be surmised sometimes by English Ladies to be solicitations and suits of Love For the War with which in case of his Stay he threatned his nation he would use his best endeavours to set his in a posture of Defence When this answer was reported to King Henry he gathered a great Army to invade Scotland and essay if by their own dangers the Scots people could be moved to abandon and disclaim the Dukes authority Seven great Ships came to Inche-keeth and spoiled the adjacent Coasts all the Scots and French which did then inhabite London and other places of England were put to their fines and commanded to go off the Countrey In compensation and for equal amends the French King seized all English mens goods in Bourdeaux imprisoned the persons and retained the money to be paid for the restitution of Tournay The Earl of Shrewsbury making incursions on the Borders burned the one half of Kelso and plundered the other At this time the Emperor Charles the fifth came to England and stirred King Henry to take arms against the French Kings and the French had sent Embassadours to Scotland intreating and conjuring the Scots by their old and new League to arise in arms and invade England The Governour assembled the three Estates at Edinburgh which together condescended to the raising of an Army to resist the incursions of the English and defend the Kingdom to encourage every man for fighting the Wards of those which should fall in this expedition were freely remitted and discharged by Act of Parlament and pensions designed to the Widdows and Daughters of those who dyed in this service This Empyrick balm could the French apply to cure the wounds of the Scotish Common-wealth The Earl of Shrewsbury advancing as was reported towards the west Borders an Army was far gathered and encamped on Rosline-moor which after according to the orders given marched to Annandale and forwards came to the Esk a River running in the Irish Seas neer Carlile the Governour delighted with the Seat and standing of the place caused dig Trenches and by the advice of certain French Gunners placed some Field Pieces and small Ordinance for defence of them and spread there his Pavilions The Citizens of Carlile terrified at the sudden approach of so powerful an Army offer many presents for the safety of their Town whch he rejected The English Army not minding to invade the Scots so long as they kept themselves on their own ground and advanced not the Governour endeavoured to make the Scots spoil the Countrey by incursions but he findeth them slack and unwilling to obey and follow him most part refusing to go upon English Ground amongst whom Alexander Lord Gordon was the chief and first man The Governour finding his command neglected and some Noblemen dissenting from what he most intended commeth back to the place where they made their stand and desires a reason of their stay They told him they had determined to defend their own countrey not invade England That it neither consisted with the weal of the Common-wealth nor as matters went at that time had they sufficient forces to make invasive War That the Governour did not instigate them to invade England for the love he carryed to Scotland but for a benefit to the French by diverting the war prepared by the English against them That by invading they might make themselves a prey to their enemies they were Men and not Angels it was enough for them whilst their King was under age to defend his Kingdom from the violence of Foreigners Put the case they werein one battel victorious considering the slaughter and loss of their Nobles and Gentry in that purchase they might be overthrown in a second fight and then to what would the King the Country be reducedâ— their last King might serve them for a pattern the Revenge of whose death should be delayed till he himself were of years to undertake it The Governour brought to an exigent said they should have propounded these difficulties before they took Arms and on the place of Battel Temerity misbecame Noblemen in action but especially in matters of War in which a man cannot err twice At the convention of the three Estates when war was in deliberation they should have inquired for the causes of it he was not to bring them upon the danger of war without their own consent The English had made many incussions upon their Countrey burning and ravaging who stand only upon defence stand upon no defence a better defence of their own Countrey could not be found than by invading the Countrey of their Enemies They should not be dejected for that accident at Flowden since it was not the fault of the Souldier but the Treason of their Chamberlain who had suffered for it That the glory of the Nation should raise their courages and inflame their bosoms with a desire of revenge The Kings honour and their piety towards the Ghosts of their Compatriots crav'd no less from them That if they would not invade England at least for their Reputation and Fame with the World they would pitch there a short time their Tents and try if the English would hazard to assail them That it would be an everlasting branding their honour if timorously in a suddennesse they show their backs to their enemies and dared them not in the face by some daies stay The Queen though absent had thus perswaded the Noblemen and having understood the Governour to be turned now flexible she dispatched a Post to him requesting he would be pleased with a Truce for some Moneths and that he would commune with the Warden of the English Marches whom she should move to come to his Tent and treat with him The Governour finding he stood not well assured of some of his Army and knowing what a cumbersome task it was to withstand the violence of their desires determined to follow their own current seemed well pleased to hearken to their opinion Hereupon the Lord Dacres Warden of the West Marches came unto the Governours Camp the eleventh of September and as some have recorded the Queen also where a Cessation of Arms was agreed unto for some daies in which time the Queen and the Governour should send Embassadours to treat for a Peace with King Henry and shortly after Embassadours were directed to the Court of England but returned without any good don King Henry demanding extraordinary and harmful conditions to the Realm of Scotland The year 1522. Andrew Forman Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews dyed and Iames Beatoun Arch-Bishop of Glasgow and Chancellour of the Kingdom came in his place of St. Andrews the Arch-Bishop rick of Glasgow was conferred upon Gaven Dumbar whom the King after advanced to be Chancellor of the Kingdom The Governour resenting highly the slighting of the Embassadours by the King of England but more the contempt and scorn of the Scottish Nobility in refusing to follow him in October by the West Seas past over to France promising that
entertained by King Iames and so many friends as either his Alliance or Virtues had acquired After some few daies stay desiring to have audience in Counsel they wâ—re admitted where Bishop Lightoun is said to have spoken to this effect The respect and reverence which the Nation of the Scots carryeth towards all 〈◊〉 is all where known but most that love and loyalâ—y which they have to the sacred Persons of their own native Princes for as Monarchy is the most ancient form of Government so have they ever esteemed it the best it being more easie to find one instructed and trained up in heroical virtues than to find many And how well soever Governours and Vice-Gerents rule the Common-wealth yet is that Government but as the light of the Moon or stars in absence of the Sun and but representations of shadows for reall Bodies This hath moved the three estates of that Kingdom to direct us here unto you Our King these many years hath been kept from us upon just or unjust Grounds we will not argue that providence which hath appointed every thing to its own end hath done this for the best both to you and us and we are now to treat with you for his Delivery Beseecâ—ing you to remember that his Father of sacred memory recommended him out of that general duty which one Prince oweth to aâ— other to your Kings Protection in hope of Sanctuary and in request of ayd and comfort against secret and therefore the more dâ—ngerous Enemies And to confess the Truth hitherto he hath been more assured amongst you than if he had remained in his own Countrey your favours being many waies extended towards him having in all liberal Sciences and vertues broâ—ght him up That his abode with you seemeth rather to have been a remaining in an Academy than in any Captivity and thus he had been lost if he had not been lost Besides though we have the happiness to claim his Birth and Stemm ye have the claim of his Succession and Education He â—eing now matched with the Royall Blood of England in Marriage Thus his Liberty which we intreat for is a benefit to your selves and those Princes which shall claim the descent of his off-spring For if it should fall forth as what may not by the variable changes of Kingdomes come to pass that this Prince by Vsurpers and Rebells were disgarnished of his own Crown they are your Swords which should brandish to set him on his Royall throne We expect that as ye have many wâ—ies rendred him yours ye will not refuse to engage Him yet more by his Liberty which â—e must acknowledge wholly and freely to receive from you and by benefits and and love to overcome a King is more than by force of Arms. And since he was not your Priâ—oner by chance of Warr having never raised Arms against you but by way of Protection detained here and entertained so ye will respecting your ancient honour and Generosity send him freely back to his own yet if it be so that ye will have acknowledgemâ—nt for what ye have bestowed on his education the distress of the present estate of his Subjects and Crown considered We will not stand upon triâ—les of Money for the Redemption of a Prince above all price The Lords of the Council were diverse waies inclined to this Embassie some thought it not fit to dismiss him For his remaining in England seemed the more to assure the kingdome of Scotland unto them having the King and his children in their custody what dared they not enterprise or not bring to pass Or if Scotland should plot any thing by way of Rebellion the King having his party within the Realm by the assistance of the English would keep under the other Factions and thus the Estate by both being made weak it would be a fair breach for a Conquest and the annexing that Kingdome to the Crown of England That he knew too much of the Estate and affairs of England to be sent away to a Nation ever their Enemies That being at liberty and amongst his own he might resent the injury of his long restraint Others of the Council thought it best to dismiss hiâ— They had learned by experience that the keeping of the King of Scots hindered no waiâ—s the Scots from assisting the French yea rather that it did exasperate their choller and make them in Revenge addict themselves wholly to the French the Governour no waies keeping to the English and siding the French upon whom to be revenged they could find no surer way than to set at liberty the King whose return of necessity must needs change the face of the State and trouble him As for the conquest of the Crown of Scotland it was not at that time of such moment for England they having the most part of France in their Subjection which was as much if not more as they could hold then it would prove a more harmless and sure purchase to make Scotland theirs by the Succession of Lady Iaâ—eâ— of Sommerset than by war the event whereof is ever doubtful and beyond any assurance of Man The Liberty of the King of Scots might prevent the encreasing strength of the Kings Enemies in France and sâ—cure the Peace and tranquillity of the Common wealth at home King Iames being all English by education If he proved not of their Party yet he must prove neutral to both the Kingdoms Henry the sixth then King of England being of under-age was governed by his three Uncles of his Fathers side Humphrey Duke of Glocester who was made Protector of his Person and Realm Iohn Duke of Bedford who was established Regent of France and Thomas Duke of Excester But Henry Beaufoord Cardinal Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England a man eminent in Blood and Riches Uncle to the Lady Iane in effect governed all These gave way rather then approved that the King of Scots should be set at liberty and sent home And though they would have dismissed him freely in respect of the Dowry of his Queen which was not delivered having use of present moneys for the maintenance of the Wars in France and the more to cover the injustice of his Captivity they thought it expedient to set a Ransom upon him The Commissioners having met it was declared that for a sufficient sum of moneys their King might return and enjoy his own Liberty the one half to be paid in hand able Hostages remaining in England till the other half was fully discharged The Ransom agreed upon was four hundred thousand Merks but by the power of the Cardinal the third was discharged for which he was long after accused before the King by the Duke of Glocester The Governour and Estate of Scotland having known the sum laid upon them for the Liberty of the King though the hasty acquiring of it was grievous unto them preferring Glory and things necessary to matters of money immediatly dispatched so much as could be gathered together
