possibly best to be considered in the Negative We find many things done by his Captains not by him which notwithstanding we may rather attribute to the stirring and violent humour of that age than either his age want of Genius or love of quiet yet herein appears somewhat of his Character that meeting with turbulent times and a martial people he met not with any Insurrections and was a gainer and though he did it by other hands we must suppose that their Motions were directed by his Brain that communicated Motion and Spirits unto them since the Minds of Kings like the first Mover turn all about yet are not perceived to move and it was no humane wit said their hearts were unscruitable The same year his Eldest Son Iohn was called to succeed who thinking that name ominous to Kings and there wanted not examples as of him of England and him of France and fancying somewhat of the felicity of the two former Roberts was crowned King by the name of ROBERT the III. This man being unactive the weight of the Government rested upon his Brother Robert The first seven years of his Reign past in a calm with England by reason of two Truces but not without some fierce fewds among his Subjects one whereof was very memorable between Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and Iames Lindsay Earl of Crawford and was most high insomuch that seeing the difficulty of reducing them he resolved to make this proposition to them That 300. of each side should try it by dint of Sword before the King the conquered to be pardoned and the Conquerour advanced This being agreed on a place was appointed on the Northside of St. Iohnstons but when they came to join battel there was one of one side missing whom when his party could not supply and none would relinguish the other a Tradesman stept out and for half a French Crown and promise of maintenance for his life filled up the company The fight was furious but none behaved himself more furiously than the Mercinary Champion who they say was the greatest cause of the Victory for of his side there remained ten grievously wounded the other party had but one left who not being wounded yet being unable to sustain the shock of the other threw himself into the Tey and escaped By this means the fiercest of two Clanns being cut off the remainder being headless 1398. were quiet Two years after the King in Parliament made his two Sons Dukes a title then first brought into Scotland Next year Richard the second of England being forced to resign Henry the fourth succeeded in the beginning of whose reign though the Truce was not ended the seeds of War began to bloom out and upon this occasion George Earl of March had betroathed Elizabeth his Daughter to David the Kings eldest Son Archibald Earl of Dowglas not brooking this gets a vote of Parliament for revocation of this mariage and by the power of Robert the Kings Brother made a mariage between Mary his Daughter and David and giving a greater sum got it confirmed in Parliament The Earl of March nettled at this demands redress but being not heard leaves the Court and with his Family and Friends goes into England to the Lord Peircey an utter Enemy of the Dowglasses wasts March and especially depradating the lands of the Dowglasses The Scots declare the Earl of March an enemy and send to demand him up of the English who deny to surrender him This made Hot-spur Peircey and March make several incursions into Scotland till at last they were repulsed at Linton-Bridge by the Dowglasses 1400. This was about the year four hundred at which time War was denounced and the English entered with a great Army took Haddington and Lieth and laid siege to Edenburgh Castle David the Kings Son being within it which the new Governour ambitiously delaying to relieve the English satisfyed with the terrour they brought retired again After which March did not cease his little incursions which to be revenged of Dowglas divided his forces into two Squadrons the first to Halyburton who returned from Barmborough with some prey the second and greater to Patrick Hepburn who unwarily roving with his prey was set on by the English and with all the youth of Lothian put to the Sword To revenge this Dowglas gets together 10000. men and passing beyond Newcastle met with young Peircey c. who at Homildon a little village in Northumberland in the year 1401 gave him and his Party such a considerable defeat as Scotland had not receiv'd the like for a long time This put Peircey in hopes to reduce all beyond the Fryth but the troubles at home withdrew him from that design By this Annabel the Queen dying David her Son who by her means had been restrained broke out into his natural disorders and committed all kind of Rapine and Luxury Complaint being brought to his Father he commits him to his Brother the Governor whose secret design being to root out the off-spring the business was so ordered as that the young man was shut up in Falkland Castle to be starved which yet was for a while delayed one woman thrusting in some thin Oaten Cakes at a chink another giving him milk out of her papps through a Trunck But both these being discovered the youth being forced to tear his own members dyed of a multiplied death which murder being whispered to the King and the King enquiring after it was so abused by the false representations of his Brother that grief and imprecations was all the Relief he had left him as being now retired sickly to Bote-Castle and unable to punish him The King being solicitous of Iames his younger Son is resolved by the example of the good usage of David to send him to Charls the sixt of France having taken Shipping at the Basse as he past by the Promontory of Flamborough whether forc'd by tempest or that he was Seasick he was forced to land taken by the English and detained notwithstanding the allegation of a Truce of eight years and his Fathers Letters And though it came to the Privy-Council to be debated yet his detention was carried in the Affirmative This advantage he had by his Captivity that he was well and carefully educated but the News so struck his Father that he had almost presently dyed but being carried into his Chamber with voluntary abstinence and sorrow he shortned his life three daies longer viz. to the first of April 1406. â—e was a man of a goodly and a comely personage one rather sit for the tranquillity of a private life than the agitations of Royalty and indeed such an one whose Reigns do little else but fill up Chronologies with the number of their years Upon this the Parliament confirm Robert for Governour a man of parts able enough for that employment but a man of such a violent and inveterate ambition as would sacrifise any thing to make it fuel to it self Soon
