to the servilest of his Work which they being not able to endure Macduff Earl of Fife Posts to England where he found Malcolm the late Kings Son at King Edwards Court whom he invited home to revenge his Fathers Death and possess the Crown which was his own by right Malcolm suspecting Treachery pretended several excuses to try Macduffs sincerity but when he found him Cordial he declared his Willingness Whereupon getting assistance of Men from King Edward he entred Scotland Macbeth hearing of his arrival went about to oppose him but Macduff surprizing him in his Castle of Dunfinnan killed him with his own hand the seventeenth year of his Reign 86. Malcolm Surnamed Kanmor Son to Duncan the first succeeded A. D. 1057. He was a worthy Prince and in Compensation of their Service and Loyalty in his Restauration created many Earls Lords Barons and Baronets commanding that their Lands should be called after their Names He made also his Thanes Earls many new Surnames began at this time as Calder Lochbart Gordoun Seytown Lander Kennethe Meldrome Schau Liberton Livermond Cargill Strachan Ratray Dundass Meazeis Mertine Cockbourn Lesly Abercromby At this time also William Duke of Normandy conquered England which was the occasion that these Surnames being expelled their Country came to Scotland viz. Ramsay Vans Lindsay Lownal Towres Preston Bissat Foules Wandlaw Maxwell from France came the Names of Frazer Sintcare Boswel Montray Montgomry Boyes Campbel Beaton At this time Walter Son to Fleance came to Scotland who shortly after was created high Steward of the Kingdom King Malcolm was killed at the siege of Anwick by one Robert Moubray who came from the Castle upon a light horse holding in his hand a Lance with the Keys of the Castle upon the point of it King Malcolm looking stedfastly to the Lance the other run him through the Eye with it escaping to the next Wood Whereupon King William changed this Moubrey's Name to Percy King Malcolm dyed the thirty sixth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunfermling 87. Donald the seventh Sirnamed Bane being Malcolm Kanmores Brother usurped the Crown A. D. 1093. But within a year he was expelled by Duncan base Son to the foresaid Malcolm 88. Duncan the second usurped the Crown but did not enjoy it long being killed by Macpendar Earl of Mearnes at Taich by procurement of Donald the seventh who after was Crowned King He gave the North and West Isles to the King of Norway for his assistance to recover the Crown He was taken Captive by Edgar his Successor and put in Prison where after some years he dyed miserably 89. Edgar Malcolm Kanmores Son succeeded A. D. 1098. He was the first anointed King Governing with great Wisdom and Sobriety He dyed the nineteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 90. To him succeeded Alexander the first Sirnamed Fierce A. D. 1107. Soon after his coming to the Throne certain Traitors were by his Chamberlains means let in to his Chamber intending to have killed him in Bed but he being surprised at their noise got out of Bed and caught a Sword in his hand wherewith he killed the Chamberlain and six of the other Traitors the rest hasted away but being pursued and some of them overtaken Confessed that divers of the Nobles were in the Conspiracy them the King pursued killing some and taking others He dyed in Peace the seventeenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 91. To him succeeded his Brother David the first A. D. 1124. He possessed Northumberland and Cumberland Huntington and Westmorland He married Maud Daughter to the Earl of Northumberland who dyed in the flower of her Age for which the King took such Grief that he resolved never to Marry again but gave himself wholly to works of Charity He purged his Court from all Vices so that his whole Family were given to Vertuous Exercises no Rioting nor Drunkeness nor Lascivious or wanton Songs were suffered This Victorious and Religious King dyed in Carlyle the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Dumfermling where King James the first visiting his Tomb called him a Sore Saint to the Crown 92. Malcolm the fourth Sirnamed the Maiden next Heir after King David began his Reign A. D. 1153. A just and mild Prince in the beginning of his Reign there was a great Famine in Scotland whereof many dyed Sumerled Thane of Argyle taking advantage of the present Calamity raised a Rebellion purposing to make himself King but he was soon crush't his Friends killed and himself forced to fly to Ireland soon after being invited to London by King Henry of England under pretence of confirming him in his Title to Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland he carried him with him into France where he had Wars for that time he no sooner was returned home then he made War with England to the great loss of both Kingdoms He dyed at Jedburgh the twelfth year of his Reign 93. To him succeeded William his Brother Sirnamed the Lyon A. D. 1165. He demanded Northumberland which by Right belonged to his Crown to be re-delivered to him which the King of England being taken up with Wars in France durst not altogether refuse but condescended to let him have such parts of it as his Grand-father possest but soon after he was by a Stratagem taken Prisoner at Alunick and sent to France where the King of England was whence not long after he was Ransomed with a sum of Money being returned home he expelled all the Murrays out of Murray-Land for that they were Seditious and Tumultuous in his absence About this time the Pope sent to King William a Sword with the Sheath and Hilts all of Gold set about with precious Stones with a Hat or Diadem giving him the Title of the Defender of the Church After this he retired to Bertha where he stayed not long when by a sudden Inundation of two Rivers Tay and Almond the Towns Walls were beat down the Castle demolished the young Prince and his Nurse with several others drowned the King himself narrowly escaping He founded and built the City of Perth granting to it several great and ample Priviledges He dyed the forty ninth year of his Reign and was buried in Aberbrothick 94. His Son Alexander the second succeeded to him A. D. 1214. Having pacified all Rebellions at home he led his Army into England where having made Peace with King John he married his Sister Afterward he went into France and renewed the old League with this Addition that neither of them should receive or protect the Enemies of the others Kingdom nor Marry with any Stranger without making one another privy thereto In the mean time his Queen dyed without any Succession within a year after he married Mary Daughter to Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France who bare to him Alexander the third in his time came Cardinal Egadius into Britain to beg Money for the Holy War of which he got a great deal but
Hepburn came with fresh Men to the Scots Whereupon the English retreated leaving eighteen hundred of their Men dead in the place and a hundred and forty taken Prisoners among which were the two Peircies above mentioned But the Valiant Earl of Douglass dyed in this Battel being thrice run through the Body and Mortally wounded in his Head which was a greater loss and Grief to his Nation then the gain of this Victory could ballance The next year a Parliament was called at Perth wherein Robert Earl of Fife the Kings second Son was elected Governor the King himself by reason of his great Age not being able to Govern He was a Valiant Victorious and fortunate Prince in all his Wars for his Governours and Captains returned always with Victory He was very constant and a great Iustitiar hearing patiently the Complaints of the Poor causing all wrongs to be redressed He dyed peaceably in the Castle of Dun-Donald the seventy fifth year of his Age and the nineteenth year of his Reign The same year John his eldest Son was called to succeed who thinking that Name ominous to Kings and there wanted not Examples as of him of England and him of France and thinking something of the Felicity of the two former Roberts was Crowned by the Name of 101. Robert the third A. D. 1390. He was more remarkable for his Peaceableness and Modesty then for any other Vertue the first seven years of his Reign were past in Peace by reason of his Truce with England but not without some fierce Fiends among his Subjects especially the Clankays and Clanchattes the King seeing the Difficulty of reducing them made this Proposition to them that three hundred of each side should try it by Dint of Sword before the King the Conquered to be pardoned and the Conqueror advanced this being agreed to a place was appointed upon the North-side of Perth but when the Clans presented themselves there was one of one side missing whom then his party could not supply A Trades-man steps out and for half a French Crown and promise of Maintenance during his Life filled up the Company The first was furious but none behaved himself more furiously then the other Mercenary Champion who was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side their remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the stroak of the other threw himself in the Tay and escaped with his Life By this means the fiercest of the two Clans being cut off the remainder being Headless were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes which was the first time that Title was known in Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of his Reign tho' the Truce was not expired yet the Seeds of War began to bud upon this occasion George Earl of March betrothed his eldest Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Douglass incensed at this got a Vote of Parliament to revoke this Marriage and giving a greater sum of Money got a Marriage confirmed in Parliament betwixt David and Mary his Daughter The Earl of March nettled at this demands Redress but not being heard he leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Percy who with his Assistance did much hurt to the Lands of the Douglasses the Scots declare the Earl of March an Enemy and sends to demand him of the English which they refusing several Incursions happened upon both sides till at length Piercy was defeated by the Douglass's at Lynton-bridge At this time David Earl of Cravford and the Lord Welles in England ingaged to run certain Courses on Horse-back with sharp Spears for Life and Death upon London-bridge which they performed most gallantly The People Perceiving the Earl of Cravford to sit so stifly cryed the Scotch man was lock'd in his Saddle he hearing this leapt out of the Saddle upon the Ground and presently mounted again to the great wonder of the Beholders The second time they run without any hurt but the third time the Lord Welles was beat out of his Saddle and sorely hurt with the fall By this time the Queen dying her Son David who for his Extravagancies was by her means kept under restraint broke out into his former disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and