had waited upon her but Providence so appointing she escaped them and they encountred a fleet of Spaniards keeping their course towards the Netherlands Them they beset with fourscore Vessels commanding the Ladies and all of their Company to be delivered unto them when they would not accept of friendly answers they fall to handy blows till in end by loss of men and some Ships they understood their errour The Lady Margaret thus without danger by the Western Seas arrived at Rochell having for her convoy a whole Colony of Gentle-women the Histories say an hundred and fourty went with her all of noble parentage of which train were her five Sisters from Rochel she held her progress to Tours there with an extraordinary Pomp and magnificence the 24. of Iune Anno 1436. was she marryed to the Daulphin Lewis The King to defray the charges raised by transporting and marriage of his Daughter the French seeking with her small or no Dowry these times preferring parentage and beauty before Gold or riches all that was craved being a supply of Men of Arms for their Support against the English laid a Subsidie on his Subjects the one half of which being levied and the people grudging and repining at the exacting of the other half it being taken from men who lived hardly in a barren soyl He caused render a part of it again and discharged the remainder At this time by Sea and land the English in revenge of the refusal of the offers of their Ambassadours began to use all Hostility against the Scots Henry Piercy of Northumberland invadeth the Countrey with four thousand men whether of his own Bravery abhorring ease and idleness or that he had a Commission so to do is uncertain with him came Sir Henry Clyddesdale Sir Iohn Ogle Richard Peircy and many men of choice and worth the frontier Garrisons invade all places neer unto them To resist these incursions William Dowglass Earl of Anguss getteth charge a man resembling his Ancestors in all virtues either of War or Peace and the most eminent of his time with him went Adam Hepburne of Hails Alexander Elphinstoun of Elphinstoun in Lothion and Alexander Ramsey of Dalhowsie of all being four thousand strong These covetous of glory besides the ancient quarrel of the two Nations having the particular emulations of the Names and Valour of their Ancestors to be spurs unto them make speedy journeys to have a proof of their vertue and courage The Lists of their meeting was Popperden a place not far from Bramstoun Rhodam Roseden Eglinghame all cheared with the stream of a small Brook named Brammish which arising out of the Cheviot loseth its name in the â—ill as the Till after many windings disgorgeth it self in the Tweed Adam Hepburn and Alexander Elphinstoun led the Van-guard of the Scots Sir Richard Piercy Sir Iohn Ogle of the English Alexander Ramsey and Henry Cliddisdail kept the Rears the two Generals road about the Armies remembring them of their ancient valour the wrongs received the justness of the Quarrel the glory of the Victory the shame of the overthrow No sooner were they come within distance of joyning when the sound of the Drums and Trumpets was out-noysed by the shouts of the Assailants who furiously ren-countred The Guns being about this time found out were here first practised between the Scots and the English in an open field When the fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides now the Scots then the English yielding ground many of the Commanders at length began to fall most of the English Then was the Piercy constrained to be at once Commander and Souldier but ere he could be heard some Companies had turned their backs among the thickest throngs of which breaking in he found so great disorder that neither by Authority Intreaty or Force he was able to stay their flying Thus distracted between the two courses of honour and shame he is hurried far from the place of Fight And Victory declared her self altogether for the Scots which was not so great in the execution as in the death and captivity of some brave men Of the Scots two hundred Gentlemen and common Souldiers were slain amongst which was Alexander Elphinstoun maintaining the Battel with his sword voice and wounds and two other Knights Of the English died Sir Henry Cliddisdail Sir Iohn Ogle Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers of which fourty were Knights four hundred were taken Prisoners The King irritated by the way-laying of his Daughter the invading of his Borders and encouraged not a little by this little smile of Fortun at Popperden it being more sure to prevent then repel dangers and with the same Policies to defend by which the Enemies offend resolveth by open wars to invade England He was also stirred unto this by his intelligence from his friends in France who had brought greater matters to pass then in so short a time could have been expected for concealed envy and old malice bursting out between Richard Duke of York and Edmund Duke of Sommerset Philip Duke of Burgundy being entred in friendship with King Charls the English began to be daily losers and were put out of Paris and many Towns of France To this effect King Iames having raised an Army cometh to Roxburgh a Place fatal to his and there besiegeth the Castle of Marchmond which is Roxburgh it was valiantly defended by Sir Ralph Gray but when he was come so near the end of his labours that they within the Castle were driven to terms of Agreement and conditions for giving up the Fort the Queen in great haste commeth to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy the greatness of the peril of which if it were not spâ—edily prevented should endanger his Estate Person and Race Whether she had any inckling of the Conspiracy indeed or contrived this to divert his Forces from the Assault and further harm of the English her Friends and Countrymen it is uncertain The King who found his imagination wounded upon this point after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts raiseth the Siege disbandeth the Army and accompanied with some chosen Bands of his most assured Friâ—nds returneth back to provide for his own safety A strange resolution to disband an Army for a tale of Treason where could there be greater safety for a King then in an Army Yet have Conspiracies been often in Camps and in his own Time Richard Earl of Cambridge brother to Edward Duke of York Henry Lord Scroope with Sir Thomas Gray Knight at the instigation of the Daulphine of France for a great sum of money conspired to murther Henry the Fifth King of England in the midst of his Armies if they had not been surprised The King feared all because he had not yet heard the names of any but most the Army by reason of the Nobility many of which who liked not the present form of Government were irritated against Him Were the
Parliamentary Authority can take away Iustice and the Law of God neither is an oath to be observed when as it tendeth to the Suppression of truth and right and though for a time such Acts and oaths have prevailed our designs having good Success we shall have a Parliament approving our right abolishing their pretensions and declaring them Vsurpers This one man and a child taken away if we can give the blow the Kingdome must obey the Lawfull Successor against whom what Subject will revolt or who dare take arms and here is more â—ear than danger But think there were the onely râ—medie of emminent dangers is new dangers It was simplicity in him to think by small benâ—fits that old injuries are abolished and forgot and that I should take patiently the title of Earl when I should have been King my self by his tyrannizing justice if he be not hated he is not beloved but become terrible to his people who now through their poverty and â—rievances affect a novation and obey him not out of any affection but through necessity and fear and now he also feareth that some do that to him which he hath deserved Let us resolve his doubts our ends are honour and revenge our wills against him all alike and one The Heavens seem to conspire with us having brought him to disband his Army and render himself in the wished place of our attempts and let us rather follow them and fortune which favours great actions than vertue that preacheth cowardly Patience Remembring how fair glosses of valour for the most part have been cast on the â—oulest deeds and the mightest Families have from them derived their honours shame seldom or never following Victory however it be atchieved and purchased That Soveraignty at the first was but a violent usurpation of the stronger over the weaker How great Enterprizes must begin with danger but end with rewards that death should rather be prevented than expected and that it is more honourable to dy than prolong a life in misery wandring in the scorn of other mens pride be resolute in our Plot put the enterprize in execution hast is the spirit of actions of danger the worst that can befall us is since we cannot subsist he being alive that he be taken away whilst we run a hazard of death which happeneth to all men alike with only the difference of Fame or Oblivion with the Posterity which ariseth of an evil action as well of a good if the action and attempt be great but let us not spend the time of execution in deliberation Not long after when they had ponderated and digested the Design Graham and Stuart with their accomplices guided by Resolution and guarded by the darkness of the Night came to the Black Fryers of Pearth and having the way made open unto them entered the Gallery before the Kings Chamber-door where they attended some of their confederates who should have stoln away the Barr by which means they might enter the Chamber but before their comming Fortune casteth the occasion in their hands For Walter Stratoun one of the Kings Cupbearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men rushing rudely to force their entrie terrifyed with the boldness of the fact with a high voice gave the Alarum of Treason to his Master While they are working his death a Maid of honour of the Name of Dowglass got to the door and esâ—aied to shut it but for that the Bar was now away which should have made it fast she thrust her arm in the place where it should have passed but that easily broken the Conspiratours rush in to the Chamber and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence amongst which was Patrick Dumbar Brother to George sometime Earl of March they at last stroke down the King whom whilst the Queen by interposing her body sought to save being hardly pulled from him she received two wounds and he with twenty eight most towards the heart was left dead Thus was King Iames the first who had so superabundantly deserved well of the Common-wealth Ann. Dom. 1436. murthered the 21. of February in the end of the year 1436 the 44. of his age when he had reigned 13. years This King was for the proportion and shape of his body of a middle stature thick and square rather somewhat mean than tall not such as is counted for dainty but for gracefulnesse and Majesty His hair was abourn a colour between white and red He was of so strong and vigorous a constitution that he was able to endure all extraordinary extremities both of travail and want and surpassed for agility and nimbleness in any exercise his companions He was of so sharp and pregnant a wit that there was nothing wherein the commendation of wit consisted or any shadow of the liberal arts did appear that he had not applied his mind unto seeming rather born to Letters than instructed He wrote Verses both Latine and English of which many yet are extant He exercised all Instruments of Musick and equalled the best Professours thereof He had studied all Philosophy but most that which concerns Government in which what a Master he was the order which he established in such a confusion as he found in the State doth witness and many old Laws commodiously renewed and amended others for the publick good established He was a great observer of religious forms easie for access fair in speech and countenance in behaviour kind using sleep and meat to live not for voluptuousness He had good command over his Passions his desires never being above his reason nor his hopes inferiour to his desires Though he was much obliged to the gifts of Nature yet was he more to his good education and training in England Scarce had he passed the nineth year of his age when he was committed to the Sea to shun the Treasons of his Uncle and was surprized at Flambrough-head in Holderness Windsor Castle kept him a Prisoner but by Commandment of King Henry he was so carefully instructed that no Prince could have been better bred in the Schools of Europe What his valour was the waâ—s of France bear witness for accompanying the King of England there he layed siege to the Town of Direx and with such violence and valour saith the English History assaulted it for the space of six weeks that with main strength he compelled it to be rendred to his hands and gave it to King Henry That commendation which was given him by that same King of England being recorded by their writers proved prophetically true of him For the King remembring him of his benefits received and promising him greater with free liberty to return to his own Countrey if he could cause the Scots who were adherent to the Daulphin of France to return to their native soyl and leave him To this he answered He was a Prisoner had no possession of his Realm that he was neither sworn to his Subjects nor they by any Oath of
a day again in which he might have hazarded one Cast of a Dye for a whole Kingdom But his Fortune was now declined and perhaps would never stand upright that by giving that night to his Souldiers to pause and deliberate on the matter they would perchance take the safest way be more advised what to enterprise the next morning readily not fight at all consisting of a number of bold young Gentlemen Volunteers who for the most part out of bravery and compassion followed him That the Kings Army by his lingring and lying off was encouraged finding they were to cope with men who would adviseere they fought After which speeches he bad the Earl farewel And now knowing that the way lay open both for Pardon and Favor to him that would first seek it he in the night breaketh out with some friends and having got over the fields betwixt the two Camps was brought sately to the King who graciously received and freely pardoned him The Army having understood the clandestin Revolt and escape of Sir Iames Hamilton disbanded every man slipping away by secret passages to his own habitation that on the morrow there was nothing to be seen but the solitary field upon which they had encamped The King out of joy of this bloodless Victory caused Proclaim in all his chief Towns That since Soveraign Authority had no less splendor by the actions of Clemency then by these of Justice all those who had followed the Earl of Douglass and been of his party rather by mis-fortune and unadvised rashness then any evil will against him should be freely pardoned Those who would abandon the Earl and come to the Kings Camp whosoever they were no Justice no Law should trouble them but they should be received to mercy and have all pardon After this Proclamation many submitted themselves to the King and were pardoned though Sir Iames Hamilton was remitted yet that under colour of reconciliation worse mischief might not be plotted the King sent him with the Earl of Orkney to the Castle of Rossline during his pleasure and the taking in of the Castle of Abercorn remembring also it was some prejudice to a Prince to be obliged to any Rebel The Earl of Douglass gathering together the split pieces of his Ship-wrack with his Brothers and so many of his Confederates as would not forsake him flieth to England here with much Travel by many promises of Rewards great hopes of spoil gathering unto him a power of Out-laws Felons Bancker-outs and such as lived by Rapine as well of his own Nation as of the English he maketh a Rode upon the West Borders of Scotland some Villages being burnt many preys much spoil driven into England at last he meeteth with the valiant men who were appointed ro defend the Marches the Maxwells and Scots here in a furious skirmish his Companies are discomfited Archibald Earl of Murray's Brother is slain and his head sent to the King the Earl of Ormond is taken Prisoner himself with the Lord Balvenny with great difficulty escapeth in a Forest when he sought to return again into England he findeth all Passages stopped up the wayes layed for him and begining to feel much want he is constrained in a disguised habit to lurk meanly in the inmost parts of Scotland till he wandred toward the far High-lands where finding Donald Earl of Ross Lord of the Isles one of his League a man cruel arrogant unpolisht after many discourses and long conference with him being no less eloquent then active he