Enemy When their Camps were near one another Grimus knowing that Malcolm would Religiously observe Asâ—ensiâ—n-day resolved then to attaque him hoping to find him unprâ—pared Malcolm having notice of his Design kept his Men in Arms and thô he did hope well as to the Victory in so good a Cause yet he sent to Grimus to advise him to defer Fighting for that day that so They being Christians might not pollute so Holy a Day with shedding the Blood of their Countrymen Yet he was nevertheless resolved to Fight alleging to his Soldiers That the Fear the Enemy was in thô pretended to be out of Reverence to so Holy a Feast was a good Omen of their Victory Hereupon a fierce and eager Fight began wherein Grimus being forsaken of his Men was wounded in the Head taken Prisoner and soon after had his Eyes put out Insomuch that in a short time out of Grief as well as his Wounds he Dyed in the Tenth Year of his Reign Malcolm carried it Nobly towards the Conquered and caused Grimus to be interred in the Sepulchres of his Ancestors The Faction which followed him he received into his Grace and Favour laying aside the Memory of past Offences Then going to the Assembly of Estates at Scone before he would undertake the Government he caused the Law made by his Father concerning the Succession to the Crown to be publickly Ratified by the Votes of the whole Parliament Malcolm II. The Eighty Third King AT the entrance into his Government he laboured to restore the State of the Kingdom which was sorely shaken by Factions And as he forgave all former Offences to himself so he took care that the Seeds of Faction and Discord amongst all different Parties might also be rooted out After this he sent Governors chosen out of the Nobility into all Provinces Just and Pious Men to restrain the Licentiousness of Robbers who in former times had taken great Liberty to themselves to Steal and Plunder By Them also the Common People were encouraged to Tillage and Husbandry so that Provisions grew cheaper Commerce between Man and Man safer and the publick Peace was better secured Amidst these Transactions Sueno the Son of Harald King of the Danes being banished from home came into Scotland He was oftentimes overcome made Prisoner by and Ransomed from the Vandals and having sought for Aid in vain from Olavus King of the Scandians and Edward King of England at last he came into Scotland and being turned Christian of whom before he was a most bitter Enemy there he received some small assistance and so returned into his own Country from whence soon after he passed over with a great Army into England First he overthrew the English alone and afterwards he had the same Success against them when the Scots assisted them whom he grievously threatned because they would not forsake the English and return into their own Country Neither were his Threatnings in vain for Olavus of Scandia and Enecus General of the Danes were sent by him with a great Army into Scotland They ranged over all Murray killed whomsoever they met took away all they could catch whether Sacred or Prophane at last gathering into a Body they assaulted Castles and other strong Places While they were Besieging these Fortresses Malcolm had gathered an Army together out of the Neighbouring Countrys and pitch'd his Camp not far from them The day after the Scots perceiving the Multitude of the Danes and their Warlike Preparations were struck with great Terrour The King endeavoured to encourage them but to small purpose at last a Noise was raised in the Camp by those who were willing to seem more valiant than the rest and when it was raised others received and seconded it so that presently as if they had been wild they ran in upon the Danes without the Command of their Leaders and rushed upon the points of their Swords who were ready to receive them After the forwardest were slain the rest fled back faster than ever they came on The King was Wounded in the Head and had much ado to be carried off the Field into an adjacent Wood where he was Horsed and so escaped with his Life After this Victory the Castle of Narn was surrendred to the Danes the â—arison being dismayed at the Event of the unhappy Fight yet they put them to Death after the surrender They strongly fortified the Castle because it was seated in a convenient Pass and of a Peninsule made it a convenient Isle by cutting through a narrow Chanel for the Sea to surround it and then they called it by a Danish Name Burgus The other Castles which were Elgin and Foress were deserted for fear of the Cruelty of the Danes The Danes upon this good Success resolved to fix their Habitations in Murray and sent home their Ships to bring over their Wives and Children in the mean time exercising all manner of cruel hardships over the Captived Scots Malcolm in order to prevent their further Progress gathered a stronger and more compact Army together and when they were gone into Marr he met them at a place called Mortlich both Armies being in great fear the Scots being afraid of the Cruelty of the Danes and the Danes fearing the Places which they did not know as being far from the Sea and fit for Ambushes more than their Enemies In the beginning of the Fight the Scots were much discouraged at the Slaughter of Three of their Valiant Worthies viz. of Kennethus Thane of the Islands of Grimus Thane of Strathearn and of Dumbar Thane of Lothian who all fell presently one after another so that they were forced to retreat and to retire into their old Fastness which was behind their backs There fencing their Camp with a Trench Ditch and huge Trees which they cut down in a narrow place they fronted and stopped the Enemy yea they slew some who as if they had fully gotten the Victory did carelesly assault them amongst whom Enecus one of their Generals fell His Loss as it made the Danes less forward to fight so it added Alacrity to the Scots who were crest-fallen before So that almost in a moment of time the Scene was quite altered The Danes were put to flight and the Scots pursued them Olavus the other of their Generals got some to guide him and bent his Course that night towards Murray Though Malcolm knew it yet having slain the forwardest of his Enemies and wounded many more he desisted from following the Chase. When News of this Overthrow was brought to Swain in England he bore it undauntedly and sent some of his old Soldiers and some that were newly come to him from his own Country under Camus their General to recruit his old and shattered Army in Scotland He first came into the Firth of Forth but being hindred by the Country who observed all his Motions from Landing he set Sail and made for the Red-Promontory of
to hear the Complaints of the Poor and as much as he could he would not suffer the Great men to oppress Them But as these Virtues did endear him to the Good so they lessen'd his Authority amongst the Lovers of Sedition so that his Clemency to the Former occasioned the Rage of wicked men against him The beginning of lessening and despising his Government hapned in Loch-Abyr upon the account of one Bancho Thane of that Country a strict Lover of impartial Justice some ill Men not enduring his Severity in Punishments made a Conspiracy against him Plundered him of his Goods and drove him away being wounded and almost dead As soon as ever his Wounds permitted him to endure the jogging of his body he took a Journy and complained to the King the King sent a publick Officer to do Justice upon the Offenders but he was grievously affronted and afterwards slain by them so great Security did they fancy to themselves by reason of the Lenity but as they interpreted it Sloth of a good King The chief of the Faction which raised the Rebellion was named Mac-duald who despairing of Pardon prepares himself for an open War He called in the Islanders to his assistance who were always prone to Sedition and also the forwardest of the Irish in hopes of Prey He told them That under an effeminate and slothful King who was fitter to rule Monks than Warriors there was no fear of Punishment but there might be great hopes of Advantage and that he did not doubt but the Scots who were as it were fettered with the Chains of a Long Peace under the former King when an Alarm was sounded to the War would come in to recover their Ancient Liberty These Exhortations were seconded with a successfull beginning which much heartned the Party There was one Malcolm of the Prime Nobility sent by the King against them with some Forces but his Army was presently overthrown by them and he himself being taken Prisoner had his head cut off by them The King being troubled at this Overthrow called a Council together to consult of what was fit to be done Some were very slow in delivering their Opinions but Mackbeth Kinsman to the King laid the blame of the Misfortune on the Sluggâ—shness of former times withal promising that if the Command or Generalship were bestowed on him and Bancho who was well acquainted with that Country he would quickly subdue all and quiet things This Mackbeth was of a sharp Wit and of a very lofty Spirit and if Moderation had accompanied it he had been worthy of a Command tho' an eminent one But in punishing Offenders he was so severe that having no respect to the Laws he seemed soon likely to degenerate into Cruelty When the chief Command of the Army was conferred upon him many were so terrified that casting aside their Hopes whch they had conceived by reason of the Kings Slothful Temper they hid themselves in Holes and Corners The Islanders and the Irish their Flight being stopp'd were driven into great Despair and in a fierce Fight were every one of them slain Macduala himself with a few others flying into a Neighbour Castle being past all hopes of Pardon redeemed Himself and His from the Opprobriousness of his Enemies by a voluntary death Mâ—ckbeth not content with that punishment cut off his Head and sent it to the King at Perth and hung up the rest of his Body for all to behold in a conspicuous place Those of the Red-shanks which he took he caused to be hanged This Domestick Sedition being appeased a far greater Terror succeeded and seized on him occasioned by the Danes For Sueno the powerful King of the Danes dying left Three Kingdoms to his Three Sons England to Harold Norway to Sueno and Denmark to Canutus Harold dying soon after Canutus succeeded him in the Realm of Scotland Sueno or Swain King of Norway being Emulous of his Brothers Glory crossed the Seas with a great Navy and Landed in Fifâ— upon the Bruit of his coming Machbeth was sent to Levy an Army Bancho the other General staying in the Interim with the King Duncanus or Donald as if he had been rouzed from a fit of Sluggishness was forced to go meet the Enemy They fought near Culross with such obstinate Courage that as One Party was scarce able to fly so the Other had no heart to pursue The Scots who look'd upon themselves as overcome rather by the Incommodiousness of the Place than by the Valour of their Enemies retreated to Perth and there staid with the Relicts of their conquered Forces waiting for the Motions of the Enemy Swain thinking That if he pressed eagerly on them all Scotland would speedily be his Own made towards Perth with all his Forces to besiege Duncan his Ships he sent about by the Tay to meet him there Duncan tho' he much confided in the present Posture of Affairs because Mackbeth was very near him with a new supply of Force yet being counselled by Bancho to piece out his Force by Stratagem he sent Messengers one to Mackbeth to desire him to stop where he was and another to Swain to treat about the Surrender of the Town The Scots desired That upon the Surrender They and Theirs might have Liberty to depart in safety Swain supposing their Request proceeded from the very bottom of Despair would hear of nothing but surrendring at Mercy upon this he sent other Messengers with unlimited Instructions and a Command to delay time in making Conditions who to ingratiate themselves the more told the Norvâ—gians That whilst the Conditions of Peace were propounding and setling their King would send abundance of Provisions into their Camp as knowing That they were not over-plentiful in Victuals That Gift was acceptable to the Norvegians not so much on the account of the Scots Bounty or their own Penury as that they thought it was a Sign their Spirits were cowed out and quite broken Whereupon a great deal of Bread and Wine was sent both Wine pressed out of the Grape and also strong Drink made of Barly-Malt mixed with the â—uice of a Poysonous Herb whereof abundance grows in Scotland called Somniferous Night-shade The Stalk of it is above two Fâ—ot Long and in its upper part spreads into Branches the Leaves are broadish acuminated on the outside and faintly Green The Berrys are great and of a Black Colour when they are ripe which proceed out of the Stalk under the bottom of the Leaves Their Taste is sweetish and almost insipid It hath a very small seed as little as the Grains of a Fig. The Virtue of the Fruit Root and especially of the Seed is Soporiferous and will make men mad if they be taken in too great Quantities With this Herb all the Provision was infected and they that carried it to prevent all suspition of Fraud tasted of it before and invited the Danes to drink huge Draughts thereof
of the Enemies Numbers promised to devote the Village whither he was going to St. Andrew the Apostle the Tutelary Saint of Scotland if he returned Victor from that Expedition After a few Removes he came to the River Spey the violentest Current in all Scotland where he beheld a greater number of Soldiers than he thought could have been levied out of those Countries standing on the other side of the River to hinder his Passage Whereupon the Standard Bearer making an Halt and delaying to enter the River he snatch'd the Standard out of his Hand and gave it to one Alexander Carron a Knight of known Valour whose Posterity had ever afterwards the Honour of carrying the Kings Standard in the Wars and in stead of Carron the Name of Scrimger was given him because he being full of true Valour though ignorant of the Modes and Niceties of War had out-done One who was a Master in handling of Arms and who valued himself highly upon that Account As the King was entring the River the Mitred Priests with their Mitres on their Heads prevented him who by his Permission having passed over to the Enemy before had ended the War without Blood The Nobles surrendred themselves upon Quarter for Life Those who were the most Seditious and and the Authors of the Rising were Tryed had their Goods Confiscated and themselves Condemned to perpetual Imprisonment Peace being thus by his great Industry obtained both at home and abroad he converted his pains to amend the publick Manners for he lived Devoutly and Piously himself and provoked others by his Example to a Modest Just and Sober Life It is thought that he was assisted herein by the Counsel and Monitions of his Wife a choice Woman and eminently Pious She omitted no Office of Humanity towards the Poor or the Priests neither did Agatha the Mother or Christiana the Sister come behind the Queen in any Religious Duty For because a Nuns Life was then accounted the great Nourisher and Maintainer of Piety Both of them leaving the toilsome Cares of the World shut themselves up in a Monastery appointed for Virgins Then the King to the Four former Bishopricks of St. Andrews Gasgow Whithorn and Murthlack where the old Discipline by the Bishops Sloth and Default was either remitted or laid quite aside added That of Murray and Caithness procuring Men Pious and Learned according to the rate of those times to fill the Sees And whereas also Luxury began to abound in those days in regard many English came in and great Commerce was had with Foreign Nations and also many English Exiles were entertained and scatt'red almost all over the Kingdom he laboured though to little purpose to restrain it But he had the hardest Task of all with the Nobles whom he endeavoured to reclaim to the Practice of their ancient Parsimony for they having once swallowed the bait of Pleasure did not only grow worse and worse but even ran headlong into Debauchery yea they laboured to cover that foul Vice under the false Name of Neatness Bravery and Gallantry Malcolm forseeing that such courses would be the Ruin not only of Religion but also of Military Discipline did first of all Reform his own Family very exactly afterwards he made most severe Sumptuary Laws denouncing great Punishment against the Violators of them Yet by those Remedies he rather stopp'd than cured the Disease nevertheless as long as he lived he employed all his endeavours to work a thorough Reform therein It is also Reported That his Wife obtained of him That whereas the Nobles had gradually obtained a Priviledge to lye the first Night with any Married Bride by the Law of Eugenius That Custom should be altered and the Husband have Liberty to Redeem it by paying half a Mark of Silver which Payment is yet called Marcheta Mulierum Whilst Malcolm was thus busied in reforming the publick Manners William King of England dies His Son William Rufus succeeded him Peace could not long be continued between two Kings of such â—ifferent Dispositions For the King of Scots chose that Time to Build two Temples or Cathedrals in one at Durham in England the other at Dumferling in Scotland upon Both which Piles he bestowed great Cost so that he endeavoured to retrieve Church-Affairs which then began to flag and decay And withal he translated Turgot Abbat of the Monks at Durham to the Bishoprick of St. Andrews This he did whilst Rufus was plucking down Towns and Monasteries and making Forests that he might have the more room to hunt in And when Anselme the Norman then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did with freedom rebuke him for the same he Banished him the Land He also sought for an Occasion of War against the Scots And thereupon he surprized the Castle of Alnwick in Northumberland having slain the Garison which was therein Malcolm having demanded Restitution but in vain Besieged the Castle with a great Army They within being reduced to great extremity and want talk'd of surrendring it and desired the King to come and receive the Keys with his own Hand which as he was a doing being tendred to him on the point of a Spear the Soldier run him into the Eye and killed him And his Son Edward also being forward to revenge his Fathers Death and thereupon more negligent of his own safety made an unwary assault upon the Enemy wherein he received a Wound of which he died soon after The Scots being afflicted and troubled at this double Slaughter of Two of their Kings broke up the Siege and returned home Margaret did not long survive her Husband and Son but died of Grief The Bodies of the Kings which at first were buried at Tinmouth a Monastery at the mouth of Tine were afterwards brought back to Dumferling Malcolm held the Kingdom Thirty and three years being noted for no Vice but famous to Posterity for his great and many Virtues he had six Sons by his Wife Margaret of whom Edward was slain by the English in the Siege of Alnwick Castle Edmond and Etheldred were Banished into England by their Uncle Donald where they died The other Three Edgar Atheldred and David succeeded in the Kingdom one after another He also had Two Daughters the Elder Maud Sirnamed the Good Married Henry King of England the younger named Mary had Eustace Earl of Bologn for her Husband Several Prodigies hapned in those days and in particular there was such a mighty and unusual an Inundation of the German Ocean that it did not only drown the Fields and Country and choked them up with Sand but also overthrew Villages Towns and Castles And besides there were great and terrible Thunders and more were killed with Thunderbolts than were ever Recorded to have perished by that Death in Britain before Donaldus VII Sirnamed Banus The Eighty Seventh King UPon the Death of Malcolm Donaldus Banus i. e. The White his Brother who for
there he turned into a Monastery for Monks Being once carried by Tempest into the Isle Aemona he was there reduced to great Want and Hunger for neither he nor his Companions could procure any Food for some Days but what they got from those that Lived Solitary Lives vulgarly called Hermits He built also a Church there in Memory of St. Columb supplying it with Canons as they call them and Lands to maintain them He also gave great Guifts and Largesses and settled Revenues on St. Andrews which was Rich enough before He finished the Church at Dumferling which his Father had begun and Endowed it with Revenues After these Transactions in Peace and War when he had Reigned Seventeen Years he departed this Life leaving no Children by Sibyl his Wife Daughter of William the Norman David I. The Ninety First King HIS Brother David succeeded him in the Kingdom in the Year of Christ 1124. He seeing that his Brothers Reigned successively one after another in Scotland stayed with his Sister Maud in England There he Married Maud his Niece a Woman of great Beauty Wealth and Nobility For Voldiosus of Northumberland was her Father and her Mother was Iudith Niece to William the Norman On her he begot a Son named Henry in whom both his Father's and Mother's Disposition did presently appear By this Marriage his Revenues were much encreased by the Accession of Northumberland and Huntington-shire thereto Thus with the Universal Gratulation of his Subjects he came into Scotland to possess the Kingdom 'T is true the Memory of his Parents was of great Force to procure him the Favour of the People yet his own Virtue was such that he stood in no need of any adventitious Help For as in other Virtues he equalled other good Kings so in his Condescention to hear the Causes of the Poor he was much superiour to them As for the Complaints of the Rich he heard them himself and if a false Judgment had been given he would not rescind it but compelled the Judge himself to pay the Damages awarded He restrained Luxury which then begun to spread according to the Example of his Father He banished Epicures and such as studied Arts to provoke the Appetite out of the Kingdom He far exceeded the Beneficence of his Parents and Allies which were worthy rather of Pardon than Praise in increasing the Revenues of the Church He repaired Monasteries whether decayed by Age or ruined by the Wars and He also built New Ones from the Ground To the Six Bishopricks before he added Four more Ross Brechin Dunkelden and Dunblain He almost impoverished the succeeding King to Endow them for he bestowed upon them a great part of the Royal Revenue Iohannes Major who when I was but a Youth was famous for his Theological Studies having highly praised this King for his other Actions yet he blames his profuse Lavishness in Endowing Monasteries in a solemn and I wish it had been an undeserved Oration And I the more wonder at this immoderate Profusion of the Publick Stock and Patrimony because in those very Times St. Bâ—rnard sharply reproves the Priests and Monks in his Invective and Severe Sermons for their excessive Luxury and Expence which yet if compared with That of our Age seems but moderate And the Fruits which followed these Donations shew That the Design was not well grounded For as in Bodies too Corpulent the use of all the Members ceases so the Sparks of Wit oppressed by Luxury did thereby languish in Abbies The Study of Learning was extinct Piety degenerated into Superstition and the Seeds of all Vices sprung up in them as in an unplowed Field All the time of his Reign he had but one Commotion and that was rather a Tumult than a War And it was quickly ended in the Slaughter of Aeneas Earl of Murray with a great Number of his Followers Malcolm Mackbeth endeavouring to raise a new Sedition was committed Prisoner to the Castle of Roxburgh Other Matters succeeded according to his desire but yet a twofold Distress or rather Calamity seized him One from the untimely Death of his Wife The Other of his Son As for his Wife Maud she was a Woman of high Descent of exquisite Beauty and most accomplished Manners He loved her passionately whilst she lived and the loss of her in the Flower of her Age did so affect him That for Twenty Years after he lived a Widower neither did he touch any other Woman all that while And yet the Greatness of his Sorrow was no hindrance to him from managing the Publick Offices and Concerns both of Peace and War Concerning his Son I will speak in due place David thus addicted himself to the Arts of Peace but some troublesom Matters in England drew him unwillingly into a War The Occasion this All the Off-spring of King Henry of England besides his Daughter Maud were drowned in their passage out of France into England which Misfortune did so grieve him that it is reported he never laughed after Maud who only survived and escaped that Calamity Married the Emperor Henry the Fourth Her Husband dying without Children she returned into England to her Father He was willing to settle the Succession on her and in Order thereto because she was a Widow and Childless if he himself should die he caused all the Nobility to swear an Oath of Fealty to her and in hopes that she might have Children he Married her to Geoffry Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Five Years after that Marriage Robert Duke of Normandy and King Henry died and Geoffry of Anjou falling into a dangerous Disease lay Bedrid In the mean time Stephen Earl of Bologne in this want of Royal Issue took heart to attempt the Crown of England Neither did he look upon it as a Design of any great Difficulty both by reason of the Weakness of the adverse Party and also because he himself had some Royal Blood running in his Veins For he was born of a Daughter of William the Norman which had Married the Earl of Bloys He himself had also Married Maud Daughter of the former Earl of Bologne and Cousin-German to Maud the Empress and begotten upon Mary Sister to David King of Scotland Upon the Confidence of so great Alliances by reason of the absence of Maud the Queen and the Sickness of Geoffry he thought he might easily obtain the Crown of England And to make his Way clearer without any Conscience or Regard of his Oath which he and th' other kindred had taken to Queen Maud he drew in by great Promises the Bishops of England who had also taken the same Oath into his Unlawful design and especially William Arch-Bishop of York who was the first that Swore Allegiance to Queen Maud and Roger Bishop of Salisbury who had not only taken the Oath himself but had also read the Words of it to the other Nobles when they Swore Upon this Confidence even before his Uncle
Henry was buried he stept into the Throne and the Two First Years reigned peaceably enough Whereupon growing insolent he began to neglect his Agreement made with the English and also to deal harsly with strangers After he had compelled all the English partly by Fear partly by fair Promises to take an Oath of Allegiance to him he sent Embassadors to David King of Scots to put him in mind to take the same Oath for the Counties of Cumberland Northumberland and Huntingdon which he held of him David returned Answer That he together with Stephen himself and the other Nobles of England had not long since bound themselves by an Oath to obey Maud their Lawful Queen And that he ought not nor would acknowledge any other King as long as she was alive When this Answer was brought to Stephen presently a War began The English entred upon the adjacent Scots the Scots doing as much for them The next Year an Army of Scots under the Conduct of the Earls of Merch of Menteith and of Argus entred England and met the English at the Town of Allerton whose General was the Earl of Glocester A sharp Battel was there fought with equal slaughter on both sides as long as the Army stood to it at last the English being overthrown many perished in the flight and many of the Nobility were taken Prisoners amongst whom was the Earl of Glocester himself Stephen being much concerned at this Overthrow lest the Friends and Kindred of the Captive Nobles might be alienated from him refused no Conditions of Peace The Terms were These That the English Prisoners should be released without Ransom That Stephen should quit all the Claim which as chief Lord he pretended to have over Cumberland But Stephen observed those Conditions no better than he did the Oath formerly taken to Maud his Kinswoman For before the Armies were quite Disbanded and the Prisoners Released he privately surprized some Castles in Northumberland and by driving away Bootys from the Scots Countrys renewed the War The Scots gathering a sudden Army together out of the Neighbour Countrys and despising the English whom they had overthrown in Battel the self same Year did rashly run on to the Conflict at the River Tees where they paid for their Folly in undervaluing the Enemy by receiving a great Overthrow and were also enforced to quit Northumberland David to retrieve this Loss and Ignominy gathered as great an Army as ever he could together and came to Roxburgh Thither Turstan or as William of Newberry calls him Trustinus was sent by the English to Treat concerning a Pacification and there being some hope of Agreement a Truce was made for Three Months upon Condition That Northumberland should be presently restored to the Scots But this Promise which was made by Stephen only to have the Army Disbanded was not performed so that David drove away a great Booty out of that Part of Northumberland which obeyed Stephen and Stephen gathering a great Force together pierced as far as Roxborough But understanding That the Nobility were averse and complained That they were intangled in an Unjust and Unnecessary War without performing any Memorable Exploit he retired into the heart of his Kingdom And the next Year fearing some intestine Sedition he sent his Wife Maud to David her Uncle to treat of Peace Upon her Mediation it was accorded That David from Newcastle where he commonly aboad and Stephen from Durham should send Arbitrators for composing of Matters to the Town of Chester in the street scituate in the Midway equally distant from Both Places David sent the Arch-Bishops of St. Andrews and Glasgoe Stephen the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York Both Parties were the more inclineable to Peace because Stephen feared War from abroad and Seditions at home and the Scots complained That they were forced to bear the shock of a War made in the behalf of another whereas Maud for whose sake it was commenced did nothing at all in it The Peace was made on These Conditions That Cumberland as by Ancient Right should be possessed by David and that Northumberland unto the River Tees as William of Newberry the Englishman writes and Huntingtonshire should be enjoyed by Henry Davids Son upon the account of his Mothers Inheritance and That he should do Homage to Stephen for the same When things were thus composed David retired into Cumberland and Stephen into Kent This Peace was made in the Year of our Lord 1139. In which Year Maud being returned into England sent her Son Henry afterward King of England to Carlisle to David his Great Uncle that he might be instructed in Feats of Arms and also be made Knight by him who without doubt was the excellentest Warrior in his time which Matter in those days was performed with a great deal of Ceremony At that time there was so great a Disturbance in England by reason of Domestique Discords That no Part of it was free from a Civil War but That which David the King of Scots held And that he alone might not plead Exemption from the publick Calamity within Three Years after his Son the only Heir in hope of so much Power and Felicity dyed in the flower of his Age leaving Three Sons and as many Daughters behind him He left so great a Love behind for him both from the Scots and English that besides the publick Loss every one lamented his own private Misfortune also at his death For so great a Sincerity and Moderation of Mind shined forth in him even in that Age wherein Youth is accustomed to wantonize That every body expected most rare and singular Fruits from his Disposition when it was ripened by Age. His Fathers Grief was also further increased by reason of the tender Age of his Nephew and the Ambition and restless Disposition of Stephen and if he dyed he was troubled at the Fierceness of Henry's Spirit then in the fervor of his Youth who being the Son of Maud was to succeed in the Kingdom When the Thoughts of so many foreseen Mischiefs did assault his diseased and feeble Mind insomuch that all Men imagined he would have sunk under them yet he bore up so stoutly that he invited some of the Prime Nobility who were solicitous for him lest he should be too much afflicted as well they might to Supper and there he entertained them with a Discourse rather like a Comforter than a Mourner He told them That no new thing had hapned to him or to his Son That he had long since Learned from the Sermons of Learned and Holy Men That the World was Governed by the Providence of Almighty God whom it was a foolish and impious thing to endeavour to resist That he was not ignorant his Son was born on no other Terms but that he must also dye and so pay that Debt to Nature which he owed even at his very Birth And when Men were always ready to pay that Debt 't was
of Silver as a Largess being moved thereunto either out of Remembrance of his former Bounty to him or on the Consideration of his present Want Neither were ever the Scots and English more Gracious than at that time as many judge There William fell very Sick and a Rumour of his Death being noised abroad caused new Combustions in Scotland Harald Earl of the Orcades and of Caithnes hated the Bishop of Caithnes because as he alledged he was the Obstacle that he could not obtain what he desired of the King and therefore he took him Prisoner cut out his Tongue and also put out his Eyes The King returning home overthrew Harald in several Skirmishes and destroyed most of his Forces Harald himself was taken in his Flight and brought back to the King who when his Eyes also were first put out by way of Retaliation was afterwards hanged his whole Male-Stock were Gelded the rest of his Kinn and Companions of his Wickedness were deeply Fined These things are thus related by Hector Boetius and common Report confirms them yea the Hill receiving its Name from Testicles gives credit to the Relation so that it seems truer than what others Write in this matter These things happened in the Year of our Salvation 1198. in which Year the King had a Son named Alexander Born to him and Richard of England dying his Brother Iohn succeeded him Whereupon the King of Scots went into England to take his Oath to him for the Lands which he held in England and in the beginning of Iohn's new Reign his Coming was not more acceptable than his Departure displeasing because he refused to follow Iohn in his Expedition into France against Philip his old Friend So that as soon as Iohn returned out of France he sought Occasion for a War with the Scots and began to build a Fort over against Berwick William having in vain complained of the Injurie by his Embassadors gathered a Company together and demolished what was built thereof Upon which Armies were Levied on both sides but when their Camps were near to one another Peace was made by the Intervention of the Nobles on these Terms That William's Two Daughters should be given in Matrimony to Iohn's Two Sons assoon as ever they were Marriageable A great Dowry was promised and Caution made That no Fort should be built and Hostages also were given in the case William at his return fell into an unexpected Danger The greatest Part of the Town of Berth was swept away in the Night by an Inundation of the River Tay Neither was the King's Palace exempted from the Calamity but his Son an Infant with his Nurse and 14 more were drowned the rest hardly escaping Many also of the Promiscuous Multitude lost their Lives The King perceiving that the Water had overwhelmed the greatest part of the Ground on which the City stood and that almost every House in the Town had suffered thereby caused a new City to be built a little below in a more commodious place on the same River and making some small variation of the Name called it Perth in Memory as some say of one Perth a Nobleman who gave the King the Land on which the City was built About the same time the King took Gothered Makul Captain of the Rebels in the North who was betrayed to him by his own Men. When he was Prisoner he constantly abstained from all Food to prevent as 't is thought a more heavy Punishment This was in a manner the last memorable Fact of William's which yet in regard of his unweildy Age was acted by his Captains For he Dyed soon after in the 74 th year of his Age and the 49 th year of his Reign A. D. 1643. Not long before his Death Leagues were renewed with Iohn King of England almost every Year for he being a Man desirous to enlarge his Dominions thô he had War with the French abroad with the Romanists at home and moreover was never on sure Terms of Peace with the Irish or Welsh yet did not break off his Inclination to invade Scotland which had then an old Man for their King and the next Heir to him a Child Frequent Conferences happened on this Occasion rather to try what might be obtained than in hopes of any good Issue at length the Matter broke out into open Suspicion And after many Leagues made between Them at last William was called to Newcastle upon Tine Whither he came but there falling into a dangerous Disease he returned without doing any thing In fine a little before his Death he was invited to Norham on the Tweed and when his Sickness would not permit him to go his Son was desired to come in his stead which yet by the Advice of the Council was refused the Leagues established in those Interviews I shall not particularly mention for they almost all contain the same things having in them nothing New save that in One of them it was Articled That the Scotish Kings should not Swear nor be Feudataries to the Kings of England Themselves for the English Lands they held but their Children only The Mention of these things is wholly omitted by the English Writers also I believe for this very Cause Alexander II. The Ninety Fourth King WIlliam was succeeded by Alexander his Son begot on Emergard who was Kinswoman to the King of England and Daughter to the Earl of Beaumont He was but Sixteen years of age when he began to Reign entring upon the Government in troublesom Times he composed and setled things more prudently than could be expected from one of his years First of all he Indicted a Publick Convention of the Estates and therein by a Decree he confirmed all the Acts of his Father that good and prudent Prince His first Expedition was into England not out of any private Ambition but to bridle the Tyranny of Iohn and it was then said that he was sent for in by the Ecclesiasticks of that Kingdom He left Norham upon certain Conditions when he had begun to besiege it and piercing further into the Kingdom he carried it very severely against all the Royalists Upon his Return home Iohn invaded Scotland quickly after He made a mighty Devastation in Dunbar Hadington and all the Neighbouring Parts of Lothian and to spread the War and Ruin further he determined to return another Way Alexander being very desirous to decide it by a Battel pitcht his Tents between the Pentland Hills and the River Eske which way as it was bruited he would return but Iohn to avoid fighting marched along by the Sea and burnt the Monastery of Coldingham he also took and burnt Berwick which was then but meanly fortified As he thus marched hastily back Alexander followed him as fast as he could and making great havock all over Northumberland came as far as Richmond But Iohn by speedy marches having retreated into the heart of England Alexander returned by Westmorland and
was Poysoned as it is thought by his Wife an English Woman The Suspicion thereof was encreased on her because tho' she were Wooed by many Nobles yet she Married Iohn Russel her Gallant a Young English Spark She was accused of Witchcraft too and cast into Prison but she bought out her Liberty Russel and his Wife obtained Letters from the Pope permitting them to commence an Action of the Case against their Adversaries for the Wrong done them before the Popes Legate But it was to no purpose because the Scots urged an Ancient Privilege exempting them from going out of the Kingdom when they were to plead their Causes When the King was of Age upon the humble Petition of the Cumins's he Pardoned them as if all their offences had been expiated by the Death of Walter He was induced so to do as some say by reason of the Greatness of their Family and also because he feared Foreign Wars when Matters were so unsetled at home But that War began not so soon as Men thought it would In the Year of Christ 1263. in the Calends of August Acho King of Norwey with a Fleet of 160 Sail came to Air a Maritime Town of Coil where he Landed 20000 Men. The Cause of the War as he pretended was that some Islands which were promised to his Ancestors by Mackbeth were not yet put into his Hands viz. Bote Aran and both the Cumbras's which were never reckoned amongst the Aebudae But it was enough for him who sought a pretence for a War that they were called Islands Acho took two of the greatest of them and reduced their Castles before he could meet with any Opposition being lifted up by this success he makes a descent into Cuningham the next Continent over against Bote in that part of it which they call the Largs There he met with Two Misfortunes almost at one and the same First he was overcome in Fight by Alexander Stuart the Great Grandfather of him who first of that Name was King of Scotland and being almost taken by the Multitude of his Enemies he hardly escaped in great Fear to his Ships The other was That his Ships being tossed in a mighty Tempest hardly carried him with a few of his followers who escaped into the Orcades There were slain in that Battel Sixteen Thousand of the Norwegians and Five Thousand of the Scots some Writers say that King Alexander himself was in this Fight Yet they also make Honourable mention of the Name of this Alexander Stuart Acho died of Grief for the Loss of his Army and of his Kinsman too a Valiant Youth whose Name is not mentioned by Writers His Son Magnus who was lately come to him perceiving Things in a desperater Posture than he ever thought they would be brought to especially having no hopes of Recruit from home before the Spring and also finding the Minds of the Islanders alienated from him and that he was forsaken of the Scots too in Confidence of whose Aid his Father had undertaken that War these things considered he easily inclined to Terms of Peace The Spirit of the young Man was quailed both by the unlucky Fight and also by his Fear of the Islanders For Alexander had then recovered by sending about some Ships the Isle of Man situate almost in the midst between Scotland and Ireland upon these Conditions That the King thereof should send in Ten Gallies to the Scots as oft as there was occasion and that the Scots should defend him from a Foreign Enemy When Magnus saw That the rest of the Islands inclined to follow the Example of the Manks-Men he sent Ambassadors to treat of Peace which Alexander refused to make unless the Aebudae were restored at last by the diligence of the Commissioners it was agreed that the Scots should have the Aebudae for which at present they were to pay 1000 Marks of Silver and 100 Marks an Year And moreover That Margarite Alexanders Daughter being then but Four years old should Marry Hangonan the Son of Magnus assoon as she was fit for Marriage About this time the King of England being infested with Civil War had Five Thousand Scots sent him for his Assistance under the Command of Râ—bert Bruce and Alexander Cumins whom the English Writers call Iohn the greatest part of them were slain in Fight and Cumins with the Englâ—sh King himself and his Son and a great part of the English Nobility of the Kings Party were taken Prisoners Moreover the Scots King was much troubled at the Arrogance of the Priests and Monks in his Kingdom who being enriched by former Kings began to grow wanton in a continued Peace Yea they endeavoured to be equal if not superior to the Nobility whom they excelled in Wealth The young Nobility repining at it and taking it in great disdain used them coursly whereupon complaints were made by them to the King who imagining either that their Wrongs were not so great as they represented them or else that they suffered them deservedly neglected their pretended Grievances whereupon they Excommunicated All but the King and in great Wrath determined to go to Rome But the King remembring what great Commotions Thomas Becket the prime promoter of Ecclesiastical Ambition had lately made in England called them back from their Journy and caused the Nobility to satisfie not only their Avarice but even their Arrogance too And indeed they were the more inclinable to an Accord with the King because he had lately undertaken the Patronage of the Ecclesiastical Orders against the Avarice of the Romanists For a little before Ottobon the Popes Legate was come into England to appease the Civil Discords but not being able to effect the thing he came for he omitted the publick Care and studied his own private Gain and Lucre he Indicted an Ecclesiastical Assembly of the English Procters from Scotland being also called thereunto in the mean time he endeavoured to exact Four Marks of Silver from every Parish in Scotland and Six from all Cathedrals for the Expence of Procurations This Contribution or Tax was scarce refused when News was brought That another Legate was arrived in England intending also for Scotland on pretence to gather up Money for the Holy War and besides that procurable by Indulgences and other Lime-Twigs to catch Money he endeavoured to wrest from all Bishops Abbats and Parish Priests as judging them to be immediately under Papal Jurisdiction the Tenth part of their yearly Revenues that so Edward and Edmond Sons to the King of England might go more Nobly and Numerously attended to the War in Syria The Scots judged this Tax to be very grievous and unjust especially because the English seemed to be so forward to have it granted as if Scotland were not sui Iuris or an absolute Kingdom but Dependent on England Moreover they were afraid lest the Legat should riotously mispend the Money designed for the War as was done some Years
Daughters The Eldest Named Margarite Married Alan of Galway a Man very powerful amongst the Scots The Second was matched to Robert Bruce Sirnamed the Noble of High English Descent and of a large Estate The Third was Married to Henry Hastings an Englishman also whose Posterity do deservedly enjoy the Earldom of Huntington at this day But to let him pass because he never put in for the Kingdom I shall confine my Discourse to the Stock Cause and Ancestry of Baliol and Bruce only Whilst William was King of Scotland Fergus Prince of Galway left Two Sons Gilbert and Ethred William to prevent the Seeds of Discord betwixt the Two Brothers divided their Fathers Inheritance equally betwixt them Gilbert the Eldest took this highly amiss and thereupon conceived an Hatred against his Brother as his Rival and against the King too for his unequal Distribution Thereupon when the King was Prisoner in England being then freed from fear of the Law he discovered his long-concealed Hatred against them both As for his Brother he took him unawares pulled out his Eyes cut out his Tongue and so not content with a single Death he put him to grievous and excessive Tortures before he dyed and he himself joyned with the English and preyed upon his Neighbors and Country-men as if they had been in an Enemies Country for he wasted all with Fire and Sword And except Rolland the Son of Ethred had gathered a Band of Countrymen who remained firm to the King together to resist his Attempts he had either wasted the neighbour Countries or drawn them all over to his Party This Rolland was a forward young Man of great Abilities both of Body and Mind he not only abated the Fury of his Uncle but many times fought valiantly and sometimes successfully with the English as he met them whilst he repressed their Plunderings or as he himself spoiled their Lands At last when the King was restored Gilbert by the Mediation of his Friends got a Pardon upon promise of a sum of Money for the Wrongs he had done and giving Pledges to that purpose But Gilbert dying a few days after those who were accustomed to Blood and Prey under him and who had given up themselves into the Protection of the King of England either out of the Inconstancy of their Dispositions or for fear of Punishment being stirr'd on by Gripes from an accusing Conscience for what they had formerly done took up Arms again under the Command of Gilpatrick Henry Kennedy and Samuel who before had been the Assistors and Companions to Gilbert in his Wickedness Rolland was sent with an Army against them and after a great Fight he slew their chief Leaders and a great Part of the common Soldiers They who escaped fled to one Gilcolumb a Captain of the Freebooters and Robbers who had made a great spoil in Lothian and much endamaged the Nobles and Richer sort of whom also he killed some Thence marching into Galway he undertook Gilbert's Cause when all others looked upon it as desperate He not only claimed his Lands as his Own but carried himself as the Lord of all Galway At last Rolland fought with him in the Calends of October about Three Months after Gilbert's Forces were defeated and slew him with the greatest part of his Army with very little loss of his own side amongst the slain there was found his own Brother a stout young Man The English being troubled at the overthrow of these Men who had put themselves under their Protection the Year before march'd with an Army to Carlisle thither also came Rolland being Reconciled to the King of England by the Mediation of William where he refuted the Calumnies of his Enemies and shewed That he had done nothing Maliciously or Causelesly against his own and the Publicks Enemy upon which he was honourably dismissed by the King William also returned home and calling to Mind the Constancy of his Father Ethred and how many Noble Exploits he had performed for the Good of the Publick he gave him all Galway And besides he bestowed Carrick on the Son of Gilbert though his Father had not deserved so well of him William of Newberry the English Writer Records these things as done Anno 1183. Rolland took to Wife the Sister of William Morvill who was Lord High Constable in Scotland who dying without Issue Rolland enjoyed that Office as Hereditary to him and his Family He had a Son called Alan who for his Assistance afforded to Iohn King of England in his Irish War was rewarded by him with large Possessions on which accompt by the permission of William of Scotland he was a Feudatary to the English King and swore Fealty to him This Alan took to Wife Margarite the Eldest Daughter of David Earl of Huntington By her he had Three Daughters the Eldest Dornadilla he Married to Iohn Baliol who was King of Scotland for some years But Robert Bruce Married Isabella Davids Second Daughter he came to be Earl of Carrick upon this Occasion Martha Countess of Carrick being Marriageable and the only Heiress of her Father who died in the Holy War as she was a Hunting cast her Eye on Robert Bruce the Beautifullest Young Man of all her Train whereupon she Courteously invited him and in a manner compelled him into her Castle which was near at Hand Being come thither his Age Beauty Kindred and Manners easily procuring mutual Love they were quickly Married in a private way When the King was informed thereof he was much offended with them Both because the Right of bestowing the Lady in Marriage lay in him yet by the Mediation of Friends he was afterwards Reconciled to them Out of this Marriage Robert Bruce was Born who afterwards was King of Scotland Thus having enlarged my self in this Prologue I come now to the Matter in Hand and to the Competitors of the Kingdom They were Dornadilla the Grand-child of David of Huntingdon by his Eldest Daughter and Robert Bruce Earl of Carrick Grand-son of the said David by his youngest Daughter Dornadilla's Pretensions were grounded on the Custom of the Country whereby he or she that was nearer in Degree had a better Right Robert Bruce insisted on the Sex that in a like degree of Propinquity Males ought to be preferred before Females so that he denied it to be just that as long as a Grand-son was alive a Grand-daughter should inherit her Ancestors Estate And though sometimes the contrary may be practised in the Inheritances of private Men yet the matter is far otherwise in those Estates which are called Feuds and in the Succession of Kingdoms And of this there was urged a late Example in the Controversie concerning the Dutchess of Burgundy which the Earl of Nevers who Married the Grand-child of the last Duke by his Eldest Son Claimed yet the Inheritance was adjudged to the Son of the Duke's younger Brother so that Robert contended That he was nearer in Degree as
the English and accepted by the Scots being now secure of the Kingdom came to Edward who was at New-Castle upon Tine and according to his Promise Swore Fealty to him so did the Nobles also who were of his Train as not daring to contradict Two Kings especially they being so far from home As soon as the rest of the Nobility heard of it they were grievously offended but being conscious of their want of Power they dissembled their Anger for the present But soon after an Occasion was offered them to shew it Mackduff Earl of Fife who in the Time of the Interregnum was One of the six Governors of the Land was slain by the Abernethians which was then a rich and potent Family in Scotland and the Earls Brother being accused by them and brought to his Answer before the Assembly of the States the King gave Sentence in Favour of the Abernethians So that Mackduff was dispossessed of the Land which was in Controversie betwixt them whereupon he conceived a double Displeasure against the King One on the Account of his own Wrong and Another because he had not severely punished the Murderers of his Brother So that he appealed to the King of England and desired that Baliol might answer the Matter before Him Hereupon the Cause was removed to London and as Baliol was casually sitting by Edward in the Parliament House and when he was called would have answered by a Proctor it was denied him so that he was enforced to arise from his Seat and to plead his Cause from a lower Place He bore the Affront silently for the present not daring to do otherwise but as soon as ever he was dispatched from thence such Flames of Anger burnt in his Breast that his Thoughts were wholly taken up how to reconcile his own Subjects and how to offend Edward As he was thus musing it happened commodiously for him That a new Discord arose betwixt the French and English which presently after broke out into a War Whereupon Embassadors were sent to the Assembly of Estates in Scotland from Both Kings The French's Errand was to renew the Old League with their New King And the English was upon the Account of their late Oath to Edward to receive Aid from them in the War he had undertaken Both Embassys were referred to the Council of the Estates where the Nobles prone to Rebellion were of Opinion That the Request of the French was Just of the English Unjust For the League made by universal Consent with the French more than 500 Years before had been kept Sacred and Inviolable to that very Day in regard of the Justness and Utility thereof but this late Subjection and surrendring themselves to the English was extorted from the King against his Will and thô as they proceeded to allege he had been willing yet it did oblige neither King nor Kingdom it being made by the King alone without the Consent of the Estates whereas the King might not act any Thing relating to the Publick state of the Kingdom without much less against the Advice of the States So a Decree was made that Embassadors should be sent into France to renew the Ancient League and that a Wife should be desired for Edward Baliol Son to Iohn out of the Kings Royal stem Another Embassy was also sent into England to signify that the King of Scots did revoke the Reddition of the Kingdom and Himself which he had forceably and unjustly made and renouncing his Friendship both for that Cause and also for the many and innumerable other Wrongs which he had done to Him and His he was resolved to assert his Ancient Liberty No man of any Eminencie would carry this Message to Edward because he was of a fierce Nature and was rendred more so by reason of the Indulgence of Fortune which made him even almost to forget himself At last a certain Monk or as some say the Abbat of Aberbrothoc carried Letters of that Import to him who was grievously affronted for his Pains and had much ado to escape home being protected more by his undervalued Tenuity than the Reverence of his Embassadorship In the mean time Edward had made a Truce with the French for some Months hoping That before they were ended he might subdue the Scots taking them unprovided and therefore he sent his Fleet designed for France against Scotland commanding them to stop all Provisions from being carried into Berwick wherein he heard there was a very strong Garison The Scots fought with this Fleet in the Mouth of the River they destroyed and took 18 of their Ships and put the rest to flight Edward out of Fierceness of Mind by this Loss was highly enraged to Revenge He Summons Baliol once and again to appear And he himself Levies a great Army and comes to New-Castle upon Tine There also he gave forth an Edict for Iohn to appear Legally to purge himself from the Crimes objected against him But neither He nor any for him appearing ar the day appointed he added Policy to Force and sent for Bruce and promises him the Kingdom if he would do his endeavour faithfully to Depose and drive out Baliol. To do which said he you need be at little Labour or Cost only write Letters to your Friends that either they would desert the Kings Party or not be hearty or forward if it came to a Battel He by great Marches came to Berwick but not being able to carry it by reason of the strength of the Garison he pretended to raise his Siege and caused a Rumour to be spread abroad by some Scots of Bruce his Party that he despaired of Taking it and that Baliol was coming with a great Army to raise the Siege and was now near at hand whereupon all the Chief Men of the Garison made haste out to receive him Honourably in promiscuous Multitudes Horse and Foot together so that Edward sent in some Horse amongst them some they trod down and killed others they divided from their Company and seizing on the nearest Gate they entred the Town Edward followed with his Foot and made a miserable Slaughter of all sorts of People Above 7000 of the Scots are reported to have been there slain amongst Them were the Flower of the Lothian and Fife Nobility Though I love not to interrupt the continued Series of my History as having resolved against it at first with any unnecessary Digression yet I cannot forbear to expose that unbridled Liberty of Evil speaking which Richard Grafton who lately compiled the History of England assumes to himself that so they who read what I here write may judge what Credit is to be given to him For he says that Hector Boetius writes in his 14th Book and ad Chapter That so much Blood was split there that Rivers of it running through the City might have driven a Water-Mill for two days To which I say First That Boetius never
Assoon as they came in fight one of another the Scots had so divided their Men into Three Batailions upon an Hill that the Rocks and Precipices thereof secured them on the Right and Left from whence they might cast down Stones on the Enemy if they endeavoured to come up to them At the Foot of the Hill the English had a rapid Torrent to pass so full of Great and Round Stones that they could not Ford over to their Enemy or if they had so done they could not Retreat without certain Ruin The English perceiving that they could not come at the Enemy but with great disadvantage pitched their Tents and sent an Herald at Arms to the Scots advising them to come down into the Champion Country to Fight for Glory and Empire by true Valour in an open Plain The Scots answered That they would Fight for no bodies pleasure but their own That they marched into England to revenge the Injuries they had received if they had done any thing which did offend them they had free Liberty to take their own Revenge As for Themselves they resolved to abide There as long as they pleased and if their Enemy did attaque them at his Peril be it The next Three Days their Camps being near and Parties placed at the Fords some slight Skirmishes passed betwixt them the Fourth Day assoon as it was Light the Watch brought Word That the Scots had forsaken the Hill on which they were whereupon Scouts were sent out to bring certain News and to follow them if they had Retreated who brought word That the Scots had pitched their Tents on another Hill by the same River much more convenient for them than the First where they had a Wood which secured their Ingress and Egress The English who hoped that they should Famish the Scots who avoided Fighting in a Foreign Soil being frustrated of their Expectation followed them and pitched their Tents on an opposite Hill After they had abode there some Days it was observed That they grew more Negligent than formerly in their Night-watches either because they undervalued the Scots because of their Paucity or else because they meditated nothing but Flight Douglas took hold of the Opportunity to attempt something and passing over the River with 200 Select Horse he entred the Enemies Camp where he saw it was but slenderly Guarded He had almost pierced to the King 's own Tent where cutting off the Cords the Alarm being taken he killed near 300 English in his Retreat and brought his Men safely off After this no Memorable Action happened save that the English instructed by their own Loss placed more careful Watches in convenient Places At last it was told them by a Scot whom they had taken Prisoner That there was a Proclamation in that Camp That at the Third Watch all should be ready to follow Douglas whither-soever he should lead them This Relation struck such a Terror into the Englâ—sh That dividing their Army into Three Batailions at a moderate Distance one from another they stood all that Night in their Arms and their Servants held their Horses Bridled Sadled and ready prepared for whatever should happen in their Camp And moreover they placed strong Guards at all the Fords of the River At last towards Day Two Scots Trumpeters were brought to the King who told him That the Scots were Commanded to returned home and if the English had a mind to revenge the Loss they had sustained they must Follow them Hereupon the English called a Council of War where it was resolved That it was better to march back with the Army at present than to follow such flying Stragglers to the great vexation both of Horse and Man considering they had lost more Men in this Expedition by Famine and Sickness than might have fallen in a Set-Battel When their Retreat was resolved upon many of the English either in hopes of Prey which might be left behind in their hasty Retreat or else desirous to understand something of their Enemies Affairs went into their Camp where they found about Five Hundred Deer and especially Stags already killed of which sort the English keep many not only their Kings but even many private Persons also and also great Budgets made of raw Skins in which they boiled their Meat and about Ten Thousand Snapsacks Moreover there were Two English Men whose Legs were broken but they were yet alive All these things being Evidences of great Hardiness and Poverty did confirm the goodness of their Advice who were for marching the Army back This Year Walter Stuart and Queen Elizabeth died one the Son in Law the other Wife to the King Besides the Castles of Alnewick and Norham were besieged by the Scots but without Success Preys were also driven out of Northumberland In March Ambassadors came from England to treat of a perpetual Peace and a Truce was made for Three Years The next Year which was 1328. the English held a Parliament at Northampton the Eighth of the Calends of Iuly wherein all the Orders of Estates agreed to a Peace with the Scots upon these Terms That the English should renounce all Right which they or their Ancestors pretended to have to the Crown of Scotland and That they should leave That Kingdom as Free as it was at the Death of Alexander the Third and That they should be Subject to no External Yoke of Servitude and on the other side the Scots were to surrender up all the Lands they sometimes held in England as Feudataries That Cumberland and Northumberland as far as Stanmore should be Boundaries to the Scots That David the Son of Robert should take to Wife Ioan the Sister of Henry That the English should faithfully return all Pacts Bonds and Writings or any other Monuments of Subjection into the Hands of the Scots and should disanul them for the future That the Scots for the Damage which they had lately done the English King and for the Lands which his Father and Grandfather had given to his Favourites in Scotland should pay him Thirty thousand Marks of Silver Both Kings had their proper Reasons why they consented so easily to these Conditions The English King having wasted his Treasure and having been put to an Ignominious Flight and thereby lessened in the Eyes of his own Subjects as well as of his Enemies thereupon was afraid That some Domestick Sedition would arise and then a Warlike Enemy pufft up with his late Success should come on his Flank and thereby mightily endamage his Kingdom And Robert being broken with Old Age Toil and Diseases for a little before his death he fell into a Leprosy having also been long exercised with the events of both Fortunes good and bad resolved if he could to give up himself to his Ease and not only so but to provide for the Tranquillity of his Heirs in regard of their infirm and tender Age. And therefore having settled Peace abroad he turned himself wholly
with some Troops to join Percy Iohn Gordon had notice of his March and laid an Ambush for him into which he fell and imagining his Enemy to be more numerous than he was he sought to Fly but was taken with his Party in the pursuit and brought back again Moreover in the Western Borders Iohn Iohnston carried it so that he obtained both Honour and Booty too for he so exercised his Neighbouring Foes with small but frequent Incursions that he did them as much mischief as a great Army would have done Thus all things succeeded prosperously with Robert for the First Two Years of his Reign but in his Third Year Eufemia Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross dyed The King had three Children by her Walter afterwards made Earl of Strathearn David Earl of Athol and Eufemia whom Robert Douglas Married as I said before Robert not so much for the Impatience of his Widow'd and unmarried Estate as for the Love of the Children which he had before begot on the Body of Elizabeth More took her to Wife This Woman was exceeding Beautiful the Daughter of Adam More an Illustrious Knight the King fell in Love with her when he was young and had Three Sons and Two Daughters by her and he bestowed her in Marriage on one Gifard a Nobleman in Lothian It happened that Eufemia the Queen and Elizabeth's Husband died about one and the same time Whereupon the King either induced by the old Familiarity he had with Her or else as many Writers report to Legitimate the Children she had born to him took their Mother to Wife and presently advanced her Sons to Riches and Honour Iohn the Eldest Son was made Earl of Carrick Robert of Mâ—nteith and Alexander of Buchan to which Badenock was adjoined Neither was he content with this Munificence but he prevailed upon the Assembly of Estates met at Scone to pass by the Children of Eufemia and to observe the Order of Age in making his Son King after him which Matter was in aftertimes almost the utter Ruin of that numerous Family During the next Two years there was neither assured Peace nor open War but light Incursions or rather Plunderings on both sides In the mean time Edward the Third died and Richard the Second his Grandchild by his Son Edward born at Bourdeaux succeeded him being Eleven years of Age at which time Ambassadors were sent by Charles the Fifth King of France into Scotland The Cause of their Embassy was To renew the ancient League with Robert and to desire him to invade England with an Army and so to take off the Stress of the War from France In the interim whilst they were treating with the Assembly Alexander Ramsay as the English Writers report out of Frossard being accompanied with Forty young Fellows in the middle of the Night when the Sentinel was asleep took the Castle of Berwick all that were in it being either killed or made Prisoners The Townsmen being amazed at this suddain surprize send for Percy who came and laid Siege to the Castle with Ten thousand Men When the News hereof was brought to the Assembly of the Estates at Scone Archibald Douglas being concerned for the danger his Kinsman was in took with him a flying Body of 500 Horse only and speeded thither but all Passages to the Besieged were intercluded and stopp'd so that he was forced to return again without any Action And the Castle after a valiant Defence for some days was at length taken by Storm and all put to the Sword except Alexander alone Thus the English but Our Writers say That the Castle was taken by the help of six Country People of Merch who not being able to keep it were fain to desert it Not long after the Assembly Iames the First Earl of Douglas gathered together an Army of Twenty thousand Men and entred England and coming unawares to a Town called Penrith on a Fair-Day he took plundered and burnt it and then marched his Army back again in safety laden with Spoil but withal he brought the Pestilence home with him which was greater than any before so that it raged over all Scotland for the space of Two years The English to cry Quits with the Scots passed over the Solway and entred Scotland Talbot a fierce General led them being 15000 Men with which Number he made a great Desolation far and near and as his Army was returning back laden with Spoil he pitch'd his Tents in a narrow Valley not far from the Borders of England about 500 Scots came upon them in those Streights being secure unprovided and generally without their Arms and at the first Assault they killed all who were in their way so that the Tumult and Fear diffusing it self they were wholly put to Flight many were slain upon the Place 250 taken Prisoners and a great Number in such a sudden Trepidation taking the River were drowned the rest left their Prey behind them and ran home the nearest way they could In the mean time the English carried on a fierce War both by Sea and Land against the French and besides part of their Forces were sent into Portugal so that it was resolved by their Parliament That Iohn Duke of Lancaster the King's Uncle should be sent Embassador into Scotland to Treat about a Peace that so they being engaged in so many Wars might have Quiet on that side at least which lay most exposed and open The Scots being made acquainted with his coming by an Herald appointed Iames Earl of Douglas and Iohn Dunbar Earl of Murray to Treat with him a Truce was made for Three Years But whilst they were Treating about a Peace there a most grievous Civil War broke out in England The First Author of it is said to be one Iohn Ball a Priest He perceiving that the Commonalty was grievously offended because Poll-Money of Four English Pence an Head was imposed on Them First of all obliquely and in private Confessions Discourses and Meetings inflamed the Minds of the Commons against the Nobility and perceiving that his Speech was well entertained then he discoursed it openly besides this New Occasion there was also another more Ancient one viz. That the Greatest Part of the Commons were made little better than Slaves to the Great Ones A great many Tradesmen and Day-Labourers came in to them and others also who in point of Estate or Credit had nothing to lose insomuch that they raised so great a Tumult and Combustion that the Main Chance seemed greatly to be hazarded and to lie at stake These things were known at the Meeting of the Embassadors yet Both of them dissembled the Matter till they had Treated and made a Pacification Then Douglas told Iohn of Lancaster That he knew from the beginning in what State the Affairs of England stood but they were so far from laying hold on the Opportunity either to make a War or to hinder a good Peace That they
unwilling to expose them to needless danger At this very time a Truce was made and Hopes of Peace between France and England by the Mediation of the Pope and the Neighbouring Princes on This Condition That the Allies of Both might be comprehended by Name viz The Portugals of the English side the Scots and Spanish Castilians of the French's King Robert against the Advice of his Counsel gave his single Assent thereunto but upon no solid ground for he was able to make neither Peace nor War but by the Publick Advice of the Estates neither could he promise any firm Truce without their Decree in the Case Neither could the Nobility conceal any longer that hidden Grief and Disgust which they had conceived against the French who had only done them this Courtesie the backward way that when they were to do Service against an Enemy they would strike the Weapons out of their Hands and so take away the Fruit of a former Victory and also the Hopes of a New At last after much dispute and quarrelling the French Ambassador gained this Point but with much ado That the Scots should send Ambassadors into France about the Matter that so the Hopes of a Peace so near at hand might not be hindred by their Obstinacy Robert the King lived not long after but departed this Life in his Castle called Dundonald in the Year of Christ 1390 the 13th of the Calends of May. He lived 74 Years and Reigned 19 Years and 24 Days This King managed Wars by his Deputies and usually with good Success he was present in few Battels himself which some impute to his Age others to his Cowardize but all say That he was a very Good Man and in the Arts of Peace easily comparable with the best of Kings He administred Justice diligently and impartially to all he severely punished Robberies In his Actions he was Constant in his Words Faithful He undertook the Kingdom in troublesome times yet he setled things at home appeased Discords and governed with great Equity and Justice and he got such Conquests over his Enemy that he reduced all the Castles they had but Three After his Death Tumults arose where they were least expected Alexander Earl of Buchan the youngest of the Kings Sons by Elizabeth More fell into a deadly fewd with the Bishop of Murray upon a light Occasion and when he could not come at him to kill him he wrecked his fury upon the Church of Elgin which was then one of the fairest in all Scotland and burnt it down to the Ground The same Year William Douglas Earl of Nithisdale who as I said before for his Valour was made the Kings Son in Law was slain at Dantzick on the Vistula by some Ruffians who were sent to perpetrate the Murder by Clifford of England For Douglas when Matters were quieted at home that he might not lye lazie and idle intended for the Holy War and in Borussia he gave such Proof of his Valour That he was made Admiral of the whole Fleet which was a Great and Magnificent One and withal well accommodated But a Quarrel arising between him and Clifford grounded upon Old Emulations because he gruded him that Honour he sent him a Challenge to Fight with him Hand to Hand But the Challenger perceiving into what an Hazardous Adventure he had run himself by that Challenge before the set time came caused him to be slain by hired Assassins The Tenth BOOK Robert III. The Hundred and First King ROBERT the Second was Succeeded by his Eldest Son Iohn in the Ides of August and Year of our Lord 1390. He was called Iohn till that time but then by the Decree of the Estates his Name was changed into Robert whether it were for the Misfortunes and Calamities of Two Kings called Iohns one of France the other of England Or for the Eminent Virtues and Felicity of Two Roberts both in Peace and War who lately Reigned in Scotland as Authors are silent in so I will not determine The Excellency of this Robert was That he rather wanted Vice than was Illustrious for any Virtue so that the Name of King was in him but the management of all publick Affairs rested on Robert his Brother In the Beginning of his Reign there was Peace abroad by reason of the Three Years Truce made with the English which a while after was enlarged for Four Years more But at home a Sedition was begun by Duncan or Dunach Stuart He was the Son of Alexander Earl of Buchan the Kings Brother and was every jot as feirce as his Father who upon the Death of his Grandfather imagining now that he had a fit opportunity for Rapine and Pillage got a Band of Roisters about him and descending into Angus spoiled all as if it had been an Enemies Country Walter Ogilby and Walter Lichton his Brother endeavouring to oppose him were slain with Sixty of their Followers They being lifted up with this Success did afflict the Country more grievously than ever but hearing of the approach of the Earl of Crawford whom the King had sent to restrain their Insolence the nimblest of them fled speedily to their lurking Holes of those who made not so much hast some were slain some taken and afterwards put to Death Thus the Wickedness of these Unquiet and Turbulent Men being hindred from breaking in upon the Plain and Champion Countries they fell out most grievously amongst Themselves at their own homes And especially Two Families of them did exercise great Rage and Cruelty one upon another They refused to end their Fewds by course of Law or to refer them to indifferent Arbitrators So that the King sent Two Earls to suppress them Thomas Earl of Dunbar and Iames Lindsay his Father being Dead now Earl of Crawford These Commanders considering they were to engage against a feirce and resolute People who valued not their Lives nor the Pleasure thereof so that they were not likely to subdue them by force without great Slaughter of their own Men they therefore resolved to try what they could do by Policy And thereupon they accosted the Clans of both Families a part and represented to them what danger would accru to Both by their mutual Slaughters one of another and if one Family should extirpate the other yet that was not likely to be effected without the Great Damage even of the Conquering Side and if either Party should prevail yet the Contest would not end so For then they were to engage the King's Forces tho' they were weakned before by their mutual Conflicts of whose Anger against them Both they might be justly sensible because he had sent them with Forces to destroy them Both even before they had severely and irrecoverably engaged against one another But in regard they were more desirous of their Preservation than their Ruin if they would hearken to them they would shew them a Way How they might be reconciled with
the King 's good Liking and that on no dishonourable Terms neither no nor unrevenged one upon another To this Motion they seemed inclinable so that the Condition was proposed That 300 of each side should Try it out in Fight before the King Armed only with their Swords They that were Conquered should have an Amnesty for all past Offences and the Conquerors should be Honoured with the King's Favour and the Nobles too Both sides were well pleased with the Terms so that a day was fixed for the Combate and at the time appointed the Heads of the Families with their Parties came to Court and part of a Field on the North side of the Town of Perth which was severed from the rest by a deep Trench was appointed for the place of Combate and Galleries built round for Spectators Hereupon an huge Multitude was Assembled together and sate ready to see the Dispute but the Fight was delayed awhile because one of the 300 of the One Party had hid himself for Fear and their Fellows were not willing to engage without having just an equal number with their Adversaries neither was any one found to supply the Place of him who was absent And of the other Party not a Man would be drawn out or exempted from the Fight lest he might seem less valued and not so couragious as the rest After a little pause an ordinary Tradesman comes forth and offers to supply the Place of him that was absent Provided That if his Side Conquered they would pay him halfe a Gold Dollar of France and also provide for him afterward as long as he lived Thus the Number being again equalled the Fight began and it was carried on with such great Contention both of Body and Mind as old Grudges inflamed by new Losses could raise up in Men of such fierce Dispositions as were accustomed to Blood and Cruelty especially seeing Honour and Estate was propounded to the Conqueror Death and Ignominy to the Conquered The Spectators were possessed with as much Horror as the Combatants were with Fury as detesting to behold the ugly and deformed Mutilations and Butcheries of one anothers Bodies the Detruncation of their Limbs and in a word the Rage of Wild Beasts under the shape of Men. But all took notice that none carried himself more valiantly than that Mercenary and Supposititious Hireling to whose Valour a great Part of the Victory was to be ascribed Of that Side that he was of there were Ten left alive besides himself but all of them grievously wounded Of the contrary Faction there remained only One who was not wounded at all but seeing there was so much odds that he alone must encounter with so many he cast himself into the River Tay which was near at hand and in regard his Adversaries were not able to follow him by reason of their Wounds he escaped to the other Side By this means the forwardest of Both Parties being slain the promiscuous Multitude being left without Leaders left off their Trade of Seditioning for many Years after and betook themselves to their Husbandry again This Fight or Combat happened in the Year 1396. About Two Years after in an Assembly of the States at Perth the King made David his Son being 18 Years before old of Rothes and Robert his Brother Earl of Menteith and Fife Dukes of Albany This vain Title of Honour then was first Celebrated in Scotland a great increase to Ambition but none at all to Virtue neither did it afterwards thrive with any who enjoyed it The King would have bestowed the same Title of Honour upon the Earl of Douglas also but he being a grave and solid Person absolutely refused that nominal Shadow of empty Honour and if any Man told thim that he should be a Duke he rebuked him sharply for it Some say That the Name of Governour which was given by his Father to Robert the Kings Brother was this Year confirmed by the King as also That the Family of the Lindsys had the Earldom of Crawford added to their former Honours But they do not fully clear Whether the Name of the First Earl of that Family were Thomas or David The next Year after Richard the Second King of England was enforced to resign the Crown and Henry the Fourth succeeded him In the Beginning of his Reign before the Truce was quite ended new Seeds of War with the Scots were sown George Dunbar Earl of Merch had betrothed his Daughter Elizabeth to David the King's Son and had already paid a good part of her Dowry Archibald Earl of Douglas storming That so powerful a Man and his Corrival should be preferred before him alleging That the Consent of the Estates was not obtained in the Case which no Man ever remembred but was asked in any of the King's Marriages before offered his Daughter Mary with a larger Dowry and by means of Robert the King's Brother who could do All at Court He brought it about that the Condition was accepted and the Marriage was Consummated by the Decree of the Estates George was much affected at this Injury as well as Reproach and made great complaint to the King but seeing what was once done could not be undone he desired at least the repayment of the Dowry This his just Demand being denied and perceiving that he was not like to obtain any Right in regard the Minds and Ears of all the Court were prepossessed by his Rival he departed upon very angry yea threatening Terms and so giving up the Castle of Dunbar to Robert Maitland his Sisters Son he went for England Robert presently yielded up the Castle to an Herald sent by the King to demand it and Douglas was admitted into it with a Garison so that when George returned home he was denied entrance Hereupon he took his Wife Children and some intimate Friends and returned into England Being there as he was a Man powerful at home and famous abroad he joyned Counsels with Percy a mortal Enemy to the name of the Douglas's and in regard he was well beloved by the bordering Scots of which many were either his Tenants Allies or otherwise obliged to him he made an Inroad into the whole Province of Merch and drove great Preys from the Country especially from the Lands of the Douglasses The King of Scots first proclaimed George a Publick Enemy and confiscated all his Estate next he sent an Herald to England to Demand That he might be given up as a Fugitive according to the League made betwixt them and also to complain of the violation of the Truce Henry of England gave a peremptory Answer to his Demands That he had given the Publick Faith to George for his Protection and that he would not break his Royal Word as if a private Pact with a Runagate were more Religiously to be observed than That which had been publickly confirmed by Embassadors and Heralds for the Days of the Truce made with Richard were not yet expired In
Lewd Persons yet Innocent of that Particular Fact for which they suffered In the interim the King advised with his Friends how he might preserve Iames his Youngest Son for whose safety he was very solicitous and whom he had left in the custody of Walter Wardiloe Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews an honest man and faithful to him They gave their Opinion in the case that he could not be safe in any part of Scotland and that therefore it was best to send him over to Charles the IV. King of France the old Ally and only Friend of the Scotish Nation for he could be Educated no where more safely and honourably than there The fresh Example of David Bruce stuck yet in their Minds who in dubious and troublesome times at home had there for some years an Honourable retreat and Entertainment Hereupon a Vessel was prepared and he put on bord at the Basâ— a Rock rather than an Island Henry Sinclare Earl of the Oreades was sent with him as his Guide or Rector whilst they were compassing the shore he Landed at the Promontory of Flamburgh either driven in by Tempest or else to refresh himself on shore from his Sâ—â—-Vomit and Nauseation There he was detained by the English till they sent to their King who commanded that he should be brought up to Court So that neither the Law of the Truce which was made a little before for 8 years nor the supplicating Letters of his Father did prevail but he was kept as a Lawful Prisoner For his Father at his departure had sent Letters by him to the King of England if possibly he should be necessitated to land there wherein he made complaining and lamentable discourses both of his own and also of the common fortune of all Mankind But tho' the King of England were not ignorant of the Inconstancy of human affairs yet the old grudge against the Nation of the Scots more prevailed with him than either the respect of the Youth 's Innocent Age or the Tears of his grieved Father or the dignity of the Kingly Name or the Faith of the Pacification and Truce For having referred the matter to his Council how he should treat the Son of the King of Scots being arrived in his Dominions Those who had any regard to Equity and were weary of the present War inclined to the milder Opinion viz. That the Royal Youth who fled from the Cruelty of his own Countrymen and was now their Suppliant should be hospitably and Friendly Entertained That so a feirce Nation and unconquer'd by the War of so many Ages might be won and wrought over to a Reconciliation by Courtesie For this they thought was the most solid and firm victory not when Liberty was taken away by force but when Minds are united by the indissoluble bond of Amity Others were of contrary Opinion That he might be lawfully detained as a Prisoner either because many of the Scots Nobility had Personally assisted Percy in the Insurrection which he made against the King or because his Father had Entertained and Relieved Percy the Elder when he was Banished and Condemned as a Traitor in England This Opinion as commonly the worst things do prevailed thâ— they that were present at the Consult knew well enough that those Scots who fought against the English King in Percy 's Insurrection were not sent by any Publick Commission from the King but came out of their private Affection to Douglas who was then also in Percy 's Power They might also have remembred what Henry himself had answered to the Scots a few Years before when they demanded George Dunbar to be given up yet notwithstanding they stuck to this last Opinion as commonly in the Courts of Princes a false preâ—ence of Advantage doth weigh down Honest and Righteous Counsels Yet in one thing Henry dealt Nobly and Royally with his Captive That he caused him to be Educated in Learning and Good Discipline This Calamity of the Son was brought to his Fathers Ears whilst he was at Supper and did so overwhelm him with Grief that he was almost ready to give up the Ghost in the Hands of his Servants that attended him but being carried to his Bed-chamber he abstained from all Food and in 3 Days dyed for Hunger and Grief at Rothesay which is a Town in the Island Bote in the 16th Year of his Reign in the Calends of April and Year of Christ 1406. He was Buried at the Abby of Pasley This Robert for tallness of Stature and for the Beauty and Composition of his whole Body was inferior to none of his Contemporaries His Life was very harmless and there was no Virtuous Accomplishment fit for a private Man wanting in him so that it may be truly said of him That he was a better Man than a King After the King's death the Government of the Kingdom was setled upon Robert his Brother by the Decree of all the Estates who had many things in him worthy of that Office and Dignity if out of a blind Ambition to Rule he had not used unjust Courses to hasten to the Throne He was Valiant in War Prudent in Counsel Just in Judgment Liberal to the Nobles and Tender in Levying Taxes on the Commons The same Year Percy the Elder again entred into a Conspiracy against the King to revenge upon him the deaths of his Brother and Two Sons who had been slain but his Design was discovered many of his Accomplices taken and put to death and he himself for fear fled into Scotland that from thence he might pals over into Flanders and France to procure Auxiliaries to renew the War In the mean time Henry the King of Englands Son made great Incursions into Scotland both by Land and Sea when he was returned home with a great Booâ—y the Castle of Iedburgh which the Enemy had kept from the Fight in Darham to that day was taken by the Commons of Teviotdale Pillaged and then by the Governors Order wholly demolished And George Earl of Merch who had done much damage to his Countrymen in behalfe of the English being not able to procure from them Aid to recover his Own nor an honest Maintenance amongst them neither pacified the Governor by his Friends and so returned home yet he lost part of his Patrimony viz. his Castles in the Loch-Maban and Annandale which were given to Douglas for the Losses he had sustained and thus all Offences were forgiven on both sides and he passed the rest of his Life in great Concord with his Neighbours and faithful Subjection to his King The next Year Percy after he had made a vain and fruitless Peregrination over France and Flanders returned into Scotland to his old Friend the Earl of Merch by whom he was courteously Entertained and Accommodated according to his Estate There he Transacted by private Messengers about returning into his own Country and amongst the rest he wrot to Ralph Rokesby his Ancient
Peace with England it was no hard matter to make up such a Number of Men being only Voluntiers Iohn Earl of Buchan the Governours Son was made General of the Forces and many eminent Persons followed him but Archibald Earl of Wigton the Son of Archibald the Second Earl of Douglas was far more eminent than all the rest When they came into France they were sent by the Dolphin so they call the Eldest Son of the King of France into Turein a Country very plentiful in all sorts of Provision and near to the Enemy For the Duke of Clarence Brother to the King of England was then in France instead of the King himself and made great Havock of the Country of Anjou whose Inhabitants remained in their Obedience to the French King And it was thought he would have come as far as the Town of Beujeu This was done Two Days before Easter whereupon the Scots thinking that the General would cease from any Military Action those few days of that Feast as the custom is and apply himself to Ecclesiastical Duties or as others say presuming upon an Eight Days Truce which was made carried themselves more securely than otherwise they were wont to do The Duke of Clarence was informed thereof either by Andrew Fregose an Italian or else by some Scots Foragers whom his Horse had taken Prisoners and having gotten a fair opportunity for Action as he thought he rose up presently from Dinner and with his Horse only marched toward the Enemy he himself besides his other Gallant Furniture and Armour had a Royal Diadam on his Head beset with many Jewels Some few French who were quartered nearest the Enemy in a Village called Little Beaujou being terrified with his sudden coming fled into the Tower of a Church adjoyning whilst he was assaulting of these the Alarum was given to the rest of the Army and presently in great dismay they all cryed out To your Arms. The Earl of Buchan whilst the rest were sitting themselves sent out 30 Archers to take possession of a Bridge which was the only Passage over a Neighbour River There a Skirmish begun and Hugh Kennedy who quartered in a Church hard by came in to them with One hundred Men who in so sudden a Fright were but half-armed This Party with their Arrows hindred the Horse from passing over whereupon Clarence with the forwardest of his Men leapt from his Horse and maintained the Combat on foot so that in a Lusty Charge they repelled the Scots who were some unarmed and some but half-armed from the Bridge and this opened the Passage for his Men. In the mean time whilst Clarence was mounting his Horse and his Men were passing the narrow Bridge a few at a time the Earl of Buchan was at hand with 200 Horse who being very earnest to shew themselves on Both sides a sharp Fight began with equal courage and hatred For the Scots were glad that they had gotten an Opportunity to give the first Proof of their Valour and so to refute the Reproaches of the French who were wont to upbraid them as Men given more to Eating and Drinking than Fighting The like Reproach do the same French use to cast upon the Britains The Spaniards on the French and the Africans on the Spaniards On the other side the English took it in great disdain That they should be attack'd by such an implacable Enemy not only at home but even beyond the Seas and so they fought stoutly but none more fiercely than Clarence himself He was known by his Armour Iohn Swinton ran at him and with his Lance grievously wounded him in the Face and the Count of Buchan also smote him with a Truncheon and struck him from his Horse when he was fallen the English ran away and were slain in the pursuit even until night This Battel was fought the day before Easter when the days are short in cold Countries a little after the Vernal Equinox There fell of the English in the Fight above 2000 amongst which were 26 of eminent Rank Many Prisoners were taken of good Accompt in their own Country and especially some of the Dukes Allies Few of the Scots or French were lost and those of no great Note neither This is the most common report concerning the Death of Clarence but the Pluscarty Book says that he was slain by Alexander Maccasland a Knight of Lennox who took off the aforesaid Diadem from his Head and sold it to Iohn Stuart of Derneley for 1000 Angels of Gold and he again pawned it to Robert Huston to whom he owed 5000 Angels This he says was the Vulgar Opinion The chief Praise of this Victory was ascribed to the Scots neither could their greatest Detractors deny it Whereupon Charles the Dolphin created the Earl of Buchan Lord High Constable which is the highest Office in France next the King The rest of the Commanders had also Honours bestowed on them according to their Rank and Valour Whilst these Things were acted in France in the year 1420 Robert Governor of Scotland died the same year in the Third of the Nones of September and Fifteen years after the Death of King Robert the Third His Son Murdo succeeded in his place a Man of a sluggish disposition and scarce fit to govern his private Family much less the Common-wealth So that either by his Slothfulness or else his too much Indulgence he so spoiled his Children for he had Three that in a short time he brought both them and himself into great Calamity and at last Destruction This change of Domestick Affairs caused the Earls of Buchan and Wigton with many of their Kindred to return from France But Matters being soon setled at Home the Dolphin recalled the Earl of Buchan who with his Son in Law Archibald Iames his Son and the Flower of the Scotish Soldiers sailed into France leaving his other Son the Earl of Wigton behind him who being grievously sick could not follow him They landed with 5000 Soldiers at Rochel and so came to the Dolphin at Poâ—ctou where they were joyfully received and Douglas was made Duke of Turein When Henry of England heard of the Death of Clarence he substituted Iohn Earl of Bedford his other Brother in his place and sent him before into France with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot He himself followed soon after and took with him Iames King of Scots in the Expedition thinking by that means either to insinuate himself with the Scots who fought against him in France or else to render them suspected to the French But he obtained neither of his Ends nor could he prevail with them at the desire of their own King so much as to return home and to be Newters and Spectators only of the War For addressing to all the Garisons held there by the Scots They made him one General Answer That they could not acknowledge him for their King who was under the Power of another Man
to bear the Government of a Stranger he return'd back and provided a stately Fleet with great Cost yet no great Benefit because it was against Men who were very well provided both with Land and Sea-Forces At length he set upon their numerous Fleet returning from Dantzic which he took and pillaged and slew the Mariners and burnt the Ships so that he repaid the Enemy for the Loss he receiv'd from them many times over yea he so subdued the Fierceness of their Minds that they desired a Truce for an Hundred Years and obtain'd it He also caus'd a Breed of brave Mares to be brought from as far as Hungary into Scotland whose Race continu'd there for many Years after These Rich Earls Dying without Issue Buchan and Marr their Patrimonial â—nheritances descended Rightfully to the King And moreover he alone injoy'd all the Possessions of the Three Brothers Sons to King Robert the 2d by his last Wife but not without the Grudges of the Nobility who had been accustomed to Largesses that he alone should enjoy all the Prey without sharing any Part of it amongst them Further they conceiv'd another and fresher Cause of Offence That the King had revok'd some Grants made by Robert and Murdo the last Regents as unjust Amongst those Grants There were Two noted ones George Dunbar who was Declared a Publick Enemy was afterwards recall'd by Robert and part of his Estate restor'd to him His Son George succeeded him therein to the Joy of many who were well pleas'd that so Ancient and Noble a Family which had so often deserv'd well of their Country were restor'd to their Ancient Dignity But the King who look'd narrowly and perhaps too pryingly into his Revenue was of Opinion that the Power to restore Incapacities to recal Exiles and to give back their Goods forfeited for Treason and so brought into the King's Exchequer was too great for One that was but a Guardian of another Man's Kingdom and chosen but as a Tutor only to Claim and Use especially since Largesses made in the Minority of Princes by the Old Laws of Scotland might be recalled if not confirm'd by their respective Kings when they came to be of Age. And therefore Iames that he might reduce the Merch-men into his Power without noise in regard they were a Martial People and Borderers upon England detains George with him and sends Letters to the Governour of the Castle of Dunbar Commanding him on receipt thereof he should immediately Surrender it up to William Douglas Earl of Angus and Alexander Hepborn of Hales whom he had sent to receive it Hereupon George complain'd that he was wrongfully dispossest of his Ancient Patrimony for anothers Fault and such a Fault too as was forgiven by him who then had the Supreme Power The King to pacifie him and to proclaim his Clemency amongst the Vulgar bestowed Buchan upon him This Fact of the King 's was variously spoken of as every ones Humour and Disposition led him And moreover there was also another Action which much hastned his End the Beginning whereof is to be fetcht a little higher I said before that King Robert the 2d had Three Sons by his Concubine he had also Two by his Wife Eufemia Walter Earl of Athole and David Earl of Stratherne yet when their Mother the Queen was Dead he Married the Concubine afore-spoken of that so he might by that Marriage Legitimate the Children he had by her and leave them Heirs to the Crown and accordingly at his Death he left the Kingdom to the Eldest of them To the 2d he gave great Wealth and the Regency also The 3d. was made Earl of several Counties In this Matter tho' his other Wif's Children thought themselves wrong'd yet being younger and not so powerful as they they smothered their Anger for the present And besides their Power was somewhat abated by the Death of the Earl of Strathern who left but only one Daughter behind him afterwards Marry'd to Patrick Graham a Noble young Man and one of a potent Family in that Age on whom he begat Meliss Graham His Parents liv'd not long after and the Child after a few Years being yet a Stripling was sent as an Hostage into England till the Money for the King's Ransom was paid But the Earl of Athole tho' every way too weak for the adverse Faction yet never gave over his Project to cut off his Kindred nor cast away his Hopes to recover the Kingdom and because he was inferior in open Force he craftily fomented their Divisions and Discords and invidiously made use of their Dangers to promote his own Ends so that by his Advice that large Family was reduc'd to a few For many were of Opinion that he gave the Counsel to take off David King Robert's Son and Iames had not escap'd him neither unless he had past a good part of his Life in England far from home for he gave Advice to the Earl of Fife that seeing his Brother was a Drone he Himself should seize on the Kingdom When the King lost all his Children and was obnoxious to his Brothers Will and not long after dyed of Grief himself There was only the Regent of the Kingdom with his Children that hindred his hopes in regard he was an active Man of great Wealth Power and Authority and moreover very Popular and full of Children These Considerations did somewhat retard his Counsels but when Robert Dyed of a Natural Death and his Son Iohn was slain in the Battel of Vernevil then he resum'd his former Project with greater earnestness and bent all his Mind and Endeavour how to free Iames and set him at variance with Murdo and his Children And seeing they could not all of them stand safe together which soever of them fell he foresaw that his Hope would be advanced one step higher to the Kingdom And when Iames was returned into his Country he turn'd every Stone to hasten Murdo's Destruction he suborn'd Men fit for the turn to forge Crimes against him and he himself sate Judge upon Him and his Sons And when they were cut off there was only Iames left and one little Son a Child not yet 6 Years old And if he were slain by the Conspiracy of the Nobles he did not doubt but himself who was then the only remaining Branch of the Royal Stock should be advanc'd to the Throne Athole was in these Thoughts Night and Day yet he conceal'd his Secret Purposes and made a great shew of Loyalty to the King in helping to rid his Allies out of the way for that was his only Contrivance that by the Offences of Others he might increase his own Power and diminish his Enemies In the mean time Meliss Graham who as I said before was given in Hostage to the English was depriv'd of Strathern because the King making a diligent Enquiry into his Revenue found that 't was given to his Grandfather by the Mothers-side upon condition That if
of about 7 Years Old who was the younger of the Twins and surviv'd his Brother enter'd upon the Government in the Town of Kelsoe Afterwards when the Nobles according to Custom had taken their Oaths of Allegiance to him 8 Days after he began his Reign he left his Army and retir'd home â—o the Castle of Edinburgh to be under the Tutelage of his Mother till an Assembly of the Estates were Celebrated to determin of the Grand Affairs of the Kingdom The Assembly was Indicted later than ordinary because Matters was not compos'd in England and yet quiet in Scotland So that the Nobility were of Opinion That War was first of all to be thought on that so they might revenge old Injuries and punish their Enemies by some notable Loss who did always lye at catch to take Advantage of the Distresses of Others Hereupon they marched into the Enemies Country without any resistance where they committed much spoil and demolished many Castles from whence the Enemy was wont to make suddain Incursions the Chief of which was Wâ—rk situate on the Banks of the River Tweed formerly very injurious to the Country of Merch. The Army ravaged over the Enemies Country as far as they could for the time of the Year and at the very beginning of Winter returned home This Year Henry King of England was Taken by the Duke of York and brought to London there a Form of Peace was concluded betwixt them for Henry durst not deny any thing That He as long as he lived should bear the Name and Ensigns or Badges of a King but the Power of Government should be in York under the Name of a Protector And when Henry Died Then the Name also of King was to be transferred to Edward and his Posterity Whilst these Things were acted at London News was brought That the Queen was marching up with a great Army to Redeem her Husband out of Prison York went out to Engage her with about 5000 Men with him leaving the Earl of Warwick and King Henry behind he marched as far as Yorkshire and lest He who in France had Defended himself against great Armies not with Walls but with Arms should now shun a Battel with a Woman He Fought against a far greater Number than his Own and in the Fight He his youngest Son and a great many Nobles were slain The Heads of the Commanders were set up as a Spectacle upon the Gates at York The Queen thus Victorious and marching on further to Deliver the King the Earl of Warwick met her bringing the King along with him as if he would Defend the Pact made concerning the Kingdom under his good Omen Both Armies met at St. Albans which is thought to be the Old Verulam where the Queen was again Victorious She slew the Commanders of the adverse Army released her Husband and marched directly up for London but considering that the Earl of Pembroke was sent by Her to gather Forces as was also York's Son by his Father and that these Two had had a Fight in their March wherein Edward the Son of her Enemy was Victorious and withal knowing what cruel Hatred the Londoners bore against Her She withdrew towards Northumberland because She looked on that Part of England as the Seminary or Source of Her Strength There She was also Overcome in a Bloody Fight more than 36000 valiant Men being reported to be slain and the Enemy pressing upon Her and giving Her no Time to recollect Her Forces She her Husband and Son fled into Scotland The Conqueror call'd himself Edward the Fourth King of England Henry desired Aid in his Distress and by means of Iames Kennedye Archbishop of St. Andrews who then surpassed all in Scotland in point of Authority and Opinion of his Prudence he was Entertain'd with a great deal of Honour and Respect so that he was erected to some Hope of recovering his former Dignity and to nourish that Hope by all the actual good Offices which he could he restored the Town of Berwick to the Scots which the English had held ever since the Days of Edward I. The Scots upon this Obligation did assist Henry's Faction in all things not only in piecing up the Relicks of his former Misfortunes but promising him more Aid in time to recover his Own And that the Friendship now begun might be the more firmly established the Two Queens Both of Them of French Descent began to Treat concerning a Marriage between Iames his Sister and Henry's Son whom they called Prince of Wales tho' neither of them as yet were above Seven Years old Philip of Burgundy Uncle to the Queen of Scots but a Mortal Enemy to the Queen of England endeavoured by all means possible to hinder this Marriage For he sent Grathusius a Nobleman his Embassador for that purpose For Philip was at such deadly odds with Renatus Grandfather to the Lady by the Mother's side that he sought all Occasions to hinder his Stock from increasing so that in Favour of him the Matter was at that time rather delayed than broke off But the Fortune of Henry kept off the Event which Philip of Burgundy feared For being something encouraged by the Kindness of the Scots towards him and also by some comfortable Letters sent from his Friends out of England he sent his Wife beyond Sea to Renatus her Father to procure what Aid she could from her Foreign Friends She prevailed so much in France that her Faction were to have a safe Place of Retreat there but her Adversaries were excluded and moreover she obtained 2000 Men as Monstrelet says under Warren their General but as Ours and the English Writers to whom I rather assent 500 Commanded by Peter Brice or as some call him Brace a Britton rather as Companions for her Journy than as any Auxiliary Aid With this small Band she returned into Scotland and thought fit to attempt something not doubting but at the Noise of Foreign Assistance her Countrymen would rise and joiâ— with her whereupon she made a Descent at Tinmouth but this small Company being dismayed at the report of a great Force coming against them without the performance of any thing remarkable returned to their Ships where also as if Fortune had crossed them on all hands they were encounter'd with a grievous Tempest which drove the greatest Part of them who followed the Queen to Scotland into Berwick buâ— some few of them were cast upon the Isle Lindisfarm where they were taken by the Enemy and slain But the Manly spirited Queen was nothing discouraged at this Misfortune but levied a great number of Scots to join with her own Soldiers and resolves to try her Fortune once again Whereupon she left her Son at Berwick and she and her Husband entred Northumberland where she made great Devastation by Fire and Sword in all the adjacent Parts At the report of this new Army some of the Nobles as the Duke of
the 26th of August 1482. the Castle of Berwick should be surrendred up to the English and a Truce was made for a few Months till they could have more time to Treat of a Peace Thus Berwick was lost after it had been enjoy'd by the Scots 21 Years since they last recovered it Then the Duke of Glocester having made a prosperous Expedition return'd in Triumph Home Edward by the Advice of his Council judg'd it more for the advantage of England to nullifie the Marriage for he fear'd that the Intestine Discords of the Scots were so great that possibly the Issue of Iames might lose the Crown and if Alexander were made King be hoped to have a Constant and Faithful Ally of him in regard of the great Kindness he had receiv'd at his Hands Hereupon an Herauld was sent to Edinburgh to renounce the Affinity and to demand the Repayment of the Dowry when he had declar'd his Errand publickly on the Twenty Fifth of October the Scots obtained a Day for the Payment thereof and restor'd it to a Penny and withal they sent some to convoy the Herald as far as Berwick Alexander that he might extinguish the Remainders of the Old Hatred of his Brother against him and so obtain new Favour by a new Courtesie brought him out of the Castle and restor'd him to the free Possession of his Kingdom But the memory of old Offences prevail'd more with his Proud Huffing Spirit than This of his late Courtesie Moreover besides the Kings own Jealousies there were Those who did daily calumniate him and buzz into the Kings Ear his too great Popularity as if now 't was very Evident that he affected the Kingdom he being advis'd by his Friends that Mischief was hatching against him at Court fled privately into England and gave up the Castle of Dunbar to Edward In his absence he was Condemn'd The Crimes objected against him were First That he had often sent Messengers into England and then that he had retir'd thither himself without obtaining a Pass-port from the King and that there he joined in Counsel against his Country and his Kings Life All the other of his Partizans were pardon'd and amongst the rest William Creighton who was accus'd not only to have been an Abettor of his designs against his Country but also the chief Author and Instigator of him thereunto But after he had obtain'd Pardon for what was past he was again accus'd that he did incourage Alexander by his Advice and Counsel after he was Condemned frequent Letters passing between them by the means of Thomas Dickson a Priest and that he had caus'd his Castle of Creighton to be Fortified against the King and commanded the Garison Soldiers not to surrender it up to the King's Forces Hereupon he was summoned to appear the 13th Day of February in the Year 1484. but he not appearing was outlawed and his Goods Confiscate These were the Causes of his Punishment mentioned in our publick Records But 't is thought that the Hatred the King had conceiv'd against him upon a private Occasion did him the most Mischief of all It was this William had a very beautiful Wife of the Noble Family of the Dunbars when her Husband found that the King had had the use of her Body he undertook a Project which was rash enough in it self but yet not unproper for a Mind sick of Love and also provok'd by such an Injury as his was for he himself lay with the King 's young Sister a beautiful Woman but ill spoken of for her too great Familiarity with her Brother and on her he begot Margarite Creighton who died not long since In the interim Creighton's Wife died at his own House and the King's Sister whom as I said the King had vitiated was so much in Love with William that she seem'd sometimes to be out of her Wits for him The King partly by the Mediation of William's Friends and partly being mindful of the Wrong he himself had done him of the like sort and being willing also to cover the Infamy of his Sister under a pretext of Marriage permitted William to return Home again to Court upon Condition that he would Marry her William was persuaded by his Friends and for want of better Counsel especially since Richard of England was dead came to Eâ—verness where he had Conference with the King not long before Both their Deaths and great Hopes were there given of his Return His Sepulchre is yet there to be seen These things were done at several times but I have put them together that so the Thread of my History might not be discontinued and broken off Let us now return to what was omitted before Edward of England died in the Month of April next after Dunbar was delivered to him in the Year 1483. leaving his Brother Richard Guardian to his Sons He was first content with the Name of Protector and under that Title Govern'd England for two Months but afterwards having by several Practises engaged a great part of the Nobility and Commonalty to his side he put his Brothers Two Sons in Prison the Queen and her Two Daughters being forced to retire into a Sanctuary near London but the next Iune he took upon him the Name and Ornaments of a King Alexander of Albany and Iames Douglas being willing to try how their Countrymen stood affected towards them came with 500 select Horse to Loch-Maban on Maudlins-day because a great Fair used that day to be there held There a Skirmish began between the Parties with inraged Minds on Both sides and the Success was various as Aid came in out of the Neighbouring District either to This or That Party They fought from Noon till Night and the issue was doubtful but at last the Victory inclined to the Scots though it were a Bloody one as having lost many of their Men Douglass was there taken Prisoner and sent away by the King to the Monastery of Lindors Alexander was set on a Horse and escap'd but staid not in England long after that In the mean time many Incursions were made to the greater Loss of the English than Benefit of the Scots Richard was uncertain of the Event of things at home and withal fear'd his Enemy abroad for many of the English did favour the Earl of Richmond who was then an Exile in France and had sent for him over to undertake the Kingdom so that Richard was mightily troubled neither was he less vext with the Guilt of his own Wickedness and because he saw he could not quell Domestick Seditions as soon as he hoped therefore he thought it best to Oblige Foreigners by any Conditions whatsoever that so by their Authority and Power he might be safer at home and more formidable to his Enemies For this cause he sent Embassadors into Scotland to make Peace or at least a Truce for some years there he found all things more facile than he could have hoped for For Iames
as he lived and every Year he added one Link thereunto and tho this Practice might seem formidable to those that were the Causers of his Father's Death yet they had such Confidence either in the Gentleness of the King's Disposition or in their own Power that it occasioned no Insurrection at all Amidst this publick Jubilee and also the private Rejoycings of particular Persons about the seventh Year of the King's Reign Peter Warbeck came into Scotland But before I declare the Cause of his coming I must fetch things something further back Margaret the Sister of Edward the fourth King of England having married Charles Duke of Burgundy she endeavoured all the ways she could if not to overthrow yet at least to vex Henry the Seventh the Leader of the contrary Faction In order whereunto she raised up one Peter Warbeck as a Competitor for the Kingdom he was a Youth born of mean Parentage at Tornay a City of the Nervii but of such Beauty Ingenuity Stature of Body and Manliness of Countenance that he might easily be believed to have been descended of a Royal Stock And by reason of his Poverty he had travelled up and down in several Countries so that he was known but by very few of his own Relations and there he had learned several Languages and had hardened himself to all kind of bold and impudent Carriage when Margarite who was intent on all occasions to disturb the Peace of England had got this Youth she kept him a while privately by her till she had informed him with what Factions England laboured at that time what Friends and what Enemies she had there in a word she made him acquainted with the whole Genealogy of the Royal Progeny and what Happinesses or Misfortunes had attended each of them When things seemed thus to be somewhat ripe she was resolved to try Fortune and took private order that he should be sent in a decent Equipage first into Portugal then into Ireland there he had a great Concourse of People flock'd about him and was received with huge Applause as the Son of King Edward of England either because his own Disposition assisted also by Art was inclined to Dissimulation or because being there amongst wild Kerns he was soon likely to raise great Stirs and Tumults When a War brake forth suddenly betwixt the French and the English he was called for out of Ireland by Charles the Eighth and had great Promises made him so that coming to Paris he was there honourably received in the Garb and Equipage of a Prince and had a Guard appointed him yea the English Exiles who were numerous at that Court put him in a sure hope of the Kingdom But that Tumult being quieted upon Terms he departed privately out of the Court of France for fear lest he should have been delivered up and so retired to Flanders there he was highly caressed by Margaret as if it were the first time that ever she had seen him and was diligently shewed to all the Courtiers and several times in the hearing of many of them he was desired to relate the Story of all his Adventures Margarite as if this were the first time she had ever heard it did so accommodate her dissembled Affections in compliance with each part of his Discourse both when he related his Successes and also his Misfortunes that every body thought she believed what he had spoken to be certainly true After a day or two Peter was desired to go abroad in the habit of a Prince and had thirty Men to be his Guard wearing a white Rose which is the Badg of the York-Faction amongst the English and so was every where declared as the undoubted Heir of the Crown of England When these things were divulged first in Flanders afterward in England the Minds of Men were so stirred up that a great concourse of People flock'd in to him not only of those who lurked in Holes and Sanctuaries for fear of the Laws but even of some Noble-men whom their present State did not please or who desired Innovations But when a longer delay which Peter hoped would bring in more Force to him was likely to abate his present Strength if he were discovered to be a Counterfeit therefore he determined to try his Fortune in a Fight so that having gotten a pretty great Party together he landed some few of them in Kent to try the Affections of the Kentish-men but in vain All those who landed were taken so that he was forced to steer his course for Ireland and there also he met not with the entertainment he hoped for so that he sailed over into Scotland well knowing that Peace betwixt Scotland and England never used to continue very long He being admitted into the King's Presence made a lamentable complaint of the Ruin of the York-Family and what miserable Calamities he himself had suffered and therefore he earnestly besought him to vindicate Royal Blood from such contumely and shame The King bid him be of good chear and promised he should shortly find That he had not desired his help in his Distresses in vain A few days after a Council was called where Peter made a sad Story of his Misfortunes That he being born of a King the most Flourishing of his Time and that of the highest hopes too was left destitute by the untimely death of his Father and so was like to have fallen into the Tyrannical Hands of his Uncle Richard before he was sensible almost what Misery was That his Elder Brother was cruelly murdered by him but that he himself was stolen away by his Father's Friends so that now he durst not live no not a poor and precarious Life even in that Kingdom of which he was the lawful Heir That he had so miserably lived amongst Foreign Nations that he preferred the Condition of his deceased Brother before his own in regard he was snatch'd away from all further Calamity by a suddain and violent Death That he himself was reserved as the ridicule of Fortune and that his Sorrow had not that alleviation that he durst bewail his miserable State amongst Strangers to incline them to pity him for after he had begun openly to profess what he was Fortune had assaulted him with all her Darts and to his former Miseries had added a daily fear of Treachery for his crafty Enemy had sometimes tampered with those who entertained him to take away his Life and sometimes he had privily suborned his Subjects under the name of Friends to discover his secret Designs to corrupt his true Friends and to find out his secret ones and to calumniate his Stock and Pedigree by false Accusations amongst the Vulgar to reproach his Aunt Margaret and those English Nobles that owned him and yet notwithstanding that she being supported by a good Conscience against the revilings of Enemies and also out of compassion to her own Blood had supported him in his low Estate with her Assistance
