refreshment having eat much of his own Flesh and many of his Members miserably perished in the extremity of Hunger a great evidence indeed of God's anger against his Lustful youth but no less evidence of a cruel and barbarous heart in the merciless and inhuman Uncle This Cruelty is for a time concealed from the good King at last Time revealeth it not without some indignation of the Author The Duke is questioned but by a cowardly if not traiterous Jury pack'd by himself acquitted the poor distressed King praying to Heaven for a Vengeance upon them and all their Posterity who were guilty of that horrid Murther the Duke to gloss all the better draggeth some to Prison Flagitious men indeed but altogether innocent of this Crime condemneth and executeth them as Murtherers of the Prince palliating one wickedness with another as many other wicked men have done The good King solicitous for his onely Son now remaining resolveth for his greater safety to send him over to France to be educated in the Court of Charles the Sixth the French King and commendeth him to the safe conduct and oversight of Lord Henry Sinclare Earl of Orkney he setteth Sail from the Basse and passing by Flamborrowe-head a Storm ariseth and forceth the Ship into Harbour the Prince afflicted with Sea-sickness goeth on Shore is apprehended by the English and sent Prisoner to King Henry of England who notwithstanding of the Mournful Letters of the afflicted King his Father sent up of purpose some weeks before to prevent the obstruction of his Journey and contrary to the Advice of the most of his Council pleading for his Liberty detaineth him Prisoner This hard measure is in great measure recompenced by the liberal Education he gave him whereby he became the most Learned Prince of his time the sad news of his Imprisonment brought to his still afflicted Father for the loss of his eldest Son as he sat at Supper cut him to the Heart and oppressed with Grief he falleth down dead his Company about him in vain seeking to recover Life in him they carry him to his Chamber where his Spirits revive a little but abstaining from all manner of nourishment after three days abstinence he departeth this Life opprest with two cruel tyrants Hunger and Grief in the 16th Year of his Reign April the First 1406 A Prince of a very proper and proportionable Person a Good man and a Meek not furnished indeed with Austerity and such like qualities as might have rendered him more fit than in truth he was to Govern a People so unlike himself in Conditions THE LIFE OF JAMESI KIng Robert departed this Life his Son James Prisoner in England is Proclaimed King of Scotland and his Uncle Robert Duke of Albany continued by Act of Parliament in his Government at this time a sweet calm of Peace continued between the two Kingdoms above twelve years together a great blessing to both Nations In the mean while a black Cloud appeareth in the North of Scotland Donald Lord of the Isles pretending the recovery of his Lands in Ross which the Governor kept from him by a a trick of Law Invadeth Ross from thence marcheth into Murray from thence into Buchan and so to Aberdeen doing much Mischief all along as he went To stop this Current Alexander Earl of Marre and others of the Nobility advance against him with such Forces as could be raised on the sudden both Armies Encounter at Harlaw a fierce Battel continueth for many hours with such slaughter on both sides that at Night the darkness whereof was the first commander of Cessation each Army thought it self overcome no man appearing next day morning to claim the glory of the Victory onely the poor Village Harlaw where the Battel was is famous from it to this day This Rebellion over the Dauphine of France sendeth an Ambassadour to Scotland to demand Assistance against the English according to their ancient League then warring in France declaring with a sad Narrative that himself was disinherited and the English King Henry the 5th Married to his Sister the Lady Catharine declared Regent of France in present and Heir apparent to the Crown with whom likewise the Duke of Burgundy had joyned his whole Force this pitiful Letter soon quickened the Scottish Nobility dreading the effects of King Henry his Greatness an Army of 7000 resolute and stout men are sent immediately over into France under the Conduct of John Earl of Buchan Archibald Earl of Wigton Son to Archibald Earl Dowglas with whom were divers Persons of Quality all safely arrive and are immediately sent by the Dauphine towards Turon the Duke of Clarence Brother to the English King well high surpriseth them in their way they take the Alarm nigh Bergie and on Easter-Eve they give Battel to the English fought with great valour and various fortune on both sides at last the Duke of Clarence is dismounted his whole Army routed 2000 slain on the spot amongst whom were the Duke of Clarence the Earl of Kime the Lords Gray and Ross Many Prisoners likewise taken whereof divers Persons of Quality as the Earls of Huntington and Somerset and others The Earl of Salisbury a man of singular vertue and valour endeavoureth to repay this loss but could effect nothing save the recovery of the dead Body of the Duke of Clarence which he afterwards sent over into England After this Victory the Dauphine createth Buchan Constable of France one of the highest Preferments in that Kingdom In the same Year 1420 Robert Duke of Albany departed this Life and his Son Mordake established in his place Buchan returneth from France and is immediately recalled he arriveth at Rochett accompanied with Archibald Earl of Dowglas and Five thousand Auxiliary Foot the Dauphine much cheared up at their arrival receiveth them with ample Gratulation John Duke of Bedford is sent over from England much about the same time with 4000 Horse and 10000 Foot and soon after King Henry himself arriveth and with him James King of Scotland of purpose by his presence to withdraw the Scots from the Dauphine or at least to render them the more suspected to him but he is disappointed in both the Scots unanimously declaring that they could not render whilst a Prisoner the Obedience otherwise due to him Soon after both the French and English King depart this Life Henry the Sixth of England about Eights Months old is Proclaimed King of England and France John Duke of Bedford appointed Regent of France The Dauphine at the same time Proclaimed by his Adherents King of France by the Name of Charles the 7th The Regent advanceth against him with a powerful Army the Duke of Alenson encountereth him Charles himself is with general consent and unanimous request of all his Friends desired to withdraw and not to hazard his Person the miscarriage whereof was an apparent ruine of them all and giveth him Battel not far from Vornoil The Fight continued very fierce for some hours at