possesseth him with great hopes after a division of the Kingdom between them two of an absolute power and Government of of all the High-lands besides the wealth and treasure which he would purchase by the spoil He requireth onely he would break upon the more civil Countries bring all the Fire-brands he could to kindle and trouble them and cut work for the King whilst he with new supplies and a great Army to be raised in England should invade the Marches and bordering Countries The Earl of Ross who thought nothing impossible to him being to himself in these barbarous parts by phantasie a King and was used to vaunt of a long pedegree from Fergus relisbeth the profit and possibility of this Enterprise sweareth to leave nothing undone for the accomplishing of it and parting with him upon mutual assurance intreateth onely celerity and swift performance of what they had concluded Scarce was the Earl of Douglass in England when the Earl of Ross the two pillars of his Designs being Injustice and Violence supported by fair hopes from the South with his wilde Mountainers and Islanders like an inundation over-runneth the Neighbor bounds Argile suffereth the first effects of their fury the Isle of Arrain is taken the Castle made a Bon fire as if they were the sacrifice for the sinns of the rest the Bishop of the Isles saveth himself by flight and taketh Sanctuary Lochquabar and Murryland are spoiled the Town of Innerness is set on fire the Castle surprized Murthers Ravishings Robberies with what insolency the barbarous Canibals could commit are every where and the sad image of death ravageth amongst the common people The Earl of Douglass now at his last shifts and efforts leaveth no shifts nor helps unsought out such who lived upon prey and spoil resort unto him he maketh hot inincursions and after a most hostile maner which purchased him the hatred of all his Countrey-men and turned those who were indifferent in his quarrel his professed enemies This ravage continuing Henry Earl of Northumberland after slain at Caxtoun-field whom love of the valor of the house of Douglass and true commiseration had brought to take arms with him invadeth one quarter of the Marsh and the Earl of Dowglass turneth towards another But whilest they are dispersed and more eager and intentive to carry away spoil then to look to their own safety and military discipline the Earl of Auguss with Sir Iames Hamilton of Cadyow put them both with number and confusion overborn to flight slaying many and taking more prisoners After this overthrow during the Kings reign the Earl of Douglass deliberating not to oppose longer to necessity but to be still till better times never attempted tempted to invade his Countrey Amidst these incursions the Earl of Ormâ—nd at Edinburgh is beheaded the Countess of Dowglass Beatrice all hopes being lost of restoring her Husband despoiled of her Lands and fair Heritage turned now a Monster of Fortune the blame of her unlawful Wedlock laid upon the Earl consented to â—y her out of a certain fear of her life submitteth her felt to the Kings Clemency The King who denied not mescy to any sought it of him that the less guilty amongst the seditious might withdraw themselves and the obstinate remain the less powerful and weak receiveth her and giveth her in Marriage to his Brother Iohn Earl of Athole son to the Black Knight of Lorne designing for her Dowry the Lordship of Balveny By her
a Feaver and his Feaver advanced to a Phrensie This sickness increasing that he might be more neer to the Court and his friends in the night he is traâ—sported to the Cannons Gate in Edenburgh the King compassionate of his disease sendeth his Physitians to attend him they to restore his understanding which was molested open some veins of his head and armes in which time whether bâ— his own disorder and misgovernment in his sickness the bands being loosed which tyed the lancing or that they took 〈◊〉 great a quantity of blood from him he fainted and after sowning dyed unawares amongst the hands of his best friends and servants These who hated the King gave out that he was taken away by his command and some writers have recorded the same but no such faith should be given unto them as to B. W. E. who was living in that time and whose records we have followed who for his place could not but know and for his profession would not but deliver the very truth certain Witches and Sorcerers being taken examined and convicted of Sorcery at this time and being suborned they confessed that the Earle of Marre had dealt with them in prejudice of the King and to have him taken away by incantation For the Kings Image being framed in wax and with many spels and incantations baptized and set unto a fire they perswaded themselves the Kings Person should fall away as that image consumed by the fire and by the death of the King the brothers should reach the Government of the State with such vanities was the common people amused Alexander Duke of Albany imputing the death of his brother to the favourits of the King and avouching them to have been the occasioners of his distraction stirred the Nobility and People to revenge so foul a deed but whilst he keeps private meetings with them of his Faction in the Night to facilitate their enterprise betrayed by some of his followers he is surprised and imprisoned in the Castle of Edenburgh Out of which about the appointed time of his tryal by the killing of his keeper he escaped and in a Ship which to that effects was hired sailing to the castle of Dumbar of which he had the keeping he passed to France After the escape of the Duke of Albany the Lord Evandale Chancellor of the Kingdome raising the power of the nearest Shires beleaguered the Castle of Dumbar the besieged unprovided of victuals as men expecting no such alterations betake themselves in small Boates to the Sea and came safe towards the Coasts of England The Castle having none to defend it is taken some Gentlemen in persuit of the flying souldiers by their own rashness perished The Kings of Scotland and England tossed along with civil troubles and affecting peace with all their neighbors by an equal and mutual consent of thoughts send at one time Ambassadors to one another who first conclude a peace between the two Nations and that the Posterity might be partakers of this accord contract afterwards an Alliance between the two Kings It was agreed that the Princess Cicilia youngest daughter to King Edward should marry with Iames Duke of Rothsay when they came to yeers of discretion A motion heard with great acceptance but it was thought by some familiar with King Edward and in his most inward Counsels that really he never intended this mariage and that this negotiation aimed onely to temporize with Scotland in case that Lovys of France should stir up an invasion of England by the King of Scotland King Louys at this time had sent one Doctor Ireland a Sorbonist to move King Iames to trouble the Kingdome of England and to give over the projected marriage which when King Edward understood knowing what a distance was between things promised and performed to oblige King Iames and try him more strongly to the bargain that this marriage might have more sway he caused for the present maintenance of the Prince and as it were a part of the Dowry of Lady Cicilia deliver certain sums of money to King Iames. Notwithstanding of which benevolence the the witty Louys wrought so with the Scottish Nobility that King Iames sent Ambassadors to the King of England entreating him not to assist the Duke of Burgundy his brother in Law against King Louys which if he refused to do the Nobility of Scotland who were now turned insolent would constrain him by reason of the ancient league between the French and the Scots to assist the French The Duke of Albany during his aboad in France had marryed a daughter of the Earle of Bullogine she was his second wife his first having been a daughter of the Earle of Orkenay a Lady of great parentage and many friends who incessantly importuned King Louys to aide the Duke for the recovery of his inheritance and places in the State of Scotland out of which he was kept by the evil Counsellors of his brother Louys minding to make good use of his brother and underhand increasing discords and jealousies between him and the King of England slighting his suites told him he could not justifie his taking of Armes to settle a Subject in his inheritance That Princes ought to be wrought upon by perswasion not violence and he should not trouble a King otherwayes then by Prayers and Petitions which he would be earnest to perform Upon this refusal the Duke of Albany having burryed his Dutchesse troubled with new thoughts came to England King Edward with accustomated courtesies receiving him giveth him hopes of assistance entring of in communication with him how to divert the Kingdome of Scotland from the invasion of his Dominions at the desire of the French the Agents and traffickers of Louys lying still in Scotland and daily bribing and soliciting the Scots Nobility to necessitate the English to stay at home The Duke freely and in the worst sense revealed the weakness of his Kingdom that his King was opinionative and had nothing of a Prince in him but the name His ungoverned Spirit disdained to listen to the temperate Counsell of sober men obeying only his own judgement Such who govern'd under him were mean persons and of no account great only by his favour and indued with little vertue who ruling as they listed and excluding all others made use of his Authority for their own profit and advantage The Nobility were male-contents and affected a change in the Government which might be easily brought to pass by the assistance of King Edward If he would help to raise some civill broyls and discention in the Nation it selfe he needed not to be in fear that they could or would trouble his Country by any invasion The King hearing the Duke manifest what he most affected approving his judgement promised him all necessaries and what he could desire to accomplish the design and he undertaketh by some fair way to traffick with the Nobility of Scotland for an alteration of the present form of Government After a dangerous
the Kingdome by this notorious act at Lawder being engaged and being made Partakers of the Quarrel of the discontented Noblemen and for their own safety tyed to second and assist all their intentions and to advance their ends The King is conveyed to Edenburgh and shortly after he either enclosed himself in the Maiden Castle as his lodging or which is more probable was there by the contrary faction committed as his Prison the Earl of Athole and some other Lords being appointed to attend him During this time the general humour of the kingdom being ripe for mischief Alexander Duke of Albany every thing falling right as it was plotted prevailed so with King Edward that the Duke of Gloucester the King of Englands Brother with the title of Lieutenant general for him set forwards toward Scotland The Army consisted of two and twenty thousand and five hundred In his retinue went of the Nobility Henry Earl of Northumberland Thomas Lord Stanley with them was the Duke of Albany The Earl of Dowglass came not being reserved for an after game The Duke of Albany having been before Commander of Berwick and a Man who was still in his absence beloved of that Garâ—ison diverted the Duke of Gloucester from Anwick where he had incamped in lune to assail the Town of Berwick By his intelligence they enter the Town without great opposition and it is given up to their discretion The Castle by the Lord Haills the Captain was made good against their assaults The Duke of Gloucester fore-seeing that this Siege would spend much time considering the uncertainty of events and being invited to march forward by the Lords of the association of Scotland committing the charge of assailiâ—â— the Castle to the Lord Stanley Sir Iohn Elrington and Sir Wâ—lliam â—arr with the body of the Army marched directly to 〈◊〉 The Countrey lay open to their invasion no Army taking the Field to oppose them they came in Scotland the twentieth day of August 1482. the Army encamped at Restlerig 〈◊〉 Duke himself entred the Town of Edenburgh which at the intreaty of the Duke of Albany who was his Harbinger he spar'd receiving such presents as the Citizens offer'd unto him His entry seeming rather a Triumph than hostile invasion The Kiâ—g being shut up from him and immured in the Castle the Duke by a publick writing at the Market Places gave out high Demands That King Iames should perform what he had covenanted with his Brother King Edward That he should give satisfaction for the damage done the English during the last inroads of the Borders which if he refused to accomplish He as Lievtenant to his Brother was to exact of him and take satisfaction of his Countrey denouncing him open war and proclaiming him all Hostility King Iames for saken of his People and wrong'd by his Lords laying aside his Passions and taking to him more moderate and discreet thoughts as a Man in Prison answered nothing to his Demands The Lords who by their Kings misfortune had reckoned their felicity having obtain'd what they chiefly desir'd to obviate the common and last danger the thraldom of their kingdom by these strangers whom they had drawn into the Country for the recovery of their Liberties assemble themselves together at Hadington with some Companies not to fight but to supplicate They sent the Lord Darnley and the elected Bishop of Murray to intreat a suspension of Arms and require a firm and lasting Peace for time to come The beginning of the war and taking of Arms was for the safety of this the neighbour Countrey of England miserably thral'd by a licentious Prince there was nothing more unworthy of a King or Republick than not to keep their promis'd Faith The English could have no colour for executing their indignation further upon this Countrey which already by the rapine of their own Men was impoverish'd and unmanu'd Only now to be recover'd by entertaining Peace with their Neighbours and amongst themselvâ—s They require that the Marriage contracted between the Prince of Rothesay and Lady Cicily King Edwards Daughter might be accomplish'd when it should please the King of England and the age of the two Princes might suffer it For any spoyl taken in these last incursions the interest consider'd upon both sides satisfaction should be given out of the publick contributions The Duke of Glocester as forgetting and seeming not to know the grounds of their coming into the Country and looking to nothing more then his own fame and Glory Answer'd his coming into Scotland was to right the honour of his Country so often violated and to restore the Duke of Albanie unjustly commanded to exile to his own native soyl and the dignity of his Birth as concerning the Mariage of the Prince of Scotland with the Daughter of England He knew not how his Brothers resolution stood at the present whereupon he requir'd repayment of the monies lent to their King upon the first agreement and withall a delivery of the Castle of Barwick up into his hands or if they could not make the Castle to be render'd they should give their oaths upon the holy Evangelists that they should neither assist the besieged nor harm the Besiegers till the Castle were either by force taken or upon fair conditions rendred The Lords having received this answer yielded freely to all the Conditions except they found themselves perplexed in the rendring of Berwick it being a Town of old appertaining to the Crown of Scotland though by force and violence the English had a long time kept it that did not take away their right and title After much contesting agreeing to the surrender of Berwick they desired that the walls of the Town should be demolished that it might not be a place of Tyrannie and incursion over their bordering Countreys No arguments could prevail against the Duke of Gloucesters resolutions and being stronger in power he persever'd in his demans and in â—ll likelihood this was agreeed upon between the Duke of Albany and the confederate Lords and the English before their entring Scotland Thus the Castle and Town of Berwick returned to the English the 24. of August 1482. after it had been delivered by Queen Margarite to gain Sanctuary for her Husband King Henry when expelled England and remained in the possession of the Scots twenty and one years They likewise appointed a day for restitution of all the moneys lent by King Edward and promised upon a full discussion to make satisfaction for all dammages done the English by any in-road of the Scottish Borders For the Duke of Albanies provision whose safety was principally pretended in this expedition a general pardon was promised for him and all â—is followers Together with an abolition of all discontents Whereby he had given unto him the Castle of Dumbar with the Earldoms of Mar and March he should be reinvested in all his former Dignities and Places and by consent of the Nobility of Scotland he was proclaim'd Lieutenant of the Kingdom
