all means to have gotten Robert Stewart in his hands for he knew that next to King David his Title was best to the Crown Soon after King Edward prepared an Army both by Sea and Land to enter into Scotland but the most part of his Ships Perished in Forth The King returning with Balliol into England left Cumin Earle of Athol Governour who seized upon all the Lands pertaining to Robert Stewart and his Friends but Robert Stewart took the Castle of Dunne and killed all the Englishmen therein at this time the Earle of Murray came from France who together with Robert reduced much of the Country to the obedience of King David chasing the Governour and his Followers to the Mountains but the English entred with a great Army and though a great part of their Army was routed took Perth but their Fleet being harrast at Sea were forced to retreat and the rather in design of a French War but some of the Nobles still standing out the English landed in Murray and reduced all and leaving Balliol returned home the next year the English beseiged Dunbar and sent in two Parties under Talbot and Monford who were both routed yet the seige continued at last they were forced to raise the seige also having received great loss by the Valour of Robert Stewart Murray in the mean time dying Stewart was created Viceroy till Davids returne who having the first year gained some Victories did the next year take Perth Sterling and the Castle of Edenburgh the Scots gaining all their ground except Berwick In the year 1336. David resolves upon an expedition into England though much disswaded by his council Making John Randolph General himself going disguised Soon after a peace for two years was treated of which David would not accept without the consent of France whereupon marching as far as the County of Durham had his Army quite routed and himself taken Prisoner his Kingdom also in a manner Depopulated with the Plague by this time John of France was also made Prisoner in England the Scots after eleven years Captivity ransomed their King who at his returne punished some of those who had deserted him at Durham and endeavoured to remove the Succession of the Crown from Robert Stewart to whom he was some years after reconciled he spent the last five years of his Reign in composing Domestick feuds Queen Jane daughter to Edward the second of England dying he Marryed Margaret Logy Daughter to Sir John Logy then he purposed to have past to Jerusalem having provided all necessarys for his Voyage but he fell sick of a Feavour in the Castle of Edinburgh whereof he dyed in the fortyth year of his Reign without Succession and was buried in Holyrood-house 100. Robert Stewart the first King of that Name succeeded his mothers Brother A. D. 1378. A Valiant and worthy Prince he Married Eupham Daughter to the Earl of Ross who bare to him David Earl of Strathern Walter Earl of Athol Alexander Earl of Marr with several Daughters After her Death he marries Elizabeth Moor his own Concubine the better to Legitimate Children he had by her he honoured them with Titles and declared them his Successors two years after an Attempt is made upon Berwick and Sir John Lilbourn and 〈…〉 grave Captains of it taken 〈…〉 After this the Earl of Douglass came with twenty thousand Men to the Fair of Pennire within England spoiling all the Goods there but carried away the Pestilence with him whereof many dyed To revenge this the English came with a great Army over Solway destroying all before them mean while the Scots gathered together about five hundred Men. and lay in Ambush till the English returned back then with a sudden noise and Clamour as they passed by they set upon them forcing them back till many were drowned in Solway Not long after Edward King of England dyed whereupon the Duke of Lancaster came into Scotland intreating to have a Peace for three years which Peace being expired My Lord of Galloway laid siege to the Castle of Lochmaban and made himself Master of it defeating a strong party of English who were coming from Carlyle to it's relief King Richard fearing of it sent the Baron of Gray-stock with a Body of Men to fortifie Roxburgh who being within a mile of it he was taken by the Earl of March and carried to Dunbar the same year the strengths of Teviotdale were by the Earl of Douglas recovered out of the English hands soon after which he dyed His Son James succeeding to him went by the Kings Order with an Army into England whence he was presently after Counter-manded home where he found the Admiral of France with two hundred and forty Ships well Man'd come to their Assistance with them they passed into England and took the Castles of Warkford and Corwal And laying siege to Roxburgh and Carlyle the Scots and French could not agree in whose Names the strengths should be kept if they were won which brought the business to nothing Whereupon King Richard in revenge enters Scotland with a great Army and marching through the Mers and Louthian did much hurt But the Earls of Fife Douglas and Galloway followed him into England and secretly passing the Water of Solway came to Cokermouth where in three days time they spoiled the whole Country about and returned safely with great Booty In the year 1388. The King past again into England with an Army at which time the Irish taking their advantage entered Galloway destroying all before them Whereupon William the Lord of Galloways Son pursued them to Ireland and burnt the Town of Carlingfoord and finding sixty Ships in several Harbors loaded fifteen of them with the spoil of the Town and burnt the rest Returning home he spoiled the Isles of Man The next year the King of England sent an Army into Scotland which did much hurt in the Mers revenging this affront King Robert sent two Armies into England the one under the Command of the Earl of Fife entred Cumberland the other led by the Earls of Douglass and March entred Northumberland the two Armies met within two miles of Newcastle The Earl of Douglass chose out ten thousand Men to besiege Newcastle wherein was the Earl of Northumberland with his two Sons Henry Hotspur and Ralph Henry Challenged the Earl of Douglass to fight with him which Douglass accepted off so being mounted upon two starely Horses they assaulted one another desperately at last Douglass beat Peircy out of his Saddle but he was presently rescued and brought into the Town Immediately Douglass assaulted the Town but it was so well defended by the English that he was forced to retire and encamp at Otterburn whither Henry Peircy immediately followed there they fought a bloody Battel until the darkness of the Night parted them but when the Moon began to appear they joyned again with more Fierceness than before Victory inclining sometime to one side and sometimes to another till at last Patrick