was not able to resist Offers of Mony by the Promises of large Subsidies whereupon they set before his Eyes the Greatness of the Danger the doubtful and uncertain Credit of an Enemies Promise that he might have a great Sum of Mony at home and more easily procurable First of all They promised to give him of their own 30000 Ducats of Gold year by year and all the rest of their Estates also should be at his Service besides enough to obviate future Emergencies if any hapned and as for those who rebelled against the Authority of the Pope and the King 's and so endeavoured to trouble the Peace of the Church by new and wicked Errors and thereby would subvert all Piety overthrow the Rights of Magistracy and cancel Laws of so long standing out of their Estates he might get above an hundred thousand Ducats more yearly into his Exchequer by way of Confiscation if he would permit them to nominate a Lord-Chief-Justice in the Case because they themselves could not by Law sit in Capital Causes to condemn any Man And that in the managing the Process against them there would be no danger nor any Delay in passing Sentence seeing so many thousand Men were not afraid to take the Books of the Old and New Testament into their Hands to discourse concerning the Power of the Pope to contemn the ancient Ceremonies of the Church and to detract from that Reverence and Observance which was due to Religious Persons consecrated to God's Service This they urged upon him with such Vehemency that he appointed them a Judg according to their own Hearts and that was Iames Hamilton base Brother to the Earl of Arran him they had oblig'd by great Gratuities before and besides he was resolv'd to conciliate the King's Favour who long since had been offended with him with the Perpetration of some atoning Fact though never so cruel About the same time there came into Scotland Iames Hamilton Sheriff of Linlithgoe and Cousin-German to the former Iames He after a long Banishment when he had commenced a Suit against Iames the Bastard and had obtained leave to return for a time to his own Country understanding in what Danger he and the rest of the Favourers of the Reformed Doctrine were in sent his Son in a Message to the King as he was about to pass over into Fife and having gotten him opportunely before he went aboard he filled his Head which was naturally suspicious with fearful Presages That this Commission granted to Hamilton would be a Capital Matter and pernicious to the whole Kingdom unless he did prevent this Sophistry by another Wile The King who was then hastning into Fife sent the young Man back to Edinburgh to the Court called the Exchequer-Court where he also commanded to assemble Iames Lermont Iames Kircaldy and Thomas Erskin of whom one was the Master of the Houshold the other Lord High Treasurer neither of them averse from the Reformed Religion the Third was highly of the Popish Faction and his Secretary These were all ordered to meet And the King commanded them to give the same Credit to the Messenger as they would do to himself if he were present and so took the Ring off his Finger and sent it them as a known Token between them They laid their Heads together and apprehended Iames just after he had dined and had fitted himself for his Journy and committed him Prisoner to the Castle But having Intelligence by their Spies at Court that the King was pacified and that he would be released besides the publick Danger they were afraid also for their particular selves lest a Man factious and potent being released after he had been provoked by so great an Affront and Ignominy should afterwards study a cruel and bitter Revenge against them Whereupon they speedily hastned to Court and inform'd the King of the Imminency of the Danger of the naughty Disposition Fierceness and Power of the Man all which they augmented to raise the greater suspicion upon him so that they persuaded the King not to suffer so crafty and withal so puissant a Person being also provoked by this late Disgrace to be set at Liberty without a legal Trial. Whereupon the King came to Edinburgh and from thence to Seton where he caused Iames to be brought to his Trial and in a Court legally constituted according to the Custom of the Country he was condemned and had his Head struck off his Body was cut up after his Execution and his Quarters hanged up in the publick Places of the City The Crimes objected against him in behalf of the King were That on a certain Day he had broke open the King's Bed-Chamber and had designed to kill him and that he had driven on secret Designs with the Douglasses who were declared publick Enemies Few were grieved for his Death because of the Wickedness of his former Life save only his own Kindred and the Sacerdotal Order who had placed all the Hopes of their Fortunes in a manner upon his Life only From that time forward the King increased in his Suspicions against the Nobility and besides he was exercised with sundry distracting Cares insomuch that his unquiet Mind was much troubled with Dreams in the Night There was One more remarkable than the rest which was much talked of That in his Sleep he saw Iames Hamilton running at him with his drawn Sword and that he first cut off his Right Arm then his Left and threatned him shortly to come and take away his Life and then disappeared when he awoke in a Fright and pondering many things about the Event of his Dream at last Word was brought him that both of his Sons departed this Life almost at one and the same moment of Time one at St. Andrews and the other at Sterlin In the mean while there was not a certain Peace nor yet an open War with the King of England who was alienated and offended afore insomuch that without any denunciation of a War Preys were driven from the Borders of Scotland Neither would the English when called upon to make Restitution give any favourable answer So that all Men saw That Henry was in an high Indignation because of the frustration of the Interview at York And Iames tho he knew that War was certainly at hand and therefore had made Levies for that purpose and had appointed his Brother the Earl of Murray to be General of all his Forces and had also made all necessary Preparation for a Defence yet he sent an Ambassador to the Enemy if 't were possible to compose Matters without Blows In the mean time George Gordon was sent to the Borders with a small Force to prevent the pillaging Incursions of the Enemy The English despised the paucity of the Gordonians and therefore hasten'd to burn Iedburgh But George Hume with 500 Horse interpos'd and charg'd them briskly and after a short Fight when they saw the
his Chamber and concluded with Prayer A while after two Executioners were sent to him by the Cardinal one of them put a black Linen Shirt upon him and the other bound many little Bags of Gunpowder to all the Parts of his Body In this Dress they brought him forth and commanded him to stay in the Chamber without the Governour 's And at the same time they erected a Wooden Scaffold in the Court before the Castle and made up a Pile of Wood. The Windows and Forts of the Castle over against it were all hung with Tapestry and silk Hangings with Cushions for the Cardinal with his Train to behold and take pleasure in the joyful Sight even the Torture of an innocent Man thus endeavouring to curry Favour with the Vulgar as the Author of so notable a Prank There was also a great Guard of Souldiers not so much to secure the Execution as for a vain Ostentation of his Power and besides Brass Guns were plac'd up and down in all convenient Places of the Castle Thus whilst the Trumpets sounded George was brought forth mounted the Scaffold and was fastened with a Cord to the Stake and having scarce obtain'd Liberty to pray for the Church of God the Executioners fired the Wood which took hold of the Powder tied about him immediately and blew it up into Flame and Smoke The Governor of the Castle who stood so near that he was sing'd with the Flame exhorted him in a few words to be of good chear and to ask Pardon of God for his Offences To whom he replied This Flame occasions trouble to my Body indeed but it hath in no wise broken my Spirit But He who now so proudly looks down upon me from yonder lofty Place pointing to the Cardinal shall ' ere long be as ignominiously thrown down as now he proudly lies at his Ease Having thus spoken they straitned the Rope which was tied about his Neck and so strangled him his Body in a few hours was consum'd to Ashes in the Flame and the Bishop being yet mad with Hate and Rage forbad every body upon great Penalties to pray for the Deceased After this Fact the Cardinal was highly commended by his Faction and extolled to the very Skies that he alone when others declined it had slighted the Authority of the Regent and performed so noble an Exploit whereby he had curb'd popular Insolency and had couragiously undertook and as happily manag'd the Defence of the whole Ecclesiastical Order If the Church had formerly had said they such valiant Assertors of its Liberties it would never have been brought to that Pass as it is at this Day i. e. to truckle under but it would have given Law to all and received it from none This luxuriant and superlative Joy of the Priests for their obtained Victory did rather irritate than discourage the Minds not only of the promiscuous Vulgar but even of some great and noble Persons also They fretted that things were come to that pass by their own Cowheartedness so that now some bold thing or other was to be attempted and hazarded or else they were Slaves for ever Hereupon more Company came in to them whose Grief enforc'd them to brake out in Complaints against the Cardinal so that they encouraged one another to rid the Cardinal out of the way and either to recover their Liberty or lose their Lives For what hope of thriving said they could there be under so arrogant a Priest and so cruel a Tyrant who made War against God as well as Men and those not his Enemies only as were all such as had Estates or were any way pious but if he bore but a grudg against a Man he would hale him as a Hog out of the Sty to be sacrific'd to his Lusts. And besides he was a publick Encourager and Maintainer of War both at Home and Abroad and in his private capacity he mixed the Love of Harlots with lawful Marriages Legitimate Wedlock he dissolv'd at pleasure at Home he wallowed in Lust among his Minions and Abroad he ravag'd to destroy the Innocent The Cardinal himself though he did not distrust his own Power yet knowing how People stood affected towards him and what Reports were spread up and down concerning him thought it his best way to strengthen his Power by some new Accession or other Hereupon he went to Angus and married his eldest Daughter to the Son of the Earl of Crawford the Marriage was solemnized in great State and almost with a Royal Magnificence Whilst these things were acting he received Intelligence by his Spies That the King of England was making great Naval Preparations to infest the Scotish Coasts but especially the Inhabitants of Fife whom he threatned most Whereupon he returned to St. Andrews and there appointed a Day for the Nobility especially those whose Estates lay near to the Sea to meet and to consult in common what Remedy to apply to the present Malady And to do it more effectually he determined to take a View of all the Sea-Coasts together with the Owners of the Lands and so in a manner to circuit about all Fife and to fortify all convenient Places and to put Garisons into them Amongst the rest of the Noble Mens Sons who came in to the Cardinal Norman Lesly Son to the Earl of Rothes was one of whom I have made mention several times before He had done great and eminent Service for the Cardinal but on a time there fell out a Dispute between them concerning a private business which estrang'd them a while one from another but Norman upon great Promises made to him quitted his Right in the Matter contested for After a few Months coming to demand of the Cardinal the performance of what was promised him they fell from plain Discourse to chiding and afterwards to downright railing uttering such reproachful words one to another as were seemly for neither of them and thus they parted in a great Rage one from another the Cardinal fretting that he was not treated with that Deference which was due to his Dignity and Norman full of Wrath and Rage as being circumvented by Fraud so that he returned home with thoughts full of Revenge and inveighed openly amongst his Friends against the intolerable Pride of the Cardinal insomuch that they all agreed to take away his Life And that the matter might pass with the least Suspicion Norman with five only in his Company came to St. Andrews and took up his usual Inn that so the design of cutting him off might be concealed by reason of the paucity of his Attendants There were Ten more in the Town privy to the Conspiracy who all in several Places expected the Watch-word With this small Company did he undertake so great an Enterprise and that in a Town which was full of the Cardinal's Train Kindred and Attendants The Days were then very long as they use to be in those Countries towards the end of the Spring
Argadius Regent 115 Being accused he repents and supplicates for Pardon ibid. Whereupon he is continued in his Government ibid. And prevails against the Islanders 116 Argyle Country 17 Argyle Earl joins with the Reformers 131 Arren see Arran Arrii painted their Bodies 53 Arrogance the usual Companion of Power 412 Uterson's begotten in Adultery King of the Britains 150 His Character 154 He overcomes the Saxons and takes London and York from them ibid. He is slain 151 152 Arthur the Son of Henry VIII of England marries Katherine the Infanta of Spain 11 14 Arthur Forbes slain 284 Arveâ—ni Who 46 Asclepiodotus a Roman Lieutenant-General kills Allectus in Britain 124 Askerme Isle 29 Assassination of King Henry odious to all Nations 192 Assassins of King Henry labour to impute the Parricide to Murray and Morton 191 Astrological Predictions Courtiers much addicted to them 418 Asyle Isle See Flavannae 30 Athelstan King of England fights the Picts 165 He is slain at a Place since called Athelstan's Ford 165 Athelstan base Son of Edward King of England overcomes the Danes and Scots in Battel 179 180 Recovers Dunbritton from the Scots ibid. Athircus or Athirco King of Scotland 119 He reigns vitiously and kills himself 120 Athol a fruitful Country 18 It abounds with Witches 357 Atrebates Who 56 Aven 15 Aven and Avon What they signify 70 Avon Laggan 26 Avona Isle its Etymology 25 Auresius Ambrosius his Original 146 147 Aureliacum i. e. Orilhach 60 Austin a Monk comes into England and calls himself Archbishop of all Britain 157 He promotes Superstition rather than true Religion ibid. Authority got by good Arts is lost by bad 208 Avus or Aw a Loch or River 17 Auxerre see Altissidorus B BACA Isle 27 Badenach County 19 Balta Isle 37 Baliol Edward lands in Scotland 285 Overthrows Seton and the Regent ibid. Declared King 286 Worsted in Scotland 287 Edward of England espouses his Cause 288 Bandying betwixt him the Nobles 291 292 Ball a Priest stirs up the Commons of England to an Insurrection 309 Bancho a Scots General 208 Overthrows the Danes 210 Slain by Mackbeth 211 Baptism celebrated but once a Year and sometimes by Parents themselves 30 Bards Who 39 57 They committed nothing to writing 35 Barnera Island 29 30 Barodunum or Dunbar whence so called 170 Baronia i. e. Renfrew 14 Barra Isle 29 Bas-Alpin the Place where Alpin was slain 167 Bassianus a Roman General in Britain 124 Slain there by Allectus ibid. Bassinets or Monk-Fishes ominous 175 Batavians or Hollanders their Fleet returning from Dantzick spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Beath Island 25 Beatrix leaving her Husband James Douglas asks Pardon of the King 391 She marries John Earl of Athol the King 's Natural Brother ibid. Bedford the Earl thereof King Henry's General in France carries James of Scotland along with him thither 336 Bede quoted 91 92 93 Beds made of Heath 23 Bei what it signifies 22 Belhac Isles 25 Bellach Isles 25 Belus King of the Orcades kils himself 106 Bergh in German signifies High 12 Bergion the Name of a Giant 11 Berlings What 32 Bernera an Island 25 The Great and the Small 29 30 Berth a great Part of it destroyed by an Inundation 236 Berton for Breton 5 Berwick taken from the English by Robert Bruce 269 Besieged by Edward of England 370 Rendred to the English 397 Its Castle taken by Ramsay but regained by Percy 308 Bethic Isle 26 Betubium or Dungisby Head a Promontory 21 Bigga Isle 37 Bishops of England not true to Maud their Queen 224 Bishops in Scotland holy Monks 165 Chosen heretofore by their Canons 417 Anciently not Diocesans 171 Bishop of Dunblane sent into France to excuse the Queen's Marriage with Bothwel 200 c. He is chouzed in his Embassy 209 Bishopricks six in Scotland 218 Four others added to them and endowed 223 Bishop of Caithness had his Eyes and Tongue plucked out 235 Another burnt 236 Bishop of Caledonia or Dunkel commanded when the English Navy was worsted in the Forth 270 Whereupon called the King's Bishop ibid. Bishop of Dunkel commended 40 Bishop of Durham comes too late to assist Percy 317 319 His Army terrified with the Noise of Horses 320 Bishop of St. Davids sent by the English King to the Scots 63 Bishop of the Orcades prefers Court-Favour before Truth 199 Bizets a Family in Ireland anciently from Scotland 240 Blackmoney What 425 Blackness betrayed to the Hamiltons 286 Blandium an old Drink amongst the Scots 23 Blair of Athol 18 Blood rained for seven days over all Britain 261 Also Milk c. turned into Blood ibid. Bogia or Strabogy 140 Boadicea see Voadicea Bodotria i. e. the Scotish Sea 100 Boids creep into Favour at Court 409 Their Faction against the Kennedies 410 They carry the King to Edinburgh and strengthen themselves by getting the King's Pardon 411 Their Greatness occasions their Ruin 412 Boin Country 20 Bote or Boot Isle 24 Bracara or Braga 47 Braid Albin 17 Brasa Isle 37 Brecantia a Town 65 Bredius overthrown by Ederus 106 Brendinus slain in Battel 156 Brennus's Two 79 Brettish Isles 4 Bria Brica Briga signify a City with the Names of several Cities so ending 63 64 65 Bridi Isle 26 Brien-Loch 31 Brigantes and Brigiani 65 Brigantium ibid. Brigidan Isle 26 Brigids or Brides Church burnt 408 Britanny its Description 1 c. Several Islands anciently so called ibid. Mentioned by Aristotle and Lucretius 3 It hath divers Acceptations 8 It s Original and Description out of Caesar Tacitus c. 81 82 Inhabited by three Nations 70 71 Several Limits of it anciently 180 Britains their fabulous Original 41 They praised God in five Tongues 33 Britains and Gauls of one Religion 56 They painted their Bodies 76 Made no difference of Sex in Government 85 Vexed by the Scots and Picts 139 They ask Aid of the Romans 93 135 136 Make Peace with Scots and Picts 139 Enter Scotland 100 Foment Divisions betwixt Scots and Picts 95 Overthrown by Scots and Picts 142 Their woful Complaints to Aetius 93 143 Have hard Conditions of Peace imposed upon them 141 What sort of Weapons they used in War 50 They were five hundred Years under the Roman Government 70 Overthrown by Scots and Picts 156 Subdued by the Saxons 70 Revolt from the Romans and after twelve Years return to their Obedience 124 Britton and Britain all one 9 Their Origin 50 Britto with a double t 5 First mentioned by Martial 9 Brix a diminutive Word in Scotch Brixac 60 Bruce and Cumins formally agree 259 Like to suffer for Treason in England but escapes by shooing his Horse backward 260 Kils Cumins for betraying of him ibid. Bruce David sent for France 286 Bruce Edward drives the English out of Ulster in Ireland 270 He is afterwards overthrown there by the English ibid. Bruce Robert the Kingdom confirmed to him 269 He is desired to accept the Crown of Ireland also ibid. He calls for the Deeds of Mens Lands
Embassador into France 376 Croke the French Embassador dislikes the Queen's Marriage with Bothwel 199 He mediates a Peace 208 209 Crowling Isle 28 Cruelty an Example thereof 329 Culbrenin Isle 25 Culdees a kind of Monks 18 125 Worshippers of God 18 Culen King of Scots an incestuous Person 184 185 He is slain by a Strumpet 187 Cull 196 Culross whence so called 170 Cumbra Isles the greater and the lesser 25 Cumbri and Cumri 75 Cumins their Faction powerful 240 Cumins overthrows Gilespy 239 Cumins John overthrown by Bruce 264 Cumins William poisoned by his Wife 241 Cuningham 14 Cuningham's overcome by the Hamiltons 85 Cup of St. Magnus see Magnus Curia a Parish-Church 26 Curry a Merchaâ—t an Instrument in surprizing Edinburghâ—â—stle â—â—stle 299 Cutberectus 161 D DAal what it signifies in Old Scotish 100 Dalkeith 13 Dalreudini why the Scots so called 100 Danes enter England 71 Invade Scotland 174 Fight a bloody Battel with the English 178 Turn Christians ibid. Land in Scotland 182 Are overthrown ibid. Danish Fleet lands again in Scotland 190 Stupified by an inebriating Drink and overcome by the Scots 209 Swear never to return to invade Scotland any more 210 Dangers make Men sagacious 26 Dardanus King of Scots 108 His cruel Reign and violent Death ibid. David I. King of Scots 212 Profuse towards Monasteries 223 Maintains the Cause of Maud his Kinswoman against Stephen of England 224 Accuses him of Perjury ibid. Makes two Accords with Stephen 225 226 Henry Heir of England made Knight by him 226 Loses his hopeful Son yet comforts himself and his Nobles in a Christian Discourse thereupon 226 He erects new Bishopricks 223 His extraordinary Character for Piety and Virtue 227 David King William's Brother accompanies Richard of England to the Holy War 235 He is shipwrack'd and taken Prisoner yet at last returns ibid. David II. anointed King of Scotland 282 Sent into France when he was a Child 286 Returns to Scotland 300 Taken Prisoner in a Fight by the English 302 Ransomed 304 His Death and Character 305 306 David Cumins appointed Ruler over Scotland by the English 293 He and Douglas disagree 294 Forced to take an Oath to Bruce ibid. Makes large Promises to Edward of Enggland 295 Follows the good Success of the English ibid. Left by the English King as Regent of Scotland where his Army is overthrown and he himself slain 296 David the Son of Robert III imprisoned and starved to Death by his Vncle who was his Governour 328 329 David Beton the Cardinal 73 Chosen Regent by a pretended Will but the Fraud being discovered he is displaced and imprisoned 75 He endeavours to avert the imminent Ruin of Popery 76 He chouzes Lennox with vain Hopes of marrying the Queen 80 He grieves to be deprived of a rich Morsel which he had swallowed in his Hopes 81 He is sharply reproved by Montgomery 91 His Cruelty against Protestants 93 He espouses his Daughter to the Earl of Craford's Son 97 He is slain in his Castle with the manner thereof 98 His foul Character 99 David Douglas with his Brother William beheaded 370 David Hamilton defends the Cause of the Gospel 93 David Panater or Painter Bishop of Ross made an Abbat by the King of France 113 David Rize a Musician his Story 171 He persuades the Queen to cut off the Scotish Nobility 177 His Court-Preferments Familiarity with the Queen of Scots violent Death and Burial 179 to 183 David Spence slain 282 David Straiton or Straton burnt for a Lutheran 63 Death better than a miserable Life 12 d ee a River in England 13 Three of that Name in Scotland 14 70 Deidonum i. e. Dundee 18 Deiri Who 159 Delators or Informers appointed by Evenus 13 Denmark the King thereof bargains with the Embassador of Scotland to quit his Right to the Islands about Scotland 413 Derivative Words shew the Affinity of a Language 6â— Dessius General of the French Forces in Scotland 106 Called home by the King of France 110 Descants on the Law about Hereditary Succession of the Crown 205 Descants on over-severe Executions of Criminals 358 Deucaledonian Sea What 21 Diana's Oracle counterfeited by a Monk 44 45 Dicaledones rather to be read Duncaledones in Marcellinus 56 Dioclesian a supposed King of Syria 41 Dionethus gives himself forth to be King of the Brittons 136 Dion quoted concerning Britain 90 91 118 Dona River 20 Donachs or Duncans Bay 22 Donald I. King of Scots 117 He first received the Christian Religion ibid. Donald II. 122 Overthrown by Donald the Islander and dies ibid. Donald Brother of Malcolm III. yields up the Possession of the Islands to the King of Norwey 23 Donald III. 123 Reigns Tyrannically and is slain by Crathilinthus ibid. Donald IV. or Donebald sends Christian Doctors into England and interprets pious Sermons to the People himself 159 Donald V. Brother of Kenneth 172 Reigns licentiously and is put in Prison 173 Donald VI. Son of Constantine II. 178 Donald VII or Duncan 204 Donald Murderer of King Duffus taken and executed 185 Donald Bane calls himself King of the Aebudae 164 He is slain ibid. Donald VIII or Banus 220 He promises the Islands to Magnus King of Norwey ibid. Donald of Athol 154 Donald Baloc overthrows Alexander and Alan Stuarts 343 He is taken in Ireland and his Head is sent to the King 344 Donald Lord of the Aebudae rises in Arms 333 With the Earl of Ross and Douglas he figâ—â—s with the King's Forces ibid. He is left by his Wife 391 Sends Agents to make his Peace with the King 392 After the King's Death he plays Rex again 408 He takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner and burns St. Bride's Church ibid. He is shipwrack'd and fals distracted 409 Donald Monro commended 22 He travelled over the Islands of Scotland and described them 31 Dongal King of Scots 168 He is drowned ibid. Dongard King of Scots 144 Opposes the Pelagian Heresy 145 Dornadilla King of Scots 98 Dorstologus slain 166 Dorus flies for fear of Nathalocus 120 Dovallus kils King Nothatus 99 He himself is slain in Battel 100 Douglas River 14 Douglas Dale 140 Douglas made Duke of Turein 336 Douglas slain by the Moors 280 Douglas William takes Dundalk in Ireland 314 Douglas William pardoned 301 Douglas breaks in upon the English Army 278 Douglasses their Power intolerable 372 377 Their Power broken 53 Drinach Isle 25 Drix 60 Druides Who 56 Drumalbin 17 Drummilaw Sands 209 Drunkenness punished with Death 174 Druskins King of the Picts and all his Nobility slain 169 Drury intercedes for Peace between the Parties in Scotland 278 Duffa or Dow Isle 25 Duffus King of Scots 181 Witchcraft practised upon his Body 183 He is slain 184 Dukes when the Name first brought into Scotland 325 Duke of York overthrown and slain by the Queen of England 396 Dulcitius in Britain 89 Dunacus and Domnacus 68 Dunbar whence so called 13 14 Its Siege raised 297 Fortified by Alexander against the King but deserted by
him 421 Again possessed by him and delivered to the English 427 Retaken by the Scots 429 Dunbritton 17 The Castle surrendred to Robert Bruce 268 Twice surprized 371 Taken by the Queen 164 Retaken by the Regent by Surprize with the Manner how 260 It s Scituation and why so called 262 263 Duncan King of Scots 229 He is slain ibid. Duncan Earl of Marr Regent 284 Slain in Battel 285 Duncan Stuart rising in Arms is suppressed 323 Duncaledon rather than Deucaledon to be read in Ptolemy 56 Dunchonel Isle 25 Dundee 18 Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons 286 Dunedin by the ancient Scots now Edinburgh 171 Dungisby Head 22 See Betubium Duni pacis what 15 119 Dunkelden 18 Duno or Dunum Words so beginning or ending are the Names of Places 65 66 67 Dunoter 19 Dunsinnan Hill and Castle 212 Dunstafnage 20 Duodecemvirate in Scotland 253 Dur the Names of some Places derived therefrom 68 Durstus King of Scots 102 He invites the Nobility to a Supper and there treacherously kils them ibid. He is slain 103 Durstus made King of the Picts 132 Slain in Battel 137 E EAnfrid 159 Easdale Isle 25 Easter-Day a Dispute about it raised by Austin the Monk 157 Eboracum i. e. York whence derived 60 Ecclesiasticks their Power over Kings 237 Their Avarice 238 243 They are reformed by Constantine II. are superstitâ—ous 195 Eder preserved by his Nurse 104 Educated by Cadvallus 105 Created King of Scots 106 Edgar then in Scotland demanded by William the Norman 216 Returns to England 217 Made King of the Sâ—ots 221 Builds Coldingham Abby ibid. Edifice a strange one 15 Edinburgh or Edinum whence so called 171 Its several Names 175 How seated 276 A Convention held at one End when the Enemy had the Castle at the other ibid. Edinburghers would not admit the English Exiles nor Hamilton to enter their City 252 Edmund King of England his Story 215 He gives Cumberland and Westmoreland to Malcolm King of Scots 181 Edward I. King of England takes away all Scotish Monuments 119 Endeavours to bring Scotland under his Dominion 249 Enters Scotland with a great Army 264 265 Overcomes the Scots and forces them to swear â—ealty to him 259 Appoints Magistrates all over Scotland ibid. Desires Margarite of Norwey Heiress of Scotland a Wife for his Son but she dies before her Marriage 245 Edward II. succeeding his Father in the Kingdom of England 263 Besieges Berwick makes a Truce with the Scots and retreats 270 271 Worsted in Scotland 272 Is cast into Prison by his Wife and his Son and there put to a cruel Death 274 Edward III. King of England makes Peace with the Scots 300 Baliol takâ—â— into his Protection 288 Hâ—s Cruelty to Seton's Children 289 〈◊〉 Berwick 288 Hath three Kings his Prisoners at once 304 He overthrows the Scots 290 Takes Berwick 290 Enters Scotland once or twice but retreats again 293 296 His Death 308 Edward Duke of York cals himself King of England 396 Edward IV. of England makes Peace with the Scots 416 He dies 428 He laid the Foundation of Tyranny 434 Edward VI. of England an hopeful Prince his Death 114 Edward Bruce called to be King in Ireland 269 Assists his Brother Robert 265 Edward Baliol with a numerous Fleet in the Bay of Forth 284 He overcomes the Scots 285 Enters on the Kingdom 286 Swears Fealty to the King of England 288 His supposititious Son 7 Education at Court what 160 Egfrid King of Northumberland slain by the Picts 161 Edwyn of Northumberland 159 Eels taken in abundance 14 Egg Isle See Rum 28 Eglish or Church Isle 25 Eglisa or Eglish-oy Isle 36 Elbeouf Marquess of it stays with the Queen in Scotland 154 Elgin a Town 20 Eliot's Authority disallowed 4 Elizabeth Queen of England sends Aid to the Reformers of Religion in Scotland 141 144 Her grave Oration to the Embassador of the Queen of Scots 155 156 c. She in part adopts the Cause of the Queen of Scots 222 Her Letters to the Regent to defer the Convention of the Estates ibid. Her other Letters to him which break off the Course of his Victories 223 She is informed by the Regent that the Cause of their Queen's deposing was the Murder of her Husband 227 228 She sends Letters to the Nobles of Scotland to receive their Queen again 239 c. Their Answer to her Letters 241 Howard's Conspiracy against her detected 244 She demands the English Fugitives to be given up to her by the Scots 284 She is made Arbiter between the Parties in Scotland 260 Some of her Council would have King James sent into England 275 Which the Scots refuse to do 280 She favours the King's Cause most yet is politickly slow in her Aid 279 286 Ella an English King 172 Embassadors from France desire the Scots to make War upon England 119 Embassadors from France and England to Scotland 352 England divided by four Rivers 13 The King thereof the Pope's Feudatary 237 Its King makes Peace or Truce with the Scots 249 250 Enecus General of the Danes 200 Slain by the Scots 201 Enemies not to be undervalued 174 291 Their sudden Liberality to be suspected 43 English how said to rule over all Britain 180 Incommoded in their March in Scotland 276 Their Army worsted 270 Quit their Claim to any Part of Scotland 234 Regain a great Part of Scotland 303 Drawn into an Ambush 304 Their Army of 60000 Men 274 Driven out of all Scotland except Berwick 300 English Souldiers less rapacious than the French 313 Worsted in Scotland 391 Overthrown by the Scots at Sea 379 Ask Aid of the Scots against their own King 392 English their Horses frightned in Scotland 42 Make War on Scotland 59 Enter Scotland again 86 Are worsted 89 Again enter 100 And give the Regent a great Overthrow 104 Enter Scotland again 105 And prevail against James Douglas 106 English Fleet attempts the Orcades 123 English called Deliverers of Scotland 152 Send Aid to the Reformers in Scotland 143 Assist the Vindicators of King and Regent's Murderers against the Queen's Faction 253 c. 256 257 Their Queen Elizabeth designed to be destroyed and the King of Scots too 280 Enner what it signifies 106 Ennerlute or Ennerlochy a Mart-Town 20 Ennerness a Mart-Town 106 Eorsa Isle 27 Eoy Isle 29 Ericaean or Heath Isle 26 Erisbach Isle see Abridic Eriscaia or Erisay Isle 30 Erin Isle ibid. Erra Isle 26 Esk River 13 South and North 19 Thence the Country called Eskdale 13 Etfin King of Scots 163 Ethelfrid King of Northumberland 156 Routs the Scots 157 Marches into Galway ibid. Ethodius I. King of Scots makes Laws about Hunting 112 Overcomes the Islanders ibid. Slain by Night in his Bedchamber by his Harper ibid. Ethodius II. rules by his Deputies 119 Is slain ibid. Ethus King of Scots 171 Eu Island 31 Eubonia or Man Isle 24 Evenus I. King of Scots 103 Aids the Picts against the Brittons ibid. The first that required an Oath of
the King's Tutor made Chancellour 54 Gawin Douglas called Archbishop of St. Andrews 29 Committed to Prison 164 Genrach Isle 26 Geoffry of Monmouth a Writer of British Affairs 8 Geldrians come to help the English against the Scots 295 Geloni painted their Bodies 53 Genistery or Broom Isle 25 George Buchanan imprisoned for Religion escapes out of his Chamber-Window whilst his Keepers were asleep 67 He is sent in Embassy with others into England 224 His ingenuous Speech concerning Himself 71 George Brother to the Earl of Douglas made Earl of Ormond 377 Commands the Forces against England 378 Extolled for his Victory over them 380 Declared a publick Enemy 387 Beheaded 390 George Douglas Earl of Angus 377 His memorable Fact 398 He is against the Queen Mother 399 His bold and unworthy Speech to the King 50 George Douglas the Regent's youngest Brother 217 Delivers the Queen out of Prison 218 George Dunbar Earl of Merch espouses his Daughter to David King Robert's Son 325 Which Marriage not taking effect he joins with Percy of England against the Scots 326 Proclaimed a publick Enemy ibid. Percy and he overthrow the Scots 307 Takes Douglas Prisoner in Fight 327 Ioins with Percy against the King of England is wounded and taken Prisoner 329 Being reconciled to the Regent returns into Scotland 332 George Gordon sent with an Army against England 70 The King's Hatred against him 71 Accused and imprisoned 115 Released 116 Studies to raise Commotions 154 Privy to the Conspiracy against Murray 168 Condemned for Treason 170 Restored by the Queen to his former Dignity 173 Chief of the Queen's Faction 209 George Lesly Earl of Rothes sent Embassador into France 121 There poisoned as 't was believed 122 George Ruven slain 282 George Wiseheart Preacher of the Gospel 93 Persecuted by Cardinal Beton against the Regent's Mind 94 Foretels the Death of Cardinal Beton 97 His pious and Christian Deportment before and at his Martyrdom 95 96 97 Gerlock Isle 28 Gerlock Bay See Loch-ger 17 Gersa or Gress-oy Isle 37 Gernich or Gaxnico 22 Germany whence so called 42 Germâ—nâ— their fabulous Original 45 Ingenious in relating the Origin of their Nation 38 39 German Navy lands on the Coast of Scotland 94 Gessoriaci i. e. People living about Calais 10 Getes painted their Bodies 53 Gethus King of the Picts 97 Slain 100 Getini and Getae whence 49 Geurasdil Isle 25 Gigaia or Gega Isle ibid. Gigamena Isle ibid. Giles Tutelary God of Edinburgh his Show affronted 124 Gilbert Kennedy slain by the Command of James Douglas 57 A Man of a great Spirit ibid. Kennedy's Constancy in keeping his Word â—77 Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils sent Embassador into France 121 He dies there not without the suspicion of Poison 127 Gilbert his Son chosen Iudg in Bothwelâ—s â—s Case but excuses himself 195 Gilchrist kils his Wife the King's Sister for her Adultery 234 King William's General 230 Banished but received again into Favour 234 Gilcolumb slain 164 Gildas quoted concerning Britain 93 He wrote 400 Years after Tacitus 38 Favoured by Aurelius Ambrosius 148 A good Man and died at Glastenbury in Somersetshire the Prophecies that go under his Name not genuine ibid. Gildominick and the Murray Men suppressed 230 Gilespy Cambel an Actor in the Reformation 129 Recalled by threatning Letters by the Queen Regent 130 Gilespy Earl of Argyle banished 175 His Levity 206 Privy to the Queen's Wickedness 216 General of her Army 220 Refuses to own himself a Subject to the King 234 The Regent receives him into Favour and he is in great Authority 235 251 Gillan Isle 30 Gillo Commander of the exiled Scots 129 Gillus the Bastard King of Scots 104 Flies into Ireland 105 Slain by Cadvallus 106 Glascow 14 The Bishop thereof frightned by a Voice from Heaven 376 Glass Isle 28 Glenluce 14 Glotta River i. e. Clyde 14 Glottiana see Clydsdale Goat Isle 25 God's Favour attends the Good 213 Gomâ—dra Isle 27 Goran King of Scots 148 Persuades the Kings of the Picts and Brittons to join with the Scots against the Saxons 148 He is treacherously slain by his Subjects 154 His Wife and Children fly into Ireland ibid. But are recalled by Congal II. 155 Gordons at Feud with the Forbes's 284 Gordon an Enemy to Murray 162 He labours to destroy him 164 166 His Design against him at one time wonderfully prevented 168 169 Gordon's bold Attempt against the Queen her self 167 Gorlois wickedly slain by Uter 149 Goropius reproved 10 Goths Who 33 Gothunni and Gothini who 49 Grafton censured 252 Graham or Grame 135 Appointed Tutor to Eugenius 137 Recals Christian Pastors into Scotland 140 Graham's Dike 138 Grampian Hills or Mountains 17 Gramry Isle 25 Granisa Isle 36 Gray hath the chief Command in Scotland against the French 146 Gregory King of Scots his famous Atchievements against the Picts Danes and Brittons 175 176 He takes several Cities in Ireland 177 Green Isle 25 28 Grevan River 14 Gria Isle 30 Griffin slain in Fight 156 Grime King of Scotland 198 Makes an Agreement with Malcolm ibid. Which he afterwards breaks is overthrown and made Prisoner 199 And dies 200 Groom in a Stable his bold Attempt on James Hamilton in revenge of his Master's Death 52 For which he is put to Death ibid. Gruinorta Isle 31 Guidi 15 92 Guises their Desire to hasten the Marriage of Mary with the Dolphin 221 Their over-great Power suspected 122 They design Scotland as a Peculiar for their Family 151 They seek to destroy James Earl of Murray as an Enemy to Popery 165 Gun Isle 27 Guns i. e. Great Ordnance of Iron when first began to be used in Scotland 394 H HAdington 13 Deserted by the English 111 Hago a Danish Admiral 181 Haie or Hea Isle 30 Hakerset Isle 29 Hamiltons the Original of their Family 273 Hamilton leaves the Party of the Douglasses 390 Hamiltonians willing to free the Queen out of Prison 216 Overthrown in Battel and some of them taken Prisoners 221 222 They meet at Edinburgh in behalf of Queen Mary 252 Hara Isle 37 Harald Earl of Caithness punished for his Cruelty 235 Haraya or Harray Isle 31 Harpers of old used to lie in the Bedchamber of the King and of the Nobles in Scotland 116 Harrick Isle 30 31 Havatere or Havere Isle 30 Havelschire Isle 29 Haura Isles the great and the less 31 Hay and his two Sons fight for their Country 191 Hath a Coat of Arms assigned to his Family 192 The Name almost extinguished 286 Heath Isle 21 Heath its Nature 23 Good to make Beds to lie on ibid. Hebrides Isles see Aebudae Hector Boetius blamed 13 Mistaken 76 Compared with Lud 80 Helena Mother of Constantine 124 Hellisay Isle 29 Helscher vetularum Isle ibid. Helricus a Danish Admiral 181 Hengist Captain of Pirates hath Lands given to him in Britain by Voâ—tigern 144 Henry I. of England never laughed after the drâ—wning of most of his Children 224 He settles the Succession on his Daughter Maud ibid. Henry
II. Son of Stephen King of England seeks occasion for a War against Scotland 224 Malcolm of Scotland acknowledges himself his Feudatary ibid. Henry IV. of England 326 His Death 333 Succeeded by Henry V. ibid. Henry V. takes James I. King of Scots with him into France 336 Henry VI. undervalues the Nobility and advances Vpstarts 392 A Conspiracy against him by the Nobles of England ibid. He is taken by the Duke of York and brought to London 396 He flies into Scotland 397 Ioins Battel with Edward IV. and is overcome 398 Returns privately to England and is taken ib. Henry VII succeeds Richard III. who was slain in Battel 429 He denounces War against France 16 Desires to make a perpetual League with the Scots 430 Marries his Daughter Margarite to James IV. 14 War denounced against him by James as he was besieging Tournay 20 His Magnanimous and Kingly Answer to the Heraulds ibid. He eases the Commonalty of some old Burdens 71 Henry VIII desires the exiled Douglasses may be restored 60 By the French Embassador he desires a Peace with the Scots ibid. He sends Controversal Books of Divinity to James V. 62 Complains the Scots had violated the Law of Nations wars upon them takes Leith and burns Edinburgh 82 83 His Forces are worsted 89 His General persuades the Scots to Peace 102 Gives the Scots a great Overthrow 104 Henry of France sends some German Foot into Scotland 106 He displaces the Regent by Subtilty 113 Henry Percy invades Scotland 306 His Horse affrightned with rattling Instruments 307 His Duel with James Douglas 317 Henry Percy the younger overthrows the Scots at Homeldon 327 Conspires against his own King 329 Henry Stuart comes out of England into Scotland 171 Made Duke of Rothsay and Earl of Ross by the Queen of Scots 174 At which many of the Nobles are disgusted 175 He marries the Queen ibid. Strangely disrespected at the Baptism of his own Son 186 He withdraws from Court ibid. Is poisoned but overcomes it by the strength of his Youth 186 187 A Design to destroy him 187 188 Is actually murdered 190 Heraulds slain against the Law of Arms 230 Hergustus King of the Picts 127 131 Hepburn John insinuates himself into the new Regent 32 Heris hanged by James Douglas 384 Hâ—rmodra Isle 30 Herodian quoted 76 Heruli who 89 Hethland Isles see Schetland High Isle 25 Hirta Isle 30 Historians their flattering Dispositions 46 Hoia Promontory 21 Hollanders Fleet spoiled by Alexander Earl of Marr 349 Holland Horse sent for over into England 275 Holmes i. e. Plains full of Grass 35 Holy Isle or Lindisfarm 398 Honnega Isle 37 Horestia 18 Parted between two Brothers 170 Horses Isle or Naich 28 Hugh Kennedy his couragious Answer 51 Huilin Isle 30 Hulmena 31 Humber River 13 Humble Isle or Ishol 25 Hume Castle surprized by the Scots 107 Hungus the Pict fights prosperously against Athelstan 165 He prays to God and is encouraged by a Vision ibid. He offers Tithes to St. Andrew ibid. His Death 166 Hunting Laws made by King Dornadilla 89 And by King Ethodius 116 Huntly overthrown by James Earl of Murray taken and pardoned 235 237 Hypoconistical i. e. Diminutive 6 I JAmes I. Son of Robert III. sailing for France is taken by the English 330 Where he is educated and married 331 338 His Return to Scotland upon a Ransom 398 Crowned King ibid. Renews a League with France 340 352 Punishes the Captains of Thieves 341 343 Twins born to him 344 He rectifies Weights and Measures ibid. Reforms the Ecclesiastical Estate and erects publick Schools 345 Invites Tradesmen from beyond the Seas 347 Perfidiousness imputed to him answered 353 354 Is cruelly murdered 356 His Character 356 357 James II. King of Scots 359 Carried out of the Castle of Edinburgh in a Chest by his Mother 361 Taken again by the Chancellour and brought to Edinburgh 365 Enters on the Government 371 Marries Mary Daughter to the Duke of Guelderland 380 He kils William Douglas 386 Marches to assist the English Nobles 391 392 Deceived by a counterfeit Embassador from Rome suborned by the English 393 Takes Roxburgh Town ibid. His casual Death in his Camp 394 His Queen encourages the Souldiers and takes Roxburgh Castle ibid. His Character 395 James III. begins his Reign at seven Years old 396 Six Regents of the Kingdom in his Minority 407 His Mother's Death ibid. In his Time a Truce made with England for five Years 407 Marries Margarite the King of Denmark's Daughter 413 415 His Death foretold 420 He degenerates into Tyranny ibid. Addicts himself to Evil Counsellours 231 The Nobles arm against him 432 Is slain by them in Fight 433 His Character 434 James IV. 1 Chosen General by the Nobles against his Father 432 His first Parliament which justifies taking Arms against his Father 5 His Clemency and sorrowful Resentment for his Father's Death 6 He leads an Army into England 11 Marries Margarite Henry VII of Enggland's Daughter 14 Builds a vast Ship and is profâ—se in other Buildings ibid. Resolves to go to Jerusalem but prevented 15 Sends Forman into England to pick a Quarrel 16 Denounces War against England 20 Resolute in his Opinion 22 Fights with the English at Flodden where he is overthrown and slain 24 25 Doubtful Reports concerning his Death 26 Some Aspersions cast upon him indeavoured to be wiped off 27 His Character 27 28 James V. 28 Enters upon the Government 46 He and his Mother in the Power of the Douglasses 47 He frees himself from them 53 He is an Enemy to their Faction 50 Inclinable to a French Alliance 65 Three Maries offered to him 62 Treats with the Emperour about a Match 61 Visits the Orcades 62 And other Isles of Scotland ibid. Receives Controversal Books of Divinity from Henry of England 63 Agrees to an Interview with Henry which is disappointed 64 Sails to France and marries Magdalen Daughter to their King Francis who soon dies 65 He accuses his Nobility as Dastards 70 He marries Mary of the House of Guise 66 67 His presaging Dream 69 He dies with Grief for the Loss of his Army 71 His Character 71 72 James VI. his Birth 183 His Mother endeavours to get him under the Power of Bothwel 205 Enters on the Government 214 215 James Abernethy a skilful Physician 186 James Earl of Arran Son to James returning from France sides with the Reformers 135 Goes to his Sister Mary the Queen 151 Hardly persuaded to allow the admission of the Mass in the Queen's Chappel 159 Made Earl of Marr and afterwards of Murray 161 James Balfure Governour of Edinburgh Castle for the Queen 206 207 He raises Insurrections 226 James Culen taken and executed for his Crimes 279 James the first Earl of Douglas 308 James Douglas joins with Bruce 263 He marches with great Forces into England 275 James sirnamed Crassus the Douglasses being dead succeeds to the Right of the Earldom 370 He dies ibid. James Douglas marries Eufemia Daughter to Robert
II. 306 His Duel with Henry Percy 316 Is slain fighting valiantly 318 His three last dying Requests ibid. James Douglas made Earl when William Douglas his Father was slain 386 He accuses the King and Nobles of Perfidiousness ibid. Proclaimed a publick Enemy 387 Marries Beatrix his Brother's Widow 388 Persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King which he refuses ibid. Being forsaken by his Friends he applies to England for Aid 389 And to Donald the Islander 390 Forsaken by his Wife ibid. James Douglas Earl of Morton and Alexander Hume take the Coronation-Oath for King James VI. in his Minority 214 He provides for the Common-wealth at his private Charge 215 Commands the King's Army against the Queen 220 Goes into England with the Regent 224 Sent Embassador into England 261 His Cheerfulness to encounter the Enemy 278 Taken Prisoner and then takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 James Haliburton taken Prisoner 281 James Hamilton Earl of Arran Admiral of a Navy under James IV. 16 He plunders Knockfergus in Ireland ibid. At last sails for France 17 Is chosen Regent 75 Opposes Archibald Douglas after his Return from France 39 Highly disgusted by King James V. 65 Compelled to change his Opinion concerning the Controverted Points of Religion 79 80 His shameful Flight Vanity and Inconstancy 84 86 Remiss in the Case of George Wiseheart 111 Corrupted by Avarice 112 Put from his Regency and made Duke of Chastle-herault 113 114 James Hamilton returns from France 229 Endeavours to engage Queen Elizabeth of England to make him Regent ibid. But without Success 232 He submits to the Regent 234 James Hamilton Son of the Archbishop of St. Andrews's Sister treacherously shoots Murray and kils him 245 246 James Hamilton a Bastard Brother to the Earl of Arran chosen Iudg against the Lutherans 68 He is tried condemned and executed 69 James Hepburn Earl of Bothwel committed to Prison 163 164 But escapes 167 Banished 66 A Rival to the Earl of Lennox 80 Called out of France by the Queen 171 172 Endeavours to supplant Murray 163 Divorced from his former Wife 198 Procures a Schedule from the Nobility about his Marriage with the Queen 196 Surprizes and marries the Queen 199 Outlawed 173 Accused of the King's Murder 194 His Mock-Trial 173 193 195 Wounded by an High-way Pad 184 Designs to destroy Murray 192 His Challenge answered 209 He flies 210 And dies distracted in Denmark 215 James Kennedy Archbishop an Adversary to the Douglasses 373 Retires from a corrupt Court 376 Disallows the Faction of the Queen-Mother 399 His Oration that Women ought not to govern 401 c. His Praise Death and Character 409 410 James Kennedy builds a vast Ship 420 James Levingston put to Death by the Douglassian Faction 375 376 Lindsy's Obstinacy in following his Enemies 319 James Macgil sent with others Embassador into England 224 261 James Macintosh unjustly put to Death 160 James the Son of Murdo burns Dumbarton 339 James Earl of Murray appointed Vicegerent 60 Settles the Borders 57 Sent into France 63 James Earl of Murray refuses to associate with the Queen and Bothwel 204 But chuses rather to leave the Land 205 He returns from Travel and is made Regent 213 His resolute Speech 217 He meets the Queen of England's Embassadors at York 224 Waylayed by his Enemies in his Iourny ibid. Goes to London 226 Where he manages the Accusation against the Queen 227 Whence honourably dismiss'd and his Transactions there approved in Scotland 233 He is deserted by his Friends 243 Too câ—â—eless of himself 245 Killed by one of the Hamiltons 246 His laudable Character 246 247 James Murray offers to encounter Bothwel hand to hand 209 James Sandiland Embassador from Scotland to France 150 James Sandiland sent against the Thieves 59 Carries Propositions from the Reformers to the Queen Regent 125 James Stuart marries Joan the Widow of James I. 364 Is banished 375 James Stuart the Queen's Brother puts the English to a Retreat 108 Hath threatning Letters sent him by the Queen 130 An Actor in reforming Religion 131 Made Earl of Marr and Murray 161 Iceni and Icium 10 Icolumbkil 26 Idleness the Source of Mischief 345 Idlers Isle or of the Otiosi 25 Ierna i. e. Ireland 69 Jews imitated by the Romanists 381 Issurt or Issert Isle 30 Igerne vitiated by Uter yet he afterwards marries her 149 Ignis Fatuus what 264 Ila Isle see Yla Ilan na Covihaslop 26 Images demolished at Perth 128 Immersi Isle 26 Impostors notorious ones 393 6 7 c. 58 Indigenae who 42 50 Indulfus King of Scots 181 Casually slain by the Danes 182 Indulgence over-much to Children punished 337 Informers though sometimes allowed yet dangerous Instruments in a State 148 Inhumanity to Prisoners 297 Innerlochy 20 Innerness 20 Interregnum in Scotland after Alexander the IIId's Death 245 Inundation of the River Tay at Perth 236 And great Ones in Lothian 305 John Annins writes the Original of the Brittons in Verse 42 Johannes Scotus sent for by Charles the Great 165 Johns or Jeans Isle 26 John Baliol his Genealogy 246 247 248 More solicitous for a Kingdom than a Good Name 250 Made King and surrenders himself and Kingdom to the King of England ibid. He confesses his Fault for so doing 251 Disgusts Edward of England 252 Overthrown by Edward made Prisoner and released 251 252 253 John King of England meditates a War against Scotland 235 Makes divers Leagues with the Scots 236 Enters Scotland 237 The Pope's Beneficiary ibid. Poisoned by a Monk 238 John Son of Alexander Brother to James III. Duke of Albany declared Regent when in France 31 He arrives in Scotland 32 Gets the Queen Mother into his Power 34 Goes into France appointing Governours in his Absence 37 Returns to Scotland 39 Raises an Army against England but makes a Truce 40 41 Goes again into France whence he returns with a great Navy 41 42 Marches into England and assaults Werk-Castle 45 Goes the third time into France and his Power is vacated in his Absence 46 John Erskin sent Embassador into France 63 Of the Queen's Faction 105 Made Governour of Edinburgh Castle 115 Sent Embassador into France 121 John Brother to King James III. put to death 421 John Erskin favours the Reformation 126 Afraid of the Queen Regent 128 Beats the Rebels out of Sterlin 282 Chosen Regent 283 Straitens Edinburgh 286 John Armstrong Captain of Thieves executed 57 John Earl of Athol marries Beatrix Douglas 301 He his Wife taken Prisoners by Donald 408 John Earl of Buchan aids the French King's Son 334 Made Lord High Constable of France 335 Slain there by the English 336 John Cumins marches into England and wasts Northumberland 253 His Treachery against Robert Bruce 2â—0 Which cost him his Life ibid. John Earl of Carick base Son to Robert II. 307 John Cockburn of Ormiston wounded and taken by Bothwel 140 John Cuningham imployed in surprizing Dumbarton-Castle 263 John Earl Douglas's Brother made Baron of
Her Faction garison Edinburgh from whence they sally out 〈◊〉 Morton â—â—â— Massacre designed in France by the Guâ—â—es 750 Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox marries Margarite Hamilton â— Sent for out of France into Scotland 78 Returns 171 Circumvented by the Cardinal 's Cunning about his marrying the Queen 80 Vpon which he rises in Arms but is forced to agree with the Regent 82 He justifies himself to the French King 83 Is worsted and flies into England where he is kindly received and marries Margarite Douglas 83 85 86 Created Regent 258 259 Takes Brechin from Huntly 260 Hurt by a Fall 261 Maximianus Commander of a Roman Legion in Britain 136 He overthrows the Scots and Picts 137 Mâ—xim grave in Policy 176 Another 208 Others 239 Maximus in Britain 127 He overcomes the Scots 128 Takes the chief Government upon him 129 Banishes all the Scots out of Britain ibid. Measures and Weights amended and rectified 334 Mechanical Engine of Brass a strange one 192 Mecla Isle 37 Meliss Graham deprived of Strathearn by the King 351 Men fight like wild Beasts one with another 324 Mendiâ—ant Friars called Manducant 129 Menteiâ—h 17 140 Mentheâ—'s Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 He is rewarded 269 Merch 13 Merchants forbid to traffick by Sea for a time 244 Merchants or Châ—nnards Isâ—e 26 Mercenary Souldiers change with Fortune 236 Fit to establish Tyranny 117 177 Merlin the Prophet or Impostor rather when he lived 147 A wicked Man 149 A Comparison between Gildas and him à dissimili ibid. Mern whence so called 170 Mernoch Isle 25 Mertaâ—k Isle 31 Metellan or Maitland King of Scots 107 Michael Weems helps the Royalists 277 Milesian Fables what 77 Minturnae 78 Modred Son of Lothus General of the Picts Forces 151 Competitor with Constantine 153 Slain ibid. Moesici who 89 Mogald King of Scots 112 Makes an unjust Law 113 He is slain ibid. Molas Isle 24 Mologhascar Isle 25 Mon Isle put falsly for Man 24 Monfort slain by Preston 297 Mongomery comes into Scotland 91 Monk poisons King John of England 238 Another poisons Thomas Randolph 283 Their Impudence in devising Fables 42 Their Luxury 143 Their Monasteries overthrown by Order of the Lords 152 Monster like an Hermaphrodite born in Scotland 4 5 Monk-Fishes never seen but they predict Mischief 175 Mordac King of Scots 162 Mordac Earl of Fife Son of Robert taken Prisoner 327 Returns to Scotland 333 Succeeds his Father in the Government 336 Takes Care to recal King James from England 337 Imprisoned 339 Executed 340 More Isle 25 More in old Gaulish signifies Mare the Sea 10 More marusa 7 10 77 Morini who 10 Morton's large Account of his Negotiation in England to the Regent 267 Mother cruel to her own Children 231 Mourning Garments when first used in Scotland 66 Muick Isle 28 Mull of Galway 14 Mull Isle 26 Mulmore Isle ibid. Mungo or St. Mungo see Kentigern Murderer discovered sometimes by touching the Murdered Body 184 Murdo and his Sons put to Death 348 Murray a fruitful Country 20 Its Inhabitants seditious 230 Murray made Regent 226 His Death 298 Musa Isle 37 Musadil Isle 25 Musicians or wandring Minstrels restrained 282 283 N NAick Isle 28 Nagunner Isle ibid. Names new by ambitious Men given to Places 170 171 Names of Towns new shew the Affinity of a Language 62 Naomph Isles 26 Naosg Isles 26 Narn 140 Nathalocus King of Scots 120 Murders the Nobility and consults Soâ—â—hsayers ibid. Nathalocus a Noble Man conspires against Athirco 119 Is himself slain 121 Navern Province so called from the River Navern 21 140 Nectamus King of Scots 126 Ness Town i. e. Innerness and River whose Water is always warm 20 Nightshade its Description and Properties 209 Ninian 145 Nithisdale from the River Nith 13 140 Nobility their Tyranny over the Commons restrained 182 Nobles how anciently tried in Scotland 340 Normans overcome the Saxons and Danes in Britain 71 Norman Lesly his Valour against the English 89 He surprizes St. Andrews and kils Cardinal Beton 98 Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms viz. the Deiri and the Bernici 159 Nostvade Isle 37 Nothatus King of Scots 98 First sets up Arbitrary Government ibid. He is slain 99 Noviogagus many Cities so called 68 Nuns Isle or Monades 27 O OCCA General of the Saxons overthrown by three Kings and wounded 151 152 Occidental or Western Isles 22 Ocel-Mountains 17 Olavus General of the Scandians 200 Old Castle Isle 31 Oracle feigned by a Monk 44 Oransa Isle 28 29 Oration of Archbishop Kennedy that the Administration of the chief Government is not to be committed to Queen-Mothers 401 c. Orcades Isles 33 Their Description ibid. Writers not agreed about their Number 35 Orca Promontory 21 Ordovices who 109 Original of Letters 38 Orkny the Bishop thereof marries the Queen to Bothwel 199 Orma Isle 37 Orvansa or Oversa Isle 26 Osbreth aids Picts against Scots 172 Overthrown at first but afterwards beats the Scots ibid. Osellius a French Man desirous of Glory 120 Differs with the Scots Nobles but afterwards yields to Them ibid. Osrim Isle 26 Oswald King of Northumberland promotes the Christian Religion 159 Otterborn Fight wherein the English are worsted 318 Oversa Isle 26 Ovia Isle ibid. Otiosi Isle 25 Oxon for Oxonford 8 P PABA Isle noted for Robbery or Piracy 28 29 Pabaia Isle 30 Palladius sent by Pope Celestine into Scotland first sets up Bishops there 145 Pandulphus the Pope's Legat 238 Papa Isles great and small 36 37 Parish Priests and Friars Mendicants the Cause of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline 243 Parricide God suffers not to be unrevenged 184 185 Parsimony the Mother of Health 33 Parsonages Church-Preferments sold 419 Bestowing of them causes Strife 57 Pasly Book or the Black Book of Pasly what 134 Patrick Graham chosen Bishop of St. Andrews by his Canons in the room of Jameâ— Kennedy 411 Made Primate of Scotland by the Pope but obstructed by the Courtiers ibid. He labours to maintain Church-Priviledges 417 Is excommunicated and forced to resign his Bishoprick 418 419 And dies in Prison ibid. Patrick Grey one of those who slew King James III. 433 Patrick Grey committed to Custody 92 Patrick an holy Man sent into Scotland 145 Patrick Blackater flies from the Douglasses 47 He is treacherously slain by John Hume 48 Patrick Hamilton put to death for Religion by the Conspiracy of the Priests 53 Patrick Lindsy sides with the Reformers 132 Goes with the Regent into England 222 Ruven's Magnanimity 181 182 He kils David Rize ibid. He acquaints Murray with the Conspiracy against him 173 Paul Mefane or Meffen Preacher of the Gospel troubled for Religion 123 Harboured by the Inhabitants of Dundee 124 Paulus Orosius quoted 86 Corrected 87 Paul Termes sent with Aid from France to Scotland 110 Peace-downs see Duni Pacis Peace sometimes more dangerous than War 140 112 347 Peace confirmed with an intended Affinity betwixt Scots and English 422 But soon broken ibid. Mediated for by
the Scotish Nobility 426 Made between French and English 111 Between the Reformers and the Court 149 Peachti 53 Pentland Firth 35 53 Pentland Hills 13 53 People of the Commonalty their Heat soon over 207 Percy Henry taken Prisoner and ransomed 320 Percy the Elder conspires against the King of England 329 Overthrown and flies to Scotland 332 Betrayed by his Friend ibid. His Posterity restored to their Dignity 334 Perth 18 A great part of it destroyed by Water 236 Its Walls demolished 287 Taken by Edward of England 295 Retaken by the Scots 298 Pestilence in Scotland 227 303 305 381 Peter Cerealis in Britain 86 109 Peter Maufet a Robber executed 32 Peter Hiale the King of Spain's Embassador in England 11 His Errand to solicite a Match between Katharine of Spain and Henry's Son ibid. He mediates a Peace between Scots and English 12 Petronius Turpilianus in Britain 85 Peter Warbeck a notable Impostor 6 Set up by the Dutchess of Burgundy to vex Henry 7 Sails out of England into Scotland ibid. Marries Katherine the Earl of Huntly's Daughter 9 Engages James IV. against Henry 9 Dismiss'd out of Scotland 12 Taken and hanged in England 13 Pheodor-oy 37 Phylarchae who 101 Physicians why so much esteemed in Scotland 101 102 Picts whether derived from the Saxons 33 Whence so called 53 Foretold by the Oracle that the Scots should extirpate them 95 132 Repent joining with the Romans against the Scots 131 132 Their Origin from Germany 55 95 Overcome the Scots 167 Overcome by the Scots 168 169 Their Kingdom abolished in Scotland 169 Solicite Aid from Osbreth and Ella 172 Beaten quite out of Britain 173 Pliny a Place in him corrected 12 Pluscartin Book i. e. a Book or Chronicle of Scotland written by the Religious of Pluscarty an Abby in Murrayland 344 Pollack Fish where found 17 Polygamy a Law made for it by Evenus 107 Pomona the greatest Isle of the Orcades 35 Pope of Rome his Emissaries in Britain 157 The Right of the Kingdom of England conferred upon him by King John 237 His Embassadors excommunicate the Scots 272 David II. King of Scots anointed by his Permission 282 His Legat denied entrance into Scotland 243 Porcaria Isle 26 Port or Na Port Isle 25 Portugal why so called 47 Possessions confounded by often Wars 271 Praenestin Lots what 43 Priests or Clergy Isle 31 Priests corrupted by Luxury reformed by Constantine 174 Richer than the Nobility 243 Gain by the Losses of the Nobility 25 29 Not subject to Kings 245 Impostors 58 Priests so ignorant as to think the New Testament was written by Martin Luther 9 Priests One the Author of a Sedition 309 Another treacherous 374 Betrays Queen Joan 375 Another forges a Will 73 Preys retaken and restored to their Owners 106 Prince of Scotland the King 's Eldest Son so called 194 Princes not Slaves to their Words 130 Priviledg of the Scots not to be summoned to appear out of their own Country 241 Prodigies on divers occasions 184 204 191 Process ridiculous against the King's Murderers 193 Proclamation about the same ibid. Proclamation or Schedule of James II. drawn in contempt about the Streets 386 Prosperity dangerous 179 Prudania 2 Prytania ibid. Prophecies of Witches how fulfilled 357 Ptolemy hath Deucaledon for Duncaledon 56 Punishments too exquisite enrage Spectators 358 Punishment of old to Prisoners not returning on their Parole 319 Pygmee Isle 30 Q QUadrantary Faith what 126 Quindecemvirate in Scotland 59 Queens their Marriage to be ordered by the Estates of the Realm and why 269 Anciently Kings Wives not allowed to be so called 402 403 Queen Mother of James III. sues for the Regency with her Reasons 400 The Scots not willing to be governed by her ibid. Queen Dowager sails into France 112 Where she labours to out the Regent of his Government 113 Hath the Regency conferred upon her 115 The First Female Regent in Scotland ibid. Levies new Taxes 117 But because of an Insurrection desists from collecting them 118 Refuses the Propositions sent her by the Reformed 127 Prepares Forces against them 129 Makes a Temporary Agreement with them 130 Which she endeavours to elude ibid. Makes another Truce with them 134 Repartees betwixt Her and the Reformed 136 137 138 Her Death and Character 146 147 Queen of Scots not â—o use the English Arms during Queen Elizabeth's Life 159 Queen of Scots one of their Deaths 430 Queen's Party divide from the King 's 255 They send Embassadors to France and England for Aid 254 Queen Elizabeth rejects them 254 Question debated Whether a Chief Magigistrate may be compelled by force to do his Duty 159 c. R RAarsa Isle 28 Rachlinda Isle 25 Ralph Evers his vain Boast 87 Ralph Rokesby betrays Percy his Friend 332 Ralph Sadler Embassador from England about the Marriage of Mary with King Henry's Son 75 He hears the Scots Differences and endeavours to compose them 224 Ramsay Isle 25 Ranalds-oy 35 Ranalsa a Southern Isle 36 Randolf Thomas invades England 270 Made Regent 282 Executes a Murderer though he had the Pope's Pardon 282 His Law against Thievery ibid. He punishes the Cheat of a Country-man 283 Poisoned by a Monk ibid. Ratra River hath no Salmons in it 19 20 Rebels after Murray the Regent was dead had several Meetings 247 They send Embassadors to the Queen of England to desire a Truce but in vain 253 254 They solicite the French and Spaniards for Aid 260 Assault Leith 281 Surprize Sterlin but beaten out again 281 282 Attempt Jedburgh but repulsed and routed 285 286 Recognition what 15 Red or Ridhead Promontory 19 Redshanks who 106 Reformation the best Method thereof for Princes to begin at home 188 Reformed Religion the Nobles swear to maintain it in behalf of James VI. whilst a Child 214 Reformed Congregation in Scotland the first so called 124 Reformers abrogate the Queen Regent's Power 139 They meet with Difficulties in their Work 140 Are assisted by the English 141 142 Their last Letter to the Regent 144 Regent slain at Sterlin 282 Religion Language Names of Places c. shew the Sameness of a People 56 Religion the Nobles arm for it in Scotland 129 The Vindicators of it make a Truce with the Regent 134 Abrogate her Power 139 Desire Aid from England 140 Which they receive 142 Reign the Desire of it occasions much Mischief in the World 231 232 Renfrew 14 See Baronia Repartees between Scotish and English Armies 277 Rerigonian Bay 14 Reringa Isle 27 Reutha King of Scots 101 Revenge the importune Desire of it dangerous 124 131 132 Reuther King of Scots 99 Called Reuda by Bede 100 Rhingrave sent with Aid by the French King into Scotland 106 Rian Lake or Loch 14 Richard of England very angry with the Scots for bringing in foreign Aid 311 He invades Scotland with a great Army ibid. His Expedition to the Holy War 234 Richard II. of England enforced to resign the Kingdom to Henry IV. 325 One in Scotland pretends himself
to be Richard 332 Richard Duke of Gloucester marches with an Army against Scotland 426 Takes Berwick 427 Made Protector of England 428 Casts his Brother's two Sons into Prison and sets up himself King 428 Slain by Henry VII 429 Is very Tyrannical in his Government 434 Richard Duke of York brings King Edward Prisoner to London 396 Slain by the Queen ibid. Richard Colvil put to Death by Douglas 380 Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a very prudent Man mediates for Peace between the two Nations 12 13 An Instrument of James his Marriage with Margarite of England 14 Richard Grafton an English Writer blamed 252 Rins of Galway 14 Rinard Isle 26 Ridhead see Red Promontory Roadilla Monastery 31 Robbers punished 183 189 48 57 Robert Bruce his Genealogy 246 His magnanimous Answer to the King of England 250 Begins his Reign 261 Is overthrown and flies in disguise to save his Life ibid. His Wife imprisoned and his two Brothers put to Death by the English 261 262 He baffles Cumins ibid. Carried sick into his Army 264 Causes Edward of England to retreat ibid. Invades England takes Perth Edinburgh c. 265 Overthrows the English at Bannock near Sterlin 267 Robert the Son of Robert Bruce conspires with John Cumins against England 259 260 Is crowned King 261 Overcomes Edward II. in Battel 267 The Nobles conspire against him 271 Robert II. King of Scots 306 Marries Elizabeth More 307 The Dispute betwixt his Legitimate and his Natural Children occasions great Troubles 350 He invades England 311 His Death and Character 322 Robert III. before called John succeeds his Father 323 His Generals cause the Islanders to destroy one another 324 He makes the first Dukes in Scotland 325 He imprecates God's Iudgments on his Brother and the other Murderers of his Son David 330 He dies with Abstinence and Grief for the Captivity of his Son James in England 331 His Brother Robert made Regent after his Death 331 Robert Boyd kils James Stuart 374 Made Guardian to the King 409 Created Regent 412 Flies into England and dies there 414 Robert Boyd deserts the Reformed and revolts to the Queen 218 Robert Britain hath great Command at Court 56 Robert Cockerane of a Tradesman made a Courtier 420 Taken by Douglas and committed to Prison 424 425 Robert Cuningham of the Family of the Lennoxes opposes Bothwel 195 Robert Douglas desires that the Death of 〈◊〉 Brother Murray might be revenged 249 Robert Earl of Fife 315 Starves to Death David the King's Son 328 Robert Graham a great Enemy to King James 355 Conspires against him 357 Seizes him with his own Hands for which he is executed 358 Robert Maxwel 71 Coming to reconcile Differences is imprisoned by Hamilton 82 Robert the Son of Robert Maxwel taken Prisoner by the English 91 Robert Earl of the Orcades made one of the King's Guardians 407 Robert Petcarn sent Embassador into England 242 Queen Elizabeth's Answer to his Embassy 257 Robert Read sent Embassador into France 63 Poisoned there 122 Robert Semple kils Creighton 111 Bruce's Grand-son by his Daughter rises in Arms for Bruce 293 Made Regent 294 Taken by Baliol and swears Fealty to the King of England 286 Sought for to be slain 292 Roch Isle 26 Roffa for Raufchestria i. e. Rochester 8 Romachus King of Scots 125 Roman Generals in Britain 84 c. Roman Fraud 239 Roman Legates Pick-pockets 243 418 The Jews Apes 381 Romans their memorable Fact in Britain before their Departure 138 Rona Isle 32 Ronanus his Spade ibid. Rolland a Carpenter discovers a Treachery against Robert Bruce 268 Rolland's Valour he overcomes Gilcolumb 246 247 Rose white Badg of the York Faction 7 Ross and its Etymology 21 139 170 Rothsay Castle 25 Rotti Isle 37 Rous-oy 36 Round Isle 26 Roxburgh Town taken 393 Its Castle taken 394 Royalists overthrown in the North 283 Ruby a French Lawyer in Scotland his Character 147 Rudana Isle 27 Rum Isle 28 It abounds with Eggs of Sea-Fowl ibid. Ruven had the Mayoralty of Perth taken from him by the Cardinal 92 S SAcred or Cleirach Isle 31 Sacred Sanctuary 25 Saga Isles the Great and the Small 30 Saliar Verses not easy to be understood 44 Salii who 44 Salisbury Earl commands the English in Scotland 297 Taken Prisoner 300 Salmon Fishing Aberdene famous for it 19 Sanachies who 39 Sancterr Isle 37 Sanda Isle 25 Scandians who 200 Satrael King of Scots 117 Slain ibid. Saturnals old Feasts retained 239 Saxe or Rock Isle 26 Saxons kill the English Nobles by Treachery 70 Overcome by the Normans 71 Worsted by Picts Scots and Brittons 149 Cruel in Wars 146 Not faithful in Peace 148 Their Fight with three Kings 148 149 Scalpe Isle 28 30 Scarba Isle 25 Schan Castle 31 Schanny Isle 25 27 Schetland Isles 36 The Nature of their Inhabitants 37 The greatest of them called Pomona ibid. Sclata or Sleach Isle 25 Scoff sharp given to Bothwel by a Tradesman 194 Schools publick erected by James 345 Scorpions i. e. Cross-bows 311 Scotland how divided 13 Where narrowest 20 Had anciently learned Monks 169 Scots their fabulous Original 46 47 Scots and Picts unite against the Romans 134 Scots and Brittons overthrown by the Saxons 157 Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England 160 Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons 146 Scots Monks preach the Gospel in Germany 165 Scots have hard Terms of Peace imposed upon them by the English 173 Scots Bishops freed from the Iurisdiction of the English 234 411 Scots have an ancient Priviledg not to be cited to Rome 241 Scots excommunicated by their Ecclesiasticks 243 Excommunicated again but absolved 272 273 Scots join with the French against England 253 Scots receive a great Overthrow from Edward of England at Falkirk 256 Obtain a Truce from him ibid. Rise in Arms again and overthrow the English at Rosline 258 Scots make a League with the French 273 When their first Alliance with France began 165 Scots of Jerna and Scots of Albion 52 Scots overthrown by Maximus the Roman General and banished out of their Country 124 March into England but retreat again 91 Scots Nobles some rise against James IV. but are quelled 3 Scots Nobles anciently had Skill in Chirurgery 28 Scots complain of the French Breach of Faith by their Embassadors 60 Scots Prisoners released at London 74 Scotish Parliament demolishes all Monasteries 152 Scotish Crown ordered to be sent to the Dolphin of France 126 Scotish Kings anciently travelled over their Kingdoms themselves to administer Iustice 123 Scoto-Brigantes in Claudian to be read for Scuta-Brigantes 76 Scroop an English General in Scotland 256 Sea-Calves 29 Sea-Monks an ill boding Fish 175 Security dangerous in War 172 173 Seditions perillous 141 309 Secla or Seil Isle 25 Seneciones who 39 Seuna Isle 30 Severn River 13 Severus his Wall 8 148 His Expedition against the Brittons 117 118 Seuna or Suin Isle 25 30 Servanus 145 Shevi Isle 30 Sheep fair yet wild in Hirta Isle 30 Their Fat good
257 Courted by King Edward 258 Refused to swear Obedience to him 259 Betrayed to Edward by a false Friend 260 261 By whom he was drawn hanged and quartered ibid. Wallace slain in Fight by the English 379 Walowithia 60 Walsch or Welsch what it signifies in German 54 61 Walter Mills martyred for Religion 123 Walter Steward of all Scotland 21â— Walter the Son of Murdo imprisoned 338 Walter Earl of Athol conspires against the King and murders him 355 356 He is executed 357 358 Walter Scot endeavouring by Force to take the King from the Douglasses is overthrown 49 Made Prisoner 57 Restored to Liberty ibid. Ioins his Forces with the Regent's 89 Wardships their Origin and Nature 203 351 A Badg of Slavery 15 War Pretence of the Holy War cozâ—ns the Simple of their Mony 243 Warwick Earl overthrown by the Queen of England 397 Watersa Isle 29 Weathers Isle ibid. Werk Castle described 45 Weights corrected 344 Wester-oy or Wyer-oy 36 Whales Plenty of them about the Isle Lewis 32 Whales-oy Isle 37 Whey the Brittons Drink 23 White Battel what 271 Wife of Seton's Speech to her Husband encouraging him to part with 〈◊〉 Sons rather than the Town of Berwick 289 Witches discovered and punished 183 William King of Scots 231 Taken by the English 233 Accompanies Henry of England into France ibid. Released ibid. Sends his Brother David to the Holy War 235 William Creighton Chancellour 359 Deceived by the Queen and her Son the King taken from him 360 361 He guides the King after he had taken him in a Wood to his Party 365 Highly accused 361 Craves Aid of Douglas but in vain 362 Agrees with the Regent 363 Is received into Favour 374 His Death 391 William of Normandy repairs Newcastle 217 Conquers the Danes 71 Overthrown in Scotland 116 William Cecil a prudent Counsellour in England 146 Sent Embassador into Scotland ibid. William Creighton slain 111 William Creighton outlawed with his Crimes 428 William Douglas refuseth to swear Fealty to King Edward 253 He treats Alexander Ramsay inhumanly 301 Is slain 303 William Douglas Son of Archibald of Galway 314 The King marries his Daughter Aegidia to him though he were a Bastard ibid. Killed by Ruffians at Dantzic 322 William Douglas succeeds Archibald his Father 363 Corrupted by Flatterers profuse enticed by the Chancellour to Edinburgh and beheaded 370 William Douglas Son of James the Gross marries Beatrix his Vncle's Daughter 370 Submits to the King 371 By his Obsequiousness makes the King his Own and by that means revenges the Deaths of his Kinsmen 372 375 Goes to Rome 381 Accused in his Absence and his Solicitor overthrown in the Trials ibid. He pays Damages out of his Estate 381 382 Returns and is declared Regent 383 Comes to Court on safe Conduct 385 At last slain by the King 's own Hand 386 William Douglas desires leave to revenge the Death of his Brother the Earl of Murray 248 William Drury an English Knight secretly favours the Rebels 278 William Bishop of Dunblane sent into France to excuse the Queen's hasty Marriage in Scotland 199 200 William Graham the King's Guardian 407 William Hume beheaded 36 William Elphinston Bishop of Aberdene laments the State of Scotland 30 William Keith taken Prisoner by the English 122 William Kircade of Grange Admiral of the Navy against Bothwel 215 William Levingston goes into France with the Queen 107 William of Malmesbury a British Writer 8 William Maitland an ingenious young Man 161 Sent into England to desire Aid 224 Sent into England to complement Queen Elizabeth on Mary's Account 154 Persuades her to declare Mary her Heiresâ— 155 Which she refuses to do 157 He favours the Queen's Affairs 225 Is factious and perfidious ibid. Studies Innovations 226 He is taken and released 242 243 William Murray of Tiâ—bardin angry with the Regent 216 William Rogers an English Musician one of James the IIId's Evil Counsellours 420 William Sylly or Souls executed 271 William Sivez his Story 418 Arch-deacon and a great Astrologer ibid. Vndermines Patrick Graham and gets the Bishoprick 419 William Stuart Bishop of Aberdene sent Embassador into France 63 Womans Isle see Nuns Isle Women some of a manly Spirit 290 297 397 Women whether the supreme Government ought to be committed to them 401 X X Vsed by the Spaniards for double SS 60 Y YEw Isle 25 Yla Isle 26 Z ZEal or Yel Island 3â— Zeland or Schetland Isles ibid. Zerobia Queen of Palmira unsuccessful in her Government 405 Zeviot or Cheviot Hills or Mountains â—3 FINIS ERRATA In the first Twelve Books PAge 16. marg for Adrews read Andrews P. 23. l. 29. f. wear r. did wear P. 24. marg f. Arraâ— r. Arrâ—â— P. 31. l. 18. f. Nastick r. Na Aich P. 39 40 41 42. in the Title f. Book I. r. Book II. P. 75. marg f. â—â—lalabria's r. Calabria's P. 82. l. 47. f. hither r. hitherto P. 109. l. 41. f. Peâ—itius r. Petiliâ—â—â— P. 110. l. 10 〈◊〉 p. 111. l. 5. f. Agrippa r. Agricola P. 110. l. 42. f. Eighth r. Seventh P. 116. marg f. vnâ—â—â—ry r. 〈◊〉 P. 120. l. 45. and p. 183. l. 26. f. Wizard r. Witch P. 131. l. 43. f. Thus r. This. P. 160. l. 22. r. Redemptioâ— P. 168. marg f. Kennetius r. Kennethus P. 183. l. 17. f. Causes r. Cause P. 197. l. 22. f. vaiâ— r. in vaiâ— P. 21â— l. 23. f. Neice r. Grandchild l. 29. f. Nephew r. Grandson P. 227. l. 25. f. 1553 r. 1153. P. 228. l. 6. dele good P. 236. l. 20. f. 1643 r. 1214. P. 245. l. 2. f. Neice r. Grandchild l. 13. f. Neice r. Grandchild P. 248. l. 41. f. to the Marriage with his Queen r. Marriage of his Son with their Queen l. 15. f. Dutchess r. Dâ—tchy P. 272. l. 9. dele some P. 273. l. 1. after taken add Besides many of inferiour Rank John Britain Earl of Richmond was also taken P. 286. marg f. Ear. r. Earn l. 27. f. the Caledonians r. Dunkel P. 287. dele the last marginal Note viz And declare War against France P. 292. l. 21. after Wepont add or Oldbrigs P. 297. l. 16. f. 1â—37 r. 1337. P. 299. r. Alexander Ramsay P. 319. l. 19. f. Army r. Arms. P. 325. l. 11. r. 18 years old Earl of Rothes P. 329. l. 1â— and 27. f. 300. r. 30. ibid. l. 49. dele of P. 330. l. 30. r. Charles VI. P. 331. f. Youth's r. Child 's P. 332. marg f. Murray r. Garioch P. 339. l. 35. f. before r. after P. 342. l. 46. f. 〈◊〉 of Caitâ—nes r. the Clan-cattan Men. f. Cameron r. the Camerons P. 347. marg f. Trust r. Frâ—it P. 348. l. 44. f. 〈◊〉 r. Marr. P. 353. l. 12. f. quietly r. quickly P. 3â—5 f. his Nephew by his Son r. Grandson P. 357. l. 46. f. 〈◊〉 Nephew by his Son r. Grandson P. 360. l. 25. f. no r. now P. 370. l. 23. f. upon r. before P. 389. l. 43. f. 〈◊〉 r. dwindle P. 403. l. 41.
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oransa Na gunner (w) Paba * Scalpa Crouling * Scalpa Raarsa Rona * Gerloch Fladda Trâ—nta * Oransa (c) Vâ—â—a More (c) and Vâ—â—a Bâ—g. * Several small Islands (d) Watersa (e) Barra * A strange Spring carrying down shapeless Fish into the Sea (f) Cockles or Periwinkles * Divers small Islands (g) Vyist a great Island (h) A strange sort of Fish * Helscher Vetularum (i) Havelschyer * Hirta (k) A Custom of Baptizing once a Year (l) Large fair Sheep in Hirta (m) Valay * Soa and several smal Islands (n) Flavanae in which are wild Sheep * Garvillan and other little Islands (o) Island of Pygmees * Lewis c. (p) A Vault able to shelter Ships in a Storm * Schan-Castle (q) Loch-Brien or Broom * En. * Gruinorta or 〈◊〉 (r) Cleirach or 〈◊〉 Isle * Harary c. (s) Harray or Harrick and Lewis are but one Island of which Harray is the South part * Roadilla Monastery (t) Wild Sheep in Harray bâ—t no Foxes noâ— Wolves * Lewis is the North part of the Island (u) Whales taken in abundance about the Island Lewis * Rona with the Condition of its Inhabitants (w) Ronanus his strange Spade (x) Suilkyr * Or Berlins (y) A rare Bird called Colca * The Orcades (z) Goths a People oâ— Sarmaâ—â—a Europaea thence transplanted into Germany near the River Oder in Silâ—sia * Or Picts and Sea (a) The Britains praised God in Five Tongues (b) The Inhabitants of the Orcades Parsimonious and long liv'd * No venemous Creatture in the Orcades nor any Tree Magnus his Bouncing Cup or Wassail Bowl * A strange Test for a Bishop * The Sea very Tempestuous about the Orcâ—des and the reason why * Authors do not agree concerning the number of the Orcades * Pomona or the Mainland the greatest Island of the Orcades * Danes long Masters of the Orcades * Kirkwall the chiefeâ—t Town in Mainland * White and black Lead in Mainland * Pentland Firth divides Mainland from Caithness * Stromoy * South Ranalds-Oy the first Isle of the Orcades (a) Holme what * Bura c. (b) Hoia and Waes-Isle * Granisa (c) Coupins-Oy * Siapins-Oy (d) Rows-Oy * Eglis-Oy or Eglisa where St. Magnus was buried (e) Wyer-Oy Gress-Oy and Wester-Oy c. Fair Isle in the mid way between the Orcades and Schetland * Many outlandish Fishermen resort to Fair Isle (f) Schetland Isles the greatest of them called Mainland as well as the greatest of the Orcades (g) Yell. * The Names of some â—â—all Scâ—etland 〈◊〉 (h) Vuist or Vust Isle * Divers other small Islands (i) The Schetlanders manner of Life and Trade * Their Language (k) Their Innocent Mirth and Longaevity * One Lawrence a Schetlander Married at an Hundred years of Age and lived above an Hundred and Forty * The Origin of Letters (a) Turdetani a People dwelling in part of Portugal and in Algarbia and Medina Sidonia * Caesar. * Tacitus * Gildas lived 400 years after Tacitus * Germany received Letters last of all * Sanachies a sort of Chanters inferiour to Bards called by the Dynnywossals or Gentlemen of the Highlands Sanachies contracted from Seneciones * Strabo Ammianus Marcellinus and Luâ—an desscribe who the Bâ—rds weâ—e * Strabo Ammianus Marcellinus and Luâ—an desscribe who the Bâ—rds weâ—e * Great uncertainties amongst the ancient Writers of British Affairs and the Reasons why * Several Countries have changed their Names * Spain hath several Names Or Highlanders * The Fabulous Origin of the Britains * Diocletian a supposed King of Syria and Labana his Wife with their 33 Daughters * Albine * Brutus and his Knight-Errant Adventures * Brutus a Parricide * Brutus his Three Sons * An old Name for England * Vendelina * Germany whence so called according to old Story * Born in the same Country where they live Iohannes Annius * The Story of the 33 Sisters confuâ—ed * The Fable of Diocletian confuted * Brutus his Story refelled * Brâ—tus and Romulus compared * The Name of the True Brutus when it began and how * Faunus the Third King of the Aborigines to whom Saturn by whom he was entertained caused a Grove and Cave to be dedicated whence Oracles were given forth according to old Story (a) Cumaea so called from Cuma in the Gulph of Naples (b) Little Pieces of Oak-Wood-Lotteries marked with Letters or Words almost like Dice which when they were thrown the Priest gave his Response according to the Letter which was uppermost at Praeneste now Palestrina in Italy (c) Salii were Twelve Priests instituted by Numa Pompilius in Honour of Hercules or as some say of Mars And the Carmen Saliare which they sang was composed by the same Numa in an obsolete and almost unintelligible Language or Style (c) Salii were Twelve Priests instituted by Numa Pompilius in Honour of Hercules or as some say of Mars And the Carmen Saliare which they sang was composed by the same Numa in an obsolete and almost unintelligible Language or Style * Brutus's supposed Address to the Oracle with Diana's Answer thereunto (d) Homer * Dionysius Halicarnasseus (e) Buthrotii Inhabitants of Buthrotum new Butrinto a small Village in Epirus on the Sea coast not far from the Isle Corfu once a large Roman Colony * Arverni Inhabitants of Auvergne in the Dukedom of Burgundy their chief City is Clermont * Burgundians (f) People of the Franch Country (g) Francs Originally a People of Franconia in Germany who in the declining of the Roman Empire conquered Gallia and called it Frankinland now France they were composed of so many warlike Tribes that the Turks do call all the Western Christians Francs to this very day * Old Scotish Writers blamed (h) Dores and Iones who (h) Dores and Iones who (i) The Scots fabulous Original from one Gathelus a Grecian and Scota his Wife (k) Now Eâ—râ— a â—amoâ—â— River in Spain rising in the Mountains of Astâ—râ—â— and disinboguing it self into the Mediterranean in Catalâ—nâ—a (l) Gallaecia the Country about Compâ—stella in Spain * Durius oâ— Dâ—â—ro Duâ—â—o in Spanish arising in old Castâ— and after a course of 14â— Spanish Leagues falls into the Atlantick Ocean below Port a Port. (m) Lusitania and Portugaâ— the Original of those Names (m) Lusitania and Portugaâ— the Original of those Names * Palladium properly the Image of Pallas in Troy which as long as they kept in her Temple Troy could not be taken as the Tâ—ojans thought but when Vlyssâ—s stole it away then they were soon destroyed by the Greeks * The Ancient Gauls in Caesars time divided from the Belgâ—â—â—s by the River Sâ—â—n and from the Aqâ—itanians by the Garron from whom the old Grecians called the North-West part of Eâ—ropâ— Ceâ—to-Sâ—â—thia * From which no Issue could insue * Colonies of Gauls sent into Spain * Celtae and Celtiberâ— whence * Celtici Boetici * Celtici
against Donald * Or Râ—dshanks Mackbeth his Character Mâ—cduald is overthrown by Mackbeth and Bâ—nâ—ho Swain and his three Sons Swain King of Norwayâ—ands â—ands in Scotland * A Town standing on the Forth in Pertâ—shiâ—e * The Scâ—tâ— by an inebâ—â—ating Dâ—ink made of Night-shade stupifie the Danes * The Herb Night-shade its Description and Properties Danes overthrown * Druâ—iâ—aâ—-Sands 〈…〉 North-side of the 〈…〉 * A Burgh-Roâ—aâ— on the North 〈…〉 Another Fleet of the Danes overthrown by Bancho * Or Inch-Colm * The Danes swore neveâ— to invade Scotland any more * Mackbeth's Dream encouraging him to aspire to the Kingdom * He thereupon slâ—ys King Donald or Duncan as some call him and is declared King Donald's Children fly for their Lives Mackbeth severe against Thieves He makes Wholesom Laws But afterward degenerates causes Bancho to be treacherously slain * Lying Southwest 3 miles from Cowper in Angus Mackduff ill resents Mackbeth He flies into England And stirs up Duncan's Son against him * Malcolm by the assistance of Edward K. of England recovers the Kingdom from Mackbeth * See Note a p. 77. * Malcolm First brought in Foreign Titles of Honour into Scotland * Mackduff the first Earl in Scotland * Three Grand Privileges of the Mackduffâ— * Called Straâ— or Sâ—rath-Boâ—y Forty Miles North of Aberdeen * Mackbeth's Son slain by Malcolm * Or Icolumbâ—â—l an Isle 2 Miles from the South end of Mul. * Malcolm assaulted by private Conspiracies which he overcomes * The Story of Edmond K. of England and Canutus * William the Norman demands Edgar then in Scotland * Whom Malcolm refuses to Surrender * Whereupon a War 〈…〉 Roger Richard Odo and Robert Generals for William of England worâ—â—ed in Scotland Newcastle repaired A Peace concluded between the Scots and English * Or Re-Crosâ— on the North-side it had the Portâ—aicture of the Scots King and of the English King on the South * Home-bred Seditions against Maâ—colm queâ—l'd The Original of the Family of the Stuarts afterwards Kings of Scotland * Lying on the South-side of the River Danâ— in Marr * Malcolm's Vow to St. Andrew Alexander Carron preferred and Sirnamed Scrimger The Seditious quell'd The Piety of Malcolm's Queen c. * Or Mortlich * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks * Malcolm erects new Bishopricks * Sumptuary Laws made by Malcolm * Marâ—heta Mulierum What * Malcolm builds the Cathedrals of Durham and Dumferling * King William Rufus Wars against Malcolm * Malcolm and his Son Edward slain by the English * On the River Lian on the British Sea Weâ—t of Calice * Prodigies viz. The Inundation of the German-Sea and Men-killing Thunder-bolts * Donald promises the Islands to Magnus King of Norway * Donald flies * Duncan slain by the procurement of Donald * Edgar's Pious Reign He builds the Monastery of Coldingham * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in Mersâ— near the Scotish Sea Alexanders Valour * He doth Justice to a Poor Woman * Lying on the East-side of the Carss or Plain of Gowry within two Miles of Dundee * Lying in the Braes or Risings of the Carss of Gowry five Miles above Dundee * Inch-Colm or St. Columb's Isle in the Firth of Forth in Fife near Aberdeen David's just Reign * He creates new Bishopricks He is censured for his Profuseness towards Monasteries * In Teviotdale Henry of England never Laughed after the Drowning of his Children * K. Henry setles the Succession on his Daughter Maud the Empress by causing the Nobility to Swear Fealty to her in his Life time * Stephen notwithstanding his Oath seizes on the Crown of England * His Pretensions for so doing The Bishops of England not True to Maud according to their Oaths David of Scotland maintains the Cause of Maud his Kinswoman He lays Perjury to Stephens's Charge North Allerton lying near the River Swale in the North-Riding of Yorkshire He Fights the English and Overthrows them An Agreement between David and Stephen not observed Which hath its Source near Black-Laws in Teesdale The Scots overthrown by Stephen Another Agreement between the Scots and Stephen King of England Henry Heir of England sent to David his Uncle to be made Knight by him * King David loses his hopeful Son and Heir * But â—ears his Affliction Piously and Patiently * May 24. Lying on the North-west of Aberdeneshire K. David's extraordinary Character for Piety and Virtue A great Pestilenâ—e 〈◊〉 Scotland Somerled rises in Arms but is overthrown Henry of England designs against Malcolm And makes him take a Feodatary Oath to him He carries Malcolm into France And at his return despoils him of his Ancient Patrimony in England * The Scots make War upon England Peace concluded between the English and Scots wherein Malcolm quits Northumberland A Rebellion in Galway quell'd The Murray-Men under Gildominick rise in Arms. But are suppressed * Sâ—merled stirs agaiâ—â— but is overthrown and slain The Estates persuade Malcolm to Marry His Negative Answer to their Request * December 9th * William solicits Henry of England for the restitution of Northumberland He accompanies Henry into France * Part of Nâ—rthumberland restored to the Scots * William enters England with an Army But is overthrown taken Prisoner by the English and sent to Henry then in France * August 1â—th February 1st * K. William Ransomed and takes an Oath to K. Henry * Not That Constance in Germany but That in Normandy now called Contances * Ianuary 〈…〉 Gilchrist King Williams General The Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of English Bishops Gilchrist Kills his Wife for Adultery and flys into England But is Forced to return into his own Country Donald Bane rises in Arms but is quelled Distressed Gilchrist Pardon'd and Restored * To the Holy War for Recovery of Ierusâ—lem from the Turks * The English quit their Claim to any part of 〈◊〉 * William sends David his Brother to accompany Richard to the Holy Land David returns from Sâ—â—ia * So doth Richard Lex Taâ—â—onâ—â— executed upon one Harald Earl of the Orcades * K. Iohn of England meditates a War against Scotland * But Matters are accommodated upon Terms between both Kingdoms * Berth destroyed and new Built Makul a Criminal abstains from all manner of Food * Several Leagues between Iohn of England and William of Scotland * A Maritime Town in Normandy 〈◊〉 France * Alexander enters England with an Army * Iohn enters Scotland Alexander takes Carlisle * King Iohn agrees with the Pope and becomes his Feudatary Cardinal Galo Avaâ—itiâ—â—â— * King Iohn Poysoned * Others say at 〈◊〉 Abby near Bostâ—n in Lincolnshire * The Scots Excommunicated * A Stone-Cross erected in Sâ—anmoâ—e in Cumberlâ—nd as a Boundary between the Two Kingdoms of England and Sâ—otland * Cardinal 〈◊〉 ill Character * Pandulphus the Popes Legat a Witness of the Peace between the Two Kings * Roman Fraud * Câ—min
overthrowâ— Gilespâ— a Free-â—ooâ—er The 〈◊〉 of the â—aâ—thnessmen against their Bishop punished Saturnalia * Thomas the Natural Son of Alan of Galway overthrown * Alexander and his Queen Visit King Henry His Queen dies at London He marries to a French Lady Bizâ—â— offers to clear himself by a Duel He flys to Ireland Sumerled overthrown in Argyle The Cumins's 〈◊〉 the Roast in 〈◊〉 which disgusts the opposite Faction An Embassy to England An Interview between the Two Kings November 24. * Alexander of Scotland made Knight by the K. of England A Contract of Marriage between Him Henry's Daughter The Chancelâ—oâ— of Scotland 〈◊〉 * Work Castle standing 〈…〉 above 〈…〉 side A Sedition of the Nobles against Alexander An Ancient Privilege of the Scots not to be citeâ— to Râ—me August 1. * Acho King of Norwey lands with an Army in Scotland * A Town in Cuningham standing on the Clyde But is overthrown by Alexander Stuart And dies of Grief Isle of Man recovered by the Scots * Acho's Son makes Peace with Alexander * * * Ottobon the Popes Legâ—â—e Another Legate 〈◊〉 Rome * A Town in France * A Borough over against Leith in Lothian * March the 19th Alexanders Death and Commendable Character Idle Persons punished Edward of England desires Margarite of Norway Heiress of Scotland as a Wife for his Son which is yielded to But She dyes before their Marriage Contests for the Crown of Scotland * The Original of the Controversie between the Baliols and the Bruces in Scotland The Story of the Discords between Fergus of Galway his Children after his Decease Rolland's Valouâ— and Genealogy October 1. * Comâ— Stabuâ—â— Martha Countess of Carrick falls in Love with Robert Bruce The several Pretensions of the Competitors to the Crown Which difference could not be decided by the Scots But was referred to the Umpirage of Edward of England * The 〈◊〉 Case as pâ—opounded to Lawyers by K. Edward The Lawyers differ in their Opinions about it Edward decides for Baliol. * Baliol swears Fealty to Edward * At which many of the Scots Nobles are offended * An Interrognum in Scotland before Baliol was made King Young Mackduff complains to K. Edward against Baliol. Baliol disgusts Edward He sides with the French And withdraws his Subjection from England Whereupon Edward Warâ— against Scotland He sides with Bruce Overthrows the Scots and takes Berwick Grafton Censured by This Author * Edinburgh and Sterlin But is released by Mediation of the Pope A Duodeceâ—â— virat in Scotland Iohn Cumins marches into England The Story of Wallis Wallas or Wallace and his famous Exploits against the English He is made Regent The chief Town of Clydsdale And takes many Places from the English * Or Logan He overthrows Cressingham the English General at Sterlin Bridge September 15. He enters with an Army into England 1 November 1 February Edward returns from France to subdue Wallace But retreats from the North without Fighting The Scots Nobles envy Wallace for his Success * Or Wallace Edward gives the Scots a great overthrow at Falkirk A Conference betwixt Bruce and Wallace in the Field Iuly 22. Wallace dismisses the remainder of his Army The Scots by the mediation of the King of France obtain a Truce from Edward The Scots 〈◊〉 in Armâ— again And overthrow the English at Roslin in Mid-lothian Feb. 24. Edward in revenge enters into Scotland with a vast Army and subdues all the Country Wallace courted by King Edward to come over to his Party with his stout Answer in the Negative Three Miles Eâ—st of Elâ—in All the 〈◊〉 Sâ—eâ—r Alâ—eâ—â—ance to 〈…〉 Wallace Edward appoints Magistrates all over Scotland Edwards Severity Censâ—red He carries the Marble Stone into England on which the Scots Kingâ— uâ—ed to be Crowned Seeds of new Troubles in Scotland A formal Agreement between Cumins and Bruce Which Cumins discovers to K. Edward Bâ—uce like to suffer for Treason but is informed of his danger by a Wiâ—e and flies by Night into Scotland Bruce's Horses shod backward to secure his Flight Bruce kills Cumins for betraying him * Febr. 10. Wallis unworthily betrayed by his Friend is Hang'd and Quartered by Edward His Chaâ—actâ—r Lying upon the River Aâ—mon near Perth * Iuly the 2â— * Bruce overthrown and retires in a disguise to save his Life Bruce thought to be Dead starts out from his Retirement and takes some Castles * In the Braes of â—â—gus on the Head of the North-Water Esk. Cumins of Bâ—chan 〈◊〉 againâ—t Bruâ—e But dares not fight him Iames Douglas joyns with Bruce Bruce causes himself to be carried sick into his Army and overthrows Iohn Cumins * A Town in Garioch * Iune 30th Bruce conquers all Galway Edward enters Scotland against Bâ—uce but retreats again Bruce invades England He takes Perth Dumfreiz c. with Eâ—inburâ—h and the Isle of Man from the English Sterlin-Castle capitulates with Edward Bruce Edward of England enters Scotland with a vast Army Bruce his Policy in a Fight * Small Engins ordinarily round with sharp Iron Spikes standing out on each side of Them so that throw them which way soever you will upon the Ground one Spike or other turns upward and wounds or pierces the Horses Foot that treads upon it and thus makes him Lame and unfit for Service * Iuneâ—3 â—3 The English receive a great overthrow at Bannoâ—k near Sterling * Or Menteith * Or Calhound in the Country of Lennox The Treachery of Menteith who before betrayed Wallace against the King discovered Menthet Rewarded for his Valour in Bannock Fight Berwick takeâ— by Bruce The Kingdom confirmed to Bruce Bruce desired to accept the Crown of Ireland He drives the English out of Vlster Edward Bruce overthrown in Ireland by the English October 5. An English Army worsted in Scotland Bishop Sinclar's Valour against the English Edward besieges Berwick Randolfe invades England and overthrows the Arch-Bishop of York The Wâ—itâ— Battel 〈◊〉 Edward retreats upon a Truce with the Scots Robert calls for the Deeds of Mens Lands Whereupon he receives an Affront A Conspiracy against Bruce discovered and the Actoâ—â— put to deaâ—â— The Scots Excommunicated Bruce invades England Edward enterâ— Scotland but soon retreats In Teviotdale Bruce follows him and had almost taken him in a Skirmish * Not â—ar from Maltoâ— in Yorkshire Andâ—ew Bâ—râ—ly put to Death The Scots absolved by the Pope And make a League with the French The Rise of the Family of the Hamiltons with the Occasion thereof Edwâ—rd of England slain by a strange kind of Death not without the Pâ—ivity of his Relations Bruce settles the Succession in hiâ— Family And agrees with Baliol then in France who consents theâ—eto Bâ—uce's Army 〈…〉 Edward makes Head against them The Scots flying Army of Horse weary the Engâ—ish to follow them Stags suddenly rouzed affright the English * The English Army highly incommoded in their march Reparties between both Armies Douglas breaks in upon the
the Fifth to Scotland to sâ—iâ— them up to War against England Berwick Castle surprised by Ramsay but regain'd by Percy Iames the First Earl of Douglas enters England with an Army * In Cumberland A Pestilence in Scotland Talbet overthrown in Scotland A Truce between the Scots and English for three Years Quatuor nummos Angâ—â—coâ— A Rising of the Commons in England at the Instigation of Iohn Baâ— a Priest Lancaster the English Embassador in Scotland denied entrance into Berwick Loch-Maban Castle taken by the Scots unbar surprizes the Governor of Roxburg Lancaster enters Scotland He favours the Edinburgers But is put to a Retreat Douglas prevails in Scotland he dyes and his Son William succeeds him A Truce made for a Year between French English and Scots which the French were to acquaint the Scots with The English enter Scotland before Notice is given them of a Truce made Some Scots Nobles also invade England before the Truce is Proclaimed Richard II. enter'd Scotland with an Army Whereupon the Scots enter England They both return home The French and Scots quarrel â—bout the Bears Skin before he was catcht French Soldiers more licentious than Scots or English which occasions a disgust betwixt them The French Army leaves Scotland but their General is retain'd to satisfy damages Nov. 1. Will. Douglas sails into Ireland And takes Dundalk * A Town on the North side of the Nith a Mile about Drumlanerick in Nithisdale * A Sea Town in the County of Louth and Province of Vlster in Ireland And returns from thence The Scots enter England 〈◊〉 Against the mind of Robert and his Son Aug. â— An English Spy in the Scots Army discovered The Scots Army divide themselves to attack England Douglas in Northumberland encountred by Percy A Duel between Earl Douglas and Earl Percy The Scots march to Otterborn A terrible Fight between the Scots and English under Percy and Douglas Hart slain And Douglas mortally Wounded His Three last dying Requests Ralfe Pâ—rcy 〈…〉 The English overthrown Lindsay takes Redman Prisoner and releases him on his Parol Courtesy to Prisoners The ancient punishment of Prisoners not returning upon their Parol The Bishop of Durham comes too late to Assist Percy The Bishops Forces terrified with the Sound of Horns and Retreat Lindsay's Kindness to Redman requited by him Ralfe Percy released on his Parol Henry Percy Ransomed Douglas buried at Mulross Both the Scots Armies lament Dougâ—aâ— Iuly 21. Robert Earl of Fife made Governor of Scotland Earl Marshal vaunts over the Scots Whereupon Robert enters England and returns with a great Booty A Peace between France and England Robert assents thereto on his own Head * Lying on the River Irwin Apr. 19. Roberts Death and Character Alexander Earl of Buchan burns Elgin Church William Douglas slain at Dantzick by the procurement of Clifford of England * Or Prussias A noted Maâ—t Town of great Trade on the Wesseâ— acknowledge the King of Poland for Protector August 1â— Robert the Third his Name changed from Iohn Duncan Stuart rises in Arms but is suppressed A notable Policy to divide the Islanders and make them Instruments to destroy one another which takes effect accordingly Dukes First made in Scotland E. Douglas refuses that Title Richard the Second of England resigns his Crown and Hen. the Fourth succeeds him Difference in Scotland occasioned by the Marriage of the King's Son Dunbar joyns with Percy and infests Scotland Standing upon Tine 3 Miles below Hadington The Death of Archibald Douglas August 13. Henry of England Enters Scotland Carries it Moderately And Retreats * A Castle over against Holy-Isle in Northumberland The Scots overthrown by Percy and Dunbar at Homeldon May. 7. Coâ—â—â—aw-Castle besieged by the English but they raise the Siege themselves Arch Bishop Traâ—â—e an observer of Ancient Discipline David after his Mothers decease le ts loose the reins to Licentiousness David most cruelly starved to Death by his Uncle Robert Scituate at the North bottom of Locâ—-Lomond near the Centre of Fife The Governor of Faâ—kâ—and's cruelty to his own Daughter Douglas joyne with Percy against the K. of England Having Performed valiantly in a fight he is taken Prisoner and after ransomed Robert accused for Davids Death Undergoes a partial Tryal and is Acquitted King Robert imprecates God's judgment on the Murderers of his Son Iames the K. Son for security sent into France but Landing in England is detained There Dispute 〈◊〉 King 〈…〉 concerning the Detention oâ— Diâ—mission oâ— Iames. Iames well Educated in England yet his Captivity breaks his Fathers Heart April 1. Robert's Death and Character Robert his Brother made Regent Percy overthrown and flies to Scotland Henry of England invades Scotland Dunbar returns to Scotland Percy betrayed by Rokesby his pretended Friend and put to Death A Supposititious Prince Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth near St. Ebâ—s Head in the Merss A County lying on 〈◊〉 River Stâ—aâ—-Bogy 40 〈…〉 Aâ—â—rdeen * In Murray A Cruel Fight between Donald and the Governour The Erection of St. Andrews University March 21. Henry the 4 th Dyes and Henry the 5 thâ—â—â—â—ceeds â—â—â—â—ceeds 〈◊〉 Percys Posterity restored to their Dignity Council of Constance send Ambassadors to Scotland so doth Peter Lune Anti-Pope The King of France distracted Divisions in France A County of France lying on the River Carus The French King craves Aid of the Scots which is sent him under the Command of the Earl of Buchan The Scots Auxiliaries Land in France Is overthrowâ— by them And slain Buchan made Lord High Constable of France September 3. Robert dies and his Son Murdo made Governor of Scotland Buchan returns to Scotland but is recalled to France Douglas made Duke of Turein Earl of Bedford sent by Henry into France who carries with him Iames I. King of Scotland A Chief Town of the County oâ— Bâ—â—e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A Chief Town of the County oâ— Bâ—â—e in France situated near the Matrona A Town in or near Normandy A large Country about Orleanâ— on the 〈◊〉 The Scâ—ts overthrown in Fâ—ance 〈…〉 English and their Chief 〈…〉 Reflections on some English Writers Fond Indulgence to Children justly punished in a Father The Scots send for King Iames the First out of England Who returns upon a Ransom May 27. April 20. 〈…〉 Scotlâ—nd â—bout 〈…〉 The King remits one halfe of his Ransom-Tax Several Scots Nobles imprisoned Others 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Murdo brought to his Trial. The Ancient manner of Trying Nobles in Scotland Murdo c. found Guilty and Beheaded Embassadors from France to Scotland about Peace and a Marriage K. Iames the First his prosperous Beginnings Free 〈◊〉 punished by the King Alexander the Islander â—iseâ— in Armâ— But is suppressed * Easter And submits to the Kings Mercy Donald Bâ—lâ—ck makes an Insurrection But is quelled Tories fall out among themselves Mackdonald a Free-booter His Cruelty to a Woman Retaliated on himself and his Followers Donald's
The Parliament Graâ—ity neither Party fully but chuse Regents of which the Queens Friends are an equal Number with the rest A Truce with England for 1â— Years The Queen Mothers Death Intestine Commotions in Scotland By Alan of Loâ—n And Donald the Islander * Or Redshanks Donald takes the Earl of Athol Prisoner pillages and burns St. Brides Church He is Shipwrackâ—d and theâ—eupon falâ—s distrâ—cted Iames Kennedy his commendation The Boyds câ—eep into Favour at Court Alexander Boyd abuses Kennedy The Boyds carry the King to Edinburgh Whereupon the Kennedies depart from the Court Boyd's Sarcasm to Iohn Kennedy Kennedy's Death and Character * Patrick Graham Elected Bishop of St. Andrews in the room of Iames Kennedy and Confirmed by the Pope But the Boyds obstruct his Admission Scots Bishops freed from the Jurisdiction of the Arch-Bishop of York by the Popes Decree The Boyds strengthen their Faction and procure Pardon for their Misâ—aâ—iageâ— by Publick Instruments to which the King assents Robert Boyd made Regent Thomas Boyd Marries the Kings Eldest Sister The Greatness of the Boyds occasions their Ruin James by his Ambassadors desires Margarite Daughter of the King of Denmark for a Wife The King of Denmark resigns up the Orcades and Scheâ—land to the Scots as a Dowry Thomas Boyd sent Ambassador to bring the new Queen from Norwey The Boyds undermined in the absence of Thomas Robert Boyd flies into England Alexander Boyd Beheaded A Critical or Ambiguous Pardon Thomas Boyd declared a publick Enemy in his â—bsence Who thereupon retires into Burgundy King Iames Married to Margarite of Norwey * A Town on the River Irwyn in Cuningham Thomas Boyd's Wife divorced fâ—om him and Married to Iames Hamilton Boyd's Death Bishops anciently chosen by their Canons and Abbats by their Monks Bâ—t King Iames assumes the naming of 〈◊〉 to himseâ—â— Which Patrick Grahâ—m laboâ—rs to withstand But the Court-brokers â—ppose him The Story of William Sivez and his worming of Graham out of the Archbishopâ—ick of St. Andrews Patrick Graham Excommunicated and his Rents gathered into the Kings Exchequer Situate upon the Head of Monks-Moor Five Miles North of Falkland 〈…〉 of his Bâ—shoprick imprisoned till 〈◊〉 Death and hiâ— Adversary Sivez succeeds him A Town four Miles above Queens-Ferry in Fife Iohn the Islander rises in Arms but quickly submits himself Iames Kennedy built a vast Ship which is rifled by the English but upon a Peace made by Embassadors he receives satisfaction Embassadors to Charles of Burgundy who soon after was slain at Nants by the Switzers One Andrews an Astrologer and Physician foretels K. Iames's Death K. Iames degenerates into Tyranny Iohn the Kings Brotheâ— put to Death And Aâ—exander impriâ—oned But he makeâ— his Escape to Dunbar and then to France Dunbar Castle deserted and taken by the Scots Peace between the Scots and English wherein it was agreed That Cecily Edwards Daughter should Marry Iames's Young Son But the Peace is soon broken and an Army Marches into England * In Lauderdale Douglasses Oration to the Nobles in the Camp against the King's Evil Counsellors Cockran and the Rest of the Evil Counsellors dragg'd out by an Incensed Army to their Deaths Their Crimes Objected were Brass-Money Coyned Their Aliâ—nating the King's Heart from the Nobility with 〈◊〉 Incouraging of him in Magical Aâ—ts and Exciting him to Cruelty against his own Flesh and Blood The Scots Army disbanded An English Army under the Duke of Glocester and Alexander the Kings Brother enters Scotland The Sâ—ots Nobâ—â—â—ty raise an Army Yet mediate a Peace by their Agents Reparties between both Armies * Near Hadington in 〈◊〉 Lothian Alexander is reconciled to the King returns into his own Country and is made Regent Beâ—wick Castâ—e surrendered to the Engâ—ish The intended Marriage be Iames's Son and Edward's Daughter Null'd and the Dowry repaid Alexander disgusted condemned and flees to England Creighton condemned with the Reasons why Edward of England dies and his Brother Richard made first Protector and then King A Scuffle in Scotland On the North-side of Fife upon the Riveâ— Tay. A Truce between Richard of England and the Scots Richard of England 〈◊〉 and Henry the 7 th 〈◊〉 him Dunbar-Castle surrendred to the Scots A Truce between the English and Scots for 7 Years The Death of the Queen of Scots and of Alexander the King's Brother who left Two Sons behind them The King again addicts himself to Evil Counsellors Iohn Ramsy c. The King labours to cajole some of the Nobles by Honors He discovers his Design against the Nobles to Douglas Who dissuades him from such Cruelty The Nobles Arm against the King and chuse the Kings Son for their General A Temporary Agreement The Nobles insist on the Kings resigning of the Crown The King sends Embassadors for Foreign Aid A Battel between the King and the Nobles where the King is slain The Character of james III And of the Foreign Princes his Contemporaries Wood's Constancy to King Iames the 3 d. On the North-side of Forth 2 Miles below Sterlin Andrew Wood reconciled to K. Iames the 4 th He fights the English Fleet overthrows them Some of the Scots Nobility combine against the new King's Party But are overthrown * Off the Point of Fife The manner of the Fight between Andr. Wood and the English Admiral Wood's second Victory over the English A strange Monster K. Iames the 4 th his first Parliament ‖ A Castle lying 4 miles South off Fâ—râ—ar in Angus * The Commendation of Iames the 4 th His Clemency His sorrowful Resentment for his Fathers Death Peter Warbeck some call him Perkin comes into Scotland His Story * A Town in Flanders standing on the Bank of the Sâ—â—â—ld †A Gallo-Belgick People possessing 〈◊〉 Warbeck set up by Margaret Dutchess of Burgundy Warbeck's feigned Harangue of himself The Scots Council cajol'd by Warbeck K. Iames marries Katherine Gordon his Kinswoman to Warbeck and assists him with an Army against England K. Iames begins to smell out Warbeck's Cheat. Henry of England prepares an Army against Scotland An Insurrection in England prevents K. Henry's Design against Scotland at that time K. Iames invades England but to little purpose * In the Mers on the River Aye a mile above Aymouth An Embassador form Spain to England Who mediates a Peace between Scotland and England * The chief Town in Tividale standing on the West of the River Ied Warbeck dismist out of Scotland Taken and hanged in England A War like to arise on a small Occasion betwixt England Scotland but accommodated by Fox Bp. of Durham * Mulross in Tiviot-dale on a bare Promonâ—ory on Tweed side three Miles below its confluence with Gala. A Conference between King Iames and R. Fox Bp of Durham concerning the Marriage of King Henry's Daughter Margaret to Iames. Which took Effect A vast Ship built by King Iames. Wardship a Badg of Slavery Recognition what Wardship disused K. Iames's resolution 〈…〉 Ierusalem The execution of it
and the Earl of Northumberland meet to settle Matters betwixt the Borderers * April 15. †In Teviotdale Iohn Armstrong with many of his Followers hanged ‖ The strange and seemingly miraculous Fast of one Iohn Scot for many weeks together with his Story Thomas Doughty a great Cheat. Fifteen Judges with Salary appointed to decide Controversal Matters in Scotland But quickly disused * The English make War upon Scotland †Upon the River Esk. ‖ The French Ambassador mediates a Peace between the English and Scotish Kings * Iames transacts with the French King and afterwards with the Emperour about a Match †Which the Hamiltons labour to hinder ‖ The chief City of Normandy * Three Maries offered by Charles the Emperor to King Iames out of which to chuse a Consort †King Iames visits the Orcades and other Isles of Scotland ‖ Lutherans severely dealt with * Mary of Bourbon offered by Francis as a Wife to Iames. †Henry of England sends Controversal Books of Divinity to Iames by his Ambassadors ‖ Ambassadors sent by Henry to Iames desiring an Interview which was agreed to Tho afterwards disappointed upon several pretences * Henry takes the disappointment of the Interview in great disdain King Iames sails over into France And marries Magdalene that King's Daughter Who died sooâ— after Mourning-garments when and upon what occasion first used in Scotland Ambassadors sent over into France to fetch Mary of the House of Guise Earl of Bothwel banished Iohn Forbes condemn'd for Treason 'T was thought unjustly The Lady Ioan Douglas c. accused for conspiring to poison the King For which she suffers Death being burnt alive * Mary of the House of Guise arrives in Scotland and is married to K. Iames. †In the East-corner of Fife ‖ Troubles in Scotland about Religion * George Buchanan the Author of this History imprisoned for the same cause but makes his Escape †Queen Mary brings forth a Son and the next year another * Ambassadors from England to desire an Interview at York Which the Faction of the Ecclesiasticks prevent ‖ Iames Hamilton set up for a Judge against Lutherans But prevented from executing his Commission Imprisoned Tried Condemned and put to Death King Iames presaging Dream * His two Sons depart this Life Henry of England being affronted about the Interview prepares War against Iames And sends an Army against him commanded by Howard his General The Nobility of Scotland refuse to fight against England which moves Iames's Passion against them * Standing upon the Tweed 14 Miles above Berwick K. Iames sends an Army into England Which is defeated The overthrow of his Army breaks his Heart K. Iames the 5 th his Character Cardinal Beton suborns a false Will of King Iames therein nominating himself with three Assessors to he Vice-gerenâ—s of the Kingdom Hamilton opposes the Cardinal Scotish Prisoners and Exile released and dismissed at London and the Reason why * The Cardinal's Cheat discovered and thereupon Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran chosen Regent †Sir Ralph Sadler sent Ambassador to Scotland to treat about a Match for the young Queen with King Henry's Son But is affronted by the Cardinal and his Faction upon colourable pretences The Decree of the Council of Constance forbids Faith to be kept with Hereticks as the Reformed are by them called †Kennedy Earl of Cassills his just Resolution to return like another Regulus into England to redeem his Hostages highly praised and rewarded by Henry of England ‖ Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox sent for out of France into Scotland to ballance the Hamiltons * Kirk-Liston lying on the North-side of the River Annand that divides Middle and West-Lothian An Agreement made between Hamilton and Lennox The Regent recants his Opinions as to the Reform'd Religion Lennox was promised to marry the Queen but afterwards illuded by her and the Cardinal Upon which he retires and rises up in Arms and from Glascow marches to Leith But was forc'd to capitulate with the Regent at present Henry of England makes War upon Scotland Burns Edinburgh c. and retreats Lennox labours to justify himself to the French King against the Calumnies of the Queen and Cardinal * Or Grampius Glasgow Castle taken from Lennox by the Regent Lennox and Cuningham worsted by Hamilton Lennox flyes into England where he marries Margaret Douglas The English enter Scotland with an Army and garison Coldingham The Regent raises an Army but retreats shamefully The vain boast of Evers and Laiton two English Cavaleers The Regent by the advice of Angus raises a party to oppose the English In Teviotdale * The English being overconfident are worsted principally by thâ— Valour of Norman Lesley and Walter Scot. * The Family of the Frasers almost like to be quite extinguish'd †The French assists the Scots with some small Force * Hadington a Town in East Lothian twelve Miles South of Edinburgh The Scots march'd into England with an Army But again retreat Lutherans cruelly punish'd The ignorant Priests thoughâ— the Book of the New Testament was written by Martin Luther * Or Ruthven ‖ Kinfans is two Miles East of Perth on the North of Tay. The History of Wiseheart's Persecution by Cardinal â—eton and his Ecclesiasticks ‖ The Cardinal desires a criminal Judg against George Wiseheart But David Hamilton of Preston a Village in East Lothian persuades the Regent noâ— to grant one †The Regent not satisfied to proceed against George Whereupon the Cardinal proceeds against him by his own Authority Wiseheart's pious and Christian Leportment before his Death Wiseheart's Prophecy at his death concerning the Cardinal's Fall The Martyrdom of George Wiseheart The foul Character of Cardinal Beton Norman Lesly with a few Partisans surprises the Castle of S. Andrews and kills Cardinal Beton accord-to Wistheart's Prophecy before-mentioned Those that slew the Cardinal â— thosummoned yet refuse to appear * November 5. The Murderers of the Cardinal not reclaimed by the preaching of Iohn Knox. The English invade Scotland †A small River in Ewsdale The Regent marches against the English ‖ Or Lang-hope lying near the Conduence of the Rivers Esk and Ewes in Ewsdale * St. Ebbs Head on the Mouth of the Forth in Merss St. Andrews Castle taken by the Regent with the Assistance of the French The English enter Scotland and repulse the Regent's Forces †Two Miles East of Musselborough in East-Lothian The English send Letters to the Scots persuasory to Peace Which being rejected by the Regent He gives them Baâ—â—el But receives a great Overthrow †Brockty standing on a Rock on the Aâ—gus-side of Tay 2 Miles below Dundee The English retreat out of Scotland The English again enter Scotland And overtrow a Party of Scots commanded by Iames Douglas 〈◊〉 of Franceâ—ends â—ends Aid to the Scots The Queen of Scotland sails into France Hume and Fascastle garison'd by the English are surprized by the Scots ‖ Standing on the Firth of
Children Sforâ—a's Murder with its Consequents The Queen of England declares against Hamiltons design for the Regency A Marriage designed between the Queens of Scots and Howard Buds of discontent between the Queens of England and Scotland The Regent honourably dismisâ— from England and arrives in Scotland The Transactions of the Regent with the Queen of England confirmed by the Nobility of Scotland Hamilton forced to submit to the Regent So is Argyle Hamilton's Tergiversation For which he is imprisoned Various Disputes about admitting Huntly to a Reconciliation with Arguments Pro and Con. Sententious Maximes in Policy Yet at last the Regent pardons him upon Terms Letters from England declaring the Intrigues between the Q. of Scots and Howard Queen of Scots confined to the Lord Scroop's House in the North of England Letters from both Queens to the Scots Nobles read and debated The Scots answer Q. Elizabeth's Letter Petcarn sent Embassador into England to satisfy Q. Elizabeth The Regent's Lenity his own Overthrow The Regent deserted by his intimate Friends Howard imprisoned The Regent receives an encouraging Message from the Queen of England The Regent too negligent of his fore warned Danger The Regent shot out of a Balcony at the Instigation of the Hamiltons Of which Wound he died The Pious and Laudable Character of the Regent Bandyings in Scotland upon the Regent's Murder Randolph's Queen Elizabeth's Embassador sober Speech to the Scots The Douglasses Petition against the Murderers of the Regent which occasions several Debates * Or Commissioners * A Barony on the East-side of Clyde A Convention of the Nobles with various Opinions about choosing a Regent But is dissolved re infecta The Hamiltons and others of the Queen's Party meet at Edinburgh The Edinburghers much courted to side with them but in vain An English Army coming into Scotland puts the Queen's Faction to a stand The Queen's Party send Embassadors into England St. Lewis de Galais Ld. of Lansach in France An Embassador from France to the Queen's Party Q. Elizabeth rejects the Embassy of the Queen's Party in Scotland The Queen's Party at Linlithgo the King 's at Edinburgh Petcarn an Embassador from the Royalists in Scotland to Q Elizabeth The English Army under Sussex ravage over a great Part of Scotland Lord Scroop enters Scotland with another English Army The Hamiltonians depart from Glasgow Hamilton-Castle taken Petcarn's Answer from the Q of England Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox created Vice-Roy and then Regent Huntly garisonâ— Brechin Which is taken by the Regent Queen Elizabeth made Arbiter betwixt both Parties in Scotland The Regent sends Embassadors into England The Regent hurt by a Fall from his Horse A notable Design of the Regâ—nts to surprize Dunbarton Castle with the occasion of it and the manner of carrying it on The Scituation of the Castle and Town of Dunbarton described punctually by our Author who was born there Dumbritton why so called Iohn Fleming Governor of Dunbarton * In Lennox Ignis Fatuus Country People call it Iack with a Lanthorn or Will with a Wisp Dumbarton-Castle taken by Surprize The Regent's Clemency to Flemming the Governor's Wife The Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as guilty of the King 's and Regent's Murders with Evidences proving the same 〈…〉 an Actor in the King's Murder in trouâ—le oâ— Conscience accuses himself and the Arâ—h-bishop of St. Andâ—ews oâ— that horrid Crime The Regent's Embassadors Morton c. return from England with an ample account of their Negotiations there and the grounds alledged by them to justify the late Actions in Scotland against their Queen The Original of Kingly Government in Scotland Kingly Government What Trajan and Theodosius their memorable Speeches Christiern of Denmark deposed Valerius Asiaticus his bold and confident Speech He is said to have slain his own Sons Who would have brought back Kingly Government into Rome Some of Q. Elizabeth's Counsellors desire the Scots King to be sent into England The Queen's Faction garisoned Edinburgh Morton comes to Leith and publishes a Proclamation against Them The Garison of Edinburgh sallies out upon him in his retreat Edinburgh How seated A Convention of the Estates held at one end of the City of Edinburgh because the Enemy possessed the Castle The Castle plays upon the Conventioners with Cannon but does them no hurt Two Anti-Assemblies Indicted A Sally out of Edinburgh against Morton at Dalkeith Near two 〈◊〉 from Edinburgh wherein both Parties â—â—ceive some Checks A Scotch Troop from Denmark comes to help the Royalists Morton falls sick at Leith Drury intercedes in vain between the Parties The Rebels sally out against Morton at Leith But are repulsed with â—oss Iames Culen a cruel Amâ—odexter justly punished A Ship from France taken by the Regent The Queen of England and King of France censured for their slow Supplies to their several Parties in Scotland The Scots refuse to send their young King into England with their Reasons why The Rebels Convention at Edinburgh The Regent's Convention at Sterlin The Rebels assault Leith but are repulsed Iames Haliburton taken Prisoner by the Rebels by a Mistake The bold Attempt of the Rebels to surprize Sterlin and the Nobles of the Convention there assembled Which in part took Effect The Rebels beaten again out of Sterlin by the Valour of Iohn Erskin Governour of the Castle The Regent slain in this Scuffle with Capt. Spence who endeavoured to save him * For killing him after he had Quarter given him Three Competitors for the Regency Iohn Erskin Earl of Marr chosen Regent He assaults Edinburgh but without effect The Royalists receive a loss in the North with the manner of it Deadly fewds between the Gordons and the Forbes's The Cruelty of the Gordons against the Forbes's The King's Party overthrown The chief Town of Teviotdale standing on the River Ied near where it falleth into the River Teviot The Rebels attempt Iedburgh * An Abby in Teviotdale But are driven back to Hawick where they are Routed * A Town in Teviotdale A Barony upon the Water of Bervy in Angus The Dundeans Enemies to the Gordons * A Castle on a Rock lying in the Firth of Forth above Abercorn The Regent straitens Edinburgh Archibald Douglas apprehended upon Suspicion of his Tampering with the Enemy
into the Hands of the Franciscans wherein he Writes That he was solicited in a Dream by St. Francis to joyn himself to his Order In that Poem there were one or two Passages that reflected on them very sorely which those Ghostly Fathers notwithstanding their Profession of Meekness and Humility took more heinously than Men having obtained such a Vogue for Piety among the vulgar ought to have done upon so small an occasion of Offence But finding no just Ground for their immoderate Wrath and Fury they had recourse to the common Crime of those Days which they objected to those they wish'd ill to viz. The Cause of Religion Thus whilst they indulged their Malice and Disgust they made him who was not well affected to them before a greater Enemy to their Liceniousness and rendred him more inclineable to the Lutheran Cause In the mean time the King with Magdalen his Wife came from France not without the resentment of the Priesthood who were afraid that the Royal Lady having been bred up under her Aunt the Queen of Navar should attempt some Innovation in Religion But this fear soon vanished upon her Death which followed shortly after A while after there arose some suspitions at Court against some of the Nobility who were thought to have conspired against the King and in that matter the King was persuaded the Franciscans were somewhat concerned so that he Commanded Buchanan who at that time was at Court thô he were ignorant of the Disgusts betwixt Him and that Order to write a Satyr against them He was loth to offend either of them and therefore thô he made a Poem yet it was but short and such as might admit of a doubtful Interpretation wherein he satisfied neither Party not the King who would have had a tart and biting Invective nor the Fathers neither who lookt on it as a capital Offence to have any thing said of them but what was Honourable So that receiving a Second Command to write more pungently against them he began that Miscellany which now bears the Title of the Franciscan and gave it to the King But shortly after being made acquainted by his Friends at Court that Cardinal Beton sought his Life and had offered the King a Sum of Money as a price for his Head he escaped out of prison and fled for England But there also things were at such an uncertainty that the very same Day and almost with one and the same Fire the Men of Both Factions Protestants and Papists were burnt together Henry the Eighth in his old Age being more intent on his own Security than the Purity or Reformation of Religion This uncertainty of Affairs in England seconded by his ancient Acquaintance with the French and the innate courtesie of that Nation drew him again into France As soon as he came to Paris he found Cardinal Beton his utter Enemy Embassador there so that to withdraw himself from his Fury at the Invitation of Andrew Goveanus he went to Bourdeaux There he presided and Taught Three Years in the Schools which were erected at the Publick Cost At that time he wrote Four Tragedies which were afterwards occasionally Published But that which he wrote first called the Baptist was Printed last and then the Medea of Euripides He wrote them in compliance with the Custom of the School which was to have a Play wrote once a Year that so by acting of them he might as much as he could calll back the French Youth from Allegories with which they then were overmuch delighted to the Imitation of the Ancients This Affair succeeding even almost beyond his Hope he took more pains in compiling the other Two Tragedies called Iephthe and Alcestis because he thought they would fall under a severer scrutiny of the Learned And yet during this time he was not wholly free from Trouble being harassed between the Menaces of the Cardinal on the One side and of the Franciscans on the Other For the Cardinal had wrote Letters to the Archbishop of Bourdeaux to apprehend him but providentially those Letters were delivered to some of Buchanan's Friends However the death of the King of Scots and the Pestilence which then reigned over all Aquitain dispelled that Fear In the interim an Express came to Goveanus from the King of Portugal requiring him to come into that Kingdom and to bring with him some Men Learned both in the Greek and Latin Tongues that they might Read the Liberal Arts and especially the Principles of the Aristotelian Philosophy in those Schools which were then a Building with a great deal of Cost and Expence Buchanan being addressed to easily assented to go for one For whereas he saw that all Europe besides was either actually in Foreign or Domestique Wars or else suddenly likely so to be that one Corner of the World was in his Opinion likeliest to be free from Tumults and Combustions And besides his Companions in that Journy were such that they seemed rather his Acquaintance and Familiar Friends than Strangers or Aliens to him For many of them had been his Intimates for several Years and are well known to the World by their Learned Works as Nicolaus Gruchius Gulielmus Garentaens Iacobus Tevius and Elias Vinetus Upon which account he did not only joyn himself to their Society but also persuaded a Brother of his called Patrick to be one of so Illustrious a Society And the Truth is the matter succeeded excellently well at the beginning but the death of Andrew Goveanus which hapned as it were in the midst of our Race and was mature enough for himself but very prejudicial to us put a stop to its happy Progress For after his Decease all our Enemies endeavoured at first to insnare us by Treachery and soon after ran violently upon us as it were with open Mouth and their Agents and Instruments being great Enemies to the Accused they laid hold of Three of them and haled them to Prison whence after a long and nasty durance they were brought forth to their Answers and after many bitter Taunts were remanded to Prison again and yet no Accuser did appear in Court against them As for Buchanan they insulted most bitterly over him as being a Stranger and knowing also that he had very few Friends in that Country who would either rejoyce in his Prosperity sympathize with his Grief or Revenge the Wrongs offered to him The Crimes laid to his Charge was the Poem he wrote against the Franciscans which he himself before he went from France had deposited in the hands of the King of Portugal neither did his Accusers perfectly know what it was For he had given but one Copy of it to the King of Scots by whose Command he wrote it They further objected His eating of Flesh in Lent thô there be not a Man in all Spain but uses the same Liberty Besides he had given shrewd Girds against Monks which yet none but Monks could well except against Moreover they took it much amiss that