wickedness complaint being brought to his Father he committed him to his brother Robert this Design was to root out all that Off-Spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Faulkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one Woman thrusting in some Oaten Cakes at a Chink and another giving him Milk out of her Breasts through a Trunk but both these being discovered the Youth being forced to tear his own Flesh dyed of a multiplyed Death which Murder being whispered to the King he was so abused by the false Representations of his Brother that Grief and Imprecations was all the relief that he had left him and being now retired sickly to Boot Castle and unable to punish him The King therefore Solicitous to preserve James his youngest Son is resolved to send him to Charles the sixth of France And having taking shipping at the Bassas he passed by the Promontory of Flambrough and whether he was forced by a Tempest or that he was Sea-sick he was forced to Land there he was taken by the English and detained Prisoner notwithstanding the eight years Truce and tho' it came to be debated at the Councel Table yet his Detention was carried in the Affirmative But the News so struck his aged Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried to his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and Sorrow He dyed within three days the sixteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Pasley Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour about four years after Donald of the Isles enters Ross as his pretended Inheritance with ten thousand Men which he easily subdued thence he went to Murray and Mastered it also and so went on to Aberdeen to stop this Torrent Alexander Earl of Marr followed by most of the Nobility met him at Harlaw where they joyned in so bloody a Battel and lost so many noble and considerable Persons that tho' Night parted them neither could pretend to the Victory to this year the University of S. Andrews owes it's Rise The English being taken up with a War with France nothing considerable was acted between them and the Scots for ten years after at which time Robert the Governour dyes and Murdoch his Son a very unfit Person was put in his place who suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy that they were not only offensive to the People but with all disobedient to their Father who having a brave Faulcon which his Son Walter had often begged but in vain he
the Earls of Montross Gleancan Lords Maxwel Ruthwen with others being advertised by Letters came to him they of the Association having the Prince with them to add Authority to their Quarrel Gathered from all Quarters the two Armies being in readiness to decide their Quarrel by Battel the Earl of Athole the Kings Uncle so travelled between the Lords of either Party that the King had a Suspension of Arms agreed on The Earl rendring himself a pledge for the Accomplishment of the Kings part of the Reconcilement to Lord Hails Thus the King lost a good opportunity the like of which was never again in his offer for the Lords notwithstanding that was agreed upon continued very troublesome to the Country the Town of Edenburgh is pestered with Troops of armed Men. The King warned of his danger fortifies the Castle of Edenburgh for his defence then he sent to the Lords to understand their Intentions and what they meant they finding their offences flew higher than hope of pardon could reach answered that nothing could secure them nor the Kingdom until he had divested himself of all the Government of the Kingdom and resigned the Crown in Favour of his Son But he resolving to hazard all rather then condescend to this was advised by some of his Friends to retire to the Castle of Sterling where his Forces might have more easie Access to him but this proved a a fatal advice for coming thither the Treacherous Constable denyed him entrance in the mean time News came to him that the Confederates were within six miles of him at Falkirk The King to make a Vertue of necessity resoves to put all upon the hazard of a Battel the Confederates were incamped near the Torwood The King set forward with his Army upon the other side of the Torwood Both drew up in a plain field near Bannock-burn and engaged most desperately The first Charge is valiantly given and Lance meeting with Lance the Vant-Guard of the Lords began to yield ground But the next Charge being given by Anandale Men the middle of the Kings Army is beat back to the main Battel notwithstanding of which it is fought a while with great obstinacy on both sides until the Standard Royal was beaten down then began the Kings Army to bow the Horsemen obeying no Orders begun to turn their backs In this rout and Confusion of Horse and Foot the King seeking to retire towards the River Ferth by the fall of his Horse in leaping a Ditch being sore bruised was carried by such who knew him not to a Well at Bannock-burn where he was killed in cold Blood by Borthwick a Priest with some others the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Kambush-Kenneth 105. To him succeeded his Son James the fourth who was Crowned at Edenburgh A. D. 1489. Being about sixteen years of age a noble and Couragious Prince and Godly the beginning of his Government was most uneasie the Death of the late King being yet recent his followers resolve to have it revenged In the North Alexander Lord Forbs displayed the Bloody shirt of the murthered King upon a Lance in Aberdeen and other places of the North inviting the Country as by an Herald to the revenge of his Murther In the West the Earl of Lennox hath the same resolution also the Earl of Marshad Lords Goodore and Lyle with the Confederates in other parts of the Kingdom But the Lord Drumond routed the Earl of Lennox at Telliemoss and also Sir Andrew Wood obtained a considerable Victory over the English who pretended to revenge the late Kings death at the mouth of Ferth The Rumor of these Victories so amazed Forbs and his Confederates that they laid down their Arms and put themselves into the Kings mercy and were all received into Favour The Lords rejoyced greatly that they had brought things to this pass but the King gave no sign of Joy yea upon the contrary to give a Testimony to the World of the Agony of his mind for the Death of his Father and that Remorse and Anguish he suffered for the Faults of those who brought him to the Field against him he girded himself with an Iron Chain to which every third year thereafter he added some Rings and weight so long as he lived and though this might threaten no good to some yet they pass it by not daring to Attempt ought against the common Peace Amidst this Grief and Sorrow of the Kings Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome arrived in Scotland with Instructions to the Clergy in a Letter from his Master to the King and Nobles exhorting them to the mutual Duties of their Stations after this some Head-strong Nobility dying the Country enjoyed a great calm of Peace the Seeds of Dissention seeming to be quite taken away But the Borders keeping up their old fewds by new Accessions make daily Incursions one upon another which came at last to open Hostility Whereupon King James enters England and spoils all the North parts and returns home without any considerable Action not long after Ambassadors came from England desiring a Peace which is granted and the Commissioners for both sides met at Edenburgh where many Articles and conditions of the peace were hotly disputed one of the Englishe's demands was an Interview between the two Kings at Newcastle which being referred to King James his own arbitrement he answered that he meant to treat of a Peace but not to go a Begging for it Much being said at last they conclude upon a Peace for some Months following after which followed a match between King James of Scotland with Lady Margaret the King of Englands Eldest Daughter which was consummated at Edenburgh King Henry bringeth his Daughter as far as Cokebiston in the way and then resigning her to the Earl of Northumberland who with a great train of Lords and Ladys brought her to Edenburgh to the King her Husband where they for some days were taken up with nothing but Banqueting masks and Tilting with such other exercises by this means the King wasted his Treasures greatly then some of them set their wits awork to squeeze the Subjects for Money which occasioned great murmurings among the Poor A. D. 1507. James Prince of Scotland and the Isles was born at Holy-Rood-house the one and twentyth of January but he soon after dyed at Sterling the year following the Queen brought forth another Son named Arthur but he dyed also in the Castle of Edenburgh Then she brought forth her third Son at Linlithgow who Succeeded to the Crown and was named James About the same time Bernard Stewart came to Scotland intreating that King James would make War with King Henry of England to keep him from molesting France which at last he obtained then began they to go to their old work of making incursions one upon another till at last it breaks out to an open War Whilst King James staied at Linlithgow attending the gathering of an Army now ready
gave to the Representatives of the Kings of Scotland which was only due to free Princes together with the Judgment of Forreign Princes Lawyers and Historians about it but also to the acknowledgment of the Kings of England themselves 1. King Henry of England having intreated the Assistance of Alexander King of Scotland against Simeon Earl of Leicester did by Letters under his hand publickly declare that he did not crave this Assistance as Superior to which Superiority he had no pretence but to which is very Considerable the King and Parliament of England have treated with the Ambassadors of Scotland whereas no Superior can Treat with his own Vassal as a Forreigner We freely Grant that the Kings of Scotland did hold the Lands of Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland in Capite of the Crown of England which yet was no Disparagment to them that being most ordinary amongst Sovereign Princes for thus Henry King of England and several others of their Kings did Homage to the Kings of France for the Provinces possest by them in France as the King of Spain also doth this day to the Pope for Naples and Sicily And yet the Homage done for those Countries have been the occasion of an Ignorant mistake in some and a malicious Pretence for others to Mis-represent it as done for the Kingdom of Scotland Advertisement By reason of the Authors absence from the Press several Faults have escaped which the Reader is desired to amend A List of the KINGS of SCOTLAND 1 FErgus 2 Ferithar 3 Main 4 Dornadill 5 Hothat 6 Râ—ther 7 Rutha 8 Thereus 9 Josine 10 Finnane 11 Durst 12 Euen 1 13 Gill 14 Euen 2. 15 Eder 16 Euen 3. 17 Metelan 18 Caratack 19 Corbred 1. 20 Dardan 21 Corbred 2. 22 Luctack 23 Mogald 24 Conar 25 Ethod 1. 26 Satrael 27 Donald 1. 28 Ethod 2. 29 Athirck 30 Nathalock 31 Findoch 32 Donald 2. 