done a Promise is made to assure him of Pardon Earl Dowglas passeth over into England craveth Assistance of Henry Earl of Northumberland which was no sooner asked than obtained Forces are raised and under the Conduct of the two Earls they make an Incursion into the Meuse in Scotland wasting and pillaging all the Earl of Angus is sent to give some Check to the violent Current which was done to good purpose being soundly beaten they are forced to retreat leaving their Spoil behind them King James not satisfied with this Victory resolveth to revenge the manifold Incursions made into Scotland by an Expedition into England provoked the more by the Entertainment and Assistance given to the Earl Dowglas a Proclaimed Traitor In the mean while Agents are sent to him by some of the English Nobility the Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and others then in Arms against King Henry to crave some Auxiliary Forces from his Majesty in recompence whereof they promise in case of Success the Rendition of all the Scottish Towns Forts and Castles in the English Possession King James though unwilling to meddle in this Quarrel yet being glad of an Opportunity to regain his Towns and having formerly concluded a War for reparation of Wrongs done declareth to the English Commissioners that he would hasten his Expedition into England which he doubted not would be much to the advantage of the Lords in Arms and therefore expected that in case of Success the Proposition now made touching his Towns should then be performed The English Commissioners return satisfied the Scottish Army forthwith advanceth which had not marched many Miles when behold an Impostor and with him a Cozening Monk presenteth himself to the King pretending himself to be the Pope's Legate but sent indeed by King Henry of England This Jugler informeth his Majesty that his Holiness intended to settle if possible a general Peace in Christendom in order to a War against the Turk the Enemy of Christians and therefore in his Holiness his Name he requireth his Majesty to retreat assuring him that in case of Disobedience he had Command given to him to denounce the Pope's Curse against him which in those days was so Dreadful that no Man durst be so desperate as to incur the danger thereof King James therefore obeycth retreateth and Disbandeth his Army This Cheat is soon discovered the King enraged recalleth his Army and forthwith advanceth and in his way Stormeth the Town of Roxburgh then Garrison'd by the English the Castle refusing to yield is closely Besieged in the interim Messengers come from the English Lords to give notice to his Majesty of King Henry his Overthrow and return him thanks for his Royal care of their Safety intreating him to desist from the Siege lest the English being provoked thereby send down an Army contrary to their minds against him King James much moved at this last Passage demandeth of the Messengers what Instructions they had from their Lords concerning the Promise of Surrendering into his hands all his Towns Forts and Castles in the English power they acknowledge none The King bids them tell their Lords That not their Words but their Swords must raise him from the Siege The Siege continueth and is reinforced by additional Forces under Earl Hantkey and Donald Lord of the Isles who to ingratiate himself the more to his Majesty tendereth himself and his Forces as a Forlorn Hope in what Design or Service soever it shall please his Majesty to command him In the midst of all this Preparation behold the Fatal hour approacheth the King being himself very skilful in discharging of great Ordnance draweth nigh to see the Cannoneer discharge a great Cannon called the Lion newly sent to him from beyond Sea the Cannon discharged flyeth in pieces a Wedge whereof pierceth the King's body and immediately he dyeth Such of his Courtiers and Commanders as were by though astonished at this sad Spectacle yet are so present in mind as to cover his Body from the view of the Souldiers lest all should turn to Confusion The Queen who that very morning came into the Camp with a chearful Countenance wisely consealing the great grief of her heart exhorteth the Nobility to go on with Resolution notwithstanding that sad disaster and for their further encouragement produceth her young Son the Prince a Child of seven Years old they salute him King and being much animated by this couragious Deportment of the Queen the Siege goeth on more furiously than before The English within spent with much labout and continual watchings Sound a Parley obtain Articles of Surrender march out honourably with freedom to Transport into England whatsoever belonged to the Garrison the Castle Surrendered is forthwith Demolished Thus Dyed James the Second about the 11th of September 1460 in the 22th Year of his Reign and the 29th of his Age he lived in a most desperate time and Rebellious Age but disposed with such a well composed Mind that Prosperity and Adversity were equally entertained by him the Death of Earl Dowglas the only instance of his Impotency a Man of singular Courage and no less Clemency munificent to his Friend and merciful to his Foe In a sad time he fell leaving Sorrow enough behind him and a sad People for so great a loss THE LIFE OF JAMES III. JAMES the Third entereth his Reign at Kelso the 7th Year of his Age Anno 1460. The Peers having done the Homage the King repaireth to Edenburgh-Castle to remain there under the Tuition of the Queen until a Parliament could conveniently be called for setling the Affairs of the King and Kingdom In the mean while King Henry the Sixth of England after various Fortune of War is at last after the fatal Blow he received at Towton nigh Ferrybridges where died 35091 English forced to fly with the Queen and Prince into Scotland for Relief where he is Honourably received and entertained the Scottish King's Sister Margaret is given in Marriage to his Son Prince Edward Some considerable Forces are raised for his Assistance to recover his Crown having delivered Berwick to King James as part or his Antient Inheritance before the days of King Edward the First King Henry marcheth with his Army into England and is overthrown in Battel by Edward the 4th nigh Hexham escapeth to Berwick Edward returneth to London Queen Margaret procures some Forces from France all Cast away in the Holy Island by distress of Weather such as escaped the Sea are either Slain or Imprisoned King Henry now desperate of Relief resolveth to try the Affections of his Friends in England and to that end putteth himself into a Disguise and coming Southward is discovered apprehended carried to London and laid up in the Tower By this time the Scots are at leisure to meet in Parliament great Contention there was into whose hands the Government should be committed during the King's Minority the Queen claimeth it Kennedie Arch-bishop of St. Andrews and George
the thread of his Life in a Fit of a burning Feaver which notwithstanding cutteth not off the current of their Malice which unhappily found a more advantageous passage by the imprudent Deportment of William the young Earl his Son a Youth not exceeding fourteen Years of Age who living in a Princely garb creating Knights Counsellors and other Officers and always guarded with a Guard of Two Thousand Horse is suspected and feared of all and as an addition to his Envy as well as Greatness he sendeth to France and craveth the Title of his Grand-father which was forthwith granted to him and is immediately declared Duke of Tyron and which added more to all Mens fear and jealousie the Queen and the Lord James Stuart her Husband and his Brother William are suspected to be Engaged in Dowglas his Faction The Vice-Roy glad to snatch any opportunity against the Queen whom now he Suspected to be none of his Friend secureth her Person and not contented to secure her Husband and his Brother in a strong Prison he layeth them both fast in Iron Fetters where they remained until they found sufficient Sureties for the Peace engaging withal that they should not bear any publick Office without consent of the Vice-Roy The Vice-Roy now not a little puft up ruleth all things at pleasure contemning the Chancellor and all other Officers of State the Chancellor not able to bear this Insolence withdraweth from Court then at Sterlin and retireth himself to the Castle of Edenburgh the Government whereof he had Confirmed to him at their last Agreement who meditating with himself what might be done to give Check to the Vice-Roy resolveth to surprize the Person