to the servilest of his Work which they being not able to endure Macduff Earl of Fife Posts to England where he found Malcolm the late Kings Son at King Edwards Court whom he invited home to revenge his Fathers Death and possess the Crown which was his own by right Malcolm suspecting Treachery pretended several excuses to try Macduffs sincerity but when he found him Cordial he declared his Willingness Whereupon getting assistance of Men from King Edward he entred Scotland Macbeth hearing of his arrival went about to oppose him but Macduff surprizing him in his Castle of Dunfinnan killed him with his own hand the seventeenth year of his Reign 86. Malcolm Surnamed Kanmor Son to Duncan the first succeeded A. D. 1057. He was a worthy Prince and in Compensation of their Service and Loyalty in his Restauration created many Earls Lords Barons and Baronets commanding that their Lands should be called after their Names He made also his Thanes Earls many new Surnames began at this time as Calder Lochbart Gordoun Seytown Lander Kennethe Meldrome Schau Liberton Livermond Cargill Strachan Ratray Dundass Meazeis Mertine Cockbourn Lesly Abercromby At this time also William Duke of Normandy conquered England which was the occasion that these Surnames being expelled their Country came to Scotland viz. Ramsay Vans Lindsay Lownal Towres Preston Bissat Foules Wandlaw Maxwell from France came the Names of Frazer Sintcare Boswel Montray Montgomry Boyes Campbel Beaton At this time Walter Son to Fleance came to Scotland who shortly after was created high Steward of the Kingdom King Malcolm was killed at the siege of Anwick by one Robert Moubray who came from the Castle upon a light horse holding in his hand a Lance with the Keys of the Castle upon the point of it King Malcolm looking stedfastly to the Lance the other run him through the Eye with it escaping to the next Wood Whereupon King William changed this Moubrey's Name to Percy King Malcolm dyed the thirty sixth year of his Reign and was buried in Dunfermling 87. Donald the seventh Sirnamed Bane being Malcolm Kanmores Brother usurped the Crown A. D. 1093. But within a year he was expelled by Duncan base Son to the foresaid Malcolm 88. Duncan the second usurped the Crown but did not enjoy it long being killed by Macpendar Earl of Mearnes at Taich by procurement of Donald the seventh who after was Crowned King He gave the North and West Isles to the King of Norway for his assistance to recover the Crown He was taken Captive by Edgar his Successor and put in Prison where after some years he dyed miserably 89. Edgar Malcolm Kanmores Son succeeded A. D. 1098. He was the first anointed King Governing with great Wisdom and Sobriety He dyed the nineteenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 90. To him succeeded Alexander the first Sirnamed Fierce A. D. 1107. Soon after his coming to the Throne certain Traitors were by his Chamberlains means let in to his Chamber intending to have killed him in Bed but he being surprised at their noise got out of Bed and caught a Sword in his hand wherewith he killed the Chamberlain and six of the other Traitors the rest hasted away but being pursued and some of them overtaken Confessed that divers of the Nobles were in the Conspiracy them the King pursued killing some and taking others He dyed in Peace the seventeenth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 91. To him succeeded his Brother David the first A. D. 1124. He possessed Northumberland and Cumberland Huntington and Westmorland He married Maud Daughter to the Earl of Northumberland who dyed in the flower of her Age for which the King took such Grief that he resolved never to Marry again but gave himself wholly to works of Charity He purged his Court from all Vices so that his whole Family were given to Vertuous Exercises no Rioting nor Drunkeness nor Lascivious or wanton Songs were suffered This Victorious and Religious King dyed in Carlyle the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Dumfermling where King James the first visiting his Tomb called him a Sore Saint to the Crown 92. Malcolm the fourth Sirnamed the Maiden next Heir after King David began his Reign A. D. 1153. A just and mild Prince in the beginning of his Reign there was a great Famine in Scotland whereof many dyed Sumerled Thane of Argyle taking advantage of the present Calamity raised a Rebellion purposing to make himself King but he was soon crush't his Friends killed and himself forced to fly to Ireland soon after being invited to London by King Henry of England under pretence of confirming him in his Title to Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland he carried him with him into France where he had Wars for that time he no sooner was returned home then he made War with England to the great loss of both Kingdoms He dyed at Jedburgh the twelfth year of his Reign 93. To him succeeded William his Brother Sirnamed the Lyon A. D. 1165. He demanded Northumberland which by Right belonged to his Crown to be re-delivered to him which the King of England being taken up with Wars in France durst not altogether refuse but condescended to let him have such parts of it as his Grand-father possest but soon after he was by a Stratagem taken Prisoner at Alunick and sent to France where the King of England was whence not long after he was Ransomed with a sum of Money being returned home he expelled all the Murrays out of Murray-Land for that they were Seditious and Tumultuous in his absence About this time the Pope sent to King William a Sword with the Sheath and Hilts all of Gold set about with precious Stones with a Hat or Diadem giving him the Title of the Defender of the Church After this he retired to Bertha where he stayed not long when by a sudden Inundation of two Rivers Tay and Almond the Towns Walls were beat down the Castle demolished the young Prince and his Nurse with several others drowned the King himself narrowly escaping He founded and built the City of Perth granting to it several great and ample Priviledges He dyed the forty ninth year of his Reign and was buried in Aberbrothick 94. His Son Alexander the second succeeded to him A. D. 1214. Having pacified all Rebellions at home he led his Army into England where having made Peace with King John he married his Sister Afterward he went into France and renewed the old League with this Addition that neither of them should receive or protect the Enemies of the others Kingdom nor Marry with any Stranger without making one another privy thereto In the mean time his Queen dyed without any Succession within a year after he married Mary Daughter to Ingelram Earl of Coucy in France who bare to him Alexander the third in his time came Cardinal Egadius into Britain to beg Money for the Holy War of which he got a great deal but
