Angus There he landed his Men and attempted to take in some Places but being disappointed he fell a plundering Having pitched his Tents at Balbridum i. e. the Village of St. Bride word was brought him by his Spies that the Scots Forces were scarce two miles distant from him whereupon both Generals according to the Exigence of the time exhorted their Men to fight and the next day they were all ready at their Arms almost at one time The third day they fought with so great eagerness and fury as either new Hope or old Hatred could occasion and suggest At last the Scots prevailed and Camus endeavouring to secure the Remainders of his Army by flying to the Mountains towards Murray before he had gone two miles was overtaken by the Pursuers and he and all his Men cut off There are Monuments extant of this Victory in an Obeliske and a Neighbouring Village which as yet retains the Memorable Name of Camus Another Band of them were cut off not far from the Town of Breichin where also another Obeliske was erected The Remainder being few in Number under the Covert of the night made to their Ships These last were tossed up and down several days in the raging Sea by cross Winds at length coming to the inhospitable Shore of Buchan they rode there so long at Anchor till they were necessitated for want to send about 500 of their Men ashore to get some Relief out of the Neighbouring Country Mernanus the Thane of the place stopp'd them from returning to their Ships and compelled them to retire to a steep Hill where being assisted by the Conveniency of the place they defended themselves with Stones and slew many of the Scots who rashly attempted them At last the Scots encouraged one another and in several Parties in great Numbers got up the Hill and put every Man of the Danes to the Sword There also as well as at Bambreid when the Wind blows up the Sand there are Bones discovered of a greater Magnitude than can well suit with the Stature of the Men of our Times Yet Sueno was not discouraged no not with this Overthrow also but sent his Son Canutus with new Levies into Scotland He landed his Souldiers in Buchan and so preyed upon the Country Malcolm though he had yet hardly recovered his Loss sustained in former Battels yet made head against him and being not willing to hazard all by fighting a pitched Battel he thought it best to weary the Enemy with light Skirmishes and to keep him from plundering for by this means he hoped in a short time to reduce him to great want of Provisions as being in an Enemies Country almost quite wasted and desolated by the Miseries of War before He followed this Counsel for some days but at last when the Scots had got a full understanding of their Enemies Strength they less diffided their Own and both Armies being equally pressed with Want did unanimously crave a Signal to the Battel pretending unless it were given they would fall to it even without the Consent of their Generals Hereupon Malcolm set the Battel in array which was fought with such desperate Rage and Fury that neither Party came off in Triumph And though the Victory did nominally rest on the Scots side yet a great part of their Nobility being slain and the rest wearied and discouraged in their Spirits returned to their Camp giving the Danes liberty to retreat without any pursuit The next day when both Parties mustered their Men they found so great a Slaughter to have been made that they willingly admitted some Priests to be Intercessors of Peace between them Whereupon Peace was made on these Conditions That the Danes should leave Murray and Buchan and depart and that as long as Malcolm and Sueno lived neither of them should wage War with one another any more nor help one anothers Enemies That the Field in which the Battel was fought should be set apart and Consecrated for the Burial of the Dead Upon this the Danes withdrew and Malcolm took Order for the Interment of the slain A while after he called an Assembly of Estates at Scone and that he might reward those who had deserved well of their Country he divided all the King's Lands between them On the other side the Nobility granted to the King That when any of them died their Children should be under the Wardship and Tutelage of the King till they arrived at the Age of 21 Years and that the King should receive all their Revenue except what was expended for the Education of the Ward And besides that he should have the Power to give them in Marriage Or otherwise to dispose of them when they were grown up and should also receive their Dowry I judge this Custom came rather from the English and Danes because it yet continues throughout all England and in part of Normandy too Afterwards the King bent his Thoughts to repair the Damages sustained by the War he re-edified many Temples and Sacred Places demolished by the Enemy he built New Castles or else repaired the Old in every Town Having thus restored Peace to the Kingdom by his great Valour he endeavoured further to adorn it with good Institutions and wholsom Laws and in order thereunto be erected New Names for Magistrates I believe such as he borrowed from his Neighbours which served rather for vain Ambition than for any real Use. For in former times there was no Name superior in Honour to that of a Knight except that of Thane i. e. Governor or Sheriff of a Province or Country which Custom as I hear is yet observed amongst the Danes But now a days Princes keep no Mean in instituting New Names or Titles of Honour though there be no use at all of those Names but the bare Sound Thus Malcolm having finished his Toilsom Wars Reigned some Years in great Splendor and Glory But in the Progress of his Age he sullied the Beauty of his former Life with the blot of Covetousness That Vice being incident to Old Men partly grew up in him with his Age and partly arose from that Want which his immoderate Largesses had driven him to So that those Lands which he had unadvisedly distributed amongst the Nobility he did as unjustly and wickedly labour to resume by which means he put some of them to Death and reduced others to great Penury Hereupon the present sense of suffering though sometimes just drowned the Memory of all former Courtesies so that the Injury reaching to a few but the Fear to many the Friends and Kindred of those which were slain and impoverished bent all their Thoughts to revenge Them and to secure Themselves And at last bâ—â—bing the King 's Domesticks at Glammes in Angus they were admitted at Night into the King's Bed-Chamber and slew him When they had committed the Fact those bribed Domesticks together with the Parricides took Horse which they had ready
mightily enriched by this Booty and thereupon omitted the severity of their Ancient Discipline yea there were some amongst them who counted That Gain as a Pious and Holy Fraud alleging That the Mony could never be better bestowed than to be given to Devout Persons that they might pray forsooth for the Redemption of their Souls out of Purgatory The Fight was carried on so obstinately that towards Night both Parties were weary and withdrew almost Ignorant of one anothers Condition so that Alexander Hume and his Souldiers who remained untouched gathered up a great part of the Spoil at their pleasure But the next day in the Morning Dacres being sent out with a Party of Horse to make discovery when he came to the place of Fight and saw the Scots Brass-Guns without a Guard and also a great part of the Dead unstripp'd he sent for Howard and so gathered up the Spoil at leasure and celebrated the Victory with great Mirth Concerning the King of Scotland there goes a double Report The English say he was slain in the Battel But the Scots affirm That in the Day of Battel there were several others cloathed in the like Coat of Armour and the Habit of the King which was done on purpose on a double account partly that the Enemy might principally aim at one Man as their chief Opponent on whose Life the safeguard of the Army and total ruin of the Enemy did depend and partly also if the King hapned to be slain that the Souldiers might not be discouraged nor sensible of his loss as long as they saw any Man armed and clothed like him in the Field and riding up and down as a Witness of their Cowardise or Valour And that one of these was Alexander Elphinston who in Countenance and Stature was very like the King and many of the Nobility perceiving him armed in Kingly Habiliments followed him in a Mistake and so died resolutely with him but that the King himself repassed the Tweed and was slain by some of Humes his Men near the Town of Kelsoe but it is uncertain whether it were done by his Command or else by the forwardness of his Souldiers who were willing to gratify their Commander for they being desirous of Innovation thought that they should escape Punishment if he were taken off but if he were alive they should be punished for their Cowardise in the Fight Some Conjectures are also added as that the same Night after this unhappy Fight the Monastery of Kelsoe was seized upon by Car an Intimate of Hume's and the Abbat thereof ejected which it was not likely he would dare to have done unless the King were slain and moreover David Galbreth one of the Family of the Hume's some Years after when Iohn the Regent questioned the Hume's and was troublesome to their Family is said to have blamed the sluggish Cowardise of his Allys who would suffer that Stranger to rule so arbitrarily and imperiously over them whereas he himself had been one of the Six that had put an end to the like Insolency of the King at Kelsoe But these Things were so uncertain that when Humes was afterward tried for his Life by Iames Earl of Murray the King 's Natural Son they did not much prejudice his Cause However the Truth of this Matter stands yet I shall not conceal what I have heard Lawrence Talifer an Honest and a Learned Man to report more than once He was then one of the King's Servants and was a Spectator of the Fight he saw the King when the Day was lost set upon an Horse and pass the Tweed many others affirmed the same thing So that the Report went currant for many Years after That the King was alive and was gone to Ierusalem to perform a Religious Vow he had made but would return again in due Time But that Rumor was found as vain as another of the same Batch which was heretofore spread abroad by the Brittons concerning their Arthur And but a few Years since by the Burgundians concerning Charles This is certain That the English found the Body of the King or of Alexander Elphinston and carried it into England and retaining an inexpiable Hatred against the Dead they left it unburied in a Lead Coffin I know not whether their Cruelty therein were more foolish or more barbarous because he had born sacrilegious Arms against Pope Iulius the Second whom the English then sought to curry favour with or else as some say because he was perjured as having contrary to the Oath and League between them taken up Arms against Henry the Eighth Neither of which Exprobrations ought to have been laid to his Charge especially by such a King who during his Life was not constant or tight in any one Religion nor by such a People who had took up Arms so often against the Bishop of Rome Not to speak of many of the Kings of England whom their own Writers do accuse as guilty of Perjury as William Rufus who is charged with That Crime by Polydore and Grafton Henry the First by Thomas Walsingham in his Description of Normandy King Stephen hath the like Brand inured upon him by Neobrigensis Grafton and Polydore Henry the Eighth by the same Newberry Grafton and Polydore Richard the First by Walsingham in his Hypodigma Neustriae Richard the Third by Grafton and Walsingham Edward the First by Walsingham I cull out these few for Example-sake not of the First Kings of the Saxon Race of which I might instance in a great Many but in Those of the Norman Family whose Posterity enjoy the Kingdom to this Day and who lived in the most flourishing Times of England's Glory to put them in mind not to be so bitter against Strangers who with so much Indulgence bore the Perjuries of their own Kings especially since the guilt of the Crime objected lies principally on those who were the first Violaters of the Truce But to return to the Matter Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey had gone off with great Renown for That Victory over the Scots if he had used his Success with Moderation but being a Man almost drunk with the Happiness of his prosperous Success and little mindful of the Instability of Human Affairs he made his Houshold Servants as the English custom is to wear a Badg on their left Arms which was a White Lyon his own Arms on the top of a Red one and rending him with his Paws God Almighty did seem to punish this his insolent Ambition for there were in a manner none of his Posterity of either side but dyed in great Disgrace and Ignominy But King Iames as he was dear to all whilst living so he was mightily lamented at his Death and the Remembrance of him stuck so fast in the Minds of Men as the like was not known of any other King that we have heard or read of 'T is probable that it hapned by making a Comparison with the bad Kings who preceded his Reign
against Donald * Or Râ—dshanks Mackbeth his Character Mâ—cduald is overthrown by Mackbeth and Bâ—nâ—ho Swain and his three Sons Swain King of Norwayâ—ands â—ands in Scotland * A Town standing on the Forth in Pertâ—shiâ—e * The Scâ—tâ— by an inebâ—â—ating Dâ—ink made of Night-shade stupifie the Danes * The Herb Night-shade its Description and Properties Danes overthrown * Druâ—iâ—aâ—-Sands 〈…〉 North-side of the 〈…〉 * A Burgh-Roâ—aâ— on the North 〈…〉 Another Fleet of the Danes overthrown by Bancho * Or Inch-Colm * The Danes swore neveâ— to invade Scotland any more * Mackbeth's Dream encouraging him to aspire to the Kingdom * He thereupon slâ—ys King Donald or Duncan as some call him and is declared King Donald's Children fly for their Lives Mackbeth severe against Thieves He makes Wholesom Laws But afterward degenerates causes Bancho to be treacherously slain * Lying Southwest 3 miles from Cowper in Angus Mackduff ill resents Mackbeth He flies into England And stirs up Duncan's Son against him * Malcolm by the assistance of Edward K. of England recovers the Kingdom from Mackbeth * See Note a p. 77. * Malcolm First brought in Foreign Titles of Honour into Scotland * Mackduff the first Earl in Scotland * Three Grand Privileges of the Mackduffâ— * Called Straâ— or Sâ—rath-Boâ—y Forty Miles North of Aberdeen * Mackbeth's Son slain by Malcolm * Or Icolumbâ—â—l an Isle 2 Miles from the South end of Mul. * Malcolm assaulted by private Conspiracies which he overcomes * The Story of Edmond K. of England and Canutus * William the Norman demands Edgar then in Scotland * Whom Malcolm refuses to Surrender * Whereupon a War 〈…〉 Roger Richard Odo and Robert Generals for William of England worâ—â—ed in Scotland Newcastle repaired A Peace concluded between the Scots and English * Or Re-Crosâ— on the North-side it had the Portâ—aicture of the Scots King and of the English King on the South * Home-bred Seditions against Maâ—colm queâ—l'd The Original of the Family of the Stuarts afterwards Kings of Scotland * Lying on the South-side of the River Danâ— in Marr * Malcolm's Vow to St. Andrew Alexander Carron preferred and Sirnamed Scrimger The Seditious quell'd The Piety of Malcolm's Queen c. * Or Mortlich * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks * Sumptuary Laws made by Malcolm * Marâ—heta Mulierum What * Malcolm builds the Cathedrals of Durham and Dumferling * King William Rufus Wars against Malcolm * Malcolm and his Son Edward slain by the English * On the River Lian on the British Sea Weâ—t of Calice * Prodigies viz. The Inundation of the German-Sea and Men-killing Thunder-bolts * Donald promises the Islands to Magnus King of Norway * Donald flies * Duncan slain by the procurement of Donald * Edgar's Pious Reign He builds the Monastery of Coldingham * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in Mersâ— near the Scotish Sea Alexanders Valour * He doth Justice to a Poor Woman * Lying on the East-side of the Carss or Plain of Gowry within two Miles of Dundee * Lying in the Braes or Risings of the Carss of Gowry five Miles above Dundee * Inch-Colm or St. Columb's Isle in the Firth of Forth in Fife near Aberdeen David's just Reign * He creates new Bishopricks He is censured for his Profuseness towards Monasteries * In Teviotdale Henry of England never Laughed after the Drowning of his Children * K. Henry setles the Succession on his Daughter Maud the Empress by causing the Nobility to Swear Fealty to her in his Life time * Stephen notwithstanding his Oath seizes on the Crown of England * His Pretensions for so doing The Bishops of England not True to Maud according to their Oaths David of Scotland maintains the Cause of Maud his Kinswoman He lays Perjury to Stephens's Charge North Allerton lying near the River Swale in the North-Riding of Yorkshire He Fights the English and Overthrows them An Agreement between David and Stephen not observed Which hath its Source near Black-Laws in Teesdale The Scots overthrown by Stephen Another Agreement between the Scots and Stephen King of England Henry Heir of England sent to David his Uncle to be made Knight by him * King David loses his hopeful Son and Heir * But â—ears his Affliction Piously and Patiently * May 24. Lying on the North-west of Aberdeneshire K. David's extraordinary Character for Piety and Virtue A great Pestilenâ—e 〈◊〉 Scotland Somerled rises in Arms but is overthrown Henry of England designs against Malcolm And makes him take a Feodatary Oath to him He carries Malcolm into France And at his return despoils him of his Ancient Patrimony in England * The Scots make War upon England Peace concluded between the English and Scots wherein Malcolm quits Northumberland A Rebellion in Galway quell'd The Murray-Men under Gildominick rise in Arms. But are suppressed * Sâ—merled stirs agaiâ—â— but is overthrown and slain The Estates persuade Malcolm to Marry His Negative Answer to their Request * December 9th * William solicits Henry of England for the restitution of Northumberland He accompanies Henry into France * Part of Nâ—rthumberland restored to the Scots * William enters England with an Army But is overthrown taken Prisoner by the English and sent to Henry then in France * August 1â—th February 1st * K. William Ransomed and takes an Oath to K. Henry * Not That Constance in Germany but That in Normandy now called Contances * Ianuary 〈…〉 Gilchrist King Williams General The Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of English Bishops Gilchrist Kills his Wife for Adultery and flys into England But is Forced to return into his own Country Donald Bane rises in Arms but is quelled Distressed Gilchrist Pardon'd and Restored * To the Holy War for Recovery of Ierusâ—lem from the Turks * The English quit their Claim to any part of 〈◊〉 * William sends David his Brother to accompany Richard to the Holy Land David returns from Sâ—â—ia * So doth Richard Lex Taâ—â—onâ—â— executed upon one Harald Earl of the Orcades * K. Iohn of England meditates a War against Scotland * But Matters are accommodated upon Terms between both Kingdoms * Berth destroyed and new Built Makul a Criminal abstains from all manner of Food * Several Leagues between Iohn of England and William of Scotland * A Maritime Town in Normandy 〈◊〉 France * Alexander enters England with an Army * Iohn enters Scotland Alexander takes Carlisle * King Iohn agrees with the Pope and becomes his Feudatary Cardinal Galo Avaâ—itiâ—â—â— * King Iohn Poysoned * Others say at 〈◊〉 Abby near Bostâ—n in Lincolnshire * The Scots Excommunicated * A Stone-Cross erected in Sâ—anmoâ—e in Cumberlâ—nd as a Boundary between the Two Kingdoms of England and Sâ—otland * Cardinal 〈◊〉 ill Character * Pandulphus the Popes Legat a Witness of the Peace between the Two Kings * Roman Fraud * Câ—min
England on such Terms That the Government of Cumberland was always looked upon as previous to the Throne of Scotland for it had been so observed for some Ages past The King perceiving That this Malcolm for the Reasons aforementioned would be an hindrance to his Design not daring to do it openly caused him privately to be made away by Poyson Thus died that excellent young Man much lamented and near to his greatest Hope some Signs of Poison appeared in his Body but no Man ever dreamt of suspecting the King Yea his Deportment was such as to avert all Suspicion for he Mourned and Wept for his Death and made an Honourable mention of his Name when occasion was administred to speak of it and caused him magnificently to be Interred no Ceremony being omitted which could be invented for the Honour of the Deceased But this superlative Diligence of the King to remove the Suspicion from himself gave a shrewd Jealousie to the more Sagacious Yet they forbore to speak out for the Reverence all bore to and had conceived of the Kings Sanctity But soon after the King himself scattred some Words abroad to try the Minds of Men How they would bear the abrogating of an old Law and the enacting a new concerning the Succession of their Kings viz. That according to the Custom of many Nations if a King died his Son should succeed him and if he were under Age then to have a Protector or Tutor assigned to him so the Kingly Name might rest in the Child but the Power of Government in the Tutors or Guardians till he came to Age. Though a great Part of the Nobles praised his Speech as being willing to Gratifie him yet the Suspicion concerning the Death of Malcolm prevailed upon the Major part and especially upon the Nobility and Those of the Royal Stock who were afraid of the King Mens Spirits being in this posture Ambassadors came from England to comfort the King upon the loss of his Kinsman and withal desiring That in substituting another Governor he would remember That Cumberland being the Bond of Concord betwixt the Two Nations he would set Such a Person over it who might be an indifferent Arbiter of Peace and that would maintain the ancient Alliance betwixt the Two Nations for the Good of them Both and if any new Suspicions or Jealousies should arise that he would labour to extinguish them The King judged this Embassy fit for his purpose so that having Convened the Nobility at Scone he made a grave Harangue to them against the ancient Custom of the Assemblies of Estates in this Point wherein he recited all the Seditions which had happened for that Cause and with how great Impiety some of the surviving Kindred had treated the Children of former Kings and what Wars Rapines Slaughters and Banishâ—â—nts had ensued thereupon On the other side he put them in Mind How much more Peaceable and less Turbulent the Parliamenâ—â—â—y Assemblies of other Countries were and what great Reverence was born to the Royal Blood when without convasing for Succession Children succeeded their Parents in the Throne Having thus spoken he referred the matter to that Great Council to determine something in this Case He acquainted them also with the Demands of the English Ambassador and to give a greater Manifestation of his Condescention and Civility whereas it was in the Kings Power alone to appoint a Governor of Cumberland he left it to them to nominate One supposing that by this his Moderation he might the more easily obtain his Desire concerning the Succession to the Crown For if he himself had Nominated his Son for a Governor he thought he should have prejudiced his other Request because as I said before the Government or Prefecture over Cumberland was looked upon as the Designation of the Person to be the next succeeding King of Scotland Constantine the Son of Culenus and Grimus the Son of Mogal Brother to King Duffus who were thought most likely to oppose both Requests were first asked their Opinions in the Case who partly for Fear of Danger and partly that they might not run cross to the Major part of the Nobility who had been prepossessed and influenc'd by the King gave their Vote That it was in the Kings Power to Correct and Amend Laws which were inconvenient to the Publick and also to appoint what Governor he pleased over Cumberland The rest though they knew that they had spoken contrary to their own Sense yet Consented to what they said And by this means Malcolm the Kings Son though not of Age but Immature for Government was declared Governor of Cumberland and also Prince of Scotland which Title signifies in Scotland as much as Daulphin doth in France and Caesar amongst the old Roman Emperors and the King of the Romans amongst the Modern Germans whereby the Successor to the preceding Magistrate is understood Other Laws were also made viz. That as the Kings Eldest Son should succeed his Father so if the Son died before the Father the Nephew should succeed the Grandfather That when the King was under Age a Tutor or Protector should be Chosen some Eminent Man for Interest and Power to Govern in the Kings Name and stead till he came to Fourteen Years of Age and then he had Liberty to choose Guardians for Himself And besides many other Things were Enacted concerning the Legitimate Succession of Heirs which ran in common to the whole Nobility as well as to the King The King having thus by indirect and evil Practises setled the Kingdom on his Posterity as he thought yet his Mind was not at rest For though he were very Courteous to all and highly Beneficial and Obliging to a great many and withal did so manage the Kingdom that no one Part of a good King was wanting in him yet his Mind being disquieted with the guilt of his Offence suffered him to enjoy no sincere or solid Mirth but in the Day he was vexed with the Thoughts of that foul Wickedness which did inject themselves and in the Night terrible Apparitions disturbed his Rest. At last a Voice was heard from Heaven either a true one as some think or else such an one as his disquieted Mind suggested as it commonly happens to Guilty Consciences speaking to him in his Sleep to this Sense Dost thou think That the Murder of Malcolm an Innocent Man secretly and most impiously Committed by thee is either unknown to me or That thou shalt go unpunished for the same Nay there are already Plots laid against thy Life which thou canst not avoid neither shalt thou leave a Firm and Stable Kingdom to thy Posterity as thou thinkest to do but a Tumultuous and Stormy one The King being terrified by this dreadful Apparition betimes in the Morning hastned to the Bishops and Monks to whom he declared the Confusion of his Mind and his Repentance for his Wickedness They instead of prescribing him a true Remedy according to the
Enemy When their Camps were near one another Grimus knowing that Malcolm would Religiously observe Asâ—ensiâ—n-day resolved then to attaque him hoping to find him unprâ—pared Malcolm having notice of his Design kept his Men in Arms and thô he did hope well as to the Victory in so good a Cause yet he sent to Grimus to advise him to defer Fighting for that day that so They being Christians might not pollute so Holy a Day with shedding the Blood of their Countrymen Yet he was nevertheless resolved to Fight alleging to his Soldiers That the Fear the Enemy was in thô pretended to be out of Reverence to so Holy a Feast was a good Omen of their Victory Hereupon a fierce and eager Fight began wherein Grimus being forsaken of his Men was wounded in the Head taken Prisoner and soon after had his Eyes put out Insomuch that in a short time out of Grief as well as his Wounds he Dyed in the Tenth Year of his Reign Malcolm carried it Nobly towards the Conquered and caused Grimus to be interred in the Sepulchres of his Ancestors The Faction which followed him he received into his Grace and Favour laying aside the Memory of past Offences Then going to the Assembly of Estates at Scone before he would undertake the Government he caused the Law made by his Father concerning the Succession to the Crown to be publickly Ratified by the Votes of the whole Parliament Malcolm II. The Eighty Third King AT the entrance into his Government he laboured to restore the State of the Kingdom which was sorely shaken by Factions And as he forgave all former Offences to himself so he took care that the Seeds of Faction and Discord amongst all different Parties might also be rooted out After this he sent Governors chosen out of the Nobility into all Provinces Just and Pious Men to restrain the Licentiousness of Robbers who in former times had taken great Liberty to themselves to Steal and Plunder By Them also the Common People were encouraged to Tillage and Husbandry so that Provisions grew cheaper Commerce between Man and Man safer and the publick Peace was better secured Amidst these Transactions Sueno the Son of Harald King of the Danes being banished from home came into Scotland He was oftentimes overcome made Prisoner by and Ransomed from the Vandals and having sought for Aid in vain from Olavus King of the Scandians and Edward King of England at last he came into Scotland and being turned Christian of whom before he was a most bitter Enemy there he received some small assistance and so returned into his own Country from whence soon after he passed over with a great Army into England First he overthrew the English alone and afterwards he had the same Success against them when the Scots assisted them whom he grievously threatned because they would not forsake the English and return into their own Country Neither were his Threatnings in vain for Olavus of Scandia and Enecus General of the Danes were sent by him with a great Army into Scotland They ranged over all Murray killed whomsoever they met took away all they could catch whether Sacred or Prophane at last gathering into a Body they assaulted Castles and other strong Places While they were Besieging these Fortresses Malcolm had gathered an Army together out of the Neighbouring Countrys and pitch'd his Camp not far from them The day after the Scots perceiving the Multitude of the Danes and their Warlike Preparations were struck with great Terrour The King endeavoured to encourage them but to small purpose at last a Noise was raised in the Camp by those who were willing to seem more valiant than the rest and when it was raised others received and seconded it so that presently as if they had been wild they ran in upon the Danes without the Command of their Leaders and rushed upon the points of their Swords who were ready to receive them After the forwardest were slain the rest fled back faster than ever they came on The King was Wounded in the Head and had much ado to be carried off the Field into an adjacent Wood where he was Horsed and so escaped with his Life After this Victory the Castle of Narn was surrendred to the Danes the â—arison being dismayed at the Event of the unhappy Fight yet they put them to Death after the surrender They strongly fortified the Castle because it was seated in a convenient Pass and of a Peninsule made it a convenient Isle by cutting through a narrow Chanel for the Sea to surround it and then they called it by a Danish Name Burgus The other Castles which were Elgin and Foress were deserted for fear of the Cruelty of the Danes The Danes upon this good Success resolved to fix their Habitations in Murray and sent home their Ships to bring over their Wives and Children in the mean time exercising all manner of cruel hardships over the Captived Scots Malcolm in order to prevent their further Progress gathered a stronger and more compact Army together and when they were gone into Marr he met them at a place called Mortlich both Armies being in great fear the Scots being afraid of the Cruelty of the Danes and the Danes fearing the Places which they did not know as being far from the Sea and fit for Ambushes more than their Enemies In the beginning of the Fight the Scots were much discouraged at the Slaughter of Three of their Valiant Worthies viz. of Kennethus Thane of the Islands of Grimus Thane of Strathearn and of Dumbar Thane of Lothian who all fell presently one after another so that they were forced to retreat and to retire into their old Fastness which was behind their backs There fencing their Camp with a Trench Ditch and huge Trees which they cut down in a narrow place they fronted and stopped the Enemy yea they slew some who as if they had fully gotten the Victory did carelesly assault them amongst whom Enecus one of their Generals fell His Loss as it made the Danes less forward to fight so it added Alacrity to the Scots who were crest-fallen before So that almost in a moment of time the Scene was quite altered The Danes were put to flight and the Scots pursued them Olavus the other of their Generals got some to guide him and bent his Course that night towards Murray Though Malcolm knew it yet having slain the forwardest of his Enemies and wounded many more he desisted from following the Chase. When News of this Overthrow was brought to Swain in England he bore it undauntedly and sent some of his old Soldiers and some that were newly come to him from his own Country under Camus their General to recruit his old and shattered Army in Scotland He first came into the Firth of Forth but being hindred by the Country who observed all his Motions from Landing he set Sail and made for the Red-Promontory of
to hear the Complaints of the Poor and as much as he could he would not suffer the Great men to oppress Them But as these Virtues did endear him to the Good so they lessen'd his Authority amongst the Lovers of Sedition so that his Clemency to the Former occasioned the Rage of wicked men against him The beginning of lessening and despising his Government hapned in Loch-Abyr upon the account of one Bancho Thane of that Country a strict Lover of impartial Justice some ill Men not enduring his Severity in Punishments made a Conspiracy against him Plundered him of his Goods and drove him away being wounded and almost dead As soon as ever his Wounds permitted him to endure the jogging of his body he took a Journy and complained to the King the King sent a publick Officer to do Justice upon the Offenders but he was grievously affronted and afterwards slain by them so great Security did they fancy to themselves by reason of the Lenity but as they interpreted it Sloth of a good King The chief of the Faction which raised the Rebellion was named Mac-duald who despairing of Pardon prepares himself for an open War He called in the Islanders to his assistance who were always prone to Sedition and also the forwardest of the Irish in hopes of Prey He told them That under an effeminate and slothful King who was fitter to rule Monks than Warriors there was no fear of Punishment but there might be great hopes of Advantage and that he did not doubt but the Scots who were as it were fettered with the Chains of a Long Peace under the former King when an Alarm was sounded to the War would come in to recover their Ancient Liberty These Exhortations were seconded with a successfull beginning which much heartned the Party There was one Malcolm of the Prime Nobility sent by the King against them with some Forces but his Army was presently overthrown by them and he himself being taken Prisoner had his head cut off by them The King being troubled at this Overthrow called a Council together to consult of what was fit to be done Some were very slow in delivering their Opinions but Mackbeth Kinsman to the King laid the blame of the Misfortune on the Sluggâ—shness of former times withal promising that if the Command or Generalship were bestowed on him and Bancho who was well acquainted with that Country he would quickly subdue all and quiet things This Mackbeth was of a sharp Wit and of a very lofty Spirit and if Moderation had accompanied it he had been worthy of a Command tho' an eminent one But in punishing Offenders he was so severe that having no respect to the Laws he seemed soon likely to degenerate into Cruelty When the chief Command of the Army was conferred upon him many were so terrified that casting aside their Hopes whch they had conceived by reason of the Kings Slothful Temper they hid themselves in Holes and Corners The Islanders and the Irish their Flight being stopp'd were driven into great Despair and in a fierce Fight were every one of them slain Macduala himself with a few others flying into a Neighbour Castle being past all hopes of Pardon redeemed Himself and His from the Opprobriousness of his Enemies by a voluntary death Mâ—ckbeth not content with that punishment cut off his Head and sent it to the King at Perth and hung up the rest of his Body for all to behold in a conspicuous place Those of the Red-shanks which he took he caused to be hanged This Domestick Sedition being appeased a far greater Terror succeeded and seized on him occasioned by the Danes For Sueno the powerful King of the Danes dying left Three Kingdoms to his Three Sons England to Harold Norway to Sueno and Denmark to Canutus Harold dying soon after Canutus succeeded him in the Realm of Scotland Sueno or Swain King of Norway being Emulous of his Brothers Glory crossed the Seas with a great Navy and Landed in Fifâ— upon the Bruit of his coming Machbeth was sent to Levy an Army Bancho the other General staying in the Interim with the King Duncanus or Donald as if he had been rouzed from a fit of Sluggishness was forced to go meet the Enemy They fought near Culross with such obstinate Courage that as One Party was scarce able to fly so the Other had no heart to pursue The Scots who look'd upon themselves as overcome rather by the Incommodiousness of the Place than by the Valour of their Enemies retreated to Perth and there staid with the Relicts of their conquered Forces waiting for the Motions of the Enemy Swain thinking That if he pressed eagerly on them all Scotland would speedily be his Own made towards Perth with all his Forces to besiege Duncan his Ships he sent about by the Tay to meet him there Duncan tho' he much confided in the present Posture of Affairs because Mackbeth was very near him with a new supply of Force yet being counselled by Bancho to piece out his Force by Stratagem he sent Messengers one to Mackbeth to desire him to stop where he was and another to Swain to treat about the Surrender of the Town The Scots desired That upon the Surrender They and Theirs might have Liberty to depart in safety Swain supposing their Request proceeded from the very bottom of Despair would hear of nothing but surrendring at Mercy upon this he sent other Messengers with unlimited Instructions and a Command to delay time in making Conditions who to ingratiate themselves the more told the Norvâ—gians That whilst the Conditions of Peace were propounding and setling their King would send abundance of Provisions into their Camp as knowing That they were not over-plentiful in Victuals That Gift was acceptable to the Norvegians not so much on the account of the Scots Bounty or their own Penury as that they thought it was a Sign their Spirits were cowed out and quite broken Whereupon a great deal of Bread and Wine was sent both Wine pressed out of the Grape and also strong Drink made of Barly-Malt mixed with the â—uice of a Poysonous Herb whereof abundance grows in Scotland called Somniferous Night-shade The Stalk of it is above two Fâ—ot Long and in its upper part spreads into Branches the Leaves are broadish acuminated on the outside and faintly Green The Berrys are great and of a Black Colour when they are ripe which proceed out of the Stalk under the bottom of the Leaves Their Taste is sweetish and almost insipid It hath a very small seed as little as the Grains of a Fig. The Virtue of the Fruit Root and especially of the Seed is Soporiferous and will make men mad if they be taken in too great Quantities With this Herb all the Provision was infected and they that carried it to prevent all suspition of Fraud tasted of it before and invited the Danes to drink huge Draughts thereof
there he turned into a Monastery for Monks Being once carried by Tempest into the Isle Aemona he was there reduced to great Want and Hunger for neither he nor his Companions could procure any Food for some Days but what they got from those that Lived Solitary Lives vulgarly called Hermits He built also a Church there in Memory of St. Columb supplying it with Canons as they call them and Lands to maintain them He also gave great Guifts and Largesses and settled Revenues on St. Andrews which was Rich enough before He finished the Church at Dumferling which his Father had begun and Endowed it with Revenues After these Transactions in Peace and War when he had Reigned Seventeen Years he departed this Life leaving no Children by Sibyl his Wife Daughter of William the Norman David I. The Ninety First King HIS Brother David succeeded him in the Kingdom in the Year of Christ 1124. He seeing that his Brothers Reigned successively one after another in Scotland stayed with his Sister Maud in England There he Married Maud his Niece a Woman of great Beauty Wealth and Nobility For Voldiosus of Northumberland was her Father and her Mother was Iudith Niece to William the Norman On her he begot a Son named Henry in whom both his Father's and Mother's Disposition did presently appear By this Marriage his Revenues were much encreased by the Accession of Northumberland and Huntington-shire thereto Thus with the Universal Gratulation of his Subjects he came into Scotland to possess the Kingdom 'T is true the Memory of his Parents was of great Force to procure him the Favour of the People yet his own Virtue was such that he stood in no need of any adventitious Help For as in other Virtues he equalled other good Kings so in his Condescention to hear the Causes of the Poor he was much superiour to them As for the Complaints of the Rich he heard them himself and if a false Judgment had been given he would not rescind it but compelled the Judge himself to pay the Damages awarded He restrained Luxury which then begun to spread according to the Example of his Father He banished Epicures and such as studied Arts to provoke the Appetite out of the Kingdom He far exceeded the Beneficence of his Parents and Allies which were worthy rather of Pardon than Praise in increasing the Revenues of the Church He repaired Monasteries whether decayed by Age or ruined by the Wars and He also built New Ones from the Ground To the Six Bishopricks before he added Four more Ross Brechin Dunkelden and Dunblain He almost impoverished the succeeding King to Endow them for he bestowed upon them a great part of the Royal Revenue Iohannes Major who when I was but a Youth was famous for his Theological Studies having highly praised this King for his other Actions yet he blames his profuse Lavishness in Endowing Monasteries in a solemn and I wish it had been an undeserved Oration And I the more wonder at this immoderate Profusion of the Publick Stock and Patrimony because in those very Times St. Bâ—rnard sharply reproves the Priests and Monks in his Invective and Severe Sermons for their excessive Luxury and Expence which yet if compared with That of our Age seems but moderate And the Fruits which followed these Donations shew That the Design was not well grounded For as in Bodies too Corpulent the use of all the Members ceases so the Sparks of Wit oppressed by Luxury did thereby languish in Abbies The Study of Learning was extinct Piety degenerated into Superstition and the Seeds of all Vices sprung up in them as in an unplowed Field All the time of his Reign he had but one Commotion and that was rather a Tumult than a War And it was quickly ended in the Slaughter of Aeneas Earl of Murray with a great Number of his Followers Malcolm Mackbeth endeavouring to raise a new Sedition was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Roxburgh Other Matters succeeded according to his desire but yet a twofold Distress or rather Calamity seized him One from the untimely Death of his Wife The Other of his Son As for his Wife Maud she was a Woman of high Descent of exquisite Beauty and most accomplished Manners He loved her passionately whilst she lived and the loss of her in the Flower of her Age did so affect him That for Twenty Years after he lived a Widower neither did he touch any other Woman all that while And yet the Greatness of his Sorrow was no hindrance to him from managing the Publick Offices and Concerns both of Peace and War Concerning his Son I will speak in due place David thus addicted himself to the Arts of Peace but some troublesom Matters in England drew him unwillingly into a War The Occasion this All the Off-spring of King Henry of England besides his Daughter Maud were drowned in their passage out of France into England which Misfortune did so grieve him that it is reported he never laughed after Maud who only survived and escaped that Calamity Married the Emperor Henry the Fourth Her Husband dying without Children she returned into England to her Father He was willing to settle the Succession on her and in Order thereto because she was a Widow and Childless if he himself should die he caused all the Nobility to swear an Oath of Fealty to her and in hopes that she might have Children he Married her to Geoffry Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Five Years after that Marriage Robert Duke of Normandy and King Henry died and Geoffry of Anjou falling into a dangerous Disease lay Bedrid In the mean time Stephen Earl of Bologne in this want of Royal Issue took heart to attempt the Crown of England Neither did he look upon it as a Design of any great Difficulty both by reason of the Weakness of the adverse Party and also because he himself had some Royal Blood running in his Veins For he was born of a Daughter of William the Norman which had Married the Earl of Bloys He himself had also Married Maud Daughter of the former Earl of Bologne and Cousin-German to Maud the Empress and begotten upon Mary Sister to David King of Scotland Upon the Confidence of so great Alliances by reason of the absence of Maud the Queen and the Sickness of Geoffry he thought he might easily obtain the Crown of England And to make his Way clearer without any Conscience or Regard of his Oath which he and th' other kindred had taken to Queen Maud he drew in by great Promises the Bishops of England who had also taken the same Oath into his Unlawful design and especially William Arch-Bishop of York who was the first that Swore Allegiance to Queen Maud and Roger Bishop of Salisbury who had not only taken the Oath himself but had also read the Words of it to the other Nobles when they Swore Upon this Confidence even before his Uncle
his Reign some few were rouzed up at the hubbub and pursued scatteringly divers of them rushed amongst their Enemies as not being willing to forsake their King and so were made Prisoners also William was carried to Henry then Warring in France The English being elated with this unexpected Success invaded Cumberland thinking to carry it without Blows But Gilchrist and Rolland Two Scotâ— Commanders did so entertain Them that being repuls'd they made a Truce and were content to enjoy Northumberland only as long as the Scots King was a Prisoner and to leave Cumberland and Huntingtonshire to the free Possession of the Scots In the mean time David the Brother of William Earl of Huntington in England and of Garioch in Scotland who then fought under the English Banners received a Convoy and returned into Scotland where having setled things for the present he sent Embassadors into England about the Redemption of his Brother who was then kept Prisoner at Falise a Town in Normandy The King gave Fifteen Hostages to the English and surrendred up Four Castles viz. the Castle of Roxburgh of Berwick of Edinburgh and of Sterling and then he was permitted to return home in the Calends of February But then he was called upon by the English to appear at York with his Nobles and Bishops on the 18th of the Calends of September Being arrived there he and all his Followers who were the Chief Nobility took an Oath of Obedience to King Henry and gave up the Kingdom of Scotland into his Guardianship and Patronage These Conditions thô very hard yet the Scots were willing to accept of That so they might have the best of Kings restored to them as the English Writers say Thomas Walsingham of England writes That this Surrender was not made at York but at Constance Yet some say That this Interview of Both Kings was not in order to the Surrender of the Kingdom but for the Payment of certain pecuniary Pensions and That the Castles were put into the hands of the English as Cautionaries only till the Money was paid This Opinion seems to me most probable as appears by the League renewed with Richard Henrys Son of which in its due place William at his Return in a few Months by Gilchrist his General quelled the Insurrections made in his absence in Galway On the Fourth of the Calends of February there was an Assembly Indicted at Norham by Tweed Thither William came where the English laboured extreamly That all the Scots Bishops should acknowledge the Bishop of York for their Metropolitan The Popes Legate also concurred with them in their Desire and earnestly pressed That it might be so Enacted After a long Dispute the Scots Answered That at present few of their Countrymen were there and that they could not bind the absent to obey their Decree if they should consent to any Hereupon the matter was deferred to another time and shortly after the Scots Bishops sent Agents to Rome to justify their Cause before Alexander the Third by whose Decree the Bishops of Scotland were freed from the Yoke of the English and so the Messengers returned joyfully home Not long after Gilchrist whom I have often mentioned before slew his Wife who was the King's Sister because she had Committed Adultery Whereupon he was summoned to appear on a certain day but not coming was Banished for ever His Houses were Demolished and his Goods Confiscate About the same time the Castle of Edinburgh was restored to the Scots one of the Pensions having been paid and to make the Concord between Both Kings more firm a Law was made That neither King should harbour the Enemy of each other Upon this Law Gilchrist who lived Banished in England was forced to return and shifting from place to place as a Stranger amongst Strangers and unknown he passed his Miserable Life in great Penury and Want In the interim William prepared for an Expedition into Murray to suppress the Thieves of the Aebudae whose Captain was Donald Bane i.e. the White who derived his Pedigree from the Kings and had also assumed the Name of King He made his Descent from his Ships in many places and spoiled not only the Maritime Parts but his Boldness increasing by reason of Impunity those Places also which were very remote from the Sea The King sent out Ships to sail about and burn his Fleet whilst he with a Land Army attacqued them and so doing he put them almost all to the Sword In his return as he was near Perth he found Three Countrymen which yet seemed to be more than so had not it been for their shabby and uncouth Habit who seemed to avoid meeting any Company but the King caused them to be brought to him and viewing them intently was very earnest to know What manner of Creatures they were Gilchrist being the Elder of them fell down at the King's Feet and making a Miserable Complaint of his Misfortunes tells Who he was upon which the Memory of his former Life which he had passed with so much Splendour did so passionately affect all that were present That they could not chuse but fall a Weeping Whereupon the King commanded him to rise from the Ground and restored him to his Former Dignity and the same Degree of Favour he had before These things fell out about the Year 1190 at which time Richard who the Year before had succeeded Henry his Father in the Realm of England prepared for an Expedition into Syria He restored the Castles to the King of Scots and sent back the Hostages freeing him and his Posterity from all Pacts either extorted by Force or obtained by Fraud made with the English and suffered him to enjoy the Realm of Scotland by the same Right and within the same Limits as Malcolm or any former Kings had held it Mathew Parâ—s makes mention of These Conditions William on the other side That he might not be ungrateful to Richard upon his going to War into a strange Country gave him 1000 Marks of Silver and commanded David his Brother who was Declared Earl of Huntington to follow him into Syria This David in his Return from thence had his Navy scattered by Tempest was taken prisoner by the Aegyptians redeem'd by the Venetians and at last being known at Constantinople by an English Merchant after Four years time he returned into Scotland and was received with the general Gratulation of all Men especially of his Brother Boetius thinks that the Town where this David was landed in Safety before-named Alectum was now called Deidonum but because the Name of Alectum is found in no Author but only in Hector Boetius I rather think it was called Taodunum a Word compounded of Tay and Dun i. e. Dundee Not long after Richard after many Hazards and Misfortunes returned also from the same Voyage William and his Brother came to congratulate him upon his Return and gave him 2000 Marks
laid all waste to the very Gates of Carlisle The City it self he took by Force and Fortified it The next year Lewis the Son of Philip King of France was sent for by those who favoured the Ecclesiastical Faction to London that so he upon the Proscription of Iohn might possess the Kingdom and so was King Alexander of Scotland too who came to aid his Old Friend But Iohn being forsaken by his Subjects and assaulted also by Foreign Arms upon the Payment of a great Sum of Money at present and the Promise of a perpetual Pension and moreover transferring the Right of the Kingdom of England to the Pope so that the Kings of England for the future were to be His Feudataries was received into Favour So that he obtained Letters from Rome by Cardinal Galo a Man of known Avarice wherein the Scots and French were with great Threats forbid to meddle with a People which were Tributaries to the Holy See Upon this sudden Change of things Lewis returned into France and Alexander into Scotland but his return home was not so quiet as his entrance into England was For the English pressing upon the Rear of his retiring Army took many of the Stragglers Prisoners And besides Iohn had broken down all the Bridges on the Trent and had fastned sharp Pikes or Palisadoes in all its Fords removing away all Ships and Boats so that it seemed to be so great an Impediment unto him that he could not avoid it but must certainly be destroyed In the mean time Iohn was poysoned by an English Monk at Newark a Town seated on the Trent and being carried in a Litter died in two days That Casualty opened the way for Alâ—xander's March. Then blaming and punishing his Men for their former Carelessness he marched on more circumspectly but not without the great Damage of those through whose Countrys he passed For whatsoever could be driven away or carried he took with him and so returned home with a great Booty Galo the Popes Legat when he had setled Henry the Son of Iohn in the Throne mulct the Nobles of England in a great Sum of Money and then received them into Favour And to give them some Recompence for their Loss by the like Calamity of their Enemies he Excommunicates Lewis of France and Alexander of Scotland in hopes to obtain some Prey from them also The Scots were Interdicted all Divine Offices for he imagined that his Thundring Curses would prevail more amongst the simple Vulgar than with the Kings But at last Peace was made between the Two Kings the Scots were to restore Carlisle and the English Berwick and the Ancient Bounds at Kings-Cross were to be observed by them Both. Alexander and his Subjects were released from their Censures by the English Bishops who were Authorized thereunto Hereupon Galo was much enraged That so great a Prey should be taken out of his Hands so that he turned his Anger on the Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Scotland as his own Peculiar with whom Kings had nothing to do He summoned them to appear at Alnwick Whither when they came the more fearful appeased his Wrath with Money the more resolute were Cited to Rome But they having also received many Letters from some of the English Bishops and Abbats directed to the Pope concerning the sordid Spirit of the Ambassador or Legat made grievous Complaints against him calling him the Firebrand of all mischief because he studied not the Publick Good but his own Avarice and did chaffer for and sell Peace and War amongst Princes at his own pleasure Galo not being able to acquit himself of the Crimes laid to his charge was Fined by the Pope in the Loss of the Money he had got which was to be divided amongst his Accusers Hereupon they returned home loaden with large Promises but with empty Purses A few years after Henry of England being now grown Ripe both in Years and Judgment came to York there he agreed with Alexander in the presence of Pandulphus the Popes Legat to take Henry's Sister to Wife by whom yet because of her untimely Death he had no Children From that time there was Peace between Both Kings as long as they lived There he also solemnly Promised and Swore before the same Pandulphus That he would bestow the Two Sisters of Alexander in Honourable Marriages according to their Dignity as his Father had promised before But one of them returned home unmarried one only being bestowed in Marriage The next Year viz. 1220 the Cardinal of St. Giles came into England to fish for Money for the Holy War and accordingly having scraped together a great Sum in both Kingdoms which by his Impostures he had gulled Persons 〈◊〉 credulous of he Luxuriously spent it in his Journy so that he came empty to Rome falsely alleging That he was robbed by Thieves in the way Another Legat presently succeeded him but Men having been twice cheated by Roman Fraud by a Publick Decree forbad him to set his foot on Land Alexander was busied to suppress Vices at home which sprung up by the Licentiousness of War and he travelled over the whole Kingdom with his Queen to do Justice whilest Gilespy a Rossian spoiled Ross and the Neighbour Counties for passing over the River Ness he took and burnt the Town of Enverness He cruelly slew all those that refused to obey him Iohn Cumin Earl of Buchan was sent against him who took him and his two Sons as they were shifting up and down and changing their Quarters to secure themselves and cut off their Heads and so sent them to the King About this time the Caithnesians entred by night into the Bedchamber of Adam their Bishop and there killed a Monk who was his usual Companion for he had been before Abbat of Mulross and one of his Bedchamber as for the Bishop himself they grievously wounded him and dragging him into the Kitchen there they burnt him and the House he was in The Cause of their great Cruelty was as 't is reported because the Bishop was more severe than in former times in exacting his Tithes The Offenders were diligently sought out and most severely punished The Earl of Caithnes though he were not present at the Fact yet was somewhat suspected but afterward being brought privately to the King in the Christmas Holy-days which the Scots call Saturnalia he humbly begg'd Pardon of the King and obtained it About this time Alane of Galway the powerfullest Man in Scotland departed this Life He left Three Daughters behind him of whom I shall speak hereafter Thomas his Bastard Son despising their Age and Sex sets up for himself as Lord of the Family and not contented herewith he gathers 10000 Men together kills all that oppose him and drives Booties far and near from all the Neighbouring-Countries At last the King sent an Army against him who slew 5000 of the
was Poysoned as it is thought by his Wife an English Woman The Suspicion thereof was encreased on her because tho' she were Wooed by many Nobles yet she Married Iohn Russel her Gallant a Young English Spark She was accused of Witchcraft too and cast into Prison but she bought out her Liberty Russel and his Wife obtained Letters from the Pope permitting them to commence an Action of the Case against their Adversaries for the Wrong done them before the Popes Legate But it was to no purpose because the Scots urged an Ancient Privilege exempting them from going out of the Kingdom when they were to plead their Causes When the King was of Age upon the humble Petition of the Cumins's he Pardoned them as if all their offences had been expiated by the Death of Walter He was induced so to do as some say by reason of the Greatness of their Family and also because he feared Foreign Wars when Matters were so unsetled at home But that War began not so soon as Men thought it would In the Year of Christ 1263. in the Calends of August Acho King of Norwey with a Fleet of 160 Sail came to Air a Maritime Town of Coil where he Landed 20000 Men. The Cause of the War as he pretended was that some Islands which were promised to his Ancestors by Mackbeth were not yet put into his Hands viz. Bote Aran and both the Cumbras's which were never reckoned amongst the Aebudae But it was enough for him who sought a pretence for a War that they were called Islands Acho took two of the greatest of them and reduced their Castles before he could meet with any Opposition being lifted up by this success he makes a descent into Cuningham the next Continent over against Bote in that part of it which they call the Largs There he met with Two Misfortunes almost at one and the same First he was overcome in Fight by Alexander Stuart the Great Grandfather of him who first of that Name was King of Scotland and being almost taken by the Multitude of his Enemies he hardly escaped in great Fear to his Ships The other was That his Ships being tossed in a mighty Tempest hardly carried him with a few of his followers who escaped into the Orcades There were slain in that Battel Sixteen Thousand of the Norwegians and Five Thousand of the Scots some Writers say that King Alexander himself was in this Fight Yet they also make Honourable mention of the Name of this Alexander Stuart Acho died of Grief for the Loss of his Army and of his Kinsman too a Valiant Youth whose Name is not mentioned by Writers His Son Magnus who was lately come to him perceiving Things in a desperater Posture than he ever thought they would be brought to especially having no hopes of Recruit from home before the Spring and also finding the Minds of the Islanders alienated from him and that he was forsaken of the Scots too in Confidence of whose Aid his Father had undertaken that War these things considered he easily inclined to Terms of Peace The Spirit of the young Man was quailed both by the unlucky Fight and also by his Fear of the Islanders For Alexander had then recovered by sending about some Ships the Isle of Man situate almost in the midst between Scotland and Ireland upon these Conditions That the King thereof should send in Ten Gallies to the Scots as oft as there was occasion and that the Scots should defend him from a Foreign Enemy When Magnus saw That the rest of the Islands inclined to follow the Example of the Manks-Men he sent Ambassadors to treat of Peace which Alexander refused to make unless the Aebudae were restored at last by the diligence of the Commissioners it was agreed that the Scots should have the Aebudae for which at present they were to pay 1000 Marks of Silver and 100 Marks an Year And moreover That Margarite Alexanders Daughter being then but Four years old should Marry Hangonan the Son of Magnus assoon as she was fit for Marriage About this time the King of England being infested with Civil War had Five Thousand Scots sent him for his Assistance under the Command of Râ—bert Bruce and Alexander Cumins whom the English Writers call Iohn the greatest part of them were slain in Fight and Cumins with the Englâ—sh King himself and his Son and a great part of the English Nobility of the Kings Party were taken Prisoners Moreover the Scots King was much troubled at the Arrogance of the Priests and Monks in his Kingdom who being enriched by former Kings began to grow wanton in a continued Peace Yea they endeavoured to be equal if not superior to the Nobility whom they excelled in Wealth The young Nobility repining at it and taking it in great disdain used them coursly whereupon complaints were made by them to the King who imagining either that their Wrongs were not so great as they represented them or else that they suffered them deservedly neglected their pretended Grievances whereupon they Excommunicated All but the King and in great Wrath determined to go to Rome But the King remembring what great Commotions Thomas Becket the prime promoter of Ecclesiastical Ambition had lately made in England called them back from their Journy and caused the Nobility to satisfie not only their Avarice but even their Arrogance too And indeed they were the more inclinable to an Accord with the King because he had lately undertaken the Patronage of the Ecclesiastical Orders against the Avarice of the Romanists For a little before Ottobon the Popes Legate was come into England to appease the Civil Discords but not being able to effect the thing he came for he omitted the publick Care and studied his own private Gain and Lucre he Indicted an Ecclesiastical Assembly of the English Procters from Scotland being also called thereunto in the mean time he endeavoured to exact Four Marks of Silver from every Parish in Scotland and Six from all Cathedrals for the Expence of Procurations This Contribution or Tax was scarce refused when News was brought That another Legate was arrived in England intending also for Scotland on pretence to gather up Money for the Holy War and besides that procurable by Indulgences and other Lime-Twigs to catch Money he endeavoured to wrest from all Bishops Abbats and Parish Priests as judging them to be immediately under Papal Jurisdiction the Tenth part of their yearly Revenues that so Edward and Edmond Sons to the King of England might go more Nobly and Numerously attended to the War in Syria The Scots judged this Tax to be very grievous and unjust especially because the English seemed to be so forward to have it granted as if Scotland were not sui Iuris or an absolute Kingdom but Dependent on England Moreover they were afraid lest the Legat should riotously mispend the Money designed for the War as was done some Years
before whereupon they forbad him to enter their Borders but sent him Word That they themselves without his Presence would gather Money for and send Souldiers to the Syrian War and indeed they sent Souldiers under the Command of the Earls of Carick and Athol Two of the Chief Nobility to Lâ—wis King of Franâ—e and to the Pope lest he might think himself altogether disesteemed they sent 1000 Marks of Silver The Year after Henry King of England died and his Son Edward the First succeeded him at whose Coronation Alexander and his Wife were present she returning died soon after yea David the Kings Son and also Alexander being newly Married to the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders followed her a little time after by their continued Funerals Margarite also the Kings Daughter departed this Life who left a Daughter behind her begot by Hangonanus King of Norwey Alexander being thus in a few years deprived both of his Wife and Children too took to Wife Ioleta the Daughter of the Earl of Dreux and within a Year he fell from his Horse and broke his Neck not far from Kinghorn in the Year of our Lord 1285. and the Fourteenth of the Calends of April he lived Forty Five years and Reigned Thirty Seven He was more missed than any King of Scotland had been before him not so much for the eminent Virtues of his Mind and the Accomplishments of his Body as that People foresaw what great Calamities would befal the Kingdom upon his Decease Those wholsome Laws which he made are antiquated by the Negligence of Men and the Length of Time and their Utility is rather celebrated by Report than experienced by Trial. He divided the Kingdom into Four Parts and almost every year he Travelled them all over staying well near Three Months in each of them to do Justice and to hear the complaints of the Poor who had free Access to him all that time Assoon as he went to an Assize or Sessions he Commanded the Prefect or Sheriff of that Precinct to meet him with a select number of Men and also to accompany him at his departure to the end of his Bailywick till the next Precinct where he was Guarded by another like Company By this means he became acquainted with all the Nobility and was as well known to them and the People as he went were not burthen'd with a Troop of Courtiers who are commonly Imperious and given to Avarice where they come He commanded the Magistrates to punish all Idle Persons who followed no Trade nor had any Estates to maintain them for his Opinion was That Idleness was the Source and Fountain of all Wickedness He reduced the Horse-Train of the Nobles when they travelled to a certain number because he thought that the Multitude of Horses which were unfit for War would spend too much Provision And whereas by reason of Unskilfulness in Navigation or else by Mens Avarice in committing themselves rashly to Sea many Shipwracks had happened and the Violence of Pyrates making an Accession thereto the Company of Merchants were almost undone he commanded they should Traffick no more by Sea That Order lasted about an Year but being accounted by many of a publick Prejudice at length so great a Quantity of Foreign Commodities were imported that in Scotland they were never in the Memory of Man more or less cheap In this Case that he might study the good of the Merchants-Company he forbad that any but Merchants should buy what was imported by whole Sale but what every Man wanted he was to buy it at second Hand or by Retail from them The Eighth BOOK ALEXANDER and his whole Lineage besides one 〈◊〉 by his Daughter being extinct a Convention of the Estates was held at Scone to Treat about Creating a new King and setling the State of the Kingdom whither when most of the Nobility were come in the first place they appointed Vicegerents to govern Matters at present so dividing the Provinces That Duncan Mackduff should preside over Fife of which he was Earl Iohn Cumins Earl of Buchan over Buchan William Frazer Archbishop of St. Andrews over that Part of the Kingdom which lay Northward And that Robert Bishop of Glascow Another Iohn Cumins and Iohn Stuart should Govern the Southern Countries and that the Boundary in the midst should be the River Forth Edward King of England knowing that his Sisters 〈◊〉 Daughter of the King of Norway was the only surviving Person of all the Posterity of Alexander and that She was the Lawful Heiress of the Kingdom of Scotland sent Ambassadors into Scotland to desire Her as a Wife for his Son The Embassadors in the Session discoursed much of the publick Utility like to accrue to both Kingdoms by this Marriage neither did they find the Scots averse therefrom For Edward was a Man of great Courage and Power yet he desired to increase it and his Valour highly appeared in the Holy War in his Fathers Life time and after his Death in his subduing of Wales neither were there ever more Endearments passed betwixt the Scots and the English than under the last Kings Yea the Ancient Hatred seemed no way more likely to be abolished than if both Nations on Just and Equal Terms might be united into One. For these Reasons the Marriage was easily assented to other Conditions were also added by the consent of both Parties as That the Scots should use their own Laws and Magistrates until Children were begot out of that Marriage which might Govern the Kingdom or if no such were begot or being born if they dyed before they came to the Crown then the Kingdom of Scotland was to pass to the next Kinsman of the Blood-Royal Matters being thus setled Embassadors were sent into Norway Michael or as others call him David Weems and Michael Scot Two eminent Knights of Fife and much Famed for their Prudence in those days But Margarite for that was the Name of the young Princess dyed before they came thither so that they returned home in a sorrowful posture without their errand By reason of the untimely death of this young Lady a Controversie arose concerning the Kingdom which mightily shook England but almost quite ruined Scotland The Competitors were Men of great Power Iohn Baliol and Robert Bruce of which Baliol had Lands in France Bruce in England but Both of them great Possessions and Allies in Scotland But before I enter upon their Disputes that all things may be more clear to the Reader I must fetch them down a little higher The Three last Kings of Scotland William and the Two Alexanders The Second and the Third and their whole Off-spring being extinct there remained none who could lawfully claim the Kingdom but the Posterity of David Earl of Huntington This David was Brother to King William and Great Uncle to Alexander the Third He Married Maud in England Daughter to the Earl of Chester by whom he had Three
Daughters The Eldest Named Margarite Married Alan of Galway a Man very powerful amongst the Scots The Second was matched to Robert Bruce Sirnamed the Noble of High English Descent and of a large Estate The Third was Married to Henry Hastings an Englishman also whose Posterity do deservedly enjoy the Earldom of Huntington at this day But to let him pass because he never put in for the Kingdom I shall confine my Discourse to the Stock Cause and Ancestry of Baliol and Bruce only Whilst William was King of Scotland Fergus Prince of Galway left Two Sons Gilbert and Ethred William to prevent the Seeds of Discord betwixt the Two Brothers divided their Fathers Inheritance equally betwixt them Gilbert the Eldest took this highly amiss and thereupon conceived an Hatred against his Brother as his Rival and against the King too for his unequal Distribution Thereupon when the King was Prisoner in England being then freed from fear of the Law he discovered his long-concealed Hatred against them both As for his Brother he took him unawares pulled out his Eyes cut out his Tongue and so not content with a single Death he put him to grievous and excessive Tortures before he dyed and he himself joyned with the English and preyed upon his Neighbors and Country-men as if they had been in an Enemies Country for he wasted all with Fire and Sword And except Rolland the Son of Ethred had gathered a Band of Countrymen who remained firm to the King together to resist his Attempts he had either wasted the neighbour Countries or drawn them all over to his Party This Rolland was a forward young Man of great Abilities both of Body and Mind he not only abated the Fury of his Uncle but many times fought valiantly and sometimes successfully with the English as he met them whilst he repressed their Plunderings or as he himself spoiled their Lands At last when the King was restored Gilbert by the Mediation of his Friends got a Pardon upon promise of a sum of Money for the Wrongs he had done and giving Pledges to that purpose But Gilbert dying a few days after those who were accustomed to Blood and Prey under him and who had given up themselves into the Protection of the King of England either out of the Inconstancy of their Dispositions or for fear of Punishment being stirr'd on by Gripes from an accusing Conscience for what they had formerly done took up Arms again under the Command of Gilpatrick Henry Kennedy and Samuel who before had been the Assistors and Companions to Gilbert in his Wickedness Rolland was sent with an Army against them and after a great Fight he slew their chief Leaders and a great Part of the common Soldiers They who escaped fled to one Gilcolumb a Captain of the Freebooters and Robbers who had made a great spoil in Lothian and much endamaged the Nobles and Richer sort of whom also he killed some Thence marching into Galway he undertook Gilbert's Cause when all others looked upon it as desperate He not only claimed his Lands as his Own but carried himself as the Lord of all Galway At last Rolland fought with him in the Calends of October about Three Months after Gilbert's Forces were defeated and slew him with the greatest part of his Army with very little loss of his own side amongst the slain there was found his own Brother a stout young Man The English being troubled at the overthrow of these Men who had put themselves under their Protection the Year before march'd with an Army to Carlisle thither also came Rolland being Reconciled to the King of England by the Mediation of William where he refuted the Calumnies of his Enemies and shewed That he had done nothing Maliciously or Causelesly against his own and the Publicks Enemy upon which he was honourably dismissed by the King William also returned home and calling to Mind the Constancy of his Father Ethred and how many Noble Exploits he had performed for the Good of the Publick he gave him all Galway And besides he bestowed Carrick on the Son of Gilbert though his Father had not deserved so well of him William of Newberry the English Writer Records these things as done Anno 1183. Rolland took to Wife the Sister of William Morvill who was Lord High Constable in Scotland who dying without Issue Rolland enjoyed that Office as Hereditary to him and his Family He had a Son called Alan who for his Assistance afforded to Iohn King of England in his Irish War was rewarded by him with large Possessions on which accompt by the permission of William of Scotland he was a Feudatary to the English King and swore Fealty to him This Alan took to Wife Margarite the Eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntington By her he had Three Daughters the Eldest Dornadilla he Married to Iohn Baliol who was King of Scotland for some years But Robert Bruce Married Isabella Davids Second Daughter he came to be Earl of Carrick upon this Occasion Martha Countess of Carrick being Marriageable and the only Heiress of her Father who died in the Holy War as she was a Hunting cast her Eye on Robert Bruce the Beautifullest Young Man of all her Train whereupon she Courteously invited him and in a manner compelled him into her Castle which was near at Hand Being come thither his Age Beauty Kindred and Manners easily procuring mutual Love they were quickly Married in a private way When the King was informed thereof he was much offended with them Both because the Right of bestowing the Lady in Marriage lay in him yet by the Mediation of Friends he was afterwards Reconciled to them Out of this Marriage Robert Bruce was Born who afterwards was King of Scotland Thus having enlarged my self in this Prologue I come now to the Matter in Hand and to the Competitors of the Kingdom They were Dornadilla the Grand-child of David of Huntingdon by his Eldest Daughter and Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick Grand-son of the said David by his youngest Daughter Dornadilla's Pretensions were grounded on the Custom of the Country whereby he or she that was nearer in Degree had a better Right Robert Bruce insisted on the Sex that in a like degree of Propinquity Males ought to be preferred before Females so that he denied it to be just that as long as a Grand-son was alive a Grand-daughter should inherit her Ancestors Estate And though sometimes the contrary may be practised in the Inheritances of private Men yet the matter is far otherwise in those Estates which are called Feuds and in the Succession of Kingdoms And of this there was urged a late Example in the Controversie concerning the Dutchess of Burgundy which the Earl of Nevers who Married the Grand-child of the last Duke by his Eldest Son Claimed yet the Inheritance was adjudged to the Son of the Duke's younger Brother so that Robert contended That he was nearer in Degree as
Country he banished and sent the Scots Nobility whom he most suspected into the heart of England till his return Amongst which was Iohn Cumins Lord or Petty King of Badenach and Alan Longan a Man fit both for Advice and Action and having setled Matters after this sort he was so far from fearing any Insurrection in Scotland that he carried all his Army over along with him But hearing of the many Exploits of Wallace he thought there was need of a greater Force to suppress him yet that the Expedition was not worthy of a King neither as being only against a Roving Thief for so the English called Wallace and therefore he writes to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and William Latimer That they should speedily Levy what Forces they could out of the Neighbouring Parts and join themselves with Cressingham who as yet remained in Scotland to subdue the Rebellious Scots Thomas Walsingham writes that the Earl of Warren was General in this Expedition But Wallace who was then besieging the Castle of Cowper in Fife left his Army which he had increased against the coming of the English should be idle the English being near at hand marched directly to Sterlin The River Forth no where almost fordable may be there passed over by a Bridge of Wood though it be increased by the Addition of other Rivers and by the coming in of the Tide too There Cressingham passed over with the greatest part of his Army but the Bridge either having its Beams loosned and disjointed on purpose by the Skill of the Architect as our Writers say it was that so it might not be able to bear any great Weight or else being overladen with the heavy burden of so many Horse Foot and Carriages as passed over was broken and so the March of the rest of the English was precluded and hindred The Scots set upon Those who were passed over before they could put themselves into a Posture and having slain their General drove the rest back into the River the Slaughter was so great that they were all either killed or drowned Wallace returned from this Fight to the besieging of Castles and in a short time he so changed the Scene of Affairs that he left none of the English in Scotland but such as were made Prisoners This Victory wherein none of any eminency among the Scots fell save Andrew Murray whose Son some years was Regent of Scotland was obtained in the Ides of September in the year of Christ 1297. Some say that Wallis was called off to this Fight not from the Siege of Cowper but of Dundee whither he also returned after the Fight so Iohn Major and some Books found in Monasteries do relate By means of these Combustions the Fields lay untilled insomuch that after that Overthrow a Famine ensued and a Pestilence after the Famine from whence a greater Fear was apprehended than from the War Wallis to prevent this Mischief as much as he could called together all those who were fit for Service to appear at a certain day with whom he marched into England thinking with himself that their Bodies being exercised with Labour would be more healthy and that Wintring in an Enemies Country Provisions might be spared at home and the Soldiers who were in much want might reap some Fruit of their Labours in a rich Country and flourishing by reason of its continued Peace When he was entred into England no Man dared to attack him so that he staid there from the Calends of November to the Calends of February and having refreshed and inriched his Soldiers with the Fruits and Spoils of the Enemy he returned home with great Renown This Expedition as it increased the Fame and Authority of Wallis amongst the Vulgar sort so it heightned the envy of Nobles against him mightily For his Praise seemed a tacite Exprobration to them who being Men of great Power and Wealth either out of Slothfulness durst no◠or out of Perfidiousness would not attempt what He that was a Mean Man and destitute of all the Advantages of Fortune had not only valiantly undertook but also successfully performed Moreover the King of England finding the Business to be greater than could well be managed by his Deputies made some settlement of things in France and returned home and gathering together a great Army but hastily levied for he brought not back his Veteran Soldiers from beyond Sea and for the most part raw and unexperienced Men he marches toward Scotland supposing he had only to do with a disorderly Band of Robbers But when he saw both Armies in Battel array about 500 Paces one from another in the Plains of Stanmore he admired the Discipline Order and Confidence of his Enemies So that thô he himself had much the greater Force yet he durst not put it to the hazard of a Battel against such a Veteran and Experienced a Captain and against Soldiers inured to all hardships but turned his Ensigns and marched slowly back Wallace also durst not follow him for fear of Ambushes but kept his Army within their Trenches Having thus got the Victory thô Bloodless over so puissant a King his Enemies were so much the more enraged against him and caused Rumours to be scattered up and down That Wallis did openly affect a Supream or Tyrannical Power at which the Nobles especially Bruce and the Cumin's of the Royal Stock did mightily disdain for they said thus within themselves That if they must be Slaves they had rather be so under a Great and Potent King than under an Vpstart whose Domination was like to be not only base but also dangerous And therefore they determined by all means to undermine the Authority of Wallis Edward was not ignorant of these Disgusts and therefore the next Summer he Levies a Great Army consisting partly of English partly of Scots who had remained Faithful to him and came to Falkirk which is a Village built in the very Tract of the Wall of Severus and is distant from Sterling little more than 6 Miles The Scots Army were not far from them of sufficient strength for they were 30000. if the Generals and Leaders had agreed amongst themselves Their Generals were Iohn Cumins Iohn Stuart and William Wallace the most flourishing Persons amongst the Scots the Two former for their high Descent and Opulency the Later for the glory of his former Exploits When the Three Armies were ready to fight a new Dispute arose besides their former Envy Who should lead the Van of the Army and when all Three stood upon their Terms the English decided the Controversie who with Banners displaid marched with a swift pace towards them Cumins and his Forces retreated without striking a stroke Stuart being beset before and behind was slain with all that followed him Wallace was sorely pressed upon in the Front and Bruce had fetched a compass about an Hill and fell on his Reat yet he was as little disturbed