infected with their Soloecisms that on the contrary when they had once tasted of the sweetness of the Latin Tongue they pared off much of the roughness which they had brought upon it They so smoothed some harsh Words as to make them less offensive to the Ear such as are Oxonia and Roffa for Oxonfordia and Raufchestria and many others Lud himself not contradicting And he allows himself the same Liberty in many other Words though he be so severe an Exactor in this one Word Britannia But now he doth pertinaciously contend against the Ancient Custom of all Nations for a new obscure and uncertain Word Sure it is that the Royal Name of Lud of a Danish Original and kept as a Palladium to this very Day may not be buried in Oblivion To prevent which Lud manages a Contest against the consent of the Multitude the Antiquity of Time and even against Truth it self There is yet also another Observation in the Word Britannia That Foreign Writers make it the Name of the whole Island but the Britains and English who have wrote the British History sometimes agree with Foreign Writers in their Appellation of it and sometimes they call only that part of the Island Britain which was a Roman Province and that variously too as the event of War changed the Borders sometimes they made the Wall of Adrian sometimes That of Severus to be the Limits to their Empire The rest which were without those Walls they sometimes termed Barbarous sometimes Outlandish People Bede in the beginning of his first Book writes thus Wherefore the Picts coming into Britain began to Inhabit the North Part of the Island for the Britans Inhabited the South He says also Chap. 34. Aidan was King of the Scots who Inhabit Britain And Lib. 4. Chap. 4. writing of the return of Colman out of England into Scotland he says In the mean time Colman who was of Scotland leaving Britain And elsewhere Then they began for many Days to come from the Country of Scotland into Britain And farther Oswald was slain near the Wall that the Romans had built from Sea to Sea to defend Britain and to repel the Assaults of the Barbarians The same Form of Speech is found in the same Author Lib. 2. Chap. 9. Claudian doth not seem to be ignorant of this manner of Speech peculiar to the Britains when he writes That the Roman Legion which curbed the Fierce Scot lay between the Britains i. e. opposite to the Scots that it might cover the Britains from their Fury in the farthest part of England and Borders of Scotland William of Malmsbury and Geoffry of Monmouth none of the obscurest Writers of British Affairs do often use this kind of Speech in whom a Man may easily take Notice that That only is called Britain which is contained within the Wall of Severus Though this matter be so clear to them than no Man can be ignorant of it yet it hath produced great mistakes amongst the Writers of the next Age what some have affirmed in their Works i. e. That Alured Athelstan and some other of the Saxon Kings did sometimes Reign over the whole Island when yet 't is clear they never passed beyond the Wall of Severus For when they Read That they held the Empire of all Britain they presently thought that the whole Island was possessed by them Neither is the Observation much unlike in the use of those Names Britannus and Britto for all the old Greek and Latin Writers caâ—l the whole Island Britannia and all its Inhabitants Britains without any distinction The first that I know of the Romans who called them Brittons was Martial in that Verse Quam veteres bracchae Brittonis pauperis The old Trouses of Britton poor The Vulgar commonly call the Inhabitants of the Gallick Peninsule Brittons though Gregory Turonensis always calls it Britain and its Inhabitants Britains The Romans do constantly call their Provincials Britains though their Provincials themselves like the Name of Brittons well enough Both Names have one Original viz. Britannia and as they both flow from one Root so they both signifie one and the same thing And that the Verses of Ausonius the Poet do plainly shew Silvius ille bonus qui carmina nostra lacessit Nostra magis meruit disticha Britto bonus 'T is Silvius Bonus whom my Disticks blame But Britto Bonus were his Prop'rer Name Silvius hic bonus est Quis Silvius Iste Britannus Aut Britto hic non est Silvius aut malâ—s est Silvius is good What Silvius The Britain Silvius no Britton is or a bad one Silvius esse Bonus Britto ferturque Britannus Quis credat civem degenerassâ— lonum Silvius Bonus a Britan or Britton How he degen'rates from good Denizon Nemo bonus Britto est Si simplex Silvius esse Incipiat simplex desinet esse bonus No Britton's good If Silvius 'gin to be Simple simple and good do not agree Silvius hic bonus est Sed Britto est Silvius idem Simplicior res est dicere Britto malus Silvius is Bonus Yet a Britton still 'T is plainer Phrase to say the Britton's ill Silvi Britto Bonus quamvis homo non bonus esse Ferris nec se quit jungere Britto bono O Silvius bonny Britton but bad Man Britton and good together joyn who can They who contend that the Britains were a Colony of the Gauls do say that Hercules begat a Son on Celto a Gallick Virgin called Britannus from whom the Nation of the Britains had their Original Pliny placeth this Nation near to the Morini the Atrebates and the Gessorâ—aci Neither are there wanting some Greek Grammarians to confirm it as Suidas and he who wrote the Book called Etymologiâ—um Magnum C. Iâ—lius Caesar and C. Cornelius Tacitus seem to have been of the same Opinion and so do other Latin Writers also not unlearned yet not so famous as those two Besides the Religion Speech Institutions and Manners of some Nations inhabiting near the Gallick Sea do evince the same thing out of which the Britains seem to me to have been exhausted by Transmigrations and the Morini by little and little to have been quite extinguished The Word Morinus seems to draw its Etymologie from More which in the old Gallick Tongue signifies the Sea Venta called in old Latin Venta Belgarum because Inhabited by the Gallo-Belgae i. e. Winchester and Icenum derived from Icium these Names make it very probable that their Colonies Transported with them into a Foreign Soil their own Country Terms in the place of a Sirname and at their very entrance meeting with the Britains whom they acknowledged to be their Off-spring they brought them home and did as it were entertain them at their own Houses For Morinus amongst the old Gauls signifies Marinus And Moremarusa Mare Mortuum Though Gorropius hath almost stoln from us those two last Names
Them For they seeing one Shore to be altogether Mountainous and the other depressed level and spread into Campagne or open Fields they called the first Albion from its height But whether they gave any Name to the second from its low Situation the Length of Time and the Negligence of the Inhabitants in Recording Ancient Affairs hath made uncertain Besides this also adds Strength to my Opinion That the Name of the Island derived from Album whether Albion or Albium as yet pertinaciously remains in Scotland as in its Native Soil neither could it ever be extirpated there notwithstanding so many Mutations of Inhabitants Kingdoms Languages and the Vicissitude of other things These things seem true or at least probable to me yet if any Man can inform me better I will easily be of his Opinion Hitherto of the Ancient Names of the Island The next thing is To explain the Situation of the Countries The English Writers have plainly and clearly enough described their own several Counties But Hector Boetius in his Description of Scotland hath delivered some things not so true and he hath drawn others into Mistakes whilst he was over-credulous of those to whom he committed the Inquiry after Matters and so Published their Opinions rather than the Truth But I shall briefly touch at those things which I am assured of and those which seem obscure and less true I will correct as well as I can England as far as concerns our present purpose is most conveniently divided by Four Rivers Two running into the Irish Sea viz. d ee and Severne and Two into the German Sea i. e. Thames and Humber Between Dee and Severne lies Wales being distinguished into Three several Regions Between Severne and Thames lies all that part of England which is opposite to France The Countries interjacent between Thames and Humber make the Third Part and the Countries reaching from Humber and Dee to Scotland make up the Fourth But Scotland is divided from England first by the River Tweed then by the high Mountain Cheviot and where the Mountain fails then by a Wall or Trench newly made and afterwards by the Rivers Eske and Solway Within those Bounds from the Scotish Sea to the Irish the Counties lies in this Order First Mâ—rch in which the English do now possess Berwick situate on the left side of the Tweed On the East it is bounded with the Firth of Forth On the South with England On the West on both sides the River Tweed lies Tiviotdale taking its Name from the River Tiviot It is divided from England by the Cheviot-Hills After this lie three Counties not very great Liddisdail Eusedail and Eskdail being so called of three Rivers which have a near Appellation viz. Lidal Eue and Eske The last is Annandale taking its Name from the River Annand which divides it almost in the middle and near to Solway runs into the Irish Sea Now to return again to Forth on the East it is bounded by Lothian Cockburnes Path and Lamormoore-Hills do divide it from Merch. Then bending a little to the West it touches Lauderdale and Twedale the one so called from the Town Lauder the other from the River Tweed dividing it in the middle Liddisdale Nithisdale and Clidesdale do border on Twedale on the South and West The River Nith gives Name to Nithsdale running through it into the Irish Sea Lothian was so named from Lothus King of the Picts On the North-East it is bounded with the Forth or Scotish Sea and it looks towards Clidesdale on the South-West This Country does far excel all the rest in the Civility of its Inhabitants and in plenty of all things for the use of Life It is Watered with five Rivers â—ine both the Eskes which before they fall into the Sea joyn in one Chanel Leith and Almond These Rivers arising partly from the Lamormoore-Hills and partly from Pentland-Hills disgorge themselves into the Firth of Forth Lothian contains these Towns Dunbar Hadington Dalkeith Edinburgh Leith and Linlithgoe More to the West lies Clidsdale on both sides the River Clid which by Reason of its length is divided into two Prefectures or Sheriffwicks In the uppermost of them there is an Hill not very high yet out of it Rivers run into three divers Seas Tweed into the Scotish Annand into the Irish and Clyd into the Deucaledonian-Seas The most eminent Cities in it are Lanerick and Glasgo Kyle on the South-west is adjoining to it Beyond Kyle is Galloway It is separated from Nithsdale by the River Clyd bending almost wholly to the South and by its Shore that remaining part of Scotland is also covered It is all more fruitful in Cattle than Corn it hath these Rivers running into the Irish Sea Vre or Ore d ee Kenn Cree and Luss it hath scarce any great Mountains but only some small Hills in it between which the Water stagnant in the Valleys makes abundance of Lakes by which in the first Showres after the Autumnal Aequinox the Rivers are encreased which bring down an incredible quantity of Eeles which the Inhabitants take in Weels made of Osier Twigs and salting them get no small Profit thereby The Boundary of that side is the Mul of Galloway under which in the mouth of the River Lus is a Bay which Ptolomy calls Rerigonius The Bay commonly called Loch-Rian and by Ptolomy Vidogara flows into it on the other side from the Firth of Clyd The Land running betwixt those Bays the Inhabitants do call Rinns i. e. the edge of Galloway They also call Nonantum the Mul i. e. the Beak or Jaw But the whole Country is called Galloway for Gallovid in old Scotish signifies a Gaul Below Loch-Rian on the Back side of Galloway there lies Carrick-Bailiery gently declining to the Firth of Clyd Two Rivers pass through it Stinsiar and Girvan both of them having many pleasant Villages on their Banks Between the Rivers there are some small Hills fruitful for Pasture and not unfit for Corn 'T is all not only self-sufficient with Land and Sea-Commodities but it also supplies its Neighbours with many Necessaries The River Down separates it from Kyle which ariseth from a Lake of the same Name wherein is an Island with a small Castle Kyle follows next bordering upon Galloway on the South and on the North East on Clydsdale on the West it is separated from Cuningham by the River Irwyn The River Aire divides it in the middle Near it is scituated Air a Town well traded the Country in general abounds more with valiant Men than with Corn or Cattle for the Soyle is poor and sandy and that sharpens the Industry of the Inhabitants and their Parsimony confirms the Strength both of their Bodies and Minds After Air Cuningham runs on to the North and doth as it were justle out and streighten the Clyd
of an Island called by Pomponius Mela Ptolemy and Iuvenal Iuverna by Strabo Claudian and the Inhabitants thereof Ierna That which some call the Nerian Promontory Strabo calls Ierne Iernus or Iern a River of Gallaecia Mela calls it Ierna Iernus is also a River of Ireland In Ptolemy 't is reckoned a River of Scotland falling into Tay. Another of the same Name glides through Murray the Country adjacent to both is called Ierna We read of the City Mediolanum in Ptolemy as one Insubrum of the Santones another of the Aulerci Eburaici another by the Loir i. e. Menu a fourth by Sequana or the Sein now as I think named Meulan or Melun another in High Germany called Alciburgum another by the Danow another in Britain of which mention is made in the Itinerary of Antoninus Also Marcolica a Town in Spain Macolica in Ireland Vaga a River in Portugal and another of Wales in England Avo in Mela Avus in Ptolemy a River of Galaecia as yet retains its Name In Argyle there is also a River of the same Name flowing out of the Lough Awe The Promontorium Sacrum one is in Spain another in Ireland Ocellum is a Promontory in Britain Ocellum is also in Gallaecia in the Luceâ—sian District Ocelli are Mountains in Scotland Ocellum is the last Town of Gallia Togata Caesar mentions Vxellum a Town in Britain perhaps for Ocellum for Martianus in explaining the Ancient Names of the Cities of Gallia says that the Word is variously writ Ocellum Oscela and Oscellium hence perhaps comes Vxellodunum which is also sometimes writ Vxellodurum So there is Tamar a River of Gallaecia Ptolemy Tamaris in Mela Tamarici a People of Gallaecia the River Tamarus Pliny and Tamara a Town in Britain Sars a River of Gallaecia Ptolemy Sarcus in Scotland Mela. Ebora a Town of Portugal called Lâ—bâ—ralitas Iulia in Pliny and Ptolemy Ebura that which is Cerealis in Boetica in Pliny is Ebora Ptolemy mentions Aulerci Eburaici in Gallia Celtica and also Eboracum i. e. York of the British Brigantes Deva now d ee a River of England and three in Scotland so called one in Galway another in Angus the third divides Merne from Marr. The Cornavii in England are in the farthest part of the West in Scotland they are the farthest North. Both of them are now called Kernici there seems also to have been a third sort of Kernici in Scotland at the Mouth of the River Avennus or Even which is the boundary between the Coasts of Lothian and Sterling For Bede makes the Monastery of Abercorn to be at the end of Severus his Wall where now the Ruins of the Castle of Abercorn do appear Aven is often read a River both of England and Scotland Aven in Scotish and Avon in Welsh signifies a River Of the Three Nations which first inhabited this Island after the coming of Caesar the Britains were Subject to the Emperors of Rome successively little less than Five Hundred years but the Scots and Picts were under the subjection of their own Kings At length when all the Neighbouring Nations did conspire for the Destruction of the Romans they recalled their Armies from their most remote Provinces to maintain their Empire at home And by this means the Britains being destitute of Foreign Aid were miserably vexed by the Scots and Picts insomuch that they craved Aid of the Saxons which then infested the Seas with a Pyratical Navy But that project cost them dear For the Saxons having repelled the Picts and Scots being tempted by the fertility of the Country and the weakness of the Inhabitants aspired to make themselves Masters of the Island But after various Successes in War seeing they could not arrive at what they aimed at by Force they resolved to accost the Britains by Fraud Their Stratagem was this There being a Conference or Treaty agreed upon at a set Day and Place between the Nobles of both Parties The Saxons having a sign given them by Hengist their Captain slew all the British Nobility and drove the common People into Rugged and Mountainous Places so that they themselves possessed all the Champain and divided the fruitfulest part of the Island between them into Seven Kingdoms This was the State of Affairs in Britain about the year of Christ 464. And whereas three German Nations did originally undertake Expeditions into Britain the other two by degrees passed into the Name of English-Men But the Peace made with the Brittons nor with the English amongst themselves was never faithfully observed About the year of our Lord 317 the Danes being powerful at Sea did first molest England with pyratical Incursions but being Valiantly repulsed about Thirty three years after they came with greater Forces and made a descent into the Country with a Land Army At the first conflict they were Victors but afterwards they contended with the English with various Successes till in the year 1012. Swain having wholly subdued the Britains by their publick Consent obtained the Kingdom which yet remain'd but a few years in his Family For the Saxons having again Created Kings of their own Nation about Twenty four years after were overcome by William the Norman most of their Nobility being Slain and their Lands divided among the Normans by which means the common People were kept in a miserable Slavery till Henry the Sevenths time who easing part of their burden made the condition of the Commonalty a little more Tolerable But those which are in favour with the King or would seem to be truly Illustrious and Noble derive their whole Sept from the Normans These are the discoveries which I have been able to make out of ancient Writings and other no obscure Indications concerning the Original Customs and Language of the Three Ancientest Nations in Britain all which do induce me to believe that the old Britains and the other Inhabitants of Britain were derived from the Gauls and did originally use the Gallick Speech of which many Footsteps do manifestly appear both in France and Britain Neither ought it to seem strange if in a Language which admits of a change each moment of our Life many things receive different Names in divers places especially in a such a Longinquity of time yeâ— we may rather admire that the same Foundations of a Language that I may so speak and the same manner of Declension and Derivation doth yet continue amongst a People so far remote one from another and so seldom agreeing together in converse of Life yea oft being at mortal fewds one with another Concerning the other Three Nations the Angles Danes and Normans we need make no solicitous Inquiry seeing the Times and Causes of their coming are known almost to all But I have entred upon this task that
the design could wholly extirpate the old Heathenish Rites and Ceremonies But the Expedition of Severus the Emperor falling out in his time did mightily disturb all his Measures both Publick and Private For Severus being very skilful in Military Affairs brought so many Forces into Britain in hopes to conquer the whole Island as never any Roman General had done before him There were also other Causes for this Expedition of his as the corrupt Life of his Sons by reason of the Vices reigning in Rome and the Effeminacy of his Army occasioned by sloath and lying still To remedy these mischiefs he thought it best to put them upon Action Upon his Arrival the private Tumults which were about to break forth were suppressed and the Scots and Picts leaving the Counties near the Enemy retreated to Places of greater safety and more difficult Access Severus that he might once for all put an end to the British Wars led his Army through all the waste places deserted by their Inhabitants against the Caledonians Though his Enemy did not dare to give him Battel in the Field he was much incommoded by the Coldness of the Country and underwent a great deal of Trouble to cut down Woods to level Hills and to throw vast heaps of Earth into the Marish Grounds and also to erect Bridges over Rivers to make a passage for his Army In the mean time the Enemy despairing of success if they should Fight so great a Multitude in a pitch'd Battel did here and there leave Herds of their Cattle on purpose as a Prey to them that so they might stop the Romans who in hopes of such Booties were inticed to stray far from their Camp And indeed the Romans besides those that being thus dispersed were taken in the Ambushes laid for them were also much prejudiced by continual Rains and being wearied with long Marches and so not able to follow were in many places slain by their own Fellows that so they might not fall alive into the Hands of their Enemies Yet notwithstanding though they had lost 50000 of their Souldiers as Dion writes they did not desist from their Enterprize till they had pierced even to the End and extream Bounds of the Island As for Severus himself though he was Sick during this whole Expedition and thereupon was fain to be carried in a covered Horse-Litter yet by his incredible Obstinacy and Perseverance he made his Enemies to accept of Conditions of Peace and to yield up to him no small part of their Country He built a Wall as a Mound to the Roman Empire between the Fiâ—ths of Forth and Clyd where Agricola before him had also determined to bound their Province That Wall where it toucheth the River Carron had a Garison thereon so situate and the Ways and Passages so laid out that it was like a small City which some of our Country-Men though mistakingly do think to be Maldon But it is more probable that This was the City which Bede calls Guidi A few years before the Writing hereof some footsteps of Trenches Walls and Streets did appear neither yet are all the Walls so demolished but that they discover themselves visibly in many places and when the Earth is a little digg'd up square Stones are quarried out which the owners of the Neighbouring Countries use in Building their Houses Yea sometimes Stones with Inscriptions on them are found which shew that it was a Roman Pile of Building Those Words of Aelius Spartianus do shew the Grandeur of this Structure He strengthened Britain says he with a Wall drawn Cross-ways or Thwart the Island from Sea to Sea which is the greatest Ornament of his Empire By which Words he seems to intimate That it was not a Trench as Bede would have it but a Wall especially since he gives such a Commendation to a Work which is shorter by half than Adrian's Wall Yea this Fortificatiâ—n where it is least distant yet is Eighty Miles off from the Wall of Adrian There are also other Indications of that Peace if I mistake not For a little below that â—arison of which I have spoken there is a round Edifice on the opposite side of the River Carron made of square Stones heaped on one another without Lime or Mortar 'T is no bigger than a small Pidgeon-House the Top of it is open but the other Parts are whole save that the upper Lintel of the Door wherein the Name of the Builder and Work is thought to have been inscribed was taken away by Edward the First King of England who did also invidiously deface all the rest of the old Scotish Monuments as much as ever he could some think and have Written accordingly that That Structure was the Temple of Claudius Casar But my Conjecture is rather That it was the Temple of the Heathen God Terminus There were also on the left Bank of the same River two Hillocks or Barrows of Earth raised as it sufficiently appears by the Hands of Men. A great part of the lesser one which inclines more to the West is swept away by the Washing and Over-Flowings of the River the Neighbouring Inhabitants call them yet Duni Pacis So that Peace being again procured by this Division of the Island and all Matters being in a sort accommodated Donaldus departed this Life having Reigned One and Twenty years Ethodius II. The Twenty Eighth King ETHODIVS the Second Son of the former Ethodius was substituted in his Room a Man almost stupid This is certain he was of a more languid and soft Disposition than was fit to have the Government of such a Feirce and Warlike People conferred upon him which being taken notice of the Nobles in a Convention bore that Reverence to the Progeny of King Fergus that they left the Name of King to Ethodius as sloathful as he was but yet not guilty of any Notorious Wickedness but set Deputies over all the Provinces to administer Justice therein whose Moderation and Equity did so regulate Matters that Scotland was never in a quieter State For they did not only punish Offenders but also made the immoderate Covetousness of the King to be no burden to the People This King in the Twenty first year of his Reign was slain in a Tumult of his own Officers Athirco The Twenty Ninth King ATHIRCO his Son manifesting greater Ingenuity than is usually found in such an Youthful Age was therefore made King For by his Manly Exercises in Riding throwing the Dart and vying with his young Courtiers in Feats of Arms as also by his Bounty and Courteous Demeanor he won to himself the Love of all But his Vices increasing with his Age by his profound Avarice Peevishness Luxury and Sloath he so alienated the Minds of Good Men from him that the more the Sons were delighted with his Nefarious Practices the more their Fathers were offended thereat At last a Conspiracy of the Nobles was formed against him occasioned by one Nathalocus a Nobleman whose
immediately after Congallus but there are More who insert Kinnatellus betwixt Them Aidanus The Forty Ninth King AIdanus being Nominated King by Kinnatellus and confirmed by the People received the Royal Habiliments from Columba For the Authority of that Man was so great in those days that neither Prince nor People would undertake any thing without his Advice And at that time after he had in a long Speech persuaded the King to rule Equitably over the People and the People to be Loyal to their King he earnestly pressed them Both to persist in the pure Worship of God for then Both of them would prosper but if they forsook it they must expect Destruction as the reward of their Offences Having perform'd this Service he returned into his own Country The first Expedition of Aidanus was against the Robbers who infested Galway coming thither he put their Commanders to Death and Fear restrain'd the rest but a greater Storm encountred him at at his Return For after he had had three Conventions of the Estates in Galway Abria or Loch-abyr and Caithness and thought all things were settled there there was a Tumult arose amongst them in Hunting that much Blood was spilt and the Kings Officers who came to punish the Offenders were repulsed and beaten The Authors for fear of Punishment fled into Lothian to Brudeus King of the Picts when Ambassadors were sent to him to deliver them up according to the League betwixt them they were refused whereupon a feirce War commenced betwixt the Scots and Picts but it was quickly ended by the means of Columba who was according to his Merit highly esteemed by both Nations In the mean time England was again divided into Seven Kingdoms and the Brittons were driven into the Peninsula of Wales but the Saxons not contented with such large Dominions stirred up a new War betwixt the Scots and Picts The Author and Kindler thereof was Ethelfrid King of Northumberland a Covetous Man and who was weary of Peace out of the desire he had to enlarge his Dominions He persuaded the Picts but with difficulty Brudeus hardly consenting thereto That they should drive away Preys out of the Scots Territories and so give an occasion to a War Aidanus understanding the Treachery of the Saxons that he might also strengthen himself with Foreign Aid renewed the ancient League with Malgo the Britton He sent his Son Grifinus and his Sisters Son Brendinus King of Eubonia now called Man a Military Man with Forces who joyning with the Brittons entred Northumberland and after Three days march came to the Enemy but the English refused to engage them because they expected new Succors which were reported to be neer at hand for indeed Ceulinus King of the East Saxons a very Warlike Man was coming to them with great Forces the Scots and Brittons fell upon him in his March and wholly destroyed the Front of his Army which was a long way before the rest together with his Son Cutha but they were afraid to engage the rest lest they should be circumvented by Ethelfrid who was not far distant The two Kings of the Saxons being joined together again renewed the Fight with much Slaughter on both sides wherein the Scots and Brittons were put to flight There were slain of the Scots Nobles Grifinus and Brendinus in the opposite Army Ethelfrid lost one of his Eyes and Brudeus was carried wounded out of the Field to the great Astonishment of his Party The next Summer after Ethelfrid uniting his Forces with the Picts marched into Gallway supposing he should find all things there in great Consternation by reason of their ill Success the last Year But Aidanus coming with his Forces thither sooner than his Enemies thought set upon the straggling Plunderers and drave them with great trepidation to their Camp Thus having chastized their Temerity supposing now they would be more quiet the Night after he passed by their Camp and joyned himself with the Brittons Both Armies having thus united their forces pitch'd their Tents in a narrow Valley of Annandale and their Enemies as now Cock-sure of their Destruction beset the passages entring into it But they having fortify'd their Camp as if they intended there to abide in the Night when the Tide was out marched thro' the Ford which was known to them amidst the quavering Sands into Cumberland and afterward into Northumberland making great Havock whithersoever they came The Enemie followed them at their Heels and when they came in fight of one another both Armies prepare themselves for the Fight The Scots and Britains added Four Commanders to those they had before who were noble Persons of great experience in Warlike affairs that so the rash-Headed Common Soldiers might be commanded by a greater Number of Captains of the Brittons there were added Constantine and Mencrinus of the Scots Calenus and Murdacus By their Conduct and Incouragement the Soldiers fell upon the Enemy with so great Violence that he was presently broken and put to flight There goes a Report that Columb being then in the Isle Icolumbkil told his Companions of this Victory the very same hour in which it was obtained Of the Saxon Nobles there were slain in this fight Cialinus and Vitellius both great Warriors and highly descended about Eleven years after this Victory the Saxons and Picts infested the adjacent Country whereupon a Day was appointed wherein the Brittons and Scots should meet and with their united Forces set upon the Saxons Aidanus tho' very old came to the place at the appointed time and staid for the Brittons but in vain for they came not yet he drove Preys out of his Enemies Country Ethelfrid having now gotten a fair Opportunity to act something in set upon the dispersed Scots and made a great slaughter amongst them Aidanus having lost many of his Men fled for his Life yet the Victory was not unbloody to the Saxons for they lost Ethelfrid's Brother and some of those Squadrons that followed him were almost wholly cut off Aidanus having received this overthrow and being also informed of the death of Columb that Holy Man whom he so highly honoured foreseeing to what Cruelty the Remainder of the Christians were likely to be exposed being worn out with Age and Grief did not long survive he Reigned 34 years and died in the Year of our Lord 604. In his Reign it was That a certain Monk Named Austin came into Britain being sent by Gregory Pope of Rome who by his Ambition in Preaching a New Religion mightily disturbed the Old for he did not so much Preach the Christian Religion as the Ceremonies of the Roman Church Yea the Brittons before his coming were Converted to and taught the Principles of the Christian Religion by the Disciples of Iohn the Evangelist and were instituted in the same by the Monks who were Learned and Pious in that Age. As for Austin He laboured to reduce all things to the
caused himself to be carried abroad in a Litter meanly Apparrel'd and there he made a publick Confession of his Wickedness and so dyed in the Year of our â—edmption 668. Scotland groaned under this Monster 18 Years Maldvinus The LV King MAldvinus the Son of Donald succeeded him who that he might strengthen those Parts of the Kingdom which were weakned by the Tyranny of the former King made Peace with all his Neighbors Having quieted things without he was disturbed by a Sedition at home arising between the Argyle and Lennox Men. Maldvinus drew forth against the Authors of this Tumult that so he might punish them without prejudicing the Commonalty They to avoid the King's Wrath composed their private jars and fled into the Aebudae Isles The King sent for them to have them punished and the Islanders not daring to retain them delivered them up Their punishment kept the rest in their Duties About this time it was That when the Scotish Monks had spread the Doctrine of Christ very far over England and had so instructed the English Youth that now they seemed able of themselves to Preach the Gospel plainly even to their own Countrymen together with their Institution and Learning they also entertained and suck'd in some Envy against their Teachers so that by reason of this Prejudice the Scots-Monks were forced to return into their own Country Which Contumely as it cut off the Concord between both Kingdoms so the Modesty of Those who had received the wrong kept both Nations from open Hostility only frequent Incursions were made and Skirmishes hapned in divers places There fell out at this time a terrible Plague over all Europe such as was never Recorded by any Writer before Only the Scots and Picts were free therefrom By reason of the frequent Injuries mutually offered and Preys driven away on both sides Both Nations were like to break forth into an open War if the death of Maldvinus had not prevented it After he had Reigned 20 years his Wife suspecting that he had been naught with an Harlot Strangled him and Four Days after She herself was punished for the Fact by being burnt alive Eugenius V. The LVI King AFter him Eugenius the 5th Son of King Dongard undertook the Kingdom Egfrid the King of Northumberland with whom he principally desired to be at Peace sought to deceive him by fained Truces and he again assaulted Egfrid by the same Art Thus when Both made shew of Peace in Words they each secretly prepare for War When the Truce was ended Egfrid thô his Friends dissuaded him from it joyned Forces with the Picts and entring into Scotland he foraged Galway But he was overthrown by Eugenius the Picts giving ground in the Fight and lost almost all his Army so that he hardly escaped wounded and with a few Followers home The next Year his Friends then also Dissuading him he drew forth his Army against the Picts who pretending to run away drew him into an Ambush and cut him off with all his Men. The Picts laying hold of This so fair an Opportunity recovered those large Territories which had been taken from them in former Wars And the Brittons who freed themselves from the Government of the Angli or English together with the Scots entred Northumberland and made such an Havock there that it never recovered itself since Soon after Eugenius dyed in the 4th Year of his Reign Eugenius VI. The LVII King EVGENIVS the VI the Son of Ferchard succeeded Eugenius the V As did Alfrid Brother to Egfrid succeed him in Northumberland Both Kings were very Learned especially in Theology according to the rate of those times And also friendly one to the other on the account of their common Studies So that the Peace was faithfully maintain'd betwixt them Alfrid made use of this Tranquillity to settle the bounds of his Kingdom thô in narrower Limits than before But the Scots had neither an Establish'd Peace nor yet a Declared War with the Picts Excursions were frequently made with different and interchangable Successes thô Cutberectus an English Bishop and Adamannus a Scotish Bishop did in vain labour to reconcile them Yet This they effected that they never fought a pitched Battel In the mean time Eugenius being inflamed with an inexpiable Hatred against the Perfidiousness of the Picts was stopped in the midst of his Career to Revenge for he dyed having Reigned 10 Years In his Reign it is reported That it Reigned Blood all over Britain for 7 days and that the Milk Cheese and Butter were also turned into Blood Amberkelethus The LVIII King AFter him Amberkelethus the Son of Findanus and Nephew of Eugenius the 5th obtained the Kingdom At the beginning of his Reign he counterfeited Temperance but soon returned to his Natural Disposition and broke forth into all manner of Wickedness Garnard King of the Picts laying hold of this Opportunity gathered a great Army together and invaded the Scots Amberkelethus could hardly be excited to take Arms without much Importunity but at last he did as he was going forth in the Night to ease himself with Two Servants he was slain with an Arrow it was not known who shot it when he had not Reigned full Two Years some say That when he pressed upon the Enemy in a thick Wood that he was hurt with an Arrow by them and so dyed 10 days after Eugenius VII The LIX King EVGENIVS the 7 th Brother of the former King was Declared King by the Suffrage of the Soldiers in the Field that so the Army might not disband nor be without an Head He putting little confidence in an Army Levyed by a slothful King lengthened out the War by Truces and at last concluded it by Marrying Spondana Daughter of Garnardus She not long after was slain in her Bed by Two Athol-men who had conspired to destroy the King The King himself was accused of the Murder but falsly and before he was brought to Judgment the Murderers were found out Whereupon he was freed The Offenders were most exquisitely punished When Matters were composed abroad the King turned himself to the Affairs of Peace delighting much in Hunting But his chief Care was for Religion It was his Design and Appointment That the Noble Acts and Enterprizes of Kings should be Registred in Monasteries He maintain'd a continued Peace 17 Years with all his Neighbours and then dyed at Abernethy Mordacus The LX King EVGENIVS a little before his Death commended Mordacus the Son of Amberkelethus to the Nobility to be his Successor There was Peace all over Britain during his Reign as Bede says about the end of his History He did imitate Eugenius not only in maintaining Peace but in endowing of Monasteries also He Repaired the Convent of White-horn which was demolished He dyed at the Entrance into the 16th Year of his Reign Etfinus The LXI King IN the Year of our Lord 730 Etfinus the Son of Eugenius the 7 th
Kennethus wasted Lothian and the adjacent Country together with Those beyond the Forth that they might never be able again to recover themselves The Garisons for fear surrendred themselves Those few Picts who were left alive fled into England in an indigent and necessitous Condition The Sixth BOOK AS I formerly called Fergusius the First and after him Fergusius the Second with great reason the Founders of the Scotish Kingdom so I may justly reckon Kennethus the Son of Alpinus a Third Founder also Fergus the First from a mean beginning advanced the Affairs of the Scots to such an height as that they were Envy'd by their Neighbours Fergus the Second when they were banished and dispersed into remote Countrys and in the Judgment of their Enemies almost extirpated did as it were recal them to Life and in a few years reduced them to their Ancient Splendor But Kennethus was so Couragious as to accept of the Kingdom when Matters were almost desperate yea when others thought that the small remainder of Scots could hardly have been defended or kept together and not only so but he brake the power of the Enemy tho' assisted with Foreign aid and Triumphant also for his late Victory in many sharp yet prosperous Fights and being thus weakned he drave him out of Britanny and took from him the Kingly Name which to this day he could never recover again Tho' these were Great Atchievements yet they were not the Greatest he performed For as he enlarged his Kingdom to double of what it was before so he Governed it both by making New Laws and also by reviving the Old ones That neither Licentiousness arising from War nor Pride the product of Victory nor any footsteps of those Evils which are wont to accompany Luxury and Ease did appear during his Life Yea the Affairs of Scotland seem'd to be supported for many Years after by the Laws called by Posterity the Macalpin Laws as much as by Arms. But to let pass these things I shall proceed to relate his Noble Acts as I have begun Kennethus having driven out the Picts distributed their Lands amongst his Soldiers according to every ones Valour and Merit whose Ambition put New Names on many Places and Countrys cancelling and obliterating the Old He parted Horestia betwixt Two Brothers Aeneas and Mern one part of which in Old Scotish is yet called Aeneja they who more affect the English Speech call it Angus The other Mern The Country adjoyning from Tay to the Forth was called by the Ancients Ross i. e. Peninsule there are some signs of the Name yet remaining as Culross a Town which is as it were the Back or Hinder part of Ross and Kâ—nross which signifies the Head of Ross. Now at this day all that Country is called Fife from an Eminent Person called Fifus whose Sirname they say was Duffus Barodunum a Town in Lothian or as some call it Dâ—nbar was so called as it is thought from a Great Man named Bar. Lothian had its name not long ago from Lothus King of the Picts Cuningham is wholly a Danish Word used as I think by the Danes after the Death of Kennethus who possessed that Country for some years having driven the Scots beyond the Wall of Severus for Cuningham signifys in the Danish Language the Kings House or Palace 'T is also probable That Merch was so called by the Danes because it was the Limits between both Kingdoms As for Edinburgh either by the gross Ignorance or perverse Ill-will of some it is sometimes called Vallis Dolorosa i. e. The Dolesom Valley and sometimes Castrum Puellarum Maiden-Castle the Name in it self is not very obscure tho' it be made so by ill management They borrowed those Names from the Gallick-Fables which were devised within the space of 300 Years last past This is certain That the Ancient Scots called it Dunedinum the Later Edinburgum wherein they follow the Country Custom in imposing of Names whereas that Castle in a middle Appellation between both I think may be better named Edinum But enough in this place concerning the Old and the New Names of the Countrys of which I have spoken more largely before To return then to Kennethus Having enlarged his Kingdom as I said before and settled wholsome Laws for the Government thereof he endeavoured further to confirm his Royal Authority by mean and trivial Things even bordering upon Superstition it self There was a Marble-Stone which Simon Breccus is reported to have brought into Ireland out of Spain which Fergus the Son of Ferchard is also said to have brought over into Scotish Albion and to have placed it in Argyle This Stone Keunethus removed out of Argyle to Scone by the Rivet Tay and placed it there included in a Chair of Wood. The Kings of Scotland were wont to receive both the Name and the Habiliment of Kings sitting in that Chair till the days of Edward the First King of England of whom in his Place Kenneth Translated the Episcopal See which the Picts had placed at Abernethy to Fanum Reguli which after Ages called St. Andrews But the Ancient Scots-Bishops being chosen out of Monasteries not then contending for Place or Honour but for Sanctity and Learning did perform their Functions every where occasionally as opportunity was offered without Envy or Emulation no certain Diocesses being allotted to them in regard the Ecclesiastical Function was not yet made a matter of Gain After this sort Kennethus Reigned 20 Years In the beginning of his Fifth year he overthrew the Picts as the Black Book of Pasley hath it The other Sixteen years after he had destroyed the Government of the Picts he lived in great Tranquillity having Peace at home by reason of his just Government and Peace abroad by the Power of his Arms. He enlarged his Dominions from the Orcades to the Wall of Adrian A. C. 854. Donaldus V. The Seventieth King DONALDVS his Brother was chosen King next who quite altered the whole Publick Discipline together with his own Demeanour For whereas in the Life time of Alpinus he made a shew of Temperance and by that means had obtained the Love of the better sort When his Brother was dead as if he had been freed from all Fear and Restraint he gave himself up wholly to Pleasure And as if there had been no danger from any Enemy without he neglected all Military Study and kept almost none about him but Hunters Hawkers and Inventors of new Pleasures Upon these he spent the Publick Revenue The young Fry who were prone to Pleasures did extol the King to the Skies as a Noble and Generous Prince and scoffed at the Parsimony of former Times as Rude and Illiberal The Ancient Counsellors seeing all things likely to run to Ruin in a very short time came to the King and put him in mind of his Duty of his present Evils and Miscarriages and of the Danger imminent
thereupon He nevertheless persisted in his slothful kind of Life which gave opportunity to the Remainders of the Picts as if an hopeful Alarm had been given them even from the very bottom of Despair to address themselves to Osbreth and Ella Two of the most potent and prevalent Kings of the English for then England was divided into many Kingdoms They bewail'd their misfortune to them and craved earnestly their Assistance promising That they and all their Posterity would become Feudataries to the English in case they obtained the Victory over the Scots which they prejudg'd would be an easy one by reason of the slothful Nature of Donald The English were easily persuaded and having setled things at home they led out their Army into Merch from whence they sent Heralds to Donaldus requiring that the Lands which the Scots had forceably taken away from the Picts their Friends and Allies might be restored which unless he would do they would not neglect their old Confederates who had now also newly cast themselves upon them Donaldus by the advice of the Estates which in this time of imminent Danger he had thô unwillingly convened Levied an Army and met with the Enemy at Iedd a River of Teviotdale where he joyned Battel and overthrew Osbreth enforcing him to fly to the next Mountains From thence he marched on by Tweed unto the Sea side recovered Berwick which had been taken by the English and again deserted by them upon the ill news of the success of the Battel where he took all the Ships riding in the Mouth of the River and seized upon all the Enemies Provisions therein There he got an opportunity to renew his interrupted Pleasures and as if his Enemies had been wholly overthrown he drowned himself in all kind of Voluptuousness Whereupon the English who in the last Fight were rather scatter'd than subdued understanding by their Spies the Carelesness and Security of the Scots gathered together what Force they could out of the Neighborhood and by night set upon the Scots who were laden with Wine and fast asleep making a great slaughter amongst them but they took the King who was between sleeping and waking Prisoner From thence they followed the Course of their Victory and to make their Ravage more compleat they divided their Army into Two Parts and so marched into the Enemies Country Part of them when they came to the Forth got Vessels and essayed to pass over by Water into Fife but a great Number of them were Shipwrackt and drowned and the rest by the violence of the Storm were forced back to the Shore where they embarked from whence marching to Sterling and joyning with the rest of their Army they pass over the Forth on a Bridge The Scots after their flight gathered themselves into a Body thereabouts having the bare show rather than the strength of an Army and sent Ambassadors to the English for Peace which they did not refuse because their strength was weakened by the unsuccessful Battel of Iedd and also by their own Shipwrack The English propounded hard Conditions yet such as the present State of Affairs made to seem tolerable As that The Scots should yield up all the Land which was within the Wall of Severus That their Bounds should be beneath Sterling the Forth beneath Dunbarton the Clyd and between the Two Rivers the Wall of Severus Amidst such hard Terms of Peace yet this happened as joyous so unexpected to the Scots That no mention was made concerning the Reduction of the Picts For the English and Britains divided the Lands surrendred up betwixt them the River being a Boundary betwixt them both There are some who think the Money yet called Sterling was then Coined there The Lands being thus divided the Picts who thought to recover their own being eluded of their hopes passed over to the Cimbrians and Scandians i. e. as we now speak to Denmark and Norway Those few of them that staid in England were all put to death by them upon pretence that they would attempt Innovations by their soliciting of Forein Aid Donaldus after he had made Peace upon his Return was Honourably received partly out of Respect to his Ancestors and partly in hopes of his Repentance But he persevering in his wonted Slothfulness the Nobles fearing that so filthy and sluggish a Person who would neither hearken to the Counsels of his Friends nor be reclaimed by his own Calamities would lose that part of the Kingdom which remained cast him into Prison where either for Grief in having his Pleasure restrained or for Fear to be made a Publick Spectacle of Scorn he laid violent hands on himself in the Sixth Year of his Reign Others report that This Donaldus performed many Noble Exploits both at home and abroad and that he dyed a natural death at Scone in the Year of our Lord 858. Constantinus II. The Seventy First King COnstantinus the Son of Kennethus undertook the Kingdom after him at Scone he was a Prince of a great Spirit and highly Valorous He was desirous to obliterate the Ignominy received under Donaldus and to enlarge his Kingdom unto the Bounds left by his Father but he was otherwise advised by his Nobles because the greatest part of the Soldiery were slain under Donaldus and the remainder was grown so Corrupt that it was not fit to put Arms into their hands And thereupon the King first bent his care to amend the Publick Discipline and so he reduced the Order of Priests to their Ancient Parsimony by severe Laws in regard they had left off Preaching and had given up themselves to Luxury Hunting Hawking and to Courtly-Pomp He caused the Young Soldiers who were effeminated with Pleasures to lye on the Ground and to Eat but once a day Drunkards he punished with Death He forbad all sports but those who served to harden both Body and Mind for the Wars By these Laws the Soldiery of the Kingdom were reduced to a better pass And presently upon a certain Islander named Evenus whom he himself had made Governour of Loch-Abyr a Man of an unquiet Spirit and Ambitious of Dominion rose up in Arms who knowing That the Youthful Fry of Soldiers could not well bear the Severity of these New Laws First gathered together a small Number and then a greater complaining of the present State of Things And when he found his Discourse was acceptable to them he easily persuaded them to conspire for the Destruction of Constantine But being more active than cautelous in gathering strength to their Faction they were betrayed by some of their Own and slain before they knew any Forces were gathered together against them Evenus the head of the Conspiracy was hanged About this time it was That the Danes then the most Potent and Flourishing Nation amongst the Germans were solicited by the Picts against the Scots and also by one Buernus or as others write Verna whose Wife Osbreth had forceably
his room a man of no ill Disposition and yet not constant in Good neither The Danes who could incline Gregory and Donald the Two last Kings of the Scots by no Promises or Persuasions to take Arms against the English which were then Christians Now they easily wrought upon Constantine by Gifts and by the vain Hope of enlarging his Dominions to make a League with Them which lasted scarce Two years but the Danes deserting the Scots struck up a League with the English This League had scarce continued Four years before Edward of England gathered an Army speedily together and spoiled the Danes Country whereby they were reduced to such 〈◊〉 that they were enforc'd to return to the Scots whom they had lately deserted To whom they Swore most Religiously That they would for ever after observe the Amity most inviolably betwixt Them This Second League is reported to have been entered into with great Ceremony in the Tenth Year of Constantines Reign He gave the same year Cumberland to Malcolm Son of the last King which was as an honourable Omen to him that he should Reign after him And afterwards the same Custom was observed by some succeeding Kings to the manifest disanulling of the old way of Convening the Estates whose Free Suffrages ought not to have been thus abridged but this was like the Designation of the Consuls by the Caesars which put an end to the Roman Liberty A War being now commenced between Edward the Son of Alured and the Danes Constantine sent Aid to the Danes under the Conduct of Malcolm He joyned his Army with the Danes and being Superior in number they harassed the adjoyning Countries of the English and made great Devastation wheresoever they came to the end that they might force the English who had a far less numerous Army to Fight Yea they were so arrogantly confident of their Numbers that they thought their Enemy would never so much as look them in the Face so that now as secure of the Victory they began to talk of dividing the Spoil But as Prosperity doth blind the Eyes of the Wise so Adversity and the foresight of Danger is a good Schoolmaster even to the weaker side What the English wanted in strength they supplyed in Cunning and Skill Their Army was well seconded with Reserves and so they began the Fight the First Ranks being commanded so to do give ground and pretend a Discomfiture and Flight that so their Enemies following them in disorder they might again return upon them in that straggling posture Athelstan the Base-born Son of Edward was General of all the English Forces as our Writers affirm and Grafton also says the same thing They make this Athelstan guilty of Parricide for killing his Father and his Two Brothers Edred and Edwin whose Right it was immediately to succeed their Father in the Kingdom Fame doth increase the Suspicion that Edward was violently put to death because it accounts him a Martyr For that Fact he was hatâ—d and therefore to recover the Favour of the People by some eminent Undertaking he determined to expiate the Blood of his Kâ—ndâ—ed by shedding That of his Enemies And thereupon after he had fought stoutly a-while he gave Ground by little and little but afterward in greater Fear and Confusion as if he intended absolutely to run away The Danes and Scots supposing themselves Conquerors were unwilling to make any brisk pursuit lest the Cowardliest of the Soldiers should enjoy all the Prey and therefore they returned to plunder their Camp Hereupon Athelstan gave a Signal and the Engâ—ish returning to their Ensigns set upon them as they were scattered and laden with Booty and killed them like Dogs The greatest part of the Scotish Nobility was lost in this Fight who chose rather to dye on the spoâ— than to undergo the Ignominy of deserting their Companions Malcolm being much wounded was carried off the Field by his own Men and sent the doleful Tidings of the loss of his Army to King Constantine neither was the face of things more pleasant amongst the Danes Athelstan during this Astonishment of his Enemies took Cumberland and Westmerland from the Scots and Northumberland from the Danes Constantine having not force enough neither to wage War or to carry on matters in Peace called a Convention of the Estates at Abernethy and willingly resigned the Kingdom and betook himself to the Culdeâ— certain Hermits so called living in Cells Worshippers of God for so the Monks of that Age were called as into a Sanctuary amongst whom he lived the rest of his life at St. Andrews Here the English Writers who are profuse enough in their own Praises do affirm That Athelstan was the Monarch of all Britanny and that the rest who had the Names of Kings in Albium were but precariously so and his Feudataries only as taking an Oath of Fidelity to him as the supreme Lord. And they introduce many ignoble English Authors as Favourers of that Opinion And to procure the greater Credit thereunto they add also Marianus Scotus an Illustrious Writer indeed But here I desire the Reader to take notice that there is not the least mention of any such thing in that Edition of Marianus which was Printed in Germany but if they have another Marianus different from him who is publickly read and interpolated or foisted by them let them produce him if they can Besides they being Men generally unlearned do not in some Places sufficiently understand their own Writers neither do they take notice That Bede William of Malmesbury and Geffrey of Monmouth do commonly call that part Britain over which the Britains ruled i. e. That within the Wall of Adrian or when they stretched their Dominions furthest within the Wall of Severus so that the Scots and Picts are oftentimes reckoned by them to be out of Britain and not seldom are called Transmarine People And therefore when they read that the English sometime Reigned over all Britanny they understand the Authors so as if they meant all Britanny i. e. Albium or Albion whereas they do often Circumscribe Britanny within narrower limits as I have said before But of this I have spoken more largely in another place To return then to the Affairs of Scotland Malcolm I. The Seventy Sixth King COnstantine having retired himself into the Cloyster of the Monks Malcolm the Son of Donald was declared King Athelstan being dead and his Brother Edward Reigning Cumberland and Westmerland revolted from the English and returned to their old Masters Moreover the Danes who remained in Northumberland sent for Avalassus their Countryman of the Royal Progeny who was Banished into Ireland to make him King Edmund foreseeing what Clouds of War were gathering over his Head yielded up Cumberland and Westmerland to Malcolm upon this Condition That he who should next succeed in the Scotish Kingdom should take an Oath to the King of England as the Lord Paramount of that Country Afterwards he easily reduced the
after them and in a short time they were brought to the King and punished according to Law Whereupon the Nobles were dismissed having received some Gifts and many large Promises from the King and the Commonalty also pray'd heartily for their King Matters being thus composed at home he faithfully observed the League made by some former Kings with the English But this great Tranquillity of all Britain was soon disturbed by the Danes who appeared with a great Fleet and Anchored near the Red-Promontory a Place in Aeneia or Angus They there staid some days in Consultation Whether they should Land there or direct their Course towards England as they intended at first Many of them were of Opinion That it was most adviseable to make for England an opulent Country where they might have both Provision enough for their Army and also some hopes of Auxiliaries and Recruits in regard that there many of the Danish stock were yet alive amongst them and many others stood obliged to them for old Courtesys and Friendships and that These upon the first notice of their Arrival would presently flock in to them as of old they used always to do But as for the Scots they were a fierce Nation and very hardy as Those use to be who are bred in Barren and Hungry Soiles That they never attempted them without some great and remarkable loss and in the present case if they overcame them it would hardly be worth their Labour But if they were overcome by them they must endure the utmost Extremity and Rigour Others were of a different Opinion alleging That if they made their Descent on the Coasts of England then they should be obliged to Fight Both Nations at once but if the Scots were First overcome the War against the English would be easy when they were bereft of Foâ—â—ign Aid and also terrified with the Loss of their Friends They further urged That it was not the part of Great and Magnanimous Spirits to be intent on Prey and Booty only they should rather call to mind the Blood of their Kindred and Ancestors who had been so often cruelly slain in Scotland And that now especially having a Great Army and being furnished also with things necessary for War they ought to take That Revenge which might punish the Savage Cruelty of the Scots according to their Deserts and might also carry the terror of the Danish Name to all the Neighbouring Nations After this Battel Peace seemed to have been settled for many Years when behold some troublesome matters at home did disturb this Calm As for the Commotion of the Islanders who in a Plundering way ranged over all Ross That was quickly suppressed some of the Robbers being slain in â—ight some taken in pursuit and after Executed But Crathilinthus the Son of Fenella or as some call her Finabella gave far greater disturbance He was then the chief of all Mern both in Descent and Wealth Crathilinthus his Grandfather by the Mothers side was made Governor by the King over that part of Angus which lies between the Two Rivers each of them having the Name of Eske where he gathered up the Kings Taxes and Revenues his Nephew coming with a great Train to visit him a sudden Quarrel arose amongst their Servants so that two of Crathilinthus's Friends were slain He complained thereof to his Grandfather who laid the blame of the Tumult upon his Nephews rude Retinue and Company and after a sharp Reproof he was dismissed by him but not without Contumelies from his Servants and Domesticks So that returning home he in great Wrath complained of the Affront to his Mother who was so far from endeavouring to allay his Rage and quiet the Mind of the incensed Youth by grave and wholesome Counsel that she importuned him to Revenge himself by force of Arms even upon her own Father and his Grandfather too Hereupon not long after Crathilinthus having gathered an armed Company together fit for his purpose comes by Night into Angus to his Grandfathers Castle He with some few Followers were admitted in without Suspicion and being once entred he gave the Word to the rest who lay in Ambush and let in them also so that he slew his Grandfather with his whole Family plundered the Castle depopulated the Country adjacent and as if he had done a Famous Exploit he returned pompously with a great Booty into Mern But the Angusians did not suffer this Injury to pass long Unrevenged For soon after gathering a great many of their Faction together they made great Havock in the District of Mern From that time forward Slaughters and Rapines were occasionally committed on both sides Kennethus hearing of it published a Proclamation That the Chief of either Faction should appear at Scone within Fifteen Days to answer What should be objected against them for he feared that if a greater number should resort to the Factions further Tumults might arise some few being terrified by this minatory Edict made their appearance accordingly but the greatest part of whom Crathilinthus was Chief being conscious of their own Demerits fled away as every one thought most convenient The King made diligent search after them the greatest part of them were taken in Loch-Abyr and some elsewhere Crathilinthus and the Cheif of the Faction were punished with Death others according to the Degree of their Crimes had lesser Punishments and those who were but a little Guilty had none at all inflicted on them This Moderation and Temperament procured to the King Fear from the bad but great Love from others and settled Peace in all his Kingdom till the Twenty first year of his Reign Insomuch That if he had persisted in that course of Life which he had begun he might well have been reckoned amongst the Best of Princes for he so performed all the Offices both of Peace and War that he got great Renown upon the account of his Equity Impartiality and Valour But the Excellency of his former Life was blurred by one Wicked Fact that he committed which seemed too more aggravated in him in regard it was incredible and unexpected to proceed from his Disposition who had before so severely punished Grand Offenders The Occasion of it was This The King being now grown somewhat ancient had a Son named Malcolm a Prince of great Ingenuity but in point of Age not yet mature to Govern so fierce a People if his Father should die Further the Custom of our Ancestors was then against it that he should Reign next after his Father For They were wont to choose not the next but the fittest of the deceased Kings Relations provided he were descended from Fergus the First King of the Scots Besides the Favour of the Nobility was another Obstacle which did incline to another Malcolm the Son of King Duffus the most Praise-Worthy Prince of all the Scotish Royal Race Moreover he was then Governor of Cumberland which County the Scots did hold as Feudataries of the Kings of
England on such Terms That the Government of Cumberland was always looked upon as previous to the Throne of Scotland for it had been so observed for some Ages past The King perceiving That this Malcolm for the Reasons aforementioned would be an hindrance to his Design not daring to do it openly caused him privately to be made away by Poyson Thus died that excellent young Man much lamented and near to his greatest Hope some Signs of Poison appeared in his Body but no Man ever dreamt of suspecting the King Yea his Deportment was such as to avert all Suspicion for he Mourned and Wept for his Death and made an Honourable mention of his Name when occasion was administred to speak of it and caused him magnificently to be Interred no Ceremony being omitted which could be invented for the Honour of the Deceased But this superlative Diligence of the King to remove the Suspicion from himself gave a shrewd Jealousie to the more Sagacious Yet they forbore to speak out for the Reverence all bore to and had conceived of the Kings Sanctity But soon after the King himself scattred some Words abroad to try the Minds of Men How they would bear the abrogating of an old Law and the enacting a new concerning the Succession of their Kings viz. That according to the Custom of many Nations if a King died his Son should succeed him and if he were under Age then to have a Protector or Tutor assigned to him so the Kingly Name might rest in the Child but the Power of Government in the Tutors or Guardians till he came to Age. Though a great Part of the Nobles praised his Speech as being willing to Gratifie him yet the Suspicion concerning the Death of Malcolm prevailed upon the Major part and especially upon the Nobility and Those of the Royal Stock who were afraid of the King Mens Spirits being in this posture Ambassadors came from England to comfort the King upon the loss of his Kinsman and withal desiring That in substituting another Governor he would remember That Cumberland being the Bond of Concord betwixt the Two Nations he would set Such a Person over it who might be an indifferent Arbiter of Peace and that would maintain the ancient Alliance betwixt the Two Nations for the Good of them Both and if any new Suspicions or Jealousies should arise that he would labour to extinguish them The King judged this Embassy fit for his purpose so that having Convened the Nobility at Scone he made a grave Harangue to them against the ancient Custom of the Assemblies of Estates in this Point wherein he recited all the Seditions which had happened for that Cause and with how great Impiety some of the surviving Kindred had treated the Children of former Kings and what Wars Rapines Slaughters and Banishâ—â—nts had ensued thereupon On the other side he put them in Mind How much more Peaceable and less Turbulent the Parliamenâ—â—â—y Assemblies of other Countries were and what great Reverence was born to the Royal Blood when without convasing for Succession Children succeeded their Parents in the Throne Having thus spoken he referred the matter to that Great Council to determine something in this Case He acquainted them also with the Demands of the English Ambassador and to give a greater Manifestation of his Condescention and Civility whereas it was in the Kings Power alone to appoint a Governor of Cumberland he left it to them to nominate One supposing that by this his Moderation he might the more easily obtain his Desire concerning the Succession to the Crown For if he himself had Nominated his Son for a Governor he thought he should have prejudiced his other Request because as I said before the Government or Prefecture over Cumberland was looked upon as the Designation of the Person to be the next succeeding King of Scotland Constantine the Son of Culenus and Grimus the Son of Mogal Brother to King Duffus who were thought most likely to oppose both Requests were first asked their Opinions in the Case who partly for Fear of Danger and partly that they might not run cross to the Major part of the Nobility who had been prepossessed and influenc'd by the King gave their Vote That it was in the Kings Power to Correct and Amend Laws which were inconvenient to the Publick and also to appoint what Governor he pleased over Cumberland The rest though they knew that they had spoken contrary to their own Sense yet Consented to what they said And by this means Malcolm the Kings Son though not of Age but Immature for Government was declared Governor of Cumberland and also Prince of Scotland which Title signifies in Scotland as much as Daulphin doth in France and Caesar amongst the old Roman Emperors and the King of the Romans amongst the Modern Germans whereby the Successor to the preceding Magistrate is understood Other Laws were also made viz. That as the Kings Eldest Son should succeed his Father so if the Son died before the Father the Nephew should succeed the Grandfather That when the King was under Age a Tutor or Protector should be Chosen some Eminent Man for Interest and Power to Govern in the Kings Name and stead till he came to Fourteen Years of Age and then he had Liberty to choose Guardians for Himself And besides many other Things were Enacted concerning the Legitimate Succession of Heirs which ran in common to the whole Nobility as well as to the King The King having thus by indirect and evil Practises setled the Kingdom on his Posterity as he thought yet his Mind was not at rest For though he were very Courteous to all and highly Beneficial and Obliging to a great many and withal did so manage the Kingdom that no one Part of a good King was wanting in him yet his Mind being disquieted with the guilt of his Offence suffered him to enjoy no sincere or solid Mirth but in the Day he was vexed with the Thoughts of that foul Wickedness which did inject themselves and in the Night terrible Apparitions disturbed his Rest. At last a Voice was heard from Heaven either a true one as some think or else such an one as his disquieted Mind suggested as it commonly happens to Guilty Consciences speaking to him in his Sleep to this Sense Dost thou think That the Murder of Malcolm an Innocent Man secretly and most impiously Committed by thee is either unknown to me or That thou shalt go unpunished for the same Nay there are already Plots laid against thy Life which thou canst not avoid neither shalt thou leave a Firm and Stable Kingdom to thy Posterity as thou thinkest to do but a Tumultuous and Stormy one The King being terrified by this dreadful Apparition betimes in the Morning hastned to the Bishops and Monks to whom he declared the Confusion of his Mind and his Repentance for his Wickedness They instead of prescribing him a true Remedy according to the
bridled and saddled for all Events and being not able to find the way in regard the Snow covered all the Track they were confounded and arrived at a Lake by the Town of Forfar where endeavouring to pass ovâ—r the Ice being not very firm they sunk with their Weight and were all drowned Their Bodies lay undiscovered for a season by reason the Ice closed again but when a Thaw came they were found and hung upon Gibbets in the High-ways there to rot for the Terrour of the Living and in Reproach to them after they were dead This is the common Report about Malcolm's End though some write that he was slain by an Ambush laid by the Kinred of Grimus and Constantinus the former Kings after a bloody Bâ—ttel joyned and fought betwixt them Others say that he was killed by the Friends of a Noble Virgin whom he had forceably vitiated but all agree that he came to a violent Death Malcolm Reigned so justly above Thirty Years that unless Avarice had corrupted his Mind in 's Old Age he might well have been numbered amongst the Best of Princes The Year in which he died was a Prodigious One for in the Winter the Rivers did mightily overflow and in Spring there were great Inundations of the Sea And moreover a few Days after the Summer Solstice there were very pinching Frosts and mighty Snows by which means the Fruits of the Earth being spoiled a great Famine did ensue The Seventh BOOK I Have declared in the former Book how eagerly Kennethus and his Son Malcolm did strive to settle the Succession to the Crown in their Families That the Eldest Son might succeed the Father But what the Success thereof was will appear in the Sequel This is certain That that Publick Benefit which was promised to the whole Kingdom nor yet the private Advantage alleged to arise to our Kings thereby were not at all obtained by this New Law An Universal Good to All was pretended in thus settling the Succession that Seditions Murders and Treacheries might be prevented amongst Those of the Blood and also that Ambition with the other Mischiefs accompanying it might be rooted out from amongst the Nobles But on the contrary when I enquire into the Causes of Publick Grievances and compare the Old with the Modern it seems to me That all those Mischiefs which we would have avoided by this New Law are so far from being extinguished by the Antiquating of the Old that they rather receive a great Increase therefrom For not to speak of the Plots of their Kinred against Those who are actually in the Throne nor of a present King 's Evil Suspitions of those whom Nature and the Law would have accounted as most dear to him I say omitting these things which in the Series of our History will be further explained all the Miseries of former Ages may seem light and tolerable if compared with those Calamities which followed upon the Death of Alexander the Third Neither will I insist upon the Particulars following viz. that That Law doth enervate the Force of all Publick Councils without which no Lawful Government can subsist That it doth willingly and by consent create those Evils to our selves which others who have Interest in Publick Governments do chiefly if not only deprecate viz. To have Kings over whom other Governors must be appointed and so the People are to be universally committed into their Power who have no Power over themselves insomuch That those Persons who are hardly brought to Obey Wise Prudent and Experienced Kings are now required to yield Obedience as it were to the very shadow of a King by which means we willingly precipitate our selves into those Punishments which God threatens to Those who despise and contemn his Holy Majesty namely That Children Male or Female may Reign over us whom the Law of Nations and even Nature it self the Mother of all Laws hath subjected to the Rule of others As for the private Benefit That Kings aim at by this Law i. e. That they may perpetuate their Name and Stock how vain and fallacious that Pretence is the Examples of the Ancients yea even Nature it self might inform them if they had but considered by how many Laws and Rewards the Romans endeavoured to perennate the mighty Names of their Families of which yet no one Footstep remains at this Day no not in any part of the World which they had Conquered Which Disappointment doth deservedly attend those who fight against even Nature it self by endeavouring to cloath a fading frail Thing subject to Momentany Alterations and Blasts of Fortune with a sort of Perpetuity and to endow it with a kind of Eternity which they themselves neither are Partakers of nor can be yea they strive to effect it by those Mediums which are most cross to their purpose For what is less conducive to Perpetuity than Tyranny Yet this New Law makes a great Step thereto for a Tyrant is as it were the White or Mark exposed to the Hate of all Men insomuch that he cannot long subsist and when he falls all His fall with him It seems to me That God doth sometimes gently chastize and disappoint this endeavour of Foolish Men and sometimes he doth expose it even to Publick Scorn as if it were emulous of his own Power There can be no clearer or fitter Example of Gods Will and Pleasure than That which we have now under our Hands For Malcolm who so much laboured to confirm the Law which was almost forcibly Enacted by his Father by common Suffrage and Consent For the Kings Children to be substituted in the Room of their deceased Parents even He left no Male-Child behind him but he had Two Daughters One called Beatrix whom he Married to a Nobleman named Grimus the Thane of the Western Islands and the Chief of all other Thanes and therefore styled in that Age Abthane the Other named Doaca he Married to the Thane of Angus by whom he begot Mackbeth or Macbeda of whom in his Place Donaldus VII The Eighty Fourth King MALCOLM being slain as hath been related Donaldus his Nephew by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded him A Prince of great Courtesy and of more Indulgence to his own Kindred than became a King For he was of a mild and Inclineable Disposition and from his Youth gave forth Omens of his Popularity For in the most difficult times when he was made Governor of Cumberland by his Grandfather and could not câ—me to the King by reason of the Danish Troops which swarmed over the Country and stopped all Passages to Swear to the Laws yet he faithfully took part with the English until Canutus having had the rest of England surrendred to him made an Expedition against him and then he submitted himself to the Danes on the same Conditions under which he obeyed the English before This also was popular in him That he administred Justice with great Equity and every Year he visited the Provinces
Peace being thus restored he applied his mind to make Laws a thing almost wholly neglected by former Kings and indeed he Enacted many good and useful ones which now are either wholly unknown or else lie unobserved to the great damage of the Publick In a word he so managed the Government for ten years that if he had not obtained it by Violence he might have been accounted inferior to none of the former Kings But when he had so strengthned himself with the Aid and Favour of the Multitude that he feared no Force to disturb him the Murder of the King as 't is very probable hurried his Mind into dangerous Precipices so that he converted his Government got by Treachery into a Cruel Tyranny He vented the first Shock of his Inhumanity upon Bancho who was his Companion in the Kings Parricide Some ill Men had spread a kind of Prophecie abroad among the Vulgar That hereafter his Posterity should enjoy the Kingdom whereupon fearing lest he being a powerful and active Man and also of the Blood Royal should imitate the Example proposed by himself he courteously invited him and his Son to Supper but in his return he caused him to be slain as if a sudden Fray and Tumult had arisen His Son Fleanchus being not known in the dark escaped the Ambush and being informed by his Friends how his Father was treacherously slain by the King and that his Life was also sought after he fled secretly into Wales Upon that Murder so cruelly and perfidiously committed the Nobles were afraid of themselves insomuch that they all departed to their own homes and came but few of them and those very seldom to Court So that the Kings Cruelty being partly discovered by some and partly vehemently suspected by all mutual Fear and Hatred sprung up betwixt him and the Nobility Whereupon seeing the matter could no longer be concealed he broke forth into open Tyranny and the Rich and Powerful for light frivolous and many times but pretended Causes were put to Death Their Confiscated Goods helped to maintain a Band of Debauchees which he had about him under the name of a Guard And yet he thought that his Life was not sufficiently secured by them neither so that he resolved to build a Castle on the top of the Hill Dunsinnan where there was a large Prospect all over the Country which Work proceeding but slowly on by reason of the difficulty of Carriage of Materials thither he commanded in all the Thanes of the whole Kingdom and so dividing the Task amongst them They themselves were to oversee That the Labourers did their Duty At that time Mackduff was the Thane of Fife a very powerful Man in his Country He being loth to commit his Life unto the Kings hands went not himself but sent thither many Workmen and some of them his intimate Friends to press on the Work The King either out of a desire as was pretended to see how the Building proceeded or else to apprehend Mackduff as he himself feared came to view the Structure and by chance spying a Teem of Mackduff's Oxen not able to draw up their Load against a steep Hill he took thence a willing occasion to vent his Passion against the Thane saying That he knew well enough before his disobedient Temper and therefore was resolved to punish it and to make him an Example he threatened to lay the Yoke upon his own Neck instead of his Oxen. Maecduff hearing of it commended the Care of his Family to his Wife and without any delay fitted up a small Vessel as well as the streights of Time permitted and so passed over into Lothian and from thence into England The King hearing that he intended to fly made haste into Fife with a strong Band of Men to prevent him but he being departed before the King was presently admitted into his Castle where he poured out all his Fury upon the Thane's Wife and Children who were there present His Goods were confiscated He himsel was proclaimed Traitor and a grievous Punishment was threatened to any who dared to converse with or entertain him He exercised also great Cruelty against others if they were either Noble or Rich without distinction For now the Nobility was despised by him and he managed the Government by Domestick Counsels In the mean time Macduff arriving in England found Malcolm there Royally Treated by King Edward For Edward when the Danes Power was broken in England being recalled from Banishment did favour Malcolm who was brought to him by Sibert his Grandfather by the Mother side for many Reasons as either because his Father and Grandfather when Governors of Cumberland had always favoured the Concerns of his Ancestors as much as the Times would permit them to do or else because the Similitude of Events and the remembrance of Dangers did assimilate their Minds for each King had been unjustly banished by Tyrants Or Lastly because the Affliction of Kings doth conciliate and move the Minds even of the greatest strangers to pity and favour them Whereupon the Thane as soon as he had opportunity to speak with Malcolm in a long Discourse declared to him the Necessity of his unhappy Flight the Cruelty of Mackbeth against all ranks of Men with the universal Hatred of the People conceived against him so that he advised him in an accurate Harangue as he was a Son so to endeavour the Recovery of his Fathers Kingdom especially seeing he could not without incurring a great deal of Guilt leave the Murder of his Father to pass unrevenged nor neglect the Miseries of the People which God had committed to his Charge nor finally ought He to shut his Ears against the just Petitions of his Friends Besides he told him That King Edward was so Gracious a Prince That he would not be wanting to him his Friend and Suppliant That the People did also favour Him and hated the Tyrant In fine That Gods Favour would attend the Good against the Impious if he were not wanting to himself But Malcâ—lm who had often before been persuaded and solicited to return by Messengers secretly sent to him from Mackbeth That he might not be ensnared before he committed so great a Concern to Fortune resolved to try the Faithfulness of Mackduff and therefore he framed his Answer thus I know says he That all what thou hast said is true but I am afraid That you who invite Me to undertake the Regal Government do not throughly know my Disposition for those Vices which have already destroyed many Kings viz. Lust and Avarice do almost Reign even in me too and thô now my private Fortune doth hide and disguise them yet the Liberty of a Kingdom will let loose the Reins thereunto And therefore said he Pray have a care that you invite me not rather to my Ruin than to a Throne When Mackduff had replyed thereto That the Lust and Desire of many Concubines might be prevented by a lawful Marriage and
that Avarice might be also bounded and forborn when the fear of Penury as it must be upon a Throne is removed Malcolm subjoyned That he had rather now make an ingenious Confession to him as his Friend than to be found guilty hereafter to the great damage of them both For my Self to deal plainly with you said he There is no Truth nor Sincerity in me I confide in no Body living but I change my Designs and Counsels upon every blast of Suspition and thâ—s from the Inconstancy of my own Disposition I use to make a Judgment of other Mens Whereupon Mackduff replyed Avant says he Thou Disgrace and Prodigy of the Royal Name and Stock worthier to be sent into the remotest Desert than to be called to a Throne and in a great Anger he was about to fling away Then Malcolm took him by the hand and declared the Cause of this his Dissimulation to him telling him That he had been so often assaulted by the Wiles of Mackbeth that he did not dare lightly to trust every body But now he saw no Cause to suspect any Fraud in Macduff in respect either of his Lineage his Manners Fame nor Fortune Thus they plighting their Faith one to another consulted concerning the destruction of the Tyrant and advised their Friends of it by secret Messages King Edward assisted him with Ten Thousand Men over whom Malcolm's Grandfather by the Mothers side was made General At the Report of this Armies March there was a great combustion in Scotland and many flock'd in daily to the new King Mackbeth being deserted by almost all his Men in so suddain a Revolt not knowing what better course to take shut up himself in the Castle of Dunsinnan and sent his Friends into the Aebudae and into Ireland with Money to hire Soldiers Malcolm understanding his Design makes up directly towards him the People praying for him all along as he went and with joyful Acclamations wishing him good Success His Soldiers took this as an Omen of Victory and thereupon stuck up green Boughs in their Helmets representing an Army Triumphing rather than going to Fight Mackbeth being terrified at the Confidence of his Enemy immediately fled and his Soldiers forsaken by their Leader surrendred themselves up to Malcolm Some of our Writers do here Record many Fables which are like Milesian Tales and fitter for the Stage than an History and therefore I omit them Mackbeth Reigned Seventeen Years In the first Ten he performed the Duty of a very good King in the last Seven he equalled the Cruelty of the worst of Tyrants Malcolm III. The Eighty Sixth King MALCOLM having thus recovered his Fathers Kingdom was Declared King at Scone the 25 th day of April in the Year of our Redemption 1057. At the entrance of his Reign he convened an Assembly of the Estates at Forsar where the First thing he did was to restore to the Children their Father's Estates who had been put to death by Mackbeth He is thought by some to have been the First that introduced New and Foreign Names as distinguishments of Degrees in Honour which he borrowed from his Neighbor-Nations and are no less Barbarous than the former were Such as are Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons Riders or Knights Mackduff the Thane of Fife was the First who had the Title of Earl conferred upon him and many others afterwards according to their respective Merits were honoured with New Titles Some write That at that time Noblemen began to be Sirnamed by their Lands which I think is false for that Custom is not yet received amongst the Ancient Scots and besides then all Scotland used their Ancient Rights and Customs but instead of a Sirname after the manner of the Greeks they added their Fathers Name to their own or else adjoyned a Word taken from some Event or from some Mark of Body or Mind and that this Custom did then obtain amongst the Gauls is plain by those Royal Sirnames of Crassus Calvus Balbus and also by the Sirnames of many Noble Families in England especially such as followed William the Conqueror and fixed their Habitations there For the Custom of taking Sirnames from Lands was received but lately amongst the other Gauls as appears by Frossard's History no mean Author Mackduff had Three Requests granted to him as a Reward for his Services One That his Posterity should place the King who was to be Crowned in the Chair of State Another That they should lead the Van of the Kings Armies And a Third That if any of his Family were Guilty of the unpremeditated slaughter of a Nobleman he should pay Four and Twenty Marks of Silver as a Fine if of a Plebeian Twelve Marks Which last Law was observed till the days of our Fathers as long as any of that Family were in being Whilst these things were acted at Forfar They who remained of the Faction of Mackbeth carryed his Son Luthlac to Scone who was Sirnamed Fatuus from his Disposition and there he was Saluted King Malcolm assaulted him in the Valley Bogian where he was slain three Months after he had Usurped the Name of King yet out of respect to his Kingly Race His and his Fathers Bodies were buried in the Royal Sepulchres in Ionia Afterwards he Reigned four years in Peace Then word was brought him that a great Troop of Robbers were Nested in Cockburn-Forest and that they infested Lothian and Merch to the great damage of the Husbandman Patric Dunbar with some Trouble overcame them losing Forty of his own Men in the Onset and killing 600 of Them Forty more of them were taken Prisoners and hanged Patric for this Exploit was made Earl of Merch. The Kingdom was now so settled that no open Force could hurt the King yet he was assaulted by Private Conspiracies The whole Plot was discovered to him whereupon he sent for the Head of the Faction and after much familiar Discourse he led him aside into a secret Valley commanding his Followers to stay behind There he upbraided him with the former Benefits bestowed on him and declared to him the Plot he had contrived against his Life adding further if Thou hast Courage enough why dost thou not now set upon me seeing we are both Armed that so thou mayst obtain thy desire by Valour not by Treachery He being amazed at this sudden Discovery fell down on his Knees and asked Pardon of the King who being a Merciful as well as Valiant Prince easily forgave him Matthew Paris makes mention of this Passage In the mean time Edgar to whom next to Edward the Crown of England belonged being driven by contrary Winds came into Scotland with his whole Family What I am to speak concerning this Person that it may be the better understood I shall fetch things a little higher Edmond King of England being slain by the Treachery of his Subjects Canutus the Dane who Reigned over Part of the Island presently seized upon
fear of Mackbeth had fled into the Aebudae was with great facility declared King for he had promised all the Islands to Magnus King of Norwey if by his Assistance he might enjoy the Kingdom of Scotland And in this his Obtainiâ—g of the Kingdom those were most assistant to him who did falsely accuse the former King for corrupting the Discipline of his Ancestors and withal who stomached that the Banished English should enjoy the Estates of Scots in Scotland Edgar in such a suddain Mutation of things being afraid and solicitous for his Sisters Children which were yet but young caused them to be transported to him into Englâ—nd But this Piety of the Good Man was calumniated by some For Orgarus an Englishman seeking to curry favour with King Rufus accused him that he had secretly boasted That he and his Kindred were Lawful Heirs of the Crown The Accuser was not able to make good his Allegation by any Witnesses and therefore the Matter was adjudged to be decided by a Duel wherein the Accuser was overcome by another Englishman who offered him the Combate instead of Edgar who was now grown old and also sickly All good Men who had a Veneration for the Memory of Malcolm and Margaret hated Donald who by Foreign Aid in Conjunction with those of his own Faction had seized on the Kingdom And he by his Rashness did much increase the Hatred conceived against him and by severe Threats which he uttered amongst his Familiars against the Nobles who would not Swear Allegiance to him And therefore they sent for Duncan a Base-born Son of Malcolm's who had served long with Credit in the Wars under William Rufus to oppose Donald At his coming many revolted from Donald so that he was diffident of his own State and therefore fled into the Aebudae about six months after he had Usurped the Throne Duncan The Eighty Eighth King NEither did Duncan Reign long for he being a Military Man and not so Skilful in the Arts of Peace carried it more Imperiously than a Peaceable and Civil Government required so that he quickly fell into the hatred of the Major part of his Subjects When Donaldus who observed all his motions heard thereof in his Banishment he corrupted Macpendir Earl of Mern and by him caused Duncan to be slain in the night in Monteath a year and six months after he began to Reign As for Donald he governed a troublesom Kingdom for about three years Good Men rather tolerating him for want of a better than approving him The English on the one side and the Islanders on the other in his time much molested Scotland The Envy also against him was heightned in that Magnus King of Norwey had seized on the Western Islands which though he seemed to have done by Force yet all Men smelt out the Cheat in regard Donald did not so much as stir at so great an Affront And at last the publick Indignation waxed hotter against him when the Vulgar understood That it was done by a Secret Paction and Agreement betwixt him and Magnus Edgar The Eighty Ninth King UPon those Disgusts secret Messengers were dispatched to Malcolm's Son That he would come over and be General in order to obtain the Kingdom and as soon as he appeared upon the Borders they promised to flock in to him And they were as good as their Words For Edgar being assisted with a small Force by Rufus at the instance of Edgar his Uncle had scarce entred Scotland before Donald being forsaken of his Men fled away but being pursued and taken was brought back to Edgar who committed him to Prison where he died soon after Edgar having recovered the Kingdom by the General Suffrage of all the Estates First of all he made Peace with William King of England and he dying without Children he renewed it with Henry his Brother He gave him Maud his Sister to Wife Sirnamed the Good from her Virtuous Manners as I said before By her he had William Richard Eufemia and Maud. Edgar Reigned Nine Years and Six Months in great Peace Reverenced and Beloved by Good Men and so formidable to the Bad that in all his Reign there were no Civil Tumults or Seditions nor any fear of a Foreign Enemy One Monument of his Praise was the Monastery of Coldingham Dedicated to St. Ebb the Virgin which he built in the Seventh Year of his Reign though afterwards it was transferred into the Name of Cutbert Alexander I. The Ninetieth King EDGAR dying without Issue his Brother Alexander Sirnamed Acer or the Feirce succeeded him In the very beginning of his Reign some Youngsters that loved to Fish in troubled Waters imagining that he would be a Peaceable or as they interpreted it a Sluggish King as his Brother was Conspired to take away his Life that so they might Rob and Plunder with more Freedom The Matter being discovered to him he pursued the Conspirators unto the furthest part of Ross When they came to the River Spey they thought to stop the Kings Pursuit by reason of the Rapidness of the River and besides the Kings Friends would not suffer him to enter the River because the Tide coming in they judged it unpassable yet he set Spurs to his Horse and was about to pass over The rest lest they might seem to forsake their King in a Danger so great following him But his own Men as I said drew him back so that he sent over Part of his Army under the Command of Alexander Carron the Son of that Alexander I mentioned before whose Miraculous Boldness in passing the River with his Forces struck such a Terrour into the Enemy that they presently betook themselves to their Heels Many were Slain in the Pursuit their Leaders were then taken or else afterwards brought to the King and were all Hanged up This Expedition procured him Peace even to the End of his Life As he was returning through Mern a Poor Woman met him grievously complaining That her Husband had been scourged with a Whip of Thongs by the Earl of Mern's Son because he had sued him for a Debt The King hearing it presently in great Disdain leapt from his Horse and would not stir from the Place till the Offender had received Condign Punishment Then he went to Envergoury or as some write to Edgar's Town some write That the Sirname of Acer was given him for those Exploits but others say it had a more Tragick Original viz. That some Thieves having corrupted one of his Bed-Chamber were privately admitted thereinto whilst he was asleep and their suddain Rushing in awakening him he first slew his Treacherous Servant and afterwards Six of the Thieves Whereupon an Hubbub was raised in the Court and the rest fled but Alexander pursued them so fiercely that most of them were slain Afterwards he turned his Thoughts to the Works of Peace he built Michael's Church in Scone from the very Ground The College of Priests which was
no great matter when God their Creditor called upon them for it That if only Wicked Men were subject to Death then a Man might justly grieve at the Decease of his Kindred but when we see Good Men also Dye all Christians said he ought to be throughly setled in this persuasion That no Evil can happen to the Good either alive or dead and therefore Why should we be so much troubled at a short Separation especially from our Kindred who have not so much left us as they are gone before us to our common Country Whither we also thô we should live never so long must yet at last follow As for my Son if he hath undertaken this Voyage before us that so he might visit and enjoy the Fellowship of my Parents and Brethren those precious Men before-hand if we are troubled at it let us take heed That we seem not rather to envy his Happiness than to Mourn for our own Loss As for you Worthy Lords as I am beholding to you for many Offices of Respect so both I and my Son for I shall undertake also for him are much obliged for your Loves to me and your Grateful and Pious Memory of him This Greatness of Mind in the King as it added much to his own Veneration so it increased the Sense of the loss of his Son in the Minds of all when they considered What a Prince they and their Children were deprived of And David that he might make use of the only way of Consolation which was left him caused his Nephews and his Sons Children to be brought to him and to be trained up in Court-discipline which was then most Pious In Fine he provided for their Security as far as Human Counsel could foresee He commended Malcolm the eldest of the Three to the Care of the whole Nobility and particularly of Mackduff Earl of Fife a very powerful and prudent Man and he caused him to carry him all over the Land that so he might be received as the undoubted Heir of the Kingdom William the next Son he made Earl of Northumberland and sent him presently to take Possession of that Country David the Third Son he made Earl of Huntington in England and of Garioch in Scotland He made the more haste to prefer them because being Sick of a mortal Disease he foresaw his Time could not be long in this World He dyed in the Year of Christ 1553. the Ninth of the Calends of Iune He was so well beloved That all Men thought they had lost rather a Father in him yea the best of Fathers than a King For thô his whole Life was so Devout as no History records the like yet some few Years before his Death he Devoted himself to the Preparation for his later End So that his Deportment then did much increase Mens Veneration for the former part of his Life For thô he equalled former Kings who were most Praise-worthy in the Art of War and excelled them in the Study of Peace Yet now leaving off contending with others for Superiority in Virtue He maintained a Combat with himself alone wherein he advanced so much That if the Highest and most Learned Wits should endeavour to give the Idea or Pattern of a Good King they could never comprehend in their Thoughts such an exemplary Prince as David shewed himself in his whole Life to be He Reigned 29 Years 2 Months and 3 Days Malcolm IV. The Ninety Second King HIS Nephew Malcolm succeeded him who thô yet Under-age gave great hopes of his future Ingenuity For he was so Educated by his Father and Grandfather that he seemed to resemble them asmuch in the Virtues of his Mind as in the Lineaments of his Body In the beginning of his Reign a great Plague raged all over Scotland whereby great Numbers of Men and Cattle also were destroyed At that time one Somerled was Thane of Argyle whose Fortune was above his Family and his Mind above his Fortune He conceiving some hopes to enjoy the Kingdom by reason of the King's Non-age and the present Calamity gathered a Band of his Confidents together and invaded the adjacent Countries Yea the Havock he made was spoken of far and neer and the fear of him spreading itself further many Bad Men coming in to him and some Good good being forced to joyn with him too in a short time he made up a vast Army Upon the report of this Tumult Donald also the Son of Malcolm Macbeth made another Bustle but being taken at Whithorn in Galway and sent to the King he was committed to the same Prison with his Father But soon after the King was reconciled to them and they were both released Gilchrist Earl of Angus was sent with an Army against Somerled who defeated and killed many of his Men and caused him with some few more to fly into Ireland This Victory thus unexpectedly and suddainly obtained produced Tranquillity at home but Envy abroad For Henry King of England an Ambitious Prince and desirous to inlarge his own Dominions resolved with himself to curb the growing Greatness and Power of Malcolm But he could not well make open War upon him out of Conscience of that Pact and Oath which he had sworn to him For when he received the Military Girdle as the Custom is from King Malcolm's Grandfather at Carlisle he promised and took his Oath on it as William of Newberry besides our own Writers say That he would never go about to deprive either David himself or any of his Posterity of any part of those Possessions which David then held in England He being somewhat bound up by this Oath That he might find out some colour for his Calumniations he resolved to try the Kings Patience in a lesser Matter When Iohn Bishop of Glascow was Dedicating Churches Shaving Priests and performing the other Parts of his Episcopal Office as then they were judged to be all over Cumberland Henry by Trustine Archbishop of York sent a new Bishop into that Country called the Bishop of Carlisle Iohn was so moved at the Injury that seeing no sufficient Safeguard neither in the King nor in the Law he left his Bishoprick and retired into the Monastery of Tours in France Whence he returned not untill the Pope at Malcolm his Request drew him unwillingly out of his Cell and made him return to his own Country Malcolm bore the wrong better than some hoped so that not thinking it a sufficient Cause for a War he went to Chester in the Street there to quiet Suspicions and to cut off occasions of Discord Being arrived there by the Fraud of Henry he was Circumvented and made to take an Oath of Fidelity to him whereas it was not the King himself but his Brothers who had Lands in England according to an old Agreement who were to take that Oath But this was Craftily and Maliciously devised by the English King to sow the Seed of Discord amongst Brethren which
he as I said before after his overthrow fled into Ireland and from that time forward exercised Pyracy upon the Coasts of Scotland but now judging that a great Part of the Military Men being slain in Battel he might either get a rich Booty from those who would shun the hazard of Fighting or else an easie Victory from them who would stand to it gathered a great Band of Roysters together and arriving at the Firth or Bay of the River Clyde there made a Descent and Fortune at first favouring his Design he penetrated as far as Renfreu But there whilst he was more intent on Plunder than on the Safety of his Men he was surprized by a far less Number than his own and lost all his Soldiers he himself being saved and brought alive to the King for further Scorn and Punishment though some say That both he and his Son too were slain in the Battel These things were acted about the Year of Christ 1165. The Kingdom being thus quieted from all Tumults an Assembly of all the Estates was Indicted at Scone where many things were Decreed for the Confirmation of the State of the Kingdom and amongst the rest the whole Assembly unanimously made it their Request to the King That he would think of Marriage in regard he was now fit for it as being above Twenty Two years of Age and by that means he might beget Children to succeed him They told him It was a publick Debt due to the Kingdom as well as a private One to his Family and that he ought to mind not only the present time but to have a prospect to the Tranquillity of future Ages too His Answer was That ever since he had been capable to Order and Direct his own Life he had Solemnly Vowed to God to live a Continent and a Batchelor's Life which Vow said he I think was the more acceptable to God both because he gave me the strength to perform it and also because he hath prepared Heirs already to succeed me so that I am not compelled to break my Vow neither by any Weakness of my own Spirit nor by any other publick Necessity Thus dismissing the Parliament having Peace abroad he applied his Mind to the Arts of his Forefathers i. e. Building of Churches and Donations on Monks wherein he would have exceeded his Ancestors if God had given him a longer Life For he died not long after on the Fifth of the Ides of December in the Twenty Fifth Year of his Age and a little more than the Twelfth Year of his Reign and in the Year of our Redemption 1165. William The Ninety Third King HIS Brother William Succeeded him who entred upon the Kingdom Fifteen Days after Malcolm's Death He would Transact no Publick or Private Business of any weight till he had craved of Henry of England the Restitution of Northumberland Henry commanded him to come to London to do him Homage for the Counties of Cumberland and Huntingdon according to custom which he did not unwillingly yet desisted not from pressing to have Northumberland restored Henry gave him an Ambiguous Answer saying That in regard Northumberland was taken away from Malcolm and given to him by the States of the Kingdom he could not part from it without their Consent but he should come to the next Parliament and there expect Iustice to be done William though he expected no Good from the Parliament yet to cut off all occasions of Calumny from his Adversary resolved to wait in England for the Convening and Opening of it and in the mean time he accompanied Henry though against his Will to the War in France There he profited nothing by his daily Solicitations and foreseeing that the King would not speedily return into England with much ado he obtained a Convoy and returned into Scotland After his Return the first thing he did was to repress the Insolencies of Thieves and Robbers by punishing and clearing the Country of the Offenders Then he erected Castles and placed Garisons in convenient Places to prevent suddain Invasions At last he sent Ambassadors into England to demand Northumberland denouncing War in case of Refusal Henry being intangled in the French War yielded up to him that Part of Northumberland which William's great Grandfather held William took It but on this Condition That he would not remit his Right in or Claim to the rest The English King took this very heinously and being sorry he had parted with any of Northumberland before the Controversie was decided he made Incursions into the Scots Borders and thus sowed the Seeds of a new War and by this means he hoped to have taken away also the other Lands which he would have brought into dispute When Right was claimed by the Wardens of the Marches according to Custom the English complained That their Borders were molested by Scotish Robbers so that the Ambassadors were sent away without obtaining the thing they came for yea almost without an Answer The Scots to obtain that by Force which they could not do by fair means levied an Army and entred upon and wasted the bordering Lands of the English with Fire and Sword This being about Harvest the English in the absence of their King were content only to stand upon the Defensive what they could but then levied no Army yet the Winter following some Action passed and many Incursions were made The next Summer William listed a great Army and marched into the Enemies Country the English having few or no Forces ready to withstand them send Ambassadors to their Camp proffering a great Sum of Money for a Truce which if they could obtain they gave Hopes that all things would be accorded to Content William being a plain-Hearted Man and willing to preserve Peace if obtainable upon reasonable Conditions before a War though a just one gave Credit to their Fallacious Promises The English spent all the time of the Cessation in Preparations for War but in the mean time they plied the Scots with Ambassadors who made large Promises though their true Errand was to discover their Enemies Camp and finding the Scots on Confidence of the Truce re-miss and negligent and the greatest Part of their Army scattered to get in Forage they returned and gave their Army notice that now was a fair opportunity for Action which they urged them not to omit whereupon placing the greatest Part of their Army in Ambush about Four Hundred nimble Horsemen in the Third Watch a few hours before Sun-rising marched directly to Alnwick where the Scots Camp was pitcht there finding all things in greater Security than they expected they set upon the King who was riding up and down with Sixty Horse only as if there had been a setled Peace and before they could well be discerned whether they were Friends or Enemies for they disguised themselves with Scots Arms and Ensigns that they might pass for Scots They took him Prisoner in the Nineth Year of
his Reign some few were rouzed up at the hubbub and pursued scatteringly divers of them rushed amongst their Enemies as not being willing to forsake their King and so were made Prisoners also William was carried to Henry then Warring in France The English being elated with this unexpected Success invaded Cumberland thinking to carry it without Blows But Gilchrist and Rolland Two Scotâ— Commanders did so entertain Them that being repuls'd they made a Truce and were content to enjoy Northumberland only as long as the Scots King was a Prisoner and to leave Cumberland and Huntingtonshire to the free Possession of the Scots In the mean time David the Brother of William Earl of Huntington in England and of Garioch in Scotland who then fought under the English Banners received a Convoy and returned into Scotland where having setled things for the present he sent Embassadors into England about the Redemption of his Brother who was then kept Prisoner at Falise a Town in Normandy The King gave Fifteen Hostages to the English and surrendred up Four Castles viz. the Castle of Roxburgh of Berwick of Edinburgh and of Sterling and then he was permitted to return home in the Calends of February But then he was called upon by the English to appear at York with his Nobles and Bishops on the 18th of the Calends of September Being arrived there he and all his Followers who were the Chief Nobility took an Oath of Obedience to King Henry and gave up the Kingdom of Scotland into his Guardianship and Patronage These Conditions thô very hard yet the Scots were willing to accept of That so they might have the best of Kings restored to them as the English Writers say Thomas Walsingham of England writes That this Surrender was not made at York but at Constance Yet some say That this Interview of Both Kings was not in order to the Surrender of the Kingdom but for the Payment of certain pecuniary Pensions and That the Castles were put into the hands of the English as Cautionaries only till the Money was paid This Opinion seems to me most probable as appears by the League renewed with Richard Henrys Son of which in its due place William at his Return in a few Months by Gilchrist his General quelled the Insurrections made in his absence in Galway On the Fourth of the Calends of February there was an Assembly Indicted at Norham by Tweed Thither William came where the English laboured extreamly That all the Scots Bishops should acknowledge the Bishop of York for their Metropolitan The Popes Legate also concurred with them in their Desire and earnestly pressed That it might be so Enacted After a long Dispute the Scots Answered That at present few of their Countrymen were there and that they could not bind the absent to obey their Decree if they should consent to any Hereupon the matter was deferred to another time and shortly after the Scots Bishops sent Agents to Rome to justify their Cause before Alexander the Third by whose Decree the Bishops of Scotland were freed from the Yoke of the English and so the Messengers returned joyfully home Not long after Gilchrist whom I have often mentioned before slew his Wife who was the King's Sister because she had Committed Adultery Whereupon he was summoned to appear on a certain day but not coming was Banished for ever His Houses were Demolished and his Goods Confiscate About the same time the Castle of Edinburgh was restored to the Scots one of the Pensions having been paid and to make the Concord between Both Kings more firm a Law was made That neither King should harbour the Enemy of each other Upon this Law Gilchrist who lived Banished in England was forced to return and shifting from place to place as a Stranger amongst Strangers and unknown he passed his Miserable Life in great Penury and Want In the interim William prepared for an Expedition into Murray to suppress the Thieves of the Aebudae whose Captain was Donald Bane i.e. the White who derived his Pedigree from the Kings and had also assumed the Name of King He made his Descent from his Ships in many places and spoiled not only the Maritime Parts but his Boldness increasing by reason of Impunity those Places also which were very remote from the Sea The King sent out Ships to sail about and burn his Fleet whilst he with a Land Army attacqued them and so doing he put them almost all to the Sword In his return as he was near Perth he found Three Countrymen which yet seemed to be more than so had not it been for their shabby and uncouth Habit who seemed to avoid meeting any Company but the King caused them to be brought to him and viewing them intently was very earnest to know What manner of Creatures they were Gilchrist being the Elder of them fell down at the King's Feet and making a Miserable Complaint of his Misfortunes tells Who he was upon which the Memory of his former Life which he had passed with so much Splendour did so passionately affect all that were present That they could not chuse but fall a Weeping Whereupon the King commanded him to rise from the Ground and restored him to his Former Dignity and the same Degree of Favour he had before These things fell out about the Year 1190 at which time Richard who the Year before had succeeded Henry his Father in the Realm of England prepared for an Expedition into Syria He restored the Castles to the King of Scots and sent back the Hostages freeing him and his Posterity from all Pacts either extorted by Force or obtained by Fraud made with the English and suffered him to enjoy the Realm of Scotland by the same Right and within the same Limits as Malcolm or any former Kings had held it Mathew Parâ—s makes mention of These Conditions William on the other side That he might not be ungrateful to Richard upon his going to War into a strange Country gave him 1000 Marks of Silver and commanded David his Brother who was Declared Earl of Huntington to follow him into Syria This David in his Return from thence had his Navy scattered by Tempest was taken prisoner by the Aegyptians redeem'd by the Venetians and at last being known at Constantinople by an English Merchant after Four years time he returned into Scotland and was received with the general Gratulation of all Men especially of his Brother Boetius thinks that the Town where this David was landed in Safety before-named Alectum was now called Deidonum but because the Name of Alectum is found in no Author but only in Hector Boetius I rather think it was called Taodunum a Word compounded of Tay and Dun i. e. Dundee Not long after Richard after many Hazards and Misfortunes returned also from the same Voyage William and his Brother came to congratulate him upon his Return and gave him 2000 Marks
laid all waste to the very Gates of Carlisle The City it self he took by Force and Fortified it The next year Lewis the Son of Philip King of France was sent for by those who favoured the Ecclesiastical Faction to London that so he upon the Proscription of Iohn might possess the Kingdom and so was King Alexander of Scotland too who came to aid his Old Friend But Iohn being forsaken by his Subjects and assaulted also by Foreign Arms upon the Payment of a great Sum of Money at present and the Promise of a perpetual Pension and moreover transferring the Right of the Kingdom of England to the Pope so that the Kings of England for the future were to be His Feudataries was received into Favour So that he obtained Letters from Rome by Cardinal Galo a Man of known Avarice wherein the Scots and French were with great Threats forbid to meddle with a People which were Tributaries to the Holy See Upon this sudden Change of things Lewis returned into France and Alexander into Scotland but his return home was not so quiet as his entrance into England was For the English pressing upon the Rear of his retiring Army took many of the Stragglers Prisoners And besides Iohn had broken down all the Bridges on the Trent and had fastned sharp Pikes or Palisadoes in all its Fords removing away all Ships and Boats so that it seemed to be so great an Impediment unto him that he could not avoid it but must certainly be destroyed In the mean time Iohn was poysoned by an English Monk at Newark a Town seated on the Trent and being carried in a Litter died in two days That Casualty opened the way for Alâ—xander's March. Then blaming and punishing his Men for their former Carelessness he marched on more circumspectly but not without the great Damage of those through whose Countrys he passed For whatsoever could be driven away or carried he took with him and so returned home with a great Booty Galo the Popes Legat when he had setled Henry the Son of Iohn in the Throne mulct the Nobles of England in a great Sum of Money and then received them into Favour And to give them some Recompence for their Loss by the like Calamity of their Enemies he Excommunicates Lewis of France and Alexander of Scotland in hopes to obtain some Prey from them also The Scots were Interdicted all Divine Offices for he imagined that his Thundring Curses would prevail more amongst the simple Vulgar than with the Kings But at last Peace was made between the Two Kings the Scots were to restore Carlisle and the English Berwick and the Ancient Bounds at Kings-Cross were to be observed by them Both. Alexander and his Subjects were released from their Censures by the English Bishops who were Authorized thereunto Hereupon Galo was much enraged That so great a Prey should be taken out of his Hands so that he turned his Anger on the Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Scotland as his own Peculiar with whom Kings had nothing to do He summoned them to appear at Alnwick Whither when they came the more fearful appeased his Wrath with Money the more resolute were Cited to Rome But they having also received many Letters from some of the English Bishops and Abbats directed to the Pope concerning the sordid Spirit of the Ambassador or Legat made grievous Complaints against him calling him the Firebrand of all mischief because he studied not the Publick Good but his own Avarice and did chaffer for and sell Peace and War amongst Princes at his own pleasure Galo not being able to acquit himself of the Crimes laid to his charge was Fined by the Pope in the Loss of the Money he had got which was to be divided amongst his Accusers Hereupon they returned home loaden with large Promises but with empty Purses A few years after Henry of England being now grown Ripe both in Years and Judgment came to York there he agreed with Alexander in the presence of Pandulphus the Popes Legat to take Henry's Sister to Wife by whom yet because of her untimely Death he had no Children From that time there was Peace between Both Kings as long as they lived There he also solemnly Promised and Swore before the same Pandulphus That he would bestow the Two Sisters of Alexander in Honourable Marriages according to their Dignity as his Father had promised before But one of them returned home unmarried one only being bestowed in Marriage The next Year viz. 1220 the Cardinal of St. Giles came into England to fish for Money for the Holy War and accordingly having scraped together a great Sum in both Kingdoms which by his Impostures he had gulled Persons 〈◊〉 credulous of he Luxuriously spent it in his Journy so that he came empty to Rome falsely alleging That he was robbed by Thieves in the way Another Legat presently succeeded him but Men having been twice cheated by Roman Fraud by a Publick Decree forbad him to set his foot on Land Alexander was busied to suppress Vices at home which sprung up by the Licentiousness of War and he travelled over the whole Kingdom with his Queen to do Justice whilest Gilespy a Rossian spoiled Ross and the Neighbour Counties for passing over the River Ness he took and burnt the Town of Enverness He cruelly slew all those that refused to obey him Iohn Cumin Earl of Buchan was sent against him who took him and his two Sons as they were shifting up and down and changing their Quarters to secure themselves and cut off their Heads and so sent them to the King About this time the Caithnesians entred by night into the Bedchamber of Adam their Bishop and there killed a Monk who was his usual Companion for he had been before Abbat of Mulross and one of his Bedchamber as for the Bishop himself they grievously wounded him and dragging him into the Kitchen there they burnt him and the House he was in The Cause of their great Cruelty was as 't is reported because the Bishop was more severe than in former times in exacting his Tithes The Offenders were diligently sought out and most severely punished The Earl of Caithnes though he were not present at the Fact yet was somewhat suspected but afterward being brought privately to the King in the Christmas Holy-days which the Scots call Saturnalia he humbly begg'd Pardon of the King and obtained it About this time Alane of Galway the powerfullest Man in Scotland departed this Life He left Three Daughters behind him of whom I shall speak hereafter Thomas his Bastard Son despising their Age and Sex sets up for himself as Lord of the Family and not contented herewith he gathers 10000 Men together kills all that oppose him and drives Booties far and near from all the Neighbouring-Countries At last the King sent an Army against him who slew 5000 of the