that the Town and Castle of Berwick should be delivered into the hands of the Scots with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Redcross in in Richmondshire the French Ambassadors also proffered great and tempting things withal puting the King in mind how true they have been to him for so many years since the first making of the League The King and his Council after mature deliberation declare they will not break the Ancient League with France whereupon the English Ambassadors turned from Prayers to Threatnings and being denied friendship denounced War But the King no wise moved hereat presently prepared his Ships and with a company of able and skilful Mariners set his Daughter to Sea and having escaped the English Fleet that waited for her safely arrived at the Rochel A. D. 1430. The English to revenge this supposed afront invades Scotland both by Sea and Land against their forces commanded by Henry Piercy of Northumberland went James Dowglass Earle of Angus with several Gentlemen their numbers were much about one the lists of their meeting was Popperden Adam Hepburn of Hales and Alexander Elphinston led the Vanguard of the Scots Sir Richard Piercy and Sir John Ogle of the English Sir Alexander Ramsey of Dalehouse and Henry Clidsdale kept the Rears no sooner came they within distance of Joyning but the sounds of Drums and Trumpets was out noised by the shouts of the Assailants Guns being about this time invented were here first practised between the Scots and English in an open field then the fight with equal order had been long maintained on both sides now the Scots then the English yielding ground many of the Commanders at length began to fall most of the English then was the Piercy at once constrained to be both Commander and Souldier but all would not do at last Victory declared her self altogether for the Scots two hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers of the Scots were slain here Of the English dyed Sir Henry Cliddsdale Sir John Ogle Sir Richard Piercy with fifteen hundred Gentlemen and Common Souldiers and four hundred taken prisoners of which forty were Knights King James resolving to prosecute this War raised an army and cometh to Roxburgh beseigeth the Castle defended by Sir Ralph Gray But when he came so near his designe that they within were driven to terms to Surrender The Queen in great hast cometh to the Camp representing to her Husband a Conspiracy which if not suddenly prevented would indanger his person and Crown this put the King in great astonishment not knowing what to do at last after many doubtful resolutions and conflicts in his thoughts raiseth the seige disbandeth the Army and accompanied with some chosen bands of his most assured friends Perplexed Pensive and Sad returned to Perth staied in the Convent of the Dominicans indeavouring so secretly as was possible to find out the Conspiracy but his close practising was not unknown to the Conspirators which made them hasten the mischief before tryal or remedy could be thought upon The Conspirators were Robert Graham Robert Stewart Nephew to Waller Earle of Athole and one of the Kings sworn Domesticks but he who gave motion to all was the Earle of Athole he himself the Kings Fatthers Brother this quarrel was no less then a pretended Title to the Crown and being animated by the Oracle of a Southsayer who assured him that he would be Crowned in a solemn Assembly before his death never doubted of success These having associated unto them the most audacious whom hope of preferment might intice Thus Graham and Stewart which were accomplices guided with resolution and guarded with the darkness of the Night came to the Black-fryers of Perth and having the way made open to them entred the Gallery before the Kings chamber door where they attended some of their Confederates who should have stole away the bar by which means they might enter the chamber but before their coming the occasion was put in their hands for Walter Streater one of the Kings Cup bearers came forth of the Chamber and finding armed men rushing rudely to force their entry with a loud voice gave the alarum of Treason while they were working his death a Maid of Honour got to the Door and essayed to shut it but the bar which should have made it fast was gone she thrust in her Arm in the place of it but that easily broken the conspirators rush into the Chamber and slaying all such of the waiters as made defence they at last stroke down the King whom while the Queen by interposing her body sought to save she received two wounds and he with twenty eight most toward the heart was left dead The report of this Murther being spread abroad wrought incredible Sorrow and Grief in the Hearts of his Subjects of all sorts the Nobles of their own accord and motion Assembled to Edenburgh and directed Troops of Armed men through all the quarters of the Kingdom to aprehend the Murtherers such diligence was used that within forty days all were taken and put to Ignominious Deaths the common sort of the Conspirators were hanged upon Gibbits the punishment of Athol was continued for three days the first day he was Stript naked to his shirt and by a Crane fixed in a Cart often hoisted aloft and thus dragged along the great street of the Town on the second day he was mounted upon a Pillar in the Market-place and crowned with a Diadem of burning Iron with this Inscription the King of all Traytors thus was his Oracle accomplished the third day he was laid naked upon a Scaffold his belly ript his Heart and Bowels taken out and thrown in a Fire before his eyes lastly his Head was cut of and fixed in the most Eminent place of the Town his Body sent in quarters to the most populous Cities of the Kingdom to remain a Trophy of Justice His Nephew was not altogether so vigorously handled being only hanged and quartered But it being notorious that Graham had imbrewed his hands in the Kings Blood a Gallows being raised in a Cave he had his Right hand nailed to it and as he was dragged along the Streets Executioners with burning Pincers tearing the most Fleshy part of his Carcass being thus torn and flayed his Heart and Intrals were thrown into a Fire his Head set up and his Quarters sent among the Towns to satisfie the wrath and sorrow of the injured People Being asked during his Torture how he durst embrew his hand in his Princes blood he made answer that having Heaven and Hell before him he dared leap from Heaven into Hell an answer worthy for such a Villain Dueas Sylvius then Legat in Scoltand from the Pope having seen this sudden and Terrible revenge being a Witness of the Execution Said he could not tell whether he should give them greater Commendations that revenged the Kings Death or brand them with a sharper Condemnation that distained themselves with so Hainous a parricide Thus dyed this