Soldiers both English and Scots promiscuously to the Sword and that others might be deterred from the like Obstinacy by their Example he razed their Walls and filled up their Trenches The Terror of that Example caused Dumfriez Lanerick Air and Bote and many other weaker Forts to Surrender At the beginning of the Spring Roxburgh was taken by Iames Douglas when the Garison was intent upon their Sports and Pastimes in those Revels which were wont to be celebrated at the beginning of Lent And not long after Thomas Randolph recovered the Strong Castle of Edinburgh The Isle of Man was also surrendred and the Castles thereof demolished that they might not again be a Receptacle to the Enemy In the mean time Edward Bruce closely besieged the Castle of Sterlin scituate on a Rock steep every way but one where the Passage to it lay It was defended by Philip Mowbray a vigilant Commander who perceiving the Success of the Brucians in Scotland and foreseeing a Siege had mightily stored and fortified it with Arms and Provisions before hand And therefore when Edward had fruitlessly spent many days in besieging it and had no hopes to carry it by force That he might not seem to be repulsed without doing any thing he enters into Conditions with Mowbray That if he was not relieved in an Year to commence from that very Day by the English then the Castle was to be surrendred and the Garison should have Liberty Bag and Baggage to march whither they pleased These Conditions did much displease the King yet that he might not detract from his Brothers Credit he resolved to observe them Yet in regard he did not doubt but the English would come at the time appointed he prepares as much as in so great a scarcity of things he was able to manage his last Encounter with his potent Enemy And indeed Edward considering that he was not only dispossessed of Scotland whose People his Father had left to him conquered and broken but that England was also in danger had a desire to root out so Rebellious Disobedient and Unquiet a Nation In order whereunto he levied an Army not only of English and such Scots who adhered to them but he increased it by supplys from his Transmarine Dominions which then were many great and opulent so that his Army was bigger than ever any King of England had before Yea he received also an Accession of Force from his Allyes beyond the Seas especially from Flanders and Holland whom his Father had strenuously assisted against Philip King of France They say it consisted of above 100000 Fighting men There followed also his Army a Multitude of Baggagers Attendants and Sutlers who carries Provision both by Sea and Land because they were to come into a Country not very fruitful of it self and besides which had so many years before been harassed with all the Miseries of War Moreover there was a Multitude of Such as were to set out or describe Colonies and to receive Dividends of Land who brought their Wives and Children along with them so that the Force of so Rich Powerful and Flourishing a Kingdom as England was being thus as it were abridged and epitomized into one Army the Consideration thereof produced such a Confidence in them all That now all the Discourse was not of Fighting but rather of Dividing the Spoil Bruce hearing of this great Preparation of the Enemy prepares also his Forces far inferiour in Number to so great a Multitude as being Thirty Thousand only but such as were inured to Hardships and the Toyl of a Civil War and who now carried the Hopes of their Lives Fortunes and of all that is dear to Men as it were on the Point of their Swords With this Army he sate down on the left Bank of the River Bannock This River hath steep Banks on Both sides and it had but a few and those too narrow Passages or Fords it is about Two Miles from Sterlin Below the Hills before it makes its influxe into the Forth it passeth thrô a little leveller Ground yet here and there it is Marshy In the Winter it usually runs with a rapid Torrent but in that hot Time of the Year the Water was but Low and Fordable in many Places Bruce by how much the Weaker in Force was so much the more Circumspect and therefore he used Art and Policy to make the Passage over the River more difficult to the English who possessed the right-hand Bank thereof In order whereunto he caused deep Trenches to be dug in level Places wherein he fastened sharp Stakes or Spikes and covered them with some light Turffs a top that so his Stratagem might not be discovered and moreover he caused Calthrops of Iron to be thrown up and down on the Ground in Places most convenient Wherefore when Camp was almost joyned to Camp as being on different Hills only a small River between them Edward sent 800 Horse a little before to Sterlin who marched a little off from the Camp Robert imagining that they were sent to plunder in the Neighbourhood gave command to Thomas Randolph to follow them with 500 Horse either to prevent the stragglers in wasting the Country or if a fit Occasion were offered to fight them The English seeing them desisted from their intended March to Sterlin and faced about The Fight was sharp and continued long the Victory inclining for a time to neither Party so that Iames Douglas being concerned for the Scots who were the fewer in Number earnestly desired Bruce That he might go and relieve them Bruce peremptorily denied him whereupon tho' at present a Spectator only from an Hill yet he resolved if the Scots were further distressed to succour them but perceiving the English to give back and the Scots to get Ground he stopped his March that so he might detract nothing from another mans Praise The English having lost but those Few out of so numerous an Army were not discouraged in their Spirits and also the Scots prepared themselves for the Encounter the next day as if they had already received an Omen of a compleat Victory The Night thô very short for the Battel was fought on the 9 th of the Calends of Iuly yet seemed long to both Parties for the Eagerness they had to Fight All the Scots were divided into Three Brigades The King led the Middle or Main Battel His Brother Commanded the Right Wing and Randolf the Left The English besides a multitude of Archers which they placed on the outside of Both their Wings had also Curiassiers out of France They speeding towards Randolf who stood on the Lower Ground and endeavouring to fall obliquely on his Flank fell suddainly into the Diâ—ches made by Bruce where they tumbled one upon another with great Slaughter both of Man and Horse They that first fell in were Slain by the pressure of Those that fell upon them and the last Ranks being discouraged at the loss of the
made to him he now thought it seasonable to Declare Himself King That Advice was safer to him because the greatest part of the Slaughter had fallen upon the Families adjoyning to Perth For there were slain in the Battel besides the Regent Robert Keith with a great number of his Kindred and Tenants There fell Eighty of the Family of the Lindseys and amongst them Alexander the chief of the Sept. The Name of the Hays would have been quite extinguished in this Fight if William the Chief of the Family had not left his Wife big with Child behind him Moreover Thomas Randolfe Robert Bruce Murdo Earl of Monteath William Sinclare Bishop of the Caledonians and Duncan Macduff Earl of Fife made Prisoners by him and being thus in such a desperate Posture were enforced to take an Oath of Obedience to him Baliol The Eighty Ninth King HEreupon Baliol trusting to his present Fortune went to the Neighbouring Abby of Scone and there entred upon the Kingdom in the Year of our Lord 1332. the Eighth of the Calends of September By this Wound and Loss the Power of David Bruce was much weakened in Scotland yet his Friends not broken in their Spirits by this Calamity took care to secure him from the danger of War he not being yet fit to manage the Government and therefore they sent him and his Wife to his Fathers Friend Philip King of France to be there out of Harms way In the mean time they prepare themselves for all hazards being resolved to Dye Honourably or else to restore their Country to its former State And First of all they set up Andrew Murray an Eminent Person Son of the Sister of Robert Bruce as Regent in the place of Duncan then they sent Messengers into all parts of the Kingdom partly to confirm and fix their old Friends and partly to spur up the more Remiss to Thoughts of Revenging their wrongs The â—irst who took Arms as being excited by their Grief for the loss of their Parents and Kindred at Duplin were Robert Keith Iames and Simon Frazer who about the Autumnal Aequinox besieged Perth the Siege lasted longer than they expected yet in Three Months they took it Macduff Earl of Fife who held the Town for Baliol was sent Prisoner with his Wife and Children to Kildrum a Castle in Marr Andrew Murray of Tullibardin who discovered the Ford over the River Earn to the English was put to death The Black Bock of Pasley says That the Walls of the Town were demolished which seems more probable to me than that it should be made a Garison as others write especially in so great a want of Faithful Friends and Soldiers At the same time Baliol was at Annandale very busie in receiving the Homage of the Nobles who were so much surprized and astonished at the suddain Mutation of Things That even Alexander Bruce Lord of Carrick and Galway despairing of the Retrieve of his Kinsman David's Affairs came in to him After this prosperous Success he despised his Enemy and grew more negligent and regardless of him When the Regent heard thereof by his Spyes he sent Archibald Douglas Brother to Iames who was lost in Spain That if there were any Opportunity for Action he should lay hold upon it He took with him William Douglas Earl of Liddisdale Iohn Randolfe the Son of Thomas and Simon Frazer with a Thousand Horse and so came to Maufet where having sent out Scouts to see that the Coast was clear he marched in the Night and set upon Baliol as he was asleep and put his Army into so great a Fright and Consternation that Baliol himself half Naked was fain to get upon an Horse neither Bridled nor Sadled and so fled away many of his Intimate Friends were slain Alexander Bruce was taken Prisoner and obtained his Pardon by the means of his Kinsman Iohn Randolfe Henry Baliol got great Credit that day by his Valour amongst both Parties who in so confused a Flight defended some of his Men whom their persuers pressed upon he wounded many and killed some of his Enemies and at last was slain Fighting valiantly There fell also the Chief of the English Faction Iohn Mowbray Walter Cumins and Richard Kirke These Things were acted the Eighth of the Calends of Ianuary in the Year 1332. The Brucian Party were somewhat relieved by these Successes so that they came in great Numbers to Andrew Murray the Regent to consult about the main Chance They made no doubt but that Baliol fought the Kingdom not for himself but for the English by whom he was guided and influenced in every thing Wherefore they resolved to Declare the King of England their Enemy and accordingly they prepared all things necessary for the War with great Diligence as against a very powerful Enemy They made the Garison of Berwick very strong for they thought the English would Assault That first They made Alexander Seton a worthy Knight Governour of the Town and Patrick Dunbar of the Castle and the adjoyning Precincts William Douglas Earl of Liddisdale whose Valour and Prudence was highly commended in those Times was sent into Annandale to defend the Western Coasts Andrew Murray went to Roxburgh where Baliol kept himself Thus their several Governments being distributed at home Iohn Randolfe was sent into France to visit David and to make an Address to Philip of France informing him of the State of Scotland and desiring some Aid from him against the Common Enemy Murray at his coming to Roxburgh had a sharp encounter with Baliol at a Bridge without the City and whilst he pressed too eagerly after the English who were retreating over the Bridge into the Town he was intercepted from his Men and taken Prisoner whereby a Victory almost quite obtained slipt out of his hands At the same time in a contrary Province William Douglas of Liddisdale in a Fight with the English was wounded and made Prisoner whose Disaster so troubled his Men that they also were put to flight This Inconstancy and Variableness of Fortune divided Scotland again into Two Factions even as Love Hatred Hope Fear or each Man 's private Concern inclined him The King of England presuming That by reason of these Dissensions he had a fit opportunity to seize upon Scotland received Baliol into his Protection for he was too weak to support himself by his own Strength and took an Oath of Obedience from him yea nothing regarding his Right of Affinity with Bruce nor reverencing the Sanctity of Leagues nor the Religion of an Oath so that he might satisfie his immoderate Ambition he at once denounced and also made War on the Scots at that time destitute of a King and also at variance amongst themselves And to give a colourable Pretence of Justice to his War he sent Embassadors to demand Berwick which Town his Father and Grandfather had held many Years and he presently followed with an Army
the King 's good Liking and that on no dishonourable Terms neither no nor unrevenged one upon another To this Motion they seemed inclinable so that the Condition was proposed That 300 of each side should Try it out in Fight before the King Armed only with their Swords They that were Conquered should have an Amnesty for all past Offences and the Conquerors should be Honoured with the King's Favour and the Nobles too Both sides were well pleased with the Terms so that a day was fixed for the Combate and at the time appointed the Heads of the Families with their Parties came to Court and part of a Field on the North side of the Town of Perth which was severed from the rest by a deep Trench was appointed for the place of Combate and Galleries built round for Spectators Hereupon an huge Multitude was Assembled together and sate ready to see the Dispute but the Fight was delayed awhile because one of the 300 of the One Party had hid himself for Fear and their Fellows were not willing to engage without having just an equal number with their Adversaries neither was any one found to supply the Place of him who was absent And of the other Party not a Man would be drawn out or exempted from the Fight lest he might seem less valued and not so couragious as the rest After a little pause an ordinary Tradesman comes forth and offers to supply the Place of him that was absent Provided That if his Side Conquered they would pay him halfe a Gold Dollar of France and also provide for him afterward as long as he lived Thus the Number being again equalled the Fight began and it was carried on with such great Contention both of Body and Mind as old Grudges inflamed by new Losses could raise up in Men of such fierce Dispositions as were accustomed to Blood and Cruelty especially seeing Honour and Estate was propounded to the Conqueror Death and Ignominy to the Conquered The Spectators were possessed with as much Horror as the Combatants were with Fury as detesting to behold the ugly and deformed Mutilations and Butcheries of one anothers Bodies the Detruncation of their Limbs and in a word the Rage of Wild Beasts under the shape of Men. But all took notice that none carried himself more valiantly than that Mercenary and Supposititious Hireling to whose Valour a great Part of the Victory was to be ascribed Of that Side that he was of there were Ten left alive besides himself but all of them grievously wounded Of the contrary Faction there remained only One who was not wounded at all but seeing there was so much odds that he alone must encounter with so many he cast himself into the River Tay which was near at hand and in regard his Adversaries were not able to follow him by reason of their Wounds he escaped to the other Side By this means the forwardest of Both Parties being slain the promiscuous Multitude being left without Leaders left off their Trade of Seditioning for many Years after and betook themselves to their Husbandry again This Fight or Combat happened in the Year 1396. About Two Years after in an Assembly of the States at Perth the King made David his Son being 18 Years before old of Rothes and Robert his Brother Earl of Menteith and Fife Dukes of Albany This vain Title of Honour then was first Celebrated in Scotland a great increase to Ambition but none at all to Virtue neither did it afterwards thrive with any who enjoyed it The King would have bestowed the same Title of Honour upon the Earl of Douglas also but he being a grave and solid Person absolutely refused that nominal Shadow of empty Honour and if any Man told thim that he should be a Duke he rebuked him sharply for it Some say That the Name of Governour which was given by his Father to Robert the Kings Brother was this Year confirmed by the King as also That the Family of the Lindsys had the Earldom of Crawford added to their former Honours But they do not fully clear Whether the Name of the First Earl of that Family were Thomas or David The next Year after Richard the Second King of England was enforced to resign the Crown and Henry the Fourth succeeded him In the Beginning of his Reign before the Truce was quite ended new Seeds of War with the Scots were sown George Dunbar Earl of Merch had betrothed his Daughter Elizabeth to David the King's Son and had already paid a good part of her Dowry Archibald Earl of Douglas storming That so powerful a Man and his Corrival should be preferred before him alleging That the Consent of the Estates was not obtained in the Case which no Man ever remembred but was asked in any of the King's Marriages before offered his Daughter Mary with a larger Dowry and by means of Robert the King's Brother who could do All at Court He brought it about that the Condition was accepted and the Marriage was Consummated by the Decree of the Estates George was much affected at this Injury as well as Reproach and made great complaint to the King but seeing what was once done could not be undone he desired at least the repayment of the Dowry This his just Demand being denied and perceiving that he was not like to obtain any Right in regard the Minds and Ears of all the Court were prepossessed by his Rival he departed upon very angry yea threatening Terms and so giving up the Castle of Dunbar to Robert Maitland his Sisters Son he went for England Robert presently yielded up the Castle to an Herald sent by the King to demand it and Douglas was admitted into it with a Garison so that when George returned home he was denied entrance Hereupon he took his Wife Children and some intimate Friends and returned into England Being there as he was a Man powerful at home and famous abroad he joyned Counsels with Percy a mortal Enemy to the name of the Douglas's and in regard he was well beloved by the bordering Scots of which many were either his Tenants Allies or otherwise obliged to him he made an Inroad into the whole Province of Merch and drove great Preys from the Country especially from the Lands of the Douglasses The King of Scots first proclaimed George a Publick Enemy and confiscated all his Estate next he sent an Herald to England to Demand That he might be given up as a Fugitive according to the League made betwixt them and also to complain of the violation of the Truce Henry of England gave a peremptory Answer to his Demands That he had given the Publick Faith to George for his Protection and that he would not break his Royal Word as if a private Pact with a Runagate were more Religiously to be observed than That which had been publickly confirmed by Embassadors and Heralds for the Days of the Truce made with Richard were not yet expired In
Military Matters was upheld by Douglas the Ecclesiastical Authority and Resemblance such as it was of Ancient Discipline by Trayle and the Dignity of the Court by the Queen as did soon appear by what happened after her death For David the Kings Son was a Young man of a fierce Disposition and enclined to Wantonness and Lust. The Indulgence of his Father encreased those Vices for tho' he had not Authority enough to maintain the Reverence due from him to his Father yet by the diligent Monitions of Those who were appointed to be his Tutors in his Youth but much more by the Counsel and Advice of his Mother his Youthful Heats were somewhat blunted and restrained but when she was dead he as new freed from this Curb returned to his own Manners and Lustful Courses for laying aside all shame and fear he took away other Mens Wives by Force yea and Virgins too tho' well descended and Those that he could not persuade by fair means he ravished by Compulsion and if any one endeavoured to stop him in his libidinous ways he was sure to come off not without Punishment Many Complaints were brought to his Father about These his Exorbitancies so that he wrote to his Brother the Governour to keep him with him and to oversee his Conversation until his Lustful Spirit did abate And till he gave some hopes of his Amendment of Life The Governour had now an Opportunity put into his hands to effect that he most desired which was â—o destroy his Brothers Issue so that he met David three Miles from St. Andrews and carried him into the Castle thereof which he kept in the nature of a Garison after the Arch-Bishops death After a while he took him out from thence and carried him to his own Castle of Falcoland and there shut him up close Prisoner intending to starve him But that miserable death which his Uncles Cruelty had designed him to was prorogued and staved off for a few days by the Compassion of Two of the Female Sex one was a Maid and Virgin whose Father was Governour of the Castle and Garison She gave him Oate Cakes made so thin that they would be folded up together as 't is usual in Scotland so to make them and as often as she went into the Garden near the Prison she put them under a Linen Vail or Hood which she did as it were carelesly cast over her Head to keep her from the Sun and thrust them into the Prison to him thro' a small Crany rather than a Window The other was a Country Nurse who Milked her Breast and by a little Canale conveighed it into his Mouth By this mean fare which served rather to encrease than kill his hunger his wretched Life and Punishment was protracted and lengthned out for a little while till at length by the vigilance of the Guards they were discovered and put to Death The Father mightily abhoring the Perfidiousness of his own Daughter whilst he endeavoured to manifest his Faithfulness to an unfaithful Regent The Young man being thus left destitute of all human Support having by Force of Hunger gnawed and torn his own Flesh died at length more than a single kind of Death His End was concealed from his Father thô it were commonly known abroad because no Man durst to be the Messenger of such sad Tidings to him But to return to the Affairs of England as far as they are intermixed with Ours When Percy and a great Number besides of the Nobility had conspired to make War upon their own King he agrees with Douglas whom he still held Prisoner since the Battel of Homeldon That if he would improve his Interest by assisting him against the King as strenuously and as faithfully as he had before done against him he would set him at Liberty without ransom which Douglas frankly promised him to do as being willing to omit no Opportunity of service against the English King Hereupon he gathered some of his Friends and Tenants about him and prepared himself for the Fight wherein he behaved himself as stoutly as he promised to Percy so that without regard to the Common Soldiers his Mind and Eye was wholly intent upon the King only and in regard there were several Commanders cloathed in Royal attire which was done on purpose by the English either to deceive the Enemy if they should press hard upon him or else that the Soldiers in more places than one might find him a present witness of their Courageousness or Cowardize Douglas took notice of One of these who had Gallant Armour and rushed in upon him with all his might and so unhorsed him But he being relieved by those who were next he did the same to a Second and a Third who were all attired as Kings thus Edward Hall the English Writer affirms as well as Ours so that he was not taken up so much with the Apprehension of his own danger as with a wonderment from whence so many Kings should start up at once At length after a terrible and bloody Fight Fortune turned about and the King won the day Douglas was sore wounded and found amongst the Prisoners and whereas many urged to put him to death the King saved him and did not only commend his Faithfulness to his Friend but also rewarded him for his Valour and when his Wounds were cured after he had staid some Months with him upon the Payment of a great sum of Money he was released In the mean time the Scotish King heard of the death of David his Eldest Son by the unnatural Cruelty of his Uncle The Author was sufficiently pointed at by private whisperings tho' no man dared publickly to accuse so potent a man Whereupon the King sends for his Brother and makes an Expostulation with him concerning the matter He had prepared his Tale before-hand and charges others with the Guilt of the Young Mans death as for him and his they were ready forsooth whenever the King pleased to plead and assert their Innocency in a due course of Law as for the Murderers some of them he had taken already and the others he would diligently look out Thus the matter being brought to Examination in the Law The Author of the wickedness Summons a Council sets up an Accuser and he who was impleaded as Guilty was by them acquitted as Innocent of the Murder The King imprecated a most dreadful punishment from the God of Heaven above to be poured down on him and his Posterity who had committed that horrid Wickedness And thus being overpressed with Grief and bodily Weakness he returned to Bote whence he came The Suspicion was encreased in him That his Brother had committed the Parricide tho' he was too powerful to be brought by him to Justice and Punishment for the same But he like a strong dissembler brings the supposititious Authors of the wickedness out of Prison and put them to Cruel deaths 't is true they were
his vast Mind which was always hankering after Supremacy and Height was not content with this Honour which was the greatest he could be advanced to under the King but by his Temerity he gave the State new Occasions of Suspicion For he undertook a Journy very privately into England and after his Address to that King he told him that the cause of his coming was That his Estate though Claimed by him was not yet restor'd But this seem'd to Iames a light and no way probable cause of his Journey and therefore the King conceiv'd a greater Suspicion in his Mind which before was not well Reconcil'd against him neither did he conceal his Anger as supposing that there was a deeper Design hid under that his Discourse with the English King Douglas having now an offended King to deal with fled presently to his wonted Refuge the Kings known Clemency and cast himself at his Feet The Queen also and many of the Nobles interceded for him and after a Solemn Oath that for the future he would never act any thing which might justly offend the King his Fault was forgiven only he was deprived of his Office Whereupon the Earl of the Orcades and William Creighton who had always remained Loyal were advanc'd again to sit at the Helm Douglas was very angry with all the Courtiers for this Disgrace for so he interpreted it but he was most of all incens'd against William Creighton for he thought that 't was by his Prudence that all his Projects were disappointed and therefore he was resolv'd to dispatch him out of the World either by some Treachery or if that succeeded not by any other way whatsoever And that he might do it with the less Odium he suborn'd one of his Friends to Witness that he heard Creighton say That Scotland would never be 〈◊〉 quiet so long as any of the Family of the Douglas 's were left alive and that the safety of the King and Kingdom the Concord of the Estates and the Publick Peace did depend upon the Death of that one Man For he being of a Turbulent Nature and supported by many and great Assinities and Irreconcileable by any Offices of Respect and Advancements to Honour 't were better to have him taken out of the way that so the publick Peace might be confirm'd and settled This Tale when nois'd abroad and believed by many by reason of the Probability thereof rais'd up a great deal of Ill-Will against Creighton Douglas being inform'd by his Spies when he was to depart from Edinburgh lays an Ambush for him late in the Night as secretly as he could and when he and his Train came to it the liers in wait set upon them with a great shout they who were first assaulted were so astonisht at the suddenness of the Danger that they could not lift up an Hand to defend themselves But William being a Man of great Courage and Conduct assoon as he had a little recover'd himself from his Fright slew the first Man that Assaulted him and Wounded another and so he and his Attendants brake through the midst of their Enemies having only received some Wounds He fled to Creighton Castle and there staid some days to cure his Wounds and soon after he got a great Number of his Friends and Tenants about him and in great silence came to Edinburgh His speed did so prevent the Noise of his coming that he had almost surpriz'd his Enemy unawares Douglas being thus freed from an unlook'd for Danger either out of Fear Shame or Both when he saw the Power of the Adverse Faction to increase with the good liking of the People endeavour'd also to strengthen his own Party as much as ever he could and therefore he joins himself in League with the Earls of Craford and Ross which were the most Noted and Potent Families in Scotland next to the Douglas's a mutual Oath was entred into betwixt them That each of them should be aiding and assisting to the Friends and Confederates one of another And in Confidence of this Combination they slighted the Forces of their opposite Faction yea and the Kings too The King took this in great Indignation and besides he had other fresh Causes of Provocation against him which hastned his Destruction Iohn Herris a Knight of a Noble Family in Galway being averse from the ill Practices of the Douglas's ordinarily kept himself within the Walls of his own House but the Annandians were sent in upon him which did him much mischief he often complain'd hereof to Douglas but in vain so that at length he determin'd to revenge himself and to repel Force by Force And accordingly he gather'd a Company of his Friends together and entring Annandale he and all his Followers were there taken Prisoners by those Bandity and being brought to Douglas he hang'd him up as a Thief though the King had earnestly interceded for him by his Letters That matter seem'd very hainous as indeed it was so that Speeches were given out That Douglas by evil Practices did endeavour and that not obscurely to make his Way to the Crown for-now there was nothing else remaining which could satisfie his vast and aspiring Mind Which Suspicion was soon after increast by another Fact which he committed as foul as the former There was a certain Family of the Macklan's in Galway one of the best and chiefest there The prime Person of that Family had slain one of Douglas his Attendants from whom he had received continual Wrongs and Affronts whereupon he and his Brother were by Douglas cast into Prison The King being made acquainted with it was very much importun'd by the Friends of the Prisoners not to suffer so Noble and otherwise a very honest Man to be hal'd forth not to a Legal Tryal but to an undoubted Destruction the same Man being both his Capital Enemy and his Judge too and that it was not his present Crimes which did prejudice him so much as that he had always been of the Honest or Royal Party Hereupon the King sent Macklan's Uncle a worthy Knight and Kin also to Douglas to Command him to send the Pris'ner to Court that the Matter might be Tryed there in due course of Law The Earl receiv'd Gray very courteously but in the mean time he caused Execution to be done upon the Pris'ner and intreated Gray to excuse him to the King as if it had been done by his Officers without his Knowledge But he perceiving how manifestly he was deluded was in such a Rage that he told Douglas That from that Day forward he would renounce all Alliance Friendship or any other Obligation to him and was resolv'd to be his perpetual Enemy and do him all the Mischief he could when the news hereof was brought to Court the Fact seem'd so unworthy to all that heard it that Speeches were openly scatter'd That now Douglas did exceed the bounds of a Subject and plainly carry'd himself as a King For
a Friendly Patriot for he not only forgave the Earl the many grievous Injuries he had done him but further commended his Suit and spake in his Favour to the King for he foresaw as it after hapned That by this Accession the Kings Party would be strengthen'd and his Enemies weaken'd daily for the future in regard many were likely to follow the Example of this Great Man And besides the King thinking that his former Fierceness was tam'd and that he was really penitent for what he had done was not hard to be intreated but gave him his Pardon restor'd him to his former Estate and Honour only advis'd him for the future to keep within the Bounds of his Duty And indeed Craford being thus ingag'd by the Lenity and Facileness of the King did afterwards endeavour to perform him all the Service he possibly could he followed him with his Forces in his March to the furthest Parts of the Kingdom and having setled Things there for the present he entertained him nobly at his House in his return and when he march'd to make a full end of the Civil War he promis'd him all the Force he could make and indeed the whole course of his Life was so chang'd that laying down his former Savageness he liv'd courteously and in Complaisance with the Neighbouring Nobility so that his Death which followed soon after brought the greater Grief to the King and to all the People The King thus weakning Douglas's Party by degrees his remaining Hopes were from England if possibly he might obtain Aid from thence Hereupon he sent Hamilton to London who brought him back Word that the King of England would undertake a War against Scotland on no other Terms but that Douglas must submit himself and all his Concerns to that King and acknowledge himself a Subject of England So that his Hopes thence were cut off and on the Other side the King of Scotland prest hard upon him by his Edicts Proscriptions and Arms yea by all the Miseries which accompany Rebellious Insurrections So that Hamilton advis'd the Earl not to suffer the King to nim away his Forces by piece-meal and by catching a Part to weaken and in time overthrow the Whole he should rather march out with his Army trust Fortune put it to a Battel there to dye Valiantly or conquer Honourably This Resolution said he is worthy of the name of the Douglassâ—s and the only Way to end the present Miseries Being alarum'd with this Speech he gather'd as great an Army as he could of his Friends and Dependants and marched out to raise the Siege of the Castle of Abercorn for the King after he had demolish'd many Castles of the Douglasses had at last besieged That It was a very strong Hold seâ—tuate almost in the Mid-way between Sterlin and Edinburgh When Douglas came so near that he saw and was seen by the Enemy his Friends advis'd him to push at all and either to make himself renown'd by some Eminent Victory or by a Noble Death to free himself from Reproach and Misery but when all his Party were ready for the Onset he daunted all their Spirits by his own Delay for he retreated with his Army again into his Camp and determin'd to draw and eke out the War at length His Commanders dislik'd his Design and Hamilton not enduring his Cowardize and despairing of the Success of his Arms that very Night revolted to the Kings Party Upon this his Defection the King gave him his Pardon but not putting any great Confidence in him because of his Subtilty he sent him Prisoner to Rosseline a Castle belonging to the Earl of the Orcades but afterwards by the Mediation of his Friends he was releas'd and receiv'd into Favour and that unbloody Victory ascribed to him as the main Occasion thereof The rest of the Douglassians follow'd Hamilton's Example and slipt away from him every one whither he thought most convenient for himself so that at length the Castle after much Loss on both sides was taken the Garison put to the Sword and after 't was half demolished it was left as a Monument of the Victory Douglas being thus deserted by almost all his Friends with a few of his Familiars fled into England from thence not long after he made an Inrode with a smal Party into Annandale which was then possest by the Kings Garisons but being worsted in a Skirmish He and his Brother Iohn escap'd Archibald Earl of Murray was slain George was much wounded and taken Prisoner and after his Wounds were cur'd was brought to the King and put to Death In an Assembly of the Estates held at Edinburgh in the Nones of Iune in the Year 1455. Iames Iohn and Beatrix all Douglasses were again proscrib'd The Publick Acts do make Beatrix their Mother which seems not very probable to me unless perhaps they might be called her Sons by Adoption Earl Iames having thus lost his Brothers being deserted by his Friends and distrusting the English that he might leave no Stone unturn'd apply'd himself to Donald King of the Aebudae a man bad enough in his own Nature They met at Dunstafnage where he easily persuaded him to joyn with him in the War whereupon they committed great Outrages on the Kings Provinces near adjoyning without distinction either of Age or Sex there was nothing spar'd which could be violated by Fire or Sword the like Cruelty was us'd in Argyle and Arran and then being laden with Booty he return'd home and afterward having wasted Loch-Abyr and Murray he turn'd to Innerness he took the Castle pillag'd and burnt the Town Neither were the English quiet all this while but watching their Opportunity they made Incursions into Merch where they slew some men of Note who endeavoured to oppose their furious Ravaging and so returned home without Loss but full of Plunder from that opulent Country The next Year after Beatrix Wife to the former Earl of Douglas and also living for some years with Iames his Brother as his Wife came in to the King She laid all the Fault of her former Miscarriages upon Iames that she being a Woman and helpless was inforc'd to that Wicked Marriage but at the first Opportunity as soon as Iames was absent she was fled from that Servitude that now she laid her self and all her Concerns at the Kings Feet and whatever Order he should please to make concerning her or her Estate she would willingly obey it The King receiv'd her into his Protection gave her an Estate in Balvany and Married her to his Brother the Earl of Athole by the same Mother The Wife of Donald the Islander followed her Example she was the Daughter of Iames Levingston and was Married to Donald by her Grandfather the Regent by the persuasion also of the King that so He might a little soften the rugged disposition of the man and keep him firm to the Kings Party But then her Kinsman being restor'd to
Somerset and Ralph Percy and many of Henry's old Friends besides who for fear of the Times had retired to King Edward came into Them but there was a far greater Confluence from the adjacent Parts of England of such Persons as had lived Rapacious Lives in hopes of some new Prey To appease this Commotion Edward makes great Military Preparation both by Land and Sea he commanded the Lord Mountague with a great part of the Nobility to march against the Enemy and he himself would follow with his whole Army Both Armies pitched their Tents not far from Hexham but the Common Soldiery who came in for Booty beginning to slip away Henry thought it best in such a desperate Case to put it to a Push and accordingly a Fight begun wherein he was overthrown his chief Friends were either slain or taken Prisoners and he himself made an hasty Retreat to Berwick of the Prisoners some had their Heads cut off presently and some a while after Edward having thus got the Day by the Generals of his Forces came himself to Durham that so he might prevent the Incursions of the Scots by the Terrour of his Neighbouring Army and also that by his Presence he might quell any Domestick Insurrections if any such should happen Whilst he was there he sent out part of his Army under several Commanders to take in the Places possessed by his Enemies of which having taken many by Storm or by Surrender at last he laid Siege to the Castle of Alnwick which was greater and better fortified than the rest and which was maintained by a Garison of French who defended the Castle very well in hopes of Relief from Scotland which was so near at hand But the Scots having lately had ill success in England an Army could not be so soon levyed as the present Exigent required for the raising of the Siege insomuch that whilst others were backward and delayed to give in their Opinion George Earl of Angus undertook with great Audacity the Matter which was so full of hazard He collected about 10000 Horse of his Friends Vassals and the Neighbouring Province of which he was Governor He came to the Castle and Horsed the French that were in Garison upon some empty Horses he had brought for that purpose and so brought them off safe even to a Man into Scotland whilst the English stood and looked on as amazed at the Boldness of his Miraculous Enterprize or thinking that Douglas had help near at hand or rather hoping to have the Castle given up without a Battel and so they would not put the Whole to an hazard by joining in Fight with that small though select Party Edward settled Guards at all convenient Places that so no Rebellious Troops might march to and again and then as if he had quieted the whole Kingdom he returned to London In the mean time Exiled Henry either on the Accompt of some Hope 's cast in by his Friends or else weary of his tedious Exile determines to shelter himself privately amongst his Friends in England But Fortunes Malice followed him to the last he was there known taken brought to London and committed Prisoner to the Tower And his Wife Margaret distrusting her present Affairs with her Son and a Few Followers left Scotland and Sailed over to her Father Renat into France To return then to the Affairs of Scotland The time for the Assembly which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh was come where there was a Full Appearance but the Body of them was divided into Two Factions Part of the Nobles followed the Queen but the Major Part by far stuck to Iames Kennedy and George Douglas Earl of Angus the Heads of the contrary Faction The Queen lodged in the Castle the Bishop and the Earl lay in the Abby of Holy-Road-House at the furthest part of the Suburbs towards the East The Cause of the Dissension was That the Queen thought it equal and just for her to have the Tutelage or Guardianship of her Son the other Party judged it most fit that One should be chosen out of the whole Assembly for that careful Work The Queen alleged the Maternal Name her Interest and Propinquity the Adverse Party insisted on the old Law confirmed by perpetuated Custom In the Third day of the Assembly the Queen comes down from the Castle with her Followers and caused her self to be Decreed Tutrix of the King and Governess of the Kingdom by her own Faction and so returns into the Castle again When Kennedy heard of this he hastned with his Party into the Market-place and there in a long Speech he told the Multitude which was thick about him That he and his Associates did aim at nothing but the Publick Good and the Observation of their Ancient Laws but their Adversaries were â—â—d each one by his private advantage And That he would evidenâ—â—y make appear if he might have a Place Free to dispute the Poinâ— Having thus spoken he retired with his Followers to his Lodgiâ—â— but was not gone far from the Market-place before he heard That the other Party was coming down Armed from the Castle Douglas looked upon This as an intolerable Thing That Valiant Men should yield to the Threats of a Few and That their Retirement should be looked upon as a Flight and therefore was hardly kept in by Kennedy from assaulting the adjoining Gate of the City and Weaponless as he was to encounter Armed Men and unless the Three Bishops of Glasgo Galway and Dumblane upon Noise of the Uproar had come in his Indignation would not have been stopp'd till they had come to Blows But by the Mediation of those Bishops the Matter was so far composed That a Truce was agreed upon for one Month. Though the Chief of the Faction were thus quieted yet the Multitude could not be restrained from expressing their Wrath and Indignation in rough and cutting Language as that the Desire of the Queen was Dishonourable to the Kingdom and Undecent for Herself What said they is the Valour of the old Scots at so low an Ebb That amongst so many Thousand Men there is none worthy to Govern the Affairs of Scotland but a Woman must do it What was there no Man that could Rule over the Nation And That would live the greatest part of his Life in Arms What likelihood was there That those who had not been altogether Tractable to their King when weak should now yield Obedience to a Woman and that a Stranger too What had they undergone so much Labour and lost so much Blood these many years by Sea and Land That Men born and brought up in Arms should freely give up themselves to the Servitude of a Woman What if the English should invade them as they had often done at other times in revenge of their Losses with a great Army Who could in that case Give or Accept Terms of Peace or War These were the Discourses of the Commonalty
overthrow such suspected Persons The Noise of this Discord betwixt such Potent Factions let loose the Reins to Popular Licentiousness For the People accustom'd to Robberies did by Intervals more eagerly return to their former Trade The Seeds of Hatred which were supprest for a time did now bud forth again with greater Vigour and the Seditious did willingly lay hold on these Occasions for Disturbances so that there was a general Liberty taken to do what Men listed in hopes of Impunity Neither were the Kennedys wanting to the Occasion who partly did spread abroad Rumors to inflame the People and to cast all the Cause of their Disturbance and Miseries upon the Boyds and partly also as some thought they were not much averse from the Design of the Seditious but did privily cast Fewel into the Fire This was plain and evident by their very Countenancâ—s That this troublesom State of Affairs was not unpleasant or unacceptable to them There seem'd but only One thing wanting utterly to subvert the flourishing Power of their Enemies and That was to make the King of their Party For they had Strength enough or too much they knew that the Commonalty who affect Innovations and love every thing more than what is present would crowd in to their Party hereupon they agreed to try the King's Mind by some crafty Persons who should pretend themselves to be Lovers of the Boydian Faction In the interim Embassadors were appointed to pass over into Denmark to desire Margarite the Daughter of that King as a Wife for Iames and that they should take all the care they could that the Old Controversie concerning the Orcades and the Isles of Shetland which had cost both Nations so much Blood might be accorded The Chief of the Embassie was Andrew Stuart Son to Walter who was then Chancellor of Scotland The Danes easily assented to the Marriage and they quitted all their Right which their Ancestors claim'd over all the Islands about Scotland in the Name of a Dowry only the private Owners of Estates in those Islands were to enjoy them upon the same Terms as they had formerly done Some write that they were passed over in Mortgage till the Dowry was paid but that afterward the King of Denmark gave up all his Right thereto for ever to his Nephew Iames who was newly born by his Daughter When the Chancellor had inform'd the King that all things were finish'd according to his desire the next Consult was to send an handsom Train of Nobles to bring over the New Queen And here by the Fraud of his Enemies and Inadvertency of his Friends Thomas Boyd Son of Robert Earl of Arran was chosen Embassador his very Maligners and Envyers purposely commending his Aptness for that Imployment by reason of his Valour Splendor and Estate fit for such a Magnificent Errand He judging all things safe at Home in regard his Father was Regent willingly undertook the Imployment and at the beginning of Autumn with a good Train of Friends and Followers he went a Ship-board In the mean time the Kennedy's had loosened the Kings Affection to the Boyds and whereas they thought to retain his Good Will by Pleasures and Vacation from Publick Cares Those very Baits they imputed as Crimes to them and by magnifying their Wealth though Great in it self yet as too Bulky and even dangerous to the King himself and withal alleging what a great Advance would accru to his Exchequer by the Confiscation of their Estates upon their Conviction they did variously agitate the infirm Mind of the King who was inclin'd to Suspicions and Avarice And the Boyds on the other side though they endeavour'd by their Obsequious Flatteries and their hiding the publick Miseries from him to banish all Melancholly Thoughts out of his Mind yet the Complaints of the Vulgar and the Solitariness of the Court Both which were of set purpose contriv'd and increast by their Enemies could not be hid And besides there were some who when the King was alone did discourse him freely concerning the Publick Calamities and the Way to Remedy them yea the King himself as if he were somewhat awakned to Manly Cares declar'd That what was sometimes Acted abroad did not please him But the Boyds though they perceiv'd that the King was every Day less and less Tractable to them than formerly and withal that popular Envy rose higher and higher against them yet remitted nothing of their former Licentiousness as trusting to the Kings former Lenity and to the Amnesty which they had for what was past Whereupon the contrary Faction having secretly wrought over the King to their Party and Thomas Earl of Arran being sent packing Ambassador into Denmark from whence he was not expected to return till late in the Spring because those Northern Seas are Tempestuous and Unpassable for a great part of the Year upon these accounts they thought it a fit season to attempt the Boyds who were Old and Diseased and therefore came seldom to Court and besides were destitute of the Aid of many of their Friends who were goâ—â— away in the Train of the Embassy The First thing tâ—â—y did was to persuade the King to call a Parliament which had been much long'd for a great while to meet at Edinburgh on the Twenty Second Day of November in the Year 1469. Thither the Boyds Two Brothers were Summoned to come and make their Appearance where Matters were variously carried towards them as every ones Hatred of them or Favour to them did dictate and direct But they were so astonisht at this sudden Blow as having made no great Provision against so imminent a Danger that their Minds were quite dejected not so much for the Power of the adverse Faction as for the sudden Alienation of the Kings Mind from them so that Robert in Despair of his safety fled into England but Alexander who by reason of his Sickness could not fly was call'd to his Answer The Crime objected to both the Brothers was That they had laid Hands on the King and by private Advice had carried him to Edinburgh Alexander alleg'd That he had obtain'd his Pardon for that Offence in a publick Convention and therefore he humbly desired That a Copy of that Pardon might be Transcrib'd out of the Parliament Rolls but this was denied him What his Accusers did object against that Pardon the Writers of those Times do not Record and I though a Conjecture be not very difficult to be made in the case yet had rather leave the whole Matter to the Readers Thoughts than to affirm Uncertainties for Truths Alexander was Condemn'd on his Tryal and had his Head cut off Robert a few years after dy'd at Alnwick in England the Grief of Banishment being added to the pains of his old Age. His Son though absent and that upon a publick Business was declar'd a publick Enemy without Hearing and all their Estates were Confiscate Thus stood the matter of Fact but I
the 26th of August 1482. the Castle of Berwick should be surrendred up to the English and a Truce was made for a few Months till they could have more time to Treat of a Peace Thus Berwick was lost after it had been enjoy'd by the Scots 21 Years since they last recovered it Then the Duke of Glocester having made a prosperous Expedition return'd in Triumph Home Edward by the Advice of his Council judg'd it more for the advantage of England to nullifie the Marriage for he fear'd that the Intestine Discords of the Scots were so great that possibly the Issue of Iames might lose the Crown and if Alexander were made King be hoped to have a Constant and Faithful Ally of him in regard of the great Kindness he had receiv'd at his Hands Hereupon an Herauld was sent to Edinburgh to renounce the Affinity and to demand the Repayment of the Dowry when he had declar'd his Errand publickly on the Twenty Fifth of October the Scots obtained a Day for the Payment thereof and restor'd it to a Penny and withal they sent some to convoy the Herald as far as Berwick Alexander that he might extinguish the Remainders of the Old Hatred of his Brother against him and so obtain new Favour by a new Courtesie brought him out of the Castle and restor'd him to the free Possession of his Kingdom But the memory of old Offences prevail'd more with his Proud Huffing Spirit than This of his late Courtesie Moreover besides the Kings own Jealousies there were Those who did daily calumniate him and buzz into the Kings Ear his too great Popularity as if now 't was very Evident that he affected the Kingdom he being advis'd by his Friends that Mischief was hatching against him at Court fled privately into England and gave up the Castle of Dunbar to Edward In his absence he was Condemn'd The Crimes objected against him were First That he had often sent Messengers into England and then that he had retir'd thither himself without obtaining a Pass-port from the King and that there he joined in Counsel against his Country and his Kings Life All the other of his Partizans were pardon'd and amongst the rest William Creighton who was accus'd not only to have been an Abettor of his designs against his Country but also the chief Author and Instigator of him thereunto But after he had obtain'd Pardon for what was past he was again accus'd that he did incourage Alexander by his Advice and Counsel after he was Condemned frequent Letters passing between them by the means of Thomas Dickson a Priest and that he had caus'd his Castle of Creighton to be Fortified against the King and commanded the Garison Soldiers not to surrender it up to the King's Forces Hereupon he was summoned to appear the 13th Day of February in the Year 1484. but he not appearing was outlawed and his Goods Confiscate These were the Causes of his Punishment mentioned in our publick Records But 't is thought that the Hatred the King had conceiv'd against him upon a private Occasion did him the most Mischief of all It was this William had a very beautiful Wife of the Noble Family of the Dunbars when her Husband found that the King had had the use of her Body he undertook a Project which was rash enough in it self but yet not unproper for a Mind sick of Love and also provok'd by such an Injury as his was for he himself lay with the King 's young Sister a beautiful Woman but ill spoken of for her too great Familiarity with her Brother and on her he begot Margarite Creighton who died not long since In the interim Creighton's Wife died at his own House and the King's Sister whom as I said the King had vitiated was so much in Love with William that she seem'd sometimes to be out of her Wits for him The King partly by the Mediation of William's Friends and partly being mindful of the Wrong he himself had done him of the like sort and being willing also to cover the Infamy of his Sister under a pretext of Marriage permitted William to return Home again to Court upon Condition that he would Marry her William was persuaded by his Friends and for want of better Counsel especially since Richard of England was dead came to Eâ—verness where he had Conference with the King not long before Both their Deaths and great Hopes were there given of his Return His Sepulchre is yet there to be seen These things were done at several times but I have put them together that so the Thread of my History might not be discontinued and broken off Let us now return to what was omitted before Edward of England died in the Month of April next after Dunbar was delivered to him in the Year 1483. leaving his Brother Richard Guardian to his Sons He was first content with the Name of Protector and under that Title Govern'd England for two Months but afterwards having by several Practises engaged a great part of the Nobility and Commonalty to his side he put his Brothers Two Sons in Prison the Queen and her Two Daughters being forced to retire into a Sanctuary near London but the next Iune he took upon him the Name and Ornaments of a King Alexander of Albany and Iames Douglas being willing to try how their Countrymen stood affected towards them came with 500 select Horse to Loch-Maban on Maudlins-day because a great Fair used that day to be there held There a Skirmish began between the Parties with inraged Minds on Both sides and the Success was various as Aid came in out of the Neighbouring District either to This or That Party They fought from Noon till Night and the issue was doubtful but at last the Victory inclined to the Scots though it were a Bloody one as having lost many of their Men Douglass was there taken Prisoner and sent away by the King to the Monastery of Lindors Alexander was set on a Horse and escap'd but staid not in England long after that In the mean time many Incursions were made to the greater Loss of the English than Benefit of the Scots Richard was uncertain of the Event of things at home and withal fear'd his Enemy abroad for many of the English did favour the Earl of Richmond who was then an Exile in France and had sent for him over to undertake the Kingdom so that Richard was mightily troubled neither was he less vext with the Guilt of his own Wickedness and because he saw he could not quell Domestick Seditions as soon as he hoped therefore he thought it best to Oblige Foreigners by any Conditions whatsoever that so by their Authority and Power he might be safer at home and more formidable to his Enemies For this cause he sent Embassadors into Scotland to make Peace or at least a Truce for some years there he found all things more facile than he could have hoped for For Iames
as he lived and every Year he added one Link thereunto and tho this Practice might seem formidable to those that were the Causers of his Father's Death yet they had such Confidence either in the Gentleness of the King's Disposition or in their own Power that it occasioned no Insurrection at all Amidst this publick Jubilee and also the private Rejoycings of particular Persons about the seventh Year of the King's Reign Peter Warbeck came into Scotland But before I declare the Cause of his coming I must fetch things something further back Margaret the Sister of Edward the fourth King of England having married Charles Duke of Burgundy she endeavoured all the ways she could if not to overthrow yet at least to vex Henry the Seventh the Leader of the contrary Faction In order whereunto she raised up one Peter Warbeck as a Competitor for the Kingdom he was a Youth born of mean Parentage at Tornay a City of the Nervii but of such Beauty Ingenuity Stature of Body and Manliness of Countenance that he might easily be believed to have been descended of a Royal Stock And by reason of his Poverty he had travelled up and down in several Countries so that he was known but by very few of his own Relations and there he had learned several Languages and had hardened himself to all kind of bold and impudent Carriage when Margarite who was intent on all occasions to disturb the Peace of England had got this Youth she kept him a while privately by her till she had informed him with what Factions England laboured at that time what Friends and what Enemies she had there in a word she made him acquainted with the whole Genealogy of the Royal Progeny and what Happinesses or Misfortunes had attended each of them When things seemed thus to be somewhat ripe she was resolved to try Fortune and took private order that he should be sent in a decent Equipage first into Portugal then into Ireland there he had a great Concourse of People flock'd about him and was received with huge Applause as the Son of King Edward of England either because his own Disposition assisted also by Art was inclined to Dissimulation or because being there amongst wild Kerns he was soon likely to raise great Stirs and Tumults When a War brake forth suddenly betwixt the French and the English he was called for out of Ireland by Charles the Eighth and had great Promises made him so that coming to Paris he was there honourably received in the Garb and Equipage of a Prince and had a Guard appointed him yea the English Exiles who were numerous at that Court put him in a sure hope of the Kingdom But that Tumult being quieted upon Terms he departed privately out of the Court of France for fear lest he should have been delivered up and so retired to Flanders there he was highly caressed by Margaret as if it were the first time that ever she had seen him and was diligently shewed to all the Courtiers and several times in the hearing of many of them he was desired to relate the Story of all his Adventures Margarite as if this were the first time she had ever heard it did so accommodate her dissembled Affections in compliance with each part of his Discourse both when he related his Successes and also his Misfortunes that every body thought she believed what he had spoken to be certainly true After a day or two Peter was desired to go abroad in the habit of a Prince and had thirty Men to be his Guard wearing a white Rose which is the Badg of the York-Faction amongst the English and so was every where declared as the undoubted Heir of the Crown of England When these things were divulged first in Flanders afterward in England the Minds of Men were so stirred up that a great concourse of People flock'd in to him not only of those who lurked in Holes and Sanctuaries for fear of the Laws but even of some Noble-men whom their present State did not please or who desired Innovations But when a longer delay which Peter hoped would bring in more Force to him was likely to abate his present Strength if he were discovered to be a Counterfeit therefore he determined to try his Fortune in a Fight so that having gotten a pretty great Party together he landed some few of them in Kent to try the Affections of the Kentish-men but in vain All those who landed were taken so that he was forced to steer his course for Ireland and there also he met not with the entertainment he hoped for so that he sailed over into Scotland well knowing that Peace betwixt Scotland and England never used to continue very long He being admitted into the King's Presence made a lamentable complaint of the Ruin of the York-Family and what miserable Calamities he himself had suffered and therefore he earnestly besought him to vindicate Royal Blood from such contumely and shame The King bid him be of good chear and promised he should shortly find That he had not desired his help in his Distresses in vain A few days after a Council was called where Peter made a sad Story of his Misfortunes That he being born of a King the most Flourishing of his Time and that of the highest hopes too was left destitute by the untimely death of his Father and so was like to have fallen into the Tyrannical Hands of his Uncle Richard before he was sensible almost what Misery was That his Elder Brother was cruelly murdered by him but that he himself was stolen away by his Father's Friends so that now he durst not live no not a poor and precarious Life even in that Kingdom of which he was the lawful Heir That he had so miserably lived amongst Foreign Nations that he preferred the Condition of his deceased Brother before his own in regard he was snatch'd away from all further Calamity by a suddain and violent Death That he himself was reserved as the ridicule of Fortune and that his Sorrow had not that alleviation that he durst bewail his miserable State amongst Strangers to incline them to pity him for after he had begun openly to profess what he was Fortune had assaulted him with all her Darts and to his former Miseries had added a daily fear of Treachery for his crafty Enemy had sometimes tampered with those who entertained him to take away his Life and sometimes he had privily suborned his Subjects under the name of Friends to discover his secret Designs to corrupt his true Friends and to find out his secret ones and to calumniate his Stock and Pedigree by false Accusations amongst the Vulgar to reproach his Aunt Margaret and those English Nobles that owned him and yet notwithstanding that she being supported by a good Conscience against the revilings of Enemies and also out of compassion to her own Blood had supported him in his low Estate with her Assistance
them who were already in great Want and Necessity and thus whom the Sword had not consumed Famine and Poverty would These were the publick Complaints of all the Commons but the Cornish were more enraged than all the rest for they inhabiting a Country which is in great part barren are wont rather to gain than lose by Wars And therefore that warlike People having been accustomed rather to encrease their Estates by Military Spoils than to lessen them by paying Taxes and Rates first of all rose against the King's Officers and Collectors and slew them and then being conscious that they had engaged themselves in so bold an Attempt that there was no retreat nor hopes of Mercy the Multitude flocking in daily more and more to them with Arms in their hands they began their march towards London But 't is not my Business to prosecute the Story of this Insurrection it is enough for my purpose to tell you that the King was so busied this whole Year by the Cornish that the Army which he had designed against Scotland he was enforced to employ against them In the mean time Iames foreseeing That Henry would not let the Injuries of the former Year pass unrevenged and being also informed by his Intelligencers That he was raising great Forces against him He on the other side levied an Army to the intent That if the English invaded him first he might be in a posture to defend himself if not then he himself would make an inroad into his Enemies Country and there so waste and destroy the bordering Counties that the Soil poor enough of it self should not afford sufficient Necessaries even for the very Husbandman And hearing of the Cornish Insurrection he presently began his march and entered England with a great Army dividing his Forces into two parts one went towards Durham to ravage that Country and with the rest he besieged Norham a strong Castle scituated on a very high Hill by the River Tweed But neither here nor there was there any thing considerable done For Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a very prudent Person foreseeing that the Scots would not omit the Opportunity of attempting somewhat during the civil Broils in England had fortified some Castles with strong Garisons and had taken care that the Cattle and all other driveable and portable things should be conveyed unto places either safe by Nature or made so by the vicinity of Moors Rivers And moreover he sent for the Earl of Surry who had great Forces in Yorkshire to assist him and therefore the Scots only burnt the Country and not being able to take Norham which was stoutly defended by those within raised the Siege and without any considerable Action returned Home The English followed them not long after and demolished Aytown a small Castle seated almost in the very Borders and he returned out of their Enemies Country without any memorable performance also Amidst these Commotions both foreign and domestick Peter Hialas a Man of great Wisdom and as those Times were not unlearned arrived in England he was sent by Ferdinand and Isabel King and Queen of Spain The purport of his Embassy was That Katharine their Daughter might marry Arthur King Henry's Son and so a new Affinity and Friendship might be contracted betwixt them The English did willingly embrace the Affinity and therefore were desirous to finish the War with Scotland and because Henry thought it was below his Dignity to seek Peace at the Scots Hands he was willing to use him as a Mediator Peter willingly undertook the Business and came into Scotland there he plied Iames with several Arguments and at last made him inclinable to a Peace and then he wrote to Henry That he hoped a good Peace would be agreed without any great difficulty if he pleased to send down some Eminent Person of his Council to accord the Conditions Henry as one that had often tried the inconstancy of Fortune and that the Minds of his Subjects were grown fierce by these late Tumults as being rather irritated than wholly suppressed commanded Richard Fox who resided in his Castle at Norham to join Counsels with Hialas These Two had many Disputes about the Matter with the Embassadors of Scotland at Iedburgh and after many Conditions had been mutually proposed they could agree upon nothing The chiefest Impediment was The demand of Henry that Peter Warbeck should be given up to him for he judged it to be a very reasonable Proposition in regard he was but a Counterfeit and had been already the Occasion of so much Mischief Iames peremptorily refused so to do alledging That it was not honourable in him to surrender up a Man of the Royal Progeny who came to him as a Suppliant whom he had also made his Kinsman by Marriage against his Faith given to him to be made a Laughing-stock by his Enemies And thus the Conference broke off yet the hopes of an Agreement were not altogether cast off for a Truce was made for some months till Iames could dismiss Warbeck upon Honourable Terms according to his Promise For now by the Conference with the English and other evident Indications it plainly appeared that the Tale concerning Peter's State and Kindred was a mere Falsity and therefore the King sent for him and told him what singular good Will he had born him and how many Courtesies he had bestowed upon him of which he himself was the best Witness as first That he had undertaken a War against a Potent King for his sake and had now managed it a second Year to the great Inconvenience of his Enemy and the Prejudice of his own Subjects That he had refused an Honourable Peace which was freely offered him merely because he would not surrender him up to the English and thereby he had given great Offence both to his Subjects and his Enemy too so that now he neither could nor would any longer withstand their Desires And therefore whatever might ensue whether Peace or War he desired him to seek out some other and fitter Place for his Banishment for he was resolved to make Peace with the English and when it was once solemnly made to observe it as religiously and to remove from him whatsoever might be an Impediment or Disturbance thereto Neither ought he to complain That the Scots had forsaken him seeing the English had done so first in confidence of whose Assistance the Scots had begun the War And yet notwithstanding all these Circumstances he was resolved to accommodate him with Provisions and other Necessaries to put to Sea Warbeck was mightily troubled at his unexpected dismission yet he remitted nothing of his dissimulated height of Spirit but in a few days sailed over into Ireland with his Wife and Family From whence soon after he passed into England and there joined himself with the Reliques of the Cornish Rebels but after many Attempts being able to do no good he was taken and having confessed
Ships were taken in a time of Peace and the Passengers slain They were answered That the killing of Pirats was no violation of Leagues neither was it a justifiable Cause for a War This Answer shewed the spight of one that was willing to excuse a plain Murder and seemed as if he had sought an occasion for a War Whereupon the English which inhabited the Borders by that which was acted above-board guessed at their King's Mind and being also accustomed to sow the Seeds of Dissention in the times of the firmest Peace and besides being much given to Innovation began to prey upon the adjacent Countries of the Scots At that time there was one Alexander Hume who had the sole command of all the Scots Borders which was wont to be distributed into three Mens Hands he was mightily beloved by Iames but his Disposition was more fierce than was expedient for the Good of those Times The King was intent upon War and very solicitous how to blot out the Ignominy received by those Incursions and Hume promised him That he and some of his Kindred and Vassals would in a little time make the English repent of the Loss and Damage they had done as being resolved to turn their Mirth into Sadness To make good his Word he gathered together about 3000 Horse entred England and spoiled the Neighbouring Villages before any Relief could come in but as he was returning his Men being accustomed to pillaging and then also laden with a great deal of Booty being impatient to stay there any longer divided their Spoil even in their Enemy's Country and went their ways severally Home Alexander with a few brought up the Rear to see that no assault might be made upon them in their Retreat but perceiving none to follow he was the more careless and so fell into an Ambush of 300 English who taking the opportunity set upon them and struck such a suddain Terror into them that they routed and put them to flight In this Conflict a great many of the Scots were slain and 200 taken Prisoners amongst whom was Alexander's Brother who was exchanged for the Lord Hern of Foord who had been kept Prisoner many Years in Scotland for the Murder of Robert Carr But all the Booty came safe into Scotland because they who drove it were marched on before This new Offence coming upon the King's Mind which was not easy before upon the account of what I formerly related made him unruly and headstrong and thereupon he called a Convention to consult concerning the War The wiser sort were against it but L'amot the Embassador of France earnestly pressed it by Entreaties and Promises And also frequent Letters from Andrew Forman urged the same thing yea the King himself inclined thereto so that many to gratify him fell in with his Opinion the rest being the minor part lest by a fruitless Opposition they might incur the King's Displeasure gave also their assent so that a War was voted to be made against England both by Land and Sea 't is doubtful whether the Counsel or the Event was the worst a set day was appointed for the Army to meet together An Herald was sent into France to Henry who was then besieging Tournay to denounce War upon him The Causes of it were rendred to be That Satisfaction for Losses had been required but not given That Iohn Hume the Murderer of Robert Carr did openly shew himself That Andrew Breton in violation of the Leagues betwixt the two Crowns had been pillaged and slain by the King 's own Command And though he did not mention any of those Wrongs yet he should never endure That the Territories of Lewis King of France his Ancient Ally nor of Charles Duke of Gelderland his Kinsman should be so miserably harrassed with all the Calamities of War and therefore unless he desisted therefrom he bid him Defiance Henry being young and having a flourishing and puissant Kingdom and besides a general Combination of almost all Europe against France alone these things kindled a desire in his Mind which was otherwise ambitious enough of Glory to continue his Arms and therefore he gave the Herald an Answer more fierce than suted with his youthful Age That he heard nothing from him but what he long before had expected from such a Violator of all Divine and Human Laws and therefore he should do as he thought fit for his part he was resolved not to be threatned out of his Procedure in a War wherein he had so well prospered hitherto and besides he did not value his Friendship as having already had sufficient proof of his Levity This Denunciation of War being brought into Scotland as the King was going to his Army at Linlithgo whilst he was at Vespers in the Church as the manner then was There entred an old Man the Hair of his Head being Red inclining to Yellow and hanging down on his Shoulders his Forehead sleek thro' baldness bare-headed in a long Coat of a russet Colour girt with a linen Girdle about his Loins in the rest of his Aspect he was very venerable He pressed thro' the Crowd to come to the King When he came to him he leaned upon the Chair on which the King sat with a kind of rustick simplicity and bespoke him thus O King said he I am sent to warn thee not to proceed in thy intended Design which Monition if thou neglect neither Thou nor thy Followers shall prosper I am also commanded to tell thee That thou shouldest not use the Familiarity Intimacy and Counsel of Women which if thou dost it will redound to thy Ignominy and Loss Having thus spoken he withdrew himself into the Crowd and when the King enquired for him after Prayers were ended he could not be found which Matter seemed more strange because none of those who stood next and observed him as being desirous to put many Questions to him were sensible how he disappeared Amongst them there was David Lindsy of Mont a Man of approved Worth and Honesty and a great Scholar too for in the whole course of his Life he abhorred Lying and if I had not received this Story from him as a certain Truth I had omitted it as a Romance of the Vulgar But the King notwithstanding went forward in his March and near Edinburgh mustered his Army and a while after entred England took the Castles of Norham Werk Etel Foord and some others near to the Borders of Scotland by Storm and demolished them and spoiled all the adjoining part of Northumberland mean while the King falls in Love with one of the Ladies he had taken Prisoner she was Hern's Wife of Foord and neglected his present business insomuch that Provision beginning to grow scarce in a not very plentiful Country and it being very difficult to fetch it from far the greatest part of his Army stole away and left their Colours very thin only the Nobles with a few of their
or else were likely speedily to follow after It considering also his eminent Virtues yea his popular Vices did easily deceive vulgar Minds under a specious Resemblance and Affinity to Virtue For he was of a strong Body just Stature a Majestick Countenance of a quick Wit but by the default of the Times not cultivated by Learning He did greedily imbibe one ancient Custom of the Nation for he was skilful in curing of Wounds for in old Times that kind of Knowledg was common to all the Nobility as Men continually accustomed to Arms. The Access to his Presence was easy his Answers were mild he was just in Judgment and moderate in Punishment so that he seemed to be drawn to it against his Will He bore the malevolent Speeches of his Enemies and the Monitions of his Friends with a Greatness of Mind which arose in him from the Tranquillity of a good Conscience and the Confidence of his own Innocency insomuch that he was so far from being angry that he never returned them an harsh Word There were also some Vices which crept in among these Virtues by reason of his two great affectation of Popularity For by endeavouring to avoid the Name of a covetous Prince which his Father had incurred he laboured to insinuate himself into the Good will of the Vulgar by sumptuous Buildings by costly Pageants and immoderate Largesses so that his Exchequer was very low and his want of Money such that if he had lived longer the Merits of his former Reign would have been extinguished or at least out-ballanced by his Imposition of new Taxes so that his Death seemed to have hapned rather commodiously than immaturely to him IAMES the Vth the CVIth King WHen Iames the Fourth was slain he left his Wife Margaret and Two Sons behind him the Eldest of which was not yet full two Years old The Parliament assembled at Sterlin proclaimed him King according to the Custom of the Country on the 24 th day of February and then they addressed themselves to settle the publick Affairs in doing whereof they first perceived the greatness of their Loss For those of the Nobility who bore any thing of Authority and Wisdom before them being slain the major part of those who survived by reason of their youthful Age or incapacity of Mind were unfit to meddle with Matters of State especially in so troublesom a time and they who were left alive of the better sort who had any thing of Prudence in them by reason of their Ambitions and Covetousness abhorred all Counsels tending to Peace Alexander Hume Lord Warden of all the Marches had got a great Name and a large Estate in the King's Life-time but when he was dead he obtained an almost Regal Authority in the Countries bordering upon England He out of a wicked Ambition did not restrain Robbers that so he might more engage those bold and lewd Persons to him thinking thereby to make way for his greater Puissance but that Design was unhappy to him and in the end pernicious The Command of the Country on this side the Forth was committed to him the Parts beyond to Alexander Gordon to keep those Seditious Provinces within the Bounds of their Duty But the Name of Regent was in the Queen her self For the King had left in his Will which he made before he went to fight that if he miscarried as long as she remained a Widow she should have the Supream Power This was contrary to the Law of the Land and the first Example of any Woman who ever had the Supream Rule in Scotland yet the want of Men made it seem tolerable especially to them who were desirous of Peace and Quietness But her Office continued not long for before the end of the Spring she married Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus one of the prime young Men of Scotland for Lineage Beauty and Accomplishments in all good Arts and before the end of that Year the Seeds of Discord were sown They took their Rise from the Ecclesiastical Order for after the Nobles were slain in all publick Assemblies a great part were of that sort of Men and many of them did their own business amidst the publick Calamity and got such Estates that nothing did more hasten their Ruin than that inordinate Power which they afterwards as arrogantly used Alexander Stuart Archbishop of St. Andrews was slain at Flodden and there were Three which strove for that Preferment but upon different Interests Gawin Douglas upon the account of the Splendor of his Family and his own Personal Worth and Learning was nominated to the place by the Queen and accordingly took Possession of the Castle of St. Andrews Andrew Hepburn Abbat of St. Andrews before any Archbishop was nominated gathered up the Revenues of the place as a Sequestrator and he being a potent factious and subtile Man was chosen by his Monks to the Vacancy for he alleged that the Power of electing an Archbishop by ancient Custom was in Them so that he drove out the Officers of Gawin and placed a strong Garison in the Castle Andrew Forman had obtained great Favour in the Courts both of Rome and France by his former Services so that besides the Bishoprick of Murray in Scotland which he held from the beginning Lewis the 12 th of France gave him the Archbishoprick of Bourges And Pope Iulius had also dismissed him loaden with many rich Preferments for he bestowed on him the Archbishoprick of St. Andrews the two rich Abbies of Dumfermling and Aberbrothock and made him his Legate à Latere as they call him besides But so great was the Power of the Hepburns at that time that the Hume's being yet at Concord with them no Man could be found that durst proclaim the Popes Bull for the Election of Forman to that Dignity until at last Alexander Humes was induced by great Promises and besides other Gifts with the actual Donation of the Abby of Coldingham to David his younger Brother to undertake the Cause which seemed to be honest and just and especially because the Family of the Formans was in the Clanship or Protection of the Hume's so that he caused the Popes Bull to be published at Edinburgh And that was the Original of many Mischiefs which ensued for Hepburn being a Man of a lofty Spirit from that day forward studied day and night how to destroy the Family of the Hume's The Queen whilst she sat at Helm did this one thing Worthy to be remembred that she wrote to her Brother that he would not make War upon Scotland in respect to her and her young Children and that he would not infest the Dominions of his Cousin by his Foreign Arms which of its own accord was divided into so many Domestick Factions but that he would rather defend them against the Wrongs of others upon the account of his Age and the Affinity betwixt them Henry answered very Nobly and Prince-like That if the Scots desired