Rebels with their General The same year Alexander with his Wife went for England to allay the Tumults as much as he could raised against Henry and to reconcile him to the Nobility Whilest he was busie about this at York his Wife went with the Queen of England a Pilgrimage to Canterbury but at her return she fell sick died and was buried at London Not long after her Death the King being Childless Married Mary the Daughter of Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France in the year of Christ 1239 by whom he had Alexander who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom Two years after viz. in 1242 whilst the King was hastening to England to visit that King newly returned from France and refreshed himself a while at Hadington in Lothian with Horse-Races the Lodging or Inn of Patrick of Gallway Earl of Athol was set on Fire wherein he and two of his Servants were burnt the Fire speading it self a great way further It was not thought to have casually happened because of the Noted Fewds between Patrick and the Family of the Bizets And though William the Chief of that Family was at Forfar above 60 Miles from Hadington the same night that the Fire happened as the Queen could testify in his behalf yet because the adverse Party being the Kindred of Patrick pleaded That many of his Servants and Tenants were seen at Hadington at that time William was Summoned to appear He came to Edinburgh at the day prefixed but not daring to stand to his Tryal because of the Potency of his Adversaries which were the Cumins's he would have Tryed the matter in a Duel but That being not accepted he and some of his Sept banished themselves into Ireland where he left a Noble Family of his Name and House There was also another Seditious Tumult in Argyle Raised by Sumerled Son of the former Sumerled but he was soon suppressed by Patrick Dunbar and submitting to the Kings Mercy obtained Pardon for all his past Offences The King not long after fell sick and died in the 51 Year of his Age the 35 of his Reign and of our Lord 1249. Alexander the III. The Ninety Fifth King ALexander the Third His Son was Crowned King at Scone the same Year a Child not past Eight years Old The Power of all things was mostly in the Faction of the Cumins's For they turned the Publick Revenue to the Enrichment of themselves oppressed the Poor and by false Accusations cut off some of the Nobles who were averse to their humours and desires and dared to speak freely of the State of the Kingdom and being Condemned their Goods were Confiscated and brought into the Kings Exchequer from whence they who rather Commanded than Obeyed the King received them back again for their Private Emolument A Convention of the Estates being held the chief Matter in agitation was to pacify the King of England lest in such a troublesome time he should make any Attempt upon Them and to do it more easily an Affinity was proposed This Way seemed more commodious to the Anti-Cuminian Party to undermine their Power than openly to oppugn it Whereupon Embassadors were sent to England who were kindly received and munificently rewarded by that King who granted them all their Desires The next Year which was 1251 both Kings met at York the 8th of the Calends of Dâ—cember There on Christmas day this Alexander was made Knight by the King of England and the day after the Match was concluded betwixt him and Margarite Henrys Daughter A Peace was also renewed betwixt them which as long as Henry lived was inviolably observed And because Alexander was yet but a Child and under Age it was Decreed by the advice of his Friends That he should consult his Father-in-Law as a Guardian in all Matters of Weight Some of the Prime men being accused by Virtue of this Decree secretly withdrew themselves When the King returned home Robert Abbat of Dumferling Chancellor of the Kingdom was accused because he had Legitimated the Wife of Alane Durward who was but the Natural or Base-born Daughter of Alexander the Second That so if the King dyed without Issue she might come in as Heiress Upon this Fear the Chancellor as soon as ever he returned home surrendred up the Seal to the Nobles Gamâ—lin afterwards Bishop of St. Andrews succeeded him in his Office The Three next Years they who were the Kings Council did almost every one of them carry themselves as Kings whatever they catched was their own so that the poor Commonalty was left destitute and miserably oppressed The King of England being made acquainted therewith out of his paternal Affection to his Son in Law came to Werk-Castle scituate on the Borders of Scotland and sent for his Son in Law Alexander and his Nobles thither There by his Advice many advantageous Alterations were made especially of those Magistrates by whose Defaults Insurrections had been made at home And also many profitable Statutes were Enacted for the Future The King returned to Scotland with his Wife and having an English Guard to convey him home he resolved to dwel in the Castle of Edinburgh Walter Cumins Earl of Monteath kept the Castle who was disaffected because of the Change of the Publick State made by the King of England yet he was compelled to surrender it by Patrick Dunbar with the Assistance of the English Forces The greatest Part of the Nobility and of the Ecclesiasticks were offended in regard their Power was somewhat abridged by those New Statutes which they looked upon as a Yoke imposed upon them by the English and a Beginning of their Servitude Yea they proceeded to that height of Contumacy that being Summoned to give a Legal Account of their Management of Affairs in former times they made light of the Summons The same Persons who were the Principal Actors in disturbing things before were now the Chief Incouragers to Disobedience They were generally the Clans of the Cumins's Walter Earl of Monteath Alexander Earl of Buchan Iohn Earl of Athol William Earl of Marr and other Considerable Men of the same Faction They dared not to put their Cause on a Legal Tryal as being conscious to themselves of the many Wrongs done to the Poor and meaner Sort yea to the King himself and therefore they resolved to out-face Justice by their Impudent Audacity For being informed That the King was but lightly Guarded and lived securely at Kinross as in a time of Peace They immediately gathered a Band of their Vassals about them Seized him as he was asleep and carried him to Sterling and as if there were no Force in the Case but they had been rightfully Elected they discharged and expelled his Servants took New and managed all things at their own Will and Pleasure so that now the Terror and Consternation was turned upon the Former Counsellors But this Sedition was allay'd by the Death of Walter Cumins who
before whereupon they forbad him to enter their Borders but sent him Word That they themselves without his Presence would gather Money for and send Souldiers to the Syrian War and indeed they sent Souldiers under the Command of the Earls of Carick and Athol Two of the Chief Nobility to Lâ—wis King of Franâ—e and to the Pope lest he might think himself altogether disesteemed they sent 1000 Marks of Silver The Year after Henry King of England died and his Son Edward the First succeeded him at whose Coronation Alexander and his Wife were present she returning died soon after yea David the Kings Son and also Alexander being newly Married to the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders followed her a little time after by their continued Funerals Margarite also the Kings Daughter departed this Life who left a Daughter behind her begot by Hangonanus King of Norwey Alexander being thus in a few years deprived both of his Wife and Children too took to Wife Ioleta the Daughter of the Earl of Dreux and within a Year he fell from his Horse and broke his Neck not far from Kinghorn in the Year of our Lord 1285. and the Fourteenth of the Calends of April he lived Forty Five years and Reigned Thirty Seven He was more missed than any King of Scotland had been before him not so much for the eminent Virtues of his Mind and the Accomplishments of his Body as that People foresaw what great Calamities would befal the Kingdom upon his Decease Those wholsome Laws which he made are antiquated by the Negligence of Men and the Length of Time and their Utility is rather celebrated by Report than experienced by Trial. He divided the Kingdom into Four Parts and almost every year he Travelled them all over staying well near Three Months in each of them to do Justice and to hear the complaints of the Poor who had free Access to him all that time Assoon as he went to an Assize or Sessions he Commanded the Prefect or Sheriff of that Precinct to meet him with a select number of Men and also to accompany him at his departure to the end of his Bailywick till the next Precinct where he was Guarded by another like Company By this means he became acquainted with all the Nobility and was as well known to them and the People as he went were not burthen'd with a Troop of Courtiers who are commonly Imperious and given to Avarice where they come He commanded the Magistrates to punish all Idle Persons who followed no Trade nor had any Estates to maintain them for his Opinion was That Idleness was the Source and Fountain of all Wickedness He reduced the Horse-Train of the Nobles when they travelled to a certain number because he thought that the Multitude of Horses which were unfit for War would spend too much Provision And whereas by reason of Unskilfulness in Navigation or else by Mens Avarice in committing themselves rashly to Sea many Shipwracks had happened and the Violence of Pyrates making an Accession thereto the Company of Merchants were almost undone he commanded they should Traffick no more by Sea That Order lasted about an Year but being accounted by many of a publick Prejudice at length so great a Quantity of Foreign Commodities were imported that in Scotland they were never in the Memory of Man more or less cheap In this Case that he might study the good of the Merchants-Company he forbad that any but Merchants should buy what was imported by whole Sale but what every Man wanted he was to buy it at second Hand or by Retail from them The Eighth BOOK ALEXANDER and his whole Lineage besides one 〈◊〉 by his Daughter being extinct a Convention of the Estates was held at Scone to Treat about Creating a new King and setling the State of the Kingdom whither when most of the Nobility were come in the first place they appointed Vicegerents to govern Matters at present so dividing the Provinces That Duncan Mackduff should preside over Fife of which he was Earl Iohn Cumins Earl of Buchan over Buchan William Frazer Archbishop of St. Andrews over that Part of the Kingdom which lay Northward And that Robert Bishop of Glascow Another Iohn Cumins and Iohn Stuart should Govern the Southern Countries and that the Boundary in the midst should be the River Forth Edward King of England knowing that his Sisters 〈◊〉 Daughter of the King of Norway was the only surviving Person of all the Posterity of Alexander and that She was the Lawful Heiress of the Kingdom of Scotland sent Ambassadors into Scotland to desire Her as a Wife for his Son The Embassadors in the Session discoursed much of the publick Utility like to accrue to both Kingdoms by this Marriage neither did they find the Scots averse therefrom For Edward was a Man of great Courage and Power yet he desired to increase it and his Valour highly appeared in the Holy War in his Fathers Life time and after his Death in his subduing of Wales neither were there ever more Endearments passed betwixt the Scots and the English than under the last Kings Yea the Ancient Hatred seemed no way more likely to be abolished than if both Nations on Just and Equal Terms might be united into One. For these Reasons the Marriage was easily assented to other Conditions were also added by the consent of both Parties as That the Scots should use their own Laws and Magistrates until Children were begot out of that Marriage which might Govern the Kingdom or if no such were begot or being born if they dyed before they came to the Crown then the Kingdom of Scotland was to pass to the next Kinsman of the Blood-Royal Matters being thus setled Embassadors were sent into Norway Michael or as others call him David Weems and Michael Scot Two eminent Knights of Fife and much Famed for their Prudence in those days But Margarite for that was the Name of the young Princess dyed before they came thither so that they returned home in a sorrowful posture without their errand By reason of the untimely death of this young Lady a Controversie arose concerning the Kingdom which mightily shook England but almost quite ruined Scotland The Competitors were Men of great Power Iohn Baliol and Robert Bruce of which Baliol had Lands in France Bruce in England but Both of them great Possessions and Allies in Scotland But before I enter upon their Disputes that all things may be more clear to the Reader I must fetch them down a little higher The Three last Kings of Scotland William and the Two Alexanders The Second and the Third and their whole Off-spring being extinct there remained none who could lawfully claim the Kingdom but the Posterity of David Earl of Huntington This David was Brother to King William and Great Uncle to Alexander the Third He Married Maud in England Daughter to the Earl of Chester by whom he had Three
being a Grand-son than Iohn Baliol who was but a Great Grand-son As for Dornadilla with whom he stood in equal Degree yet he was to be preferred before her as a Male before a Female The Scots Nobles could not decide this Controversie at home for by reason of the Power of both Parties the Land was divided into Two Factions For Baliol by his Mother held all Galway a very large Country and besides he was allied to the Cumin's Family which was the most Powerful next the Kings for Mary the Sister of Dornadilla had Married Iohn Cumins Robert on the other side in England possessed Cleveland in Scotland Annandale and Garioch and by his Son Earl of Carrick who was afterwards King was related to many Noble Families and he was also very Gracious with his own People so that for these Reasons the Controversie was not able to be decided at home yea if it should have been equitably determined yet there was not a sufficient Party in Scotland to compel both sides to stand to the Award and therefore Edward of England was almost unanimously chosen to be the Decider thereof Neither was there any doubt made of his Fidelity as being Born of such a Father as the late King of Scotland had Experienced to be both a Loving Father in Law to him and a just Guardian too and on the contrary the English King had received a late and memorable Testimony of the Scots Good-Will towards him in that they so readily consented to the Marriage of his Son with their Queen Whereupon Edward as soon as he came to Berwick sent Letters to the Peers and Governors of Scotland to come to him protesting That he Summoned them to appear before him not as Subjects before their Lord or Supreme Magistrate but as Friends before an Arbitrator chosen by themselves First of all he required an Oath of the Competitors to stand to his Award in the next place he required the same Oath of the Nobles and Commissioners to obey Him as King whom he upon his Oath should declare so to be and for this he desired a publick Scrol or Record signed by all the States and each ones Seal affixed thereto to be given to him This being done he chose of the most prudent of all the Estates 12 English and adjoyned 12 Scots to them from them also he exacted an Oath to Judge Rightly and Truly according to their Consciences in the Case These things were managed openly and above board which in appearance were honest and taking with the People but his private Design was secretly agitated amongst a few only how he might bring Scotland under his Subjection The Thing was thought feasable enough in regard the Kingdom was divided into Two Factions but to make the Way more Intricate and the Fraud more Covert he raised up Three other Competitors besides Bruce and Baliol that out of so great a Number he might more easily bring over One or More to his Party And lest so great a Matter might seem to be determined unadvisedly he consulted with Those who were most eminent in France for Piety Prudence and the Knowledge of the Law Neither did he doubt but that as that sort of Men are never always of One Opinion he should fish something out of their Answers which might make for his purpose The New Competitors seeing no Grounds for their Pretensions of their own accord quickly desisted but to the Lawyers whom he Governed and Influenced as he pleased a false or made Case was Stated and Propounded Thus A certain King that was never wont to be Crowned nor Anointed but only to be placed in a kind of Seat and declared King by his Subjects yet not a King so free but that he was under the Patronage of another King whose Homage or Beneficiary he professed himself to be Such a King died without Children Two of his Kinsmen begat by Sempronius Great Vncle of the deceased King claim the Inheritance to wit Titius Great Grand-son by the Eldest Daughter of Sempronius and Seius Grand-son by his Younger Daughter now Which of These is to be preferred in â—n undividable Estate The Case being propounded well near in those very Words They all Generally answered That if any Law or Custom did obtain in the Kingdom which was sued for they were to be Guided by and stand to it if not then they must be Guided by him under whose Patronage they were because in Judging of Freehold Custom doth not ascend i. e. The usage and award of the Superior is to be a Law to the Inferiour but not on the contrary It would be too prolix a Task to reckon up particularly all the Opinions but in brief almost all of them answered very doubtfully and uncertainly as to the Right of the Competitors but as the Case was falsely put they all gave the Supreme Power of Judgment in the Controversie to Edward Hereby the Matter was made more intricate and involved than before so that the next Year they met again at Norham There Edward by Agents fit for his purpose gently tried the Minds of the Scots Whether they would willingly put Themselves under the Power and Jurisdiction of the English which as was alleged their Ancestors had often done But when they all unanimously refused so to do he called to him the Competitors whom he himself had set up and by great Promises extorted from them to Swear Homage to him and he persuades the rest to remove the Assembly to Berwick as a more convenient Place There he shut up the 24 Judges Elected as before in a Church without any Body else amongst them commanding them to give their Judgments in the Case and till they did so no Man was to have Access to them But they being slow in their Proceedings he ever and anon went in alone to them and by discoursing sometimes One and sometimes Another finding that most were of Opinion That the Right lay on Baliol's side tho' he were inferiour in Favour and Popularity he went to Bruce who because he was Legally cast by their Votes he thought he might more easily persuade to assent to his Design and promised him the Crown of Scotland if he would put himself under the Patronage of the King of England and be Subject to his Authority Bruce answered him ingeniously That he was not so eager of a Crown as to accept of it by abridging the Liberty his Ancestors had left him Hereupon he was dismissed and he sends for Iohn Baliol who being more desirous of a Kingdom than of honest Methods to come by it greedily accepted the Condition offered him by Edward John Baliol The Ninety Sixth King WHereupon Iohn Baliol was declared King of Scotland 6 Years and 9 Months after the Death of Alexander The rest of the Scots being studious of the publick Tranquillity led him to Scone and there Crowned him according to Custom and all Swore Fealty to him except Bruce He being thus made King by
Country he banished and sent the Scots Nobility whom he most suspected into the heart of England till his return Amongst which was Iohn Cumins Lord or Petty King of Badenach and Alan Longan a Man fit both for Advice and Action and having setled Matters after this sort he was so far from fearing any Insurrection in Scotland that he carried all his Army over along with him But hearing of the many Exploits of Wallace he thought there was need of a greater Force to suppress him yet that the Expedition was not worthy of a King neither as being only against a Roving Thief for so the English called Wallace and therefore he writes to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and William Latimer That they should speedily Levy what Forces they could out of the Neighbouring Parts and join themselves with Cressingham who as yet remained in Scotland to subdue the Rebellious Scots Thomas Walsingham writes that the Earl of Warren was General in this Expedition But Wallace who was then besieging the Castle of Cowper in Fife left his Army which he had increased against the coming of the English should be idle the English being near at hand marched directly to Sterlin The River Forth no where almost fordable may be there passed over by a Bridge of Wood though it be increased by the Addition of other Rivers and by the coming in of the Tide too There Cressingham passed over with the greatest part of his Army but the Bridge either having its Beams loosned and disjointed on purpose by the Skill of the Architect as our Writers say it was that so it might not be able to bear any great Weight or else being overladen with the heavy burden of so many Horse Foot and Carriages as passed over was broken and so the March of the rest of the English was precluded and hindred The Scots set upon Those who were passed over before they could put themselves into a Posture and having slain their General drove the rest back into the River the Slaughter was so great that they were all either killed or drowned Wallace returned from this Fight to the besieging of Castles and in a short time he so changed the Scene of Affairs that he left none of the English in Scotland but such as were made Prisoners This Victory wherein none of any eminency among the Scots fell save Andrew Murray whose Son some years was Regent of Scotland was obtained in the Ides of September in the year of Christ 1297. Some say that Wallis was called off to this Fight not from the Siege of Cowper but of Dundee whither he also returned after the Fight so Iohn Major and some Books found in Monasteries do relate By means of these Combustions the Fields lay untilled insomuch that after that Overthrow a Famine ensued and a Pestilence after the Famine from whence a greater Fear was apprehended than from the War Wallis to prevent this Mischief as much as he could called together all those who were fit for Service to appear at a certain day with whom he marched into England thinking with himself that their Bodies being exercised with Labour would be more healthy and that Wintring in an Enemies Country Provisions might be spared at home and the Soldiers who were in much want might reap some Fruit of their Labours in a rich Country and flourishing by reason of its continued Peace When he was entred into England no Man dared to attack him so that he staid there from the Calends of November to the Calends of February and having refreshed and inriched his Soldiers with the Fruits and Spoils of the Enemy he returned home with great Renown This Expedition as it increased the Fame and Authority of Wallis amongst the Vulgar sort so it heightned the envy of Nobles against him mightily For his Praise seemed a tacite Exprobration to them who being Men of great Power and Wealth either out of Slothfulness durst no◠or out of Perfidiousness would not attempt what He that was a Mean Man and destitute of all the Advantages of Fortune had not only valiantly undertook but also successfully performed Moreover the King of England finding the Business to be greater than could well be managed by his Deputies made some settlement of things in France and returned home and gathering together a great Army but hastily levied for he brought not back his Veteran Soldiers from beyond Sea and for the most part raw and unexperienced Men he marches toward Scotland supposing he had only to do with a disorderly Band of Robbers But when he saw both Armies in Battel array about 500 Paces one from another in the Plains of Stanmore he admired the Discipline Order and Confidence of his Enemies So that thô he himself had much the greater Force yet he durst not put it to the hazard of a Battel against such a Veteran and Experienced a Captain and against Soldiers inured to all hardships but turned his Ensigns and marched slowly back Wallace also durst not follow him for fear of Ambushes but kept his Army within their Trenches Having thus got the Victory thô Bloodless over so puissant a King his Enemies were so much the more enraged against him and caused Rumours to be scattered up and down That Wallis did openly affect a Supream or Tyrannical Power at which the Nobles especially Bruce and the Cumin's of the Royal Stock did mightily disdain for they said thus within themselves That if they must be Slaves they had rather be so under a Great and Potent King than under an Vpstart whose Domination was like to be not only base but also dangerous And therefore they determined by all means to undermine the Authority of Wallis Edward was not ignorant of these Disgusts and therefore the next Summer he Levies a Great Army consisting partly of English partly of Scots who had remained Faithful to him and came to Falkirk which is a Village built in the very Tract of the Wall of Severus and is distant from Sterling little more than 6 Miles The Scots Army were not far from them of sufficient strength for they were 30000. if the Generals and Leaders had agreed amongst themselves Their Generals were Iohn Cumins Iohn Stuart and William Wallace the most flourishing Persons amongst the Scots the Two former for their high Descent and Opulency the Later for the glory of his former Exploits When the Three Armies were ready to fight a new Dispute arose besides their former Envy Who should lead the Van of the Army and when all Three stood upon their Terms the English decided the Controversie who with Banners displaid marched with a swift pace towards them Cumins and his Forces retreated without striking a stroke Stuart being beset before and behind was slain with all that followed him Wallace was sorely pressed upon in the Front and Bruce had fetched a compass about an Hill and fell on his Reat yet he was as little disturbed
of his Men he durst not draw them forth into a Place of greater Disadvantage Hereupon he first sent an Herald to Bruce for a Truce wherein they might Treat of Terms of Peace The Truce being obtained Cumins made no more Mention of Peace but encreas'd his Forces as much as ever he could neither would he trust the Scots that were with him the Favour of many of them inclining to Robert but craved Aid from England In the mean time Bruce to remove the Contemptible Opinion which the English might conceive of him and to encourage the Spirits of his Friends was always nibbling at his Enemies Heels here taking some there others and surprizing their weakest Garisons he never staid long in a Place neither gave he Opportunity to the Enemy to fight him But about this time Simon Frazer and Walter Longan brave Soldiers Both and Lovers of their Country were taken by some of the Cuminian Faction delivered over to the English and put to Death at London And almost about the same time Iames Douglas joined himself with Bruce his Party He was the Son of William a young Man passing well instructed in all the Liberal Arts who when he was studying at Paris hearing that his Father was cast into Prison by the English where he soon after Died returned home to receive the Advice of his Friends how he might Order the Residue of his Life But being deprived of his Patrimony and all his Friends variously dispersed in great Want he repaired to William Lambert Bishop of St. Andrews by whom he was admitted as one of his Family and kindly entertained until King Edward came to Besiege Sterlin after he had Conquered almost all Scotland besides Lambert going thither to Salute the King carried Douglas along with him and having gotten a fit Opportunity he spake to the King to restore his Patrimony to take him into his Protection and to make Use of his Faithful Endeavours in his Service some other things he also added in Praise of the young Man the King hearing of his Name and Family spake very roughly concerning the stubbornness of William his Father withal adding That he intended not to make any use of his Son nor of any Assistance of his and as for his Paternal Estate he could not restore it if he would because he had gratified his Friends with it who had merited well of him Iames being thus dismissed by the King stayed with Lambert till Bruce came to Merne And then that might he omit no Occasion to prejudice Edward whose Mind he found was implacably bent against him he took away Lamberts Horses and some Money not without his Privity and came to Bruce and his Service was of great use to him in many sharp Storms afterwards Not long after Both Kings almost in the same Moment of time fell grievously Sick Edward being busie in Preparations for War against Scotland died within a few days at Lancaster leaving his Second Son Edward for his Heir who was called Edward of Carnarvon from the Place where he was Born he marching into his Enemies Country with the Army which his Father had recruited sent a Proclamation before to Dumfreiz That all the Scots should meet him there but there came in but a Few and those out of the Neighbouring Parts and very heavily too He being also informed That his Matters beyond Sea went not well on left a Force such as he thought sufficient to quell the Insurrection in Scotland and settling things as soon as he could he passed over into France In the interim Robert hearing of Edward's Death was somewhat relieved and began to hope better of his Affairs and so the strength of his Mind supported his weak Body But not being ignorant how much the sole Conduct of a General might contribute to a Victory he so prepared himself for the extreme Push of Fortune that he expected his Enemy and a Battel On the other side the English King coming back more slowly than his Friends hoped Iohn Cumins being greedy of the Glory That the War was ended by him hoping also that Robert was dead by reason of his sore Disease added to his other Hardships or at least that his Sickness would hinder him from being present in the Army gathered together all the Forces he could make and marched directly towards his Enemy On the other side Robert to encourage his Men caused himself to be set on Horseback His very Sight tho' he was supported by Two Men and could not stay long yet gave such Heart to his Men that they never began any Fight more Courageously than they did That Cumins who had placed the Hope of his Victory in the Sickness of his Enemy being not able to keep his Men together neither by Persuasions nor Punishments was forced to fly away in their Company many were taken in the pursuit and all courteously used This Victory gotten at Ennerury as it recovered the King from his Disease so it was the Omen of his future prosperous Proceedings for from that day forward he succeeded in All that he attempted A while after he marched into the Country of Argyle which he pillaged and forced Alexander the Lord of it to a Surrender who retiring into England in a little time there ended his miserable Life in great Want The same Year the Day before the Calends of Iuly Edward Bruce also had prosperous success at a Battel fought at Die a River of Galway Rolland a Noble Knight of Galway was slain in the Fight Donald the Islander was taken Prisoner as he was flying away and the whole Country of Galway was wasted far and near These Tumults rouz'd up Edward who was rather desirous to live in Peace to a War even against his Will for perceiving that his Affairs were ill-managed he the next Year with a great Army of English entred Scotland and there joyned a numerous Body of Scots who had not yet revolted from the English With those Forces he pierced as far as Ranfro◠and then retreated having performed no Memorable Act in his Expedition either because he himself was of a dull and unactive Nature or else because Robert besides the scarcity which did then generally afflict all Scotland had caused all the Provisions to be carried away from those Places thrô which his Army was to march and had laid them up more out of the way After his Departure Robert spent the rest of the Year in recovering those Castles which the English yet held of which Many surrendred before they were Besieged as despairing of any help from England The next Year which was 1310. Bruce to cry quits with the English for the damage they had done in Scotland marched twice into England with his Army and returned back laden with spoils without any Encounter at all The Two next Years he recovered almost all the strong Garisons which yet remained in the hands of the English He took Perth by Storm and put all the Garison
Soldiers both English and Scots promiscuously to the Sword and that others might be deterred from the like Obstinacy by their Example he razed their Walls and filled up their Trenches The Terror of that Example caused Dumfriez Lanerick Air and Bote and many other weaker Forts to Surrender At the beginning of the Spring Roxburgh was taken by Iames Douglas when the Garison was intent upon their Sports and Pastimes in those Revels which were wont to be celebrated at the beginning of Lent And not long after Thomas Randolph recovered the Strong Castle of Edinburgh The Isle of Man was also surrendred and the Castles thereof demolished that they might not again be a Receptacle to the Enemy In the mean time Edward Bruce closely besieged the Castle of Sterlin scituate on a Rock steep every way but one where the Passage to it lay It was defended by Philip Mowbray a vigilant Commander who perceiving the Success of the Brucians in Scotland and foreseeing a Siege had mightily stored and fortified it with Arms and Provisions before hand And therefore when Edward had fruitlessly spent many days in besieging it and had no hopes to carry it by force That he might not seem to be repulsed without doing any thing he enters into Conditions with Mowbray That if he was not relieved in an Year to commence from that very Day by the English then the Castle was to be surrendred and the Garison should have Liberty Bag and Baggage to march whither they pleased These Conditions did much displease the King yet that he might not detract from his Brothers Credit he resolved to observe them Yet in regard he did not doubt but the English would come at the time appointed he prepares as much as in so great a scarcity of things he was able to manage his last Encounter with his potent Enemy And indeed Edward considering that he was not only dispossessed of Scotland whose People his Father had left to him conquered and broken but that England was also in danger had a desire to root out so Rebellious Disobedient and Unquiet a Nation In order whereunto he levied an Army not only of English and such Scots who adhered to them but he increased it by supplys from his Transmarine Dominions which then were many great and opulent so that his Army was bigger than ever any King of England had before Yea he received also an Accession of Force from his Allyes beyond the Seas especially from Flanders and Holland whom his Father had strenuously assisted against Philip King of France They say it consisted of above 100000 Fighting men There followed also his Army a Multitude of Baggagers Attendants and Sutlers who carries Provision both by Sea and Land because they were to come into a Country not very fruitful of it self and besides which had so many years before been harassed with all the Miseries of War Moreover there was a Multitude of Such as were to set out or describe Colonies and to receive Dividends of Land who brought their Wives and Children along with them so that the Force of so Rich Powerful and Flourishing a Kingdom as England was being thus as it were abridged and epitomized into one Army the Consideration thereof produced such a Confidence in them all That now all the Discourse was not of Fighting but rather of Dividing the Spoil Bruce hearing of this great Preparation of the Enemy prepares also his Forces far inferiour in Number to so great a Multitude as being Thirty Thousand only but such as were inured to Hardships and the Toyl of a Civil War and who now carried the Hopes of their Lives Fortunes and of all that is dear to Men as it were on the Point of their Swords With this Army he sate down on the left Bank of the River Bannock This River hath steep Banks on Both sides and it had but a few and those too narrow Passages or Fords it is about Two Miles from Sterlin Below the Hills before it makes its influxe into the Forth it passeth thrô a little leveller Ground yet here and there it is Marshy In the Winter it usually runs with a rapid Torrent but in that hot Time of the Year the Water was but Low and Fordable in many Places Bruce by how much the Weaker in Force was so much the more Circumspect and therefore he used Art and Policy to make the Passage over the River more difficult to the English who possessed the right-hand Bank thereof In order whereunto he caused deep Trenches to be dug in level Places wherein he fastened sharp Stakes or Spikes and covered them with some light Turffs a top that so his Stratagem might not be discovered and moreover he caused Calthrops of Iron to be thrown up and down on the Ground in Places most convenient Wherefore when Camp was almost joyned to Camp as being on different Hills only a small River between them Edward sent 800 Horse a little before to Sterlin who marched a little off from the Camp Robert imagining that they were sent to plunder in the Neighbourhood gave command to Thomas Randolph to follow them with 500 Horse either to prevent the stragglers in wasting the Country or if a fit Occasion were offered to fight them The English seeing them desisted from their intended March to Sterlin and faced about The Fight was sharp and continued long the Victory inclining for a time to neither Party so that Iames Douglas being concerned for the Scots who were the fewer in Number earnestly desired Bruce That he might go and relieve them Bruce peremptorily denied him whereupon tho' at present a Spectator only from an Hill yet he resolved if the Scots were further distressed to succour them but perceiving the English to give back and the Scots to get Ground he stopped his March that so he might detract nothing from another mans Praise The English having lost but those Few out of so numerous an Army were not discouraged in their Spirits and also the Scots prepared themselves for the Encounter the next day as if they had already received an Omen of a compleat Victory The Night thô very short for the Battel was fought on the 9 th of the Calends of Iuly yet seemed long to both Parties for the Eagerness they had to Fight All the Scots were divided into Three Brigades The King led the Middle or Main Battel His Brother Commanded the Right Wing and Randolf the Left The English besides a multitude of Archers which they placed on the outside of Both their Wings had also Curiassiers out of France They speeding towards Randolf who stood on the Lower Ground and endeavouring to fall obliquely on his Flank fell suddainly into the Diâ—ches made by Bruce where they tumbled one upon another with great Slaughter both of Man and Horse They that first fell in were Slain by the pressure of Those that fell upon them and the last Ranks being discouraged at the loss of the
First retreated back This Terror did also somewhat retard the Foot for they were afraid of falling into the like Snares There also did happen another Accident which thô little in itself yet contributed very much as such Niceties are wont to do in War to the main Chance Robert rode up and down before his Army to keep them in their Ranks having a Batoon in his Hand a certain Englishman knew him and ran at him with his Spear The King avoided the blow and as the Horse in his Carrier ran a little beyond him struck his Rider dead with his Batoon and down he tumbled from his Horse to the ground The Common Soldiers highly commended the perillous Audacity of the King and were hardly kept in by their Commanders but hand over head would rush upon the Enemy with such an eagerness of Mind that they were likely to break their Enemies Ranks unless the English Archers who were placed in their Wings had repulsed them with great Loss and Bruce also sent in some Troops of Horse who drove them back Yet in this Action a Mistake did more prejudice to the English than their Enemy did The Rabble-Rout which followed the Camp caused the Baggage-men to mount their Draught horses and to hang out some Linen Cloth instead of Ensigns thus they stood on an Hill where they might easily be seen and made an Appearance of a new Army The English who stood nearest were surprized with a double Fear and betook themselves to their Heels Their Fear disordered the rest of the Army A Multitude of common Soldiers were slain the pursuit some of our Writers say Thi◠Fifty Thousand English fell at that Fight Caxton an Englishman doth not set down the precise Number but he says it was a mighty Overthrow an innumerable Multitude being slain and he did well in not being positive in the Number for it was hard to compute it in regard the Flight was so scattered wherein more perished than in the Battel This is certain the Slaughter was so great that the English thô they had many Provocations from the Scots yet did not stir for Two or Three Years after Of the English Nobility there fell about Two hundred and almost an equal Number were taken Prisoners The Prisoners related That the King himself began to fly first and if he had not been received into the Castle of Dunbar by the Earl of March and so sent in a Skiff by Water to Berwick he had not escaped the hands of Douglass who with 400 Horse pursued him Forty Miles Amongst the Prisoners there was taken a Monk One of those who are called Carmelites from Mount Carmel in Syria he was accounted a good Poet for that Age and was brought into the Army to celebrate the Victory of the English in a Poem but they being beaten he Sung their Overthrow in a Canto for which he had his Liberty His Verse was rude and barbarous yet it did not altogether displease the Ears of the Men of that Age. Neither was the Victory unbloody to the Scots they lost above Four thousand Men amongst whom there were but Two Knights Hereupon Sterlin Castle was surrendred according to Compact and the Garison sent away About these times there happened a Passage not unworthy to be related in regard of the variety of Providences in a narrow compass of time Iohn Menthet who betrayed his Friend Wallis to the English and was therefore worthily hated by the Scots received amongst other Rewards the Government of the Castle of Dumbritton from the English When other Forts were recovered That only or but very few with it held out for the English And because it was naturally impregnable the King dealt with the Governor by his Friends and Kindred to Surrender it He demanded the Country or Earldom of Lennox as the Price of his Treachery and Surrender Neither would he ever so much as hear of any other Terms In this Case the King did waver and fluctuate in his Mind what to do on the One side he earnestly desired to have the Castle yet on the Other he did not so much prize it as for its sake to disoblige the Earl of Lennox who had been his Fast and almost his only Friend in all his Calamities But the Earl of Lennox hearing of it and coming in soon decided the Controversie and persuaded the King by all means to accept the Condition Hereupon the Bargain was made as Iohn Menteith would have it and Solemnly confirmed But when the King was going to take Possession of the Castle a Carpenter one Rolland met him in the Wood of Cholcon about a Mile from it and having obtained Liberty to speak with the King concerning a matter of great importance he told him what Treachery the Governor did intend against him Yea and had prepared to execute it It was This In a Wine-Cellar concealed and under Ground a sufficient number of Englishmen were hid who when the rest of the Castle was given up and the King secure were to issue forth upon him as he was at Dinner and either to kill or take him Prisoner Hereupon the King upon the Surrender of the other Parts of the Castle by Iohn being kindly invited to a Feast refused to eat till as he had searched all other parts of the Castle so he had viewed that Wine-Cellar also The Governor excused it pretending That the Smith who had the Key was out of the way but that he would come again anon the King not satisfied therewith caused the Door to be broken open and so the Plot was discovered The English were brought forth in their Armour and being severally examined confessed the whole Matter and they added also another discovery viz. That a Ship rode ready in the next Bay to carry the King into England The Complices in this wicked Design were put to death but Iohn was kept in Prison because the King was loth to offend his Kindred and especially his Sons in Law in so dangerous a time For he had many Daughters all of them very beautiful and Married to Men rich enough but Factious Therefore in a time of such imminent Danger the Battel drawing near wherein All was at stake lest the Mind of any powerful Man might be rendred averse from him and thereby inclined to practise against him Iohn was released out of Prison upon this Condition for the performance whereof his Sons in Law undertook That he should be placed in the Front of the Battel and there by his Valour should wait the Decision of Providence And indeed the Man otherwise fraudulent was in this as good as his Word for he behaved himself so Valiantly that that days Work procured him not only Pardon for what was past but large Rewards for the future The Fame of this Victory being divulged over all Britain did not only abate the Fierceness of the English but raised up the Scots even from extream Desperation supplying them not only with Money
but with Glory with Arms and other Furniture for War Neither did they only release their own Men who were made Prisoners either in Fight or upon Surrenders but also they raised great Sums by the Redemption of the English they had taken And out of the Spoils many recompensed and made up the Losses they had received in former Times yea and got great Estates too for the future For the English came with all their Precious Things about them not as to a War but as to an assured Victory The King having thus prosperously succeeded in the War spent the following Winter in settling the State of the Kingdom which was much weakened by so long a War and also in bestowing Rewards on the well-deserving The next Spring Berwick was taken from the English after they had enjoyed it 20 Years In the next place he Convened an Assembly of the Estates at Air a Town of Kyle There in a full Assembly by the Suffrages of all the Orders the Kingdom was confirmed to Bruce and afterwards because the King had but one only Daughter left by his former Wife The States remembring what publick Mischiefs had happened by the Dispute which in former times had been managed concerning the Right of Succession made a Decree That if the King left no Issue Male his Brother Edward should succeed him in the Kingdom and his Sons in order after him But if he also should decease without Issue Male then the Crown was to descend to Mary the Daughter of Robert and to her Posterity yet so that the Nobility were to provide her an Husband fit for her Royal Estate and for the Succession in the Kingdom For it was lookt upon as far more just That an Husband should be chosen for the young Lady than that she should chuse an Husband for her self and a King for the whole Land It was also Decreed That in the Minority of the King Thomas Randolfe or if he should miscarry Iames Douglas should be Tutors to the King and Governors of the Kingdom The Fame of Robert's noble Exploits both at home and abroad excited the Irish to send Ambassadors to him To put themselves and their Kingdom under his Protection And if his Domestick Affairs should not suffer him to accept of the Kingdom himself yet that he would permit his Brother Edward to do it that so a Nation allied to him might no longer suffer under the cruel insulting and intolerable Domination and Servitude of the English The Irish wrote also to the Pope to the same purpose and he by his Missives desired the English to forbear wronging and oppressing the Irish but in vain so that Edward Bruce went thither with a great Army and by universal consent was saluted King In the first year of his Arrival he drove the Englâ—sh out of all Vlster and reduced it to his Obedience yea he passed over all the rest of the â—sland with his Victorious Army The next year a new Army was sent over from England Robert perceiving that the War would grow hotter levied new Forces and made haste over to his Brother He suffered much in that Expedition by his want of Provision and when he was but about one days March from him he heard That he and all his Men were defeated the Third of the Nones of October The report is That Edward edged on by too much desire of Glory did precipitate the Fight lest his Brother should share with him in the Glory of the Victory The King of England being informed that the Flower of the Militia of Scotland did attend Bruce in a Foreign Country and thinking This a fit opportunity offered him to Revenge the Losses of former times sent a great Army under select Commanders into Scotland Douglas Governor of the Borders fought with them thrice in several places and slew almost all their Commanders and a great part of the Souldiers The English having sped ill with their Land Army came into the Forth with a Naval Force and infested all the Sea Coasts by their Excursions The Earl of Fife sent 500 Horse to restrain the Plunderers but they not daring to encounter so great a Multitude in their Retreat met with William Sinclare Bishop of the Caledonians accompanied with about 60 Horse who perceiving the Cause of their Retreat did most grievously reproach them for their Cowardize and cried out All you that wish well to Scotland follow me and thereupon catching up a Lance they all cheerfully followed him and he made so brisk an Assault on the scattered Plunderers that they fled hastily to their Ships and whilst they all endeavoured to get aboard one Ship overladen with Passengers was sunk and all that were in it drowned This Attempt of Sinclare's was so grateful to the King That ever after he called him His Bishop That Summer when all the English Counties bordering on the Scots lay desolate and unmanured by reason of want of Provision Diseases also abounding amongst all sorts of tame Animals and Cattle as also by frequent Invasions To remedy this Inconvenience Edward came to York but there he was not able to compleat an Army by reason of the Paucity of the Inhabitants so that the Londoners and the Parts adjoining were fain to supply him with Soldiers thô many of them had their Passes and Discharges from all Military Services before At length he made up an Army and marches to besiege Berwick he was scarce arrived there when Thomas Randolfe passed over the River Solway and marched another way into England where he wasted all with Fire and Sword no Man resisting him yea in some Places he could hardly meet with any Man at all For a Plague which Reigned the former year had made such a Devastation that the Face of things seemed very piteous even to their very Enemies When the Scots had marched above 100 Miles and had fired all especially about York the Archbishop thereof more foâ— the Indignity of the Thing than the Confidence in his Force took Arms. He gathered together an Army numerous enough but raw and undisciplined consisting of a promiscuous Company of Priests Artificers and Country-Labourers whom he led with more Boldness than Conduct against his Invaders but being overcome by them he lost many of his Men and He with some few saved themselves by Flight There was so great a Slaughter of Priests made there That the English for a long time after called that Battel The White Battel Edward hearing of this Overthrow lest his Conquering Enemy should make further and greater Attempts brake up his Siege and retreats to York the Scots having withdrawn themselves and from thence into the heart of his Kingdom The English were busied with Domestick Tumults so that a short Truce was made rather because both Kings were tired with the War than otherwise any whit desirous of a Pacification In this Calm Robert Indicts a Convention of all the Estates and Nobility And because the
Changes happening in so long a War had confounded the Right of Mens Possessions he commanded every one to produce and shew By what Title he held his Estate This Matter was equally grievous to the Old Possessors as well as the New Valiant Men thought they enjoyed That by a good Right which they had taken from their Enemies and they took it much amiss That what they had got as the Price of their Military Toil yea of their Blood too should be rent from them in Times of Peace As for the old Owners of Estates seeing there was no one House almost but had suffered in the War They had lost their Deeds by which they held their Lands as well as their other Goods Whereupon they all entred upon a Project valiant in appearance but bold and temerarious in the event For when the King in the Parliament commanded them to produce their Titles every one drew his Sword and cried out We carry our Titles in our Right Hands The King being amazed at this sudden and surprising Spectacle though he took the Matter very heinously yet he stifled his Indignation for the present until a fit Time of Revenge And it was not long before an Occasion was offered him to shew it Divers of the Nobles being conscious to themselves of the Audacity of their late Attempt and fearing to be punished for it conspire together to betray the Kingdom to the English The Fact was discovered to the King and that so plainly that the Letters declaring the Manner Time and Place were intercepted and their Crime made evident Whereupon they were all taken and brought to the King without any Tumult at all raised at their Apprehension And because it was much feared That William Souls Governor of Berwick would deliver up both Town and Castle to the English before the Conspiracy was publickly divulged he made a Journy thither as it were by she by A Convention was made at Perth to try the Prisoners where the Letters were produced and every ones Seal known being convicted of High-Treason by their own Confession they were put to Death The Chief were David Brechin and William Lord Souls of the Nobility also Gilbert Mayler Richard Brown and Iohn Logie besides there were many others of all Orders accused but there being only Suspicion against them they were dismissed The Death of David Brechin only did diversly affect Mens minds for besides that he was the Son of the Kings Sister he was accounted the Prime young man of his Age for all Arts both of Peace and War He had given given evident Proofs of his Valour in Syria in the Holy War He being summoned in by the Popular Conspirators never gave his Consent to the Treason only his Crime was That being made acquainted with so foul a Machination he did not Discover it The Body of Roger Mowbray who dyed before Conviction was Condemned to all kind of Ignominy but the King remitted that Punishment and caused it to be buried Some some few Months before this Process was had the Popes Legates who at the request of the English came to compose the Dissensions betwixt the Kingdoms not being able to do any thing therein lest they might seem to have done nothing for the English in their Legation Excommunicated the Scots and forbad them the Use of Publick Divine Service the Popes Thunderbolts being terrible in Those days Bruce to shew how little he valued the Popes Curses in an unjust Cause gathered an Army and invaded England following the Legate at his Departure almost at his very heels There he made a foul havock with Fire and Sword and came as far as the Cross at Stanmore The English not to suffer so great Ignominy to pass unrevenged levied so numerous an Army that they promised themselves an easy Victory even without Blood Robert thought it dangerous to run the Hazard of All in a Battel against the mighty Army of so great a King but rather he resolved to help out the matter with Policy rather than by Force He drave all the Cattle into the Mountains whither Armies could not but with great Difficulty ascend and all other things of use for an Army he caused either to be reposited in Fortify'd Places or to be wholly spoiled The English who came thither in hopes of a speedy Battel and had not Provisions for a long March when they perceived what Devastation was made in their own Country were inflamed with Anger Hatred and Desire of Revenge and resolved to pierce into the middst of Scotland and to ferret the King out of his boroughs yea and force him to a Fight tho' against his Will For the Greatness of his Forces did encourage him to hope that either he should blot out his former Ignominy by an Eminent Victory or else should recompense his Loss lately received by an enlarged Depopulation With this Resolution he came in all hast to Edinburgh he spared Churches only in his March but the further he was to go the more scarcity he was like to find So that in five days time he was forced to retreat At his return he spoiled all things both Sacred and Prophane He burnt the Monasteries of Driburgh and Mulross and killed those old Monks whom either Weakness or Confidence in their Old Age had caused to stay there As soon as Bruce was informed that Edward was returned for want of Provision and that Diseases did rage in his Army so that he had lost more Men than if he had been overcome in Battel he almost trod upon his Heels with an Army noted more for the Goodness than the Number of Soldiers and came as far as York making grievous havock as he went He had almost taken the King Himself by an unexpected Assault at the Monastery of Biland where Edward in a tumultuary Battel was put to Flight all his Household-stuff Money Bag and Baggage being taken To blot out the Ignominy of this Infamous Flight Andrew Berkley Earl of Carlisle was a while after accused as if he had been bribed to betray the English and so he lost his Life in Punishment for the Cowardize of another Man The next Year a double Embassy was sent One to the Pope to reconcile him to the Scots from whom he had been alienated by the Calumnies of the English and Another to renew the Ancient League with the French They Both easily obtained what they desired For when the Pope understood That the Controversy arose by the Injury and Default of Edward the First who affirmed That the King of Scots ought to obey as a Feudatary the King of England and That the English had nothing to defend their Claim by but old Fables and late Injuries and besides That in Prosperity being Summoned by the Pope they always avoided an equal Decision of Things tho in their Adversity they were always humble suiters to him for his Aid and on the other side the Scots always were willing
to have their Cause heard and never shunned the Determination of an Equal Judge nor the Arbitration of any Good men and moreover when they produced many Grants and Summons of Former Popes which made for them and against their Enemies the Scots were always present at the day and the English tho' they had Notice given never came Hereupon the Pope was easily reconciled to the Scots and the French as easily induced to renew the Ancient League only one Article was added to the old Conditions That if any Controversy did hereafter arise amongst the Scots concerning him who was to succeed in the Kingdom the same should be decided by the Council of the States and the French if there were need were to assist Him by his Authority and with his Arms who by Lawful Suffrages was by them declared King Our Writers cast the Rise of the Hamiltons now a powerful Family in Scotland upon these Times There was a certain Nobleman in the Court of England who spake Honourably of the Fortune and Valour of Bruce whereupon one of the Spencers Bed-Chamber Man to the King either thinking That his Speech was Reproachful to the English or else to curry Favour with the looser sort of the Nobility drew forth his Faucheon and making at him gave him a slight wound in the Body The Man being of a great Spirit was more concerned at the Contumely than at the Damage and being hindered by the coming in of many to part the Fray from taking present Revenge the day after finding his Enemy in a sit Posture in the same place he run him thorough And fearing the Punishment of the Law and the great Power of the Spencers at Court he fled presently into Scotland to King Robert by whom he was courteously received and some Lands near the River Clyde were bestowed upon him His Posterity not long after were admitted to the Degree of Noblemen and the Opulent Family of the Hamiltons was Sirnamed from him and also the Name of Hamilton was imposed on the Lands which the King gave him Not long after Edward had great Combustions at home insomuch that he put many of the Nobles to Death and advanced the Spencers the Authors of all Evil Counsel higher than his own Kindred could bear so that he was apprehended by his Son and by his Wife who had received a small Force from beyond the Seas and kept close Prisoner and not long after he was slain by a course sort of Death an hot Iron was thrust into his Fundament through a Pipe of Horn by which his Bowels were burnt up and yet no Sign of so terrible a Fact appeared on the outside of his Body His Wife and Son were thought Privy to the Parricide either because his Keepers would never have dared to commit such a Deed so openly unless they had had Great Authors or else because they were never called in Question for so Immane a Butchery These Disturbances in England which were followed by the Kings Death Bruce also growing old and weak in Body were the Occasions that Peace for some Years did intercede between the Two Neighbour Nations For Bruce being freed from the Fear of the English and being also called upon by his Age converted his Thoughts to settle his Domestick Affairs And first he made hast to confirm the Kingdom which was not yet quite recovered nor fully setled from the Commotions of former Times to his only Son yet but a Child by the Consent and Decree of the Estates And if he died without Issue then he appointed Robert Stuart his Nephew by his Daughter to be his Successor He caused the Nobles to take an Oath for the Performance of this Decree But afterwards fearing That after his Death Baliol would begin his old Dispute about the Kingdom especially seeing his Heirs because of their Minority might be liable to be injured by others he sent Iames Douglas to Iohn Baliol being in France with large Gifts and Promises That he would cease his Claim to the Kingdom This he did not so much to acquire a new Right because according to the Scotish Custom The King is made by the Decree of the Estates who have the Supream Power in their Hands but that he might cut off all Occasion from Wicked Men to Calumniate his Posterity and also that he might Eradicate the very Seeds of Sedition Douglas found Baliol far more placable than he or others thought he would be for he was now surrounded with the Miseries of Extream Old Age. He ingenuously Confessed That his Peccant Exorbitance was justly restrained and that he was deservedly driven out of the Kingdom as unworthy to Reign And therefore he was very willing That his Kinsman Robert should enjoy the Crown by whose high Valour singular Felicity and great Pains-taking 't was Vindicated into its Ancient Splendour In one thing he rejoyced That they by whom he was deceived did not enjoy the Reward of their Perfidiousness When Robert had setled these Matters according to his own desire the same Year which was 1327. our Writers say That Ambassadors were sent into Scotland by Edward the Third for a Pacification in which Matter they seemed to act Treacherously and instead of Peace they carried home War but what the particular Fraud was is not expressed and the English say That the War was openly denounced by Robert but they describe not the Cause of it surely it must needs be some great and mighty One or else a valetudinary old Man when Peace was scarce setled at home and who might have been sated with his former Victories rather than with War would not so soon have been provoked to reassume his Arms. This is certain That the King by reason of his Age could not manage the War himself in Person so that Thomas Randolfe and Iamâ—s Douglas the Valiantest and Wisest of all that Age were sent by him into England with Twenty Thousand brave nimble Horse but no Foot at all The Reason was That they might fly up and down swiftly and not abide in one place nor be forced to Fight the English unless they themselves pleased For they knew that the English would make Head against them in their first Expedition with a far more numerous Army Neither were they deceived in their Opinions for the King of England besides his Domestick Forces had procured great Assistance of Horse from Belgium but in regard they and the English fell out at York some English Writers say That they returned home again But Frossard a French Writer of the same Age says That they accompanied the English during the whole Expedition and that not only for Honours sake but also for Fear of Sedition they had the next Place to the Kings Regiment always assigned to them in the Camp The King having made a Conjunction of all his Forces which were clearly above Sixty Thousand Men marched against the Scots who had already passed over the Tine Now there were
made to him he now thought it seasonable to Declare Himself King That Advice was safer to him because the greatest part of the Slaughter had fallen upon the Families adjoyning to Perth For there were slain in the Battel besides the Regent Robert Keith with a great number of his Kindred and Tenants There fell Eighty of the Family of the Lindseys and amongst them Alexander the chief of the Sept. The Name of the Hays would have been quite extinguished in this Fight if William the Chief of the Family had not left his Wife big with Child behind him Moreover Thomas Randolfe Robert Bruce Murdo Earl of Monteath William Sinclare Bishop of the Caledonians and Duncan Macduff Earl of Fife made Prisoners by him and being thus in such a desperate Posture were enforced to take an Oath of Obedience to him Baliol The Eighty Ninth King HEreupon Baliol trusting to his present Fortune went to the Neighbouring Abby of Scone and there entred upon the Kingdom in the Year of our Lord 1332. the Eighth of the Calends of September By this Wound and Loss the Power of David Bruce was much weakened in Scotland yet his Friends not broken in their Spirits by this Calamity took care to secure him from the danger of War he not being yet fit to manage the Government and therefore they sent him and his Wife to his Fathers Friend Philip King of France to be there out of Harms way In the mean time they prepare themselves for all hazards being resolved to Dye Honourably or else to restore their Country to its former State And First of all they set up Andrew Murray an Eminent Person Son of the Sister of Robert Bruce as Regent in the place of Duncan then they sent Messengers into all parts of the Kingdom partly to confirm and fix their old Friends and partly to spur up the more Remiss to Thoughts of Revenging their wrongs The â—irst who took Arms as being excited by their Grief for the loss of their Parents and Kindred at Duplin were Robert Keith Iames and Simon Frazer who about the Autumnal Aequinox besieged Perth the Siege lasted longer than they expected yet in Three Months they took it Macduff Earl of Fife who held the Town for Baliol was sent Prisoner with his Wife and Children to Kildrum a Castle in Marr Andrew Murray of Tullibardin who discovered the Ford over the River Earn to the English was put to death The Black Bock of Pasley says That the Walls of the Town were demolished which seems more probable to me than that it should be made a Garison as others write especially in so great a want of Faithful Friends and Soldiers At the same time Baliol was at Annandale very busie in receiving the Homage of the Nobles who were so much surprized and astonished at the suddain Mutation of Things That even Alexander Bruce Lord of Carrick and Galway despairing of the Retrieve of his Kinsman David's Affairs came in to him After this prosperous Success he despised his Enemy and grew more negligent and regardless of him When the Regent heard thereof by his Spyes he sent Archibald Douglas Brother to Iames who was lost in Spain That if there were any Opportunity for Action he should lay hold upon it He took with him William Douglas Earl of Liddisdale Iohn Randolfe the Son of Thomas and Simon Frazer with a Thousand Horse and so came to Maufet where having sent out Scouts to see that the Coast was clear he marched in the Night and set upon Baliol as he was asleep and put his Army into so great a Fright and Consternation that Baliol himself half Naked was fain to get upon an Horse neither Bridled nor Sadled and so fled away many of his Intimate Friends were slain Alexander Bruce was taken Prisoner and obtained his Pardon by the means of his Kinsman Iohn Randolfe Henry Baliol got great Credit that day by his Valour amongst both Parties who in so confused a Flight defended some of his Men whom their persuers pressed upon he wounded many and killed some of his Enemies and at last was slain Fighting valiantly There fell also the Chief of the English Faction Iohn Mowbray Walter Cumins and Richard Kirke These Things were acted the Eighth of the Calends of Ianuary in the Year 1332. The Brucian Party were somewhat relieved by these Successes so that they came in great Numbers to Andrew Murray the Regent to consult about the main Chance They made no doubt but that Baliol fought the Kingdom not for himself but for the English by whom he was guided and influenced in every thing Wherefore they resolved to Declare the King of England their Enemy and accordingly they prepared all things necessary for the War with great Diligence as against a very powerful Enemy They made the Garison of Berwick very strong for they thought the English would Assault That first They made Alexander Seton a worthy Knight Governour of the Town and Patrick Dunbar of the Castle and the adjoyning Precincts William Douglas Earl of Liddisdale whose Valour and Prudence was highly commended in those Times was sent into Annandale to defend the Western Coasts Andrew Murray went to Roxburgh where Baliol kept himself Thus their several Governments being distributed at home Iohn Randolfe was sent into France to visit David and to make an Address to Philip of France informing him of the State of Scotland and desiring some Aid from him against the Common Enemy Murray at his coming to Roxburgh had a sharp encounter with Baliol at a Bridge without the City and whilst he pressed too eagerly after the English who were retreating over the Bridge into the Town he was intercepted from his Men and taken Prisoner whereby a Victory almost quite obtained slipt out of his hands At the same time in a contrary Province William Douglas of Liddisdale in a Fight with the English was wounded and made Prisoner whose Disaster so troubled his Men that they also were put to flight This Inconstancy and Variableness of Fortune divided Scotland again into Two Factions even as Love Hatred Hope Fear or each Man 's private Concern inclined him The King of England presuming That by reason of these Dissensions he had a fit opportunity to seize upon Scotland received Baliol into his Protection for he was too weak to support himself by his own Strength and took an Oath of Obedience from him yea nothing regarding his Right of Affinity with Bruce nor reverencing the Sanctity of Leagues nor the Religion of an Oath so that he might satisfie his immoderate Ambition he at once denounced and also made War on the Scots at that time destitute of a King and also at variance amongst themselves And to give a colourable Pretence of Justice to his War he sent Embassadors to demand Berwick which Town his Father and Grandfather had held many Years and he presently followed with an Army
The Scots answered the Ambassadors That Berwick always belonged to Scotland till his Grandfather Edward had injuriously seized upon it At length when Robert Bruce their last King had recovered the rest of Scotland he took away that Town from Edward Father of him who now requires the Reddition of it and reduced it unto its Ancient Rightful Possessor and Form of Government yea not long ago Edward himself by the Advice of his Parliament had renounced all Right which He or his Ancestors might pretend to have over all Scotland in general or any of the Towns and Places therein in particular From that time they were not Conscious to themselves That they had acted any thing against the League so solemnly Sworn to and confirmed by Alliance of a Marriage Why then within the compass of a few Years were they assaulted by secret Fraud and by open War These things being so they desired the Embassadors to incline the Mind of their King to Equity and that he would not watch his Opportunity to Injure and Prejudice a young King in his absence who was both Innocent and also his own Sisters Husband As for Themselves they would refuse no Conditions of Peace provided they were Honourable but if he threatened them with an unjust Force then according to the Tutelage of the King committed to them they resolved rather to dye a Noble Death than to consent to a Peace prejudicial to Themselves or the Kingdom This was the Answer of the Council of Scotland But the King of England sought not Peace but Victory and therefore having encreased his great Army with Foreign Aid also he besieged Berwick by Sea and Land neither did he omit any thing which might Contribute to the Taking of it for having a Multitude of Men he gave his Enemy no rest Night nor Day Neither were the Besiegers behind hand with them but Valorously Sallied out upon them every day They threw Fire into their Ships which Anchored in the River and burnt many of them In which Skirmish William Seaton the Governors Bastard-Son was lost much lamented by all for his singular Valour For whilst he endeavoured to leap into an English Ship his own being driven too far off by the Waves he fell into the Sea neither in that Exigent could any Relief come to him And besides another Son of Alexanders begot on his Lawful Wife who out of eagerness to fight proceeded too far in a Sally was taken by the English But the Siege which was begun in the Ides of April had now lasted Three Months and the Defendants besides their Toil and Watchings were also in great want of Provisions so that they seemed hardly able to hold out the Town any longer but made an Agreement with the English That unless they were relieved by the Third of the Calends of August they would surrender up the Place And for this Thomas Alexanders Eldest Son was given in Hostage Whilst these things were acting at Berwick the Scots Indicted an Assembly to consult about their Affairs and in regard the Regent was Prisoner at Roxburgh that they might not be without a General they chose Archibald Douglas Captain-General they also Voted That he should have an Army to march into England that so by Foraging the Neighbouring Countrys he might draw off the King of England from the Siege Douglas according to this Order and Decree marched towards England but hearing of the Agreement which Alexander had made he changed his Mind and thô against the Advice of his most prudent Commanders he marched directly towards the English and on the Eve of Mary Magdalen came in Sight of them and was beheld both by Friends and Enemies The King of England tho' the Day was not come wherein it was agreed That the Town should be surrendred yet when he saw the Scots Forces so near he sent an Herald into the Town to acquaint the Governor That unless he presently Surrendred up his Garison he would put his Son Thomas to Death The Governor alleging That the Day appointed for the Surrender was not yet come and that he had given his Faith to stay till the time allowed by their Paction was expired but all was in Vain Hereupon Love Piety Fear and Duty towards his Country did variously exercise his Paternal and Afflicted Mind and the English to drive the Terror more home had set up a Gallows in a Place easily visible to the Besieged whither he caused the Governors Two Sons One the Hostage the Other a Prisoner of War to be brought forth to Execution At this miserable Spectacle his Fatherly mind was at a great stand and in this Fluctuation of his Thoughts his Wife the Mother of the Young Men a Woman of a Manly Courage came to him and put him in mind of his Faithfulness towards his King his Love towards his Country and the Dignity of his Noble Family upon all which grounds she endeavoured to settle his wavering Mind If these Children be put to Death said she you have others remaining alive and besides we are neither of us past Age You to beget and I to bear more If they escape Death yet it will not be long but that by some sudden Casualty or else by maturity of Age they must yield to Fate but if any Blot of Infamy should stick upon the Family of the Seatons it would remain to all Posterity and be a foul Blur even to their Innocent Offspring She further told him That she had often heard those Men much commended in the Discourses of the Wise who had given up Themselves and their Children as a Sacrifice for the safety of their Country but if he should give up the Town committed to his Trust he would betray his Country and yet be never the more certain of his Childrens Lives neither For how could he hope That a Tyrant who violated his Faith Now would stand to his Word for the Future And therefore she entreated him not to prefer an Vncertainty and if it should be obtained a Momentany Convenience before a certain and perpetual Ignominy By this Discourse she somewhat settled his Mind and that he might not Behold so dismal a Spectacle she carried him to another Place from whence it could not be seen The English King after this Punishment inflicted which was not very acceptable neither to some of his own men removed his Camp to Halidon-Hill near Berwick and there waits his Enemies coming Douglas who before would not hearken to the Advice of his Grave Counsellors as to the Foraging of the English Counties and so averting the Siege now was inflamed with raging Wrath and withal presuming That if after the Perpetration of so horrible a Wickedness almost before his Eyes he should draw off without Fighting it might be said That he was afraid of his Enemy was resolved to fight at any rate and so marched directly towards the Enemy and because the English kept their Ground and would
that Feud for he had brought so Many of his Friends and Tenants along with him that he became formidable to all the rest and besides his Disposition which was various and mutable his vast Mind and the Noyse of the coming of the English with whom every one knew that Athol would join increased their Suspicions of him And indeed not long after Edward invaded Scotland with great Forces both by Sea and Land bringing Baliol along with him his Navy consisting of 160 Sail entred the Forth He himself marched by Land as far as Perth spoiling the Country as he went along and there waited for Cumins In the mean time Randolfe went to Iohn who challenged the Aebudae as his Own and not being able to draw him to his Party he was content in so troublesome a posture of Affairs to make a Truce with him for some months and thereafter returning to Robert the other Regent he found him dangerously sick So that it was as bad a time as could be for all the Burden to be cast upon his Own Shoulders and therefore he durst not Fight the English in a set Battel but divided his Force that so he might attack them by Parties And hearing that a strong Army of Gueldrians were coming through England to join the English in Scotland he waited for their coming on the Borders Where also Patrick Earl of Merch and William Douglas of Liddisdale met him together with Alexander Ramsay one of the most experienced Soldiers of that Age All these waited for the said Gueldrians in the Fields near Edinburgh Assoon as ever they came in sight one of another they fell to it immediately and after a sharp Conflict the Gueldrians were overcome and fled to the next Hill where there was an old ruinous Castle The next day having no Provision they surrendred themselves only upon Quarter for Life Randolfe out of respect to Philip Valois who was their singular good Friend as was then said did not only freely release them but accommodated them with Provisions for their March yea he himself undertook to be their Convoy in his march he was taken by an Ambush of the English Party and so brought to the King who was then besieging Perth with a powerful Army At the same time David Cumins who steered all his Counsels according to the Inclinations of Fortune being glad of the Distress of his Enemy comes to the King of England and promises him in a very short time to drive all the Brucians out of the Kingdom and the Truth is he was as active in performing his Promise For Perth being surrendred and the Walls thereof demolished the King prepared to return to England because Provision for his Army came but slowly in in regard That all the Scots upon notice of his coming were advised to drive their Cattle into the Mountains As for their other Provisions they should either convey them to some Fortified Places far remote or if they could not do so they should spoil them altogether Neither did his Fleet on which he most relied for Bread for his Army much relieve him For as soon as it arrived at the Forth and had destroyed a Monastery of Monks in the Isle Inch-colm as it rode at Anchor in the open Sea it was grievously turmoiled and suffered great Losses by a Tempestuous Storm so that part of the Ships could hardly get to Inch-Keith a desolate Island near adjoining Others were carried further by the Winds but as soon as they could recover themselves they imputed the Cause of the Tempest to the Anger of St. Columb because they had avaritiously and cruelly destroyed a Monastery of His and therefore whatever Prey or Plunder they had got they carried it thither as an Expiation for their Offence neither was any memorable Act performed by that Fleet the whole Year Though these Causes did much incline the King of England to return yet that which did most accelerate it was his Propension to the French War which was then most in his thoughts And therefore he marched back his Army and took Baliol with him as if the Scotish War had been almost at an end and left Cumins as Regent to perfect the Remainder thereof He to ingratiate himself to Both Kings and to avenge himself on his Enemy was extraordinary cruel in his Proceedings which Severity of his was the more resented because that lately he himself obtained his Pardon so easily when he was reduced to the lowest Ebb not many Months before There were scarce above Three of all the Scotish Nobility whom neither Promises could entice nor Dangers enforce to submit to the English Yoke and Those were Patrick Earl of Merch Andrew Murray and William Douglas These joined their Forces and march to Kilblane Forest against Cumins who was besieging Kildrummy Castle with him they had a sharp Fight Cumins was more in Number and a Few might easily be snapt by a great Many but the coming in of Iohn Craig Governor of the Castle with 300 Fresh Men decided the Controversy and gave an undisputed Victory to the Brucians All the Valiantest of Cumins his Army were slain either in the Fight or in the Pursuit Many were saved in a Neighbour Castle called Cameron belonging to Robert Meinze But seeing there were not Provisions for so great a Multitude pent up in so narrow a Room the next day it was surrendred and the Defendants upon their Submission confirmed by an Oath Pardoned There fell in this Fight besides the General himself Robert Brady and Walter Cumins Two of his intimate Friends Thomas his Brother being taken Prisoner was the next day put to death Upon this Victory in regard Randolfe was a Prisoner and Stuart was sick the Name and Power of Regent was confirmed on Andrew Murray by Military Suffrage For when Letters came from the King of France concerning a Truce the Nobles of the Brucian Party being forced to receive them did by unanimous Consent restore that former Honour to Murray which his Calamitous Misfortune had deprived him of He after the Truce for a few Months was ended laid Siege to the Castle of Lochindores which was held by the Wife of David Cumins She foreseeing what would happen had craved Aid of the English who shortly after landed some Forces in Murray and raised the Siege They also pierced as far as Elgin a Town situate by the River Lossy wasting all as they went with Fire and Sword As they were marching to Perth they burnt Aberdene and Garison'd the Castles in all Merss Dunoter Kinneff and Laureston They laid a Command on the six adjoining Monasteries to repair the Walls of Perth which were demolished and then committing the Affairs of Scotland to Edward Baliol who was returned thither they went back for England Upon the Departure of the English and the low Condition of the Scots Henry Beaumont thought it a fit Opportunity for him to stir to revenge the Death
his Former Life and especially for his late and yet reaking Conquests was received with a great deal of Favour and had the Government of Roxburgh bestowed on him yea and the Sheriff-wick of all Teviotdale was also added to his Authority William Douglas took this mighty heinously that Ramsay was preferred before him in that Honour For seeing he had expelled the English from almost all Teviotdale he had sometimes presided over the Publick Assembly there thô without the Kings Command yet relying upon his Merits towards his Country the Nobleness of his Stock and the Power of his Family he hoped That no man would have been his Competitor for that Office Whereupon being wholly bent on Revenge he at present dissembled his Anger but in Three Months after he met with his Adversary holding an Assembly in the Church of Hawick and unawares assaulted and wounded him having also slain Three of his Followers who endeavoured to rescue him and so set him upon an Horse and carried him to the Castle of Hermitage where he starved him to Death About the same time William Bullock a Man of singular Loyalty to the King was put to the same kind of Death by David Berclay These Two Savage and Cruel Facts filled almost the whole Kingdom with Seditions and distracted it into several Parties These things did mightily exercise the King who was yet but Young and not accustomed to Men of Rough and Military Dispositions yet though he used great diligence to find out Douglas to bring him to Condign Punishment he by Means of his Friends of which he had procured Many by his Noble Exploits for the Liberty of his Country and especially of Robert Stuart the King's Son by his Sister obtained his Pardon And indeed the Magnificent yet True Report of his Famous Actions did much facilitate the Obtaining thereof together with the present Conjuncture of the Time wherein there being but an uncertain Peace abroad and Seditions at home Military Men were to be respected yea and honoured too Upon which Account he was not only pardoned but preferred also to the Government of Roxburgh and of Teviotdale too a Clemency which perhaps in the present Circumstances of Things might be useful but certainly of very ill Example for the Future David having thus settled Matters at Home the best he could denounces War against England the greatest Part of the Nobility dissuading him from that Expedition by reason of the great Scarcity of Provisions Yet he Listed an handsom Army and made Thomas Randolfe General thereof he himself accompanied him but in disguise that he might not be known to be the King This Army having wasted Northumberland for about Two Months time returned home with great Booty Within a few Days after he made another Inrode into the Enemies Country but then he did not disguise but openly professed Himself both King and General The English being inferior in Strength would not venture to give a set Battel whilst their King was absent in France but skirmished their Enemies with their Horse and so kept them from plundering much by a close March Five of the Chief Nobility whom David had lately raised to that Honour straggling too far from their Men were taken Prisoners their Followers being also killed or put to Flight So that David to spend no more time there in vain returned with his Army He made also a Third Expedition with what Force he could privately Levy that so he might fall upon his Enemy unawares But entring England in a stormy Autumn the small Brooks were so swollen with large Showres that they made all the Country unpassable and also hinder'd the Carriage of Provision so that Home he came again yet that he might not seem to have taken so much Pains to no purpose he demolished a few Castles Not long after Embassadors were sent to and fro in order to obtain a Truce for Two Years which the Scots consented to upon Condition That Philip King of France gave his Consent for That was one Article in the Treaty between the Scots and French That neither of them should make Truce or Peace with the English without the Other 's Consent For those Two Years Scotland was quiet About the Fourth Year after David's Return the French were overcome in a great Battel and Calais a Town of the Mâ—â—ini was besieged by them so that Philip pressed the Scots by his Ambassadors to Invade England and to so draw away some of their Force from Him Hereupon an Army was commanded to meet at Perth Thither they came in a great Abundance and there David Earl of Rosse waylaying Reginald Lord of the Aebudae his Old Enemy fell upon him in the Night and slew him with Seven Nobles in his Company This Murder did much weaken the Army for the Kindred and Tenants of both Parties yea the Neighbouring Inhabitants fearing a Civil War between Two such Potent Families returned to their own Homes And therefore William Douglas of Liddisdale earnestly persuaded the King to desist from his present Expedition and to compose Matters at Home His Counsel was refused and the King his Friendship to Philip overcoming his Love to his Country marches forward into England and destroyed all as he went by Fire and Sword And thus in Sixteen Days he came into the County of Durham where the English parly levied by Percy and partly sent back from the Siege of Calais made a great Body and shewed themselves to the Enemy in Battel-array sooner than ever the Scots could have imagined David who feared nothing less than the coming of the Enemy and therefore had sent abroad Douglas to forage the Neighbouring Country gave a Signal of Battel to his Souldiers Douglas fell unawares amongst his Enemies and having lost Five Hundred of his Men was put to slight and returned in great Fear to the Camp And the End of the Conflict was as unhappy as the Beginning For the Fight being sharply begun Randolfe's Men were routed at the first Onset and he himself slain The main Battel in which the King was was assaulted by Two Brigades of the English One that had conquered before and Another that was intire and had not yet charged who shattered it and cut it off quite They being resolved to die and therein almost all the Scotish Nobility were utterly lost and the King himself after his Arms were taken away was taken Prisoner by Iohn Copland but he struck out Two of his Teeth with his Fist though he himself was sorely wounded with two Arrows The Third Wing commanded by Robert Stuart and Patrick Dunber perceiving the Slaughter of their fellow-Souldiers withdrew themselves with little Loss The Nobility were so destroyed in this Fight that immediately after it Roxburgh Hermitage and many other Castles were surrender'd to the English And the Scots were enforced to quit their Claim to all the Lands they held in England and also to Merth Teviotdale Liddisdale and Lauderdale and the
Bounds and Borders of the English were inlarged to Cocâ—burns-Path as they call it and Soltra-Hill Baliol not contented to have recovered the Possessions of his Ancestors in Galway marched over Annandale and Liddisdale and all the Country lying near the Clyd and destroyed all by Fire and Sword He also by the Assistance of Percy of England made the like Havock in Lothian neither could there a sufficient Army be raised against them in Scotland for some Years As an Addition to this Misery there hapned also a grievous Plague which swept away almost the Third Part of the People And yet in such an afflicted State of Things Men did not abstain from Domestick Mischiefs David Berclay a Noble Knight who before had slain Bullock was at this time also present at the Murder of Iohn Douglas at Dalkeith William Douglas of Liddisdale who was taken Prisoner by the English at the Battel of Durham and was not yet released caused him to be slain by the Hands of his Tenants and after he himself was Released and returned into Scotland he did not long survive him For as he was a Hunting in the Wood of Attic he was killed by William Douglas the Son of Archibald newly returned from France in Revenge for his Murder of Alexander Ramsay Neither did the Clans of the Ancient Scots as impatient to be quiet abstain from injuring one another In the midst of these Calamities which pressed in on every side William Douglas gathered together a Band of his Vassals and Tenants and recovered Douglas the Patrimony of his Ancestors having driven the English out of it and afterwards upon this little Success Mens Minds being more inclined to him he reduced a great part of Teviotdale also In the mean time Iohn King of France Heir to his Father Philip both in his Kingdom and in his Wars fearing lest the Scots being broken by so many Misfortunes should quite succumb under so Puissant an Enemy sent Eugenius Garanter to them with Forty Gallant Cavaleers in his Train to desire of them To make no Peace with England without his Consent He brought with him Forty Thousand French Crowns to press Soldiers and besides by large Promises he wrought over the Nobility to his Side and Opinion They received the Money and divided it among themselves but levied no Soldiers only they carried on the War by light Incursions as they were wont to do Assoon as the English heard of this they almost wasted all Lothian which had been sorely harassed before To Revenge this wrong Patrick Dunbar and William Douglas gathered a good strength together as privately as they could and placed themselves in Ambush but sent out David Ramsay of Dalhouse a noted and Valiant Soldier with part of the Army to burn Norham a populous Town upon the Banks of Tweed When Ramsay had accomplished his design the English were trained on to the Ambush where some were surprized and slain at last being not able to resist so great a Multitude the English surrender themselves This success heartned the Scots and therefore the same Commanders uniting their Forces together Thomas Stuart Earl of Angus resolves to attack Berwick And to do it privately he hired Vessels Ladders and other Implements used in Scaling the Walls of Towns wherever he could procure them he acquaints Patrick with his coming he meets him at the Hour appointed and creeping to the Walls with as little noise as they could yet the Sentinels espied them whom after a sharp Conflict they repulsed and so became Masters of the Town but not without loss on their own side the Castle was still kept by the English which they assaulted but in vain When the King of England heard how Matters went in Scotland he gathered together a Puissant Army and in swift Marches hastned thither The Scots hearing of his coming and not being provided with Materials for a long Siege spoiled and burnt the City and so returned home Edward employed all kind of Workmen and Artificers to repair what the Flames had Consumed in the Interim he himself quartered at Roxburgh Thither Baliol comes and Surrenders up the Kingdom of Scotland to him desiring him earnestly not to forget the Injuries offered him by the Scots Edward as it were in Obsequiousness to his Desires invades Lothian by Land and Sea and makes a further Devastation of what was left after the former Ruin He determined in that Expedition so to quell all Scotland that they should never recover strength to Rebel again But his Purpose was disappointed by reason of a most grievous Tempest which so shattered and tore his Ships that carried his Provisions that very Few of them ever met in one Port so that he was enforced to return home for want of Provision only he vented his Spleen upon Edinburgh Hadington and other Towns of Lothian Edward and his Army being gone for England Douglas drove the English out of Galway Roger Kirk-Patrick out of Nithisdale and Iohn Stuart Son of the Regent out of Annandale so that those Three Countries were recovered by the Scots About the same time Iohn King of France was overthrown by the English in a great Battel in Poictou and he himself taken Prisoner Edward having Two Kings his Prisoners at once passed the Winter merrily amongst the Gratulations of his Friends so that the Scots thinking that his Mind being sated with Glory might be more inclined to Equity they sent Ambassadors to him to treat about the Release of their King Bruce that the Scots might have easie Access to him was sent to Berwick but in regard they could not agree about the Conditions he was carried back to London Not long after the Popes Legates were sent who took great Pains to make a Peace betwixt the English and French they also transacted the same for Scotland upon the Promise of the Payment of an Hundred as our Writers say or as Frossard of Five Hundred Thousand Marks of English Money to them Part of which was to be paid in Hand the rest by Parcels To make up that Sum the Pope gave the Tenths of all Benefices for Three Years in the mean time a Truce was made and many young Nobles given for Hostages who died almost all in England of the Plague Hereupon David returned the Eleventh Year after he was taken Prisoner The first thing he did was to punish those who had been the forwardest to fly in the Battel of Durham From Patrick Dunbar he took away a great part of his Lands he cut off all hope from Robert Stuart his Eldest Sisters Son of succeeding in the Kingdom and substituted Alexander Son of the Earl of Sutherland by his Youngest Sister and made the Nobles to swear Fealty to him This young Mans Father distributed large and fruitful Lands amongst the Nobles to engage them more firmly to his Son But Alexander dying soon after he was reconciled to Robert Stuart and in a full Assembly
of the Estates he was by a General Suffrage named Heir Presumptive of the Crown But this was done some Years after The King spent the next Five Years in appeasing the Discords at home in which time there happened Two great Calamities One reached but to a few by an Inundation of Water for the Heavens sent down so much Rain that Lothian seemed to be all a Float yea the force of the Water was such that it carried away Bridges Water-Mills Country Houses with their Owners and Cattle into the Sea it rooted up Trees and almost quite destroyed the Towns which stood near the Banks of Rivers This Misery was seconded by Another namely a grievous Pestilence which consumed many of all Ranks and Ages In the Year 1363. the state of things grew Calmer and then in the Assembly of the Estates the King propounded to the Lords of the Articles That the King of England or else his Son might be sent for into Scotland to undertake the Kingdom if he should chance to Die This he did either by his weariness of War or foreseeing That it would be for the Good of both Kingdoms or as others think because of his Oath which the English had made him to Swear but his Speech was so Unacceptable and Offensive to them all that before every ones Vote could be asked in order they all confusedly cried out upon it as an abominable Propose and it was almost come to That that they who had most freely spoken against it fearing his Displeasure were meditating a Revolt But he understanding their Fears abated his Anger and received them into Favour When he had quieted all things elsewhere yet the Highlanders continued still in Arms and did not only commit Outrages upon one another but also made Havock of the adjacent Countries The King tried all probable Means to bring them to a mutual Concord but being not able to do it his next Plot was To suborn some Crafty Fellows to foment and heighten their Dissensions that so when the feircest of them had destroyed one another the rest might become more Tractable and Pliant The King having performed these Exploits both at home and abroad departed this Life in the Castle of Edinburgh on the Seventh Day of Iune in the Forty Seventh Year of his Age about the Thirty Ninth of his Reign and of our Lord 1370. He was certainly a Man eminent in all kind of Virtue but especially in Justice and Clemency and though he had been exercised with Good and Bad Events alternately yet still his Fortune seemed rather to fail him than his Industry Robert II. The Hundredth King AFter David's Decease the Nobles met together at Linlithgo to Congratulate Robert at the beginning of his Reign who had before been designed King by his Uncle but here the Ambition of William Douglas had almost cast things into a Sedition and Uproar For he demanded the Kingdom as his Hereditary Right in regard he was descended from Baliol and the Cumins's But finding that his Suit was unacceptable to them all and especially to his most intimate Friends as the Two Brothers George and Iohn Dunbars of which one was Earl of Merch and the other of Murray as also to Robert Erskin Governor of the Three well-fortified Castles of Dunbarton Sterling and Edinburgh he desisted and promised to obey Robert as his Liege King and the King to oblige him in a more strict Bond of Friendship espoused his Daughter to Earl William's Son This year the Truce made for Fourteen years was broken by the English There was a great Fair usually kept the Third of the Ideâ— of August whether huge Numbers of both Nations even from very remote Places used to resort thither came the Inhabitants of Merch and it happened that one of Dunbar's Familiar Friends was slain there George according to the Law which was observed among the Borderers sent Heralds to demand the Murderers to be given up to him or else That they would Punish them Themselves but perceiving that Favour did outvy Equity he dissembles the Affront and against the next day appointed for the Fair he secretly prepared a Band of Men and setting upon the Town unexpectedly he slew all the Youngsters burnt the Houses and returned home with a great Booty The English to revenge this Injury did with like Cruelty ravage over all the Lands of Iohn Gordon a Noble Knight and not long after Gordon entred England and took away a great Prey of Men and Cattle but as he was returning home Iohn Lilburn met him with a far greater Force than he had A terrible Fight began betwixt them and Victory seemed a long time to flutter over both Parties with doubtful Wings but at last she inclined to the Scots The Commander of the English Forces was taken Prisoner with many of his Allies and Tenants Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland a Man of a great Spirit being then Lord Warden or Governour of the Eastern Marches or Borders took this Overthrow of his Countrymen in great Disdain and thereupon gathered together a Body of above 7000 Men and encamped at a Village called Duns remarkable for being the Birth Place of Iohn Scotus Sirnamed Subtilis rather than for any thing else There the Countrymen and Shepherds gathered themselves together having no other Arms but such Rattles and Gimcracks wherewith they frighten Stags and other Cattle which do pasture there up and down without any Keeper and so by night they placed themselves on some Risings of the Lamormore Hills which were near to the said Village of Duns The Form of the Gimcrack is This On the top of a long Spear or Pole they fasten some Staves or Hoops of Wood made crooked and bent into a Semicircle all over them they stretched a Skin after the same Form as the Lanterns which the Vulgar Parisians call Falots are made into these Lanterns or Concavities they put small Stones but very hard ones which when they are stirred and tumbled up and down make such a rattling noise as drives away the Beasts and Cattle from the Corn. With these Rattling Instruments they made a mighty Noise on the Hills hanging over Duns wherewith the English Horse were so affrighted that they broke the Headstalls they were tied with and ran up and down the Fields and so were taken by the Countrymen And in the whole Army there was such a Tumultuous Bustle that they cried out Arm Arm and thinking the Enemy had been at their Heels they passed that night without sleep But in the morning perceiving their mistake in regard they had lost many of their Baggage Horses as well as those for Service they retreated six Miles for that Place is so far distant from England on Foot leaving their Baggage behind them almost in the Posture of such as Fly away The same day that Percy retired back from Duns Thomas Musgrave Governor of Berwick had issued out of his Garison
offered him even then to stay securely in Scotland till the Tumults in England were appeased or if he would return that he should have 500 Scots Horse for his Convoy Lancaster gave them Great Thanks yet he hoped at present that he had no need to accept of either of the Conditions But as he was returning home the Governor of Berwick shut him out of the Town so that He upon the Publick Faith given returned into Scotland and there kept himself till the Sedition of the Commons was quelled in England When the Three Years Truce was ended in the Year 1384. Iune the 4th Archibald Douglas of Galway with the Assistance of Iames Earl of Douglas and George Earl of Mâ—rch laid Siege to the Castle of Loch-Maban situate near a Lake of the same Name and from whence daily Inroads were made upon the Neighbouring Country The Governor of the Castle being affected at this suddain Misfortune Articled with the Enemy That unless he were relieved in Eight Days he would surrender the Castle whereupon after the Scots had endured great trouble by reason of the Winter-Storms and continual Showres even from the 4th Day of February the Castle was surrendred according to Covenant on the Ninth Day They who lived near Roxburgh fearing lest that Castle might be also taken took care That one Grastock a Noble and Wealthy Person and much famed for his Warlike Skill should be made Governour thereof whereupon as he was sending in great Provisions thither and also all his own Houshold Goods imagining that they could no where be better kept from his Enemies use or secured for his own Dunbar being informed by his Spies of the Day of his March and the way he was to go laid his Ambushes in convenient Places and so suddainly assaulted a long confused Train made up of Soldiers Waggoners and a promiscuous Multitude and without any Fighting took the Prey and the Owner of it too and presently retreated back The English in revenge of their Losses and to prevent future Incursions by some memorable Exploits send Lancaster into Scotland with great Forces both by Sea and Land Lancaster himself came through Merch and Lothian as far as Edinburgh His Fleet was sent to waste the Maritime parts of Fife The Soldiers were desirous to burn down Edinburgh but he remembring that but a few Years before he had been liberally and bountifully entertained there when he was excluded by his own People forbad them so to do But his Fleet shewed not the same Civility for entring into the Isle of Inch-colm they robbed a Monastery of Monks and burnt it using the like Cruelty in all places where they landed till Nicholas and Thomas Erskins Alexander Lindsay and William Cuningham met them killed many took some and forced the rest to fly in such Fear to their Ships that besides the other Loss received by their hasty Flight they suffered Forty of their own Men who being upon one of the Ships Ropes after the Rope was cut to be Drowned before their Eyes Lancaster was scarce returned home before William Douglas trode almost on his Heels partly sacking partly demolishing all the Castles which the English held in Scotland after the Battel of Durham He reduced all Teviotdale except Roxburg to the Scots Obedience and restrained Robberies which the licentiousness of the Wars had multiplied and encouraged and he himself did not long outlive these Exploits but dyed of a Feavor in the Castle of Douglas His Son William Douglas succeeded him One every way worthy of so Great and Virtuous a Father In the mean time when an Annual Truce was made betwixt the French Engâ—ish and Scots near Bologne in Belgium and the French who were commanded to give the Scots notice thereof had neglected so to do the English Nobles who bordered upon Scotland thinking now they had a fit Opportunity to give their Enemy some notable and unexpected Overthrow and not leave them any time for Revenge They before the Truce was published gathered together Ten Thousand Horse and Six Thousand Archers and so entring Scotland under the Command of the Earls of Northumberland and Nottingham they made a vast Havock of the Country especially on the Lands of the Douglasses and Lindsays The Scots who upon the noise of a Truce had laid aside all thoughts of War were exceedingly offended both at their own Negligence and at the Perfidiousness of the Enemy and resolved upon Revenge assoon as they could In the Interim the noise of the English Invasion of Scotland did Alarm the French who were to give notice of the Truce and put them in mind of their slackness therein They endeavouring by a late Festination to make amends for their former Omission came to London even in the very height of the Invasion where they were Bountifully and Nobly Entertained and detained so long by Kind and Friendly Invitations till it was known that the English were returned out of the Enemies Country Then they were dismissed and came into Scotland where they declared their Message as they were commanded Whereupon almost all the Nobility especially Those who had felt the Loss sustained by the late Inroad did Murmure Storm and Cry out That this Mockery of the English was not to be endured The King did in vain endeavour to pacifie them for he was willing to observe the Truce but they so long debated on and delayed the Matter till their Friends had privately Levied almost 15000 Horse and then on an appointed Day Douglas Lindsay and Dunbar depart secretly from the Court and joyning their Countrymen invade England with a powerful Army They wasted Northumberland even unto Newcastle and returning thâ—ô the Lands of the Earl of Nottingham and the Mowbrays they spoiled all by Fire and Sword that they could not carry away Then and not before they returned home with a great Booty and many Prisoners and presently caused the Truce to be Proclaimed About the end of the Truce in the Year 1385. Monsieur Iohn de Vâ—â—nne Admiral of the French Navy was sent over by the King of France with about 2000 Auxiliaries of which an hundred were Curiassiers Armed Cap-a-pee and 200 which flung Darts out of Engines called Cross-bows in after Ages the rest were Foot of a promiscous kind They brought with them Money for Six Months Pay besides many Gifts and Presents and amongst the rest 400 Suits of compleat Armour to be divided between the most valiant Commanders Having first waited on the King he and Iames Douglas entred Northumberland and having demolished Three Castles they would have proceeded further but there was so much Rain fell that Autumn that they were forced to return Moreover they heard a Report that Richard the Second of England was coming against them which hastened their Retreat His Anger was more enflamed now against the Scots than ever because they had not only made a desolating War upon his Kingdom Themselves but had also sent for
the mean time Henry Percy the Younger called Hot-Spur and George Dunbar ceased not to infest the Neighbouring Lands of the Scots with their Incursions Which when they had often and successfully done their Boldness encreased with their Success so that gathering 2000 Men together they entred Lothian and made great havock about Hadington They besieged Hales-Castle but in vain When they came to Linton a Village scituate on the Tine a River of Lothian they were so disturbed at the sudden Coming of Douglas against them that they left their Prey and all their Baggage behind them and ran away in such Fear that they never stopp'd till they came to Berwick This was done about the beginning of February in the Year 1400. The same Year upon the return of the Herald War was denounced against England and then also Archibald Douglas Sirnamed the Austere a man inferiour to none of his Ancestors in all kind of Praise fell sick and died in a very bad time for his Country which had lately lost by sundry misfortunes so many brave Generals before His Son of the same Name succeeded him In the Ides of August the English King with great Forces entered Scotland When he came to Haddington he stayed there three days and then marched to Leith and staying there as many days he laid Siege to the Castle of Edinburgh The Governor led an Army against them but very slowly so that it easily appeared that he did not much care if the Castle of Edinburgh were taken by the English and in it David the Kings Son For by this time his wicked Ambition did begin to shew it self For he undervalued his Brother as an effeminate Person and sought the Destruction of his Children as much as he could that he might enjoy the Kingdom himself So that their Loss he counted his Gain But the King of England and his Army on the contrary did Exercise their Enmity very moderately as if by an Ostentation of War they had only sought for Peace for having made some sleight Onset on the Castle he raised the Siege and returned home without doing any considerable damage to the Places thro' which he marched insomuch that in his Marches both backward and forward he got the Praise and Commendation of a mild clement and moderate Enemy he was courteous to Those that surrendred themselves he offered no violence to consecrated Places yea he rewarded those bountifully who had formerly entertained his Father All which did more ingratiate Him and render the Governor more odious in regard he did not prosecute the War with any Eagerness as against an Enemy nor yet endeavour to make so easy and beneficent a King his Friend After Henry was returned for England George Dunbar did still trouble the Borders rather with frequent than great Inroads To suppress him there was more need of a diligent than numerous Force and therefore Douglas divided the Forces of each County into small Bands and appointed Commanders over them who by turns were to stop the Enemy or if they saw cause to Fight him The First lot sell upon Thomas Halyburton of Birlington who took a great Booty from the Enemy out of the Lands near to Bamburgh But Patrick Hepburne who wandred further abroad with a greater Band of men had not the like Success for trusting too much to the Numbers of his men and not being very wary in his Retreat with his Prey he was cut off by the English and with him all the flower of the Lothian Soldiery Archibald Douglas to revenge the slaughter of his Friend by the consent of the Governor gathered above Ten thousand men together abundance of the Nobles accompanied him in his March and amongst them Murdo the Governors Son when they came to Northumberland at New-Castle upon Tine they passed the River and spoiled the Country with Fire and Sword but there encountring with Henry Percy the Younger and George Dunbar in a pitch'd Battel they were overcome many of the Nobles were slain Douglas was taken Prisoner having lost one of his Eyes so were also Murdo Earl of Fife Thomas Earl of Murray and George Earl of Angus with many other Noble and Illustrious Persons And indeed the strength of Scotland was not so much weakned 〈◊〉 any one Fight for many years before as it was in This. It was fought at Homeldon a Town in Northumberland in the Noâ—es of May and Year of Christ 1401. Percy having obtained so notable a Victory resolved to subject all the Country which lay betwixt Northumberland and the Forth to the English Scepter and he thought it would be a work of no great difficulty so to do in regard most of the Nobility of those Countrys were either slain in the Fight or held Prisoners by him Thereupon beginning with Cocklaw a Castle in Teviotdale the Governor agreed That unless the Castle was relieved by the Scots in forty days he would surrender it up When these Conditions was brought to the King and then to the Governor some were of Opinion that the Castle should be surrendred in regard it was not of That Consequence as for the sake thereof to hazard the strength of the Kingdom a second time which had been so sorely shalâ—en and weakned in the late Fight This Dejection of spirit proceeded not so much from Fear of the Enemy as from the Perfidiousness of the Governor who gaped for the Kingdom He on the other side to avert all Suspicion from himself in high confident Words affirmed That this Cow-heartedness and Confession of Publick Fear would more encourage the Enemy than the loss of a Battel And if any one thought That the English would be contented with the taking in of One Castle they were very much mistaken for as Fire is more encreased by a light Aspersion of Water so the desire of the English upon Surrender of some Places would not be extinguished but rather inflamed to the Taking of more so that What was given up at First would be but a Step to a further Progress But says he if all of you refuse to march out for the relief of the Castle I my self will go alone for as long as I live and am in health I will never suffer such a Mark of Disgrace to be branded on the Scotish Name Upon this stout Speech of the Governors the rest either extinguishing or dissembling their Suspicion cryed out That they would follow Hâ—m But Fortune decided the Controversy and blew off that danger For Percy was called back to the Civil War in England and so the Siege was raised without Blows Whilst these things were acted abroad against the Enemie matters stood less prosperously at home For shortly after the Death of Archibald Douglas the Year before there immediately followed the Decease of the Queen Annabella and of Walter Trayle Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews insomuch that all mens minds did presage a great Mutation of Affairs For the splendour of
Military Matters was upheld by Douglas the Ecclesiastical Authority and Resemblance such as it was of Ancient Discipline by Trayle and the Dignity of the Court by the Queen as did soon appear by what happened after her death For David the Kings Son was a Young man of a fierce Disposition and enclined to Wantonness and Lust. The Indulgence of his Father encreased those Vices for tho' he had not Authority enough to maintain the Reverence due from him to his Father yet by the diligent Monitions of Those who were appointed to be his Tutors in his Youth but much more by the Counsel and Advice of his Mother his Youthful Heats were somewhat blunted and restrained but when she was dead he as new freed from this Curb returned to his own Manners and Lustful Courses for laying aside all shame and fear he took away other Mens Wives by Force yea and Virgins too tho' well descended and Those that he could not persuade by fair means he ravished by Compulsion and if any one endeavoured to stop him in his libidinous ways he was sure to come off not without Punishment Many Complaints were brought to his Father about These his Exorbitancies so that he wrote to his Brother the Governour to keep him with him and to oversee his Conversation until his Lustful Spirit did abate And till he gave some hopes of his Amendment of Life The Governour had now an Opportunity put into his hands to effect that he most desired which was â—o destroy his Brothers Issue so that he met David three Miles from St. Andrews and carried him into the Castle thereof which he kept in the nature of a Garison after the Arch-Bishops death After a while he took him out from thence and carried him to his own Castle of Falcoland and there shut him up close Prisoner intending to starve him But that miserable death which his Uncles Cruelty had designed him to was prorogued and staved off for a few days by the Compassion of Two of the Female Sex one was a Maid and Virgin whose Father was Governour of the Castle and Garison She gave him Oate Cakes made so thin that they would be folded up together as 't is usual in Scotland so to make them and as often as she went into the Garden near the Prison she put them under a Linen Vail or Hood which she did as it were carelesly cast over her Head to keep her from the Sun and thrust them into the Prison to him thro' a small Crany rather than a Window The other was a Country Nurse who Milked her Breast and by a little Canale conveighed it into his Mouth By this mean fare which served rather to encrease than kill his hunger his wretched Life and Punishment was protracted and lengthned out for a little while till at length by the vigilance of the Guards they were discovered and put to Death The Father mightily abhoring the Perfidiousness of his own Daughter whilst he endeavoured to manifest his Faithfulness to an unfaithful Regent The Young man being thus left destitute of all human Support having by Force of Hunger gnawed and torn his own Flesh died at length more than a single kind of Death His End was concealed from his Father thô it were commonly known abroad because no Man durst to be the Messenger of such sad Tidings to him But to return to the Affairs of England as far as they are intermixed with Ours When Percy and a great Number besides of the Nobility had conspired to make War upon their own King he agrees with Douglas whom he still held Prisoner since the Battel of Homeldon That if he would improve his Interest by assisting him against the King as strenuously and as faithfully as he had before done against him he would set him at Liberty without ransom which Douglas frankly promised him to do as being willing to omit no Opportunity of service against the English King Hereupon he gathered some of his Friends and Tenants about him and prepared himself for the Fight wherein he behaved himself as stoutly as he promised to Percy so that without regard to the Common Soldiers his Mind and Eye was wholly intent upon the King only and in regard there were several Commanders cloathed in Royal attire which was done on purpose by the English either to deceive the Enemy if they should press hard upon him or else that the Soldiers in more places than one might find him a present witness of their Courageousness or Cowardize Douglas took notice of One of these who had Gallant Armour and rushed in upon him with all his might and so unhorsed him But he being relieved by those who were next he did the same to a Second and a Third who were all attired as Kings thus Edward Hall the English Writer affirms as well as Ours so that he was not taken up so much with the Apprehension of his own danger as with a wonderment from whence so many Kings should start up at once At length after a terrible and bloody Fight Fortune turned about and the King won the day Douglas was sore wounded and found amongst the Prisoners and whereas many urged to put him to death the King saved him and did not only commend his Faithfulness to his Friend but also rewarded him for his Valour and when his Wounds were cured after he had staid some Months with him upon the Payment of a great sum of Money he was released In the mean time the Scotish King heard of the death of David his Eldest Son by the unnatural Cruelty of his Uncle The Author was sufficiently pointed at by private whisperings tho' no man dared publickly to accuse so potent a man Whereupon the King sends for his Brother and makes an Expostulation with him concerning the matter He had prepared his Tale before-hand and charges others with the Guilt of the Young Mans death as for him and his they were ready forsooth whenever the King pleased to plead and assert their Innocency in a due course of Law as for the Murderers some of them he had taken already and the others he would diligently look out Thus the matter being brought to Examination in the Law The Author of the wickedness Summons a Council sets up an Accuser and he who was impleaded as Guilty was by them acquitted as Innocent of the Murder The King imprecated a most dreadful punishment from the God of Heaven above to be poured down on him and his Posterity who had committed that horrid Wickedness And thus being overpressed with Grief and bodily Weakness he returned to Bote whence he came The Suspicion was encreased in him That his Brother had committed the Parricide tho' he was too powerful to be brought by him to Justice and Punishment for the same But he like a strong dissembler brings the supposititious Authors of the wickedness out of Prison and put them to Cruel deaths 't is true they were