befooled by perfidious men which brought a great reproach upon Them and their Posterity Though it be false that they Sold him yet it is a sad truth that His Majesty told them that the English would no longer stand to their Agreement than they thought it for their Interest His Majesty being now in the English's hands they at first carried themselves somewhat respectfully to him but they began soon after to appear like themselves having purged the House of Commons of all such as they thought would oppose them they began to keep His Majesty almost a close prisoner in the Isle of Wight The Scots hearing how the King was thus contrary to the promise and engagement abused by the English sent their Commissioners to London to put the Parliament in mind of the agreement at New-Castle but before they came the Game was altered the Parliament being purged by the Army the barbarous Juncto prove unexorable wherefore the Commissioners return home and acquainted the Nobility how matters stood Whereupon an Army is presently listed under the Duke of Hamilton with which he marches to England but is unfortunately overthrown at Preston most of the Souldiers being killed and himself taken prisoner and brought up to London where not long after he together with the Earl of Holland and Lord Capel were Executed on Tower-hill Within a few days his Majesty is brought from the Isle of Wight to Windsor during his abode there the Officers of the Army and the Members they left in the House proceeded to that height of Insolence as to bring the King to a Tryal Which when it was Voted and passed in the pretended House of Commons they proceeded to make an Act for the Tryal of his Sacred Majesty which they intituled An Act of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament for Erecting of an High Court of Justice for Trying and Judging Charles Stewart King of England This Terrible form of proceeding against his Majesty struck great terrour to the hearts of all sober and good men yea the Presbyterian Ministers who before were against him now declare themselves both in their Pulpits and by earnest Petitions to the Parliament to be zealous abhorrers of the Kings Death and every where make publick Protestations against the Tryal yet nevertheless the Juncto goes on And upon Fryday January the 19 th 1648. his Majesty was brought by a strong Guard of Horse from Windsor to St. James's and from thence to Westminster where he was Tryed and found Guilty contrary to the Laws of God and Man And upon January the 30 th about two a Clock in the Afternoon he submitted his Royal Neck to the Fatal stroak upon a Scaffold Erected between White-Hall Gate and the Gate leading to the Gallery to St. Jameses The 24 th year of his Reign he was Interr'd in St. Georges Chappel at Windsor His sacred Majesty that now Reigns being at this time in France with the Queen Mother is by Unanimous consent of all his Subjects in Scotland proclaimed at Edenburg Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Scotland England France and Ireland c. and presently after they sent their Commissioners to treat with His Majesty who was then in the Isle of Jerzey After much debating on both sides at last Breda in Holland is agreed upon as a fit place for a solemn Treaty Here the Commissioners from the Church and State met the King and delivered the Propositions During the Treaty the above-mentioned Marquess of Montross was seized in Scotland and Executed which troubled his Majesty so much that it went nigh to break the Treaty but at length through the urgency of Affairs it was concluded And being brought to Edenburgh it was agreed that another Message should be sent to invite the King over to take Possession of the Crown which was his own by an unquestionable Title but the English Parliament replyed If they could hinder it it should not be so Wherefore they prepare an Army to invade Scotland under the command of their General Oliver Cromwell However the Scots no wise daunted at the Storms threatned from England resolved to adhere to his Majesty though upon their own terms The King arriving at the mouth of Spey in the North several Lords were sent to accompany him to Edenburgh but in the mean time Cromwell was advanced as far as Haddington against him Sir David Lâ—sly sent Sir John Brown with a Party of Horse which continued skirmishing for some while but produced no great Effect The next Rencounter was at Dumbar where the Scots had a Bloody Overthrow from Cromwel which did exceedingly strengthen his Interest in Scotland The first work that the Scots went about after this disaster was the Coronation of the King which was done at Scone with as great Solemnity as the state of Affairs could allow The Ceremony being over His Majesty removed to Sterling resolving to debate his right to Cromwell where people of all ranks flocked to him insomuch as in a short time he had an Army of 22000 Men but they dividing amongst themselves gave Cromwel opportunity to pass over forthwith defeating a part of the Kings Army at Innerkething possest himself of the whole Country His Majesty seeing after the defeat that Cromwel was like to Conquer all Scotland makes choyce of his most faithful Friends to venture with him into England where he might with more safety and advantage hazard three Kingdoms than in a Field wherefore with 16000 men he privately marched to England by the way of Carlyle and without any considerable opposition came to Lancashire where at Warrington Bridge some considerable Forces of the Parliament were ready to cut down the Bridg but the Scots were with them so suddenly that they prevented the breaking down of the Bridg forced their way over the Planks Hence his Majesty marched to Worcester in very good order Cromwel hearing of his motions sends Lambâ—rt with a select Party of Horse after him the Parliament also raised numerous Forces in most Countryes in England all which marched to Worcester against the King In the mean time Lambert gained a most Advantagious Pass at Hopâ—on by a desperate attempt having caused some of his Troopers to swim the River on Horseback carrying their Houlsters and Pistols in their hands to save them from wet whereby they put Major General Massey and his men to the retreat So that the Parliamentarians had a fair opportunity to make a Bridge over the River over which Cromwel passed and joyned the rest of the Army which put the King upon a necessity of Fighting the City being attacked on all sides Whereupon his Majesty marched out of the City with horse and foot against them Where followed a most desperate engagement insomuch that his Majesties Horse was twice shot under him every man resolving to dye in the Bed of Honour rather than to have their Prince and Country thus trod upon by the base Usurpers But the Enemy still advancing with