Streets out of Windows furnished him he invested a part of the Town and barricadoed some Lanes with Carts and other impediments which the time did afford The adverse party trusting go their number and the supply of the Citizens who calling to mind the slaughter of their Deacon shew them small favour disdaining the Earl should thus muster on the Streets in great fury invade him Whilst the bickering continued and the Town is in a Tumult William Dowglas brother to the Earl of Angus Sir David Hume of Wedderburn George Hume brother to the late Lord with many others by blood and Friendship tyed together enter by violence the East Gate of the Town the Citizens making small resistance force their passage through the throngs seek the Earls enemies find them scoure the streets of them The Master of Montgomery eldest Sonne to the Earl of Eglintoun Sir Patrick Hamiltun Brother to the Earl of Arran with almost fourscour more are left dead upon the place The Earl himself findeth an escape and place of retreat through a Marsh upon the North side of the Town The Chancelour and his retinue took Sanctuary in the Dominican Fryers the tumult by the slaughter of some and flight of others appeased the Earl of Angus now freed of danger licensed all who pleased without further pursuit peaceably to leave the Town of Edenburgh and return to their own Houses Some daies after the Humes well banded and backed with many Nobles and Gentlemen of their linage by the Earl of Angus consent took the Lord Humes and his brothers heads from the place where they had been fixt and with the funeral Rites of those times interr'd them in the Black-Fryers The Earl of Angus having angled the peoples hearts by his Magnificence Wisdom Courage and Liberality his Faction began to bear greatest sway in the Kingdom For the continuance of which the King of England dealt most earnestly with the French King to keep the Duke of Albany still in France with him But the French had contrary designs And when the Duke understood the great discords of the Nobility of Scotland persons of Faction being advanced to places dangerous immunities being granted to the Commons France and England beginning to be tyred of their Peace and preparing for a new war to curb the Scottish Factions keep the Nation in quietness in it self by giving the Subjects other work abroad whilst common danger should break of particular discords Notwithstanding of the English Ships which lay in wait to take him after he had been about five years in France in November he arrived on the west coasts of Scotland at a place named Garloch The Governour comming to Edenburgh set himself to amend the enormities committed in his absence the Magistrates of the Town are deposed because in the late uproar they had been evil seconds to the Lords of the west when they went to surprize the Earl of Angus A Parliament is called to which many Noblemen and Gentlemen are cited to make appearance in February to be tryed and to answer for offences committed by them in the Governours absence The appointed time being come these who appeared not were indicted and â—led into England Amongst which and the chief were the Humes and Cockburns men Authors and accessary to the death of Sir Anthony Darcey The tyde now turning and mens affections changed the Earl of Angus with his brother Sir George Dowglâ—s by the intercession of the Queen are constrained to seek a Pardon which was obtained for them but with the condition that they should leave the Countrey and stay in France one whole year which they obeyed Others have recorded they were surprized in the night and in French Ships conveyed privately away Mr. Gaven Dowglas Bishop of Dunkell in the absence of his Nephew finding the Governour violent in the chase of the Faction of the Dowglasses fled privately to the Court of England where he gave informations to King Henry against him He alone had taken to him the custody of the young King the sequel wâ—ereof he much feared he was an irreconciliable enemy to the whole Family of the Dowglasses The principal cause of his comming to Scotland was to engage the Nation in a War against England that the English Should not assist the Emperour against the French King and make his Nation slaves to France This Bishop shortly after dyed at London and was buryed in the savoy Church having been a man noble valiant learned and an excellent Poet as his works yet extant testifie The King of England upon such informations sent Clarencieux King of Arms to Scotland to require the Duke to avoid the Country according to the Articles agreed upon between the French King and him in their last truce It belonged said Clarencieux to his Master to tender the life wellfare honour fortunes of his Nephew of none of which he could be assured so long as the Duke ruled and stayed in Scotland It was against all reason and unbeseeming the man should be sole Guardian to a King who was the next heir to the Crown how easily might he be tempted by opportunity to commit the like unnatural cruelty which some have done in the like case both in England and other parts of Europe if he loved his Nation and Prince as he gave out he required him to leave the Country which if he yield not unto but obstinately continued in a re resolution to stay he denounced from his Master present war He farther complained Thâ—t the Earl of Anguss who was King Henries Brother-in Law was by him banisht and detained in France That during the banishment of the Earl which had been neer a whole year the Duke had impâ—tuned his Sister the Queen with dishonest love The Governour answered Clarencieux That what the Kings of France and England agreed upon in their Treaties of Peace was to him uncertain but of this he was most certain That neither the King of England nor France had power to banish him a Forainer over whom their authority did not reach his native country like over like having no jurisdiction As concerning the King of Scotland who was yet young in years he reverenced him as his soveraign Lord and would keep and defend both him and his Kingdome according to his Conscience honour and bound duty that there were ever more men in the world who desired to be Kings than there were Kingdomes to be bestowed upon them of which number he was none having ever preferred a mean estate justly enjoyed before a Kingdome evil acquired For the Earl of Angus he had used all Courtesies towards him notwithstanding of his evil demerits not for his own sake he did confess but for the Queens sake whom he honoured and respected as the Mother of his Prince and towards whom he should continue his observance That the King of England needed not misdoubt he would attempt any thing should derogate from the honour of his sister that complements of meer curtesie in France might
were spent in light skirmishes and incursions and Thomas Randolph obtained the battel called the White and quieted the English Robert this time of Repose conven'd the Nobles intending to determine the rigâ—â— of inheritances which many men had unjustly usurped in the times of Rapine and Licence This brooded a Conspiracy which â—eing detected a meeting was appointed at Perth where by the Conviction of their own Papers many were executed some pardon'd but none drew more pitty from the Beholders than David Brechin the Kings Sisters Son whose acquaintance not concurrence with the Plot was only Criminal From whence we may consider That to be a Traytor is not actually to engage in Treason but to conceal it is to foment it for if in private Friendships it is infidelity not to reveal a danger to a friend it holds stronger as to the Magistrate who is not only our Common Friend but our Parent and Tutor since the seeds of all Treasons like them of Vegetables lurking quiâ—tly and arising fruitfully being cunningly manured do by the Co-operation of bad influâ—nces grow up into poisons and threaten destruction where as the Sovereign Power enlivening and peiroing all cherishes the more Noble things and only discovers the imperfection of the meaner In the mean time a Legate comming from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See whose force even that age had wit enough to discern to threaten them into a peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marcht as far as Stainmore The K. of England in revenge raises an Army so potent and powerful that it might be supposed they came for absolute victory not uncertain hazard Robert therefore like a wise Captain considering that it was Stratagem not force that must preserve him safe from so great a storm