wisedome and perverse policy to keep backe ones friend in whom vertue appeares It is of follies the greatest folly to hinder their growth for fear they should overgrow our greatnesse the which when we doe it comes to passe that wee are outgrowne by strangers and often by our enemies yea undermined oftentimes while our friends thus kept under are unable to underprop us as they both should and would do a just reward of so unjusâ—… wisedome But for themselves to put hand in them for their worth I can finde no name to it I must wish this Nobleman had beene free from so foul a blot and I would fain vindicate him and some small appearance there is that it was not his fact But the current of witnesses lay it upon him and who can contend against all the world Wherefore let us regrate it and not allow it eschew it and not excuse it or follow it as we are too ready to â—…ollow evill examples To returne thus he lived and thus hee died for whose Elogium short but worthie let it be said as it was then blazed in the mouthes of men and â—…ited by the manuscript He was terrible and fearefull in armes meek milde and gentle in peace the sâ—…ourge of England and sure buckler and wall of Scotland whom neither hard successe could make slack nor prosperous sloâ—…full Hee is stiled by the Writers a second to none and by consent of that age and voyce of the people the slowre of Chivalrie he was often wounded thrice a prisoner and ever ready to fight again what manhood what wisedome behoved it to be with fifty men to overcome five hundreth with twenty to take and slay sixtie What invincible minde was it that being defeated five times in one day hee had the courage to sight and overcome the sixth time Let Hanniball wonder at Marâ—…llus that neither overcoming nor overcome would suffer him to rest yet was he not thus restlesse that we reade of a worthy branch of such a stock a true member of such a house well retaining that naturall sappe sucked from his Predecessours of valour and of love to his Countrey And thus farre concerning the name of Douglas in this branch thereof in the time of the minority or absence of the chief Now let us return to the Principall stock the Earle of Douglas himself Gulielmus Douglassius Liddalianus 1333. caesus Omnia quando habeas quae Mars dedit omnibus unus Ut Mars Marte ferox fulminet alta tuo Hoc putes ut patiare parem tibi Defâ—…it unum hoc Quin age posce hostem caetera solus eris Johns Heroes In English thus Whiles thou alone all valour didst enjoy Mars doth bestow on those he would imploy One onely vertue wanting doth appeare To make thee excellent thou couldst not beare An â—…all bate this pride and thou sâ—…alt have This honour never souldier was more brave Of William the fifth of that Name the tenth Lord and first Earle of Douglas UNto Hugh the ninth Lord of Douglas did succeed his nephew William sonne to Archbald Lord of Galloway and Governour of Scotland who was slain at Hallidon hill Of this William the other great branch of Douglasses doth spring to wit the house of Angus which overtoppeth the rest and at last succeedeth unto the place of the stock Hee it is also that raiseth the house to the dignitie of an Earledome and doth greatly increase the state thereof That he was sonne to Archbald and not to Sir James as some doe mistake it it is cleare by divers confirmations in which Sir James is expresly termed his uncle and Archbald his father And so doth the Charter witnesse upon which the confirmation proceeds The Charter is given by Hugh Lord Douglas brother and heire to the late Sir James Douglas to William sonne and heire to Archbald brother to good Sir James Douglas It is dated at Aberdene the 28. of May. 1342. The Kings Charter likewise cleareth it bearing David dei gratiae Sciatis nos concessisse Gulielmo de Douglas saith the one Confirmasse dilecto fideli nostro Gulielmo de Deuglas militi saith the other Omnes terras reditus possessiones per totum regnum nostrorum de quibus quondam Jacobus dominus de Douglas avunculus suus Archibaldus de Douglas Pater suus milites obierunt vestiti Touching his marriage we finde that hee had three wives The first was Margaret daughter to the Earle of Dumbarre and March by whom he had gotten two sonnes James slain at Otterburn and Archbald called the grimme Lord of Galloway and afterward Earle of Douglas and one daughter married to the Lord of Montgomerie His second wife was Margaret Marre daughter to Donald or Duncan Earle of Marre and afterwards heire and inheritrix of that Earledome for this Duncan had but one sonne named Thomas and this Margaret Thomas twise married by his first marriage he had one onely son named Thomas also This second Thomas was married to Marjoric sister to this William Earle of Douglas but died without issue his father Thomas married a second wife Margaret Stuart who was inheritrix of the Earledome of Angus but he had no children by her so that there being none left now of Duncans race but this Margaret Marre married to the Earle of Douglas we finde him stiled Earle of Marre in his wives right in the yeare 1378. whereof divers Monuments and Evidents yet extant do beare witnesse By this Margaret Marre he had one onely daughter Isabell Douglas who did succeed to the Earledome of Marre She was twice married First to Malcome Lord Drummond by whom shee had no children Secondly to Alexander Stuart sonne to the Earle of Buchan brother to King Robert the third but had no children by him neither yet she did resigne the Earledome in his favour as a Charter given thereupon by King Robert the third to him and his heires which falling unto her and her heires Thirdly the Earle of Douglas after the decease of Margaret Marre tooke to his third wife Margaret Stuart daughter to Thomas Stuart Earle of Angus and his heire and inheretrix of the lands Earldome of Angus This Thomas was son to John Stuart brother to Walter Stuart the great Stuart of Scotland who married Marjorie Bruce daughter to King Robert Bruce Now this Margaret had a brother who died without issue and a sister called Elizabeth married to Alexander Hamilton of Cadyow Margaret Stuart herselfe was first married to Thomas Marre Earle of the same and sonne to Duncan or Donald but had no children by him Then shee was married to this William Earle of Douglas by whom she had a sonne named George This George succeeded to her in the Earledome of Angus and by gift of his sister Isabel Douglas inheritrix of Marre he got the lands that she had gotten from her father which disposition Isabel made to her brother George and not to James or Archbald for good considerations to be
of September I am not ignorant that our Writers give this Henry the commendation of great modestie in this journey as being mindfull of the courtesie showne to his father the Duke of Lancaster in Scotland and that they say that he used the prisoners not cruelly but courteously and that when he passed by the Castles and Forts of the Countrey he did onely require of the Captaines and Keepers of them that his Ensignes might be set on the top of the wall as a token of their submission and that they were in his will but seeing their owne Authors deny him this honour and say that he burnt the Towns Villages and Castles even a great part of Edinburgh and Leith we have small reason to contend with them for it and so we accept of it and follow the Scottish Manuscript Upon Henries departure because the Earle of March troubled the Countrey with frequent rather then with great incursions the Earle Douglas who had the government of Lowthian and the Castle of Dumbar went with an Army into Northumberland and wasted the Countrey with great havock At his returne he gave order that the Barons and Gentlemen should choose some of their number to be Captaines and allot unto them a competent number to follow them who might by turnes wait and be in readinesse either to resist the enemie or to make an in road upon him in his owne Countrey as they should find occasion The first turne fell to Thomas Haliburton Lord of Dirleton who having entred England and gotten a great bootie neere unto Bambrugh returned home safe But Patrick Hepburne of Hailes the younger had not the like successe for he going upon the like adventure had indeed taken a rich bootie but having stayed a day longer then he should and had beene advised