of the King who he knew used to follow his sport in Hunting with a small Retinue to which end he marcheth out in the Night and lodgeth himself and a Band of his most trusty Friends amongst Thickets in a Wood whither the King came next day morning in course the Chancellor forthwith Surprizeth him beseeching his Majesty to be of good Chear and to rest assured that no other thing save his Highness Service and Safety was intended by him telling him that it was now high time for him to take the Government upon himself in order whereunto he came to Rescue him out of the hands of the Vice-Roy in which he lived not much on this side Slavery and withal with great shews of Respect and Duty he tendereth to his Highness a Guard of Four Thousand Horse The King seemeth not much displeased putteth on a chearful Counrenance and guarded with those Four Thousand Horse he cometh along with the Chancellor to the City of Edenburgh where he was received with extraordinary Acclamations of Joy The Vice-Roy no less confounded at this Surprisal than was the Chancellor at the Queen 's lately mentioned is extremely perplexed In Council after many Self-debates he resolveth at last not daring to trust himself to the Earl Dowglas upon all hazards to hast to Edenburgh with a small Retinue to try whether by stooping so low the Storm might pass over him to Edenburgh he repaireth and by mediation of the Bishops of Aberdeen and Murray Men Learned Pious and Prudent a Personal Conference is obtained with the Chancellor The Vice-Roy with a sad Countenance deploreth their unhappy Divisions declaimeth against them as Dangerous to the Publick and Destructive to their own private Interests he imploreth an happy Union between them without which they must both Perish promising on his part an Oblivion of all things past and all fair Respect in time to come The Chancellor well knowing that Destruction to both must needs be the Issue of the Divisions between them chearfully hearkneth to the proposition of Peace they presently accord and an Union is now the second time concluded between them and notwithstanding Distress enough to the People and Danger more than enough to the young King flowing from their divided Government these two cunning Catchers accord to continue still in their respective Trusts and places in Government upon this agreement a Parliament is called at Edenburgh for the better setling of the miserable distracted Conditon of the Kingdom To this Parliament Dowglas is Invited and by the advice of the Vice-Roy and Chancellor his inveterate Enemies now contriving his Ruine publick Letters are sent him Sealed by the King and divers of the prime Nobility inviting him with many Arguments of Love and Respect to assist in Parliament and in the publick Administration assuring him not only of Safety but tendering to him what Place he should desire in the management of publick Affairs The Earl moved by the publick Faith thus ingaged and by the specious Promises so Solemnly made repaireth to Edenburgh without Fear or Jealousie The Chancellor meeteth him before he came within ten Miles of the City and inviteth him to his Castle at Chrichton where he Entertaineth him magnificently in all his Discourse so highly commending the Noble Family of the Dowglasses their worthy Acts and high Deserts both of King and Country and so fully declaring the great hopes himself conceived of the young Earl himself that the Wiser of Dowglas his Retainers began to suspect some Mischief to lurk under the covert of those specious Words which they knew were no less unusual in him than unbeseeming his Place and Authority They dissuade their Lord with all Earnestness from his Journey towards the City intreating his return to his own House as he loved himself and if he must needs go they adjure him by all the love he bear to his Family and by all that reverence and obedience he owed to the Commands of his Wise Father who charged him on his Death-bed never to trust his whole Family under the hazard of one Blow that he would not carry along with him his dear and only Brother but all in vain his Destiny drives him no faster than he is willing to run to his own Ruine he entereth the City and is by the Chancellor attended to the Castle whither the Vice-Roy likewise repaireth and entertaineth him with all Civility yea and to Honour him the more he is admitted to the King 's own Table and feasted with no small Solemnity But behold amidst all their Chear and great Mirth a Band of Armed Men enters the Dining Chamber and a Bull 's Head is clap'd on the Table a certain Token in those days of an appointed and approaching Death the Earl is too late stricken with Fear and endeavouring to rise the Armed Men lay hold on him drag him down Stairs and without Doors immediately cut off his Head his Brother David and Malcombe Fleming his dearest Friend are at the same time and in the same manner Cut off The young King no less amazed than abused and stricken with immediate Sorrow weepeth as a Child though now grown well upward towards the years of a Man the Chancellor perceiving him Chides him very sharply for his unseasonable Tears as he was pleased to call them for the Death
necessary if possible to prevent the Conjunction of Dowglas and Hammilton to that end he advanceth to Linlithquo where the Hammiltons were drawn together Dowglas then at Edenburgh marcheth with all possible expedition bringing along with him to countenance his affairs the person of the King who all along retardeth the journey accounting Lennox more his Friend than those with him pretending indisposition of Body ever and anon dismounteth making shew to pay some necessary office to Nature Dowglas frets and in vain spending many entreaties for expedition at length George Dowglas Brother to the Earl is so peremptory with him as in most Rebellious terms to tell him That rather than their Enemies should get possession of his Person they would rend him in pieces and divide him in halves between them This Traiterous word made an indelible impression on the heart of the King though at present silence was his best and only return At last the Armies joyn Lennox and his Patty are put to the rout many slain the Earl himself killed bewailed of all Hammilton and Dowglas both mourn for him above all the King is afflicted the remnant of his Party with sorrow and grief enough submit and are all forced to compound for their Treasons as was pretended in bearing Arms against the King the Earl of Cassils refusing to submit was way-laid and killed by one Hugh Campbell Lennox his Death divulged maketh a very deep impression in the hearts of most men especially his own Retainers one of his Servants resolveth with himself to avenge his Lord's death on the Person of the Bastard Hammilton by whom Lennox was killed To that end he repairs to Edenburgh and on his way meeting with one of his Fellow-servants he asked him saying Didst thou see Hammilton the Bastard Yea said he I saw him and hast thou not killed him unthankful Wretch who murthered our Dear Lord and Master said the Fellow Go and be hang'd thou art not worthy to live and with these words he pass'd on in his way and came streight to Holyrude House where in the Pallace-Yard stood Two thousand Armed men all Retainers to Dowglas and Hammilton there the Fellow walks full of Revenge and waiting the opportunity to execute the desire of his heart Hammilton unawares comes in his way without Arms the Fellow falls upon him in the Penthouse under the Porters-Lodge and wounds him in six several places of his Body the Armed men are all presently in confusion and well nigh in one anothers blood The Hammiltons suspecting this bold attempt to be done by the Dowglasses