caused all the Cattel to be carryed into the avious retreats of the Hills lest they might be serviceable to the Enemy who confident of their strength peirced Scotland and endeavoured to draw him and his Forces out of their Holes But having wasted all about sparing only Churches and wanting Victuals were forced to retire Bruce knowing this disorderly retreat pursues them as far as York and by a great defeat was Master of their Baggage and some Considerable Prisoners the great occasion of which was imputed to Sir Andrew Barcley Earl of Carlisle who was therefore degraded This begat two Embassyes one to the Papacy for a Reconciliation to it and the other to France for a Renovation of the old League both which were obtained with equal easiness with this addition to the latter That the King of France should be Umpire in controversies concerning the Crown of Scotland About these times saies Excellent Buchanan the Family of the Hamiltons since so great in Scotland and pernicious to England took their rise one of them upon a Quarrel and murder of an English Gentleman flying to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day the Spensers upon whose account this quarrel arose were soon after discomposed and ruined and Edward himself dethroned and as is said murdered at Pontfract Castle by means of his wife and Edward his Son succeeded the III. of that name Bruce in the mean time composing himself to the cares of Peace by Act of Parliament settles the Inheritance of the Kingdom upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stuart his Grandchild by his Daughter and for preventing any pretences of Baliol being then old and miserable in France a full release of all his Claim 1320. but the active young Edward filling them with the terrour of a new Bruce repaired the defects of his age and travels by substituting Thomas Randolph his Vice-Roy whom with Iames Dowglas he sent with a flying Army of Horse into England the better to elude the prevailing force they were to expect and it happened accordingly for after tedious Marches and hardships on both sides they parted without a stroke saving onely that Dowglas with two hundred Horse beat up the Quarters of the English Camp and cut as is said two Ropes of the Kings Tent and made a good Retreat this begat a Truce for three years and afterwards 1328. a dishonorable Concession in a Parliament at Southampton of all the Scotish privileges and independencyes of that Crown for which some after smarted with the Concession of some Counties and Rendition of Monuments the Scots paying thirty thousand Marks Bruce finding himself wasted by age and toil left the Tuition of the Nonage of his Son to Randolph and Dowglas retiring himself to the Abby of Kilross confirming the Settlement of the Kingdom upon his Son David then 8 years old and Stuart as he had done before leaving these three Counsells behind him Illustrious Spirits that have long moved in great Orbs being best measured when they are falling below their Horizon 1. Not to let any man solely command the Aebneae 2. Never to put all their Strength at one hazard with the English 3. Never to make long Truces with them The first being to be feared by their power at Sea The second for the Fertility Power and Numbers of the English The third to prevent the Enervation of a long Peace Thus he dyed leaving Charge with Dowglas to convey his heart to the Holy Land whither himself had designed an Expedition but Dowglas assisting them of Arragon against the Saraâ—ens was there cut to pieces Thus ended the reign of Robert Bruce 1330. A Prince that mounting the Throne over the Carcasses of his neerest kindred encountring with the greatest difficulties and calamities of a Countrey opprest by powerful and martial Enemies bravely struggled with the disadvantages and left behind him the Character of a great Captain and a prudent Prince and such an one as whose Reputation relies upon his single virtue unlesse you will say he had the assistance of the heads and hands of his Counsellors and Captains yet even in the chusing of One and the obeying the Other it must be confest he was a man excellently squared out for Government and a man the most fit to arrest our Conquests in that Nation Yet by the way we shall take up one Remark How much the fortune and reputation of any people depends upon the Conduct of their Supreme Governour and we cannot have better instance than by reflecting upon the preceding History Edward I. worthily called Coeur de Lion brought them in their greatest power upon their knees His Son an effeminate and weak Prince enchanted with Flatteries and lost in Sofâ—ness could not preserve an acquired Dominion but lost it with ignomâ—ny His Son for a time which we must call his pupillage of War he did such wonders afterwards was unsuccessful and all this through the Opposition Courage and Conduct of one unfortunate person And indeed upon survay of all Histories we shall find that the ability and excellency of the Prince hath been
gentle disposition and mild nature and confidence in his generosity or of the trust they had in their own power and Faction they bewrayed no signs of fear nor attempted ought against the common peace and tranquility some records bear that they forewarned him by the example of his Father not to take any violent course against them or which might irritate the people against him and every thing to embrace their counsels and that finding him repining and stubborn beyond mediocrity giving himself over to Sorrow and pensiveness they thâ—eaâ—ned him with a Coronation of one of his Brothers telling him it was in their power to make any of the race of his 〈◊〉 their King if he were Head-strong and refractory to oppose to their wholsom directions and grave Counsâ—ls Amidst this Grief of the King and overweening of his supercilions Governours Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome arrived in Scotland with instrutions for the Clergy and Letters from his Master to the King and the Nobles The Kings were full of ordinary consolations to asswage his passions and reduce his mind to a more calm temper for the accident of his Fathers death The most glorious victory a Prince could acquire was sometimes to overcome himself and triumph over his disordered passions In all perturbations to which we are subject we should endeavour to practise that precept No thing too much but chiefly in our passions of sorrow and wrath which not being restrained overwhelm the greatest and most generous Minds that by passion the fewest actions and by reason the most do prosper Though a King he must not imagine himself exempt from things casual to all mankind especially in Seditions and civil tumults from which no kingdom nor State hath been free There being no City which hath not sometimes wicked Citezens and alwaies and ever an headstrong and mad multitude he should take what had befaln him from the hand of his Maker who chastiseth those he loveth What comes from heaven be should bear necessarily what proceedeth from Men couragiously there was no man so safe excellent and transcendent who by an insolent Nobility and ravaging Populacy might not be compell'd to perpetrate many things against his heart and intentions The will being both the beginning and subject of all sin and the consenting to and allowing the action being the only and main point to be considered and look into of which he was free the sin committed was not his nor could the punishment which by the divine Iustice might follow belong unto him Sith he had done nothing of himself but as a bound man had been carryed away by mutinous Subjects these that lead transgress