33 Donald 3. 34. Crathilinth 35 Fincormach 36 Romach 37 Angusian 38 Fethelmach 39 Ewen 1. 40 Fergus 2. 41 Ewen 2. 42 Dongard 43 Constantine 1. 44 Congall 1. 45 Goran 46 Ewen 3. 47 Congall 2. 48 Kinnatell 49 Aidan 50 Kenneth 51 Ewen 4. 52 Ferchard 1. 53 Donald 3. 54 Ferchard 2. 55 Maldwine 56 Ewen 5. 57 Ewen 6. 58 Amberkelleth 59 Ewen 8. 60 Mordach 61 Etfin 62 Ewen 7. 63 Fergus 3. 64 Solvat 65 Achaius 66 Congall 3. 67 Dongall 68 Alpine 69 Kenneth 2. 70 Donald 5. 71 Constantine 2. 72 Eth. 73 Gregory 74 Donald 6. 75 Constantine 3. 76 Malcolm 1. 77 Indulf 78 Duff 72 Culen 80 Kenneth 3. 81 Constantine 4. 82 Grim. 83 Malcolm 2. 84 Donald 7. 85 Macbeth 86 Malcolm 3. 87 Donald Bane 88 Duncan 89 Edgar 90 Alexander 1. 91 David 1. 92 Malcolm 4. 93 William 94 Alexander 2. 95 Alexander 3. 96 John Balliol 97 Robert Bruce 98 David 2. 99 Edward Balliol 100 Robert 2. 101 Robert 3. 102 James 1. 103 James 2. 104 James 3. 105 James 4. 106 James 5. 107 Henry Stewart and Mary Stewart 108 James 6. 109 Charles 1. 110 Charles 2. AN EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND THe Scots by the most judicious Writers and by those who have most carefully studied not only their own Antiquities but those of other Nations are acknowleged although they be not of the greatest to be undoubtedly among the most antient People in Europe But to speak more particularly of their antient Nation we must know that the whole Island 〈◊〉 it is a part was at first called Albion or Albium As Theophrastus Ptolomy Tacitus and Seneca tells us which Name the true race of the ancient Scots retain to this day calling the ancient Country Albin and themselves Albinich always keeping their primitive Name notwithstanding of the many different People that have since inhabited it The Etymology of this Name is disputed by many but it seems to be really derived from Alb or Alp signifying a Hill or high place The antient Inhabitants of the Northern parts of this Island were called Scots who were divided into two sorts the one who were the first Possessors and this Posterity doth inhabit it to this day were called the Scoto-Brigantes Some have taken upon them to be very accurat in giving an Account of their descent and the manner of their coming hither even from the far ends of the Earth but with so little appearance of Truth that I will not put my Reader nor my self to the trouble to refute it The most probable Conjecture and that which carrieth most Evidence with it is that these first Inhabitants came in Colonies from Spain to Ireland nor is it improbable that these Colonies were Originally from France who either for want of Accommodation to live at home or being thrust out by stronger hands came over to Ireland where they continued long for either themselves or their Children desirous of new Habitations transported themselves to the north Islands where they continued in an unsetled Course of Life for a long time the time of their entring Albion is said to have been from the Creation about 3530 years The first place they took Possession of was Argyle they being divided into sundry Tribes elected every Tribe their own Captain to govern them in Peace and War this very name they had in great Veneration Then after about 150 as some write a German or as Beda saith a Scythian Navy arrived upon the coast of Ireland being as is probable beat thither by a Tempest having neither Wives or Children with them the men were in want of every thing having by tedious Sailing consumed all their Provision They sent to the Inhabitants desiring they might have a residence among which they told them they could not afford in regard of the Barrenness of the place and the multitude of Inhabitants that possess it already but that there was a habitable Land called Albion not far from them whether they might go it being for the most part as yet un-inhabited and such as did inhabit it like to ruin one another by civil Discords Those men afterward called Picts following their Advice set Sail and came to that part of Albion that lyes toward Germany and having Landed soon beat out the Inhabitants and made them draw themselves within less bounds Possessing themselves of Caithness Ross Murray Merus Angus Fiffe and Lothian together with Orkney which some say was their first Habitation They were a civil People Ingenious and Crafty both in Peace and War Having fixed their residence they sent Messingers to the Scots desiring their Daughters in Marriage alledging that if they condescended it would highly conduce to the Welfare of both of them being thereby made strong for either an offensive or defensive War with any of their Neigbours This message the Scots at first rejected but upon mature Deliberation they condescended So having agreed upon the Terms which were that they should concur with all their Forces when they were invaded and as often as the Crown of Picts came to want an Heir
where at his Landing he overthrew Brennius and Cornellius who were Guardians to the young King of Ireland with their Nobles taking several Forts and Castles at last he laid Seige to Dublin where their young King was which after some resistance yeilded The King returning Conqueror from Ireland dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign by him the City of Aberdeen was built 74. Donald the sixth Constantine the seconds Son succeeded A. D. 894. He was a Religious and good King fit for either War or Peace he had some Ingagments with the Danes and sent Assistance to the King of England against them toward the latter part of his days he was troubled with Intestine broils for the Murrays and Rosses invading one another committed great Insolencies to quench this Fire the King came upon them with a great Army and taking the Leaders of the Faction put them to Death for an Example to others He dyed the eleventh year of his Reign 75. To him succeeded Constantine the third Ethus's Son A. D. 905. A Valiant but unfortunate Prince the perfidious Danes having broken their League with him joyned with the English but within four years they met with such measures as made them glad to return to the Scots Whereupon followed a hot and cruel War wherein Constantine found himself so unsuccessful that he resigned his Crown and betook himself to a Monastery where he dyed the fortieth year of his Reign 76. Malcolm the first Donald the sixths Son succeeded A. D. 943. A valiant Prince and severe Justitiar A Peace being made with England wherein Cumberland and Westmorland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland to be holden in Fee of the Kings of England this Prince passed the rest of his days in executing of Justice which he did with such strictness that some Villains in Murray-Land conspired against him where he was Traiterously killed the ninth year of his Reign 77. Indulf Constantine the thirds Son succeeded A. D. 952. A brave Warrior the Danes Landing in the North with a huge Army he went against them there in a pitch'd Battel he routed them but dyed himself in the Battel the ninth year of his Reign 78. To him succeeded Duff Malcolm the first 's Son A. D. 961. A Prince who much studied the Peace of his Country he went about his Northern Circuits where he kept his Courts severely punishing Malefactors coming at last to the Castle of Forress suspecting no harm was Traiterously murdered by the Captain and his Wife who were afterwards apprehended and put to a cruel Death 79. To him succeeded Culen Indulfs Son A. D. 966. Who having revenged the late Kings Death soon after became a most Flagitious and wicked Prince deflowring his own Daughters and Sisters He was killed by Rodard a Noble man at Meffen this Daughter he had deflowred the fourth year of his Reign 80. Keneth the third Duffs Brother succeeded A. D. 970. The beginning of his Reign was good executing of Justice severely finding his Nobles averse to deliver up ther Friends and Vassals who troubled the Peace to Justice he called a Convention of the States at Scone where having Clandestinely conveyed some Men in Arms where the Nobles were convened made them all Prisoners telling them that so it would be untill they did give up those Rebels to Justice they finding themselves thus hooked sent to their Friends to perform the Terms of their Liberation thus in a short time he had five hundred notable Thieves delivered up them he caused to be every one hanged upon Gibbets close by the Castle of Berth The Danes with a great Fleet of Ships Landing in Angus destroyed all before them till they came to Berth where the King and his Army ran-countered with them there followed a most bloody Battel the Scots beginning to give Ground were made to Rally by the means of one Hay and his two Sons who hearing as they were at Plowing not far from the Field that the Scots fled came each of them with a Club in his hand and renewed the Battel putting the Danes to flight there they were all cut off the King amply rewarded him giving him so much of the best Land in Scotland as a Faulcon off a Mans hand flew over which was six miles in length and four in breadth this was the Original of the Noble and Ancient Surname of Hay But that which darkned all this Noble Kings Acts was his causing Malcolm Prince of Scotland to be Poisoned making a Law that the Eldest Son or Nephew of the deceased Prince of what age soever he be shall succeed to the Crown with divers others Laws of the like Nature At last coming to the Castle of Felercarne the Lady Grof had the Kings Image in Brass in the midst of the House with a Golden Apple in his hand the King upon the Ladies desire pulling the Apple out of the Images hand was shot through the Body with an Engine that was made in it for the purpose He dyed the twenty fourth year of his Reign 81. To him succeeded Constantine the fourth Surnamed the Balde A. D. 994. He came to the Crown by Usurpation he was killed in Battel at Cramond in Lonthian the second year of his Reign 82. Grimus Duffs Son Usurped the Crown A.D. 996. Malcolm whose Right it was sent to the Nobles acquainting them how far he was wronged which Grimus hearing of caused the Messengers to be cast into Prison which was like to have been the beginning of a War yet they were seemingly agreed for that time by one Horthadus a Bishop but not long after his Vices being intolerable Malcolm was brought home from England who killed him in Battel the eighteenth year of his Reign 83. Malcolm succeeded to the Crown A. D. 1004. A Noble and Valiant Prince in his time Sweno King of the Danes being banished his Country and coming to Scotland was converted to Christianity and supplyed with Men for reducing his Kingdom yet to his great loss he soon after made War against Malcolm who utterly routed his Army several times This Prince was killed by a Conspiracy of some of his Nobles in the Castle of Glames the thirtieth year of his Reign the Conspirators flying in the Night chanced to pass over the Pool of Forfar upon the Ice where the Ice breaking they all miserably perished 84. Duncan the first Malcolm the seconds Grand-son by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded A. D. 1034. He was thought to be of too indulgent a Spirit for Governing that fierce and untractable People Bancho of whom are descended the Ancient and Royal name of Stewarts was in his time Thane or Earl of Lochaber He was Traiterously murdered by his Cousin Makbeth the sixth year of his Reign 85. To him succeeded Mackbeth Malcolm the seconds Daughters Son A. D. 1040. Altho' he came to the Crown by Treachery and Blood-shed yet he Governed for a time pretty moderately but at last brake out into all kind of Tyranny and Cruelty forcing his Nobles