in those parts the rest was taken away by the Country-men who were so ignorant of the price of it that they thought the Cinnamon therein to be but a low priz'd Bark and so sold it to make Fire with yet the whole Envy of the matter fell upon the Douglasses Upon this change of Affairs the Tories who had a long time refrain'd their Depredations for fear of Punishment came forth out of their lurking holes and grievously infested all the circumjacent Countries And though many Pranks were plaid by others up and down yet all the Murders and Robberies every where committed were charg'd upon the score of the Douglasses by those Courtiers who thought they humour'd the King by so doing that so they might make the name of that Family otherwise popular invidious to the vulgar And in the beginning of Winter the King march'd to Tantallon a Castle of the Douglasses by the Sea side to take it in that so no Refuge might be left for the Exiles and that he might take the place with less Labour and Cost he was supplied with Brass-Guns and Powder from Dunbar That Castle was distant from Dunbar six Miles and it was garison'd by the Souldiers of Iohn the Regent because it was part of his Patrimony he continued the Siege for some days wherein some of the Besiegers were slain others wounded and some blown up with Gun-Powder but none at all of the Besieged were lost so that he raised his Siege and retreated In his return David Falkner who was left behind with some Foot-Souldiers to carry back the Brass-Ordnance was set upon by Douglasses Horse who were sent out to snap up the Stragglers in the Rear and slain his Death did so inrage the young King who was incens'd enough before that he solemnly swore in his Passion that as long as he liv'd the Douglasses should never have the Sentence of their Banishment revoked And as soon as he came to Edinburgh to straiten them the more by the Advice of his Council he order'd that a party of Souldiers should be continually kept at Coldingham which was to be rather an active or flying than a numerous one to prevent the pillaging of the Country by them The charge of doing it was commended by the King to Bothwel one of the greatest Persons for Authority and Puissance in Lothian but he refused the Imployment either out of Fear of the Power of the Douglasses which not long since all the rest of Scotland was not able to cope with or else because he would not have the Disposition of the young King who was eager and over-violent of his own accord to be inur'd to such Cruelty as totally to destroy so noble a Family And whereas the King had no great Confidence in the Hamiltons as being Friends to his Enemies and he did also disgust them upon the account of the Slaughter of Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox and besides there being none of the Nobility of the adjacent parts that had Power or Interest enough for that Service at last he resolved to send Calen Cambel with an Army against the Rebels a Person living in the furthest parts of the Kingdom but a prudent Man of approv'd Valour and upon the account of his Justice very popular The Douglassians when the Hamiltons and the rest of their Friends failed them were reduced to great straits so that they were compell'd by Calen and by George chief of the Humes to retire like Exiles into England In the Month of October two eminent Persons came Embassadors from the King of England about a Peace which tho earnestly desir'd by both Kings yet they could scarce find out the way to make it up For Henry being about to make War upon Charles the Emperor was willing to leave all safe behind his back and with the same labour to procure the Restitution of the Douglasses As for Iames he did much desire to have Tantallon Castle in his Power but his Mind was very averse to restore the Douglasses and for that Reason the Matter was canvassed to and fro for some Days and no Temper for Accommodation could be found out but at last they came to this That Tantallon Castle should be surrendred to Iames and a Truce be granted for five Years and their other Demands the King was to promise the granting of under his Signet The Castle was surrendred accordingly but the other Demands were not as punctually performed save only that Alexander Drummond had leave given him to return home for Brittain's sake For some Months before Iames Colvill and Robert Carncross upon suspicion of their favouring the Douglasses were removed from Court and their Offices bestowed on Robert Brittain who then was in high Favour at Court and had great Command there After this tho Matters were not quite settled abroad for the English had burnt Arn a Town in Teviotdale before their Embassadors return'd yet the rest of the Year was more quiet but the Insolence of the Banditti was not quite suppressed whereupon the King caus'd William Cockburn of Henderland and Adam Scot noted Robbers to be apprehended at Edinburgh and for a Terror to the rest he put them to Death The next Year in the Month of March the King sent Iames Earl of Murray whom he had made Deputy-Governour of the whole Kingdom to the Borders there to have a Meeting with the Earl of Northumberland in order to settle a Peace and to treat about mutual Satisfaction for Losses But a Contention arose betwixt them about expiating the Murder of Robert Car. The One pleaded that the Process ought to be form'd in Scotland according to the Law The Other would have it in England In the Interim each of them sent Messengers to their several Kings to know their Minds in the Case On the 17 th of the Calends of May there was held a Council of the Nobility where after a long Debate which lasted till Night 't was concluded That the Earl of Bothwel Robert Maxwel Walter Scot and Mark Carr should be committed Prisoners to Edinburgh Castle And that the Earls and chief Men of Merch and Teviotdale should be sent Prisoners to other Places it being supposed That they privately scatter'd abroad the Seeds of a War against England And in Iuly the King levied about 8000 Men and marched out against the Robbers and that with so much speed that he quickly pitch'd his Tents by the River Ewse Not far from thence lived one Iohn Armstrong chief of one Faction of the Thieves who had struck such a Fear to all the neighbouring Parts that even the English themselves for many Miles about bought their Peace by paying him a certain Tribute yea Maxwel was also afraid of his Power and therefore endeavoured his Destruction by all possible ways This Iohn was enticed by the King's Officers to make his Repair to the King which he did unarm'd with about fifty Horse in his Company but having forgot
of fifteen Men who were to have a perpetual Power and even a Tyrannical Government for their Wills were their Laws In favour of the Pope they were very severe against the Lutherans and the Pope on the contrary to gratify a King so well deserving at his Hands gave him the Tithes of all Parsonages for the next Year following This Year the English perceived that the State of Affairs in Scotland grew every day more quiet than other but yet that they were destitute of foreign Aid because they themselves had joined with the French against Charles the Emperor Hereupon they sought out an occasion for a War In April they made an Expedition out of Berwick and spoiled Coldingham Douglas and many other neighbouring Towns and drove away great Booty They had no apparent Provocation neither did they denounce War before-hand How eager they were upon War appears by that King's Proclamation soon after publish'd wherein 't was said that the Garison of Berwick was provoked by some licentious and contumelious Words which the Scots had let fall But the Words mentioned in the Proclamation carry no Contumely in them at all But this Cause not seeming just enough for a War they demanded Canabie a small Village in the Borders with a poor Monastery in it as if it belonged to them which they never pretended to before and likewise that the Douglasses might be restor'd For the King of England perceiving that his Aid was absolutely necessary to the French King so that he could by no means want it and also knowing that he had him fast in a League wherein the Interest of Scotland was not considered hereupon he thought it no hard Matter to bring the Scots to what Conditions he pleased Moreover because the Emperor was alienated from him by the Peace with France and the Divorce with his Aunt and the Pope of Rome did raise up Wars amongst all Christian Princes he thought he should omit a great opportunity at home for innovating of things if he neglected That The King of Scots that he might not be unprovided against this Storm by a publick Proclamation made all over the Kingdom appointed his Brother the Earl of Murray to be his Vicegerent and because the Borderers of themselves were not able to cope with the English who had also a great number of Auxiliaries with them he divided the Kingdom into four Parts and commanded each of them to send out the ablest Men amongst them with their Clans and Provision for fourty Days These Forces thus succeeding one another by turns made great Havock in the Towns and Castles in those Parts so that the King of England was frustrated in his Expectation seeing the War was likely to be drawn out in length and other Concerns were also to be cared for by him and therefore he was willing to hearken to a Peace but would have it fought for at his Hands for he thought it was not for his Honour either to offer it or to seek it of himself And therefore it seem'd most convenient to transact the Matter by the King of France the common Friend to both Nations Whereupon the French King sent his Embassador Stephen D'Aix into Scotland to enquire by whose Default such a War was commenced between the two Neighbour-Kings The King of Scots clearly acquitted himself from being any Cause of the War he also made a Complaint to him how long his Ambassadors had been detained in France without Hearing And at the Ambassador's Departure he sent Letters by him to his Master desiring him to observe the ancient League which was renewed by Iohn the Regent at Roan he also sent David Beton into France to answer the Calumnies of the English and besides to treat concerning the keeping of the old League and to contract a new Affinity between France and Scotland He also sent Letters by him to the Parliament of Paris very bitter and full of Complaints concerning those matters which had been transacted and agreed between Francis their King and Iohn Regent of Scotland how that ancient Friendships Pacts and Agreements were slighted in behalf of Those who were once their common Enemies His Ambassador Beton was commanded if he saw that the things he had in Command did not succeed well in France to deliver those Letters to the Council of the Judges and presently to withdraw himself into Flanders with an Intent as it might be conjectured to make a League Agreement and Affinity with the Emperor In the mean time War was waged in Britain and Disputes were manag'd at New-castle concerning the Lawfulness thereof when the Embassadors sent from both Nations could not agree on terms of Peace Monsieur Guy Flower was sent over by the King of France to compose matters The Scotish King told him that he would gratify his Master as far as ever he was able and also he had some Communication with him as much as was seasonable at that time concerning the conjugal Affinity about which he had sent Embassadors before which were then in France Flory or Flower being thus the Umpire for Peace the Garisons were withdrawn on both sides from the Borders and a Truce was made which was afterwards followed with a Peace When the Peace was settled the King having for some Years last past transacted Business with the King of France and with the Emperor by his Embassadors about a matrimonial Contract now being freed from other cares his Thoughts were more intent that way than ever For besides the common causes which might incline him to some potent Alliance he was thoughtful how to perpetuate his Family by Issue of his Body he himself being the last Male that was left alive insomuch that his next Heirs had already conceived a firm hope in their Minds of the Kingdom which did not a little trouble Him who was otherwise suspicious enough of himself And indeed things did very much concur to raise them up to that hope as for instance their own domestick Power the Kings being a Batchelor his Venturousness in slighting all Danger so that he would not only stoutly undergo all Hazards but often court and invite Them for with a small party he would march against the fiercest Thieves and tho they were superior in number yet he would either prevent them by his Speed or else fright them by the Reverence of his Name and so force them to a Surrender he would sit Night and Day on Horse-back in this Employment and if he did take any Refreshment or Food 't was that which he lighted on by chance and but little of that neither These Circumstances made the Hamiltons almost confident of the Succession yet it seem'd to them a long way about to stay for either fortuitous or natural Dangers and therefore they studied to hasten his Death by Treachery A fair Opportunity was offer'd them to effect it by his Night-Walkings to his Misses having but one or two in his Company But all these things not answering
their Expectation they resolved to cut off the hope of lawful Issue by hindring his Marriage what they could although Iohn Duke of Albany when he was Regent seemed to have made sufficient Provision against that Inconvenience for when he renewed the ancient League between the French and Scots at Roan he had inserted one Article that Iames should marry Francis's eldest Daughter But there were two Impediments in the way which almost broke off and cut this League asunder For Francis being freed out of the Hand of the Spaniard by the Industry and Diligence principally of Henry the 8 th had entred into so strict a League with the English that the Scotish League was much intrenched upon thereby and besides the eldest Daughter of Francis was deceas'd a while before and therefore Iames desired Magdalen his next Daughter to Wife and sent Embassadors over to that purpose but her Father excused the matter alleging that his Daughter was of so weak a Constitution of Body that there was little hopes of Children by her no nor hardly any Likelihood of her Life it self for any long time About the same time there was an Affinity treated of with Charles the Emperor by Embassadors and at length the 24 th day of April 1534. The Emperor sent Godscalk Ericus that the matter might be carry'd with greater Secrecy from Toledo in Spain through Ireland to Iames. After he had declared the Commands he had in charge from the Emperor concerning the Wrongs offer'd to his Aunt Catharine and her Daughter by King Henry concerning the calling a general Council concerning the rooting out the Sect of the Lutherans and concerning contracting an Affinity The Emperor by his Letters gave the King his choice of three Marys all of them of his Blood they were Mary Sister to Charles a Widow ever since the Death of her Husband Lewis of Hungary who was slain in Battel by the Turks Mary of Portugal the Daughter of his Sister Leonora and Mary of England his Niece by his Aunt Catharine And because Charles knew that King Iames was more inclinable to this last Match he also shewed a greater Propension thereunto that so he might take off Iames from his valuing of and adhering to the League with Francis and at the same time might set him at ods with Henry Iames made answer that the Marriage with England was indeed in many respects most advantageous if it could be obtained but 't was a Business of uncertain Hope but of great Danger and Toil and would be encumber'd with so many Delays that his single Life he being the last of his Family could hardly bear it and therefore of all Caesar's Neices he told Him that the Daughter of Christiern King of Denmark was most convenient for him who was begotten upon Isabel the Sister of Charles A while after Charles answered this his Demand from Madrid that she was already promised to another and though Caesar by offering Conditions seem'd rather to prolong the matter than really to bring it to pass yet the Treaty was not wholly laid aside Matters being quiet at home Iames resolved to go a Ship-board to take a View of all his Dominions round about and to curb the stubborn Spirits of the Islanders and make them more obedient First he sailed to the Orcades where he quieted all Disorders by apprehending and imprisoning a few of the Nobility he garison'd two Castles there his Own and the Bishops afterwards he visited the rest of the Islands and sent for the chief Men to come to him those that refus'd he seiz'd by force he laid a Tax on them took Hostages and carried away with him those who were most likely to be Incendiaries and clapping some of his own Train into their Castles he sent the leading Men of them some to Edinburgh and some to Dunbar Prisoners For about that time Iohn Duke of Albany had surrendred up Dunbar to the King which till then had been kept by a French Garison In the next Month of August great Severity was used against the Lutherans some were compelled to make a publick Recantation others refusing to appear upon Summons were banished Two were burnt of which one named David Straiton was free enough from Lutheranism but he was accused thereof because he was somewhat refractary in Payment of Tithes to the Collectors of them and so was put to Death only for a supposed Crime In an Assembly which the King caused to be convened at Iedburgh in order to the suppressing of the Robbers thereabouts Walter Scot was condemned of high Treason and sent Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle where he remained as long as the King lived The same Month of August when Francis as I said before had excused his Daughters Marriage on account of her Health but withal had offer'd him any other of the Blood Royal The King sent Embassadors into France Iames Earl of Murray Vice-roy of the Kingdom and William Stuart Bishop of Aberdene those Two went by Sea and Iohn Erskin by Land because he had some Commands to deliver to Henry of England by the way To them be added a Fourth i. e. Robert Reed a good Man and highly prudent There Mary of Bourbon the Daughter of Charles Duke of Vendosme a Lady of the Blood was offer'd to them as a fit Wife for their King Other points were accorded easily enough but the Embassadors fearing that this Marriage would not please their Master would make no Espousal till they had acquainted him therewith In the mean time Henry of England to trouble a matter which was upon the point of concluding in November sent the Bishop of St. Davids into Scotland who brought Iames some English Books containing the Theses's of the Christian Religion desiring Iames to read them and diligently to weigh what was written therein but he gave them to some of his Courtiers who were most addicted to the Sacerdotal Order to inspect They before ever they had scarce look'd on them condemn'd them as Heretical and moreover they highly gratulated the King that he had not polluted his Eye so they phrased it with reading such pestiferous Books This was the cause of their Embassy according to common Vogue yet some say that they brought some other secret Messages to Iames Afterward the same Bishop together with William Howard Brother to the Duke of Norfolk came so unexpectedly to Sterlin that they almost surprized the King before he heard any News of their coming their Errand was that Henry desir'd Iames to appoint a day of Interview wherein they might confer together for he had at that meeting things of high Concernment and of mighty Advantage to both Nations to propound to him In that Message he gave great hope if other matters could be well accorded that he would bestow his Daughter in Marriage upon him and leave him King of all Britain after his Decease and that he might give more credit to his Promises he would make him for the
have reason to believe 80 of the chief of the Family had left their Wives at home great with Child all of which in due time brought forth Male-Children and they all lived to Man's Estate At the same time the King of England heard that his Army was beaten and wasted in Scotland and that an Embassador was sent by the Regent to the King of France to acquaint him with the Victory and to desire Aid of him against the Demands and Threats of the King of England and likewise to inform against Lennox in Defamation of his Departure into England as for Aid he could scarce obtain any because the French knew for certain that Henry was about passing over with great Forces into France only they sent 500 Horse and 3000 Foot not so much to defend the Scots from the Incursions of the English as to hold them in play that they might not fall with their whole Strength upon France Henry that Summer did not think it fit to send greater Forces to the Borders of Scotland because he was of opinion that the Garisons there were sufficient to inhibit the Excursions of the Scots and besides he knew well enough that the Scots in such a perplexed State of their affairs could not raise a great Army that Year to attack any well-fortified places The Scotish Embassador in France objected some sorry matters against Lennox in his Absence scarce worth the answering as that he had concealed the Mony sent to him that by reason of his Dissensions with the Cardinal the cause of the Publick was betray'd and as for his Departure into England That he exaggerated most invidiously The King of France who by means of false Rumors had conceiv'd such an Anger against Lennox that he would by no means admit of any Compurgation or Apology against those Calumnies and who also had imprisoned Lennox's Brother unheard Captain of his Guards when the Truth began a little to appear as 't were in excuse for his temerarious Fault sought for some colour to hide it and commanded an Examination to be made of the Crimes objected against Lennox And the Enquiry was committed to Iames Montgomery of Lorge Commander of the French Auxiliaries a Man active and good enough but a bitter Enemy to Lennox 't was put into his Hands by the Procurement of the Guises because they were not able to separate the cause of their Sister from the Perfidiousness of the Cardinal Montgomery arriv'd with his French Auxiliaries lately mention'd in Scotland on Iuly the 3 d in the Year 1545. where by shewing the Letters and declaring the good Intentions of the King of France towards them in the Council he obtained that an Army should be levied but only of the better sort who were able to bear the charges of the War and they were to meet together upon a short day And accordingly at the time appointed there met 15000 Scots at Hadington and marching to the Borders they formed their Camp over against Work a Castle in England From thence almost every other day they marched with their Colours into England and did obtain great Booty the Enemy endeavour'd to resist their Incursions but in vain they made indeed some light Skirmishes but unprosperously so that the Scots wasted all the Country for six Miles round This they continued during ten Days never going further into the Enemies Country in the Day-time than they could return back to their Camp at Night In the Interim Montgomery and George Hume dealt earnestly with the Regent that he would remove his Camp to the other side of the Tweed that so they might make freer Inrodes upon the parts adjacent and spred the terrour of their Army to a greater Distance but their Solicitations were in vain For the Regent and those of the Council about him were against it because they were destitute of all Necessaries for storming of Castles so that they disbanded the Army and returned home The other took up their Winter-Quarters as every one thought fit but Montgomery went to Sterlin to the Court where knowing of the Calumnies raised against Lennox by his Enemies though he himself did highly disgust him too yet he grievously rebuked the Cardinal that without any considerable Provocation on Lennox's part he had loden so noble and innocent a Person with such calumnious Imputations and had compell'd him even against his Will to join himself with the Enemy About the same time Inroads were made on both sides on all parts of the Borders with various Events Robert Maxwel the Son of Robert a young Man of singular Valor was taken Prisoner by the English there was nothing memorable done besides At the beginning of the following Winter Montgomery return'd to France and the Cardinal carried about the Regent with him through the Neighbouring Provinces upon pretence to reconcile and heal the Seditions and Distempers of all Parties First they came to Perth where four Men were punish'd for eating Flesh on a day prohibited and also a Woman and her Infant were both put to Death because she refused to call upon the Virgin Mary for Aid in her Travel then they applied themselves to the Overthrow of all the Reformed universally they went to Dundee and as themselves gave out 't was to punish such as read the new Testament for in those days that was counted a most grievous Sin and such was the Blindness of those Times that some of the Priests being offended at the Novelty of the Title did contend that That Book was lately written by Martin Luther and therefore they desired only the Old There 't was told them that Patrick Grey chief of a noble Family in those parts was coming with a great Train and the Earl of Rothes with him The Tumult being appeased the Regent commanded both of them to come to him the day after but the Cardinal thinking it not safe to admit two such potent and factious Persons with so great a Train into that Town which was the only one highly addicted to the Reformed Religion persuaded the Regent to return to Perth The Noble-Men when they were ready for their Journy heard News that the Regent was gone for Perth whereupon they followed him thither and when they came in sight of the Town the Cardinal was so afraid that to gratify him the Regent commanded them to enter the City severally and apart and the next day after they were both committed to Prison yet Rothes was soon released but Grey was delivered with more difficulty afterwards because he was more hated and feared by them Before they went from thence the Cardinal thought good to abate the Power of Ruven Mayor of the City so that the Regent took away the Mayoralty from him and gave it to the Laird Kinfans a Neighbour-Laird Gray's Kinsman Ruven was envied by the Cardinal because he favoured the Reform'd Religion and as for Grey he was not wholly averse from the Reformed neither nor yet any great Friend of
his Chamber and concluded with Prayer A while after two Executioners were sent to him by the Cardinal one of them put a black Linen Shirt upon him and the other bound many little Bags of Gunpowder to all the Parts of his Body In this Dress they brought him forth and commanded him to stay in the Chamber without the Governour 's And at the same time they erected a Wooden Scaffold in the Court before the Castle and made up a Pile of Wood. The Windows and Forts of the Castle over against it were all hung with Tapestry and silk Hangings with Cushions for the Cardinal with his Train to behold and take pleasure in the joyful Sight even the Torture of an innocent Man thus endeavouring to curry Favour with the Vulgar as the Author of so notable a Prank There was also a great Guard of Souldiers not so much to secure the Execution as for a vain Ostentation of his Power and besides Brass Guns were plac'd up and down in all convenient Places of the Castle Thus whilst the Trumpets sounded George was brought forth mounted the Scaffold and was fastened with a Cord to the Stake and having scarce obtain'd Liberty to pray for the Church of God the Executioners fired the Wood which took hold of the Powder tied about him immediately and blew it up into Flame and Smoke The Governor of the Castle who stood so near that he was sing'd with the Flame exhorted him in a few words to be of good chear and to ask Pardon of God for his Offences To whom he replied This Flame occasions trouble to my Body indeed but it hath in no wise broken my Spirit But He who now so proudly looks down upon me from yonder lofty Place pointing to the Cardinal shall ' ere long be as ignominiously thrown down as now he proudly lies at his Ease Having thus spoken they straitned the Rope which was tied about his Neck and so strangled him his Body in a few hours was consum'd to Ashes in the Flame and the Bishop being yet mad with Hate and Rage forbad every body upon great Penalties to pray for the Deceased After this Fact the Cardinal was highly commended by his Faction and extolled to the very Skies that he alone when others declined it had slighted the Authority of the Regent and performed so noble an Exploit whereby he had curb'd popular Insolency and had couragiously undertook and as happily manag'd the Defence of the whole Ecclesiastical Order If the Church had formerly had said they such valiant Assertors of its Liberties it would never have been brought to that Pass as it is at this Day i. e. to truckle under but it would have given Law to all and received it from none This luxuriant and superlative Joy of the Priests for their obtained Victory did rather irritate than discourage the Minds not only of the promiscuous Vulgar but even of some great and noble Persons also They fretted that things were come to that pass by their own Cowheartedness so that now some bold thing or other was to be attempted and hazarded or else they were Slaves for ever Hereupon more Company came in to them whose Grief enforc'd them to brake out in Complaints against the Cardinal so that they encouraged one another to rid the Cardinal out of the way and either to recover their Liberty or lose their Lives For what hope of thriving said they could there be under so arrogant a Priest and so cruel a Tyrant who made War against God as well as Men and those not his Enemies only as were all such as had Estates or were any way pious but if he bore but a grudg against a Man he would hale him as a Hog out of the Sty to be sacrific'd to his Lusts. And besides he was a publick Encourager and Maintainer of War both at Home and Abroad and in his private capacity he mixed the Love of Harlots with lawful Marriages Legitimate Wedlock he dissolv'd at pleasure at Home he wallowed in Lust among his Minions and Abroad he ravag'd to destroy the Innocent The Cardinal himself though he did not distrust his own Power yet knowing how People stood affected towards him and what Reports were spread up and down concerning him thought it his best way to strengthen his Power by some new Accession or other Hereupon he went to Angus and married his eldest Daughter to the Son of the Earl of Crawford the Marriage was solemnized in great State and almost with a Royal Magnificence Whilst these things were acting he received Intelligence by his Spies That the King of England was making great Naval Preparations to infest the Scotish Coasts but especially the Inhabitants of Fife whom he threatned most Whereupon he returned to St. Andrews and there appointed a Day for the Nobility especially those whose Estates lay near to the Sea to meet and to consult in common what Remedy to apply to the present Malady And to do it more effectually he determined to take a View of all the Sea-Coasts together with the Owners of the Lands and so in a manner to circuit about all Fife and to fortify all convenient Places and to put Garisons into them Amongst the rest of the Noble Mens Sons who came in to the Cardinal Norman Lesly Son to the Earl of Rothes was one of whom I have made mention several times before He had done great and eminent Service for the Cardinal but on a time there fell out a Dispute between them concerning a private business which estrang'd them a while one from another but Norman upon great Promises made to him quitted his Right in the Matter contested for After a few Months coming to demand of the Cardinal the performance of what was promised him they fell from plain Discourse to chiding and afterwards to downright railing uttering such reproachful words one to another as were seemly for neither of them and thus they parted in a great Rage one from another the Cardinal fretting that he was not treated with that Deference which was due to his Dignity and Norman full of Wrath and Rage as being circumvented by Fraud so that he returned home with thoughts full of Revenge and inveighed openly amongst his Friends against the intolerable Pride of the Cardinal insomuch that they all agreed to take away his Life And that the matter might pass with the least Suspicion Norman with five only in his Company came to St. Andrews and took up his usual Inn that so the design of cutting him off might be concealed by reason of the paucity of his Attendants There were Ten more in the Town privy to the Conspiracy who all in several Places expected the Watch-word With this small Company did he undertake so great an Enterprise and that in a Town which was full of the Cardinal's Train Kindred and Attendants The Days were then very long as they use to be in those Countries towards the end of the Spring
on the Trial hereupon the Names of the Judges or Jury were according to Custom which I have elsewhere mentioned impannell'd and none of them were excepted against by the adverse Party yet by all their Votes he was acquitted From thence they marched to the Castle of Langham from thence they drove out the English and as they resolved to attempt other Forts they were call'd back by a sudden Message For News were brought them that a French Fleet was seen not far from the Promontory of St. Ebb wherein were one and twenty Ships The Regent imagining what the matter was that they were come to besiege the Castle of St. Andrews as had been agreed between them march'd joyfully home there he discoursed Leon Strozy Admiral of the French Fleet and they both agreed to lay close Siege to the Castle which they did with so much Celerity that many of the Garison-Souldiers which were abroad could not come in and many Country-men which had no hand in the Conspiracy but occasionally came into the Castle about their private Affairs could not get out They planted their Brass Guns upon the Towers of two Churches which stood near on both sides the Castle which did so annoy the whole Court within the Castle-Walls that the Defenders could hardly stir in or out And afterwards they brought bigger pieces of Ordnance and play'd upon part of the Wall which stood between two Towers which was soon batter'd down because the later Buildings were not at all compacted with the former and so it fell down with a mighty Noise Hereupon they within who before trusted to their Fortifications and were ready to expose themselves to stop any Breach now began to be afraid and calling together a Council of War because they fear'd the Cruelty of the Regent in revenging the Death of his Kinsman such Sentiments making deep Impressions on infirm Minds they surrendred the Castle and themselves to Leon Strozy only upon Quarter for Life Leon hereupon sent in his Men to pillage the Castle wherein was found besides a great Quantity of Provisions of all sorts all the Cardinal's Mony and Houshold-stuff and all the Wealth of the Garison-Souldiers and of many others also who had laid up their Goods there as in a place of Refuge there also they found the Regent's Son who was before given in Hostage by his Father to the Cardinal and when he was slain was detain'd there The Castle was demolish'd by Advice and Order of the Council and a few days after Leon set Sail with his Prisoners for France These things fell out in August 1547. About the same time News was brought that the English had prepared great Forces both by Land and Sea to invade Scotland and to demand the Performance of the Treaty which was made four Years before with the Regent concerning the Marriage of the Queen of Scotland to the King of England's Son This sudden Report mightily affected the Regent who was faint-hearted enough of himself for he had then no foreign Aid neither did he much confide in his own forces For the Papal Faction were offended at his Levity and the Friends of exil'd Lennox having been cruelly intreated by him retained the Seeds of their old Hatred against him yet upon his Proclamation there came in great numbers to Edinburgh from thence they march'd to the Mouth of the River Esk which runs through Lothian and there waited for the coming of the English In the mean time the Scotish Horse rode up towards the Enemy in their March and challenged them to fight by this means creating some trouble to them in their Passage But the English General who knew that the Scots were better than his own Men at such tumultuary Skirmishes had given Command that none of his Troops should march out to encounter them At last upon the Importunity of Grey Commander of the Horse he was persuaded to send out some Troops of Horse well-armed and of Curiasiers which should suddenly rush in upon them unprepared for Resistance The Scots being grown fearless of the Enemy but now astonish'd at the sudden Onset brake their Ranks and fled for their Lives and about 800 of them were either slain or taken of the English also who prest too eagerly on the pursuit several were taken Prisoners amongst which were some eminent Horse-Commanders From that day forward there was no memorable Action performed by the Scotish Horse The English had their Camp at the Town of Preston a little more than a Mile from Them From thence they might behold the number of the Scotish Army from the high Ground and perceiving them to be more than they thought they advised what course to take and resolved to send Letters to the Scots that so if just and equal Conditions might be agreed on the matter might be compos'd rather by Treaty than by Force The Contents of the Letters were They earnestly desired the Scots to remember that both Armies profess'd the Christian Religion to whom unless they did renounce their Profession nothing ought to be more dear than Peace and Tranquillity and nothing more to be abhorr'd than unjust Arms and War that the cause of the present War was not Covetousness Hatred or Envy but a Desire of perpetual Peace which could no ways so firmly coalesce as by a Marriage which had been already promised by the publick Decree and Consent of all the Estates and ratified by a League and that on such Conditions as were more advantageous to the Scots than the English not to reduce them into an Estate of Servitude but to a joint Society of Life and Participation and Communion of all their Fortunes which Marriage would be so much the more beneficial to the Scots than English because the Weaker might expect Advantage from the Stronger as being possess'd with a greater Fear lest he might be wrong'd by him And at the present in casting up accounts of things you are first to consider the Case that it is very necessary your Queen should marry that necessity was inevitable and that it was a difficult thing to moderate it and that the sole Power of chusing her an Husband was left to the Estates If they would chuse a Family upon the account of Dignity and publick Advantage whom could they pitch upon better than a Neighbour King born in the same Island ally'd in Blood instituted in the same Laws educated in the same Manners and Language and superior not in Power alone but in all external Ornaments and Accessions of Dignity And besides this Marriage would bring with it a perpetual Concord and an Oblivion of all old Grudges But if they had Thoughts to bring in a Stranger amonst them to undertake the Kingdom that differ'd from them in Language Laws and Customs they should consider how many Inconveniences lodg'd in the Belly of that Design which they might easily foresee by the Examples of other Nations and 't were better so to do than to learn it
prosecuting them yea sometimes they were recompens'd with great Advantages but the Wrath of Princes was not to be quench'd but by Death only But Murray and Glencarn who understood that their discourse was not founded on the Good of the Publick but their own private Advantage for upon the Queen's death they were the next Heirs to the Crown did equally abhor the Princes death and Hamiltons Government too which they had lately experienc'd to be Avaritious and Cruel so that They were for milder Counsels and in regard 't was a civil Dissension wherein as yet there was no blood shed the Dispute having been hitherto managed by Votes not Arms they thought it fit if possible to end it by an honest Agreement Hereunto they thought many in the King's Army would hearken as being desirous of Peace and would not be wanting to plead for Those that in Defence of their Liberties were inforc'd to take up Arms. As for the King and Queen They being yet young might not perhaps be so Provident and for their Parts they had not yet so far transgrest as to indanger the Common-wealth as for smaller Injuries which affected their Names and Reputations only 't was fitter they were cured by other Remedies than Death For they remembred 't was an old Caution transmitted from their Ancestors for Imitation That in the Lives and Manners of Princes their hidden Vices ought to be concealed their doubtful Ones taken in the best sense and their open Ones so far born with as they did not endanger the Ruin of the Publick This Opinion pleased the most and the rest of the Hamiltons acquiesced therein and resolved to be quiet only Iames chief of their Family with 16 Horse remained with the Nobility who being lessened by the recess of the Hamiltons were not able to give Battel to the Enemy nor yet to break through each to his own Clan and therefore they yielded to the Times and came that Night to Hamilton and the next Day to Edinburgh to consult how to manage the War But in regard the Castle which commanded the Town continually plaid upon them and their Friends could not come in so soon from remote Parts as was requisite and moreover the King and Queen were reported to be near them with their Forces by the great Persuasions and Promises of Iohn Maxwel of Herreis they directed their Course towards Dumfreiz The King and Queen returned back to Glascow and left the Earl of Lennox their Lieutenant in the Country towards the South-West they themselves went afterward to Sterlin and thence into the middle of Fife They made the greatest part of the Nobility take an Oath That if any Commotion arose from England they would faithfully oppose it the rest were punish'd some by Fine some by Banishment The Goods of those who fled into England wherever they could find them were seized upon and they appointed Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to be held in all Counties to enquire into the Remains of the Rebellion On the 9 th of October they drew forth their Army out of Edinburgh and march'd towards Dumfriez Maxwel who till that time had pretended to be highly of the Party which was against the King thinking it now a fit opportunity to cater for himself went forth to meet them as if he would have interceded for Pardon for the whole Party He dealt with them to have part of his Father-in-Laws Estate which he had a great mind to have bestow'd upon him they look'd upon him as an active subtil Man fit for Counsel and Business and granted his Request whereupon he return'd to the Rebels and told them he could do them no good and therefore they must all shift for themselves England was near at hand if they would retire thither after he had settled his Affairs at home he would follow them and live and die with the Party In the interim he got a thousand Pounds from Murray upon the account of Mony which he alleged he had expended in listing some Horse For being commanded to raise some few Troops of Horse he caused all his Domesticks to appear as if they had been Souldiers formally listed The Rebels were terrified at the coming of the King and Queen and at Maxwels revolt from them So that the King and Queen hereupon did what they pleas'd They drove away most of the Leaders of the Faction and the rest were intent on the Event of their Danger so that about the end of October they return'd to Edinburgh and all things were quiet in Scotland till the beginning of the next Spring A Convention of all the Estates of the Kingdom was Indicted to be held in March that so the Goods of those who were banish'd might be Confiscate their Names struck out of the Roll of the Nobility and their Armorial Ensignes torn in Pieces neither of which the Kings of Scotland can lawfully do without an Act of Parliament In the interim David perceiving the Court to be empty of Nobility and thinking it an opportunity to shew and declare the Excessiveness of his Power did suggest severe Counsel to the Queen daily pressing her to cut off some of the chief of the Faction if a few of them said he were executed the rest would be quiet and in regard he thought the Queen's Guard being Scots-men would not easily consent to the cruel Murder of the Nobility he was very intent to have them thrown out of their Places and to introduce Foreigners into their Rooms a Project that is wont to be the beginning of all Tyranny first Mention was made of sending for some Germans over for that Service because that Nation were highly faithful to their Princes But when David had considered seriously with himself he thought it more conducive to his Interest to have Italians first because being his Country-Men he presumed they would be more at his Devotion next that being Men of no Religion they would be fitter to make Disturbances so that he thought they might easily be induc'd to venture upon any Design Right or Wrong for being wicked and indigent Persons born and bred up under Tyrants us'd to War and being far from their own home they car'd not what became of Britain and therefore seem'd most Proper to attempt Innovations Hereupon Souldiers of Fortune were privately sent for out of Flanders and other Countries of the Continent but they were to come in by Piece-meal as 't were One by One and at several times too that the Design might not be discover'd It would be more dangerous said he to offend any one of those Ruffians than the Queen her Self But as David's Power and Authority with the Queen did daily increase so the King grew Cheaper with her every Day for as She had been rashly precipitate in making the Marriage so She as soon repented and gave manifest Tokens of her alienated Mind For as presently after the Marriage was celebrated she had publickly Proclaim'd him King by an Herauld
and the Barbarians were introduc'd into the pleasant Country about the Po whose Avarice and Cruelty spoil'd all Besides who is there of the Inhabitants of Great Britain that hath not heard of the Cruelty of Richard the 3 d King of England against his Brother's Children And with how much Blood was that Parricide expiated If Men that were otherwise prudent did not fear to commit such things against their nearest in Blood excited only by the desire of the Crown What can be expected from him whose Inconstancy is well known to all and whose ill management of the Government hath already cost us so much Blood Whose Family not content with the Murder of this King 's Great Grandfather did always work Treachery against his Grandfather by the Mother's side as long as he liv'd and as for his Grandfather by his Father's side when he could not kill him he drove him poor out of the Kingdom his Father he brought forth as a Sacrifice to be slain his Mother and the Kingdom when they could not enjoy it themselves they sold it to Strangers and after by the Providence of God she was deliver'd from that Bondage they cast her into those Straits wherein she now is What Judgment the Subjects made of these things may appear by this That Men seem'd to themselves deliver'd from the Prison of a most miserable Bondage and to tast the sweetness of Liberty when they sold the Government which they themselves were not able to manage to a Woman-Stranger Upon the hearing of this Oration the Queen told Hamilton That his Demand was unjust and That she would not assist him therein but That she was desir'd by the King's Embassadors not to suffer him to depart in regard he plotted nothing but Sedition till they likewise went themselves which she look'd upon as a just thing and therefore had promis'd them so to do and thereupon she charg'd him not to depart before that time Moreover the banish'd Queen encourag'd her Friends with the hopes of her speedy Return for some Letters of hers were intercepted wherein she advis'd them to seize upon as many Castles and fortified Places as they could and so to disperse the War abroad as far as ever they were able Neither need they fear the noise of a Truce or Accomodation for if Matters were ended that way all the Offences of former times would be cover'd and forgiven under the umbrage of Peace But if it should brake forth into open War the more Garisons they had the greater opportunity would be put into their Hands to hurt the Enemy When the Regent had settled Matters as well as he could in England and had leave to return some Letters were produc'd lately intercepted from the Queen of Scots wherein she complains That she was otherwise treated by the Queen of England than she her self first expected or as was promis'd her and that was done by some Courtiers who were the Cause That she was not sent back with an Army as she affirm'd the Queen of England had promis'd Her but she did hope shortly to obtain a good issue another Way for Messengers often had passed betwixt Her and Howard about a Marriage between them and therefore she wish'd them not to be discouraged but to increase the strength of their Party to make a general Disturbance and by all the Arts they could to hinder the Regent's return into Scotland These Letters being divulg'd did affect People severally The Queen of England took it ill That she was accus'd of breach of Promise as also That the Conditions of the Truce made by her means were not kept and therefore being very angry and inrag'd she remitted much of her ancient Favour to the Scot's Queen and was more inclin'd to Equity than before The English who wish'd well to the Regent were afraid that his Enemies would way-lay him to do him a mischief in his Journy for in the Countries which he was to pass thrô there were either for the most part Papists or else Thieves inhabiting the Borders of both Kingdoms who were all excited to hope for a sudden Change and 't was plain they were dealt with to intercept him in his Return and therefore abundance of the English Courtiers offer'd him their assistance to secure his Passage but he was contented only with his own Retinue and about the 13 th of Ianuary began his Journy But the Queen of England judging it to be for her own Credit and Honour that he should return in Safety had of her own accord written to the Commanders and the Warden of the Marches That when he came to places suspected or noted for Robbery They should take care that he might not be circumvented And they were very careful therein for strong Guards of Horse and Foot were plac'd about the Way so that he came safe to Berwick and the day after which was the 2 d of February he was conducted home to Edinburgh to the great joy of his Friends who in great Numbers were there Assembled His Enemies did hardly believe his coming at first because false Reports had been causelesly spread that he was shut up Prisoner in the Tower of London But when it was certainly known that he was at Edinburgh Those who had beset the High-ways to intercept Passengers let go their Prisoners and slipt away Home So that immediately from a turbulent Tempest there grew a great Calm A few Days after the Nobles of the King's Party had a great Meeting at Sterlin there the Transactions with the Queen of England were opened and highly approv'd by the consent of all there Present About the same time Iames Hamilton chief of his Family came out of England who by a new and unheard of Pretence and Arrogance was adopted as a Father by the Queen of Scots and made Lieutenant of the Kingdom He declar'd his Commission and forbad the People to obey any but Those substituted by him Whereupon the Royalists disburst Sums of Mony to raise Forces and to prepare to fight if need were And accordingly at an appointed Day they met at Glasgow but seeing the Country came not in to Hamilton according to his Expectation by the Mediation of his Friends Terms of Agreement were propounded whereupon Hamilton was commanded to come to Glasgow to acknowledg the King as chief Magistrate If he did That the rest would be easily accorded if he refus'd it was in vain for him to come He by the advice of his Friends that were with him being forsaken by his Clanships and terrifi'd by the near approach of his Enemies Army resolv'd to comply with Necessity and to promise all that was desir'd but when the Forces of the Royalists were disbanded then he would consult his Advantage at leisure When they came to Glasgow a Day was appointed wherein they and their Friends should profess their Allegiance to the King and so recover their old Estates and Honours In the mean time they were to remain
managed Designs to alter things The Pope was not wanting by his Exhortations and Promises to stir up their Minds already inraged but the Kings were not sufficiently agreed amongst themselves and their Forces were so exhausted that they rather desired a War than were able to make it Besides there was an Emulation betwixt them one could not well bear that the other should have so great an Accession as England if it were conquered to his Dominions Moreover some Disputes arose betwixt Them and their Subjects which diverted their Thoughts from foreign Affairs though the Novelty of a Woman's Reign and she a young Woman too without an Husband gave Encouragement thereto especially since those who were ill affected to her said she was born to Henry the 8 th in an unlawful Marriage and also the former Differences about the Kingdom and about Religion were rather stifled than extinguished yea the Sparks of Discontent did glow in Mens Minds which in a short time were likely to break forth into a great Flame In the mean time the English Papists had made many Attempts but in vain for they were soon quell'd and though their Designs never succeeded yet Foreigners still feeding them only with blooming Hopes not with real Supplies they still persisted in the same resolute Design wanting rather a Commander for their Numbers than Power or Courage to come together The Common People of that Sect had taken a View of all the Nobility and they found none fit enough to whom they might commit their Lives and Fortunes many of the most stirring had been consumed in the Civil Wars many had past over to the other Party some were so old that they were unfit for publick Business or else the Vigor of their Minds as well as the Strength of their Bodies was so debilitated that they desired Peace if it were but a tolerable one There was only one Man who for Courage and Power seemed fit to undertake so great a Business and that was Thomas Howard who though he was of himself inclinable to Quietness yet there were some Causes which moved him to study Innovations For his Father and Grand-father though they had been highly eminent both in War and Peace yet in the Storms of an unstable Court they had been so toss'd that their highest Glory was ballanc'd with as great Disgrace His Father was condemn'd for Treason and publickly beheaded and Two Queens his Kinswomen had been also put to Death He in those Difficulties was liberally brought up and so preserved his Family from being quite extinguish'd and blown up In his very Youth he gave a Specimen of great Prudence and in a few Years by the Death of his Wives and by new Marriages he grew so rich that next to the Queen he was the most potent of the English for Wealth and Prudence the rest of the Nobility yielded to him but as for his Skill in Military Matters he had yet given no Proof of his Valor but in the Controversies of Religion he carried himself so swimmingly and ambiguously that tho he favoured Popery in his Heart yet he was such a Fosterer of the contrary Party that Many of them made sure of him in their Thoughts as their Own Amids these things the Queen of Scots was overcome in Battel and fled to England whence she wrote Letters to that Queen concerning the cause of her coming she was bid by her to retire to the House of the Lord Scroop Warden of the Marches till she did consider of her Demands in Council Scroop's Wife was Howard's Sister and by her Means the Treaty of Marriage was secretly begun betwixt the Queen and Howard and the Opportunity seemed to be offered by God himself seeing Howard's third Wife was lately dead and he was then a Widower The Design was concealed as being intrusted but to a few yet 't was whisper'd abroad among the Common People For narrow Spirits cannot conceal great Hopes but Ioy gives them Vent and so they fly abroad The Matter was so far advanc'd That the Fire of a Civil War seemed ready to break out yea some were so confident of Success after they had considered the Strength of the Parties that they thought Howard might easily do what he pleased without using any Force Things were in this Posture when the Scots Nobles had a great Meeting at Perth to hear the Demands of both Queen's both of them having wrote to them The Queen of England's Letters proposed one of these Three Conditions The first was absolute That the Queen might be restored to her Throne and Dignity as formerly But if that could not be granted Then that she might reign jointly with her Son that so she might injoy Princely Honour in Letters and publick Acts in the mean time the Regency should be in the Hands of the present Regent till the King came to the Age of seventeen If neither of those could be obtained then the third Condition was if the Queen could be persuaded to accept of it That she should live privately at home being content with those Honours which saving the Authority and Majesty of the King might be granted to her This last Request was easily assented to if the Queen would accept it But the other Two were peremptorily refused For the better and more incorrupt Part of the Nobility were resolute in this That they neither could nor ought to determine any thing which did diminish the King's Authority especially being lawfully inthron'd but the two former Heads did take off from the King's Honour yea it exposed his Life too being a Pupil unless it could be thought that his Mother who was known to be cruel towards her Husband and was not well affected toward her Son neither being exasperated by her Banishment besides should be no more kind to him than she had been ever before Also the Letters from the exil'd Queen were read wherein she desired That some Judges might be appointed to consider of her Marriage with Bothwel and if 't was found contrary to Law that she might be divorced from him Those Letters did highly incense the King's Party because she wrote her self as Queen and commanded them as Subjects Yea some would not have had them answered at all because they indeavoured to abridg the King of his Power and to instate the Rule in the sole Power of an exil'd Queen but that Part of the Council which was for the Queen alleged that they wondered much why those who had formerly the last Year much desired that she would separate her Cause from Bothwel's now when it was freely offer'd to them should hinder it as eagerly or rather more as they had before earnestly desired it if a Word or two in the Letters did displease them that Fault might easily be amended yea some there were who undertook provided the Matter of the Divorce might be handled in the mean time to procure a Commission from her in what Expressions they themselves would have it On the contrary
Hamilton was killed Huntly's Kinsman a Commander of Foot hid himself in a poor Woman's Pantry but was discovered and brought to Leith The Common People when they saw him made such a Shout that it plainly appeared they would not be satisfied but by his Death for in the former Civil Wars he had been a cruel and avaritious Plunderer He was infamous in his Military Imployment in France and when the Kings of Denmark and Sweden were at odds he promised to serve them Both and accordingly had Mony to raise Souldiers from either but couzen'd them Both. And he being thus taken at length as I said to the great Joy of all was led forth to his Execution After a few Days Rest the Townsmen recruited their Forces and then shewed themselves again in Arms after that there were light Skirmishes past betwixt the Parties almost every Day with various Events The King's Party were more valorous but the Rebels had Places more convenient for Ambushes and besides they had an high Castle from whence they might see all the Motions of their Enemies neither would they ordinarily venture an Onset any further than their Ordnance out of the Castle could command The Regent kept himself at Leith watching all their Sallies and stopping all Provisions by Sea for he could not do it by Land by reason of the Largeness of the City and Inconvenience of the adjacent Places in the surrounding whereof many Opportunities of Service were lost Whilst these things were acting about the City a French Ship was taken that brought Gun-Powder Iron Bullets small Brass-Guns and some Mony to the Rebels The Mony went to pay the Souldiers but the Bullets Powder and Part of the Guns being sent with little or no Guard to Sterlin against the Tide the Rebels having Intelligence thereof procured some Vessels from other Havens and surprized them but not being able to carry their Booty to the Castle they sunk it in the River About the same time another Ship was also taken in which there was little else but Letters and large Promises of Assistance speedily to be sent from France For during the Two whole last past Years wherein at times there was War in Scotland The Queen of England on behalf of the Royalists the King of France and the English Papists on behalf of the Rebels did send in some small Dribblets of Mony but loaded them with more Promises as rather studying that their side might not be conquer'd rather than conquer respectively Both of them were willing Matters should be brought to that Pinch of Necessity The Queen of England's Design was That the Scots being worn out by their Divisions might be willing to send their King into England and so seem to depend wholly on her The French did it That the Rebels might surrender Dunbarton and Edinburgh to him and by those Two commanding Garisons from both Seas he would keep the Scots always in fear of his Arms. But despairing of the Queen's Delivery and Dunbarton Castle being lost he mov'd but slowly in the Cause of the Rebels his Aim only was That the Kingdom being exhausted with domestick Sedition he might not undertake a new and unnecessary War for the sake of one Castle only it was enough he thought at present if it did not fall into the Enemies Hands The Scots were fully resolved not to give up their King to the English upon the account of old Controversies and also because the English Papists were so strong who plac'd all their Hopes in his Death For if he were taken out of the way the Queen of England would not only seem weaker seeing it was the Life of one King only that delayed their Hopes but also the Queen of Scots was the undoubted Heir of the whole Kingdom who by heâ— Marriage might gratify whom she pleased with the Realm and so bear a great Figure in the Change of the State of Religion through all Europe And in the English Court there were some no mean Men who preferred the Hope of Novelty before ancient Courtesies yet if as long as the King of Scots was alive they should cut off Elizabeth many of those of the Queen's Privy-Council feared lest the known Wickedness of the Scots Queen might diminish her Authority and increase her Son's Power and so for fear of Tyranny endear him more to the English Whereupon the English Rebels were willing to destroy the Queen of England and King of Scots Both and not succeeding in doing it openly they resolved upon Poison Matters standing thus in Scotland Both Factions prepared themselves against the approaching Sitting of the Parliament The Rebels had only Three of the Lords voting with them of which Two were the Proctors or Commissioners to the Convention to be held in the Queen's Name The Third Alexander Hume was the only Man who had Right to vote And of the Ecclesiastical Order Two Bishops the One banish'd thither a few Months before by the Regent and the State of the City being chang'd not daring to depart without a Convoy he staid there against his Will The Other was a Bankrupt who having spent his Estate was driven thither by necessity By their Votes above 200 were condemned some of them being Children under Age. Moreover the malapert Souldiers as if they had already got the Victory divided other Mens Patrimonies among themselves and so put many quiet and innocent Persons and by that means more liable to Injuries into the Roll of the Confiscate The Regent went to Sterlin where he had a great Convention of the Nobles Therein about Thirty of the obstinatest of the Queen's Party were condemn'd the rest were put off in hopes of Pardon The Rebels thought this a fit Opportunity for them to attempt something in the absence of the Nobility and thereupon they drew all their Forces out of the City and to make a greater Show the Townsmen with them they set them in Battel-array that so as in former times by light Skirmishes they might draw the King's Forces out of Leith In the mean time while the Enemy were kept in play by them they resolved to send the rest privately to march about and when the Garison was drawn out to enter in at the opposite Gate and so burn the Town Patrick Lindsy was Governour of Leith a wise and valiant Person he drew forth his Forces having sufficiently provided against their Treachery and marched directly towards the Enemy they fought stoutly at first at last he gave the Rebels a round Salvo and so beat them back yet not without Loss to the Gates of the Town a great many Prisoners were brought off but the most part of them were Townsmen Alexander Hume was taken once but reliev'd again by his own side In the Evening as the King's Party were retreating joyous for the Victory Iames Haliburton a good Man and a skilful Souldier who commanded all the Foot being too far from his Body was taken by a Troop of
Traffick by Sea ibid. He reduces the Train of his Nobles in Travelling ibid. His violent and untimely Death ibid. His Character ibid. Alexander Duke of Albany Brother of James III. taken by the English 407 But soon released ibid. Committed Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle 421 Whence he craftily made his Escape ibid. And coming to the King of England solicits him to take Arms 425 He is recalled by the Scots and hath the chief Government bestowed upon him 427 He restores his Brother James to the free Possession of the Kingdom ibid. He falls again into Disgrace and dies in France 430 Alexander the Son of Alexander of Albany ibid. Alexander Boyd abuses and wounds John Kennedy 410 His is tried for his Life 414 Beheaded ibid. Alexander Bruce surrenders himself to Baliol 287 Slain in a Fight with the English 290 Alexander Earl of Buchan base-born Son to Robert II. 307 Alexander Cambel a Dominican the Notoriety of his End 53 Alexander Cuningham slain with King James III. in his Army 433 Alexander Cuningham brings Aid to the Reformers 129 Being taken Prisoner he takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 Alexander Elphinston slain in Fight 26 Alexander Forbes marries Graecina Boyd 6 Alexander Forbes taken by Adam Gordon 284 Alexander Earl of Crawford deserts Douglas and submits to the King 388 Alexander Earl of Glencarn banished 175 A General in the King's Army 220 Alexander Gordon beats the Earl of Crawford 387 Alexander Hume marches into England 19 He brings his Squadron off safe from Flodden Field 25 His great Authority 28 Accused by Hepburn 33 Sides with the Queen 34 Goes for England is reconciled to the Regent and returns ibid. He raises an Insurrection 35 His Goods confiscate he is taken and beheaded 36 Alexander Hume as a Proxy takes the Coronation-Oath for James VI. yet a Child 214 He is General of the King's Army 220 Wounded 221 Revolts to the Queen's Party 243 His Castle taken and rifled by the English 256 He is chief in the Council of the Rebels 280 Taken Prisoner but by the coming in of his Friends released 281 Alexander Haliburton wounded and dies 141 Alexander Levingston made Supream Governour or Regent 357 He puts the Queen in Prison 364 Disagrees with Creighton the Chancellour 360 364 The King taken out of his Hands 365 Reconciled to the Chancellour 366 368 Lays down his Office 372 Is brought to his Trial and remanded to Prison 375 Alexander the Son of William Levingston taken Prisoner 265 Alexander the Islander gathers together a Band of Free-booters 341 But is forced to submit to the King 342 Alexander Lindsy overcomes Alexander Ogilby 273 274 Alexander Macrory Captain of Thieves executed 341 Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander 348 349 Alexander Ramsay a brave Souldier 299 His House the School of War ibid. He takes Roxburgh 300 Wounded and starved to Death by Douglas 301 Ramsay's chearful Forwardness in surprizing Dumbarton Castle 265 Alexander Seton sent to Berwick 287 Having no hopes of Relief he surrenders up the Town to the English 290 Alexander Stuart Arch-bishop of St. Andrews slain at Flodden-Fight 29 Stuart's Encounter with the King of Norway 242 Allectus a Roman slain 124 Alfrid King of Northumberland 161 Alnwick Castle taken 398 Alsa or Ailze Isle 24 Alpa for Alba 11 Alps whence so called ibid. Alpin King of Scots 166 Slain by the Picts ibid. Altissidorus i. e. Auxerre in France 68 Alured King of England makes Peace with the Scots 177 Amberkeleth King of Scots 162 Slain ibid. Ammianus Marcellinus quoted 88 89 Amiens the Bishop thereof in Scotland his Cruelty 148 St. Andrews 18 Its Vniversity when erected 333 Andreae Fanum and Fanum Reguli i. e. St. Andrews why so called 16 Andrews a great Astrologer 420 Andrew the Apostle Tutelary of Scotland 218 Andrew Briton or Breton his Story 18 Slain by Thomas Howard the English Admiral 19 Andrew Berclay beheaded for Treason 273 Andrew Car escapes out of Prison 36 He disagrees with Douglas 38 Andrew Car revenges his Father's Death 18 Andrew Car beaten by the Duke of Norfolk 120 Andrew Forman sent into England and France by James IV. 16 He hath a great many Church-Preferments 29 Sent again into England 26 He is accused by Hepburn 33 Mediates for Peace 35 Bruce's Sister's Son Regent 296 Taken by the English 288 Ransomed 294 His Faithfulness and Death 297 Andrew Earl of Rothes banished 175 Andrew Wood faithful to King James III. 1 Admiral of the Scots Navy 1 Reconciled to James IV. 2 Overcomes the English in one Sea-Fight ibid. And also in a second 4 Andrew Stuart Chancellour 413 His Freedom of Speech against a Popish King 173 He is wounded in Fight 222 Angus 18 Angus or Aeneas raised an Insurrection in Galway 230 Angusianus King of Scotland 126 Slain by the Picts ibid. Annandale so called from the River Annand 13 14 Anna Momorancy suspects the Power of the Guises in France not without Cause 121 Anselm the Norman Arch-bishop of Canterbury 219 Anti-Assemblies in Scotland two 276 280 Anthony Darcy slain by David Hume 38 Apparition to King Kenneth III. upon his Murder of Malcolm 195 Apparition to King James IV. dissuading him from a War with England 20 21 Apoceanitae Who 10 Apology of the Scots Nobles to the Queen of England 267 c. 272 c. Apostacy punished by God 159 Arran or Arren Island 24 Arborary or Tree Isle 25 Archibald Douglas created Regent 288 He is slain by the English 290 Archibald Earl of Douglas sirnamed the Austere his Feuds with Geo. Dunbar 325 He dies 326 Archibald his Son succeeds him who is taken Prisoner by the English 329 Released ibid. Made Duke of Turein by the Dolphin of France 336 Slain by the English there ibid. Archibald Douglas his great Power 359 His affronting Answer to the Chancellor 362 His Death 363 Archibald Douglas his Oration to the Nobles against the King's Evil Counsellors 423 With the Effects thereof 424 Archibald Douglas his Speech to King James IV. dissuading him to fight the English 22 At which the King is offended and Douglas retires in Discontent 23 He marries the Widow of James IV. 29 Accused by Hepburn 33 Takes Edinburgh but resigns up the Government thereof 38 Flies into England 34 Returns from France and England into Scotland 46 Opposed by his Wife 46 Chosen one of the Governours of King and Kingdom 47 Overthrows Lennox 50 Forbid to meddle with the Government 53 Outlawed and banished 56 Returns after fifteen Years Exile 75 Coming to compose Controversies he is detained by Hamilton 82 His memorable Speech and Fact 87 He persuades the Regent to break with the Cardinal and to side with the Nobles 88 He beats the English 89 Archbishop of St. Andrews with the Bishop of Aberdene imprisoned 46 Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as Accessory to the King and Regent's Murders 266 Ardan Rider or the High Isle of the Horseman 28 Ardiescar Isle 25 Aremorici or Armorici Who 7 8
Allegiance of his Subjects ibid. First settles Itinerary Iudges in Scotland ibid. Evenus II. 105 Overthrows the Orkney Men 106 Evenus III. noted for Obscenity 107 He makes a Law for Polygamy ibid. Is slain ibid. Eugenius I. or Evenus King of Scots 127 Slain by the Romans 128 Evenus an Islander put to Death 174 Eugenius II. 138 His Character 144 In his time the Romans leave Britain ibid. Eugenius III. Brother of Congal King of Scots 154 Assists against the Saxons ibid. Eugenius IV. Brother of Aidanus 158 Brought up under Columb ibid. He harbours the fugitive Saxons ibid. Eugenius V. 161 Eugenius VI. ibid. Learned in Theology ibid. In his Time it rained Blood ibid. Eugenius VII causes the memorable Facts of Kings to be recorded 162 He is suspected for the Murder of his Queen but causlesly ibid. Eugenius VIII slain in an Assembly of the Nobles 163 Evonia Castle 20 Eusdale County so called from the River Ewes 13 140 Examples of Princes more influential on Subjects than their Laws 155 Exchequer Officers defend sometimes most unjust Laws 113 Exchequer Profits sometimes Disprofits 35 Excommunication unjustly pronounced affects not the Excommunicated 272 Exile more tolerable than Servitude 132 F FAbilla or Fable Isle 30 Fair or Fara Isle 36 Faith or Fidelity towards wicked Persons unsteadfast 105 107 Sacred among Souldiers 319 330 Not to be kept with Hereticks as Papists say 130 Falamgal Isle see Finlagan Falcons in the Isle of Muick 28 Famine breaks stout Spirits 140 Famine and Pestilence in Scotland 388 Fara Isle 29 Farrow-head 21 Faunus's Oracle 43 Fenella commands Kenneth to be slain 169 Feraia Isle 29 Ferchard I. King of Scots 158 Endeavours to introduce Tyranny ibid. Maliciously nourisheth Factions amongst his Nobles and is guilty of the Pelagian Heresy 159 He kils himself ibid. Ferchard II. wickedly kils his Wife and abuseth his Daughters 160 He is excommunicated reproved by Coleman and repouts at his Death ibid. Feredeth King of the Picts 166 Ferelay Island 30 Fergus I. King of Scots sent for out of Ireland 95 The Kingdom settled on him by Common Consent 96 Drowned at Carickfergus in Ireland 97 Came first into Albium when Alexander the Great took Babylon ibid. Fergus II. whilst a Child flies by Sea with his Parents into Scandia is recalled from thence and made King 133 134 He is slain in Fight 137 His Praise with a Comparison between him and Fergus I. ibid. He is deservedly called The second Founder of the Scotish Kingdom ibid. Fergus III. poisoned by his Wife for his Adulteries 163 She owns the Fact and kils her self 164 Fergus of Galway's Children disagree after his Death 246 Feritharis King of Scots 97 An old Law concerning Succession to the Crown made in his Time ibid. Ferlegus Son of Fergus conspires against his Vncle for which he is condemned 97 98 Fethelmach King of Scots 127 Fidler or Harper One kils King Ethodius I. 116 Another assists to destroy Fethelmach 127 Fifteen Iudges appointed in Scotland but soon disused 59 Fife County 18 So called from Fifus 170 Fights memorable between Scots and English 355 At Bannock 267 At Otterborn 317 318 319 Fish shapeless 29 A strange sort ibid. Fincormachus King of Scots 125 Findochus King of Scots 121 Overcomes Donald ibid. Is slain by means of his Brother Caransius 122 Finelaw or Finlaw Bishop Author of ill Counsels 339 Finlagan Isle 26 Finnanus King of Scots 102 Fiole Isle 25 Flada Isle 24 28 29 30 Flanders Artificers sent for from thence into Scotland 347 Flata Island 36 Flattery the Pest of great Families 363 380 Flavanae Isles 30 Fordun 19 Forestia ibid. Forth or Scotish Sea 13 Fortune an Example of its Inconstancy 375 Fotlar Isle 37 Francs Who 46 Francis I. King of France by the help of the King of England restored to liberty out of the Hands of the Spaniards 62 He sends the Earl of Lennox into Scotland 78 Is alienated from Lennox 83 Sends Montgomery into Scotland 91 Francis II. of France sends La'bross into Scotland 136 He is influenced by and is under the Power of the Guises 150 His Death ibid. Francis Duke of Guise Curator of the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Appointed General of the Popish Faction 153 174 Franciscans or begging Friars their Wealth 128 France its miserable State 151 It s King Francis promises to aid the Scots of the Queen's Faction 254 And the Scots Rebels 279 280 Vpon what Grounds he did it ibid. Frazer's Family almost extinct 89 Frederethuâ— slain 166 Friend betrays Friend 332 Their Injuries the most grievous 314 Our Father's Friends not to be neglected 101 Friendship with Princes far off sometimes safer than with Those nearer home 44 French Gauls Franâ—s their Original 46 They receive Characters of Letters from the Massilian Greeks 38 Their Communion with the Brittons 61 When French and Scots Alliance first began 165 They send Aid to the Scots 90 106 Their Souldiers very licentious 313 Their Army leaves Scotland 314 Their unjust Demand 312 What Good the Scots got by their Alliance 322 Their King distracted 334 They ask Aid of the Scots ibid. They renew their League with the Scots 240 251 273 French and Scots Souldiers mutiny 109 Their Auxiliaries in Scotland cannot forbear their wonted Plundering 314 They hinder an Alliance with England by Bribes as much as they can 43 44 Assault Werk Castle 45 Their Souldiers kill the Governour of Edinburgh with some of the Citizens 209 They design to surprize Hadington ibid. They are disgusted by the Scots 110 French and English in Scotland agree 111 French transported into their own Country 112 French King sends Auxiliaries to strengthen the Queen Regent 135 143 French Embassadors Demands from the Reformed 136 152 French their contumelious Pride against some of the Scots 143 144 Their Design to establish Tyranny ibid. French Embassador busy between the Queen and the Royalists 218 219 Vpon the Queen's Overthrow he sculks away 221 French to leave Scotland by Consent 149 French Ship sent with Provision and Ammunition into Scotland taken by the Royalists 279 French Tongue heretofore not much different from the British 58 Friars Mendicants Mercenaries to Parish-Priests and Curats 345 346 Their Opinions and why Manducants rather than Mendicants 129 Fuda Isle 29 G GA Letter commonly used by the French for V 60 61 Gaga Isle 25 Gald Gael Galle 62 Galdus the Sir-name of Corbred what it signifies 109 Galeatius Sforza slain by his Vncle 231 Gallovid in Old Scotish signifies a Gaul 14 Galo Cardinal the Pope's Legat in England 237 He excommunicates the Scots 238 A wicked and avaritious Man ibid. Galvinus Son of Lothus 151 Galway why so called 14 61 139 Garalinga Isle 29 Garaard King of the Picts 162 Garvae Isles three 25 Garvillan Isles 30 Gavin Isle 25 Gauls sent Colonies into Spain 48 Into Italy 49 Into Germany ibid. Into Britain 50 Into Ireland 51 Gathelus a Prince feigned by some to be the Founder of the Scots Nation 46 Gawin Dunbar