hunger and cold at Bâ—rwick he prepareth a retreit towards London When King Iames understood the Duke had repassed the â—weed he encouâ—aged his Army to follow him The Common Souldier was indifferent the Noblemen refuse to fight except upon Scotish ground The King urgeth them with the commodity and advantage of a Revenge of the old wrong of the Duke commanding an Army neither of the Gentry nor many Nobles of England but of Hirelings and presâ—ed Artizans whose number would prove hurtful to themselves and turn them in a disordered confusion They had many daies suffered famine and all necessities of War their vigour and courage was spent that the English fought far off and they at home There wanted not matter to answer but a man to deliver the King an answer generally they refuse to fight To defend the person of their Prince the State and Countrey they would hazard their their lives and if they had any thing more dear If the enemy would stay on Scotish ground they would do their uttermost to make him retire or by main force expel him But to invade England and tempt an Army who not only was retired but returned to their own bounds they neither had so justâ—a quarrel as they wisht nor were they sufficient at that time to pursue them Their proyisions for war were spent the winter approached victuals consumed that despare often turned it self into true fortitude and men in good Order retiring would not be too neer followed that even flying enemies should have Bridges of Gold Now if they were to charge the Enemy they would not have the Kings presence a man young rash valorous upon whose life not onely the glory of the Battel but the life of the Common-wealth depended his two Sons being Lately departed For if the fortune of War brought a period to his life the Crown would remain at the mercy of the Victor that the Kings glory was not little that he had in so short a time with so small forces and these suddenly gathered stop the progress of so mighty an Army which was so long in gathering and boasted of such great matters yet which 〈◊〉 not advance one mile in Scottish ground Whether the English flye or retire they had suffered as much wrong as they had done and now to fight them and that perhaps with disadvantage was to put in hazard what was already acquired The Duke of Norfolk returning to London the King with his Army commeth to Edenburgh which immediatehe disbanded but he forgot not the secret Plot against his Favourites nor the open refusal of his Nobles to fight on English ground as if the Earth were not all one piece and matter and men the destinade inhabitants of it every where the Cardinall David Beatoun Oliver Saintclair Craggyâ— Ross and others adde fewel to these flames Falla-Moor plot mightily inâ—tigating them The King avouched publickly That the Nobility neither loved his honour nor desired his continuance amongst them To cooll these smooking humours and breed in the King fairer hopes of his Nobles the Lord Maxwel offereth giving him ten thousand men to command if the State thought it expedient to invade England at Salloway affirming the State and fortune of those who assail to be better than theirs who are still put to their defence The English forces being divided he doubted not to stay longer on English ground than the Duke had done on the Sootish and to effectuate somthing to the Kings content The King thanking him for his offer appolnteth a Rendezvous to be at the West Marches No proclamations are divulged for the Levies of men but close Letters sent The Cardinal and the Earl of Arran the one a Church-man of a mind above many Nobles the other a Noble-man of an humilitie under any Church-man to give false perspective to those proceedings by sound of Trumpets and beating of Drumms raise men openly march toward Hadingtoun and the East Borders Whilst the Earls of Cassiles Glencarn Lords Flammin Sommervail Arsekin Barons Aytoun Langtoun Ormestoun Waughtoun and many others accompanied with the Kings domestick Servants ride to the West Borders The night before the Road the King himself came to Loch-Maban attending the event of the inâ—ursion Companies comming from all quarters of the Countreys about none knowing of another with the power of the Scotish Borderers pass the Water of Esk burn certain Hamlets of the Grahams on the very limits Sir Thomas Whartoun Warden of these Marches not a little troubled at such a frequent assembly of the Scotish Riders raising the power of the Countrey placeth them by a little hill where he might take a view of their forces in good order with him were Bastard Dacres and Iack Musgrave two valiant Captains The Scotish Lords beholding the English range themselves in a Battallion desire to know the Kings Lieutenant General for now it was to marshall their Companyes and every man to take him to his Charge Presently Oliver Saintclair upon crossed Pikes is mounted the Kings Banner displayed and the Commission read in which he is designed Lieutenant and all commanded in the Kings name to obey and follow him It hath been reported by those who were acquainted with Oliver that the Commission was not read but that at his very sight such a tumult confused clamour and enter shouldering of Male contents arose their rancks were broken the military order turned into a confusion none so repining as the Lord Maxwel and the Borderers Who if he had had patience to have heard the Commission as Oliver protested was Lieutenant and not he whose charge was only to present it The English who now were ready for the Fight observing this disorder take the advantage upon the occasion and brake forwards with a military shout whilst the others are in doubt whether to flee or stand and the Guidiats and Scullons are pesle mesle thronging with the foot Soldiers and they with the Horsemen Here is a general surprize most part willingly rendering themselves to the English without any shew of defence or the slaughter of any person of any side This overthrow proveth that neither arms nor thâ— multitude and numbers of Souldiers without their love and hearts availeth any thing in a Field yea rather they are hurtful the more in number they be if their affection be alienated from their Commanders It is recorded that at this road which was named Solloway-Moss every English had three or four Scots for Prisoners and when their wanted men to take them the women of the neighbouring Hamelet and Boys had Prisoners the Earls of Cassiles and Glencarn the Lords Maxwel Flammin Sommervail Olivant Gray Robert Areskin Son to the Lord Areskin Oliver Saintclain The Lairds of Craggy Aytoun Langtoun Ormestoun Waughtoun many of the Kings Domestick Servants were taken Prisoners brought to London and remained there till after the Kings death The certainty of this voluntary defeat comming to the King at Loch-Maban or Carlawfroke as others so astonished all the powers of
Prior of Crato who claimed the Crown of Portugal to reclaim whose Kingdome She sent the Earl of Essex and Drake or should marry one of them to their neerest Kinswomen and send him armed with power to claim his Title to the Crown of Scotland as King Iames the fourth of Scotland practised upon Perkin Warbeck naming himself Richard Duke of York to whom he gave in marriage Lady Katharine Gordoun Daughter to the Earl of Huntley and thereafter with all his forces to estable his said Ally in his Title invaded England It would be considered whether they had a fair bridge to come over to this Isle It would likewife be considered if the Earl of Strathern though a mean Subject these two hundred years having been debarred from all title to the Crown and now by the indulgency and exceeding favour of the Prince being restored to his descent in bloud and served Heir to his great Progenitors and indirectly as by appendices to the Crown if either out of displeasure or for want of means to mainâ—tain their estates he or his should sell and dispose their Rights and Titles of the Kingdom of Scotland to some mighty and Foreign Prince such as is perhaps this day the King of Sweden who wanteth nothing but a title to invade a Kingdom not knowing whither to discharge his victorions forces It would be considered if that title disposed to that Priuce were sufficient to make him King of Scotland Or if establiâ—hing his right upon fair conditions such as is liberty of conscience absolution and freedom from all taxes and subsidies the transferring of Ward lands into fewd the people of Scotland might give him their Oath of Alleagiance or if he might redact the King of Scotland to give him satisfaction and compound for his right of the Crown of Scotland It would to these be considered If times should turn away the minds of Subjects from their Prince by superstition sedition and absolute Rebellion as what may not befall an inconstant ever wavering Nation to an Aristocratie Oligarchy Democratie or absolute Anarchy If the Rebellious subjects and abused Populace might not make advantage of such Men who draw their titles from Evanders mother to trouble the present times That nothing could be more dangerous to the Nobleman himself than this service may be understood by the like examples Clouis King of France having understood that a Nobleman of Artois named Canacare blown up by Power had vaunted that he was come and lineally descended from Clodion le Chevelu and by that same Succession was heir of the Crown of â—rance closed not his ears to it saies the History but caused extirpate that Sower of impostures and all his Race Henry the fourth King of England after the deposure of King Richard the second kept Edmond Mortimer Earl of March who had a just title to the Crown under such Keepers that he could never do nor attempt any thing till he dyed But Henry the seventh King of England took away Edward Plantaginet Duke of Warwick Heir to George Duke of Clarence by reason of his jealousie of Succession to his Uncle Edward the fourth Margarite Plantaginet his sole Daughter married to Sir Richard Pole knight by Henry the eight restored to the Earldom of Salisbury was attainted threescore and two years after her Father had suffered and was in the Tower of London beheaded in whose person dyed the surname of Plantaginet Anne Plantaginet Daughter to Edward the fourth being marryed to Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norâ—olk was the ground and chief cause wherefore King Henry the eight cut off the head of Henry Earl of Snrrey though the pretended cause whereon he was arraigned was the bearing certain arms of the house of York which only belonged to the King Mary Queen of England cut off the head of Lady Iâ—â—e Gray and the Lord Guilford her Husband for their title to the Crown and that same reason was the overthrow and finall destruction of Mary Queen of Scotland by Queen Elizabeth The Duke of Guise by a Genealogy deduced from Charles the Great in the raign of Henry the third the French King was thought to aspire to the Crown of France and suffered at last for this and his other presumptions It is notoriously known that these two hundred years the Race of Euphane Ross in her children David Earl of Strathern and Walter Earl of Athole and all their Succâ—ssion by all the Kings of Scotland sithence have been ever suppressd and kept under and for reason of State should still be kept low and under unless a Prince would for greater reason of State aduance them to give them a more horrible blow and by suborning mercinary men make them aim above their reach to their last extirpation Dum nesciunt distinguere inter flamma praecipitia Princeps quem persequitur honorat extollit in altum An intended Speech at the West Gate of Edenburgh to King JAMES SIR IF Nature could suffer Rocks to move and abandon their natural places this Town founded on the strength of Rocks now by the chearing Rayes of your Majesties presence taking not only motion but life had with her Castle Temples and Houses moved towards you and besought you to acknowledge her yours and her indwellers your most humble and affectionate Subjects And to believe how many souls are within her circuits so many lives are devoted to your sacred person and Crown And here Sir She offers by me to the Altar of your glory whole Hecatombs of most happy desires praying all things may prove prosperous unto you that every Virtue and Heroick Grace which make a Prince eminent may with a long and blessed Goverment attend you Your Kingdomes flourishing abroad with Bays at home with Olives presenting you Sir who art the strong Key of this little World of Great Britain with those keys which cast up the Gates of her affection and design you power to open all the springs of the hearts of those her most Loyal Citizens Yet this almost not necessary For as the Rose at the fair appearing of the morning Sun displayeth and spreadeth her purpleâ— So at the very noise of your happy return to this your native Countrey their hearts if they could have shined through their brests were with joy and fair hopes made spatious Nor did they ever in all parts feel a more comfortable heat than the glory of your prefence at this time darteth upon them The old forget their age and look fresh and young at the appearance of so gracious a Prince the young bear a part in your Welcom desiring many years of life that they may serve you long all have more joies than tongues For as the words of other nations far go beyond and surpass the affection of their hearts So in this nation the affection of their hearts is far above all they can express by words Daign then Sir from the highest of Majesty to look down on their lowness and embrace it accept