snatched it out of his Fathers hand and wrung off her Neck for which his Father being angry Well says he Since I cannot Govern thee I will bring one shall Govern us both And from that day he ceased not to further the Redemption of the King he Governed four years 102. But the Nobles weary under this form of Government the Governour being also irritated by the Misdemeanor of his Children all Unanimously determine without longer delays to work the deliverance of their Native Prince James fourth of England which at length was effected Anno. Dom. 1424. Having Ransomed him for the sum of forty hundred thousand Marks He married Jane Daughter to the Duke of Somerset Son to John of Gaunt who bare to him two Sons Alexander who dyed shortly after and James the second who succeeded to him The King having passed the Solemnities of Hasterat Edenburgh He with his Queen came to Perth and from thence to Scone where he was Crowned in the twenty seventh year of his Age after he held a Parliament at Perth where the Tax was laid on to pay the sum promised to England for his Ransome from thence he went back to Edenburgh where he called such as were Concerned with the Crown Rents together he understood by their Accounts that the most and best part of the Crown Lands were alienated and wasted by the late Governour and his Sons whereat he was exceedingly incensed yet that time he smothered and put a fair Countenance upon his Passion But soon after pregnant Accusations were brought in against some of the Nobility especially the Governours Friends upon which some of them were made Prisoners which occasioned much discontent and Jealousie on both sides yet the King securing the Body of this Estate on his side resolved to go on and having Arrested the Governour with two of his Sons and several others his Friends they were all committed to several Prisons Whereupon James the Governours youngest Son in a desperate rage accompanied with a number of Out-laws came to Dumbarton and set on Fire and killed John Stewart the Kings Uncle with thirty others This Insolency of the Son quite diverted the Kings Clemency from his Father and Brethren Whereupon he calleth a Parliament at Sterling where the Governour with his two Sons and his Father-in-Law the Duke of Lenox were Arraigned and Condemned and soon after Executed this highly perplexed some other Lords and Gentlemen who were Prisoners at the same time fearing that they should also meet with the same measures yet the King like a wise Physitian being not willing to take away more Blood than he thought would take away the Disease of the Body in a short time set them all at Liberty The Wars continuing between France and England the French sent an Ambassador to renew the ancient League with Scotland But his main business was to carry on a match between Lewis the Daulphine tho' then very young and Margaret Daughter to King James this match the English neglected but afterward most earnestly sued for it The South parts of the Kingdom being brought under Obedience the King resolved to have the North follow their Example for which end he went thither himself in Person to keep his Courts When he came there he found things in a strange Condition all going by strength of hand the stronger overthrowing the weaker The King not knowing well how to go about the taming of these rude Villains seemed to give small Faith to what he heard of them allowing such of them as seemed to come and see him a great deal of seeming Favour till at length he got forty of their Chiefs all at once within the Castle of Innerness whom he presently surprized making them close Prisoners Within a few days after the King was convinced of this wickedness Alexander Macrory and John Macherter were hanged John Campbel for murthering John of the Isles was beheaded The Earl of Ross being taken in this Trap was brought by the King to Perth where he was accused of Oppression and other things yet the King pardoned him and freely dismist him taking his Oath of Fidelity But as soon as he went home he gathered together a Rabble of Out-laws who came towards Innerness burnt both Town and Castle to the Ground Whereupon the King himself went with his Forces against him at whose approach all the Rebels fled Alexander thus abandoned of his Forces fled to the Isles but finding that he was way-laid on all hands and had no way left him to escape he came disguised to Edenburgh Whereupon Yesterday the King being at Church he came wrapped in a mourning Garment and fell down at his Feet beging his Life which at the Queens request was granted but to keep him from any more mischief the Earl of August was appointed to take him into Custody within Tanutallon Castle Donald Balloth Cousin-german to the Earle of Ross raised a great number of outlaws and invaded Lochaber and in a Bloody Battel overthrew the Earles of Marr and Caithness at Innerlochy the news coming to the King he came with a great Army to Dunstaffage which when the Clans heard of they tendred their Submission to the King promising to break Balloth and his party which the King accepted of Balloth fled to Ireland where he was taken and his head chopt off and sent to King James Notwithstanding of the many Acts of Justice that were done upon these disorderly outlaws yet nothing frighted one Macdonald who was Famous for all sorts of Villanies among other Cruelties he is said to have nailed Horseshoes to the Soles of a Widdow because that she swore to delate him to the King being taken with twelve of his associates and brought to Perth the King caused them to be shooed in the same manner as he had served the woman draging him about for a Spectacle to the people for three days then all of them were put to death In this year A. D. 1430. the first of June was a terrible Eclipse of the Sun at three of the clock in the afternoon the day turning black for the space of half an hour as though it had been night which was afterward called by the common people The black Hour The King having setled the Country begins to look to his own affairs and having advisedly perused all evidences and Charters belonging to the Crown he recalls all such Lands as had been either alienated from it or wrongfully usurped about this time there came Ambassadors from the King of Denmark requiring of King James a Yearly Tribute due to him as King of Norway for the western Isles the Ambassador was honourably entertained and the old League renewed with Denmark soon after the French Kings Ambassadors came to have Margaret already betrothed to Lewis the Dauphin delivered to them and conveyed to France where they found the Lord Scroop earnestly dealing with the King that he must bestow his daughter upon King Henry the sixth of England promising that if he would agree thereto
his Brother to Court to know the Kings mind towards him The King promised upon his Submission to accept of him which he performed making him for his further Encouragement Lieutenant General of his Forces But he stood not long privately in his Prosperity for going to the Court of England upon some design the King was highly dissatisfied with him yet upon his humble Submission he is pardoned but divested of all publick imployment within the Kingdom Thus being degraded from his Honnour 's he gives himself wholly to study revenge and that he might the more successfully effect his Design he gets the Earls of Cranford Ross-Murray the Lord Balveny with many other Barons and Gentlemen to enter in a Confederacy both offensive and defensive with him after they broke out in unsufferable Insolences spoiling and plundering the Lands of such as were not of their Faction and killing and destroying such as offered to oppose them The King begins to be apprehensive of their Design therefore thinks it high time to look to himself and his Country Whereupon he sent for Douglass to come and speak with him at Sterling which he at first feared to do but upon second Thoughts he accompanied with many of the Confederates went to Court where the King very Graciously received him the day being far spent the Gates of the Castle shut all removed except some of the Council and the Guards the King takes the Earls apart very friendly and remembred him of Favours received and wrongs forgotten Taxing him with the exorbitant abuses of his followers then he told him of a Covenant which he heard was made betwixt him and some of the other Nobility and desired to know what he had to say Douglass answered in plain terms it was so but that the Covenant was made for his own safety the King further expostulated with him to break it which he refusing to do the King with his Dagger ended the Quarrel killing him in the place About the end of this Tragedy a pair of Spurs between two Platters is directed to Sir James Hamilton as a part of the Kings Banquet Whereupon he and the rest takes the Allarum and setting Fire to divers places of the Town they make their escape the King to vindicate himself emits Declarations shewing all his good Subjects the Reasons that moved him to take Douglass's Life that it was not a fit of Passion nor an Act of private revenge but meerly to save the State from utter Ruin Yet the Mobile were diversly affected some justifying the Fact as Noble and Just but others as the greater number as boldly Condemned it as Inhumane and Cruel these of the League missing no Opportunity that was for their Interest made it their work to sow Sedition and Discord and to encourage all Breaches and Contempt of the Laws which encreased their number so that the King was reduced to a very low condition till at last Cranford one of the Confederates being routed by the Earl of Huntly he recovered some strength and having called a Parliament at Edenburgh summoned the Confederate Lords to appear before which they scornfully refused to do Whereupon the King levying an Army forced them to retire yet the Country suffered sadly by their unbridled Fury At length after much loss on both sides the King daily prevailing the Earl of Cranford submitted himself to his mercy as several others did afterward Whereupon the Earl of Douglass fled to England there having gathered together several desperate Men he made several inroads upon the Border The King having with much difficulty recovered the Royal Authority of his Ancestors England in the mean time being at the point of utter ruine by the contest of Henry the sixth and