II. 306 His Duel with Henry Percy 316 Is slain fighting valiantly 318 His three last dying Requests ibid. James Douglas made Earl when William Douglas his Father was slain 386 He accuses the King and Nobles of Perfidiousness ibid. Proclaimed a publick Enemy 387 Marries Beatrix his Brother's Widow 388 Persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King which he refuses ibid. Being forsaken by his Friends he applies to England for Aid 389 And to Donald the Islander 390 Forsaken by his Wife ibid. James Douglas Earl of Morton and Alexander Hume take the Coronation-Oath for King James VI. in his Minority 214 He provides for the Common-wealth at his private Charge 215 Commands the King's Army against the Queen 220 Goes into England with the Regent 224 Sent Embassador into England 261 His Cheerfulness to encounter the Enemy 278 Taken Prisoner and then takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 James Haliburton taken Prisoner 281 James Hamilton Earl of Arran Admiral of a Navy under James IV. 16 He plunders Knockfergus in Ireland ibid. At last sails for France 17 Is chosen Regent 75 Opposes Archibald Douglas after his Return from France 39 Highly disgusted by King James V. 65 Compelled to change his Opinion concerning the Controverted Points of Religion 79 80 His shameful Flight Vanity and Inconstancy 84 86 Remiss in the Case of George Wiseheart 111 Corrupted by Avarice 112 Put from his Regency and made Duke of Chastle-herault 113 114 James Hamilton returns from France 229 Endeavours to engage Queen Elizabeth of England to make him Regent ibid. But without Success 232 He submits to the Regent 234 James Hamilton Son of the Archbishop of St. Andrews's Sister treacherously shoots Murray and kils him 245 246 James Hamilton a Bastard Brother to the Earl of Arran chosen Iudg against the Lutherans 68 He is tried condemned and executed 69 James Hepburn Earl of Bothwel committed to Prison 163 164 But escapes 167 Banished 66 A Rival to the Earl of Lennox 80 Called out of France by the Queen 171 172 Endeavours to supplant Murray 163 Divorced from his former Wife 198 Procures a Schedule from the Nobility about his Marriage with the Queen 196 Surprizes and marries the Queen 199 Outlawed 173 Accused of the King's Murder 194 His Mock-Trial 173 193 195 Wounded by an High-way Pad 184 Designs to destroy Murray 192 His Challenge answered 209 He flies 210 And dies distracted in Denmark 215 James Kennedy Archbishop an Adversary to the Douglasses 373 Retires from a corrupt Court 376 Disallows the Faction of the Queen-Mother 399 His Oration that Women ought not to govern 401 c. His Praise Death and Character 409 410 James Kennedy builds a vast Ship 420 James Levingston put to Death by the Douglassian Faction 375 376 Lindsy's Obstinacy in following his Enemies 319 James Macgil sent with others Embassador into England 224 261 James Macintosh unjustly put to Death 160 James the Son of Murdo burns Dumbarton 339 James Earl of Murray appointed Vicegerent 60 Settles the Borders 57 Sent into France 63 James Earl of Murray refuses to associate with the Queen and Bothwel 204 But chuses rather to leave the Land 205 He returns from Travel and is made Regent 213 His resolute Speech 217 He meets the Queen of England's Embassadors at York 224 Waylayed by his Enemies in his Iourny ibid. Goes to London 226 Where he manages the Accusation against the Queen 227 Whence honourably dismiss'd and his Transactions there approved in Scotland 233 He is deserted by his Friends 243 Too câ—â—eless of himself 245 Killed by one of the Hamiltons 246 His laudable Character 246 247 James Murray offers to encounter Bothwel hand to hand 209 James Sandiland Embassador from Scotland to France 150 James Sandiland sent against the Thieves 59 Carries Propositions from the Reformers to the Queen Regent 125 James Stuart marries Joan the Widow of James I. 364 Is banished 375 James Stuart the Queen's Brother puts the English to a Retreat 108 Hath threatning Letters sent him by the Queen 130 An Actor in reforming Religion 131 Made Earl of Marr and Murray 161 Iceni and Icium 10 Icolumbkil 26 Idleness the Source of Mischief 345 Idlers Isle or of the Otiosi 25 Ierna i. e. Ireland 69 Jews imitated by the Romanists 381 Issurt or Issert Isle 30 Igerne vitiated by Uter yet he afterwards marries her 149 Ignis Fatuus what 264 Ila Isle see Yla Ilan na Covihaslop 26 Images demolished at Perth 128 Immersi Isle 26 Impostors notorious ones 393 6 7 c. 58 Indigenae who 42 50 Indulfus King of Scots 181 Casually slain by the Danes 182 Indulgence over-much to Children punished 337 Informers though sometimes allowed yet dangerous Instruments in a State 148 Inhumanity to Prisoners 297 Innerlochy 20 Innerness 20 Interregnum in Scotland after Alexander the IIId's Death 245 Inundation of the River Tay at Perth 236 And great Ones in Lothian 305 John Annins writes the Original of the Brittons in Verse 42 Johannes Scotus sent for by Charles the Great 165 Johns or Jeans Isle 26 John Baliol his Genealogy 246 247 248 More solicitous for a Kingdom than a Good Name 250 Made King and surrenders himself and Kingdom to the King of England ibid. He confesses his Fault for so doing 251 Disgusts Edward of England 252 Overthrown by Edward made Prisoner and released 251 252 253 John King of England meditates a War against Scotland 235 Makes divers Leagues with the Scots 236 Enters Scotland 237 The Pope's Beneficiary ibid. Poisoned by a Monk 238 John Son of Alexander Brother to James III. Duke of Albany declared Regent when in France 31 He arrives in Scotland 32 Gets the Queen Mother into his Power 34 Goes into France appointing Governours in his Absence 37 Returns to Scotland 39 Raises an Army against England but makes a Truce 40 41 Goes again into France whence he returns with a great Navy 41 42 Marches into England and assaults Werk-Castle 45 Goes the third time into France and his Power is vacated in his Absence 46 John Erskin sent Embassador into France 63 Of the Queen's Faction 105 Made Governour of Edinburgh Castle 115 Sent Embassador into France 121 John Brother to King James III. put to death 421 John Erskin favours the Reformation 126 Afraid of the Queen Regent 128 Beats the Rebels out of Sterlin 282 Chosen Regent 283 Straitens Edinburgh 286 John Armstrong Captain of Thieves executed 57 John Earl of Athol marries Beatrix Douglas 301 He his Wife taken Prisoners by Donald 408 John Earl of Buchan aids the French King's Son 334 Made Lord High Constable of France 335 Slain there by the English 336 John Cumins marches into England and wasts Northumberland 253 His Treachery against Robert Bruce 2â—0 Which cost him his Life ibid. John Earl of Carick base Son to Robert II. 307 John Cockburn of Ormiston wounded and taken by Bothwel 140 John Cuningham imployed in surprizing Dumbarton-Castle 263 John Earl Douglas's Brother made Baron of
the Scotish Nobility 426 Made between French and English 111 Between the Reformers and the Court 149 Peachti 53 Pentland Firth 35 53 Pentland Hills 13 53 People of the Commonalty their Heat soon over 207 Percy Henry taken Prisoner and ransomed 320 Percy the Elder conspires against the King of England 329 Overthrown and flies to Scotland 332 Betrayed by his Friend ibid. His Posterity restored to their Dignity 334 Perth 18 A great part of it destroyed by Water 236 Its Walls demolished 287 Taken by Edward of England 295 Retaken by the Scots 298 Pestilence in Scotland 227 303 305 381 Peter Cerealis in Britain 86 109 Peter Maufet a Robber executed 32 Peter Hiale the King of Spain's Embassador in England 11 His Errand to solicite a Match between Katharine of Spain and Henry's Son ibid. He mediates a Peace between Scots and English 12 Petronius Turpilianus in Britain 85 Peter Warbeck a notable Impostor 6 Set up by the Dutchess of Burgundy to vex Henry 7 Sails out of England into Scotland ibid. Marries Katherine the Earl of Huntly's Daughter 9 Engages James IV. against Henry 9 Dismiss'd out of Scotland 12 Taken and hanged in England 13 Pheodor-oy 37 Phylarchae who 101 Physicians why so much esteemed in Scotland 101 102 Picts whether derived from the Saxons 33 Whence so called 53 Foretold by the Oracle that the Scots should extirpate them 95 132 Repent joining with the Romans against the Scots 131 132 Their Origin from Germany 55 95 Overcome the Scots 167 Overcome by the Scots 168 169 Their Kingdom abolished in Scotland 169 Solicite Aid from Osbreth and Ella 172 Beaten quite out of Britain 173 Pliny a Place in him corrected 12 Pluscartin Book i. e. a Book or Chronicle of Scotland written by the Religious of Pluscarty an Abby in Murrayland 344 Pollack Fish where found 17 Polygamy a Law made for it by Evenus 107 Pomona the greatest Isle of the Orcades 35 Pope of Rome his Emissaries in Britain 157 The Right of the Kingdom of England conferred upon him by King John 237 His Embassadors excommunicate the Scots 272 David II. King of Scots anointed by his Permission 282 His Legat denied entrance into Scotland 243 Porcaria Isle 26 Port or Na Port Isle 25 Portugal why so called 47 Possessions confounded by often Wars 271 Praenestin Lots what 43 Priests or Clergy Isle 31 Priests corrupted by Luxury reformed by Constantine 174 Richer than the Nobility 243 Gain by the Losses of the Nobility 25 29 Not subject to Kings 245 Impostors 58 Priests so ignorant as to think the New Testament was written by Martin Luther 9 Priests One the Author of a Sedition 309 Another treacherous 374 Betrays Queen Joan 375 Another forges a Will 73 Preys retaken and restored to their Owners 106 Prince of Scotland the King 's Eldest Son so called 194 Princes not Slaves to their Words 130 Priviledg of the Scots not to be summoned to appear out of their own Country 241 Prodigies on divers occasions 184 204 191 Process ridiculous against the King's Murderers 193 Proclamation about the same ibid. Proclamation or Schedule of James II. drawn in contempt about the Streets 386 Prosperity dangerous 179 Prudania 2 Prytania ibid. Prophecies of Witches how fulfilled 357 Ptolemy hath Deucaledon for Duncaledon 56 Punishments too exquisite enrage Spectators 358 Punishment of old to Prisoners not returning on their Parole 319 Pygmee Isle 30 Q QUadrantary Faith what 126 Quindecemvirate in Scotland 59 Queens their Marriage to be ordered by the Estates of the Realm and why 269 Anciently Kings Wives not allowed to be so called 402 403 Queen Mother of James III. sues for the Regency with her Reasons 400 The Scots not willing to be governed by her ibid. Queen Dowager sails into France 112 Where she labours to out the Regent of his Government 113 Hath the Regency conferred upon her 115 The First Female Regent in Scotland ibid. Levies new Taxes 117 But because of an Insurrection desists from collecting them 118 Refuses the Propositions sent her by the Reformed 127 Prepares Forces against them 129 Makes a Temporary Agreement with them 130 Which she endeavours to elude ibid. Makes another Truce with them 134 Repartees betwixt Her and the Reformed 136 137 138 Her Death and Character 146 147 Queen of Scots not â—o use the English Arms during Queen Elizabeth's Life 159 Queen of Scots one of their Deaths 430 Queen's Party divide from the King 's 255 They send Embassadors to France and England for Aid 254 Queen Elizabeth rejects them 254 Question debated Whether a Chief Magigistrate may be compelled by force to do his Duty 159 c. R RAarsa Isle 28 Rachlinda Isle 25 Ralph Evers his vain Boast 87 Ralph Rokesby betrays Percy his Friend 332 Ralph Sadler Embassador from England about the Marriage of Mary with King Henry's Son 75 He hears the Scots Differences and endeavours to compose them 224 Ramsay Isle 25 Ranalds-oy 35 Ranalsa a Southern Isle 36 Randolf Thomas invades England 270 Made Regent 282 Executes a Murderer though he had the Pope's Pardon 282 His Law against Thievery ibid. He punishes the Cheat of a Country-man 283 Poisoned by a Monk ibid. Ratra River hath no Salmons in it 19 20 Rebels after Murray the Regent was dead had several Meetings 247 They send Embassadors to the Queen of England to desire a Truce but in vain 253 254 They solicite the French and Spaniards for Aid 260 Assault Leith 281 Surprize Sterlin but beaten out again 281 282 Attempt Jedburgh but repulsed and routed 285 286 Recognition what 15 Red or Ridhead Promontory 19 Redshanks who 106 Reformation the best Method thereof for Princes to begin at home 188 Reformed Religion the Nobles swear to maintain it in behalf of James VI. whilst a Child 214 Reformed Congregation in Scotland the first so called 124 Reformers abrogate the Queen Regent's Power 139 They meet with Difficulties in their Work 140 Are assisted by the English 141 142 Their last Letter to the Regent 144 Regent slain at Sterlin 282 Religion Language Names of Places c. shew the Sameness of a People 56 Religion the Nobles arm for it in Scotland 129 The Vindicators of it make a Truce with the Regent 134 Abrogate her Power 139 Desire Aid from England 140 Which they receive 142 Reign the Desire of it occasions much Mischief in the World 231 232 Renfrew 14 See Baronia Repartees between Scotish and English Armies 277 Rerigonian Bay 14 Reringa Isle 27 Reutha King of Scots 101 Revenge the importune Desire of it dangerous 124 131 132 Reuther King of Scots 99 Called Reuda by Bede 100 Rhingrave sent with Aid by the French King into Scotland 106 Rian Lake or Loch 14 Richard of England very angry with the Scots for bringing in foreign Aid 311 He invades Scotland with a great Army ibid. His Expedition to the Holy War 234 Richard II. of England enforced to resign the Kingdom to Henry IV. 325 One in Scotland pretends himself
to be Richard 332 Richard Duke of Gloucester marches with an Army against Scotland 426 Takes Berwick 427 Made Protector of England 428 Casts his Brother's two Sons into Prison and sets up himself King 428 Slain by Henry VII 429 Is very Tyrannical in his Government 434 Richard Duke of York brings King Edward Prisoner to London 396 Slain by the Queen ibid. Richard Colvil put to Death by Douglas 380 Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a very prudent Man mediates for Peace between the two Nations 12 13 An Instrument of James his Marriage with Margarite of England 14 Richard Grafton an English Writer blamed 252 Rins of Galway 14 Rinard Isle 26 Ridhead see Red Promontory Roadilla Monastery 31 Robbers punished 183 189 48 57 Robert Bruce his Genealogy 246 His magnanimous Answer to the King of England 250 Begins his Reign 261 Is overthrown and flies in disguise to save his Life ibid. His Wife imprisoned and his two Brothers put to Death by the English 261 262 He baffles Cumins ibid. Carried sick into his Army 264 Causes Edward of England to retreat ibid. Invades England takes Perth Edinburgh c. 265 Overthrows the English at Bannock near Sterlin 267 Robert the Son of Robert Bruce conspires with John Cumins against England 259 260 Is crowned King 261 Overcomes Edward II. in Battel 267 The Nobles conspire against him 271 Robert II. King of Scots 306 Marries Elizabeth More 307 The Dispute betwixt his Legitimate and his Natural Children occasions great Troubles 350 He invades England 311 His Death and Character 322 Robert III. before called John succeeds his Father 323 His Generals cause the Islanders to destroy one another 324 He makes the first Dukes in Scotland 325 He imprecates God's Iudgments on his Brother and the other Murderers of his Son David 330 He dies with Abstinence and Grief for the Captivity of his Son James in England 331 His Brother Robert made Regent after his Death 331 Robert Boyd kils James Stuart 374 Made Guardian to the King 409 Created Regent 412 Flies into England and dies there 414 Robert Boyd deserts the Reformed and revolts to the Queen 218 Robert Britain hath great Command at Court 56 Robert Cockerane of a Tradesman made a Courtier 420 Taken by Douglas and committed to Prison 424 425 Robert Cuningham of the Family of the Lennoxes opposes Bothwel 195 Robert Douglas desires that the Death of 〈◊〉 Brother Murray might be revenged 249 Robert Earl of Fife 315 Starves to Death David the King's Son 328 Robert Graham a great Enemy to King James 355 Conspires against him 357 Seizes him with his own Hands for which he is executed 358 Robert Maxwel 71 Coming to reconcile Differences is imprisoned by Hamilton 82 Robert the Son of Robert Maxwel taken Prisoner by the English 91 Robert Earl of the Orcades made one of the King's Guardians 407 Robert Petcarn sent Embassador into England 242 Queen Elizabeth's Answer to his Embassy 257 Robert Read sent Embassador into France 63 Poisoned there 122 Robert Semple kils Creighton 111 Bruce's Grand-son by his Daughter rises in Arms for Bruce 293 Made Regent 294 Taken by Baliol and swears Fealty to the King of England 286 Sought for to be slain 292 Roch Isle 26 Roffa for Raufchestria i. e. Rochester 8 Romachus King of Scots 125 Roman Generals in Britain 84 c. Roman Fraud 239 Roman Legates Pick-pockets 243 418 The Jews Apes 381 Romans their memorable Fact in Britain before their Departure 138 Rona Isle 32 Ronanus his Spade ibid. Rolland a Carpenter discovers a Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 Rolland's Valour he overcomes Gilcolumb 246 247 Rose white Badg of the York Faction 7 Ross and its Etymology 21 139 170 Rothsay Castle 25 Rotti Isle 37 Rous-oy 36 Round Isle 26 Roxburgh Town taken 393 Its Castle taken 394 Royalists overthrown in the North 283 Ruby a French Lawyer in Scotland his Character 147 Rudana Isle 27 Rum Isle 28 It abounds with Eggs of Sea-Fowl ibid. Ruven had the Mayoralty of Perth taken from him by the Cardinal 92 S SAcred or Cleirach Isle 31 Sacred Sanctuary 25 Saga Isles the Great and the Small 30 Saliar Verses not easy to be understood 44 Salii who 44 Salisbury Earl commands the English in Scotland 297 Taken Prisoner 300 Salmon Fishing Aberdene famous for it 19 Sanachies who 39 Sancterr Isle 37 Sanda Isle 25 Scandians who 200 Satrael King of Scots 117 Slain ibid. Saturnals old Feasts retained 239 Saxe or Rock Isle 26 Saxons kill the English Nobles by Treachery 70 Overcome by the Normans 71 Worsted by Picts Scots and Brittons 149 Cruel in Wars 146 Not faithful in Peace 148 Their Fight with three Kings 148 149 Scalpe Isle 28 30 Scarba Isle 25 Schan Castle 31 Schanny Isle 25 27 Schetland Isles 36 The Nature of their Inhabitants 37 The greatest of them called Pomona ibid. Sclata or Sleach Isle 25 Scoff sharp given to Bothwel by a Tradesman 194 Schools publick erected by James 345 Scorpions i. e. Cross-bows 311 Scotland how divided 13 Where narrowest 20 Had anciently learned Monks 169 Scots their fabulous Original 46 47 Scots and Picts unite against the Romans 134 Scots and Brittons overthrown by the Saxons 157 Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England 160 Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons 146 Scots Monks preach the Gospel in Germany 165 Scots have hard Terms of Peace imposed upon them by the English 173 Scots Bishops freed from the Iurisdiction of the English 234 411 Scots have an ancient Priviledg not to be cited to Rome 241 Scots excommunicated by their Ecclesiasticks 243 Excommunicated again but absolved 272 273 Scots join with the French against England 253 Scots receive a great Overthrow from Edward of England at Falkirk 256 Obtain a Truce from him ibid. Rise in Arms again and overthrow the English at Rosline 258 Scots make a League with the French 273 When their first Alliance with France began 165 Scots of Jerna and Scots of Albion 52 Scots overthrown by Maximus the Roman General and banished out of their Country 124 March into England but retreat again 91 Scots Nobles some rise against James IV. but are quelled 3 Scots Nobles anciently had Skill in Chirurgery 28 Scots complain of the French Breach of Faith by their Embassadors 60 Scots Prisoners released at London 74 Scotish Parliament demolishes all Monasteries 152 Scotish Crown ordered to be sent to the Dolphin of France 126 Scotish Kings anciently travelled over their Kingdoms themselves to administer Iustice 123 Scoto-Brigantes in Claudian to be read for Scuta-Brigantes 76 Scroop an English General in Scotland 256 Sea-Calves 29 Sea-Monks an ill boding Fish 175 Security dangerous in War 172 173 Seditions perillous 141 309 Secla or Seil Isle 25 Seneciones who 39 Seuna Isle 30 Severn River 13 Severus his Wall 8 148 His Expedition against the Brittons 117 118 Seuna or Suin Isle 25 30 Servanus 145 Shevi Isle 30 Sheep fair yet wild in Hirta Isle 30 Their Fat good
to eat ibid. Ships of great Bigness built by James IV. 14 Siapins-oy an Isle 36 Sicambri who 79 Sigrama Isles Great and Small 30 Silva or Yew Isle 25 Silures who 61 109 Simon Breccus 171 Similitudes for Illustration 187 188 Similitude of Events do assimilate Mens Manners 213 Sinclare's Valour against the English 270 Siuna Isle 25 Skenny or Skerry Isles 37 Skirmish between English and French in Scotland 145 Sky Isle 28 Skyanna Isle ibid. Slata Isle 25 Slavery worse than Banishment 132 Slegana Isle 30 Soa Isle 27 30 Soabreâ—il Isle 28 Sodora Town 24 Solan or Sea Geese ibid. Solanum the Herb Nightshade soporiferous 209 Solinus quoted about Britain 87 Solvathius King of Scots 164 Solwey River 13 Sorbonists sent into Scotland 136 Spain hath several Names 41 Spaniards a Colony of them come into Ireland 94 Inhabited the West Part of Britain 51 Subject to the Injuries of Foreigners 94 Spey River 20 Spring that carries down shapeless Fish 29 Stacbad Isle 26 Stafa Isle 27 Stanmore whence so called 217 The Cross there ibid. Stags fright the English 276 Stephano-Dunum or Dunstaffnage 20 Stephen Bull overthrown by Andrew Wood 3 4 Stephen Earl of Bologn seizes on the Kingdom of England 224 Notwithstanding he had taken an Oath to Queen Maud ibid. Sterlin County 15 Sterlin Mony 173 Stinsiar River 14 Strathnavern 21 140 Strath-bogy 140 Strat and Strathern 17 140 Stratagems in War 154 179 Stromoy Isle 35 Stronza Isle 36 Stuart the Name of an Office 217 Stuarts their Original ibid. Who was the Rise of their Family ibid. Stuart Regent 298 Succession to the Crown of Scotland an old Law made for it 97 The Administration of the Government to whom to be committed when the King is a Minor 230 231 Suffrages incroached upon 179 Suilkir Isle 32 Sumereld Thane of Argyle in hopes of the Kingdom but is overthrown and slain 228 231 Suin Isle 25 Suna Isle 36 Sussex the Earl of it commands an English Army in Scotland 255 Sutherland 21 Swain gets the Kingdom of England 71 He comes into Scotland 200 He distributes three Kingdoms to his three Sons 208 He comes again into Scotland ibid. He is overthrown 209 T TAichy i. e. Menteith 17 Talbot overthrown by Keith 297 Again overthrown 308 Thames River 13 Thane who 187 Thanat Isle 88 Tanasta Isle 26 Taodunum i. e. Dundee 18 Taransa Isle 30 Tarscheir Isle 26 Tarvedrum Promontory 21 Tay the greatest River in Scotland 18 Temple of Terminus 15 119 Terris Isle 27 Teviotdale 13 Texa Isle 26 Textors Isle ibid. Theodosius his memorable Speech 268 Thereus King of Scots flies to the Brittons 101 Thiana Isle 25 Thomas Eliot his Opinion refuted 4 Thomas Becket promotes Ecclesiastical Ambition in England 243 Thomas Boyd marries the Eldest Sister of James III. 412 He is sent Embassador into Norwey 413 Declared a publick Enemy 415 Assists the Burgundians ibid. His Wife divorced from him and married to James Hamilton ibid. He dies at Antwerp 416 Thomas Car wasts England 247 Thomas Duchty or Doughty an Impostor 58 Thomas Howard Admiral of the English Navy 24 General at Flodden Fight 24 Afterwards fals into Disgrace 27 Sent into Scotland and takes Jedburgh 41 42 Treats of a Marriage with the Queen of Scots 224 Meditates a Civil War against the Queen of England 226 239 The Conspiracy detected 242 Thomas Petcarn sent Embassador to Queen Elizabeth 255 Thomas Randolph designed the King's Tutor 269 Marches with an Army into England 275 Thomas Randolph the English Embassador in Scotland demands the English Exiles 248 Thomas Earl of Sussex the English General in Scotland inclinable to the Queen's Faction 256 Thomas Wolsy a Cardinal self-ended and ambitious 44 Thornton Patric put to death for Murder 391 Tintallon Castle besieged by the King 55 Surrendred to him 56 Tine River 14 Titles of Honour 203 Tithes for Ecclesiasticks 140 Tiren or Tirriss Isle 27 Toncetus an unjust Iudg slain 154 Toray Isle 30 Trajan's remarkable Speech 268 Trajectus Passage or Na Port Isle 25 Trayl Archbishop his Commendation 328 His Death ibid. Triaracha Isle 25 Trebellius Maximus in Britain 86 Tree Isle 25 Tributes or Impositions part of them nibbled away by the Collectors who are usually malapert 339 Imposed but remitted 355 The Cause of War and their Exactors slain 10 11 Designed but not paid 117 Trimarchia 77 Trojans Greeks by Descent 45 Many pretend themselves derived from Them 46 Trons Isle 37 Tronta Isle 28 Truce betwixt Scots and English 309 380 Betwixt the French English and Scots 310 311 Between Scots and English for seven Years 430 Truces violated 325 332 378 392 Truce between the Queen Regent and the Reformers 133 And on what Terms ibid. Twedale 13 Twede River ibid. Tueman Isles 30 37 Turff Isle 27 Turdetani who 38 Twine Laurence his Story 284 He stirs up Baliol to invade Scotland ibid. Twentieth Part taxed in Scotland 339 Tyana Isle 25 Tyranny its Root cut by Finnanus and how 102 Tyrants Avarice bring the richer Sort to their Ends 107 V VAlay Isle 30 Valerius Asiaticus his bold Speech 271 Valla and Vallis Isle 36 Vannota King Arthur's Wife not true to him 153 Vallia 60 Varro Plato c. too inquisitive about Words 3 Vatersa Isle 29 Vectius Bolanus in Britain 86 Vecturiones who 18 Vemendra Isle 37 Venta Belgarum 10 Vera Isle see Wyer-oy Vervedrum Promontory 21 Vestra Isle see Wester-oy Vexa Isle 30 Via Isle 37 Viccoil Isle 31 Victorinus sent into Britain from Rome 131 Vidam in France who 150 Vidogara See Loch-Ryan 14 Vien a French General iâ— Scotland 311 Vigils or Watches necessary in Camps and Armies 285 308 Vikeran Isle or Na-whoker 25 Virid or Green Isles viz. Charn More and Charn Beg the greater and the less 27 Vitellius a Saxon Commander slain by the Scots 157 Vituline or Gawin Isle 25 Uist or Yyists Isle 29 30 37 Ulva Isle 27 Voadicea Commandress of the Brittons See Boadicea 85 Vonnedra Isle 37 Vortigern of a Monk made King of England 143 Afterwards deposed 145 Sends to Hengist the Saxon 144 Overthrows the Scots and is slain 144 145 Vortimer King of the Brittons renews a League with the Scots and Picts 145 Ure River 114 Ure Isle 37 Uridick Isle 25 Usabrast Isle 26 Uter succeeds his Brother in Britain 148 His Story and flagitious Fact 149 Utility sometimes preferred before Honesty in Princes Courts 331 Uxellum in Caesar perhaps for Ocellum 70 Uust see Uyist Island W W A Letter hard to be pronounced but by such as Germanize 6 60 61 Waes Isle 36 Wales how anciently divided 13 60 Wall a memorable one built by the Romans 138 By Adrian 8 16 By Severus 8 Wallace or Wallis his Story 253 Made Regent and takes many Places from the English in Scotland 254 Overthrows Cressingham the English General 255 Edward of England afraid to fight him 255 256 Envied by the Scots Nobles 256 Hath a Conference in the Field with Bruce ibid. Dismisses his Army
the Picts w Wherein Angusianus was slain But 〈◊〉 Murderd afterwards by two Picts inbornâ—d by 〈◊〉 * Maximus a Roman General in Britain z Roman◠〈◊〉 Picts 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 by Maximus and Eugenius slain b Maximus at first using his Victory moderately yet afterwards at the instigation of the Picts c He banisht the Scots out of all Britain upon pain of Death and give away their Lands a The Eâ—iled Scots endeavouring to recover their Country are worsted by their Enemies b And forced to make Peace with the Râ—mans b And forced to make Peace with the Râ—mans Which they obtain from Maximus on moderate Conditions d Victorinus sent from Rome to Govern Britain e Who incensed the Picts by his Tyrannick Government over them f The Picts repent of their Conjunction with the Romans to Root out the Scots and also of the Persecution of the Monks being of the same Reâ—â—gion with themselves g They send to recal Fergus a Scottish Exile from Scandia to take the Regal Government upon him h The Scots and Picts unite against the Romans then brought low by their own Civil Dissensions * A Parchment Chronicle of Scotish Affairs written by the Monks of the Abby of Pasley a Town and Abby situate not far from Glascom in the Baâ—ony of Renfrew called from its Cover The Black Book * Fergus prepares for War * The Brittons send for Aid to the Romans and receive one Legion * Who repulsed their Enemies and return * The Brittons receive another Auxiliary Legion of the Romans under Maximianus * Dionethus a Britton * Maximianus overcomes Fergus King of Scots 〈◊〉 King of Picts and Dionethus * The Two Fergus's compared * The Roman Legion leaves Britanny to maintain their Empire at home * Graham's Dike a The 〈…〉 by the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the Râ—mans b A Peace made betwixt the Scots and Picts of the one part and the Brittons on the other * Tithes for Ecclesiasticks * Peace sometimes more dangerous than War * Famine the forest of Evils c New occasions of Dissention between the Scots and Brittons d Whereupon the Brittons Arm. Tho dâ—ssuaded therefâ—om by Conanâ—s their Countrymâ—n f Who is 〈…〉 g A terrible Fight between the Scots and the Picts and the Brittons h Wherein the Brittons are overthrown i And have 〈◊〉 Conditions of Peace imposed on them k The Brittons make Constantine King who was soon after slâ—in by Vâ—rtigern * Luxury the usual Companion of Peace l Vortigern having slain Constantine's Heir makes himself King of the Brittons m He sends for Aid to Hengist the Saxon by whose help he repels the Scots Picts * The Character of King Eugenius * Dongard an opposer of the Pelagian Heresy n Pope Celestine sends Paâ—ladius and other Learned Monks into Scotland * Or St. Mungo o Palladius first institutes Bishops in Scotland which before was governed by Monks with less splendor but more Piety * Vortigern deposed and Vortimer made King of the Brittons who concludes a Peace with the Scotâ— Picts p Constantineâ— wicked Reign q And violent Death r Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons * Aurelius Ambrosius in Britain s Merlin and Gildaâ— When they lived with a Comparison between Them the Formerâ— counteâ— an Impostor the Laâ—er a 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 * Gildas his Prophecies not Genuine * Gildas his Death at Glastonbury in England * Informers found dangerous by Experience a Goranus persuades Lothus King of the Picts and Vter King of the Brittons to join with the Scots and break with the Saxons b By the joint Confederacy of those three Kings the Saxons are worked c The Story of Vter and of Arthur his Son Kings of the Brittons c Arthur takes London and York from the Saxons d The Licentious rather than Religious Observation of the Day of Christ's supposed Nativity called Iuletide The Scots Picts and Brittons overthrow the Saxons g And at last drive them out of a great part of Britain h Competitorship between Modredus and Constantine for the Kingdom after 〈◊〉 Death i Arthur's Character k The People by the Instigation of Donald of Athol Murder Toncetus and after that the King Goranus himself l A Prince's example hath a greater influence on his Subjectâ— than his Laws m Columbas's great Authority * War betwixt Scots and Picts * A Fight between the Saxons Scots and Brittons wherein the Brittâ—ns are overthrown a The Scots and Britons overthrow the Saxons * Columb's wonderful Narration of a Victory at a very great distance from him * Ethelfrid routs the Scots being shatter'd afore * Columb's Death b Austin the Monk comes into Britain rather to promote the Ceremonies and Domination of Pope Gregory than to Preach the true Doctrine of the Gospel * A dispute raised about the Observation of Easter-day c Eugenius harbors the fugitive Saxons d Ferchard endeavours to turn limited Monarchy into Tyranny for which he is imprisoned and there lays violent hands on himself e Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms i. e. the Deiri Inhabiting on this side Tine and the Bâ—rnici Inhabiting beyond Tine to Tweed f Apostacy justly punish'd g King Donald repeats and interprets Pious Sermons to his Subjects himself Ferchard's wicked Life and Repentance at his death * Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England * Maldvinus Strangled by his Wife for which Fact she is Burnt â—liâ—e a Egfrid King of Northumberland overthrown by the Scots and Picts b Two Kings very great Theologistâ— c Blood rained down from Heaven for 7 days c. d Amberkelethus slain e Eugenius like to suffer for the supposed Murther of his Queen f He first appoints the Acts of Kings to be Registred in Monasteries * A Town in the East part of Strachern near Fife g An Abby not far from Wigton in Galway * Donald a great Plunderer * Donaldus slain by Bugâ—nsus * Eugenius slain by his Nobles for his vitious Life h Fergus for his Adulteries slain by his Wife who to avoid punishment â—illâ— her Self * One Donald calls himself King of the Aebudae * Donald slain * War between the Scots and Irish. * Which is soon composed i Achaius the first of the Scots Kings that enters into a Friendship with France k Learned Men sent for out of Scotland by Charâ—es the Great as Iohannes Scotus c. * Who Preach the Doctrine of Christiâ—nity in Germany l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots * Hungus his Visiâ—n upon his Prayeâ— to God * Athelstan overthrown and slain * 〈…〉 Andrew * Hungus's Death * Dongal drowned * Wars between the Scots and Picts * King Alpin overthrown in Battel by the Picts and slain * Kenneteus by a witty Invention engages his Nobles to make War upon the Picts * The
the Fifth to Scotland to sâ—iâ— them up to War against England Berwick Castle surprised by Ramsay but regain'd by Percy Iames the First Earl of Douglas enters England with an Army * In Cumberland A Pestilence in Scotland Talbet overthrown in Scotland A Truce between the Scots and English for three Years Quatuor nummos Angâ—â—coâ— A Rising of the Commons in England at the Instigation of Iohn Baâ— a Priest Lancaster the English Embassador in Scotland denied entrance into Berwick Loch-Maban Castle taken by the Scots unbar surprizes the Governor of Roxburg Lancaster enters Scotland He favours the Edinburgers But is put to a Retreat Douglas prevails in Scotland he dyes and his Son William succeeds him A Truce made for a Year between French English and Scots which the French were to acquaint the Scots with The English enter Scotland before Notice is given them of a Truce made Some Scots Nobles also invade England before the Truce is Proclaimed Richard II. enter'd Scotland with an Army Whereupon the Scots enter England They both return home The French and Scots quarrel â—bout the Bears Skin before he was catcht French Soldiers more licentious than Scots or English which occasions a disgust betwixt them The French Army leaves Scotland but their General is retain'd to satisfy damages Nov. 1. Will. Douglas sails into Ireland And takes Dundalk * A Town on the North side of the Nith a Mile about Drumlanerick in Nithisdale * A Sea Town in the County of Louth and Province of Vlster in Ireland And returns from thence The Scots enter England 〈◊〉 Against the mind of Robert and his Son Aug. â— An English Spy in the Scots Army discovered The Scots Army divide themselves to attack England Douglas in Northumberland encountred by Percy A Duel between Earl Douglas and Earl Percy The Scots march to Otterborn A terrible Fight between the Scots and English under Percy and Douglas Hart slain And Douglas mortally Wounded His Three last dying Requests Ralfe Pâ—rcy 〈…〉 The English overthrown Lindsay takes Redman Prisoner and releases him on his Parol Courtesy to Prisoners The ancient punishment of Prisoners not returning upon their Parol The Bishop of Durham comes too late to Assist Percy The Bishops Forces terrified with the Sound of Horns and Retreat Lindsay's Kindness to Redman requited by him Ralfe Percy released on his Parol Henry Percy Ransomed Douglas buried at Mulross Both the Scots Armies lament Dougâ—aâ— Iuly 21. Robert Earl of Fife made Governor of Scotland Earl Marshal vaunts over the Scots Whereupon Robert enters England and returns with a great Booty A Peace between France and England Robert assents thereto on his own Head * Lying on the River Irwin Apr. 19. Roberts Death and Character Alexander Earl of Buchan burns Elgin Church William Douglas slain at Dantzick by the procurement of Clifford of England * Or Prussias A noted Maâ—t Town of great Trade on the Wesseâ— acknowledge the King of Poland for Protector August 1â— Robert the Third his Name changed from Iohn Duncan Stuart rises in Arms but is suppressed A notable Policy to divide the Islanders and make them Instruments to destroy one another which takes effect accordingly Dukes First made in Scotland E. Douglas refuses that Title Richard the Second of England resigns his Crown and Hen. the Fourth succeeds him Difference in Scotland occasioned by the Marriage of the King's Son Dunbar joyns with Percy and infests Scotland Standing upon Tine 3 Miles below Hadington The Death of Archibald Douglas August 13. Henry of England Enters Scotland Carries it Moderately And Retreats * A Castle over against Holy-Isle in Northumberland The Scots overthrown by Percy and Dunbar at Homeldon May. 7. Coâ—â—â—aw-Castle besieged by the English but they raise the Siege themselves Arch Bishop Traâ—â—e an observer of Ancient Discipline David after his Mothers decease le ts loose the reins to Licentiousness David most cruelly starved to Death by his Uncle Robert Scituate at the North bottom of Locâ—-Lomond near the Centre of Fife The Governor of Faâ—kâ—and's cruelty to his own Daughter Douglas joyne with Percy against the K. of England Having Performed valiantly in a fight he is taken Prisoner and after ransomed Robert accused for Davids Death Undergoes a partial Tryal and is Acquitted King Robert imprecates God's judgment on the Murderers of his Son Iames the K. Son for security sent into France but Landing in England is detained There Dispute 〈◊〉 King 〈…〉 concerning the Detention oâ— Diâ—mission oâ— Iames. Iames well Educated in England yet his Captivity breaks his Fathers Heart April 1. Robert's Death and Character Robert his Brother made Regent Percy overthrown and flies to Scotland Henry of England invades Scotland Dunbar returns to Scotland Percy betrayed by Rokesby his pretended Friend and put to Death A Supposititious Prince Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth near St. Ebâ—s Head in the Merss A County lying on 〈◊〉 River Stâ—aâ—-Bogy 40 〈…〉 Aâ—â—rdeen * In Murray A Cruel Fight between Donald and the Governour The Erection of St. Andrews University March 21. Henry the 4 th Dyes and Henry the 5 thâ—â—â—â—ceeds â—â—â—â—ceeds 〈◊〉 Percys Posterity restored to their Dignity Council of Constance send Ambassadors to Scotland so doth Peter Lune Anti-Pope The King of France distracted Divisions in France A County of France lying on the River Carus The French King craves Aid of the Scots which is sent him under the Command of the Earl of Buchan The Scots Auxiliaries Land in France Is overthrowâ— by them And slain Buchan made Lord High Constable of France September 3. Robert dies and his Son Murdo made Governor of Scotland Buchan returns to Scotland but is recalled to France Douglas made Duke of Turein Earl of Bedford sent by Henry into France who carries with him Iames I. King of Scotland A Chief Town of the County oâ— Bâ—â—e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A Chief Town of the County oâ— Bâ—â—e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A large Country about Orleanâ— on the 〈◊〉 The Scâ—ts overthrown in Fâ—ance 〈…〉 English and their Chief 〈…〉 Reflections on some English Writers Fond Indulgence to Children justly punished in a Father The Scots send for King Iames the First out of England Who returns upon a Ransom May 27. April 20. 〈…〉 Scotlâ—nd â—bout 〈…〉 The King remits one halfe of his Ransom-Tax Several Scots Nobles imprisoned Others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Murdo brought to his Trial. The Ancient manner of Trying Nobles in Scotland Murdo c. found Guilty and Beheaded Embassadors from France to Scotland about Peace and a Marriage K. Iames the First his prosperous Beginnings Free 〈◊〉 punished by the King Alexander the Islander â—iseâ— in Armâ— But is suppressed * Easter And submits to the Kings Mercy Donald Bâ—lâ—ck makes an Insurrection But is quelled Tories fall out among themselves Mackdonald a Free-booter His Cruelty to a Woman Retaliated on himself and his Followers Donald's
Children Sforâ—a's Murder with its Consequents The Queen of England declares against Hamiltons design for the Regency A Marriage designed between the Queens of Scots and Howard Buds of discontent between the Queens of England and Scotland The Regent honourably dismisâ— from England and arrives in Scotland The Transactions of the Regent with the Queen of England confirmed by the Nobility of Scotland Hamilton forced to submit to the Regent So is Argyle Hamilton's Tergiversation For which he is imprisoned Various Disputes about admitting Huntly to a Reconciliation with Arguments Pro and Con. Sententious Maximes in Policy Yet at last the Regent pardons him upon Terms Letters from England declaring the Intrigues between the Q. of Scots and Howard Queen of Scots confined to the Lord Scroop's House in the North of England Letters from both Queens to the Scots Nobles read and debated The Scots answer Q. Elizabeth's Letter Petcarn sent Embassador into England to satisfy Q. Elizabeth The Regent's Lenity his own Overthrow The Regent deserted by his intimate Friends Howard imprisoned The Regent receives an encouraging Message from the Queen of England The Regent too negligent of his fore warned Danger The Regent shot out of a Balcony at the Instigation of the Hamiltons Of which Wound he died The Pious and Laudable Character of the Regent Bandyings in Scotland upon the Regent's Murder Randolph's Queen Elizabeth's Embassador sober Speech to the Scots The Douglasses Petition against the Murderers of the Regent which occasions several Debates * Or Commissioners * A Barony on the East-side of Clyde A Convention of the Nobles with various Opinions about choosing a Regent But is dissolved re infecta The Hamiltons and others of the Queen's Party meet at Edinburgh The Edinburghers much courted to side with them but in vain An English Army coming into Scotland puts the Queen's Faction to a stand The Queen's Party send Embassadors into England St. Lewis de Galais Ld. of Lansach in France An Embassador from France to the Queen's Party Q. Elizabeth rejects the Embassy of the Queen's Party in Scotland The Queen's Party at Linlithgo the King 's at Edinburgh Petcarn an Embassador from the Royalists in Scotland to Q Elizabeth The English Army under Sussex ravage over a great Part of Scotland Lord Scroop enters Scotland with another English Army The Hamiltonians depart from Glasgow Hamilton-Castle taken Petcarn's Answer from the Q of England Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox created Vice-Roy and then Regent Huntly garisonâ— Brechin Which is taken by the Regent Queen Elizabeth made Arbiter betwixt both Parties in Scotland The Regent sends Embassadors into England The Regent hurt by a Fall from his Horse A notable Design of the Regâ—nts to surprize Dunbarton Castle with the occasion of it and the manner of carrying it on The Scituation of the Castle and Town of Dunbarton described punctually by our Author who was born there Dumbritton why so called Iohn Fleming Governor of Dunbarton * In Lennox Ignis Fatuus Country People call it Iack with a Lanthorn or Will with a Wisp Dumbarton-Castle taken by Surprize The Regent's Clemency to Flemming the Governor's Wife The Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as guilty of the King 's and Regent's Murders with Evidences proving the same 〈…〉 an Actor in the King's Murder in trouâ—le oâ— Conscience accuses himself and the Arâ—h-bishop of St. Andâ—ews oâ— that horrid Crime The Regent's Embassadors Morton c. return from England with an ample account of their Negotiations there and the grounds alledged by them to justify the late Actions in Scotland against their Queen The Original of Kingly Government in Scotland Kingly Government What Trajan and Theodosius their memorable Speeches Christiern of Denmark deposed Valerius Asiaticus his bold and confident Speech He is said to have slain his own Sons Who would have brought back Kingly Government into Rome Some of Q. Elizabeth's Counsellors desire the Scots King to be sent into England The Queen's Faction garisoned Edinburgh Morton comes to Leith and publishes a Proclamation against Them The Garison of Edinburgh sallies out upon him in his retreat Edinburgh How seated A Convention of the Estates held at one end of the City of Edinburgh because the Enemy possessed the Castle The Castle plays upon the Conventioners with Cannon but does them no hurt Two Anti-Assemblies Indicted A Sally out of Edinburgh against Morton at Dalkeith Near two 〈◊〉 from Edinburgh wherein both Parties â—â—ceive some Checks A Scotch Troop from Denmark comes to help the Royalists Morton falls sick at Leith Drury intercedes in vain between the Parties The Rebels sally out against Morton at Leith But are repulsed with â—oss Iames Culen a cruel Amâ—odexter justly punished A Ship from France taken by the Regent The Queen of England and King of France censured for their slow Supplies to their several Parties in Scotland The Scots refuse to send their young King into England with their Reasons why The Rebels Convention at Edinburgh The Regent's Convention at Sterlin The Rebels assault Leith but are repulsed Iames Haliburton taken Prisoner by the Rebels by a Mistake The bold Attempt of the Rebels to surprize Sterlin and the Nobles of the Convention there assembled Which in part took Effect The Rebels beaten again out of Sterlin by the Valour of Iohn Erskin Governour of the Castle The Regent slain in this Scuffle with Capt. Spence who endeavoured to save him * For killing him after he had Quarter given him Three Competitors for the Regency Iohn Erskin Earl of Marr chosen Regent He assaults Edinburgh but without effect The Royalists receive a loss in the North with the manner of it Deadly fewds between the Gordons and the Forbes's The Cruelty of the Gordons against the Forbes's The King's Party overthrown The chief Town of Teviotdale standing on the River Ied near where it falleth into the River Teviot The Rebels attempt Iedburgh * An Abby in Teviotdale But are driven back to Hawick where they are Routed * A Town in Teviotdale A Barony upon the Water of Bervy in Angus The Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons * A Castle on a Rock lying in the Firth of Forth above Abercorn The Regent straitens Edinburgh Archibald Douglas apprehended upon Suspicion of his Tampering with the Enemy
Iuletide substituting the Name of Iulius Caesar for that of Saturn The Vulgar are yet persuaded that the Nativity of Christ is then celebrated but mistakingly for 't is plain that they imitate the Lasciviousness of the Bacchanalia rather than the Memory of Christ then as they say born In the mean time the Saxons were reported to have pitched their Tents by the River Humber and Whether it were so or no Arthur marched towards them But in regard the Brittons were enfeebled by Pleasures by that means they were less fit for Military Services in so much that they did not seem the same Men who had overthrown the Saxons in so many Battels heretofore for by their Luxurious Idleness they had added so much to their Rashness as they had lost of their ancient Severity of Discipline Hereupon Advice was given by the wiser sort to send for Aid from the Scots and Picts Whereupon Ambassadors were sent and Aid easily obtained so that those whom Ambition had almost disjoined yet the mutual Care of Religion and Emulation too did so piece together That Forces were sent from either King sooner than could well have been imagined Lothus also that he might give a Publick Testimony of his Reconcilement brought his Sons Modredus and Galvinus with him into the Camp Galvinus he gave to Arthur as his Companion whom he received with so great Courtesie that from that Day forward they lived and died together The Army of the Three Kings being thus ready and their Camps joyned it was unanimously agreed between them That as the Danger was common to them all and the Cause thereof was also the same so they would drive out the Saxons and restore the Christian Rites and Religion which were profaned by them The Armies drawing near the one to the other Occa Son of a former Occa who was then General of the Saxons made haste to joyn Battel In the Confederate Army the Two Wings were allotted to the Scots and Picts the main Battel to Arthur The Scots at the first onset wounded Childerick Commander of that Wing of the Enemy which fought against them he falling by reason of his Wounds so terrified the rest that the whole Wing was broken In the other Wing Colgernus the Saxon after great Complaints made of the Perfidiousness of the Picts made an assault upon Lothus with great Violence who was easily known by his Habit and his Arms he dismounted him but he himself being environed in the midst of his Enemies was run through by Two Picts with Spears on both sides of his Body The main Battel where there was the sharpest Fight having lost both Wings did at length give Ground Occa being wounded was carried to the Sea-side with as many as could get on Shipboard with him and Transported into Germany of the rest of the Saxons Those who were most obstinate in their Errour were put to Death The rest pretending to turn to the Christian Religion were saved There were great Forces of the Saxons yet remaining in the Eastern part of England and in Kent The Summer after Arthur marched against them having 10000 Scots and Picts for his Assistance Congallus the Son of Eugenius commanded the Scots and Modredus the Son of Lothus the Picts both young Men of great Hope and who had often given good Testimonies of their Valour and Conduct This Army of Three Kings being about Five Mile from the Enemy and their Camps being distant one from another The Saxons being inform'd by their Spies that the Picts who were farthest distant from the other Forces were very careless and secure they made a suddain and unexpected Assault on them in the Night Modredus made a gallant Resistance for a time at last when things were almost desperate on his side he mounted on an Horse with Gallanus his Father-in-Law and so fled to King Arthur Arthur was nothing dismayed at the loss of the Picts but spent that Day in setling things which were discomposed after that his Army being commanded to march in the Third Watch he came upon the Enemy with a Treble Army and was at the Saxons Camp before they knew what the Matter was The Saxons being dismayed ran up and down having no time to take counsel or to arm themselves thus their Camp being entred they were slain by the Brittons and especially the angry Picts were cruel to all without distinction Some Writers of English Antiquities say That Arthur fought Twelve pitched Battels with the Saxons But because they give us only the Names of the Places where they were fought and nothing else I shall mention them no otherwise To speak briefly of his Famous Actions This is manifest That he wholly subdued the Forces of the Saxons and restored Peace to Britain And when he went over to settle Things in Lesser Britain in France he Trusted the Kingdom to Modredus his Kinsman who was to manage the Government as King till his Return I have no certainty of the Exploits he performed in Gaul As to what Geofry of Monmouth attributes to him there it hath no shadow much less likelyhood of Truth in it so that I pass them by as impudently forged and as causelesly believed But to return to the Matter Whilst Arthur was absent and intent on setling the Gallick Affairs there were sown the Seeds of a War most pernicious to Britain There was a certain Man in Arthurs Retinue named Constantine the Son of Cadoris who for the excellent Endowments both of his Body and Mind was highly in all Mens Favour He did secretly aim at the Kingdom and to make the People his Own Whereupon the Nobles at a convenient time when the King was free from business cast in Words concerning his Successor beseeching him to add this also to the other innumerable Blessings he had procured for his Country that if he died Childless he would not leave Britain destitute of a King especially when so great Wars were like to be waged against them Hereupon when some named Modredus as nearest of Kin and already accustomed to the Government both in Peace and War and One too who had given good Proof of himself in his Viceroy-Ship who also was likely to make no small Accession to the British Affairs These things being spoken the Multitude who favoured Constantine cryed out That they would not have a Stranger to be their King and that Britain was not so devoid of Men but that it would afford a King within its own Territories They added also That it was a Foolish thing to seek for that abroad which they might have at home Arthur knew before the Love of the People to Constantine and therefore though being a Man otherwise Ambitious yet he easily took part with the People and from that day shewed him openly and cherished in him the hopes of the Kingdom Modredus his Friends took this ill and looked upon it as a great wrong to him they alleged That by the League made by Arthur with Lothus
Vitiated which They being over-stocked with Youngsters at home easily assented to and so they transported themselves in a great Navy into Britain Their first Descent was in Fife there they slew all they met without distinction out of Hatred to the Christian Religion and dividing their Army they spoiled the Country two several ways Constantinus drew forth against them and first he set upon that Brigade which Hubba Brother to the Danish King commanded who being hindred to joyn with their Fellows by the sudden swelling of the River Levin were there easily overcome and slain except a few of his Men who could swim over the River who fled to their other Commander called Humber Constantinus followed after them as to a Prey not a Battel and overtook them not far from the Town of Carail but not before they had well fortify'd their Camp For the Danes being very provident after their late unhappy Fight had made a kind of Defensive Fortification upon some small Winding Rocks near the shore by heaping up a parcel of Stones together which lay thereabouts In that posture Constantine assaulted them where by reason of the Incommodiousness of the place and the Desperation of the Danes he paid dear for his Rashness for he lost a great Part of his Army he himself being taken Prisoner and haled into a little Cave hard by was there slain There are some Monuments of this Fight remaining to this day as the Cave the Circumference of their Camp which was not cut out regularly or by equal spaces but turning and winding according to the Bending of the Rocks Some lay the blame of this unlucky Accident upon the Picts who being admitted into Constantines Fealty and Army were the first that ran away and drew the greatest Part of the Army after them The Danes gathered up the Spoils and departed to their Ships The Kings Body was found the day after and carried to the Sepulchres of his Ancestors in the Island Icolumb-kil He possessed the Kingdom sixteen Years and died in the Year of our Lord 874. Ethus The Seventy Second King HIs Brother Ethus succeeded him from the Swiftness of his Feet Sirnamed Alipes he was elected King upon no higher or other Account but because he gathered together the Relicts of the Army which was scattered by the Danes Amongst the Prodigies of his Time they reckon those Sea-Fishes then appearing which are seldom seen and not after long Intervals of Time but they never appear but in Sholes nor without some unlucky Presage The Common People call them Monachi-marini i. e. Sea-Monks others give them the Title of Bassineti i. e. Hooded or Helmered Fish Ethus being unmindful both of his Brother and of his Ancestors giving up himself to all manner of Vices and drawing the young Soldiers easily seduceable along with him was taken Prisoner by a Combination of the Nobles made against him and after all the flagitious Acts of his Life had been declared to the People in a long Speech he was forced to abjure the Government in the second Year of his Reign Three days after he died in Prison for Grief That which chiefly offended the Martial Men was his slothful Unactiveness because that when the Danes were at War with the English and many bloody Battels had been fought between them yet he never bethought himself of the recovering the Country he had lost nor would he suffer himself to be put in mind thereof by others Some write that he was not inforced to relinquish his Kingdom but that he was wounded in a Combate by Gregorius who was emulous of the Kingdom and that he died Two months after Anno Christ. 875. Gregorius The Seventy Third King GRegorius the Son of Dongallus was set up in his stead a Man of a Royal Spirit in whom no Virtue requisite in a King was wanting First he reconciled all those to him who were against him in suing for the Kingdom and then he proceeded to compose the Discords of the Nobles amongst themselves He so tempered the Severities of his Government with Affability that he did more with his Subjects by Love than by Fear He restored the Old Laws concerning the Immunity of the Ministers of the Church who were but in the nature of Slaves under the Picts or else he made New to the same purpose His first Expedition was into Fife against the Picts left there by the Danes whilst they were employing their Arms against the English He drove them not out of Fife only but out of Lothian and Merch too The Danes when he came to Berwick fearing if they should have any Misfortune the English also would be upon their backs durst not join in a Field-fight with Gregory but sent Part of their Forces over the River into Northumberland commanding them to join with a small Brigade of their Country-men who had gathered themselves together and were newly landed there The Rest of them enter'd Berwick to strengthen the Garison there But the English who were but unwillingly under the Command of the Danes as being Men of a different Religion from them gave admission to the Scots in the night by which means all the Danes were put to the Sword From thence Gregory marched into Northumberland and fought a prosperous Battel against Hardnute wherein he made so great a slaughter of them that their Numbers which were lately formidable to all Britain were mightily diminished partly by Gregory of Scotland and partly by Alfrid of England Gregory took in all Northumberland and gave free leave to those English to depart who were willing so to do to the rest he very courteously distributed Lands The greatest part of the English staid behind partly out of love to their native Soil partly by reason of the Kings Bounty to them and partly also for fear of their Enemies For seeing they had now for many years had several cruel Fights with the Danes the Victory being many times uncertain Many of the English chose rather to be under the Dominion of the Scots who though formerly Enemies were yet Christians than either to fall into the power of the Bloody Danes or to hope for uncertain Aid from their own Countrymen especially since things were in such an hurly burly over all Britanny that the English knew not which Party to succour first After he had so chastised the Danes that he expected no more Trouble from them he turned his Arms upon the Brittons who as yet held some of the Scotish Dominions with These also he made Peace they restoring the the said â—ands and promising to assist him against the Danes if they did return Whereupon he disbanded his Army But the Brittons after their return home repented of the Peace they had made and entring Scotland again in an hostile manner they were driving away a great Booty but Gregory met them at Loch-Maban and after a bloody Fight overthrew them Constantine their King being also slain The Brittons having received this fruit of their
his room a man of no ill Disposition and yet not constant in Good neither The Danes who could incline Gregory and Donald the Two last Kings of the Scots by no Promises or Persuasions to take Arms against the English which were then Christians Now they easily wrought upon Constantine by Gifts and by the vain Hope of enlarging his Dominions to make a League with Them which lasted scarce Two years but the Danes deserting the Scots struck up a League with the English This League had scarce continued Four years before Edward of England gathered an Army speedily together and spoiled the Danes Country whereby they were reduced to such 〈◊〉 that they were enforc'd to return to the Scots whom they had lately deserted To whom they Swore most Religiously That they would for ever after observe the Amity most inviolably betwixt Them This Second League is reported to have been entered into with great Ceremony in the Tenth Year of Constantines Reign He gave the same year Cumberland to Malcolm Son of the last King which was as an honourable Omen to him that he should Reign after him And afterwards the same Custom was observed by some succeeding Kings to the manifest disanulling of the old way of Convening the Estates whose Free Suffrages ought not to have been thus abridged but this was like the Designation of the Consuls by the Caesars which put an end to the Roman Liberty A War being now commenced between Edward the Son of Alured and the Danes Constantine sent Aid to the Danes under the Conduct of Malcolm He joyned his Army with the Danes and being Superior in number they harassed the adjoyning Countries of the English and made great Devastation wheresoever they came to the end that they might force the English who had a far less numerous Army to Fight Yea they were so arrogantly confident of their Numbers that they thought their Enemy would never so much as look them in the Face so that now as secure of the Victory they began to talk of dividing the Spoil But as Prosperity doth blind the Eyes of the Wise so Adversity and the foresight of Danger is a good Schoolmaster even to the weaker side What the English wanted in strength they supplyed in Cunning and Skill Their Army was well seconded with Reserves and so they began the Fight the First Ranks being commanded so to do give ground and pretend a Discomfiture and Flight that so their Enemies following them in disorder they might again return upon them in that straggling posture Athelstan the Base-born Son of Edward was General of all the English Forces as our Writers affirm and Grafton also says the same thing They make this Athelstan guilty of Parricide for killing his Father and his Two Brothers Edred and Edwin whose Right it was immediately to succeed their Father in the Kingdom Fame doth increase the Suspicion that Edward was violently put to death because it accounts him a Martyr For that Fact he was hatâ—d and therefore to recover the Favour of the People by some eminent Undertaking he determined to expiate the Blood of his Kâ—ndâ—ed by shedding That of his Enemies And thereupon after he had fought stoutly a-while he gave Ground by little and little but afterward in greater Fear and Confusion as if he intended absolutely to run away The Danes and Scots supposing themselves Conquerors were unwilling to make any brisk pursuit lest the Cowardliest of the Soldiers should enjoy all the Prey and therefore they returned to plunder their Camp Hereupon Athelstan gave a Signal and the Engâ—ish returning to their Ensigns set upon them as they were scattered and laden with Booty and killed them like Dogs The greatest part of the Scotish Nobility was lost in this Fight who chose rather to dye on the spoâ— than to undergo the Ignominy of deserting their Companions Malcolm being much wounded was carried off the Field by his own Men and sent the doleful Tidings of the loss of his Army to King Constantine neither was the face of things more pleasant amongst the Danes Athelstan during this Astonishment of his Enemies took Cumberland and Westmerland from the Scots and Northumberland from the Danes Constantine having not force enough neither to wage War or to carry on matters in Peace called a Convention of the Estates at Abernethy and willingly resigned the Kingdom and betook himself to the Culdeâ— certain Hermits so called living in Cells Worshippers of God for so the Monks of that Age were called as into a Sanctuary amongst whom he lived the rest of his life at St. Andrews Here the English Writers who are profuse enough in their own Praises do affirm That Athelstan was the Monarch of all Britanny and that the rest who had the Names of Kings in Albium were but precariously so and his Feudataries only as taking an Oath of Fidelity to him as the supreme Lord. And they introduce many ignoble English Authors as Favourers of that Opinion And to procure the greater Credit thereunto they add also Marianus Scotus an Illustrious Writer indeed But here I desire the Reader to take notice that there is not the least mention of any such thing in that Edition of Marianus which was Printed in Germany but if they have another Marianus different from him who is publickly read and interpolated or foisted by them let them produce him if they can Besides they being Men generally unlearned do not in some Places sufficiently understand their own Writers neither do they take notice That Bede William of Malmesbury and Geffrey of Monmouth do commonly call that part Britain over which the Britains ruled i. e. That within the Wall of Adrian or when they stretched their Dominions furthest within the Wall of Severus so that the Scots and Picts are oftentimes reckoned by them to be out of Britain and not seldom are called Transmarine People And therefore when they read that the English sometime Reigned over all Britanny they understand the Authors so as if they meant all Britanny i. e. Albium or Albion whereas they do often Circumscribe Britanny within narrower limits as I have said before But of this I have spoken more largely in another place To return then to the Affairs of Scotland Malcolm I. The Seventy Sixth King COnstantine having retired himself into the Cloyster of the Monks Malcolm the Son of Donald was declared King Athelstan being dead and his Brother Edward Reigning Cumberland and Westmerland revolted from the English and returned to their old Masters Moreover the Danes who remained in Northumberland sent for Avalassus their Countryman of the Royal Progeny who was Banished into Ireland to make him King Edmund foreseeing what Clouds of War were gathering over his Head yielded up Cumberland and Westmerland to Malcolm upon this Condition That he who should next succeed in the Scotish Kingdom should take an Oath to the King of England as the Lord Paramount of that Country Afterwards he easily reduced the
after them and in a short time they were brought to the King and punished according to Law Whereupon the Nobles were dismissed having received some Gifts and many large Promises from the King and the Commonalty also pray'd heartily for their King Matters being thus composed at home he faithfully observed the League made by some former Kings with the English But this great Tranquillity of all Britain was soon disturbed by the Danes who appeared with a great Fleet and Anchored near the Red-Promontory a Place in Aeneia or Angus They there staid some days in Consultation Whether they should Land there or direct their Course towards England as they intended at first Many of them were of Opinion That it was most adviseable to make for England an opulent Country where they might have both Provision enough for their Army and also some hopes of Auxiliaries and Recruits in regard that there many of the Danish stock were yet alive amongst them and many others stood obliged to them for old Courtesys and Friendships and that These upon the first notice of their Arrival would presently flock in to them as of old they used always to do But as for the Scots they were a fierce Nation and very hardy as Those use to be who are bred in Barren and Hungry Soiles That they never attempted them without some great and remarkable loss and in the present case if they overcame them it would hardly be worth their Labour But if they were overcome by them they must endure the utmost Extremity and Rigour Others were of a different Opinion alleging That if they made their Descent on the Coasts of England then they should be obliged to Fight Both Nations at once but if the Scots were First overcome the War against the English would be easy when they were bereft of Foâ—â—ign Aid and also terrified with the Loss of their Friends They further urged That it was not the part of Great and Magnanimous Spirits to be intent on Prey and Booty only they should rather call to mind the Blood of their Kindred and Ancestors who had been so often cruelly slain in Scotland And that now especially having a Great Army and being furnished also with things necessary for War they ought to take That Revenge which might punish the Savage Cruelty of the Scots according to their Deserts and might also carry the terror of the Danish Name to all the Neighbouring Nations After this Battel Peace seemed to have been settled for many Years when behold some troublesome matters at home did disturb this Calm As for the Commotion of the Islanders who in a Plundering way ranged over all Ross That was quickly suppressed some of the Robbers being slain in â—ight some taken in pursuit and after Executed But Crathilinthus the Son of Fenella or as some call her Finabella gave far greater disturbance He was then the chief of all Mern both in Descent and Wealth Crathilinthus his Grandfather by the Mothers side was made Governor by the King over that part of Angus which lies between the Two Rivers each of them having the Name of Eske where he gathered up the Kings Taxes and Revenues his Nephew coming with a great Train to visit him a sudden Quarrel arose amongst their Servants so that two of Crathilinthus's Friends were slain He complained thereof to his Grandfather who laid the blame of the Tumult upon his Nephews rude Retinue and Company and after a sharp Reproof he was dismissed by him but not without Contumelies from his Servants and Domesticks So that returning home he in great Wrath complained of the Affront to his Mother who was so far from endeavouring to allay his Rage and quiet the Mind of the incensed Youth by grave and wholesome Counsel that she importuned him to Revenge himself by force of Arms even upon her own Father and his Grandfather too Hereupon not long after Crathilinthus having gathered an armed Company together fit for his purpose comes by Night into Angus to his Grandfathers Castle He with some few Followers were admitted in without Suspicion and being once entred he gave the Word to the rest who lay in Ambush and let in them also so that he slew his Grandfather with his whole Family plundered the Castle depopulated the Country adjacent and as if he had done a Famous Exploit he returned pompously with a great Booty into Mern But the Angusians did not suffer this Injury to pass long Unrevenged For soon after gathering a great many of their Faction together they made great Havock in the District of Mern From that time forward Slaughters and Rapines were occasionally committed on both sides Kennethus hearing of it published a Proclamation That the Chief of either Faction should appear at Scone within Fifteen Days to answer What should be objected against them for he feared that if a greater number should resort to the Factions further Tumults might arise some few being terrified by this minatory Edict made their appearance accordingly but the greatest part of whom Crathilinthus was Chief being conscious of their own Demerits fled away as every one thought most convenient The King made diligent search after them the greatest part of them were taken in Loch-Abyr and some elsewhere Crathilinthus and the Cheif of the Faction were punished with Death others according to the Degree of their Crimes had lesser Punishments and those who were but a little Guilty had none at all inflicted on them This Moderation and Temperament procured to the King Fear from the bad but great Love from others and settled Peace in all his Kingdom till the Twenty first year of his Reign Insomuch That if he had persisted in that course of Life which he had begun he might well have been reckoned amongst the Best of Princes for he so performed all the Offices both of Peace and War that he got great Renown upon the account of his Equity Impartiality and Valour But the Excellency of his former Life was blurred by one Wicked Fact that he committed which seemed too more aggravated in him in regard it was incredible and unexpected to proceed from his Disposition who had before so severely punished Grand Offenders The Occasion of it was This The King being now grown somewhat ancient had a Son named Malcolm a Prince of great Ingenuity but in point of Age not yet mature to Govern so fierce a People if his Father should die Further the Custom of our Ancestors was then against it that he should Reign next after his Father For They were wont to choose not the next but the fittest of the deceased Kings Relations provided he were descended from Fergus the First King of the Scots Besides the Favour of the Nobility was another Obstacle which did incline to another Malcolm the Son of King Duffus the most Praise-Worthy Prince of all the Scotish Royal Race Moreover he was then Governor of Cumberland which County the Scots did hold as Feudataries of the Kings of
Peace being thus restored he applied his mind to make Laws a thing almost wholly neglected by former Kings and indeed he Enacted many good and useful ones which now are either wholly unknown or else lie unobserved to the great damage of the Publick In a word he so managed the Government for ten years that if he had not obtained it by Violence he might have been accounted inferior to none of the former Kings But when he had so strengthned himself with the Aid and Favour of the Multitude that he feared no Force to disturb him the Murder of the King as 't is very probable hurried his Mind into dangerous Precipices so that he converted his Government got by Treachery into a Cruel Tyranny He vented the first Shock of his Inhumanity upon Bancho who was his Companion in the Kings Parricide Some ill Men had spread a kind of Prophecie abroad among the Vulgar That hereafter his Posterity should enjoy the Kingdom whereupon fearing lest he being a powerful and active Man and also of the Blood Royal should imitate the Example proposed by himself he courteously invited him and his Son to Supper but in his return he caused him to be slain as if a sudden Fray and Tumult had arisen His Son Fleanchus being not known in the dark escaped the Ambush and being informed by his Friends how his Father was treacherously slain by the King and that his Life was also sought after he fled secretly into Wales Upon that Murder so cruelly and perfidiously committed the Nobles were afraid of themselves insomuch that they all departed to their own homes and came but few of them and those very seldom to Court So that the Kings Cruelty being partly discovered by some and partly vehemently suspected by all mutual Fear and Hatred sprung up betwixt him and the Nobility Whereupon seeing the matter could no longer be concealed he broke forth into open Tyranny and the Rich and Powerful for light frivolous and many times but pretended Causes were put to Death Their Confiscated Goods helped to maintain a Band of Debauchees which he had about him under the name of a Guard And yet he thought that his Life was not sufficiently secured by them neither so that he resolved to build a Castle on the top of the Hill Dunsinnan where there was a large Prospect all over the Country which Work proceeding but slowly on by reason of the difficulty of Carriage of Materials thither he commanded in all the Thanes of the whole Kingdom and so dividing the Task amongst them They themselves were to oversee That the Labourers did their Duty At that time Mackduff was the Thane of Fife a very powerful Man in his Country He being loth to commit his Life unto the Kings hands went not himself but sent thither many Workmen and some of them his intimate Friends to press on the Work The King either out of a desire as was pretended to see how the Building proceeded or else to apprehend Mackduff as he himself feared came to view the Structure and by chance spying a Teem of Mackduff's Oxen not able to draw up their Load against a steep Hill he took thence a willing occasion to vent his Passion against the Thane saying That he knew well enough before his disobedient Temper and therefore was resolved to punish it and to make him an Example he threatened to lay the Yoke upon his own Neck instead of his Oxen. Maecduff hearing of it commended the Care of his Family to his Wife and without any delay fitted up a small Vessel as well as the streights of Time permitted and so passed over into Lothian and from thence into England The King hearing that he intended to fly made haste into Fife with a strong Band of Men to prevent him but he being departed before the King was presently admitted into his Castle where he poured out all his Fury upon the Thane's Wife and Children who were there present His Goods were confiscated He himsel was proclaimed Traitor and a grievous Punishment was threatened to any who dared to converse with or entertain him He exercised also great Cruelty against others if they were either Noble or Rich without distinction For now the Nobility was despised by him and he managed the Government by Domestick Counsels In the mean time Macduff arriving in England found Malcolm there Royally Treated by King Edward For Edward when the Danes Power was broken in England being recalled from Banishment did favour Malcolm who was brought to him by Sibert his Grandfather by the Mother side for many Reasons as either because his Father and Grandfather when Governors of Cumberland had always favoured the Concerns of his Ancestors as much as the Times would permit them to do or else because the Similitude of Events and the remembrance of Dangers did assimilate their Minds for each King had been unjustly banished by Tyrants Or Lastly because the Affliction of Kings doth conciliate and move the Minds even of the greatest strangers to pity and favour them Whereupon the Thane as soon as he had opportunity to speak with Malcolm in a long Discourse declared to him the Necessity of his unhappy Flight the Cruelty of Mackbeth against all ranks of Men with the universal Hatred of the People conceived against him so that he advised him in an accurate Harangue as he was a Son so to endeavour the Recovery of his Fathers Kingdom especially seeing he could not without incurring a great deal of Guilt leave the Murder of his Father to pass unrevenged nor neglect the Miseries of the People which God had committed to his Charge nor finally ought He to shut his Ears against the just Petitions of his Friends Besides he told him That King Edward was so Gracious a Prince That he would not be wanting to him his Friend and Suppliant That the People did also favour Him and hated the Tyrant In fine That Gods Favour would attend the Good against the Impious if he were not wanting to himself But Malcâ—lm who had often before been persuaded and solicited to return by Messengers secretly sent to him from Mackbeth That he might not be ensnared before he committed so great a Concern to Fortune resolved to try the Faithfulness of Mackduff and therefore he framed his Answer thus I know says he That all what thou hast said is true but I am afraid That you who invite Me to undertake the Regal Government do not throughly know my Disposition for those Vices which have already destroyed many Kings viz. Lust and Avarice do almost Reign even in me too and thô now my private Fortune doth hide and disguise them yet the Liberty of a Kingdom will let loose the Reins thereunto And therefore said he Pray have a care that you invite me not rather to my Ruin than to a Throne When Mackduff had replyed thereto That the Lust and Desire of many Concubines might be prevented by a lawful Marriage and
of the Enemies Numbers promised to devote the Village whither he was going to St. Andrew the Apostle the Tutelary Saint of Scotland if he returned Victor from that Expedition After a few Removes he came to the River Spey the violentest Current in all Scotland where he beheld a greater number of Soldiers than he thought could have been levied out of those Countries standing on the other side of the River to hinder his Passage Whereupon the Standard Bearer making an Halt and delaying to enter the River he snatch'd the Standard out of his Hand and gave it to one Alexander Carron a Knight of known Valour whose Posterity had ever afterwards the Honour of carrying the Kings Standard in the Wars and in stead of Carron the Name of Scrimger was given him because he being full of true Valour though ignorant of the Modes and Niceties of War had out-done One who was a Master in handling of Arms and who valued himself highly upon that Account As the King was entring the River the Mitred Priests with their Mitres on their Heads prevented him who by his Permission having passed over to the Enemy before had ended the War without Blood The Nobles surrendred themselves upon Quarter for Life Those who were the most Seditious and and the Authors of the Rising were Tryed had their Goods Confiscated and themselves Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment Peace being thus by his great Industry obtained both at home and abroad he converted his pains to amend the publick Manners for he lived Devoutly and Piously himself and provoked others by his Example to a Modest Just and Sober Life It is thought that he was assisted herein by the Counsel and Monitions of his Wife a choice Woman and eminently Pious She omitted no Office of Humanity towards the Poor or the Priests neither did Agatha the Mother or Christiana the Sister come behind the Queen in any Religious Duty For because a Nuns Life was then accounted the great Nourisher and Maintainer of Piety Both of them leaving the toilsome Cares of the World shut themselves up in a Monastery appointed for Virgins Then the King to the Four former Bishopricks of St. Andrews Gasgow Whithorn and Murthlack where the old Discipline by the Bishops Sloth and Default was either remitted or laid quite aside added That of Murray and Caithness procuring Men Pious and Learned according to the rate of those times to fill the Sees And whereas also Luxury began to abound in those days in regard many English came in and great Commerce was had with Foreign Nations and also many English Exiles were entertained and scatt'red almost all over the Kingdom he laboured though to little purpose to restrain it But he had the hardest Task of all with the Nobles whom he endeavoured to reclaim to the Practice of their ancient Parsimony for they having once swallowed the bait of Pleasure did not only grow worse and worse but even ran headlong into Debauchery yea they laboured to cover that foul Vice under the false Name of Neatness Bravery and Gallantry Malcolm forseeing that such courses would be the Ruin not only of Religion but also of Military Discipline did first of all Reform his own Family very exactly afterwards he made most severe Sumptuary Laws denouncing great Punishment against the Violators of them Yet by those Remedies he rather stopp'd than cured the Disease nevertheless as long as he lived he employed all his endeavours to work a thorough Reform therein It is also Reported That his Wife obtained of him That whereas the Nobles had gradually obtained a Priviledge to lye the first Night with any Married Bride by the Law of Eugenius That Custom should be altered and the Husband have Liberty to Redeem it by paying half a Mark of Silver which Payment is yet called Marcheta Mulierum Whilst Malcolm was thus busied in reforming the publick Manners William King of England dies His Son William Rufus succeeded him Peace could not long be continued between two Kings of such â—ifferent Dispositions For the King of Scots chose that Time to Build two Temples or Cathedrals in one at Durham in England the other at Dumferling in Scotland upon Both which Piles he bestowed great Cost so that he endeavoured to retrieve Church-Affairs which then began to flag and decay And withal he translated Turgot Abbat of the Monks at Durham to the Bishoprick of St. Andrews This he did whilst Rufus was plucking down Towns and Monasteries and making Forests that he might have the more room to hunt in And when Anselme the Norman then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did with freedom rebuke him for the same he Banished him the Land He also sought for an Occasion of War against the Scots And thereupon he surprized the Castle of Alnwick in Northumberland having slain the Garison which was therein Malcolm having demanded Restitution but in vain Besieged the Castle with a great Army They within being reduced to great extremity and want talk'd of surrendring it and desired the King to come and receive the Keys with his own Hand which as he was a doing being tendred to him on the point of a Spear the Soldier run him into the Eye and killed him And his Son Edward also being forward to revenge his Fathers Death and thereupon more negligent of his own safety made an unwary assault upon the Enemy wherein he received a Wound of which he died soon after The Scots being afflicted and troubled at this double Slaughter of Two of their Kings broke up the Siege and returned home Margaret did not long survive her Husband and Son but died of Grief The Bodies of the Kings which at first were buried at Tinmouth a Monastery at the mouth of Tine were afterwards brought back to Dumferling Malcolm held the Kingdom Thirty and three years being noted for no Vice but famous to Posterity for his great and many Virtues he had six Sons by his Wife Margaret of whom Edward was slain by the English in the Siege of Alnwick Castle Edmond and Etheldred were Banished into England by their Uncle Donald where they died The other Three Edgar Atheldred and David succeeded in the Kingdom one after another He also had Two Daughters the Elder Maud Sirnamed the Good Married Henry King of England the younger named Mary had Eustace Earl of Bologn for her Husband Several Prodigies hapned in those days and in particular there was such a mighty and unusual an Inundation of the German Ocean that it did not only drown the Fields and Country and choked them up with Sand but also overthrew Villages Towns and Castles And besides there were great and terrible Thunders and more were killed with Thunderbolts than were ever Recorded to have perished by that Death in Britain before Donaldus VII Sirnamed Banus The Eighty Seventh King UPon the Death of Malcolm Donaldus Banus i. e. The White his Brother who for