by his friends in the enemies bounds they gathered themselves together and following him overtooke him at West Nisbet in the Merse There after a sharp encounter the Scots had gotten the better of the English and well nigh the victorie till George Dumbarre the Earle of Marches eldest sonne coming in with an hundred fresh horse regained the victorie to the English and slew the flowre of the youth of Lowthian together with their Captaine Patrick Hepburne The fight happened the 22. of June 1401. the place whereof is yet called The Slaughter Hill This Patricke Hepburne was entirely beloved of the Earle Douglas and as deare to him as his owne selfe for he it was that fought so valiantly at Otterburne and therefore he was filled with griefe and indignation for his death being so brave a Captain and so deare a friend to his house and to himselfe His honour also and the credit of his Countrey stirred him up also to seeke a revenge of the Authors thereof Whereupon having obtained leave of the Governour he gathered together about some 10000. men amongst whom were many of the chiefe Nobility of the land even the Governours eldest sonne Murdock who succeeded to his father in the Government George Earle of Angus his owne Uncle Thomas Earle of Murray and John Dumbarre brother to the Earle of March one that had married the Kings sister With this company he entered England as farre as Newcastle upon Tine and having gotten a great bootie was retiring homeward In his returning neare unto Milfield Henry Hotspurre and George Earle of March lay in his way with a farre greater power then he had Wherefore the Earle Douglas tooke a ground of advantage which was a little hill besides Homildon a Village in Northumberland Percie would have marched straight towards him to have assailed him but the Earle of March being very skilfull in warre and more calme and advised stayed him and gave him counsell first to send a flight of arrowes amongst them and to give them a volee of their fielding pieces which was done accordingly and did greatly annoy the Scots and slew many of them Douglas perceiving that he could not brooke that place with safety thought it better to hazzard the battell in plaine field then to stand still and see his men slaine about him by the enemies shot while they stood safe and came not within stroake of their swords and long weapons And so though farre inferiour in number downe the hill he goes and gave a fierce assault upon the enemie But the Vauntguard being brangled and giving backe being much troubled and sore wounded by the Archers though they were sharply rebooked by Adam Lord Gordon and Sir John Swinton and brought on againe yet were they not able to sustaine and abide the shot of the enemie but were defeated every man The rest that were behind being exhorted by their Captaines to revenge the death of their fellowes slaine before their eyes did acquit themselves bravely but being overwhelmed with the greater number were also overthrowne at last There were many slaine amongst whom were the forenamed Adam Lord Gordon who had beene at variance with the Earle Douglas but in this expedition hee had been reconciled to him and Knighted by him and Sir John Swinston two that gained greater reputation of valour and courage that day and fought so valorously that if the rest had followed their example that field had not been so lost There were also divers others of note such as John Livinston of Calender Alexander Ramsay of Dalhousie with a number of common souldiers Many were taken of quality Murdock the Governours son George Earle of Angus Thomas Earle of Murray Robert Ereskine of Alloway James Douglas eldest son to the Lord Dalkeith and his two brothers John and William George Lesly of Rothes Patrick Dumbar of Beâ—…ll In the black Booke of Scone is set downe the death of the foresaid George Earle of Angus how hee died in England of the plague being a prisoner with many others and Alexander Hume of Dâ—…glas also as the same Booke doth witnesse The Earle Douglas himselfe was taken also having lost one eye in the fight This battell was fought on the Holy Rood-day in Harvest or as others the 5. of May 1401. or 1402. rather as appeareth by the former History Whilest the Earle Douglas was prisoner in England the Duke of Rothsay became so riotous and insolently unruly that his father not being able to governe him by his owne authority did commit him to his brother the Governours tuition to be corrected and taâ—…ed by him Hee made use of this occasion for compassing his owne ambitious ends or to be rid of the feare hee had of him shut him up in Falkland and starved him to death The blacke Booke of Scone saith that the Earle Douglas was with the Governour when hee brought the Duke from Saint Andrewes to Falkland But it should rather seem that he hath been a prisoner in England when the Duke was thus used for if hee had been at home in all likelihood he would have reclamed the Duke being his brother in law and have brought him out of his wild courses or by his
that there was one thing which Huntley must needes do first of all before any thing else were taken in hand His sonne John had broken prison which was a manifest contempt of her authoritie and such a thing as she could not in honour wink at and therefore he behooved to returne and enter himself prisoner in the Castle of Stirlin though it were but for some few dayes to shew his obedience and subjection to the Lawes Huntley would none of that for he saw that so his son should be made to answer for whatsoever should be done contrary to the Queenes liking so there was a demurre in the businesse In the mean time the Queen goes from Aberdene to Bawhan the house of one Master Leslie a Gentleman some twelve miles from the Town This was thought a fit place to execute their designe upon Murray and Morton but the Gentleman though he was Huntlies friend would upon no termes give way to have done in his house Then the Queen went toward Strabogie a house of Huntleyes where he had resolved to make an end of all but by the way she told the Earle as they rode together that unlesse his son would returne to his prison she could not in honour go to his house But he not condescending thereunto though she were within sight of Strabogie she turned another way and went to a house of the Earle of Athols from thence to Innernesse where thinking to have lodged in the Castle Huntleys servants that had the keeping thereof shut the gates against her Then did she perceive what danger she was in being constrained to lodge in an open town which had neither wall nor rampart nor ditch the Countrey about being wholly at Huntleyes devotion whose son John was in the fields with a thousand armed men besides the countrey people who were ready to joyne with him Wherefore now seeing that her own safetie consisted in her brothers having none else on whom she could relie trust into she began to make much of him Morton These two caused set a watch and placed a strong Guard at all the entries of the town by which means Huntleyes spies and intelligencers were taken The next morning the Clon-chattans with the Frasers and Monroes and many High-landers understanding that their Princesse was in danger came to her aide and forsook Huntley With these she took the Castle of Innernesse and caused execute Alexander Gordon the Captain thereof which was a sufficient testimonie of her alienation from Huntley All this did not quail the Earle or divert him from his purpose His ambition spurred him on before necessitie doth now drive him forward He had gone too far to thinke of a retreat Therefore he followes the Queen from Innernesse to Aberdene watching for some oportunitie to effect his intentions He lay not far from the town with his Companies and had his intelligencers within it the Earle of Sutherland Master Leslie of Bawhan black Alexander or Arthur Forbes The townsmen were most of them either of his kinred or allied to him and all of them so affected as that they neither would or durst oppose him But letters being intercepted which Sutherland and Bawhan wrote to him their plots were discovered and they defeated of their intendments once more Then Murray and Morton thinking it both tedious and perillous to be alwayes on their guard and to be defenders only resolved to take their turne of