the Duke of York was much solicited by both of them but he told the Ambassadors that he had more reason to look to his own concerns then to assist either of them which he intended to do thereupon raising a Powerful Army he passed the Tweed and besieged Roxburgh where having applyed his battery to the Castle he began to storm it but by the space of an over-charged Piece the King's thigh bone being broken was struck immediately Dead the twenty Fourth year of his Reign having left three sons James who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany and John Earl of Marre and was buried at Holy-Rood house After his death the Queen with her Son came to the siege and encouraged the Nobles who took and demolished the Castle and also the Castle of Warke 104. To him Succeeded his Son James the third A. D. 1460. A good Prince corrupted by wicked Courtiers who with advantage of his years being but seven years of age when he began to Reign his education is intrusted to his Mother the Government of the Kingdom to the Earls of Anaudale Castle Orkney and the Lords Boyd and Graham the Bishops of St. Andrews Glasgow and Dnubek In this Princes Nonage great confusions increased both at home and abroad at home by the Islanders who extreamly infested the country and came as far as the Blairth of Athole and burnt S. Brides Church where the Earl and his Lady took Sanctuary carrying them to the Island Ila from whence as these Savages were going further they were all miserably destroyed by a tempest Nor was it better abroad England being in a flame by the Civil Wars Henry being taken and released again by his Queen flees to Scotland desiring their assistance against his Enemies and that he might be the better heard caused the Town of Berwick to be delivered to the Scots thereupon the Queen who managed the War geting some supply marched taking the King with her into England but was soon overthrown at Durham A. D. 1466. the Queen of Scots dyed having left many sound and profitable instructions to the King her Son who now coming to fifteen years of age is by his Regents committed to the Lord Boyds Brother to be Educated in the Excercise of Chivalry by which means the Boyds became to darken all others in the State nothing being done without them the Kenedies who had been the Kings best Friends seeing things go thus left the Court after which the Glory of the Court and Country suffered a great Eclipse The Lord Boyde to be yet higher gets the sole Government setled upon himself which laid the Foundation of his ruine and not satisfied with this he obtains his Son to be Married to the Kings eldest Sister this highly displeased the rest of the Nobility that his ambition should be so boundless which gave matter to his former Enemies to work upon all oppression and violence is winked at on purpose at last they procure Complaints from all parts of the Kingdom against the Boyds which made the Kings affection begin to turn away from them A. D. 1468. A match being proposed and agreed upon between the King and Margaret Daughter to the King of Denmark the Boyds Enemies procures the Earl of Arran who had Married the Kings Sister to be
sent to bring home the Queen he was no sooner gone then his Interest at Court began to fall for a Parliament being called the Lord Boyd and his Brother Sir Alexander are summoned to appear thereupon he distrusting this Case fled to England but his Brother was taken and Arraigned the Earl of Arran also though absent is declared a Rebel The Queen arriving with her fleet arriving in the Ferth My Lady Arran went aboard in disguise and informed her Husband of the calamity of his House perswaded him to do for himself whereupon he hoisted Sails and returned with his Lady to Denmark The King sendeth Letters full of promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland which when she did she was constrained to be divorced from her Husband and to Marry James Lord Hamilton not long after the Earl of Arran dyed in great misery at Antwerp Queen Margaret the third year after her Marriage brought forth a Son who was named James the King of Denmark to Congratulate the happy delivery of his Daughter released all his claims to the Isles of Orkney and Sherland but in the midst of this calm a cloud begins to overcast the Kings Splendor for his Brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless spirits they set themselves altogether to study Novelties and to bring him into contempt with his Subjects to this end they had drawn away many of the young Nobility and Gentry to follow them The King was Naturally Superstitious giving much head to divinations which gave also his Brothers occasion to vilifie him and incense his people against him yea the Earl of Marre became so Insolent that in the Kings own presence he began to raile against the Government of the state and Court which the King highly resenting caused to Imprison him where he fell in a high Fever whereof he dyed The Duke of Albany imputed the death of his Brother to the Court party but while he was keeping his Cabals in order to an Insurrection he was surprised and Imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh out of which he soon after made his escape to France thence he came to England and began to tamper with King Edward revealing to him the weakness of the Kingdom of Scotland and how easily it might be subdued the Nobility not respecting the King but much affecting a change in the Government which by his assistance might easily be effected he promised also to settle a corespondence with the Nobles of Scotland which he did then that they might get their design wrought gives way for the breaking loose of the Borders fierce incursions are made by the English upon Scotland and by the Scots upon the English and the discontented Nobility blame the King for all thereupon pretending the necessity of the times and the danger the Kingdom was in they entered into a Bond of association after which they enter the Kings bed chamber where they seized some of his Servants in his presence and put them to death as incendiaries in the state About this time the Duke of Gloucester set forward toward Scotland with two and twenty thousand men finding Berwick two strong for him he marches directly to Edenburgh there by publick writings at the Market places he gave out high demands all which King James being shut up in Edenburgh Castle answered with silence the disatisfied Lords having obtained what they chiefly aimed at wished the English at home again therefore they desire a peace with them which the Duke of Gloucester granted upon condition that all his demands were satisfied one of which was to reinstall the Duke of Albany which after much debate was granted and he with his Army returned home The Duke of Albany having recovered his Estate and Honours his first work was to restore the King to his Prerogatives reconciling him to his discontented Lords but he himself stood not long in his favour for by the advice of some of his Enemies about the King a Plot is resolved upon to bring the Duke within compass of Law which he being aware of fled to England to present to King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester his grievancies in his absence he is convinced of many points of Treason whereupon he and the Lord Crightton his Associate are both forfeited which when he heard he presently caused to give up the Castle of Dunbar whereof he was Lieutenant to King Edward who immediately put a Garison in it Not long after the said King Edward dyed and his Brother Richard Duke of Gloucester Succeeded The Duke of Albany obtains five hundred Horse from King Richard with which he came with the old Earl of Douglass to Lochmabban to surprise a Fair which was held there whereupon the Laird of Johnston who was warden dispatched Posts about for supply of men with which he Encountred the Duke here it is most Couragously fought on both sides but at last the English are quite routed the Duke hardly by swiftness of his Horse escaped but the Earl of Dowglass is taken and brought in Triumph to Edenburgh where the King adjudged him to perpetual confinement soon after followed a Truce with England for three years but before the time was expired Henry Earl of Richmond came with some Companies out of France of which that Famous warriour Bernard Stewart Lord Albany Brother to the Lord Darnly had the leading which by the resort of his Country men turned into an Army and Rencountred Richard at Bosworth where he was killed and Henry Proclaimed King of England King James taking advantage of this change besieged Dunbar which was soon surrendred upon Articles After this King Henry sent Embassadors to King James to agree if possible upon a lasting and firm Peace between the two Crowns at length after some difficulty they agree upon a Truce for seven years The King having settled a Peace with England betakes himself to the Exercise of Religion having founded a Colledge for divine Service in the Castle of Sterling he endeavoured to annex the Priory of Goldingham to it The Priors of this Convent having for many years been of the Name of Humealedged that they were wronged of their Right First they began to Petition but finding this uneffectual they began to associate with their Neighbours giving it out that the King was a meer Tyrant not to be trusted by which means many of the Hearts of the Subjects were alienated from the King The King understanding how things stood he made choice of a Guard to defend his Person resolving to live beyond the River Ferth of which when the Lords of the Insurrection were certified they surprize the Castle Dunbar and tumultuously over-run the Countries besouth the Ferth Thus coming to Lithgow they resolved to make the Duke of Rothesay the Kings own Son their Head whom having corrupted his Keepers with Bribes they constrained to go with them But the King loosing neither Courage nor Councel passeth the Ferth near Blackness with his Forces before his arrival at this place