Henry was buried he stept into the Throne and the Two First Years reigned peaceably enough Whereupon growing insolent he began to neglect his Agreement made with the English and also to deal harsly with strangers After he had compelled all the English partly by Fear partly by fair Promises to take an Oath of Allegiance to him he sent Embassadors to David King of Scots to put him in mind to take the same Oath for the Counties of Cumberland Northumberland and Huntingdon which he held of him David returned Answer That he together with Stephen himself and the other Nobles of England had not long since bound themselves by an Oath to obey Maud their Lawful Queen And that he ought not nor would acknowledge any other King as long as she was alive When this Answer was brought to Stephen presently a War began The English entred upon the adjacent Scots the Scots doing as much for them The next Year an Army of Scots under the Conduct of the Earls of Merch of Menteith and of Argus entred England and met the English at the Town of Allerton whose General was the Earl of Glocester A sharp Battel was there fought with equal slaughter on both sides as long as the Army stood to it at last the English being overthrown many perished in the flight and many of the Nobility were taken Prisoners amongst whom was the Earl of Glocester himself Stephen being much concerned at this Overthrow lest the Friends and Kindred of the Captive Nobles might be alienated from him refused no Conditions of Peace The Terms were These That the English Prisoners should be released without Ransom That Stephen should quit all the Claim which as chief Lord he pretended to have over Cumberland But Stephen observed those Conditions no better than he did the Oath formerly taken to Maud his Kinswoman For before the Armies were quite Disbanded and the Prisoners Released he privately surprized some Castles in Northumberland and by driving away Bootys from the Scots Countrys renewed the War The Scots gathering a sudden Army together out of the Neighbour Countrys and despising the English whom they had overthrown in Battel the self same Year did rashly run on to the Conflict at the River Tees where they paid for their Folly in undervaluing the Enemy by receiving a great Overthrow and were also enforced to quit Northumberland David to retrieve this Loss and Ignominy gathered as great an Army as ever he could together and came to Roxburgh Thither Turstan or as William of Newberry calls him Trustinus was sent by the English to Treat concerning a Pacification and there being some hope of Agreement a Truce was made for Three Months upon Condition That Northumberland should be presently restored to the Scots But this Promise which was made by Stephen only to have the Army Disbanded was not performed so that David drove away a great Booty out of that Part of Northumberland which obeyed Stephen and Stephen gathering a great Force together pierced as far as Roxborough But understanding That the Nobility were averse and complained That they were intangled in an Unjust and Unnecessary War without performing any Memorable Exploit he retired into the heart of his Kingdom And the next Year fearing some intestine Sedition he sent his Wife Maud to David her Uncle to treat of Peace Upon her Mediation it was accorded That David from Newcastle where he commonly aboad and Stephen from Durham should send Arbitrators for composing of Matters to the Town of Chester in the street scituate in the Midway equally distant from Both Places David sent the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgoe Stephen the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York Both Parties were the more inclineable to Peace because Stephen feared War from abroad and Seditions at home and the Scots complained That they were forced to bear the shock of a War made in the behalf of another whereas Maud for whose sake it was commenced did nothing at all in it The Peace was made on These Conditions That Cumberland as by Ancient Right should be possessed by David and that Northumberland unto the River Tees as William of Newberry the Englishman writes and Huntingtonshire should be enjoyed by Henry Davids Son upon the account of his Mothers Inheritance and That he should do Homage to Stephen for the same When things were thus composed David retired into Cumberland and Stephen into Kent This Peace was made in the Year of our Lord 1139. In which Year Maud being returned into England sent her Son Henry afterward King of England to Carlisle to David his Great Uncle that he might be instructed in Feats of Arms and also be made Knight by him who without doubt was the excellentest Warrior in his time which Matter in those days was performed with a great deal of Ceremony At that time there was so great a Disturbance in England by reason of Domestique Discords That no Part of it was free from a Civil War but That which David the King of Scots held And that he alone might not plead Exemption from the publick Calamity within Three Years after his Son the only Heir in hope of so much Power and Felicity dyed in the flower of his Age leaving Three Sons and as many Daughters behind him He left so great a Love behind for him both from the Scots and English that besides the publick Loss every one lamented his own private Misfortune also at his death For so great a Sincerity and Moderation of Mind shined forth in him even in that Age wherein Youth is accustomed to wantonize That every body expected most rare and singular Fruits from his Disposition when it was ripened by Age. His Fathers Grief was also further increased by reason of the tender Age of his Nephew and the Ambition and restless Disposition of Stephen and if he dyed he was troubled at the Fierceness of Henry's Spirit then in the fervor of his Youth who being the Son of Maud was to succeed in the Kingdom When the Thoughts of so many foreseen Mischiefs did assault his diseased and feeble Mind insomuch that all Men imagined he would have sunk under them yet he bore up so stoutly that he invited some of the Prime Nobility who were solicitous for him lest he should be too much afflicted as well they might to Supper and there he entertained them with a Discourse rather like a Comforter than a Mourner He told them That no new thing had hapned to him or to his Son That he had long since Learned from the Sermons of Learned and Holy Men That the World was Governed by the Providence of Almighty God whom it was a foolish and impious thing to endeavour to resist That he was not ignorant his Son was born on no other Terms but that he must also dye and so pay that Debt to Nature which he owed even at his very Birth And when Men were always ready to pay that Debt 't was
the following year did more fully appear when he cokes'd Malcolm out of Northumberland which was his Brother William's Patrimony For he sent for him to London That according to the Examples of his Ancestors he in a publick Assembly might acknowledge himself his Feudatary for the Lands which he held in England He under Covert of the Publick Faith came speedily thither but without doing any thing of That for which his Journey was pretended he was inforced against his Will with that little Retinue which he had to accompany Henry into Henry's Design herein was partly that the Scots might not attempt any thing against him in his absence and partly to alienate the Mind of Lewis King of France from him Thus Malcolm was compelled for fear of a greater Mischief to go against his old Friend and was not suffered to come back to his own Country till King Henry having made no great Earnings of the French War returned home also Then Malcolm obtained leave to return to Scotland where in a Convention of the Nobility he declared to them the Adventure of his Travels but he found a great Part of them very much incensed that he had joyned with a certain Enemy against an Old and Trusty Friend and did not foresee the Artifices by which Henry had gulled him The King on the other side alleged That he was haled unwillingly into France by a King in whose Power he was and to whom he dared to deny nothing at that time and therefore he did not despair but the French would be satisfied and appeased when they understood he was hurried thither by Force and carried none of his Country Forces along with him This Harangue with much ado quieted the Sedition for the present which was almost ready to break out But Henry who had Spies every where knew That the Tumult was rather suspended than that the Minds of Men were reconciled to him and therefore he Summoned Malcolm to come to a Convention at York There he was accused of a pretended Crime That the English had been worsted in France principally by his means and therefore it was referred to the Assembly Whether he ought not to lose all the Countries which he held in England Though he answered all the objected Crimes and fully cleared himself yet he found all their Ears shut against him as being prepossessed by the Fears or Favour of their King so that a Decree was made in Favour of Henry Neither was he contented with this Injury but he also suborned some Persons fit for his purpose to bruit it abroad That Malcolm had freely and of his own accord quitted his Interest in those Countries At which his Subjects the Scots were so incensed that at his Return home they besieged him in Perth and had almost taken him But by the Intervention of some great Men their Anger was somewhat abated when he had informed the Nobility how unjustly and fraudulently Henry had despoiled him of his Ancient Patrimony Whereupon they unanimously agreed upon a War that so he might recover by just Arms what was unlawfully taken from him by Force Thus a War was Decreed Denounc'd and Waged not without great Inconveniencies to both Nations At last both Kings came to a Conference not far from Carlisle and after much dispute Pro and Con Henry took away Northumberland from Malcolm leaving him Cumberland and Huntington-shire Henry had no other Pretence for his Ambitious Avarice but This That he could not suffer so great a Diminution to be made of his Kingdom But seeing no respect to Justice and Right no Pacts Covenants no nor the Religion of an Oath could hinder the unsatiable Avarice of Henry Malcolm being a Man of a low Spirit and too desirous of Peace upon any Conditions whatever accepted of his Terms sore against the Minds of the Scots Nobility who denied That the King could alienate any part of his Dominions without the General Consent of the Estates After this the King began to be despised by his Subjects as not having Fortitude or Prudence enough to weild the Scepter neither did any thing bridle their fierce Minds from Rising in Arms but a greater Fear from Henry who they knew did aim at the Conquest of the whole Island being encouraged thereunto by the Simplicity of Malcolm and by his Hopes of Foreign Aid This General Disaffection to the King did much lessen the Reverence of his Government A Rebellion was first begun by Angus or rather Aeneas of Galway a Potent Man but yet more encouraged by the Kings Sloth than his own Power Gilchrist was sent against him who overthrew him in Three Fights and compelled him to take Sanctuary in the Monastery of White-horn out of which it was not counted Lawful to pull him by Force and therefore after a long Siege being driven to the want of all Necessaries he was forced to Capitulate He was to lose part of his Estate for his Punishment and his Son was to be given as an Hostage for his good Behaviour for the future But he being of a lofty Spirit and not able to endure this abatement of his former Greatness turn'd Monk shaved himself and shut himself up in a Monastery near Edinburgh to avoid the shame and scorn of Men. Neither was there Peace in other Parts of the Realm for the Murray-Men being always given to Mutinying rose in Arms under Gildo or rather Gildominick their Captain and did not only spoil the circumjacent Counties but when Heralds of Arms were sent from the King they most barbarously slew them Gilchrist was sent out against them also with a greater Army but with unlike Success For the Valour of an Adversary which is wont to be a Terrour to other Rebels drove those wicked Persons conscious of their own Demerits to Desperation and therefore endeavouring to sell their Lives as dear as they could they routed the opposite Army and became Conquerors Malcolm upon this overthrow recruited his old Army and marched into Murray and met the Murray-Men at the Mouth of the River Spey who though they knew that the Kings Forces were encreased and Theirs diminished in the late Fight yet being encouraged by the Opportunity of the Place and their newly obtained Victory they resolved to Adventure a Battel The Fight was carried on with great Resolution and no less Slaughter For the Moravians gave not back till the Kings Forces being wearied had new Releif from Reserves sent them Then the Moravians were broken and there was no more Fighting but Killing The Fury of the Soldiers spared no Age nor Rank of Men. In this Fight the old Moravians were almost all slain which Punishment though Cruel seemed not to be undeserved and the Greatness of the Revenge was allayed and made excuseable by the Savage Cruelty of that perfidious People against others Hereupon new Coâ—onies were sent into the Lands of the slain Neither did Sumerled in this hurly burly think it fit to sit still
of Silver as a Largess being moved thereunto either out of Remembrance of his former Bounty to him or on the Consideration of his present Want Neither were ever the Scots and English more Gracious than at that time as many judge There William fell very Sick and a Rumour of his Death being noised abroad caused new Combustions in Scotland Harald Earl of the Orcades and of Caithnes hated the Bishop of Caithnes because as he alledged he was the Obstacle that he could not obtain what he desired of the King and therefore he took him Prisoner cut out his Tongue and also put out his Eyes The King returning home overthrew Harald in several Skirmishes and destroyed most of his Forces Harald himself was taken in his Flight and brought back to the King who when his Eyes also were first put out by way of Retaliation was afterwards hanged his whole Male-Stock were Gelded the rest of his Kinn and Companions of his Wickedness were deeply Fined These things are thus related by Hector Boetius and common Report confirms them yea the Hill receiving its Name from Testicles gives credit to the Relation so that it seems truer than what others Write in this matter These things happened in the Year of our Salvation 1198. in which Year the King had a Son named Alexander Born to him and Richard of England dying his Brother Iohn succeeded him Whereupon the King of Scots went into England to take his Oath to him for the Lands which he held in England and in the beginning of Iohn's new Reign his Coming was not more acceptable than his Departure displeasing because he refused to follow Iohn in his Expedition into France against Philip his old Friend So that as soon as Iohn returned out of France he sought Occasion for a War with the Scots and began to build a Fort over against Berwick William having in vain complained of the Injurie by his Embassadors gathered a Company together and demolished what was built thereof Upon which Armies were Levied on both sides but when their Camps were near to one another Peace was made by the Intervention of the Nobles on these Terms That William's Two Daughters should be given in Matrimony to Iohn's Two Sons assoon as ever they were Marriageable A great Dowry was promised and Caution made That no Fort should be built and Hostages also were given in the case William at his return fell into an unexpected Danger The greatest Part of the Town of Berth was swept away in the Night by an Inundation of the River Tay Neither was the King's Palace exempted from the Calamity but his Son an Infant with his Nurse and 14 more were drowned the rest hardly escaping Many also of the Promiscuous Multitude lost their Lives The King perceiving that the Water had overwhelmed the greatest part of the Ground on which the City stood and that almost every House in the Town had suffered thereby caused a new City to be built a little below in a more commodious place on the same River and making some small variation of the Name called it Perth in Memory as some say of one Perth a Nobleman who gave the King the Land on which the City was built About the same time the King took Gothered Makul Captain of the Rebels in the North who was betrayed to him by his own Men. When he was Prisoner he constantly abstained from all Food to prevent as 't is thought a more heavy Punishment This was in a manner the last memorable Fact of William's which yet in regard of his unweildy Age was acted by his Captains For he Dyed soon after in the 74 th year of his Age and the 49 th year of his Reign A. D. 1643. Not long before his Death Leagues were renewed with Iohn King of England almost every Year for he being a Man desirous to enlarge his Dominions thô he had War with the French abroad with the Romanists at home and moreover was never on sure Terms of Peace with the Irish or Welsh yet did not break off his Inclination to invade Scotland which had then an old Man for their King and the next Heir to him a Child Frequent Conferences happened on this Occasion rather to try what might be obtained than in hopes of any good Issue at length the Matter broke out into open Suspicion And after many Leagues made between Them at last William was called to Newcastle upon Tine Whither he came but there falling into a dangerous Disease he returned without doing any thing In fine a little before his Death he was invited to Norham on the Tweed and when his Sickness would not permit him to go his Son was desired to come in his stead which yet by the Advice of the Council was refused the Leagues established in those Interviews I shall not particularly mention for they almost all contain the same things having in them nothing New save that in One of them it was Articled That the Scotish Kings should not Swear nor be Feudataries to the Kings of England Themselves for the English Lands they held but their Children only The Mention of these things is wholly omitted by the English Writers also I believe for this very Cause Alexander II. The Ninety Fourth King WIlliam was succeeded by Alexander his Son begot on Emergard who was Kinswoman to the King of England and Daughter to the Earl of Beaumont He was but Sixteen years of age when he began to Reign entring upon the Government in troublesom Times he composed and setled things more prudently than could be expected from one of his years First of all he Indicted a Publick Convention of the Estates and therein by a Decree he confirmed all the Acts of his Father that good and prudent Prince His first Expedition was into England not out of any private Ambition but to bridle the Tyranny of Iohn and it was then said that he was sent for in by the Ecclesiasticks of that Kingdom He left Norham upon certain Conditions when he had begun to besiege it and piercing further into the Kingdom he carried it very severely against all the Royalists Upon his Return home Iohn invaded Scotland quickly after He made a mighty Devastation in Dunbar Hadington and all the Neighbouring Parts of Lothian and to spread the War and Ruin further he determined to return another Way Alexander being very desirous to decide it by a Battel pitcht his Tents between the Pentland Hills and the River Eske which way as it was bruited he would return but Iohn to avoid fighting marched along by the Sea and burnt the Monastery of Coldingham he also took and burnt Berwick which was then but meanly fortified As he thus marched hastily back Alexander followed him as fast as he could and making great havock all over Northumberland came as far as Richmond But Iohn by speedy marches having retreated into the heart of England Alexander returned by Westmorland and
divided his Book into Chapters and besides what he affirms is no where found in his Writings but to leave this unlearned and shameless Relator I return to Edward who by reason of the abounding Multitude of his Army sent Part of it to besiege Dunbar and a few days after the Castle of Berwick despairing of any Relief was surrendred to him Afterwards he joined all his Forces together at Dunbar to fight the Scots Army who came to relieve it The Battel was fierce and the Victory inclining to the English the chief of the Nobility fled into the Castle but the Castle was soon taken either by the Perfidiousness of Richard Stuart the Governor or else because he had not Provisions for so great a Multitude as were shut up in so narrow a Compass Edward was very cruel to all the Prisoners Some cast the Blame of this Overthrow upon Robert Bruce the Elder in that his Friends giving back in the Battel it strook a Terrour into the rest But our Writers do constantly affirm That when Bruce demanded of Edward the Kingdom of Scotland according to his Promise as a Reward of his Pains that day That Edward should answer in French of which Language he was Master What have I nothing else to do but to win Kingdoms for you When Dunbar and some other Castles near the Borders of England were taken the surrender of Edinburgh and Sterlin followed soon after Then Edward passing over the Forth directed his March where Baliol then was When he was come as far as Montross without any to oppose him Baliol by the Persuasion of Iohn Cumins of Strabogy came to him and surrendred to him Himself and the Kingdom Baliol was sent into England by Sea and Edward returning to Berwick sent a strict and severe Summons to all the Scots Nobles to attend him there after they came he compelled them to Swear Fealty to him But William Douglas an eminent Man both on the account of his Family and also his own famous Exploits obstinately refusing to do it was cast into Prison where in a few years he died Thus Edward having succeeded in his Expedition according to his Mind left Iohn Warren Earl of Surry as Proxy behind him and Hugh Cressingham Lord Chief Justice or Treasurer and so returned to London There he committed Iohn Baliol to Prison in the 4th year of his Reign but a while after at the Entreaty of the Pope and his Promise that he would raise no Tumults in Scotland he was sent back into France his Son Edward being retained as an Hostage Edward having prepared all things for the French War which by reason of the Commotions in Scotland he had deferred now Sails thither with great Forces The Scots by reason of his Absence being erected to some hopes of their Liberty chose 12 Men to Govern the State By whose unanimous Consent Iohn Cumins Earl of Buchan was sent into England with a good Force and in regard the English who were scattered in Garisons over Scotland dared not to stir he spoiled Northumberland without controul and laid Siege to Carlisle but to no purpose Though this Expedition did somewhat encourage the before crest-fallen Scots and hindred the English from doing them further Mischief yet it contributed little or nothing to the Main Chance in regard that all the Places of Strength were possessed by the Enemies Garisons But when the Nobility had neither Strength nor Courage to undertake great Matters there presently started up one William Wallace a Man of an Ancient and Noble Family but one that had lived poorly and meanly as having little or no Estate yet this Man performed in this War not only beyond the Expectation but even the Belief of all the Common People For he was bold-spirited and strong-bodied and when he was but a Youth had slain a young English Nobleman who proudly domineered over him For this Fact he was fain to run away and to skulk up and down in several places for some years to save his Life and by this Course of Life his Body was hardned against Wind and Weather and his Mind also fortified to undergo greater hazards when time should serve At length growing weary of such an Erratick Life he resolved to attempt something though never so hazardous and therefore gathered a Band of Men together of like Fortune with himself and did not only assault single Persons but even greater Companies though with an inferior Number and accordingly he slew several Persons in divers Places He played his Pranks with as much Celerity as Boldness and never gave his Enemy opportunity to fight him so that in a short time his Fame was spread over Both Nations by which means many came in to him moved by the likeness of their Cause or with the like Love of their Country thus he made up a considerable Army And seeing the Nobles were sluggish in their Management of Affairs either out of Fear or Dulness this Wallace was proclaimed Regent by the Tumultuous Band that followed him and so he managed Things as a Lawful Magistrate and the Substitute of Baliol. He accepted of this Name not out of any Ambition or Desire to Rule but because it was cast upon him by the Love and Good Will of his Countrymen With this Army the first visible Exploit he performed was at Lanerick where he slew the Major General of that Precinct being an Englishman of good Descent Afterwards he took and demolished many Castles which were either slenderly Fortified or meanly Garisoned or else guarded negligently which petty Attempts so encouraged his Soldiers that they shunned no Service no not the most hazardous under his Conduct as having experienced That his Boldness was guided by Counsel and That Counsel seconded by good Success When the Report of these Things was spread abroad and perhaps somewhat enlarged beyond the Bounds of Truth out of Mens Respect and Favour to him All that wished well to their Country or were afraid of their own particular Conditions flocked in to him as judging it fit to take Opportunity by the Forelock so that in a short time he reduced all the Castles which the English held on the other side of the Forth though never so well fortified and for fear of him carefully Guarded He took and demolished the Castles of Dundee Forfar Brechin and Montross he seized on Dunoter unawares and Garisoned it he entred Aberdene which the Enemy for fear of his coming had plundered and burnt even whilst it was in Flames but a Rumour being scattered abroad concerning the coming of the English Army prevented his Taking the Castle for he determined to meet them at the Forth not being willing to hazard a Battel but in a Place he himself should choose Edward of England when he went into France as I said before put English Garisons into all the Strong Holds of Scotland and besides having many of the Scots faithful to him and unfaithful to their
to have their Cause heard and never shunned the Determination of an Equal Judge nor the Arbitration of any Good men and moreover when they produced many Grants and Summons of Former Popes which made for them and against their Enemies the Scots were always present at the day and the English tho' they had Notice given never came Hereupon the Pope was easily reconciled to the Scots and the French as easily induced to renew the Ancient League only one Article was added to the old Conditions That if any Controversy did hereafter arise amongst the Scots concerning him who was to succeed in the Kingdom the same should be decided by the Council of the States and the French if there were need were to assist Him by his Authority and with his Arms who by Lawful Suffrages was by them declared King Our Writers cast the Rise of the Hamiltons now a powerful Family in Scotland upon these Times There was a certain Nobleman in the Court of England who spake Honourably of the Fortune and Valour of Bruce whereupon one of the Spencers Bed-Chamber Man to the King either thinking That his Speech was Reproachful to the English or else to curry Favour with the looser sort of the Nobility drew forth his Faucheon and making at him gave him a slight wound in the Body The Man being of a great Spirit was more concerned at the Contumely than at the Damage and being hindered by the coming in of many to part the Fray from taking present Revenge the day after finding his Enemy in a sit Posture in the same place he run him thorough And fearing the Punishment of the Law and the great Power of the Spencers at Court he fled presently into Scotland to King Robert by whom he was courteously received and some Lands near the River Clyde were bestowed upon him His Posterity not long after were admitted to the Degree of Noblemen and the Opulent Family of the Hamiltons was Sirnamed from him and also the Name of Hamilton was imposed on the Lands which the King gave him Not long after Edward had great Combustions at home insomuch that he put many of the Nobles to Death and advanced the Spencers the Authors of all Evil Counsel higher than his own Kindred could bear so that he was apprehended by his Son and by his Wife who had received a small Force from beyond the Seas and kept close Prisoner and not long after he was slain by a course sort of Death an hot Iron was thrust into his Fundament through a Pipe of Horn by which his Bowels were burnt up and yet no Sign of so terrible a Fact appeared on the outside of his Body His Wife and Son were thought Privy to the Parricide either because his Keepers would never have dared to commit such a Deed so openly unless they had had Great Authors or else because they were never called in Question for so Immane a Butchery These Disturbances in England which were followed by the Kings Death Bruce also growing old and weak in Body were the Occasions that Peace for some Years did intercede between the Two Neighbour Nations For Bruce being freed from the Fear of the English and being also called upon by his Age converted his Thoughts to settle his Domestick Affairs And first he made hast to confirm the Kingdom which was not yet quite recovered nor fully setled from the Commotions of former Times to his only Son yet but a Child by the Consent and Decree of the Estates And if he died without Issue then he appointed Robert Stuart his Nephew by his Daughter to be his Successor He caused the Nobles to take an Oath for the Performance of this Decree But afterwards fearing That after his Death Baliol would begin his old Dispute about the Kingdom especially seeing his Heirs because of their Minority might be liable to be injured by others he sent Iames Douglas to Iohn Baliol being in France with large Gifts and Promises That he would cease his Claim to the Kingdom This he did not so much to acquire a new Right because according to the Scotish Custom The King is made by the Decree of the Estates who have the Supream Power in their Hands but that he might cut off all Occasion from Wicked Men to Calumniate his Posterity and also that he might Eradicate the very Seeds of Sedition Douglas found Baliol far more placable than he or others thought he would be for he was now surrounded with the Miseries of Extream Old Age. He ingenuously Confessed That his Peccant Exorbitance was justly restrained and that he was deservedly driven out of the Kingdom as unworthy to Reign And therefore he was very willing That his Kinsman Robert should enjoy the Crown by whose high Valour singular Felicity and great Pains-taking 't was Vindicated into its Ancient Splendour In one thing he rejoyced That they by whom he was deceived did not enjoy the Reward of their Perfidiousness When Robert had setled these Matters according to his own desire the same Year which was 1327. our Writers say That Ambassadors were sent into Scotland by Edward the Third for a Pacification in which Matter they seemed to act Treacherously and instead of Peace they carried home War but what the particular Fraud was is not expressed and the English say That the War was openly denounced by Robert but they describe not the Cause of it surely it must needs be some great and mighty One or else a valetudinary old Man when Peace was scarce setled at home and who might have been sated with his former Victories rather than with War would not so soon have been provoked to reassume his Arms. This is certain That the King by reason of his Age could not manage the War himself in Person so that Thomas Randolfe and Iamâ—s Douglas the Valiantest and Wisest of all that Age were sent by him into England with Twenty Thousand brave nimble Horse but no Foot at all The Reason was That they might fly up and down swiftly and not abide in one place nor be forced to Fight the English unless they themselves pleased For they knew that the English would make Head against them in their first Expedition with a far more numerous Army Neither were they deceived in their Opinions for the King of England besides his Domestick Forces had procured great Assistance of Horse from Belgium but in regard they and the English fell out at York some English Writers say That they returned home again But Frossard a French Writer of the same Age says That they accompanied the English during the whole Expedition and that not only for Honours sake but also for Fear of Sedition they had the next Place to the Kings Regiment always assigned to them in the Camp The King having made a Conjunction of all his Forces which were clearly above Sixty Thousand Men marched against the Scots who had already passed over the Tine Now there were
being often found in Adultery and admonished by the Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court yet not desisting he was at last Excommunicated by the Official as they call him of the Bishop of Glasgow Whereupon he as if he had received a grat deal of Wrong way-laid the Judge as he was going to Air and kept him so long a Prisoner until upon the Payment of a Sum of Money he had absolved him Twine being informed That Iames Douglas was extremely angry with him for this Fact and that he sought for him to have him punished for Fear of his Power he fled into France and there he addressed himself to Edward Baliol Son to Iohn who had been King of Scotland some few years informing him of the State of Affairs in Scotland and withal advising him by no means to omit so fair an Opportunity of recovering his Fathers Kingdom For said he Their King was now but a Child and he had many Enemies about him and readier to be Avengers of the hatred towards his Father than his Friends The Fathers of some were slain in a publick Convention at Perth others were banished and lost their Estates others were mulct with the Loss of a great part of of their Lands and besides many of the English race who were deprived of the Lands given them by his Father would be his Companions in the Expedition yea that there were Men enough needy and criminal who either for hope of gain or to avoid the punishment of the Law being desirous of Change and Innovation wanted nothing but a Leader to begin a Disturbance And moreover Iames Douglas being killed in Spain and Randolf by reason of his Sickness being unfit for the Government there was not a Man besides to whose Authority the giddy and disagreeing Multitude would as soon submit as to His. Baliol knew That what he had spoken was for the most part true and hearing also that Edward of England was sending great Forces into Scotland Thereupon the crafty Impostor easily persuaded Him who of himself was desirous of Empire and Glory to get what Ships he could together and so to bear a Part in that Expedition But before the coming of Baliol into England Edward had disbanded his Army Nevertheless â—he exiled Scots and those English who had been dispossessed of their Lands in Scotland flocked in to him and so he made up no inconsiderable Army Some say That he had but 600 men accompanying him in so great an Attempt which seems not very probable I rather think Their Speech is more agreeable to Truth who write That the English assisted him with 6000 Foot And they were all more encouraged in their designed Expedition when they heard That Randolf was dead whilst they were making their Preparations for that mightily erected their Minds as a good Omen of their Future Success With this Navy he came to Kinghorn and there Landed his Naval Forces in the Calends of August The Land Forces were led by David Cumins heretofore Earl of Athol as also by Mowbray and Beaumont and the Forces of the English by Talbot At the News of the arrival of this Fleet Alexander Seaton a Nobleman who happened to be in those Parts at that time strove to oppose them thinking that upon their disorderly Landing some Opportunity of Service might be Offered but in regard few of the Country came in to him he and most of his men were cut off Baliol allowed some Few Days to his Soldiers to refresh themselves after their troublesome Voyage and then marched directly towards Perth and pitched his Tents by the Water-Mills not far from the Water of Earn The Regent was beyond and Patrick Dunbar on this side the River each of them with Great Forces their Camps being five miles distant one from another Baliol thô upon the Coming in of Many to him on the bruit of his good Success he made up an Army of above Ten thousand men yet being between Two Armies of his Enemies and fearing to be crushed in the midst he thought it best to attack them severally and that on a sudden when they least expected any such thing and he resolved to set upon Marr the Regent first because it was likely That he being most remote from his Enemy would be less watchful and so more liable to a surprize He got Andrew Murray of Tullibardin to be hiâ— Guide who not daring to joyn himself openly with the English in the Night fastned and stuck up a Pole or Stake in the River where it was Fordable to shew Baliol's men the Way over They being covered with the Woods which grew on the other Side the River came near the Enemy before they were aware where they understood That they kept but a thin Watch and slender Guard and passed the Night as in no Expectation of an Enemy at all upon the Account of this their Negligence they marched by their Camp in great Silence thinking to make an Assault on the adverse part thereof where they supposed they should find them more secure But it happened That in that Part where they presumed the greatest negligence was That Thomas Randolf Earl of Murray Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick Murdo Earl of Monteath and Alexander Frazer kept the Guard and Watch. They gathering a lusty Band of their Friends together received the First Charge and Onset of the Enemy very Valiantly upon the Edge of a Ditch which the falling down of the Rain-Water had made In the mean time a great Noise and Tumult was made in the Camp each one hastening to his Arms and running in to the Conflict but rushing in rashly in no Order and without their Colours first they broke the Ranks of their own men who bore the Brunt of the Baliolans and so the Last push'd on the First who falling into the Ditch they also in a ruinous manner foll down upon them There many were slain by the Enemy but more both of Horse and Men pressed to death by their â—all and the most part were so weakened that they had hardly strength enough left either to Fight or Fly There fell of the Scots 3000 many of those that escaped fled to Perth but they being few and generally without Arms or Guides were easily taken by the pursuing English together with the City itself The next Day Dumbar hearing of the overthrow of the other Army and that Perth was taken and being informed also of the Paucity of the English marched directly towards the Town with an intent to Besiege it and destroy the Enemy whilst they were yet in want of all things but the Matter being debated amongst his Chief Commanders each one excused himself and so they departed without effecting any thing Baliol having performed so great Matters in so short a time even beyond his Hope was encouraged to attempt the rest of the Scots either to win them by Favour or to conquer them by Force And there being such a mighty concourse of People
Merchandizing some for Religion leaving his Camp and the Wall but slenderly Guarded for they thought themselves secure from the Enemy in regard they knew that none of the opposite Faction were in all the Neighbouring parts except those few which were shut up in the Castle but the Besieged being made acquainted with the absence of Sterlin and the weakness of his Camp assoon as the Evening came shipt that Furniture which they had before prepared to peirce through the Wall and whilst the Watch was a Sleep made many Holes in it in several Places The Water having gotten some small Passages widened the Orifices of them by degrees and at last brake forth with such a Violence that it tumbled down All that was before it it overflow'd all the Plains and carried away with it Tents Huts Men half a Sleep and Horses with a mighty rushing Noise into the Sea And they which were in the Ships running in with a great shout upon the affrightned Soldiers added a second terrour to the first so that upon such a double surprize every Man minded nothing but how to save himself Thus shifting away they fled as every Man could and left the Prey to their Enemy Alan at his leasure carried into the Castle not only the spoils of their Camp but Provisions also prepared for a long Siege Moreover in another Sally made against the Guards which were at Kinross there was as happy Success the Guards were routed and taken and the Siege raised About the same time that these things were acting in Fife the English entred Scotland with great Forces both by Sea and Land When the Ships came into the Forth their Admiral struck upon the Rocks and the rest were grievously turmoiled so that they returned home with greater Loss than Booty But the Land-Forces pierced as far as Glasgoe where Edward called a Council of his own Faction and finding That there was neither General nor Army on foot of the contrary Party he thought his presence was no longer necessary so that he returned into England taking Baliol with him whom he somewhat distrusted and leaving David Cumins Earl of Athole to Command in Scotland He first of all seizes upon the large Estates of all the Stuarts which contained Bote Arran the Lands of Renfrow and a great part of Kyle and Cuningham He confirms Alan Lisle Chief Justice of Bote which some call Sheriff others Seneschal and also commanded the Neighbouring Countreys to obey him Then he himself marched into another part of the Country where he reduced the Provinces of Buchan and Murray and though he were now grown almost beyond the rate of a Private Man yet he sent forth all his Proclamations and publick Edicts in the Name of both Kings Edward and Baliol. At that time there was not a Man in Scotland that durst profess That Bruce was King only waggish Boys would sometimes do it as it were in sport and pastime yet Robert Stuart who then lay hid in Dunbarton judging that something might be attempted in the absence of Cumins made the Cambels a Powerful Family in Argyle acquainted with his Proposal Calen the Chief of them met him at Dunnoon a Castle in Coval with about 400 Men and presently surprizes it At the Noise whereof the Islanders of Bote who were divided but by a narrow Sea generally rise and hasten to their old Masters Alan gathered what united Force he could to stop their march whereupon the poor People being for the most part unarmed and who had assembled rather in a fit of Passion than by any solid Advice being struck with a Panick Fear ran to the next Hill where they found a great Company of Stones which they threw down like Showres of Hail-stones upon their Enemies who in contempt of their paucity rashly adventured to assault them the greatest Part of them were thus rudely treated before they came to Blows but as they retreated they so pressed upon them that the Valiantest of their Enemies with Alan Lislâ— himself were slain and Iohn Gilbert Governor of the Castle of Bote taken Prisoner so that they armed many of their own Men with the Spoils of the slain This not unbloody Victory was followed with the Surrender of the Castle of Bote. When the Rumour of these Things was spread abroad Thomas Bruce Earl of Carrick with his Neighbours and Allies out of Kyle and Cuningham as also William Carruder of Annandale who always had withstood the Government of the English with his Friends and Kinsmen crept out of his Hole and came in to Stuart And besides Iohn Randal Earl of Murray being returned out of France gave some hopes of Foreign Assistance whereupon being encouraged in their Minds to higher Attempts they made up an Army by the Assistance of Godfrey Ross Sheriff of Air and in a short time drew all Carick Kyle and Cuningham to their Party Also the Renfroans came to their old Masters the Stuarts uninvited The Vassals of Andrew Murray following their Example drew in the rest of Clydsdale part willingly and part against their Wills into their Cause Their Confidence being increased by these happy Beginnings that there might be some Representation of a Publick State among them they called together the Chief of their Party and made Two Regents viz. Robert Stuart though a Young Man yet One who in these lesser Expeditions had given a great Pledge of his Good-will towards his Country and Iohn Randolfe a Person worthy of his Father and Brother Both Eminent Patriots Randolfe being sent with a strong Party into the Northern Countrys there flocked in to him all those who were weary of the Heavy Yoke of the English So that David Cumins being amazed at this Inclination and Change of Mens Minds fled into Loch Abyr whither he followed him and driving up into a Nook and being also in great want of Provisions he forced him to yield but upon his Swearing Fealty to Bruce he dismissed him and withal gave so much Credit to his Promises that at his Departure he made him his Deputy and indeed afterwards he was not backward in Bruce his Cause In the mean time Randolfe returning into Lothian joined his old Friend William Douglas who being released and newly come out of England did revenge the Noisomness of his long Imprisonment with a great slaughter of his Enemies Andrew Murray returned also who was taken Prisoner at Roxburgh so that there being Commanders enough the Regent Indicted an Assembly at Perth to be held in the Calends of April where when Abundance of the Nobility met together they were not able to effect any thing by reason of the Great Feud betwixt William Douglas and David Cumins The Cause whereof was pretended to be That Cumins was the Occasion why Douglas was not sooner released by the English Stuart favoured Cumins but almost all the rest Douglas Moreover Cumins alleged That he came with a more than ordinary Train unto the Assembly by reason of
of Andrew was made Governor of the Castle Baliol was so terrified at this suddain Mutation of Affairs That he left Galway where he usually abode and went for England A while after the Castle of Edinburgh was taken not by Force but Stratagem Walter Curry a Merchant who then chanced to have a Ship laden with Provisions in the Bay or Firth of the River Tay at Dundee was sent for by William Douglas into the Forth There He and Bullock agreed That Curry should fain himself to be an Englâ—shman and should carry Two Bottles of his best Wine and some other Presents to the Governor of the Castle desiring his Leave to sell the rest of his Provision in the Garison and withal to inform him That if He or the Garison stood in any need of his Service he would Gratifie them as far as ever he was able Hereupon the Governor commanded him to bring some Hogsheads of Wine and a certain Number of Biskets and promised him Free Admittance whenever he came He for Fear of the Scots forsooth who often made Incursions into the neighbouring Parts promises happy be lucky to come betimes the next Morning That Night Douglas with Twelve Select Men accompanying him clad themselves in Mariners attire under which their Armour was hid and so carried Provisions into the Castle as for his Soldiers he laid them in Ambush commanding them to wait for the Signal to be given Douglas and Simon Frazer went before and commanded the rest to follow Them at a moderate distance When they were let by the Porter into the Fort which was made of Beames before the Gate of the Castle they observed That the Keys of the Doors hung on his Arms him therefore they killed and so opened the Castle-Gate and then as they had before agreed they gave the Signal to their Fellows by blowing an Horn the Noise whereof was a Sign to the One That the Castle was entred by their Friends To the Other That it was surprized by their Enemies Both Parties made all the haste they could the Scots cast down their Burdens in the very Passage of the Gate lest the Doors might be shut so they kept out from their Fellows who could march but slowly up on so steep an Ascent Here there happened a sharp Dispute with Loss of Both sides at length the Garison-Soldiers had the worst who were all slain except the Governor and six more It was this self same Year or as some say the next That Ramsay the most Experienced Soldier of all the Scots made his Expedition into England Men had so great an Opinion of his Skil in Military Affairs That every Body was accounted but a Fresh-Water Soldier who had not been disciplin'd under Him And therefore all the young Fry came in to him as the only School where the Art of War was to be taught He having before made many prosperous Expeditions into his Enemies Country thô but with small Forces their Affairs being now at a Low-Ebb in Scotland took heart to attempt greater Matters so that gathering together an handsom Army of his Tenants and Friends he spoiled and harassed Northumberland and upon his Retreat the English drew fotrh all their Force from the Country and Garisons and so followed him with a very great Army What was to be done in this case Alexander could not avoid Fighting and yet he perceived That his Soldiers were somewhat Crest-fallen by reason of the Multitude of the Enemy In these Circumstances he sent away his Booty before and placed his Foot in Ambush and commanded his Horse to straggle abroad as if they were Flying and when they came to the Place of Ambush then to rally again at Sound of Trumpet The English imagining That the Horse had fled in good earnest pursued them as disorderly and when the Signal was given to come together again they in a moment turned back upon Them The Foot also skipping out of their Ambushes which struck such a Consternation and Terrour into the English That they fled back faster than before they had pursued Many of them were slain many taken and the Prey carried home safe Amongst the Prisoners there was the Governor of Roxburgh who had drawn out almost all his Garison to follow him so that Alexander knowing the Town to be empty assaulted and easily took It at the First Onset and when he had taken the Lower Part of the Castle the Remainders of the Garison-Soldiers sled up into a strong Tower therein but being vigorously assaulted and having no hopes of Relief They surrendred up Themselves Some say That the Earl of Salisbury was there taken and exchanged for Iohn Randolf But most Writers whom I am rather inclined to follow affirm That Salisbury was taken Prisoner in France and that by French Troops Randolf going into Annandale took his Castle which was seated by Loch-Maban from the English And the Three Governors of the Borders Alexander Ramsay of the East William Douglas of the Mid-Border and Randolf of the West drove the English beyond their old Bounds which they had in the Reign of Alexander the Third and left them no footing at all in Scotland but only Berwick Some say That Roxburgh was taken by Ramsay in the Night who set Ladders to the Walls when the Watch was asleep in the Year 1342. the 30 th Day of March and the Black Book of Pasley says so too The same Year on the 4 th of the Nones of Iuly David Bruce and His Wife arrived at Ennerbervy Nine Years after his Departure His Coming was the more acceptable because the Affairs of Scotland were then at such a low Ebb. For Edward having made a Truce for Three Years with Philip King of France at Tournay and so being freed of his French War determined to invade Scotland with all his Force He had then in his Army Forty Thousand Foot and Six Thousand Horse and he had also Equipp'd out a Gallant Navy of Ships to carry Provisions for his Foot Soldiers that there might be no Want that way They set Sail in the Month of November but were encountred by so fierce a Tempest that after a long Distress at Sea they were cast upon the Belgick and German Shores and so were of no use to him in the present War In the Interim Edward and his Land Forces staid about New-Castle upon Tine in great want of Victuals Thither Embassadors came to him from Scotland desiring a Pacification for Four Months which they obtained upon Condition That if David came not to them before the Calends of June all the Scots would become Subjects to Edward but David hearing of the Preparation of the English had set Sail before the coming of Embassadors to him Amongst those who flocked in to gratulate the King at his Return as Many did from all Parts of the Kingdom there came Alexander Ramsay also who being eminent both for the splendid Atchievements of
his Former Life and especially for his late and yet reaking Conquests was received with a great deal of Favour and had the Government of Roxburgh bestowed on him yea and the Sheriff-wick of all Teviotdale was also added to his Authority William Douglas took this mighty heinously that Ramsay was preferred before him in that Honour For seeing he had expelled the English from almost all Teviotdale he had sometimes presided over the Publick Assembly there thô without the Kings Command yet relying upon his Merits towards his Country the Nobleness of his Stock and the Power of his Family he hoped That no man would have been his Competitor for that Office Whereupon being wholly bent on Revenge he at present dissembled his Anger but in Three Months after he met with his Adversary holding an Assembly in the Church of Hawick and unawares assaulted and wounded him having also slain Three of his Followers who endeavoured to rescue him and so set him upon an Horse and carried him to the Castle of Hermitage where he starved him to Death About the same time William Bullock a Man of singular Loyalty to the King was put to the same kind of Death by David Berclay These Two Savage and Cruel Facts filled almost the whole Kingdom with Seditions and distracted it into several Parties These things did mightily exercise the King who was yet but Young and not accustomed to Men of Rough and Military Dispositions yet though he used great diligence to find out Douglas to bring him to Condign Punishment he by Means of his Friends of which he had procured Many by his Noble Exploits for the Liberty of his Country and especially of Robert Stuart the King's Son by his Sister obtained his Pardon And indeed the Magnificent yet True Report of his Famous Actions did much facilitate the Obtaining thereof together with the present Conjuncture of the Time wherein there being but an uncertain Peace abroad and Seditions at home Military Men were to be respected yea and honoured too Upon which Account he was not only pardoned but preferred also to the Government of Roxburgh and of Teviotdale too a Clemency which perhaps in the present Circumstances of Things might be useful but certainly of very ill Example for the Future David having thus settled Matters at Home the best he could denounces War against England the greatest Part of the Nobility dissuading him from that Expedition by reason of the great Scarcity of Provisions Yet he Listed an handsom Army and made Thomas Randolfe General thereof he himself accompanied him but in disguise that he might not be known to be the King This Army having wasted Northumberland for about Two Months time returned home with great Booty Within a few Days after he made another Inrode into the Enemies Country but then he did not disguise but openly professed Himself both King and General The English being inferior in Strength would not venture to give a set Battel whilst their King was absent in France but skirmished their Enemies with their Horse and so kept them from plundering much by a close March Five of the Chief Nobility whom David had lately raised to that Honour straggling too far from their Men were taken Prisoners their Followers being also killed or put to Flight So that David to spend no more time there in vain returned with his Army He made also a Third Expedition with what Force he could privately Levy that so he might fall upon his Enemy unawares But entring England in a stormy Autumn the small Brooks were so swollen with large Showres that they made all the Country unpassable and also hinder'd the Carriage of Provision so that Home he came again yet that he might not seem to have taken so much Pains to no purpose he demolished a few Castles Not long after Embassadors were sent to and fro in order to obtain a Truce for Two Years which the Scots consented to upon Condition That Philip King of France gave his Consent for That was one Article in the Treaty between the Scots and French That neither of them should make Truce or Peace with the English without the Other 's Consent For those Two Years Scotland was quiet About the Fourth Year after David's Return the French were overcome in a great Battel and Calais a Town of the Mâ—â—ini was besieged by them so that Philip pressed the Scots by his Ambassadors to Invade England and to so draw away some of their Force from Him Hereupon an Army was commanded to meet at Perth Thither they came in a great Abundance and there David Earl of Rosse waylaying Reginald Lord of the Aebudae his Old Enemy fell upon him in the Night and slew him with Seven Nobles in his Company This Murder did much weaken the Army for the Kindred and Tenants of both Parties yea the Neighbouring Inhabitants fearing a Civil War between Two such Potent Families returned to their own Homes And therefore William Douglas of Liddisdale earnestly persuaded the King to desist from his present Expedition and to compose Matters at Home His Counsel was refused and the King his Friendship to Philip overcoming his Love to his Country marches forward into England and destroyed all as he went by Fire and Sword And thus in Sixteen Days he came into the County of Durham where the English parly levied by Percy and partly sent back from the Siege of Calais made a great Body and shewed themselves to the Enemy in Battel-array sooner than ever the Scots could have imagined David who feared nothing less than the coming of the Enemy and therefore had sent abroad Douglas to forage the Neighbouring Country gave a Signal of Battel to his Souldiers Douglas fell unawares amongst his Enemies and having lost Five Hundred of his Men was put to slight and returned in great Fear to the Camp And the End of the Conflict was as unhappy as the Beginning For the Fight being sharply begun Randolfe's Men were routed at the first Onset and he himself slain The main Battel in which the King was was assaulted by Two Brigades of the English One that had conquered before and Another that was intire and had not yet charged who shattered it and cut it off quite They being resolved to die and therein almost all the Scotish Nobility were utterly lost and the King himself after his Arms were taken away was taken Prisoner by Iohn Copland but he struck out Two of his Teeth with his Fist though he himself was sorely wounded with two Arrows The Third Wing commanded by Robert Stuart and Patrick Dunber perceiving the Slaughter of their fellow-Souldiers withdrew themselves with little Loss The Nobility were so destroyed in this Fight that immediately after it Roxburgh Hermitage and many other Castles were surrender'd to the English And the Scots were enforced to quit their Claim to all the Lands they held in England and also to Merth Teviotdale Liddisdale and Lauderdale and the
of the Estates he was by a General Suffrage named Heir Presumptive of the Crown But this was done some Years after The King spent the next Five Years in appeasing the Discords at home in which time there happened Two great Calamities One reached but to a few by an Inundation of Water for the Heavens sent down so much Rain that Lothian seemed to be all a Float yea the force of the Water was such that it carried away Bridges Water-Mills Country Houses with their Owners and Cattle into the Sea it rooted up Trees and almost quite destroyed the Towns which stood near the Banks of Rivers This Misery was seconded by Another namely a grievous Pestilence which consumed many of all Ranks and Ages In the Year 1363. the state of things grew Calmer and then in the Assembly of the Estates the King propounded to the Lords of the Articles That the King of England or else his Son might be sent for into Scotland to undertake the Kingdom if he should chance to Die This he did either by his weariness of War or foreseeing That it would be for the Good of both Kingdoms or as others think because of his Oath which the English had made him to Swear but his Speech was so Unacceptable and Offensive to them all that before every ones Vote could be asked in order they all confusedly cried out upon it as an abominable Propose and it was almost come to That that they who had most freely spoken against it fearing his Displeasure were meditating a Revolt But he understanding their Fears abated his Anger and received them into Favour When he had quieted all things elsewhere yet the Highlanders continued still in Arms and did not only commit Outrages upon one another but also made Havock of the adjacent Countries The King tried all probable Means to bring them to a mutual Concord but being not able to do it his next Plot was To suborn some Crafty Fellows to foment and heighten their Dissensions that so when the feircest of them had destroyed one another the rest might become more Tractable and Pliant The King having performed these Exploits both at home and abroad departed this Life in the Castle of Edinburgh on the Seventh Day of Iune in the Forty Seventh Year of his Age about the Thirty Ninth of his Reign and of our Lord 1370. He was certainly a Man eminent in all kind of Virtue but especially in Justice and Clemency and though he had been exercised with Good and Bad Events alternately yet still his Fortune seemed rather to fail him than his Industry Robert II. The Hundredth King AFter David's Decease the Nobles met together at Linlithgo to Congratulate Robert at the beginning of his Reign who had before been designed King by his Uncle but here the Ambition of William Douglas had almost cast things into a Sedition and Uproar For he demanded the Kingdom as his Hereditary Right in regard he was descended from Baliol and the Cumins's But finding that his Suit was unacceptable to them all and especially to his most intimate Friends as the Two Brothers George and Iohn Dunbars of which one was Earl of Merch and the other of Murray as also to Robert Erskin Governor of the Three well-fortified Castles of Dunbarton Sterling and Edinburgh he desisted and promised to obey Robert as his Liege King and the King to oblige him in a more strict Bond of Friendship espoused his Daughter to Earl William's Son This year the Truce made for Fourteen years was broken by the English There was a great Fair usually kept the Third of the Ideâ— of August whether huge Numbers of both Nations even from very remote Places used to resort thither came the Inhabitants of Merch and it happened that one of Dunbar's Familiar Friends was slain there George according to the Law which was observed among the Borderers sent Heralds to demand the Murderers to be given up to him or else That they would Punish them Themselves but perceiving that Favour did outvy Equity he dissembles the Affront and against the next day appointed for the Fair he secretly prepared a Band of Men and setting upon the Town unexpectedly he slew all the Youngsters burnt the Houses and returned home with a great Booty The English to revenge this Injury did with like Cruelty ravage over all the Lands of Iohn Gordon a Noble Knight and not long after Gordon entred England and took away a great Prey of Men and Cattle but as he was returning home Iohn Lilburn met him with a far greater Force than he had A terrible Fight began betwixt them and Victory seemed a long time to flutter over both Parties with doubtful Wings but at last she inclined to the Scots The Commander of the English Forces was taken Prisoner with many of his Allies and Tenants Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland a Man of a great Spirit being then Lord Warden or Governour of the Eastern Marches or Borders took this Overthrow of his Countrymen in great Disdain and thereupon gathered together a Body of above 7000 Men and encamped at a Village called Duns remarkable for being the Birth Place of Iohn Scotus Sirnamed Subtilis rather than for any thing else There the Countrymen and Shepherds gathered themselves together having no other Arms but such Rattles and Gimcracks wherewith they frighten Stags and other Cattle which do pasture there up and down without any Keeper and so by night they placed themselves on some Risings of the Lamormore Hills which were near to the said Village of Duns The Form of the Gimcrack is This On the top of a long Spear or Pole they fasten some Staves or Hoops of Wood made crooked and bent into a Semicircle all over them they stretched a Skin after the same Form as the Lanterns which the Vulgar Parisians call Falots are made into these Lanterns or Concavities they put small Stones but very hard ones which when they are stirred and tumbled up and down make such a rattling noise as drives away the Beasts and Cattle from the Corn. With these Rattling Instruments they made a mighty Noise on the Hills hanging over Duns wherewith the English Horse were so affrighted that they broke the Headstalls they were tied with and ran up and down the Fields and so were taken by the Countrymen And in the whole Army there was such a Tumultuous Bustle that they cried out Arm Arm and thinking the Enemy had been at their Heels they passed that night without sleep But in the morning perceiving their mistake in regard they had lost many of their Baggage Horses as well as those for Service they retreated six Miles for that Place is so far distant from England on Foot leaving their Baggage behind them almost in the Posture of such as Fly away The same day that Percy retired back from Duns Thomas Musgrave Governor of Berwick had issued out of his Garison
with some Troops to join Percy Iohn Gordon had notice of his March and laid an Ambush for him into which he fell and imagining his Enemy to be more numerous than he was he sought to Fly but was taken with his Party in the pursuit and brought back again Moreover in the Western Borders Iohn Iohnston carried it so that he obtained both Honour and Booty too for he so exercised his Neighbouring Foes with small but frequent Incursions that he did them as much mischief as a great Army would have done Thus all things succeeded prosperously with Robert for the First Two Years of his Reign but in his Third Year Eufemia Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross dyed The King had three Children by her Walter afterwards made Earl of Strathearn David Earl of Athol and Eufemia whom Robert Douglas Married as I said before Robert not so much for the Impatience of his Widow'd and unmarried Estate as for the Love of the Children which he had before begot on the Body of Elizabeth More took her to Wife This Woman was exceeding Beautiful the Daughter of Adam More an Illustrious Knight the King fell in Love with her when he was young and had Three Sons and Two Daughters by her and he bestowed her in Marriage on one Gifard a Nobleman in Lothian It happened that Eufemia the Queen and Elizabeth's Husband died about one and the same time Whereupon the King either induced by the old Familiarity he had with Her or else as many Writers report to Legitimate the Children she had born to him took their Mother to Wife and presently advanced her Sons to Riches and Honour Iohn the Eldest Son was made Earl of Carrick Robert of Mâ—nteith and Alexander of Buchan to which Badenock was adjoined Neither was he content with this Munificence but he prevailed upon the Assembly of Estates met at Scone to pass by the Children of Eufemia and to observe the Order of Age in making his Son King after him which Matter was in aftertimes almost the utter Ruin of that numerous Family During the next Two years there was neither assured Peace nor open War but light Incursions or rather Plunderings on both sides In the mean time Edward the Third died and Richard the Second his Grandchild by his Son Edward born at Bourdeaux succeeded him being Eleven years of Age at which time Ambassadors were sent by Charles the Fifth King of France into Scotland The Cause of their Embassy was To renew the ancient League with Robert and to desire him to invade England with an Army and so to take off the Stress of the War from France In the interim whilst they were treating with the Assembly Alexander Ramsay as the English Writers report out of Frossard being accompanied with Forty young Fellows in the middle of the Night when the Sentinel was asleep took the Castle of Berwick all that were in it being either killed or made Prisoners The Townsmen being amazed at this suddain surprize send for Percy who came and laid Siege to the Castle with Ten thousand Men When the News hereof was brought to the Assembly of the Estates at Scone Archibald Douglas being concerned for the danger his Kinsman was in took with him a flying Body of 500 Horse only and speeded thither but all Passages to the Besieged were intercluded and stopp'd so that he was forced to return again without any Action And the Castle after a valiant Defence for some days was at length taken by Storm and all put to the Sword except Alexander alone Thus the English but Our Writers say That the Castle was taken by the help of six Country People of Merch who not being able to keep it were fain to desert it Not long after the Assembly Iames the First Earl of Douglas gathered together an Army of Twenty thousand Men and entred England and coming unawares to a Town called Penrith on a Fair-Day he took plundered and burnt it and then marched his Army back again in safety laden with Spoil but withal he brought the Pestilence home with him which was greater than any before so that it raged over all Scotland for the space of Two years The English to cry Quits with the Scots passed over the Solway and entred Scotland Talbot a fierce General led them being 15000 Men with which Number he made a great Desolation far and near and as his Army was returning back laden with Spoil he pitch'd his Tents in a narrow Valley not far from the Borders of England about 500 Scots came upon them in those Streights being secure unprovided and generally without their Arms and at the first Assault they killed all who were in their way so that the Tumult and Fear diffusing it self they were wholly put to Flight many were slain upon the Place 250 taken Prisoners and a great Number in such a sudden Trepidation taking the River were drowned the rest left their Prey behind them and ran home the nearest way they could In the mean time the English carried on a fierce War both by Sea and Land against the French and besides part of their Forces were sent into Portugal so that it was resolved by their Parliament That Iohn Duke of Lancaster the King's Uncle should be sent Embassador into Scotland to Treat about a Peace that so they being engaged in so many Wars might have Quiet on that side at least which lay most exposed and open The Scots being made acquainted with his coming by an Herald appointed Iames Earl of Douglas and Iohn Dunbar Earl of Murray to Treat with him a Truce was made for Three Years But whilst they were Treating about a Peace there a most grievous Civil War broke out in England The First Author of it is said to be one Iohn Ball a Priest He perceiving that the Commonalty was grievously offended because Poll-Money of Four English Pence an Head was imposed on Them First of all obliquely and in private Confessions Discourses and Meetings inflamed the Minds of the Commons against the Nobility and perceiving that his Speech was well entertained then he discoursed it openly besides this New Occasion there was also another more Ancient one viz. That the Greatest Part of the Commons were made little better than Slaves to the Great Ones A great many Tradesmen and Day-Labourers came in to them and others also who in point of Estate or Credit had nothing to lose insomuch that they raised so great a Tumult and Combustion that the Main Chance seemed greatly to be hazarded and to lie at stake These things were known at the Meeting of the Embassadors yet Both of them dissembled the Matter till they had Treated and made a Pacification Then Douglas told Iohn of Lancaster That he knew from the beginning in what State the Affairs of England stood but they were so far from laying hold on the Opportunity either to make a War or to hinder a good Peace That they
what Country so great a Storm would fall and then according to the Enemies Motion they would steer their Couâ—se and as the Scots had done the Autumn before in reference to England so now they would enter into Scotland another Way and repay Loss for Loss In the interim they sent a Spy to inform themselves fully of the Enemies advance who was now so near them for they counted it highly conduceable to their affairs to know not only the Design but even the very last Words Resolves and Actions of their Enemies He that was sent differed nothing in Speech Habit or Armour from the rest and so was easily taken for a Scots Man So that having found out every thing which he desired to know he was going to a Tree where he had tied his Horse to fetch him and so to be gone but he found that some Body had stollen and carried him away before so that he was fain in his Boots Spurs and Riding-Apparel to undertake his Journey on Foot Hereupon the Matter began to be suspected and when he was gone a great way some Horsemen were sent after to bring him back as a Runagate when they came up to him and demanded Who or What he was and Why he went from his Colours in that Fashion he not being able to give a ready Answer they brought him back to the chief Officers of the Army to whom for fear of a greater Punishment he discovered all the designs of the English When the Scots heard this they also changed the Order of their Designs they divided their Army so That the greatest Part of it should march towards Carlisle and that the Kings Two Sons the Earls of Fife and Strathern should command them to whom were joyned Archibald Douglas of Galway and the Earls of Marr and Sutherland The other Part was to enter Northumberland under the Command of Iames Douglas and the Two Brethren Dunbars George and Iohn the One Earl of Murray the Other of Merch. Their Party consisted of 300 Horse and 2000 Foot besides Servants and Attendants on the Horse for every Horseman hath at least one Servant who being lightly armed can run almost as fast as an Horse and when occasion is offered can with his Fellows encounter an Enemy When their Forces were thus divided They who marched towards Cumberland and Carlisle carried all before them by reason of the Numerousness of their Army and met with no Enemy at all But Douglas in the Devastations which he made in the other Circuit had not the same Fortune for he had so ordered the Course of his Expedition as to take great and yet secret Marches and so passing over Tine to pierce as far as Durham before he gave his Army leave to spoil and plunder This he did with such Secrecy and Speed That the English did not know where their Enemies were but by the Smoke of the Fires they had made Percy the Elder was the Greatest man in Northumberland and the adjacent Countrys both for Wealth and Power When the News was brought to him he sends Two of his Sons Henry and Ralph very active Young men Both before to New-Castle commanding the rest to follow them thither His Intent was to stop the Scots in their Retreat and to keep them from returning But they having spoiled the Wealthy County of Durham returned home with a great Prey and repass'd the Tiâ—â— about Three Miles above New-Castle There the Commanders being nobly descended in their own Country as also desirous of Glory and besides lifted up with their present Success such as it was thought it an Inglorious thing in Them to strike terrour only into Rusticks and Plâ—beians if they did not also affright Cities Whereupon they marched to New-Castle and threatning to besiege it they endeavoured by Contumelies and Big Words to draw out the Enemy When they had staid there Two Days and some light Skirmishes with various Success had passed betwixt them There was one Combat which towards the Evening of the Last Day attracted the Eyes of all the Beholders And that was a Duel betwixt the Two Generals for they being in a sort equally matched in respect of Lineage Power Age and Courage had a mind to encounter each other in the Sight of both Armies Hereupon a Challenge was sent and they Both Iames Douglas and Henry Percy entred the Lists and ran at one another with their Spears Percy was unhorsed at first Brush and Douglas got his Spear but he could not touch his Person because the English came in to his Assistance He shook the Spear and cryed out aloud so as he might easily be heard That he would carry That as a Trophy into Scotland So the Combat being ended the Scots kept very diligent Watch in regard they were near a City well-Peopled and full of Enemies The Day after they retired towards Scotland but very slowly as being laden with Booty As their Prey moved leisurely on they themselves assaulted a Neighbour-Castle of the Enemies carried and demolished it and from thence they marched to Otterborn about Three Miles distant from Newcastle There they took Counsel concerning the Rest of their March The Major Part were of Opinion to March towards Carlisle to meet the other Army and so not to Fight singly as was at first agreed but to wait the Conjunction of Both Armies But Douglas was minded to stay Two or Three Days in that Place that so he might make a Real Confutation of the Vaunts of Percy who had boasted That they should never carry his Lance into Scotland In the mean time that they might not be idle they would attaque the Neighbouring Castle This Opinion though it was judged by Many none of the best yet for Douglas his sake they all submitted to it And therefore they fortified their Camp for the present Occasion which on one side was sufficiently guarded by Marishes and and then proceeded on to take the Castle But Percy being of a fierce Nature that he might blot out the Ignominy he had received would have followed him presently upon their Retreat with those Forces which he had about him but the Graver Sort detained him for fear of an Ambush for they did not think it probable that so small a Number of Scots would have appeared before so strong a Town unless they had more Forces near at hand hid in some secret Places That Day and the next they were busie in making Discoveries but finding that there was no Danger of the Greater Army as being far distant from Douglas his Party thereupon Percy immediately with Ten Thousand Fighting Men put himself upon the March without staying for the Bishop of Durham who that very Night was expected with some Forces for he thought he had Force enough to overcome his Enemies who were not half as many as He. When the English came in Sight some of the Scots were at Supper others being wearied at the Taking of the Castle had composed themselves
Henry being offended at their Peremptoriness and Constancy having taken the Town of Meaux by Storm hanged up 20 Scots which he found there alleging That they bore Arms against their own King Soon after He and Charles the Sixth King of France died immediately one after another About Two years after the English prevailed in a Battel at Vernevil where there were slain of the Prime Scots the Earl of Buchan and Douglas one Duke of Turein the other Master of the Horse to the French King and also Iames Douglas his Son Alexander Lindsay Robert Stuart and Thomas Swinton and of Common Soldiers above 2000. And about three years after the Auxiliary Scots received another great Overthrow at Beaux when they were carrying Provisions to Orleans They set upon the English in the way in which Fight there were slain of Scots of note William Stuart with his Brother and two eminent Knights of the Family of the Douglas's whose Posterities do yet enjoy two Castles and large Possessions about them in Scotland viz. one of them the Castle of Drumlanerick and the other the Castle of Lough Levin in Fife Thus have I briefly touched at the Actions of the Scots performed in a few years in France as External and Foreign Occurences the farther Explication of them is to be had in the French Annals which though they be not quite alien from the Affairs of Scotland yet I had not stepped out of my way to mention them if the calumny of some English Writers had not compelled me so to do For they endeavour to undervalue and speak evil of what they do not deny if Histories did not mention their Atchievements yet the Munificence of the Kings the Decrees of the Cities and the Honourable Monument at Orleance and Turein do sufficiently declare them What I pray can they here object The Scots say they are too poor to maintain so great a Force in a Foreign Country I answer First That if they be Poor it is the fault of the Soil not of the Men neither would I have taken this for a Reproach if it did not appear by their Writings That the English intended it for Such and therefore I shall only answer them with this That these Poor and Indigent Scots as they call them have got many great and famous Victories over the Opulent and Wealthy English And if they do not believe me herein let them consult their own Histories and if they suspend their Belief of them also let them not require of us to receive them for True in other things But to return to the Affairs of Scotland Murdo being set up as I said but now in the place of his Father he maintained a very loose Discipline in his own House his Children whose Names were Walter Alexander and Iames did despise their Inferiors and consequently oppress them with many Injuries and they infected the Youth with those Vices to which they themselves were addicted and seeing their Father did not curb nor restrain them at last he was punished himself for giving them such bad Education The old Man did highly prize a certain Bird he had of that sort of Hawks which they call Falcons Walter had often begg'd him of his Father and was as often denied so that upon a time he catched it out of his Fathers Hand and wrung off his Neck To whom his Father replied Because thou can'st not find in thy Heart to obey me I will bring in another That both thou and I too shall be forced to obey And from that time forward he bent his Thoughts to restore his Kinsman Iames and there was an Eminent Man of Argile chief of the Country named Calen Cambel whom before Walter had affronted and wronged who approved of his Design herein so that he assembled the Estates at Perth and a Consultation being had concerning the Revocation of their King They all either out of Favour to the true Heir of the Kingdom or out of Weariness of the present posture of Affairs willingly agreed to send an Embassy about his Restitution Some Nobles were chosen Embassadors who coming into England found the English more inclinable to it than they expected For the Duke of Gloucester who in the Kings Minority governed the Affairs of England called the Council together and easily persuaded them That Iames Son to the King of Scotland should be sent back at the desire of his People into his own Country seeing he was not in his present posture of so great Authority amongst them as to be able to recal the Scots Auxiliaries out of France or to draw any Part of the Kingdom to an Alliance with England And besides he thought to make another advantage of him That he would not only be his sure and fast Friend but would always be under the power and influence of England for he had Married Ioan the Earl of Salisbury's Daughter the Beautifullest Woman of her Time which he then was mightily in Love with he persuaded himself that by her means the League with France might be easily undermined and if he were freed either he would be obliged by that Courtesy or else whilst he was busie in revenging the Wrongs his Kindred had done him he would intangle his Country in a grievous intestine War and by this means it would come to pass That either the English would be made stronger by the Accession of such a Friend or if their Scotish Enemies disagreed amongst themselves yet they should be more disingaged and readier for a Foreign War And indeed these were no imprudent Considerations if they themselves by the Narrowness of their Spirits had not marred their own Market For seeing they demanded a greater Sum of Money for his Redemption than the Scots in their present Circumstances either durst promise or were able to pay a Compremize was made That the Dowry of his Wife should be retained as for One half and that the Sons of some Noblemen should be given in Hostage for the payment of the Other Iames being set at Liberty upon these Terms returned home 18 years after he had been a Prisoner in the year of our Lord 1423. Amidst the great Concourse of People which flocked in to see him and to Congratulate his Return he was soon entertained with the Complaint of those who grievously lamented what Wrongs they had sustained since the last Kings Death partly by the Negligence and partly by the Injuries of the late Governors Walter the Son of Murdo Malcolm Fleming and Thomas Boyd were highly accused who to pacifie the Commons for the present were committed to several Prisons until the next Convention of the Estates which was appointed to be the Sixth of the Calends of Iune But Fleming and Boyd upon payment of Damages and some kind of Compensation and also upon laying down a round Sum which they were Fined at into the Kings Exchequer were set at Liberty James I. The Hundred and Second King IN the mean time