newly only reconciled to them to avenge some old Quarrels The Fellow is at last apprehended who had opportunity fair enough had he attempted it to escape with his Sword in his hand still smoaking with Hammilton's blood he is forthwith hurried to Tolbnith boldly professing that what he did was to revenge the death of his Dear Lord declaring with inexpressible confidence that he was sorry for nothing but that he was disappointed of his design so bravely begun by him he is put to Torture for the discovery of such as animated him to that bold attempt his Flesh is seared with burning Irons which he endured with such courage and resolution as no man could spy either by his words or by his countenance or otherwise any the least sense of pain in him at last his Right Hand was cut off which he endured without shrinking calling out to such as stood by That unhappy Hand well deserved this punishment which executed not the design of a Resolute mind The Dowglasses think themselves now secure enough no man daring to oppose them in any thing But in the midst of their security the King makes an escape from Faulkland to Sterlin there the Nobility from most parts of the Kingdom fly to him by whose advice his Majesty issueth out an Edict inhibiting the Dowglasses any further medling in publick Affairs discharging them or any of their retainers under pain of Death to come within Twelve Miles of the Court this Edict being served on the Earl in his Journey towards Sterlin he retreats to Edenburgh and prepareth Forces for his defence A Proclamation issueth from the King to call a Parliament to Assemble November the 3d. in the interim his Army advanceth towards the City Dowlas withdraws The King peaceably entreth the City Terms of Peace are offered to the Dowlasses viz. That the Earl himself should confine himself on the North of Tay his Brother George and his Vncle Archibald to the Castle of Edenburgh The Conditions are refused they are Summoned to appear before the Parliament they disobey the Earl himself his Brother George his Uncle Archibald and his dear Friend Alexander Drumond of Carnock all by sentence of Parliament Banished all People charged under pain of Treason not to relieve them the Dowlasses break out into open Violence Arguile is sent to reduce them to order whose advance they prevented by flight into England The King spendeth some time with great care and charge in suppressing the Depredations then very great on the Borders which Expedition over he establisheth the Court of Sessions formerly indeed set on foot by the Vice-Roy the Duke of Albany Constituted of Fifteen Judges of the most learned of the Law impowred to hear and determine all Civil Causes a very grave Court continuing in great Honour and deserved Respect in that Nation to this day About this time King Henry of England prepareth for War against the Scots irritated thereunto by the Scotch Exiles and Refuges in England King James having Constituted the Earl of Murray his Vice-Roy prepareth for Defence by Mediation of the French then a common Friend to both Peace is concluded King James sends Ambassadors to France to treat concerning his Marriage to a Daughter of France The King of England to prevent it sends the Bishop of St. Davids and William Hrward Brother to the Duke of Norfolk Ambassadors into Scotland to invite King James to a Personal Conference with himself whereunto he is soon persuaded by the great Promises they made of Marriage to Mary the King 's eldest Daughter if all other things succeeded well in the Treaty The Scotch Council especially the Clergy fearing Innovations in Religion then set on foot by King Henry are much troubled that his Majesty had consented to this Conference they ply him with continual surmises of Ruine to Himself to the State to Religion should this Conference hold the King is over-ruled and observeth not the day appointed but forthwith Saileth into France and is immediately espoused to Magdalen Daughter to Francis King of France the Marriage solemnized on New-years Day 1537 and both arrive in Scotland about the end of May following within six Weeks after the young Queen Dyeth to the inexpressible grief of all the Nobles put on Mourning Apparel not before that time in use in that Kingdom Immediately after David Beton Cardinal and Robert Maxwel are sent to France to demand Mary of the
was too late and being ready to breath out his last when they found him some of his dearest Friends Ask him how he did to whom he Answered with marvellous good chear I am well and in a good condition I now Dye as almost all my Ancestors have done in the Bed of Honour some things only I Crave of you my Noble and Dear Friends which I desire to be performed as you Love and Honour me First That my Death be no Discouragement to you Secondly That you Conceal my Death during the time of the Battel both from Friends and Foes Thirdly That you suffer not my Standard to be overthrown And Lastly That you would Avenge my Death These things if you perform I have my desire and in hope thereof I bear all other things and my present Fate with a good heart With these words wherein he shewed himself a Souldier he takes leave of them and they of him and having covered his Body from the sight of the Souldiers they advance his Standard and Charge with the greater Fury crying out A Dowglass A Dowglass the English are forthwith put into great disorder the Earl Percy is taken Prisoner and in the same Charge his Valiant Son too being dangerously wounded some Nineteen hundred English are slain some Fourteen hundred are Prisoners whereof most wounded and to the Scots it was not a dry Victory The next day the Bishop of Durham coming up with some Auxiliaries the English Rally again and resolve to give Battel the Army being again made up Ten Thousand Men the Scots making vertue of necessity there being no possible safety for them to endeavour an Escape resolve to stand to it under the Command of the Earl of Murray The Bishop advancing Murray having first taken an Oath of all the Prisoners that they should remain true Prisoners though their friends should rescue them by strength of Arms is ready to receive him and commandeth the Soldiers to wind their Horns each Soldier having about his Neck an Horn larger than our ordinary Harvest Horns the Noise whereof was so great and the View of the dead Corps slain over Night so terrible that the Hearts of the raw and new raised Soldiers began to fail the Bishop is forced as his Safest course to retreat into their Quarters from whence they came without attempting any thing the Scots are no less glad being sufficiently wasted and weary to look homeward Murray dismisseth Percy the Younger upon his Parole above One Thousand Common Soldiers are set at Liberty the Earl himself and about Four Hundred of the Chief are carried Prisoners into Scotland The Joy the Scots had in this Victory which happen'd July 19. 