all good Men and the immortal Praise of so good a Prince Neither did this good King rest in the encouragement of the Liberal Sciences but resolving to advance all Mechanick Trades wholly decayed by the tediousness misery of an 150 Years War sendeth over to Flanders and from thence conduceth most exquisite Artificers of all sorts to whom he gave great Rewards and large Immunities by which Princely Munificence Trades of all sorts thrive and flourish the Poor set to Work and many Enriched every man acknowledging the happiness of that People who live under the sweet and liberal Dews of a vertuous and munificent Prince Soon after arrived Ambassadors from France to demand the young Lady formerly Espoused to the Dauphine to be sent over for the Consummation of the Marriage Ambassadors likewise come at the same time from England with full purpose at once to break not only this Matrimonial but also that Antient National League between the two Kingdoms of France and Scotland to which end they propound a League Offensive and Defensive with a Tender of Berwick and Roxborrow to be Restored forthwith many other things likewise were Tendered promising very fairly to the Good of both Kingdoms if as fully performed as freely promised King James remitteth this great Business to the Advice of his Parliament The Parliament after much Debate resolve to keep unviolably their Antient League with France and according to the desire of the French Ambassador to send over the young Lady without further delay The English Ambassadors resent this Denial as a Dishonour and immediately denounce War against the Scots threatning withal by their Navy to Way-lay the Princess in her passage to France The Princess is sent over forthwith under the guard of a very stately Navy the English Navy attempting nothing her Highness safely Arriveth and her Marriage to the Dauphine with the greatest expressions of Joy solemnized at Turon About the same time Earl Percy entreth into Scotland with 4000 rather to spoil than fight Dowglass Earl of Anyus is sent against him with the like number Percy is overthrown a few slain on either side of the English 1500 taken Prisoners King James thus provoked by Way-laying the young Lady by Sea and by this Inroad by Land raiseth a great Army with purpose to Invade Northumberland in this way he layeth Siege to Roxborrow then in the hands of the English expecting in few days the Delivering of it into his hands In the mean while cometh the Queen into his Camp discovering to him a most horrid Treason intended by his own nighest Kindred against both his Person and Posterity His Majesty perceiving that her Relation proceeded not from Womanish fear but from such real Grounds as were not to be slighted raiseth his Siege and without Advice of any Disbandeth his Army to the no less Astonishment than Discontent of most about him being Strangers to the cause of this sudden and unexpected Change His Majesty posteth to St. John's Town as a Bird into a Snare of purpose to make a fuller Discovery of that horrible Plot. The Treason being ripe and ready for Execution the Traitors privately repair thither with a small hand of Conspirators The Captains of that Traiterous Band Athol and his Cousin Graham knowing the Weakness of the King's Guard enter privately into the Monastery where his Majesty lay and by Conduct of one of his Houshold Servants debauched into the Conspiracy they come to the Stairs which led to the Royal Chamber The Cup-bearer at the same time coming down perceiving them in Arms Crieth out with a loud Voice Treason him they forthwith Murder and make hast to the Door made fast by no stronger bar the Iron Bolt being stolen away by the Traiterous Servant in Conspiracy with them than the Tender wrest of a young Gentleman which quickly broke the Assassinates furiously rush in and run towards his Majesty which the Queen perceiving casteth her self upon the King endeavouring poor Lady to preserve him they drag her from him not without some dangerous Wounds and forgetting all fear of God and Man thrust their Swords above Forty times through the Heart and Body of the most Excellent Prince The cause of this horrid Assassination was that old Mother of much Mischief Ambition Athold the King 's old Uncle having already by his Hellish Subtlety brought some of his nighest Kinsmen who lay in his way to the Crown to untimely Ends resolveth at last to strike at the main Rub the King himself for accomplishing whereof he snatcheth the advantage of the Discontent of Robert Graham Tutor of Straherne to whom he propoundeth his Design craveth his Conjunction therein with assurance not only of Protection but of ample Rewards and great Preferments when he comes to his Kingdom Graham graspes at all and joyneth in the Traiterous Design with him To this Combination Athol calleth his own Grandchild Robert a Youth nimble both in Head and Hand whom he likewise debaucheth into this Treasonable Plot. The Treason thus Craftily contrived is Cunningly carried on and at last cruelly Executed as before This was a sad Day in Scotland a day of Mourning and great Lamentation for the loss of such an Incomparable Prince the Nobility filled with Grief and Indignation breath out Revenge post out Parties into every Corner of the Kingdom to apprehend the Assassinates and their Complices