same Voice was heard louder than before which struck all there present into a Great horror Afterwards when it sounded again more terribly and frightfully than before The Bishop gave a great groan put out his Tongue and was found Dead in his Bed This so evident an Example of God's Vengeance as I shall not rashly credit so I have no mind to refute yet it being deliver'd by others and constantly affirmed to be true I thought good not to omit it At the same time Iames Kennedy One of a far different Life and Manners as referring all his Counsels to the Good of the Publick when neither by his Authority nor Counsel he could resist the daily new-springing Evils of his Country and seeing likewise That the Kings Power was not able to oppose the Conspiracies of Wicked men he left all his Estate for a Prey and shifted for himself Neither in these Domestick Miseries were Matters much quieter abroad When the Truce made with the English was expir'd the Scots made an Inrode into England and the English into Scotland and where-ever they went they wasted all with Fire and Sword in England Alâ—wick was taken and burnt by Iames Brother to the Earl of Douglas In Scotland the Earl of Salisbury did the like to Dunfreiz and the Earl of Northumberland to Dunbar great Booties of Men and Cattel were driven away on Both sides But the Commanders agreed amongst themselves that the Prisoners should be exchang'd for they were in a manner equal both for Number and Degree By these Incursions the Country was depopulated and yet the main chance of the War not concerned so that a Truce was again accorded for 7 Years In this state of Affairs Iames Dunbar Earl of Murray departed this Life he left two Daughters his Heiresses the Eldest of them was Marry'd by her Father before his Death to Iames Creighton The Younger after her Fathers decease marry'd Archibald Brother to the Earl of Douglas He against the Laws and the Custom of his Ancestors was called Earl of Murray so superlative was Douglas's Power then at Court neither was he contented with this Accession of Honour but that he might further propagate the Dignity of his Family he caus'd his Brother George to be made Earl of Ormond his Brother Iohn had many fair and fruitful Farms and Lands bestowed upon him and was also made Baron of Balvany against the mind of many of his Friends who had in Suspicion the Power of that Family too great before that it would be at last formidable even to the King himself yea they imagined that these immoderate Accessions Frolicks of Fortune would not be long-lived But his Enemies did as invidiously as they could inveigh against This unsatiable Ambition for who say they could safely live under the Exorbitant rule of such a Tyrant for whose Avarice nothing was enough and against whose Power there was no Safeguard who right or wrong invaded the Patrimony of the Nobles and expos'd the Countrymen to be a Prey to his Tenants and those who oppos'd his Lust he caus'd them by Thieves and Cut-Throats either to lose all they had or else to be put to death that he advanced Upstarâ—s to high Honours whom he grafted on the ruin of Noble Families so that all the Power of the Kingdom was now brought into one House besides many Knights and Barons there were five Opulent Earls of the Family insomuch that the King himself did but Reign precariously and men were like to suffer all Extremities under the Cruel Bondage of the Douglas's and he that utter'd the least word tending to Liberty must pay his Life for his Boldness These and other discourses of this kind some true others to create greater Envy stretcht beyond the Lines of Truth were spread abroad amongst the Vulgar which made Those who were of neither Faction to fit loose from the Care of the Publick and every one to mind his own private Concerns The wiser sort of his Enemies were glad to hear that a man of such Power against which there was no making Head should thus voluntarily run headlong to his own Destruction Neither did they presage amiss for his Mind was grown so proud and insolent by reason of his Great Successes that 〈…〉 his Ears against the free Advices of his Friends yea many 〈◊〉 not with any safety dissemble and cover by their silence what they did dislike because he had Parasites which did not only lie at catch for Words but observ'd mens very Countenances As for his old Enemies many of them were hal'd to Judgment before him who was both their Adversary and Judge too so that some of them were outed of their Estates some depriv'd of their Lives and others to avoid his unrighteous and partial Judgment fled out of their Country The men also of Douglas's Faction lived in no Fear at all of the Law for no man durst implead them but letting the Reins loose to all Licentiousness they invaded and made havock of things Sacred as well as Profane Those which were obnoxious to them they slew and kill'd out of the way neither was there any End of their Wickedness sometimes when they had no sufficient Cause to do a man a Mischief they then did it unprovok'd and gratuitously as it were lest thro' disuse of offending any honest and tender Thoughts should arise in their Minds so as to allay their Brutish Cruelty Every one thought himself the noblest and bravest Fellow that could cast the greatest Contumely on the Commons When such great Miseries were diffus'd into so many Parts of the Kingdom Scotland had certainly sunk under the Burden unless England at the same time had been as much embarassed with civil Combustions which at last being somewhat allay'd the English violated their Truce and invaded Scotland When they had runover a great Circuit of Ground and pillaged many Villages They drove away a Vast Number of Cattle and return'd home neither was it long before the Scots cry'd quits with them for they also entred England with a good Force and did the Enemy more Damage than they receiv'd Thus the Minds of Both were irritated by these alternate Plunderings so that a mighty Desolation was made in the Territories of either Kingdom but the greatest share of the Calamity fell upon Câ—mberland which had been the Rise of the Injury and Wrong for that Province was so harassed by the War that it was almost quite destroy'd When this war related at London it occasion'd the English to levy a far greater Army against the Scots for thereby they thought easily to reduce the Country into their Power they being poor and also weakned by Civil Discords Hereupon an Army was rais'd of the Better sort of People and the Earl of Northumberland made their General in regard he knew the Country well and besides his Name and Power was great in those Parts To him they joyn'd one Main of a Knightly Family but who had
long serv'd in France and was commended for his Industry and Valour 'T is said that he out of his Mortal hatred against the Scots had bargain'd with the King of England that what Lands he took from the Scots either by killing or driving away the Inhabitants he and his Posterity after him should enjoy On the other side the Scots hearing of the Preparation of their Enemies were not negligent in gathering Forces on their Part. George Dunbar Earl of Ormond was made Captain General who presently marcht into Annandale whither his Intelligence inform'd him that the Enemy would come And indeed the English had prevented him and entred Scotland before They had past over the Rivers Solway and Annand and pitch'd their Tents by the River Sarc from whence they sent out Parties on every side to pillage but hearing of the coming of the Scots they recall'd them all by Sound of Trumpet and contracted all their Force into One Body As soon as ever they came in sight one of another they fell to it without delay Main commanded the Left Wing of the English and Iohn Penington the Right he had the Welsh the Relicks of the Ancient Britains for his Assistants the Earl himself commanded the Main Battel George Douglas appointed Walter Laird of Craig to fight Main and Maxwel and Iohnston each with their Troops to attack Penington he himself took Care of the Main Body he gave them a short Exhortation to conceive a good Hope of Victory because they had taken up Arms in their own Defence as provoked by the Injuries of their Enemies and that a prosperous Issue must needs attend so just a Cause and if they could abate the Pride of their Enemy by some Notable overthrow they would reap a lasting Fruit of their short Labour The English who abounded in the number of Archers wounded many of the Scots with their Darts at a distance Whereupon Wallace who commanded the Left Wing cryed out aloud so as to be heard of most of his men Why they â—rifled so and Skirmish'd at a distance they should follow him and rush in upon the Enemy hand to hand and then their Valour would truly appear for that was the Fighting fit for Men. Having thus spoken he drew the whole Wing after him And presently with their long Spears wherewith the Scots both Foot and Horse were furnish'd they drove the Enemy back routed and put them to Flight Main perceiving his Wing to give back being more mindful of the just Glory of his former Life than of his present Danger rushes with great Violence upon Wallace that so by his Boldness he might either renew the Fight or else breath out his last in the Glory of some Illustrious Attempt but unwarily Charging he was intercepted from his own Men and with those few that follow'd him was slain When Both Armies heard that he was slain the Scots prest on more chearfully so that the English Army did not stand long as they fled home straggingly and in great haste more were slain in the Pursuit than Fight but the chiefest Slaughter was upon the Banks of the Solway for there the Tide had swollen up the River so that they could not pass About 3000 of the English were slain in this Fight and 600 of the Scots There were many Prisoners taken the Chief were Iohn Penington and Robert Huntington The Earl of Northumberland's Son might have escap'd but whilst he was helping his Father to Horse he himself was taken Prisoner The Booty was greater than had been ever known in any Battel betwixt the Scots and English before For the English trusting to the Number and Goodness of their Soldiers and depending also on the discord of the Scots came on so securely as if it had been to a Shew not to a Fight so great was their Confidence and Undervaluing of their Enemy Wallace was wounded carried home in a Litter and in 3 Months after died of his Wounds Ormond being thus a Conqueror took a view of the Prisoners the chief Commanders he sent Prisoners to the Castle in Loch Maâ—an he himself return'd to Court where every Body went out to meet him and he was received with all kind of Honour The King did highly extol his Military Services but withal advis'd him and his Brother That as they had often given a Proof of their Courage abroad and had defended the State of Scotland by their Labour and Valour even in Perillous Times so at home that they would accustom themselves to a modest Deportment and that they themselves should refrain from Injuring the Poorer sort and also inhibit their Clans from doing it and that they should shew their Puissance and Grandeur which their Ancestors had obtain'd by their many Merits both of King and Subjects rather in restraining of Robbers than in cherishing them that This was the only thing which was wanting to compleat their Praise and make it absolute and if they would do this thing they should certainly find that he would esteem the Honour of the Douglas's and their Family before any thing else whatsoever They answer'd the King submissively and so took their leave and went Joyfully home After this Fight at Sarc as the Borders of Scotland were quieter from the wrongs of their Enemies so when the matter was reported at London it did rather irritate the English than deject them For a Council being call'd about a War with Scotland a new Army was order'd to be rais'd to blot out the former Ignominy Whilst they were all intent hereupon presently Civil Wars arose amongst themselves and a strong Conspiracy of the Commons made against the King took off their Thoughts from a Foreign War so that Embassadors were sent into Scotland to treat of a Peace which were so much the more welcome because their own Affairs were not well settled at home Yet they could not well agree on Terms of Peace but only made a Truce for Three Years and so returned home These things were acted in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Four Hundred Forty Eight This Publick Joy was soon after increast by a Message sent out of Flanders from the Chancellor who went Ambassador to Charles the Seventh about contracting a Marriage By his endeavours Mary the Daughter of Arnold Duke of Gelderland was betroth'd to Iames she was of the Kingly Race by her Mothers side who was a Sister of the Duke of Burgundy The Year after she came with a great Train of Noble Persons into Scotland and in Iuly was Crowned in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House near Edinburgh This Universal Joy for the Victory for the Peace and for the Marriage was soon disturbed by the Death of Richard Colvill a Man of Note which though perhaps in it self not undeserv'd yet was of very bad Example to the Common-Wealth This Colvil having receiv'd many and great wrongs from one Iohn Afflech a Friend of Douglas's and after many complaints could get no Remedy in Law nor Equity he
fought with and slew him and some of his Followers Douglas took the Fact so hainously that he made a Solemn Oath never to rest till he had expiated the Murder by Colvil's Death Neither were his Threatnings in vain for he Storm'd his Castle took and plunder'd it and killed all therein that were able to bear Arms. This Fact though 't was performed against Law and Custom yet some did excuse and in effect commend as proceeding from Indignation a Passion not unbeseeming a Generous Mind Thus as it commonly happens in degenerate Times Flattery the perpetual Companion of Greatness did clothe the highest Offences with Honest and Plausible Names Moreover Douglas was so lifted up with the Flatteries of Fortune which did now incline to his Destruction that he had a great Ambition to make an Ostentation of his Power even to Foreign Nations as if the splendor of so great a Family oâ—â—ht not to be straitned within the narrow Theatre of one Island onâ—â— so that he had a Mind to go to Rome he pretended Religion but the principal design of his Journy was Ambition the Church of Rome had adopted the old Rites of the Iewish for as the Iewish Church every Fiftieth year was to forgive all the Debts of what kind soever to their Country Men and to restore all Pledges Gratis and also to set their Hebrew Servants at Liberty So the Pope taking an Example therefrom as Gods Vicar on Earth did arrogate the Power of forgiving all Offences For whereas at other times he trucked out his Pardons by Peice-Meal every Fiftieth Year he open'd his full Garners thereof and pour'd out whole Bushels full of them publickly to all yet I will not say Gratis Douglas with a great Train of Nobles who were desirous partly to see Novelties and partly allur'd by hopes of Reward sail'd over into Flanders From thence he Travelled by Land to Paris and took with him his Brother appointed Bishop of Caledonia who afterwards seeing Douglas had no Children was by the Kings Permission put in hopes to be his Heir In France he was highly caressed partly upon the account of their Publick League with the Scots and partly in Memory of his Ancestors Demerits from that Crown hereupon all Rome was filled with the Expectation of his coming About Two Months after his departure from Scotland his Enemies and Rivals began to lift up their Heads they durst not for Fear complain of him when he was present but now they laid open all the Injuries they had received from him And when it was once noised abroad that the Access to the King was easie and that his Ear was open to all just Complaints The Troop of Complainants lamenting their Sufferings did daily increase so that all the ways to the Palace were almost stopt by them The King could not well either reject the Petitions of the Sufferers nor yet condemn the Earl in his absence without hearing of him so that he gave a middle Answer which satisfi'd their Importunity for the present viz. That he would Command the Earls Proctor or Attorney to appear that so in his own Presence a fair Tryal might be had Whereupon the Proctor was summon'd but did not appear so that the Kings Officers were sent out to bring him in by force when he was brought to Court some alledged that he ought to be immediately punisht for disobeying the Kings Command in regard that by too much Patience the Kings Authority would be despis'd and run low even amongst the meaner sort for under the pretence of Lenity the Audaciousness of the Bad would increase and the Impunity of Offendors would open the way for more Crimes The King was not mov'd by those Instigations but remain'd constant to his Resolution which was rather to satisfie his greatest Accusers by the Compensation of their Losses than to satiate their Vindicative Minds with the spilling of his Blood Hereupon he caus'd the Earls Proctor to be brought out of Prison and to plead in his Masters behalf telling him That if he had any thing to allege in Purgation of the Crimes objected he should freely declare it without any fear at all When he was cast in many Suits and the King Commanded him immediately to pay the Damages The Proctor answer'd He would defer the whole matter till the return of the Earl who was expected in a few Months This he spake as 't was thought by the advice of Ormond and Murray the Earl's Brothers When the King was inform'd of his Resolution he sent William Sinclare Earl of the Orcades who was then Chancellor first into Galway and then into Douglasdale he appointed Sequestrators to gather up the Rents of Douglas's Estate and so to pay the Damages adjudg'd by Law But in regard Sinclare had not Power enough to inforce his Order some eluded others Contumeliously abus'd him so that he return'd without effecting his Business The King being provokt by this Contempt of his Authority Commands all the Favourers of Douglas his Faction to be Summon'd to appear which they refusing to do were declared Publick Enemies an Army was Levy'd against them which marcht into Galway At their first coming the Commanders were driven into their Castles but a small Party of the Kings Forces pursuing after the rest through Craggy Places were repuls'd and not without Ignominy driven back to the King The King taking it in great Indignation that a few Vagabond Thieves should dare to make such Attempts resolv'd to redeem their slighting of him by attempting their Strongs Holds he took the Castle of Maban with no great difficulty but his Soldiers were so much toil'd and weary'd in the taking of Douglas Castle that therefore he wholly demolisht it As for the Vassals and Tenants who had submitted themselves and their Fortunes to him he Commanded them to pay their Rents to his Treasurers till Douglas's Estate had fully satisfi'd what was awarded against him by Law And when this was almost done he dismist his Army having obtain'd a good Report for his Lenity and Moderation even amongst his very Enemies When these Matters were related to the Earl at Rome his great Spirit was mightily mov'd yea his Esteem did then abate amongst his own Attendants so that a great Part of them deserted him and he enter'd upon his Journy homewards with but a few Followers He came through England and drawing near to the Borders of Scotland he sent his Brother Iames to feel the Kings Pulse how he stood affected towards him And when the King was appeasable he return'd home and was kindly receiv'd only he was admonisht to abandon and subdue all Robbers especially those of Annandale who had plaid many Cruel and Avaritious Pranks in his absence Douglas undertook to do so and confirm'd his Promise by an Oath Whereupon he was not only restor'd into his former Grace and Favour but also made Regent over all Scotland so that every one was injoin'd to obey his Commands But
But at last when he perceived that he could not have Aid enough from her to recover his Kingdom being a Widow and old too he had solicited Neighbour-Kings and Nations desiring them to respect the common Chances of Man's Life and not to suffer Royal Blood to be oppressed by Tyrannical Violence and so himself to pine away with Grief Fear and Misery and that he though so the present afflicted with great Evils yet was not so dejected in his Mind but that he hoped the time would come that being restored to his Kingdom by the Aid of his Friends of whom he had many both in England and Scotland he should be able to consider every particular Man's Service and reward him accordingly especially if the Scots would join their Forces with His and if ever he was restored to his Kingdom by their Arms they should soon understand that they had won a fast Friend and that at such a time too when the trial of true Friendship is wont to be made for he and his Posterity would be so gratefully mindful of the Obligation that they would ever acknowledg that the accession of his better Fortune was due to them alone Besides he added many things in praise of the King part of them true and part accommodated to their present Condition Having thus said he held his Peace but the King called him up to him and bid him Take Heart for he would refer his Demands to the Council whose Advice in Grand Affairs he must needs have yet however they did determine he promised him faithfully That he should not repent that he made His Court his Sanctuary Upon this Peter quitted the Assembly and the Matter being put to a debate the wiser sort who had most experience in State-Affairs thought it best to reject the whole Business either because they judg'd he was a Counterfeit or else that they foresaw there would be more Danger by the War than Advantage by the Victory tho' they were sure of it But the major part either through unskilfulness in Affairs or inconstancy of Spirit or else to gratify the King argued that Peter's Cause was most just and that they greatly pittied the Man they added also That now Matters were in some confusion in England and Mens Minds were yet fluctuating after the Civil War and therefore it was good to lay hold of this Opportunity and that which the English were wont to do to them they themselves ought to try for once to make use of the Enemies Distractions for their own Advantage yea they foretold a Victory preconceived in their Minds before they had put on their Armour especially if great Forces of the English came in to join them nay if they should not come in in such Numbers as they hoped yet one of these two things must necessarily follow That either they should conquer Henry and so settle this new King on his Throne who in recompence for so great a Benefit must needs grant them all that they desired Or if they could end the Matter without Blows yet Henry upon the quelling Domestick Tumults not being yet fully settled in his Throne would submit to what Conditions they pleased But if he refused so to do when War was once begun many advantages might offer themselves which now were unforeseen This was the Opinion of the major part and the King himself inclined to them and his Vote drew in the rest And after this he treated Peter more honourably than before gave him the Title of Duke of York and as such shewed him to the People And not contented herewith he gave him Katharine Gordon Daughter to the Earl of Huntly to Wife a Woman of as great Beauty as Nobility of Stock by this Affinity erecting him to hopes of thriving and bettering his Condition And therefore by Advice of his Council he levied an Army and marched for England first of all carrying it warily and having his Troops ready to engage if any suddain Assault should be made upon him But afterwards when he understood by his Spies that the Enemy had no Army in the Field he sent out Parties to Plunder and in a short time wasted almost all Northumberland and the Countries thereabout He staid some days in those Parts and not an English-Man stirred in behalf of Peter And it being told him that an Army was levying against him in the adjacent Counties he thought it dangerous to venture his Souldiers who were loaden with Booty against the new and fresh Forces of the English and therefore he resolved to return into Scotland and there to leave their Booty and as soon as the time of the Year would permit to undertake a new Expedition Neither did he fear that the English would follow him in his retreat for he knew that new-raised Souldiers would not be long kept together neither would they make after him if they could through a Country so lately harassed and desolated by the Wars especially having no Provisions prepared before-hand And besides Peter was afraid that in regard none of the English came in to him as he hoped that if he staid any longer in his Enemies Country his Cheat would be discovered so that he himself seemed to approve of the King's Resolution came cunningly to him and composing his Speech and Countenance so as might best move Compassion he humbly besought him That he would not make such Havock in a Kingdom that was his own by Right and that he would not so cruelly shed so much Blood of his Subjects for no Kingdom in the World was of so much worth to him as for its sake to have his Peoples Blood so largely spilt and his Country so wasted with Fire and Sword to procure it The King began now to smell out and understand whither this unseasonable Clemency did tend and therefore told him That he feared he would preserve that Kingdom in which not a Man did own him as a Subject much less as a King not for himself but for his Capital Enemy and so by common consent they returned Home and the Army was disbanded Henry being made acquainted with the Invasion and also the Retreat of the Scots appointed an Expedition against them the Year after and in the mean time levied a great Army and that he might not be idle in the Winter-time he summons a Parliament who approved of his Design to make War on Scotland and granted a small Subsidy upon the People for that end That Tax raised up a greater flame of War upon him at Home than that which he designed to quench Abroad For the Commonalty complained that their Youth and Souldiery were exhausted by so many Wars and Impressments which had been made within these few Years that their Estates were impaired and ran very low But the Nobles and Counsellors to the King were so far from being moved with these Calamities that they sought to create new Wars in a time of Peace that so they might impose new Taxes on
all the Pageantry of his former Life he ended his days in an Halter The Seminary of War between England and Scotland being almost extinguished and a great likelihood of Peace appearing behold there arose a great Ebullition of Spirit upon a very light occasion which had almost broken out into a fierce War Some Scottish Youths went over to the Town of Norham which was near to the Castle as they were oft wont to do in Times of Peace there to recreate themselves in Sports and Pastimes and to junket together with their Neighbours as if they had been at Home for there was but a small River which divided them The Garison in the Castle out of the Rancour yet lodging in their Breasts since the former War and being also provoked by some passionate words accused those Scots as Spies and so from Words they came to Blows many were wounded on both sides and the Scots being fewer in number were forced to return Home with the loss of some of their Company This Business was often canvassed in the Meetings between the Lords of the Marches and at last Iames was very angry and sent an Herald to Henry to complain of Breach of Truce and how unconstant the English were in keeping Covenant and unless Satisfaction were given according to the just Laws which were made by general Consent about restitution betwixt the Borderers he commanded him to denounce War against him Henry had been exercised by the Violence of Fortune even from his Cradle and therefore was more inclined to Peace his Answer was That whatever was done of that kind was against his Will and without his Knowledg and if the Garison-Souldiers had offended in the Case by their Temerity he would take order That Examination should be made and that the Leagues being kept inviolate the Guilty should be punished But this was slowly done and Iames looked upon the Answer as dilatory that so Punishment might be deferred and the Sentiment thereof worn out with Time and therefore it rather provoked than satisfied Iames. But Richard Fox Bishop of Durham who was owner of the Castle being much troubled that an occasion of breaking the League should be administred by any of his Tenants to prevent it sent several Letters to Iames full of great submission modesty and civility which so inclined the Mind of Iames that he wrote him word back that he would willingly speak with him not only about the late Wrongs done but also about other Matters which might be advantagious to both Kingdoms Fox acquainted his King herewith and by his Consent he waited upon Iames at Mulross where he then was There Iames made a grievous Complaint of the Injury acted at Norham yet by the prudent and grave discourse of Fox he was so pacified that for Peace-sake of which he shewed himself very desirous he remitted the Offence Other things were acted privately betwixt them but it appeared afterward that the Sum of them was this That Iames did not only desire a Peace but both before and also now an Affinity with Henry and a stricter Bond of Union And if Henry would bestow his Daughter Margaret upon him in Marriage he hoped that the thing would be for the benefit of both Kingdoms and if Fox whose Authority he knew to be great at home would but do his Endeavour to accomplish the Affinity he did not doubt but it would be soon effected He freely promised his Endeavour and coming to the Court of England acquainted the King with the Proposition and thereupon gave hopes to the Scots Embassadors that a Peace would easily be accorded betwixt the two Kings Thus at length three Years after which was An. 1500 even about one and the same time Henry's Eldest Daughter was betrothed to Iames the IVth and also Katharine Daughter to Ferdinand of Spain to Henry's Eldest Son and their Marriages were celebrated with great Pomp the next Year after After the Marriage all things were quiet and the Court turned from the Study of Arms to Sports and Pastimes so that there was nothing but Masks Shews Feastings Dancings and Balls it was as a continued Jubilee and upon that account every day was as an Holy-day There were also Horse-Tiltings frequently made mostly according to the French Mode betwixt which as Tragical Acts there intervened the Challenges of Moss-Troopers one of another who were wont to live upon Spoil which Sport the King was well pleased to behold because he judged that the killing of them was a Gain to him When the noise of these Tourneaments came to Foreign Nations many Strangers and especially from France came daily over to shew their Prowess who were all liberally entertained by the King and as bountifully dâ—smissed Neither did he rest in these ludicrous Exercises but he laid out a great deal of Mony upon Building at Sterlin Falkland and sundry other places and especially in building of Monasteries but his Cost about Ships was greatest of all for he built three stately ones of a great Bulk and many also of a middle Rate one of his great ones was to admiration the biggest that ever any Man had seen sail on the Ocean it being also furnished with all manner of costly Accommodations our Writers have given a Description of it which I pass over and the Measure of it is kept in some places but the Greatness of it appeared by this That the News thereof stirred up Francis King of France and Henry the 8 th King of England each of them to build a Ship in imitation thereof and each endeavouring to out-vie the other when their Ships were finished and fitted with all necessaries for sailing and brought to Sea they were so big that they stood there like unmoveable Rocks unfit for any use These Works being very expensive did exhaust Iames his Treasure so that he was forced to devise some new ways to get Mony and amongst the rest he pitched upon one by the Perswasion as it was thought of William Elphinstone Bishop of Aberdeen which was very displeasing to all the Nobility Amongst the Tenures of Land in Scotland this is one kind by which the Owner holds what he buys or else is given him on these Terms That if he dye and leave his Son and Heir under Age The Wardship of him should belong to the King or to some other Superior Lord yea and all the Revenue is to be received by him till the Heir come to the age of 21 Years There is also another Badg of Slavery annexed to this Hold that if an Owner do sell above half his Estate without the consent of the chief Lord then he is to forfeit the whole to him This Law was introduced by Court-Parasites to advance the King's Exchequer but being looked upon as unjust had lain dormant a long time but the King being informed that Money might be got out of the Violators of it commanded it to be put in Execution that Process they call Recognition
This way of raising Money by the King tho it outed no Man of his whole Estate yet was a greater Grievance to the Country than his Father's Covetousness had been for the Wrong redounded to very many and to the worthiest People most because under the two last Kings by reason of their Forreign and also of their Civil Wars the Memory of that Law was almost quite abolished and thereupon by reason of this new Project they were enforced either to redeem their Lands from the Officers of the King's Exchequer or else to relinquish part of them And yet the love of the Subjects towards their King was so great that tho they suffered great Inconvenience thereby his other Vertues gave him such a Reverence amongst them that their Indignation did not proceed to an actual Rising in Arms. But when the King set no bounds to his Expences neither were there some Flatterers a perpetual mischief to Courts wanting who covered this vitious Excess under the plausible Names of Splendour and Magnificence Hereupon he determined to undertake a Voyage into Syria that so he might put an end to his vast Expence which he could not continue without Ruin nor yet give over without Shame and so by his Absence to abridg it He made an honest Pretence for his Journey that it was to expiate the Fault he had committed in bearing Arms against his Father And indeed he had given some evidence of his Penitence whether true or pretended upon this account from the very beginning of his Reign as I said before and he would often speak of it in his common Discourse He had rigged a Navy for this Voyage and had nominated the chief of his Retinue and had acquainted his Neighbour-Kings by his Ambassadours of his Intent and many of his Followers as if they had obliged themselves by the same Vow suffered the Hairs of their Heads and Beards to grow at length and it was thought he would immediately have taken Ship if some Hinderances had not intervened even whilst he was most intent on his Journey For at that time there arose a vehement Suspicion of a War like to ensue betwixt France and England for Henry did not like the Successes of the French in Italy and besides he was solicited by Iulius the 2 d then Pope and by Ferdinand of Spain his Father-in-Law to join with them and with the Venetians Swiss and Maximilian too tho he did regulate his Councils ordinarily according to Events for it was likely that the Conjunctions of so many Nations against France would almost swallow it up The King of England being in the prime of his Age and elevated much in the sense of the Power of his Kingdoms and also being very willing to be in Action was desirous to enter into this Confederacy but wanted a fair Pretence to fall out with France But both of them knew one anothers Designs by their Spies and when France could not be persuaded to desist from warring against the Pope who was Henry's Friend at length an Herauld was sent into France to demand Normandy Aquitain and Anjou as the old Possessions of the English in France But in regard France was not moved by these Threats neither to intermit the War in Italy hereupon Henry denounced War against him and sent an Army into Biscay to join his Father-in-Law Ferdinand and he himself prepared for an Expedition into France Now Iames of Scotland tho he resolved to side with neither of them yet as more inclinable to the French he sent his Navy aforementioned as a Present to Ann Queen of France that so it might seem rather as a mark of his Friendship than any real Assistance for Military Action And moreover the Scots Clergy who were used to French Largesses were willing to shew themselves in behalf of Lewis of France and seeing they durst not openly do it they sought out occasions to alienate the King's Mind from the English In order hereto Andrew Forman then Bishop of Murray one of their Faction and a Friend to Lewis was sent into England to demand a vast Sum of Gold and Silver the greatest part thereof consisted in Womens Jewels and Ornaments which were reported to be given by Will by Arthur Henry the 8 ths Elder Brother to his Sister Margaret now married to Iames as I related before Henry as 't is probable looked upon this Demand only as a Pretence for a Quarrel and therefore he answered Iames very mildly That if any thing were due to him he would not only pay it but if he wanted a greater Sum or any other Assistance he would not fail to supply him When Iames received this Answer he resolved to assist Lewis in any other way but by no means to invade England and he sent over the same Forman into France to acquaint Lewis therewith Meanwhile because he had heard that great Naval Preparations were making on both sides he resolved to send the Fleet aforementioned to Ann immediately that so it might arrive there before the War did actually break forth he made Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran Admiral of it and caused him to set sail with the first Opportunity But Hamilton tho a Man good enough yet was more skilled in the Arts of Peace than War and therefore either out of fear of Danger or else out of his habitual backwardness left his Voyage for France and turned to Knockfergus a Town in Ireland scituate over against Galway in Scotland which place he pillaged and burnt and afterward as if he had been a mighty Conqueror he hoisted sail for Air in Scotland a Port-Town in Kyle When the King heard of his Return he was very outragious against him and could not forbear to express his menacing Reproaches against the Man and he was the more inraged against him because he had received a Letter from Queen Ann out of France which did endeavour to flatter him into a War against England and he had also other Letters from Andrew Forman which informed him That he was generally upbraided with the Promise of sending the Fleet which they now looked upon as vain in regard no such thing was done The King was willing to obviate this mischief as well as he could and therefore seeing Hamilton had broke off the Course he was commanded to run and had destroyed a Town that had never been an Enemy to the Scots and was then also in Alliance with them and so had made War upon his Friends without denouncing it beforehand therefore he cashiered him the Admiralship and caused him to be summoned to appear before him Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus was designed to succeed him in that Command and Andrew Wood was sent with him to take the Fleet into his Charge But Hamilton had notice by his Friends before their coming of the King's Displeasure against him and therefore presently hoised Sail resolving rather to commit himself to the wide Sea than to an enraged King he was
Peace they should have it if War he would make it upon them When the Queen by reason of her Marriage fell from her Regency the Nobility was manifestly divided into two Factions the Douglassian Party endeavoured that the chief Power might reside in the Queen and that This was the way to have Peace with England which was not only advantagious but even necessary for them The other Party headed by Humes pretended an Umbrage of the Publick Good and that it was against the old Laws of the Land to choose a Woman to be Regent as for the Queen they would be studious of her Honour as far as they might so do by the Law and as far as the Publick Safety would permit and that a sufficient Proof had been given thereof in regard that they hitherto submitted to her Government tho it were against the Law of their fore-Fathers not by any legal Compulsion but of mere good Will and that they were ready to endure it longer if any honest and equitable Pretence could be alleged for it But seeing she by her Marriage had voluntarily deposed her self from that Dignity she ought not to take it amiss if they substituted another to enjoy that Office which she had left and which indeed by the Law she could not hold for the Laws of Scotland do not permit Women to have the Supream Power no not in times of Peace much more in such troublesome days as Ours wherein the powerfullest and the prudentest Man alive could hardly find Remedies for the many growing Evils of the Times Thus whilst each Faction strove pertinaciously about the Choice of a Regent either out of wicked Ambition or occult Envy they passed over All there present and inclined to choose Iohn Duke of Albany then living with good Repute in France whereupon William Elphinston Bishop of Aberdeen is reported to have burst forth into Tears in bewailing the publick Misfortune and his Speech affected many especially when he came to that Point of reckoning up what Men were slain in the last Fight and how few like Them were left behind of whom none was thought fit to sit at the Helm of Government He also told them how empty the Exchequer was and how it had been exhausted by the late King and how great a Portion thereof was the Queen's Joynture and how much necessarily must be expended on the Education of the King and then how little part would remain to maintain publick Charges and that tho none were more fit for the place of Regency than the Queen yet seeing Concord could not be had on other terms she was forced to yeild to that Party who were for calling Iohn Duke of Albany out of France to take the Regency upon him tho he thought that the publick Misery would be rather deferred than fully healed thereby Alexander Hume was so violent for Albany that he professed openly in the Assembly that if they all refused yet he himself would go alone and bring him over into Scotland to undertake the Government It is thought he did this not for the Love of his Country or for any private Advantage to himself but merely out of This respect that being an ambitious Man and knowing that his Interest in the People was more upon the account of his Power than out of any real Love therefore himself despairing of the place he was afraid if the Queen should have it the Douglasses his Neighbours would grow too great and his Power would abate for the Men of Liddisdale and Annandale had already withdrawn themselves and had by little and little betook themselves to the Clanship of the Douglasses And besides he considered that the Queen by Assistancâ— from England was easily able to obviate all his Designs so that most Voices carried it for Iohn and an Embassy was appointed the chief whereof was Andrew Wood of the Largs a famous Cavaleer in those days to call him into Scotland for the Government both upon the account of his own Virtue and also by reason of his near Consanguinity with the King for he was the Son of Alexander Brother to Iames the Third He being thus called to the supream Government by the Scots Francis King of France did not think that Office unsutable to his Interest and therefore he furnished him with Mony and a Retinue at his Departure Before his Arrival in regard there was no one Person to administer the Publick Government there were many Murders and Rapines committed and whilst the richer sort made up their private Clans and Factions the poor desolate Vulgar were afflicted with all kind of Miseries The chief Robber of those times was MacRobert Stran who committed Outrages all over Athol and the Neighbouring Parts at his Pleasure having 800 Men and sometimes more under his Command At length when he was at his Uncles Creighton's he was way-laid apprehended and put to Death But there was more Mischief like to arise from the Fewd between Andrew Forman and Iohn Hepburn yet the Nature of them both and the Discord rather of their Manners than Minds deferred the Mischief for a season which then was just a breaking out Iohn was profoundly covetous and Andrew was as great a Despiser of Mony and profuse in his Largesses The Designs and Purposes of Andrew were open and manifest to the view of all neither was there any need that he should conceal them because his Vices were accounted Virtues by the Vulgar and the simplicity of his Nature did Him as much Kindness among them as the occult Craft of Hepburn together with his malicious Dissimulation his implacable remembrance of Injuries and his desire of Revenge did Him And therefore Forman hearing as yet no certainty of the coming of the Duke of Albany neither could he be put into Possession by Hume seeing Hepburn resided at his Castle and Monastery which he had strongly garison'd which were at a great distance from those places in which the Power of the Hume's might be formidable he determined by his Friends to try whether he could with Mony either satisfy or at least in some degree abate the Avarice of the Man so that at last they came to an Agreement upon these Terms That Forman should remit and forgive the Revenues of the last Year which Iohn had gathered in as a Sequestrator that he should surrender up to him the Bishoprick of Murray and that he should pay him yearly 3000 French Crowns out of his Ecclesiastical Revenues to be divided amongst his Friends And thus the Man's implacable Hate was a little abated and Matters settled on that side The Fourteenth BOOK THIS was the State of Affairs in Scotland when Iohn Duke of Albany arrived at Dunbarton on the 20 th day of May in the Year of our Salvation 1515 with the exceeding gratulation of all good Men. For under his Government they hoped for more quiet Times and an equal distribution of Justice In a full Assembly of the Nobility called in his Name
he had a large Revenue settled upon him he was made Duke of Albany Earl of March and Regent till the King came to be of Age. Moreover Iames the Natural Son of the late King was made Earl of Murray a young Man of such virtuous Endowments that he far exceeded all the hopes Men had conceived of him There was also one Fact which much enhaunsed the estimation of Iohn and it was done almost in the Face of the Assembly and that was the punishment of Peter Muffat He was a notable Thief who after many cruel nefarious Pranks plaid by him in the Two last licentious Years arrived at length to that audaciousness that he appeared openly at Court His unexpected Punishment made such a suddain change of Things that Criminals began to withdraw for shelter The Minds of the Good were erected and the Face of Things began soon to be changed from a stormy Tempest to a suddain Tranquillity In the mean time Iohn Hepburn had so insinuated himself into the Regent by the help of his Friends whom he had privately greased in the Fist and afterwards by his obsequiousness and pretence of knowing the old Customs of the Country he got his Ear who of himself was ignorant of Scotish Affairs insomuch that none was credited in Matters of great Moment but He alone He was sent abroad with Commission by the Regent all over Scotland to inquire into Their Offences who oppressed the Vulgar and made them as their Slaves He obtained that Office principally upon these Grounds First of all he acquainted the Regent What new Discords and old Fewds there were in every County and also what Factions there were and who were their respective Heads Hitherto his Relations were true for the Things were known to all But if any Occasion were offered to speak of Hume he stirr'd up some to complain of his Enormity so that by the Imputation partly of True and partly of Feigned Crimes the Regent's Ears were shut against all Defence he could make But when he had almost gone over the whole Kingdom and expresly declared the Alliances Affinities and Leagues which had interceded between each several Family and had persuaded the Regent That no Man of Power tho' a Criminal could be punished without the Offence of his Clans and that not so much for the Enmity and Conspiracies of their Kindred as that the Punishment reaching to a few yet the Example would extend to a great many more whom a similitude of Faults and a like fear of Punishments out of Enemies would make Friends so that these great and large spreading Factions were not able to be punished by the Force of Scotland only and therefore it was adviseable to desire an Auxiliary Strength from the King of France to break this Knot of Contumacious Offenders and that this would be of use to France as much as to Scotland In the mean time the Heads of the Factions were to be kept under and if it were possible taken off yet with that prudence that they might not think too many of them to be aimed at at once The Heads of the Factions at present were Three of them Archibald Douglas was wonderfully popular insomuch that the Vulgar doted on him His Name was much adored by reason of the great Merits of his Ancestors besides he was in the flower of his Youth and relied so much on his Affinity with England that he bore a Spirit too big for a private Man As for Hume he was formidable of himself and yet rendred more so because he was confirmed in his Power by length of Time Neither did he stop here but made an invidious commemoration of what the Hume's had acted against the Regent's Father and Uncle of all which tho' the Hepburns were partakers yet he cast the Odium upon the Hume's only He often mentioned his Cowardise in the last Battel against the English and the Talk abroad about the King's Death reflecting upon him together with the repairing of Norham Castle which was done by his connivance these things he repeated with great earnestness before the Regent As for Forman says he 't is true he was not to be feared upon the account of his Kindred or any Nobleness of Descent yet he would make a great accession of strength to what Party soever he inclined because all the Wealth of the whole Kingdom was gathered together as it were into one House for he was able to supply the present Want of the Party he sided with with Mony or else by his Promises all Things being then in his Power he could draw many into the Partnership of the same Design with himself This was Hepburn's Speech to the Regent The noted Fewds that had passed between Hepburne and Forman were the Cause that Hepburne was not so much believed in that part And besides his Estate was not so much to be envied for he rather loved to lay it out than hord it up neither was he so munificent to any as to the French that waited on the Regent and besides his desire was more to join all Parties in an universal Concord than to addict himself to any one Faction But the suspicion of the Lord of the Marches sunk deeper into the Regent's Mind which was manifest by the aversion of his Mind from him and because his Countenance was not so friendly to him as before So that after a few Months Alexander Hume perceiving that he was not entertained by the Regent answerable to his hope began to have secret Meetings with the Queen and her Husband In those Congresses Hume grievously lamented the State of the Publick that the King in that Age wherein he could not understand his own Misery was fallen into the Hands of an Exile one born and brought up in that Condition who by a wicked Ambition had endeavoured to rob his Elder Brother of the Kingdom And He being the next Heir Who did not see that all his Endeavours were to settle other Things according to his Mind and then to pack the innocent Child out of the World that He might translate the Kingdom to himself that so what his Father had impiously designed he himself might as wickedly accomplish There was but one Remedy in the Case and that was for the Queen to retire with her Son into England and there to put her Self and Concerns into the Protection of her Brother These things being brought to the Regent's Ears were easily believed by him but being a Man of an active Spirit and of quick dispatch in Business with those Forces which he had ready about him he prevented their Design for he took the Castle of Sterlin and the Queen in it He took the Oath of Allegiance to the King publickly by the Decree of the Nobles the Queen and the Douglasses were removed and Three of the Nobility of great estimation for their Faithfulness Integrity were joined with Iohn Erskin Governor of the Castle to preside over
the Education of the Young King they were to succeed one another by turns and he allowed them a Guard for their Security upon this Hume and his Brother William fled into England And Douglas and his Wife staid no longer behind them but till they knew Henry's Mind who commanded them to stay at Harbottle in Northumberland till his Pleasure was further known Iohn the Regent was very much concern'd at all their departures and therefore he presently sent Embassadors into England to acquit himself before Henry that he had done nothing why the Queen should fear him or be in the least disaffected towards him neither had he acted any thing against those who accompanied her in her Flight and Departure but that they might enjoy their Country their Freedom and if they pleased their Estates Thus publickly he wrote to the King But besides that he did not omit secretly to promote the return of the Hume's and Douglas by the mediation of their Friends he made them many large Promises till he had brought them over to his Will Whereupon the rest returned Home but the Queen being big and near the Time of her Delivery was constrained to stay there where she brought forth a Daughter named Margaret of whom in due place But as soon as she was able to travel she had a Royal Accommodation and Retinue sent from London to bring her up thither where she was honourably and nobly received by Henry her Brother and Mary her Sister who upon the death of her Husband Lewis of France had a little before returned into her own Country And yet the Suspicions before raised in Scotland were not much abated either by the departure of the Queen or by the return of some of her Retinue For Gawin Douglas Uncle to the Earl of Angus Patrick Pantar Secretary of State to the former King and Iohn Drummond chief of his Family were sent to several Prisons and banished And Alexander Hume was summon'd to appear before the Assembly of Estates on the 12 th day of Iuly in the Year of Christ 1516 but he not appearing was condemned and his Goods confiscate He was inraged at this contumelious Wrong for so it was in his Eye and to drive out one Fear by another he either sent in or else incouraged Tories to commit great Outrages upon the Neighbourhood Whereupon the States order'd the Regent to raise Ten thousand Horse and Foot to repress those Insolencies and either to take Hume or else drive him out of the Country But before it came to Blows Hume by the persuasion of his Friends surrendred himself to the Regent and so was conveyed to Edinburgh to be a Prisoner under Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran his Sister's Husband who was to be esteemed as a Traitor if he suffer'd him to escape but the Issue of that Matter fell out otherwise than any Body expected for Hume persuaded Hamilton to escape away with him and to make a Party and so to enter on the Government Himself he being the next Heir after the former King's Children in regard he was born of a Sister of Iames the Third and therefore it was more equitable that he should enjoy the next Place to the King than Iohn who 't is true was also the Son of a Brother but born in his Banishment and in all other things a perfect Foreigner one who could not so much as speak the Scotish Language When the Regent heard of this he went to take in Hamilton's Castle and placing his Brass-Guns against it had it surrendred in two Days In the mean time Hume made Excursions out of Merch and pillaged the Country about and at length burnt down a great part of the Town of Dunbar These were the Transactions of that Year At the beginning of the Spring Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox whose Mother was Hamilton's Sister join'd himself with a great many of his Friends and Vassals to the Rebels These seiz'd upon the Castle of Glasgoe and there they staid with Hamilton himself expecting the Regents coming The Regent had called a Council of the Nobles of his Party at Edinburgh and there rais'd a suddain Force and entred Glasgoe Castle one Gunner a French-Man was punish'd as a Deserter the rest were pardon'd by the intercession of Andrew Forman who was then a Mediator for Peace between them The Earl of Lennox a few days after was receiv'd into Favour and from that day forward carry'd it with great Faithfulness and Observance towards the Regent And not long after first Hamilton and then the Hume's return'd to Court and had an Amnesty for what was past it was granted to Hume with greater difficulty than to the rest because he had rebelled so often and an express Condition was added that if he offended another time after that the memory of his old Crimes should be again revived and charged upon him Peace being thus setled the Regent retired to Falkland where he staid some Months but hearing of great Suspicions against Hume he returned to Edinburgh And on the 24 th day of September held a Council of the Nobility where he endeavoured by his Friends to draw Hume to Court Large Promises were made to intice him so to do but many of his Party dissuaded him or if he himself were resolved to go yet he should leave his Brother William who by his Valour and Munificence had almost obtained as great or a greater Authority than himself at Home in regard the Regent would be afraid to use any high Severity against him as long as his Brother was alive but he being as it were hurried on by a Fatal Necessity slighted the advice of his Friends and with his Brother William and Andrew Car of Farnihurst came to Court where presently they were all clapt up in several Prisons And by the advice of the Council a few days after were tried for their Lives after the Country Custom And yet there was no new Fact urged against them Prince Iames Earl of Murray accused him for the Death of his Father who came alive off the Field as many Witnesses did prove This Fact was strongly urged but the Proofs were weak so that they gave it over and insisted only on his private Crimes and the many former Rebellions were objected of all which Alexander was either the Author or at least Partaker in them and moreover 't was alleged that he did not do his Duty in the Battel of Flodden Hereupon the Hume's were condemn'd Alexander had his Head struck off the 11 th of October and his Brother the Day after both of their Heads were set up on an high place as a Terror to others and their Estates were confiscate This was the end of Alexander Hume the powerfullest Man in Scotland of his Time He in his Life-time had raised up the Hatred and Envy of a great many Men against him yet those Prejudices in time abating his Death was variously spoke of and so
publick Business about the end of March resigned up his Government of his own accord and Robert Long a Citizen of Edinburgh was substituted in his Place The Nobility of the West part of Scotland of which there were very many had frequent Meetings in the House of Iames Beton the Chancellor their Design was to apprehend the Earl of Angus for they alleged that his Power was too great and formidable to the Publick that as long as he was at Liberty they should have no freedom for Debate or Resolution And Opportunity seemed to favour their Design for he having now but a few of his Vassals about him might be easily surprized before his Kindred came in to his Assistance When he perceived what was agitated against him he sent his Uncle Gawin Bishop of Dunkelden to them to pacify them whom he said he had provoked with no Injury and to desire them to manage the Dispute without force of Arms for if they could make out any just Complaint against him he was willing in Equity to give them all due Satisfaction But his Speech profited not or being made to Men prepossessed fierce puissant and greedy of Revenge And therefore Gawin could obtain no good Terms from them but returned to Angus and acquainted him with the Arrogance of his Enemy and then caused his whole Family to follow the Earl He himself being a Priest and infirm too by reason of Age retired to his own Lodging Some think he did this to upbraid the unseasonable Pride of the Chancellor who when he ought to have been a Promoter of Peace flew armed up and down like a Fire-brand of Sedition Douglas seeing there was no hopes of Agreement exhorted his Men rather to die valiantly than like Dastards to hide themselves in their Lodgings from whence to be sure they would soon be pluck'd out by the Ears to their Deaths for their Enemies had stopp'd all Avenues and Passages so that not a Man of them could get out of the City All that were there present assented to what he had spoken and thereupon he and his Party being clad in their Armour seized upon the broadest Street in all the Town He had about fourscore in his Train but all stout resolute Men and of known Valour They divided themselves into the most convenient places and so set upon their Enemies as they came out of several narrow Alleys at once the first they slew and drove the rest back tumbling one upon another with a witness The Earl of Arran who commanded the opposite Party with his Son Iames got to a Ford and made their escape by the North-Lough the rest ran several ways for shelter to the Convent of the Dominicans Whilst these things were acting there was a mighty Combustion all over the Town and in the midst of the Bustle Angus's Brother enters the City with a great Party of his Clan-ship When Douglas had got this Accession to his former Strength tho there were abundance of his Enemies in the Town yet he made a Proclamation by a Trumpeter that none should dare to appear in the Streets with Arms about them but his Friends and Party Those that desired Passes to depart quietly had them easily granted there went out in one Company about 800 Horse besides those who had taken their Flight before with greater Ignominy than Loss For there fell not above 72 but amongst them were Men of Note as the Brother of the Earl of Arran and Eglington's Son This was done the 30 th day of April 1520. To revenge this Disgrace the Hamilton's besieged Kilmarnock a Castle in Cuningham Robert Boyd a Friend of the Douglas's commanded it but they soon left it without effecting any thing The next Year Douglas came to Edinburgh on the 20 th of Iuly bringing with him the Hume's which had been banished and there he took down the Heads of Alexander and William Hume which had been set up on Poles The whole five Years that the Regent was absent were very full of Tumults there was no end of pillaging and killing till his Return which was Octob. 30. 1521. Upon his Arrival he resolved to abate the Power of the Douglas's in order to the quieting of those Seditions which had hapned in his absence The Earl of Angus Head of that Family he sent into France he caused the Pope to call over his Uncle the Bishop of Dunkelden to Rome to purge himself there from some imputed Crimes who the Year after in his Journy to Rome fell sick of the Plague in London and died His Virtues were such that he was very much lamented for besides the splendor of his Ancestry and the comliness of his Personage he was Master of a great deal of Learning as for those Times and being also a Man of high prudence and singular Moderation even in troublesome Times he was much esteem'd in point of Faithfulness and Authority even by contrary Factions he left behind him considerable Monuments of his Ingenuity and Learning written in his Mother-Tongue The next Year after the return of the Regent a Parliament was held and an Army levyed appointed to rendevouz at Edinburgh on a set day whither they came accordingly and pitch'd their Tents in the Fields near Rosselin none knowing upon what Service they were to be put but at last an Herauld proclaim'd that they were to march towards Annandale a great Punishment being denounced on those who refused so to do The rest of the Army marched obediently enough to the River Solway the Boundary of Scotland only Alexander Gordon and his Party staid behind three Miles backward further from England When the Regent heard of it he came back to him the next Day and brought him up to the Camp There he called the Nobles and chief Commanders together and shewed them many great and weighty Reasons why he invaded England on that side But a great part of the Nobility by the Instigation of Gordon who was their Senior and of greater Authority than them all wholly refused to set Foot on English Ground whether out of Disaffection to the Regent or else as they pretended that 't was not for the Interest of Scotland so to do The specious Pretences cast abroad amongst the Soldiers pleased them well enough for if they had levyed an Army in favour of the French lest the English might bring their whole Strength upon them it was sufficient for that purpose only to make a shew of War but if the Interest of Scotland were considered Matters were not well setled at home and their King was but a Child so that 't was most adviseable for them at that time only to be on the Defensive and to keep their own Country in quiet for if they should march forward the blame even of fortuitous Miscarriages might be laid to their charge and an account of such their Misfortunes might be required at their Hands in a very short time Lastly tho they were never so willing
them saying that now was the time to free their young King who was almost of Age from the Bondage of a Stranger and also to deliver themselves from the same Yoke for the Queen now laboured to strengthen her Party against her Husband whom she long before began to disgust Besides the King of England sent frequent Letters stuft with large Promises to the Nobles of Scotland desiring them to promote his Sisters Designs He told them it was not his Fault that there was not a perpetual Amity between the two neighbouring Kingdoms and that he with others did much desire it at this time not for any private end of his own but to make it appear that he bore a respect to his Sister's Son whom he was resolved to support and gratify as much as ever he was able And if the Scots would be persuaded to break their League with France and to strike in with England they should quickly find his aim was not Ambition but Love and Concord only That Mary his only Daughter being married to Iames by that Affinity the Scots would not come over to the Government of the English but the English to That of the Scots That Enmities as great as theirs had intervened betwixt Nations heretofore which yet by Alliances mutual Commerce and interchangeable Kindnesses had been wholly abolish'd and extinct Moreover he reckon'd up the Advantages or Inconveniencies which might accrue to either Nation by this Union with each other rather than with the French as that they were one People born in the same Island brought up under the same Climate agreeable one to another in their Language Manners Laws Customs Countenance Colour and in the very Lineaments of their Bodies so that they seemed rather to be one Nation than two But as for the French they differed from them not only in Climate and Soil but also in the whole course of their Conversations Besides if France were an Enemy she could do no great damage to Scotland and if a Friend yet she could not be highly advantageous as for the Assistance of England That was near at Hand but French Aid was much more remote there was no Passage for it but by Sea and therefore it might be prevented by Enemies or else hindered by Storms They were therfore desired to consider how inconvenient it was for the management of Affairs and how unsafe for the Publick to hang the hopes of their and the Kingdoms Safety upon so unconstant and variable a thing as a blast of Wind. How much they might expect from absent Friends against present Dangers may be easily perceived by the Actions of the last Summer wherein the Scots not only felt but even saw with their Eyes how the English did baffle them being forsaken by their Friends and came upon them with all their Strength ready to devour them but the French Aid so long looked for was kept back by the English Navy in their own Harbours These were the Allegations for a Peace with England And not a few being convinced thereby inclined thereunto but Others argued to the contrary for there were Many in that Assembly whom the French had brib'd and some who had got great Estates out of the publick Losses for fear they should lose them did abhor the thoughts of Peace There were others who suspected the readiness and facility of the English in making such large Promises especially since matters in England were manag'd for the most part at the will and pleasure of Thomas Woolsey a Cardinal a Man wicked and ambitious who referr'd all his Designs to his own private Advantage and the inlargement of his Power and Authority and therefore he accommodated them to every turn of the Wheel of Fortune as men say All these did equally favour a League with France tho induced thereunto on different Grounds They alleged that the sudden Liberality of the English was not free and gratuitous but done out of Design and that This was not the first time that they had us'd such Arts to intrap the unwary Scots For Edward the First said they when he had sworn and obliged himself by all the Bonds of Law and Equity to decide the thing in Dispute and therefore was chosen Arbitrator by the Scots had most injuriously made himself King of Scotland and of late Edward the 4 th had betrothed his Daughter Cicely to the Son of Iames the 3 d but when the young Lady grew up to be marriageable and the day of Consummation thereof almost appointed he took the opportunity of a War which arose upon the account of our private Discords and so broke off the Match And that the English King aim'd at nothing else now but to cast the tempting bait of Rule before them that so he might make them really Slaves and when they were destitute of Foreign Aid might subdue them at his Pleasure and unawares with all his force Neither was that Position a true one wherein the contrary party did pride themselves That an Allyance near at hand was better than one farther off For causes of Dissension would never be wanting among those which were near which were oftentimes produc'd even by sudden chances and sometimes great Men would promote them upon every light occasion and then the Laws of Concord will be prescrib'd by him who hath the longest Sword That there was never such a firm and sacred Bond of Friendship between Neighbouring Kingdoms which upon occasions offer'd or fought for was not often violated neither could we hope that the English would more refrain now from violating such a League than they formerly did against so many Kings of their own Blood 't is true the Sanctity of Leagues and the Religion of an Oath for the faithful Performance of Pacts and Agreements are firm Bonds and Ingagements to good Men but amongst those which are bad they are but as so many Snares and Gins and give only opportunity to deceive and such an Opportunity is most visible in a Propinquity of Borders and Habitations in the Sameness of a Language and in a Similitude of Conversation But if all these things were otherwise yet proceeded they there are Two things to be regarded and provided for First that we reject not our old Friends even without an hearing who have so oft well deserv'd of us The other that we do not here spend our time in Quarrels and Disputes especially about a Business wherein nothing can be determin'd but in an Assembly of all the Estates of the Kingdom Thus stood the Inclinations of those of the French Faction and so they obtain'd that no Determination should be made till they receiv'd certain News of the French Supplies When the return of the Regent was made known it mightily rejoiced his Friends strengthned the wavering and kept back many who favour'd the League with England from complying with it He sent his Warlike Provisions up the River Clyde to Glasgoe and there muster'd his Army He also publish'd a Proclamation that
present Duke of York and Vice-roy of the Kingdom of England Iames willingly assented to such large and alluring Promises and accordingly fixt a day for the Interview But there were two Factions which resolved to oppose his Journy for England First the Hamiltons who secretly laboured to keep the King from marrying that so they being the next Heirs he might have no Children to exclude them from the Succession And next the Priests also were mightily against it and their Pretences were seemingly just and honest as first the danger he would run if with a small Retinue he should put himself into the Power of his old Enemy for then he must comply with his Will though it were never so much against his Own They also recited the Examples of his Ancestors who either by their own Credulity or else by the Perfidiousness of the Enemy were drawn into a Nouse and from flattering Promises of Friendship had brought home nothing but Ignominy and Loss They also urg'd the unhappy Mistake of Iames the First who in a time of Truce landing as he thought in his Friends Country was there kept Prisoner eighteen Years and at last had such Conditions imposed upon him which he neither lawfully could nor ought to have accepted and then said they he was avariciously sold to his own Subjects Moreover first Malcolm after him his Brother William Kings of Scotland were brought on the Stage who were inticed to London by Henry the 2 d. and then carried over into France to make a shew of assisting in a War there against the French King their old Ally But say they if it be objected Henry the 8 th will do none of these things they answered first How shall we be assured of that next Is it not a point of high Imprudence to venture ones Fortune Life and Dignity which are now in ones own Power into the Hands of another Besides the Priests saw that all their Concerns were now at stake and therefore they must now or never stand up for them in order whereto they caused Iames Beton Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and George Creighton Bishop of Dunkelden two old decrepit Men to come to Court there to baul it out That Religion would be betrayed by this Meeting and Interview even That Religion said they which had been observed so many Ages by their Ancestors and which had all along preserved its Defenders till now The Ruin of which would be attended with the total Destruction of the Kingdom also to forsake that Religion upon every light Grounds especially in such a time wherein the whole World doth conspire together with Arms in their Hands for its Preservation could not be done without great Danger at present and Infamy for future yea it would be a thing of great Wickedness and Impiety also With these Engines they battered Iames's Mind which of it self was inclined enough to Superstition and moreover they corrupted those Courtiers who could do most with him desiring them in their Names to promise him a great Sum of Mony so that hereby they wholly turned away his Mind from the Thoughts of an Interview Henry took this Disappointment in great Disdain as indeed he had reason so to do and thus the Seeds of Dissension were again sown between the two Kings In the mean time the King was weary of his single Life and by reason of foreign Embassies and his Court-Distractions at home was variously agitated in his Thoughts all pretended the publick Good but some aimed at their own private Advantage under that Vail and though many persuaded him to an Affinity with Charles in regard of the flourishing Estate of the Empire at that time yet he rather inclined to an Alliance with France And therefore seeing the matter could not be ended by Embassadors he himself resolved to sail over into France and accordingly rigging out a small Navy the best he could fit in so short a time on the 26 th of Iuly he set Sail from Leith none knowing whither he would go many were of opinion that his Design was for England to visit his Uncle and to ask him pardon for disappointing the Interview agreed on the Year before But a Tempest arising and being also toss'd with contrary Winds the Pilot ask'd him what course he should steer If there be a necessity said he Land me any where but in England Then his Mind was understood He might have return'd home but he was willing rather to sail round Scotland and to try the Western Ocean there also he had very bad Weather and by the advice of a few of his Domesticks as he was asleep he was carried back again when he was awake he took the matter in such great Indignation that for ever after he bore an implacable Hatred against Iames Hamilton whom he also disgusted before upon the account of the killing the Earl of Lennox neither was he well pleased with the rest of the Authors of that Counsel ever after and there were some who in compliance with the King 's angry Humour buzz'd him in the Ears That the Hamiltons under a pretence of a serviceable Attendance and Duty had accompany'd him on purpose to undermine his Voyage However he put to Sea again with a great Train of Nobles September the 1 st and in ten days arrived at Diep in Normandy from thence that he might prevent the News of his Arrival he went disguis'd and in great speed to the Town of Vendosme where the Duke then was and saw his Daughter which pleased him not so that he presently made haste to Court he came unexpectedly upon Francis and the whole Court and yet was honourably receiv'd by him and on the 26 th of November almost against his Will he bestow'd in Marriage his Daughter Magdalene upon him For her Father as I related before judging his eldest Daughter by reason of her sickly temper unfit to bear Children offer'd him his youngest or any other Woman of the French Nobility for a Wife but Iames and Magdalene had contracted a Friendship by Messengers which was confirmed by the mutual Sight Meeting and Discourse one with another so that neither of them could be diverted from their purpose The Marriage was celebrated Ianuary the 1 st in the Year 1537 to the great Joy of all and they both arrived in Scotland the 28 th of May being attended by a French Navy She lived not long after but died of an Hectick Feaver Iuly the 7 th to the great Grief of all except the Priests for they feared that her Life would have put an end to their Luxury and Ambition because they knew she was educated under the Discipline of her Aunt the Queen of Navar. As for others they conceiv'd such a Grief for her Death that then as I think Mourning Garments began first to be used in Scotland which yet after forty Years do scarce continue to be worn though the publick Manners do decline and seem to require it
with Auxiliaries from France and that all Europe did conspire for the Defence of their ancient Rites and Religion and if they acted contrary they would betray theiâ— Country and thereby the Ruin of their ancient Families would be imminent and at hand They also desired them in so dangerous a time not to forsake their Country for if That were safe they might hope for more Kindred and Children but if That were overthrown then all was gone Moreover they discoursed much concerning the inexpiable Hatred betwixt the Nations and of the Cruelty of the King into whose Hands they were to come thus blending Truths and Falshoods together Moreover they alleged the Decree of the Council of Constance That all Pacts Contracts Promises and Oaths made with Hereticks ought to be rescinded and made void The greatest part of those who were concerned in this matter were willing to hearken to any colourable pretence for their Fault only there was One of them who for no pecuniary Consideration whatever could be persuaded no nor by any Threats deterred from keeping his Word and that was Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils he had left two of his Brothers Hostages in England and he openly profess'd that neither for Fear nor Favour he would redeem his own Life with the Loss of his Brothers but whatever came of it he would surrender himself back a Prisoner and so against the Will of many he undertook his Journy straight to London Henry very much commended the resolute Faithfulness of the Young-Man and to the intent that all might know he had an Esteem for Vertue he richly rewarded him and sent him back with his two Brothers into Scotland But Henry's Mind was not more pacified towards Gilbert than his Anger was implacable against the rest of the Scots and thereupon he laid an Embargo upon the Scots Ships in all English Ports and Harbours of which there were a great Number as I said before and so presently denounced War His Threatnings were great as against the Violators not only of Leagues but even of the Law of Nations And yet though Scotland stood in so dangerous a State the Memory of Alliances the common Love to their Country and the respect of the publick Safety were so far laid aside that the Brands of Sedition were kindled more fiercely than ever For the Faction of the Cardinal and of the Queen Dowager who were all for the French sent over Ambassadors thither to tell them That unless they sent in Assistance the Matter was upon the very Point That England and Scotland would make a Coalition into one Government and how such a Conjunction would concern France the Experience of former Ages had shewn But they made it their chief Request to the French that they would send back Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox into his own Country who did not only emulate the Family of the Hamiltons but was also their deadly Enemie being they had slain his Father at Linlithgoe This young Man was greatly beloved not only for his extraordinary Beauty and stately Garb in the very Flower of his Youth but chiefly upon the account of the memory of his Father who was so popular a Man and also because he was a single Man and the Extinction of such a noble Family now reduced to a few was in great Hazard besides he had many Clanships at home and had also Affinity with many other great Families Furthermore the former King had design'd him to be his next Heir and Successor if he himself died without Issue Male and he would have confirmed that his Intention by a Decree of the States who have the Sovereign Power to order such publick Affairs if his Life had been prolonged Yea there were some Flatterers which did elevate his generous Mind already rais'd up with the expectation of great things but not so well fortified against fraudulent Adulation to larger Hopes for besides the Supreme Rule for about twenty Years and the Domination over his old Enemies they promised him that he should marry the Queen Dowager and if the young Queen who had the Name only of Supreme Governess should miscarry then without doubt he would be the next King and not only so but also the lawful Heir of Iames Hamilton lately deceased seeing the Regent was a Bastard and was so far from any just expectation of the Kingdom that he could not lawfully claim the Inheritance of his own Family Besides they urged the Promises of the French King who gave hopes of great Assistance in due time When the plain-hearted and credulous young Man was thus persuaded he provided for his Voyage into Scotland Hamilton was not ignorant of any of these things and to the intent that he might gain an Accession of Strength to his own Party by the Advice of those Friends whom he most trusted he resolved to take away the young Queen from Linlithgo where she yet was under the Power of her Mother for if he once got Her then not only the Shadow of the Royal Name which is an attractive thing amongst the Vulgar would be of his Side but also he should have the Power to bestow her in Marriage and so make himself Arbiter of the Kingdom to transfer it whithersoever he pleased which if he could obtain then the King of England might be persuaded if need were to join with him This Design was much approved but as is usual in Civil Discords there are Spies on both sides who being informed thereof acquainted the Cardinal therewith He gathering together some of the Nobility whom he had corrupted with Mony came to Linlithgo and to the great Burden of the Inhabitants staid there some days as a Guard to the Queen In the mean time Lennox arrived out of France and was kindly received by the Regent each of them dissembling their Hate then he went to Linlithgo there he addressed the Cardinal and then went to his own House where in a Meeting of Friends he discours'd at large Why he came over at Whose Command by Whom sent for and upon What hopes That he was promised not only the chief Magistracy but also that the Heads of the Faction with the Queen Dowager's Consent had assured him that he should marry Her And that in order to the effecting thereof the King of France had encouraged him to expect Aid and Assistance from thence they all assented to his Speech and advised him not to be wanting to the Occasion which so freely had offer'd it self and thus with above four thousand Men he came to the Queen Hamilton who had levied and mustered his Men and with his Kinsmen about him was resolved to issue out of Edinburgh and break thorow to the Queen now perceiving that his Forces were too weak by the Advice of his Friends and out of his own Disposition also which was inclinable to Peace began to treat of an Accommodation whereupon some prudent Persons were chosen on both sides who met at the Town of