assailing and pursuing if so happily they might break his Forces and disperse them And howbeit they had not of their own that they could trust to above an hundred horse yet being armed with authoritie and the Majestie of their Soveraigne for the safetie of whose person they were to fight having gathered together of Forbeses and Leslies to the number of seven or eight hundred and hoping that albeit they inclined to favour Huntley yet their duty and allegiance to their Princesse would not suffer them to betray her they took the fields These made great show of forwardnesse in conveening and gave out great words and brags that they alone would do all Huntley with his men had taken a plot of ground inclosed about with marishes so that he was in a manner encamped Murray and Morton with the trustiest of their Friends retired to a little hill to behold the issue of this Battell committing all to those who had taken it upon them Onely they sent some horâ—…men a by-way to close up the passages of the marish that Huntley being overcome might not escape that way So those boasters begin to march toward the enemie and by the way they pluckt off the heath or hather which growes in abundance in those parts and stuck it in their Helmets and Head-pieces according as it had been agreed upon betwixt them and Huntley Wherefore he thinking now these being for him that there was no power to resist him came out of his Strength against tâ—…em who presently turned their backs and came fleeing with their swords drawn and crying Treason treason as if they had been betrayed when indeed themselves were the traitours They had thrown away their spears and long weapons wherefore Murray and Morton though they were astonished at the first sight of these hather-topped traitours who came running toward them with Huntley at their heels yet they took courage and resolved to stand to it For as they were about to save themselves by flight and were calling for their horses William Douglas of Glenb arvie who was afterward Earle of Angus requested them to stay as is reported saying No horses my Lords we are strong enough for Huntley and these men though they flee yet will they not fight against us Wherefore let us present our pikes and spears to keep them out that they come not in amongst us to break our ranks and the rest will prove easie This advice was liked and followed so that Huntley expecting nothing lesse than to finde resistance and being destitute of long weapons was forced some of his men being slain to give ground and at last to flee as fast as before he had followed the counterfeit fleers Then the Hather-tops perceiving that Huntley fled turned upon him and to make amends slew most of them that were slain that day which were some hundred and twentie and an hundred taken prisoners amongst whom was Huntley himself and his sonnes John and Adam The Earle being an aged and corpulent pursie man was stifled with his armour and for want of breath in the taking Some say that he received a stroke on the head with a pistoll but it seemes to be false for it is reported that when Huntley saw his men routed he asked of those that were by him what the name of the ground was upon which they fought and having learned that it was commonly called Corraighie he repeated the name thrice Corraighie Corraighie Corraighie then God be mercifull to me The name of the place put him in minde of a response or
dignity of his Seat as he returned through Tuscanie amongst other his notable acts he restored also the Commonwealth of Florence to their former libertie in which exploit the valour and actions of the Scottish Prince William were much remarked the Florentines to shew their thankfulnesse to the Emperour took to their Armes the Red Lillie a part of the French Armes the colour only being changed And in memorie of the valour of Prince William they did institâ—…te publike playes yearely in which they crowned a Lion with great ceremonie and pomp ordaining also that certain Lions should be kept upon the charges of the common Thesaurarie because William had a Lion for his Armes which is also the Armes of the Kings of Scotland They have also a prophesie in Florence which saith While crowned Lions live in Florence field To forraine Armes their State shall never yeeld This Prince William brother to Achaius King of Scotland passed into Germanie and gave himselfe wholly to the warres where for his service by his sword having obtained large Territories he led a single life all his dayes and thinking to make Christ his heire he founded and doted fifteen Abbacies for those of the Scottish Nation It is he saith Major who is named in songs made of him Scottish Gilmore Now while as the Emperour and Prince William were in their returne from Italy towards France William Douglas in his voyage through Plaisance did fall into a heavie disease and not being able to go along with the Emperour stayed at Plaisance till he recovered his health And then considering the toile and danger of so long a journey as it would be into his own Countrey he resolved rather to remain there then to hazzard his person any more which such travell would have greatly endangered wherefore to gain the good will of the Citizens of Plaisance and to strengthen himselfe being a stranger by a good alliance he took to wife a daughter of Antonio Spettino one of the most eminent and honourable houses in that Citie by her he had many children of whom are descended those of the most noble Familie of the Scoti who are so called by reason of this William their Ancestour who was a Scottishman the name of his Country being better knowne and more remarkable then either his own proper name or the name of his Familie This originall of the Scoti in Plaisance is collected and confirmed 1. by the testimonie of the Italian Writers 2. by the tree and genealogie of that familie 3. and by their Coat of Arms which they give being the same with the ancient Coat of the Douglasses with some difference 1 Touching our Authors they are such as have written the Historie of Plaisance which is followed forth by Umbertus Locatus and Franciscus Sansovinus This last Sansovinus in the first book of his Historie De primo origine delle case illustri d' Italia writeth thus Quando Carolo Magno fece l' Impresa in Italia contra Desiderio Re de Longobardi l' anno 779 hebbe per suo Conduttiere di huomini di armi un Gulielmo Scozzese della Familia di Conti di Duglasi c. as we have set down before Onely he calls it the 779 year which our Writers call 800 or 801. There he showes how this House was illustrious from the very first beginning thereof And for their rank they held in that Citie he declares that it was one of the foure Families which did distribute the Offices of the City which were these Scotta Landra Anguiscola Fontona And they grew at last so numerous and so famous both for Letters and Armes that having purchased many Rents and great Lands and Territories together with many Friends and Alliance they acquired the Soveraignty of that Citie and became absolute Lords and Princes thereof So that from them when they were Princes of Plaisance did spring the Counts or Earles of 1 Vegelino 2 Agazano 3 and Sarmetti They have beene allied with the chiefe Families in those Provinces the 1 Rangoni 2 Fieshi 3 Ressi 4 Pallavicini 5 Lodroni 6 Strozzi 7 Conti d' Arco and the like Then he reckons divers particular persons and namely which doth serve to confirme this deduction Donatus Scotio Bishop of Bobio who lived in the yeare 846 or 48. who built a Monasterie without the walls of Plaisance which he dedicated to the memory and honour of Saint Bride Patronesse of Douglas in remembrance that hee was a Douglas as is probable He built also a Church within the walls which he gave to the Friers of the Monasterie of Bobio who were of Saint Colme or Columbanus Order who was Abbot of Icolmekill an Island amongst the Scottish Hebrides And this he did saith Sansovino Non solamente per l' amor de Dio ma anchora perche San Columbano fu di Hibernia Isola de Scotia Not onely for the love of God but because Saint Colme or Columbanus was of Ireland an Island of Scotland so he thought being a forreigner being the Scots and Irish are mutually descended each of other Then comming to speak of their worth and valour he reckons up above six and twenty