the Hamiltons were forced to retire having left above fourscore of their number dead upon the Street These broils coming to the Governours ears in France he made all the haste he could home coming to Edenburgh he set himself to amend the Enormities committed in his absence a Parliament is called to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to appear and answer but some fearing the Event appeared not Whereupon their Estates are forfeited several fled into England among which were the Humes and the Cockburns who were the Authors of Darcies death others submitted and were pardoned The King of England being informed of the Condition of Scotland sent thither an Embassador requiring the Duke to avoid the Country according to the Articles agreed upon between him and the King of France in their last Truce To which he answered that what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace was to him uncertain but of this he was most certain that neither the King of England nor France had Power to Banish him a Foraigner over them where Authority did not reach his Native Country like over like having no Jurisdiction Whereupon King Henry gathered a great Army to Invade Scotland Now they draw to Arms on both sides the Governour marches with his Army to Carlile where he pitched his Camp upon the River Esk this struck great Terror to the Citizens of Carlile who offered him divers presents for their safety of the Town which were rejected but the Nobility refusing to go upon English ground suspecting that the Governour only played the Game of the French he was forced to come to a Truce However the Governour resolving to be revenged upon England went to France where he obtained from the King Three Thousand Pikes and One Thousand Lances with which he returned home and having raised an Army with them he Marches to England and Besieges Wark but is Repulsed whereupon much against his will a Truce for some Months is concluded on Soon after the Administration of the Government was put upon the Prince himself the Thirteenth Year of his age the Governour returning to France after which he never returned to Scotland A Parliament is called wherein a Peace is concluded with England and eight Lords appointed to have the Custody of the Kings Person quarterly Embassadors were sent to England to treat for a Marriage between the King and the King of Englands Daughter which came to nothing The State began of New to be tossed with the troublesom factions of the Queen and the Earl of Angus the Queens Faction accused Angus of High Treason for detaining the King against his will to which the Earl moved the King to give an answer shewing that he was not kept against his will But with all sent another Letter secretly desiring by any means he might be removed from the Earl upon this advertisment the Queen and they of her Faction Assemble what Forces they could raise and with great expedition marched from Sterling to Edenburgh The Earl of Angus with the Citizens of Edenburgh and the King though against his will Marched out against them when the Leaders of the Queens Forces understood that the King himself was in Person in the advers Army they would advance no farther but retired back again to Sterling where they Disbanded and returned every man to his own dwelling place presently after the Queen sues for a Divorce from the Earl of Angus which the Archbishop of S. Andrews granted with the Earls own consent The King wearied of his confinement in the Earl of Angus his custody consults with the Lord of Buccleugh and some Borderers how he might be set at Liberty they Essayed it by Arms at Melross but were put to the worst then the Earl of Lenox undertook it and raised some Forces for that end but the Earl of Angus having gotten the assistance of the Earl of Arran with several others quite routed him near Costerphin where he was killed in cold Blood Now the Earl of Angus thinks himself secure enough having put all things in as he thought to rights he takes a progress to Lothian leaving the King at Faulkland Now the King amidst his Solitary walks in his Park bethinks himself what a fair oportunity he had resolved to essay by stratagem what the Factions of his Nobles could not perform by Force thereupon he directeth the Forester of the Park to advertise such Gentlemen about as kept Hounds to attend him next Morning for he would have his Sport early he Suppeth sooner then he used Commanding all to their rest the waiters all shifted and the Court hush'd shutting his Camber door in the Apparel of one of his Grooms unperceived he passed the Guards to the stable where with two who attended him with ready Horses he posted to Sterline where many of the Nobility and Gentry flocking to him he discharged the Earl of Angus from all Publick Offices whereat he was so exasperated that he and his Friends followed very extravagant Courses but the King pursued them so that after much misery at home they were constrained to fly into England where they were Charitably received and Honourably entertained by King Henry The next year the King visited the Borders holding Justice Courts and executing Justice upon all Oppressors Thieves and Out-Laws there in Ewsdale He caused eight and twenty famous Robbers to be Hanged others he brought with him to Edenburgh for more publick Execution and Example yet the Borders were nothing the more Peaceable for by the means of the Earl of Angus the English make daily Incursions and Spoiles the Country the Scots likewise serving the English with the same Sauce till at last by the Mediation of the French King a Peace is concluded on during the Princes Lives and one Year after the Decease of him who should Dye first About this time the Pope's Power began to Totter in England King Henry having renounced all Subjection to him because he would not Grant him a Divorce from his Queen Katharine who had been before Married to his Brother Prince Arthur and then by a Dispensation from the Pope to him The Pope finding King Henry peremptory in his purpose did together with the Emperor deal with King James to make War with England and to this end sent an Ambassador privately to Scotland King Henry went on with his Affairs in England and Executed John Fisher Bishop of Rochester for asserting the Pope's Supremacy in England Upon this the whole Conclave stirr'd up the Pope against King Henry wherefore he sent another Ambassador to Scotland most invectively Exclaiming against the King of England's Cruelty and humbly desiring King James's assistance against him King James to try his Uncle's Mind send an Ambassador to England to acquaint him with the Emperors and Popes Embassage King Henry presently dispatched William Lord Howard to Scotland who made such hasty Journeys that he prevented the News of his coming he found the King at Sterline a part of
enough neither had they Ammunition enough to Engage with so strong an Enemy in his own Country that they thought it enough that upon their approaching they made the English retire if not fly for whether they did fly or retire they had suffered as much Wrong as they had done The King finding them thus obstinate returneth with his Army to Edenburgh where he immediately Disbanded them he begins most bitterly to reflect upon the Noble mens refusing to Invade England which was aggravated and abetted by Cardinal Beatâ—n Oliver Sinclave and others The Lord Maxnel seeing the King so highly Offended desired His Majesty to give him Ten Thousand men and he would ingage his Honour to effect something to the King's Satisfaction the King thanketh him for his Offer appointeth a Rendezvous upon the West Marches No Proclamations are divulged for the levies of Men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran March towards Haddingtoun and the East Borders and several Earls Lords and Barons accompanied with the King 's Domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The Night before they rode the King himself came to Lochmabban to attend the Event Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches much troubled at such a frequent Assembly of the Scottish Riders raising the Power of the Country placeth them by a Hill where he might take a view of the Forces The Scottish Lords beholding the English putting themselves in a Fighting posture desire to know the King's Lieutenant-General whereupon Oliver Sinclave is mounted upon crossed Pikes and the Commission read wherein he is designed to be Lieutenant and all Commanded in the King's Name to follow him No sooner began the Commission to be read but such a Tumult and confused Clamour arose in the Army that there was no Order kept every thing running in Confusion The English taking advantage of the Disorder brake in among them while they stand in Amaze doubting whether to Fly or Stand. Here is a general Surprize most part willingly rendering themselves to the English without any shew of Defence many of the Nobility and Gentry were taken and carried Prisoners to London where they remained till after the King's Death The certainty of this voluntary Defeat coming to the King at Lockmabban so Stupified and Astonished him that he had neither Council nor Resolution what to follow apprehending by this and their former Actions that the Nobility had Conspired his overthrow After which he came to Faulkland where he gave himself over to Sorrow Now are his Thoughts busied with Revenge as also with rage against his Nobility Long Watchings continual Cares and Passions abstinence from Food and Recreation had so extenuated his Body that pierced with Grief Anguish Impatience Despair he remained affixed to his Bed To Comfort him Letters came from Lithgow to him That his Queen was delivered of a Daughter when he heard it was a Daughter he turned his Face from them that read the Letter and Sighing a Farewel to the World It will end as it began sayes he the Crown came by a Woman and it will go with one The Cardinal put some blank Papers in his hand of which they Composed a Letter-Will which whether he Subscribed or not is uncertain After which he spoke not many Words that could be understood he Dyed the Thirteenth of December Anno Dom. 1542. in the Thirty-Third Year of his Age and Thirty-Second of his Reign not without Suspition of having got an Italian Posset by the Cardinal's means The King was no sooner Dead leaving his young Daughter who was afterward called Mary to Succeed then the Cardinal proclaimed his Last Will wherein were expressed four Protectors or Regents of whom himself was the First and Principal and with him were joyned the Earls of Huntly Argyle and Murry But within a Week after the Chase was turned For the Earl of Arran being advised by the Lord of Grange who was Treasurer and Master Henry Balneaves with some others caused to Assemble the Peers of the Realm representing to them his undoubted Title to the Government of the Kingdom during the Minority of her to whom by Line he should Succeed if she want Succession of her own body The Cardinal opposed himself and all his Interest against Arran but it was carried by many Voices whereupon Arran was declared Governor and with publick Proclamation invested in his Office A Parliament soon followed wherein the Clergy most violently pressed That severe Edicts might be Published against those they called Hereticks But others Propounding in Parliament whether such of the People as could not speak Latine might not have the Word of their Salvation in the Language they understood as Lawfully as they that understood Latine must have it in that Language it was Voted Affirmative and at last after much debating it passed into an Act That it was free for all Men and Women to Read the Scripture in their own vulgar Tongue and all Acts made to the contrary were rescinded King Henry before the Parliament was ended sent an Ambassador to Scotland whose Embassage was to Contract a perpetual League and Amity between the Two Kingdoms and that all Occasions of Wars might be taken away a Match was proposed by the Ambassador between