and Faithful Friend as he thought That he did not want Force both of Scots and English who were ready to assist him to recover his Ancient Patrimony provided that he would joyn in his assistance with them This Ralfe was at that time Sheriff of Yorkshire so they there call the Officer which presides in Chief over Juridical Assemblies He enticed Percy to him upon pretence of giving him Aid and then discovered the Conspiracy to the King Thus his Friend was betrayed by him his Head cut off and sent to the King at London There was also at that time a certain Englishman in Scotland who called himself Richard the Second but I judge falsly For when Percy the Elder did often and earnestly desire to speak with him he would not by any persuasion be induced thereunto fearing as may be guessed left his Imposture might be detected by a Man who so well knew his King Yet he was for some Yearss Treated as one of the Blood-Royal and that he might live more securely he feigned himself most averse from any desire of enjoying the Kingdom But at last he was Buried in the Church of the Franciscan-Fryers at Sterlin The Title of the King of England being inserted in his Epitaph â—ot long after Fastcastle a very Strong Castle as the Name intimates in Merch was taken from the English by Patrick Dunbar Son to George and therein Thomas Holden Governor thereof who had infested all the Neighboring Places of Lothian with his continual Thievery And moreover in Teviotdale William Douglas and Gawin Dunbar youngest Son to the Earl of Merch had broken down the Bridge of Roxburgh and burnt the Town but they attempted not the Castle because they were destitute and unprovided of all things necessary for a Siege But the next Year after which was 1411. Donald the Islander Lord of the Aebudae claiming Ross as the next Heir for so indeed he was as unjustly taken away from him by the Governor when he could get no Right he Levied 1000 Islanders and made a Descent on the Continent and so easily seized on Ross the whole Country being willing to return to the Subjection of their own just Master But this Facility of the Rossians in submitting to him gave him whose Mind was greedy of Prey Encouragement to attempt greater Matters For he passed over into Murray and there being no Force to defend it he reduced it to his Obedience and then passed further in his Depredations into Strath-Bogy and did threaten Aberdeen Against this suddain and unexpected Enemy The Governour gathered Forces but in regard the Greatness and Propinquity of the Danger did not admit the expectancy of slow-paced Aid Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander the Governours Brother and almost all the Nobility beyond the Tay at a Village called Harlaw set themselves and their Men in Battel-array against him The Fight was Cruel and Bloody for the Valour of many Nobles did then contend for Estate and Glory against the Savage Cruelty of the opposite Party At last the Night parted them and it may be rather said That they were Both weary with Fighting than that either Party had the better so that the event of the Fight was so uncertain that when Both sides had reckoned up how many they had lost each counted himself the Conqueror In this Fight there fell so many Eminent and Noble Personages as scarce ever perished in one Battel against a Foreign Enemy for many Years before And therefore the Village which was obscure before grew Famous therefrom even to Posterity This Year also Publick Schools began first to be opened at St. Andrews which was effected rather by the consent of Learned Men who made an overture at the Profession of Science than by the Occasion of any Private or Publick Assistance The next 10 Years there was hardly any Memorable thing acted betwixt the Scots and English either because there was a Truce made which yet Authors are silent in or because Henry the 4 th Dying on the 12 th of the Calends of April and his Son Henry the 5 th presently succeeding him being all the rest of his Life intent on the Affairs of France the English abstained from offering any Injury to the Scots And besides the Governour of Scotland did not dare to stir on his side for fear lest the English should bring back upon them the true Heir of the Crown whom he knew many of the Scots would close with out of the Commiseration of his Misfortunes Therefore what Inroads were made at that time were rather like Robberies than Wars For both Penrith in England was burnt by Archibald Douglas and Dunfrize in Scotland by the English And also there was an Exchange of Prisoners made Murdo the Governours Son taken at Homildon Fight was exchanged for Percy who when his Grandfather's Party was subdued in England was brought into Scotland and left with the Governor But upon the New King 's coming to the Crown he was restored to the Dignity of his Ancestors He though he were not properly a Prisoner by the Law of Arms yet the unjust detention of Iames Son to the King of Scots stopt the mouths of the English that they could not justly complain of any injury in the Case As for Percy himself he was so far from resenting it that as long as he lived he acknowledged the Civility and great Friendship of the Scots to him in all kind of mutual Service Moreover the same Year another Embassy came from the Council of Constance the Head whereof was the Abbat of Pontiniack and another from Peter Lune who had seized on the Papacy and as pertinaciously kept it He by Henry Harding an English Franciscan had wrought over the Governor to his Party but in vain for the whole Body of the Priesthood was against him for they having assented to the Council of Constance had subscribed to the Election of Martin the Fifth In the mean time the King of France by means of a violent Disease fell besides himself and his Distemper was encreased by the Monks who pretended to Cure him By which means France was divided into Two Factions The Head of the One was the Duke of Burgundy who having slain the Kings Brother drew him to the English Party The Head of the Other was the Kings Son who being disinherited by his distracted Father was called by his Enemies in a jeer the King of Berry because he usually kept himself at Burges in Berry a Town of the Bernois He being forsaken by a great part of his own Country Men and destitute also of Foreign Aid in the Year 1419. sent the Earl of Vendosme his Ambassador to the Scots to demand Aid of them according to the League made betwixt the Two Nations The Assembly of the Estates ordered him Seven Thousand Men and indeed at that time in regard the Soldiers were increased by reason of the long
Henry being offended at their Peremptoriness and Constancy having taken the Town of Meaux by Storm hanged up 20 Scots which he found there alleging That they bore Arms against their own King Soon after He and Charles the Sixth King of France died immediately one after another About Two years after the English prevailed in a Battel at Vernevil where there were slain of the Prime Scots the Earl of Buchan and Douglas one Duke of Turein the other Master of the Horse to the French King and also Iames Douglas his Son Alexander Lindsay Robert Stuart and Thomas Swinton and of Common Soldiers above 2000. And about three years after the Auxiliary Scots received another great Overthrow at Beaux when they were carrying Provisions to Orleans They set upon the English in the way in which Fight there were slain of Scots of note William Stuart with his Brother and two eminent Knights of the Family of the Douglas's whose Posterities do yet enjoy two Castles and large Possessions about them in Scotland viz. one of them the Castle of Drumlanerick and the other the Castle of Lough Levin in Fife Thus have I briefly touched at the Actions of the Scots performed in a few years in France as External and Foreign Occurences the farther Explication of them is to be had in the French Annals which though they be not quite alien from the Affairs of Scotland yet I had not stepped out of my way to mention them if the calumny of some English Writers had not compelled me so to do For they endeavour to undervalue and speak evil of what they do not deny if Histories did not mention their Atchievements yet the Munificence of the Kings the Decrees of the Cities and the Honourable Monument at Orleance and Turein do sufficiently declare them What I pray can they here object The Scots say they are too poor to maintain so great a Force in a Foreign Country I answer First That if they be Poor it is the fault of the Soil not of the Men neither would I have taken this for a Reproach if it did not appear by their Writings That the English intended it for Such and therefore I shall only answer them with this That these Poor and Indigent Scots as they call them have got many great and famous Victories over the Opulent and Wealthy English And if they do not believe me herein let them consult their own Histories and if they suspend their Belief of them also let them not require of us to receive them for True in other things But to return to the Affairs of Scotland Murdo being set up as I said but now in the place of his Father he maintained a very loose Discipline in his own House his Children whose Names were Walter Alexander and Iames did despise their Inferiors and consequently oppress them with many Injuries and they infected the Youth with those Vices to which they themselves were addicted and seeing their Father did not curb nor restrain them at last he was punished himself for giving them such bad Education The old Man did highly prize a certain Bird he had of that sort of Hawks which they call Falcons Walter had often begg'd him of his Father and was as often denied so that upon a time he catched it out of his Fathers Hand and wrung off his Neck To whom his Father replied Because thou can'st not find in thy Heart to obey me I will bring in another That both thou and I too shall be forced to obey And from that time forward he bent his Thoughts to restore his Kinsman Iames and there was an Eminent Man of Argile chief of the Country named Calen Cambel whom before Walter had affronted and wronged who approved of his Design herein so that he assembled the Estates at Perth and a Consultation being had concerning the Revocation of their King They all either out of Favour to the true Heir of the Kingdom or out of Weariness of the present posture of Affairs willingly agreed to send an Embassy about his Restitution Some Nobles were chosen Embassadors who coming into England found the English more inclinable to it than they expected For the Duke of Gloucester who in the Kings Minority governed the Affairs of England called the Council together and easily persuaded them That Iames Son to the King of Scotland should be sent back at the desire of his People into his own Country seeing he was not in his present posture of so great Authority amongst them as to be able to recal the Scots Auxiliaries out of France or to draw any Part of the Kingdom to an Alliance with England And besides he thought to make another advantage of him That he would not only be his sure and fast Friend but would always be under the power and influence of England for he had Married Ioan the Earl of Salisbury's Daughter the Beautifullest Woman of her Time which he then was mightily in Love with he persuaded himself that by her means the League with France might be easily undermined and if he were freed either he would be obliged by that Courtesy or else whilst he was busie in revenging the Wrongs his Kindred had done him he would intangle his Country in a grievous intestine War and by this means it would come to pass That either the English would be made stronger by the Accession of such a Friend or if their Scotish Enemies disagreed amongst themselves yet they should be more disingaged and readier for a Foreign War And indeed these were no imprudent Considerations if they themselves by the Narrowness of their Spirits had not marred their own Market For seeing they demanded a greater Sum of Money for his Redemption than the Scots in their present Circumstances either durst promise or were able to pay a Compremize was made That the Dowry of his Wife should be retained as for One half and that the Sons of some Noblemen should be given in Hostage for the payment of the Other Iames being set at Liberty upon these Terms returned home 18 years after he had been a Prisoner in the year of our Lord 1423. Amidst the great Concourse of People which flocked in to see him and to Congratulate his Return he was soon entertained with the Complaint of those who grievously lamented what Wrongs they had sustained since the last Kings Death partly by the Negligence and partly by the Injuries of the late Governors Walter the Son of Murdo Malcolm Fleming and Thomas Boyd were highly accused who to pacifie the Commons for the present were committed to several Prisons until the next Convention of the Estates which was appointed to be the Sixth of the Calends of Iune But Fleming and Boyd upon payment of Damages and some kind of Compensation and also upon laying down a round Sum which they were Fined at into the Kings Exchequer were set at Liberty James I. The Hundred and Second King IN the mean time
the Male-Line fail'd it should return to the King in regard 't was a Male-Feo as Lawyers now speak This Young Man's Loss who was absent and also an Hostage did move many to Commiserate his Case but Robert his Tutor took it so heinously that it made him almost Mad. For he taking the Case of his Kinsman more impatiently than others did not cease to accuse the King openly of Injustice and being Summon'd to Answer for it in Law he appear'd not and thereupon was banish'd the Land This made his fierce mind more enrag'd for revenge as being irritated by a new Injury So that he joyn'd secret Counsels with those who had also their Estates confiscated or who took the punishments of their Friends tho' justly inflicted in great disdain or who accus'd the King as a Covetous man because he was so intent upon his gain that he had not rewarded them according to their Expectations And besides he bewailed That not only many noble Families were brought to ruin but that the Wardships of Young Nobles which were wont to be the Rewards of Valiant Men were now altogether in the Kings hands so that all the wealth of the Kingdom was almost in one hand and others might starve for misery and want under such an unjust Valuer of their labours Now that which he upbraided him concerning Wardships with is This 'T is the Custom in Scotland England some Countrys of France that Young Gentlemen or Nobles when their Parents dye should remain in the Tutelage of those whose Feudatarys they are till they arrive at the age of 21 Years and all the Profits of their Estates besides the Charges necessary for their Education and also the Dowry given with their Wives comes to such their Tutors and Guardians Now these Tutelages or as they are commonly call'd Wardships were wont to be Sold to the next of kin for a great Sum of Money or sometimes well deserving men were gratify'd with them So that they expected Benefit upon the Sale of such Wardships or Incomes for a reward by their keeping of them But now they were much vex'd that the King took them all to himself neither did they conceal their vexation and displeasure When the King heard of these Murmurings and Complaints he excus'd the thing as done by Necessity because the publick Revenue had been so lessen'd by former Kings and Governors that the King could not maintain his Family like himself nor be decently guarded and attended nor yet give Magnificent Entertainment to Ambassadors without them Besides he alleged that this Parsimony and Care of the King in providing Money in all just and honest Ways was not unprofitable to the Nobility themselves whose greatest damage was to have the Kings Exchequer low For then Kings were wont to extort by Force from the Rich what they could not be without yea sometimes they were forced to burden and vex the Commons too by exacting Taxes and Payments from them and that the Parsimony of the King was far less prejudicial to the Publick by imposing a Mean to immoderate Donations than his Profuseness was wont to be for then he was still forc'd to seize on other Mens Estates when his Own was consum'd This answer satisfy'd all those who were Moderate but those who were more Violent and who rather sought after occasions of complaint than were willing to hear any just Compurgation of an imputed Crime were more vehemently enraged by it This was the State of Scotland when Embassadors arrived out of France to fetch Margarit Iames his Daughter who had before been betrothed to Lewis Son of Charles the 7th home to her Husband That Embassy brought on another from the English For seeing that the Duke of Burgundy was alienated from their Friendship and meditated a revolt and that Paris and other transmarine Provinces were up in a Tumult lest when all the strength of the Kingdom was drawn out to the French War the Scots should invade them on the other side The English sent Embassadors into Scotland to hinder the Renovation of the League with France and the Consummation of the Marriage but rather to persuade a perpetual League with them who were born in the same Island and us'd the same Language And if they would do so and solemnly Swear That they would have the same Friends and Enemies with the English then they promis'd that their King would quit his claim to Berwick Roxburgh and other Places and Countrys which were before in Controversy betwixt the Nations Iames referr'd the Desire of the English to the Assembly of the Estates then met at Perth where after a long debate upon it the Ecclesiasticks were divided into two Factions but the Nobility cry'd out That they knew well enough the Fraud of the English who by this new League sought to break their old Band of Alliance with the French that so when the Scots had lost their Ancient Friend they might be more obnoxious to them if at any time they were freed from other Cares and could wholly intend a War with Scotland and that the liberal Promises of the English were for no other End but as for themselves they would stand to their old League and not violate their Faith once given The English being thus repuls'd turn from Petitions to Threats and seeing they refus'd to embrace their Friendships they denounc'd War telling the Scots that if their King sent over his betroth'd Daughter into France one that was an Enemy to the English The English would hinder their Passage if they could yea and take them Prisoners and their Retinue too having a Fleet ready fitted for that purpose This Commination of the Embassadors was so far from terrifying Iames that he rigg'd his Navy and Shipped a great Company of Noblemen and Ladies for her Train and so caus'd his Daughter to set Sail sooner than he had determin'd that he might prevent the designs of the Englâ—sh And yet notwithstanding all this precaution it was God's Providence rather than Man's Care that she came not into the Enemies hand for when they were not far from the Place where the English concealing themselves waited for their Coming behold upon a sudden a Fleet of Hollanders appear'd laden with Wine from Rochel to Flanders The English Fleet made after them with all their Sail because the Burgundian being a little before reconciled to the French did oppose their Enemies with all his might and being nimble Ships they quietly fetcht them up being heavy laden and unarm'd and as easily took them but before they could bring them into Port the Spaniards set upon them unawares and took away their Prey and sent the Flandrians safe home Amidst such changeable Fortune betwixt Three Nations the Scots landed at Rochel without seeing any Enemy They were met with many Nobles of the French Court and were brought to Tours where the Marriage was Celebrated to the great Joy and mutual Gratulation of Both Nations Upon this Occasion
same Voice was heard louder than before which struck all there present into a Great horror Afterwards when it sounded again more terribly and frightfully than before The Bishop gave a great groan put out his Tongue and was found Dead in his Bed This so evident an Example of God's Vengeance as I shall not rashly credit so I have no mind to refute yet it being deliver'd by others and constantly affirmed to be true I thought good not to omit it At the same time Iames Kennedy One of a far different Life and Manners as referring all his Counsels to the Good of the Publick when neither by his Authority nor Counsel he could resist the daily new-springing Evils of his Country and seeing likewise That the Kings Power was not able to oppose the Conspiracies of Wicked men he left all his Estate for a Prey and shifted for himself Neither in these Domestick Miseries were Matters much quieter abroad When the Truce made with the English was expir'd the Scots made an Inrode into England and the English into Scotland and where-ever they went they wasted all with Fire and Sword in England Alâ—wick was taken and burnt by Iames Brother to the Earl of Douglas In Scotland the Earl of Salisbury did the like to Dunfreiz and the Earl of Northumberland to Dunbar great Booties of Men and Cattel were driven away on Both sides But the Commanders agreed amongst themselves that the Prisoners should be exchang'd for they were in a manner equal both for Number and Degree By these Incursions the Country was depopulated and yet the main chance of the War not concerned so that a Truce was again accorded for 7 Years In this state of Affairs Iames Dunbar Earl of Murray departed this Life he left two Daughters his Heiresses the Eldest of them was Marry'd by her Father before his Death to Iames Creighton The Younger after her Fathers decease marry'd Archibald Brother to the Earl of Douglas He against the Laws and the Custom of his Ancestors was called Earl of Murray so superlative was Douglas's Power then at Court neither was he contented with this Accession of Honour but that he might further propagate the Dignity of his Family he caus'd his Brother George to be made Earl of Ormond his Brother Iohn had many fair and fruitful Farms and Lands bestowed upon him and was also made Baron of Balvany against the mind of many of his Friends who had in Suspicion the Power of that Family too great before that it would be at last formidable even to the King himself yea they imagined that these immoderate Accessions Frolicks of Fortune would not be long-lived But his Enemies did as invidiously as they could inveigh against This unsatiable Ambition for who say they could safely live under the Exorbitant rule of such a Tyrant for whose Avarice nothing was enough and against whose Power there was no Safeguard who right or wrong invaded the Patrimony of the Nobles and expos'd the Countrymen to be a Prey to his Tenants and those who oppos'd his Lust he caus'd them by Thieves and Cut-Throats either to lose all they had or else to be put to death that he advanced Upstarâ—s to high Honours whom he grafted on the ruin of Noble Families so that all the Power of the Kingdom was now brought into one House besides many Knights and Barons there were five Opulent Earls of the Family insomuch that the King himself did but Reign precariously and men were like to suffer all Extremities under the Cruel Bondage of the Douglas's and he that utter'd the least word tending to Liberty must pay his Life for his Boldness These and other discourses of this kind some true others to create greater Envy stretcht beyond the Lines of Truth were spread abroad amongst the Vulgar which made Those who were of neither Faction to fit loose from the Care of the Publick and every one to mind his own private Concerns The wiser sort of his Enemies were glad to hear that a man of such Power against which there was no making Head should thus voluntarily run headlong to his own Destruction Neither did they presage amiss for his Mind was grown so proud and insolent by reason of his Great Successes that 〈…〉 his Ears against the free Advices of his Friends yea many 〈◊〉 not with any safety dissemble and cover by their silence what they did dislike because he had Parasites which did not only lie at catch for Words but observ'd mens very Countenances As for his old Enemies many of them were hal'd to Judgment before him who was both their Adversary and Judge too so that some of them were outed of their Estates some depriv'd of their Lives and others to avoid his unrighteous and partial Judgment fled out of their Country The men also of Douglas's Faction lived in no Fear at all of the Law for no man durst implead them but letting the Reins loose to all Licentiousness they invaded and made havock of things Sacred as well as Profane Those which were obnoxious to them they slew and kill'd out of the way neither was there any End of their Wickedness sometimes when they had no sufficient Cause to do a man a Mischief they then did it unprovok'd and gratuitously as it were lest thro' disuse of offending any honest and tender Thoughts should arise in their Minds so as to allay their Brutish Cruelty Every one thought himself the noblest and bravest Fellow that could cast the greatest Contumely on the Commons When such great Miseries were diffus'd into so many Parts of the Kingdom Scotland had certainly sunk under the Burden unless England at the same time had been as much embarassed with civil Combustions which at last being somewhat allay'd the English violated their Truce and invaded Scotland When they had runover a great Circuit of Ground and pillaged many Villages They drove away a Vast Number of Cattle and return'd home neither was it long before the Scots cry'd quits with them for they also entred England with a good Force and did the Enemy more Damage than they receiv'd Thus the Minds of Both were irritated by these alternate Plunderings so that a mighty Desolation was made in the Territories of either Kingdom but the greatest share of the Calamity fell upon Câ—mberland which had been the Rise of the Injury and Wrong for that Province was so harassed by the War that it was almost quite destroy'd When this war related at London it occasion'd the English to levy a far greater Army against the Scots for thereby they thought easily to reduce the Country into their Power they being poor and also weakned by Civil Discords Hereupon an Army was rais'd of the Better sort of People and the Earl of Northumberland made their General in regard he knew the Country well and besides his Name and Power was great in those Parts To him they joyn'd one Main of a Knightly Family but who had
long serv'd in France and was commended for his Industry and Valour 'T is said that he out of his Mortal hatred against the Scots had bargain'd with the King of England that what Lands he took from the Scots either by killing or driving away the Inhabitants he and his Posterity after him should enjoy On the other side the Scots hearing of the Preparation of their Enemies were not negligent in gathering Forces on their Part. George Dunbar Earl of Ormond was made Captain General who presently marcht into Annandale whither his Intelligence inform'd him that the Enemy would come And indeed the English had prevented him and entred Scotland before They had past over the Rivers Solway and Annand and pitch'd their Tents by the River Sarc from whence they sent out Parties on every side to pillage but hearing of the coming of the Scots they recall'd them all by Sound of Trumpet and contracted all their Force into One Body As soon as ever they came in sight one of another they fell to it without delay Main commanded the Left Wing of the English and Iohn Penington the Right he had the Welsh the Relicks of the Ancient Britains for his Assistants the Earl himself commanded the Main Battel George Douglas appointed Walter Laird of Craig to fight Main and Maxwel and Iohnston each with their Troops to attack Penington he himself took Care of the Main Body he gave them a short Exhortation to conceive a good Hope of Victory because they had taken up Arms in their own Defence as provoked by the Injuries of their Enemies and that a prosperous Issue must needs attend so just a Cause and if they could abate the Pride of their Enemy by some Notable overthrow they would reap a lasting Fruit of their short Labour The English who abounded in the number of Archers wounded many of the Scots with their Darts at a distance Whereupon Wallace who commanded the Left Wing cryed out aloud so as to be heard of most of his men Why they â—rifled so and Skirmish'd at a distance they should follow him and rush in upon the Enemy hand to hand and then their Valour would truly appear for that was the Fighting fit for Men. Having thus spoken he drew the whole Wing after him And presently with their long Spears wherewith the Scots both Foot and Horse were furnish'd they drove the Enemy back routed and put them to Flight Main perceiving his Wing to give back being more mindful of the just Glory of his former Life than of his present Danger rushes with great Violence upon Wallace that so by his Boldness he might either renew the Fight or else breath out his last in the Glory of some Illustrious Attempt but unwarily Charging he was intercepted from his own Men and with those few that follow'd him was slain When Both Armies heard that he was slain the Scots prest on more chearfully so that the English Army did not stand long as they fled home straggingly and in great haste more were slain in the Pursuit than Fight but the chiefest Slaughter was upon the Banks of the Solway for there the Tide had swollen up the River so that they could not pass About 3000 of the English were slain in this Fight and 600 of the Scots There were many Prisoners taken the Chief were Iohn Penington and Robert Huntington The Earl of Northumberland's Son might have escap'd but whilst he was helping his Father to Horse he himself was taken Prisoner The Booty was greater than had been ever known in any Battel betwixt the Scots and English before For the English trusting to the Number and Goodness of their Soldiers and depending also on the discord of the Scots came on so securely as if it had been to a Shew not to a Fight so great was their Confidence and Undervaluing of their Enemy Wallace was wounded carried home in a Litter and in 3 Months after died of his Wounds Ormond being thus a Conqueror took a view of the Prisoners the chief Commanders he sent Prisoners to the Castle in Loch Maâ—an he himself return'd to Court where every Body went out to meet him and he was received with all kind of Honour The King did highly extol his Military Services but withal advis'd him and his Brother That as they had often given a Proof of their Courage abroad and had defended the State of Scotland by their Labour and Valour even in Perillous Times so at home that they would accustom themselves to a modest Deportment and that they themselves should refrain from Injuring the Poorer sort and also inhibit their Clans from doing it and that they should shew their Puissance and Grandeur which their Ancestors had obtain'd by their many Merits both of King and Subjects rather in restraining of Robbers than in cherishing them that This was the only thing which was wanting to compleat their Praise and make it absolute and if they would do this thing they should certainly find that he would esteem the Honour of the Douglas's and their Family before any thing else whatsoever They answer'd the King submissively and so took their leave and went Joyfully home After this Fight at Sarc as the Borders of Scotland were quieter from the wrongs of their Enemies so when the matter was reported at London it did rather irritate the English than deject them For a Council being call'd about a War with Scotland a new Army was order'd to be rais'd to blot out the former Ignominy Whilst they were all intent hereupon presently Civil Wars arose amongst themselves and a strong Conspiracy of the Commons made against the King took off their Thoughts from a Foreign War so that Embassadors were sent into Scotland to treat of a Peace which were so much the more welcome because their own Affairs were not well settled at home Yet they could not well agree on Terms of Peace but only made a Truce for Three Years and so returned home These things were acted in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Four Hundred Forty Eight This Publick Joy was soon after increast by a Message sent out of Flanders from the Chancellor who went Ambassador to Charles the Seventh about contracting a Marriage By his endeavours Mary the Daughter of Arnold Duke of Gelderland was betroth'd to Iames she was of the Kingly Race by her Mothers side who was a Sister of the Duke of Burgundy The Year after she came with a great Train of Noble Persons into Scotland and in Iuly was Crowned in the Abby of Holy-Rood-House near Edinburgh This Universal Joy for the Victory for the Peace and for the Marriage was soon disturbed by the Death of Richard Colvill a Man of Note which though perhaps in it self not undeserv'd yet was of very bad Example to the Common-Wealth This Colvil having receiv'd many and great wrongs from one Iohn Afflech a Friend of Douglas's and after many complaints could get no Remedy in Law nor Equity he
his vast Mind which was always hankering after Supremacy and Height was not content with this Honour which was the greatest he could be advanced to under the King but by his Temerity he gave the State new Occasions of Suspicion For he undertook a Journy very privately into England and after his Address to that King he told him that the cause of his coming was That his Estate though Claimed by him was not yet restor'd But this seem'd to Iames a light and no way probable cause of his Journey and therefore the King conceiv'd a greater Suspicion in his Mind which before was not well Reconcil'd against him neither did he conceal his Anger as supposing that there was a deeper Design hid under that his Discourse with the English King Douglas having now an offended King to deal with fled presently to his wonted Refuge the Kings known Clemency and cast himself at his Feet The Queen also and many of the Nobles interceded for him and after a Solemn Oath that for the future he would never act any thing which might justly offend the King his Fault was forgiven only he was deprived of his Office Whereupon the Earl of the Orcades and William Creighton who had always remained Loyal were advanc'd again to sit at the Helm Douglas was very angry with all the Courtiers for this Disgrace for so he interpreted it but he was most of all incens'd against William Creighton for he thought that 't was by his Prudence that all his Projects were disappointed and therefore he was resolv'd to dispatch him out of the World either by some Treachery or if that succeeded not by any other way whatsoever And that he might do it with the less Odium he suborn'd one of his Friends to Witness that he heard Creighton say That Scotland would never be 〈◊〉 quiet so long as any of the Family of the Douglas 's were left alive and that the safety of the King and Kingdom the Concord of the Estates and the Publick Peace did depend upon the Death of that one Man For he being of a Turbulent Nature and supported by many and great Assinities and Irreconcileable by any Offices of Respect and Advancements to Honour 't were better to have him taken out of the way that so the publick Peace might be confirm'd and settled This Tale when nois'd abroad and believed by many by reason of the Probability thereof rais'd up a great deal of Ill-Will against Creighton Douglas being inform'd by his Spies when he was to depart from Edinburgh lays an Ambush for him late in the Night as secretly as he could and when he and his Train came to it the liers in wait set upon them with a great shout they who were first assaulted were so astonisht at the suddenness of the Danger that they could not lift up an Hand to defend themselves But William being a Man of great Courage and Conduct assoon as he had a little recover'd himself from his Fright slew the first Man that Assaulted him and Wounded another and so he and his Attendants brake through the midst of their Enemies having only received some Wounds He fled to Creighton Castle and there staid some days to cure his Wounds and soon after he got a great Number of his Friends and Tenants about him and in great silence came to Edinburgh His speed did so prevent the Noise of his coming that he had almost surpriz'd his Enemy unawares Douglas being thus freed from an unlook'd for Danger either out of Fear Shame or Both when he saw the Power of the Adverse Faction to increase with the good liking of the People endeavour'd also to strengthen his own Party as much as ever he could and therefore he joins himself in League with the Earls of Craford and Ross which were the most Noted and Potent Families in Scotland next to the Douglas's a mutual Oath was entred into betwixt them That each of them should be aiding and assisting to the Friends and Confederates one of another And in Confidence of this Combination they slighted the Forces of their opposite Faction yea and the Kings too The King took this in great Indignation and besides he had other fresh Causes of Provocation against him which hastned his Destruction Iohn Herris a Knight of a Noble Family in Galway being averse from the ill Practices of the Douglas's ordinarily kept himself within the Walls of his own House but the Annandians were sent in upon him which did him much mischief he often complain'd hereof to Douglas but in vain so that at length he determin'd to revenge himself and to repel Force by Force And accordingly he gather'd a Company of his Friends together and entring Annandale he and all his Followers were there taken Prisoners by those Bandity and being brought to Douglas he hang'd him up as a Thief though the King had earnestly interceded for him by his Letters That matter seem'd very hainous as indeed it was so that Speeches were given out That Douglas by evil Practices did endeavour and that not obscurely to make his Way to the Crown for-now there was nothing else remaining which could satisfie his vast and aspiring Mind Which Suspicion was soon after increast by another Fact which he committed as foul as the former There was a certain Family of the Macklan's in Galway one of the best and chiefest there The prime Person of that Family had slain one of Douglas his Attendants from whom he had received continual Wrongs and Affronts whereupon he and his Brother were by Douglas cast into Prison The King being made acquainted with it was very much importun'd by the Friends of the Prisoners not to suffer so Noble and otherwise a very honest Man to be hal'd forth not to a Legal Tryal but to an undoubted Destruction the same Man being both his Capital Enemy and his Judge too and that it was not his present Crimes which did prejudice him so much as that he had always been of the Honest or Royal Party Hereupon the King sent Macklan's Uncle a worthy Knight and Kin also to Douglas to Command him to send the Pris'ner to Court that the Matter might be Tryed there in due course of Law The Earl receiv'd Gray very courteously but in the mean time he caused Execution to be done upon the Pris'ner and intreated Gray to excuse him to the King as if it had been done by his Officers without his Knowledge But he perceiving how manifestly he was deluded was in such a Rage that he told Douglas That from that Day forward he would renounce all Alliance Friendship or any other Obligation to him and was resolv'd to be his perpetual Enemy and do him all the Mischief he could when the news hereof was brought to Court the Fact seem'd so unworthy to all that heard it that Speeches were openly scatter'd That now Douglas did exceed the bounds of a Subject and plainly carry'd himself as a King For
to what other purpose else did his Combinations with the Earls of Craford Ross Murray and Ormond tend And moreover his private Discourse with the King of England his putting Good Men to Death and his allow'd Licentiousness in pillaging the People were Indications of the same Design Now Innocency was accounted Cowardize and Loyalty to the King punish'd as Perfidiousness that the Enemys of the Common-wealth grew insolent by the overmuch Indulgence of the King That 't was time for him now to take the Reins of Government into his own Hand and to act as a King himself and then it would appear who were his Friends and who were his Enemies or if he did not dare to do it openly by reason of the Powerfulness of some Men yet by some private way or other he should punish Treachery but if he were so fearful as not to do so neither what remain'd but that they who had hitherto been constant in their Loyalty to him should now at length provide for themselves These Discourses thô the Life of the Douglas's and the Credulity of the King prone to Suspicion did confirm to be true Yet the King out of his innate Clemency or else having before laid his Design seâ—ds for Douglas to Court He being conscious of so many mischievous pranks he had plaid and calling to remembrance how often he had been pardon'd and withal understanding how distastful his new League with Craford was to the King tho' he put great confidence in the King's Clemency yet being more inclin'd to Fear refus'd to come alleging that he had many powerful Enemies at Court and some of them had lately lain in wait to take away his Life Hereupon to remove this his Fear many of the Nobles about the King sent him a Schedule with their Hands and Seals to it promising upon Oath that if the King himself should meditate any thing against his Life yet they would dismiss him in safety so that Douglas encourag'd by the King's Clemency and by the Publick Faith testify'd by the Subscriptions of so many Noble Persons with a Train of Followers came to Sterlin where he was courteously Treated by the King and invited into the Castle After Supper with great hilarity was ended the King took him aside into his Bed-chamber with but a few of his Confidents he did not so much as admit Those to whom he was wont to communicate his most secret Counsels There he ript up from the very beginning the Loyalty and Valour of his Ancestors and his own Indulgence towards their Family and especially towards himself who having committed many hainous Offences either by the Greenness of his Years or by the Persuasions of wicked Men he had freely pardon'd always hoping that either by his courteous Clemency toward him or else by the Maturity of his Age he would be Reform'd and as yet says he I despair not but it may be so and if you repent of what you have impiously committed the door of my Clemency shall never be shut against you This last League proceeded he with Craford and Ross as it is not Creditable for you so it is ignominious to me and therefore tho' I take it much amiss that you entred into it yet I put it into your Power and as yet give you liberty to cancel and break it off which tho' by my Prerogative I may command yet I had rather by fair means persuade you so to do that seeing all Mens Eyes are upon you you may avert all cause of Suspicion with greater Diligence Douglas answer'd submissively enough to all other Points but when he came to the Mention of the League he was somewhat perplext and did not clearly declare what he would do but that he would advise with his Associats neither did he see any Cause why the King at present should tye him to a Breach of it seeing there was nothing contain'd therein which might justly offend him The King either having resolv'd upon the Fact before or eâ—se provok'd by his contumacious Answer as the Courtiers say replyed If thou wilt not break it I will and immediately struck his Dagger into his Brâ—ast Those that stood at the Door hearing the Noise rusht in and destroy'd him quite with many Wounds Some say that next after the King Patrick Grey of whom mention was made before struck him into the Head with a Bill and the rest that came in to shew their Duty to the King every one gave him a Blow He was slain in the Month of February in the Year 1452. according to the Roman Account He had then 4 Brothers in Sterlin whom a great number of the Nobility had accompany'd thither they as soon as â—ver they heard of what was done ran in great amazement to theâ—â— Arms as in such suddain Hurly-burlies it uses to happen and filled the Town with Noise and Clamour but when the Tumult was appeas'd by the Nobles they were Commanded to go each Man to his respective Lodging The next Day they met to consult and First of all Iames was call'd Earl in the room of his Brother who was slain he mightily inveigh'd against the Perfidiousness of the King and the Courtiers and advises to Besiege the Castle with what Force they then had and with all speed to Levy more and so to pull out those Men out of their lurking holes who were valiant only to commit perfidious Mischiefs whilst they were yet in some Fear and Trepidation for the Guilt of their Offence The Company commended the Piety of Iames and the Couragiousness of his Spirit but were averse from his advice to a Siege because they were not prepar'd with any Materials for so great an Enterprize so that they all departed home and after Consultation with the Chief of their Friends the 6th of the Calends of April they return'd again and tyed a Cord to an Horse Tail on which they fastned the Schedule of the King and Nobles promising the Publick Faith to Douglas for his Security This they drew through the Streets abstaining from no manner of Reproach either against the King or Council when they came to the Market-place they Proclaim'd the King and Those that were with him Truce-breakers Perjur'd Persons and Enemies to all Good Men. Moreover they were angry with the Town tho' that had committed no Offence and after they had pillaged it they sent Iames Hamilton back to Burn it yea their Fury continued for some Days so that they rang'd all over the Country and made Havock of the Lands of all those who were Loyal to the King they besieg'd the Castle of Dalkeith and took an Oath not to depart from it till they had taken it for they were very Angry with Iohn the Owner of it because he and the Earl of Angus had separated themselves from the Counsels of the rest of the Douglasses The Siege lasted longer than they expected for Patrick Cockburn Commander of the Garison made a strenuous Resistance against all
a Friendly Patriot for he not only forgave the Earl the many grievous Injuries he had done him but further commended his Suit and spake in his Favour to the King for he foresaw as it after hapned That by this Accession the Kings Party would be strengthen'd and his Enemies weaken'd daily for the future in regard many were likely to follow the Example of this Great Man And besides the King thinking that his former Fierceness was tam'd and that he was really penitent for what he had done was not hard to be intreated but gave him his Pardon restor'd him to his former Estate and Honour only advis'd him for the future to keep within the Bounds of his Duty And indeed Craford being thus ingag'd by the Lenity and Facileness of the King did afterwards endeavour to perform him all the Service he possibly could he followed him with his Forces in his March to the furthest Parts of the Kingdom and having setled Things there for the present he entertained him nobly at his House in his return and when he march'd to make a full end of the Civil War he promis'd him all the Force he could make and indeed the whole course of his Life was so chang'd that laying down his former Savageness he liv'd courteously and in Complaisance with the Neighbouring Nobility so that his Death which followed soon after brought the greater Grief to the King and to all the People The King thus weakning Douglas's Party by degrees his remaining Hopes were from England if possibly he might obtain Aid from thence Hereupon he sent Hamilton to London who brought him back Word that the King of England would undertake a War against Scotland on no other Terms but that Douglas must submit himself and all his Concerns to that King and acknowledge himself a Subject of England So that his Hopes thence were cut off and on the Other side the King of Scotland prest hard upon him by his Edicts Proscriptions and Arms yea by all the Miseries which accompany Rebellious Insurrections So that Hamilton advis'd the Earl not to suffer the King to nim away his Forces by piece-meal and by catching a Part to weaken and in time overthrow the Whole he should rather march out with his Army trust Fortune put it to a Battel there to dye Valiantly or conquer Honourably This Resolution said he is worthy of the name of the Douglassâ—s and the only Way to end the present Miseries Being alarum'd with this Speech he gather'd as great an Army as he could of his Friends and Dependants and marched out to raise the Siege of the Castle of Abercorn for the King after he had demolish'd many Castles of the Douglasses had at last besieged That It was a very strong Hold seâ—tuate almost in the Mid-way between Sterlin and Edinburgh When Douglas came so near that he saw and was seen by the Enemy his Friends advis'd him to push at all and either to make himself renown'd by some Eminent Victory or by a Noble Death to free himself from Reproach and Misery but when all his Party were ready for the Onset he daunted all their Spirits by his own Delay for he retreated with his Army again into his Camp and determin'd to draw and eke out the War at length His Commanders dislik'd his Design and Hamilton not enduring his Cowardize and despairing of the Success of his Arms that very Night revolted to the Kings Party Upon this his Defection the King gave him his Pardon but not putting any great Confidence in him because of his Subtilty he sent him Prisoner to Rosseline a Castle belonging to the Earl of the Orcades but afterwards by the Mediation of his Friends he was releas'd and receiv'd into Favour and that unbloody Victory ascribed to him as the main Occasion thereof The rest of the Douglassians follow'd Hamilton's Example and slipt away from him every one whither he thought most convenient for himself so that at length the Castle after much Loss on both sides was taken the Garison put to the Sword and after 't was half demolished it was left as a Monument of the Victory Douglas being thus deserted by almost all his Friends with a few of his Familiars fled into England from thence not long after he made an Inrode with a smal Party into Annandale which was then possest by the Kings Garisons but being worsted in a Skirmish He and his Brother Iohn escap'd Archibald Earl of Murray was slain George was much wounded and taken Prisoner and after his Wounds were cur'd was brought to the King and put to Death In an Assembly of the Estates held at Edinburgh in the Nones of Iune in the Year 1455. Iames Iohn and Beatrix all Douglasses were again proscrib'd The Publick Acts do make Beatrix their Mother which seems not very probable to me unless perhaps they might be called her Sons by Adoption Earl Iames having thus lost his Brothers being deserted by his Friends and distrusting the English that he might leave no Stone unturn'd apply'd himself to Donald King of the Aebudae a man bad enough in his own Nature They met at Dunstafnage where he easily persuaded him to joyn with him in the War whereupon they committed great Outrages on the Kings Provinces near adjoyning without distinction either of Age or Sex there was nothing spar'd which could be violated by Fire or Sword the like Cruelty was us'd in Argyle and Arran and then being laden with Booty he return'd home and afterward having wasted Loch-Abyr and Murray he turn'd to Innerness he took the Castle pillag'd and burnt the Town Neither were the English quiet all this while but watching their Opportunity they made Incursions into Merch where they slew some men of Note who endeavoured to oppose their furious Ravaging and so returned home without Loss but full of Plunder from that opulent Country The next Year after Beatrix Wife to the former Earl of Douglas and also living for some years with Iames his Brother as his Wife came in to the King She laid all the Fault of her former Miscarriages upon Iames that she being a Woman and helpless was inforc'd to that Wicked Marriage but at the first Opportunity as soon as Iames was absent she was fled from that Servitude that now she laid her self and all her Concerns at the Kings Feet and whatever Order he should please to make concerning her or her Estate she would willingly obey it The King receiv'd her into his Protection gave her an Estate in Balvany and Married her to his Brother the Earl of Athole by the same Mother The Wife of Donald the Islander followed her Example she was the Daughter of Iames Levingston and was Married to Donald by her Grandfather the Regent by the persuasion also of the King that so He might a little soften the rugged disposition of the man and keep him firm to the Kings Party But then her Kinsman being restor'd to
the Favours and Graces they formerly had and her Husband having joyned himself to the Douglassian Faction she was every day more and more slighted and despis'd by him so that she implor'd the Kings Assistance against his barbarous Cruelty There was no need of her making such an Apology in regard the King himself had been the Author of the Match so that she was nobly treated and had a large Revenue setled upon her for her Life About the same time Patrick Thornton who had followed the Court a great while yet was secretly of Douglas's Faction slew Iohn Sanderland of Caldar a Young man of about 20. years of Age â—nd Alan Stuart of Noble Families Both and of eminent Faithfulness to the King having got a convenient Opportunity so to do at Dunbarton and soon after he himself was taken by the Clans of the Adverse Party and Executed for the same This Year was remarkable for the Death of many Noble Personages but especially of William Creighton He tho' born of an Equestrian Family yet by reason of his great Prudence Fortitude and his Singular Loyalty to the King even to the last day of his Life left a great Loss behind him to all Good men The next Year the English being incouraged by their Impunity for former Injuries made great spoil in Merch under the command of Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland and Iames Douglas the Exile to hinder their devastations George Douglas Earl of Angus gathered a Party of his Countrymen together and made an Assault on the Plunderers and drave that Part of them which he assaulted in great Confusion back to their own Standards the English being mov'd at this Indignity marched on their Army before the rest had recover'd their Colours and the Scots were as ready to receive them The Fight was manag'd on both sides with greater Courage than Force a great while neither did any odds appear till the English who were scatter'd up and down the Country by the Noise and Temult perceiving that the Enemy was come for fear of losing the rich Booty they had gotten hasted directly home their departure gave an easier but yet not unbloody Victory to the Scots there being almost an equal number slain on Both Sides but many of the English taken in the pursuit The News of this Victory being brought to the King did something relieve his Mind which was opprest with Thoughtfulness between the Arms of his own Subjects and of the English afterwards Donald the Islander perceiving the ill success of his Affairs was inforc'd to send Agents to the King to intercede for a Peace They in an humble Oration commemorated the King's Clemency shew'd to Craford and the rest of his Partisans in the same Cause as for their own Crimes they laid them on the Fatality of the Times but for the future they made large Promises how Loyal and Obsequious Donald would be The King seem'd to be somewhat affected with their Speech yet gave them but a middle Answer neither quite pardoning Donald nor utterly excluding all hopes of his Pardon he told them That his many Crimes were very evident but he had discover'd no Specimen of a chang'd Mind in him if they would have the Penitence which they pretended in Words to be believ'd as really True and Hearty he should make Restitution for the Loss he had formerly caus'd and restore their Estates to such as he had outed of them and thus to cancel the Memory of his former Mischiefs by some Eminent and Loyal Service 'T is true said he no Virtue becomes a King more than Clemency but Care must be had lest the Reins of Government be not let loose by too much Lenity and so Evil Men rather made more insolent than Good Men excited to their Duty thereby that he would give Time to Donald and his Party to manifest by some Tokens that they repented of their Miscarriages and that they should always find him towards them such as their Actions and their Words did Declare them to be In the mean time they need not fear for Now it was put into their own Power whether they would every Man be Happy or Miserable for the future By this means intestine Discords were either compos'd or else laid asleep so that the King now bends all his Care against England whilst he was consulting concerning a War with them and concerning their frequent violations of Truces behold Embassadors came from the English Nobility to Desire Aid against Henry their King For Henry had slighted the Nobles and advanc'd Upstarts by whose Advice his Wife a Woman of a Manly Spirit and Courage Ruled the Roast And besides the King had incurr'd the Displeasure and Contempt of his Friends because things had not succeeded well in Aquiâ—ane and Normandy for they having lost so many Provinces and being now pent up within the Ancient Bounds of their own Island did mutter and grumble that the Kings Sluggishness and the Queens Pride were no longer to be endur'd The Heads of the Conspiracy were Richard Duke of York with the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick when the English Embassadors had discours'd much concerning the Justness of their Cause to begin a War and also concerning their own Power and the Cowardly Temper of their King they crav'd Aid against him as against a Common Enemy who was fearful in War fordid in Peace and who had nourish'd Civil Discords amongst the Scots and had assisted their Exiles withal they promis'd if they got the Victory to restore the Castles and Countries which were taken in former Wars from the Scots The King by Advice of his Council made Answer That he before knew the State of the English Affairs and that he was not ignorant of the Right or Demands of either side but that he would not intetpose Himself an Arbiter in another Mans Kingdom unless he were chosen by both Parties to that Office As to the War he had long since determin'd to revenge the Injuries of the former Times and â—f he could not otherwise obtain the Places he had lost on the Occasion of these Discords he would recover them by Force But if the Duke of York and his Party would promise to restore Them then he would assist him against Henry The Embassadors agreed to the Terms and so return'd home The King prepar'd his Forces and was about to enter England when behold an English Impostor sent by Henry met him he had been a long time at Rome and was well acquainted with the Speech and the Customs of the Italians his Habit and Train was all Outlandish and he had counterfeit Letters as from the Pope whereby he was easily believ'd by Men suspecting nothing but to be a Legate sent from him and to gain the greater Credit to his Impostures he had a Monk with him whose fained Sanctity made the Fraud less suspected they were brought to the King and in the Popes Name Commanded him to proceed no further
with his Army if he did they threatned to Excommunicate him with Bell Book and Candle For the Pope said they is wholly intent upon a War against the Common Enemy of Christendom and so would have the differences compos'd all over Europe that they might be free for that War and that they were sent before to give him Notice hereof but there was a more Solemn Embassy which would shortly arrive and which they believ'd was already come as far as France to decide the Civil Discords of England and to give satisfaction to the Scots for the Wrongs they had sustain'd The King did not imagine any Fraud in the Case and desiring nothing more than an Honourable Peace in regard things at home were not quite setled to his Mind Obey'd the Legate and Disbanded his Army He had scarce dismist it but he was advis'd from England that this suppos'd Embassador was a Cheat so that he gather'd again some Forces and because he could not joyn the Duke of York that he might keep off some of the King's Force from him and also revenge his own Wrongs he march'd directly to Roxborough the Town he took and destroy'd it at his first coming but whilst he was laying Siege to the Castle Embassadors came from York and his Associats informing him that their King was overcome and the War ended in England They gave him Thanks for his Good-Will and his Desire to assist them in the maintenance of their Lives and Honours and that they would in time be mindful to requite the Courtesie but at present they desir'd him to raise the Siege and draw off from the Castle and likewise to forbear any other Act of Hostility against England For otherwise they should be laden with great Envy amongst the People who could hardly be contain'd or satisfy'd but that an Army must presently march against the Scots Iames congratulated their Victory but ask'd the Embassadors Whether the Duke of York and his Allies had given them nothing in Command concerning restoring the Places promis'd He Answer'd Nothing Then said he before your last Embassy came to me I was determin'd to pull down that Castle which is built upon my Land neither since that time am I so much obliged by the Courtesies of that Faction as to give over an Enterprize which is begun and almost finisht As for the Threatnings made either by the People or by Them let them look to it goe you and tell them that I will not be remov'd hence by Words but Blows Thus the Embassadors were dismist without their Errand and whilst he did press upon the Besieg'd by all the hardships of War Donald the Islander came into his Camp with a great Band of his Country-men He to obtain the easier Pardon for his past Offences and fully to Atone and Reconcile the King promis'd him that if he would march forward into the Enemies Countries as long as he was there he would march a Mile before his Army and endure the sharpest and first of all Brunts and Hazards But he was Commanded to be near the King yet some of his Troops was sent out to prey upon the Country It happen'd also that at the same time Alexander Gordon Earl of Huntly brought in new Forces to the King This Accession of Strength made the King more resolute to continue the Siege tho' a strong Defence was made by Those within So that whereas before it was a Blockade only a well-laid and close Siege was now made when he had Soldiers enough some presently succeeded in the Places of others insomuch that the Garison Soldiers of whom many were Slain many Wounded and unfit for Service the rest tired out with continual Toil and Labour were not so eager to run into the Places of most Danger as before and to strike the more Terror into them the King gave Command to batter part of the Wall with Iron pieces of Ordnance which were then much us'd and were very terrible And whilst the King was busie about one of them to press on the work the Fire catcht within it and with its force drove out a wooden Wedg or Plug which immediately fell'd the King to the Earth and slew him without hurting any body else Those Courtiers who stood next him tho' they were terrify'd at this sudden Accident yet they cover'd his Body left if his Death were divulg'd the Common Soldiers should run away The Queen who that very Day came to the Camp did not give up her Mind to Womanish Lamentations bur call'd the Nobles together and exhorted them to be of good Courage and that so many valiant Men should not be so dismayed at the Loss of One as counting it dishonourable to desert a Business that was almost ended She told them She her Self would speedily bring them another King in the place of him that was slain in the mean time they should press with might and main upon the Enemy lest he might grow more resolute upon News of their Generals Death and so imagin that all the Courage of so many valiant Men was extinguisht in in the Fate of one Person only The Officers were asham'd to be exceeded in Courage by a Woman Whereupon they assaulted the Castle with such Violence that neither Party was sensible that the King was lost In the mean time Iames the King's Son being about 7 Years of Age was brought into the Camp and Saluted King And 't was not long after before the English being tired out with Watching and continued Service surrendred up the Castle to the new King upon Condition to march away with Bag and Baggage The Castle that it might be the Occasion of no new War was levell'd to the Ground This End had Iames the 2d in the Year of Christ 1460. a few Days before the Autumnal Equinox in the 29 th Year of his Age and the 23d of his Reign he had been exercis'd always even from his Youth with Domestick or Foreign Wars he bore Both Estates of Life the Prosperous and Adverse with great Moderation of Mind he shew'd such Valour against his Enemies and such Clemency to those that submitted themselves that All Estates were much afflicted for his Loss and his Death was the more lamented because 't was sudden and that in the Flower of of his Youth too after he had escap'd so many Dangers and when the Expectation of his Virtues was at the highest And he was the more miss'd because his Son was yet immature for the Government whilst Men consider'd what Miseries they had suffer'd for the last 20 Years the Ashes of which Fire were hardly yet rak'd up so that from a reflective Remembrance of what was Past they seemed to Divine the Estate of future Things The Twelfth BOOK James III. The Hundred and Fourth King JAMES II. as I have related being slain in his Camp to prevent all Controversy concerning the Right of Succession which had happen'd at other times his Son Iames a Child
Somerset and Ralph Percy and many of Henry's old Friends besides who for fear of the Times had retired to King Edward came into Them but there was a far greater Confluence from the adjacent Parts of England of such Persons as had lived Rapacious Lives in hopes of some new Prey To appease this Commotion Edward makes great Military Preparation both by Land and Sea he commanded the Lord Mountague with a great part of the Nobility to march against the Enemy and he himself would follow with his whole Army Both Armies pitched their Tents not far from Hexham but the Common Soldiery who came in for Booty beginning to slip away Henry thought it best in such a desperate Case to put it to a Push and accordingly a Fight begun wherein he was overthrown his chief Friends were either slain or taken Prisoners and he himself made an hasty Retreat to Berwick of the Prisoners some had their Heads cut off presently and some a while after Edward having thus got the Day by the Generals of his Forces came himself to Durham that so he might prevent the Incursions of the Scots by the Terrour of his Neighbouring Army and also that by his Presence he might quell any Domestick Insurrections if any such should happen Whilst he was there he sent out part of his Army under several Commanders to take in the Places possessed by his Enemies of which having taken many by Storm or by Surrender at last he laid Siege to the Castle of Alnwick which was greater and better fortified than the rest and which was maintained by a Garison of French who defended the Castle very well in hopes of Relief from Scotland which was so near at hand But the Scots having lately had ill success in England an Army could not be so soon levyed as the present Exigent required for the raising of the Siege insomuch that whilst others were backward and delayed to give in their Opinion George Earl of Angus undertook with great Audacity the Matter which was so full of hazard He collected about 10000 Horse of his Friends Vassals and the Neighbouring Province of which he was Governor He came to the Castle and Horsed the French that were in Garison upon some empty Horses he had brought for that purpose and so brought them off safe even to a Man into Scotland whilst the English stood and looked on as amazed at the Boldness of his Miraculous Enterprize or thinking that Douglas had help near at hand or rather hoping to have the Castle given up without a Battel and so they would not put the Whole to an hazard by joining in Fight with that small though select Party Edward settled Guards at all convenient Places that so no Rebellious Troops might march to and again and then as if he had quieted the whole Kingdom he returned to London In the mean time Exiled Henry either on the Accompt of some Hope 's cast in by his Friends or else weary of his tedious Exile determines to shelter himself privately amongst his Friends in England But Fortunes Malice followed him to the last he was there known taken brought to London and committed Prisoner to the Tower And his Wife Margaret distrusting her present Affairs with her Son and a Few Followers left Scotland and Sailed over to her Father Renat into France To return then to the Affairs of Scotland The time for the Assembly which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh was come where there was a Full Appearance but the Body of them was divided into Two Factions Part of the Nobles followed the Queen but the Major Part by far stuck to Iames Kennedy and George Douglas Earl of Angus the Heads of the contrary Faction The Queen lodged in the Castle the Bishop and the Earl lay in the Abby of Holy-Road-House at the furthest part of the Suburbs towards the East The Cause of the Dissension was That the Queen thought it equal and just for her to have the Tutelage or Guardianship of her Son the other Party judged it most fit that One should be chosen out of the whole Assembly for that careful Work The Queen alleged the Maternal Name her Interest and Propinquity the Adverse Party insisted on the old Law confirmed by perpetuated Custom In the Third day of the Assembly the Queen comes down from the Castle with her Followers and caused her self to be Decreed Tutrix of the King and Governess of the Kingdom by her own Faction and so returns into the Castle again When Kennedy heard of this he hastned with his Party into the Market-place and there in a long Speech he told the Multitude which was thick about him That he and his Associates did aim at nothing but the Publick Good and the Observation of their Ancient Laws but their Adversaries were â—â—d each one by his private advantage And That he would evidenâ—â—y make appear if he might have a Place Free to dispute the Poinâ— Having thus spoken he retired with his Followers to his Lodgiâ—â— but was not gone far from the Market-place before he heard That the other Party was coming down Armed from the Castle Douglas looked upon This as an intolerable Thing That Valiant Men should yield to the Threats of a Few and That their Retirement should be looked upon as a Flight and therefore was hardly kept in by Kennedy from assaulting the adjoining Gate of the City and Weaponless as he was to encounter Armed Men and unless the Three Bishops of Glasgo Galway and Dumblane upon Noise of the Uproar had come in his Indignation would not have been stopp'd till they had come to Blows But by the Mediation of those Bishops the Matter was so far composed That a Truce was agreed upon for one Month. Though the Chief of the Faction were thus quieted yet the Multitude could not be restrained from expressing their Wrath and Indignation in rough and cutting Language as that the Desire of the Queen was Dishonourable to the Kingdom and Undecent for Herself What said they is the Valour of the old Scots at so low an Ebb That amongst so many Thousand Men there is none worthy to Govern the Affairs of Scotland but a Woman must do it What was there no Man that could Rule over the Nation And That would live the greatest part of his Life in Arms What likelihood was there That those who had not been altogether Tractable to their King when weak should now yield Obedience to a Woman and that a Stranger too What had they undergone so much Labour and lost so much Blood these many years by Sea and Land That Men born and brought up in Arms should freely give up themselves to the Servitude of a Woman What if the English should invade them as they had often done at other times in revenge of their Losses with a great Army Who could in that case Give or Accept Terms of Peace or War These were the Discourses of the Commonalty
overthrow such suspected Persons The Noise of this Discord betwixt such Potent Factions let loose the Reins to Popular Licentiousness For the People accustom'd to Robberies did by Intervals more eagerly return to their former Trade The Seeds of Hatred which were supprest for a time did now bud forth again with greater Vigour and the Seditious did willingly lay hold on these Occasions for Disturbances so that there was a general Liberty taken to do what Men listed in hopes of Impunity Neither were the Kennedys wanting to the Occasion who partly did spread abroad Rumors to inflame the People and to cast all the Cause of their Disturbance and Miseries upon the Boyds and partly also as some thought they were not much averse from the Design of the Seditious but did privily cast Fewel into the Fire This was plain and evident by their very Countenancâ—s That this troublesom State of Affairs was not unpleasant or unacceptable to them There seem'd but only One thing wanting utterly to subvert the flourishing Power of their Enemies and That was to make the King of their Party For they had Strength enough or too much they knew that the Commonalty who affect Innovations and love every thing more than what is present would crowd in to their Party hereupon they agreed to try the King's Mind by some crafty Persons who should pretend themselves to be Lovers of the Boydian Faction In the interim Embassadors were appointed to pass over into Denmark to desire Margarite the Daughter of that King as a Wife for Iames and that they should take all the care they could that the Old Controversie concerning the Orcades and the Isles of Shetland which had cost both Nations so much Blood might be accorded The Chief of the Embassie was Andrew Stuart Son to Walter who was then Chancellor of Scotland The Danes easily assented to the Marriage and they quitted all their Right which their Ancestors claim'd over all the Islands about Scotland in the Name of a Dowry only the private Owners of Estates in those Islands were to enjoy them upon the same Terms as they had formerly done Some write that they were passed over in Mortgage till the Dowry was paid but that afterward the King of Denmark gave up all his Right thereto for ever to his Nephew Iames who was newly born by his Daughter When the Chancellor had inform'd the King that all things were finish'd according to his desire the next Consult was to send an handsom Train of Nobles to bring over the New Queen And here by the Fraud of his Enemies and Inadvertency of his Friends Thomas Boyd Son of Robert Earl of Arran was chosen Embassador his very Maligners and Envyers purposely commending his Aptness for that Imployment by reason of his Valour Splendor and Estate fit for such a Magnificent Errand He judging all things safe at Home in regard his Father was Regent willingly undertook the Imployment and at the beginning of Autumn with a good Train of Friends and Followers he went a Ship-board In the mean time the Kennedy's had loosened the Kings Affection to the Boyds and whereas they thought to retain his Good Will by Pleasures and Vacation from Publick Cares Those very Baits they imputed as Crimes to them and by magnifying their Wealth though Great in it self yet as too Bulky and even dangerous to the King himself and withal alleging what a great Advance would accru to his Exchequer by the Confiscation of their Estates upon their Conviction they did variously agitate the infirm Mind of the King who was inclin'd to Suspicions and Avarice And the Boyds on the other side though they endeavour'd by their Obsequious Flatteries and their hiding the publick Miseries from him to banish all Melancholly Thoughts out of his Mind yet the Complaints of the Vulgar and the Solitariness of the Court Both which were of set purpose contriv'd and increast by their Enemies could not be hid And besides there were some who when the King was alone did discourse him freely concerning the Publick Calamities and the Way to Remedy them yea the King himself as if he were somewhat awakned to Manly Cares declar'd That what was sometimes Acted abroad did not please him But the Boyds though they perceiv'd that the King was every Day less and less Tractable to them than formerly and withal that popular Envy rose higher and higher against them yet remitted nothing of their former Licentiousness as trusting to the Kings former Lenity and to the Amnesty which they had for what was past Whereupon the contrary Faction having secretly wrought over the King to their Party and Thomas Earl of Arran being sent packing Ambassador into Denmark from whence he was not expected to return till late in the Spring because those Northern Seas are Tempestuous and Unpassable for a great part of the Year upon these accounts they thought it a fit season to attempt the Boyds who were Old and Diseased and therefore came seldom to Court and besides were destitute of the Aid of many of their Friends who were goâ—â— away in the Train of the Embassy The First thing tâ—â—y did was to persuade the King to call a Parliament which had been much long'd for a great while to meet at Edinburgh on the Twenty Second Day of November in the Year 1469. Thither the Boyds Two Brothers were Summoned to come and make their Appearance where Matters were variously carried towards them as every ones Hatred of them or Favour to them did dictate and direct But they were so astonisht at this sudden Blow as having made no great Provision against so imminent a Danger that their Minds were quite dejected not so much for the Power of the adverse Faction as for the sudden Alienation of the Kings Mind from them so that Robert in Despair of his safety fled into England but Alexander who by reason of his Sickness could not fly was call'd to his Answer The Crime objected to both the Brothers was That they had laid Hands on the King and by private Advice had carried him to Edinburgh Alexander alleg'd That he had obtain'd his Pardon for that Offence in a publick Convention and therefore he humbly desired That a Copy of that Pardon might be Transcrib'd out of the Parliament Rolls but this was denied him What his Accusers did object against that Pardon the Writers of those Times do not Record and I though a Conjecture be not very difficult to be made in the case yet had rather leave the whole Matter to the Readers Thoughts than to affirm Uncertainties for Truths Alexander was Condemn'd on his Tryal and had his Head cut off Robert a few years after dy'd at Alnwick in England the Grief of Banishment being added to the pains of his old Age. His Son though absent and that upon a publick Business was declar'd a publick Enemy without Hearing and all their Estates were Confiscate Thus stood the matter of Fact but I
Courtiers cast into Pâ—ison condemn'd by the King 's privy domestick Council and put to Death by having a Vein Opened till he expired his last The Cause of his Death was given out amongst the Vulgar to be because he had conspir'd with Witches against the King's Life and to make the matter more plausible twelve of the Witches of the lowest condition were Try'd and Burnt The Death of Iohn did rather stifle than dissipate the Conspiracy which seem'd almost ready to break forth Alexander the next as in Blood so in Danger tho' he indeavour'd to avert all Suspicion from himself as much as he could yet the Kings Officers thought they should never be Secure as long as he was alive and therefore they presently clapt him up Prisoner in the Castle of Edinburgh where he was strictly kept by those who judg'd his Power would be their Destruction and seeing he could not appease the Kings Wrath by the Mediation of his Friends he began to think of making an Escape he had but one of his own Servants left tâ— wait upon him in his Chamber him and none else he acquainted with his Design who hired a Vessel for him to be ready fitted in the adjoining Road then he suborn'd Messengers to make frequent Errands to him from the Court who should tell him Stories before his Keepers for he was forbid to speak with any Body but in their presence that the King was now more reconcileable to him than formerly and that he would speedily be set at Liberty When the day appointed for his Escape approach'd he compos'd his Countenance to as much Mirth as in that calamitous Condition he was able to do and told his Keepers that now he believ'd the Messages sent him by the King that he was reconcil'd to him and that he hop'd he should not be held much longer in Durance hereupon he invited them to a noble Supper and himself drank freely with them till late at Night then they departed and being all full of Wine fell into the Sounder sleep being thus alone he made a Rope of the Linen-Blankets of his Bed long enough as he thought for the height of the Wall and First to make a Tryal he caus'd his Servant to slide down by it but perceiving by his Fall that 't was too short he lengthned it out as well as he could in those Circumstances and himself Slid down too and took up his Servant who had broke his Leg by his Fall upon his Shoulders and carry'd him about a Mile to the Vessel where they went aboard and having a Fair Wind failed to Dunbar there he fortify'd the Castle against any forcible Assault and with a smal Retinue passed over into France In his absence Andrew Stuart the Chancellor was sent with an Army to take in the Castle they besieg'd it closely some Months and 't was defended as bravely but at last the Garison for want of Necessaries were forced to get Vessels and in the Night to depart privately for England so that in the Morning the Empty Castle was taken by the Besiegers some men of Note of the Besiegers were slain there About these Times it was that the Kings both of England and Scotland being weary'd out with Domestick Troubles had each of them a desire to make Peace and an Embassy was appointed to compleat it which was kindly received and the Peace was not only agreed upon but an Affinity accorded to confirm it that Cecilia the Daughter of Edward should be Married to Iames his Son as soon as they were Both Marrigeable Part also of the Dowry was paid on this Condition That if when they came to Years the Marriage were not Consummated the Dowry should be paid back to the English and Hostages were given for performance of Conditions which were some Burgers of Towns But this Peace lasted not long for by reason of the old grudges remaining since the last Wars Incursions were made Preys driven and Villages burnt So that by reason of these mutual Injuries the matter broke forth into an open War And besides each King had other peculiar Provocations Douglas the Old Exile and Alexander the Kings Brother the new One excited Edward thereunto For Alexander as I said before going into France Married the Daughter of the Earl of Bulloign but not being able to procure Aid from Lewis the II. then King of France for the Recovery of his own he Sailed over into England hoping from thence to make some Attempt upon Scotland As for Iames of Scotland Lewis of Franâ—e edg'd him on to a War having sent Robert Ireland a Scots man and Dr. of the Sorbon with Two French Knights to him on that Errand Hereupon the Peace was violated and altho' the Scotish Affairs in regard some of the Country was wasted were in none of the best State and Condition yea an Army also was decreed to be sent against Scotland by the English under the Command of the Duke of Glocester yet the King and those which were about him did levy Forces tho' very unwillingly For the Upstarts such they lately were and very poor too whose Greatness was founded on the Calamities of others and who had been the Authors of such desperate Counsels to the King fear'd nothing more than the frequent Assembly of the Nobility when he came to Lauder a Town near the Borders of Merch and Teviotdale Countrys either wasted by the Enemy or else by Force necessitated to submit to him the King yet proceeded on in his wonted Course of Exactions from them he distrusted the Nobility and manag'd all by his Cabinet-Council The Nobles would indure the Indignity no longer and therefore in the third Watch they met in a Church in the Town where in a Full Assembly Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus is reported to have declar'd the Cause of their Meeting in this wise I think it not necessary Noble Peers to make a long Oration concerning the state of Scotish Affairs you your selves Partly remember it and Partly you see it with your Eyes the Chief of the Nobility are either banished or else compelled to suffer intolerable and to act nefarious things and you in whom the strength of the Kingdom doth reside are left without an Head as a Ship without a Steers-man subject to all the Storms and Tempests of Fortune Your Lands are burnt your Estates plunder'd the Husbandman either slain or else perceiving no other Remedy or relief hath submitted to the Enemy And the King if he were Himself a man of a generous Spirit and rare Prudence yet being carried away by poysonous Insinuations refers all things pertaâ—ning to the Good of the Common-wealth as to Peace War and the like not to an Assembly of the Nobles but to inferior Underlings these men do consult South-sayers and Wizards and so carry their Answers to the King whose mind is Sick and easily taken with such vain Superstitions and thus Decrees are made under the Influence of such
Authors concerning the Safety of us all for they knowing that they are deservedly hated by all do persecute all by as alternate an hatred and their endeavour is not only to undermine your Authority but to cut you all off by all the possible Arts and Practices they can they have remov'd some of us by Death others by Banishment neither do they ascend gradually to play their Pranks as inferiour Persons when they are promoted are wont to do but these do immediately pitch upon the Royal Blood to exercise the Tryals of their Cruelty and Avarice upon One of the King's Brothers they have most inhumanly put to death the Other they have robb'd his Country of by banishing him and so have given him as a General to our Enemies they being thus taken out of the way their next work is to deal with the Nobility for being of low Estate and Condition themselves they would have nothing of Excellency and Sublimity to survive them All those that have either Riches to satisfy their Avarice or Power to resist their Audaciousness Them they account as their Enemies and yet in the mean time we manage a War against the English as our Publick Enemy as if any Enemy were more deadly than That who is never satisfy'd in point of Covetousness with your Estates nor in point of Cruelty with your Blood Now to make it clear to you that this intestine Plague is more dreadful than That Foreign one suppose which God forbid that the King of England should conquer us doubtless he would remember old Grudges and in pursuance of that Conquest what End of his Successes would he propound to himself or what Reward of his Victory Would he aim at the Life of the King his Enemy or at your Lives I think at Neither For the Dispute between us is not for Life but for Glory and Empire and a generous Mind as 't is vehement and eager against those that resist it so 't is easily mitigated inclin'd to Lenity by Submission and Obsequiousness even upon the account of remembring the Instability of all human Affairs But suppose that the Enemies rage should aim at the Kings Life and Destruction I pray Which of the Two do act more mercifully either he that together with Life takes away all Sense of Misery or they that reserve him whom they ought principally to love and reverence next to God to a dayly Butchery and Execution Who arm his Mind already prepossest with Witch-crafts to the Destruction of his Friends who keep the King now almost encompast by the Arms of his Enemies in the nature of a Prisoner and do not suffer him to see the Faces of his Friends that he may understand their Affection to him and experience their Loyalty They are not so much Enemies who pitch Camp against Camp and so openly profess their Hostility as they who at home do treacherously contrive our Destruction They alienate the Kings mind from his Friends and betray him to his Enemies and thus they deprive us of our Commander and expose us as a Prey to our Enemies Arms by whom if your Lives are given you after you are conquer'd yet you will fall into Shame and Servitude and if you overcome them yet you will not procure Quiet to your selves Strength to your Country nor Glory to your King but a greater Liberty to your Enemies to play their Pranks at present and that in security for the future and thus we shall bring a Plague and Misery on our selves and a stricter Servitude on our King â—o that Victory will not free us from Foreign Miseries but will increase our Domestick Ones And therefore in short my Opinion is That we shake off the Yoke at home before we venture to â—ngage the Enemy For otherwise we shall all be made Slaves to the Lusts of a few men we shall strengthen the Enemy and betray the Common-wealth God bless your Consultations in this matter After Douglas had ended his Speech there followed not a Debate but a confus'd Noise over the whole Assembly crying out To your Arms against the Publick Enemy for the Minds of all present were so inflam'd That though they had none to lead them yet they were about to break in upon the Kings Quarters But the graver Sort who by reason of their Honour and Authority had a great Interest in the rest appeas'd the Tumult for they fear'd lest in an impetuous assault of the People the King himself should come to some harm And therefore they agreed That the prime Commanders should take a smal number of their chiefest Confidents and without any general remove of the whole Army should go the Kings Pavilion and so lay hold on the Offenders who had the Management of things and bring them forth to be judged before the whole Army that so they might suffer condign Punishment according to the Laws Whilst these things were in agitation News was brought to the Court that the Nobles were assembled before day in the Church for What 't was not known but it must certainly be some great Matter which ingag'd such Persons to assemble unknown to the King and his Counsellors The King was awakned and rose in great fear out of his Bed and ask'd those about him What was best to be done In the mean while he sends Cockran before to observe what was a doing and to bring him certain word when he was coming to the Church with a small Retinue he meets with the Chief of the Nobility coming to Court Douglas presently laid hands upon him and took him by a Massy-Gold-Chain which he wore about his Neck whereby he somewhat strain'd his throat and gave him up a Prisoner to the Marshal and then he goes directly to the Kings Bed-Chamber They which were there made no Opposition either because they were astonished at his sudden Coming or else out of Reverence to the Man so that there the rest were seiz'd upon who were thought to have corrupted the King by their wicked Counsels only one Young man hung about the Kings Neck and he desired them to pardon him his name was Iohn Ramsy of a good Family who being excus'd upon the account of his Age was dismist Whilst the rest were led on to their Tryals there was a Tumult and Noise rais'd over the whole Army crying out Hang them Rogues whereupon they were presently hurry'd away and ended their Lives in an Halter yea the Army in general was so intent upon their Execution that when they wanted Ropes upon such a sudden they all offer'd the Reins of their Horse-Bridles and their Baggage-Horse Tackle for that Use and they strove much Who should have the honour to offer his own first This Court-Faction had committed many Injuries against private Persons but their Wrongs to the Publick lay chiefly here They had been the Authors of Coining new Brass-Money which the common People did call by the invidious Name of Black-Money Upon this Project there first ensued a Dearth
of all things and afterwards a Famine for the Sellers had rather suffer their Commodities to be spoil'd at Home than under a pretence of Sale to give them away to the Buyers But that all Commerce might not wholly cease amongst the People this one Remedy was found out for Bargainers and Chapmen That they should mention in their Contracts in what sort of Money the Payment should be made 'T is true some of our former Kings had Coin'd that kind of Money but 't was more for the necessary use of the Poor than for their own Gain and also Provision was made by a Law beyond what Sum Sellers might not be compell'd to take it in payment And thus the Buyers of small Commodities had a Benefit and also it seem'd sufficiently caution'd by the Law that the Richer Sort should have no Damage by this way of Change or Sale It was also objected against them That they had alienated the King's Heart from the Nobility and had set him a-gog upon Magick and had hurried him on to the Destruction of his own Kindred But that which made Cockran most envy'd was his Earldom of Merch which Country and Title the King had given to him or else had committed to his Trust upon the Death of the Youngest Brother When those Evil Counsellors were remov'd out of the way The King had no great Confidence in the Souldiery nor the Souldiery in him so that the Army was dismist and return'd Home and the King though for the present he supprest his Anger and made many large and fair Promises to the Nobility yet his Heart inwardly boiled with Blood Slaughter and Revenge And therefore as soon as he thought himself at Liberty he retired with some few of his Confidents into the Castle of Edinburgh and the Nobility not knowing what to think of it had also their Consultations apart The King of England gather'd Forces in the Winter-Season by the persuasion of Alâ—xander chiefly who inform'd him of the Dissension betwixt the King and his Nobles in Scotland and also assur'd him That as soon as ever he entred Scotland great Numbers of Horse and Foot would come in to him whereupon he made Richard his Brother Duke of Glocester General and commanded him to march into Scotland He began his March when it was about Midsummer and understanding in what Condition the Scotish Affairs were he turn'd aside to Berwick He was receiv'd immediately into the Town and left 4000 Men to besiege the Castle and with the rest of his Army he march'd directly to Edinburgh making a foul Devastation in all Places where he came But Alexander leading them on they entred the City without committing any Rapine and by a Publick Proclamation made in the Market-Place he advis'd Iames seeing he could not come to speak with him First to perform what he had promis'd to Edward and then that he would cause Satisfaction to be made for all the Wrongs and Injuries he had offered to the English and unless he would so do Richard Duke of Glocester would persecute him and his Country with Fire and Sword But Iames perceiving at present that he was not able to perform what was requir'd and on the other side that he was as unable to withstand the Power of the Enemy return'd no Answer at all either by Writing or Message But the Nobles of Scotland being thus forsaken of their King that they might not be wholly wanting to the Publick Safety Levy'd another Army and form'd a Camp at Hadington and that they might somewhat alleviate the imminent Danger and Pressure and stop the Enemy in his Career of Victory they sent Agents to the Duke of Glocester to desire That the Marriage so long promis'd might be consummate they were also to declare That it should not be their Fault if the Agreements made between the Nations were not punctually perform'd The English General knew That the Scots would not put things to the Hazard of a Battel in regard part of their Strength was with him upon the account of Alexander a popular Man and that the rest were divided into several Factions and therefore he made this Answer That he did not know what his King did resolve in reference to that Marriage but he thought it fit that the Money paid to Iames upon the account of the Dowry should be presently repaid to him and if they would have Peace they should promise to surrender up the Castle of Berwick or if they could not do that then to make a solemn Promise That they would not attempt to relieve the Besieged nor to hinder the Besiegers until it was either taken by Storm or surrendred upon Conditions The Scots return'd Answer by their Embassadors That 't was not their Fault the Marriage was not consummated but it happen'd because both Bride and Bridegroom were under Age That the Money was not yet due because the Day of Payment was not come and if there were not sufficient Security given for the payment thereof they would give more but the Castle of Berwick as being built by the Scots and that in the Scotish Soil and was and for many Ages had been under their Jurisdiction they could not part with and though the English had possest it sometimes by Force yet their Injury did not prejudice the Scots ancient Right but Glocester who was Superior in Strength resolv'd to carry the Point and to admit of no legal Dispute in the case The same Day Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle Andrew Stuart and the Bishops of St. Andrews and Dunblane sent to Alexander who was in the English Camp at Lethington a Chart sign'd with their Hands and Seals promising him if he would be Loyal to the King in the next Assembly they would take care that his Estate should be restor'd and an Amnesty given for what was past for the performance whereof they solemnly interpos'd their Faith Alexander acquainted Glocester with the thing who was very friendly and did dismiss him thereupon and so he return'd into his own Country where in the next Assembly of Estates he was made Regent by an unanimous Consent and presently a Proposition was made concerning raising the Siege of Berwick The wiser sort were of Opinion that in so dangerous a time when things were thus unsetled by reason of Domestick Seditions that if the Enemy were quiet yet Storms would rise amongst themselves that it was best to clap up a Peace upon any Terms for they saw plainly that if they should have the better of so powerful an Enemy yet it would rather provoke than dishearten him but if they themselves were overcome it was uncertain how an Enemy fierce by Nature and further elevated by Success would use his Victory Some that were more hot-spirited than they had then any Reason for did oppose this Opinion yet it was carry'd in the Parliament After many Conditions were canvast to and fro at length 't was agreed That on
by the Ears one with another which his Assembling the Chief of the Nobility at Edinburgh made more plainly to appear For he called Douglas to him into the Castle and told him that he had now an Eminent Opportunity to revenge himself for if the Leaders of the Faction were apprehended and put to Death the rest would be quiet but if he omitted this Opportunity which was so fairly put into his hands he could never expect the like again Douglas who knew that the Kings Mind was no more reconcil'd to himself than to others did craftily reason with him concerning so cruel and so ruinous a Design alleging that all Men would judge it to be a base and flagitious Act â—f he should hurry so many Noble Persons to Death without any Hearing or Tryal to whom he had pardon'd their former Misdoings and now they also rested secure in that they had the Publick Faith given them for their Safety For the fierce Minds of his Enemies would not be broken by the Death of a Few but rather if his Faith were once violated all Hopes of Concord would be cut off and if once Men despair of Pardon their Anger will be turn'd into Rage and from thence a greater Obstinacy and Contempt both of the Kings Authority and of their own Lives too will ensue But if you will hearken to my Counsel said he I will shâ—w you a Way whereby you may salve the Dignity of a King and yet revenge yourself too For I will gather my Friends and Clans together and so openly and in the day time I will lay hold upon them and then you may try them where you will and inflict what Punishment you please upon them This Way will be more creditable and also much more safe than if you should set upon them secretly and by night for then 't would look as if they were murder'd by Thieves The King thought the Earl had been real in what he spake for he knew that he was able to perform what he had promised and therefore he gave him many Thanks and more Promises of great Rewards and so dismist him He presently acquainted the Nobility with their imminent Danger and advis'd them to withdraw themselves as he himself also did The King perceiving that his secret Projects were discover'd from that day forward would trust no Body but after he had staid a while in the Castle of Edinburgh he sailed over into the Countries beyond the Forth for they as yet remain'd firm in their Obedience to him and there levy'd a considerable Force And the Nobles who before had sought his Amendment not his Destruction now seeing all Hopes of any Agreement or Concord were cut off managed all their Counsels for his utter Overthrow and Ruin Only there was one difficulty which troubled them and That was Who should be their General that after the King was subdued might be Regent or Vice-King who might be acceptable to the People and on the account of the Honour of his Family would load the Faction with as little Envy as might be after many Consultations in the case at last they pitcht upon the King's Son He was entised thereunto by the Supervisors and Tutors of his Childhood and he did it out of this Fear that if he refus'd the Government and Command would pass over to the English the perpetual Enemies of their Family The King by this time had past over the Forth and pitcht his Tents by the Castle of Blackenes and his Sons Army was not far off ready for the Encounter when loe the matter was compos'd by the Intervention of the Earl of Athole the Kings Uncle and Athole himself was given up as an Hostage for the Peace to Adam Hepburn Earl of Bothwel with whom he remain'd till the Kings Death But Suspicions increasing on Both sides the Concord lasted not long however intercourse of Messengers passed between them and at last the Nobility gave this Answer That seeing the King did act nothing sincerely therefore a certain War was better than a treacherous Peace there was but one Medium left upon which they could agree And that was that the King should resign the Government and his Son be set up in his Place and if he would not assent to This 't was in vain for him to give himself the Trouble of any more Messages or Disputes The King communicated this Answer to his Embassadors which he sent to the French and to the English making it his Desire to them that they would assist him against the Fury of a Few of his Rebellious Subjects by their Authority and if need were by some Auxiliary Forces that so they might be reduc'd to their Obedience for they ought to look upon it as a Common Fortune and that the Contagion by this Example would quickly creep to the Neighbour-Nations There were also Embassadors sent to Eugenius the Eighth Pope of Rome to desire him that out of his Fatherly Affection to the Scotish Name he would send a Legat into Scotland with full Power by Ecclesiastical Censures to compel his Rebellious Subjects to lay down Arms and obey their King The Pope writ to Adrian of Castell then his Legat in England a Man of great Learning and Prudence to do his endeavour for the composing the Scotish Affair but these Remedies were too late For the Nobles who were not ignorant What the King was a doing and knew that he was implacable toward them resolv'd to put it to a Battel before any more Forces came in to him And though they had the Kings Son with them both to countenance their Matters with the greater Grace amongst the Vulgar and also to shew that they were not Enemies to their Country but to their Misled King only yet lest the Hearts of the People might be weakned by the Approach of Foreign Ambassadors they were solicitous night and day how to decide it by a Battel But the Kings Fearfulness was an hindrance to their hasty Design who having levied a great Strength in the Northern Parts of the Kingdom resolved to keep himself within the Castle of Edinburgh till those Aids came to him But he was taken off from that Counsel and Advice though it seem'd the safest for him by the Fraud or at least the Simplicity of those about him for in regard of the frequent Washes and Firths which gave delay to those who were coming in to him they persuaded him to go to Sterlin the only Place of the Kingdom fit to receive Aids coming from all Parts thereof And there he might be as safe as he was in the Castle of Edinburgh seeing his Enemies were unprovided of all Materials requisite for the Storming of Castles and also he might have his Fleet which he had rigg'd out against all hazards to ride in some convenient Harbour near adjoining This Counsel seem'd both faithful and also safe if Iames Shaw Governor of the Castle being corrupted by the contrary Faction
had not refus'd to give him entrance so that the Enemy was almost at his Heels and before he knew whither to betake himself he was forc't with that Strength which he had to run the hazard of a Fight At the beginning they fought stoutly and the first Ranks of the Nobility's Army began to give ground but the Men of Annandale and the Neighbouring Parts inhabiting the West of Scotland came boldly up and having longer Spears than their Adverse Party they presently routed the Kings Main Battel he himself was weakned by the Fall of his Horse and fled to some Water-Mills near the place where the Battel was fought his Intent was as is suppos'd to get to his Ships which lay not far off there he was taken and a few more with him and slain there were Three that persued close after him in his Flight i. e. Patrick Grey the Head of his Family Sterlin Car and a Priest named Borthwick 't is not well known Which of them gave him his Deaths Wound When the News of his Death though as yet not fully certain was divulg'd through Both Armies it occasion'd the Conquerors to press less violently upon those who fled away so that there were the Fewer of them slain For the Nobles manag'd the War against the King not against their Fellow Subjects There was slain of the Kings Party Alexander Cuningham Earl of Glencarn with some Few of his Vassals and Kindred but there were many wounded of Both sides Thus Iames the Third came to his end a Man not so much of a bad Disposition by Nature as corrupted by ill Custom and Acquaintance For having at first given forth a Specimen of great and notable Ingenuity and of a Mind truly Royal he degenerated by degrees the Boyds being the first Occasion thereof into all manner of Licentiousness When the Boyds were taken off then Persons of the Lowest Sort were his Advisers to all kind of Wickedness and besides the Corruption of the Times and the evil Examples of his Neighbour Kings contributed not a little to his Overthrow and Ruin For Edward the Fourth in England Charles in Burgundy Lewis the Eleventh in France Iohn the Second in Portugal had all laid the Foundations of Tyranny in their respective Kingdoms also And Richard the Third exercised it most highly and cruelly in England His Death was also branded with this Ignominy that in the next Assembly the whole Parliament voted that he was justly slain and Provision was made for all that had born Arms against him that neither They nor their Posterity should be prejudic'd thereby He died in the Year of our Lord 1488 in the Twenty Eighth Year of his Reign and the Thirty Fifth of his Age. The Thirteenth BOOK JAmes the Third being thus slain near Sterlin in or about the Month of Iune they who were his Contrariants being as yet uncertain what was become of Him retreated to Linlithgo There Word was brought them that some Boats had passed to and fro from the Ships to the Land and that they had carried off the Wounded Men. Whereupon a Suspicion arose amongst them that the King himself also was gone a Shipboard which occasioned them to remove their Camp to Leith From thence the Prince for that 's the Title of the King of Scot's eldest Son sent some Agents to require the Admiral of the Fleet to come ashore to him His Name was Andrew Wood he was a Knight and being mindful of the King's Kindness towards him remained constant in his Affection to him even after he was dead but he refused to come ashore unless Hostages were given for his safe Return Seaton and Flemming two Noblemen were appointed as Hostages When he landed the King 's Council asked him if he knew where the King was and who were they that he carried off to his Ships after the Fight As for the King he told them he knew nothing of him but that he and his Brothers had landed out of their Boats that so they might assist the King and all his good Subjects but having endeavoured in vain to preserve him they then returned to the Fleet He added if the King were alive they resolved to obey none but him but if he were slain they were ready to revenge his Death He uttered also many reproachful Speeches against the Rebels yet nevertheless they sent him away in Safety to his Ships that so their Hostages might not suffer When the Hostages were returned the Inhabitants of Leith were called up to the Council and pressed by Promises of great Reward to rig out their Ships and subdue Andrew Wood. They all in general made answer that he had two Ships so fitted with all Things for a Fight and so well furnished with valiant Seamen and withal that he himself was so skilful in Naval Affairs that no ten Ships in all Scotland were able to cope with his Two So that that Consultation was put off and they went to Edinburgh There they were fully informed of the King's Death and appointed a magnificent Funeral to be made for him at Kambus-Kenneth a Monastery near Sterlin on the 25 th day of the Month of Iune IAMES the IVth the CV'th King IN the Interim an Assembly was summoned about creating a new King There were few which came together to perform this Service and those were mostly of the Party that had conspired against the former King The new King at his first entrance sent an Herauld to the Governour of Edinburgh-Castle for him to surrender it which he did and then he passed over to Sterlin and that Castle was also delivered up to him by the Garison-Souldiers When the Vogue was up in England how troublesom Matters were in Scotland five Ships were chosen out of that King's Fleet who entred into the Firth of Forth and there made havock of the Goods of all Merchants making many descents on both Shores they mightily infesting the Maritime Parts for they expected greater Disturbances on Land by the sidings of the Scots one against another For seeing the adverse Party were rather shattered than broken in the late Fight in regard they were not all there and of those that were there were but few slain they thought a feircer Tempest would have arisen from Minds which yet continued to be inflamed with Hatred and Envy and which were elevated by confidence in their own Strength And it encreased the Indignation that now the power over so many Noble and Eminent Persons was so easily fallen not into the King's but to a few particular Mens Hands for tho the King might retain the Name and Title of a King yet being but a Youth of 15 Years old he did not govern but was himself governed by those that killed his Father For the whole management of Matters would reside in Douglas Hepburne and Hume and their Confidence was the more encreased because all the Shores were infested with the two Fleets the Scottish and the English To obviate this
Difficulty first of all the new King endeavoured to reconcile the Naval Forces to himself lest when he was absent in the further parts of the Kingdom to settle Matters there they should make some stir or at least should make an entrance for the English to penetrate far into the Land and so spoil the Mid-land Countries Whereupon when the old King's Death was now publickly divulged abroad the new One thought that Andrew Wood would now be more flexible and therefore he sent for him giving him the publick Faith for his Security When he was ashoar he told him what a great Dishonour Loss and publick Shame it was to the whole Nation that a few English Ships should in despite of them ride under their very Noses and thereupon he drew over Andrew to his Party and set him forth in good Equipage against the English Many did advise him that he would sail an equal number of Ships at least against the Enemy whose Vessels were more and bigger than his No says he I 'le have only my own Two And as soon as the Wind served he made directly toward the English who rode before Dunbar He fought them bravely took and brought them all into Leith and presented their Commanders to the King Andrew was liberally rewarded by the King and his skill in Sea-fight with the singular Valour of his Souldiers and Seamen was highly magnified And yet there were not wanting some of those sort of Creatures who do always admire the Atchievments of Kings whatsoever they be and if they be Great yet they view them in a multiplying Glass who foretold that this Victory did but presage a greater Mean while the adverse part of the Nobility sent Messages into all parts of the Kingdom to persuade the Countrey to rise and not to endure the present state of Things nor to suffer so many valiant Men to be illuded by such publick Parricides who had murdered one King and held Another in Bondage yea who accused the Defenders of the King's Life as Traitors whereas they who were indeed violaters of all divine and human Laws gave out themselves to be the only Assertors of the Rights of their Country and Maintainers of its Liberty Amongst whom the King himself was not a Freeman in regard he was enforced by them to take Arms against his Father and his King too and after he was impiously slain then to prosecute by a nefarious War those who were his Father's Friends and Defenders of his Life Many such Discourses they spread abroad amongst the Vulgar and to excite a greater Flame of Indignation and Hate Alexander Forbes Chief of a Noble Family carried the King's Shirt upon a Spear all over bloody and torn with the Marks of the Wounds he received through Aberdeen and all the chief Towns of the adjacent Country and as if it had been by a publick Proclamation he excited all Men by the Voice of an Herauld to rise in Arms to revenge so nefarious a Fact And Matthew Stewart Earl of Lennox a Man of great Wealth and Power and who by an honest kind of popularity was equally dear to high and low was as active in the Countries on this side the Forth for he raised up the Earls that were his Neighbours and with a good Force endeavoured to pass over the Bridge at Sterlin to join his Associates but that Bridg being possessed by the King's Forces he sought to pass over at a Ford not far from the Rise of the River at the Foot of Mount Grampias His Design was discovered to Iohn Drummond by Alexander Mac-alpin his Vassal who had joined himself to the Enemy by whom also Information was given that all things were secure and ill-guarded in the Enemies Camp that every one stragled up and down as they pleased that they had no Watch set in convenient places nor used any Military Discipline at all Hereupon Drummond with some Courtiers and a few Volunteers who purposely came in to assist him set upon them as they were asleep many were killed in their sleep the rest run headlong away without their Arms and so returned from whence they came many were taken Prisoners but by their Friends that knew them a great part of them were dismissed they only were severely dealt with who had either written or spoke more contumeliously than others The Joy for this Victory was encreased by the News of another at the same time wherein Andrew Wood had prevailed in a Sea-fight against Stephen Bull. For Edward King of England hearing that five of his Ships were taken by two of the Scots and those much lesser also than his was willing to blot out the Infamy of the Thing and yet could find out no just pretence for a War yet he called his ablest Sea-Commanders together he offered them what Ships and Warlike Furniture they pleased and so he persuaded them to revenge the Ignominy cast on the English Name promising them great Rewards if they could bring Wood to him alive or dead But when those that knew the Valour of the Man and his prosperous Successes made some delay in the Case Stephen Bull a Knight of known Courage undertook the Expedition and Opportunity seemed to favour his Design because he knew that Wood was shortly to return out of Flanders and he thought it would be a matter of no great difficulty to attaque him unawares in his Passage thereupon he chose out three Ships of the Royal Navy and equipped them well in all points and so stood for the Isle of May an Island uninhabited in the Bay of Forth choosing that place for the conveniency of it because in every side of the Island there is safe riding and Harbour for Ships and there the Sea also grows so narrow that no little Vessel could pass by without being discovered Whilst he rode there he continually kept some of his skilfullest Mariners abroad in Fisher-boats to watch and to discover to him his Enemies Ships he had not rode at Anchor there many days when lo Wood's Ships appeared with full Sail making towards him Bull knew them and presently weighed Anchor and as Victor already in his Mind he prepared himself for the Fight Wood staid no longer but till his Men had armed themselves and so made up to him Thus did these two valiant Commanders engage as if they had had the Courage of mighty Armies and they fought so obstinately till the Night parted the Fray the Victory inclining to neither side The next Morning each of them incouraged their Party and with renewed Strength went to it again they cast Iron Hooks called Grapling Irons into one anothers Ships and so fought hand to hand as if they had been at a Land Fight and that with so great eagerness that neither of them took notice of the falling back of the Tide till they came to the heaps of Sand at the mouth of the River Tay there the Water being shallower the great Ships of the English
But at last when he perceived that he could not have Aid enough from her to recover his Kingdom being a Widow and old too he had solicited Neighbour-Kings and Nations desiring them to respect the common Chances of Man's Life and not to suffer Royal Blood to be oppressed by Tyrannical Violence and so himself to pine away with Grief Fear and Misery and that he though so the present afflicted with great Evils yet was not so dejected in his Mind but that he hoped the time would come that being restored to his Kingdom by the Aid of his Friends of whom he had many both in England and Scotland he should be able to consider every particular Man's Service and reward him accordingly especially if the Scots would join their Forces with His and if ever he was restored to his Kingdom by their Arms they should soon understand that they had won a fast Friend and that at such a time too when the trial of true Friendship is wont to be made for he and his Posterity would be so gratefully mindful of the Obligation that they would ever acknowledg that the accession of his better Fortune was due to them alone Besides he added many things in praise of the King part of them true and part accommodated to their present Condition Having thus said he held his Peace but the King called him up to him and bid him Take Heart for he would refer his Demands to the Council whose Advice in Grand Affairs he must needs have yet however they did determine he promised him faithfully That he should not repent that he made His Court his Sanctuary Upon this Peter quitted the Assembly and the Matter being put to a debate the wiser sort who had most experience in State-Affairs thought it best to reject the whole Business either because they judg'd he was a Counterfeit or else that they foresaw there would be more Danger by the War than Advantage by the Victory tho' they were sure of it But the major part either through unskilfulness in Affairs or inconstancy of Spirit or else to gratify the King argued that Peter's Cause was most just and that they greatly pittied the Man they added also That now Matters were in some confusion in England and Mens Minds were yet fluctuating after the Civil War and therefore it was good to lay hold of this Opportunity and that which the English were wont to do to them they themselves ought to try for once to make use of the Enemies Distractions for their own Advantage yea they foretold a Victory preconceived in their Minds before they had put on their Armour especially if great Forces of the English came in to join them nay if they should not come in in such Numbers as they hoped yet one of these two things must necessarily follow That either they should conquer Henry and so settle this new King on his Throne who in recompence for so great a Benefit must needs grant them all that they desired Or if they could end the Matter without Blows yet Henry upon the quelling Domestick Tumults not being yet fully settled in his Throne would submit to what Conditions they pleased But if he refused so to do when War was once begun many advantages might offer themselves which now were unforeseen This was the Opinion of the major part and the King himself inclined to them and his Vote drew in the rest And after this he treated Peter more honourably than before gave him the Title of Duke of York and as such shewed him to the People And not contented herewith he gave him Katharine Gordon Daughter to the Earl of Huntly to Wife a Woman of as great Beauty as Nobility of Stock by this Affinity erecting him to hopes of thriving and bettering his Condition And therefore by Advice of his Council he levied an Army and marched for England first of all carrying it warily and having his Troops ready to engage if any suddain Assault should be made upon him But afterwards when he understood by his Spies that the Enemy had no Army in the Field he sent out Parties to Plunder and in a short time wasted almost all Northumberland and the Countries thereabout He staid some days in those Parts and not an English-Man stirred in behalf of Peter And it being told him that an Army was levying against him in the adjacent Counties he thought it dangerous to venture his Souldiers who were loaden with Booty against the new and fresh Forces of the English and therefore he resolved to return into Scotland and there to leave their Booty and as soon as the time of the Year would permit to undertake a new Expedition Neither did he fear that the English would follow him in his retreat for he knew that new-raised Souldiers would not be long kept together neither would they make after him if they could through a Country so lately harassed and desolated by the Wars especially having no Provisions prepared before-hand And besides Peter was afraid that in regard none of the English came in to him as he hoped that if he staid any longer in his Enemies Country his Cheat would be discovered so that he himself seemed to approve of the King's Resolution came cunningly to him and composing his Speech and Countenance so as might best move Compassion he humbly besought him That he would not make such Havock in a Kingdom that was his own by Right and that he would not so cruelly shed so much Blood of his Subjects for no Kingdom in the World was of so much worth to him as for its sake to have his Peoples Blood so largely spilt and his Country so wasted with Fire and Sword to procure it The King began now to smell out and understand whither this unseasonable Clemency did tend and therefore told him That he feared he would preserve that Kingdom in which not a Man did own him as a Subject much less as a King not for himself but for his Capital Enemy and so by common consent they returned Home and the Army was disbanded Henry being made acquainted with the Invasion and also the Retreat of the Scots appointed an Expedition against them the Year after and in the mean time levied a great Army and that he might not be idle in the Winter-time he summons a Parliament who approved of his Design to make War on Scotland and granted a small Subsidy upon the People for that end That Tax raised up a greater flame of War upon him at Home than that which he designed to quench Abroad For the Commonalty complained that their Youth and Souldiery were exhausted by so many Wars and Impressments which had been made within these few Years that their Estates were impaired and ran very low But the Nobles and Counsellors to the King were so far from being moved with these Calamities that they sought to create new Wars in a time of Peace that so they might impose new Taxes on
them who were already in great Want and Necessity and thus whom the Sword had not consumed Famine and Poverty would These were the publick Complaints of all the Commons but the Cornish were more enraged than all the rest for they inhabiting a Country which is in great part barren are wont rather to gain than lose by Wars And therefore that warlike People having been accustomed rather to encrease their Estates by Military Spoils than to lessen them by paying Taxes and Rates first of all rose against the King's Officers and Collectors and slew them and then being conscious that they had engaged themselves in so bold an Attempt that there was no retreat nor hopes of Mercy the Multitude flocking in daily more and more to them with Arms in their hands they began their march towards London But 't is not my Business to prosecute the Story of this Insurrection it is enough for my purpose to tell you that the King was so busied this whole Year by the Cornish that the Army which he had designed against Scotland he was enforced to employ against them In the mean time Iames foreseeing That Henry would not let the Injuries of the former Year pass unrevenged and being also informed by his Intelligencers That he was raising great Forces against him He on the other side levied an Army to the intent That if the English invaded him first he might be in a posture to defend himself if not then he himself would make an inroad into his Enemies Country and there so waste and destroy the bordering Counties that the Soil poor enough of it self should not afford sufficient Necessaries even for the very Husbandman And hearing of the Cornish Insurrection he presently began his march and entered England with a great Army dividing his Forces into two parts one went towards Durham to ravage that Country and with the rest he besieged Norham a strong Castle scituated on a very high Hill by the River Tweed But neither here nor there was there any thing considerable done For Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a very prudent Person foreseeing that the Scots would not omit the Opportunity of attempting somewhat during the civil Broils in England had fortified some Castles with strong Garisons and had taken care that the Cattle and all other driveable and portable things should be conveyed unto places either safe by Nature or made so by the vicinity of Moors Rivers And moreover he sent for the Earl of Surry who had great Forces in Yorkshire to assist him and therefore the Scots only burnt the Country and not being able to take Norham which was stoutly defended by those within raised the Siege and without any considerable Action returned Home The English followed them not long after and demolished Aytown a small Castle seated almost in the very Borders and he returned out of their Enemies Country without any memorable performance also Amidst these Commotions both foreign and domestick Peter Hialas a Man of great Wisdom and as those Times were not unlearned arrived in England he was sent by Ferdinand and Isabel King and Queen of Spain The purport of his Embassy was That Katharine their Daughter might marry Arthur King Henry's Son and so a new Affinity and Friendship might be contracted betwixt them The English did willingly embrace the Affinity and therefore were desirous to finish the War with Scotland and because Henry thought it was below his Dignity to seek Peace at the Scots Hands he was willing to use him as a Mediator Peter willingly undertook the Business and came into Scotland there he plied Iames with several Arguments and at last made him inclinable to a Peace and then he wrote to Henry That he hoped a good Peace would be agreed without any great difficulty if he pleased to send down some Eminent Person of his Council to accord the Conditions Henry as one that had often tried the inconstancy of Fortune and that the Minds of his Subjects were grown fierce by these late Tumults as being rather irritated than wholly suppressed commanded Richard Fox who resided in his Castle at Norham to join Counsels with Hialas These Two had many Disputes about the Matter with the Embassadors of Scotland at Iedburgh and after many Conditions had been mutually proposed they could agree upon nothing The chiefest Impediment was The demand of Henry that Peter Warbeck should be given up to him for he judged it to be a very reasonable Proposition in regard he was but a Counterfeit and had been already the Occasion of so much Mischief Iames peremptorily refused so to do alledging That it was not honourable in him to surrender up a Man of the Royal Progeny who came to him as a Suppliant whom he had also made his Kinsman by Marriage against his Faith given to him to be made a Laughing-stock by his Enemies And thus the Conference broke off yet the hopes of an Agreement were not altogether cast off for a Truce was made for some months till Iames could dismiss Warbeck upon Honourable Terms according to his Promise For now by the Conference with the English and other evident Indications it plainly appeared that the Tale concerning Peter's State and Kindred was a mere Falsity and therefore the King sent for him and told him what singular good Will he had born him and how many Courtesies he had bestowed upon him of which he himself was the best Witness as first That he had undertaken a War against a Potent King for his sake and had now managed it a second Year to the great Inconvenience of his Enemy and the Prejudice of his own Subjects That he had refused an Honourable Peace which was freely offered him merely because he would not surrender him up to the English and thereby he had given great Offence both to his Subjects and his Enemy too so that now he neither could nor would any longer withstand their Desires And therefore whatever might ensue whether Peace or War he desired him to seek out some other and fitter Place for his Banishment for he was resolved to make Peace with the English and when it was once solemnly made to observe it as religiously and to remove from him whatsoever might be an Impediment or Disturbance thereto Neither ought he to complain That the Scots had forsaken him seeing the English had done so first in confidence of whose Assistance the Scots had begun the War And yet notwithstanding all these Circumstances he was resolved to accommodate him with Provisions and other Necessaries to put to Sea Warbeck was mightily troubled at his unexpected dismission yet he remitted nothing of his dissimulated height of Spirit but in a few days sailed over into Ireland with his Wife and Family From whence soon after he passed into England and there joined himself with the Reliques of the Cornish Rebels but after many Attempts being able to do no good he was taken and having confessed