1390. was wholly swallow'd up in the Death of the dougheir Dowglass a very noble Cavalier indeed whose Body was Interred at Melross with the greatest Evidences of Sorrow that could be Soon after Dyed in Peace the Good and Peaceable King Robert a general Peace being concluded in France England and Scotland for certain Years the Seventy Fourth Year of his Age and Nineteenth of his Reign a good Man and a good King a great Justiciary an Encourager of Vertue a Suppressor of Vice especially of Theft and Robery stedfast in his Word fortunate in his Wars tho' by reason of his Age and Natural Averseness to War he seldom or never Engaged in Person He had two Wives the one Elizabeth Daughter to Sir Adam More by whom he had three Sons John Earl of Carist Robert Earl of Say Alexander Earl of Buchan and Badgenoch the other Enfence Daughter to Hugh Earl of Ross by whom he had two Sons Walter Earl of Straherne and David Earl of Athol and one Daughter Enfence given in Marriage to James Lord Dowglass Son to William Earl of Dowglass THE LIFE OF ROBERT III. JOHN son to King Robert Succeeded his Father and began his Reign Anno 1390. who immediately changed his Name choosing to be called by the Name Robert as an Auspicious Name the former two Roberts Kings of that Nation being men eminent in Vertue and prosperous in Atchievements He came to his Crown in a time free of Wars from abroad but full of Jars at home by the unquiet and ravenous disposition of his Nephew Duncan Son to Alexander Earl of Buchan who having Abased himself to be Captain of a Rebellious Rout of Robers spoyling and plundering divers Places especially in Angus was at last not without some Blood shed Suppressed by the industry of the Earl of Craford Soon after a dangerous fend fell out between two Great and Populous Families in the North for Reducing of whom were sent Thomas Dunbar Earl of Murray and James Earl of Craford who perceiving the great mischief likely to attend their Endeavours of a forcible Reducement contrived a more subtle way to quiet them after a representation made to the Heads of those Clans a part of the danger of their mutual Fewds and of the Kings Wrath against both they Advise them to conclude their Fewds as the Horatii and Cariatii did at Rome by the Choice not of three but of three hundred on each side to Fight Armed with Swords only in the sight of the King and his Nobles whereby the Victor should gain Honour the Vanquished safety from further Punishment and both regain his Majesties Favour whereof they gave them full assurance the Proposition is embraced on both sides of St. John's Town Mounts raised and Galleries made for the accommodation of the Spectators the Combatants are chosen and on the day appointed together with a multitude of beholders all of them appear on the place only one through fear privately withdrew himself this putteth some delay to the Encounter the one party looking upon it as a dishonour to Fight with the other wanting one of their Number the other Party not finding one who would Engage himself to make up their Number desire one of the Three Hundred to be put aside but of all that Number not one could be induced to withdraw accounting it an indelible disgrace to be shuffled out of such a choice Company of Valorous men at last an ordinary Tradesman tendereth his Service desiring no greater Reward than one single piece of Gold in hand as an honourable badge of his Valour and an Annuity of a small Sum for Life should he survive the Conflict his Demands are soon granted and immediately beginneth the Conflict with as much Fury as the height of Wrath the insatiable desire of honour and the fear of shame more than death could produce to the horrour and amazement of the Spectators whose hearts trembled within them to see as indeed it was an horrid Sight to behold such a rueful Sight of Furious men butchering one another and observed it was by all that of all the Combatants none shewed more shall I call it Valour than the Tradesman did who had the good Fate to survive that dismal day and on the Conquering side too whereof only ten besides himself out-lived that hour to
oppressions not to be so stupid as to endure the Usurped Power of those Men who breaking through all the Laws of God and Man Murthered the last King detaining upon the matter this present King under the bondage of their own Wills which tyranny was so much the rather not to be endured because they arrogated to themselves to be called the Restorers and Preservers of the Scottish Liberties when indeed they exercised a most cruel and unsupportable Tyranny keeping their fellow Subjects in Slavery and abusing the King's Authority to the final destruction of all those who were faithful to his Father and to inflame the affections of the People the more Alexander Forbese chief of that Family carrieth on the point of a Spear through Aberdeen and all the cheif Towns and Cities in the North the King's Shirt torn in divers pieces and all bloody by the Wounds his Majesty received inviting all Men who had any sense of Humanity or Religion to avenge that horrid Murther the Earl of Lennox bestirring himself on this side Forth to the same purpose an Army in this Popular fury rolleth together as in a moment marcheth to Sterlin where finding the Bridge Fortified resolve to Foard over some Miles above where they that night Encamped without Order or Watch or any persons designed for the exercise of Military Discipline This looseness is bewrayed to the Enemy who advanceth Surpriseth all Killeth many and Imprisoneth more some of whom were afterwards put to death Thus was this tumultuary Army as suddenly ruined as raised This Tumult over King Henry of England inraged at the disaster of his five Ships and looking upon it as a publick dishonour propoundeth great Rewards to all such as would undertake to bring to him Wood the Scotch Captain dead or alive Sir Stephen Bull undertaketh the Service and with three choice Ships of the English Navy setteth Sail casts Anchor at the May where he attends Captain Wood then returning from Holland in few days Wood appeareth the Ships draw up and give Fire Fighting bitterly all that day next day morning the Conflict is renewed they Grapple and fasten by Iron Hooks their Ships one to another fighting with that eagerness that none of them perceiving the motion of the Tide all are carried over to the Mouth of Tay where the Water being shallow and the English Ships great and in danger of the Sands the English are forced to yield the Ships are brought to Dundee 10. August 1490. Sir Stephen Bull and other the most eminent Officers and Gentlemen are brought to King James by whom they were Nobly entertained after much commendation of their Valour he grants them their Liberty desiring them to return with their Ships with a tender of his Royal Respects to their Master King Henry King Henry much pleased returneth thanks to King James declaring the great Esteem and honourable Respect he bare to him for his Royal and extraordinary Munificence By this time a Parliament is called in Edenburgh where his Majesty endeavoured by all possible means a Composure of the grand Divisions of the Kingdom some Laws are enacted for preservation of the Peace and the late unhappy Battel nigh Sterlin where the King was Slain is so hudled up that the business of that Day should never after be remembred to the Prejudice of either Parties a very strange Close considering that this Convention was composed most of such as opposed the former King The moderation and discretion of the young King not yet arrived at the Fifteenth Year of his Age was such that a Concord is made up far above all means hope or expectation every man had a dutiful regard to so hopeful a Prince Being thus setled the reflections of his Grace appear daily more evidently towards his Fathers Friends two of his own Cousins Daughters to his Aunt Mary he bestows in Marriage to two Eminent Men amongst them the one Daughter to the Lord Boyd to the Lord Forbese the other Daughter to Earl Hamilton to Mathew Earl of Lennox And to Manifest the deep sense he had of his Father's Fall he begirt himself with an Iron Chain as I have mentioned before which galled the hearts of the Rebellious Faction his pretended Friends more than it did his own Flesh though it made impressions therein deep enough insomuch that Fear more than Love restrained them from breaking out against him About this time a strange Monster was born in Scotland a Male Child which from the Navel