persons who were ever valorous in whatsoever fortune good or bad and had been in great employments continually for the space of two hundred eighty five yeares together under the Emperour Henry the fourth Charles the fourth and Sigismond Also under John King of Bohemia and Duke John Maria in divers plaees at Pavie Candie in Cyprus in Albania Famagusta at the Isle of Thin against the Turks in all which services they behaved themselves valorously and discharged their places with credit and honour There were some also famous for learning as Christophero Doctor of the Lawes and Bishop of Cavaillon in Provence of France and Fiderico an excellent Jurisconsult and who hath written learnedly At last he relates how they were overthrown by the Duke of Millain who besieged Alberto Vechio the elder and forced him to render upon composition by which he gave divers Castles Lands and Territories and divers Jurisdictions with a competent estate and means And here he reckons up above ten or twelve Castles which they still possesse all famous and honourable with the greatest priviledges that can be 2. As for the Tree and Genealogie of these Scoti in it we have first this our 1 William Douglas 2 then David 3 Lanfrancus who had foure sonnes 1 Johannes 2 Raynaldus 3 Ruffinus 4 Rollandus Johannes had Albertus who begat foure sons 1 Petrus of whom we finde no succession 2 Nicholaus of whom are descended the houses of Fombii Guardamilii and Cassaligii 3 Franciscus or Francus of whom are the Countes of Volgolino Angazano and Sarmetto and those of Gragnani 4 Jacobus father of the Familie of the Castri sti Johannis Lanfrancus second son Raynaldus was Progenitor to the Gravahi and Varsii 3 Ruffinus his third son was Author of the Momaghi Magnani domorum del Boscho 4 OF Rollandus his fourth son
that it was not fit to increase the number they resolved to take one from them in the place of which in memory of it they put a white or argent bar which beginning at the right hand is drawn along and ends at the left for if it had begun at the left and ended at the right hand it had been Ghibelline The field which was given by the Emperour Henry the fourth together with a Pelican for the crest which is the Crest of the Scoti onely who carry it at this houre and the field of the whole Family generally I have thought good to make this short digression that your Lordship might have some knowledge wherfore this change was made in our coat your Lordship should do me a singular favour if you would be pleased to write unto me of the receit of this Tree in the armes of which the Coronet is wanting because the Crest is the place where it should be and to honour me with your letters which you may send to my noble Captain the Duke of Nivers and so they shall come safe to me for which favour I shall be particularly obliged to your Lordship So kissing your Lordships hands together with thèse of your brethren and children I pray the Lord to blesse you with all happinesse and prosperity Paris 8. May 1622. Your Lordships humble servant and Cousen Mark Antonio Scoto Counte d'Agazano This Tree was received by the Earle of Angus who did also send to him the Tree of the house of Douglas Now besides all this which we have said the Evidents and Monuments Charters and Writs of priviledge of their house do witnesse the same for in the priviledges granted to them by the Emperour Henry the fourth and Sigismond as also by Giovanni Maria Duke of Millain the surname of Douglas is expresly inserted with the titles of Earles given to three severall persons of that house first Francisco created Conte de vigolino Giovanni his brother Conte d'Agazano by the said Duke and to Alberto expressely intituled Conte de Douglas Vigolino by Sigismond the Emperour Now after all this I hope we may justly say with John Leslie Bishop of Rosse Unde certissimâ conjecturâ assequimur illam perantiquam familâ—…am quibus Scoti cognomen confirmabit jam usus loquendi Placentiae florentem ex nobilissimâ nostrorum Duglassiorum comitum prosapiâ oriundam fuisse that the Scoti in Plaisance are come of the Douglasses in Scotland And thus much for William the second sonne to Hugh the first and grandchilde to Sholto Of William the first Lord created Lord of Douglas at the Parliament of Forsaire NOw to return home again to the Scotish Douglasses we finde that King Malcolme Kenmore in a Parliament held at Forfair in Angus in the yeare 1057. as the manuscript Major and Buchanan have it but according to Boctius 1061. did create many Earles Barons or Lords and Knights amongst whom there is Gulielmus a Douglas who was made a Barron the words are these Malcolmus Scotorum Rex 86 tus Sconae coronatus anno 1061. Inde Forfarum generale indixit Concilium volens ut Primones quod antea non fuerat aliarum more gentium à praedis suis cognomina caperent quosdam vero etiam comites vulgo Earles quosdam Barones vulg Lords alios Milites aut Equites Auratos vulgo martiall Knights creavit Makduffum Fifae Thanum Fifae Comitem Patritium Dumbarum Marchiarum comitem alios quoque viros praestantes Montethiae Atholiae Marriae Cathanesiae Rossiae Angusiae dixit comites Johannem Soules Davidem Dardier ab Abernethie Simonem a Tueddell Gulielmum a Douglas Gillespium Cameron Davidem Briechen Hugonem a Caldella Barones cum diversis aliis Equites Auratos perplures pauci vero Thani relicti In English thus Malcolme the 86t. King of Scots being crowned at Scone in the year 1061 conveened a Parliament at Forfaire where according to the custome of other Nations he ordained that Noblemen should have their titles to be distinguished by their possessions and lands which had not been the custome of this Countrey in former times And so he created some Countes or Earles others Barons or Lords and others Cavalliers or Martiall Knights he made Mackdusse Earle of Fife who had been Thane of Fife Pà trick Dumbarre Earle of Marche he made also others of the Nobility Earles of Monteeth Athole Marre Murray Cathnes Rosse Anguse John Souls David Dardier of Abernethie Simon of Tweddale William of Douglas Gilespie Cameron David Briechen Hugh of Calder were made Barons or Lords others more he knighted likewise a great many so that few Thanes were left This note of these very words were extracted out of the Register and Monuments of Icolmekill and sent to George Buchanan when he was in writing his history of Scotland whereof John Read Buchanans servitour and amanuensis having reserved a copy did communicate it to diverse afterward Now here this William being ranked amongst the Nobility who were chosen out to receive these new honours could be no mean man but in all likelyhood the chief and principall of that name and so the eldest descended of Sholto and his sonne Hugh the first and his grandchilde Hugh the second by lineall succession This is al we have of him save that it is a received generall report and tradition that his two sons John and William were Knights at the same Parliament which is an argument that he hath been a man of good esteem and eminent place Of John the second Lord of Douglas WIlliam did leave behind him two sonnes John and William both Knights The eldest was Sir John of Douglasburn which is a parcell of ground and mannour lying betwixt Ettrick forrest and Peebles The other was William of Glendinning which is about the upmost parts of West-Teviotdale neere to Ewesdale Now whether this John did succeed to his father in the Lordship as being his eldest son and heire who was designed during his fathers life time onely by the title of Douglasburn or whether he had an elder brother and so both he and Sir William were but cadets of the house of Douglas we cannot affirm But thus much they say that these two brothers were men of great power and authority and very worthy and valiant gentlemen They affirm also that Sir William of Glendinning had two sonnes Alexander and William of whom are descended those of Cressewall Strabrock Pompherston Pittendrigh and Calder-Cleer Of William the second of that name and third Lord of Douglas WE have but little mention of this man onely in a Charter granted to the town of Aire by King David first sonne to King Malcolme Kenmore he is inserted a witnesse without any other title or designation Then Gulielmus de Douglas William of Douglas This Charter was given the 25. or 27. yeare of his Reigne the yeare of God 1151. two yeares before his death which was 1153. Of Archbald the fourth Lord of Douglas and first of that name THere is as little mention made of