not alwaies they that follow To these men remorse and torture of conscience belong'd it was they should lament and mourn who under false pretences had abused the people maskt their Ambition and malice with a reformation of errours in the State whose rage could not be quencht but by the bloud of ther Soveraign It was these should bewail their in justice and cruelty the sin shame and judgement for so hainous a fact followed these men He should not impute the wrongs and wickedness of others by which he had been a sufferer with his disastered Father to himself Revenge belonged to the Almighty to whose Tribunal he should submit his quarrel He should not decree the worst against his mutinous Subjects nor turn them desperate as if there were no place to repent Great offenccs ordinarily were seldom punisht in a State that it was proâ—itable for a Prince sometime to put up voluntarily an injury the way to be invincible was never to contend and to stand out of danger was the benefit of peace that he should apply soft Medicine where it was dangerous to use violent That following his Maker he should endeavour to draw Good out of evil As he was for that disaster of his Father pittyed by Men upon Earth so assuredly he would be pardoned in Heaven If his Subjects returned to their crooked Byas and did revolt again he would make the danger his own use his Ecclestastical censures and spiritual power against thâ—m till they became obedient and submitted themselves to the sway of his Scepter In the Letters to the Nobles he exhorted them to obedience Ambition was the cause of Sedition which had no limits and which was the bane and wrack of States Kingdoms of which they should beware of Kingdoms subsisting upon the reputation of a Prince and that respect his Subjects carryed towards him He was the Eye and Sun of Iustice the Prince weakned or taken away or his authority contemned the Common-wealth would not only fall into a Decadence but suffer an Earth-quake and perish Either after by Forrainers be invaded or by intestine dissentions rent asunder Confusions followed where obedience ceased and left Contempt deposed Kings as well as death and Kings are no longer Kings when their Subjects refuse to obey them That good people made good Kings which he requested them to endeavour to be as they would answer to God whose Lientenants Princes were and by whose power they ruled After this time the Lord Evaindale being dead the Earl of Anguss was made Chancelour and the Lord Hume obtained the place of great Chamberlain of Scotland the Countrey enjoyed a great calm of peace the grounds of dissention seeming to be taken away The King in the strength and vigour of his Youth remembring that to live in Idleness was to live to be contemned by the world by change of Objects to expell his present sadness and to enable himself for wars when they should burst forth gave himself to recreations by Games and with a decent Pomp entertained all Knightly exercies keeping an open and magnificent Court When time and Exercise had enabled him and he thought he had attained to some perfection in marital Sports Tilting and Barriers proclaimed Rewards propounded and promised to the Victors Challenges are sent abroad unto Strangers either to be Umpiers or Actors of Feats of Arms. Charles the eight the French King having an Ambition to reannex the Dutchy of French Bretaign to the Crown of France either by arms or the Marriage of Anne the apparent heir under the pretext and shadow of those painted Justings sendeth to Scotland some of the bravest Gentlemen of his Court desiring privily the assistance of King Iames against the English if it should fall forth that the King of England troubled his Designs Not long after well and honorably accompanied arriveth in Scotland a young man naming himself Richard Duke of York son to Edward the fourth true Inheritour of the Crown of England divers Neighbor Princes testifying the same by the Letters which contained That Edward the eldest son of Edward the fourth who succeeded his Father in the Crown by the Name of Edward the fifth was murthered by Richard Duke of Gloucester their unnatural Vncle but Richard the younger Son his Brother by the Man who was employed to
execute that Tragedy making report to the Tyrant that he had performed his command for both Brethren was saved and with speed and secrecy convoyed to Tourney there conceal'd and brought up by his Fathers Sister Margarite Dutchass of Burgundy Nhat King Iames should acknowledge this for Truth and friendly assist this young Man who was that very Richard Duke of York to recover his inheritance now most unjustly usurped and Possessed by Henry Tuder Earl of Richmond That the right of Kings extended not onely to the safe preservation of their own but also to the aid of all such Allies as change of time and State hath often hurled down from Crowns to undergo an exercise of sufference in both fortunes and Kings should reposses Kings wrongfully put from their own As his Predecessors to whose royal vertues he was heir had repossessed Henry the sixth King of England spoiled of his Kingdom and distressed by which Charity obliging all virtuous Princes unto him he should find ever as his own Maximilian of Bohemia Charles of France and Margarite Dutchâ—ss Dowager of Burgundy King Iames graciously receiving this young man told him That whatsoever he were he should not repent him of putting himself into his hands and from that time forth though many gave Informations against him as a Counterfeit entertained him every way as a Prince embraced his quarrel and seiling both his own eyes and the eyes of the world he gave consent that this Duke should take to wife Lady Katherine Gordoun daughter to the Earl of Huntley which some thought he did to increase the Factions of Perkins in England stir the discontented Subjects against King Henry and to encourage his own Subjects to side on his quarrel Not long after in person with this Duke of York in his Company who assured him of powerful assistance he entered with an Army into Northumberland but not one Man comming to side with them the King turned his enterprize into a Road and after he had spoiled the Countrey returned into Scotland It is said that Perkin acting the part of a Prince handsomely where he saw the Scots pillaging and wasting of the Countrey came to the King and in a deploring manner requested him to spare his afflicted people that no Crown was so dear to his Mind as that he desired to purchase it with the blood and ruin of his people whereunto King Iames answered he was ridiculously careful of an interest another man possessed and which perhaps was none of his The King of England who delighted more to draw treasure from his people than to hazard the spilling of their blood to revenge the predatory war of the Scots and find out Perkin requireth a subsidy of his Subjects and though few believed he would follow so far a flying Hart he was levying a puissant Army No sooner this Subsidy began to be collected amongst the Cornish-men when they began to grudge and murmur and afterwards rebelled which when it was understood of the King he retained the forces raised for his own service and use In the mean time dispatching the Earl of Surrey to the North to attend the Scots incursions whilst the Cornish-men are in their March towards London King Iames again entered the Frontiers of England with an Army and besieged the Castle of Norham in person But understanding the Earl of Surrey was advancing with greater forces loaden with spoil he returned back again the Earl of Surrey finding no Enemy sat down before the Castle of Aytoun which he took and