no hope of safety spent all they had in one night So the uncertainty of enjoying and holding what they have for the present drawes the thrifty and unthrifty to one end for no man being sure of Lands less of moneyes every man is turned in a desperate carlessness of his estate As to tell him also about this Subject who is the subject of this Letter the People say Kings seeking Treason shall find Land and seeking Land shall find Treason The denyal of a Princes desire was the destruction of an innocent Naboth the voice of the people should not be kept up from the ears of a Prince As to unfold to a King if Usury be not lawful at all for it is against Nature that money should beget money and not tolerate by the Mosaical Law and in Ezekiel cap. 18. v. 13. it is reckoned amongst the roaring sins such as are Adulterie and bloudshed it being a sin in the persons of subjects it is a greater sin in the person of a Prince for any sin is greater in the person of a Prince then in the persons of subjects As sin was worse and greater in Angels than men Nothing is profitable to a Prince which is not joined with honor and the State of Kings unless it stand in purenes and fidelity it cannot subsist in power As to tell King Charles what a strange thing it is so swear a man for the true value of his own Substance Since the valuing of Subjects Lands and Rents Rents were never less nor the Lands worse a secret scourge of God having followed it the Countrey scarce affording bread to the Labourers of it Remember Davids numbring the people In the times of King Henry the eight Regnante Cardin Volseio this was held uncouth strange and terrible and no wonder if men scare and start at it now under a Prince of so meek a Spirit so innocently good who preferreth peace before war rest before business honesty before profit None of all his kingdome no not one being more holy more chaste nor a better man in whom raigneth shamefastness and modesty and Patience taking all worâ—ly crosses in good part never gaping for glory not thirâ—â—ing after riches but only studying the health of his soul peace of his Kingdomes and how to advice the holy Church and restore her to hâ—r fiâ—st Rents and iâ—tegrity But God knoweth what he hath predestinated and ordained for the Scourge of this Country against whose Ordinance prevaileth no counsel A Priâ—ce should be advertised that the hatred and distast of menâ— present estates and fortunes setteth them on work and maketh them exceeding earnest to seek novations for finding themselves plunged in the beggariâ— of a miserable eâ—tate as many do believe it turneth not them base nor keepeth them under but raiseth in them a mad desire to change thâ—ir for uâ—e and this hath been the ensign of Male-contents to atteâ—pt and enterprize dangerous matters for it hath often been found that nothing hath sooner armed a people than poverty and poverty hath never so often been brought upon a Nation by the unfruitfulness of the Earth by disasters of Seâ—s and other human accidents as by the Avarice of the Officers and Favourites of Princes who are brought foolishly to believe that by tearing of thâ— skins of of the flock they shall turn the Shepheard rich It is no property of a good Shepheard to shear often his flock and ever to milk them Nor is it of a Prince to gall and perpetually aâ—llict a people by a terrible Exchequer Brutorum se Regem facit qui premit suos Now in such Theams it were not evil for a Prince to read Ian Marianai and George Buchanans piece de jure Regni apud Scotos for his own private and the publick good Princes hâ—ve in their actions this disadvantage that in matters of wrong and injuries concerning their Sâ—bjects though thâ—y somtimes suffer by reason of their power being thought stronger they are ever esteâ—med to do the wrong which should move them to abstain from all violent courses and think really their Subjâ—cts losses are their own Ye will then say the case of Princes is pittiful if Writers of infamous Libels be not rigorously punished without all question the Law is just and necessary against them But in some cases good Princes never follow the rigour and extremity of punishment set down by their Laws no not against the naughtiest Subjects and especially when the case concerneth their own particulars There is much to be considered in the convoy of such Libels If they contain Truths there is small wrong in such papâ—rs as to call Mary Magdalen a Sinner Matthew a Publican Thomas a Misbeliever Paul a Peâ—secutor Peter a Denyer of his Master and the rest fugitives from him and these are to be slighted and past over If they contain mixed truths and apparences they may be neglected If they admit no interpretation but true and flat railing then is a Princes patience to be tryed and the Libel to be scorned If they propound novelty and causes of sedition upon apparent grounds they are to be answered and by good reason to be overthrown If they be presented by way of Supplications for redressing of errours in the State it is a question whether they be Libels or not That Supplication of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester to King Henry the sixth of England against the Cardinal of Winchester Archbishop of York may have place amongst Libels for the King is taxed there of notable dotage As that by the counsel of the Cardinal he had set at Liberty the King of Scots suffered his Jewels and houshold-stuff to be sold granted the Cardinal a Charter of Pardon for taking up his Rents which were sufficient to have maintained the wars in France many years The setting of the Duke of Orleance at liberty against the Duke of Burgundy the great friend of the English and many other points Yet this being done by way of Supplication for redress of wrongs in the State he was not threatned for perhaps verity but remitted to the Council and what for fear and what for favor saith the English History the whole matter was winked at touching the Duke and nothing said against the Cardinal Miseria summa ubi de injuria conqueri pro delicto habetur These who set their Prince on work to follow and persue such an idle piece of Paper if they had fair Judges and powerful enemies neer the Court may themselves be brought within compass of that same punishment which they would have laid upon others as Perillus was brought to take an Essay of his own brazen Bull for no better are they which relate divulgate and are occasioners to have infamous Libels published than they which write them And these men have done what in them lay to make that Paper publike and have recorded in the Annals of this Kingdom to all ages what should have been smothered in the darkest pits of Oblivion They have often
were spent in light skirmishes and incursions and Thomas Randolph obtained the battel called the White and quieted the English Robert this time of Repose conven'd the Nobles intending to determine the rigâ—â— of inheritances which many men had unjustly usurped in the times of Rapine and Licence This brooded a Conspiracy which â—eing detected a meeting was appointed at Perth where by the Conviction of their own Papers many were executed some pardon'd but none drew more pitty from the Beholders than David Brechin the Kings Sisters Son whose acquaintance not concurrence with the Plot was only Criminal From whence we may consider That to be a Traytor is not actually to engage in Treason but to conceal it is to foment it for if in private Friendships it is infidelity not to reveal a danger to a friend it holds stronger as to the Magistrate who is not only our Common Friend but our Parent and Tutor since the seeds of all Treasons like them of Vegetables lurking quiâ—tly and arising fruitfully being cunningly manured do by the Co-operation of bad influâ—nces grow up into poisons and threaten destruction where as the Sovereign Power enlivening and peiroing all cherishes the more Noble things and only discovers the imperfection of the meaner In the mean time a Legate comming from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See whose force even that age had wit enough to discern to threaten them into a peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marcht as far as Stainmore The K. of England in revenge raises an Army so potent and powerful that it might be supposed they came for absolute victory not uncertain hazard Robert therefore like a wise Captain considering that it was Stratagem not force that must preserve him safe from so great a storm caused all the Cattel to be carryed into the avious retreats of the Hills lest they might be serviceable to the Enemy who confident of their strength peirced Scotland and endeavoured to draw him and his Forces out of their Holes But having wasted all about sparing only Churches and wanting Victuals were forced to retire Bruce knowing this disorderly retreat pursues them as far as York and by a great defeat was Master of their Baggage and some Considerable Prisoners the great occasion of which was imputed to Sir Andrew Barcley Earl of Carlisle who was therefore degraded This begat two Embassyes one to the Papacy for a Reconciliation to it and the other to France for a Renovation of the old League both which were obtained with equal easiness with this addition to the latter That the King of France should be Umpire in controversies concerning the Crown of Scotland About these times saies Excellent Buchanan the Family of the Hamiltons since so great in Scotland and pernicious to England took their rise one of them upon a Quarrel and murder of an English Gentleman flying to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day the Spensers upon whose account this quarrel arose were soon after discomposed and ruined and Edward himself dethroned and as is said murdered at Pontfract Castle by means of his wife and Edward his Son succeeded the III. of that name Bruce in the mean time composing himself to the cares of Peace by Act of Parliament settles the Inheritance of the Kingdom upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stuart his Grandchild by his Daughter and for preventing any pretences of Baliol being then old and miserable in France a full release of all his Claim 1320. but the active young Edward filling them with the terrour of a new Bruce repaired the defects of his age and travels by substituting Thomas Randolph his Vice-Roy whom with Iames Dowglas he sent with a flying Army of Horse into England the better to elude the prevailing force they were to expect and it happened accordingly for after tedious Marches and hardships on both sides they parted without a stroke saving onely that Dowglas with two hundred Horse beat up the Quarters of the English Camp and cut as is said two Ropes of the Kings Tent and made a good Retreat this begat a Truce for three years and afterwards 1328. a dishonorable Concession in a Parliament at Southampton of all the Scotish privileges and independencyes of that Crown for which some after smarted with the Concession of some Counties and Rendition of Monuments the Scots paying thirty thousand Marks Bruce finding himself wasted by age and toil left the Tuition of the Nonage of his Son to Randolph and Dowglas retiring himself to the Abby of Kilross confirming the Settlement of the Kingdom upon his Son David then 8 years old and Stuart as he had done before leaving these three Counsells behind him Illustrious Spirits that have long moved in great Orbs being best measured when they are falling below their Horizon 1. Not to let any man solely command the Aebneae 2. Never to put all their Strength at one hazard with the English 3. Never to make long Truces with them The first being to be feared by their power at Sea The second for the Fertility Power and Numbers of the English The third to prevent the Enervation of a long Peace Thus he dyed leaving Charge with Dowglas to convey his heart to the Holy Land whither himself had designed an Expedition but Dowglas assisting them of Arragon against the Saraâ—ens was there cut to pieces Thus ended the reign of Robert Bruce 1330. A Prince that mounting the Throne over the Carcasses of his neerest kindred encountring with the greatest difficulties and calamities of a Countrey opprest by powerful and martial Enemies bravely struggled with the disadvantages and left behind him the Character of a great Captain and a prudent Prince and such an one as whose Reputation relies upon his single virtue unlesse you will say he had the assistance of the heads and hands of his Counsellors and Captains yet even in the chusing of One and the obeying the Other it must be confest he was a man excellently squared out for Government and a man the most fit to arrest our Conquests in that Nation Yet by the way we shall take up one Remark How much the fortune and reputation of any people depends upon the Conduct of their Supreme Governour and we cannot have better instance than by reflecting upon the preceding History Edward I. worthily called Coeur de Lion brought them in their greatest power upon their knees His Son an effeminate and weak Prince enchanted with Flatteries and lost in Sofâ—ness could not preserve an acquired Dominion but lost it with ignomâ—ny His Son for a time which we must call his pupillage of War he did such wonders afterwards was unsuccessful and all this through the Opposition Courage and Conduct of one unfortunate person And indeed upon survay of all Histories we shall find that the ability and excellency of the Prince hath been