where at his Landing he overthrew Brennius and Cornellius who were Guardians to the young King of Ireland with their Nobles taking several Forts and Castles at last he laid Seige to Dublin where their young King was which after some resistance yeilded The King returning Conqueror from Ireland dyed the eighteenth year of his Reign by him the City of Aberdeen was built 74. Donald the sixth Constantine the seconds Son succeeded A. D. 894. He was a Religious and good King fit for either War or Peace he had some Ingagments with the Danes and sent Assistance to the King of England against them toward the latter part of his days he was troubled with Intestine broils for the Murrays and Rosses invading one another committed great Insolencies to quench this Fire the King came upon them with a great Army and taking the Leaders of the Faction put them to Death for an Example to others He dyed the eleventh year of his Reign 75. To him succeeded Constantine the third Ethus's Son A. D. 905. A Valiant but unfortunate Prince the perfidious Danes having broken their League with him joyned with the English but within four years they met with such measures as made them glad to return to the Scots Whereupon followed a hot and cruel War wherein Constantine found himself so unsuccessful that he resigned his Crown and betook himself to a Monastery where he dyed the fortieth year of his Reign 76. Malcolm the first Donald the sixths Son succeeded A. D. 943. A valiant Prince and severe Justitiar A Peace being made with England wherein Cumberland and Westmorland were annexed to the Crown of Scotland to be holden in Fee of the Kings of England this Prince passed the rest of his days in executing of Justice which he did with such strictness that some Villains in Murray-Land conspired against him where he was Traiterously killed the ninth year of his Reign 77. Indulf Constantine the thirds Son succeeded A. D. 952. A brave Warrior the Danes Landing in the North with a huge Army he went against them there in a pitch'd Battel he routed them but dyed himself in the Battel the ninth year of his Reign 78. To him succeeded Duff Malcolm the first 's Son A. D. 961. A Prince who much studied the Peace of his Country he went about his Northern Circuits where he kept his Courts severely punishing Malefactors coming at last to the Castle of Forress suspecting no harm was Traiterously murdered by the Captain and his Wife who were afterwards apprehended and put to a cruel Death 79. To him succeeded Culen Indulfs Son A. D. 966. Who having revenged the late Kings Death soon after became a most Flagitious and wicked Prince deflowring his own Daughters and Sisters He was killed by Rodard a Noble man at Meffen this Daughter he had deflowred the fourth year of his Reign 80. Keneth the third Duffs Brother succeeded A. D. 970. The beginning of his Reign was good executing of Justice severely finding his Nobles averse to deliver up ther Friends and Vassals who troubled the Peace to Justice he called a Convention of the States at Scone where having Clandestinely conveyed some Men in Arms where the Nobles were convened made them all Prisoners telling them that so it would be untill they did give up those Rebels to Justice they finding themselves thus hooked sent to their Friends to perform the Terms of their Liberation thus in a short time he had five hundred notable Thieves delivered up them he caused to be every one hanged upon Gibbets close by the Castle of Berth The Danes with a great Fleet of Ships Landing in Angus destroyed all before them till they came to Berth where the King and his Army ran-countered with them there followed a most bloody Battel the Scots beginning to give Ground were made to Rally by the means of one Hay and his two Sons who hearing as they were at Plowing not far from the Field that the Scots fled came each of them with a Club in his hand and renewed the Battel putting the Danes to flight there they were all cut off the King amply rewarded him giving him so much of the best Land in Scotland as a Faulcon off a Mans hand flew over which was six miles in length and four in breadth this was the Original of the Noble and Ancient Surname of Hay But that which darkned all this Noble Kings Acts was his causing Malcolm Prince of Scotland to be Poisoned making a Law that the Eldest Son or Nephew of the deceased Prince of what age soever he be shall succeed to the Crown with divers others Laws of the like Nature At last coming to the Castle of Felercarne the Lady Grof had the Kings Image in Brass in the midst of the House with a Golden Apple in his hand the King upon the Ladies desire pulling the Apple out of the Images hand was shot through the Body with an Engine that was made in it for the purpose He dyed the twenty fourth year of his Reign 81. To him succeeded Constantine the fourth Surnamed the Balde A. D. 994. He came to the Crown by Usurpation he was killed in Battel at Cramond in Lonthian the second year of his Reign 82. Grimus Duffs Son Usurped the Crown A.D. 996. Malcolm whose Right it was sent to the Nobles acquainting them how far he was wronged which Grimus hearing of caused the Messengers to be cast into Prison which was like to have been the beginning of a War yet they were seemingly agreed for that time by one Horthadus a Bishop but not long after his Vices being intolerable Malcolm was brought home from England who killed him in Battel the eighteenth year of his Reign 83. Malcolm succeeded to the Crown A. D. 1004. A Noble and Valiant Prince in his time Sweno King of the Danes being banished his Country and coming to Scotland was converted to Christianity and supplyed with Men for reducing his Kingdom yet to his great loss he soon after made War against Malcolm who utterly routed his Army several times This Prince was killed by a Conspiracy of some of his Nobles in the Castle of Glames the thirtieth year of his Reign the Conspirators flying in the Night chanced to pass over the Pool of Forfar upon the Ice where the Ice breaking they all miserably perished 84. Duncan the first Malcolm the seconds Grand-son by his Daughter Beatrix succeeded A. D. 1034. He was thought to be of too indulgent a Spirit for Governing that fierce and untractable People Bancho of whom are descended the Ancient and Royal name of Stewarts was in his time Thane or Earl of Lochaber He was Traiterously murdered by his Cousin Makbeth the sixth year of his Reign 85. To him succeeded Mackbeth Malcolm the seconds Daughters Son A. D. 1040. Altho' he came to the Crown by Treachery and Blood-shed yet he Governed for a time pretty moderately but at last brake out into all kind of Tyranny and Cruelty forcing his Nobles