soon after returned into England the cold season of the year with the unseasonableness of the weather driving away time invited a Treaty of Peace on both sides Amidst these turmoyls and unprofitable incursions of the two Kingdoms Ferdinando and Isabella of Spain sent one Peter Hialas to treat a marriage between Katherine one of their Daughters and Arthur Prince of Wales This allyance being agreed upon and almost brought to perfection King Henry desirous of quietness and to have an end of all Debates especially these with Scotland communicateth his intentions to Hialas a man wise and learned and whom he thought able to be employed in such a service for it stood not with his Reputation to sue unto his enemy for Peace But Hialas a stranger unto both as having Direction from his Master for the Peace of Christian and Neighbor Princes might take upon him this reconciliation Hialas accepteth the Embassage and comming to King Iames after he had brought him to hearken to more safe and quiet Counsels wrote unto King Henry That he hoped that Peace might easily be concluded if he would send some wise and temperate Counsellour of his own that might treat of the Conditions Whereupon the King directeth the Bishop of Duresm Richard Fox who at that time was at his Castle of Norham to confer with Hialas and they both to treat with some Commissioners deputed from King Iames. The Commissioners of both sides meet at Iedbrough and dispute many articles and conditions of Peace Restitution of the spoils taken by the Scotish or dammages for the same is desired but that was passed as a matter impossible to be performed An enterview in person at Newcastle is desired of both Kings which being referred to King Iames his own arbitrement he is reported to have answered that he meant to treat a Peace and not go a begging for it The breaking of the Peace for Perkin Warbeck is highly aggravated by the Bishop and he demanded to be deliver'd to the King of England That a Prince should not easily believe with the common people that Perkin was a fiction and such an one that if a Poet had projected the figure it could not have been done more to admiration than the house of York by the old Dutchess of Burgundy Sister to Edward the fourth having first raised Lambert Simnel and at last this Perkin to personate Kings and seduce the people His birth education not residence in any one place proved him a Pageant King that he was a reproach to all Kings and a person not protected by the Law of Nations The Bishop of Glasgow answered for his Master That the love and Amity grounded upon a Common cause and universal conclusion amongst Kings to defend one another was the main foundation upon which King James had adventured to assist Edward Duke of York that he was no competent Iudge of his title he had received him as a Suppliant protected him as a person fled for refuge espoused him with his Kinsewoman and aided him with Arms upon the belief that he was a Prince that the People of Ireland Wales and many in England acknowledged him no less than their King whether he were so or not sith for a Prince he had hitherto defended him he could not leave him upon the Relation of his most terrible Enemy and the present Possessour of his Crown That no Prince was bound to render a Subject to another who had come to him for Sanctuary less a
Counsel answered though their number encreased to as many more as they were he with that remainder of his Army would fight them That advantages were to be imbraced according to the occasion of the fight without tedious deliberation if any man was afraid he might if he pleased return Home A strange Resolution in a Prince who imagined every man in his Army to have the same strength courage boldness and resolution with himself This answer astonished the Nobility and since they could not perswade him to a fair retreat but that he will fight and that without the advantage of the Bridge being inferiour in number to the English for they were reckoned by the Scouts fix and twenty thousand they fortify themselves according to the Commoditie of the Hill where they lay encamped with a resolution not to suffer the King to hazard his person in the battel If victory should incline to them their Gains were but smal and Glory less extending but over some few of the Nobility and a small parcel of the Body of the State of England a number of yeomen and pressed Horsemen the flower of the Kingdom being in France But if they were overthrown theirloss would prove uncoÌ„parable yea unspekable a martial yong King either kâ—l'd taken or put to flight wherfore they think it fitting not necessary the King be pleased with so many as either chance or election might separate with him to be a Spectator of the fortune of the day To this the King replyed he neither wanted ability to discharge the part of a Souldier nor wisdom to command as a General and to outlive so many valiant Countrey-men would be more terrible to him than death it self When forced to give way for his personall presence in the field they appoint some to be arraied in like furniture of Arms and a like Guard as the King Shadows to perâ—onate him in sundry quarters of the field that the enemy should not set one man as their chief mark to invade from whose death the victory and conclusion of the war might depend and if the King should fall the Army should not lose courage nor be brought to believe he were lost so long as they saw a General with his Coignoscance and Guard present and neer them to be a witness of their valour and atchievements as not long before at the battel of Fornou in Italy had been practiced by the French to their king Charles the eight By this time the Earl of Surrey with the power of the North of England was come within three miles of the Place where the Scottish Army was encamped and perceiving he could not but with great disadvantage fight them he sendeth an Herauld requiring the King to come forth of his strength to some indifferent ground where he would be ready to encounter him The King being forward to condescend to this request the Lords cryed out it was madness to accept of opportunity of fighting from his Enemies and to set all at a main chance according to their appointment it being their advantage to prolong time and trifle with him in whose Camp there was already scarcity of victuals which ere long might put him to such a stand that he should not know well what to do Neither was it likely he could be furnished from the inner parts of the Countrey by reason of the cumbersom waies for carriage to pass after the falling of so great and continued rains and the softning of the Ground that by sitting still and committing nothing to Fortune he might have his enemy at his pleasure if they dared assail him at their perils be it He lacked nothing but patience to be victorious The Scots keeping their Trenches the earl essayeth to draw them out and the ninth of September removing his Camp marcheth towards the same Hill of Flowden where they lay encamped his Vant-guard with the Cannon passeth the water of Till at Twysel bridge the Reer-ward going over at Mylnfoord King Iames seeing them pass the water imagineth they meant to win a Hill between his Camp and them To prevent which setting fire to the Cabâ—nes raised of boughs of Trees and Reeds he removeth to another Hill before the English could observe his motion the smoak darkning the aire between the two Armies Whilst the Scottish Army was removing the English advance to the foot of Flowden hill by which they have double advantage the Scottish ordinance could not much annoy them they marching upwards and under the level thereof again