also expose his Friends Kindred and Vassals whom he had engaged in the publick Cause and who had been almost worn out with toil and labour to Servitude and Torment under an impious and cruel Tyrant who as much as in him was had sold both Queen and Kingdom to the Enemy and who observed the Pacts and Promises he made to Men no more religiously than he did the Duties of Piety towards God for within a few Years he had changed his Religion Three times neither was it to be wonder'd at in him who looked upon Oaths and Promises not as Bonds obliging to Faithfulness but as lurking holes to hide Perfidiousness And therefore he moved earnestly That the King and those of his Council would consider whether in so great an Affair They would believe him all whose Ancestors had devoted themselves their Lives Honours and Fortunes for the increase of his Greatness and who indeed had been honoured and rewarded by him with many Benefits which yet were rather Testimonies of their good Acceptance than just Rewards and Compensations of their Labours or else a Man who would change his Friends and Foes at the blast of every Wind and who depended on the Arbitrement of Fortune alone Though many were not ignorant that his Allegations were true yet the French King was so influenc'd by the Guise's the Queen Dowager's Father and Unkle and who in all things endeavoured to promote her Concerns that his Heart and Ear were both shut against Lennox's Request insomuch that he would not permit Iohn Cambel a Man of approved Virtue sent by Lennox to have Audience or so much as to come into his Presence but kept him in the nature of a Prisoner and had Spies set upon him to watch him that so he might not write back any thing of the Designs agitated in the French Court yet notwithstanding this their Caution there were some who told him all When Lennox heard this by the Dispatches which were sent him his troubled Mind was variously hurried betwixt Anger and Shame he was ashamed to leave his Enterprize which he had begun unfinished and the rather because he thought that he was not able to satisfy the Love of his Friends and Kindred whom he had drawn with him into the same Danger but by the Sacrifice of his Life As for the rest his Anger was highly inflamed especially against the Queen-Dowager and the Cardinal by whose perfidious Contumely he was cast into these Straits but he was chiefly offended with the King of France complaining that he had brought him upon the Stage and now in the midst of his Acting had forsaken him and joined himself with his Enemies Whilst his Thoughts thus fluctuated not knowing where to fix News was brought him That all the Inhabitants on this side Mount Grantzbain who were able to bear Arms were commanded by Proclamation by such a Day to appear at Sterlin and to bring ten Days Provision along with them that they might be ready to march whithersoever the Regent should command them whither accordingly they came at the Day appointed and the Regent marched them to Glasgow There he besieged the Castle ten Days and battered it with his Brass-Guns but in vain yet at last a Truce was granted for a Day and the Guards tampered with so that the Castle was surrendered upon Quarter and Indemnity to the Garison-Souldiers yet notwithstanding all of them but One or Two were put to Death In the mean time Lennox being forsaken by the French King and also cut off from any hope of other Aid made trial by his Friends how the King of England stood affected towards him and finding it fair Weather there he resolv'd for England but before he went he had a great Mind to perform some notable Exploit against the Hamiltons and communicating his Design to William Cuningham Earl of Glencarn They two at a Day appointed with their Tenants and Adherents resolved to meet at Glasgow and from thence to make an inroad into the County of Clydsdale which almost all belonged to the Hamiltons When the Regent heard of this he resolved to be before-hand with them and so to seize upon Glasgow and thereby prevent the place of meeting but Cuningham with a great Party of his Men were entered the Town before and there expected the coming of Lennox but hearing of Hamilton's coming and of his Design he drew out his Men into the Fields adjoining and according to the number of those he had set them in array there were about 800 of them part of his own Clanship and part of the Citizens of Glasgow which favoured his Cause and thus with greater Courage than Force he joined Battel and fought so valiantly that he beat the first Rank of the Enemy back upon the second and took the Brass-pieces they had brought with them But whilst the Fight was hot about the Regent's Quarter and the Matter was in great Hazard there on a sudden Robert Boyd a valiant and brave Man came in with a small Party of Horse and thrust himself into the midst of the Fight where the hottest Service was He occasioned a greater Fear and Trepidation than so small a number need to have done for both Armies believed that great Assistance was come into the Hamiltons This Mistake quite changed the fortune of the Day whilst one thought the assistance was come into his Party the other to his Enemies There were slain in the Battel about 300 on both sides the greatest part was of the Cunningham's and amongst them two Sons of the Earl's gallant Men both Neither was the Victory unbloody to the Hamiltons for they lost considerable Persons on their side too But the greatest Mischief fell upon the Inhabitants of Glasgow for the Enemy not contented with the Blood of the Towns-men which they had killed nor with the Miseries of those who survived nor yet with the Plunder of their Houses they also took away the Valves and Shutters of their Gates and Windows and their Iron-Bars neither did they forbear any kind of Calamity but only the firing of their Houses which were so torn and deformed before The Event of this Battel wrought a great change in Mens Minds so that Lennox's Friends and Kinsmen refused to commit the Matter to the Hazard of a second Encounter not so much because their Enemies Force was increased and theirs lessened nor that because having lost so many valiant Men they could not speedily gather together a new supply from places so remote as that they were unwilling to give any new Provocation to Hamilton or by too much Obstinacy to offend him under whose Government they knew they must shortly come Lennox being thus deserted by the French and the greatest part of the Scots too made George Sterlin Governour of the Castle of Dunbarton and he himself with a few in his Company sailed for England against the advice of his best Friends who were willing he should have stayed some Months in
Interim the English marched thorow to their intended Post without any hindrance They brought with them 300 fresh Men Powder and Bullet and such other Provision as the Garison stood in most need of Whilst these things were acted at Hadington which did not at all make to the Main of the War News was brought that the English had levied a compleat Army to raise the Siege Whereupon Dessius knowing that he was not able to encounter the Forces which were a coming removed his Leaguer farther off from the Town and sent back his Great Guns all but six small Field-Pieces to Edinburgh Upon the Coming of the English Army the Siege was raised because the Scots Commanders would not hazard the State of the Kingdom upon a single Battel so that the Scots marched every one the next way home the French also though much press'd upon by the English yet got well off The French Souldiers in their Return slew the Governour of Edinburgh and his Son together with some of the Citizens who joined with them because they refused to admit them into the Town with all their Forces in regard they knew they could scarce keep them from plundring Dessius in the Interim lest the Sedition should increase drew off and withal supposing that the Enemy would be more secure at Hadington because of their good Success resolved to make an Attempt to surprize it on a sudden Thither he marched all that Night and by break of Day slew the Sentinels and came up to the Walls they took the Fort before the Gate kill'd the Watch some endeavoured to break open the Gate they also seized upon the Granaries of the English In this hurry the Noise of those who were breaking open the Gates and the Huzza's of the French crying out Victory Victory rous'd up the English from their Sleep which they had newly fallen into In this great hurly-burly a Souldier set fire to a Brass Gun placed casually against the Gate that he might in a present Danger make Trial of a doubtful Remedy The Bullet broke through the Gate and made a Lane in the thick Ranks of the French so that what between the Exclamations of the Souldiers crying out Victory and the Noise of the Gates which were broken such a confused Clamor was carried to the Rear that they were surprized with Fear not knowing the Cause and so fled which occasioned the rest to follow after The French being thus repuls'd with Loss march'd into Teviotdale which the English had done great Damage to there under the Conduct of Dessius they drove the Enemy from Iedburgh and made many Inrodes into English Ground not without considerable Advantage At length when they had wasted all the Country besides their daily Duty they were also in great Want and the Commonalty pitied them the less because of their Prank at Edinburgh for they looked upon that seditious Attempt as a Step to Tyranny And from that time forward the French did nothing worth speaking of The King of France was made acquainted by Letter from the Regent and Queen Dowager how Dessius spent much time on light Expeditions and unprofitable ones and that he was more injurious to his Friends than Enemies and that the French Souldiers were grown so insolent since the Tumult at Edinburgh that by reason of the intestine Discord all was like to be ruined Whereupon Dessius was called back and Monsieur Paul Terms a good Souldier and prudent Commander was sent with new Supplies for Scotland Dessius thought it would be for his Honour to recover the Island Keith which was taken a few Days before and was begun to be fortified so that he got together a Fleet at Leith and went aboard with a select Company of Scots and French The Queen was a Spectator of the Action and egging them on sometimes particularly sometimes all in general after he had landed in the Island he drove the English into the highest Angle thereof kill'd almost all their Commanders and compell'd them to a Surrender but not without Blood This was his last noble piece of Service in Britain and then he surrendred up his Army to Termes Termes drew forth the Army out of their Winter-Quarters and commanded them to march towards the Northern Shires he himself Dessius being dismiss'd followed soon after and laid Siege to the Fort of Brockty and in a short time took it and also the Castle adjoining from the English putting almost all of both Garisons to the Sword When he was returned into Lothian his great Care was to hinder Provisions from being carried to Hadington when lo upon a sudden a great Army of English and Germans shewed themselves ready for the Encounter whereupon he drew his Men backward till he came to a Place of greater Safety In the Interim the Scots Cavalry which skirted upon the Enemy on every side perceiving the German Baggage to be unguarded plunder'd them in a moment In the mean time Provisions were carried into Hadington without any opposition During these Matters Iulian Romerus with a Troop of Spaniards was taken securely in his Quarters as if all had been at Peace and almost all his whole Party was destroyed Termes when the English Forces were march'd home resolv'd to return to the taking in of Hadington They were stout Men that defended the Town but in regard the Country was wasted all thereabouts and Provisions could not be brought from far but with great Hazard and sometimes certain Loss and besides the English were troubled with great Seditions at home and were further press'd upon by a War with France hereupon the Garison of Hadington having no hope of Relief burnt the Town and on the 1 st of October 1549 march'd away for England And moreover the Garison at Lauder was almost ready to surrender as being in great Distress for want of Necessaries when lo News was brought on a sudden of an Agreement made between the English and the French which was published in Scotland April the first 1550. And the May following all the French Souldiers were transported back into France That Peace as to a Foreign War lasted about three Years but it was as troublesom and pernicious as the hottest War For they who sat at helm the Regent and his Brother the Archbishop of St. Andrews were both extreamly cruel and avaritious and the Archbishop very licentious in his Conversation also for as if the Reins lay wholly loose on his Neck his own Will was his Law The first Presage of the ensuing Tyranny was the suffering the Murder of William Creighton an eminent Person to go unrevenged he was slain by Robert Semple in the Regent's own Palace and almost in his sight and yet the Murderer was exempted from Punishment by the Intercession of the Archbishop's Concubine who was Daughter to Semple This Archbishop as long as the King liv'd was one of his Confidents and pretended a great Zeal for the Reformed Religion but when the King
for his Fortune Wife Children Religion and Liberty Besides this Project said they concerns the very Vitals of the Scotish Empire and 't was a thing of greater Consequence than to be debated at this time and in this Age of our young Queen for if 't were granted it could be effected without any Sedition yet this new way of managing a War is both useless and also much feared and suspected by the most especially since out of the Tribute of the Scots Men none of the richest Mony enough could hardly arise to maintain a Guard of Mercenaries for the Defence of the Borders and therefore 't was to be feared that the Event of this Counsel would be to open the Door of the Borders to the Enemy not to shut it For if the English living in a richer Kingdom should erect a fuller Treasury for that use there was no doubt but they might maintain Forces double to ours with less Grievance to their own People and then they would break in not only upon the Borders but even into the very Body of the Kingdom The other part of their Oration I know not whether it be not better to suppress in Silence than to declare it amongst the Vulgar some Mutterings there were Who will collect this Mony What great part of it must necessarily be expended upon Distrainers and Treasurers as a Reward for their pains Who will undertake that it shall be spent for publick Uses and not on private Luxury 'T is true the Probity and Temperance of our noble Princess who now rules gives us great Hope yea Confidence that no such thing will be yet if we consider what hath been done by others abroad and by our selves at home we cannot contain or so govern our selves but must needs fear that what hath once been done may possibly be done again But to let these things pass which perhaps we have no cause to fear let us come to that wherein our Ancestors plac'd their greatest hope of Defence to maintain their Liberty against the Arms of an overpowring Enemy There was no King of Scotland ever judg'd wiser than Robert the first of that Name and all confess he was the most valiant He at his Death as he had often done in his Life out of a Prospect to the good of his Subjects gave this advice That the Scots should never make a perpetual Peace no nor One for any long time with the English For he out of the Wisdom of his own Nature and also by his long Experience and Exercise under both Conditions prosperous and adverse knew well enough that by Idleness and Sloth the Minds of Men would be broken with Delights and Blandishments of Pleasures and their Bodies also grow languid for when severe Discipline and Parsimony is extinct Luxury and Avarice do grow up as in a Soil untill'd accompany'd also with an Impatience of Labour and a Slothfulness occasioned by continu'd Ease averse from and hating a military Life by which Mischiefs the Strength of Body and Mind being enervated and weakned doth abandon Virtue which is exercised by Sufferings and that a short and unaccustomed Ease and Pleasure is over-ballanced by some notable Calamity to ensue Upon this Oration the Queen-Regent fearing an Insurrection if she had persisted in her opinion remitted the Tribute and acknowledg'd her Error 't is reported she was often heard to say that it was not Her self but no obscure Men of the Scots themselves who were the Authors and Architects of that Design By those Words some thought she meant Huntly a Man fierce of his own Disposition and newly released from Prison and as it seems more mindful of the Injury of his Imprisonment than of the respect shewed in his Deliverance And therefore when he saw that the Regent was intent upon this one thing to accustom the Scots to pay Tribute fearing that thereby her Power would increase and the Authority of the Nobility would be weakned and infring'd in regard she being a Foraigner sought to bring all things into the Power of her own Country-men it was thought he gave this Counsel to her which suited well with her Mind as to the raising of Mony which she was then about for otherwise the advice was plainly Destructive Hostile and Pernicious for he knew well enough that the Scots would not pay such great Taxes neither would they be as obedient Subjects as they had been before some thought that David Painter Bishop of Ross found out this way of Tax for he was a Man of a great Wit and learned besides he had receiv'd many Courtesies from the Hamiltons and was a Friend to their Family and Designs The next year which was 1557 whilst the Embassadors of Scotland were treating about Peace at Carlisle the King of France sent Letters to Scotland to desire the Regent to declare War against England according to the League The Cause was pretended to be because the Queen of England had assisted Philip of Spain her Husband who was ingag'd in a fierce War against France by sending him Aid into Belgium The English Embassadors return'd without confirming any settled Peace or War either whereupon the Regent call'd together the Nobility at the Monastry of Newbottle where She declar'd to them the many Incursions the English had made upon Scotish Ground what Preys they had taken and when Restitution was demanded none was made so that She desir'd the Scots to denounce War upon England both to revenge their own Wrongs and also by the same labour to assist the King of France yet she could not prevail with the Nobility to begin first and therefore by the advice as 't is thought of D'Osel she brought about the matter another way She commanded a Fort to be built at the Mouth of the River Aye against the sudden Incursions of the English wherein also she might safely lay up great Guns and other Necessaries for War as in a safe Magazine from whence she might fetch them upon occasion and so save labour of carrying them from the remoter parts of the Kingdom whereby much time would be spent and besides the troublesomeness of the Carriages opportunity of Action would be lost These Conveniencies were visible enough but she had another Reach in it she knew that the English would do their utmost to hinder the Work and not suffer a Garison to be erected under their Noses so near Berwick Thus the Seeds of War which she desired would be sown and the fault of taking up Arms cast upon the Enemy And the Event answered her Expectation For the Scots being provoked by the wrongs of the English whilst they were compell'd to defend their own Borders easily assented to the Regent's desire to make War upon England whereupon the Embassadors sent into England to make a Peace were call'd back a Proclamation was made and a Day appointed for a general Rendezvouz at Edinburgh when the Camp was form'd at Maxwel Heugh and the Council had not yet
the Crown which he by a new and monstrous Name call'd Matrimonial upon the Head of the Queen's Husband alleging that he would gain but an empty Name without any accession of Power or Profit he also us'd many other flattering Words not necessary here to be repeated which the more accurate they were in a trifling business by so much the more they were suspected as Coverts of concealed Fraud yet the Embassador partly by immoderate Promises and partly by earnest Intreaties and partly by the Favour of some who collogued with the future Power gain'd the Point that the Crown was ordered for the Daulphin and Gilespy Cambel Earl of Argyle and Iames the Queen's Brother were chosen to carry it to him These Persons perceiving that they were sent abroad to their own Ruin in regard the French Ambition hung as a Storm ready to fall upon all their Heads made no great haste to fit up their Equipage but deferred their Preparation from day to day until they had ponder'd all things and taken surer measures of what was likely to ensue especially since now a nearer and eminenter degree of Honour offered it self For Mary Queen of England being dead the Queen of Scots carried her self as her Heir and bore the Arms and Ensigns of England engraving the same on all her Housholdstuff and domestick Furniture and though France was at that time miserably distressed in asserting their Power and Dominion over Milain Naples and Flanders yet she added to the rest of her Miseries this Mock-Title of England The wiser sort of the French saw this well enough but they were forc'd to comply with the Guises who then could do all at Court for by this vain kind of Splendor they thought to add much to the French Name Besides the Regent having receiv'd the Decree concerning a Matrimonial Crown seem'd to have put on a new Disposition for she turn'd her ancient Affability which was acceptable to all into an Imperious Arrogance and instead of gentle Answers wherewith before she did addulce both Factions as That it was not long of her but of the Times that she could not promise so largely as she desir'd before that Decree was past now she thought her self cock-sure and therefore us'd another kind of Language and Deportment A Parliament was summoned to be held at Sterlin May 9. and whereas she had often said that now she was free from other Cares she would not suffer the Majesty of the Government to be debased but that she would indeavour to restore it to its ancient Veneration by some eminent Example These Words portended a Storm insuing and therefore many applied to her for her Favour and amongst the rest to make their Request more exorable upon the account of the Dignity of the Messengers Alexander Cuningham Earl of Glencarn and Hugh Cambel Sheriff of Air a worthy Knight were sent to her When they came she could not contain her self but must needs utter this Speech as a Witness of her Impiety Do you and your Ministers what you will or can yea though they preach never so sincerely yet they shall be banish'd the Land They replied in great Humility That she would call to mind what she often promised them She answer'd That the Promises of Princes were no further to be urged upon them for performance than it stood with their Conveniency Whereupon they rejoin'd That then they renounced all Allegiance and Subjection to her and advised her to consider what Inconvenience was likely to ensue hereupon she was unexpectedly struck with this Answer and said She would think upon it And when the fierceness of her Anger seemed somewhat to abate it was again kindled much more fiercely as by a new Firebrand when she heard that the Inhabitants of St. Iohnstons had publickly embraced the Reformed Religion whereupon she turned to Patrick Ruthen Mayor of the Town commanding him to suppress all those Tumults for innovating of Religion his Answer was That he had Power over their Bodies and Estates and those he would take care should do no hurt but that he had no Dominion over their Consciences At which Answer she was so inrag'd that she said she hoped none would think it strange if he were shortly made to repent his stubborn Audacity she also commanded Iames Haliburton Sheriff of Dundee to send Paul Meffen Prisoner to her but he was advised thereof by the Sheriff and so gave way to the Time and slipp'd out of the Town she wrote also to the Neighbour-Assemblies to keep the Easter following after the Popish Manner but when none obeyed her therein she was so inrag'd that she cited all the Ministers of the Churches of the whole Kingdom to Sterlin to appear there on the 10 th of May ensuing When that Matter came to be noised abroad the Evangelicks exhorted one another that they and their Ministers would also appear at the Meeting so that there was a great Multitude of those that were likely to be at that Assembly which though they came unarmed yet the Regent feared that things would not go well on her side whereupon she sent for Iohn Erskin of Down who happened to be in Town at that time and dealt with him to cause the unnecessary concourse of the People to withdraw which would not be very difficult for him to do because of the great Authority he had amongst them and in the mean time she promised she would act nothing against the Men of that Persuasion Many there were who being made acquainted with this Promise of the Regent changed their purpose of going thither and returned home yet nevertheless she on the day appointed for the Assembly call'd over the Names of These who were summon'd and such as did not answer to their Names she outlawed Erskin seeing what little Credit was to be given to her Promises and fearing to be seized on by Force had withdrawn himself and found the Nobles of Strathearn Angus and Merns yet in a Body though doubting of the Faith of the Queen They finding by his Discourse what they suspected before that the Queen's Rage was unappeaseable and that the Matter could no longer be dissembled prepared themselves against open Force Matters standing in this ticklish Posture Knox assembled the Multitude at Perth and made such an excellent Sermon to them that he set their Minds already moved all in a Flame After Sermon the greatest part of the Audience went home to Dinner but a few of the meaner sort such as were also inraged with Anger and Indignation staid behind in the Church Amongst them a poor Priest thinking to try how they stood affected prepared himself to say Mass and drew out a large Frame or rather Idol-case in which was contained the History of many Saints curiously ingraven A Young-Man standing by cried out That what he did was intolerable upon which the Priest gave him a Box on the Ear the Youth took up a Stone and thinking to hit the Priest the Blow
this Action there fell so great and sudden a Terror upon the Cause of the Reformed which did mightily disturb them for the present and also cut off all hopes of Success for the future For the Regent partly by Threats and partly by Promises had wrought off many who had given in their Names to the Reformers from the Faction of the Nobles and besides their Camp was full of Spies who discovered both their Words and Actions yea those which they thought were concern'd to be kept most secret to the Regent and when Balfure's Servant was taken carrying Letters to Leith the Suspicion lighted on a great many and the Fear diffus'd it self over the whole Body And moreover the Mercenary Souldiers mutinied because they had not their Pay down upon the Nail and if any one indeavoured to appease them he was grievously threatned by them But Men did less admire the Sedition of such Men who had neither Religion nor Honesty than they did the Imbecillity and Faintheartedness of the Duke of Castle-herault who was so amazed at the Fear of his Neighbours that his Terror discouraged the Minds of many Those who were most couragious endeavoured to apply Remedies to these Miseries and their first Consultation was to appease the Mercenaries And seeing the Nobles which remained could not make up a Sum sufficient to quiet and pay them some declining through Covetousness others pleading Inability at last they agreed to melt down all their Silver-Plate and when the Say-masters were ready to assist therein the Mints or Stamps I know not by whose Fraud were taken away The only ground of Hope was from England which was adjudg'd too slow At last they resolved to try the Fidelity of their private Friends and thereupon they sent Iohn Cockburn of Ormiston to Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir Iames Croft two Knights of known Valour who at that time were Officers at Berwick to obtain of them a small Sum of Mony to serve their present Occasion This their Design though they kept it as private as they could was yet discovered to the Regent who commanded the Earl of Bothwel to waylay him in his Return He though in a few days before he had taken a solemn Oath that he would not prejudice the Cause of the Nobles in the least yea though he had given them hopes that he would join himself to their Party yet nevertheless lay in Ambush for Ormiston assaulted him unawares wounded and took him Prisoner and so became Master of all the Mony that he brought When the noise of this Exploit was brought to Edinburgh it alarm'd the Earl of Arran and Iames Stuart and almost all the Horse to draw out not so much for desire of Revenge as to free Ormiston if he were alive or at least to put a stop to their March that he might not be convey'd to the Regent But Bothwel having notice thereof by a Spy prevented their coming by his Flight The same Day the Governour of Dundee with the Towns-men thereof and a few Volunteers marched towards Leith and placed their Ordnance on an adjoining Hill The French who were informed by their Scouts that almost all the Enemies Horse were absent drew forth some Troops to cut off those few Foot whose Paucity they saw The Dundeans stood a while in hope of Relief but in regard those few Mercenaries which followed them turned their backs almost at the first Charge they also retired leaving their Guns behind them until at length a Noise was raised in the Rear that the French were gone another way towards the Gates of the City to seize them and so to keep them out upon this bruit there was such an universal Perturbation that every one shifted for himself the best he could and whilst each Man endeavour'd to save one the Weak were trodden under foot by the Strong so every body look'd to his own Particular and there was no Provision made in common for them all The Papists on this Emergency crept out of their lurking Holes and did openly reproach them Insomuch that they who ever pretended great Zeal for the Reformatition began partly to withdraw themselves secretly and partly they consulted how to desert the whole business On the 5 th Day of November when News were brought that the French were march'd out to intercept some Provisions coming towards Edinburgh besides the Disagreement of the Reformed amongst themselves the Mercenaries could scarce be got out of the Town to oppose them The Earl of Arran and Iames Stuart and their Friends went out first against them with whom there joined many worthy and valiant Persons They charged the French more fiercely than prudently so that they were near upon the point to have been shut out from Edinburgh and so to have paid for their Rashness For the Marishes on the one side and the adjacent Wall of an Orchard left them but a narrow space for their March and That also open to the French Musketeers so that they were trodden under foot partly by their own Men and partly by the Enemies Horse In this Trepidation they had been all certainly cut off unless the Commanders leaping from their Horses had put themselves into equal Danger with the rest some of the common Souldiers seeing this stopp'd for Shame amongst whom was Alexander Haliburton a Captain a stout young Man and very forward in the Cause of Religion he was grievously wounded taken Prisoner and soon after died of his Wounds After this Conflict in which there fell about twenty five many withdrew themselves and others were upon the point of Desperation but the Earl of Arran and Iames Stuart promised to continue their Endeavours if but a small Company of them would keep together when all in a manner refused so to do the next Consultation was to leave the City and as the Nobles had decreed in the second Watch they began their March and the Day after came to Sterlin There Iohn Knox made an excellent Sermon to them wherein he erected the Minds of many into an assur'd hope of a speedy Deliverance out of these Distresses Here it was agreed upon in a Convention that because the French were continualally strengthen'd and increas'd with new Supplies they also would strengthen their Party by foreign Aid and in order thereunto William Maitland was sent into England a young Man of great Prudence and Learning he was to inform the Queen what eminent Danger would accrue to England if the French were suffer'd to fortify Places and plant Garisons in Scotland in regard they sought the Destruction not of Religion only but of Laws and Liberties too and if the Scots were overcome by Force or Fraud yea if they were reduced to Servitude by unjust Conditions they would have an easier step to infringe the Power of the English The English after a long Debate of the Matter at length gave some hopes of Assistance Whereupon the Noblemen who were the Assertors of Liberty divided themselves into two
Batteries signified little or nothing removed their Camp on the other side Leith-River near the Town where they might more certainly annoy the Enemy and also have frequent Skirmishes with him Hand to Hand On the last day of April about two Hours before Sun-set a casual Fire seized upon part of the Town which being assisted by the Violence of the Winds burnt fiercely till the next Morning destroying many Houses and making a great Devastation yea it took part of the publick Granary and consum'd a great deal of Provisions In this hurly-burly the English were not wanting to the occasion for they turn'd their great Guns upon that part and plaid so hot upon the People that they durst not come to quench the Fire yea they enter'd the Trenches and in some places measur'd the height of the Walls so that if the French at the beginning of the Combustion fearing some Treachery had not run thick to the Walls and thereby prevented their loss in such a general Consternation that very day had put an end to the War On the 4 th of May the English set fire to the Water-Mills which were near the Town one of them they burnt down before day the other the next day after the French in vain indeavouring to quench the Flames On the 7 th of May the Besiegers set Ladders to the Walls to make an Assault but the Ladders were too short so that they were beaten off many wounded and 160 slain The three following days the French were imploy'd with great Labour and Hazard in repairing the Walls the English continually playing upon them where they saw the greatest Numbers The Papists were extreamly puft up with this Success so that now they promis'd to themselves that the English would depart the Siege would be rais'd and the War be finish'd But the English and Scots were nothing discourag'd by this Blow but exhorted one another to Constancy and the English promis'd to stay till they heard their Queen's pleasure from her Court. In the mean time Letters came from the Duke of Norfolk which did mightily incourage all their Spirits For he wrote to Grey the chief Commander wishing him to continue the Siege and that he should not want Souldiers as long as there was a Man able to bear Arms in his Province which was very large reaching from Trent to Tweed and if need were he himself would come in Person into the Camp and as a sure Pledge thereof he caus'd his own Tent to be erected in the Camp and in a few days sent in 2000 Auxiliaries so that the Memory of the former loss was quite worn out and with great alacrity they renew'd the War and from that day forward though the French made frequent Sallies yet hardly one of them was prosperous to their Party In the mean time the Queen of England sent William Cecil a learned and prudent Person who was then the chief Manager of Affairs in England and Nicholas Wotton Dean of York into Scotland to treat about a Peace they were commanded to confer Counsels with Randan and Monluck of the French Party concerning Conditions of Peace For the Kings of France thought it a thing below their Dignity to enter into an equal dispute with their own Subjects The fame of this Conference was the Cause that as if all Controversies had been already decided a Convention was Indicted to be held in Iuly In the mean time the Queen Dowager died in the Castle of Edinburgh Iune 11 worn out with Sickness and with Grief Her Death did variously affect the minds of Men for some of them who fought against Her did yet bewail her Death for she was indowed with a singular Wit and had also a Mind very propense to Equity she had quieted the fiercest Highlanders and the furthest Inhabitants of the Isles by her Wisdom and Valour some believ'd that she would never have had any War with the Scots if she had been left free to her own Disposition for She so accommodated her self to their Manners that she seem'd able to accomplish all things without Force but the Misery was Though the Name of Governess resided in Her neither did she want Virtues worthy of so great a Dignity yet she did as it were rule precariously because in all Matters of Moment she was to receive Answers like so many Oracles from France For the Guises who were then the powerfull'st in the French Court had design'd the Kingdom of Scotland as a Peculiar to their Family and accordingly they advis'd their Sister to be more severe in asserting the Papal Religion than either her own Disposition or those Times could well bear This she gave some evident hints of for she hath been heard to say that if Matters were left to her own Arbitrement she did not despair but to compose them upon no unequal Conditions Some others were of opinion that she alleged those things rather popularly than really as her Mind was and that not only with an intent to avert the fault or envy of Mal-administration from her Self but also that under a pretext of asking Advice she might spin out the time in delay whilst She sent for foreign Aid and so by yielding she might blunt the vehement edg of the Scots and in time suffer their angry mood to abate in regard she was of Opinion that the Scots Troops being Volunteers after one or two Disbandings could not again be easily got together because they were made up of Men who were not under Pay nor under any certain Command And the Inconstancy of the Queen in keeping her Promises was no obscure evidence of this her Dissimulation for She did not expect the end of a Truce which by Conditions she was oblig'd to do in renewing a War but if any specious Advantage were offer'd she would adventure to do it Arbitrarily of her own Head Others there were who cast the blame of all things which were avariciously or cruelly acted or which were attempted by Fraud or Calumny upon those who were her Counsellors in managing Affairs For when She undertook the Regency at the very First some French Counsellors were join'd to her Assistance as Osel Embassador of the King of France a Man quickly and vehemently passionate otherwise a good Man and well-skill'd in the Arts both of Peace and War he was one that directed his Counsel rather by the Rule of Equity than the Will and Pleasure of the Guises One Monsieur de Ruby was join'd to him as his Companion a Lawyer of Paris who was to dispute Matters of Law if any such did occur He in his publick Administration conform'd all things as much as he could to the Manners and Laws of France as if That alone were the right Way to govern a Commonwealth by which means he rais'd a suspicion of Innovation upon him and though others might share the Guilt of the same Crime with him yet he alone in a manner bore the blame and envy of it But these Two
committed no Offence which was remediless and uncurable Towards the end of the War there were three French Generals having distinct limits allotted them who manag'd Military Affairs in Scotland viz The Count Martigues of the House of Luxemburgh who was afterwards made Duke of D'Estames L'abros of a Noble or Equestrian Family highly experienc'd in Military Matters and a Third was the Bishop of Amiens accompanied with some Doctors of the Sorbon as if the Matter were to be determin'd by the Pen not the Sword All the Counsels of these Three did tend to open Tyranny Martigues his Advice was to destroy all the Country near to Leith by Fire and Sword that so the desolateness of the Country and the want of Necessaries might compel the Scots to raise the Siege But if that Counsel had took Effect many peaceable Persons poor besides and for the most part Papists too would have been destroy'd and the Besieged would have had no benefit neither for the Sea being open Provisions might easily have been brought by Ships from all the Maritim places of Scotland and England into the Leaguer of the Besiegers and the devastation of the Land and Soil would have redounded as much on the Papists as on the Embracers of the True Religion L'abros was of opinion That all the Nobility of Scotland were to be cut off without distinction and that a thousand French Curiassiers were to be garison'd on their Lands who were to keep under the common Sort as Vassals This his Design was discover'd by some Letters of his intercepted which were going for France and 't is scarce credible how the Hatred against the French begun upon other Causes was increas'd thereby As for the Bishop of Amiens he would have had all Those to be seiz'd on and put to Death without pleading in their own Defence whom he thought not so favourable to the Pope's Cause as he would have them yea all Those who were not so forward to assist the French Party as he expected and he mightily blam'd the French Souldiers for suffering those who were disaffected to their King to strut it openly up and down One he particularly aimed at viz. Mr. William Maitland a Noble and learned Man whom because the Sorbonists could not refute by their Reasons the Bishop design'd to take off by the Sword yea he upbraided the French Souldiers for permitting him to live and advis'd them to kill him which he having notice of took his opportunity to withdraw himself from the French and so escap'd into the Scots Camp The Seventeenth BOOK A Few days after the Death of the Regent a Truce was made for a short time to hear the Embassadors who were come to treat of Peace out of both Nations France and England Hereupon the Nobles assembled These could not effect any thing the greatest obstacle to an agreement was That the French who the Winter before had obtain'd great Booties out of the neighbouring Parts refus'd to depart unless they carry'd their Baggage and plunder along with them This was denied them Whereupon Irruptions were made more fierce than ever though not so prosperous to the French At length when both sides were weary of the War and the Inclinations to Peace could no longer be dissembled the Embassadors on both sides met again in a Conference The things which most inclin'd all to Peace were these The French had no hopes of any relief and their Provisions grew daily scant and were not likely to hold out long so that their Condition was almost wholly desperate And for the English they were wearied out with the long Siege and wanted Necessaries as well as the French so that They likewise desir'd an end of the War And the Scots too receiving no Pay could hardly be kept from running away So that they easily hearkned to a Capitulation Thus by the joint Consent of all Parties on the 8 th day of Iuly in the Year of our Lord 1559 Peace was Proclaim'd on these Conditions That the French should Sail away in 20 days with their Bag and Baggage and seeing they had not Ships enough to transport them all over at present they were to hire some from the English leaving Hostages till they were safely return'd That Leith should be render'd up to the Scots and the Walls thereof demolish'd That the Fortifications lately made by the French at Dunbar should be slighted That these Articles being perform'd the English should immediately reduce their Forces That Mary Queen of Scots by the consent of her Husband Francis should grant an Oblivion of all that the Scotish Nobility had done or attempted from the 10 th day of March 1559 till the 1 st of August 1560. And that a Law should be made to that purpose to be confirm'd in the next Parliament there which was appointed to be in August And Francis and Mary were to give their Consent to the holding that Assembly That 60 of the French should keep the Island of Keith and the Castle of Dunbar that so the Queen might not seem to be ejected out of the Possession of the whole Kingdom at once After this departure of the foreign Souldiers there was a great Tranquillity and Cessation from Arms till the Queen's Return The Assembly of the Estates were kept at Edinburgh wherein the greatest Debate was about promoting the Reform'd Religion The Statutes made were sent into France for the Queen to give her consent to and subscribe This was done rather to sound her Mind than out of any hope to obtain any thing from Her Embassadors also were dispatch'd for England to give them thanks for their Assistance so seasonably afforded Not long after Iames Sandeland Knight of Rhodes came unto the French Court a Man as yet free from the Discords of the Faction his business was to excuse things past and to pacify the the Grudges remaining since the former Wars and so to try all ways to establish Peace and Concord But his arrival hapned to be in very troublesome times for the whole Conduct of the French Affairs was then in the Hands of the Guises who when they perceiv'd that neither Threatnings nor Flatteries did prevail endeavour'd to oppress the contrary Faction by force of Arms and when they could lay no other plausible Crime against their Contrariants they accus'd them of High-Treason for betraying the Kingdom Hereupon the King of Navarr was condemn'd to perpetual Imprisonment and his Brother the Prince of Conde sentenc'd to Death Annas Duke of Momorancy and the two Sons of his Sister Iasper and Francis Colignes and their Kinsman the Vidam of Charters were destin'd to the Slaughter and besides those above 7000 more were put into the black List of Criminals Moreover all means were us'd to terrify the People The City of Orleans was full of Foot-Souldiers Guards of Horse were posted all up and down the Country all the High-ways were beset by them Sentence was past by a few Men in the Court concerning
the Lives Fortunes and good Names of the honestest Men all the Steeples of Churches and Towers round about the Walls had their Windows shut up and their Gates and Doors fortified being design'd for Prisons Criminal Judges were call'd together out of the whole Kingdom The manner of Punishment was thus design'd That as soon as the Frost broke and the River Loir was navigable the King should go to Chinon in Poictou at the Mouth of the River Vien and then the Guises with a few of their Partizans at the Command of the Court-Cabal of which They were the chief should perform the Execution Mean while Sandeland came to Court not so much humbly to desire Pardon for what was past as to excuse his Country-Men laying all the blame of the Tumults upon the French The Guises receiv'd him very coursly blaming him that he being a Man dedicated to the Holy War had undertaken to manage the Commands of the Rebels upon the Account of that execrable Heresy which the Consent of all Nations had highly condemn'd in the Council of Trent yea many of them did admire not at the Folly but even Madness of the Scots that they being but a few and disagreeing amongst themselves and besides destitute of Mony and other Warlike Preparations should dare to provoke so potent a King who was now at quiet from any foreign Enemy Between these fretful Indignations and Threatnings the King fell suddenly Sick The Embassador was dismiss'd without any Answer but the Message of the Kings Death reach'd him at Paris in the Nones of December whence he made haste home hoping for better things for future The News of the King's Death being divulg'd did not so much erect the Minds of the Scots being in great Suspence by reason of their imminent Dangers as it fill'd all France with Faction and the Poison of domestick Discords Iames the Queen's Brother Scotland being now freed from the Domination of the French by the Death of Francis made what haste he could to the Queen who when her Husband was dead went to Lorrain to her Uncles either as a Recess to her Grief or else out of womanly Emulation that she might not be near her Mother-in-Law who by reason of the Slothfulness of Anthony Burbon King of Navar did by degrees derive the whole Administration of Affairs into her own Hands There Iames the Queen's Brother having setled things in Scotland for a Season found her and after much Discourse the Queen told him she had a mind to return to Scotland and fix'd a Day by which they might expect her her Uncles being also of the same Opinion For before Iames's Coming there had been great Consultation about the Matter some alleging the Difficulty of the Voyage especially the Queen of England being nothing favourable besides she was to go to a barbarous People and naturally seditious who were hardly kept in quiet by the Government of Men. Moreover she had fresh Examples before her Eyes of her Father and Mother whom when they could not or durst not openly oppress by sundry Artifices they drove them to Despair so that she would be in daily peril either of her Honour or of her Life amongst them On the other side they who were skill'd in the Affairs of Scotland did urge that the Seditions arising there were occasion'd oftner by default of the Princes than the People in that they endeavour'd to reduce that Kingdom to an Arbitrary and boundless Rule which time out of mind had been circumscrib'd and manag'd within due Bounds of Law and That such a Nation which was more warlike than opulent could never endure But all those Kings who never attempted to infringe the Liberties of the People were not only free from private Enemies and popular Tumults but also reigned much beloved of their Subjects famous Abroad and unconquered by their Enemies But the best and almost only Way at present to quiet things was to attempt no Alteration in the State of Religion as then establish'd These were the Debates as publickly bruited on both sides But there were other more prevailing Causes with her Uncles for they in the Troubles of France cherishing rather great than honest Hopes thought if the Queen were absent she would be more in their Power than if she staid in France and that Neighbour-Princes in hopes to carry her for a Wife would seek their Friendships and use them as Mediators In the mean time one or other of their Faction would preside over the Management of Affairs in Scotland Besides the Queen's Resolution swayed much in the Case who was determined to return into her own Country for her Husband was dead and her Mother-in-Law who manag'd Matters of State being something alienated from her she saw she should be cheap at that Court and tho she had been but a little used to Government yet a Woman young of a flourishing Age and a lofty Spirit too could not endure to truckle under another she had rather have any Fortune in a Kingdom than the richest without one neither could she hope that her Condition would be very honourable the Power of the Guises being weakned by the adverse Party at the first brush Besides the Persuasions and Promises of her Brother Iames serv'd much to weigh down the Ballance for he assur'd her she would find all Quiet at home especially seeing he was a Man to whose Faith she might safely commit her self being her natural Brother and who from his Youth had performed many noble and brave Exploits and so had got great Credit and Renown amongst all Men. Whilst the Queen was intent on these Matters Noal a Senator of Bourdeaux who was sent out of France came into Scotland a little after the end of the publick Convention and was put off till the next Assembly which in order to the setling publick Matters was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh May the 21 st yet the Nobles who met there at the time in great abundance did not sit because they were as yet uncertain of the Queen's Will and Pleasure In the mean time Iames Stuart returned from France and brought a Commission from the Queen giving them Liberty to sit and enact Laws for the Good of the Publick Then the French Embassador had Audience the Heads of his Embassy were That the ancient League with the French should be renewed and the new one with the English broke That Priests should be restor'd to their Estates and Dignities whence they had been ejected To which Answer was given As to the French League that they were not conscious to themselves that they had broken it in the least but that it had been many ways infring'd by the French themselves and especially of late in their opposing the publick Liberty and indeavouring to bring a miserable Yoke of Bondage upon a People which were their Allies and giving no occasion on their part As for the League with England they could not dissolve it without a brand of
above 300 Men maintaining themselves in their Posts When Murray came thither he stood with his Party in Order and Rank on a small Hill where he overlook'd all the Marish the rest as they were advancing towards the Enemy gave evident Tokens of Treachery putting Boughs of Heath on their Helmets for that Plant grows in abundance in those Parts that they might be known by the Enemy When they came near the Huntleans secure of the Success hasten to them and seeing the adverse Army disordered by the Traitors and put to Flight that they might more nimbly pursue them they cast away their Lances and with their drawn Swords to terrify those Ranks that stood they cried out Treason Treason and made with great Violence at the Enemy The Traitors thinking that they should also put to Flight the standing Party made haste towards it But Murray perceiving no hope in Flight and that nothing remain'd but to dye nobly cried out to his Party to hold out their Lances and not to let those that were running away come in amongst them They being thus unexpectedly excluded from both Wings passed by in great Disorder But the Huntleans who now thought the matter ended and the Victory sure when they saw a Party though but small standing in a terrible manner with their Pikes forward they who were making towards them dispersedly and out of order and could not come to handy-strokes by reason of the length of their Spears being struck with a sudden Terror fled as swiftly as they had pursu'd before The Revolters perceiving this change of Fortune press'd upon them in their Flight and as if willing to expiate their former Fault what Slaughter was made that Day 't was They that did it There were 120 of the Huntleans slain and 100 taken Prisoners of the other Army not a Man was lost Amongst the Prisoners was Huntly himself and his two Sons Iohn and Adam the Father being an old Man corpulent and pussy dyed under the Hands of those that took him The rest late at Night were brought to Aberdeen Murray had appointed a Minister of the Gospel to wait for his Return where in the first place he gave Thanks to God Almighty who out of his Mercy alone beyond all Men's Expectation without any Strength or Wisdom of his own had delivered him and his Men out of so imminent a Danger afterwards he went to the Court where though many did highly congratulate him yet the Queen gave no Sign of Joy at all either in Speech or Countenance A few days after Iohn Gordon was put to Death not without the Trouble of many for he was a manly Youth very beautiful and entring on the prime of his Age not so much designed for the Royal Bed as deceived by the Pretence thereof and that which moved no less Indignation than Pity was that he was beheaded by an unskilful Headsman The Queen beheld his Death with many Tears but as she was prone to conceal and counterfeit Affections so various Descants were made upon her Grief and Passion and the rather because many knew that her Brother was as much hated by her as Huntly She pardoned Adam because he was but young George the eldest Son in this desperate case fled from his House to his Father-in-Law Iames Hamilton there to shelter himself or else by his Mediation to obtain his Pardon As for Gordon's Followers according to the Degrees of their Offences some were fined others banish'd the Land many sent packing into remote parts of the Kingdom that they might make no more Commotions at home Those who lighted upon powerful Intercessors were remitted their Offence and taken into former Grace and Favour Matters being thus settled or at least appeased for the present the rest of the Winter was spent in Peace The 26 th day of November Bothwel who had escap'd out of Prison was by a Proclamation commanded to render himself again and in Default thereof he not obeying was declared a publick Enemy When the Queen was returned from Aberdene to St. Iohnston's Iames Hamilton came to her to beg Pardon for George Gordon his Son-in-Law he received an Answer not wholly severe yet was forced to deliver up his Son-in-Law who was sent Prisoner to Dunbar and the next Year after which was 1563 on the 7 th of the Calends of February was brought to Edinburgh there condemned for Treason and sent back to Dunbar 'T was about this time that there came forth a Proclamation under a pecuniary Mulct That no Flesh should be eaten in Lent The pretence was not any thing of Religion but civil Advantage only The Arch-bishop of St. Andrews because he did not forbear to hear and say Mass after the Edict made at the coming in of the Queen was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Edinburgh Others guilty of the same Fault were punish'd but slightly yet were threatned to be more severely treated if they offended in the like sort again Now the time of the Parliament drew near which was summon'd to be held the 20 th day of May where the Queen with the Crown on her Head and her Royal Robes went in great Pomp to the Parliament-house a new Spectacle to many but that Men had been accustom'd to bear the Government of Women in her Mother's and Grandmother's Days In that Assembly some Statutes were made in Favour of the Reformed and some Coyners were punish'd the rest of the Summer the Queen spent in Athol in the Sport of Hunting At the end of Autumn Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox by the Queen's Leave returned to Scotland having been unworthily deserted by the King of France the 22 d Year after his Departure as I said before And the next Year which was 1564 in the Month of Ianuary at a Convention of the Estates held almost on purpose for that very thing his Banishment was remitted and his Goods restored the Queen seconding that Remission with many favourable Words and repeating the many great Services the Earl had done her in her very Infancy she having been delivered out of her Enemies Hand and advanced to her Throne by his Means Afterwards Henry his Son came out of England into Scotland on the 12 th of February having there obtained a Convoy for three Months This Young Man being of an high Linage and very beautiful the Son of her Aunt the Queen of Scots received very courteously and delighting daily in his Society the common Speech was That she would marry him neither was the Nobility against it because they saw many advantages might redound to Britain by that Marriage if it might be made by the Queen of England's Consent Both of them were in an equal Degree of Consanguinity from her and she was so far from being against it that she was willing rather to seem the Author of it and so to lay some Obligation upon her in making the Match besides she thought it for her Advantage to humble
the Most did it to gratify the Queen only Andrew Stuart of Ochiltry openly profest that he would never give his Consent to the admission of a Popish King As for Murray he was not averse from the Marriage for he was the first Adviser that the young Man should be call'd out of England but he foresaw what Tumults it would occasion if it were celebrated without the consent of the Queen of England besides he promis'd to procure her Consent that so all things might go on favourably Provision being made about Religion but perceiving that there would be no freedom of Debate in that Convention he chose rather to be absent than to declare his Opinion which might prove destructive to himself and no way advantagious to the Commonwealth Moreover there was a Question started and discours'd amongst the Vulgar Whether the Queen upon her Husbands death might not marry any other Man whom she pleas'd Some were of Opinion That a Queen might have the same freedom as Men even of the Commonalty have Others on the contrary affirming That the Case was different in reference to Heirs of Kingdoms where at once an Husband was to be taken to a Wife and a King to be given to the People and That it was far more Equitable that the People should provide an Husband for one young Queen than that a young Queen should chuse a King for all the People In the Month of Iuly came an Embassador from England who declar'd That his Mistress did much admire That seeing they were both equally allied to Her they should precipitate so great an Affair without acquainting her therewith and therefore She earnestly desir'd that they would stay a while and weigh the thing a little more seriously to the great Advantage probably of both Kingdoms This Embassy effected nothing Whereupon Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was sent by the Queen of England to tell Lennox and his Son that they had a Convoy from her to return at a set Day and that Day was now past and therefore she commanded them to return which if they did not they were to be banish'd and their Goods Confiscate They were not at all terrified with the Commination but persisted in their purpose In the mean time the Queen being sensible that it would seem a very incongruous Match if She who was lately the Wife of a Great King and besides the Heir of an Illustrious Kingdom should marry a private young Man who had no Title of Honour conferr'd upon him she made an Edict proclaiming Darnly Duke of Rothsea and Earl of Ross. Moreover the Predictions of wizardly Women in both Kingdoms did contribute much to hasten the Marriage who prophesy'd that if it were Consummate before the end of Iuly it foretold much future Advantage to them Both if not much Reproach and Ignominy Besides Rumors were spread abroad of the Death of the Queen of England and the Day mention'd before which she should die Which Prediction seem'd not so much to divine things as to declare a Conspiracy of her Subjects against her This also added much to the Queen's haste she knew her Uncles would be averse from the Marriage and if it were longer delay'd she fear'd they would cast in some Remora to disturb the Thing now almost finish'd For when the secret Decree and Resolution was made to carry on the Holy War thrô all Christendom and Guise was appointed General of the League to extirpate the Reform'd Religion hereupon he nourish'd high and ambitious Hopes and therefore determin'd by his Sisters Daughter so to trouble Britain with domestic Tumults that they should not be able to Aid their Friends beyond Sea And David who could then do most with the Queen urg'd That the Marriage would be highly advantagious to all Christendom because Henry Darnly and his Father were stiff Maintainers of the Popish Religion were very Gracious in both Kingdoms allied to great Families and had large Clanships under them This being long debated was at last carried For he knew That if the Marriage were made by the Consent of the Queen of England and the Nobility of Scotland that he should lose two great Points One that he should be no ways ingratiated as before and the Other that Religion would be secur'd But if the Queen adher'd to the Council of Trent then he promis'd Honours Ecclesiastical Dignities heaps of Mony and unrivall'd Power to himself So that turning every Stone He at last procur'd that the Marriage should be hasten'd The Scots not being much for it and the English very much against it Note That the Name of Henry is joined with Mary in the Title tho before their Marriage is accounted for at the Close of the Catalogue of the Scotish Kings prefixed before the Body of this History Mary and Henry Stuart the CVIIth Queen and King HEnry Stuart was marry'd to Mary Stuart Iuly 28 th and O Yes being made Proclamation thereof was publickly read with the applause of the Multitude God Save Henry and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and the day after they were proclaim'd in like Manner by an Herauld at Edinburgh This Matter did grievously offend the Nobility and the Commons also yea some fretted and openly storm'd That 't was a thing of the worst Example that ever was For To what purpose was it to call a Council about making a King and never to ask their Advice nor to comply with their Authority but to set up an Herauld instead of a Senate and a Proclamation for a Statute of Parliament or Order of Council so that it was not said they a Consultation but an Essay rather how the Scots would bear the yoke of Tyranny The absence of so many Nobles increas'd the Suspicion The chief Nobility were away Iames Duke of Castle-herault Gilespy Earl of Argyle Iames Earl of Murray Alexander Earl of Glencarn Andrew Earl of Rothes and many others of Rich and Noble Families Heraulds were sent to them to command them to come in which they not doing were banish'd and went most of them into Argyle and their Enemies were recall'd to Court The King and Queen having got as much Force together as they thought were sufficient to subdue the Rebels with 4000 Men came to Glasgow The Rebels kept themselves at Pasley where various Consultations were held according to the Disposition of the Parties The King and Queen sent an Herauld at Arms to have the Castle of Hamilton surrendred to them which not being done they prepare themselves for the Fight The contrary Faction was at variance one with another and divided into several Opinions The Hamiltons who had the greatest Power in those Parts were of Opinion That no firm Peace could be made till the King and Queen were Both taken out of the way as long as they were safe nothing could be expected but new Wars continual Plots and a counterfeit Peace worse than an open War private Men said they may forget Injuries offer'd them being weary of
devises all manner of ways to cast the Odium of the Fact when committed upon her Brother Iames and the Earl of Morton for she thought if those Two whose Authority and Esteem was much fear'd and hated by her were taken out of the way all things else would fall in of themselves She was also incited thereunto by Letters from the Pope and from Charles Cardinal of Lorrain For the Summer before having by her Uncle desir'd a Sum of Mony from the Pope for levying an Army to disturb the State of Religion in Britain and the Pope more cunningly but the Cardinal plainly had advis'd her to destroy those who were the greatest Hindrances to the Restitution of Popery and especially Those two Earls by Name if they were once taken off they promised a Mass of Mony for the War Some Inckling hereof the Queen thought was come to the Ears of the Nobility and therefore to clear her self from any Suspicion or the least Inclination to such a thing she shewed them the Letters But these Designs so subtilly laid as they thought were somewhat disturbed by often Messages from Murray's Wife how that she had miscarried and that there were small hopes of her Life This Message was brought him on the Lord's Day as he was going to Sermon whereupon he returned back to the Queen and desired leave of her to be gone she very much urg'd him to stay one day longer to hear certainer News alleging That if he made never so much haste his Coming would do her no good but if her Disease did abate to morrow would be time enough but he was fully bent on his Journy and went his way The Queen had deferr'd the Murder till that Night and would seem to be so jocund and dissolute as to celebrate the Marriage of Sebastian one of her Musick in the very Palace and when the Evening was past in Mirth and Jollity then she went with a numerous Attendance to see her Husband she spent some hours with him and was merrier than formerly often kissing him and giving him a Ring as a Token of her Love After the Queen's Departure the King with the few Servants that were about him recollecting the Proceedings of the Day past amongst some comfortable Speeches given him by the Queen he was much troubled at the remembrance of a few Words for she whether not being able to contain her Joy arising from the Hope that the Murder would be now acted or whether it fell from her by chance cast out a word That David Rize was slain the last Year just about that time This unseasonable mention of his Death tho none of them lik'd it yet because much of the Night was past and the next Morning was design'd for Sports and Pastimes they went speedily to Bed In the mean time Gunpowder was plac'd in the Room below to blow up the House other things were cautiously and craftily enough transacted yet in a small matter they lest a track whereby to be discovered For the Bed in which the Queen us'd sometimes to lie was taken from thence and a worse put in its place as if though they were prodigal enough of their Credit yet they would spare a little Mony In the mean time one Paris a French Man a Partisan in the Conspiracy entred into the King's Bed-Chamber and there stood still yet so that the Queen might see him That was the Sign agreed on betwixt them that all things were in a readiness As soon as she saw Paris as if Sebastian's Marriage came into her Mind she began to blame her self that she had bin so negligent as not to dance that night at the Wedding as 't was agreed and to put the Bride to Bed as the manner is whereupon she presently started up and went home Being returned to the Palace she had a pretty deal of Discourse with Bothwel who being at length dismiss'd went to his Chamber chang'd his Apparel put on a Souldier's Coat and with a few in his Company pass'd through the Guards into the Town Two other Parties of the Conspirators came several ways to the appointed Place and a few of them entred into the King's Bed-Chamber of which they had the Keys as I said before and whilst he was fast asleep they took him by the Throat and strangled him and one also of his Servants who lay near him When they were slain they carried their Bodies through a little Gate which they had made on purpose in the Walls of the City into a Garden near hand then they set fire to the Gunpowder which blew up the House from the very Foundation and made such a Noise that it shook some of the neighbouring Houses yea those that were sound asleep in the furthest parts of the City were awakened and frighted at the Noise When the Deed was done Bothwel was let out by the Ruins of the City-Walls and so return'd to the Palace through the Guard another way than that he came This was the common Report about the King's Death which held some Days The Queen had sat up that Night to wait for the Event and hearing of the Tumult called together those of the Nobility who were at Court and amongst the rest Bothwel and by their Advice sent out to know What was the matter as if she had been ignorant of all that was done some went to inspect the Body the King had only a linen Shirt on the upper part of his Body the rest of it lay naked his other Apparel and his Shoes lay near him The Common People came in great Multitudes to see him and many Conjectures there were yet they all agreed sorely against Bothwel's Mind That he could never be thrown out of the House by the Force of the Gunpowder for there was no part broken bruis'd or black and blew about his Body which in a Ruin by Gunpowder would have been besides his Apparel lying near him was not sing'd with the Flame or covered with any Ashes so that it could not be thrown thither by any Casualty but plac'd there on purpose by some bodies Hand Bothwel returned home and as if he had been in great Admiration brought the News to the Queen whereupon she went to Bed and lay secure soundly asleep a great part of the next Day In the mean time Reports were spread abroad by the Parricides and carried into the Borders of England before day That the King was Murdered by the design of Murray and Morton yet every Body thought privately within himself That the Queen must needs be the Author of the Murder Neither was the Bishop of St. Andrews free from Suspicion There were shrewd Conjectures against him as the high and cruel Enmities betwixt the Families neither was the Bishop ever well reconciled to the Queen before she design'd that Wickedness in her Mind and of late when he accompanied her to Glasgow he was made acquainted with the utmost of her Projects It increast Mens suspicions of him because at
to take Arms against me For these Reasons when I saw That if I would support my Imperial State I must incline my Heart to Marriage and that my Subjects would not bear a foreign King And that amongst my Subjects there was none for Splendor of Family for Prudence and Valour and other Endowments of Body and Mind could exceed or so much as bear a comparison with him whom I have now married I prevail'd with my self to comply with the universal Decree of my Estates of which I spake before After my Constancy was batter'd by these Reasons partly by Force partly by Flattery he obtain'd a Promise from me to marry him which having done I could not obtain from him who fear'd lest my Mind should change to put off the Celebration of it that so I might have had time to communicate the Matter to the King and Queen of France and to my other Friends beyond Sea but as he audaciously began so that he might arrive at the top of his Desires he never gave over to solicite me by Arguments and earnest Entreaties until at last he compell'd Me not without Force to put an end to the Matter begun and that at such a Time and Way as seem'd to him most convenient to his Purpose And upon this head I cannot dissemble but must needs say that I was treated by him otherwise than I would or than I had deserv'd of him for he was more solicitous to satisfy them by whose Consent tho extorted from them at the beginning he judges himself to have accomplish'd his Desires he having deceiv'd Them as well as my self than to gratify Me by considering what was fit and creditable for me to do who had been always brought up in the Rites and Institutions of our Religion from which he nor no Man living shall ever divert Me. In this Point I confess tho I acknowledg my Error yet I much desire that the King the Queen his Mother my Uncle nor other Friends of mine would not expostulate with him or rub up old Sores For now Matters being so compleated that they cannot be undone I take all things in the best part and as he is indeed my Husband I resolve now to look upon him as one that hereafter I will Love and Reverence and they who profess themselves my Friends must needs carry the same Respects to him since now we are join'd in the indissoluble Bond of Matrimony Tho in some things he hath carried himself something negligently and almost rashly yet I impute it to his immoderate Love towards Me and do therefore intreat the King Queen my Uncle and other Friends to respect him as much as if all had been manag'd by their Advice even to this very Day and on the other side We promise in his behalf that he will gratify them in all things which they shall desire This was the Remedy provided against the bad Reports of the World abroad but against Domestick Tumults they provided after they had fixed those by Gifts at present and Promises for the future who were either Perpetrators or Partizans in the King's Murder To make a Combination of the greater part of the Nobility if that were done they might undervalue the rest or if they remain'd obstinate cut them off Whereupon they assembled many of the Nobility and propounded to them the Heads of the Capitulations they were to swear The sum was That they should maintain the Queen and Bothwel and all their Actings and on the other side They were to Favour and Countenance the Concerns of Those of the Confederates there present A great many were persuaded before and so subscribed the rest perceiving it was bad to conspire and as dangerous to refuse they subscribed too Murray was sent for that his Authority which was great for his Virtue might give some Countenance to the thing As he was on his Journy he was advis'd by his Friends to consult his own Safety and not to lie in Seton House where the Queen and the chief Conspirators were but rather to lodge in some Friends House in a Village hard by He answer'd That was not in his Power but come what would he would never assent to any flagitious Act the rest he left to God To the Courtiers who were appointed by the Queen to debate with him about subscribing the League He answer'd That he could not justly nor honestly make this League with the Queen whom in all things else t was his Duty to obey That he was reconcil'd to Bothwel by the Queens Mediation Whatever he had then promis'd he would observe to a tittle neither was it Equitable or Good for the Commonwealth that he should make another League or Combination with him or any other Man The Queen accosted him more kindly than ordinary for some Days and promis'd to tell him her Mind in all things yet she could not speak out for Shame and therefore try'd his Mind by her Friends They also perceiving his Constancy in that which was Right openly confest what 't was they desir'd And seeing they did no good by their underhand Ways at length Bothwel set upon him and after much Discourse told him That he did that Fact not willingly nor for himself alone His Countenance frown'd at that Word whereupon Bothwel having sometimes by serious Discourse sometimes by terms near to railing driven the nail as far as it would go at last endeavour'd to cast in Seeds of Discord and to urge him to a Quarrel He on the contrary answer'd moderately gave no just occasion for a Combate yet kept himself upright and did not depart in the least from his Resolution When Murray was versant in these straits for some Days he ask'd leave of the Queen that seeing there was no great need of him at Court he might have Liberty to retire to St. Andrews or into Murray for he was willing to go out of the Way That he might not be suspected to be the Author of the Tumults which he foresaw would arise When he could not obtain that nor yet remain at Court without great and apparent Danger He at last got leave to travel but upon Condition not to stay in England but to pass either through Flanders into Germany or whither else he pleas'd To go to Flanders was all one as to cast himself into Evident Danger and therefore with much adoe he obtain'd leave to pass thrô England into France and from thence whither he pleas'd himself The Queen being thus freed of a Free-hearted and popular Person endeavours to remove the other Obstacles to her Tyranny and Those were such as would not willingly subscribe to her Wickedness or were not like easily to acquiesce in her Designs But she had a special hatred against those who perceiving her to be no better affected towards her Son than towards her former Husband made an Association at Sterlin for no wicked Design but only to Defend the young Prince which his Mother desir'd to have