all the Pageantry of his former Life he ended his days in an Halter The Seminary of War between England and Scotland being almost extinguished and a great likelihood of Peace appearing behold there arose a great Ebullition of Spirit upon a very light occasion which had almost broken out into a fierce War Some Scottish Youths went over to the Town of Norham which was near to the Castle as they were oft wont to do in Times of Peace there to recreate themselves in Sports and Pastimes and to junket together with their Neighbours as if they had been at Home for there was but a small River which divided them The Garison in the Castle out of the Rancour yet lodging in their Breasts since the former War and being also provoked by some passionate words accused those Scots as Spies and so from Words they came to Blows many were wounded on both sides and the Scots being fewer in number were forced to return Home with the loss of some of their Company This Business was often canvassed in the Meetings between the Lords of the Marches and at last Iames was very angry and sent an Herald to Henry to complain of Breach of Truce and how unconstant the English were in keeping Covenant and unless Satisfaction were given according to the just Laws which were made by general Consent about restitution betwixt the Borderers he commanded him to denounce War against him Henry had been exercised by the Violence of Fortune even from his Cradle and therefore was more inclined to Peace his Answer was That whatever was done of that kind was against his Will and without his Knowledg and if the Garison-Souldiers had offended in the Case by their Temerity he would take order That Examination should be made and that the Leagues being kept inviolate the Guilty should be punished But this was slowly done and Iames looked upon the Answer as dilatory that so Punishment might be deferred and the Sentiment thereof worn out with Time and therefore it rather provoked than satisfied Iames. But Richard Fox Bishop of Durham who was owner of the Castle being much troubled that an occasion of breaking the League should be administred by any of his Tenants to prevent it sent several Letters to Iames full of great submission modesty and civility which so inclined the Mind of Iames that he wrote him word back that he would willingly speak with him not only about the late Wrongs done but also about other Matters which might be advantagious to both Kingdoms Fox acquainted his King herewith and by his Consent he waited upon Iames at Mulross where he then was There Iames made a grievous Complaint of the Injury acted at Norham yet by the prudent and grave discourse of Fox he was so pacified that for Peace-sake of which he shewed himself very desirous he remitted the Offence Other things were acted privately betwixt them but it appeared afterward that the Sum of them was this That Iames did not only desire a Peace but both before and also now an Affinity with Henry and a stricter Bond of Union And if Henry would bestow his Daughter Margaret upon him in Marriage he hoped that the thing would be for the benefit of both Kingdoms and if Fox whose Authority he knew to be great at home would but do his Endeavour to accomplish the Affinity he did not doubt but it would be soon effected He freely promised his Endeavour and coming to the Court of England acquainted the King with the Proposition and thereupon gave hopes to the Scots Embassadors that a Peace would easily be accorded betwixt the two Kings Thus at length three Years after which was An. 1500 even about one and the same time Henry's Eldest Daughter was betrothed to Iames the IVth and also Katharine Daughter to Ferdinand of Spain to Henry's Eldest Son and their Marriages were celebrated with great Pomp the next Year after After the Marriage all things were quiet and the Court turned from the Study of Arms to Sports and Pastimes so that there was nothing but Masks Shews Feastings Dancings and Balls it was as a continued Jubilee and upon that account every day was as an Holy-day There were also Horse-Tiltings frequently made mostly according to the French Mode betwixt which as Tragical Acts there intervened the Challenges of Moss-Troopers one of another who were wont to live upon Spoil which Sport the King was well pleased to behold because he judged that the killing of them was a Gain to him When the noise of these Tourneaments came to Foreign Nations many Strangers and especially from France came daily over to shew their Prowess who were all liberally entertained by the King and as bountifully dâ—smissed Neither did he rest in these ludicrous Exercises but he laid out a great deal of Mony upon Building at Sterlin Falkland and sundry other places and especially in building of Monasteries but his Cost about Ships was greatest of all for he built three stately ones of a great Bulk and many also of a middle Rate one of his great ones was to admiration the biggest that ever any Man had seen sail on the Ocean it being also furnished with all manner of costly Accommodations our Writers have given a Description of it which I pass over and the Measure of it is kept in some places but the Greatness of it appeared by this That the News thereof stirred up Francis King of France and Henry the 8 th King of England each of them to build a Ship in imitation thereof and each endeavouring to out-vie the other when their Ships were finished and fitted with all necessaries for sailing and brought to Sea they were so big that they stood there like unmoveable Rocks unfit for any use These Works being very expensive did exhaust Iames his Treasure so that he was forced to devise some new ways to get Mony and amongst the rest he pitched upon one by the Perswasion as it was thought of William Elphinstone Bishop of Aberdeen which was very displeasing to all the Nobility Amongst the Tenures of Land in Scotland this is one kind by which the Owner holds what he buys or else is given him on these Terms That if he dye and leave his Son and Heir under Age The Wardship of him should belong to the King or to some other Superior Lord yea and all the Revenue is to be received by him till the Heir come to the age of 21 Years There is also another Badg of Slavery annexed to this Hold that if an Owner do sell above half his Estate without the consent of the chief Lord then he is to forfeit the whole to him This Law was introduced by Court-Parasites to advance the King's Exchequer but being looked upon as unjust had lain dormant a long time but the King being informed that Money might be got out of the Violators of it commanded it to be put in Execution that Process they call Recognition
This way of raising Money by the King tho it outed no Man of his whole Estate yet was a greater Grievance to the Country than his Father's Covetousness had been for the Wrong redounded to very many and to the worthiest People most because under the two last Kings by reason of their Forreign and also of their Civil Wars the Memory of that Law was almost quite abolished and thereupon by reason of this new Project they were enforced either to redeem their Lands from the Officers of the King's Exchequer or else to relinquish part of them And yet the love of the Subjects towards their King was so great that tho they suffered great Inconvenience thereby his other Vertues gave him such a Reverence amongst them that their Indignation did not proceed to an actual Rising in Arms. But when the King set no bounds to his Expences neither were there some Flatterers a perpetual mischief to Courts wanting who covered this vitious Excess under the plausible Names of Splendour and Magnificence Hereupon he determined to undertake a Voyage into Syria that so he might put an end to his vast Expence which he could not continue without Ruin nor yet give over without Shame and so by his Absence to abridg it He made an honest Pretence for his Journey that it was to expiate the Fault he had committed in bearing Arms against his Father And indeed he had given some evidence of his Penitence whether true or pretended upon this account from the very beginning of his Reign as I said before and he would often speak of it in his common Discourse He had rigged a Navy for this Voyage and had nominated the chief of his Retinue and had acquainted his Neighbour-Kings by his Ambassadours of his Intent and many of his Followers as if they had obliged themselves by the same Vow suffered the Hairs of their Heads and Beards to grow at length and it was thought he would immediately have taken Ship if some Hinderances had not intervened even whilst he was most intent on his Journey For at that time there arose a vehement Suspicion of a War like to ensue betwixt France and England for Henry did not like the Successes of the French in Italy and besides he was solicited by Iulius the 2 d then Pope and by Ferdinand of Spain his Father-in-Law to join with them and with the Venetians Swiss and Maximilian too tho he did regulate his Councils ordinarily according to Events for it was likely that the Conjunctions of so many Nations against France would almost swallow it up The King of England being in the prime of his Age and elevated much in the sense of the Power of his Kingdoms and also being very willing to be in Action was desirous to enter into this Confederacy but wanted a fair Pretence to fall out with France But both of them knew one anothers Designs by their Spies and when France could not be persuaded to desist from warring against the Pope who was Henry's Friend at length an Herauld was sent into France to demand Normandy Aquitain and Anjou as the old Possessions of the English in France But in regard France was not moved by these Threats neither to intermit the War in Italy hereupon Henry denounced War against him and sent an Army into Biscay to join his Father-in-Law Ferdinand and he himself prepared for an Expedition into France Now Iames of Scotland tho he resolved to side with neither of them yet as more inclinable to the French he sent his Navy aforementioned as a Present to Ann Queen of France that so it might seem rather as a mark of his Friendship than any real Assistance for Military Action And moreover the Scots Clergy who were used to French Largesses were willing to shew themselves in behalf of Lewis of France and seeing they durst not openly do it they sought out occasions to alienate the King's Mind from the English In order hereto Andrew Forman then Bishop of Murray one of their Faction and a Friend to Lewis was sent into England to demand a vast Sum of Gold and Silver the greatest part thereof consisted in Womens Jewels and Ornaments which were reported to be given by Will by Arthur Henry the 8 ths Elder Brother to his Sister Margaret now married to Iames as I related before Henry as 't is probable looked upon this Demand only as a Pretence for a Quarrel and therefore he answered Iames very mildly That if any thing were due to him he would not only pay it but if he wanted a greater Sum or any other Assistance he would not fail to supply him When Iames received this Answer he resolved to assist Lewis in any other way but by no means to invade England and he sent over the same Forman into France to acquaint Lewis therewith Meanwhile because he had heard that great Naval Preparations were making on both sides he resolved to send the Fleet aforementioned to Ann immediately that so it might arrive there before the War did actually break forth he made Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran Admiral of it and caused him to set sail with the first Opportunity But Hamilton tho a Man good enough yet was more skilled in the Arts of Peace than War and therefore either out of fear of Danger or else out of his habitual backwardness left his Voyage for France and turned to Knockfergus a Town in Ireland scituate over against Galway in Scotland which place he pillaged and burnt and afterward as if he had been a mighty Conqueror he hoisted sail for Air in Scotland a Port-Town in Kyle When the King heard of his Return he was very outragious against him and could not forbear to express his menacing Reproaches against the Man and he was the more inraged against him because he had received a Letter from Queen Ann out of France which did endeavour to flatter him into a War against England and he had also other Letters from Andrew Forman which informed him That he was generally upbraided with the Promise of sending the Fleet which they now looked upon as vain in regard no such thing was done The King was willing to obviate this mischief as well as he could and therefore seeing Hamilton had broke off the Course he was commanded to run and had destroyed a Town that had never been an Enemy to the Scots and was then also in Alliance with them and so had made War upon his Friends without denouncing it beforehand therefore he cashiered him the Admiralship and caused him to be summoned to appear before him Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus was designed to succeed him in that Command and Andrew Wood was sent with him to take the Fleet into his Charge But Hamilton had notice by his Friends before their coming of the King's Displeasure against him and therefore presently hoised Sail resolving rather to commit himself to the wide Sea than to an enraged King he was
a long time sailing for France his Ship being tossed with contrary Winds and sore Storms in the Way so that he arrived not there till the French had laid aside the Thoughts of any Naval Preparations and then he landed in Base-Britaine where the Ship which cost so much Money and Labour to build had her Tackle taken out and so rotted in the Harbour of Brest In the interim other causes of Discord arose at Home which wholly alienated Iames from Henry In the Reign of Henry the 7 th there was one Robert Carr a worthy Knight so much beloved of Iames for his excellent Virtues that he made him his chief Cup-bearer Master of his Ordnance and Lord-Warden of the middle-Borders or Marches He was a severe punisher of all Robbers which procured him great Favour with the King but increased the Hatred of the Borderers against him So that both English and Scots whose Licentiousness he restrained by putting the Laws in Execution against them jointly sought all occasions to take away his Life and at length at a solemn meeting of Scots and English which used to be kept to adjust and recompense Damages received a Quarrel arose and three English-men bold Fellows Iohn Hern Lilburn and one Starhed set upon him one came behind and ran him through his Back with a Lance and when he was wounded the other two dispatched him quite This Business was likely to create a War but Henry as he was just in other Things so in this was as angry as Iames at the foulness of the Fact and therefore he caused Iohn Hern the Brother of th' other Iohn Lord of Foord and Governour of the English Borders to be delivered up to the Scots with Lilburne for the other Two had made their escape They were shut up in Prison in Fast-Castle and there Lilburne died And for the expiation of so manifest a Crime it was decreed That in future Assemblings of that kind the English should first crave the publick Faith for their Security and so enter Scotland and have their Meetings there and the Ambassadors of England by many solemn Protestations and Ceremony of Words should declare That the Publick was not concerned as guilty of that particular Murder The other two Murderers lurked in the inland Parts of England till the Reign of Henry the 8 th and yet they went not unpunished for when they had got a Young King fierce potent and saw that he was willing to shew the greatness of his Strength they crept out of their Dens Hern by the mediation of his Kindred lived openly at his own House and privately sent in Robbers to Scotland to disturb the Publick Peace hoping that if a War were once begun he should obtain Indemnity for his old Offences and Impunity even with freedom to commit new But Starhed got a Place to live in about 90 Miles from the Borders thinking to be safe by reason of the remoteness of his Habitation but Andrew Carr the Son of Robert who saw that the Seeds of Hatred which would soon break out into a War were then sown and fearing that if once they entred into Arms he should lose the avengement of his Father's Blood persuades two of his Tenants of the Family of the Tates to disguise themselves and to kill Starhed They undertook to do it and so entred his House securely in the Night for living so far from the Borders he thought he needed no Watch where they killed him cut off his Head and brought it to Andrew he in testimony of his desired Revenge sends it to Edinburgh and sets it up there upon an high and conspicuous Place Of Hern I shall speak in due time A new Fact trod on the Heels of this old Injury which awakened the Anger of the King of Scots that was rather asleep than extinguished before At that time there was one Andrew Breton a Scots Merchant his Father had a Ship rifled by the Portugals and himself cruelly slain Andrew had the Cause heard in Flanders because there the Murder was committed where the Portugals were cast but they not paying what was adjudged neither did their King tho' Iames sent an Herald to him for that end compel them so to do Andrew hereupon obtained Letters of Mart from Iames to satisfy himself for the Damages and Murder and it was directed to all Princes and Cities lying near the Sea That they should not account him as a Pirate or Robber if by open Force he revenged himself on the Portugals who were such Violaters of common Right and Equity so that in a few Months he did much mischief to the Portugals Their Ambassadors in the height of the War the French made against Pope Iulius the Second and which was soon like to break out against the English as siding with Iulius came to Henry and told him That this bold and impudent Fellow Andrew which had done them so much Mischief who were the Ancient Allies of the English would assuredly be his Enemy when he warred against France but now he was secure and might easily be subdued and cut off and if the Fact were evil spoken of it might be excused under a pretence of his exercising Piracy This if he would do he might prevent the Losses of his own Subjects and also gratify their King his Friend and Ally very much Henry was thus easily persuaded by the Portugals to entrap Andrew In order whereto he sent his Admiral Thomas Howard with two strong Ships of the Navy Royal well-appointed to way-lay him in the Downs so they call the Heaps of Sand which appear aloft when the Tide is out in his return from Flanders It was not long before they espied him coming in a small Vessel with a lesser one in his Company and set upon him Howard himself attaqued Andrew between-whom there was a sharp Fight and altho' Howard had all the Advantage imaginable against him yet he had much ado to take the Ship neither could he do that till Andrew and many of his Men were slain This is certain That Andrew was a Man of that Courage even when his Case was desperate that tho' he had several Wounds and one of his Legs was broken with a Cannon Bullet yet he took a Drum and beat an Alarm and a Charge to his Men to incourage them to fight valiantly this he did till his Breath and Life failed him together The lesser Ship seeing that she was no way able to cope with the Enemy endeavoured to save her self by flight but was taken with a great deal less opposition They which were not killed in the Fight were cast into Prison at London from whence they were brought to the King and humbly begging their Lives of him as they were instructed to do by the English he in a proud ostentation of his Mercifulness dismissed and sent the poor innocent Souls away Hereupon Embassadors were sent into England by Iames to complain That his Subjects
Ships were taken in a time of Peace and the Passengers slain They were answered That the killing of Pirats was no violation of Leagues neither was it a justifiable Cause for a War This Answer shewed the spight of one that was willing to excuse a plain Murder and seemed as if he had sought an occasion for a War Whereupon the English which inhabited the Borders by that which was acted above-board guessed at their King's Mind and being also accustomed to sow the Seeds of Dissention in the times of the firmest Peace and besides being much given to Innovation began to prey upon the adjacent Countries of the Scots At that time there was one Alexander Hume who had the sole command of all the Scots Borders which was wont to be distributed into three Mens Hands he was mightily beloved by Iames but his Disposition was more fierce than was expedient for the Good of those Times The King was intent upon War and very solicitous how to blot out the Ignominy received by those Incursions and Hume promised him That he and some of his Kindred and Vassals would in a little time make the English repent of the Loss and Damage they had done as being resolved to turn their Mirth into Sadness To make good his Word he gathered together about 3000 Horse entred England and spoiled the Neighbouring Villages before any Relief could come in but as he was returning his Men being accustomed to pillaging and then also laden with a great deal of Booty being impatient to stay there any longer divided their Spoil even in their Enemy's Country and went their ways severally Home Alexander with a few brought up the Rear to see that no assault might be made upon them in their Retreat but perceiving none to follow he was the more careless and so fell into an Ambush of 300 English who taking the opportunity set upon them and struck such a suddain Terror into them that they routed and put them to flight In this Conflict a great many of the Scots were slain and 200 taken Prisoners amongst whom was Alexander's Brother who was exchanged for the Lord Hern of Foord who had been kept Prisoner many Years in Scotland for the Murder of Robert Carr But all the Booty came safe into Scotland because they who drove it were marched on before This new Offence coming upon the King's Mind which was not easy before upon the account of what I formerly related made him unruly and headstrong and thereupon he called a Convention to consult concerning the War The wiser sort were against it but L'amot the Embassador of France earnestly pressed it by Entreaties and Promises And also frequent Letters from Andrew Forman urged the same thing yea the King himself inclined thereto so that many to gratify him fell in with his Opinion the rest being the minor part lest by a fruitless Opposition they might incur the King's Displeasure gave also their assent so that a War was voted to be made against England both by Land and Sea 't is doubtful whether the Counsel or the Event was the worst a set day was appointed for the Army to meet together An Herald was sent into France to Henry who was then besieging Tournay to denounce War upon him The Causes of it were rendred to be That Satisfaction for Losses had been required but not given That Iohn Hume the Murderer of Robert Carr did openly shew himself That Andrew Breton in violation of the Leagues betwixt the two Crowns had been pillaged and slain by the King 's own Command And though he did not mention any of those Wrongs yet he should never endure That the Territories of Lewis King of France his Ancient Ally nor of Charles Duke of Gelderland his Kinsman should be so miserably harrassed with all the Calamities of War and therefore unless he desisted therefrom he bid him Defiance Henry being young and having a flourishing and puissant Kingdom and besides a general Combination of almost all Europe against France alone these things kindled a desire in his Mind which was otherwise ambitious enough of Glory to continue his Arms and therefore he gave the Herald an Answer more fierce than suted with his youthful Age That he heard nothing from him but what he long before had expected from such a Violator of all Divine and Human Laws and therefore he should do as he thought fit for his part he was resolved not to be threatned out of his Procedure in a War wherein he had so well prospered hitherto and besides he did not value his Friendship as having already had sufficient proof of his Levity This Denunciation of War being brought into Scotland as the King was going to his Army at Linlithgo whilst he was at Vespers in the Church as the manner then was There entred an old Man the Hair of his Head being Red inclining to Yellow and hanging down on his Shoulders his Forehead sleek thro' baldness bare-headed in a long Coat of a russet Colour girt with a linen Girdle about his Loins in the rest of his Aspect he was very venerable He pressed thro' the Crowd to come to the King When he came to him he leaned upon the Chair on which the King sat with a kind of rustick simplicity and bespoke him thus O King said he I am sent to warn thee not to proceed in thy intended Design which Monition if thou neglect neither Thou nor thy Followers shall prosper I am also commanded to tell thee That thou shouldest not use the Familiarity Intimacy and Counsel of Women which if thou dost it will redound to thy Ignominy and Loss Having thus spoken he withdrew himself into the Crowd and when the King enquired for him after Prayers were ended he could not be found which Matter seemed more strange because none of those who stood next and observed him as being desirous to put many Questions to him were sensible how he disappeared Amongst them there was David Lindsy of Mont a Man of approved Worth and Honesty and a great Scholar too for in the whole course of his Life he abhorred Lying and if I had not received this Story from him as a certain Truth I had omitted it as a Romance of the Vulgar But the King notwithstanding went forward in his March and near Edinburgh mustered his Army and a while after entred England took the Castles of Norham Werk Etel Foord and some others near to the Borders of Scotland by Storm and demolished them and spoiled all the adjoining part of Northumberland mean while the King falls in Love with one of the Ladies he had taken Prisoner she was Hern's Wife of Foord and neglected his present business insomuch that Provision beginning to grow scarce in a not very plentiful Country and it being very difficult to fetch it from far the greatest part of his Army stole away and left their Colours very thin only the Nobles with a few of their
mightily enriched by this Booty and thereupon omitted the severity of their Ancient Discipline yea there were some amongst them who counted That Gain as a Pious and Holy Fraud alleging That the Mony could never be better bestowed than to be given to Devout Persons that they might pray forsooth for the Redemption of their Souls out of Purgatory The Fight was carried on so obstinately that towards Night both Parties were weary and withdrew almost Ignorant of one anothers Condition so that Alexander Hume and his Souldiers who remained untouched gathered up a great part of the Spoil at their pleasure But the next day in the Morning Dacres being sent out with a Party of Horse to make discovery when he came to the place of Fight and saw the Scots Brass-Guns without a Guard and also a great part of the Dead unstripp'd he sent for Howard and so gathered up the Spoil at leasure and celebrated the Victory with great Mirth Concerning the King of Scotland there goes a double Report The English say he was slain in the Battel But the Scots affirm That in the Day of Battel there were several others cloathed in the like Coat of Armour and the Habit of the King which was done on purpose on a double account partly that the Enemy might principally aim at one Man as their chief Opponent on whose Life the safeguard of the Army and total ruin of the Enemy did depend and partly also if the King hapned to be slain that the Souldiers might not be discouraged nor sensible of his loss as long as they saw any Man armed and clothed like him in the Field and riding up and down as a Witness of their Cowardise or Valour And that one of these was Alexander Elphinston who in Countenance and Stature was very like the King and many of the Nobility perceiving him armed in Kingly Habiliments followed him in a Mistake and so died resolutely with him but that the King himself repassed the Tweed and was slain by some of Humes his Men near the Town of Kelsoe but it is uncertain whether it were done by his Command or else by the forwardness of his Souldiers who were willing to gratify their Commander for they being desirous of Innovation thought that they should escape Punishment if he were taken off but if he were alive they should be punished for their Cowardise in the Fight Some Conjectures are also added as that the same Night after this unhappy Fight the Monastery of Kelsoe was seized upon by Car an Intimate of Hume's and the Abbat thereof ejected which it was not likely he would dare to have done unless the King were slain and moreover David Galbreth one of the Family of the Hume's some Years after when Iohn the Regent questioned the Hume's and was troublesome to their Family is said to have blamed the sluggish Cowardise of his Allys who would suffer that Stranger to rule so arbitrarily and imperiously over them whereas he himself had been one of the Six that had put an end to the like Insolency of the King at Kelsoe But these Things were so uncertain that when Humes was afterward tried for his Life by Iames Earl of Murray the King 's Natural Son they did not much prejudice his Cause However the Truth of this Matter stands yet I shall not conceal what I have heard Lawrence Talifer an Honest and a Learned Man to report more than once He was then one of the King's Servants and was a Spectator of the Fight he saw the King when the Day was lost set upon an Horse and pass the Tweed many others affirmed the same thing So that the Report went currant for many Years after That the King was alive and was gone to Ierusalem to perform a Religious Vow he had made but would return again in due Time But that Rumor was found as vain as another of the same Batch which was heretofore spread abroad by the Brittons concerning their Arthur And but a few Years since by the Burgundians concerning Charles This is certain That the English found the Body of the King or of Alexander Elphinston and carried it into England and retaining an inexpiable Hatred against the Dead they left it unburied in a Lead Coffin I know not whether their Cruelty therein were more foolish or more barbarous because he had born sacrilegious Arms against Pope Iulius the Second whom the English then sought to curry favour with or else as some say because he was perjured as having contrary to the Oath and League between them taken up Arms against Henry the Eighth Neither of which Exprobrations ought to have been laid to his Charge especially by such a King who during his Life was not constant or tight in any one Religion nor by such a People who had took up Arms so often against the Bishop of Rome Not to speak of many of the Kings of England whom their own Writers do accuse as guilty of Perjury as William Rufus who is charged with That Crime by Polydore and Grafton Henry the First by Thomas Walsingham in his Description of Normandy King Stephen hath the like Brand inured upon him by Neobrigensis Grafton and Polydore Henry the Eighth by the same Newberry Grafton and Polydore Richard the First by Walsingham in his Hypodigma Neustriae Richard the Third by Grafton and Walsingham Edward the First by Walsingham I cull out these few for Example-sake not of the First Kings of the Saxon Race of which I might instance in a great Many but in Those of the Norman Family whose Posterity enjoy the Kingdom to this Day and who lived in the most flourishing Times of England's Glory to put them in mind not to be so bitter against Strangers who with so much Indulgence bore the Perjuries of their own Kings especially since the guilt of the Crime objected lies principally on those who were the first Violaters of the Truce But to return to the Matter Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey had gone off with great Renown for That Victory over the Scots if he had used his Success with Moderation but being a Man almost drunk with the Happiness of his prosperous Success and little mindful of the Instability of Human Affairs he made his Houshold Servants as the English custom is to wear a Badg on their left Arms which was a White Lyon his own Arms on the top of a Red one and rending him with his Paws God Almighty did seem to punish this his insolent Ambition for there were in a manner none of his Posterity of either side but dyed in great Disgrace and Ignominy But King Iames as he was dear to all whilst living so he was mightily lamented at his Death and the Remembrance of him stuck so fast in the Minds of Men as the like was not known of any other King that we have heard or read of 'T is probable that it hapned by making a Comparison with the bad Kings who preceded his Reign
or else were likely speedily to follow after It considering also his eminent Virtues yea his popular Vices did easily deceive vulgar Minds under a specious Resemblance and Affinity to Virtue For he was of a strong Body just Stature a Majestick Countenance of a quick Wit but by the default of the Times not cultivated by Learning He did greedily imbibe one ancient Custom of the Nation for he was skilful in curing of Wounds for in old Times that kind of Knowledg was common to all the Nobility as Men continually accustomed to Arms. The Access to his Presence was easy his Answers were mild he was just in Judgment and moderate in Punishment so that he seemed to be drawn to it against his Will He bore the malevolent Speeches of his Enemies and the Monitions of his Friends with a Greatness of Mind which arose in him from the Tranquillity of a good Conscience and the Confidence of his own Innocency insomuch that he was so far from being angry that he never returned them an harsh Word There were also some Vices which crept in among these Virtues by reason of his two great affectation of Popularity For by endeavouring to avoid the Name of a covetous Prince which his Father had incurred he laboured to insinuate himself into the Good will of the Vulgar by sumptuous Buildings by costly Pageants and immoderate Largesses so that his Exchequer was very low and his want of Money such that if he had lived longer the Merits of his former Reign would have been extinguished or at least out-ballanced by his Imposition of new Taxes so that his Death seemed to have hapned rather commodiously than immaturely to him IAMES the Vth the CVIth King WHen Iames the Fourth was slain he left his Wife Margaret and Two Sons behind him the Eldest of which was not yet full two Years old The Parliament assembled at Sterlin proclaimed him King according to the Custom of the Country on the 24 th day of February and then they addressed themselves to settle the publick Affairs in doing whereof they first perceived the greatness of their Loss For those of the Nobility who bore any thing of Authority and Wisdom before them being slain the major part of those who survived by reason of their youthful Age or incapacity of Mind were unfit to meddle with Matters of State especially in so troublesom a time and they who were left alive of the better sort who had any thing of Prudence in them by reason of their Ambitions and Covetousness abhorred all Counsels tending to Peace Alexander Hume Lord Warden of all the Marches had got a great Name and a large Estate in the King's Life-time but when he was dead he obtained an almost Regal Authority in the Countries bordering upon England He out of a wicked Ambition did not restrain Robbers that so he might more engage those bold and lewd Persons to him thinking thereby to make way for his greater Puissance but that Design was unhappy to him and in the end pernicious The Command of the Country on this side the Forth was committed to him the Parts beyond to Alexander Gordon to keep those Seditious Provinces within the Bounds of their Duty But the Name of Regent was in the Queen her self For the King had left in his Will which he made before he went to fight that if he miscarried as long as she remained a Widow she should have the Supream Power This was contrary to the Law of the Land and the first Example of any Woman who ever had the Supream Rule in Scotland yet the want of Men made it seem tolerable especially to them who were desirous of Peace and Quietness But her Office continued not long for before the end of the Spring she married Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus one of the prime young Men of Scotland for Lineage Beauty and Accomplishments in all good Arts and before the end of that Year the Seeds of Discord were sown They took their Rise from the Ecclesiastical Order for after the Nobles were slain in all publick Assemblies a great part were of that sort of Men and many of them did their own business amidst the publick Calamity and got such Estates that nothing did more hasten their Ruin than that inordinate Power which they afterwards as arrogantly used Alexander Stuart Archbishop of St. Andrews was slain at Flodden and there were Three which strove for that Preferment but upon different Interests Gawin Douglas upon the account of the Splendor of his Family and his own Personal Worth and Learning was nominated to the place by the Queen and accordingly took Possession of the Castle of St. Andrews Andrew Hepburn Abbat of St. Andrews before any Archbishop was nominated gathered up the Revenues of the place as a Sequestrator and he being a potent factious and subtile Man was chosen by his Monks to the Vacancy for he alleged that the Power of electing an Archbishop by ancient Custom was in Them so that he drove out the Officers of Gawin and placed a strong Garison in the Castle Andrew Forman had obtained great Favour in the Courts both of Rome and France by his former Services so that besides the Bishoprick of Murray in Scotland which he held from the beginning Lewis the 12 th of France gave him the Archbishoprick of Bourges And Pope Iulius had also dismissed him loaden with many rich Preferments for he bestowed on him the Archbishoprick of St. Andrews the two rich Abbies of Dumfermling and Aberbrothock and made him his Legate à Latere as they call him besides But so great was the Power of the Hepburns at that time that the Hume's being yet at Concord with them no Man could be found that durst proclaim the Popes Bull for the Election of Forman to that Dignity until at last Alexander Humes was induced by great Promises and besides other Gifts with the actual Donation of the Abby of Coldingham to David his younger Brother to undertake the Cause which seemed to be honest and just and especially because the Family of the Formans was in the Clanship or Protection of the Hume's so that he caused the Popes Bull to be published at Edinburgh And that was the Original of many Mischiefs which ensued for Hepburn being a Man of a lofty Spirit from that day forward studied day and night how to destroy the Family of the Hume's The Queen whilst she sat at Helm did this one thing Worthy to be remembred that she wrote to her Brother that he would not make War upon Scotland in respect to her and her young Children and that he would not infest the Dominions of his Cousin by his Foreign Arms which of its own accord was divided into so many Domestick Factions but that he would rather defend them against the Wrongs of others upon the account of his Age and the Affinity betwixt them Henry answered very Nobly and Prince-like That if the Scots desired
the Education of the Young King they were to succeed one another by turns and he allowed them a Guard for their Security upon this Hume and his Brother William fled into England And Douglas and his Wife staid no longer behind them but till they knew Henry's Mind who commanded them to stay at Harbottle in Northumberland till his Pleasure was further known Iohn the Regent was very much concern'd at all their departures and therefore he presently sent Embassadors into England to acquit himself before Henry that he had done nothing why the Queen should fear him or be in the least disaffected towards him neither had he acted any thing against those who accompanied her in her Flight and Departure but that they might enjoy their Country their Freedom and if they pleased their Estates Thus publickly he wrote to the King But besides that he did not omit secretly to promote the return of the Hume's and Douglas by the mediation of their Friends he made them many large Promises till he had brought them over to his Will Whereupon the rest returned Home but the Queen being big and near the Time of her Delivery was constrained to stay there where she brought forth a Daughter named Margaret of whom in due place But as soon as she was able to travel she had a Royal Accommodation and Retinue sent from London to bring her up thither where she was honourably and nobly received by Henry her Brother and Mary her Sister who upon the death of her Husband Lewis of France had a little before returned into her own Country And yet the Suspicions before raised in Scotland were not much abated either by the departure of the Queen or by the return of some of her Retinue For Gawin Douglas Uncle to the Earl of Angus Patrick Pantar Secretary of State to the former King and Iohn Drummond chief of his Family were sent to several Prisons and banished And Alexander Hume was summon'd to appear before the Assembly of Estates on the 12 th day of Iuly in the Year of Christ 1516 but he not appearing was condemned and his Goods confiscate He was inraged at this contumelious Wrong for so it was in his Eye and to drive out one Fear by another he either sent in or else incouraged Tories to commit great Outrages upon the Neighbourhood Whereupon the States order'd the Regent to raise Ten thousand Horse and Foot to repress those Insolencies and either to take Hume or else drive him out of the Country But before it came to Blows Hume by the persuasion of his Friends surrendred himself to the Regent and so was conveyed to Edinburgh to be a Prisoner under Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran his Sister's Husband who was to be esteemed as a Traitor if he suffer'd him to escape but the Issue of that Matter fell out otherwise than any Body expected for Hume persuaded Hamilton to escape away with him and to make a Party and so to enter on the Government Himself he being the next Heir after the former King's Children in regard he was born of a Sister of Iames the Third and therefore it was more equitable that he should enjoy the next Place to the King than Iohn who 't is true was also the Son of a Brother but born in his Banishment and in all other things a perfect Foreigner one who could not so much as speak the Scotish Language When the Regent heard of this he went to take in Hamilton's Castle and placing his Brass-Guns against it had it surrendred in two Days In the mean time Hume made Excursions out of Merch and pillaged the Country about and at length burnt down a great part of the Town of Dunbar These were the Transactions of that Year At the beginning of the Spring Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox whose Mother was Hamilton's Sister join'd himself with a great many of his Friends and Vassals to the Rebels These seiz'd upon the Castle of Glasgoe and there they staid with Hamilton himself expecting the Regents coming The Regent had called a Council of the Nobles of his Party at Edinburgh and there rais'd a suddain Force and entred Glasgoe Castle one Gunner a French-Man was punish'd as a Deserter the rest were pardon'd by the intercession of Andrew Forman who was then a Mediator for Peace between them The Earl of Lennox a few days after was receiv'd into Favour and from that day forward carry'd it with great Faithfulness and Observance towards the Regent And not long after first Hamilton and then the Hume's return'd to Court and had an Amnesty for what was past it was granted to Hume with greater difficulty than to the rest because he had rebelled so often and an express Condition was added that if he offended another time after that the memory of his old Crimes should be again revived and charged upon him Peace being thus setled the Regent retired to Falkland where he staid some Months but hearing of great Suspicions against Hume he returned to Edinburgh And on the 24 th day of September held a Council of the Nobility where he endeavoured by his Friends to draw Hume to Court Large Promises were made to intice him so to do but many of his Party dissuaded him or if he himself were resolved to go yet he should leave his Brother William who by his Valour and Munificence had almost obtained as great or a greater Authority than himself at Home in regard the Regent would be afraid to use any high Severity against him as long as his Brother was alive but he being as it were hurried on by a Fatal Necessity slighted the advice of his Friends and with his Brother William and Andrew Car of Farnihurst came to Court where presently they were all clapt up in several Prisons And by the advice of the Council a few days after were tried for their Lives after the Country Custom And yet there was no new Fact urged against them Prince Iames Earl of Murray accused him for the Death of his Father who came alive off the Field as many Witnesses did prove This Fact was strongly urged but the Proofs were weak so that they gave it over and insisted only on his private Crimes and the many former Rebellions were objected of all which Alexander was either the Author or at least Partaker in them and moreover 't was alleged that he did not do his Duty in the Battel of Flodden Hereupon the Hume's were condemn'd Alexander had his Head struck off the 11 th of October and his Brother the Day after both of their Heads were set up on an high place as a Terror to others and their Estates were confiscate This was the end of Alexander Hume the powerfullest Man in Scotland of his Time He in his Life-time had raised up the Hatred and Envy of a great many Men against him yet those Prejudices in time abating his Death was variously spoke of and so
them saying that now was the time to free their young King who was almost of Age from the Bondage of a Stranger and also to deliver themselves from the same Yoke for the Queen now laboured to strengthen her Party against her Husband whom she long before began to disgust Besides the King of England sent frequent Letters stuft with large Promises to the Nobles of Scotland desiring them to promote his Sisters Designs He told them it was not his Fault that there was not a perpetual Amity between the two neighbouring Kingdoms and that he with others did much desire it at this time not for any private end of his own but to make it appear that he bore a respect to his Sister's Son whom he was resolved to support and gratify as much as ever he was able And if the Scots would be persuaded to break their League with France and to strike in with England they should quickly find his aim was not Ambition but Love and Concord only That Mary his only Daughter being married to Iames by that Affinity the Scots would not come over to the Government of the English but the English to That of the Scots That Enmities as great as theirs had intervened betwixt Nations heretofore which yet by Alliances mutual Commerce and interchangeable Kindnesses had been wholly abolish'd and extinct Moreover he reckon'd up the Advantages or Inconveniencies which might accrue to either Nation by this Union with each other rather than with the French as that they were one People born in the same Island brought up under the same Climate agreeable one to another in their Language Manners Laws Customs Countenance Colour and in the very Lineaments of their Bodies so that they seemed rather to be one Nation than two But as for the French they differed from them not only in Climate and Soil but also in the whole course of their Conversations Besides if France were an Enemy she could do no great damage to Scotland and if a Friend yet she could not be highly advantageous as for the Assistance of England That was near at Hand but French Aid was much more remote there was no Passage for it but by Sea and therefore it might be prevented by Enemies or else hindered by Storms They were therfore desired to consider how inconvenient it was for the management of Affairs and how unsafe for the Publick to hang the hopes of their and the Kingdoms Safety upon so unconstant and variable a thing as a blast of Wind. How much they might expect from absent Friends against present Dangers may be easily perceived by the Actions of the last Summer wherein the Scots not only felt but even saw with their Eyes how the English did baffle them being forsaken by their Friends and came upon them with all their Strength ready to devour them but the French Aid so long looked for was kept back by the English Navy in their own Harbours These were the Allegations for a Peace with England And not a few being convinced thereby inclined thereunto but Others argued to the contrary for there were Many in that Assembly whom the French had brib'd and some who had got great Estates out of the publick Losses for fear they should lose them did abhor the thoughts of Peace There were others who suspected the readiness and facility of the English in making such large Promises especially since matters in England were manag'd for the most part at the will and pleasure of Thomas Woolsey a Cardinal a Man wicked and ambitious who referr'd all his Designs to his own private Advantage and the inlargement of his Power and Authority and therefore he accommodated them to every turn of the Wheel of Fortune as men say All these did equally favour a League with France tho induced thereunto on different Grounds They alleged that the sudden Liberality of the English was not free and gratuitous but done out of Design and that This was not the first time that they had us'd such Arts to intrap the unwary Scots For Edward the First said they when he had sworn and obliged himself by all the Bonds of Law and Equity to decide the thing in Dispute and therefore was chosen Arbitrator by the Scots had most injuriously made himself King of Scotland and of late Edward the 4 th had betrothed his Daughter Cicely to the Son of Iames the 3 d but when the young Lady grew up to be marriageable and the day of Consummation thereof almost appointed he took the opportunity of a War which arose upon the account of our private Discords and so broke off the Match And that the English King aim'd at nothing else now but to cast the tempting bait of Rule before them that so he might make them really Slaves and when they were destitute of Foreign Aid might subdue them at his Pleasure and unawares with all his force Neither was that Position a true one wherein the contrary party did pride themselves That an Allyance near at hand was better than one farther off For causes of Dissension would never be wanting among those which were near which were oftentimes produc'd even by sudden chances and sometimes great Men would promote them upon every light occasion and then the Laws of Concord will be prescrib'd by him who hath the longest Sword That there was never such a firm and sacred Bond of Friendship between Neighbouring Kingdoms which upon occasions offer'd or fought for was not often violated neither could we hope that the English would more refrain now from violating such a League than they formerly did against so many Kings of their own Blood 't is true the Sanctity of Leagues and the Religion of an Oath for the faithful Performance of Pacts and Agreements are firm Bonds and Ingagements to good Men but amongst those which are bad they are but as so many Snares and Gins and give only opportunity to deceive and such an Opportunity is most visible in a Propinquity of Borders and Habitations in the Sameness of a Language and in a Similitude of Conversation But if all these things were otherwise yet proceeded they there are Two things to be regarded and provided for First that we reject not our old Friends even without an hearing who have so oft well deserv'd of us The other that we do not here spend our time in Quarrels and Disputes especially about a Business wherein nothing can be determin'd but in an Assembly of all the Estates of the Kingdom Thus stood the Inclinations of those of the French Faction and so they obtain'd that no Determination should be made till they receiv'd certain News of the French Supplies When the return of the Regent was made known it mightily rejoiced his Friends strengthned the wavering and kept back many who favour'd the League with England from complying with it He sent his Warlike Provisions up the River Clyde to Glasgoe and there muster'd his Army He also publish'd a Proclamation that
the Nobility should attend him at Edinburgh where he made an elegant Speech to them commending their Constancy in maintaining their ancient League and their Prudence in rejecting the perfidious Promises of the English He highly extolled the Goodwill Love and Liberality of Francis the French King towards the Scots and exhorted them to lay aside their private Animosities and Fewds and seeing foreign Aid was come into them to revenge their Wrongs and to repress the Insolence of their Enemy by some notable blow Hereupon after his Souldiers had refresh'd themselves and the Scots Forces had joined them he marched towards the Borders whither he came the 22 d of Octob. But being about to enter England and having already sent part of his Forces over a Wooden Bridg which was at Mulross the Scots made the same Pretences as they did in the former Expedition at Solway and refus'd to enter England so that he was forc'd to recal that party which he had commanded over and pitching his Tents a little below on the left side of the Tweed endeavour'd to storm the Castle of Werke scituated over against him on the right side of the River In the mean time the Horse that had pass'd over the River beset all Passages that no Relief could come to the Besieged they alsâ—â—aged with Fire and Sword against all the Country thereabou◠〈◊〉 â— he Description of Werke Castle is this In the inner Cour◠〈◊〉 there is a very high Tower well fortifi'd it is compass'd with a double Wall the outward Wall incloses a large space of Grounâ—â— whither the Country-People were wont to fly in time of War and to bring their Corn and Cattle with them for Safeguard the inner Wall is narrower but trench'd round about and better fortâ—fi'd with Towers built thereon The French took the outward Coâ—rt by Storm but the English set Fire to the Barns and the Straw 〈◊〉 was in them which made such a Smoke and Flame that they 〈◊〉 them out again For the next two days they batter'd the inner Wall with their great Guns and after they had made a Breaâ—h wide enough for Entrance the French again attempted the matter and valiantly storm'd at the Breach they had made but they in the inner Castle being yet safe darted down all sorts of Weapons upon them and they lay expos'd to every Blow so that having lost some few of their Men they were beat back to their Army and so returned over the River The Regent perceiving that the Minds of the Scots were averse from Action and also â—earing for certain that the English were coming against them with a numerous Army their own Writers say no less than 40000 fighting Men and besides that 6000 more were left to defend Berwick a Neighbour-town The 11 th of Novemb. he removed his Camp to a Nunnery called Eccles about six Miles distant from his present Encampment thence at the 3 d Watch he marched by Nâ—ght to Lauder both Horse and Man were much incommoded in their March by the sudden Fall of a great Snow The same Storm occasion'd the English also to disband and return home without effecting any thing The rest of the Winter was quiet enough At Spring the Regent in an Assembly of the Nobles told them the Causes why he must needs go again into France but he promised them to return before the 1 st of September next following And moreover he desired them that during his Absence the King might remain at Sterlin and that they would make no Peace or Truce with the English before his Return as also that they would innovate nothing in the Government They promised him faithfully to obey his Commands and thus on the 14 th of May He and his Retinue set Sail for France In his absence the Reins were let loose every Man's Will was his Law and a great deal of havock was made and Mischief done without any Punishment at all whereupon the King though but a Child by the advice of his Mother and the Earls of Arran Lennox Crawford and many other of the prime Nobility came from Sterlin to Edinburgh and on the 29 th of Iuly by the Counsel of his Nobles whom he had convened at his Palace of Holy-rood-house he took upon him the Government of the Kingdom and the next day caused them all to swear Fealty to him a second time and to shew that he had actually assumed the Administration of matters into his own Hands he discharged all publick Officers but a few days after he restored them to their places again There was a great Assembly of the Nobles held on the 20 th Day of August that so he might vacate the Power of the Regent which he had now taken upon himself and so went in great Pomp as the manner is into the publick Hall of the Town only the Bishops of St. Andrews and Aberdene dissented alleging That they ought to stay till the first of September at which time the Regent had promis'd to return whereupon they were imprison'd But they reveng'd themselves with their own Church-weapons and excommunicated all of their Diocesses However in about a Month or two after they were reconcil'd to the King and restor'd to the same place in his Favour which they held before About the same time Archibald Douglas who as I said before was sent into France sent Simon Penning an active Man and much trusted by him to the King of England to persuade him to give him the liberty of returning home through his Dominions which was granted For Henry was well enough pleased at the Diminution of the Authority of so active a Person as the Duke of Albany and at the Change which was made in Scotland so that he entertained the Earl courteously and dismiss'd him very honourably But his Return did variously affect the Minds of the Scots For seeing all publick Business was transacted under the Conduct of the Queen and the Earl of Arran a great part of the Nobility the Heads whereof were Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox and Calen Cambel Earl of Argyle taking it in great Distaste that they were not admitted to any part of the publick Administration received Douglas with high Expressions of Joy as hoping by his Aid either to gain over the Power of the adverse Faction to themselves or at least to abate their Pride On the other side the Queen who as I said before was disaffected towards her Husband was much troubled at his coming and sought by all means to undermine him And moreover Hamilton out of the Relicks of his old Hatred was none of his Friend besides he fear'd lest Douglas who he knew would not be content with a second place should mount the Saddle and make him truckle under so that he strove to maintain his own Dignity and opposed him with all his Might They kept themselves within the Castle of Edinburgh and tho they knew very well that many of the Nobility
in those parts the rest was taken away by the Country-men who were so ignorant of the price of it that they thought the Cinnamon therein to be but a low priz'd Bark and so sold it to make Fire with yet the whole Envy of the matter fell upon the Douglasses Upon this change of Affairs the Tories who had a long time refrain'd their Depredations for fear of Punishment came forth out of their lurking holes and grievously infested all the circumjacent Countries And though many Pranks were plaid by others up and down yet all the Murders and Robberies every where committed were charg'd upon the score of the Douglasses by those Courtiers who thought they humour'd the King by so doing that so they might make the name of that Family otherwise popular invidious to the vulgar And in the beginning of Winter the King march'd to Tantallon a Castle of the Douglasses by the Sea side to take it in that so no Refuge might be left for the Exiles and that he might take the place with less Labour and Cost he was supplied with Brass-Guns and Powder from Dunbar That Castle was distant from Dunbar six Miles and it was garison'd by the Souldiers of Iohn the Regent because it was part of his Patrimony he continued the Siege for some days wherein some of the Besiegers were slain others wounded and some blown up with Gun-Powder but none at all of the Besieged were lost so that he raised his Siege and retreated In his return David Falkner who was left behind with some Foot-Souldiers to carry back the Brass-Ordnance was set upon by Douglasses Horse who were sent out to snap up the Stragglers in the Rear and slain his Death did so inrage the young King who was incens'd enough before that he solemnly swore in his Passion that as long as he liv'd the Douglasses should never have the Sentence of their Banishment revoked And as soon as he came to Edinburgh to straiten them the more by the Advice of his Council he order'd that a party of Souldiers should be continually kept at Coldingham which was to be rather an active or flying than a numerous one to prevent the pillaging of the Country by them The charge of doing it was commended by the King to Bothwel one of the greatest Persons for Authority and Puissance in Lothian but he refused the Imployment either out of Fear of the Power of the Douglasses which not long since all the rest of Scotland was not able to cope with or else because he would not have the Disposition of the young King who was eager and over-violent of his own accord to be inur'd to such Cruelty as totally to destroy so noble a Family And whereas the King had no great Confidence in the Hamiltons as being Friends to his Enemies and he did also disgust them upon the account of the Slaughter of Iohn Stuart Earl of Lennox and besides there being none of the Nobility of the adjacent parts that had Power or Interest enough for that Service at last he resolved to send Calen Cambel with an Army against the Rebels a Person living in the furthest parts of the Kingdom but a prudent Man of approv'd Valour and upon the account of his Justice very popular The Douglassians when the Hamiltons and the rest of their Friends failed them were reduced to great straits so that they were compell'd by Calen and by George chief of the Humes to retire like Exiles into England In the Month of October two eminent Persons came Embassadors from the King of England about a Peace which tho earnestly desir'd by both Kings yet they could scarce find out the way to make it up For Henry being about to make War upon Charles the Emperor was willing to leave all safe behind his back and with the same labour to procure the Restitution of the Douglasses As for Iames he did much desire to have Tantallon Castle in his Power but his Mind was very averse to restore the Douglasses and for that Reason the Matter was canvassed to and fro for some Days and no Temper for Accommodation could be found out but at last they came to this That Tantallon Castle should be surrendred to Iames and a Truce be granted for five Years and their other Demands the King was to promise the granting of under his Signet The Castle was surrendred accordingly but the other Demands were not as punctually performed save only that Alexander Drummond had leave given him to return home for Brittain's sake For some Months before Iames Colvill and Robert Carncross upon suspicion of their favouring the Douglasses were removed from Court and their Offices bestowed on Robert Brittain who then was in high Favour at Court and had great Command there After this tho Matters were not quite settled abroad for the English had burnt Arn a Town in Teviotdale before their Embassadors return'd yet the rest of the Year was more quiet but the Insolence of the Banditti was not quite suppressed whereupon the King caus'd William Cockburn of Henderland and Adam Scot noted Robbers to be apprehended at Edinburgh and for a Terror to the rest he put them to Death The next Year in the Month of March the King sent Iames Earl of Murray whom he had made Deputy-Governour of the whole Kingdom to the Borders there to have a Meeting with the Earl of Northumberland in order to settle a Peace and to treat about mutual Satisfaction for Losses But a Contention arose betwixt them about expiating the Murder of Robert Car. The One pleaded that the Process ought to be form'd in Scotland according to the Law The Other would have it in England In the Interim each of them sent Messengers to their several Kings to know their Minds in the Case On the 17 th of the Calends of May there was held a Council of the Nobility where after a long Debate which lasted till Night 't was concluded That the Earl of Bothwel Robert Maxwel Walter Scot and Mark Carr should be committed Prisoners to Edinburgh Castle And that the Earls and chief Men of Merch and Teviotdale should be sent Prisoners to other Places it being supposed That they privately scatter'd abroad the Seeds of a War against England And in Iuly the King levied about 8000 Men and marched out against the Robbers and that with so much speed that he quickly pitch'd his Tents by the River Ewse Not far from thence lived one Iohn Armstrong chief of one Faction of the Thieves who had struck such a Fear to all the neighbouring Parts that even the English themselves for many Miles about bought their Peace by paying him a certain Tribute yea Maxwel was also afraid of his Power and therefore endeavoured his Destruction by all possible ways This Iohn was enticed by the King's Officers to make his Repair to the King which he did unarm'd with about fifty Horse in his Company but having forgot
to obtain the King's Pass and safe Conduct for his Security he fell into an Ambush who brought him to the King as if he had been taken Prisoner by them so that he and most of his Followers were trussed up They who were the Causers of his Death gave forth That he had promised to bring that part of Scotland for some Miles under the Obedience of the English if he himself might be well considered for that Service But on the other side the English were glad of his Death for they were thereby freed of a dangerous Enemy Six of his surviving Companions the King kept as Hostages but in regard their Fellows were no way deterred thereby from committing the like Insolencies in a few Months they were hanged also And the King took new Hostages of those who staid at home for the Liddisdale Men left their homes and passed over in Troops to England making daily Incursions and great Spoil in the neighbouring Parts Not long after the King restor'd the noble Men to their Liberty having first taken Hostages from them Of these Walter Scot to gratify the King killed Robert Iohnston a noted Tory amongst the Thieves which bred a deadly Feud between the two Families to the great loss and prejudice of them both The next Year which was 1531 there happened a matter very memorable neither did the Obscurity of the Author nor the Curiosity of the Time which made a strict Enquiry thereinto abate any thing of Mens Admiration of the Novelty thereof One Iohn Scot a Man of no Learning nor of any great Experience in Business neither had he a subtil Wit of his own to impose Tricks upon Men being overthrown in a Law-suit and not having Ability to pay Damages hid himself some days in the Sanctuary of the Monastery of Holy-Rood-House without eating or drinking any thing at all When the thing was known and related to the King he commanded that his Apparel should be chang'd and diligently search'd and so caus'd him to be kept apart from all Company in the Castle of Edinburgh where every Day Bread and Water was set before him but he voluntarily abstained from all human Food for thirty two days After that time as if he had been sufficiently tried he was brought forth naked into publick view where the People flocking about him he made them a long but sorry Speech in which there was nothing memorable but that he affirm'd he was assisted by the Virgin Mary to fast as long as he himself pleased This Answer savouring of Simplicity rather than Craft he was released from his Imprisonment and went to Rome where he was also imprison'd by Pope Clement until he had fasted long enough to convince him of the Truth of the Miracle Then they clothed him with the Habit that Priests say Mass in and bestowed many Presents on him and gave him a Testimonial under the Leaden-Seal which is of great Authority amongst the Papists Whereupon he went to Venice where he also confirm'd their Belief by his miraculous Fasting and alleging That he was obliged by a Vow he had made to visit Ierusalem he receiv'd of them fifty Ducats of Gold for his Charges on the way At his Return he brought back some Leaves of Palm-trees and a Bag full of Stones which he said were taken out of the Pillar which Christ was tied to when he was scourg'd In his Return he past through London and mounted the Pulpit in Paul's Church-yard and in a great Audience of People preached much about the Divorce of King Henry from his Queen and of his Defection from the See of Rome his Words were bitter and if he had been looked upon of any Repute for Wisdom he must have eaten them again but being imprisoned for some time and having wholly abstained from Food for almost fifty days together he was dismiss'd When he came back to Scotland he would have joined himself to one Thomas Doughty who about that time came from Italy and had built a Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary out of the Alms the People had given him and had got great Gain by his feigned Miracles But the Life of this Thomas was sufficiently known to be very wicked and the Cheats of his pretended Miracles were discovered yet no Man durst openly gainsay him for fear of the Bishops who by this their new Atlas sought to prop up the Pile of their Purgatory then a tottering and he to requite them for their Courtesy when any of the richer sort of Priests came to the Place where he was to say Mass had still one Beggar or other ready at hand to counterfeit himself mad or diseased in Body that so forsooth by his Massing he might be recovered and healed But Thomas rejected Iohn Scot because he was not willing to admit any other into the Society of his Gain and thereupon he hired an obscure Cell in the Suburbs of Edinburgh and there having erected an Altar and furnished it according to his Ability he set up his own Daughter who was young but very beautiful with Wax-Tapers lighted about her to be adored instead of the Virgin Mary But that way of Gain not answering his Expectation he returned to his old course of Life having gain'd nothing by all his preposterous Dissimulation of Sanctity but to let all Men know that he wanted not a Will but Ability rather to become an errand Cheat. At the beginning of the following Year which was 1532 the Earl of Bothwel was committed Prisoner to Edinburgh-Castle Ianuary 16 because he had taken a private Journy into England and there had secret Conference with the Earl of Northumberland Iohn Sunderland a Knight by reason of the great Prudence Integrity and Authority which he had amongst all good Men even beyond his State and Degree was sent to Hermitage a Castle of Liddisdale to restrain the Incursions of Thieves and Robbers Of ancient time there had been no fix'd Days nor any set Place appointed for Matters of Nisi Prius to be handled by the Judges until Iohn Duke of Albany had obtained of the Pope that a yearly Sum of Mony as much as was sufficient to pay a Salary to a few Judges should be charged on the Ecclesiastical Order and 't was to be levied on every one according to the value of his Benefice Gawin Dunbar Bishop of Aberdene hereupon made his Appeal to the Pope in the behalf of himself and other Priests The Controversy held from the 11 th of March to the 24 th of April and then there was a College of Judges settled at Edinburgh At their first Sitting they devised many advantageous Projects for the equal distribution of Justice yet the hoped Event did not follow For seeing in Scotland there are almost no Laws but Decrees of the Estates and many of them too made not for perpetuity but temporary and the Judges hinder the enacting of Laws what they can The Estates of all the Subjects were committed to the Pleasure
of fifteen Men who were to have a perpetual Power and even a Tyrannical Government for their Wills were their Laws In favour of the Pope they were very severe against the Lutherans and the Pope on the contrary to gratify a King so well deserving at his Hands gave him the Tithes of all Parsonages for the next Year following This Year the English perceived that the State of Affairs in Scotland grew every day more quiet than other but yet that they were destitute of foreign Aid because they themselves had joined with the French against Charles the Emperor Hereupon they sought out an occasion for a War In April they made an Expedition out of Berwick and spoiled Coldingham Douglas and many other neighbouring Towns and drove away great Booty They had no apparent Provocation neither did they denounce War before-hand How eager they were upon War appears by that King's Proclamation soon after publish'd wherein 't was said that the Garison of Berwick was provoked by some licentious and contumelious Words which the Scots had let fall But the Words mentioned in the Proclamation carry no Contumely in them at all But this Cause not seeming just enough for a War they demanded Canabie a small Village in the Borders with a poor Monastery in it as if it belonged to them which they never pretended to before and likewise that the Douglasses might be restor'd For the King of England perceiving that his Aid was absolutely necessary to the French King so that he could by no means want it and also knowing that he had him fast in a League wherein the Interest of Scotland was not considered hereupon he thought it no hard Matter to bring the Scots to what Conditions he pleased Moreover because the Emperor was alienated from him by the Peace with France and the Divorce with his Aunt and the Pope of Rome did raise up Wars amongst all Christian Princes he thought he should omit a great opportunity at home for innovating of things if he neglected That The King of Scots that he might not be unprovided against this Storm by a publick Proclamation made all over the Kingdom appointed his Brother the Earl of Murray to be his Vicegerent and because the Borderers of themselves were not able to cope with the English who had also a great number of Auxiliaries with them he divided the Kingdom into four Parts and commanded each of them to send out the ablest Men amongst them with their Clans and Provision for fourty Days These Forces thus succeeding one another by turns made great Havock in the Towns and Castles in those Parts so that the King of England was frustrated in his Expectation seeing the War was likely to be drawn out in length and other Concerns were also to be cared for by him and therefore he was willing to hearken to a Peace but would have it fought for at his Hands for he thought it was not for his Honour either to offer it or to seek it of himself And therefore it seem'd most convenient to transact the Matter by the King of France the common Friend to both Nations Whereupon the French King sent his Embassador Stephen D'Aix into Scotland to enquire by whose Default such a War was commenced between the two Neighbour-Kings The King of Scots clearly acquitted himself from being any Cause of the War he also made a Complaint to him how long his Ambassadors had been detained in France without Hearing And at the Ambassador's Departure he sent Letters by him to his Master desiring him to observe the ancient League which was renewed by Iohn the Regent at Roan he also sent David Beton into France to answer the Calumnies of the English and besides to treat concerning the keeping of the old League and to contract a new Affinity between France and Scotland He also sent Letters by him to the Parliament of Paris very bitter and full of Complaints concerning those matters which had been transacted and agreed between Francis their King and Iohn Regent of Scotland how that ancient Friendships Pacts and Agreements were slighted in behalf of Those who were once their common Enemies His Ambassador Beton was commanded if he saw that the things he had in Command did not succeed well in France to deliver those Letters to the Council of the Judges and presently to withdraw himself into Flanders with an Intent as it might be conjectured to make a League Agreement and Affinity with the Emperor In the mean time War was waged in Britain and Disputes were manag'd at New-castle concerning the Lawfulness thereof when the Embassadors sent from both Nations could not agree on terms of Peace Monsieur Guy Flower was sent over by the King of France to compose matters The Scotish King told him that he would gratify his Master as far as ever he was able and also he had some Communication with him as much as was seasonable at that time concerning the conjugal Affinity about which he had sent Embassadors before which were then in France Flory or Flower being thus the Umpire for Peace the Garisons were withdrawn on both sides from the Borders and a Truce was made which was afterwards followed with a Peace When the Peace was settled the King having for some Years last past transacted Business with the King of France and with the Emperor by his Embassadors about a matrimonial Contract now being freed from other cares his Thoughts were more intent that way than ever For besides the common causes which might incline him to some potent Alliance he was thoughtful how to perpetuate his Family by Issue of his Body he himself being the last Male that was left alive insomuch that his next Heirs had already conceived a firm hope in their Minds of the Kingdom which did not a little trouble Him who was otherwise suspicious enough of himself And indeed things did very much concur to raise them up to that hope as for instance their own domestick Power the Kings being a Batchelor his Venturousness in slighting all Danger so that he would not only stoutly undergo all Hazards but often court and invite Them for with a small party he would march against the fiercest Thieves and tho they were superior in number yet he would either prevent them by his Speed or else fright them by the Reverence of his Name and so force them to a Surrender he would sit Night and Day on Horse-back in this Employment and if he did take any Refreshment or Food 't was that which he lighted on by chance and but little of that neither These Circumstances made the Hamiltons almost confident of the Succession yet it seem'd to them a long way about to stay for either fortuitous or natural Dangers and therefore they studied to hasten his Death by Treachery A fair Opportunity was offer'd them to effect it by his Night-Walkings to his Misses having but one or two in his Company But all these things not answering
their Expectation they resolved to cut off the hope of lawful Issue by hindring his Marriage what they could although Iohn Duke of Albany when he was Regent seemed to have made sufficient Provision against that Inconvenience for when he renewed the ancient League between the French and Scots at Roan he had inserted one Article that Iames should marry Francis's eldest Daughter But there were two Impediments in the way which almost broke off and cut this League asunder For Francis being freed out of the Hand of the Spaniard by the Industry and Diligence principally of Henry the 8 th had entred into so strict a League with the English that the Scotish League was much intrenched upon thereby and besides the eldest Daughter of Francis was deceas'd a while before and therefore Iames desired Magdalen his next Daughter to Wife and sent Embassadors over to that purpose but her Father excused the matter alleging that his Daughter was of so weak a Constitution of Body that there was little hopes of Children by her no nor hardly any Likelihood of her Life it self for any long time About the same time there was an Affinity treated of with Charles the Emperor by Embassadors and at length the 24 th day of April 1534. The Emperor sent Godscalk Ericus that the matter might be carry'd with greater Secrecy from Toledo in Spain through Ireland to Iames. After he had declared the Commands he had in charge from the Emperor concerning the Wrongs offer'd to his Aunt Catharine and her Daughter by King Henry concerning the calling a general Council concerning the rooting out the Sect of the Lutherans and concerning contracting an Affinity The Emperor by his Letters gave the King his choice of three Marys all of them of his Blood they were Mary Sister to Charles a Widow ever since the Death of her Husband Lewis of Hungary who was slain in Battel by the Turks Mary of Portugal the Daughter of his Sister Leonora and Mary of England his Niece by his Aunt Catharine And because Charles knew that King Iames was more inclinable to this last Match he also shewed a greater Propension thereunto that so he might take off Iames from his valuing of and adhering to the League with Francis and at the same time might set him at ods with Henry Iames made answer that the Marriage with England was indeed in many respects most advantageous if it could be obtained but 't was a Business of uncertain Hope but of great Danger and Toil and would be encumber'd with so many Delays that his single Life he being the last of his Family could hardly bear it and therefore of all Caesar's Neices he told Him that the Daughter of Christiern King of Denmark was most convenient for him who was begotten upon Isabel the Sister of Charles A while after Charles answered this his Demand from Madrid that she was already promised to another and though Caesar by offering Conditions seem'd rather to prolong the matter than really to bring it to pass yet the Treaty was not wholly laid aside Matters being quiet at home Iames resolved to go a Ship-board to take a View of all his Dominions round about and to curb the stubborn Spirits of the Islanders and make them more obedient First he sailed to the Orcades where he quieted all Disorders by apprehending and imprisoning a few of the Nobility he garison'd two Castles there his Own and the Bishops afterwards he visited the rest of the Islands and sent for the chief Men to come to him those that refus'd he seiz'd by force he laid a Tax on them took Hostages and carried away with him those who were most likely to be Incendiaries and clapping some of his own Train into their Castles he sent the leading Men of them some to Edinburgh and some to Dunbar Prisoners For about that time Iohn Duke of Albany had surrendred up Dunbar to the King which till then had been kept by a French Garison In the next Month of August great Severity was used against the Lutherans some were compelled to make a publick Recantation others refusing to appear upon Summons were banished Two were burnt of which one named David Straiton was free enough from Lutheranism but he was accused thereof because he was somewhat refractary in Payment of Tithes to the Collectors of them and so was put to Death only for a supposed Crime In an Assembly which the King caused to be convened at Iedburgh in order to the suppressing of the Robbers thereabouts Walter Scot was condemned of high Treason and sent Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle where he remained as long as the King lived The same Month of August when Francis as I said before had excused his Daughters Marriage on account of her Health but withal had offer'd him any other of the Blood Royal The King sent Embassadors into France Iames Earl of Murray Vice-roy of the Kingdom and William Stuart Bishop of Aberdene those Two went by Sea and Iohn Erskin by Land because he had some Commands to deliver to Henry of England by the way To them be added a Fourth i. e. Robert Reed a good Man and highly prudent There Mary of Bourbon the Daughter of Charles Duke of Vendosme a Lady of the Blood was offer'd to them as a fit Wife for their King Other points were accorded easily enough but the Embassadors fearing that this Marriage would not please their Master would make no Espousal till they had acquainted him therewith In the mean time Henry of England to trouble a matter which was upon the point of concluding in November sent the Bishop of St. Davids into Scotland who brought Iames some English Books containing the Theses's of the Christian Religion desiring Iames to read them and diligently to weigh what was written therein but he gave them to some of his Courtiers who were most addicted to the Sacerdotal Order to inspect They before ever they had scarce look'd on them condemn'd them as Heretical and moreover they highly gratulated the King that he had not polluted his Eye so they phrased it with reading such pestiferous Books This was the cause of their Embassy according to common Vogue yet some say that they brought some other secret Messages to Iames Afterward the same Bishop together with William Howard Brother to the Duke of Norfolk came so unexpectedly to Sterlin that they almost surprized the King before he heard any News of their coming their Errand was that Henry desir'd Iames to appoint a day of Interview wherein they might confer together for he had at that meeting things of high Concernment and of mighty Advantage to both Nations to propound to him In that Message he gave great hope if other matters could be well accorded that he would bestow his Daughter in Marriage upon him and leave him King of all Britain after his Decease and that he might give more credit to his Promises he would make him for the
Ambassadors were presently sent into France Cardinal David Beton and Robert Maxwel to bring over Mary of the House of Guise Widow to the Duke of Longoville for the King presaging the Loss of his Wife had cast his Eye upon her This same Year the Earl of Bothwel because he had past over secretly into England and also had held private Cabals with the English in Scotland was banish'd out of England Scotland and France Moreover about the same time many Persons were accused and condemned for high Treason Iohn Forbes an active young Man the Head of a great Family and Faction was brought to his end it was thought by the Emulation of the Hâ—ntly's for there was one Straughan a Man fit for any flagitious Enterprize who was many Years very familiar with Forbes and was either privy to or else Partaker or Author of all his bad Actions He being not as much respected by him as he thought he deserv'd deserted him and apply'd himself to his Enemy Huntly and before him accused Forbes of Treason or as many think he there plotted the Accusation with Huntly himself against him viz. That Forbes many Years before had a Design to kill the King The Crime was not sufficiently prov'd against him nor by fit and unexceptionable Witnesses neither was the Plot of his Adversaries the Huntlys against his Life hid in the Process yet on the 14 th of Iuly the Judges who were most of Huntly's Faction condemn'd him and he had his Head struck off His Punishment was the less lamented because though Men believed him guiltless as to the Crime he suffered for yet they counted him worthy of Death for the Flagitiousness of his former Life Straughan the Discoverer because he had concealed so foul an Offence so long was banish'd Scotland and liv'd many Years after in France so deboistly and filthily that Men thought him a fit Instrument for any wicked Prank whatsoever The King not long after as if he had repented of his Severity against Forbes took another Brother of the Forbes's into his Family and another he advanced to a rich Match restoring to them their Estate which had been confiscate A few Days after there was another Trial which on the account of the Family of the accused Parties the Novelty of the Wickedness charged on them and the heinousness of the Punishment was very lamentable Ioan Douglas Sister to the Earl of Angus and Wife to Iohn Lyons Lord of Glames also her Son and later Husband Gilespy Cambel Iohn Lyons Kinsman to her former Husband and an old Priest were accused for endeavouring to poison the King All these tho they lived continually in the Country far from Court and their Friends and Servants could not be brought to witness any thing against them yet were put on the Rack to make them confess and so were condemn'd and shut up in Edinburgh-Castle The fifth day after Forbes was executed Ioan Douglas was burnt alive with the great Commiseration of all the Spectators The Nobleness both of her self and Husband did much affect the Beholders besides she was in the vigour of her Youth much commended for her rare Beauty and in her very Punishment she shewed a manlike Fortitude But that which People were most concern'd for was That they thought the Enmity against her Brother who was banish'd did her more prejudice than her own objected Crime Her Husband endeavoured to escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh but the Rope being too short to let him down to the Foot of the Rock he brake almost all the Bones of his Body in the Fall and so ended his Days Their Son a young Man and of greater innocent Simplicity than to have the Suspicion of such a Wickedness justly charged upon him was shut up Prisoner in the Castle and after the King's Death was released and recovered the Estate which had been taken away from his Parents Their Accuser was William Lyons he afterwards perceiving that so eminent a Family was like to be ruined by his false Information repented when it was too late and confess'd his Offence to the King and yet he could not prevail to prevent the Punishment of the Condemned or to hinder their Estates from being confiscate The next Year following on the 12 th of Iune Mary of the House of Guise arrived at Balcomy a Castle belonging to Iames Laird of Lermont from whence she was conveyed by Land to St. Andrews and there in a great Assembly of the Nobility she was married to the King In the beginning of the Year following which was 1539 many Persons were apprehended as suspected of Lutheranism And about the End of February five were burnt nine recanted but many more were banish'd amongst the Sufferers of this Class was George Buchanan who when his Keepers were asleep made his Escape out of the Window of the Prison to which he was committed This Year the Queen brought forth a Son at St. Andrews and the next Year another in the same Place Also this Year and the former Matters were rather somewhat hushed than fully composed some Men wanting rather a Leader than an Occasion to rebel For tho many desired it yet no Man durst openly avow himself Head of any Insurrection And now the King having Heirs to succeed him and thereby becoming more confident of his Settledness and Establishment began to slight the Nobility as a sluggish and unwarlike Generation and not likely to attempt any thing against him whose Family was now rivetted and confirmed by Issue-Male So that he applied his Mind to sumptuous and unnecessary Buildings he stood in need of Mony for that Work and in regard he was as Covetous as he was Indigent both Factions of Nobles and Priests were equally afraid and each of them indeavoured to avert the Tempest from falling upon them that it might light on the Other And therefore whenever the King complain'd of the Lowness of his Exchequer amongst his Friends One Party would extol the Riches of the Other as if it were a Prey ready for the Seisure and the King hearkned sometimes to the One and sometimes to the Other and so kept both in Suspence between hope and fear So that when Ambassadors came at that time out of England to Court to desire the King to give his Uncle a Meeting at York promising some mighty Advantages by that Interview and making a large Harangue concerning the Love and Good-will of their King towards him The Faction which was adverse to the Priests persuaded him by all means to meet at the Time and Place appointed When the Sacerdotal Party heard of this they thought their Order would be quite undone if they did not hinder the Meeting and so disturb the Concord by casting in Seeds of Discord betwixt the King and his Nobles And considering of all ways how to effect it no Remedy seemed more ready at hand for the present Malady than to attempt the King's Mind which
Gordons a coming they were put into a Fright and so fled away scatteringly to escape their Enemies there were not many slain but several taken Prisoners Iames Lermont who was treating about a Peace at New-Castle had scarce received his answer but that the War might be carry'd on the more cunningly he was commanded to return in company of the English Army Moreover Iohn Erskin and .... were sent Ambassadors from Scotland to meet the said Army at York where they were detained by Howard the General and never dismissed till they came to Berwick Iames being assured by his Spies before the return of his Ambassadors of the marching on of the English Army formed his Camp at Falkirk about 14 Miles from the Borders but sent George Gordon before with ten thousand Men to prevent the plunderings of the English yet he did nothing considerable and had not so much as a light Skirmish with the Enemy The King of Scotland was mighty earnest to give Battel but the Nobility would not hear of it by any means so that he was full of Wrath and brake forth in a Rage against them calling them Cowards and unworthy of their Ancestors ever and anon telling them That seeing he was betrayed by them he himself and his own Family would do that which they had cowardly refused to do neither could he be appeased tho they came about him and told him That he had done enough for his Honour That he had not only kept the English Army which was so long time a levying and that had assaulted Scotland on a sudden and that with Threats to do great Matters from wandring up and down for depredation but also for the space of 8 Days that it remained in Scotland had so pent them up that they never marched above a Mile from the Borders for after they drew out of Berwick they went as far as Kelso up against the Stream and there being informed of the march of the Scotish Army they pass'd over the Ford being so fearful to ingage that they rush'd into the River scatteringly and in no order at all and as every one pass'd over they left their Colours and hastn'd home the nearest way they could Gordon in the mean time who saw this afar off not stirring at all nor making any attempt upon them in their Rear For which the King conceived against him an implacable hatred Maxwel to appease the King's Anger as much as he could promised if he might have ten thousand Men to march into England by the Solwaâ— and to do some considerable Service and he would have been as good as his Word unless the King being angry with his Nobles had given secret Letters and a Commission to Oliver Sinclare Brother to the Laird of Rosselin which he was not to open till such a prefixt time The Contents were That the whole Army should acknowledg him for their General Iames's Design therein was That if his Army had the better the Glory of the Victory might not redound to the Nobles When they were come into their Enemies Countrey and about 500 English Horse appeared on the Neighbour-Hills Oliver Sinclare was lifted up on high by those of his Faction and leaning upon two Spears caused the King's Commission to be read at which the whole Army was so offended and especially Maxwel that they broke their Ranks and ran in higly piggly one among another Their Enemies tho accustomed to Wars yet never hoped for so great an Advantage when from the upper Ground they beheld all things in such a Confusion amongst them ran in upon them with a great Shout as their manner is and so assaulted them as they were in a Fright and hovering between the design of Flying or Fighting and thus Horse Foot and Baggage were all driven confusedly into the next Marshes where many were taken by the English more by the Scotish Moss-Troopers and sold to the English When this loss of his Army was brought to the King who was not far off he was moved beyond measure with Indignation Anger and Grief insomuch that his Mind was distracted Two ways sometimes to take Revenge of the perfidiousness of his own People as he called it and sometimes to make Preparation for a new War and Retrieval of his Affairs But in that almost desperate state of things it seemed the best way to make a Truce with the English and to call back Archibald Douglas Earl of Angus on the best Conditions he could But his Body being worn out with Watching and Fasting and his Mind overwhelmed with Cares he dyed a few Days after on the 13 th of December leaving his Daughter his Heiress a Child of about five Days old he was buried the 19 of Ianuary in the Monastery of Holyrood near his first Wife Magdalene In his life-time his Countenance and the Make of his Body were very Comly his Stature indifferent Tall but his Strength above the Proportion of his Body his Wit was sharp but not sufficiently cultivated with Learning through the fault of the Times His Diet was sparing he seldom drank Wine he was most patient of Labour Cold Heat and Hunger he would often sit on Horse-back Night and Day in the coldest Winter that so he might catch the Thieves unawares and his Nimbleness struck such fear into them that they abstained from their ill Pranks as if he had always been present amongst them He was so well acquainted with the Customs of his Country that he would give just Answers concerning weighty Matters even on the High-way as he rode on a Journy with a great deal of Readiness and Prudence He was of easy Access even to the poorest But his great Virtues were almost equalled by as many Vices yet they had this Alleviation That they seemed imputable rather to the Time he lived in than to his own Disposition and Nature For such an universal Licentiousness had over-run All that Publick Discipline could not be retrieved but with a great deal of Severity and Strictness That which made him so covetous of Money was That when he was under the Tutelage of others he was educated in great Parsimony and as soon as ever he came to be of Age he entered into an empty Palace for all his Houshold-Stuff was embezill'd So that all the Rooms of his House were to be new-furnish'd at once and his Guardians had expended his own proper Patrimony on those uses which he wholly disapproved besides the Instructors of him in his Youth made him more inclinable to Women because by that means they hoped to have him longer under their Tuition A great part of the Nobility did not much lament his Death because he had banished some of them and kept many others in Prison and many for fear of his Severity a fresh Disgust being now added to their former Contempt chose rather to surrender themselves to the English King their Enemy than to commit themselves to the Anger of their own King The
Fifteenth BOOK Mary and Henry Stuart the CVII th Queen and King THE King dying in the Flower of his Age rather of Grief than any Disease the Tumults of the former Times were rather hush'd asleep than compos'd so that wise Men foresaw so great a Tempest impending over Scotland as they had never heard of the like in ancient Records nor had themselves seen any like The King had not so much as ordered his own Domestick Affairs but had left a Daughter born about 8 Days before his Death Heiress to the Crown as for those of the Nobility who had born any sway either they were kill'd in Battel or else were banish'd or taken Prisoners by the Enemy And if they had been at home yet by reason of private Animosities or of Dissension on the account of Religion which were stifled out of fear during the King's Life but now that Restraint being taken off were likely to break forth they were at Discord amongst themselves so that they were not likely to act like sober Men. And besides they had War abroad against a most Puissant King and how he would use his Victory every one spoke severally according to his Hope or Fear He that was the second Heir and next to the Crown as he was not commonly reported to have much of Virtue even for the management of his private Life so he was as little noted for Counsel or Valour to manage a Kingdom As for the Cardinal he thinking that in these publick Calamities he might have an Opportunity to greaten himself that he might shew himself Some body both to his own Order and also to the French Faction undertook an Attempt both bold and impudent For he hired Henry Balfore a Mercenary Priest to suborn a false Will of the Kings wherein he himself was nominated to the Supream Authority with Three of the Potentest of the Nobility to be his Assessors He conceived an hope that his Project would succeed from the Disposition of the Earl of Arran which was not turbulent but rather inclinable to quietness and rest And besides he was near of Kin to him for he was Son to the Cardinal's Aunt And further he was one of those Three Persons who was assum'd into a Partnership in the Government Moreover the Opportunity to invade the Supream Power seem'd to require haste that he might prevent the return of the Prisoners and of those that were banished out of England That so they might have no Hand in conferring of this Honour upon him for he was afraid of their Power and Popularity neither did he doubt but that their Minds were alienated from him upon the score of a different Religion That was the Cause that presently after the King's Death he published the Edict concerning the chusing of four Governours for the Kingdom He also bribed some of the Nobles by Promises and Gifts to ingage them to his Faction and especially the Queen who was somewhat disaffected to the adverse Party But Hamilton the Head of the contrary Faction was a Man not ambitious but rather willing to live in quiet as was offer'd him if his Kindred would have suffer'd him but they studying their own Humour and Interest rather than his Honour Night and Day puffed up the Mind of the young Gentleman with strange Hopes and advised him by no means to let slip so fair an Opportunity put into his Hands for they had rather have Things all in a Combustion than to live in a fix'd and private condition of Life And besides the Hatred of the Cardinal got them some Friends and the Indignity of their Bondage under a Mercenary Priest They had also some appearance of hope which tho uncertain in it self yet was not inefficacious to stir up Mens Endeavours That seeing Hamilton was the next Heir many of them entertained such Thoughts as these That a Female so few days old and which was the only Person betwixt him and the Crown might meet with many Mischances either casually or by the fraud of her Supervisors before she came to be Marriageable Thus they laid the Foundation of the Greatness of the Hamilton's for a long time after yet so that it seemed most adviseable to them not to neglect the Advantage which the present State of Things did offer and thus to cherish an hope of the future Advancement of the Hamilton's and if that hope did deceive them yet it would not be difficult for them to regain the Favour or at least the Pardon of a new Princess who in the beginning of her Reign would study to win the Respects of all Men. Whilst Things were at this pass in Scotland the King of England out of his extraordinary Joy for so unexpected a Victory sent for the chief of the Scotish Prisoners up to London where after they had been imprison'd in the Tower two Days on St. Thomas day which was the 20 th of December they were brought all through the City where it was the longest as if they were to be shown as a publick Spectacle to the People and coming to Whitehal the King's Court they were sharply reprov'd by the Chancellor as Violators of the League and after he had made a large Discourse concerning the Goodness and Clemency of his King who had remitted much of that Rigour of Justice he might have used towards them they were distributed into several Families as to a larger Prison There were seven of the Nobility and twenty four of the Gentry besides But when the News came three days after That the King of Scots was dead and had left one only Daughter his Heiress Henry thought it a fit opportunity to conciliate and unite the Minds both of Scots and English in a Band of Concord by espousing his Son to their Queen Upon this he recalled the Prisoners to Court and imployed some fit Persons to feel their Pulses in the Case where being kindly entertained and promising to afford their Assistance towards the Match as far as they might without detriment to the Publick or their own Dishonour on the First of Ianuary at the beginning of the Year 1543 they were all released and sent back towards Scotland When they came to Newcastle and had given Hostages to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk as to other matters they were free and so returned home There returned also with them the Douglas's two Brothers being restored to their Country now fifteen Years after their Banishment They were all received with the Gratulation of the major part of the People The Cardinal who saw that this Storm gathered against him as making no doubt but the Prisoners and the Exiles would be both his Contrariants in the Parliament had taken care to be chosen Regent before their coming but he injoy'd not that Honour long for within a few days his Fraud in counterfeiting the King's Will and Testament being discovered he was thrown out of his Place and Iames Hamilton Earl of Arran made Regent That which occasioned his setting
with Auxiliaries from France and that all Europe did conspire for the Defence of their ancient Rites and Religion and if they acted contrary they would betray theiâ— Country and thereby the Ruin of their ancient Families would be imminent and at hand They also desired them in so dangerous a time not to forsake their Country for if That were safe they might hope for more Kindred and Children but if That were overthrown then all was gone Moreover they discoursed much concerning the inexpiable Hatred betwixt the Nations and of the Cruelty of the King into whose Hands they were to come thus blending Truths and Falshoods together Moreover they alleged the Decree of the Council of Constance That all Pacts Contracts Promises and Oaths made with Hereticks ought to be rescinded and made void The greatest part of those who were concerned in this matter were willing to hearken to any colourable pretence for their Fault only there was One of them who for no pecuniary Consideration whatever could be persuaded no nor by any Threats deterred from keeping his Word and that was Gilbert Kennedy Earl of Cassils he had left two of his Brothers Hostages in England and he openly profess'd that neither for Fear nor Favour he would redeem his own Life with the Loss of his Brothers but whatever came of it he would surrender himself back a Prisoner and so against the Will of many he undertook his Journy straight to London Henry very much commended the resolute Faithfulness of the Young-Man and to the intent that all might know he had an Esteem for Vertue he richly rewarded him and sent him back with his two Brothers into Scotland But Henry's Mind was not more pacified towards Gilbert than his Anger was implacable against the rest of the Scots and thereupon he laid an Embargo upon the Scots Ships in all English Ports and Harbours of which there were a great Number as I said before and so presently denounced War His Threatnings were great as against the Violators not only of Leagues but even of the Law of Nations And yet though Scotland stood in so dangerous a State the Memory of Alliances the common Love to their Country and the respect of the publick Safety were so far laid aside that the Brands of Sedition were kindled more fiercely than ever For the Faction of the Cardinal and of the Queen Dowager who were all for the French sent over Ambassadors thither to tell them That unless they sent in Assistance the Matter was upon the very Point That England and Scotland would make a Coalition into one Government and how such a Conjunction would concern France the Experience of former Ages had shewn But they made it their chief Request to the French that they would send back Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox into his own Country who did not only emulate the Family of the Hamiltons but was also their deadly Enemie being they had slain his Father at Linlithgoe This young Man was greatly beloved not only for his extraordinary Beauty and stately Garb in the very Flower of his Youth but chiefly upon the account of the memory of his Father who was so popular a Man and also because he was a single Man and the Extinction of such a noble Family now reduced to a few was in great Hazard besides he had many Clanships at home and had also Affinity with many other great Families Furthermore the former King had design'd him to be his next Heir and Successor if he himself died without Issue Male and he would have confirmed that his Intention by a Decree of the States who have the Sovereign Power to order such publick Affairs if his Life had been prolonged Yea there were some Flatterers which did elevate his generous Mind already rais'd up with the expectation of great things but not so well fortified against fraudulent Adulation to larger Hopes for besides the Supreme Rule for about twenty Years and the Domination over his old Enemies they promised him that he should marry the Queen Dowager and if the young Queen who had the Name only of Supreme Governess should miscarry then without doubt he would be the next King and not only so but also the lawful Heir of Iames Hamilton lately deceased seeing the Regent was a Bastard and was so far from any just expectation of the Kingdom that he could not lawfully claim the Inheritance of his own Family Besides they urged the Promises of the French King who gave hopes of great Assistance in due time When the plain-hearted and credulous young Man was thus persuaded he provided for his Voyage into Scotland Hamilton was not ignorant of any of these things and to the intent that he might gain an Accession of Strength to his own Party by the Advice of those Friends whom he most trusted he resolved to take away the young Queen from Linlithgo where she yet was under the Power of her Mother for if he once got Her then not only the Shadow of the Royal Name which is an attractive thing amongst the Vulgar would be of his Side but also he should have the Power to bestow her in Marriage and so make himself Arbiter of the Kingdom to transfer it whithersoever he pleased which if he could obtain then the King of England might be persuaded if need were to join with him This Design was much approved but as is usual in Civil Discords there are Spies on both sides who being informed thereof acquainted the Cardinal therewith He gathering together some of the Nobility whom he had corrupted with Mony came to Linlithgo and to the great Burden of the Inhabitants staid there some days as a Guard to the Queen In the mean time Lennox arrived out of France and was kindly received by the Regent each of them dissembling their Hate then he went to Linlithgo there he addressed the Cardinal and then went to his own House where in a Meeting of Friends he discours'd at large Why he came over at Whose Command by Whom sent for and upon What hopes That he was promised not only the chief Magistracy but also that the Heads of the Faction with the Queen Dowager's Consent had assured him that he should marry Her And that in order to the effecting thereof the King of France had encouraged him to expect Aid and Assistance from thence they all assented to his Speech and advised him not to be wanting to the Occasion which so freely had offer'd it self and thus with above four thousand Men he came to the Queen Hamilton who had levied and mustered his Men and with his Kinsmen about him was resolved to issue out of Edinburgh and break thorow to the Queen now perceiving that his Forces were too weak by the Advice of his Friends and out of his own Disposition also which was inclinable to Peace began to treat of an Accommodation whereupon some prudent Persons were chosen on both sides who met at the Town of
also expose his Friends Kindred and Vassals whom he had engaged in the publick Cause and who had been almost worn out with toil and labour to Servitude and Torment under an impious and cruel Tyrant who as much as in him was had sold both Queen and Kingdom to the Enemy and who observed the Pacts and Promises he made to Men no more religiously than he did the Duties of Piety towards God for within a few Years he had changed his Religion Three times neither was it to be wonder'd at in him who looked upon Oaths and Promises not as Bonds obliging to Faithfulness but as lurking holes to hide Perfidiousness And therefore he moved earnestly That the King and those of his Council would consider whether in so great an Affair They would believe him all whose Ancestors had devoted themselves their Lives Honours and Fortunes for the increase of his Greatness and who indeed had been honoured and rewarded by him with many Benefits which yet were rather Testimonies of their good Acceptance than just Rewards and Compensations of their Labours or else a Man who would change his Friends and Foes at the blast of every Wind and who depended on the Arbitrement of Fortune alone Though many were not ignorant that his Allegations were true yet the French King was so influenc'd by the Guise's the Queen Dowager's Father and Unkle and who in all things endeavoured to promote her Concerns that his Heart and Ear were both shut against Lennox's Request insomuch that he would not permit Iohn Cambel a Man of approved Virtue sent by Lennox to have Audience or so much as to come into his Presence but kept him in the nature of a Prisoner and had Spies set upon him to watch him that so he might not write back any thing of the Designs agitated in the French Court yet notwithstanding this their Caution there were some who told him all When Lennox heard this by the Dispatches which were sent him his troubled Mind was variously hurried betwixt Anger and Shame he was ashamed to leave his Enterprize which he had begun unfinished and the rather because he thought that he was not able to satisfy the Love of his Friends and Kindred whom he had drawn with him into the same Danger but by the Sacrifice of his Life As for the rest his Anger was highly inflamed especially against the Queen-Dowager and the Cardinal by whose perfidious Contumely he was cast into these Straits but he was chiefly offended with the King of France complaining that he had brought him upon the Stage and now in the midst of his Acting had forsaken him and joined himself with his Enemies Whilst his Thoughts thus fluctuated not knowing where to fix News was brought him That all the Inhabitants on this side Mount Grantzbain who were able to bear Arms were commanded by Proclamation by such a Day to appear at Sterlin and to bring ten Days Provision along with them that they might be ready to march whithersoever the Regent should command them whither accordingly they came at the Day appointed and the Regent marched them to Glasgow There he besieged the Castle ten Days and battered it with his Brass-Guns but in vain yet at last a Truce was granted for a Day and the Guards tampered with so that the Castle was surrendered upon Quarter and Indemnity to the Garison-Souldiers yet notwithstanding all of them but One or Two were put to Death In the mean time Lennox being forsaken by the French King and also cut off from any hope of other Aid made trial by his Friends how the King of England stood affected towards him and finding it fair Weather there he resolv'd for England but before he went he had a great Mind to perform some notable Exploit against the Hamiltons and communicating his Design to William Cuningham Earl of Glencarn They two at a Day appointed with their Tenants and Adherents resolved to meet at Glasgow and from thence to make an inroad into the County of Clydsdale which almost all belonged to the Hamiltons When the Regent heard of this he resolved to be before-hand with them and so to seize upon Glasgow and thereby prevent the place of meeting but Cuningham with a great Party of his Men were entered the Town before and there expected the coming of Lennox but hearing of Hamilton's coming and of his Design he drew out his Men into the Fields adjoining and according to the number of those he had set them in array there were about 800 of them part of his own Clanship and part of the Citizens of Glasgow which favoured his Cause and thus with greater Courage than Force he joined Battel and fought so valiantly that he beat the first Rank of the Enemy back upon the second and took the Brass-pieces they had brought with them But whilst the Fight was hot about the Regent's Quarter and the Matter was in great Hazard there on a sudden Robert Boyd a valiant and brave Man came in with a small Party of Horse and thrust himself into the midst of the Fight where the hottest Service was He occasioned a greater Fear and Trepidation than so small a number need to have done for both Armies believed that great Assistance was come into the Hamiltons This Mistake quite changed the fortune of the Day whilst one thought the assistance was come into his Party the other to his Enemies There were slain in the Battel about 300 on both sides the greatest part was of the Cunningham's and amongst them two Sons of the Earl's gallant Men both Neither was the Victory unbloody to the Hamiltons for they lost considerable Persons on their side too But the greatest Mischief fell upon the Inhabitants of Glasgow for the Enemy not contented with the Blood of the Towns-men which they had killed nor with the Miseries of those who survived nor yet with the Plunder of their Houses they also took away the Valves and Shutters of their Gates and Windows and their Iron-Bars neither did they forbear any kind of Calamity but only the firing of their Houses which were so torn and deformed before The Event of this Battel wrought a great change in Mens Minds so that Lennox's Friends and Kinsmen refused to commit the Matter to the Hazard of a second Encounter not so much because their Enemies Force was increased and theirs lessened nor that because having lost so many valiant Men they could not speedily gather together a new supply from places so remote as that they were unwilling to give any new Provocation to Hamilton or by too much Obstinacy to offend him under whose Government they knew they must shortly come Lennox being thus deserted by the French and the greatest part of the Scots too made George Sterlin Governour of the Castle of Dunbarton and he himself with a few in his Company sailed for England against the advice of his best Friends who were willing he should have stayed some Months in
that impregnable Castle and so waited for a change of Affairs which they did not doubt but shortly would come to pass But he was resolved for England where he was honourably received by the King who besides his other Respects gave him Margaret Douglas in Marriage she was Sister to Iames last King of Scotland begot by the Earl of Angus upon the Sister of Henry King of England a Lady in the Flower of her Age of great Comeliness and Beauty In the mean time the Queen-Dowager received into her Protection That Scotish Faction which by the Departure of Lennox was left without an Head and which did obstinately refuse to come under the Power of Hamilton whose Levity they knew before and now feared his Cruelty for she was afraid that they might be inrag'd in such an hurry of Things and so desperately ingage in some new Commotion The Hamiltons were glad at the departure of so potent an Enemy but yet not satisfied with the Punishments already inflicted they used their Prosperity very intemperately For in the next Convention held at Linlithgo they condemned him and his Friends confiscated their Goods and banished them the Land A great Sum of Money was raised out of the Fines of those who redeemed their Estates out of the Exchequer but not without great Disgust and the high Offence of all good Men. In the midst of these Domestick Seditions The English entred Scotland and committed great Spoil and Desolation on Iedburgh Kelso and the Country thereabout from thence they went to Coldingham where they fortified the Church and the Tower as well as they could for the time by making Works and leaving a Garison and so departed And the Garison-Souldiers made great havock in all the adjacent parts partly out of a greediness for Plunder and partly that the Country thereabouts might not afford Provisions to the Enemy when they besieged them Hereupon they who ruled the Roast in Scotland the Queen-Dowager Cardinal and Regent by the advice of the Council sent forth a Proclamation That the Nobles and the most discreet and ablest of the Commons should come in armed with eight Days Provision to march whither the Regent led them In a short time about 8000 met together and in a very sharp Winter too who having battered the Tower of the Church of Coldingham with their great Guns stood in their Arms all that Day and Night to the great wearying of Horse and Man The Day after the Regent either out of Tenderness and Inability to indure Military Toil or fearing the Invasion of the Enemy for he was informed from Berwick a Neighbour-Town that the English were upon their March unknown to his Nobles and with but a few in Company mounted on Horse back and with full speed fled back to Dunbar They who endeavour to excuse the baseness of this Flight say that he was afraid lest his Army out of Hate preconceived on many former Accounts would have given him up to the English His Departure made a great Disturbance in the whole Army and the rather because the Cause of his Flight was unknown and therefore many thought that 't was the more considerable and that they had greater Reason to fear Hereupon some were obstinately resolved to run home the nearest way they could and leave their Guns behind them Others who would seem a little more provident and stout were for overcharging them that so they might break in pieces at a Discharge and become useless to the Enemy But Archibald Earl of Angus withstood them all telling them that they should not add so foul an Offence to their base Flight but not being able to retain them either by his Authority or Entreaty he burst out into these Words with a loud Voice so that many might hear him As for me said he I had rather chuse a noble Death than to enjoy my Life tho opulent and secure after the admission of so foul a Fact You my Friends and Fellow-Soldiers consider what you will do as for me I will bring back these Guns or else I will never return back hence alive my Honour and my Life shall go together This Speech affected some Few whose Honour was dearer to them than their Lives but the rest was so disheartened by the shameful Flight of the Regent that they broke their Ranks and went every one scatteringly home Douglas sent the Guns before and he with his Party followed in good Order in the Rear and tho he was prest upon by the English Horse whom the Tumult had excited yet he brought the Ordnance safe to Dunbar This Expedition rashly undertaken and as basely performed discouraged abundance of the Scots and raised up the English to an intolerable height as drawing the Cowardise of the Regent to Their Praise And therefore Ralph Evers and Brian Laiton two brave English Cavaleers overran all Merce Teviot and Lauderdale without any Resistance and made the Inhabitants of those Countries submit themselves and if any were refractory they wasted their Lands and made their Habitations desolate yea the undisturbed course of their Victories made them so resolute and insolent that they propounded the Bay of Forth to be the Boundary of their Conquest And with this hope they went to London and crav'd a Reward from Henry for their good Service Their Petition was referred to the Council and in debate thereof Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk who had made many Expeditions against the Scots and had done them much Mischief understanding that in that troublesom Posture of Affairs in Scotland it was no hard Matter to over-run naked and unguarded Countries and to compel the Commonalty when they had no other Refuge to take an Oath of Fealty to them and withal knowing the constancy of the Scots in maintaining their Country and their Resolution in recovering it when lost upon these Considerations 't is reported that he advised the King to give them all the Land which they could win by the Sword and also to allow them a small Force to defend it till the Scots therein were inured to the English Government This Gift they willingly receiv'd and the King as willingly gave upon which their vain boasting being as vainly requited they return'd joyfully to the Borders having obtain'd 3000 Souldiers in pay besides the Borderers who are wont to serve without any Military Stipend Their return mightily disturb'd all the Borderers because they had no hopes of any help from the Regent in regard he was influenc'd in all his Counsels by a Priest especially by the Cardinal Hereupon Archibald Earl of Angus being much affected with the Publick disgrace and also concerned upon the Account of his own private Losses for he had large and fruitful Possessions in Merch and Teviotdale sent to the Regent to prevent it The Regent deplor'd his own solitude and complain'd how he was deserted by the Nobility Douglas told him it was his own not the Nobilities fault for they were willing to spend their