by their shot they might easily gall their enemies as they came downwards upon them The fatal hour of the Battel approaching the English draw up in good order six and twenty thousand men some write thirty in two Battails any of which was equall in number to the whole Scottish Army Thomas Lord Howard Admirall had the Vant-guard of which Sir Edmond Howard his Brother led one of the wings and Sir Marmuduke Constable the other The Lords Dacres and Cliffoord with Sir Edward Stanley kept the Rear the Earl of Surrey with Latymer Scroop Sir Stephen Bull kept the main Battail The Scots by their fewness of number not being able to order many Battailons marshal themselves in four three of which should enter in fight and the fourth attend for supply The King kept the middle or main Alexander Gordoun Earl of Huntley had the right wing of the Van the Earls of Crawford and Montross led the other and some have recorded the Lord Hume The third Army was guided by Matthew Earl of Lennox and the Earl of Arguyl where was Mackenney and Mackclean with the fierceness of the High-landers Adam Hepburn Earl of Bothwell with his Friends and the flower of the Gentry of Lothian kept off for suddain dispatches and chances of the Battel The Earl of Huntley making down the Hill where they encamptneer the foot of Branx Town encountreth that Wing of the English Host which was led by Sir Edmond Howard which after a furious and long fight he put to flight and so eagerly pursued the advantage that Sir Edmond had either been killed or taken if he had not been rescued by Bastard Hieron and the Lord Dacres the Battaillon which the Earls Lennox and Arguyl led being High-land men encouraged with this first glance of victory loosing their Ranks abandoning all order for ought that the French Ambassadour La Motte by signs threatnings clamours could do to them brake furiously upon the enemy and invade him in the Face of whom they are not onely valiantly received but by Sir Edward Stanleys traversing the Hill enclosed câ—t down at their backs and prostate The Middle ward which the King led with which now the Earl of Bothwell with the power of Lothian was joined sought it out couragiously body against body and Sword to Sword Numbers upon either side falling till darkness and the black shadows of the Night forced as it were by consent of both a Retreit Neither of them understanding the fortune of the day
reach it affecting rather to give a stranger the place than a Competitor bringing in the French to equal the ballance as principal himself only as accessory nothing doubting of a chief place in State as well for his forwardness in this election as for the necessity of his Service which the French could not well want and should never be lacking He feared aslo if the faction of the Dowglasses prevail'd the greatness of the Earl of Anguss would be an umbrage to his and lessen and impair it Their Lands and Fortunes lying neer to other as that the Queen by her power in England would cross his fâ—irest projects The King of England had sent a Letter to the Lords of Scotland as he had done to the French King for that same effect remonstrating how dangerous it was for the State of Scotland and young King if they should make choise of the Duke of Albany Notwithstanding of all which through ambition malice envy of others discords amongst themselves they made choise of this Gentleman a stranger by his education and birth ignorant of the nature and manners of the Scots whose Father was banished for Treason against his Brother and dyed unrestored One altogether devoted to the French King and an enemy to the English not caring to keep the Countrey of Scotland in Warrs and Troubles so he might defend the French Nation by making the Scots fight their battels After many private Letters from his Friends in Scotland especially from the Chamberlin inviting him to come home and accept his new dignity the Duke at last is required by the State and Lyon King of Arms is directed to him to acquaint him with their proceedings and make him forward on his way He to endear his comming and make himself the more desired of the People excusing his stay for a while which he laid upon the Treaty of Peace which was then to be agreed upon between England and France by the marriage of Lovys the French King with Mary the youngest Sister of Henry King of England which required his presence sendeth home the King of Arms with Letters from the French King with Sir Anthony Darcea le Siâ—ur de la Beautie This man propounded certain conditions which the Duke required What should be the form of his Government his Guards what Castles should be delivered to him for his Garrisons the restoring his patrimony and Fathers dignities to him Which particularities being condescended unto to Castle of Dumbar was instantly delivered to la Beautie to be kept for a French Garrison at the Dukes comming and Sir Patrick Hamilton Brother to the Earl of Arran Iames Oguilbuy Abbot of Arborth with the King of Arms were sent back again to France After their arrival the Duke of Albany furnished with all necessaries by the French King with eight well rigged Ships took the Seas and in the moneth of May arrived on the West coasts of Scotland from whence with a great retinue of the Nobles and Barons of the Countrey by easie journeys the Queen meeting him he came to the Town of Edinburgh In the Parlament which had been porogued for his comming the Duke accepted the Government and gave his oath of fidelity to the King and Countrey and the three Estates gave their oath of obedience to him and both swore in the administration of Justice neither should be deficient to others Here is he restored to all his Fathers inheritance titles and honours Being declared Dukes of Albany Earl of March and Governour of the Kingdom till the Kings full maturity Many Laws are made for the weal of the Kingdom and to gratifie his Linnage Iames the naturall Sonne of Iames the fourth is created Earl of Murray At the presence of this new Governour the face of the State turned more beautiful and the Court more Royall opprâ—ssion is restrained justice sincerely executed the Court is frequented with good and virtuous men Malefactours and naughty persons banish themselves He maketh a progress to all the notable Towns of the Kingdom seeing crimes punished and faults amended Being a Stranger and not throughly acquainted with the municipal Statutes and particular practises of the Countrey in matters great and of importance he proceedeth by the instructions and informations of some choice men of the Nation it self Especially since he was not infinite to listen to the advice of every one he gave himself to hearken and follow the opinion and counsell of Iohn Hepburn Priour of St. Andrews whose judgement in his greatest difficultiâ—s he receives as an Oracle This man being of a subtle wind malitious crafty rich and endued with some Courtly eloquence by a counterfeit Pretence of knowledge of the affairs of the Kingdom and State neither in some things did he err at first being very familiar with the Duke and in a little time after by bribing secretly some of his choise Servants turned his only Privado and almost possessed alone his judgement and ear He informed him of the strength and Riches of the Countrey of the nature ot the people manner of theri Laws revealed to him many secrets of the Government He gave him a Catalogue of the whole deadly fewds and divisions amongst the Noble men and Gentry opening unto him which were inveterate and had long continued and wâ—ich were fresh upon what accidents they had their beginnings How in prosecuting Revenge in them they cared not