did cry out with a confused noise and clamour detesting it and protesting that so long as they were able to bear armes they would never give their consent thereunto that they had one of age to be heir already whensoever God should call him Especially the Earle of Douglas took it so to heart that he entred into League with Robert Stuart Earle of Stratherne who was next heir and was chiefly prejudiced hereby with Patrick Earle of March George Earle of Murray his brother John Stuart of Kile afterward Robert the third and Robert Stuart of Monteith after Duke of Albanie to withstand and oppose this businesse to the uttermost of their powers in case the King should prosecute it and to desend themselves if he would use violence against them And they were so forward herein and went so farre on in it that it had almost come to an open rebellion Neither were they reconciled untill the King changed his purpose And then by the mediation of the Prelats of the Realm they desisted and gave their oath of fidelitie to him again in the year 1366. having been at variance and jealousie the space of two or three years The English Writers would make it seem to have been but collusion and that the King did but propound it for exoneration of his promise to King Edward and was glad of the refusall for that he was not to labour further in it But our Histories signifie no such thing and say directly that he did it sincerely and was highly offended with the deniall for the time and that those who had refused looked for the worst and set themselves for defence yea that they went so farre that some of them made incursions upon the towns and villages in the Countrey to terrifie the King saith Major and that he might learne to know that the whole Kingdome did not altogether depend upon him but upon the good counsell and mature advice of the Nobility And Boetius writes that the convention being dissolved there followed rebellion of some of the Nobility whilest they feared that they had offended the King with their free speeches determining to enterprise and do somewhat before they should be caused to suffer Such is the force of jealousie when it entereth into mens breasts And therefore it is to be eschewed with great care and the occasions thereof cut off betimes For it cometh often to passe that upon such suspitions when neither partie have had an ill meaning but have been afraid of ill and sought to prevent it such inconveniences have followed as would not have fallen out otherwise And therefore above all things assurance should be given to Counsellours and free voters that in their free delivering of their opinions they shall not offend there or if they do suspect they have offended him the suspition should be removed betimes and they put in securitie And this King David did in this matter as the most judicious of our Writers say They that had carried out against it most freely saith he hearing that the King was angry were about to have made defection whose fear when the King understood he remitting all wrath received them immediately into favour By this wise government and modestie on all sides suspition was taken away and howbeit he was offended for the time because they did not yeeld to his desire yet afterward he rejoyced greatly as certainly he had great cause to see the true and heartie affections of his subjects to their Countrey to his own bloud and the house of Bruce the uprightnesse sincerity and magnanimitie vertues requisite and necessary for Counsellours in resisting even himself for himself for his own honour and good which were both greatly interessed by this his desire if he had obtained it being so prejudiciall to his sister and her off spring who have happily succeeded yet since besides the breach of oath to his father the servitude of his Countrey subjecting it to strangers and the stain of his honour for ever to have been the authour of so unworthie a fact And without all doubt it was greatly against the security of his own Person in regard of the ambition of his designed Successour and Heir King Edward and his impatiencie to abide Gods leasure who in a colder hope had used indirect means to make away Thomas Randulph What would not that man have attempted for a certain possession And what miserable case had the Person of this good King been in if he had gotten his own will if his will had been accounted as a Law by these his subjects A notable example to Counsellours of freedome where their Princes good and the good of their Countrey doth require it to Princes of modestie in opposition made to that which may be their will for a time and whereunto for the present appearance they may be verie bent A happy King that can so dispose himself not to be wedded to his own affections onely Or if not so yet happy is hee that hath such Counsellers who will resolutely remonstrate the right and stand to it by which means he may be brought to examine his own affections to see the errours of them and rejoyce thereafter that he did not what he most desired Certainly this King hath rejoyced at it all the rest of his dayes living in great quietnesse some foure or five yeares There was not any grudge heart-burning or suspition after this between him and any of them such was the integritie of heart on both sides and so it should be in reconcilements otherwise enmities must be perpetuall or would be so if it were not hoped that the reconciliation would bee sincere and entire Nay where it is not so that peace is worse then any warre and nothing else but a snare to entrap men King David died in the Castle of Edinburgh in the Towre which he himself had caused build and is called from his name Davids Towre in the yeare 1370. the nine and thirtieth yeare of his reigne and was buried at Holyrood-house After his decease there was a Convention of the States at Linlithgow to have Crowned Robert Stuart son to Marjorie Bruce King Roberts daughter Thither went the Earle of Douglas and did claime the Crowne where he was so strongly accompanied that they feared hee would have taken it by force if it were not given him voluntarily He alledged that he was to be preferred before Robert Stuart because his right was derived both from Balliol and Cummin Now for the better understanding of the ground of his claime wee must remember that King Alexander the third dying without heires the title of the Crowne was devolved to David Earle of Huntington brother to the said Alexanders Grandfather King VVilliam This David of Huntington as Histories relate had three daughters Margaret Isabel and Alda or Ada. The eldest Margaret was married to Allane Lord of Galloway Isabel the second to Robert Bruce called commonly Robert the Noble the third Alda or Ada to Henry Hastings whose
sayes he that ye were for I was afraid you would not have been half angry nor have fought half eagerly there being so many Humes on the other side Besides his wisedome and brotherly affection the Earle of Angus is also reported to have had a great dexteritie in conciliating mens favour There was no man whom he would not winne with his courtesie and affabilitie no man but he would take notice of him and pretended to know either himself or his father or his Grandfather or some of his friends whom he would praise unto them and tell what honest men they had been and what good service they had done in such and such a place at such and such times Of which they relate this instance how being in Edinburgh talking in the Tolbooth with the Lord Drummond there came a friend to Drummond and took him aside to speak with him a little When the Gentleman had ended and was going away Angus takes him kindly by the hand and spake familiarly to him as if he had been of his acquaintance After he was gone my Lord Drummond asked Angus whether he knew the Gentleman or not he answered that he knew him not at all and had never so much as seen him before How comes it then sayes Drummond that ye spake so familiarly to him He answered I saw he was a friend of yours and your friends are my friends And besides this doth gain mens hearts If I were now in danger or had to do yonder man would assist one and take my part Archibaldus