Letters from the Queen of England had interrupted the course of his Victories She was persuaded by the Exiles That the Queen of Scots had receiv'd much Wrong That her ill-affected Subjects had laid unjust Imputations on her and That she would not suffer the Royal Name to grow so cheap or Majesty to be so contumeliously used as to be exposed to the Wills of seditious Persons That the Wrong of this great Wickedness redounded only to One but the Example to All and therefore she desired they would apply some speedy Remedy that the Contagion of dethroning Princes might not spread further Having made a great Harangue in her Letters to this purpose against the Avengers of the King's Murder she desired of the Regent That he would send Commissioners to her to inform her in the State of the whole Matter and to make Answer to those either Crimes or Reproaches which were cast upon and alleged against himself This Demand seemed very grievous and offensive That things already judg'd should be called again in Question to a new and hazardous Trial and that before foreign Princes who are oft-times emulous if not Enemies and their Minds already prepossess'd by Adversaries yea for a Man as it were to plead for his own Life before a foreign Judicature though the Case was dangerous and hard yet many Arguments induc'd him to accept of the Proposal though never so unequal Abroad the Cardinal of Lorrain the Queen's Uncle rulâ—d all in France and at home a great part of the Nobility conspired in behalf of the Queen and if the Queen of England were disobliged too then he should have no Force to withstand so great Difficulties Being thus resolved to send Embassadors he could not tell Whom to pitch upon The chief Nobles declining the Employment At last the Regent himself resolved to go and chuse Companions to accompany him amongst whom was William Maitland though much against his Will but the Regent knowing him to be a factious Man and inclinable to the Queen's Party did not think it safe to leave him behind whilst things were in such a doubtful Posture at home and therefore he persuaded him by great Promises and Rewards to accompany him not doubting but to overcome his avaritious Mind with Largesses and Gifts the rest went willingly along The chief were Iames Douglas and Patrick Lindsy of the Nobles of the Clergy the Bishop of the Orcades and the Abbat of Dumfermlin of Lawyers Iames Macgil and Henry Balnavey to whom he added a Ninth viz. George Buchanan Though these difficult Circumstances did attend him yet Two things relieved his Thoughts One was the Equity of his Cause the Other the last Letters he received from the Queen of England gave him Assurance that if the Crimes objected against the Queen of Scots were true she held her unworthy to hold that Scepter any longer The Regent was a little heartned by those Letters and with above a 100 Horse in his Company he began his Journy though he had certain Intelligence brought him that the Earl of Westmorland at the Command of the Duke of Norfolk watch'd to intercept him before he got to York yet October 4. he came to York the Place appointed for the Conference and the same Day and almost hour Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk entred the City also The reason why an Ambush was laid for the Regent was because the Duke by secret Correspondents was dealing with the Queen of Scots to marry her and therefore that the Suspicion of the King's Murder might be more easily taken away she resolved if the Regent were slain to return home and also to take and suppress the Letters she had wrote to Bothwel containing a manifest Discovery of the Plot but because the Duke was so near she could not so accomplish it as that he also might not be aspersed with the Infamy of so cruel a Murder and therefore the Plot was deferr'd till another time Besides Norfolk there were appointed Two other Commissioners by the Queen of England to determine the Controversies of the Scots the Earl of Sussex who inclined to Howard's Party as 't was commonly reported and Sir Ralph Sadler an indifferent and equal Person Within a few days there came Messengers from the Queen of Scots to complain of her disobedient Subjects and also to desire leave of the Queen of England to return home without Delay they had their Hearing apart from the Regent and his Attendants First they Protested that they came not before them as Judges that had a lawful Superiority over them then they made a long Harangue What Wrong the Queen had received from her Subjects and after desired of the Queen of England that either she would persuade her ungrateful Subjects to admit their Prince or if they refused then she would supply her with an Army to force them so to do After some few Hours the Regent was heard He stood upon the Equity of his Cause before indifferent Judges He pleaded that the Royalists had done nothing but according to the ancient Laws and Customs of their Nation and that in full Parliament ratified and approved and that he being a single Person with those few with him could not abrogate any thing which had been enacted by common Consent of all the Estates in Parliament But when the English Commissioners told them they could not be satisfied with those Statutes made at their Parliaments at home and now produced unless withal they produced the Reasons which moved the Nobles to such a severe Judgment against the Queen The Regent was unwilling as much avoiding to divulge the foul Offences of the Queen being his Sister also and that amongst Foreigners who were forward enough to hear them and therefore denied to do it unless upon these Terms That if he made good the Charge against the Queen that she killed her Husband then the Queen of England should stipulate and promise to defend the young King's Cause and take him as 't were into her Protection But when the English Embassadors told them that they had only a Commission to hear the Demands of both Sides and so to lay the whole Matter before the Queen The Regent again urg'd them to obtain such a Promise from their Queen or else that they themselves should get a Commission fully to decide the Controversy if they would do That he promised that unless he did evidently make it appear that the King was slain by his Wives Means he would not deprecate the Punishment due to the most heinous Offence The Commissioners wrote to the Queen to know her Mind herein who returned Answer That the Scots of the Royal Party should send one or more of their Number to her Court who might fully acquaint her with the Merits of their Cause and then she would consult what was fit for her to do Whereupon the Regent sent William Maitland on whom many sinister Opinions did daily arise and Iames Macgil not so much to be
his Assistant in publick Business as to observe what his Actions were The Causes which made Maitland suspected were These amongst many others Before his Journy into England though he mightily endeavoured to conceal his Designs yet by his Words and Actions and further by his great Familiarity with the Men of the adverse Party but more clearly yet by Letters he sent to the Queen which were intercepted they could not be hid In those Letters he endeavoured to persuade the Queen that his Service might yet be useful to her using the Example of the Lion as 't is in the Fable who being taken in a Net was freed by such mean Animals as Rats And after he came to York there was scarce a Night wherein he did not meet with the chief Embassadors of the adverse Party compared Notes with them and acquainted them with the Designs of the Regent The Regent did not forbid those Meetings knowing he should do no Good thereby only then they would meet more secretly Though these were manifest Evidences of his Treachery yet casually there happen'd an undeniable Demonstration thereof Norfolk and He went abroad pretendedly to hunt where they had much Discourse concerning the whole Affair and came to this Agreement amongst themselves to spin out the matter if 't was possible and so to delay it that at last nothing might be done and yet the Cause not seem wholly deserted neither For by this means the Regent must depart without effecting what he came for or else some Commotion at home would inforce him so to do and then other Remedies might emerge in time For Norfolk was then designing a Civil War how to take off the One Queen and to marry the Other Maitland inform'd Iohn Lesly Bishop of Ross herewith one intimately acquainted with all the Queen's Affairs who accordingly inform'd his Mistress by Letter how the Duke would have her write to Court what Course to steer for the future and tho her Cause went but slowly on yet that Delay should not hinder her from expecting a good Issue thereof The Queen having read those Letters laid them by as loose Papers so that they came to be read by diverse others and from hand to hand were at last brought to the Regent who by them discovered the main of his Adversaries Design against him as for Maitland he had experimented his Perfidiousness many times before When the Embassadors before-mentioned came to the Queen at London She and her Council thought it best that the Regent himself should come up and so dispute the Controversy by word of Mouth Whereupon he dismiss'd part of his Retinue and with the rest went to London but there he met with the same Difficulty as he had done at York for he refus'd to enter upon the Accusation of the Queen and his Sister too unless if he prov'd her Guilty the Queen of England would take the Scots King's Party into her Protection if she would do That he would begin the Accusation immediately upon the same Terms as he had propounded to the Delegates at York Whilst these things were acting in London the Queen of Scots by means of Iames Balfure endeavoured to raise Commotions in Scotland and that she might more easily accomplish her Designs she wrote Letters to all the Exiles and to Bothwel's Friends to contribute all their Endeavours to infest the contrary Faction by Force of Arms And besides she created Lieutenants through all the Kingdom to whom she gave even Kingly Power And moreover she caus'd Rumours to be spread abroad That the Regent and his Companions were committed Prisoners to the Tower of London and foreseeing that Lie could not be long believed she devis'd another i. e. That the Regent had promis'd to subject Scotland to the Crown of England and That he was to give up the King as a Pledg thereof 'T is thought her Design herein was That whereas she had promis'd the same things by her Commissioners and the English look'd upon it as a Vanity in her seeing She had no power to perform it yet she was willing to possess the Minds of the Vulgar with an Untruth and so to raise up Envy against the Regent and if she could not avert the whole Reproach from her self yet at least she would have her Adversaries bear a Part with her therein When the Regent saw himself in these Straits he resolv'd to end the Matter as well as he could and so to return home Whereupon at the earnest Sollicitation of the English who desir'd to know the Causes of the Proceedings in Scotland without which they could determine nothing he also being desirous to satisfy the Queen of England at that time whom he could nor offend without great prejudice to his Cause and being willing also to return home to extinguish the Civil War then appearing in its first Rise neither of which he could well do unless the Queen of England was his Friend or at least not his Adversary induc'd by these Motives He first protested before the Council of England That 't was not willingly but by the importunity of his Enemies that he was compell'd to accuse his Queen and she his Sister's Son too of so horrid a Crime that he did not do it out of a wanton humour to accuse but out of necessity to clear himself for he was very unwilling to discover those things which he wish'd if possible might be cover'd in perpetual Oblivion and therefore if any Reflection were made on what he did the Envy ought deservedly to light upon Those who would not suffer him to be like Himself that is to obey his Prince chearfully when Good and to reprove Him or Her against his Will when she was Evil only he desire one Thing That the Queen's Proxies who had inforced him to that Dispute might be present to hear the Crimes objected that so if they were false they might disprove them before the Council and that he himself in many weighty Matters might also make use of their Testimonies The Queen's Commissioners refus'd this as putting little Confidence in their own Cause and insisted only on this one thing That the Queen who was by Force of Arms ejected might be restor'd Whereupon a Day was appointed for the Regent to shew Cause why the Revengers of the King's Murder had taken up Arms for he himself was then in France and had ejected the Queen from her Government and acted other things as till that time they had done When the Time came he declar'd the Order of all Things as they had been acted and the Testimonies of the Partisans of the King's Murder made before their Deaths and also the Statute of Parliament to which many of the Regent's Accusers had subscribed And when the Silver Cabinet was produc'd which the Queen had given her from her former Husband Francis and had bestow'd on Bothwel in which were Letters to Bothwel writ in French with the Queen 's own Hand and also a French
experienc'd the Regent's Lenity to all his Friends even in the greatest Offences yet made no great haste to come till having before sifted out by his Friends if any Design were form'd against him he dealt also with the Earl of Athol to go with him that if need were he might use him as his Intercessor As he was sitting in Council at Sterlin Thomas Crawford a Dependant of the Earl of Lennox's accused him of having an hand in the King's Murder Whereupon he was commanded to be kept close Prisoner in a Chamber in the Castle whilst others were sent to apprehend Iames Balfure who was absent The wiser sort would have had them both proceeded against according to Law as having been the Authors of all the Tumults that had happened for some Years and as they were privy to the Murder of the last King so they were Leaders of the Faction against her Son But the Lenity of the Regent overcame all Consideration of Publick Good so that it prov'd calamitous to his Country and fatal to Himself Balfure by his Friends Mediation obtained Pardon for his Conspiracy though lately entred into and Maitland was brought to Edinburgh into a Lodging not far from the Castle some Horsemen were appointed to guard him under the Command of Alexander Hume a Young and active Noble-Man but William Kircade Governor of the Castle about ten a Clock at Night brought counterfeit Letters to Alexander as if they had been the Hand-Writing of the Earl of Murray which commanded him to deliver Maitland into his Custody He knowing in how great Favour Kircade was with Murray readily obeyed and thus Maitland was carried into the Castle by the Governor who even till then had privily been of the Enemies Party the Nobility much storming at it and almost doubting Whether they should impute so great an Offence to Kircade or to the Regent himself as one not ignorant of his Audacity and the matter had come to a Sedition if the Sanctity of his whole Life had not outballanc'd all Imputations of Reproach 'T is true Kircade was a valiant Man and accounted till that time a faithful Observer of Friendship and as he had received many other Courtesies from the Regent so he had been lately preferr'd by him to the Government of the Castle before his other Friends and Kindred though the Prudenter sort did even then suspect him but such was the Indulgence of the Regent towards those whom he once lov'd That he could not be severe to them though catch'd in the very Act of Offending Kircade the next day was sent for by the Regent but refused to come and 't was an unlucky Opportunity for then Howard and the Queen were daily expected and thereupon the Spirits of the adverse Faction incouraged ugly Reports were commonly spread abroad That the Regent was forsaken by his intimate Friends in such a doubtful time and so the Castle being held against him he was left to his Enemies Will others being likely to follow so leading an Example very shortly when their Governor was taken away the innocent King and his Favourers would be delivered up to those Punishments which the cruelest Tyrants could devise yet the Regent was not moved by their Speeches but the next Day went to the Castle and spoke to the Governor with an unchang'd Countenance as if he had been reconciled to him and so returned to the Expedition he had undertaken against the Robbers In his Passage through Merch he turned aside as he was wont familiarly to do to Alexander Hume the chief of that Clanship there also Hume himself being covetous and having been drawn off by great Promises to the contrary Faction he found no benevolous Reception from Hume's Wife but she being an arrogant Woman did even mock at him to his Face so that he departed to Teviotdale coming thither with a small Retinue and little more than his ordinary Guard the Thieves admiring his Valour and Constancy in that Solitude of his Friends having received the Publick Faith for their Return came in such Numbers to him that their Multitude equalled yea sometimes exceeded those of his Attendants yet he remitted nothing of his former Greatness of Mind but answered them as became the Dignity of the Publick and his Own too and without doubt he had quieted them without Force unless some of the Neighbour-Nobility affected to Howard and now ready to take Arms had impeded his Design His Friends came in to him at the time appointed and then he march'd into the Territory of the Thieves though some of the Neighbourhood indeavoured to dissuade him by telling him of the Difficulty and Danger of the Expedition he past with his Army through Liddisdale Ewsdale and Eskdale and received Hostages not only from them but from those beyond them only some who by reason of the Greatness of their Offences despair'd of Pardon were outlawed by him This Expedition procur'd him not only the Favour of the People for setling them in Security but raised their Admiration also That a Man forsaken by his intimate Friends and extreamly unprovided of Necessaries should accomplish That in a few Days which the most potent of our Kings in full Peace and with great Forces could hardly effect in a long time Whilst these things were acting he was made acquainted That the English Conspiracy was detected Howard committed to Prison and the Scots Queen more strictly guarded than before and that Robert Petcarn had performed his Embassy with good Success and was returned he inform'd him That his Proceedings were very acceptable to the Queen of England That he had quieted the Borders That he had imprisoned the Earl of Northumberland one of the Conspirators who was fled into Scotland That he was pursuing all the rest as Enemies That he had sent to the Governor of Berwick to offer him Assistance freely on all Occasions These Courtesies she promised to remember and that she would not be wanting to him in his Dangers but all the Force of England should be at his Service if need were All the time of this Expedition the Regent had daily Information brought him by his faithful Friends of a great Conspiracy against him entred into at home And in all the Letters the Governor of the Castle was still accused whereupon the Regent's old Courtesies and ancient Acquaintance not being yet quite cancell'd out of his Memory he wrote to him plainly and sent him a Copy of all his Accusations He answered so coldly to the Crimes objected That he became now more suspected than before He denied that any Man could shew his Subscription to any Pact relating to that Conspiracy In the mean time the Day for Maitland's Trial drew near for after he was carried to the Castle to put a bold Face on a bad Matter he expresly desired to be brought to his Trial for he was fully persuaded That the Power of the Conspirators was so great in England and also in Scotland of which he
learned Man to interpret it yet if there were any eminent Scholars there as there were oft Many and such were still well respected by him he would ask their Opinions which he did not out of a vain Ambition but out of a desire to conform himself to the Rule thereof He was in a manner too liberal he gave to Many and often too and his Alacrity in giving commended the Gift To a great many who were modest in receiving he presented privately with his own Hand In a word He was honest and plain-hearted to his Friends and Domesticks for if any of them did amiss he reprov'd them more sharply than he did Strangers By these his Manners Deportment and Innocency of Life he was dear and venerable not only to his Country-Men but even to Foreigners especially to the English to whom in all the vicissitudes of Providence in his Life his Virtues were more known than to any other Nation The Twentieth BOOK ALL that Time which immediately followed the Death of the last Regent although it were free from Blood-shed yet was embroyled with the various Attempts of the Factions Before the Murder the Hamiltons in great Numbers had met at Edinburgh under the Pretence of prevailing with the Regent to release Iames Hamilton the Head of their Kin or Tribe who was yet kept Prisoner in the Castle But after the Murder was perpetrated they sent some from amongst them to the rest of the Hamiltons who were to dissuade the other Clans for so they would have made People believe from joining with or protecting the publick Parricides But as very many suspected it was to bid them be prepared and ready for all Occasions For the next Night after the Murder Walter Scot and Thomas Carr of Farnihest entring into England did ravage over all Places with Fire and Sword and that with somewhat more Cruelty than was used in former times Neither was it so much the Desire of Prey or Revenge which mov'd them to this unusual Crueltie as that it was long before resolved by the Bishop of Saint Andrews and the rest of the Heads of the Faction to incense the English against the Scots And if they could provoke them no other way to take up Arms then by Injuries to draw them tho unwillingly into a War The Governour of the Castle although convinced by many Evidences so that all Mens Eyes and Discourse were upon him by way of Reflection as yet continued in his former counterfeited Loyalty to the King 'T was upon his account that William Maitland was delivered out of Prison For when he had in many Words pleaded his Innocency before the Council the Nobles then present attesting That it did not with any certainty appear to them That he was guilty of those Crimes which were laid to his Charge for he was accused to have been privy to the King 's and Regent's Murders and also to be the Author of the Civil War that was lately raised in England he was at last dismissed yet so that the Matter seem'd to be deferred till Another time rather than absolutely to be decided at That He also protesting his Innocency upon Oath did promise to appear whensoever the King's Kindred would set a Day for his Trial. Afterwards when upon consulting about the State of the Kingdom they had almost agreed That of those whom the Queen before she abjured her Government had nominated Tutors to the King he that would undertake it provided he had not afterwards revolted to the adverse Faction should have the chief Administration of Affairs Maitland now contriving the Disturbance of Matters brought it so about that it should be again signified to the absent Lords that they might if they pleased be present in the Parliament of the Regent to be assembled at a set Day lest they might afterwards complain That so great an Affair was hastily rash'd up in their Absence Athol with a few others consented neither did the rest refuse it more that they would take away all occasion of Detraction and Calumny from their Adversaries than that they had any Hopes that this Delay of the Parliament would bring any Profit to the Publick After these Things Thomas Randolph the English Embassador had Audience for That Queen the Regent being yet alive had sent her Embassadors to demand those English Exiles who after Howard's Conspiracy was detected and he punished for fear of Punishment had escaped thither The Regent giving these Embassadors Audience at Sterlin put them off till his Arrival at Edinburgh and after his Death Things being in Confusion they departed without an Answer But when they conven'd about choosing a Regent Randolph who for some years had been in Scotland for that he was thought to be well read in the Affairs and in the Men of that Nation and that his former Embassies had been also advantagious to both Nations was in dear Esteem of all that were good like himself He being introduc'd into the Council having declared How great his Queen 's Good-will had always been towards the Scots That as she had not formerly been wanting to them in their Disturbances so she would not fail them now Then he rehearsed their Incursions into England the Slaughters Rapines Burnings of late Days committed Adding That she knew well enough That none of these Things were acted by the Publick Council therefore that at present her Kindness and Friendship towards them was the same it ever was So that although she had been grievously and without any Cause provoked yet she did not as she might justly do repeat Matters nor publickly require Reparation nor for the Fault of a Few seek Punishment of All That indeed she was not ignorant what a great Disturbance in Affairs was risen of late yet she was not doubtful of the Good-will of honest Men towards her That in Favour of them she did not only free the Publick from any Guilt but if by reason of domestick Troubles they could not compel the Disturbers of the Peace to resettle Matters that she would join her Forces with theirs that so by common Consent they might exact Punishment of those Violators of Leagues and Truces But if they were not able to do That that then she would revenge their Injuries with her own Souldiers That her Army should pass peaceably through the Country without the least Damage to it That none that had not been guilty of the Crimes should be concerned in the Punishment The remaining Heads of his Embassy contained Admonitions ever profitable in all Legal Assemblies but now as the present Posture of Affairs was very necessary viz. That they should first of all with all Care and Vigilance have regard to Religion which alone teaches us our Duty both towards God and towards Man That seeing no Common-wealth at Discord within itself can long subsist they should bend their chiefest Endeavours and strive with their utmost Force that at Home among Fellow-Subjects and Country-Men Peace and Concord might be religiously observed
be thus betrayed and forsaken by those very Men that had put them upon the War every one of them betakes himself to take care for his own Safety their Hopes for the time to come being all blasted So that so many cross Accidents unexpectedly falling out at one and the same time quite and clean disturbed all their Plots and Machinations but the sudden Approach of the English Army was It which most surprized them and therefore to see if they could put a stop to it they make use of two Embassies into England the One to Thomas Earl of Sussex to desire a Truce till such time as they had laid open the State of their Affairs to the Queen of England The Other Embassador carried Letters to the Queen containing many things as well for their own Cause as against the King's Faction especially by making their Brags of greater Forces than they had in reality and vilifying Those of their Adversaries thereby covertly threatning the English with a War For Maitland had made them believe That that Queen a Woman naturally timorous would do any thing rather than be brought to a War at a time when both the French and Spaniard were for many Reasons at Emmity with her and her own Affairs at home were scarce setled The Rebels desired that by the English Queens Arbitrement all the Ordinances of the last Two Years should be called in although many amongst them had subscribed them and that all things being as it were acted de novo a new Ordinance should by a general Consent be made And that they might better set forth the Potency of their Faction their Letter had all the great Mens Names that were of their Party subscribed to It and also for the greater Ostentation of their Multitude they set to it the Names of Many as well of the adverse Faction as of those that were Neuters in Hopes that the English by Reason of the great Distance and their Ignorance of things done so far off and that their Letters to the Queen would be exposed to the View but of few Persons would hardly be able to detect their Fraud About that time an Accident happened as they thought very advantagious to their Affairs as hoping that it would both make the English less forward and also terrify the Scotch Populacie viz. the Arrival of a certain French-Man however of a mean Condition who as being Lansack's Menial Servant was for his Master's sake entertained at that Court This Man brought a great many Letters all of the same Purport from the French King not only to the Heads of the Queen's Faction but likewise to Many who had not declared themselves for either Faction in which great Thanks were given to every one of them for their having hitherto taken the Queen's Part the King desiring them constantly to persist in so doing and he would send them Aid even greater than they had desired of him as soon as ever he could do it with Conveniencie He also that brought the Letters adds as from himself That all things were now at quiet in France Iaspar Colligny and the other Rebels being reduced to such Terms as to promise to depart from France lest their Presence should be a Hindrance to the Publick Peace And that he doubted not but that the Souldiers which were to be sent to assist them would all be raised before his Return The Wiser sort although they knew that these things were mostly nothing but vain Reports yet permitted the common Sort to be deluded by them When therefore the Minds of many People became by these Means to be erected their Joy was lessened by the unsuccessful Return of their Embassadors For Sussex could not by any Conditions they could offer him be induced to think it to be for the English Interest either to maintain an Army only to idle their Time away in Truces or wholly to desist from the War And the Queen having after Perusal caused their Letter to be sealed up again and sent back to the King's Party in Scotland which was done that the Expectation of an Answer from her should cause Delay in Affairs and thereby their Fraud be easily found out And for that their Letter contained nothing but vain Boasting and that the English were not ignorant of any thing that had been transacted in Scotland their Embassadors grievously abashed with Reproaches were forced to return Therefore being disappointed of that Hope and affrightned by the so sudden drawing near of the English Army to their very Borders and those who were to have assisted them being gone to defend their own Homes having also small Confidence in the Citizens and knowing that their Enemies would come to Edinburgh on the first of May They therefore departed thence and went to Linlithgo holding that Place to be very commodious for the sending for those of their Party from the most distant Places of the Kingdom as also for the hindring the Journies of the others that were going to the Assembly and for bringing about of those other things which were lately discussed at their Consultations From this Place the Hamiltons with their Friends and Vassals made the whole Road leading to Edinburgh very unsafe for Passengers and knowing that Iohn Erskin Earl of Marr was to come that Way they placed themselves on the Neighbouring Hills to hinder his Journy but he knowing how the Way was beset passed the River about two Miles above and so April 29 in the Evening he came safe to Edinburgh After that Day the King's Party abode at Edinburgh and the Queen 's at Linlithgo mutually charging and criminating one another as the Causes and Rise of these Civil Combustions But those at Edinburgh informed their Contrariants That they were willing to come to an easy Agreement upon other Heads as that if they had done any Man wrong they would give him just Satisfaction as indifferent Arbitrators should award provided always That this King's Authority might be secured and that both Parties might join to revenge the Murder of the last King and of the Regent To this Proposal they at Linlithgo gave no satisfactory Answer but instead thereof made an Edict That all Subjects should obey the Queen's Commissioners and the three Earls of Arran Argyle and Huntly Indicted an Assembly to be held at Linlithgo August 3. Whereupon the other Party sent Robert Petcarn their Embassador to the Queen of England to treat with her about suppressing the Common Enemy and to shew how well-affected the Scots stood towards her he was to inform her That they would chuse such a Regent as she should please to recommend or approve Thus whilst each Party was crossing one another's Design the English enter Teviotdale and spoil the Towns and Villages belonging to the Families of the Cars and of the Scots who had violated the Peace by making Excursions into England and giving Harbour to such English Fugitives as fled to them for Shelter wasting and burning
Necessity of the time requir'd them to steer their Counsels so as they might be pleasing to the Queen of England And on the other they knew of what Concernment it was to the Publick That one chief Magistrate should be set up to whom all Complaints might be made and for want of creating One some Months already past the Enemy had improv'd the delay to gather Forces to make new Courts of Justice daily to set forth new Edicts and to usurp all the Offices of a King On the other side the Royalists were dejected and a Multitude without one certain Person whom to obey could not be long kept in Obedience After the Embassadors Return News came That there was a new Insurrection in England and that in London the Popes Bull was fastned on the Church Doors to exhort the English partly to cast off the unjust Yoke of the Queen's Government and partly to return to the Popish Religion and it was thought that the Hand of the Queen of Scots was in all This. These things tho kept private yet came to be known by Letters from the Earl of Sussex and also the same Thomas Randolph had in presence confirm'd it yet they could hardly be restrain'd from chusing a Regent But at last a middle Way prevail'd That they might have an appearance of a chief Magistrate to set up an Inferior Regent or Deputy-Governour to continue till the 12 th of Iuly in which time they might be further inform'd of the Queen of England's Mind they judg'd That she was not averse from their Undertaking especially upon This ground That she had put it into the Articles of Capitulation That the Rebels should give up all the exil'd English If that were done they might easily understand that the Spirits of all the Papists about England were alienated from the Queen of Scots If it were denied then the Conference or Treaty would break off and the Suspicions which made the Commonalty averse would daily increase For they saw that other things would not easily be agreed upon when a greater Danger was imminent over the English than the Scots upon the Deliverance of their Queen and if other things were accorded yet the Queen of England would never let her go without giving Hostages neither was she able to give any such who could make a sufficient Warranty These Considerations gave them some Encouragement so that they proceeded to create Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox the King's Grandfather to be Vice-Gerent for the time Whilst this new Vice-Roy by the advice of his Council was busied in rectifying things which had been disorder'd in the late Tumults Letters came opportunely from the Queen of England Iuly the 10 th wherein she spake much of her Affection to the King and Kingdom of Scotland and freely offer'd them her Assistance withal she deprecated the naming of a Regent which was a Title invidious of it self and of no good Example to them only if they ask'd her Advice she thought none was to be preferr'd to that high Office before the King's Grandfather none being of greater Faithfulness to the King yet a Pupil and who now for the same Reasons was made Deputy-Governour of the Kingdom These Letters incourag'd them by the joint Suffrages of all the Estates of a Vice-Roy to make him Regent Assoon as ever he was created Regent and had taken an Oath according to Custom to observe the Laws and Customs of his Country First of all he commanded that All which were able to bear Arms should appear at Linlithgo August the 2 d to hinder the Convention which the Seditious had there Indicted in the Name of the Queen then he himself summon'd a Parliament in the Name of the King to be held the 10 th day of October he also sent to the Governour of the Castle of Edinburgh who as yet pretended great Friendship to the King's Party tho his Words and Actions did very much disagree to send him some Brass-Guns Carriages and other Apparatus for the managing of them This he did rather to try them than in hopes to obtain his desires He promis'd very fair at first but when the Day was coming on that the Parliament was to Meet when he was desir'd to perform his Promise he peremptorily refus'd alleging That his Service should be always ready to make up an Agreement between but not to shed the Blood of his Country-Men Nevertheless the Regent came at the Day appointed to Linlithgo with 5000 arm'd Men in his Company but hearing that the Enemy did not stir only that Huntly had placed 160 Souldiers at Brechin and had sent out an Order commanding the Brechinians to get in Provision for some Thousands of Men by the 2 d of August The Garison there plac'd by him did rob not only the Inhabitants but all Travellers also when they were wearied with their Journy Whereupon the Regent by the advice of his Council resolv'd to march thither and to seize on the Place which would be of great advantage to him before Huntly's coming and if occasion were offer'd there to fight him before his Partners came up with their Force and so to overthrow that Party of Musqueteers which was All he had and by that means he might catch some of the Leaders of the Faction as the Earl of Crawford Iames Ogilby and Iames Balfure who he heard were there Whereupon he commanded Patrick Lindsy and William Ruven chief Officers and Iames Haliburton Governour of Dundee to take what Souldiers they could raise at Dundee and St. Iohnstons and to make haste thither to prevent the News of their coming They made all the speed that ever they were able the next Night horsing their Foot for greater Expedition yet as they drew near the Place they march'd slowly that they might get some Refreshment before they charg'd the Enemy so that the Alarum was taken at Brechin that the Enemy was a coming whereupon Ogilby and Balfure who chanc'd to be there got the Souldiers presently together and incouraging them as well as they could for the time They told them that They and Huntly would return again in 3 Days and so they got an Horseback and made haste away over the Mountains The Souldiers that were left catch'd up what was next at hand and about 20 of them got to the Tower of a Church that was near The rest fled into the House of the Earl of Marr which was seated on a Hill near thereto it was like a Castle and commanded the Town Iames Douglas Earl of Morton with 800 Horse went a further March about and came not in till the Day after The Regent sent home the Lennoxians and the Renfroans to guard their own Country if Argyle should attempt any thing against it But he himself in 3 Days overtook those whom he had sent before to Brechin At the noise of his coming the neighbour Nobility came in so that now he muster'd 7000 Men effective Whereupon they who were in the Church Tower
presently surrendred themselves The rest having stoutly defended themselves for a few Days Killing and Wounding some who were unwary in their Approaches at last hearing That Brass-Guns were planted against them and that Huntly had forsaken them surrendred also at Mercy to the Regent He hang'd up 30 of the obstinatest of them many of them having been taken and releas'd before the rest being very feeble he dismist Huntly was then about 20 Miles off endeavouring to gather more Force but in vain for most Men when they had free liberty to declare themselves did abhor so foul a Cause Whereupon he was forc'd in fear to provide for his Safety and with a small Party retired into the remote Countries Whereupon the Regent return'd to Edinburgh to be present at the Parliament there Summon'd and by the advice thereof to settle the present Disturbances The Rebels perceiving that by the Agreement of all the Estates there was no Hope left them especially They who were Guilty of the King's Murder and of the Death of the Regent dealt with the Queen of England that because she had promis'd the French and Spanish Embassadors that she would hear both Parties and compose Things if she could that therefore no new Decree should be made in the mean time This Delay being obtain'd for nothing was done in that Assembly only the Election of the Regent was confirm'd the Rebels never ceas'd to solicite the French and Spaniard to send Aid into Britain to restore the Queen and because they affirm'd That the Restitution of the Popes or the old Religion depended on Her therefore they made means to the Pope also that tho he were far remote yet he might help them with Mony Whereupon he sent an Agent into Scotland to enquire into the present State of things there who giving him an Account that the Popish Party there was very weak and that all the Rebels neither were not unanimous in the restoring of Popery he refus'd to intermeddle in the Business but in the mean time he endeavour'd to raise up some Commotion in England by his Execrations and Curses hung upon Church doors by Night by his Indulgences and by his promise of Indemnity for what was past for there he thought his Faction was the strongest The Regent having appointed the Parliament to be held the 25 th of Ianuary for within that time he hoped to satisfy all foreign Embassadors to compose things Legally and Judicially as well as he could return'd to Edinburgh The Rebels having renew'd the Truce by means of the Queen of England till the Embassadors of both Parties had been heard before her yet contrary to the Peace desir'd by themselves were very busy to attempt Alterations encourag'd as 't is thought by the favour of the Earl of Sussex who then commanded the Army of the English in Northumberland For he either not altogether despairing of the Business of the Duke of Norfolk or else induc'd by the Promises of the Exiled Queen of whose Return he had some Hopes was somewhat inclinable to the Rebels which the Scots taking notice of were more sparing in communicating Counsels with him The Winter being thus spent in the reviving of the Truce the Parliament Summon'd on the 25 th of Ianuary was deferr'd till May. In the mean time the Hamiltons having in vain suborn'd many Men to kill the Regent at last seiz'd upon the Tower of Pasley driving out the Garison-Souldiers therein thinking they might do such a thing with Impunity whilst Mens Minds were imploy'd in greater Matters The Regent appointed the Earl of Morton Robert Petcarn and Iames Macgil his Embassadors to England to reason the Matter with the Embassadors of other Princes and sent them away February the 5 th and he himself march'd to Pasley where he summon'd in the neighbour-Nobility that were of his Party and attempted the Castle The Besieg'd he having cut off their Water were forc'd to a Surrender Afterwards when Gilbert Kennedy infested the Royalists with his plundering Incursions in Carrick he went to Aire and assoon as Kennedy heard of the Approach of a few Troops being also afraid of his Clanships who had been always Loyal to the King and his Party he gave in his only Brother for an Hostage and appointed a Day to come to Sterlin and subscribe to the Capitulation agreed on Hugh Montgomery Earl of Eglington and Robert Boyd follow'd his Example and surrendring themselves to the Regent were by him receiv'd into Favour During all this time that the Regent was quelling the Seditious and Morton was absent in his Embassy in England They that hold Edinburgh Castle being freed from the fear of their Enemies near at hand ceas'd not to list Souldiers to put Garisons in the most convenient Places of the City to take away Provisions which Merchants had brought to Leith and to provide all things necessary to endure a Siege till their expected Relief from foreign Parts might come The Regent was sorely bruis'd by a fall from his Horse and therefore return'd to Glasgow where a common Souldier came to him and gave him some hopes of surpâ—izing Dunbarton he had been a Garison-Souldier in the Castle there and his Wife coming often to visit him had been accus'd and whipt for Theft by Flemming the Governour Her Husband being an uxorious Man and judging his Wife to have been wrongfully punish'd departed from the Castle and from that Day forward imploy'd all his thoughts how he might do Flemming a mischief Whereupon he breaks the business to Robert Douglas Kinsman to the Regent and promises him That if he would assign a small Party to follow him he would shortly make him Master of that Castle Robert acquainted Iohn Cuningham with the Design who was to enquire diligently of him How so great an Attempt could be accomplish'd He being a blunt rude Souldier perceiving that they boggled at him because he could not well make out How to accomplish what he had promised Since said he you do not believe my Words I 'le go on my self the first Man in the Service if you will follow me I will make you Masters of the Place but if you be Dastards and Scoundrels then let it alone When his Speech was told to the Regent though the thing it self being great had somewhat excited their Minds and made them willing enough to have it done yet the Author though they judg'd him faithful seem'd not a fit Instrument to effect so great a Matter Whereupon Thomas Crawford a valiant Man and a good Souldier was made acquainted with the Project and 't was agreed betwixt them rather to try the Hazard of so great and casual a Proffer than slothfully to neglect such an Opportunity Whereupon a few Days were allotted to provide Ladders and other Necessaries and the Plot was to be executed on the first of April for then the Truce granted to the Rebels by the Mediation of the Queen of England would expire In the mean time no
Argadius Regent 115 Being accused he repents and supplicates for Pardon ibid. Whereupon he is continued in his Government ibid. And prevails against the Islanders 116 Argyle Country 17 Argyle Earl joins with the Reformers 131 Arren see Arran Arrii painted their Bodies 53 Arrogance the usual Companion of Power 412 Uterson's begotten in Adultery King of the Britains 150 His Character 154 He overcomes the Saxons and takes London and York from them ibid. He is slain 151 152 Arthur the Son of Henry VIII of England marries Katherine the Infanta of Spain 11 14 Arthur Forbes slain 284 Arveâ—ni Who 46 Asclepiodotus a Roman Lieutenant-General kills Allectus in Britain 124 Askerme Isle 29 Assassination of King Henry odious to all Nations 192 Assassins of King Henry labour to impute the Parricide to Murray and Morton 191 Astrological Predictions Courtiers much addicted to them 418 Asyle Isle See Flavannae 30 Athelstan King of England fights the Picts 165 He is slain at a Place since called Athelstan's Ford 165 Athelstan base Son of Edward King of England overcomes the Danes and Scots in Battel 179 180 Recovers Dunbritton from the Scots ibid. Athircus or Athirco King of Scotland 119 He reigns vitiously and kills himself 120 Athol a fruitful Country 18 It abounds with Witches 357 Atrebates Who 56 Aven 15 Aven and Avon What they signify 70 Avon Laggan 26 Avona Isle its Etymology 25 Auresius Ambrosius his Original 146 147 Aureliacum i. e. Orilhach 60 Austin a Monk comes into England and calls himself Archbishop of all Britain 157 He promotes Superstition rather than true Religion ibid. Authority got by good Arts is lost by bad 208 Avus or Aw a Loch or River 17 Auxerre see Altissidorus B BACA Isle 27 Badenach County 19 Balta Isle 37 Baliol Edward lands in Scotland 285 Overthrows Seton and the Regent ibid. Declared King 286 Worsted in Scotland 287 Edward of England espouses his Cause 288 Bandying betwixt him the Nobles 291 292 Ball a Priest stirs up the Commons of England to an Insurrection 309 Bancho a Scots General 208 Overthrows the Danes 210 Slain by Mackbeth 211 Baptism celebrated but once a Year and sometimes by Parents themselves 30 Bards Who 39 57 They committed nothing to writing 35 Barnera Island 29 30 Barodunum or Dunbar whence so called 170 Baronia i. e. Renfrew 14 Barra Isle 29 Bas-Alpin the Place where Alpin was slain 167 Bassianus a Roman General in Britain 124 Slain there by Allectus ibid. Bassinets or Monk-Fishes ominous 175 Batavians or Hollanders their Fleet returning from Dantzick spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Beath Island 25 Beatrix leaving her Husband James Douglas asks Pardon of the King 391 She marries John Earl of Athol the King 's Natural Brother ibid. Bedford the Earl thereof King Henry's General in France carries James of Scotland along with him thither 336 Bede quoted 91 92 93 Beds made of Heath 23 Bei what it signifies 22 Belhac Isles 25 Bellach Isles 25 Belus King of the Orcades kils himself 106 Bergh in German signifies High 12 Bergion the Name of a Giant 11 Berlings What 32 Bernera an Island 25 The Great and the Small 29 30 Berth a great Part of it destroyed by an Inundation 236 Berton for Breton 5 Berwick taken from the English by Robert Bruce 269 Besieged by Edward of England 370 Rendred to the English 397 Its Castle taken by Ramsay but regained by Percy 308 Bethic Isle 26 Betubium or Dungisby Head a Promontory 21 Bigga Isle 37 Bishops of England not true to Maud their Queen 224 Bishops in Scotland holy Monks 165 Chosen heretofore by their Canons 417 Anciently not Diocesans 171 Bishop of Dunblane sent into France to excuse the Queen's Marriage with Bothwel 200 c. He is chouzed in his Embassy 209 Bishopricks six in Scotland 218 Four others added to them and endowed 223 Bishop of Caithness had his Eyes and Tongue plucked out 235 Another burnt 236 Bishop of Caledonia or Dunkel commanded when the English Navy was worsted in the Forth 270 Whereupon called the King's Bishop ibid. Bishop of Dunkel commended 40 Bishop of Durham comes too late to assist Percy 317 319 His Army terrified with the Noise of Horses 320 Bishop of St. Davids sent by the English King to the Scots 63 Bishop of the Orcades prefers Court-Favour before Truth 199 Bizets a Family in Ireland anciently from Scotland 240 Blackmoney What 425 Blackness betrayed to the Hamiltons 286 Blandium an old Drink amongst the Scots 23 Blair of Athol 18 Blood rained for seven days over all Britain 261 Also Milk c. turned into Blood ibid. Bogia or Strabogy 140 Boadicea see Voadicea Bodotria i. e. the Scotish Sea 100 Boids creep into Favour at Court 409 Their Faction against the Kennedies 410 They carry the King to Edinburgh and strengthen themselves by getting the King's Pardon 411 Their Greatness occasions their Ruin 412 Boin Country 20 Bote or Boot Isle 24 Bracara or Braga 47 Braid Albin 17 Brasa Isle 37 Brecantia a Town 65 Bredius overthrown by Ederus 106 Brendinus slain in Battel 156 Brennus's Two 79 Brettish Isles 4 Bria Brica Briga signify a City with the Names of several Cities so ending 63 64 65 Bridi Isle 26 Brien-Loch 31 Brigantes and Brigiani 65 Brigantium ibid. Brigidan Isle 26 Brigids or Brides Church burnt 408 Britanny its Description 1 c. Several Islands anciently so called ibid. Mentioned by Aristotle and Lucretius 3 It hath divers Acceptations 8 It s Original and Description out of Caesar Tacitus c. 81 82 Inhabited by three Nations 70 71 Several Limits of it anciently 180 Britains their fabulous Original 41 They praised God in five Tongues 33 Britains and Gauls of one Religion 56 They painted their Bodies 76 Made no difference of Sex in Government 85 Vexed by the Scots and Picts 139 They ask Aid of the Romans 93 135 136 Make Peace with Scots and Picts 139 Enter Scotland 100 Foment Divisions betwixt Scots and Picts 95 Overthrown by Scots and Picts 142 Their woful Complaints to Aetius 93 143 Have hard Conditions of Peace imposed upon them 141 What sort of Weapons they used in War 50 They were five hundred Years under the Roman Government 70 Overthrown by Scots and Picts 156 Subdued by the Saxons 70 Revolt from the Romans and after twelve Years return to their Obedience 124 Britton and Britain all one 9 Their Origin 50 Britto with a double t 5 First mentioned by Martial 9 Brix a diminutive Word in Scotch Brixac 60 Bruce and Cumins formally agree 259 Like to suffer for Treason in England but escapes by shooing his Horse backward 260 Kils Cumins for betraying of him ibid. Bruce David sent for France 286 Bruce Edward drives the English out of Ulster in Ireland 270 He is afterwards overthrown there by the English ibid. Bruce Robert the Kingdom confirmed to him 269 He is desired to accept the Crown of Ireland also ibid. He calls for the Deeds of Mens Lands
him 421 Again possessed by him and delivered to the English 427 Retaken by the Scots 429 Dunbritton 17 The Castle surrendred to Robert Bruce 268 Twice surprized 371 Taken by the Queen 164 Retaken by the Regent by Surprize with the Manner how 260 It s Scituation and why so called 262 263 Duncan King of Scots 229 He is slain ibid. Duncan Earl of Marr Regent 284 Slain in Battel 285 Duncan Stuart rising in Arms is suppressed 323 Duncaledon rather than Deucaledon to be read in Ptolemy 56 Dunchonel Isle 25 Dundee 18 Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons 286 Dunedin by the ancient Scots now Edinburgh 171 Dungisby Head 22 See Betubium Duni pacis what 15 119 Dunkelden 18 Duno or Dunum Words so beginning or ending are the Names of Places 65 66 67 Dunoter 19 Dunsinnan Hill and Castle 212 Dunstafnage 20 Duodecemvirate in Scotland 253 Dur the Names of some Places derived therefrom 68 Durstus King of Scots 102 He invites the Nobility to a Supper and there treacherously kils them ibid. He is slain 103 Durstus made King of the Picts 132 Slain in Battel 137 E EAnfrid 159 Easdale Isle 25 Easter-Day a Dispute about it raised by Austin the Monk 157 Eboracum i. e. York whence derived 60 Ecclesiasticks their Power over Kings 237 Their Avarice 238 243 They are reformed by Constantine II. are superstitâ—ous 195 Eder preserved by his Nurse 104 Educated by Cadvallus 105 Created King of Scots 106 Edgar then in Scotland demanded by William the Norman 216 Returns to England 217 Made King of the Sâ—ots 221 Builds Coldingham Abby ibid. Edifice a strange one 15 Edinburgh or Edinum whence so called 171 Its several Names 175 How seated 276 A Convention held at one End when the Enemy had the Castle at the other ibid. Edinburghers would not admit the English Exiles nor Hamilton to enter their City 252 Edmund King of England his Story 215 He gives Cumberland and Westmoreland to Malcolm King of Scots 181 Edward I. King of England takes away all Scotish Monuments 119 Endeavours to bring Scotland under his Dominion 249 Enters Scotland with a great Army 264 265 Overcomes the Scots and forces them to swear â—ealty to him 259 Appoints Magistrates all over Scotland ibid. Desires Margarite of Norwey Heiress of Scotland a Wife for his Son but she dies before her Marriage 245 Edward II. succeeding his Father in the Kingdom of England 263 Besieges Berwick makes a Truce with the Scots and retreats 270 271 Worsted in Scotland 272 Is cast into Prison by his Wife and his Son and there put to a cruel Death 274 Edward III. King of England makes Peace with the Scots 300 Baliol takâ—â— into his Protection 288 Hâ—s Cruelty to Seton's Children 289 〈◊〉 Berwick 288 Hath three Kings his Prisoners at once 304 He overthrows the Scots 290 Takes Berwick 290 Enters Scotland once or twice but retreats again 293 296 His Death 308 Edward Duke of York cals himself King of England 396 Edward IV. of England makes Peace with the Scots 416 He dies 428 He laid the Foundation of Tyranny 434 Edward VI. of England an hopeful Prince his Death 114 Edward Bruce called to be King in Ireland 269 Assists his Brother Robert 265 Edward Baliol with a numerous Fleet in the Bay of Forth 284 He overcomes the Scots 285 Enters on the Kingdom 286 Swears Fealty to the King of England 288 His supposititious Son 7 Education at Court what 160 Egfrid King of Northumberland slain by the Picts 161 Edwyn of Northumberland 159 Eels taken in abundance 14 Egg Isle See Rum 28 Eglish or Church Isle 25 Eglisa or Eglish-oy Isle 36 Elbeouf Marquess of it stays with the Queen in Scotland 154 Elgin a Town 20 Eliot's Authority disallowed 4 Elizabeth Queen of England sends Aid to the Reformers of Religion in Scotland 141 144 Her grave Oration to the Embassador of the Queen of Scots 155 156 c. She in part adopts the Cause of the Queen of Scots 222 Her Letters to the Regent to defer the Convention of the Estates ibid. Her other Letters to him which break off the Course of his Victories 223 She is informed by the Regent that the Cause of their Queen's deposing was the Murder of her Husband 227 228 She sends Letters to the Nobles of Scotland to receive their Queen again 239 c. Their Answer to her Letters 241 Howard's Conspiracy against her detected 244 She demands the English Fugitives to be given up to her by the Scots 284 She is made Arbiter between the Parties in Scotland 260 Some of her Council would have King James sent into England 275 Which the Scots refuse to do 280 She favours the King's Cause most yet is politickly slow in her Aid 279 286 Ella an English King 172 Embassadors from France desire the Scots to make War upon England 119 Embassadors from France and England to Scotland 352 England divided by four Rivers 13 The King thereof the Pope's Feudatary 237 Its King makes Peace or Truce with the Scots 249 250 Enecus General of the Danes 200 Slain by the Scots 201 Enemies not to be undervalued 174 291 Their sudden Liberality to be suspected 43 English how said to rule over all Britain 180 Incommoded in their March in Scotland 276 Their Army worsted 270 Quit their Claim to any Part of Scotland 234 Regain a great Part of Scotland 303 Drawn into an Ambush 304 Their Army of 60000 Men 274 Driven out of all Scotland except Berwick 300 English Souldiers less rapacious than the French 313 Worsted in Scotland 391 Overthrown by the Scots at Sea 379 Ask Aid of the Scots against their own King 392 English their Horses frightned in Scotland 42 Make War on Scotland 59 Enter Scotland again 86 Are worsted 89 Again enter 100 And give the Regent a great Overthrow 104 Enter Scotland again 105 And prevail against James Douglas 106 English Fleet attempts the Orcades 123 English called Deliverers of Scotland 152 Send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland 143 Assist the Vindicators of King and Regent's Murderers against the Queen's Faction 253 c. 256 257 Their Queen Elizabeth designed to be destroyed and the King of Scots too 280 Enner what it signifies 106 Ennerlute or Ennerlochy a Mart-Town 20 Ennerness a Mart-Town 106 Eorsa Isle 27 Eoy Isle 29 Ericaean or Heath Isle 26 Erisbach Isle see Abridic Eriscaia or Erisay Isle 30 Erin Isle ibid. Erra Isle 26 Esk River 13 South and North 19 Thence the Country called Eskdale 13 Etfin King of Scots 163 Ethelfrid King of Northumberland 156 Routs the Scots 157 Marches into Galway ibid. Ethodius I. King of Scots makes Laws about Hunting 112 Overcomes the Islanders ibid. Slain by Night in his Bedchamber by his Harper ibid. Ethodius II. rules by his Deputies 119 Is slain ibid. Ethus King of Scots 171 Eu Island 31 Eubonia or Man Isle 24 Evenus I. King of Scots 103 Aids the Picts against the Brittons ibid. The first that required an Oath of
II. Son of Stephen King of England seeks occasion for a War against Scotland 224 Malcolm of Scotland acknowledges himself his Feudatary ibid. Henry IV. of England 326 His Death 333 Succeeded by Henry V. ibid. Henry V. takes James I. King of Scots with him into France 336 Henry VI. undervalues the Nobility and advances Vpstarts 392 A Conspiracy against him by the Nobles of England ibid. He is taken by the Duke of York and brought to London 396 He flies into Scotland 397 Ioins Battel with Edward IV. and is overcome 398 Returns privately to England and is taken ib. Henry VII succeeds Richard III. who was slain in Battel 429 He denounces War against France 16 Desires to make a perpetual League with the Scots 430 Marries his Daughter Margarite to James IV. 14 War denounced against him by James as he was besieging Tournay 20 His Magnanimous and Kingly Answer to the Heraulds ibid. He eases the Commonalty of some old Burdens 71 Henry VIII desires the exiled Douglasses may be restored 60 By the French Embassador he desires a Peace with the Scots ibid. He sends Controversal Books of Divinity to James V. 62 Complains the Scots had violated the Law of Nations wars upon them takes Leith and burns Edinburgh 82 83 His Forces are worsted 89 His General persuades the Scots to Peace 102 Gives the Scots a great Overthrow 104 Henry of France sends some German Foot into Scotland 106 He displaces the Regent by Subtilty 113 Henry Percy invades Scotland 306 His Horse affrightned with rattling Instruments 307 His Duel with James Douglas 317 Henry Percy the younger overthrows the Scots at Homeldon 327 Conspires against his own King 329 Henry Stuart comes out of England into Scotland 171 Made Duke of Rothsay and Earl of Ross by the Queen of Scots 174 At which many of the Nobles are disgusted 175 He marries the Queen ibid. Strangely disrespected at the Baptism of his own Son 186 He withdraws from Court ibid. Is poisoned but overcomes it by the strength of his Youth 186 187 A Design to destroy him 187 188 Is actually murdered 190 Heraulds slain against the Law of Arms 230 Hergustus King of the Picts 127 131 Hepburn John insinuates himself into the new Regent 32 Heris hanged by James Douglas 384 Hâ—rmodra Isle 30 Herodian quoted 76 Heruli who 89 Hethland Isles see Schetland High Isle 25 Hirta Isle 30 Historians their flattering Dispositions 46 Hoia Promontory 21 Hollanders Fleet spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Holland Horse sent for over into England 275 Holmes i. e. Plains full of Grass 35 Holy Isle or Lindisfarm 398 Honnega Isle 37 Horestia 18 Parted between two Brothers 170 Horses Isle or Naich 28 Hugh Kennedy his couragious Answer 51 Huilin Isle 30 Hulmena 31 Humber River 13 Humble Isle or Ishol 25 Hume Castle surprized by the Scots 107 Hungus the Pict fights prosperously against Athelstan 165 He prays to God and is encouraged by a Vision ibid. He offers Tithes to St. Andrew ibid. His Death 166 Hunting Laws made by King Dornadilla 89 And by King Ethodius 116 Huntly overthrown by James Earl of Murray taken and pardoned 235 237 Hypoconistical i. e. Diminutive 6 I JAmes I. Son of Robert III. sailing for France is taken by the English 330 Where he is educated and married 331 338 His Return to Scotland upon a Ransom 398 Crowned King ibid. Renews a League with France 340 352 Punishes the Captains of Thieves 341 343 Twins born to him 344 He rectifies Weights and Measures ibid. Reforms the Ecclesiastical Estate and erects publick Schools 345 Invites Tradesmen from beyond the Seas 347 Perfidiousness imputed to him answered 353 354 Is cruelly murdered 356 His Character 356 357 James II. King of Scots 359 Carried out of the Castle of Edinburgh in a Chest by his Mother 361 Taken again by the Chancellour and brought to Edinburgh 365 Enters on the Government 371 Marries Mary Daughter to the Duke of Guelderland 380 He kils William Douglas 386 Marches to assist the English Nobles 391 392 Deceived by a counterfeit Embassador from Rome suborned by the English 393 Takes Roxburgh Town ibid. His casual Death in his Camp 394 His Queen encourages the Souldiers and takes Roxburgh Castle ibid. His Character 395 James III. begins his Reign at seven Years old 396 Six Regents of the Kingdom in his Minority 407 His Mother's Death ibid. In his Time a Truce made with England for five Years 407 Marries Margarite the King of Denmark's Daughter 413 415 His Death foretold 420 He degenerates into Tyranny ibid. Addicts himself to Evil Counsellours 231 The Nobles arm against him 432 Is slain by them in Fight 433 His Character 434 James IV. 1 Chosen General by the Nobles against his Father 432 His first Parliament which justifies taking Arms against his Father 5 His Clemency and sorrowful Resentment for his Father's Death 6 He leads an Army into England 11 Marries Margarite Henry VII of Enggland's Daughter 14 Builds a vast Ship and is profâ—se in other Buildings ibid. Resolves to go to Jerusalem but prevented 15 Sends Forman into England to pick a Quarrel 16 Denounces War against England 20 Resolute in his Opinion 22 Fights with the English at Flodden where he is overthrown and slain 24 25 Doubtful Reports concerning his Death 26 Some Aspersions cast upon him indeavoured to be wiped off 27 His Character 27 28 James V. 28 Enters upon the Government 46 He and his Mother in the Power of the Douglasses 47 He frees himself from them 53 He is an Enemy to their Faction 50 Inclinable to a French Alliance 65 Three Maries offered to him 62 Treats with the Emperour about a Match 61 Visits the Orcades 62 And other Isles of Scotland ibid. Receives Controversal Books of Divinity from Henry of England 63 Agrees to an Interview with Henry which is disappointed 64 Sails to France and marries Magdalen Daughter to their King Francis who soon dies 65 He accuses his Nobility as Dastards 70 He marries Mary of the House of Guise 66 67 His presaging Dream 69 He dies with Grief for the Loss of his Army 71 His Character 71 72 James VI. his Birth 183 His Mother endeavours to get him under the Power of Bothwel 205 Enters on the Government 214 215 James Abernethy a skilful Physician 186 James Earl of Arran Son to James returning from France sides with the Reformers 135 Goes to his Sister Mary the Queen 151 Hardly persuaded to allow the admission of the Mass in the Queen's Chappel 159 Made Earl of Marr and afterwards of Murray 161 James Balfure Governour of Edinburgh Castle for the Queen 206 207 He raises Insurrections 226 James Culen taken and executed for his Crimes 279 James the first Earl of Douglas 308 James Douglas joins with Bruce 263 He marches with great Forces into England 275 James sirnamed Crassus the Douglasses being dead succeeds to the Right of the Earldom 370 He dies ibid. James Douglas marries Eufemia Daughter to Robert
English Camp and does Execution The English Army Retreats Cruelty to Prisoners Iune 24. A Peace concluded between the Scots and English with the Conditions thereof Bâ—â—ce's last Will and Testament His Three Advices to his Successors wâ—th the Reasons upon which they were grounded 〈◊〉 Bruce's Vow to assist in the Holy War recommended to Douglas to perform Bruce would have his Heart buried at Ierusalem Douglas in his Voyage to Ierusalem assists the Spaniards against the Moors and was there slain Bruce his high Encomiâ—ms Iuly 9 th Randolf made Regent or Guardian November 24. * Situate near the Irish Sea He executes a Murderer though he had the Popes Pardon A notable Law made by the Regent to prevent Theiving The Collusive Cheat of a Country Man punished Stâ—ict Laws made by the Regent * In Tâ—vâ—otdaâ—â— A Monk Poysons Randolf with a slow-working-dose Edward marches for Scotland Edward punishes the Monk because his Poyson did not kill Randolf as soon as he said it would Edward retreats Iuly 20. Randolf's death and Character Duncan Earl of Marr made Guardian in Randolfs Place August 2. Iuly 31. Edward Baliol appears on the Scots Coast. * The Story of Twine or Tuenam Loresâ—n He stirs up Edward Baliol then in France to invade Scotland Edward Baliol Lands in Scotland * A Burgh on the North side of Firthâ—n â—n Fife over against Lâ—â—th in â—othâ—an August 〈◊〉 He overthrows Alexander Seaton In Strathernâ— And afterwards beats the Regent Himself making great slaughter of his men and himself being also slain Edward Baliol Declared King Aug. 25. K. David Bruce in his Minority to secure him sent to France Murray made Regent by K. David's Party A Castle standing on the North Bank of the River Ear in Strathern Built on the side of the River Don. Perth Walls demolished A County in the South of Scotland not far from Northumberland A Town in the head of Annandale near the source of the River Annan Baliol like to be surprized by Archibald Douglas Dec. 25. The Brucianâ— prevail against the Baliolans and Declare War against England The Brucian Nobles divide the Provinces they were to Govern And Declare War against Franâ—â— The King of England espouses Baliol's Cause and invaded Scotland His Pretensions for the War He claims Berwick The Scots Answer to the 〈◊〉 The English besieges Berwick * Apâ—iâ— 13. A Capitulation with the English about the surrender of Bâ—rwick Iuly the 30. Archibald Doâ—â—las made Regent by 〈◊〉 Party He makes inroads into England And comâ—â— near the Eâ—â—lish Army 〈◊〉 Berwiâ—â— Alexander Seatons Sons threatned to be put to Death unless he surrendred Berwick His Wife incourages him to part with his Children rather than the Town Alexanders Children put to Death by a Sâ—mmum jus as some think The Scots overthrown near Berwick Bâ—â—wick Surrendred to the English Edward pufft up with hiâ— Success refuses to hear foreign Ambassadors who were sent to mediate â— Peace Dissensions between the English in Scotland occasion a War * Now demolished The Nobles Bandy against Baliol. And Baliol against them Iohn Sterlin besieges the Castle at Loch-Leven * A Veteri poâ—â—e But the Governor beats him off and raises the Siege Edward enters Scotland again but retreatâ— and 〈…〉 with him to 〈…〉 General in Scotland Robert Stuart and Calen Cambel rise in Arms for Bruce and make Prosperous Beginnings Robert Stuart and Iohn Randolf made Regents in behalf of David Bruce In Teviotdale April 1. A Fewd between Douglas and Cumins Edward invades Scotland * 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 Provinces The Gueldrians Auxiliaries to the English overthrown by Randolfe Randolf taken Prisoner Cumin's large Promises to Edward Perth taken by Edward Edward 〈◊〉 to England Cumins left Regent by him in Scotland In Marr. * On the side of the River Don in Marr. Cumin's Army overthrown and himself slain Murray made Regent The English again enter Scotland Standing on a Rock in the Sea And upon their Retreat leave Edâ— Baâ—iol their General A strong Castle in Buchan Mâ—rray's prosperous Succeâ—sâ—s 〈◊〉 Cruelty Salisbury and Aruâ—del Command some English in Scotland Monfort slain by Preston A piece of Savage Inhumanity Talbot overthrown by Keâ—th Dunbar resâ—ved and the Siege raised Murray the Regent dyes Stuart made Regent His prosperous Beginnings He Saâ—lâ— over to David then in France At his return he Levies an Army Bullock turns to the Scots Perth taken by the Scots so is Sterlin And Edinburgh Castle by Stratagem Aâ—ex Ramsays House the School of War His Expedition into England He harasses Northumberland And takes Roxburgh * The Earl of Salisbury taken Prisoner by the Scots as some say * It is 3 Miles in Compass Three Governors of the Borders The English driven out of all Scotland except Berwick * Iuly 2. K. David returns to Scotland Edward enters Scotland with a great Army Embassadors from Scotland obtain a Pacification Iune 1. The Scots Nobles stock in to David A Town in Teviotdale Ramsay taken and starved to Death by Douglas Bullock put to Death Douglas pardoned David makes several Expeditions into England A Truce for two Years betwixt the Scots and English Calais besieged by the English See p. 4. Note i. David at the solicitation of the French enters England with an Army Where he receives a great overthrow and is taken Prisoner by Iohn Capland Upon which the English regain a great part of Scotland A strong Pass on the Sea shore in that Bourn which divides East-Lothian from the Meâ—â—s A Plague in Scotland Bloody Feude Douglas prevails against the English Iohn of France persuades the Scots to make no Peace with the English but by his Consent The English waste Lothian Norham burnt by the Scots The English drawn into an Ambush Berwick Town taken by the Scots but not the Castle Edward enters Scotland Baliol Surrenders the Kingdom to him Edward retreats upon which the Scots recover some of their Losses Edward overthrows â—ohn of France in Aquitaâ—n and hath two Kings his Prisoners at one time 〈◊〉 Bruce â—â—eased upon pâ—ying a great Ransom wherein the Pope assists the Sâ—â—ts David settles the Succession first on Alexander and then on Robert Stuart Great Inundations of Water endammage Lothian A Grievous Pestilence Eight Prudent Persons chosen out of all the Orders to prepare Matters for that High Court Davids unacceptable Propositions to the Scots Davids Policy to subvert the Islanders His Death and Character William's Son Marries Eufemia the Kings Daughter August 11. New Discordâ— betwixt the Scots and English Lilburn overthrown A Town in the Merss six Miles Northwest from Berwick Iohn Scotus born at Duns Percy enters Scotland They run from the Scots Sea to 〈◊〉 and divide 〈◊〉 from Lothian Percâ—'s Horse are affrighted with rattling Instruments and 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 Robert upon his Queens decease Marries Elizabeth More by whom he had Children before whom he prefers to great 〈◊〉 Edward the Third dies and his Grandchild Richard the Second succeeds him Ambassadors from Charles
Head sent to the K. from Ireland The King reforms Publick Manners He also rectifies Weights and Measures His Queen brings forth Twins Doâ—glaâ— and Kennedy released from Prison He reforms the Ecclesiasticaâ— Estate Which was Wofully degenerated and corrupted He Erects Publick Schools and is present himself at their Disputations Parish Priests and Begging Friers the Causes of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline with the Manner how King Iames aims to prefer only Worthy Persons to Benefices and Church Preferments He invites Tradesmen out of Flanders Luxury and Prodigality the trust of Idleness Robert and Murdo affect the Throne Murdo and his Sons put to Death The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his Exploits Exceptions taken against Iames. A Castle standing upon the Tâ—ne 3 Miles below Hadington The Dispute between Robert's Legitimate and Natural Children occasion great Troubles The Earl of Athol's Ambition A Town of Normandy in France Plots against Iames. Upon the Account of Wardships c. Embassadors from France and England to Scotland The Scots joyn with the French against England Iames Marries his Daugâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 oâ— France and sends her thither A Stately City on the Lâ—â—r The English Writers imputing Perfidiousness to Iames are blamed by this Author and their Reflections upon him Wiped off In Champaign in France A Fight between the Sâ—â—ts and Engâ—ish Iames enters England but retires upon notice of a Conspiracy formed against him by his own Kindred K. Iames Cruelly Assassinated His Death highly lamented with his Laudable Character Earl of 〈◊〉 and other of Iames's Murderers Tortured and Executed Descants upon such severe Executions Marchâ—7 â—7 Alexander Levingston made Regent William Creigton made Chancellor Douglas labours to imbroil things The Râ—gent and Chancellor disâ—gree The Queen by Policie get the Kings Person out of the Chancellors Power * Situate below â—anton Bridge on the Ti ne in 〈◊〉 Lothian The Chancellor highly accused And besieged in Edinburgh Castle The Chancellor craves Aid of Douglas But receives an affronting Answer from him Whereupon he agrees with the Regent And sâ—rrenâ—ers up Edinburgh Castle September 29. Lying on the River 〈◊〉 in Cuningham Iuly 9. Deadly â—ewds The 〈◊〉 of Archibaâ—d Dougâ—as With the Profuseness of his young Heir * Or Lâ—ther a great and ancient Family in Lothian The Queen with her Husband Iames Stuart and others committed to Prison August 2. August 31. But she is Releast again The Aebudians ravage the Continent A Two years Pestilence in Scotland The Râ—gent and Câ—â—â—cellor again Disagree The Chancellor surprâ—zes the Kings Person The Regent being out-Witted by the Chancellor inwardly frets And Meditates a Reconciliation with him His Condescending Haâ—angue to the Chancellor A New Knot of Amity between the Regent and the Chancellor The Miseries of the Commons Occasioned Principally by the Earl of Douglas Where he and his Brother David were slain William Douglas Marries Beatrix his Uncles Daughter The high 〈◊〉 oâ— Thieves Dunbarton Castle twice surprized King Iames being of Age enters on the Government Douglas throws himself at the Kings Feet acknowledges his Offences is Pardoned and Received into Favour The Regent and Chancellor lay down their Offices Douglas by his Power at Court summons them to Appear They excusing themselves are declared publick Enemies * Oâ— Forester In Mid-Lothian two 〈◊〉 West of Edinburgh A Town on the River 〈◊〉 West-Lothian A Castle standing on a Rock lying near the Firth of Forâ—h above Abercorn Creighton late Chancelor defends himself by force Douglas incensed against Creighton's Friends The Clans of the Lindsys and Ogilbys Fight Ian. 24. The Lindsys prevail Iuly 15. Creighton received into Favour and is made Chancellor again Deadly Fewds betwixt particular Persons and Families An Abby in Lennâ—x A Castle standing upon Tine near Hardington Douglas attempts the Levingstons of whom Iames is put to Death c. Creighton sent Embassador to France The Bishop of Glasco frightned by a Voice from Heaven for his wicked Life which does him to Death Iames Kennedy retires from a Corrupt Court Dunbar E. of Murray Dies and Archibald Douglas succeed◠〈◊〉 A Barony â—â—ing on the 〈◊〉 Spey The immoderate Power of the Douglas's eâ—poses them to Envy The Miserable Estate of the Commons under Douglas Mutual Incursions betwixt the Scots and English Or Saâ—s The English overthrown by the Scots A Truce between the Scots and English Iames Married to Mary of Gelderland Colvil put to Death by Douglas Douglas goes vain-gloriously in a year oâ— Iubilee to Rome In his absence his Enemies sue him and 〈◊〉 Damages for wrongâ— received Which are answered out of his Estate Douglas at his return from Rome received into Favour And made Regent Douglas gives Iames new occasion of Suspicion Douglas design against Creighton's Life 〈◊〉 deâ—ends himself 〈…〉 Douglas joyns with Craford and Ross. He provokes the King In the Case of Herris And Macklan Douglas on safe Conduct comes to Court Where the King Stabs him with his own Hand Mâ—rch 27. Whereupon the rest of the 〈◊〉 rise in Arms. The Douglasâ—â— proclaimed publick Enemies Iames Douglas Marries his Brothers Wife A Famine and Pestilence in Scotland Douglas persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King Which he refuses Craford forsakes Douglas and is pardoned by the King Douglas applys to England for Aid but in vain Hâ—milton 〈◊〉 Douglas * Standing upon Nâ—â—th-Esk in Mid-Lâ—thiâ—n 4 Miles above Daâ—keith Iune 5. Douglas joyns with the Enlish and then with Donald the Islander Douglas's Wife forsakes him and 〈◊〉 to the King Lying on the River Spâ—â— So doth Donald's Wiâ—e too In Mid-Lothian Thornton put to death for Murder The death of Will. Creightoâ— A Party of English worâ—â—ed in Scotland Donald the Islander submits to the King The English Nobles crave Aid of Iames against Henry their King He marches to their Assistance but is diverted by a Counteâ—feit Leâ—at from Rome Iames takes Roxborough Town And besieges the Castle Where he is casually slain The Queen shews Herself a virago immediately after her Husbands Death Roxburgh Castle Surrendred and Demolisht Iames II. his Character Iames III. begins his Reign about 7 years of Age. Henry of Enggland taken Prisoner by the Duke of York York overthrown by the Queen So is Warwick The Queen overthrown and flies witâ— her Husband into Scotland Berwick surrendred to the Scots by King Henry Henry's Queen sues for Foreign Aid * Or Renny Which having obtained 〈◊〉 enters Scotland and England again Holy-Isle seven miles South-East of Berwick on the Coast of Northumberland Henry's Army overthrown at Hexham Alnwick Castle besieged and Douglas's gallantry in bringing off the Garison Henry of England taken Prisoner and his Queen 〈◊〉 Disputes in the Assembly of Estates about the Regency Which the Queen claimâ— But Kennedy and Douglas oppose A Truce for a Month betwixt the Parties The Commonalty dislike the Queens Regency The Queens Plea for the Regency Kennedys Grave and Prolix Oration in Answer thereunto Queen of Palmira a City in Syria now called Faid
Forth in Fife The English Seamen landing in Scotland in two places are twice repulsed Hadington besieged by the Scots but relieved by the English A Mutiny between the French and Scots at Edinburgh The design of the French to surprize Hadington disappointed The French disgusted by the Scots for their Cruelty and Oppressions Dessius Commander of the French recalled from Scotland and Termes sent to succeed him Dessius takes the Island Keith from the English before his Departure Hadington deserted by the English An Agreement between the French and English The Regent's Government disrelished especially after the Martyrdom of George Wiseheart The Queen Dowager sails for France * A Monastery 4 Miles North of Irwin near the Irish Sea in Cuningham The Regent by Directions from France persuaded to resign his Government Which he doth afterwards upon Terms * In Renfrewshire †Or Chastle-herault ‖ Vien in Daulphiny in France having a Bridg over the Rhosne K. Edward the 6 th of England highly commended The Queen Dowager made Regent Huntly imprisoned ‖ Or Macintoshes But released upon Conditions The Queen Regent by the Advice of the French raises new Taxes * In Mid-Lothian But the Commons withstand it shewing their Reasons Upon which she desists Embassadors from France desiring the Scots to make War against England * On the North side of South-Esk near Dalkeith in East-Lothian †The Town of Eye-Mouth in the Merss * In Teviotdale on the South side of Tweed below Kelso Difference between D'Osel the French Embassador and the Scots Nobility D'Osel vails Bonnet to them The Scots under Andrew Carr overthrown by the Duke of Norfolk * In Lennoxshire Embassadors sent to France about the Marriage of the Dolphin with the Queen of Scots * A Royal Borough of Angus †Piemont and Millain ‖ D'Coss Earl of Brisac Some of the Scots Embassadors die in France and the rest return home The English Fleet attempts the Orcades but are driven off by Tempest Walter Mills martyred to the great regret of the Citizens of St. Andrews ‖ Or Methâ—eâ— Paul Meffen troubled upon the account of Religion St. Giles's Show the Tutelar of Edinburgh fouly spoiled Paul Meffen banished by the Papists but yet harbor'd by the Inhabitants of Dundee The first Congregation of the Reformed in Scotland * Or Cader in Mid-Lothian The just Proposals of the Reformers to the Queen-Regent Which the Priests by the Encouragement of the Queen-Regent oppose The Quadrantary or Triobolar Faith what The Scotish Crown order'd to be sent to the Daulphin of France who had married the Queen The Queen of Scots upon the Death of Mary of England assumes the Royal Arms of England The imperious Answers of the Queen-Regent to the Agents of the Reformed with their tart Reply Magistrates have power over Mens Bodies and Estates not their Consciences Iohn Knox preaches at Perth upon which the Commonalty destroy the Idols and Shrines for Popish Worship * Friars Mendicants call'd Friars Manducants The Regent disgusts the Carriages of the Reformed and prepares Force against them Cuningham Earl of Glencarn stands up stoutly for the Reformation A Temporary Agreement made between the Regent and the Reformed Which the Regent eludes what she can by undue Pretences * Perth Argyle and Iames Stuart join themselves with the Reform'd against the Regent because of her breach of Promise The Resolution of the Reformers * In Poictou in France The Queen marches against them and they prepare to defend themselves The Reformers under the command of Argyle and Stuart take Perth Cowper Linlithgo and Edinburgh and purge them from monuments of Idolatry A Truce between the Regent and the Reformers French Auxiliaries arrive to strengthen the Regent Which disgusts the Reformed * Or of St. Michael Embassadors from France Their Demands answer'd by the Reformed The Reformers expostulate with the Regent The Regents answers to their Demands The Rejoinder of the Reformed Nobility to the Regent's Answer They abrogate the Regent's Power * In East-Lothian The Reformers meet with great discouragements by the prevailing of the French and desire Aid from England Knox's encouraging Sermon England resolves to send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland * A Borough Royal in Fife * In Fife A Fleet of English appear to aid the Scots Reformers which terrifies the French The French lose the hearts even of the Scotish Papists themselves by their Insolencies and Plunderings French Aid arrives in Scotland to assist the Regent So doth an English Army to aid the Reformers The Reformers last Letter to the Regent Skirmishes between the English and the French Embassadors from England The Queen-Regent's death with her Character The Character of the French Embassadors in Scotland Three French Generals in Scotland with their respective Characters After the Regent's death Peace concluded between the Parties by which the French were to leave Scotland a point the Regent would never yield to in her Life-time though often press'd thereto Sandeland Embassador from Scotland to France * A Vidam in France is a Baron holding of a Bishop A Massacre design'd in France by the Guises December 5. The Death of Francis the French King The Queen of Scots resolves to return from France An Embassador from France with his Demands and the Answers of the Scotish Nobility thereunto The Scots Parliament demolishes all Monasteries * A Town built on the River South-Esk in Angus The Queen arrives in Scotland with various Descants thereupon Maitland sent Embassador into England Who persuades Queen Elizabeth by many Arguments to declare the Queen of Scots her Successor Which she absolutely refuses to do with her Reasons for it Courtiers unstable and selfish in their Affections to their Prince The Queen of Scots not to use the English Arms in Queen Elizabeth's time A Question stated whether a chief Magistrate might be compell'd to do his Duty with variouâ— Opinions thereupon The Queen designs to have a Guard for her Body alamode of France The Queen raises her Revenues out of Estates of Ecclesiasticks Iames the Queen's Brother made Earl of Marr afterwards of Murray Gordon an Enemy to Murray Iames Macintosh unjustly put to death by Gordon and his Wife Bothwel endeavours to supplant Murray A Design against the Regent discovered by a Mistake in delivering of Letters and the Conspirators imprisoned Dunbarton-Castle taken by the Queen Gordon's Plot to kill Murray prevented An Interview designed between the Queens of England and Scotland at York but disappointed * In Teâ—iotdale The Regent destined to ruin by the Popish Faction in Scotland and the Guises in France for adhering to the Reformation Gordon incited by the Pope's Letters undertakes to destroy Murray the Regent Bothwel escapes out of Prison ‖ Or Strathbogy Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self Disappointed Gordon's design against Murray's Life Wonderfully 〈◊〉 * The Gordons taken Prisoners †The Regent gives solemn Thanks to Almighty God the sole Author of his unexpected Deliverance Iohn Gordon put to