going through France he spent it all and told his Holiness when he came to Rome that he had been robb'd by the way Whereupon presently another Legat was sent to Britain But the People hearing how they were cheated of their Money by the last procured an Order discharging this not to enter the Kingdom King Alexander dyed in Peace the thirty fifth year of his Reign and was buried at Melross 95. Alexander the third succeeded his Father A. D. 249. Being nine years of Age at his Coronation Ambassadors were sent to England demanding Margaret King Henry the third's Daughter in Marriage for King Alexander which was granted the next year the two Kings had a meeting at York where the Marriage was Solemnized During his Minority the Realm was well Governed by his Nobles taking the Government upon himself his first work was to summon the Earls of Monterth Athole and Buchan and the Lord Strabogy who were all of the Name of Cumings they not daring to appear were denounced Rebels They being now afraid thought nothing so much for their safety as the having the King in their Power which they got and confined him in the Castle of Sterling but the Earl of Athel who was the head of the Party dying their Hearts failed them and every one of them getting his Remission they set the King at Liberty soon after the Danes with a great Army invaded the Country the King with his Forces went against them and routed them killing twenty four Thousand of them the King returned to Norway with only four Ships which was all that was left of his whole Fleet. At this time Alexander Earl of Carrick passed to the Holy-Land having a Daughter who succeeded to his Estate she Married Robert Rance Lord of Annaudale and bare to him that noble and invincible Champion Robert Bruce King of Scotland King Alexander had two Sons by his Queen viz. Prince Alexander and David and one Daughter Margaret who was married to the King of Norway she bare to him Margaret called the Maiden of Norway The King and Queen going to London to the Coronation of King Edward the first David the second Son dyed in their absence within a few years after the Prince dyed at Lundores to the great Grief of the Nation and not long after the King dyed by a fall from over a Rock at Kinghorn the thirty seventh year of his Reign Leaving none of his own direct Line to succeed him The Nobility having met upon this so important occasion they put the Kingdom into the hands of six Regents for the South side Robert Arch-Bishop of Glasgow John Cumine and John the great Steward of Scotland For the North the Arch-Bishop of S. Andrews Macdiff Earl of Fife and Cumine Earl of Buchan Edward of England sends to demand the Daughter Grand-Child in marriage as next Heir to the Crown which was agreed too but the Death of the Lady frustrated all that Negotiation by which means great contention arose between Bourn and John Baliol. Baliol managing the English and Bruce the French interest Baliol being in the second degree of relation and Bruce in the third the one being David Earle of Huntingtons Grand Child the other his great Grand Child matters standing thus the whole was referred to King Edward who coming to Berwick and calling Lawyers to his assistance pretends all equity but raised up eight other Competitors the better to weaken the claim of the other two and so handled the business that Bruce having refused the Crown in Homage to England upon his aceptance of these conditions 96. John Balliol was declared King A. D. 1293. In the fourth year of his Reign an Appeal being made against him to King Edward by Mac-Duff and he refusing to rise from his Seat to answer it King Edward enters Scotland masters the Country takes Baliol and sends him Prisoner to London and afterward to France where he dyed long after in Exile About this time Sir William Walace arose who to his Honour did so Heroically defend his Country in its low condition as made it easily appear that if he had had as happy a fortune to advance as he had to relieve he might have been Commemorated for as great a man as ever was in any age for having upon a quarrel Slain a Young English Gentleman and enforced to lurk in the Hills for safety of his life he became inured to such hardness that awaking his natural Courage he be came the Head of all the Malecontents and filled both the Kingdomes with his terror so that having gleaned up to a tumultuary Army he became Baliols Viceroy thus after some little skirmishes he reduced all beyond the Forts after which he went to England and Ranged up and down for some time and returned without opposition after which the English enters Scotland with a great Army and finding the Scots disposed under three Leaders who disputed among themselves for Priority quite routed them but soon after they made a general insurrection to oppose which King Edward sent Ralph Conniers with a great army who a by tripple Victory were defeated at Kolkin All this while Robert Bruce continued with King Edward who weary of the Kings delays and offputs at last strikes in with John Cumin Baliols Cousin german they agreed that Bruce should have the Kingdom and Cumine all Bruces Lands Cumine notwithstanding communicates this agreement to King Edward Bruce hath notice and by shooing his Horse backward escapes to Lockambban there he finds Cumines Letters advising to cut him off upon which he hastens to Dumforess where he heard that Cumin was and after his exprobrating his infidelity Stabs him dead in the Franciscan Monastery About the same time Walace was traiterously Betrayed by Sir John Monteits at Glasgow and delivered to the English and being brought to London was Cruelly executed in Smithfield and his Limbs hung up in the most Eminent places 97. Robert Bruce was after he had stayed for the Popes absolution for defiling the Monastery with the murder of Cumine Crowned at Scone 1306. a Valiant and Heroick Prince he had many Enemies both at home and abroad which Edward taking advantage off with the assistance of the Cumines quite Routed him forcing him to the Hills where he endured great Misery to the great ruine and Slaughter both of his Family and Friends but making to gether some little force he took Carrick and Innerness by surprisal and by this means augmented his Train so that he was in case to withstand Edward having obtained a considerable Victory though sick and forced to be held on horse back this gave him time to take in the remaining strength but they were within a year retaken from him which incouraged Edward the second to enter with a great Army to Scotland but had a great defeat at Bannokburn which occasioned the loss of Berwick and Bruces confirmation in Parliament some few years after were spent in light Skirmishes and Incursions Robert having some rest