Secundus Quam praestans animi ju venis formâque decorus Et fuerim tantis tunc quoque dignus avis Testis erit thalamo quae me dignata Superbo Nympha parâ—…ns Regis silia sponsa soror Consiliis promptumque manu Teviotia laudat Quae stratas acies vidit Ivere tuas Atque tuas Latone loquetur nos quoque sortos Esca lothi dextra hac me meruisse mori Quin jam victor eram ni Prorex Gordoniusque Sive metus trepidasuasit abire fuga Seu dolus aut error liquissent turpiter hostem Dum premo qui fugiens jam mihi terga dabat Summus at hinc mihi surgit quod sanguine Creti Sint nostro reges terra Britanna tui Archbald the second Earle of that name How lovely was my shape how sweet a grace Dwelt in my looks how like the Douglas race How gallant was my minde what hopes were had Of my fresh youth witnesse the Royall bed Of her who had been daughter sister wife To three brave Kings how my ensuing life Made good these hopes how wise my projects were Ivers and Laiton vanquish'd witnesse beare Pinkie beheld my strength there had I gain'd The field but Huntley and the Regent stain'd Their honour fear or errour made them flee Ev'n when I wonne ground of the Enemie Yet do not these such height of honour bring As t' have been Grandsire to Great Brittains King Of David the eighth Earle of Angus And of his father George called Sir George of Pittendrigh TO Archbald the second dying without heires male of his own body his brother Sir George of Pittendrigh should have succeeded if he had out-lived him wherefore we will speak a word of him He got the Lands of Pittendrigh by marriage His children by the heire of Pittendrigh whose name was Douglas also were David who succeeded to the Earledome of Angus and James Earle of Morton and Regent of Scotland This James got the Earledome of Morton by marrying the third daughter to the Earle of Morton who was Douglas also and so was made Earle by provision Her other two sisters were married before one to the Lord Hamilton Governour and the other to the Lord Maxwell He had also a naturall son called George of Park-head because he married the heire of Park-head in Douglas she was also Douglas to name of whom he begat James afterward Lord Torthorall by marriage likewise and Sir George of Mordington He had also a naturall daughter by the Lady Dundas in her husbands time called Elizabeth who was married to Smeton Richeson Of this Sir George we have spoken above in his brothers life and how he died before his brother His son David married Elizabeth Hamilton daughter to John Hamilton of Samilston called John of Cliddisdale brother German to Duke Hamilton who was Governour She bare to him one onely son called Archbald and two daughters Margaret first Lady Balcleugh then Countesse of Bothwell and Elizabeth Lady Maxwell His wife after his death married the Laird of Whitelaw and had before been married to the Laird of Johnston This David lived not long was little above a year Earle of Angus neither hear we of any of his actions being somewhat sickly and infirme of body He died in Cockburnspeth in the year 1558. The ninth Earle of Angus Archbald the third and of his Uncle and Tutour James Douglas Earle of Morton TO David succeeded his son Archbald a childe not above two years old His Tutour and Guardian was James Douglas Earle of Morton his Uncle and mother to David Wherefore it is no wayes out of our way or impertinent for our History but rather necessary and most requisite that we should first speak of him being a branch and a brother of the house of Angus and in effect Earle of Angus as well as Morton though under the name of Tutour or Guardian Of his marriage we have told before how he was married to Douglas his wife and daughter to the Earle of Morton She bare to him divers children ten as is reported but none of them lived long but died all young ere they came to perfect age She her self became distracted of her wits and would not company with her husband alledging he was not her husband but that he was Master Archbald Douglas who was brother to William Douglas of Whittinghame that her husband was dead and that Master Archbald Douglas had killed him She was kept and entertained by him as became her place and had her residence at Tantallon but he being deprived of her Company loosed the rains to others and begat three naturall Children 1. James whose mother was one High in Dalkeeth who was made Captain of Black-Nesse Castle Priour of Plusquardain and afterwards became Laird of Spot by marrying the heir thereof Anna Hume onely daughter to George Hume of Spot 2. His second son was Archbald whom he provided to the estate of Pittindreigh which belonged to his father Sir George 3. The third son was named Master George Douglas who was lame of his feet Thus much his Children Touching himself during his childe-hood and youth he lived obscurely and lurked for fear of the King James the fifth who had banished his Father and Uncle caused burn his Ant the Lady Glames and had professedly set himself against the whole name of Douglas utterly to ruine and extirpate them We do not hear that his elder brother David did thus hide himself or if
of GOD commands not any obedience at all to such a Bishop neither doth it ordain acknowledge or once name such a Bishop Thus either truly deceived or deceiving themselves that they might redeeme their ease by yeelding and cover their yeelding with an equivocation they found that it was all in vaine for they were not admitted nor permitted to expound it in that sort whatsoever their meaning was but were forced to accept of the exposition which the Court and the Bishops did put upon it who understood that phrase according to the word of God not as a limitation but affirmatively wherein it was acknowledged that the word of God did command obedience to them and therefore they promised obedience according to that command Notwithstanding of all this divers stood out and would no wayes be moved neither by threatnings nor by promises to give the least shew of approbation directly or indirectly by equivocation or any other forme whatsoever but spake plainly against them and prayed publickly for the banished brethren Of these Master Nicholas Dagleish was one who thereupon was accused as too bold to pray for the Kings Rebels He answered that they were no Rebels but true Subjects who had fled from tyranny and such as sought their lives by commanding them to doe against their conscience Hee was empannelled put to his triall by an assise and was cleansed in despite and maugre the Court so farre there remained conscience in men But the Courtiers will not let him escape thus dry-shod they labour to finde a hole in his Coat another way they search and finde that a Letter had come from Master Walter Balcanquell to his wife which because shee could not well read the hand shee had given him to read to her and he had read it Hereupon he is again put to an assise and they not daring to cleanse him yet would they not finde him guilty but desired him to come into the Kings will Hee was contented to submit himself to the Kings pleasure for so much as concerned the reading of the Letter and so was sent to the Tolbooth where hee remained three weeks and was from thence sent to Saint Andrews And thus went Church-matters In the civill government there was none now but the Earle of Arran he lacked the name of King but hee ruled as absolutely and commanded more imperiously than any King under the shadow of the Kings authority and the pretext that all that he did was for the Kings good and safety Hee had gotten before the keeping of the Castle of Stirlin he behooved also to have the Castle of Edinburgh in his power Alexander Ereskin Uncle to the Earle of Marre was Captain of it hee must needs favour his Nephew and his Faction wherefore it was taken from him and given to Arran who was also made Provest of the Towne Hee was Chancellour of Scotland and having put out Pitcairne Abbot of Dumfermling hee made Master John Metellane Secretary Hee did whatsoever hee pleased if there were no Law for it it was all one hee caused make a Law to serve his ends It was observed that his Lady said to one who alledged there was no law for doing of what shee desired to have done It is no matter said shee wee shall cause make an Act of Parliament for it If any man refused to do or grant any thing hee