downward differed nothing from the common form of other Men but from the Navel upward there were two distinct Truncks of the Body with Head Arms and all other Members as to two several individual Persons the Faces were one towards another what the one did was by the advice and consent of the other and if either transgress'd this Rule Strife arose between them and peradventure Blows oftentimes Scratching Nipping and Pricking one another if they received a Punch or Blow below the Navel both were sensible but if above where their Members were distinct only he was sensible whose parts were touched This Monster King James carefully educated and caused them to be instituted in the knowledg of Letters wherein they marvellously profited especially in the knowledge of diverse Tongues they were most exquisite in Musick and both admired for the sweetness of their voices they lived some twenty eight years the one died before the other some three or four Months by the smell of the defunct body the survivor was much annoyed and daily languished until the hour of his death And about the same time too a Monstrous Cheat came into Scotland and much cherished by the King too Peter Werbeck who pretending himself to be Son to King Edward the Fourth of England happily escaped from the cruel Claws of his Uncle Richard had admittance to King James his presence who behaved himself with a behaviour so beseeming his condition and in a most elocuent Oration did so pathetically deliver himself touching the distress of his Family and his own marvellous preservation that the King and most of his Council though not without the reluctancy of some of the wiser took compassion of him and resenting his condition as the common interest of all Princes with incredible in consideration promise him assistance towards the regaining of his just Rights provoked the rather as was pretended to satisfie such as opposed Peter's design by the breach of Truce made by the English Ships whilst Scotland was gasping under the confusion of a Civil War indeed the late horrid Rebellion in which James the Third perished Peter is highly honoured and exposed to the People by the Title of the Duke of York a most vertuous and beautiful Lady Katherine Daughter to Earl Huntley one of the chief Peers of that Nation is given to him in Marriage an Army is likewise levied and marcheth into England passeth quietly through Northumberland no adverse Army appearing nay nor any one Man coming in to own Peter the pretended
being one Wood a Domestick of the Regents He returning in a disgust another is sent Pitcarne Abbot of Dunsterling no sooner was he entred the English Court but the Duke of Norfolk was sent to the Tower and all the Intrigue of Marriage with the Queen of Scotland discovered Pitcarne is respectfully Treated and freely heard in behalf of the Regent and at last is sent home with Thanks for many Offices done and Assurance of all Favour and Assistance to the Vice-Roy Which Success of their Message so puffed up the Faction and so animated Murray that the Government became intolerable and so uneasie to some that Exasperated with Fear Rage and Revenge resolved upon the Ruin of the Regent whatever were the result of the Attempt and accordingly as the Vice-Roy road through Linlithquo in his Expedition to the Borders with some few Troops of Horse one James Hamilton discharges a Pistol upon him and lodging a Bullet in his Bowels in some few Hours it put a period to his Life Hamilton safely Escaping by a Postern Dore. The Vice-Roy thus surprised with Death put all things into a new Confusion the Queens Party begin to stir but to little purpose they being Awed and Checked and the Adverse Party Encouraged and Strengthened by the Assistance of the Earl of Sussex and Sir William Drury Commanders in Chief for Queen Elizabeth upon the Borders of England So that the Queens Friends dare not put her Affairs to the Issue of a Battel in the mean time the French and Spanish Embassadors press Queen Elizabeth to be more Kind and Favourable to her Cousin the Queen of Scotland whom now she had made a Close Prisoner The Imprisoned Queen no less incessantly and importunately prayeth for her Self by her Letters in Writing wherein she had a most Excellent Faculty as those Copies do make undeniably evident the grand matter of her Request was for a fair hearing before her own Person Queen Elizabeth sendeth to Scotland giving the Adverse Faction Notice that she had promised a Conference for Composing if possible all Differences upon condition that the Queens Party should not stir nor endeavour a forceable restitution withal wishing them not to choose a Vice-roy or Regent until her pleasure was further made known unto them They not daring to displease Queen Elizabeth on whose favour and relief they depended and finding the necessity of their Affairs to require a Man in Supream Power and Authority by a knack of their own invention they choose an Inter-Roy Matthew Earl of Lennox the same in Power though not in Name with Vice-Roy Queen Elizabeth soon after adviseth them to constitute him Vice-Roy accordingly as they had formerly done to Murray Which being effected the New Vice-Roy sendeth the Earl of Morton Pitcarne and Mack gill to the Conference appointed by Queen Elizabeth with the French and Spanish Ambassadors In this Conference Queen Elizabeth had the parience to the astonishment of all wise and honest men to hear the rights of the Crown of Scotland pretended by Morton to be Elective and her nighest Kinswoman infinitely defamed and callumniated that tender priviledge of all Princes or Supream Magistrates viz. the immunity of their Sacred Persons from Capital Censures by Courts of their own Subjects not only disputed but enveighed against and condemned a Topick doubtless very ungrateful to her as being equally concerned in it had her English Subjects been then of the same Rebellions temper that the Scots were at the conclusion of this Conference the Queen declared that she had received no satisfaction either in the general Argument or in the particular Case of their Queen and therefore desired that they would hearken to an accommodation of all differences between them and their Queen This was peremptorily refused by them as not being impowred by their Commission and the matter it self being a Subject proper for the General Council of the Kingdom after much debate and some overtures made by the Queen for a Reconciliation the Commissioners returned home nothing at all being effected for the distressed Queen whom in truth Queen Elizabeth thought it not safe to enlarge This nullity of proceedings left all things in confusion the English Embassador Sir William Drury labouring for a Cessation of Arms between both parties who had had many bikerings and skirmishes to the effusion of much blood until at last the Regent is killed in a surprize at Sterlin by a Party of the Lord Hamiltons and in his stead the Earl of Marre is chosen Vice-roy who by his single Valour defended the Castle of Sterlin Repulsed the Enemy and Rescued the Prisoners that Hamilton was carrying away in which Rescue Morton was Killed by a Bullet that had pierced his Bowels in the midst of this general Combustion which filled all places with fears and dangers Gods Providence preserved the Young King now lodged in the Castle at Sterlin the Scene of the present Warlike transaction About this time the Duke of Norfolk that had been quitted the Tower upon his Confession and Submission and charging Leicester with unfaithfulness in the matter relapsing into the same misdemeanors was remanded to the Tower Arraigned before his Peers proved guilty of Treason and Executed who upon his death bewailed his