young Prince Edward and the Queen of Scotland which was by the Governour and Parliament Accepted whereupon they sent their Ambassadors to England where things came so far that both Partyes declared their Agreement in all Particulars except the time when the young Queen should be delivered to the English The Papists foreseeing what would probably follow if the Queen should be put in their Enemy the King of England's hand begin with all their might to Oppose it about this time the Governors base Brother John Hamilton came from France who was very helpful to his brethren the Papists in carrying on all their Affairs At last partly by few promises of great Things and partly by Threatning to declare him an Enemy to Holy-Church if he complied not they make him Condescend to break with England whereupon ensued great and bloody Wars between the Two Kingdoms for King Henry immediately sent a strong Army to Scotland who came as far as Edenburgh committing great Hostilities In compensation of which the Scots enter England Burning and Destroying all before them returning again with great Spoil Mr. George Wishart being by Cardinal Beaton burnt Alive for the Protestant Religion the said Cardinal was surprized by Norman Loslie Master of Rothes William Kirkaldie of Grange and John Loslie of Park-Hill in his Castle of St. Andrews and put to Death Possessing themselves of the Castle for their Security knowing that now they were to have many and powerful Enemies which accordingly fell out for the Papists procure an Army from France under the conduct of Monsieur Deosel who besieged the Castle and soon after took it King Henry being now Dead his Son King Edward sent an Army of Ten Thousand Men to Scotland The Popish Party there procures the
like number from France these two Armies grievously infested the Country The next Year the Queen was at Six years of Age Transported by the West Seas into France escaping the English Fleet that watched for her about Calice and soon after Married to the Daulphine However the Reformation goes on notwithstanding the Queen-Mother who is now stiled Queen-Regent her opposition She was Assisted in her Designs by the French as the Reformers were also by the English but her Death put a stop to the Persecution which gave the Protestants opportunity of putting things in order relating to the Worship of God Great Preparations were making in France for invading of Scotland and root out the Reformed Religion This terrified the Reformers mightily but while they were in a Consternation not knowing what to do the King of France Dyed and their Queen remained a Widdow this was a great Deliverance to them for by his Death the intended Invasion came to nothing Soon after the Queen comes Home and sets up Mass in her Chappel which the Reformers opposed This bred much confusion in the State but the Queen finding that the Body of the People with most part of the Nobility were against her Way she became a little more calm condescending that some Maintenance might be settled upon the Ministers About this time the Earl of Huntly breaks out in a Rebellion in the North to oppose which the Queen went her self in Person and Routed him near Aberdeen his Sons and many of his Friends being Slain himself also Dying in the place without any Wound The Easter following Mass began to be very publick at Edinburgh which so incensed the Lords and others That they Imprisoned several Priests The Queen began to Storm at this but they told her That what they did was according to Law and they would Justify it in Parliament In July 1564. The Earl of Lenox with his Son Henry Stewart Lord Darly return from England and were very graciously received by the Queen who took such Affection to Darly that she Posts away Lethington to Queen Elizabeth shewing her That she meant to Marry him Queen Elizabeth pretending her disliking of such Contracts of Princes with Subjects labours to diswade her from it but under-hand promotes it for her own ends The Queen with some difficulty gets her intended Marriage ratified in Parliament which was afterward Proclaimed by name Henry and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and Solemnized the Twenty-Seventh of July 1565. This procures great Alterations in the State for several Lords and Gentlemen of the Reformation being Summoned to Appear before the King and Queen and upon Non-appearance were declared Rebels Whereupon the King and Queen presently take Armes the Lords with their Intention fled into England where they stayed a while under Queen Elizabeth's Protection who afterward dismissed them writing to the King and Queen in their Favours at length they came to an Agreement which yet continued not long For the King beginning to be jealous of the daily resort of French-men to Court and of their great Favor with the Queen caused one of them called Rizio who from a Musitian was advanced to be the Queen's Secretary for French to be seized in her Chamber and presently put to Death and finding that this Action brought him under the odium of the Papists he made a shew of turning Protestant calling home several of the Banished Lords and others But however from that day he began to be despised by the Queen and Bothwel is advanced The Nineteenth of June 1566. The Queen at Edinburg was Delivered of a Son to the great Joy of all the Kingdom he was Baptized at Sterlin December the Seventeenth and called James the Witnesses were the Earl of Bedford for Queen Elizabeth who in her Name presented a Font of pure Gold valued at Three Thousand Crowns the Count de Briance for the French King and an Ambassador for the Duke of Savoy The King finding himself daily slighted by the Queen repaired to his Father at Glasgow where by the way he was taken very Ill with a Pain in his Stomack when he came to Glasgow his Body breaks out in blewish Blisters which when the Physitians saw they knew him to have been Poisoned but with their Antidotes and his own vigorous Youth he Recovered Not long after the Queen Visited him at Glasgow and prevailed with him to come to Edinburg he Lodged in the Kirk-Field for his Health as was pretended But many suspected that the Earl of Bothwel had a Design upon him but few durst adventure to tell him of it Yet the Earl of Orkney told him That if he retired not hastily out of that Place it would cost him his Life this Advertisement moved the Earl of Bothwel to hasten forward his Enterprize laying a Train of Powder under the House where the King lay which in the Night time did Blow it up but it was said That the King was taken forth and brought Alive to a Stable where a Napkin was stopped in his Mouth and he therewith Suffocated Presently after Bothwel obtains a Divorce from the Pope to free him of his Wife and was Married to the Queen May the Fifteenth 1567. Whereupon the Lords take Armes the Queen and Bothwel being at Dumbar resolving to call him to an Account for what was past the Queen also and he sent to their Friends to come to their Defence the two Armies Faces each other at Seaton Then Bothwel steps out upon Horse-back between the Armies offering to Fight with any that durst Charge him with that foul Aspersion of Murdering the King James Murray offers the Combat but he is refused as not equal in Honour then his Brother the Laird of Tully-Bardine Accepts the Challenge him he refuseth because he was not a Noble-man then the Lord Lyndsay presents himself telling him That he was his Equal every way but the Queen recalled Bothwel and would not suffer them to Fight In fine the Queen finding the Confederates resolute and their Number exceeding her own she desires Bothwel to shift for himself for that she would put her self in their Hands which accordingly she did and was by them conveyed to Edinburgh and after to the Castle of Lochlevine The Queen of England sends her Ambassador to the Lords desiring That the Queen might have her full Liberty and that the Prince might be sent to England to be Educated At length Matters were wrought to that point that she must of necessity resign the Crown to her Son 108. This young Prince was Crowned at Sterline the Twenty-fourth of July Anno Dom. 1567. at thirteen Months and eight days old The Earls of Morteun and Hume taking the Coronation Oath for him Master Knox also Preached the Coronation Sermon The Earl of Murray is within a Month after created Regent he presently Summons a Parliament wherein divers are Executed as having Accession to the late Kings Murder which occasioned many Factions in the State and much hatred to the Regent In
there was so cruel a Battle fought that Night drawing on both Parties retired but the Scots and Picts understanding that the Brittons had left the Field they returned to their Camp where they found great spoil which they divided by Law of Arms and returned home Victors where Ewenus spent the rest of his days in Peace he dyed the nineteenth of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 13. Durstius his two Sons who were the nearest of the Royal Line after Evenus his Death began to contend for the Crown in the mean time Gillus base Son to Evenus having got together some Villains for his purpose suppresseth them both and Murthers them then sets himself upon the Throne A. M. 3802. before Christ 79. after the Reign 252. But not thinking himself secure so long as any of Durstius his Posterity were extant resolved to take off his three Nephews who were in the Isle of Man the eldest two he caught in his Snare and killed but the third was conveyed away by his Nurse in the Night time and carryed to Argyle where she kept him for some years in a Cave for fear of the Tyrant who was at last killed in Battel in Ireland whether he had fled by Caldebus the Captain of the Brigrands the second year of his Reign 14. Evenus the second King Finnans Nephew succeeded in the Government A. M. 3894. before Christ 77. years a good Institutor he confirmed the Peace with the Picts having married Gethus the third King of Picts his Daughter he afterward overcame Belus King of Orkney in Battle who finding no way to escape killed himself He also built Innerlosher and Innerness he dyed in the seventeenth year of his Reign 15. Ederus Durstius his Brothers Son succeeded in the Year of the World 3911. before Christ 60. after the Reign 271. Bredus of the Isles Cousin to Gillus the Tyrant brake in upon the Country the King went presently against him and overthrew him and his followers and burnt their Ships he afterward assisted the Brittons against Julius Caesar in England where by his means a Glorious Victory was obtained he dyed in Peace the forty eight year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 16. To him succeeded Evenus the third his Son A. M. 3959. before Christ 12. This man came to such a height of Luxury that not being content that he took an hundred noble Women to be his Concubines he made an Act that every Man should keep as many Wives as he pleased so that he had an Estate to maintain them and another that the King should have the first Nights