Family of the Guise Widdow of the late Duke of Longoville in Marriage to King James the Marriage is agreed to the Year following she arriveth in Scotland and the Marriage solemnized at St. Andrews 1538. This Year exemplary Justice was done upon divers Persons of Quality conspiring the Death of the King some the Year following were Burnt some Banished for embracing the Protestant Doctrine Preached in Germany by Luther and others James Hammilton the Bastard accused of High-Treason is sentenced to Death his Head and Quarters affixed to publick places in Edenburgh the King soon after thought in his Dream that Hammilton cut off first his right and then his left Arm threatning withal to appear again to take his own Life the King awaking is very much troubled with thoughts of this Dream and revolving with himself what might be the meaning of it a Messenger comes to him with the sad News of the Death of both his Sons at the same time the one at Sterlin the other at St. Andrews King Henry of England sendeth the second time to invite King James to a Conference at York the Scotch Clergy still oppose it and the Conference again refused King Henry in great Indignation against his Nephew for refusal of Conference with him resolveth to talk with him in harder Terms and to that end he raiseth an Army and sendeth it into Scotland and under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk The Scottish Ambassadors in vain intreating a Cessation King James prepares a considerable Army for defence the English enter into Scotland and after some mischief done at the approach of the Scotch Army they retreat the Lord Gordon marcheth before the main body with Ten thousand Men doing much hurt and annoyance to the Rear of the English Army King James with all earnestness presseth an Engagement with the English the Nobility peremptorily oppose him in it the King enraged upbraideth them with Cowardise unworthy to be owned as Sons of their Noble Ancestors vowing that though they should all desert him himself and his own Family alone should give the Enemy Battel The Lord Maxwell to pacify the King tendereth his Service to lead into Cumberland Ten thousand Men thereby to divert the Enemy The King accepteth his Service but being enraged against the whole Nobility he resolves that none of them should have the Honour of any thing done in that Expedition and for the cause giveth a Dormant Commission to Oliver Sinclare Brother to the Lord Roslin Having entred Cumberland and now in view of Five hundred English Horse Sinclare produceth his Commission it is read at the head of the Army Maxwell is thereby inraged the whole Army falleth in Mutiny and in such a confusion that they become a Prey to the Five hundred English Horse divers of the Nobility and the new General Sinclare are sent Prisoners to the Tower of London this dishonourable Disaster which hapned at Solway strikes the Valorous King with such grief and sorrow that he never after joyed but soon after departed this Life having first made Peace with King Henry at whose request he recalled Archibald Earl of Angus Thus dyed King James the Fifth a Prince of singular Endowments most patient of Cold Hunger and Travel sometimes setting on Horseback Twenty Four hours when the necessity of his affairs required it a great Justitiary and a person of singular Foresight and Wisdom THE LIFE OF QUEEN MARY QUeen Mary was the only Child James the Fifth her Father left to Inherit the Crown born to him not above eight days before his death James Hammilton Earl of Aran is therefore chosen Vice-Roy to whom King Henry of England sent his Ambassador Sir Radolph Sadler to procure Peace between the two Kingdoms and to demand Mary in Marriage to his Son by the influence of the late Prisoners in England especially the Exiled Dowglasses whom King Henry had wrought much to his Service by his Royal Favours whose Counsels were now very prevalent in the management of publick affairs both were assented the Contract of Marriage Signed and Pledges promised for better performance of all Conditions agreed upon notwithstanding of the Opposition of the Queen and Cardinal who fearing the Subversion of Popery still established in that Kingdom by this agreement endeavour what they can to