breach of promise to the Queen that had before graciously Pardoned him and contrary to his word had again without the privity or leave of his Soveraign dealt with Queen Mary about Marriage and such weighty fairs but disowned all kindness for the Romish Religion and declared himself to die a Son of the Church of England The death of the Duke when the distressed Queen in all her Letters to Queen Elizabeth had endeavoured to excuse was no small aggravation of her sorrow and for his sake or his Affection to her she fears the worse and is now more closely imprisoned than before and by her confinement her Health is daily more impaired of which she sends many sad accounts to the Queen but to no purpose But to consummate her misery after all this one Ballard an English Priest with divers Gentlemen Conspire the death of Queen Elizabeth and the enlargement of Queen Mary Babington a Gentleman of exceeding good Parts writes to Queen Mary a full account of the design they had the Letter came safe to the hands of her two Secretaries Man and Curle who knowing the averseness of their Lady the Queen to such wicked and detestable designs dare do no otherwise than conceal the Letter from her and themselves return an Answer to it wherein they give all the life and encouragement to the project imaginable and to this they counterfeit the Queens Majesties Name Babington presuming it was the Queens Hand sheweth the Letter to divers whom he supposed he might trust and at last he commits that and all other their Papers to the trust of one Gifford who immediately carried them all to Walsingham Queen Elizabeths Secretary who upon the perusal of them discovers the whole Plot the Letter supposed to be
Subscribed the King and Queen promising the Restipulation of their Protection which was accordingly done Murray only refuses to Subscribe the Bond and gets leave to go into France having first set some on work again to Embroyl the State and to Blow up the Coals of Rebellion the chief of them were the Earls of Arguile Morton Marre Athol Glencarne and the Lords Lindsey and Boyd but Arguile Repents him of the Confederacy returns to his Obedience and discovers the whole Design to the Queen The others adjoyning to themselves the Lord Hume and others of the South on the sudden they raise an Army of Two Thousand Horse and closely Besieged the Castle of Borthwick wherein the King and Queen lay who next day happily Escaped the Queen putting her self under the disguise of mans habit came to Dunbar where they Secured themselves in the Castle and thither resorted divers of the Loyal Nobility Gentry and Commonalty for the Safety of the Queen who resolves to Advance with her Forces towards Leith to disturb her Enemies then ranting at Edenburgh They hearing of the Queens measures forthwith March and nigh Musselburgh came in sight of the Queens Forces The Armies lying in View of each other and ready to joyn in Battel the French Ambassadour interposeth himself and endeavours a Pacification assuring the Lords of the Queens Gracious Inclinations to them and that she was ready to Pardon and Pass an Act of Oblivion for all that was past They Insolently Replyed That they came not to Crave her Favour Nor said Glencarn to Ask Pardon but rather to give it The French Ambassador seeing no hopes of an Accommodation retires to Edenburgh the Queens Army begins to Divide and grow Mutinous the Queen sends a Messenger to the Conspirators desiring them to send William Kircady the Laird of Grange to whom she purposed to make some Overtures of Peace and in the mean while no Acts of Hostility were to be offer'd Kircady is sent and the Cessation Agreed to Bothwell returns to Dunbar and the Queen offers to come into the Adverse Army assurance being given her That her Army should March off and Return without Molestation to their several Homes or respective Habitations They Accord to this and the deserted Queen very debasingly Attir'd comes into the Rebels Quarter where she was entertained with such Scorn and Contempt with such Vile and Opprobrious Language from the Soldiers as is neither Tolerable not Fit to be mentioned One Banner they had Contrived with the Picture of the Dead King and the Infant King James by him with this Inscription Judge and Revenge my Cause O Lord This they carried upon Two Spears before her wherever she went until at last her Spirits over-burdened with Grief sank under it and she dyed away and being revived and refreshed they renewed their Insolencies towards her and in Triumph carried her into Edenburgh all bespattered with Gore and Reproach and her Face so bedaubed with Dust and her own Tears which she had plentifully shed that she was indeed a most rueful and deplorable Spectacle to behold and all who had any sparks of Loyalty or Sense of Duty in them are much Afflicted at the Sight that Night she was sent to Craigmillars Lodgings who was then Provost of the Town the next day she is Conveyed by Ruthen and Lindsey to Lochlevix Castle a Place Encompassed with waters on every side for nigh well a Mile Bothwell during the time of the Queens Discourse with Kircady makes his Escape first into Orkney and from thence into Scotland The Conspirators send to the Imprisoned Queen and require her to Resign the Crown in Favour of her Son and to name Guardians for him during his Minority the distressed Queen is forced to yield to all that they had Confidence to Demand She was through Fear and Flattery induced to a Resignation of the Crown under her Hand subscribing the Writ with Tears flowing from her Eyes the Tuition of her Young Son is Committed to James Earl of Murray John Duke of Castle-Roy to the Earls of Lennox Arguile Athol Morton Glencarn and Marre James Earl of Murray is by this time returned from his Retirement in France and by these Lords he is Chosen Vice-Roy and the Young King now Two Years of Age is Crowned at Sterlin Murray is Confirmed in his Government as Vice-Roy in a Parliament Assembled August 25. and the first Essay of his Power is against Bothwell who now lay lurking with some few Ships about Orkney Kircady is sent against him who upon Intelligence fled into Denmark and there miserably ended his Days but with his last Breath Cleared the Queen of all Consent Privity or Knowledge of the King's Death as did also Hephorn Paris Daglish and other Servants of Bothwell that were put to Death by Murray for the Murder who upon the Gallows charged it upon Murray and Morton as the Conspirators with Bothwell Some Ambassadors arrive in Scotland from England and France and desire Admittance to the Queen but are peremptorily denyed it by the Vice-Roy the hard Usage of the Queen and the Insolence of that Ill Woman the Mother of the Vice-Roy was such that many even of her Enemies who knew the Truth of it were bowed into a Compassion towards her and began to contrive some Expedient for her Liberty which the Queen her self not long after by her own Wisdom and Prudence brought to pass Guarded and Watched she was by the Vice-Roy's nearest Allies and trustiest Servants his Mother and Three Brothers which were of another Father had the Charge of her in a Place impregnable and out of which an Escape had been impossible considering the breadth of the Lake that encompassed it had not God turned the hearts of some of her Enemies towards her such was her Deportment in that grievous Restraint and her Meek and Chearful entertainment of all Affronts put upon her by the Vice-Roy's Mother That one of the Sons Half-Brother to the Vice-Roy endued with some Principles of Ingenuity and in whom were some Remains of Loyalty out of a sense of Duty towards the Queen begs her Pardon for all past and her Favour for the future promising his Service in order to her Freedom A Boat is forthwith prepared and with a few that were made privy to the Honest Design the Queen escapeth April 5. 1568. the Guard in vain endeavour to pursue after her all other Boats about the Castle being by the Contrivers of the Escape made unserviceable the Queen safely Arrives on the Shore where Lord Seaton with some few Horse were ready to receive her the first Night she is Lodged privately at Nudrie in West-Lothian and from thence the next day she goes to Hamilton where a considerable Number of the Nobility and Gentry meets her in Arms and a great many of her Enemies Revolt from the Vice-Roy and return to their Obedience The Vice-Roy forth with Advanceth with an Army against her and in a Battel at Landside near Glascow the Queens Forces are