the Earls of Montross Gleancan Lords Maxwel Ruthwen with others being advertised by Letters came to him they of the Association having the Prince with them to add Authority to their Quarrel Gathered from all Quarters the two Armies being in readiness to decide their Quarrel by Battel the Earl of Athole the Kings Uncle so travelled between the Lords of either Party that the King had a Suspension of Arms agreed on The Earl rendring himself a pledge for the Accomplishment of the Kings part of the Reconcilement to Lord Hails Thus the King lost a good opportunity the like of which was never again in his offer for the Lords notwithstanding that was agreed upon continued very troublesome to the Country the Town of Edenburgh is pestered with Troops of armed Men. The King warned of his danger fortifies the Castle of Edenburgh for his defence then he sent to the Lords to understand their Intentions and what they meant they finding their offences flew higher than hope of pardon could reach answered that nothing could secure them nor the Kingdom until he had divested himself of all the Government of the Kingdom and resigned the Crown in Favour of his Son But he resolving to hazard all rather then condescend to this was advised by some of his Friends to retire to the Castle of Sterling where his Forces might have more easie Access to him but this proved a a fatal advice for coming thither the Treacherous Constable denyed him entrance in the mean time News came to him that the Confederates were within six miles of him at Falkirk The King to make a Vertue of necessity resoves to put all upon the hazard of a Battel the Confederates were incamped near the Torwood The King set forward with his Army upon the other side of the Torwood Both drew up in a plain field near Bannock-burn and engaged most desperately The first Charge is valiantly given and Lance meeting with Lance the Vant-Guard of the Lords began to yield ground But the next Charge being given by Anandale Men the middle of the Kings Army is beat back to the main Battel notwithstanding of which it is fought a while with great obstinacy on both sides until the Standard Royal was beaten down then began the Kings Army to bow the Horsemen obeying no Orders begun to turn their backs In this rout and Confusion of Horse and Foot the King seeking to retire towards the River Ferth by the fall of his Horse in leaping a Ditch being sore bruised was carried by such who knew him not to a Well at Bannock-burn where he was killed in cold Blood by Borthwick a Priest with some others the twenty ninth year of his Reign and was buried at Kambush-Kenneth 105. To him succeeded his Son James the fourth who was Crowned at Edenburgh A. D. 1489. Being about sixteen years of age a noble and Couragious Prince and Godly the beginning of his Government was most uneasie the Death of the late King being yet recent his followers resolve to have it revenged In the North Alexander Lord Forbs displayed the Bloody shirt of the murthered King upon a Lance in Aberdeen and other places of the North inviting the Country as by an Herald to the revenge of his Murther In the West the Earl of Lennox hath the same resolution also the Earl of Marshad Lords Goodore and Lyle with the Confederates in other parts of the Kingdom But the Lord Drumond routed the Earl of Lennox at Telliemoss and also Sir Andrew Wood obtained a considerable Victory over the English who pretended to revenge the late Kings death at the mouth of Ferth The Rumor of these Victories so amazed Forbs and his Confederates that they laid down their Arms and put themselves into the Kings mercy and were all received into Favour The Lords rejoyced greatly that they had brought things to this pass but the King gave no sign of Joy yea upon the contrary to give a Testimony to the World of the Agony of his mind for the Death of his Father and that Remorse and Anguish he suffered for the Faults of those who brought him to the Field against him he girded himself with an Iron Chain to which every third year thereafter he added some Rings and weight so long as he lived and though this might threaten no good to some yet they pass it by not daring to Attempt ought against the common Peace Amidst this Grief and Sorrow of the Kings Andrew Forman Secretary to Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome arrived in Scotland with Instructions to the Clergy in a Letter from his Master to the King and Nobles exhorting them to the mutual Duties of their Stations after this some Head-strong Nobility dying the Country enjoyed a great calm of Peace the Seeds of Dissention seeming to be quite taken away But the Borders keeping up their old fewds by new Accessions make daily Incursions one upon another which came at last to open Hostility Whereupon King James enters England and spoils all the North parts and returns home without any considerable Action not long after Ambassadors came from England desiring a Peace which is granted and the Commissioners for both sides met at Edenburgh where many Articles and conditions of the peace were hotly disputed one of the Englishe's demands was an Interview between the two Kings at Newcastle which being referred to King James his own arbitrement he answered that he meant to treat of a Peace but not to go a Begging for it Much being said at last they conclude upon a Peace for some Months following after which followed a match between King James of Scotland with Lady Margaret the King of Englands Eldest Daughter which was consummated at Edenburgh King Henry bringeth his Daughter as far as Cokebiston in the way and then resigning her to the Earl of Northumberland who with a great train of Lords and Ladys brought her to Edenburgh to the King her Husband where they for some days were taken up with nothing but Banqueting masks and Tilting with such other exercises by this means the King wasted his Treasures greatly then some of them set their wits awork to squeeze the Subjects for Money which occasioned great murmurings among the Poor A. D. 1507. James Prince of Scotland and the Isles was born at Holy-Rood-house the one and twentyth of January but he soon after dyed at Sterling the year following the Queen brought forth another Son named Arthur but he dyed also in the Castle of Edenburgh Then she brought forth her third Son at Linlithgow who Succeeded to the Crown and was named James About the same time Bernard Stewart came to Scotland intreating that King James would make War with King Henry of England to keep him from molesting France which at last he obtained then began they to go to their old work of making incursions one upon another till at last it breaks out to an open War Whilst King James staied at Linlithgow attending the gathering of an Army now ready