craved they were sure to bee tossed and vexed for it even the chief of the Nobility Athole Cassils and the Lord Hume were committed Athole because hee would not divorce from his wife and entaile his estate to him the Earle or Master of Cassils because hee would not give him a great summe of Money under the name of a Loane the Lord Hume because he would not give him his portion of Dirleton Also the Lord Maxwell then Earle of Morton was quarrelled because hee would not excambe his Baronie of Pooke and Maxwell his old inheritance for a parcell of the Lord Hamiltons Lands which were now his by forfeiture Many Lands had hee taken from many but was never satisfied ever seeking to adde possession to possession which was not impertinently remonstrated to him by John Barton Goldsmith a wittie and free-spoken man Hee had directed this Barton to make him a Seale and to carve on it his Coat of Armes duely quartered according to his Lands and Honours This he did pretty well to his contentment but he left one quarter thereof blank and void Hereof when the Earle asked the reason he answered That there maybe room for the Lands your Lordship shall purchase hereafter Hee took for his Motto Sic fuit est erit meaning that it was an ordinary thing in all ages for meane men to rise to great fortunes and that therefore it ought not either to bee wondred at or to be envied And it is true if the meane had been vertue and not wickednesse which ever was is and will be both envied and hated as it deserveth His ambition was such amongst other examples thereof that Queen Elizabeth must needs bee God-mother to his daughter whose Ambassadour was present at the Christening His crueltie though conspicuous many wayes did appear singularly in the causing execute Master Cunninghame of Drummewhasle and Master Douglas of Maines his sonne-in-law This Cunninghame was an ancient Gentleman and of an old house who himself in person had beene a follower of the Earle of Lennox the Kings Grandfather and had done him good service when he took in the Castle of Dumbartan and Douglas of Maines was esteemed to bee one of the properest men in the Kingdome and was a youth of good expectation yet both of them were hanged at the Market Crosse of Edinburgh The pretext was a forged conspiracie to have taken the King on a certain day at hunting and to have carried him into England Their accuser was Robert Hamilton of Inshemachon who was as hee said himself upon the plot or at least as hee said had been desired to bee of it by Master Edmiston of Duntreath Edmiston being apprehended related How they had plotted to bring in the exiled Lords on horses forsooth which had their eares their maynes and their tails cut themselves being disguised c. A tale which was so unhandsome toyish and ridiculous that no man did beleeve it but esteemed it a foolish fable yet did they make use of it to practise their crueltie upon such as they feared and to make themselves a terrour to all men To returne to the Earle of Angus he and his associats were removed from Berwick to New-castle in May. So it seemed good to the State of England seeing no appearance of their hastie restoring to their own Countrey to secure the Court of Scotland by taking that thorn out of their foot which was too near and too pricking at Berwick Besides these banished Lords were not greatly liked of by the Lord Hunsden then Governour of Berwick for hee entertained correspondencie with the contrary Faction either
you which speeches argue but small hope to prove yea or to colour their pretended accusations and that they diffide and distrust that they shall be able to doe it And most men thinke that if there bee nothing wrung out of John Hume by some one means or other as there is no cause to doubt of the Gentlemans honesty and constancy they will have no subterfuge for their false allegations which must needs tend to your Lordships good and honour clearing your innocency and confuting the calumnies of your enemies I received a letter by Master James Melvine and Master Walter Balcanquel who arrived here on friday last declaring the couragious and constant death of Maines who gave testimony of your Lordships innocency and loyall affection to his Majestie by his last words There was no other new matter of importance in it being dated the 18. of February not long after your Lordships coming from Newcastle But I shall have no more intelligence that way for the Authour is forced to flee hither having been searched for and escaped narrowly Hee was delated by the confession of William Jafray my brother Wedderburnes servant who being booted confessed he had delivered him a letter from me It is done by Manderston to make it reflect upon my brother and he to recriminate hath accused his son George and it is thought he will be able to prove it by George Hume of Cramnicrook John Johnston is also fled and great summes of money offered for him this other letter will shew what comfort I may expect from Scotland or he who is now in the same case There is sure word from France that the Duke of Guise is in the fields with an Army of 30000. or 40000. men some say against the King maniest against Navarre or Geneva So ceasing to trouble your Lordship I rest c. Out of these may be seen the honest and honourable dealing together with the right and loyall disposition of the Earle of Angus whatever hath been set abroche or intended by any other as it is clear there have been some other motions made to him which his heart could not incline to nor his minde dispense with For certainly this feare could not arise without some great occasion and what it hath been or whether it did tend as also who are likeliest to have been Authours of it though it may be conjectured in some sort probably yet I will leave it to every mans consideration of the circumstances and persons who were upon this course of joyning together For my taske being at this time to draw though with a rude hand as I can the true draughts of this Noblemans minde whom I have now in hand I could not omit this piece whereby though there were no more to bee found of him this generall may appeare that duetie justice and vertue were the men of his counsell and the square by which hee ruled all his actions from which no extremity or hard estate could ever divert him or drive him away but to toucâ—… upon any other man or glance at any thing which might rubbe a blot upon any is besides my purpose and no wayes incumbent to mee But to returne it fell out with them according to this last letter for as they were removed from Berwick to Newcastle to secure the Scottish Court so Newcastle being not so farre from Edinburgh but that within twentie foure houres or little more they could have been there upon a necessary occasion the Courtiers were put in feare by others or faigned and imagined feares to themselves for taking away of this suggested or apprehended feare as they had been removed from Newcastle to Norwich so now they are brought from thence to London as was pretended to answer to the Embassadours accusation but indeed to advise with him of the way how they might be restored to their Countrey and the Countrey rid of Arran who was now become odious both to Court and Countrey It is a true saying That there is no society amongst Pirats without Justice for if the Arch-Pirate take all to himselfe or if hee divide not the prey equally the rest will kill or forsake him The Earle of Arran knew not this rule or regarded it not for in parting of the spoile of these Noblemen their lands their goods honours government and places of Command hee dealt them unequally drawing most to himselfe and in Councell and guiding of the State he was the onely figure or number and the rest were but ciphers and instruments to execute his decrees There were then at Court of greatest note the Master of Gray a near Kinsman to the late Earle of Gowry and of the ancient Nobilitie who did hate and disdain Arran for that he had beene Authour of the death of his deare friend seized on his lands and did presumptuously take upon him to govern the whole Countrey alone being but newly raised to bee noble There was also Sir Lewis Ballandine of kinne likewise to Gowry an ancient depender on the house of Angus and Master John Metallane Secretary who had beene indeed an enemy to the Earle of Morton