possibly best to be considered in the Negative We find many things done by his Captains not by him which notwithstanding we may rather attribute to the stirring and violent humour of that age than either his age want of Genius or love of quiet yet herein appears somewhat of his Character that meeting with turbulent times and a martial people he met not with any Insurrections and was a gainer and though he did it by other hands we must suppose that their Motions were directed by his Brain that communicated Motion and Spirits unto them since the Minds of Kings like the first Mover turn all about yet are not perceived to move and it was no humane wit said their hearts were unscruitable The same year his Eldest Son Iohn 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 fancying somewhat of the felicity of the two former Roberts was crowned King by the name of ROBERT the III. This man being unactive the weight of the Government rested upon his Brother Robert The first seven years of his Reign past in a calm with England by reason of two Truces but not without some fierce fewds among his Subjects one whereof was very memorable between Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and Iames Lindsay Earl of Crawford and was most high insomuch that seeing the difficulty of reducing them he resolved to make this proposition to them That 300. of each side should try it by dint of Sword before the King the conquered to be pardoned and the Conquerour advanced This being agreed on a place was appointed on the Northside of St. Iohnstons but when they came to join battel there was one of one side missing whom when his party could not supply and none would relinguish the other a Tradesman stept out and for half a French Crown and promise of maintenance for his life filled up the company The fight was furious but none behaved himself more furiously than the Mercinary Champion who they say was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side there remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the shock of the other threw himself into the Tey and escaped By this means the fiercest of two Clanns being cut off the remainder being headless 1398. were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes a title then first brought into Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of whose reign though the Truce was not ended the seeds of War began to bloom out and upon this occasion George Earl of March had betroathed Elizabeth his Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Dowglas not brooking this gets a vote of Parliament for revocation of this mariage and by the power of Robert the Kings Brother made a mariage between Mary his Daughter and David and giving a greater sum got it confirmed in Parliament The Earl of March nettled at this demands redress but being not heard leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Peircey an utter Enemy of the Dowglasses wasts March and especially depradating the lands of the Dowglasses The Scots declare the Earl of March an enemy and send to demand him up of the English who deny to surrender him This made Hot-spur Peircey and March make several incursions into Scotland till at last they were repulsed at Linton-Bridge by the Dowglasses 1400. This was about the year four hundred at which time War was denounced and the English entered with a great Army took Haddington and Lieth and laid siege to Edenburgh Castle David the Kings Son being within it which the new Governour ambitiously delaying to relieve the English satisfyed with the terrour they brought retired again After which March did not cease his little incursions which to be revenged of Dowglas divided his forces into two Squadrons the first to Halyburton who returned from Barmborough with some prey the second and greater to Patrick Hepburn who unwarily roving with his prey was set on by the English and with all the youth of Lothian put to the Sword To revenge this Dowglas gets together 10000. men and passing beyond Newcastle met with young Peircey c. who at Homildon a little village in Northumberland in the year 1401 gave him and his Party such a considerable defeat as Scotland had not receiv'd the like for a long time This put Peircey in hopes to reduce all beyond the Fryth but the troubles at home withdrew him from that design By this Annabel the Queen dying David her Son who by her means had been restrained broke out into his natural disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and Luxury Complaint being brought to his Father he commits him to his Brother the Governor whose secret design being to root out the off-spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Falkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one woman thrusting in some thin Oaten Cakes at a chink another giving him milk out of her papps through a Trunck But both these being discovered the youth being forced to tear his own members dyed of a multiplied death which murder being whispered to the King and the King enquiring after it was so abused by the false representations of his Brother that grief and imprecations was all the Relief he had left him as being now retired sickly to Bote-Castle and unable to punish him The King being solicitous of Iames his younger Son is resolved by the example of the good usage of David to send him to Charls the sixt of France having taken Shipping at the Basse as he past by the Promontory of Flamborough whether forc'd by tempest or that he was Seasick he was forced to land taken by the English and detained notwithstanding the allegation of a Truce of eight years and his Fathers Letters And though it came to the Privy-Council to be debated yet his detention was carried in the Affirmative This advantage he had by his Captivity that he was well and carefully educated but the News so struck his Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried into his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and sorrow he shortned his life three daies longer viz. to the first of April 1406. â—e was a man of a goodly and a comely personage one rather sit for the tranquillity of a private life than the agitations of Royalty and indeed such an one whose Reigns do little else but fill up Chronologies with the number of their years Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour a man of parts able enough for that employment but a man of such a violent and inveterate ambition as would sacrifise any thing to make it fuel to it self Soon
after March and Dowglas were reconciled In the year 1411. Donald the Islander Lord of the Budae enters Ross as his pretended inheritance with ten thousand men and easily reduced it and flushed by this goes to Murrey which being strengthless he easily mastered and pass'd spoiling into Bogy and approached Aberdeen To stop this â—orrent Alâ—xander Earl of Mar followed by most of the Nobility met him at Harley a Village beyond Tey where they joined in so bloody a Battel and lost â—o many Noble and Considerable Persons that though Night parted them neither could pretend to the Victory To this year doth the University of Saint Andrews ow its rise The next ten years nothing was done between the Scotch and English Henry the V. succeeding his Father and being wholly intent for France there was little to do between the two Nations unless some small incursions 1419. In the year 1419. auxiliaries were sent into France and employed in Turain but they making merry in the Easter-Holidaies the Duke of Clarence being informed thereof marches with a party to them but notwithstanding finding a stout repulse was himself with many of his Souldiers slain Whilst this happens in France in the year 1420. Robert the Governour dies and Mordack his Son a Sot was put in his place which he was so fit for that he could not govern his three Sons which was the cause of the Fathers and their ruines This Domestick Change called home the Forces employed in France but things being settled others went in their places Henry of England hearing of the Death of Clarence made Iohn Duke of BEDFORD his Vice-Roy himself intending to follow and carry JAMES of Scotland along with him the better either to winn or suspend the hearts of the Scots but it was in vain for they said they would not obey a man that had not his own Liberty Much action past afterwards between them and the English but we hasten to close with the Author MORDACK as it hath been said being Governour having neglected all Discipline at home suffered his Sons to come to that petulancy that they were not only offensive to all 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 snatch'd it out of his Fathers hand and wrung off her neck which his Father being angry at Well saies 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 which was after Ordered at an Assembly at Perth and an honourable Embassy sent into England With which this Author begins his History and we conclude this petty Labour The succeeding part which is to continue where he leaves is expected to be worthily performed by Mr. Saunderson and the precedent by the ingenious and learned Mr. Christopher Irwin But because we have made a part of promise to say somewhat of the Author who hath left himself the memory of an ingenious man by the things we have of his and for that it is but too common ingratitude to leave us better acquainted with the thoughts of men than with their persons and qualities many excellent Spirits leaving only their Spiritual parts behind them and little of their Corporal but their names we shall set down in brief what we understand concerning him WILLIAM DRUMMOND was the Son of Sir JOHN DRUMMOND and was born in the year 1585. and was brought up in Edenburgh where having past through his course of Philosophy he took the Degree of Master of Arts and in the year 1606. went into FRANCE to study the Lawes as a way to raise him to preferment at Court But his wit being of a greater delicacy could not engage on the toyls and difficulties of that study as being wholly enclined to ease and retirement and a prosecution of the easier and softer entertainments of the Muses In this humour for he was especially addicted to POETRY having for that pâ—rpose sufficiently mastered the GREEK LATINE FRENCH SPANISH and ITALIAN Tongues as may appear by all his things of that nature lived retiredly with his Brother-in-Law till he was five and fourty years of age at which time he unexspectedly maried MARGARITE LOGANE a younger Daughter of the House of RESTELRIG He was not more retired in his Person than careless of his Fame all his Poems being printed in loose sheets and only addressed to his Friends Yet though he retreated from all the World yet he was still found out for all Learned and men of Quality gave him his due respect As for his own Countrey-men the Earl of STERLIN LEOCHEM and Doctor JOHNSON Besides though he were little in ENGLAND yet DANIEL DRAYTON and JOHNSON visit him by their Letters and testifyed their esteem of him All that we have of him is this Book and his Poems of which when they are to be published you all have have better information In this manner be continued a harmless and a virtuous life till in the year 1649. he was summoned to pay his great debt to Nature having left a little before his death a quantity of books to the Library of Edenburgh Having premised thus much to satisfy the Reader as worthy to be foreknown though I have had little encouragement for my pains I shall cease being ingenious in another mans book and attend the restitution of that without which my self cannot subsist From my Chamber Ian. 24. 1654 5. IAMES I KING OF Scotes AnoÌ„ 1424. R Gaywood fecit THE HISTORY OF THE Reign of Iames the first KING of SCOTLAND THE Nobles of Scotland being wearied with the form of their present Government for though they had a King they enjoyed not the happiness of his sway by his restraint afar off under the power of a Stranger some of them were possâ—ssed with hopes by the change of the Head to find a change in the Body of the State and a flow of their ebbing Fortunes the Church-men and the Geâ—try having ever continued loyall and well-affected to the Lawful Heir of the Crown the Commons men delighting in Novations and ordinarily preferring uncertainties things unseen and to come to what for the time they did hold and enjoy the Governor of the Kingdom also himself iâ—ritated by the misdemeanour of his Children and forecasting the danger he might be plunged into if the States should purchase the recovery of their King he not complying to their Design all unanimously and together determine without longer prolongings to work the delivery of their Native Prince IAMES forth of England where he had been detained eighteen years as a Prisoner They who were chosen and got Commission to negotiate his Liberty were Archembald Earl of Dowglass Son to Archemâ—ald Duke of Turrain William Hay Constable of the Realm Alexander Irwin of Drumm Knight Henry Lightoun Bishop of Aberdeâ—n Alexander Cornwall Arch-Dean of Lothian These comming to London were graciously received by the State and severally
followers not onely granting pardons but forgetting the offences knowing it was better to heal and cure the faulty and sick members of a State then to abolish and cut them away and more valor for a Prince to overcome his own passions and just wrath then to vanquish and subdue his proudest enemies yet was not his clemency a soft weakness it being no less cruelty to forgive all then to spare none but an order and discretion in Justice temperate with severity towards some more then towards others according to their demerits He was very sensible of the afflictions of such as were distressed as witness the Countesses of Douglas and Ross His life having set in the Orient of his Age and hopes he deserveth in the Records of Memory and Fame a place amongst the best but unfortunate Princes He had Issue of his Queen Iames who succeeded Alexander Duke of Albany Iohn Earl of Mar Margaret Countess of Arrain by the Boyd and after Lady Hamilton Cecily He was buried with all Funeral-pomp within the Monastery of Holyrood-house at Edinburgh Iames. III. king of Scots AnoÌ„ 1460 R. G. fecit THE HISTORY OF THE Reign of Iames the third KING of SCOTLAND THE Queen having tidings of the disaster of her Husband full of griefs and cares with her Son came to the Army at Roxburgh and the publick loss being revealed for till then it was whispered with more then a masculine courage caused give new and desperate assaults to the Castle many Turrets being shaken some Gates broken parcels of walls beaten down the Mines ready in diverse quarters to Spring the besieged ignorant of the Assailars misfortune and by the dissention of their Countrey-men from all hopes of relief treat upon a surrender conditions being obtained peaceably to depart with their lives and goods the Fortress is given up and shortly after that it should not be a Residence of oppression in following times is demolished and equall'd with the ground Many of the three Estates being here assembled the Times not suiting with other Solemnities at Kâ—lso the Peers of the kingdom in a Military Pomp set the Crown upon the head of the King then some seven years old and give him their Oath of Fidelity At their coming to Edinburgh the education and governance of him and the other Children is committed to the Queen their Mother the Credence of what could make for Peace at home or War abroad is trusted to Andrew Stuart Lord Annandale the Lord Cassils Earl of Orknay the Lord Boyd Chancellor the Lord Grahame the Bishops of St. Andrews Glasgow and Dunkel the Civil Wars increasing in England the Governors of Scotland under colour of preserving the bordering Countreys sent forth some Companies which upon occasions made Roads in Northumberland and threw down all the Fortresses out of which Incursions were wont to be made upon the Scottish bounds most especially the Castle of Wark after which ravaging the Winter recalled them home The milder parts of the Kingdom reduced to order Some turbulent Chiefs of the Mountainers taking the occasion of the Non-age of the King and of Rumors of Dissentions amongst the Governors essay to trouble the Peace of their far and wilde Countreys Allan Lord of Lorn throweth his eldest Brother in close Prison with intention to rob him of his Life and Estate but he after is surprized by the Earl of Argile Donald of the Isâ—es taketh the Castle of Innerness and placing there a Garrison proclaimeth himself King of the Isles compelling the neighbour Towns and simpler sort of people to pay him Taxes At the Rumor of this insolency all wicked Out-Laws resort unto him by whose power he invadeth the Castle of Blair in Athole out of