how innocent any man was if he were of the Name and Alliance but rather thought the more innocent any was the more it testified their spight which they desired to manifest by taking him away He shewed him what factions were in the Kingdom who sway'd them and were the heads He told him the Scots were a violent fierce people muâ—inously proud and knew not how to obey without the Sword were drawn That they were never absolutely governed by their own Kings themselves far less would they be ruled by him who was but a Governour and half a Stranger King Iames the first they had killed they had made a League against King Iames the second in open Battel they had overthrown King Iames the third and the last King was be best judgements thought to have been secretly taken away here calling to mind the proclaiming of the Arch-bishop Andrew Formans Bull he omitted nothing could derogate to the Chamberlains reputation and honour and an evil opinion of him in the Governour He instructed him how the great Houses of Scotland were so joined and linkt together by kinred alliances Bonds of service or Homage that no Gentleman of any quality although a Malefactor and a guilty person could be presented to justice without some stir commotion tumult of the Grandees and their factious friends Amidst so many strong parties and confederate male-contents the Governor by the power of the Scots themselves and his own Kindred Friends and Followers were not powerful enough â—afely to administer justice for which cause the King of France should be implored to send hither competent
calamity of his house the weakness of his friends at Court and the many snares envy and malice had laid to surprise him he hoisted â—ails and with her who would be partaker of all his misfortunes returned to Denâ—mark from Denmark by Germany he came to King Lovys in France who interposed his requests to King Iames for his regress and restoring but the Letters in his favour producing no effects Charles Duke of Burgundy making war against his Rebel Subjects he was graciously received by him and entertained as his Ally his Lady remained at Antwerp where she bore him two children Iames and Gracile 1469. Lady Margaret the 10. of Iuly 1469. or after others 1470. maketh her entry into Edenburgh and scarce having attained the sixteen yeer of her age is married to King Iames in the Abby Church of Holy-rood house and in the moneth of November following by a convention of the three Estates was Crowned Queen The King in exorable in the behalf of the Earle of Arran and breathing his total Ruine sendeth Letters to Antwerp filled with promises and threatnings to move his sister to return to Scotland These at the first prevailed nothing with this Lady to make her forsake the husband of her youth many letters and from several friends and well-wishers in several fashions and stiles coming to her at last she was brought to believe her presence would mollifie the minde of her enemies and work her husband a re-establishment of his former favors with the King her brother and restore him to all his possessions and dignities Upon which hopes she comes to Scotland But these hopes proved all false for in stead of having access to her brother she is kept at Kilmarnock the chief house of the Boydes as in a free prison and her husband is summoned within threescore dayes to adhere to his wife under pain of Divorce the unfortunate Earle for fear of his head not appearing his marraige is declared null his wife is divorced from him and is constrained by her brother to marry Iames Lord Hamilton to whom also the Earledome of Arran was given for Dowry Not long after her two children to Earle Thomas Iames and Gracille are brought to Scotland who in the proceeding of time proved little more fortunate then their father for Iames was slain by Hugh Montgomry of Eglinton and Gracille though first marryed to the Earle of Cassiles and after to the Lord Forbess was barren Some have recorded that the Earle Thomas after this violent bereaving him of his wife dyed of displeasure at Antwerp and had a Tomb raâ—sed over him with an honorable Inscription by Charles Duke of Burgundy others who hate the Boydes tell he dyed not at Antwerp but at Florence and that he was killed by a Merchant of Florence out of jealousie of having abused his wife Queen Maragret the third yeer after her marriage in the month of March brought forth a son who was named Iames and Christern King of Denmark to congratulate the happy delivery of his daughter and of expectation of a continued succession to the Crown of Scotland of his Race released all the right title claim which he or his successors might have to the Isles of Orkenâ—y Scythland The King calleth after a Parliament at Edenburgh wherein though the Reformation of abuses as wearing of silk and other foraign triffles the building of Ships and enacting Laws for the present time were pretended a liberal Subside was the greatest aime His Exchequer being empty and many of his best friends turning necessitous and needy Iohn Lord of the Isles was attainted for his own and his Father misdemeanour the King raiseth forces to pursue him the Earle of Crawford being made Admiral the Earle of Athole the Kings Uncle Lieutenant of the Regiments by land such means in a short time was used by the Earle of Athole that the Lord of the Isles submitted himself to the Kings elemency and in a convention of the States at Edenburgh he resigned all the right he had to the Earledome of Ross the lands of Knap-den and Kintyre which the King annexed to the Crown Patrick Graham Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews having at Rome understood the fall of the Boydes returneth to his own countrey where first amongst his friends and the most peaceable sort of the Clergy he divulgateth the Bull of the Pope for his supremacy over the other Churchmen of the Kingdome and his power of their tryal and promoting to benefices and after caused proclaim it at all publike places The laudable Elections anciently used about the Places and Offices of Churchmen by the corruption of the times being taken away and that Power altogether assumed by the King The Courtiers who were accustomed to sell Benefices and the Churchmen who were wont to buy them reject the Bull and set themselves against him by their traffick he is discharged to take the Place or Ornaments of an Archbishop or carry any other Cross or Cap then what the former Bishops used to have But here they set not up their rest William Schevez a man in those times admired for his skil in Astrology and promoted to be Arch-Dean of Saint Andrews seconded by Iohn Lock the Rector of that University a better Grammarian then Christian excommunicates this Archbishop for his presumption and that he sought to bear rule over his Brethren Bishops When this censure had passed upon him he is degraded and shut up in Prison William Schevez is after promoted to his place and consecrated upon the Passion Sunday in Lent at Holy-rood house the King being present he likewise receiveth the title and faculty of Legate and is confirmed Primate of the Realm notwithstanding the impediments objected to Patrick Graham by the Church-men concerning that same dignity and preheminencie So various and deceitful are the wayes of Men. The King being slow to action and more inclined to a solitary form of life then to travel and business his brothers being Princes of unquiet and restless Spirits to whom publike like imployments were recreations and withall being ambitious prodigal desirous of Rule and to be Governors of the people themselves and Kings in fact how ever their elder brother was in title they set themselves altogether to study novations and bring the King in contempt with his subjects and divert their minds and love towards him To this effect they had drawn by their towardness and familiarity many of the young Nobles and Gentlemen to follow them The King was obnoxious to some publike scandals for by his too great frugality care to increase his Treasure and study of purchasing by taxations sale of Church Benefices and too exact taking up of fines supervaluation of Wards he had gotten the Name of covetous and was not small distast amongst the Commons Edward King of England that the Scots by the instigation of the French should not trouble his new and scarce settled government imploying all his counsels and diligence to divide them amongst themselves