have reason to believe 80 of the chief of the Family had left their Wives at home great with Child all of which in due time brought forth Male-Children and they all lived to Man's Estate At the same time the King of England heard that his Army was beaten and wasted in Scotland and that an Embassador was sent by the Regent to the King of France to acquaint him with the Victory and to desire Aid of him against the Demands and Threats of the King of England and likewise to inform against Lennox in Defamation of his Departure into England as for Aid he could scarce obtain any because the French knew for certain that Henry was about passing over with great Forces into France only they sent 500 Horse and 3000 Foot not so much to defend the Scots from the Incursions of the English as to hold them in play that they might not fall with their whole Strength upon France Henry that Summer did not think it fit to send greater Forces to the Borders of Scotland because he was of opinion that the Garisons there were sufficient to inhibit the Excursions of the Scots and besides he knew well enough that the Scots in such a perplexed State of their affairs could not raise a great Army that Year to attack any well-fortified places The Scotish Embassador in France objected some sorry matters against Lennox in his Absence scarce worth the answering as that he had concealed the Mony sent to him that by reason of his Dissensions with the Cardinal the cause of the Publick was betray'd and as for his Departure into England That he exaggerated most invidiously The King of France who by means of false Rumors had conceiv'd such an Anger against Lennox that he would by no means admit of any Compurgation or Apology against those Calumnies and who also had imprisoned Lennox's Brother unheard Captain of his Guards when the Truth began a little to appear as 't were in excuse for his temerarious Fault sought for some colour to hide it and commanded an Examination to be made of the Crimes objected against Lennox And the Enquiry was committed to Iames Montgomery of Lorge Commander of the French Auxiliaries a Man active and good enough but a bitter Enemy to Lennox 't was put into his Hands by the Procurement of the Guises because they were not able to separate the cause of their Sister from the Perfidiousness of the Cardinal Montgomery arriv'd with his French Auxiliaries lately mention'd in Scotland on Iuly the 3 d in the Year 1545. where by shewing the Letters and declaring the good Intentions of the King of France towards them in the Council he obtained that an Army should be levied but only of the better sort who were able to bear the charges of the War and they were to meet together upon a short day And accordingly at the time appointed there met 15000 Scots at Hadington and marching to the Borders they formed their Camp over against Work a Castle in England From thence almost every other day they marched with their Colours into England and did obtain great Booty the Enemy endeavour'd to resist their Incursions but in vain they made indeed some light Skirmishes but unprosperously so that the Scots wasted all the Country for six Miles round This they continued during ten Days never going further into the Enemies Country in the Day-time than they could return back to their Camp at Night In the Interim Montgomery and George Hume dealt earnestly with the Regent that he would remove his Camp to the other side of the Tweed that so they might make freer Inrodes upon the parts adjacent and spred the terrour of their Army to a greater Distance but their Solicitations were in vain For the Regent and those of the Council about him were against it because they were destitute of all Necessaries for storming of Castles so that they disbanded the Army and returned home The other took up their Winter-Quarters as every one thought fit but Montgomery went to Sterlin to the Court where knowing of the Calumnies raised against Lennox by his Enemies though he himself did highly disgust him too yet he grievously rebuked the Cardinal that without any considerable Provocation on Lennox's part he had loden so noble and innocent a Person with such calumnious Imputations and had compell'd him even against his Will to join himself with the Enemy About the same time Inroads were made on both sides on all parts of the Borders with various Events Robert Maxwel the Son of Robert a young Man of singular Valor was taken Prisoner by the English there was nothing memorable done besides At the beginning of the following Winter Montgomery return'd to France and the Cardinal carried about the Regent with him through the Neighbouring Provinces upon pretence to reconcile and heal the Seditions and Distempers of all Parties First they came to Perth where four Men were punish'd for eating Flesh on a day prohibited and also a Woman and her Infant were both put to Death because she refused to call upon the Virgin Mary for Aid in her Travel then they applied themselves to the Overthrow of all the Reformed universally they went to Dundee and as themselves gave out 't was to punish such as read the new Testament for in those days that was counted a most grievous Sin and such was the Blindness of those Times that some of the Priests being offended at the Novelty of the Title did contend that That Book was lately written by Martin Luther and therefore they desired only the Old There 't was told them that Patrick Grey chief of a noble Family in those parts was coming with a great Train and the Earl of Rothes with him The Tumult being appeased the Regent commanded both of them to come to him the day after but the Cardinal thinking it not safe to admit two such potent and factious Persons with so great a Train into that Town which was the only one highly addicted to the Reformed Religion persuaded the Regent to return to Perth The Noble-Men when they were ready for their Journy heard News that the Regent was gone for Perth whereupon they followed him thither and when they came in sight of the Town the Cardinal was so afraid that to gratify him the Regent commanded them to enter the City severally and apart and the next day after they were both committed to Prison yet Rothes was soon released but Grey was delivered with more difficulty afterwards because he was more hated and feared by them Before they went from thence the Cardinal thought good to abate the Power of Ruven Mayor of the City so that the Regent took away the Mayoralty from him and gave it to the Laird Kinfans a Neighbour-Laird Gray's Kinsman Ruven was envied by the Cardinal because he favoured the Reform'd Religion and as for Grey he was not wholly averse from the Reformed neither nor yet any great Friend of
on the Trial hereupon the Names of the Judges or Jury were according to Custom which I have elsewhere mentioned impannell'd and none of them were excepted against by the adverse Party yet by all their Votes he was acquitted From thence they marched to the Castle of Langham from thence they drove out the English and as they resolved to attempt other Forts they were call'd back by a sudden Message For News were brought them that a French Fleet was seen not far from the Promontory of St. Ebb wherein were one and twenty Ships The Regent imagining what the matter was that they were come to besiege the Castle of St. Andrews as had been agreed between them march'd joyfully home there he discoursed Leon Strozy Admiral of the French Fleet and they both agreed to lay close Siege to the Castle which they did with so much Celerity that many of the Garison-Souldiers which were abroad could not come in and many Country-men which had no hand in the Conspiracy but occasionally came into the Castle about their private Affairs could not get out They planted their Brass Guns upon the Towers of two Churches which stood near on both sides the Castle which did so annoy the whole Court within the Castle-Walls that the Defenders could hardly stir in or out And afterwards they brought bigger pieces of Ordnance and play'd upon part of the Wall which stood between two Towers which was soon batter'd down because the later Buildings were not at all compacted with the former and so it fell down with a mighty Noise Hereupon they within who before trusted to their Fortifications and were ready to expose themselves to stop any Breach now began to be afraid and calling together a Council of War because they fear'd the Cruelty of the Regent in revenging the Death of his Kinsman such Sentiments making deep Impressions on infirm Minds they surrendred the Castle and themselves to Leon Strozy only upon Quarter for Life Leon hereupon sent in his Men to pillage the Castle wherein was found besides a great Quantity of Provisions of all sorts all the Cardinal's Mony and Houshold-stuff and all the Wealth of the Garison-Souldiers and of many others also who had laid up their Goods there as in a place of Refuge there also they found the Regent's Son who was before given in Hostage by his Father to the Cardinal and when he was slain was detain'd there The Castle was demolish'd by Advice and Order of the Council and a few days after Leon set Sail with his Prisoners for France These things fell out in August 1547. About the same time News was brought that the English had prepared great Forces both by Land and Sea to invade Scotland and to demand the Performance of the Treaty which was made four Years before with the Regent concerning the Marriage of the Queen of Scotland to the King of England's Son This sudden Report mightily affected the Regent who was faint-hearted enough of himself for he had then no foreign Aid neither did he much confide in his own forces For the Papal Faction were offended at his Levity and the Friends of exil'd Lennox having been cruelly intreated by him retained the Seeds of their old Hatred against him yet upon his Proclamation there came in great numbers to Edinburgh from thence they march'd to the Mouth of the River Esk which runs through Lothian and there waited for the coming of the English In the mean time the Scotish Horse rode up towards the Enemy in their March and challenged them to fight by this means creating some trouble to them in their Passage But the English General who knew that the Scots were better than his own Men at such tumultuary Skirmishes had given Command that none of his Troops should march out to encounter them At last upon the Importunity of Grey Commander of the Horse he was persuaded to send out some Troops of Horse well-armed and of Curiasiers which should suddenly rush in upon them unprepared for Resistance The Scots being grown fearless of the Enemy but now astonish'd at the sudden Onset brake their Ranks and fled for their Lives and about 800 of them were either slain or taken of the English also who prest too eagerly on the pursuit several were taken Prisoners amongst which were some eminent Horse-Commanders From that day forward there was no memorable Action performed by the Scotish Horse The English had their Camp at the Town of Preston a little more than a Mile from Them From thence they might behold the number of the Scotish Army from the high Ground and perceiving them to be more than they thought they advised what course to take and resolved to send Letters to the Scots that so if just and equal Conditions might be agreed on the matter might be compos'd rather by Treaty than by Force The Contents of the Letters were They earnestly desired the Scots to remember that both Armies profess'd the Christian Religion to whom unless they did renounce their Profession nothing ought to be more dear than Peace and Tranquillity and nothing more to be abhorr'd than unjust Arms and War that the cause of the present War was not Covetousness Hatred or Envy but a Desire of perpetual Peace which could no ways so firmly coalesce as by a Marriage which had been already promised by the publick Decree and Consent of all the Estates and ratified by a League and that on such Conditions as were more advantageous to the Scots than the English not to reduce them into an Estate of Servitude but to a joint Society of Life and Participation and Communion of all their Fortunes which Marriage would be so much the more beneficial to the Scots than English because the Weaker might expect Advantage from the Stronger as being possess'd with a greater Fear lest he might be wrong'd by him And at the present in casting up accounts of things you are first to consider the Case that it is very necessary your Queen should marry that necessity was inevitable and that it was a difficult thing to moderate it and that the sole Power of chusing her an Husband was left to the Estates If they would chuse a Family upon the account of Dignity and publick Advantage whom could they pitch upon better than a Neighbour King born in the same Island ally'd in Blood instituted in the same Laws educated in the same Manners and Language and superior not in Power alone but in all external Ornaments and Accessions of Dignity And besides this Marriage would bring with it a perpetual Concord and an Oblivion of all old Grudges But if they had Thoughts to bring in a Stranger amonst them to undertake the Kingdom that differ'd from them in Language Laws and Customs they should consider how many Inconveniences lodg'd in the Belly of that Design which they might easily foresee by the Examples of other Nations and 't were better so to do than to learn it
parties every day six Miles round who burnt and destroy'd all within that Compass They attempted nothing considerable besides saving the fortifying the desolate Islands of Inch-Keith and Inch-Colm in the Bay of Forth and in the Bay of Tay they took the Castle Brockty and in their return by Land they took by Surrender the Castles of Fascastle and Hume which the Garisons out of Fear gave up and they raised Forts one at Lauder and another in the Ruins of Roxborough Castle Their sudden Departure gave some Relief to the Scots and a breathing-time for them to meet together to consult about the main chance The Regent presently after the Fight came with that part of the Nobles which were with him to the two Queens at Sterlin and to the Nobility attending there the Regent and his Brother were very sad and dejected for the Calamity which happen'd by their Default and the Queen Dowager gave forth many outward Signs of Grief in her Speech and Countenance but they which knew her Heart did judg that she was not much troubled to see the Arrogance of the Hamiltons so curbed but to be joyous in a publick Calamity they who use to cover the Faults of Princes under honest Disguises are wont to call Greatness of Mind Besides the Dowager ever since the Death of the Cardinal had used all ways and means to throw the Regent out of his Office and to invest the supream Authority in her self but she knew she could never effect it as long as They were uppermost and had all fortified places in their Hands In all her Discourse she heighten'd the Fear she had from the English and complained of the Weakness of their own domestick Forces and propounded the Dangers imminent from the civil Dissensions amongst them She communicated her Design to those who she knew were ill affected towards the Hamiltons When the Nobles were in Consultation about the grand Affairs of the Kingdom a Decree was made that the Queen should retire to Dunbarton whilst the Nobility did debate concerning the Estate of the Kingdom Iohn Erskin was made Governour of it an unquestionable Favourer of the Queen's Faction and William Levingston a Friend to the Hamiltons was join'd in Commission with him Embassadors were also sent into France to demand Aid of their King Henry against their common Enemy according to the League made with him Hopes was also given them that the Queen would come over into France and marry the Dolphin but the French were intent upon their own Affairs and therefore their Auxiliaries were slower than the present Danger required In the mean time the English entred Scotland on both sides of the Borders The Earl of Lennox as if he had been sent for by his Friends came to Dumfries for his Father-in-Law Angus and his old Friend Glencarne had promised him two thousand Horse and Foot of the neighbouring Parts to assist him if he would leave the English and come over to them but when he came at the Place appointed there were hardly Three hundred come together and those too of such who used to live on Robberies These and some other things of the like Nature being very suspicious and specially the wavering Mind of Iohn Maxwel who had already given Hostages to the English made Lennox believe that he was betrayed and therefore he resolved to circumvent his Enemies with the like Fraud he retained with him Glencarn Iohn Maxwel and other chief Men of the Scots who had treated with him concerning his Transition and Return into his own Country and in the middle of the Night march'd toward Drumlanerick with six hundred Horse part of the English and part of the Scots who had yielded to them when they came to the appointed Place he sent out five hundred to commit what Spoil they could in the neighbouring Parts that so he might draw out Iames Douglas Owner of the Castle into his Ambush he imagining such a thing kept within his Hold till 't was Day and then being out of fear of Treachery he marched out with his Men and pass'd over the River Nith and press'd straglingly upon the Plunderers charging their Rear as they were retreating They having got a convenient Time and Place to rally turn'd back upon him with great violence and struck such a Terror into them in the Straits of a Ford that they disordered their Ranks killed some and took many considerable Prisoners This light Expedition struck such a Terror into the greatest part of Galway that they strove which of them should yield first to the English partly to gratify Lennox and partly fearing lest being forsaken by their Neighbours they should lie open to all Affronts The Scotish Regent fearing lest in such a general Hurly-burly if he did attempt nothing he should altogether dispirit his Men who were discourag'd enough before besieg'd the Castle of Brockty and having laid before it almost three Months without performing any thing considerable he drew off his Men leaving only an hundred Horse under the Command of Iames Halyburton an active young Man to infest the neighbouring Places and to hinder any Provisions from being carried in by Land to Brockty or to the Garison which the English had plac'd on an Hill adjoining These Matters pass'd at the End of that Year In the beginning of the next which was 1548 the English fortified Hadington a Town in Lothian upon the Tine and burned the Villages and plundered the Country about which was the richest part of Scotland and they form'd another Garison at Lauder Lennox about the end of February having pass'd over the West-Border hardly escap'd an Ambush laid for him by Part of those who had yielded themselves but returning to Carlisle he revenged himself by punishing some of the Hostages especially Iohn Maxwel the chief Author of the Revolt according to the Contents of some Letters he had receiv'd from the King of England During these Transactions Henry of France who succeeded his Father Francis sent Forces to the Sea to be transported into Scotland about six thousand Men of which three thousand were German Foot commanded by the Rhine-grave about two thousand French and one thousand of divers Nations all Horse they were all commanded to obey Monsieur Dessy a French Man who had been a Commander in France some years and had done good Service there They landed at Leith and were ordered to quarter at Edinburgh till they had recovered their Sea-sickness The Regent and the Forces with him marched to Hadington where they beset all Passages and laid a close Siege to the Place He sent out a Proclamation into all Parts in pursuance whereof in a short time there came into him about eight thousand Scots There the Nobility assembled and the Consultation was renewed concerning the Queen's going into France and marrying the Daulphin a Council was called in a Monastery of Monks without Hadington in the very Camp In that Convention there were various Disputes some said that
if they sent away the Queen they must expect perpetual War from England and Bondage from the French others were of opinion that by reason of Agreement in Religion and the Condition of the present Times it was best to embrace the Terms offered by the English which were a Ten Years Peace with no bad Covenants or Obligations on the Scots For the whole of the League was That if the King of England or Queen of Scotland died within ten years all things should be on both sides as they were before and though no fortuitous Event should happen between yet the Kingdom might be hereby freed from its present Pressures which had almost broke its Strength and the Souldiery which were almost all lost in the late Battel might have time to grow up and increase in a long continued Peace and that intestine Discord being laid asleep they might more maturely consider of the Grand Affairs than they could do amongst Drums and Trumpets And in such Consultations Delays were oftentimes of great Advantage and rash Festination was attended with speedy Repentance Thus They. But all the Papists favoured the French and some others too whom French Bounty had either forestalled or else had rais'd up to great hopes of Advantage amongst whom was the Regent he had an yearly Revenue of 1200 French Pistols promised him and the Command of an 100 Curiassiers so that the most Voices carried it for the Queen 's going into France The Fleet which was to convey her rode at Leith and making as if they would go away they sailed about all Scotland and came to Dunbarton where the Queen went on Ship-board having staid some Months for its Arrival in the Company of Iames her Brother Iohn Erskin and William Levingston She was tossed with much foul Weather and contrary Winds but at last landed in Bretaign a Peninsule in France and by easy Journies went to Court In Scotland whilst the War stopp'd at Hadington yet the Common People in several Places were not wanting to the present Occasion For the Garisons of Hume and Fascastle doing great hurt to the Neighbourhood the Scots observing that Hume was negligently guarded by Night got up to the Top of a Rock where the Confidence of the Unaccessibleness of the Place made those within less watchful and so they killed the Sentinels and took the Castle And not long after when the Governor of Fascastle had commanded the Country thereabouts to bring in a great quantity of Provisions into the Castle at a certain Day The Country upon this occasion came numerously in and unlading their Horses they took up the Provision on their backs to carry them over a Bridg made betwixt two Rocks into the Castle assoon as ever they were entred they threw down their Burden and upon a Sign given slew the Guards and before the rest of the English could come in they seized on their Arms and placed themselves in the Avenues and thus setting the Gates open for their whole Party to enter they made themselves Masters of the Castle In the mean time the Naval Force of the English was not idle for the whole stress of the Land-War lying upon Hadington their Commanders thought that the neighbouring Parts were weakned and spoiled of all Defence so that they resolved to land in Fife And accordingly they pass'd by some Sea-Towns which were well inhabited and came to St. Minnans Kirk a Place peopled well enough that from thence they might march by Land to greater Towns but less fortified where the Pillage might be more worth their Labour Iames Stuart the Queen's Brother receiving the Alarum which the People of Saint Andrews and a few of the Country-men which were left at home made towards them and in his way many of the Neighbourhood struck in with him The English were already landed and about 1200 of them stood ready in their Arms for the Encounter The great Guns which they had landed struck such a fear into the Country-men that they quickly fled but Iames after he had a little stopp'd their Fear charged the Enemy so briskly that though he had but a raw and tumultuous Band along with him he soon routed them and drove them toward the Sea killing many upon the Place and many in the pursuit not a few of them were drowned in hastning to their Ships one Boat with all its Passengers was sunk whilst they endeavoured some in Throngs to get on board 'T is reported that there were 600 slain in the Fight and 100 taken Prisoners Whereupon the Fleet presently saâ—led to Mern a Country less inhabited their Design was to surprise Monross a Town not far from the Mouth of the River Dee They resolved to land in the Night and therefore they staid at Anchor out of sight of Land as long as there was any Light in the Sky But as they were making to Shoar in the dark they discovered themselves by their own Imprudency by hanging out Lights in every Boat Iohn Erskin of Downe Governour of the Town commanded his Men to arm without making any Noise and he divided them into three Bodies he placed some behind an earthen Bank which was rais'd on the Shoar to hinder their landing he with some Archers lightly arm'd made directly towards the Enemy and a third Band of Servants and promiscuous Vulgar he plac'd behind a Neighbour Hill adding a few Souldiers to them to govern the Rabble Matters being thus order'd he with his Archers fell upon the Enemy in their Descent and maintain'd a sharp Dispute with them till in a tumultuary kind of Fight he had drawn them on to the Banks there he join'd his other Party who stood ready at their Arms and they all fell on the Enemy yet they had not given Ground unless the last Body had shewn themselves with Colours flying from the next Hill then they made such haste to their Ships that of about 800 which came on Shoar hardly the third part escaped to their Ships In the mean time great Salleys were made about Hadington not without loss on either side but most of the English whereupon they being in some want of Provisions and fearing a greater and perceiving also that the Relief prepared came slowly on and that they were so weakned as to be hardly able to admit of the Delay In the Interim two brave Souldiers Robert Bovy and Thomas Palmer were commanded to march thither from Berwick with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse and to make all the Speed they could These all fell into an Ambush laid for them and scarce a Man of them escaped alive The English resolved to send more Aid but the French discovering their Design beset the narrow Passages by which they were to march but Dessius being deceived by one of the Enemies Scouts which he had taken who told him that the English were far off and were marching another way to relieve the Besieged left the Straits he had possess'd and went to another Place in the
for his Fortune Wife Children Religion and Liberty Besides this Project said they concerns the very Vitals of the Scotish Empire and 't was a thing of greater Consequence than to be debated at this time and in this Age of our young Queen for if 't were granted it could be effected without any Sedition yet this new way of managing a War is both useless and also much feared and suspected by the most especially since out of the Tribute of the Scots Men none of the richest Mony enough could hardly arise to maintain a Guard of Mercenaries for the Defence of the Borders and therefore 't was to be feared that the Event of this Counsel would be to open the Door of the Borders to the Enemy not to shut it For if the English living in a richer Kingdom should erect a fuller Treasury for that use there was no doubt but they might maintain Forces double to ours with less Grievance to their own People and then they would break in not only upon the Borders but even into the very Body of the Kingdom The other part of their Oration I know not whether it be not better to suppress in Silence than to declare it amongst the Vulgar some Mutterings there were Who will collect this Mony What great part of it must necessarily be expended upon Distrainers and Treasurers as a Reward for their pains Who will undertake that it shall be spent for publick Uses and not on private Luxury 'T is true the Probity and Temperance of our noble Princess who now rules gives us great Hope yea Confidence that no such thing will be yet if we consider what hath been done by others abroad and by our selves at home we cannot contain or so govern our selves but must needs fear that what hath once been done may possibly be done again But to let these things pass which perhaps we have no cause to fear let us come to that wherein our Ancestors plac'd their greatest hope of Defence to maintain their Liberty against the Arms of an overpowring Enemy There was no King of Scotland ever judg'd wiser than Robert the first of that Name and all confess he was the most valiant He at his Death as he had often done in his Life out of a Prospect to the good of his Subjects gave this advice That the Scots should never make a perpetual Peace no nor One for any long time with the English For he out of the Wisdom of his own Nature and also by his long Experience and Exercise under both Conditions prosperous and adverse knew well enough that by Idleness and Sloth the Minds of Men would be broken with Delights and Blandishments of Pleasures and their Bodies also grow languid for when severe Discipline and Parsimony is extinct Luxury and Avarice do grow up as in a Soil untill'd accompany'd also with an Impatience of Labour and a Slothfulness occasioned by continu'd Ease averse from and hating a military Life by which Mischiefs the Strength of Body and Mind being enervated and weakned doth abandon Virtue which is exercised by Sufferings and that a short and unaccustomed Ease and Pleasure is over-ballanced by some notable Calamity to ensue Upon this Oration the Queen-Regent fearing an Insurrection if she had persisted in her opinion remitted the Tribute and acknowledg'd her Error 't is reported she was often heard to say that it was not Her self but no obscure Men of the Scots themselves who were the Authors and Architects of that Design By those Words some thought she meant Huntly a Man fierce of his own Disposition and newly released from Prison and as it seems more mindful of the Injury of his Imprisonment than of the respect shewed in his Deliverance And therefore when he saw that the Regent was intent upon this one thing to accustom the Scots to pay Tribute fearing that thereby her Power would increase and the Authority of the Nobility would be weakned and infring'd in regard she being a Foraigner sought to bring all things into the Power of her own Country-men it was thought he gave this Counsel to her which suited well with her Mind as to the raising of Mony which she was then about for otherwise the advice was plainly Destructive Hostile and Pernicious for he knew well enough that the Scots would not pay such great Taxes neither would they be as obedient Subjects as they had been before some thought that David Painter Bishop of Ross found out this way of Tax for he was a Man of a great Wit and learned besides he had receiv'd many Courtesies from the Hamiltons and was a Friend to their Family and Designs The next year which was 1557 whilst the Embassadors of Scotland were treating about Peace at Carlisle the King of France sent Letters to Scotland to desire the Regent to declare War against England according to the League The Cause was pretended to be because the Queen of England had assisted Philip of Spain her Husband who was ingag'd in a fierce War against France by sending him Aid into Belgium The English Embassadors return'd without confirming any settled Peace or War either whereupon the Regent call'd together the Nobility at the Monastry of Newbottle where She declar'd to them the many Incursions the English had made upon Scotish Ground what Preys they had taken and when Restitution was demanded none was made so that She desir'd the Scots to denounce War upon England both to revenge their own Wrongs and also by the same labour to assist the King of France yet she could not prevail with the Nobility to begin first and therefore by the advice as 't is thought of D'Osel she brought about the matter another way She commanded a Fort to be built at the Mouth of the River Aye against the sudden Incursions of the English wherein also she might safely lay up great Guns and other Necessaries for War as in a safe Magazine from whence she might fetch them upon occasion and so save labour of carrying them from the remoter parts of the Kingdom whereby much time would be spent and besides the troublesomeness of the Carriages opportunity of Action would be lost These Conveniencies were visible enough but she had another Reach in it she knew that the English would do their utmost to hinder the Work and not suffer a Garison to be erected under their Noses so near Berwick Thus the Seeds of War which she desired would be sown and the fault of taking up Arms cast upon the Enemy And the Event answered her Expectation For the Scots being provoked by the wrongs of the English whilst they were compell'd to defend their own Borders easily assented to the Regent's desire to make War upon England whereupon the Embassadors sent into England to make a Peace were call'd back a Proclamation was made and a Day appointed for a general Rendezvouz at Edinburgh when the Camp was form'd at Maxwel Heugh and the Council had not yet
and promised them to reduce all the Country beyond Dunkelden to the old Religion But they suspected the matter as having heard enough of the Disposition of the Man and fearing lest he should raise a new Storm to no purpose communicated the matter to Iames the Queen's Brother The rest of the Year was spent in Balls and Feastings and in sending away the French who out of Civility had attended the Queen and were then honourably dismiss'd only one of her Uncles the Marquess of Elbeuff staid behind Amidst these Matters William Maitland junior was sent Embassador into England to complement that Queen as the Custom is and to acquaint her how highly she stood affected towards her and how much she desired to maintain Peace and Concord with her He also carried to her Letters from the Nobility in which was mentioned a Friendly Commemoration of former Courtesies and Obligations but one thing they earnestly desired of her and That was that both publickly and privately she would shew her self friendly and courteous towards their Queen and that being provoked by good Offices she would not only persevere in her ancient Friendship but add daily stronger Obligations if possible hereunto As for their part it should be their earnest Study and Desire to pretermit no occasion of perpetuating the Peace betwixt the two Neighbour-Kingdoms That there was but One sure way to induce an Amnesty of all past Differences and to stop the Spring of them for ever if the Queen of England would declare by an Act of Parliament firmed by the Royal Assent That the Queen of Scots was Heiress to the Kingdom of England next after her Self and her Children if ever she had any After the Embassador had asserted the Equity of such a Statute and how beneficial it would be to all Britain by many Arguments he added in the close That she being her nearest Kinswoman ought to be more intent and diligent than others in having such an Act made and that the Queen did expect that Testimony of Good-will and the Respect from her To which the Queen of England answered in these Words I expected another kind of Embassy from your Queen I wonder she hath forgot how that before her Departure out of France after much urging she at last promised that the League made at Leith should be confirmed she having promised me faithfully it should be so as soon as ever she returned into her own Country I have been put off with Words long enough now 't is time if she have any respect to her Honour that her Deeds should answer her Words To which the Embassador answered That he was sent in this Embassy but a very few days after the Queen's Arrival before she had entred upon the Administration of any publick Affairs That she had been hitherto taken up in treating the Nobility many of whom she had never seen before who came from divers parts to perform their dutiful Salutations to her but she was chiefly imployed about setling the State of Religion which how difficult and troublesome a thing it is said he you your self are not ignorant Hence he proceeded your Majesty may easily understand that the Queen of Scots had no vacant time at all before my Departure neither had she as yet called fit Men to her Council to consult about various Affairs especially since the Nobility that liv'd in the furthest parts towards the North had not been yet to attend her before his Coming without whose advice Matters of such publick Moment could not nor ought not to be transacted Upon which the English Queen was something moved and said What need had your Queen to make any Consultation about doing that which she hath obliged her self to under her Hand and Seal He replied I can give no other Answer at present for I received nothing in command about it neither did our Queen expect that an account thereof would now be required of me and you may easily consider with your self what just causes of Delay she at present lies under After some Words had past betwixt them upon these matters the Queen returned to the main Point I observe said she what you most insist upon in behalf of your Queen and in seconding the Requests of the Nobles you put me in Mind that your Queen is descended from the Blood of the Kings of England and that I am bound to love her by a natural Obligation as being my near Kinswoman which I neither can or will deny I have also made it evident to the whole World that in all my Actions I never attempted any thing against the Weal and Tranquillity of her self and her Kingdom Those who are acquainted with my inward Thoughts and Inclinations are conscious that though I had just cause of Offence given by her using my Arms and claiming a Title to the Kingdom yet I could never be persuaded but that these Seeds of Hatred came from others not from her self However the case stands I hope she will not take away my Crown whilst I am alive nor hinder my Children if I have any to succeed me in the Kingdom But if any Casualty should happen to me before she shall never find that I have done any thing which may in the least prejudice the Right she pretends to have to the Kingdom of England what that Right is I never thought my self obliged to make a strict Disquisition into and I am of the same Mind still I leave it to those who are skilful in the Law to determine As for your Queen she may expect this confidently of me that if her Cause be just I shall not prejudice it in the least I call God to witness that next to my self I know none that I would prefer before her or if the matter come to a Dispute that can exclude her Thou knowest says she who are the Competitors By what Assistance or in hopes of what Force can such poor Creatures attempt such a mighty thing After some further Discourse the Conclusion was short That it was a matter of great Weight and Moment and that this was the first time she had entertained any serious Thoughts about it and therefore she had need of longer time to dispatch it A few days after she sent for the Embassador again and told him That she extreamly wondred Why the Nobles should demand such a thing of her upon the first Arrival of the Queen especially knowing that the Causes of former Offences were not yet taken away But what pray do they require That I having been so much wrong'd should before any Satisfaction receiv'd gratify her in so great a matter This Demand is not far from a Threat If they proceed on in this way let them know that I have Force at home and Friends abroad as well as They who will defend my just Right To which he answered That he had shewn clearly at first how that the Nobility had insisted on this hopeful Medium of Concord partly out of Duty
the Most did it to gratify the Queen only Andrew Stuart of Ochiltry openly profest that he would never give his Consent to the admission of a Popish King As for Murray he was not averse from the Marriage for he was the first Adviser that the young Man should be call'd out of England but he foresaw what Tumults it would occasion if it were celebrated without the consent of the Queen of England besides he promis'd to procure her Consent that so all things might go on favourably Provision being made about Religion but perceiving that there would be no freedom of Debate in that Convention he chose rather to be absent than to declare his Opinion which might prove destructive to himself and no way advantagious to the Commonwealth Moreover there was a Question started and discours'd amongst the Vulgar Whether the Queen upon her Husbands death might not marry any other Man whom she pleas'd Some were of Opinion That a Queen might have the same freedom as Men even of the Commonalty have Others on the contrary affirming That the Case was different in reference to Heirs of Kingdoms where at once an Husband was to be taken to a Wife and a King to be given to the People and That it was far more Equitable that the People should provide an Husband for one young Queen than that a young Queen should chuse a King for all the People In the Month of Iuly came an Embassador from England who declar'd That his Mistress did much admire That seeing they were both equally allied to Her they should precipitate so great an Affair without acquainting her therewith and therefore She earnestly desir'd that they would stay a while and weigh the thing a little more seriously to the great Advantage probably of both Kingdoms This Embassy effected nothing Whereupon Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was sent by the Queen of England to tell Lennox and his Son that they had a Convoy from her to return at a set Day and that Day was now past and therefore she commanded them to return which if they did not they were to be banish'd and their Goods Confiscate They were not at all terrified with the Commination but persisted in their purpose In the mean time the Queen being sensible that it would seem a very incongruous Match if She who was lately the Wife of a Great King and besides the Heir of an Illustrious Kingdom should marry a private young Man who had no Title of Honour conferr'd upon him she made an Edict proclaiming Darnly Duke of Rothsea and Earl of Ross. Moreover the Predictions of wizardly Women in both Kingdoms did contribute much to hasten the Marriage who prophesy'd that if it were Consummate before the end of Iuly it foretold much future Advantage to them Both if not much Reproach and Ignominy Besides Rumors were spread abroad of the Death of the Queen of England and the Day mention'd before which she should die Which Prediction seem'd not so much to divine things as to declare a Conspiracy of her Subjects against her This also added much to the Queen's haste she knew her Uncles would be averse from the Marriage and if it were longer delay'd she fear'd they would cast in some Remora to disturb the Thing now almost finish'd For when the secret Decree and Resolution was made to carry on the Holy War thrô all Christendom and Guise was appointed General of the League to extirpate the Reform'd Religion hereupon he nourish'd high and ambitious Hopes and therefore determin'd by his Sisters Daughter so to trouble Britain with domestic Tumults that they should not be able to Aid their Friends beyond Sea And David who could then do most with the Queen urg'd That the Marriage would be highly advantagious to all Christendom because Henry Darnly and his Father were stiff Maintainers of the Popish Religion were very Gracious in both Kingdoms allied to great Families and had large Clanships under them This being long debated was at last carried For he knew That if the Marriage were made by the Consent of the Queen of England and the Nobility of Scotland that he should lose two great Points One that he should be no ways ingratiated as before and the Other that Religion would be secur'd But if the Queen adher'd to the Council of Trent then he promis'd Honours Ecclesiastical Dignities heaps of Mony and unrivall'd Power to himself So that turning every Stone He at last procur'd that the Marriage should be hasten'd The Scots not being much for it and the English very much against it Note That the Name of Henry is joined with Mary in the Title tho before their Marriage is accounted for at the Close of the Catalogue of the Scotish Kings prefixed before the Body of this History Mary and Henry Stuart the CVIIth Queen and King HEnry Stuart was marry'd to Mary Stuart Iuly 28 th and O Yes being made Proclamation thereof was publickly read with the applause of the Multitude God Save Henry and Mary King and Queen of Scotland and the day after they were proclaim'd in like Manner by an Herauld at Edinburgh This Matter did grievously offend the Nobility and the Commons also yea some fretted and openly storm'd That 't was a thing of the worst Example that ever was For To what purpose was it to call a Council about making a King and never to ask their Advice nor to comply with their Authority but to set up an Herauld instead of a Senate and a Proclamation for a Statute of Parliament or Order of Council so that it was not said they a Consultation but an Essay rather how the Scots would bear the yoke of Tyranny The absence of so many Nobles increas'd the Suspicion The chief Nobility were away Iames Duke of Castle-herault Gilespy Earl of Argyle Iames Earl of Murray Alexander Earl of Glencarn Andrew Earl of Rothes and many others of Rich and Noble Families Heraulds were sent to them to command them to come in which they not doing were banish'd and went most of them into Argyle and their Enemies were recall'd to Court The King and Queen having got as much Force together as they thought were sufficient to subdue the Rebels with 4000 Men came to Glasgow The Rebels kept themselves at Pasley where various Consultations were held according to the Disposition of the Parties The King and Queen sent an Herauld at Arms to have the Castle of Hamilton surrendred to them which not being done they prepare themselves for the Fight The contrary Faction was at variance one with another and divided into several Opinions The Hamiltons who had the greatest Power in those Parts were of Opinion That no firm Peace could be made till the King and Queen were Both taken out of the way as long as they were safe nothing could be expected but new Wars continual Plots and a counterfeit Peace worse than an open War private Men said they may forget Injuries offer'd them being weary of
prosecuting them yea sometimes they were recompens'd with great Advantages but the Wrath of Princes was not to be quench'd but by Death only But Murray and Glencarn who understood that their discourse was not founded on the Good of the Publick but their own private Advantage for upon the Queen's death they were the next Heirs to the Crown did equally abhor the Princes death and Hamiltons Government too which they had lately experienc'd to be Avaritious and Cruel so that They were for milder Counsels and in regard 't was a civil Dissension wherein as yet there was no blood shed the Dispute having been hitherto managed by Votes not Arms they thought it fit if possible to end it by an honest Agreement Hereunto they thought many in the King's Army would hearken as being desirous of Peace and would not be wanting to plead for Those that in Defence of their Liberties were inforc'd to take up Arms. As for the King and Queen They being yet young might not perhaps be so Provident and for their Parts they had not yet so far transgrest as to indanger the Common-wealth as for smaller Injuries which affected their Names and Reputations only 't was fitter they were cured by other Remedies than Death For they remembred 't was an old Caution transmitted from their Ancestors for Imitation That in the Lives and Manners of Princes their hidden Vices ought to be concealed their doubtful Ones taken in the best sense and their open Ones so far born with as they did not endanger the Ruin of the Publick This Opinion pleased the most and the rest of the Hamiltons acquiesced therein and resolved to be quiet only Iames chief of their Family with 16 Horse remained with the Nobility who being lessened by the recess of the Hamiltons were not able to give Battel to the Enemy nor yet to break through each to his own Clan and therefore they yielded to the Times and came that Night to Hamilton and the next Day to Edinburgh to consult how to manage the War But in regard the Castle which commanded the Town continually plaid upon them and their Friends could not come in so soon from remote Parts as was requisite and moreover the King and Queen were reported to be near them with their Forces by the great Persuasions and Promises of Iohn Maxwel of Herreis they directed their Course towards Dumfreiz The King and Queen returned back to Glascow and left the Earl of Lennox their Lieutenant in the Country towards the South-West they themselves went afterward to Sterlin and thence into the middle of Fife They made the greatest part of the Nobility take an Oath That if any Commotion arose from England they would faithfully oppose it the rest were punish'd some by Fine some by Banishment The Goods of those who fled into England wherever they could find them were seized upon and they appointed Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to be held in all Counties to enquire into the Remains of the Rebellion On the 9 th of October they drew forth their Army out of Edinburgh and march'd towards Dumfriez Maxwel who till that time had pretended to be highly of the Party which was against the King thinking it now a fit opportunity to cater for himself went forth to meet them as if he would have interceded for Pardon for the whole Party He dealt with them to have part of his Father-in-Laws Estate which he had a great mind to have bestow'd upon him they look'd upon him as an active subtil Man fit for Counsel and Business and granted his Request whereupon he return'd to the Rebels and told them he could do them no good and therefore they must all shift for themselves England was near at hand if they would retire thither after he had settled his Affairs at home he would follow them and live and die with the Party In the interim he got a thousand Pounds from Murray upon the account of Mony which he alleged he had expended in listing some Horse For being commanded to raise some few Troops of Horse he caused all his Domesticks to appear as if they had been Souldiers formally listed The Rebels were terrified at the coming of the King and Queen and at Maxwels revolt from them So that the King and Queen hereupon did what they pleas'd They drove away most of the Leaders of the Faction and the rest were intent on the Event of their Danger so that about the end of October they return'd to Edinburgh and all things were quiet in Scotland till the beginning of the next Spring A Convention of all the Estates of the Kingdom was Indicted to be held in March that so the Goods of those who were banish'd might be Confiscate their Names struck out of the Roll of the Nobility and their Armorial Ensignes torn in Pieces neither of which the Kings of Scotland can lawfully do without an Act of Parliament In the interim David perceiving the Court to be empty of Nobility and thinking it an opportunity to shew and declare the Excessiveness of his Power did suggest severe Counsel to the Queen daily pressing her to cut off some of the chief of the Faction if a few of them said he were executed the rest would be quiet and in regard he thought the Queen's Guard being Scots-men would not easily consent to the cruel Murder of the Nobility he was very intent to have them thrown out of their Places and to introduce Foreigners into their Rooms a Project that is wont to be the beginning of all Tyranny first Mention was made of sending for some Germans over for that Service because that Nation were highly faithful to their Princes But when David had considered seriously with himself he thought it more conducive to his Interest to have Italians first because being his Country-Men he presumed they would be more at his Devotion next that being Men of no Religion they would be fitter to make Disturbances so that he thought they might easily be induc'd to venture upon any Design Right or Wrong for being wicked and indigent Persons born and bred up under Tyrants us'd to War and being far from their own home they car'd not what became of Britain and therefore seem'd most Proper to attempt Innovations Hereupon Souldiers of Fortune were privately sent for out of Flanders and other Countries of the Continent but they were to come in by Piece-meal as 't were One by One and at several times too that the Design might not be discover'd It would be more dangerous said he to offend any one of those Ruffians than the Queen her Self But as David's Power and Authority with the Queen did daily increase so the King grew Cheaper with her every Day for as She had been rashly precipitate in making the Marriage so She as soon repented and gave manifest Tokens of her alienated Mind For as presently after the Marriage was celebrated she had publickly Proclaim'd him King by an Herauld
were Those of the Nobility there present being very few and those Bothwel's Friends and Creatures too the rest being gone to their Homes were invited to Supper and so was Crocke the French Embassador but he though he were of the Guisian Faction and besides dwelt near the Place yet peremptorily refus'd to come he thought it suited not with the Dignity of that Person which he represented to countenance that Marriage by his Presence which he heard the Common People did abominate and curse and besides the Queen's Kindred did by no means approve it neither whilst 't was prosecuting nor yet when finish'd And the King of France and Queen of England did by their Embassadors declare against the Turpitude of the thing Though that was troublesom to her yet the silent Sadness of the People did so much the more increase the fierce Disposition of the Queen as things seen do pierce deeper than things only heard As they both went through the City none saluted them with wonted Acclamations only one said and that but once God Save the Queen whereupon another Woman near her spoke aloud once or twice so that the Standers-by might hear her Let every one have what his Desert is That Matter mightily inflam'd her Mind against the Edinburghers with whom she was angry before When she saw how disaffected People were to her both at Home and Abroad she took Advice with her Cabal How she might establish her Power and quell any Insurrection for the future First of all she determined to send an Embassador into France to reconcile those Princes and the Guises to her who she knew were offended with her precipitate Marriage William Bishop of Dunblane was chosen for that Service his Instructions were given him almost in these very Words First You shall excuse me to Those Princes and to my Uncle That they heard of the Consummation of my Marriage by vulgar Report before ever I had acquainted them with my purpose therein by Messengers of my own This Excuse is built as upon a Foundation on the true Narration of his Life and especially of the good Offices which the Duke of the Orcades hath done me even to that very Day wherein I thought good to make him my Husband You shall begin the Declaration of that Story as the Truth is taking your Rise from his very Youth Assoon as ever he came to be of Age after the Death of his Father one of the prime Noblemen of the Kingdom he wholly addicted himself to the Service of the Princes of this Land being otherwise of a very noble Family both by reason of its Antiquity and also the high Offices it held in the Kingdom as by Hereditary Right At that time he principally addicted himself to the Service of my Mother who then held the Scepter and was so constant an Adherent to her that though in a very short time a great many of the Nobility and many Towns also had revolted from her on the account of Religion yet he never faultred in his Loyalty neither could he be induc'd by any Proffers Promises or Threats nor by any Loss of his particular Estate to make a Defection in the least from her Authority nay rather than neglect her Service he suffer'd his House the Mansion-House of the Family and all his Goods which were many and precious to be plundred and his Estate made a Prey to his Enemies At last being destitute of my Aid and all other besides an English Army was brought in by domestick Enemies into the very Bowels of the Kingdom on purpose to inforce my Husband then Earl of Bothwel to leave his Estate and Country and to retire to France where he observed me with all Respect till my Return to Scotland Neither must his Military Exploits against the English be forgotten a little before my Return wherein he gave such Proofs of his manly Valour and great Prudence too that he was thought worthy though a young Man to command his Superiours in Age so that he was chosen chief General of the Army of his Country-men and my Lieutenant which Office he discharged so well That by many valiant Performances he left a noble Memorial of his Fortitude both amongst his Enemies and also his own Country-men After my Return he imployed all his Endeavours for the Enlargement of my Authority he spar'd no Danger in subduing the Rebels upon the Borders of England where having reduc'd things to great Tranquillity he resolv'd to do the same in other Parts of the Kingdom But as Envy is always the Companion of Virtue the Scots still desiring Innovations and some of them willing to lessen my Favour towards him did so ill interpret his good Services that they caused me to commit him to Prison which I did partly to gratify some who envied the Growth of his increasing Greatness and partly to allay the seditious Commotions which were then ready to break out to the Destruction of the whole Kingdom He made his Escape out of Prison and that he might yield to the Power of his Emulators he retir'd into France and there he abode almost Two years in which time the Authors of the former Seditions forgetting my Lenity towards them and their Duty towards me took up Arms and led an Army against me Thereupon I commanded him to return I restor'd him to his Honour and Estate and made him General over all my Forces by whose Conduct my Authority was again so restor'd that all the Rebels were quickly inforc'd to seek Shelter in England until a great part of them upon their own Request were again receiv'd by me into Favour How perfidiously I was treated by those Exiles which returned and by those whom I had oblig'd with greater Courtesies than they deserved my Uncle is not ignorant of and therefore I need say little of it yet I must not pretermit in silence with how great diligence he freed me from the Hands of Those who held me Prisoner and how speedily by his singular Conduct I escap'd out of Prison and the whole Faction of Conspirators being dissipated I recovered my former Authority On this Head I must acknowledg that his Services were so grateful that I could never suffer them to slip out of my Memory These things are Great in themselves yet he hath made such an Accession to them by his anxious Sedulity and Diligence that I could never expect greater Observance or Faithfulness in any Man than I have found in him even until after the Decease of my late Husband Since that time as his Thoughts seemed to aim higher so his Actions were a little more insolent and though the Matter was come to that pass that I must take all things in the best part yet I was much offended with his Arrogance in thinking I had ability to requite his Services no otherwise than by giving up my self to him as their Guerdon and Reward besides I did dislike his secret Designs against and at length his open
which Party was strongest and so were inclin'd to side with the most Powerful Their Faction was thought to be the strongest who either consented to the Murder or when the thing was done in obsequiousness to the Queen subscrib'd to that sceleratious Fact The chief of them came in to Hamilton and being very strong would receive neither Letters nor Messengers from the contrary Party in order to a Settlement neither did they spare to reproach them with all kind of calumniating Language and they were so much the more inrag'd because the greatest part of the Nobles who respected rather the Blasts of Fortune than the Equity of the Cause did not come in to the Vindicators for they that were not against them they concluded were for them Moreover they esteem'd it a piece of Vain-Glory that the Vindicators should enter before them into the Metropolis of the Kingdom and from thence send for them who were the greater Number and more powerful The other Party though they had not imperiously commanded them but only humbly desir'd yet to prescinde any Shew of imputable Arrogance they prevail'd with the Ministers of the Churches to write jointly to them all and severally to each in particular That in so dangerous a time they should not be wanting to the Publick Peace but setting aside private Animosities they should consult What was most expedient for the Publick Good These Letters did no more Good with the contrary Faction than Those of the Nobles before they all making the same Excuses as if it had been so agreed purposely between them Afterwards the Queen's Faction met together in diverse Places and finding no means to accomplish their Designs they all slipp'd off and dispers'd several ways In the Interim the Vindicators of the publick Parricide dealt with the Queen whom they could not separate from the Concerns of the Murderers to resign up her Government upon pretence of Sickness or any other specious Allegation and to commit the Care of her Son and the Administration of Publick Affairs to which of the Nobles she pleas'd At last with much ado she appointed as Governours to the Child Iames Earl of Murray if upon his Return home he did not refuse the Charge Iames Duke of Castle-herault Matthew Earl of Lennox Gilespy Earl of Argyle Iohn Earl of Athol Iames Earl of Morton Alexander Earl of Glencarn and Iohn Earl of Marr. Moreover they sent Proxies to see the King plac'd in his Royal Throne and so to enter on the Government either at Sterlin or any other Place if they thought fit These things were acted Iuly the 25 th in the Year of our Lord 1567. A little before Iames Earl of Murray hearing how Matters went at home returned through France and was pretty nobly entertain'd at Court yet so that Hamilton whose Faction the Guises knew were more intimately affected towards them was far better receiv'd which was occasion'd chiefly by the Guises who were averse to all Murray's Designs After he was dismiss'd the Archbishop of Glasgow who called himself the Queen of Scots Embassador told the Court That Iames though absent yet was the Chief of the Faction and as in former times all things were acted by his Influence so now he was sent for as an Head to the Body of them Hereupon some were sent after to bring him back but he being forewarned by his Friends had set Sail from the Haven of Deip where he was before the King's Letters came and arriving in England was honourably entertain'd by all Orders of Men and so sent home There he was receiv'd with the high Gratulation and Joy of all the People especially of the Vindicators and they all earnestly desir'd him to undertake the Government whilst the King his Sister's Son was yet a Child for he alone was able to manage that great Trust with the least Envy because of his Propinquity in Blood his known Valour in many Dangers his great Popularity grounded on his Deserts and moreover the Queen desir'd it too He tho knowing what they had spoke was true yet desir'd a few Days of Deliberation before he gave in his Answer In the mean time he writes earnestly to the Heads of the other Faction and chiefly to Argyle as being his Kinsman and one whom by reason of ancient Acquaintance he was loth to offend he told him in what posture things were and what the Infant-King's Party did desire of him and therefore he intreated him by their Nearness of Blood by their ancient Friendship and by the common Safety of their Country that he would give him opportunity to speak with him that so by his Assistance himself and their Country might be deliver'd out of the present Difficulties He also wrote to the rest according to every ones Place and Interest and in general he desir'd of them all that seeing Matters were in such Confusion there was no likelihood of a Settlement without a chief Magistrate That they should all agree to meet together as soon as might be in a Place they should judg most convenient and so by common Consent to settle Matters At length being not able to obtain a Meeting from the One Faction nor any longer delay of a Convention from the Other with the unanimous Consent of all there present he was elected REGENT IAMES the VIth the CVIIIth King ON the 29 th of August after an excellent Sermon made by Iohn Knox Iames the Sixth of that Name began his Reign Iames Earl of Morton and Alexander Hume took the Oath for him that he would observe the Laws they also promised in his Name that he would observe that Doctrine and those Rites of Religion which were then publickly taught and practised and oppose the contrary A few days after Hamilton's Partisans murmured That a few Persons and those none of the powerfullest neither had without their Consent and contrary to their Expectation grasp'd all things into their own Hands When they had tried all the Nobility one by one they found few of their Opinion besides those who first came in to them for many were rather Spectators than Actors of what was done At length they wrote to the Royalists That Argyle was ready to give a Meeting to confer with the Earl of Murray These Letters being directed to the Earl of Murray without any other Title of Honour were by the Council's Advice rejected and the Messenger dismissed in effect without an Answer But Argyle knowing what had offended in superscribing his Letters and trusting to the Faithfulness of the Regent with a few of the chief of his Faction came to Edinburgh where having receiv'd Satisfaction That 't was not out of any slighting of those Nobles that were absent but mere Necessity so requiring that had caused them to make such haste in setling a chief Magistrate A few Days after he came to the publick Convention of the Estates The Nineteenth BOOK WHEN the King was set up and the Power of the Regent almost
out Horse several ways to forbid the Execution The second Squadron of the Royalists stood so long till they saw the Enemy scattering and flying in a disorderly manner then they also brake their Ranks and pursued The Queen stood about a Mile from the Place to behold the Fight and after the Discomfiture fled with some Horsemen of her Party who had escap'd out of the Battel toward England the rest ran away as they could each to his own home There were but few slain in the Field but more fell in the Pursuit being wearied and wounded all along the High-ways and Fields The Number of the Slain was about 300 but there were more taken Prisoners Of the King's Forces there were not many wounded of the chief Commanders none but Alexander Hume and Andrew Stuart only one Man was slain the rest of the Army besides a few Horse-men who followed the Pursuit very far returned joyfully into the Town where after giving Thanks to Almighty God for prospering their just Cause against a double Number of their Enemies and for giving them in a manner an unbloody Victory mutually gratulating one another they went to Dinner This Battel was fought May the 13 th eleven Days after the Queen's Escape out of Prison The French Embassador expected the Event of the Fight and promis'd himself a sure Victory on the Queen's side but being thus disappointed of his Hope he put off his Vizard and without taking his Leave of the Regent to whom he pretended he was sent got a Party of Horse to guide him and with what Speed he could made for England In the way he was robb'd by Moss-Troopers but Iames Douglas Laird of Drumlanerick though he knew he was of the Enemies Party yet deferr'd so much to the Honour and Name of an Embassador that he caus'd his Goods to be restored to him The Regent spent the rest of the Day of Battel in taking a List of the Prisoners some he discharged gratis others upon Sureties the chief Commanders were retained especially of the Hamilton's Family and sent to Prison The Day after knowing how much that Sept was envied in the Neighbourhood he took only 500 Horse commanding the rest of the Army to abide in their Quarters and went into the Vale of Clydisdale where he found all Places naked and desolate the Inhabitants being run away as rather conscious to themselves what they had deserved than confiding in the Regents Clemency of which yet they had Experience before he took in the Castles of Hamilton and Draffin which were naked Places only in Hamilton-Castle some of the Houshold-Stuff of King Iames the 5 th was found The same Fear and Terror drove the Queen into England too either because she thought no Place in that Part of Scotland safe enough for her or else because she durst not trust Iohn Maxwel of Herreis When the Regent had setled all things as well as he could at present he summon'd an Assembly of the Estates to be held at Edinburgh in the Month of ..... The adverse Party plotted many Ways to hinder it Rumors were spread abroad of Aid from France neither were they altogether without Ground For some Troops were drawn down to the Sea-side under the Command of the Earl of Martigues a stout Man of the Luxemburgh's Family to be transported with all Speed into Scotland and they had been so unless the Civil Wars had on a sudden broke forth in France But that Assistance would not have been so prejudicial to the Regent as his Enemies thought for it would have alienated England from them and engaged It to him Moreover Argyle with 600 of his Clanship came to Glasgow there he had a Conference with the Hamiltonians and other Leaders of the Faction to hinder the Convention but finding no way to do it they went every Man severally home Huntly also had gathered together a thousand Foot against the Day of the Parliaments Sitting he came as far as Perth and there perceiving that the Fords of the River Tay were guarded by William Ruven and the Neighbouring Nobility who remained Loyal to the King he retired without doing any thing to Purpose About the same time there came also Letters from the Queen of England obtained by the Intercession of the adverse Party to the Regent to put off the Parliament she desired that Judgment might not be hastned concerning the Rebels till she were made acquainted with the whole Cause for she could not well bear the Injury and Affront which the Queen her Neighbour and near Kinswoman did pretend she had received from her Subjects Tho the Request was but small in it self yet if it should have been granted at the Instance of the Rebels they might have thought to have carried all either because such a Trifling and Delay seem'd to hearten them and weaken their Enemy especially seeing it might argue a Fear in the Royalists and also that they in the mean time resolv'd to Indict a Convention in the Name of the Queen But the Regent being sensible of what great Consequence it was to have the Parliament to sit yea though all the Force of the Enemy had combin'd against it resolved to keep his Day In that Parliament there was a great Debate Whether all those who had took Arms against the King and afterward had not obtained their Pardon should be condemn'd as Traitors and have their Goods confiscate But William Maitland who favoured the Rebels but covertly obtained that only a few of them should be condemn'd at present as a Terror to the rest and a Door of Clemency should be opened to others if they repented That Procedure did wonderfully incourage the Conspirators and increas'd their Obstinacy in regard they saw their Punishment was deferr'd and they were verily persuaded that the Queen of England being their Queen's Neighbour and Kinswoman nor the Guises who then were very powerful in the French Court nor the French King himself would suffer such an Encroachment to be made on the Royal Authority yea if they should be deserted by them yet they were not so weak of themselves as not to be able to maintain their Cause without foreign Aid as being superior in Number and Power so that nothing was wanting to the Victory but the empty Shadow of the Royal Name which was said they usurped by Force In the mean time the Regent minded only the publick Peace some of the Neighbouring Offenders he fined in small Sums and so took them into Favour the Earl of Rothes by his Friends Intercession was banish'd for three Years as for the rest he daily by Correspondents solicited them to repent and come in but perceiving That many of them were obstinate and inclined to Revenge he levied an Army and march'd into Annandale Niddisdale and lower Galway where he took some Castles and put Garisons into them others whose Owners were more refractary he demolish'd and in a short time he would have ran over the whole Country unless
Poem not unelegantly compos'd by her and also the Manner of the King's Death and after his Death her Surprize and three Contracts of Marriage with him the One before the Parricide written with her own Hand wherein as by a Bill she promises to marry him as soon as ever she was freed from her former Husband The Other was before the Divorce from his former Wife writ by Huntly's Hand The Third was openly made a little before the Marriage When all this was produc'd seen and read before the Council The whole Fact was so plainly expos'd that now no Doubt could be made Who was the Author of it Though the Queen of England could not but believe these Discoveries yet she did fluctuate in her Mind on the one side there was Emulation Queens mutually hating one another there were also such great Crimes and such evident Proofs that the Queen thought her Kinswoman of Scotland deserv'd no Assistance to restore her And though her Mind did incline to that which was right yet 't was shaken and did hesitate upon the remembrance of her former State not without a Commiseration and besides the Majesty of Kingly Honour and a Feaâ— lest the Example of driving out Princes might creep into the Neighbour-Kingdoms wrought much upon her Besides she was afraid of France for the Peace with them was not very sure or firm and then especially the French Embassador did plead the Cause of the banish'd Queen daily The Spanish Embassador was desir'd also to interpose his Mediation but the foulness of the Crimes did so deter him that he refus'd to meddle therewith Whereupon the Queen of England that she might leave a Door for Repentance if Matters should succeed amiss in France and not cut off all occasion of gratifying them gave a middle Answer so tempering it that at present she said She saw no cause to the contrary but that all things had been acted according to Law and Justice in Scotland yet as if she deferr'd the compleat Decision till another time she desir'd that seeing intestine Tumults did recal the Regent he would leave here one of his Retinue in his Place to make Answer to those Crimes which might be objected against him in his Absence But the Regent who saw the Matter to be so put off that That Queen might take her Measures to give Sentence for her own Advantage and the Event of foreign Affairs left no Stone unturn'd that he might have the Cause fully determin'd now and therefore he desir'd as most just and equitable that if his Enemies who had long studied before-hand to accuse him had any thing to allege they would now produce it and not watch an Opportunity to calumniate him in his Absence seeing they refus'd to cope with him face to face he was not ignorant what Rumors his Enemies would cause to be spread amongst the People and what they had already said to some of the Council and to the French Embassador and therefore he earnestly desir'd of the Council to command them not to mutter privately but to declare openly what they had to say and that he would not make such haste home but that though it were much to his own Damage and the Publicks yet he would willingly purge himself there in presence Whereupon the Commissioners of the banish'd Queen were sent for and demanded If they had any thing to allege against the Regent or his Companions in reference to the King's Murder they should produce it Their Answer was They had nothing at present but they would accuse them when they were commanded by their Queen The Regent answer'd That he was always ready to give an account of all the Actions perform'd by him neither would he shun either Time or Place so to do yeâ— seeing the Queen began that Accusation of him he desir'd of his Accusers there present That if any of them had the least Objection against him they would then declare it for 't was much more noble and handsom to produce it before so illustrious an Assembly than in private Cabals to nibble at his Fame in his Absence They also refused This. Whereupon the whole Council cried out upon them and in a manner reproach'd them so that they were compell'd singly and severally to confess That they knew nothing of themselves why Murray or any of his should be accus'd of the King's Murder Then after a long Dispute pro and con the Council was dismiss'd and from that time there was never any more mention made of accusing the Regent or any of his Companions Whilst the Regent was thus necessarily detain'd in England on a publick Account the Queen's Faction turn'd every Stone both at Home and Abroad to make Disturbances but without effect Iames Hamilton who had been Regent some Years before seeing that Things went not according to his Mind at Home had gone long before into France there he had but a few Companions but lay privately with a Servant or Two to attend him free from the hurry of all Publick Business but when the Queen of Scots was escap'd out of Prison overcome in Battel and then fled for England The French knowing that Murray was call'd Home into his own Country and in his Passage through France not being able to work him over to their Party in regard they could not send Men or Mony to Scotland to raise Disturbance there by reason of their own Commotions at Home they therefore thought it most advisable to set up Hamilton in an emulating competition with him especially at that Time when the Regent with part of the Nobility were absent and out of the way He was therefore drawn out of his Privacy and accommodated with some few Pistols and larger Promises In his return thro' England his Friends persuaded him That in regard the Queen of Scots with her Faction favour'd him and the Queen of England was not averse from it he would deal with her to persuade Murray by her Authority to resign his Regency to him in regard that Office by the Law and Consent of almost all Nations and especially by the Custom of their own Country was due to him as the next in Blood and Heirship Neither said he was there any great need to make a laborious search into the Records of Ancient Times for This wherein they might easily find That Governors were always appointed to their Princes when under Age out of the next of Kin as when Iames the 3 d died in the absence of Iames the 1 st his Uncle Robert manag'd the Government and his Son Murdac succeeded Robert And of late Times Iohn Duke of Albany was made Governor to King Iames the 5 th whilst he was under Age Yea Hamilton himself had been Regent some few Years before Mary now Queen was of Age fit to Govern or Marry and how he was not excluded from that Office by any lawful Suffrages but unjustly by the Rebellious and that which increas'd the Indignity was That
and the Barbarians were introduc'd into the pleasant Country about the Po whose Avarice and Cruelty spoil'd all Besides who is there of the Inhabitants of Great Britain that hath not heard of the Cruelty of Richard the 3 d King of England against his Brother's Children And with how much Blood was that Parricide expiated If Men that were otherwise prudent did not fear to commit such things against their nearest in Blood excited only by the desire of the Crown What can be expected from him whose Inconstancy is well known to all and whose ill management of the Government hath already cost us so much Blood Whose Family not content with the Murder of this King 's Great Grandfather did always work Treachery against his Grandfather by the Mother's side as long as he liv'd and as for his Grandfather by his Father's side when he could not kill him he drove him poor out of the Kingdom his Father he brought forth as a Sacrifice to be slain his Mother and the Kingdom when they could not enjoy it themselves they sold it to Strangers and after by the Providence of God she was deliver'd from that Bondage they cast her into those Straits wherein she now is What Judgment the Subjects made of these things may appear by this That Men seem'd to themselves deliver'd from the Prison of a most miserable Bondage and to tast the sweetness of Liberty when they sold the Government which they themselves were not able to manage to a Woman-Stranger Upon the hearing of this Oration the Queen told Hamilton That his Demand was unjust and That she would not assist him therein but That she was desir'd by the King's Embassadors not to suffer him to depart in regard he plotted nothing but Sedition till they likewise went themselves which she look'd upon as a just thing and therefore had promis'd them so to do and thereupon she charg'd him not to depart before that time Moreover the banish'd Queen encourag'd her Friends with the hopes of her speedy Return for some Letters of hers were intercepted wherein she advis'd them to seize upon as many Castles and fortified Places as they could and so to disperse the War abroad as far as ever they were able Neither need they fear the noise of a Truce or Accomodation for if Matters were ended that way all the Offences of former times would be cover'd and forgiven under the umbrage of Peace But if it should brake forth into open War the more Garisons they had the greater opportunity would be put into their Hands to hurt the Enemy When the Regent had settled Matters as well as he could in England and had leave to return some Letters were produc'd lately intercepted from the Queen of Scots wherein she complains That she was otherwise treated by the Queen of England than she her self first expected or as was promis'd her and that was done by some Courtiers who were the Cause That she was not sent back with an Army as she affirm'd the Queen of England had promis'd Her but she did hope shortly to obtain a good issue another Way for Messengers often had passed betwixt Her and Howard about a Marriage between them and therefore she wish'd them not to be discouraged but to increase the strength of their Party to make a general Disturbance and by all the Arts they could to hinder the Regent's return into Scotland These Letters being divulg'd did affect People severally The Queen of England took it ill That she was accus'd of breach of Promise as also That the Conditions of the Truce made by her means were not kept and therefore being very angry and inrag'd she remitted much of her ancient Favour to the Scot's Queen and was more inclin'd to Equity than before The English who wish'd well to the Regent were afraid that his Enemies would way-lay him to do him a mischief in his Journy for in the Countries which he was to pass thrô there were either for the most part Papists or else Thieves inhabiting the Borders of both Kingdoms who were all excited to hope for a sudden Change and 't was plain they were dealt with to intercept him in his Return and therefore abundance of the English Courtiers offer'd him their assistance to secure his Passage but he was contented only with his own Retinue and about the 13 th of Ianuary began his Journy But the Queen of England judging it to be for her own Credit and Honour that he should return in Safety had of her own accord written to the Commanders and the Warden of the Marches That when he came to places suspected or noted for Robbery They should take care that he might not be circumvented And they were very careful therein for strong Guards of Horse and Foot were plac'd about the Way so that he came safe to Berwick and the day after which was the 2 d of February he was conducted home to Edinburgh to the great joy of his Friends who in great Numbers were there Assembled His Enemies did hardly believe his coming at first because false Reports had been causelesly spread that he was shut up Prisoner in the Tower of London But when it was certainly known that he was at Edinburgh Those who had beset the High-ways to intercept Passengers let go their Prisoners and slipt away Home So that immediately from a turbulent Tempest there grew a great Calm A few Days after the Nobles of the King's Party had a great Meeting at Sterlin there the Transactions with the Queen of England were opened and highly approv'd by the consent of all there Present About the same time Iames Hamilton chief of his Family came out of England who by a new and unheard of Pretence and Arrogance was adopted as a Father by the Queen of Scots and made Lieutenant of the Kingdom He declar'd his Commission and forbad the People to obey any but Those substituted by him Whereupon the Royalists disburst Sums of Mony to raise Forces and to prepare to fight if need were And accordingly at an appointed Day they met at Glasgow but seeing the Country came not in to Hamilton according to his Expectation by the Mediation of his Friends Terms of Agreement were propounded whereupon Hamilton was commanded to come to Glasgow to acknowledg the King as chief Magistrate If he did That the rest would be easily accorded if he refus'd it was in vain for him to come He by the advice of his Friends that were with him being forsaken by his Clanships and terrifi'd by the near approach of his Enemies Army resolv'd to comply with Necessity and to promise all that was desir'd but when the Forces of the Royalists were disbanded then he would consult his Advantage at leisure When they came to Glasgow a Day was appointed wherein they and their Friends should profess their Allegiance to the King and so recover their old Estates and Honours In the mean time they were to remain
Afflicted As for foreign Kings They esteem'd Men according to their Power neither were they concern'd for anothers Misery but respected only their own Advantage But if any King of another Kidney should be so Courteous and Merciful as to entertain a Fugitive and a Beggar too yet now the Times were such as did cancel that fear For England alone of all Europe was the Country which enjoy'd a flourishing Peace and That favour'd the King's Cause but other neighbour Kingdoms were so busied with domestick Dissensions that they had no time to look Abroad And if they had leisure so to do yet there was some ground of Hope That Equity would prevail more with them than Mercy towards Exiles who were Rebels to their own Kings and Faithless to the Kings of other Nations As for the Indemnity which they say will declare our Clemency it will rather be an Argument of our Negligence in regard a just Combate being declin'd thrô Fear a War is imprudently nourish'd under a pretence of Peace and that an unjust pretence too which would incourage the crest-fallen Spirits of the Rebels and weaken the chearful endeavours of the King 's best Friends For how do you think will both Parties stand affected When the one side sees That all is lawful for them without present punishment and so they hope it will be for the future And the other sees perfidious Enemies to enjoy the Rewards of their wicked Crimes themselves robbed of all their Goods and vexed with all the Calamities of War and whereas they expected a Reward for their Faithfulness and Constancy instead thereof to be punish'd for their Love to their King and Country And therefore who can doubt but that if Matters hereafter come to Arms which of necessity they must do unless this Fire be now quenched before it break forth who I say can doubt but that Party will be strongest which thrives by its Wickedness and who may do all things with Impunity rather than the other who must suffer all injuries offer'd to them forcibly gratis And if those Inconveniencies did not attend this vain shew of Clemency yet neither the Regent nor the King himself could lawfully so Pardon as to give away the Goods of the Robbed to their Plunderers If they should do that They must lay down the Persons of Rulers and take upon them the habit of Spoilers too if such a Condition should be granted it were much more Cruel for People to be despoil'd of their Estates by Kings the Granters of Indemnity than by their very Enemies and Toryes themselves that robbed them Many things having been alternately canvas'd and alleged to this purpose on either side Those which were for his Indemnity were out-voted by a few Voices The Regent declar'd That for Peace-sake he was very willing to Pardon the private wrongs done to himself and the King but for the Injuries offer'd to particular Persons he neither could nor would Pardon them But if Huntly and those Friends of his who follow'd his Party could make some Terms of Agreement with those they had plunder'd he was very willing by the Consent of both Parties to appoint Arbitrators who might adjust the value of the Losses Peace as 't was thought being settled on these Conditions there was another Dispute arose seemingly small but manag'd with greater eagerness than before The Controversy was Whether Pardon were to be given to all of Huntly's Party promiscuously or Whether every Mans Cause and Desert should be consider'd apart Some were of Opinion that because they thought Huntly was dealt hardly with in being inforc'd to pay Dâ—mages to the Sufferers that it was equitable to indulge him here and not to press so severely as to disoblige his Followers also On the other side 't was alleged That the chief aim in such kind of Wars was to dissolve Factions and that could not be done easily any otherwise than if the judgment of Pardon or Punishment did reside in the Breast of the Prince alone All Men understand how unjust it is to impose an equal Fine on Those whose Offences are unequal and that the adjusting of the Punishment should be left to Huntly himself was by no means fit for he 't was probable would exact the lightest Mulct from the greatest Offenders and would lay almost the whole Burden upon such as were least Nocent in regard in imposing Punishment he would not weigh each Man's Merit but rather his Propensity to his Service and as any Man had been more fierce and cruel in the War so he would obtain from him an higher Place in his Favour On the other side the lightest Offenders would have the sorest Punishment and they which were less active in Wickedness should be fined for their Moderation and Favour towards the King These Reasons so prevail'd with the Council that they decreed to weigh every Man's Case apart and yet that they might seem to gratify Huntly in some thing his Domesticks were exempted he was to lay a Fine on them himself as he pleas'd But that which he most desir'd that the Regent should not come with an Army into the North-parts was absolutely refus'd him Things being thus settled with Huntly at St. Andrews the Regent with two Bands of Souldiers and a great Number of his Friends went first to Aberdeen then to Elgin at last to Inverness The Inhabitants near the Town were commanded to appear they obeyed the Summons some paid down their Mony imposed as a Fine on them others gave Sureties Huntly and the chief of his Septs and Clanships put in Hostages Thus having settled the Country towards the North being highly gratulated by all good Men through all his March he return'd to St. Iohnston's there an Assembly of the Nobility was Indicted by reason of Letters which Robert Boyd had brought out of England to the Regent at Elgin some of them were publick some were private the private ones were from some Courtiers in England containing a Relation of Howard's Conspiracy which was so strong and cunningly laid that they thought no Force or Policy could withstand it no not if all the remaining Power of Britain were united together Therein his Friends exhorted him not to mingle his own flourishing Fortune with the desperate Estate of others but to provide for himself and his Concerns yet unimpair'd apart The State of Affairs in England compels me here a little to digress because at that time the Good and Ill of both Kingdoms were so conjoin'd that the one cannot well be explained without the other The Scots a few Years before were delivered out of the Slavery of the French by the Assistance of the English and thereupon they observed and subscribed to the same Rites in Religion in common with the English that sudden Change of things seemed to promise an universal Quietness to all Britain free from all domestick Tumults But presently thereupon the Pope of Rome with the Kings of France and Spain threatned a War and privately
managed Designs to alter things The Pope was not wanting by his Exhortations and Promises to stir up their Minds already inraged but the Kings were not sufficiently agreed amongst themselves and their Forces were so exhausted that they rather desired a War than were able to make it Besides there was an Emulation betwixt them one could not well bear that the other should have so great an Accession as England if it were conquered to his Dominions Moreover some Disputes arose betwixt Them and their Subjects which diverted their Thoughts from foreign Affairs though the Novelty of a Woman's Reign and she a young Woman too without an Husband gave Encouragement thereto especially since those who were ill affected to her said she was born to Henry the 8 th in an unlawful Marriage and also the former Differences about the Kingdom and about Religion were rather stifled than extinguished yea the Sparks of Discontent did glow in Mens Minds which in a short time were likely to break forth into a great Flame In the mean time the English Papists had made many Attempts but in vain for they were soon quell'd and though their Designs never succeeded yet Foreigners still feeding them only with blooming Hopes not with real Supplies they still persisted in the same resolute Design wanting rather a Commander for their Numbers than Power or Courage to come together The Common People of that Sect had taken a View of all the Nobility and they found none fit enough to whom they might commit their Lives and Fortunes many of the most stirring had been consumed in the Civil Wars many had past over to the other Party some were so old that they were unfit for publick Business or else the Vigor of their Minds as well as the Strength of their Bodies was so debilitated that they desired Peace if it were but a tolerable one There was only one Man who for Courage and Power seemed fit to undertake so great a Business and that was Thomas Howard who though he was of himself inclinable to Quietness yet there were some Causes which moved him to study Innovations For his Father and Grand-father though they had been highly eminent both in War and Peace yet in the Storms of an unstable Court they had been so toss'd that their highest Glory was ballanc'd with as great Disgrace His Father was condemn'd for Treason and publickly beheaded and Two Queens his Kinswomen had been also put to Death He in those Difficulties was liberally brought up and so preserved his Family from being quite extinguish'd and blown up In his very Youth he gave a Specimen of great Prudence and in a few Years by the Death of his Wives and by new Marriages he grew so rich that next to the Queen he was the most potent of the English for Wealth and Prudence the rest of the Nobility yielded to him but as for his Skill in Military Matters he had yet given no Proof of his Valor but in the Controversies of Religion he carried himself so swimmingly and ambiguously that tho he favoured Popery in his Heart yet he was such a Fosterer of the contrary Party that Many of them made sure of him in their Thoughts as their Own Amids these things the Queen of Scots was overcome in Battel and fled to England whence she wrote Letters to that Queen concerning the cause of her coming she was bid by her to retire to the House of the Lord Scroop Warden of the Marches till she did consider of her Demands in Council Scroop's Wife was Howard's Sister and by her Means the Treaty of Marriage was secretly begun betwixt the Queen and Howard and the Opportunity seemed to be offered by God himself seeing Howard's third Wife was lately dead and he was then a Widower The Design was concealed as being intrusted but to a few yet 't was whisper'd abroad among the Common People For narrow Spirits cannot conceal great Hopes but Ioy gives them Vent and so they fly abroad The Matter was so far advanc'd That the Fire of a Civil War seemed ready to break out yea some were so confident of Success after they had considered the Strength of the Parties that they thought Howard might easily do what he pleased without using any Force Things were in this Posture when the Scots Nobles had a great Meeting at Perth to hear the Demands of both Queen's both of them having wrote to them The Queen of England's Letters proposed one of these Three Conditions The first was absolute That the Queen might be restored to her Throne and Dignity as formerly But if that could not be granted Then that she might reign jointly with her Son that so she might injoy Princely Honour in Letters and publick Acts in the mean time the Regency should be in the Hands of the present Regent till the King came to the Age of seventeen If neither of those could be obtained then the third Condition was if the Queen could be persuaded to accept of it That she should live privately at home being content with those Honours which saving the Authority and Majesty of the King might be granted to her This last Request was easily assented to if the Queen would accept it But the other Two were peremptorily refused For the better and more incorrupt Part of the Nobility were resolute in this That they neither could nor ought to determine any thing which did diminish the King's Authority especially being lawfully inthron'd but the two former Heads did take off from the King's Honour yea it exposed his Life too being a Pupil unless it could be thought that his Mother who was known to be cruel towards her Husband and was not well affected toward her Son neither being exasperated by her Banishment besides should be no more kind to him than she had been ever before Also the Letters from the exil'd Queen were read wherein she desired That some Judges might be appointed to consider of her Marriage with Bothwel and if 't was found contrary to Law that she might be divorced from him Those Letters did highly incense the King's Party because she wrote her self as Queen and commanded them as Subjects Yea some would not have had them answered at all because they indeavoured to abridg the King of his Power and to instate the Rule in the sole Power of an exil'd Queen but that Part of the Council which was for the Queen alleged that they wondered much why those who had formerly the last Year much desired that she would separate her Cause from Bothwel's now when it was freely offer'd to them should hinder it as eagerly or rather more as they had before earnestly desired it if a Word or two in the Letters did displease them that Fault might easily be amended yea some there were who undertook provided the Matter of the Divorce might be handled in the mean time to procure a Commission from her in what Expressions they themselves would have it On the contrary
the adverse Party urg'd That they saw no new Cause of such great haste 60 days was but a lawful time for Bothwel who was out of the Kingdom to appear within which time a new Commission might be sent Neither ought that Delay to seem long especially to her who had past over so great a Matter in Silence now two Years and now also she had sent Letters which were of themselves an Hindrance why those who were willing to gratify her could not comply with them but if she desired a Divorce 't was easy to be obtained let her but write to the King of Denmark desiring him to punish the Murderer of her former Husband if he were dead though they all were unwilling yet she might marry where and whom she pleased but if she refused This then 't was plain she spake not sincerely and from her Heart but made a counterfeit Pretence of Divorce that if she married again she might also live in a disputable and uncertain Matrimony even with her next Husband too And hereof there was a shrewd Suspicion because she desired such Judges to determine of the Divorce who had no Power in the Case For what Power could the Regent have over Exiles with whom he had nothing at all to do who unless they themselves pleased might refuse to stand to his Judgment or how should they submit to anothers Judgment who were under the Power and Dominion of other Princes but seeing that there seem'd to be some hidden Fraud in the Case a Decision was not to be hastily made but the Queen of England was to be acquainted therewith in whose Power it was either to promote or hinder it Hereupon a Young Nobleman of the Regent's Friends was sent to the Queen of England to acquaint her with the Acts of the Convention Some may perhaps wonder That seeing greater Matters were transacted with less Dispute there should be such ado made about the Divorce But this was the cause of it Howard had privately transacted by his Friends concerning his marrying the Queen of Scots and the Conspiracy was so strong both at home and abroad That 't was bruited among the Vulgar the Design was to take away both of the lawful Princes and so to seize on the two Kingdoms for themselves the Place Time and the Whole of the Design was so ordered that all things seem'd to be secure against any Force whatsoever The Conspirators did most insist on This To remove what might hinder the Marriage If that were done they seemed secure that all the rest should fall in of it self On the contrary They which were for the King made it their chief Business to cast in Rubbs to delay it for in the Interim many secret Designs might in time be discovered and the Conspiracy prevented by the Care of both Princes In this Posture of Affairs the Decree of the Scots Council was brought to the Queen of England but she alleging she was not satisfied with that Answer and the Messenger did not seem to her a fit Person with whom she might confer in so dangerous a time and about such weighty Matters desired to be better inform'd by the Scots of those Matters Whereupon there was another Assembly of the Nobility Indicted at Sterlin where they drew up this Answer That as for the last of her Requests it might admit a Consultation in order to an Agreement but the second was of that kind that no Consultation at all could be admitted on that Head without manifest Impiety in regard it would not only diminish but even extirpate the Royal Authority For besides that all Partnership in Supream Magistracy is dangerous how can Two be equally join'd in Government whereof One was a Youth scarce out of his Infancy the Other a Woman in the prime of her Age of a crafty Disposition having past through Variety of Fortunes who as soon as ever she can creep into Part of the Government will by the Strength of that Faction which though she was removed by a publick Decree from the Administration thereof do yet labour to introduce her not by Entreaties but Threats or else by corrupting the King's Enemies or lastly by foreign Souldiers whom she is now busy to procure soon derive the whole Authority to her self How will she indure that an Infant should be equall'd with her who would not be match'd even with her Husband Besides if she should marry some potent Man such a Matter being now on Foot her Strength would be doubled and her Husband as of Necessity he must be admitted into Part of the Government perhaps he would not willingly suffer that his Children should be prevented in the Succession by a Son-in-Law and then in what a Case would the Child be What if his Friends as all Men are inconstant should prefer a present Largess before their future Hope and so side with the strongest What can attend the Child being now thrust down into the second and anon into the third Place but utter Ruin As for other things they had rather leave them to her private Thoughts to meditate upon than to make a previous Conjecture What an angry Woman having Power in her Hands prompted by the Imperious Counsels of her Uncles having evidenc'd her Cruelty towards her Husband being also exasperated by her Banishment would attempt against a Child especially when stript of all Aid of Nature and Providence and exposed as a Sacrifice to her Rage And what Life would his Friends live by whom she thought she was so grievously wrong'd Besides what would the State of Religion be when she could vent that Rage which in former time her Fear had concealed especially if an Husband of known Arrogance should further excite her innate Cruelty How easily might his Friends be destroyed when the young King was slain or else how soon might the King be subverted when he had lost his Friends For these Reasons the Queen could not be assumed into a Part of the Government without evident Destruction to the King's Affairs Matters standing thus there was no need to speak any thing to the first Head of her Demands Robert Petcarn was sent to carry this Answer into England a Man of no less Prudence than Loyalty and he came to that Court in the very nick of time when the Conspiracy to kill the Queen and to seize on both Kingdoms was discovered and made known The Plot was so strongly laid That the Queen of England began to be afraid of her self and after she had imprisoned Howard in the Tower of London she durst not proceed to punish the Queen of Scots but was consulting to send her by Sea to the Regent of Scotland but when the Storm was a little over that Design did not hold In the mean time the Regent in regard the Power of the adverse Faction did mightily increase sends for William Maitland who was a great Incendiary to the Conspiracy from Perth to Sterlin he being conscious of his Guilt though he had
learned Man to interpret it yet if there were any eminent Scholars there as there were oft Many and such were still well respected by him he would ask their Opinions which he did not out of a vain Ambition but out of a desire to conform himself to the Rule thereof He was in a manner too liberal he gave to Many and often too and his Alacrity in giving commended the Gift To a great many who were modest in receiving he presented privately with his own Hand In a word He was honest and plain-hearted to his Friends and Domesticks for if any of them did amiss he reprov'd them more sharply than he did Strangers By these his Manners Deportment and Innocency of Life he was dear and venerable not only to his Country-Men but even to Foreigners especially to the English to whom in all the vicissitudes of Providence in his Life his Virtues were more known than to any other Nation The Twentieth BOOK ALL that Time which immediately followed the Death of the last Regent although it were free from Blood-shed yet was embroyled with the various Attempts of the Factions Before the Murder the Hamiltons in great Numbers had met at Edinburgh under the Pretence of prevailing with the Regent to release Iames Hamilton the Head of their Kin or Tribe who was yet kept Prisoner in the Castle But after the Murder was perpetrated they sent some from amongst them to the rest of the Hamiltons who were to dissuade the other Clans for so they would have made People believe from joining with or protecting the publick Parricides But as very many suspected it was to bid them be prepared and ready for all Occasions For the next Night after the Murder Walter Scot and Thomas Carr of Farnihest entring into England did ravage over all Places with Fire and Sword and that with somewhat more Cruelty than was used in former times Neither was it so much the Desire of Prey or Revenge which mov'd them to this unusual Crueltie as that it was long before resolved by the Bishop of Saint Andrews and the rest of the Heads of the Faction to incense the English against the Scots And if they could provoke them no other way to take up Arms then by Injuries to draw them tho unwillingly into a War The Governour of the Castle although convinced by many Evidences so that all Mens Eyes and Discourse were upon him by way of Reflection as yet continued in his former counterfeited Loyalty to the King 'T was upon his account that William Maitland was delivered out of Prison For when he had in many Words pleaded his Innocency before the Council the Nobles then present attesting That it did not with any certainty appear to them That he was guilty of those Crimes which were laid to his Charge for he was accused to have been privy to the King 's and Regent's Murders and also to be the Author of the Civil War that was lately raised in England he was at last dismissed yet so that the Matter seem'd to be deferred till Another time rather than absolutely to be decided at That He also protesting his Innocency upon Oath did promise to appear whensoever the King's Kindred would set a Day for his Trial. Afterwards when upon consulting about the State of the Kingdom they had almost agreed That of those whom the Queen before she abjured her Government had nominated Tutors to the King he that would undertake it provided he had not afterwards revolted to the adverse Faction should have the chief Administration of Affairs Maitland now contriving the Disturbance of Matters brought it so about that it should be again signified to the absent Lords that they might if they pleased be present in the Parliament of the Regent to be assembled at a set Day lest they might afterwards complain That so great an Affair was hastily rash'd up in their Absence Athol with a few others consented neither did the rest refuse it more that they would take away all occasion of Detraction and Calumny from their Adversaries than that they had any Hopes that this Delay of the Parliament would bring any Profit to the Publick After these Things Thomas Randolph the English Embassador had Audience for That Queen the Regent being yet alive had sent her Embassadors to demand those English Exiles who after Howard's Conspiracy was detected and he punished for fear of Punishment had escaped thither The Regent giving these Embassadors Audience at Sterlin put them off till his Arrival at Edinburgh and after his Death Things being in Confusion they departed without an Answer But when they conven'd about choosing a Regent Randolph who for some years had been in Scotland for that he was thought to be well read in the Affairs and in the Men of that Nation and that his former Embassies had been also advantagious to both Nations was in dear Esteem of all that were good like himself He being introduc'd into the Council having declared How great his Queen 's Good-will had always been towards the Scots That as she had not formerly been wanting to them in their Disturbances so she would not fail them now Then he rehearsed their Incursions into England the Slaughters Rapines Burnings of late Days committed Adding That she knew well enough That none of these Things were acted by the Publick Council therefore that at present her Kindness and Friendship towards them was the same it ever was So that although she had been grievously and without any Cause provoked yet she did not as she might justly do repeat Matters nor publickly require Reparation nor for the Fault of a Few seek Punishment of All That indeed she was not ignorant what a great Disturbance in Affairs was risen of late yet she was not doubtful of the Good-will of honest Men towards her That in Favour of them she did not only free the Publick from any Guilt but if by reason of domestick Troubles they could not compel the Disturbers of the Peace to resettle Matters that she would join her Forces with theirs that so by common Consent they might exact Punishment of those Violators of Leagues and Truces But if they were not able to do That that then she would revenge their Injuries with her own Souldiers That her Army should pass peaceably through the Country without the least Damage to it That none that had not been guilty of the Crimes should be concerned in the Punishment The remaining Heads of his Embassy contained Admonitions ever profitable in all Legal Assemblies but now as the present Posture of Affairs was very necessary viz. That they should first of all with all Care and Vigilance have regard to Religion which alone teaches us our Duty both towards God and towards Man That seeing no Common-wealth at Discord within itself can long subsist they should bend their chiefest Endeavours and strive with their utmost Force that at Home among Fellow-Subjects and Country-Men Peace and Concord might be religiously observed
would follow which in a great Multitude without a Governour is easily rais'd but not so easily laid The Third Opinion condemned both the Others The First for that now there ought less Account to be made of the Queen's Letters-Patent since if the Matter of Law were considered they were from their beginning of little or no force The Other for that a Prorogation would both draw much Danger along with it also a greater Delay than the present Condition of Affairs could well permit and therefore they would have all those to meet who at first had advised the King to enter upon the Government and had constantly adhered to him ever since These according to the sense of this Party were to take the best Care they could for the Publick-Weal and speedily appoint such a Regent who was both able and willing to provide for the Safety of King and Kingdom both But this Opinion was rejected also and so before any thing was concluded upon the Convention was broke up So many Meetings having been tried in vain the Rebels again return to the old Seminary of the English War thereby to draw the Populacy to their Faction and send out the same Captains of the Freebooters which were sent before who left nothing of Cruelty uncommitted even to the utmost extremity And in the mean time the Heads of their Faction bespatter the Queen of England with all manner of Reproaches And also they maliciously accuse the Scotish Nobles as Pensioners to the English commonly giving out in a way of Threatning That if their Adversaries did call in the English to their Aid they would have recourse to the French and Spanish Succours About this time Mr. Le Verac one of the King of France's Bed-Chamber-Men came from France to Dumbritton who with his large Promises somewhat raised up their Courages Hereupon the Hamiltons appointed a Meeting of their People to be held the 9 th of April at Linlithgo Where when the Queen's Faction was gathered together in great Numbers They began openly to treat of That which they had long before meditated in their private Cabals That if a War against the English could be made thereby private Injuries and Actions either about the King 's or Regent's Murder in that universal Disturbance of Affairs would either grow out of Remembrance or at least the Resentment of them much abate These Things having been transacted at Linlithgo by the Associates of the Conspiracy only who having not yet plainly unmasked their Intentions that they might have more Shew of Authority they determine to meet at Edinburgh on the 11 th of April and thereby besides the other Conveniencies which the Place would afford them draw the Citizens of whom they always made great account either way to their Party This seemed no hard Matter since they had already gained William Kircady the Governour both of the City and Castle to their Side But because they understood that Watch and Ward was kept there and that the Common People were more inclined to their Adversaries they thought fit to send to the Citizens first to know Whether or no it was their Pleasure they should meet there The Citizens Answer was That they would exclude no Person that was desirous of the Publick Peace and obedient to the King but that they would admit neither the English Exiles nor the Hamiltons into their City lest they should either highly displease the Queen of England in whose Kingdom they had great Traffick or seem to join in Counsel with those that were guilty of that horrid Murder nor likewise would they endure the Proposal of any New Edicts which might tend to the lessening of the Regal Authority or that their Souldiery should be forc'd as the Custom was to run to their Arms by sound of Drum Upon these Conditions how hard soever they seemed they notwithstanding came into the City in hopes by degrees to gain upon the unwary Multitude and by soothing them up with fair Speeches at last to bring them all to their beck but for all this they could not prevail with the Citizens to deliver up their Keys to them or to cease their usual Watch though Kircady Governour of the Castle and City join'd his utmost Endeavours with them that they should do so All that time they visited Maitland who if he did not dissemble deeply was troubled with the Gout every day and in such Numbers that his House was commonly named a School and he a Schoolmaster Athol the whilst incessantly passing from one Place to another that he might draw those of the contrary Faction to this Meeting at Edinburgh but they all with one accord refused to come before May 1. which was the Day generally agreed on by all unless they were satisfied of the necessity of coming before if any thing of moment had happen'd which would admit of no Delay they would have them acquaint the Earl of Morton with it who was at his House but four Miles off and he would tell the rest of it Athol at last appoints a Day on which some of either Faction should meet at Morton-Hall which is in Dalkeith but this Place did not please the Queen's Faction not that they dreaded any Treachery but out of a Conceit That it would be an undervaluing to their Authority if they should come to Morton rather than He come to Them Therefore after many Attempts and that nothing proceeded to their Satisfaction they were forc'd to break up the Meeting for seeing that being desirous to rid the City of their Adversaries they could not prevail with the Citizens to join with them in order to it they resolved to call in a greater Number of their Friends dwelling nearest that in spite of the Inhabitants they might get all Things into their own Power The Governour of the Castle facilitated This very much who set at Liberty those Persons whom he had in Custody and they were well nigh All the Heads of the Queen's Faction But a sudden Rumour That the English Army was come to Berwick startled all their Resolutions Alexander Hume and Iohn Maxwel lately let out of Prison without any Publick Authority betook themselves to their own Homes to look to their own Concerns And Hume had part of the Mony gathered for raising of Souldiers given him to fortify his own Castle Hume Thomas Carr and Walter Scot who by the Instigation chiefly of the Archbishop of St. Andrews had made Incursions into England foreseeing That from this beginning a War would be kindled between the Two Kingdoms being deserted by their Neighbours and doubtful of their own Strength send to the Heads of their Faction for Aid or if that could not be done that at least they would come as far as Lauder a neighbouring Town and from thence make a Shew of War Therefore when they could neither obtain their Request in This nor yet the least Portion of their common Stock for the Publick Advantage and being highly incensed to
Necessity of the time requir'd them to steer their Counsels so as they might be pleasing to the Queen of England And on the other they knew of what Concernment it was to the Publick That one chief Magistrate should be set up to whom all Complaints might be made and for want of creating One some Months already past the Enemy had improv'd the delay to gather Forces to make new Courts of Justice daily to set forth new Edicts and to usurp all the Offices of a King On the other side the Royalists were dejected and a Multitude without one certain Person whom to obey could not be long kept in Obedience After the Embassadors Return News came That there was a new Insurrection in England and that in London the Popes Bull was fastned on the Church Doors to exhort the English partly to cast off the unjust Yoke of the Queen's Government and partly to return to the Popish Religion and it was thought that the Hand of the Queen of Scots was in all This. These things tho kept private yet came to be known by Letters from the Earl of Sussex and also the same Thomas Randolph had in presence confirm'd it yet they could hardly be restrain'd from chusing a Regent But at last a middle Way prevail'd That they might have an appearance of a chief Magistrate to set up an Inferior Regent or Deputy-Governour to continue till the 12 th of Iuly in which time they might be further inform'd of the Queen of England's Mind they judg'd That she was not averse from their Undertaking especially upon This ground That she had put it into the Articles of Capitulation That the Rebels should give up all the exil'd English If that were done they might easily understand that the Spirits of all the Papists about England were alienated from the Queen of Scots If it were denied then the Conference or Treaty would break off and the Suspicions which made the Commonalty averse would daily increase For they saw that other things would not easily be agreed upon when a greater Danger was imminent over the English than the Scots upon the Deliverance of their Queen and if other things were accorded yet the Queen of England would never let her go without giving Hostages neither was she able to give any such who could make a sufficient Warranty These Considerations gave them some Encouragement so that they proceeded to create Matthew Stuart Earl of Lennox the King's Grandfather to be Vice-Gerent for the time Whilst this new Vice-Roy by the advice of his Council was busied in rectifying things which had been disorder'd in the late Tumults Letters came opportunely from the Queen of England Iuly the 10 th wherein she spake much of her Affection to the King and Kingdom of Scotland and freely offer'd them her Assistance withal she deprecated the naming of a Regent which was a Title invidious of it self and of no good Example to them only if they ask'd her Advice she thought none was to be preferr'd to that high Office before the King's Grandfather none being of greater Faithfulness to the King yet a Pupil and who now for the same Reasons was made Deputy-Governour of the Kingdom These Letters incourag'd them by the joint Suffrages of all the Estates of a Vice-Roy to make him Regent Assoon as ever he was created Regent and had taken an Oath according to Custom to observe the Laws and Customs of his Country First of all he commanded that All which were able to bear Arms should appear at Linlithgo August the 2 d to hinder the Convention which the Seditious had there Indicted in the Name of the Queen then he himself summon'd a Parliament in the Name of the King to be held the 10 th day of October he also sent to the Governour of the Castle of Edinburgh who as yet pretended great Friendship to the King's Party tho his Words and Actions did very much disagree to send him some Brass-Guns Carriages and other Apparatus for the managing of them This he did rather to try them than in hopes to obtain his desires He promis'd very fair at first but when the Day was coming on that the Parliament was to Meet when he was desir'd to perform his Promise he peremptorily refus'd alleging That his Service should be always ready to make up an Agreement between but not to shed the Blood of his Country-Men Nevertheless the Regent came at the Day appointed to Linlithgo with 5000 arm'd Men in his Company but hearing that the Enemy did not stir only that Huntly had placed 160 Souldiers at Brechin and had sent out an Order commanding the Brechinians to get in Provision for some Thousands of Men by the 2 d of August The Garison there plac'd by him did rob not only the Inhabitants but all Travellers also when they were wearied with their Journy Whereupon the Regent by the advice of his Council resolv'd to march thither and to seize on the Place which would be of great advantage to him before Huntly's coming and if occasion were offer'd there to fight him before his Partners came up with their Force and so to overthrow that Party of Musqueteers which was All he had and by that means he might catch some of the Leaders of the Faction as the Earl of Crawford Iames Ogilby and Iames Balfure who he heard were there Whereupon he commanded Patrick Lindsy and William Ruven chief Officers and Iames Haliburton Governour of Dundee to take what Souldiers they could raise at Dundee and St. Iohnstons and to make haste thither to prevent the News of their coming They made all the speed that ever they were able the next Night horsing their Foot for greater Expedition yet as they drew near the Place they march'd slowly that they might get some Refreshment before they charg'd the Enemy so that the Alarum was taken at Brechin that the Enemy was a coming whereupon Ogilby and Balfure who chanc'd to be there got the Souldiers presently together and incouraging them as well as they could for the time They told them that They and Huntly would return again in 3 Days and so they got an Horseback and made haste away over the Mountains The Souldiers that were left catch'd up what was next at hand and about 20 of them got to the Tower of a Church that was near The rest fled into the House of the Earl of Marr which was seated on a Hill near thereto it was like a Castle and commanded the Town Iames Douglas Earl of Morton with 800 Horse went a further March about and came not in till the Day after The Regent sent home the Lennoxians and the Renfroans to guard their own Country if Argyle should attempt any thing against it But he himself in 3 Days overtook those whom he had sent before to Brechin At the noise of his coming the neighbour Nobility came in so that now he muster'd 7000 Men effective Whereupon they who were in the Church Tower
presently surrendred themselves The rest having stoutly defended themselves for a few Days Killing and Wounding some who were unwary in their Approaches at last hearing That Brass-Guns were planted against them and that Huntly had forsaken them surrendred also at Mercy to the Regent He hang'd up 30 of the obstinatest of them many of them having been taken and releas'd before the rest being very feeble he dismist Huntly was then about 20 Miles off endeavouring to gather more Force but in vain for most Men when they had free liberty to declare themselves did abhor so foul a Cause Whereupon he was forc'd in fear to provide for his Safety and with a small Party retired into the remote Countries Whereupon the Regent return'd to Edinburgh to be present at the Parliament there Summon'd and by the advice thereof to settle the present Disturbances The Rebels perceiving that by the Agreement of all the Estates there was no Hope left them especially They who were Guilty of the King's Murder and of the Death of the Regent dealt with the Queen of England that because she had promis'd the French and Spanish Embassadors that she would hear both Parties and compose Things if she could that therefore no new Decree should be made in the mean time This Delay being obtain'd for nothing was done in that Assembly only the Election of the Regent was confirm'd the Rebels never ceas'd to solicite the French and Spaniard to send Aid into Britain to restore the Queen and because they affirm'd That the Restitution of the Popes or the old Religion depended on Her therefore they made means to the Pope also that tho he were far remote yet he might help them with Mony Whereupon he sent an Agent into Scotland to enquire into the present State of things there who giving him an Account that the Popish Party there was very weak and that all the Rebels neither were not unanimous in the restoring of Popery he refus'd to intermeddle in the Business but in the mean time he endeavour'd to raise up some Commotion in England by his Execrations and Curses hung upon Church doors by Night by his Indulgences and by his promise of Indemnity for what was past for there he thought his Faction was the strongest The Regent having appointed the Parliament to be held the 25 th of Ianuary for within that time he hoped to satisfy all foreign Embassadors to compose things Legally and Judicially as well as he could return'd to Edinburgh The Rebels having renew'd the Truce by means of the Queen of England till the Embassadors of both Parties had been heard before her yet contrary to the Peace desir'd by themselves were very busy to attempt Alterations encourag'd as 't is thought by the favour of the Earl of Sussex who then commanded the Army of the English in Northumberland For he either not altogether despairing of the Business of the Duke of Norfolk or else induc'd by the Promises of the Exiled Queen of whose Return he had some Hopes was somewhat inclinable to the Rebels which the Scots taking notice of were more sparing in communicating Counsels with him The Winter being thus spent in the reviving of the Truce the Parliament Summon'd on the 25 th of Ianuary was deferr'd till May. In the mean time the Hamiltons having in vain suborn'd many Men to kill the Regent at last seiz'd upon the Tower of Pasley driving out the Garison-Souldiers therein thinking they might do such a thing with Impunity whilst Mens Minds were imploy'd in greater Matters The Regent appointed the Earl of Morton Robert Petcarn and Iames Macgil his Embassadors to England to reason the Matter with the Embassadors of other Princes and sent them away February the 5 th and he himself march'd to Pasley where he summon'd in the neighbour-Nobility that were of his Party and attempted the Castle The Besieg'd he having cut off their Water were forc'd to a Surrender Afterwards when Gilbert Kennedy infested the Royalists with his plundering Incursions in Carrick he went to Aire and assoon as Kennedy heard of the Approach of a few Troops being also afraid of his Clanships who had been always Loyal to the King and his Party he gave in his only Brother for an Hostage and appointed a Day to come to Sterlin and subscribe to the Capitulation agreed on Hugh Montgomery Earl of Eglington and Robert Boyd follow'd his Example and surrendring themselves to the Regent were by him receiv'd into Favour During all this time that the Regent was quelling the Seditious and Morton was absent in his Embassy in England They that hold Edinburgh Castle being freed from the fear of their Enemies near at hand ceas'd not to list Souldiers to put Garisons in the most convenient Places of the City to take away Provisions which Merchants had brought to Leith and to provide all things necessary to endure a Siege till their expected Relief from foreign Parts might come The Regent was sorely bruis'd by a fall from his Horse and therefore return'd to Glasgow where a common Souldier came to him and gave him some hopes of surpâ—izing Dunbarton he had been a Garison-Souldier in the Castle there and his Wife coming often to visit him had been accus'd and whipt for Theft by Flemming the Governour Her Husband being an uxorious Man and judging his Wife to have been wrongfully punish'd departed from the Castle and from that Day forward imploy'd all his thoughts how he might do Flemming a mischief Whereupon he breaks the business to Robert Douglas Kinsman to the Regent and promises him That if he would assign a small Party to follow him he would shortly make him Master of that Castle Robert acquainted Iohn Cuningham with the Design who was to enquire diligently of him How so great an Attempt could be accomplish'd He being a blunt rude Souldier perceiving that they boggled at him because he could not well make out How to accomplish what he had promised Since said he you do not believe my Words I 'le go on my self the first Man in the Service if you will follow me I will make you Masters of the Place but if you be Dastards and Scoundrels then let it alone When his Speech was told to the Regent though the thing it self being great had somewhat excited their Minds and made them willing enough to have it done yet the Author though they judg'd him faithful seem'd not a fit Instrument to effect so great a Matter Whereupon Thomas Crawford a valiant Man and a good Souldier was made acquainted with the Project and 't was agreed betwixt them rather to try the Hazard of so great and casual a Proffer than slothfully to neglect such an Opportunity Whereupon a few Days were allotted to provide Ladders and other Necessaries and the Plot was to be executed on the first of April for then the Truce granted to the Rebels by the Mediation of the Queen of England would expire In the mean time no