which the Earl the Kings Uncle with his Lady once Countess of Dowglass flie and take Sanctuary in the Church of St. Bride where the Church about them set on fire they were irreligiously taken and transported to the Island Ila Whilst the Governors were raising an Army and advancing such forces as were in readiness against the Actors of these mischiefs they were ascertained that as these Savages were lanching forth of that Island in their VVherries and small Vessels made of boards and wicker by a violent tempest from Heaven the most part of them were dashed against the rocks and drowned and those who had escaped were strucken with Pannick fears and deprived of their right judgments and understandings an ordinary accident to men blinded with Superstition and guilty of Murther and Sacriledge amidst which distractions the Earl of Athole with his Lady was safely returned to his own Castle MARGARET Queen of England after the second overthrow and taking of her Husband at Northampton with the Prince her Son and the new Duke of Somerset having fled to the Bishoprick of Durham whilst Richard Duke of York was establishing his Title and right to the Crown at London raised in the North of Scots and English a strong Army which marched towards York the Duke of York leaving the King in the Custody of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick though he knew himself inferior in power and number to his enemies by the pride of his former Victories and over-weening of his Souldiers valor with Edmund Earl of Rutland his yonger Son the Earl of Salisbury and others rencountreth her at Wakâ—field-Green and here by his own rashness with his Son yong Rutland he is killed The Earl of Salisbury is taken and with other Prisoners beheaded at â—romfret Caâ—tle their heads were fixed upon Poles about the Walls of the City of York that of the Dukes was mocked with a Paper Crown and exposed to the barbarous mirth of the beholders The Queen encouraged by this Victory desiring to disannul all Actâ— made lately in prejudice of her Husband marcheth couragiously towards London In which time Edward Earl of March Son to the late Duke of York overthrew the Earls of Pembrook and Ormond both of the Queens Faction at Mortimer-Cross in her way to London the Queen meeting the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Norfolk at St. Albans who carryed King Henry her husband along with them overthrew them and recovered the person of her King It is observed that Victory always fled from where this King was present The Citizens of London at the approach of the Queens Army fearing Hostility shut their Gates against her and armed for resistance At this time Edward Earl of March having joyned his 〈◊〉 Army with the remainder of the Earl of Warwicks entred in triumph the City of London and with great applause and acclamations of the people was proclaimed King Queen Margaret and her Faction retiring to the North waâ— so the hearts of that people that they gathered an Army able to stand for her defence consisting of Threescore thousand fighting men Edward Earl of March choosing rather to provoke then expect his enemies advanced towards them the place of their meeting was between Caxton and Tewton In this fight the Earls of
calamity of his house the weakness of his friends at Court and the many snares envy and malice had laid to surprise him he hoisted â—ails and with her who would be partaker of all his misfortunes returned to Denâ—mark from Denmark by Germany he came to King Lovys in France who interposed his requests to King Iames for his regress and restoring but the Letters in his favour producing no effects Charles Duke of Burgundy making war against his Rebel Subjects he was graciously received by him and entertained as his Ally his Lady remained at Antwerp where she bore him two children Iames and Gracile 1469. Lady Margaret the 10. of Iuly 1469. or after others 1470. maketh her entry into Edenburgh and scarce having attained the sixteen yeer of her age is married to King Iames in the Abby Church of Holy-rood house and in the moneth of November following by a convention of the three Estates was Crowned Queen The King in exorable in the behalf of the Earle of Arran and breathing his total Ruine sendeth Letters to Antwerp filled with promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland These at the first prevailed nothing with this Lady to make her forsake the husband of her youth many letters and from several friends and well-wishers in several fashions and stiles coming to her at last she was brought to believe her presence would mollifie the minde of her enemies and work her husband a re-establishment of his former favors with the King her brother and restore him to all his possessions and dignities Upon which hopes she comes to Scotland But these hopes proved all false for in stead of having access to her brother she is kept at Kilmarnock the chief house of the Boydes as in a free prison and her husband is summoned within threescore dayes to adhere to his wife under pain of Divorce the unfortunate Earle for fear of his head not appearing his marraige is declared null his wife is divorced from him and is constrained by her brother to marry Iames Lord Hamilton to whom also the Earledome of Arran was given for Dowry Not long after her two children to Earle Thomas Iames and Gracille are brought to Scotland who in the proceeding of time proved little more fortunate then their father for Iames was slain by Hugh Montgomry of Eglinton and Gracille though first marryed to the Earle of Cassiles and after to the Lord Forbess was barren Some have recorded that the Earle Thomas after this violent bereaving him of his wife dyed of displeasure at Antwerp and had a Tomb raâ—sed over him with an honorable Inscription by Charles Duke of Burgundy others who hate the Boydes tell he dyed not at Antwerp but at Florence and that he was killed by a Merchant of Florence out of jealousie of having abused his wife Queen Maragret the third yeer after her marriage in the month of March brought forth a son who was named Iames and Christern King of Denmark to congratulate the happy delivery of his daughter and of expectation of a continued succession to the Crown of Scotland of his Race released all the right title claim which he or his successors might have to the Isles of Orkenâ—y Scythland The King calleth after a Parliament at Edenburgh wherein though the Reformation of abuses as wearing of silk and other foraign triffles the building of Ships and enacting Laws for the present time were pretended a liberal Subside was the greatest aime His Exchequer being empty and many of his best friends turning necessitous and needy Iohn Lord of the Isles was attainted for his own and his Father misdemeanour the King raiseth forces to pursue him the Earle of Crawford being made Admiral the Earle of Athole the Kings Uncle Lieutenant of the Regiments by land such means in a short time was used by the Earle of Athole that the Lord of the Isles submitted himself to the Kings elemency and in a convention of the States at Edenburgh he resigned all the right he had to the Earledome of Ross the lands of Knap-den and Kintyre which the King annexed to the Crown Patrick Graham Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews having at Rome understood the fall of the Boydes returneth to his own countrey where first amongst his friends and the most peaceable sort of the Clergy he divulgateth the Bull of the Pope for his supremacy over the other Churchmen of the Kingdome and his power of their tryal and promoting to benefices and after caused proclaim it at all publike places The laudable Elections anciently used about the Places and Offices of Churchmen by the corruption of the times being taken away and that Power altogether assumed by the King The Courtiers who were accustomed to sell Benefices and the Churchmen who were wont to buy them reject the Bull and set themselves against him by their traffick he is discharged to take the Place or Ornaments of an Archbishop or carry any other Cross or Cap then what the former Bishops used to have But here they set not up their rest William Schevez a man in those times admired for his skil in Astrology and promoted to be Arch-Dean of Saint Andrews seconded by Iohn Lock the Rector of that University a better Grammarian then Christian excommunicates this Archbishop for his presumption and that he sought to bear rule over his Brethren Bishops When this censure had passed upon him he is degraded and shut up in Prison William Schevez is after promoted to his place and consecrated upon the Passion Sunday in Lent at Holy-rood house the King being present he likewise receiveth the title and faculty of Legate and is confirmed Primate of the Realm notwithstanding the impediments objected to Patrick Graham by the Church-men concerning that same dignity and preheminencie So various and deceitful are the wayes of Men. The King being slow to action and more inclined to a solitary form of life then to travel and business his brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless Spirits to whom publike like imployments were recreations and withall being ambitious prodigal desirous of Rule and to be Governors of the people themselves and Kings in fact how ever their elder brother was in title they set themselves altogether to study novations and bring the King in contempt with his subjects and divert their minds and love towards him To this effect they had drawn by their towardness and familiarity many of the young Nobles and Gentlemen to follow them The King was obnoxious to some publike scandals for by his too great frugality care to increase his Treasure and study of purchasing by taxations sale of Church Benefices and too exact taking up of fines supervaluation of Wards he had gotten the Name of covetous and was not small distast amongst the Commons Edward King of England that the Scots by the instigation of the French should not trouble his new and scarce settled government imploying all his counsels and diligence to divide them amongst themselves
execute that Tragedy making report to the Tyrant that he had performed his command for both Brethren was saved and with speed and secrecy convoyed to Tourney there conceal'd and brought up by his Fathers Sister Margarite Dutchass of Burgundy Nhat King Iames should acknowledge this for Truth and friendly assist this young Man who was that very Richard Duke of York to recover his inheritance now most unjustly usurped and Possessed by Henry Tuder Earl of Richmond That the right of Kings extended not onely to the safe preservation of their own but also to the aid of all such Allies as change of time and State hath often hurled down from Crowns to undergo an exercise of sufference in both fortunes and Kings should reposses Kings wrongfully put from their own As his Predecessors to whose royal vertues he was heir had repossessed Henry the sixth King of England spoiled of his Kingdom and distressed by which Charity obliging all virtuous Princes unto him he should find ever as his own Maximilian of Bohemia Charles of France and Margarite Dutchâ—ss Dowager of Burgundy King Iames graciously receiving this young man told him That whatsoever he were he should not repent him of putting himself into his hands and from that time forth though many gave Informations against him as a Counterfeit entertained him every way as a Prince embraced his quarrel and seiling both his own eyes and the eyes of the world he gave consent that this Duke should take to wife Lady Katherine Gordoun daughter to the Earl of Huntley which some thought he did to increase the Factions of Perkins in England stir the discontented Subjects against King Henry and to encourage his own Subjects to side on his quarrel Not long after in person with this Duke of York in his Company who assured him of powerful assistance he entered with an Army into Northumberland but not one Man comming to side with them the King turned his enterprize into a Road and after he had spoiled the Countrey returned into Scotland It is said that Perkin acting the part of a Prince handsomely where he saw the Scots pillaging and wasting of the Countrey came to the King and in a deploring manner requested him to spare his afflicted people that no Crown was so dear to his Mind as that he desired to purchase it with the blood and ruin of his people whereunto King Iames answered he was ridiculously careful of an interest another man possessed and which perhaps was none of his The King of England who delighted more to draw treasure from his people than to hazard the spilling of their blood to revenge the predatory war of the Scots and find out Perkin requireth a subsidy of his Subjects and though few believed he would follow so far a flying Hart he was levying a puissant Army No sooner this Subsidy began to be collected amongst the Cornish-men when they began to grudge and murmur and afterwards rebelled which when it was understood of the King he retained the forces raised for his own service and use In the mean time dispatching the Earl of Surrey to the North to attend the Scots incursions whilst the Cornish-men are in their March towards London King Iames again entered the Frontiers of England with an Army and besieged the Castle of Norham in person But understanding the Earl of Surrey was advancing with greater forces loaden with spoil he returned back again the Earl of Surrey finding no Enemy sat down before the Castle of Aytoun which he took and soon after returned into England the cold season of the year with the unseasonableness of the weather driving away time invited a Treaty of Peace on both sides Amidst these turmoyls and unprofitable incursions of the two Kingdoms Ferdinando and Isabella of Spain sent one Peter Hialas to treat a marriage between Katherine one of their Daughters and Arthur Prince of Wales This allyance being agreed upon and almost brought to perfection King Henry desirous of quietness and to have an end of all Debates especially these with Scotland communicateth his intentions to Hialas a man wise and learned and whom he thought able to be employed in such a service for it stood not with his Reputation to sue unto his enemy for Peace But Hialas a stranger unto both as having Direction from his Master for the Peace of Christian and Neighbor Princes might take upon him this reconciliation Hialas accepteth the Embassage and comming to King Iames after he had brought him to hearken to more safe and quiet Counsels wrote unto King Henry That he hoped that Peace might easily be concluded if he would send some wise and temperate Counsellour of his own that might treat of the Conditions Whereupon the King directeth the Bishop of Duresm Richard Fox who at that time was at his Castle of Norham to confer with Hialas and they both to treat with some Commissioners deputed from King Iames. The Commissioners of both sides meet at Iedbrough and dispute many articles and conditions of Peace Restitution of the spoils taken by the Scotish or dammages for the same is desired but that was passed as a matter impossible to be performed An enterview in person at Newcastle is desired of both Kings which being referred to King Iames his own arbitrement he is reported to have answered that he meant to treat a Peace and not go a begging for it The breaking of the Peace for Perkin Warbeck is highly aggravated by the Bishop and he demanded to be deliver'd to the King of England That a Prince should not easily believe with the common people that Perkin was a fiction and such an one that if a Poet had projected the figure it could not have been done more to admiration than the house of York by the old Dutchess of Burgundy Sister to Edward the fourth having first raised Lambert Simnel and at last this Perkin to personate Kings and seduce the people His birth education not residence in any one place proved him a Pageant King that he was a reproach to all Kings and a person not protected by the Law of Nations The Bishop of Glasgow answered for his Master That the love and Amity grounded upon a Common cause and universal conclusion amongst Kings to defend one another was the main foundation upon which King James had adventured to assist Edward Duke of York that he was no competent Iudge of his title he had received him as a Suppliant protected him as a person fled for refuge espoused him with his Kinsewoman and aided him with Arms upon the belief that he was a Prince that the People of Ireland Wales and many in England acknowledged him no less than their King whether he were so or not sith for a Prince he had hitherto defended him he could not leave him upon the Relation of his most terrible Enemy and the present Possessour of his Crown That no Prince was bound to render a Subject to another who had come to him for Sanctuary less a