wrought not alittle on the unquiet spirits of these young men The Duke of Albany having been taken upon the Seas by the English was honorably intertained by him and with great hopes sent home after which time King Edward and he kept alwayes private intelligence together The Duke being promoted to the keeping of the Castle of Dumbar and Town of Barwick the King of England to insinuate himself in his affection was wont to whisper unto such who loved him that if his brother kept not fair with England he would one day set him in his Place upon his Royal Throne At this time the King was served by men whom his opinion of their worth and love towards him had advanced to places and whose fortunes and estates wholly depended upon his safety and who were less apt to do him harm His counsel was likewise of men approved for their affection to him and thus secluding great men from his familiarity and affairs he gave them cause of offence His brothers long masking their ambition under discontentment stirr the male contents to complain against the Government which ordinarily falleth forth not because a people is not well governed but because great ones would govern themselves These upbraided the King with inglorious sloath and endeavour by his dishonour to increase the credit of his Brothers These spared not to speak evil of him every where and what they pleased of his Ministers and Favorits they said he neither used rule nor moderation in his proceedings that his counsel was base and of men of no great account who consulted only to humor him That a Mason swayed â—a Kingdome this was Robert Cochranne a man couragious and bold first known to the King by his valour in a single combat and after from an Architect or Surveyor of his buildings preferred to be of his counsel a silly Wretch swayd the soul of a great King and curbed it as it were interdicted or charmed to his pleasure His contributions were the rewards of Parasites to whom fortune not merit gave growth and augmentation that honors wept over such base men who had not deserved them and the stately frames of ancient houses upbraided with reproaches the slender merits of those new-up-starts who enjoyed them that he began to look downwards into every sordid way of enriching himself That his Privadoâ—s abused him in every thing but in nothing more then in making him believe what was plotting against them was against his Person and Authority and that it was not them his brothers and the Nobility sought to pull down but his Soveraignty His counsellors servants and such who loved him having long busied their wits to save their Masters reputation and that no shadow of weakness should appear to the Common people understanding by whom these rumors were first spread abroad and observing many of the Nobility and Gentry to favour the proceedings of his brothers not daring disclose themselves to the King what their suspicions made them fear would come to pass knowing him naturally superstitious an admirer and believer of Divinations suborn an aged woman one morning as he went a hunting to approach him and tell she had by Divination that he should beware of his nearest kinsemen that from them his ruine was likely to come This was no sooner told when the woman was shifted and some who were upon the Plot began to comment the Prophesie of his brothers A Professor of Physick for his skill in Divination brought from Germany and promoted to some Church-benefice about that same time told the King that in Scotland a Lyon should be devoured by his Whelps William Schevez then Archbishop of Saint Andrews by way of Astrological predictions put him in a fear of imminent dangers from his kindred though truly he had his knowledg by Geomancy and good informations upon earth by the intelligence between the Nobility and Church-men Many such like aspersions being laid upon the King the people cryed out that he had only for his fellow-companions Astrologers and Sooth-sayers whom as occasion served he preserrd to Church-benefices and Bishopricks Patrick Graham then Prisoner in Dumferling a man desolate and forgotten as if there had not been such a man in the world taking the opportunity of the rumors of the time sent a Letter to the King which contained That the misery of his imprisonment was not so greivious unto him as the sad reports which he heard of his Majestyes estate he was hardly brought to believe them but by his long detention and imprisonment he was assured his great enemy was in great credit with him That he had brought the King very low in making him jealous of his brothers by giving trust to his vain Divinations and no wonder these Arts bring forth dissentions which have their precepts from the father of lyes and discord to foment discord among brothers was reproachful to Religion and outragious to Policy to seek to know things to come by the Stars was great ignorance that Oracles leave a man in a wilderness of folly That there was no other difference betwixt Necromancy and Astrology saving that in one men run voluntarily to the Divel and in the other ignorantly Humanity attains not to the secrets above and if it did it is not wise enough to divert the wisdom of heaven which is not to be resisted but submitted unto that never any had recourse to these Arts but they had fatal ends that Almighty providence permitting that to befal them out of his justice of necessity which before the Oracle was sought was scarce contingent that he should rest upon the Almightyes Providence and then all things would succeed well with him whose favors would wast him out of the surges of uncertainties After this free opening of his minde Patrick Graham was removed out of Dumferling to the Castle of Lockâ—leven a place renowned long after by the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scotland where in a short time he left the miseryes of this world The people now throughly deceived and incensed against their King the most audacious of the Nobility had brought his brothers on the way of taking the Government to themselves their power being able to perform what their ambition projected and the murmuring of the people seeming to applaud any Insurrections The Earle of Marr young and rash purblind in foreseeing the events of things is stirred up to begin the Tragedy some of the Nobility of his faction being present with more liberty then wisdom he broke out in meanacing and undecent speeches as that his brother did wrong to his Majesty in keeping neer him and being so familiar with such contemptible fellows as these of his Bed-chamber and Officers withal railing against the Goverment of the State and Court The King passionately resenting his words caused remove him from his presence and he persevering in his railing was committed to the Castle of Craigmillar where surmising that he was in a Prison his anger turned into a rage his rage kindled