enjoyment of a Noble mans Lady allowing the Noble men the same priviledge from their Inferiors He was afterward taken in Battle and imprisoned where he was killed by a young Child the seventh year of his Reign 17. Mettallan's Nephew to Ederus succeedeed A. M. 3966. before Christ 4. after the Reign 326. A King universally beloved because that in his time there was universal Peace abroad and Tranquility at Home but yet he could not reduce his Nobles from the Riotous habit that they acquired in his Predecessors time he dyed Peaceably the thirty ninth year of his Reign 18. To him succeeded Garratacus his Sisters Son A. M. 4005. A. D. 35. He first composed some Tumults that were in the Isles upon the late Kings Death then assisted his Neighbours against the Romans Some report that in his time Orkney was conquered by Claudius the Emperor and the King and Queen of it sent in Triumph to Rome After many bloody Battles fought with the Romans he at last was desired by Vespasian to submit to them and he should be reputed a Friend to the Senate and enjoy great Honours to which he answered that the Kingdom of Scotland was as free to him as the Kingdom of the Romans was to Caesar he dyed Peaceably the twentieth year of his Reign 19. To him succeeded his Brother Corbred A. M. 4025. after Christ 55. after the Reign 385. The Islanders who almost in every Interregnum stirred up Sedition hoping for a Change therein divers expeditions quite subdued by him He suppressed Thieves going frequently from place to place doing Justice he dyed in the tenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 20. Corbred's Son being a Child the Parliament chused Dardan Nephew Metellan A. M. 4042. after Christ 72. there were great hopes had of him at first but within three years he degenerated and became an odious Tyrant murthering and destroying all the wisest and best of his Councellors and to compleat his Villainies hired a Ruffian to murther Corbred's two Sons who were in the Isle of Man but the Traitor being taken just ready to perpetrate the Villany was forced to discover the whole Plot Whereupon the Nobles Unanimously resolved to revenge the Treason but the King absconding himself and his Forces being defeated by the Nobles was at last taken and his Head struck off the fourth year of his Reign 21. Corbred the second Surnamed Galdus cometh next to the Throne after Christ 76. A Couragious and warlike Prince in his days the Romans had greatly inlarged their Borders for having quite routed the Brittons they went as far North as the River Tay and had probably gone further had not that Valiant warrier Agricola been called home by Domitian who envied his Success he was no sooner gone but Corbred came with an Army and made a great slaughter among the Romans pursuing them from one place to another till at length they were glad to beg their Peace which was granted upon very Honourable terms Corbred having spent the rest of his days in Peace dyed the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunstaffage 22. Luctacus succeeded his Father Corbred Anno Dom. 110. A most Flagitious man given to all kinds of Lewdness and Cruelty which his Nobles perceiving at a Convention of the States began to reprove him for his Wickness and Tyranny He being inraged at this commanded some of them to be put to Death but instead of being obeyed they fell upon him and his Complices and killed them the third year of his Reign he was buried in Dunstaffage 23. To him succeeded Mogald Corbred the second Sisters Son A. D. 113. the beginning of his Reign was fortunate for he Governed most Prudently and Successfully He discharged the Romans from approaching the Confines of his Kingdom and defended the Picts from them he defeated Lucus with his Romans in Westmorland and obtained a great Victory In his time Adrian the Emperor came into Brittain where he built Adrians Wall from the mouth of Tyne to the Flood of Esk fourscore miles in length he was killed in the thirty third year of his Reign 24. Conar succeeded his Father Mogald A. D. 149. Who became a cruei Tyrant and was suspected to have had a hand in Conspiring his Fathers Death he did greatly dilapidate the Rents of the Crown by his Extravagancies being forced to call a Parliament he
Peace Alpine answered that he would make no Peace untill the Crown of the Picts were set upon his Head as the Right inheritour of it Brudus upon this raised a great Army and came over the Bridge of Dunkell marching to Augus where Alpin with his Army did lye The night before the Battel he devised a cunning Stratagem for having a great many Women in his Army he caused them to stand in Battel Array with linnen Shirts above their cloaths ordaining some Horse-men to Command them he drew them into a Wood Commanding none of them to appear till the Armies had joyned Battel King Alpin upon the Picts approach presently led out his Men and joyned Battel with them then the aforesaid reserve began to move from their Ambush The Scots seeing them apprehended them to be a fresh Army of Picts whereupon they immediately fled In this Battel King Alpine himself was taken and beheaded the third year of his Reign 69. To him his Son Keneth the second succeeded A. D. 834. Now the Picts fully resolve to banish the Scots quite out of their Country for which purpose they procure help from England But when they were at their full strength they divided amongst themselves to such a height that Brudus was forced to disband his Army he soon after dyed for Grief Donsken his Brother succeeded who made it his work to keep Peace on all hands But Keneth after three years uncertain Peace being desirous at any rate to revenge his Fathers Death and to recover the Crown which by right did belong to him Convened his Nobles and consulted with them concerning the matter but finding them not inclined to it he invites them all to a great Feast which he had prepared of purpose where they were Royally entertained within his Pallace untill dark Night after they had Liberally feasted they were conveyed to several apartments within the Palace and when deep sleep had seized upon them the King caused some Men that he had ready for that end to pass to their several Beds clad with Fish-skins which did cast a dazling light in the dark each man having a Hunting Horn in his hand through which he spake The Nobles being amazed at this sight were desired by them not to be terrified for that they were Angels sent from God to the Princes and Nobles of Scotland to cause them to obey the Kings Order it being very Just and Right and that they needed not to fear the Success for they should be Victorious Their Speeches being ended they in an instant vanished This mightily astonished the Nobles not knowing what to make on 't It was no sooner Day light than they got up and enquired one for another and having convened all together every Man began to declare what appeared to him which made them all presently conclude that it was no Fancy but a real Vision The King also assured them that the same Vision appeared to him at the same hour Hereupon they Unanimously consented that all who were able for Fighting should meet the King upon a day appointed which they did as the Picts did also upon the other hand they fought most Valiantly on both sides but the Picts were routed in one and quite ruined in another Battel their King and all his Nobles being killed And their City Camelon after a long siege utterly destroyed and razed and the Picts Men Women and Children put to the Sword after they had Reigned in Albion 1181 years King Keneth brought the fatal Chair from Argyle to Scone adding the Picts Dominions to his own he dyed the twentieth year of his Reign 70. Donald the fifth Keneth the seconds Brother succeeded having his Territories enlarged from the Orcades to Adrians Wall He was a vicious and luxurious Prince which gave the Fugitive Picts some ground to Hope that they might recover their Lands whereupon they requested Osbred and Ella two great Princes in England to restore them promising to pay Homage to them they accepted the offer invading Scotland with great Forces where they were miserably routed in a pitch'd Battle King Donald proud of this Victory pursued them to the Water of Tweed with his Army there he found two Ships laden with Wine which he parted among his Souldiers they not being much used to such Liquor drank of it till they were not able to stir Of which when King Osbred was advertised he came suddenly upon them and killed 2000 of them took the King himself and carried him about in Derision Osbred pursuing this Victory conquered great Lands in Scotland So that Sterling-bridge was made the march between the Scots and the English This Osbred Coyned money in Sterling Castle which was as some think the first beginning of Sterling money King Donald being ransomed was soon after taken by his Nobles and put in Prison where he desperately killed himself the fifth year of his Reign 71. To him succeeded Constantine the second who was Crowned in Scone A. D. 859. Soon after Hunger and Hubba with a great Fleet of Danes Landed in Fife to shun whose Cruelty many religious Persons with Adrian their Bishop fled into the Isle of May where they were all Cruelly put to Death by the unmerciful Danes Constantine with his Army met them at the River of Levin where he overthrew them pursuing them toward Caryl where their Ships lay but the Scots being proud of this Victory became too secure Whereupon the Danes rallied upon them where followed a terrible Battel at last the Scots were defeated the King being taken and dragged to a Cave was basely murdered the fifteenth year of his Reign 72. To him succeeded Ethus his Son Surnamed the Swift A.D. 874. His wickedness and Cruelty came to so great a heigth that his Nobles were forced to imprison him where within three days he dyed of Melancholly the second year of his Reign 73. Gregory the Great Dungalls Son succeeded A. D. 876. A Prince of a Kingly Spirit he made a Law that all â—ings hereafter should at their Coronation swear to defend the Christian Faith His first expedition was into Fife against the Picts and Danes which were left there when Hungar went into Enâ—land them he expelled not only out of Fife but also out of Lothian and the Mers Coming to Berwick the Danes durst not venture to Fight him but leaving a Garrison in the Town retired to Northumberland to gather more Forces But Gregory in the Night time being Guided by some English-men entred the City and put all the Danes to the Sword thence he went to Northumberland there he utterly routed the rest of them which gave him occasion to inlarge his Dominions with Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland after which he entered in a League with the King of England wherein his right to the foresaid Lands was ratified His next expedition was against the Irish who had Landed in Galloway and committed great Insolencies but at his coming they retired back to their own Country He with a great Army followed them