Marches in Revenge of accumulated injuries with three thousand men invadeth the English Borders burneth some Villages and forrageth the Fields about But having divided his forces and sent a part of them loaden with spoils towards Scotland he falleth in an ambush of the English where Sir William Bulmure with a thousand Archers put him to flight and took his Brother George During these border incursions the Lord Dacres and Doctor West came as in an Embassy from England not so much for establishing a Peace and settling those tumults begun by the meeting of Commissioners who assembled and concluded nothing as to give their Master certain and true Intelligence of the Proceedings of the Scots with the French and what they attempted Monsieur de la Motte was come with Letters from the French to stir King Iames to take arms against the English and had in his voyage drowned three English Ships bringing seven with him as Prizes to the Harbour of Leyth Robert Bartoun in revenge of Andrew Bartouns death at that same time returned with thirteon Vessels all Prizes King Lovys had sent a great ship loaden with Artillery Powder and Wines in whicd Mr. Iames Oguylbuy Abbot of Drybrough arrived with earnest request for the renuing of the antient League between France and Scotland and Letters froom Queen Anne for the invasion of England In which she regretted he had not one Friend nor maintainer of his Honour at the Court of France after the late delay of the sending his Ships except her self and her Ladies that her request was He would for her sake whom he had honoured with the name of his Mistress in his Martial sports in time of peace march but one mile upon the English bounds now in time of an appearing war against her Lord and Countrey The King thinking himself already engaged and interested in his fame drawn away by the promises eloquence and other perswasions of the French assembleth the three Estates of his Kingdom to deliberate about a war with England Many oppose it but in vain for at last for fear of the Kings displeasure it is concluded uncertain whether by a worse Counsel or event But before any hostility against the English they determine and decree that King Henry shall by an Herauld be fairly advertised and desired to desist from any further invasion of the Territories of the French King or Duke of Guilders who was General of the French Army the King of Scotlands Confederates and Kinsemen which not being yielded unto the Warre as lawfull and just shall be denounced Henry the eight then besieging Therovenne answered the Herauld who delivered his Commission That he heard no thing from him but what he had expected from a King a Despiser of Gods and Mans Law for himself he would not give over a War so happily began for any threats Neither did he care much for that Mans friendship of whose unconstancy he had so often had experience nor for the power of his Kingdom and ambitious poverty After this answer of the King of England A Declaration by the King of Scotland was published almost to this sense Though Princes should direct their Actions more to conscience than Fame and are not bound to give an account of them to any but to God alone and when Armies are prepared for Battel they look not so much to what may be said as to what ought to be done th◠〈◊〉 being over thought to have had reason upon their side and the justest cause yet to manifest our sincerity and the uprightness of our proceedings as well to these present times as to posterity who may hereafter enquire after our deportments that all may take a full view of our intentions and courses we have been mov'd to lay down the justness and equity of our Arms before the Tribunal of the World The Laws of Nations and of Nature which are grounded upon the Reason by which Man is distinguished from other Creatures oblige every one to defend â—imself and to seek means for ones own preseration is a thing unblamable bnt the Laws of Soveraignty lay greater Obligations upon us and above all men Monarchs and they to whom God hath given the Governments of States and Kingdomes are not only bound to maintain and defend their own Kingdomes Estates and Persons but to relieve from unjust Oppression so far as is in their power being required their Friends Neighbours and Confederates and not to suffer the weak to be overthrown by the stronger The many Innovations and troubles raised upon all sides about us the wrongs our Subjects have suffered by the insolencies and arrogancy of the Counsellors of Henry King of England our Brother-in-Law are not onely known to our Neighbour but blazed amonst remotest Countreys Roads and Incursions have been made upon our Borders Sundry of our Leiges have been taken and as in a just warr turned Prisoners the Warden of our Marches under Assurance hath been miserably kelled our Merchants at Sea invaded spoiled of their goods liberties lives above others the chief captain of our Ships put to Death and all by the kings own Commission upon which breaches between the two kingdomes disorders and manifest wrongs committed upon our Subjects when by our Embassadours we had divers times required satisfaction and Reparation we received no justice or answer worthy of him or us our Complaints being rejected and we disdainfully contemned that longer to suffer such Insolencies and not by just force to resist unjust violence and by dangers to seek a remedy against greater or more imminent dangers Not to stand to the defence of our Lieges and take upon us their protection were to invite others to offer the like affronts and injuries to us hereafter Besides these Breaches of Duty Outrages Wrongs done unto us his Brother Henry king of England without any just cause or violence offered to him or any of his by the king of France hath levyed a mighty Army against him invaded his Territories using all hostility Continuing to assault and force his Towns make his Subjects Prisoners kill and ransom them impose Subsidies and lift moneys from the quieter sort which wrongs dammage and injustice we cannot but repute done unto us in respect of our earnest intercessions unto him and many requests rejected and that antient League between the two kingdomes of France and Scotland in which these two Nations are obliged respectively and mutually bound to assist others against all Invaders whatsoever that the Enemy of the one shall be the Enemy of the other and the Friends of the one the Friends of the other As all motions tend unto rest the end of a just war being Peace that our Brother who hath no such Enemy as the too great Riches and abundance in which he swimmeth may entertain Peace with his Brother Princes and moderate that boundless ambition which maketh him usurp Dominion over his equals we have been compelled to take us to defensive arms for our Brother hath now declared himself and
if a peace in this mean time were not concluded with England he would the next Summer bring such War-like Briggades of French and Germans that he should not stand much in need of his own Countreymen who had continued so refractory and backward to his designs He demanded from King Francis five thousand German Horsemen and ten thousand foot to be transported to Scotland which with the Scots who would accompany him he thought sufficient to continue a War with England The French could not spare so many men having Wars both with the Emperour and the English but they gave him three thousand Pikes and one thousand Launces The Governour intending to return to Scotland receiving intelligence that the Ports towards the coasts of France were watched by the English to intrap him in his passage bestowed his Ships so covertly here and there in small companies to avoid all suspition of any purpose he had to stir that year as that thereupon the English Fleet under the Conduct of Sir William Fitz-Williams which had attended and waited his comming forth untill the Midst of August brake up and bestowed themselves in convenient Ports against the next spring The Duke then watching opportunity and readily gathering together his dispersed Ships to the number of some fifty Sail imbarked his men at Brest in Bretaign the one and twenty of September and landed at Kirkowbry or the Isle of Arran in the West of Scotland In his company was Richard de la Pool who had been banished England and to his power faithfully assisted the Governour He arrived the same time that Ied-brough was burnt by the English for Thomas Earl of Surrey high Admiral of England the Marquess of Dorset and his Brother with a competent power entring Scotland had burnt many Towns and overthrown Castles aâ—â— Piles At his comming the Duke assembled the Lords at Edenburgh where they agreed that an Army should forth with be gathered and the 28. of October was appointed for their meeting at Dowglas-dale At the day prefixt the Army marched towards Coldstream upon the Tweed Out of this Army the Governoâ—r having selected a number of the hardiest Soldiers of Scots and French and convoying some Artillery over the water under the command of David Car of Farnehast on the last of October they besieged the Castle of Wark which was defended by Edward Lile or Lisle The Assailants upon the outmost Ward continuing their Battery entred by main force the second Ward but being there repulsed and beaten back a great Tempest arising and fearing the swelling of the River of Tweed might cut them off from their Army on the other side they turned back and repassed the Water the Report of the Earl of Surreys forces come to rescue the Castle and lying at Anwick and also perplexed them not a little the Earl of Surrey at his approach finding the Enemy retired to the other side of the River the Castle safe and having no Commission to pass the English marches of to invade Scotland made mo further pursuit In the mean time the Queen who had ever sought to make firm friendship with her Brother and break the amity of France sent to him to yield to a cessation of War hoping in that time to work some agreement between the two Nations Whereunto the King consenting the Governour finding the Scottish Lords averse to his intentions that he was this time served as he had been before they refusing still to enter upon England and that striving would but the more chafe them also condescended Thus a Truce was promised and faithful peace concluded till the last of November being the Feast of St. Andrews the Winâ—er past without any invasion of the English on Scotland or the Scots on England During the time of this Truce many serious consultations were amongst the Lords of Scotland whither it were more fit to continue this War of give it over Many of them held it unreasonable that for the onely pleasure of the French King the Realm of Scotland should suffer any more damage by the continuing of so needless a War and that the Duke of Albany was alwaies set to perform what the French desired not what was expedieut for the Scottish Nation nor what was in their possibility to accomplish Wherefore they wished that their young King now having attained some years of discretion and passing the age of a Child might bear some away in the Government of the Realm Some argued that a King sooner than the Sons of Noblemen went out of the bondage of Tutelage and enjoyed greater immunities his age often being reâ—koned from the time of his conception That the administration and charge of the Kingdom should early be given him that he might with his years grow in the art of Governing Since we find the same to be usual in the perfection of other arts and Sciences Others entertained other thoughts That to a child who could not by the weakness of his judgement discern Right from Wrong the Helm of State should not be trusted and that the Peers of the Kingdom might be challeng'd of dotage by their Neighbor Countreys for giving to a Child the Sword of Justice which he might thrust in their own entrails one day or wound therewith the bosom of the Common-wealth The Governour finding the Lords divided amongst themselves and their reasons averse to his intentions and that not onely the people but the Souldiery were weary of him and had bent their affections upon their young King foolishly preferring the ignorance and simplicity of a child to his prudency experience and long practice of State requested them to give him leave to return to France and to forgive him any errour he had committed which he protested was of ignorance not of malice Having from men distasted with him without any opposition obtained what he required far from any outward shew of inward discontentment or disquieting himself at the ingratitude of some whom he had advanced to Honors he came to Sterlin where after some days stay with the King when he had given him such instructions of State as he was able to understand for he was but then in the thirteenth year of his Age with many tokens of love and demonstrations of sincere affection he took his leave of him and his Ships attending his passage on the West with a great retinue of Scots and French he held his way towards them and recommended himself to the Sea in the Spring time now the third time for France after which he return'd not at all into Scotland He was a Prince adorned with many Virtues Active Couragious Resolute and knew how to use men as they are If he had not been opposed by the Queen and Nobility he was likely to have lost himself and the whole Kingdom or revenged the death of his Cousen His courteous nature went above his ambition he could as well lay down his Honours as he had modestly when they were laid upon him received them Before the Rumor