cross all Tumults are stirred against the English Ambassador and daily Affronts put upon his Attendants in the Streets the Ambassador complaineth and demandeth the Pledges promised for confirmation of the Agreement lately made exemplary Justice is executed upon the chief movers in the Tumults in answer to this Complaint but the Cardinal by the influence of his power had so obstructed the matter of his demand that not one of the Nobility would yield up himself voluntarily a Pledge to the English and to such a business none could be compelled King Henry hereby provoked seiseth all the Scottish Ships in the English Havens and Harbours and proclaimeth War against the Scots in the mean while the Queen Mother sendeth to France to entreat the French King to send home Matthew Earl of Lennox to strengthen her against the English Faction otherwise Religion and the French League were like to come to nothing Lennox is sent home and forthwith levieth Four Thousand men and with this strong guard cometh to the Queen the Vice-Roy inferior in Power sends Commissions to treat for Peace by agreement the young Queen is committed to the Education of Four Indifferent Noble Men ingaged in neither Faction viz. the Lords Graham Areskin Lindsay and Leviston and accordingly they take charge of her at Sterlin where all the Nobility do Homage to her The Vice-Roy joyneth himself wholly to the Cardinal which Conjunction so inrageth Lennox that immediately he flyeth to Arms raiseth an Army marcheth to Leith and provoketh the Cardinal to Fight the Cardinal keeps himself close in Edenburgh Castle Lennox through want of Provisions is forced to withdraw and to put himself in a posture of Defence in and about Glascow King Henry hearing of these Stirs sends into Scotland to demand the custody of the young Queen until she came to years fit for Marriage The French Faction now prevailing his Demands are refused An Army is therefore forthwith sent into Scotland under the Conduct of the Earl of Hereford and a great Navy of Two hundred Sail under the Command of Viscount Lisle as Admiral The English enter the City of Edenburgh without resistance first they Pillage and then they Fire it and divers other Towns and Villages about it the like fate befel the Town of Leith and forthwith they return to England laden with Spoil The Queen Mother writeth to the French King and layeth all these mischiefs at Lennox his door as the only enemy of their Peace and Union by reason of his private Feud against the Vice-Roy for the death of his Father At her Request Lennox is recalled to France but finding the French King provoked against him he still keeps to his posture of Defence
The Vice-Roy marcheth against him and after some small bickerings Lennox retireth into England and is honourably entertained by King Henry to whom he tenders his Service in opposition to the French Faction then prevailing in Scotland of which his Majesty so well accepted that he gave to him in Marriage his Neice the Lady Margaret Dowglas Daughter to Margaret his own Sister and Wife to James the Fourth by her second Husband the Earl of Angus Lennox and his Friends most of them have their Estates confiscate The English re-enter Scotland Fire Jeeburgh and Kelso waste most of the Countrey thereabout and leaving a Garrison at Coldingham they return home with their Booty The Vice-Roy in the depth of Winter layeth Siege to Coldingham and all on the sudden retireth to Dunbar leaving his Army in which he durst not confide at the Siege by this unexpected desertion the Army falls into Confusion by the wisdom and valour of the Earl of Angus the Cannon and all other things belonging to the Army are safely brought off and carried to Dunbar Next Spring Thomas Duke of Norfolk is sent down with an Army to joyn with that on the Borders with a design to reduce all on this side forth to the Obedience of the English The Vice-Roy by the incouragement of Angus marcheth toward the Borders and at Ancram obtaineth a Victory over the English which Disaster much inraging the English King the Vice-Roy sends to France to crave assistance Three thousand Foot and Five hundred Horse are granted and sent under the Command of Sir James Montgomery by whose assistance the Vice-Roy marcheth in a Plundering Expedition within the English Borders and soon after Disbandeth his Army next Winter Montgommery returneth to France And now some Stirs begin by such as endeavoured some Mutations and Reformation of Religion George Wisheart having fallen away from Popery and embracing the Reformation begun in Germany is apprehended and at a Council of Bishops and some others held at St. Andrews is Condemned as guilty of Heresie The Cardinal sendeth to the Vice-Roy to desire the Law to be executed against him who wisheth the Cardinal