convened his Nobles intending to determine the right of Inheritances which some had unlawfully kept in these unsettled times this begat a Conspiracy which being detected a meeting was held at Perth there by their own Papers many were Convicted and Executed but some Pardoned In the mean time a Legat came from Rome armed with all the Thunderbolts of that See to threaten the Scots into a Peace with England but missing of his Errand the Scots followed him with an Army and marched as far as Stainmore Edward in revenge raiseth a most powerfull Army Robert therefore considering that his force would not be in case to resist so great a Power caused all the cattel to be carryed unto the Avious retreats of the Hills that they might not be serviceable to the Enemy whereupon the English for want of Victuals were forced to retire Bruce pursues them as far as Yorke there he obtained a great Victory About this time the family of the Hamiltons took their rise one of them killing an English Gentleman fled to Robert for Protection who gave him lands which retain the name to this day Bruce now having subdued his enemies begins to compose himself to the cares of Peace and by Act of Parliament settles the Crown upon his Son though a Child and in case of his decease to Robert Stewart his Grand-child by his Daughter soon after Thomas Randolph and James Dowglas were sent with a flying party of horse into England from whence they returned without any considerable action saving only that Dowglas with two hundred horse beat up the English quarters cutting two ropes of the Kings Tent with his Sword and made a good retreat Bruce finding himself wasted with Age retyred to the Abby of Kilross leaving these three Counsels behind him First not to let one man Solely command the Ebudae Secondly never to put all their strength at one Hazard with the English Thirdly never to make long Truces with them Thus he dyed leaving Charge with the Valiant Dowglas to go to Jerusalem whither himself designed an Expedition which the Dowglas performing he afterward Joyned with the Christian Princes against the Turks and Saracens where he obtained several great Victories He purposing to return home was driven by a Tempest upon the Coast of Spain where he joyned with the King of Aragon against the Saracens and obtained great Victories at last he was killed by an Ambushment that was laid for him of purpose thus ended the Noble and Valiant Dowglas one of the most renowned warriours that lived in his days It is said that he was thirteen times Victorious against the Turkes and Sarazens and fiftie seven times against the English In the preceeding age there was a Gate in Dansick called the Dowglas port in memory of this Dowglas King Robert dyed at Cardross the twenty fourth year of his Reign and was buried in Dumfermling 98 To him Succeeded his Son David Bruce A. D. 1330. Being seven years of age Thomas Randal who was continued Governour kept the country in entire peace and prosperity which King Edward hearing of hired a Monk to kill Randal by poyson the Monk giving out that he had great skill in curing the Stone where with the Government was sore troubled came to be in favour with him which gave him opportunity to perpetrate his Villany how ever the Poyson did not take effect at first but the Monk returned home and told King Edward that he had done his business who immediately raising a great Army came to the border of which the Governour being advertised presently marched against him himself not being able to ride nor go was carryed in a litter when King Edward heard that the Governour was there in person he sent an Herald under pretence of seeking peace whom the Governour received with a very austere countenance when Edward was by the Herald certified of the truth of his being alive he returned home and burnt the Monk alive The Governour returning home dyed at Musselbrough after his death the Earle of March and the Earle of Marr were chosen Governours in which they were scarce warm when news was brought that Edward Balliol was seen in the Fryth with a formidable Fleet his Army consisted of both English and Scotch the Earle of Stafford with divers other English men of note were with him the Governours raised two great Armies to oppose the Balliol he came near the water of Hone where he pitched his Tents the Earle of Marr also encamped within view of him but he slighting the smallness of their number took little care of himself the Balliol in the night time passed the water of Erne having intelligence of the Ford by a stake set up for that purpose and entering the Earle of Marrs Camp killed him in his Bed with many other Noble men and Gentlemen namely the Earle of Carrick Sir William Hay Constable of Scotland Alexander Frazier also Robert Keith Lord Marshal Balliol past immediately and beseiged Perth and soon overcame it The Earle of March being encamped at Ochterarder and hearing of the Earle of Marrs death and the taking the Town of Perth marched thither and beseiged it but after he had filled the Ditches and put himself in a case to make an assault he most shamefully left it thereupon 99. Balliol usurped the Crown at Scone A. D. 1332. coming from thence to Perth they that adhered to David Bruce beseiged him and his party upon the other hand his adherents wasted and destroyed the beseigers country Perth being well fortified was by the King committed to the Earle of Fiffe as Governour of it but the Sons of them who were killed with the Earle of Marr at Duplin beseiged and took it committing the Governour to the Castle of Killdrummie Andrew Murry of Tullibardin was Executed for fastning the stake in the Ford of the River Erne whereby Balliol and the Englishmen were directed the Night wherein they Surprised the Earle of Marre Therefore John Kandal Earle of Murry and the Earle of Galloway gathered a great Army and came against Balliol and quite routed him killing many of his Nobles and taking many Prisoners the Kingdom being thus divided the one part for Balliol the other for Bruce the King of England thinking it a fit time for him to make a full Conquest of Scotland raised a great Army and beseiged Berwick mean while Archibald Dowglass raised an Army and entring the Borders Burnt all before him to divert the King of England from the Seige King Edward advertised of this sent a Messenger to Sir Alexander Setonn who was Governour telling him that if he did not presently render he would hang his two Sons whom he had in his hands which he refusing to do the two Young Gentlemen were presently hanged then the Governour came with an Army to Northumberland where a most Bloody battel was fought on Halidown-hill and the Governour himself with many Nobles killed thereupon Berwick was rendered and Edward Balliol Established King who sought by