and was well contented that Arran should be imployed to work his ruine but he could not away with his peremptory and absolute domineiring These were the actours and great instruments of his fall Gray directly and of purpose the other two by conniving and being conscious to the plot yet so as they would have seemed not to know of it and they did rather give way to it then worke it They all thought it reason that they should at least have their share of the spoil in a fit proportion but they could not have it any wayes proportionable to their esteem of themselves There was besides these Francis Earle Bothwell who amongst other causes of discontentment was grieved at the banishment of the Earle of Angus his Ladies brother Alexander Lord Hume had been discarded for being thought to be his friend Sir George Hume of Wedderburn and Sir James of Coldenknowes were knowne and professed friends to the Earle of Angus and Wedderburne was of kinne to the Master of Glames and allied to the house of Marre Robert Carre of Cesford was also of the party what out of love to Angus what for emulation with the house of Farnhaste who were on the other faction His Uncle the Provest of Linclowdan Douglas to his name was a speciall stickler in the businesse hee was very familiar and intimate with the Secretary Metellane who without his advice did almost nothing But above all the Lord Maxwell made Earle of Morton entred into open hostilitie for being charged to compeare he disobeyed and refused and by intelligence with the banished Lords hee levied souldiers slew one Captain Lammie that was sent against him with his companies whom Johnston did assist Hereupon a Proclamation was set forth in the Kings name that all that were able to beare armes should come and follow the King who was to pursue him in
abake who are practitioners and partakers as Marre at Ruthven let them joyne together and bee knowne This letter being received and a fit opportunitie espied it was brought to my Lord and without further ceremony I have received here a letter saith hee from whom and from whence your Lordship may see It is written to mee indeed but not for my sake for hee knowes my minde but that I might so informe your Lordship concerning your estate and the state of the publicke cause which you have embraced and you might know what the thoughts of honest men are concerning it what they thinke what they expect what they wish and require I thinke it best that it speake for it selfe in its owne language let it be your Lordships pleasure to reade it He tooke it and read it and after a little pause This saith he that is here in the beginning of this letter may be obtained this Commission for Justice Courts and this for our securitie we shall and must needs bee carefull of There is next that which concerneth your selfe wherein I am sorry that occasion hath not served me to expresse in effect the good will I bore you as I thinke I ought to doe And while he was about to goe on in that purpose the other interrupting him made answer Let it be your Lordships pleasure to breake off that discourse I never doubted nor never will doe of your Lordships minde which is enough to satisfie me you know my ambition I am content to doe any thing I am content to doe nothing hope did not bring me to this cause frustrating nor feare cannot divert me If I can serve to any good use I am glad of it if I cannot yet am I contented it is enough to me that I have been willing and gone as farre as God hath called me hee knoweth how farre hee will imploy any and your Lordship is my best witnesse that I never did thrust my selfe into your Lordships publicke or private businesse So farre as you were pleased of your owne accord to communicate with me so farre I knew and meddled I know what men thinke but this shall ever be my wisedome or my folly let who list account it so yet if I were even aspiringly difposed how can your Lordship doe for your friends at his Majesties hands who doth your owne affaires with him by the mediation of strangers But seeing we are fallen upon this purpose let it not displease your Lordship that Master John retire himselfe as you see it is desired here I will by Gods grace runne such hazard and fortune as may befall me by being your Lordships onely to which my minde my liking and the honour I have to be your Lordships Kinseman and will to honour and doe what good office I can to your Lordship do carry me and if so I can serve your Lordship to any good use in any thing you have to doe it is all I crave for the present let me bee bold to aske your Lordships minde and disposition concerning this letter what you thinke rightly admonished and what you intend about the prosecution or amending of every point in it Before we come to this said my Lord let mee demand a question of you first and heare your judgement in a point which hath greatly perplexed me you remember the sermon preached at Linlithgow by Master Craig what thinke you of it I remember you told me you did not fully like it but I would heare you againe more particularly to refresh my memory because it is greatly incident to this purpose and seems to cut short all our actions For if the case of all Subjects towards their Princes be such what can we doe but depend on their pleasure The other smiling a little indeed my Lord as it is in our Proverbe It is time to aske the question for if you must depend on their pleasure why did you not expect it and stay in England till you were recalled why came you unsent for and that in such a manner what is become of your Proclamations and of all the faire reasons of it you must goe backe again and recant all and cry peccavie for these things Oh saith my Lord that is another question for what we did in that was done of necessitie for our lives and estates and to remove that violent tyrannous man who else would have undone King Countrey and all But now that he is removed and that necessitie taken away it is another case how to deale with our Prince to whom we owe such obedience he being amongst Kings Who are in the place of God who are called Gods and to whom is due the obedience to God But leaving the particular let me heare you of the generall What you thinke of that Sermon and of his grounds I know there are others also that were not satisfied with it but I would heare you Having paused a little he answered Loath am I my Lord to enter upon that taske of censuring any man chiefly a Preacher I like better to dispute a point and discusse a truth without touching upon any mans person so farre as it can be avoyded But seeing your Lordship drawes me to it I confesse wee all disclaime implicite faith and thinke wee are reasonable creatures apt to weigh and consider mens reasons and yeeld assent to their opinions so farre as they enforce neither ought wee otherwayes to consent nor can any reasonable man enforce himselfe to assent which makes me in matter of consenting chiefly in Religion to dislike of constraint For I judge of others as I finde my selfe the world cannot force mee nay I cannot force my selfe to thinke otherwayes then my judgement alloweth of But to your question I am more favourable to Princes then many beleeve and to Monarches I account it a great and heavie charge and burden which hath need of great reliefe and many comforts to recompense the pains thereof and can permit much to a good Prince yea as much as he himselfe pleaseth which will never bee more then is good and just though it were all the estates of his Subjects and the whole Countrey to be guided by himselfe alone with as absolute power as any ever spake of and yet not thinke that hee had an haires bredth of more power to doe hurt But to the question we are on your Lordship remembers the ground that Master Craig did lay yes saith he very well It was that passage of the 82. Psalme God sits in the assembly of the Gods And what he built thereon He built said he obedience to Kings commandments and impunitie without controulement your Lordship remembers right and reports the best of his speech in the fairest termes Obedience to Kings Impunitie to Kings whereas hee said roundly Obedience to Tyrants Impunitie to Tyrants which two who confounds doth great wrong to good Kings But whether wee call them Tyrants or Kings which that Psalme speakes of Who so inferres these conclusions