overthrown her self for Safety is forced to fly into England to shelter her self under the Protection of Queen Elizabeth her nearest Cousin The Regent or Vice-Roy after his Victory packeth a Parliament wherein divers of the Queens Friends and Adherents are declared Traytors and their Estates Confiscate Himself Marcheth into divers Places of the Kingdom spoils and lays wast and demollisheth the Houses and Castles of such as continued in their Loyalty Queen Elizabeth hearing of the Scotch Queens Refuge into England Commanded her by a Condoling Letter to stay at the Lord Scroops House until she had further Order from her and in the interim writeth to the Vice-Roy of the danger of the Example in which all the Kings and Crowns of the World were concern'd and desiring some Commissioners might be sent to her to give her a full Account of all their Proceedings against their Queen The Vice-Roy having the French King his Enemy already durst not run the hazard of Offending the Queen of England too whereas now his Friend in whose displeasure he might plainly read his own Destruction he resolveth to gratifie the Queen of England and to send Commissioners to shew her the best Prospect of the Story but the Nobility ashamed of the thing refuse to be sent upon so Unworthy and Dishonourable a Message or to be Employed in a matter so detestable he resolves himself to undertake it which accordingly he did Accompanied with one or two of the Rebellious Nobility and George Buchanan a devoted Slave to the Vice-Roy whose heart did as much thirst after the Blood of the Queen as ever his Venomous Pen had Surfeited it self in the pollution of her Sacred Name which so wounded his gangered Conscience when it was too late That he Craved of God no longer time to Live than he might be able to Cure those Sores and Salve those Wounds which himself had made in the Fame and Reputation of that Good and Vertuous Queen The Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Sussex and Sir Ralph Sadler Commissioners for the Queen of England give them a Meeting at York whither likewise repaired some Agents for the Exiled Queen who gave their Audience Protesting that they did not appear there before the English Commissioners as competent Judges to determine or give Sentence in the Affairs of their Soveraign Lady but rather as in the presence of Friends and Neighbours to convince them of the unparalle'ld Wrongs and Injuries done to the Person and Honour of their Queen through whose sides they had wounded all the Kings and Supream Magistrates in the World and to Crave the Assistance of the English Queen her nighest Kinswoman in the World either to persuade her Rebellious Subjects to receive her again as their Sovereign and restore her to all the Rights and Priviledges of her Crown or that failing to grant her so considerable Forces as might be able to reduce them to Order and Obedience which would be a Concession no less Honourable to the Queen of England than Profitable to the Queen of Scotland As a Counterpoize to this Protestation the English Commissioners do also Protest That they allowed not of that Protestation to the Prejudice of the Superiority that the Kings of England had always Claimed over the Kings of Scotland which now belonged to the Queen their Mistress in the Right of the Crown of England Then they proceeded to the Business the Commissioners for the Exiled Queen first laid open all the Grievances and Wrongs that were thrown upon her and under which she now laboured in a Languishing Exile The Commissioners for the Young King in whose Name the Commission ran recriminate and highly Charge the Queen no ways Accountable to them supposing or hoping the English Commissioners to have Power to pass Sentence against their Queen in case they could by any means make them believe her Guilty of those things they Charge her withal But being frustrate in these Hopes and hearing every Article of the Charge distinctly and fully Answered by their Queens Commissioners the Vice-Roy contends That nothing was done which in the like Cases had not been done by their Predecessors and their late proceedings being Confirmed by Act of Parliament they were now past recall and could not be Abrogated by any private person whatsoever whereby he imagined that he had prevented all Arguments that might be offered for a Peaceable Reception of the Queen to her Rights which were now alienated by Act of Parliament But the English Commissioners not satisfied with these things they urge That the true Causes of such rigorous Proceedings with their Queen might be produced the knowledge whereof was the end of their present Meeting The Vice-Roy having nothing else to offer desired that first the Queen of England would Engage for the Tuition of their Young King Letters are sent to Acquaint the Queen with this motion Her Majesty desires two Commissioners of the Vice-Roy's Faction to be sent to her to London to inform her more clearly in the whole matter Two Commissioners are accordingly sent Metellane and Mackgill but the Queen upon second Thoughts judgeth it necessary that the Regent himself be there who repairs to London where after much Debate before the Queen and the Council at last the Commissioners are dismissed and no more Determined at London than at York The Vice-Roy returns home and not long after the Lord Boyd brings Letters from both Queens to the Scots Parliament wherein the Queen of England makes a Threefold Overture in behalf of Queen Mary First That she might be restored to her former Government or this not Granted That in the second place she might be admitted to Reign in Title only in Conjunction with her Son and the Exercise of the Regal Power to rest still in the Vice-Roy until the Young King came to Seventeen Years of Age and if they would not do that in the third place She might have free Liberty to return safely into her own Countrey if it should seem good to her and to Live a Retir'd and Private Life having an Honourable Maintenance allowed her The former Two were peremptorily Denied and the Last had never been yielded to but that they were well assured that the Queen would never Accept of it The Queen of Scotland's Proposals were likewise Read desiring them to Appoint certain Judges to take her Marriage with Bothwell into Cognisance That if it did appear Unlawful that it might be accordingly adjudged and annulled The Letter is Debated but no Answer returned only this Concluded That the Queen of England be first Advertised with a Suggestion that this Motion tended only to make way for her Marriage to the Duke of Norfolk wherein her Majesty of England was indeed much concerned A Messenger is dispatched with the Parliaments Resolves concerning both Letters at his Arrival the Queen of England was Offended that they should send so mean and inconsiderable a Person to Treat with Her of so great and important Affairs as the Rights of Princes he