not to be too hasty but to forbear a little which distasted the Cardinal not a little at whose command forthwith Execution is done upon him at Saint Andrews the Cardinal beholding the Tragedy from his Windows not without some Pomp which Wisheart perceiving said to the Governour of the Castle standing by him He who now insulteth over me shall in few days be tumbled over the same Window with more disgrace than now he setteth with state At the uttering of which words he is strangled to death and his Body burnt to ashes This fact of the Cardinal and the manner of his proceeding without the Authority of the Vice-Roy gave distast to many at last his Death is contrived and perpetrated by Norman Lisle Son to the Earl of Rothuse whose discontent arose from the refusal of a private grant which the Cardinal conceived not fit to be yielded to him Lisle calls some sixteen Consorts together to whom he discovered his intent craving their concurrence all was agreed unto the time and manner is appointed for execution over Night they come privately to St. Andrews and lodge severally in divers Inns to render themselves the less suspected next Day morning by break of day two of the Conspirators come to the Castle and being known Men the Porter openeth to them they enter and the rest follow streight the Porter is laid fast and all the Cardinal's Servants secured threatning them with Death if once they whispered which done they repair to the Cardinal his Chamber they knock the Cardinal admiring what this should mean that Strangers and none of his Servants should at such a season come to his Chamber-door refuseth to open Norman Lisle well known to him and a man much favoured by him protested they minded him no hurt at all but that they had a matter of great Importance to Communicate to him the dispatch of which required that their unseasonable coming to his Chamber the Cardinal trusting their Protestations openeth his Door they enter fall forthwith upon him and barbarously Murther him By this time News are carried into the City of the Surprisal of the Castle The Cardinal his Friends and Retainers immediately Arm beset the Castle threatning the death of all within if the Cardinal were not preserved alive the Murtherers told them it was too late and therewith cast his dead Body barbarously cut over the same Window from whence he beheld the Tragedy of the late mentioned Martyr George Wisheart which added not a little to the high Opinion the People had of Wisheart remembring the last words he spake concerning the Cardinal This Impious Murther highly provok'd the Court the Vice-Roy Summoneth the Murtherers to appear before him they refuse and are declared Traitors but they having seised the Cardinal his Treasure and having in their power the Vice-Roy his Son who then remained with the Cardinal and confiding in the strength of the Castle stand upon their guard The Vice-Roy layeth Siege to the Castle and after some four Months Siege in vain he withdraws his Force and returneth to Edenburgh to be present at Parliament then ready to Assemble and now behold the Judgment of God upon those Barbarous Murtherers they being formerly Men in all outward deportment not only Civil but Religious and reputed Men of tender Consciences give themselves now over to all manner of wickedness Murthers profane Swearing drinking to Excess and Whoring were things of course with them their wickedness came to this height The Vice-Roy too slow in avenging so much Wickedness layeth again Siege to the Castle assisted with some French Forces after much Battery they are content to deliver themselves to the French Admiral Monsieur Strozius upon Quarter for Life they are set on the French Shoar and disperse themselves all of them living ever after in great Misery are in their several turns pursued by the wrath of God to violent and untimely Ends. About this time the Duke of Sommerset now after the Death of King Henry the Lord Protector of England Invadeth Scotland with a powerful Army the Vice-Roy all on the sudden rolleth together Thirty thousand Horse and Foot to whom the English Protector sendeth a very fair Letter requiring their young Queen may be assured in Marriage to the young King of England according to former Agreement and for their better Security he demands the said Princess may be Educated not in any Foreign Country but at home until she come to such years as might inable her to make her own Choice Further desiring that in the interim there might be Peace between the two Nations and no treaty of Marriage admitted with any other Prince All which being granted the Protector promiseth not only to withdraw his Army but likewise to make reasonable satisfaction for all the hurt he had done to all which Proposals the Scottish Vice-Roy returns no Answer