Talk at all was to be made about it Before I declare the Event of this Piece of Service give me leave to tell you the Nature and Situation of the Castle of Dunbarton From the Confluence of the Rivers Clyde and Levin there is a plain Champaign of about a Mile extended to the Foot of the adjoining Mountains and in the very Angle where the two Rivers meet there stands a Rock with Two Cops or Heads The one Branch or Cop which is the highest respects the West and in the very Top of it there is a Watch-Tower from whence there is a large Prospect to all Parts thereabouts The other Cop is lower and looks towards the East between the two Cops that Side that turns towards the North and the Fields hath Stairs ascending obliquely by the Rock cut out by Mens Hands where hardly a single Man can go up at once For the Rock is very hard and scarce malleable by any Iron-Tool but if any Part of it be broken off by Force or falls down of it self it emits a Smell far and near like Sulphur In the upper Part of the Castle there is an huge Stony Rock of the Nature of a Load-stone but so closely cemented and fastned to the rest of the Rock that no Joint at all or Commissure doth appear Where the River Clyde runs by to the South the Rock naturally steep in other Parts is somewhat bending and stretching out its Arms on both Sides takes in some firm Land which is so inclosed partly by the Nature of the Place and partly by human Industry that in the overthwart or transverse Sides thereof it affords Place for many Houses and also in the River a Road for Ships very safe for the Inhabitants by playing Brass-Guns from thence but unsafe for an Enemy and small Boats therein may come up almost to the very Castle Gate The middle Part of the Rock by which you go up being full of Buildings makes as it were another Castle distinct and secluded from the higher one Besides the Natural Fortification of the Rock the two Rivers Levin to the West and Clyde to the South make a kind of Graff and Trench about it on the East Side when the Tide is in the Sea washes the very Foot of the Rock when 't is out that Place is not sandy as usually Shores are but muddy the fat Soil being dissolv'd into Dirt. This Strand is also intercepted and cut by many Torrents of Water which tumble down from the Mountain adjacent The other side turns towards a plain Field full of Grass The Castle hath three Fountains in it always running besides Springs of fresh Water in many other Places The ancient Britains as Bede says call'd the Place Alcuith but the Scots which were heretofore sever'd from the Britains by the River Levin because that Fort was built on the Borders of the Britains call'd it Dumbritton now Dunbarton There is a little Town hard by of the same Name upon the Bank of the River of Levin about a Mile distant from the meeting of the Rivers This Castle was accounted impregnable and in all foreign and civil Wars was of great Advantage to them that held it and as prejudicial to their Enemy At that time Iohn Flemming was Governor of it by Commission from the banish'd Queen he though he consented not to the King's Murder yet having not a Force sufficient to defend himself against the Royalists sided with the Parricides and for four Years last past had kept up the Garison at the Charge of the King of France whom he had persuaded That almost all the Scots had secretly confederated with the Queen of England yea he had made a Boast to him like a Bragadochio as he was That he did as it were hold the Fetters of Scotland in his own Hands and when ever the French had leisure from other Wars if they would but send him a little Assistance he would easily clap them on and bring all Scotland under their Power And the French King was as vain in feeding his senseless Humor for he sent him some Military Provisions by one Monsieur Verack whom he commanded to stay there and to give him an Account of all Scotish Affairs Besides the Insolencie of the Governor was increas'd by the Treachery of the Garison-Souldiers of Edinburgh-Castle who had lately revolted from the King and also he was somewhat animated by the Sickness of the Regent who was almost kill'd with a Fall from his Horse and had now the Gout also and moreover he was incouraged by the Truce which the Queen of England had obtained for them till the End of March These things made him and his Garison-Souldiers so secure and negligent that they went often to be merry into the Town and would lie there all Night as if they had been lull'd in the very Bosom of Peace Matters standing in this Posture and Preparation being made for the Expedition as much as the present Haste would permit Iohn Cuningham was sent before with some Horse to stop all Passengers that so the Enemy might have no Intelligence of their Coming Thomas Crawford followed after with the Foot they were appointed to meet together at Dumbeck an Hill about a Mile or two from the Castle about Midnight At that Place Crawford as he was commanded told the Souldiers What the Design was they were to go upon and How they were to effect it he shew'd them who was to lead them on and had promised to scale the Walls first and then he and those Commanders that would be noticed for their Valour were to follow The Souldiers were easily persuaded to follow their Leaders whereupon the Ladders were carried and other things to storm the Castle and the Foot a little before Day march'd on towards it The Horse were commanded to stay in the same Place to expect the Issue whether good or bad As they were approaching the Castle they met with two Rubs or Checks One was That the Bridg over the Brook that runs between the Fields was broken and Next A Fire appearing suddenly near it occasioned a Suspicion lest the Bridg was broken on Purpose to stop the Enemy and the Fire kindled by the Garison-Souldiers to discover and prevent the Enemies Approach But this Fear was soon dispell'd by their repairing the Bridg as well as they could in such haste and making it passable for the Foot and also the Scouts were sent out to the Place where the Fire was seen and they could find no Sign of any Fire at all so that the Fire was of a Meteorous Nature like those Fires which are bred in the Air and sometimes pitch on the Ground and presently vanish away but they had a greater Cause of Fear lest the Heaven which was all bespangled with Stars and the Approach of the Day should discover them to the Sentinels that watch'd above but behold on a sudden a thick Mist covered the Heavens yet so that it
Presumptuous Confidence in descending to debate her Cause after that Fashion and therefore say's the Queen seeing they are so averse from the Way of Concord which I propose I will detain you no longer but if she hereafter repent of her present Sentiment of which I have some hope and take the Course chalkt out by me I do not doubt but you for your part will perform your Duty Thus we were lovingly and kindly Dismist and the 8 th Day of April began our Journy towards our own Country This Account was given at Sterlin by the Embassadors before the Convention of the Estates Whereupon the Care and Diligence of the Embassadors were unanimously approv'd Other Matters they referr'd to the first of May a Parliament being summon'd against that time In the mean time both Parties bestir themselves one to promote the other to hinder the Assembling thereof The wisest Senators were of opinion That the Queen of England would never let the Scot's Queen depart as foreseeing how dangerous her Deliverance would be to all Britain In the interim Mention was made by some of demanding the Scot's King as an Hostage for his Mother rather in hopes to hinder a Concord than to establish it for she was well assur'd that the Scots would never yield to it but there were some potent Men in her Council who did secretly favour the Duke of Norfolk's Faction These were desirous that the Queen of Scots should be deliver'd and thereby the adverse Faction might in tract of time be broken and diminish'd that so they might obtain that Point from her by Necessity which they saw they could not otherwise do neither did they doubt but the Matter would come to that Pass if the Râ—bels were assisted with Mony and other Furniture for War from France and the Royalists had their Eye only on the Queen of England who had at the beginning largely promis'd them upon understanding the flagitious Act of the Queen that she would take a special care of the King and Kingdom of Scotland Neither could the French King well compass his Designs He was willing the Scot's Queen should be deliver'd but not that the King should be put into English Hands and hearing how strong the Norfolk Faction was which was all for Innovations he did not despair but that the Scot's Queen might in time escape out of Prison privately or be deliver'd by his Means Thus stood the State of Britain at that time Morton having given a laudable Account of his Embassy to the Convention at Sterlin return'd to his own House about 4 Miles from Edinburgh he had a Company of 100 Foot and a few Horse to guard his House and to defenâ— himself if the Townsmen should attempt to make any Excursion till more Forces might come in In the mean time the Queen's Faction were Masters of the Town and set Guards in all convenient Places and levell'd all their Designs to exclude the Regent and to hinder the Parliament which was Indicted to be held at Edinburgh Whereupon Morton was commanded by the Regent with 20 Horse and about 70 Foot for the rest had Passes to go abroad for Forage to march to Leith who was to make a publick Proclamation there for they had garison'd Edinburgh already That no Man should assist the Rebels by Land or Sea either with Provision Arms or any other warlike Furniture they that did so were to undergo the same Punishment with them They knowing themselves to be inferior to the Town-Souldiers sent their Foot another Way about which was cover'd by an Hill from the Sight of the City commonly call'd Arthur's Seat and the Horse past near the Walls and Gates of the City not a Man of the Enemy stiring out When they had done what they were commanded to do at Leith they had not the same Fortune at their Return for the Foot refus'd to march back the same Way that they came but return'd against the will of the Horse near the Gates of the City and so pass'd with them under the Walls with an intent to try what Metal themselves were made of and their Enemies too when lo on a sudden a Sally was made out against them from Two of the Gates At first they fought Manfully so that the Oppidans were driven back in disorder into the Town with no great loss 't is true yet it easily appear'd that they were Inferior in Valour though Superior in Number The Regent having nothing in readiness to assault the Town and having no time neither by reason of the sudden Sitting of the Parliament to bring any great Guns thither thought it better to desist from Force and to hold the Parliament without the Gate of Edinburgh For that City being stretch'd out mostly in Length they who first compassed it with a Wall left a great Part of it in the Suburbs yet so that the Inhabitants of that Part had the full priviledg of Citizens as well as those within the Walls There the Convention was held for the Lawyers gave their Opinions That 't was no great Matter in what Part soever of the City it met In this Parliament These were declar'd Traitors viz. The chief of Them who held out the Castle especially those who out of Consciousness of their guilt of the King 's and Regent's Murders had avoided Tryal The Rebels being thus condemn'd by an Act of Parliament The Judgment of which Court is of very great Authority lest the Commonalty which ordinarily is at the beck of the Nobility should be alienated from them They also of the Number which they had there made up a Convention such as it was Few appear'd there who had any lawful right to Vote and of them some came not into the Assembly at all some presented themselves but as Spectators only abstaining from all Judiciary Actings so that they having neither a just Number of Voices nor were they assembled either in due Time or according to ancient Custom yet that they might make shew of a lawful sufficient Number Two Bishops and some Others which were absent a thing never heard of before sent in their Votes in writing at hap-hazard as being doubtful of the Event of that Assembly At this time the Castle continually plaid with great Guns upon the Place where the Nobles were Assembled and though the Bullets often fell amongst crouds of People yet they neither hurt nor kill'd so much as one Man There were but few condemn'd in either Convention and both Parties appointed another Convention to be held in August one at Sterlin the other at Edinburgh When the Assembly was dismist neither Party issued out one upon other so that there was a kind of Truce between them Thereupon the greatest part of the Souldiers that were with Morton being press'd Men slipt away to their own homes They who kept the Town knew That Morton had but a small Party for his Guard and being willing also to cry quits for their former
Hamilton was killed Huntly's Kinsman a Commander of Foot hid himself in a poor Woman's Pantry but was discovered and brought to Leith The Common People when they saw him made such a Shout that it plainly appeared they would not be satisfied but by his Death for in the former Civil Wars he had been a cruel and avaritious Plunderer He was infamous in his Military Imployment in France and when the Kings of Denmark and Sweden were at odds he promised to serve them Both and accordingly had Mony to raise Souldiers from either but couzen'd them Both. And he being thus taken at length as I said to the great Joy of all was led forth to his Execution After a few Days Rest the Townsmen recruited their Forces and then shewed themselves again in Arms after that there were light Skirmishes past betwixt the Parties almost every Day with various Events The King's Party were more valorous but the Rebels had Places more convenient for Ambushes and besides they had an high Castle from whence they might see all the Motions of their Enemies neither would they ordinarily venture an Onset any further than their Ordnance out of the Castle could command The Regent kept himself at Leith watching all their Sallies and stopping all Provisions by Sea for he could not do it by Land by reason of the Largeness of the City and Inconvenience of the adjacent Places in the surrounding whereof many Opportunities of Service were lost Whilst these things were acting about the City a French Ship was taken that brought Gun-Powder Iron Bullets small Brass-Guns and some Mony to the Rebels The Mony went to pay the Souldiers but the Bullets Powder and Part of the Guns being sent with little or no Guard to Sterlin against the Tide the Rebels having Intelligence thereof procured some Vessels from other Havens and surprized them but not being able to carry their Booty to the Castle they sunk it in the River About the same time another Ship was also taken in which there was little else but Letters and large Promises of Assistance speedily to be sent from France For during the Two whole last past Years wherein at times there was War in Scotland The Queen of England on behalf of the Royalists the King of France and the English Papists on behalf of the Rebels did send in some small Dribblets of Mony but loaded them with more Promises as rather studying that their side might not be conquer'd rather than conquer respectively Both of them were willing Matters should be brought to that Pinch of Necessity The Queen of England's Design was That the Scots being worn out by their Divisions might be willing to send their King into England and so seem to depend wholly on her The French did it That the Rebels might surrender Dunbarton and Edinburgh to him and by those Two commanding Garisons from both Seas he would keep the Scots always in fear of his Arms. But despairing of the Queen's Delivery and Dunbarton Castle being lost he mov'd but slowly in the Cause of the Rebels his Aim only was That the Kingdom being exhausted with domestick Sedition he might not undertake a new and unnecessary War for the sake of one Castle only it was enough he thought at present if it did not fall into the Enemies Hands The Scots were fully resolved not to give up their King to the English upon the account of old Controversies and also because the English Papists were so strong who plac'd all their Hopes in his Death For if he were taken out of the way the Queen of England would not only seem weaker seeing it was the Life of one King only that delayed their Hopes but also the Queen of Scots was the undoubted Heir of the whole Kingdom who by heâ— Marriage might gratify whom she pleased with the Realm and so bear a great Figure in the Change of the State of Religion through all Europe And in the English Court there were some no mean Men who preferred the Hope of Novelty before ancient Courtesies yet if as long as the King of Scots was alive they should cut off Elizabeth many of those of the Queen's Privy-Council feared lest the known Wickedness of the Scots Queen might diminish her Authority and increase her Son's Power and so for fear of Tyranny endear him more to the English Whereupon the English Rebels were willing to destroy the Queen of England and King of Scots Both and not succeeding in doing it openly they resolved upon Poison Matters standing thus in Scotland Both Factions prepared themselves against the approaching Sitting of the Parliament The Rebels had only Three of the Lords voting with them of which Two were the Proctors or Commissioners to the Convention to be held in the Queen's Name The Third Alexander Hume was the only Man who had Right to vote And of the Ecclesiastical Order Two Bishops the One banish'd thither a few Months before by the Regent and the State of the City being chang'd not daring to depart without a Convoy he staid there against his Will The Other was a Bankrupt who having spent his Estate was driven thither by necessity By their Votes above 200 were condemned some of them being Children under Age. Moreover the malapert Souldiers as if they had already got the Victory divided other Mens Patrimonies among themselves and so put many quiet and innocent Persons and by that means more liable to Injuries into the Roll of the Confiscate The Regent went to Sterlin where he had a great Convention of the Nobles Therein about Thirty of the obstinatest of the Queen's Party were condemn'd the rest were put off in hopes of Pardon The Rebels thought this a fit Opportunity for them to attempt something in the absence of the Nobility and thereupon they drew all their Forces out of the City and to make a greater Show the Townsmen with them they set them in Battel-array that so as in former times by light Skirmishes they might draw the King's Forces out of Leith In the mean time while the Enemy were kept in play by them they resolved to send the rest privately to march about and when the Garison was drawn out to enter in at the opposite Gate and so burn the Town Patrick Lindsy was Governour of Leith a wise and valiant Person he drew forth his Forces having sufficiently provided against their Treachery and marched directly towards the Enemy they fought stoutly at first at last he gave the Rebels a round Salvo and so beat them back yet not without Loss to the Gates of the Town a great many Prisoners were brought off but the most part of them were Townsmen Alexander Hume was taken once but reliev'd again by his own side In the Evening as the King's Party were retreating joyous for the Victory Iames Haliburton a good Man and a skilful Souldier who commanded all the Foot being too far from his Body was taken by a Troop of
plunder seeing the Town fortifi'd and the Royalists ready for the Encounter return'd the nearest Way they could to their Own-homes and the Rebels with their Vassals and a Company of Foot retreat to Hawick never thinking that the Enemy would in the least attempt any thing against them there and their Hopes were increas'd by the Winter-season which was sharper than ordinary by reason of a great Quantity of Snow lately fallen which cover'd all the Ground But Ruven intended to make use of the Opportunity and in the third Watch drew out his Party and march'd so speedily towards Hawick that he was in a Mile of it before the Enemy took the Alarum They at Hawick were so amaz'd that there was no room for Counsel left but Foot and Horse were immediately drawn out and following the Current of the next River endeavour'd to retreat to a Place of more Safety But the Swiftness of their Pursuers prevented them the Horse knew the Country and made a shift to escape but the Foot were left for a Prey they possest themselves of a small Wood on a Rock near the River there they were surrounded by the Horse and not adventuring to stay till the Foot came up they all surrendred themselves at Mercy But seeing that other Dangers were to be prevented and they could not be carried up and down in so sharp a Winter having past their Words to return at an appointed Day and leaving some Hostages to that purpose they were sent home without their Arms When they were discharged Kircade made sleeveless Pretences to elude their Promises and so hinder'd them from returning at the time appointed The rest of the Winter and the following Spring was wholly spent in light Skirmishes wherein Few fell but more of the Rebels than Royalists For the Rebels when they saw an Advantage would draw out on the Hills near the City and before they had scarce begun a skirmish would retire sometimes again in to the City In the interim frequent Embassies came from England to reconcile the Factions but without effect For the Queen of England tho she most favour'd the King's Party yet she was willing so to make Peace as to ingage both Parties to her but the French were wholly inclin'd to the Queen's Cause and therefore by large Promises hindred Peace and advis'd to continue the War Some Mony they sent at present not enough to do the Business but only to feed Hope and a great Part of what was sent was still nibbled away by those that brought it In the mean time light Skirmishes past for some Months betwixt the Parties but not at all contributing to the main Chance Neither were other Parts of the Kingdom free from Plunderings and Firings Adam Gordon gather'd a Party and entring Angus besieg'd Douglas's House of Glembervy and finding that himself was absent they miserably Burnt and Destroy'd all that he left behind which struck such a Fear into those of Dundee that they call'd in the Garisons from the adjoining Parts of Fife to their Assistance they were Enemies to the Gordonians as having been highly Faithful continually to the King's Cause About this time Blackness was betray'd by the Governor thereof to the Hamiltons 'T is a Castle that hinders commerce betwixt Leith and Sterlin The Regent broke down all the Mills about Edinburgh he also garison'd all the Noble Men's Houses about it and stopt all Passages into the City many Prisoners were taken on both sides Archibald Douglas one of Morton's familiar Friends was apprehended on Suspicion which was increas'd upon him by the Baseness of his former Life and also by some Letters found about him yea even after he was taken entercourse of Letters past betwixt him and the Enemy which evidenc'd that he had assisted the Rebels by Advice and Action too as having transmitted to them both Mony and Arms. THE END An ALPHABETICAL TABLE of the Principal Matters contained in the foregoing HISTORY NB. FOR the Reader 's Ease and Conveniency in the speedy finding out of the Quotations in the following Table as also in the Catalogue of the Scotish Kings preceding this History he is desired to take notice That whereas a new Alphabet and Folio doth begin at the later Part of this History viz. at Book 13. and so continues to the End all the Quotations marked between Parentheses's do belong to the Folio's and Pages of the said later Part only The rest do all belong to the former Part. A Page ABercorn-Castle 22 Aberdeen 19 Famous for Salmon-Fishing ibid. Aberdone ibid. Aberbrothock or Abrinca ibid. Abernethy wherein was the old Palace of the Picts Kings 16 18 Abria or Abyr a Country or Shire the Etymology thereof 19 Abridic or Erisbach-Isle 25 Abthane an old Name of Magistracy and Dignity amongst the Scots See Thane 187 206 Achaius King of Scotland 164 He makes a defensive War against the Irish ibid. The First of the Scotish Kings that ever made a League with France 165 Achnar-Isle 26 Acho King of Norwey lands in Air with a great Fleet 241 Is overthrown and dies of Grief ibid. Achmode-Isles See Aebudae Adams Isle 30 Adamannus 161 Adam Huntly taken Prisoner by the Earl of Murray 170 Ado Viennensis quoted and corrected 87 Adrian passes out of France into Britain 112 His Wall ibid. Adrian the Pope's Legate in England 433 Advatici Who 10 Aebudae Islands 22 Their Number ibid. Aelius Pertinax in Britain 117 Aelius Spartianus quoted 118 Aemodae Isles the same with Aebudae Aeneia 18 170 Air 14 Aestions spake the British Language 50 They inhabited Prussia 77 Aetius the Britains crave Aid of him 93 Afulla Isle 31 Agnes Keith Daughter of the Earl of Merch married to James Earl of Murray 161 Agathyrsi painted their Bodies 53 Aidan King of Scots invested in that Dignity by Columb 155 Ailmer Edward of England's General overthrows Bruce 12 61 Air County 20 Alan of Lorn keeps his Brother Prisoner 407 408 He is imprisoned himself ibid. Albanact Son of Brute from him the Scots called Albani 42 Albinick the Scots so called 11 Albium or Albion Isle retains the Name of Britanny 1 More Islands than one anciently so called ibid. It s Etymology 11 12 Album or White the Name of Height as well as of Colour whence many Words are derived as Albingaunum Albula Albici Albini c. 11 Alcluyth 92 Alexander I. King of Scots 221 222 Why Sirnamed Acer ibid. His Iustice to a poor Woman 222 He is relieved by Hermites ibid. Alexander II. 237 Enters England and takes Carlile ibid. He and his Queen visit Henry of England 239 His Queen dies at London 239 He marries a French Lady ibid. Alexander III. 240 The Nobles combine against him 241 He hath an Interview with Henry of England 240 Is made Knight by him and espouses Margarite his Daughter ibid. Assists the King of England 243 He and his Queen present at the Coronation of King Edward I. He marries Joleta a French Lady 244 He forbids
Traffick by Sea ibid. He reduces the Train of his Nobles in Travelling ibid. His violent and untimely Death ibid. His Character ibid. Alexander Duke of Albany Brother of James III. taken by the English 407 But soon released ibid. Committed Prisoner to Edinburgh Castle 421 Whence he craftily made his Escape ibid. And coming to the King of England solicits him to take Arms 425 He is recalled by the Scots and hath the chief Government bestowed upon him 427 He restores his Brother James to the free Possession of the Kingdom ibid. He falls again into Disgrace and dies in France 430 Alexander the Son of Alexander of Albany ibid. Alexander Boyd abuses and wounds John Kennedy 410 His is tried for his Life 414 Beheaded ibid. Alexander Bruce surrenders himself to Baliol 287 Slain in a Fight with the English 290 Alexander Earl of Buchan base-born Son to Robert II. 307 Alexander Cambel a Dominican the Notoriety of his End 53 Alexander Cuningham slain with King James III. in his Army 433 Alexander Cuningham brings Aid to the Reformers 129 Being taken Prisoner he takes him Prisoner whose Captive he was before 282 Alexander Elphinston slain in Fight 26 Alexander Forbes marries Graecina Boyd 6 Alexander Forbes taken by Adam Gordon 284 Alexander Earl of Crawford deserts Douglas and submits to the King 388 Alexander Earl of Glencarn banished 175 A General in the King's Army 220 Alexander Gordon beats the Earl of Crawford 387 Alexander Hume marches into England 19 He brings his Squadron off safe from Flodden Field 25 His great Authority 28 Accused by Hepburn 33 Sides with the Queen 34 Goes for England is reconciled to the Regent and returns ibid. He raises an Insurrection 35 His Goods confiscate he is taken and beheaded 36 Alexander Hume as a Proxy takes the Coronation-Oath for James VI. yet a Child 214 He is General of the King's Army 220 Wounded 221 Revolts to the Queen's Party 243 His Castle taken and rifled by the English 256 He is chief in the Council of the Rebels 280 Taken Prisoner but by the coming in of his Friends released 281 Alexander Haliburton wounded and dies 141 Alexander Levingston made Supream Governour or Regent 357 He puts the Queen in Prison 364 Disagrees with Creighton the Chancellour 360 364 The King taken out of his Hands 365 Reconciled to the Chancellour 366 368 Lays down his Office 372 Is brought to his Trial and remanded to Prison 375 Alexander the Son of William Levingston taken Prisoner 265 Alexander the Islander gathers together a Band of Free-booters 341 But is forced to submit to the King 342 Alexander Lindsy overcomes Alexander Ogilby 273 274 Alexander Macrory Captain of Thieves executed 341 Alexander Earl of Marr the Son of Alexander 348 349 Alexander Ramsay a brave Souldier 299 His House the School of War ibid. He takes Roxburgh 300 Wounded and starved to Death by Douglas 301 Ramsay's chearful Forwardness in surprizing Dumbarton Castle 265 Alexander Seton sent to Berwick 287 Having no hopes of Relief he surrenders up the Town to the English 290 Alexander Stuart Arch-bishop of St. Andrews slain at Flodden-Fight 29 Stuart's Encounter with the King of Norway 242 Allectus a Roman slain 124 Alfrid King of Northumberland 161 Alnwick Castle taken 398 Alsa or Ailze Isle 24 Alpa for Alba 11 Alps whence so called ibid. Alpin King of Scots 166 Slain by the Picts ibid. Altissidorus i. e. Auxerre in France 68 Alured King of England makes Peace with the Scots 177 Amberkeleth King of Scots 162 Slain ibid. Ammianus Marcellinus quoted 88 89 Amiens the Bishop thereof in Scotland his Cruelty 148 St. Andrews 18 Its Vniversity when erected 333 Andreae Fanum and Fanum Reguli i. e. St. Andrews why so called 16 Andrews a great Astrologer 420 Andrew the Apostle Tutelary of Scotland 218 Andrew Briton or Breton his Story 18 Slain by Thomas Howard the English Admiral 19 Andrew Berclay beheaded for Treason 273 Andrew Car escapes out of Prison 36 He disagrees with Douglas 38 Andrew Car revenges his Father's Death 18 Andrew Car beaten by the Duke of Norfolk 120 Andrew Forman sent into England and France by James IV. 16 He hath a great many Church-Preferments 29 Sent again into England 26 He is accused by Hepburn 33 Mediates for Peace 35 Bruce's Sister's Son Regent 296 Taken by the English 288 Ransomed 294 His Faithfulness and Death 297 Andrew Earl of Rothes banished 175 Andrew Wood faithful to King James III. 1 Admiral of the Scots Navy 1 Reconciled to James IV. 2 Overcomes the English in one Sea-Fight ibid. And also in a second 4 Andrew Stuart Chancellour 413 His Freedom of Speech against a Popish King 173 He is wounded in Fight 222 Angus 18 Angus or Aeneas raised an Insurrection in Galway 230 Angusianus King of Scotland 126 Slain by the Picts ibid. Annandale so called from the River Annand 13 14 Anna Momorancy suspects the Power of the Guises in France not without Cause 121 Anselm the Norman Arch-bishop of Canterbury 219 Anti-Assemblies in Scotland two 276 280 Anthony Darcy slain by David Hume 38 Apparition to King Kenneth III. upon his Murder of Malcolm 195 Apparition to King James IV. dissuading him from a War with England 20 21 Apoceanitae Who 10 Apology of the Scots Nobles to the Queen of England 267 c. 272 c. Apostacy punished by God 159 Arran or Arren Island 24 Arborary or Tree Isle 25 Archibald Douglas created Regent 288 He is slain by the English 290 Archibald Earl of Douglas sirnamed the Austere his Feuds with Geo. Dunbar 325 He dies 326 Archibald his Son succeeds him who is taken Prisoner by the English 329 Released ibid. Made Duke of Turein by the Dolphin of France 336 Slain by the English there ibid. Archibald Douglas his great Power 359 His affronting Answer to the Chancellor 362 His Death 363 Archibald Douglas his Oration to the Nobles against the King's Evil Counsellors 423 With the Effects thereof 424 Archibald Douglas his Speech to King James IV. dissuading him to fight the English 22 At which the King is offended and Douglas retires in Discontent 23 He marries the Widow of James IV. 29 Accused by Hepburn 33 Takes Edinburgh but resigns up the Government thereof 38 Flies into England 34 Returns from France and England into Scotland 46 Opposed by his Wife 46 Chosen one of the Governours of King and Kingdom 47 Overthrows Lennox 50 Forbid to meddle with the Government 53 Outlawed and banished 56 Returns after fifteen Years Exile 75 Coming to compose Controversies he is detained by Hamilton 82 His memorable Speech and Fact 87 He persuades the Regent to break with the Cardinal and to side with the Nobles 88 He beats the English 89 Archbishop of St. Andrews with the Bishop of Aberdene imprisoned 46 Archbishop of St. Andrews executed as Accessory to the King and Regent's Murders 266 Ardan Rider or the High Isle of the Horseman 28 Ardiescar Isle 25 Aremorici or Armorici Who 7 8
271 And receives an Affront thereupon ibid. A Conspiracy discovered against him ibid. He agrees with Baliol then in France 274 His Army enters England 275 His last Will and Testament 279 His three Counsels to his Nobles ibid. He would have his Heart buried at Jerusalem 280 His Death and Praise 281 Brudeus King of the Picts 156 Brudus King of the Picts slain 166 167 Brutus his Story 41 to 44 Buchan 19 Its Etymology 139 Buchan the Earl thereof made Lord High-Constable of France 335 Bull 's Head put upon a Man's heretofore a sign of Death in Scotland 370 Burgundus from Burgus 63 Bullock an English Man turns to the Scots 298 Put to Death 301 Burgh a Danish Name 201 Burra Isle 35 36 37 Buthroti Who 46 Buiia Isles great and small 29 30 70 C CAdvallus made Vice-King 105 He dies of Grief 106 Caithness 21 133 Caithness Men cruel against their Bishop and are punished for it 239 Calaman Isle 26 Calden in Scotch is an Hasel 56 Caledonia a Town i. e. Dunkel 18 Caledones Who ibid. Caledonian Woods whence so called 56 Caledonians Picts and Scots sometimes all called Britains 74 Calen Cambel with two others chosen Governour of the King and Kingdom 47 He is sent against the Douglasses 56 Calfa Isle 27 Calthrops politick Engines in War what 266 Camber Son of Brute 42 Cambri ibid. Why so called 61 Camus the Dane slain by the Scots 202 Caâ—a Isle 26 28 Cantire Promontory 17 Canutus a Danish General in Scotland 202 Makes Peace with the Scots 203 Caprary or Goat Isle 25 Cara Isle 25 Carail Town 18 Purged from Monuments of Idolatry 131 Caratacus King of Scotland 107 The Orcades not subdued by Claudius Caesar in his Time 108 Carausius a Roman composes the Differences betwixt Scots and Picts 124 He seizes on Britain for himself ibid. Carausius Brother of King Findocus causes him to be slain 122 Cardorus unjustly put to death by Dardanus 188 Carick 14 Carniburgh's two Islands 27 Carron-water 15 Carron why sirnamed Schrimger 218 Cave an unusual one turning Water into Stone 20 Cassivelannus his Town i. e. Verulam taken by Caesar 82 Cecily Edward of England's Daughter promised in Marriage to the Son of James III. 422 The intended Marriage null'd and the Dowry repaid 427 Celestine Pope sends Palladius into Scotland 145 Cells so the ancient Scots called their Temples 125 Celts Who 58 Celtiberi so called from the Celts and Iberians 49 Celuinus or Cialine King of the East-Saxons 156 Slain by the Scots 157 Charles the Dolphin of France seeks Aid of the Scots 334 Charles of Burgundy slain at Nants 420 He lays the Foundation of Tyranny in his Country 434 Charles the Fifth sends to Scotland to join in Affinity with them 63 Why his Mother was committed to perpetual Imprisonment 269 Charles Guise Cardinal Guarantee for the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Charn Islands 27 Chourna Isle ibid. Childeric a Saxon Commander wounded 152 Christian Religion promoted in Scotland 125 Christ's Birth-day prophaned 151 Christians join in League against the Danes 176 Christiern of Denmark with all his Male-Stock cast out of the Kingdom 269 Chualsa Isle 73 Cicero quoted about Britain 86 Church its woful State 417 Cimbri so the French and Germans call Thieves 77 78 Cities Names in Bria Brica Briga 63 64 65 In Dunum 65 66 67 In Durum 68 In Magus 69 Clacman Prefecture or Stewarty 18 Clarence Duke of it slain in France by the Scots 335 Clarshacks What 24 Claudian a Verse in him corrected by Joseph Scaliger 76 Cleirach Isle 31 Cloich Isle 25 Clydsdale 13 14 Cluyth 92 Cnapdale 17 Cockburn Forest or Path 13 Cockrane one of King James the IIId's Evil Counsellors put to Death 425 Coemeteries for the Kings of three Nations 27 Coilus King of the Britains slain by the Scots 96 Colca a rare kind of Bird 32 Colgernus a Saxon Commander killed 152 Coll Isle 27 Collonsa Isle 26 Colman an holy Bishop 160 Columb the Saint his Monastery 26 His great Authority 155 He tells of a Victory at a very great distance 155 156 His Death 157 Columb Isle see Icolumbkill Colvansa Isle 27 Colurn i. e. Chourna or Hasel Isle 26 Comes Stabuli Who 247 Commodus the Emperor in Britain 117 Commonâ—lty usually comply with the Humour of their Prince 188 Affect Innovations 413 Competitors for the Crown of Scotland with their several Pretensions 248 The Controversy not decided in Scotland but referred to Edward of England ibid. The Case as stated by Edward and propounded to Lawyers 249 Bruce refuses the Kingdom offered him on ignoble Terms 250 Edward decides for Baliol ibid. Competitors for the Regency 283 Conanus elected Vice-Roy 101 Conanus perswades to Peace but is seditiously slain by the Britains his Country-men 141 Conarus King of Scotland joins in a Conspiracy against his Father 113 He demands large Subsidies but is denied 114 He wars against the Britains 113 Ends his Life in Prison 115 Confidence sometimes praised for Constancy 358 Congal I. King of Scotland 147 Congal II. enriches Priests 159 Congal III. 166 Conscience guilty gives no Rest 195 Constantine Chlorus in Britain 124 Chosen General by the Brittons 125 Made their King 143 Slain by Vortigern ibid. Constantine the Emperour born 124 Constantine I. King of Scots 145 Reigns wickedly ibid. His violent Death 146 Constantine II. 174 Renews publick Discipline ibid. Slain by the Picts 175 Constantine III. 179 Makes a League with the Danes ibid. Invades the Subjects Right ibid. Abjures the Kingly Office 172 And retires into a Monastery 180 Constantine IV. sirnamed Calvus 196 Canvasses for the Crown ibid. Inveighs against the Law of Kenneth about Hereditary Succession 197 〈◊〉 the Decree of its Council seasonable for Perjured Persons 77 Controversy between the Baliols and the Bruces concerning the Crown of Scotland 245 c. Convention of the Nobles to choose a Regent after Murray's Death 251 Cony Isle 25 30 See Sigrama Corbred I. King of Scots 108 Corbred II. sirnamed Galdus 109 He first fought with the Romans ibid. And beat them out of Caledonia 111 Cornavii 22 They are in Scotland and England too 60 Cornish rise against Henry VII of Enggland 10 11 Cornovallia or Cornuvallia whence derived 60 Corshera Isle 26 Coval 17 Covihaslop see Round Isle Council of Constance send Embassadors to Scotland 334 They deny Faith to be kept with those they call Hereticks 77 Count of Rothes committed to Prison 92 Coupins-oy 36 Courtesy to Prisoners 319 Courts many times prefer Honour before Honesty 333 Cowper a Town 18 Cracoviac see Kirkwal Craford Earl of it takes part with the Douglasses 384 But afterwards deserts them 389 And is received into Pavour by the King ibid. Crackles i. e. little jangling Bells terrify Horses 307 Crathilinthus King of Scots 123 Much addicted to hunting 124 Crathilinthus kils his Grandfather 192 He rises in Arms but is suppressed 193 Cree River 14 Cressingham an English General slain by the Scots 255 Creighton sent
Allegiance of his Subjects ibid. First settles Itinerary Iudges in Scotland ibid. Evenus II. 105 Overthrows the Orkney Men 106 Evenus III. noted for Obscenity 107 He makes a Law for Polygamy ibid. Is slain ibid. Eugenius I. or Evenus King of Scots 127 Slain by the Romans 128 Evenus an Islander put to Death 174 Eugenius II. 138 His Character 144 In his time the Romans leave Britain ibid. Eugenius III. Brother of Congal King of Scots 154 Assists against the Saxons ibid. Eugenius IV. Brother of Aidanus 158 Brought up under Columb ibid. He harbours the fugitive Saxons ibid. Eugenius V. 161 Eugenius VI. ibid. Learned in Theology ibid. In his Time it rained Blood ibid. Eugenius VII causes the memorable Facts of Kings to be recorded 162 He is suspected for the Murder of his Queen but causlesly ibid. Eugenius VIII slain in an Assembly of the Nobles 163 Evonia Castle 20 Eusdale County so called from the River Ewes 13 140 Examples of Princes more influential on Subjects than their Laws 155 Exchequer Officers defend sometimes most unjust Laws 113 Exchequer Profits sometimes Disprofits 35 Excommunication unjustly pronounced affects not the Excommunicated 272 Exile more tolerable than Servitude 132 F FAbilla or Fable Isle 30 Fair or Fara Isle 36 Faith or Fidelity towards wicked Persons unsteadfast 105 107 Sacred among Souldiers 319 330 Not to be kept with Hereticks as Papists say 130 Falamgal Isle see Finlagan Falcons in the Isle of Muick 28 Famine breaks stout Spirits 140 Famine and Pestilence in Scotland 388 Fara Isle 29 Farrow-head 21 Faunus's Oracle 43 Fenella commands Kenneth to be slain 169 Feraia Isle 29 Ferchard I. King of Scots 158 Endeavours to introduce Tyranny ibid. Maliciously nourisheth Factions amongst his Nobles and is guilty of the Pelagian Heresy 159 He kils himself ibid. Ferchard II. wickedly kils his Wife and abuseth his Daughters 160 He is excommunicated reproved by Coleman and repouts at his Death ibid. Feredeth King of the Picts 166 Ferelay Island 30 Fergus I. King of Scots sent for out of Ireland 95 The Kingdom settled on him by Common Consent 96 Drowned at Carickfergus in Ireland 97 Came first into Albium when Alexander the Great took Babylon ibid. Fergus II. whilst a Child flies by Sea with his Parents into Scandia is recalled from thence and made King 133 134 He is slain in Fight 137 His Praise with a Comparison between him and Fergus I. ibid. He is deservedly called The second Founder of the Scotish Kingdom ibid. Fergus III. poisoned by his Wife for his Adulteries 163 She owns the Fact and kils her self 164 Fergus of Galway's Children disagree after his Death 246 Feritharis King of Scots 97 An old Law concerning Succession to the Crown made in his Time ibid. Ferlegus Son of Fergus conspires against his Vncle for which he is condemned 97 98 Fethelmach King of Scots 127 Fidler or Harper One kils King Ethodius I. 116 Another assists to destroy Fethelmach 127 Fifteen Iudges appointed in Scotland but soon disused 59 Fife County 18 So called from Fifus 170 Fights memorable between Scots and English 355 At Bannock 267 At Otterborn 317 318 319 Fish shapeless 29 A strange sort ibid. Fincormachus King of Scots 125 Findochus King of Scots 121 Overcomes Donald ibid. Is slain by means of his Brother Caransius 122 Finelaw or Finlaw Bishop Author of ill Counsels 339 Finlagan Isle 26 Finnanus King of Scots 102 Fiole Isle 25 Flada Isle 24 28 29 30 Flanders Artificers sent for from thence into Scotland 347 Flata Island 36 Flattery the Pest of great Families 363 380 Flavanae Isles 30 Fordun 19 Forestia ibid. Forth or Scotish Sea 13 Fortune an Example of its Inconstancy 375 Fotlar Isle 37 Francs Who 46 Francis I. King of France by the help of the King of England restored to liberty out of the Hands of the Spaniards 62 He sends the Earl of Lennox into Scotland 78 Is alienated from Lennox 83 Sends Montgomery into Scotland 91 Francis II. of France sends La'bross into Scotland 136 He is influenced by and is under the Power of the Guises 150 His Death ibid. Francis Duke of Guise Curator of the Kingdom of Scotland 114 Appointed General of the Popish Faction 153 174 Franciscans or begging Friars their Wealth 128 France its miserable State 151 It s King Francis promises to aid the Scots of the Queen's Faction 254 And the Scots Rebels 279 280 Vpon what Grounds he did it ibid. Frazer's Family almost extinct 89 Frederethuâ— slain 166 Friend betrays Friend 332 Their Injuries the most grievous 314 Our Father's Friends not to be neglected 101 Friendship with Princes far off sometimes safer than with Those nearer home 44 French Gauls Franâ—s their Original 46 They receive Characters of Letters from the Massilian Greeks 38 Their Communion with the Brittons 61 When French and Scots Alliance first began 165 They send Aid to the Scots 90 106 Their Souldiers very licentious 313 Their Army leaves Scotland 314 Their unjust Demand 312 What Good the Scots got by their Alliance 322 Their King distracted 334 They ask Aid of the Scots ibid. They renew their League with the Scots 240 251 273 French and Scots Souldiers mutiny 109 Their Auxiliaries in Scotland cannot forbear their wonted Plundering 314 They hinder an Alliance with England by Bribes as much as they can 43 44 Assault Werk Castle 45 Their Souldiers kill the Governour of Edinburgh with some of the Citizens 209 They design to surprize Hadington ibid. They are disgusted by the Scots 110 French and English in Scotland agree 111 French transported into their own Country 112 French King sends Auxiliaries to strengthen the Queen Regent 135 143 French Embassadors Demands from the Reformed 136 152 French their contumelious Pride against some of the Scots 143 144 Their Design to establish Tyranny ibid. French Embassador busy between the Queen and the Royalists 218 219 Vpon the Queen's Overthrow he sculks away 221 French to leave Scotland by Consent 149 French Ship sent with Provision and Ammunition into Scotland taken by the Royalists 279 French Tongue heretofore not much different from the British 58 Friars Mendicants Mercenaries to Parish-Priests and Curats 345 346 Their Opinions and why Manducants rather than Mendicants 129 Fuda Isle 29 G GA Letter commonly used by the French for V 60 61 Gaga Isle 25 Gald Gael Galle 62 Galdus the Sir-name of Corbred what it signifies 109 Galeatius Sforza slain by his Vncle 231 Gallovid in Old Scotish signifies a Gaul 14 Galo Cardinal the Pope's Legat in England 237 He excommunicates the Scots 238 A wicked and avaritious Man ibid. Galvinus Son of Lothus 151 Galway why so called 14 61 139 Garalinga Isle 29 Garaard King of the Picts 162 Garvae Isles three 25 Garvillan Isles 30 Gavin Isle 25 Gauls sent Colonies into Spain 48 Into Italy 49 Into Germany ibid. Into Britain 50 Into Ireland 51 Gathelus a Prince feigned by some to be the Founder of the Scots Nation 46 Gawin Dunbar
Balvany 377 Proclaimed a publick Enemy 387 John Damiot a Conjurer foretels Rize's Death 182 John Forbâ—s condemned and beheaded 6â— John Fordon Author of the History called Scoto-Chronicon 146 John Fleming the Queen's Governour of Dumbritton Castle when it was surprized 263 He escapes but his Wife is well treated by the Regent 265 John Fleming of Bogal taken there ibid. John Herris undeservedly put to Death by the Douglasses 384 John Hepburn powerful and factious 31 His Feud with the Hume's 32 33 He insinuates himself into John the Regent 31 Accuses Douglas Hume and Forman 3â— John Gordon â—arl of Huntly taken by Murray and put to Death 170 John Hamilton Archbishop of St. Andrews 103 A deâ—oâ—st Man 111 John Hamilton troubled in Conscience for the King's Murder discovers his Complices 267 John Kennedy made one of the King's Guardians or Tutors 407 John Knox preaches to reclaim those that kill'd Cardâ—nal Beton 100 His Sermon to the People of Perth for the Reformation 128 〈◊〉 which they destroy Popish Shrines ibid. His encouraging Sermon to the Reformers at Sâ—erlin 141 Hiâ— Sermon at King James VI. his Inauguratiâ—n â—14 John II. lays the Foundation of Tyranny in Portugal 434 John Lesly prâ—vy to the Conspiracy against James Earl of Murray 167 169 John Mac-Arthur Captain of Toâ—ies executed 341 John Melvil put to Death 11â— John Earl of Marr Brother to James III. put to Death by opening a Vein till he expired 421 John Murderaâ—h taken 116 John Monluâ— Bishop of Valence in Scotland 14â— John Maxwel of Herris revolts from the Reformers 176 177 The Queen puts little Trust in him 222 Made Prisoner by the Regent but released without publick Authority 253 John Earl of Marr a Commander in the King's Army 220 John Randolph sent into France 287 Made Regent 294 Taken Prisoner by the English 295 Slain in Fight 322 John Scot his wonderful Abstinence from Food â—8 John Duns Scotus where bâ—rn 306 John Ramsy preserved by the King 425 Proves an Evil Counsellour to James III. 431 John Stuart Earl of Lennox revolts from the Regent 35 But is again received into Favour ibid. He endeavours to take the King from the Douglasses and is slain 50 John Stuart Earl of Athol sent against John Murderach 116 A Proâ—urer of the Match between Henry and Mary Queen of Scotland 192 He loses hâ—s Opportunity 206 John Vien Admiral of the French Navy in Scotland 311 John Windram secretly favours the Cause of True Religion 65 Joan Douglas and her Husband their miserable Ends 66 67 Joan the Wife of James I. her manly Fact 360 Put in Prison with her Husband 364 Her Death 395 Joseph Scaliger amends a Place in Seneca 76 Josâ—â—a King of Scots 101 A Lover of Chirurgery 102 Ireland's ancient Inhabitants called Scots 73 Irish break in on Galway in Scotland 177 And are overthrown by King Gregory ibid. Irish Scots make Peace with the Romans 130 131 Irish Air temperate 2 51 Colonies of Gauls sent into Ireland 51 Description of Ireland out of Solinus 85 Irwin River 14 Island in Shape like a Man 26 Islands encompassing Scotland their Order and threefold Division 22 Islanders parsimonious 33 Healthful and long-liv'd 37 Prone to rebel 207 Islanders Western their Manner of Living at Home and Abroad 23 c. Isa or Ishol Isle 29 30 Issidorus i. e. Issoir a City in France Judgments and Tryals of Nobles how anciently managed in Scotland 340 Jule-tide or Christmass as 't is called licentiously observed 151 Julian Romer taken 110 Agricola's Exploits in Britain 109 110 Recalled from thence 111 Junius Brutus 271 Julius Caesar the first Roman that entred Britain with an Army 84 Julius Frontinus in Britain 86 109 Jura Isle 25 Justice can do more than Terrour of Arms 180 189 The most popular thing 348 Juverna Ireland so called 69 K KArrera Isle 25 Katharine Medices after her Son's Death undertakes the Government 151 Keames Castle 25 Kebercurning 22 Kedwalla King of the Brittons 159 Keligire Island 30 Kellasa Isle ibid. Kelvin River 16 Ken River 14 Kenneth I. King of Scots 158 Kenneth II. 167 Compared with Fergus II. persuades the Nobility to war with the Picts and overcomes them in Battel 169 He may be called the third Founder of the Scotish Kingdom 170 Kenneth III. 187 Circumvents his Nobles by a Wile 188 Causes Malcolm to be poisoned 193 Troubled in Conscience for it 195 Makes new Laws concerning the Succession of the Kingdom 193 194 Worsted at first by the Danes yet afterwards overthrows them 190 191 Slain by Fenella 196 Kenneth King of the Picts 167 Kentigern 145 Keniburgh Islands the Great and the Small 27 Kernici who 22 Kernicovalli ibid. Kingly Government what 268 It s Origin ibid. Kings their Distress moves Pity 213 Kings in Scotland not to do any publick Affairs without advising with their Nobles or Estates of the Realm 102 230 251 They used to ride the Circuits themselves for the Administration of Iustice before Itinerary Iudges were appointed 103 123 Their Wives anciently not called Queens 402 Not in their Power alone to make Peace or War in Scotland 322 They are inferiour to the Laws 269 How their publick Revenue if spent may be encreased 114 A Law for their successive inheriting the Crown confirmed 194 195 Kings if young their Favours slippery 416 Subjects apt to degenerate into their Manners 111 King desiring to be revenged on his Nobles endeavours to set them one against another 431 Kings-Cross or Re-cross in Stanmore what 238 Kinnatel King of Scots 155 Kinross 170 Its Sheriffwick 18 Kinloss Abby 184 Kinthern see Cantire Kirkwal the chief Town in the Island Pomonae or Mainland 35 Kirta Isle 30 Knapdale 17 Kyle 14 L L'Abross a French General would have all the Nobility of Scotland destroyed 148 Laia River see Avonlagan Lambs Isle 30 Lamlach Isle 24 Lamot the French King's Embassador in Scotland 20 He moves the Scots to war against England ibid. c. Lamyrian or Lamormoor Mountains 13 Lanarch or Lanerick 14 Lancaster Duke Embassador in Scotland 309 Afterwards invades it 310 Langside Fight 220 Laodice Queen her Cruelty to her own Children 231 Largesses immoderate occasion Want 203 Lauderdale so called of the Town Lauder 13 Laurence Twine persuades Baliol to go for Scotland 284 Law about Succession to the Kingdom of Scotland 97 New Ones made 194 Confirmed 200 Whether profitable to the Publick or not 196 197 Law too severe to confiscate the whole Estates of Condemned Persons without any Allowance to their innocent Wife and Children 113 Laws against Theft 282 Laws about Hunting their Authors see Hunting Laws Laws in Scotland few besides Decrees of the Estates 59 Laxa Isle 30 Lead White and Black found in Pomona 35 Legat a counterfeit Roman one 387 Leith River 13 Leland quoted 61 Lenity over-much brings Contempt 381 385 392 Lennox or Levin so called from the River Levin 140 Lent observed on a politick Account only 170 Leon Strozy Admiral of the French Gallies in Scotland
to revenge the Cardinal's Death 101 Lewis Isle 30 Many Whales taken there 32 Lewis XI espouses Margarite the King of Scots's Daughter 340 He lays the Foundation of Tyranny 434 Lewis de Galais Embassador from France to the Queen's Party 254 Liddisdale so called from the River Lidal 13 140 Liguria 11 Lilborn worsted by the Scots 306 Linga Isle 30 37 Lingaia Isle 39 Lindil Isle 29 Linlithgo 30 Lindsay's and Ogilby's Fight 373 The Lindsays prevail 374 Lismore Isle 25 Loch-Abyr 19 20 Loch-Aw 17 Loch-Brien 31 Loch-Earn ibid. Loch-Fin 17 Loch-Ger ibid. Loch-Long ibid. Loch-Lomund ibid. Loch-Loubrun 21 Loch-Louch 20 Loch-Maban 300 The Castle in it taken by the Scots 309 Loch-Ness 20 Whose Water never freezeth ibid. Loch-Ryan 14 Loch-Spey 140 Loch-Tee 20 Lochindores Castle 296 Locrine Son of Brute 42 Loegria an old Name for England ibid. Lollius Urbicus in Britain 113 London anciently called Augusta 89 Longay Isle 25 Lords of the Articles who 305 Lorn County 17 Lothian so called from Lothus King of the Picts 13 Lothus King of the Picts 13 He joins with the Scots against the Saxons 148 Complains that his Sons were deprived of the Kingdom of Britain ibid. He is commended ibid. Lox or Lossy River 20 Luctacus King of Scots a flagitious Person 111 He is slain ibid. Lud or Lloyd allows that by Prudania is meant Britain 2 He is refuted 71 72 73 77 78 79 80 Luing Isle 25 Lunga Isle 25 27 Luparia or Wolf Isle 25 Lupicianus in Britain 88 89 Luss River 14 Lusitania why Portugal so called as some say 47 Lust a Punishment to it self 186 Lutherans persecuted 63 67 91 Mackbeth's Son slain by Malcolm 215 Luxury accompanies Peace 143 M MAalmori Isle 26 Macalpine Laws 70 Macdonald rises in Arms but is overthrown and kils himself 207 208 Mackbeth King of Scots his Character 208 His Dream 210 211 He flies 214 Macdonald his cruel Fact to a Woman retaliated on himself 343 344 Macduff ill resents Mackbeth 212 He stirs up Malcolm against him ibid. Three Priviledges granted him by Malcolm 215 The first Earl of Fife 214 He complains against Baliol to Edward of England 250 Macklan executed by Douglas 384 Maenavia Isle 24 See Man Magistrates have Power over Mens Bodies but not over their Consciences 127 Magna or Megala Isle 29 Magnus his carousing Goblet â—4 Magnus King of Norwey seizes on the Islands 221 Makes Peace with the Scots 242 Magus Towns so ending 68 69 Maiatae who 26 Mainland see Pomona Main an English Commander against the Scots slain in Fight 3â—9 Main Son of Fergus 97 King of Scots 98 Makul a Criminal abstains from Food 236 Maldon not in Scotland 16 Maldwin King of Scots 160 A Plague in his Time over Europe ibid. He is strangled by his Wife 1â—â— Malgo a Britain ibid. Malcolm Fleming executed by the Douglasses 37â— Malcolm I. 18â— Sits in Courts of Iudgment himself ibid. He is slain ibid. Malcolm II. Competitor with Constantino for the Crown 197 Confirms the Law for Succession 2â—â— Overthrown by the Danes 2â—1 Afterwards overthrows them in several Battels 202 His Murderers drowned 2â—4 Malcolm III. brings in foreign Titles of Honour into Scotland 214 He recovers the Kingdom from Mackbeth ib. Quâ—ls Conspiracies made against him 215 217 His Vow to St. Andrew 218 He erects new Bishopricks and makes wholesome suâ—pâ—uary Laws ibid. Builds the Cathedrals of Durham and Dunfermling 219 Is slain by the English with his Son Edward ibid. His Queen and other Female Relations very pious 218 Malcolm IV. takes a Feâ—datary Oath to Henry of England 227 He accompanies him into France 229 Is despoiled by him of Part of his Patrimony in Englâ—nd ibid. Is persuaded by the Scots to marry but gives them a negative Answer 231 Man Isle its several Names 24 Marcelâ—inâ—â— quoted and corrected 56 Marble Stone on which the Scots Kings were crowned 171 Maâ—ble white Mountains of it in Sutherland 21 Marchetâ— Mulierum what the Scots call so 219 Margaritâ—â— or St. Margarite's Port 35 Margarite Creighton who 428 Margarite Queen of England delivers her Husband Edward by Force of Arms 397 She flies into Scotland and thence into France ibid. Margarite Sister to Edward of England Wife to Charles of Burgundy endeavours to raise Commotions in England 6 Margarite Daughter of Henry VII marries James IV. 14 The first Female Regent in Scotland 29 After her Husband's Death she marries Archibald Dougâ—as ibid. She flies with her Husband into England 34 But returns 37 Displeased with her Husband ibid. Persuades the Scots to break with the French 42 But opposed therein by the French Faction 43 Marianus Scotus 180 Mariners to offend them dangerous to Passengers 286 Marr and Mâ—arn Counties whence so called 19 170 Martha Countess of Carick falls in Love with Robert Bruce and marries him 247 Martiqâ—â—â— the Earl of it comes â—â—to Scotland with his 〈◊〉 148 Mary Wife of 〈◊〉 II. her manly Spirit 394 Mary of Guise Widow of the Duke of Longuevil marries James IV. 67 By degrees she dispossesseth the Regent 112 113 Takes upon her the Ensigns of the Government 113 114 Imposes new Taxes 117 Changes ancient Affability into Arrogance 127 Persecutes the Reformed and is perfidious 130 1â—1 Makâ—s a Truce with the Reformed 134 The Administration of the Government taken from her by Proclamation 139 She dies in the Castle of Edinburgh 146 Her Disposition and Character 147 Mary Queen of Scots born 71 Begins her Reign ibid. Henry of England desires her for his Son's Wife 75 She is sent into France 107 From whence that Kingâ— sends Letters desiring her a Wife for his Son 120 Embassadors sent thither for that purpose of which some die there 121 122 She marries the Dolphin 121 When Mary of England died she carried her self as the next Heir and assumed the Royal Arms of that Kingdom 127 When her Husband died she resolves to return into Scotland 151 Her subtil Answer to a cunning Cardinal 153 She lays the Foundation of Tyranny 196 Designs a Guard for her Body ibid. Her unbecoming Familiarity with David Rize 172 She marries Henry Stuart 175 She punishes David's Homicides 183 Her strange Proclamation about Rize's Death ibid. She brings forth James VI. ibid. She is willing by all means to be rid of her Husband 183 184 185 A joculary Process against her Husband's Murderers 193 She marries Bothwel 199 The French Embassador and the Scotish Nobles dislike her Marriage ibid. She frames an Association against the Nobles 204 And they Another against her 205 Earl of Murray leaves Scotland in Discontent ibid. Besieged with Bothwel at Borthwick and escapes in Man's Apparel 206 Surrenders her self Prisoner 209 210 Proved guilty of her Husband's Death by Letters 211 Hamilton designs her Deliverance 216 She escapes 218 Is overthrown by the Nobles and 〈◊〉 for England 221 She endeavours by Balfure to raise Tumults in Scotland 226 Designs to marry Howard of England 233 23â— Continued in the Lord Scroop's House 239
to eat ibid. Ships of great Bigness built by James IV. 14 Siapins-oy an Isle 36 Sicambri who 79 Sigrama Isles Great and Small 30 Silva or Yew Isle 25 Silures who 61 109 Simon Breccus 171 Similitudes for Illustration 187 188 Similitude of Events do assimilate Mens Manners 213 Sinclare's Valour against the English 270 Siuna Isle 25 Skenny or Skerry Isles 37 Skirmish between English and French in Scotland 145 Sky Isle 28 Skyanna Isle ibid. Slata Isle 25 Slavery worse than Banishment 132 Slegana Isle 30 Soa Isle 27 30 Soabreâ—il Isle 28 Sodora Town 24 Solan or Sea Geese ibid. Solanum the Herb Nightshade soporiferous 209 Solinus quoted about Britain 87 Solvathius King of Scots 164 Solwey River 13 Sorbonists sent into Scotland 136 Spain hath several Names 41 Spaniards a Colony of them come into Ireland 94 Inhabited the West Part of Britain 51 Subject to the Injuries of Foreigners 94 Spey River 20 Spring that carries down shapeless Fish 29 Stacbad Isle 26 Stafa Isle 27 Stanmore whence so called 217 The Cross there ibid. Stags fright the English 276 Stephano-Dunum or Dunstaffnage 20 Stephen Bull overthrown by Andrew Wood 3 4 Stephen Earl of Bologn seizes on the Kingdom of England 224 Notwithstanding he had taken an Oath to Queen Maud ibid. Sterlin County 15 Sterlin Mony 173 Stinsiar River 14 Strathnavern 21 140 Strath-bogy 140 Strat and Strathern 17 140 Stratagems in War 154 179 Stromoy Isle 35 Stronza Isle 36 Stuart the Name of an Office 217 Stuarts their Original ibid. Who was the Rise of their Family ibid. Stuart Regent 298 Succession to the Crown of Scotland an old Law made for it 97 The Administration of the Government to whom to be committed when the King is a Minor 230 231 Suffrages incroached upon 179 Suilkir Isle 32 Sumereld Thane of Argyle in hopes of the Kingdom but is overthrown and slain 228 231 Suin Isle 25 Suna Isle 36 Sussex the Earl of it commands an English Army in Scotland 255 Sutherland 21 Swain gets the Kingdom of England 71 He comes into Scotland 200 He distributes three Kingdoms to his three Sons 208 He comes again into Scotland ibid. He is overthrown 209 T TAichy i. e. Menteith 17 Talbot overthrown by Keith 297 Again overthrown 308 Thames River 13 Thane who 187 Thanat Isle 88 Tanasta Isle 26 Taodunum i. e. Dundee 18 Taransa Isle 30 Tarscheir Isle 26 Tarvedrum Promontory 21 Tay the greatest River in Scotland 18 Temple of Terminus 15 119 Terris Isle 27 Teviotdale 13 Texa Isle 26 Textors Isle ibid. Theodosius his memorable Speech 268 Thereus King of Scots flies to the Brittons 101 Thiana Isle 25 Thomas Eliot his Opinion refuted 4 Thomas Becket promotes Ecclesiastical Ambition in England 243 Thomas Boyd marries the Eldest Sister of James III. 412 He is sent Embassador into Norwey 413 Declared a publick Enemy 415 Assists the Burgundians ibid. His Wife divorced from him and married to James Hamilton ibid. He dies at Antwerp 416 Thomas Car wasts England 247 Thomas Duchty or Doughty an Impostor 58 Thomas Howard Admiral of the English Navy 24 General at Flodden Fight 24 Afterwards fals into Disgrace 27 Sent into Scotland and takes Jedburgh 41 42 Treats of a Marriage with the Queen of Scots 224 Meditates a Civil War against the Queen of England 226 239 The Conspiracy detected 242 Thomas Petcarn sent Embassador to Queen Elizabeth 255 Thomas Randolph designed the King's Tutor 269 Marches with an Army into England 275 Thomas Randolph the English Embassador in Scotland demands the English Exiles 248 Thomas Earl of Sussex the English General in Scotland inclinable to the Queen's Faction 256 Thomas Wolsy a Cardinal self-ended and ambitious 44 Thornton Patric put to death for Murder 391 Tintallon Castle besieged by the King 55 Surrendred to him 56 Tine River 14 Titles of Honour 203 Tithes for Ecclesiasticks 140 Tiren or Tirriss Isle 27 Toncetus an unjust Iudg slain 154 Toray Isle 30 Trajan's remarkable Speech 268 Trajectus Passage or Na Port Isle 25 Trayl Archbishop his Commendation 328 His Death ibid. Triaracha Isle 25 Trebellius Maximus in Britain 86 Tree Isle 25 Tributes or Impositions part of them nibbled away by the Collectors who are usually malapert 339 Imposed but remitted 355 The Cause of War and their Exactors slain 10 11 Designed but not paid 117 Trimarchia 77 Trojans Greeks by Descent 45 Many pretend themselves derived from Them 46 Trons Isle 37 Tronta Isle 28 Truce betwixt Scots and English 309 380 Betwixt the French English and Scots 310 311 Between Scots and English for seven Years 430 Truces violated 325 332 378 392 Truce between the Queen Regent and the Reformers 133 And on what Terms ibid. Twedale 13 Twede River ibid. Tueman Isles 30 37 Turff Isle 27 Turdetani who 38 Twine Laurence his Story 284 He stirs up Baliol to invade Scotland ibid. Twentieth Part taxed in Scotland 339 Tyana Isle 25 Tyranny its Root cut by Finnanus and how 102 Tyrants Avarice bring the richer Sort to their Ends 107 V VAlay Isle 30 Valerius Asiaticus his bold Speech 271 Valla and Vallis Isle 36 Vannota King Arthur's Wife not true to him 153 Vallia 60 Varro Plato c. too inquisitive about Words 3 Vatersa Isle 29 Vectius Bolanus in Britain 86 Vecturiones who 18 Vemendra Isle 37 Venta Belgarum 10 Vera Isle see Wyer-oy Vervedrum Promontory 21 Vestra Isle see Wester-oy Vexa Isle 30 Via Isle 37 Viccoil Isle 31 Victorinus sent into Britain from Rome 131 Vidam in France who 150 Vidogara See Loch-Ryan 14 Vien a French General iâ— Scotland 311 Vigils or Watches necessary in Camps and Armies 285 308 Vikeran Isle or Na-whoker 25 Virid or Green Isles viz. Charn More and Charn Beg the greater and the less 27 Vitellius a Saxon Commander slain by the Scots 157 Vituline or Gawin Isle 25 Uist or Yyists Isle 29 30 37 Ulva Isle 27 Voadicea Commandress of the Brittons See Boadicea 85 Vonnedra Isle 37 Vortigern of a Monk made King of England 143 Afterwards deposed 145 Sends to Hengist the Saxon 144 Overthrows the Scots and is slain 144 145 Vortimer King of the Brittons renews a League with the Scots and Picts 145 Ure River 114 Ure Isle 37 Uridick Isle 25 Usabrast Isle 26 Uter succeeds his Brother in Britain 148 His Story and flagitious Fact 149 Utility sometimes preferred before Honesty in Princes Courts 331 Uxellum in Caesar perhaps for Ocellum 70 Uust see Uyist Island W W A Letter hard to be pronounced but by such as Germanize 6 60 61 Waes Isle 36 Wales how anciently divided 13 60 Wall a memorable one built by the Romans 138 By Adrian 8 16 By Severus 8 Wallace or Wallis his Story 253 Made Regent and takes many Places from the English in Scotland 254 Overthrows Cressingham the English General 255 Edward of England afraid to fight him 255 256 Envied by the Scots Nobles 256 Hath a Conference in the Field with Bruce ibid. Dismisses his Army
f. induce r. introduce P. 407. l. 28. f. Caledonia r. Dunkel P. 420. l. 22. f. Naâ—ts r. 〈◊〉 P. 4â—1 l. 44. f. Blankets r. Sheets P. 422 l. 27. â— Lewis the XI P. 424. l. 35. r. Go to the Kings 〈◊〉 In the Eight last Books P. 2. l. 7. f. infesting r. infested P. 3. l. 24. f. Grampias r. Grampius Ibid. l. 40. f. Edward r. Hâ—â—ry P. 6. l. â—â— f. Grâ—â—ina r. Graecina P. 8. l. 45. f. so the present r. for the present P. 9. l. 7. f. Their r. His. P. 11. marg f. 〈…〉 from Ib. l. 38. f. returnedâ— so returned P. 15. marg f. go Ierusalem r. go to Ierusalem P. 39. l. 6. f. 〈◊〉 r. as bâ—ing P. 40. marg f. raise r. raises P. 44. l. 46. r. Assembly P. 59. l. 19. f. Sunderland r. 〈◊〉 P. â—3 l. 2. f. King r. Regent P. 99. l. 49. r. Nones of November P. 104. l. 17. dele all P. 106. marg r. 〈◊〉 P. 108. l. 13. f. Minnans r. Minians Ib. l. 29. dele soâ—e P. 193. l. 40. f. Guest r. 〈◊〉 P. 19â— l. 23. r. as in many other Princâ—s so c. P. 254. marg f. St. Lewis r. Monsieur Lewis In the Alphabetical Table For Cassivelannus r. Cassivelaâ—nus For Gaxnico r. Garnico For Genrach r. Geâ—rach For Hypocâ—â—isâ—ical p. 6. r. Hypoâ—â—ristical P. 60. In Kirkwal for Pomonae r. Pomoâ—a The Authors design More Islands than one anciently called Britanny The situation of Britanny Albion and Ireland two of the biggest of them Albion It s length and breadth It was accounted Triangular by the Romans The Air. The Soil The Food of some of its Inhabitants in old time It s ancient Names Three according to some Prudania Prytaneia and Britannia 〈◊〉 or Lâ—â—yd and 〈◊〉 Two Wâ—iteâ—s 〈◊〉 British Antiquiâ—ieâ— in Hen. 8. and Queen Eliz. Reigns Prudania Lud or 〈◊〉 Authority disallâ—wed of and why 〈…〉 Words Lucretius 〈◊〉 Aristotle 〈◊〉 the Name oâ— Britain Propeâ—â—â—â—â— Eâ—iot's Authority disallow'd Prytaneia Stephanus Martian and Ptolomy Bards committed nothing to Writing (a) Ancient words cannot always be observed and Why (b) 't is hard to find the Origin of old Words (c) Which was unknown to the Ancients but later Inquiries have found it out (d) i. e. The Language of the Highlanders (e) The Letter W. hard to be pronounced but by those that Germanize * Pliny * Mâ—rini Mâ—remâ—râ—â—a Armâ—rici Oxonia and Roffa for Oxonfordia and Raufchestria i. e. Oâ—fâ—rd and Rochester (f) The Word Britannia hath divers Acceptations * The Walls of Adrian and Severus Bede Claudian William of Malmsbury and Geoffry of Monmouth Britannus and Britto Bâ—itton first 〈◊〉 by Martiâ—l Slop-Breecheâ— or Galagaskinâ— * Bishop of Tourâ— Brittons in France * Auson Epigr. 109. c. (g) This Epigram was made by the Poet against one Siâ—vius Sirnamed Bonus or Little-Britain in France 〈◊〉 whom he had a 〈◊〉 and it seems against the whole Nation of the Britains for his sake He takes an occasion to 〈◊〉 him from the Ambiguity of his Sirname Bonus which signifies also good in Latin and by the Figure Antiphrasis evil as here sometimes it is taken This Author makes it a Dâ—decastich whereas later Interpreters have divided it into Six Distichâ— but all of one Subject â—ccording to the Poets mind expressed in the First of them They are not here quoted for the Sarcasms conteined therein and therefore are not over-curiously Translated but only to shew that in this Poets time who lived under Gratian the Emperor about Anno Christi 390. Britto and Britannus were Terms Synonymus (h) The Printed Books read Britto homo which is scarce sense and therefore Vinecus hath amended it Britto bono and so I have Englished this last Distich (i) A People of Gallia-Belgica lying betwixt the River Lye and the Sâ—â—me in West-Flanders as some write not far from Bollogne Ypre and St. Omers Their chief City was called Teroven now but a small Village (k) Inhabitants of Artois (l) Inhabitants about Bollogne or betwixt Bollogne and Calais (m) More in old Celtick is the Sea (n) Inhabitants of Essex as Lud or rather of Suffâ—lk Norfolk Cambridge and Huntington as Camden and Leland (o) Calais aâ— some but Witsand â—by the Plandrians called Isten and Esseâ— a Port betwixt Calais and Bollognâ— in which some Footsteps of the word Iconi do appear as others (p) Near the Sea (r) People of Dowar as some of Brabant and Bosleduc as others and of Namur as divers say (s) People of Little-Britain in France to the West of Normandy (t) Dwellers near the Sea (q) The Dead Sea (u) Gascoigne or Guienne of which Bourdeaux is the chief City (w) Albion oâ— Albium the Ancient Name of this Islâ—nd (x) Albion the Fabulous Son of Neptune (y) As also Bâ—rgion (z) Liguria was anciently a Country lying betwixt the Po in Italy and the Rhosâ—â— in France (a) A Peopâ—e living in the Skirts of the Alps. (b) Album signifies High as well as White (c) Albinga under the Câ—â—â—eses (d) Ventimiglid belonging also to the Republick of Genoua (e) A People made up of Gauls and Illyrians whose Possessions reached down to the Adriatick Sea near Istria (f) Tilâ—â—r (g) Elbe (h) Cohan (i) Berg in the German Language signifies High (k) Bergomates a People of Bergamo in Italy now under the Venetian (l) Britain why called Albion (m) The Name Albion is still retained in part of Scotland (n) The Situation of the several Counties â—n Albion described by English Writers (o) Hector Boetius blamed (p) England how divided (q) Now only into two viz. North and south-South-Wales for Pembroke-Shiâ—e with part of its adjacent Counties heretofore called West-Walâ—s is now counted part of South-Wales (r) The Situation of Scotland and the several Counties thereof (s) Merch. (t) Tiviotdale or Tividale (u) Lyddisdail (x) Eusedail (y) Eskdail (z) Annandale (a) Forth or the Scotish Sea (b) Lauderdale and Twedale (c) Liddisdale Nithisdale and Clidesdale (d) Lothian whence so called (e) Edinburgh in Lothian (f) Clidsdale divided Kyle Galloway Abundance of Eels taken Mul of Galloway * Now Glenluce Rinns of Galloway Nonantum Carrick Kyle Air. Cuningham Renfrew White Carth. and Black Carth. Clydsdale Sterling Carron-water Duni pacis Emblems of Peâ—â—e A strange Edifice Guidi Adrian's Wall built before Severus's Maldon not in Scotland but in Essex Iulius Agricola Adrian's Wall where Severus's Wall now Grames Dike where Abernethy once the Royal Seâ—t of the Picts then St. Andrews Lennox Menteath Loch-Lomund Pollacks an unusual Fish Mount Grampius Loch-Ger Loch-Long Cowel Argyle Knapdale Loch-Finn Loch-Awe Cantyre A Narrow Neck of Land joyns Cantyre to Knapdale Birlings a small sort of Seâ—-Vessels Lorn or Laern (a) Granzeben or the Grampian-Hills run from Aberdeen in the North to Dunbarton in the West (b) Braid-Albin (c) Drum-Albin (e) Loch-Earn (f) Strath-Earn (g) Strat whaâ— (h) Menteath (i) Ocel-Hills (k) Clacman Culross and Kinross Stewarties (k) Clacman Culross
Lustanici * Neâ—ium Prâ—mâ—ntorium (a) People of Piemont (b) People about Brâ—xia and Verona (c) The Salassii of Pâ—emoâ—â— also (d) Insubres of Gallâ—a-Transpadana about Millan (e) Of Main or rather Normandy (f) Boâ—â— People of Acquâ—tain (g) Senones were a Warlike People of Gaul inhabiting the Country now called Le Sennois (h) Galatia (i) Colonies of Gauls sent into Germany (k) A Colony from Languedock in France to the Neecar in Germany and the Country about that River (l) Aquitanians in Gaul (m) Swissers (n) Decumates People of Wirtenburg (o) Gothini on the River Oder (p) The Getes were a People of Dacia about Moldavia (q) Danes (r) Prussians or Livonians (a) Colonies of Gauls sent into Britain (b) Three Nations anciently inhabited Britain the Britons Picts and Scots (c) Indigenous i. e. born in the same Country (d) In Caesar's time Belgium was accounted part of France Britany in France * Robertus Caenalis * Pomponius Laetus (f) Vâ—z From the Belgians (g) Colonies of Gauls sent into Ireland (h) Inhabitants of Ireland anciently called Scots Irish-Scots and Albin-Scots Claudian (a) Hâ—rodian (b) Pictiades Picti and Peachti old Names for Picâ—s (c) Pentland-Hills in Lothian (d) Pentland-Firth the Firth between Caâ—â—hness and Oâ—kny (e) Aâ—ii a People oâ— Poland but formerly accounted part of Germany * People of Euâ—opâ—a Sarmatia and Scythia now under the Moscovite (f) Geloni Inhabitants of Scythia Europea upon the River Boristhenes (g) People of 〈◊〉 * People of Sarmatia Europaea so called because compounded of Goths and Huns whence Claudian calls them Mixti Gothunni (h) The Baltick or rather the Bothnick Sea or Gulph (i) The River Danulius arising in the Alps and running through Germany Hungary c. at last dischargeth it self by six Mouths into the Euxin Sea (k) Walsch hath several Acceptations Aquitans i e. the Guâ—ennoâ— in France (m) The British and the Scots anciently used one Language but a different way of pronunciaâ—ion (n) Picts had their Origin from Germany * People of Prussia and Lâ—vonia (o) Danes * People of Swisserland (p) People of Germany near the Baltick Sea (q) Of Vâ—logna in Moscovy which was then called Scythia or Sarmatia Europaea * Mayatae * Aâ—tacottae A Nation of the Picts that lived North of 〈◊〉 Wall in 〈◊〉 and the Meâ—ss (s) One of the 〈◊〉 of the Picts living near the Sâ—â—ts on the East Sea betwixt Tweeâ— and Tâ—â—e in 〈…〉 mixt People of Picts and Sâ—oâ—â— that inhabited the 〈◊〉 man 〈◊〉 Or Dunkâ—â—den in Perthshire (w) Duncaledones * The Sameness of Religion Language Names of Places are Characters of one and the same Nation The Britains and Gauls of one Religion * 〈◊〉 on the 〈…〉 * Bards were the Heâ—â—lds Poets and Mâ—siâ—ians of the Ancient Gaulâ— and Britains Bâ—rds pâ—sâ—'d 〈◊〉 bâ—tween the Aâ—mies of 〈◊〉 greeting Nations * Rhapsodists 〈◊〉 Reheaâ—â—eâ— or Iâ—terpâ—eâ—e◠〈◊〉 Verses by piece-meal Tacitus Horat. de â—ree Poeticâ (a) The Celts were a numerous People Inhabiting principally about Lyons from whom one part of France was called Gallia Celtica (b) Inhabitants of Belgium now the Low Countries or the Netherlands in Caesar's time counted a third part of France by the Name of Gallia Belgica (c) Winchester (d) Inhabitants of Berkshire so called from the Atrebates of Gallia Belgica who transported themselves thither (e) Living in Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge and Huntingtonshire transplanted from the Iceni in Belgium (f) The Iones were a Colony of the Greeks which Inhabited Iâ—nia on the Medâ—terranean Sea in Asia (g) The Attick Dialect was used in and about Athens and was the smoothest and purest Greek (h) Containing the Provinces of Savoy Province and Languedock (i) Formerly inhabiting the Kingdom of Navar but now the Country called Gascoign (k) Inhabiting Limosin Pericord and Auvergn (k) Inhabiting Limosin Pericord and Auvergn (k) Inhabiting Limosin Pericord and Auvergn * Hypocoristical i. e. diminutive as Thingling from Thing (a) A well fortified Town in Alsatia built on an Hill and a strong pass on the Rhene (b) People of Le-Main in France (c) Now Bressia (d) A Town of Auâ—â—gn in France In Portugal (f) Cornavii in Scotland and England too in the one the Caâ—thness-Men In the other the Cornish-Men are so called (g) Etymology oâ— Cornwal (a) The French Tongue by some called Walla (b) The French pronounce Gales and North-Gales for Wales and North-Wales (c) Polâ—dore Vâ—rgiâ— mistaken * Oâ— Cumbri 〈◊〉 their King Camber as some * The Inhabitants of South-Wales * Leland * Galloway whence derived * Ancient Sâ—â—ts i. e the Highlanders divide the Nations inhabiting Britain into Two the first Gael the second Galle or Gaâ—d i. e. Gallaeâ—i and Galâ—i * Another Argument of Affinity between the Gauls and Britains from the Names of Towns Rivers c. a Derivative Words shew the Affinity of a Language more than their Primitives b Or Brutobrica a City of Thrace on the Coast of the Aegaean Sea now called by the Greeks Aenos or 〈◊〉 and by the Turks Ygnos c Aâ— Ancient Town in Spain d A City of Bulgaria situate on the â—uxien Sea e Selivre a City of Thrace situate upon the Propontu 15 Miles West from Constantinople f Bria Briga and Brica are synonymous all signifying a City or 〈◊〉 with words compounded of them g Braga in Portâ—gal h Arrabida i Castanheira in Portugal k Arcos l Azvaga in Portugal m Alcasor near Saragossa in Spain which being at fâ—â—st called Salduba from the Salt-Pits there was afterwards rebuilt by Caesar Augustus and called Caesarea Augusta some Footsteps of which Name do yet remain in the word Saragossa n Atzburgh * People of Bavaria and Suabâ—â— in Germany so called from the Rivers Vâ—ndis Werd and Lâ—â—us Leck near which they lived o Villar del Pedroso p Puente del Arcobispo * People of Extremadura in Spain q Ardea ol Muro * Part of old Casâ—â—le in Spain r Boppart in the Bishoprick of Tâ—eves or Tâ—â—ers s Broughton in Hampshire as Cumden Quaere Whether not Stockbridge which though a mean place now yet was formerly a noted Town as appears by its sending Burgesses to Parliament at this Day It is yet a considerable Pass between Winchester and Salisbury (1) Which divide France from Italy or rather Piemâ—nt from Dauphine (2) Inhabitants of Extremadura or Andalusia in the Kingdom of Corduba in Spain (3) Guadalquivar a famous River in Spain u Barcelos a Town now of Portugal formerly of Spain near the River Celand Inhabited heretofore by the Celerini x People of Hispania Boetica y In Extra-medura in Spain z Miranda de Ebro a Bâ—scamers b People of Burgos in Spain c Lagos in Portugal d Bermeo as some Bilbao in Spain as others d Bermeo as some Bilbao in Spain as others e Alanguera in Portugal f Province of Santaren in that Kingdom g Fuente d'Ivero as some or else Braganza as others say
h Lagos i Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Leon in Spain k Cape of St. Vincent in Portugal l Langroiâ—a m Dwelling by the River Anas in Portugal n Laâ—sanne o Monâ—briga p Santâ—ago de Lacem q Maâ—abriga r Inhabiting the Country of La Mancha in New-Castile s Villa de Capilla t Esâ—â—remedâ—ra u Inhabiting part of Algâ—bâ—a and Meaâ—na 〈◊〉 x Vaâ— de Nâ—bro y Valera z Almunâ—a a Spaniards lying beyond the River â—â—erus in Arragon and Castile b Segorve as Clasius thinks c Talega or Talâ—ga in Portugal d Alcantara e Braganza as some or rather Bâ—gâ—a de Regoa f The Gallicians living near Braga in Portugal g Inhabitants in and about Spire in High Germany h Dwelling in and about â—rianzon i Bregentz * Or Bavarians k Monti de Brianza l Bodensée or Lake of Constance m Inhabitants of Galway Waterford and Tipperary n Brianzon o Capo de Finâ— terrae or Nerium in Gaâ—icia * Almeria * Words compounded of Dunum * Or Lugdunensis the Country about Lâ—ons in France * Highlanders or Islanders a Autun in Burgundy b Chasteaudun c Melun d Lyons e St. Bertrand de Comminges f Noyon * Or Alsatians g Cadâ—nac h Lodun or London i Dunâ—e Roy. k Tours l Rodez * Or Roverguâ—â—â—s m Some take it for Chasteau London n Sela. o Campredon in Catalonia p Almondbury in Yorkshire as Cambden but West Chester as some others * The old Inhabitants of Yorkshire Lancashire Durham Westmerland and Cumberland q Maldon in Essex r Dorchester called also Durnium and Durnovaria from the River Vare gliding by it which ariseth at a Town some few Miles distant called Evarsholt i. e. the head of Vare and passing by Dorchester runs into an Arm of the Sea at Varbam i. e. a Town on the Vare now Warham s Old Inhabitants of Pembroke Cardigan and Carmarthen-Shires formerly called West-Wales a Yverdon b Sedan * Which Anciently comprehended Austria Stiria Carniola c. c Baâ—ryon d Korburgh e Linez or as some Gastenâ—al f Iudenburgh as some Idenaw as others but Windisch Matray as Sanson g Neumarck h Partenkirck i Kâ—rburgh k Semendria or Zinderin l Neupurgh * Words declined from Dur. m Metz. n Inhabitants of Pâ—ïs Messin o Wyck te Duersteden p Briare q Constance r Laufenburgh s Martenach t People of Gallia Narbenensis near the Rhosne a Psullendorff as some but Beyerne Castle as Cluverius b Korburgh c Olmuâ—z d Câ—stenitz e Instat f Fermosello g Duero h Guadalaviar near Valentia i Ledung in the West of Ireland k Inhabitants of Redborn in Hertfordshire l Of Rochester in Kent m Of Leneham in Kent n Of Canterbury o Godmanchester by Huntington p Dorsetshire Men. q Cirencester in Gloucestershire r Laiton in Essâ—x s Dorchester in Dorsetshire t Lutterworth or as some Longborough in Liecestersh u Vald ' Osta x Issoir y Auxerre * Names of Places ending in Magus z Badajox a City in Spain where once the Romans had a Colony 'T is also called Pax Augusta a Noviomagus is a Proper Name for so many places that it is hard to distinguish Them severally in English for it signifies Odenheim Newenburgh Nâ—mmegen Spire Solac Bourg c. b Xuntâ—gners in France c Inhabitants at Lisieux a Town in Normandy and the Country there about called Le-Lieuvin d Nivernois e About Spire f Living at St. Paul de trois Chasteaux a City in Daulphin g Living in and about Berry h Angiers i L'Anjouans k Roven l Beauvois m Beauvoisins n Tournois o Wormes p Living in Armagnac q Argenton r Memmingen s Chelmesford t Thetford u Wood-Cote near Croydon x Inhabitants of Surry as Leland of Sussex as Camden y People about Sterling or as some of Murray in Scotland z Ashwel in Hertford-shire as some or Dunstable in Bedford-shire as others a Ireland hath several Names b Camden thinks it to be the River Maâ—re in Munster in the County of Desmond but why not Loch-Earn in the County of Fermanagh c Earn arising out of Loch-Earn d Strath-Earn e Millain f Xantoign g D'Eureux h Duesburgh or Asburgh i Metelew k Lancaster as Lud Lanvellin in Mongomery-shire as Camden others Midland l Malck on the River Shanon m Wye n Râ—o d' Aves * Awe o Cabo de S. Vincem p Ban in the County of Wexford q Spurnhead in York-shire r Fermosel s Ocel-Hills t Esilles or Exilles u Lestâ—thiel in Cornwal x Cadenac in France y Or Tambre z Tamerton by the River Tamar in Cornwall a Or Ars. b Sarck or Sars in Annandale c Evora d S. Lucar de Barameda * Of d' Eureux * d ee or Die * Cornish * Caâ—â—hness-Men * Three Nations besides the Brittons anciently inhabited this Isle * Saxons invited in by the Brittons * Where by Stratagem they and their General treacherously Murder the English Nobility * Danes invade and Conquer Engâ—and under Swain * William the Norman Conquers the Danâ—s and is Crowned King of England * Three other Nations came into Bâ—itaiâ— * The Authors Ingenuity * Lud fâ—rther câ—nfuted * Mamertinus * All the Inhabitants oâ— Iâ—â—land anciently called Scots * Marcellinus divides the Picts into Dicaledones and Vecturiones See p. 18. * Caledonians Picts and Scots are sometimes called Britains * Bâ—â—tians a People oâ— Magna Grecia in Italy heretofore possessing the two Calalaprâ—â—â— * Romans inhabiting the District abouâ— Rome * 〈…〉 Men. * Scutabrigantes for Scotobrigantes according to Ioseph Scaâ—iger * Hector Boâ—tius mistaken Iron * Ludd censured * Aestiones inhabiting Pâ—ussia Livâ—nia a Miâ—esian Fables o◠〈◊〉 For the Inhabitants of Mâ—â—tum in 〈◊〉 were infamous for telling Tales so far from being true that they had not the least shadow oâ— Truth in them a When Marius by Sylla's Faction was driven out of Rome he hid himself stark naked in the Mud Weeds of the River Liru now Garigliano in the Kingdom of Naples where being found out he was carried to prison at Minturnae a Town hard by whither a Gaul or Cimber being sent to kill him he saw such a Majesty in his Countenance that he return'd without perpetrating the Homicide b Switz â—â— c Iron d Sicambri or Westphaâ—sâ—â—â—s Irony e Brennus's Two f Hector Boâ—tius and Lud compared and Both of them censured for some Mistakes 〈◊〉 taken by Caesar. The description of Britain according to Tacitus b It doth not appear how this resemblance holds and therefore some think those Autâ—â—rs to be better Historians than Resemblancers and indeed â—f the whole Island were not conquered by the Romans as confessedly it was not I do not see how they could give us the perfect Form and Shape thereof a Later Aâ—thoâ—â— can haâ—dly reconcile this reason with the Principles of
the Picts w Wherein Angusianus was slain But 〈◊〉 Murderd afterwards by two Picts inbornâ—d by 〈◊〉 * Maximus a Roman General in Britain z Roman◠〈◊〉 Picts 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 by Maximus and Eugenius slain b Maximus at first using his Victory moderately yet afterwards at the instigation of the Picts c He banisht the Scots out of all Britain upon pain of Death and give away their Lands a The Eâ—iled Scots endeavouring to recover their Country are worsted by their Enemies b And forced to make Peace with the Râ—mans b And forced to make Peace with the Râ—mans Which they obtain from Maximus on moderate Conditions d Victorinus sent from Rome to Govern Britain e Who incensed the Picts by his Tyrannick Government over them f The Picts repent of their Conjunction with the Romans to Root out the Scots and also of the Persecution of the Monks being of the same Reâ—â—gion with themselves g They send to recal Fergus a Scottish Exile from Scandia to take the Regal Government upon him h The Scots and Picts unite against the Romans then brought low by their own Civil Dissensions * A Parchment Chronicle of Scotish Affairs written by the Monks of the Abby of Pasley a Town and Abby situate not far from Glascom in the Baâ—ony of Renfrew called from its Cover The Black Book * Fergus prepares for War * The Brittons send for Aid to the Romans and receive one Legion * Who repulsed their Enemies and return * The Brittons receive another Auxiliary Legion of the Romans under Maximianus * Dionethus a Britton * Maximianus overcomes Fergus King of Scots 〈◊〉 King of Picts and Dionethus * The Two Fergus's compared * The Roman Legion leaves Britanny to maintain their Empire at home * Graham's Dike a The 〈…〉 by the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 of the Râ—mans b A Peace made betwixt the Scots and Picts of the one part and the Brittons on the other * Tithes for Ecclesiasticks * Peace sometimes more dangerous than War * Famine the forest of Evils c New occasions of Dissention between the Scots and Brittons d Whereupon the Brittons Arm. Tho dâ—ssuaded therefâ—om by Conanâ—s their Countrymâ—n f Who is 〈…〉 g A terrible Fight between the Scots and the Picts and the Brittons h Wherein the Brittons are overthrown i And have 〈◊〉 Conditions of Peace imposed on them k The Brittons make Constantine King who was soon after slâ—in by Vâ—rtigern * Luxury the usual Companion of Peace l Vortigern having slain Constantine's Heir makes himself King of the Brittons m He sends for Aid to Hengist the Saxon by whose help he repels the Scots Picts * The Character of King Eugenius * Dongard an opposer of the Pelagian Heresy n Pope Celestine sends Paâ—ladius and other Learned Monks into Scotland * Or St. Mungo o Palladius first institutes Bishops in Scotland which before was governed by Monks with less splendor but more Piety * Vortigern deposed and Vortimer made King of the Brittons who concludes a Peace with the Scotâ— Picts p Constantineâ— wicked Reign q And violent Death r Scots and Brittons unite against Picts and Saxons * Aurelius Ambrosius in Britain s Merlin and Gildaâ— When they lived with a Comparison between Them the Formerâ— counteâ— an Impostor the Laâ—er a 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 * Gildas his Prophecies not Genuine * Gildas his Death at Glastonbury in England * Informers found dangerous by Experience a Goranus persuades Lothus King of the Picts and Vter King of the Brittons to join with the Scots and break with the Saxons b By the joint Confederacy of those three Kings the Saxons are worked c The Story of Vter and of Arthur his Son Kings of the Brittons c Arthur takes London and York from the Saxons d The Licentious rather than Religious Observation of the Day of Christ's supposed Nativity called Iuletide The Scots Picts and Brittons overthrow the Saxons g And at last drive them out of a great part of Britain h Competitorship between Modredus and Constantine for the Kingdom after 〈◊〉 Death i Arthur's Character k The People by the Instigation of Donald of Athol Murder Toncetus and after that the King Goranus himself l A Prince's example hath a greater influence on his Subjectâ— than his Laws m Columbas's great Authority * War betwixt Scots and Picts * A Fight between the Saxons Scots and Brittons wherein the Brittâ—ns are overthrown a The Scots and Britons overthrow the Saxons * Columb's wonderful Narration of a Victory at a very great distance from him * Ethelfrid routs the Scots being shatter'd afore * Columb's Death b Austin the Monk comes into Britain rather to promote the Ceremonies and Domination of Pope Gregory than to Preach the true Doctrine of the Gospel * A dispute raised about the Observation of Easter-day c Eugenius harbors the fugitive Saxons d Ferchard endeavours to turn limited Monarchy into Tyranny for which he is imprisoned and there lays violent hands on himself e Northumberland divided into two Kingdoms i. e. the Deiri Inhabiting on this side Tine and the Bâ—rnici Inhabiting beyond Tine to Tweed f Apostacy justly punish'd g King Donald repeats and interprets Pious Sermons to his Subjects himself Ferchard's wicked Life and Repentance at his death * Scots Monks unjustly banished out of England * Maldvinus Strangled by his Wife for which Fact she is Burnt â—liâ—e a Egfrid King of Northumberland overthrown by the Scots and Picts b Two Kings very great Theologistâ— c Blood rained down from Heaven for 7 days c. d Amberkelethus slain e Eugenius like to suffer for the supposed Murther of his Queen f He first appoints the Acts of Kings to be Registred in Monasteries * A Town in the East part of Strachern near Fife g An Abby not far from Wigton in Galway * Donald a great Plunderer * Donaldus slain by Bugâ—nsus * Eugenius slain by his Nobles for his vitious Life h Fergus for his Adulteries slain by his Wife who to avoid punishment â—illâ— her Self * One Donald calls himself King of the Aebudae * Donald slain * War between the Scots and Irish. * Which is soon composed i Achaius the first of the Scots Kings that enters into a Friendship with France k Learned Men sent for out of Scotland by Charâ—es the Great as Iohannes Scotus c. * Who Preach the Doctrine of Christiâ—nity in Germany l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots l A Battel between Athelstan of England and Hungus the Pict who was aided by the Scots * Hungus his Visiâ—n upon his Prayeâ— to God * Athelstan overthrown and slain * 〈…〉 Andrew * Hungus's Death * Dongal drowned * Wars between the Scots and Picts * King Alpin overthrown in Battel by the Picts and slain * Kenneteus by a witty Invention engages his Nobles to make War upon the Picts * The
Picts being deserted by the English receive a great overthrow by the Scots * The Picts again routed by the Scots their King Drusken slain and their Kingdom abolished * Kennethus compared with both the Fergus's and reckoned the Third Founder of the Scotish Kingdom g The wholsome Laws made by Kenneth called Mac-Alpin-Laws because he was the Son of Alpin h The Country lâ—ing between the Tay and Dee i Aeneia all one with Angus k The Mearns lie alongst the East-Sea between Dâ—e and North-Esk l It stands on the North-side of Forth in Pâ—rthshire m A Town lying on the beginning or head of a point of Land that runs into the West-side of Loc◠〈◊〉 Otherwise called the Sheriâ—fdom of Bâ—â—wick Edinburgh hath several Names p The Story of the Marble Stone on which the Scotch Kings were anciently Crowned q An Abby on the North-side of 〈◊〉 a Miâ—e above Perth r The Ancient Scots Bishops not Diocesaâ—s a Donaldus's Licentiousness b It gives opportunity to the Picts to solicite Aid from Osbreth in England c Osbreth overthrown by the Scots but his Men rallying overcome the Scots when secure after their Victory d Peace granted upon hard Terms to the Scots e The Picts driven out of Albium and never recalled * Sterling Money * Donald cast into prison where he dies * Ecclesiasticks Reformed by Constantine f Drunkenness Punished with Death g Evenus put to Death for conspiring against Constantine h The Danes Invade Scotland are worsted at first yet afterwards overthrow Constantine who was slain by them * On the East-point of Fife a Sea-Monks a prodigious sort of Fish swimming in Sholes always portending some Evil. b Ethus for his Viciousness forced to abjure the Government c Gregory overcomes the Picts and Danes * In Annandale d And the Brittons also causing them to restore Cumberland and Westmorland e Peace made between Aâ—â—red of Engâ—and and the Scots f The Iâ—ish break in upon Galway in Scotland g Which causes Gregory to follow them into 〈◊〉 h Where he takes Dundalk Tredagh and Dublin and then makes Peace with the Irish and returns i The Danes Fight a bloody Battel with the English and afterward turn Christians * A Town in Murry-land not far from Eâ—gin k Constantine taketh part with the Danes against the English * The Ancient Liberty of the Subâ—ect invaded l The Scots and Danes are overcome by the Policy of Athelstan of England m Who recovers from them Westmerland Cumberland and Northumberland which yet soon after reâ—oâ—t to thâ—â—â— old Mastâ—â—s * Constantine resigns the Kingdom * Culdeâ—s perhaps contracted from Cultores Dei or Kelds Who n Malcolm sometimes fâ—â—s in Courts of Justice himself o He is slain p The Danes Land in Scotland q Indulfus Slain in a Fight with the Danes r Murmurings against King Duffus 〈…〉 King Duffus Hoâ— and by Whom * A Tour in Murry-land 〈…〉 * King Duffus treacherously Murdered by Donald and his Wife * In Murry-land * A Traditional Opinion still obtaining Especially if the Murtherer touch the Murdered Body * Prodigies upon the Murder of Duffus awaken the Estates to revenge it * The Murderers of Duffus apprehended and executed Culen leâ—s loose the reinâ— to Voluptnousness and indeavours to justifie it in hâ—mself and the young Nobility His Intemperance enfeebles his Body * Lust a punishment to itself Culenus Summoned to appear at Scene * Or Meffen lying on the River Aâ—mond Two Miles above its Confluence with Tâ—â— Three Miles above Perth He is slain by a Thane for Vitiating his Daughter * Thâ—â—e was a 〈◊〉 of Dignity amongst the Old Scots and Picts before them equal with a Baron now Mr. Seldeâ— judges it to come from a Saxon rooâ— His Office was like that of a Sheriff amongst us to gather up the King 's Revenu Or as an Under-Steward to pay it in to the Lord High Steward who was called Abâ—hane * Thâ—â—e was a 〈◊〉 of Dignity amongst the Old Scots and Picts before them equal with a Baron now Mr. Seldeâ— judges it to come from a Saxon rooâ— His Office was like that of a Sheriff amongst us to gather up the King 's Revenu Or as an Under-Steward to pay it in to the Lord High Steward who was called Abâ—hane Illustrating 〈◊〉 upon Philosophical 〈◊〉 * The right Method for Publick Reformations is for Princes to begin at home as K. Kenneth the 3d did * On the Banks of Clyd 5 Miles above Hamilton Kenneth politickly circumvents his Nobility at Scone and causes them to Reform their Clandships * Red-Head A Danish Fleet appears upon the Coast Crathilinthusâ—â—â—ses â—â—â—ses a disturbance in Scotland * But is suppressed and put to Death Kenneth embrues his Hands in the Blood of the hopeful Prince and his Kinsman 〈◊〉 Kenneth III. endeavours to alter the old Law concerning Succession of the Crown and to make it Hereditary And carries the Point Kenneth troubled in Conscience for his Murder of Malcoâ—m An Apparition and Voâ—â—e to Kenneth Mock-Plaisters applied to Kenneth's wounded Conscience by Sâ—perstitious Ecclesiasticks * Situate at the Foot of Clermont in Mern * A strange Mechanical Statue or Engine * Kenneth slain by Fenella * Constantine inveighs against the Law made by Kenneth about the Hereditary Succession to the Crown with his Reasons to back his Opinion * Malcolm Competitor with Constantine for the Crown * Or Almond-water dividing Mid-Lothian from West-Lothian or Linlithgoshire Constantine slain * An Agreement made between Malcolm and Grimus conâ—erning the Crown * Grime having broken the Agreement with Malcolm is overthrown by him in Battel * The Law concerning Hereditary Succession to the Crown Confirmed Sueno or Swain coming into Scotland obtains Aid there against Engâ—and * Sâ—edes Danes Laps and Norts were anciently so called * The Danes enter Scotland and overthrow King Malcolm in Battel * A Burgh or Burough * A Village on the West of the River Fâ—ddick near Balvany * The Danes overthrown by the Scots and their Generaâ— Eneâ—â—s slâ—â—n * Called Redhead Ridhead or Reedhead * Bâ—mbreid in the midway between Dundee and Aberbrothock * The Danes under their General Camus receive another overthrow from the Scots * On the River South-Esk in Angus * Canutus sent by Swain into Scotland * A Third desperate Battel between the Danes under Canutus their General and the Scots * Which produceth Conditions of Peace between Them * The Originals of Wardships * New Titles of Honour * About four Miles South of Forfar * King Malcolm Murdered * The Chief Town of Angus * K. Malcolm's Murderers drowned in their Flight Prodigies Descants by way of Reflection upon the Law of Kenneth about Hereditary Succession to the Crown * Abthane or great Thane is the Chief above all other Thanes which receives the King's Revenue as Lord High Treasurer from the other Thanes Donaldâ—ust â—ust Government both to Râ—ch and Poor * One Mac-duald Rebels
English Camp and does Execution The English Army Retreats Cruelty to Prisoners Iune 24. A Peace concluded between the Scots and English with the Conditions thereof Bâ—â—ce's last Will and Testament His Three Advices to his Successors wâ—th the Reasons upon which they were grounded 〈◊〉 Bruce's Vow to assist in the Holy War recommended to Douglas to perform Bruce would have his Heart buried at Ierusalem Douglas in his Voyage to Ierusalem assists the Spaniards against the Moors and was there slain Bruce his high Encomiâ—ms Iuly 9 th Randolf made Regent or Guardian November 24. * Situate near the Irish Sea He executes a Murderer though he had the Popes Pardon A notable Law made by the Regent to prevent Theiving The Collusive Cheat of a Country Man punished Stâ—ict Laws made by the Regent * In Tâ—vâ—otdaâ—â— A Monk Poysons Randolf with a slow-working-dose Edward marches for Scotland Edward punishes the Monk because his Poyson did not kill Randolf as soon as he said it would Edward retreats Iuly 20. Randolf's death and Character Duncan Earl of Marr made Guardian in Randolfs Place August 2. Iuly 31. Edward Baliol appears on the Scots Coast. * The Story of Twine or Tuenam Loresâ—n He stirs up Edward Baliol then in France to invade Scotland Edward Baliol Lands in Scotland * A Burgh on the North side of Firthâ—n â—n Fife over against Lâ—â—th in â—othâ—an August 〈◊〉 He overthrows Alexander Seaton In Strathernâ— And afterwards beats the Regent Himself making great slaughter of his men and himself being also slain Edward Baliol Declared King Aug. 25. K. David Bruce in his Minority to secure him sent to France Murray made Regent by K. David's Party A Castle standing on the North Bank of the River Ear in Strathern Built on the side of the River Don. Perth Walls demolished A County in the South of Scotland not far from Northumberland A Town in the head of Annandale near the source of the River Annan Baliol like to be surprized by Archibald Douglas Dec. 25. The Brucianâ— prevail against the Baliolans and Declare War against England The Brucian Nobles divide the Provinces they were to Govern And Declare War against Franâ—â— The King of England espouses Baliol's Cause and invaded Scotland His Pretensions for the War He claims Berwick The Scots Answer to the 〈◊〉 The English besieges Berwick * Apâ—iâ— 13. A Capitulation with the English about the surrender of Bâ—rwick Iuly the 30. Archibald Doâ—â—las made Regent by 〈◊〉 Party He makes inroads into England And comâ—â— near the Eâ—â—lish Army 〈◊〉 Berwiâ—â— Alexander Seatons Sons threatned to be put to Death unless he surrendred Berwick His Wife incourages him to part with his Children rather than the Town Alexanders Children put to Death by a Sâ—mmum jus as some think The Scots overthrown near Berwick Bâ—â—wick Surrendred to the English Edward pufft up with hiâ— Success refuses to hear foreign Ambassadors who were sent to mediate â— Peace Dissensions between the English in Scotland occasion a War * Now demolished The Nobles Bandy against Baliol. And Baliol against them Iohn Sterlin besieges the Castle at Loch-Leven * A Veteri poâ—â—e But the Governor beats him off and raises the Siege Edward enters Scotland again but retreatâ— and 〈…〉 with him to 〈…〉 General in Scotland Robert Stuart and Calen Cambel rise in Arms for Bruce and make Prosperous Beginnings Robert Stuart and Iohn Randolf made Regents in behalf of David Bruce In Teviotdale April 1. A Fewd between Douglas and Cumins Edward invades Scotland * 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 Provinces The Gueldrians Auxiliaries to the English overthrown by Randolfe Randolf taken Prisoner Cumin's large Promises to Edward Perth taken by Edward Edward 〈◊〉 to England Cumins left Regent by him in Scotland In Marr. * On the side of the River Don in Marr. Cumin's Army overthrown and himself slain Murray made Regent The English again enter Scotland Standing on a Rock in the Sea And upon their Retreat leave Edâ— Baâ—iol their General A strong Castle in Buchan Mâ—rray's prosperous Succeâ—sâ—s 〈◊〉 Cruelty Salisbury and Aruâ—del Command some English in Scotland Monfort slain by Preston A piece of Savage Inhumanity Talbot overthrown by Keâ—th Dunbar resâ—ved and the Siege raised Murray the Regent dyes Stuart made Regent His prosperous Beginnings He Saâ—lâ— over to David then in France At his return he Levies an Army Bullock turns to the Scots Perth taken by the Scots so is Sterlin And Edinburgh Castle by Stratagem Aâ—ex Ramsays House the School of War His Expedition into England He harasses Northumberland And takes Roxburgh * The Earl of Salisbury taken Prisoner by the Scots as some say * It is 3 Miles in Compass Three Governors of the Borders The English driven out of all Scotland except Berwick * Iuly 2. K. David returns to Scotland Edward enters Scotland with a great Army Embassadors from Scotland obtain a Pacification Iune 1. The Scots Nobles stock in to David A Town in Teviotdale Ramsay taken and starved to Death by Douglas Bullock put to Death Douglas pardoned David makes several Expeditions into England A Truce for two Years betwixt the Scots and English Calais besieged by the English See p. 4. Note i. David at the solicitation of the French enters England with an Army Where he receives a great overthrow and is taken Prisoner by Iohn Capland Upon which the English regain a great part of Scotland A strong Pass on the Sea shore in that Bourn which divides East-Lothian from the Meâ—â—s A Plague in Scotland Bloody Feude Douglas prevails against the English Iohn of France persuades the Scots to make no Peace with the English but by his Consent The English waste Lothian Norham burnt by the Scots The English drawn into an Ambush Berwick Town taken by the Scots but not the Castle Edward enters Scotland Baliol Surrenders the Kingdom to him Edward retreats upon which the Scots recover some of their Losses Edward overthrows â—ohn of France in Aquitaâ—n and hath two Kings his Prisoners at one time 〈◊〉 Bruce â—â—eased upon pâ—ying a great Ransom wherein the Pope assists the Sâ—â—ts David settles the Succession first on Alexander and then on Robert Stuart Great Inundations of Water endammage Lothian A Grievous Pestilence Eight Prudent Persons chosen out of all the Orders to prepare Matters for that High Court Davids unacceptable Propositions to the Scots Davids Policy to subvert the Islanders His Death and Character William's Son Marries Eufemia the Kings Daughter August 11. New Discordâ— betwixt the Scots and English Lilburn overthrown A Town in the Merss six Miles Northwest from Berwick Iohn Scotus born at Duns Percy enters Scotland They run from the Scots Sea to 〈◊〉 and divide 〈◊〉 from Lothian Percâ—'s Horse are affrighted with rattling Instruments and 〈◊〉 The 〈…〉 Robert upon his Queens decease Marries Elizabeth More by whom he had Children before whom he prefers to great 〈◊〉 Edward the Third dies and his Grandchild Richard the Second succeeds him Ambassadors from Charles
Head sent to the K. from Ireland The King reforms Publick Manners He also rectifies Weights and Measures His Queen brings forth Twins Doâ—glaâ— and Kennedy released from Prison He reforms the Ecclesiasticaâ— Estate Which was Wofully degenerated and corrupted He Erects Publick Schools and is present himself at their Disputations Parish Priests and Begging Friers the Causes of the Decay of Ecclesiastical Discipline with the Manner how King Iames aims to prefer only Worthy Persons to Benefices and Church Preferments He invites Tradesmen out of Flanders Luxury and Prodigality the trust of Idleness Robert and Murdo affect the Throne Murdo and his Sons put to Death The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his Exploits Exceptions taken against Iames. A Castle standing upon the Tâ—ne 3 Miles below Hadington The Dispute between Robert's Legitimate and Natural Children occasion great Troubles The Earl of Athol's Ambition A Town of Normandy in France Plots against Iames. Upon the Account of Wardships c. Embassadors from France and England to Scotland The Scots joyn with the French against England Iames Marries his Daugâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 oâ— France and sends her thither A Stately City on the Lâ—â—r The English Writers imputing Perfidiousness to Iames are blamed by this Author and their Reflections upon him Wiped off In Champaign in France A Fight between the Sâ—â—ts and Engâ—ish Iames enters England but retires upon notice of a Conspiracy formed against him by his own Kindred K. Iames Cruelly Assassinated His Death highly lamented with his Laudable Character Earl of 〈◊〉 and other of Iames's Murderers Tortured and Executed Descants upon such severe Executions Marchâ—7 â—7 Alexander Levingston made Regent William Creigton made Chancellor Douglas labours to imbroil things The Râ—gent and Chancellor disâ—gree The Queen by Policie get the Kings Person out of the Chancellors Power * Situate below â—anton Bridge on the Ti ne in 〈◊〉 Lothian The Chancellor highly accused And besieged in Edinburgh Castle The Chancellor craves Aid of Douglas But receives an affronting Answer from him Whereupon he agrees with the Regent And sâ—rrenâ—ers up Edinburgh Castle September 29. Lying on the River 〈◊〉 in Cuningham Iuly 9. Deadly â—ewds The 〈◊〉 of Archibaâ—d Dougâ—as With the Profuseness of his young Heir * Or Lâ—ther a great and ancient Family in Lothian The Queen with her Husband Iames Stuart and others committed to Prison August 2. August 31. But she is Releast again The Aebudians ravage the Continent A Two years Pestilence in Scotland The Râ—gent and Câ—â—â—cellor again Disagree The Chancellor surprâ—zes the Kings Person The Regent being out-Witted by the Chancellor inwardly frets And Meditates a Reconciliation with him His Condescending Haâ—angue to the Chancellor A New Knot of Amity between the Regent and the Chancellor The Miseries of the Commons Occasioned Principally by the Earl of Douglas Where he and his Brother David were slain William Douglas Marries Beatrix his Uncles Daughter The high 〈◊〉 oâ— Thieves Dunbarton Castle twice surprized King Iames being of Age enters on the Government Douglas throws himself at the Kings Feet acknowledges his Offences is Pardoned and Received into Favour The Regent and Chancellor lay down their Offices Douglas by his Power at Court summons them to Appear They excusing themselves are declared publick Enemies * Oâ— Forester In Mid-Lothian two 〈◊〉 West of Edinburgh A Town on the River 〈◊〉 West-Lothian A Castle standing on a Rock lying near the Firth of Forâ—h above Abercorn Creighton late Chancelor defends himself by force Douglas incensed against Creighton's Friends The Clans of the Lindsys and Ogilbys Fight Ian. 24. The Lindsys prevail Iuly 15. Creighton received into Favour and is made Chancellor again Deadly Fewds betwixt particular Persons and Families An Abby in Lennâ—x A Castle standing upon Tine near Hardington Douglas attempts the Levingstons of whom Iames is put to Death c. Creighton sent Embassador to France The Bishop of Glasco frightned by a Voice from Heaven for his wicked Life which does him to Death Iames Kennedy retires from a Corrupt Court Dunbar E. of Murray Dies and Archibald Douglas succeed◠〈◊〉 A Barony â—â—ing on the 〈◊〉 Spey The immoderate Power of the Douglas's eâ—poses them to Envy The Miserable Estate of the Commons under Douglas Mutual Incursions betwixt the Scots and English Or Saâ—s The English overthrown by the Scots A Truce between the Scots and English Iames Married to Mary of Gelderland Colvil put to Death by Douglas Douglas goes vain-gloriously in a year oâ— Iubilee to Rome In his absence his Enemies sue him and 〈◊〉 Damages for wrongâ— received Which are answered out of his Estate Douglas at his return from Rome received into Favour And made Regent Douglas gives Iames new occasion of Suspicion Douglas design against Creighton's Life 〈◊〉 deâ—ends himself 〈…〉 Douglas joyns with Craford and Ross. He provokes the King In the Case of Herris And Macklan Douglas on safe Conduct comes to Court Where the King Stabs him with his own Hand Mâ—rch 27. Whereupon the rest of the 〈◊〉 rise in Arms. The Douglasâ—â— proclaimed publick Enemies Iames Douglas Marries his Brothers Wife A Famine and Pestilence in Scotland Douglas persuaded to a Reconciliation with the King Which he refuses Craford forsakes Douglas and is pardoned by the King Douglas applys to England for Aid but in vain Hâ—milton 〈◊〉 Douglas * Standing upon Nâ—â—th-Esk in Mid-Lâ—thiâ—n 4 Miles above Daâ—keith Iune 5. Douglas joyns with the Enlish and then with Donald the Islander Douglas's Wife forsakes him and 〈◊〉 to the King Lying on the River Spâ—â— So doth Donald's Wiâ—e too In Mid-Lothian Thornton put to death for Murder The death of Will. Creightoâ— A Party of English worâ—â—ed in Scotland Donald the Islander submits to the King The English Nobles crave Aid of Iames against Henry their King He marches to their Assistance but is diverted by a Counteâ—feit Leâ—at from Rome Iames takes Roxborough Town And besieges the Castle Where he is casually slain The Queen shews Herself a virago immediately after her Husbands Death Roxburgh Castle Surrendred and Demolisht Iames II. his Character Iames III. begins his Reign about 7 years of Age. Henry of Enggland taken Prisoner by the Duke of York York overthrown by the Queen So is Warwick The Queen overthrown and flies witâ— her Husband into Scotland Berwick surrendred to the Scots by King Henry Henry's Queen sues for Foreign Aid * Or Renny Which having obtained 〈◊〉 enters Scotland and England again Holy-Isle seven miles South-East of Berwick on the Coast of Northumberland Henry's Army overthrown at Hexham Alnwick Castle besieged and Douglas's gallantry in bringing off the Garison Henry of England taken Prisoner and his Queen 〈◊〉 Disputes in the Assembly of Estates about the Regency Which the Queen claimâ— But Kennedy and Douglas oppose A Truce for a Month betwixt the Parties The Commonalty dislike the Queens Regency The Queens Plea for the Regency Kennedys Grave and Prolix Oration in Answer thereunto Queen of Palmira a City in Syria now called Faid
prevented and how * On the North-west of Spain in the Cantabrian Ocean Henry of England wars against France Andrew Forman sent into England by Iames to pick a Quarrel And from thence into France Hamilton sent with a Fleet to France but turns to Knockfergus in Ireland Hamilton at last arrives in France * Little Britain lying in the Chanel on the Northwest of France Robert Car severe against Moss-Troopers He is slain †Standing on a Rock above the Firth of Forth * In Northumberland The Murderers of Robert Carr escape not unpunished The Story of Andrew Breton A sharp Fight between the English Admiral and Breton where Breton was slain K. Iames complains to Henry of Breton's Death Alexander Hume marches with a Party into England But is worsted in his Retreat K. Iames resolves a War against England The pretended Causes of the War K. Henry's Answer to King Iames's Herald A strange Apparition of an old Man forbidding K. Iames to proceed in his War with England * A place near Cowper in Fife Yet he proceeds and enters England below Ouler in Northumberland The English challenge him to give them Battel The French Embassador presses Iames on to a Battel * In Northumberland K. Iames resolved to fight Which Earl Douglas disswaded him from in an Oration Repartees between the King and Douglas concerning a present Fight Earl Douglass in discontent retires * Or Floddonhill lying between the Town of Ouler and the River of Tweed †In Northumberland on the North side of the River Blico three miles above Stannington-Bridg ‖ Or Milfeild Flodden Fight and the Manner of it described Various Reports concerning K. Iames's Death Howard Earl of Surrey General against the Scots at Flodden falls afterwards into Disgrace The Character of K. Iames the Fourth Scots Nobility all anciently had Skill in Chirurgery Iames the 5 th of about 2 years old proclaimed King The Ambition of Alexander Hume * Q. Margaret the first Female Regent in Scotland She loses her Regency by her Marriage Three Competitors for the Archbishoprick of St. Andrews Douglas Hepburn and Forman * Lying within two Miles of Aymouth in the Merss near the Scotish Sea The Nobility divided about choosing a Regent in the room of Q. Margaret * Iohn Duke of Albany then in France chosen Regent †A little Town in Cuningham standing on the Firth of Clyd Iohn Duke of Albany the new Regent arrives in Scotland Peter Muffat a noted Robber punished * Hepburn insinuates himself into the new Regent Douglas Hume and Forman accused by Hepburn as the Three â—eads of the then Factions * Hume * Hume in discontent applies himself to the Queen and Douglas * Hume's Design disappointed Three Governors over the young King the Queen and Douglas being displaced * Hume the Queen and Douglas fly into England But upon Reconciliation with the Regent return home again (a) Alexander Hume raises an Insurrection But submits and is made Prisoner He escapes and creates further Disturbances But is quelled with his Party Both the Hume's come to Court Are imprison'd Tryed and Executed (c) Chiefly by the Instigation of Iohn Hepburn (d) Andrew Car escapes out of Prison The Regent desires leave to pass over into France * He appoints seven Deputies to govern in his absence (f) Q. Margaret returns to Scotland * Or Inse-Garvy a fortify'd Rock lying in the middle of the Forth or Scotish Sea (g) A Town in the Merss a mile west of Duns (h) Wederburn in the Merss (i) Darcy slain by David Hunt (k) Discord between Douglas Earl of Angus and Andrew Car. (l) Archibald Douglas surrenders up his Government (m) The Western Nobles conspire to apprehend the Earl of Angus (n) But he defends himself by force and worsts them (o) The Regent after 5 Years absence returns from France * In Mid-Lothian (p) The Regent raise an Army against England (q) But the Nobility oppose his Design Whereupon he claps up a Truce with the English and râ—treats The Regent a second time goes into France A Skirmish between the French and English Fleeâ—â— The Earl of Surry with an Army ravages over part of Scotland Iedburgh taken by the English A strange Fright among the Horses of the English Army The English Army retreats The Regent arrives in Scotland from France a second time Q. Margaret with her Brother Henry the 8 th of England persuade the Scots to break with the French with their Arguments to inforce it But the French Faction in Scotland oppose in with their Reasons Cardinal Woolsy a self-ended and ambitious Statesman * The Regent again marches with an Army into England †Besieges Werke-Castle is repulsed and retreats ‖ Werke-Castle described * In the 〈◊〉 near 〈◊〉 Castle * The Regent undertakes his third Voyage into France ‖ In his absence the young King enters upon the Government * And vacates the Regents Power †Margarite's Husband returns from France through England into Scotland ‖ He with his Partisans seize on the young King and manage the Government * Three Moderators of the Kingdom Douglas Stuart and Cambel †But Douglas soon ouâ—â— the other Two At which the Nobility is much discontented and endeavour to take the King by Force out of his Hands * Walter Scot overthrown by the Douglasses in his Endeavours to free the King ‖ Iohn Stuaâ—t Earl of Lennox with the King's Privity renews the Design of redeeming the King from the Douglasses * A Mile above the Bridg near Linlithgo ‖ Lennox fights with the Douglassians and Hamiltonians is worsted and slain Great Severity used by the Douglasses against Lennox's Party * The couragious Answer of Hugh Kennedy in behalf of Gilbert Earl of Cassils The bold Attempt of an Under-Groom to destroy Iames Hamilton in Revenge of his Master's the Earl of Lennox his Death The Groom apprehended and tortured yet dies very resolutely Patrick Hamilton nobly descended put to Death upon the account of Religion * The strange Death of Alexander Cambel the self-condemned Persecutor of Patrick Hamilton * The King frees himself from the Douglasses * Or Falcoland about the middle of Fife The Douglasses forbidden by Proclamation to intermeddle in the Government New Officers at Court ‖ August 26. * In East-Lothian opposite to the Bass-Isle †In Sterlingshire not far from Toâ— wood ‖ The Douglasses arm in desperation * In Lothian †About four Miles South of Dalkeith ‖ November 21. * A Town lying in the Firth or Forth in East-Lothian four Miles South of Dunbar †Tantallon-Castle besieged by the King ‖ In the Author it is Tantallon but I judg it to be a Mistake of the Transcriber for Duâ—bar * The Siege of Tantallon raised †Within two Miles of Eymouth in the Moss ‖ The Douglasses forced to fly into England * Embassadors from England to piece up an Accommodation between King Iames and the Douglasses †In Twidale ‖ Iames Earl of Murray
present Duke of York and Vice-roy of the Kingdom of England Iames willingly assented to such large and alluring Promises and accordingly fixt a day for the Interview But there were two Factions which resolved to oppose his Journy for England First the Hamiltons who secretly laboured to keep the King from marrying that so they being the next Heirs he might have no Children to exclude them from the Succession And next the Priests also were mightily against it and their Pretences were seemingly just and honest as first the danger he would run if with a small Retinue he should put himself into the Power of his old Enemy for then he must comply with his Will though it were never so much against his Own They also recited the Examples of his Ancestors who either by their own Credulity or else by the Perfidiousness of the Enemy were drawn into a Nouse and from flattering Promises of Friendship had brought home nothing but Ignominy and Loss They also urg'd the unhappy Mistake of Iames the First who in a time of Truce landing as he thought in his Friends Country was there kept Prisoner eighteen Years and at last had such Conditions imposed upon him which he neither lawfully could nor ought to have accepted and then said they he was avariciously sold to his own Subjects Moreover first Malcolm after him his Brother William Kings of Scotland were brought on the Stage who were inticed to London by Henry the 2 d. and then carried over into France to make a shew of assisting in a War there against the French King their old Ally But say they if it be objected Henry the 8 th will do none of these things they answered first How shall we be assured of that next Is it not a point of high Imprudence to venture ones Fortune Life and Dignity which are now in ones own Power into the Hands of another Besides the Priests saw that all their Concerns were now at stake and therefore they must now or never stand up for them in order whereto they caused Iames Beton Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and George Creighton Bishop of Dunkelden two old decrepit Men to come to Court there to baul it out That Religion would be betrayed by this Meeting and Interview even That Religion said they which had been observed so many Ages by their Ancestors and which had all along preserved its Defenders till now The Ruin of which would be attended with the total Destruction of the Kingdom also to forsake that Religion upon every light Grounds especially in such a time wherein the whole World doth conspire together with Arms in their Hands for its Preservation could not be done without great Danger at present and Infamy for future yea it would be a thing of great Wickedness and Impiety also With these Engines they battered Iames's Mind which of it self was inclined enough to Superstition and moreover they corrupted those Courtiers who could do most with him desiring them in their Names to promise him a great Sum of Mony so that hereby they wholly turned away his Mind from the Thoughts of an Interview Henry took this Disappointment in great Disdain as indeed he had reason so to do and thus the Seeds of Dissension were again sown between the two Kings In the mean time the King was weary of his single Life and by reason of foreign Embassies and his Court-Distractions at home was variously agitated in his Thoughts all pretended the publick Good but some aimed at their own private Advantage under that Vail and though many persuaded him to an Affinity with Charles in regard of the flourishing Estate of the Empire at that time yet he rather inclined to an Alliance with France And therefore seeing the matter could not be ended by Embassadors he himself resolved to sail over into France and accordingly rigging out a small Navy the best he could fit in so short a time on the 26 th of Iuly he set Sail from Leith none knowing whither he would go many were of opinion that his Design was for England to visit his Uncle and to ask him pardon for disappointing the Interview agreed on the Year before But a Tempest arising and being also toss'd with contrary Winds the Pilot ask'd him what course he should steer If there be a necessity said he Land me any where but in England Then his Mind was understood He might have return'd home but he was willing rather to sail round Scotland and to try the Western Ocean there also he had very bad Weather and by the advice of a few of his Domesticks as he was asleep he was carried back again when he was awake he took the matter in such great Indignation that for ever after he bore an implacable Hatred against Iames Hamilton whom he also disgusted before upon the account of the killing the Earl of Lennox neither was he well pleased with the rest of the Authors of that Counsel ever after and there were some who in compliance with the King 's angry Humour buzz'd him in the Ears That the Hamiltons under a pretence of a serviceable Attendance and Duty had accompany'd him on purpose to undermine his Voyage However he put to Sea again with a great Train of Nobles September the 1 st and in ten days arrived at Diep in Normandy from thence that he might prevent the News of his Arrival he went disguis'd and in great speed to the Town of Vendosme where the Duke then was and saw his Daughter which pleased him not so that he presently made haste to Court he came unexpectedly upon Francis and the whole Court and yet was honourably receiv'd by him and on the 26 th of November almost against his Will he bestow'd in Marriage his Daughter Magdalene upon him For her Father as I related before judging his eldest Daughter by reason of her sickly temper unfit to bear Children offer'd him his youngest or any other Woman of the French Nobility for a Wife but Iames and Magdalene had contracted a Friendship by Messengers which was confirmed by the mutual Sight Meeting and Discourse one with another so that neither of them could be diverted from their purpose The Marriage was celebrated Ianuary the 1 st in the Year 1537 to the great Joy of all and they both arrived in Scotland the 28 th of May being attended by a French Navy She lived not long after but died of an Hectick Feaver Iuly the 7 th to the great Grief of all except the Priests for they feared that her Life would have put an end to their Luxury and Ambition because they knew she was educated under the Discipline of her Aunt the Queen of Navar. As for others they conceiv'd such a Grief for her Death that then as I think Mourning Garments began first to be used in Scotland which yet after forty Years do scarce continue to be worn though the publick Manners do decline and seem to require it